For but a moment, whilst the Group of 20 [G20] met in London's ancient financial capital, ,"The City," the roars of remorse, could be heard. Words of woe had been whispered in hushed tones for quite some time. Scholars spoke of various possibilities on occasion. Whether Senior Economic Fellows from various think-tanks thought a system to be dead, alive, or near doomed, there was perhaps a bit of agreement. "I see what you mean. It is broken," Economist Mark Thoma mused more than a year ago.
The history of Black Americans is a glorious one. It is a chronicle filled with much triumph, as well as many trials and tribulations. Yet, many debate whether a month that commemorates people, pitch in color, defies reason. Do the days dedicated to the acknowledgement of African American achievements divide us as a nation? The answer, some say is a complex one. Consider the thoughts of Columnist, Clarence Page of The Chicago Tribune. Is Black History Month already history? Well, it depends. Another view comes from a fellow Journalist and contributor to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Cynthia Tucker. She is more emphatic in her evaluation. Ms Tucker writes; Month robs blacks of part in U.S. history, It seems the subject, Black History Month, segregates opinions.
Today, you, dear reader, can do as no one has done before. Any of us in North America can view the full version of Slackers Uprising is now available for free to all residents of the United States and Canada. In the land of liberty, please take some. Be bold; be brave. Prepare to find reasons to partake in the democratic process. Get ready to click for a film, or cast a ballot for the next President of the United States.
The hype may heighten; still there is work to be done.
Americans already confident that their chosen candidate will win the Presidential election, may wish to assess what happens quickly. People are fickle. A voter can vacillate. Someone may say they will cast a ballot for one candidate or the other. However, when a constituent finally places pen to paper, punches a card, pulls a lever, or touches a computer screen, one never knows what that person will ultimately do. No matter what any individual tells a pollster, every citizen must remember, people change their minds.
The only certainty is the notion nothing is constant. Each of us must recall, how capricious any human being can be and how imprecise public opinion polls are. Even election results can be other than they appear to be. When humans are involved, anything can happen.
May I offer my sincerest gratitude to Representatives, Robert Wexler, Luis Gutierrez, and Tammy Baldwin. These glorious members of the House Judiciary Committee, recently raised the volume on the issue of impeachment for Vice President Cheney. The three invite us, the average citizen, to join them. Please express your distress; sign the petition. Call for Hearings. Without you the Vice President will continue to avoid an official and necessary censure.
Please do not stop there. Americans have seen what occurs when we are complacent. For too long Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke of what many thought obvious, and only a few listened.
Updated, June 25, 2007
Each day the Bush/Cheney Administration entertains us. They offer new twists and turns in what is seen as a “comedy of errors.” Possibly this latest report is classified as “comedy of the absurd.” This week it was revealed that Vice President Dick Cheney is not part of the Executive Branch. Indeed, he is above the law, at least that is what the Vice President's office claims.
After marrying, my Mom tried diligently for four full years to give birth to a child. She went from specialist to specialist. Batteries of tests were run, and then, re-run. Although she and my father were both fertile and they were a couple that thoroughly enjoyed intercourse, they could not seem to produce a baby. My Mom, a scientist at heart, concluded that perhaps, she was not fecund when most women were. Perchance her cycle was different. Once considering that possibility was enough. From then on, she was able to plan her pregnancies. My Mom gave birth to three children, none born in the first three years.
Apparently, if a Washington State initiative passes, couples such as my parents would be required to have their marriage annulled. "Naturally," gay partnerships, would not, could not be considered. Obviously, such a union would not be classified as marriage material. The Religious Right, may have felt embolden after the state Supreme Court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage, however they did not propose a plan to go further. They did not restrict what constitutes marriage in a manner that might seem feasible to them. Numerous pious persons say the bible deems the purpose of matrimony is procreation. Thus, the Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance took action.
For former Governor Howard Dean, the end began with a passionate scream. Apparently, some thought expressing excitement is not Presidential. For Senator Joseph Biden, the close of a Presidential campaign may have started with a stumble. Say it ain't so Joe. This foot-in-mouth blunder may have profoundly altered a campaign that began only hours earlier. The elder statesman offered this assessment of his fellow Senator and Democratic candidate Barrack Obama, "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean that's a storybook, man."
Years ago, Joseph Biden tripped on his own tongue. He made a disparaging remark about Indians. For decades, many of the electorate thought Biden the storybook man. Senator Joseph Biden was often thought of as an electable candidate. He seemed to have it all, good looks, a strong and consistently liberal voting record, a grasp of the issues, a white face, and a male body. Yet, Senator Biden consistently creates what he cannot control, an endless downward spiral. Perchance, Americans join him. Our fellow citizens make arbitrary assessments again and again.
An Associated Press – America Online poll reveals, sixty-six percent of Americans think the country is on the wrong track. It is now infinitely clear Democrats and Independents are not alone. Some Republicans object to the war in Iraq. The findings of this newer study conclude wranglings within this country disturb those on the right, perhaps as much as they have those on the left and in the middle. Health care, the economy, Iraq, and terrorism are the issues that cause Americans great concern. The situation in this country is grim. As President Bush prepares to speak to the nation he, or the pollsters, realize he has little support.
The day is done, bellies are bloated, and now, rather than pretend to give thanks, we can reflect. Might we mourn our motives, the message, and the myths of Thanksgiving Day?
As a child, I felt as my Mom did in her earliest years, "What are we giving thanks for on this holiday, hurting a loving native nation?" In the first grade, she was sent to the principal's office for questioning the "accepted" truth of Thanksgiving. She understood the tales taught to schoolchildren; however, my Mom contrasted these with what she knew of the Indian people. In my youngest years, I could or would not tolerate "Cowboy and Indian" games or the genre in films. I saw the slaughter of a loving people and wondered, as I do now, "Why do we allow this to happen?" Why would we celebrate such carnage?
In the spirit of Veterans Day, a revolutionary election, and a society that is now more reflective, I pose this question, "Why Billy; Why?"
I did ask Donald. I questioned George. I queried Dick; I sought answers from my representatives.
While the system shows us change is possible, I acknowledge it is slow. I believe we cannot be solely celebratory. We must remember there is much work to be done and if we, as individuals, do not do it, who will? If each of us does not choose to begin independently of what others, think, say, do, or feel, who will start the process. We must believe and act on our beliefs.
The war is not yet over. The issues still haunt us. Health care,wages,Social Security,voters' rights,election dilemmas,immigration issues, and education are all beckoning. Please heed their call. Please contact Congress; call your neighbors. Speak to your friends, your family, and familiars. Write to anyone and everyone. We never know who might be reading our words.
I invite you to join in this domestic deliverance. The struggle did not end on Election Day or with the Rumsfeld resignation. Please continue to Call for Change.
Please reflect; ponder this presentation, Why Billy Why?
I realize, and hope we all acknowledge, there is still need, a desire for answers.
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