tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35325097176433266112024-03-05T03:56:15.163-05:00microbrotherMy humble attempt to express my opinions and observations as a black man on life from the banks of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC to the world community. I share my sometimes satirical views on politics, environmental issues, religion, social interactions, sports and world events.microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-29261202648496560512012-04-29T13:57:00.000-04:002012-04-29T14:03:16.728-04:00Personal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>W</em></span>hen I arrived home last night, my wife informed me that a
family member, only twenty-one years young, was shot-dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because of the fresh wound of the family loss, I will not
divulge any details other than to say he was shot by another young black man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I doubt if there will be any international coverage of our
loss or even a local demonstrations of outrage demanding the immediate and
thorough investigation of this crime. Perhaps, this type of incident is an all
too familiar condition in our community to merit any special attention. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you may know, I am advocate for the fair
and just resolution of the Trayvon Martin case. I signed petitions, blogged,
tweeted, demonstrated here in D.C. and discussed the case with all who wanted
to share their thoughts, not knowing that my family will be mourning the
violent loss of one of our own, almost three months to the date of Trayvon’s
murder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may remember me stating that I was troubled by Trayvon’s
death, but I was more concerned about the senseless carnage being created in
the black community; black-on-black murders. I said that I hoped that the
Martin family’s loss will bring attention to the thousands of kids being lost
in the streets every year with little more than an up-tick in the homicide
crime statistics. More blacks are killed by other blacks than by racist white
people. So, where should my concern be when my family members step outside the
door? Who should I be more concern about? Some red-state yahoo, openly
strapping a nine-millimeter pistol and spouting racist’s venom or should I be
more concerned about a young black boy with baggy pants, tattoos and a
reluctance to look me in the eyes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I cannot bring my family member back. Writing this blog is
cathartic and therapeutic because I do not know what else to do immediately. The
loss of a young person strikes at the core of your being. It is like no other
pain that one can experience! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a card-carrying NAACP member, I am imploring this great
organization to help me mitigate the loss of our future, our young people that we
are losing every day. My single voice in the wilderness represents family
members all over the country who don’t have a bully pulpit like Rev. Al or
access to the national media or to the best attorneys that our judicial system
has to offer. Our organizing should not start at the death of a young person,
but at the point of counseling for unwanted pregnancies, signs of ignorance,
chronic poverty and broken educational systems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If something cannot be done now, when? If we don’t do
something, who will? We must take responsibility for our children’s educational
and moral development. These children are supposed to survive us and our survival
is our responsibility and no one else!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…..a bleeding black man.</span></div>
</div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-32501773301116292972012-03-31T12:42:00.014-04:002012-04-02T22:19:52.628-04:00What is the value of a colored boy's life?<a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR_0yLjpEx4J2iLZiwxZiGF2G_CYHNmJR6TBmJ05sAL54z7hJGHug"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 272px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR_0yLjpEx4J2iLZiwxZiGF2G_CYHNmJR6TBmJ05sAL54z7hJGHug" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>I</em></span>f you put a dollar value to the material components of the human body, you may come up with $4.50? The average life-time earnings of a person in America is $1.6 million. If you consider the untold grief that love ones must endure after a young person’s death and the undetermined potential of the deceased, this could be priceless. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div>Like most Americans and, especially, those of color, I was deeply hurt by the knowledge of the death of young Trayvon Martin. And like most in the black community, I discussed this issue with friends and family. I talked to coworkers and strangers via social media. I even participated in the DC Trayvon Rally a week ago.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Of late, I read of death threats against the life of George Zimmerman, the accused shooter of Trayvon. The New Black Panther Party has placed a bounty on Zimmerman’s head. The social media is abuzz about the case and the President of the United States was compelled to comment about the unfortunate incident in Sandford, Florida. He went on to say that if he had a son that he would look like young Trayvon. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Mainstream media has stated that Trayvon Martin is this generation’s Emmitt Till. Fourteen year old Till was a victim of a heinous murder by whites in Mississippi in 1955.</div><br /><div><br />However, after all the pain that I felt from another young black male losing his life, I found myself, oddly, feeling perplexed by the amount of attention this case has gotten. I was struck by the fact that I live in Washington, DC, a city that was once known, not only as the nation’s capital and of the free world, but as the “murder capital”. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reports of 2010 (FBI), there were 132 murders committed. I remember in 1993, how concerned I was that I could be one of the 454 folks that were killed<br />in my hometown. Yet, I can’t remember this city getting the amount of attention for the hundreds that were killed compared to the amount of coverage that the Martin’s case is receiving. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The FBI report delineated the sections of town were most of the murders took place and not too surprising to many, most of the murders took place in the heavily African-American populated East of the Anacostia River, where historically, the income per capita and educational levels are the lowest in the city. </div><br /><div><br />Politicians delight gleefully in the opportunity to take advantage of a catastrophic situation to advance their standing in the polls. Not being a politician, I want to take advantage of Trayvon’s death too, but for a different reason. I want to highlight the thousands of youth of color that are killed every year in the streets of urban America. Youth who are killed, not by the George Zimmermans of the world, but by other youth of color. </div><br /><div><br />I hope that Rev. Al, the NAACP, the New Black Panther Party, MSNBC, the black and Latino communities who decry the senseless killing of young Trayvon will seize the international awareness that this case has garnered and begin a national movement to address the gang and drug-related killings among our own. All too often, we are ready to act-up when we are offended by the white/anglo community, but are dormant when it comes to offenses in our own community by its members. Funny, I’m reminded as a kid of being ready to fight any other kid who dared put a finger on my brother, yet I felt no compunction about smacking him around<br />myself. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Communities of color in America must take a strong and united position on offenses against our communities by friend or foe, black or white to protect the security of our future, thereby protecting the security of this nation. We must be the first to assure our communities are properly educated for the new economic reality and our streets are safe to walk. No one<br />else has that responsibility first, but us! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, I ask again, what is the value of a colored boy's life?</div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-85632188499081296332012-03-16T09:40:00.004-04:002012-03-16T10:26:20.430-04:00The Road We’ve Traveled<div><div><div><a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-Eq-Rt4Ci6gUI6GzcboS_lpG5AsgL399vDYnDVaXKbJ7olquu2Q"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 271px; height: 186px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" border="0" alt="" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-Eq-Rt4Ci6gUI6GzcboS_lpG5AsgL399vDYnDVaXKbJ7olquu2Q" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>A</em></span>s a campaign volunteer for U.S. Senator Obama when he threw his hat into the ring as a candidate for President of the United States in 2008, I felt a lot of bumps in that road to the White House.</div><div><br />Although the up and coming young politician gave a rousing keynote speech at the ’06 Democratic Convention, my friends thought that the senator did not have a snow ball’s chance in hell in becoming president. Well…..</div><div><br />Last night, I shared the experience of viewing the 16min+ promotional documentary, “The Road We’ve Traveled”, highlighting the president’s tumultuous accomplishments in the last four years, with my youthful and bright-eyed fellow campaign workers and supporters at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, just south of the U.S. Capital.</div><div><br />Before the airing, I mixed it up with the audience who looked like America. I saw black folks, whites, Hispanics, Asians, many young people and old. I spoke to a young Columbian in a wheelchair. I thought about all of the footage I see of Republican gatherings, I never see an honest representation of this country.</div><div><br />Our local coordinator, Kouri Marshall, introduced a leader of the Woman’s National Democratic Club who spoke passionately of the need to not allowing the Republicans to set this country back another 100 years. I am convinced that the GOP set its fate with its assault on women. Women will assure the world that the American Taliban, the GOP’s efforts, will be hermetically<br />sealed and given a final burial.</div><div><br />I wish I had a heads-up about the quality and strength of this vignette because, had I known, I would have stayed home just like I did for the inauguration. You see, I’m a big softy. I get teary-eyed when I witness the culmination in victory of all the struggles that we’ve shared. I was consoled by knowing that I was surrounded by people who are just as passionate and committed as I am to the success of this campaign.</div><div><br />So, check-out the link below of “The Road We’ve Traveled” and be inspired too….we’re fired up and ready to go….Obama-2012!</div><div><br />http://www.barackobama.com/Road-Traveled<br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-69607803165182700742012-03-14T00:00:00.005-04:002012-03-14T00:13:42.719-04:00Attack on Women<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ6L5zAZXPs8f7fO7un4tK8O7VyoSH9Utq8JofvUjwG2Lh21I8ufx6mYGBkfsco9xWDCj6MhD8oaCdwdeNZ7jd1iNbsb2-jPREOLp1vMPNxLsAr7MWFl2pTXXKCC-SLh-PVWT8pMdIQ/s1600/mb+blog.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719600608521274962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ6L5zAZXPs8f7fO7un4tK8O7VyoSH9Utq8JofvUjwG2Lh21I8ufx6mYGBkfsco9xWDCj6MhD8oaCdwdeNZ7jd1iNbsb2-jPREOLp1vMPNxLsAr7MWFl2pTXXKCC-SLh-PVWT8pMdIQ/s320/mb+blog.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Folks,</div><br /><div><br />For those who may not be aware, the conservative windbag talk show host, Rush Limbaugh, called a young lady a slut and a prostitute on the air because of her outspoken position on birth control. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm sure that you were all disturbed by Limbaugh's misogynistic slander against this law student and women in general who want control of their own health and family planning.<br /><br />As a protest against his statement, along with many others, I asked my credit card company, Capital One, to cease support of Limbaugh's show and they did!<br /><br />Please read the following link and do as I did to support the women we love.<br /><br /><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/media/2012/03/12/442673/141-companies-advertisng-rush-limbaugh/">http://thinkprogress.org/media/2012/03/12/442673/141-companies-advertisng-rush-limbaugh/</a><br /><br />Thanks,<br />micro</div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-66622000819800756912011-12-25T12:43:00.010-05:002011-12-29T19:18:38.640-05:00The Meaning of Devotion<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQL7LB6TQq05h5BYK5cY-hdG0FZfLGG_oei9qhPiwB6dTpLEzRl"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 259px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQL7LB6TQq05h5BYK5cY-hdG0FZfLGG_oei9qhPiwB6dTpLEzRl" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><em>On this day of the celebration of the birth of Christ, I want to pay homage to caregivers of the world and highlight a very good friend's devotion to his ailing mother who recently passed by asking, "What would Christ want him to do?"</em><strong><br /></div></strong><strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></strong></div><em><span style="font-size:180%;">S</span>ome</em> forty-plus years ago, on the campus of Howard University, Adrienne introduced me to her geeky friend, Brian Booth aka “Dr. Booth”. Adrienne was “Big-A”(literally) and I was “Big-M”.<br /><br /><div><br />The three of us always enjoyed hanging-out together on campus on Fridays at noon to look at the fraternity Greek Shows. Big-A was in love with Buddy, a Groove Phi Groove. Dr. Booth and I google-eyed the fine girls who were attracted to the Ques. In those days, Howard girls were so fine that whatever the Ques didn’t want, any guy would have been proud to be seen with their rejects….if Dr. Booth and I were only so lucky. </div><br /><br /><div><br />One day, the doctor invited us to his home where we met the petite public school teacher, the lovely Lena Horne-like, Mrs. Warfield. She put down her crossword puzzle and greeted us with her razor tongue and a rapier wit! She asked Brian, “Where did you find this bum?” I was taken aback. Not knowing quite how to respond, she immediately broke-out into a hearty laughter. And so began the exchange-of-wit relationship with Mrs. Warfield. Brian went on to Georgetown Law School and volunteered at the local Pacifica radio station, WPFW 89.3 FM, hosting a show called “By the Law”. I wrote features for the monthly station guide. Brian would discuss basic legal issues and played a little jazz from his collection. Developing material for a monthly station guide felt like a full-time job. I could only imagine what Brian went through to prepare for his weekly show. One night, I remember him asking me to call-in and ask a legal question. </div><br /><br /><div><br />“….but, Dr. Booth, I ain’t got nothing to ask. I don’t know what to ask”<br />“Look man, just call and ask, how do you form a LLC?”<br />“What’s a LLC?”<br />“Don’t worry about it. I’ll explain it to you and everybody else when you call….okay?”<br />“Hmmm….okay. But don’t make me sound stupid”<br />“What are you talking about? You’re already stupid!” </div><br /><br /><div><br />That evening, I tuned-in. Dr. Booth was talking about forming business structures, a primer for budding entrepreneurs. He encouraged his “vast” listening audience to call-in with their questions. I ain’t callin'. Dr. Booth sounded like he was sweating bullets while trying to keep the subject interesting with his co-host, while they waited for some callers.<br />Like any dutiful loving mother who wants to support her son, Mrs. Warfield called-in. </div><br /><br /><div><br />“So, you think you know something about the law?”<br />“Ah, yes ma’am. What is your question this evening?”<br />“Well, I want to know how to form a corporation where I can put my son in who is a student, along with his up-keep, student loans and write the whole damn thing off so that I can live the rest of my days in the islands?”<br />“ah ah ma’am (nervous chuckle)………” </div><br /><br /><div><br />Over the years, Dr. Booth and I enjoyed jogging together. We eventually ran 10K races and went on to do the memorable New York City Marathon. Wobbly-legged from the 26-mile endurance course, Rachel, Dr. Booth and I met Rachel’s law buddies at a restaurant in the Village and, later danced to hip-swiveling salsa music at a Latin club. It was about this time that Dr. Booth began taking his handle seriously. He talked about the lactic acid that had built-up in our legs that caused the wobbly-leg. He talked about the supplements that we needed to take and the stretching we needed to do. </div><br /><br /><div><br />From that point on, I can’t remember a conversation we had that health issues was not weaved into it. He became such a health fanatic that Big-A dubbed him “Dr. Wackko”. My wife, Alfreda, is a crazy health nut too. She enjoyed talking to Dr. Wackko, sorry…I mean Dr. Booth.<br />It was not until Mrs. Warfield took deathly ill that we took the knowledge that Brian had garnered over the years with some importance. The medical doctors at Washington Hospital Center had, essentially, given up on her. I remember visiting her one afternoon and seeing her lay motionless in bed. I tried to get her attention, looking for that spark in her that I knew so well.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>“Mrs. Warfield, it’s the bum! Can you hear me?” </div><br /><br /><div><br />I called my father, Pastor Ray, to give her last rights or something. I then, called Brian to get his butt up here immediately! The doctors were, eventually, able to bring her back. A few days later, Dr. Booth said that he had to do something drastic for her…..Hyperbaric Chamber! </div><br /><br /><div><br />“.....a hyper what?” </div><br /><br /><div><br />In those days, there were only two states that had this contraption: California and Florida. Brian’s sister, Marsha, lived in California. He packed-up the bare essentials that were needed and flew with the ailing Mrs. Warfield to California. He started the non-insured and expensive Hyperbaric Chamber treatment for her immediately upon arriving in California. He called me a few weeks later and told me that she was responding to the treatment. After being on the west coast, now for months, Mrs. Warfield had come back to life. Her tongue and wit were sharp as ever! </div><br /><br /><div><br />Dr. Booth asked Dot, his classmate at Georgetown, and me to pack-up all his remaining possessions in D.C. and place them in storage and to sell his mother’s home. California is where she can receive the care she needed was the thinking. </div><br /><br /><div><br />Well folks, that was twenty years ago? Brian is one of his mother’s three children that took on this awesome task. It is because of what he did for his mother that showed me how to be the son that my Alzheimer’s-diagnosed mother needs right now. He, literally, snatched his mother from the jaws of death and gave her twenty more years of TLC, sacrificing his personal goals and ambitions.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Dr. Booth, I salute you and love you for showing all of us, in life, the meaning of the biblical passage that states “honor thy father and thy mother”. Our prayers are with you and our doors are open to you. And when you are ready, we will take that long over-due vacation you need. </div><br /><br /><div><br />God bless you!<br />Big-M </div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-17533757131396490022011-06-19T22:43:00.003-04:002011-06-19T22:53:17.059-04:00My Father's Day 2011 Tribute<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIaFJ_KKwW0Un5oa9azwfm4tKcCVQlJvqYam88F8iOKY0bthRoz0I73nQUF-Lm6RAqmdunW2bipxTaXhOJSTzoT3UigUyVXf_eEmNR6bbCzmK7s7xVehHnwxWGfWaV7FF8oJZ8OM2Nw/s1600/ss-20110619-55th-st-project-witherspoons.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620127293534868194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIaFJ_KKwW0Un5oa9azwfm4tKcCVQlJvqYam88F8iOKY0bthRoz0I73nQUF-Lm6RAqmdunW2bipxTaXhOJSTzoT3UigUyVXf_eEmNR6bbCzmK7s7xVehHnwxWGfWaV7FF8oJZ8OM2Nw/s320/ss-20110619-55th-st-project-witherspoons.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>A</em></span>s a construction contractor, I work with guys all day long. I can state that male relationships are developed and strengthened when men team together: be it work, sports or the military.<br /><br />Recently, I visited one of our job sites to document our progress. In doing so, I observed how one of my partners, Jesse Witherspoon, interacted with his son, Dezmon. I had not seen Dezmon in at least twenty years.<br /><br />My own father, Pastor Ray as he was known, taught me to always look a man in the eyes and give a firm handshake. This young man looked me in the eyes and greeted me with a firm handshake and a smile. When he spoke, I heard and understood everything that he had to say. I see the same traits in my nephews, Gannon, Del and Eddie. Today, I can not resist finding that very impressive among their generation. I can only attribute these traits, rightly or wrongly, to the men in these young men’s lives.<br /><br />Pastor Ray, was bigger than life to me. To this day, I still marvel at how he and my mother owned a home, raised five kids and gifted me with a menagerie that he built with his own hands in his “spare time” to house my rabbits and ducks. As the neighborhood zookeeper, my collection also included dogs, turtles, gold fish, parakeets, and an iguana; all of these “creatures” supported on one working man’s income and my little newspaper route.<br /><br />My parents sent me to St. Emma Military Academy, fifty miles west of Richmond, Virginia, when I was thirteen and my brother, Rick, to Archbishop Carroll High School, here in D.C. I get exhausted just thinking about the responsibility my father, the leader of our household, had to bear on a daily bases. And yet, he always had a smile and a positive word to say to everyone.<br /><br />During the last thirty years of his life and being visually blind, Pastor Ray led Guiding Star, a small Baptist church in Brookland, Washington, DC. He married all of my family and friends and buried some of them. Toward the end of his life, riddled with pain from cancer, I asked my father how did he do all that he did for us? And during one of his last hospital stay, where did he draw the strength to minister to his hospital roommate, late at night in his last hour, knowing that his time was near too? My father simply looked to the heavens.<br /><br />I can remember during my rebellious phase, declaring that I did not understand my father and that I did not want to act like him. You can imagine how startled I was when some years later my niece stated, “Uncle Mike, you act just like Granddad!” Well, today I can say that I accept my niece’s assessment as a compliment. When I talk to folks, sometimes I can hear my father’s voice speaking through me when working with a cantankerous situation; I try to look at the big picture by considering all the personalities involved and the impact that my decision may have on everyone. I always attempt to leave a negative situation on an upbeat note with a smile and a firm handshake: classic Pastor Ray!<br /><br />Please, don’t misunderstand me. I am no where near the man father was, but I feel his spirit living within me. So, on Father’s Day 2011, I salute Jesse Witherspoon and the many fathers like him for instilling young men like Dezmon with the simple, but foretelling attribute to look another person in the eyes with a smile and to extend a firm handshake in greeting. I think that this gesture speaks volumes of the father/son relationship.<br /><br />Happy Father’s Day, to all the men and women who had a positive impact on some young person's life!</div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-20964981556413108172011-04-30T15:03:00.009-04:002011-05-01T02:10:28.477-04:00Solace in a Woman's Voice<a href="http://vh1.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:uma:artist:vh1.com:2490602?width=281&height=211&quality=0.85"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://vh1.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:uma:artist:vh1.com:2490602?width=281&height=211&quality=0.85" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>E</em></span>aster Sunday morning, I was listening to WPFW 89.3FM and one of my favorite programmers, Myuki Williams, played Ms. Roberta Flack's "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" and it just froze me in my tracks as it had done when I was a kid.<br /><br />In this wild and crazy time of armed struggle on different fronts, world economic challenges, political rancor and intolerance for others, I was momentarily taken back to a most innocent and optimistic time in my life. I felt myself, literally, releasing all concerns for schedules, to-do lists, obligations or where I needed to be. I just wanted to hear Ms. Flack's melodic voice again!<br /><br />Not having a copy of the song in my collection, I immediately searched YouTube for this drop-dead work of vocal artistry and stumbled on a young woman, Leona Lewis, who this old fart had never heard before. Thinking, "who would dare tread on this sacred legendary work?"<br /><br />I gave a listen.<br /><br />From her first moan/note, I was amazed how this British-born artist caught my attention. Lewis imbued the lyrics of this timeless piece with mature emotions, phrasing and timing, leaving me to believe so much greater than her youthful years should permit.<br /><br />As one who treasures the written word, I struggle with the question of conveyance: lyrics vs. music; conveyers: men vs. women. Is the most important artistry of conveying the message in one or the other.... and to which audience is the medium most affective? Using the same lyrics, can women convey a message better than men? How much impact does music have? Well, in the case of The First Time Ever I saw Your Face, it leaves no doubt in my mind that it is a talented woman's domain, lyrically and musically.<br /><br />So, you be the judge. I welcome you to listen to this beautiful, heart-felt rendition of Ms. Flack's signature piece by the lovely and demure <a title="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_ep_GbnuBg&feature=BFp&list=WL13E5C121649F3AD0&index=1" feature="BFp&list=" index="1">Leona Lewis</a>.<br /><br />Peacemicrobrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-53391487445835871262009-02-26T14:31:00.008-05:002009-02-26T21:09:21.503-05:00Damn, white folks did a good job!<a href="http://treat.typepad.com/treat/images/2008/03/12/natural_hair_0001_2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 370px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 421px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://treat.typepad.com/treat/images/2008/03/12/natural_hair_0001_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span></em></strong>s she too dark? Is her hair too nappy? Why is he so dark that he is blue? What will my children look like?<br /><br />Growing up in River Terrace, Washington, DC, I never heard these question asked until I left my little comfort zone on the banks of the Anacostia River. At the renowned Howard University, I had an opportunity to go to school with black kids from all over the world at a time when Negroes were beginning to refer to themselves as “Black”. <em>Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud!<br /></em><br />In those days, I thought Howard University had the most beautiful women I had ever seen! I guess that’s why keeping my grades up was always a challenge. I saw all hues, hair and dress styles. There were history classes that taught us not just “his-story”, but delved thoroughly into Black History.<br /><br />I was inspired to write this piece because of a You Tube video that was shared with me titled, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17fEy0q6yqc&feature=related">“A Girl like Me”. </a>I was shocked by what I saw because I just realized that young black folks, especially young women, are still struggling with the aesthetic issues of race from the days of slavery. The position of our First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, became even more important to me after viewing this video because her actions and style will impact women of color all over the world in terms of how they perceive themselves. I’ve been told that on-paper, one would have assumed that the president married a white woman or a very light-skin black woman. But, no the president married a statuesque dark-skin woman with, <em>OMG, a butt!</em><br /><br />Folks, I don’t know who has the hardest job, now…..President Obama or the First Lady?<br /></p>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-10643807490107419562009-02-24T23:56:00.010-05:002009-02-27T07:53:58.813-05:00The GOP Marionette Show<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/BobbyJindal.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/BobbyJindal.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Bobby_Jindal.jpg/200px-Bobby_Jindal.jpg"></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">P</span></em></strong>resident Barack Obama, tonight, met his objective of making his intentions quite clear. And that was to inspire the American people to face the issues that are before us and to overcome them with unity. Well done, Mr. President!<br /><br />However, I was more interested in what the Republican response would be. Earlier, I commented to a fellow blogger that the Republican Party (GOP) could not nurture legitimate leadership for this new epoch because of the perceived hate and greed that is, historically, at the base of the party.<br /><br />It appears to me that the GOP positioned Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La) during the campaign to help ameliorate the infectious affect that then Sen. Obama had on the imagination of the American electorate. I can not get my arms around the “sincerity” of the GOP in selecting the governor to speak after the president tonight no more than I can get my arms around their sincerity in appointing the ex-Lt. Governor of Maryland, Michael Steele, as the Republican National Committee Chairman. Based on Gov. Jindal's out-of-step-with-reality speech leads me to believe that the GOP just want to put a brown face on their last century politics because even Stevie Wonder can see that the federal government needs to be involved with getting this economy out of the crapper. So, why can’t the GOP?<br /><br />Assigning Gov. Jindal and Chairman Michael Steele scripts written for Ronald Reagan in 1940 will surely fail at the box office in 2009.microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-33833711316047514232009-02-20T21:14:00.019-05:002009-02-26T18:55:06.442-05:00Diddle-dee & Diddle-dumb<a href="http://iusbvision.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/michael-steele.jpg?w=199&h=300"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://iusbvision.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/michael-steele.jpg?w=199&h=300" border="0" /></a><br /><div><em>Hey! It's an emergency GOP caucus between Michael Steele and Alan Keyes, the GOP's secret weapons ! Let's listen in.<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Hey Alan! It’s me, Mike Steele<br /><br />Hey Mike! Congratulations on your RNC Chairmanship!<br /><br />Thanks, Alan. Listen, I was just talking to Armstrong Williams. We were talking ‘bout this democrap stuff. I’m getting pressure from upstairs. Our leadership wants me to chart a new course for the GOP.<br /><br />What…the leadership? Mike, you <em>ARE </em>the leadership. You’re the RNC chair! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">****</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></div></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Ah…yeah, Alan....I know. But, it’s not that simple.</span></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-87908519277858923622009-02-19T22:43:00.006-05:002009-02-19T23:12:19.999-05:00A cartoon is just a cartoon? Hmmmm<a href="http://blogs.thetimes.co.za/minor/files/2009/02/deadmonkey.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 443px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://blogs.thetimes.co.za/minor/files/2009/02/deadmonkey.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">W</span></em></strong>ell, I guess Nixon with his sweaty upper-lip fall from grace, Billy’s blow jobs in the oval office and Bush getting the “shoe” in Iraq just brought down the respect and integrity of the presidency to the point where anything goes.<br /><br />The chimpanzee execution cartoon depicted in the New York Post did not shock me. Come on, folks….we knew this stuff was coming! Racists die hard. This is only the beginning. Nevertheless, we should be prepared to fight these attacks at every turn. We must be steadfast at defeating the racists’ attempts at denigrating the change that President Obama is trying to put in place.<br /><br />What the racists did not factor in is the fact that the majority of the people in the world are people of color. Just as in the fiasco at Abu Ghraib, the 19th century thinking racists are only making matters worst for members of their ilk. The Occicontin-addicted, Rush Limbaugh, calling for the failure of President Obama’s administration only accelerated the free-fall of the conservative movement’s demise, as we know it.<br /><br />Younger citizens and younger members of both political parties are starving for a new way of conducting this country’s affairs and I salute them.<br /><div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-11611478127088867032009-02-03T22:11:00.005-05:002009-02-03T22:21:00.003-05:00What's good for the goose....<a href="http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/ap_daschle_090202_mn.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/ap_daschle_090202_mn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>W</em></span></strong>hen pursuing anything government related, I’m always asked:</p><ul><li>Have you ever been involved with the government before?</li><li>Have you ever been denied a government contract because of malfeasance?</li><li>Do you owe the government any taxes?<br /></li></ul><p>I’m still wondering just how many more lawmakers (on all levels) may not have paid their taxes, yet you and I are bludgeoned by the IRS whenever we fall short. This issue brings into question, just what is the vetting process like?<br /><br />We all knew that President Obama’s administration would be under close scrutiny, more so than most. I’m in it for the long haul. The president said himself that there will be some screw-ups along the way. But, I won’t resign to accepting something as simple as asking these three basic questions of anyone, and I do mean anyone who is seeking to hold a significant office in any administration.<br /><br />Mr. President, you set the bar high to a new world record, which begs the question: can you maintain it? </p>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-17085133373177358672009-02-02T07:23:00.007-05:002009-02-08T10:30:41.820-05:00Poetry in Motion<a href="http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2008/04/santoniowithisclotheson.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 408px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2008/04/santoniowithisclotheson.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>W</em></strong></span>hat Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger pulled off last night in Super Bowl XLII is the stuff young wide receivers and quarterbacks dream of all of their lives. As a wide receiver in high school, I can remember practicing that very same reception Holmes made to clinch the Steelers’ sixth Super Bowl title.<br /><br />The trick is to keep your feet “inbound” and concentrating on catching the ball, all the while being aware of the defenders! Holmes and company attempted the same play on the left-side of the field and woefully, blew it. Given the importance of scoring at that pivotal time in the game, it took a lot of chutzpah to gather oneself after that failure to come back in the very next play and run the same pattern in the opposite corner for a picture-perfect completion! Man…that is every receivers’ dream come true.<br /><br />In my tweet, I admitted that I was prepared for a Steelers blow-out. I was, pleasantly, surprised to see that the Cardinals showed up to play. My heart went out to Kurt Warner who defied the odds in his serpentine and unlikely football career to wind-up in Super Bowl XLII. Steelers’ linebacker, James Harrison, initially squashed the Cardinals hopes of victory with a hundred yard interception which left him gasping and Holmes' TD was the fait accompli.<br /><br />I would be remiss not to mention the importance of the young Steelers’ coach and give kudos to Mike Tomlin. I am proud of this young brother and I look forward to his long and successful career. </div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-51918682286348650052009-01-28T06:02:00.006-05:002009-01-28T06:24:04.121-05:00What a Wonderful World<a href="http://www.lexpress.fr/reuters/monde/2009-01-24T161856Z_01_APAE50N19BN00_RTROPTP_3_OFRWR-PO-USA-MITCHELL-20090124.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 347px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 450px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.lexpress.fr/reuters/monde/2009-01-24T161856Z_01_APAE50N19BN00_RTROPTP_3_OFRWR-PO-USA-MITCHELL-20090124.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>A</em></strong></span>s an ardent Obama supporter during the presidential campaign, I committed myself to be critical of him as I would any other person who holds the public trust. By the same token, I will give credit where credit is due. <em>For the record, I did give kudos to George Bush for what he tried to do in Africa.<br /></em><br />With that said, I must applaud the Obama administration for its relatively seamless transition and its recent pronouncements. The Middle East has been a concern of mine for as long as I can remember because it is a lightening rod for those that see the inhabitants of that region as disenfranchised and neglected.<br /><br />The Middle East is equivalent to a vial of nitroglycerin traveling down an unpaved road on the mountain-side of the Andes. Yes, it doesn’t take much to set that part of the world off. I truly believe that if this volatile region is not given balanced attention, it will continue to be the bane of our existence. The Jewish lobby has done an outstanding job of keeping the State of Israel’s interest on the front burner of every western politician’s agenda to the point that they are literally afraid to criticize Israel’s actions.<br /><br />It was so refreshing to hear former President Jimmy Carter, not be afraid of backlash and “ostracization”, in speaking the truth about the reality of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. We can no longer sweep these realities under the rug and pretend that they don’t exist. I believe the Obama administration is embarking on the right path to address these and like issues throughout the world through ambassadors such as George Mitchell and Susan Rice.<br /><br />No longer should the world’s perception of our foreign policy be, “our way or the highway”. No longer should a Palestinian mother-to-be commit her unborn baby to a tit-for-tat armed struggle in order to be recognized and respected. No longer should young Israelis divide their conscience and Palestinian apartheid. No longer should a nation state feel the need to develop nuclear capability to get respect in the “hood”. No longer should children in so-called under-developed nations fear for their lives because of ethnic differences. No longer should we continue to alienate our neighbors because their “ism” is not our “ism”.<br /><br />I welcome this administration’s attempt to bring some civility and fairness to the problems at hand. It has been said that this president has unprecedented goodwill throughout the world and with that kind of support, all good things are possible. </div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-9990196164301315902009-01-19T20:16:00.003-05:002009-01-19T20:22:34.333-05:00Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKqBTFatmFFoZbACvpS1RIeOOcLiq0wSrLN-_-2lGG-F-r-WAy3qvoB1_HwBLLWB8ZjqbxFcMyeIV7b2KH-iDn-11_jg6e0RUHjFYyx7vB2oMt6cxlsgICQw8BeB28ufqMFExCEiQnw/s1600-h/obama01_16773717.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293179241908406194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKqBTFatmFFoZbACvpS1RIeOOcLiq0wSrLN-_-2lGG-F-r-WAy3qvoB1_HwBLLWB8ZjqbxFcMyeIV7b2KH-iDn-11_jg6e0RUHjFYyx7vB2oMt6cxlsgICQw8BeB28ufqMFExCEiQnw/s400/obama01_16773717.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;"><em>W</em></span>ell folks, 20JAN09 is tomorrow!<br /><br />I considered myself cool as a cucumber through the last two years. But, of late, I’ve been experiencing some anxiety, some mixed emotions.<br /><br />You see, for some reason I feel responsible for speaking for those great spirits that have gone on before us, those who are not physically with us anymore. I feel inadequate to express what my grandparents and my father would want to say. My parents and the generations of those before them paid dearly for our time in the sun tomorrow. My father was a preacher man and a great speaker. So, you can understand my dilemma. But, for now, I’ll just gather myself and my thoughts for another time.<br /><br />I do know those great spirits enjoyed a good tune when they heard one. So, I thought I would just let Seal express what’s difficult for me, tonight. <br /><br /><em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHa096VQ8FE">Take a listen!</a></em><br /><div><a href="http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/obama_11_05/obama01_16773717.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-54221767708960092072008-11-30T09:55:00.004-05:002008-11-30T11:00:24.806-05:00Billy-Boy's Penitence<a href="http://jezebel.com/assets/resources/2008/03/monicabill.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 447px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 392px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://jezebel.com/assets/resources/2008/03/monicabill.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Hill and Bill over her prospective appointment as U.S. Secretary of State</em><br /><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span></em></strong>’ve been playin’ second fiddle to your ego, your interests and your women for over thirty years! Now......make no mistake about it, Billy Boy.....this is my time and you ain’t going to screw it up!<br /><br />Baby, I know you’ve sacrificed a lot for me and this country and I’m truly indebted to you for what you’ve done. I stand here, today, and pledge to you that I will continue to do all I can to make your dreams come true.<br /><br />Oh, Bill! Cut the crap. Just keep your zipper up and your mouth shut!<br /><br /><em>Uh?</em>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-39940480264240612982008-11-27T09:03:00.005-05:002008-12-01T08:30:56.501-05:00Thanksgiving thoughts<a href="http://www.ravenartworks.com/gallery/galleryimages/small/The%20Bicycle%20Racer.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 232px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ravenartworks.com/gallery/galleryimages/small/The%20Bicycle%20Racer.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>A</em></strong></span>s I mature, I take more stock in the smaller joys of life and I find myself, gleefully, thankful for them.<br /><br />In this time of economic uncertainty and as a small business owner, you would think a more robust and steady cash flow would be my end-all to happiness. But, I'm hear to say that that would be great, but I'm finding more happiness in much smaller things that offset my uneasiness about the economy. Just to cite a few: my niece naming her son after me, my wife bringing home shrimp fried rice, my 84-year young mother calling me and saying she feels great and happy to be alive, my buddy who is the "Donald Trump" of our circle of friends telling me I gave him a good idea, the sun burning the chill off a cold winter morning.<br /><br />Most of you know how much Barack Obama's victory means to me, but what I really enjoy is riding my bicycle! Yes, you heard me right....riding my bike really makes me feel good! I guess it has something to do with exercising and the release of endorphins into the blood stream.<br /><br />With rush-hour traffic being a bear in D.C. and the cost of gas being all over the map, I put Ol' Blue in the garage and bought a Bianchi Axis bicycle two years ago. I bought the latest biking apparel <em>and I've been told that I look pretty cool in it, too!</em> I'm, definitely, ready for the road. At 57, my family and friends think I'm out of my mind. My wife thinks it's just an extension of my mid-life crises, but I think it's the greatest way to get around in D.C. For the purpose of full disclosure, I have to admit that I was involved in an accident. A car struck me and fractured my leg. But, that didn't stop the "biker-kid" for long. I continue to ride, daily, and for that among so many other things of course, I am truly thankful.<br /><br />By the way, if the Lord is willin' and the creek don't rise, my plan to ride from coast-to-coast will be a reality!<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving everybody!<br /><div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-7104063756273731682008-11-18T22:57:00.004-05:002008-11-19T00:09:56.272-05:00Joe got his knife back?<a href="http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/p/S/2/lieberman-forgive-lk1107bd.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 390px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/p/S/2/lieberman-forgive-lk1107bd.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">H</span></em></strong>ello?<br /><br />Joe lap dog! (chuckle) Keyes…Alan Keyes!<br /><br />Lap dog? You were a lap dog before me! (chuckle) Hey, Alan.<br /><br />Joe, seriously, I just want to congratulate you and tell you how much I admire what you did for John McCain and to also say how surprise I am at the fact that the Dems didn’t crucify your ass! Man, Obama is one shrewd dude.<br /><br />Yeah, he’s really playing his cards right.<br /><br />Joe, you know you were sitting on death row, but Obama is playing to the world how “forgiving” he can be by giving you a pardon. If someone had done what you did from the Republican Party, they would have been whacked in a New York minute.<br /><br />But, Alan, that’s so last century. Barack is up to something. I don’t think I’m going to get off that easy. Eventually, I’m going to have to face the music in Connecticut. I think he’s got something much grander up his sleeve and I’m just going to have to see how this thing plays out.<br /><br />Hmmmm, you’re probably got a point. But, however it plays out; it ain’t going to be in your favor.<br /><br />I’m not sure about that, Alan. I might end up looking good until the next cycle, but the Republicans can end up looking worst. Obama, I think is trying to come off looking like a unifier by propping me up, the fallen angel, and the reprisals by the GOP-right will show the nation and the world just how recalcitrant and out of touch they are. Hence; fostering less confidence in that elephant-of-a-party!<br /><br /><em>That dude is shrewd!<br /></em><div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-25506083825730330512008-11-16T09:03:00.003-05:002008-11-16T09:08:41.910-05:00The Bush/Obama meeting<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01111/obama-bush2-460_1111545c.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 460px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01111/obama-bush2-460_1111545c.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Revelations:</em><br /><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">M</span></em></strong>r. President, thank you for your gracious hospitality.<br /><br />Ah, hell....back home, I would've broke out the grill and barbequed-up a steer for ya! Look, Barack…you're goin' to be in this exclusive club real soon. How about we dispense with the formalities...... (chuckle) call me George or you can just call me plain old "W" !<br /><br />Okay, George?<br /><br />I'm glad we're havin' this sit-down 'cause I'm pleased-as-punch that America has risen to the point where we could put aside all that foolishness from the past and elect a Negro. I take great pride of all I've done for your people, with Colin and Condi high up in my cabinet. Did you know I've done more for Africa than previous presidents? Yes, sir! And I'm goin' to do even more than Bill Clinton when I leave office. You see, what bugs me, Barack, is that the American people don't really understand me. Oh, I know I don't speak all flowery like you and I made a few mistakes (as you will, too) but I love this country very much and all I wanted was the best for it. Just maybe, my best wasn't good enough. I think history will be kind to me.<br /><br />I'm sure you tried, George.<br /><br /><em>Janet, the president's personal secretary, enters the oval office with a pleasant smile, bringing a silver platter with a silver pot of sassafras tea and large deli cookies and places it on a table near the two men. The president thanks her as she turns to leave. President Bush rises and begins serving the president-elect.<br /></em><br />Barack, I don't care what those talkin' heads say about me, but being president is OJT, on-the-job training. I'll never forget when I first heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center. I was reading to some kids and my aide interrupted me and whispered in my ear what turned out to be the bane of my existence. I'll tell ya, I was numb with shock. I didn't know what to do! I felt like sayin', 'hey, somebody turn on CNN and let’s hear what the president has to say!". <em>But, I am the president.</em> What do I do next? It was times like that that causes a man to go deep within to find the answer. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, so I prayed on it. I asked God for direction and I did what I thought was best for America. I wanted to look presidential, to give the American people the confidence that I was in control!<br /><br />Yes, Mr. President, that was a difficult time for everyone.<br /><br />Barack, don’t let America’s existence in Iraq be for naught.<br /><br />Mr. President, I understand the importance of our presence, there. But, I am also mindful of the human cost these wars have been and the toll it has taken on this country’s credibility. With all due respect, sir, I think we lost our direction after 9/11. I believe we should have been focused on where the terrorists reside. By doing so, we could have maintained the support of the American people and our allies throughout the world. Mr. President, I was not privy to the information that you and your advisers had at hand at the time you committed our troops to that part of the world, but today, the American people have given me a mandate to bring an end to the war in Iraq, a responsible end with dignity. My team looks forward to working with your administration to make that possible. Just as important is our concerned about the economy. I have selected a well respected person to be my secretary of treasury and I’ll be announcing my selection in short order. As you were so gracious in meeting with me, I’m looking forward to you doing what is needed to settle the markets and to appease the members of the upcoming G-20 meeting.<br /><br />My goodness that sounded very presidential. Barack you can count on me and my staff to do all we can for you.<br /><br />Mr. President, I know it is customary for the out-going president to take certain executive actions at the eleventh hour. I just want to remind you that there is a lot at stake, here. I only ask that you be cognizant of that.<br /><br />Mr. President-elect, you have my word on that!<br /><br /><em>Laura Bush and Michelle Obama enter the oval office. Both men rise to their feet and kiss their respective wives on the cheek.<br /></em><br />Come on….Laura and I will walk you to the door.microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-81022268890761080532008-11-07T23:33:00.000-05:002008-11-07T23:36:18.573-05:00Washington area finest<a href="http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/nm_haiti_081107_mn.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/nm_haiti_081107_mn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>I</em></strong></span> commend the Fairfax Fire and Rescue for, immediately, dispatching their world-wide respected rescue team to the beleaguered island-state of Haiti, where thirty children were killed after the collapse of their school building.<br /><br />Thank you!</div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-76027072281914436382008-11-06T09:13:00.002-05:002008-11-06T09:16:34.348-05:00Political Decompression<a href="http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1614/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1614R-5667.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1614/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1614R-5667.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>P</em></strong></span>erhaps you feel like me. I am emotionally and physically spent!<br /><br />As one who has done D.C. Marathons, Marine Corps Marathons, New York City Marathons, biathlons and umpteen 10K races, my body and mind feels equally exhausted after completing this political cycle.<br /><br />I can only imagine what President-elect Obama and Senator McCain must feel like. Especially Senator McCain at seventy-two years of age!<br /><br />After fielding the many phone calls, emails, debriefing meetings with friends, I just want to shut-down and rest. I have not had a sound-night’s sleep in the last two weeks because I have been consumed with work and anticipation of the things to come.<br /><br />If you feel like me, let’s do something nice for ourselves. I plan to take a nice swim and treat myself to a massage.<br /><div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-40741264689759785532008-11-04T23:45:00.008-05:002008-11-05T01:17:51.225-05:00Yes We Can!<a href="http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/homepage/11-4-08xx.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/homepage/11-4-08xx.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><br /></em><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Dedicated to my father, “Pastor Ray” 1922 – 1998</strong></span></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><em></em></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><em>A wake-up call from my father:</em></span></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>S</em></strong></span>on, son…wake-up! How can you sleep? History has been made!<br /><br />Hey, Dad. What? What’s going on? DID HE GET IT??? Did he win? Barack, won?<br /><br />Yes, boy! Get your butt up and celebrate with the world!<br /><br />Oh my God! We really did it, Dad!<br /><br />Yes, son, victory is ours!<br /><br />Dad, I wish you could be with me, now.<br /><br />What are you talking ‘bout, ya big dummy? I’m always with you. I never left ya. Who do you think helped you to close that big contract you were working on for so long? Who do you think kept, that big ol’ Thoroughbred from crushing you when you two tripped over that six-foot fence? Who do you think guided the doctor’s scalpel in your surgery? It was the Big Guy and me, that’s who!<br /><br />Thanks, Dad. I guess I’ve always felt your spirit with me. But, I just want you here to see Barack and the inspiration that he has given to so many us.<br /><br />Boy, I knew all about that young man before you did and that’s why I got together with all of my buddies up here to make sure he would become the 44th President of the United States.<br /><br />Dad, did you and your buds have the same issues about Barack’s candidacy as we have down here?<br /><br />Ugh (chuckle). Son, we don’t have issues….we have grace. Everyone is represented, here: black, white, red, yellow and brown people. All of that foolishness we had on earth, stayed on earth. You know, when I think about it, earthly issues seem so stupid to me now. In my 75 years down there, I saw folks squabble over stupid stuff…and that’s all it was…stuff!<br /><br />Yeah, Dad. I guess I see it, too. Who makes the most money? Who has the biggest house? Who has the latest clothes? Who controls the most land? You’re right…it’s just stuff.<br /><br />Son, do you remember in ‘63, when I was ill and the doctors didn’t have a clue as to what my problem was?<br /><br />Sure, Dad! How could I forget? You were in the hospital for three months and to a kid like me, it felt like a lifetime. In those days we weren’t allowed on the hospital floor.<br /><br />Well, we lost John Kennedy during that time…...<br /><br />Yeah, I remember calling your hospital room to tell you about President Kennedy and when the nurse answered the phone all I heard was what sounded like a man crying.<br /><br />Yeah, son. It was me. I felt the same way about JFK as you do about Barack.<br /><br />Dad, as a kid, I memorized the names of all of President Kennedy’s cabinet members. I can’t say I remembered any administration cabinet members’ names, since.<br /><br />Hey, son…I’m going to have to run, shortly. I’ll be breaking bread with Jack Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin, Strom, George Wallace and others in celebration of Barack’s …..<br /><br />Dad, Dad, excuse me, but….did you just say Strom Thurmond and George Wallace? What are they doing up…?<br /><br />Son, like I said, all of that foolishness that started on earth, remains on earth. As a matter of fact, George is my Bid Whist partner, up here! Barack won’t be successful unless he has everyone working together like we do up here. Again, it won’t be easy, but it can be done. Jack said we could put a man on the moon and we did it! Now, get your butt up and get going. Do your part to help make America a proud country. Give your mother a big hug for me….love ya, son.<br /><br />I love you, too…Dad!<br /></span><a id="ss_img_link" href="javascript:ss.hotlink()"></a><br /><br /></p><div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-53957178302607616792008-11-03T21:17:00.004-05:002008-11-03T21:30:53.416-05:00A grandmother's love!<a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2008-11-04-capt.c4d8b33889a049d0a8eeb214f18deb0e.obama_2008_ncjh105.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 319px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2008-11-04-capt.c4d8b33889a049d0a8eeb214f18deb0e.obama_2008_ncjh105.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>S</em></strong></span>enator,<br /><br />My heart-felt sympathy goes out to you and your family. Rest assured that your beloved grandmother will always be with you. Because of her love and support, you have been prepared for the task at hand.<br /><br />Be strong, senator! Your pain will endureth for a night...but joy comes in the morning.microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-31979706320477772742008-11-03T00:11:00.001-05:002008-11-03T00:14:53.307-05:00A dream no longer deferred<a href="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:a0zOipdabv0J::api.ning.com/files/-xqAG4e7syaQZG3OfX3X6dGGuGpTvVNGb7qSB7C1Vf*7K3nS4fnIsrr*sGYGzEgj6TgHIroN7ZtlS2JBrtjEfMToU5UPNuQO/ObamaLogo.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 135px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:a0zOipdabv0J::api.ning.com/files/-xqAG4e7syaQZG3OfX3X6dGGuGpTvVNGb7qSB7C1Vf*7K3nS4fnIsrr*sGYGzEgj6TgHIroN7ZtlS2JBrtjEfMToU5UPNuQO/ObamaLogo.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">W</span></em></strong>ell, we are coming to the end of a hard-fought fight, folks! Tomorrow is the big day. I will be busy doing last minute campaigning for my guy. So, I thought I would take this opportunity to reflect and express my gratitude to those I have interacted with over the last twenty-one months.<br /><br />In all my years of participating and observing political cycles, this by far has been the most exciting and rewarding cycle of them all.<br /><br />I want to say thanks to everyone who has written me, called me, beat me up, cursed me and complimented me in my effort to express myself on these all too important issues of our time. I have grown and I think our society has become better as a result of this exercise we call electoral democracy.<br /><br />I look forward to commenting on the new administration’s successes and failures in hopes of maintaining this new interest in civic studies and to make this country a place that we can all be proud of, once again.<br /><br />In the parting words of the great Edward R. Murrow, good night and good luck!<br /><br />Obama’08!<br /><div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3532509717643326611.post-24863290983287830802008-11-02T08:45:00.006-05:002008-11-02T09:05:01.792-05:00My greatest honor!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYzmEOqIbCBWf4TXiGDtAIv8RPleHkzPSZYsd8XMc64KdJ9zw4Mxd9TV2N4SGHhEvkdrORReEA3Ayf1P2-12D6pzUUXmAQS4eQ9Q-Zwu0-eUxJ3f-h3HPGdWINPJHFV0JtP7ev1hXXA/s1600-h/mb-200081101-mom-voting-for-barack-obama+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264056609370652098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYzmEOqIbCBWf4TXiGDtAIv8RPleHkzPSZYsd8XMc64KdJ9zw4Mxd9TV2N4SGHhEvkdrORReEA3Ayf1P2-12D6pzUUXmAQS4eQ9Q-Zwu0-eUxJ3f-h3HPGdWINPJHFV0JtP7ev1hXXA/s320/mb-200081101-mom-voting-for-barack-obama+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>This is no “stock photo”, folks. This is my 84-year young mother.<br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em>Y</em></strong></span>esterday, while preparing to take this photo, I got misty-eyed because I knew that this is the most important vote of her lifetime and, perhaps the last presidential vote she will cast.<br /><br />Mother-dear was rushed to the emergency ward last Monday, the day before I was to take her to vote. I stayed with her all day in the hospital until my sister relieved me. While there, I read and prayed with her. She asked if I thought she would be out in time to vote for "O-baby" , her term of endearment for Senator Barack Obama. She was released from the hospital, Thursday.<br /><br />While waiting her turn at the polls, we saw other seniors of all races in wheelchairs, walkers, those being assisted by family members. We had never seen such an election turn-out like this before. Everyone was so helpful to one another and gleeful with anticipation. The whole process took no more than thirty minutes, but emotionally, it was the best thirty minutes we shared with our fellow Washingtonians in a longtime!<br /><br />So, if you know a senior or someone who maybe challenged to get to the polls on Tuesday, do what I have been doing because it feels so good.<br /><br />Thanks, Mom, for the privilege and the honor you gave me!<br /><div></div>microbrotherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894139853559490357noreply@blogger.com1