It's time to Break It Down!
With apologies to the Coen Brothers, who wrote and directed the movie, Raising Arizona; rest assured, this post is in no way tied to that 1987 cinematic comedy. Instead the question is intended to pose the basic inquiry, “Is this controversial initiative good for Arizona, and/or for America?
For more than 3 months now, since Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, signed the nation’s toughest legislation targeted at illegal immigration, the Governor, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Senator John McCain, and a host of other Arizonans, prominent, and pedestrian, have trumpeted the law as not only just what Arizona, but also just what America needs right now. Proponents of the measure, in Arizona, and across the nation, insist the new law, which is scheduled to go into effect tomorrow, merely calls for carrying out the dictates of the Constitution. For some, therein lies the rub. Many opponents offer a sharply contrasting counterpoint. Rankled by even such a notion, they contend that Constitution matters are the the purview of the Federal Government, not the states.
As fervently as Governor Brewer and Senator McCain, who has done an about-face on issues central to the law, support it, the Obama Administration, including the President and Attorney General Eric Holder, as well as a number of Arizona law enforcement officials, and not surprisingly many Arizonans of Hispanic origin, oppose the bill. In a New York Times article, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles said "The authorities’ ability to demand documents was like “Nazism.”
Yesterday, Jeffrey Toobin, A CNN senior legal analyst, staff writer at the New Yorker, former Assistant U.S. Attorney, and author, opined, “The most controversial part of the law requires local police, who have made a "lawful stop, detention or arrest" of an individual, to determine that person's immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that the person is an illegal alien.”
The gist of this is that critics believe the law will lead to racial profiling; the singling out and harassing of law abiding citizens or aliens. Such actions, critics insist, would be an abridgment of 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law. On most fronts, the profiling issue is what brings the sizzle to this steak, but experts tend to believe it is the traction of the legal and Constitutional issues that will make or break the opposition’s case.
The Constitution and federal law both provide that foreign policy in general, and immigration specifically, fall under the rubric of the Federal Government’s responsibility. Governor Brewer, as do most proponents of the Super-Secret Code-Worded Arizona SB (Senate Bill) 1070, contends that the Federal Government has failed consistently, and failed on a grand scale, to secure the nation's borders, obviously, and especially, in Arizona. She argues that this law will accomplish end.
In a classic representation of the two sides to this proverbial coin, Federal Judge Susan Bolton asked, at a hearing in federal court in Phoenix two weeks ago, "Why can't Arizona be as inhospitable as they wish to people who have entered or remain in the U.S. unlawfully?"
In response, Edwin Kneedler, the Justice the Justice Department lawyer said, "It's not for one of our states to be inhospitable the way Arizona has. It is a direct intrusion into immigration matters and immigration enforcement. It interferes with the enforcement discretion of the federal agencies charged with enforcing those provisions and immigration laws generally."
Time is winding down, before the scheduled enforcement of the law. The Justice Department continues to argue the matter before the Federal Court in Arizona. It is unclear whether the Court will rule before the law takes effect, or wait to determine the actual affects before taking action. But early indications are Judge Bolton may be somewhat more sympathetic to some of Arizona’s arguments than to those of the Feds. At this point, while the jury is still out, so to speak, the verdict, or at least part of it may already be in. Of course I have no insider intelligence, but with roughly 24 hours to go before the law is scheduled to take effect; I expect this show to open for a trial run, at the very least.
If one backs up just a bit to allow for strategic refocusing, the political dynamics of the issue shine through rather brightly. I mentioned earlier that Senator McCain, one of the more vocal supporters of SB 1070 is a fairly recent convert. The Senator, as does Governor Brewer, faces highly energized, ultra-conservative opposition for the November Election. This turn of events appears to have played a significant role in the current swing towards a hard-right posture for both Senator McCain and Governor Brewer.
The Governor waited until the day she signed the bill into law to reveal her position to support the bill. While it is no surprise that Governor Brewer's position differs from that of her predecessor, Janet Napolitano, who resigned to take the position of Secretary of Homeland Security, in the Obama Administration, her apparent reticence seems to signal some degree of irresolution. Secretary Napolitano vetoed similar legislation several times during her tenure as Governor.
In the end, what is quite clear is the arguments on SB 1070, legal and otherwise, pro and con, are far from over. The debate will surely extend beyond Thursday's outcome, no matter what Judge Bolton decides...or when she decides it. There will be civil disobedience in Arizona and a fair amount of uncivil discourse, in Washington and beyond; in numerous venues across America. So, in answer to the fundamental query, is adopting “SB 1070, Raising America?” The court may recess, but the jury is still out!
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.imdb.com/title/tt0093822/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Brewer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Holder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Mahony
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Toobin
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/07/arizona-immigration-law.html
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070h.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_SB_1070
http://www.examiner.com/x-57251-Chandler-Conservative-Examiner~y2010m7d27-Sheriff-Joe-Arpaio-prepared-to-handle-protestors-on-Thursday-regarding-SB1070
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/politics/24immig.html
http://azdailysun.com/news/state-and-regional/article_10eb82a6-95cd-11df-8ccc-001cc4c002e0.html
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/07/24/20100724arizona-immigration-law-mexico-reaction.html
http://judgepedia.org/index.php/Susan_Bolton
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Kneedler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Napolitano
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Egyptian Jews, Blacks, Black Jews, and Jews for Jesus: All are One
It's time to Break It Down!
Egyptian Jews, Blacks, Black Jews, and Jews for Jesus: All are One
By Brian David Delany Starr
As noted in the prologue to each edition of Break It Down, guest bloggers may appear from time to time. While I am always eager to delve into events of the day, dissecting them in my own stylized way, I am also intrigued by the views of other voices in the blogosphere. I am fortunate to have a number of friends and associates who are both capable and willing to share their insights with me, and in doing so, share them with you.
The gentleman whose work I share with you today is a man I have known for nearly 3 and half decades. He is a discerning thinker, a talented entertainer, and someone clearly undeterred by the prospect of challenging contemporary reliogious dogma and orthodoxy. You may consider his views avant-garde, commonsensical, curious, whimsical, or down-right contrarian. Ultimately, I urge you to consider them whatever you will or may; just consider them!
As always, feel free to log your comments on the main blog page. But more important, feel empowered to speak to Mr. Starr directly, as he included his contact intel for that specific purpose. The views expressed in this post are the sole province and reflection of Mr. Starr's opinions. If in editing or transmitting them to you, I have altered his intent, I will provide appropriate revisions.
Before transitioning to the main topic for today, I must at least mention the themes that I would have chosen from had I written the post. “Free Lindsay Lohan” or Re-hire Shirley Sherrod; take your pick. I admit the topsy-turvy nature of the Sherrod story captured my attention. She started yesterday being reviled by her former employer, Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the USDA, and repudiated by the NAACP, and ended the day with an apology from Ben Jealous, head of the NAACP, and a portrayal as a sympathetic figure from a news outlet that had mocked and disparaged her on camera only hours earlier; quite the juxtaposition. Add to the mix the involvement of the quixotic Tea Party and at least in this instance an overreactive Obama Administration, and you have the makings of a compelling post.
Ms. Lohan, who went to jail today for violating her parole arrived at the Courthouse yesterday to raining confetti, and a chorus of “Free Lindsay.” Not surprisingly, despite having endangered the lives of others by driving while impaired, several family members and associates attempted to paint the actress as a victim, being subjected to a too-severe punishment. This observation was made, I presume, even though those who contended such were aware the time she will actually serve, of her 90-Day sentence may be a little as 15-23 days. In the event you have lingering interest in either of both of these topics, check the links at the bottom of the list.
Now, without further ado, please be engaged by Mr. Brian David Delany Starr:
Egyptian Jews, Blacks, Black Jews, and Jews for Jesus: All are One
By Brian David Delany Starr
In my studies and travels I have seen more than enough to know that there is so much information in this candid world that is either suppressed, overlooked or disregarded, or just accepted as “That’s the way it is,” and not addressed, nor overcome by the masses, especially the so-called “religious or G-d minded.” It is a fact that when Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, many Egyptians were with the Jews because they had become family (Jews and Egyptians); many Egyptians were tired of the inhumanity that was prevalent, and they feared the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were ready for change.
These same Egyptians were in the desert side by side with the Jews. Many of these Jews were Dark skinned people. They lived in Egypt where the weather was hot. There have always been combinations of tribes from Africa that merged with the Jews and Egyptians as well as other cultures worldwide! It is an historical fact that Kings from many societies have often sent there daughters and women to unite with other cultures in order to make peace.
This is also a fact! We all have One Father who made this world. He has appeared to various cultures in many forms, in order to bring His presence and “The Way” of harmony and Universal Love to this world! Think about it! Would a loving Father or Mother reject his or her children, no matter what they had done?
I say No! Truly loving parents would never abandon one of their children.
It is a shame and a crime against Humanity that any religious group claims to be better or more special than another, and yet the examples set by these groups completely oppose the standards, values and objectives set by their founders. In New York alone there are synagogues for Egyptian Jews, Black Jews, Sephardic Jews, Ashkenazi Jews, as well as Jews for Jesus. There are numerous Churches of many faiths from Baptist to Pentecostal, Episcopalian to Methodist. I have seen Chinese Jewish synagogues, Buddhist Jews, Spanish Jews, as well as Mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples that service the many peoples with “Religion.”
People attend these sanctuaries on a regular basis, yet when they come out they go back to their regularities of prejudice, immorality and injustice. The teachings of the great leaders of these religious organizations are very similar; built on the same principles of unconditional love and understanding. Yet many followers seem to have “missed the boat” when it comes to the examples that they choose to set or follow in everyday life.
I’ve never read “Hate those that hate you,” or “Oppress those that you can” in any of these religious texts. That’s because it’s not there! Jesus brought a message of Universal Love to us all. His sacrifice was the greatest single example set for us all. One of the most difficult things to do is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Most people don’t even know their neighbors! That is a Shame! It is so very important to know that there is one God, and He is our entire Father. We are all children of God on this earth and we need to understand this, respect this, and get along with one another and incorporate the “ARK” (Acts of Random Kindness) in our everyday lives. This “ARK” is the way to change the state of the world, and to save us and humanity! There is no other way!
Chosen? The chosen are they who have been designated to be accountable to the Divine Example of Purity, Responsibility, and Unconditional Love toward all of our brothers and sisters in the world, regardless of race, creed or color. The countdown has begun on our world! It’s up to us to save humanity and ourselves by the examples we set! Think about this; a religious leader once told me: “When you look out into the garden, you see many varieties of flowers; when you look out into the world, you see many types of Children of G-d.” He is Our Father. We are all His children; brothers and sisters created to live together, and to get along on our planet, “Mother Earth.”
Who’s better than whom? No One! We are all in this together! It’s time we started acting like it! Remember, the “ARK” is a spiritual vessel that we set up by practicing kindness on a daily basis. Through kindness, respect, and morality, we can save this world! Do your part each day; make a difference. Be a part of the solution!
May you be blessed!
Brian David Delany Starr
Briandavidstarrr@gmail.com
Brianstarrmusic.com
Ianstarrmusic.com
Indiegogo.com
Youtube: Starrquest1
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://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brian-delany-starr/id286031243
http://www.amazon.com/Masada-Musical-Alexander-Butov-Derenboim-Delany/dp/B0009I96IU
http://www.tunecore.com/music/abutov
http://music.napster.com/brian-delany-starr-music/albums/12599645
http://www.rhapsody.com/brian-david-delany-starr-roxanne-price-eddie-ganzsergei-kisterov-douglas-genuard-inaya-day-masha-shirin-yakov-roi
http://www.emusic.com/artist/Brian-David-Delany-Starr-Roxanne-Price-Eddie-Gan-MP3-Download/12469122.html
http://goodnoise.com/artist/Brian-David-Delany-Starr-Wiseman-X-MP3-Download/12668885.html
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-David-Delany-Starr/1110462622
http://ianstarrmusic.com/id14.html
http://new.music.yahoo.com/brian-delany-starr/albums/
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/20/agriculture.employee.naacp/index.html?hpt=T1
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/07/20/lohan.jail/index.html?hpt=C2
Egyptian Jews, Blacks, Black Jews, and Jews for Jesus: All are One
By Brian David Delany Starr
As noted in the prologue to each edition of Break It Down, guest bloggers may appear from time to time. While I am always eager to delve into events of the day, dissecting them in my own stylized way, I am also intrigued by the views of other voices in the blogosphere. I am fortunate to have a number of friends and associates who are both capable and willing to share their insights with me, and in doing so, share them with you.
The gentleman whose work I share with you today is a man I have known for nearly 3 and half decades. He is a discerning thinker, a talented entertainer, and someone clearly undeterred by the prospect of challenging contemporary reliogious dogma and orthodoxy. You may consider his views avant-garde, commonsensical, curious, whimsical, or down-right contrarian. Ultimately, I urge you to consider them whatever you will or may; just consider them!
As always, feel free to log your comments on the main blog page. But more important, feel empowered to speak to Mr. Starr directly, as he included his contact intel for that specific purpose. The views expressed in this post are the sole province and reflection of Mr. Starr's opinions. If in editing or transmitting them to you, I have altered his intent, I will provide appropriate revisions.
Before transitioning to the main topic for today, I must at least mention the themes that I would have chosen from had I written the post. “Free Lindsay Lohan” or Re-hire Shirley Sherrod; take your pick. I admit the topsy-turvy nature of the Sherrod story captured my attention. She started yesterday being reviled by her former employer, Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the USDA, and repudiated by the NAACP, and ended the day with an apology from Ben Jealous, head of the NAACP, and a portrayal as a sympathetic figure from a news outlet that had mocked and disparaged her on camera only hours earlier; quite the juxtaposition. Add to the mix the involvement of the quixotic Tea Party and at least in this instance an overreactive Obama Administration, and you have the makings of a compelling post.
Ms. Lohan, who went to jail today for violating her parole arrived at the Courthouse yesterday to raining confetti, and a chorus of “Free Lindsay.” Not surprisingly, despite having endangered the lives of others by driving while impaired, several family members and associates attempted to paint the actress as a victim, being subjected to a too-severe punishment. This observation was made, I presume, even though those who contended such were aware the time she will actually serve, of her 90-Day sentence may be a little as 15-23 days. In the event you have lingering interest in either of both of these topics, check the links at the bottom of the list.
Now, without further ado, please be engaged by Mr. Brian David Delany Starr:
Egyptian Jews, Blacks, Black Jews, and Jews for Jesus: All are One
By Brian David Delany Starr
In my studies and travels I have seen more than enough to know that there is so much information in this candid world that is either suppressed, overlooked or disregarded, or just accepted as “That’s the way it is,” and not addressed, nor overcome by the masses, especially the so-called “religious or G-d minded.” It is a fact that when Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, many Egyptians were with the Jews because they had become family (Jews and Egyptians); many Egyptians were tired of the inhumanity that was prevalent, and they feared the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were ready for change.
These same Egyptians were in the desert side by side with the Jews. Many of these Jews were Dark skinned people. They lived in Egypt where the weather was hot. There have always been combinations of tribes from Africa that merged with the Jews and Egyptians as well as other cultures worldwide! It is an historical fact that Kings from many societies have often sent there daughters and women to unite with other cultures in order to make peace.
This is also a fact! We all have One Father who made this world. He has appeared to various cultures in many forms, in order to bring His presence and “The Way” of harmony and Universal Love to this world! Think about it! Would a loving Father or Mother reject his or her children, no matter what they had done?
I say No! Truly loving parents would never abandon one of their children.
It is a shame and a crime against Humanity that any religious group claims to be better or more special than another, and yet the examples set by these groups completely oppose the standards, values and objectives set by their founders. In New York alone there are synagogues for Egyptian Jews, Black Jews, Sephardic Jews, Ashkenazi Jews, as well as Jews for Jesus. There are numerous Churches of many faiths from Baptist to Pentecostal, Episcopalian to Methodist. I have seen Chinese Jewish synagogues, Buddhist Jews, Spanish Jews, as well as Mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples that service the many peoples with “Religion.”
People attend these sanctuaries on a regular basis, yet when they come out they go back to their regularities of prejudice, immorality and injustice. The teachings of the great leaders of these religious organizations are very similar; built on the same principles of unconditional love and understanding. Yet many followers seem to have “missed the boat” when it comes to the examples that they choose to set or follow in everyday life.
I’ve never read “Hate those that hate you,” or “Oppress those that you can” in any of these religious texts. That’s because it’s not there! Jesus brought a message of Universal Love to us all. His sacrifice was the greatest single example set for us all. One of the most difficult things to do is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Most people don’t even know their neighbors! That is a Shame! It is so very important to know that there is one God, and He is our entire Father. We are all children of God on this earth and we need to understand this, respect this, and get along with one another and incorporate the “ARK” (Acts of Random Kindness) in our everyday lives. This “ARK” is the way to change the state of the world, and to save us and humanity! There is no other way!
Chosen? The chosen are they who have been designated to be accountable to the Divine Example of Purity, Responsibility, and Unconditional Love toward all of our brothers and sisters in the world, regardless of race, creed or color. The countdown has begun on our world! It’s up to us to save humanity and ourselves by the examples we set! Think about this; a religious leader once told me: “When you look out into the garden, you see many varieties of flowers; when you look out into the world, you see many types of Children of G-d.” He is Our Father. We are all His children; brothers and sisters created to live together, and to get along on our planet, “Mother Earth.”
Who’s better than whom? No One! We are all in this together! It’s time we started acting like it! Remember, the “ARK” is a spiritual vessel that we set up by practicing kindness on a daily basis. Through kindness, respect, and morality, we can save this world! Do your part each day; make a difference. Be a part of the solution!
May you be blessed!
Brian David Delany Starr
Briandavidstarrr@gmail.com
Brianstarrmusic.com
Ianstarrmusic.com
Indiegogo.com
Youtube: Starrquest1
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://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/brian-delany-starr/id286031243
http://www.amazon.com/Masada-Musical-Alexander-Butov-Derenboim-Delany/dp/B0009I96IU
http://www.tunecore.com/music/abutov
http://music.napster.com/brian-delany-starr-music/albums/12599645
http://www.rhapsody.com/brian-david-delany-starr-roxanne-price-eddie-ganzsergei-kisterov-douglas-genuard-inaya-day-masha-shirin-yakov-roi
http://www.emusic.com/artist/Brian-David-Delany-Starr-Roxanne-Price-Eddie-Gan-MP3-Download/12469122.html
http://goodnoise.com/artist/Brian-David-Delany-Starr-Wiseman-X-MP3-Download/12668885.html
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brian-David-Delany-Starr/1110462622
http://ianstarrmusic.com/id14.html
http://new.music.yahoo.com/brian-delany-starr/albums/
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/20/agriculture.employee.naacp/index.html?hpt=T1
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/07/20/lohan.jail/index.html?hpt=C2
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
"The Decision; The Reaction; The Aftermath!"
It's time to Break It Down!
Without a doubt, the biggest story in sports this week is the death, yesterday, of George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees. The Yankees…those words by themselves denote with singular distinction the preeminent icon of American Sports franchises, perhaps of all sports organizations, the world over. Steinbrenner bought the flagging franchise for $10 million in 1973. The team’s current value is estimated to be $1.6 billion. Known as The Boss, Mr. Steinbrenner's penchant for hiring, firing, and several times rehiring managers was akin to speed dating. His deep pockets approach to spending the Yankees back into relevancy, and eventual dominance, was a trait rival teams feared, respected, and more than occasionally, detested. George Michael Steinbrenner III (July 4, 1930 – July 13, 2010); May he Rest In Peace!
OK, as you likely deduced from the title, the central theme of this discourse is not about The Boss; it’s about The King, his new (basketball) court, what followed, and most important, what is still to come. If you have maintained even a basic level of consciousness over the past week, you know LeBron James is relocating from Cleveland/Akron to Miami/South Beach.
After seven years as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron exercised his right as a Free Agent to sign with another team, inking a new pact last Friday with the Miami Heat. In making a determination where he would play next year, LeBron collaborated with ESPN to conduct an elaborate news conference, loosely dubbed “The Decision.” According to various reports, 6 Franchises factored into “The Decision”:
• Chicago Bulls
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Miami Heat
• New Jersey Nets (Set to move to Brooklyn in 2012)
• New York Knicks
After what seemed an interminable lead-in interview (how long can an hour-long show last anyway?), on a telecast hosted by ESPN sports analyst Jim Gray, LeBron announced “The Decision,” which surely surprised very few viewers. He revealed, “This fall I am going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.”
All things considered, the reaction was far more spirited than the decision. In Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey and New York, fans and NBA executives responded swiftly, but with restraint and civility. They acted in a manner one might have expected, considering most if not all considered themselves long-shots. They were disappointed, and they said so, in muted, direct, and the most dignified manner they could muster. Still there was an element of drama as the NBA execs managed their disappointment artfully.
In Miami, the favorite and the eventual winner, fans partied enthusiastically into the night; visions of sugar plums replaced by fanciful images of NBA Championships, dancing in their heads. Dwayne Wade, seven years a member of the Heat, and Chris Bosh, who came to terms with the team earlier in the week beamed with excitement at the prospect of the soon to be Miami trio taking the court together. LeBron seemed more relieved than happy or excited, to have "The Decision" behind him.
Never before have three more heralded stars of the NBA universe performed as members of the same team. Wade, James, & Bosh; sounds more like a law firm than three fifths of an NBA starting unit. And therein lies the rub. These are three very talented basketball players and are certain to dazzle with an array of stylishly creative scoring and defending pyrotechnics. Yet, the game is played with 5 guys per team on the court at-a-time. The Heat now reside in the land of great expectations, and they still need 9 more players, just to complete their roster. We will soon see if Pat Riley can use prestidigitation to find even more rabbits in what must be the most oversized of hats.
If the reaction in Miami was enthusiastic and excitement-filled, in Cleveland, there was also a passionate response. Understandably, however, it was not a positive one. In fact, many Cavs’ fans were seething with unbridled rage. They were inflamed, literally in some cases, as numerous video shots captured them setting fire to LeBron James jerseys, T-Shirts, sneakers, and other paraphernalia.
Cleveland fans and some sports analysts framed “The Decision” in the same light as that of former Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell moving the team to Baltimore in the middle of the night, after the 1995 season. The fans’ reaction, though irreverent, could largely have been anticipated. Alternately, the response of team majority owner, Dan Gilbert, was remarkably strident, to have come from an NBA executive. In his “Open Letter” to Cleveland fans, Gilbert called James many things, none of them flattering. A Top-10 listing of the things Gilbert called James, includes:
• A deserter
• Narcissistic
• Self-promoting
• Cowardly
• Betrayer
• Self-titled/self-declared former king
• Disloyal homegrown chosen one
• Heartless
• Callous
• Antidote to the Cleveland Curse
Mr. Gilbert, in an effort to frame Lebron’s “Decision” in context he considered appropriately descriptive, declared James’ actions were “Unlike anything ever witnessed in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.”
In describing his own commitment to lift the Cavaliers to their proper place in the NBA hierarchy, Gilbert insisted, “If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.”
Dan Gilbert closed his epic rant by saying, “I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge, and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:
DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue.” Oh yeah, Gilbert also "promised," the Cavs would win a Championship before LeBron does.
As a casual observer, it occurs to me that had Mr. Gilbert moved proactively, rather than waiting until LeBron decided to leave, to “shift his motivation to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels,” and/or to “direct the Cavs energy, focus, capital, knowledge, and experience to delivering the fans the Championship they long deserved, and is long overdue,” the Cavaliers may already have won a Championship, and LeBron might not be bolting for South Beach. Mind you, that is just a thought.
As for the Aftermath, this one is still unfolding. In a period of less than a week, already:
• Civil Rights Activist, Jesse Jackson, accused Mr. Gilbert of acting as the owner of LeBron James, instead of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner. He suggested Gilbert’s words and tone served to treat James like a run-away slave. Mr. Jackson’s retort created its own firestorm. Jackson was widely accused of meddling, and erroneously…and needlessly injecting race into the discussion.
• Dan Gilbert has responded to Jesse Jackson’s assertion, stating in a tersely worded press release, “I strongly disagree with Rev. Jesse Jackson's recent comments and we are not going to engage in any related discussion on it. Going forward, we're very excited about the Cavaliers and the positive future of our region."
• Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban suggested the NBA should investigate the circumstances behind D-Wade, Chris Bosh, and King James all landing in Miami.
• NBA Commissioner, David Stern, fined Gilbert $100,000 for his rant, said he thought Jackson was mistaken, and indicated no formal request had been made to investigate LeBron-gate.
These matters are important, but not all-telling. The stark reality is the crux of this issue will not be resolved, or placed in its ultimate proper context until the reinvented Miami Heat take the court in November and show whether and when this grandest of NBA experiments is an idea, half or fully baked; ready for Prime Time, or not ready at all. The Heat will still have to navigate successfully the realm of the Eastern Conference, which includes their intra-state neighbors, the Orlando Magic, the talented and improving Chicago Bulls, and the defending Conference Champion Boston Celtics.
In the event the Heat melt all comers from the slate of Eastern Conference competition, chances are they will then face the reigning World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, and their own talented triumverate of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom, guided by Zen-master Phil Jackson. The Lakers, if they advance that far would be seeking an elusive Three-peat, while Jackson would be seeking a record 12th NBA Title as a coach. That is just a sampling of the challenges the Heat must overcome to begin fulfilling the promise of becoming a dynasty.
In a nutshell, that is the unvarnished truth of “The Decision; The Reaction; The Aftermath.” 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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Steinbrenner
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/13/steinbrenner.profile/index.html?hpt=C2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwyane_Wade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bosh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gilbert_(businessman)
http://www.cavstheblog.com/?p=2616
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5372266
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/13/dan-gilbert-lebron-james-_n_643930.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/www.foxsports.com/nba/story/Jesse-Jackson-responds-to-Dan-Gilbert-comments-071110
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/07/nba_commissioner_david_stern_f_1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Riley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Jackson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Scott_(basketball)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Brown_(basketball,_born_1970)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Rivers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Van_Gundy
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/416980-the-lebron-sweepstakes-2010weighing-six-teams-chances
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinny_Del_Negro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Thibodeau
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_D'Antoni
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Nets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avery_Johnson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Spoelstra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antawn_Jamison
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Cuban
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/lebron/story/index.html?id=27530
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jl7jl2YBX7M-bm-CyATytsWPmyVA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Gray_(sportscaster)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIbND_7TSQ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6tu0LXCAR0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Browns
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Modell
Without a doubt, the biggest story in sports this week is the death, yesterday, of George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees. The Yankees…those words by themselves denote with singular distinction the preeminent icon of American Sports franchises, perhaps of all sports organizations, the world over. Steinbrenner bought the flagging franchise for $10 million in 1973. The team’s current value is estimated to be $1.6 billion. Known as The Boss, Mr. Steinbrenner's penchant for hiring, firing, and several times rehiring managers was akin to speed dating. His deep pockets approach to spending the Yankees back into relevancy, and eventual dominance, was a trait rival teams feared, respected, and more than occasionally, detested. George Michael Steinbrenner III (July 4, 1930 – July 13, 2010); May he Rest In Peace!
OK, as you likely deduced from the title, the central theme of this discourse is not about The Boss; it’s about The King, his new (basketball) court, what followed, and most important, what is still to come. If you have maintained even a basic level of consciousness over the past week, you know LeBron James is relocating from Cleveland/Akron to Miami/South Beach.
After seven years as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron exercised his right as a Free Agent to sign with another team, inking a new pact last Friday with the Miami Heat. In making a determination where he would play next year, LeBron collaborated with ESPN to conduct an elaborate news conference, loosely dubbed “The Decision.” According to various reports, 6 Franchises factored into “The Decision”:
• Chicago Bulls
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Miami Heat
• New Jersey Nets (Set to move to Brooklyn in 2012)
• New York Knicks
After what seemed an interminable lead-in interview (how long can an hour-long show last anyway?), on a telecast hosted by ESPN sports analyst Jim Gray, LeBron announced “The Decision,” which surely surprised very few viewers. He revealed, “This fall I am going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.”
All things considered, the reaction was far more spirited than the decision. In Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey and New York, fans and NBA executives responded swiftly, but with restraint and civility. They acted in a manner one might have expected, considering most if not all considered themselves long-shots. They were disappointed, and they said so, in muted, direct, and the most dignified manner they could muster. Still there was an element of drama as the NBA execs managed their disappointment artfully.
In Miami, the favorite and the eventual winner, fans partied enthusiastically into the night; visions of sugar plums replaced by fanciful images of NBA Championships, dancing in their heads. Dwayne Wade, seven years a member of the Heat, and Chris Bosh, who came to terms with the team earlier in the week beamed with excitement at the prospect of the soon to be Miami trio taking the court together. LeBron seemed more relieved than happy or excited, to have "The Decision" behind him.
Never before have three more heralded stars of the NBA universe performed as members of the same team. Wade, James, & Bosh; sounds more like a law firm than three fifths of an NBA starting unit. And therein lies the rub. These are three very talented basketball players and are certain to dazzle with an array of stylishly creative scoring and defending pyrotechnics. Yet, the game is played with 5 guys per team on the court at-a-time. The Heat now reside in the land of great expectations, and they still need 9 more players, just to complete their roster. We will soon see if Pat Riley can use prestidigitation to find even more rabbits in what must be the most oversized of hats.
If the reaction in Miami was enthusiastic and excitement-filled, in Cleveland, there was also a passionate response. Understandably, however, it was not a positive one. In fact, many Cavs’ fans were seething with unbridled rage. They were inflamed, literally in some cases, as numerous video shots captured them setting fire to LeBron James jerseys, T-Shirts, sneakers, and other paraphernalia.
Cleveland fans and some sports analysts framed “The Decision” in the same light as that of former Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell moving the team to Baltimore in the middle of the night, after the 1995 season. The fans’ reaction, though irreverent, could largely have been anticipated. Alternately, the response of team majority owner, Dan Gilbert, was remarkably strident, to have come from an NBA executive. In his “Open Letter” to Cleveland fans, Gilbert called James many things, none of them flattering. A Top-10 listing of the things Gilbert called James, includes:
• A deserter
• Narcissistic
• Self-promoting
• Cowardly
• Betrayer
• Self-titled/self-declared former king
• Disloyal homegrown chosen one
• Heartless
• Callous
• Antidote to the Cleveland Curse
Mr. Gilbert, in an effort to frame Lebron’s “Decision” in context he considered appropriately descriptive, declared James’ actions were “Unlike anything ever witnessed in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.”
In describing his own commitment to lift the Cavaliers to their proper place in the NBA hierarchy, Gilbert insisted, “If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.”
Dan Gilbert closed his epic rant by saying, “I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge, and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:
DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue.” Oh yeah, Gilbert also "promised," the Cavs would win a Championship before LeBron does.
As a casual observer, it occurs to me that had Mr. Gilbert moved proactively, rather than waiting until LeBron decided to leave, to “shift his motivation to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels,” and/or to “direct the Cavs energy, focus, capital, knowledge, and experience to delivering the fans the Championship they long deserved, and is long overdue,” the Cavaliers may already have won a Championship, and LeBron might not be bolting for South Beach. Mind you, that is just a thought.
As for the Aftermath, this one is still unfolding. In a period of less than a week, already:
• Civil Rights Activist, Jesse Jackson, accused Mr. Gilbert of acting as the owner of LeBron James, instead of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner. He suggested Gilbert’s words and tone served to treat James like a run-away slave. Mr. Jackson’s retort created its own firestorm. Jackson was widely accused of meddling, and erroneously…and needlessly injecting race into the discussion.
• Dan Gilbert has responded to Jesse Jackson’s assertion, stating in a tersely worded press release, “I strongly disagree with Rev. Jesse Jackson's recent comments and we are not going to engage in any related discussion on it. Going forward, we're very excited about the Cavaliers and the positive future of our region."
• Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban suggested the NBA should investigate the circumstances behind D-Wade, Chris Bosh, and King James all landing in Miami.
• NBA Commissioner, David Stern, fined Gilbert $100,000 for his rant, said he thought Jackson was mistaken, and indicated no formal request had been made to investigate LeBron-gate.
These matters are important, but not all-telling. The stark reality is the crux of this issue will not be resolved, or placed in its ultimate proper context until the reinvented Miami Heat take the court in November and show whether and when this grandest of NBA experiments is an idea, half or fully baked; ready for Prime Time, or not ready at all. The Heat will still have to navigate successfully the realm of the Eastern Conference, which includes their intra-state neighbors, the Orlando Magic, the talented and improving Chicago Bulls, and the defending Conference Champion Boston Celtics.
In the event the Heat melt all comers from the slate of Eastern Conference competition, chances are they will then face the reigning World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, and their own talented triumverate of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom, guided by Zen-master Phil Jackson. The Lakers, if they advance that far would be seeking an elusive Three-peat, while Jackson would be seeking a record 12th NBA Title as a coach. That is just a sampling of the challenges the Heat must overcome to begin fulfilling the promise of becoming a dynasty.
In a nutshell, that is the unvarnished truth of “The Decision; The Reaction; The Aftermath.” 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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Steinbrenner
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/13/steinbrenner.profile/index.html?hpt=C2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeBron_James
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwyane_Wade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bosh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gilbert_(businessman)
http://www.cavstheblog.com/?p=2616
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5372266
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/13/dan-gilbert-lebron-james-_n_643930.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/www.foxsports.com/nba/story/Jesse-Jackson-responds-to-Dan-Gilbert-comments-071110
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/07/nba_commissioner_david_stern_f_1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Riley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Cavaliers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Heat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Jackson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Scott_(basketball)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Brown_(basketball,_born_1970)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Celtics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Rivers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Magic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Van_Gundy
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/416980-the-lebron-sweepstakes-2010weighing-six-teams-chances
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Clippers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinny_Del_Negro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Thibodeau
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Knicks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_D'Antoni
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Nets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avery_Johnson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Spoelstra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antawn_Jamison
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Mavericks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Cuban
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/lebron/story/index.html?id=27530
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jl7jl2YBX7M-bm-CyATytsWPmyVA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Gray_(sportscaster)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIbND_7TSQ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6tu0LXCAR0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Browns
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Modell
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Paradoxical Nature of an Anti-Obama Rant
It's time to Break It Down!
The French writer, Victor Hugo, is credited with having coined the phrase, “Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.” That is akin to the way “Believers” view Barack Obama’s rise to the Presidency. Of course non-believers hold a different view. More accurately, they hold a variety of different views, but make no mistake about the essential point; the view, no matter what it is, differs from the notion President Obama was anointed for the Office of the Presidency.
On the way to his becoming President, and certainly after the fact, Mr. Obama’s detractors affixed a variety of titles, intended to disparage him, his candidacy, and his Presidency. One could devise a lengthy example of slams and slurs. Just to provide a sampling, I will assemble a Letterman-like Top 10. The following list is not intended to represent a definitive 10 most-used, but rather, as noted, serves as an example. This list includes:
• 10) Tax and spend liberal
• 9) Community organizer
• 8) Terrorist sympathizer
• 7) Politically inexperienced
• 6) Naïve about wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
• 5) Selling out Israel
• 4) Focused on Healthcare instead of jobs
• 3) Shakedown artist (Re: the BP Oil Spill)
• 2) Barack the Magic Negro (My personal favorite)
• 1) Socialist (Last but not least)
The list spans the continuum, and projects issues of ideology, character, savvy, intelligence, snobbery, and race consciousness, at a minimum. Each of the ten items could support a blog discourse, in its own right. For the purpose of today’s discussion, however, I am going to make a few points about just one item, Number 1 of course.
One of the hallmark cries, made familiar during the 2008 Presidential Campaign, and a label that managed to successfully transition from the days of the campaign to Mr. Obama’s Presidency is the assertion that Barack Obama is a Socialist. When I was a child, my parents consistently challenged me to avoid the use of course language. They argued, often in vain, I can now admit, that the use of expletives, curse words, in the vernacular of the street, was a sign of a lack of intellectual vigor. In essence, they contended that it revealed a lack of imagination, innovation, creativity, and intellect.
As I consider the name calling directed at then candidate, and now President Obama, I am reminded of the advisories of both Hugo, and my parents. First, in a basic sort of way, Barack Obama was the answer to the compelling question of the moment; his candidacy, an idea whose time had come. But further, his detractors, largely bereft of big ideas to offer as counterpoints to those presented by Mr. Obama, were reduced to injecting the game with course language, expletives, profanity/curse words, and other disparaging names.
So it is that I made Socialist the top item on the list. As you might infer from the title, I see an acute irony in that piece of intended condescension. If you were to ask a Socialist if Mr. Obama is a member of their body, the likely answer is no. Mr. Obama’s boldest domestic moves to date, the Financial Bailout, The Automobile Industry Bailout, and Healthcare Reform all aimed to help corporate interests retain control of their financial and economic interests; they did not purport to transfer those interests to the people, as Socialism would dictate.
Even Ron Paul, Republican Congressman from Texas, and one of Mr. Obama’s sharpest critics has conceded President Obama is not a Socialist. Congressman Paul suggests that if labeled, Mr. Obama should be called a Corporatist, for the reasons noted above. It should be added that Paul, a physician, brings more of an intellectual bent to his assessment than many who make the Socialist argument. To be sure, this creative appellation is not a compliment, but it does denote a clear understanding of what a Socialist is…and is not.
Moreover, there is a gaping Black Hole in the Socialism as anathema gambit. After all, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits, and public education, are all staples of the life and lifestyle we have come to know and love as Americans. These institutions are as American as apple pie, and they predate, not only Mr. Obama’s Presidency…but his birth also. As the fellas on the block might say, “What up with that?”
Finally, as we enter the 80th day of The Great BP Spill, you may be aware that everyone from CNN Talking Head, Anderson Cooper, to former Alaska Governor, and unsuccessful Vice Presidential Candidate, Sarah Palin have castigated President Obama for failing to sufficiently curb the excesses of BP’s stalling, deflecting, and otherwise evading its responsibility to eliminate The Spill, which has become the worst manmade environmental catastrophic disaster in American history. There really is only one (very major) thing wrong with this line of thinking. If the President were to personally trump BP, and take an action(s) that resulted in ending the spill, it would fly in the face of the Free Marketers’ arguments. It would in effect epitomize executing the very principles inherent in “The Paradoxical Nature of An Anti-Obama Rant!” He would become a Socialist, at least for the moment.
Of course the fact that there is a great hue and cry calling for Mr. Obama to do the very thing he has been vilified for representing all along is par for the course. On Thursday, June 17, 2010, another Texas Congressman, Representative Joe Barton, apologized to BP CEO, Tony Hayward for "President Obama’s $20 Billion shakedown." This took place in televised hearings by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and was intended to embarrass Mr. Obama for his role in the process of dealing with the BP Spill. Congressman Barton was ultimately persuaded by his own Republican colleagues to retract his ill-timed remarks. His comments were made in spite of the fact that President Obama was integral in Mr. Hayward agreeing to have BP set up the Fund to repay claims to Gulf Coast residents. In summary, groups who contend the President is not doing enough, try, consistently, to discredit accomplishments he does make. Go figure!
So what have we learned today? Simple; we know now, when people hurl the S-word (for Socialist) at Barack Obama:
• It is not because he is one. Practicing Socialists say he is not.
• It is not because as Americans, we disavow anything that reeks of Socialism. On the contrary, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits, and public education are integral to our way of life.
• It is not a reflection of persons having chosen to rely upon imagination, innovation, creativity, and intellect
• It is an indication of what happens when the powerful force of an idea whose time has come is confronted by course language, expletives, curse words, and other disparaging names
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.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1R2ADFA_enUS382&q=obama+socialist&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=4_wzTP-iKoH98AaLjs38Ag&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQsAQwAA
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/14/Obama.socialist/index.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/The-Daily-Reckoning/2010/0429/Ron-Paul-Obama-s-not-Socialist-he-s-Corporatist
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,590532,00.html
http://deanesmay.com/2010/04/16/is-obama-a-socialist/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/13/AR2009031301899.html
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28645
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124359632
http://dailycaller.com/2010/02/01/a-tricky-question-is-obama-a-socialist/
http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/is-obama-a-socialist/#
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/06/70s-board-game-contains-eerie-bp-oil-spill-scenarios/?hpt=Sbin
http://www.slate.com/id/2256920
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/why-obama-should-put-bp-u_b_595346.html
http://www.kansan.com/news/2010/jun/21/robinson-bp-obama-should-take-responsibility/
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2010/06/local_readers_criticize_presid.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_the_Magic_Negro
http://newsone.com/obama/casey-gane-mccalla/top-10-racist-limbaugh-quotes/
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/economy/commentary-mainmenu-43/3303-ron-paul-obama-is-another-corporatist-not-a-socialist
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100617/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill_bp_s_ally
The French writer, Victor Hugo, is credited with having coined the phrase, “Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.” That is akin to the way “Believers” view Barack Obama’s rise to the Presidency. Of course non-believers hold a different view. More accurately, they hold a variety of different views, but make no mistake about the essential point; the view, no matter what it is, differs from the notion President Obama was anointed for the Office of the Presidency.
On the way to his becoming President, and certainly after the fact, Mr. Obama’s detractors affixed a variety of titles, intended to disparage him, his candidacy, and his Presidency. One could devise a lengthy example of slams and slurs. Just to provide a sampling, I will assemble a Letterman-like Top 10. The following list is not intended to represent a definitive 10 most-used, but rather, as noted, serves as an example. This list includes:
• 10) Tax and spend liberal
• 9) Community organizer
• 8) Terrorist sympathizer
• 7) Politically inexperienced
• 6) Naïve about wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
• 5) Selling out Israel
• 4) Focused on Healthcare instead of jobs
• 3) Shakedown artist (Re: the BP Oil Spill)
• 2) Barack the Magic Negro (My personal favorite)
• 1) Socialist (Last but not least)
The list spans the continuum, and projects issues of ideology, character, savvy, intelligence, snobbery, and race consciousness, at a minimum. Each of the ten items could support a blog discourse, in its own right. For the purpose of today’s discussion, however, I am going to make a few points about just one item, Number 1 of course.
One of the hallmark cries, made familiar during the 2008 Presidential Campaign, and a label that managed to successfully transition from the days of the campaign to Mr. Obama’s Presidency is the assertion that Barack Obama is a Socialist. When I was a child, my parents consistently challenged me to avoid the use of course language. They argued, often in vain, I can now admit, that the use of expletives, curse words, in the vernacular of the street, was a sign of a lack of intellectual vigor. In essence, they contended that it revealed a lack of imagination, innovation, creativity, and intellect.
As I consider the name calling directed at then candidate, and now President Obama, I am reminded of the advisories of both Hugo, and my parents. First, in a basic sort of way, Barack Obama was the answer to the compelling question of the moment; his candidacy, an idea whose time had come. But further, his detractors, largely bereft of big ideas to offer as counterpoints to those presented by Mr. Obama, were reduced to injecting the game with course language, expletives, profanity/curse words, and other disparaging names.
So it is that I made Socialist the top item on the list. As you might infer from the title, I see an acute irony in that piece of intended condescension. If you were to ask a Socialist if Mr. Obama is a member of their body, the likely answer is no. Mr. Obama’s boldest domestic moves to date, the Financial Bailout, The Automobile Industry Bailout, and Healthcare Reform all aimed to help corporate interests retain control of their financial and economic interests; they did not purport to transfer those interests to the people, as Socialism would dictate.
Even Ron Paul, Republican Congressman from Texas, and one of Mr. Obama’s sharpest critics has conceded President Obama is not a Socialist. Congressman Paul suggests that if labeled, Mr. Obama should be called a Corporatist, for the reasons noted above. It should be added that Paul, a physician, brings more of an intellectual bent to his assessment than many who make the Socialist argument. To be sure, this creative appellation is not a compliment, but it does denote a clear understanding of what a Socialist is…and is not.
Moreover, there is a gaping Black Hole in the Socialism as anathema gambit. After all, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits, and public education, are all staples of the life and lifestyle we have come to know and love as Americans. These institutions are as American as apple pie, and they predate, not only Mr. Obama’s Presidency…but his birth also. As the fellas on the block might say, “What up with that?”
Finally, as we enter the 80th day of The Great BP Spill, you may be aware that everyone from CNN Talking Head, Anderson Cooper, to former Alaska Governor, and unsuccessful Vice Presidential Candidate, Sarah Palin have castigated President Obama for failing to sufficiently curb the excesses of BP’s stalling, deflecting, and otherwise evading its responsibility to eliminate The Spill, which has become the worst manmade environmental catastrophic disaster in American history. There really is only one (very major) thing wrong with this line of thinking. If the President were to personally trump BP, and take an action(s) that resulted in ending the spill, it would fly in the face of the Free Marketers’ arguments. It would in effect epitomize executing the very principles inherent in “The Paradoxical Nature of An Anti-Obama Rant!” He would become a Socialist, at least for the moment.
Of course the fact that there is a great hue and cry calling for Mr. Obama to do the very thing he has been vilified for representing all along is par for the course. On Thursday, June 17, 2010, another Texas Congressman, Representative Joe Barton, apologized to BP CEO, Tony Hayward for "President Obama’s $20 Billion shakedown." This took place in televised hearings by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and was intended to embarrass Mr. Obama for his role in the process of dealing with the BP Spill. Congressman Barton was ultimately persuaded by his own Republican colleagues to retract his ill-timed remarks. His comments were made in spite of the fact that President Obama was integral in Mr. Hayward agreeing to have BP set up the Fund to repay claims to Gulf Coast residents. In summary, groups who contend the President is not doing enough, try, consistently, to discredit accomplishments he does make. Go figure!
So what have we learned today? Simple; we know now, when people hurl the S-word (for Socialist) at Barack Obama:
• It is not because he is one. Practicing Socialists say he is not.
• It is not because as Americans, we disavow anything that reeks of Socialism. On the contrary, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits, and public education are integral to our way of life.
• It is not a reflection of persons having chosen to rely upon imagination, innovation, creativity, and intellect
• It is an indication of what happens when the powerful force of an idea whose time has come is confronted by course language, expletives, curse words, and other disparaging names
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.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1R2ADFA_enUS382&q=obama+socialist&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=4_wzTP-iKoH98AaLjs38Ag&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQsAQwAA
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/14/Obama.socialist/index.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/The-Daily-Reckoning/2010/0429/Ron-Paul-Obama-s-not-Socialist-he-s-Corporatist
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,590532,00.html
http://deanesmay.com/2010/04/16/is-obama-a-socialist/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/13/AR2009031301899.html
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28645
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124359632
http://dailycaller.com/2010/02/01/a-tricky-question-is-obama-a-socialist/
http://www.thefreemanonline.org/headline/is-obama-a-socialist/#
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/06/70s-board-game-contains-eerie-bp-oil-spill-scenarios/?hpt=Sbin
http://www.slate.com/id/2256920
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/why-obama-should-put-bp-u_b_595346.html
http://www.kansan.com/news/2010/jun/21/robinson-bp-obama-should-take-responsibility/
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/jackson/index.ssf/2010/06/local_readers_criticize_presid.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_the_Magic_Negro
http://newsone.com/obama/casey-gane-mccalla/top-10-racist-limbaugh-quotes/
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/economy/commentary-mainmenu-43/3303-ron-paul-obama-is-another-corporatist-not-a-socialist
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100617/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill_bp_s_ally
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