Happy Friday. I hope you have a wonderful day and weekend. Each day brings us closer to ______________. You fill in the blank.
I just know that I feel that I am ready to move to the next chapter in my life. I am ready to take more chances, and try harder than before. We can either play it safe or we can take risks, and gamble. I am ready to try the "knowledge" card.
What is knowledge?
Knowledge-acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition;the sum of what is known.
You can pick up ANY self-help book, and one of the first principles is that "knowledge is power". This is a fact that can not be disputed. If you have knowledge about a certain subject and/or situation, you are more likely than not to act in a way that will give you a positive outcome. However, on the other hand, if your knowledge is limited, you are limited, and your actions will display this.
This is why people that have taken the time to go to school to acquire specific knowledge in various subjects are more "marketable". What is marketable?
Marketable-readily salable;of or pertaining to selling or buying.
People are either marketable or they are not. The more knowledge a person has in a specific subject, the more marketable. Now there are exceptions to this rule, but this is generally the case.
If a group of people are illiterate, without knowledge and skills, they are more likely than not, to be a people that live in a poverty state of being. This is why most Black people live in a state of poverty and most of their communities are considered ghettoes.
Illiterate-unable to read and write: an illiterate group;having or demonstrating very little or no education.
Most of the Black people are not "knowledgeable", or in this case I am speaking of basic literacy skills. If a person can not read and/or write, this person has limited marketing skills. Therefore, he/she will qualify for the menial and/or unskilled jobs such as "cleaning" or "fast food service". Their lack of skills and knowledge limit their ability to earn an income in which to live in the better neighborhoods or send their children to the better schools. They are "stuck" in a state of poverty.
Most Black people don't "think" much because they are lacking in leadership leadership. Everybody gets rich off of the unintelligent Black people. Can I prove this? YES. YES. YES.
Go to most any Black community, visit the stores in the community to ascertain if they are Black owned. I can guarantee you, most times, the stores will be owned by another ethnic group, white, Hispanic, Asian, and/or Middle Eastern decent.
Sometimes, I really wonder if this is my design. Do the preachers, community leaders want the Black people to stay ignorant? I can not intelligently answer this with facts, at this moment. But my personal opinion is yes.
Money is power. Knowledge is power. A people lacking in the knowledge, has to have someone to sell to them, to teach their children, to give them jobs, to beautify their "hair and nails". If they are not doing these things for themselves, businesses are selling their service to them.
Where is the knowledge in the Black communities? Knock...Knock...is anyone home? Is anyone listening?
Have a wonderful day and please do not forget to read. Whose "selling or servicing" in your community?
L. for Love
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
My Point of View-(Most Black Males)-Day 65
Happy Thursday. May this day be your best day yet.
I want to give my personal and some factual views about most Black males that I encounter from day to day, and what I witness as a Black female.
First I would like to acknowledge that there are "some" strong Black "men" out there. My father was one of them. He is now deceased but my father took care of his children by rearing us. He did NOT abandon us. He tried to instill in his children the value of education and hard work. My "daddy" worked at Ford Motor company in Detroit, Michigan, for many years. He was a steel welder tradesman.
He did not dodge worked. My daddy embraced hard work.
I remember vividly days when he would come home very tired. He would wake me up and ask me to make him some "sunny side up eggs". My daddy loved his eggs this way. I would gladly oblige, and we would sit together "talking". Daddy shared with me that I was "more like him than any of his children". He would tell me that we were "thinkers".
Thank you daddy.
Are most Black males today "thinkers"? Let me put it this way. Can an elephant get through the eye of a needle?
This is my true answer. Most Black males today are not thinkers. I sometimes wonder if they actually have brains. This may sound harsh but it is more harsh that most Black males abandon their children.
More Black single women are the head of their household than any other ethnic group. Some Black women struggle day to day to try keep the family together. It is a challenge. It is very difficult.
A woman can try to do the best that she can to raise her son alone, but a woman can not show a boy how to be a man. Why do you think we have sp few "men" in our community? Black women are raising most of these boys alone.
I am ashamed of most of the Black males. They have no respect for most Black women. When I am in the gym working out, most of these "males" use such profane language that I had to speak to the manager. I have personally approached some of the males and respectfully requested that they reduce their use of vulgar language in my presence. I have wondered..."am I invisible"? If they see me...why do they use this language"? "Do they want to intentionally offend me"?
The Black race is in such a choatic state, not because "the system" is holding us down. The lack of real genuine Black men is our major problem today. In any group, there must be leadership. We have very little leadership in the local communities.
Think about this for a momemt. The Black males walking up and down their neighborhood streets, with their pants sagging to their knees, are the leaders in the communities. Oh my goodness. Can you imagine this?
So if these males are not the leaders, and they are almost the only males in the local Black communities, then who are the leaders?
The Black Women?
Have a wonderful day.
L. for Love
I want to give my personal and some factual views about most Black males that I encounter from day to day, and what I witness as a Black female.
First I would like to acknowledge that there are "some" strong Black "men" out there. My father was one of them. He is now deceased but my father took care of his children by rearing us. He did NOT abandon us. He tried to instill in his children the value of education and hard work. My "daddy" worked at Ford Motor company in Detroit, Michigan, for many years. He was a steel welder tradesman.
He did not dodge worked. My daddy embraced hard work.
I remember vividly days when he would come home very tired. He would wake me up and ask me to make him some "sunny side up eggs". My daddy loved his eggs this way. I would gladly oblige, and we would sit together "talking". Daddy shared with me that I was "more like him than any of his children". He would tell me that we were "thinkers".
Thank you daddy.
Are most Black males today "thinkers"? Let me put it this way. Can an elephant get through the eye of a needle?
This is my true answer. Most Black males today are not thinkers. I sometimes wonder if they actually have brains. This may sound harsh but it is more harsh that most Black males abandon their children.
More Black single women are the head of their household than any other ethnic group. Some Black women struggle day to day to try keep the family together. It is a challenge. It is very difficult.
A woman can try to do the best that she can to raise her son alone, but a woman can not show a boy how to be a man. Why do you think we have sp few "men" in our community? Black women are raising most of these boys alone.
I am ashamed of most of the Black males. They have no respect for most Black women. When I am in the gym working out, most of these "males" use such profane language that I had to speak to the manager. I have personally approached some of the males and respectfully requested that they reduce their use of vulgar language in my presence. I have wondered..."am I invisible"? If they see me...why do they use this language"? "Do they want to intentionally offend me"?
The Black race is in such a choatic state, not because "the system" is holding us down. The lack of real genuine Black men is our major problem today. In any group, there must be leadership. We have very little leadership in the local communities.
Think about this for a momemt. The Black males walking up and down their neighborhood streets, with their pants sagging to their knees, are the leaders in the communities. Oh my goodness. Can you imagine this?
So if these males are not the leaders, and they are almost the only males in the local Black communities, then who are the leaders?
The Black Women?
Have a wonderful day.
L. for Love
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Why Should My Hair Be Straight? Day 64
Happy Wednesday. I hope you have a great day. I hope you love and display love to your fellow man and/or woman.
This past weekend, my daughter and I went to the cinema to see the movie "Good Hair". I have been waiting for this movie. It is written by Chris Rock, a Black comedian. The movie is about Black hair, and why most Black women choose straight hair over their own naturally curly hair.
In this comical documentary, Chris Rock begins by giving us the origin of his quest. He told the story of his oldest daughter coming home from school, one day, and asking, "daddy why don't I have "good hair"?" What is "good hair"?
In the documentary, Mr. Rock speaks to various Black "celebrities", and others to ascertain why they choose to wear "straight" hair.
Most of these celebrities readily admitted that they wear "weaves".
Weave-To interweave or combine (elements) into a complex whole.
This means that most of the Black celebrities you see with the long straight hair have interwoven additional hair pieces onto their head to make their hair appear longer. This make them feel apart of the American beauty culture that has been sold as being the "acceptable" culture.
In this documentary Chris Rock also questioned why most Black women choose to have a "permanent relaxer" to straighten their hair.
Perm-to give (the hair) a permanent.
Permanent-set into the hair by the application of a special chemical preparation and that remains for a number of months.
Relaxer-One that relaxes, as a chemical solution used on tightly curled hair to soften or loosen the curls.
Now you may ask what is the actual chemical in the relaxers used to straighten the hair? Excellent question. The answer is "sodium hydroxide". According to Wikipedia:
Sodium Hydoxide-Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye and caustic soda, is a caustic metallic base. It is used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner. Worldwide production in 1998 was around 45 million tonnes. Sodium hydroxide is a common base in chemical laboratories.
Solid sodium hydroxide or solutions of sodium hydroxide will cause chemical burns, permanent injury or scarring, and blindness if it contacts unprotected human or animal tissue. Protective equipment such as rubber gloves, safety clothing and eye protection should always be used when handling the material or its solutions.
Dissolution of sodium hydroxide is highly exothermic, and the resulting heat may cause heat burns or ignite flammables. (Wikipedia)
So it is importan to know that many Blacks have been "brainwashed" into believing that in order to be accepted our hair need to be "straight" as opposed to naturally curly. This lie has been sold to Black America because there is so much money in the "weave" and "chemical relaxers" industries.
Many people are rich and getting richer off of these products. But you may be surprised to know that these "fat cats" are NOT Black people.
You may ask, L.(me) "is your hair straightened with chemical relaxers or lengthened with weaves"? The clear and unequivocal answer to your question is....NO NO and another NO. My hair as well as my daughter's beautiful hair is all natural. And we love our hair. My hair is probaby a foot long, and even though I have to spend more time with it, it is ALL mine.
I encourage you to love yourself. There is nothing wrong with enhancing your assets. But do not destroy yourself in the process. The documentary went on to point out how parents are allowing their daughters as young as three (3) years of age, to get chemical relaxers in their hair.
What a shame to teach a child that their own hair is not good enough, plus these chemicals(sodium hydroxide) are damaging the scalp and brain.
Who knows what other side effects the chemicals may have? So I ask...why should my hair be straight?
Have a great day.
L. for Love
This past weekend, my daughter and I went to the cinema to see the movie "Good Hair". I have been waiting for this movie. It is written by Chris Rock, a Black comedian. The movie is about Black hair, and why most Black women choose straight hair over their own naturally curly hair.
In this comical documentary, Chris Rock begins by giving us the origin of his quest. He told the story of his oldest daughter coming home from school, one day, and asking, "daddy why don't I have "good hair"?" What is "good hair"?
In the documentary, Mr. Rock speaks to various Black "celebrities", and others to ascertain why they choose to wear "straight" hair.
Most of these celebrities readily admitted that they wear "weaves".
Weave-To interweave or combine (elements) into a complex whole.
This means that most of the Black celebrities you see with the long straight hair have interwoven additional hair pieces onto their head to make their hair appear longer. This make them feel apart of the American beauty culture that has been sold as being the "acceptable" culture.
In this documentary Chris Rock also questioned why most Black women choose to have a "permanent relaxer" to straighten their hair.
Perm-to give (the hair) a permanent.
Permanent-set into the hair by the application of a special chemical preparation and that remains for a number of months.
Relaxer-One that relaxes, as a chemical solution used on tightly curled hair to soften or loosen the curls.
Now you may ask what is the actual chemical in the relaxers used to straighten the hair? Excellent question. The answer is "sodium hydroxide". According to Wikipedia:
Sodium Hydoxide-Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye and caustic soda, is a caustic metallic base. It is used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner. Worldwide production in 1998 was around 45 million tonnes. Sodium hydroxide is a common base in chemical laboratories.
Solid sodium hydroxide or solutions of sodium hydroxide will cause chemical burns, permanent injury or scarring, and blindness if it contacts unprotected human or animal tissue. Protective equipment such as rubber gloves, safety clothing and eye protection should always be used when handling the material or its solutions.
Dissolution of sodium hydroxide is highly exothermic, and the resulting heat may cause heat burns or ignite flammables. (Wikipedia)
So it is importan to know that many Blacks have been "brainwashed" into believing that in order to be accepted our hair need to be "straight" as opposed to naturally curly. This lie has been sold to Black America because there is so much money in the "weave" and "chemical relaxers" industries.
Many people are rich and getting richer off of these products. But you may be surprised to know that these "fat cats" are NOT Black people.
You may ask, L.(me) "is your hair straightened with chemical relaxers or lengthened with weaves"? The clear and unequivocal answer to your question is....NO NO and another NO. My hair as well as my daughter's beautiful hair is all natural. And we love our hair. My hair is probaby a foot long, and even though I have to spend more time with it, it is ALL mine.
I encourage you to love yourself. There is nothing wrong with enhancing your assets. But do not destroy yourself in the process. The documentary went on to point out how parents are allowing their daughters as young as three (3) years of age, to get chemical relaxers in their hair.
What a shame to teach a child that their own hair is not good enough, plus these chemicals(sodium hydroxide) are damaging the scalp and brain.
Who knows what other side effects the chemicals may have? So I ask...why should my hair be straight?
Have a great day.
L. for Love
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A "Child" with a View-Day 63
Happy Tuesday. May you have a wonderful and properous day.
Today is a wonderful day because I believe it to be so. My daughter always tells me that she wishes she was Hispanic or some other ethnicity. Why? Good question.
My daughter is not proud of her race, and what "they" are doing and/or not doing. My daughter and I speak frequently about Black people and what we feel about our present status in America. What do most Black people have to be proud of TODAY?
A good question is :
Are we better off as a people today, than we were when Martin Luther King was alive?
I will attempt to answer this question in its most elementary form. By facts and data gathered from the U.S. Justice Department and other sources..
What were the number of Black males in jail in 1968 (the year Dr. King was murdered)?
I looked for these figures but I could not find them. I am still researching. But as you can see from the U.S. Justice Department's figures below, the rate of Black males going to prison has been increasing since 1987, not declining.
So you tell me what do my daughter and many other Black children have to be proud of. Black people are much more than "rappers" and/or "atheletes".
Read Marcus Garvey or even Richard Wright, and you will be able to ascertain that many years ago, Black people focused on intelligence. But what has happened?
I am still trying to figure this out.
According to Social Justice News:
"American prison population surpasses 2 million,
the highest incarceration rate in the world
For the first time in history, the number of inmates in American prisons and jails has exceeded 2 million. As of June 30, 2002, there were 1.35 million prisoners in State and Federal prisons and an additional 665, 475 in local jails, according to a new report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. This represents an increase of nearly 2 percent over the first six months of 2002.
The rate of incarceration in the United States, 702 inmates per 100,000 residents, continues to be the highest in the world. Among black males 25 to 29, 12.9 percent were in prison or jail. Overall, 4.8 percent of black males were in prison or jails, compared to 1.7 percent of Hispanics and 0.6 percent of whites. Black women in prisons and jails continue to outnumber their white (5 times as many) and Hispanic (more than twice as many) counterparts."(Social Justice News)
On June 30, 2008 —United State Justice Department figures
– 2,310,984 prisoners were held in federal or state prisons or in local jails – an increase of 0.8% from yearend 2007, less than the average annual growth of 2.4% from 2000-2007.
– 1,540,805 sentenced prisoners were under state or federal jurisdiction.
– there were an estimated 509 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 U.S. residents – up from 506 at yearend 2007.
– the number of women under the jurisdiction of state or federal prison authorities increased 1.2% from yearend 2007, reaching 115,779, and the number of men rose 0.7%, totaling 1,494,805.
At midyear 2008, there were 4,777 black male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents being held in state or federal prison and local jails, compared to 1,760 Hispanic male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents and 727 white male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents.
Percent of U.S. population in racial group under correctional supervision
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year White Black Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986 1.4% 5.7% 0.6%
1987 1.4% 6.2% 0.6%
1988 1.5% 6.6% 0.7%
1989 1.6% 7.3% 0.7%
1990 1.7% 7.6% 0.7%
1991 1.7% 8.0% 0.7%
1992 1.8% 8.5% 0.7%
1993 1.8% 9.0% 0.8%
1994 1.9% 8.9% 0.8%
1995 2.0% 8.8% 1.1%
1996 2.0% 8.9% 1.2%
1997 2.0% 9.0% 1.3%
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics Correctional Surveys (The National Probation Data Survey, National Prisoner Statistics, Survey of Jails, and The National Parole Data Survey) as presented in Correctional Populations in the United States, 1997.
However, I encourage my daughter to be proud of who she is and SHE should make a difference. I tell her that while it is important to recognize a problem, it is MORE important to do something about it. Take action my sweet girl.
Have a great day.
L. for Love
Today is a wonderful day because I believe it to be so. My daughter always tells me that she wishes she was Hispanic or some other ethnicity. Why? Good question.
My daughter is not proud of her race, and what "they" are doing and/or not doing. My daughter and I speak frequently about Black people and what we feel about our present status in America. What do most Black people have to be proud of TODAY?
A good question is :
Are we better off as a people today, than we were when Martin Luther King was alive?
I will attempt to answer this question in its most elementary form. By facts and data gathered from the U.S. Justice Department and other sources..
What were the number of Black males in jail in 1968 (the year Dr. King was murdered)?
I looked for these figures but I could not find them. I am still researching. But as you can see from the U.S. Justice Department's figures below, the rate of Black males going to prison has been increasing since 1987, not declining.
So you tell me what do my daughter and many other Black children have to be proud of. Black people are much more than "rappers" and/or "atheletes".
Read Marcus Garvey or even Richard Wright, and you will be able to ascertain that many years ago, Black people focused on intelligence. But what has happened?
I am still trying to figure this out.
According to Social Justice News:
"American prison population surpasses 2 million,
the highest incarceration rate in the world
For the first time in history, the number of inmates in American prisons and jails has exceeded 2 million. As of June 30, 2002, there were 1.35 million prisoners in State and Federal prisons and an additional 665, 475 in local jails, according to a new report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. This represents an increase of nearly 2 percent over the first six months of 2002.
The rate of incarceration in the United States, 702 inmates per 100,000 residents, continues to be the highest in the world. Among black males 25 to 29, 12.9 percent were in prison or jail. Overall, 4.8 percent of black males were in prison or jails, compared to 1.7 percent of Hispanics and 0.6 percent of whites. Black women in prisons and jails continue to outnumber their white (5 times as many) and Hispanic (more than twice as many) counterparts."(Social Justice News)
On June 30, 2008 —United State Justice Department figures
– 2,310,984 prisoners were held in federal or state prisons or in local jails – an increase of 0.8% from yearend 2007, less than the average annual growth of 2.4% from 2000-2007.
– 1,540,805 sentenced prisoners were under state or federal jurisdiction.
– there were an estimated 509 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 U.S. residents – up from 506 at yearend 2007.
– the number of women under the jurisdiction of state or federal prison authorities increased 1.2% from yearend 2007, reaching 115,779, and the number of men rose 0.7%, totaling 1,494,805.
At midyear 2008, there were 4,777 black male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents being held in state or federal prison and local jails, compared to 1,760 Hispanic male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents and 727 white male inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents.
Percent of U.S. population in racial group under correctional supervision
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year White Black Other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986 1.4% 5.7% 0.6%
1987 1.4% 6.2% 0.6%
1988 1.5% 6.6% 0.7%
1989 1.6% 7.3% 0.7%
1990 1.7% 7.6% 0.7%
1991 1.7% 8.0% 0.7%
1992 1.8% 8.5% 0.7%
1993 1.8% 9.0% 0.8%
1994 1.9% 8.9% 0.8%
1995 2.0% 8.8% 1.1%
1996 2.0% 8.9% 1.2%
1997 2.0% 9.0% 1.3%
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics Correctional Surveys (The National Probation Data Survey, National Prisoner Statistics, Survey of Jails, and The National Parole Data Survey) as presented in Correctional Populations in the United States, 1997.
However, I encourage my daughter to be proud of who she is and SHE should make a difference. I tell her that while it is important to recognize a problem, it is MORE important to do something about it. Take action my sweet girl.
Have a great day.
L. for Love
Monday, October 26, 2009
Children Require Patience-Day 62
Good morning, and I hope you have a great day.
I have had a difficult weekend with my daughter. It has been very challenging.
I am homeschooling her and I am trying to teach her to focus. It has been trying my patience. I have explained to her time and time again that there are books that she MUST read and there are some that she can read. I then asked her if she knew the difference.
Must-to be obliged or bound to by an imperative requirement:to be under the necessity to.
Can-may; have permission to;to have the possibility.
As the definitions indicate above, there is a distinct difference. On the one hand MUST means that it is required, there is no choice or option. on the other hand, can means that there is a possibility, an option.
I have to explain this difference daily to my daughter. She wants to read books such as "Wimpy Kid", and I require more intellectual readings first. She tells me that she should be allowed to read whatever she wants because it would encourage her to read. While I explained to her that there are things that she is required to learn, and I must make sure that she is competent in various subjects.
The only way that she will be competent and knowledgeable in these required subjects is to study them.
Competent- having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience, etc., for some purpose; properly qualified.
Knowledgeable-possessing or exhibiting knowledge, insight, or understanding; intelligent; well-informed; discerning; perceptive.
My daughter is very intelligent. However, sometimes, I think that she is immature. She plays too much. What I mean is that everything is play for her. I tell her that she needs to understand that there is a "time for all seasons". What I mean by this is that there is a time to play, a time to work, a time to be serious, a time to love and so on and on. I explain to my daughter that there is a time for everything under the sun, but it all must be put in its proper perspective.
When I am homeschooling, this is the time for serious work. Sometimes she tells me that she is bored but I tell her that she will not have "fun" all the time when she is doing school work. I tell her that she can have fun with certain assignments but she should train her mind to understand sometimes SHE MUST JUST WORK".
I believe many of the "things" that companies have pushed upon our children such as all of the "games", are turning our children into "lazy" children. My daughter only wants to read "funny books with cartoons". I will not permit her to read these books daily. I believe they do more harm than good.
The funny books, I believe, do not enhance her vocabulary nor her intellectual thinking process. Many of the words in "these" books are spelled incorrectly and the sentence structures are not proper. What are these books doing to the minds of our wonderful children?
I am really challenged by this premise. Allowing my daughter to read what she wants and forcing her to read what she needs. I have thought of returning my daughter to school, but I know that she needs me, and I will be here for her, even at my own demise:)
My daughter is teaching me patience.
Patience-an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay:
The definition above fits me perfectly. I am not completely there yet. Meaning that I still get irritated when I am confronted with delay. I am trying. I am getting much better because of my daughter.
When you have children you MUST have patience. No doubt.
Have a great day.
L. for Love
I have had a difficult weekend with my daughter. It has been very challenging.
I am homeschooling her and I am trying to teach her to focus. It has been trying my patience. I have explained to her time and time again that there are books that she MUST read and there are some that she can read. I then asked her if she knew the difference.
Must-to be obliged or bound to by an imperative requirement:to be under the necessity to.
Can-may; have permission to;to have the possibility.
As the definitions indicate above, there is a distinct difference. On the one hand MUST means that it is required, there is no choice or option. on the other hand, can means that there is a possibility, an option.
I have to explain this difference daily to my daughter. She wants to read books such as "Wimpy Kid", and I require more intellectual readings first. She tells me that she should be allowed to read whatever she wants because it would encourage her to read. While I explained to her that there are things that she is required to learn, and I must make sure that she is competent in various subjects.
The only way that she will be competent and knowledgeable in these required subjects is to study them.
Competent- having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience, etc., for some purpose; properly qualified.
Knowledgeable-possessing or exhibiting knowledge, insight, or understanding; intelligent; well-informed; discerning; perceptive.
My daughter is very intelligent. However, sometimes, I think that she is immature. She plays too much. What I mean is that everything is play for her. I tell her that she needs to understand that there is a "time for all seasons". What I mean by this is that there is a time to play, a time to work, a time to be serious, a time to love and so on and on. I explain to my daughter that there is a time for everything under the sun, but it all must be put in its proper perspective.
When I am homeschooling, this is the time for serious work. Sometimes she tells me that she is bored but I tell her that she will not have "fun" all the time when she is doing school work. I tell her that she can have fun with certain assignments but she should train her mind to understand sometimes SHE MUST JUST WORK".
I believe many of the "things" that companies have pushed upon our children such as all of the "games", are turning our children into "lazy" children. My daughter only wants to read "funny books with cartoons". I will not permit her to read these books daily. I believe they do more harm than good.
The funny books, I believe, do not enhance her vocabulary nor her intellectual thinking process. Many of the words in "these" books are spelled incorrectly and the sentence structures are not proper. What are these books doing to the minds of our wonderful children?
I am really challenged by this premise. Allowing my daughter to read what she wants and forcing her to read what she needs. I have thought of returning my daughter to school, but I know that she needs me, and I will be here for her, even at my own demise:)
My daughter is teaching me patience.
Patience-an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay:
The definition above fits me perfectly. I am not completely there yet. Meaning that I still get irritated when I am confronted with delay. I am trying. I am getting much better because of my daughter.
When you have children you MUST have patience. No doubt.
Have a great day.
L. for Love
Friday, October 23, 2009
Life is "Learning"-Day 61
Happy Friday. May you enjoy this day better than you did yesterday.
One thing that I am absolutely sure of is that life is a learning process, and when we stop learning, we stop living. What is learning? What does it actually mean to learn?
Learning- the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill; Psychology. the modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience.
I love defining words because it is also a learning process for me. Because to really understand any topic, you must first know what "it" means. In most cases, we do not understand "key" words in various topics, such as the "deficit". To really understand what our country is going through economically, we must understand what a deficit is. If we do not understand key terms, we are lost from the beginning.
One day I was at the library with my daughter and we ran into a teacher that we met last year at her former school. This teacher had recently had heart surgery. But she invited my daughter and me to her home for a "salad". We accepted the invitation and followed this teacher to her home. When we got there, we met her sister, an elderly lady of about 70 years of age. Her sister appeared pretty "competent" to me.
Moreover, we all got into a conversation about the lack of Black progress, and we discussed the importance of education. I asked the sister what books she enjoyed reading and to my shock and simultaneous dismay, she told me that she does NOT read. I asked her why, and she replied "she was too old to learn". What.... are you serious, are you still breathing?
I asked her if she was serious, and when she told me she was indeed serious. I told her that a person is NEVER too old to learn. Life is about learning something new everyday, while we have the opportunity to live. I told her that life is learning.
She told me that while her sister teaches during the school days , she "passes the time" by just "sitting and watching television all day".
I felt so sad for her. My daughter looked at me, and I shook my head in complete disapproval. My daughter shared with this elderly lady that "no one knows everything and this means that you can still learn".
But this lady was not interested. She had made up her mind that she was "too old to learn".
In my most humble opinion, this lady is the walking dead. She has know inspiration to learn. She is just an observer of life as opposed to a participant.
Observer-someone or something that observes.
Observe-to see, watch, perceive, or notice.
Participant-a person or group that participates; partaker.
Life is for the living. The living should learn something new everyday.
What have you learned today?
Best Regard,
L. for Love
One thing that I am absolutely sure of is that life is a learning process, and when we stop learning, we stop living. What is learning? What does it actually mean to learn?
Learning- the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill; Psychology. the modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience.
I love defining words because it is also a learning process for me. Because to really understand any topic, you must first know what "it" means. In most cases, we do not understand "key" words in various topics, such as the "deficit". To really understand what our country is going through economically, we must understand what a deficit is. If we do not understand key terms, we are lost from the beginning.
One day I was at the library with my daughter and we ran into a teacher that we met last year at her former school. This teacher had recently had heart surgery. But she invited my daughter and me to her home for a "salad". We accepted the invitation and followed this teacher to her home. When we got there, we met her sister, an elderly lady of about 70 years of age. Her sister appeared pretty "competent" to me.
Moreover, we all got into a conversation about the lack of Black progress, and we discussed the importance of education. I asked the sister what books she enjoyed reading and to my shock and simultaneous dismay, she told me that she does NOT read. I asked her why, and she replied "she was too old to learn". What.... are you serious, are you still breathing?
I asked her if she was serious, and when she told me she was indeed serious. I told her that a person is NEVER too old to learn. Life is about learning something new everyday, while we have the opportunity to live. I told her that life is learning.
She told me that while her sister teaches during the school days , she "passes the time" by just "sitting and watching television all day".
I felt so sad for her. My daughter looked at me, and I shook my head in complete disapproval. My daughter shared with this elderly lady that "no one knows everything and this means that you can still learn".
But this lady was not interested. She had made up her mind that she was "too old to learn".
In my most humble opinion, this lady is the walking dead. She has know inspiration to learn. She is just an observer of life as opposed to a participant.
Observer-someone or something that observes.
Observe-to see, watch, perceive, or notice.
Participant-a person or group that participates; partaker.
Life is for the living. The living should learn something new everyday.
What have you learned today?
Best Regard,
L. for Love
Thursday, October 22, 2009
We Need Eachother-Day 60
Good morning, and happy Thursday. Today will be the best day of my life because I believe it to be. I believe that I can accomplish whatever I want to accomplish. I realize that I must produce the desired results through hard work.
But I also realize that I need you and that we need eachother.
People are the key to realizing any dream you may have. We need people, as we can not do "everything" ourselves.
I have a small business. In this business, I can not do it all myself, especially if I want my business to grow.
I need to be able to delegate assignments. I need people. So since I realize that people are the center of my world. Shouldn't we at least be nice to them?
Of course we should. This is why we should respect and make people feel good. I always look at things in a positive way, or at least, I try. I try to encourage others, in hopes that we can encourage eachother.
It is like a family. First what is a family?
Family-parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not;a group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals and, frequently, live together.
Looking at the definition of "family" above, would you say that we are the "American" family? Do we not live in America, share common interests, attitudes, and goals?
Our country is presently at war with another country. Who are the "American" soldiers that are fighting and sacrificing their lives?
They are "our" family members, our love ones, friends, and strangers that we do not know but they are all apart of the American "family".
People need people. We need eachother. Most of us never realize this simple premise. But I thank God today that I realize that I need YOU.
Do you need anyone?
Have a wonderful day.
L. for Love
But I also realize that I need you and that we need eachother.
People are the key to realizing any dream you may have. We need people, as we can not do "everything" ourselves.
I have a small business. In this business, I can not do it all myself, especially if I want my business to grow.
I need to be able to delegate assignments. I need people. So since I realize that people are the center of my world. Shouldn't we at least be nice to them?
Of course we should. This is why we should respect and make people feel good. I always look at things in a positive way, or at least, I try. I try to encourage others, in hopes that we can encourage eachother.
It is like a family. First what is a family?
Family-parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not;a group of people who are generally not blood relations but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals and, frequently, live together.
Looking at the definition of "family" above, would you say that we are the "American" family? Do we not live in America, share common interests, attitudes, and goals?
Our country is presently at war with another country. Who are the "American" soldiers that are fighting and sacrificing their lives?
They are "our" family members, our love ones, friends, and strangers that we do not know but they are all apart of the American "family".
People need people. We need eachother. Most of us never realize this simple premise. But I thank God today that I realize that I need YOU.
Do you need anyone?
Have a wonderful day.
L. for Love
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Discipline Is "Learned"-Day 59
Good morning and I hope you have a wonderful day. Go after you dreams and aspirations. Tell your children how much they mean to you. If you have a spouse, tell him or her as well. We all need to feel appreciated, loved and wanted.
I talk to my children daily and tell them how much I love them. I tell my son over the phone, and through our "text messages". He is away at school. I tell my daughter, as she is with me everyday. I love and admire her. I tell her daily that "whatever you do consistently, you turn into habit forming behavior".
This statement can not be disputed factually or logically.
How many of us were borned disciplined?
Discipline-training to act in accordance with rules; behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control;to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.
Disorder-chaos, clutter; social commotion; mental confusion.
All human being must either learn to be disciplined or they will be in a state of "social commotion". There are no in betweens. Let use one of my favorite examples:
Let's say that I am over weight, and I want to lose weight. This means that I have been consuming too many calories and not using this "excess energy" (food), so the excess energy is stored on my body as fat. So now I must become disciplined in order to reduce my caloric intake, exercise regularly, to use up the calories that I consume. This takes discipline. I must control my behavior, and my ferocious appetite.
Why do you think so many American are over weight? We have let our guards down and we have become undisciplined in our eating habits. The extra weight on our bodies is the result of our behavior.
I tell this to my daughter because this past summer, she visited her dad. When she left me she was small, in shape and "ready for life's adventures". However, while she was visiting her dad, he allowed her to become undisciplined. She was allowed to sit in front of the TV daily for an inordinate number of hours. She ate "whatever". She did not read and follow her usual disciplined schedule. She was allowed to become undisciplined, and the results were astouding. She gained about 20lbs in the two months she was visiting him.
When she returned home, she did not have much energy. (she was lazy) She just wanted to sit around, eat and sleep. So it does not take a "rocket scientist" to figure out what she was doing while she was away.
I was furious. So I took control of my emotions, and I sat down and talked with my daughter. I told her that she had to get back to her daily regime of working on the mind, body and soul. She told me that she knew she let herself go. But I told her that we would work together.
And we have. My daughter has lost 10 poounds. We get up and run at the park most mornings. We monitor and maintain a very sensible diet. She understands AGAIN that food is to sustain us, and we should not get "caught up" in just the taste of it. I explained to her that she must learn to be disciplined again, and this takes daily practice.
My daughter and I are moving forward with taking control of our lives. Her father allowed her to become undisciplined because this is easy. It is much easier to allow children to do "whatever" eat "whatever" and say "whatever". Because this way, there is no responsibility, and less time spend monitoring their behavior. The parents allow children to have "uncontrollable freedom". This is dangerous.
But it takes much more focus and discipline to take control of your children and make sure that they are on the right track. This takes TIME, lots of time.
But the results are evident.
Which are you, disciplined or disorderly?
Have a great and properous day,
L. for Love
I talk to my children daily and tell them how much I love them. I tell my son over the phone, and through our "text messages". He is away at school. I tell my daughter, as she is with me everyday. I love and admire her. I tell her daily that "whatever you do consistently, you turn into habit forming behavior".
This statement can not be disputed factually or logically.
How many of us were borned disciplined?
Discipline-training to act in accordance with rules; behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control;to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.
Disorder-chaos, clutter; social commotion; mental confusion.
All human being must either learn to be disciplined or they will be in a state of "social commotion". There are no in betweens. Let use one of my favorite examples:
Let's say that I am over weight, and I want to lose weight. This means that I have been consuming too many calories and not using this "excess energy" (food), so the excess energy is stored on my body as fat. So now I must become disciplined in order to reduce my caloric intake, exercise regularly, to use up the calories that I consume. This takes discipline. I must control my behavior, and my ferocious appetite.
Why do you think so many American are over weight? We have let our guards down and we have become undisciplined in our eating habits. The extra weight on our bodies is the result of our behavior.
I tell this to my daughter because this past summer, she visited her dad. When she left me she was small, in shape and "ready for life's adventures". However, while she was visiting her dad, he allowed her to become undisciplined. She was allowed to sit in front of the TV daily for an inordinate number of hours. She ate "whatever". She did not read and follow her usual disciplined schedule. She was allowed to become undisciplined, and the results were astouding. She gained about 20lbs in the two months she was visiting him.
When she returned home, she did not have much energy. (she was lazy) She just wanted to sit around, eat and sleep. So it does not take a "rocket scientist" to figure out what she was doing while she was away.
I was furious. So I took control of my emotions, and I sat down and talked with my daughter. I told her that she had to get back to her daily regime of working on the mind, body and soul. She told me that she knew she let herself go. But I told her that we would work together.
And we have. My daughter has lost 10 poounds. We get up and run at the park most mornings. We monitor and maintain a very sensible diet. She understands AGAIN that food is to sustain us, and we should not get "caught up" in just the taste of it. I explained to her that she must learn to be disciplined again, and this takes daily practice.
My daughter and I are moving forward with taking control of our lives. Her father allowed her to become undisciplined because this is easy. It is much easier to allow children to do "whatever" eat "whatever" and say "whatever". Because this way, there is no responsibility, and less time spend monitoring their behavior. The parents allow children to have "uncontrollable freedom". This is dangerous.
But it takes much more focus and discipline to take control of your children and make sure that they are on the right track. This takes TIME, lots of time.
But the results are evident.
Which are you, disciplined or disorderly?
Have a great and properous day,
L. for Love
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
What Happened to Respect? Day 58
Happy Tuesday. Have a great today.
I pose the above question because my daughter and I were in a public computer room, in the vicinity where we live. We usually use this computer room quite frequently. It is where we can go and complete papers, I can write my blogs, my daughter writes and completes various assignments.
Many students and adults use the facility. However, we usually use it during the day, and not evening hours. But yesterday we were in the computer room after 6:oop.m., when these very loud teenagers entered. They were making lots of raucous.
I explained to my daughter that not everyone used the computers for something productive. Most of the children, if not all, of them were Black. They were primarily using the computers for games, videos, and music. (Don't children usually have homework after school?)
Moreover, what caught my attention was that most of these teenagers were using profanity as though children, or adults were not in the room. I was shocked at their continual usage. The four letter words were piercing my ears to the point of agony. So I kindly turned toward the children and said. "Excuse me...could you please watch your language"?
What you mean I had the audacity to ask "children" to stop using profanity? I tried to approach conscientiously because none of the staff in the room would say anything. It was sort of Painstaking difficult for me because these children are not mine. Someone needs to be responsible and let them know that they are out of line. That they should have respect, no just for my daughter, or me. But respect for everyone.
They temporarily stopped the use of profanity and foul language ..paused...looked at me. And I bet it was five minutes or even less and they were back to using it. I covered my ears, told my daughter that I was ready to exit the premises.
Where is the respect we had for our "elders"? (not necessarily old people...just older than you) The disrespect is so blatant. It is a "in your face", disrespect.
I am sadden about this sad fact. So how do we solve this?
Parent must be involved. People need to learn how to manage their children like they manage their business. Think about it. Most homes in America are in a deranged state and most of the management seminars are focused on businesses. Sounds like a business opportunity to me. Hmm.
Please manage your children. Encourage them to not only have self respect, but respect for their fellow man, and most important themselves.
Respect-admiration given by others.
Disrespect-disregard, rudeness toward someone.
Have a respectful day.
L. for Love
I pose the above question because my daughter and I were in a public computer room, in the vicinity where we live. We usually use this computer room quite frequently. It is where we can go and complete papers, I can write my blogs, my daughter writes and completes various assignments.
Many students and adults use the facility. However, we usually use it during the day, and not evening hours. But yesterday we were in the computer room after 6:oop.m., when these very loud teenagers entered. They were making lots of raucous.
I explained to my daughter that not everyone used the computers for something productive. Most of the children, if not all, of them were Black. They were primarily using the computers for games, videos, and music. (Don't children usually have homework after school?)
Moreover, what caught my attention was that most of these teenagers were using profanity as though children, or adults were not in the room. I was shocked at their continual usage. The four letter words were piercing my ears to the point of agony. So I kindly turned toward the children and said. "Excuse me...could you please watch your language"?
What you mean I had the audacity to ask "children" to stop using profanity? I tried to approach conscientiously because none of the staff in the room would say anything. It was sort of Painstaking difficult for me because these children are not mine. Someone needs to be responsible and let them know that they are out of line. That they should have respect, no just for my daughter, or me. But respect for everyone.
They temporarily stopped the use of profanity and foul language ..paused...looked at me. And I bet it was five minutes or even less and they were back to using it. I covered my ears, told my daughter that I was ready to exit the premises.
Where is the respect we had for our "elders"? (not necessarily old people...just older than you) The disrespect is so blatant. It is a "in your face", disrespect.
I am sadden about this sad fact. So how do we solve this?
Parent must be involved. People need to learn how to manage their children like they manage their business. Think about it. Most homes in America are in a deranged state and most of the management seminars are focused on businesses. Sounds like a business opportunity to me. Hmm.
Please manage your children. Encourage them to not only have self respect, but respect for their fellow man, and most important themselves.
Respect-admiration given by others.
Disrespect-disregard, rudeness toward someone.
Have a respectful day.
L. for Love
Monday, October 19, 2009
Focus on Solutions-Day 57
Happy Monday. May this day be better than yesterday and more glorious and wonderful than you can imagine. I wish you peace and love.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. But now the weekend has ended. Whatever problems occurred, I hope you either resolved them or you are working to solved them. This means that you should focus on the solutions.
I have written many blogs regarding the many ills in the Black communities. But what I have not spent a great deal of time on are the solutions to these ills.
For example. Since it is an undisputable fact that 50% or more Black highschool students dropout prior to graduation, we should seek solutions to this problem. How do we prevent these children from dropping out of highschool?
My first question would be why do they drop out? What is their reason or rationale for dropping out of school? Therefore, we must focus on the solutions to the problems.
Some of the focus should be on the "parents" of these student that drop out. What is "their" home life like? Do "they" come from a two parent family? Do most of the "drop outs" have juvenile criminal records?
My point is simply this...whatever problems we must deal with, we need to focus on the solutions as opposed to focusing on the actual problems.
Another example is that my daughter's dad promised to send her some money..TWO MONTHS ago. To this very day, he has not sent the money, nor has he given her a valid explanation for failing to keep his promises to her. What did I do?
I explained to my daughter that she must move forward and not depend on what her father told her. I told my daughter the truth. "We must move forward without his assistance, for now." I explained to her that sometimes parents fail their children, and do not make wise decisions. You know what my daughter told me?
She told me that "we must stay positive". Wow, she is 100% right. What a wonderful, little girl. I was getting upset because her dad makes promises to her and breaks them most of the time. But my daughter reminded me that we must remain positive in these situations. I agreed and commended her for her wisdom.
We should all take my daughter's advise and be positive while focusing on solutions. When you maintain a positive outlook, you feel alot better, less stress, and more internal peace.
My daughter is in fact moving forward. She told me that she is ready to have "fund rasiers" and do whatever she needs to raise money to fulfill her goals. And I promised my daughter that I will be with her and help her any way that I can. I told her that I love her and that I thank God for sending me this "angel" from heaven. I also told her that because of her and my son, I am learning how to love, which I have lacked my whole life. (I have deviated again...)
But returning to the present subject, focus on the solution to any and all problems, and you will maintain a peaceful disposition. Isn't this what we want? PEACE.
Have a great and peaceful day.
L. for Love
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. But now the weekend has ended. Whatever problems occurred, I hope you either resolved them or you are working to solved them. This means that you should focus on the solutions.
I have written many blogs regarding the many ills in the Black communities. But what I have not spent a great deal of time on are the solutions to these ills.
For example. Since it is an undisputable fact that 50% or more Black highschool students dropout prior to graduation, we should seek solutions to this problem. How do we prevent these children from dropping out of highschool?
My first question would be why do they drop out? What is their reason or rationale for dropping out of school? Therefore, we must focus on the solutions to the problems.
Some of the focus should be on the "parents" of these student that drop out. What is "their" home life like? Do "they" come from a two parent family? Do most of the "drop outs" have juvenile criminal records?
My point is simply this...whatever problems we must deal with, we need to focus on the solutions as opposed to focusing on the actual problems.
Another example is that my daughter's dad promised to send her some money..TWO MONTHS ago. To this very day, he has not sent the money, nor has he given her a valid explanation for failing to keep his promises to her. What did I do?
I explained to my daughter that she must move forward and not depend on what her father told her. I told my daughter the truth. "We must move forward without his assistance, for now." I explained to her that sometimes parents fail their children, and do not make wise decisions. You know what my daughter told me?
She told me that "we must stay positive". Wow, she is 100% right. What a wonderful, little girl. I was getting upset because her dad makes promises to her and breaks them most of the time. But my daughter reminded me that we must remain positive in these situations. I agreed and commended her for her wisdom.
We should all take my daughter's advise and be positive while focusing on solutions. When you maintain a positive outlook, you feel alot better, less stress, and more internal peace.
My daughter is in fact moving forward. She told me that she is ready to have "fund rasiers" and do whatever she needs to raise money to fulfill her goals. And I promised my daughter that I will be with her and help her any way that I can. I told her that I love her and that I thank God for sending me this "angel" from heaven. I also told her that because of her and my son, I am learning how to love, which I have lacked my whole life. (I have deviated again...)
But returning to the present subject, focus on the solution to any and all problems, and you will maintain a peaceful disposition. Isn't this what we want? PEACE.
Have a great and peaceful day.
L. for Love
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Identifying Problems-Day 56
Good morning and happy Saturday. Make this the best day ever. Make up your mind to accomplish all of your goals and more. Identify any problems in your life in order to make plans to solve them. Remeber, in order to solve a problem, it must first be identified.
Problems-any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty;A situation, matter, or person that presents perplexity or difficulty.
As clearly stated in the above definition, a problem can exist in different forms. It can be some uncertainty, or it can be a person that presents "perplexity and/or difficulty". We all encounter problems in life. It is how we approach and/or deal with the problems that is most important.
It is critical to keep and maintain a positive outlook, and know that "this too" will past. Deal with the problem, upfront, and honestly. Resolve "whatever" so that you can move forward in your life.
If it is a person or people that is causing problems in your life, try discussing the problems with them. Sometimes all it takes is a little communication. But other times, it takes much more. If he/she can not be approached, for whatever reason, you may have to disassociate yourself from him/her. I know this to be a fact because I have had to discontinue either a potential relationship and stop speaking to certain people, who are not worth my time. Many people want to come into your life to waste time. They are unsure what their life is about. They clearly see that you have goals and objectives. So they want to "block" or "obstruct" your vision. They want to only bring discourse in your life.
These type of people should be avoided at all cost. I had an experience recently where this "male" was telling me he wants to do "this" and "that" for me. He was texting me all through the day, promising to pay my phone bill because of his inordinate number of textings. He made many promises. I explained to him that "I hear your words". But action is what I actually want to see. I am not impressed by words, because, as soon as the words come out of your mouth, "they are gone, like the wind". But action produce results.
Well this "male" eventually displayed his true colors, and did nothing he had promised. I told him that I was not interested in any further communication, and I wished him much love and success. But I got rid of what I identified as a potential "problem in my life". I have no time for games and people full of "hot air".
So the bottom line here is that...we make our life what we want it to be. There will always be problems to solve. This is what makes us stronger and more resolved. But how we handle or attempt to solve the problems is key.
I choose to be positive and move on. I choose life. I choose to be happy, and not allow anyone or anything to dismantle my peace of mind.
Have a wonderful day.
L. for Love
Problems-any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty;A situation, matter, or person that presents perplexity or difficulty.
As clearly stated in the above definition, a problem can exist in different forms. It can be some uncertainty, or it can be a person that presents "perplexity and/or difficulty". We all encounter problems in life. It is how we approach and/or deal with the problems that is most important.
It is critical to keep and maintain a positive outlook, and know that "this too" will past. Deal with the problem, upfront, and honestly. Resolve "whatever" so that you can move forward in your life.
If it is a person or people that is causing problems in your life, try discussing the problems with them. Sometimes all it takes is a little communication. But other times, it takes much more. If he/she can not be approached, for whatever reason, you may have to disassociate yourself from him/her. I know this to be a fact because I have had to discontinue either a potential relationship and stop speaking to certain people, who are not worth my time. Many people want to come into your life to waste time. They are unsure what their life is about. They clearly see that you have goals and objectives. So they want to "block" or "obstruct" your vision. They want to only bring discourse in your life.
These type of people should be avoided at all cost. I had an experience recently where this "male" was telling me he wants to do "this" and "that" for me. He was texting me all through the day, promising to pay my phone bill because of his inordinate number of textings. He made many promises. I explained to him that "I hear your words". But action is what I actually want to see. I am not impressed by words, because, as soon as the words come out of your mouth, "they are gone, like the wind". But action produce results.
Well this "male" eventually displayed his true colors, and did nothing he had promised. I told him that I was not interested in any further communication, and I wished him much love and success. But I got rid of what I identified as a potential "problem in my life". I have no time for games and people full of "hot air".
So the bottom line here is that...we make our life what we want it to be. There will always be problems to solve. This is what makes us stronger and more resolved. But how we handle or attempt to solve the problems is key.
I choose to be positive and move on. I choose life. I choose to be happy, and not allow anyone or anything to dismantle my peace of mind.
Have a wonderful day.
L. for Love
Thursday, October 15, 2009
"Friendly" Encounters-Day 55
Good morning, and happy Thursday. I hope your day is filled with happiness, joy, peace and love.
Many people asked about friends quite frequently. But I always tell people the same thing. I do not have many friends, I have many acquaintances. As I do not call everyone that I speak and associate with..."my friend".
When I was a young girl, growing up in Detroit, Michigan, I had a couple of close friends. One was Rhonda P. She was tall and lankey, but she was my best friend. In fact, when I left my father's house, at 17, she "ran away" with me. We made our new journey into the world of "independence" together. She did not want me to be alone when I made this departure, so she decided, she would come with me. Rhonda and I did everything together, and we talked about everything. I trusted her with my life, and she trusted me. We were honest with eachother, so this meant that we did not agree on everything, but we had respect for eachother's opinions.
I am unsure what has happened to Rhonda. I would love to see and speak with her. We lost contact about five years or so, after we left our families homes.
I had another childhood friend, her name is Kim. I have known Kim since I was five(5) years old. We grew up together in Detroit, Michigan, and we stayed friends through the years. Kim is my oldest son's Godmother. Kim and I did everything together. We would go to night clubs, knowing we were only 19/20 and try to convince the bouncers at the "21 and over clubs" to let us in because we "are the prettiest ladies in the place". Most times, it did not work but, at least, we tried.:)
Kim and I would exchange clothes. Sometimes, I did not want to wear her clothes because they had an "odor". I would share this with Kim and she would get mad at me. But I was telling her the truth because she was my friend, and I would much rather her hear that her clothes had an odor from me than a male, or anyone else, for that matter.
Kim and her family lived across the stree from my family's abode. They has lots of "roaches" in their home. When I would come over to her home, I would actually bring "Raid", with me. I told Kim several times that she needed to "exterminate" her house. "There are too many roaches", I would tell her. But I was honest and Kim eventually took my advice, and had her house sprayed, but the roaches eventually returned. Kim did not exterminate regularly. I hated going in her home. I entered cautiously.
But what is a friend? This term is used so loosely today.
Friend-a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
Acquaintance-a person known to one, but usually not a close friend.
A friend is someone you expect to be completely honest, even when it hurts. A friend can be as close in our heart as some of our very own family members, even more, under some circumstances. I know I can personally vouch for this. I was closer to my friends mentioned above than I was to some of my sisters. This is true.
If a friend cannot be blunt honest with you, and tell you what you NEED to hear and not what you want to hear, the friendship is NOT genuine. I need good people around me, not "yes" people. Yes people are people that will agree with just about anything you say and do just to be in your good favor. I want friends to tell me the truth, even when it hurts.
Wh are my closest friends now? My son and my daughter. I can speak to both of them about almost anything. We talk like friends, but as I tell my children, I am still their mother.
But who are your friends? Are they really friends in the true meaning of the word?
Have a wonderful day, and please let me hear from you. I encourage your feedback.
L. for Love
Many people asked about friends quite frequently. But I always tell people the same thing. I do not have many friends, I have many acquaintances. As I do not call everyone that I speak and associate with..."my friend".
When I was a young girl, growing up in Detroit, Michigan, I had a couple of close friends. One was Rhonda P. She was tall and lankey, but she was my best friend. In fact, when I left my father's house, at 17, she "ran away" with me. We made our new journey into the world of "independence" together. She did not want me to be alone when I made this departure, so she decided, she would come with me. Rhonda and I did everything together, and we talked about everything. I trusted her with my life, and she trusted me. We were honest with eachother, so this meant that we did not agree on everything, but we had respect for eachother's opinions.
I am unsure what has happened to Rhonda. I would love to see and speak with her. We lost contact about five years or so, after we left our families homes.
I had another childhood friend, her name is Kim. I have known Kim since I was five(5) years old. We grew up together in Detroit, Michigan, and we stayed friends through the years. Kim is my oldest son's Godmother. Kim and I did everything together. We would go to night clubs, knowing we were only 19/20 and try to convince the bouncers at the "21 and over clubs" to let us in because we "are the prettiest ladies in the place". Most times, it did not work but, at least, we tried.:)
Kim and I would exchange clothes. Sometimes, I did not want to wear her clothes because they had an "odor". I would share this with Kim and she would get mad at me. But I was telling her the truth because she was my friend, and I would much rather her hear that her clothes had an odor from me than a male, or anyone else, for that matter.
Kim and her family lived across the stree from my family's abode. They has lots of "roaches" in their home. When I would come over to her home, I would actually bring "Raid", with me. I told Kim several times that she needed to "exterminate" her house. "There are too many roaches", I would tell her. But I was honest and Kim eventually took my advice, and had her house sprayed, but the roaches eventually returned. Kim did not exterminate regularly. I hated going in her home. I entered cautiously.
But what is a friend? This term is used so loosely today.
Friend-a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
Acquaintance-a person known to one, but usually not a close friend.
A friend is someone you expect to be completely honest, even when it hurts. A friend can be as close in our heart as some of our very own family members, even more, under some circumstances. I know I can personally vouch for this. I was closer to my friends mentioned above than I was to some of my sisters. This is true.
If a friend cannot be blunt honest with you, and tell you what you NEED to hear and not what you want to hear, the friendship is NOT genuine. I need good people around me, not "yes" people. Yes people are people that will agree with just about anything you say and do just to be in your good favor. I want friends to tell me the truth, even when it hurts.
Wh are my closest friends now? My son and my daughter. I can speak to both of them about almost anything. We talk like friends, but as I tell my children, I am still their mother.
But who are your friends? Are they really friends in the true meaning of the word?
Have a wonderful day, and please let me hear from you. I encourage your feedback.
L. for Love
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Difference Between "male" and "Man"-Day 54
Happy Wednesday. I hope you have an extra ordinary day. I wish you much success and love.
I would like to share with you that I consider myself a lady. A lady that clearly knows the difference between just a "male" and a real "man". There is significant differences.
My daughter's father is fighting me on child support. He has not paid child support in three(3) years. I finally had him served with "papers" last month and when received these papers, he called me an "evil woman". This so called "man" does NOT want to pay child support for the care and welfare of his minor daughter. This is unbelievable to me. What is his argument?
He is arguing that the state of Florida does not have personal jurisdiction over him. However, he came here June, 2009, and picked up his daughter for the summer, and my argument is that he availed himself, at that time, for the courts to have personal jurisdiction. More on this subject later.
However, just because a person happen to be born with a penis does not automatically qualify him as a man, when he reaches the ripe age of 21. Infact, most of the Black males that I meet are just "males".
Male-a person bearing an X and Y chromosome pair in the cell nuclei and normally having a penis, scrotum, and testicles, and developing hair on the face at adolescence.
Now, as you and I know, just because you can have sex with a woman, impregnate her, does qualify you as a "man". Any male can do this, as long as he has reached the stage of puberty. So what is the difference? What separates a "male" from the real deal...the "Man"?
Man-an adult male person, as distinguished from a boy or a woman;to be free from restrictions, control, or dictatorial influence; be independent (empasis added).
A man is a male bearing an X and Y chromosome pair in the cell, having a penis, PLUS he is independent. He knows that he has responsibilities and he accepts and take control of his responsibilities. He does NOT go around unwisely "producing children" and then depending on the government to be responsible for the care and welfare of HIS children. A real man knows that as a man, his woman, or spouse will look to him for support, including but not limited to financial,love and respect and he accepts these obligations. He knows that if his woman has to do any and everything without him, her respect for him will decrease. This is a fact.
Think of it this way:
If I need my "man's" asistance, while I am striving and working hard to get on my feet, I want my "man" to be there for me. I expect him to be there for me, just like I would be there for him. I expect my Man to support and assist me when I need him. I expect to be treated as his Queen, just as I would treat him as my King. I can do bad all by myself. I do not need just a male around just for sex. I can get sex anywhere and anytime. I need and want a MAN.
A Black male asked me one day..."why is there such a strain in the relationship between Black men and women"? You know what I told him? Of course I know yo don't know...but I told him this.."Black women have been in control of their household for so long that some of us have become overly "independent". Some of us now feel that if we have a "good job" and/or making good money, we do not have to take or accept anything, and we are willing to give up on the relationship. If we can pay our own bills, management our own homes, take care of our children...why do we need a man around, who gives us problems? This is how many women feel.
But I believe that it is important to keep "independency" in its proper prespective. I can be independent, but I still want to depend on my man. I still want to look to him when I need him for anything, and I want him to know that he has all of my love and respect. I do not ever want to be so independent that I feel that I do not need a man.
Or you may find yourself growing old alone, and I do not want to be alone. I would much rather be with my man, so we can live life to the fullest. What are you a "male or a Man"? Think about it.
Have a wonderful hump day.
L. for Love
I would like to share with you that I consider myself a lady. A lady that clearly knows the difference between just a "male" and a real "man". There is significant differences.
My daughter's father is fighting me on child support. He has not paid child support in three(3) years. I finally had him served with "papers" last month and when received these papers, he called me an "evil woman". This so called "man" does NOT want to pay child support for the care and welfare of his minor daughter. This is unbelievable to me. What is his argument?
He is arguing that the state of Florida does not have personal jurisdiction over him. However, he came here June, 2009, and picked up his daughter for the summer, and my argument is that he availed himself, at that time, for the courts to have personal jurisdiction. More on this subject later.
However, just because a person happen to be born with a penis does not automatically qualify him as a man, when he reaches the ripe age of 21. Infact, most of the Black males that I meet are just "males".
Male-a person bearing an X and Y chromosome pair in the cell nuclei and normally having a penis, scrotum, and testicles, and developing hair on the face at adolescence.
Now, as you and I know, just because you can have sex with a woman, impregnate her, does qualify you as a "man". Any male can do this, as long as he has reached the stage of puberty. So what is the difference? What separates a "male" from the real deal...the "Man"?
Man-an adult male person, as distinguished from a boy or a woman;to be free from restrictions, control, or dictatorial influence; be independent (empasis added).
A man is a male bearing an X and Y chromosome pair in the cell, having a penis, PLUS he is independent. He knows that he has responsibilities and he accepts and take control of his responsibilities. He does NOT go around unwisely "producing children" and then depending on the government to be responsible for the care and welfare of HIS children. A real man knows that as a man, his woman, or spouse will look to him for support, including but not limited to financial,love and respect and he accepts these obligations. He knows that if his woman has to do any and everything without him, her respect for him will decrease. This is a fact.
Think of it this way:
If I need my "man's" asistance, while I am striving and working hard to get on my feet, I want my "man" to be there for me. I expect him to be there for me, just like I would be there for him. I expect my Man to support and assist me when I need him. I expect to be treated as his Queen, just as I would treat him as my King. I can do bad all by myself. I do not need just a male around just for sex. I can get sex anywhere and anytime. I need and want a MAN.
A Black male asked me one day..."why is there such a strain in the relationship between Black men and women"? You know what I told him? Of course I know yo don't know...but I told him this.."Black women have been in control of their household for so long that some of us have become overly "independent". Some of us now feel that if we have a "good job" and/or making good money, we do not have to take or accept anything, and we are willing to give up on the relationship. If we can pay our own bills, management our own homes, take care of our children...why do we need a man around, who gives us problems? This is how many women feel.
But I believe that it is important to keep "independency" in its proper prespective. I can be independent, but I still want to depend on my man. I still want to look to him when I need him for anything, and I want him to know that he has all of my love and respect. I do not ever want to be so independent that I feel that I do not need a man.
Or you may find yourself growing old alone, and I do not want to be alone. I would much rather be with my man, so we can live life to the fullest. What are you a "male or a Man"? Think about it.
Have a wonderful hump day.
L. for Love
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What is Consistency? I encourage my daughter-Day 53
Good morning and happy Tuesday. I did not write my entry yesterday. It was a holiday and I could get to a computer, as most of the public facilities were closed. I missed writing very much. Moreover, I talk to my daughter quite a bit. In fact, I talk to her as if she is an adult. What do I mean? Good question.
I speak to her and allow her to speak to me. I encourage her honest views on whatever is on her mind. I respect her thoughts, views and opinions. However, I do let her know that as the parent, I must make the final decision. I will listen attentively to her but I must make the final choice. However, one thing I tell her daily.....she MUST be consistent in whatever she does.
What is consistency?
Consistent-constantly adhering to the same principles, course, form.
My daughter has a focus problem. This means that she does not maintain a steady course or that she is easily distracted. Last year she constantly had these types of problems in school. The teachers would comment that ..."your daughter is very smart when she does her work, but we have a problem keeping her on track."
I know that my daughter is very talented. Infact, she was tested last year for "gifted", and the instructed told my daughter that she "definitely belongs in gifted". But I spent much of my time running to her school, meeting with teachers, and the principal about her "conduct".
My daughter even revealed to me that one of the teachers told her that her question was "a stupid" question. You probably could imagine, I was livid. I made an offical complaint with the school, and I made contact with my School Board member. Think about this for a moment...a teacher tells a child that her question is "stupid." What would YOU do?
I told my daughter that this teacher was 100% wrong, and that her actions were NOT consistent with the way in which a teacher should conduct herself. A teacher should be professional, and have patience with our children. They should entertain ANY question, that our children ask them. However, this was a very negative experience for my daughter, one that haunts her to this very day. I had to explain to my daughter, that not all teacher are good teachers. This particular teacher is one of the ones that is not good, and she should have never said such harsh and cold words to my daughter or any other child. Thereafter, my daughter asked me to homeschool her, for which I gladly obliged.
I tell my daughter daily that in all of her positive actions, she must strive to be consistent. It is not enough to do something for a day or two. For example, if I want to lose weight, which I do, I know that I must decrease my food intake and exercise consistently. I tell my daughter that since she wants to have good study habits, she must study and ready daily. Be consistent. This is the only way to accomplish goals and acquire good habits, being consistent in what you do. Remember, habits are formed by consistent behavior.
Habit-an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.
Therefore, whatever your children do consistently, they will form habits. So if they read and study DAILY, reading and studying become part of their daily routine, just like brushing their teeth. They do brush their teeth...dont't they?.
Moreover, if they "slack off" and play games and waste their time daily, this will eventually be their acquired habit, and they will get use to wasting their time. NO IFS BUTS or in betweens. Habits are formed by whatever behaviors are consistent. Good or Bad. Positive or Negative. The choice is YOURS.
What are YOUR children's Habits?
Have a great day and be consistent.
L. for Love
I speak to her and allow her to speak to me. I encourage her honest views on whatever is on her mind. I respect her thoughts, views and opinions. However, I do let her know that as the parent, I must make the final decision. I will listen attentively to her but I must make the final choice. However, one thing I tell her daily.....she MUST be consistent in whatever she does.
What is consistency?
Consistent-constantly adhering to the same principles, course, form.
My daughter has a focus problem. This means that she does not maintain a steady course or that she is easily distracted. Last year she constantly had these types of problems in school. The teachers would comment that ..."your daughter is very smart when she does her work, but we have a problem keeping her on track."
I know that my daughter is very talented. Infact, she was tested last year for "gifted", and the instructed told my daughter that she "definitely belongs in gifted". But I spent much of my time running to her school, meeting with teachers, and the principal about her "conduct".
My daughter even revealed to me that one of the teachers told her that her question was "a stupid" question. You probably could imagine, I was livid. I made an offical complaint with the school, and I made contact with my School Board member. Think about this for a moment...a teacher tells a child that her question is "stupid." What would YOU do?
I told my daughter that this teacher was 100% wrong, and that her actions were NOT consistent with the way in which a teacher should conduct herself. A teacher should be professional, and have patience with our children. They should entertain ANY question, that our children ask them. However, this was a very negative experience for my daughter, one that haunts her to this very day. I had to explain to my daughter, that not all teacher are good teachers. This particular teacher is one of the ones that is not good, and she should have never said such harsh and cold words to my daughter or any other child. Thereafter, my daughter asked me to homeschool her, for which I gladly obliged.
I tell my daughter daily that in all of her positive actions, she must strive to be consistent. It is not enough to do something for a day or two. For example, if I want to lose weight, which I do, I know that I must decrease my food intake and exercise consistently. I tell my daughter that since she wants to have good study habits, she must study and ready daily. Be consistent. This is the only way to accomplish goals and acquire good habits, being consistent in what you do. Remember, habits are formed by consistent behavior.
Habit-an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.
Therefore, whatever your children do consistently, they will form habits. So if they read and study DAILY, reading and studying become part of their daily routine, just like brushing their teeth. They do brush their teeth...dont't they?.
Moreover, if they "slack off" and play games and waste their time daily, this will eventually be their acquired habit, and they will get use to wasting their time. NO IFS BUTS or in betweens. Habits are formed by whatever behaviors are consistent. Good or Bad. Positive or Negative. The choice is YOURS.
What are YOUR children's Habits?
Have a great day and be consistent.
L. for Love
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Democrats vs. Republicans-The Truth-Day 52
Good morning and happy Saturday.
Today, while I am at the library typing my blog. My daughter is in her Math class. She takes electronics, and she loves it. I want her to spend more time studying the intracacies of technology. I told her she needs to spend more time studying the vocabulary so that she can gain more knowledge as to what is exactly going on.
I have to push her. But do we as Americans know what is going on with our two party system? What are the differences between the Democratic and the Republican parties?
Democratic Party- "The Democratic Party traces its origins to the Democratic-Republican Party, founded by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other influential opponents of the Federalists in 1792. However, the modern Democratic party truly arose in the 1830s, with the election of Andrew Jackson. Since the division of the Republican Party in the election of 1912, it has gradually positioned itself to the left of the Republican Party on economic and social issues. Until the period following the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Democratic Party was primarily a coalition of two parties divided by region. Southern Democrats were typically given high conservative ratings by the American Conservative Union while northern Democrats were typically given very low ratings. Southern Democrats were a core bloc of the bipartisan conservative coalition that lasted through the Reagan-era. The economically activist philosophy of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which has strongly influenced American liberalism, has shaped much of the party's economic agenda since 1932, and served to tie the two regional factions of the party together until the late 1960s. In fact, Roosevelt's New Deal coalition usually controlled the national government until the 1970s.
In 2004, it was the largest political party, with 72 million voters (42.6% of 169 million registered) claiming affiliation. By comparison the Republican Party has 55 million members. During the first quarter of 2009, 52% of Americans identified more closely with the Democratic party while 39% leaned Republican."(Wikipedia)
Historically, the party has favored farmers, laborers, labor unions, and religious and ethnic minorities; it has opposed unregulated business and finance, and favored progressive income taxes. In foreign policy, internationalism (including interventionism) was a dominant theme from 1913 to the mid-1960s. In the 1930s, the party began advocating welfare spending programs targeted at the poor. The party had a pro-business wing, typified by Al Smith, and a Southern conservative wing that shrank after President Lyndon B. Johnson supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The major influences for liberalism were labor unions (which peaked in the 1936–1952 era), and the African American wing, which has steadily grown since the 1960s. Since the 1970s, environmentalism has been a major new component. (Wikipedia)
Republican Party-Founded in Ripon, Wisconsin, in 1854 by anti-slavery expansion activists and modernizers,the Republican Party quickly surpassed the Whig Party as the principal opposition to the Democratic Party. It first came to power in 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln, a former Whig, to the presidency and presided over the American Civil War and Reconstruction.
The party began to form in the late 1840s, though it would take opposing the Kansas-Nebraska Act to unify the party. Their first official party convention was held on July 6, 1854 in Jackson, Michigan. The Republican's initial base was in the Northeast and Midwest and the party solidified its position as the second party with the nomination of John C. Fremont in the 1856 Presidential election. Early Republican ideology was reflected in the 1856 slogan free labor, free land, free men. "Free labor" referred to the Republican belief in a mobile middle class that left the workforce and set up small businesses. "Free land" referred to Republican efforts to facilitate this spirit of entrepreneurship by giving away government owned land. The name echoed the 1776 republican values of civic virtue and opposition to aristocracy and corruption. (Wikipedia)
A leading economic theory advocated by modern Republicans is supply-side economics. Some fiscal policies influenced by this theory were popularly known as "Reaganomics," a term popularized during the Presidential administrations of Ronald Reagan. This theory holds that reduced income tax rates increase GDP growth and thereby generate the same or more revenue for the government from the smaller tax on the extra growth. This belief is reflected, in part, by the party's long-term advocacy of tax cuts. Many Republicans consider the income tax system to be inherently inefficient and oppose graduated tax rates, which they believe are unfairly targeted at those who create jobs and wealth. They believe private spending is usually more efficient than government spending. (Wikipedia)
Now with the above being clear and coherent, I can guarantee you that MOST people do not understand why they are a Democrat vs a Republican. I must admit to you that I have not kept in tune with these American parties. I have some idea about each one's ideology. But I am lacking. Are you lacking? Do you really know why you select one party over the other? Is it because of the PEOPLE we vote for? If they are affliated with a certain party, we automatically become a member of that party?
The truth is that we have been intentionally blinded. I know for a fact that most African Americans do not realize that the Republican party was initially against slavery laws and the Democratic party was for slavery. Did you know that?
I bet many of you did not know that neither party is truly the party for the middle class. Why do you think so many of our congressional members stay in office so long? Now I loved Senator Kennedy more than the next, but he was in office for almost 50 years, or something like that. It was an inordinate amount of time.
What party am I affliated with?
I am an Independent. I prefer to vote for a person, depending on their philosophy and what are their goals for the subject office. I do not vote, JUST because the person is Democrat or Republican. How do you VOTE?
Have a wonderful day.
L. for Love
Today, while I am at the library typing my blog. My daughter is in her Math class. She takes electronics, and she loves it. I want her to spend more time studying the intracacies of technology. I told her she needs to spend more time studying the vocabulary so that she can gain more knowledge as to what is exactly going on.
I have to push her. But do we as Americans know what is going on with our two party system? What are the differences between the Democratic and the Republican parties?
Democratic Party- "The Democratic Party traces its origins to the Democratic-Republican Party, founded by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other influential opponents of the Federalists in 1792. However, the modern Democratic party truly arose in the 1830s, with the election of Andrew Jackson. Since the division of the Republican Party in the election of 1912, it has gradually positioned itself to the left of the Republican Party on economic and social issues. Until the period following the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Democratic Party was primarily a coalition of two parties divided by region. Southern Democrats were typically given high conservative ratings by the American Conservative Union while northern Democrats were typically given very low ratings. Southern Democrats were a core bloc of the bipartisan conservative coalition that lasted through the Reagan-era. The economically activist philosophy of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which has strongly influenced American liberalism, has shaped much of the party's economic agenda since 1932, and served to tie the two regional factions of the party together until the late 1960s. In fact, Roosevelt's New Deal coalition usually controlled the national government until the 1970s.
In 2004, it was the largest political party, with 72 million voters (42.6% of 169 million registered) claiming affiliation. By comparison the Republican Party has 55 million members. During the first quarter of 2009, 52% of Americans identified more closely with the Democratic party while 39% leaned Republican."(Wikipedia)
Historically, the party has favored farmers, laborers, labor unions, and religious and ethnic minorities; it has opposed unregulated business and finance, and favored progressive income taxes. In foreign policy, internationalism (including interventionism) was a dominant theme from 1913 to the mid-1960s. In the 1930s, the party began advocating welfare spending programs targeted at the poor. The party had a pro-business wing, typified by Al Smith, and a Southern conservative wing that shrank after President Lyndon B. Johnson supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The major influences for liberalism were labor unions (which peaked in the 1936–1952 era), and the African American wing, which has steadily grown since the 1960s. Since the 1970s, environmentalism has been a major new component. (Wikipedia)
Republican Party-Founded in Ripon, Wisconsin, in 1854 by anti-slavery expansion activists and modernizers,the Republican Party quickly surpassed the Whig Party as the principal opposition to the Democratic Party. It first came to power in 1860 with the election of Abraham Lincoln, a former Whig, to the presidency and presided over the American Civil War and Reconstruction.
The party began to form in the late 1840s, though it would take opposing the Kansas-Nebraska Act to unify the party. Their first official party convention was held on July 6, 1854 in Jackson, Michigan. The Republican's initial base was in the Northeast and Midwest and the party solidified its position as the second party with the nomination of John C. Fremont in the 1856 Presidential election. Early Republican ideology was reflected in the 1856 slogan free labor, free land, free men. "Free labor" referred to the Republican belief in a mobile middle class that left the workforce and set up small businesses. "Free land" referred to Republican efforts to facilitate this spirit of entrepreneurship by giving away government owned land. The name echoed the 1776 republican values of civic virtue and opposition to aristocracy and corruption. (Wikipedia)
A leading economic theory advocated by modern Republicans is supply-side economics. Some fiscal policies influenced by this theory were popularly known as "Reaganomics," a term popularized during the Presidential administrations of Ronald Reagan. This theory holds that reduced income tax rates increase GDP growth and thereby generate the same or more revenue for the government from the smaller tax on the extra growth. This belief is reflected, in part, by the party's long-term advocacy of tax cuts. Many Republicans consider the income tax system to be inherently inefficient and oppose graduated tax rates, which they believe are unfairly targeted at those who create jobs and wealth. They believe private spending is usually more efficient than government spending. (Wikipedia)
Now with the above being clear and coherent, I can guarantee you that MOST people do not understand why they are a Democrat vs a Republican. I must admit to you that I have not kept in tune with these American parties. I have some idea about each one's ideology. But I am lacking. Are you lacking? Do you really know why you select one party over the other? Is it because of the PEOPLE we vote for? If they are affliated with a certain party, we automatically become a member of that party?
The truth is that we have been intentionally blinded. I know for a fact that most African Americans do not realize that the Republican party was initially against slavery laws and the Democratic party was for slavery. Did you know that?
I bet many of you did not know that neither party is truly the party for the middle class. Why do you think so many of our congressional members stay in office so long? Now I loved Senator Kennedy more than the next, but he was in office for almost 50 years, or something like that. It was an inordinate amount of time.
What party am I affliated with?
I am an Independent. I prefer to vote for a person, depending on their philosophy and what are their goals for the subject office. I do not vote, JUST because the person is Democrat or Republican. How do you VOTE?
Have a wonderful day.
L. for Love
Friday, October 9, 2009
Congratulations to Our President-Day 51
Happy Friday. I hope you have an extra-ordinary day. I hope this day is filled with love and happiness, peace and joy.
This is a wonderful day, early this morning around 5:00a.m.,, for some unknown reason, I had awaken, and I grabbed my cell phone. I checked my messages. I received news that our president, Barack Obama, had been selected to received the Noble Peace prize.
Congratulations to our president. But what is the Noble Peace Prize and why was he selected to receive it?
Noble Peace Prize-According to the Wiki, "The Nobel Peace Prize (Swedish, Danish and Norwegian: Nobels fredspris) is one of five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel. According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."[1] Alfred Nobel's will stated that the prize should be awarded by a committee of five people elected by the Norwegian Parliament. Norway and Sweden were at that time still in union, and with Sweden responsible for all foreign policy, Nobel felt that the prize might be less subject to political corruption if awarded by Norway. The Peace Prize is presented annually in Oslo, in the presence of the king, on December 10 (the anniversary of Nobel's death), and is the only Nobel Prize not presented in Stockholm. "In Oslo, the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee presents the Nobel Peace Prize in the presence of the King of Norway. Under the eyes of a watching world, the Nobel Laureate receives three things: a diploma, a medal and a document confirming the prize amount."[citation needed] The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony is held at the Oslo City Hall, followed the next day by the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, which is broadcast to more than 450 million households in over 150 countries around the world".
So according to the aforementioned, our president was selected because he has done, or is expected to do, according to the selection committee, either the most or best work for the fraternity between nations. He must have displayed to the world that he is working for the promotion of world peace, through a joint effort. Wow. President Obama did all of this in just a mere nine months?
I believe he has achieved somethings and he is working toward others. President Obama is clearly promoting unity and encourages the nations of the world to work together. He only recently stood before the United Nations, and explained that once the world was upset with America because we tried to command peace, using unilateral force. But president Obama stood before th nations to request their assistance, to work toward world peace.
I am so proud of our president. We have a leader that the world has acknowledged his leadership through fraternity. Now of course we have people "fighting him inside our own borders". However keep in mind that everyone in our Congress is not good. There are many that promote laudable objections but their genuine objections are no more noble than former Iraq leader, Saddam Hussein's were for his country.
We should all rejoice in this selection of our president receiving such a prestigious award. I must share with you a true story. Prior to the election of President Barack Obama, I was in a store standing in line, and there was an elderly white lady behind me. She must have been about 75-80 years old. I looked at her and smiled, she look at me and told me that she was voting for Barack Obama. She said to me" I sure hope he wins, or I do not know what I would do". This country has been destroyed and it is time for change".
I was shocked that this older lady, who had probably known of times when Blacks were not permitted to eat in certain places. Now this Black man, albeit, half Black, was running for the presidency of these United States. I did not know how to respond to her. I told her that I would probably want to interview her later for a story that I wanted to write. I asked for her telephone and she gladly obliged. After this elderly white lady left the store, I thought to myself...."what a changing world".
It should make every man and woman of the world understand that "intelligence" and "leadership" have absolutely nothing to do with the color of ones skin. But everything with what is between the ears, meaning your brain power. The more you study, the more you know, the less you study, the less you know. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out.
It just makes me very sad to know that more people do not realize this, and we have so many Black illiterates. When "they" do not have to be illiterates. I know that I have deviated from my original intent. This is a congratulatory blog, not a blog on education. But my heart is for education, and when I see otherwise, I am saddened and dismayed.
But returning to the subject at hand, congratulations to our President Barack Obama. You ...Mr. President, make us all look good.
Have a great weekend, and please do not forget to read.
L. for Love
This is a wonderful day, early this morning around 5:00a.m.,, for some unknown reason, I had awaken, and I grabbed my cell phone. I checked my messages. I received news that our president, Barack Obama, had been selected to received the Noble Peace prize.
Congratulations to our president. But what is the Noble Peace Prize and why was he selected to receive it?
Noble Peace Prize-According to the Wiki, "The Nobel Peace Prize (Swedish, Danish and Norwegian: Nobels fredspris) is one of five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel. According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."[1] Alfred Nobel's will stated that the prize should be awarded by a committee of five people elected by the Norwegian Parliament. Norway and Sweden were at that time still in union, and with Sweden responsible for all foreign policy, Nobel felt that the prize might be less subject to political corruption if awarded by Norway. The Peace Prize is presented annually in Oslo, in the presence of the king, on December 10 (the anniversary of Nobel's death), and is the only Nobel Prize not presented in Stockholm. "In Oslo, the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee presents the Nobel Peace Prize in the presence of the King of Norway. Under the eyes of a watching world, the Nobel Laureate receives three things: a diploma, a medal and a document confirming the prize amount."[citation needed] The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony is held at the Oslo City Hall, followed the next day by the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, which is broadcast to more than 450 million households in over 150 countries around the world".
So according to the aforementioned, our president was selected because he has done, or is expected to do, according to the selection committee, either the most or best work for the fraternity between nations. He must have displayed to the world that he is working for the promotion of world peace, through a joint effort. Wow. President Obama did all of this in just a mere nine months?
I believe he has achieved somethings and he is working toward others. President Obama is clearly promoting unity and encourages the nations of the world to work together. He only recently stood before the United Nations, and explained that once the world was upset with America because we tried to command peace, using unilateral force. But president Obama stood before th nations to request their assistance, to work toward world peace.
I am so proud of our president. We have a leader that the world has acknowledged his leadership through fraternity. Now of course we have people "fighting him inside our own borders". However keep in mind that everyone in our Congress is not good. There are many that promote laudable objections but their genuine objections are no more noble than former Iraq leader, Saddam Hussein's were for his country.
We should all rejoice in this selection of our president receiving such a prestigious award. I must share with you a true story. Prior to the election of President Barack Obama, I was in a store standing in line, and there was an elderly white lady behind me. She must have been about 75-80 years old. I looked at her and smiled, she look at me and told me that she was voting for Barack Obama. She said to me" I sure hope he wins, or I do not know what I would do". This country has been destroyed and it is time for change".
I was shocked that this older lady, who had probably known of times when Blacks were not permitted to eat in certain places. Now this Black man, albeit, half Black, was running for the presidency of these United States. I did not know how to respond to her. I told her that I would probably want to interview her later for a story that I wanted to write. I asked for her telephone and she gladly obliged. After this elderly white lady left the store, I thought to myself...."what a changing world".
It should make every man and woman of the world understand that "intelligence" and "leadership" have absolutely nothing to do with the color of ones skin. But everything with what is between the ears, meaning your brain power. The more you study, the more you know, the less you study, the less you know. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out.
It just makes me very sad to know that more people do not realize this, and we have so many Black illiterates. When "they" do not have to be illiterates. I know that I have deviated from my original intent. This is a congratulatory blog, not a blog on education. But my heart is for education, and when I see otherwise, I am saddened and dismayed.
But returning to the subject at hand, congratulations to our President Barack Obama. You ...Mr. President, make us all look good.
Have a great weekend, and please do not forget to read.
L. for Love
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Atty General Holder- Missed an Opportunity-Day 50
Good morning to you. May your day be better than yesterday. Yesterday is the past, we should learn from yesterday. However today is the present because it is a gift. Use it wisely. Take advantage of this day. Because tomorrow is NOT promised to any of us. Our time on this earth is limited. What will you do today?
I was happy to see the news conference of the various leaders in Chicago, including Atty General Holder. However, I was sadden by the fact that the Atty General did not capitalize on his opportunity. What do I mean?
The news conference was pertaining to the melee, resulting in the beating death of honor student Derrion. He was killed by a group of "thugs", who apparently wanted him to join some gang. I am unsure of the facts surrounding the beating. I just know that Derrion is dead, as a result of a beating by a group of kids.
However, back to Atty General Holder, he did not take advantage of the opportunity to ask where were the parents of the young teens that killed Derrion. I was waiting for someone to "call out" the parents. Where are the parents? Did most of these kids come from a single headed household? Are the fathers absent from their lives? Did these young teens have juvenile records or prior felony convictions?
Mr. Holder did not ask the hard questions. I heard him say that "this is not a Black problem, or a White or Hispanic problem". But I disagree with him. THis is very much a Black problem.
If you look closely at the footage of the beating, you will see a group of Black teens beating Derrion. Albeit, there are problems with teenagers in all ethnic groups. Black on Black crime is a serious problem in BLACK neighborhoods. Check most high schools. You will find that in areas that are predominantly Black, they will have "medal detectors, and security guards by the dozens. Why?
Because there is much more violence in the BLACK schools. Most of these children come from homes that are headed by a female because most of the fathers have abandoned these children. But no one will call these dads out. Where are the fathers? Why do Black men abandon their children and expect society to pay the price to feed, clothed, educate, and deal with their children heinous acts upon us?
Atty General Holder, you missed a grand opportunity to call out the men, who should be rearing their children. This problem will not be fixed with money. It will not be fixed with afterschool activites. The ONLY way this problem will be fixed is when these children receive LOVE. They will learn to love. They need to learn to have respect for their lives so that they will respect the lives of others.
Children live what they learn. We cannot purchase love. We need to demand parents be responsible for their children, or NOT have them. It is easy to lay between a woman's legs, enjoy the esctasy. But it takes a MAN to be responsible for the lives he help to create in this society. I have written blog after blog informing that MOST BLACK MALES are irresponsible. This is why their children are uncontrollable. The fathers, in most cases, have abandoned them, and "they" feel that they are worthless, so their actions reflect this feeling.
This is the sad reality. Black MALES, I am calling you out.....TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN OR STOP HAVING THEM. YOUR CHILDREN ARE DESTROYING LIVES.
Have a great day.
L. for Love
I was happy to see the news conference of the various leaders in Chicago, including Atty General Holder. However, I was sadden by the fact that the Atty General did not capitalize on his opportunity. What do I mean?
The news conference was pertaining to the melee, resulting in the beating death of honor student Derrion. He was killed by a group of "thugs", who apparently wanted him to join some gang. I am unsure of the facts surrounding the beating. I just know that Derrion is dead, as a result of a beating by a group of kids.
However, back to Atty General Holder, he did not take advantage of the opportunity to ask where were the parents of the young teens that killed Derrion. I was waiting for someone to "call out" the parents. Where are the parents? Did most of these kids come from a single headed household? Are the fathers absent from their lives? Did these young teens have juvenile records or prior felony convictions?
Mr. Holder did not ask the hard questions. I heard him say that "this is not a Black problem, or a White or Hispanic problem". But I disagree with him. THis is very much a Black problem.
If you look closely at the footage of the beating, you will see a group of Black teens beating Derrion. Albeit, there are problems with teenagers in all ethnic groups. Black on Black crime is a serious problem in BLACK neighborhoods. Check most high schools. You will find that in areas that are predominantly Black, they will have "medal detectors, and security guards by the dozens. Why?
Because there is much more violence in the BLACK schools. Most of these children come from homes that are headed by a female because most of the fathers have abandoned these children. But no one will call these dads out. Where are the fathers? Why do Black men abandon their children and expect society to pay the price to feed, clothed, educate, and deal with their children heinous acts upon us?
Atty General Holder, you missed a grand opportunity to call out the men, who should be rearing their children. This problem will not be fixed with money. It will not be fixed with afterschool activites. The ONLY way this problem will be fixed is when these children receive LOVE. They will learn to love. They need to learn to have respect for their lives so that they will respect the lives of others.
Children live what they learn. We cannot purchase love. We need to demand parents be responsible for their children, or NOT have them. It is easy to lay between a woman's legs, enjoy the esctasy. But it takes a MAN to be responsible for the lives he help to create in this society. I have written blog after blog informing that MOST BLACK MALES are irresponsible. This is why their children are uncontrollable. The fathers, in most cases, have abandoned them, and "they" feel that they are worthless, so their actions reflect this feeling.
This is the sad reality. Black MALES, I am calling you out.....TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN OR STOP HAVING THEM. YOUR CHILDREN ARE DESTROYING LIVES.
Have a great day.
L. for Love
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The "Dumbing" down of Americans? Day 49
Good morning, and happy Wednesday. I hope happiness for you and your family. Much love and success as you move forward in your day.
With all that is going on in our society, healthcare, the wars, unemployment, the recession, and of course, I can go on and on. Many people have limited knowledge of these things. Most people in America do not know their local, state and federal representatives by names.
I personally know that when I go into the gym, where I live, most of the "males" are ONLY interested in watching sports. When I protested this "take over", of the TV, and spoke to the gym manager, he "gave in" and allowed me to watch the "news" channel.
Why aren't more people interested in what actually affects their lives? I do not understand this. What is happening in America where sports is bigger than the "news" that actually impact our daily lives?
Many of the males in the gym have been offended that I have the audacity to want to change "their" channel to watch something so "ludicrous" as the "news". I even had a male approach me and ask "can I ask you a question? Why do you come in here and change the channel?" Huh? Because maybe I am concerned about the world around me and I want to know what is going on. Maybe I realize that sports are only for entertainment purposes and there may something more paramount on the "news" that I should know. Huh? Did I miss something? Are the sporting events really more important than healthcare? What about jobs? Or even hurricanes? Am I seriously missing something?
Yesterday, I briefly mentioned that more and more of the movies that are made are "stupid", in my humble opinion. I am shocked at the content of most of the movies. Think about the movies that are made today and compare them to the movies of years past, such as "Wizard of Oz", or even "Ben Hur" or "Vertigo", or "A Soldier's Story". There is really no comparison. These movies have quality content, a real plot that made you think and take notice. The women were classy and stylish.
Unlike today where the movies are full of profrane language and vulgarities. These movies leave almost nothing to the imagination. The women are classless and allow themselves to be treated as sexual misfits. I watch some of these movies in shock and dismay. I question our present day "morals", if we have any.
It is so bad today that the cartoons are even full of vulgar. They are introducing movies to our children that are inappropriate by any standard. My daughter has asked me on several occasions.."why do they put "that" in children movies"? "That" being referencing to sexual parts or certain language.
I have told my daughter that as part of her school assignment, she will write in and make her feelings known to these writers and producers of "children films". It is important to get our children involved in the process of articulating their opinions regarding the films they watch.
But why? I have asked myself time and time again. The truth of the matter is that this is the dumbing down of Americans. What is dumb?
Dumb-lacking intelligence or good judgment; stupid; dull-witted.
Stupid-lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; dull;characterized by or proceeding from mental dullness; foolish; senseless.
Can we honestly conclude that we are more intelligent than years past?
intelligent-having good understanding or a high mental capacity; quick to comprehend;displaying or characterized by quickness of understanding, sound thought, or good judgment.
I conclude without any hesitation that we are NOT. We are sinking into an unknown abiss. And where will "this" lead us? Take a look at where we are today. Look at our education, economic, local, state and federal systems. Can we honestly say that we have a better "quality" of living, or that our children are more intellectually knowledgeable than the children of years past?
Quality-an essential or distinctive characteristic, property, or attribute.
Have a great day. Please do not forget to read.
L. for Love
With all that is going on in our society, healthcare, the wars, unemployment, the recession, and of course, I can go on and on. Many people have limited knowledge of these things. Most people in America do not know their local, state and federal representatives by names.
I personally know that when I go into the gym, where I live, most of the "males" are ONLY interested in watching sports. When I protested this "take over", of the TV, and spoke to the gym manager, he "gave in" and allowed me to watch the "news" channel.
Why aren't more people interested in what actually affects their lives? I do not understand this. What is happening in America where sports is bigger than the "news" that actually impact our daily lives?
Many of the males in the gym have been offended that I have the audacity to want to change "their" channel to watch something so "ludicrous" as the "news". I even had a male approach me and ask "can I ask you a question? Why do you come in here and change the channel?" Huh? Because maybe I am concerned about the world around me and I want to know what is going on. Maybe I realize that sports are only for entertainment purposes and there may something more paramount on the "news" that I should know. Huh? Did I miss something? Are the sporting events really more important than healthcare? What about jobs? Or even hurricanes? Am I seriously missing something?
Yesterday, I briefly mentioned that more and more of the movies that are made are "stupid", in my humble opinion. I am shocked at the content of most of the movies. Think about the movies that are made today and compare them to the movies of years past, such as "Wizard of Oz", or even "Ben Hur" or "Vertigo", or "A Soldier's Story". There is really no comparison. These movies have quality content, a real plot that made you think and take notice. The women were classy and stylish.
Unlike today where the movies are full of profrane language and vulgarities. These movies leave almost nothing to the imagination. The women are classless and allow themselves to be treated as sexual misfits. I watch some of these movies in shock and dismay. I question our present day "morals", if we have any.
It is so bad today that the cartoons are even full of vulgar. They are introducing movies to our children that are inappropriate by any standard. My daughter has asked me on several occasions.."why do they put "that" in children movies"? "That" being referencing to sexual parts or certain language.
I have told my daughter that as part of her school assignment, she will write in and make her feelings known to these writers and producers of "children films". It is important to get our children involved in the process of articulating their opinions regarding the films they watch.
But why? I have asked myself time and time again. The truth of the matter is that this is the dumbing down of Americans. What is dumb?
Dumb-lacking intelligence or good judgment; stupid; dull-witted.
Stupid-lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; dull;characterized by or proceeding from mental dullness; foolish; senseless.
Can we honestly conclude that we are more intelligent than years past?
intelligent-having good understanding or a high mental capacity; quick to comprehend;displaying or characterized by quickness of understanding, sound thought, or good judgment.
I conclude without any hesitation that we are NOT. We are sinking into an unknown abiss. And where will "this" lead us? Take a look at where we are today. Look at our education, economic, local, state and federal systems. Can we honestly say that we have a better "quality" of living, or that our children are more intellectually knowledgeable than the children of years past?
Quality-an essential or distinctive characteristic, property, or attribute.
Have a great day. Please do not forget to read.
L. for Love
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
"Power" Belongs to the People- Day 48
Good morning and may each of you have an absolutely wonderful day. "A smile is just a frown turned upside down...my friend". ( Temptations-"Smiling Faces")
I would like to elaborate on the entry that I wrote yesterday. I believe that it is essential to expand on the "thinking process". I am not advocating one system of government over any other. I am, however, asking a series of questions, such as do we know what each of these systems represent? If yes, how did each of "these" systems come into play and can another "system" be created just as the ones in existance now?
It is important to know what "these" systems are. So here goes:
1. Capitalism-an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
2. Socialism-a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
3. Marxism-the system of economic and political thought developed by Karl Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, esp. the doctrine that the state throughout history has been a device for the exploitation of the masses by a dominant class, that class struggle has been the main agency of historical change, and that the capitalist system, containing from the first the seeds of its own decay, will inevitably, after the period of the dictatorship of the proletariat, be superseded by a socialist order and a classless society.
4. Fasism-a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
These are the systems of government that I am familiar with. If any one know of any others, please advise. I have limited knowledge on each of these systems. I basically know only what I have been taught. I have never spent any real time studying and/or scrutinizing these various systems of government. But one thing is very clear, just as the above systems of government were created by someone, so can another system of government.
The point is Capitalism, as we know it today, is being used and manipulated by "powers" to control and dominate our present day economic system. This can not be logically disputed. More and more small businesses are going out of business, compared to their larger counterparts such as a Wal-Mart. So how do we change any system, including Capitalism, that we know is not just and/or is being manipulated?
The only way I know how is by educating people. The masses have no idea how our system of government works. There is clearly a "dumbing" down of the American people. Just take a look at the movies that are produced. I am shocked and even a little dismayed. My ten (10) year old daughter and I discussed this quite frequently when we go to the cinema. Let me give you an example:
"Jennifer's Body". Now this is a movie starring Meagan Foxx. She is an "actress" that starred in "Transformers". She is a very pretty girl with a very nice body. She was given a starring role in "Jennifer's Body", I believe, because of her physical appearance. The movie is a no brainer, and makes absolutely no sense. My daughter and I walked out of the movie, it was so bad to us. But again, this is an example of the dumbing down of the American population. Make a movie, put a pretty girl in it. And even though the movie is "stupid" and not plausible, people will go and see it because a "pretty girl" is in it. Sad but true.
This is the same thing going on with our economic system. And I must admit that I am one of the ones that has just been "going along" because I have never stopped to scrutinize our system of government. I have allowed myself to depend on what "others" told me. But "others" are getting richer and I find myself struggling daily. So now I am questioning what is really going on and why are certain people and corporations getting richer while others are going bankrupt?
I do know this, that if most economic wealth in our country is owned by a mere 1%, something is dangerously wrong. I know for certain that more than 1% of our population in America works hard. So what is the genuine reason for this gap in economic control? I do not know but I plan to exercise my right to find out. Even our founding fathers made clear that "power" belongs to the people, not the rich that have manipulated and exploited our American system of government.
The time to know is now. We can no longer sit idly by and watch. Time is now to gain knowledge, and scrutinize our system of government and participate by creating change.
Have a great day,
L. for Love
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to elaborate on the entry that I wrote yesterday. I believe that it is essential to expand on the "thinking process". I am not advocating one system of government over any other. I am, however, asking a series of questions, such as do we know what each of these systems represent? If yes, how did each of "these" systems come into play and can another "system" be created just as the ones in existance now?
It is important to know what "these" systems are. So here goes:
1. Capitalism-an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
2. Socialism-a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
3. Marxism-the system of economic and political thought developed by Karl Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, esp. the doctrine that the state throughout history has been a device for the exploitation of the masses by a dominant class, that class struggle has been the main agency of historical change, and that the capitalist system, containing from the first the seeds of its own decay, will inevitably, after the period of the dictatorship of the proletariat, be superseded by a socialist order and a classless society.
4. Fasism-a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
These are the systems of government that I am familiar with. If any one know of any others, please advise. I have limited knowledge on each of these systems. I basically know only what I have been taught. I have never spent any real time studying and/or scrutinizing these various systems of government. But one thing is very clear, just as the above systems of government were created by someone, so can another system of government.
The point is Capitalism, as we know it today, is being used and manipulated by "powers" to control and dominate our present day economic system. This can not be logically disputed. More and more small businesses are going out of business, compared to their larger counterparts such as a Wal-Mart. So how do we change any system, including Capitalism, that we know is not just and/or is being manipulated?
The only way I know how is by educating people. The masses have no idea how our system of government works. There is clearly a "dumbing" down of the American people. Just take a look at the movies that are produced. I am shocked and even a little dismayed. My ten (10) year old daughter and I discussed this quite frequently when we go to the cinema. Let me give you an example:
"Jennifer's Body". Now this is a movie starring Meagan Foxx. She is an "actress" that starred in "Transformers". She is a very pretty girl with a very nice body. She was given a starring role in "Jennifer's Body", I believe, because of her physical appearance. The movie is a no brainer, and makes absolutely no sense. My daughter and I walked out of the movie, it was so bad to us. But again, this is an example of the dumbing down of the American population. Make a movie, put a pretty girl in it. And even though the movie is "stupid" and not plausible, people will go and see it because a "pretty girl" is in it. Sad but true.
This is the same thing going on with our economic system. And I must admit that I am one of the ones that has just been "going along" because I have never stopped to scrutinize our system of government. I have allowed myself to depend on what "others" told me. But "others" are getting richer and I find myself struggling daily. So now I am questioning what is really going on and why are certain people and corporations getting richer while others are going bankrupt?
I do know this, that if most economic wealth in our country is owned by a mere 1%, something is dangerously wrong. I know for certain that more than 1% of our population in America works hard. So what is the genuine reason for this gap in economic control? I do not know but I plan to exercise my right to find out. Even our founding fathers made clear that "power" belongs to the people, not the rich that have manipulated and exploited our American system of government.
The time to know is now. We can no longer sit idly by and watch. Time is now to gain knowledge, and scrutinize our system of government and participate by creating change.
Have a great day,
L. for Love
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, October 5, 2009
What is Capitalism? Day 47
Good morning. I hope this is the best work week ever for you and your loved ones. Make each day the best it can be. Do not be discouraged and there is surely a rainbow after the storm. Stay the course.
With that said I would like to share with you what my daughter and I did yesterday. We went to the cinema, and we saw Michael Moore's "Capitalism, A Love Story."
Now it is a Sunday custom for my daughter and I to go the cinema. But what made this Sunday different was this movie. I had been anxiously awaiting its opening. Why?
Because "Capitalism" is something that I have been fed all of my life and made to believe is what's best for America. I have never challenged this belief. I never gave it a second thought. I just believed what I was taught. But did I really understand what Capitalism is? The unequivocal answer is NO. Let us scrutinize.
Capitalism-an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
So who are the "owners" of the wealth in the United States and why should it be a concern to us all?
The top 1% of people and corporations own the majority of wealth in the U.S. Below is an except that I have extracted from an interview of Edward Wolff. Mr. Wolff is an economic professor at New York University. He is also the author of "Top Heavy".
"MM: Apart from the absolute level of wealth of people at the bottom of the spectrum, why should inequality itself be a matter of concern?
Wolff: I think there are two rationales. The first is basically a moral or ethical position. A lot of people think it is morally bad for there to be wide gaps, wide disparities in well being in a society.
If that is not convincing to a person, the second reason is that inequality is actually harmful to the well-being of a society. There is now a lot of evidence, based on cross-national comparisons of inequality and economic growth, that more unequal societies actually have lower rates of economic growth. The divisiveness that comes out of large disparities in income and wealth, is actually reflected in poorer economic performance of a country.
Typically when countries are more equal, educational achievement and benefits are more equally distributed in the country. In a country like the United States, there are still huge disparities in resources going to education, so quality of schooling and schooling performance are unequal. If you have a society with large concentrations of poor families, average school achievement is usually a lot lower than where you have a much more homogenous middle class population, as you find in most Western European countries. So schooling suffers in this country, and, as a result, you get a labor force that is less well educated on average than in a country like the Netherlands, Germany or even France. So the high level of inequality results in less human capital being developed in this country, which ultimately affects economic performance." (End of quote)
What has happened in our country, is something we all should be very concerned about. The rich is getting richer and the middle class is getting poorer. We (the tax payors) have bailed out large corporations to the sum of 800 billion dollars.
I ask you...is this what capitalism is all about? I believe each of us need to educate ourselves and our family about our economic system here in America. We need to make sure that "those" that are paid to represent us are in fact representing our views and NOT their personal views.
I am encouraging my daughter to reach out to our representatives and let our concerns be known, and I suggest you do likewise. The "people" need to understand that we have the power, through organizing and our votes. The people in Congress work for us but it appears sometimes from the outset, that we work for them. Most people DO NOT know who their representatives are. We the People have become complacent.
Power to the People.
Have a great work week.
L. for Love
With that said I would like to share with you what my daughter and I did yesterday. We went to the cinema, and we saw Michael Moore's "Capitalism, A Love Story."
Now it is a Sunday custom for my daughter and I to go the cinema. But what made this Sunday different was this movie. I had been anxiously awaiting its opening. Why?
Because "Capitalism" is something that I have been fed all of my life and made to believe is what's best for America. I have never challenged this belief. I never gave it a second thought. I just believed what I was taught. But did I really understand what Capitalism is? The unequivocal answer is NO. Let us scrutinize.
Capitalism-an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
So who are the "owners" of the wealth in the United States and why should it be a concern to us all?
The top 1% of people and corporations own the majority of wealth in the U.S. Below is an except that I have extracted from an interview of Edward Wolff. Mr. Wolff is an economic professor at New York University. He is also the author of "Top Heavy".
"MM: Apart from the absolute level of wealth of people at the bottom of the spectrum, why should inequality itself be a matter of concern?
Wolff: I think there are two rationales. The first is basically a moral or ethical position. A lot of people think it is morally bad for there to be wide gaps, wide disparities in well being in a society.
If that is not convincing to a person, the second reason is that inequality is actually harmful to the well-being of a society. There is now a lot of evidence, based on cross-national comparisons of inequality and economic growth, that more unequal societies actually have lower rates of economic growth. The divisiveness that comes out of large disparities in income and wealth, is actually reflected in poorer economic performance of a country.
Typically when countries are more equal, educational achievement and benefits are more equally distributed in the country. In a country like the United States, there are still huge disparities in resources going to education, so quality of schooling and schooling performance are unequal. If you have a society with large concentrations of poor families, average school achievement is usually a lot lower than where you have a much more homogenous middle class population, as you find in most Western European countries. So schooling suffers in this country, and, as a result, you get a labor force that is less well educated on average than in a country like the Netherlands, Germany or even France. So the high level of inequality results in less human capital being developed in this country, which ultimately affects economic performance." (End of quote)
What has happened in our country, is something we all should be very concerned about. The rich is getting richer and the middle class is getting poorer. We (the tax payors) have bailed out large corporations to the sum of 800 billion dollars.
I ask you...is this what capitalism is all about? I believe each of us need to educate ourselves and our family about our economic system here in America. We need to make sure that "those" that are paid to represent us are in fact representing our views and NOT their personal views.
I am encouraging my daughter to reach out to our representatives and let our concerns be known, and I suggest you do likewise. The "people" need to understand that we have the power, through organizing and our votes. The people in Congress work for us but it appears sometimes from the outset, that we work for them. Most people DO NOT know who their representatives are. We the People have become complacent.
Power to the People.
Have a great work week.
L. for Love
Friday, October 2, 2009
Chicago Rejected NOT President Obama-Day 46
Happy Friday. This has been a challenging week. But as I tell my daughter quite frequently, "we must move forward". I am in the process of moving, and I dislike moving, but I have no choice. I refuse to live in a "hell house". And to pay to live in it only makes the situation unbearable, to say the least.
Moreover, I would like to comment on Chicago being rejected by the Olympic officials. The news "pundits" are trying to put a spin on it that is NOT true. They are alleging that the Olympic Committee, in their selection of Rio de Janeiro, flat out, rejected President Obama.
President Obama personally campaigned and even spoke to the committee members today. However, Chicago was the first of the "final four" to be excluded. Let's scrutinize this carefully:
According to "Wiki", "As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games. The host city is responsible for organizing and funding a celebration of the Games consistent with the Olympic Charter. The Olympic program, consisting of the sports to be contested at each Olympic Games, is also determined by the IOC."
As of the writing of this blog, the United States, (U.S.) has hosted eight(8) games in six (6) U.S. cities. Latin American has NOT hosted any Olympic games. It is not only there time, but one can question, why it has taken so long for any Latin American country to be selected. In addition, Chicago is having a heep of trouble with its reputation.
It is critical that the athletes and visitors are safe when they attend the Olympic games. The recent killing of a Chicago honor student has received world-wide attention. Most people know that certain areas in Chicago are NOT safe. I would not feel safe in Chicago, right now. Who would want to visit Chicago, during these turbulent times? How can Chicago make certain that visitors and the Olympic athletes are safe when they can not ensure the safety of the children that live there?
Chicago public officials and leaders need to work on "Chicago". This is no time for Chicago to host an olympic game. This is the time to work on ensuring that the children and all other people of Chicago are safe.
Would you feel safe in Chicago? (I didn't think so..) I would reject the city of Chicago on its present reputation alone. I simply ask, how can you (Chicago) protect the athletes and visitors when you have melee in your streets?
I, therefore conclude today, the city of Chicago and all of its woes were rejected and not the president .
Have a great weekend,
L. for Love
Moreover, I would like to comment on Chicago being rejected by the Olympic officials. The news "pundits" are trying to put a spin on it that is NOT true. They are alleging that the Olympic Committee, in their selection of Rio de Janeiro, flat out, rejected President Obama.
President Obama personally campaigned and even spoke to the committee members today. However, Chicago was the first of the "final four" to be excluded. Let's scrutinize this carefully:
According to "Wiki", "As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games. The host city is responsible for organizing and funding a celebration of the Games consistent with the Olympic Charter. The Olympic program, consisting of the sports to be contested at each Olympic Games, is also determined by the IOC."
As of the writing of this blog, the United States, (U.S.) has hosted eight(8) games in six (6) U.S. cities. Latin American has NOT hosted any Olympic games. It is not only there time, but one can question, why it has taken so long for any Latin American country to be selected. In addition, Chicago is having a heep of trouble with its reputation.
It is critical that the athletes and visitors are safe when they attend the Olympic games. The recent killing of a Chicago honor student has received world-wide attention. Most people know that certain areas in Chicago are NOT safe. I would not feel safe in Chicago, right now. Who would want to visit Chicago, during these turbulent times? How can Chicago make certain that visitors and the Olympic athletes are safe when they can not ensure the safety of the children that live there?
Chicago public officials and leaders need to work on "Chicago". This is no time for Chicago to host an olympic game. This is the time to work on ensuring that the children and all other people of Chicago are safe.
Would you feel safe in Chicago? (I didn't think so..) I would reject the city of Chicago on its present reputation alone. I simply ask, how can you (Chicago) protect the athletes and visitors when you have melee in your streets?
I, therefore conclude today, the city of Chicago and all of its woes were rejected and not the president .
Have a great weekend,
L. for Love
Thursday, October 1, 2009
I want to LOVE- Day 45
Hello to you beautiful people. I hope this day is all you want it to be and more.
I want to share with you a blog that I read regularly. In fact, I wish that she made daily entries. It is so positive. I love it so much. It is Loving this Life. I encourage everyone to read and join to follow. The blog is about enjoying and making the best of yor life, whatever your circumstances. The author is so positive. She does not even know that she encourages me. Now the cat is out of the bag.:)
Moreover, I also want to share with you the fact that I want to love. I need to display love by smiles, hugs,and by encouraging others. I also display love by telling the truth.
It is much more difficult to tell the plain truth than to sugar coat the truth. I like to serve the truth, plain, without any dressings. On the other hand, most people serve it with too much dressing. The truth gets lost in all the dressing.
I just would like to use this opportunity to encourage each of us to display more love. Sometimes, I find it difficult to show love. Many times, my daughter really do challenge my patience, and I lose my temper with her. I have snapped at her by using harsh words or frowning at her.
This is NOT nice at all. My daughter tells me that I do not have to "act" like this. I tell her she is right, most of the times. Other times, I shrug it off. But deep down inside, I know that I do not have to be harsh with her. (Most times)
The old saying "you catch more flies with sugar than with salt", is true. Being nice will get you more of what you want rather than displaying a negative attitude.
I want to show LOVE. What do you want?
Have a Loving day,
L. for Love
I want to share with you a blog that I read regularly. In fact, I wish that she made daily entries. It is so positive. I love it so much. It is Loving this Life. I encourage everyone to read and join to follow. The blog is about enjoying and making the best of yor life, whatever your circumstances. The author is so positive. She does not even know that she encourages me. Now the cat is out of the bag.:)
Moreover, I also want to share with you the fact that I want to love. I need to display love by smiles, hugs,and by encouraging others. I also display love by telling the truth.
It is much more difficult to tell the plain truth than to sugar coat the truth. I like to serve the truth, plain, without any dressings. On the other hand, most people serve it with too much dressing. The truth gets lost in all the dressing.
I just would like to use this opportunity to encourage each of us to display more love. Sometimes, I find it difficult to show love. Many times, my daughter really do challenge my patience, and I lose my temper with her. I have snapped at her by using harsh words or frowning at her.
This is NOT nice at all. My daughter tells me that I do not have to "act" like this. I tell her she is right, most of the times. Other times, I shrug it off. But deep down inside, I know that I do not have to be harsh with her. (Most times)
The old saying "you catch more flies with sugar than with salt", is true. Being nice will get you more of what you want rather than displaying a negative attitude.
I want to show LOVE. What do you want?
Have a Loving day,
L. for Love
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
