I recently had a discussion on Facebook that started off with Republican sour grapes, then went to czars (a term of no importance), and ended with teaching homosexuality in schools.
Let me have disclosure. I have no kids so I can't begin to understand how parents attempt to protect the information flow to their childrend (that is another topic in and of itself).
My right leaning friends said that President Obama's School Czar was promoting a homosexual agenda (http://tinyurl.com/yab5pyd). I took an open mind and read the article and looked at some of the books that were recommened.
My response is, what is wrong with trying to promote acceptance, diversity, and equal rights for all? The excerpts that were taken, were just that, excerpts. One paragraph out of two hundred plus pages with no context whatsoever. I could think that Romeo was sexually harassing Juliet if I only read certain sentences and not the entire story.
I ask you this. There once was a book that was villified when it was released. It told the story of a young white male who befriended a Negro slave and had subsequent adventures in the deep south. The book was Huck Finn. At the time, it was said that this book showed how the Negro mind would poison the innocent white male. That the Negro could never show emotional intellegence or any intelligence for that matter. In retrospect it was much ado about nothing. The story promotes tolerance, acceptance, and moving beyond petty differences like skin color.
We need to get over whatever initial discomfort we may have about a subject and look at things objectively and work to move forward.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
14 January 2010
13 January 2010
Haiti, cause du jour, and avatars
I was a work when I began to get tweets about the earthquake. Unfortunately, I couldn't get immediate news because I work retail and my store is not equiped for it.
First, let me say this, it reaffirms my faith in humanity, when we as a species, can unite to focus our powers on good, amazing things can happen.
My main concern is what happens in February? What happens when the next national or global crises occurs? What happens when a new avatar appears for everyone on Twitter? Will Haiti be forgotten?
Catastrophes occur. Doesn't matter on the country location or the people. The real issue is how is a country/nation prepared to address the problem. Haiti has no infrastructure to speak of, minimal natural resources, and no clear plan to execute to get better.
This is the real problem. Will Haiti be forgotton once America starts winning gold medals and Apple releases the iTablet or will we continue to invest in these people and nation to make them better and self-sufficient.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
First, let me say this, it reaffirms my faith in humanity, when we as a species, can unite to focus our powers on good, amazing things can happen.
My main concern is what happens in February? What happens when the next national or global crises occurs? What happens when a new avatar appears for everyone on Twitter? Will Haiti be forgotten?
Catastrophes occur. Doesn't matter on the country location or the people. The real issue is how is a country/nation prepared to address the problem. Haiti has no infrastructure to speak of, minimal natural resources, and no clear plan to execute to get better.
This is the real problem. Will Haiti be forgotton once America starts winning gold medals and Apple releases the iTablet or will we continue to invest in these people and nation to make them better and self-sufficient.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
13 December 2009
Tiger, Eldrick, and the World
Here is my two cents on the Tiger Woods issue. We only know Tiger Woods. We know the man who wears a red shirt on Sundays, is a fantastic golfer, and an arrogant asshole (as are most great athelets). Not one of us knows who Eldrick Woods is. Apparently Eldrick likes the ladies. Very similar to John Edwards, Bill Clinton, Kobe Bryant, Jack Welch, and whomever else is famous and got caught cheating.
We only know the public personality that they allow us to see. Underneath it all, they are human beings, which means that they are fallable and will and have made mistakes. It is no ones place to judge and convict them in the court of public opinion.
There are real and significant issues that need to be addressed world wide. Starting with AIDS in the underdeveloped world, the hatred being spewed across the planet against different races and religions, the persecution of women in the middle east, drug kidnappings in Mexico, and the inability of America to take care of its poor and downtrodden are just a few of the things that require our attention and energies.
Yet, we waste time and effort worrying about Eldrick hooking up with a few women while being married. Let Elin handle that.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
We only know the public personality that they allow us to see. Underneath it all, they are human beings, which means that they are fallable and will and have made mistakes. It is no ones place to judge and convict them in the court of public opinion.
There are real and significant issues that need to be addressed world wide. Starting with AIDS in the underdeveloped world, the hatred being spewed across the planet against different races and religions, the persecution of women in the middle east, drug kidnappings in Mexico, and the inability of America to take care of its poor and downtrodden are just a few of the things that require our attention and energies.
Yet, we waste time and effort worrying about Eldrick hooking up with a few women while being married. Let Elin handle that.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
17 November 2009
Sarah Palin going forward
I consider myself forward thinking and really view political labels as silly and irrelevant. Though I disagree with most of her stances on almost every issue, I believe she is an intelligent woman who is getting underestimated by a lot of people.
With that in mind, I am reading her book, and posted such on Facebook. I wasn't surprised as to what I saw in response. I am stupid, she is a dumb bitch, and on and on and on.
It really bothers me that such an intelligent group of individuals can fail to recognize that clearly she has a skill set and an attractive quality which has caused a lot of individuals to gravitate to her leadership.
I am not saying she is right or wrong, what I am saying is that you all should read her book, do your own due dillegence and make the decision for yourselves.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
With that in mind, I am reading her book, and posted such on Facebook. I wasn't surprised as to what I saw in response. I am stupid, she is a dumb bitch, and on and on and on.
It really bothers me that such an intelligent group of individuals can fail to recognize that clearly she has a skill set and an attractive quality which has caused a lot of individuals to gravitate to her leadership.
I am not saying she is right or wrong, what I am saying is that you all should read her book, do your own due dillegence and make the decision for yourselves.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
05 November 2009
Its been a while
I have spent the last several months going through a serious transition.
I left San Francisco and within a month, moved down to Long Beach with my girlfriend. New job, new place to reside, and a new life.
This is the true essensce of the United States of America. The ability to be mobile, talented, and willing to do what it takes to move forward. The United States of America is not a place to be critical and not offering any solutions. We move forward together or we do not move forward at all.
I have spent quite a bit of time on Twitter. Here is my issue. Everyone has a voice and that voice deserves a spot to be heard. I do not pass judgement on someone's right to say their viewpoint. However, that does not give anyone the ability to speak with venom, hatred, and bluntly pure ignorance. Here is a list of a few statements that I have run into
1. President Obama is a socialist.
2. If you are a Democrat/Liberal you are what is wrong with this country.
3. President Obama is a not our president.
4. This is no longer America.
5. There is a homosexual agenda.
I read such statements and attempt to engage but only get anger in return. Most recently I read the following statement, 'every city needs a good hanging tree'. As a Black American, that simple statement references one thing only. Trees that were used to lynch Black American's. Why would you type such a thing? Is it to drive traffic to your website? Do you believe such a thing? Are you purely seeking attention?
I want to believe in the best of humanity and I know I am not alone. Right now, my soul is tired and weary and I am losing faith.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
I left San Francisco and within a month, moved down to Long Beach with my girlfriend. New job, new place to reside, and a new life.
This is the true essensce of the United States of America. The ability to be mobile, talented, and willing to do what it takes to move forward. The United States of America is not a place to be critical and not offering any solutions. We move forward together or we do not move forward at all.
I have spent quite a bit of time on Twitter. Here is my issue. Everyone has a voice and that voice deserves a spot to be heard. I do not pass judgement on someone's right to say their viewpoint. However, that does not give anyone the ability to speak with venom, hatred, and bluntly pure ignorance. Here is a list of a few statements that I have run into
1. President Obama is a socialist.
2. If you are a Democrat/Liberal you are what is wrong with this country.
3. President Obama is a not our president.
4. This is no longer America.
5. There is a homosexual agenda.
I read such statements and attempt to engage but only get anger in return. Most recently I read the following statement, 'every city needs a good hanging tree'. As a Black American, that simple statement references one thing only. Trees that were used to lynch Black American's. Why would you type such a thing? Is it to drive traffic to your website? Do you believe such a thing? Are you purely seeking attention?
I want to believe in the best of humanity and I know I am not alone. Right now, my soul is tired and weary and I am losing faith.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
07 September 2009
The First of Many
This is my first attempt at a blog. I am doing this for no other reason that to express myself. My biggest frustration right now is the current igrnoance that is pervasive throughout our country and planet.
I hear and watch people claim to 'want America that I grew up in back', 'I want to return to the Framer's intent', 'we want a smaller, less intrusive government', and so forth. This will never happen again. To use an appropriate common phrase, 'the genie is out of the bottle'.
Time waits for no one, no country, or institution. The only constant in this world is change as we move forward. The America of 1900, 1910, 1930, 1965, 1989, 2000, 2008, and September 3, 2009 will not exist anymore. To blind ourselves to this fact and continually look in the past, is to prevent an honest assessment of the future.
The Constitution address a handful of states, 13 to be exact. Currently we have 50 states. The Constitution is a working, dynamic document meant to grow and change as seen fit. Strict Constitutionalism restricts the growth, development, and adaptability of our nation and rights. America was born to as a dynamic Country that change as problems addressed themselves, not withdraws into self, like Iran, Russia, China, and other totalitarian regressive oppresive governments and nations.
We have to remember, we are, for better or for worse, on this planet and in this country together.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
I hear and watch people claim to 'want America that I grew up in back', 'I want to return to the Framer's intent', 'we want a smaller, less intrusive government', and so forth. This will never happen again. To use an appropriate common phrase, 'the genie is out of the bottle'.
Time waits for no one, no country, or institution. The only constant in this world is change as we move forward. The America of 1900, 1910, 1930, 1965, 1989, 2000, 2008, and September 3, 2009 will not exist anymore. To blind ourselves to this fact and continually look in the past, is to prevent an honest assessment of the future.
The Constitution address a handful of states, 13 to be exact. Currently we have 50 states. The Constitution is a working, dynamic document meant to grow and change as seen fit. Strict Constitutionalism restricts the growth, development, and adaptability of our nation and rights. America was born to as a dynamic Country that change as problems addressed themselves, not withdraws into self, like Iran, Russia, China, and other totalitarian regressive oppresive governments and nations.
We have to remember, we are, for better or for worse, on this planet and in this country together.
Until next time, free your mind and think forward - TPM
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