WE ARE BACK!

Long work hours (thank God I have a job to complain about), family and life have been positively amazing.  I wish our “hiatus” wasn’t so long, but it was for positive reasons so I’m OK with it, but enough about that.

Oh, before I forget, I’m going to really look at some of these spam/comments and remove them.  I guess people are trying to get some links by commenting without substance.  Shame on you.

American Music Awards

Well, the American Music Awards (AMAs) were held last night and it was yet another reminder that true talent is consistently being replaced by routines that provoke conversation.  Yes, I’m starting a conversation about it so I guess mission accomplished, but some things need to be talked about.

I didn’t want the show from beginning to end, but I saw Janet Jackson’s performance to open the show.  Remember her infamous wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl?  Well she had another wardrobe malfunction last night.  This time she was wearing some outfit that included some brown boots that looked like something out of Star Wars.  It wasn’t feminine and it wasn’t cute.  I’m thinking it could have something to do with her weight.  I could be way off base, but that is the first thing that comes to mind.

Whitney Houston was on the show and sang her unofficial comeback anthem “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” or “Didn’t Know My Own Strength.”  My wife says Whitney’s performance was typical of a live performance.  I think her performance reeked of a diva that was short of breath, full of ego and forgot that a few years ago her life was in jeopardy.  Why not just sing?  Why not use your God given talent and pour it all out on the stage knowing that you almost didn’t make it back to this point.  One of the purest voices of our time has, in my opinion, has been reduced to doing things to hide the fact that she cannot hold a note for too long.

Adam Lambert is a homosexual.  Now that we have that out of the way, can we move on without giving this guy too much press?  He is a diva who seeks attention.  He got attention last night when he had a male dancer simulating oral sex on him and then kissed an allegedly straight band member.  I didn’t see this myself, thank God, but read about it this morning.

It really makes me upset to read so much about a performance like this.  It reminds me that some people cannot see what is obvious and make a big deal out of something they should have known all along.  Lambert has always been more drama queen than singer.  The sexually explicit actions may be something that will raise an eyebrow for the network, but why the press otherwise?

I need to know this and I don’t want to sound insensitive.  Did Michael Jackson record some new songs or did he win those AMAs last night based on old material?  If it was based on old material, I’m not so sure they shouldn’t have just given him some kind of special award.  It wasn’t really fair to the other people nominated for the awards with him.  You can’t beat Michael Jackson!

This week, the NFL – executives, owners and players – sent a message to blatant racism when the group planning to bid on the St. Louis Rams was forced to drop Rush Limbaugh.  The message is loud and clear: we do not want to be associated with people who have gone on record with racists remarks.  I would have thought that the almighty dollar would buy Rush a seat at the owners table, but morals won out.  I would like to clap to that.

The Nobel Peace Prize debacle forced me to cement my opinion about how people are treating President Obama and this situation will cement my position on race matters – this is something that I think flushes real feelings out.  How can people, people who claim to not be racist, support (listen to on at least a semi-regular basis) someone who is?

Here are some of Rush’s past low-lights (number 5 was obviously before November 2008):

1. “I mean, let’s face it, we didn’t have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back; I’m just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark.”
2. “You know who deserves a posthumous Medal of Honor? James Earl Ray [the confessed assassin of Martin Luther King]. We miss you, James. Godspeed.”
3. “Look, let me put it to you this way: the NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.”
4. “I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.  They’re interested in black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well.  I think there’s a little hope invested in McNabb and he got a lot of credit for the performance of his team that he really didn’t deserve.”
5. Limbaugh attacks on Obama. Limbaugh has called Obama a ‘halfrican American’ has said that Obama was not black but Arab because Kenya is an Arab region, even though Arabs are less than one percent of Kenya. Since mainstream America has become more accepting of African-Americans, Limbaugh has decided to play against its new racial fears, Arabs and Muslims. Despite the fact Obama graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law school, Limbaugh has called him an ‘affirmative action candidate.’ Limbaugh even has repeatedly played a song on his radio show ‘Barack the Magic Negro’ using an antiquated Jim Crow era term for black a man who many Americans are supporting for president. Way to go Rush.

All of this is coming from someone who was part of a group prepared to bid on an NFL team – a league that is 78% black.  The first thought that comes to mind is that he wanted to become a modern day slave owner…in his mind anyway!

According to Limbaugh, him being forced out of the potential ownership group was “Obama’s America on full display” and called DeMarcus Smith, executive director of the NFLPA and an “Obama-ite.”  He called Sharpton and Jackson “race hustlers,” following the group’s decision to drop him.  He also said his sacking was an example of the political clout wielded by President Barack Obama’s administration.

Speaking of Al Sharpton (I’m not really a fan), here is what the good Reverand had to say: “It’s remarkable in that he was denied by other powerful whites.  At the end of the day, his own peers said, ‘You are a liability.’  Even the rich and powerful do not want to be identified with racism.”  That, is the most profound thing I’ve ever heard Sharpton say.

It gets better; the following is a comment from someone who responded to the story on ESPN.com: “Too funny, another millionaire victim. Sorry rush, you may be entertaining to millions but that doesn’t mean the other millionaires want to have you too close to their business, or them for that matter.
And of course it’s somehow Obama’s fault. So much for that personal responsibility you expect everyone else to have, just not yourself.”

Before someone comes to Limbaugh’s defense, read this quote from another commenter: “Isn’t this actually an example of capitalism and free speech??? Something that Rush claims to support? Rush has to realize that his actions and comments garner strong opinions about him. Yet he acts all surprised as if socialism or Black America took him down or something. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.”

This is the direction we need to go in to have a united America.  People like Limbaugh are the type President Obama wants to get rid of and that is why he won the Nobel Peace Prize.  I think it is hilarious that Limbaugh even reached to the White House to include Obama in this, but that is what I expect for someone who is on record as a racist.

There is a line in a popular song by R&B singer Rihanna that is appropriate for this situation: “How bout a round of applause, a standing ovation.”  Bravo NFL!

Martti Ahtisaari

Shirin Ebadi

Lech Walesa

Do you know who those three people are and what they have in common?  If so, what I’m about to say probably isn’t for you and/or doesn’t apply to your opinion.  If you don’t know who they are and what they have in common, keep reading.

“during the preceding year [...] shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

I would guess that by now those who don’t know who the three people above are have guess that they are past winners of the Nobel peace prize.  If Alfred Nobel had specific criteria for deciding the winner of his award, who are we (Americans) to question whether our leader deserves it?  Most people probably can’t name 5 previous winners, but have a negative opinion about Obama winning it.

President Obama did NOT will this award – Barack H. Obama won this award and since it isn’t decided within our country it has nothing to do with the prejudice and racial climate here in the USA…thank God!

I know what side I’m on and it has nothing to do with race, but everything to do with what is right.  I’m on our white president’s side; you might know who he is.  His name is Barack H. Obama.  Yes, he is as much a white president as he is a black president, but people don’t see it this way.

It is a “one drop” thing.  One drop of black blood makes someone black in America.  I think this is the reason Obama is criticized so much.  I anticipate people will continue to say it is about his politics instead of the color of his skin, but I would say I’m not stupid and just stop it!  Stop trying to push this off as anything other than what it really is: a race issue.  It is resentment for a black man holding the highest office in the land.  But he is only a black man, in America, because his white genes, blood and flesh have been tainted.

I would classify Americans into three broad categories: racists, dreamers and realists.  Racists are self-explanatory and deserve none of my time.  Dreamers think race doesn’t play a part in what goes on in America, they think people play the race card too much, blah blah blah.  Realists look at things realistically – this is the category I want to be part of.

At times almost every category, race and group are wrong/bad/inferior.  I have a real problem when someone says, thinks and acts otherwise.

I bet someone has looked up how they can vote for the Nobel peace prize to prevent this atrocity from happening again.  LOL.

The saying “Can’t see the forest for the trees” is appropriate for this subject.

Each person can decide for themselves how this would apply personally, but overall I’m wondering how people go about making decisions.  For instance, when the discussion concerning health care in America is brought up, would people decide what they would like based on their political affiliation or the result that would be best for them personally?  I would think most people would agree that there is a problem with the health care system, but what we do is what matters most.  Keeping things the way they are would mean many people could die due to lack of care.  But changing it to a government run system isn’t the answer either – after 20 years in the Air Force, trust me on this one.

Then of course there is the whole political thing.  You know what I’m talking about right?  Some people will follow their party, Republican or Democrat, right off the cliff like a lemming!  Forming opinion along party lines is one of the dumbest things to do; everyone is wrong sometimes.

Now, flip all of this and apply it to many other situations because normal news items – Obama, health care, the war – isn’t even what brought this thought to mind.

I might be the craziest person in the world because my first inclination is to do and/or say what is right (at least what I think is right) first and worry about everything else second.  Your side could be the right side also, but there is always a chance that it isn’t and then what do you do?  The alternative is to follow mindlessly.  I’ll pass on that, what about you?

Happy Friday! 

While reading some news on the Internet, I ran across something that should be troubling to us all.  This is from an article concerning president Obama’s decision to scrap Bush’s missile-defense plan:

“Obama’s decision Wednesday to scuttle a costly and technically challenged long-range missile-defense system in Europe marks his most significant reversal of a Bush foreign policy priority. It could change the dynamic of what has been an increasingly tense relationship between the U.S. and Russia, which viewed the Bush plans for missile defenses in Poland and the Czech Republic as a threat.”

Clicking on the link above will take you to the article where you can read more about it, but I want to get on with what is troubling about this situation.

…Obama’s announcement drew heated criticism from Republicans, who accused the president of abandoning central European allies and caving in to Russia in a naive bid for diplomacy.

Democrats praised the decision; Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin called it “a sound choice that will improve our security.”

I don’t want to complicate things any more than they should be; it is what it is.  Over and over again, two groups of supposedly intelligent leaders disagree AND their disagreements just so happen to fall within their party affiliation.  I call foul and say this is wrong and downright stupid.

RIGHT AND WRONG

Since many people believe in their party, this is what I think they are saying:

1. When a Democrat is president, the Democrats think that is the best thing for the country
2. When a Republican is president, the Republicans think that is the best thing for the country
3. Both parties think every decision (or almost every one) made by a president from the opposite party is wrong
4. Both parties think every decision (or almost every one) made by a president from their pary is right

Doesn’t this seem impossibly too black and white?  If I’m a Democrat, how can I responsibly think everything a Republican does is wrong and vice versa?  We are smarter than that aren’t we?  When I say “we” I’m talking about everyone who isn’t part of the political money grab.  I call it a money grab because integrity, responsible decision-making and virtually everything else is put aside so politicians can stay in the good graces of their party.

I challenge anyone who reads this to respond with one thing that a president from your party did (past or current presidents) that you didn’t like and something a president from the other party did that you did like.  Just give it to us plain and simple.

I will start off by saying I don’t like how BHO bailed out the auto industry.  I think the American auto companies produced big SUVs, trucks and car that were low on technology and reliability, but comparitive in price with foreign makes.  I think it was their time to fall because of the environment they created.  If the government wanted to get involved I think they should have helped a new company purchase equipment and factories from GM and Chrysler.  I hope I’m not alone in not believing all this talk about a “new GM.”

I think most people probably know by now what happened with Kanye West at MTV’s video music awards.  Well, if you don’t: Taylor Swift won an award that Beyonce was also nominated for.  During her acceptance speech, West went up on the stage, took the mic and said Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time…blah, blah, blah.  Swift was obviously shook up and they had to go to a break.

Since this “incident”, West has reportedly reflected on his actions and said something about needing some time off.  Whatever!  This is coming from someone with a track of arrogance and attention grabbing.  I guess it isn’t enough to sell millions of records and make millions of dollars – West has to be the center of attention plus have his opinion override those who decide who wins awards. 

BHO SPEAKS

Following thiss, some of ABC’s employees overheard a conversation between the president and CNBC’s John Harwood and didn’t realize it was considered off the record.  Well, off the record Obama called West a jackass for his actions – something few, if any, would disagree with.  Although they are competitors, CNBC and ABC share a fiber optic line to save money, and this enabled some ABC employees to listen in on the interview as it was being taped for later use (Bauder, 2009). 

Here is how the conversation went:

“I thought that was really inappropriate,” Obama says. “What are you butting in (for)? … The young lady seems like a perfectly nice person. She’s getting her award. What’s he doing up there?”

A questioner chimes in, “Why would he do it?”

“He’s a jackass,” Obama replies, which is met with laughter from several people.

The president seems to quickly realize he may have gone too far, and jovially appeals to those assembled that the remark be kept private. “Come on guys,” he says. “Cut the president some slack. I’ve got a lot of other stuff on my plate.”

Good on you (ABC and CNBC) for saving money.  A huge foul for listening in and using it.  And how do you think this whole thing got out?

Some ABC employees used big, bad, Twitter – and the rest is history.  Why is twitter always involved in these kinds of scandals?  We have gone from a society that could safely leave our front doors open (unlocked) to a society that needs to lock our lips 24/7.  It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are at, someone has the capability to instantly blast your actions and/or words to the entire world.  Isn’t it normal for something that has the possibility to break new ground and force change to be used innappropriately at times.  [shrug] Oh well.

One thing I like about this situation is the fact that Obama is starting to add some ruff edges to his charismatic personality.  We are at war with other countries, at war with our economy and in many ways at war with one another.  I don’t want a president that is too nice.  That is one thing I can say about Bush, it didn’t matter if it was to protect the family business or find some imaginary weapons of mass destruction – he didn’t mind getting grimey and sending some people to kick some….Then again, he had some Texas crude caught in his throat when the “refugees” needed him in New Orleans.

Hey 7DayBuzz readers. It’s that time of week ….. WordPlay Wednesday! Are you ready to be creative with your comments? Remember, use no more than five words to convey your sentiment about the topics listed below.

Okay, here we go…..

1. Do you agree with what former president Jimmy Carter had to say about representative Wilsons’ outburst?  “I think it’s based on racism,” Carter said at a town hall held at his presidential center in Atlanta. “There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”  Click on the link and read the article, but to be fair, this is what Wilsons’ son had to say: “There is not a racist bone in my dad’s body,” said Alan Wilson, an Iraq veteran who is running for state attorney general. “He doesn’t even laugh at distasteful jokes. I won’t comment on former President Carter, because I don’t know President Carter. But I know my dad, and it’s just not in him.”
2. Should we send more troops to the war in Afghanistan or bring everyone home?
3. When someone is sentenced to die, how humane should the process be?  Basically, Romell Broom was supposed to be executed for raping and killing a 14-year-old girl.  His execution was delayed because they couldn’t find a vain.  The article says that at one point he appeared to be crying while the y searched for a vain…SO!
4. Doesn’t it seem like Patrick Swayze didn’t make enough movies?
5. Is Kanye West one of the biggest jerks around?

HE/SHE

“The IAAF declined to confirm a Sydney Morning Herald report that world 800-meter champion Caster Semenya has male and female sex organs.”

Ewww!

The latest word is that the gender report says Semenya has both female and male organs.  I don’t even know what I think about this one, but this is a crazy world we live in!  Although this isn’t the first case of this kind, this has received the most press as far as I know.  Unfortunately, we could be seeing more situations like this.  It is a shame what some people will do for athletic glory.

I only read a few of the comments in the article, but I read some things about Serena Williams.  I guess some of the people commenting think Serena has something in common with Semenya.

8 YEARS LATER

“I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach every year,” said Nancy Rokayak, 45, of Charlotte, N.C., who covers her hair in public. “I feel on 9/11 others look at me and blame me for the events that took place.”

9/11 happened 8 years ago and some Muslims fear for their safety in this historic day.  Today shouldn’t be a celebration, but it shouldn’t be a reason for hate crimes either.

I can only speak for myself, but any reservations I would have towards a Muslim is centered around their religion.  When someone is willing to strap a bomb to their body and die in the name of Allah I’m concerned.  Our culture doesn’t worship someone who does this and certainly wouldn’t promote it.  Since some Muslims are willing to do this, seeing a Muslim on 9/11 will cause an alarm to go off.

WHITNEY IS BACK

I’m listening to Whitney Houston’s new album as I type this and am somewhat happy and sad about the outcome.  Hopefully, she is healthy and in the right frame of mind.  But this CD isn’t on par with her past efforts.  To be fair, her voice is still equal to or better than popular singers like Beyonce, Mariah Carey or Alecia Keys, but she was better.  Regardless of what genre of music you listened to, Whitney Houston’s voice was as perfect as we’ve ever had.  Not anymore.  The content?  I will let you decide that one, if you so desire.

LET’S BE FRIENDS

“Political discussion tend to turn heated. Can you be friends with someone who strongly opposes your political view”

Click the link and check out this rivalry on Jealousbrother.com.  The discussion is something we obviously need.  In my opinion, politics are going too far in the US and we need to take a step back to see what is going on.  We need to be looking at possible solutions for the greater good and not only thinking along political lines.  Besides that, we shouldn’t let politics determine who our friends are.  As absurd as that may sound, I’m sure there are people who would shy away from a potential life-long friend because of their political affiliation.  If you ask me that is stupid!

Have a good weekend!

Please excuse us for being absent yesterday.  Work, home, school and most importantly a little girl have us craving two additional hours in a day.  But those things don’t keep the world from rotating and things happen that need to talk about.

See if you can respond to these subjects in 5 words or less; I know it is hard sometimes, but try anyway.

***After thinking about some of the issues below, who cares about 5 words!  Some of these issues may need much more.

1. Did President Obama finally turn tough?
2. Is adding Ellen Degeneres to American Idol a sign of desperation?
3. Does Oprah Winfrey have too much Power?
4. Is this a day of mourning for Women across America?
5. Should anything happen to Joe Wilson?

My thoughts:

1. Instead of looking at the message first I look at how the message was delivered.  Although I support Obama, I don’t think we need another nice speech.  We know he has a very nice delivery, but it is about time he gets a little tougher with his words.  He has been attacked like no other president in my lifetime and I’m tired of seeing him take it with a smile.
2. As soon as the fourth judge was added last season I knew Paula Abdul was out.  Her odd behavior had run its course and it was time for her to either change drastically or go.  She didn’t change so she had to go.  Ellen Degeneres is just the kind of judge mainstream America wants and could be a reason I don’t watch the show in the future.  She will add corny one-liners and that is about it.  They might as well add Dennis Miller while they are at it!
3. Yes, Oprah has too much power.  Whatever Oprah likes becomes the new hot thing.  Women all across the country hang on her every word and it is sickening.
4. The NFL season starts tonight.  Yes, it is that time of year again ladies!
5. OK, so Joe Wilson yells, “You lie” right in the middle of the president’s speech.  This happens in congress!  I’m almost speechless because of where this happened and how much press Bush received when someone threw a shoe at him.  I think there should be some kind of disciplinary action taken since this was a member of congress.  But I’m sure these spoken words were in the hearts of many others.

“An Auckland accountant was sacked for sending “confrontational” emails with words in red, in bold and in capital letters.

Vicki Walker, who was a financial controller with ProCare Health, has been awarded $17,000 for unfair dismissal, and plans to lodge an appeal for further compensation.” (Lewis 2009)

Allegedly, this happened without warning.  I guess a simple, “Would you stop using caps?” would have been too much right?

Number 10 on the email ettiquette list says, “IF YOU WRITE IN CAPITALS IT SEEMS AS IF YOU ARE SHOUTING. This can be highly annoying and might trigger an unwanted response in the form of a flame mail. Therefore, try not to send any email text in capitals.”  Understood, but does that seem like it is enough cause to fire someone without warning?

The first question I would ask is how did other employees feel about Vicki Walker besides the emails she sent out.  I would guess someone didn’t really care for her and this was the perfect reason to get rid of her.  Or so they thought.  There is a manager/supervisor that dropped the ball on this one and I would hold him/her responsible for the money the company had to pay in the judgement. 

I don’t like to get yelled at like the next person, but aren’t there enough problems in the world without being sensitive to some capital letters?