Sunday, December 27, 2009

Absolutely Sensational....

So what's the count up to now? 13 women? Tiger seemed to be busy in 2009. I can guarantee he wasn't alone. In fact, just months ago, Steve McNair was killed by his alleged ex-girlfriend with whom he openly spent time. Let's not mention Tye Tribbett and Da T.R.U.T.H., two gospel music artists. And not to keep politics out, South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford and Sen. John Ensign of Nevada all had their exotic rendezvous this year. Even David Letterman made 'shocking' confessions of sleeping with various women who work for him. And these are just a few of the illicit affairs...

We can continue by talking about the boy in the balloon...or not in the balloon. Baltimore Mayor Shiela Dixon was convicted of embezzlement. There were six major abductions/disappearances (none of them brown) that covered the screen. Nas, the singer was ordered to pay more than %51,000 in alimony and child support to Kelis. Chris Henry died after falling off the back of a pickup truck. The Colts are (to date) undefeated but were joined for 13 weeks by the Saints. The Yankees won the World Series. Oprah going to retire from her media empire in a matter of months.Let's not forget Kanye West's disgusting display at the music awards. Jon and Kate plus Eight minus one...And of course, Obama's every move displayed for the public.

While these stories are, for some, entertaining, they are no where near the most important stories of the year. They are overly sensationalized as a means to distract us from the most important stories. I mean, what else could we possibly talk about? How could we function without an average of 7.8 hours a day being devoted to Obama and the economic recession, with an average of 4.6 hours being used to find him at fault for it's enduring presence. Tiger Woods almost caught up in the last month coming in second place for media coverage.

Lobbyist and the GOP spent more than $100 million dollars to thwart Democratic efforts...the Democrats spent almost as much to recover from the political punches and to throw some of their own. But the public schools got no more money (because of the recession), the US lowered it's UNICEF contributions (because of the recession), the military is downsizing (because of the recession) while simultaneously increasing the number of service members in Iraq (now that one is because of the terrorists).

I guess all of this is to say: What in the world is happening here? Where are our priorities? Will things change? Will parents wake up and spend time with their children? Will they monitor them on the internet; what they watch on television? Will we get off our butts and actually exercise? At least exercise our minds? No one at home, judging the rest of the world is free from fault. None is without his or her own transgressions. But, we live in a society that is full of stones to throw at others.

Let me just put this out there...how many people reading this post have ever cheated on a significant other? How many have hated on someone else's accomplishments? How many have lied, cheated, or stolen to get something they wanted? Before we judge others, consider what we have contributed to the problem. If the news ratings didn't soar when people made mistakes, they wouldn't keep them on the air so long. No one is without sin. No one is free from temptations. That's life; not news.

Let 2010 be the year that we put family first; the year that we focus on healthy habits; the year that we read and research, not perpetuate unfounded gossip. Let's let 2010 be the year that America grows up.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Criticisms of Obama...

Lately, I have listened to debates over how effective the Obama administration has been. I have heard harsh criticisms of his progress and his ability to lead. Until now, I seldom respond. I usually just resign to allowing people to have their own opinions, no matter how different our perspectives are. However, being that the end of 2009 is near and Obama is leaning toward a year in office. I decided to put forth my two cents.

First, I must say that no one person in Washington, DC controls America. No one person is that powerful. To this end, the successes and failures of Washington DC cannot ever be attributed to one person, even if he is the President of the United States. There are many who blame Obama for the economic crisis, the war in Afghanistan, and every other world dilemma. The allegations have proven themselves to be unfair and largely unfounded. Yet they continue to pour in. Aside from the blatant ignorance of some people, there are reasons for the perpetuation of disregard for the President and his administration.

Racism. There are some people who have been very vocal about their disdain for a person of color in a position of power. They have challenged his loyalties, challenged his nationality, his religion, his identity. This doesn't come from just one group. There are prominent African Americans who say that he isn't doing enough for Blacks in America. Should he be doing something in particular to build just Black people? His response has been that he is doing things for the greater good of everybody, regardless of race and ethnic orgin.

Inpatience. People elected Obama in hopes of change. To date, a lot has changed. However, it is difficult to see the smaller things as they are overshadowed by the larger consequences of the economic crisis and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. People expected that on 21 Jan 09, the world would automatically be different. Contrary to popular belief, we didn't fall into an economic depression, a war in Afghanistan and Iraq, or disrespected by most of the world over night. Things will take time to show drastic improvements.

Noncooperation. Time and cooperation are essential for change. When Obama campaigned his slogan was not "Yes I Can!" it was "Yes WE Can!" His campaign was based on the premise that everyone had to do their part to make things work. We have right now, the "Party of No" who just refute anything the President tries to do. They vote against common sense legislation, the debate and push obstacles in the way for every change. People, like Danny Glover, complain that companies need to lend more money to Black people. The stimulus aimed to help banks lend to people...not just Black people. But, according to a survey conducted by Consumer Digest, the average credit score for an African American? 536. For Latinos? 511. Has it occured to anyone that credit ratings are still a factor for lending?

For all of the money spent by networks, lobbyists, and the GOP to thwart Obama's efforts, we could have seen much more change. The progressive attitude of the administration may not be appreciated for a long time. But the effects of health care reform, the effects of the war in Afghanistan, the effects of this economic depression, will be felt for generations to come.

Instead of adding to the problem, we need to step up and be part of the solution. Stop fearing change. Stop arguing for things you haven't researched. Work together, build this country together. Fight the fight together... and we will all win.