November 4, 2009
Since I’ve been able to vote I’ve been exteremely aware of my elected officials. I’ve voted in every election that I was able to and always encouraged my friends to do the same. Yesterday was the NJ gubernatorial race, and the two candidates (because independents don’t reeaaaalllllyyy count) were John Corzine (the incumbent) and Chris Christie. Well, I cast my vote proudly for John Corzine on my lunch break.
I don’t really check the polls until they are all tallied, and after the tally, Christie was elected the next Governor of my great state. Frankly, I’m definitely disappointed in the low voter turnout in NJ, when so many people claim to be upset with the Status Quo. If you have a problem, use your voice! This is what the nay-sayers have done. They used their voice and voted for whom they thought was right. Unfortunately, I don’t feel that Christie is the right candidate and it has nothing to do with his political party!
He makes claims that he wants to fix the state budget and he has a problem with unions, like the Teachers Union. So pretty much, he will fix the budget on the backs of our teachers, seniors programs and children. And everyone is up in arms about property taxes going up during Corzine’s term: NEWSFLASH- Governors aren’t responsible for your property taxes, thats your county government. Another election you people have skipped out on!
If people can remember the last Christie in NJ politics, also a republican, you’d remember that she put us into a giant Hole. She never funded the State workers Pension Fund. She left this State in Shambles. she single-handedly did more fiscal harm to NJ than any other NJ Governor When Corzine was elected, he was in a hole so deep that he had to cut 5 Billion out of the State Budget. He also removed 50% of the tolls on the Garden State Parkway. People are saying they want a change in NJ, the Soprano state, well you’re definitely going to go in a different direction, but it won’t be good.
I think I feel this election more seriously, having close ties with a major state school, and seeing how Corzine rallied for protecting jobs there. Joblessness in NJ is high, around 9%, but it still less than other states battling the same problems. For state employees, pay freezes and Furloughs have saved many jobs, including my own. We’ll see whats ahead in the years to come, but I definitely don’t see this as being easy.
One more thing people keep doing that is annoying. Stop trying to relate this failure back the President Obama. Seriously?? Corzines failure is his, not the presidents.
Posted in Cleo's Rants, news | Tags: change, learning, news, politics | 1 Comment »
October 14, 2009
With every new phenomenon in social networking, researchers are always trying to figure out, or categorize the users and dynamics of why and how it works. The latest internet craze, Twitter is no exception. Friends, who are not users, are always asking me, “What is the point?” or “How does it work?” and I always find it hard to explain. Twitter is something you have to use to understand and see why people like it. This study, done by Professors Naaman and Boase of Rutgers University (RU Rah Rah!!) did a study that revealed their are 2 types of Twitter users: Meformers or Informers.
It’s obvious what an Informer is: They use their tweets to post messages that contain information, like news links. Meformers post what they call “me now” messages. These messages update a users followers about what their thoughts, location, or immediate situation. Sometimes these random thoughts are hilarious. I in fact, love a good random thought!
Meformers typically have less followers than informers. And Informers tend to be active in social awareness streams, and interact more than Meformers. Not all Informers though, sometimes you get news networks or companies that don’t respond (ahem *cough*) But some places are great, l ike @Zappos!
Other info I found interesting in the article:
# Informers have more friends and followers on Twitter than meformers (Informers had a median 131 friends and 112 followers compare to meformers median figures of 61 friends and 43 followers.)
# Females were more likely to post “me now” messages than males. (Forty-five percent of females’ messages were “me now” compared to 37 percent of males’.)
# Posts from mobile devices were more likely to be “me now” messages than posts from non-mobile applications. (Fifty-one percent of mobile-posted messages were “me now” compared to 37 percent of non-mobile messages.)
# Informers mention others in their messages more often.
What am I?
I think I’m a combination of both. I don’t typically share things that I find are already being spread by others, people hate redundancy. I do share info I find new, exciting, or just plain strange! I do go a bit personal sometimes, but I don’t want to seem like a drone while tweeting.
What are you?
Read more HERE!
Posted in entertainment, news | Tags: change, entertainment, news, politics, random, twitter | 3 Comments »
July 23, 2009
****UPDATE****
This cop is a STRAIGHT asshole!! I love how he’s not a racist, but the most recent incident he can remember was in 19 fucking 93!! Anyone who can say “oh I helped a black person then” or “i’m not racist I’ve got a black friend” is seriously some what of a racist. UGGGGHHH!!! arsehole! OH, and he said he will NEVER apologize
CNN link
**** END update****
I’ve been away for the past few days, so I’m just now getting to discuss the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. Does everyone know who he is? If you don’t I’m going to suggest you use your Google function quickly! Skip over the recent news articles and find a quick bio, ok!
I don’t really need to get into what happened because most people know by now that Professor Gates was arrested at home after a cop reported to his home for a possible burglary. I think it’s a sad shame that we really don’t live in a post racial US, but to anyone who that’s a surprise to, they need a wake up call.
Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct — what the arresting officer described as “loud and tumultuous behavior in a public space.” I’m sorry, I thought home was private? Since when did someone’s home become a public space? And why did the cop feel the need to arrest him after he showed ID that that was indeed his home? What was the point of continuing questioning after you had verifiable proof that this was the homeowner? This is why so many people share the epitome that cops suck. They really do. They go on serious power trips. They make the few good cops look bad.
Gates was quoted as saying
“We depend on the police-I’m glad that this lady called 911. I hope right now if someone is breaking into my house she’s calling 911 and the police will come! I just don’t want to be arrested for being black at home! I think this was a bit of an extreme reaction.”
The cop refused to show his identification and escalated a hostile situation. He got arrogant and Gates got defensive. It happens many many times with cops. It really sucks that the cop won’t even apologize. I despise people who can’t admit their wrongs. It’s so unattractive. Just admit officer, your a po po in the well known racist area surrounding Cambridge, Massachusetts. You saw an opportunity to exercise the power of the blue shield & used it. UGH.. lemme go on..
I think I’m more upset about some of the comments and things I’ve read on sites like Detroit Free Press and others. Some posters wonder why you would ever question or get snarky with a cop (I didn’t know cops had the right to be bastards???). One poster said he hopes his home really does get robbed, things of that nature. His case is up opening up dialogues about racial profiling and affirmative action. I love to hear dialogue about subjects like this from knowledgeable sources. But when people begin to make blanket statements like “there’s money for blacks to go to college just for being black” I want to jump through my computer screen and smack that person. I hate when people say that black people are given jobs just because of AA. What fucking world do people live in?
Right now the biggest people profiting from Affirmative action are Hispanics. I really do see it AND believe it. Many under barely qualified people are getting jobs just because they can speak two languages. I’m a firm believer that to survive in America you need to speak English. Im sick of getting sent 2 copies of every damn document because people refuse to learn it. It may sound crude or whatever, but hey it’s how I feel.
Back on track, if blacks were given priority then why do they have the highest rates of being being laid off in these “hard economic times?” I don’t believe any person of minority – of any minority- who says they’ve never been stereotyped. It does still happen. I witness it more often than I’d like. I don’t even have to time address this foolishness. I’m going to go watch my recorded Black in America 2 w/ Soledad O’Brien.
Posted in news | Tags: entertainment, news, politics | 1 Comment »
April 28, 2009
OK Lovers! It’s that time of day where I let you know what caught my eye today. Hope you all had a great day of work today, because mine is about to be over. I’m headed to Happy Hour! Yay!
1. Are all BLACK women Gold-Diggers? – I think not. But there are different type of Gold Diggers & different types of women. I don’t really care what everyone else, but I definitely don’t consider myself one. Thoughts?
2. Naomi Campell retiring! - Someone’s biological clock is ticking! And when you’ve been one of the best in modeling industry for 20 years, no one can blame you for calling it quits.
3. Specters Political Prowess - Is Arlen Specter really having a change of ideals or is he just looking for re-election by any means necessary?
4. New Music from Maxwell & Chrisette Michelle – I loveeeeeeeee Chrisette and cannot wait until Tuesday for her cd! Please believe I will be reviewing it! Loved the 1st one!! Thanks @ Necole Bitchie!
Have fun reading!
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January 21, 2009
Ok.. here is my Inauguration coverage, and maybe the end of the ObamaRama that has been plaguing us for the past year or two. I am kind of happy that the election is over and the inauguration too. I am happy with the experience and am ready to actually see “CHANGE” in process. I know its not going to be tangible right now, but I’m tired of all the talk. I wish the Obama’s the best of luck, and I really am super proud of having been able to witness this in my young life.
So, Kitty over @ Kittybradshaw.com (thanks again for the tip!) told me about this letter making its net rounds from the Bush girls to the Obama girls. So I did my digging and found it over at the Washington Journal’s site. No matter what the Bush girls do with their lives I will always think of them as raging drunks.. but then again that’s how I think of most people, LOL. But after reading the letter, I think the most valuable thing they could have said was about not seeing your father through the worlds eyes, but by your own eyes. He’s a father first then the President. Although that may get lost over time and in translation its a very real statement to make. And although the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, are very young they are entering foreign territory. The Bush girls kinda knew what was ahead from when their Grandfather was president.
This letter should have focused on the pressures that now await them in their growing years. I mean, all that stuff about friends and museums was great and fine, but no one can prepare them on how to deal with your teenage years, and teenage rebellion, under the watchful eye of not only the secret service but from the American People. And, honestly, Sasha & Malia have it worse being the first African-American (or Black whatever you prefer to call it) first children. There is twice as much, hell 3 times as much, pressure on them. The world will be waiting for them to make one wrong step. Sad but true…
Here’s their letter:
Sasha and Malia, we were seven when our beloved grandfather was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States. We stood proudly on the platform, our tiny hands icicles, as we lived history. We listened intently to the words spoken on Inauguration Day service, duty, honor. But being seven, we didn’t quite understand the gravity of the position our Grandfather was committing to. We watched as the bands marched by — the red, white, and blue streamers welcoming us to a new role: the family members of a President.
We also first saw the White House through the innocent, optimistic eyes of children. We stood on the North Lawn gazing with wonder at her grand portico. The White House was alive with devoted and loving people, many of whom had worked in her halls for decades. Three of the White House ushers, Buddy, Ramsey, and “Smiley”, greeted us when we stepped into her intimidating hallway. Their laughter and embraces made us feel welcome right away. Sasha and Malia, here is some advice to you from two sisters who have stood where you will stand and who have lived where you will live:
– Surround yourself with loyal friends. They’ll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun, and appreciate the history.
– If you’re traveling with your parents over Halloween, don’t let it stop you from doing what you would normally do. Dress up in some imaginative, elaborate costume (if you are like us a pack of Juicy Fruit and a Vampiress) and trick-or-treat down the plane aisle.
– If you ever need a hug, go find Ramsey. If you want to talk football, look for Buddy. And, if you just need a smile, look for “Smiley.”
– And, a note on White House puppies–our sweet puppy Spot was nursed on the lawn of the White House. And then of course, there’s Barney, who most recently bit a reporter. Cherish your animals because sometimes you’ll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.
– Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.
– When your dad throws out the first pitch for the Yankees, go to the game.
– In fact, go to anything and everything you possibly can: the Kennedy Center for theater, State Dinners, Christmas parties (the White House staff party is our favorite!), museum openings, arrival ceremonies, and walks around the monuments. Just go. Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!
For four years, we spent our childhood holidays and vacations in the historic house. We could almost feel the presence of all the great men and women who had lived here before us. When we played house, we sat behind the East sitting room’s massive curtains as the light poured in illuminating her yellow walls. Our seven-year-old imaginations soared as we played in the enormous, beautiful rooms; our dreams, our games, as romantic as her surroundings. At night, the house sang us quiet songs through the chimneys as we fell asleep.
In late December, when snow blanketed the front lawn, all of our cousins overtook the White House. Thirteen children between the ages of two and 12 ran throughout her halls, energized by the crispness in the air and the spirit of the season. Every room smelled of pine; the entire house was adorned with thistle; garlands wound around every banister. We sat on her grand staircase and spied on the holiday dancing below. Hours were spent playing hide-and-go-seek. We used a stage in the grand ballroom to produce a play about Santa and his reindeer. We watched as the National Christmas Tree was lit and admired the chef as he put the final icing on the gingerbread house.
When it was time, we left the White House. We said our goodbyes to her and to Washington. We weren’t sure if we would spend time among her historical walls again, or ever walk the National Mall, admiring the cherry blossoms that resembled puffs of cotton candy. But we did return. This time we were 18. The White House welcomed us back and there is no doubt that it is a magical place at any age.
As older girls, we were constantly inspired by the amazing people we met, politicians and great philosophers like Vaclav Havel. We dined with royalty, heads of states, authors, and activists. We even met the Queen of England and managed to see the Texas Longhorns after they won the National Championship. We traveled with our parents to foreign lands and were deeply moved by what we saw. Trips to Africa inspired and motivated us to begin working with HIV/AIDS and the rights of women and children all over the world.
Now, the White House ballrooms were filled with energy and music as we danced. The East sitting room became a peaceful place to read and study. We ran on the track in the front lawn, and squared off in sisterly bowling duels down in the basement alley.
This Christmas, with the enchanting smell of the holidays encompassing her halls, we will again be saying our good-byes to the White House. Sasha and Malia, it is your turn now to fill the White House with laughter.
And finally, although it’s an honor and full of so many extraordinary opportunities, it isn’t always easy being a member of the club you are about to join. Our dad, like yours, is a man of great integrity and love; a man who always put us first. We still see him now as we did when we were seven: as our loving daddy. Our Dad, who read to us nightly, taught us how to score tedious baseball games. He is our father, not the sketch in a paper or part of a skit on TV. Many people will think they know him, but they have no idea how he felt the day you were born, the pride he felt on your first day of school, or how much you both love being his daughters. So here is our most important piece of advice: remember who your dad really is.
Jenna Bush is a writer and educator, the author of the book ‘Ana’s Story’ and the co-author, with her mother Laura Bush, of the picture book ‘Read All About It.’
Barbara Bush works for a public health-focused non-profit, Global Health Corps, and previously worked for The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.
Source WSJ
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January 14, 2009
From Parade Magazine.. Obama’s Open Letter to His Daughters:
Dear Malia and Sasha,
I know that you’ve both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn’t have let you have. But I also know that it hasn’t always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn’t make up for all the time we’ve been apart. I know how much I’ve missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.
When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I’d make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.
I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren’t rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.
I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you’ll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.
Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country—but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free—that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.
That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.
She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better—and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It’s a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.
I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you’ve had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.
These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That’s why I’ve taken our family on this great adventure.
I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.
Love,
Dad
This was touching.. Its crazy.. by this time next week, he will officially be our president, not the President-Elect. I am excited and nervous about whats in store for the American future. I believe in what I interpret his vision to be, and can’t wait to experience the next few years. If you think about it, this is the next great era, there are going to be countless books and memoirs about this monumental time in US history. This is big.
Posted in Randomness | Tags: hot, learning, news, politics, raves | 2 Comments »
December 22, 2008
Has everyone heard about the proposed taxes in New York? I don’t live in New York, I do go there often, as does any person in Jersey, so I feel some of these taxes will affect us here. First let’s just say that New York is already super expensive. Just buying a simple bagel and orange juice can be about 1-2 dollars more expensive than in Jersey. Fast Food chains are expensive and let’s not even talk about the cost of drinks in the club. It is downright high way robbery. But dammit if the city is a fun place to hangout!
Well, recently Governor Paterson, who has taken post after Spitzer was removed because of his illicit call-girl activities, has proposed almost 88 new taxes to make up 18 billion dollar deficit in the New York budget. The state of NY was so reliant on funds from Wall street, but now that those execs have caused their own demise us poor folk must pay. If that isn’t the resounding theme of 2008.
Basically he wants to impose a “digitally delivered entertainment” tax which could include iTunes downloads and services like NetFlix among others. We will herein refer to this as the “iPod tax.” He also wants to tax soda and non-nutritional beverages (think beer and wine :0) or any beverage that is less than 70% juice. This will be referred to as the “obesity tax.” There used to be a tax break in NY on clothing that cost under $110, but he wants to axe that. Additionally he proposes a tax on cable and satellite TV and a Taxi tax. Wow, lots of taxes on the average New Yorker.
THere have been lots of outrage regarding these taxes, saying that he wants to nickel and dime the average person, versus taxing the people who have the money, i.e. the now derelict Wall St. execs who despite the collapse still received thousands of dollars in bonuses. I have a few things about this iPod tax and obesity tax. There have already been polls released that say that people aren’t going to download less despite being taxed more and I can’t say I blame the. With more and more things becoming increasingly expensive people need a way to entertain themselves, and buying actual cds is just kind of dated. And they don’t last as long. IF you really like a CD and you play it a lot it can get scratched and damaged fairly quickly. You can not scratch a download. I do question how will the regulate this? Can a NY’er just cross over th e tunnel and make their download at a Starbucks in Jersey to avoid the tax? this would increase transportation revenue, LOL. NO, but seriously, how will they? For some NY’ers it is very very easy to get to Jersey via the Path or the NJ transit. Granted it will cost them, but is it worth it?
Obesity tax? Harsh name, but really is this necessary. Soda and other non necessity food items are already taxed, at least in NJ so how much more are you going to do it. I read an article on the NYtimes that said that this is really a benefit to people, just like the smoking tax, because despite the health risks people won’t stop until its money involved. Hmm.. that made me think a lot about the health risks associated with drinking. The tax won’t go to diet sodas, which can be more harmful than regular soda due to the affects of that devil known as aspartame. How does he see diet soda as a necessity? Seriously? ICK. Do I think this will cause people to cut down on liquid calories? No. I think that more people will buy in bulk. It will be cheaper to buy a 12 pack and bring your own soda vs. buying a 20 oz. every day. People are not going to give up habits like that easily. I say maybe 2 % of the the NY “Coke crew” (yes I made that up, that is for people who have to have their Coke with every meal, we all know someone like that) will actually cut back on their soda drinking.
My only question is… how does this affect the cost of a Non-Fat Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks in Penn Station??
Posted in news | Tags: change, Jersey, news, politics | 1 Comment »
November 6, 2008
This was the election heard round the world. Since when have Kenyans, Indians and Asians cared who was the American president? But after 8 years of falling into an abyss that would lead to America becoming yet another FORMER world power, faith has been restored in the potential that America has. Barack Obama and his movement have made that possible -not a campaign but yes a movement. He rallied support not only of the youth and blacks but he also revived an American spirit deep down inside all of us. So many people have said today that they now know what it feels like to be “proud to be an American. “ I actually feel that I am proud. I have happy feelings I can’t put into words. I open my facebook and myspace and see everyones status reflect their giddiness over the new direction we can have. Change is resonating through our hearts and minds. People actually have faith in change, shocking.
I am only 23 and I can freely admit I may have thought this possible one day but never in a lifetime where I would be so young. The first black/African American president. I am humbled and awed all at the same time. I am also realizing even more how my generation has to step up to the plate and help continue to propel us forward. This is our generations civil rights moment. This is our March on Washington. Can we believe it was only 40 years ago that Dr. King said one day, no one really saw one day as being any day soon. This does not mean by any way that racism is dead in America,or any country, but rather shows that racial barriers can and continue to be broken down every day. Not only am I proud for my generation, but for those still alive from the original movement who have lived to see their hard work and perseverance pay off. That is what brings a tear to my eyes and a chill to my spine. Thinking of their pride, and ultimately their power in being forces of change. They are the people who need to be praised and admired. They deserve a standing ovation on inauguration day.
I can’t believe I had the fortune of being at CNN watching this moment unfold. Being in a room full of various people of shapes, sizes, and classes and seeing everyone burst into applause at the projection that he’d won. Seeing people tear and gasp out of happiness was enough to make me feel good. Seeing massive crowds gather for a man who the republicans tried to drag down with pettiness and slander stand strong-with his beautiful wife and daughters-made it all slightly surreal. Seeing him embrace his new role with grace and dignity made me sure he was the right man. I know on the inside there were all sorts of emotions on his part. Thinking, “I have been chosen. I am the leader. Wow.” Followed by “oh shit, I have been chosen I am the leader, wow.” Lol.
I know its not going to be an easy road for president-elect Barack Obama, but I think he’s shown he’s solid, “solid as barack.” LOL. I believe this is the election that will be remembered for years. This is an American triumph. There have been wars before, so yes 9/11 will always be remembered and idolized by some. But to me that is just a day to be honored and remembered. I sympathize with those who lost family and friends. But to me, this here, is my American history. This is what affects me. This affects the world.
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November 4, 2008
This was not my first election, I voted in the 2004 presidential election, the New Jersey gubernatorial election that elected Jon Corzine, the presidential primaries and now today. However, today was the biggest thrill I got. I actually knew that if I didn’t vote I had no voice-which is always the case. But this election is monumental in so many ways-this is history. We are making history here, like the CNN ad in the New York times today, we are living in the moment in which history is made. No matter who my ballot was cast for (but we all know I Barack’ed it!) I made a contribution to the future of my nation.
I woke to a sea of text messages from friends encouraging me to get my lazy ass out of bed to vote. I already knew I was voting early, to avoid any possible long voting lines that have been plaguing the country since early polls opened. I was prepared, I stopped at Dunkin Donuts and got a Vanilla Chai with a plain croissant. My ever ready Ipod was in my purse and you know I don’t go anywhere without a book and a notepad. So I was prepared to pass idle time waiting in line. Imagine my relief when there was NO line. I knew I had a good polling location, but everyone had scared me into thinking no matter where you went you would be waiting. But fortunate for me I was good. You could tell there were expectations for long lines because the polling center had made provisions. Usually there is one big room and its divided up alphabetically inside an elementary school. But today they had the ward divided into subdivisions. And since I didn’t know my subdivision I didn’t show up on the first lists. So I’m like oh, NO! I checked and I am registered! So they searched and saw I was in a different subdivision. And I trolled across the ground level of Lincoln Elementary school and found my name on the voting list and walked right into my voting booth. I stood there for a minute, took a deep breath, looked over the ballot and said, wow. Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I even placed my opinion on the questions they ask, voted for my senators and councilmen. Because if you don’t have local representatives that actually represent you, then its no point. The real process is shown from the bottom up-vote for you mayor, councilmen, freeholders, senate and congress. They ultimately set the precedent for how our future president can behave. Anywho. yeah, I voted for it all. And I loved every minute of it.
I spoke to my grandfather about it, and he was very nonchalant about it. First joking that he voted for John McCain, then laughing saying, “yeah right, I don’t vote for thieves. You know I vote democrat.” He was so casual about the idea of voting for the first major party African-American candidate that I loved it. My great grandmother was born in 1912 in the south, so even though she is dead, I know she is so proud of us actually being able to have this choice. I once tried to ask my grandfather (b. 1937) about his sentiments during the 60s, and he downplayed it, saying he tried to stay out of it. He was very close-lipped about relating his experiences. He summed it up by saying, I’m from Ocala, FL. I didn’t want to die. Wow.
Posted in Cleo's Rants | Tags: change, news, politics | No Comments »
September 24, 2008
Yesterday I read an article about the different debate approaches of Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. I briefly read the article, wondering how the hell was this old man (McCain) going to stand a chance next to a viral man nearly, if not, 30 years his junior with a much sharper mind (Obama). McCain graduated near the bottom of his navel class whereas Obama is Harvard educated and a much better speaker. In the article the authors said McCain had a lackadaisical approach to this debate, not really giving it much practice while Obama was entering “debate camp.” Interesting. At least to me.
So with this information stored in my ever growing brain it wasn’t too big of a shock to hear that McCain wants to postpone the debate to focus on the “economy.” Yes. Now why would he want to do this? Shouldn’t this be a time to hear the different approaches the two candidates are proposing for this “crises?” The are going to be elected right in the middle of it. Yes, I say go on and debate about his issue among other issues. This is simply unacceptable. Obama, like a real leader, wants to proceed with the debates. In reality, let’s use a “presidental” example to stress this, you have to be able to carry on business no matter what. Imagine we are at war( a real big war, like WW2) and our economy is suffering. Can he just postpone the war to deal with the financial situation? You have to have balance and be able to delegate your time in an effective way. If that means you miss some sleep, so be it. As a leader of a country the unexpected happens and you have to roll with the punches. No, let’s not post pone these debates Senator, let’s see how well your 72 year old brain works. Show me what you got! On the Daily Show, he said something to the effect of, why would you suspend your campaign? Isn’t this what the campaign is about? What you’re going to do to rectify/alleviate the situation…. Think about it. Talk about it…
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September 10, 2008
I can’t pretend I’ve been living under a rock for the past several weeks when in fact I have been quite tuned in to the mockery that has become of American Politics within the Republican Party. I intently followed the Democratic convention and was quite impressed with the speeches I either watched or read online. From Michelle Obama’s introduction of her husband to Hilary Clinton’s vow of “No way, no how, No McCain,” and Obama’s speech to end the convention. I was inspired as a voter to see the unity that transpired there. I mean who could forget the low blows that Hilary delivered in her race in the Primaries against Obama. But in the end, if she believes in her party’s beliefs she would have to support him, which she did. So, not to be one to make senseless judgements I said I would follow the Republic National Convention or at least read the speeches online. I wanted to be as unbiased as possible. And then I read Thompson’s speech. And I realized, why did I have to be unbiased? Why does everyone feel the need to be Politically Correct? I believe what believe for my reasons, why should I care what Palin or McCain has to say.
Sarah Palin has been a hot news topic ever since she was announced as McCain’s pick for VP 11 days ago. Now, even if I wasn’t an Obama/Biden supporter I have several problems with this selection stemming from the fact that her and McCain only met once prior to her being selected. Who the hell are you? Nothing you can do can give voters enough information about you in the, what, 8 weeks before the election. This is purely a strategic move by the mud-slinging republicans to pry up the ‘woman’ vote, hoping to get Hilary supporters who were only her fans for woman’s sake. Secondly, I just can’t support some of her stances. How can you be against teaching teens about safe sex? I mean, with teenage pregnancies on the rise who are we not to put the education out there. To make it seem like every 17 year old pregnant girl will be welcomed with open arms is spreading a false reality. And in some communities its a perpetuation of a stereotype. It is NOT ok to fail to practice safe sex. With STDs and all those other forms of sexual baggage running rampant people need all the information they can get. Hell I’m grown and I still learn new things all the time. Teens need to be educated to reduce risk. No, I don’t believe the sex education should start in kindergarten, but it does need to happen. No one’s excuse should be “I didn’t know” when the information is out there.
Now, she also doesn’t believe that humans are responsible for our global climate change, better known as global warming. If not us, then who? Are we not depleting the earth of its natural resources? Are we not manipulating the earth for our own purposes. I mean in China they control rain, that can’t be natural, that has to have some side effects. All the oil drilling has to have some effect. Do cars not cause pollution? Is that not bad for the ecosystem. Have we as humans not killed off many species and now realize how important they were to the ecosystem? Do we not pump our soil full of pesticides and hormones for the sake of profit? How are we NOT responsible for our global climate change. Not to mention her comments trivializing the value of education. I just can’t find something good that I want to say about her. I have tried to, but I can’t. And why should I, for the sake of being PC?
Now, I am firm believer that celebrities should be seen and not heard and that they need not voice their opinions, because usually they don’t make any sense are filled with ignorant unasked for commentary. However, every once in a while someone comes along with some sense. In this instance Matt Damon has said that Palins quick rise resembles a “really bad Disney movie.” He also addressed the very real fact that it is highly possible that McCain (72) will die in his first term and that would leave Palin as president. He does not see the correlation in how her being a hockey mom will aid her in facing down Vladimir Putin. “It’s totally absurd and I don’t understand why people aren’t talking about how absurd it is.” He is so right. Do we really want her taking the helm in McCain’s absence? There is a huge elephant in the room and it stems from the Reps claiming that Obama lacks the skills needed, does Palin?
The conspiracy theorist deep down inside of me feels that this could be some sick rooted republican ploy. I mean, what if they wanted her all along, but since no one knew her they couldn’t place her as a front runner. Sort of how Cheney is really the “brains” behind the Bush administration. And they say McCain was a great soldier so he’s experienced. Since when does being a soldier make you a leader. And in the words of someone I know, “He couldn’t have been that good of soldier if he got caught.” (insert hysterical laughter.) In all the comments I read on CNN to the Damon story, there were so many extremist, like this one:
“Wow, the best the Democrats can do is the guy who was Ben Affleck’s supporting actor – and trying to scare people into thinking that John McCain may die if elected? And the Republicans are the one’s making up stuff, using scare tactics, and not interested in talking about the issues?I mean, what’s more likely, an old guy dying, or a young black male being shot by another young black male? Come on, get your heads our of your butts!!!”
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todd
I’m not offended by what he said, because I say down with being Politically Correct, say what we feel. And my feelings are Vote Obama/Biden. Ok, maybe I am a little offended, because since when is Obama a young black man? And what does he do that puts him in line of fire, besides run for president. And there are some KKK folk out there who don’t feel a black man should be president, so they would love to assasinate him. If young men are putting themselves in danger, slanging rock on the corner or whatever it is that puts them in line of fire, something is wrong with the situation. And if you put yourself in that situation, knowing the possible results, maybe you deserve the results. NO, I don’t wish harm on folk, but I think if you step in the line of fire, you get hit. However, no one ever talks about how the government doesn’t help the situation. If they cared about black on black crime, they would take steps to help cease it. Instead they perpetuate it. But that is a whole different story.
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