The Marriage Between NASCAR and the Confederate Flag is Over

As a 60-something year-old woman, I used to say I never thought I'd see the day when we would actually elect a black man for President.  Then, lo and behold, young people in this country decided it was time for REAL CHANGE and galvanized to elect Barack Obama as our 44th Commander-in-Chief.

Another thing I never thought I'd live to see was the dissolution of the relationship between NASCAR and the confederate flag. That happened on this date June 10, 2020.
The move came after the only black driver on the NASCAR circuit, Bubba Wallace, came out two days earlier urging officials to ban the flag from all events. (I have to admit I didn't know he was black with a name like Bubba) But it's like that old E.F Hutton commercial, remember:  "When E.F. Hutton Speaks, people listen..."

NASCAR statement

"The presence of the confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry. Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”

What I found interesting about this statement is that it called their events a "welcoming and inclusive environment for ALL fans..." and that the flag was a deterrent.  I don't know about you but I never thought of NASCAR as a welcoming environment for anyone other than lower class and rural whites.  I certainly could be wrong about that but at the one and ONLY race I ever went to I felt like I was in the midst of a KKK rally and everyone communicated  like they only went as far as the 6th grade. I've never understood why the flag was always associated with their sports racing events. 

But now NASCAR has jumped on the bandwagon of those companies who are attempting to march in step with the current climate of the country.   For more than two weeks (as of this writing), people have taken to the streets all over the country and around the world to demand justice for the police killing for George Floyd and against systemic racism.  Young, old, black, white, Asian and Latino are raising one shared voice, which hasn't been heard in more than 50 years.

This is a good move for NASCAR but I'm wondering what the fallout will be.  You see, the confederacy still has a stronghold in some places, primarily the South. And NASCAR is REALLY BIG in Darlington, SC, Ridgeville, VA (Martinsville Speedway), Charlotte, NC (Charlotte Motor Speedway) to name a few.  

Stay tuned for the next episode because as well all know there can be something called "reconciliation." After all, when you have a 70 plus year history with something, is it really that easy to just walk away?

Stop Lumping ALL Older Black Folks Together

While watching CNN recently, I listened to the commentators talk about the impact the black vote will have on who gets the nod in the Democratic party to run for President.  The general consensus was (backed up by a recent  Poll) that Joe Biden had an overwhelming amount of support from black people age 65 and older. According to Michael Nutter, a former Philadelphia Mayor and current Democratic National Committee member, the assumption is, "You go with what you know.  A lot of folks know Joe Biden.  There's power and loyalty in that."  Why?  Because he was President Obama's VP?  He, just like many of the other white candidates, are pimping the black vote.

I'm not quite in that age group but I'm close enough and, for the record, I am NOT on the Joe Biden bandwagon.  As a matter of fact, most of the people in my circle aren't in his camp.  Many of us haven't forgotten how disrespectful he was to Professor Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings AND the fact that he didn't offer an apology until he officially entered the presidential race.  Those of us who read and listen to more than one news source may recall some comments printed back in 1975 when he was a Senator.  He was quoted by a Delaware publication as saying:

"I don't feel responsible for the sins of my father and grandfather.  I feel responsible for what the situation is today for the sins of my own generation, and I'll be damned if I feel responsible to pay for what happened 300 years ago."

If you watched the most recent Democratic debate, you saw him avoid answering the question when a reporter brought up the comments he made in 1975.  Instead, he rambled on about how some black parents don't really know how to raise their kids.

Putting Joe Biden front and center as the CHOICE of the Democratic party is another media ploy---just like the media couldn't get enough of the soundbites and antics of Donald Trump during his presidential run.  I've said it before and will continue to say it:  The media is responsible for putting Trump in the White House.

Here's the truth about polls:  They can be shaped anyway you choose for the result you want.  I don't actually know what "overwhelming support by black voters 65 and older" actually means because I don't know how many voters were actually surveyed for the responses provided.  I do know that if you only interviewed 1000 people and more than 600 said they support Biden, that could be viewed as overwhelming support but interviewing only 1000 black people 65 and over is ridiculous when the population is more than four million.

I vote faithfully EVERY ELECTION even though I do feel, sometimes, that my vote holds little value (especially after the 2016 Russian interference).

If any political pundits do happen to read this, please be advised I am not on the Joe Biden bandwagon and I would appreciate it if you respect the fact that not all of us speak with the same voice when it comes to politics.  Thank you very much.

Donald Trump and the Deplorable Rich Misfits

When whites mistreat or stab black people in the back, it's not surprising but when they do it to each other, you have to believe the world might be coming to an end.

Donald Trump leaves everyone, except his deplorable base, shaking their heads day in and day out with the way he treats the white men he CHOSE to surround him during this debacle of a presidency.

Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus were both pushed out of their White House roles by Trump's newest pit bull, Anthony Scaramucci who has vowed his undying loyalty and commitment to the leader of the deplorables.


Now we all know, much has been said about the people who voted to put Donald Trump in the White House.  The media, and the so-called "expert" political analysts had to back track and admit they got it wrong (all but CNN's Don Lemon who, on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, did declare Trump could very well win).

I do believe Trump's victory was a surprise to him and I also believe he was fully aware of Russia's meddling and was prepared to use it AGAINST Hillary had she won instead.  I also believe there were people who weren't happy with the policies of the Obama Administration and others were simply exercising their right to be racist at the ballot box.  Those people came out in droves.  According to Pew Research, 67 percent of uneducated whites voted for Trump compared to 61 percent in 2012.  They have since become known as The Deplorables---a name Hillary referenced in talking about the behavior of his supporters at his campaign rallies  The name has since taken on a new life with thousands of people jumping on the bandwagon to identify themselves as one of them while they continue to stand by their "deplorable" president.  There was a DeploraBall as a part of the Inauguration activities and a Facebook group created to pump out all the #FAKE NEWS it can.

But here's another telling statistic according to Pew:  Trump won whites WITH a college degree by a margin of 49 to 45 percent over Clinton.  Now why is this important?  It is because too much attention has been paid to the uneducated, poor white trash who came out of the Hills and Rural America to have their voices heard.  But college educated whites were making a statement too.  They preferred Trump over Hillary for whatever reason.  But let me take it one step further.  What about the folks making $200K or more?  Not all of them are college educated.  They were the silent among us.  I call them the Deplorable Rich Misfits.  Yes, they're the dissenters who disguised themselves as someone else with their money.   They probably weren't ever polled and, if they were, they probably didn't tell the truth about who they would be voting for.  Listen, the more money people make, the more likelihood they voted for Trump especially if they are white men---and as I always believe, white women married to wealthy white men will do as they're told to hang on to the lifestyle they've become accustomed to. Another point is the fact that whites over the age of 65 preferred Trump over Hillary by a margin of 53 to 45 percent.

Surely, there are still some things that don't add up.  How could Hillary win the popular vote by nearly 3 million and lose the electoral vote?  It's happened 5 times in all (the first three all in the 1800's)--with the most recent being in 2000 when George W. Bush stole---I mean won the electoral vote, while losing the popular vote by 540,000 to Al Gore.  There was something about malfunctioning voter machines and people being turned away from the polls.

As a veteran journalist, I believe Trump won because the exit polls simply didn't do a very good job at polling and he had a lot of help from the silent majority known as the Deplorable Rich Misfits---consisting primarily of rich old white men, who are rallying around him looking for his favor.

I'm just waiting to see where the ax will fall next.

Why Do Republicans Have to Be Asked to Embrace Diversity

As a veteran journalist, I try real hard not to get caught up into the political arena but, the truth of the matter is, no matter how objective we tell you we are about the subject, we all still have OPINIONS.  And  those opinions come shining through in some form or fashion.  No one---and let me repeat that---no one is purely objective when it comes to anything.

With that being said, I recently read an interesting article in the Tampa Bay Times, where GOP presidential contender Jeb Bush is quoted as asking his fellow republicans to embrace diversity if they expect to win the Presidency.

Here's my question:  why does anyone from either party have to make such a plea?  If you are running for President of the United States of America, you should automatically be thinking "diversity" and "inclusiveness."  The President doesn't represent some of the people---although Donald Trump might have you believe that.

The major problem with the republican party is they have been so focused of appeasing their constituents (and donors) only.  They have blinders on and refuse to see the entire country--the good, bad, ugly, sexism, classism and racism that exists, along with homophobia.  But republicans weren't always like that.  In my history class I learned that southern Democrats (or Dixicrats) were the true racist political party so perhaps BOTH parties need a lesson or two on diversity.  Or perhaps, we need to revamp the entire two-party political system which, in this journalist's opinion, is a joke.

I do think Jeb makes a great point when he says, "Republicans will never win the presidency if they don't campaign in every nook and cranny of the country."  That means going into the inner cities, addressing the police shootings, showing empathy for poverty and having a PLAN to deal with those issues.

But I can't help but question the irony here:  When Jeb was making his remarks, he was speaking to a predominately older white audience in North New Hampshire.

Where's the diversity Jeb?

To read the entire article about Jeb Bush asking the GOP to embrace diversity click here:  GOP Diversity?

The Kennedy Impact Was Far Reaching

It's one thing to talk the talk--but how many people actually walk the walk of their talk? We all know Senator Ted Kennedy did a lot of talking during his 40 plus years in politics. We also know he followed up that talk with action.

During his years in the United States Senate, Kennedy fought many battles for the rights of others.

In 1964, for example, he gave the first speech to the Senate urging passage of the Civil Rights Act and outlawing segregation in public accommodations. He also supported the Economic Opportunity Act, which established programs like Head Start and the Job Corps.

Ten years later, Kennedy introduced comprehensive legislation for national health insurance. Then in 1975, he sponsored the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which later became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, requiring a free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities in every state.

In 1979, as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he encouraged selection of women and minorities in judicial nominations.

Nearly 20 years later, his home state of Massachusetts, appointed it's first African-American to the State Supreme Court. Judge Roderick Ireland became the first African-American to sit on this bench in its over three hundred year history. That's one appointment I am personally giving Senator Kennedy credit for.

Judge Ireland also happens to be my daughter's godfather.

My Changing View of America

Reprinted with permission:

I've been thinking all wrong! I've been wondering who America is and what America has become, trying to find a national destiny if one even existed any more. America is not the America of my grandparents...not by a long shot. Did you ever see a Norman Rockwell painting of an an African American family on vacation at the beach? How about an Asian American family with the grandmother in the back of a Woody heading for the north woods? Or what about a Mexican American boy looking googly-eyed at his Arab American girlfriend over ice cream sodas in the corner drug store. Or how about a Caucasian husband, carving knife and fork in hand, practically drooling over a Thanksgiving turkey his ebony wife is lowering onto the holiday table surrounded by their mixed race children with black grandparents and white grandparents grinning and looking on with delight?

Who are we? What are we? Can anyone tell?

I have made the mistake...and I'm just realizing it...in believing that America's identity lies in its past somewhere where things and people were better, but that is a fallacy. There has been trouble and evil all through history in every culture and civilization, and America is no different. It just hurts more because America has had an opportunity to be a nation of promise, hope and freedom and is using that freedom to make itself nominal. We are Rome. We are Greece. We are Good. We are Evil. But no nation has done better. Many have done worse. America is becoming what it is to be.

I have, until today, been frustrated by the mixing of cultures (notice I did not say "races") that, to my mind, erodes the spiritual bedrock upon which America was founded. But today, for the first time, I saw what America truly is...and I cried at my hardness of heart, lack of understanding and selfish, short-minded thinking.

Instead of a confusing mass of people with nothing in common generally, I saw today a glimpse of Heaven. And, even though Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour in America, this melting pot we call The United Sates of America is surely a representation of heaven with its diversity of men, angels and creatures; a diversity that makes us complete, not separate. It is love that is missing in America, not not the right political party or candidate.

Every time we say to ourselves or others, "If so and so gets in office it will mark the beginning of the end," we should step back and lecture ourselves on how to trust God again. The Lord won't allow great things to go amiss in our country if his people seek him. At the same time, we can't change the direction of our country by simply voting for a particular presidential candidate, we must influence our country's direction more by becoming involved in life at a local level, at a heart level. Instead, however, many take the lazy approach and only get amped up about the major elections and the like. It is similar with Christians who go to church and prophesy or preach or teach or simply complain and yet don't do anything outside the church.

Think of what we are really saying when we argue over politics. Are we suggesting that a particular political party is more godly than another? Is there not great fault among us all? And how can we ever change the world through politics? Obviously the platforms represented by politicians can change society, but do the platforms change the hearts of those in the society?

Christians have benefited from the political environment created in the United States but perhaps to their own detriment. We are not the new Israel. Our nation is not simply a piece of geography on the North American continent. Our home is not of this world, it is a spiritual kingdom. Are we really any earthly good according to how God measures goodness? We're really good at becoming indignant, and we're very accomplished at threatening with God's judgement, but how good are we at living life the way Jesus and the prophets have laid it out?

We should vote. We should have opinions...strong ones, but we should not fear for the future because a particular candidate gets in office. That reveals a lack of trust in the Lord. He is in control and will have his way in the earth. And although we may speed his will with our obedience, or delay his will with our rebellion, His will be done. God's works are more evident in hard times, so why should we dread them? He says he can work better through the weak than through the strong, so why should we fear not being as powerful as another nation? He says we should pray for our enemies, so why don't we?

The next time we are tempted to become animated over politics, we should ask ourselves when was the last time we committed an act of charity? Have we changed the world around us? Made an impact on a neighbor? What will change for the better in our spiritual lives if our candidate gets in office? Pray for America and our leaders. Pray that we will come to repentance as a nation without having to endure terrible hardship. Pray that God will show his love to our enemies, for if we can't do this, there is no hope for us at all. And if we do, the Lord will truly be glorified through us!

In Christ,
Tim

Say It Ain't So Joe the Plumber

The most famous person in America is not JOE-Mama. It’s Joe the Plumber. As soon as presidential hopeful Barack Obama mentioned his name during the last debate, opponent John McCain grabbed hold of it like a pit bull and wouldn’t let up.

Joe the Plumber became the voice for every hard-working “wanna be self-employed” man in America. Initially I was proud of Joe because he represented my home state of Ohio---but then, as all good journalists do, I started looking into his background and what I found now makes me think he was a “plant” for the Republican Party.

First of all, Joe said he was a plumber and would like to buy a plumbing business but was worried about Obama's planned tax increases on small business owners earning more than $250,000. Well, what Joe failed to mention was that he makes no where near $250,000 and, furthermore, he doesn’t even have a license to do his job. The county Joe and his employer live in, Lucas County, requires plumbers to have licenses. So what’s up with that Joe?

Another thing, Joe admitted later on that he doesn't have a good plan put together on how he would buy Newell Plumbing and Heating from his boss. He said he's worked there for six years and that the two have talked about his taking it over at some point. Just how long is “some point?” It could be next week or it could be in 10 years. Surely Obama won’t be in office by then.

"There's a lot I've got to learn," Joe the Plumber told a reporter.

Joe, you said it right. There’s A LOT you need to learn so here’s my advice: Meet Joan—The Teacher. She’s someone who went to school, got a degree (license) and could certainly teach you a thing or two---especially if you’re required to take some kind of test to get your plumber’s license.

Who is Adam Brickley?

Since learning of college student Adam Brickley’s connection to Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, I have been intrigued to find out about him. He's really piqued my curiosity. I guess its just in my blood as a veteran journalist.

So here’s what I’ve discovered about the 21-year-old University of Colorado senior. This information was taken directly from one of his blogs. He calls himself Elephantman:

His favorite books include:

• "Breaking the Real Axis of Evil" by Mark Palmer
• "Conclave" by Greg Tobin
• "All the Best...George Bush" George H.W. Bush
• "Cocaine: An Unauthorized Biography" by Dominic Streatfield
• "The Humanitarian With the Guillotine" by Isabel Paterson


He lists his favorite music as: Country Music in General (among other artists).

I also learned that Adam was initially a Rudy Giuliani for President supporter. He still has a link to Giuliani’s campaign site on his ConservaGlobe blog. As you all know, Giuliani dropped out of the race in January 2008 and endorsed John McCain.

On Sunday, March 4, 2007 Adam wrote on his Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President blog:

The only way to kick-start talk of a Palin candidacy is for the bloggers like us to band together to show our support. Otherwise, the media and the political establishment will remain blissfully unaware that there are other VP options beyond the current presidential candidates.

Show the world that you want a new face on the ticket in 2008 by becoming a Blogger for Palin!

I also discovered he receives an annual scholarship from the: Phillips Foundation Ronald Reagan College Scholarships Fund.

Baby Boomer Obama Wins Big in NC

Despite the fact that North Carolina’s Governor went against the grain and endorsed Hillary Clinton, it was fellow baby boomer Barack Obama who came out the big winner during Tuesday’s Primary election.

The numbers are beyond impressive! Obama won a lopsided victory by more than 200,000 votes. With 99 percent of the votes counted:

Barack Obama 887,186
Hillary Clinton 654,484

What is even more astonishing is the fact that nearly 1.5 million votes were cast (by Democrats) in the race. According to the NC Board of Elections, there are 2,633,502 registered democratic voters (as of 5/7/08). More than 100,000 new voters were added to the rolls just for this election.

Never in the history of NC voting has there ever been a turnout like this. Yes, Obama overwhelmingly won the black vote, but he clearly crossed over racial lines and received a significant number of white votes as well. (The media’s not talking about that!)

Even though I’m not a fan of FOX News, they reported some interesting statistics:

74% of voters with college degrees voted for Obama
56% of voters with no degree voted for Obama

69% of first-time voters voted for Obama
61% of Obama voters were under 30 (my daughter was one of them).

Obama received 92% of the black vote
Obama received 61% of white women

If you want to learn more about how the early voting went, see my report by clicking on the title of this blog.

Listen Up Tavis: You're not Oprah!

I guess it’s my turn to weigh on the controversy surrounding Obama’s no-show at the annual State of the Black Union forum hosted by Tavis Smiley in New Orleans last Saturday. As a veteran journalist, I have an opinion on the actions of my fellow journalist and baby boomer.

Tavis apparently asked Barack Obama to be a part of the forum but Obama declined. In a letter to Tavis’ people Obama said, “In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail every day in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum. That is why, with regret, I am not able to attend the forum."

Tavis took offense to Obama’s decision not to attend, saying "I think it is a miscalculation on his part not to appear and a missed opportunity."

There were also reports that Michelle Obama offered to go in her husband’s place but she wasn’t apparently good enough. She was good enough for The View but not for Tavis’ fancy soiree---where only the cream of the crop in the African-American community were invited to grace the stage in his presence.

I guess Tavis just figured he was important enough to have Barack Obama drop his campaign tour schedule just for him. I guess he forgot that Obama is trying to win votes from registered voters of ALL races in two of the most important states to date. Sure Hillary showed up but she did so because of her eroding support in the African-American community.

Funny how some people perceive themselves to be larger than life and want you to believe the world must evolve around them. Tavis Smiley shot himself in the foot when he attacked Obama for not coming to his shin-dig.

Listen up Tavis: Obama’s appearance at your forum probably wouldn’t have changed many minds one way or the other. You probably just wanted him there for “show and tell” so you could make your baby boomer buddies think how big and powerful you are.

Honey, you’re not Oprah.

MLK Holiday: From a Baby Boomer's Perspective

Ever since 1986, the third Monday in January has been set aside to honor the birthday and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some of us celebrate his legacy by attending a prayer breakfast, luncheon or other festive event. We reflect on the famous “I have a Dream” speech. Some still remember and share their own personal accounts of the civil rights struggle. Then there are some of us who do nothing but enjoy a day off from work.

What category did you fall into on this particular third Monday in January?

It’s all well and good to celebrate the life of a great man but what happens the day AFTER the MLK Holiday? Did you wake up and hear the “let freedom ring” bells ringing in your community? Can you say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that all men (and women) are treated equally on your job? If someone were to judge you by the content of your character, what would your sentence be? How many little black boys and little black girls have you seen walking hand-in-hand, side-by-side with little white girls and little white boys ANYWHERE? Did you go out in the world and make a difference by helping someone else or taking a stand against an injustice?

What are we really celebrating 40 years later?