Tag Archives: Washington

01

Oct. ’23

Our Congressmen

Here we go again. Government shutdown! Among the many things I dislike about politicians, this, if not in first place, is close to first place. While everyone is suffering because they will not be paid and bills will be due, the politicians will be paid and will be on vacation. If I am not being paid, being laid off, etc., why should they be paid for doing nothing and keep their job? It is their job to fund the government, but they want to use the shutdown as a bargaining chip to get what they want.

               It was known, long in advance, that money must be voted on to keep the government running therefore there is no reason to wait until the last minute to do it. The Senate is awaiting the House of Representatives to get together and pass spending bills so that they may vote on it to give to the President to sign (although the Republicans fault the President for doing nothing, it is them that must get the paperwork to him). This takes time and, listening to some Congressmen, they either don’t care and want to leave Washington for a break, or they think there is plenty of time to get it done (some Republicans are heard on tape saying they want a shutdown). (***this is being written five days before the shutdown deadline***)

               Then there are those (like the Congressman that is preventing military promotions) that have said to the media that they want certain things before they will okay a spending bill. It seems that when the Speaker of the House nods to the side that is holding out, suddenly, they want more, they up the ante. As the saying goes, ‘you can please some of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time’.

               As I said in a previous blog, most people do not keep up with the news. For those that do not know, this is only a partial list of hardships caused by a government shutdown. The great majority of the federal government will not be paid, and most offices will close. Government contracts will not be paid, which will mean contractors, working for the government, will not be paid. But the Congressmen will be paid. You voted for them and still plan to continue to vote for them.

               When people that work for the government are not paid, rent is not paid, stores lose customers, there is not any money to spend anywhere. Everyone suffers because of the shortage of money. Recently the government’s financial rating dropped from AAA to AA+ and will probably drop lower which will mean interest rates will go higher around the world. You think things are high now, just wait and start to dig deeper into your pocket.

               Couple all of this with the auto industry strike and there is a bad situation. There is no work for anyone except for the Congressmen and they are taking a break. They have worked hard at doing other things except for funding the government. Hunter Biden, Hilery Clinton, President Biden’s finances, and the upcoming trials for the former President (to name a few) took priority. Trying to expose the January 6th findings took priority. Defending crooked Congressmen took priority (Democrats immediately asked their crooks to resign). Talking to the media and media shows took priority. Spreading disinformation took priority.

               This is not what they were elected to do. They were elected to represent their constituents in getting what they want done. Instead, they are looking out for their own interests, not their constituent’s nor the USA populace. We the people suffer so that they live on without worry.

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14

Feb. ’21

Black History

This is Black History Month and I have been thinking a lot about who I would write about and could not make up my mind. Everywhere a person looks there is something about someone that need to be recognized this month. Then the more I thought about it the more I wanted to beat myself up because the answer is all around me.

               I have an article in Albemarle Tradewinds Magazine (www.albemarletradewinds.com) normally giving the bio of old Black jazz artists (I am usually next to the last page), occasionally I write about someone other than a jazz artist when the editor/owner ask. Therefore, what I am saying is every month I write about a Black person that overcame the odds against making it in the United States of America. Why, you may want to ask me, do I say in the United States of America? My answer is many talented Black people moved to another country and had a better life. Some left the United States and was given the opportunity that was denied them and succeeded. Some of the jazz artists I wrote about lived in other countries for the peace and tranquility they could not have at home.

               It is unfair that a month must be dedicated to have people think about and know Black people that have contributed to and made possible the well being of all. People only think of recent times; however, Black people have contributed for a few thousand years. Using only one fact…Blacks built the Pyramids, the stones are so close a piece of paper cannot slide between them (by the way, the Pharaohs were Black).

               The great majority of people know that Socrates and Plato were well educated and as they taught others, great knowledge was passed on. What is seldom known or told is they were taught in the schools and library in Alexandria Egypt (the library is still there). Most rich people of European countries usually had Black slaves from Africa teaching their children. Brainiac Blacks have always been around but as the Europeans began to grow stronger, they also started to change history, taking credit for most things, using Black slaves in the background.

               I know most people are yelling that it is not the way it was or is. I am only saying, believe it or not, we would not be living as well as we are now if not for the intelligence and teachings of Black people. Yet, a month is dedicated toward a few achievements when the numerous accomplishments are all around us. The people from the pass are forgotten and the people that are here today are passed by un-noticed. It has happened to me and it have happened to many people I know.

               So, Black History Month does not mean anything to me because every day, past and present, is a day that a Black person did something great. As you watch the impeachment trial remember this. Washington D.C., streets and important buildings were designed and built by Black people (slave and free) but most people do not know that fact. There is so much about so many things that is Black that even I am considered ignorant about the history. I know just enough to get me into trouble.

               (by the way, check out my other blog… www.faithingodministries.net )

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28

Jan. ’17

Casinos

Had another good week last week (this week was just for relaxation and recharging my energy) with a four day trip to Maryland. If you looked at my Facebook page you saw the picture of my wife holding our latest great-grandchild when we made a stop on our way back to Virginia. We were in Maryland to do our usual thing, gamble at the casinos. We headquartered at Maryland Live’s hotel which put us between Horseshoe and MGM. We get perks from all the casinos but decided to use Maryland Live’s because it was between the other two.

Look at it this way; four day stay at their hotel, their perks and our acquired points gave us all our meals and each gave us slot machine money. All I needed was the gas money and a little more to keep it interesting. In fact, we came back with money in our pocket. Can’t beat that for a four day stay at three casinos. Plus we got to visit the baby on the way back (got through Washington the day before the inauguration).

Thinking about that, this is what we ran into. Usually, on week days, the hotel does not have many people staying. I noticed the parking lot almost full and more cars were coming. All the other hotels had the same thing. Then I started calling myself a dummy because, after talking to a couple that was checking-in, I was told that they were getting the hell out of DC before the crowds hit. Then I noticed that most of the cars had DC plates.

After visiting the baby it dawned on me that it was the same area that The Last Graduating Tuskegee Airman (an article I wrote) lived. In fact, I am still trying to get the article printed for the general public. It have been approved by the MPP (Mighty Pen Project) and they have a copy but the Richmond-Times dispatch turned it down. The newspaper say it does not have a Virginia connection although the man live in Ashburn, Virginia. It does not make any sense to me, but who am I to say? Also, the man is Black and his wife is White, they had to live in Washington because of segregation, that is the same as the Loving story that hit the movies last year.

The highlight for this week came on Monday. Four of us from the Mighty Pen Project had a townhall type panel discussion, at The University of Richmond, for a freshman class that is writing about war. They included my two writings on protests in the 1950’s. The question and answering went well and, in fact, we could have gone on much longer than we had time for. This is our second time doing this. The first time was at the Library of Virginia and that went very well also. I hope to do it again.

This year I work on my birthday and my wife is out of town. As I get older, holidays, birthdays, etc. does not mean as much as it did when I was younger. I prefer peace and quiet plus time to read or write. I stay busy, although my wife say otherwise, and I believe staying busy help the body stay active, younger and spry. Inactivity bring on more aches and pains, more than usual, and it can be avoided without medication for that particular ailment. I see too much inactivity around here (Imperial Plaza) although there are so many programs and events for the residents. Most do not attend any of them. Alas, what can I say or do about it? Not a thing.

Until next time…Stay warm, keep on keeping on. I’m out!

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