Health Care Reform & Violence

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Henry

Talks community, there hasn’t been a new post on this site since January. A lot has changed in my life, but I want to have a successful blog and need to put more effort in it’s content.

Now, on to today’s conversation. The new health care bill has produced a wide, and somewhat disturbing, range of emotions. First, the passage of legislation that Presidents, Democratic and Republican have been attempting to pass for 100 years has been historic, and the President and Democrats in Congress have every rite to celebrate the most significant piece of social legislation to be passed in 50 years. However, their Republican colleauges didn’t behave appropriately.

From showing complete contempt for decorum in the chambers of Congress to encouraging bigots and racists outside the Capital, Republicans show an implicit approval of this type of conduct by not publically denoucing the conduct in Congress, on the floor and in the gallery. In regards to the people in the “tea party” movement and their dispicable behavior, they take a “wink and a nod” attitude, by allowing the vitriol to go unchallenged.

However, a unlikely source has stepped forward to condemn this behavior. Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, seen as the most conservative senator in Congress, took a stand against the bigots, racists, and those who’re advocating violence and said this is not healthy for our country. Let’s just hope he’s not caught on film, at a tea party event, taking a completely opposite position.

This isn’t a perfect bill, but that’s the part of the “sausage making” process of crafting legislation. Some get part of what they, others get some of what they want. As time progresses, there will be opportunities to improve the content of the bill, but the Republicans can’t have a hand in the work, if they sit in the corner, pouting and throwing temper tantrums, like schoolchildren. It comes a time to play to the base, but there’s a time to fulfill your duties, as outlined in the Constitution.

Furthermore, these threats of violence and horrendous voicemails to Congresspersons and Senators tell a far different tale than opposition to health care reform. This is just a continuation of the lowest of our society’s bizarre actions, after the election of Barack Obama. We’ve had “birthers”, “Nazi” conspiracy theorists, “tea baggers”, and other “urban legend” seekers, and now they’re ratcheting up the degree of hate and threats to warrant members of Congress to have to ask for security protection. Here are the small government, less spending folks costing “their” country to use needless money on extra security and law enforcement personnel. How ironic is that?

Talks community, let me know what are your feelings.

Posted in Barack Obama, Congress, Conservative, Democrats, Health Care, House, House of Representatives, Politics, Republican, senate | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Washington Redskins and the Sham of “The Rooney Rule”

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Henry

Why do the Washington Redskins get to make a sham of “The Rooney Rule” in professional football? If you don’t know what that is, it is a requirement that all teams with a head coaching vacancy must interview at least one African-American candidate for the position. This has been insisted by Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Redskins have had Mike Shanahan tapped for the job for weeks, without consideration of anyone else. I have called Bruce Allen’s office at Redskins’ Park and left a message seeking an answer as to why they just say they are not going to be compliant with “The Rooney Rule”, instead of insulting someone of color by bringing them in for a mock interview. Why are the same white coaches allowed to be recycled over and over again throughout the NFL, while the African-American coaches do all the right things? They get the assistant coaches positions; they prove themselves there; then, they excel at the offensive and defensive coordinators positions, just to be held back in these positions. I was in the barbershop, “the Black man’s country club”, yesterday and bought up this point. Surprisingly, I was met with silence, until one person gave the tepid remark, “we have some Black coaches”. What!!! Approximately 78% of the players in the NFL are Black; why can’t 78% of the head coaches, General Managers, Executives, and NFL headquarters staff be African-American. Now, there are going to be some, and they won’t be white, that will be horrified at that statement because we have been trained not to “rock the boat” or “think too highly of ourselves”. This was just for comparison sakes and to show how ridiculous the misplaced effort from that person was.

Only when people have insisted and fought for what’s right has there been any substantive action taken by those who are not doing what’s right. The church used to serve as the center piece for the fight for social, civil, and political rights. I am a big proponent of a belief in a higher power; as most of you know, I have a nationally known family member in the religious community. However, we seem to content with the constant reciting and chain delivery of Bible verses in emails, text messages, and other means. Are we content with the election of Barack Obama and the few “crumbs” that have been handed down to us? We should be just as diligent in our fight in our lives now, as we are concerned and humbled to get that “pie in the sky” or waiting to see Jesus.

Our athletes today have become so apathetic, when it comes to social and political justice, nothing is expected of them whatsoever. It took Rush Limbaugh to get a pitiful rise out of them, not worthy of any commendation. There are two who are the most egregious, because they’ve had the power to affect the most change if only they would open their mouths-Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. When Harvey Gannt, an African-American, ran for the US Senate in North Carolina against an avowed racist, Jesse Helms, Michael Jordan claimed that Republicans bought tennis shoes also. Gannt lost the election, due to racist tactics that could have been overcome with the type of support Jordan would have bought to the table.  However, when Bill Bradley, who I like and admire politically but is a white man, ran for the President of the United States, Republicans had stopped buying tennis shoes, and it became okay for Jordan to support him. There is too much to go into for this post for Tiger Woods, and he has enough negativity around him, so we won’t pile on. These athletes need to step up, because they and their million dollar contracts and endorsement deals stand on the shoulders of those who fought for social, economic, and political justice. One who has been fighting and who has had to agree that his two best friends have been deficient has been Charles Barkley. Shaquille O’Neal has been quietly doing some things, and there are a few who have done some things who people would be very surprised, because the mainstream media and public have vilified them or they don’t fit the stereotype person that some feel they should be.

“Talks” Community, let me know how you feel.

Posted in African-American Coaches, African-Americans, NFL, Rooney Rule, Washington Redskins | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

More Than a Sportswriter: Lester “Red” Rodney: 1911-2009

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Henry

“THSquare Talks” Community, this is the type of story we don’t get from the media too often. I would encourage each and every one of you to Google Dave Zirin and subscribe to his newsletter. He is tops in his field and reports sports from a political point of view, that many don’t see. That view that we don’t see how things that glitter are not gold and are hurting us and our communities more than they are helping. This man is a cut above any sportswriter I’ve ever read. Please continue to read his writings.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

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Health Care Reform/Political Activism

Posted on November 9, 2009 by Henry

Let’s give thanks to the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives and President Obama and his administration for getting Health Care Reform legislation passed over the weekend. It was done in the face of intense pressure from special interest groups, like the US Chamber of Commerce, spending upwards of $1 million a day-$1MILLION DOLLARS A DAY!!! That should tell you that the consumer needs this legislation, because, when someone fights that hard against something, that tells you that it is of great benefit to a great many others. The money that has been spent lobbying against reform probably could’ve come close to insuring many, if not most, of the people who are either uninsured or underinsured. Now, let’s keep the persistence on for the Senate, because we won’t be finished until a GOOD bill is in front of the President for his signature, and that bill has a decent Public Option attached to it.

I read something interesting from someone who I really like and respect politically. He said that Republicans stay committed to their causes, and Democrats fall in love with their causes. That is the reason why Democrats and progressives have hard times when there’s just a plain election, instead of a historic one like the election last year. Anyone of us who is a Democrat, progressive, liberal, or thinks ideologically and/or politically with these groups of people have got to begin embracing our causes at all times, and not when they are politically sexy and exciting. Republicans go to vote in 10 feet of snow, hurricanes, tsunamis, or any type of weather; we have to be this vigilant also. Our local and state politics are more important than the Presidential elections every four years, so get out and vote every primary, every caucus, every time you have a chance to pull a lever, press a button, or circle in a dot. Let’s not let these “Tea Baggers” take back what we fought hard to make happen last year, and they are starting by winning local and statewide elections. President Obama will be impotent without any allies in these seats; he cannot do this without votes and support on the state and local levels, and only we can make sure people that’ll support his ideas remain or get in those offices.

As always, “Talks” community, what are some of your feelings?

Posted in Barack Obama, Congress, Democrats, Health Care, House of Representatives, Liberal, Politics, Public Option, Special Interest Groups, Voting, political leanings, senate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Health Care Reform-Public Option

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Henry

Harry Reid surprised everyone by proposing that the health care reform bill, that will be voted on in the Senate, includes a robust public option. This is a very exciting development for liberals and progressives. Also, an important development for the American people, since it would lower health care costs for us and lower the burden to taxpayers. Everyone that is concerned about health care costs, being able to get coverage after getting sick, and wanting to see all of our fellow Americans, who don’t have coverage now, have the ability to obtain insurance, needs to call their Senators and demand what a large majority of Americans want-CHOICE!!! And for all of the fiscally conservative, the Congressional Budget Office(CBO) has scored the bill such that it will save close to $500-$800 Billion per in savings from waste, fraud, and unproductive methodology.

“Talks” Community, let me know how you feel about this issue.

Posted in Barack Obama, Congress, Democrats, Health Care, Liberal, Politics, Public Option | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Journey To Political Leanings

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Henry

Today, I had the opportunity to read a person’s tome about the process she has taken in developing her political views and how that has defined her politically. It’s interesting to see the level of importance some put as to what label they would like to give themselves. Whether it be liberal, conservative, progressive, or moderate, some in society put too much emphasis on each.

As we have even seen on this blog, THSquare has been labeled a Socialist Democrat, so now I’m even a poly-political based pundit. Even with the offensive diatribes from the less than polite, it does make one want to look at what has bought him or her to where they are intellectually and politically. The young lady I mentioned gave a thorough explanation of her journey to her political leanings and came to some very interesting conclusions. I plan, in a subsequent post, to tell my readers of my journey to my ideological axis, but, now, I would like to hear how members of the “Talks” community made that journey and what shaped their thought patterns and behavior, so have at it. I am sure we will get a wide variety and excellent insights into how we make this thing called democracy work.

Posted in Conservative, Democracy, Democrats, Liberal, Moderate, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Barack Obama Wins the Nobel Peace Prize

Posted on October 10, 2009 by Henry

Can our President wake up in the morning anymore without some of our un-American brothers and sisters, like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, having nothing but vitriol and venom to spew his way? The man cannot get a break!! Instead of doing the civilized and decent thing that most people around the world did by congratulating Mr. Obama for his prestigious honor, many people chose to degrade and demean him, as if he had campaign for the prize himself. However, I won’t dignify these unpatriotic beings anymore on this post here at the “Talks” community.

Our President was given the Nobel Peace Prize sort of unexpectedly but certainly not undeservedly. Let’s look at the “body of work”. He has restored America’s reputation around the world as a leader that will take the helm in heading up global diplomacy for peace and stability in a stable and coherent manner. The US is not seen as a rogue “cowboy” nation acting alone with no regards to anyone else’s feelings in regards to world issues; that, in and of itself, has calmed the world’s nerves and kept everyone from wondering when or where would be the next country we would invade for no cause. Barack Obama has worked to implement a nuclear non-proliferation treaty that has alluded many a president before him and has committed this country to be at the forefront of solving the world’s climate control problems. As he said in his most humble speech, this award does challenge him to accomplish more, but don’t the great ones always look to do more than what they’ve already accomplished?

“Talks” community, let me know what you think about this situation.

Posted in Barack Obama, Glenn Beck, Nobel Peace Prize, Nuclear non-proliferation, Politics, Rush Limbaugh | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Teddy

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Henry

The title says it all. His name was Edward Moore Kennedy, but his family and the nation knew him as Teddy. The Liberal Lion of the Senate left his physical body early this morning to go join those souls that spend their time fighting for causes outside of themselves. Now, there will be those who may think it will be debatable as to whether or not, based on prior actions, Ted Kennedy is going to Heaven or to some other lessen place for tortured souls, but I propose to you that he is in God’s bosom tonight.

Ted Kennedy spent four decades fighting for the people who don’t have the millions of dollars to hire lobbyists to influence policy in government, even though he was born into a life of fortune. He believed in the practice, not just the saying, of the words of our Constitution; that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain liberties. He also believed, that when people were being denied their place at the table of fairness in American life, in fighting tooth and nail for everyone’s rights. Teddy was “old school”; he wasn’t a demagogue, like what passes for politicians and political commentators are today. He had friends on both sides of the aisle of the Senate, no matter how much they disagreed on an issue.

That is what civil democracy is about, not the foolishness we’re seeing today, for example at these town hall meetings. Who ever thought we would see people “open carrying” weapons to political gatherings and using references to Hitler and Nazis against the President. This isn’t free speech; this is pure ignorance. Ted Kennedy and Orin Hatch hardly ever agreed politically on anything, but you would never see neither of them speak with the type of hatred that demagogues like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and others are ginning up in some of our citizens.

Finally, let’s say our final prayer for Senator Kennedy, The Lion of the Senate, and push our legislators to pass meaningful health care reform in this country in his memory. When we hear those who will want to bring up those parts of his life, such as Chappaquiddick, we’ll remind them that we are choosing to remember the wonderful things Teddy did in his life, and that he has made amends for those not so happy episodes with himself and his God.

Let me know how you feel “Talks” community. Please forward my link to your friends and encourage them to read my blog.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Henry

Talks Community,

It’s been awhile because of my nagging back surgery complications, but the honeymoon with our beloved President Barack Obama is coming to an end. My first issue is the totally insane military directive concerning gay Americans in the military called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. This is the asinine prospect of a gay member of the armed services being able to serve our country honorably and not being asked by his or her superiors if they are gay, but that person cannot let it be known in any way that he or she is gay also. Many good servicemen and women have been discharged, some badly needed Arab interpreters, for no other reason than this.

How can we not allow people to serve the USA honorably, which less than 1% of our citizens do, if they have to live in the shadows or live lies as to who they are. My position is that troop morale and the ability to recruit new troops if this policy is dropped is pure propaganda from the many homophobic people that live in our communities. Now here is the kicker. One of the most homophobic, if not the most homophobic community, in the country is the Black community, which is totally disgraceful.

This is one of the last civil rights issues our country faces, and it should be faced head on by our president. President Obama has been non-commital in his response to several situations in which he should have stepped up for the gay community. And, it has only been in the last two days that he has signed a billed granting some benefits to gay couples, which doesn’t include health benefits, due to the fact that a major fundraiser that many influential and affluent gay attendees were threatening to pull out. Based on the latest fundraiser that President Obama had for the DSCC & DRCC, he needs to boost the fundraising prowess of the party. He bought in approximately $8 million for that function, where our former president had routinely bought in over $20 million for these important functions, because they lay the groundwork for proper financing for the upcoming mid-term elections.

The Democrats most loyal constituents are being neglected by this president over issues that have not proven to be extremely controversial, and, even if they were, the president has to remember those who have been with him from the beginning and not focus so much on this “Team of Rivals” concept, which will be my next subject.

“Talks”, let me know how you feel.

THSquare

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Health Care-A Right or a Privilege?

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Henry

There has been a decades long fight by progressives for comprehensive health care reform. With that fight has come an even more relentless “push” by the insurance lobby to keep all Americans from being assured of health care, no matter their circumstances.

The United States is the only industrialized country in the world that doesn’t have some form of universal health care, and this is a moral issue that needs to be addressed. My position is that health care is a right of all Americans, and that right is assured by our moral authority as the lone remaining superpower on this planet. The first argument one might hear is that anyone who believes in universal health care feels that this country is veering towards socialism. My retort to those people is that do they expect to receive Social Security payments or Medicare insurance, once they are eligible? Those entitlement programs are based on socialistic principles and have worked to keep are seniors and disadvantaged somewhat financially stable and to have access to health care. Health care in this country is a RIGHT!!

“Talks” community weigh in and let me know where you stand on this subject.

THSquare

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