Yazbowe Blues

Imagining America

Oops! Where have I been? Like Dorothy I've been in the land of possibilities. A place without walls, time or boundaries. The landscape of mind. Remember when we read 1984 or watched Star Trek fascinated by the approaching  21st century.

Captain Kirk was the only person that owned a cell phone back in the day. Now look at us, every man, woman and child has some form of mobile attached to the ear. Despite warnings regarding safety issues with prolonged use. The 20th century proved to be the era of insanity.

Imagine  II world wars, the Son of Sam, the 6 day war, Vietnam, assassinations of JFK, MLK, RFK and the disappearance of Etan Patz and countless other children who appear on milk cartons. The preceding events make political skulduggery such as Watergate, sex and drugs at the Department of Interior's Royalty in Kind office and the Abramhoff scam seem like minor infractions.

 Now we have a President that says he will bring change (and I believe he can)  perhaps we the people will dedicate ourselves to creating a better society. Einstein said "imagination is more important than knowledge" so let's imagine a new America.

 

Change Has Come

My Dear Fellow Americans,

    Two days later and I continue to reflect on the amazing victory of 2008. Yes, we elected our first African American President, our youngest president in almost 50 years and a Democrat who was serving his first term in the Senate. Wow! November 4th, 2008 was an auspicious day.

    Furthermore, we the people turned out to fulfill our duty and exercise our rights to cast a ballot in favor of the individual most capable to serve as our Chief Executive. This election day we rose to the occasion, getting out of our beds before dawn and heading to the polls. We stood on lines anxiously waiting to pull levers or touch screens.

    Although I am ecstatic about the outcome ( my candidate won!), I am more excited by the fact that we Americans woke up and took charge of our collective destiny. The people have spoken and they said " enough is enough", there is no way that we will tolerate another four years of "abuse of power" and watch our economy disappear down the drain with centrifugal force.

    Perhaps, it will take a while to get things moving in the right direction again but, today there is gratitude and expectation in our hearts and the willingness to get on board. Somehow we have taken a stand for the America that the founding fathers and the colonist fought for and articulated in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. 

It's been a long time coming, but I know that a change has come.

Yasmin Bowe-Woods

Worried About Voter Fraud?

The chickens come home to roost; a phrase popularized by Malcolm X in the 60's, can certainly be applied to the current scenario. Another way  of saying it is "what comes around goes around."  Meaning that the issue of voter fraud, which clearly cheated Al Gore in 2000, is now feared by the thieves.

In the 21st century we should clearly consider eliminating practices such as gerrymandering, packing and cracking and other deck stacking techniques. Regardless who wins on November 4th, 2008, we the people need to demand election reform, starting with campaign reform. It is offensive to watch 100's of millions (dollars) being spent on absurd, useless ads to win over the minds of Citizens. 

These contemporary media assaults feel all to much like Orwell's 1984 propaganda films. The last 8 years of government in America has presented totalitarian politics of "The Party" unlike any administration we've experienced. Many of us have worried about the "thought police" and detainees in Guantanamo. The patriots who fought the American Revolution would be appalled by current government .

Thomas Jefferson 3rd President of the U.S. and author of the Declaration of Independence ( a document we were once taught to respect and protect) stated "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive."

Imagine if some of the funds spent on this campaign went to the empty coffers at the Federal Reserve Bank. Imagine if the dollars that went up in media smoke had been channeled through the Department of Education giving us an academic edge and raising not only competitive but, intellectually dynamic and capable future citizens and leaders.

Perhaps on January 20th, the newly inaugurated President of the United States of America will think to himself, " How are we going to pay our bills? I wish we had stashed some of those greenbacks." At the very least I hope that our new Commander and Chief , recognizes that borrowing money for your war-chest is not a good move.

Sarah Palin or John Mccain's Undoing

As a New Yorker , I am not to fear anything, it's part of our code but, after watching Gov. Sarah Palin address a rally in Clearwater (Florida) this week, I admit that I am afraid. I am also embarrassed that the McCain camp has sunk so low. Until I witnessed that event with my own I eyes, my respect for John McCain remained intact.

Thanks to mass media, the world witnessed Sarah Palin incite a crowd with fear and loathing to the point of lynching hysteria. Yes, a man in the crowd yelled "kill him" (Obama)when she portrayed him as a traitor and terrorist. A cry of violence that reminds us of southern lynch mobs in the recent past. At this point Sarah stopped her speech and demanded order and respect.

Unfortunately, that did not happen, in fact Palin continued her incendiary performance smiling gleefully ( like a misguided child) at a lynching. The Governor who entered the race under investigation for abuse of power, is demonstrating her true character which cannot be disguised by L'Oreal. During the rally Palin used the same old scare tactics that the Bush campaign used seven years ago with his "War on Terror" and Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Gov. Palin is a disgrace to women and Americans, and Sen. McCain needs to dump her if he wants any chance at the White House. Where did they find this "woman" ? Never mind that she is using sex appeal and bimbiotic behavior i.e. winks during a national debate to win points. However, that leaves much to be desired when the country is in a crisis and we the citizens want solutions.

One thing I noticed about the Governor from Alaska,is that she has no ideas of her own. Mostly  she is a P.R. rep (for Sen. McCain) who is failing miserably.  When the Republican Party selected Palin did they interview her, did she go through an intensive selection process or did she send an 8 x 10 and a resume to Washington D.C. headhunters.

Hillary Clinton must be amazed that McCain's team would come up with such a shallow woman to court her feminine supporters. Obviously, these people went for the simplest common denominator; she is a woman. Unfortunately, Sen.Clinton enthusiasts are seeking experience, knowledge and political savvy in a candidate.

On a more positive note, Gov.Palin is helping to dismantle the McCain machine piece by piece. As a non- partisan voter, I believe that the best person for the future of the United States and the world will be sworn in on January 20th, 2009... Barack Obama.

Who Won That Debate?

Last Friday the Presidential candidates squared off at the University of Mississippi, with Jim Lehrer as moderator. I myself viewed the event today on YouTube. It was necessary for me to see who won the debate and why.

Although for the most part it was another opportunity to watch to grown men throw down in the playground.Typical male posturing, my ____ is bigger than yours. Unfortunately, neither demonstrated their superior grasp on "true change" in America or the world.

Senator Obama suggest that we reinvest resources in Afghanistan, because that is where the war on terror began. I tend to agree with Gore Vidal who stated that a war must be waged against a sovereign nation. So where is the nation called Terror? Sen. Obama also, mentioned the fact that Osama bin Laden is still at large, and Al-Qeada is still a major threat to American safety.

This gives me the feeling that the good Senator from Illinois , if elected President of the United States may keep us in the region much longer than we care to stay. Why is the "voice" of change talking about handling business as usual. When talking fails, bring out the artillery; cruise missiles, bombers, tanks and don't forget the assault rifles.

Somehow, this strategy hasn't worked in the past and is unlikely to work in the future. I admit that I was one of those militant pre-teens  protesting  the war in Vietnam, and now I am protesting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Senator McCain on the other hand repeatedly, accused his opponent of being naive to how things really work in the world. He swore his love and allegiance to the veterans that continue to suffer, "they know I will take care of them." He certainly reminded us that it's all in the voting record on the hill. Good point John (or Jim) , voters need to do their homework.

The Republican Senator and war hero affirmed his  commitment to make the economy stronger by reigning in spending in Washington, "I've got a pen here, not a very good one but, I'm gonna veto every single spending bill that comes across my desk, I'm gonna make them famous." Will that apply to DOD spending as well as earmarking and pork barrel funding.

The most baffling thing of all is, why the American people have turned into docile sheep baa, baa, baaing, awaiting the slaughter. If you didn't watch the debate, thanks to the world wide web, you can. Simply google the 2008 Presidential debate and click on the youtube video link. Do your homework before November 4th.

A Run on Washington

As promised today is a history lesson.  On October 27th , 1929 the stock market crashed. The day will forever be known as "Black Tuesday."  The newly inaugurated Republican President Herbert Clark Hoover, who claimed in his campaign speech, "We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land."  Sound vaguely familiar.

It is interesting that when Hoover was head of the American Relief Administration, he organized food shipments throughout central Europe. When questioned whether these actions were supporting Bolshevism he replied, " Twenty million people are staving. Whatever their politics, they shall be fed!"

Unfortunately, our good President did not take the same position as Americans sank into poverty from sea to shining sea.  Shantytowns known as Hoovervilles became popular sites from Pennsylvania to California. John Steinbeck captures the times in Grapes of Wrath. Bleak , dark days in the  land of milk and honey. Strikingly different from the country Hoover described in his inaugural address,  

"Ours is a land rich in resources; stimulating in it's glorious beauty; filled with millions of happy homes; blessed with comfort and opportunity." March 4, 1929 

No Politics Please

Sorry friends,I know that I promised to stay away from politics on this blog but, all things considered the time has come to speak out. When I was 12, I participated in local campaigns and marched against the war in Vietnam. Young and idealistic, I expected Americans to honor their pledge and elected officials to honor and protect our Constitution.

Now,I feel angry and betrayed. Why are we standing by like dazed cows watching our country slowly dissolving into neo-imperialism.In this election year ,when we face economic disaster not unlike 1929, our elected officials waste our time and taxpayer dollars on another un-winnable war, same gender marriage and abortion( which are both issues of personal choice).

In the last month Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,major financial institutions have teetered on the precipice along with AIG and Goldman Sachs. Lehman Brothers bit the dust,and up until last week Washington repeatedly told us that the economy was on track.

In case you don't watch Mad Money with Jim Cramer, you might want to check him out. They refer to him as the prodigy of prophets. He worked on the street and actually knows how to translate financial speak into straight talk.Booyah! For the last few nights he has explained in depth why we need The Plan to save our economy from total ruin. One point he made is the ineffective marketing of The Plan.

Rather than calling it a bailout it should be called The Invest in America Plan. That has a much better tone. After all, despite globalization shouldn't the government use our tax dollars to re-invest in us. Does anyone know our current budget for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?  Whatever the amount , it would surely cover a couple of million mortgages.

Last night, the President, G.W. Bush stated " As uncertainty has grown, many banks have restricted lending, credit markets have frozen, and families and businesses have found it harder to borrow money." If the banks are scared...?  I suggest that,we contact our representatives in Washington and tell them to get that bill passed and The Plan implemented, pronto!

Also, I'd like to give kudos to Warren Buffet for making a $5 billion investment in Goldman Sachs. As one money manager says "he is betting that the financial system does not collapse."

Tomorrow we're going to have a history review. Do you remember why we fought the American Revolution? What document was penned in 1776?