Note: This is the third post appearing on FAIPs as part of the 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (November 25 - December 20, 2012). Posts appearing here will look at this issue with a focus on our most vulnerable and defenseless - our children.For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By! HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
Note: This is the second post appearing on FAIPs as part of the 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (November 25 - December 20, 2012). Posts appearing here will look at this issue with a focus on our most vulnerable and defenseless - our children. On July 29, 2010, the President and CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Ernie Allen, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives. His testimony revealed the alarming and truths of innocence lost on Main Street, USA. What we know as "child trafficking", Allen reported, is an organized criminal illicit enterprise that preys on our most vulnerable - our children.
At the time of his testimony, over 250,000 children between the ages of 10 to 17 were estimated to be involved in commercial sexual exploitation in the US and of that number, 150,000 were victims of child prostitution. It is important to note, that these numbers are a per year estimate and NOT a total estimate. In fact, Allen conservatively asserts that roughly 200,000 plus runaway/thrownaway girls [between 12 and 17 years old] are lured into prostitution each year.
These children become the slaves of their pimps, their abductors, their slave masters who more times than not, hiding in plain site. They no longer put their victims out on the corners of Skid Row, but rather use the internet to solicit their patrons. Their iron chains and shackles have been replaced by fear, drugs, false hope and the inability to simply walk away.
According to Love Our Children USA, the leading national nonprofit and prevention organization fighting all forms of violence and neglect against children in the U.S., the congressional leaders listed below have SAID NO to Child Predators. As you will note, this list has not been updated in a while as Gabrielle Giffords is listed as Representative-Elect for Arizona. So perhaps this list has increase since its last update. I certainly hope so, otherwise my congressional leaders appear to be - once again - MIA (probably over on K Street)...
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By! HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
Note: Many thanks to my blog Twin, From My Brown Eyed View, for the reminder that issues of import oftimes remain silent unless we lift our voices to tell!
In 1980, women activists groups inspired by the remarkable Las Mariposas (the butterflies) sisters, began to mark November 25 as a day against violence. On December 20, 1993 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Elimination of Violence Against Women designating, this day, November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in December 1999.
"Millions of women and girls around the world are assaulted, beaten, raped, mutilated or even murdered in what constitutes appalling violations of their human rights. [...] We must fundamentally challenge the culture of discrimination that allows violence to continue. On this International Day, I call on all governments to make good on their pledges to end all forms of violence against women and girls in all parts of the world, and I urge all people to support this important goal." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations.
During the next 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (November 25 - December 20, 2012) FAIPs will look at this issue with a focus on our most vulnerable and defenseless - our children.
Over 3 million
children are reported as victims of physical, sexual, verbal and
emotional abuse each year...
Violence and neglect against children is reported-on average of every 10 seconds...
Each year almost 1.8 million children are reported missing - many of them abducted from their own homes and front yards...
Child violence permanently disables 18,000 children and 565,000 children are seriously injured every year...
Violence and neglect against children kills more than 3 children every day in America. Most of the children who die are younger than six years of age...
One in five
children will be sexually abused by the age of 18...
97% of
individuals institutionalized for violent crimes were abused
as children...
It is not a stretch to surmise that abused and neglected children are more times than not the children of abused parents - generally the mothers. We must fight against the circle of pain, neglect, and violence that tears away at our families and are very existence. Sixteen days is a start....
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By!
HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
Hurricane Sandy is on her way toward the east coast and she's coming with a vengeance. Bearing down on millions of people in her wake, Sandy is estimated to cost that region nearly $3.2 billion in damages. And of course, we hesitate to even consider the potential lost of lives when considering those who will not - or cannot - evacuate.
I hesitate to politicize this inevitable horrific storm, but for all intents and purposes, I have to tell you that even in the face of disaster, Willard is still out of touch. I mean, really, even Fox News is reporting on Sandy's 900 mile path and what does the republican candidate for president say? He says:
I know that right now some people in the country are a little nervous about a storm about to hit the coast.
Some people, Mitt? A little nervous, Willard? A storm?
There is an estimated 60 million people in the direct and indirect Sandy's path. And no one knows exactly what will happen when she hits. What they do know is that Sandy is own her way in from the east and will collide with a nor'easter coming from the west. While I am not a meteorologist, I have sense enough to know that when hurricane and nor'easter are used in the same sentence to forecast the weather as A STORM is probably not an adequate word to use. And that would make anyone in their right mind more than A LITTLE NERVOUS!!!
But, in all fairness, I suspect Willard's handlers probably wrote that out for him and made him swear not to go off script. And I suspect he was hurried off the stage before taking questions about disaster relief. I'm sure he forgot what he said, but I'm sure he stands behind whatever he said.
So, unless he does one of his proverbial flip-flops, Romney would leave it up to the states private sector in the wake of disaster. Or at least that's what he told CNN's John King in July, 2011.
KING: What else, Governor Romney? You've been a chief executive of a state. I was just in Joplin, Missouri. I've been in Mississippi and Louisiana and Tennessee and other communities dealing with whether it's the tornadoes, the flooding, and worse. FEMA is about to run out of money, and there are some people who say do it on a case-by-case basis and some people who say, you know, maybe we're learning a lesson here that the states should take on more of this role. How do you deal with something like that?
ROMNEY: Absolutely. Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that's the right direction. And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that's even better.
Instead of thinking in the federal budget, what we should cut -- we should ask ourselves the opposite question. What should we keep? We should take all of what we're doing at the federal level and say, what are the things we're doing that we don't have to do? And those things we've got to stop doing, because we're borrowing $1.6 trillion more this year than we're taking in. We cannot...
KING: Including disaster relief, though?
ROMNEY: We cannot -- cannot afford to do those things without jeopardizing the future for our kids. It is simply immoral, in my view, for us to continue to rack up larger and larger debts and pass them on to our kids, knowing full well that we'll all be dead and gone before it's paid off. It makes no sense at all.
Thank goodness, NO, THANK GOD, we have a leader who recognizes that Sandy is much more than a storm to be a little nervous about. By authorizing FEMA to identify, mobilize, and the resources necessary to Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maryland the President once again exhibits true and decisive leadership in the face of a devastating emergency about to land at our doorstep.
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By! HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
I'm sure Sam will take some heat for this pro-Obama ad. The language, and not so subtle imagery, will be considered by many as offensive. But after all, it is Samuel L. But this ad is no less true or powerful.
Yeah, We were all on a mission in 2008! We rallied. Canvassed. Argued. Wore Obama-gear. And channeled Malcolm to ensure that Obama would win "by any means necessary". We did everything we could to get the first Black president of the United States elected. And we did it with a deliberate vengeance that could not - would not - be stopped. But THIS is not 2008. It is 2012 and the stakes are much higher than having Lt. Dan and Ice Queen occupy the Oval Office. The failing economy, stock market crash, housing foreclosures, and impending financial doom - were far less electrifying than the historical journey on which we were about to embark.
If you truly think that this election doesn't matter, then do nothing. but when the government starts making decisions about your body - then, like Samuel L., I can only say "shut the phuque up"! When your taxes go up because you can't any deductions or that earned income credit vanishes, then like Samuel L., I'm going to say "shut the phuque up"! When you find yourself trying to find the $6K to take care of your elderly parent or loved one because that Medicare voucher ain't cutting it, I'm going to say - like Samuel L., ""shut the phuque up"! And when Willard and crew show you just good a Commander and Chief he is when he pisses off one of our allies - like the UK, I'm going to say - like Samuel L. "shut the phuque up"! But if you care about what your life will be like under a Romney-Ryan administration, please "WAKE THE PHUQUE UP"!!! And "SAY HELL NO MUTHA PHUQUERS" and get out the VOTE on NOVEMBER 6!
IMPORTANT LINKS:
REGISTER TO VOTEVOTER ID STATE REQUIRMENTSSTATE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINESEARLY VOTING STATES
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By! HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
Cooties is, in American childlore, a kind of infectious disease. The term may have originated with references to lice, fleas, and other parasites. A child is said to "catch" cooties through any form of contact, proximity, or touching of an "infected" person. Often the "infected" person is someone who is perceived as "different" and bears some kind of social stigma.
Since Willard (aka Thurston Howell) let us hear his true colors, Republicans are jumping off his would-be coattail in drouths. The only folks still hanging in there are Rush Doughbaug and his Fox News-subsidized campaign team. Even Lyan Ryan, his running mate, called his statements inarticulate. WOW! What has this world come to when articulate (in any form) is used to describe someone of that ilk?
With his campaign becoming cash poor, it will be interesting to see how many of his deep pocket donors are still willing to pull out the old checkbooks to write more 6, 7, or 8-figure checks. It is doubtful that even the Adelson-types want their fortunes to be intermingled with a series of gaffs by this candidate which could threaten their abilities to do business with the masses...the 47%. In addition, buying this election for this candidate might result in a financial duping that would make Bernie Madoff appear to be just a small time hustler.
Yep! Willard has contracted a strain of political cooties that I suspect has the McCain folks thinking Palin wasn't that bad. Here's just a partial list of his supporters a month ago who are now swearing that they have not been touched by the Willard Cootie Bug:
Tim Pawlenty, national co-chairman of Romney's presidential campaign and former Minnesota governor, is resigning to lobby for and become the new president and CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable on Nov. 1. Guess he couldn't wait a couple of days to start a new job. Source. Mark Meadows, a Republican House candidate in North Carolina, said he was "concerned about all 750,000 people" in his district and that Romney didn't call him for advise before making 'those comments'. We understand. Obama's leading your guy in NC by nearly 5 points . Source. Gov. Susanna Martinez wants to make sure that the "safety net" is available for the folks in her state because "New Mexico has a lot of people at the poverty level.But they count just as much as anybody else". Wonder if she still believes, like she said at the convention, that she and Willard share a core belief that the promise of America must be kept for the next generation. Source.
Linda McMahon, Senate candidate from Connecticut, stated that she disagrees with "the insinuation that 47% of Americans believe they are victims who must depend on the government for their care". But a year ago, she echoed Willard's sentiment that everybody (the 47%) should pay their fair share of taxes. Source.
Scott Brown, from Massachusetts, made it pretty clear that he is not 'down' with his state's former governor. Says Willard's views of the world are not his and that being on public assistance is not a circumstance anyone truly wants to find themselves in. Yeah...but wasn't/isn't he the darling of the Tea Party? What happened? Oh! Willard happened. Source. George Allen, hoping to be the next senator from Virginia, says that his 'point of view' is far different from Willard's. According to George, "They don't look at themselves as victims. They want a government that reflects their values and gives them the opportunity to reach their aspirations." George, you a Rhino? Source.
Dean Heller, senatorial candidate from Nevada, wants everyone to know that his working- class family - growing up with 5 siblings, an auto mechanic father, and cafeteria cook mom - gave him "a very different view of the world" than Willard's . Just a regular kinda guy. Hmm...I'm STILL voting for Shelly! Source.
I strongly suggest that Willard finds some way to inoculate himself from any further infestation of the cooties by October 3 or else the entire RNC will probably find a way to have him quarantined until November 7.
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By!
HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
"With less than two months to go before Election Day, I would normally speak to a gathering like this about the differences between my and my opponent’s plans for our military and for our national security. There is a time and a place for that, but this day is not it."Source
On the day when all of America was focused upon the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Willard seemed to have forgotten that today was not about him! On the day when most Americans reflected in solemn remembrance and prayer for the thousands of people who lost their lives on that fateful day, Willard could not forgo the opportunity to remind us all of something far less important - him! On the day when Americans honored our Treasure who fought and continue to valiantly fight for our freedom and democracy, Willard attempted to use this to make sure his laundry list was checked.
On the day when Democrats and Republicans united and pledged to dispense with the politics in consideration and tribute to those who died and in consideration for those who loved them, Willard found it necessary to remind us of "the differences". More divisiveness, once again.
Shame on you, Willard Mitt Romney! Shame on You!
Perhaps, Willard had once again gone off-script. Or perhaps, he knew exactly what he was saying. No doubt, he will provide an inane retort blaming the media for attempting to make something out of nothing; because after-all you never really get out of campaign mode even when you promise to.
We all know Willard lies. His lies are very well chronicled by the fact checkers to whom his campaign will not be dictated to. But, one might certainly say that all politicians lie or tell half truths. We have come to expect it. So no big deal. But, REALLY to go back on YOUR WORD - YOUR PLEDGE - to hold off on the political campaign rhetoric for just one day is simply unconscionable.
I just wonder, if Willard's word is not his bond on something so simple, so easy as to not campaign on the anniversary of events that changed us all, how can he be trusted to keep his word to Americans or our allies?
Hey! He's just appealing to his base, one might say. Yes, I get it. But, I caution Willard to remember that there are rats in the basement and one of them is just might be named "Tea Party Ben".
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By!
HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By! HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
Harriet "Hattie" Lewis
July 11, 1911 - September 9, 1952
For these grandmothers and mothers of ours were not "Saints," but Artists; driven to a numb and bleeding madness by the springs of creativity in them for which there was no release....But this is not the end of the story, for all the young women--our mothers and grandmothers, ourselves--have not perished in the wilderness. And if we ask ourselves why, and search for and find the answer, we will know beyond all efforts to erase it from our minds, just exactly who, and of what, we Black American women are.Source: Alice Walker, In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens
I never knew her, although she held me in her arms soon after I was born. I wonder what she thought as she looked upon my face. Did she pray for me to have a blessed life? Did she envision for me a life better for me than her own? Did she wonder about what she might have done to make my growing better during the formative years of my own mother.
I wonder...
I have heard many stories of this woman - Mother - my Grandmother. Some that make me smile. Some that make me cry. Still others that make me laugh almost to tears. Oh, how I wish I had had a chance to get to know her. Learn from her. To learn and even understand the answers to my "whys".
Why did you... Yet, even the stories tell me something about her will. Her spirit. She loved life and enjoyed the fads of her time. A self-described "flapper" during her teen years, she changed your name out of a sense of empowerment to redefine herself as opposed to being defined by the stereotypes of the time. But, did she know that her name still meant "Ruler of the House"? I suspect she did. Then, she willingly shared her voice on Sunday's and as a member of a church quartet. And she passed on way too young.
I know little about her...
But, I know that I am HER namesake and that tells me much about My Mother, Her Daughter. And it brings me solice and joy as I continue my search of My Mother's Garden.
Rest in Peace, Harriet. Rest in Peace.
P.S. After reading this post, My Mother told me that My Grandmother when holding, me just two days before she passed away, beamed with joy. She also said that My Grandmother stopped traffic to get her laboring daughter - My Mother - to the hospital to deliver me. Now that, my friends, sounds exactly like something that I would do!
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By!
HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
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This post is inspired by former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland who stated during the ; DNC 2012 Convention last night: If Mitt was Santa Claus, he'd fire the reindeer and outsource the elves.
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For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By!
HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
I can hardly believe it! Congressman Paul Ryan actually agreed to "stop by" For All Intents. Can you believe it! I mean the GOP Vice Presidential Candidate gracing this left-leaning liberal blog for an exclusive interview? Me either!
The transcript of the interview is as follows:
FAIP: First, let me thank you, Congressman Ryan, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to sit down with me. I really appreciate the opportunity to ask you a few questions. I, like my readers, are informed individuals who take our vote very seriously. I am hoping this interview will help me, and others, to make the right decision in November. For full disclosure, Congressman Ryan, I voted for and support the current President; but as a woman I reserve the right to change my mind.
Congressman Ryan: (Polite chuckle) Thank you so much for having me. I don't often get an opportunity to speak to my fellow Americans who just happen to be bl...Liberals.
FAIP: (Neck about to roll, but I caught it) Congressman Ryan, in anticipation of this interview and as a result of listening to you "introduce yourself" to America during the recent convention, I thought it prudent to learn a little bit more about you. Because I hesitate to use the fact checkers as potential resources (can't be dictated to by those birds), I went to the most nonpartisan factual source I could find. Wikipedia. I hope that's alright?
Congressman Ryan: Yes, of course (Amused)
FAIP: Thank you, Congressman. I was a little worried about my sources. Anyway, I must say that I was thoroughly intrigued with what I found out about your hometown, Janesville, Wisconsin. With a population nearing 65,000, I know my readers will be surprised to learn that the late Daniel Hale Williams, the cardiologist who performed the first successful open-heart surgery, lived in Janesville for a time according to the 1880 US Census. Your town must be extremely proud to have Dr. Williams among the list of "Notable Natives and Residents"? Congressman Ryan: Ah...yes. (cough)
FAIP: What do you think Dr. Williams would say about the ensuing debate over healthcare? And do you think there's a chance that one of the 20+ schools in Janesville might be named after this great American?
Congressman Ryan: Uh? Can you repeat the question?
FAIP: (Come down eyebrow! Come down!) Let's move on. Congressman Ryan, you indicated during the Convention, that President Obama promised the GM Janesville assembly plant workers that the plant would not close. Congressman Ryan: Yes, I did. Yes, he did. And yes, the plant is now closed. Another broken promise by this President.
FAIP: I understand your position, Congressman, but the question I'd like to ask you is about the workers who lost there jobs as a result of the closure.
Congressman Ryan: Yes! Nearly 2000 men and women lost their jobs all due to the broken promises of THIS PRESIDENT!
FAIP: Well, Congressman, let's just agree to disagree with your recollection of that particular fact. My question is: when the plant closed, how many of those displace workers were able to gain employment at Ryan Incorporated Central? One of the nation's premier mass excavation and site-work contracting companies started by your great-grandfather with a team of mules building railroad embankment in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
Congressman Ryan: (cough) Ryan Incorporated started off as a small business by my great-grandfather. He built that company with his own sweat and tears. No help from anyone! Still family-owned and operated, the company's recent work sites have been the place of employment for thousands of individuals throughout the mid-west, southeast, and northeast.
FAIP: Janesville? Congressman Ryan: Ryan Incorporated, while not one of the largest employers in Janesville, maintains a corporate office there, a source of livelihood for many of the people living there!
FAIP: hmmm...Where DO the people of Janesville work primarily. Major employers? Congressman Ryan: We have a Walmart employing several hundred people. But the Janesville workforce are primarily employed by Mercy Health Systems, a nonprofit health care provider; the local school district; and the county.
FAIP: Interesting. Seems like the public sector provides a significant number of jobs for your hometown even though nearly 7% of its population lives below the poverty line.
Congressman Ryan:That's because of the failed economic policies of this President. The impact of Obamacare, his failure to create jobs, and his stifling policies against small business has had a lasting negative effect on the people of Janesville. And there are Janesvilles all over this great Country. Mitt Romney and I will make sure that all of these failed policies will be eradicated and America will start working again.
FAIP: hmmm... I see. I think it is important to note here, Congressman, that the 7% poverty line statistic was based upon information provided in the 2000 US Census. In addition, and according to that census, men made on average $20,000 more than women and the per capita income was a little over $22,000. And that was before everything turned to peanut butter.
Congressman Ryan: (Nervous) Peanut butter?
FAIP: (Laughing). Yes, peanut butter. A phrase my cousin uses to describe when one's world gets turned up side down through no fault of their own. Let's move on. I only have a few questions and we're done. Okay?
Congressman Ryan: OKAY. (Relieved anxiousness)
FAIP: Okay. Let's get back to you. You were elected to the US House of Representatives in 1999. Is that correct?
Congressman Ryan: Yes, that is correct. I guess you could say that I was "introduced" to politics by listening to stories about my great-grandfather who was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin by President Calvin Coolidge.
FAIP: I see. The same great-grandfather who started Ryan Incorporated Central, Patrick William Ryan. Congressman Ryan: YES. The very same. (Emphatic) FAIP:hmmm... Let me get this right. You were elected to represent and protect the interests of the people living in Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in 1999.
Congressman Ryan:Yes
FAIP:And that district includes Janesville. And in 2008 that GM plant we spoke of earlier, the one the President promised not to close during the presidential campaign.
Congressman Ryan: Yes!
FAIP:The one in your hometown, Janesville.
Congressman Ryan:YES!
FAIP:The one whose workers - now unemployed - you undoubtedly know.
Congressman Ryan: YES! THIS IS ALL VERY WELL KNOWN! I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU POINT! CAN WE GET TO THE QUESTION?
FAIP:Yes. Just one last question, Congressman Ryan. And with all do respect, WHAT, PRAYTELL, DID YOU DO TO TRY TO STOP THAT PLANT FROM CLOSING?
Congressman Ryan: (Answer deleted for tender ears and eyes)
FAIP:MR. CONGRESSMAN!!!! I CANNOT DO THAT TO MYSELF!
I crack myself up sometimes! LOL! GOT CHA MADE YA LOOK!
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By!
HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
Like most of you venturing over to For All Intents, I watched or listened to every single moment of the Republican National Convention (except of course, when the Williams sisters were playing in the Open). I chuckled with the slew of Hispanic and black speakers gracing the podium along with the sprinkling of diversity captured by the folks behind the cameras of CNN, MSNBC, and in FOX. I truly tried not to get angry when hearing what I personally perceive as lies, delusions of grandeur, and aggrandized deceptions. In general, or at least in my opinion, I was able to remain pretty steady until Ann Romney espoused Mitt's unwillingness to talk about his generosity via monetary contributions and charitable acts - although we heard quite a bit about it before taking that ceremonial walk to the podium to accept the nomination as if practicing for a State of the Union Address before Congress. I was so irritated by Ann Romney's attempt to paint her husband as the "humble benefactor" that I took to Facebook with the following status update:
So, I'm watching the convention and just wondering if these folks live in the same world I do! UGH!!! So, Mitt doesn't brag. He can't cause he's too busy sharing his wealth with countries sheltering his wealth! Good Grief!!!
As expected, I received a slew of "likes", "amens", and "got that rights". But, what I didn't expect was a question/comment from one of my four brilliant, wonderful, and beautiful nieces. She very simply and eloquently stated:
Auntie, I can't help but to wonder why you would watch people sharing views you don't agree with.
Now, I explained why I'm put myself through this political masochism in an effort to stay informed and up on the issues and general discourse facing us in general, and in this election specifically. I believed that then and I believe that now. But! OMG! Last night my Niece's words shouted out at me as I watched Sean Hannity (H)! I know. I know. Masochism at its best - or worst depending your frame of reference. During the first segment I caught, H interviewed two African Americans. One woman and one man. Don't know their names or their claims to fame, except that the male (I think) is a civil rights attorney out of NYC (can you say oxymoron?). Of course, I pegged him as a Cornell West wannabe and could not get pass the fact that he - like Cornell need a comb. The woman, put me in the mind of Condolezza Rice in tone, mannerism, and dress. The focus of the segment centered around how the POTUS, his surrogates, and the media (except FOX, of course) are perpetuating a (the) racial divide between and among the American citizenry. It was ridiculous, but because I want to try to gain an understanding about differing political views, I suffered through the segment.
Commercial break....whew...I'm cool...really.... During the next segment, H had a panel-type discussion with that young man that generally wears a bow tie, a Republican strategist (woman), and one other person - of course all white. H's intent in this segment was to go after Joe Biden for his "I’m Joe Bidenopoulos" remark characterizing it as yet another Biden gaff with racial/ethnic implications. Thankfully, that didn't go too far, much to H's shagrin. Hmmm...must say Biden's remark just reminded me that on March 17 everybody's Irish. Commercial break...whew...I'm good...but, next up Michelle Malkin (MM)...Lord Help Me! Now for this segment, I knew I was going to have to brace myself. You see, MM was out promoting a white paper (no pun intended?) of sorts she's entitled, The Condensed Liberal Handbook of Racial Code Words. If you want to read it you'll have to find it on Google. I refuse to provide a link to to her rhetoric. The mention of her name is a real push! Anyway, it was pretty clear that H's cholesterol levels shot up 200 point with all the red meat he was devouring as plated up by MM. Amid eyerolls and snickers, MM explained how words or phrases including "angry, golf, professor, Chicago, Obamacare, Food Stamp President, Constitution" and others are, according to the Liberal Left, are actually racist code words. With each snidely pronounced definition offered by MM and H sucking it all up, I found myself getting more and more irritated...more and more angry. I mean, really, who are they trying to convince? Or was this just another ploy by this ilk to tell their constituency to keep on doing what their doing? And then, I heard my Niece saying "Auntie, I can't help but to wonder why you would watch people sharing views you don't agree with."
For All Intents & Purposes, So Glad You Stopped By!
HeB
HeB is the owner of For All Intents & Purposes. As a SwAAW (Strong-willed African-American Woman), HeB reserves the right to speak her mind, voice her opinion, and just tell it like it is. A Baby-boomer - whose voice was shaped by the Last Poets, the Funkadelics, Malcolm, Martin, incense, and black-lights - HeB's voice is not dictated by her employer, professional,social, philanthropic, academic, educational or service or organization of which she is a member or affiliated.
