You're So Lame Award of Shame - White Men Howling At the Moon

I swear if I had a dollar for every white man supporting a supremacist agenda that has cried foul, racism, had a pity party and engaged in other mealy-mouth BS over the SCOTUS nominee I'd have quite a few extra in my pocket this week! So let's clarify that President Obama's choice of Judge Sonia Sotomayor is a big deal and SUPER SCARY to some people apparently. Somehow having a brain and a vagina is going to do some people in. Yeah I said it! Vagina, vagina, vagina. The fact is they'd prefer a woman who was afraid of hers or wanted to repress its capabilities, but that's a whole other slippery slope. A divorced woman with no children - oh my! What does that mean????

From Rush "Never Met A Racist/Sexist Cause He Doesn't Support" to G. Gordon Liddy quite a few of the Usual Suspects have been up to no good as per their marching orders from the great White Power Oz. Isn't it time we pull the curtain back and throw some water on this sucker? Liddy....shouldn't this man have been executed for treason after he called for the murder of American citizens because he didn't agree with their politics? Somehow graduating at the top of your class from an Ivy League makes you an Affirmative Action "lesser than". I suppose being a legacy admission with a C average means you're freaking brilliant and have done all the work COMPLETELY ON YOUR OWN MERITS, huh? Not! 

Anyway, I would have preferred Obama nominate another equally if not more qualified African-American female lawyer like Kimberle Crenshaw. In case you are not familiar with her work she coined the term "intersectionality". Read this excerpt from her Wiki page:

Crenshaw has published works on civil rights, black feminist legal theory, and race, racism, and the law. She often commentates on various aspects of law and racial politics and her scholarly interests center around race and the law. She is the founding coordinator of the intellectual movement called the Critical Race Theory Workshop. She is currently a Professor of law at UCLA and Columbia Law School and teaches Civil Rights and other courses in critical race studies and constitutional law. In 1991 and 1994, she was elected Professor of the Year. At the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she received her LL.M., Professor Crenshaw was a William H. Hastie Fellow. Later on, she clerked for Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Crenshaw has published numerous works including Critical Race Theory, Words that Wound: Critical Race Theory, and Assaultive Speech and the First Amendment. She was also the coeditor of Critical Race Theory: Key Documents That Shaped the Movement and her works have appeared in the Harvard Law Review, the National Black Law Journal, the Stanford Law Review, and the Southern California Law Review. She has lectured nationally and internationally on race matters, addressing audiences throughout Europe, Africa, and South America as well as facilitating workshops for civil rights activists in Brazil and constitutional court judges in South Africa.

Her work on race and gender was influential in the drafting of the equality clause in the South African Constitution. In 2001, she wrote the background paper on Race and Gender Discrimination for the United Nations World Conference on Racism and helped to facilitate the addition of gender in the WCAR Conference Declaration. Crenshaw has also served as a member of the National Science Foundation's Committee to Research Violence Against Women and has assisted the legal team representing Anita Hill. She is also a founding member of the Women's Media Initiative and is a regular commentator on NPR's The Tavis Smiley Show.

Crenshaw is also co-founder, with Prof. Luke Harris, of the African American Policy Forum (AAPF). AAPF was founded in 1996. According to AAPF's mission statement: The Policy Forum is dedicated to advancing and expanding racial justice, gender equality, and the indivisibility of all human rights, both in the U.S. and internationally.

So Sotomayor has made some rulings that don't sit well with certain "progressives". She may not be the prefect candidate but she's a heck of a lot better than John Roberts "I Don't Think AIDS Is An Epidemic"...and Alito! That was Robert's stance in the 80's when he was advising Ronald Reagan at the beginning of the outbreak. It prompted the President to distance himself and ignore the future millions of people who'd die because the Republicans couched everything in "you're a dirty sinner" language instead of seeing it as a public health (and national security) threat. In case you're thinking Roberts has mellowed some guess again. He's the Chief Justice on top of it. 

I'm hoping President Obama gets to appoint at least two more Justices who will use common sense and leave their narrow religious/sexist/racist views out of the court. Yeah I know I'm asking for A LOT. But all of the things some of these men are accusing Judge Sotomayor of are the very same things they do on a regular basis. They know it - and so do we! So lay off. 

And for crying out loud - pronounce her name correctly!!

This Time Chavez Gives the President A Book Instead of the Middle Finger

Much was made when Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez referred to #43 as El Diablo. Really was that such a big deal? Hadn't Bush been involved with those that tried to a) overthrow him and b) kill him? And wasn't it over nationalizing their natural resources and keeping them out of the hands of multi-national corporations (and the US) hands? I watched Syriana and though that's supposed to be a work of fiction I wonder if some declassified info wound up in that script. The last time I checked a sovereign nation is supposed to be able to do what they want with their own country without foreign interference - in theory anyway. 

Now I'm not talking about human trafficking or gross violations of its citizens...but historically when the US was mistreating some of us they didn't want to hear a peep about from say..the UK.  So you think Chavez calling Bush a name was going to mean much? The US corporate-run media really likes to pile on the hypocrisy don't they? 

I mean if we look at the amount of press the teabaggers and other angry white people who don't quite (want to) understand why they're so angry but are railing against #44 for no real reason other than what they hear on Fixed Noise are being given, one could argue for an immediate government censure. Or you know, that oft-neglected FCC Fairness Doctrine being reinstated.

So you know Obama is kicking it in Trinidad (good choice) at the Summit of the Americas with other world leaders and Chavez is offering an olive branch to the US. From one bi-racial President to another. I think it's kinda cool. Chavez gives Obama a book, but not just any book. It's "Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent" by Eduardo Galeano which details the exploitation of certain countries by those in the West. It's not as if it isn't true. Perhaps #44 can learn something new that his policy advisors would prefer to ignore. 

Isn't this part of the reason why certain people like Cheney are really pissed off? They can't officially call the shots anymore and whatever mercenaries and gov't infiltrators they're working with may get hung out to dry if anything new comes to light. For that torture memo has been released and Obama may want to let bygones be bygones about the crap that happened under the Bush administration but many of us will certainly not tolerate any open contempt for human rights violations under his. 

What Did You Think About The PBO Press Conference?

I thought President Obama conducted himself well and answered each increasingly lame and non-important question with more patience than I would've had. First CBS' Chip Reid started with the nonsense. Then CNN's Ed Henry tried to move an elephant with his obnoxiousness. He may clap his paws with glee over some added attention but he gets no reward for dragging the First Daughters into his stupid gotcha moment. CNN is trying to take over for Fox as most partisan and inflammatory network. It's no coincidence they hire some idiot that used to work at Fox in their quest for bigger ratings. Big FAIL!

So between browsing a few political blogs and Twitter someone mentioned that he only called on a small number of female reporters. When one of them wanted to ask him about race (why?) and how he was faring these some 60 odd days, how was he supposed to respond? We all know Obama DOES NOT LIKE TALKING ABOUT RACE for one thing and two - the question served NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER. As he responded, the people may have noticed the historical context but the average citizen is concerned about the economy. 

It seems it's certain right-wing leaning media personalities that are still carping on race and the other pundits are looking for gotcha moments. Anything but actually trying to help support the President's agendas. Even as I question his hiring practices, the loyalties of those that are serving and honestly whether the evil empire infrastructure will be dismantled I do want all the little people to experience some freedom for a change. I can't say the same for those in the media who seem hell-bent on planting seeds of dissent and spreading drama in their wake.

It's time for some new blood and I am tired of all the aging white mostly male faces that not only make up the WH Press Corp but corporate media period. Alas we Blacks let that ship sail and this is what we're left with. No control, marginal representation and a lot of haterade. Thank the stars for us bloggers but that too will be corporatized in a few years. I hope we're taking steps to ensure our participation remains intact. 

Highlights from PBO on Leno

I would've posted the full interview but all personal videos have been pulled from Youtube over a copyright infringement flag. Mind you the news organizations are able to rerun portions to their hearts content, but the little people...not so much! Here's the Twitter stream of messages about the interview - and I just found out the full interview is available on NBC's website. Very clever of them to direct the traffic back to their site, eh?

Why Are So Many Blacks Unwilling To Offer Valid Critique of President Obama?

In responding to this post by blogger CPL at Jack & Jill Politics, "Does the POTUS Have Problems with African-Americans In His Cabinet?" you'd think she asked if Obama was the anti-Christ. Here's an excerpt:  

I have said (and got shot down for my efforts) that who Mr. Obama chooses for his Administration would indicate how he intends to run the country, and who he thinks are the best people to help him govern. I stand by that statement, because I would hate to see the first African-American President be no better than his predecessors in terms of pulling the wool over our eyes and we not see the devastation of their policies until years after they have vacated the White House, and earning fat paychecks on the speaking circuit and writing memoirs.

I am well aware that MRS. Obama is surrounded by some quality sistas IN THE WHITE HOUSE - so don’t throw Desiree Rogers’ or Mona Sutphen’s names at me, please, when we have this discussion about the lack of African-American nominees in the Obama Administration. I don’t care to have second-in-command people pointed out to me, either; all that means is that if something happens to the Head Person-In-Charge, the Second-In-Command just assumes the position and hopes he gets invited back to finish out the term (someone should ask New York Governor David Paterson how’s that working out for him these days).

Oh the howling that begins every time CPL posts something that's mildly critical and asks the "difficult" questions. I can point out several Black bloggers who get so much grief for merely suggesting that President Obama does not walk on water. For the record there are those that have critiques that they've never extended to other Presidents, do so out of animus and offer no alternatives. We all come from different walks of life and have different perspectives. What I find is that most people aren't able to engage in a serious disagreement and offer counterpoints without allowing emotionalism to take over or to go into full-on attack.

I allowed myself to invest emotionally in an argument with a commenter at another blog over Prop 8 and their using what I'd term a fake religiosity to derail an entire conversation and support the equivalent of gay bashing. The reason why I did it was because so many were silent in addressing how Blacks tend to gravitate towards using the "church" to talk about how sinful it is to "engage" in homosexuality and how they're not hating, they're following God. Well there's some wiggle room with that argument but the bulk of that is bull. Not when people fornicate, get drunk, do drugs and have illegitimate children without skipping a beat, but suddenly put on the cloak of the holy when it comes to the latter. Don't even get me started! 

There are also some Black bloggers who take a much more firm stance in calling out Obama's practices than what appears at JJP. They may or may not like him but that doesn't necessarily invalidate their evaluations either. I've questioned his policies as of late and I was very invested during the primaries. I volunteered, I attended the Nomination and the Inauguration and then the bloom faded for me as I'm sure it did for him. Now that he's got the job I expect results. I know how jacked up the situation is - wait, actually I don't. I'm sure it has to be far worse than I can imagine. 

It's just that I see Black people sputtering in my opinion. The idol worship is way too intense. The Civil Rights organizations are useless. I don't know how we can force them to change their do-nothing agendas when we can't even agree on what needs to be done. Scratch that - we can't even agree that ANYTHING needs to be done at all. Too many have adopted a "wait and see" attitude and get highly offended when you even question them why they'd do that instead of demanding he prove himself by his actions. Those demands have to be carried out in an effective manner of course, but I haven't seen individuals or any group put together an agenda or strategy method. It's very frustrating!

I'm aware of the impact of systematic racism but as I keep asking: when are Black people going to kick *ss?! Not just a few individuals who may then distance themselves from the masses (which may in the end be prudent) but a large swath of people causing the tide to rise and carry many boats?

Who am I? Just one lone woman. Yeah I'm happy that Michelle Obama and her "scary toned biceps" occupy the West Wing. Some question what she has done for Black women that's tangible. I'd like to see how she wields the power of the First Lady and as the one person who can bend the ear of the President at all times. The image is powerful and symbolism alone is as filling as dust when you need a meal instead, but it still offers something powerful when people think there's nothing in its place. When things are broken we have to start somewhere. I just question whether people will walk, trot, run, get in a car that works or stand in place with their finger in the wind. Are we victims of circumstance or do our circumstances make us victims?

Here's how I responded: 

I wonder if this is the type of conversation that can be engaged at here. There seems to be a missing piece of critical thinking skills where people feel personally threatened by the idea of asking what should be standard questions about Black appointees and what Obama owes Black people. If people place the bulk of the value in emotionalism and symbolic gestures expecting reciprocity would seem like asking for the moon. If you consider yourself an equal partner and have high expectations of course you'd want to see the proof being in the pudding, not a speech or singling out a student though those are nice gestures as well. Let's just say the opposite had occurred and Obama had 7% white appointees in his Administration: white people would be howling and Obama would be under fire. But let's be clear: it would never happen. Blacks voted for Obama at a 97% rate. No other group of people gave him that unconditional support. He has not specifically promised Blacks anything. So while I'm glad he won and I want a successful Presidency we need to be a little more ruthless and clarify what our position is and demand it. But that's not going to happen because people are waiting for a hero to do all the heavy lifting and those that would be more critical who are doing so w/o animus are always challenged by those that want to tell them they're asking for too much and settling for crumbs (look at what he's done so far, blah blah) when it's simply expecting the same thing that EVERYBODY ELSE IS GETTING. Since when is that too much?

The protestations were immediate. 

I, for one, don't feel threatened by anything said on this blog. Sometimes disgusted, sometimes outraged. Often overjoyed. Never threatened.

As for the subject at hand: I have no aversion to a question being asked about the composition of the President's cabinet, even as I express a sense of "here we go again" when the question arises. Again. If I did, I'd skip the discussion altogether.

But if the person asking the question has discounted facts when asking the question, which means the questions isn't based on accurate information but, well, emotionalism, then how much critical thinking can rule the debate? If we are going to be ruthless, as you suggest, we must begin by being ruthless in gathering all the facts first. If not, we're simply bloviating. Which is perfectly fine, of course. But that's not going to bring about much critical thinking on the matter. 

Those "facts" were that other Blacks are serving in his administration, but the original post didn't discount that. The point was about who was at the highest level and whose job would have the most impact on the lives of the majority of Blacks, not just in this country but around the world. It seems people aren't considering that either. If you will recall Clinton was embroiled in the Monica Lewinsky drama and the US public was riveted by that because corporate media made it look like such a big deal, but millions of people were being slaughtered in Rwanda while the gov't stopped the United Nations from intervening. It's very easy to miss the boat. Too much is at stake right now and people have got to be more actively engaged. I don't consider myself even remotely knowledgeable about how to move in these circles but I have my opinion and this blog format to ask questions. It would seem that many people who consider themselves active would in fact choose to do nothing.

If the Non State of the Union Speech Was A T-Shirt What Would It Say?

Five weeks into his first term and President Barack Obama addressed both houses of Congress and the world for a big giant pep-talk and assurance that "everything's gonna be alright". I have to admit I was feeling pumped up after listening. I heard the sense of urgency in his voice and the way he almost stumbled over his words, he was so determined to get us to hop on the Hope Train. It was so nice seeing our FLOTUS, Michelle Obama take her seat and to watch Barack proceed down the aisle like the heavyweight champion of the world. Nancy Pelosi was lit up like a Christmas tree and I can imagine some people were basking in the glow of all things #44. 

Not everyone was so enthused. One Republican member was busted on camera doing a cross-word puzzle. I can't wait to have this idiot publicly identified. How disrespectful! Even if you don't share the policies of your Commander-In-Chief isn't it protocol to at least pretend to pay attention? I was watching C-Span 2 to avoid all of the political punditry but they interviewed various members afterwards to get their take on the speech. 

No surprises with the Republicans focusing on the potential "debt passed along to future children" spiel though they were very careful not to openly attack the President, just the House Democrats and to whine about lack of bi-partisanship blah blah blah. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal gave the official rebuttal but it really had nothing to do with the speech. Even Fox News panned his response - yikes - and people have been making fun of his delivery. I might have had sympathy except the state is losing 430 jobs daily and he claims he'll refuse the stimulus money to the detriment of his own constituents. If he's going to be the GOP's Great Brown Hope they'd better put him back in the oven 'til he's done! His t-shirt would read: "I'm With Stupid"

I paid close attention to Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters who did stop to offer analysis. They both took the time to discuss agendas for their districts, particularly Lee who went into detail about things she wanted to see transpire. I can't help but think of Waters' comments on Real Time With Bill Maher last week. She mused that Attorney General Holder needed to remember his position and how he couldn't speak plainly in light of it. This was in response to his comments on race. 

I thought it was refreshing much in the vein of Rev. Wright, but you know most whites have a hard time hearing about their privilege bluntly, though Holder did include others in his critique. So I suppose that's why he was sent to the "undisclosed location" instead of another member of the senior staff. That was a total dunce-cap-sitting-in-the-corner move but oh well. 

Despite all of our imperfections, the obstructionists and the doubters there are people focused on helping others and achieving. One is 14 year-old student Ty'Sheoma Bethea whose school has deteriorated to slightly better than 3rd world status and had written a letter begging for help. 

"We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day president, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world," Obama read. "We are not quitters."

Some of the agenda laid out is very bold (i.e wanting to cure cancer, jump starting the healthcare initiative and reducing the deficit by half) and will require the participation of all of us to get it passed in some semblance that will help. One caveat to the speech was PBO's misstep in implying the United States invented the automobile. Nope - that honor goes to France and Germany. We perfected the assembly line  - h/t to brownfemipower for catching that and posting it to Twitter. I really liked his call for citizens to accept responsibility for taking advantage of all future opportunities. It's good advice to follow!

Live Blogging the Non-State of the Union Speech on Twitter

Come join us for hijinks and we'll not take a swig because Bush is gone. Follow hashtags #nsotu.

Here's excerpts released by the White House.

We have lived through an era where too often, short-term gains were prized over long-term prosperity; where we failed to look beyond the next payment, the next quarter, or the next election. A surplus became an excuse to transfer wealth to the wealthy instead of an opportunity to invest in our future. Regulations were gutted for the sake of a quick profit at the expense of a healthy market. People bought homes they knew they couldn’t afford from banks and lenders who pushed those bad loans anyway. And all the while, critical debates and difficult decisions were put off for some other time on some other day. 

The recovery plan and the financial stability plan are the immediate steps we’re taking to revive our economy in the short-term. But the only way to fully restore America’s economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries, and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world. The only way this century will be another American century is if we confront at last the price of our dependence on oil and the high cost of health care; the schools that aren’t preparing our children and the mountain of debt they stand to inherit. That is our responsibility.

Update: Post Speech Debate & Evaluations @ #pvow

Are We Being Prudent or Overly Critical With Obama & the Economy?

I voted for Obama, and I am very hopeful about what he can do, but right now, people are judging Bush’s results against Obama’s intentions. The work is only beginning. - Guy Kawasaki

I saw this in a thread I linked to from Twitter. His statement stopped me cold. I had to pause and let it sit in my brain for awhile. Have I been worrying and expecting a doomsday scenario? Will the administration weather any potential storms and I can look back and gently chide myself for being concerned? Is the economy going to prove to teeter on the brink of, but not fall into collapse? There's an entire blog dedicated to giving us a rather perfunctory reality check. 

Should I just not even talk about this anymore? I think it depends on your circumstances. If you are in a comfortable position with liquid assets available and wilderness skills - and have currency on hand and a back-up food supply - then you'll be okay. If you are solely relying on good intentions, goodwill and people doing the "right" thing - no. If things hit the skids the Mexican border is a few hours away and I'm certain I'd be a fast learner for weapons training. 

We are shaped by our perspectives and the traditions we've been taught to believe. Changes in patterns require a lot of reflection and a shift in thought processes. We also need to have something else to put in its place. That's enough of the pop psychology angle. From a practical standpoint we have to be realistic. If things deteriorated in this country to a certain point I could get across the border in a few hours. I'm telling you, reading Atlas Shrugged has me longing for a secret society I can escape to - but I'm not certain how anyone would avoid detection due to all the satellites, spy planes and technology today. I'm sure there's a way though.

I think Guy has a point though, we do have Bush failure on the brain (even those that would vehemently deny it) but we see how letting things go escalated into a clusterfuck of major proportions. The thing is some people actually voted for Bush based on his promise of bringing honor and integrity to the White House. Remember that? His administration was anything but when he - by virtue of a partisan Supreme Court - stole the election. 

Despite that some people (and I'm specifically talking about Blacks) voted for him the second time because the Black men they let interpret their religious beliefs told them to. People were not making sound political choices based on research. In fact it was another Black man in OH who blatantly disenfranchised voters in 2004. I wondered how people could just sit idly by and be used so thoroughly considering the stolen and denied votes from 2000. Nobody did anything about it but complain about it after the fact.  So I shudder to think about those that jumped on the Obama train because he looked good on paper as well as those that oppose him because of their internalized self-hatred. Disagreeing with his policies are one thing - absorbing and using white supremacist rhetoric is another. 

I will always remember New Orleans and Katrina and how it was a majority of (poorer) Black people who relied on the benevolence of their government, assumed other people would be competent enough to take care of things if they got rough and didn't prepare for the worst case scenario. They were left to fend for themselves - and a lot of them died because of it. It wasn't the wealthy. It was the sick, the elderly and the poor(er) folks that became collateral damage over saving the offshore oil or a former Rep's house. Isn't this why those that survived the Holocaust keep talking about it and vowing to never let it happen again? Collectively most of the people displaced have not and will not be able to return to NOLA as there's a concerted effort in keeping them out. So I may be overemphasizing these things, but I have to look at it without emotion from a critical perspective.

I was having an chat with someone on Twitter a few days ago where I mentioned how disappointed I was with the PBO capitulation to the Republicans to garner support that never came and how bad it looked despite the passage of the stimulus package. Another person sent me a message asking why I was being so critical after only three weeks. Well I wonder if things will be this contentious the next 3.95 to 8 years. Somebody's gotta wear down eventually. It's why I question who the real allies of PBO are and whether he's ready to show some righteous fire.

Did the Republican factions against Clinton wear down during his tenure in office? No. In fact they were aided by the corporate media in presenting a biased viewpoint. How would it have looked for those hypocrites to be revealed trying to expose Clinton for his personal failings while they were engaged in the exact same thing? Going back to NOLA for example, they have a new Congressional Representative who took over after William Jefferson was busted for stealing money and voted out of office.  

Rep. Cao got buzz for being the first Asian elected official for that district. He's a Republican who promised to do right by his constituents, despite being from an opposing party and an immigrant. He even wanted to join the Congressional Black Caucus because his district is primarily Black. Well he was part of the Political Wall of Opposition that voted against the stimulus. Now who in their right mind would turn down money to rebuild NOLA? A FOOL! So we can judge him by his actions and see he is going to be even more useless than the greedy Jefferson was and he's only been in office a short time. Things went from bad to worse. 

Which brings me back to PBO. It's not that his intentions may not be good, but what will his actions show us? How will opposition forces shape his administration? Look at the policies Clinton implemented that were harmful to those Blacks (and others) on the lower economic pendulum. Three strikes, harsher sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine and welfare-to-work are just some examples.  Yet Blacks were touting him as an honorary Negro. 

When Reagan was in office he lowered the tax rates for the wealthy and started the assault against regulating the financial markets. Some people loved it, but if you trend the national debt it spiked and has been climbing ever since. Oddly enough it was Clinton who managed to lower it slightly before it jumped to its present heights now. That debt isn't going to level off either. It took nearly three decades to balloon and will take a long time to be paid off - if it ever is. 

Californians were supposedly sick of Gray Davis and wanted "change". He was trying to get the Enron millions they'd bilked from us - whose top executives were incidentally Bush supporters. So the Republicans thought they try a little experiment and pull a Sarah Palin on the voters by using an attractive, verbally-challenged candidate with star power and sex appeal. See how we led the pack years in advance? That brought us Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's just as unqualified and just as dangerous. Look at the $42B deficit and a stalled budget since last July as proof of his failed leadership and failed Republican policies. Now the plan is to fire state workers - that just so happen to be SEIU members. It's blatant union-busting tactics. I wonder how many of them fell for the con and voted for the Governator. People got caught up and didn't check under the hood. Now that we're reaping what's been sowed people aren't going to want to live on ramen noodles if they were feasting off filet mignon - albeit on borrowed money and overvalued assets. 

So I guess I'll reserve making any definitive statements but I will continue to monitor things as they go. I can't jump on the hope train oblivious to major shifts in PBO's agenda nor will I yell fire in a crowded room. The idiocy in California makes it even more challenging to not react harshly to the idiocy coming from Washington. The time to be diligent and prepare is now. There are still plenty of people who are in fact doing just fine. I just need to go make some new friends and find some allies for that secret society!

The Stimulus Plan Passed: Where Do We Go From Here?

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone reading this can spend some time amongst loved ones and be grateful for receiving love and support. 

After much wrangling, compromising and machinations, PBO has been declared the "winner" - at least for this round - against the obstructionists from both major parties who opposed the passage of the stimulus bill. Yes it does add more debt and that isn't a good thing. No it will not solve this economic crisis on its own. It's too soon to tell what benefits will be gained and how many people it ends up helping. Those unemployed will see an immediate relief with an extension of benefits and a slight increase. The National Endowment for the Arts has funding again after years of neglect. People who have enough funds to buy new cars and a home will see a discount. Students will get a few hundred extra out of the PELL grant finally. Tax credits abound (if you can wait an entire year more power to ya). 

I would've liked to have seen a provision specifically for renters getting emergency aid to cover payments for 1-2 months, particularly those facing evictions due to job losses without any repayment requirements. Here in California thanks to the idiot unqualified actor and the $42B debt we will be facing a state income tax increase as well as a sales tax increase. If you're on the lower economic end that adds up to a few thousand dollars per year so all those breaks from the federal stimulus plan just got knocked out. 

We know the President has other plans in the works to try to jump start the dead battery aka our economy, but we need a critical assessment of the overall picture and most of us have no clue. Not even the so-called experts. Last year the Fed stopped a run on the banks that would've wiped us out for good. This problem hasn't been resolved - let's be fair to #44 and know he won't be able to do anything about it permanently either - but PBO will be assigning an additional $2 trillion to the banks. Those banks aren't required to loan any money and as we know there was no oversight and nothing preventing them from doling out bonuses to the tune of $20B either. That salary cap is loosely worded in the stimulus package and really how is it going to be enforced? 

Here's the video from C-Span where Rep. Kanjorski, the Capital Markets Subcommitte Chair discusses how we're 2 hours away from collapse. Who cares about the Octo-Mom or the Grammys under these circumstances?

The problem is the continued generation of tax breaks and policies that create a class of the uber-wealthy minority at the expense of the masses which creates a majority of individuals whose incomes deteriorate while costs for necessities increase faster than can be replicated. It's the hedge fund manager pulling in $10M whose company will only pay an assistant $40K per year in a major city where rents may have jumped to $2000K per month. You might be educated and you might be working but you'll always be broke unless you can either earn more money, marry and get an additional income, take a second job or have your expenses lowered. That's a lot to ask of a person. Plus that manager has had their taxes lowered, has more loopholes available and is going to be catered to by the government no matter what. We're expected to believe we have "freedom" and unlimited choices but in real life application we are in a box with limited room for movement. 

The United States already is in the red for $50 trillion and counting so what's another few billions to the pile - although our current public debt is listed at "only" $10 trillion that's not counting EVERYTHING. All of the focus on the Republican turncoat who stepped aside from his Commerce Secretary nomination was a distraction. PBO needs to act like he's the friggin' President and stop trying to make friends out of those who've declared themselves enemies. It's very frustrating to watch these appointments bite the dust quite frankly - all reasonable arguments aside.  The next Census is very important and should never have been even hinted at being left in the hands of someone opposed to supporting business development by the non-whites in this country or wanting to thwart the correct allocation of districts.

The real focus should be on the Comptroller General and the Government Accountability Office. Yeah, I know it's hard to believe there is one. Seen any articles of the corporate media about this office? Me either. It's supposed to be the tax-payer's friend. Gene Dodaro may be the current position-holder but my eyes are on his predecessor David Walker who's been very vocal about the Fiscal State of the Union  for nearly 2 years and why we're still in deep doo-doo. Here's his interview with 60 Minutes from late 2007. I wish I'd been paying attention.

The other elephant in the room is whether PBO's other plans will be implemented and whether they'll be structured in a way that actually helps those that truly need it. When he caved so quickly to demands for tax breaks and gave a much higher percentage than what was absolutely necessary (see my renter not getting funds to stave off an eviction vs. homebuyer getting a discount) you can see where the priorities lay. A homebuyer is already entitled to certain additional tax breaks and could certainly do without the funds imo. It's a need vs. want scenario and since it's all borrowed money why not put it to its best usage?

Who are the real allies of Barack Obama? I keep asking on various political blogs and have yet to receive a definitive list. As I go down the list of his appointees, those he's added to his staff and his political "friends" I can't find any. Remember there are no permanent friends only permanent interests. So what happens when PBO's agendas are of no interest to those that can do him the most damage politically? I see people who were and would continue to be just fine without him. They were already established in their careers and/or have connections to other politicians/factions/governments. It seems he needs them more than than they do. 

Look at how some of his nominees have bitten the dust. The vetting process was weak. The BBC has an article questioning whether he was unlucky or naive? I have concerns and am not liking what I've seen so far. You can still be supportive of the President and be critical. Look at the voters and why they did - or didn't support his candidacy. I see declared enemies working at his right hand. Perhaps I just don't get it, but Bush ruled with an iron fist. Yeah he sounded dumb on tv, but the Republicans obeyed and the media followed. He was in charge. He didn't ask - he took. Cheney is scary. We saw the emergence of the Blue Dog Democrats who are really just Rethugs who infiltrated the opposition party to help it implode on itself. The biggest turncoat Lieberman has been allowed to keep all of his plum committee appointments. Hillary Clinton is Secretary of State. All the enemies and obstructionists got rewarded. 

That's just messed up in my book under any circumstances. I still don't like it and it's causing a pit of apprehension just thinking about it. I wonder when the rug is going to pulled out from underneath us on all levels. I wonder if enough people are working together in a concerted effort to help level the playing field. Electing one person isn't enough. Now due to the vast economic upheaval many are in a fight for basic solvency which removes them from that particular battle. That may be the intention as this is a multi-tiered spiritual/political/personal war going on in this country and around the world. 

I am doing my best to be prepared but it requires a lot of effort and being vigilant. That's very tiring when all you want to do is celebrate symbolism and bask in the glow of hope. We can't afford to leave things to others to take care of for us. The alternative is to be left behind in the wake of another pending catastrophe that you weren't aware of but we can't claim ignorance of potential disasters anymore.   

Some Light At the End of the Tunnel (?)

So it looks like this stimulus package might just eek out with around 61 Senators. Apparently as many as 3 Republicans may decide to buck the "Block Obama Train" and actually try to assist those they represent so it can pass. Not all Democrats are supporting their party leader by the way. Since I haven't seen it yet I can't offer my two cents on its merits. It will not be a panacea and to insist that one person be able to undo all the damage and chaos a group of people did wouldn't exactly be fair. Of course we know that life isn't always situated thusly. Here's a thought - all those states whose representatives blocked this response and attempt to address things should NOT GET ANY OF THE MONEY! How ya like me now! The kiddies will eat their vegetables and they're gonna like them, darn it. I guess if people can sing and dance on inline skates at the same time we can do our part to "fix" the economy. 

When the Democrats Blow Apart the Obama Presidency What Will Black Voters Do?

It's only two weeks into his Presidency and Barack Obama may just be getting the inkling that he has very few true allies. We know the Republicans have all joined together to gang up on him over the stimulus bill but those crafty Democrats are in fact far more dangerous. They bring new meaning to the word frenemy. They want to derail his entire Presidency in the same way the Republicans did to Bill Clinton. 

He has done nothing but capitulate and they still won't let him join their club. This is what institutional racism is. This is the face and deeds of white supremacy. If Obama thought he could coddle it or dance around it, he is in for a rude awakening. He gets no quarter for being half-white because per all the old slave laws, he's still a nigger to them. That sounds harsh, doesn't it? Well the truth must be told and is best served bluntly. 

Tom Daschle may have thought it was DC politics as usual. After all, Tim Geithner got confirmed and he also had a tax problem. There was no way PBO could have three appointees with the same issues. It was sloppy vetting and it set Obama up to look like a fool. Unless he personally went through all the paperwork - which I doubt - somebody in his ranks is intentionally messing up. Since the buck stops with the President, it's him who looks bad. Plus PBO knows that his pal has been earning money as a lobbyist - so all the change talk is sounding like BS. However, we know Daschle's support was the clincher for an Obama nomination win....so one could say he had yet another debt to be paid. It has not gone unnoticed that those who stuck their necks out early on and supported PBO have not ended up working for him in his administration though. I smell a familiar stench coming from the Clinton camp, but PBO surely knew what he was getting himself into, right? Did he think he was going to get a day off from people who live to eviscerate their rivals? This isn't a popularity contest (which he won) it's a long slow battle to the death. The last one standing wins. 

Even Caroline Kennedy had to withdraw in favor of a fake Democrat who's backed by Clintonistas (i.e PUMAS). If a Kennedy was forced out what hope would anyone else have? I know PBO had a wide range of support from a variety of people, but nobody voted for him at the rate Black voters did. We're talking close to 95%. Since 6 out of 10 Black votes came from Black women those of us not prepared for the fall will be totally screwed. Black people have no power collectively in the Democratic party. Republicans tend to look down on any non-white person unless you are upper class and rich. They want the poor whites as cannon fodder for reliable votes because they can always site their white skin privilege to make themselves feel better. It's a winner take all philosophy. There are no friends, only common interests.

It would be very demoralizing for those that put symbolism above activism and organization to be witness to the "fall" of Obama. Which is just the delusions getting a swift kick of reality. Already the corporate media is standing by with camera crews and microphones ready to record every hiccup - but they intentionally hid the bulk of #43's misdeeds. The question is do Black people have a Plan B? Nope! That's the problem. 

Obama will be fine no matter what - I'm not sure the Black collective would recover from such a massive disappointment. Oh, but I can imagine the excuses people would be willing to make. I love action-adventure stories as well as those epic dramas like Lord of the Rings, but this is REAL LIFE. There is no time for magical thinking, wishing on stars and hoping for the best. 

There is an end run on Obama's Presidency brewing and he hasn't even been in office for ONE MONTH. You know Pelosi, Reid and others have had their hands all over that stimulus plan and although I like most of the things added to it, it will be a fight to get it passed as is. It should not become a test of the strength of his Presidency though. 

He's not going to threaten martial law to get it passed - though maybe he should. His capitulation lies in trying to play fair and be nice to a bunch of bastards that want his head on a platter. They can't stand the fact a Black person is running things but because he's already shown he's willing to do anything to make them feel better about it, they are going to demand it. The question is whether Obama will get gully and draw a line in the sand or give in. Like Dr. Phil says, if past actions are an indication of future actions then we already know what Obama is going to do. He's going to do whatever he has to do to appease the factions. 

When more of those that support him get cast aside who aren't prominent, wealthy or connected what will they do? I'm feeling a little bitter right now as I write this because I want to be wrong, but I can't shake the feeling that what I'm writing will come to pass. Of course I would've been horrified to have McLame in office with Nanook from the Tundra, but I wasn't at all looking forward to the return of the Hill & Bill show either. John Edwards would've been taken out easily with news of his very own baby momma drama series, the Hair and the Sexually Restless and that would've left us with no viable candidate. President Biden? Ha! 

All that work people put into the Obama campaign seems meaningless if it can be unraveled so easily by politicians influenced by dissent with nefarious intentions. This is going to be an even longer, drawn out fight for those that support real progressive values. Now I'm going back to my theory that the complete decay of this country is imminent. The corruption, the violence, the greed, the apathy, the avarice and the blinders we wear have built up a tidy sum of evil that has to be accounted for. The Devil wants his due and we're going to pay up with interest. This is more than political, it's spiritual warfare and perhaps this is the way things were supposed to play out. Sink or swim. Survive or perish. Pay heed to warnings or suffer the consequences. I could be way off base. Or just a little. Either way, we'll soon find out. 

God Bless the Child That's Got Her Own.....

Obama Change Is Starting to Rot Like Day Old Bread

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Tom Daschle withdrew himself from consideration for the Health and Human Services appointment today. Nancy Killefer was another potential appointee who withdrew. Let's not forget about Bill Richardson. This is the big elephant in the room: what is up with these people who make a very comfortable living and have access to undeclared perks not paying their taxes? Or I guess we can say, mishandling their finances and being involved in questionable business activities? Or having personal relationship issues? We know the Obamas personally don't indulge in such folly because it would've been campaign fodder to their detriment, but these other politicians have been prominent political figures for years.

It's not that people aren't allowed to make mistakes either, but this just shows how flawed the "system" is. The people who rise to the top are not necessarily the best examples of human beings or those striving to be their best. Or those that care about improving the lives of the masses. It's just about who can swim with the sharks - or who is a bigger shark. Mediocrity rules as long as you have dirt on someone to silence any opposition.

Now can somebody tell me again it was just griping when some asked why Howard Dean wasn't part of the Obama administration? If Hillary Clinton can get a prominent position from #44 knowing full well she wanted to be #44 and wasn't at all gracious, then it should come as no surprise that the less combative would fall off like flies. Again I will ask why haven't other qualified individuals who may not be part of the "in" crowd but might better serve the country been appointed? I will also say some are not making it easy for President Obama anyway, so this is just an added annoyance.

If all we have to console ourselves with is dodging more incompetence or the flat out self-serving interests from Shrub and his loyalists, this is going to be majorly disappointing. Of course if the last President hadn't been such a disaster I wouldn't be rooting so hard for the success of the new one. It wasn't all because of a campaign slogan. This situation doesn't compare in equal measure but it presents itself as a big pothole on the road to Changeville and shows us how easily a lane change could lead us off the path we want to be on.  

Update: PBO (that's President Barack Obama) has apologized and takes full responsibility for his failure to properly vet his candidates. Good, because things are looking very sloppy! If you look at the paperwork required to work for PBO it plainly asks if there's any "skeletons" and "potential conflicts of interests". So my question is: did those appointees actually read it and complete it? 

Condoleeza Rice Proves How A Black Face In A High Place Is A False Victory for the Masses

Condoleeza Rice appeared on The View Friday. She is clearly a poised and articulate woman. She likes American Idol. Hey, she's just like us! The discussion didn't delve too much into what her role in shaping foreign policy consisted of but the hosts asked her about packing tips and playing piano at Buckingham Palace. The conversation veered towards Iraq and swung sharply towards Katrina. Ah, it's the single biggest failure of the Bush Administration - aside from the fake war, the economy and the dismantling of the Justice Department.

Her disconnect with "reality", the reality of the lives of millions of the non-elite and non-wealthy is palpable. Black people from non-elite backgrounds especially wanted her to have empathy and feel their "pain". People who move in rarefied circles don't hang out with the masses, but to hear her tell it during this interview her parents weren't wealthy. Perhaps not, but I think she was intentionally trying to downplay her upbringing to appear more "common" since the View's audience is predominantly white women. The interview she gave Ebony magazine in 2005 was much more telling.

EBONY: What was it like growing up in the. South during those turbulent times in the U.S.?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, I would divide it into most of the time growing up there and then 1963. The years from the time that I was conscious, which I guess was probably around 1957, 1958--I was born in 1954--until 1962 or '63, it was like living in two separate societies. But I was fortunate. I grew up in a pretty cloistered community and in a place in Birmingham called Titusville, where the families were strongly pro-education, strongly pro-religion, mostly schoolteachers, a couple of doctors, a lawyer here or there, but we were solidly middleclass. And our parents fought to make sure that we had our own ballet lessons, and I was dragged off to French lessons every Saturday from the time I was 9. And the teachers in that community were just exceptional, and almost everybody was a teacher. The schools were totally segregated. I did not have a White classmate until we moved to Denver in 1968. But I didn't feel any sense of deprivation because the community worked so hard ... But then, late '62 and '63 were pretty violent. And bombs went off in the neighborhood all the time, and some of those heroes, people my parents knew really well, like Fred Shuttlesworth and Arthur Shores, their houses were being attacked all the time. And there were Night Riders in the community. And then, of course, when the four little girls were killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, everybody knew one of them. Addle Mae Collins was in my uncle's homeroom. I knew Denise McNair really well. She was a good friend.

I suppose her family decided if you can't beat 'em join 'em. Become the Model Minority and the Exceptional Negro to gain acceptance, survive and thrive. Well in order for that process to be complete does one have to divorce themselves from "diversity" and be the one raisin in the milk? That might elevate one family's fortunes but that is not progress. Of course I could also discuss the failure of the Civil Rights Movement and how some Black men used white male animus to elevate themselves individually - not the entire "race" - but that's another conversation for another time. I understand that Dr. Rice is but one woman and she isn't responsible for every individual Black person but.....it isn't so hard to believe that people would look to her to offer some leadership due to her position. What may have been appropriate political and social strategies during the 60's don't work now, however.

The ascension of Barack Obama has shown a shift of sorts but even with him being President it only means one more person (with family in tow) got through the "glass ceiling" and only by his bending over backwards to make a core group of white people comfortable. He's not MLK and he most certainly isn't Malcolm X (but guess which one his physical appearance more likely resembles). I see similarities to one more than the other in his choice of a noticeably Black wife and his discipline. Things have changed but not as much as some might believe. I also understand people will bring their own life experiences in evaluating this. 

There are younger people who may not hold any obvious animus who are thrilled to see a President Obama, but they may likewise be operating under a bubble of historical ignorance. That may be "misguided" if they're Black or "unintentional" if they're white but it still smacks of privilege. What about other non-whites who don't acknowledge the contributions Blacks have made in building this country? That's why we hear this ridiculous argument of his election being an impetus for a post-racial society being trotted out. It will be post-racial when reparations are administered and after white supremacy has been dismantled and a balanced system put in its place that includes women of color in positions of power - but not until then. The corporate media is consolidating their talking heads even further by adding more white male anchors in case nobody's paying attention. Now the Republicans have elected Michael Steele as the Chair of the National Committee, but they don't get it. It can't be just any Black person, they have to be "exceptional". There has to be a connection and the masses have to be able to relate - well in theory anyway. 

For Dr. Rice to still tout that weapons of mass destruction lie is inexcusable though. Her excuses for #43's failure to properly address the Katrina situation baffles me. So if she's saying the former President's response to those majority Black people who were left to fend for themselves before AND after Katrina is not based on racial animus, then what is it based on? He showed how much he cared on a personal level as well as politically by his inaction. He was the President and the buck stopped with him. Actually, I have to restate that. The insurance companies were allowed to deny legit claims, all public housing (even buildings unaffected by damage) was razed, people were stuffed in toxic trailers, it has been open season on non-criminals in NOLA by police and racist vigilantes and most of the non-white population has not returned. That is definite action - of opposition. Is it racism or fascism? Hitler or Marie Antoinette?

So whatever you want to call it, that's what it is. Incompetence is a good starting place but it's so much more than that. It's a very powerful disconnection from people's suffering. She's clearly not an incompetent woman. She's become a millionaire many times over during her time serving at the feet of white male patriarchy. I say at the feet because despite all of her servitude she's still not sitting at the table on equal footing with them. Or is she? She might be an occasional special guest or co-host of the party. I could be wrong though, but I'm not sensing the plotting for power antics of Lady MacBeth, er Hillary Clinton. Publicly at least, Dr. Rice is still offering a certain deference that's intriguing. I can't help but wonder if it's because she's being protective and not trying to draw more attention to herself because she's a Black woman with a lot of clout - and we see how the society at large resents Black women who are unbowed. Or perhaps she is more secure with her place in this world and doesn't feel the need to prove anything to anyone.

I certainly don't hold her to any different standards than all the other politicians who stood by and did nothing, but she had direct access to the President at a time when the voice of urgency needed to be shouted at him. #43 was doing flyovers and having birthday cake with McCain when people were drowning. I still stokes my ire to see Sean Penn in a boat rescuing people on television but hearing our elected officials claim there was nothing they could do. I don't think the bulk of his fan base are poor Blacks yet he felt compelled to take action and help people - and he's an actor! So I don't think it's unfair to see his example (and Oprah's) and wonder why Dr. Rice was buying overpriced shoes and enjoying Spamalot even if it was her day off.

So if she's just one of many public "servants" and doesn't owe the community at large (such that it is) anything why should she be given any deference or paid any attention? She was the highest-ranking Black official in the government, but is that an achievement for one person alone or a progression of Civil Rights? Was she the safe exception for a group of white men who made her an honorary white person and did she play a role for them while securing a future for herself? I never saw her or heard of her displaying any of the foolishness we see from certain politicians or entertainers - and do I really need to name any names? She is clearly secure with who she is as a woman - but are we? I am under no delusions that she would've fared better had all the men in power been Black for she wouldn't have likely been appointed at all. That sounds harsh but let's face reality - it's true. 

Colin Powell lied to the U.N. on behalf of a President. I guess some people were fooled, but I wasn't one of them. Even he had a "moment" of clarity at some point and got out of Dodge, leaving the Bush Administration. Of course the biggest irony is that Dr. Rice would be appointed under a Republican administration because the Democrats for all their "we are one" spiel doesn't want to elevate qualified Black women to the highest positions of prestige and authority within the party or in Presidential Administrations. We've had one Black female Senator period! No one is going to convince me it's due to a lack of qualified individuals either. If Black women are waiting for the "right" time to seize power it's already here. If there is a lack of support (which I believe there is from certain corners) then this is a situation that requires strategies and movement. Go to where the door has been cracked open and kick it in.  

Lastly let the last President's inaction be a warning to people to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Your government will not be there for you when you need it the most if you are poor and non-white. All of the hero worship for President Obama aside, he is now in charge and may not address those horrific loose ends still dangling in a meaningful way to those most negatively impacted by those events. I want to be wrong about this, but if you look at the history of elected and appointed Black officials over the past 20 years, 30 years and even 40 years you will see a big FAIL! Do you think Black people as a whole are doing better today than a few decades ago with the crime, the out of wedlock births, the complete abandonment by Black men, the deteriorated neighborhoods and the standard of living? Individuals - yes. Masses - no! Let the reaction and response of the former Secretary of State to the Katrina survivors (is that being generous?) be ample warning to those that would deny this.

President Obama's Weekly Address

This should be subtitled the Good News/Bad News Scenario.

Well he's letting us know the economy is in the crapper! He's saying he showed up on Day One with things worse than ever. He's telling us things will deteriorate before they level off. We've been warned. This address is total CYA for him and putting those politicians that would try to thwart his plans on notice. 

I recall the Republican talking points up until their Convention from their candidate John McCain stating the fundamentals of the economy were strong (and still claiming it mid-September when the ish started hitting the fan). I remember #43 telling us it was just a hiccup, a slow down. Mistakes are one thing, but they were lying and dumped everything onto Obama. I shudder to think what would be happening right now if it was McCain/Palin in office. No matter what Obama does - or doesn't do - the bar has been set so low a mediocre Obama would still run circles around #43. Isn't that just pathetic!

I'm all for accountability, but I find it very telling that a real plan for destruction and disruption that the Republicans and their infiltrators (agenda traitors) in the Democratic party are planning is fully present and visible. If the horse has run off and is heading towards a brick wall how can you claim you're controlling it or that it's not loose. Once the horse has been corralled and someone else has the reigns how can you then claim you have ideas about how to lead that horse to water? You had free reign for 8 years! If you couldn't figure it then what makes you think ANYONE will believe you have any idea what you're talking about NOW?! Too much greed, too much spending and living beyond our means has brought us here.  

Everything Obama's saying about wanting to mend what I'm calling, The Great Big Financial Catastrophe sounds good. Unlike the Depression in 1930's wealthy people today have made sure to modify the laws to protect their financial interests by and large. So the majority of people going down will be the working class. The working poor are already screwed. 

At least he's speaking to the people directly instead of mumbling about abstractions to the press and claiming unqualified appointees are doing a "heck of a job". I do believe that #44 wants to do the right thing. I haven't seen any evidence that Obama is personally motivated by greed, avarice or ideology. If he didn't think he could do the job he would not have run. 

I just don't underestimate the obstacles we'll all have to climb to get over to the other side. If enough people want real change they will make personal modifications and adopt a shift in attitude. Everyone is not going to be helped in the way they want. That American Dream fantasy was always a lie. People have to stop spending money they don't have and live with less. Of course that will affect consumer-based retailers and other companies that depend on us buying every new gadget annually. It was never necessary and it needs to stop. Nor will I dismiss those shifty tendencies of  shady politicians looking to line their pockets or those easily influenced by evil. We're watching. 

More Inaugural Week Video: Pelosi Meet Up

This was recorded at the brunch thrown by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for California constituents who were still in town the day after the Inauguration. It's a little choppy in parts because I was dodging other people who were moving in and out of position. She relays a a funny moment about seeing #43 off in the helicopter and her enthusiasm for #44 is evident. I do remember that she is politician though and take all that charm with a grain of salt. Studying how people attain and wield power and influence should be required learning for all of us!

Here are some photos from the event. 

We still need more of the pols to sign up for Twitter accounts and join TweetCongress! Even if it's being monitored by interns we need a direct point of contact.

Obama Signs Ledbetter Act Into Law: Women Cheer!

Do ya think some of the carping from certain entitled women will forever be silenced now that #44's first legislative signature is for a step towards compensation equality? Probably not, but they'll look a little more ridiculous in the future. I received an email from Kristen @ MomRising with this photo of her and Lilly Ledbetter at the White House this morning: 

"Passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act reverses a bad U.S. Supreme Court decision that made it impossible to win pay descrimination cases that were filed after 180 days of the pay being set--an important fix to a critical problem, but it doesn't solve the entire problem of unfair pay practices. We have a long way to go."

We can send a thanks to the members of Congress that supported this legislation, overturning the obstacles presented by the Bush Administration, Republicans and a rather partisan Supreme Court. The President and First Lady both addressed this landmark moment.

"Making our economy work means making sure it works for everyone," Obama said. "That there are no second-class citizens in our workplaces, and that it's not just unfair and illegal — but bad for business — to pay someone less because of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion or disability."  Source

First Lady Michelle Obama, in a separate reception with Ledbetter in the State Dining Room, praised her courage and principles. "She knew unfairness when she saw it, and was willing to do something about it because it was the right thing to do — plain and simple," Mrs. Obama said.  Source

Remember it was John McCain, a man who lives off the wealth of his wife, said women didn't need equal pay they needed more "education". Of course who's going to be paying for that education was never addressed. For women who never marry their earning power is directly tied to what Social Security and other retirement benefits they may (or may not) receive should they not be able to claim a spouse's earnings. This is another benefit of marriage as legally defined in its current configuration and why same gender relationships will have to be reevaluated. Black women will be especially hit hard should they face retirement on reduced earnings (somewhere in the 55-62 cents range per every dollar earned by a white male), with no spousal compensation and having spent a lot of their resources caring for others. 

White House photos from Reuters & AP