Tag: President Obama

How Do You Spell Hypocrite in Texas? Ted Cruz

These days, its easy to dream about vacation. Writing this post as New York is hit by another snow storm, I can’t help but let my mind drift to a sandy beach with the ocean lapping at my feet, a book in my lap, and a drink in my hand. But that does not mean I will jump on the next flight to someplace warm.

This week, as Texas is experiencing what can only be described as an historic winter storm, one of the state’s Senators, Ted Cruz was seen on a flight to Cancun. Back in December, he criticized the Mayor of Austin for going on vacation.

Back in 2014, he slammed then President Obama for golfing while spending time with his family at Martha’s Vineyard.

His reason for leaving the country was the following:

“With school cancelled for the week, our girls asked to take a trip with friends. Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon.”

I understand wanting to be a good parent, but it is possible to say no to your kids.

What bothers me is that while he easily criticizes the other side, he can’t take the heat when he is in the same position.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. If Democrats can be called out for doing what they shouldn’t be doing, then Republicans (or any politician, regardless of party affiliation) should expect the same.

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This is How Presidential Transitions are Supposed to be

One of the cornerstones of our democracy is the peaceful transition from one administration to another. It signals that there is a respect for the country and for the end result of a Presidential election.

As we all are too keenly aware of, you know who has far too many people believing that his loss was due to voter fraud. In denying the Biden/Harris transition team access to the necessary materials needed to do their job, the message from the current administration is loud and clear. They are concerned with soothing their boss’s fragile ego than following the will of the people.

Over the last few days, former First Daughter and granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager has been reflecting on how her late grandfather, George H.W. Bush and father, George W. Bush graciously welcomed the next President into the White House.

The letter from her grandfather to then President elect Bill Clinton states the following:

“Dear Bill, when I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too. I wish you great happiness here,”

She also fondly recalls how she, her sister, and her mother were tour guides for Michelle Obama and her girls when President Obama won the election twelve years ago.

This is how Presidential transitions are supposed to be. But it cannot happen if you know who refuses to concede the election.

Why I am Not Surprised About You Know Who’s Response to Cokie Roberts’s Passing?

When someone dies, the proper response is to share one’s condolences and be sympathetic to the family of the newly deceased. It is not about the person giving the condolences, it is about the person receiving the condolences.

Legendary journalist Cokie Roberts passed away this week. She was 75. Ms. Roberts was a journalist among journalists. She broke down barriers for female journalists and was the face of the news for millions of Americans.

An appropriate response to her passing is something like the statement released by former President Obama:

“Michelle and I are sad to hear about the passing of Cokie Roberts. She was a trailblazing figure; a role model to young women at a time when the profession was still dominated by men; a constant over forty years of a shifting media landscape and changing world, informing voters about the issues of our time and mentoring young journalists every step of the way. She will be missed – and we send our condolences to her family.”

Instead, the man whom we unfortunately call President, released the following statement:

“She never treated me nicely. But I would like to wish her family well. She was a professional, and I respect professionals. I respect you guys a lot, you people a lot. She was a real professional. Never treated me well, but I certainly respect her as a professional.”

Not everything is about him. Sometimes, we have to yield the spotlight to someone else. But he does not understand that. Nor does he understand or respect that the press is an integral part of a democratic country.

Just another reason to vote him out of office next fall.

Thoughts On Second Night of the Second Round of Democratic Debates

Last night, the second night of the second round of the Democratic nominees aired on CNN. Over the course of three hours, the nominees debated, argued and did their best to prove why they should go against you know who next fall.

I have a few thoughts about last night.

  • Senator Kamala Harris (D-California) is not the golden child that she was after the previous debate. She was and still a strong contender. However, it was clear that the other nominees had her in their cross hairs, especially Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii).
  • Speaking of Representative Gabbard, it felt like she was grasping at straws. While I can’t speak of Senator’s Harris’s record while she was Attorney General in California, I can’t see Representative Gabbard being the Democratic nominee next fall.
  • There were more than enough one liners to go around.
  • The polls may say that for Vice President Joe Biden has the best chance to win the election. However, given that the polls leading up the 2016 elections said that Hillary Clinton was slated to win, I don’t exactly trust the numbers. In regards to last night, Vice President Biden was still not as on top of his game as he could have been. He was evasive at some points and used his former boss, President Obama as a crutch one too many times for my liking.
  • And finally, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio proved once again why he should not be President. Called out for the fallout from the Eric Garner trial and the lead paint poisoning in NYCHA buildings, he was evasive and put his two cents where they were not wanted.

Readers, those are my thoughts. What did you think of last night? Has your opinion changed about any specific candidate or have you already made up your mind as to whom you will be voting for?

 

He Can Play Golf Every Weekend, But He Cannot Go Out In The Rain To Honor The Heroes of World War I

When one joins the military, there is the expectation that he or she may give up their life at some point to protect their country.

Today is Veterans Day. We remember the millions who served, regardless of whether they came home or gave their lives to protect everything that they hold dear.

This year is the 100th anniversary of ending of World War I. In addition to remembering all of the American veterans, we remember those who fought and died in World War I.

You know who promised to support veterans, but not surprisingly, there were no actions behind his words.

During the election, he chastised President Obama for golfing, but he has golfed every weekend since taking office. Yesterday was the international gathering of world leaders to remember those who gave their lives during World War I.  He used the excuse that it was raining not to attend. Was he afraid of getting his precious hair wet? If so, this another example, at least to my mind that he is unfit to lead the country.

To give your life during war to protect and support your country is the most heroic act anyone can do. By using a flimsy excuse to not attend the memorial ceremony, he is once more showing his true colors. It is those colors that continue to prove that he should be holding any political office, especially the highest political office in the land.

Brett Kavanaugh Should NOT Be Confirmed For The Supreme Court

Despite his Presidential shortcomings, you know who is not as dumb as he sometimes appears to be. He knows enough to know that if Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed as the next Supreme Court Judge, his legacy will be cemented for decades, if not generations to come, regardless of how long he is in office.

Brett Kavanaugh should NOT be confirmed for the Supreme Court. Below are the reasons why:

  1. Judge Kavanaugh would potentially gut the ACA and Roe V. Wade, in addition to cutting back on the hard-won Civil Rights that citizens of color have been fighting for for generations.
  2. Judge Kavanaugh could nullify any charges that are brought against you know who, if he is indicted while still in office.
  3. Judge Kavanaugh is another white hetero Christian male. Just what this country needs in a position of political power.
  4. Judge Kavanaugh believes that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is unconstitutional. Millions of Americans would be defrauded out of their hard-earned money by financial institutions if  this important branch of government is rendered toothless.
  5. Judge Kavanaugh turned his back on one of the fathers of the victims of the Parkland shooting who went up to introduce himself after the hearing.
  6. There are thousands upon thousands of pages missing from Judge Kavanaugh’s record. How is the committee supposed to prepare for the hearing and then make a decision if they do not have all of the facts in front of them?

Only time will tell if Brett Kavanaugh ascends to the highest court in the land. My hope (faint as it is) is that he will not be confirmed But, considering the state of American politics these days, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was confirmed.

P.S. Am I the only one who finds it hypocritical that while Republicans were adamant about not confirming Merrick Garland until the 2016 election, but they are rushing the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh before the 2018 Midterms Elections?

Thoughts On The Opposition To Breast-Feeding

I am utterly convinced that logic and reason left Washington D.C. with the departure of President Obama.

Last week, delegates from various countries met in Geneva for a meeting of the World Health Assembly.  One of the topics that was to be discussed was the initiative to encourage mothers to breast-feed their children until the children no longer need breast milk.

It appeared to be a quick vote. Then the American delegation (no surprise there) shut down the vote and threatened sanctions if the topic was brought to the floor to be vote on again. Only when the Russian delegation stepped into to re-introduce the resolution did the threats from the American delegation stop.

I’m not a parent, nor am I a medical professional. But I know enough to know that breast-feeding one’s child not only provides the necessary nutrients, but creates the bond between mother and child.

When did America become the bully of the world? We are supposed to the be the leaders of the free world, but that was before you know who took over the position.

To the rest of the world on behalf of every logical, thinking American, I apologize. This is not who we are as a nation. Whatever you know who says or does, please do not abandon us. We still need you.

 

Unfortunately, Racial Profiling Is Alive And Well in America

Imagine the following: you are a person of color in America. Being that it is summer (and by extension, warm outside), you don’t want to sit at home all day. You want to barbecue in a public park, your kid wants to sell cold drinks on the front stoop or you want to go to the town pool.

First there was BBQ Becky.  Then there was Permit Patty. Now there is ID Adam.

On July 4th, Jasmine Edwards decided to visit the town pool with her child to get a break from the oppressive heat. Another resident of the area, Adam Bloom called the police on her when he felt that she was not forth coming enough on proving that she had the right to be at the pool.

From my perspective, this is the very definition of racial profiling. Ms. Edwards was doing nothing wrong. But Mr. Bloom felt that he had the right to question her, simply based on her skin color.

The hopeful perspective on America was that we were past judging another based on their skin color, especially considering that President Obama was in office for eight years. But it is obvious that racism and racial profiling is still unfortunately alive and well and in America.

 

 

What Is Good For The Goose Is Good For The Gander

In 2016, as President Obama’s final year in office was coming to a close, Justice Antonin Scalia passed away. As is within the scope of power that comes with being President, he nominated Merrick Garland to replace Justice Scalia. The Republicans shot down the idea, stating that they preferred to wait fill Justice Scalia’s seat until after the 2016 Presidential Election.

Now the shoe is on the other foot. Justice Anthony Kennedy announced today that as of July 31st, he will be retiring.

I believe that at this point in time, we are at a political crossroad. Whoever takes Justice Kennedy’s place could not just tip the balance of the Supreme Court, but could have a hand in shaping the future of our country for years to come. While the hope for Democrats is that a blue wave will take back the House and Senate come the midterm elections in November, at this point, it is still just a hope.

The problem is that while President Obama tried to compromise with the Republicans, compromise is a dirty word when it comes to you know who. It’s his way or the highway.

What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Perhaps it’s time that the Republicans got a taste of their own political medicine.

Let’s Put The Blame Where It Belongs, Sean Hannity

As I have gotten older, I have come to realize that one of the hallmarks of adulthood is to place blame where it belongs and not place blame where it is easiest to place.

Yesterday, the Dow Jones Industrial dropped to numbers that have not been seen in seven years. Fox News anchor Sean Hannity announced that the reason the numbers fell so low is because of President Obama.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am tired of the right pointing fingers. Stop blaming Hillary Clinton and stop blaming President Obama. Neither of them are in the White House. I’m not a professional journalist, but even I know that real journalism does not consist of pointing fingers and blaming someone else because they are on the end of the the political aisle.

If this country wants to move forward, we have to stop pointing fingers and find a way to work together. Unfortunately, some people, especially in the media and in the halls of our government find it easier to point fingers, which in the end, helps nobody.

 

 

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