The President's Amazing Eulogy

The media seemed to focus solely on the two minutes of the President breaking into song. The real message is in the other 35 minutes of this extraordinary speech. While I may not subscribe to the religious overtones that frame this eulogy, the message of racism, gun violence and how we need to come together in the face of such tragedies is inspiring. Take the time to listen to this eulogy in its entirety. It is time well spent. 

Despite all the haters, the deniers, the bigots and obstructionists that make up conservative America; despite all those that wish to destroy this presidency even if it puts our Nation at risk, President Obama will truly go down in history as a great moral leader for our country.

When the Duck Quacks...

The debate over comments made by Duck Dynasty's patriarch, Phil Robertson is raging. Yes, he has every right to speak his opinion, and yes A&E as a private enterprise has every right to suspend or fire him at will.

My bet is that the two sides will kiss and make up. Its all about the money, and DD has the highest rated show on the network and likely brings in the highest ad revenues. All first amendment rights and protecting A&E's brand will be thrown by the wayside as both sides find a way to keep the profits flowing.

For me, what is most revealing about this incident is the clash of cultures. I am talking about modern urban professionals versus the southern rural redneck cultures. I have been alarmed over the last few years at the glorification and elevation of the Rednecks in our popular culture. We've seen it not only on TV shows, but in country music and Tea Party politics.

While most of the time these rednecks seem like harmless fun lovin' good ole' boys, its always been apparent to me what makes up the foundation of that culture. Phil Robertson's remarks brought those values to the surface. His comments regarding gay equality, race relations, and Christian fundamentalism speak volumes about the redneck value system. You can laugh with them, sing songs about them or glorify their lifestyle. But you can't escape the bigotry and intolerance that pervades that culture. Phil Robertson has reminded us what Rednecks are really all about.

GOP Update - Shaking My Head

Now that the Republican manufactured crisis has ended (at least temporarily). Here is something to ponder:

Despite the GOP nearly sending our country to into default, costing our economy an estimated $24 billion dollars and even despite the bloody eye that the Republican brand has inflicted on itself, 144 Republican Congressmen (including Paul Ryan) voted NO to reopen the government. In other words, they still believe they should pursue the government shutdown and risk defaulting on our debt. SMH

House GOP: Bullying and Extortion

As the threat of government shutdown and debt crisis continues, lets examine the strategy and tactics of the Tea Party controlled Republican party that orchestrated this crisis.

First, Boehner needs to agree to extending the debt limits and re-open government funding before negotiations can commence. The extreme right wing faction of one political party cannot impose their minority views on the majority of Americans by threats of shutting down the government and placing our economy in jeopardy. Also, a short term extension may end the current crisis, but will only prolong the agony.

Above all, Congressional "leaders" need to get the message that bullying and extortion are not tactics for negotiation that can be tolerated by this or future administrations.

The Republican Party, taken over by Tea Party extremists, must live in a bubble. We just got through the general election. The results were pretty clear that the Tea Party's political and social agenda, including destroying Obamacare, does not reflect the views of the majority of Americans. The Affordable Care Act has been passed into law, survived over 40 attempts to be overturned by Congressional Republicans and upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court. This latest tactic is merely a childish attempt to "get their way" through holding our government and economy hostage.

Lets be honest here. This isn't even about "Obamacare". It's a vitriol, caustic, hatred against Barack Obama, the first African-American President (there, I said it... There is at least some racism at the core of this movement). That hatred is manifested by the Republicans total obstruction of any and every piece of legislation supported by this President. We have seen it with the Affordable Care Act, Jobs bills, sensible gun safety legislation, immigration policy, and the list goes on. It's obvious that Republicans want to sabotage this government at any cost, even if the American people must suffer.

It's as if shutting down the government and defaulting on our debt is the Republican's way of punishing the country for electing President Obama. This is simply a stupid, self-defeating strategy that ultimately will destroy their own political future.