My Thoughts on This Presidency at This Time

Race and Country Matters



If President Barack Obama had ignored and did nothing after being briefed on Russia paying bounties for the killings of American troops in Afghanistan.



If President Barack Obama had withdrawn U.S. troops from Iraq and then invited the Taliban to Camp David for an agreement meeting on the withdrawal: 



If President Barack Obama had withheld congress approved funds (aid) in order to bribe a foreign leader for dirt on his opponent in the upcoming U.S. election. (Quid Pro Quo)

If President Barack Obama had said he’d welcome dirt from a foreign country on his re-election opponent.



If President Barack Obama had chosen Vladimir Putin’s word over the U.S. Intelligence community about Russian interference in our election.



If President Barack Obama had not disclosed his business plans with Russia to build a Tower hotel in Moscow, with a VIP suite for Russian president Vladimir Putin thrown into the deal.

The Truth behind Trump Tower in Moscow  - Forbes



If President Barack Obama had refused to cooperate with investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election and obstruct cooperation. (Mueller Investigation)



If President Barack Obama had unconstitutionally divert Defense  Funding to build a border wall he campaigned on.



If President Barack Obama had fired and/or ordered the firing of high-ranking government officials simply because they disagree with him or refuse to lie for him.



If President Barack Obama’s personal attorney had been convicted of making excessive campaign contributions per his request, paying hush money to two women he committed adultery with.



If President Barack Obama had been Impeached.



If President Barack Obama had ignored warnings of a world-wide pandemic and refused to effectively lead the country once infections and deaths of Americans began. And what if he suggested citizens ingest bleach as a cure.



If President Barack Obama had ordered a high-powered military helicopter to clear out peaceful protestors so he could have a photo-op in front of a church; while awkwardly holding a bible.



If President Barack Obama  had bragged about grabbing women by the pussy.



If First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2016 DNC had plagiarized a speech by former republican First Lady Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush or Laura Bush.



What if Donald Trump were the first black President of the United States, following on the heels of one of the most eloquent and empathetic men to ever hold the office. Would his political party have backed him this long and allow unimpeded his run for a second term? Would black citizens feel safe? Would America feel safe? Race and Country Matters!

You know the saying, “If it looks like a duck.” Well, no longer do we need to speculate about our current President’s condition. He is a duck; possibly an internationally compromised duck. And the scary part is he does not care if we see the strings Vladimir Putin has attached to his backside to make him quack. 

God bless us all and may God bless the United States of America.

African-American Authors Speak on Race and Politics

I'm listing here links to talks by two American authors who see it as their civic duty to share truths about race and politics in our country. Malcolm Nance and Carol Anderson are recognized and respected professionals in their fields of study. What I found so engaging listening to both were their skillful ways of telling a story; truthful stories with identifiable facts that hold your attention. Story tellers have always been some of the greatest teachers in societies.

I plan to add one or more of their books to my library, but in the meantime felt it my duty to share with those who haven't heard either speak. Each lectures with a concern, care and passion that moves minds and jumpstarts action/activism. Both breakdown issues in ways that require you bring only your attention in order to understand. 

After listening to Carol and Malcolm, you'll come away feeling informed and armed with a sharper lens to view current issues on race and/or politics in America. And you'll be reminded why you must Vote!

Malcolm Nance: The Plot to Betray America

Carol Anderson: White Rage The Unspoken Truth of Our Nation Divide 

"A Fredo Moment"

Ali’s Attica Protest Poem

When I think of professional sports as a platform for protest in today's Black Lives Matter movement, I'm reminded of historical sports figures who made statements of racial protest in their day; Jesse Owens, Bill Russell, John Carlos and Tommie Smith. Some of these black men, and I'm sure others less famous, were banned and/or blacklisted from competing in their sport ever again, ala Colin Kaepernick.

There was one great African-American sports figure who stood up and protested not only racial inequality and discrimination, but also an unjust war (Vietnam). 

In 1967, Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali had his championship title and professional boxing license stripped after being convicted of draft evasion. He was sentenced to 5 years in jail and  a $10,000.00 fine.  

"On April 23, 1971, the Supreme Court voted to send the world's best known athlete to jail"

We all remember Ali as a natural at creating fun rhymes/raps about his unmatchable boxing prowess and "pretty" looks. His unique lyrical cadence and style were all his own. To this day his saying "Float like a Butterfly Sting like a Bee" is still printed and sold on T-shirts; I happen to own one and wear it proudly. Though he sometimes taunted opponents with poems of domination and victory, almost all understood that it was just Ali having fun and selling the big showdown. 

I recently came across an early Ali interview where he gives a powerful rendition of a poem he penned, inspired by racial injustice and police brutality during the 1971 Attica Prison uprising. Not only does Ali display a mesmerizing ability to recite the lengthy poem from memory, he delivers it with a style and grace not unlike the boxing skills he demonstrated in the ring. 

Ali’s genius and grace transcended the boxing ring, and this poem is proof of that.

‘Better to Die Fighting to be Free’

Better far – from all I see –

To die fighting to be Free

What more fitting end could be?

Better surely than in some bed

Where in broken health I’m led

Lingering until I’m dead

Better than with prayers and pleas

Or in the clutch of some disease

Wasting slowly by degrees

Better than a heart attack

Or some dose of drug I lack

Let me die by being Black

Better far that I should go

Standing here against the foe

Is the sweeter death to know

Better than the bloody stain

On some highway where I’m lain

Torn by flying glass and pane

Better calling death to come

Than to die another dumb,

Muted victim in the slum

Better than of this prison rot

If there’s any choice I’ve got

Kill me here on the spot

Better for my fight to wage

Now while my blood boils with rage

Less it cool with ancient age

Better violent for us to die

Than to Uncle Tom and try

Making peace just to live a lie

Better now that I say my sooth

I’m gonna die demanding Truth

While I’m still akin to youth

Better now than later on

Now that fear of death is gone

Never mind another dawn.

-       Muhammad Ali

10 Athletes who made historic political or social protests

NFL Commissioner Taking A Knee

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday apologized to players for not listening to their concerns regarding racism sooner.

"We the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL Players earlier and encourage all players speak out."

Sorry Roger Goodell, but you completely missed the police brutality protest bus when it stopped at your station four seasons ago. You and many others put profit over principle. Since you now see the error of your ways, you might consider granting reparations to those players who's careers were shortened or defamed due to your ignorance and neglect. I'm sure they'd appreciate it, that is if you really mean to right a wrong. 

We American football fans who understood all along taking a knee during the national anthem meant no disrespect to our military, hoped in time the NFL would come around. And they have somewhat, see Inspire Change Initiative. Unfortunately, it took a nationally televised murder of a black man by police, along with national protests, for the National Football League to get on the bus and admit their mistake. Better late than never I suppose. 

Now how about some financial compensation for players you threw under the bus for speaking out against police brutality. Many can never recoup the privilege of potential fame and fortune you so conspiratorially took away from them. And like our current president, you incited hatred toward protesting players when you criticized their peaceful actions instead of supporting them, or better, joining them.  

An NFL apology is nice, but does not bring justice to the wrong these players suffered when choosing to peacefully protest against police violence in our nation. We're not talking 40 acres and a mule compensation, but when something is taken unjustly you'd expect something of equal or higher value given in return. 

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them like wise." Luke 6:31

The league is known for imposing hefty fines on players and teams when they behave badly. It’s meant to teach a lesson as well as punish the perpetrator. Well, it's time to "do ye also" by pulling out the bad boy checkbook and penalizing yourselves. And while you're at it, take a damn knee!

NFL tackles police killings in Super Bowl Commercial

2 years of NFL protests explained 

Teams to be fined if players kneel during anthem

Why are people taking a knee?