I am Thankful and Grateful

 

Image by: DHSpeller Raleigh, NC

[Reprint from WordPress Blog of June 28, 2021 edited]

Recently, I had a thought session.  I was wondering if I could be disappointed, dissatisfied; yet thankful and grateful all at the same time.  And, my conclusive answer is, Yes.  This is how…

First, I am very thankful and grateful to Word/God for life, health, and strength; and the ability and power to do what I must.  At the same time, I recognize the current state and situation that I find myself (which constantly changes).  Sometimes, that leads to frustration, dissatisfaction and disappointment; but, I work hard at NOT murmuring–

About Wilmington North Carolina & the News and Observer

 

Image: PBS "American Coup" film 

I watched the documentary on PBS called American Coup.  I think it is a bit of history everyone needs to watch. As a matter of fact, it is the stuff that a good movie is made of.  If it wasn’t real, you could swear the best fictional writer wrote it.

It sheds light on what really happened in the nation and the lies told or truths omitted to shade the history of America. 

 

To my surprise,  it seems the News and Observer newspaper played a big part in creating a racial division in the state of North Carolina. Although they  "apologized" in 2006 for their part in conjuring the racial divide and civil unrest… a freakin’ coup!!!  I wonder if they could do more now to help in the ongoing process of

If Trump Wants To Be A “King”, We Should Treat Him Like One

 

Hear me out.  We are going about this all the wrong way.  The King of England literally does nothing regarding actual governing. That is how we should treat Trump and his royal court of idiots, abusers, and harassers, until they are voted out in 2026 or 2028, whichever applies. Then we should abolish that itsh forever, and make sure enablers of such foolishness are never in power again.

When you know and realize that there is an abuse of power going on, people in positions of authority literally are obligated to not obey unlawful orders. And with Trump, not following set procedures, or the law, that is exactly what should happen.  He and the Republicans have been taking liberties with the law and power that do not benefit as a whole, the American people; and we should isolate them by not following the unlawful orders they are proceeding to give.  Just don’t do it. Removing a woman’s right to choose is a prime example of overreach for Trump and the conservatives. Doctors should have

Abuse of Power… And Dereliction of Duty Are a Terrible Combination

Image: AI generated Microsoft Design

I was sitting here thinking and as I was looking over Trump’s previous presidency, and the presidency that he's about to go into. The whole thing looks like an abuse of power.  One definition of abuse of power given by the NCJRS Virtual Library is "the misuse of a position of power to take unjust advantage of individuals, organizations, or governments."

From the first day that Donald Trump took office, and even the time prior to him being elected the first time until now, everything about him and the Republicans that support him; and the people he's chosen as staff, have all been involved in a very large scheme to abuse power.

All of the crime that he has committed, all of the laws and he is broken, and the grifting he has done--everything has been an abuse of power. That's what he should have been impeached on the first time; that's what he should have been impeached on the second time; and that’s what he should be impeached on in the future because he ain’t learned shit.

He doesn’t want to do better. He hasn’t listened to council. He tries to intimidate judges and anyone

3 Things I Hope We Black People Start Doing

 

As I have been listening to the aftermath of the 2024 Elections, through it, as throughout all of history, people bring us up in the mix.  Often the conversation goes into the topics of what we didn’t do and what we should have done, all while ignoring what we've already done in support of this American experiment.

 

 It’s obvious that people are constantly in the affairs of African Americans. Be it culture, music, religion or just conversation, people discuss (and sometimes speak for us—when they can’t find their designated mouth pieces, they’ve anointed to represent us) and tell us what we are thinking as if we can’t speak for ourselves.  It’s time for all of that babbling to cease.  Three things that I hope Black people start doing are:

 

1.      Speak for yourselves clearly and often. Even though you may not get invited to a show or platform that has millions of viewers, use your own social media to be heard. Disregard the naysayers and criticism. Get your message and opinions out there!  Crude, fancy, plain or simple. Communicate. People are going to have something to say regardless of what you do. And although it may appear no one is paying attention, someone is always watching.

2.      Learn to use your personal power. In 2024, it is time to hold people accountable for how they are treating you.  You don’t have to go along to get along.  Nor do you have to settle for scraps.  If others can expand and prosper, so can you. Learn to work with Black businesses and keep some of the wealth in our communities. If you are not satisfied with a good or service, then tell that business what it is you have an issue with—and please let it not just be the “price is too high” excuse.  You’ll spend whatever

Republicans Are Failures to The People They are Supposed to Be Serving

 

The crowd of Republicans in office now are the type of people that will throw a rock and hide their hands.  They’ve been that way for quite some time.  What irks me the most is that Democrats are letting them be that way.

If it were me, every day I’d let the American people know that Republicans voted against every bridge being built, every small business being started, and every Social Security check being mailed or deposited.

They have no regard for you or your mama, and don’t give a damn if FEMA comes to your rescue because they are planning to “defund” everything except tax cuts which the are looking for kickbacks from the donors, they are planning to give them to.

I’d point them out at every ribbon cutting or grand opening ceremony for the frauds that they are; and

The Main Difference I see Between Republicans and Democrats Is That Republicans Are Willing To Do Anything and Democrats Are Willing To Do Nothing

 

Image: Bing - ARRA News Service

For years it seems like Republicans have been willing to skirt the law, make up things along the way, and even test the boundaries of norms just to get their way. Democrats on the other hand, sit back and believe that just the mere law being written on paper is enough to keep the evil away.

Now that the Supreme Court has been taken over by the right wing injustices; and the House, Senate and White House have been seized by insurgents and insurrectionists, Democrats are slowly starting to see the light. 

If they could stop arguing amongst themselves about why Kamala Harris and Tim Walz lost--which, I think they actually ran pretty good race, they might be able to grow a spine and make a difference for the 2026 elections.

If they could finally realize that a large percentage of the nation still have prejudices that they need to

It’s Already Starting… People are Giving Trump Every Ounce of Their Energy

 

Image: Microsoft Stock Photo (edited)

My thoughts: If people spent as much time and energy researching the woes that would come along with Trump before the election, they wouldn’t be hyperventilating now.  Just as they did the last time, it seems like people (especially the press), are starting to give Trump every ounce of their energy; before they lose access.

Because if you remember, they stopped having press briefings altogether at one point, to reduce even the appearance of any visual of accountability.  It all seems to be madness. Stressing every hour of every day about, “what will Trump do next”.  Like it’s a tv show or a game.  They get high off the adrenalin rush that they don’t get from their mundane lives.

This is the wrong way to get that rush people. Acting ignorant and allowing your prejudices to show, only reflect badly upon you as an individual.  Even though you tried to do it in the secrecy of a voting booth, it showed up in the final results of the election.  I truly am hoping everything turns out fine—but running a

The Democrats Are Doing What Democrats Do…. Panic!

 

I’m already hearing and seeing Democrats fall into the trap of panicking over other people’s problems.  Stop it!!!  Hispanics decided to vote for Trump; and now Trump’s Project 2025 is being announced of going into effect on Day 1 of his administration—so says one of his spokespersons, as reported on MSNBC; leading with the deportation of millions of undocumented people.

I say, that’s a fight between them and the Trump administration.   We need to focus on making sure regular civil rights are not violated and help them in ways we can (along the way) as we pursue our goals.  The game Trump plays is to get everybody worried and flustered and focused on things that are an aside to something else they want to do.  Hispanics have ample organizations to help them fight that battle.  Far more than African Americans, it seems. Though it may seem a bit uncaring, it is not. 

I’ve noticed in history that when blacks fight for their rights, in a way, everybody benefits—often more so.  The time has come

Wow. Trump Won…So what will Republicans Try To Do Now?

 

Image: AP News on November 6, 2024

Sad, but the true nature of “America” showed up during this election.  So now that the Republicans will apparently have full control of the government in 2025, let’s see what they plan to do and how much of Project 2025 will try to be implemented. 

It looks like too many people tried to be clever.  Voters across America tried to hold on to the piece of cake they were eating, especially in Florida, and may have lost it all.  Florida voters overwhelmingly voted to support Abortion and Women’s Healthcare rights but guess what…they could not reach the 60 percentile that was needed to make it the state law.  So, by them also voting for Trump, they gets nothing, nada…zip; at the moment.

I also think other changes are on the way too.  With Trump’s Postmaster General DeJoy still on the job,