Our nation is facing a financial crisis that has been years in the making, I recall a song by Gill Scott-heron which said that we that is, America is no longer a producer but we have become a consumer and when the producer changes the game the consumers must dance the dance.
We have allowed our leaders to convince us that as John McCain stated the fundamentals of our economy are sound. Even president Bush for the majority of this year has said that our economy is strong. So now we find the ultimate in flip-flopping and this whole issue has become front and center in the political arena. We are looking at the possibility of the tax payers once again bailing out the greedy institutions of Wall Street. Those who have created this mess are now going to be the recipients of what can be called corporate welfare.
But the irony is that the average American will not truly have a voice in this decision. Those who have been living their live and doing what they are required to do are now facing the real possibility of bearing a burden of $2300.00 per person. What will we, that is you and I really benefit from these actions.
Yes there are problems in the credit markets and business will suffer. But what does this really mean to the average Joe. Deregulation of the financial sector has led to some unscrupulous tactics that have lined the pockets of a few and put the masses in financial peril but our leaders solution is to bail them out and allow the golden parachutes to deploy.
While the average tax payer takes on even more debit that we had no input in creating. There is in my opinion something unamerican about this entire ordeal. Where is the assistance for those home owners who where lied to and put into untenable adjustable loans, where is the bail out for them?
Why are we still spending billions each month in a war when Iraq while is sitting on an oil surplus? Yes, I do agree in principal that we need to stabilize the financial markets. But we also need to look long term at solutions that will preclude a return of these same circumstances in the future.
The microwave mentality of fast and quick must be replaced by more reasonable long term strategies. This will require leadership willing to tell the truth and sacrifice on the part of the American people. There was a time when people really wanted the best for their children. When we looked to the future and weren’t so self absorbed.
The big bail out should become the big wake up call, and we need to let our leaders know no more quick fix. Tell us the truth and let’s deal with it and find some real solutions to the real problems. I once took a Christian leadership class and the instructor began the class with this simple yet profound statement “leader’s lead”. It is time for ours to do just that stop placating and lead.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The George Carlin I knew
There is something surreal and overwhelming sad about the death of George Carlin. In the early eighties I had the distinct pleasure of meeting George at a party. I was in the company of my friend Mike Coleman. Mike was my mentor in this new world of Los Angeles (after leaving the Marine Corps), and it didn’t hurt that he was also a very wealth mentor. Mike had introduced me to a number of celebrities Magic Johnson, Rick James, Jim Brown, Marvin Gaye (just before his death) and of course George Carlin.
As I said earlier I met George at a t party but he was nothing like I had imagined. When I saw him I told mike” that’s George Carlin.” Mike said would you like to meet him, of course I said yes. We went over and Mike introduced me. I being star struck opened with the obligatory, “it’s a pleasure to meet you, and I’m one of your biggest fans.
Again he was very demure and seemed even shy. But then he responded by saying what was your favorite album. I responded “class clown”. He paused for a moment and very slowly turned and looked at me and said “Wayne, how old are you?” I said twenty-nine. He then looked directly in my eyes and “I’m forty-nine and I have bearded witness to the brain drain of America. How many books have you read in your life, Wayne? You are the next generation and your generation has fallen victim to the mushroom syndrome (kept in the dark and fed bullshit) do not let the mass media machine suck your brain out through the straw we call TV.
That is my memory of George Carlin a man who was concerned about the American intellect. George was a man who studied all aspect of the human condition and had real and deep concerns about the status of our future. He was a philosopher and a man that challenged us to think, to question.
Later in life as I became a parent and began to settle into the routine of life. I did find myself in odds with George on some issue. In particular God, but I never lost my appreciation for his honesty and his challenge to all of us to think and investigate the world we live in and our leaders and the media and their spin on the facts.
The world has truly lost a great free thinker and a very funny man. In irreverence to him, and I think he would appreciate this. GOD BLESS you George and I hope Sister Mary Teresa was waiting for you. May we never forget your plea to challenge us to think for ourselves?
As I said earlier I met George at a t party but he was nothing like I had imagined. When I saw him I told mike” that’s George Carlin.” Mike said would you like to meet him, of course I said yes. We went over and Mike introduced me. I being star struck opened with the obligatory, “it’s a pleasure to meet you, and I’m one of your biggest fans.
Again he was very demure and seemed even shy. But then he responded by saying what was your favorite album. I responded “class clown”. He paused for a moment and very slowly turned and looked at me and said “Wayne, how old are you?” I said twenty-nine. He then looked directly in my eyes and “I’m forty-nine and I have bearded witness to the brain drain of America. How many books have you read in your life, Wayne? You are the next generation and your generation has fallen victim to the mushroom syndrome (kept in the dark and fed bullshit) do not let the mass media machine suck your brain out through the straw we call TV.
That is my memory of George Carlin a man who was concerned about the American intellect. George was a man who studied all aspect of the human condition and had real and deep concerns about the status of our future. He was a philosopher and a man that challenged us to think, to question.
Later in life as I became a parent and began to settle into the routine of life. I did find myself in odds with George on some issue. In particular God, but I never lost my appreciation for his honesty and his challenge to all of us to think and investigate the world we live in and our leaders and the media and their spin on the facts.
The world has truly lost a great free thinker and a very funny man. In irreverence to him, and I think he would appreciate this. GOD BLESS you George and I hope Sister Mary Teresa was waiting for you. May we never forget your plea to challenge us to think for ourselves?
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Good Bye Tim
I have been remiss in my stewardship of this blog. But I have seen the political landscape turn into a quagmire of bitter partanship. Attack after, attack, personal in nature. We have once again falling into the same old game. But something has occurred that warrants a new post.
As I was doing my usual observations on Thursday June 12, 2008 a news bulletin came across the net. I was expecting something about the war or perhaps the price of oil. But when I began to read what the bulletin said. I cried, I cried uncontrollable. I cried with the same intensity that I did when I lost my father.
The news was, Tim Russert, a fixture in American homes on Sunday mornings and election nights since becoming moderator of "Meet the Press" nearly 17 years ago, died Friday after collapsing at the Washington bureau of NBC News. He was 58.
But you have to understand the broader context. When I began the Shemwell Report in 1991 I was green as green could be. I had absolutely no journalism experience and was flying blind. But I did have the presence of mind to realize that I needed some network mentors. I needed to know how to interview in a professional manner. I searched the the air ways and found two people that seemed to have mastered the art of the interview.
Ted Koppel, and Tim Russert were those two. What they had mastered was the art of listening a key component in the art fo the interview. As the years progressed I began to also see how Tim had an additional gift. Each Sunday on “Meet The Press” he engaged his guest but it was never a personal attack. He seemed to put himself in the palce of the average Joe. This I think was the greatest journalist gift of Tim.
I will miss him, but I will carry with me the lessons he vicariously imparted to me each Sunday through his dedication to give the American people the real deal. Thank you Tim, GO BILLS.
As I was doing my usual observations on Thursday June 12, 2008 a news bulletin came across the net. I was expecting something about the war or perhaps the price of oil. But when I began to read what the bulletin said. I cried, I cried uncontrollable. I cried with the same intensity that I did when I lost my father.
The news was, Tim Russert, a fixture in American homes on Sunday mornings and election nights since becoming moderator of "Meet the Press" nearly 17 years ago, died Friday after collapsing at the Washington bureau of NBC News. He was 58.
But you have to understand the broader context. When I began the Shemwell Report in 1991 I was green as green could be. I had absolutely no journalism experience and was flying blind. But I did have the presence of mind to realize that I needed some network mentors. I needed to know how to interview in a professional manner. I searched the the air ways and found two people that seemed to have mastered the art of the interview.
Ted Koppel, and Tim Russert were those two. What they had mastered was the art of listening a key component in the art fo the interview. As the years progressed I began to also see how Tim had an additional gift. Each Sunday on “Meet The Press” he engaged his guest but it was never a personal attack. He seemed to put himself in the palce of the average Joe. This I think was the greatest journalist gift of Tim.
I will miss him, but I will carry with me the lessons he vicariously imparted to me each Sunday through his dedication to give the American people the real deal. Thank you Tim, GO BILLS.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Wright or Wrong
I am an ordained Baptist minister and have led a congregation in the past; today I am the pastor and spiritual leader of “New Harvest Ministries.” Having been in this position for a number of years I understand the temptation of the pastor to put personal feelings into the message that is delivered on Sunday morning. It is a precarious position, particularly, in the African American community where injustice and prejudice is a constant companion.
I have listened to the sermons of Pastor Wright and I understand how the media and white America can take them totally as an assault on the sanctity of the constitution. But even more as rhetoric that may be construed as un-American. The First Amendment of our Constitution states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
As a pastor and a black man I can understand what Rev. Wright was attempting to impart into the political discourse. He could have been a lot more diplomatic and lot less inflammatory. He could have used more biblical references, yes. Jesus was a revolutionary he fought against the status quo. He was seen as one who was disruptive to the church and to society at large. Rev. Wright’s comments have caused a controversy in the media; but let’s be real, how have these comments impacted the message of unity and the politics of inclusion of Senator Obama? I am the spiritual leader of a small congregation and I understand that sometimes my words can have a significant effect on the lives of some members. But they have a God given right for free will and they exercise it on a daily basis, in congregations all over America.
The fact is that for the last two hundred years there was no question as to who would be President of the United States; A white MAN. Today we find ourselves in a historic position where the nominee will be either a black man or a woman. But we are being distracted by statements from surrogates of the candidates, other than the statements of the candidates themselves. I believe Rev. Wright was exercising his right as citizen of our nation expounding his Freedom of Speech. He can make statements that we disagree with; and I am sure that many in his church disagree with, however, loyalty in the black church goes beyond a few off centered comments by the pastor; believe me I have lived out this scenario.
We need to return the focuses to what the candidates are stating are their plans for the future of our nation.
I have listened to the sermons of Pastor Wright and I understand how the media and white America can take them totally as an assault on the sanctity of the constitution. But even more as rhetoric that may be construed as un-American. The First Amendment of our Constitution states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
As a pastor and a black man I can understand what Rev. Wright was attempting to impart into the political discourse. He could have been a lot more diplomatic and lot less inflammatory. He could have used more biblical references, yes. Jesus was a revolutionary he fought against the status quo. He was seen as one who was disruptive to the church and to society at large. Rev. Wright’s comments have caused a controversy in the media; but let’s be real, how have these comments impacted the message of unity and the politics of inclusion of Senator Obama? I am the spiritual leader of a small congregation and I understand that sometimes my words can have a significant effect on the lives of some members. But they have a God given right for free will and they exercise it on a daily basis, in congregations all over America.
The fact is that for the last two hundred years there was no question as to who would be President of the United States; A white MAN. Today we find ourselves in a historic position where the nominee will be either a black man or a woman. But we are being distracted by statements from surrogates of the candidates, other than the statements of the candidates themselves. I believe Rev. Wright was exercising his right as citizen of our nation expounding his Freedom of Speech. He can make statements that we disagree with; and I am sure that many in his church disagree with, however, loyalty in the black church goes beyond a few off centered comments by the pastor; believe me I have lived out this scenario.
We need to return the focuses to what the candidates are stating are their plans for the future of our nation.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Arrogance Personified
This political season had been historic from the democratic perspective. We will have history made know matter who wins. But I find recent development disturbing. I find the recent declarations from the Clinton campaign the epitome in arrogance.
Senator Clinton has from the beginning of this campaign projected of an air of inevitability, as if she was ordained by God to be the democratic nominee. She is behind in the number of states and in the popular vote to senator Obama. But she has the unmitigated gall to suggest that senator Obama would be an excellent vice president..
This is an insult not only to senator Obama, but the democratic process. The arrogance of Senator Clinton with the suggestion that senator Oama would make a good vice president, when she is mathematically unable to catch senator Obama according to the majority of experts. Is an insult to the millions of individuals who have voted for senator Obama. She validates this tactic by referring to her wins in so-called big states as if some states in this process mean more than anothers because of the number of delegates forgive my naivety, but I recall from civic class, the one with the most votes is the winner. .
Senator Clinton has from the beginning of this campaign projected of an air of inevitability, as if she was ordained by God to be the democratic nominee. She is behind in the number of states and in the popular vote to senator Obama. But she has the unmitigated gall to suggest that senator Obama would be an excellent vice president..
This is an insult not only to senator Obama, but the democratic process. The arrogance of Senator Clinton with the suggestion that senator Oama would make a good vice president, when she is mathematically unable to catch senator Obama according to the majority of experts. Is an insult to the millions of individuals who have voted for senator Obama. She validates this tactic by referring to her wins in so-called big states as if some states in this process mean more than anothers because of the number of delegates forgive my naivety, but I recall from civic class, the one with the most votes is the winner. .
Friday, February 22, 2008
Adios Fidel
I was born in 1957 and all my life there has been a communist threat from Fidel Castro. Now with out any fanfare he has resigned as the leader of Cuba. I recall being sent home from school during the missile crisis in October of 1962, when we were taught to stop drop and cover. When we found that our world was on the brink of nuclear annihilation.
This was the mantra of my youth. Personal bomb shelters where in vogue. We feared the great communist threat and the fact that they would one day attack and change our way of life. So, after the incident that almost brought us to the brink of nuclear war. The patriotic gene was ignited in me. I thought that Fidel was the devil incarnate.
But now we have a world were Fidel has resigned his reign over the lives of the people of Cuba. Perhaps Raoul is much like his brother. But I agree with what senator Obama said, he said “we should not fear to negotiate, but not negotiate out of fear.” Fidel outlasted 8 of our presidents and numerous covert attempts on his life. Now he is old and by all accounts feeble and not able to manage the affairs of his nation. We now have a golden opportunity to do something different. We can do something bold and unprecedented in the annals of American, Cuban relations, in our lifetime. We as the world’s super power can reach out and regain the position as the world’s leader on moral and human rights and offer an olive branch to the nation of Cuba.
Our image on the world stage has been so seriously damaged by the war in Iraq. And as result we are no longer looked upon as leaders in the world as it pertains to the issue of human rights. This is a direct result of how this war has been propagated. So we are in desperate need of a foreign policy coup and Cuba could be that victory. Will we allow the politics of the past to continue to define the foreign policy of the 21st century? Or will we take bold new steps to ensure the safety and economy of the future? The current political situation has this as one of its core issues, whether or not the candidate is qualified to take office on day one. Also who is best suited to address America’s stand on this new and dynamics world stage. One in which America may not have the same influence as it had in the last century. One in which the global economy makes it a necessity to deal rather than mandate.
Will we continue to be a nation that looks down on the rest of the world? Or will we become the nation that reaches out to the rest of the world?
This was the mantra of my youth. Personal bomb shelters where in vogue. We feared the great communist threat and the fact that they would one day attack and change our way of life. So, after the incident that almost brought us to the brink of nuclear war. The patriotic gene was ignited in me. I thought that Fidel was the devil incarnate.
But now we have a world were Fidel has resigned his reign over the lives of the people of Cuba. Perhaps Raoul is much like his brother. But I agree with what senator Obama said, he said “we should not fear to negotiate, but not negotiate out of fear.” Fidel outlasted 8 of our presidents and numerous covert attempts on his life. Now he is old and by all accounts feeble and not able to manage the affairs of his nation. We now have a golden opportunity to do something different. We can do something bold and unprecedented in the annals of American, Cuban relations, in our lifetime. We as the world’s super power can reach out and regain the position as the world’s leader on moral and human rights and offer an olive branch to the nation of Cuba.
Our image on the world stage has been so seriously damaged by the war in Iraq. And as result we are no longer looked upon as leaders in the world as it pertains to the issue of human rights. This is a direct result of how this war has been propagated. So we are in desperate need of a foreign policy coup and Cuba could be that victory. Will we allow the politics of the past to continue to define the foreign policy of the 21st century? Or will we take bold new steps to ensure the safety and economy of the future? The current political situation has this as one of its core issues, whether or not the candidate is qualified to take office on day one. Also who is best suited to address America’s stand on this new and dynamics world stage. One in which America may not have the same influence as it had in the last century. One in which the global economy makes it a necessity to deal rather than mandate.
Will we continue to be a nation that looks down on the rest of the world? Or will we become the nation that reaches out to the rest of the world?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
What can we eat?
We are once again facing a major recall of food. This time the Westland/Hallmark Company of
So what where the inspectors doing when these violations occurred? Additionally why did it take over a month for the recall to be announced? This is the latest in a long line of recalls from spinach to peanut butter. If you check the FDA website you will see that there have been over thirty recalls issued this year alone.
If we don’t do a better job of protecting our food supply then we all might be at risk from some type of food borne epidemic. This epidemic could have devastating consequences on our population in general and our children in particular.
I have personally endured one major health scare with my daughter. She had to undergo a bone marrow transplant a few years ago. When we asked what caused her to develop aplastic anemia the doctors said the cause was idiopathic. In layman’s terms that means they had no idea what caused it. We also have an autistic son and the causes for autism are still unknown.
I can’t say conclusively that my children’s condition where caused by some type of contaminated food. But this can not be ruled out a cause either. We must protect the safety of citizens and restore confidence in our food supply before a national disaster of biblical proportion befalls our country.
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