We can be divided on his health care reform. We can think his plan won’t work. We can even not like the man but… to heckle the President of the United States, at an address to a joint session of Congress, is WRONG! So very disrespectful! As I sat and watched and heard the boos and shout outs, I got mad but he held his own! Regardless of whatever, he is the HPIC! (Head Person In Charge) How dare they! We can debate his ideas, plan and promises all day long, but at the end of that same day, he is still due respect.

I love watching/hearing Obama and I do get nervous when he makes promises. I want him to succeed. Period. I question how some of the fine tuning (as he said) is going to play out but the hutspa (an Oprah word meaning “guts”) he demonstrates is enough to make anyone want to root him on because his success equates to our country’s success.  Last night, he was a different Obama!  He was a man succinctly stating his vision for this country’s future, he stood firm on his beliefs and he didn’t care who liked it or didn’t like it.  There were no wimps present at the microphone last night!  Good job!  If it all doesn’t fall into place as he plans, he’ll try something else.  Has any President had a perfect, fail proof 4 years?  No, and neither will Obama.

Last night’s Capitol Hill show was amazing. Seeing the blatant disrespect and disregard on so many faces shocked me. How did some of these folk get these positions with such ugly attitudes? Kudos for all of those democrats and republicans who disagreed with Obama but were still big enough to applaud when he did say something they agreed with and big enough to maintain their composure when he said something they didn’t agree with.

I want to know, what do you think about the conduct of some of the members of congress who were there last night, and acted out the way they did? Wasn’t it a travesty? Share your thoughts.

Holla Back!

Happy 48th Birthday President Barack Obama! God Bless you to see 48 more!

Here are the first two paragraphs of an article talking about President Obama on the cover of a magazine without a shirt.

In the throes of an economic crisis and two wars, does the nation want more headlines about a “Pec-tacular” “Buff Bam”?

President Obama appears shirtless in a bathing suit on the cover of May issue of The Washingtonian magazine. The magazine’s excuse? The pec pic illustrates the #2 reason (out of 26) to love living in the nation’s capital: “Our New Neighbor is Hot.”   (story continued.  scroll down)

Lol.  That’s enough of that story.  There are many snippets and articles out there about this issue. Matter of fact the above article calls it a bathing suit, while another calls it gym shorts, nevertheless they all got the crux of it straight, he didn’t have on a shirt! Initially the first story I saw called the expose of his bare upper body disrespectful. I just wanna know what you think. Is it disrespectful for our president of our United States to pose on the cover of a magazine shirtless?  

Let me say, as much as I love, love, love Obama, I have mixed emotions on this one. I thought about what my mom used to say: with certain positions in life come responsibilities. She would say, once a woman has a baby, she is in a different category in life; she can’t do some of the same things she used to do, she can’t go to some of the same places she used to go, she can’t wear some of the things she used to wear, etc. Do you agree with that? Does being elected the President of the United States dictate staying fully clothed for the cameras at all times?

For the record, as mixed as my emotions are, a big part of me thinks this is ridiculous! It is a nice picture. It is done with taste. He looks good/hot/buff. What’s the problem??? But he is the President!  Should we think of President Barack Obama the same way we think of Tyrese Gibson (cutie patootie!)?  Help me out here. What do you think? Holla back!

We’ve been talking a lot about our first black President Barack Obama and racism and actions that stem from the hatred of racism. I have a scenario. You are walking through the mall with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dennis Rodman. The three of you are walking, talking and minding your own business when an unidentifiable skinhead comes up and spits on all three of you. I think we can surmise what Dr. King would do and probably assume what Rodman would do. Their history, reputation and actions precede them. But here’s the thing: what would you do?

We would all love for the world to think the best of us, but you know what emotion was invoked just now when you read it, and you know what you would do or what you think you would do. Tell the truth and share with us what an outward, direct, public show of a race provoked demeaning act, such as this one, could and would provoke you to do! Tell us if the morals and Christianity (if you claim to be one) you possess will cause you to turn the other cheek and say Father forgive them. Be honest and tell us: What Would You Do???

Holla back!

Uh… help me with this!!!

A Barnes & Noble spokesperson claims a customer placed a book about monkeys in a window where Barack Obama books were on display. So…anybody can just come into Barnes and Noble and rearrange or add to their displays? Sounds like Monkey Business to me!

Here is an article that accompanied this picture and what Barnes and Noble had to say to resolve this matter.

Barnes & Noble would like to publicly apologize for what happened in our Coral Gables, Florida store. We believe that a customer played a cruel joke and placed an inappropriate title in the front window of our store, where we were featuring books written by or about President Obama. We want to assure our customers that the book placed by someone other than our booksellers was never intended to be included in our display and was removed as soon as we became aware of the situation. We are looking into it and are taking the steps necessary so that it does not happen again. From time to time customers will move titles from one area of the store to another. In this particular case, we do not condone whatever message may have been intended with the placement of this title in our Presidential display. It certainly was not part of our merchandising and we regret that we didn’t see the placement of this title immediately.

Unfortunately, when I first received the email with this picture in it, an apology/explanation did not come with the picture. How many people will see this and never hear what B & N has to say? I wonder if it will impact business at all. Why are people so cruel?

Holla back and tell me if you have seen this picture, how you would take it if you walked by and saw it, what you perceive the implications to be and how long it will take society to change.

Will a Portuguese Water Dog be America’s next First Pooch? Seriously? Why in the world is that any of our business and how in the world have we become a society that sits in anticipation as the Obama’s dog choice makes the evening news? Yes, it is kind of cute that there are sites online that allow you to vote on the breed of dog they should buy but we already eat, sleep, and drink literally every move of President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, Sasha Obama, and now Spot Obama? You’re kidding me!

Here is my question, if we are this involved in the White House dog, which is really not our poop to scoop and is none our business because it has absolutely nothing to do with the running of this country, should we be privy to other things pertaining to the Barack Obama family? If they are this open with this piece of their life, will they be this open with the not so cutesy stuff?

Since Malia is the oldest I will use her; what if Malia did something wrong? Something that would make the country’s heads roll? Should we be privy to that information also? When do we mind our own business, take care of our own dogs and let them have at least a portion of life that is their own? Shouldn’t some things just be “their” business? They didn’t sign up for a reality show, just the Presidency! I know with some positions in life come instantaneously stardom but at some point shouldn’t a line be drawn and shouldn’t we let them have some family intimacy regarding matters the public never knows about? I’m just saying…

What do you think? Should we get to go inside and be a part of every aspect of the Obamas’ lives? Tell me what you think. Holla back!

This is America. We don’t do what is easy, we do what is necessary!
–Barack Obama

Was the President wonderful last night or what! He was his usual graceful, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, hopeful self! To me, he left no stone unturned when it came to giving us an understanding of what is really going on and how he plans to make things better and take our country to the next level. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing what he had to say, and although I was sitting down for most of it, I too felt like standing on occasion and applauding! Wasn’t that a long procession of people coming in and visiting with friends and colleagues along the way? Could we find anybody as excited as The Speaker of the House? And didn’t it just pull on your heart strings when he recognized his wife, the First Lady and she mouthed the words, I love you and blew him a kiss? I must admit, I teared up a bit at that moment. All those things were good but what he said/declared/promised was even better!

One of my favorites was, “We will rebuild, We will recover, and the United States will emerge stronger than before”! Whew! That is saying a lot! I tell you, during parts of his speech, I actually became nervous. I do not want him to fail! Not just because I like him so very much but because he is the gentleman that is taking us along with him these four years; so if he fails we fail! I feel as if his openness and honesty, and conscious effort to involve the country, gives us all a piece of the pie but also a share of the responsibility. Did you hear him when he said, he has already found 2 trillion dollars in savings!

Of course his main focus was on energy, healthcare and education. Here are some things he said that resonated with me and made an impact on me and my growing belief in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
• Over the next 2 years this plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs, 90% in the private sector
• Healthcare reform will not wait another year, it is weighing down the economy
• He vowed to make college affordable to a million more students and by the year 2020 we will have the highest proportion of college graduates.  He also asked that every American commit to at least one year of higher education
• He vowed to end education programs that don’t work and come up with new incentive for teachers
• He vowed to hold his cabinet accountable for every dollar they spend and launch a website so WE can see what they spend (Wow)
• He vowed to end tax breaks for the top 2% of the rich and for companies that send jobs overseas and give tax breaks to 95% of working families

But even as optimistic as he is, he talked about the hurdles we will have to get over. What he told us was:
• Even if we manage this plan flawlessly, there will be no real recovery unless we clean up the credit crisis that is severely weakening our financial system
• The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation
• Cost of action is great but cost of inaction is even greater

He even scolded us and challenged us by telling Americans:
• What got us here is many people buying houses they couldn’t afford
• When it comes to education, it is the parent’s responsibility. It is not a democrat issue or a republican issue but an American issue
• Not to pass the debt we can’t pay down to our children. (That one statement got one of the biggest stand ovations and Barack jokingly said, “I knew we could get some consensus in here!”)

He elegantly kept it real!  How do you feel about the direction our country is headed and what did you think of his speech? You know what to do…holla back!

At the end of the day she is wife, mother, daughter, sister, neighbor and friend. But for the world, 45 year old Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama recently transitioned in a role only 43 women have preceded her in filling, wife of President of the United States, Barack Obama and the first African-American First Lady of the United States.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and graduating from Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Michelle Obama is the most talked about woman in the United States…maybe in the world! She is constantly being dissected and each and every part is analyzed from every angle. I think the overwhelming consensus is: Isn’t she lovely!

With this being the first presidential election I have followed this closely, I am not an expert on any of the other first ladies. I do think we have had some lovely first ladies. Nancy Reagan brought the unique Hollywood glamour she so elegantly exuded. Hillary Clinton had such a strong presence; I think we all knew we would see her again, with or without Bill. To me, Laura Bush is the epitome of all things right. I can’t say enough about her but… Mrs. Michelle brings a style and sassiness I don’t believe the White House or politics has ever seen!  She is what some may consider the most envied wife/woman with every advantage life has to offer, yet she keeps it real!

According to articles and stories, her White House décor comes from Pottery Barn. Her daughters, Malia and Sasha do not have a nanny as she is determined to keep continuity in the routine of her family, regardless of the monumental life they are living. She chooses to dress in J. Crew, use American designers and has even appeared on camera with dresses off the rack. She is not afraid of PDA (public displays of affection) and although her husband is President of the United States, they still have date night and romantic dinners and are not timid about sharing it with the world!

One of the cutest things I have seen is an interview with Barack and Michelle where they corrected each other and had little side conversations while the interviewer sits waiting to resume the interview. Already they have done some of the sweetest things, ever witnessed, by a President and First Lady. You would have to be blind to miss the love and respect they have for each other. Have you seen the picture of them on an elevator, inauguration night, where she has his jacket around her shoulders and they have their foreheads together looking at each other, with Secret Service all around them? Priceless and obviously a Kodak moment!

Her style has been compared to Jackie O. For me, I don’t see that but no matter, it is a compliment! She carries herself with a chic-ness and grace all her own. She is a strong lady yet feminine. Without a doubt, very intelligent yet you can see a countenance ready and willing to listen and learn. She appears happy and satisfied with what has happened but determined to keep the change process moving! As much as we have patted ourselves on the back for choosing such a great leader, I’m not sure we realize the two in one deal we’ve been given!

In 1993, she founded Public Allies Chicago which provided young adults with leadership training for public service careers. In 1996, she joined the University of Chicago as associate dean of student services, and established its first community service program. She’s not just a pretty face! Currently her passion is military families of deployed soldiers. As a military wife this thrills me. I really don’t think she could have picked a more overlooked cause. For this and all Michelle has brought, is bringing, and will continue to bring to us, thank you First Lady Michelle Obama. It is a delight to have you as our First Lady!

What do you think about Michelle Obama as First Lady of the United States? Holla back!

P.S. – Entertainment tonight is doing a series on Michelle Obama’s first 100 days of fashion. Check it out!

Whether one agrees with the man or not, and surely no one agrees with anyone about everything, Mr. Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States of America.  Indeed this is a milestone in the history of this great country.

Still, I am concerned with the paradigm and language of a country, that while progressive in many respects still embraces a centuries’ old non-progressive mindset about the very thing from which it celebrates its liberation.

President Obama is proudly called the first black or African-American president in United States history, and so he is.  Both the public and the media mention his white family, but never does anyone say that he is white—but he is.  Mr. Barack Obama is as much a white president as he is a black president. 

I hold that we have only almost made it to the mountaintop that Dr. King dreamed of.  No, we are not there yet.  Because as long as white America and black America hold to the 1800’s belief that one drop of black blood or one black parent makes a person black, our thinking is as archaic as our slave-owning or enslaved forefathers was.  Both blacks and whites are wrong for only celebrating or referring to half of Obama’s culture, thus perpetuating the divide that we proudly say has been bridged by the new president’s election and inauguration.

Let it rather be said that, we have a president—our president, a black man, a white man or a man of color, someone we can all identify with whether black, white, red or yellow.   How about calling him a man, a man who was made in the image of God, a man who desperately needs our prayers?