Monday, January 31, 2005

Maxine Waters

Maxine Waters was on c-span on 1/27/05 and she reminded me why I am no longer liberal. She said that she was against privitization of social security, stating that “the President is describing a problem that does not exist.” She considers placing retirement money on Wall Street as “gambling.” Putting it in the hands of liberal congressmen is a losing bet if ever there was one.

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Bravo!

What a thrill to watch the people of Iraq defy the critics and the terrorists and express themselves at the polls today.

God bless the people of Iraq.

Thursday, January 27, 2005

Winning the Race

Losing the Race by John Mc Whorter tells us that anti-intellectualism, victimology and separatism hobble black people in the race of life. The young man named Ryan featured in A Big Scientific Breakthrough is clearly a winner.

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

More on the elections in Iraq

One bit of data on the elections in Iraq that I am interested in is the percentage of eligible voters who vote. I look forward to comparing it to eligible voter turn-out in America. If they are comparable or if the Iraqis do better than us, then some of the arguments against the validity of this election will be silenced.

I am encouraged by a poll done by the Iraq Foundation. It was completed in December 2004. 2/3rds of Iraqis believe that Iraq will be ready to hold elections on 1/31/2005. Encouraging.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Elections in Iraq

While listening to Bill Bennett’s Morning in America talk show today, I was thrilled to hear that Bill will have Karl Zinsmeister on this Friday and Monday or Tuesday to bracket the elections in Iraq. I read Boots on the Ground and Dawn Over Baghdad and enjoyed Karl’s more balanced perspective on the war there.

It was also enlightening to hear Jay Matthews from the Washington Post talk about the good news in education, particularly the KIPP's. The Thernstroms offered lots of data on education in their book No Excuses. Jay Matthews reflected some of their incites with his comments today, particularly when he talked about Jaime Escalante.

I hope that the folks at "Morning in America" will create an icon that I can stick on this blog. I am a big fan. Bush has a "Blogs for Bush" icon. Bill Bennett should have one as well.


Monday, January 24, 2005

Black Taliban

Much was made of Julian Bond’s comment about the “Taliban Wing of the Republican Party,” especially in light of Kwiesi Mfume’s departure from the NAACP. What is not discussed is the Taliban wing of the Black community- a damaged wing that stifles progress like any other retrogressive regime. It is not centrally organized, but its cells exert a powerful influence on the thoughts, beliefs and actions of many in this country.

If there is any doubt as to the extent of its influence, one need look no further than the past two elections where President George W. Bush received between 8 and 12% of the Black vote. The Black Taliban strongly discourages voting for Republicans or even supporting Republican causes. A verbal public flogging is the punishment for disobedience.

How does it operate? Through various committees that meet in secret while the rest of America sleeps. One won’t see a minaret nor hear the call to prayer, but the broadcast of the call to compliance with the party line is no less effective. The Mullahs preach their sermons in op/ed articles, by politicians, on some talk radio shows and in barber shops. There we are told how to think and how to behave. We are also told to avoid books at all costs in favor of televisions – preferably those with big screens.

The Black Taliban has an Immigration and Excommunication Service that works to determine the veracity of a given person’s blackness. “Keep it Real” is its motto. Ward Connerly and Clarence Thomas have been sent to exile after breaking the Oreo Statute. Condolezza Rice is before the tribunal. Bill Cosby got a verbal reprimand (while the silent black majority tacitly nodded in agreement with his comment). A public nod is acceptable by the enforcers of the party line, but it must be accompanied by a grim face. Guys in white Toyota crew-cab pickups (as seen in Iran) with 22-inch rims will give you the evil eye if you enthusiastically affirm Dr. Cosby’s comments.

The TCLU (Taliban Civil Liberties Union) shows up whenever a Black person is roughed up by the police to ensure that all evidence is collected and then selectively attended to. Resisting arrest is ignored, because Black people never do that. The10 vials of crack cocaine fall out of the victim’s pocket are deemed irrelevant. DNA? Please. The gloves didn’t fit.

The Exile Committee requires that Black people never forget that this is not our home and that we cannot feel comfortable in America until every single solitary racists act and. miniscule slight is removed. This committee recommends that white women cut their hair short so that they won’t accidentally fling it in the direction of an ever-vigilant committee member. They also assert that life for Black people is better in Utopia, but they just can’t seem to place it on the map.

The Truth about Whitey Committee reminds us that almost every white person is racist at heart. All one has to do is look in his closet to see the Klansman’s sheets sitting next to the fire hose. When “White Folks” are sent the message (from different minarets), they will drop what they are doing, don their robes, grab their hoses and blast us. The Afghani Taliban preferred a simpler, more medieval time. The Black Taliban is sure that it is still 1905, not 2005. “Nothing has changed” is their lament.

The Trite Rhetoric Committee publishes high-sounding statements but holds no one to task for their implementation. It pronounces that “Our children are our future” but does not challenge absentee mothers and fathers. It also fights school choice and does not tell us that the best after school program ever conceived is dinner with family, then homework, then bed. It insists that we descended from “Kings and Queens.” All of us have royal lineage? I guess none of us descended from thieves, beggars and village idiots.


There are more committees. Once the ink dries on this, I am sure that the Dirty Laundry Committee will pay me a visit. Perhaps their future as an entity will be brief. One can only hope that the Talibs will be gently pushed aside and allow a truly progressive regime to take hold.

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Go Eagles

Not only do the Falcons have to face the Phildelphia Eagles, but another bird of prey will be hurting them as well: "The Hawk." For those who don't know, "The Hawk"is an icy, biting wind that cuts through your clothes.

I am certain that the Eagles and The Hawk (the 13th man) will make the Falcolns wish they never left Hotlanta.

Saturday, January 22, 2005

Pipeline

It seems like a very long time since one of those pipelines in Iraq was damaged by anyone. I wonder why? Could it be that the place is getting more secure by the day? I think so.

I hope Bill Bennett has Karl Zinsmeister on his show on Monday January 31, the day after the elections in Iraq. We'll see.

Friday, January 21, 2005

Daddy duty

Last night, my son asked that I read The Adventures of Sugar and Junior for the second night in a row. It's a good story, so we read it again. I have read to him nearly every night for the past 5 + years. I want a literate son who can take advantage of all that is available in the world.

Books are all over our house. We won't have secrets kept from us. An old saying goes "the best way to keep a secret from a black person is to put it in the pages of a book." That won't happen in my house, a place where I have some control.

Thursday, January 20, 2005

XM

Thank goodness for Bill Bennett's "Morning in America" . I listen to him on XM channel 166. I like his style; conservative without being apocolyptic. He presents his views without making fun of those with whom he differs. No overheated rhetoric. Just common sense. He does not have to resort to theatrics because he beleives his point of view. No ugly schtick.

Confirm Condi

Condolezza Rice needs to get confirmed so that she can get to work as our senior diplomat. Barbara Boxer needs to stop sparring with W through Condolezza. Your side lost, Senator Boxer. Swallow your sour grapes and move on.

Day 1

Black and formerly liberal, I have little energy for black folks who think that the only acceptable politics for a black person is liberal. I can't say I am conservative either, but I am conservative on certain topics. I happen to believe that William H. Johnson did us all a great service when he penned the following:

If it is to be, it is up to me.
I just don't see the point of holding my breath until every vestige of racism is eradicated from this country. I like to keep moving. Optimist. Where I am, it is always Sunny and 75 degrees.

Current wish list:
privatization of social security
school choice
expansion of free markets
simplification of the tax code

Still working my way through Dawn Over Baghdad. I loved Karl Zinsmeister's previous book, Boots on the Ground. I am glad that we are in Iraq. I look forward to the elections there later this month. If we are patient and persevere, we will improve our lives and the life of the average Iraqi.