5th Anniversary Edition
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BREAK IT DOWN!
Tempest fugit (Time Flies)! Monday was another significant milestone in the life and development of “Break It Down!” I initiated this blog August 20, 2007, on a lark…almost a dare. That was Five years (and 268 editions) ago. Having related the story several times over the past several years, I will not repeat the details today.
I will note that on that summer’s eve, I contemplated, in 5 paragraphs, the experience, in reality the lack thereof, of then Senator Barack Obama, as he navigated the early stages of his historic Presidential Campaign. The prodigious parameters of that history were not evident at the time. To be sure, over the next 14 ½ months, he bested the odds and won not only the Democratic Nomination, but the Presidency. In so doing, my lack of conviction, and that of many others in Mr. Obama’s ability to claim the nation’s biggest political prize was laid bare as a patently errant assessment.
Briefly, before moving on to the gist of today’s topics, I want to make one more note about the blog. Effective this issue, I am rolling out a new host site; WordPress. The link, http://TheSphinxofCharlotte.com is simpler and more straightforward than the Blogger (Blogspot) link, http://TheSphinxofCharlotte.blogspot.com. The site design and presentation at Word Press, while still under construction, is cleaner, less busy than the one at Blogger. Please note, while Break It Down! may eventually migrate exclusively to WordPress, the blog will remain available at both sites for the foreseeable future..
Having established that evolutionary developments of the blog, fast forward five years and we find ourselves on the cusps of yet another Presidential Election; 76 days and counting. As the Republican and Democratic Conventions convene over the next two weeks, we will emerge after Labor Day in what is considered the traditional “heat of the campaign.”
But lest we get ahead of ourselves, this week has proven huge in generating big picture, thematic issues; particularly as it relates to women and their views. Two in particular that stand out are:
- Missouri
Representative Todd Akin made a controversial statement using the term
“legitimate rape”
- The
venerable Augusta National Golf Club, home to The Masters, announced the
admission of its first two female members, former Secretary of State,
Condoleezza Rice, and South Carolina businesswoman, Darla Moore
For different reasons, both
of these events have significant implications, and the potential to alter their
respective landscapes. In the first case, the story is largely of a
political nature. It developed suddenly,
and with great fury.
It appears Mr. Akin’s untimely and untoward comments resulted in unsettling
the Republican establishment, just at
the time when the Party is attempting
to consolidate its message in preparation for the National Convention, which begins Monday in Tampa , Florida
Republican
mainstays from Mitt Romney, presumed Presidential
nominee, to Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee Chair, to Scott Brown, GOP Senator from Massachusetts
have all asked, encouraged, or suggested that Akin, a candidate for the contested Senate seat in Missouri,
step aside. Yesterday at 5:00 p.m. was the deadline for the Congressman to simply withdraw without
additional costs and legal wrangling.
Undoubtedly Mr. Akin heard
the cries; just as clearly he declined.
In the interim, he has
apologized, and asked forgiveness.
Despite the appeals of almost everyone in the GOP holding any official capacity, he has indicated he will cast
his lot with the voters who elected him in the Primary. A number of analysts believe he will still
opt out next month prior to the second deadline (September 25th),
if for no other reason; because all official funding sources have
evaporated. He is in effect, politically
radioactive.
In short, I view this as an
amazing development. In the wake of
recent shootings in Colorado
and Wisconsin
But what of the First Amendment? Does Mr.
Akin lose his right to “freedom of speech”
just because he spoke stupidly, or irresponsibly, or unscientifically? Methinks not.
Rather, I believe, his former allies abandoned him not for the high-minded principle of Constitutional purity, but because in
light of his gauche faux pas and noxious commentary, the GOP’s
confidence that it can win Missouri
Suffice it to say, the fact that
Mr. Akin had the occasion to have co-sponsored a bill with now Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan that included the language “forcible rape,” is also a point of grave concern.
As the Party attempts to
escape the Kryptonite that is Akin, the last thing it needs, wants, or
feels it can tolerate, is to have the Number
2 guy on the Ticket irrevocably
tied to a man who is now by most accounts viewed universally in GOP circles as a pariah.
This situation is one that bears
watching in the coming weeks.
In the second instance, the
story has been developing, building, and marinating
for a decade. In 2002, Martha Burk initiated
a protest of Augusta National. The action was a catalyst that would eventually lead to the Club producing the 2003 Masters without commercials, as a number
of sponsors declined to support the event.
Augusta National is without question one of the most famous golf courses in America
The Club, like many has a long history of various forms of exclusivity
(AKA discrimination), admitting its
first black in 1990. Long time Chairman of the Club, and of the Masters,
Clifford Roberts is quoted as having
once said, "As long as I'm alive, all
the golfers will be white and all the caddies will be black."
In deed, Lee Elder was the first African American to play the Masters, doing so in 1975.
For the record, Roberts
committed suicide at Augusta National
in 1977. He had been ill for several months. There is no word that there was any
correlation between Robert’s death
and Elder’s having played in the Masters.
However, in what is a notable development, Augusta National did not invite its first black to become a member until 1990.
That the Augusta National chose to invite two females to accept membership Monday, the
same day Mr. Akin’s “legitimate rape” comments hit the
airways was an ironic “Daily Double,”
of a twist. Arguably, just more evidence
the universe unfolds in a way as to seek balance; “Thumbs-up” for Augusta
National, “Thumbs-down” for Todd Akin.
So there you have it…Double Play: “Legitimate Rape” & AugustaNational Shows Its Feminine Side!
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.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/sports/golf/condoleezza-rice-joins-augusta-national-golf-club.html
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1 comment:
Congratulations Alpha Heel on your Fifth Anniversary milestone. I have enjoyed each and every one of your blog posts. I only ask that you be more selective with your guest posts (lol) and NEVER, EVER invite me to fill that space!
I'm known to say that "you just can't make stuff up" and the President echoed that this week in his press conference. I smiled from ear to ear because truer words have never been spoken.
The Romney team along with his supporters manage to knock the "make stuff up" ball out of the park damn near every day! I shake my head in amazement that they are still in the game.
But, that's what your blog has taught me over the years: 1) Don't underestimate people 2) There is no limit or statutory limitation on stupidity 3) Every cloud has a silver lining 4) Grace and Mercy trumps all!!!!
Keep up the good work, my friend and dear brother!
You make us proud!
Larry
(My family member's heart skip a beat when I sign "LA" for inside of the family reasons...LOL!)
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