Quality flushed down the government mandated, low-flow toilet!

Do we get the picture yet?

Yesterday, a bridge collapsed in Minneapolis during rush hour.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6927113.stm

The tragic event led to an almost immediate revelation that the bridge was considered 'deficient'! I keep hearing engineers, over and over again on CNN explaining the 'lack of redundancy' in the architecture of the bridge.

[Minnesota representative James Oberstar, chairman of the House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, told Fox News that the bridge that collapsed was known to be in need of repairs.

"I know for a fact that the bridge has been listed as structurally deficient for several years," he said. "It was on their list of bridges to be fixed -- that is reconstruction work, bridge decking and bridge pier supports.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070802/ts_alt_afp/usaccidentbridge_070802170752 ]

Now how sad is this, that for several years, it was known that this bridge has issues. Yet, I'm betting that it was money that drove the issues with this bridge to the back page because in this country, its all about 'how will [we] profit from fixing that bridge' and who will reap the monetary benefits. In other words, who will the contract go to, to fix that bridge. And then, in come the politicians. And then, who's sleeping in whose bed?

Hmmm. Was anyone concerned that hundreds of thousands of people travel across an unsafe bridge that scored a '4' out of a scale of 1 - 9 for years? I remember there was a bill in congress to build a bridge to nowhere. Great! That's just a real responsible way to spend money while we have thousands of bridges on the brink of crumbling.

This is an eerie reminder of those levees that broke in New Orleans. Yep.... it was 'known' that the levees had faulty construction so we are told. Yet, the government allowed a hurricane to take care of it, at the expense of the people in the 9th Ward. I guess they decided they ain't getting a lot of money by way of taxes out of that bunch, so they're expendable. And the kicker for me is.... how in the world can the US have such poor levees compared to other countries? I remember hearing that our government hasn't even considered some of the great architectural examples for levee construction from other countries. But of course, it all boils down to money again, and what the goal is. Do we get the picture yet?

I think we are experiencing 'capitalism run amok'. Greed is making the rich get richer while ignoring quality all over the place.

I remember back in the '80s, there was a huge effort to encourage quality and service in the US. Many large corporations were drumming this mantra into the heads of employees by way of seminars e.g. (Tom Peters Seminars) and set up entire divisions that focused on TQM (Total Quality Management) which beat the drum of 'service' that gives corporations the leading edge in acquiring business.

Somewhere along the line, this faded away and what we're left with now are dwindling 'resources', and manufacturing being moved offshore. Our way of life is being outsourced. I saw a report where a family tried to live 'china free' for example, and they actually could not do it. Thanks to the methods of profit and greed, we are dependent on most of our low cost goods, that are manufactured in China and imported back here to the US.

I guess some of the Chinese have decided that they would like to make a little more profit off of the the goods they're exporting to us. So.... again, quality suffers and we end up with Chinese imports coming in and found to be harmful all over the place. Just yesterday on the news it was reported that Fisher-Price is recalling millions of toys due to lead paint being used on them. And what about those tires? Yep... imported tires from China have been recalled too. The list just seems to keep growing when it comes to Chinese imports ( poison toothpaste and dog food, cardboard dim sum).

Hard to imagine, but even equipment for our troops was lacking where some of the troops' families were actually buying equipment on their own and sending it to them. I don't remember hearing anything about profits for Halliburton and other contractors over in Iraq lacking.

Well... I got the picture! Quality has gone down the 'low-flow toilet' while profits are up for the wealthy few.


It's just a damn shame. I'm trying to understand how we have a government that can be so inept as to mismanage the trillions they have at their disposal. They are supposed to be looking out for our best interest as the job we, the voters have hired them for. I guess we have to acknowledge that some of us voters ain't too bright either, judging by who we have in office.

3 Strikes You're Neutered!!!!

So after getting over my outrage at the article splashed all over the internet regarding the ‘concubining’ man, it led to a few issues that were brought to mind. This man had no problem vomiting this information out while standing trial in court on an unrelated charge. The media had it’s thirst for negative press on black folks quenched, without much effort. And I’m still speechless regarding 6 different women getting pregnant by this man... seemingly around the same time since he said he has 6 babies on the way.

Lawd have mercy!!!! The mind boggles......


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
‘I Be Concubining’
http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/03/13/i-be-concubining/
This fool impregnated six women. That’s six babies who’ll have no residential father and a slothful criminal for a biological father. And taxpayers will support them. Sad, yes, and it happens every day.
Posted by La Shawn @ 6:09 am Filed under: Cultural Decline

http://lashawnbarber.com/archives/2007/03/13/i-be-concubining/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My outrageous response is... we need to discuss the ‘3 Strikes Your Neutered’ Law.

That’s right! You’ve heard it here first (although I’ve been saying it egroups for a few years now). Why not? I mean, clearly, we have irresponsible to the point of seemingly mental retardation going on when a woman who has no means nor motivation to care for herself, deciding to be impregnated over and over again, without a care.

The law could go something like this...

-->If a man has the third child he is not supporting and no prospects, means or intentions of being able to, he should be forced to have a vasectomy.

-->If a woman is on public assistance with no history of working or prospects, means or intentions to support herself and children, yet comes up with the third child, the tubes get tied!

I'm certainly not sure if something like this would ever be enforceable, but it’s an idea nonetheless. It has already been tried too.

http://www.columbiachronicle.com/back/2004_spring/2004-05-17/opinions5.html

I think that Mr. Concubine and his 6 heifers should at least be offered the ‘snip-snip’ option.

The Neutered law would unfortunately not stop the outrage of children being murdered and abused after they are here though. I don’t think the problem of ‘affording’ children or having means to care for them was the issue in the following horrendous events.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/andrea_yates/index.html


http://www.cnn.com/EVENTS/year_in_review/us/smith.html


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/13/earlyshow/main1206722.shtml
Nixzmary Brown, seen in class photo provided by family friend and taken when she was in Kindergarten (AP)


But we can at least focus on the particular issue of irresponsibility with no accountability. At least the Neutered Law might be a plan of what should happen to circumvent unfortunate children who happen upon here in torrid circumstances that were clearly foreseen.Many end up tortured and killed or thrown away by their mothers or fathers anyway. Or, end up in a hapless life of foster care or gang life.

Now... I’ve been accused of sounding like that ignorant Bill Bennett with his ‘abort all black babies to reduce crime’ idea. I really don’t see the 3 Strikes You’re Neutered as being the same thing. Bill Bennett labeled ALL black people as potential criminals. That’s just ludicrous! The irresponsible/unaccountable people who would be subjected to this law would have up to 3 children, and their apathy along with no motivation to support themselves and children would have to be proven.

Even I can see how this kind of law can be abused and/or become a tool of racism though. And that is because of the inherent racism in our society. I just don’t see how we’d get around this problem. This could be a reason that I might not vote for such a thing in the end.

It’s a thought though. Right or wrong... we need to discuss these issues. So don’t kill me for thinking.... I’d like to hear more comments and better ideas if you have any!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, maybe a stronger media campaign for birth control will help...

http://www.metrokc.gov/health/famplan/birthcontrol/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control
Poster released in the 1970s by the Family Planning Association of Victoria, Australia.


http://www.malecontraceptives.org/

http://www.vasectomy.com/index.htm

'Objective Hate'.... book by Troi 'Star' Torain

I have read the book, and it was entertaining, yet disturbing at times, as well as surprising, I must say.


http://www.starandbucwild.com/

And I gotta say.... I was intrigued about a man who could come off being so abrasive and cynical over the airwaves. What a journey in life he described. Clearly, it built character... but then, I got the impression that he was born with a strong spirit and found a way to contain and channel it over the years.

It started off describing a familiar, in that I could identify with the life of growing up in a place like Scotch Plains, NJ. And I got the impression that Star could be a ‘callous opportunist’, until I got to the part about him taking his ‘alter-ego’ Buc Wild (Tim) under his wing. And in his abrasiveness, there is an under current of caring. It seems very odd and confusing, actually.

Star’s reference to Abbott & Costello was really an incredible idea. I could see him being like Bud Abbott. But I would have never understood this idea had I not read it in his book because I don’t know if I’ve ever even heard ‘Buc Wild’ speak.

http://www.abbottandcostello.net/

And I’m still wondering if the philosophy of objective hate, feeds into a callousness of character. What got me is that after reading through the beginning chapters of inanity, by way of seemingly unsavory proclivities, the book took an upswing and got deep in my opinion, where I was surprised and impressed, as well as finding myself in agreement with a some of his conclusions and opinions in the end. There was one part in the book where he lists some of the women he interviewed on the air waves and gave his critique on their character. That was kind of ‘slang-bookish’ to me... You’d have to be of a certain age to know what a ‘slang book’ is. It takes me back to junior high school.

But then, in my opinion, he describes his focus being a priority over and above many people whose paths he had crossed, especially at Hot 97. I can get that... a means to an end. What really surprised me was his disdain for the current generations’ ignorance and ridiculousness. I don’t think I really noticed it while he was on the airwaves so much, but I definitely got it after reading the book, and I totally concur.

I had some questions and comments that I posted in an egroup forum that was created by some of his fans or friends (or both). However, it seems people (including Star), were instructed not to discuss his book in his egroup. I found that to be a strange promotional strategy. But.... anyway, I figured I’d put my comments and questions in my blog.

One question is in regard to the 'philosophy of hate' as explained by Star....

While reading his book, I didn’t exactly get the impression that he is a 'mean spirited person' (and I could be wrong), yet, I do see how provocative he is in his seeming desire to incite and inspire negativity. Not sure I understand the motive or the goal in doing this. However, there is something refreshing about a man who throws ‘political correctness’ to the wind and ‘cuts to the chase’, barring all and any layer of bullshit on issues he chooses to express opinion on.

I wonder what others think he means by being a 'hater'. I don't consider myself a 'hater' although there are clearly things that I do hate.

I mean, name calling and trite disrespect seems so trivial. I just can't imagine that 'the philosophy of hate' is something as simple as that. And as I read more, I found some insight into where some of the hate is inspired and can agree. But I don’t feel my hate for bigotry or irresponsible ‘rap- hip/hop’ is objective.... I believe it’s more subjective (for example).

Objective = expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations

As opposed to...

Subjective = involving or deriving from sense perception or experience with actual objects , conditions, or phenomena


Here’s an excerpt from The BlackElectorate.com regarding the book...

http://www.blackelectorate.com/articles.asp?ID=1797

Without question one of the book’s most valuable attributes is that it takes us into one of the most brilliant entrepreneurial minds to enter the arena of Hip-Hop and the radio industry. If you suspected it, wondered about it, or could not get yourself to fully accept it, Objective Hate ends the debate. Star is one of the shrewdest, patient, aggressive, and calculating individuals you will ever want to encounter in business. This is no ordinary Negro. He knows when to ‘sell out,’ or ‘fight the power;’ cultivate or provoke; and renew and re-invent himself. In short, he seems to be aware of his relative power at all times, and aligns it with his personal motivation and goals in business.

I concur with the above comment.

The NY Post Article was a bit scathing in their comments..... and the writer is certainly entitled to his opinion. What's the saying.... 'all publicity is good, even when it’s bad...?'

The excerpt below from the article is something I take exception with also.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01072007/gossip/pagesix/radio_jerk_vile_in_print__too_pagesix_.htm

Of King, Star writes: "[He's] a total hypocrite whose agenda quashed the rising spirit of anarchy in the heart of black America. As he hid behind the cross, he hated being oppressed but realized it enhanced his [stud] game . . . His mystified hypothetical dream, with no economic structure, now hangs over the Negro's head like a Mississippi noose."

I can't say I agree totally with the above comment, although I do feel there is a shred of truth in there. I believe King was a true leader and did what he thought was right at that time, to bring us out of the Jim Crow era. Looking back, I think that his efforts fell short of long term goals, which puts us where we are today.

I posted my comment in Star’s egroup and he did reply...

--- In StarandBucWildForum@yahoogroups.com, "Star"
wrote:
>
> Hey Cyndi,
>
> You're right, King did what he thought was morally just
> at the time, but he had no long-term economic plan
> beyond God's will. Most people of color are not even
> aware of his literary works (Not his autobiography) or
> his tension with Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X.
>
> It's not my intention to discredit MLK, but his un-mentioned
> credit for stalled Negro progress is reaching new heights of
> confusion. Most people reference that King followed Mahatma
> Gandhi's lead, but fail to state the difference between a
> campaign of self-rule and one of civil rights.
>
> S.

Yes..... I can agree with Star on that. However, I keep thinking that the 'self rule' idea is still squashed in the minds of many black folks based on what happened to the successful black communities of the past... like the “Black Wall Street”.

http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=news28

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colfax_Massacre


In the end, I’m still not totally clear on the mantra of ‘hate’ being promoted. It just sounds so negative, yet I don’t believe that it is negativity that is being promoted by the philosophy. I like his references to his connection with his father and the fact that he has ideas and acts on them, full force. The book is a good, interesting and fast read. It’s worth checking out.

Chit'lins offense!

Wow! I had no idea that people were so offended by Chit’lins. There used to be a black owned store in East Orange, NJ that sold 'cleaned' chit’lins and we used to buy them because my mother traditionally cooked them for New Years along with blackeyed peas, collards and macaroni and cheese. UMMMM!

http://www.blacknews.com/pr/chitlinmarket101.html

*August 28, 2006 *CONTACT:*
Shauna Anderson> > 240-432-1500
www.chitlinmarket.com

Chitlin Restaurant Seeks NAACP Help*BUSINESS WOMAN SHAUNA ANDERSON TURNS TO NAACP SEEKING JUSTICE FORMARYLAND'S PG COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S EFFORT TO SHUT DOWN HERNATIONWIDE CHITLIN BUSINESS* *Hyattsville, MD* (BlackNews.com) –

Shauna Anderson, successful businesswoman, accountant and owner of The Chitlin Market will speak to the press regarding her attempts to reveal Prince George County government's attempts to close down her business and prevent her from opening a Chitlin restaurant on Ager Road in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Shauna opened her first retail cleaned Chitlin business in Prince Georges County in 1995. Her first storefront was an instant success after just one article in the Washington Post but she soon received a "Black Sambo" hate letter and a vicious hate email threatening to bomb her restaurant. Despite an FBI investigation, abreak-in and a succession of vandalism, she stuck with it. An anonymous inquiry to the USDA put her business under scrutiny for months before she closed her first Hyattsville, MD location and put her business strictly online.

She then purchased a TDOZ approved property on Ager Road in 2004 intending to once again open a new Chitlin Market. Despite careful and thoughtful renovations of a run down property, harassment started immediately with warning letters, excessive and repeated inspections, code enforcers questioning permits already issued – Shauna had one enforcement officer arrive during a Chitlin Festival who questioned her permit after she showed it to him and he said to Shauna: "They told me they were not going to give it to you."

In the last year Shauna has incurred thousands of dollars in personal property vandalism with a screwdriver through her truck radiator, tires slashed on both her truck and trailer and she received water bills in excess of $1,800.00 that were usually $60.00. After protesting the bill Shauna then received an excessive water bill at her residence. She then received a tax inquiry from the Maryland State Dept of Assessments requesting Corporate Tax Copies for Audit purposes. Shauna taught Corporate tax statistics at the IRS for over a decade.

She has recently been followed in her car, had her car towed illegally and she is now fearful for her safety. Recently a city official voiced his objection to the smell that would be omitted from Shauna's restaurant, even though she had has never once received a complaint about odors. She had inspectors at her property on several occasions threatening to tow her Chitlin Mobile Unit after it had sat on the street for 48 hours. When she questioned why the Taco Trucks directly across the street sat for weeks on end without question - there was no answer.

In April of this year PG County officials revealed their true feelings regarding the opening of a Chitlin restaurant in their community. After an episode of ABC's *Commander in Chief* ran portraying PG County as overridden with crime with a scene of the fictional President exiting her car in front of a Chitlin and Pork Chop restaurant, Peter Shapiro responded to the *Washington Post* in outrage regarding the portrayal of the community and that a Chitlin restaurant is a negative stereotype - and that prompted Shauna to realize how they felt about her business. Shauna Anderson wants to know what they are doing about the crime rate in this community and why they aren't protecting children and putting resources into crime prevention instead of trying to run a small business out of town.

For more information about Shauna Anderson, visit
www.chitlinmarket.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I admit, I don't cook Chit'lins. They really look (and smell) foul when being cooked. But I miss it on New Years when my mother cooked them. Now if we analyzed many foods we eat, I'd have to say I’d probably feel just as grossed out about a lot of it. (Have you ever read how hotdogs are made?)

Chit'lins are a ‘soul food’ delicacy in my opinion! That’s how I regard it. It ranks right up there with that big ol’ pot of Pork Neck Bones. Ummmmm! I used to love the neck bones and noodles. Getting the meat off those neck bones was like a skilled art, working that tongue all through those nooks and crannies, sucking them bones dry!

And, its not just 'us' who eat them... Grilled pork intestines are known as Makchang in Korea!

(from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitterlings)



Other cultures have small intestine recipes, for example as part of the Latin American (and especially Argentinian) mixed grill dish parrillada, where they are known as chinchulines and may be of lamb.
Filipino cuisine features a recipe of fried pork intestines called "silit", and another for deep-fried pork intestines, called "chicharon bulaklak".
In Korea, grilled pork intestines are called makchang (막창). Makchang is a Daegu regional delicacy.
In Mexican cuisine, small intestines are known as tripas. Cleaned, boiled, and grilled, tripas are a popular filling for tacos.


Here’s a Chit'lins recipe for those who can still ‘stomach’ them.... (pun intended! LOL!)

http://www.chitterlings.com/chitterling.html

And here’s another link that describes the history of chit’lins...

http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/ChitlinsHistory.htm

Pig stomach and intestines. I remember my father telling me that everything except for the ‘squeal’ is eaten from the Pig. I know so many people who were raised on chit’lins and pork, but turn their noses up to pork now. Some claim to be allergic to pork these days. I guess that can happen...



Whatever. I try to eat mostly fish and poultry along with something green and some fruit most days. I’ll have some red meat once or twice a week sometimes, including pork (although some call it ‘the other white meat’). And on New Years... as long as I trust the cook (!!!!!!) I’d have those Chit’lins with some Black Eyed Peas and Collards and Macaroni and Cheese! Once a year ain't gonna kill me!!!!

Aside from all this....


Happy New Year Every One... may we all be blessed with good physical, mental and spiritual health, prosperity along with the ability to live our life to the fullest!

'N' Word Song!

Clawfinger – 'N' word song!

I listened to this song and I gotta say..... for some reason, it still got under my skin.

I’m looking at these white guys singing a chorus... ‘Nigga! nigga nigga nigga nigga’, and even though they’re singing about how negative the word is and how they can’t understand why black folks would call each other that, the chorus almost makes me forget what they’re getting at.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0-u46BUCw8&NR

Now isn’t it ironic, that we have white folks who are embarrassed and taught that it’s wrong to say it, yet there are black folks who are now trying to tell them it’s OK, go ahead and call them ‘nigga’. Blows my mind! I just never thought in my life time I’d ever see black folks tell white folks its OK to call them ‘nigga’, nigger, niggra... (whoops! Is ‘niggra OK too?).



(See more Jim Crow memorabilia here... http://www.prwatch.org/node/4005)

But the world witnessed that happen on that reality show ‘Black/White’ where the black teenager showed his ignorance and told those white kids it was OK to say ‘nigger’ around him. Man! I bet that made his parents proud.
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2006/03/08/black_white_is_more_than_a_reality_gimmick/


Song: Nigger Lyrics
http://www.lyrics007.com/Clawfinger%20Lyrics/Nigger%20Lyrics.html
Artist: Clawfinger Lyrics

Goddamn my man you see I can't understand
Why you wanna say Nigger to your brother man
Taking black pride then you call yourself a Nigger
Don't bring yourself down cos it just don't figure
Take a look at yourself and your history
You don't look like a goddamn Nigger to me
It's a negative world and the white man made it
Gave you a name to dominate and trade it
Making blood money of his very own race man
And all of this because the colour of your face man

Nigger Nigger Nigger Nigger

Placed and educated in a neighbourhood of crime
Taught from the beginning that you weren't worth time
Liquorstore and gunstore next to one another
With only one purpose so you all kill each other
Leaving one less problem to worry about
That's the way they do it this is how it turns out
And justice for all with the American goverment
I wanna know where all the goddamn money went
We didn't see it and it didn't do no good
I guess you couldn't give a fuck about a black neighbourhood

Nigger Nigger Nigger Nigger Nigger
You're the real Niggers,
You're the real Niggers,
You're the real Niggers

There's always gonna be fanatical minorities
The ku klux klan and fucked up authorities
Conservative cunts and religious preachers
I don't care cos they ain't our teachers
Living a life they say is free from sin
Then they judge another person by the colour of their skin
I feel ashamed of myself I'm a white human being
Surrounded by suckers to afraid to be seeing
There ain't such a thing called superior race
And there ain't nothing special 'bout colour of your face
You've got a one way ticket to a dead end street
The pressure is on so feel the heat
Media pollution is a very bad solution
Hypocriticat hype is your only contribution
So leave us alone and give your brothers some space
Cos you're a lousy contribution to the human race

Nigger Nigger ...

Well. ‘In My Opinion’, it is the failure of my generation and prior that has led our current generation of younger folks, to not have self respect and self love which has led them to promoting the use of such a derogatory term and bringing it forth, mainstream and telling white folks its OK to call them 'niggas'.

I hate it and I think it’s tragic.

And I think it’s rather obvious that there are other forces at work that promote this insane behavior, especially now that parents are not even allowed to discipline their children. (Time out?)

I sent an email and posted messages in various egroups to get a sense of how people felt about this song, sung by a group of white men, and feelings were mixed. Some say that the word ‘nigger’ doesn’t bother them and feel being called ‘black’ is just as derogatory. I’d rather be referred to as black.

I hate to thank Michael Richards for bringing this issue back in the front of our discussions, but here we are. I feel that the ‘N’ word should be relegated to the list of cuss words that we were taught from childhood are offensive and indecent. Can’t we just leave it there?

our 'unclear' roles...

First, you have to read the article at this link to see what prompted this blog.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/124063,CST-NWS-mitch05.article%3Chttp://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/124063,CST-NWS-mitch05.article

Here's what I think about it.... These two should face some realities in their situation, and then decide whether they can accept each other 'where they're at'. I believe the problem is societal, and that's where we need to direct our attention when trying to figure out the evolution of relationships within our current landscape. The day of the man who feels he should be in total control just because he has a penis is gone. That's not coming back. Many black women have stepped up to the plate through the need to survive and have outpaced black men in education and earning power.

So back when it was the societal tradition that the man brings home the bread and the woman fries the bacon, has changed because now in many relationships, the woman is bringing home the bread AND frying the bacon. Yet, many men in these relationships are struggling with their ego and feel that they must exhibit that 'they are in control'. Meanwhile, many women just can't sit by and suppress their opinions when they have sacrificed and worked to bring home that bacon. So... where's the happy medium?

I've been told that people should go into relationships today as partners, and maybe the suggestion should emphasize that they go into relationships as 'business partners' . Maybe more business sense needs to be applied right up front, so that agreements are made and all this finance stuff is put out the way of the relationship (as long as the agreement is adhered to).

Here's one suggestion...

Couples can establish accounts where they contribute their earnings based on percentage. Both can contribute an equal percentage of their earnings to the accounts and it doesn't matter who makes more. Obviously, the person making more will end up contributing more in dollars based on the percentage. However, the percentage should be equal... say... 40% for mortgage/rent, utilities, etc.

Then, an account can be established for emergencies/household maintenance/car repairs, etc... 30%, vacations... 10%.

The rest is each person's personal funds to do with whatever they want.

This is just one suggestion. I'm sure there are probably more models that might work in various situations.

So we have to find a point where we arrive at the same page, or at least near it... like an evolution so that children being born today, may be guided in a direction that brings relationships together instead of continuing the wedge apart.

In regard to the article, it appears that the man in the relationship feels emasculated and insecure because his woman makes more money than him. Meanwhile, this is not an issue for her....

(from the article)

>SHE SAID: I tell him all the time, I'm not with him from a financial standpoint. The things I >want to do for myself, I can do them. That's not what I'm looking for him to bring to the >relationship. I'm looking for the other piece: companionship, happiness, someone to talk to, >to grow with and to build a family. Things we really need to do, we can make happen if we >really want them to.

I can imagine that the woman in the relationship has accepted the reality of a diminished prospect of meeting men on her level and on top of that, she accepts this man as he is and loves him. And she isn't concerned that she makes more money than him. She sees potential in their relationship and I'm thinking that it is based on her earnings along with his, but he's not seeing that. He sees her having some control in decisions and her ability to challenge him 'because' she earns more than he does.

> HE SAID: She has a better job and is always reminding me that she makes more money. I >struggle with this. I want to feel like a man, not that I think I am superior.

He failed to mention that he makes those frequent trips to the ATM, which she has to constantly remind him about. And it could be that those frequent trips to the ATM may be his way of 'acting out' in regard to making him feel 'in control'.

> SHE SAID: Obviously, in a relationship one person is stronger in something than the other >person. From the financial standpoint, I am the strong person. He'll have the debit card and >spend, spend, spend. And I have to tell him that you are spending this money and you don't> >have any idea where the money is coming from. You can't do x-y-z [if] you are only bringing >home a certain amount of money.

His frivolous spending, leading to her complaints is a huge issue for them. And, in the end, she probably needs to face the fact that he is too insecure (or immature) to handle her ability to have some control in their relationship.

Its hard for me to imagine that his issues lead him to say this...

> HE SAID: I struggle with LaTonya's attitude, and attitude is everything. It makes you say, >"OK -- do I want to marry this highly squared-away Condoleezza Rice or should I just go and >get a hoodrat who worships my dirty underwear and doesn't challenge my authority?"

Hmmm. I thought he said that he wasn't trying to feel 'superior'...

So he has a real dilemma going on where he is probably enjoying the lifestyle in regard to the combined earnings he and his girlfriend make, but realizes that if he dumps the girlfriend, he might have to support that hoodrat on his earnings which is half of what his girlfriend makes.

Decisions... Decisions....

Her decision can either be to hang in there with him, knowing that he'll probably never marry her but at least she is used to him and they know they can live together. But if marriage is strong on her agenda, she will have to find a way to ease him out of her life and deal with the scarce prospect of finding a man anywhere near her level that would even want to be bothered with her (for similar reasons as the man she's already with).

And yet, it is not impossible for her to happen upon a man who is on her level and accepts and appreciates her as she is. How refreshing it is when a woman doesn't have to dumb down to attract a man. How refreshing it is when a man can recognize his woman's strengths as well as his own, and she do the same.

I'm sure there are many, many opinions on this... Now you know mine.

we evolve....

How can anyone believe that we don't?

I've recently heard people say that they don't believe in evolution because it doesn't make sense that it stopped. Why does anyone feel that it stopped?

Adaptation takes hundreds of thousands of years. I mean, do people actually think we'd see human evolution in fast forward? Even if it is moving faster than 100,000 years, who's going to actually be around to say they saw Black folks grow the third eye in the back of their head (a probable, evolutionary, necessary defense mechanism....).

Now I do believe we're seeing this happen already... all those razor bumps ain't bumps.....

Black women will have the eye too, and it will be able to see thru hair with it's enhanced abilities. See, men will probably stop trying to go bald once they know they have the eye because they would want to keep that extra sense, concealed for protection and enlightenment.

What about other evidence of evolution today? That great Tsunami actually changed the configuration of the map by obliteration much of the land it affected in the area that it manifested. Little islands that used to be exposed are now under water. Shore lines are no longer what they used to be.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4137727.stm

That polar cap is shrinking too. I read that Scientists believe Polar Bears are in danger of becoming extinct relatively soon!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2642773.stm

Bottom line is, we've come a long way.... and the earth is still turning... We are but a 'speck' in the realm of time!

I say... VOTE!

But there are some people who believe its just a waste of time. I simply cannot agree with that position. Aside from the fact that Black people have fought and died for the right, it just happens to be the system in place that we have to work with at this time. Until another idea on how to manage elections become viable, we have to be in the game (if even by show), in order to hopefully know what game is being played.

Now if you check out the article I have linked below, the writer does make some good points... especially this one:

Exercise Your Right Not To Vote by Eric Jackson

"We do not live in a representative republic. Oh, I’m sure it still exists on paper, or maybe in an NSA database somewhere, but the republic is dead. A man cannot be told to choose between two nearly identical men and believe that he has any real power. The process calls to mind Henry Ford, who said you could have whatever color car you wanted, as long as it was black."

It truly does feel that we have no REAL choices between the major parties. And in my opinion, it all boils down to money. All those other parties are just little annoyances to the 'big' parties with their 'big bucks'. I believe the Dems and GOP use those other little parties as tools against each other. They probably have strategists who figure out which of those independent parties can distract voters in certain regions enough to take away from one or another candidate so that its not about the 'majority' vote getter winning at all.

Here's a link to a list of American Political Parties... http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm

Did y'all know that the Prohibition Party is still in existence? Now there's an issue we can all get behind, eh?


Especially since it worked so well during the Capone days.









And how about this one....

U.S. Pacifist Party - This tiny political party fielded a write-in candidate for President in 1996, 2000 and 2004, and a US Senate candidate in Colorado in 1998. The party opposes military actions in all circumstances and wants to transform the US military into "a non-violent defense and humanitarian service corps.

Well, I certainly can't get behind this one. Can you imagine what would happen if we had no defense now after we've gone and pissed the rest of the world off?

The bottom line is, we need to be in the game if for no other reason than to try and have some input regarding how our tax money is spent. This is VERY important beginning at the municipal level. So many people don't even bother to vote in their city/county/state elections and just wait for the November General Elections. By that time, many of your decisions are already made for you.

I agree, our 2 party system is bogus. I see no distinct difference between them.

















But until we have another way of electing our public 'servants', lets exercise our right, and try to come up with ideas for change that will result in better representation for all of us.

We better get into making those voting machines work with some honesty and integrity too! There are many, many articles regarding how 'hackable' those computerized voting machines are. Here's just one recent article regarding a hidden 'patch' that was installed during an election.... http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0091.html


Oh.... And I didn't see The New Black Panther Party on that list. Hmmmm. Now isn't that curious! http://newblackpanther.com/SITE/

Come on with the 'names'!

I'm trying to understand what a person is thinking when they decide to name their child something so bizarre, that its hard to read, spell, pronounce, imagine.

The following article describes the obstacles that particularly black parents present for their children, by certain names they have burdened them with.

http://www.kltv.com/global/story.asp?s=5435164

What gets me, is whenever I post information like this in other egroups, there are always a few black folks who get mad and simply do not want to believe that something like 'a name' would present any hardship for a black person. Even white folks acknowledge it, how is it that some black folks don't see it?

OK... and for those who want to say, some white folks name their kids crazy names too.... check out this comment from the article posted above.

[[[["White names tend to be things like Molly," Fryer said. "We had 16 million names in California. We only had six black Mollys and not one white Lakisha.]]]]

Get it?

I mean, lets face it. Black folks don't own much to be doing a lot of hiring. And, even some black folks get a little leery of the resume with the name 'Shaniqualondah' on it.

Last week I was listening to The Steve Harvey Show on WBLS and I literally laughed out loud when he named the "Top Ten Worse Names people named their kids... And they KNOW they wrong for it!"

ROFLOL!

Here's a few that I remember he said...

Cavalier
Alize
Henneseymour
Malcamartin (LMAO!)
October

I can'tremember the rest. ROFLOL!

Pull those damn pants up!

Law makers in Dallas, Tx are trying to bring forth an ordinance to give citations to those who sport the 'saggy' pants attire.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-pants_23met.ART.North.Edition1.3e70c11.html


I'd vote for this ordinance.

I just can't stand seeing these damn boys with their underwear showing. Some are dingy and damn 'tighty whity' style drawers too! They look so ignorant!

If there was a vote today, I'd be voting for the ordinance against the 'pants beneath the butt' wear.

Everyone doesn't agree with me and if more voted to allow the 'underwear exposed look', I'd just have to live with it (as I am)... I don't have to like it though.

Truthfully, we shouldn't have to legislate such a thing, but how in the world did parents allow their sons to aspire to jail attire?

"Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory."

Arthur Ashe

However, after saying all that.....


Ass crack exposure deserves '2' citations!!!! LOL!

Damn denial! They need to buy some pants that fit! Its extreme on the other end of the spectrum!

Money vs the Air We Breathe....

Money vs the Air We Breathe...

How is it, that we were told that the air was safe in Manhattan after the collapse of the WTC buildings?

I remember going to one of the sites as a volunteer with the Salvation Army to separate items that were donated from around the country for distribution. I remember how hard it was to keep my mask on. It was hot and the work was hard. I kept removing my mask periodically because the air was so moist and hot inside of my mask. But then I couldn't keep the mask off for long either because the air was so full of dust and smoke. Conditions were horrible to work in.

I stayed for hours and worked harder than I ever have in my life, lifting boxes, sorting items, loading boxes on to skids, etc. I was totally and thoroughly exhausted by the time I left... and I ended up being sicker than I can ever remember being in my life too.

I immediately went to CVS and asked a pharmacist what I could do because I was having trouble breathing, I could feel congestion suffocating me. I was sneezing continuously and my nose was running like a faucet. My eyes were watery. I was a mess.

The pharmacist suggested that I take some antihistamine and I ended up buying Benedryl, Nyquil and Dayquil. It took me a week to recover from working at the site just one day.
I really feel bad for the people who stuck with it at the site who are being denied health care and the medical attention necessary as a result of their efforts. Its shameful!


http://wcbstv.com/911/local_story_249164937.html
Sep 7, 2006 11:20 am US/Eastern
Documents: Feds, City Knew Of Ground Zero Toxins
Part II -- Memo: NYC Reopened WTC Area Despite EPA Warning

Marcia KramerReporting

(CBS) NEW YORK CBS 2 Exclusive: Stunning proof has been uncovered that the government knowingly put New Yorkers in harm's way after 9/11.CBS 2 News has obtained documents revealing that Lower Manhattan was reopened a few weeks following the attack even though the air was not safe. The two devastating memos, written by the U.S. and local governments, show they knew. They knew the toxic soup created at Ground Zero was a deadly health hazard. Yet they sent workers into the pit and people back into their homes.One of the memos, from the New York City health department, dated Oct. 6, 2001, noted: "The mayor's office is under pressure from building owners ... in the Red Zone to open more of the city." The memo said the Department of Environmental Protection was "uncomfortable" with opening the areas but, "The mayor's office was directing the Office of Emergency Management to open the target areas next week.""Not only did they know it was unsafe, they didn't heed the words of more experienced people that worked for the city and E.P.A.," said Joel Kupferman, with the group Environmental Justice Project.Another part of the memo noted: "The E.P.A. has been very slow to make data results available and to date has not sufficiently informed the public of air quality issues arising from this disaster.""Unfortunately, it doesn't surprise me," said health protestor Yuichi Tamamo. "For the last five years we've been saying air quality here has been horrible."It also doesn't suprise Carmen Flores, who lives in an apartment in the Baruch Houses that was engulfed in the 9/11 toxic plume. Her health has deteriorated and she has multiple medicines."I feel forgotten," she said.Bruce Sprague, an E.P.A. official in the New York and New Jersey region during 9/11 admited to CBS 2 News the agency was finding alarming air quality readings at Ground Zero and in the surrounding areas. Sprague said the E.P.A. had written much more conservative health assessments, but the memos had to go to Washington. And when the White House got its hands on them, they -- according to Sprague -- softened them. The city health department refused to comment on the memo, but inside sources told CBS 2 News the memo is real. And its veracity is not questioned by the Environmental Justice Project's Kupferman.He calls it "a smoking gun."
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)