#WomanPower

They Stood Up Against Violence

I saw something yesterday that buoyed my spirit of a cynical journalist. It was like an army of gulls descending from heaven when T and I decided to go to the bookstore to relieve our misery. As a couple, the bookstore is our special hide away and escape from an insane world on and off TV.

When we got to Mayfair Mall where one of Wisconsin's Barnes and Nobles Bookstore, people stood toe to toe, walked in pairs and/or groups; cars road bumper to bumper with drivers sliding in and out of parking spaces. I was flabbergasted. T searched for an empty, disabled spot while I fumed with increasing irritability. I wanted to go home, but we quickly found a parking spot. Once inside Barnes and Nobles, I noticed that nobody talked. It was as if they all had a telepathic connection focused on one unified issue. Silence was the modus operandi -- a golden endeavor of strength through one vision and one mission.

The patrons got in line to buy refreshments but there was this loose and spirited stance I still couldn't decipher. After hours of watching people in and out of the store and moving over the entire Mayfair Mall. I knew something was happening and I a journalist, of all people, was outside the periphery. I needed to blabber and write about it, but without knowledge I was a gull on a food hunt way below anybody's food chain.

The big break came shortly after we were about to leave. A grandfather came over and shared a table with us. While there I mentioned the strangeness about the large crowds at the mall two days after Christmas, and nobody seemed to be shopping. He reminded us about last year's storm of violence with disgruntled, fed-up underagers who trashed stores in southeastern Wisconsin's most popular mall in a stand against long-standing rules that adults had to accompany anyone under 18 after 4 p.m. Their outrage escalated into hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise and property destruction. They shot guns, too, but no injuries occurred. They planned to keep the effort going until the mall policy was reversed.

Well, this Christmas weekend, the honorable people fought back in force when they said hell no to violence. There wasn't a spot big enough to commit any violent act unless you stepped on a toe or spit on someone. Besides being proactive, the issue was also psychological for no violent actor would want to spend a minute in company of all these do-gooders en masse. Today the mall went back to normal without incident as the opponents never showed, and I hope they've learned a lesson. And perhaps other cities where mall violence and death tolls soar around the nation will implement such a policy against underagers who act like they're on a football field. A sad scenario in our already destructive society.

It's abominable when shoppers cannot shop without violence or without fear of losing their life or injury while minding their own business. At least these shoppers recognized that police react to crime, but they have an opportunity to take a proactive stance, and they won the battle -- for one day.

Hugs for Everyone -- Pet Saviors, Too

Let me get personal here? Have you hugged your husband-man, wife-woman, partner, parent, child, or pet today?


I'm loving my cat J.J. more than ever today and for more than his sitting beside me when I'm at the computer checking e-mail, reading or writing in Facebook, Twitter, Storylane, or blogging. No matter what function, he's a comfort and an inspiration. Maybe he just loves the sound of clicking keys.

There's no question this gray tabby with white paws and belly is worth his weight in Platinum records. At 3:30 a.m. he walked on me and woke me up. No doubt he wanted to eat but I was ticked because I knew getting back to sleep would be a challenge. I thought it was 7 until Hubby told me it was 3:30. I turned over determined to sleep again.
When I couldn't after an hour, I got up with intention to sleep in the recliner. There wouldn't be that noisy C-Pap machine disturbing me while in the recliner because I wouldn't be lying down. No breathing restrictions while sitting up.

Crawling out of bed was scary because the dizziness swept me like a broom on linoleum. I stumbled to the kitchen and took blood pressure meds early, thinking that was the problem. Then I decided to check my blood sugar as any smart diabetics would do. (I don't always do it, though) The first reading and it was 65, which explained the dizziness. Hubby confirmed the reading and reminded me that we have the same meters, which are new. Quickly, I remembered all the years of passing out with that sort of reading. Once diabetes crept into my body, the low-blood sugar didn't go underground; it worsened.

In less time than a thought hits the air, I knew if I had stayed asleep, I would've died or, at the very least, gone into a coma. My doctor has always told me to check my blood sugar at bedtime and at the middle of night if possible so "you don't wake up dead." (She knows how much I love humor) I had habitually struggled with low-blood sugar long before diabetes woke-up a nation.

Thanks to J.J. because in four more hours as unthinkable as tsunami's rise -- wrecking havoc with destruction and death -- I would've have woken up dead or in a coma. And my writing buddy is getting his hugs right now.

Let Me Tell You...: Perplexed? Palin, Smart Americans...Well?

Let Me Tell You...: Perplexed? Palin, Smart Americans...Well?: Dear Sarah Palin and Republicans, There's nothing perplexing to the American "others" -- or voices of exclusion -- unless you're referring...God gives but we also must give and participate in our own-well being, not let politicians run amok with stuff we need to give our input. Let's be a country who helps our government -- not a sitting duck Congress.

Perplexed? Palin, Smart Americans...Well?

Dear Sarah Palin and Republicans,

There's nothing perplexing to the American "others" -- or voices of exclusion -- unless you're referring to Tea Party or Republicans who spun a bunch of vicious lies and bigotry to win elections. Let's see, should I report those lies. No, I will not; there're more souls to search.

You wrote: "I just cannot believe that the majority of Americans believe that incurring more debt is good for the economy, for our children's future, for job creators. I just cannot believe that the majority of Americans believe that it's OK to ignore the constitution and not have a budget."

"It's a perplexing time for many of us right now."

The smart Americans aren't perplexed about what baffles you because they paid attention to mean divisions. We wanted to go forward -- not to lag behind -- to finish the economic crisis after they realized a president alone and one-term alone wouldn't fix it. We knew why we didn't get a budget and why the deficit is still high -- two wars, an economic, meltdown, etc. -- and we knew unemployment didn't skyrocket because President Obama took office in 2008. We may be hurting, unemployed, mentally and physically, chronically ill, and broke of all race, creed, religion, and color, but we don't lack hope or faith in possibilities.

We haven't reached the pinnacle of racial harmony, but we'll never get there if people in power influence this sordid racist history. And it doesn't matter whether any of you refute public comments as racist or not, we know, yes, we know that it is.

When Powell, former Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State in President Bush's first term, said he is more comfortable with President Obama and his administration than Mitt Romney on a host of issues, including his steady hand in foreign policy and the respect returned to America through Obama's leadership. When Powell, a distinguished military and political leader, endorsed Barack Obama, GOP's John Sununu suggested that Powell's 2012 campaign endorsement was motivated by race. I was infuriated but not appalled because of four years of blustering comments stereotyping African-Americans' vote was based on skin color as if we couldn't make sound political decisions. (I don't care what polls said; most of us decided these elections based on criteria used for white candidates)

Then a wind of wisdom blew through doors of our mind when Retired Army Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, former Colin Powell aide, responded by blasting Sununu defining his Republican Party as "full of racists."

"My party, unfortunately, is the bastion of those people -- not all of them, but most of them -- who are still basing their positions on race. To say that Colin Powell would endorse President Obama because of his skin color is like saying Mother Theresa worked for profit." Amen, amen. My sentiment, exactly.

Earlier in President Obama's tenure, President Carter warned Americans that racial factors contributed to Republican actions. (Our president believes in the greater goodness of everyone) They ran the football off course -- acting as if they have a God-given right, at the very least, voters' and taxpayers' permission to collect paychecks and keep seats warm. African-Americans knew that from Day One when Russ Limbaugh, conservative and hateful Talk Show host, announced in 2008 that he hoped the president failed. Congressional Republicans and upcoming Tea Party folk started plotting to rev up Americans against "Obama Care," and privately other issues, calling the signed and dried health care law everything but the devil from hades. Even when the Supreme Court lowered the pitch of voices, politicians vowed to "kill it dead"  during the 2012 presidency primary, the general election, and in congressional battles.

Perhaps, Congessional amnesia trumped the facts about the  "worst economy since the great depression" and denied any progress.

They lit an inferno deep within my soul. They claimed political differences, but I reject that cheap sale. There's something fundamentally wrong when you'd rather watch a country you claim to "love" crumble because of self-serving policies and destructive intentions. Abe Lincoln said, "Government by the people, for the people, of the people," but people power has hung outside the bowels of political inclusiveness and exclusiveness of the "others" outside political voices and their connections. (Unfortunately, others believe they are powerless) 

Many of these others suffered through this campaign while listening and thinking about this maligning, disrespecting, discrediting, lying, fear of cheating through voting suppression or other means -- with political opposition counting on people's ignorance to propel GOPs into the White House. Oh, did I mention how covert and overt racism sunk spirits of many people who worked tirelessly to KO our shameful and sordid past?

News articles, TV programs, white voices and action on the streets perpetuated their anxiety by blatant uttering of the N-word and other racist language in addition to well-worn comments ingrained in weary minds: back to Africa, back to Chicago, take back our white House as if slaves didn't build it or if all presidents didn't live there, and a horrendous wish to bring back slavery. Anti-factions derided the Health Care Law and blatantly blasted medical care for the poorest with criticism of the undocumented. (a political shame before God)The pot boiled over, and these politicians and their supporters didn't care who they insulted or hurt. Older and younger American adults responded, "They want us all to die."

We're also perplexed to Mrs. Palin: Though all wealthy aren't opposed to the consideration, we're bewildered that wealthy Republicans don't feel obligation for Clinton-era tax cuts to lower the economic scaffold and soften the scalpel to slice the budget responsibly and fairly in reducing the deficit. We're baffled about the resurgence of deep-seated hatred. We're confused that after all the bloodshed for civil rights, we have voter suppression under the misnomer of voter fraud. We're confounded about the nay votes to equal pay, equal work for women, and about swollen anger over the right to equal opportunity and fairness to everyone. (Oh, by the way, if Obama Care opponents claimed unconstitutional then Republicans ought to know denying equality and justice for all IS still unconstitutional without a need for the Supreme Court ruling) 

All Obama voters, I believe, honor colorblindness, not color consciousness, something that makes me proud to be an American, and I'm more proud today than ever. If only the rest of the country would wake up and close the canister of color consciousness with "equality and justice for all."

We're all in this Titanic. We'll all sink the country without a forward movement to equality and economic prosperity. Valuable lessons abound from the lessons of disasters -- 9-11, hurricanes, tornadoes and earth quake, and a tsumani when we work together without regard to party, religion, non-religious, class, skin color, gay or lesbian. We have outstanding opportunities if we work together and let go of political sabotage, bigotry, and pettiness. Party over people is the wrong direction whether you believe it or not. Party should never override the human race. You know that, don't you? If you don't I pray your faith will guide you. 

Let Me Tell You...: My Vote Is No Black Thing

Let Me Tell You...: My Vote Is No Black Thing:  Mitch McConnell   Our No.1 priority is to make sure President Obama does not get a second term -- Mitch McConnell, GOP Senate Minority...

My Vote Is No Black Thing

 Mitch McConnell

 

Our No.1 priority is to make sure President Obama does not get a second term --Mitch McConnell, GOP Senate Minority Leader

 
I voted for Barack Obama in 2008 – not because he’s black, not because of his eloquent speaking voice, not because of his good looks. Apparently, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) thought so because he ignored the needs of the country, which I question his judgment to hold a country hostage. It seems to me that he didn't recognize that it wasn't just blacks that put President Obama in office. My frequent thought other than how sick it makes me that sitting ducks got paid and passed the blame on to Democrats. I wonder if they, like Romney thought, we are the 47% Obama voters not to worry about.

Since 2008 too often I’ve heard that it’s a black thing and that’s why African-Americans voted for him. Some of us may have, but nobody ever asks if white voters picked him because he’s black. That would’ve been absurd, right? Nobody asked if we voted for Bill Clinton because he’s white. I loved Candidate Obama’s commitment to fairness, equality and justice for all. I embraced him because of this and his laid-out criteria for change, for his sincerity, and for his values that represent the basic tenets and values of America.
2012 Election Day's vote won't be a black thing either. Don't insult our intelligence by suggesting or asking such nebulous insensitivity. 

He demonstrated strong leadership skills, had held a Senate seat, which few African-Americans seldom win. His expertise in Constitutional Law impressed me, and I knew he was the right man for the job because he’s sincere about saving the middle class and others without economic stability. His sincerity rose like a plume of smoke. For the second term, we have unfinished business that couldn’t be completed in four years with Republicans sitting on the fence honoring their commitment to prevent a second term.

Let’s talk about that major criticism about the economy. President Roosevelt led the country through the Great Depression, and he didn’t get the country back on track in four years. President Reagan and President Clinton had economic challenges with second terms to complete the job. In his second term, Clinton ended with a surplus that skyrocketed into a fiscal crisis in Bush years, a fiscal crisis averted by President Obama's leadership.

So why does President Obama who doesn’t do magic or fly like Superman get tons of critics claiming he did nothing or “it didn’t work,” as Mitt Romney says repetitively? In this election with disgruntled and hateful voters dragging racial epithets across my Internet fan pages. some of whom turned because of untruths. Again, we’ll hear black folk voted for him because he’s black. Smart people know what's at stake and race has nothing to do with it.

When a president with a full platter puts more than half of it into the done column, shouldn’t he get a second term to complete the challenges? Count with me as we countdown to Tuesday: economic growth and five million jobs created, rescued country from falling off the cliff, health care law with pre-existing conditions and age changes for children on parents’ insurance, got Bin Laden, ended Iraq war with time line to end war in Afghanistan, equal pay for women, pro-college, fairness for all. I could go on but I’d need space in The New York Times.

Our president engages all citizens while others complain that he unilaterally made decisions without partisanship. Really? Remember Abraham Lincoln: “Government by the people, for the people, and of the people.”

Somebody remind Republicans and Tea Party folk who scream about non-partisan health care law. The people were non-partisan in efforts sanctioned by the late Ted Kennedy who worked nearly 50 years to pass this bill– a bill more than one president couldn’t get done for one reason or another. Yet when the bill passed people got angry because people get sick, and politicians campaigned with vengeance against being human with attacks all the way to the Supreme Court to prove it unconstitutional. The court disagreed.

Humans get sick but only Congress gets free health care for themselves and their family. How cavalier is that? They’re privileged to get health care, but it’s not right for ordinary Americans. By the way, Congress's health isn't anymore important than the rest of ours. We're all human. We all deserve the same opportunity at fairness and justice for all. I cannot imagine what it feels like to flee one's country expected to be treated equally with fairness in America and find it woefully lacking. We're the best but at what cost to those on the bottom rung. That's what is the choice in this election.

HOMEWORK FOR THIS VOTER

Many people get confused by negative ads and lack of clarity about what a candidate offers. Here’s how I educated myself about that 2008 election. Shortly after Candidate Obama won as Democratic nominee for president, I researched and read, followed political issues, and pulled out those values of country, race, class, women. I read both of Candidate Obama's books which gave me an insight into the person he is, and that we shared the same values, had the same caring and concerns about our country. I decided that we needed to follow our mission as Abraham Lincoln pointed out: “Government by the people, for the people, and of the people.” People power hangs by worn thread with too many not knowing that politicians aren't supposed to run the country and focus on themselves rather than people. This election is about choice, about being human and those basic rights and voices we've lost. A good economy and jobs weren't always available to people in urban areas. I know black men who've been unemployed for decades, and that was the case in every state I've lived – Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Moline and Rockford, Ill; Greenville and Fayetteville, NC; Milwaukee, Wis., where plant closings shut down the pathway to middle class growth. Other cities such as Detroit, Pittsburgh, Pa., had devastating plant closings long before President Obama ever entered politics.

After nearly four years in office, we’ve stood by and let "hater-raiders" malign him for performing too well, blaming him for a deficit that ballooned with two wars and an economic meltdown that threatened to push the economy over the cliff that started well before he took office. With his leadership, we dodged the cliff abyss; it bears repeating. And that landmark health care law is the humane thing because 45 million uninsured people include very sick people in all our families who head for emergency or suffer at home until death. What kind of society are we to allow this suffering.

I don’t assume that all African-Americans are Democrats nor do I assume that all of us will vote Democratic. Stacy Dash, a black actress, announced to 30,000 Twitter fans that she’d vote for Romney. Of course, she’s entitled to her voting choice though some Twitter fans cried “Foul.”Take your voter freedom and run with it, Stacy, same as I will.