Convergence of Relevant Stuff

Nearly everyone is outraged about the parody of Barack Obama, distributed by Republican National Committee member Chip Slatzman, a former campaign manager for Mike Huckabee.  The video is called “Barack The Magic Negro” .  The   is also stereotypical of black people and racially insensitive. Everything about the song is off color and  reminiscent of  the days of Jim Crow.  It goes back to an age old problem of race, color, skin tone, interracial parenting, and a host of other issues that apparently will never be put to rest.   Despite the advances we have made  in this country, there are still people  who feel they can define  what it means to be black in America and how black people are to act, which is brazenly stereotypical.

The fact that Republicans along with and including radio “wanna be icon” Rush Limbaugh, conspired to distribute the video, shows exactly how out of touch these people are with mainstream America. It is a shocking reminder that we still have a way to go to erase insensitivity and biases in this country.  In any event,  here’s  the  U-Tube video called “Barack The Magic Negro“. Look at it so that all of us can discourage racially stereotypical comments and behavior.

Email from President Elect Barack Obama Announces New Website:

Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting President-elect Barack Obama and Obama for
America.  Barack greatly appreciates the outpouring of messages he is
receiving from across the country and from Americans around the world.
He is deeply honored by the confidence the American people have placed
in him and in Vice President-elect Biden.  Please click here to see
President-elect Obama’s speech on Election Night:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGx3Kc

Barack Obama and Joe Biden are hopeful about the opportunities and
clear-eyed about the challenges our nation faces.  They look forward to
working with all Americans, regardless of who they voted for, in the
great project of American renewal.  Enlisting the energy and ingenuity
of the American people is the only way we will create the changes that
so many people want to see, so we hope you’ll be involved.

You have just contacted Obama for America, the Obama/Biden campaign
organization.  A new organization has been formed to facilitate
communication with the Obama/Biden Administration that will take office
on January 20, 2009.  If you have questions, suggestions, or comments
about the federal government, policy, or the coming Obama/Biden
Administration, please visit the online Office of the President-elect
for more information and to get involved:

www.change.gov

If you’re contacting us because you’ve been energized by your
participation in our grassroots movement, we hope you will remain
active in your community and involved in national policy debates.
Please continue to visit www.BarackObama.com
regularly.  We’ve built one of the most comprehensive nationwide
organizing networks in history, and our victory on November 4th is only
the beginning of the work we will do together.

The 56th Presidential Inauguration will take place on January 20th,
2009.  For more information, we encourage you to visit the websites of
the Presidential Inauguration Committee and the Joint Congressional
Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

http://www.pic2009.org/

http://inaugural.senate.gov/

Due to the extremely number of messages we are currently receiving, we
may be unable to respond to your message individually, but we do
appreciate hearing from you and hope you’ll work with us as we build
America’s future together.

Thank you again for contacting us.

Sincerely,
Obama for America

———————–
Paid for by Obama for America

It appears that McCain and some in the media or trying to label Barack Obama as being too arrogant and overtly confident. Maybe he would do well to shuffle his feet, appear uncomfortable and non confident. Better yet maybe he should not be running at all? Maybe that is a solution. After all how dare him appear too presidential. Who does he think he is. Never mind that nearly any other presidential candidate in American History exuded confidence. Why not Obama? Is a black man with an aire of confidence unacceptable to America?

Would it be okay if Obama showed an aire of confidence if he were a delivery man, would any one care? Or what if he made plans to visit all his stops on the delivery route prior to being hired for the job of delivery man, would the American people be turned off.

We have been deceived more than once by incompetent leaders who we have naively elected to the office of President. We are paying a huge price now for our blunders in electing George Bush, not once , but twice to the White House. Barack Obama is no doubt more intelletual, perhaps more intelligent than both our current President and the Republican nominee, John McCain and he’s tied in a dead heat in the polls, with the election less than three months away. Why is that?

Is America not ready to elect a black man to the Highest office in the land, so we settle for someone like McCain who has no business leading this country? We will settle for that alternative, because Obama is too arrogant? Watch out for the arrogant black man. He’s dangerous.

So perhaps we will see another eight years of Republican incompetence. See companies take away nearly all our benefits, see double digit inflation, see our standing around the world continued to take huge hits, all because we do not want to elect who some perceive to be an arrogant black man. Think about it , are you willing to let that happen? It time for a new thoughts and new directions and while were at it; learning to broaden our outlook on Barack Obama and on acceptance of others who look different.

It’s time to stop making absurd excuses to continue our habit of electing ordinary people to an extraordinary office…. President of the United States.

You have got to love the Huffington Post. It is Arriana Huffington’s creation that has skyrocketed as a critically acclaimed blog. It is a refreshing approach to modern day journalism. This is a refreshing approach to blogging that has brought to an information point, a number of journalism professionals to further the concept of the professional grassroots blogging.

People now turn to the Huff Post for breaking news stories and quite frankly a different view and approach of reporting the news. The concept of the guest blogger is in itself cutting edge and a welcome way to approach Journalism. The Huff Post’s Big News Pages- highlights some of the biggest news of the day.

The Huffington Post is a blog that is talked about  all over the Internet for it impact and the focus of the it’s content. It is in a word revolutionizing the concept of citizen blogging or professional citizen blogging. It you have not already checked out The Huffington Post; and who hasn’t? Then check it out today, the link is below.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Recently Al Gore repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment not to run for the office of President. He felt his current mission to promote the cause of green would take precedent over the larger issue that politicians concern themselves with. But Gore said something interesting. He felt that bloggers have a key impact and role in shaping policy; whatever the issue in the future. That blogging has emerged and evolve over the last 20 years to shaping the Grass Roots landscape and giving a voice to those who otherwise would not have a voice is nothing short of incredible.

The pulse of society can be read through blogging activity and the issues of the day can be discussed in an indept manner, that even news organizations cannnot begin to emulate. That is the beauty of average Americans having a voice about political issues and how these issues shape and mode our society.

Al Gore is on the cutting edge of recognizing this phenomenon and his support and voice will go a long way in encouraging bloggers across the country to recognize the impact of blogs and the influence that they weld in shaping policy from day to day and deliver the pulse of what the average American think.

This is a big step that is sorely needed in keeping government honest and in tune to the needs of the people.

The cover of the New Yorker Magazine is an outrage. Portraying Barack Obama as a Muslim and his wife as a sixties area terrorist is lacking in responsibility. In the fireplace is an American flag burning in a fireplace and framed picture of Osama Bin Laden above the Mantle. This is an outrage. And New Yorker Magazines needs to be censored; it is an attempt to defame, Barack Obama. They are trying by innuendo to create fear in America. The cover is offensive.

I do not believe there is any acceptable explanation for this. To say that people will get it. Americans will not get it. The editor of New Yorker Magazine said it was satire. Why approve this cover, when there is any chance of it being misconstrued? To put the article on the cover and have no explanation for it is unreal. It is bad judgment. Americans are cannot discern this cover if 26% believe Obama was raised a Muslim and 12% believe he is a Muslim. Yet, New Yorker Magazine chose to put this distasteful photo on its cover shows it insensitivity to the Obama. It is at best unfortunate and at worst a blatant maneuver to discredit Obama?

Those who are not enlighten will see the cover and in fact literally take away the message in the photo that Obama is a Muslim and his wife is some sixties radical. Hypothetically what would happen if the same magazine put a picture of John McCain dressed in Muslim garb and his wife dressed a Muslim terrorist? It would be total outrage.

Let call this what it is. It is what it is. It is an attempt to cater to the fears of those who are less enlighten culturally and lack in diversity, causing them to not vote for Barack Obama. This kind of racial profiling is totally unfair and an attempt to help John McCain. It as simple as that. And anyone who calls it an innocent picture in my opinion is less than truthful.

Click Here For More News From My Other Blog- Harbor News Post

Whose the leader of the free black world? That’s the question of the the day and it became so when Jesse Jackson opened his mouth and said a few words that I am sure he now regrets. We all paused a little to soak everything in for clarity. You, know “Did he say, what I thought he said”. I guess he did, and now the articles are pouring in with significant, catchy titles like “Jackson Barks, But does He still Have Bite?” and How about this one “When to Quote Those Potty Mouths”. The point is, this was a rather interesting diversion in mid- summer that sort of took a little of the attention off the Obama- McCain race for Camelot, I mean the White House.

So now everyone is trying desperately to figure out who is responsible for speaking for the black community? It’s like one grand marshall speaks for all of us. This is more than a little absurd, when you think about it. African- Americans have been floundering since the malaise of the seventies trying desparately to come together on one main issue to no avail.

Finally we have whole heartedly agreed on one issue; Barack Obama. And so this is about the only thing that we have agreed on since, well , the Civil Rights Movement. It’s been sort of a everyman for himself. But it is a little different because, Obama does not really address issues that effect the African- American Community. This explains the changing dynamics of being black in American today. We are so differnt in our viewpoints, what we believe, who we support politically, and just about every key sounding board on issues there is. We have diverse opinions. This will not change.

I learned tonight the the King family siblings are waring with each other. There is an alledged lawsuits by Martin III and Bernice against Dexter as reported by CNN. You see they can’t even agree. When children of Martin Luther King can’t agree and have diverse opinions, how can you expect African- Americans to rally around one Leader. So get this. Barack Obama does not speak for the African- American community. No one does. Its nice that he acknowledges his blackness and does not hide from it, and that is what most of us like. But that is as far as it goes. We are diverse within our on race. Think differently on the issues of the day, that is why Jesse may bark, but he does not bite.

I believe most people take pride in what they do for a living. Yes compensation is a big factor and one must get paid in order to live, but the keys to job satisfaction are not necessarily based on pay alone. Most people look for good working conditions. They must feel safe in their working environment. The job must be satisfying and meaningful. Of course it helps if the job pays well and offers good benefits. It is good if you feel appreciated and respected for the work you do. In short people must feel motivated to do a good job and go the extra mile while at work.

Management style is important. If there is not a match here, personalities can and will clash and it does not matter how much you are getting paid if you are miserable in your job. It helps if you like what you are doing; this can help you to overcome a demanding work environment. If you are good at what you do, management style will not cause you to leave, even if there are conflicting personalities involved.

Fairness is important, this is at the top of the list. Are promotions determined fairly and the same for everyone? If you perceive that promotions are not fair, then they will be dissatisfied with the job, which will cause productivity to go down. The employee will feel more stressed and undervalued. It also helps if you work in a nurturing environment where management really does care about you, your feelings, and your opportunites for advancement in the job.

Most people have different primary needs from their jobs and if these needs are not met, they will be inclined to leave and go somewhere else. According to the the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, who conducted the 2006 General Social Survey, 27,000 people were asked questions regarding job satisfaction and general happiness. The survey found that the individual level of contentment affects the overall sense of happiness. The theory is that we are at work,more than any place else in our daily lives, so satisfaction in your work environment is key to your well being.

The survey found that firefighters, clergy and other professionals involved with helping and serving others, are more satisfied with their work and or more happier than others. This is a tall order for most companies to meet, with the high demands of share holders in the company. Trying to meet those demands can be challenging at best in today stressful work environment.

According to the survey these are the top ten most satisfying jobs.

1. Clergy—87 percent percent

2. Firefighters—80 percent percent

3. Physical therapists—78 percent percent

4. Authors—74 percent

5. Special education teachers—70 percent

6. Teachers—69 percent

7. Education administrators—68 percent

8. Painters and sculptors—67 percent

9. Psychologists—67 percent

10. Security and financial services salespersons—65 percent

Clearly, pay is not the most important parameter for job happiness. Unfortunately unless you have one of the above special skills, you probably are not satisfied with your job. Only 47% of those surveyed said they were satisfied with their jobs.

Given this scenario, short of job hopping; which does not work. One must come to terms with what they expect from a job, find their niche and dig in. When you find a job that you really like everything else will falls into place. In this case it’s best to follow your heart and not your pocket book.

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Barack Obama must feel life a man stretched from the right and the left. No matter where he turns an enemy is there whether black or white. To put it more bluntly, Fox News on the right and his own black brethren on the left. He’s probably saying what’s a brother to do? It is certainly a “no win” situation when you have mainstream media tormenting and smearing your every move even when you try to find solace in your on neighborhood of African Americans, you are attached for preaching practical responsibility.

It is a difficult situation at best. But at best this is what Barack signed on for when he made the commitment to run for the highest office in the land. ”In this lifetime there will be trouble”, so the saying goes, as we deal with the fallout from this “fallen world”. History is being made this year, and so are those who harbor ill will and jealousy being exposed for what they truly are exploiters of the African American community, while holding the banner of freedom, civil rights, and dignity. “Keep Hope Alive”

Yet the hope is that we can let a responsible, civil man such as Barack Obama have his day in the spotlight as he seeks to be the leader of the free world. After all we have done worst………… Can you say George Bush? Why not try a Harvard educated Lawyer? At least he can spell relief.

Yet the main stream media must do what it can to give Jesse an early retirement, so that he can take his placards and slogans with him and let this country go the the next phase with Barack Obama.

The phenomenon of Barack Obama is not a chance occurrence; it seems Obama was nurtured intellectually by his mother, who devoted herself to life of social and community action and instilled as such in Obama’s life. Stanley Ann Soetora was a wanderer according to an article published on March 14 in the New York Times. Obama’s mother’s marriage to his father was brief, with Obama’s father leaving him when he was only two years of age. But his mother’s influence is apparent in Barack Obama.

Obama’s mom was heavy into grass roots organizing, and was according to reports , an idealist and exacting. Obama had many other influences as discovered in his book, Dreams of My Father. Obama went by genetic instinct and became very adept at community activism early on in his  work as a community organizer in Chicago. One union leader spoke highly of Obama and how he skillfully won elections at the lower level while managing to help both friend and foe.

So what we have is a very intelligent man that is somewhat of a visionary, but very adept at organizing and, networking, and project management. These skills or quite apparent for by the successes he had enjoyed in his life from his days at Harvard, his community activism days in Chicago, and his years in the United States Senate, and now becoming the first African American ever nominated by a major party as a Presidential candidate.

To be sure Obama life could have taken many twist, he was away from his mother, by choice for most of his high school years and chose to engulf himself in the African American community. This is the route that he chose to take for his life. But the biggest story is that Obama learned valuable lesson from his Mom. Namely discipline, a intellectual world view, and the ability to embrace inclusiveness. All characteristics that will serve him well as he prepares to lead the greatest country in the world.