You Can Vote However You Like

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

5th and 6th graders from the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA. During their civics and government lessons the students were first taught the Republican and Democrat ideals and the policies that each is presenting as their platform without out being told which candidate was actually a Democrat and which candidate was a Republican -- they were then asked to make a decision based on the policies alone (something that we all should have been doing from the beginning). Were they ever surprised who fell to the left and who fell to the right!

After studying the parties and making the decision their next class project was to make this song showcase what they had learned in their class to the tune of "You Can Have Whatever You Like".

This is the kind of education that more and more of our students have been attaining due to the topics that have been surrounding this elections. Even if Obama does not win (heaven forbid), this has turned the nation in the right direction -- more people need to be involved in the goings on of this country!

Poem of the Day! 10/28/08

Moments of Clarity
By Noir Czar

Torn rubber packet after packet I pursue this high,
questioning positions and penetration between a different open thigh.

this drug comes wit no prescription still remains my addiction
in the calmest of conversation it requires my attention
then perverts my intentions from platonic to dissension
till I am suffocating in a lust and am guided by my extension

then my phone dials you

and now I am held captive by our caressing sensations
contemplating our contact as we progress to fornication
and though I have knowledge of a biblical persuasion
I pursue sex with a passion like tomorrow is my castration

lacking all hesitation you provide for my pleasure
with moments of foreplay before unveiling your treasure
and at that instance of ecstasy I ejaculate and then perceive
that sex with you is unnecessary and now I must take my leave

It is from these moments in time that I often try to conceive
a method to my own madness and what I plan to achieve
how can I expect a woman's trust when I predominantly deceive
and plot with periodic persistence not consistent from dawn to eve

In these seconds of clarity I attempt to control and adjust my way
returning to my locations of prayer when I previously fell astray

then in the calmest of conversation it acquires my attention
then perverts my intentions from platonic to dissension
till I am suffering in a lust and am guided by my extension
then my phone dials you to repeat my previous intention

When It Hurts

I am going to take a brief break for a moment before I go into my normal posts for the day. Although my iPod Touch is loaded with over 1,000 songs and several more videos, I normally just listen to about three ... over and over and over again. Lately the song that monopolizes the majority of my free time is "When it Hurts" by Avant. When I first started playing thus song in incessant repetition I thought it was simply because the chorus was catchy and Avant's voice is soothing to me. But, after a week of shewing over the lyrics and singing them with non-harmonic enthusiasm when I'm alone I realized that it was what the song was talking about -- Will you love me when it hurts?

You see, my boyfriend's lease is up on his apartment at the end of the month and he is moving in with me (along with all of his ugly bachelor pad furniture) and I'm seriously freakin' out. No longer is it going to be a just a simple boyfriend/girlfriend, very little commitment, you have your space and I have mine kind of relationship. We are going to completely be merging our separate lives together to make one and the only way that it is going to be successful is if we can "love [each other] when it hurts".

Avant hit the jackpot on this one!

I'M SO GLAD I GO TO TSU! ... Tennessee State University's 2008 Homecoming Week has Finally Arrived ... And I have Never Been So Syked

Monday, October 27, 2008

"Get Geek! Get Geek! It's Homecoming week. We don't go to class and we don't go to sleep. We stay up 24/7 the WHOLE damn week!"

There is a reason we are known as The Aristocrat of Bands:



"I'm so Glad I go to TSU, singing Glory Hallelujah ... whoo ... I'm So Glad!"



"T-S, T-S, T-S-U... Aristocrat! Aristocrat of Bands!"

My boyfriend is a Sigma, so I had to include this one from the Homecoming Step Show last year:



Watch out, cause Big Blue Country is taking over he city of Nashville this week!

VIDEO OF THE DAY! Travis Barker is My Music Idol ... Go, White Boy, Go!

Who would have ever thought that a white boy could jam like this, but, as many youtubers may already know ... Travis Barker is a one of a kind musician! Below is the youtube video remix of the culture phenomenon "Crank That Soulja Boy":

Travis Barker achieved his fame as the drummer for the pop punk band Blink-182. With Barker as their drummer, Blink-182 released their best selling album to date, Enema of the State (1999), followed by Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), and Blink-182 (2003). After seven years of drumming with Blink-182, in February 2005, the band split up. But that didn't stop Barkers momentum.

Barker said he's always been interested in more genres of music outside punk punk rock, including hip hop. In a 2002 interview with MTV he said, "I probably listen to more hip hop and drum'n'bass than I do punk rock music." Not being able to explore these interests within Blink-182, Barker participated in two hip hop related side projects during that time: Transplants and Expensive Taste.

Recently, Travis Barker made the very well received remix of Soulja Boy's "Crank That Soulja Boy" (featured above). In similar fashion, he also remixed Flo Rida's single "Low" that was later included in the deluxe version of Flo Rida's debut album. Barker is also featured in The Game's latest album, L.A.X., drumming in the song "Dope Boys".

Poem of the Day! 10/27/08

Was It Something I Said
By Noir Czar

Was it my use of the first amendment that caused your ideas of independence
attaining freedom from your mental barriers
no crab mentality cause on my curved vertebrae will carry ya
on my shoulders rest the future of my civilization
ancestors of the Aztecs, Mayans, and Haitians
product of desegregation, the result of a mid night conversation
was it something that he said?

Did his candor with my mother start my revolution
the utter conclusion is clarity in this mass confusion
thru scars and contusion we wake up and smell the roses thru this media pollution
a remedial solution to the problem at hand is proper representation
but I am filled with disgust when I come to the revelation
that even in his conversations, fraudulent assertions and propaganda are spread
Was it something he said?

Was it his rebuttal to the criminal charges
or his reasoning for the aggressive sexual approach
her reproach to his advances in the land of opportunity
the melanin increase our circumstances even in our romances
kissed, caressed and slow dances we are oppressed from our chances
yet we attain our ignorant stances, lean back and rock with that
through music we speak the situational fact
an over rates reality of addiction to crack
my prediction is that your perception is whack
was it something he rapped?

The lyrics he stacked that cause us pain
a dependent mainframe based on the size of your chain
the carat in your ring
the eighty fours on your swing
see prior to politics these material things only glisten
but now we see they listen
a catalyst to competition
and addictive to the current composition of envy, hate, kill and its constant repetition
Was it something that was written?

Or were we both just forgiven when he took the silver pence
crossed the borders of the pearl fence into a valley of repentance
If I could write the world's wrongs in a sentence would you sentence me to death too
would it still stand true that my actions were u-republic
I could change the subject
and still remain a subject discussion
but due to my heart's percussion there is no retreat
and whatever is spoken from my lips is confirmed y the foundation of my feet
stand up for what you speak or talk into existence your own defeat.

Is Your Right to Vote Being Called to Question?

It's almost 8 days until the history making elections day when Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain go head to head in the final leg of the race for the White House. The country is on edge and divided between the two candidates -- never in my lifetime have I witnessed such a national interest in politics nor such low down schemes to hold the other party back. But just when I think that I have seen and heard it all, people manage to find new ways to surprise.

Earlier today, the Associated Press released an article detailing the voter 'purging' of more than 50,000 registered voters in the state of Georgia alone. These are citizens who have been "flagged" due to a so called computer mismatch in their personal identification information ... "At least 4,500 of those people are having their citizenship questioned and the burden is on them to prove their eligibility to vote." The article highlighted this specific story of an Atlanta resident and United States citizen:

College Senior Kyla Berry was looking forward to voting in her first presidential election, even carrying her voter registration card.

But about two weeks ago, Berry got disturbing news from local election officials.

"This office has received notification from the state of Geargia indicating that you are not a citizen of the United States and therefore, not eligible to vote," a letter from the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections said.

But Berry is a U.S. citizen, born in Boston, Massachusetts. She has a passport and birth certificate to prove it.

The letter, which was dated October 2, gave her a week from the time it was dated to prove her citizenship. There was a problem, though -- the letter was postmarked October 9.

"It was the most bizarre thing. I immediately called my mother and asked her to send my birth certificate, and then I was like, 'It's too late, apparently,'" Berry said

This is a situation that has been echoed all across the country and has raised fears, for members of both parties, of the possibility of voter suppression. The problem with this situation, though, is the fact that the letters to these citizens were written during the first few days in October and then mailed a few days after that, according to the postmark date on the envelopes (this is a clear violation of two federal laws against voter purging within 90 days of the election). These citizens have been given an almost impossible deadline to follow if they want to get their voting rights back. Politicians and Lawyers all across the country have jumped on the issue in order to protect voter rights and prevent a systematic voter suppression. This is an election that is far too important and a historical landmark to be foreshadowed by such an undemocratic event. The basis of the democratic system is that every person has a voice and, this year, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of new voters (especially new voters that are African American and/ or young first time voters).

If you have not voted already, make sure that your voting credentials are up to date and valid. Although the burden of proof of your eligibility to vote is on you, and you alone, the American government has a responsibility to each and every one of us to correct this issue before election day. Every eligible person (meaning, every US citizen or foreign national over the age of 18 that is not a felon) that wants to cast a vote on November 4 should be able to do so, even if that means that they need to bring their birth certificate and picture ID along with their voter registration card to the election polls. Don't wait until the very last minute!

Jennifer Hudson's Family Murder UPDATE!

Julian King, Jennifer Hudson's 7 year old nephew, has been missing since the murder of Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother on Friday October 24, 2008. However, the Cook County Police Department found the "remains" of a child's body in an SUV this morning that they believe may be little Julian. At this point they are not releasing any more details about the finding and the medical examiner's office is still investigating the body.

Live Green, Save Green: Top 4 Ways to GO GREEN at Home

Sunday, October 26, 2008

This is a huge departure from what I would normally have posted on my site, but I just received my electric bill today and realized that my boyfriend and I need to start saving some green (in more than one way). So, I've scowered the web and found, for your viewing pleasure, the top 4 ways that you can start saving some "green" at home:

1. Make Sure that your walls, attic, and basement are well insulated. Good indulation will slow the rate that heat flows out of yur house during the winter or into your house during the summer, so les energy is required to heat or cool your home. What we did in our home is to get the door cozy for the front door to keep the cool air from coming in under the door. We also went and got some insulating plartic for the windows from the hardware store, I want to say that it was about $15.
2. Plant shade trees and shrubs around the house. In the summer the foliage from the trees blocks infrared radiation that would warm the house, while in the winter the bare branches would allow this radiation to come through.
3. Improve the efficieny of your hot water system. First, turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (about 120 degrees). Second, insulate your hot water lines so that they don't cool off as fast in between uses. It also keeps the pipes from cooling down the water as it passes from the water heater to the shower. Third, use low flow fixtures for showers and baths.
4. Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lamps (CLFs). CLFs can save three quarters of the electricity used by incandescents.

MISSING CHILD ALERT! Jennifer Hudson is asking for you help

On Friday October 24, 2008, the nephew of the award winning actress and singer, Jennifer Hudson, went missing after the murder of his grandmother in Chicago.

At this point the police have one suspect in custody for the murder, however, the child was not with him when he was picked up for questioning.

The Hudson Family is asking for the help of the public in locating the 7 year old boy and returning him safely home.

If you have seen this child PLEASE contact your local law enforcement agency.

What is the Role of the Vice President? ... SHOPPING (and some other stuff)

Five days ago it was released that the Republican National Convention allegedly spent $150,000 on Sarah McCain's wardrobe for the GOP convention. $150,000! ... do you all realize that I could pay my rent for 3 years for that much , or the RNC could have sent 3 or 4 kids to a great state college anywhere in the United States for 4 years

As she spoke out about the accusations on "The View" however, she stated that the clothes do not belong to her ... they are on loan and still are the property of the RNC! Yeah, OK Lady ...

The way I see it, it is still $150,000 that is being spent on useless crap. As a woman that boasts about not only knowing the people of the United States, she claims that she IS one of us ... furthermore, that simple fact is the reason why the Republican party believes that she will be such a great candidate for vice presidency -- her connection with the "little" people. So, if that really is the case, why did the RNC feel as though they needed to spend so much money trying to make her look different.

For all of you out there that have donated money to the RNC, you are the one that funding her extravagant shopping trip ... and what's even more disappointing is the fact that a good number of you lipstick republican and McCain fans are pleased with the way your contributions have been spent because a pretty wardrobe is only going to distract people from the ridiculous words that are steadily streaming out of her mouth.

Instead of spending all that money, a more useful venture for the RNC could have been to spend more time preparing their as yet unready candidate for the spotlight ... she can't even articulate what the role of the Vice President is correctly (but I'm sure those 4th graders she gave a shout out to during the debates could have schooled her on that).

This is just another move that has made me disappointed in the Republican candidate and his entire campaign. I have had enough with the hypocrisy, the name-calling, the dirty politics, the unqualified candidates, the pretention, and the pending policies that will only break an already breaking country. If this isn't enough to make people see them for who they really are and what they really represent then I don't know what is. My biggest fear for the future of this country is that McCain and Palin will be elected into office ... but that's OK I guess. I'll just move back to Africa! I'm sure the racism and genocide will be a much easier pill to swallow than the impending McCain/Palin administration.

Mother & Brother of Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson Found Dead in Chicago

Friday, October 24, 2008

On Friday October 24, 2008, the mother and brother of Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson were found dead in a home on the South Side of Chicago. The police are still investigating the murder and are also looking for the nephew of the singer and Oscer-winning actress. Rupa Shenoy wrote abouut the tragedy in an article released by the Associated Press saying:

"We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson," Hudson's personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler said in a statement. "No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."

Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the deaths appeared to be the result of domestic abuse. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office said autopsies for Donerson, 57, and Hudson, 29, were pending.

We first remember Jennifer Hudson as the budding star of the American hit TV Show American Idol -- Simon Cowel told her that he didn't feel as though she would have much of a future in the music business and that he didn't really like her voice. But, a little over a year after her elimination from the show it was announced that she would be acting along With Beyonce and Jaime Foxx in the movie remake of the Broadway hit "Dreamgirls" ... and did she ever prove Simon wrong with her portrayal of the character Effie White. Phenomenal! Since her award winning performance in the movie, Jennifer has released an album and is currently in the movie adaptation of the book The Secret Life of Bees along with Queen Latifa, Alicia Keys, and Dakota Fanning.

Jennifer is a promising star of tomorrow living the American Dream. The events of today and the death of her mother and brother go far beyond a tragedy that there are no words to explain. I ask that each and every one of you keep her and her family in your hearts and prayers as they move through this difficult time.

Murder in a Small Town: A 75 Pound Bear Cub Becomes Latest Victim of the Presidental Election

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

After the last Presidential Debate I asked myself if people's behavior surrounding this election could get any worse -- and what you know, it did! On Monday morning it was reported that a dead bear cub was found at the entrance the campus of Western Carolina University covered in Obama campaign posters. The 75 pound bear cub had been shot in the head and two Obama posters had been stapled together and draped over its head.

Campus Police are still investigating the matter and the secret service has been informed. The Ashville Citizen Times reports:

"But this is certainly unacceptable," Tom Johnson, Chief of University Police, said. "Someone evidently was wanting to draw attention to the election. If we find out who they are, we'll make sure they get some attention themselves."

The university issued a statement calling what happened deplorable and troubling.

"We cannot speculate on the motives of the people involved nor who those people might be," said Leila Tvedt, Associate Vice Chancellor. "Campus police are cooperating with authorities to investigate this matter."

Although officials don't want to speculate on the perpetrator of this atrocious act, let's look at the facts and let you decide for yourself. Ashville is a city that is predominantly white, but the campus itself is home to the majority of the cities black students. This isn't to say definitively that the incident was racially motivated (although it is very likely that it was) but one thing that is clear is that the culprit is an avid McCain Supporter. What hasn't been reported by newspapers and officials is the fact that the bear cub found was not just a grizzly bear or a brown bear but a BLACK BEAR, do you all see any correlation between the signs and the dead bear because I do! Such behavior with regards to any candidate, black or white, male or female, is beyond deplorable and tasteless.

Was it a Sarah Palin lovin', moose hunter out to make a statement? Was it a racist taking his Obama rage out on a defenseless black bear cub? Or was it just a random crazy person with an irrational dislike of bears and campaign sings? Hopefully the police will find out.

I See Here You Graduated With 2 Degrees at the top of your Class ... But Your Just Not Right for this Position!

This is probably a posting that is going to make most people scratch their heads, a few others disagree, and almost everyone very unhappy with me and my opinions ... but hear me out first!

The other day I was speaking with one of my co-workers, Kelly, about the fact that all of the girls that work at the front desk of a Marriott hotel in the city of Nashville have graduated from college with at least one degree but are stuck working a job that put them well below the poverty line. You would think that we would be in better positions by now wouldn't you -- and that isn't to say that we haven't tried. The reality of our situation is that we spent 4, 5, or even 6 years at an undergraduate institution getting a traditional degree in order to make us more marketable and better suited for the work force. But, after graduation and during the myriad of interviews we all went on before we landed behind the desk of a Marriott we found that a Bachelor degree (or two in my case) and a good internship wasn't enough to get us in the door of a decent company. There are a few who make it through, but most of get halted and can only look at the promise of a bright future due to our matriculation through double paned shatter proof glass.

College, all though it provides you with some very valuable life experiences and can be ideal for the transition from the parent's house to one of your own, is no longer the solution for higher education in a new society where jobs require more precision and technical know how that traditional colleges and universities provide through their curriculum. Don't get me wrong, there are some career paths that require it ... but most now do not. The fact that I read and could analyze Stephen Hawkins doesn't make me a great manager; the fact that I can create the compound for the chemical flavoring of wintergreen gum doesn't mean I would be a good hospital receptionist; and the fact that I passed organizational theory and introduction to non-profit organizations doesn't mean that I would be the best candidate for a position as office manager for the American Red Cross here in Nashville.

Anyways, as Kelly and I were talking we realized that those in our generation that are doing well for themselves and aren't struggling as much through this economic crisis are those that opted for a trade school or vocational education. Now, I can imagine what most of you are thinking at this moment ... Me? Go to a Trade School? Yes! You! Go to trade school!

Requirements for jobs isn't the same as it was in the past ... a college degree in almost anything made you ready for most jobs. However, now days, there a trade schools and specialty schools for almost everything ... you can't just have a high WPM in order to be a secretary you need to have gone to college and taken a required amount of courses for business administration and secretarial services along with all of the requirements of the past; you can't just work as an apprentice in your dad's auto shop in order to become a mechanic you have to go to a specific trade school; you can't just have basic knowledge of computer software in order to work at the front desk of a doctor's office, you need to take classes in order to pass a certifying exam. With more rules and federal regulations, certification exams, specific requirements for different positions.

I had a college professor, Dr. Hardy, he once said, "The only thing that will separate you from everybody else when you graduate from college is the fact that you should have read 130 more books than they have." When we sit down and think about it, what more do I know now that I didn't know before or couldn't have learned if I didn't go to college? Don't strain yourself over the answer but it isn't much. Some of the most intelligent people I've ever met never graduated from college and, furthermore, some of the most educated people that I've met lack intelligence. No people, experience is what is key and trade schools are like an apprenticeship ... they get you ready for what you're going to face in the work force.

Leaving high school it was preached that a college degree would be the beginning of a very bright future, but all that I see know is that my 2 degrees have held me back. Instead of the 5 years spent in college and the $100,000.00 spent I could have focused my time on a specific career. For those of you on the college search now, my only suggestion to you is that you know what it is you want to do before you make the decision to actually go to college and then make sure that a college or university is the best route for achieving that goal ... what you will find now days is that there is a more direct path that will make you better prepared for your future.

Would you like a Mail-In Rebate with your Healthcare Plan

Monday, October 20, 2008

After writing my last post about the issues I had been having with my Sickle Cell and having to be in the hospital for a week and then returning to work only to see CNN being played on the lobby television all day long I got to thinking about how John McCain's tax plan would benefit me and this is the conclusion that I came to-- IT WON'T DO SHIT TO HELP ME OUT!

First of all, his tax plan is kind of like a mail-in rebate ... buy now and I'll give you less than a fraction of what you spent later. Please, can someone from the McCain Camp tell me how this is going to help me in the long run? Here's what I see as my healthcare future with the policy that McCain is proposing: without state regulations my insurance carrier will most likely drop me (the state of Tennessee has 3 of the leading research hospitals for sickle cell: Meharry, Vanderbilt, and St. Judes) because of my pre-existing condition; I will then be forced to "shop around" and find a carrier that will take me and my condition which will, more than likely cost a lot more than the $84 a month premium that I am paying with Marriott's comprehensive United Healthcare plan; after shelling out a couple thousand dollars that I know I don't make with my $9.27 an hour job for healthcare that I literally cannot live without, McCain is going to "give" me back $2,500 of that (people, let's be real, coverage for someone like me is going to be a lot more expensive than that!!!)

But wait! There's more! as is usually the case with these schemes where they say they will give you your money back. The money doesn't come to you, it goes to the insurance copany and is put towards the balance on your premium ... secondly, when tax season rolls around again they are going to tax you on what they gave you and you are going to end up giving half of the $2,500 right back to the people that gave it to you along with the other taxes that they take out of your pay checks.

I'm sorry, but this sounds like total bullshit to me!

There is nothing in his plan to regulate the cost of healthcare --- which means that the insurance companies can take serious advantage of the millions of people in this country that find themselves in a situation very similar to mine ... sick and dependant on a good healthcare plan to make sure that they see tomorrow. For most of you reading this post you know at least one person, if not more, who is going to get seriously shafted by this plan or left behind because they can't even afford to get heir foot in the door.

This is clearly a Republican plan -- the only people that are considered are wealthy white people!

I don't know about you, but I want someone in office who is going to be looking out for my welfare as much as they look out for rich people's money -- and John McCain isn't it!

It's Been Awhile ... But Now I'm Back

I have to apologize to each and every one of you for being absent for so long ... it was a really bad sickle cell attack that landed me in the hospital for a week.

However, now that I am on the subject of my own struggle with sickle cell disease, let me give you some insight if you don't already know about it.

Sickle Cell Anemia and Sickle Cell Disease are inherited blood dosorders that mainly affect members of the African American community, since their descendents are most likely from the subsaharan region of Africa where malaria is prevelant. Sickle cell disease is chronic and and lifelong: it is characterised by a sickling of the blood cells due to a variation of the normal hemoglobin that should be in the blood. When these blood cells begin to sickle, they get stuck in the bodies smaller blood vessels and block the passage of other blood cells that can cut off normal blood flow through the body damaging the tissues and causing a great deal of pain for the sufferer, pain that has been said to be comparable to, if not worse than, cancer pain ... beleive me, it's a hell I wouldn't even wish on someone I absolutely hated. Some of the main organs that are usually affected are those that clean out toxins and damaged cells from the body like the liver and spleen. It also affects the bodies extremities like arms and legs since the blood vessels get smaller and smaller as they move further away from the heart.

Currently, there is no cure for sickle cell disease ... BUT extensive research is being done to find one. The only form of treatment is to control the pain with pain medicine when it occurs; take antibiotocs to avoid getting sick; and alter your lifestyle to enable your body to better handle stress when it does occur but to, generally, not have any stress at all.

As a person living with Sickle Cell Disease, i strongly encourage every African American man, woman, and child to go get screened for the disease. Although it cannot be cured onced you are found to have it, gene therapy has made it possible to not pass the genes on to future generations.

Knowing is half the battle!

Guess Who's Coming to Nashville

Monday, October 6, 2008

On Tuesday October 7 the Second Presidential Debate will be held in:

Nashville, TN

The city is buzzing and none other than yours truly has got a ticket to be in attendance (much thanks to the gentlemen of Lovenoise Live).

The debate is being held in a town hall style and the university is taking its cue from all of you -- the voters determine the the topics! Click on the title to be redirected to the Belmont University website to submit your questions

This is our opportunity to get the answer to the questions that have been flying across our Blogs and minds!

Voter Registration Deadlines ...

It's crunch time people -- Voter Registration Deadlines are fast approaching in many states. Are you registered?

Here's the breakdown:

October 6

• Arizona


• Arkansas


• Colarodo


• District of Columbia


• Florida


• Georgia


• Hawaii


• Indiana


• Kentucky


• Louisiana


• Michigan


• Mississippi


• Montana


• Ohio


• Pennsylvania


• Tennessee


• Texas


• Utah


• Virginia

October 7

• Illinois


• New Mexico

October 8

• Missouri

Ocober 10

• New York


• North Carolina

October 11

• Delaware

October 14

• Maryland


• New Jersey


• Oregon

October 15

• Massachusetts


• West Virginia


• Wisconsin

October 20

• California


• Kansas

October 21

• Connecticut


• Maine

October 24

• Alabama


• Iowa


• Nebraska

Day of election at the polls

• Idaho


• Iowa


• Maine


• Minnesota


• Montana


• Wisconsin


• Wyoming

Something to think about ...

Congress has officially passed the $700 billion "economic rescue" package and that means something completely different for the impending Presidential Election -- will you still vote for Obama knowing that his Presidency will be overshadowed by this astronomical national debt?

Regardless of who is elected this November, they are going to have one of the toughest 4 years in office that has ever been recorded, with a failing economy, 2 wars being waged, a national deficit, and now a $700 billion debt.

Myself, I am going to have a hard time checking that box for Barack Obama on November 6 knowing that my vote could set him up for failure. In 50 years no one will remember what a phenomenal speaker he was; no one will remember how he advocated for change and was the voice of the average person; no one will remember the good changes that are made for the betterment of this country. No! Instead, what they will remember is that Barack Obama was the first black President of the United States and that he failed tremendously to save the country from its bad decisions!

Poem of the Day! 10/3/08

Friday, October 3, 2008

Why?
by NoirCzar

Why do i defeat myself, blinded by shades of red
Tears fill my eyes like pennies in a pan-handler's cup
Currently down is up, my heart twists like a mountain road
Feelings inside, a ticking bomb, ready to explode
My mind in overload, thoughts of her weigh heavy in my shoulders
Akin to the load of Danaus's boulder,
Her words pierce my heart like a thousand arrows, each shot with precision
My male intuition told me we were meant for imminent division,
Yet my visions of love clouded my thoughts,
Love, its beautiful sounds, children laughing, puppies barking, bells ringing
Ringing, ringing, now the only sound that reverbs in my ear is goodbye
Laughs turn to cries, cries from lies, lies from love, love from fear
Pushing away to bring her near, yet emptiness is what's left here
But I am not alone, for although we're eternally apart,
Her body speaks to me like the tell-tale heart,
Now my instant reaction, has me relapsing, constantly questioning and reasking
The simplest statement though my heart deny, is it a crime to say goodbye.

The Birds and the Bees: When is it Too early to start learning about sex?

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Let's talk about sex baby ... Sex Education, that is!

Sex Education programs have always been a rather controversial topic and sparked much debate between parents, educators, doctors, school administrators, healthcare providers, and even politicians. But I want to ask you, when is it too early to start teaching our children about sex?


Recent studies have shown that adstinence only programs are generally less successful than sex education programs -- and let's be real with each other, day in and day out all you see on television and in magazines is inuendos to sex and how good it is. If tat doesn't make you want to get your peice then you must be a corpse ... or very ugly!

When should you start talking about sex?

Toddler's love to explore their world and themselves. They're as curious as cat ... so, why are parents so afraid to be honest with them about what their body parts are.

In my opinion, a smart parent would begin their sex education from the beginning starting with teaching him or her what their body parts are and the difference between good touch and bad touch. Give your child the tools to be prepared for what the "big bad world" can throw at them whn they aren't with you ... especially if your child is being sent to childcare. Starting with the body parts is the foundation for the rest ...

Why don't abstinence only programs work as effectively?

First of, the foundation of the abstience only programs is to preach to the student about not having sex (church in the classroom). It doesn't present them with the facts: what forms of contraceptive are most effective; how to tell whether or not you need to see a doctor for an STD; what can happen during and after sex; etc. It leaves out the "meat and potatoes" and leaves the student at the mercy of the media to try and figure out the rest and fill in the blanks -- this is absolutely unacceptable and sets them up to fail.

But, the most important thing is that it closes the lines of communication. When their hormones get the best of them and they finally have sex for the first time, the student that was in the abstinence only program is less likely to speak to an adult about the event and, if need be, any health concerns they may have afterwards. Studies show that they are also less likely to seek contraceptives -- Big Mistake!

Preaching is not Teaching.

An appropriate alternative for the Abstinence-only programs is a comprehensive sex education program with an emphasis on celibacy ... give them the knowledge they need and then urge them to refrain from the act of sex (not just sexuality as a whole).

What makes a good Sex Ed Program?

• Provides accurate, evidence based information
• Offers information in context
• Is age appropriate
• Acknowledges individuality
• Is anti-racist and non-discriminatory
• Is engaging
• Meets people "where they are"

Keep in mind through all of this ... Knowledge is power!

Biden vs. Palin: 1st 2008 Vice Presidential Debate -- What can we expect to see?

Let's get ready to rumble!

The 2008 Presidential Election has already proven to be an event that will go down in history. But tonight, the showdown between The Democratic V.P. nominee Sen. Joe Biden from Delaware and the Republican V.P. nominee Gov. Sarah Palin from Alaska is going to be fascinating on every level as we watch to see what else the governor doesn't know and how the cutthroat Senator is going to handle having to fight against a woman. The wrong move by either one of them could cripple their campaigns.

When it comes to Gov. Palin, election polls show that more and more of the American public is beginning to believe that she is not qualified to be the next Vice President of the United States, let alone the President. Her lack of knowledge regarding the economy, foreign policy and public policy has been showcased in the last three major interviews that she has held, and her nonresponsiveness to questions she doesn't know is beginning to be a tell-tale sign for the former beauty queen from Alaska. The Vice Presidential debates is not a place for her usual fall back tactics, when she doesn't know what she's talking about, of turning to philosophical mumbo jumbo that don't have much to do with the question that was originally presented to her. How she handles the pressure of the debate and being on the national stage this evening will do one of two things for the McCain/Palin campaign: 1) reinforce the idea that Sen. McCain made a mistake in choosing her as a running mate and that, perhaps, his judgements could be as detrimental to the nation as they have been to his own campaign, or 2) make her the "Wonder Woman" heroine that everyone believed she was when they were first introduced to her at the Republican National Convention. Can she show America that she is ready for the White House or perhaps should she just stick to what we all know she can do well -- wave gracefully and look pretty.

Sen. Biden has a challenge on his hands with the impending debate with Gov. Palin. His mission: support Sen. Obama, take down Gov. Palin, but don't alienate the women that are on the fence after Sen. Hilary Clinton's defeat and the realization that the Republican V.P. nominee is an all around idiot not suited for the White House. In the past, Sen. Biden has been labeled a know-it-all and a Pit Bull. His performance during the Democratic Primary season is evidence enough of the Senator's debating style -- he speaks authoritatively, something that can often be construed as condescending; and his below the belt quips have the potential to be sexist and/or insensitive as they are directed towards the dainty Governor. Call Senator Biden Ethan Hunt and his Mission -- Impossible!

Tune in tonight to watch the Barracuda battle the Pit Bull. However, in my opinion, no more is there a match between these two candidates as there us between a Pit Bull and a bunny rabbit!

Poem of the Day! 10/2/08

Letter to my unborn son
Inspired by Rosey
by NoirCzar

Please forgive me son, Daddy's sorry he stole your breath
Convincing your mother that there's life after death

Persuading her emotions by stating the fiction
That our life is perfection without your affliction

Ambiguous statements that if we conceived
I could not provide what provisions you apparently need

Forcing her to make a decision that she could not perceive
A result for the actions when hormones deceive

While you were anticipating your birth would be grand
Progressing thru puberty to become a man

My hands stopped your first steps so I could command
And continue to consume liquor till I just cannot stand

Spending savings money on women and fast living
Destroying your only chance of praising for God's giving

It was my phrases that silenced your first words
That halted your pronunciation of nouns and adverbs

That stopped you from recognizing your colors and loud sounds
In exchange for some twenties, some henny and green pounds

Your first kiss dismissed for bottles brown crown
With knowledge it's your first dance slowly I swallow down

Now I miss your smile, your tears and sad frowns
As all the years and the beers had silently passed 'round

And we both feel abandoned cause you're a fatherless son
Just smile and be forgiving, now nothing can be done

What if Obama doesn't win the Race?

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

When the Presidential Primary Season began the democratic party was faced with the reality that their votes, inevitably, would bring about the beginning of a new era of "in-your-face" tolerance and change as both Senator Hilary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama entered in the race. Precedence was that in order to be considered as a serious candidate for Presidency you needed to be a Protestant, white male from a New England state and preferrably in your early fifties. Neither of the Democratic party's leading candidates fit into this mold! And perhaps that is for the better as America, formerly the richest, wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, quickly spirals downward into peril.

However, after steamrolling over his Democratic nominee competitor and winning the hearts and minds of a nation that, until his emergence in the Race for the White House (in more than one way), seemed to be locked in a perpetual dream state or so disastisfied and disillusioned by the state of the American Government and politics today that they didn't care anymore: It didn't make a difference whether thay came out to vote or not because the corruption of the Republican Party is so entrenched in the minds of the rest of the country that their unsavory plans would, through both legal and illegal means, put another Replublican candidate in the White House for the next 4 years. Trick or Treat!

Barack Obama has become the Hero that middle class America and America's working class has been waiting for. A person that has lived their life and struggled through the same problems as they have and proven that, through dedication and hard work, success can be yours; a positive role model for the African American Male and any man that is a father; a vision of what it means to be an American, as a mixture of all of the different races and cultures that have migrated to this land in pursuit of a better life -- his skin may be dark, but he is, without a doubt, the All American; and the all important "Talented Tenth" that W.E.B. DuBois so emphatically wrote of as the saving grace of the African American Community.

Barack Obama has awakened the African American and Latino communities and made them a force to be reckoned with and a legitimate and powerful demographic in the United States. No longer can politicians campaign and pass bills with disregard to the countries minority races as though we do not exist or are not important -- Barack Obama's mere presence in the Presidential election has made us all want to get involved, speak our peace, and hold politicians accountable for waht they promised during during their campaigns in order to win our votes; our focus has been turned and and a spolight has been placed on capital hill by these minority demographics. The status quo is no longer acceptable and tolerance does not come with a disclaimer or footnote. People of all races and backgrounds have flooded the phone lines of the Michael Baisden radio show with enthusiasm with regard to the current election. America's youth and first time voters have used the interenet and the ability to communicate with each other almost instantly in order to create the Obama/Biden Campaign's digital army and most unexpected source of support.

But with all of that said, we already know that Barack Obama is the "Change" that America needs. And, despite all of our rallying and support and political fervor, what if, after all of this work, Barack Obama doesn't win the presidency? What will that mean for you and me? What will that mean for America as a whole?

Our future is in our hands and never before has one election been so crucial ... America is on the verge of change and Barack Obama is it's heralding leader. So, even more important than what will happen if Barack Obama doesn't win is this question:

Now that your eyes have been opened, will you join the fight for your rights?

Poem of the Day!

The Sermon
by NoirCzar

If i wrote a sermon predicting a later date

filled with hermeneutic knowledge from scholars, would you relate

or debate my written scripture, de-credit my spoken faith

quoting I am not official the spirit won't demonstrate

in vessel not anointed by bishops or magistrates

proceed to crucify my visions as blasphemous by the state

But if I choose to use peter the prophet in my defense

would you then commence to beat me with allegorical sense

using scholium after scholium in categorical pretense

to convince me that these talents are biblically too intense

chastise me till repentance, rebuking what's heaven sent

and embark upon a calling conflicted by evidence

then proclaim my prophesy while preaching your paragraphs

with moral application relating to trouble paths

using dogma examples and sampling from my past

to convince the congregation the patience they ought to have

Then review my given gifts with an exegesis eye

to contrast my claimed religion and label me Jerebai

till I am settled in a setting that's canonically correct

cast out then resurrected with praise for my intellect

exhaulting my indwelling, compelling me to direct

now religiously respected, revering my dialect

authored as a prophet portraying the premonitions

of Yahweh thru my decision to agape the unforgiving

but I am just a poet, a product of how I'm living

a picture of imperfection with Grace that is God given.