Christmas Spirit

A sure sign that I'm getting old is that I'm sitting at my computer writing this.  I'm not out participating in mob mayhem.  Of course were I twenty or thirty years younger, I'd probably still be here rather than there!

It amazes me how we can go from sitting at a table filled with food and maybe even  uttering a prayer of Thanksgiving to accompany it, to frenzied madmen all within a matter of hours.  In some cases minutes because of the sales that began last night.

No wonder we can't get our country straightened out.  We can't even get ourselves straightened out.

First we have Thanksgiving, a time to reflect on our good fortune.  For those who have less communities band together to see that they too are able to partake.  You see bags of groceries in the stores for $20 that go to the poor if you're willing to purchase them in addition to your own needs.  And people do.  Plus tossing a few coins in the Bell Ringer's pot. Turkey drives.  Clothing drives.  Next will come the food and gift drives for Christmas.  Or the holidays, or whatever you want to call it.

Yet during a one day interlude so many of us succumb to greed.  The Black Friday sales these days don't even have the best prices.  They come closer to Christmas or were actually about a month ago.  Yet the table is left in haste so we can spell whoever has been place holding at Wal*Mart or Best Buy or where ever or merely join the throngs waiting for the doors to open.

After all, we've got to get that big screen TV or the newest iPhone.  No gifts for the poor today.  Maybe tomorrow.

This scene repeats itself year after year.  Sleep deprived people get maimed, sometimes even trampled.  They treat one another with unspeakable rudeness.  It's a wonder any escape from a store with undamaged goods considering the way the merchandise is tossed around or rooted through.

It's like that dinner a few hours earlier never happened.  Certainly the sentiment disappeared.  A rational person might blame it on the shaky economy; it's a time to get a good deal and can't be missed.  The truth is this seasonal madness happens regardless of the economy.

It's strange, this set of holiday bookends.  A day of thanksgiving on one end and a day of peace on earth, good will toward men on the other.  It's that one day in between that makes me wonder just who we are.

The ZZZZzzzzz Have It

You know it's a slow news day when the media finds need to point out Hillary dozing during Obama's speech in Myanmar.

In her defense, have you ever tried to listen to one of his speeches all the way through?
Snore.

Considering the schedule she's been keeping, I'm going to giver her some slack.
Flying can be tiring.  Even with your own quarters you probably don't rest as well as you should plus she's no kid any more.  And the partying she supposedly did in Australia, the wine tastings and all, probably took their toll.

All things considered, she's in some pretty good company when it comes to dozing off during a Presidential speech.  What happened to the guy who gave that rousing red state, blue state speech that enthralled a nation and boosted him into the presidency?

Now don't get upset with me because these are all Democrats.  I'm short of time today and these were the only pictures I could find.  I'm willing to concede just as many Republicans were probably dropping off during the same speeches.

As for the President, it's a tough job holding everyones attention.  One reason why they look like jack-in-the-boxes during his speeches isn't necessarily to applaud points but maybe to stay awake.

Oops!  What's this?  Well, all that policy stuff is pretty boring and since no one is listening anyway...

Okay, they probably all had a big meal before sitting down to listen.  We can empathize with that, right?  Think about tomorrow after you've finished up the pumpkin pie and cleaned the kitchen.  What's most likely to happen?  You'll repair to the couch, curl up and turn on the football game.

What's the score? ZZZZzzzzzz.

The Politics Of Race As Hate

I've been writing a lot lately about thing of which I'm just plain tired.  Today I've got one more.  The idea that every time a black is criticised it's equated with hate.  That's a really strong emotion.

Today Representative James Clyburn, D-SC, is at it again.  If you don't know, he is black and has made such accusations before.  I wonder if he realizes that he, and those like him, are the ones who personifies hate rather than the people being accused.

His case in point today is Susan Rice, not to mention the President  The idea that they have been called incompetent and lazy and a lot of other descriptive terms is "code" for hate.  Yup.  There's that code that no one hears but the likes of Mr. Clyburn.

I've accused the President of a lot of things.  I would guess some readers think I'm racist because of it.  If I am I'm becoming one because of such accusations.  It's time, Mr. Clyburn, to evolve into the 21st century and try to move beyond it.  ANd no, 'evolve' isn't code for anything unless it's attitude.

Sure it sticks in his craw and I don't blame him, but to see every utterance made as racist is nonsense.  I was a huge supporter of President Obama when he first ran.  Since he's been in office I've found I disagree with his policies and think he is under qualified for the job.  Does that mean I hate him?  No.  Nor do I hate Eric Holder nor Susan Rice nor any other member of the administration that happens to be black  My criticisms would be the same were they white.

Think of all the black Americans of accomplishment that don't dwell on the color of their skin. I'd hope neither do those with whom they associate.  Athletes, entertainers, politicians not to mention doctors and lawyers and reporters and anchors and thousands upon thousands of ordinary citizens.

Should anyone not be called out for incompetence, or laziness or lack of good judgement no matter what race or ethnicity they may be?

Let's face it, since Susan Rice was the one who went on television and made what we know were false statements about the attack in Benghazi, it begs a lot of questions.  If she knew nothing about it why was she chosen?  Why did she repeat what was known to be wrong?  For that matter why did the President?  And too, why did Petraeus and Hillary?  If I'm not mistaken they are white.  The same charges have been leveled at them.

I suppose we'll hear that Jesse Jackson Jr's bout with bi polar disorder and Allen West's defeat in Florida are both hate based.

Please, Mr. Clyburn.  Yes, the country still has an uncomfortable undercurrent of racism but the more you make every slight as being about race and hate the more it's likely to manifest itself in truth.  If you really want to conquer racism and hate at least put it in perspective.

Bush Giveth, Obama Taketh Away

George Bush has been blamed for so much that is currently wrong with our country you'd think the President could give credit when credit is due. None, however, has been forthcoming.

We know Obama has made the first ever presidential visit to Burma, a long oppressive country.  It should be known that it was  Bush foreign policy that paved the way by emphasizing human rights, placing and maintaining sanctions and providing humanitarian assistance. It was also the Bush administration that began senior level talks that brought in opposition groups and ethnic minority groups to further the cause of reform.

Upon review after Obama took office, it was decided to leave well enough alone.  After the Burmese version of the Arab spring, the generals fearing the loss of their power began a gradual transition in return for a reliable partner. Are we?  What was begun by Bush is now left to Obama to continue.  Push reform.  It is still sorely needed especially in the area of repression of minorities and drug as well as human trafficking. Leading from behind won't get it done nor will empty platitudes.

The idea of visiting Burma to encourage reforms is commendable.  Before Obama undertakes these missions, however, it would be nice if he did his homework so as not to embarrass himself and our country.  Getting a protocol officer wouldn't be a bad idea either. Or a new one if indeed one exists.

Standing next to the icon of human rights activists, Aung San Suu Kyi, Obama mispronounced her name repeatedly. Just as Queen Elizabeth did when touched by Michelle, she was gracious enough not to correct him.  This continued as he spoke to reporters after their meeting.

He also addressed the new President incorrectly by not using his full name as protocol would have it.

The final gaffe was referring to the country as Myanmar, the favored name of the authoritarian regime. It was considered an appeasement.  Burma is the name the U.S. uses after all, as well as being the name preferred  by Aung San Suu Kyi.

Had Bush made these gaffes the medias would have screamed.  All I hear are the sounds of silence

I don't know if our President is lazy, sloppy, doesn't care or what but it seems like he tries to play all sides which results in the appearance of placating the unsavory.

He only has four more years to fly around on that big fancy jet, but if he's going to continue to compromise us and embarrass us around the world I wish he'd just stay home.

Some choice.