The Blessing In Being Married

I've made my share of mistakes, but marrying the wrong person was definitely not one of them, and I thank God every day. Not just because I have a wife, because a lot of men have wives. But, I thank him for a great, and wonderful wife. I know what you might be thinking, and no I'm not writing this because I'm in the doghouse. I just appreciate what I have.
First things first, being married in and of itself is not a blessing. I've seen friends of mine go through hell for years because they married the wrong person. The blessing is in being married to someone who was made for you. Someone whose experiences have shaped them into the person that they need to be for you. Someone who shares your love of God and who doesn't make material things their God, and most importantly someone who puts your needs before their own so much so that you reciprocate in love. The blessing is in the fact that you have found someone in this world who loves you in spite of your flaws, idiosyncrasies, and mess. The blessing is in finding a mate who is your alley, partner, friend, and lover. You'd be surprised how many people are sleeping with the enemy! People who go to work every day dreading the end of their shifts because they go home to the wrong person.
Using terms like wrong and right when it comes to choosing a mate is subjective, and depends on knowing who you are. If you are not comfortable with yourself, no one will be comfortable with you. But once you reach that level of self comfort, and self knowledge, you know what you want and more importantly, you know what you need. Speaking from my own personal experiences I have come to the conclusion that dealing with Miss wrong, gave me an idea of what I didn't want, so that I was better able to recognize and appreciate Mrs. Right. I truly believe that a lot of people end up marrying someone who was only meant to be in their lives for a season to help them grow an become prepared. The problem is, once that season is over and that persons purpose had past it's expiration date, they are legally bound to that bad decision.
So, how do we know who is right? First of all we must remember that love is not what is in between your legs. You need something substantial that lasts much longer than 3 minutes. There has to be a connection much deeper than the physical. When you meet the person who is meant for you, you know it, because you cannot imagine how you lived, thrived or survived without this person in your life. Ladies, if a man keeps stringing you along year after year with the promise of marriage, it is because he has no intention of marrying you. Trust me, a man knows when he meets the woman that he wants to spend forever with. I knew that I wanted to marry my wife on our first date because she was and still is everything that I wanted and everything that I needed, and while no marriage is perfect, with commitment, patience, and dedication we appreciate our blessing more and more as time goes on.

Artur Davis, Back Stabber!

What kind of man says that he supports you, sings your praises in public, endorses you, and then not only turns his back on you but, says that you are incapable of doing your job. Artur Davis, back Stabber, modern day Benedict Arnold, and the GOP's latest Uncle Tom.
Artur Davis is a 44 year old former member of the US House of Representatives from Alabama's 7th district. He served in that capacity from 2003-2011. He failed at his attempt to become the first Black governor of Alabama in 2009 because he alienated African American voters by not supporting national health care reform, and not meeting with certain community organizations. He recently changed his affiliation to The Republican Party.
Davis was an early supporter of President Obama in 2008 and gave one of the nominating speeches at the 2008 Democratic Convention. He was also one of the national co-chairs for Obama's 2008 campaign. But in 2009 and 2010 he was the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote against The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A huge contradiction considering the fact that this bill basically defines Obama's presidency.
Davis once said that, "Obama will lead and inspire the free world," and then at the Republican National Convention this week he turned his back on him. In a rousing speech that only a turn coat could give, he said that he represents the 6 million people who got it wrong in 2008, and then Davis went on to say, "Thank you for welcoming me to where I belong. He even borrowed a page from the Tea Party handbook and said, "Let's take our country back." But he never said from whom. I guess he didn't learn anything from Herman Cain, or Michael Steele who were both used, turned out, and banished into obscurity. This is obviously a personal, and political move with a ting of bitterness, maybe even jealousy. It has never been a secret that there are some prominent African Americans who wish that they were in Obama's shoes. They've had aspirations of advancing in the world of politics but were often held back by their own dalliances, short comings, or indiscretions. We've all heard one comment about wanting to cut Obama's balls off, and we've heard others make harsh criticism's without offering alternatives. There have even been a couple who went out on tour, critiquing the President with nothing to offer but an exercise in self aggrandizement. So while I am surprised, I am not at all shocked. The "crabs in a barrel mentality" still exists.

PR

"Suicidal Smile"

On Monday August 28, 15 year old Bobby Gladden walked into Perry High School in suburban Maryland with a gun and began to open fire on his classmates. 17 year old Daniel Mowry was critically wounded at the scene, after being shot in the back. A guidance counselor at the scene became a hero when he disarmed Gladden, putting a stop to the mayhem. He was then arrested at the scene and is being held in a local lock up, without bail and charged as an adult with attempted first degree murder.
The local media has labeled Gladden a misfit who's influences include a German Metal band and Charles Manson. The last post on his Facebook page is disturbing. “First day of school, last day of my life,” he wrote.
His Facebook name is SuicidalSmile, and he ended his post by saying, "F--k the world."
Bobby Gladden is a sick young man. There is no doubt about that. But, there is always one question that comes to mind when somebody's child decides to raise hell, putting somebody else's children in danger. Yep, you guessed it. Where were his parents? They claimed to have no idea that their son was "troubled" and were shocked by his actions. I planned to end this post by writing about the fact that children need only a limited amount of privacy, because too much can be detrimental. But Bobby Gladden's story is a little different. Although I do believe that neglect, poor supervision, and too much privacy played a role in his maniacal plan. There was another element in his life which contributed to his down fall. Police recently arrested his step father, Andrew E. Piper 43, for marijuana possession, and having an illegal firearm. So this in part, explains why no one noticed the fact that this child was going off the deep end. His stepfather, didn't provide the best example, and was probably too stoned to care. I haven't heard anything about his mother but I can assume that she is questioning her choice in a mate. Or maybe not. She can either place some of the blame on her husband who, despite the fact that he is not Gladden's biological father, failed her son, being the only in-house example of a man that he had. Or she can totally place the blame on her son, maintaining a "stand by your man" mentality. Whatever her choice is, the fact of the matter is that Bobby Gladden's parents missed the signs of distress in their son's life and someone else's son was critically wounded. We must pay close attention to our children.

PR

3 Big Lies Told About President Obama

During Adolf Hitler's reign of terror in Nazi Germany he employed a deadly media tactic in order to both desensitize the country and lull it's citizens into apathy. Rather than tell small lies, he would tell huge lies over and over again. So much so that some Germans believed that fiction was the truth. This represented a tipping point, and lead to one of the worst atrocities that the world has ever seen. Today, decades later, the Republican Party is using the very same tactic, with intentions not as sinister but, damaging none the less.
Lie #1.
President Obama took $716,000,000,000 out of Medicare in order fund Universal Healthcare. This has been repeated over and over again by both Mitt Romney, and Paul Ryan. But the fact is that President Obama cut $716,000,000,000 in wasteful spending and closed a gap in the Medicare budget to give senior citizens more benefits.
Lie #2.
President Obama gutted the welfare system and made it no longer necessary for recipients to work for their benefits. Wrong! The Obama administration initiated a $1.3 billion program that helps states give work to more welfare recipients but this idea was killed by Congressional Republicans eager to rebel against any Obama initiative.
Lie #3.
President Obama is soft on terrorism because he is a Muslim sympathizer. More drone attacks have been authorized under The Obama administration than his predecessor and President Obama authorized what is arguably the most daring and well planned operation in US history to kill Osama Bin Ladin.

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Not My Cup of Tea (Party)

The Tea Party is an anti-government, ultra conservative right wing arm of the Republican Party founded in 2009, the year after President Obama, who just happens to be the 1st African American President, was elected. The party was formed in protest to both the Wall Street bail out and the Stimulus package. Both of which are programs put in place by President Obama. They are fiscal conservatives who believe in curbing government spending. The irony in their very existence is the fact that they were no where to be found when then President George H.W. Bush was engaging in government spending with wreck less abandon? The Party also vowed to purge the Republican Party of those who are not conservative enough and often spout coded rederick about "taking their country back" and returning to the good old days. In all reality The Tea Party, much like the Ku Klux Klan was born out of fear, and hatred of Black, and brown progress in America, and "their country" is a place in which black, and brown people wouldn't be allowed to vote or even exist. The good old days refer to a time when there was no Black President.
The Tea Party is no more than a fringe group. The bastard offspring of the GOP, used to play on the fears and insecurities of poor, and middle class white people and a few misguided African American's to vote against their own interests. They have these people convinced that minorities are taking their jobs and destroying their way of life, and this is just a diversion. The truth is, a lot of what is perceived to be racial issues are really class issues. Black and brown people are not the reason that most major corporations outsource. Corporations do so because of the lower cost of doing business and pure greed. Then multi millionaires, and even billionaires in some cases use the media, and groups like the tea party to shift the blame provoking hostility for a pseudo enemy. Most people regardless of color, want the same things. A great job, good health care, good schools for our children, and safe neighborhood's. But as long as some of us remain distracted by the boogie man we will never focus on the real matter at hand. The rich getting richer at our expense.

PR

Intelligent Design, I Know Jesus Is Real

After years of misinforming and miseducating the public, scientists have now come up with the theory of intelligent design. Some Scientists theorize that due to the intricacies and in depth design of the universe and human beings as a whole, there has to be an intellectual architect who was essential in it's planning, creation, and function.
When I first heard about this "discovery" and did some research, I was thrilled. My entire life I, like most people have been subjected to Darwin's theory of Evolution. Charles Darwin's Theory held that an organism continuously evolved over many generations to form a new being, and the earth itself came into existence out of nothing. His most famous example was that of a primate evolving over thousands of years into a human being, mainly because of the similarities in physical form and brain development. This theory totally contradicts what we are taught as Christians and true believers, and the danger of such a theory is the fact that it questions the very existence of God. When attempts are made to reduce the detail, creativity, and supreme thought that was put into forming the universe, and human existence into mere happenstance, that does not give God the glory.
Although the theory of intelligent design is a refreshing change of pace, those of us who know the Lord, and were brought up in church already knew that Jesus is real. We already knew that our creator is the grand architect of all that was, all that is, and all that will be. I never have and never will need a scientist to validate the existence of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He has proved himself to me too many times, and evidently he is proving himself to the world.

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Hampton Hair Mess

In recent days there has been an uproar over a policy put in place in 2001 banning locks, corn rows, and afro's at Hampton Universities business school. The school Dean Sid Credle posed this question, "Since when does corn rows or dread locks have anything to do with black history? Charles Drew, Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali never had them." He feels that if students want to succeed in business then they should look the part. I think that he has a point. A lot of today's youth feel that they shouldn't have to sacrifice anything to have everything. But the fact is, in the business world you won't find a lot of locks or braids. So unless the aspiration is to be the president of "Keepin It Real Records", or a to become a hair model for "Soul Glow", a little conformity may go a long way.
I know that we should all have the right to express ourselves and in the black community hair has always been a major way of doing so but, we must look at the big picture. The powers that be are largely a conservative group regardless of their political affiliations, most do not understand cultural expression. But what they do understand is the fact that you have the same hair style as the guy they saw being arrested on the news last night. Yes, it's definitely wrong, because we should be judged based on the content of our character like Dr. King said. But, that is not the world that we live in. Until it is, we all have to play the game. Then once we've become major players we can do whatever we want with our hair. The bottom line is, if your aspirations and dreams go past the corner in your neighborhood you will definitely have to make some changes.

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$315 Sneakers?!

Lets pretend for a moment that the country is not at the tail end of a recession, and then just try to totally ignore the fact that African Americans were the hardest hit demographic in terms of unemployment, and foreclosure. Then and only then will you be able to understand why big corporations do what they do. But if you're like me, an African American who has been adversely affected by the economy, and you live in the real world then
this scenario is far beyond your imagination. Earlier this week Nike revealed that their latest offering, the Lebron X, would soon go on sale. The retail price? $315. Nike blames the absorbatent price on the increase in the cost of materials. Exactly what are those materials, gold and platinum?
The bigger question is. Who are these sneakers being marketed to? Nike has been using the same formula for years. First they develop a unique looking shoe, they get the hottest black athlete in the world to endorse it, and then they just wait for the money to pour in. The odd thing is, this time around they have deviated from that formula. This shoe is not particularly unique or different. So, I believe that Nike is depending on the price of these sneakers to make them exclusive and not the design. In this case the "thrill" would not be in just owning a pair of Lebron X's but in owning a pair of $315 Lebron X's. This is both a shrewd and insulting marketing strategy. If you want to sell me an overpriced product, at least have the decency to indulge my need for something that looks special and exciting. If I'm going to spend 4 tank's of gas and 3 weeks of groceries on 1 pair of sneakers, I should at least get some bang for my buck. Growing up in New York I often spent $100-$150 on sneakers but, they looked much different than a $50 pair of sneakers. The exclusivity was in having the latest pair of Jordan's or Air Max, not in breaking the bank to buy them. Back then the marketing was different. But one thing hasn't changed, and that is, Nike's ability to exploit black youth by selling them yet another athletic shoe that they don't need!
I suspect despite the price, when these sneakers go on sale, some parents will form long lines along with their children to waste their money, and criminals will hide in the shadows waiting to take the shoes that they just wasted their money on. I just hope too many people don't get hurt. The fact of the matter is, no matter what a company markets, makes or sells it is ultimately up to us, the consumer, to buy or not to buy. These corporations or entities are out to make a profit and if people are foolish enough to help them do it at their own expense maybe they deserve to be separated from their hard earned money. Stock in Nike is about $95 a share. That means for the cost of those sneakers you can purchase 3 shares, & still have lunch money.

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The Execution of Chavis Carter

On Saturday July 28, 21 year old Chavis Carter was found dead in the back of a Police patrol car in Jonesboro Arkansas as the result of a gun shot wound to the head. The official story given by the Police was that he committed suicide with a gun that he had hidden on his person, despite the fact that he was handcuffed the entire time and was thoroughly searched before he was arrested. Given the absurdity of this story I figured that this was an open and shut case. But just like the cases of Trayvon Martin and Rodney King, I was dead wrong. An investigation into Chavis Carter's death was concluded earlier this week and it was ruled a suicide even though he died from a shot to his right temple. Once again the authorities and the media have created their own alternate reality having absolutely nothing to do with the truth.
The whole world saw Rodney King get beat like a dog by a gang of Police. Excuse me, if someone beat a dog the way Rodney King was beaten they would have been arrested and charged with assault, so I can't really make that analogy. The fact that he was driving drunk and acting grown in a Hyundai does not mean that he deserved to be pummeled within in an inch of his life.
An unarmed Trayvon Martin was gunned down by an over zealous neighborhood watch psycho for doing nothing but walking down the street, and his murderer's guilt is still in question as far as the authorities are concerned.
There is always an attempt to assassinate the victims character in order to influence public opinion.
Every misstep in Rodney Kings life after the incident, was documented, placed under scrutiny, and reported in a "we told you so" tone as if Police could have looked into the future years earlier and beat him because of who he would become. Mr. King may have represented the only African American male image seen by certain segments of America, and if he was seen as severely flawed and or lacking in integrity perhaps all black men would be seen in the same light. This is just another example of cultural conditioning.
It has been widely reported that Trayvon Martin had disciplinary issues in school as if it is a relevant issue, and warranted his being shot in the back.
When Chavis Carter was arrested and searched all the Police found was marijuana, not a weapon. Since when is marijuana possession punishable by death?! The facts in these cases have been ignored mainly because Black life is of little value in this country unless you are someone's cash cow. Innocent until proven guilty just doesn't apply to us in this country. Sad but true.
I've been a black man in America for 41 years and I have managed not to get into any real trouble both by the grace of God and the rules that I live by.
#1. Always carry some form of ID, not being able to produce "pedigree information" is a crime in some states.
#2. Do what ever the Police ask you to do as long as the requests are reasonable.
#3. NEVER volunteer information. Answer only the questions that are asked.
#4. Always keep your drivers license, insurance, and registration current. This is self explanatory.
#5. Don't act like the guy your favorite rapper says that he is or was. Chances are, he's a fraud.
#6. PULL YOUR PANTS UP! You Don't want to look like everyone else. It never helps to fit or portray a stereotype. Perception is everything and you want to be perceived as a non threatening exception.

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Legitimate Rape?!

Every now and then somebody says something so unbelievably ignorant and stupid that you have to ask yourself, "What were they thinking?"
Case in point, in a recent interview GOP Missouri Rep. Todd Akin stated that "legitimate rape victims" don't get pregnant because of a biological mechanism that protects them, so abortion isn't necessary. What?! He also said that Doctors have told him that pregnancy from rape is really rare! Akin who is running against Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskell now says that he misspoke. But, his opinion was quite clear and most likely represents an indifference to rape victims and women in particular.
According to The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology about 32,000 pregnancies a year are a result of rape. I doubt that any of these victims question the legitimacy or the validity of the heinous crimes to which they fell victim.
Now the Tea Party Republicans are urging Rep. Akin to back out of the election. I suspect that their insistence has less to do with the party being embarrassed and has more to do with the fact that he let the cat out of the bag. He in fact revealed some beliefs that are probably shared by those who support him. These "thoughts" are much more than the rantings of a geriatric politician, although they would have you believe otherwise.

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The #1 Killer of Black People Is Not What You Think

When I first began doing some research on this topic this is far from the direction that I intended to go in. But I feel that I must go there because I was quite surprised by what I found out. The #1 killer of Black people in America is...........abortion!
People often overlook this in favor of discussions about heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer which all run rampant in our community. But, in America today almost as many African Americans are aborted as are born. Since 1973 abortions have decreased the Black population by 25%, and a black baby is three times more likely to be aborted than their Caucasian counterpart. Twice as many African Americans have died from abortions than have died from AIDS, violent crime, accidents, heart disease and cancer, according to blackdignity.org. 80% of all abortion facilities are located in minority neighborhoods. Only 13% of American women are Black but they receive 35% of the abortions in this country. When I read this data it blew my mind because the focus is rarely on abortion especially as a cause of our demise. So, excuse me for being naive.
I have always had some what of an ethical quandary when it comes to abortion because there are numerous variables involved. There has always been a hot debate as to when life actually begins, at conception, or formation. Republican, conservatives, and Christian fundamentalists say that abortion is in fact, murder, but some want to do away with the social programs that are needed to support children that would otherwise be born in poverty. We must also ask ourselves if it is right to force a 14 year old girl to have a child that she is not mentally, financially, or physically ready for? Then there is the issue of children who are conceived as a result of rape or incest. In such heinous situations it just doesn't seem fair.
Those who are anti abortionists often bring up adoption as an alternative but, we've all heard stories about foster children who have been physically, mentally, and psychologically abused.
When I was in elementary school a lot of times you could tell who the foster children were because they often looked unkempt, and neglected.
There is also the issue of birth control. Believe it or not there are some women out there use abortion as birth control and men who encourage them to do so.
What do you think?
Feel free to post your comment on my blog site or respond via e-mail to theprbrownreport@gmail.com.

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Should Married Couples Have Single Friends?

It's a tough question but in all reality my life as a married man is so much different than that of a single man that I cannot relate. My responsibilities will not allow me to go to a club and make it rain. I'd be too busy thinking about using the money that I just tossed up or tucked into a G string to pay the electric bill. Besides my wife does the budget so the $30 in singles that I just wasted on a stranger would raise suspicion at home. Not that I have a desire to do such things anyway, because I know that once I got married I had to rise to a new level of maturity and commitment and give up certain things. I would expect my single friends to accept my way of life whether they understand or not but, it has been my experience that the very nature of friendship is relative to things in common. If there is no common thread we can remain acquainted, but friendship is another issue. Even the friends that seem understanding may be green with envy. "They smile in your face and all the time they wanna take your place! Their back stabbers."
Relationships with single friends seem almost impossible to maintain for women. There seems to be a natural inclination among most, to be anything but ecstatic for their girlfriends new found happiness in matrimony. They make late night phone calls not giving consideration to their friends home. They encourage their friends to magnify flaws in their mates, and some so called friends may even attempt to make someone else's man their own. You don't have to cut people out of your life, but you do have to set boundaries. If those boundaries are not respected, there is obviously no respect for you. Should a married couple have single friends? There are rare instances in which maintaining a friendship with a single friend is possible but not realistic.

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The Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life? Man has pondered this since the beginning of time.
Life is about first and foremost serving God, and doing everything you can for his glory. Life is also about choices, decisions, circumstances, the ability to make the right choices in spite of your circumstances, and then being able to deal with the consequences of your actions whether they are positive or negative. We live in a world today where no one wants to suffer even if they make a mistake. We do things first and ask questions later. I know from first hand experience that suffering is over rated but I also understand that the majority, if not all of my suffering has been a result of poor decision making. It is only by the grace of God that my mistakes did not lead to my demise, but I realize that the consequences attached helped build my character and helped make me a better man. A lot of people believe that as long as they are able to justify their actions they will never truly do anything wrong. This has lead to an extreme lack of accountability in our society, especially among the over privileged. The difference is that most of the time the under privileged are the ones who receive swift & severe punishment for their actions. Whether it is prison time or a lifetime of poverty which often go hand in hand. For every Bernie Madoff, their are hundreds of Inmates in jail for crimes of a much less serious nature.
The attitude of not being accountable is prevalent in many different aspects. Some people choose a mate for all the wrong reasons and then they use divorce as if it were some sort of plan B. 9 times out of 10, people know that they are dealing with a psycho with stunted development and they still choose to enter into a contract of marriage. In all reality when and if it all goes wrong, that is what it really is. A lot of people put more thought into choosing a car or a home than they do a husband or a wife. Ironically it is probably easier to divorce that it is sell your house or your car these days.
In schools now there is an A honor roll and an A,B honor role. This teaches our children that being the best is not necessary because they can be 2nd best, and receive a consolation prize for doing so. In my opinion this gives children a warped since of reality and life, because as adults there is rarely if ever compensation for being mediocre.
In the end we all have to pray without ceasing for wisdom, guidance, and strength. So that our lives will mean something more than just existing.

PR

Black or African American?

I have never been comfortable being called an African American. Yes, I said it! It may not be popular to say so but, I just don't believe that my experience in this country is either African or American in the classic since of the word. I know that Africa is romanticized in Black culture and is greatly revered as the land of my lineage but I don't know much African culture. I don't know what food I am supposed to eat, what language I'm supposed to speak or what tribe I come from. My journey through this life as a man is filled with subtle and sometimes not so subtle racism. My life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness has always been under suspicion. My experience here in America is that of a young man raised in a unique subculture. A subculture in which I have to play a role to survive. The experiences of a Caucasian man who considers himself American is in no way a reflection of my experiences. My freedom has never been free, and is still the subject of a decades old battle for a level playing field.
I am a generation Xer who has never marched, never did a sit in, and has never had to drink water from a colored only water fountain but, I still deal with the legacy of Jim Crow, and the since of entitlement from his descendants who all consider themselves Americans. I love being Black. The only things that I love more are Jesus, my wife and my kids. I am also proud to be Black because I belong to a group of people who have built this country and still continue to shape the world. The fact of the matter is, who I am, and who we are does not continuously need to be redefined. We define ourselves by being ourselves and I am Black.

PR

Pressure From The Preacher

All over the country African American clergymen are urging their parishioners to leave the Democratic party. The reason, President Obama's stance on gay marriage. While I understand the outrage over the President not condemning gay marriage, I do not understand throwing out the baby with the bath water. We don't have to agree with everything that he does but we should definitely look at the big picture. For far too long, far too many people have been sitting in the proverbial poor house with their principles and their religion waiting for the Lord to provide perfection. I don't think a lot of us realize the fact that the Lord often blesses us in ways that we don't recognize, and that it is up to us to use our blessing wisely, and not misuse our opportunities. There has never been a perfect President and there never will be a perfect President. If Mitt Romney is elected President, gay marriage will be the least of our concerns. He won't promote same sex marriage but, he will promote our economic demise, and in my opinion it is irresponsible for religious leaders to urge their congregations to leave the party because what it really means is, don't vote for Obama. What it really means is, forget about all of the good that he has done and will do. Forget about the fact that Mitt Romney's running mate is the author of a budget designed for the rich to get richer. By saying don't vote for Obama they are in fact saying, you'll still have your bible based beliefs in tact but, you'll have no social security benefits and no programs in place to help the poor and unfortunate among you. I sincerely hope that more people are able to use analytical thinking in making their choice in November.

PR

7 Signs That You Are A Facebookaholic

When it comes to keeping in touch with family, friends, and people you probably don't care if you see again, Facebook can be a great tool. But like any other great tool, it is often misused, and abused by those who crave constant attention or are just plain bored. Here are 7 ways to tell if you are a Facebookaholic.
1- You constantly ask for relationship advice and then get pissed if said advice is not what you want to hear.
2- If your over 35 & you post 3000 times a day.
3- You use someone else's quotes to make yourself look deep, when people know that you are as shallow as a kiddie pool.
4- You have a full time job, a family, and other things you probably need to do but you waste time by "liking" Subway.
5- You post your status before you even get out of bed in the morning.
6- All of your facebook friends know when your off work because you post it, as soon as you clock out.
7- Last but not least. If you don't believe that any of these things makes you a Facebookaholic, it automatically means that you are !

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Who In The World Is Paul Ryan?!

After much speculation Mitt Romney finally chose his running mate, Paul Ryan. But, who is Paul Ryan? Paul Ryan is the congressman who has represented Wisconsin for the past 14 years. He is also the Chairman of the house budget committee. Last year Ryan developed the controversial Ryan budget in which he proposed to, substantially cut medicare, do away with Medicaid, dismantle social security, eliminate the food stamp program, and do away with other "entitlement" programs as well. After the plan was analyzed by The Center On Budget Policies and Priorities it was discovered that 62% of the spending cuts would come from low income programs. While 37% of its tax benefits would go to those making $1,000,000 a year or more.
The Ryan budget is basically a class bashing manifesto designed to crush the poor, and the irony of it all is the fact that Rep. Ryan used his deceased fathers social security benefits to help pay his way through college.
So, who is Paul Ryan? Another hard nosed conservative who touts the virtues of personal responsibility but does not practice what he preaches. He is another member of the GOP attempting to balance the budget on the backs of the poor. He is a Congressmen with a poor record having only passed 2 bills in 14 years. One bill to change the name of a Post Office in his district, and another to lower the taxes on arrows ( he's an archery enthusiast). Now that we know who Paul Ryan is we should know what we don't want him to be.....anywhere near the white house!

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Ev, Ocho, and The Head Butt Heard Around The World

This past weekend in "When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong" news, Evelyn Lozada, one of the stars of the hit TV show, Basketball Wives, who was never really a basketball wife, was hospitalized after being head butted by her husband, pro football player, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, and super weirdo, Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson, sustaining a massive head wound that required stitches. The couple reportedly got into a huge argument after she found a receipt for condoms in his car. Ocho reportedly told Police that he and his wife accidently bumped heads. The Police evidently found it hard to believe because they charged him with misdemeanor battery, and upon being released on $2500 bail he was ordered to stay away from his wife. I guess this ruins the chances of these two beating Kim Kardashian and Chris Humphrey's 75 day marriage record. They have only been married a little over a month. The sad thing is, if they can't make it, what does that mean for the rest of us?! But seriously, this is sad. This whole basketball wives nonsense has gotten so far out of hand, these people probably don't know where they end and the show begins. As of today Chad Johnson has been cut from the Miami Dolphins, and stands to lose millions. The most shocking thing about the situation is that I thought Ev was tougher. If it was Tammy, Ocho would have been the one who needed stitches!

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The Neo-Nazi Loser

Last week Wade Michael Page (a 40 year old Army reject), walked into a Wisconsin temple and opened fire, murdering six Sikh worshippers and critically wounding three others for no reason what so ever. As he walked through the temple shooting one Sikh after the another, one has to wonder what goes through the mind of a (and I use the term loosely) man like that. White supremacists have a motto "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children." Their fear is rooted in the fact that for the first time in history the caucasion birth rate is in the minority, and Black, Hispanic, and Asian babies account for 50.4% of all births in this country as opposed to 37% 22 years ago. But in all reality excuses and fears aside, most members of these hate groups are a bunch of inadequit, under achieving white guys who are either too lazy or too stupid to become clear thinking, productive members of society so they blame someone else for their inability to thrive in a system that has been designed for them to do so.
I fail to see how murdering innocent peace loving unarmed people in their house of worship helps to secure a future for white children. The fact of the matter is that we are all responsible for securing a future for our children, and mass murder is not the way to go about it. As strange as this may seem there was a time in this country when personal responsibility meant something. It meant that you alone are responsible for your success, your failures, and the health and well being of you and your family. These groups choose to blame other races because they have no idea what personal responsibility is, and although they seem like crazed fringe groups we must realize that there are other shadow groups that exist all across the country. They speak in code and say things like "We want our country back." (a common Tea Party statement), and they love to talk about the good old days. What we must ask ourselves is, who took "their" country, and who were those good old days really good for?
In the end rather than face the consequences of his actions Wade Michael Page killed himself in a shoot out with Police, doing the world a huge favor but I wonder how many other malicious, unhinged losers are out there plotting similar crimes, and what would happen if more people began to exercise their 2nd amendment right to bare arms. I don't advocate violence but, I do believe that a man should defend his family by any means necessary and with crimes like this on the rise it may be more necessary than ever.

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Is Harry Belafonte Right?

When asked in a recent interview how he felt about the state of Black America, world renown entertainer and civil rights leader, Harry Belafonte said that he was disappointed in our progress or lack there of. He stated the fact that there are more Black millionaires in this country than ever before & they do not use their economic empowerment, fame or cache' to affect a positive change in Black America.
In 1990 Democratic mayor of Charlotte and early civil rights leader Howard Gantt challenged Republican Jessie Helms for his senate seat in North Carolina. When Michael Jordan who is perhaps one of the most famous North carolinians was asked to endorse Gantt his reply was "Republicans wear sneakers to!" Jordan obviously choose merchandise sales over principals. The reason I remember his answer so vividly is because I was shocked but even more disappointed. At the time he was easily the most influential athlete in the world and he chose to squander the opportunity to stand against a party that doesn't have our best interests at heart.
Fast forward to today. Whenever I see a famous rapper or R&B singer or actor on TV I always think that somebody's album is about to drop, they just had a baby, just got married, or just got in trouble. I never expect them to talk about voter suppression, or the Trayvon Martin case, or other issues important to our community because they almost never do.
There was a time when entertainers like Harry Belafonte, James Brown, , Dick Gregory, and Sidney Poiter risked their careers & lives to support Dr. King & the civil rights movement. But today's African American entertainers just don't seem to have that some sense of responsibility. Thank God for free downloads. They won't be using my money to put gas in the Maybach. Why support those who don't support us?

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The Delusional Drake

"Rapper/Singer" Drake recently said that he is the first artist to rap and sing. He also said that he discovered America, and drafted the Declaration of Independence! Lol! But seriously his statement is just as absurd. He must have totally forgotten about or never heard of Lauren Hill, who did both, way better, and Andre 3000, who did both, way better. Some hip hop purists may even remember Grand Puba, and Slick Rick singing & rapping on records & doing it way better. Drake seems to have created a bubble for himself inside of which he is the only thing that matters. But those of us who live firmly rooted in reality know that rappers have done it before him & will be doing it long after him. Maybe he was joking when he said what he said. Maybe he was just looking for attention or started babbling in a syrup driven haze, or maybe, just maybe, he actually believes what he says. Rappers bragging is by no means a new phenomenon. Kanye West and Jay-Z do it all the time, but, the difference between Kanye, Jay-Z and Drake is that Kanye and Jay have the talent to back it up.
P.S. to all of those who are Drake fans, I really didn't want to "go in" on him but, enough is enough already !

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The Crime Solution!

A few days ago a 51 year old disabled  Asian women in Philadelphia became the victim of a home invasion. She was severly beaten, her home was ransacked, and her purse was taken.When help finally arrived she was found on her knees begging for her life. The perpetrators were three African American boys ages 7, 10, and 12. The first time I heard this story, I paused, thinking that the talk show host must have made a mistake. I thought he must have meant a 17 year old. But, by the third time I heard the story it kind of sunk in, and I asked myself the same question any sane adult would ask. Where in the world were these childrens parents? At 7 years old I was so sheltered that I probably didn't have any idea how to go about commiting a crime. At age 11 or 12 I was barely allowed to go outside of our front yard without adult supervision.
I have often been known to think outside of the box and those who know me well probably won't be surprised by my position on this because I have said it many times.
If law enforcement and the government was really interested in fighting crime, or eradicating crime all together, they would penalise the parents of these juvenile delinquents who insist on victimising innocent people. I can guarantee you that if the government had the ability to dock some of these parents a few days pay, fine them, suspend their drivers licence, or even imprison them each and every time little Johnny decided that it was cool to rob somebody, or shoot at one of his peers in broad day light, the crime rate would plummet.
Penalising the parents of these children would have a two fold effect. The first, as I said previously, it would significantly lower the crime rate, secondly it would prevent some children from becoming career criminals. As a bonus, it would limit the amount of money that would have to be spent on a tax payer funded municipal court system.
I know that parents can't be everywhere all the time. But you should at least have some idea where your children are. There was a commercial that used to come on TV when I was a kid right before the 10 o'clock news, the announcer would say "It's 10 o'clock, do you know where your children are?" Well apparently some of us don't!

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Don't Sleep On Romney

During the month of July Mitt Romney raised a little over $101,000,000 in campaign contributions, out raising President Obama by $25,000,000.
Mitt Romney is perhaps the most lack luster candidate to ever get the GOP nomination. He is reviled by the tea party, and some christian fundamentalists for his ties to Mormonism, he has been called a "flip flopper" who does not have the ability to relate to the common man, and does not seem to have the ability to be decisive. Yet he has still managed to to raise a fortune in contributions.
I know that a lot of us on the Christian left may have decided not to vote for President Obama based on his stance on gay marriage, but what we must realize, recognize and understand is the fact that he has still done more for African Americans than any President since Lincoln. Just look at his record. If he never does anything else, universal health care is a tremendous benefit to our community. We can choose to "fall out" with President Obama over gay marriage and we can go against him in favor of a man who is a parishioner in a church that believed that all Black people are cursed. If you don't vote at all it's a vote against Obama. So we must try to put our differences aside and think about what is best for us as a people, and what is best for our country. Romney's supporters, no matter how disenchanted, or disillusioned they may be are still going to come out in droves in November. The fact that he has over $100,000,000 in contributions is a definite sign that he has big money support who would rather have a man whom they would not consider their ideal candidate in office than give an African American President a 2nd term.

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Concerned With Foolishness

16 year old Gabby Douglas made history last week by becoming the first African American to win the gold in Gymnastics in the 2012 Olympics. It was a proud moment for all Americans & African Americans in particular because she is one of our own. However, there are those of us who seem to always focus on foolishness and dared to criticize Gabby for the way that she wore her hair! The internet is buzzing with people saying that her hair style too closely resembled that of here Caucasian counterparts. The ignorance of some people never ceases to amaze me. This young lady made history at 16 years old. Who cares about her hair?! These are probably the same people who said that Obama wasn't black enough, and believe that Tupac is still alive.
Ignorance is a disease that has plagued the Black community for decades & just when it seems that it can't get any worse, here we go again. Instead of tearing Gabby Douglas down because of her hair, she should be encouraged and praised for her achievement.
There is a whole laundry list of things that are way more important in Black America. Things like unemployment,, economic empowerment, combatting heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and last but not least, the outcome of the up coming Presidential election. If we spent half as much time
concerning ourselves with maintaining our right to health care as we do to who says what on Twitter we would be far ahead of the game.

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Do I Have To Be A Jerk ?

It never fails, each and every time I have a product or customer service issue, I call the company and get somebody who acts nonchalant. They explain to me how simple it is to resolve the issue myself and they always start by saying "All you have to do is......." Like I'm an idiot. When I tell them that I've been trying EVERYTHING for the past 3 hours they get quiet, and then I realize what I have to do. I have to get up, get dressed and go there. By the time I get there I'm already pissed because this always seems to happen on one of those rare Saturdays when I have nothing to do & was hoping not to have to go anywhere. As soon as I walk in with a frown on my face someone finds a manager who always sees fit to tell me all about store policy but, it goes in one ear a right out of the other. I let them know that I'm the consumer and I dictate what will and will not happen. Once in a while I might cause a scene and get nasty and 9 times out of 10 it works. Never the less it's always annoying and time consuming to have to step out of character, be a jerk, and use my "big blackness" to get the service that I deserve.

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The Stand Of Dan Cathy & Chick Fil A

Dan Cathy, the President of Chick Fil A recently stated that he is opposed to gay marriage and the gay community went crazy. He didn't say that he wished them some harm & he never said that they are not welcome to eat there, he just said that he does not believe in gay unions. The irony, and hypocrisy in this situation is the fact that gay people feel that they should have the right to express themselves whenever they want to but no one else can. It seems to me that the gay and lesbian "community" have become hyper sensitive in their pursuit of equal rights, which I kind of find strange because, no one is telling them that they have to drink from a gays only water fountain, or that they have to ride in the back of a bus.
I for one am sick and tired of the attempts to make me accept who they are. I don't accept it. I will never accept it, and if they want people to respect their right to live & love as they choose they should respect the right of those who disagree as long as they don't persecute them because of it!

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Does Being Fat Mean Being Handicapped?

I see it everywhere I go. Obese people with handicapped stickers, parking in sections reserved for the handicapped. I will admit as strange as this may sound, that sometimes I watch to see if they pull a cane out of the back seat or walk with a limp, or have some other visible impairment which would justify their choosing to park in a space normally reserved for the elderly or seriously impaired. Often times I see no such evidence, and although I have no idea who these people are, and I don't have access to their medical records, the possibility that they may be using fat as a handicap thoroughly annoys me.
People who have MS are handicapped. People who are crippled
are handicapped.
People who are sight or hearing impaired are handicapped.
But, people who decide to eat a six egg omelette every single day ARE NOT HANDICAPPED! People who decide that they have to eat every item on the dollar menu with a Big Mac on the side ARE NOT HANDICAPPED! People who decide to eat until they have to ride around Walmart in a scooter ARE NOT HANDICAPPED! You may be asking yourself right about now who I think I am. I'll tell you. I am a man who used to weigh 324 lbs and NEVER thought about parking in a spot reserved for the handicapped.

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