PROVEITWRONG  

WOW, suddenly, Hillary Clinton is the new “Norma Rae!” After winning a primary in a state where 75% of people polled ADMITTED that race was a factor in voting for her; in fairness a 90% of African-Americans voting for Barack Obama is similar. In addition, the media’s inundating sound-bites and video snippets intertwining Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama against a backdrop of racial bigotry is the personification of hypocrisy considering Tuesday night in Pennsylvania. The media constantly reminds America of how he can’t convince “white blue collar workers”, “Catholics”, and “white women” for reasons inconsistent with equality, an American stalwart slogan. Interestingly, their policy issues are similar. Thus, what is in the undercurrent that caused such a shift in the media and voting consciousness? Maybe, less than supposed newfound revelations about Obama, it’s the perfect scenario for excuses (reasons) necessary to disguise true sentiment. Let’s not forget, Hillary Clinton has a negativity rating above 50% within the Democratic Party! How is she suddenly the favorite candidate for both sides?

Nestled in the middle of Barack and Hillary is John McCain; the republican nominee. In fairness, John McCain is more moderate than a traditional conservative. In fact, his moderate stand on most issues had him as the republican dark-horse for nomination. He was the most ridiculed of all of the nominees; including the one I supported, Ron Paul. Now, he’s the love of the very right-winged talk pundits who were so critical just a few short months ago. Pastor John C. Hagee, a well-known high paid, televangelist with extreme views, has endorsed John McCain in his run for President. In return, John McCain accepted this endorsement, yet distanced himself from Hagee’s most well-known comments; the Catholic Church is the world’s great whore and Hurricane Katrina was an act of God in response to New Orleans’ sponsoring a gay parade:

 Hagee said Hurricane Katrina was an act of God, punishing New Orleans for "a level of sin that was offensive to God." He referred to a "homosexual parade" held on the date the hurricane struck and this was proof "of the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans." ^[26], even though the Southern Decadence parade was scheduled for the following week and the primary gay neighborhoods, the French Quarter and the Marigny, were spared the flooding and destruction. Another reason for God's wrath, Hagee claims, was the Bush administration's pressure on Israel to abandon settlements and the associated land. Therefore, God took American land in a "tit for tat" exchange (NPR’S Fresh Air; September 18, 2006.

I don’t want to sound cynical, but what makes that different from anything said by Reverend Wright? In fairness to John McCain, we can’t hold him responsible for someone else’s words; now isn’t that something? As a side note, John McCain did decry the anti-Obama adds currently running in North Carolina (wink, wink). They North Carolina REPUBLICAN organization gave him the finger and will run the ads.  

When I heard of Barack’s decision to run for President, I told everyone who would listen, “He can’t win.” I also referred to the fact that America is still covertly racist and won’t vote an African-American for President. As the race moved forward and his popularity rose, I began to think I could be wrong. Yet, today, I’m beginning to see that the horizon is looking grim for Barack for the same reasons that most, even his biggest fans, thought would be a deterrent; and it’s too damn bad, too! If the greatest debates were hidden by policy differences or even self-inflicted wounds, I’d feel better about America. But, because I can see the “red” “donkey” ganging up on the “black-looking (half-white)” man, I know that not much has changed. It’s almost as if the county would rather stay in the ditch than get pulled out by Barack.

In the wake of last night’s Democratic primary in Pennsylvania, I must admit that I was more optimistic about the voting electorate than came to fruition. I haven’t had an opportunity to fully examine all the exit results, yet I’ve followed the various news outlets; attempting to get a feel for what exactly happened to create such a wide point differential. I may have been naive to believe that 75% of polled white voters would say race was a factor in their decision. Now, we have to consider what this means about the United States’ being true to its creed of being the land of equal opportunity when it applies to the highest office in the land.

Let me admit, I was a Ron Paul supporter in the beginning and probably would have liked to have seen Joe Biden of Deleware make a serious run at the White House with Barack as a vice president; which would have almost guaranteed Barack a presidential bid in 2016. However, I have to admit, the reservations I had about Obama's chance of winning (having nothing to do with his ability) have subsided. I have been impressed by his ability to frame issues contextually with a unique philosophical and restrained confidence.

 I'm going to go out on a limb and predict a win in Pennsylvania for Barack Obama. Now, I know that most people who follow politics via the major television networks probably believe that these tracking polls are reflective of the conscienceless of the electorate. However, for those who don't know, polling groups can only contact potential voter through land-line phones; this would not consider the vast number of college students, people who only have cellular phones as means of communication, and cross-over voters who think he's easier to beat for John McCain. Moreover, don't forget those over the age of 18 living with parents, yet having a progressive political outlook and, of course, the new African-Americans voting for the first time. Conventional wisdom says expect Hilary to blow it out. However, this late influx of newly registered voters, minus the Bradley effect (Whites who won't vote for a minority) and the diversity of many of the younger and more educated voters have me telling you to:

Look for him to enjoy a 4 point victory tonight, essentially ending (hopefully) the run of Hillary Clinton and getting ready for the November general election with either Joe Biden or Bill Richardson on his ticket.  No, not Bill-ary.

If I'm wrong, I'm sure there will be plenty of people wanting to inform me that they "proved it wrong."

Allow me to preface the following thoughts with a disclaimer; the views expressed may offend, yet is intended to inspire a straightforwardness among people intimately affected by the substance of my assertions; all situations are generalized, not absolute (so, don’t go interjecting the, “See, me myself” line). I’m not delusional; believing I have embarked on any social unknowns. Moreover, I attempt to use objectiveness when addressing and combating all subject matter. In no way am I endorsing the mistreatment of either sex by the other, but let’s approach this thing rationally; which is probably going to be difficult.  Now, with that out of the way, ladies, can we communicate, frankly about men?

If you know that you market yourself in a manner that accentuates your physical attributes, why do you to expect him to appreciate you for something else?  When a conscience effort to get attention works, (wearing short-short clothing or tattoos on body parts that bring attention to THAT part of the body- or close proximities) don’t treat sexually educed responses with insulted astonishment. In short, stop blaming men for responding to your overt or subliminal desire for attention. Ladies, you know what you’re doing.

Another thing, ladies, stop thinking YOU (or more accurately, your sex) can make a man be something he isn’t or has no desire to be. Love is not a forcible emotion nor can true love be manipulated. Men are creatures of habit; and that habit is more often than not motivated by his desire for sex, not love. In addition, I must add, sexual satisfaction is selfishly pursued by most men; it’s not about you. Thus, don’t be so self-indulged that you take leave of the evident. A man wanting to run-up in you makes you about as special as a fish that swims. If you are the independently thinking, affirmatively strong, self-defined, and smarter gender, the preceding should make absolute sense. To be continued.

I really doubt this makes it onto the airwaves, however, I’ll express my extreme dismay at the way the networks have continued to mis-characterize the statements of Senator Barack Obama. I’d like to acknowledge the fact that I was a Ron Paul supporter. Secondly, not that it is important, I’m a veteran and lastly I’m a Black man in America. Now, I'll get to the “substantive” part of my thoughts.

Over the years, I’ve listened to conservative criticize political correctness. Now, they flock, overwhelmingly to the side of political correctness. Where is the toughness that once permeated the fabric of most Americans? Do we now only want to hear what makes us feel better? Furthermore, the way that some of America is allowing the media to lead them like sheep to the position of defensiveness is utterly amazing! Moreover, the lack of critical thinking skills on daily display has me “clinging” to the Bible hoping to find an answer for those so evidently lost. Did he really “need” to say “turn to” or “reference” our Bible or gun?

 The one thing that life has taught most of us is that facts can change but the truth always remains the same. Thus, whether the word used is bitter, angry, frustrated, etc, the truth is that Barack was right. There are people in this country losing their jobs, homes, health, and futures. Many of these people had faith in America and the ideals that make the country great. Are we to assume that these people are “happy?” What Barack highlighted is what many of us do when times become difficult; we TRANSFER our despair, difficulty, depression, etc., to something else. Some of us go to the gym and work it out. Some of us fall to our knees and ask God to guide or deliver us from the difficult times. And then, some of us go to the range and fire off a few rounds to let off steam. What Barack didn’t discuss that evening was the overwhelming number of people who use drugs and alcohol (don’t deny it!) to escape from life’s REALITIES. The truth behind use of the latter duo is that when the high wears off, the truth about the losses are still there.

Now as for TRANSFERRING the reasons onto those who aren’t like us, come on people, at least consider being honest. When people notice people of Latin-decent there is an immediate assumption the person is illegal without considering the possibility that the person is as much or more of an American as the next more associable person that we may share a beer with. The problem with most of you on television spewing more divisiveness is that you don’t want your viewers to know that you are toying with them for the purpose of ratings. What is apparent is the multitude of problems in this country is secondary to ratings and spicy stories.

Now, I’m more bitter than when I began this letter. I think I’ll drop the kids off, go to the gym, grab some rounds and go to the range!