Ryan Moats Broke the Law, but the Policeman Could Have Shown A Little Mercy

Ryan Moats, Houston Texan Running Back ran a light on his way to see his wife’s dying mother. When he arrived at the hospital he was detained by the police as he lectured him and wrote him a ticket. His wife left the car and went into the hospital while the policeman continued to detain her husband. The officer also allegedly drew his weapon on them. We all admit that running a stop light is illegal and the policeman had a right to pursue the vehicle, but we all know that policeman can exercise discretion in certain situations. We can hear Moats telling the officer that his mother-in-law was dying, but the policeman was unmoved by this declaration. We all know that if this same officer had seen Tom Brady behind the wheel and Brady told him the same story the officer would have given him a police escort to the room, but that was not the case in this situation. The policeman has since apologized, but his apology will not give Moats the opportunity to say goodbye to his mother-in-law.  That is something he missed because this officer detained him for running the stop sign, but ultimately he was charged for Driving While Black.

Michael Steele Says “He’s Done” With Obama

Michael Steele is probably at his best when he keeps his mouth closed. When he talks he leaves the listener wondering if this guy has the biggest ego in the room or is he just crazy. In an interview with CNN Don Lemon he said he has reached out to the Obama administration but no one has reached back, and so he is done. When Steele became chairman of the GOP he seemingly thought he was now on the same level as the new president. He believed his job was to create policy. He forgot his real job was to raise money for his own party. He has seemingly become frustrated because people within his own party are saying stay in the office and drum up the dollars. He saw his position much more exalted than a fundraiser. Lemon asked him he were jealous of Obama, and Steele said no. One wonders why the interviewed would pose this particular question to Steele.  The answer is that Steele and Obama are black men.  Under normal circumstances I would have thought this was a ridiculous question, but I do think that Steele did think that he would have gotten an audience with the new president because they are both black. Steele would probably not have been this off the chain if the new commander in chief had been a white man. Steele needs to concentrate on doing his own job as outlined in his job description, and stop trying to re-write the script. If he keeps these antics up he will be the one written out of the script.

Black Media Now Has a Voice in the White House

At the president’s most recent press conference we heard him call a name unfamiliar to the audience. It was Kevin Chappell of Ebony magazine. This was the first time a black magazine had a presence at a presidential press conference. Barack Obama received favorable treatment from the black media during his run for the presidency. Ebony and Black Enterprise endorsed his candidacy and Essence gave him and his family favorable coverage. Obama also received favorable treatment from black radio hosts Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden.  Some questioned whether Obama got a free ride from the black media. Tavis Smiley “In an interview this month on National Public Radio urged journalists — black and white — to assess Mr. Obama’s performance critically. I think the ground is fertile for Barack Obama to be a great president.”  He went on to say . “I think he can be, but only if we help make him a great president. Great presidents have to be pushed into their greatness, But Mr. Smiley warned that criticizing Mr. Obama was not for “the faint of heart.”  Smiley quit his job at the tom Joyner Morning show because some listeners felt Smiley was too critical of Obama and his commitment to black issues. The black media now has access to the White House, but with access comes responsibility and accountability. The black media has to be willing to ask the tough questions. They can not simply allow themselves to be Obama’s mouthpiece to the black community. To see a writer from Ebony in the spotlight was indeed historic, but black media can not allow themselves to be used by the administration. They too have got to be willing to ask the tough questions that the people they represent want answered.

 

Tom Joyner’s Cruise is the Ultimate Party With A Purpose Needs A Little Help

I am a faithful listener of the Tom Joyner Morning Show. His show is always good for an early morning laugh, but today he said something that was not so funny. Every year Joyner sponsors a cruise which the proceeds from it help historically Black colleges. It always sounds like such a good time, and every year they sell all the cabins. This morning I heard Joyner ask travel agents to text him if they were interested in helping them sell unsold cabins. In the past Joyner and his team have handled all the arrangements internally and they have been able to offer flexible payment options because they know that some our people really have to sacrifice to make the trip, but this year the economy is tight and people just can’t seem to make it happen, and that is sad because Joyner is committed to the preservation of HBCs. Hopefully, they will sell out because this is one party that can not afford to stop.  

Mr. President, We Know You Inherited this Mess, But You’ve Got to Fix It

 

Last night one of the recurring themes was that the Obama administration inherited this mess, and that is a fact. The other fact is that the Obama administration is going to have to clean it up. The American people are smarter than politicians give us credit for being. Most right thinking Americans do not think that anyone could turn this situation around in 30 days, 60 days, 90 days or 365 days, but what we do want to see is steps in the right direction. We do want to see a plan.  The analogy the president used last night was perfect when he said this is not a speedboat so it can’t turn around on a dime, but enough of re-stating the obvious. If you take a new job your boss will only let you blame your predecessor for a while, and at some point they will start looking to you to provide answers, and not blame. This was started by the last administration, but this is the job that Obama campaigned for 2 years to get, and as Truman originally said “the buck stops here”, and that’s where it still stops on the president’s desk.

Americans Will Judge President Obama By What He Does, Not By Who He Is, And That is the American Dream

 Last night Ann Compton of ABC asked whether his race has played a role in his actions following his election as the first African-American president. President Obama said that his administration, “has been dominated by me trying to figure out how we’re going to fix the economy, and that affects black, brown, and white.”  He went on to say “while there was “justifiable pride” in the historic step of his election. That lasted about a day. . . . Right now the American people are judging me exactly the way I should be judged. And that is: Are we taking the steps to improve liquidity in the financial markets, create jobs, get businesses to reopen, keep America safe? And that’s what I’ve been spending my time thinking about.” This is truly what Dr. King envisioned. Barack Obama will be judged by the content of his character and not the color of his skin. It is his character and his ability to lead that got him elected to the presidency. We want the president to be judged on results. While his presidency is indeed historic it must still be productive. So the president’s response to this question was dead-on right now the color that affects all Americans is green, and the lack of it. So that is what the president will and should be judged on.

Conservative Radio Host Tammy Bruce “Trashes” the Obamas

Tammy Bruce is sitting in for the equally “charming” radio host Laura Ingraham today she called the Obamas “trash”. She said we now have trash in the White House.  She went on to say this statement has nothing to do with their race.  Sure. It is so interesting to hear these pundits sink lower and lower in their attacks on the president and especially on the new first lady. Mrs. Obama has made an effort to reach out to the community. When was the last time you saw a first lady feed the homeless and it was not Thanksgiving? When have you seen a first lady visit DC schools on more than one occasion? When have you seen a first lady bring students to the White House kitchen or students to help plant a vegetable garden? You have not seen it because this is the first time it has happened. It  is acceptable to criticize Obama’s policy decisions, but to call he and his family trash crosses a line that should not be crossed.

Mr. President What’s So Funny?

Last night when President Obama was being interviewed by 60 Minutes Steve Kroft he seemed to laugh at inappropriate times. Kroft was reading off the litany of problems facing the president and the president laughed on several occasions. At one point Kroft asked him if he was “punch drunk?” President Obama referred to his own response as “gallows humor.” It is an attempt to laugh in the face of serious issues. It’s like laughing at the prospect of your own demise. It is really a coping mechanism; it is similar to laughing to keep from crying.  While I understand his response I must say while watching the interview I was a little uncomfortable with his laughter. This coping tool probably works when he is with his staff, but it really does not work when you are being interviewed on 60 minutes. It seemed strange and almost a little arrogant. I am an Obama supporter and I want him to succeed because if he does we all do, and frankly this is not a laughing matter.   

Sarah Palin is Appalled at the President’s Bad Joke, But Her Actions Will Do More Damage to the Special Needs Community in Alaska

While appearing on the Tonight Show Thursday President Obama made an insulting off-handed remark about the Special Olympians. He has formally apologized for the offensive remark. Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was very offended by the remark and had this to say, “This was a degrading remark about our world’s most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world. These athletes overcome more challenges, discrimination and adversity than most of us ever will. By the way, these athletes can outperform many of us and we should be proud of them. I hope President Obama’s comments do not reflect how he truly feels about the special needs community.” In reading her statement one can not help, but believe that Gov. Palin is an advocate for the community, but the reality is while President Obama made an offensive comment regarding special Olympians his comment will not have any long-term repercussions, but Palin’s actions will.  Gov. Palin has turned down $170 million dollars in stimulus money and a good portion of that money would have gone to help the very group she speaks about.  She has her own state superintendent speaking out against her actions. “The biggest single chunk of money that Palin is turning down is about $170 million for education, including money that would go for programs to help economically disadvantaged and special needs students. Anchorage School Superintendent Carol Comeau said she is “shocked and very disappointed” that Palin would reject the schools money. She said it could be used for job preservation, teacher training, and helping kids who need it.”  So President Obama told a bad joke and apologized for it, while Sarah Palin rejects federal funds that could help people with special needs, but she will not be apologizing. She is just positioning herself for 2012.

 

Will Tim Geithner be the New “Brownie”?

During Katrina President Bush complimented his then FEMA director Michael Brown. In the midst of the crisis the president said “you’re during doing a hell of a job Brownie.” His embattled director was subsequently shown to be completely out of touch and ultimately removed from his position. Brown’s problem was he failed to understand the situation and in doing so he failed to have the resources in place to fix it. Well when I hear President Obama continue to defend Tim Geithner I can not help but think of good ole Brownie. Does Geithner fully understand this crisis?  In light of the AIG mess one has to wonder. When he was told about the bonuses why did he go along? Why didn’t he say well let them sue?  Holding to the money would have been better than trying to recover it or tax it after the fact. On the Tonight Show President Obama said he was doing an “outstanding job.”  If I was Geithner I might not be resting easy today because you can be praised today and unemployed next week just ask Brownie.