George Carlin, R.I.P.

Comedian and activist George Carlin died yesterday at age 71. He's known for his political humor and satire.

May he be at peace.

Link:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-06-23-carlin-obit_N.htm?csp=34

Barack Obama was right about black men

I'm sure by now that you have all heard Barack Obama's speech on Father's Day weekend about black father's stepping up to the plate and being more involved in their children's lives.

But what you really have not heard are attacks against Barack Obama's comments from many of those who attacked Bill Cosby. Now there are a few who voiced their negative opinions some blogs going as far as to say he betrayed have his race ( http://www.blackagendareport.com ) But many have not said much. You know why?

Because Barack Obama is right.

Now some may say he is just pandering to white conservatives in order to get their votes but so what if he is. His message is not any less true.

We need our black men involved in our children's lives so that black boys know how to be a good man and black girls have an idea of what a god man is.

There is no disputing the reports that children who have fathers involved in their education do better as a group. There is no disputing that these same children are less likely to end up in prison. There is no disputing that these children are less likely to grow up in poverty.

Black men we owe it to our children to make sure that they do better than we did. The true measure of a man is not how tough you are, what kind of car you have, how much money you have. It's not any of that. It's how you take care of "Yours". The true measure of a man is how you ensure your children's future.

That being said, let's not forget that the MAJORITY of black fathers do the right thing. Yeah, I know about the 70% number of black children born to single mothers but that does not equate to 70% of black men not being involved in their children's lives. That only means that they don't live with the mother.

One last point. It's just not black men that need to step up. If you have ever been to a PTA meeting or Parent/Teacher Night forget color just count the number of men that are there. I'm sure women will outnumber them at least 3 to 1 if not more. So while this is an issue that has the spotlight shining on black fathers it is not unique to them.

To all the good black fathers out there keep doing what you are doing and set the example. Although you are rarely acknowledged even by our own I just want to let you know that you are appreciated.

George Cookwww.letstalkhonestly.com

Self Portraits

500 Years of Male Self Portraits in Western Art

by Philip Scott Johnson

Artists in order of appearance:
0:08 - Leonardo da Vinci 1452-1519
0:15 - Francisco Goya 1746-1828
0:22 - Albrecht Dürer 1471-1528
0:29 - Sir Joshua Reynolds 1723-1792
0:35 - Rembrandt 1606-1669
0:42 - Andy Warhol 1928-1987
0:48 - William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1825-1905
0:55 - Henri Matisse 1869-1954
1:02 - Eugène Delacroix 1798-1863
1:09 - Jean-François Millet 1814-1875
1:15 - Jan van Eyck 1395-1441
1:22 - Peter Paul Rubens 1577-1640
1:28 - James McNeill Whistler 1834-1903
1:35 - John Singer Sargent 1856-1925
1:42 - Kazimir Malevich 1878-1935
1:49 - Nicolas Poussin 1594-1665
1:55 - Paul Cézanne 1839-1906
2:02 - Paul Gauguin 1848-1903
2:08 - Vincent Van Gogh 1853-1890
2:15 - Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1828-1882
2:22 - Diego Velázquez 1599-1660
2:28 - Nicholas Hilliard 1547-1619
2:35 - Anthony van Dyck 1599-1641
2:41 - Titian 1485-1576
2:48 - Paolo Veronese 1528-1588
2:55 - Lucas Cranach the Elder 1472-1553
3:01 - Édouard Manet 1832-1883
3:08 - Pablo Picasso 1881-1973

Music: Bach's Bouree 1 and 2 from Suite for Solo Cello No. 3, BWV 1009 performed by Antonio Meneses.

eggman913@gmail.com

Tim Russert 1950-2008

I'm so sorry that I didn't write this news of Meet The Press host Tim Russert's untimely passing. My heart goes out to his family in this time of grief. May he be at peace and may God watch over his family, friends, and collegues.

Angry Black Women: Fox News Disses Black Females

GOP convention button asks, ‘If Obama is president…will we still call it the White House?’

Think Progress » GOP convention button asks, ‘If Obama is president…will we still call it the White House?’

The company that makes the buttons boasts providing “Patriotic and Republican Products.” Another button they sell features a picture of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), with the phrase: “Life’s a b**ch, don’t vote for one.” (HT: AmericaBlog)

The Rich: Money Doesn't Matter, Billionaire Oprah Tells College Grads

The Rich: Money Doesn't Matter, Billionaire Oprah Tells College Grads: "Talk-show host and self-made billionaire Oprah Winfrey was the commencement speaker for Stanford grads this past weekend. Her advice for the new grads? Do what you're meant to do! 'When you're doing the work you were meant to do, it feels right. And every day is a bonus, regardless of what you're getting paid.' Easy for her to say. Following your dreams! It's a great prescription for poverty. (As if every talented person who followed them ended up rich!)"

Where do racist find work?

George Cook of www.letstalkhonestly.com answers the question in a video satire "Where do racist find work?"

The Peninsula On-line: Qatar's leading English Daily

The Peninsula On-line: Qatar's leading English Daily: "SAO PAULO • Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said yesterday that a Barack Obama presidency would be a watershed moment for the United States, but he stopped short of endorsing the Democratic candidate.

Lula evoked the work of Jose Bento Monteiro Lobato, a famous Brazilian writer in the first half of the 20th century, to stress the significance of an African American becoming president of the United States."

O'Bryan - Gigolo

Michelle Obama on Countdown with Keith Olbermann

Keith Olbermann: Michelle Obama Baby Mama Fox News Racism

Keith Olbermann responds to the flap over Fox News tagging Michelle Obama as Barack Obama's "baby mama".