President Obama had by far the best week of his Presidency last week and the best week for Progressive Politics in years. The legalzation of same sex marriages, banning of the Confederate Flag, and affordable health care truly bought the United States into the 21st Century and has placed Obama into the same category as Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson as the top Progressive Presidents this Country has ever seen.
Same Sex Marriage has been legal in many Christian European countries for years so the fact that it was not recognized throughout the most recognized Democratic Country in the world was ridiculous. Opposition to the recognition of same sex marriage in this country, i.e mostly Republicans, forget that our country is built upon the Separation of Church and State for a reason. I am a heterosexual male who is personally against abortion but I would fight for the rights of my fellow citizens to make decisions about their own body and whom they love and I am glad President Obama and our government are doing the same!
It is wrong that some Southerns still associate the Confederate Flag as honoring their ancestors who fought for the Confederacy. Your ancestors fought to keep the horrible and disgusting institution of slavery as a fabric of this Country. They were traitors to this Nation. You don't see Germans honoring their descendants who fought in World War II marching around with Nazi paraphernalia. The flag will be banned but only a strong education will get rid of racism in future generations.
All Americans have the right to affordable healthcare. Opponents to Obamacare equate it to socialized medicine. Those opponents should go live a few years with their families in a country that truly has socialized medicine such as Canada or Sweden. We are the richest country in the world and no American with good intentions should have to go through the nightmare of not having access to good doctors and medicine for themselves and their loved ones. Obamacare insures that won't happen.
I have not always agreed with all of President Obama's policies but last week he showed me something. He took the lesson he learned growing up as a bi-racial American and fought for legislation that is for the Good for All of Us and that's what a true leader does.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Fatherhood - The Modern Dad
Yesterday was Father's Day and I had te pleasure of spending the day with three of my five children and it got me thinking about what type of Father am I? I am a 45 year old man with three kids from my first marriage, all born in the mid to late Ninties, a 10 year old step-daughter and a 11 month old son, whom I had with my wife.
Being a father is the thing I am most proud of . I am involved in my children's lives and am not afraid to show the softer side by showering them with hugs and kisses, and telling them how much I love them. For all my children, I change(d)their diapers, feed them, and rock them to back to sleep in the middle of the night singing Bruno Mars, Billy Joel, and Kermit the Frog. In a positive way, my wife says that my fathering is similar to Phil Dunfy. So,is it better to be Phil Dunphy or Howard Cunningham?
Mr.C did not have to deal and adapt to situations that the modern dad has had to such as divorce, step-children, and different mothers. Dads have the same pressures of building a career and building your relationship with each of your children, making sure that you are not only meeting thier needs financially but emotionally as well. Children have easier access to information in this day and age that I did not when I was young, so as a parent I need to possess the characteristics of being diligent, real with my emotions, and one step ahead in this ever changing world.
I love ALL my children with ALL of my heart. It doesn't matter if their mother is my ex-wife or current or if I am their biological father or not. In this "You Owe Me" generation, I am ardent that my relationship with my kids is based on trust and love, not how much money I spend on them. Love is not based on materialistic things and that is the most important lesson I can pass on to them. I am happy to be a "Modern Dad"; a Phil Dunphy, a father filled with love, compassion, understanding, sensitivity, and a goofy sense of humor.
Being a father is the thing I am most proud of . I am involved in my children's lives and am not afraid to show the softer side by showering them with hugs and kisses, and telling them how much I love them. For all my children, I change(d)their diapers, feed them, and rock them to back to sleep in the middle of the night singing Bruno Mars, Billy Joel, and Kermit the Frog. In a positive way, my wife says that my fathering is similar to Phil Dunfy. So,is it better to be Phil Dunphy or Howard Cunningham?
Mr.C did not have to deal and adapt to situations that the modern dad has had to such as divorce, step-children, and different mothers. Dads have the same pressures of building a career and building your relationship with each of your children, making sure that you are not only meeting thier needs financially but emotionally as well. Children have easier access to information in this day and age that I did not when I was young, so as a parent I need to possess the characteristics of being diligent, real with my emotions, and one step ahead in this ever changing world.
I love ALL my children with ALL of my heart. It doesn't matter if their mother is my ex-wife or current or if I am their biological father or not. In this "You Owe Me" generation, I am ardent that my relationship with my kids is based on trust and love, not how much money I spend on them. Love is not based on materialistic things and that is the most important lesson I can pass on to them. I am happy to be a "Modern Dad"; a Phil Dunphy, a father filled with love, compassion, understanding, sensitivity, and a goofy sense of humor.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Racism in America Today
It is hard to believe that in 2015, racism and the poor treatment of Black Americans and other minorities still an issue in today's America. The massacre in Charleston, SC was done at the hands of a young, white aryian supporter who was looking to start a race war. What is happening in our Country with white police racially profiling and shooting unarmed black citizens, and massacres at places of worship?The foundation for this way of thinking is a lack of a proper education in schools and homes across America.
What does it say to our youth when the Confederate flag is allowed to fly in the South in States such as Georgia, South Caolina, and Florida. This is a symbol of hatred. If it wasn't for the forward thinking of Abraham Lincoln our Republic would not exist. That flag represents the biggest stain in the history of the United States. It represents slavery, lynching, Jim Crowe, and Segregation. I don't buy into the thinking that Southerners are honoring their relatives who fought in the Civil War. Your relatives were fighting to preserve an institution that was inhumamain. They were rebels. Germany does not allow the Nazi Flag to be flown as to what it represents. It's time for our federal government to follow suit and ban the Confederate Flag.
It falls on parents and teachers to teach our children that we are all Americans and people should be judged by whom they are and not the color of their skin, religion or their sexual orientation. It is hard watching history repeat itself. Yes, America has come far where Black Americans have become doctors, lawyers, governors, congressman, evening news anchors, and President of the United States. It is time for the one person, who can relate to both the Black and Caucasian races to stand up and make a difference. The hate crimes that have increased over the last year have come under the President's watch. America is so quick to act against atrocities around the World but we are still fighting the same fight at home since 1776. Now is the time for the President to make his mark on history and end racism in America.
What does it say to our youth when the Confederate flag is allowed to fly in the South in States such as Georgia, South Caolina, and Florida. This is a symbol of hatred. If it wasn't for the forward thinking of Abraham Lincoln our Republic would not exist. That flag represents the biggest stain in the history of the United States. It represents slavery, lynching, Jim Crowe, and Segregation. I don't buy into the thinking that Southerners are honoring their relatives who fought in the Civil War. Your relatives were fighting to preserve an institution that was inhumamain. They were rebels. Germany does not allow the Nazi Flag to be flown as to what it represents. It's time for our federal government to follow suit and ban the Confederate Flag.
It falls on parents and teachers to teach our children that we are all Americans and people should be judged by whom they are and not the color of their skin, religion or their sexual orientation. It is hard watching history repeat itself. Yes, America has come far where Black Americans have become doctors, lawyers, governors, congressman, evening news anchors, and President of the United States. It is time for the one person, who can relate to both the Black and Caucasian races to stand up and make a difference. The hate crimes that have increased over the last year have come under the President's watch. America is so quick to act against atrocities around the World but we are still fighting the same fight at home since 1776. Now is the time for the President to make his mark on history and end racism in America.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Why Hillary Clinton Will Win The Democratic Nomination For President
Hillary Clinton will win the Democratic Nomination for President and most likely the Presidency making history as the first female President of our United States. This statement does not surprise a lot of people. After all Hillary has been apart of mainstream American politics since I was a junior in college in 1991. She was an active when her husband was President championing for health care for all, a Senator from New York during 9/11 and the immediate aftermath, Presidential Candidate in 2008, Secretary of State, and now candidate again. However, is her virtually unchallenged candidacy good for the future of the Democratic Party?
Hillary Clinton is a great orator and probably the best I have heard since 1988 from either party behind only President Obama and her husband, President Clinton. All of the candidates from both sides are wealthy, but if anyone can "relate" or pretend to "relate" to the average American and on top of it has the experience to deal with international issues, it's Hillary. She has become such a polarizing figure, there is no one in her party that has come far enough in their political career to challenge her and keep her humble and hungry for the next year and a quarter.
As great as Hillary is she is lacking one major characteristic; the "it" factor, the intangible that the great politicians have that gives Americans hope and comfort that they will get things done in Washington and they actually acheive their goals. Today, Americans are asking politicians "how" will they acheive the agendas they lay out. Lincoln, TR, FDR, JFK, Elenor Roosevelt, Reagan, and yes Bill Clinton are the Presidents and First Lady possessed that special something. As of June 17, 2015, Hillary Clinton is the best candiate for President, but to be great, she'll need to study the Greats of the past in order to secure our future.
Hillary Clinton is a great orator and probably the best I have heard since 1988 from either party behind only President Obama and her husband, President Clinton. All of the candidates from both sides are wealthy, but if anyone can "relate" or pretend to "relate" to the average American and on top of it has the experience to deal with international issues, it's Hillary. She has become such a polarizing figure, there is no one in her party that has come far enough in their political career to challenge her and keep her humble and hungry for the next year and a quarter.
As great as Hillary is she is lacking one major characteristic; the "it" factor, the intangible that the great politicians have that gives Americans hope and comfort that they will get things done in Washington and they actually acheive their goals. Today, Americans are asking politicians "how" will they acheive the agendas they lay out. Lincoln, TR, FDR, JFK, Elenor Roosevelt, Reagan, and yes Bill Clinton are the Presidents and First Lady possessed that special something. As of June 17, 2015, Hillary Clinton is the best candiate for President, but to be great, she'll need to study the Greats of the past in order to secure our future.
Friday, June 12, 2015
When Will The Owners of the New York Mets Hear The Fans Frustration?
The purpose of this blog is to cover my thoughts on various aspects of American life as we have entered the 21st Century. I know most people are scratching their head on my first topic for this blog but believe it or not, the New York Mets and the rest of the New York major sports teams have become part of the fabric of America with so many New Yorkers migrating to other parts of the Country. If you go to Met games in DC, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Arizona there are always a good portion of the crowd that come out to support the Mets.
I have been a fan of both New York baseball teams for most of my life with a slight leaning towards the boys from Queens. The Mets seem to have a bond with fans and seem more approachable and like one of "us". Ever since these lovable perrenial loosers gave us hope and inspiration with their 1969 "Miracle Mets" team. Seaver, Swaboda, Koosman, and company gave us reason to believe. This was so important because of the time this happened in American History. Vietnam, Civil Rights, a "beaten" President, and the assasinations of Martin Luthor King and Robert Kennedy were front page stories and the major news stories every night. Despite all of the negativity going on, the Neil Amstrong's landing on the Moon, Joe Namath and the NY Jets, and the Mets gave Americans hope.
However, since 1973, the Mets have gone through major periods of losing and then a few seasons of winning in the mid to late 1980's, to mostly loosing again. The Wilpons sent this team and its fans to new lows with their financial support of Bernie Madoff. Proceeds that the team received from it's fans for tickets, jerseys, television deals was basically flushed down an illegal toilet (ponze scheme). The only thing this ownership has done is to lie and ruin the hope that this team bought to the city and the country.
Somehow the baseball gods blessed us during the tough years with great drafts and the building of a strong farm team and David Wright. Now in 2015, the Mets have given it's national fan base hope with Matt Harvey, "the Dark Knight", Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Lucas Duda, and David Wright. The Wilpons have financially rebounded from their disasterous financial relationships and have the money to put a winning product on the field. As I am writing this post, the Mets are in first place by a 1/2 game over the Nationals, largely due to the strong pitching they have been blessed with along with the under acheiving Nationals. The Mets could be running away with the NL East, but those Wilpons have decided to hand cuff their front office from pursuing big time hitters. I guess adding a few million to your already swelling bottom line is more important than hearing the fans frustration. If the Mets don't win this year, it will be 30 years next year since the Mets won it all in 1986. For the fans sake, let's hope it does not get that far.
I have been a fan of both New York baseball teams for most of my life with a slight leaning towards the boys from Queens. The Mets seem to have a bond with fans and seem more approachable and like one of "us". Ever since these lovable perrenial loosers gave us hope and inspiration with their 1969 "Miracle Mets" team. Seaver, Swaboda, Koosman, and company gave us reason to believe. This was so important because of the time this happened in American History. Vietnam, Civil Rights, a "beaten" President, and the assasinations of Martin Luthor King and Robert Kennedy were front page stories and the major news stories every night. Despite all of the negativity going on, the Neil Amstrong's landing on the Moon, Joe Namath and the NY Jets, and the Mets gave Americans hope.
However, since 1973, the Mets have gone through major periods of losing and then a few seasons of winning in the mid to late 1980's, to mostly loosing again. The Wilpons sent this team and its fans to new lows with their financial support of Bernie Madoff. Proceeds that the team received from it's fans for tickets, jerseys, television deals was basically flushed down an illegal toilet (ponze scheme). The only thing this ownership has done is to lie and ruin the hope that this team bought to the city and the country.
Somehow the baseball gods blessed us during the tough years with great drafts and the building of a strong farm team and David Wright. Now in 2015, the Mets have given it's national fan base hope with Matt Harvey, "the Dark Knight", Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Lucas Duda, and David Wright. The Wilpons have financially rebounded from their disasterous financial relationships and have the money to put a winning product on the field. As I am writing this post, the Mets are in first place by a 1/2 game over the Nationals, largely due to the strong pitching they have been blessed with along with the under acheiving Nationals. The Mets could be running away with the NL East, but those Wilpons have decided to hand cuff their front office from pursuing big time hitters. I guess adding a few million to your already swelling bottom line is more important than hearing the fans frustration. If the Mets don't win this year, it will be 30 years next year since the Mets won it all in 1986. For the fans sake, let's hope it does not get that far.
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