Why Is My Birthday So Special?

After I turned 30, I’ve jokingly said each year thereafter that I don’t celebrate my birthday anymore and treat it like any other day. This year, my approach is much different.

Within the past 6 months, I’ve lost two friends. The first was Ellen. When I first moved to Atlanta, I knew very few people – less than 5. One of my friends from NC mentioned that he had a “home girl” living in Atlanta who was also from NC. He thought that we had much in common and would probably get along. So, he forged an introduction and we immediately became ‘fast friends.’

Ellen was a Bennett girl who pledged Delta and did her graduate studies at Columbia. She was full of life. Last year while I was working on the Obama campaign, she would call so we could chat about politics. We were political sisters. I attended the Democratic Convention in Denver and was at the Invesco Field speech. So on election night, assuming that I was in Chicago, she called to scream in my ear about Obama’s win. She said, “I may have missed Denver, but I will definitely be in DC for the Inauguration.” From that day forth, we began making plans for the Inauguration…….checking for ball tickets, what to wear, etc. Every week that past, the excitement was building.

Then just one week before the big event, she was gone.

The second of my friends was Harold. While I was a student, I began my first part-time off campus job as a sales clerk in a clothing store. Little did I know at the time, that the acquaintances made in that store would become life-long friendships. Harold fell in that category. After I moved to Atlanta, he & I didn’t talk as often, but I would occasionally stop by when driving through Charlotte. When I eventually moved back to Charlotte, our offices were next door to each other. So, we would chat in the parking lot when leaving work. Then, a few years later, I moved to DC. After moving, we rarely talked, but was always an email away.

Just two weeks ago, I had received an email from him on some national news. If he thought I was interested in something, he would always forward and vice versa. So, after the tragic event at the Holocaust museum, I was awaiting an email from him to get his commentary.

Unfortunately, I received an email from a guy that I did not know with Harold’s full name in the subject. My sick sense told me it was bad news before I even clicked it open. The sender, Thomas, had taken an email blast previously sent by Harold and replied to all of the recipients. He informed that Harold was in a fatal automobile accident.

Here are two people who started their day like any other day. Both left their homes and went to work. Then in the middle of their work day, their lives ended…..just like that.

I reminisce on the conversations Ellen & I shared the last two months of her life. We had so many plans, but GOD held the master plan.

This life that is given to us is a gift that we must cherish. Many of us wish for Friday beginning on Monday morning…..literally, wishing our lives away. Not taking the time to savor each and every day as if it is our last.

My friends Ellen & Harold could not have imagined that they were going to die so soon. Understanding how sudden their deaths were should be an example of how we should live. We all have a chance to live each day as if it is our last. We can apologize to those we have wronged; we can tell love ones how much we love them; we can assure that we have no regrets; and continue to pray for guidance.

So, as I relish the day of my birth, I want to thank GOD again for letting me see another day and another year. I hope that with each year passed, that I’ve gained wisdom and a closer relationship with HIM.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who sent me cards, emails and birthday wishes via Facebook for sharing this wonderful journey with me called life.

What The GOP Can Learn From Jack Kemp’s Legacy?

This past weekend, Jack Kemp succumbed to cancer in Bethesda, MD. Before politics, Kemp was drafted into the NFL in 1957 at a time when integration was just taking root. As a player, he was often privy to the mistreatment of his fellow African American players. His early experience of observing the exclusion of his minority teammates shaped his future political platform.

Kemp served in the House from 1971 – 1989 and was seen as a rising star in the GOP during the Reagan years. He eventually ran for president against Bob Dole and George H.W. Bush in 1988.

As a politician, he urged his party to reach out to minority voters. In a 1997 appearance on Meet The Press he called race “the single most important issue facing America at the turn of the century and the millennium. He continued by adding, “I would like to see an America where black and white actually listen to each other. I want to see the Republican Party in this debate.” Although he ran unsuccessfully as the Vice President nominee with Bob Dole on the Republican ticket in 1996, the Republican Party made a concerted visual effort at the following convention in 2000.

Although Kemp considered himself a “bleeding-heart conservative,” he understood the changing demographics of the country and that the party’s survival depended on change and inclusiveness of all Americans in the political process.

The Republican Party was able to show a united front during the 2008 convention, although all were not impressed with the vice presidential nominee, Governor Sarah Palin. Since the election, the divisiveness is startling for a party which stood united just months earlier. If GOP continues to follow the conflict-ridden message of McCain/Palin campaign, the ideas of Rush Limbaugh, the discordant points of RNC Chairman Michael Steele or the nix proposals of Cantor, then they may likely become a remnant of the Whig Party of 1833-1856. They not only oppose the president, they also oppose each other.

This weekend also marked the kick-off of the townhall meeting tour presented by the National Council For A New America with Rep. Eric Cantor (VA), Former Governor Jeb Bush (FL) and Former Governor Mitt Romney (MA) in an effort to be re-engaged with voters. Saturday, Cantor noted that the Republican Party has to find a way to attract the younger voters and Hispanics.

During the 2008 election, Republicans had not pursued the younger voters because they were convinced that they would not turn out to vote, therefore, that would be a waste of time. In addition, they took the Hispanic vote for granted.

Cantor failed to mention other key groups like women, African Americans (or any other minority group) older voters, etc.

The Wall Street Journal informed that the 2008 election was the most diverse electorate in the history of the US with nearly one in four votes cast were by nonwhites with the nations’ three largest minority groups – Blacks, Hispanics and Asians casting unprecedented shares of the vote.

Cantor, as well as, other Republican politicians seem confused with what has happened to their party especially as it relates to minority voters. The phrase of “we’re the party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt” resonates from their lips frequently as if the minority voter should embrace them for this fact. They fail to forget that they are also the party which embraced the Dixicrats in the 1940s and did not support civil & voting rights in the 1960s. Also, in 1980, Ronald Reagan described the Voting Rights Act as “humiliating to the South.” Reagan exploited the behavior of the exodus of Southern whites from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party during the 1960s – 1970s. This way, Reagan was able to benefit from racial polarization.

The Republicans have totally ruled out the Black vote, but what they fail to recognize is that African-Americans are ideologically conservative with issues such as abortion, gay marriage, immigration, etc, but the party does not know how to translate that into votes. Because their message remains unchanged and the based of the party has not move beyond the past of the Dixicrats, Barry Goldwater and their hero, Reagan, then the minority vote will remain at a distance. Jack Kemp described a template for the party in the release of ‘A Letter To My Grandchildren’ on November 12, 2008, “……our nation doesn’t require uniformity or unanimity; it does require putting the good of our people ahead of what’s good for mere political or personal advantage. The party of Lincoln needs to rethink and revisit its historic roots as the part of emancipation, liberation, civil rights and equality of opportunity for all.”

Keep in mind I’m a Democrat and a boxing fan, so I don’t necessarily want to the Republicans to make a comeback, but I do like a see a good fight.

A Profile of Hope

I've finally completed my new book!!! Mission Accomplished!!!

Cara

NEW BOOK

I've taken a hiatus from Cara Live in order to complete my new book, A Profile of Hope, by Inauguration Day. I'll be back January 2009.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Should Clinton Be Secretary Of State?

Let’s rewind the tape and think back over the course of the campaign season. Which campaign camp was consistently leaking information? When Obama secured the Democratic nomination, who’s surrogates was lobbying for the Vice Presidential bid?

Fast forward to last week, mysteriously there was an alleged leak from the Obama camp that she is being offered the post of Secretary of State. Did someone from Obama-Biden Transition Team actually divulge this information to media sources? I don’t ever recall Obama's surrogates ever leaking anything. I'm almost incline to believe that this was not released by his team. It’s uncharacteristic based on their past. Was it deliberate? If it was deliberate, then what is the strategy, especially if they are unable to vet Clinton's because her husband, President Bill Clinton, does not or will not release the contributors of the Clinton Foundation or the Clinton Library?

After Obama secured the nomination there was an effort to pressure him into picking Clinton as his running mate immediately, although almost all presidential candidates wait until right before their party’s convention to do so. Clinton surrogates were pressing the issue to the media, who in turn, awaited a prompt response.

Based on the above history, I get the feeling that Clinton is actually lobbying for the position of Secretary of State. It’s as if the Clinton camp acts on the premise that if they add enough media buzz, therefore, it shall be done. In the past year, that does not work with Obama. Note, it did not take an Act of Congress (no pun intended) for Obama’s decision on Chief of Staff or Attorney General.

Obama and Clinton met last week in Chicago. No statement has been release by either of them on their discussion. Therefore, the media has been speculative on the meeting's agenda especially as it relates to her becoming Secretary of State.

Would Clinton be great as Secretary of State? That’s still debatable. Although she has the expertise to be excellent in this role, the debate begins with -- will she follow Obama’s agenda v. her own? That is still of question, which is why the decision to pick her has not been made hastily. This will be interesting as it plays out.

Why Guilt By Association Did Not Work?

It all started with the South Carolina debate between Clinton, Edwards and Obama. Clinton interjects Tony Rezko in the conversation by stating that “I was fighting against those ideas when you were practicing law and representing your contributors Rezko in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago.” There began the guilt by association spin.

It wasn’t long before Fox News anchor, Sean Hannity, included his efforts by looping a 3 minute segment of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Although, McCain insisted that he would not include Jeremiah Wright as a part of his smear campaign, Bill Ayers was of focus because his participation in with the Weathermen in the late 1960s.

During the entire campaign, Obama was defending himself or having to denounce someone because of their statements or actions including Rapper Ludacris, Minister Louis Farrakhan and Congressman John Lewis.

Ludacris released a rap about the election. Although he is a supporter of Obama, he was not in any way affiliated with the campaign, but of course Obama was expected to denounce the lyrics. The lyrics were tainted with:

“Said I handled his biz and I'm one of his favorite rappers
Well give Luda a special pardon if I'm ever in the slammer
Better yet put him in office, make me your vice president
Hillary hated on you, so that bitch is irrelevant “

And………

“Paint the White House black and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified
McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped
Ball up all of his speeches and I throw 'em like candy wrap
'cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant
and you the worst of all 43 presidents”

During the Ohio Debate, NBC’s Tim Russert read a headline from the Chicago Tribune which stated that Louis Farrakhan backs Obama from President at Nation of Islam Convention in Chicago. Russert proceeded to ask, “do you accept the support of Louis Farrakhan?” Obama exclaimed that he has been clear in his denunciation of Farrakhan’s anti-semitic comments. He further noted he did not seek out his support.



Farrakhan tackled this subject during his Savior’s Day message by asking the question, “What is wrong with Farrakhan that you have to make Farrakhan a litmus test? For any black person who strives for betterment for society, let’s give them the Farrakhan test. Now, I’ve taken test. I’ve never been in a class where the test is given to one person. Don’t single out one man and give him the Farrakhan test. Why not give it to Hillary?”

Minister Farrakhan had a valid point. Why does Obama or any other Black have to be compared or aligned with the other when all Blacks have individual perspectives and views? It’s as if all Blacks are identified as one, therefore, as a group it is interpreted that all Blacks think as one. Once society moves pass this perception, the closer we unify as a nation.

Then, Governor Sarah Palin hit the campaign trail as McCain’s VP nominee. At every stop she would say that Obama pals around with domestic terrorists (i.e. Bill Ayers). At one point, Obama’s middle name, Hussein, was added to the script, as well as, implications that he was not patriotic and maybe Muslim. For many who gathered, the formula equated to terrorists + Hussein + Muslin = Arab which was verbally indicated by a 75 year old supporter at the rally speaking with McCain. In addition, in the midst of the crowds you could hear shouts of “Treason,” “Terrorist,” and “Kill Him.” Clips began to circulate on YouTube and the internet of supporters prior to the rallies which looked like a scene from the clips from the 1950s integration of Little Rock High School where people were yelling obscenities.

For John Lewis, a civil rights pioneer, it was just too much. Lewis released a statement comparing McCain's campaign to that of incendiary segregation advocate George Wallace in the 1960s. "What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse."

Because Lewis compared McCain to Wallace, again Obama was pressured to denounce his statement, although it was given as a separate entity of his campaign and merely the opinion of the congressman.

With this said, for the Right (conservatives), there was a concerted effort to make Obama viewed as radical and just to simply put it, “an angry Black Man.”

The insinuations regarding statements and associations did not work. With 24-hour news cycles, the vast majority of the general public began their own analysis and scrutiny of the candidates. Once the debates began, Obama ease of temperament exuded and most began to see him as presidential. His staffers even tagged him as “No Drama, Obama.”

His denouncement of his associations with Rezko, Wright & Ayers and statements from Ludacris, Farrakhan & Lewis were dissected by the media and Republicans until the day of the election.

Just for argument sake, I do not recall the same scrutiny of Senator Clinton or Senator McCain as it relates to associations. For instance, John McCain has been a Senator over 20 years with Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms and Robert Byrd. Would it be safe to assume that because he was friends and colleagues with these gentlemen that his outlook on the world is parallel with their own? Also, McCain sought the endorsement of Revs. John Hagee and Rod Parsley, who in their own right are controversial. Does this mean that he is agreement with all the words echoed by them in their sermons? The answer to these questions are no.

When voters logically viewed the efforts of the media and the opposing campaigns efforts to apply guilt by association with in regards to Obama, they were able to sift through the commentary and derive at their own viewpoint. Therefore, when the above questions were pinned at Obama, again the answer was a resounding no. Regardless, Obama prevailed despite these obstacles, as well as, the underlining tone of this issue which is Race.

Would Martin Luther King, Jr. Support Republican Party?

On I-95 in the northbound lane, but south of Richmond, VA, there is a billboard stating “Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican.” It is an advertisement by the National Black Republican Association which may be a subliminal message that maybe MLK would probably vote for McCain or that his support would be for the Republican Party.

Back on October 19, 1960, just one month shy of the Presidential election of John F. Kennedy (D) v. Richard Nixon (R), Martin Luther King was arrested at an Atlanta sit-in and would be imprisoned on various charges for five days. Democratic nominee, John F. Kennedy intervened by first calling King’s wife to offer support, then applying pressure until King was released. King had deliberately avoided making political endorsements and didn’t officially back Kennedy, but his father did – switching his allegiance from Nixon in a strong statement of support. It can be assumed that gesture also switched King’s own support to the Democratic Party.

Based on King’s dream and the goal of the civil right’s movement, I am 99.9 percent sure that his support would be for the Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama.