Author Archives

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Will John McCain go John McWayne in Debate Tonight?

 

What a twist of irony.  The McCain/Palin campaign can’t make up their mind.  On one hand they want to play to their racist base, and in the next McCain backs away to call Obama a “decent” person.  The next moment he talks of, “kicking Obama’s you know what,” in the next debate.  Who is the real John McCain?  Actually… all of them.  The Bradley effect aside, McCain is twisting like a fish in caught in a hook trying to survive and his erratic flailings show a man falling apart.  Its not as if he or Palin has tried to reach out to black people anyway.  Not in the least bit. 

If “that one” was any indication of whats to come in tonights debate, I’ll brace myself and make ready for what The Maverick is going to let fly out of his pie-hole.

Also for those who live in states where there is early voting, take advantage of that and start voting for Barack Obama now.  Why wait till November for all of the controversy and shenanigans that are sure to come into play?  This way you beat the lines and ensure that your vote counts early.

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Money, Greed, & The Desecration of the King Legacy

 

Where do I start?  Sigh!

Since the death of Coretta Scott King, the widow of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, many in the African-American community have stood by silently while King’s children have fought in public and in court over various money issues.  Most of us just shook our heads and hoped that they could get their stuff together.  I’m not saying it’s easy being a King’s kid all the time, but come on! 

Chief of the drama however seems to be Dexter King, the second son of the couple who for everything I have noticed, seems to love the high life as a Malibu “big baller” who spends all of the money from his father’s estate to finance his lavish lifestyle.  Initially, sister Bernice King and brother Martin III sued Dexter on behalf of Coretta’s estate alleging he improperly took funds from the estates of their parents.  I won’t spend time elaborating on that or placing blame.  But it’s obvious that there are some problems with the First Family of black folk. 

Now it seems that Coretta had some love letters “(and other “intimate correspondence”) from Martin that she kept in a suitcase under her bed till the day she died.   According to Lynn Cothren, Mrs. Kings special assistant for over two decades they were her most cherished possessions.  Bernice would like to keep those letters private in the hands of family.  Dexter, ever the opportunist would like to whore them out for a book deal he inked recently.

Dude, you are actually going to take your sister to court to get at your dead parent’s love letters so you can market them in a book? 

To quote a famous poet, “Dumb nigga, what you thinkin bout?”  

Here you have the descendants of the most well known African-American family in the history of the world.  The children of a Nobel Peace Prize winner.  A man who has arguably done more to help the entire race socially, legally, educationally, and financially, certainly in the 20th Century.   A man who helped to set the table for this historic moment and opportunity to elect a true child of the dream.   

 

I know there are two sides to every story, and perhaps if I knew the whole story (which I am not interested in) I would have cause to go after Bernice and Martin III.  But in this case, it’s all on Dexter.  What will this guy NOT do to bleed his given name for every dollar possible?  I am reminded of a line in the movie, “Crash,” where Terrance Howard’s character chided Ludacris’ car jacking character by telling him, “Look at me!  You embarrass me.  You embarrass yourself!”

Since these bickerings started, most African Americans with public forums have cautiously taken a pass at getting into their business.  There is so much respect for the King name and legacy.  We have inwardly wished that the family would put the public bickering to rest and not bring shame to themselves or our people.  I think the silence should cease.  And we should call for Dexter to call off this ridiculous pursuit of his parents intimate communications.  Here is my official notice:

Memo to Dex: Your father is arguably the greatest American the country has ever produced!  Have some dignity!  If there was something J. Edgar Hoover didn’t get his grubby and filthy hands on, then leave it be!  I am sure if Mrs. King wanted to post her husband’s personal sentiments to her she would have done so during the almost 40 years she survived him.  You have enough at your disposal already to allow you to gravy train your father’s legacy for the rest of your pitiful life.  If your mother and father were alive, they would both be ashamed of you.  Now back the hell up!

See… it’s that simple!

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Political Haiku Poems by Resonate’

As we wind down the last few weeks before the election, I thought that this is a great opportunity to be creative with the events at hand and challenge myself to produce some poems in the form of a Haiku.

A Haiku in the traditional sense is a major form of Japanese verse, written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, and employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons.

Let’s have some fun with the concept and see what we can come up with.  I’ll start them off.  Feel free to post some of your own in the comment field. 

* On the Elections  

A few more weeks till the polls 

John McCain is toast

Palin back to Alaska

 

* On The VP Debates

Answer the questions Palin

I like Fey better  

Ifill should have drilled your ass  

 

* On The Economy

The Dow Jones is down again

401K shot

Get this fool out the White House  

 

* On Obama 

Barack Obama is fly

Down for change we need

America don’t screw up

© Resonate’ 2008

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Charlie Bubba on Politics & The Economy

I was on the East Side recently watching Flyers football – And afterwards I decided to stop in one of the local watering holes for a draft.  Low and behold I walk into my main man Charlie Bubba.  Some of you may remember Charlie “The Ghetto Philosopher” from the last time he appeared on these post.  He has a way of keeping it real.  You won’t catch this cat on CNN, but he’s like the Anderson Cooper of the hood.

I sat next to Charlie at the bar, gave him some dap and after catching up on things in the hood, and the Flyers’ chances to win state this year, I asked him about his take on the economy and the presidential campaigns with less than a month to go before the election.  He shot me a look as if to remind me that old playa’s theme tag that the game is to be sold not told.  I was with it – so I told the bartender to pour Charlie’s favorite on me.  I then pulled out my recorder.  With that, he smiled and started to speak:

Come on C!  Shit is fuuuuucked up.  What you been under a rock?  Let me get to the funny shit first.  I mean the shit that cracks me the hell up.  First look at the welfare package they just passed… that 700 billion welfare package they passed for rich motherfuckers.  First they sell that shit to the public as if it was going to save the country.  And if they didn’t pass it, it would doom the country.  No sooner than they pass it – the Dow falls like ho panties!  I mean what the fuuuuuk?  Then them niggas is sayin’ “Oh shit ain’t gone be fixed off the top – we are still dealing with major challenges and shit with the economy – blah blah blah.”  Them White Niggas in Washington got to be the baddest pimps ever.  Then I find out that them Niggas at AIG who already got billions in welfare, got a piece of the new welfare too – double dippin and shit.  And no sooner than they got the first government check, instead of fixing shit so niggas can work and feed their families – they asses is up in a hotel spending 440 Large for some spa and shit.  Over 23 large for ‘spa treatments.’ Yea.. spa my ass.  They were in the spa alright – if spa means getting fuckin and getting their dicks sucked by some high priced hoes.  I’m telling you now… if Charlie Bubba spend 440 large somebody gone be sucking my dick till it fall off… ya dig.  This sounds like some Eliot Spitzer shit to me!  Now why them Niggas ain’t fired or in jail?  I call that shit welfare abuse.  Don’t let Tamika get aid and buy a beer and some cigarettes to calm her nerves at the end of the week… white folks would be losing their fucking minds.   I saw the debate the other night.. bailout, rescue – whatever the fuck they want to call it – The shit is WELFARE and now WELFARE ABUSE!  Them niggas ain’t slick – hell, game recognize game C. 

I shook my head cause I couldn’t disagree with Bubba – in spite of his language he seemed to have the heartbeat of the situation.  I followed up, “So do you think the election will change things?”

Shiiiit playa I don’t know.  I mean shit remains to be seen ya dig.  Some historical game being played and we ain’t never been here before.  I do know this.. McCain crusty ass is getting on my fuckin nerves. His ass look like he should run for president of Bedrock!  And that lipstick pit-bull bitch is too.   You see they invoking the south and shit in their speeches… got honkeys riled up talking about Obama’s middle name… honkeys yelling ‘kill him,’  ‘off with his head’, and all this crazy shit, and they ain’t saying nothing about it.  When all else fails just play to racial hate.  Even Cindy’s ass got in on the act.  One minute the campaign is saying kids are a private matter, next she’s trying to put Obama on blast for not “funding her son” in the war.  Shit!  That bitch got enough money to fund the whole fuckin military – who is SHE kidding?  Sell one of them 9 houses!  And on a side note… where is that nigga Bill Clinton at?  Bitch ass nigga can’t support a black man… can’t even say his name.   Him and his wife can kiss my ass cause their Little Rock asses is AOL.  I’m digressing though.

On paper McCainasaurus Rex shouldn’t even be in the race.  Only ignorance and racist Dixie whistling motherfuckers is keeping him in the game.  Maybe the young folks can outnumber them bigots… Niggas need to get their asses out to the polls… cause if you think the shit was scandalous in 2000 and 2004, wait till we see what them right wing fuckers pull out their asses this November son!  …. You registered nigga?

Come on CB you know this?  Since I was 18!

Alright then… get to the polls early.  Bring and ID and don’t be wearing no Obama T-Shirt either.   As a matter of fact, say your voting for the old fart and then do the opposite.

After that Charlie bought my next beer and I just sat there thinking about what he was saying.  I could see all the dimensions of his aged face.  Hope, fear, anticipation, all of the things an older guy like him has seen over the years.  Charlie Bubba marched with King.  He lived in Birmingham.  He knows what’s at stake here.  I just hope that most Americans do too – and that they will do what’s right come November 4. 

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Poems by Resonate’: Healing in the Touch

An aquaintance of mine always uses this term, and it has stuck with me.  After a couple years of hearing it, I finally felt inspired to do something with the concept.

 

Healing In The Touch

 

What’s happening brotha

Can I get some dap

With a soul brotha shake – that gimme love embrace

I haven’t been around much

Maybe you can catch me up

There is healing in your touch

 

3 in the afternoon

Picking my baby up from school

I hold her in my arms

The weight of the world long gone

I missed you so much

There is healing in her touch

 

From spirit to through the womb

The warmth of her son, under the moon

My face against her chest

Her heartbeat made me rest

My bottom my back she clutched

There was healing in my momma’s touch

 

Hey baby it’s been a while

Missed your smell and your smile

How was your day?  Mine so-so

But this much yes – I do know

Under the covers where we lay

We can talk about the week or the day

Inhale me exhale your troubles away

I’m not talking about a carnal lust

But in this union do I trust

Inside each other – there’s healing in this touch

 

The touch is good to the soul

Stimulating young and old

All types all kinds we celebrate

Loving touches void of hate

Proper touches from God’s own heart

This is where the healing starts~

Can’t buy with money fame or wealth

Good for spirit prone towards health

So touch a brotha, sista, or self~

 

© 2008 Resonate’

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The Man Bible 8: Enjoy Your Friends’ Criticism

A man’s capacity to receive another man’s direct criticism is a measure of his capacity to receive masculine energy.  If he doesn’t have a good relationship to masculine energy (e.g., his father), then he will act like a woman and be hurt or defensive rather than make use of other men’s criticism.  – David Deida

Ok… I can’t say I can subscribe to the last portion of that sentence.  The ability to take or not take criticism is not necessarily a feminine or masculine quality.  I know women who can both dish it out and take a well thought out critique of something she does or believes.  However, I do respect the premise of the principle – that iron sharpens iron and a man needs other men who can give him an honest and frank take on his life. 

Every man needs an inner circle… a board of directors whom he respects that can give him the straight skinny – no compromise on important ideas and decisions he may make.  This can prevent a great mistake in his life.  This reminds me of a scripture that says:

Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  Proverbs 11:14

Of course one has to make sure the person he is getting counsel from has some sense is not a moron devoid of wisdom!  And this does not necessarily mean that a friend’s advice is always accurate or on point for every major decision a man makes.  A man has to be responsible for making his own decisions and living with the results.  The point is that a wise man will seek counsel to get a perspective that he may not see through his own blind spots.  This is essential to making the best decision possible. 

Now, the best way to deal with criticism, is to first listen to it completely.  Then take some time to identify if it’s true completely or in part.  If it is then it’s best to man up and admit it – the sooner the better.  Denial is not just a river in Africa, it also slows a good man down to live in his own fantasy world while reality is kicking him in the ass.  If the criticism is not valid and your way passes the smell test – then you can feel good about your direction with even more confidence.  Of course if your respected and wise friends agree with you – you can probably rest assured you are on point. 

Either way – Pride comes before a fall.   The humble will ask for help so that a light can be beamed on the whole situation, illuminating the path that leads to life. 

Peace

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The Great Debators or Great Deflators…..

   

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So here we are again with another debate in store between Obama and McCain McSame.    Lately McSame and Palin Shamelin have been trying to use the scare tactics in their campaign speeches against Obama.  She has gone with the, “This is not a man who sees American like you see America, and as I see America..” (wink wink – card) meaning that he sees the world through a “black” lense.  And he has gone to the, “Who is the real Senator Obama... translation, “You don’t really know the Negro and he’s too unpredictable card.”

According to the latest polls, Obama is increasing his lead.  And the word on the street is that McSame is going to “take off the gloves” in tonight’s debate.  Usually that means attacking Obama and not talking about the issues such as the economy, education, etc.  We all know he has nothing substantive to say on those issues. 

Just like last week’s VP debate, Shamelin had nothing more than predetermined sound bites, a few winks, oh shucks and some shout outs to offer.  Hmm, I wonder what America’s reaction would be if that were Michelle Obama talking all “folksy” that way?   Would her uneducated tone come off so endearing?  But I digress. 

On one hand it shows that many in America are relatively savvy in that they enjoy watching Tina Fey do Palin more than they enjoy Palin herself – meaning they don’t take Palin very seriously.  On the other hand while we laugh at her ridiculous presentation, in less than a month this lunatic could be a  heartbeat away from the nuclear codes.  Laugh as we may we need to take this election seriously and not sleep on the consequences.

So let’s just see what happens.  McCain says he’s going to be “bout it bout it” and Obama has been pretty much a gentleman most of the time.  I did hear him say on the Tom Joyner Morning Show yesterday morning that he may not throw the first punch, but he will throw the last one.  (That is when it comes to using hard core political attacks – see Roland Martin link) The Maverick as he calls himself is feeling a bit desperate.  And it will be interesting to see if he poses that same smirk he rocked in their last debate. 

I just want him to keep it real.  Don’t shake Obama’s hand.  Don’t whisper niceties in his ear – just be thug about it.  I just hope it doesn’t turn out to be a big hype and then the commentators are left to say the debate was “civil.”  Bring the heat McCain.. let’s see what your workin with.

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Losing in Las Vegas, or The Negro Nobody Cares About….

When thinking of this blog the words of a wise man came to me….

You’ve got to know when to hold’em

Know when to fold’em

Know when to walk away…

And know when to run…

Yes that great wise man Kenny Rogers broke this revelation down many years ago.  And yet some of us just don’t get it.  This is such the case with one Orenthal James Simpson, who after escaping the wrath of justice over a decade ago never knew when to say when… never understood that he needed to stay down and keep a low profile…. never understood you can’t keep pulling the tail of the tiger without the beast biting your head off.  Now the cat is behind bars for kidnapping, armed robbery, along with 10 other charges.  I mean, how many times does a prosecutor win on every count they give to the jury?  And how is this for irony?  He was convicted exactly 13 years to the day after the murder aquittals! 

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I said recently that The Juice should have taken whatever plea the prosecution offered.  It was clear he was going to do time.  No way he was going to win another high profile case in America… regardless of the circumstances.  With thoughts of Rick Pitino – Johnnie Cochran, F Lee Bailey, and Alan Dershowitz were not walking through the court’s doors.

“Take the knee Juice,” was my advice.  Look at the other notables who are either in jail or are doing jail – folks with just as much money if not more than is in his bank accounts.  Marion Jones, Michael Vick for example.   Sure those were federal cases, cases the feds generally never lose – but this was set up in the same fashion.  It was clear that after the infamous case where names like Ito, Darden, and Clark failed to do what America thought should have been done, he should have figured out he was going to have to do some time – so at least take a plea and get it over with.  But naw… The Juice thought he was Teflon Don… an now he is probably going to spend the rest of his miserable life signing footballs for guys named Tiny. 

What a tragedy… especially for Simpson’s kids.  God bless them.  But this was bound to happen.

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10 Things I Hate to See ~ Especially In Black Folks

Mothers who cuss at their babies…. in public especially

Fathers who are absent from their children’s lives

Fathers who are present but may as well not be

Young people who are disrespectful to adults and older people. 

Adults and older people who don’t understand or respect the value and potential of the younger generation.  We have to learn to bridge the gap between the generations.  We can only do that together.  Each group has it’s reasons to exist.  One cannot function at it’s best without the other.

Saggin pants is one thing – I don’t have to like it.  But when the jenk is right above the knees and they literally walk with one hand holding the front of the pants up from completely falling to the ground….  What is up with that??

Tatoos on the hands, neck, face etc. when you’re young and don’t have any money and are looking for a job.

Folks who throw trash out the car window… That is some truly trifling shit. 

Folks who know their candidate of choice is whack, but refuse to speak the truth about it.

Folks who don’t vote because, “It doesn’t matter,” or “they are going to do what they do anyway.”  No the issue is that far too many of us (Americans) are apathetic and take far too much for granted, not understanding that the most astute constituents keep political leads in check.  When the public is uneducated or aloof, meandering about their miserable lives, then the few are able to control the fate of the many via the purse strings of lobbyist.  In other words, if there are 100 people voting in an election, and 80 of them are poor/middle class but astute, their votes will outweigh the value of any amount of money the remaining 20% could pay.  So do the math , get involved, educated. and participate.