Friday, October 31, 2008

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Why race won't prevent Obama's election----a guest writer

October 30, 2008 — By Tom Houck

Almost two years after a Kenyan/Kansan named Barack Obama stood on the steps of the old capitol in Springfield, Ill., proclaiming his candidacy for the president of the United States of America, voters both black and white next month are finally buying into the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Barack Obama is positioned to become the first African-American elected to our country's highest office. In my judgment, Obama will be elected.

Despite there being nearly a quarter of the white population who still have difficulty voting for a black, a remarkable campaign and the sorry state of the mess left by George W. Bush has trumped race. Obama has run a race of non-race. He has become the non-threatening figure of stability on the national and international stage. You might say that Obama had all the right ingredients to make history: temperament, money, brains, looks, timing, message and, most of all, a country absolutely desiring CHANGE!

His journey has truly been remarkable in a country which, since its founding, has relentlessly plagued people of color. Most blacks couldn't register to vote just 43 years ago. The most segregated of conditions permeated neighborhoods from coast to coast. In many states, people of color could not intermarry by law, let alone run for office.

Yes, one would have to fess up to the incredible progress we have made on race relations. But -- does race still matter?

The hard-fought battles of the 1960's changed the laws of the land by ensuring blacks "equal rights" and access to the ballot box has made Obama's quest possible. The minds of a generation born after the obliteration of Jim Crow laws are not shackled to the taboos of the past, and they have helped set the stage to help the country break free from its dismal racial history.

Today, as Obama is on the eve of a monumental fete, we are a better country, but we are a long way from where we ought to be. The "N" word is still a household word in far too many homes. The left out and left behind are little, if any, better off than they were five decades ago. Schools are still segregated and the ugly elephant of race, while not as big a presence, is still in the room. We might say a mouse is in the room -- not as big and bold as the elephant, but still a nasty irritant.

Politically, 2008 marks a transformation not seen since Lincoln in 1865, FDR in 1932 and JFK in 1960. The Republican brand, tar and feathered by a "southern strategy" of the 60's, will need to search a new path come January. A Democratic Party with a majority in the Congress and a president in the White House can shape our country and the world for generations to come.

Yes, it all happened because one man had the "audacity to hope.” Not many gave Obama a snowball’s chance in hell 22 months ago. Most Democrats held the idea that a Clinton would be the one who would break the glass ceiling. But instead Obama ran a campaign like no other. Internet-driven and staffed by savvy campaigners, the message of change took off on a cold Iowa night. The Obama campaign never looked back, winning battle after battle with the well-oiled Clinton political operation glaring in the headlights. And before 75,000 change agents in Denver, the first part of the impossible mission was realized. Obama won his party's nomination.

However, distractions like race and class still unfortunately play a significant factor in America. Even with Obama winning the nomination, we have still not had the kind of dialogue or conversation where issues would trump race.

The mouse is still in the room with claims that Obama is “an Arab” that "pals around with terrorists,” and that "he's a socialist (who) wants to share the wealth.” Chants at McCain and Palin rallies have included shout-outs such as "kill him" and "terrorist.” Robotic phone messages try to link Obama with domestic terror and remind people of his color by linking him with the remarks of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley observed, "Obama has been running as a post-racial candidate from the start, and he has been doing it very well. But the fact of the matter is that some voters -- we can't know yet how many -- will not get past his race. And I believe the McCain-Palin ticket is tapping into that."

Then there is the claim of voter fraud ginned up by the McCain campaign to suppress the vote. With a wink and a nod, they talk about "Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck" voting and, more seriously, have questioned the legitimacy of hundreds of thousands of newly registered voters in key electoral battleground states.

But these tactics won’t work, not this time. The Obama campaign is the most sophisticated in my lifetime. The ground game to get out the vote will work. The atmosphere of hate and division will fail. The message of hope and change relegates old politics and old methods to incite to the back page.

Of course, with a few more days to campaign before what I predict will be a win for Obama, there is still time for mischief. His opponents will certainly try to reef up the red meat crowd by claiming he is not “one of us” and question his patriotism -- tactics that have worked in the past. Amazingly enough, we have not been subjected to as big a barrage of wedge issues like guns and gays, although Palin has tried her best to tie Obama to an abortion clinic and the rights of gun owners. But polls still show Obama with a significant lead.

In 1982, just days before the California gubernatorial election, polls showed that African-American L.A. mayor Tom Bradley was in the lead to win the race against the white George Deukmejian. On election day, though, Bradley lost because many white voters lied to pollsters, claiming they planned to vote for Bradley but instead cast their ballot for Deukmejian once behind the curtain.

But in this age of the cell phone and internet, 24-hour news cycle and the unprecedented reach to Americans suffering the greatest economic hardship since the great depression, millions of middle class white voters -- especially proud white "dudes" -- will find their circumstances inextricably aligned with Obama will free themselves, many for the first time, to vote for a black.

This is indeed a significant breakthrough in race relations. This year, a man of color was assigned a Herculean task; a good beginning, but only a start.

The discussion on race does not simply melt away like an ice cream sundae in the noonday sun. Under a Barack Obama presidency, progress will be judged by the way the leader of our country conducts business for its citizens. I believe that our new leader, President Obama, will make us proud.

Race unfortunately still matters, but the face of the debate come January led by a talented, thoughtful leader -- full of charisma, ideas and ways to bridge the cultural divide -- will change the game. I can see Dr. King, A. Phillip Randolph, Fannie Lou Hammer, Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks and scores of truly brave heroes and heroines of the civil rights movement looking down and saying, “Job well done.” Now let's take it to the next step -- building a country and world where race doesn't matter.

Tom Houck is an Atlanta based political and media consultant and is currently writing a book "Driving Dr. King: Chasing the Dream," which is due out in 2009.

This came to you from Insider Advantage and Southern Political Report

Oh now I am back with a question---does race matter----your thoughts?

Monday, October 27, 2008

Good News---Going Bald

Have you heard the news---the good news---I know most everything seems to be doom and gloom these days but not in my world. Oh You have not heard about it---well where have you been? Watching the stock market---I don't know why---you were wasting your time---if you had anything it is all gone. Have you noticed the price of gas as really come down---and here in Georgia we seem to be able to find it again.

Back to the news----not many days left until election---very long lines here in Georgia where we have early voting. It looks like we just might go Blue after several years of red---this does my heart good. It is leaning right now---but Blue WE are fighting. This has been a very nasty election---Presidential---as well as ---- Georgia Senate and House races. This is the first time --- Democrats came out ----using the same nasty campaign ads--- the Republicans--- used in Georgia. I do not approve of either using these tatics but if one is going to use it then both should.

Now for THE REAL Good NEWS---A drug developed to treat leukemia may be a powerful new weapon against multiple sclerosis, researchers say. Alemtuzumab appears to stop progression of the disease in patients with early stage active relapsing-remitting MS - the most common form of the condition.

The University of Cambridge study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, also suggests the drug may enable repair of previous damage.You may read all about the study here.

And if that is not enough----Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute have completed a study that show evidence that demyelinated tissues produce signals that can enhance the generation of new neurons in damaged areas of the brain. Based on those findings, there is enough evidence to support the idea that new neurons can re-grow in multiple sclerosis lesions. For more information you can read it here.

Now that is GOOD NEWS---and about the drug developed to treat leukemia it will not matter if I should be able to take it---you know----that side effect---losing hair---well---I don't have to worry about that---I'm already bald.---Yep, I was getting ready for my appointment to see the doctor---not the hottie but the nice one---last Wednesday. I had just finished showering and washing my hair when I looked in the mirror---

I freaked out----I screamed Carl----waking him up---now I had thick hair but there is this big bald spot on the top of my head----Of course this is the first time I have seen it so I am quickly caling my beautician to see if she had seen it----no answer at her shop---so guess what---in a small hick town you just call them at home----well no answer---


Off to the doctor---while patiently waiting I call the beautician and ask her if she had seen had noticed I was going bald---oh yeah I saw that big spot the last time I cut your hair---that was why I parted it different and styled it they way I did. Why did you not say something---Well I thought it had something to do with your MS---Hmmm at least I know when it started.

Thank goodness I am seeing the doctor--- she asks how I am --- I said oh just fine---where you are concerned---but look here--- I showed where I was bald---she said well that is not my area -- but she had a few things she wanted to check---

Well I'm still bald---and not sure what caused it but I think this looks---just fine----the down side---it is winter now---not summer---

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Year I was MIA in a Nutshell

As some of you know over a year ago I wrote a post indicating I would leave the light on in my cyber home. I did my very best for over 3 1/2 years to make you feel welcome when you visited even during some of my most difficult times. It became more difficult for me to open the door and greet you as I once did and personal visits to your homes with comments became more and more difficult as changes continued to take place in my life. So I made the decision to leave the light on and ride the roller coaster of life.

Once that decision was made, I took care of myself or made an attempt at it. I did have an advantage an from time to time I would peek in on your life to see what was going on by reading you through a reader---sneaky I know. Now just what has been going on here in my little world---well briefly, in a nutshell.

This past year we split time between my mom's and Daddy B's. Daddy B was admitted to the hospital three time in two months. After Momma B died, we had made the decision we would visit at least once a month and staying five to six days. During the time he was sick that changed and we we were there all but three days.

My mom was very sick for several months, her condition was deteriorating the physicians and the staff at the Nursing Home felt she would not live from Thanksgiving until Christmas . I would not give up, I took her to a Neurologist she had seen six years earlier. With his help, and some recommendations he made which included changing physicians at the Nursing Home, changing many medications and a referral to a Nephrologist (kidney specialist), which lead to a hospital admission for several weeks----things went well. Today, my mom is doing well and happy at the Nursing Home.

One of Carl's aunts died that he had spent summer vacations with as a child. He was a pall barrier and the service. This was his mothers oldest sister and her death was almost a year after his mom died. I have a very small family and my only remaining aunt passed away very unexpected at a very young age of 68.

Things are going very well with Carl and with Smoltz---thank goodness. Now for my update---drum roll---please----In addition to ongoing battles with my Multiple Sclerosis, I have now been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia as well as The Anticardiolipin Antibody Syndrome or Lupus Anticoagulant as well as Vitamin B-12 deficiency or Pernicious Anemia. Now for the very the very good news in all this is my new Family Physician rocks---in addition to be a hottie. He has taken a very strong interest in me after seeing me twice and is certain he will be able to help me so I will begin to feel as I once did---those are his words not mine. In one visit after talking to me and looking over my labs work I took with me he knew what to order and on the second visit he had identified the Vitamin B-12 deficiency---mine has actually progressed to the Pernicious Anemia and I will be taking B-12 injections the rest of my life--and Carl loves to give them to me. He also found the Anticardiolipin Antibody Syndrome and is treating me for that. He also indicated I am not a diabetic but I have Insulin Resistance---which is Pre-Diabetes so we will be working on that.

Now you understand this roller coaster? It really is one of highs-- lows --twists and turns but then----

Monday, October 13, 2008

Changes---here there everywhere


Everywhere we turn it seems as if our world has been or is being turned upside down. We see this when we we experience our own personal tragedies be they caused by deaths, changes in one's health, a change in one's employment but now we are faced with changes of a much larger scale. The changes reach out and touch everyone, the entire world, they are coming from many directions it leaves one pondering what to do on a personal level to protect one---or can one? The changes are coming from the banks and the stock market and here we are at election time.

We hear from politicians each promising change. We really know little of what they will do---we can research their history and know where they stand on issues that are most important. Few of us can say we have or know any of the politicians on a first hand bases. In addition to the daily worries we have, we have watched any assets--we worked hard and struggled to build-----disappear. Yet all we hear is change----from politicians.Is there hope of recovering what has been lost anytime soon-----no.

But there is something we need to do and to help us with it I have chosen a quote to remind us:

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible."~Christopher Reeve

He is right, it is a Choice...a Decision....Reeve embraced his challenges and his life, but he recognized that Hope was a skill that needed to be worked at daily. And in these times Embracing Hope is more important than dancing with Fear......so please make certain you make the right choice and no matter which candidate you support make certain you vote. If you are like me and don't like long lines you might just want-----



Just Do IT!!!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

The Return of Jeti

The last time I shared a post was over a year ago, since that time many things have changed. Those changes have not been just in my life and those very close to me but look around at the changes the last year has brought. To most the changes have seldom been those that were welcome but most often those that were met with frustration. It is the many changes that have taken places and continue to take place each day and some of my feelings that have lead me to to return here.

When I decided to return to blogging I knew I wanted a special home. I knew the person who worked with me to build my home would be talented, kind and patient. I found all that in Danielle. Not only is she all that but she also donates a portion of her earnings to charity and most important she loves cats. I encourage anyone interested in a blog or a blog makeover to visit Danielle at Blogs by Danielle. Visit often because you never know when you might find discounts being offered and in today's environment everyone looks for a bargain. So go NOW check Danielle out.

Again, Danielle I love my new home and will enjoy spending time here. Now I just need to let everyone know the light is on.