Did Chris Brown Get Off Easy?

June 23rd, 2009

Yesterday, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend Rhianna. He was sentenced to either 180 days in jail or 1400 hours community service. Additionally, he has to attended anger mangement classes and would have 5 years probation. I started to wonder if I had beat my spouse up what would have happened to me? Well since I don’t have Chris Brown money, I gather I would have had to absorb a much stiffer sentence. People may say I’m hating, but it’s a fact, if you have money you can get a better deal even if you are guilty!

Obviously, this was a gross error in judgment on his part. I’ve heard people say that Rhianna deserved to get her tail beat because she is this and that. Personally, I don’t see the need for violence against women. If I can’t get along with my spouse I’m just leaving. What does busting her up and then saying “I’m sorry baby” prove? Chris Brown is a young man who from all accounts that I have read is a decent fella, so maybe the money went to his head, who knows.

I think he is trying to put this incident behind him by pleading guilty and making a deal. Americans tend to forget easily so if he keeps his nose clean he will still have a career. I hope that he has learned a valuable lesson and learns to keep his hands to himself. Guys have to stop using women as punching bags! Imagine if it were his daughter, sister, niece etc. that was beaten up, I’m sure he’d want to step to the punk who did it. Luckily for him, he’s got the dough to avoid the maximum penalties. On the other hand I would still be rotting in the pen if I committed the same act.

So did he get off easy? Maybe so. It’s not fair but that’s life. If he reflects on this moment he should be thankful for another opportunity. I hope he uses it wisely because if he doesn’t he’ll just be another young African-American male who threw his life away.

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Posted in African American, Celebrities, Domestic Violence | No Comments »

The New York Post - All The News That’s Not Fit To Print!

February 23rd, 2009

I used to buy the New York Post every now and then, but it was always for the sports section. Over the many my many years residing in New York I found that the Post was the paper most likely to sensationalize stories and just print plain rubbish. I give the National Enquirer and The Star more journalistic props than the Post! Now that they have allowed the clearly racist cartoon showing two white officer gunning down a chimp and the caption saying ”They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill,” I will not buy the Post again!

Everyone knows who that President Obama was pushing the stimulus in an attempt to jump start our ailing economy. So obviously this is a thinly veiled reference referring to him. President Obama has probably worked harder in his first month of office than any other President in US history. George Bush has left a 1.3 TRILLION DOLLAR deficit in his wake and yet the Republicans continue to rail at the Obama plan. Put politics aside for a change and try and help OUR President get the job done. If the economy crashes we are ALL going to suffer grave consequences. All the inflammatory rhetoric is just uncalled for. How is knocking the stimulus going to get us anywhere, especially when the previous administration has left us and economic disaster. All I hear from the Republicans is tax cut, tax cut, tax cut, what else can be done?! Tax cuts for the rich certainly aren’t helping me.

The Post generally supports Republicans, which is not a problem, they have a right to represent their constituency, but they should find a more civilized way to vent any displeasure with the stimulus. Intelligent discourse is what will help us figure out this problem, not blatantly racist cartoons disparging the leader of our great country. Some people say the cartoon doesn’t mention President Obama by name, all I have to say to that you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand the reference. If you can’t see a problem with the cartoon take off the blinders and look at it objectively.

While the Post has apologized they are still trying to gloss over the issue by saying the cartoon was referring to congress. Oh really?! Why didn’t it say in the caption?!  And what is up with the “Beware of Dog” sign on the pole in the cartoon?! Why use a chimp in the first place?! I know there is story about the chimp that was shot dead for attacking a woman and ripping off her face has been all over the news. It is very insensitive to draw a reference from that story where the woman was badly injured and try to link it to the stimulus bill.

Senator Eric Adams burned a copy of the Post as a symbol of the extreme outrage in the community over the cartoon incident. Personally, I would have just kept things simple and enthuse people to do some good for the environment and use the Post to clean up excrament after their animals and then throw it in the garbage where it belongs. After all it’s all the news that’s not fit to print.

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Posted in Barack Obama, New York City News, Social Commentary, US Politics | 3 Comments »

Barack Obama Goes “Live” Today! Amidst Hope His Actions Must Follow His Words!

January 20th, 2009

The moment of truth has finally arrived! At 12PM eastern time on the steps of the capital building, Barack Obama will become the 44th President of The United States Of America. As an African-American I am filled with pride at this moment, I couldn’t even sleep in anticipation of this historic once-in-a-lifetime event. This is one of those defining moments in history that shows America as great country it is. Personally, I really thought there would be a woman President before there was an African-American President.

The old guard is rapidly fading into the background and America is evolving. People are starting to realize that judging a person’s character and capabilities by the the color of his or her skin is wrong. The vast economic problems we face today transcend race and the American people voted as such. People are looking for the person who will do the job and help relieve the enormous economic burden that has been placed on all of us. Barack Obama appealed to the masses and he was heard. Now his actions must follow his words. I didn’t vote for Obama because of his color. I voted for him because I thought he could deliver on most of his promises. I voted for him because America needs a change and I voted for him because he is brilliant!

Today, after all the pomp and circumstance is done the fact remains that President Obama has a difficult job to do.   For ALL of our sakes he has to successful. Regardless of party affiliation we all face a crisis that has not been seen since our grandparents were youngsters. We have to rally around our leader and help him to do the best job that he can. I’m an ardent Obama supporter and I’m sure at some point I won’t agree with some of his decisions, but as long as he has a clear vision, a sound agenda, and competent plan he’ll have my support. He will have to make hard decisions that will call for sacrifices by all but it will be worthwhile if we can get America back on it’s feet.

Change has come to America and we must embrace it. I’m not just talking about a change in the color of our President I’m talking about a shift in philosophy that will be beneficial to all Americans. I’m talking about reasonable education costs, affordable health care for all, decent paying jobs, less dependency on foreign oil, less outsourcing of jobs, sensible foreign policy that does not position us as the world police etc. I have very realistic expectations. President Obama won’t be able to get all these things done. Invariably, he will encounter resistance because, in general, people are resistant to change. Change make us uncomfortable.  Most of us welcome routine. But, at this juncture, America has to change because the world is changing. We must adapt, also, if we want to remain the preeminent super power.

Right now, as I type this post, Ray Charles’ rendition of “America The Beautiful” keeps playing in my head. “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain…” (we all know the rest sing it for me one time). To me this song represents what America is all about. Today let’s welcome President Obama. Let’s savor this historic moment and let’s celebrate the greatness of this country. But after that, let’s all get to work. There’s a job to be done and we each can contribute in our own way.

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Posted in Barack Obama, New York Giants, US Politics, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

“Honest” Politics - The Perfect Oxymoron!

December 10th, 2008

Yesterday  the Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois was arrested for having the gall to try to sell the senate seat that Barack Obama will be vacating to the highest bidder. Thankfully Obama has nothing to do with this character, who obviously thought he could get away with this simply idiotic crime. It was reported that since illinois is a competitive state for both Democrats and Republicans thus makes it more prone to corrupt politicians. On average there is a corruption scandal in Illinois every 10 years. It’s hard to believe that an decent politician like Obama came from that state.

I really believe that President-Elect Obama sincerly wants things to change but will he really be able to get around a system that seems to foster corruption. It appears that most government officials either want a favor or need a favor and they barter with legislation that is mutually beneficial to whoever is involved in the deal. If you have enough money you can get anything done in America. you can get unpopular bills passed you can put politicians in your pocket and get inside information. How can we move American forward with this kind of system?

As far as politicians go I believe Barack Obama is an honest man but as we all know he can’t deliver on all his campaign promises without help from others. Whether or not he will get that help remains to be seen. I feel that once he  gets the economy moving forward again and keeps us out of any more unneccessary wars that he would have done his job. Anything else he gets done would be icing on the cake.

Politics is America is a dirty game and very few politicians are able to keep their noses clean. Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac and I believe that many government officials fall under its spell and forget the reason they were elected was to do the people’s business. A politicians office should not be a platform to seek home renovations, luxury vacations, to have various sexual trysts or whatever else their heart desires. So we should not be surprised when a scandal breaks because I believe we expect too much of politicians because after all they are only human.

Does that mean that they should get away with doing what they want, of course not! But until some method is found to reform the American political system there will always be lobbyists, partisanship and snipping in Washington. Real change will be hard to come by!

I really hope Obama can make a change but i’m realistic if change doesn’t happen it won’t be his fault it will be ours because we keep electing officials who are seeking their own interests not ours. President-Elect Obama needs elected officials around him who also want change for American he can’t do it by himself! Unfortunately, many of our elected officials talk about change but what they really want is power and this doesn’t bode well for us regular people.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Social Commentary, US Politics | No Comments »

What Was Plaxico Thinking?

December 2nd, 2008

I have always wondered why some athletes stay out of trouble and why some seem to attract it. Plaxico Burress, Superbowl hero wide receiver for the NY Giants, seems to be starting to go onto the negative end of trouble spectrum. He came from Pittsburgh Steelers with a reputation as a trouble maker but by all reports he was a solid citzen that may have been misunderstood.

This year he has constantly been in Tom Couglin’s dog house for a variety of infractions plus he hasn’t played that much. When he has played he generally has done well but his off field antics have really tarnished his image. Over the weekend he somehow shot himself in the thigh with an unlicensed gun and then tried to cover it up. Yesterday he was arraigned on felony weapons charges and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Obviously this is a damaging blow to his promising career I’m wondering what was he thinking carrying by unlicensed gun? I know he is a public figure and could be a target for some over zealous fan but I’m thinking he is making enough money to hire a bodyguard whenever he goes out to certain venues where he may atrract more attention. I suppose like may pro athletes he has this alpha male view of himself and figures “I can protect myself”.

This may be true but you have to do things the right way - apply for a gun permit and learn to use a gun properly. if you don’t get the permit hire a bodyguard how can carry then you have little to worry about. Mayor Micheal Bloomberg is pushing for Burress to get a stiff sentence a gun charge in  New York City carries a minimum 3 and a half year sentence.

I doubt Plaxico will see any jail time because he has hired a high powered lawyer and I sure some sort of plea deal will be made. The league will discipline him and the Giants will surely fine him or more. I hope he can get things back together as a pro athlete I’m sure he faces many pressures that the average person doesn’t have to face. He has a wonderful opprtunuity to make a good life for him and  his family but  he has to realize that like it or not he is a role model and he has to think about his actions. We all learn actions have consequences and in this case the consequences could be quite severe.

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Posted in New York City News, New York Giants, Plaxico Burress, gun violence | No Comments »

Why Kill Someone You Love?!

November 25th, 2008

Last night the demented young man who shot his estranged wife and two other people while in church was arrested in Georgia last night. I am wondering what could have prompted him to commit such a heinous act? What did he hope to accomplish by ending his wife’s life and killing another young man who was just trying to help? He should  know that his life was over as becausehe would be caught and tried and possibly excecuted (depending on state law).

To me, he is spineless for commiting this brutal selfish act. If you are so tough stay and face the police and suffer the consequences of your actions. You mean to tell me that he “loved” her so much that he couldn’t bare to see her live her life without him? I think not! This was a purely selfish act that was just based completely on objectifying his wife and having complete control over her life.

I have seen many relationships where the people involved treat each other like unfeeling possessions. Human beings are not like a car or an ipod, or a pair of shoes that you can just do whatever you want to them. I believe that if you can’t get along with someone then leave them alone. Of course it hurts a lot when relationships turn sour and we don’t want to admit that it is over. We want to hang on and see if we can revive the passion and the love that we first felt when we met. Unfortunately, both people have to want to work things out in order for the relationship to have any chance of success.

It is reported that the man’s wife had fled across the country from the relationship because it was abusive but this guy followed her because he just couldn’t let it go. I guess he must have thought he was showing her “love” by beating the hell out of her on a regular basis. I wonder how he would feel if someone was kicking his tail everyday how he would like it? I think that he would look to get out of that situation as fast as possible and thats what his wife did.

So now he decides that she can’t do this to him. He follows her to her place of worship goes inside and guns her down along with two other church members then he flees like the coward that he is.  His ultimate expression of his “love” for her was to senselessly murder her.

His actions left he stunned I’m wondering - Why kill someone you love?! How can you begin to justify committing such a horrible crime? The answer is simple you can’t! If you really love someone and they no longer want to be involved with you you have to let her go. You have no right to determine whether she lives or dies because she no longer wants to put up with your garbage!

We all know that love is the one emotion that can be wonderfully invigorating or terribly hurtful depending on the relationship. As hard as it is we have to keep love in perspective - many people have this misconception that love means ownership of the other person. We all must realize that when the love is gone we have to accept it and move on when it doesn’t work.

If you really love someone killing them should never enter your mind ever. This wasn’t about love for this man this was about control. I hope that the judge throws the book at him and gives him the appropriate 200 year life sentence because he doesn’t love he just kills.

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Posted in Social Commentary, gun violence, new jersey news, relationships | 5 Comments »

Finally - “Change Has Come To America”!

November 5th, 2008

Last night I witnessed an event that I had thought would never happen in my lifetime! I knew it would happen eventually but I was certain I wouldn’t be around to see it. Last night the America people made a bold statement and overwhelmingly chose Barack Obama to be the 44th President of The United States. Clearly his message of hope and inclusion inspired and galvanized the American public.

We were ready for a change and together we spoke with vigor against the status quo. I am prideful yet humbled to be blessed to be alive to see this historic event. It has made me even more determined to clear a path for my children. I will not be able to become President but now my son and daughter will have a fair shot at the job should they choose to pursue that goal.

Although we each have our individual pursuits we knew a change needed to be made, we knew we could not endure four more years of the last eight years! We spoke loudly and we spoke clearly - We don’t want the same old Washington partisanship, we don’t want  these protracted wars continued, we don’t want to be fearful about the economy, we don’t want to be afraid of losing our homes, we don’t want to have unaffordable health care, we don’t want to be scared of anyone who doesn’t share our skin color and we don’t want our children to be denied proper education! So we mobilized in vast numbers, we went out to our polling stations, we voted in unison, we said we needed a change and our collective voices were heard.

This not just a change for African-Americans, this is not just a change for our political establishment, this is a change for the world. We need to show the world that we are a civilized nation that is evolving and overcoming our racial prejudices. Last night I believe we elected the best man for the job and now we all have to put on our hard hats and get to work restoring this country to prominence.

Once again, Obama’s speech set the right tone, we should recognize that this was a once in a lifetime moment that we all shared. He reached across party lines, racial lines and cultural lines and offered a message of hope. His enthusiam was rightly tempered because this is no time to bask in victory, this is time to get the job done. Like he said he can’t do it alone we have to stand with him as a nation and we will get there together.

As President - Elect Obama stated ”this is a defining moment” and “change has come to America“. We must continue to forge ahead in this new direction and follow our words with actions. If we want change to stay in America we all have to be prepared to put our old ways aside and look toward the greater good. We all must realize that this is the UNITED STATES of AMERICA and we must now show the world that our actions are synonymous with our name.

Posted in Social Commentary, US Politics | 1 Comment »

Can You Feel It?! Change Is In The Air! - Elect Barack Obama Today!

November 4th, 2008

Well, I got up early to go and vote today after tossing and turning in anticipation for what seemed like countless hours.  I took my son with me, although he is not old enough to vote, because I wanted him to witness the democratic process in action. This is an historic Presidential campaign, we are either going to have the oldest first term President and first female VP, or we will witness the first African-American President in US history. I can’t see anyone not being enthusiastic about exercising his or her right to vote today.

I believe Barack Obama has what it takes to move this country out of the dark cloud of economic dismay, racial polarization and Washington partisanship! I voted for Obama not because he was an African-American but because I believe he cares about the people in this country and truly wants to make a positive difference in our lives. Obviously, if elected, he would have a daunting task ahead, people should not consider him a savior but someone who will eventually will lead us out of the abyss if he is given a fair shot.

If we stand with him as a nation we cannot be torn asunder! There will be those of the old guard who will do their utmost to undermine him, but I believe that he will stand firm in his convictions and do the best he can for the people. It’s time for us to turn this page in American (world) history and vote for change. These rare opportunities only come around once in a lifetime (maybe). We have to seize the moment NOW!

Barack Obama won’t just be the President for African-Americans, he will be President for all the citizens of all the races, all the religions, all the cultures, all the parties and all the income brackets.  This is not a black America or a white America, neither is it a red or blue America this is the United States of America and it’s about time we live up to our name!

Let’s Change The World - Elect Barack Obama!

Posted in Social Commentary, US Politics | 2 Comments »

Lets Stand By Him! Together We Can Change The World! Vote For Barack Obama! - He’s The Only Sensible Choice!

November 4th, 2008

I’m just about to hurry out and cast my vote andI will be voting for Barack Obama!

I feel Obama is the right man for the job. When he first came onto the scene I wasn’t so sure about him, but after watching him for months it is clear to me that he can restore our country to prominence. We need someone who can galvanize all cultures and races so that we all can get through these tough economic times.

John McCain has generally run a divisive campaign and he is out of touch with what we need right now. We need to get the economy back on track, we need to end that senseless war in Iraq and we need to regain confidence in our leaders. John McCain’s policies won’t be much different that George Bush’s and we all know how those policies (or lack thereof) turned out!

So folks lets make history and elect the candidate that will do the right thing and that man is Barack Obama! It’s going to be difficult but he knows how to bring people together and he knows what we need. John McCain is one of the old guard (in his case literally) and it’s time to change the driver and get fresh eyes and new energy at the wheel. John McCain holds the promise of the past, but Barack Obama holds the promise of the future.

As George Santayana once said “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it”. We can ill afford to continue the mistakes of the past 8 years but voting for John McCain.

Vote for Barack Obama - He’s The Only Sensible Choice!

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Hate Has No Place In America! - Or ANYWHERE else!

November 2nd, 2008

Last week the FBI arrested two very misguided young white men who call themselves White Supremacists. Apparently, for some reason they came up with a plan so that they could assasinate Presidential candidate Barack Obama and create a blood bath by murdering 88 African-Americans.

What could possibly possess them to think that this would be a good idea?! In these trying times instead of these young men making their selves useful by seeking gainful employment they are out plotting to kill black people. I don’t know who their parents (relatives) are but they should be ashamed of themselves for teaching them this garbage! HATE is generally a learned response. Babies are not born hateful but they learn quickly from those around them. This is the 21st century it is time for all of us to put our simple prejudices aside for the greater good. I know this would be nearly impossible but we can a least try.

If people would take off the blinders and look past his color, Barack Obama is obviously a brilliant man! There is no race factor involved in briliance you are either brilliant or you are not. If he becomes President he should be given a fair opportunity to succeed because George Bush has left us in a predicament of historic proportions. It will take great effort for whoever becomes President to reverse the damage that has been done over the past 8 years. In this harsh economic climate things are going to be tough for every race of every color for sometime to come, therefore unity will be a key factor in how fast this country moves forward.

When does another race have the right to proclaim itself better than any other? Last I checked if any human being gets cut red blood comes of his or her veins out not matter what the skin color. Last I observed we all need air to breath no matter what the skin color. Last I have seen we ALL die no matter what the skin color! So who in their right mind could think they are better than anyone else? T

he bottom line is HATE HAS NO PLACE IN AMERICA or anywhere else for that matter! It’s up to all of us to become more aware of ourselves and stop this madness because eventually we will all destroy each other! I wonder who will be superior then?!

Posted in Social Commentary, US Politics | 1 Comment »