Robert Reich on Public Option

There are some folks that think that the proposed Health Care Reform "Public Option" is a bad thing, while there are those that thinks is a good option to have.

Videos like these are interesting because while they may seem simply stated and easily understandable, my mind always thinks that there's something more to it.

Joe Wilson: SC Representative's outburst & The 9-year-old

Last night, I looked forward to hearing President Obama's speech to Congress and was apprehensive because I wanted to hear the President outline, very clearly, what he was proposing for Health Care Reform.

I was also very apprehensive regarding how he would be received when he entered the chambers; whether he would be applauded and or hissed at. I was pleased to see and hear that it was the former.

When Obama began to speak, my daughter, all of 9-years-old, turned to me and said, "I'm proud to see President Obama speaking. I hope one day I can see a woman President speaking to Congress." That statement summed up all that we as parents can do, inspire, educate and encourage children to think larger than themselves.

I paid attention to Obama's speech, picking up on the key points that he was proposing to Congress and America about Health Care Reform and encouraging people to read the proposal and listen to what he had to say.

Then, like a ton of bricks, a comment was shouted from the balcony,"You lie!", to which President Obama glared in the comments direction, Vice President looked down and shook his head and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, looked like a deer-in-headlights and blinked profusely.

My daughter turned to me and asked, "What did that person just say?", to which I said I thought the person said, "That's a lie". She immediately said, "That's rude to say to anyone who is speaking, especially the President." Again, an "Aha" moment.

Suffice it to say that I know why Barack Obama is the President of the United States, for he is a better man than I am. With all my patience and understanding that people may not always see eye-to-eye, all my Caribbean, Southern, West Indian and Dutch roots would have not allowed me to let the comment slide. Again, I know now, even more than before, why Barack Obama is the President of the United States.

Yes, South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson immediately apologized for his outburst, but that doesn't change the fact that we expect alot from our children, the future leaders of this country, and yet we have adults that act like children, sometimes.

President Obama has a tough road to travel, but I know he's "Built for It", and for that I'm encouraged.

Worcester Pools: Michael O'Brien Running Things

I guess folks at the City Council meeting got upset by an item that was supposed to have been tabled, but it was voted on, and passed with an 8 to 3 vote in favor of a $2.5 million pool at Crompton Park.

I told y'all last week what City Manager Michael O'Brien believes wholeheartedly.....I RUN this City!

Obama speech: Ignorance is not Bliss

The fall out which is shaping up to be President Obama's speech to the
Unites States' children Has taken on an air of straight forward
ignorance sandwiched by race.

I witnessed President Reagan's address, President George H.W. Bush's
address and now we have President Obama about to address school-aged
children, but many of the kids have already seen and heard the speech
by going on YouTube, Imeen, WorldStarHipHop.com or the myriad of other
websites.

What does this prove, you ask? It clearly tells me that the kids are
smarter than many of the adults, and the fact that a town such as
Auburn, that doesn't want the town's children to hear the President's
address tells me that there are a bunch of ignorant folks in education
in Auburn that are censoring what the children learn and experience.

While enjoying some good food this past weekend, and some even better
conversations, I found myself listening as a Superior Court judge from
Connecticut, a middle school Assistant Principal, an Investment
Banker, and a few lawyers discussed the proposed speech and why many
Americans were complaining and up-in-arms about President Obama's
speech tomorrow.

The thought by all was that there was nothing wrong with the President
addressing school-aged children, and it would serve as a good
conversation piece that parents, of all races, can use as a "teachable
moment" and analyze the speech's highlights.

I'm looking forward to hearing the reporting on the speech and what
the overall perceptions were.

Christina Adrianopoulos: You GO Girl!

The commenting haters are in full-effect mode, chiming in on the article written by Dianne Williamson's "High-profile bachelorette oozes celebrity".

The funny thing about many of the comments is that people either feel people are laughing at Christina for "playing" herself (read: making herself look dumb.) , but what they don't get is that at any age, whether it's 45-years old or 65-years old, we all are looking for compassion and love and who are we to say that someone can't look for it and find it today's world, much less the City of Worcester.

I love when op-ed pieces are written and then the deluge of comments come from all areas throughout Worcester County and outside of New England. Some make sense, but many are just people who are unhappy with their own life and choose to "hate" on someone that is trying something unique.

Yes, I'm the first to say that reality television has caused more harm than good, but people obviously like to watch these shows and think aloud, "My life may be bad, but I'm better off than that person." While it may be true or not, I admire Christina because she's putting herself out there for the good and the bad, and I hope she finds a good gentleman. As I've listened to many of my female friends about what it's like to "find a good man", it's tough pickings these days, and meeting a man at the library, church, etc., is out of the question.

So, Christina, go on with your bad self and we'll be keeping an eye out for your show on Channel 3! Two snaps up!

A Kiss will land you in Jail

Folks in Brazil have lost their minds! These cats passed new anti-
pedophilia laws and an Italian tourist was arrested for giving his
daughter a kiss on a beach.

Not only did the daughter say that her father was not "overly
affectionate", so did the mother, but that didn't stop the police from
taking the man into custody.

Talk about the police being overzealous and trying to prove a point,
but doing a poor job of it.

I guess I won't be heading to Brazil anytime soon. I love to hug and
kiss my daughter too much to be locked up for doing something that is
natural in my household.