THE CRITICAL THINKER

Those "Blah" People Again

2012-01-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

This ridiculous story about former East St. Louis police chief Michael Baxton below is why Senator Rick "The Blah People" Santorum, Governor Mitt "In Quiet Rooms" Romney and Former Speaker of the House Newt "Food Stamp President" Gingrich feel that they can speak so brazenly about "Black People."

Rick "The Blah People" Santorum

Mitt "In Quiet Rooms" Romney

Newt "Food Stamp President" Gingrich

The idiocy of the police chief in this story speaks for itself.

While most cops protect and serve, former East St. Louis police chief Michael Baxton apparently likes to play.

Michael Baxton pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing four Xbox 360 consoles from the FBI, reports St. Louis news station KSDK.

To be clear, the 360 is not standard issue equipment for the Feds these days. Officials had them in the car as part of a sting operation after suspicions arose about the chief's conduct.
Baxton, who faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000, came under suspicion of offering preferential treatment to some suspects and stealing/selling items from the evidence locker. That's when the FBI decided to test him.

Agents bought five Xbox 360s, put them in the trunk of a car, then reported the car as being stolen. Baxton and another officer responded to the call -- and sure enough, when they saw the Xboxes, the chief ordered the officer to put four in his car and keep one for himself.
"Unbeknownst to Baxton, the unnamed officer voluntarily came forward to report other acts of misconduct occurring in Alorton and had been assisting the federal investigation from its inception. The unnamed officer was equipped with covert surveillance devices at the time of the theft -- and he audio and video recorded the entire incident," reads the court record.
Officials tracked one of the Xboxes and found it being used in Baxton's basement. But the U.S. Attorney overseeing the case said Baxton lied and tried to frame another officer when confronted

Baxton's attorney calls the incident a "monumental lapse of judgment."
Ironically, this isn't the former chief's first brush with the other side of the law. It turns out Baxton had two felony convictions from 1982 before he was appointed: one for theft and another for burglary. Those convictions were expunged in 1989. The town really can't catch a break when it comes to law enforcement officials. Baxton, after all, got the job of chief when the former chief was convicted of federal tax crimes.

ENOUGH SAID!!!! In the words of Bill Cosby, "COME ON PEOPLE!!!"

Tim Tebow Can't Lose with What He Uses

2012-01-16T11:42:00.000-08:00

Tim Tebow: Everything in Between Interview & Production Outtakes from FCTN on Vimeo.

It has been interesting to see how everyone has reacted to twenty-four year old Tim Tebow, the former University of Florida Gator quarterback and now NFL Denver Bronco quarterback who touts Romans 8:37-39 and John 3:16 on his website. Truth be told, the world and “the world” in religious vernacular don’t quite know how to handle Tim Tebow. I say that because I really don't think folks are truly that interested in Tim Tebow the quarterback, as they are Tim Tebow the boldly professed Christian. All of the hype and talk about Tim Tebow, while it may appear to be about his quarterbacking skills, really is about the fact that he boldly proclaims his faith in Jesus Christ.

Really what folks are trying to do is negate the existence of God/Christ or the power of prayer in order to mock those who do believe. This has truly been seen by the reaction to whether or not the Denver Broncos would either win or lose. Because Tim Tebow was seen on camera praying or in an interview said he sings praise songs on the sideline, many are watching to see whether not all of this has anything to do with the Denver Broncos winning or losing. What they're really trying to do is reduce God and faith in Him to a football game. It's not really about whether they like Tim Tebow or not. What they're really trying to grapple with is whether or not they believe in God or not and if the winning or losing of the Broncos can substantiate their beliefs or give them a reason to scoff. When the Broncos lost you could see all the commentary on Facebook and Twitter mimicking the fact that Tim Tebow believes in God. You could see the fun that was poked at the fact that Tebow sings praise songs on the sidelines, believes in God and is still a virgin. You could see the world trying to connect the prayer dots with the victory or defeat of the Broncos. The truth of matter is, folks really are not that concerned about Tebow, but what Tebow has done is challenged what one says they do or do not believe. This challenge is unsettling to many and they mask their discomfort by pretending as if it's about a football game. If you study the Bible you will see that God used all types of personalities, titles, and characters to get his message across. There was Rahab the Harlot; Moses the murderer; David the adulterer; Noah the drunk and the list can go on. I believe God is using Tim Tebow to once again make an attempt to show the world just who He (God) is. Tim Tebow understands this and he knows it is not about him and the world is struggling with that thereby trying to make it about him, a mere for the most part, rookie NFL quarterback. Tebow knows it is bigger than him. I applaud him for not being ashamed of the gospel.

One can say we have always seen athletes acknowledging God either through pointing their fingers toward the sky upon scoring a touchdown or kneeling to the ground and putting their head down or even during an interview giving God the credit, but very few athletes have proclaimed their faith as boldly as Tim Tebow has both on and off the field. He has unashamedly shared with everyone that he is a Christian and that he is a virgin and intends to stay that way until he is married, something rarely heard of in athletics. A.C. Green shared the same testimony when he was a professional basketball player in the NBA.

God has always had his people to deliver his message to the many who refused to hear it. In fact we see biblically that some of the same if not all of the characters mentioned above delivered the message to people who did not want to hear it nor believe it, but in time would come to see who God is. We see it time and time again in the Bible with the various kings, pharaohs and even the centurion who witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion who according to Luke 23:47 saw what was done, glorified God, saying, certainly this was a righteous man.

Don’t be fooled by all of the Tim Tebow hype, the “Tebowing,” etc. etc. because other quarterbacks have come into the league and have garnered more or less the same type of attention with the difference being the constant reference to religious faith. I pray that Mr. Tebow continues to stand on his faith and what he believes. I pray that he continues to keep on sharing Christ regardless of the Broncos being in the Super Bowl or in the bowels of their division. I believe as Mr. Tebow continues to delight himself in the Lord that He shall give Tim the desires of his heart and if that desire is being in the Super Bowl, then one day we will see the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl with Tim Tebow at the helm. Keep in mind, Tim was not supposed to be quarterbacking this season. He was not the original starter. I believe Tim commits his way unto the LORD and that he trusts in him and because of that God shall bring his desires to pass and even if he doesn't both me and Tim know that God is still God. My faith is in God and not in Tim Tebow, but I am cheering for Tim as he has professed to be a cheerleader for Christ. I’ll be pulling for the Broncos as long as they are not playing my Pittsburgh Steelers and even then I have to respect Tim Tebow. It’s bigger than Tim Tebow. I welcome your thoughts in the comment section and as always something to critically think about.

She Could Have Said "Kiss My Big Posterior." But She Didn't; And That's The Difference.

2011-12-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have been reading The Critical Thinker for any length of time you just had to know that I was not going to let this opportunity pass to write about the comments made about our first lady Michelle Obama by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner. Once again Abraham Lincoln’s Quote of “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt” comes into play. Representative Sensenbrenner is lucky Mrs. Obama did not speak what was probably on her mind (and justifiably so) when she heard about the comments which was probably to kiss her big behind; but unlike him, she had more class than that or at least sense enough to keep her thoughts to herself.

I don't know what it is about these folks who truly think they can say anything and it not go unaddressed. A little over two years ago in 2009 South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson (R) yelled out "You lie!" during President Obama's major health care speech when he said the legislation would not mandate coverage for undocumented immigrants. Even the Associated Press picked up on the fact that it wasn't the only interruption during President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress in the House of Representatives. Earlier, Republicans laughed when Obama acknowledged that there were still significant details to be worked out before a health overhaul could be passed. Wilson's outburst caused the president to pause briefly before he went on with his speech. In attendance at the speech, First Lady Michelle Obama shook her head from side to side. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner's latest remarks caused me to shake my head as well; as the kids can text and tweet “SMH.” In both instances representatives Wilson and Sensenbrenner sent letters and words of apology, but similar to a judge asking a jury to strike the last comment in a court room, the damage was done as it had been heard. Try as we might to forget what we’ve heard, the bottom line is we don't. While both Representatives Wilson and Sensenbrenner feign that their commentary was a mistake or an emotional outburst, the truth of the matter is their subconscious or their inner thoughts were just making their way outward. Their brains for some reason stop suppressing what they were thinking. You cannot make this critical thinker believe that what was said was not already deep within. Interestingly enough, when these types of comments are made either alcohol or an open microphone is involved, however, in these two instances both men were fully sober and aware of what they were saying.

One could argue that derogatory things are said about every president and first lady and that may be the case, however, it still does not excuse the behavior. When you think about it, it really is a matter of respect or lack thereof. Even if Rep. Wilson thought President Obama was a liar it would have behooved him to keep his thoughts to himself and the same holds true for Rep. Sensenbrenner concerning the size of Mrs. Obama’s posterior. In both of these cases it would have been better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to have opened their mouths and removed all doubt. In this critical thinker’s eyes both Representatives Wilson and Rep. Sensenbrenner have removed ALL doubt and are thought by me to be FOOLS. As the old adage goes, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog.

This May Be The Last Time

2011-12-20T18:10:00.000-08:00

As we come to the close of 2011 is a great time to reflect, particularly about those who were with us and have passed away during the year. Upon this reflection I think back to the beginning of 2011 of the family and friends who were here and are now gone. I can do the roll call. I can remember the faces I saw last Christmas and last New Year's who somewhere along the way in 2011 passed away. I can see them in my mind as clearly as if they were sitting here in front of me right now. Some would say why address such a sad topic during the holiday season and as we are approaching a new year? To them I say it is a perfect time to address this topic because the truth of the matter is none of us know when it will be our last time. The traditional song of This May Be The Last Time (one of my favorites) was performed by The Staple Singers and it simply says this may be the last time I don't know. The great Pops Staples sings it best on his album Peace To The Neighborhood.

Time is out for family members and friends to be treating each other with hatred and strife. Time is out for family members and friends not to be talking to and with each other. Time is out for being spiteful. Time is out for being bitter rather than becoming better in terms of family and friend relationships. Because as Pops Staples says this may be the last time. Folks who are with you this Christmas may not be with you next Christmas. Folks who sit with you and bring in the New Year with you in 2012 may not be here next year this time. So truly while you still have time, while you are still here, take every opportunity you have to make amends with family and friends. It does not make sense to live less than a mile away from each other and not speak. It does not matter what the situation may have been that caused the rift. Whether it is some silly argument, a divorce or other broken relationship, an addiction, a loan gone bad, a disagreement or whatever it may have been, the time is out for holding grudges. As we go into 2012 seek to mend as many torn relationships as possible. Parents speak to your children. Children speak to your parents. Brothers and sisters talk to your brothers and sisters. Uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, in-laws, etc. etc.; speak to one another.

Once a person is laid out in the coffin it is too late. All of the crying and wishing what could have been said or could have been done will not matter. I don't know about you but I'm learning of more and more people that I know who have died every day. It does not matter the age group, young people are dying just as much as the older people. It would behoove us to show as much love and kindness to everyone as humanly possible, because as Pops Staples says in his song this may be the last time I don't know or this may be the last time we don't know. Have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year. Show some love because this may indeed be the last time.

Dear Daddy Please Stop Being A Crappy Dad; You Are Hindering Me

2011-12-14T19:59:00.000-08:00

This is doggoned shame that an entire website has been created called Crappy Dads http://www.crappydads.com/ In this particular video The Lee County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department came up with an elaborate way to catch more than a dozen deadbeat parents: tell them to show up at a location in Opelika and claim tickets to this year’s Auburn-Alabama game. Operation “Iron Snare” didn’t round up all the suspects deputies were looking for, but it got quite a few. They mailed out over 140 letters for people with at least $10,000 of unpaid child support. All of this to get parents to do what they ought to be doing for children they created. Absolutely ridiculous.

The shame of it is that this problem of deadbeat parents is so prevalent that someone felt the need to dedicate a website or blog page to it. Biblically, in Mark 10:13-15 we had this scenario "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." I am sure that God MUST be displeased with parents who will not support their children emotionally or financially. In other words, Jesus was saying do not hinder the children. When emotional and financial support are not given, the children are hindered. I will say that again, the children are hindered. A child with no money is hindered. A child with no love is hindered. For all of the deadbeat dads (and moms for that matter) it's about the children stupid; the children. I have no respect for any man (or woman for that matter) who will not emotionally or financially support their children.

This Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m., my guest on The Reading Circle with Marc Medley will be Janks Morton, a groundbreaking international and award winning Documentarian. As founder of iYAGO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC, he states the company came into existence to reflect both the conscious and unconscious soul of Black America. JANKS MORTON has been in the entertainment industry for more than 20 years and is a much sought-after teacher, lecturer, commentator and motivational speaker. He has convened workshops, seminars and served as panelist and keynote speaker at colleges, universities, prisons, conferences, churches and community centers around the world.

His latest project highlighted in INDIEGOGO is DEAR DADDY, a feature length documentary about the life long effects of fatherlessness on women. The film follows the dramatic journeys of eight young women from the tough city streets of Washington,DC as they struggle to overcome poverty, poor educational systems, no healthcare, and the most difficult life circumstance they have been dealt... the absence of their fathers.Dear Daddy is not only about the struggles to survive and navigate as a young woman of color, but at its core, its about the importance of a father's role in the lives of their daughters.

Janks and I will certainly be talking about this issue of deadbeat parents, particularly deadbeat dads as Janks focuses heavily on African American men. I encourage you tune in this Saturday morning December 17, 2011 and hear Mr. Morten address these issues. The show begins at 6:00 a.m eastern time on http://www.gobrave.org/. Our children must stop being hindered!!!!

The Brilliance of TV Sitcom "All in the Family"

2011-12-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am probably one of the few people in America who do not have cable television by choice. With that being said every now and again I tune into old television shows online. Lately I have been tuning into episodes of the show All in the Family and I've recognized as an adult how brilliant that show really was and is. I watched it as a child with my family when it came onto the scene in 1971 and being only a nine year old child did not realize the brilliance of the show at that time. Since I have begun watching the episodes online it occurred to me just how cutting edge the show was and still is having been introduced in 1971. So I started doing a little research. I went to Google and typed in “All in the Family” and began to learn more about the genius of All in the Family and of its producer Norman Lear.

According to Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, the show broke ground in its depiction of issues previously considered unsuitable for U.S. network television comedy, such as racism, homosexuality, women's liberation, rape, miscarriage, abortion, breast cancer, the Vietnam War, menopause, and impotence. The show ranked #1 in the yearly Nielsen ratings from 1971 to 1976. It became the first television series to reach the milestone of having topped the Nielsen ratings for five consecutive years, a mark later matched by The Cosby Show and surpassed by American Idol. The episode "Sammy's Visit" was ranked #13 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time ranked All in the Family as #4. Bravo also named the show's protagonist, Archie Bunker, TV's greatest character of all time,

TVLand.com said, “There are classic shows, and there are groundbreaking shows. All in the Family enjoys the distinction of being both. Debuting as a mid-season replacement on Jan. 12, 1971, it became one of the most influential comedies in TV history and made an immediate impact on the entire television industry. All in the Family pioneered a whole new brand of realistic and hard-hitting satire based on the real world, rather than the naive escapism of most entertainment programs. The sitcom revolves around blue-collar worker Archie Bunker and his family. Opinionated and uneducated, Archie makes no bones about his racial and political views, which are borne out of every negative stereotype imaginable.”

Lastly, Tv.com says All in the Family was first seen in January of 1971 and immediately changed the face of television. Not only was this the number one television series from 1971 through 1976, but it also signified an avalanche of other situation comedies that dealt with controversial subjects in realistic ways. Including, Chico & the Man, The Jeffersons, Maude, Good Times and Sanford & Son. The stories revolved around many controversial topics including, rape, sex, homosexuality, death, and other topics that were relevant to the 1970's, especially political strife and inflation. Archie Bunker was probably the first character in a situation comedy to use racist remarks referring to blacks and other minorities, yet another first for television.

Interestingly enough the same issues that existed then at the creation of All in the Family still exist now and is why I am writing this blog post. Archie Bunker represented all of the “isms” that existed then and still exist today. Producer Norman Lear was courageous enough to bring these issues to the forefront and did it in such a way that allowed us to see just how silly the perspective of many were then and sadly still are now. For if you truly analyze the behavior and thought process of Archie Bunker you cannot help but see that Archie's views were nothing short of ridiculous and yet these views still exist as we come to the close of 2011.

I watch All in the Family online (because I don’t have cable by choice and that’s another blog post) and I laugh until tears come into my eyes at how stupid Archie Bunker truly is. He really has no idea of how stupid he really is and truly believes that he is not only smart but superior. The sad reality is he is representative of far too many people even in 2011 that hold those same types of views who really believe that they are smart and superior when indeed they are really dumb. Now that I am older and can really see the beauty in a show such as All in the Family, I take my hat off to Norman Lear. Something to critically think about, particularly in this political season of debates and the upcoming 2012 presidential election. I welcome your thoughts in the comment section of the blog.

Can We Take Hell For Granted?

2011-12-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

Last night I attended movie night at my wife's church and the feature movie of the evening was Escape From Hell. Christiancinema.com describes the film as follows:

Do you believe in life after death? Dr. Eric Robinson wants to believe and experience that infinite love and warmth that near death testimonies claim is on the other side of life. His colleague, Dr. Marissa Holloway, is on a crusade to alleviate the fear of death and suffering by proving to the world that heaven awaits everyone. In a moment of desperation, Dr. Robinson faces death and discovers the reality of hell – a place the Bible portrays – a hell from which we must all escape.This new evangelistic movie challenges viewers to confront the inevitable…death and judgment. In action-packed drama we get a glimpse of what heaven and hell may be like. It is a wonderful tool to share Christ with unsaved family and friends.

This movie ought to cause all of us to critically think. Can we take Hell for granted?

I Will Miss Andy Rooney Talking Wryly About The Oddities Of Life

2011-11-06T19:34:00.000-08:00

I will miss Andy Rooney. The Critical Thinker was inspired and patterned after his commentary at the end of each 60 Minutes broadcast. As it was written, Mr. Rooney spent more than 30 years wryly talking about the oddities of life. It is the oddities of life that inspire each new Critical Thinker blog post. Rest in peace Mr. Rooney.

The Same Old Play

2011-11-06T19:21:00.000-08:00

Where do these people keep coming from? I don't know about you, but I am tired of this same old play. It seems that every time someone begins to ascend, here comes the women (or men) claiming sexual harassment. It's the same old play. My question is why weren't the allegations made at the time they allegedly occurred? This is not an attempt to defend any of these men or women for that matter because if they did indeed sexually harass someone than they need to suffer the consequences that go along with it, however, it just seems strange that the stories don't surface until the person is running for office or being nominated for a position. Clarence Thomas and Bill Clinton immediately come to mind. Regardless of if the allegations are true or not, it is not the point of this post. The question is why isn't the issue (sexual harassment) dealt with prior to the person running for office? Why does it always only become an issue when the person is now in the spot light? Where do these people come from?

My guess is, when all of the commentary, flirting and bantering is going on, it is a two way street between the parties and then when one of the parties now becomes famous or is seeking political office the conversations and fun now becomes sexual harassment. My thesis for my Master's Degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications dealt with sexual harassment. I was completing my degree about the time of the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas case and I learned a lot about sexual harassment during my research. Sexual harassment occurs when one party has clearly said "stop" or makes it very clear that actions or words are indeed making him/her uncomfortable. If one of the parties is in a position of authority over the other party, it takes on an even different meaning. If neither of the parties have expressly asked the other to stop, sexual harassment has not occurred. Calling someone attractive or positively commenting on someones attire does not constitute sexual harassment. If either party continues after it has been made known that he/she is to stop and he/she continues, then a case can be made for sexual harassment.

I am always just a little skeptical of these claims only because of when they are made. I always wonder did someone put the person up to making the claim at that particular time. I sometimes think that Anita Hill was threatened in some way causing her to make her accusations of Clarence Thomas. I am hardly a Clarence Thomas fan, but I do always wonder why did Ms. Hill make the claims at the point of his nomination to the Supreme Court and not earlier when he was virtually unknown. I am wondering the same about these women who are making the claims public about Herman Cain, now that he is running for president. I am not saying their claims are not valid; I just question the motive behind their timing. It would seem to me if it were really that much of an issue, it would have been dealt with at the time that the harassment occurred and not wait years later before speaking out. Had the person not been nominated or decided to run for president would the information have remained dormant? Would the issue never have been resolved? Something to think about.

He That Spareth The Rod Hateth His Son/Daughter

2011-11-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

My July 19th blog post was titled "I Am Not Going To Do To My Children What My Parents Did To Me dealing with the notion of there being a difference between discipline and abuse. There is no doubt in my mind that we as parents must be able to discipline our children when we can see that they are going astray and shame on us if we do not. This issue has surfaced again over the last few days with a video shared by a now twenty three year old young lady of her father who is a judge using a belt to discipline her seven years ago when she was sixteen. The first problem I have with this is why was it video taped and who was doing the recording? In the video both the mother and the father appear. The second problem I have with this is the fact that it is just being released seven years later and third problem I have with this is in the video the father is constantly directing his daughter to bend over the bed and she absolutely refuses to do it. It is clearly seen that she would rather take the licks than follow instructions. In my mind it is probably this type of resistance that is causing her to be punished/disciplined to begin with. I don't know this young lady from a can of paint, but I would be willing to bet that she was a very resistant teenager who probably broke the rules set by her parents quite frequently. I could be wrong, but the very strong resistence seen in the video of her not bending over yet at the same time taking the belt links on the legs and arms, etc. tells me that this young lady was probably very stubborn and was trying to show her father that she was not going to listen to him no matter what he said or did. I say again, I bet she was like that in more than just the incident with the belt. If you look at the video, the mother comes in and now tells her to bend over as well and she finally does it and the mother gives her one lick with the belt.

Watching this video brought back memories of my own childhood where every now and again I got "The Belt." Yes, my parents used the belt and I did not die from it. They did not kill me and I did not have to receive it often because I learned that whatever I was receiving "The Belt" for I was not going to do again because I did not want to receive the belt again. Interestingly enough, I received very few beatings because my parents did not have much trouble out of me. In my home as a child, my sister and I both knew who the children were and who the adults were and we rarely crossed that line. Funny enough when my mother tried to beat us with the belt she would wind up actually hitting herself more than us as we ran and squirmed trying to get away; my father on the other hand was left handed and did not miss. In the end it was clear that we were being disciplined out of love and to keep us from behaviors or doing something that could ruin our future. My parents kept us in line and both me and my sister were and are the better for it. One of my worst beatings was one I never got. I was about four or five and my family was about to go to a department store called Grand Way. Right before our leaving I was caught trying to insert something into an electric socket. My father grabbed me and said you are going to "get it" when we come back home. My entire time at Grand Way was miserable. I became sick and began vomiting the popcorn that was purchased for us at the store. When my father saw all of that, he said that I had suffered enough and that he was not going to use the belt on me. I tell you what, I have never stuck anything other than an electric plug in an electric socket and it has been over forty five years ago since that happened. I can remember it like it was yesterday. My point is, my parents were disciplining me to keep me from doing something that could have gotten me killed.

The lashing that I saw the judge giving his daughter in the video was nothing less than what me and my sister received every now and again as kids. I can remember yelling and screaming just like that girl, but guess what, the sting lasted for a few hours and I was on my way again. I don't believe I was a repeat offender for anything I received "The Belt" for.

Please let me be clear because I know someone out there reading this will take what I am saying as me advocating for abuse and violence. I am not. I do believe however, that we have gotten so far off of the mark in our ability to help our children understand what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable behavior with all of these soft tactics such as "Time out" and all of this soft soaping and sugar coating children's and teen's wrong behavior. Too many teenagers and children truly feel that they have a right to do what they want to do and disrespect their parents and any other adults. I know of what I write about because I work with children every day and I know of what I see and hear. I also know of the parents who have come into my office talking about they don't know what to do with their own children that they gave birth to or in fear that their children will call the police or local Division of Youth and Family Services on them if they make an effort to discipline them.

The judge's daughter has no idea how blessed she was/is to have parents who loved her enough to discipline her in her youth to keep her from ruining her life. While I don't know the dynamics of this family, I am sure with this man being a judge, that he would not be stupid enough to do anything illegal that would cause him to be disbarred or locked up himself. He knew and knows the law. Just as the video was shown seven years later, it could have been shown then. He was not hitting her with the belt buckle and to be honest it did not appear that he was not hitting her that hard. Whatever she had done, he was trying to send her a message, not to do it again and even during the disciplining she was resisting.

Proverbs 13:24 makes it very clear that "He that spareth the rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him." This is not saying to abuse. Let me be clear again, there is a difference between discipline and abuse and I am not advocating abuse of any kind. I am with the judge on this one. I don't know him from Adam's house cat but I am with him on this one. It was this same issue that I was addressing in my July 19th post and my position has not changed. I can count the amount of times on one hand that I had to actually discipline any of my children with a belt and it was because they understood that if that was the discipline method required, that would be the discipline method used. I rarely had to use it and when I did, my kids understood the old cliche that it was actually hurting me more than it was hurting them. As parents it is our charge to set our children up for success. When we spoil them and allow them to think that they are always going to get what they want, we are setting them up for failure. Society does not work that way and they are in for a serious let down and disappointment if we mislead them into thinking that things will always go their way. That is what happens when we give them everything they want and allow them to do anything they want to do whether it be right or wrong. Every now and again "The Belt" speaks louder than any words.

Don't Make Me Laugh

2011-10-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

WAR ON DRUGS

WAR ON TERRORISM

WAR ON CRIME

THERE IS TOO MUCHBEING MADE

TO WIN THE

Never Argue With A Fool, Onlookers May Not Be Able To Tell The Difference.

2011-10-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

"Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." ~Author unknown, attributed to Mark Twain

Jim Schwartz certainly in my view acted like a fool this past Sunday at the end of the San Francisco 49er - Detroit Lion football game. In my heart of hearts I do not believe Jim Harbaugh, coach of the San Francisco 49ers was intentionally trying to be mean spirited when he shook Jim Schwartz's hand and tapped him on the back. I believe he was excited by his team's victory and was caught up in the momentum built by his running excitedly across the field.

I keep hearing this notion of how coaches have this code of respect when shaking hands at the end of the game and I think that is a bunch of crap and a sorry attempt to excuse Jim Shwartz's behavior. After looking at the clip numerous times, I do not believe Coach Harbaugh was trying to be disrespectful. He really was no different than a player in the end zone after a touch down or the quarterback pumping his fist when he has thrown a touchdown pass. Coach Harbaugh was ecstatic over winning a hard fought battle. Take a look at Harbaugh's face when he realizes that Schwartz is chasing him. He didn't even realize Schwartz was behind him, letting you know that he was not thinking about Schwartz. He ran past him, shook his hand, slapped him on the back and kept going not giving it another thought until.................. You could see by Harbaugh's reaction and body language that he was pretty much saying "What are you talking about?" What's the big deal?" It is at this point where the above quote attributed to Mark Twain comes into play. "Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." Had I been Jim Harbaugh, I would not have argued with Jim Schwartz. I would not have given onlookers the opportunity to wonder who the fool was; they would have clearly known that it was Jim Schwartz. If you look at the replay, you will see how Jim Schwartz looked like a fool running down that field after Jim Harbaugh. He really needed to take Miller Lite Beer's tag line of "Man Up" and let it go. His response was truly uncalled for. Even if Schwartz thought Harbaugh's response was inappropriate, he should have been the bigger man. Jim Schwartz was the only person in that stadium that noticed the gesture until he brought the attention of the world to it.

A few weeks ago St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo was so upset with the 37-7 beating his team received from the Baltimore Ravens, that he told his wife they are never again speaking to Baltimore coach John Harbaugh (Something about those Harbaughs). What is going on? Coaches gone wild? Guys, it's just a game. You'll live (hopefully). There are so many more serious issues going on in the world beyond the win or loss of a football game. You are on display for all to see at the professional level.. What kind of example are you setting for the players and coaches in the various levels below you beginning with the Pee-Wee leagues? According to Webster's Dictionary a "coach" is one who instructs or trains. The question this critical thinker has is what are you instructing or training? (and I am not talking about the fundamentals or strategies of a football game.) Something to critically think about. As always, I welcome your commentary.

It's MY Money

2011-09-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

This summer while traveling on vacation I discovered this practice of financial institutions placing a hold on accounts when making purchases with a DEBIT card. I did say DEBIT card which means it's my money and not money that is being acquired by a loan such as with the use of a credit card.

Prior to seeing the sign in the picture at this Raceway Gas station, I had called into my bank to check on my checking account and heard this strange amount that I know I had not authorized. When I asked about it, I was told it was the gas station (a different oil company, Chevron if my memory serves correctly) placing a hold on my account when I had purchased $20 worth of gas. A hold of $125 was placed on my checking account for a $20 purchase of gas. I guess this particular Raceway Gas station was receiving so many questions and complaints that the management just decided to place the sign in the picture on the gas pump explaining the practice. I have also just recently experienced having to give my zip code to the attendant when purchasing gasoline with a debit card. I don't know about you, but this seems like a whole lot of hassle in order for me to be able to use my money. I did say "My Money?" I don't think I can emphasize that enough, that it is my money in the account and not a loan or a credit. (I use "My" and "Your" interchangeably).

According to the Los Angeles Times, "Most Bank of America (BofA) customers will soon see a new charge on their statements -- $5 for any month in which they use a BofA debit card to make a purchase. Consumers should prepare for more such charges, analysts say, as big banks strive to recover revenue they have lost to financial reforms adopted in the aftermath of the economic meltdown.The new Bank of America fee will be phased in early next year, said Anne Pace, a spokeswoman for BofA, the nation's largest retail bank."

So now, let me get this straight.......... if I am not using my bank (the bank which issued the debit card) to withdraw money with my debit card, I am hit with a fee of anywhere from $1.00 - $5.00 as it is, and now Bank of America is talking about adding yet another fee to use your own money. Keep in mind, this is money in YOUR checking or savings account and not money that is being loaned to you. Money that you have earned and deposited in the account. Money that has already been taxed and will probably be taxed again somewhere along the line, that you are paying multiple fees and having your account held to access. Did I say it was YOUR money??? MY money?? In many Critical Thinker posts, I ask the question, "Does that make sense to you?" and this is another one of those occasions. Does this make sense to you? Now if it does, I need you to respond in the comment section of this blog because it makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever other than the fact that I am being ripped off. This sounds like the airlines charging for luggage. We are being nickled and dimed not only into the poor house but through it and out of the back door. We are heading into the outhouse of the poor house.

Keep in mind that the ATM and debit system was created to help banks be able to reduce personnel (tellers) and reduce face to face transactions at the bank (which was supposed to save them - the bank- money). How many ways can we pay for the convenience of being able to access OUR money 24/7? So the way I see it is, it will cost you almost 50% of your money to withdraw your money and when it is not costing you to withdraw it, it is being held so that you can't withdraw it. The more I write in this post, the more frustrating this is getting and I hope that the more you are reading in this post, the more frustrated you are getting. This is ridiculous. Fees on top of fees on top of fees to withdraw your own money..........

It is getting closer and closer to the time of placing your money in your mattress or pillowcase in order for you to be able to withdraw it when you want and how you want free of charge. Right now the mattress is not looking too bad considering that if BOA is going to roll out this monthly fee, you can rest assured that the others will follow. Yes indeed, the mattress is looking pretty good right now. I welcome your feedback in the comment section of the blog. Something else to critically think about.

Now That's A Lot Of TV Watching

2011-09-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

Now that's a lot of TV watching.

I Know Where You Live

2011-09-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

Every now and again something can touch you in a unique way, a way you would not expect or can explain. A recent experience with one of my students did just that for me. As a school principal I normally don’t want my students to know my home address or where I live for various reasons and when a student happens to walk past my house or see me getting out of my car and yells loudly and proudly "Mr. Medley,(Mr. Med-laaaay)" I usually cringe and move as fast as I can into the house or the car depending on which one I am heading into.

Last week when school finally got underway after multiple delays due to Hurricane Irene, I was standing in front of my newly assigned school awaiting the arrival of our school bus population when suddenly a young man stuck his head out of the bus window when his bus pulled up in disbelief as he recognized who I was. He immediately began to excitedly share with his bus mates that he lived on the same block as the principal. My first reaction was to cringe as I usually do when I learn of a student knowing where I live and to make matters worse he was sharing the information with his friends. But something was different about this one. This was one of my young special education students and there was this pride that he took in being able to say that he lived in the same neighborhood as his principal. He was actually proud to be able to say that he lived near his principal. His face was beaming with pride and joy for I could see that it made him feel special (and not the “special” the kids often tease students who are classified as “special ed.”).

Two days later as I parked my car and exited it, I ran into the kid playing football with some of the other neighborhood kids and when he saw me he immediately spoke, “Hi Mr. Medley.” Again I noticed that he said this with his chest poked out and smiling. I spoke back and walked up to him and asked him if he had learned anything in school in the past week and he said yes and that he had received two kites from his teacher. I surmised that the kites must have been some type of incentive/reward system based on the smile on his face and then he asked me, if he did well all year, would I get him something at the end of the school year? I looked at the young man and said, “Son if you continue working like you are doing now throughout the school year and you continue to do well, I will indeed get you something at the end of the school year. Words could not describe the look on his face when I gave him that response. Thinking about the kid later and everything that had transpired between us, I silently wept for this child and all of the others. It actually brought tears to my eyes as I thought about how important it was for this child to see someone who had “made it” educationally living right down the street from him; a professional educator right next door; one he sees at his school every day.

Why Black Flight to the Suburbs is Not the Right Move, an April 6, 2011 blog post written by a member of Rebuilding Your Community an educational-based community development program designed to teach citizens how to rebuild communities in distressed urban neighborhoods illustrates my point and is excerpted below:

Some scholars have argued that one of the greatest drawbacks of the civil rights movement of the 1960s was integration and assimilating into mainstream. They argue that by integrating, we have lost our collective powers. In the early 1900s, some of the most successful black communities emerged under oppressive laws and racial segregation. Back then, we were forced to live, work, and play together no matter what our income status was. Black doctors lived in close proximity to janitors, teachers mingled with maids, and lawyers partied with bellhops. We built our own institutions, we hired each other, the barter system was a way of life, and our dollars circulated within the community many times over before leaving. Also, these arrangements allowed for us to develop cultural norms and value systems that were adhered to by all. Anything less would not be tolerated because bad behavior by one reflected on the whole community and was potential for danger. We were able to accomplish this by concentrating all of our resources into highly-dense neighborhoods where everyone benefitted. Today, none of this exists, so these scholars may indeed be right.

Can you imagine what it would be like for our children to see and live near doctors, janitors, teachers, maids, lawyers, bellhops, preachers, police officers, judges, pilots, accountants, store owners, and engineers, etc. all in the same neighborhood? Can you imagine how powerful that would be? Unfortunately in too many urban settings the only thing our children see are gang members, drug users/dealers, prostitution, gambling, alcoholics making their way back and forth to the liquor stores and not to mention the shootings and the stabbings. Our children aspire to be what they see whether it be positive or negative. I once had a student tell me that he could not see himself getting any further in life than the dice throwing brothers he saw on his corner every day. He could not see himself going any higher. That was a sad statement.

I took all of this into account as I saw this young man’s head held high with a big smile as he felt like somebody because he lived on the same block as the principal. This was one time I did not cringe at the thought of one of my students knowing where I live. I am just as proud to be living on the same block with him as he is of living on the same block with me. I am happy this student gets to see his principal on his block and in his school. I am not a gambling man, however, I am willing to bet that this young man will not be a discipline problem for me this school year and I am also willing to bet that I will indeed have to get him something at the end of the school year based on his academic achievement.

Don't You Dare Treat My Rolls Royce Like A Tractor

2011-08-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

I was in attendance at a wedding last Saturday and found the toast made by the father of the bride to be interesting enough to share in this blog post. There were multiple toasts given by many in the wedding party which included the bride’s father and now the groom’s new father-in-law. Everyone in audience expected the usual pleasantries however that was not to be the case. The toast in and of itself was indeed pleasant but it contained volumes of wisdom. The proud father started his toast by saying “Let me tell you a story.” He pulled out a sheet of paper from his pocket and he began reading a story about the value of a Rolls Royce and the rights of the maker and owner of such a fine vehicle. He read the attributes of a Rolls Royce and the expectation of how a car such as this is to be treated. As the story unfolded, the owner purchased the Rolls Royce from the maker of the vehicle and in the beginning cherished the car. Washed, simonized and detailed the car. Only brought her out in the best weather as she was garage kept. Pampered the Rolls Royce. He went on to say that over time the owner for some reason began using the Rolls Royce as a tractor. More and more using it to break ground, pull a plow and other tractor duties. The Rolls Royce lost its shine and glamour; the motor began to run loudly; the tires became muddied and worn. When the maker of the Rolls Royce heard of the manner in which the valuable automobile that he made was being treated, he immediately rescinded the rights to the car from the owner and took the car back, restored it to its natural origin and placed it in the showroom for all to see.

The father and now father-in-law went on to use this analogy to let everyone in attendance know that his daughter was the Rolls Royce of which he was speaking and if she is even thought to be treated like a tractor, he would be taking back the rights to his Rolls Royce. It was a kind way to put his new son-in-law on notice in front of many witnesses (the same witnesses that had just seen them joined together before God) that he had better treat his daughter right. As a father of now four girls, I was with “dad” one hundred percent and thought to myself more fathers need to make this toast at their daughter’s wedding. In other words what "pop" was saying in his little story was “You’re not going to mess over my daughter.” The guests were silently stunned but understood where the father and now father-in-law was coming from. That was his daughter and he was not going to let anyone damage or harm her, not even and in particular her husband. Now don’t get me wrong, the same holds true for the female as well. Neither party is to damage the other. Marriage is no joke and if you see one that looks easy, you can best believe there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes. The father and new father-in-law knew of what he was talking about as he has been married for forty nine years, the longest married couple in the building at the reception. Marriage is a beautiful thing, but it is work and everyone needs to understand that when it is undertaken. It’s one thing to spend all this money on that one “special day” and it’s another thing to make the marriage last.

It seems everywhere I look I see a blue $399 Divorce Center sign and that's not a good thing. As a divorcee I can speak first hand that divorce is not fun or a joke. It is painful and hurtful for all involved. People’s lives are impacted greatly as a result of divorce especially when children are involved, so please choose your mate wisely and whatever you do, do not begin treating your Rolls Royce like a tractor. More fathers need to make the toast this gentleman made and maybe the $399 Divorce Center would go out of business. Something to critically think about. As always I welcome your response in the comment section of the blog.

The Slippery Slope Continues to Get Slipperier And Slipperier

2011-08-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

Well we have opened the door and now that it has been opened we will now have to deal with it being opened. When Sesame Street premiered on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations on November 10, 1969, I can assure you there was absolutely no thought of sexual orientation or even sex for that matter. These are puppets! Every time I think I have seen or heard the pinnacle of ridiculousness, I find myself having to stand myself corrected. Unfortunately there is no shock for me anymore, only sadness. The following link to an ABC News story about the sexual orientation of our beloved Ernie and Bert has reached my "pinnacle of ridiculousness" list. If you have not done so already, I encourage you to read the link in its entirety http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/light-legalized-sex-marriage-york-online-petition-urges/story?id=14275363. People are actually signing petitions to have Ernie and Bert's sexual orientation declared. If that's not ridiculous I don't know what is. Can the similar wrath suffered by Sodom and Gommorah not be too far off? The slippery slope is getting slipperier and slipperier. I welcome your thoughts in the comment section of the blog.

It Doesn't Take Much For Us - Does It?

2011-08-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

Would someone please help me understand how adding the word "certified" in front of the word "used" or in front of the even more fancier term "pre-owned" car lends more credibility to it? Doesn't the fact that the car was "used" or was "pre-owned" automatically certify it as used? (I have a B.A. in marketing, I get the gimmick piece of it). But seriously are we that gullible? Do we not think we can get a "lemon" because it was "certified?" The same holds true for "As Seen On TV." Does the fact that the product was seen on TV make it that much more credible? I know this is useless chatter, but it is something to humorously think about (LOL). That's the fun of a Blog. One can be as serious or as silly as one chooses to be at any given moment.

Shame And Embarrassment Are Things Of The Past - There Is No Shame In Any Game Anymore

2011-08-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

There was a time when you would have been ashamed or embarrased to leave the house looking like this. You certainly did not want your playmates or classmates to see you in torn and tattered clothing for fear of ridicule or being thought of as "poor." There seems to be no such thing as "shame" in any game anymore. Yes I know it is now a "Fashion Statement," but critically think about what the "Statement" is saying. Just what does that statement reveal in terms of where our standards have gone?

Uckfay Ouyay - America's Declining Morals

2011-08-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

As a radio talk show host, I listen intently to many radio talk shows. The other day I was listening to talk show host Laura Ingraham and I tuned in at the point where she was talking about how America seems to be on a downward trend. Normally Ms. Ingraham and her other conservative colleagues spend most of their air time lambasting President Obama (that’s another blog post), but during this particular segment I could not help but to agree with her commentary. She was speaking in terms of America’s morality particularly in music, television/movies/video, etc. and how we seem to be more and more willing to push the envelope. I had made these same observations some time ago and predict that at some point in the not so distant future we will have full frontal and rear nudity on regular television during the day before long. I make this prediction because like Laura Ingraham, I too believe we have gone down a slippery slope. Take a few minutes to critically listen to the lyrics in too many of our songs. Words such as “bitch,” “ho (whore),” “damn,” “hell,” and of course the more vulgar ones such as the “S” and “F” words are appearing more and more on the radio and are no longer bleeped out. On television and in film, less and less clothes are being worn and just about every conversation has a sexual overtone or double entendre in it. Even children’s cartoons such as the ironically oxymoronic titled “Family Guy” and “King of the Hill” have implied and blatant nudity and sexual content. Over the years we have continued to move the line in the sand further and further to the point where it is almost erased. For some reason we as a society seems to be fascinated with vulgarity and perversion to the point where we have accepted it as the “norm.”

While walking along Ocean Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida, I noticed how every souvenir /gift shop proudly and prominently displayed in its windows T-shirts that boldly read “I’m in Miami Bitch.” No shame in that game whatsoever. As you entered the shops there were shirts with even more vulgar language written on them. Again, it was the norm. We truly have moved to an “almost anything goes” society where boundaries have been obliterated. The fact that children are exposed to this negativity and vulgarity is not even taken into consideration and then we wonder why we are getting what we are getting.

The song Laura Ingraham was speaking about was a cleaned up version of a song titled “Fuck You” by Cee-Lo Green. When criticism finally did come about, apparently the decision was made to substitute the word “Fuck” with “Forget” thereby now titling the song “Forget You.” While I do not often agree with Ms. Ingraham, I wholeheartedly agree with her on her views concerning the lyrics of the song and where America as a society is at the moment and is headed. I share her views on that issue. For illustrative purposes, take a look at the unedited/ raw version of the song “Fuck You ….now Forget You” below:

Fuck You (Lyrics)

(Chorus)

I see you driving 'round town
With the girl I love and I’m like,
Fuck you!
Oo, oo, ooo

I guess the change in my pocket
Wasn't enough I’m like,
Fuck you!
And fuck her too!

I said, if I was richer, I’d still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shit? (ain't that some shit?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Fuck you!
Oo, oo, ooo

Yeah I’m sorry, I can't afford a Ferrari,
But that don't mean I can't get you there.
I guess he's an Xbox and I’m more Atari,
But the way you play your game ain't fair.

I picture the fool that falls in love with you
(oh shit she's a gold digger)
Well
(just thought you should know nigga)
Ooooooh
I've got some news for you
Yeah go run and tell your little boyfriend
(chorus)

Now I know, that I had to borrow,
Beg and steal and lie and cheat.
Trying to keep ya, trying to please ya.
'Cause being in love with you ass ain't cheap.

I picture the fool that falls in love with you
(oh shit she's a gold digger)
Well
(just thought you should know nigga)
Ooooooh
I've got some news for you
I really hate yo ass right now
(chorus)

Now baby, baby, baby, why d'you wanna wanna hurt me so bad?
(so bad, so bad, so bad)
I tried to tell my mamma but she told me
"this is one for your dad"
(your dad, your dad, your dad)

Uh! Whhhy? Uh! Whhhy? Uh!
Whhhy lady? Oh! I love you oh!
I still love you. Oooh!
(chorus)

http://www.elyricsworld.com/fuck_you_lyrics_cee-lo_green.html

After reading these lyrics and knowing that there are many more songs out there that are similar to this one, I think you get the point of this post. My usual Critical Thinker disclaimer includes the fact that I am not looking for agreement with me from my readers, however, after reading the lyrics above, you can make your own assessment in terms of the direction we as a society are headed. For some you will say “What’s the big deal?” For others you will be as horrified as I am. Either way, I invite you to critically think and in this particular case act when possible to help turn our society around. As always I invite your commentary in the comment section of The Critical Thinker.

A Book Worth Reading - President Reagan: The Role Of A Lifetime by Lou Cannon

2011-08-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely amazed how many political pundits reference the glory days of President Ronald Reagan. It is abundantly clear that they haven’t read or have chosen to ignore author Lou Cannon’s book PRESIDENT REAGAN THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME. While President Reagan may have indeed been a nice elderly fellow, Mr. Cannon’s chronicle clearly indicates that Mr. Reagan was not the "leader" the pundits keep raving about. I keep hearing the pundits quoting and touting Mr. Reagan’s leadership compared with President Obama’s when Mr. Cannon's book contradicts these assertions. Cannon also observes, in evaluating Reagan's term in office, that while he may not have been a great president...he was a great American who held a compelling vision of his country. I believe it is this vision of the country that is being fantasized about today compared with the reality that actualized. For a dose of reality, I highly recommend the book PRESIDENT REAGAN THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME by Lou Cannon particularly to Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh and the like. If they haven’t read it, maybe they ought to. I agree with the review by The New Yorker that sees the work as “A superlative study of a president and his presidency…. A triumphant portrait.” I welcome your commentary in the comment section below.

To YOUR Health

2011-07-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

As I write this blog post, I am sitting in Miami, Florida at a friend’s home totally enjoying my vacation. I’ve spent a week in the quiet of the remote town of Louisville, Georgia visiting my mother before making my way to Miami to visit friends and family. In both places I have had the absolute pleasure of reading multiple books uninterruptedly in the peace and quiet of each environment. In Louisville, there was absolutely no noise whatsoever and in Miami in the home that I am staying, the view and environment is breathtaking. As I was reading one of the ten books that I brought along with me in my bag of books, I came across something that I thought was worth sharing with The Critical Thinker readership.

It is sound advice found in Chapter 7 of OUTRAGE by authors Dick Morris and Eileen McGann. The chapter is entitled The New Drug Dealers: How Pharmaceutical Companies Are Dangerous to Our Health. A few years ago I read the book OUR DAILY MEDS by Melody Peterson and was fascinated by how the pharmaceutical industry works. Mr. Morris and Ms. McGann’s accounts in Chapter 7 of OUTRAGE support Ms. Peterson’s work and Ms. Peterson’s work in OUR DAILY MEDS supports the findings in OUTRAGE. I would highly recommend reading both books. The part I thought worth sharing is in a section at the end of the chapter called the “Action Agenda.” The action agenda reads as follows:

When you go for medical treatment for yourself or for any member of your family, you can take some simple steps to protect yourself.

Always ask your physician or surgeon if there is a generic drug that could be substituted for the prescription medication he or she is proposing.
Ask if your doctor has any financial relationship with any drug company.
Share with your doctor your opinion about these “relationships” to let him or her know that you disapprove of these frequently shady transactions.

I could not agree more with Mr. Morris and Ms. McGann and encourage and strongly recommend that we all ask these questions when our doctors are prescribing medications that we may not need or that can be ultimately harmful to us not to mention the costs. Do not allow your doctor to bully you or make you feel as if you are a fool for asking questions. I had a general practitioner at one time who did just that when I explained my symptoms or asked questions about the medication he had prescribed for me; he would make me feel as if I were stupid for asking questions. What exacerbated the situation even more was the fact that I had such wonderful relationships with my optometrist and dentist. I could talk to them about anything that was going on with my eyes or teeth and they would fully answer my questions and concerns without making me feel like a fool. Ironically, I explained the issues I was having with my general practitioner to my optometrist and asked him for a recommendation for a general practitioner; he recommended an excellent doctor and I changed. I now have a great team of physicians who keep me on top of my physical game. No one knows your body or what you are feeling better than you, so do not allow your doctor to push you around and prescribe medication that is not working for you or that is having adverse side effects.

As always, something to critically think about and I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog as I bask in the Florida and Georgia sunshine. Until my next post.

"I Am Not Going To Do To My Children What My Parents Did To Me"

2011-07-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Let me start this post by being very clear that the purpose of The Critical Thinker is to foster debate and not necessarily have everyone who reads it agree with me. As a matter of fact it is not my desire to have everyone who reads The Critical Thinker to agree with me as the design and purpose of it is to make you think. Yes, pause and think. I also need to point out that because the blog is called The Critical Thinker, it does not necessarily mean that I am criticizing. There is a difference between critically thinking and criticizing. When I write these posts, I do so based on observations I make as I go through my daily walk in life and how I look at things and ask myself the question “Is anyone looking at this from a different perspective ?“ or are we just mindlessly wandering and walking by and not giving any thought to anything? Just walking by totally oblivious……. I preface this post with this because I know there are going to be those who read this and think that I'm being judgmental or that I'm criticizing and I'm not doing either. I am just pointing out things as an observation based on my experiences.

As most of you know, I am an educator who work with children every day and in my opinion the next fifteen words may well have contributed to the ruination of one or more generations particularly in the African-American community. These words are "I am not going to do to my children what my parents did to me.” Many African-Americans who migrated to the North in the 40s, 50s and 60s were reared/raised in states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Georgia etc. and were raised by parents who did not have a problem with disciplining their children. They understood the difference between discipline and abuse. They also understood the value of hard work and the rewards achieved upon completing that work.

Many of the children of those parents moved to the North and vowed to themselves that they would not do to their children what their parents did to them; meaning disciplining them and teaching them how to work. It is in my observation that because they are not doing to their children what their parents did to them (disciplining and teaching the value of a work ethic) that we have lost one or two generations, particularly in the African-American community.

We all in the African American community can recount the stories of having to go out and get your own switch to beat your own behind with. We all can recount the stories of folks who had to work before they went to school, go to school and work some more when they returned home from school. We all can recount the stories of these same folks having to have walked 8-10 miles to school and those same 8-10 miles back home. The question becomes were these people really any worse off for having to have had these experiences? It seems they learned the value of an education and why they needed to have one. It seems they understood the connection between their chores and their being able to function productively as an adult and yet many of them moved to the North and actively chose to abandon the work ethic, education ethic, and yes even moral ethics they were raised with all in the name of “I am not going to do to my children what my parents did to me.” You are indeed not doing to your children what your parents did to you and we are paying a price for it.

I see children every day who are allowed to do anything they would like to do in the name of “I am not going to do to my children what my parents did to me.” I am referring to children of all ages beginning with a kindergartners who have been spoiled by this vow who feel they ought to have their own way and they get it whether what they want is good for them or not. This pattern continues throughout the toddler, (many think it’s “cute”) adolescent, teen and then adult years causing them to believe that they are entitled to getting their way regardless of rules, regulations or structure.

From where I sit, it is this vow of “I am not going to do what my parents did to me” that is causing us to have children who do not know how to do anything for themselves or take responsibility for anything. Many of them don't know how to wash dishes, iron, vacuum the floor, dust the furniture, take out the garbage, make up a bed or clean up a bedroom, sweep the kitchen floor, clean the bathroom, or any other household chore they will need when they become an adult and live on their own. The sad part is they don't even want to learn how to do these things and feel as if someone is always going to do these things for them.

Their parents are responsible for them feeling as if they have a maid service with the parents being the maid.

When I write Critical Thinker blog posts, I don't write to be liked; I don’t write to be agreed with; I write for us to pause and think. I fully recognize that there were some people who truly were abused in the south, however, that was not the majority. Many felt because the work was hard that it was abusive but in reality it was not. It was the work that needed to get done to survive in that era. There were many lessons learned from having to work. There were many lessons learned from having parents who would not allow certain things to happen in their houses. There were many lessons learned like that thing called "consequences" when you had to make that trip out to that tree and bring back a switch to remind you not to do whatever it was that you did again (That was a long walk back no matter how close the tree was).

When you truly think about it, those lessons are missing and we are indeed paying a heavy price for it now. If you haven’t ever thought about it, it is something to critically think about and as always I welcome your commentary in the comment section at the bottom of the blog (and no you don’t have to agree with my view).

Paterson school waging daily battle against worst odds

2011-06-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Please go to this link and read. It is well worth the read. Columnist Leslie Brody did an excellent job in accurately reflecting this story.

Paterson school waging daily battle against worst odds

Some Things Just Don't Go Together

2011-06-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

Socks and slides/sandals are one of them.

Are We Not Angry Enough?

2011-06-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

Aren't we angry enough? With all of the hatred and anger going on in the world do we really need an angry sandwich?

It's bad enough that we have all of these angry people, now we have to have an angry sandwich. Ridiculous!!!

So let's perpetuate anger............... Society is going to Hell in a hand basket.

Are You Serious?

2011-05-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

There must be someone who can tell me why the label/sticker is kept on and under the brim of a popularly marketed baseball cap. I've polled young men repeatedly and have in most cases received the answer "I don't know." One told me that it made the cap "official."

When I asked according to who? I was once again told,

"I don't know." One told me that it makes the cap always appear "new."

Folks, are our self esteems so low that we need a marketing sticker to make us feel good? Do we really need to be validated by a sticker that says "59 Fifty 7 1/4?" In my mind this keeping the label on the cap is another example of how we can be sheep and the funny thing is these folks really think they are being unique when in reality they are being the same. The folks who are being unique are the ones who take the sticker off and wear the caps properly.

Is There Such A Thing As A White Standard of Behavior?

2011-05-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by the late Manning Marable, and as I was reading, I came across two passages in the book that brought me to the question in the title of this blog post, Is There Such a Thing As A White Standard of Behavior? To set the stage, Mr. Marable is describing life in the 1930’s and 1940’s and in his description he talks about the clothing and music that had become popular during that time. The two passages that caught my attention were as follows:

“Similarly, the zoot suit uniform was an act of defiance against white standards of behavior.” (page 45)

“Like the zoot-suiters, beboppers implicitly rejected assimilation into standards established by whites and were contemptuous of the police and the power of the U.S. government over black people’s lives. Both sought to carve out identities that blacks could claim for themselves.” (page 63)

For years the question has plagued me concerning why we [African Americans] do some of the things that we do. I am speaking particular of things that just don’t make sense such as sagging pants; caps worn in every way accept the way in which it was made; taking derogatory terms such as “nigger” and thinking we are redefining it by our use instead of a Caucasian person using it; using Ebonics and slang; not getting our education; wearing our boots/sneakers untied; wearing raggedy clothing such as ripped jeans; and the list goes on and on. Supposedly all of this is done to create our own individual and unique “identity,” which made the Marable passages leap off of the page at me.

I’ve asked this question in other blog posts as well concerning how silly are we [African Americans] willing to look in order to create this individual and unique identity? The Marable passages helped me to see clearer what I believe that we believe we are doing when we are doing some of the silly stuff that I see on a day in and day out basis and that is we truly believe that we are defying this alleged “white standard of behavior.” In too many of our [African American] minds we truly believe that there is such a thing as a white standard of behavior opposed to just a standard of excellence that is a standard for everyone regardless of what color, race, or creed that we are. That’s where this notion of someone who speaks well is seen as “talking white,” or someone who does something in an excellent manner as “acting white.” The last time I looked, doing something in its correct manner does not have a color, race or creed associated with it. You either do it in an excellent manner or you don’t. Wearing pants with your underwear showing is not symbolic of excellence. Dummying one’s self down because you don’t think it is cool to be smart is not symbolic of excellence. What are African Americans who tell other African Americans that they talk or act white saying about African Americans? Are they saying that African Americans ought to be illiterate and do things ass-backwards? Do we really think about what we are saying when we say that to each other? Secondly, the statement gives too much credit to White people. Who says that doing something in a correct, proper or excellent manner is only done by White People? Yet that is what the "You speak or act white” statement says.

That’s why Mr. Marable’s words describing the 1930’s and 1940’s made me wonder if that is what we call ourselves [African Americans] doing (showing defiance against white standards of behavior and rejecting assimilation into standards established by whites) and if so, to what lengths are we willing to go particularly when we are making ourselves [African Americans] look like fools. We are not looking unique,we are looking like fools. So the question is, is there such a thing as a white standard of behavior or is it just a standard of behavior to achieve excellence?

Why not defy this so called white standard (if exists) by surpassing it? Surpassing it educationally; surpassing it behaviorally; surpassing it financially; surpassing it in responsibility. No, instead we defy it by sagging our pants, twisting our caps with the stupid little label still affixed to the brim , calling women bitches and hoes (whores), dropping out of school, etc. etc. etc.

Now I know there are some brothers (and perhaps sisters) out there who will challenge me and even try to argue that we [African Americans] ought to be able to act anyway we want. After all we were brought to this country against our will in chains and on the slave ships. As sure as you are reading this (if you have read this far) there will be some brother(or sister) out there looking to condone our [ African Americans] irresponsible behavior thinking he/she is indeed defying this “white standard of behavior,” while in the meantime we are falling further and further behind in every category. Oh and now the brother will say that it is by design that we are falling behind. I know the arguments, I hear them all of the time, yet the fact of the matter is, for the most part African Americans have the highest numbers in anything negative and the lowest numbers for anything positive and it does not have to be. In many instances we are our own worst enemy. So I don’t know about you but if there is such a thing as a “white standard of behavior,” I am looking as an African American male to go way beyond it; however, I don’t think a “white standard of behavior” exists and that there is only a standard of excellence that applies to us all regardless of color race or creed. More to critically think about and as always I welcome your thoughts in the comment section of the blog.

BEWARE - The Taking Of Your Life Is Not An Issue

2011-05-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

When are we going to learn that it is not worth it?. We are no longer in the day of "shooting the one" and "may the best man win." Even when you think you have won; you've lost. Now the loser goes back and either comes back with a weapon or a gang of friends and relatives to beat you down because you "won." In too many instances the biggest loser is the winner, hence the story below. Sometimes (probably most times) it's better to "shut up" and keep it moving. It's not about being a "punk" or a "wuss," it's about being around to see another day. Let's face it, it is no longer an issue that your life can be taken. Folks would just assume kill you now than look at you. Also notice these things tend to happen in the wee hours of the morning, i.e. 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., 4:00 a.m. etc. etc. and are usually at some "party" or club. Young people (and old), it's not like it was 30, 40, 50 and 60 years ago. Lives are being taken senselessly. Take my advice and be quiet, stay home and learn not to argue because it is not worth your life or mine. Use your head. As the old adage says, "The life you save may be your own." Something else to critically think about.

PATERSON FIGHT LANDS TEEN IN SURGERY
Saturday, May 14, 2011
BY MATTHEW MCGRATH
The Record

PATERSON – A 17-year-old boy needed emergency surgery early Saturday morning after he was struck in the head during an altercation with an unknown assailant, police said. Police believe Diego Gonzalez, 17, was in a verbal argument, which ended in the attack, at about 2 a.m. Saturday morning outside the Father English Community Center on Main Street, Capt. Heriberto Rodriguez said. Gonzalez was taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson where he received emergency surgery. His condition is being watch closely and doctors are still unsure if Gonzalez will survive, Rodriguez said. Police are searching for the attacker.

2011-05-14T09:55:00.001-07:00

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Does This Make Sense To You?

2011-05-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

There is no one is the world that can make me believe that this makes sense. There is no argument or justification in the world that can make me believe that this makes sense.

Not one...........

Is It A Case Of A Pot Calling A Pot A Pot?

2011-05-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

Reaction to Rashard Mendenhall’s Twitter posts is exactly why The Critical Thinker was birthed. To provide a brief overview, Mr. Mendenhall posted on Twitter his thoughts on the reactions of many people on the death of Osama Bin Laden. One of his posts read as follows: “What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side….” Well Mr. Mendenhall was lambasted and harshly criticized for his views. He has even lost endorsements over it.

I totally understand the sensitivity surrounding Osama Bin Laden and September 11, 2001 (I get that), but as The Critical Thinker, I have to agree with Mr. Mendenhall. I too questioned the need for “celebration” and “cheering” at the death of anyone. Conversely, I understand the emotions involved as to why someone could cheer or be happy, but the long and short of it is, the death of Osama Bin Laden will not bring back those we lost in the attack of 9/11.

We tend to love buzz words like “closure,” but can the loss of a loved one in such a horrific manner really be closed or brought to closure at the death of another individual? Is there really such a thing as justice because the perpetrator or mastermind is killed? Mr. Mendenhall states in his blog, “This controversial statement was something I said in response to the amount of joy I saw in the event of a murder. I don’t believe that this is an issue of politics or American pride; but one of religion, morality, and human ethics.” This critical thinker agrees. It is for the same reason that I am not a fan of the death penalty. Now don’t get me wrong , I am totally for guilty killers/murderers being dropped off on a deserted island without any provisions and no chance of ever reaching a mainland again and for them dying naturally when God gets ready, but not for another human killing another human and then calling it justice. What makes the lethal injector or the sharp shooter any different than the perpetrator? They have both committed the same act just under a different justification. This critical thinker just does not understand how the killing or the dying of anyone brings closure to someone who has lost someone through death. It would seem to me a slow suffering would bring more of a feeling of revenge than a quick death. (I know, I know, just the fact that they are gone from the earth) but what really does that do?

Mr. Mendenhall states, “I wasn’t questioning Bin Laden’s evil acts. I believe that he will have to face God for what he has done. I was reflecting on our own hypocrisy. During 9/11 we watched in horror as parts of the world celebrated death on our soil. Earlier this week, parts of the world watched us in horror celebrating a man’s death.” In other words, aren’t we a pot calling a pot a pot? When does someone stand up and say enough of this madness? Do we really think about what we do and say or are we just happy with sound bites and buzz words? We seem to always be so thrilled with words that sound good during an interview. That’s why the tag line for this blog is “For those who choose to move beyond the sound bite.” When are we going to move beyond the sound bite? Closure…………..

This critical thinker is an extremely proud American and my views like Mr. Mendenhall’s does not change our pride in America or our thankfulness that we are Americans; however, because we are Americans we have just as much right to express our views as those who felt so comfortable with cheering and celebrating the death of another human being. For the record I felt the same way when Saddam Hussein was executed. Killing is killing no matter how you slice it (I will talk about the issue of water boarding torture tactics in another post)

Lastly, Mr. Mendenhall ended his blog post with the line that inspired me to write this post when he said, “It [his statement] was only meant to encourage anyone reading it to think.” As the Critical Thinker I could not agree with him more. As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments in the comment section of the blog.

When Silence Is Not Golden

2011-04-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

Of all the Critical Thinker blog posts I have written, this one is likely to be one of the more serious ones as it deals with a topic that I am sure has been around for as long as time but it just seems to be more prevalent now as more and more women reveal what tragically happened to them as children.

The topic has come to my attention because through my recent reading it seems to keep cropping up more and more. Books that immediately come to mind that I have recently read include Memories by Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad; Dare To Take Charge by Judge Glenda Hatchett; and Peace From Broken Pieces by Iyanla Vanzant. Not only had I read these books in succession and was hit in the face squarely with this issue, but many of my female guest authors this year on The Reading Circle with Marc Medley on WP88.7 FM transparently shared with the listening audience the same thing happening to them when they were a child or a young woman. Women such as Nicole B. Simpson, Allison Hobbs, and Syretta Walker shared with the audience how this very issue has impacted their lives. By now you are probably wondering what issue I am writing about. Well I am glad you asked. The extremely serious issue that this blog post is about is child molestation and rape. I decided to tackle this issue because it seems to be coming to light more and more by prominent women in our society.

Take a look at the account given by Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad in her book Memories in the chapter entitled Little Girl, Big Secret concerning one evening when her paternal grandfather came to visit:

“One evening he came to our house, ate dinner that my mother had prepared, played with us, and went into our bedroom to go to bed. He put me in the bed with him. Early the next morning, I woke up with Papa Travis on top of me. He had gone inside of me, tearing my vagina, splitting my rectum. Although, I tried to be silent, I knew that my grandfather was doing something very wrong to me. It reached the point where the pain and the smell of my grandfather were so overbearing, I screamed. My mother was in the kitchen cooking breakfast. She heard me scream, picked up a broom, ran into the bedroom and beat her father-in-law with the broom. He jumped up off me, picked up his clothes and ran out of the house.”

In Dare to Take Charge, Judge Glenda Hatchett recounts a case she had with a young girl Jamie who came into her courtroom:

“A young girl who came into my courtroom, Jamie was first victimized by William, her mother’s live-in boyfriend, when she was in the sixth grade. For years thereafter, she was verbally and sexually abused – one of the most horrendous situations you can think of, the chronic abuse of a child. William threatened to kill Jamie’s mother, Marie, if Jamie told anyone what was going on. After years of this horror, Jamie was no longer able to live with the shame and the agony. She confided in a trusted high school teacher. By then, Jamie was sixteen. A warrant was issued for the arrest of her mother’s live-in boyfriend, this despicable man. During her most vulnerable and formative years, Jamie had endured unimaginable, spirit-robbing abuse. In her child’s mind, she endured these violations in order to protect her mother. Of course, once the truth was out in the open, Jamie imagined that her mother would come forth and protect her. She expected her mother to reach for her and comfort her. But sadly, that was not the case. Even in this state of crisis, Marie withheld the love and support her daughter so desperately needed. Jamie’s mom did not behave as most mothers would have. Marie repeatedly accused Jamie of improper behavior. Marie insisted that her boyfriend could never have done this. She said that Jamie was blaming a poor innocent man when in fact it was Jamie who had behaved improperly and was having sex as a young child! Not only had Marie failed to provide a safe haven for her daughter, but she also turned against her, siding with a disgusting sexual predator of a boyfriend.”

Iyanla Vanzant gives an account in Peace From Broken Pieces as follows:

“Uncle Lee extended the other pig’s foot in my direction. Does he expect me to take it with my bare hands? Before I could, he dropped it; right on the sofa, between his legs. Rather than use his hand to retrieve his lunch, he grabbed me by the wrist. Instinctively, I pushed him with my free hand, which gave him the opportunity to grab my other wrist. Something was very, very, wrong, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. The mixture of scents flowing into my nostrils, the queasiness in my stomach, and the strange smile on my Uncle Lee’s face had rendered me feeble-minded, drained of all defenses. My face was too close to his. His tongue had no business being in my ear. Why was his foul-smelling, sticky mouth on my mouth? The more I twisted and turned to get away, the tighter his grasp became. I could feel my body become rigid just before it went numb. “Stop fighting me. Don’t fight me. We’re gonna have some fun. I’m gonna show you how to have fun.” My blouse was torn. My panties were ripped. His weight was smashing me into the sofa. His breath was foul. His calloused hands were groping my private parts. He was hurting me; ripping my insides apart.”

These accounts are chilling and for Claudette and Iyanla both in their late 60's/early 70's happened nearly sixty years ago when they were very young women. According to Child Help http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics, children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children. In 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations.

General statistics include:

•A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
•Almost five children die every day as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4.
•It is estimated that between 60-85% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.
•90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.
•Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
•31% percent of women in prison in the United States were abused as children.
•Over 60% of people in drug rehabilitation centers report being abused or neglected as a child.
•About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.
•About 80% of 21 year old that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
•The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2007 is $104 billion.
•Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.
•Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs.
•14% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children

•36% of all women in prison were abused as children
•Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.

As a father of four daughters, I implore men to leave these children alone. If you read the accounts I have shared in the post, you must agree that this behavior is SICK. Think of the damage that is being done to these lives. These children's lives were never the same for them again and any child that it happens to now will never have life the same again. Any and all forms of child abuse must stop.

Too many lives are being lost and altered due to abuse (see trend above). If you know a child that is being abused, please do not sit on your hands and do nothing. Do not just think that it will go away because it will not. Please call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child. You may just be saving a life.

After speaking with my guest authors and hearing their stories and reading the hellacious accounts of Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad, Jamie through Judge Hatchett, and Iyanla Vanzant, my mind could not help but wonder how many of our children right before our eyes are experiencing the same type abuse or some other form of abuse. My heart goes out to them and because it does, I wrote this blog post to raise awareness. We must stop any form of abuse in its tracks. Again the National Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-4-A-Child. As always I welcome your commentary and feedback in the comment section of the blog.

The Epitome of Cool

2011-04-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

One of the most famous TV quotes from comedies of the 70’s was “Aaaaayyyy” ..... always spoken by “The Fonz” played by Henry Winkler in the sitcom Happy Days. Fonzie or "The Fonz" was considered “cool” by Richie, Potsie and Ralph along with the rest of America. When one thinks of cool, one might think of James Dean, Marlon Brando, Billy Dee Williams, Sean Connery or Yul Brynner(I love the way Yul says “It is written, so it shall be done in the movie The Ten Commandments.); perhaps Michael Jordan or even Jay-Z, but has anyone ever considered Jesus as cool? Well if you have not……..I have and let me tell you why.
We have just experienced the Lenten season culminating with Resurrection Sunday and it really reaffirmed for me the coolness of Jesus. I’ve always based my opinion of Jesus as cool by the responses he gave in various situations. He always had an answer and it was never the answer or reaction that was expected or anticipated. In many of the biblical scenarios Jesus was being set up by his enemies, detractors and critics who expected him to give an answer that would trap him or contradict who he said he was. The funny and ironic part is his critics and naysayers always had to walk away shaking their heads as their plans were foiled once again. Let’s take a look at some of the scenarios and the response given by Jesus:

Take a look at Matthew 27:11-14 where we see Jesus standing before Pilate being interrogated:

11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.

Check out the answer in John 8……

3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Or Luke 14:5

And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

Or Mark 4

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

And Matthew 4

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. 3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

In each of these scenarios, Jesus did not lose his cool. he just plainly, calmly, confidently and in a matter of fact manner gave his answers. You could feel the power in his answers, you could feel the coolness. He was very clear, yet his detractors always left perplexed. Even his own disciples questioned what manner of man is this? Jesus was and still is a cool brother.

So the next time you think of the folks who you consider cool, add Jesus to that list. He is the epitome of cool. Something to critically think about and as always I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog.

“There Has Been More Technological Improvement In The Last 50 Years Than In The Previous 5,000

2011-04-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

“There has been more technological improvement in the last 50 years than in the previous 5,000,” asserts Patrick Cox, co-editor of Technology Profits

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, the Jetsons is a prime-time animated sitcom that was produced by Hanna-Barbera, originally airing from 1962–1963 and again from 1985–1987. It was Hanna-Barbera’s Space Age counterpart to The Flintstones, a half-hour family sitcom projecting contemporary American culture and lifestyle into another time period.[2] While the Flintstones live in a world with machines powered by birds and dinosaurs, the Jetsons live in a futuristic utopia in the year 2062[3] of elaborate robotic contraptions, aliens, holograms, and whimsical inventions.[4] The original incarnation of the series aired Sunday nights on ABC from September 23, 1962, to March 3, 1963.

I start this post referring to the quote by Patrick Cox and the Hanna-Barbera cartoon The Jetsons to give us an appreciation of just how fast technology is moving. Think about that.......more technological advancement in the last 50 years than in the last 5,000. That is something to critically think about. As I write this post I am surrounded by a Yamaha E413 Musical Keyboard, my Iphone which has over 300 songs downloaded on it sitting on a docking station with speakers, a Dell Inspiron CPU, Digidesign Pro Tools software, Rosetta Stone Spanish Language software, Microsoft Flight Simulator X along with the Flight Sim Yoke and rudder pedals, Playstation II and the list goes on and on.

Think about it, there are children today who do not know what an 8-track tape or 45 RPM recording is. For some, they barely know what an audio cassette is. In every field or industry we are technologically whizzing along. The Jetsons aired in 1962 and who could have known just how prophetic that little cartoon was.

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Go Up On The Third Limb

For me personally, I love the technology, but it MUST be used responsibly and for good. The social media developments are awesome when used correctly. I am having so much fun with the technology that I have been able to write and produce my first original instrumental jazz CD Go Up On The Third Limb, Enhance my radio show, The Reading Circle with Marc Medley, write a blog (The Critical Thinker) that is read all over the world and just recently moved the blog up off of the written pages with the addition of The Critical Thinker Video Blog on YouTube and Ustream. Be sure to tune in to not only read The Critical Thinker but to hear him give you things to ask yourself "Does that make sense to you?"

I thank God for the technology and everything that we can now do. If little ol' me can do all of this with my limited technological knowledge, think what technology can do in terms of saving lives. Conversely, think of what it can do in taking lives as well, i.e. war weaponry but we won't go there, we will keep it positive.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of my CD Go Up On The Third Limb it is available for purchase from this site and The Reading Circle website at http://www.thereadingcircle01.com/. Purchases may be made through PayPal. I will also keep you posted each time I film the video version of The Critical Thinker. Until then enjoy the technology that God has blessed us with and use it responsibly. I know I will. As always, I appreciate your feedback via the comment section of the blog.

History Teaches Everything Including The Future.

2011-04-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

Noellee Howell

Today (April 2, 2011) was the Northern Regional Competition of the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest sponsored by Seton Hall University College of Arts and Sciences, History Department; the New Jersey Historical Commission, The History Channel and William Paterson University. The competition was held at Seton Hall University and was a part of New Jersey History Day. I had the opportunity to share in an incredible experience with the students and teachers who were representing the Paterson School District and I was especially excited because my niece Jada and my daughter Noellee along with many of my colleagues were intimately involved with New Jersey History Day. I witnessed them diligently preparing their projects for weeks.

The competition was broken into three categories which were exhibits, documentaries, and performances. Each category requirement could be satisfied by an individual or group presentation. As we arrived at Seton Hall University, we came across both my niece and my daughter along with their respective groups and teachers. I could feel the competitive spirit in the air. The students had been up since 6:00 a.m. or earlier to meet a bus leaving Paterson by 6:45 a.m. to make their 7:30 a.m. start time and nervousness and fatigue was setting in. I had the opportunity to be an audience member in two excellent documentaries presented by the freshman and sophomore students from Paterson Eastside High School. One was an eye opening documentary uncovering the unsanitary practices of the meat packing industry prior to the creation of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the other was an interesting debate concerning world relations and the views on appeasement dating back to Adolf Hitler to the presidential campaign bid of Barack Obama. The third documentary was one delivered by my daughter Noellee where she took an in-depth look at Brown vs. Board of Education, the landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. All three presentations were outstanding.

After the documentary presentations, we had some time to kill before the announcement of the qualifiers for the state competition at William Paterson University, so we walked the beautiful campus of Seton Hall and had lunch. The Jubilee Hall Auditorium was filled to standing room only capacity. We anxiously awaited the winners/qualifiers names to be called. We nervously sat through each category cheering for other schools and hoping that our schools would be called and lo and behold the Paterson school district had qualifiers in each category. I was almost moved to tears as my daughter and my niece brought home ribbons. Oh the looks of Mr. Balsamo, Ms. Carlock, and Mr. Ollo as words cannot describe the happiness and pride expressed by each of them as their students walked across that stage.

Now let’s get to the significance of this post and why I spent time detailing a part of my day at the New Jersey History Day Northern Regional Competition. This was an academic event and there was not a reporter in site. No little note pads and pencils (or I guess Ipads and Netbooks in 2011), no cameras, no news trucks, no news anchors; no one but proud parents, students and teachers cheering for their children who had performed in such an excellent manner. After all it was only a history contest; nothing newsworthy. Not a basketball or football game. No touchdowns or three point baskets, just children spouting historical facts or their understanding of history and its connection to their future.

Now let’s flip the script and say those same students were now in the streets in gangs or had been a part of a crime or had been carrying weapons, I am sure there would have been a swarm of reporters there ready to let the world know how horrid our children are or can be. I’m sure they would have been there as well if it had been the star quarterback, running back, point guard or center So that’s why I am taking the time to let the world know of the wonderful event that took place at Seton Hall University this day.

We must get our priorities straight. Academics are just as important, in fact more important than athletics in my humble view. For some reason we do not embrace academics in the same manner that we embrace athletics, thereby causing our students to think that academics are not really that important. Too many of our students think that in order for them to be noticed or recognized, they have to be a part of one of the sports teams. Well I am here to tell you that today was far more important than any football or basketball game will ever be. You want to talk priorities…… critically think about this from USAToday:

“The Rutgers University Programming Association paid Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi $32,000 Thursday to offer important advice on her hairstyle, fist pumps, as well as the GTL — gym, tanning, laundry — lifestyle. And that’s $2,000 more than the $30,000 the university is paying [Toni] Morrison to deliver Rutgers’ commencement address in May.”

I believe we can sum that up with “Enough Said,” and with that said, congratulations to Noellee Howell, Jada Osgood and to all of the rest of the students and staff members who qualified for the state competition at William Paterson University. The competition will be the held May 7, 2011. As always, I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog.

Another One For The Things That Don't Make Sense File

2011-03-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

Can someone out there please tell me what is supposed to be so cool about keeping a sticker on the bill of a "Fitted" cap? This is one that escapes this critical thinker so I am sure there must be someone out there who can explain it. There has to be someone out there who can help me out.......#thingsthatdon'tmakesense. Yes, in my view it looks stupid. As always, I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog.

It Is Only For One Day

2011-03-14T03:46:00.000-07:00

Okay folks, please do not tell me that you are one of the folks who think there are now only 23 hours in a day. It always amazes me that when we switch either to or from daylight savings time +there are people who believe we actually went to a 25 or 23 hour day. Folks you only lose or gain the hour for that one day;. Whatever day is designated as the day to switch from or to daylight savings time is the only day that you lose or gain the hour. By the next day you are back to the normal 24 hour cycle. I know it seems unbelievable, but yes I have had people tell me that we gained or lost the hour for more than just the transition time (LOL.. don't mind me I'm.having some fun with the blog ,that's why it's called The Critical Thinker). By the time you are reading this, we are back to a 24 hour day. Enjoy the sun.

Pro Choice - Pro Consequences

2011-02-28T17:21:00.000-08:00

There is no one who loves a good wordsmith, double entendre or play on words more than me. There may be some who equal, but none who surpass. Let me also state up front and for the record that I am pro choice in terms of a woman’s right to choose and at the same time pro consequence. I really don’t believe anyone has a right to dictate what someone else must choose, particularly with his/her body. I really do believe however, that one must make wise choices. Whether your choices are wise; unwise; good; or bad, all come with consequences.

I struggled with what angle I would approach this blog post concerning the billboard that was recently taken down in SoHo due to public outcry that read “The most dangerous place for an African American is the womb.” A report cited in recent years by the CDC states that white women accounted for the largest percentage of abortions (37.1%), followed by black women (34.4%), Hispanic women (22.1%), and women of other races (6.4%). White women had the lowest abortion rates (8.5 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years) and ratios (144 abortions per 1,000 live births); in contrast, black women had the highest abortion rates (32.1 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years) and ratios (480 abortions per 1,000 live births).

With those figures I can understand why someone or an organization would make an attempt to raise awareness about the high abortion rate particularly amongst African American women, but what I don’t understand is the wording along with the picture. Has anyone on that organization’s board ever heard of connotation and denotation? Have anyone of them ever heard of inference or implication? How about the plain old read between the lines or the possibility of some serious misinterpretation? We live in a country and perhaps world who at one point (and maybe still) wished that African Americans did not exist at all; that we never even reached the womb let alone it being the most dangerous place. Was it even considered that it could be racially charged? So we can conclude that the wording on that bulletin board was a bad choice that ended in a bad consequence. The sign was ultimately taken down.

Now let’s get to the bigger issue of good and bad choices along with their consequences. As the statistics above reveal, there are a whole lot of bad choices going on. We have to get to the root of these choices. I find it hard to believe that all of these folks made the good choice of using contraceptives and they did not work causing the choice of an abortion to be made. I just find it hard to believe that all of the condoms broke or all of the pills failed. Let’s get real; many of these choices for abortion had to be made because some bad choices were made up front. Choosing an irresponsible partner; poor if any planning at all; the “Oh it can’t happen to me” syndrome; the old just this one time syndrome; the old “If you really love me” syndrome, and on and on and on.

We must give some serious thought to the choices we make as each one comes with a consequence. The abortion rate really is not the issue; the choice to have irresponsible sex is. Yes Virginia, if the sperm meets the egg you can indeed get pregnant (For those old enough to remember, Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus). It’s sad that someone felt the need to place a beautiful African American child on a billboard with the tagline “The most dangerous place for an African American is the womb.” It’s even sadder that we refuse to take responsibility for our actions; that we refuse to be accountable. I am pro choice but I am also pro consequence. Something to critically think about and as always I welcome your comments in the comment section.

It's About Time

2011-02-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

This will probably be the second shortest blog post I have ever written. All I will say in terms of Charlie Sheen and CBS is IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!! My God, I am surprised it took this long. I never understood why CBS continued to put up with Charlie Sheen's nonsense. In my humble opinion, Mr. Sheen should have been gone based on his behavior. Finally CBS and Warner Bros. Television woke up and stopped production on Two and a Half Men for the remainder of the season due to Sheen's recent "statements, conduct and condition." Good for you CBS!! There just is not that much television in the world.

Walking History

2011-02-21T10:53:00.000-08:00

If you were to look in my personal library, you probably would find anywhere from 25 to 30 books on the subject of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and/or the Civil Rights Movement. I have studied Dr. King in nearly the same manner that he studied Gandhi. The latest book I read about the account of Dr. King’s assassination was a fascinating look at the simultaneous whereabouts and movements of James Earl Ray (his accused assassin) and Martin Luther King, Jr. up until the bullet piercing his neck on April 4, 1968. The book is entitled Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Hampton Sides. It is a chilling account of how Dr. Kings and James Earl Ray’ paths cross on that fateful day in April of 1968. I was born in August of 1962 making me to be five going on six, and I remember the impact that the assassination of Dr. King had in my house and the world. I remember going into the bathroom and just crying and not really knowing why because I saw the reactions of both my mother and my father to hearing the news.

I start this entry with this brief backdrop to help you understand why for the last two years during the month of February at The St. Luke Baptist Church Heritage Sunday Celebration words could not describe my feelings as I listened to both Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy last February and to the Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles on yesterday (2/20/11). The pastor of St. Luke, Rev. Kenneth D.R. Clayton, makes it his business to have us have the opportunity to hear from historic figures that helped pave the way for African Americans and all Americans in order for us to be inspired to pursue our God given excellence and I am grateful for his efforts.

Well, I sat there yesterday on the absolute edge of my pew as Rev. Kyles interwove his experiences with Rev. King on April 3rd and 4th of 1968 within his larger message of “Hold Fast to Your Dreams.” Rev. Kyles shared how dreamers are the ones who make the world go around. He went on to share that there are a lot of dream busters out there. He asked, supposed the Wright Brothers had given up on their dream to fly? He encouraged those of us in the congregation to recapture any dreams that we may have lost as they are our dreams and not anyone else’s. He noted that even the sanitation workers had a dream. Rev. Kyles shared a story of how during one of his trips to Philadelphia, PA, a young woman came up to him and said, “ I would like to thank you and all of the others who took up the cause for the sanitation workers because I am now a judge and my father was a sanitation worker. To our young and not so young, he talked about a time when it was “illegal” to learn to read. He kept emphasizing that it is no longer “illegal” to learn how to read and if you had the ability to read between the lines he was letting us know that we must read more as a people.

As I said in the beginning of this entry, I have read countless books on Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement but it was the strangest feeling to listen to someone who spent the last hour of Dr. King’s life with him. There were three preachers in that room in the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee that day and they were King, Abernathy and Kyles. When Martin Luther King, Jr. stepped out of the door at the Lorraine Motel, Billy Kyles was there. You cannot imagine hearing the accounts of the Mountaintop speech and the sound of the gunfire from Rev. Kyles. It’s one thing to read about it; it is another thing to hear from an “honest witness.” Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles is "Walking History." The plan was for Dr. King to have dinner at the Kyles’ home that evening and then attend a rally. These plans were changed by one bullet and the rest as they say is history. I will not forget meeting Rev. Fauntroy last February and I certainly shall never forget meeting and listening to one of my heroes last moments from someone who was not only there, but up close and personal. It is an experience that words will just not do justice. I encourage everyone to take a trip to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee if you have not done so already. I have been to The King Center in Atlanta, GA on several occasions and have not taken the opportunity to stop through Memphis, but you can rest assured I will. As Rev. Kyles ended his lesson, he emphatically said with almost tears in his eyes that, “You can kill the dreamer, but you can NEVER kill the DREAM. Whatever your dream is as the NIKE slogan says, “Just Do It!” I also encourage you to make a donation to the Washington D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. You can do so by logging on to http://www.mlkmemorial.org/. By making this donation you too can be a part of history.

What Is Your Pet Peeve?

2011-02-10T19:15:00.000-08:00

Well for a change I decided to write a lighter post so I picked a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I chose to write about one of my pet peeves (Trust me, there are many more, but I decided to choose this one for this entry). Some may say it could be obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), though I think it not, as it is more so the desire to see a piece of furniture used in the manner that it was designed to be used. By now I am sure I have piqued your curiosity, (even though the photo probably gave it away) that yes one of my pet peeves is to see clothing left sticking or hanging out of a dreser drawer or dresser drawers. In my mind it is one of the most unsightly things to see clothing sticking out of a drawer not allowing the drawer to be grounded and flush with the dresser. It makes the entire room look unkempt and uncared for. I often use the term that it looks "ghetto." I know by now you are either laughing or thinking to yourself, this guy is nuts, but think about the message that it sends to those of us who must see this sloppiness. Bras, socks, pajamas, panties, boxers, blouses, t-shirts and the like blocking the drawer from properly closing allowing the dresser to look neat. Are we that much in a hurry that we can't take a minute to look back to ensure that everything is neatly tucked away in their drawer? Does it take that much effort to take a second look to make sure nothing is left flapping in the breeze? Do we actually think that clothes hanging partially outside of the drawer looks good? So for all of you out there who routinely leave clothes hanging and peeking out of drawers, please, take a couple of more seconds to take that second look to make sure all of your dresser drawers are grounded and flush. What's one of your pet peeves? I would love to hear about them. Laughingly.........

Why Not Just Introduce a Bill To Have A Fine For Not Using Common Sense? “The Stupidity Bill”

2011-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

Over and over again I keep hearing that government is too big and far too intrusive in the lives of Americans and yet I also keep hearing of these bills that being introduced that keep drilling down further and further into smaller and smaller issues in the lives of the infamous “American People.” (No one can say the words “American People” like a politician…..it just seems to take on a whole different tone when the words come out their mouths). Two recent examples include a bill in New York, that is pending in the legislature’s transportation committee that would ban the use of mobile phones, iPods or other electronic devices while crossing streets — runners and other exercisers included (Distracted Pedestrians) and in New Jersey, a bill that would require people to register their bicycles with the MVC or pay a fine of up to $100 with children younger than 15 relying on their parents or guardians to register the bike for them.

Now folks, come on…. Do we really need the government to govern issues that ought to be common sense? Regular every day, ordinary citizen and exerciser, Marie Wickham interviewed by The New York Times said in her interview that she would be opposed to any ban of such devices. “I think it’s an infringement on personal rights,” she said. “At some point, we need to take responsibility for our own stupidity.” I could not agree with Ms. Wickham more. When do individuals take responsibility for themselves? At what point do individuals learn that consequences come about because of decisions that are made whether they be stupid or intelligent. At what point do we indeed take responsibility for our own stupidity? One has to know that he/she cannot hear in a busy intersection if the volume of his/her device is too loud and if by chance he/she is hit and or killed then so be it. When these devices are worn at a low enough volume surely cars, trucks, buses and horns can be heard. So that begs the question, what volume is the user listening to where he or she cannot hear a car? If it is that loud then it is a stupid decision that could come with some deadly consequences. We don't need a law for that.

The bicycle bill is being introduced because a few kids made the bad decision to snatch purses while on a bicycle and the legislature is seeking a way for victims to identify the getaway bike. Again, I say come on on now……. Do you honestly think someone is going to get down the plate number on a moving bicycle? We barely get down the plate number on a moving automobile, let alone a moving bicycle. Again, personal responsibility and parental guidance and training must come into play. Now everyone would have to pay a $10 fee to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to register a bicycle. The DMV has enough on their hands just to get our cars registered.

So since we are introducing bills, why not just do one overall bill that will fine people for not using common sense, the sense that doesn’t seem to be too common. Have you ever heard of some of these criminal stories where the judge ought to have thrown the criminal in jail for stupidity? Not for his/her crime, but just merely on the count of stupidity. Why not introduce a bill that would fine folks for stupidity? The “Stupidity Bill.” That can be a catch all instead of all of these seemingly stupid bills that continue to infringe deeper and deeper upon the personal lives of the “American People.” Something to critically think about and as always I welcome your thoughts in the comment section of this blog.

"You've Got Mail," and Your Mail Is YOUR Mail - A Look at Invasion of Privacy

2010-12-30T09:51:00.000-08:00

As I start this blog post, let me make it very clear that my intent is not to defend the actions of Clara Walker, a Detroit, Michigan wife whose email account was allegedly hacked or read without her authorization by her husband Leon Walker. It is however, a post stating my views concerning the unauthorized reading or entering of email accounts, cell phone text messages, cell phone voice message accounts, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, personal/private journals etc. etc. In my view (and this is my personal view, as this is my blog) no one, including spouses or any other family members ought to be able to enter into any of these private accounts without the express permission or authorization of the account holder. Just because you are in a committed or marital relationship does not automatically give anyone (husband or wife; boyfriend or girlfriend) carte blanche to just blatantly disregard the fact that email accounts, etc. are private accounts for the holder. That’s why they are all password protected. I very well understand the principals of marriage, and I also understand that whether you are married or not, you are still an individual and are entitled to your privacy. Invasion of privacy rules ought to still apply whether it is a spouse, brother, sister, mother, father, stranger etc. Invasion of privacy is invasion of privacy.

Having been one on the receiving end of having my journals, email and cell phone voice mail accounts compromised, it is clearly a pet peeve of mine. When I read the accounts of the Walker case it brought back vivid flashbacks of my experiences. Again, I do not condone Mrs. Walker’s behavior as that is a separate issue; however, it is not a good feeling to have your privacy invaded in such a way. It leaves you feeling violated just as if someone had broken into your house or gone into your underwear drawer without your authorization. Regardless of what type of relationship you are in, there are just some things that you want to remain with you and keep private. In my view marriage is not a license to trample on each others' privacy. Just like any other part of the relationship, the privacy piece needs to be respected as well and when it is not, you can expect trouble.

Mr. Walker in an interview stated that "She'd asked me to read her e-mails before and that "She gave me the password before. She didn't hide it." First of all I don’t believe in husbands and wives sharing passwords to individual accounts. If it is a shared email account that is one thing; however, if it is a personal account, the passwords ought not to be shared to avoid the possibility of either snooping. The old cliché that says “curiosity killed the cat” is true. You define “cat” in any way you would like, whether it be a marriage(cat), relationship(cat), job(cat) or whatever, in many instances snooping in someone’s private email account can be a killer. The other old adage of “If you look for anything long and hard enough, you will find it,” is also true. Whatever you look for in someone else’s accounts, you will undoubtedly find even if it is in your own mind and perception. Again, I understand folks view on marriage concerning EVERYTHING has to be shared and I don’t agree. Married or not, we still have to have our own space and be able to maintain some individuality (I know there are those of you who won’t agree and that’s okay). My view is I have me, you have you, and we have we. You do your thing; I do my thing; and then there are things we do together. The more developed each one becomes as an individual, the stronger the WE will become; individual interests, friends, personalities, etc. needs to also be a part of a marriage or relationship. There ought not to be any need for each other to read each other’s personal emails and text messages unauthorized. Either you trust each other or you don’t. If you choose to invite your spouse to read a particular email or the two of you share a joint email address that is one thing; to blatantly barge into or hack into a personal account is another.

There are invasion of privacy laws, and in the Walker case Oakland County, Michigan, Prosecutor Jessica Cooper used a state anti-hacking law to charge Leon Walker with a felony. According to CNN, the Michigan statute forbids someone from accessing "a computer program, computer, computer system or computer network" to acquire property "without authorization." New York criminal defense lawyer Paul Callan said all 50 U.S. states have such laws, but he called this "a highly unusual use of a criminal statute." There are other tenets of the various invasions of privacy laws and statues as well. People really need to think before they “peek” (Mr. Walker’s words) or snoop around in other folks’ emails, journals, and other various accounts because they are indeed breaking invasion of privacy laws. These accounts are no different than what is now known as “snail mail” or what we traditionally know as letters delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Just as no one has the right to open anyone else’s mail, no one has a right to open anyone’s email which is short as you know for electronic mail.

As I said above, this is an extreme pet peeve of mine and one I am very sensitive to because if you have ever been the victim of this sort of invasion, it is an indescribable feeling of being violated nothing short in my mind of being raped. In fact, it is a rape of your private information as your private information is taken without your consent and by force. I cannot advise and advocate enough for folks not to do it regardless of what you think the case may be. Nothing good can come from anyone breaking into anyone’s privacy unauthorized. Without siding with Mrs. Walker for her actions in all of this, I can feel her pain of being violated by her husband reading and sharing her emails. Agree or disagree, as always, I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog.

Drops of Water On Any Hard Surface Will Over Time Wear Through That Hard Surface

2010-12-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

For the second time this year I have come across a book that speaks the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Earlier this year I read the book ENOUGH by Juan Williams and I could not sing the praises of the message of that book enough and now I have discovered the book STOP BEING NIGGARDLY by Karen Hunter and I cannot stop singing praises of Ms. Hunter's message. The reason being, the messages of both Ms. Hunter and Mr. Williams are very similar. They both, like Bill Cosby and Minister Farrakhan seek to help African Americans see the inappropriate behaviors that we (African Americans) partake in that keep us from being as successful as we can be.

Ms. Hunter and Mr. Williams express so eloquently in their books my personal views and opinions concerning why African Americans as a race is not as far along as I know we could be. In both books, one might think the authors are Anti-African American even though both are indeed African American. As I have written in previous blogs, the problem that I see with African Americans (and yes I know I am generalizing and that there are individual cases) is that we really do resist hearing the things we need to either stop doing or start doing to improve ourselves as a whole. Not only do we resist hearing it, we don't make the necessary changes needed for improvement. This could never be more evident then what Bill Cosby experienced when he delivered his now famous “Pound Cake Speech.” He was lambasted by both African Americans who have quote unquote made it and by those who were nowhere near making it, all because he had the courage to speak the truth in terms of what African Americans need to do to move forward. Like President Barack Obama, he heard that he wasn’t “Black enough,” or had lost his “blackness” because he expressed his views on why African Americans stay gridlocked in terms of moving forward in society. He dared ask the African American community to look within her own house or in the mirror and as a result was ostracized and nearly outcast from the African American community. Minister Louis Farrakhan has been preaching the same messages for years concerning our (African Americans) being able to do for ourselves to no avail. We still tend to gravitate towards any silly fad that comes along, i.e. sagging pants; being fascinated by the “Bling, (which is usually fake)” having to show that we spent the most money on an item albeit automobile, sneakers, jewelry, etc. ; calling each other derogatory terms and thinking it is cute; not taking the importance of education seriously; and the list goes on and on. When someone points this out to us (African Americans) we then want to get an attitude or try to justify these behaviors in every which way possible. Usually it has something to do with the “white man” or our having been enslaved for over four hundred years. Yes, there may some truth to these justifications, however, we cannot continue to be paralyzed by the fact that we were once slaves or by what the white man does or does not do. Karen Hunter says it well in her book STOP BEING NIGGARDLY, when she says, “I can’t control white people. I can only control me.” It has been my experience that we are quick to not do what we are supposed to do and then turn around and blame the white man for what we feel we ought to have received if we had done what we were supposed to have done. How can you blame the white man for your not having a job because you dropped out of school? How can you blame anyone for your limited options, when you did not take your education seriously?

So just as when I wrote the blog concerning The Pound Cake Speech, I expect folks to be critical of my views and I am okay with that. I agree with Karen Hunter when she says that she knows that drops of water on any hard surface will over time wear through that hard surface and she hopes as do I to be yet another drop of water. She likens the drops to the words of Nannie Helen Burroughs, Marcus Garvey, Marva Collins, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Malcolm X, preachers, and teachers who attempt to inspire and motivate people to have full lives. The message is not new, but it is resisted and denied. It is our hope that enough of us will continue to be drops of water eroding that rock like surface of denial and resistance in order for African Americans to move to higher heights. More of us must get to the point where we realize the truth and take action to move us further forward. Being in denial or getting mad at the messengers will keep us stuck in mediocrity and will continue to move us further and further away from excellence. Like Ms. Hunter, Mr. Williams, Mr. Cosby, and Minister Farrakhan, I will continue to be that drop of water continuously hitting that hard surface of African American denial of our issues. I am not anti-white, however, I am pro-black and because I am pro black I cannot just sit by and watch us as a people continue to move backward while making a bunch of excuses as to why. Making excuses for why we ought to be able to call each other “nigger” and "hos;" why we ought not speak correctly, or parent our children correctly; why we ought to be happy being mis-educated and under educated and the list goes on. I for one will not hold my peace because someone might say that I am not black enough or have lost touch with my blackness. We can and must do better than what we do. Nannie Mae Burroughs wrote in the 30’s Twelve Things the Negro Must Do and the twelve things she outlined still are applicable in 2010 and as we move into 2011. I say again, we can and must do better than what we do. Let us face it and fix it.

Twelve Things the Negro Must Do

by Nannie Helen Burroughs

(1) The Negro Must Learn to Put First Things First

(2) The Negro Must Stop Expecting God and White Folk to Do for Him What He Can Do for Himself

(3) The Negro Must Keep Himself, His Children and His Home Clean and Make the Surroundings in Which He Lives Comfortable and Attractive

(4) The Negro Must Learn to Dress More Appropriately for Work and for Leisure

(5) The Negro Must Make His Religion an Everyday Practice and Not Just a Sunday-Go-to Meeting Emotional Affair

(6) The Negro Must Highly Resolve to Wipe Out Mass Ignorance

(7) The Negro Must Stop Charging His Failures Up to His "Color" and to White People's Attitude

(8) The Negro Must Overcome His Bad Job Habits

(9) The Negro Must Improve His Conduct in Public Places

(10) The Negro Must Learn How to Operate Business for People -- Not for Negro People, Only

(11) The Average So-Called Educated Negro Will Have to Come Down Out of the Air

(12) The Negro Must Stop Forgetting His Friends. Remember!

I apologize to Sony

2010-11-20T14:13:00.000-08:00

I apologize to Sony for mistakenly identifying it as the maker of XBOX in my last blog post (There Are Some Roles That Need To Be Turned Down). In my disgust for Kobe Bryant's part in it, I mistakenly noted Sony as the maker and not Microsoft. So the line should read in the last post that the Microsoft and Activision Publishing, Inc. execs ought to be ashamed for the Call of Duty ad and the message it sends. Again I say, really take a look at that ad with the young girl and the machine gun and again my apologies to Sony.

There Are Some Roles that Need to be Turned Down (Revised to reflect accurate company Activision Publishing Inc.)

2010-11-20T08:50:00.000-08:00

Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel shooting a machine gun and bazooka; Magic Johnson, Troy Aikman and Hulk Hogan peddling Rent-A-Center; Carl Weathers acting like a clown with a Bud Light Playbook; and I am sure the list goes on and on.
I truly understand the need for work and residuals by entertainers, however, these are well known celebrities who I am sure could have turned the aforementioned roles down. Kobe, Jimmy and Troy are still active in their respective professions with Magic and Carl more in the backgrounds.

The issue I have with their particular involvement in these ads are the fact that they are detrimental, especially the Kimmel and Bryant ad for Activision Publishing, Inc's XBOX game Call of Duty. What really caught my eye beyond Kobe’s involvement was the scene with the very young girl firing away with an Oozie Machine Gun. Kobe is also seen firing away with the Oozie and Jimmy Kimmel has a bazooka. Absolutely ridiculous!!!! Shame on Activision Publishing Inc's ad agency folks and the Activision Publishing Inc. execs for approving the content of that advertisement. We won’t even get into the Call of Duty game itself. That’s another blog post. In truth, I am disgusted with Kobe for being involved in this non-sense especially given the increasing murder rates in our African American communities.

Now folks, come on……… our murder rates are rising in urban areas and we are going to show a Kobe Bryant firing an Oozie. Does that make sense to you? If it does, we are worse off than I thought. Next time the Call of Duty ad is played, take a good look at it. See beyond the “game.” What message is Kobe and Jimmy sending? I know many of you would say “None.” Many of you would say, “There he is thinking too deep again.” But think about it….am I? With murder rates in cities like Paterson and Newark, New Jersey on the rise by our children and teenagers, no one stops to think that there is a connection? Only one of the hottest basketball players of our time making it look like it is alright to be shooting and killing. Come on. We have got to do better than that.

In terms of Rent-A-Center, that is one of the worst deals anyone can make. Over the long haul the “renter” has paid over and over again for something that could have been purchased at a much less expensive price than what will be paid over the life of the rental agreement. The “renter” would be better off to save for the “big screen TV” or furniture or perhaps use a lay away plan. The worst thing one could do is to get into an agreement with Rent-A-Center, yet here we have names such as Magic Johnson, Troy Aikman and Hulk Hogan singing the praises of Rent-A-Center advocating our going there to quickly rent our entertainment and furniture needs. Like Kobe, Magic Johnson of all people ought to know how their involvement is impacting the African American communities. I am sure Sony and Rent-A-Center are very much aware hence their being selected to be a part of the advertising campaigns. Mr. Aikman and Hulk Hogan are no better. So when we critically think about this, we have to see that sometimes there are roles that need to be turned down based on what the company is marketing and to whom. The last thing kids need to see is Kobe Bryant squeezing off rounds from and Oozie. The last thing disenfranchised folks need to see is Troy Aikman or Hulk Hogan steering them towards deals that everyone knows is even more costly in the long run. Who is pimping who?

I have much respect for entertainers such as Angela Bassett, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Bill Cosby, etc. who will not take roles that will be detrimental to themselves or the communities they serve. They place their self-respect and the respect of their support base above the proverbial “Almighty Dollar.” They do not allow themselves to be pimped. As always I welcome your thoughts and commentary.

You Know It When You See It – Kudos to Cuban Pete’s Restaurant in Montclair, NJ

2010-11-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it seems as if good to great customer service went the way of the dinosaur; yet every now and again you see a glimmer of what good to great customer service looks like and more importantly feel like. I had such an experience this past Friday night.

Earlier on Friday two of my co-workers recommended that I go to a restaurant establishment in Montclair, NJ known as Cuban Pete’s. They both spoke highly of the food and forewarned me that it could get crowded. True to their description, the restaurant was indeed standing room only. My wife Yvette and I proceeded to find out how long the wait would be and was told by the maitre d' that it would be a forty five minute wait. Based on the number of people standing around, forty five minutes seemed to be reasonable, so we decided to wait. We patiently waited and waited and waited without our names being called to be seated. In the mean time we witnessed couples who had entered after us be seated in a relatively short period of time. The owner asked why we were still waiting and we told him that we had not been called as of yet. He then checked the list and as it turns out an oversight had occurred and our names were skipped as the maitre d' had continued to move forward, in fact she was on the next page. This is where the great customer service came in. The owner of Cuban Pete’s felt so terrible that he told me and my wife that our dinner would be on him. He said that he would pick up the tab for our having to wait longer than we were told because of the oversight of the maitre d'.

It was an extremely wise business move and great customer service gesture. While it cost him sixty dollars for the meal, it brought him much more in public relations and word of mouth. He had the business insight to know that we would share our bad experience and drive customers away instead of recommending his establishment as I am now doing as evidenced by this blog post. I am indeed sharing my wonderful experience with others who I highly recommend to patronize Cuban Pete’s at 428 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, NJ. The food was as excellent as promised by my co-workers. I had the Red Snapper and it was so good. While I was thanking the owner for his generosity, he extended his generosity even more with a fifty dollar gift certificate for a future visit. He was a man of principle. Yvette and I could truly feel his sincerity and he apologized profusely for the error and our extended wait. In these times, gestures like that are rare but when you think about it, it makes extremely good business sense.

Certainly good customer service is so badly needed and desired that when it is experienced it is acknowledged almost with disbelief ("I can't believe I just received great customer service"). My fraternity brother Herman “Skip” Mason who is the General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., via Twitter posted “Shout out to Detroit Marriott Room service for prompt service! Healthy breakfast turkey sausage, egg whites, fruit and wheat toast. Pardon me...” Once again because good customer service is so rare, the need was felt to acknowledge it. Good customer service ought to be the rule and not the exception. Kudos to the owner of Cuban Pete’s for his principles, sincerity and good business sense. If you are in the Montclair, New Jersey area I encourage you to dine at Cuban Pete’s- 428 Bloomfield Avenue - Montclair, NJ. (973)746-1100/ (973)746-2100. My wife and I will certainly be going back.

We Keep Getting the Wake Up Calls But Are We Ever Going to Wake Up?

2010-10-02T13:58:00.000-07:00

As I was watching the news last night I heard at least three stories that the news anchors described as “Wake Up Calls” and of course my critical thinking skills kicked in and asked the question, if we are receiving all of these “wake up calls,” when are we going to wake up? It begs the further question, are we ever going to wake up? Each passing tragedy and horrific event serves as a metaphorical alarm, and yet we seem to keep hitting the metaphorical snooze button. Poverty is at a record high; college students are being murdered just by being at a party; a college freshman commits suicide as a result of an invasion of his privacy; Osama Bin Laden can send audio and video tapes at will (without our technology being able to track him), and we have pastors and priests who cannot keep their hands off of young men (not to mention the one who wanted to burn the Quran). It’s as if we are all asleep and the wake up calls keeps coming and we keep refusing to wake up. We can be likened to Rip Van Winkle or the Disciples who could not stay awake when Jesus went to pray even after He gave them a wake up call.

If we do not wake up soon, we won’t have to worry about waking up as we will just drift or be forced into that eternal sleep. People are getting killed senselessly on a daily basis; our politicians do very little other than bicker and see who can find the most dirt on the other; and for the most part the church is perceived as being relatively quiet. The phrase “wake up call” is used so frequently that at this point it really is like the alarm going off every 10 minutes and one rolling over and hitting the snooze button each time it sounds off then falling back to sleep for another 10 minutes. As a world and a country we cannot afford to keep ignoring the wake up calls that we keep receiving. If we continue to do this, we will not only be asleep but we will continue to live a nightmare. As always, I welcome your thoughts.

I Know What Prayer Can Do

2010-09-26T12:48:00.000-07:00

While watching the University of Alabama Crimson Tide take on the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, I was struck by how the stadium was filled to capacity with fans wearing red. As both teams have red and white in their uniform colors, fans came to the game in red to support their respective teams. Interestingly enough, from an aerial view the stadium actually looked like empty red seats from above when in actuality it was fans donning red shirts. The thought that came to my mind was how amazing it was that we can fill a stadium to capacity about something that really doesn’t matter and yet if this same crowd were asked to fill that same stadium to pray or come together to do something that would really have an impact on the world, my guess is it would indeed be empty red seats that I would be looking at instead of a stadium filled to capacity with red shirts.

As I watched this sea of red shirts my mind went back to the time immediately following September 11, 2001 aka 9-11 when Yankee Stadium was filled to capacity with people of all religions and faiths coming together in a multi-denominational healing/prayer service to pray. Oddly enough, I have not seen an effort like this since September 2001. Gospel artist Neal Roberson sings a moving rendition of the song “I Know What Prayer Can Do,” and I agree with him and wonder why we as a nation do not come together in stadiums around the country and hold prayer services like the one held after 9/11. If I recall in that gathering were Reverends, Bishops, Priests, Rabbis, Archbishops, Ministers, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, Pastors, Elders, Overseers, etc. etc. etc. Your religious belief or faith did not matter. We were all united as one by the horrendous acts of a few; united as one by the three thousand plus lives that were lost.

It’s amazing how we all recognized the need for a multi-denominational healing/prayer service during that disaster and seemingly have not held a session like it since. (At least not to my knowledge.) Given the state of the world today, wouldn’t it beg the question of why we do not hold more prayer sessions in large venues like athletic stadiums around the United States? Wouldn’t it be something to fill a stadium full of red shirts not for a football game, but to petition God to really bless America. Every president closes his speech with “God Bless America,” (which I personally think is selfish. Why not ask God to Bless the World?) and yet we don’t do anything as America to seek God (I am well aware of the separation of Church and State). Interestingly enough when you think back to September 2001, the separation of Church and State didn’t seem to matter at that multi-denominational healing/prayer service. Oh well what does this Critical Thinker know? I trust it won’t take another disaster like 9/11 for us to realize what prayer can do. I welcome your feedback in the comment section.

Be Careful Who You Call Pastor

2010-09-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11 (KJV)

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Jeremiah 23:1 (KJV)

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)

Ironically I start this edition of The Critical Thinker quoting from the Bible given the impetus of the post being the threatened Koran/Quran burning by Terry Jones, a Gainesville, Florida “pastor.” I place the word pastor in quotations because my goal was to not draw any more attention to Mr. Jones than need be and at the same time help us to understand that we really must be careful who we follow and call pastor. As a result of Mr. Jones’ threat to burn Qurans on the anniversary of 9/11, several news agencies investigated his history and allegedly, Mr. Jones is a Jim Jones wannabee. James Warren "Jim" Jones was the founder and leader of the Peoples Temple, which is best known for the November 18, 1978 death of more than 900 Temple members in Jonestown, Guyana along with the deaths of five other people at a nearby airstrip in Georgetown, Guyana.

If we were to look in the dictionary to define pastor, it states as follows:

1. (noun) pastor - a shepherd; one who has the care of flocks and herds
2. (noun) pastor - a guardian; a keeper; specifically (Eccl.), a minister having the charge of a church and parish

Now let’s juxtapose our dictionary definitions with the Biblical passages I quoted above. In Jeremiah 3:15 God says that He will give us pastors according to His heart which are to feed us with knowledge and understanding. God also said in Jeremiah 23:1 that there will be woe unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep in my pasture. According to news reports Mr. Jones had 50 plus members in his church in Gainesville and 30 of them scattered upon learning of his idea to have a Quran burning day. I don't know about you but I have yet to see the knowledge or the understanding that any of us would get from burning the Quran, the central religious verbal text of Islam,

Let’s face it, there are preachers, pastors, ministers, etc.who are truly “sent,” and there are others who just “went.” There is a difference. We must be very careful who we allow to have spiritual charge over our lives. It could cost you your spiritual and your physical life. Ask the 900 Temple members in Jonestown, Guyana. Everyone who hangs out the shingle with the title “pastor” is not a pastor. As Matthew 24:11 makes clear to us many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Please do not become one of the many who will be deceived. Pray for discernment because the life you save may be your own. Something to critically think about and as always I welcome your commentary.

Parents Please Make Sure Your Children Behave On The School Bus

2010-09-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

In accordance with state law, N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1, all public elementary school students (grades K-8) who live more than two miles from their school and all public secondary school students (grades 9-12) who live more than two-and-a-half miles from their school are entitled to transportation. These students are said to live “remote from school.” Whenever a school district is required to provide transportation to students attending regular public school programs, students attending nonpublic schools who meet those distance requirements may also be entitled to transportation services. In addition, any student classified with special needs who either meets these distance requirements or for whom transportation is required in the student’s Individual Education Plan must be transported.

While this is the law, it is a great enabler of horrible behavior on our school buses. If a child refuses to behave properly on the bus, we ought to be able to remove that child from the bus and hold the parent(s) accountable and responsible for getting their children (who refuse to behave on the bus) to school. I have witnessed students on these buses; running; throwing things out of the windows; spitting out of the windows; fighting on the bus; hitting the bus aide; jumping up and down on the seats; etc, etc. etc. and all of this is while the bus is in motion. Parents please help your children understand the importance of their behavior when they are traveling to and from school on their school bus.

Most (if not all) of our students are operating under the mindset that it cannot happen to them with the “it” being a fatal school bus accident, when in reality it can indeed happen. Children who are doing anything on the bus other than sitting and talking quietly become a distraction to the bus driver thereby increasing his/her likelihood of becoming involved in an accident. The following link provides traffic safety facts through 2008
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811165.PDF. It can happen to you.

Attorney Mark Bello in his blog The Injury Board BlogNetwork offers the following tips for safety when riding a school bus that I agree with:

1. When you see the bus coming, line up about ten feet from the curb. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver advises it is safe to board. The driver is the only one who can view all traffic on the road.

2. If you must cross the street to board the bus, wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and for the driver to flash the red lights; look both ways before you cross.

3. Once aboard, listen to the driver; don’t rush or push others out of the way.,

4. Behave on the bus; do not do things that will distract the driver. Some examples:

■Stay in your seat

■Keep the noise level down

■Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus

■Don’t throw things inside the bus or out the windows

■Keep the bus clean

■Cooperate with the driver; always follow his or her instructions

■Stay out of the ‘Danger Zone’–anywhere within 10 feet of the bus

■Don’t try to stop a moving bus to retrieve something you forgot.

■Don’t try to pick up something that you dropped underneath the bus.

If our children follow these guidelines, it will go a long way towards ensuring safe passage between home and school and school and home. Again, I ask parents to speak with their children and require them to behave on the school bus. Their life and other lives are at risk when they do not. As the old saying goes, “The life you save may be your own.”

Men/Boys, It Looks Stupid

2010-08-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

This is my shortest blog post to date. Men/boys the sagging of the pants looks stupid!! How's that for short?

Parents……Why School Uniforms Are a Good Idea.

2010-08-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

The topic of school uniforms in public schools have been bandied about for many years and has received both positive and negative feedback from parents, students and in some instances school officials alike. Some say the wearing of school uniforms will take away the children’s individuality. Some say the wearing of school uniforms is a form of control. Some say the wearing of school uniforms infringes upon the students’ rights and all of these statements or sentiments may have some validity to them. However, there is another train of thought that seems to be gaining momentum and is appearing to make more and more sense to parents, students and educators and that is school was never meant to be a fashion show. School was never meant to be competitive battleground for BabyPhat, Nike, Aeropostale, Apple Bottoms, or Timberlands (Tims).

School is a place where the focus must be on education. Anything taking away from that focus is a distraction including clothing. For many students, the only reason they come to school is to show off their latest “gear.” They pride themselves (and some of the parents too) on who can out dress who. In the meantime, the students’ academics are suffering. While that young man is concentrating on his classmate's Apple Bottoms, he is missing out on Newton’s Laws of Motion. While that young lady is focusing on her Aeropostale sweat shirt she is missing out on the works of Aristotle. While our students are concentrating on BabyPhat they are missing out on what really makes babies fat.

Parents when you think about it from an economic perspective, school uniforms are less expensive than trying to keep up with the Jones’ kids. You can purchase three or four sets and continue to add to them at a far less expensive rate than purchasing BabyPht, Nike, Aeropostale, and Timberlands. Now I am not saying that your child cannot wear these brands. By all means when they are not in school, feel free to sport whatever gear you would like. In school setting however, we must make it easier for our students to keep the main thing the main thing and that is to get their education.

I look forward to seeing our students in school uniform as we enter the 2010-2011 school year. It has been my experience that the children who wear their uniforms perform better academically. My own children wore school uniforms their entire elementary and middle school years and achieved great academic success.

I am sure the debate over school uniforms will continue and both sides will continue to make strong arguments as to why or why not school uniforms are a good idea, but for this educator and parent who have experience from both sides of the debate, I elect to go with the school uniforms. As the old saying goes, “Try it, you’ll like it.” As always I welcome your commentary.

Parents - Education Must Be Priority One!!

2010-08-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

On September 7, 2010 over 30,000 Paterson students who speak 25 different languages will enter fifty-two schools in the Paterson Public School District (PPS) kicking off the 2010-2011 school year and as they do so it is incumbent upon parents to make their children’s education priority one.

We do not have the luxury or the time to have education be anything less than our top priority. It must be our focus as parents. On Aug. 18, 2010, Jim Axelrod reported in a segment of the CBS News with Katie Couric a story entitled The Freshman Foul: Poor ACT Scores; High School Students Score Lower than Ever on ACT: 28 Percent Unprepared to Pass Even One College-Level Subject. In that report it was cited that the United States is being outperformed by 23 countries in Math; 16 countries in Science; and 9 countries in Literacy. Telling statistics about where we are in the state of education in the U.S.

If we as parents do not make education our number one priority, the list of countries outperforming us academically will continue to increase by subject. Nearly 30% of students graduating high school are unprepared to pass first year college courses in Math, Reading, English and Science. Think about that.

As horrifying as these statistics and reports may sound, we have the power to turn things around. As my mother and father would always say, “It starts in the home.” These dire statistics can be turned around, but it must start in the home. This is not the blame game, but the truth of the matter is, parents are their children’s first teachers (good or bad) whether they like it or not. Parenting does not come with the Charles Barkley option of saying “I am not a role model.”

During a radio interview on my weekly radio show The Reading Circle with Marc Medley, I was extremely encouraged by the conversation I had with Cheyanne Alexandra Rosier, a nine year old student who has been skipped twice and will be starting sixth grade this school year. She is among other things a published author already. To hear the articulation of this child and her ability to express herself was refreshing and inspirational letting me know that it can indeed be done. Cheyanne’s mother and father constantly challenge her at home through dialogue and by requiring her to critically think about her actions and decisions. Cheyanne’s home life plays just as much of a role in her education as her school life and it has paid off. In my heart of hearts, I know there are more Cheyanne’s out there. It is just a matter of us parents taking the time to mold and shape our children by helping them understand the importance of education. Move away from questions that allow your children to give you one word answers. Ask them, how did you get to that conclusion? Find out their thought process. Conversate with them. We can do this!!

So as our 30,000 Paterson students who speak 25 different languages enter those fifty-two schools on September 7, 2010, I challenge the parents of those 30,000 children to make education priority number one. It has to become priority number one. I welcome your thoughts.

2010-08-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

While reading the July issue of THE WEEK, I came across this little factoid courtesy of USA Today that speaks to a large part of the state of our economy. The factoid stated the following: “American passenger airlines collected 1.86 billion in extra fees in the first quarter of 2010.” Notice the words “extra fees.” This little tidbit leaped out at me because at the time of reading it, I happened to be on vacation of which I had just taken an airplane to my destination (Thank God Air Jamaica did not charge a per bag fee). Now of course the thought that came to this critical thinker’s mind was a consumer has to pay for the airfare (which is already exorbitant) and then you have to pay for your bags (which are going on the SAME plane/flight), you may be charged for your movie (which is on the same flight); you may have to pay for your meal/drink (which is on the same flight); and recently I heard the proposal to actually charge passengers to use the toilet (which is on the same flight). When one critically thinks about this, one has to come to the conclusion that this is ridiculous. It’s just as ridiculous as having to pay an automated teller fee (ATM) to withdraw your own money. Wasn’t the point of the ATM to reduce costs by not having to have a live body (human teller that would have to be paid)? The consumer is being hit with extra fees for everything while at the same time extra compensation is not being added to his/her paycheck(if anything, it is being reduced). I just don’t understand where all of these companies are imagining that all of these extra fees are coming from and then they seem confused when consumers decide not to purchase anything and sales drop off causing a vicious cycle. Costs are out of line with salaries as it is and when you begin adding “extra fees”…………………. Something else to critically think about. By the way that 1.86 billion in “extra fees” was only for one quarter. Multiply 1.86 billion times four. I welcome your response. Did I mention the parachute packages and salaries of the CEO's of these companies?

Women/Ladies, You Have More Power Than You Realize

2010-07-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

No men, I am not PW’d or a punk or a wuss or anything else, but I do know what motivates most men and that’s women. The men can talk all of the crap they would like, but the bottom line is most things that men do are to attract the attention of females. It ranges from everything from the car they drive to the tie that they wear. (Dog, I let the secret out….)

This edition of The Critical Thinker throws out a challenge to the ladies/women (never know which term to use or which one might be seen as offensive), and that is to stop paying any attention to the brothers/men who sag. If every woman/lady were to do this, sagging would stop. Ladies/Women, stop helping brothers/men think it is cool or sexy to show their boxers; sagging will stop. Women/Ladies, stop dealing with brothers/men who listen to hip-hop/rap that contain lyrics that call you bitches and whores; lyrics will change. If every woman would do this, sales would plummet and lyrics would be changed. Stop giving your affections and adoration to brothers/men who buy and download music that degrades you. Ladies/Women stop helping a brother believe that the “Thug” Look is the look that woos you. Tell him to fix his teeth, wear his clothes the way they were designed to be worn or they can’t deal with you and watch how quickly broken teeth get fixed, gold teeth disappear and clothes get worn correctly.

I encourage every young lady/woman who is in school that I know to ask for the males’ report card before she even thinks about giving the digits (Now this does not mean the female must not come correct as well). If every female would do this, watch how quickly the young men would start EARNING A’s. My point is this; since (for the most part) male behavior patterns are developed to attract females, the females have more power then they realize (I am not talking about lording this power or getting haughty or stuck up because of the power), but I am talking about using this influence to make the world a better place. If you as a female exhibit some self discipline and self control in terms of having to have a “man at any cost," our world would change. I challenge you to take this critical thinker’s test. Raise your standard(s). Share the idea with some more sisters/ladies/women. Test the theory. Spread the word about how you are now going to seek some higher standards out of the men that you deal with and watch (slowly but surely) how sagging will be a thing of the past; Thug life will diminish and the lyrics will no longer refer to you as a “bitch,” or a “ho” (whore). Take me up on my challenge and please do let me know in the comment section how you have made out. This critical thinker would love to hear your thoughts. Who knows you may be helping to save some man/brother's life. As always, I welcome your commentary.

The Truth Is Right For Any Forum

2010-07-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Truth Is Right For Any Forum

Time Will Bring You In

2010-07-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to serve as the organist (This Critical Thinker is also a musician) at my cousin’s former husband’s memorial service. Ironically, I was also the organist for their wedding twenty-seven years ago. Even though their marriage ultimately ended in divorce and I lost touch with Keith, I have fond memories of our times spent together and shared them during the memorial service.

As I sat at the memorial service it dawned on me that I have been to several funerals over the last two years of friends and family members who are the same or very close in age to me. People who I have played Monopoly with; gone on trips with; been in their weddings; attended church with; shared dinners with; etc. etc. What came to my mind as I sat at the memorial service was a story my mother would tell me about her baby brother when they were children. She would tell me with great laughter of how she and her brothers and friends would play church under the tree in Bolivia, North Carolina and how her brother would play the “preacher,” while his friends played the deacons and amen corner. She would say how his favorite sermon title was “Time Will Bring You In.” So as I sat there looking at the urn on Saturday which contained Keith’s ashes, I thought about how indeed time will bring you in and the fact that time is bringing every one of us in.

I was extremely proud of Keith’s two children Whitney and Chase who despite the fact that their parents were divorced thought it not robbery to give their father a ceremony to commemorate the fact that he had existed on the planet. Regardless of what was done or not done in life, they still felt the need to show their father respect even in his death.

Unlike many of The Critical Thinker submissions, this one is more personal as I am encouraging everyone who is reading these words to tell your family and friends that you love them while you still have time. Make peace; forgive; love each other and do whatever you need to do while your loved one is alive. Once we get to the memorial service or funeral, it is too late to talk about how much the person was loved or will be missed. The time is now to spend time, to let bygones be bygones and to let people know that you love them and give them an opportunity to let you know that you are loved. We must learn to be okay with life not turning out like we had planned... and instead plan to love and accept life as it turns out. Gandhi says "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." Without running the risk of sharing too much information (TMI), I am constantly trying to get that message across to my own two daughters who are going to mess around and let something happen to me or other of their family members before they realize that it will be too late at the funeral. I encourage everyone along with my daughters to tell your loved ones that you love them for certainly time is bringing us all in. Something to critically think about and as always, I welcome your comments in the comment section of the blog.

Cavalier Fans Want to Pay Dan Gilbert's $100,000 Fine. Critical Thinkers, Does This Make Sense To You?

2010-07-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

After being hit with a $100,000 fine for his ode to anger, Gilbert received an offer of his own from some Clevelanders who totally agree with everything he said, if not his font choice. From the Associated Press:

Critical Thinkers does this make sense to you? I would be willing to bet that most of these fans are barely at poverty level and yet they are willing to pay the fine of a millionaire. In my view, there just in not that much "fan" in the world. Now if this makes sense to you, I really would love to read your comments. Please be sure to respond in the comment section of this blog.

We Must Stop Making Martyrs Out Of Thugs

2010-07-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Like popping a DVD in the DVD player for the hundredth time and watching your favorite movie over and over again, we witnessed the ruling in the Oscar Grant case. It was not our favorite movie. Unfortunately, as the script seems to always call for, an African American male was shot by a Caucasian police officer. Now, I know many of you readers expect me to take up the cause of Mr. Grant, particularly since I am an African American male also; however, in this writing, I will not do that because I need us to really focus on connecting our decisions to possible consequences. There is no doubt the Grant family has my sympathy for the loss of their loved one. In fact, a part of me grieves as well just knowing that another brother is dead that did not have to be, but what we must look at are the events that lead to Mr. Grant’s death, and I am not talking about his last days when he was turning his life around and talking about his job and his daughter, etc. etc. There were some bad choices that were made early on that contributed to Mr. Grant suffering the consequences that he did. He was not a stranger to the police or the court system. Guy Finley has a brilliant quote concerning our choices and our consequences that says “We have freedom of choice, but not from the consequences of those choices.” Yes, Mr. Grant had freedom of choice his entire life; however, he did not have freedom from the consequences that followed those choices. Mr. Grant is not alone, hence the reason for this issue of The Critical Thinker.
In far too many cases we are ready to defend and glorify bad and wrong behavior to the extent of making martyrs of thugs. The inspiration for this blog came from Sistas, Divest, Now, also known as (AKA) BlowTheTrumpet on Twitter (www.blackwomenblowthetrumpet2.blogspot.com,) where the author is facing multiple issues from respondents concerning her position on the death of Mr. Grant. Many of the responders (like many of you will do after reading this) were criticizing her for her position concerning this glorification of thugary or thug life when a thug is killed. Not only was she criticized for her position but was also criticized differently as a woman with her point of view compared with a man who shares the same view. There was some sexism going on there too.

There is no question that EVERY life ought to be thought of as precious; however, the time to start seeing life as precious is not when one has lost it. To add fuel to the fire when it involves an African American and a Caucasian, we immediately begin deifying the African American even if he/she is a thug or thugette and vilifying the Caucasian making the thug or thugette a martyr. They are not martyrs. It is usually a case of being where you are not supposed to be in the first place. In Bill Cosby’s Pound Cake Speech, he asks a wonderful question hence the name of the speech. “What were you doing with the pound cake in your hand to begin with?” That’s what always seems to get overlooked when Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jessie Jackson are called. What were you doing stealing that car? What were you doing raping that woman? What were you doing breaking into that house? And on and on and on. We never go back to the root, and because we never go back to root, we keep coming up with the same old sad story like popping a DVD in the DVD player of a movie you love and watching over and over again, except this is not a movie we love. These are the lives of our people. Michael Conliffe, an author who has done the thug life and was fortunate enough to get out before he got “got” is doing everything he can to spread the word about our choices and consequences. For all of the wannabee thugs, I recommend reading his book Hotter Than The Streetlife from http://www.thetruthhurtspublishing.com/. Mr. Conliffe will be the first to tell you that the thug life leads to two places; death or jail.

I close this with a true story that happened as I was writing this. I am sitting outside on my porch and three young boys ran past me playing “shoot-um up” with cap pistols. Calling each other nigga and pointing the pistols at each other (some at close range) and firing the cap gun. The sound is real. I called the boys over and asked them do they realize how many people get killed in Paterson every year by gun violence and they shook their head yes (they don’t know) and I asked them, and you are still willing to play with toy guns? They walked away thinking. One of the little boys said “Is that your uncle?” and I yelled back, “No just someone who is interested in our young men staying alive. “ We must stop making martyrs out of thugs and help our young and old people connect their decisions with their consequences. I end with Guy Finley’s quote “We have freedom of choice, but not from the consequences of those choices.” When you get a chance check out some of the lyrics to “Thug Life” songs. I welcome your commentary.

What does Lindsey Lohan and Lebron James Have In Common?

2010-07-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

MY LEVEL OF INTEREST! The following excerpt from the sitcom Frasier, tremendously illustrates my point. I really could not have said it any clearer myself.

- A caller (Roger) wants Frasier to help him decide whether he should call his boat 'Lulubelle' or 'The Intrepid':

Frasier: "Roger, at Cornell University they have an incredible piece of scientific equipment known as the tunneling electron microscope. Now, this microscope is so powerful that by firing electrons you can actually see images of the atom, the infinitesimally minute building blocks of our universe. Roger, if I were using that microscope right now... I still wouldn't be able to locate my interest in your problem. Thank you for your call."

If I had that tunneling electron microscope of which Frasier speaks, not even it would be able to locate my level of interest in where Lebron James plays basketball or if Lindsey Lohan goes to jail or not. You can rest assured there will be at least one television that will not be tuned in tonight to Lebron's television special announcing his decision to the world and as for Lindsey, the judge did her a favor. I welcome your response.

What Are You Pumping Into Your Spirit?

2010-07-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago me along with the eighth grade teachers were chaperoning the school’s eighth grade dinner dance (I refuse to call it a prom because proms are for those who have completed the requirements to graduate high school) and the disc jockey (DJ) was playing one thug rap song after another. The students (who really don’t know how to have a good time) were just standing around huddled up into a crowd in the center of the dance floor and seemed to be confused as to whether to dance or not. They literally looked like a football team in a huddle when they were supposed to be dancing.

At that point one of the chaperons said, I’m sitting here listening to this music and for some reason I am feeling angry. She wasn’t angry at anything or anyone but the music was causing her inner spirit to feel angry. She even said this music is making me feel angry. Note she did not say she was angry at the DJ for playing this type of music; she did not say she was angry with the music; she said the music was making her “feel” angry. My response to her was that this is what our students listen to on a constant and regular basis. It is this type of music that is being listened to when our kids are plugged-in to their IPODs and MP3 players and it is having the same effect on them that it had on this teacher that night. The music is making them feel angry and they then express that anger through fighting, cursing, name calling and bullying. (see The Psychology of Music Effects on Behavior, Intelligence, Learning, Pain and Health)

Conversely, on last Sunday I was driving along the Garden State Parkway on my way to Pleasantville, NJ (which was 112 mile drive from my home) and was listening to gospel music and began feeling really good. The exact opposite was occurring. I was listening to positive music and was feeling great wherein at the dinner dance we were listening to negative lyrics and were feeling angry. It was at that point that I thought of the conversation with the teacher at the dinner dance inspiring me to write this blog entry.

We really must be conscious of what we allow into our spirits. We live in a time where we can literally shut ourselves off to the world by plugging a pair of mini stereo headphones into our ears. We can virtually shut out any surrounding sounds other than what is being pumped directly into our minds, bodies and souls from these IPOD’s and MP3 players. The words, rhythms, and instrumentation are going unfiltered into our spirits and we think that it does not affect us when in reality it does. Just as the chaperon described, it’s making us feel angry. Again rappers will say that it is “Art imitating life,” and again I will counter with it is “Art perpetuating a bad way of life.”

Parents and children be mindful of what you are letting into your spirit through music, as whatever you allow in will take control of your feelings which will in turn take control over your actions. The next time you are listening to a piece of music, check yourself to see how your are feeling. As always, I welcome your opinions and commentary.

Just Being Happy Over Having a “Black” Mayor Is Not Enough

2010-07-02T10:25:00.000-07:00

Just Being Happy Over Having a “Black” Mayor Is Not Enough

The Small People? The Nerve!

2010-06-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

"I hear comments sometimes that large oil companies are greedy companies or don't care. But that is not the case with BP. We care about the small people." BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg

I start this edition of the Critical Thinker in a similar vein of my June 6 submission where I began with a question. I am sure some critical thinker out there reading this can tell me who the small people are. I am sure it is just me who could not figure that one out. Just as I asked on June 6th “Who is ‘That Nigger?” (with the emphasis on “that”) in today’s edition I question, “Who are the small people?”

Sadly, I guess BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg didn’t realize that as soon as the words “small people” came out of his mouth, that bloggers, reporters, journalists, news anchors, and comedians around the world began having a field day. I am sure the writers for Leno and Letterman started doing cart wheels. Similar to the lob in volleyball or tennis, his words were just ripe for a slam. We small people ought to send that big person a thank you card. (Gee, I wonder how BP’s profits would look if the “small people” were to stop buying BP gasoline?)

The really sad part is the chairman had not a clue. What’s even sadder is he is not the only one. There are people right here in the United States who subscribe to the “small people” ideology as well. Don’t believe me?………Custodian; security guard; secretary; garbage collector; bus driver and countless other “just a” titles have the “small people” connotation in far too many minds. I say “just a” because I am sure you have heard…. oh he’s “just a” custodian, or she’s “just a” secretary, or that’s “just a” security guard and if you have not, I have. Those “just a” statements and thoughts are the same sentiments that Mr. Svanberg verbalized. Oh yes, make no mistake, many of us who are not struggling with English as a second language, also see people as big and small based on income and popularity when the truth of the matter is we are all just people. There is no such thing as big people and small people. That’s why I do not get carried away over “celebrities.” A celebrity is a person just as I am. You will never find me fawning over a singer, actor, athlete, author, etc. because I do not see him/her being any different from myself. The only difference is the fact that they are seen by more people and make more money; certainly two attributes that do not make them “Big,” in fact if you critically think about it, if there were no small, how could there be big? In other words if it were not for fools (uh I mean fans….(small) there would be no celebrity (big).

I have met many “celebrities” during my lifetime due to my travels, affiliations, and career moves and have yet to go berserk over any of them (Oh the stories I could tell of what I have seen people do and say when they are around “celebrities”). I am not impressed. I have taken photos with them and chatted with them (acknowledging my appreciation for how they have developed their craft), but never awestruck or to the point where “I’ll never wash my hand again because I shook the hand of……” or screaming and crying and all of that nonsense. They are people; however, because of this worship of people who have money, position or are seen by millions of other people, we get this phenomenon of big and small people. Have you ever really wondered why people get star-struck? I don’t ask for autographs, however, when I see people particularly children asking the so called “star” for his or her autograph and he/she blows them off as if they don’t matter, I am disheartened for the child. I guess they were too small of a person to sign their baseball or autograph book. Give me a break, please!!!

So in reality, Mr. Svanberg really just verbalized what many of us right here in America do every day, and that is to judge and label people who we feel perform menial, un-noteworthy tasks. I tell you this, let the “small people” stop doing what they do and watch how far any organization or culture progresses or succeeds. Let the custodians, security guards, secretaries, trash collectors, bus drivers, etc. etc. stop doing their work and see how far the organization goes. I leave you with a metaphorical fable that I am sure you critical thinkers can figure out. Just in case you can’t, I have labeled the representation of the “big people” and the “small people.”

All the organs of the body were having a meeting, trying to decide who was in charge.

The brain said: "I should be in charge, because I run all the body's systems, so without me nothing would happen." (BIG PEOPLE)

"I should be in charge," said the heart, "because I pump the blood and circulate oxygen all over the body, so without me you'd all waste away." (BIG PEOPLE)
"I should be in charge," said the stomach, "because I process food and give all of you energy." (BIG PEOPLE)
"I should be in charge," said the rectum, "because I'm responsible for waste removal." (SMALL PEOPLE)
All the other body parts laughed at the rectum and insulted him,(BIG PEOPLE) so in a huff, he shut down tight. (SMALL PEOPLE). Within a few days, the brain had a terrible headache, (BIG PERSON) the stomach was bloated (BIG PERSON) and the blood was toxic (BIG PERSON). Eventually the other organs gave in. (BIG PEOPLE). They all agreed (BIG PEOPLE) that the rectum (LITTLE PERSON) should be the boss.

The moral of the story is: We are ALL important and there are no small people; only small minds. As always, I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog.

See and Say

2010-06-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

Two of the best compliments I have received over the last couple of weeks came from a parent of a student at my school and the President/CEO of Patersononline.net, Luisa Rosario. The parent told me that "I don’t play" and she wished that she had had a principal like me when she was in school and that if she had, she might have done better in school. At that point I knew I was heading in the right direction because this was a parent who in many instances fought me when I stood my ground in imparting high expectations and standards at the school. The second compliment came from Ms. Rosario when she was presenting me with an award for being one of the contributors to Patersononline.net, an online magazine where you can also find me blogging. During her introduction of me she said, “He’s blunt, and when you see his articles, it is his writing and not mine.” I concurred with Luisa’s assessment wholeheartedly and thanked her for the compliment. Yes I am unashamedly blunt.
I share both of these scenarios with you because if we are going to progress, we will need people who see issues that need to be addressed and will say something about it and then take it a step further and do something about it. When I was a child there was a Mattel toy called See and Say that allowed toddlers and infants to pull a string or pull down a lever and whatever the large arrow in the center of the toy stopped on, the toy would say whatever the picture was that the arrow was pointing to hence the name "See and Say." New York currently has a slogan that says "If you see something; say something,” encouraging people to report suspicious activities. I must agree; If you see something, say something. Time is out for us being afraid and scared to address issues that are literally killing us mentally, physically and spiritually.

As we see mis-education, we have to say something. As we see boys and men walking around exposing their boxer shorts with their pants sagging, we have to say, “Pull them up.” As we see young girls and boys “sexting” on their cell phones, we have to say something. As we see boys and girls who think playing is hitting each other , we have to say something. As we see people littering by dropping their chip bags, gum wrappers, and McDonald’s bags on the street, we have to say something. As we see people talking on their cell phones while driving, endangering their lives and ours, we have to say something. As we see men wearing twisted caps in buildings such as schools and churches, we have to say something.

By now I think you get my point. To stand silent is to become a part of the problem. To stand silent is to condone the very behavior that you complain about to everyone else. To stand silent in the midst of all of this chaos will help the chaos to continue. So like the Mattel toy when you see something that needs to be addressed, don’t be afraid to say something. Say it and act upon it. I end with a quote from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. where he says "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." I encourage you to don't let your life begin to end. More to critically think about and as always, I welcome your commentary.

Who Is "THAT NIGGER?"

2010-06-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about you but as I listen to people talk as they walk along the street, or hang out with each other, and even from many of our youngsters, I too often hear them talking about “That Nigger.” “You should have seen That Nigger,” “Man I told That Nigger,” “I wish That Nigger would,” “That Nigger was bad,” and on and on and on about “That Nigger.” So I often find myself questioning who is “That Nigger?”

While it may seem that I am making light of this, the use of the word “Nigger” is a very serious issue. I don’t have to go into the history (at least I don’t think I do) of the word for one to know how serious of an issue it is. When I hear the word it does something to my ears…….like someone scraping his/her fingernails across a chalkboard, or the chalk squeaking on that same board. It hurts my ears to hear it and yet far too many of us just toss the word nigger around like it is nothing. We’ve even gotten so politically correct that we call it the “N” word. Enough is enough. We must stop pussy footing around and call it for what it is: we must stop using the word “Nigger”....... period. No soft –soaping; no different spellings (nigga, niggah,niggaz) ; no excuses about art imitating life (which is really art perpetuating bad life), etc. etc. etc. None of it! We must just stop using the word. It must be eradicated from our vocabulary. I even hear my Latino and Caucasian brothers talking about “That Nigger” with the irony of it all being that in many instances the conversation is with an African American. “Yo man, That Nigger crazy yo".......................

Historically African Americans are the only group that has taken a term that was meant to degrade us, and call themselves turning it cute; allegedly using it now as a “protest” to the fact that it was used to demean us. Ridiculous!!! Latinos are not running around talking about “That Spic,” nor are Italians running around talking about “That Guinea or That Wop” nor are Jews running around talking about "That Hymie.” So I end this as I began with the question, can someone please tell me who "That Nigger" is?

Once again, something to critically think about. I welcome your response.

Why African Americans Must Use Twitter and Facebook Beyond Entertainment

2010-06-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago a report came out revealing that African Americans appear to spend a disproportionate amount of time on social networking sites such as facebook and twitter. Let me preface this edition of The Critical Thinker by saying that I truly want to see all people of all races progress and do well in life; in fact, it’s one of the reasons I surface the topics that I do in The Critical Thinker. I want us all to THINK!! It’s one of the reasons I created the Critical Thinker to begin with. However, as an African American, like anyone else, I pay particularly close attention to what impacts my heritage and background. This does not diminish or take away from any other ethnic group, but again, like anyone else I have a vested interest in what happens to and about my ethnic group which happens to be African American. If I were Irish and born with this same mindset, I would be the same way; the same holds true for if I were born Latino, Caucasian, Asian or any other ethnicity with the mindset that I have.

I say all of that to say, that if the issues I write about tends to be targeted towards or about African Americans, the message can be applied to anyone regardless of their background. Now back to African Americans seemingly using social networks more than other group. Facebook and Twitter are awesome TOOLS if intelligently used. I say intelligently because I would be willing to gamble that the majority of the usage by African Americans that the report is referring to is for entertainment purposes. As African Americans, we must move beyond the entertainment value of dynamic tools such as Facebook and Twitter and use them for our betterment both educationally and financially. The same holds true for the television or the computer. We have to do more than just look to be made to laugh, crack jokes, curse, show off our pictures (because we are so stuck on ourselves), track who is screwing who (both literally and figuratively), and all of the other mindless activities that really don’t matter. Interestingly enough, similar studies have found that African Americans watch more television than any other group. What are we (African Americans) doing during all of these hours of watching television, being on Facebook , and being on Twitter? If we are mindlessly using these tools as passive activities to slowly suck the life out of our brains, then shame on us. If they are nothing more than brain drains, then once again, shame on us.

I must admit, I really had nothing for Facebook and Twitter to do until I realized how they could be used to help me improve myself and promote my radio show. Through these two tools I have been able to do everything from book guest authors on my show to ascertaining a commencement speaker for my school’s eighth grade graduation. Once I figured out the value of these sites beyond entertainment, I was hooked. I also use these mediums as another way to educate others. My postings are not just about what a good time I had at a barbecue, but are about educational items of interest that followers and friends may not have known or may have their curiosity piqued to the point of wanting to find out more about the topic. I also look for postings that are educational. Both Facebook and Twitter can be wonderful educational tools; however, just like TV and the internet, it will become a haven for passivity instead of challenge if not used wisely. (Hey this is the Critical Thinker; what do you want?) Everything we do cannot be just about entertainment. It amazes me the lengths we will go to for entertainment. As I make my away around the city, I am stupefied at how many satellite dishes can hang on a roof that is in deep disrepair. “I don’t have roof, but I have cable or dish TV.” How pathetic is that? I am not knocking entertainment per se, however, a balance must be struck and in too many instances reports are coming out that African Americans are out of balance and are too heavily weighted on the entertainment side with the scale hanging in the air on the educational or intellectual side. That is why Bill Cosby’s Pound Cake Speech (See Critical Thinker Pound Cake Anyone?) is so critical and so true. I am sure there will be those who will be more than willing to give me flak about the commentary I have made with this entry, but once again, I do not care. We will not move forward until enough of us are willing to take a stand and call things for what they are. We must call a spade a spade (no pun intended). We cannot keep making excuses for African Americans being down (or for any group for that matter). We have the tools to make things happen if we use them in an intelligent, efficient and effective manner. In 2010 we can get in touch with anyone anywhere in the world and in many cases regardless of how much of a celebrity he/she is or thinks he/she is; he/she will respond back. I have been able to contact the rich and the famous through Facebook and Twitter to take care of business; not just follow who is with who this week and their latest escapades. We must learn to maximize the many tools that we have at our disposal and stop wasting time on meaningless chatter and gossip. As always, I welcome your thoughts in the comment section of the blog.

Pound Cake Anyone?

2010-06-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

This blog entry stems from my reading the introduction to the book written by Juan Williams, ENOUGH where in his introduction, Mr. Williams references a speech by Bill Cosby known as the “Pound Cake Speech.” I’ve known of Mr. Cosby’s thoughts in other speeches; however I was not aware of the “Pound Cake Speech” in its entirety. I read the speech and felt compelled to re-share it with the world once again in my blog The Critical Thinker (for those who may have missed it like I did), because Mr. Cosby was lambasted by well known and unknown African Americans for his remarks. The sad fact of the matter is, every bit of what Mr. Cosby said is true. Every bit! I am re-sharing this with the world because in this particular case I stand with Bill Cosby and I am willing to be lambasted as well for siding with the truth.

African Americans will never move forward and take their rightful place in society until ALL (did I say all?) of these issues raised by Mr. Cosby are dealt with and addressed. Rev. William D. Watley has penned a book that pretty much sums up what African Americans are going to have to do if they are to truly move forward and it is entitled, YOU HAVE TO FACE IT TO FIX IT. We must face our issues and deal with them; not chastise and ridicule the messenger. I stand with Bill Cosby on this one. If any of you who are reading this knows Mr. Cosby personally, please let him know that I support this speech 100%. Say what you will, I don’t care. Critical thinkers, I give you the Pound Cake Speech.

Pound Cake Speech

by Bill Cosby

"Ladies and gentlemen, I really have to ask you to seriously consider what you've heard, and now this is the end of the evening so to speak. I heard a prize fight manager say to his fellow who was losing badly, “David, listen to me. It's not what's he's doing to you. It's what you're not doing. (laughter).

Ladies and gentlemen, these people set, they opened the doors, they gave us the right, and today, ladies and gentlemen, in our cities and public schools we have fifty percent drop out. In our own neighborhood, we have men in prison. No longer is a person embarrassed because they're pregnant without a husband. (clapping) No longer is a boy considered an embarrassment if he tries to run away from being the father of the unmarried child (clapping)

Ladies and gentlemen, the lower economic and lower middle economic people are [not*] holding their end in this deal. In the neighborhood that most of us grew up in, parenting is not going on. (clapping) In the old days, you couldn't hooky school because every drawn shade was an eye (laughing). And before your mother got off the bus and to the house, she knew exactly where you had gone, who had gone into the house, and where you got on whatever you had one and where you got it from. Parents don't know that today.

I'm talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit. Where were you when he was two? (clapping) Where were you when he was twelve? (clapping) Where were you when he was eighteen, and how come you don't know he had a pistol? (clapping) And where is his father, and why don't you know where he is? And why doesn't the father show up to talk to this boy?

The church is only open on Sunday. And you can't keep asking Jesus to ask doing things for you (clapping). You can't keep asking that God will find a way. God is tired of you (clapping and laughing). God was there when they won all those cases. 50 in a row. That's where God was because these people were doing something. And God said, “I'm going to find a way.” I wasn't there when God said it... I'm making this up (laughter). But it sounds like what God would do (laughter).

We cannot blame white people. White people (clapping) .. white people don't live over there. They close up the shop early. The Korean ones still don't know us as well...they stay open 24 hours (laughter).

I'm looking and I see a man named Kenneth Clark. He and his wife Mamie...Kenneth's still alive. I have to apologize to him for these people because Kenneth said it straight. He said you have to strengthen yourselves...and we've got to have that black doll. And everybody said it. Julian Bond said it. Dick Gregory said it. All these lawyers said it. And you wouldn't know that anybody had done a damned thing.

50 percent drop out rate, I'm telling you, and people in jail, and women having children by five, six different men. Under what excuse, I want somebody to love me, and as soon as you have it, you forget to parent. Grandmother, mother, and great grandmother in the same room, raising children, and the child knows nothing about love or respect of any one of the three of them (clapping). All this child knows is “gimme, gimme, gimme.” These people want to buy the friendship of a child....and the child couldn't care less. Those of us sitting out here who have gone on to some college or whatever we've done, we still fear our parents (clapping and laughter). And these people are not parenting. They're buying things for the kid. $500 sneakers, for what? They won't buy or spend $250 on Hooked on Phonics. (clapping)

A\Kenneth Clark, somewhere in his home in upstate New York...just looking ahead. Thank God, he doesn't know what's going on, thank God. But these people, the ones up here in the balcony fought so hard. Looking at the incarcerated, these are not political criminals. These are people going around stealing Coca Cola. People getting shot in the back of the head over a piece of pound cake! Then we all run out and are outraged, “The cops shouldn't have shot him” What the hell was he doing with the pound cake in his hand? (laughter and clapping). I wanted a piece of pound cake just as bad as anybody else (laughter) And I looked at it and I had no money. And something called parenting said if get caught with it you're going to embarrass your mother. Not you're going to get your butt kicked. No. You're going to embarrass your mother. You're going to embarrass your family.

If knock that girl up, you're going to have to run away because it's going to be too embarrassing for your family. In the old days, a girl getting pregnant had to go down South, and then her mother would go down to get her. But the mother had the baby. I said the mother had the baby. The girl didn't have a baby. The mother had the baby in two weeks. (laughter) We are not parenting. Ladies and gentlemen, listen to these people, they are showing you what's wrong. People putting their clothes on backwards. –isn't that a sign of something going on wrong? (laughter)

Are you not paying attention, people with their hat on backwards, pants down around the crack. Isn't that a sign of something, or are you waiting for Jesus to pull his pants up (laughter and clapping ). Isn't it a sign of something when she's got her dress all the way up to the crack...and got all kinds of needles and things going through her body. What part of Africa did this come from? (laughter). We are not Africans. Those people are not Africans, they don't know a damned thing about Africa. With names like Shaniqua, Shaligua, Mohammed and all that crap and all of them are in jail. (When we give these kinds names to our children, we give them the strength and inspiration in the meaning of those names. What's the point of giving them strong names if there is not parenting and values backing it up).

Brown Versus the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem. We've got to take the neighborhood back (clapping). We've got to go in there. Just forget telling your child to go to the Peace Corps. It's right around the corner. (laughter) It's standing on the corner. It can't speak English. It doesn't want to speak English. I can't even talk the way these people talk. “Why you ain't where you is go, ra,” I don't know who these people are. And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk (laughter). Then I heard the father talk. This is all in the house. You used to talk a certain way on the corner and you got into the house and switched to English. Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can't land a plane with “why you ain't...” You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth. There is no Bible that has that kind of language. Where did these people get the idea that they're moving ahead on this. Well, they know they're not, they're just hanging out in the same place, five or six generations sitting in the projects when you're just supposed to stay there long enough to get a job and move out.

Now look, I'm telling you. It's not what they're doing to us. It's what we're not doing. 50 percent drop out. Look, we're raising our own ingrown immigrants. These people are fighting hard to be ignorant. There's no English being spoken, and they're walking and they're angry. Oh God, they're angry and they have pistols and they shoot and they do stupid things. And after they kill somebody, they don't have a plan. Just murder somebody. Boom. Over what? A pizza? And then run to the poor cousin's house. They sit there and the cousin says “what are you doing here?” “I just killed somebody, man.” “What?” “I just killed somebody, I've got to stay here.” “No, you don't.” “Well, give me some money, I'll go...” “Where are you going?” “North Carolina.” Everybody wanted to go to North Carolina. But the police know where you're going because your cousin has a record.

Five or six different children, same woman, eight, ten different husbands or whatever, pretty soon you're going to have to have DNA cards so you can tell who you're making love to. You don't who this is. It might be your grandmother. (laughter) I'm telling you, they're young enough. Hey, you have a baby when you're twelve. Your baby turns thirteen and has a baby, how old are you? Huh? Grandmother. By the time you're twelve, you could have sex with your grandmother, you keep those numbers coming. I'm just predicting.

I'm saying Brown Vs. Board of Education. We've got to hit the streets, ladies and gentlemen. I'm winding up, now , no more applause. I'm saying, look at the Black Muslims. There are Black Muslims standing on the street corners and they say so forth and so on, and we're laughing at them because they have bean pies and all that, but you don't read “Black Muslim gunned down while chastising drug dealer.” You don't read that. They don't shoot down Black Muslims. You understand me. Muslims tell you to get out of the neighborhood. When you want to clear your neighborhood out, first thing you do is go get the Black Muslims, bean pies and all (laughter). And your neighborhood is then clear. The police can't do it .

I'm telling you Christians, what's wrong with you? Why can't you hit the streets? Why can't you clean it out yourselves? It's our time now, ladies and gentlemen. It is our time (clapping). And I've got good news for you. It's not about money. It's about you doing something ordinarily that we do—get in somebody else's business. It's time for you to not accept the language that these people are speaking, which will take them nowhere. What the hell good is Brown V. Board of Education if nobody wants it?

What is it with young girls getting after some girl who wants to still remain a virgin. Who are these sick black people and where did they come from and why haven't they been parented to shut up? To go up to girls and try to get a club where “you are nobody..,” this is a sickness ladies and gentlemen and we are not paying attention to these children. These are children. They don't know anything. They don't have anything. They're homeless people. All they know how to do is beg. And you give it to them, trying to win their friendship. And what are they good for? And then they stand there in an orange suit and you drop to your knees, “(crying sound) He didn't do anything, he didn't do anything.” Yes, he did do it. And you need to have an orange suit on too (laughter, clapping).

So, ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for the award (big laughter) and giving me an opportunity to speak because, I mean, this is the future, and all of these people who lined up and done..they've got to be wondering what the hell happened. Brown V. Board of Education, these people who marched and were hit in the face with rocks and punched in the face to get an education and we got these knuckleheads walking around who don't want to learn English (clapping) I know that you all know it. I just want to get you as angry that you ought to be. When you walk around the neighborhood and you see this stuff, that stuff's not funny. These people are not funny anymore. And that 's not brother. And that's not my sister. They're faking and they're dragging me way down because the state, the city and all these people have to pick up the tab on them because they don't want to accept that they have to study to get an education.

We have to begin to build in the neighborhood, have restaurants, have cleaners, have pharmacies, have real estate, have medical buildings instead of trying to rob them all. And so, ladies and gentlemen, please, Dorothy Height, where ever she's sitting, she didn't do all that stuff so that she could hear somebody say “I can't stand algebra, I can't stand...and “what you is.” It's horrible.

Basketball players, multimillionaires can't write a paragraph. Football players, multimillionaires, can't read. Yes. Multimillionaires. Well, Brown V Board of Education, where are we today? It's there. They paved the way. What did we do with it. The white man, he's laughing, got to be laughing. 50 percent drop out, rest of them in prison.

You got to tell me that if there was parenting, help me, if there was parenting, he wouldn't have picked up the Coca Cola bottle and walked out with it to get shot in the back of the head. He wouldn't have. Not if he loved his parents. And not if they were parenting! Not if the father would come home. Not if the boy hadn't dropped the sperm cell inside of the girl and the girl had said, “No, you have to come back here and be the father of this child.” Not ..“I don't have to.”

Therefore, you have the pile up of these sweet beautiful things born by nature raised by no one. Give them presents. You're raising pimps. That's what a pimp is. A pimp will act nasty to you so you have to go out and get them something. And then you bring it back and maybe he or she hugs you. And that's why pimp is so famous. They've got a drink called the “Pimp-something.” You all wonder what that's about, don't you? Well, you're probably going to let Jesus figure it out for you (laughter). Well, I've got something to tell you about Jesus. When you go to the church, look at the stained glass things of Jesus. Look at them. Is Jesus smiling? Not in one picture. So, tell your friends. Let's try to do something. Let's try to make Jesus smile. Let's start parenting. Thank you, thank you." (clapping, cheers)

Could You Give A Cogent and Intelligent Response On This Memorial Day?

2010-05-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

This Memorial Day I take my hat off to the soldiers who are making the ultimate sacrifice whether it be with their lives, their time, or their talents. Let's critically think about this.......if anyone asked you right now why are we in Iraq, Afghanistan and in other places, could you give him/her a cogent and intelligent response? Similar to Vietnam, could you give a cogent and intelligent answer? My guess is, a resounding no. Beyond the sound bites of what the media feeds us, (and we don't question anything, hence my blog the "Critical" thinker) could we really give an intelligent reason for these men and women being placed in harms way? Again, I think not. So this Memorial Day, having been one who served during the Gulf War (there were 10 units like mine around the country and 6 of them were already gone. I was in one of the remaining 4 and would have been there had the war been longer. I want to be clear not to "mis-speak.") I salute the men and women who serve despite not even knowing why they are where they are other than they were ordered to go. As a former airman, I salute you. Let's get these men and women home for good! I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog.

There's Enough of Jed Clampett's "Texas Tea" For Everybody

2010-05-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

In light of this recent BP oil disaster, doesn’t it make one critically think if there really ever was such a thing as an oil shortage? Odd and even license plate gas days in the 70’s? Skyrocketing prices throughout the years? This recent gushing let’s this critical thinker know that there is more than enough oil for everyone. Think about it, this was just one site. As always I welcome your commentary in the comment section

Isn't It Amazing How Much Power "He," "She" And "They" Have?

2010-05-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

If I had a dollar for every time I asked a child why he/she did what he/she did and the first words out of his/her mouth was “He,” “She,” or “They,” I could retire happily as a millionaire. It is absolutely amazing how the word “I” almost never precedes the reason for an action being taken. The reason for this edition of The Critical Thinker is this whole notion of accountability. There are very few of us who are willing to take accountability for our actions. Working with children every day, I consistently hear the he, she, they mantra. Why did you hit her? She hit me? It’s never, “I made the decision to hit her, even though I had other choices such as to not hit back or tell an adult who could help me.” It’s always She……… He………They……….

To make matters worse, the adults are not much better. In the event that I have to suspend a child from school because of some infraction and the parent is called, the first question out their mouths is “How many days did the OTHER child get?” Again, taking no responsibility for what his/her child did. How many days did the other child get? What does that matter to them? What about how many days did my child get and how can we make sure that he or she does not do that again?

When we look and listen to the news, we see daily folks who do not take responsibility for their actions. According to Foxnews.com, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, faced with allegations that he misled voters about his military service during the Vietnam War, acknowledged that he has "misspoken" about his record but described those instances as few and far between.

The New York Times reported that Blumenthal, the front-running candidate for U.S. Senate in his state, has on several occasions suggested -- and in at least one instance, flat-out claimed -- that he served in Vietnam even though he did not.

"On a few occasions, I have misspoken about my service and I regret that and I take full responsibility," Blumenthal said but he described those remarks as "absolutely unintentional," and said the mistake has only happened a few times out of "hundreds" of addresses he's given. What is “misspoken?” Why did you say that? Oh I misspoke. How about I made a decision to distort my military service to make myself look better than I thought I actually looked when I described what I actually did during the Vietnam War?

We will never truly become what we can become until we hold ourselves and others accountable for our actions. We cannot keep blaming "he," "she" and "they." We must look in the mirror and be willing to begin our explanations with “I.” This is not about perfection, however, it is about the ability to make a decision good or bad and stand by it. It is also about being able to connect decisions with consequences or outcomes. As long as we start our explanations with he, she and they, the connection between our decisions and our consequences will always have a short circuit. Something to critically think about and as always I welcome your commentary in the comment section of the blog.

What If We All Could Be Like Delsym Cough Suppressant?

2010-05-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago I had a cough that just would not stop. Not one for taking medication, I tried to wait it out; however, it would not let me rest. I purchased Robitussin DM and thought that it would do the trick. Unfortunately, it did not. I went back out on my journey to find something that would stop this annoying cough and as my eyes scanned the shelves, I came across a product I had never tried before called Delsym. I figured I would give it a try, but what caught my eye and the reason for this edition of The Critical Thinker was a disclaimer on the box that read in bold letters “Contains No Fever Reducer or Pain Reliever.” It also said it was “12 Hour Cough Relief.” I decided to give Delsym a try.
While this is not an endorsement or an advertisement for Delsym, it is an endorsement for a product doing what it was designed to do. I say that because the disclaimer clearly lets the user know that the product was not designed to be a fever reducer or a pain reliever. It was designed to be a cough suppressant and a cough suppressant only. Lo and behold, the product performed wonderfully. It did what it was designed to do and that was to suppress my cough. It even suppressed it for the time frame outlined on the box.

So I am sure by now you are asking the question what does this have to do with anything? My answer to that is and our topic to critically think about is, what if we all did what we were designed to do? What if each one of us were like the Delsym cough suppressant and did what God designed us to do? Each of us have differing talents and gifts that we were designed to use. Some of us have multiple gifts and talents while others may only have one; either way usually the assignments of gifts and talents are given to support whatever it is you were designed to do on earth. Unfortunately, too many of us try to do what we were not designed to do causing a lot of frustration on everyone’s part. So when I saw the disclaimer that said “Contains No Fever Reducer or Pain Reliever,” it occurred to me that we ought to be so fortunate as to be like Delsym and effectively do what we are designed to do. We need to be clear with ourselves like Delsym what we will not do and cannot do and focus on the areas where we are gifted and talented. The good news is, all of us are gifted and talented in something. It may not be the same areas, however, we are all gifted and talented at something. So I end as I began with the question, what if we could all be like Delsym? Something to critically think about. As always, I welcome your comments.

Wake Up Everybody

2010-05-16T06:17:00.000-07:00

As I was traveling north on the Garden State Parkway yesterday, I was listening to songs I had downloaded to my IPOD. I had the IPOD set to shuffle and Teddy Pendegrass' rendition of Wake Up Everybody came on. I listened to Teddy masterfully and soulfully belt out the words to the song and it came to my mind that even though Wake Up Everybody was written in the mid-seventies by Victor Carstarphen, Gene Mcfadden, and John Whitehead, it's as if these lyrics were written in 2010. The words hold true to this very minute. After reading the lyrics below, I am sure you will agree. Wake Up Everybody!!!!

Wake up everybody no more sleepin in bed

No more backward thinkin time for thinkin ahead
The world has changed so very much
From what it used to be so
there is so much hatred war an' poverty

Wake up all the teachers time to teach a new way
Maybe then they'll listen to whatcha have to say
Cause they're the ones who's coming up and the world is in their hands
when you teach the children teach em the very best you can.

The world won't get no better if we just let it be
The world won't get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me.

Wake up all the doctors make the ol' people well
They're the ones who suffer an' who catch all the hell
But they don't have so very long before the Judgement Day
So won'tcha make them happy before they pass away.

Wake up all the builders time to build a new land
I know we can do it if we all lend a hand
The only thing we have to do is put it in our mind
Surely things will work out they do it every time.

Are We Ever Going To Connect Decisions With Consequences?

2010-05-06T18:15:00.000-07:00

When are we going to connect decisions with consequences? Yes, the young man deserved to be tazed. He had no business on that field and he knew it.

I ask the question again. Are we ever going to connect decisions with consequences? It is evident that "LT" has taken too many shots to the head. Yes, if found guilty he deserves every bit of jail time that comes along with the crime. Hall of Fame Star/ 16 year old run away. Top golfer in the world/pancake house waitress. Married to Sandra Bullock/ tattooed pole dancer. C'mon guys!!!

Not to sound redundant, but, are we ever going to connect decisions with consequences? Maybe some of you who are readers of The Critical Thinker can help me out. I truly welcome your thoughts.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game.........NOT!!!

2010-05-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Let's start out by saying I am not mad at or even jealous of Ryan Howard or Albert Pujols for the salaries they are able to command because of the system. While their skills are unsurpassed, it is the system that allows them to command those kind of salaries. Who this critical thinker tends to become annoyed with (because it flies in the face of logic, and this is the "critical thinker.") are the fans. You will always get some yokel who is making an average or little less than average salary who goes bananas when the players go on strike or there is a halt to the season for some reason or another. These people will actually take off time from work to stand in front of a stadium with a picket sign urging the owners to settle the wage disagreements so that they can shell out hundreds of dollars per game( parking, snacks, ticket costs, gas, etc.) to see these gifted ball players play a child's game. As Warner Wolfe is famous for saying, "Let's go to the replay," let's go to the chart or let's look at the numbers. Let's compare the average salary with the salaries of a Ryan Howard who just extended his contract with the Philadelphia Phillies for 125 million dollars over the next 5 years. That's 25 million dollars per year. With his signing came talks of Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals now being positioned to ask for 50 million dollars per year.
When you look at the chart does our actions as fans make sense to you? Analyze the chart below and critically think about it. I welcome your commentary.

Thinking Outside of The Box

2010-04-28T19:03:00.001-07:00

How often do we hear the tired and overused cliche "Think Outside of the Box?" This critical thinker says to you, have we ever thought that maybe not enough thinking is going on inside of the box? Somthing to "think" about.

Are We “ANTI” Everything?

2010-04-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

Think about what you see around you every day. Jeans with shreds throughout the legs of the pants are sold; caps that are designed to be worn with the bill facing front are worn with the bill facing the back, the side, on the diagonal and any other way with the exception of the way the cap was designed to be worn.; pants are worn by boys, men and sometimes even girls and women sagging near the knees with the underwear showing and a demonstration takes place in Portland, Maine with women baring their breasts because they feel it is a double standard that men can walk around with no shirts on and they can’t. Even In politics, there seems to be an anti-incumbent sentiment amongst Americans.

There was a time when you would not be caught dead in torn and tattered jeans like the ones people are actually paying money for now. Some designer thought it fashionable to shred jeans in the legs and we are stupid enough to allow them to dictate to us that we must wear them or be square. I can’t tell you how many students have told me that they are wearing their jeans ripped to shreds because that is the way they are made. Think about that………money was actually spent for something that was at one time thrown away by self respecting people who would not even pick cotton or tobacco in dungarees that looked like that. Our pride is so low that a designer can come along and sell us ripped jeans and we are okay with that. “It’s the style.” The same holds true with wearing of the baseball caps any old kind of way.

The sagging of the pants is a different issue altogether. Please don’t tell me it’s the same thing as African Americans wearing afro’s in the seventies. It’s not. The exposing of one’s underwear is disgusting. I am not interested in seeing what pattern is on your boxers. Not to mention, have you ever watched these people trying to walk who wear their pants like that? It’s quite a sight to see the effort to manipulate the pants to stay up without falling down to the ground. Quite a show, it’s almost as if we are “anti-clothes.”

To further this “anti-clothes” observation,on yesterday (April 8, 2010), women marched topless in Portland, Maine without incident. The marchers wanted to call attention to the double standard in society's attitudes toward male and female nudity. Interestingly enough, some of the women became upset when the men stood around watching and taking pictures of them as if they were in a parade. Having spent some time in France some years ago where topless is the norm on beaches there, let me tell you everything going topless is not a pretty sight. I had a greater appreciation for why we have the laws that we have here in the U.S. after that experience. You could always tell the American men because they were standing around with cameras and you could always tell the American women because they had their tops on.

This “anti” everything spirit will not serve America well in the long run (and maybe not even in the short-run). Rev. Jeremiah Wright was blasted in the media for his comments about the difference between God blessing America and God damning America; but if you think about , to damn something means to curse or wish harm upon. If we continue down the road we are continuing, If God has not done so already as Rev. Wright suggests, He (God) just may. If you read your Bible, He’s done it before and He(God) did say, it won’t be water next time.......... Something to critically think about and as always I welcome your response.

Step Away From the Mic....... Please!!

2010-04-07T13:34:00.000-07:00

“This is a big f@$%^ing deal?” Vice-President Joe Biden

“It’s easy being Vice President. You don’t have to do anything.” Vice President Joe Biden

“I want to cut his nuts off” Rev. Jessie Jackson

“She wears little eye-patch underwear,” Republican Michael D. Duvall, California state assemblyman

As a radio talk show host and teacher of public speaking, I am amazed every time I hear about these high profile public figures making what they thought to be private remarks on open microphones. To make it all the worse, it is not as if the microphones were hidden or someone was spying on them; in each of these instances the perpetrators were right around the microphones. You would think they would know better based on the fact that they are around microphones for radio, television and speaking all of the time.

Again, having experience operating the sound board in a radio studio, the microphone is clearly lit when it is “hot” and unlit when it is not on. I make sure before I say anything in the microphone that I check to see if the microphone button is lit and I equally take the precaution to make sure the light is unlit and the volume is shut totally off before I say anything in the studio. I must admit, these gaffes by the likes of Joe Biden and Jessie Jackson have made me even that much more cautious when I am in the studio or anywhere near a microphone.

Did Vice President Biden not think the microphone would pick up his “This is a big f%$#ing deal" comment? What in the world was on his mind or not on his mind? Once again like with the sex scandals, one would think that each would learn from the other, but apparently that is just not the case. So, as with all of the sex scandals, let’s see who will make the next blunder around a “hot” microphone. Enjoy the videos or better yet, learn from them. Oh, and if you are wondering, the talk show is The Reading Circle with Marc Medley, heard live on Saturday mornings at 6:00 a.m. on WP88.7 FM and on www.wpradio887. org. As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments.

Men, Stop Making These Babies If You are Not Going to Financially Support Them

2010-03-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

I know many men are going to find this hard to believe and many won’t like me when I say what I am about to say, but babies and children cost money and a lot of it. I start this writing with that statement because there are just far too many “Deadbeat Dads” roaming around with far too many children who are in need because the proper financial support is not forthcoming. I hear horror stories of men being sixty and seventy thousand dollars in arrears in child support payments and yet nothing is able to be done to recoup the money. Let’s tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; the problem with this is, their children still needed or needs clothing, food, shelter and maybe a toy or two from time to time.. Many of the dads cry they don’t have the money or are not making enough money to pay the support while in the meantime the children they helped create are going lacking. They should have thought about that before making the child.

Ask me how I know; I know because as a school administrator I see it every day. The child support system is a farce and a big one. Case workers and courts are overloaded and apathetic and are not sympathetic to the plight of the mothers and children who are not receiving their court ordered and mandated due. In many cases you can’t even get a case worker to return a call or email. Men are able to skirt the system with ease and the irony of it all is, the men who do pay in a timely fashion face swift consequences when a payment is missed. The men who never pay are never caught. Allegedly warrants are put out for their arrest that can only be enforced if there is a traffic violation or something else brings the man up on the radar screen. That is ridiculous. I say again, while the man is careful not to break any laws that would validate his arrest warrant, his children are going without. It’s about the kids stupid; the kids.

The sad part of the matter is these same men go around physically fathering more and more children that they have no intention of supporting. Notice I said physically and not emotionally. The question comes up, who is the fool? (That’s the subject of another blog). I am not letting the women off of the hook for choosing these sorry excuses for men, however, when a child is brought into the world an entire host of costs come along with it from the time the child is born (actually conceived) until the child is a fully grown adult. Cora Daniels in her book Ghetto Nation calls it “Eighteen to life,” meaning the parents have responsibility for that child or children at a minimum for eighteen years and could be for life. So for each time you make a child you have just started an eighteen to life sentence. Ms. Daniels does not mean this in a negative manner, but the truth of the matter is, it is an eighteen to life job associated with raising children that comes along with a lot of expenses.

These men kill me with their excuses as to why they cannot financially support the children they sired. It never occurred to them that Junior and Juniorette would need shoes, clothes, food and housing on an ongoing basis? Or is it that they just don’t care? This is where the women must wake up and really understand who they are screwing with before they have children by them because in the end the children are the biggest losers.

It’s a sad state of affairs when a court has to force a man to financially support his own offspring. Critically think about that. The judge didn’t force you to procreate, so why should he/she have to force you to pay for them? What kind of conscience must a man have to know that he has children that he is not financially supporting? That his children are going without because of him? Even animals will fight for their own young as can be clearly seen in the video Battle at Kruger. I have absolutely no tolerance or respect for any man who willingly tries or avoids paying his financial support for his children. Whatever happened between the adults is one thing, but to not support his children is another. Woe unto you my brother who leaves his children out there in need.

Critically yours.

Do You Really Expect Us To Believe We Are Being Taxed For OUR Health?

2010-03-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

Neither common sense nor dieting can be legislated; that must come from a desire within. Oddly enough Governor Paterson, and Mayor Bloomberg of New York along with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl are trying to have us believe that the sweetened beverage or sugar beverage tax is for our health. Poppycock! You know it, I know it and they know it. These politicians don’t give a rat’s tail about our health; be it diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or whatever else the sugar in these beverages is supposed to cause. Let’s get real! These taxes are about raising money to close these budget gaps. Stop hiding behind the guise of being concerned about our health when the true motive is to raise money by any means necessary. At this point anything is game for being taxed. Let’s see……..how about a tax on the amount of lacquer that is emitted in the air in these nail painting/polishing shops? How about taxing the radiation emitted from these tanning salons? How about taxing the ounces of silicone used in breast implants or the number of grams of Botox injected. Why stop there? The cheese on pizza….the salt on potato chips………

As with everything else, once again the average everyday customer will be burdened with getting less and paying more. Smaller packages, larger price tags; and all of this because the politicians are concerned with the number of citizens being diagnosed with diabetes and our being obese. Give me a break please!!!!! It’s all about the Benjamins. That’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. This critical thinker welcomes your commentary and feedback as always.

Thrilla in Manila in New Jersey - Governor Christie takes on the NJEA

2010-03-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

The "Thrilla in Manila" is considered one of the most brutal and bitter bouts in the history of boxing; the match between Governor Chris Christie and the New Jersey Educators Association (NJEA) is likely to be equally as brutal. I am sure there will be a lot to critically think about as this saga unfolds. Stay tuned!!

We Must Be Historians

2010-02-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

"We must be historians." These words were uttered today at the St. Luke Baptist Church in Paterson, NJ where Rev. Kenneth D.R. Clayton is the Sr. Pastor, by former United States Congressman and Pastor Emeritus of New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy. Rev. Fauntroy was the guest preacher for Heritage Sunday Worship at St. Luke and what a powerful message he delivered. Which brings me to this edition of The Critical Thinker.

As today being February 28th marks the close of February and the end of the month known as Black History Month, it is critical that each of us realize that the understanding of; the study of; and the reflection upon black history cannot be limited to one month alone. Black history, particularly for African Americans and in some respects even more so for everyone else must become a part of our daily lives. African Americans make history every day. It is sad to think that the only time we pause to reflect upon the contributions of African Americans is on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's birthday in January or just during the month of February. It is for this reason that Rev. Fauntroy's words struck a chord with me when he said in this mornings service that we must be historians. I knew when he said it and I heard it that it would be the title for this blog. I had already begun writing on my various sites to remind people that just because February is coming to a close, our recognition of our history must not. We must learn more and more about our ancestry every day. We owe that to our forefathers and foremothers. I would not be sitting in the Principal's seat today if it weren't for those like Rev. Fauntroy who paved the way.

I watched Brenda Blackmon last night host a segment on Black History and when some were interviewed on the street concerning what Black History Month and Dr. King's birthday meant to them, many of them said it is one time throughout the year to pause and reflect on the history of African Americans. It was with these statements that this critical thinker took issue. We must not just pause for the twenty eight days in February and the one day in January. We must reflect upon and act upon our heritage the remaining three hundred and thirty six days as well. During the segment last night, just as I did this morning,I learned so much more about our history. Even the history of slavery in New Jersey. During the segment I also gained and ever greater appreciation for the sit ins at Woolworth nearly fifty years ago.

So for those reading this edition of The Critical Thinker,and not just those of us who are African American, we must understand our history in order for us to move forward and not repeat the mistakes of the past. We must take on the same spirit as our Jewish brothers and sisters whose mantra is "Never Again;" and teach our children and many of our adults about our history and not just the horrible parts; African Americans are descendants from Kings and Queens. That story must also be told. So I end this edition as I began in the words of Reverend Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy....."We Must Be Historians."

From Hosanna Hosanna to Crucify Him or From Hero to Goat

2010-02-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

Matthew 21:9 (King James Version)

9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Mark 15:13 (King James Version)

13And they cried out again, Crucify him.

Upon Republican Senator Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts, the conservative trinity (Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin) were crying out Hosanna in the highest about him; then he cast his first vote and they cried out again, crucify him. The last cry came as a result of Senator Brown's vote this week for a $15 billion jobs bill drafted by Senate majority leader Harry Reid. By voting with the Democrats, he stunned the trinity and some conservative supporters.

I heard Levin and the other two cronies lament how now Scott Brown is not conservative enough. Mark Levin went as far as to say that the conservative movement is not about one person. That wasn't the cry a couple of weeks ago when Senator Brown won. It's amazing how fast you can go from hero to goat with these guys; how quickly you can get on the "S" list because you don't think the way they think. Critics ripped into the 41st GOP senator on Facebook and other sites when he became the first Republican to vote with Democrats on the jobs bill calling him a “traitor.”

Good for Senator Brown! He voted with his own mind and conscience. When asked why he voted the way that he did, he said that he voted for the bill, over the concerns of GOP leadership, because “it’s filled with tax cuts that will help create jobs in Massachusetts.” Again, I say good for you Senator Brown. Hopefully he does not become anyone's puppet.

The United States will never get anywhere as long as we keep playing the same old tired politics as usual. We will never get anywhere as long as the parties continue to war against each other. A divided house cannot stand against itself and as long as we keep running along constantly pointing fingers at the left or the right; the democrats or the republicans; the conservatives or the liberals, etc. etc. we will continue to be a divided house and noting will get done. I encourage and challenge readers of this blog to read GAME CHANGE by John Heilemann & Mark Halperin and OUTRAGE by Dick Morris & Eileen McGann to get some real good insights into what Washington is really all about. After completing these books you will see it is not about the American people.

Man Up Manning

2010-02-11T06:15:00.000-08:00

C'mon Peyton, you've been in the game of football long enough to know that it is only good sportsmanship and customary to congratulate the winning team members or at best shake hands with them and say "Good game." We witnessed the same juvenile behavior from Lebron James at the end of the National Basketball Association (NBA)championship game. (see It's Only a Game Folks) http://thereadingcircleblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/its-only-game-folks.html

Just as with the James incident the Manning incident is magnified because of the star status of these two men. These are the guys who have been placed on pedestals because of their athletic prowess. It would be wrong regardless of who did not display good sportsmanship, but it really gets magnified with a big name in a big game, i.e. James-NBA Finals; Manning- Superbowl. While the role model debate always crops up in these situations, the fact of the matter is, we are all role models whether we like it or not. Children watch, and as sassy and smart mouthed as many of them can be today, they would have no problem with not shaking an opponents hand after a game and then nastily telling the coach "Well Peyton Manning didn't shake hands after the Super Bowl or Lebron James didn't shake hands after the NBA Finals and neither am I." This applies to even the eight year olds in the Pop Warner leagues. Oh yes, I can see that happening. As the principal of an elementary school, I had an incident where at the end of a basketball game one of the cheerleaders from the opposing school came up to me and informed me that the cheerleaders from my school would not shake their hands. Our cheerleaders had already made their way to the locker room and I called each one back out and had them shake the opposing cheerleaders hands. Let's get real, when all is said and done, it is only a game.

What makes it even worse is that Peyton Manning is portrayed as Mr. America; Mr. Purebread (male version of Polly Purebread for those of you who are cartoon buffs); The Great White Hope,etc. etc. etc. Kids are actually encouraged to look up to him. I was actually rooting for the Colts in the Superbowl because of Coach Jim Caldwell's deep faith in God and his not being shy to share his faith even during his myriad interviews. I also counted on Peyton Manning's experience to be a factor. When the game was over and I had to face all of my friends who were cheering for the Saints, I could not help but to admit that the Saints played an excellent game. The Saints played as if they wanted to win and they did. That's all Peyton had to do was let some of the Saints players know that it was a good game and go on into the locker room. Calling Drew Brees later does not cut it because the cameras aren't there to catch that phone call. If the situation had been reversed everyone would have been questioning how could they do that to "Peyton Manning?"

I am not suggesting that these guys ought to be perfect; however, they need to always be mindful that people are watching their every move. 106 million households were watching; the largest audience in television history, so I don't think that was the time to throw a temper tantrum. Oh well something else to critically think about.

Cover of THE WEEK Captures It

2010-01-17T05:42:00.000-08:00

The cover of THE WEEK (www.THEWEEK.com) captures my sentiments pictorially of what the January 10, 2010 edition of The Critical Thinker is alluding to(see http://thereadingcircleblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/did-underwear-bomber-take-off-his-shoes.html).

When I was a child my parents would tell me "Make sure you have clean underwear on in case you get into an accident." I guess we can now amend that to "Make sure you have clean underwear on before you go on your next flight. It's amazing, isn't it?

Satirically Yours........

If I didn't Think Rush Limbaugh Was An Idiot Before; I Do Now!

2010-01-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

Abraham Lincoln said it best when he said "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Rush Limbaugh removes all doubt and proves Mr. Lincoln right every day.

Seeing that El Rushbo just returned from Hawaii (where he suffered what was at first thought to be a heart attack) it's too bad Mr. Excellence in Broadcasting (EIB) wasn't in Haiti when the quake hit. If he were trapped in Haiti, it would be real interesting to see if he thought aid being sent there was political. Let the record show that Rush Limbaugh is a horse's derriere. I apologize to the horse.