So, What is a Matriarch; and How Much is One Worth?

Once again, in recognition of the second consecutive Holiday Eve, I am going to take a different tack this week. In any year, the week between December 25th and January 1st is packed with enough activity to created sensory overload. From the various celebrations, parties, and buying sprees of Christmas to watching the Ball drop, and toasting the New Year, our lives are often driven by a series of nearly uninterrupted goals and impulses. I have the added great fortune of observing and celebrating a birthday in the midst of all the fanfare.

But I am well-accustomed to those events and most of the related dynamics. However, this year, was different. While scanning messages late Christmas Day, I received one from a cousin, sharing sobering, but not totally unexpected news. Our Family Matriarch had passed away.

There is never a good time to receive such information. As a matter of fact, no matter how well-aware one is of circumstances that make such an advisory likely, it is difficult to escape the forceful clarity, certainty and finality of a death announcement. And before you ask, yes, I write this clearly denoting the limitations of mortality, and this earthly realm. What is clear, certain, and final, is with the advent of death, ones earthly ties to life are severed.

The next evening, the cousin who had e-mailed the news called to tell me of the arrangements. This call was even more anticipated than the first, understandably. But then, there was an unexpected twist. Before I could etch the particulars in my mental calendar, he added, “and the family met, and we all decided you should make comments on our behalf.”

While my first thoughts were somewhat Jonah-like, including wondering if someone else was better suited, and pondering how I managed to get selected, I quickly got over it. I concluded instead of acting like Jonah, I should use the lessons of his story; the rewards of obedience, willingness of spirit, gratitude, compassion, and God’s patience and mercy, to help me prepare for my assignment.

The idea of being swallowed by a whale or enduring some equally disagreeable calamity was certainly unappealing of course, but I was motivated by a sense of duty, honor, and fulfilling the wishes of members of my family who had entrusted me with a sacred charge. After accepting what at first seemed like an offer I could not refuse, I comitted to construct remarks that while necessarily brief, still managed to express the depth and breadth of an extraordinary human being, in a way that connected with the people who loved her, and whom she loved.

For those of you who are my family members, this one is for you! If you were there, when you read the next few paragraphs, you can reflect on the comments as I made them. If like some, you were a continent away, or for some other reason, you were unable to attend, here’s your personal copy. Many thanks for the kind words and good wishes I received after the service, and an extra-special thank-you to Queen Shamala and Yealang for your poignantly incisive accounts of your personal memories of “Aunt Babe.” I hope you can feel the loving warmth with which they were expressed.

Below is the unabridged version of my comments:

Good afternoon. Many of you do not know me, and some others may barely remember. I left Kinston 46 years ago, and have returned less and less frequently over the years. But have no doubt I am one of your relatives! However, since I am not a minister, have no fear, this will not be a second sermon; just sharing of a few thoughts about "Aunt Babe."

In many ways I am old-fashioned. I received a call from one of our relatives who spoke with authority, when he said the family had decided I was the best one to do this. Having been taught to respect my elders (Robert), I simply said yes, I will do it.

It is an awesome responsibility, and an even greater privilege for me to stand before you on this occasion, charged with the assignment to speak to you briefly on behalf of the Graham family; our family.

Indeed, our hearts are heavy, collectively. Those who were closest to "Aunt Babe," as she was affectionately known whether she was a cousin, or some other relation, likely have an abundance of mixed feelings. We will miss her, no doubt. But we also respect and accept that she has escaped the debilitating confines of pain and suffering that set in for a season, and she has now moved on to the next realm.

At our Family Reunion, in July this year, "Aunt Babe" was present, and she was appropriately acknowledged as our Family’s Matriarch. So I ask what is a Matriarch anyway, and just how much is one worth?

The Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines Matriarch as:

• The female head of a family or tribal line.
• A woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group.
• Venerable; meaning to command great respect because of age or impressive
dignity.

Several appropriate synonyms or words with similar meanings, derived from the same source are:

• Ruler
• Dignified woman
• Mother
• Queen

I am confident those who knew "Aunt Babe" would attest that she was all those things and…more! But that only answers Part A of the question, what is a Matriarch? For the second part, what is one worth; I opted to consult a different source. In doing so, I assert that as our Matriarch, "Aunt Babe" was a virtuous woman. In Proverbs 31: 10, the Holy Bible proclaims, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

As certainly as "Aunt Babe" was our Matriarch; as surely as she was cherished by all of us, her beloved family; as truly as she first loved all of us, immeasurably, she will remain with us in our hearts as long as we live.

Before closing, I want to share three anecdotes about "Aunt Babe." Through the marvel of e-communication, better known as the Internet, I conversed with one of our cousins living in Los Angeles, Shamala Known to some of you as Bessie), about her remembrances of "Aunt Babe."

Two tidbits, as she called them, came to mind. One was of "Aunt Babe’s" creative side. She and her daughter Yealang refer to "Aunt Babe" as the World’s Greatest Recycler, for her ability to use everything again and then again, and in doing so, to create things of great beauty and value, such as quilts, shawls, and wraps.

Shamala also recalled her nurturing side, noting that, "“Aunt Babe" made sure that at every Family Reunion, my oldest sister, Mary, would get there. She either picked-up Mary, who has had a stroke, and lives here in Kinston in an Assisted Living home, or she made arrangements with other drivers.”

The last account is personal. I became reacquainted "Aunt Babe" at a Family Reunion here in Kinston, back in the Eighties. This was before she relocated to the area, from New Jersey. We exchanged contact information, and I was never again a stranger. From that point, I was on her Christmas Card list, and she always sent me a note whenever an important Family gathering was scheduled to take place. Indeed, she was handling things, as good Matriarchs always do.

I close with this obvious note; we love and we miss you "Aunt Babe." Rest in peace!

That was the end of my comments last Sunday. I will add one additional thought. At first, the idea that "Aunt Babe" passed on Christmas Day caused me to be somewhat sad. But as I continued to think about it, I came to see the matter quite differently. "Aunt Babe" had experienced a lengthy illness, and more than a little pain and suffering. While in complete control of her faculties, she had signed a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Order. In a very real sense, "Aunt Babe" received the ultimate Christmas gift. She was relieved of the pain, discomfort, and physical maladies with which she endured with incredible dignity. God is good…all the time!

I’m done. Happy New Year; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com. A new post is published each Wednesday.

"This Christmas!"

Well, if you have followed Break It Down for a while, you have figured out by now, more than likely, since it’s a holiday, this will not be an exercise in heavy lifting. I am not going to delude my self into taxing my brain, or wasting time trying to develop some deeply thought-provoking theme, when we know most of your time will likely be spent traveling, being entertained, entertaining, or vegging out, if you actually get a break from traveling and entertaining. In other words, keep it light!

To that end, let address the important stuff. It is Christmas Eve, so Merry Christmas, Joyous Noel (Noel is Leon spelled backward, by the way), and Feliz Navidad! In addition, for those whose faith tradition is Judaism, Happy Hanukkah! This year, Hanukkah began the evening of December 21st, and runs through December 29th. What about practitioners of Islam, you may ask? In 2008, Ramadan began in North America on September 2nd, and rand through October 1st.

To complete the current cycle of ethnic, cultural and holiday events, even though they are not religious observances, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year’s Day, as well. And yes, before you ask, I did omit Hindu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism) and Buddhist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism) Holidays. But feel free to research the enclosed links.

This week has been as eventful as most, and there are any number of news worthy items that could be discussed. Under the rubric of full disclosure, I admit I have had spirited encouragement to sift through Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme shenanigans, the Auto Bailout fallout, and of course, Governor Blagojevich’s blue language infused rants on the sale of President-elect Obama’s Senate seat.

Tempting as all that is you will recall my starting premise, which is still my guiding mantra; keep it light. To do that, I have integrated a different medium into this week’s post. In honor of the Twelve Days of Christmas, the twelve months of the year, and maybe even the Twelve-Step Program, in case you need one after all your celebrating, I have pulled together a twelve-song “youtube” Christmas Collection for your listening pleasure. Go forth and enjoy. I’ done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com. A new post is published each Wednesday.

To listen to your concert, check out the twelve youtube links below. For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the ten links that follow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJO_kdkrj1g (This Christmas - Donnie Hathaway)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga-qd5FYUjA&feature=related (Stevie Wonder – What Christmas Means To Me)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf6fTRTQrG4&feature=related (Natalie Cole – The First Noel)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tht9KD_pB0U (Nat King Cole – Silent Night)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jk34lUQoyQ (Kem - The Christmas Song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxv88-euQtE (Lauryn Hill – Little Drummer Boy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhVvB0r5l7E (Brian McKnight & Christina Aguilera – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG8abNRsabk&feature=related (Dianne Reeves – Christmas Time Is Here)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_9JJc2zNhI (Boney James – Let It Snow)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWQzmb3xjn8 (Mariah Carey – Hark The Herald)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_n-gRS_wdI (John Coltrane – My Favorite Things)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzd6oCP3FKk Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Madoff

"An Informant By Any Other Name"

Amid circumstances that can aptly be described as confused and contorted, yet another surprising twist has emerged. Yesterday, as the Blagojevich Brouhaha continued to serve as spectacle, and unfold before Illinoisans, the Nation, and the World, a U.S. Representative was reported to have been cooperating with authorities…for years; more than a decade by some accounts.

Jesse Jackson, Jr. has been under fire recently. Many believe allegations that Jackson’s representatives met with the Governor and offered him up to a $million to appoint the Congressman to President-elect Obama’s vacant Senate seat. This highly publicized pay-to-play scheme, focused on the Governor, has dominated much of the news for more than a week now.

The ensuing fallout has had numerous repercussions that include creating a dark cloud formed by a series of allegations of Chicago-style dirty politics, slowing the Senate seat selection process, fostering calls for the Governor's resignation, causing others to urge Jackson to remove himself from consideration for the appointment, and of course, prompting assertions that all of this somehow involves and taints Obama.

Reflecting upon the greed fueled wretched excesses of Blagojevich, I am reminded of the deft phrasing of Scottish novelist, poet, and historian Sir Walter Scott, when he wrote the lines, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive.” But when I think of the modern history of the Illinois Governorship, a legacy that includes jail time for three Governors or former Governors in the past 35 years, including Blagojevich’s predecessor, I am more attuned to the comedic stylings of Stanley Laurel, and Oliver Hardy. Can’t you almost hear Stan’s artfully constructed, “What a fine mess you have gotten us into this time, Ollie," playing in the background of the proceedings?

In examining the most recent developments, I was struck by the delicate nature of this revelation. On the one hand, under fire, and for several days making it pointedly clear that he determined to make every effort to clear his good name, Jackson was clearly between a rock and a hard place. Only one day earlier, President-elect Obama opted not to release full and complete information about the case, publicly citing a request by Special Prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald. Now, only a day later, Jackson appears to spill at least part of the beans.

Let’s be clear here. By all accounts, Governor Rod Blagojevich is at the center of this controversy, and is the prime target of the investigation. With that in mind, I certainly have no desire to create any kind of “Blame the victim” energy for Jackson, whom by all accounts is not a target of the investigation. But let’s face it; Americans have a healthy dose of cynicism toward “informants.”

Not true, you say! Want me to prove it? Fair enough; let’s make this quick and simple. I went to http://dictionary.com on the web, and typed in informant. When I hit enter, under the Thesaurus heading, guess what came up. According to this resource, and I know this is only one source, there were eleven synonyms for the main entry, informant. Here are the top ten, in order they appeared:
Canary
Fink
Informer
Nark
Rat
Sneak
Snitch
Source
Stoolie
Tattletale

Get the point? Jackson certainly did. He quickly tried to distance himself from the term, both personally, and through a spokesperson. In a CNN wire service story, Jackson is said to have rejected being labeled with the term “informant” in a message to CNN contributor Roland Martin.

Furthermore, a Jackson Spokesman, Kenneth Edmonds (no, not Babyface, y’all) characterized Jackson’s actions with federal authorities this way: “As a responsible citizen and elected official, Congressman Jackson has in the past provided information to federal authorities regarding his personal knowledge of perceived corruption and government misconduct.

This was completely unrelated to the current investigation regarding the U.S. Senate appointment. And it is absolutely inaccurate to describe the congressman as an informant.”

Edmonds went on to say, Jackson has provided information about Blagojevich previously, though not in the current case.

OK, you have now read what Congressman Jackson and his spokesman, Mr. Edmonds have to say on the issue of informants. What is clear as a sunlit sky over the ocean is, every time the word informant is typed, read, uttered, or even thought, in connection with Jesse, Jr., his erstwhile street cred is dropping faster than a portfolio filled with Wachovia stock. I don’t know whether you should call the Congressman a collaborator, a whistle blower, an information specialist, or just a genuinely nice guy…who wants his good name back, and would like to be the Junior Senator from Illinois. What I do know is, “Informant by Any Other Name,” commonly used, will smell as putrid. I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/. A new post is published each Wednesday.

For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below.


http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/informant

http://www.npr.org/blogs/newsandviews/2008/12/abc_news_jesse_jackson_jr_is_s.html

http://www.africanamericanpoliticalpundit.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=413

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/16/blagojevich/index.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/17/rod-blagojevich-jesse-jackson-jr-illinois

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/16/jesse-jackson-jr-may-have_n_151514.html

http://www.huliq.com/2623/74607/jesse-jackson-jr-identified-informant-blagojevich-probe

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/16/breaking-jackson-jr-an-informant-to-us-attorney-investigation/

http://firedoglake.com/2008/12/16/jesse-jackson-junior-reportedly-informant-for-more-than-a-decade/

http://www.bad-news-day.com/us-representative-jesse-jackson-jr-reportedly-was-informant-for-federal-investigators

"It's All About the People!"

Michael Vick, Marion Jones, and dare I say, Plaxico Burress, move over; way over. Vick, Jones, and Burress, all athletes, earned their share of fame and fortune, and subsequently their rightful portion of disgrace and/or infamy. While at the top of their respective games, each fell under the burgeoning weight of scandal. Dog-fighting, performance-enhancing drugs, and weapons charges, respectively, took each out of what was a seemingly entrenched orbit.

But all of those events have become yester-year’s news, or in Burress’ case, at least day before yesterday’s. That is because yesterday, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested. “U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald on Tuesday accused the Illinois Governor of carrying out a political corruption crime spree that was a blatant effort to sell the state's U.S. Senate seat (yes, Obama's former seat) in the latest "pay-to-play" scheme in Illinois politics.”

But guess what? This is not a review of questionable judgment, deception, or sheer stupidity. No; not this week. For the next few minutes, “It’s All About the People!” Most of us have all spent a fair amount of time looking forward to, preparing for, exercising our civic duty, and reveling in or decrying the outcome of the recent Presidential Election. The historical significance of this moment is likely to be a regular topic of conversation centuries from now.

It cannot be denied, the 2008 Election is unlike any other in this Country. On January 20, 2009, for the first time, an African American will be inaugurated as President of the U.S. The event ushers in a new age in American political and personal dynamics. There was already a refreshing feel to the event, as President-elect Obama ordered ratcheting back severely on the special interest money that traditionally fuels much of the celebration. Planners have barred lobbyists, corporations, political action committees, and well-heeled foreigners from purchasing access to the new administration.

But there is more that will make this event special, if not unique. Earl W. Stafford, CEO and Chairman, Universal Systems & Technology, Inc., head of the Stafford Foundation, and a Fairfax County resident, kicked off a project to bring disadvantaged people to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration next month. Stafford, a 20-year Air Force veteran, whose family runs a faith-based charitable foundation, has already spent a million dollars for over 300 rooms and amenities for his guests at Washington’s JW Marriott hotel at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th St.

The JW Marriott hotel announced that Stafford, a 60 year-old businessman and son of a Baptist minister, purchased the million-dollar “Build Your Own Ball” package—which comes with 300 rooms, four suites, $200,000 in food and beverages, and a heated rooftop tent to watch the inaugural parade—and intends to give it away to more than 100 veterans, disadvantaged people, terminally ill patients, and others.

In addition, he is spending $600,000 for a prayer breakfast, luncheon and two inaugural balls at the hotel. Mr. Stafford, accompanied by his wife Amanda, and children Earl, Jr., Jessica, and Mark, launched the project at a news conference at the hotel last Thursday. He wants at least 30 percent of his guests to be people in need, and is willing to provide gowns, tuxedos, and the services of beauticians; even transportation. He wants them to have an unforgettable experience. Stafford plans to recruit sponsors to help chip in for the additional costs. He will reward their philanthropy with his remaining rooms at the hotel.

Cooperating agencies, including the National Urban League and Washington's Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, will help the foundation identify people to be invited and help them get to Washington. Stafford has said he also plans to reach out to homeless shelters, community organizations and military hospitals in search of guests.

Stafford snatched up the package within hours of Obama’s election and has paid in full. The New York Times reports:

He said he was “led” to the idea by the Lord, although when it first occurred to him in March, he said, it wasn’t fully crystallized. He said he wanted to help people who have worked hard and done everything right but who find themselves without a job or home.

“The hope is that this will be contagious, that others will say, ‘I can do a little good, I might not be able to hold an inaugural ball or celebration, but I can do something for my neighbor without condition, without return,’ ” he said.

Mr. Stafford said his goal is to get deserving people to the inauguration who would otherwise not have the opportunity. At the announcement last Thursday, he said that he hopes the balcony terrace is filled “with those who are disadvantaged, those who are distressed, mingling with those who aren’t so. And we hope to see on their faces a sense of excitement.”

Stafford was asked whether Obama might attend the Marriott events. "That certainly would be icing on the cake," he said.

Lavern Chatman, president of the Northern Virginia Urban League, said the idea was not to have all the Stafford guests be disadvantaged. Organizers also want some movers and shakers so the disadvantaged and well-heeled can mingle.

One of 12 children born to a Baptist minister in Mount Holly, N.J., Stafford said he wants to remind people of the traditions that he believes made America great.

“We just need to get back to caring about one another,” he said.

Stafford concluded by saying, "I was inspired to do this by the Lord. ... It's not about us, but about us helping other people," he said.

“All About the People,” now that is a Change We Can Believe In. I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/. A new post is published each Wednesday.

For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/03/AR2008120304095.html

http://blackamericans.com/blogs/news/archive/2008/12/06/earl-stafford-a-virginia-businessman-has-reserved-1-million-worth-of-rooms-at-washington-s-jw-marriott-hotel-with-plans-to-give-the-rooms-away-to-the-underprivileged-for-inauguration-week.aspx

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1270136/barack_obama_calls_for_volunteerism.html?cat=62

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Stafford-Foundation-Announces-Peoples-Inaugural/story.aspx?guid=%7B7083291B-B512-46F8-9CDB-6B812828E9AB%7D

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081204/ts_alt_afp/uspoliticsobamatransitionobamapoverty_081204220753

http://freedomeden.blogspot.com/2008/12/earl-stafford.html

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/12/04/earl-staffords-the-peoples-inauguration/

http://democraticwhip.house.gov/press/2008/12/05/earl_stafford/

http://news.muckety.com/2008/12/07/va-businessman-earl-stafford-treats-poor-dispossessed-to-obama-inaugural/8001

http://www.mahalo.com/Earl_Stafford

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?last=STAFFORD&first=EARL

http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Earl%20Stafford

http://washingtontimes.com/livechat/2008/dec/08/va-businessman-earl-stafford/

http://www.the-savvy-sista.com/2008/12/businessman-earl-stafford-plans.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich

http://gothamist.com/2008/12/09/illinois_governor_blagojevich_on_a.php

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/12/blagojevich-o-1.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jwsQth4cUe3MfV03Brlm8s9C2AfQD94VFG9O0

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hVNAcA-xtCA6PKQ8h5s7dBlD_BKwD94VFOUO0

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/09/illinois.governor/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Vick

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Jones

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaxico_Burress

The A-Team

Apologies to Laurence Tureaud, better known as Mr. T, but Team Obama is likely to have many monikers, the A-Team being just one of them. Oh many have coined it the modern-day Team of Rivals, an appellation referencing President-elect Obama’s fascination with Doris Kearns Goodwin’s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Kearns_Goodwin) book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. At this point, I prefer the A-Team for many reasons, not the least of which is, Mr. T survived his A-Team adventures; President Lincoln did not survive his Presidency. If you believe, as I do, the Obama Administration should be driven by outcomes, finishing alive ought to be pretty high on the list.

The past couple of weeks in the World After Obama (Post-election victory) have been fast-paced, and steeped in social, symbolic, and historical significance. Last week, the President-elect assembled and presented to the American public for inspection the members of his Economic Team. The composition of the team is litany of proverbial All-Stars. Headliners include:

Timothy Geithner (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_F._Geithner), Treasury Secretary
Lawrence H. Summers, Director of the National Economic Council
Paul Volcker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Volcker), Chairman Economic Recovery Advisory Board
Christina D. Romer, Director of the council of Economic Advisors
Melody Barnes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melody_Barnes), Director of Domestic Policy Council
Austan Goolsbee, Council of Economic Advisers
Peter R. Orszag, OMB Director
Jason Furman, Senior White House Adviser

But indeed, if the Economic Team is an assembly of All-Stars, and it is, the National Security Team is a Hall of Fame-in-waiting. Led by Obama’s chief rival for the Democratic Nomination for President, members include:

Hillary Rodham Clinton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Rodham_Clinton), Secretary of State
Robert Gates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gates), Defense Secretary
General James Jones (http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1862911,00.html), National Security Adviser
Janet Napolitano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Napolitano), Homeland Security Secretary
Susan Rice (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_E._Rice), Ambassador to the United Nations

In addition to the Economic and Security Teams, the President-elect has mad several other key appointments, including:

Rahm Emanuel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahm_Emanuel), Chief of Staff
Valerie Jarrett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Jarrett), Senior White House Advisor
Eric Holder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Holder), Attorney General
Tom Daschle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Daschle), Secretary of Health and Human Services
Ellen Moran (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Moran), White House Communications Director
Desiree Rogers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desir%C3%A9e_Rogers), White House Social Secretary

Finally, according to the New York Times, Obama plans to announce New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson (http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/obama-to-announce-richardsons-appointment/), as his choice for Commerce Secretary, today. One day shy of a month since his election, it is fair to say Mr. Obama and his team of advisers has been both busy, and productive. While he has publicly channeled Lincoln as his inspiration, and some have cited Roosevelt’s Cabinet as the apt example for comparison, still others note that Kennedy’s Cabinet is a more appropriate comparison.

Any or all of these previous Commanders-in-Chief may be the ideal stepping off point for such an analysis. I will wind this down with a couple of observations about Ms. Goodwin’s thesis. An LA Times articles described it as an “inconvenient truth.” “Out of the four leading vote-getters for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination whom Lincoln placed on his original team, three left during his first term -- one in disgrace, one in defiance and one in disgust," writes Matthew Pinkster in an L.A. Times piece titled Lincoln and the Myth of 'Team of Rivals'.” I might add, the fourth, was a constant thorn in Lincoln's side for much of his first term.

Further, an article in the Boston Globe, a writer “wonders if it is a wise strategy in today's world.” In that article, Douglas Brinkley, a Rice University author and historian posits, "I question the entire concept of 'Team of Rivals' being sound."

Now, to be sure, a couple of naysayers do not equal proof positive that “Rivals” is the wrong way to go. I do not argue (strongly) that it is. Rather, I merely suggest, for reasons previously stated, my preference for another metaphor. To our President-elect, I wish you much success, a lasting peace, and a very long life. I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/. A new post is published each Wednesday.

For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below.

http://www.amazon.com/Team-Rivals-Political-Abraham-Lincoln/dp/0684824906

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-pinsker18-2008nov18,0,1360359.story

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/11/21/will_lincolns_team_of_rivals_play_today/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/01/obama-dales-cabinet-picks/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/01/obama-unveils-national-security-team/

http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/12/01/obamas-national-security-team-of-rivals/

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/01/transition.wrap/

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/02/1695100.aspx

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/12/reaction_to_oba.html

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/environmentandenergy/archive/2008/12/01/what-obama-s-security-team-means-for-energy.aspx

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120108dnpoltransition.3f55a31.html

http://www.demconwatchblog.com/2008/12/speaker-pelosis-statment-on-obamas.html

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20081201/UPDATES01/812010341

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/us/politics/01clinton.html?_r=1&hp

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/24/news/economy/obama_economic_team/?postversion=2008112415