Two days after my tearful, transfixed position in front of my television watching the farewell rites to Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy I am able to see clearly to convey personal gratitude to the lion-sized, politician who dignified the U.S. senate.
That he gave so much throughout almost five decades is one thing but I will never forget how he pulled himself together, travelled to Denver, Colorado last year in order to support the nomination of Barack Obama despite his ailing condition.
How special was that? Who does that in this selfish universe? Only Sen. Ted.
Fact is, he never seemed ill.
His roar was as powerful as ever.
His gait as commanding as never before.
And without baring any claws he showed his colleagues -- cubs and seniors -- how and why they should follow his lead.
On the very same day, Sen. Ted was funeralized, I planned to celebrate the 51st birthday of music icon Michael Jackson. More than ever, I wanted to celebrate life. Brooklyn's Prospect Park held a huge outdoor birthday party at the Nethermead from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and although I had convinced myself not to watch television, I could not resist a quick peek.
Needless to say, the dignity of the Kennedy clan held me hostage. From the youngest offspring, Teddy III to the eldest Sargent Shriver -- they all displayed enviable strength and pride in family.
I did manage to attend the MJ party. And in celebrating the life of the king of pop also hailed the lifelong contribution of the king of the jungle AKA the US senate.
Since the election of the first Black president, I have virtually shunned debates on health care. The non-sensical arguments give me no reason to join the discussion. Talking with friends overseas, I have become apathetic. None of them understand why America does not want universal health care. I have stopped trying to explain the ignorance and racism that has clouded Republicans and Democrats who are fighting the proposal.
But that Sen. Ted died knowing there was a fight is such a dishonor to his legacy. Some Republicans are even saying had he lived he would have changed his mind. How ingracious of these manipulators to concede.
My apathy is shameful and perhaps disloyal to the president but I am exhausted by the stubborn, selfish, rantings and most recently the comment from an insult to all women who said "we need a great white hope."
What we need is introspective. Especially now that Sen. Ted, an advocate for the American majority is no longer able to lead the way. Ted, the lion sleeps tonight.
Today the president is leaving to meet with the Mexican president and afterwards will join 34 heads of government in Trinidad & Tobago for the fifth Summit of the America's. However, I would be remiss not to express my pride and utter exultation in witnessing the first and second overseas trips the president made to Canada and Europe. First of all if he had not gone to Canada, a great many people would not even know of the first Black Governor General and that she is from Haiti. His dignified presence in Parliament was another historic presentation I will always treasure. But most of all I was most enthused to see President Obama and his wife standing tall inside Buckingham Palace. The home of the British royals should have been dubbed Barackingham Palace due to the fact the commander in chief commanded the most attention. Growing up as a child of a commonwealth country, the Queen and her duke seemed the tallest people on earth. Prince Phillip was always photographed towering over anyone next to him. And Queen Elizabeth II represented the height of royalty, grace and diplomacy. What happended? When President Obama and his wife went to their house, they seemed to shrink. Without disrespect to her majesty, it seemed as if the African descendants dwarfed the royal couple, reducing them to midgets (physically challenged). Even in flat shoes, Michelle dimished the crowned representative to a mere accessory. Trust me, to see the long reigning royalty clutching a little, black pocketbook,wearing a dusty, pink, frock and seemingly half her size (relative) was painfully enligteningNow I am not naive, I understand the calcium depletion and all that goes with aging but the visual was a real education for me. I kept wondering what must be reeling in the minds of the British people. In any case, I was very, very proud of America's first couple. But when President Obama dazzled the world press -- fielding questions from reporters from India, Australia, China, England and the US -- I could barely contain my zeal. The ease and comfort he displayed was mind-boggling. Even with a prepared script, the former president never looked so good. And how about when the president reached out to shake hands with a Black bobby (cop). Wasn't that worth a prize? Cops are not supposed to exhibit familiarity and it is against their law to even shake hands with a visiting dignitary. But how could that lawman not return the gesture? The fact British Prime Minister Gordon Brown did not follow suit speaks to British tradition and folish pomp.
It was no different in France and Turkey. And how about Iraq? As a former member of the Army Reserve I could not imagine ever thinking to embrace the commander-in-chief. Yet it seemed so natural for those soldiers. For them to be straining to touch, talk and take pictures opf their boss was a picture worth noting. They did not seem afraid of violating their company commander's briefing. They did what came natural..and it looked great...to Americans..and to the world. I couldnot help reflecting on the shoe hurling athletics from a reporter when the last US president visited Iraq. Whoa!
The president arrived back in the US at 3 a.m. I was shocked that instead of sleeping for two days, he held seder to acknowledge the Jewish passover and was back at running the country...just amazing.
And yet, he did not miss a beat dealing with pirates on the Horn of Africa. Pirates? What pirates? They were a memory by Easter. Gone. And the Maersk cargo ship? Safely in the port of his father's birthland. Is that a movie or not? All I know is that I promise never again to complain of jet-lag. That anyone could tire and express exhaust flying across the US or on a round-trip jaunt to Europe or Africa was given a lesson that they are just short trips, worthy of naps.
And like the energizer bunny, he keeps going, and going and going...this is definitely Change I can believe in...
O.K. I think I understand the Joe Leiberman pardon. I think I can even see past some of the old Bill Clinton alliances deciding transition. What is still unnerving is the pending discussions about Sen. Hillary Clinton clinching a cabinet position. Here is the "ready" candidate, the one who said she and Republican Sen. John McCain were the only qualified, "ready" and "experienced" candidates. How about that reference to the assassination of Sen. Robert Kennedy? This is the ambitious, former, first lady who said the Illinois candidate was nothing more than speeches. This is the wife of the former president who allegedly said on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday that the campaign bid of the president-elect was a "fairytale." Lest anyone forget, Bill had an opportunity to pardon Marcus Garvey before leaving the White House and instead excused his pal Mark Rich of all wrongdoings.
No one can forget the look of rage whenever Hillary felt she was heavily challenged by Sen. Obama. "How dare he think he can win" seemed an appropriate caption. Her eyes bulged with anger each time she lost a state and delegate. How she palled around with Gov. Sarah Palin refusing to cross the clueless Alaskan. When asked to comment she refused. Where was her support for the Democrat? I know the President-elect is going to do as he sees fit but I cannnot help comment on my disapproval of any of the Clintons making Change. They have had their time to bring change. Perhaps, the New York senator should work to bring Change to Harlem where gentrification has displaced many families. Maybe the junior senator can convince the mayor that over-ruling term limits is undemocratic. Perhaps, Sen. Clinton can lobby to get a bailout for the ailing transit system. What about cuts in SUNY and CUNY budgets? Education needs an injection of finances. The health situation here is also unhealthy with many lacking insurance. Sen. Clinton should be told that there is much to do in her home state before she continues vogueing for Condy's job. She is not ready. She was never ready. And as far as I am concerned unpardonable.
Although I have great hope for President Barack Obama, still convinced he is the candidate for Change and more optimistic than ever about the future of the United States, I am wary about any selection of a Clinton to the cabinet. Fact is that both Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband used every venomous ammunition to take down their rival. They threw poison darts loaded with racially infected toxins in order to exert their entitlement. Together they seized every opportunity to malign his character. They branded him "inexperienced", "not ready" and ridiculed his message of "Yes We Can." The dirty tricks used in New York will not soon be forgotten. How Sen. Obama lost the primary on Feb. 5th was not due to anything other than foul-play. Sen. Obama was gracious in not pursuing investigations however, the fact he did not register a single vote in many Black election districts in Brooklyn and Harlem should resonate as fraud favorable to the NY senator.
But recall how even after she was fairly trounced, the New York senator held her delegates hostage, threatened the DNC for a fight over Michigan and Florida and disgraced herself by being a sore loser. I was at her New York rally when she refused to concede despite overwhelming figures against her. After she finally conceded, she remained elusive, exiling herself with her husband. When Gov. Sarah Palin moosed up her credibility, Hillary failed to comment. All of a sudden she became the dignified opponent. Coupled with that Hillary regularly went overboard in courting the heroic Sen. John McCain. Sen. McCain's heroism was never ever in dispute. Everyone regard him as such. Why Hillary felt more compelled to endorse McCain over teaming with the party choice is still an obvious action I cannot comfortably reconcile. As for Bill, it was not until the 11th hour, long after early voting began in Florida that he surfaced in mainstream to publicly campaign with Sen. Obama. If the transition team chooses Hillary to decide foreign policy as secretary of state, some of us will be deeply discouraged. Undeniably, both Clintons will assume the position and run awry probably going against the promises of the newly elected president. Hillary should remain in the NY senate. Personally I would like her to remain there until the next elections so that I can vote her into retirement. The "experiened" Clintons should quietly take a backseat by allowing Change.
Where do I begin? I have seen a three month old Black baby sleeping in his stroller...his shirt spoke for him with the words "Future president." At 11 p.m. Nov. 4th in Harlem, a woman revealed a brand, new black shirt lettered in white with the words "my president is Black." The lettering bordered a flag of the United States minus the red and blue. Those T-shirt branding pictures of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin with the words "Mavericks My A**" are everywhere. I have received text messages saying: They promised us 40 acres and a mule, we took the White House and 50 states." I have seen newstands minus newspapers. Imagine the New York Times is now selling for $1,000 -- the Nov. 5th Obama edition. There were no free AM or Metro papers to be found yesterday. The Daily News and NY Post went like hotcakes. The New York Times will now republish another 75,000 copies of its post-election day edition. Whoa!
I was exhausted yesterday after celebrations at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building. The atmosphere was pure euphoria. Jubilation prevailed with drumming, dancing, singing, cheering. Funnyman D.L. Hughley showed up to celebrate. So did rapper Doug E. Fresh, GQ and a long list of entertainers. Of course the politicians capitalized on the opportunity. First up was Cong. Charles B. Rangel. Although he did not initially support Sen. Barack Obama he postured tall sponsoring the jumbotron, food and watch night event. Media showed up in droves. With Times Square and Rockefeller Center jammed to capacity, Harlem was second only to Grant Park, Chicago where the president-elect accepted his new place on the global stage.
Even after the president-elect delivered his acceptance speech, everyone remained in Harlem. Obama supporters at the Sheraton Hotel took the A Train uptown arriving as late as 3 a.m. to continue the celebration. It was an awesome night. New York delivered a whopping 20 percent majority for Sen. Obama and we are devoted to helping him be the best president ever. But now I am trying to find the best dress ever for inauguration day, Jan. 20th, 2009. See Ya!
It is like New Year's Eve in New York. The entire City has been energized by the hope and possibility that Barack Obama could be president. I see so many people on the subways and streets wearing buttons, pins, caps, T-shirts, stickers and emblems supporting that dream. The Halloween paradelast Friday through the city seemed to all about the campaign. In the past it has focussed on NYC polytricks, the state of the environment, the Iraq/Afghanistan wars, Cuban embargo, immigration, police brutality, George W. Bush etc. However the 2008 masqueraders seemed to heavily favor an Obama theme. I saw maverick dummies, Sarah Palin images carrying Gucci and Louis Vuitton purses while draping a barefooted, baby doll across her shoulder, but while many mimicked the GOP, there were serious Obama supporters who paraded shouting "Vote for Change" and "Obama." Thousands responded "Barack" as the organized Obama supporters shouted "Barack." A band pounded a rhythm to dance to -- as hundreds marched.
Saturday morning I headed to Harlem to Rev. Al Sharpton's House of Justice where members listened to what amounted to a sermon from the Old Testament defining the name Barack. It means blessed. Needless to say the message was clear. Charles Rangel kicked off a rally at the Harlem State Building splattering the Village with red and white posters that read Rangel/Obama. Not so long ago, this congressman was all for Hillary Clinton...Anyway, some of us will not soon forget. Along 125th St. vendors peddled more varieties of Obama buttons than imaginable. Some with the likeness of Obama on the cover of Rollingstones, Ebony and Jet Magazines. Others with 'The first family" Obama/Biden, Michelle and Barack making a fist bump, a red/white/blue shaded face of Obama, 'Vote for Change' and the Change logo. After purchasing all my buttons from the campaign, I buckled to buy a knock-off. "I AM VOTING FOR THAT ONE." I could not resist. The Change logo amplified the message and I was sold. I also purchased the book "Dreams from my Father." I plan to read it while waiting on line to vote on Tuesday. I read "The Audacity of Hope" in March, while watching my father die. I will read this with fond remembrances of my own father.
Today, I plan to make calls to swing states. Tomorrow I will make my last canvass trip to Pennsylvania. I am ready for Change.
If anything can be said about night time television, it is that both cable and commercial TV influenced the political landscape during this presidential election year. Personally, I cannot get enough of MSNBC's Keith Oberman and Late Night host David Letterman. Although, the Indianapolis native has always captivated me during bedtime -- ever since he picked up the mantle to follow Johnny Carson (and even when he had a daytime NBC show) --Letterman bested his best opining on the foibles of the Republican ticket. With nightly mentions of Gov. Sarah Palin, he baked Alaska's gotcha gabber. When Sen. John McCain "screwed up" Letterman ranked on him with such levity that kept me smiling through the next program, the Craig Ferguson Show. Since the campaign started, Letterman relentlessly made comparisons between then and now leaders highlighting great moments in presidential speeches ending nightly with belly-busting gaffes from Pres. George W. Bush. As if Saturday Night Live was on every night, Letterman deserves the Emmy for best late night comedy.
The Emmy for prolonged serious, comedy goes to Keith Oberman, a poignant, superlative and keen personality who from the first primaries picked the winner and ran with him -- nightly. I was on a ship in the middle of the Caribbean Sea last February when Oberman laid down the gauntlet with a precisely, deliberate and honest message to Sen. Hillary Clinton. Oberman at times, rages with a passion that is felt through the TV set. When he burns, he scorches his victim with words that blaze points of lightning truths. Oberman has amplified the message of Change. Together with Letterman, Oberman has truly exemplified the Yes We Can mantra.
Watching those two men, the message resonated with viewers to find us all in October thisclose to witnessing history, and Change we can believe in.
A big shout-out to third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders everywhere. You are the future. Now that 3rd graders in Alaska are getting extra credit for watching TV, and more importantly keenly deciphering the 'gotcha, winks and what not to do in a political debate strategy, parents, reporters and the conservative right seem to be paying attention to the process that will decide the future of America.
It was a shout-out from vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to students up north that seemed to jolt more than a few to the reality that the likable lady may not really want to have a serious talk about the economy, energy or unemployment but would rather parody SNL personality Tina Fey with distractions and shout-outs to children. Since the one and only, nationally televised vice presidential debates, some of the GOP conservatives have been calling for restraint, tutors and even a last-minute change to the John McCain ticket. 'View' host Whoopi Goldberg who has been walking the middle almost lost it last week when Palin double Elizabeth Hasselbeck justified the nonsense Palin tried to pass off as vice presidential swagger.
All of a sudden, Palin the savior, Palin the pit-bull, Palin the perfect and Palin the pro became Palin the not-ready for prime-time principal. Americans responded by rallying to register for election day eligibility. It seemed many felt personally responsible for the outcome and wanted to get guarantees that Palin could never ever take the second in command seat. In NY, potential voters flooded the Board of Elections with last minute applications certifying change of addresses and a dedication to the process. Citizens, residents and tourists are boldly displaying buttons, caps, tee shirts and a clear preference for Obama. The energy is high, optimism is rising and Sen. Barack Obama seems to be in the best position now that the race is ending. Palin who could have taken the popularity prize just a few weeks ago, is now being perceived in the same light as a TV personality -- and not ready to take charge if a need arise.
How did that happen? Gotcha.
One of my very best friends suffered a devastating loss two days ago when her house was reduced to ashes after a fire consumed the New Jersey domicile. Sad as she was that all she had after living a treasured life as publicist for a major record company and advisor to number one recording artists -- attending Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Emmy, American Music Awards etc were memories and a charred bouquet her daughter salvaged from the rubble, after bawling her eyes out, she walked over to the fire chief and asked "would you please guarantee me that when I go to vote they wont tell me that this address does not exist."
She told me, with a tear in her eye, he consoled her with the assurance that on Nov. 4, her former address will still enable her to cast the vote she says she is committed. She had just returned from London, days earlier in time to see the second debate and was energized by the momentum when the call came that her house was on fire.
Although she lost every picture, every piece of clothing, all her furniture, and a great deal of treasures, her two daughters and husband are fine. They were out when the electrical fire ignited.
Her fortitude is inspiring. She is convinced, a change is coming.
World Tourism Day was acknowledged last week and I travelled to Jamaica in order to see how the island was doing with regard to its commitment to the ecology and curbing emissions that will destry the landscape. Although the greening of Jamaica took priority, I could not help notice the enthusiasm, anticipation and optimism so many nationals exuded in discussion of the Nov. 4th elections. "Nothing anyone will do, will change the outcome, Obama is destined to win," some people said. Others echoed religious parallels to his election. And so many more felt convinced "his (Obama's) time is now."
Throughout the visit, in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril, I wore, Obama gear on a daily basis...tee shirts, caps, buttons, and carried cell phone stickers, posters, car flags, and yard signs which I gave to individuals who are passionately urging their stateside affiliates and families to vote for Change. Tried as I did, I did not hear a single endorsement for the Republican candidate. I was heartened by the interest and knowledge of little children and elderly who watched the debates with keen interests. The day-after discussion was as poignant as if it was a local event. If this is any indication of how the Caribbean region feels about the upcoming elections, it is little wonder why voter registration in many states have doubled and even quadrupled in some states. On a visit to Africa and Europe, I sensed the same passion, hope and dedication to witnessing CHANGE.
None of the spectacle, pageantry or cultural pride in Caribbean heritage was covered by any national media outlet on Labor Day when an estimated 2.5 million decorated a Brooklyn boulevard named Eastern Parkway. Waving flags and banners, an eclectic, continuous, colorful parade of colors not only brandished affinity for Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, Barbados, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Guyana, Panama, Haiti, Cuba, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Belize, The US Virgin Islands, Dominica, and other islands of the English, Spanish, Dutch, and French West indies but also boldly displayed choice for the Barack Obama presidency. Amidst reggae, soca, calypso, spouge, merrengue, zouk, ska, salsa, reggaeton and steel pan music some revelers shouted "Obama!" as they danced to the beat of the beat of various strains and genres.
"If you're not with Obama...get off my back," a T-shirt read on the back of a reveler. Shirts bearing the likeness of Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr; Michelle and Barack; the Obama family, and a variety of Obama images fashionably dressed the politically savvy crowd that jammed the wide Brooklyn, thoroughfare. Steel pans were draped for "Change." "Hope" decorated trucks carrying floats and soundsystems. Masqueraders donned buttons, pins and home-made signs endorsing the candidate who against all odds still believes "Yes We Can."
I expected a majority of Jamaicans to boast their Olympic medalists just back from Beijing. I expected scores of Usain Bolt 'big-ups' along the way. But while many verbally expressed their glee of the 11 medal sweep, nationals seemed to be looking forward to Nov. 4 and the Change that is inevitable. Voter registration stations were also evident along the route with volunteers handing out Obama fans and stickers.
Sept. 1st was a great day in Brooklyn. More people represented than in the twin cities of Minneapolis St. Paul where the Republicans tried hard to sell a woman who at 44 years-old will be a grandmother at Christmas and is now desperately trying to make history as the first of her gender to serve a Republican president fighting change, and hope.
Next week the African-American Day parade will be held in Harlem and I am sure another Obamarama will prevail.
This Sunday in June was unlike any other due to the passing last Friday of journalist Tim Russert. Last Sunday, I was elated that NBC had moved up his Meet The Press to an 8 a.m. time-frame because I was due to volunteer voter registration at the Puerto Rican day parade in NYC at 10 a.m. and would have missed his roundtable after-primary review with his colleagues and staffers. It is a program that drives my Sundays due to the fair, precise and objective questioning and moderation of Buffalo, NY's-own son. It never mattered who the guests booked -- I always knew whatever the topic I could glean new knowledge and added insight to information the world should know. Now that he is gone to glory, I pray comfort to his beloved son, Luke, his wife Maureen, and that great father Big Russ who raised him to be humble, talented and ambitious as well as proud, dedicated and endearing to his audience. God bless his family and God rest his soul. RIP TIM. One day we will "MEET."
