Accountability

Accountability, a word that many within our society, across the board, no biases here, has lost grasp of and its definition. It is 19 July 2010 and it is a little after 10 a.m. as I am sitting here listening to Majic 102.3 FM. As I am not privy to the precise topic, I can only assume from the response of the callers as they were discussing how children are mis-behaving and babies having babies and not knowing how to be a parent. Okay, I understand that, but I also understand that there are adults in that child’s life. Where on earth are the parent(s) and grandparents? Where are the fathers, as we know that many of them run quickly the other way once that female becomes pregnant? Look at what K-Fed did to his babies’ mother, Shar Jackson. She was pregnant with his child, the second or third, he hooks up with Britney Spears. First of all, what kind of male was he to do that and what kind of female was Britney to accept him abandoning his first set of kids? (That’s another article). Where on earth are the churches? No one is doing what they are supposed to. Parents teach your children, it should not matter whether or not you are a single parent, it is doable. Church folks, get out of the cozy confines of your churches and do what you were called to do, to help the weakest of our society. Or are you forgetting, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak and not to please ourselves”?[1] It never fails to boggle my brain when something devastating happens and family members are interviewed saying, “so and so was a good person, they just needed help”, okay, so as family where were any of you? Too busy living your lives to notice a problem until it is too late. Alleged Black leaders, stop hawking for the spotlight and start fighting for your communities as the fight is not over, or don’t you see that? Just because there are far more middle-class Black families does not negate the fact that in parts of the Deep South, they live in squalor. In the urban communities, the education is sorely lacking. Where is the accountability?

Earlier this morning, I listened to Don Lemon of CNN News question a Black male who runs some branch of the Tea Party Movement who stated, “the letter Mark Williams posted on his blog was offensive but not racist”. Are you kidding me? First of all, as a Black person, I have never and will never understand how any person of African heritage can align themselves with persons who clearly would prefer to be living way back when the Black race was subservient. No matter one’s political stance, unless one is racist, practicing reverse racism or just will not acknowledge it, the letter was beyond offensive. It was derogatory in every sense of the word especially as Williams cast himself as a person of color writing this letter to President Lincoln. Those within the GOP have been accommodating such behavior only to garner votes or are they acquiescing? Remember, GOP is the acronym for Grand Ole Party, which smacks of the deep, dark days of the South to me. Where is the accountability?

We live in a society where few want to be accountable but our current president does. How many times has he stated that he takes full responsibility for a problem that a cabinet member may have fumbled? He does not nor should he take responsibility for our current economic crisis which originated within the Bush administration, this woe is accountable to them and those who profited from the tax breaks, lack of regulations, and back room deals. Everyone has an excuse but enough is enough. We can run away from facing our issues or our actions but know that on Judgment Day, there is no running. No one can escape that day, so fool yourselves if you choose; you do so at your own peril.

---

[1] Romans 15:1

Crystal Clear

By no means of any stretch of the imagination am I a fan of Glenn Beck. His words are vile and void of common sense but he made a statement that I would like to address. Watching Keith Olbermann last night, 7/15/2010, Keith informed the viewing audience that the “Beckster” had made one of his nauseating comments, but when it was shared, I felt this issue needed to be addressed. The comment was “that the Jews killed Jesus Christ”. It was not the Jewish nation of a whole but their equivalent to our current day GOP/Teabaggers and I have scripture to support my statements.

While the Romans carried out the actual execution, what did they have to gain from it? This Man was no threat to the Roman Empire, as He was not a warmonger, He was peaceful. It was the Jewish hierarchy of religious and political leaders who plotted how to take Him down, “then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him”.[1] It was this group of leaders, who at every possible moment questioned Jesus' authority, being envious of the knowledge He had and shared with the people. After all, they were learned men and He was a carpenter, what could He know more than they who went to school and were learned in the Law of Moses? Pontius Pilate even asked them, what had Jesus done to deserve death, “for he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy”.[2] It was these leaders who, according to the Roman custom where one person could be exonerated, encouraged the crowd to request the release of a known convict, Barabbas[3]. Okay, so where in any of this are they innocent? In our judicial system it would be seen as premeditated murder and the conspirator is just as guilty as the one who committed the actual act. These leaders and the people in the courtyard went so far to declare, “His blood be on us and on our children”.[4] I will reiterate that Jesus challenged the authority of the religious leaders in His knowledge of the Law and told them the truth about themselves, “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me because My word has no place in you”.[5] He was not having a discussion with the Romans when He made this comment as Romans are not descendants of Abraham. What was that He said to them? That they sought to kill Him and that was not the first time.[6]

Sometimes the truth can come from an unlikely source and one does not have to agree with the source, however, the truth can never be changed no matter how much one may desire to do so. Biblical truth cannot be modified nor adapted to appease anyone; left, right, liberals, conservatives, Teabaggers, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and so on. The truth of it is that Jesus had a mission, which was executed according to the will of GOD. It does not matter who is offended. As one reads the four Gospels, you will see that Jesus pissed off those in religious power quite often and rightly so, as they were smug individuals flexing both their political and religious muscles, not unlike the modern day GOP/Teabaggers. The truth can be quite ugly especially if it reminds us of a deed best forgotten. I am by no means anti-Semite, I observe and address from my perspective. I will close with a quote from Wolfgang Borchert, a German author and playwright and the quote states, “Truth is like the town whore. Everybody knows her, but nonetheless, it’s embarrassing to meet her on the street”.

---

[1] Matt. 26:1-5

[2] Mark 15:10

[3] Matt. 27:17; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39 -40

[4] Matt. 27:25

[5] John 8: 37-47

[6] John 11:45-57

Calling Out the Females

I was neglectful in not addressing this issue around Mother’s Day, so as I’ve addressed the male part, let me be fair and impartial and do so.

As a woman, former wife and a single parent, I take great offense at the way some females attend to their roles as wife and mother. I remember watching Oprah a couple of years ago addressing an issue with suburban mothers being addicted to alcohol or drugs. They all said the “stress” of being a homemaker and trying to be perfect led them down the dark path. Are you kidding me? I have four wonderful but not perfect children, have been abandoned and homeless not once but twice and I have never sought comfort from either alcohol or drugs, not saying that the thought never crossed my mind but I have children, what’s more important than them? Can one be so selfish and wrapped up in one’s self that one neglects the very ones who depend on you? My reaction was “you’re living in a house with a husband who works and apparently supports you being home”, are you kidding me? Try my life for a week, then you'll really find out about stress.

Then there are the females who take it way tooooo far. On another Oprah episode, the discussion was addressing “the needs of the children vs. the needs of the husband”, where many females stated how the children came first. Again, are you kidding me? The purpose of the titles, wife and mother, is to designate the difference in the roles. When I was married, there was time for and with the children, then there was time for and with the husband, it’s not that hard and if it is, something’s wrong. When my second child was born, I was a homemaker and while hubby was at work, I took care of the little one and his older sister, who was in elementary school. When hubby came home, we ate dinner together as a family, we had a little family time then bedtime for the kids and hubby had his time. Maybe I did something wrong or wired differently but there was never a conflict for me as a wife and mother of who I gave my attention to and when, even when I started working or volunteering and even being a Girl Scout Cookie Mom. Life is not supposed to be so taxing and if it is, again something’s wrong. Your children are not for you to live your life through. They belong to GOD and like library books, are on loan to you to nurture, love and guide until they become adults and live their lives. Do remember that part of the wedding vow, “forsaking all others”. Not to say one is to neglect their children but you took a vow, made a vow before GOD and man with the man you married, there’s a reason for that. Children are an extension of that love and commitment to each other not an excuse for you to turn your back on your husband. But do remember this, what you're not willing to give him at home, someone will give it outside of home. No matter the race, ethnicity or economics and sounding a little old-fashioned, I always thought being a wife and mother was wonderful. I never denied my children their due and by no means did I deny my husband. It is do-able, one has to not only love but live the joy that comes with it. Nothing is perfect, life definitely isn’t, but don’t find asinine reasons to contribute to making everyone’s life, including yours, miserable.

Last but not least, being one myself, I must address single mothers. At this point, I am shaking my head. There’s just not enough room to address this but I will attempt to, nonetheless. Many single moms, like me, aren’t in our situation as a choice, no one wants to be alone but some single moms have just gone beyond moronic mode to address the loneliness. Many are allowing low-life males not only into their lives but the lives of their children thus endangering their children but they don’t care, it’s all about their needs. WAKE UP!! How many of you have had the law knocking down your door because that male that shares your bed but don’t really help with the kids or the bills, is into something illegal? How many of you are dealing with males who have no job and still living at home with mom? Can I say one more time, are you kidding me? How many of you, like the movie “Precious” allows a male who’s molesting your child to live with you and then turn around and blame the child? As I formerly stated, there’s not enough room to address this but many of you have issues and shouldn’t have children and I’m sorry to issue that statement but it’s true. Many of you had children to try and trap a man, HELLO, it doesn’t work; and then you turn around and take it out on the children. Your children come first, not you and definitely not the males. The children didn’t ask to be here, so grow up and be responsible. Another issue is the fact that there are some men who want to be a part of their children’s’ lives but you want to be a smear on motherhood and give him a hard time. If he doesn’t do things the way you want him to, you use the children as tools of power that you love to wield. Females like you should be used as poster children for men to proceed with extreme caution as to who they sleep with and for using protection.

A woman is an adult female, that title doesn’t make one a lady nor does it make a mother a mom.

Calling Out African-American Males

You know, not many positive change has resulted from the “historic” Million Man March which occurred on October 16^th 1995 and the fact that “Father’s Day” is rapidly approaching and as a single mother, I would like to address this issue.

I’d like to start with the person who formulated that auspicious occasion, Minister Louis Farrakhan and his organization, The Nation of Islam. Two years ago I attempted to reach out to both so that they could come to South Arlington and fight for the many young African-American males in my community who seem to have been neglected by parents who aren’t fighting enough for their children, a school and county system who would rather put money elsewhere than into making them into positive, contributing members of society and the three churches in the community who choose to have their outreach within their congregations instead of outside in the community. Given the fact that no one and I mean NO ONE responded, is it any wonder that the participants of that day have not honored children, family and community? Hey, Jesse Jackson and The Rainbow Coalition wasn't any different, I got the same results. ZERO, ZILCH, NADA, NOTHING.

I find it interesting that many who attended are members of established churches or organizations allegedly created to be community programs. When I signed my son up for the Big Brother Program, I learned that there was a waiting list for African-American males. As race is not an issue for me on the personal front, it is sometimes when addressing political issues, his Big Brother was a Caucasian male, who was always there for my son. Even though his family has grown and career advancements, he’s still a part of our lives; always there when we need him and I consider him a part of my family. While he and my son’s co-creator are both in law enforcement, only one do I respect. The co-creator has been given opportunities to participate in this young man’s life but he chooses to be absent. Unfortunately, this is a situation that plagues this nation and the million of children, mostly African-American, with often grave consequences to the children, their lives and definetly, to society. I find it quite interesting also that African-Americans make derogatory remarks about Hispanics yet you’ll often see more Hispanic males out with their children than African-American males. My mother used to say, “kettle can’t cuss pot” which basically means one male does not have the right to disrespect another especially when he’s not being the “man” he should be for his children.

I actually have four children, married to the co-creator of two, yet these males dropped the ball like hot potatoes. There’s no excuse for that, on any level. Even if the female is less than mature in their behavior, and we know there’s many of them out there, it’s not about them, it’s about the children. I’ve long held to the notion that having a baby does not a man make. When both of my sons were younger, they had male organs, did that make them men? Gay males have the same organs but do heterosexual males see them as being equal? The bottom line is any male of reproductive age can donate a sperm but how many can actually be “men” and take responsibility for the life they co-created? In the tutoring program in which my son participates, only Caucasian males give their time and effort. Now I do realize that there are, in cities across this nation, African-American males stepping up to the plate but it isn’t enough. In Black men neglecting their children, signalling that these children are not very important, society has picked up the same notion, that’s why monies are not poured into urban communities or primarily Black schools. Know that there is NO excuses in GOD’s sight, none. The male is supposed to be provider and protector of the children, that’s why babies usually call out “dada” first, it’s how FATHER set things up but that’s not to negate the fact that “it takes a village to raise a child”. Christians have been told to “do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed.”[1] Christians have been cautioned, “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed. To rob the needy of justice and to take what is right from the poor of MY people, that widows may be their prey and that they rob the fatherless”.[2] Nine times out of the ten, the fatherless are the oppressed, they are the poor but no one can change the fact that an edict was appointed to fathers and it is, “And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”[3] Remember, sire is the term used for animals, father is the term used for humans, but they mean the same thing. So, fathering doesn’t make one either a man or a daddy.

---

[1] Psalm 10:18 &Psalm 82:2-4

[2] Isaiah 10:1-2

[3] Ephesians 6:4 & Colossians 3:21

SHUT UP Already

You know, I’ve had about enough of the whining and bellyaching of citizens who should know better. I’ve had about enough of the liars perpetrating to be “journalists” when all they’re only pompous blowhards. I’ve had it with mainstream media who don’t seem to have a handle on what the news actually is by giving way to stories about non-politicians’ personal lives. I don’t even want to know the personal lives of any politician as they were elected to do a particular job not be a surrogate parent, spouse or sibling to any of us; neither are they obligated to be the source of any moral or religious compass, that responsibility falls on the parent(s).

The loss of any life is detrimental to the lives of the loved ones left behind and society, as we’ve lost a member of the human race. The explosion on the oil rig and the oil spill that ensued does not fall on President Obama, it falls on the many people who benefit from having a relationship with the oil business, mostly GOP politicians and more specifically, the former Bush administration and its’ cronies. Where were these “righteously indignated” citizens when their beloved Bush and Cheney were making deals with big oil? Trust me when I state that I use the term “righteously indignated” loosely and sarcastically. Where were these “righteously indignated” citizens when the poor of Katrina were dying and starving? Where were these “righteously indignated” citizens when Bush was creating a budget deficit so large it will probably take another century to climb out of or putting us in debt to China? Where were these “righteously indignated” citizens when the former administration was protecting the banks and big business? I’ll tell you where they were, they were busy enjoying the spoils that came along with supporting duplicitous politicians under the guise of “moral and patriotic values”. If the devil is moral, then yeah, they deserve what they get, unfortunately the rest of us must suffer along with these less than intelligent citizens blinded by words but not looking at the actions behind the words. Maybe I’m being a little unfair in making that statement but there are people struggling to live decently everyday but it is struggle, it’s a quagmire of so many things yet the “righteously indignated” citizens don’t see that, they don’t care. The only time they care is when it hits home like the flooding in Opryland. Now they want to complain and place the blame of everything wrong on President Obama. He is a human being with flaws as the rest of us, yet he has an earnest desire to try and right the wrongs committed against the citizens of this nation by the greed of the former administration. Unfortunately, the “righteously indignated” don’t see that, they don’t see that as bad as things may be for them at the moment, they still don’t have it as bad as those who are homeless, those who struggle to survive and provide on minimum wage.

The interesting thing is that the majority, if not all, of these “righteously indignated” citizens will call themselves “Christians” and faithfully attend church. I don’t know about their churches but I do know that the Bible does not reflect any of their attitudes. We are told “we then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak and not to please ourselves.”[1] In the eyes of GOD and He Who started “Christianity”, it’s not about what one has, it comes down to how we treat one another. Many of these “righteously indignated” citizens will be quite surprised on that final day because they show favoritism to whom they choose but “in truth, I perceive that GOD shows no partiality.”[2]

---

[1] Roman 15:1

[2] Acts 10:14 & Romans 2:11

No More Excuses

Enough is enough already. With Israel once again believing it answers to no one and attacking humanitarian ships out to help Palestinians, they have shown their hand in their unmistakable hatred for the Palestinians. For too long, U.S. foreign policies relating to this issue has always leaned to the side of the Israeli’s but this action cannot nor should it be denied or ignored.

If Israel wasn’t being devious and underhanded, they wouldn’t have been sneaking onto the boats in the wee hours of the morning, when they assumed most of those on board would be asleep. At this point, it really doesn’t matter where one is on the political or religious spectrum, Israel’s action is suspicious. For their soldiers to say they were defended themselves is akin to the giant saying he was protecting himself against Jack. This incident didn’t happen at a time when people were wide awake nor did they try and alert the boats of their intention of boarding. No, the soldiers lowered themselves onto the ships via military aircraft. To make matters worse is the official fact that these boats were in international waters, am I missing something here? For far too long, the international neighborhood kept their opinions to themselves regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but finally they are staying silent no more. It’s about time. Much of Israel’s behavior has been more or less condoned by former administrations especially a Republican administration, only President Obama has had the backbone to address the issue as it should be, demanding Israel to give the Gaza Strip back to the Palestinians and stop the building of settlements. Due to policies of past administrations the U.S. has become a target for those who hate Israel. Fair and equitable diplomacy should be the priority in international relationships, with some exceptions of course.

For far too long, administrations and the policies have catered to the whims of Israel due to religion and the religious. Is not evil still evil, no matter who is committing the evil deed? Is not t Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians similar to what Hitler did to the Jews or America did to the slaves and Native Americans? Inhumane treatment should not be tolerated in the guise of religion or protection from ally or foe. Didn’t GOD have mercy on Hagar, an Egyptian woman and mother of Ishmael, Abraham’s firstborn and Sarah’s maid? It was an Angel of the Lord who informed Hagar the name to give her yet unborn son.[1] Most importantly, the Angel said to Hagar, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.”[2] GOD is no respecter of persons, that’s why John 3:16 uses the word “whoever” which means anyone not just US and Israeli citizens, anyone and everyone who’s willing to believe. In the Gospel of John, JESUS CHRIST described Himself in seven (7) spiritual descriptions, of which one is The Shepherd. He stated, “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold (Jewish/Israelis), them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”[3] Another illustration of the fairness of GOD and CHRIST, the Bible states, “That JESUS would die for the nation (Israel), and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather in one the children of GOD who were scattered abroad”.[4] So the religious right who try and blackmail administrations with their religious point of view no longer have a leg to stand on. There’s not one religion on the face of this earth that will say Israel’s actions of depriving the Palestinians of their basic rights is right, it is evil. There can be no complacency with Israel’s actions any longer. There can be no more excuses.

---

[1] Genesis 16

[2] Genesis 16:10

[3] John 16:16

[4] John 11:51-52

Miscalculations

Born in Jamaica, West Indies to a Jamaican mother and Cuban father, raised middle class and going through life’s struggles, I have the advantage of seeing from different perspectives but I’m rambling. I love politics, have done so since I was in junior high (middle) school. I say all this because contrary to popular beliefs, intelligence and wisdom is not determined by how many degrees one has and I’ve arrived at this conclusion due to the many missteps and miscalculations of our country’s foreign policies, no matter which parties’ man is sitting in the Oval office.

The countries of interest for this article are Iraq and Iran. See, before the quagmires that President Obama has to contend with became open, festering sores, our policies contributed to the putrid stench that is now present in the international community. Prior to the 21^st century, our government had illicit affairs with both countries. The Shah of Iran was a despot whom we supported but the people weren’t happy and when Saddam usurped the former ruler of Iraq, we didn't make too much noise. When Ronald Reagan was in the office, we were very cozy with Saddam. Why? Because “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”, an Arabic proverb which really applied here, came about due to the uprising in Iran to get rid of the U.S. supported Shah. Citizens, mostly college students, took over the American embassy. It was so bad in that country that the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini returned shortly after taxpayers’ money was used to get the Shah, his family and cohorts out of Iran. Although President Carter sent in a covert team to free the hostages, the mission failed and thus he lost the presidency to Reagan. Now, back on track, as I aforementioned President Reagan’s administration climbed into bed with Saddam, who even took a picture with Donald Rumsfeld. We got in bed with Saddam because of the actions of the Iranians and both the U.S. and Iraq hated Iran; therein lays the punch line for “politics making strange bedfellows”. When President Bush’s administration invaded Iraq, without just cause as the 9/11 was perpetrated by mostly Saudi (allies?) citizens, they took away the stop gap in keeping Iran under control. Saddam loved power and had no problems flexing his military muscles but it was also ideological as well as Saddam was Sunni and Iran is mostly Shiite. It was no surprise about Saddam’s sadistic ways, he was our sadist but because of an alleged rumor, that Saddam had put a hit out on Daddy Bush plus the fact that during the Clinton administration, conservative think-tanks were plotting how to invade parts of the Middle East, for oil of course, we invaded. This can be verified via ABC’s Nightline when Ted Koppel was the moderator. GW and daddy’s cohorts, (one can’t have missed the fact that from Dick Cheney to everyone in Bush’s cabinet, all formerly worked in Daddy Bush’s administration as well as Reagan’s) decided they would flex their muscles and take Saddam down. Now, mini-me Napoleonic Ahmadinejad is flexing what little muscles he has. If you can go back a little, you will notice that “mini-me ” or Iran wasn’t doing much before as they feared Saddam, everyone did and with just cause; he had his own son-in-laws murdered for going against him. If I may ramble a little here, no matter how vile Saddam was, he was murdered by his enemies within his country and the Bush administration. Why is it murder, you ask? By international law, even if there were WMD’s found in Iraq, there is an order one is required to follow and it wasn’t. Enemies or not, both Bush and Saddam were leaders of a nation and it should have been addressed through that channel as Saddam stated. The most heinous criminal in this country receive better treatment than what Saddam received. No matter one’s political point of view, the law is the law, international or otherwise and the Bush administration broke the laws on so many levels but the murder of Saddam was another tool for the extremists to use and recruit. I will say this, Bush well learned the ways of the CIA, as his dad headed the agency back in the day. The invasion of Iraq and the murder of Saddam is the flip side of the coin in what this country tried to do during the Kennedy administration with Fidel and the Bay of Pigs incident. They had to do it like this, with everything going so viral and Saddam being the hard-ass he was, the CIA could never get close enough. Those who opposed Saddam and saw Desert Storm as a way of usurping Saddam got some support from daddy Bush but in the end he left them flapping in the wind and ultimately to their death.

Writer Barbara Tuchman, said, “war is the unfolding of miscalculations” and due to the many Laurel & Hardy type bumbles our policies have created, this is our fate, another fine mess.