Benghazi, AP and IRS…are these the only issues facing America?

I thought the deficit was the most important issue facing Americans. The GOP leaders were committed to balancing the deficit no matter what it took. Cut, cut, cut that is what Americans were going to have to do. This was by far their issue, but nobody is talking about the deficit anymore. Did it become less important or is there another way to attack the administration? Three issues have become front burner issues: Benghazi, AP and IRS. The IRS scandal is a valid issue. No adminstration has the right to target a group for special scrunity, and we lost four lives in the Benghazi tragedy, but let us not forget 4,000 lives have been lost in Iraq where was the GOP outrage then? America has a number of problems including jobs…no one is talking about this on either side of the aisle. Is there any governing going on in DC or is there only partisan posturing?

Suicide at 17 leaves the rest of us wondering how could we have helped?

My daughter told me yesterday that one of the girls at her high school had died. I asked her what happened and she said she did not know. Today we found out that the girl had hung herself. Now everyone is left wondering why. there will be crisis counsellors at the school tomorrow. The girl was a senior and she was 12 days away from graduating but now there will be a rose on her chair. I talked to my daughter and just said that our problems are temporal and they will pass but suicide is forever. it is sad to know that so much potential will never be realized and we will never know what she could have achieved. We grieve for the loss to her family but we have to continue to talk to our young people and let them know into every life there will be sadness and disppointment, but we want them to reach out and not internalize their pain. Parents, friends, loved ones take this opportunity to talk to the young people in your life and let them know that you are there for them. Sometimes they simply need someone to listen not provide all the solutions but be that safe place that we all need. Sometimes they are seeking advice and be brave enough to give it. Sometimes we need to speak first and just ask how is it going and be willing to stick around long enough to really get an answer. That will require us to put the phone down and turn off the computer. It is going to require us to be truly present. Suicide at any age is painful, but at 17 it is a loss to the family and to society because we will never know what she could have been.

First lady bemoans culture of African Americans aspiring to be ‘a baller or a rapper’

Why do the Obamas use a lecturing tone when addressing African American audiences? Today First Lady Obama addressed Bowie State University and the headline above is how Politico saw her visit. Sure she congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments but that gets lost in the sauce. Why highlight the negative at a time of celebration. If she was addressing Princeton, Harvard or Brown would she bemoan the baller mentality? Don’t get me wrong there are young people who view being a baller as their only ticket out of the hood, but they were not the ones that were sitting before her in caps and gowns they simply desrve our applause.

http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/05/first-lady-bemoans-culture-of-african-americans-aspiring-164266.html

Abercrombie and Fitch Clothing for the Homeless

Watch the clip and share your thoughts.

Why isn’t the New Orleans Mother’s Day Shooting a national tragedy?

Interesting article. Share your thoughts.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/15/new-orleans-shooting-not-national-news

Zoe Saldana taking heat for being 115 pounds

You can’t pay most women enough money for them to reveal their weight, but not Zoe Saldana. On the cover of Allure magazine Saldana boldy proclaims she is only 115 pounds. In the article she reveals how she has been able to maintain her weight. Is it a problem for the magazine to reveal her weight? Share your thoughts.

http://www.eonline.com/news/419145/zoe-saldana-s-weight-revealed-on-allure-cover

Jaden Smith to receive the gift of emancipation on his 15th birthday….is that too young?

Every parent sets the rules for their own children. Will and Jada Smith’s son Jaden will be turning 15 and he wants to be emanicipated. Emancipation would give him the authority to live on his own and handle his personal business. This is a family affair, but what do you think, is a 15 year old ready to make adult decisions? Share your thoughts.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/jaden-smith-emancipated-parents-report-article-1.1343755

Did Barbara Walters have a senior moment on The View today?

This morning the cast of ABC Scandal were the guest on The View. Judy Smith a real DC fixer was the cohost. The character of Olivia Pope is loosely based on Smith’s life. Smith worked for the first Bush administration. This morning Barbara Walters asked her if she had ever slept with the president at the top of the show. Smith stood up and jokingly shouted no she had never slept with the president, but later when the cast from Scandal was being interviewed Walters posed the same question and Smith said didn’t we already cover this information earlier. Everyone laughed if off, but it was a senior moment. Walters announced her retirement yesterday, and it will be effective next year and she will be fine because she has 4 women who oweher alot and they have her back and they will provide cover for moments like that one.

Dwayne Wade in capri pants suit…fashion forward or fashion flop?

Watch the clip and share your thoughts.

Angelina Jolie’s Brave medical choice

Angelina Jolie in her own words.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html?_r=1&