Author Archives: speakingthosethings

About speakingthosethings

Music lover with a voracious appetite for politics and current events.

It’s Not About the Deficit…

What I have decided to do is just keep posting about how bogus the Republican party is in their propaganda campaign regarding the deficit. Republicans run up deficits, but they rail against the deficit when Democrats are in the power seat. Here are a few good pieces regarding the deficit, austerity, sequestration, blah, blah, blah…you get the point.

What’s driving the deficits from The Maddow Blog

How Premature Austerity Caused A Recession And The Market Crash Of 1937 from Business Insider

The Sequester Begins to Fester from Jared Bernstein’s blog On The Economy

Boehner on sequester: ‘I don’t know whether it’s going to hurt the economy’ from Politico

We’ve reduced the deficit and hurt the short-term economy from Wonkblog

Supreme Court to weigh ongoing validity of voting rights law

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Supreme Court on Wednesday [02.27.2013] will consider whether to strike down a key provision of a federal law designed to protect minority voters.

During the one-hour oral argument, the nine justices will hear the claim made by officials from Shelby County, Alabama, that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is no longer needed.

The key issue is whether Congress has the authority under the 15th Amendment, which gave African Americans the right to vote, to require some states, mainly in the South, to show that any proposed election-law change would not discriminate against minority voters.

Conservative activists and local officials in some jurisdictions covered by the provision have long complained about it, saying that it is an unacceptable infringement on state sovereignty.

Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow with the conservative Heritage Foundation who formerly worked in the Justice Department’s civil rights division, said that the “terrible history” that warranted Section 5’s intrusion on state authority was over.

So let’s ask Ms. Desilene Victor a 102 year old Florida voter if that “terrible history” is over. It took Ms. Desilene six hours to vote during the 2012 Presidential Election. A bill has been introduced by Florida State Senator Oscar Braynon.

Senator Braynon’s bill–SB 888 or Desiline’s Free and Fair Democracy Act–hopes to “modernize the state’s voting system and enshrine the right to vote into state law,” according to an Advancement Project press release.

The White House: A Balanced Plan to Avert the Sequester and Reduce the Deficit

I thought I would post President Barack Obama’s plan to avert the sequester cuts, because I am tired of listening to lying Republicans like Boehner and McConnell who say that they are waiting on a plan from the White House. The GOP is still the Party of “NO”; no conscience, no sense and no help for the American people. Republicans are raging because of the results of the re-election of President Barack Obama, the results of the fiscal cliff and their hatred for the first black President. Republicans are clearly looking to score points with their bigoted, extreme right-wing fringe by simply refusing to cooperate with the President. The GOP are willing to tank the American economy with their irresponsible and seditious behavior.

Kudos to President Obama for traveling to key areas in the country that will be affected by the sequester. He is telling the truth about the impact of these cuts, and the GOP can’t bear the truth.

Only Congress can avoid this self-inflicted wound to our economy and middle class families, and the only thing standing in the way of a solution today is Congressional Republicans’ refusal to even consider closing tax loopholes that benefit wealthy Americans and well-connected corporations.

Trayvon Martin: One Year Later

Sadly, today is the anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin, and the parents of Trayvon Martin will hold a hoodie vigil to commemorate the tragic anniversary of their son’s death. One year later, the Stand Your Ground law remains in Florida, and it will likely be in force for the foreseeable future. The Zimmerman trial is set for June, 2013. Oddly enough, the Zimmerman legal defense is no longer using the Stand Your Ground law in his defense. Zimmerman’s lawyers know that they cannot defend their client under that law.

The Trayvon Martin murder is just another sad reminder that black life in America is not valued. Yes, I think he was racially profiled by George Zimmerman and murdered. I am convinced, as well, that if Trayvon Martin were a white male killed under similar circumstances, the Sanford, Florida Police Department would have handled the murder suspect very differently. The Zimmerman case is riddled with the racial dysfunction that plagues this country.

What also must be addressed as part of this country’s racial dysfunction is black on black murder. Everyday, murders occur in the Hood. No, the media does not cover it because it is not considered newsworthy. After all, it’s just black people killing each other, right? All these murders, whether mass or one-on-one are all the more reason for gun control.

Stand Your Ground is law in Florida thanks to the scurrilous influence of the gun lobby and other wealthy advocates. This law only promotes vigilantism which puts all Floridians at a greater risk of gun violence. Those most threatened by this kind of law are black men, and black people in general. After all, the Second Amendment was written in part to appease southern militia whose sole purpose was to control the black slaves.

Rest in peace, Trayvon Martin and condolences to the family once again.

On The Economy: Sequester, Revenues, and Timing

Jared Bernstein’s blog On The Economy breaks down how the Republicans could have had a much better deal on spending cuts a few months ago. A combination of timing and GOP sedition are bringing the country to the economic brink, yet again. Republicans refuse to govern with the first black President. How many more scenarios like this do we need to draw this conclusion?

Oscar: And the Winner Is…

I wonder how many people were shocked last night that Quentin Tarantino won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. I, personally, was rooting for Tarantino who has a history of making feel-good, yet bloody, retribution films, e.g., Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2, Inglorious Basterds and now Django. Now, the Donald is mouthing off that Django Unchained is “racist”. Although, I think DT is absolutely wrong in his assessment, I will say that it takes one to know one.

One of the highlights for me was Dame Shirley Bassey’s singing of the classic Bond flim theme song, Goldfinger. I love James Bond films. My guilty pleasure. The biggest surprise of the night was the presentation of Best Picture to Argo by the first lady Michelle Obama. The right-wingnuts were making all kinds of stupid and racist comments on Twitter about the First Lady’s appearance. As usual, Mrs. Obama looked great and was, in my opinion, the icing on the cake.

I cannot get out of this post without mentioning Ang Lee’s, Life of Pi, which won four Oscars total, another suprise to many. I really enjoyed this film and found it visually stunning (saw it in 3D even). You must see this film in 3D. It’s no wonder it won for Cinematography and Visual Effects. Ang Lee films are beautiful.

The Oscars overall were better this year than in years past, but I could tell that Seth McFarlane’s jokes were not landing well with many of Hollywood’s elite in the audience. His reference to certain Hispanics Hollywood actors looking better in appearance than their accents sounded was ignorant and in poor taste. Apparently, his list of offenses during the show were numerous. If the Oscars bring him back next year, he needs to work on producing smarter, less juvenile material.

bluntandcranky

Mr. Blunt and Cranky is crankier than usual, due to an argument with a sheet of ice (the ice won). To paraphrase Spider-Man, with great bluntandcrankiness comes great responsibility; so he shall utilize the excess crankitude in the service of good this week. Today, the Sequester shall become the Target O’ Crank; in particular, the lies that are being told about it, and the crap job being done by our “news” media in their “reporting” on the subject.

The history of the Sequester reveals a more complicated picture than that painted by the Teapublicans and their media mouthpieces. When reading the coverage and listening to the Congresscritters and Senators talk, you’d think that the Prexy is supposed to pass a budget and fix the problem. ‘Tain’t so, Joe.

According to the laws that govern our nation, it is the job of Congress to pass a budget. All the President can…

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The New Republic: Original Sin

Sam Tanenhaus writes a compelling article in The New Republic about the inevitable decline of the GOP if it remains the party of just white people, which is its current trend. The GOP not only needs to change its messengers, it needs to change its message. The Republican Party of the present day is certainly not the party of Lincoln, but, more apparently, the party of John C. Calhoun. Conservatism has become the code word for bigotry with many Republicans channeling Jim Crow Dixiecrats. I’m happy to say that the Southern Strategy is exposed and failing.

…the GOP is in jeopardy, the gravest since 1964, of ceasing to be a national party.

The article offers a great history lesson of conservatism and the GOP in America. During the 20th century, liberalism is equated to communism. Sound familiar? But Tanenhaus details that John C. Calhoun, pro-slavery politician and author of “nullification” (also known as state’s rights) influenced countless conservatives for more than a century, including William F. Buckley, Jim Crow proponent and the founder of National Review magazine, Barry Goldwater and the GOP icon, Ronald Reagan.

The politics of “nullification” is nothing new yet it is veiled in the rhetoric and claims of “big government”. It is simply the desire of some conservatives, to no longer be a part of our democratic collective. Tax avoidance is the ploy used to “starve the beast” or make sure that certain groups or factions that are deemed undesirable by the extreme right-wing do not benefit from taxpayer dollars.

We hear the echoes of nullification in the venting of anti-government passions and also in campaigns to “starve government,” curtail voter registration, repeal legislation, delegitimize presidents. There is a strong sectionalist bias in these efforts.

As Tanenhaus asserts, the GOP strategy is a losing strategy stuck in a bygone era of white supremacy. The country has changed both philosophically and demographically, but I surmise the GOP will be the last to acknowledge that fact.

The State of the Union, Stronger

Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is stronger.

I am frequently inspired by President Obama, and tonight was no exception. I thought Mr. Obama’s State of Union speech was very good overall. It was well-delivered and touched on the policy issues that are at the forefront some of our country’s most vigorous debates — gun control, immigration reform and sequestration to name a few. The speech was chock full of policy and struck a tone that demonstrates that Mr. Obama is leading in his second term with a greater resolve.

The surprise for many in the speech was the President’s proposal to raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour, and his announcement to bring 34,000 American troops home from Afghanistan this year. Great news after 10 years of war. The President also brought several visionary, forward thinking ideas to the speech, but what I found most interesting about the speech was Mr. Obama’s vision for America’s economic future through innovation. As well, Mr. Obama’s vision for education in America from preschool to post-secondary remains a consistent theme in many of his speeches. The Washington Post highlights five takeaways from the State of the Union speech, and the Los Angeles Times provides a breakdown by topic.

For me, what separates Mr. Obama from so many other leaders in American politics today is his focus, perseverance and willingness to be a pioneer and trendsetter in the face of great obstinacy and resistance from the GOP. His Presidency is progressing toward being truly transformational for the future of the United States. Forward.

Dorner and the LAPD

A must read is Davey D’s Hip Hop Corner piece about the former cop, now fugitive, Christopher Dorner. The manhunt for Christopher Dorner may uncover more than just his whereabouts. Apparently, there is still a lot of dirt going on inside the LAPD.

Per reports from the Associated Press, Christopher Dorner is now dead.

AP VIDEO: Manhunt for rogue ex-LAPD officer ends in flames at cabin: http://apne.ws/X74ukh – VW

BREAKING: Sheriff’s spokeswoman says charred human remains found in rubble of burned cabin in California http://apne.ws/XyQVxl