Open Letters

Minstrel Show

Taking exit 62nd Street off I- 95 south in Miami, Florida one can’t help noticing the murals painted on the understructure of the highway. The colorful murals are of Martin Luther King Jr. including  excerpts of some of his speeches. This exit drops you in eastern section of Liberty City which is a predominantly African American neighborhood; an area riddled with crime for decades and is used as the proto-city for the video game Grand Theft Auto IV. Now be don’t be fooled by the luxury cars that uses this exit; because it one of the quickest way to reach Biscayne Corridor which leads to some of the most affluent neighborhoods and islands. Your first thought would be that it’s the work of one of the kids from the high school that’s located across the street. It’s been there for years and it keeps getting larger as time goes on.

 

A few months ago there was a new addition to the murals. It was a potrait of Senator Barack Obama. Placed beside that of Martin Luther King and written to the left  an excerpt of the “I have a dream” speech. Simplistic in it’s interpretation but widely understood. About a month ago the image of Senator Obama was painted over to now a silhouette, a star shines  above  Martin Luther King  casting a ray of light shining brightly on both images. (See image below). Just looking the silhouette anyone can recognize that it’s Barack Obama.

 

Then the story broke in the local news. Apparently a local artist was commissioned to beautify the area by painting murals. It’s an ongoing project and he decided that a rendition of Senator Obama would be an appropriate addition  to the tribute of Martin Luther King. Congressman Kendrick Meeks a fervent Clinton supporter was not pleased. Liberty City is a part of his constituent and he wasn’t having it. It was reported in the local Biscayne Times that he called the Department of Transportation and demanded that the artist go back and remove the image of Obama, which the artist did, but left a more affecting image. Now the current mural has created more buzz around Miami than Congressman Meeks intended.

 

  

 

Why, oh why would he waste tax-payers money to do something so counter-productive? Not only did he interfere with an artist's message (you know how artist are sensitive to their craft) but I thought that in an area like Liberty City where the schools (note Miami Edison High is right across from the mural) are failing, drop-out rates are high, but this school in the most impoverish area of Miami is  filled with African American children where the image of Senator Obama can be a reminder of their possibilities. Just to think, that each time one of these young boys or girls leaving that school with thoughts of turning to a life of crime; the Obama’s image may give them a second thought. Or for residents in that neighborhood to feel proud just walking down that street knowing that someone who looks like them have made it this far. But Congressman Meeks a minstrel for the Clinton’s got caught up in the nastiness of the election that he would prefer to suppress encouraging his constituent than to offend Senator Clinton just in case there is the remote chance of her visiting Liberty City!

 

Now that Senator Obama has clinched the Democratic Nomination, I wonder what Congressman Meeks think now.

 

Math 101

The Sartorialist

 

Can we say GQ? This is a picture of Senator Obama on his way to the Oregon rally last week. Mid-stride, sporting that tailored suit, the sunglasses and yeah the book!

Oh yeah this belong on some glossy cover. I have been waiting patiently for a picture that I can truly say “Now its official I have a crush”.

 

Snort, Snort

I couldn't help it...... I thought everyone was so skirting around the issue                       

                                                      

While we were paying attention to. . .

. .. Wright and Wrong, there was another scandal , brewing in Washington that once again seemed to have missed the main stream media’s attention.

Where is story?

What's wrong with this picture?

Here’s what we are looking at:

§         Climate Crisis

§         The Country is in a recession

§         The oil price over $4.00 per gallon

§         Housing foreclosure doubled since January

§         Wall Street powerhouses straining to stay afloat

§         The US dollar descending against the Euro

§         War in Iraq

§         War in Afghanistan

§         Rumors of more war (Iran)

And all they gnash about is Rev Wright! The main stream media is driving me nuts.

Great article about this by Bob Cesca

Miscellaneous cost behind the hookers

Well with all the hoopla over the Spitzer story, there was expressed shock at the cost some men paid for these hookers. I have always assumed these women must be exceptionally beautiful, or they know more tricks, or they are open to deviant behaviors etcetera. Only to find out that’s not the reason for the high price.

                            

It was explained to me by a man who apparently knows a little bit about the industry that these working women only make a small fraction of the total cost (roughly around 20-30%) and another portion to the companies they are employed by and other portions are paid to PEPs. What PEPs you asked? “Politically Exposed Personnel” These are people who accept payoff to be discreet about the sightings and wheresabout of public figures (e.g. drivers, concierges, security personnel, hotel staff, ect.) They act as the “see no evil” “hear no evil” “speak no evil” coordinators for meetings and trysts. (Yeah, knock me over with a feather eh!)

                            

The men who pay for these services can not afford to risk their reputation picking up $50 dollar whores off the street and being photographed, or have security cameras catching their profile entering hotels. Most of the encounters can not be traced because the utmost discretion is paid for by the escort companies who have paid contacts employed within most of the exclusive, high-end hotels and resorts. This of course explains why so much of this goes on for many years and no one knows about it until one party does something stupid (usually tax evasion crap).

                            

When one these Madams get caught, we hear about the “little black book” and cannot wait to see who is in, but that never happens. Case and point the recently charged DC Madam, Deborah Palfrey who claimed to have many “Politicians” in her “black book”. After her arrest, Randall Tobias, who was the head of USAID and the former global AIDS Coordinator for President Bush resigned. Since then the case has been hushed.

                            

Eliot Spitzer got caught because he was initially suspected by his bank of money laundering or possible blackmail. Of the multiple funds transferred between his personal account and QAT Consulting (what a name), Kristen probably made a small sum and the PEPs made theirs. Now the feds are looking into his security details.

                            

Now I’d be damned!

Why in the world do they stand there?

As I watched the press conference of NY Gov. Spitzer apologizing to everyone and most importantly his wife and children, I couldn’t help wondering as I looked at Silda Spitzer “Woman! Why are you standing there with that vague Xanax stare on your face? It doesn’t make me feel sorry for your husband, it doesn’t make him look any better, and it only makes you look pitiful”.

                            

Over the years we have seen a myriad of shameful expressions on these wives faces. Hillary had also that shameful look except she skillfully masked it with a look of proud defiance. Vitter’s wife looked utterly depressed, Larry Craig’s wife looked like she mentally checked out and was thinking about a paraffin pedicure, and NJ Gov. McGreevy’s wife looked like an ad for Zoloft.

                            

Imagine if the roles were reversed. Can you see a husband standing behind his wife smiling blankly as she publicly apologizes for some unsavory transgressions? I don’t think so.

                            

For crying out loud, I would just like to see once, just once, one these married politician who falls from grace to be standing at the podium by himself—with maybe a black eye and knot on his forehead!

Articles to make you smile

I have been entrenched in the blogosphere these last few days and there are a few articles that are well worth a visit

                            

A satirical article of an affair with Obama “Do we have thing goin’ on?” Well written, I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t help passing it on. Click here

                            

You know me, anything for a good laugh and I found it here at "Daily Kos"

                            

And last but not least, "The Inside Dope". It's a long article but worth every second.

Thinking Independently

Where have I been? I am completely enrapt by the election coverage.  So much write . . . so much to say where do I begin? This is probably the first time in my life that I am fully engaged in politics and paying every bit of attention to the issues. I am a registered Independent (yes believe it or not I am one  those who swing votes) and I want  to make sure that this time around, when I vote I am particular about the candidate whose policies and goals best parallel my family’s well being as well as what I think   is best for the country, bar party lines.

                            

The Democrats

While the candidate I initially favored is no longer in the race (Joe Biden) I must admit that the two leading candidates has peaked the interest of many, and I am excited about the possiblities. In the 90’s I was a Clinton supporter, even during Bill Clinton’s impeachment hearing I was still staunchly supportive brushing away all self-righteous individuals who dared to judge him. But Hillary is no Bill! I used think she was ok, and even when she threw her hat into the race last year, I thought “Way to go Hillary” and was fully confident that she would get the nomination. However as time passes and I watch the debates I have to admit that I really do not want to have her as the Democratic nominee. She lost me a few months ago when her camp starting rumoring that Obama had dealt drugs. There is no way her campaign can convince me that was not an effort of “swift boating” Ever since then, it has been rumors and character assassination, and distorted facts about her very own Democratic colleague----shame, shame, shame on her! It doesn’t look pretty on her. Her very voice irritates the living crap out of me, and to top it off her husband got involved. This much I can say if she wins the nomination, there will be no vacancy for a VP because it will be Bill and Hillary running the country, and that will be trouble because the Republicans will have a field day and we will see another impeachment hearing because the Clintons are as slimy as can be, and I am sure there is more dirt on them that's worthy of an impeachment. We are tired of dirty politics and be forewarned the Republicans are jonesing to eat her alive---and they will!

                            

“Oh I love me some Barack!” What a refreshing change in politics! I think because of him this political campaign has taken on the heat and excitement that this country has not seen in years! He is extremely capable and despite the Clintons attack about his lack of political experience, we must remember that one of our greatest Presidents also had little political experience before leading this country and that was  President Abraham Lincoln.  It is such a pity that Barack has spent that last month putting out fires on rumors that are been spread instead of talking about issues. The rumors are without merit, and trust me if they were, the media would be all over it. I believe Senator Obama is capable of pulling this country together regardless of party lines or color. And if anyone dares to write and state that we are not ready for a Black President, I will reach through this computer and slap you color blind. (That is one of the most racist statement I have ever heard!) The majority of the people who support Senator Obama do so, not because of his skin color but because of skin comfort. He is in touch with the people of this country. His background we can relate to, you see him on the street working with the poor, you look at the policies that he supports and implements and it is evident that they are in the best interest of the people.  He gives us hope after the past 8 years of fear that the likes of Bush, Cheney, Rove and Rumsfeld have buried us in. Don’t get me wrong---I am not saying that the terrorist threat is not real, but we have to lift our spirits and focus on progression in every way in spite of "Static Panic". America needs that right now and Obama is the man!

                            

Advice to the Clintons: Bill back off, it's your wife's race and Hillary stop touting your experience, because if that’s how you expect the country to make a decision; John McCain certainly has more political experience that you, which leads me to:

                            

The Republicans

Last night I watched the Republican debate which was held in my neck of the woods. One thing for sure, they were civil to each other, not like that firing back and forth between Obama and Clinton in last week’s Democratic debate. No heat, no sparks, just the issues which I must admit was refreshing. I was able to focus on each candidate to make my assessment. I like Mitt Romney, I think he is capable and would be able to re-position our country in a leading financial position in the world (Lords knows our dollar is taking a dive). His international plans are primarily focused on trade and I would have liked to know more about his plans for repairing our reputation (That has also has taken a dive---) Ron Paul--- bless his heart! John McCain of course is the Democratic formidable opponent. He has the “experience”, his plans are pretty much clear and he is probably the least conservative of them and thankfully not a "Holy Roller". There is not any major change voting for him; he is kind of like “sticking to the devil that you know” But Hillary would certainly lose to him! There are lots of democrats and independent voters who would chose him over her. Huckabee is so far right he scares some Republicans; however his tax policies are interesting and I have to research it to see if it makes sense. Giuliani--- I don’t get his campaign strategy at all, because he is banking on the State of Florida (maybe his strategy is “how to lose a primary”). Now what I really don’t understand is why his reputation has not been challenged. I lived in the Northeast in the 90’s when he was Mayor of New York City and for those of you who are not aware of this, he was not liked and very much feared! I don’t care about his 9/11 bravado rhetoric, he controlled that city in a Mafioso style. There is enough slime on him to pollute the Hudson River, and he is the only candidate that would make me vote for Hillary!

                            

So for all you who have emailed me about my thoughts--- there you have it! Sound off