Yes, it's been awhile since my last post. But I could not let this day pass without noting the passing of a great woman, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, who grew to unthinkable heights in her 98 years of purposeful life.
Last week, Dr. Benjamin Hooks passed; this week, Dr. Height. Timber has fallen. Where is the reforestation? Who steps into these might shoes? While we mourn the passing of these tall trees, we must get busy and move ahead. President Barack Obama notwithstanding, we still have miles to go to The Promised Land before we sleep.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
SMG: Snowmygod!
Ain't God grand! Mother Nature really strutted her stuff this time, and I've got pulverized evergreens resembling weeping willows to prove it. Whew! We really took a blast with this record-setting blizzard of 2010. Lesson learned? Get ready; be better prepared. Could this be a foretaste of the decade to come -- full of superlatives and weathering wicked storms? Is this the decade that you discover what true grit you're made of? What really matters? The difference between desire and necessity?
Take head: Sunshine and smiles come in the morning.
Yesterday, I was not so optimistic when I woke up to a beeping alarm system alerting me to a power outage that lasted from 6 a.m to 8 p.m. By the time my daughter and I were costumed like Russian immigrants marching across the Siberian ice lands in "Dr. Zhivago -- chanting "power, power" and cheering "give me a P-O-W-E-R!" -- the thermostat in our all-electric house was descending below 60 degrees. Doesn't seem that bad but after donning the third layer of clothing and a blanket, my nose was still feeling frosty. The tea literally warmed by tea lights was a welcome warmth.
More than 250,00 people in the Washington metropolitan region were without electricity yesterday, according to WTOP-FM. I wondered how they were coping, especially those with babies and elderly, sick relatives. I found batteries for the dusty radio, an old phone to plug into the wall, candles of every color, shape and size, ate cereal and sandwiches, and spent a rare afternoon free from the hustle and hassle of work, work, work.
Even when you think you've prepared for the worst, that you're covered for the unexpected event, that you've got a workable contingency plan, the Universe throws you a Snowmygod fastball. Do you duck, let it smack you in the face and knock you down, or do you catch it and make ice cream? French vanilla for me, please.
Take head: Sunshine and smiles come in the morning.
Yesterday, I was not so optimistic when I woke up to a beeping alarm system alerting me to a power outage that lasted from 6 a.m to 8 p.m. By the time my daughter and I were costumed like Russian immigrants marching across the Siberian ice lands in "Dr. Zhivago -- chanting "power, power" and cheering "give me a P-O-W-E-R!" -- the thermostat in our all-electric house was descending below 60 degrees. Doesn't seem that bad but after donning the third layer of clothing and a blanket, my nose was still feeling frosty. The tea literally warmed by tea lights was a welcome warmth.
More than 250,00 people in the Washington metropolitan region were without electricity yesterday, according to WTOP-FM. I wondered how they were coping, especially those with babies and elderly, sick relatives. I found batteries for the dusty radio, an old phone to plug into the wall, candles of every color, shape and size, ate cereal and sandwiches, and spent a rare afternoon free from the hustle and hassle of work, work, work.
Even when you think you've prepared for the worst, that you're covered for the unexpected event, that you've got a workable contingency plan, the Universe throws you a Snowmygod fastball. Do you duck, let it smack you in the face and knock you down, or do you catch it and make ice cream? French vanilla for me, please.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Obama Takes'em to the Hoop!
Now, I will be the first to admit that I've been wondering if Mr. President was weak of heart because, like most Democrats, he allows his message and his mission to be muddled, misunderstood and misrepresented by loud mouth pundits and politicians who want him to fail at all costs. [Whew, went a little alliteration crazy.]
But last week, Obama laced up his Air Jordan's and took his rabid Republican detractors (and some Dems) to the Hoop for a slam dunk. Say what you want about his policies and his platitudes delivered forcefully during that long-winded State of the Union speech, it's not everyday you see an unapologetic president call out Supreme Court justices in the hallowed chambers of Congress for making a bad decision that kills campaign finance reform -- on national television not less. And when was the last time you saw the sitting president of one party voluntarily enter the Belly of the Beast of another party (at the GOP's Balitmore meeting) to go face-to-face, one-on-one, backing his way to the basket, surviving the fouls and swipe, all to make a mere two points?
One, you can't "Just Say No." Two, you can't continue to chump me.
That's the audacity that got him elected. We need to see more of the bold leader who dared to show the courage of his convictions for "change." Mr. Obama must remain mindful of the Old Folks' adage to "dance with the one who brought you." He promised health care, he promised to end these wars, he promised to fix the financial mess, he promised openness and opportunity. He was not asked to capitulate to the opposition and corporate greed to win bipartisanship.
Let's hope the 44th president means what he said to ABC anchor Diane Sawyer that he'd rather be a one-term president who makes a difference than a two-term president who did not.
After that Massachusetts massacre, Mr. Cool obviously realizes that you can't lay back too long, dribbling and dabbling, allowing your opponent passes, and playing Mr. Conciliator before your opposition will steal the ball and win the game. You've got to take'em to the hoop.
But last week, Obama laced up his Air Jordan's and took his rabid Republican detractors (and some Dems) to the Hoop for a slam dunk. Say what you want about his policies and his platitudes delivered forcefully during that long-winded State of the Union speech, it's not everyday you see an unapologetic president call out Supreme Court justices in the hallowed chambers of Congress for making a bad decision that kills campaign finance reform -- on national television not less. And when was the last time you saw the sitting president of one party voluntarily enter the Belly of the Beast of another party (at the GOP's Balitmore meeting) to go face-to-face, one-on-one, backing his way to the basket, surviving the fouls and swipe, all to make a mere two points?
One, you can't "Just Say No." Two, you can't continue to chump me.
That's the audacity that got him elected. We need to see more of the bold leader who dared to show the courage of his convictions for "change." Mr. Obama must remain mindful of the Old Folks' adage to "dance with the one who brought you." He promised health care, he promised to end these wars, he promised to fix the financial mess, he promised openness and opportunity. He was not asked to capitulate to the opposition and corporate greed to win bipartisanship.
Let's hope the 44th president means what he said to ABC anchor Diane Sawyer that he'd rather be a one-term president who makes a difference than a two-term president who did not.
After that Massachusetts massacre, Mr. Cool obviously realizes that you can't lay back too long, dribbling and dabbling, allowing your opponent passes, and playing Mr. Conciliator before your opposition will steal the ball and win the game. You've got to take'em to the hoop.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Madame Ambassador
Just a quick note to give Kudos! to my Randall cousin, Mary Jo Wills, who did us all proud yesterday when she was sworn in as Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of the Seychelles in the opulent Ben Franklin Room of the State Department.
It was not lost on me that the scenic backdrop from the terrace windows was that of the Lincoln Memorial, site of the MLK "I Have a Dream Speech." No wonder Aunt Edna was overcome with tears of pride and joy.
During her acceptance remarks, Mary Jo, gave credit to her deceased father and grandmother and the communities from which she hails -- "the Fort" [Ft. Ward] in Alexandria and the "village of Falls Church."
Well done.
It was not lost on me that the scenic backdrop from the terrace windows was that of the Lincoln Memorial, site of the MLK "I Have a Dream Speech." No wonder Aunt Edna was overcome with tears of pride and joy.
During her acceptance remarks, Mary Jo, gave credit to her deceased father and grandmother and the communities from which she hails -- "the Fort" [Ft. Ward] in Alexandria and the "village of Falls Church."
Well done.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Really, Rhee?
Condescending Chancellor Michelle Rhee has really gone overboard this time. She must be leaving town before her California nuptials.
Her latest outrageous accusations about D.C. teacher abuses as yet another questionable reason for laying off more than two hundred teachers two months into the school year should not go unanswered. As a matter of public record, parents especially should make her disclose how many teachers were involved, where, when and how they abused D.C. students. Also what actions were taken -- including noting their defenses -- before they were fired. To make such sweeping charges without more specific information is not only egregious, it is incendiary, particularly given the already hostile and adversarial environment that she has created in DCPS.
No one should be allow to abuse children and swift sanction is mandatory if such abuses are found. But Rhee should be more mindful of legal actions, which not only hurt her but also put the District government in jeopardy, if she continues to besmirch an entire class of workers without substantial backup.
Her latest outrageous accusations about D.C. teacher abuses as yet another questionable reason for laying off more than two hundred teachers two months into the school year should not go unanswered. As a matter of public record, parents especially should make her disclose how many teachers were involved, where, when and how they abused D.C. students. Also what actions were taken -- including noting their defenses -- before they were fired. To make such sweeping charges without more specific information is not only egregious, it is incendiary, particularly given the already hostile and adversarial environment that she has created in DCPS.
No one should be allow to abuse children and swift sanction is mandatory if such abuses are found. But Rhee should be more mindful of legal actions, which not only hurt her but also put the District government in jeopardy, if she continues to besmirch an entire class of workers without substantial backup.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Curry Curious?
Hummm. Why have 800 people signed up to celebrate former Prince George's County Executive Wayne K. Curry's birthday tonight at Camelot's by Martin's in Upper Marlboro?
"Donors" are folking over $50 to $10,000 for the "Tribute to a Maryland Legacy Maker." The proceeds are for the benefit of The LEARN Foundation.
What else are those "donors" paying for? A possible Curry candidacy and return to public office? As what? Certainly not Back to the Future in Upper Marlboro.
"We want to generate broad support for the message that Wayne -- our proud son of Prince George's County -- is admired and enjoys state-wide and regional support,"' organizers wrote in an email blast to Leadership Washington members. "This event is also being held to demonstrate that leaders in the County are united in advancing Prince George's as a key player in the State of Maryland and a strategic assets in the Region."
Well, there is the wildly popular National Harbor.
But has Curry, who never lacked ego, set his sights on the statehouse in Annapolis.
Clearly, Lt. Gov. Brown, who also hails from Prince George's, is not harvesting enough crabs or "advancing Prince George's as a key player in the State of Maryland."
"Donors" are folking over $50 to $10,000 for the "Tribute to a Maryland Legacy Maker." The proceeds are for the benefit of The LEARN Foundation.
What else are those "donors" paying for? A possible Curry candidacy and return to public office? As what? Certainly not Back to the Future in Upper Marlboro.
"We want to generate broad support for the message that Wayne -- our proud son of Prince George's County -- is admired and enjoys state-wide and regional support,"' organizers wrote in an email blast to Leadership Washington members. "This event is also being held to demonstrate that leaders in the County are united in advancing Prince George's as a key player in the State of Maryland and a strategic assets in the Region."
Well, there is the wildly popular National Harbor.
But has Curry, who never lacked ego, set his sights on the statehouse in Annapolis.
Clearly, Lt. Gov. Brown, who also hails from Prince George's, is not harvesting enough crabs or "advancing Prince George's as a key player in the State of Maryland."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Obama's Anniversary
One year? My sister asks: Do the "American people," whoever they are, really expect one man to fix in one year what it took another man eight years to destroy?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)