Roland Burris Picked To Replace Barack Obama

I bet this decision disappointed a whole lot of people in Illinois. Especially Jesse Jackson Jr. and Valerie Jarrett to name a few. Roland Burris may be the one qualified Democrat with a proven track record that Illinois political insiders didn't want Rod Blagojeveich to pick. He has had moderate success but he's not a favorite. You might call him a perennial candidate of sorts. He has ran for political office nine times. With his latest defeat coming courtesy of Rod Blagojoveich himself. Burris is just a Afro-American, Democrat with a history who was in the right place at the right time.

The flip side of all this is his record might be tainted by being picked by Gov. Blagoveich to fill the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. I don't know anything about Roland Burris, but he hasn't broke any laws that we know about. I think the future will be kind to him.

They Aren't Saying Anything

I listened to the Thuggeus Matthews show today and he's as stupid as he ever was. Though I don't like his tactics. I'm just one of many who listen to talk radio. He obviously has found a niche in Memphis. Telling people to hush and hanging up the phone, doesn't help his credibility. But I know that's the only way he can survive on the air. He's not the sharpest Knife inthe drawer. He is too egotistical to admit his brand of radio has it's limitations and he has reached them. He would rather just ride it until it runs out. Then jump on something else like he has in the past. I have to give credit where it's due though. He has taken being a disrespectful oaf on the radio to a brand new level. He is crazy like a possum. He gets fat off what decent people ignore. If it wasn't for him going around stretching stuff and telling lies. Nobody would even know who he was. That's how I came to listen. He told a bold faced lie on me before. You can tell he's lying because hhis mouth is moving

I listened to his supposed greivance with Milton Hawkins. The new senior pastor of Temple Of Deliverance COGIC. I heard what Thuggeus has used to build a case against him. At least a case in his twisted mind. And it doesn't add up. So what if a church with a 6 million dollar budget pays the pastor accordingly? Milton Hawkins may not need to make 1/2 million dollars a year but he does, so what effect does that have on the life of poor residents. In a city of 1 million people, and the majority of them poor. If he gave his whole salary to charity; what difference would it make to 999 people? It would only add one. Then there would be one thousand people with no money. He has tapped into the most basic primal instinct that's sure to mobilize Afro-Americans. He simply capitalizes on their jealousy.


Also I hope no one was fooled by that episode with Dr. David Hill. He pulled the same thing with Austin Farley. He scored a knockout punch with his mouth. Thuggeus likes to give the impression he's a brawler, but he's just running his mouth. It's no accident that he has avoided confrontation as much as he talks. It's called knowing when to keep your mouth closed. He has it bad threatening preachers, elected officials, women and people who have something to lose. I would be impressed if he challenged someone like Amp Elmore the Snowman or those Mexicans he started up with. A wise woman once told me, and she was right. "People like him will go untouched, because they aren't saying anything."

Tom Vilsack Picked For Agricultural Secretary

This picture says it all. The look on both their faces largely describes how they really feel about each other. I'm here with you but I really like your friend. If I hadn't come with you I might have been left out. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1867780,00.html

Gen. Eric Shesinki Picked For Secretary Of Veterans Affairs

This is largely a ceremonial position in my opinion. Under no circumstances do we want to go to war or defend our borders, but we want to treat our military first rate. This slot is one set aside for the DAV, PVA and other veteran organizations of the sort. Who no doubt some will feel betrayed by this selection. If confirmed he will be the first Asian-American to hold that post.

http://www.disaboom.com/Blogs/disabled_politico/archive/2008/12/08/gen-eric-shinseki-selected-secretary-of-veterans-affairs.aspx

Ken Salazar Picked For Interior Secretary

This is where we might really see the long awaited change. The president-elect has stepped outside traditional guidelines and relied on his own instincts. Which I might add have worked well so far. From the looks of things he picked someone with a much needed thick skin. Ken Salazar seems up for the task.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1867218,00.html

Mary Sharpiro Picked To Head Securities And Exchange Commission

Barack Obama is relying on experience here. She has ran a private company preparing her for this job for the last twenty years. What she can do to change things remains to be seen, but at least she knows what's happening.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/obama-to-announce-sec-chairwoman/

Ray Lahood Picked For Transportation Secretary

This is a peace offering to the Republicans. Ray Lahood is the second Republican to be picked and the first registered as such. The other (Robert Gates) is registered as an Independent.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/17/transition.wrap/index.html

Hilda Solis Picked For Labor Secretary

This selection is for the unions and organized labor. One of the future benefits of this pick is this. How better to lock up the Hispanic vote than get them to join unions.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/18/solis.labor/

Merry Christmas

Trees Are Just Tradition

This time of year all of the Christmas contentions arise. I think a lot of this yearly passion is founded in the passage below. It is one of the most misinterpreted passages of scripture during this time of year. Both by believers and non-believers alike.

Jeremiah 10
1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

People are taking this scripture and using it as a reason not to celebrate Christmas. Even though Christmas is not mentioned once. No one seems to notice for whom this was written. Jesus hadn't been born yet. Which is why we celebrate Christmas. They are stretching the meaning and using their colorful imaginations to justify their positions. For the past two days I've listened to debaters waffle over exactly what this means. All the stables of the holiday are largely ceremonial. The Christmas tree, nativity scene, even Santa Claus and his reindeer are symbols. Nobody worships any of these things, but they do associate them with the Christmas season.

Could this whole thing be the fault of the Christians? Let's not pick and choose which principles we follow. Non-believers are watching and taking note. Some of us don't celebrate Christmas, but we participate in communion. They are done for the same reason. Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. The whole world didn't believe in God back in the old testament, just like they don't believe today. Jeremiah 10 has nothing to do with Christmas trees today, it was about idol worship back then. In history you can find several instances where people used trees for the wrong reason, but that has nothing to do with Christians and Christmas Trees today. The magic word is context. Trees are just tradition.

It Rains On The Just

Once again we have lost one of our precious children to a senseless crime committed by a ruthless thug. It is suspected that this shooting is possibly a result of gang activity. According to the latest accounts . It might have been retaliation for an earlier altercation. We always say we don't know what it's like until it happens to you. This is as close as I hope this kind of tragedy comes to me. I see this child and her family almost every week. This little girl was a member of my church.

Times like these really test your faith. The family might be feeling at this point that good guys finish last. From all indications little Kentaria Traylor was off to a good start in life. She was an honor roll student in the fifth grade. After bringing up the child in the way that she should go. Then to turn around and have something happen like this just doesn't seem right. I know it rains on the just and the unjust. Lately it seems like the good are in the midst of a thunderstorm. I hope someone has the decency and courage to tell. Let's do what we can to balance the scales.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/dec/21/holiday-nightmare/

Ron Kirk Picked For Trade Representative

It has been said that the next four years for Ron Kirk will be pretty uneventful. The new administration isn't expected to make any sweeping changes in organized labor. They will be preoccupied with the auto industry bailout and the UAW. That relegates this post in the cabinet to being pretty much ceremonial. NAFTA has been put in place and isn't likely to change.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121808dnnatkirk.728e2f3c.html

It's Going To Take More Than Eating Soul Food

Caroline Kennedy is trying awful hard to reignite her father's flame among blacks. She had a much publicized lunch with Al Sharpton at a popular restaurant in Harlem. Afterwards Al Sharpton proclaimed her readiness for office. As if we would expect him to say anything else. His endorsement is bitter sweet. He is 50/50 at best. Still the only thing we know about Caroline is, that she is JFK's daughter . That doesn't tell us anything about her qualifications to be New York's next senator though. In my humble opinion. She might have used all her juice when she endorsed Barack Obama. If the same guards are on duty that grilled Gov. Sarah Palin. To prove the people of her worthiness. It's going to take more than eating soul food.

Speaking In Tongues

I am confident in the fact that speaking in tongues is not a requirement for one being saved. There is more to the story though. I personally have never heard of a doctrine that made this practice a requirement, but I have heard people make that claim before. As I heard this discussion once again. I saw something I hadn't seen before. Speaking in tongues doesn't say you are saved, but it isn't a devilish act either.

The first scripture that caught my eye was this one. It put me on notice that speaking in tongues is a gift. Like myself, all believers don't have the ability. I guess it's kind of like being able to sing. The only one who doesn't like to rehearse, is the one who doesn't have a voice.

1 Corinthians 12
10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Then I reflected on the worship service itself. It seems that those most impressed are those new to the faith. They get excited and are often driven to join the church. Scripture tells us that tongues are for the unbeliever and not those who believe. Those in search of the right thing are looking for a word from the lord. Which simply means something written in the bible.

1 Corinthians 14
22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

This last scripture brought the whole thing home. Don't lose any sleep worrying about those speaking in tongues. What we should seek is to be abreast of the prophesy .If we all do our part to the best of our ability. One should take care of the other.

39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

We Need Policemen Not Physicist

Let's not get excited here and do something we'll later regret. Our inability to attract candidates isn't because we don't pay enough. Councilman Bill Boyd surprised me with his last suggestion. The latest proposal by the councilman is to offer a $10,000 signing bonus and $5000 for relocation expenses. Some council members are going to want to go for that I bet. If by some chance it passes. What we'll end up with is a whole lot of wannabe administrators. Who still won't solve the city's dilemma.That's if they even choose to stay. There is no need to give away the farm trying to get people to apply for the job. If people have the capability and skills to earn $65'000 a yr., how long are they going to settle for $40,000 or less? As soon as that big payday presents itself, they're going to be gone. I can't say I blame them.

I think this residency thing would handle itself if they did what really needed to be done. I wish the councilman would not use this as a publicity horse to mobilize their base. The main issue is, they need to come up with a way to stop the hemorrhaging of tax dollars leaving the city. I know of two things that will make that happen. That can be achieved with instituting a payroll tax or building toll-booths. I prefer toll-booths myself. That's another story though.

Memphis is competitive with the surrounding areas. The starting pay for an officer with no experience is $34,279. With the proposed incentives that works out to about $50,000 annualy. That's the starting pay for an inexperienced physicist looking for a job With the economy being what it is right now. Over qualified people will probably be coming from everywhere. The question is "will they stay"? There must be a mistake in the published anouncement. We need police not physicist.

Arne Duncan Picked As Secretary Of Education

I don't know anything about Arne Duncan, so I can't say anything one way or the other. He may be just the man for the job. Only time will tell for sure. I will say this though. "He has more leadership experience than the man who selected him." He has been superintendent of the Chicago school system for seven years. Though he graduated from Harvard magna cum laude, he lacks experience. President-elect Obama has taken the same chance with Arne Duncan, that the people of America have taken with him.

http://projects.nytimes.com/44th_president/new_team/show/36

Shoe Shot

I think this is why, " for every one step the black race moves forward. They take two steps backwards." If you go out and get a long list of letters (Degrees)behind your name. There are some people you can convince to believe just about anything you say. When all they have as proof is your admission. That's exactly what Dr. Darryl Tokonufu is doing in my opinion. He has went out and prepared himself to excel in a professional atmosphere. That's contrary to what he represents out in the community. Take a look at his long list of credentials.
Education
AB-Youngstown State Universitys
MA-The University of Akron
Ph.D-The University of Akron
D.Min-Jacksonville Theological Seminary

Now that is what you call an Oreo if there is such a thing. Not because he's highly educated either. He has two flavors.He tells those in his community one thing, but when he goes to his job everyday he says something else. How can you be an associate professor at a Christian college and promote the holiday Kwanzaa? This is like the black Muslim cab driver or waiter who depends on whites for his tips. It's kind of hard to be so pro-black when your money comes from whites. You don't use the bathroom where you eat. Blacks have a history of letting others fund their fights. This is how we came to have what is known as the NAACP. It was an organization started by whites who thought they knew what was best for blacks. They knew if they footed the bill they could control the agenda. Not that they haven't done some good things. Just not always where black's focus should be at that particular time.If you really have something to say. Your message should be the same all day, everyday. I don't agree with Dr. Toconofu anyway, but I know his opinion is held in high esteem among many blacks. Why are so many educated blacks only racially conscious when it's convenient?

Shaun Donovan Picked For HUD Secretary

This is another familiar face from the Clinton administration. He may know how to get us out of this housing mess. Seeing that if the truth be told. He was key in the administration that got this whole thing started. Affordable housing is at the crux of all these bad loans.

Read more about him :

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/dec/13/obama-taps-ny-housing-commissioner-head-hud/?feedback=1#comments

Susan Rice Picked For U.N. Envoy

This is both an interesting and unusual choice. This position is not normally a cabinet post unless specifically designated such by the President. This in most cases falls under the supervision of the Secretary of State. There appears to be bad blood between her and Hillary Clinton, due to loyalty issues. It appears she is another transplant from the Clinton administration, who switched sides and supported Obama.

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?fromspage=ch/c.htm&categoryid=&only=y&pnum=20&bfromind=8326&eeid=6251468&_sitecat=1504&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=4&ck=&ch=ne

Tom Daschle Picked For Head Of Health And Human Services

This pick was no surprise. They could have made this announcement first.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-health12-2008dec12,0,7459722.story

Steven Chu Picked For Energy Secretary

Barack Obama has chosen Steven Chu to head up the Energy Department in his cabinet. Chu comes filled with impressive credentials. He was part of the Stanford Physicist team that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. He currently heads the Berkley Laboratories with 4000 employees and a budget of $650 million. His commitment to finding new ways to harness solar energy and work toward ending greenhouse erosion. Both Will be sorely needed in order for all these anticipated jobs Barack Obama has promised in the energy field. Steven Chu says "every home in America can be more energy efficient for $1000, but consumers would rather have a granite counter top."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/us/politics/05web-chu.html?_r=1

A Dynasty Is Being Built

Talk about a chip off the old block. This man is just like his father. I am now convinced more than ever, the big fallout between Kenneth Whalum Sr. and his son was simply a passing of the torch. The father didn't want his son's leadership to be in the shadow of his own. So they had to make his departure controversial or less than smooth to say the least. The late Kenneth Whalum Sr. left his mark in the Memphis community. The son has some big shoes to fill. But he's up for the challenge.

I had a chance to talk with Kenneth Whalum Jr. about his push for a police academy in the Memphis City Schools. I could tell he hadn't been challenged on his position before. This young baptist preacher has the ability to move a black crowd. Even when it's in the wrong direction. I don't see where it will help our crime situation now, but I understand what he is doing. Just like his father had a strong following at the U.S. Postal Service here in Memphis. They have even renamed the main local facility in his honor. His son is aiming for the same thing with the police department. Can you imagine the weight it would carry if Jr. had this same standing with the MPD? A Whalum dynasty is being built.

The Loose Thread

This reminds me of a joke I once heard about the man with the hang nail. As the story goes a man pulled a little piece of skin from beneath his cuticle. Before it stopped it was up to his neck. LOL That's what's going to happen to Barack Obama and the Illinois political machine. It is rumored to be one of the most corrupt elected bodies in the nation. When they finish uncovering these questionable relationships. I think people will be surprised at who is uncovered. Governor Rod Blagojeveich is just a loose thread in a cover that's been pulled. Before it's over, it might unravel the whole sweater.

Long Overdue

It's about time law enforcement hit these domestic terrorists where it hurts. The authorities lock these guys up for a short time after their rise to power. Then they go behind bars and bulk up or grow some long fingernails. Then they come out of jail and pick up where they left off, or some foot soldier rises up the ranks. If they started confiscating the belongings of these gang bangers. It would put a significant dent in their power base. If a person has a fancy house or car or both, and doesn't have a job or traceable income. Where did he get it from? This action is long overdue.

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?pnum=1&bfromind=7406&eeid=6257264&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt&_lid=332&_lnm=tg+ne+topnews&ck=

To Bail Or Not To Bail

According to a recent poll, the country is practically split down the middle when it comes to bailing out the big three automakers. Forty-five percent of the people are in favor of the bailout, forty-four are not. The auto industry is the last bastion of the industrial era in America. The high paying International Harvesters and the Firestone plants are a thing of the past. It's going to take more than using a glue gun on an assembly line to make the big bucks. Passing down jobs like family heirlooms is over. A little thing called a right-to work state has put a major dent in unionized labor. Where else in the workforce can a worker make over $100 hr. with wages and benefits and can't read or write?

The Big Three automakers employs about 3 to 4 million people. The auto industry itself employs about 10 million people or more. In a nation where 144 million workers are employed overall. Either one makes up a substantial number of jobs. The country is between a rock and a hard place. Can we really afford not to bail the automakers out ? Needless to say their demise would have a rippling effect. Though I don't like it , much like other phases of the bailout. I have to go along grudgingly. I'm not so sure this country is prepared to be taken off supplements. It would cause culture shock. A thriving auto industry is somewhat symbolic. I personally think bailing them out is like pouring water in a bucket with a hole in the bottom. Soon as you stop adding water, it's going to get empty. The question still remains. To bail or not to bail.

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/how-many-jobs-depend-on-the-big-three/

Once To Often

I don't really feel sorry for O.J. Simpson because he brought this on himself. He should have known he couldn't show back up in a courtroom charged with a serious crime ever again. Especially not in the United States. The majority of people in America think he was guilty of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown-Simpson and her acquaintance Ronald Goldman.

Their are quite a few people who think the only reason he got off was a series of mistakes by the police and he had a good lawyer (Johnny Cochran) pointing them out. Not because he was innocent, or the charges were unwarranted. He had to have known that was one of the most publicized cases in American history, and there were as many people against him as on his side .

The climate in America changed after the 2008 presidential election. Whites no longer feel guilty about how blacks have been treated in the past. The race card has officially been destroyed. I think this will be a time known in the legal system as the Post-Obama days. Blacks like O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson are going to get convicted as they should. In the past they got off because of their race. O.J. Simpson just went to the well once too often.

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?fromspage=ch/c.htm&categoryid=&only=y&pnum=2&bfromind=8326&eeid=6246041&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=4&ck=&ch=ne

Change Must Be A City In New York

When you look at the selection of the cabinet of the incoming president, it's beginning to look a lot like that of a Clinton administration. It looks familiar to say the least. If we're going to have a prototype of a Bill Clinton Presidency. Why didn't Democrats just elect Hillary Clinton when they had the chance? Barack Obama is either being politically expedient or playing it safe. He isn't taking any real chances so far. " Hope and Change" is just a reintroduction of new faces in old places, or old faces in new places. Depending on what side you're coming from. All the key positions have been picked for people who served under Bill Clinton himself. Not including appointing his wife to the most diplomatic job in the world. Next time we want to know which direction this country is going. Maybe we should look back at the Clinton administrations. We know Hope is a town in Arkansas. Change must be a city in New York.

Name by name, Obama's Cabinet taking shape
Published: 12/5/08, 7:05 PM EDTBy The Associated Press(AP) - Day by day, name by name, President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet is taking shape, and other top jobs are being filled.
A look at who has made the list and who is being talked about for jobs that are still open:
NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED:
TREASURY SECRETARY: Timothy Geithner, president of Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
SECRETARY OF STATE: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
ATTORNEY GENERAL: Eric Holder, former deputy attorney general.
DEFENSE SECRETARY: Robert Gates, a holdover from Bush administration.
HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Retired Marine Gen. James Jones.
COMMERCE SECRETARY: Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M.
NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL DIRECTOR: Lawrence Summers, former treasury secretary.
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DIRECTOR: Peter Orszag, director of Congressional Budget Office.
___
POSTS TO BE DECIDED, WITH THE CONTENDERS:
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.
CIA DIRECTOR
John Gannon, former deputy director for intelligence at the CIA during the Clinton administration
Jami Miscik, former head of CIA's analytical operations
Steve Kappes, CIA's current No. 2
Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., who now heads the House Homeland Security subcommittee on intelligence.
John McLaughlin, former interim CIA chief
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR
Denny Blair, retired admiral and former commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.
Don Kerr, No. 2 official in Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Jami Miscik, former head of CIA's analytical operations.
Former Rep. Tim Roemer, D-Ind.
ENERGY SECRETARY
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan.
Former Rep. Philip Sharp, D-Ind., now president of Resources for the Future think tank.
John Bryson, retired chairman of Edison International, parent company of Southern California Edison. Co-chair of the Electric Drive Transportation Association, a leading advocate for plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Dan Reicher, director of climate change and energy initiatives at Google, former assistant energy secretary in charge of efficiency and renewable energy programs in the Clinton administration.
INTERIOR SECRETARY
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz.
Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash.
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif.
Former Gov. Gary Locke, D-Wash.
John Berry, director of the National Zoo, former executive director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
EPA ADMINISTRATOR
Lisa P. Jackson, former commissioner of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Mary Nichols, head of California Air Resources Board.
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY
Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
Mayor Shirley Franklin of Atlanta.
Adolfo Carrion Jr., president of the Bronx Borough, N.Y.
Renee Glover, head of Atlanta's housing authority.
Nicolas Retsinas, director of Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Bart Harvey, former chief executive of Enterprise Community Investment
U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Rep. Xavier Beccera, D-Calif.
LABOR SECRETARY
Ed McElroy, former president of the American Federation of Teachers.
Linda Chavez-Thompson, former AFL-CIO vice president.
Mary Beth Maxwell, executive director of American Rights at Work.
Former Rep. David Bonior, D-Mich., member of Obama's transition economic advisory board.
Maria Echaveste, former Clinton White House adviser.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan.
EDUCATION SECRETARY
Arne Duncan, chief executive officer of Chicago public schools.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan.
Linda Darling-Hammond, education professor at Stanford University.
Former Gov. Roy Barnes, D-Ga.
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY
Jane Garvey, former head of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Mortimer Downey, former deputy transportation secretary.
Steve Heminger, executive director, San Francisco Bay area transportation commission.
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY
Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture.
Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union.
Former Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas.
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo.
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D.
Former Rep. Jill Long Thompson, D-Ind.
VETERANS AFFAIRS
Tammy Duckworth, a disabled Iraq war veteran, director of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
Former Sen. Max Cleland. D-Ga.

What Did He Really Mean

This is like when you visit someone and they have a big dog in the house. If the dog doesn't come sniffing on you. Since they're at home and you're not. You keep your comments to yourself. But when the dog wants the space where you are. You have no choice but to open your mouth. What would the media be saying if Governor Ed Rendell had said what is really in the back of every body's mind? Not that I am predisposed with curiosity, but it did cross my mind. He was being nice when he said Janet Napolitono didn't have any family. He didn't make any insinuations as to why.

I don't appreciate the fact that they're using Condoleeza Rice to remain politically correct. The focus has now changed to single people in politics. She doesn't have a husband or children, but her preference isn't suspect. At least not the gender. There's a big difference in living the single life and being undercover To group her with these women is unfair to both sides. Before now no one was even concerned with Condoleeza's family life. In spite of what the media is now claiming. Even so, the thought has never come up that she might be homosexual. She is like a lot of black, educated women with high profile jobs. They have put their careers before their personal lives, now they have no men. I don't think that's what Rendell meant about Neapolitono though. What did he mean?

Kudos To Chris Wallace

Finally someone in the media has gone against the grain and present trend of embellishment, and stated the the plain and simple truth. At some point during this present administration. It became an acceptable practice to take potshots at Republicans and Conservatives with no logic or proof whatsoever. Journalist are no longer required to state the truth or even state the obvious. They just stretch the truth to make it say whatever they want.

Chris Wallace has taken it upon himself to go against the Hollywood crowd and speak up for the truth. At the private screening of the movie (Nixon/Frost) directed by Ron Howard of "Happy Days" fame. Howard in a speech to a couple of hundred viewers compared Richard Nixon's actions to that of George W. Bush. One doesn't even remotely compare to the other.

Chris Wallace had the courage to point it out."I think to compare what Nixon did, and the abuses of power for pure political self-preservation, to George W. Bush trying to protect this country -- even if you disagree with rendition or waterboarding -- it seems to me is both a gross misreading of history both then and now," Mr. Wallace said.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/dec/02/fox-news-journalist-defends-bush/

Janet Napolitono Picked For Secretary Of Homeland Security

I don't know a lot about this cabinet choice, but it does have some positive effects overall. Especially in the state of Arizona where she presently resides. It will more than likely result in them getting a Republican governor to take her place. From what I heard she doesn't agree with the policies of Barack Obama on immigration. So it will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Birmingham Boo-ga-loo

Mayor Larry Langford of Birmingham Ala. has been indicted with 101 counts of corruption. Does greed and power make you stupid? Since millions of dollars were involved in the bond arrangements. Did he think a couple of hundred thousand dollars would get lost in the paperwork? This guy won't get off with a wake-up call. This is it for him. The FBI have been watching him for quite a while. He doesn't have the advantage of having people under him to take the blame. He is a small fish caught up in a big wave.

Read the story:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/dec/01/mayor-birmingham-arrested-federal-criminal-charges/

" This Is The Main One" Robert Gates Picked For Secretary Of Defense

I have been waiting patiently for this appointment since the cabinet selection began. I wanted to see who Barack Obama was going to pick to get the troops out of Iraq immediately, like he promised in his campaign. To the contrary we are staying the course. Robert Gates has been picked to continue in his post. In my opinion this is proof that the Bush administration had it right all the time. An immediate withdrawal has turned into a gradual removal with a target date sometime in the future. They clearly don't want to disrupt the impact America has already made. I guess he hopes things don't change.