America’s Next Black President

Please listen to Sarah without a speechwriter. Her accent, her choice of words, her approach. Very different from what we saw last night, as is her tone. Different venue, yes, but what she would have us believe is not what we see here.

Does she really think that those who do not believe as she believes are wrong? Her pastor thinks so. He also said that those who agree with Kerry will not make it to heaven , and those who disagree with Bush are headed to hell. Hmmmmm. Give me Pastor Wright.
I’m Just Saying,
Cathleen

Asking who she is, is a rhetorical question. No one, not even the McCain camp, really knows who she is. It was admitted by the FBI that they did not vet Palin, so that process is occurring now, and in addition the McCain camp did not know many of the problems that accompany her candidacy before she was selected. John McCain met her only once, spoke to her maybe twice before she won the appointment.
Now, feminists will be the first to call me sexist when I say McCain chose Palin because she is a she. He was unapologetically appealing to Hillary voters, and trying to capitalize on their disdain about their candidate’s loss in the primary. After Hillary’s history making speech at the DNC Convention and her motion to nominate Obama by acclimation, that plan went south. McCain was then left to take a leap of faith, and for the first time in the history of his party, nominate a woman to the presidential ticket. Bold move indeed. Very bold. Notable even. But, why that woman?
I will avoid mentioning all the ignorant comments that came to mind when I heard McCain selected an running mate from Alaska. Ah, what the heck…
Alaska? What is she going to help him with, decreasing our dependence on oil by using dog sleds? So he loves beauty queens, he dumped his first wife for one. She knows Alaska, or a least a small town in Alaska, but what does she know about running a country?
She is a pistol and loves to shoot, so maybe she and Dick Cheyney should go hunting together …More seriously, does she really care about anything of importance to women in the free world? She fails considerably next to Hillary, and even I as an Obama supporter can say she doesn’t hold a candle to Hillary’s ability to lead.

I am not at all impressed with his choice. I have been on line researching Ms. Palin, and I think her lack of interest in the world and people unlike her disqualifies her for leadership as VP of the United States of America. Maybe she is a strategic roll of the dice to win a campaign, but I am not willing to roll the dice on the country’s future with a woman that knows little about little and less about a lot.

Trusting the country to someone who has no concept of the impact and effect of global issues on the US and vice versa, who saw no need for a passport until two years ago, who does not believe that humans are responsible for global warming is so out of touch it is almost laughable. Republicans need a dose of reality. I pray they are going to get it in November.

So back to my original question? What is Sarah Palin? She is a desperate attempt to win an election. I think McCain could and should have chosen wiser. Condoleeza Rice would have been a better pick. Colin Powell. Mitt Romney, or Mike Bloomberg would have been a better gamble than Palin. As for me and my house, we are voting for Barack, so why do I even care who McCain chose? I care because McCain and everyone working with him will continue to push their self driven agendas in Washington long after this election, win or lose.
There is a lot of work needed to elect Barack Obama in November. But the work does not end there. All of us need to remain engaged to make sure the change we are voting for occurs. Change, as Obama says occurs from the bottom up. It is all uphill from here.

I’m Just Saying …. TM

Cathleen

Yep, that is right. Stuart Shepard, director of digital media for Focus on the Family, a powerful evangelical organization led by James Dobson, posted a video on their website that asked Christians to pray for rain, abundant rain, swamp the intersections and … “pray for umbrella ain’t gonna help you rain”Focus on the Family representatives stated that the video was meant to be mildly humorous, but pulled it because of complaints they received.

I am appalled disgusted at even the suggestion of such a thing by a leader in this Christian organization. IT wasn’t funny, and the not so funny joke is on them. Calling God’s wrath on Obama backfired. Instead of rain on the most amazing Democratic Convention I have seen to date-with record numbers of people in attendance, and more people watching than who watched any other convention or even American Idol, instead of rain there were lines of people in out and around Mile High Stadium in Denver. There was order and peace and tears of joy, there were fireworks, a stage set up of great proportion and a historical speech by Obama.
What we had instead of rain on Obama was “abundant rain, swamp the intersections and umbrella will not help you kind of rain” that thwarted the start of the Republican Convention.
I thank God that the Gulf Coast was spared the devastation we saw after Katrina.
The levees survived, and although millions evacuated, the evacuation was more a drill than a necessity. Although there were a few very unfortunate deaths, New Orleans and the rest of the region fared reasonably well.
Republicans did their best to turn the first night of their convention into a positive by doing a fundraiser for storm victims. My prayer is that the evangelicals realize this is an election not a crucifixion, and that they will move forward with their convention, their candidates and their campaign less like terrorists and more like the righteous Christians they claim to be and let the best man win.

I’m Just Saying …. TM

Cathleen

The DNC Convention rocked. They brought it. They over delivered. It was on like popcorn. And although I was not there, and I really wanted to be there, I was tearing up, clapping for speeches and even giving standing ovations all by my lonesome in my living room. It was the convention that was.
Hillary, showed herself strong yet humble during her speech. She gets a B+ from me. She was eloquent, tasteful and witty. She promoted Barack, while acknowledging her followers. She was artful in the way she promoted herself without retracting from the spirit of the party and the purpose of the convention which was to come away with a nominee and a united party. Hillary also let everyone know in no uncertain terms that she feels McCain and Bush are of the same mind and we cannot as a country afford four more years of the same. In her words…”No Way, No How, No McCain.”
I thank God she brought attention to the passing of one of her most ardent followers, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio, and offered condolences to her son who cried at the mention of his mom. She also gave honor to Harriet Tubman, one of the bravest women in American history. My favorite Hillary moment of the convention, one that will undoubtedly be recorded in history, and that has branded her forever a noble stateswoman, was when she made the motion to nominate Barack Obama the Democratic nominee by acclamation. I could not hold back the tears, as the audience cheered and voted a thunderous Ayyy when asked for all in favor. At that moment every unpleasant moment of the primary was washed away for good. Hillary demonstrated her loyalty to the country, the Democratic party, her followers and women in general. Her integrity and unity of purpose was exemplary.
She made me, an Obama supporter, very proud.

As for Bill, the prodigal son of the black community, …it seems Bubba is may have made his way back into their hearts. His speech was forceful as he pledged his support and commitment to the party and to Barack Obama and Joe Biden as Democratic nominees.

And Ted Kennedy. Warrior Ted Kennedy. This man gives meaning to love, loyalty, strength, drive, commitment, dedication and purpose. He clearly understands the urgency of this election, and the importance of the convention in the process. His presence alone made me question why I was in my living room and not in Denver. Kennedy, who left the convention to return to the hospital, who went against medical advice, knew there was no option …all he lives and fight for is culminated in this hour. The 2008 Presidential election, and he wanted to make sure everyone in the world knew it. If it had cost him his life, I think he would have done exactly the same thing. Let us pray for Senator Kennedy, that we will have his leadership and resolve for many years to come.

Mark Warner, let me know that there should be a long hook at every convention. Warner, the former governor of Virginia was invited to speak, and decided to use his time to sing his praises and campaign for Senator. Listening to him, I thought he was also using his time to create the buzz that Obama chose wrong in choosing Biden, the he should have been the Veep. What he did instead was show everyone reading between the lines that Biden was in fact the right choice.
Michelle Obama was nothing short of elegant. She walked the tightrope American media placed her on, without a single slip. She was forceful but not overbearing; strong but not angry; soft but not weak, powerful but not overbearing; patriotic and ordinary yet brilliant and commanding. She was an intelligent, poised loving, and brilliant daughter of the American promise. She was the grateful picture of the American dream.
Watching her I was proud that I could claim her as one of my sisters. A woman, a black woman, a woman ready to fight for what she believes in. A woman who is unstoppable.
Barack started out giving us an overview of his previous speeches. I was able to recite many of his words with him. But as he moved forward, he gave us the sum and substance we have been waiting for, and the punch the Republicans needed. He let everyone know he is not the wimp they want to make him out to be, and with or without Biden ( known affectionately as the attack dog of the Dems) Barack is ready to rumble. We needed to hear him at his best, and he gave us exactly what we needed. The best description of his speech yet was “it was less a speech than a symphony” and I agree.
If yo did not read Obama’s speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention you can read it … or watch it here
This Convention was not only a tremendous success, it was a historical moment. One that I will remember for the rest of my life.
I’m Just Saying,
Cathleen

Please take a moment to read this message from Mike Moore, yhes the one who wrote and produced SICKO and Columbine… His most recent letter to Caroline Kennedy is not only passionate it is thought provoking. It made me stop and say, doggone it, the man has a really good point!
Check it out:
Dear Caroline,

We’ve never met, so I hope you don’t find this letter too presumptuous or inappropriate. As its contents involve the public’s business, I am sending this to you via the public on the Internet. I knew your brother John. He was a great guy, and I know he would’ve had a ball during this thrilling and historic election year. We all miss him dearly.

Barack Obama selected you to head up his search for a vice presidential candidate. It appears we may be just days (hours?) away from learning who that choice will be.

The media is reporting that Senator Obama has narrowed his alternatives to three men: Joe Biden, Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine. They’re all decent fellows, but they are far from the core of what the Obama campaign has been about: Change. Real change. Out with the old. And don’t invade countries that pose no threat to us.

Senators Biden and Bayh voted for that invasion and that war, the war Barack ran against, the war Barack reminded us was the big difference between him and Senator Clinton because she voted for the war and he spoke out against it while running for Senate (a brave and bold thing to do back in 2002).

For Obama to place either of these senators on the ticket would be a huge blow to the millions that chose him in the primaries over Hillary. He will undercut one of the strongest advantages he has over the Hundred-Year War senator, Mr. McCain. By anointing a VP who did what McCain did in throwing us into this war, Mr. Obama will lose the moral high ground in the debates.

As for Governor Kaine of Virginia, his big problem is, well, Obama’s big problem — who is he? The toughest thing Barack has had to overcome — and it will continue to be his biggest obstacle — is that too many of the voters simply don’t know him well enough to vote for him. The fact that Obama is new to the scene is both one of his most attractive qualities AND his biggest drawback. Too many Americans, who on the surface seem to like Barack Obama, just don’t feel comfortable voting for someone who hasn’t been on the national scene very long. It’s a comfort level thing, and it may be just what keeps Obama from winning in November (”I’d rather vote for the devil I know than the devil I don’t know”).

What Obama needs is a vice presidential candidate who is NOT a professional politician, but someone who is well-known and beloved by people across the political spectrum; someone who, like Obama, spoke out against the war; someone who has a good and generous heart, who will be cheered by the rest of the world; someone whom we’ve known and loved and admired all our lives and who has dedicated her life to public service and to the greater good for all.

That person, Caroline, is you.

I cannot think of a more winning ticket than one that reads: “OBAMA-KENNEDY.”

Caroline, I know that nominating yourself is the furthest idea from your mind and not consistent with who you are, but there would be some poetic justice to such an action. Just think, eight years after the last head of a vice presidential search team looked far and wide for a VP — and then picked himself (a move topped only by his hubris to then lead the country to near ruin while in office) — along comes Caroline Kennedy to return the favor with far different results, a vice president who helps restore America to its goodness and greatness.

Caroline, you are one of the most beloved and respected women in this country, and you have been so admired throughout your life. You chose a life outside of politics, to work for charities and schools, to write and lecture, to raise a wonderful family. But you did not choose to lead a private life. You have traveled the world and met with its leaders, giving you much experience on the world stage, a stage you have been on since you were a little girl.

The nation has, remarkably (considering our fascination with celebrity), left you alone and let you live your life in peace. (It’s like, long ago, we all collectively agreed that, with her father tragically gone, a man who died because he wanted to serve his country, we would look out for her, we would wish for her to be happy and well, and we would have her back. But we would let her be.)

Now, I am breaking this unwritten code and asking you to come forward and help us in our hour of need. So many families are hurting, losing their homes, going bankrupt with health care bills, seeing their public schools in shambles and living with this war without end. This is a historic year for women, from Hillary’s candidacy to the numerous women running for the House and Senate. This is the year that a woman should be on the Democratic ticket. This is the year that both names on that ticket should be people OUTSIDE the party machine. This is the year millions of independents and, yes, millions of Republicans are looking for something new and fresh and bold (and you are the Kennedy Republicans would vote for!).

This is the moment, Caroline. Seize it! And Barack, if you’re reading this, you probably know that she is far too humble and decent to nominate herself. So step up and surprise us again. Step up and be different than every politician we have witnessed in our lifetime. Keep the passion burning amongst the young people and others who have been energized by your unexpected, unpredicted, against-all-odds candidacy that has ignited and inspired a nation. Do it for all those reasons. Make Caroline Kennedy your VP. “Obama-Kennedy.” Wow, does that sound so cool.

Caroline, thanks for letting me intrude on your life. How wonderful it will be to have a vice president who will respect the Constitution, who will support (instead of control) her president, who will never let her staff out a CIA agent, and who will never tell her country that she is “currently residing in an undisclosed location.”

Say it one more time: “OBAMA-KENNEDY.” A move like that might send a message to the country that the Democrats would actually like to win an election for once.

Yours,
Michael Moore

Just to lighten the heavy load of the political climate today…check out this video to get a laugh. We’ll talk about the New Yawka, Jesse and Obama himself tonight. For now my friends, laugh so you don’t catch a case….
Check out the Obama Babee

I had a revelation that I have to share with you. A friend sent me a video (thanks Bernard!) that knocked me off my seat. At face value, this is just another funny You-Tube “reality” clip. Looking deeper, however, this clip provides the rationale for the question lurking in the media “Who is Barack Obama and where did he come from?” I find this question a bit unusual, especially since I know more about the Obama family than I know about my own. Really, I have no idea who my grandfathers were, on either side…and I have yet to see a picture of myself or my sister on a tricycle.

We even know he wears boxers not briefs. What more could anyone want to know? They are waiting for the Bug in the mouth moment! They are waiting for Barack to have a breakdown that will prove to them that he is an assimilating, foul-mouthed hard-core guy in a bad suit and a cheap tie like the reproter in this clip. Warning:Adults only, Excessive profanity.

It is not my intent to degrade anyone, least of all the reporter, but I get it now. “Wider” America understands the reporter. They know him intimately. He joins them in their living rooms everyday. He is, at least in this clip, angry, unsophisticated, and rough around the edges. He cleans up well, but at the core, he is what you see in that clip. Raw. Nevertheless, he is understood. He is not the kind of guy, however, you want answering The White House phone at 3 AM:

“MF what the bleep do you want? Don’t you bleeping know its bleeper bleeping 3 bleeping AM in the bleeper bleeping morning? Some Bleeping body better be bleeping blown up or I am gonna bleep de bleeping bleep you up MF. Bleep!”

Actually, that might be the way the 3 AM call is answered in the Bush Cheney White House.

The worst I can imagine Barack saying is “Baby, I got it. Yeah, this is Barack what’s up?”

There is obviously a FEAR ( False Evidence Appearing Real) that Obama is not who he appears to be. That he gets down like the reporter. There are some Americans who are praying for justification to vote McCain in the general election. If Obama doesn’t have the Bug in Mouth moment, they have to admit to themselves that they will not vote for him simply because he is black. They will have to concede their racism.
Barack has not had a bug moment, so Fox News is trying to create the “too black to be in the White House” image, hence the “terrorist fist bump” and the “Obama Baby Mama” comments by Fox reporters.

So here is the deal America, Barack cannot have a bug in mouth breakdown like this reporter. He just doesn’t get down like that. Barack Obama really is one of the many clean, smart and articulate black people that your media chooses to ignore. America, you are suffering from UDMMS. Under-represented Decent Minorities in the Media Syndrome. That’s why you’re having difficulty believing Barack is who he appears to be. Aside from Oprah and the few black Republicans who slipped through the cracks, you feel most comfortable with the Bug in the Mouth kind of guys. Unless we are in your private circles, you don’t know the masses of blacks in America who are clean, articulate, college graduates, some of us with multiple degrees, good marriages, and great kids who are also clean, articulate and in college. We are the invisible Americans you have not seen in your living rooms since the Huxtables went off the air. No wonder you don’t understand Barack!

Here is a newsflash; not all black men are in jail, on drugs, or career criminals. Black men are Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, Clarence Thomas, Sean Roker, Akunna Rosser, James Baldwin, Eric Williams, Corey Booker, Ed Gordon, Al Sharpton, Floyd Flake, Darrell Haynes, Ken Frazier, Joe Morton, Willie Horton, Denzel Washington, Armstrong Williams, Roland Martin, Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Hill Harper, Michael Jordan, Barry Bonds, Magic Johnson, Henry Williams, Therad Vanel, Clyde Vanel, Esq., Michael Walton, Michael Garner, Mario Drummonds, Roland Renne, Dr. Joseph Pierre, Dr. Ben Carson, Michael Eric Dyson, Cornell West, John Crow, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Jonathan Small, Brian Simon, Gregory Meeks, Malcolm Smith, Van Holmes and I could go on forever.

Some of these names you know, others you have never heard of, but they are all clean, articulate, successful black men. If you saw more of them in the newpaper or on the news, you might feel more comfortable with Barack Obama.

Tune in to Americasnextblack.com, get some black friends, join a black church or read this blog and to get comfortable with people who will shatter your media driven images of black men, women, couples and children as inarticulate, poorly groomed, angry criminals. America, do what you must to feel comfortable with black people, and do it fast, because your next President is a black guy. Barack Obama, America’s Next Black President.

I’m Just Saying,
Cathleen

Pound, thumbs up and fanny pat…The media calls it generational. I call it black culture. Fasten your seatbelts. After hundreds of years in this country black people realize that on a grand scale, we really do have a culture. For years blacks have said that when we arrived in this country our culture and our identity was stripped from us. And while that is true, it is also true that we have a very distinct identity as black/African Americans that is unmistakably, well, black. Whether we have assimilated or not, whether we have the dialect of the black community or not-we understand it, it is in our bones. And whether we like it or not, there is a magnifying glass on the culture and mannerisms, effects, gestures, language and even the religion of the black community. It will be sliced, diced and cut up…maybe not so nicely by the media, as they grope to witness and understand the Obama’s and there every move.

First it was the church. Our pastors were forced to explain their dramatics, groans, grunts and radicalism that is so common amongst many black parishioners that we sometimes overlook the words that sail sing song-y from the pulpit. Who knew it might keep us from winning an office of we chose to go in that direction.

TO the black community, the Obama’s are phenomenal and we hold them in the greatest esteem, and we are of course proud of our first couple. But if we had them over for dinner, we would not even notice the “fist bump” or the pat on Michelle’s fanny as anything unusual or out of the ordinary for a couple in love. So I guess I should ask this question, is it just that America has never seen a couple who are really in love before, or is it black love that puzzles her so? Love notwithstanding, the Obama’s are widely misunderstood in the eyes of the media, and it is, in my opinion, because they are unapologetically, happily and undeniably happy and by the way, they really are black.

I’m Just Saying …. TM

Cathleen

If you have time to dig into the archives of this blog, you will see that I declared some weeks ago that Barack Obama would be America’s Next Black President.
As I watch the pundits and the progression of this race, pun intended, it does not cease to amaze me that this entire election has boiled down to the race of one man vs. the age of another. The issues are straightforward: the economy, the war, healthcare, the economy, the housing crises, the oil crises, education, International trade, the environment, veteran’s issues, gay marriage among the most important most controversial.

It is very clear to everyone who has not been under a rock for the past 18 months, that the Dems and Pubs are further apart on the issues than Fox News is from Minister Farrakhan. I just cannot imagine that this is a hard choice for anyone in America. Really, can someone help me understand this? Either you are happy with Bush and his politics and will continue to vote for the destruction of life in America for all but the wealthiest among us, or you are not. For me it is just that simple. If you are happy with the current state of American affairs, you vote McCain. If not, Barack. Period. I am having trouble contemplating how any Democrat could choose McCain over Obama and be serious about their beliefs in the Democratic process. Unless, they are struggling with putting a black man in Oval Office. This may be small minded, but on this one folks, I only see black and white. The audacity of race to enter into the most historical and the most critical election of recent history.

Let us really examine this. If you are unhappy with the current state of the economy, and educational system, the environment…if you are concerned about the staunch conservative turn of the Supreme Court, and you are aware that the next President will likely appoint the next Supreme Court justice; if you are aware of McCain’s anti women voting history, anti-abortion stance, and his support of the war… If you are aware of the past scandals of McCain with lobbyists and of the issues surrounding his wife embezzling money from her non-profit to buy drugs for her addiction (which I can forgive, but it is an issue which would come up everyday if it were Michelle Obama’s cross to bear), if you see all of this and you can still vote for McCain you must tell me why. His Experience??? Are you kiddin’ me?
His experience with war? Experience in Congress voting against equity for women? Experience voting against abortion rights? Experience understanding the economy? He admitted that the economy is his weak spot. Gas is hitting $5 bucks a gallon, people are losing their homes in record numbers, Ed McMahon is in foreclosure for goodness sake and we have to decide whether or not McCain is the best for the job in this political environment?

McCain is likened unto the Bush administration–Bush, the man who has the lowest approval ratings of any other President on recent history, and who is arguably the man responsible for the state of the economy> Bush, who is responsible for the lies which led us into the current war which by the way is sucking the lifeblood out of the American dollar and the US budget to the tune of 7.1 billion dollars per month. That’s a lot of dough. And if you think the increase in gasoline prices is not related to the war, then think again.
This seems like a very easy choice to me. A friend of mine, a Hillary supporter pointed out that in his opinion, Barack is going to have trouble with white women, and with whites in general who will not say that they will not vote for a black man, but when they close the curtain and pull the lever, it will be for the white guy, just because he is white.

I am no foreigner to racial injustice, nor am I delusional enough to think that everyone in this country has arrived at racial peace, acceptance and equity. I do think, however, that it is about time we as a people preclude prejudice and bigotry from ruling our lives. The audacity of race to dictate the outcome of this 2008 Presidential election in the United States of America, the land of the free and the home of the BRAVE.
For those of you who are stuck in this racial divide, listen to me. It’s OK to pack up your “closet hood” and step into the future. It’s OK really.

Black people are not 3/4 of a man. Barack is not going to sleep with your wife. He is not the Mandingo your forefathers spoke of, who will chase white women and bed them after dark. We are not “niggers”, we are not ignorant, we are not inferior, we also are not out to get whites for what they did or their ancestors did to blacks in America.

We remember yes, but we are not stuck there. Barack is not going to order reparations to all African Americans, although I think we are owed something for the wrongs done to black people in America, those 40 acres would come in handy right about now…If he has not convinced you, look harder.
Barack is mainstream with a little bit of an edge, yes, but mainstream, nevertheless. He is brilliant. He has what it takes to pull together a team, to process problems on a grand scale, He understands human nature both at home and abroad. He is stable, loyal, dedicated, driven, smart, strategic, shrewd, talented and honest, and committed to his wife and family.
This is your next President America, the best choice you have. And, he’s black. He is your best choice. God Himself could not have made it more clear had He come down from the heavenlies himslef and parted the Red Sea again. So here is the deal. You have George Bush incarnate vs. Barack Obama. You choose. But choose wisely, your life and your legacy is at stake.

I’m Just Saying …. TM

Cathleen

OK, so to be fair and equitable, I thought I would post this interesting article for all to read. I would hate to be considered a woman who is not very objective. A little biased maybe, but a Fox News reputation is not one I willingly accept.

For those of you who did not know that the US government used black people in medical experiments that have been debilitating and fatal in many cases, please take note. I truly thought that was common knowledge. I thought everyone knew about the Tuskegee experiment, or about the children in Libya who were deliberately infected with the AIDS virus by medical professionals in 2006. Doesn’t everyone know that the incidence of illness and chronic disease (including AIDS and HIV) is higher in African Americans than any other race in this country? For me, as a health care professional, this information is more than common knowledge. Racial disparities in health care are well known and documented. There are coalitions, books, magazines and a mass movement to address racial disparities inhealth care. It is also very well understood in Public Health circles that health is directly related to economic status and stress. These factors are preventable in our society, and they must be addressed and dealt with, by all people.

Despite this very unfortunate and even despicable fact about America’s history when it comes to the health of black people, Reverend Wright’s comments, in my opinion, were poorly timed. I think he could have accomplished more in this fight for health care equity if he had kept the dog alive. If he just held on to his blazingly controversial comments and toned down his comments about Barack,he would never have been “disowned.” I think Wright’s participation in issues of health care, much like what he has done in his church, would have been much more valuable to the community he serves than his being cast out like old sour milk.
The state if black health in America cannot be swept under the rug. And as far as the HIV/AIDS virus matter, it is not a new assertion. Even the Kenyan Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai agrees with Wright and has announced her position publicly. Conferences throughout the world regularly address the origin of HIV, as well as it’s adverse impact on blacks. PLEASE NOTE, I am NOT suggesting that any government, US or any other , created AIDS as a weapon of mass black destruction. I am not aware of any evidence to support that assertion. Let me be clear.

I’m Just Saying that there is evidence that is easily obtained in numerous places about the present and past disparaging treatment of blacks by the health care system in this country. Whether this virus was created for the purpose of destroying the black community or not, it is doing just that. Of the 126,964 women living with HIV in 2005, a whopping 64% are black women. 64%. Staggering. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for black women ages 25-34. That said, I really would prefer to spend my time preventing new cases while we remain at the height of the epidemicwho created the virus. I’m Just Saying.

It is my intention to make sure that as President of the United States of America, Obama deals with the disparities in health care. I don’t need him to stand by Wright and raise a flag saying “United States, without any proof I say to you, United States, you created AIDS to kill blacks.” It wil be like Kanye saying Bush hates black people. It got alot of attention for a sec, but if it was true, that did not change Bush’s position. Hillary not McCain are expected champion such a cause. Because Obama did not join Wright in his indefensible unproven rants about AIDS in America, should I cast my vote for the other candidates instead? I think not.
People are asking way too much of the black man, just because he is black. C’mon. No one is asking Hillary or McCain to jump on every black cause. Why should Obama be asked to do that? No other President in history has, and personally I don’t think he should be expected to. He will be the President for all of the US. Everyone’s causes must be important to him. The point I want to make is that because he is black, black issues are his issues. iTherefore, issues of importance to the black community will not be thrown under the bus, as they often are with other administrations, like the one we are under right now.

It is good enough for me that Obama is aware of these issues. I believe that sitting under Wright for 20 years, Obama heard some intense positions on race. I also think that as a black man in America married to a black woman with black kids; as a man who had to engage Secret Service earlier than any other candidate because of death threats due to his race; because he has to endure professional educated journalists on the evening news joke about his assassination as though he were the equivalent of a demon like terrorist Osama bin Laden ( See post on Liz Trotta and Fox News); and after addressing the issues of race in a highly thoughtful and introspective commentary before the country…
Obama knows a little something something about being a black man in America. He knows something about race.
I do not need him to take a litmus test to prove that to me. And again I say, Wright was dead wrong. That is my position and I am sticking to it. So thanks for sending me this article, you all keep me on my toes.
What else you got? I can handle it, keep it coming!

Note: do take a second to read this article about how cancer prevention secrets hidden from blacks and other minorities, and the history of the abuse of blacks in America by the US health care system. Powerful read.

I’m Just Saying …. TM

Cathleen