Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Muse Has a New Hero!

Email Sent: Thu, October 22, 2009
Subject: Read what a White Reporter wrote in a Georgia Newspaper
(YES HE DID!)

Andrew M. Manis is associate professor of history at Macon State College in Georgia and wrote this for an editorial in the Macon Telegraph.

When Are WE Going to Get Over It?

For much of the last forty years, ever since America "fixed" its race problem in the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, we white people have been impatient with African Americans who continued to blame race for their difficulties. Often we have heard whites ask, "When are African Americans finally going to get over it?

Now I want to ask:
"When are we White Americans going to get over our ridiculous obsession with skin color?

Recent reports that "Election Spurs Hundreds' of Race Threats, Crimes" should frighten and infuriate every one of us. Having grown up in "Bombingham," Alabama in the 1960s, I remember overhearing an avalanche of comments about what many white classmates and their parents wanted to do to John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King.

Eventually, as you may recall, in all three cases, someone decided to do more than "talk the talk."

Since our recent presidential election, to our eternal shame we are once again hearing the same reprehensible talk I remember from my boyhood.

We white people have controlled political life in the disunited colonies and United States for some 400 years on this continent.

Conservative whites have been in power 28 of the last 40 years. Even during the eight Clinton years, conservatives in Congress blocked most of his agenda and pulled him to the right. Yet never in that period did I read any headlines suggesting that anyone was calling for the assassinations of presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or either of the Bushes. Criticize them, yes.

Call for their impeachment, perhaps. But there were no bounties on their heads. And even when someone did try to kill Ronald Reagan, the perpetrator was non-political mental case who wanted merely to impress Jody Foster.

But elect a liberal who happens to be Black and we're back in the sixties again. At this point in our history, we should be proud that we've proven what conservatives are always saying -- that in America anything is possible, EVEN electing a black man as president.

But instead we now hear that school children from Maine to California are talking about wanting to "assassinate Obama."

Fighting the urge to throw up, I can only ask, "How long?"

How long before we white people realize we can't make our nation, much less the whole world, look like us?

How long until we white people can - once and for all - get over this hell-conceived preoccupation with skin color?

How long until we white people get over the demonic conviction that white skin makes us superior?

How long before we white people get over our bitter resentments about being demoted to the status of equality with non-whites?

How long before we get over our expectations that we should be at the head of the line merely because of our white skin?

How long until we white people end our silence and call out our peers when they share the latest racist jokes in the privacy of our white-only conversations?

I believe in free speech, but how long until we white people start making racist loudmouths as socially uncomfortable as we do flag burners?

How long until we white people will stop insisting that blacks exercise personal responsibility, build strong families, educate themselves enough to edit the Harvard Law Review, and work hard enough to become President of the United States, only to threaten to assassinate them when they do?

How long before we start "living out the true meaning" of our creeds, both civil and religious, that all men and women are created equal and that "red and yellow, black and white" all are precious in God's sight?

Until this past November 4, I didn't believe this country would ever elect an African American to the presidency. I still don't believe I'll live long enough to see us white people get over our racism problem.

But here's my three-point plan:

First, everyday that Barack Obama lives in the White House that Black Slaves Built, I'm going to pray that God (and the Secret Service) will protect him and his family from us white people.

Second, I'm going to report to the FBI any white person I overhear saying, in seriousness or in jest, anything of a threatening nature about President Obama.

Third, I'm going to pray to live long enough to see America surprise the world once again, when white people can "in spirit and in truth" sing of our damnable color prejudice,

"We HAVE overcome."
**************************************
It takes a Village to protect our President!!!

Monday, October 12, 2009

KCK and KCMO Local News

I read this article on FB last week KCTV5 News This story has been controversial from the get-go. http://www.kctv5.com/news/21254350/detail.html

It’s about the ever-increasing deer population "problem." It’s funny how people do things to upset the balance of a creature’s natural habitat and then, when the animals venture into our homes where they used to live, call that specie a “population problem.” I mean, when we rip down trees, bushes, and the last bits of natural land we have left inside the city, between cities, and everywhere else to build new houses for our supposed growing population. Where else do we expect these animals to go? They come and visit their new neighborhood, of course! We have rich grass, plush lawns, and chemically treated landscaping that look and may just taste very appealing. Isn’t this our idea of “co-habitation?”

Honestly, Are we really in such dire need of new housing, that we have to continuously destroy what’s left of our natural land? I don’t think so! Trees make oxygen people, which is something we 1) need to breath, and 2) happen to be lacking in our atmosphere! Let’s nurture and leave as many trees up as we can, shall we? Why not work harder and Faster on that “Green Problem” we have? Wouldn’t that benefit the entire planet instead of just land developers?

You know, one thing I pride myself on is that I am from the Midwest. Born and raised, second-generation Mexican-American, Kansas City, Missourian. Why is the Midwest {the actual and quite literal “heart” of America}, such a source of pride for me? Let me count the ways:
1) Kansas City is known as a cow town because of our humble beginnings,
2) Kansas City is one of two unique twin cities that are not recognized elsewhere but make us a special kind of community,
3) Everyone I tell where I’m from always ask about our crops, our livestock, our farmland, and our hard core/down home Christian values,
4) Everyone I inform there is a City in Kansas City instead of acres and acres of flat land, are amazed and highly intrigued at the prospect of “city life” in the Midwest, and
5) Kansas City, Missouri is my hometown. Who Doesn’t Love their hometown?

Would you like to know what else Kansas City is known for on both sides of the state line? KCK and KCMO are known for our Rednecks, and their “kill or be killed” mentality. We both have our share of those. We are not the only cities and states who share a few of these gems by far, but we do have them. They are very much a part of our community and our very nature as a cow town. We love and embrace them, just the same. Some also grow the majority of the food this nation places on its dinner table five nights a week out of seven, on average. Our “country kinfolk” are also the foundation of the American Dream we are vaguely reminded of when our neighboring foreigners come to safely “start fresh” inside our shores. This very community of persons are who will be “handling our deer population” dilemma our local media informs us we have.

Let’s concentrate now, on the Real Problem instead of the “popular” problem, could we? Which is our consistent loss of native wildlife and natural landscape. STOP the incessant DEVELOPING! That is what Kansas & Missouri NEED to do! STOP All the greedy land developers from snatching up Every Single ACRE of our PURE Land left so they can make new “homes” and more convenient shopping venues. There are already far Too Many OVERPRICED Homes that will NEVER Receive a Fair Deal on Insurance Coverage with ANY Insuring Company unless they are filthy rich! The price of “new homes” thrown up overnight will never reflect their actual worth.

We must NEED reminding of our HOMELESS Population across the entire United States. The Homeless of KCK and KCMO have spread EVERYWHERE in this economy, thanks BUSH! [Glad you're gone, I hope you burn in hell!] And for those of you who keep saying “Just Kill Them and Get it Over With?” I HOPE NO ONE THINKS OF YOU THAT WAY, SOME DAY, YOU HEARTLESS BUFFOONS! God is listening to you…why don’t you consider that when you would rather kill “something” and sweep it under the rug than identify and SOLVE the Real Problem?

I have an idea, why don't we TRY to get EVERYONE a HOME in America. Let’s put every single person and family in their own, safe, dry, and Affordable home THAT ALREADY EXISTS in our country! THEN if we need more homes built, we will go from there! We can stop worrying about Deer Populations as a “problem” once we stop land developing. The only reason our deer are a problem and cause $4,000 plus damage to our cars that already use cheaper material to offset their costs, is because we keep over-developing their natural land to make more money for those of us who have enough money already! Nothing benefits the common man.

Better yet, let’s leave the Grass and Trees and Deer ALONE for a while and concentrate on making OURSELVES better people, better neighbors, better friends, and become a Blessing to Someone besides ourselves. Try going to our neighbors with the most cultural differences and welcoming them to the neighborhood. You may find a valued friend for life. Yes, it’s possible.

Spend your time Investing in Your COMMUNITY of Nationalities, get to know each other's cultures and beliefs! Maybe then, you'll UNDERSTAND One Another and RESPECT each others’ Differences AND find out that IT'S OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT! We used to be the “Great Melting Pot.” Hello, America? Is there ANYONE STIRRING ANYMORE?

Do we ALL Know what we've Become? Would you like an answer? We’ve become a Third World Nation where Capitalism is more important than the Common Man who built this Country from the ground up. The same day the phrase “under God,” was taken from the pledge of allegiance, was the day America started its downfall.

This is no longer the Land of Opportunity as we once boasted. At least, not in the same respect we once meant it to be. Do you think America is still the land of the Free and home of the Brave? Or is America the land of the industrialist and home to abundant capitalist opportunity? I think we’re both. Do you think we need to choose one or the other? Have you chosen a side? Do you know which American Dream you’re living for? You may want to start thinking about that.

Personally, if I knew HOW to lobby for these changes [and had that kind of time] I would certainly carry this torch. However, I know nothing of political issues. Instead, I call upon YOU readers, to voice your opinions and carry through this “developing problem” to its finale. I hope and pray to hear and be involved in the above Cause at a very NEAR Future date. Until then, I will keep America in my prayers. May I ask that you pray for us, too? We will need it more than we know if we continue to consume our natural land as we are and always have.

Please leave your opinions, we will be happy to hear them. Thank you.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Smart Snacking Advice

Wouldn't it be great to know that you could enjoy candy, especially chocolate, without feeling guilty about the damage it could do to your teeth? Here is some information that will ease the guilt!

The bacteria that cause tooth decay must have food to create the acid necessary to break down your tooth's enamel. There are many factors that may contribute to tooth decay, but the length of time that food residues remain in contact with your teeth is probably the most important. What is the food made of and how often is it eaten?

Sugar is not as bad as we once thought because it can be cleared from the mouth by saliva very quickly. How fast foods clear from the mouth is an important consideration in snack selection. If foods remains on a tooth for more than twenty minutes, the decay-causing bacteria can use the food to make enough acid to begin breakdown of the enamel. A little bit now and a little bit later, over and over again, will eventually result in a cavity.

Saliva plays a big part in removing food residues from teeth after you have eaten. Foods that are cleared completely from the mouth in less than twenty minutes are considered to be better snacks in terms of decay. Some foods are easily removed by saliva. White bread, raisins, apples, bananas, hot fudge sundaes, and chocolate ordinarily clear from teeth in one minute! A high flow of saliva helps to clear foods and keeps the oral environment less acidic.

Look for sugarless gum with xylitol and/or sorbitol as the sweetener. Xylitol has been shown to reduce decay.

Starches such as salted crackers, cookies, salted chips, and other foods that you may find stick to your teeth are foods to avoid unless you can brush soon after eating. Foods that remain on the tooth surface longer than twenty minutes should be avoided.

Juices should be saved for mealtime. If you read the side of a juice carton, you will find that it contains 100% sugar. Constant exposure of primary (baby) teeth to juices, even diluted juices, will cause decay. A piece of fruit would be a better choice. Juice should be limited to four to six ounces daily.

The combination of acid and sugar in soft drinks will cause enamel breakdown. Read the label on a soft drink. You will find phosphoric acid and sugar. Lemon drinks and eating lemons often will cause enamel erosion (breakdown).

Combinations of fat and protein make great snacks for a child. Peanut butter is a good example of this combo. When the teeth are developing and erupting (coming in), foods high in calcium and phosphorus should be a big part of a child's diet. Cheese, yogurt, broccoli with cheese, and fish are some foods high in calcium and phosphorus.

When the permanent teeth first erupt, the enamel is not completely calcified (hardened). The final phase of calcification occurs in the mouth. Plain milk, not juices and soft drinks, should be flowing over those brand new incisors (front teeth).

Now for the best news of all...Chocolate does not cause decay! The tannins in chocolate make the bacteria stick together instead of on the tooth surface. Chocolate is a source of magnesium and protein. A little plain chocolate will satisfy hunger longer and will clear from the teeth in less than a minute. Chocolate is a snack that both and your teeth will love!

THIS IMPORTANT DENTAL INFORMATION IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Pediatric Dental Specialists, PA; Where kids are Dino-Mite! There are three convenient locations in the Kansas City, KS/MO area.

-emg