Most Christians have heard of him by now. St. Francis Assisi. Born in Umbria in 1182, Francis was responsible for the birth of the Franciscan and Dominican orders. He quite literally lived the Bible, the Gospels, and spreading the word of PEACE. Not just a verbal announcement of Peace, but in his everyday life's work. A man of small stature, Francis exuded JOY. Building a house, brick by brick, constructed of peace, happiness and a sincere longing and passion for others to experience the utter serenity that Jesus Christ taught throughout the Gospels. St. Francis also received the Stigmata; a replication of the wounds that Christ suffered during his Crucifixion.
So, how do I go from my usual rants and raves on all this political or of high anxiety, to a topic that is completely the polar opposite of that world? Great question. A catholic myself, I chose as my patron saint, Francis of Assisi. A true believer of his message, I also reveled in the fact that St. Francis is the patron saint of animals, and the State of Colorado. Those that know me well shouldn't be surprised when I say that I have rescued my fair share of wayward animals, much to the dismay of my parents when I was young, and now to my loving and tolerant husband John, who shrugs off a new furry friend as "well here we go again'.
This weekend, our beloved Monsignor Tom celebrated his 60th anniversary (and 85th birthday) of taking the Holy Orders. The joyous event was held at the Steamboat Sheraton Grand Ballroom. And it was GRAND! Fr. Tom, a Brooklyn native, known for is good nature, sharp wit and dry humor, packed the joint. It was a Rolling Stones concert, sans the Stones. Fr. Tom had past and present parishioners in attendance to witness a spectacular moment. People from Aspen, Vail, New York, the Bahamas, New Zealand - all over the country were packed into the standing room only palladium to witness and be blessed by Fr. Tom. Mass was celebrated with the presence of 8 priests, an abbot from nearby St. Benedict Abbey in Snowmass, CO and of course our own Fr. Ernst and Deacon John Franklin.
The guest of honor was there, in his wheelchair, but alert and gregarious as always. Time and age has begun to show in Fr. Tom's ability to stand for any length of time. His voice quivered when he stood to address the congregation after Mass was over. His sermon was to the point, direct and shot straight to the heart. PEACE, JOY AND LOVE. Fr. Tom called us to learn from the newly appointed Holy Father Pope Francis. He spoke of the ability to truly immerse ourselves in the spirit of what St. Francis of Assisi lived, and what our Pope Francis preaches to Catholics, in fact all people, all over the world. The message isn't complicated. In fact, it takes absolutely no extra time, strength or complication. It's the Golden Rule. Treat others with respect. Love with unlimited power. Exude peace in your everyday life. Toss a smile towards someone you may not know. These actions go a long way in making others feel better, and all the while, giving yourself a shot of gratitude for your own life.
A few years ago, I read the book, "The Shack". I did not give it much thought, as I perused the shelves in the book section of Target. I was on one of my many rendezvous to Moab, Utah where I garner my strength from the red rocks and peaceful beauty of the simplistic desert scape. I often stop in Grand Junction, Colorado to hit the potty, and perhaps grab a few books. I read almost anything available, and relish I each and every book I hold. Has anyone ever experienced the joy of holding a book? Sweet feelings!
At any rate, where was I? Oh yes, "The Shack". Starting out as a family who is grieving and attempting to come to grips from the horrific murder of their young daughter Missy, Mack, the father, is having a difficult time with his relationship with GOD. Now listen - before the eye rolling begins. No matter your religious, spiritual or high power beliefs, most of the free world has some sort of conversation and repertoire with GOD. We all experience a unique bond with the big guy. So, as the book carries on, Mack begins his long journey and then mystical meeting with God and the Holy Trinity. I fear that divulging anymore of the grit to the story will give away the final chapters and revelations that Mack experiences - but let's just say, I see some St. Francis all over the book.
St. Francis upon his death bed was to have recited Psalm 141., the Psalm of David. He lived his life for the Gospel, for servitude to the poor of spirit, the weak of heart and to teach the love of GOD. If during your reading of my blog entry today, you take an extra 5 minutes to consider the lesson to be learned from St. Francis, I can't help but wonder...
WHAT WOULD LIFE BE LIKE WITH A LITTLE MORE PEACE, JOY & LOVE?
About Me
- anniemac
- My husband tells me I am a makebate. So, what's wrong with that? I love to write. I have 2 great kids and 1 grandson. I'd love to say I am "retired" but really, who retires from life? Shoot me a question, comment, rant or rave. They are all welcome here. Love dogs, my family, and most of all, debate. Pro NRA, conservative and a right wing lady.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Baiting a Hook - Fishing Tips
Recent headlines have left some groups whirling in a dirty dust pile. All the colors of the rainbow have been brought to the forefront of the human gene pool. You can be black. You can be white. Hispanic, Asian, etc. You can be half, or a 1/3, 1/4. To hear some media outlets describe race, it sounds like a recipe for baking an upside down pineapple cake with chocolate frosting and whip cream. Ludicrous.
The way I see it, liberal media spends far too much time poking a stick in the race card. It's as if a small child, with a sharp stick, is prodding and poking at a very ripe, and very dead carcass The carcass in this case being America. An America as we knew it was. As a whole, we humans haven't evolved completely.
News stories report that a dozen or so black teens were murdered in Chicago during the course of the Zimmerman trial. Where was the outrage and media coverage for those kids? Did Sharpton and Jackson suddenly become deaf mutes? Ignoring the obvious facts that crime exists on a constant basis; that statistics from the FBI show proof that 91% of homicides upon blacks were executed by other blacks, doesn't make for happy race baiting fodder. Sharpton and other race baiters mock and ridicule their own race by ignoring those facts. Perhaps race baiters garner some sort of macabre personal gratification by pontificating on the nonsense of alleged racial inequality within the borders of America.
Sure, it's easy for me, a white woman, to point a finger at the race baiters and easily see through their thin veils, and realize they are serving only their best interests. Where was the outrage of liberal media, liberal leaders, race baiters, etc when O.J. Simpson got off vis-à-vis "jury nullification"? Don't hide in the shadows and imagine or pretend for one moment that Simpson wasn't guilty as sin in the heinous murders of Brown-Simpson and Goldman. All evidence pointed in that direction.
My mother recently said to me..."You don't need to be so outspoken. Sometimes it's better to sit quietly"... Ah, Mother. I'm not a radical by any means, but when I see something that is wrong, I am going to say something. I'm not a sideline kind of girl. I'm not a pick a fight kind of gal, either.
I often wonder about blacks, and their choices of role models. There are so many positive, wonderful blacks who have excelled in society, government, medicine, music and history. If I can, as a white woman, see all these incredible attributes, why then do the youth of today pivot towards the negative? Is it a lack of higher education, or the absence of a male father figure in their upbringing? Is it the drug scene, and the money, bling, cars and women?
What it would it be like if race baiters switched bait, and started tossing a line out to the positive role models that exist in abundance? Why not promote education, staying in school, defying the false enticements of the drug scene? Why do race baiters dangle victim bait in front of the kids who have yet to form solid opinions, and push them into the belief system that society as a whole "owes" them something? What about the positive notion that hard work does pay off. That being a moral, decent person is something to be proud of?
The tackle box is full of bait, but sadly, and at the expense of today's floundering youth, the likes of the Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and liberal media are hooking our children, and then tossing them back out into a sea of troubles.
The way I see it, liberal media spends far too much time poking a stick in the race card. It's as if a small child, with a sharp stick, is prodding and poking at a very ripe, and very dead carcass The carcass in this case being America. An America as we knew it was. As a whole, we humans haven't evolved completely.
News stories report that a dozen or so black teens were murdered in Chicago during the course of the Zimmerman trial. Where was the outrage and media coverage for those kids? Did Sharpton and Jackson suddenly become deaf mutes? Ignoring the obvious facts that crime exists on a constant basis; that statistics from the FBI show proof that 91% of homicides upon blacks were executed by other blacks, doesn't make for happy race baiting fodder. Sharpton and other race baiters mock and ridicule their own race by ignoring those facts. Perhaps race baiters garner some sort of macabre personal gratification by pontificating on the nonsense of alleged racial inequality within the borders of America.
Sure, it's easy for me, a white woman, to point a finger at the race baiters and easily see through their thin veils, and realize they are serving only their best interests. Where was the outrage of liberal media, liberal leaders, race baiters, etc when O.J. Simpson got off vis-à-vis "jury nullification"? Don't hide in the shadows and imagine or pretend for one moment that Simpson wasn't guilty as sin in the heinous murders of Brown-Simpson and Goldman. All evidence pointed in that direction.
My mother recently said to me..."You don't need to be so outspoken. Sometimes it's better to sit quietly"... Ah, Mother. I'm not a radical by any means, but when I see something that is wrong, I am going to say something. I'm not a sideline kind of girl. I'm not a pick a fight kind of gal, either.
I often wonder about blacks, and their choices of role models. There are so many positive, wonderful blacks who have excelled in society, government, medicine, music and history. If I can, as a white woman, see all these incredible attributes, why then do the youth of today pivot towards the negative? Is it a lack of higher education, or the absence of a male father figure in their upbringing? Is it the drug scene, and the money, bling, cars and women?
What it would it be like if race baiters switched bait, and started tossing a line out to the positive role models that exist in abundance? Why not promote education, staying in school, defying the false enticements of the drug scene? Why do race baiters dangle victim bait in front of the kids who have yet to form solid opinions, and push them into the belief system that society as a whole "owes" them something? What about the positive notion that hard work does pay off. That being a moral, decent person is something to be proud of?
The tackle box is full of bait, but sadly, and at the expense of today's floundering youth, the likes of the Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and liberal media are hooking our children, and then tossing them back out into a sea of troubles.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
The Wilds of the Animals - Or Angry Rioters
So, ..................a huge sigh. I've been thinking about animals. Our move to the country has been enlightening to say the least. I have no television, cable reception, and my phone gets Internet, but it drains the battery, and I have failed to master pecking out messages on a tiny keyboard.
Every morning, I drive 8 miles to a local grocery, café, etc to plug into an outlet and get my addiction. It's brutal.
Without modern technology, I have been blessed with an abundance of time to enjoy nature in all its glory. I take the time to listen the birds, or the sound of the wind as it passes through the tall grass. It's mesmerizing. Deer amble through the hayfield. Other small creatures make their way through adjacent fields, and the river gives passage to the trout and all life in the small piece of heaven we reside on. The wilds of the Rocky Mountains go on about their lives all around us. We are but a tiny, almost invisible spec of pollen in the big picture.
I look at the animals and what they must endure to ensure their survival. They are tough. If roads, cars and hunters weren't a daily source of turmoil, animals are part of the huge cycle of life. Eat, or be eaten. They are smart. They survive against odds that mankind can't even begin to fathom.
And now we come to the segment of "angry rioters". Some refer to the rioters, acting like goons as animals. I believe that is an insult to animals. Goons destroying property. Goons on the freeway. Goons rioting. All because the justice system worked. A jury found Zimmerman not guilty on the charges brought forth by the State of Florida. Color seems to fall into everything nowadays. Its repugnant, stale and nauseating. Get over it all ready.
I watch the animals in the fields. I see the wind rush through the cottonwoods. Today, a warm sunny day in the Rocky Mountains, I am once again reminded at the terrors and dangerous obstacles the animal kingdom must face. A dead deer on the side of the road, victim to a car. I sigh at the realization that animals face far greater troubles than an idiotic goon rioting on Interstate 10 in Southern California.
"...With carved bird, saint, and suns the wrackspiked maiden mouth
Lops, as a bush plumed with flames, the rant of the fierce eye,
Clips short the gesture of breath.
Die in red feathers when the flying heaven's cut,
And roll with the knocked earth:
Lie dry, rest robbed, my beast.
You have kicked from a dark den, leaped up the whinnying light,
And dug your grave in my breast."
Dylan Thomas
Every morning, I drive 8 miles to a local grocery, café, etc to plug into an outlet and get my addiction. It's brutal.
Without modern technology, I have been blessed with an abundance of time to enjoy nature in all its glory. I take the time to listen the birds, or the sound of the wind as it passes through the tall grass. It's mesmerizing. Deer amble through the hayfield. Other small creatures make their way through adjacent fields, and the river gives passage to the trout and all life in the small piece of heaven we reside on. The wilds of the Rocky Mountains go on about their lives all around us. We are but a tiny, almost invisible spec of pollen in the big picture.
I look at the animals and what they must endure to ensure their survival. They are tough. If roads, cars and hunters weren't a daily source of turmoil, animals are part of the huge cycle of life. Eat, or be eaten. They are smart. They survive against odds that mankind can't even begin to fathom.
And now we come to the segment of "angry rioters". Some refer to the rioters, acting like goons as animals. I believe that is an insult to animals. Goons destroying property. Goons on the freeway. Goons rioting. All because the justice system worked. A jury found Zimmerman not guilty on the charges brought forth by the State of Florida. Color seems to fall into everything nowadays. Its repugnant, stale and nauseating. Get over it all ready.
I watch the animals in the fields. I see the wind rush through the cottonwoods. Today, a warm sunny day in the Rocky Mountains, I am once again reminded at the terrors and dangerous obstacles the animal kingdom must face. A dead deer on the side of the road, victim to a car. I sigh at the realization that animals face far greater troubles than an idiotic goon rioting on Interstate 10 in Southern California.
"...With carved bird, saint, and suns the wrackspiked maiden mouth
Lops, as a bush plumed with flames, the rant of the fierce eye,
Clips short the gesture of breath.
Die in red feathers when the flying heaven's cut,
And roll with the knocked earth:
Lie dry, rest robbed, my beast.
You have kicked from a dark den, leaped up the whinnying light,
And dug your grave in my breast."
Dylan Thomas
Friday, July 12, 2013
White Russians, Black Irish, Creepy White Ass Cracker
I swore to myself that I would not touch the race card with a ten foot pole! But, today I read that CNN has taken to referring to George Zimmerman as a "white Hispanic". With that said, the flood gates have opened and all bets are off.
A few weeks ago, I blogged about the colors in a crayon box. Being raised by socially liberal, Democratic parents, colors were for drawing. We did not cast labels on human beings. A person was judged by the "...context of their character..."(MLK's famous speech) and that was it.
Justice is blind? Really? It appears that someone paid for Ms. Justice to get Lasik surgery, because she seems to be very, very keen on the color of defendants lately. Maybe CNN and heavy breather Chris Matthews took up a collection for blind as a bat, Ms. Justice.
I was very shocked to learn that whites can also be referred to as "creepy white ass crackers". Maybe Nabisco can produce a line of these tasty little snacks. The racially charged slang's that are pummeled at whites, Caucasians, homeys, crackers, etc... seem to bounce right off them. They are, after all, just words. What did mom & dad teach us? "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
I'm not implying that slavery was not a wretched, horrible part of history. BUT, so was the extermination of the Jews under Hitler, the genocide performed by Pol Pot, the massacres of the Tutsi and Hutus, the mass exodus of running, killing and forcing the Americas FIRST people off their lands and onto to barren reservations, straight towards poverty, alcoholism and oblivion.... (the Native American Indian). So, thus far, in all those evil encrusted acts, one thing is true and accurate. There was a rainbow of colors being slaughtered.
"I was born and raised a poor black child"...the famous one liner from Steve Martin's, "The Jerk" was funny when the movie debuted, and after watching it in reruns, it's still funny. But, how many will see it as a heavy duty, subliminal racist sling?
I was born a white girl in southern California. I knew there were different shades of colors, but never paid attention to it. I had and still have friends of all shapes, sizes, colors and religious backgrounds. I don't look at people through rose colored glasses. I see just fine with the specs I have on. Perhaps, as a white woman, I was the only one paying attention to MLK when he gave his famous speech on context of character.
So, here we are, on the cusp of yet another racially charged case of black vs. creepy white ass cracker. The main problem with this is that George Zimmerman is a Hispanic male. The media has played the trial, ad nausea, even "pausing" for commercials. Interestingly enough, I've yet to see an ad from Keebler Cookies for creepy white ass crackers.
We've heard the experts analyzing the case from every angle. What if, what if, what if? In the long run, all I've seen and heard is evidence that supports Zimmerman's report that he was assaulted and battered by Martin, and that Zimmerman acted in self defense. Was Zimmerman a bit of a cop wanna-be? Probably? Could he have been a bit over zealous in his neighborhood watch routine? Yes. But... this trial isn't about that. It's a case of self defense.
We read in the headlines how the Sanford P.D. and the state of Florida are gearing up for possible riots when the verdict is announced. Suddenly, I am looking through my car window, caught in heavy rush hour traffic, on the Hollywood Freeway, after leaving work early. No one in their mind wanted to be caught in the mid-Wilshire district after those verdicts were read - Rodney King.
What about the poor fellow, Reginald Denny, who on April 29, 1992, was minding his own business, driving a truck through south central L.A. on Normandie when:
..."his rig crossed Florence, a group of rioters enraged over the Rodney King verdict rushed toward him, pulled him out of the cab and beat him to within an inch of his life. The attack ended when Damian Monroe Williams took a cinderblock and bashed Denny's skull, fracturing it in 91 places and causing severe brain damage. "Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/la_riot/article/0,28804,1614117_1614084_1614511,00.html #ixzz2YqMw7yOS
What does this story say? Does our system of justice allow for riots if groups feel slighted when things don't go as they want? Are we really a society that needs to prepare for riots if a "white Hispanic" is found not guilty of second degree murder of a "hoodied" black kid? Is this what Martin Luther King and civil rights founding leader Medgar Evans were about? History would say no. The 1963 assassination of Evans, outside his house, in front of his family was key in churning the hatred of blacks and white. Although it took almost 30 years for justice to prevail, Byron de la Beckwith was caught, tried, found guilty, and ultimately died in prison. Justice was served. The former KKK member is probably enjoying some sauna time in hell.
So, why, if a white jury can find Beckwith guilty of a racially charged murder, in the deep south of 1963 - why can't we have the faith to look towards JUSTICE and rely upon her to do the same in 2013?
A few weeks ago, I blogged about the colors in a crayon box. Being raised by socially liberal, Democratic parents, colors were for drawing. We did not cast labels on human beings. A person was judged by the "...context of their character..."(MLK's famous speech) and that was it.
Justice is blind? Really? It appears that someone paid for Ms. Justice to get Lasik surgery, because she seems to be very, very keen on the color of defendants lately. Maybe CNN and heavy breather Chris Matthews took up a collection for blind as a bat, Ms. Justice.
I was very shocked to learn that whites can also be referred to as "creepy white ass crackers". Maybe Nabisco can produce a line of these tasty little snacks. The racially charged slang's that are pummeled at whites, Caucasians, homeys, crackers, etc... seem to bounce right off them. They are, after all, just words. What did mom & dad teach us? "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
I'm not implying that slavery was not a wretched, horrible part of history. BUT, so was the extermination of the Jews under Hitler, the genocide performed by Pol Pot, the massacres of the Tutsi and Hutus, the mass exodus of running, killing and forcing the Americas FIRST people off their lands and onto to barren reservations, straight towards poverty, alcoholism and oblivion.... (the Native American Indian). So, thus far, in all those evil encrusted acts, one thing is true and accurate. There was a rainbow of colors being slaughtered.
"I was born and raised a poor black child"...the famous one liner from Steve Martin's, "The Jerk" was funny when the movie debuted, and after watching it in reruns, it's still funny. But, how many will see it as a heavy duty, subliminal racist sling?
I was born a white girl in southern California. I knew there were different shades of colors, but never paid attention to it. I had and still have friends of all shapes, sizes, colors and religious backgrounds. I don't look at people through rose colored glasses. I see just fine with the specs I have on. Perhaps, as a white woman, I was the only one paying attention to MLK when he gave his famous speech on context of character.
So, here we are, on the cusp of yet another racially charged case of black vs. creepy white ass cracker. The main problem with this is that George Zimmerman is a Hispanic male. The media has played the trial, ad nausea, even "pausing" for commercials. Interestingly enough, I've yet to see an ad from Keebler Cookies for creepy white ass crackers.
We've heard the experts analyzing the case from every angle. What if, what if, what if? In the long run, all I've seen and heard is evidence that supports Zimmerman's report that he was assaulted and battered by Martin, and that Zimmerman acted in self defense. Was Zimmerman a bit of a cop wanna-be? Probably? Could he have been a bit over zealous in his neighborhood watch routine? Yes. But... this trial isn't about that. It's a case of self defense.
We read in the headlines how the Sanford P.D. and the state of Florida are gearing up for possible riots when the verdict is announced. Suddenly, I am looking through my car window, caught in heavy rush hour traffic, on the Hollywood Freeway, after leaving work early. No one in their mind wanted to be caught in the mid-Wilshire district after those verdicts were read - Rodney King.
What about the poor fellow, Reginald Denny, who on April 29, 1992, was minding his own business, driving a truck through south central L.A. on Normandie when:
..."his rig crossed Florence, a group of rioters enraged over the Rodney King verdict rushed toward him, pulled him out of the cab and beat him to within an inch of his life. The attack ended when Damian Monroe Williams took a cinderblock and bashed Denny's skull, fracturing it in 91 places and causing severe brain damage. "Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/la_riot/article/0,28804,1614117_1614084_1614511,00.html #ixzz2YqMw7yOS
What does this story say? Does our system of justice allow for riots if groups feel slighted when things don't go as they want? Are we really a society that needs to prepare for riots if a "white Hispanic" is found not guilty of second degree murder of a "hoodied" black kid? Is this what Martin Luther King and civil rights founding leader Medgar Evans were about? History would say no. The 1963 assassination of Evans, outside his house, in front of his family was key in churning the hatred of blacks and white. Although it took almost 30 years for justice to prevail, Byron de la Beckwith was caught, tried, found guilty, and ultimately died in prison. Justice was served. The former KKK member is probably enjoying some sauna time in hell.
So, why, if a white jury can find Beckwith guilty of a racially charged murder, in the deep south of 1963 - why can't we have the faith to look towards JUSTICE and rely upon her to do the same in 2013?
Monday, July 1, 2013
When Hell Shows Up On Earth - June 30, 2013
The devil may lick the hot air, sending it's raging fury in orange red flames, soaring with angry fingertips, touching all around it. But, GOD sends his army - an army of firefighters to quell the rage of the devil. The alarm bells sound, the firefighter knows the time has come.
GOD knows some may fall by the side of the road; consumed by the ravaged evil of the flames. But, they suffer not. GOD sees to it that the angels bring a respite of cool embraces to carry the brave firefighter to heaven upon angels' wings.
High above the fury of flames, 19 firefighters curse the devil with all their might. To heaven they are bound. Their loved ones left behind. "Cry if you must", they utter with a whisper. "I have not left you forever. We will meet again. We shall share an embrace".
The devil never wins these torched battles. GOD sees to it that the land is reborn; green grass, trees, flowers all return to blanket the ash-laden ground. The memory of 19 brave souls are also reborn...as angels in heaven, forever watching their brother and sister firefighters. "We will meet again, my friends. We will meet again."
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Colors from Crayons - All Broken
Evidently, the crayon box is full of missing Crayola colors. Those remaining in the box have been pulled by the ACLU and other nonsensical groups that still believe that double standards and the PC gurus rule the ideals and premise of free speech. What a shame - especially since words like onyx and ecru seem to be popping up in more and more crossword puzzles.
Let me establish some little tidbits of facts as they relate to my upbringing. Much to the shock and dismay or even chagrins of others, I was raised in a somewhat liberal, Catholic Democratic household. My parents, immigrants from Ireland, were morally conservative, but were socially liberal. Colors were crayons, not labels slapped on human beings.
However, it seems that those days are long gone; replaced by the PC police. It's frightening to open my mouth for fear of being labeled a racist. In fact, this has occurred before. A work place slander was shot at me, a direct hit to the back of my head. Apparently, some distinctively ignorant liberals could not differentiate my inability to vote for Barack Hussein Obama due to his obvious lack of experience, and in all their mind-reading talents, thought my disdain to the POTUS was color based. In all actuality, the USA still does not have a "black president" but rather a man whose father was African and mother was a white American. But hey, that's just a sticking point.
Personally, I challenge readers to search their minds: past & present as to whether or not they have ever uttered a less than flattering comment about someone based upon their skin color, ethnic DNA, religious beliefs...anything. Unless you are the Messiah, no one is perfect, and mistakes and regrets are part of the human experience.
The news has been peppered by the major no-no words uttered by Mrs. Paula Deen, a southern style chef, and at one point, a popular show on the Food Channel. Apparently, Mrs. Deen is part of litigation, and during a recent deposition she was asked, under oath, if she had ever uttered the word, "nigger". She complied and answered honestly. I'm not really a fan of Mrs. Deen. I can't cook to the caliber of my own son's culinary creativity, and as many times as I have watched "Chopped", I am capable only of preparing grilled cheese and oatmeal.
What shocked me though was the Food Channel giving her the axe, and refusing to renew her contract. I suppose that every media outlet has the right to decide who they want to have representing their product - in this case - food.
However, this whole case seems to reek of old fish and even smelly cheese, in the DOUBLE standard arena. For the life of me, I am duped. A black person can refer to another black person as a "nigger", "nigga", etc., and that's appropriate. Caucasians can be referred to as "cracker", "honky", etc. by blacks and its seems celebrated by pop culture.
(Just listen to any rap artist i.e. Kanye West, Tupac Shakur, Lil Wayne, Biggie Smalls).
I refuse to embrace the notion that blacks seem to believe there is some sort of due owed them from the horrendous and unfortunate parts of U.S. history and the Civil War. While I completely agree with the horrors of the Civil War, far more Caucasians were killed during that war. Let's not forget the disgusting and disappointing prejudices against immigrants over the past 150 years. Jews coming from Europe were horribly treated, as were the Irish, Italian, etc. Discrimination is not a color based form of the human condition. It happens to everyone, regardless of skin color.
Rev. Jesse Jackson might as well be known a race-baiter, along with other boisterous dummies on both sides of the political spectrum. Who can forget the crap that spews from the likes of Al Sharpton or anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan, directed towards Jews and Caucasians ? Venomous outbursts that go unpunished and/or excused. Then society picks Paula Deen as the new poster child for race, unsavory comments and a total lack of tolerance or forgiveness. The double standards astound me.
This is by far one of the most controversial topics to be discussed in current affairs. No doubt I will alienate half of my reading audience with this topic. I am comforted by the fact that my true friends now me as someone who could give a bloody damn about skin color. I don't care. I tend to follow MLK's words about character rather than skin color.
August 28, 1963 - I was not born yet (4 months later), but I firmly believe that to be one of the greatest moments in history, and the high point of the Civil Rights movement.
MLK spoke of a dream where little white children and little "negro" children could hold hands, and that we would be "judged by the content of our character". Do those brave words no longer apply to modern day society?
My crayon box is full of colors. What about yours?
Monday, June 3, 2013
House of Cards - A Real Life Political Play
Lately, I have found myself utterly captivated by an original series on Netflicks. House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright is an exceptional series about the political plays going on inside Washington. If it were not so utterly plausible, it would not be as entertaining.
Kevin Spacey's character is a politician who seems to be running the other politicians around, dictating just how and when to pull schemes out of hats, like a magician of sorts. His dutiful wife, Robin Wright, seems to tolerate the political life, although she spends a great deal of time cavorting with a former lover. Not to be outdone by Kevin Spacey's character, who is also dancing between the sheets with a naive political reporter. A kind of sex for inside tidbits for the goings on inside Washington's dysfunctional whore house.
I have established that Spacey's character is a democrat and most of the characters are also democrats. This really is not relevant. The hysterical parts for me are events like true life Republican Sanford who got lost along the Appalachian Trail a few years ago, and was found to be doing the no-no dance with his mistress instead. And if his paltry resignation years ago was not pathetic enough, somehow he is like the prodigal son to South Carolina, and has been re-elected again, beating out Stephen Colbert. So, the point being, playing footsie is a bi-partisan event.
House of Cards is riveting. There are new plots running through every episode, with twists and turns along the way. There are familiar faces throughout the show. What is scary, almost petrifying about the series is that I imagine real life Washington to be almost a carbon copy for Kevin Spacey's naughty and conniving political figure. It's as if I have turned on Fox News (any news source would suffice) and am seeing all the dirty politics going on in today's world. We have the IRS, Atty Gen Eric Holder and what might appear to be a very scary incident involving reporter James Rosen, and investigation which make me believe that Big Brother is really watching us. We have the Benghazi murders being covered up, which Obama is finding out will be more difficult than perhaps he might have initially imagined.
Maybe House of Cards and current politics are simply mirroring each other's playbooks. Oh, that's downright mortifying.
Kevin Spacey's character is a politician who seems to be running the other politicians around, dictating just how and when to pull schemes out of hats, like a magician of sorts. His dutiful wife, Robin Wright, seems to tolerate the political life, although she spends a great deal of time cavorting with a former lover. Not to be outdone by Kevin Spacey's character, who is also dancing between the sheets with a naive political reporter. A kind of sex for inside tidbits for the goings on inside Washington's dysfunctional whore house.
I have established that Spacey's character is a democrat and most of the characters are also democrats. This really is not relevant. The hysterical parts for me are events like true life Republican Sanford who got lost along the Appalachian Trail a few years ago, and was found to be doing the no-no dance with his mistress instead. And if his paltry resignation years ago was not pathetic enough, somehow he is like the prodigal son to South Carolina, and has been re-elected again, beating out Stephen Colbert. So, the point being, playing footsie is a bi-partisan event.
House of Cards is riveting. There are new plots running through every episode, with twists and turns along the way. There are familiar faces throughout the show. What is scary, almost petrifying about the series is that I imagine real life Washington to be almost a carbon copy for Kevin Spacey's naughty and conniving political figure. It's as if I have turned on Fox News (any news source would suffice) and am seeing all the dirty politics going on in today's world. We have the IRS, Atty Gen Eric Holder and what might appear to be a very scary incident involving reporter James Rosen, and investigation which make me believe that Big Brother is really watching us. We have the Benghazi murders being covered up, which Obama is finding out will be more difficult than perhaps he might have initially imagined.
Maybe House of Cards and current politics are simply mirroring each other's playbooks. Oh, that's downright mortifying.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)