Wrapping Up 2011

It is the last day of the year. It has been a year filled with joy, sadness, triumph and loss. There have been storms, but we have survived them. We have loss some friends, but we have also gained some new ones. It is interesting to hear people say I can’t wait for this year to be over because I do not share that sentiment. I treasure the days of my life. I have my share of issues and problems, but I know that God did not promise a life devoid of problems, but what he did promise us was that he would not leave us or forsake us and I stand on that promise today. On this last day of the year I do want to thank all of you who read the blog and to those of you who comment I offer a very special thanks. I started writing this blog 4 years ago and initially it was my opportunity to share my thoughts, but over the years it has evolved into a forum that allows people with differing viewpoints to hopefully have a civil conversation. We don’t have to all agree, but we do have to agree to be respectful of others, and for the most part that has been the case. So as we close this year I wish you all a very Happy New Year and look forward to 2012 (an election year). I know the conversation will be lively as I continue to support my president, and others (you know who you are) continue to tell me why they don’t. Talk to you in 2012!

Note to Romney’s Sons: Birther Jokes are not funny

One of Mitt Romney’s sons decided to crack a birther joke yesterday. Not a good move, but I was glad to see that the crowd did not find it too funny. You could hear a cackle in the background, but it really did not have the outcome the Romney heir might have expected. the son has since apologized via Twitter, but mission accomplished he got it out there again.

Newt Gingrich Cries in front of Iowa Moms

I saw this clip and I was moved by Newt Gingrich’s tears. He was asked to reflect on special moments spent with his late mother. Others have mocked the tears and said they are part of the political game. Well, politicians are people too, and people do have feelings. I might never wear an I Like Newt button, but I give the guy a pass on this one.

Offensive Jesus Poll has been removed from Facebook

UPDATE 1/5/12: My goal in writing this blog is to provide information on news and topics that affect our world. When I print something that is incorrect and it is brought to my attention I will correct it. I wrote a post on 12/30/11 with the headline Fox News apologizes for Jesus Post. This morning I recieved the following email. I was wrong and the headline has been edited

Hi Joni,
Just a heads-up that your post on December 30th regarding Fox News is inaccurate: http://ebonymompolitics.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/fox-news-apologizes-to-jews-for-jesus-poll/
Fox News was not responsible for this poll and therefore should be removed from the headline. As AP reported, Fox News had nothing to do with the story –we did not publish the poll. The poll in questioned was put up on Facebook as PR for a National Geographic program. Fox the corporation (which owns National Geographic channel) apologized for the poll. But Fox News (also owned by Fox the corporation) didn’t apologize, because we were not responsible and an entirely separate company that has no involvement with Nat Geo.
Carly Shanahan
Media Relations Manager, Fox News Channel

FROM AP: Fox Latin America has apologized for a poll on whether Jews killed Jesus Christ that one of its staffers put on a Facebook page promoting the National Geographic Channel’s Christmas special. The poll asked readers who they think is responsible for the death of Christ: Pontius Pilate, The Jewish People or the High Priests. The Simon Weisenthal Center in Buenos Aires calls it a defamatory reference to Vatican propaganda that “resulted in the persecution and murder of Jews for two millennia.” The Jewish group says it’s outraged that Fox would perpetuate an idea that the Vatican annulled back in 1965. Fox Spokeswoman Guadalupe Lucero apologized on behalf of National Geographic, saying the poll was removed immediately and measures have been taken to prevent such incidents in the future.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45819377

Kelly Clarkson Loves Ron Paul, but her fans don’t… is this a problem?

Former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson tweeted to her fans her fondness for Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul. Several of her fans tweeted back their disdain, and they pointed out that newsletters bearing Paul’s name have featured stories that reflected racist and homophobic attitudes. She then said she was unaware of the newsletter controversy and she liked his stand on small government. At that point she started receiving tweets that attacked her and her beliefs. It is interesting that entertainers feel the need to share their political beliefs. Oprah Winfrey took a lot of flak in 2008 for supporting Barack Obama. Many of her female viewers felt she should have supported Hillary Clinton. Celebrities have a right to their choices, but they should be prepared to deal with the consequences of articulating their beliefs. It looks like Clarkson was not ready for the negative backlash. Matt Damon is another star who is quite verbal about his beliefs. In 2008 he backed the president, but he has recently been very critical of the president, and that is his right, but it is also my right not to patronize any of his movies and that’s a right I will be exercising. My question is if you disagree with an entertainer’s political views can you still support him at the box office, the concert stage or their television shows? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/29/kelly-clarkson-endorses-ron-paul-twitter-hate_n_1174612.html

Is Soul Food Killing Black America?

The movie Soul Food Junkies is a project by Byron Hurt. Why do we love soul food so much in spite of what over indulgence does to us?About 3 years ago a friend of mine died from the effects of diabetes. He just could not give up cake, the sweet potatoe pies and the peach cobbler. When friends would admonish him regarding his bad eating habits he would simply laugh it off. How many people do you know that think they can eat anything as long as they take their insulin or their high blood pressure medicine? As we approach 2012 maybe it can be a chance to examine some of the food that you are putting into your body. I am not suggesting some ridculous resolution like I am going to stop eating all soul food. That’s not going to happen, but moderation might be something that can be considered. As I write this I am not just talking to you I am also talking to the woman in the mirror: Me. We can still occasionally enjoy peach cobbler, but let’s also add more salads and vegetables to the menu. We don’t want what we eat to become the death of us. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/columnists?columnist=Stanley+Crouch

Are the liberal Republicans out to get Newt?

Newt Gingrich’s new ad says the liberal Republican establishment is out to get him. Is this true or did Newt’s past simply come back to haunt him? Tell me what you think.

Is the Youtube Sensation “S..t Black Girls Say” funny or offensive?

Black women are constantly being criticized. We are constantly depicted as angry, materialistic, selfish and basically difficult to get along with. This youtube clip is full of cliches that the director feels are constantly uttered by black women. He says it is funny but many find it offensive. Read the linked story and watch the clip and tell me what you think.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/s-t-black-girls-youtube-video-made-brooklyn-director-viral-article-1.997442#ixzz1hq31yIsE

We Know Bill Maher is an Atheist, but does he have to be a jerk?

Denver Bronco Tim Tebow’s team lost the game on Sunday, and Bill Maher took to his twitter account to be a jerk. The linked story includes the details, but the big question is why does Maher think he has to go so far to show his disdain for anything associated with the church. it really is not funny. We live in a free country where you can believe in God if you choose to or not believe if you choose not to. Rarely if ever do you hear Christians mocking the unbeliever. Sure they will try to witness to the unbeliever, but they (most) don’t go off the deep like this.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Comedian-Bill-Maher-creates-firestorm-with-profane-tweet-about-Denver-Broncos-QB-Tim-Tebow-122711

What did the Occupy Movement Accomplish?

This summer we saw Occupy Movements springing up everywhere. They didn’t all seem to be on the same page, but they did all know something simply was not right. They railed against the 1% and touted the 99%, but what did they actually accomplish? This question is not meant to be rhetorical I want answers and if you’ve got one send it to me. When the Tea Party rose to prominence they were angry too, but they did get some of their members elected to the House and the Senate with a goal of changing things within. So that brings me back to the original question what did the Occupiers accomplish and do you think they squandered their 15 minutes? Tell me hat you think.