Write President Obama to Protect UN Ambassador Susan Rice from Racist Republicans

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By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Well, the Eagles have won the election, but the turkeys and buzzards are already circling to try to thwart the progress that has been made.  According to the communique below from the CEO of the International Association for Women of Color Day, Susan Brooks, 97 racist Rep-ugh-blicans have written a letter to President Obama claiming that UN Ambassador Susan Rice is unfit to assume the role of Secretary of State when Hillary Clinton vacates the post. 

Of course, intelligent minds know that anything, or anyone, the Rep-ugh-blicans don't like must be good.  Or they wouldn't be against them.  What a great endorsement for Ambassador Rice!!!

I'm  supporting Susan Rice and think she would make an excellent Secretary of State.  So I'm posting the articles on my blog and circulating it to you, as well, to write letters of support - as they have done - to President Obama endorsing Ms. Rice for the position.  We have proven that our voices and our votes make a difference; we've stood together in the re-election of President Obama, we've sent some 49 newly elected Democrats to Washington, DC. 

We have the momentum of victory moving us forward, we have the proof that united we stand and we make things - great things - happen.  It is absolutely imperative that we maintain the same momentum.  Please make sure you circulate this to your friends, associates, relatives, and urge the to write President Obama as well.
Our TeamWork makes the Dream Work.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

The letter from Susan Brooks follows below:

97 House Republicans wrote President Obama that U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice is unfit to be Secretary of State. 94% of Black Women voted for Obama.
Please read the article below and help rally millions of African American women to stop the racism plus sexism being hurled without reason against Susan Rice. Here is another blatant example that despite overwhelming participation as voters--the highest voting group for any candidate--yet until now it has benefitted others and not African American and other women of color. In the entire history of this country, women of color have been on the bottom of the country--the poorest, the most abused, the most excluded--and it is continuing. Today is the day for all of us, African American women, Latinas, Asian American women, Native American women, Pacific Island women and all those men of color and White women and White men who stand with us, recognizing that only women of color experience both racism and sexism. If we don't take a massive stand now, we will not have the opportunity later. It has taken 236 years to get to this point--the possibility of a woman of color, an African American woman who is not the token that the 97 Republicans want. Yes, Condeleeza Rice was Secretary of State under President Bush. She is educated and intelligent but minimized the racism in her own life and remains unknown to the majority of women of color because she was never our ally or champion.

Now we are at a moment in history in which we, women of color, along with our true allies, can trump the pressure of 97 Republicans because of the 94%  of African American women who voted for Obama--more than any other group (87% of African American men voted for Obama.) Our voices will count as much as our votes, if we speak out now. We must end the practice of taking our votes, our support, our money, our volunteer service and being given nothing in return that speaks directly to our most unique experience, the experience of racism plus sexism.
This year during the presidential campaign, I wrote and called numerous candidates and political party representatives. Many others did the same. Neither Democrats nor Republicans had a single person willing to say the words "women of color" followed by the expression "racism plus sexism." As long as that condition continues, we will make no progress on anything else. With all the celebration of 4 new women senators, the fact that none were women of color was unmentioned. Only one African American woman (she was also the only woman of color ever in the Senate) served a single term in the US Senate in the entire history of this country. We are grossly underrepresented in the House of Representatives and not yet in every state legislature. We are without enough representation in the government at all levels with the result that we remain virtually enslaved. No slave owner, no overseer in the service of slavery, ever gave up their privileges, including life-death power over us without a struggle.
No other people walk in our shoes. No one will save us if we don't save ourselves.No one who doesn't stand with us is our friend or ally. For these reasons, I am forwarding this letter to President Obama and to 100 other people tonight. If each of those people would do the same, across the country in every state, we would stop the efforts of too many Republicans to block access of women of color, as they have been committed to do against Obama. The irrationality of their efforts has led to people in 30 states filing lawsuits enabling their states to secede from the United States. When we stand up for Susan Rice, we will also have the strength to stop the starving of our people through reductions in food stamps and school lunches. We will also have the strength to stop the wars and the attacks on Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid and bring about jobs, education and services for all of the people of this country as we begin eclipsing the domination of the country by White males with the inevitable increases in diverse groups, making this country multicultural in fact. It is no longer just a concept. It is an idea whose time has come.
Suzanne Brooks, CEO
International Association for Women of Color Day 
http://www.womenofcolorday.com

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WASHINGTON -- A group of 97 House Republicans sent a letter to President Barack Obama on Monday, saying that U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice misled the nation about the attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya, making her unfit to be a candidate to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. { Note: Susan Rice had no responsibility related to the events in Libya. She only answered questions in a manner consistent with the official information provided to here}
The letter, organized by South Carolina freshman Jeff Duncan, said Rice's "misleading statements" about the attack that led to the deaths of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans "caused irreparable damage to her credibility both at home and around the world.
It was the latest GOP effort to single out Rice for the mixed signals sent out by the administration in the immediate aftermath of the September attack in Benghazi.
Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham have led criticism in the Senate, saying Rice is unqualified and untrustworthy and promising to block her nomination if Obama picks her to take over the State Department after Clinton steps down.
Obama responded last week at a news conference, saying McCain and Graham should "go after me" if they want to criticize administration actions. He said Rice had nothing to do with the Benghazi affair and "to besmirch her reputation is outrageous."
On Friday a dozen Democratic female members of the House also came to Rice's defense, saying the criticisms of her smacked of sexism and racism.
Rice became a target when she went on the Sunday talk shows five days after the attack on the Benghazi diplomatic mission on Sept. 11 and said that, from the best information she had at the time, the attack was a spontaneous reaction to an anti-Muslim video and not a premeditated attack. That assessment later proved to be incorrect.
Rice, the House Republicans said in their letter, "is widely viewed as having either willfully or incompetently misled the American public in the Benghazi matter." As a result, they said, "we believe that making her the face of U.S. foreign policy in your second term would greatly undermine your desire to improve U.S. relations with the world and continue to build trust with the American people."
Clinton has not formally announced when she is leaving her post and Obama has not said who might succeed her, although Rice has often been named as a leading candidate. Senior-level positions must be confirmed by the Senate." ###

Please pass this information on - circulate it nationally and locally to make sure that we don't allow ourselves to be lulled into a false sense of security.  As we all know, we can't leave any gaps in our vigilance - you leave one crack open, the Rep-ugh-blicans have a way of oozing their way in and taking over.  We now know that we have stay alert, involved and empowered.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

 

 

Having and Attitude of Gratitude or Happy ThanksGiving

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By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Every year some one of our politically savvy Black activist leaders will come up with question of whether or not we should be celebrating Thanksgiving.  And this year is no different.  That weird question  reared its ugly head in the guise of a joke, and there was the nervous laughter to open guffaws around the room, which set me thinking:
 "Hmmmm...don't we - individually and collectively - have something to be thankful for in our lives?  Are we now so cynical that even when things go right we keep looking for something bad to happen.  Can we be grateful for another day of life (remember the song, "I just want to celebrate another day of living"?)  Wonder what would happen if we all assumed an attitude of gratitude, as opposed to the overwhelmingly ascerbic, snarky tones we've been imparting as of late?"

Metaphysically speaking - according to the LAWS OF ATTRACTION & ASSUMPTION - you get back what you send out.  If you send out gratitude, you generally attract more blessings and more things to be grateful for.  If you continuously send out complaints, suspicion and negativity, that's what you'll keep getting.  Even as little kids we were taught to say "grace" before eating - a form of being thankful for having food to eat.  I.e. a form of gratitude for being provided for. 

I think we are the only country that actually sets aside an entire day to show our gratitude.  Interestingly enough it was started by Pilgrims who were so grateful for being out from under the thumb of oppressive British rule, for having survived the rigors of a perilous passage to what was then the New World; and for having been befriended by the original Americans (a/k/a Indians - "natives" in caucasian parlance), who showed them how to survive here.  The first Thanksgiving celebrations actually included all the people.  They all sat down and all shared in the bounty.

Now, today, we got let's get the meal done so we can go shop for Black Friday Bargains.  We got family feuds; who hates whom, who's doing what to whom; who cooks better than whom, or who can't cook at all.  It can run the gamut soup to a 25 lb. Turkey, depending on your budget.

I say it's time we put the THANKS back into Thanksgiving, and show our gratitude for loving, being loved; the fact that we are not only blessed to be here another day, but have another day to be blessed and do things differently.  Smile folks, we re-elected the Best President Since Roosevelt! Smile, we don't have to deal with "Mitt-Twit Romney".  Smile - Good things are coming your way now.  You're twice blessed if you have your family and friends around you.  Triple the blessings if they are also loved ones who love you in return.

Smile if you have grandchildren who love and respect you and are well behaved.  Be grateful if you still have all your teeth and can enjoy the good food prepared for this special day.   Let's send up a prayer for those who suffered Hurricane Sandy, as well as gratitude for the help they are receiving so they can rebuild their homes and their lives.  And, yes, you can likewise be grateful if you were spared the tragedy.

If there's something that you don't have, that you want, be grateful that it's on its way; if there's something that you don't want that you have, release it in peace and send it on its way.

We have to learn to celebrate every good thing that happens to us, every accomplishment, every victory not just on Thanksgiving Day, but each time it occurs.  That's one thing I learned from my Japanese friends that I try to practice regularly - celebrate now, so the good can keep coming.

So in answer to my comedic friend, "Yes! We owe it to ourselves to celebrate Thanksgiving.  No matter who we are or where we are - especially we Black people, though - we can look back and see how far we've come, and look forward and see how close we are, and give thanks in advance for smooth roads and bountiful blessings in our lives from this moment on (as long as we do what we are supposed to do, individually and collectively.  The only way we can go from this point on is up.

So have a happy, joyous, wonderful, prosperous, blessed fun filled and loving Thanksgiving - and don't over spend on Black Friday - even though they're calling it Black, make sure you spread some of that Green with the Black merchants and business owners so they'll have something to be thankful for too.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

EMERGENCY EVENT ALERT: Monday, November 19, 2012 JOIN NACA'S PROTEST AGAINST OCWEN’S ATTEMPT TO OUTSOURCE UNDERWRITING JOBS TO INDIA FOR AT-RISK AMERICAN HOMEOWNERS USING TAXPAYER FUNDS

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By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Yes, you read the headlines correctly.  NACA is launching a Protest to Prevent Ocwen from Sending American Jobs to India. And these aren't just any jobs.  These are jobs that literally have the power of life and death over American families because they will be making decisions about mortgages and foreclosures on American homes, with little to no understanding or experience with the exigiencies or stresses American families face in the current economy; let alone the fact that they were pushed into untenable mortgages by predatory lending practices in the first place.
Additionally, they're seeking to use taxpayer dollars in making the move out of the country.  No doubt they haven't been paying attention to President Obama's resolve to return all domestic jobs to the United States; and to prevent any tax deduction or governmental support to businesses who take jobs out of the country.  Obviously Ocwen has no interest in the fact that many of these jobs can be done efficiently, effectively by Americans right here in the United States; or perhaps they thought we weren't paying attention, now that the elections have ended. 

Just when you thought the banks had finally gotten the message, and were coming onboard and dealing more humanely with their clients -  WE, THE PEOPLE -  Ocwen tries to pull a fast one and send key positions overseas to India.  Ever vigilant, NACA founder Bruce Marks has sounded the alarm and is planning a protest demonstration which will take place Monday, November 19, 2012. 

If you thought NACA was only about negotiating mortgages and foreclosure prevention, you're in for a major surprise.  NACA not only is the best mortgage company in the US, and holds the record for the highest number of homes saved from foreclosure; NACA has no compunction about taking stands and actively going hands on, when it comes to those banks and executives who demonstrate their insensitivity to the plight of Americans who have suffered considerably from the economic downturn, massive foreclosures, and underwater mortgages on homes that were overvalued (read - overpriced). 

Come out and stand up with NACA in protesting against this travesty.  STOP OCWEN FROM SENDING JOBS OVERSEAS.  Monday, November 19, 10:30 AM.  Free NACA Anti-Loan Shark tee shirts will be provided.   Working together we can stop predators from draining our economy and from taking much-needed jobs away from the people who need it most: WE, THE PEOPLE.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

 
Contact:  Darren Duarte                Bruce Marks, NACA - CEO
Tel. 617-947-2632                        Tel. 617-835-4477
Email: dduarte@naca.com             Email: bmarks@naca.com

 NACA PROTESTS OCWEN’S OUTSOURCING UNDERWRITING JOBS TO INDIA FOR AT-RISK AMERICAN HOMEOWNERS USING TAXPAYER FUNDS

WHAT: NACA and Homeowners attend court hearing on Ocwen’s acquisition of Ally, Inc.
WHY: OCWEN the 5th largest servicer uses taxpayer dollars to fund underwriting and servicing jobs in India that should be done by Americans. 
WHEN: Monday November 19, 2012 @ 10 A.M.
WHERE: Bankruptcy Court, One Bowling Green, New York City, N.Y.

(Boston, MA November 15, 2012) NACA and many homeowners will pack a New York City courtroom to testify and bring attention to the use of taxpayer monies in funding jobs overseas.  Ocwen is one of the largest servicers in America that is funded by American taxpayers to make foreclosure decisions on American homeowners at risk of foreclosure.  The servicing and underwriting decisions are not made by Americans familiar with the plight of American homeowners at-risk of losing their homes but by people located in India.  

Ocwen is now positioned to become the 5th largest servicer of home loans in the United States by purchasing mortgages and servicing for others.  While having its executive headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida it is incorporated in the Virgin Islands and uses India as its primary operations.  Ocwen Financial Corporation won its bid to buy Ally Financial, Inc., which includes mortgage giant GMAC, owned by taxpayers after Ally received a series of taxpayer bailouts.  

Ocwen’s business model is to use taxpayer funds to hire low paid workers in India to determine whether to modify or foreclose on American homeowners.  American homeowners say they’re frustrated when they call Ocwen for assistance. 

Bruce Marks, Founder & CEO of NACA, the nations’ largest non-profit and community advocacy organization blasted Ocwen’s business model.  “On the heels of a national election where the outsourcing of jobs by American companies was criticized by both parties for keeping the unemployment rate high, here we have a corporation who wants to buy taxpayer owned mortgages and use taxpayer funds to create jobs overseas” said Marks.   “This is about greed,” said Marks, “It is an outrage that taxpayer funds for the government’s modification program known as HAMP, are allowed to be used to hire low wage workers in India when there are so many out of work Americans who are better qualified to do this work.  No overseas worker can understand and decision a loan for an American who is about to lose their home and much more.” 

NACA is requesting that the federal government stop payments to any company which services or underwrites mortgages for American homeowners overseas and receives taxpayer funds.  In addition, Wilbur Ross, the multi-billion dollar investor, who will become a major stockholder in Ocwen; and Warren Buffet, who owns some of the underlying assets, both need to take action to stop this abuse. 

About NACA (NACA.com)
NACA is the largest HUD certified counseling agency. It provides about 30% of the counseling in the country. It has more than 2 million members.  NACA provides free housing assistance to those at risk of foreclosure by restructuring mortgages to an affordable payment and by originating low interest home loans to mainly first time home buyers. NACA has been highlighted in the national news and its CEO Bruce Marks was named Bostonian of the Year for 2007 because of his work in getting the major lenders and servicers to modify home loans for borrowers who come through NACA.  See Bostonian of the Year.  He has also testified in congress on numerous occasions including on September 12, 2000, being one of the only people to sound the alarm of the pending mortgage crisis.  For more information go to www.naca.com

Petition to NYCHA - CON-ED - Bloomberg - Restore Power Now; Cuomo Offers Jobs to Rebuild New York

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson It should come as no surprise that the Bloomberg administration has taken great care of his Manhattan upper east side cronies, while those in the NYCHA houses continue to go begging. Interesting isn't it how you can see and hear about the continued plight of those in Long Island, while those in our own five boroughs are going largely ignored. https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# While there are threats against LIPA by Governor Cuomo - and indeed, the LIPA President has stepped down - what of the negligence of our brothers and sisters on the part of dear old Con Edison? Where are the threats of contract cancellation by Governor Cuomo against them? And, while we're at it: How does the Transit Authority get to fix its mouth to say they won't extend Metro Cards for those who had paid for theirs, but were without service for a week, and at the same time, have the temerity and the gall to ask for a fare increase???? By the way, who's running the rails these days? Another import from anywhere but here, who never took a train, but is getting a great big salary to continually provide poor service at our expense? My friends and associates, Brother Zach Husser, and my Sister/Soror/Friend, Bea DuPont, recently forwarded this petition to me; and I'm passing it on to you. It's really time we took this to a whole 'nuther level! https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# We now have re-elected our President; Job 1 = COMPLETE. And we did it despite a whole hurricane that threatened to wipe us out, and very nearly did. We even got Bloomie to cancel the New York Marathon, so that the monies and enerigies could be repurposed for those who needed it the most. But we are now going into the third week since the devastation, and it appears that we now have to put the ersatz mayor on notice that New York likewise belongs to the people - all the people - not just the East Side, or the Park Ave/Haves -- but all of us, and we demand our due service restored - immediately, if not sooner! Of course, if in the time this is published, so much the better. However, the fact remains, the least of those (financially speaking, not spiritually) are being neglected. Time to sound off and sign the petition. https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# If this election showed us anything, it showed us how powerful we really are. It showed us that we really do know how to stick together, unify, and get things done. It showed us that we are a power and a force to be reckoned with; that united there is nothing we can't do, and that includes getting the power restored to NYCHA Houses; getting paid for the jobs that are now proliferating to rebuild New York - for indeed they should start right here with us, not some outside entities looking to get paid off our plight. ** (see job info from Sen. Eric Adams, below) We not only can rebuild and repair our homes, we can make them even better than before, because this time we can have an actual say in what gets done, and who does it. Don't let this petition just become a gripe session, where we bash the authorities and point fingers of blame. Yes we were hammered, and the damage is done, and there are those who have responsibilities in the turn around - and right in the middle of that is WE, THE PEOPLE - Black or otherwise. So, complete the petition, pass it on, and also apply for those positions. Let's not get left out of our own self salvation! https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson The letter from Zach and Bea follows: From: Zach Husser, Sr. Date: Tue, Nov 13, 2012 at 4:27 AM Subject: Re: Restore Power to all NYCHA residents -- sign and call We need to go to all of the New York City Housing Developments in Far Rockaway, Coney Island, and Staten Island and help out. We are the ones who will do what is needed. Bring some food, clothing, water, etc. along with YOU. Black People are NEEDED to help Our Sisters and Brothers! This is what WE need to do right now! In the Interest of Doing The Work, Brother Zachary C. Husser, Community Organizer Subject: Restore Power to all NYCHA residents -- sign and call https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# CALL MAYOR BLOOMBERG: THE CITY’S RESPONSE TO OUR NYCHA NEIGHBORS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! Twelve days and counting after Sandy hit on October 29, children, parents, families, the elderly and disabled remain without lights, heat, hot water or power in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). This is true for houses in Gowanus, Red Hook, the Rockaways, Coney Island and elsewhere. John Rhea, the chairman of NYCHA, told The Huffington Post that he and the organization have been doing the best they could. Unfortunately, he said, these buildings happened to be located in the areas hardest hit by the hurricane. Yet, power in those hard hit areas has been restored – just not in NYCHA housing. Mayor Bloomberg has not addressed or remedied the failure of his city’s response. Nor has the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which funds NYCHA in part, sent federal contractors or generators to help coordinate this unacceptable human emergency. Instead, thousands of individual volunteers, and community-organizing and health organizations like Occupy Sandy, Children’s Health Fund, Masbia Soup Kitchen, Red Hook Initiative, Make the Road NY, CAAAV, Doctor’s Without Borders (launching it’s first effort ever within the United States), and numerous religious institutions have tried to fill in where Mayor Bloomberg and NYCHA have failed NYC residents in desperate need. CALL MAYOR BLOOMBERG TODAY: 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675). Tell him the response has been unacceptable. CALL HUD’s NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS TODAY: (202) 708-1112. Tell Secretary Shaun Donovan that their response has been unacceptable. See/Read: Lucas Kavner, For Public Housing Residents After Sandy, ‘A Slow-Motion Katrina’, The Huffington Post, Nov. 9, 2012 Alan Feuer, Where Fema Fell Short, Occupy Sandy Was There, N.Y. Times, Nov. 9, 2012 Greg Smith, A Living Hell in NYCHA Houses: Agency Ignores Blackout Victims Trapped Since Hurricane Sandy, N.Y. Daily News, Nov. 7, 2012 Greg Smith, Housing Authority Scrambling to Restore Power to 11 Developments in Queens and Brooklyn by This Weekend, but Mayor Bloomberg says, “I’m not sure we can make it,” N.Y. Daily News, Nov. 9, 2012 https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# Beatrice DuPont www.ardysslife.com/magicminute Protect Your Health & Thrive Additionally, State Senator, soon to be Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams sent out this alert: From the Desk of NYS Senator Eric Adams: Governor Cuomo Announces Over $27 Million Federal Grant to Hire Workers to Clean Up Communities Impacted by Hurricane Sandy Grant Targets New Yorkers Who Lost Employment Due to Hurricane Sandy or are Unemployed and Not Receiving Unemployment Benefits Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State has received $27,792,296 in federal Disaster National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds. The grant will be used to hire workers who lost their jobs as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy in Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties to help clean up impacted communities. "This federal grant will provide funds to hire much-needed extra workers to help clean up and recover communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy and put unemployed New Yorkers back to work," Governor Cuomo said. "I thank Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis for her quick response to deliver assistance to our state." To be eligible, workers must be unemployed as a result of Hurricane Sandy or unemployed and not receiving unemployment benefits or other types of income support. Workers interested in this program should call 1-888-4-NYSDOL (1-888-469-7365). The New York State Department of Labor will work with local officials to recruit and hire workers. Information will also be available at local Disaster Recovery Centers and One-Stop Career Centers. A list of One-Stop Career Centers can be found on the State Department of Labor's website. Counties eligible for cleanup assistance under this grant are those covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. They include Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties. https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# Those of you who can, please donate food, clothing, and yes, shelter, to the brothers and sisters who have been displaced and devastated by this freak of nature. And everyone should be praying daily for the complete and total recovery of neighborhoods, throughout New York, New Jersey and other areas hit. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson

PRESIDENT OBAMA WINS AGAIN-AND SO DID WE - BIG TIME

PRESIDENT OBAMA WINS AGAIN-AND SO DID WE - BIG TIME By Gloria Dulan-Wilson I love being an "I told you so!" Especially when I am right on so many levels. But I have to say that I'm probably not the only one. There are obviously countless numbers of brothers and sisters out there who, like me, knew that President Barack Obama would be re-elected. There are millions of you out there who, in your minds, didn't have to read the literature, the countless thousands of solicitations, the warnings about the possible closeness of the race and the possibility of President Barack Obama not winning. We knew we were going through an exercise, an American ritual, a necessary formality, to return President Obama for four more years as President of We, The People of these United States of America. So we went through the motions; and we kind of had fun doing it, too, because we loved talking about all the things President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden have accomplished over the last three and a half years, despite the fact that the previous president had left things in a shambles, and had broken every promise to us, while keeping his promises to his uber rich cronies. We loved watching therep-ugh-blican opposition go through so many changes trying to come up with a challenger worthy of our Champion, Barack Obama, the President of the United States (I know it's redundant, but I like saying "Barack Obama, the President of the United States," partly because I know it pisses Donald Trump off). It was like watching some sort of sit-com (- or situation comedy) - where the cast of characters are funnier and funnier, sillier and sillier, and more and more preposterous. They could have called it "The Challenging Obama Comedy Show," or simply, "NEXT?!" Because they were like more and more pathetic, and sad; and went thru the revolving door, right up to the point in the game where they stepped on the "foot in the mouth" square. And then the buzzer sounded, and the red lights went off, and a hole opened up in the floor, and down they went. "Next?" for next bogus contender who thinks they can take the President, Barack Obama, on. We knew, when they finally selected Romney, that it was an act of desperation. It was an effort in futility. But they had to have somebody who would go up against President Obama. There was no way they were going to let him be re-elected unopposed. Although, when you think about it, he really did run unopposed. It was clear from the beginning that the Mitt-twit was no match. When you think of all the money Rove, Koch, Murdock, and the rest of these greedy, self serving miscreants spent to try to give Romney a personality; some character, some humanity, they could have just as easily given it to President Obama and said "Look, we got all this money we don't know what to do with; why don't you just take it and apply it to the budget as an apology from us for all the crap President Bush left you to clean up. Use it to save homes or lives or something." It would have been better spent. Of course they would never do that.That's too much like right, But I would have been better than the way they wasted it backing the Mitt-Twit and Lyin' Ryan. But the charade had to be played out, and the Rep-ugh-blicans had to perpetrate hoax after hoax, lie after lie, and dirty trick after trick in order to come even close enough in the polls to make a showing. Election night, I deliberately waited until 7:00 pm, because I wanted to see how the turn out was - and yes, in New York, we still had lines- four deep waiting to vote I hit a couple of "watch parties" in Brooklyn. When I got on the buses in Bed Stuy and Flatbush, I saw so many brothers and sisters with that look of "I voted for Obama" in their eyes. They had their "game" faces on. One of my Caribbean Sisters said, "Oh they say Obama's losing votes." And I said, "No, my Sister. You can;t believe them. Just visualize that for every vote we cast here in New York is multiplied by 1000 in the US." So she said, "I've been praying for him." And several other brothers and sisters on the bus nodded in agreement, that they too had been praying. So I responded, "And because we've all been praying from the day he walked into the White House, he's going to win again, big time." At a quarter to nine in the evening, there were still long lines of people in Brooklyn, braving the cold, waiting to vote. Most didn't go to a watch party after the polls closed, most went home and prayed, held their breath, and hoped their Champion would emerge victorious, in what had to be one of the most acrimonious battles in history for the highest seat in all the land. I finally found a small party where you could actuall see a big 100" screen, and hear the commentaries from the press. The unfortunate thing about watch parties (or fortunate, depending on your preference) in the main, is that there is very little watching, and too much partying. And for me to say this, when "party" is my middle name, means that I take these things very seriously. As I was watching with fellow New Yorkers, it was interesting how many times the rep-ugh-blican oriented meanstream press kept having Freudian slips and saying "Romney" as president, instead of Obama. It was these same reporters who, night after night, gave us distorted, propagandistic information, trying to make it look as if Romney actually had a snowball's chance in hell of winning. Their veiled attempts at objectivity was a joke. It was so transparent that they had, on a personal level, probably supported Romney, because he had money; because the Koch brothers were spreading green around like horse manure; and because they had already been co-opted. But, no matter - every time they asked a banal question like, "How is President Obama going to rule in a country that is so obviously divided?" We all looked at each other and said - "Are they serious? He's the president. There's a constitution. Once he wins, the campaign is over, we all go back to being One Nation Under God." There had better not be any recalcitrants once our man wins. How dare they ask such insipid questions. I have to give kudos to Pennsylvania. They were the first Battleground state to go overwhelmingly for President Obama. You go, Philly! Yeadon, Upper Darby, West Chester, Swarthmore, and the rest of the state. You guys rock! You had those Obama signs in your front yards and in your windows in practically every neighborhood and store there was. It made me wonder why Pennsylvania was considered a "battle ground" state to begin with? Because, even though they have a rep-ugh-blican governor (which I'm sure they will be correcting soon), those people were solidly behind Obama. Kudos, also to Mayor Michael Nutter, who, at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, had already declared that Philly was a "lock"! And he was right. When the commentator began talking about the "must win" battleground states, I was pleased that Wisconsin went for the President, as did Ohio - you go Ohio - which put him safely over the top for more than the requisite 270 electoral votes need to seal the deal. That's when the watch party exploded into overdrive! That's when the streets of Brooklyn exploded. On the bus heading to the next party, at VuDu, I made everybody smile. "Congratulations! WE WON!" I shouted. "Nobody is allowed to frown or look upset for the rest of the evening. Everybody has to at least smile!" At that point the entire bus, included the bus operator started congratulating and hi-fiving each other. We talked about how we all prayed. How we wanted to make sure Romney didn't get in. There were three little girls on the bus, aged three, five and eight, traveling with their mother. When I aksed who was the President of the United States, they looked at me like "she's kidding, right?" They looked at their mother for permission to respond, and then said, in unison, "Barack Obama!" after which they started giggling. "That's right! Barack Obama is the president of the United States for four more years." Kudos to Chet Whye and Harlem 4 Obama, who worked tirelessly both in Harlem and in Philly. He, and his merry band of volunteers, held fundraisers, sponsored buses to Philly, made buttons, posters - you name it. And were still manning phone banks right up to the 9 o'clock hour, drumming up votes for Obama. But I really want to congratulate the all voters who were never really part of the game, who had already made up their minds from Day-One, and were just biding their time until election day, to do what they were always going to do - despite the debates; despite the NY Post and other racist rags; despite TV commercials for Romney - they are the real "I told you so's" because theY went out there, quietly waited on the long lines, voted for the President; went Home, made dinner, kissed their kids, their spouses, or their parents, and got ready to go to work the next day. Those were the 47% Romney chose to write off - and well he should - because they had most certainly already written him off, as well. So the charade parade is over. We remain the victors. The Rep-ugh-blicans now have to go back to the drawing board and see if they actually have any real human beings in their party, or are they all automatons, sycophants, and greedy " & so's"? We've got so much to look forward to. Regardless of what the meanstream media says, Obama has a mandate from the people to continue doing the good he was doing. Now, though, WE, THE PEOPLE realize that we have to be as much involved as he is in making it happen. We, the people, who are also parents, teachers, employees, employers, male, female, Black, white, Latino, Asian, etc. - all citizens - have to help President Obama make this America again. We must not return to our mundane little lives. We are now partners with the President. We are just as responsible for making sure his policies are followed as anybody else. We have to stay engaged, stay involved. Continue to go to the organizing meetings; continue to read the positive press, not the poison, meanstream press (remember we are BOYCOTTING THE NY POST!) We have to make sure that when a program is presented, we stay on our elected officials to make sure it is implemented. WE are the partisan people, and all the good that Obama has done in the last 4 year has been for us. Let's not think we can go home, close our doors, and not come out again until the next 4 years. Winning brings responsibility. What did we win? Our rights to have a world where we matter as much as the next guy, where our quality of life is put on the same level as the Wall Streeters, and the others who thought that we just statistics. We have won the right to put America - us - first. We have won the right to better schools, Obamacare, Big Bird; transparency in the policies. We have so much to do to make sure we don't squander our winnings. It's like hitting the lotto. You can spend it all in one shot, or you can take your winnings and invest it in some dreams, take care of some things you couldn't have done before; help some family members, friends, the people in your neighborhood. We won! I totally felt like I had hit the jackpot. I was grinning from ear to ear. I told you so! I knew Obama was going to reclaim his seat. After the fifth - or was it the sixth? - champagne toast, I called it an evening, and returned to my humble abode to wait for President Obama's acceptance speech. And as I did, I was reminded of something I had several occasions to write in my blog, that Mitt-twits need to learn - put it on a bumper sticker, a poster, or something: DOLLARS DON'T VOTE; PEOPLE DO! And WE, the People, voted, and we have spoken. But, it's also a cautionary tale for us, as well. We won the Presidency, yes. We even have a couple of new senators, including a Kennedy. {By the way Congratulations to Hakeem Jeffries, on being elected to Congress, and to Yvette Clarke, Charlie Rangel, Gregory Meeks, for returning to Congress} - but the cautionary tale going forward, is this: WE STILL DON'T HAVE A MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, BECAUSE WE DID NOT COVER OUR BASE DURING THE 2010 MID-TERM; WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IN 2014 WE CORRECT THAT. WE CAN NEVER, EVER, EVER RETURN TO THE BAD OLD DAYS OF VOTER APATHY. OUR VOTES COUNT - BIG TIME. WE still got a lot of work to do. But now we know we can do it, be cause we elected Barack Obama President of the United States: TWICE!! We did that - Black and white - as a united, unified body of Americans. We, the People re-elected Barack Obama. So that means that we all really do know how to play nice together, achieve common goals, and above all, not be swayed by the trickery, lies and deceit that have been the hallmark of the rep-ugh-blican party for the last 45 years. We now know that WE THE PEOPLE. united, can do anything! Congratulations to all my fellow Americans. Oh yes, see you at the inauguration!!! Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY AMERICAN Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Twas the Night Before Election 2012

Hello All: Thought I'd inject just a little light humor over a very serious subject. So please indulge me, and enjoy - if you like it, pass it on. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE ELECTION 2012 (based loosely on the rhythm & rhyme of Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore) PoeticLicenseTM BY GLORIA DULAN-WILSON (c) NOVEMBER 5, 2012 Twas the night bfore the Election And in every house The people were shouting Keep Obama in the White House!! * He helped us when the economy tanked and we were in despair The Bushes were laughing and didn't give a care * Wall Street was pampered while Main Street was dead Visions of homes, jobs and auto workers were all ripped to shreds * People bought homes that were part of a trap And now were losing them in a mortgage security gap * The first Presidential debate was full of Romney chatter The President seemed quiet, but that didn't matter * The mendacity of Mitt-Twit was salacious and brash Cause he was not for WE THE PEOPLE, just partisan cash * The anger of the people was beginning to grow Cause his on-camera "caring" was all just for show * And what to our wondering eyes did appear But the puppet master strings so blatant and clear * And a conniver named Rove so sneaky and slick That he, the Kochs and Bushes had tried every underhanded trick * They tried to stop votes with bogus I.D. scams to reduce the amout, They own vote counting machines so they can miscount * They lied in Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania The media, newspapers, television all carried Romneymania * And he said he'd cut out the 47% and make sure they didn't get one red cent Romneysia is a recurring condition; he lies about lying, with no truth admission * He'd cancel FEMA, PBS, Big Bird, Medicaid & Obamacare Let the the Elders eat vouchers; what does he care? * He'll send all the jobs to cheap Chinese & Latin Americans for hire You think unemployment's high now, he'll make it even higher! * He's torn down more companies than he's ever built He's run businesses into the ground without any guilt * He's running on a record he never attained The UAW is suing him for outrageous profits he obtained * More rapid than eagles Obama's forces they came He counterd aend shouted and made Romney/Ryan look lame * Now Michelle! Now Hillary! Now Eric! Now Clinton!! On Nutter! On Jesse! On Kerry! on Colin and too many to mention * To the top of world respect! to the top of the wall! Now dash away, rep-ughblican delays, job blockages and all! * As dry leaves before hurricane Sandy did fly He and Chris Christie and took to the Jersey sky * So over the submerged houses with FEMA they flew And he made sure Jersey & New York had aid that day before he was through * And there in a twinkling we all saw the proof Romney/Ryan was fallacy - Obama/Biden is truth!!! * As the independents vacillated and waited around Obama's leadership in education, health & foreign affairs still abound * He's clothed in vision & purpose from his head to his foot He's brought the soldiers home and our jobs back to boot! * A bundle of aid for Americans he did not hold back Like the leader he is, he protects us from lack & attack * His eyes, how they twinkle, his smile reassuring His vision is keen, is strength so alluring * He has a strong friendly smile at least a mile wide He looks you in the eye - he has nothing to hide * He has a mellow way of talking He makes you feel calm He takes responsiblity; protects the country from harm * He looks out for women, disenfranchised, the middle class and the poor He's done more in two years than most have done in four * He's taken lemons and given us lemonade He takes responsibility and isn't afraid * When he speaks his words, you know it will work To not vote for Obama, you'd have to be a jerk * He's for All Americans, not just for those The rich, right wing rep-ugh-blicans chose * So as we get up to slay the ones who don't give a whistle Just remember to vote Nov.6, because this will * Be the most important thing you do When you cast your vote for the country & WE, THE PEOPLE - that's YOU!! * So let me exclaim before you turn out the light Re-Elect Barack Obama by Tomorrow Night * STAY BLESSED & ECLECTICALLY AMERICAN Gloria Dulan-Wilson (c) November 5, 2012

Hello All: Thought I'd inject just a little light humor over a very serious subject. So please indulge me, and enjoy - if you like it, pass it on. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE ELECTION 2012 (based loosely on the rhythm & rhyme of Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore) PoeticLicenseTM BY GLORIA DULAN-WILSON (c) NOVEMBER 5, 2012 Twas the night bfore the Election And in every house The people were shouting Keep Obama in the White House!! * He helped us when the economy tanked and we were in despair The Bushes were laughing and didn't give a care * Wall Street was pampered while Main Street was dead Visions of homes, jobs and auto workers were all ripped to shreds * People bought homes that were part of a trap And now were losing them in a mortgage security gap * The first Presidential debate was full of Romney chatter The President seemed quiet, but that didn't matter * The mendacity of Mitt-Twit was salacious and brash Cause he was not for WE THE PEOPLE, just partisan cash * The anger of the people was beginning to grow Cause his on-camera "caring" was all just for show * And what to our wondering eyes did appear But the puppet master strings so blatant and clear * And a conniver named Rove so sneaky and slick That he, the Kochs and Bushes had tried every underhanded trick * They tried to stop votes with bogus I.D. scams to reduce the amout, They own vote counting machines so they can miscount * They lied in Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania The media, newspapers, television all carried Romneymania * And he said he'd cut out the 47% and make sure they didn't get one red cent Romneysia is a recurring condition; he lies about lying, with no truth admission * He'd cancel FEMA, PBS, Big Bird, Medicaid & Obamacare Let the the Elders eat vouchers; what does he care? * He'll send all the jobs to cheap Chinese & Latin Americans for hire You think unemployment's high now, he'll make it even higher! * He's torn down more companies than he's ever built He's run businesses into the ground without any guilt * He's running on a record he never attained The UAW is suing him for outrageous profits he obtained * More rapid than eagles Obama's forces they came He counterd aend shouted and made Romney/Ryan look lame * Now Michelle! Now Hillary! Now Eric! Now Clinton!! On Nutter! On Jesse! On Kerry! on Colin and too many to mention * To the top of world respect! to the top of the wall! Now dash away, rep-ughblican delays, job blockages and all! * As dry leaves before hurricane Sandy did fly He and Chris Christie and took to the Jersey sky * So over the submerged houses with FEMA they flew And he made sure Jersey & New York had aid that day before he was through * And there in a twinkling we all saw the proof Romney/Ryan was fallacy - Obama/Biden is truth!!! * As the independents vacillated and waited around Obama's leadership in education, health & foreign affairs still abound * He's clothed in vision & purpose from his head to his foot He's brought the soldiers home and our jobs back to boot! * A bundle of aid for Americans he did not hold back Like the leader he is, he protects us from lack & attack * His eyes, how they twinkle, his smile reassuring His vision is keen, is strength so alluring * He has a strong friendly smile at least a mile wide He looks you in the eye - he has nothing to hide * He has a mellow way of talking He makes you feel calm He takes responsiblity; protects the country from harm * He looks out for women, disenfranchised, the middle class and the poor He's done more in two years than most have done in four * He's taken lemons and given us lemonade He takes responsibility and isn't afraid * When he speaks his words, you know it will work To not vote for Obama, you'd have to be a jerk * He's for All Americans, not just for those The rich, right wing rep-ugh-blicans chose * So as we get up to slay the ones who don't give a whistle Just remember to vote Nov.6, because this will * Be the most important thing you do When you cast your vote for the country & WE, THE PEOPLE - that's YOU!! * So let me exclaim before you turn out the light Re-Elect Barack Obama by Tomorrow Night * STAY BLESSED & ECLECTICALLY AMERICAN Gloria Dulan-Wilson (c) November 5, 2012

Twas The Night Before Election 2012

Hello All: Thought I'd inject just a little light humor over a very serious subject. So please indulge me, and enjoy - if you like it, pass it on. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE ELECTION 2012 (based loosely on the rhythm & rhyme of Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore) PoeticLicenseTM BY GLORIA DULAN-WILSON (c) NOVEMBER 5, 2012 Twas the night bfore the Election And in every house The people were shouting Keep Obama in the White House!! * He helped us when the economy tanked and we were in despair The Bushes were laughing and didn't give a care * Wall Street was pampered while Main Street was dead Visions of homes, jobs and auto workers were all ripped to shreds * People bought homes that were part of a trap And now were losing them in a mortgage security gap * The first Presidential debate was full of Romney chatter The President seemed quiet, but that didn't matter * The mendacity of Mitt-Twit was salacious and brash Cause he was not for WE THE PEOPLE, just partisan cash * The anger of the people was beginning to grow Cause his on-camera "caring" was all just for show * And what to our wondering eyes did appear But the puppet master strings so blatant and clear * And a conniver named Rove so sneaky and slick That he, the Kochs and Bushes had tried every underhanded trick * They tried to stop votes with bogus I.D. scams to reduce the amout, They own vote counting machines so they can miscount * They lied in Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania The media, newspapers, television all carried Romneymania * And he said he'd cut out the 47% and make sure they didn't get one red cent Romneysia is a recurring condition; he lies about lying, with no truth admission * He'd cancel FEMA, PBS, Big Bird, Medicaid & Obamacare Let the the Elders eat vouchers; what does he care? * He'll send all the jobs to cheap Chinese & Latin Americans for hire You think unemployment's high now, he'll make it even higher! * He's torn down more companies than he's ever built He's run businesses into the ground without any guilt * He's running on a record he never attained The UAW is suing him for outrageous profits he obtained * More rapid than eagles Obama's forces they came He counterd aend shouted and made Romney/Ryan look lame * Now Michelle! Now Hillary! Now Eric! Now Clinton!! On Nutter! On Jesse! On Kerry! on Colin and too many to mention * To the top of world respect! to the top of the wall! Now dash away, rep-ughblican delays, job blockages and all! * As dry leaves before hurricane Sandy did fly He and Chris Christie and took to the Jersey sky * So over the submerged houses with FEMA they flew And he made sure Jersey & New York had aid that day before he was through * And there in a twinkling we all saw the proof Romney/Ryan was fallacy - Obama/Biden is truth!!! * As the independents vacillated and waited around Obama's leadership in education, health & foreign affairs still abound * He's clothed in vision & purpose from his head to his foot He's brought the soldiers home and our jobs back to boot! * A bundle of aid for Americans he did not hold back Like the leader he is, he protects us from lack & attack * His eyes, how they twinkle, his smile reassuring His vision is keen, is strength so alluring * He has a strong friendly smile at least a mile wide He looks you in the eye - he has nothing to hide * He has a mellow way of talking He makes you feel calm He takes responsiblity; protects the country from harm * He looks out for women, disenfranchised, the middle class and the poor He's done more in two years than most have done in four * He's taken lemons and given us lemonade He takes responsibility and isn't afraid * When he speaks his words, you know it will work To not vote for Obama, you'd have to be a jerk * He's for All Americans, not just for those The rich, right wing rep-ugh-blicans chose * So as we get up to slay the ones who don't give a whistle Just remember to vote Nov.6, because this will * Be the most important thing you do When you cast your vote for the country & WE, THE PEOPLE - that's YOU!! * So let me exclaim before you turn out the light Re-Elect Barack Obama by Tomorrow Night * STAY BLESSED & ECLECTICALLY AMERICAN Gloria Dulan-Wilson (c) November 5, 2012

Open Letter to Governor Cuomo, Cristie and Mayor Bloomberg: Move the Victims of Hurricane Sandy into the Condo Buildings that are Still Standing Vacant

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson URGENT MEMO: From: "gloria dulan-wilson" View contact details To: "Governor Andrew M. Cuomo" Dear Governor Cuomo: I, first of all, want to express my appreciation for your office and you keeping us abreast of the devastation and rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Secondly, I totally appreciate your stance with the utilty companies in terms of a speedy recovery of the electricity and power to those families that have been wrecked by the hurricane. However, I think it safe to say, unless New York is going to use quality prefabricated homes,to replace the ones destroyed; or unless you are going to bring in Ty Pennington from Extreme Home Makeover to coordinate the rebuilding efforts, it will be months -years? - before New Yorkers are restored to their homes. So, I have a suggestion: Prior to his exiting the office as governor, David Patterson, with the help of soon-to-be Congressman, Hakeem Jeffries, had passed a law entitled Project Reclaim. It was directed at reclaiming the overbuilt, and very vacant, condominium buildings in the New York area, and making it possible for those who needed, decent affordable homes, to move in at a considerable discount. Many of these buildings - there were 66 in Brooklyn at the time, and several in the Bronx, Manhattan and other areas - had either not been sold, because they were overpriced, or the because the builder ran out of money. I think this is the most opportune time to get those families out of shelters and move them into those high rise condominiums. Not homeless shelters, or red cross centers, but some where where they can continue to live, breathe and recover from the horror and the trauma they've experienced as the result of a phenomenon they neither controlled, nor had any power over. I am emailing this to you, as well as State Housing Commissioner Darryl Towns, as well as Governor Chris Christie - who likewise has a significant number of properties in New Jersey that might have to serve as either transitional or permanent homes for the victims there as well. I am also posting it on my blog, because it may not reach you directly, depending on who handles your correspondence. Unlike the victims of Katrina, who were shipped from pillar to post because of the devastation of New Orleans, this will, I believe, be a viable alternative to long drawn out processes. Again, I appreciate your keeping me informed, and hope that this recommendation is not only accepted, but put into action, immediately, if not sooner. Stay Blessed, Gloria Dulan-Wilson --- On Tue, 10/30/12, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo wrote:

Take The Voting Machines to the Victims of Hurricane Sandy

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson Hurricane Sandy roared through here on a mission, and with a ferocity never before witnessed on the East Coast, leaving devastation and destruction in his path. New York and New Jersey sustained major damages - physically, mentally and spiritually and the aftermath is still being assessed. President Obama and Governor Chris Christie surveyed the utter destruction of the Jersey Shore. Mayor Bloomberg kept New Yorkers abreast of rescue efforts, transportation delays, and plans for reconstruction over the next days weeks and months. First responders, FEMA, and other organizations tried to make sure those hardest hit had food clothing and shelter. And everybody prayed. And as we continue to clean up after Sandy, grieve over those who have lost their lives, their homes, their loved ones. My condolences to all who were victims of this horrible force of nature. But the 800 pound gorilla in the room is how will the voting be handled come Tuesday, November 6th, 2012? With so many power outtages, so many people displaced, so many people in a state of shock and despair, how will we as a nation, get through this election? This question was posed to me by my best friend, Annie Gee in Philly, who is highly concerned about making sure the victims aren't further victimized by not being able to vote on election day. With the Rep-ugh-blicans already trying to disenfranchise so many of us, will this deter others from voting and give them an ersatz victory? Power outtages have rendered some of the original sites useless. Many of the buildings no longer exist - especially in the hardest hit areas of New Jersey, Staten Island, Far Rockaway , and affected states along the coastline, where Sandy tossed them around, pulling them off their foundations as though they were mere doll houses. John Conklin, New York Board of Elections spokesman, said changes in polling sites are possible.“We don’t know what the changes will be,” Conklin said. “The local boards in the storm areas are assessing their poll sites right now, so they’re looking at whether the poll site has power, whether it could have power by Election Day, whether it’s accessible to the general public — can voters get to it? Can the board get to it and get machines there? And is the building structurally sound?” In listening to the news reports, there seems to be no plan in place to make sure that these sites are replaced. The New York State Board of Elections also announced Thursday that it would extend application and submission deadlines for absentee ballots, and local boards in storm-impacted areas have spent much of the week surveying polling places and considering alternatives for Election Day. They've extended the deadline for voters to apply in person for abseentee ballots to Monday, November 5, and had voted to accept mailed or faxed applications for absentee ballots through Nov. 2, easing the original Oct. 30 deadline. (what?) Rockland County residents, however were unable to get to the post office for the last three days according to Louis Babcock, Republican elections commissioner for Rockland County.The board also extended the deadline to submit the ballots in person by six days, from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19. Ballots returned by mail still must be postmarked Nov. 5 but have until Nov. 19 to reach the local board. For those who can’t vote in person, they may designate another person to submit absentee ballots on their behalf to local boards before polls close Nov. 6. Polls will be open Election Day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. But whether the various boards of elections in the most highly affected states have made preparations and allowances for people already suffering from devastating losses is still unclear. And the real question is, considering the trauma they've experienced, will people even be interested in voting? They need some additional hand holding and encouragement during this period of despair. They've got enough to contend with without having to go running around trying to jump through these latest hoops in order to vote. I think the boards of elections in each state and municipality hit by Sandy can do a lot better. So here are some suggestions that may be helpful in making sure no one's vote goes uncounted: 1) Provide mobile trucks with the voting machines on them at the emergency shelters where people still can't get back to their homes. They can be positioned at the different rescue centers and shelters on election day to provide them with an opportunity to vote. 2) Deliver the absentee ballots for early voting prior to the election day to the various emergency shelter sites, rather than requiring them to travel to postal facilities. And have postal trucks positioned at the sites so they can be mailed out directly from them. 3)Volunteers can organize vans and other modes of mass transportation to and from polling places for victims of Hurricane Sandy. 4) Where there are power outtages, generators can be installed t run the electronic voting machines; and/or paper ballots can be substituted for electronic voting; 5) Volunteers and community based organizations can coordinate with local municipalities and to make sure the election process goes smoothly. Provide those people who have lost their homes with coffee, tea, and other comfort items while they're voting. 6) FEMA and the Red Cross can provide options for voting places and opportunities for victims. 7) Additionally, since there are many who do not have radio or TV contact with the outside world, door knocking, flyers, and other modes of communication and outreach should be developed and put into effect immediately so that they are informed of their options. 8) Since the New York Marathon has been cancelled the equipment and hospitality set up they would have been used for them can be deployed to the various shelters - not just for election day - but for food and comfort stations while people are transitioning back to their homes, or into new homes. 9) This not exhaustive. There's room for more creative ideas. We definitely can't leave things to chance, or to the just bureaucrats. These plans should be put into action immediately, if not sooner. Regardless of your race, ethnicity, gender, or political pursuasion, it's much too important to leave something as important as your vote to the bureaucrats. I'm posting this on my blog: www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com. Regardless of whether you are in any of the effected states or communities, or not, please pass this on, take action and make it happen. We are really all in this together, and can't allow geography or neighborhood divide us. Churches, community action groups, elected officials, need to be about it. Remember "Teamwork makes the dream work!" It will be far worse to have endured this horrible experience and then wake up on November 7th and find out that the aid and assistance you had been promised, and so desperately need, are now in the hands of heartless individuals who care more for the dollar bottom line than your welfare and recovery. Paraphrasing a time honored institution, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF): A VOTE IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE. My prayers and condolences to those who were victimized by this vicious hurricane. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Message to White People from Andrew M. Manis: When Are WE Going to Get Over It?

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Hello All:
Just received this piece from one of my Lincoln U Classmates, and thought it would be an interesting read and share piece.  It was originally written by Mr. Andrew M. Manis in 2008; but has been re-circulated by the author as a wake up call to his fellow Caucasians.
Read, share, respond
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Subject: Read what a white reporter wrote in a Georgia newspaper VERY INTERESTING, PLEASE READ TO END. "Without Love There Is No Life, Without Life There Is No Love"   This is a MUST read which resonates with at least 90% of the world.  Please, please pass this one on, even if you have to print it and mail it to your "computer challenged" friends and relatives.  Don't forget  your Caucasian friends and "relatives".  Read what a white reporter wrote in a Georgia newspaper. Andrew M. Manis is associate professor of history at Macon State..".John Dawkins

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

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

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

 Eventually, as you may recall, in all three cases, someone decided to do more than "talk the talk."
 Since our recent presidential election, to our eternal shame we are once again hearing the same reprehensible talk I remember from my  boyhood.

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

Conservative whites have been in power 28 of the last 40 years. Even during the eight Clinton years, conservatives in Congress blocked most of his agenda and pulled him to the right. Yet never in that period did I read any headlines suggesting that anyone was calling for the assassinations of presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or either of the Bushes.  Criticize them, yes.  Call for their impeachment, perhaps. But there were no bounties on their heads. And even when someone did try to kill Ronald Reagan, the perpetrator was non-political mental case who wanted merely to impress Jody Foster.

But elect a liberal who happens to be Black and we're back in the sixties again. At this point in our history, we should be proud that we've proven what conservatives are always saying -- that in America anything is possible, EVEN electing a Black man as president.   But instead we now hear that school children from Maine to California are talking about wanting to "assassinate   Obama."  

Fighting the urge to throw up, I can only ask, "How long?"  How long before we white people realize we can't make our nation, much less the whole world, look like us?    How long until we white people can - once and for all - get over this hell-conceived preoccupation with skin  color?   
                                                           How long until we white people get over the demonic conviction that white skin makes us superior?
How long before we white people get over our bitter resentments about being demoted to the status of equality with non-whites?;
  
How long before we get over our expectations that we should be at the head of the line merely because of our white skin?

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

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

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

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

 Until this past November 4 (2008), I didn't believe this country would ever  elect an African American to the presidency. I still don't believe I'll live long enough to see us white people get over our racism problem. 
 
But here's my three-point plan: 
First, everyday that Barack Obama lives in the White House that Black Slaves Built, I'm going to pray that God (and the Secret Service) will protect him and his family from us white people.

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

Third, I'm going to pray to live long enough to see America surprise the world once again, when white people can "in spirit and in truth" sing of our damnable color prejudice, 
  "We HAVE overcome!!"
Fighting the urge to throw up, I can only ask, "How long?"  How long before we white people realize we can't make our nation, much less the whole world, look like us?

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

 **************************       
"It takes a Village to protect our President!!!"  -- Andrew M. Manis
A word to the wise whites should be sufficient.
Stay Blessed
Gloria Dulan-Wilson 

LAMENTATIONS: Raynard Jackson Takes on the GOP - Uh, Sort of

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By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Recently registered Rep-ugh-blican, Raynard Jackson posted a critical article stating that the Republican Party had abandoned him. And he took umbrage to some of their tactics. But, as you will read, he copped out in the end, and his conclusion left a lot to be desired.  So I wrote the following response to his statement.   You can read his complaint, and see if you agree with my response.  His article follows my response:

Raynard Jackson Takes on the GOP - uh, Sort Of -

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Wow, Raynard!  There was a glimmer of hope for your redemption there for a moment - you really took a principled stance in calling the rep-ugh-blicans, Romney, Ryan, Rove, Bush, Koch Brothers, etc, for the degenerate racists that they are.  You gave so many salient points that I was totally cheering you on.  But when you came to the end and you wimped out! What kind of decision is that?  You call that a stand?

The part that amazed me was the fact that you expected the rep-ugh-blians to respect you, and the other non-white members of the party, and to really show some concern and compassion for you.  Puh-leez!

 But what really got me was  your insipid closing  that said you would not vote for President Obama because of some alleged insult he made at last year's Congressional Black Caucus dinner -  which, by the way was a dinner I attended, as well, and he used  tongue-in-cheek humor; he was not insulting, as you insinuated.

It seems to me, Raynard,  that you are taking the coward's way out.  Speaking of taking stands: where's yours? For all that bravado to end the way you did, makes you little more than a paper tiger. 

And are you trying to compare some sort of perceived "insult" from President Obama to the overt and blatant efforts by rep-ugh-blicans to disenfranchize millions of Black voters, to deprive them of health benefits, deny them educational equity?  Really?????

Are you trying to tell me that some perceived negative remarks by President Obama, are more serious than Sununu's egregious, overtly hostile statements about President Obama and Secretary Powell?? Or Todd Akin's?  Huh!??

'Cause that doesn't work for me.  With all the facts you  yourself brought forth, how can you then completely shoot yourself in the foot with your reversals?

Raynard, didn't you say, and I quote: "But, twice this year some of these same people have approached me about funding for some election year tricks that they (White Republicans) have conjured up and simply need a Black face to execute the plan. On these two separate occasions, these funders were willing to spend upwards of $20 million to have me organize a national campaign to identify Blacks who would be critical of President Obama.

I was deeply offended by these approaches, but it’s not the first time in my life that I have had similar conversations within the party. So, the party and its funders will spend millions on negative initiatives within the Black community, but are not willing to spend a fraction of that amount on something substantive and positive. Interesting, to say the least."

You make that statement, then you  close by saying that you can't vote for President Obama for some innocuous comment on his part, as compared to the preponderance of positive, empowering statements he as consistently made over the last 3.75 years as President.  Negro, is U crazy!!!! (sorry, had to go street there for a second)  Are you schizophrenic?  Or, are you afraid you'll lose a cushy job, or funding, or clients?  What's up with that? 

There's an old saying that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's a duck!!  So for you to duck the responsibility of taking a stand, is, what - uh, irresponsible?

There is no such thing as neutral in this election.  There is no sitting on the fence, when the entire future of our country depends on who we elect to lead us forward.  There is no room for tepid, wishy-washy decisions.

Either shit or get off the pot, Raynard.  Time to get some BLACKBONE.  While I prefer that you come to your senses, and your Blackness and vote for President Obama, to not vote for either candidate is absolutely unconscionable!!!

You stated you attended Oral Roberts College, then you are familiar with the Biblical Statement: "I would that you were hot or cold - but that you are neither hot nor cold - but that you are tepid, I spew you out."  That means even God does not like indecisiveness.

So, in order to not incur the wrath of God, Raynard, let me make a suggestion: VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, it's the real "right" thing to do.

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLESSED

Gloria Dulan-Wilson 

My Republican Party has abandoned me              

Written by Raynard Jackson  

Wednesday, 31 October 2012 08:48

(NNPA)—During the past year, as my columns have been syndicated to more outlets throughout the world, I have been asked by many leaders in the Republican Party why I am so critical of our party. The short answer is that I am very concerned about the direction my party is taking. It has increasingly become the party of old, White, balding males.

To those I have had these conversations with, my response was quite pointed, “Stop questioning my motives and address the issues that I write about.”

Last week, John Sununu made another racially incendiary comment towards a prominent Black. First, he called President Obama “lazy” and now accuses Colin Powell of supporting Obama only because Obama is Black. Sununu is national co-chair for Romney’s presidential campaign. What has been Romney‘s response to Sununu’s rhetoric? Absolutely nothing. Whether Obama and Powell are Black is not the issue; Sununu’s use of race-baiting language is unacceptable.

 Romney’s refusal to distance himself from the likes of Sununu, Richard Mourdock, Todd Akin, or Sarah Palin is repulsive to me. We are supposed to be a party of principles. Does Romney want to be president so bad that he is willing to forfeit these principles in order to win an election?

 Do Romney and the Republican Party not understand or care that Sununu has thoroughly offended Blacks specifically with his comments about Obama and Powell; but also Americans of good will in general. Why is my party loyalty always called into question when I criticize a Republican who crosses the line into racially charged language?

 Fortunately, there are a few White Republicans willing to stand up to Sununu. Retired Army Col. Lawrence Wilkerson told Ed Schultz on MSNBC, “Let me just be candid: My party is full of racists, and the real reason a considerable portion of my party wants President Obama out of the White House has nothing to do with the content of his character, nothing to do with his competence as commander-in-chief and president, and everything to do with the color of his skin, and that’s despicable.”

 It’s too bad that Romney does not exemplify that same courage.

 I am a Child of God first, then an American, and then a Republican. I will not check my Blackness at the door because I am a Republican. The language coming from Sununu and my party is counter to the founding principles of the party that I am a proud member of.

For many years, I have approached the party and its supporters about underwriting programs to bring together Blacks who are Republican or lean Republican so we can weave them into every facet of the party structure. The answer is always, no!

 But, twice this year some of these same people have approached me about funding for some election year tricks that they (White Republicans) have conjured up and simply need a Black face to execute the plan. On these two separate occasions, these funders were willing to spend upwards of $20 million to have me organize a national campaign to identify Blacks who would be critical of President Obama.

 I was deeply offended by these approaches, but it’s not the first time in my life that I have had similar conversations within the party. So, the party and its funders will spend millions on negative initiatives within the Black community, but are not willing to spend a fraction of that amount on something substantive and positive. Interesting, to say the least.

 I joined the Republican Party upon graduating from Oral Roberts University because I believed in the principles the party espoused: lower taxes, especially for job creation for small businesses; equality of opportunity for all; a party based on Christian principles, to name a few.

 I was brought into the Republican Party by the likes of Bill White, Curtis Crawford, Art Fletcher, Ed Brooke, Bill Coleman, and Sam Cornelius. These are legendary Black Republicans who are responsible for me being where I am today.

Once in the party, I was further schooled on Republican principles by the likes of William H.T. “Bucky” Bush (brother to Bush 41), Bert Walker (cousin to Bush 41), George H.W. Bush, Robert Mosbacher (former Secretary of Commerce), James M. Baker (former Secretary of State), and Jack Kemp, just to name a few.

 Sununu could not have existed in the Party that I joined in the 1980s. Donald Trump would not have been allowed to have a role in the party that I joined.

 Mitt Romney and all the other leaders of the party are too afraid of taking principled stands when it comes to Blacks and issues of race. They are too afraid of alienating the right wing of the party.

 I will not vote for Obama because he has totally insulted the Black community at every opportunity (I refer you to his speech before the Congressional Black Caucus last year as exhibit A); and I cannot vote for Mitt Romney because he has, with his silence, endorsed the behavior of the likes of Sununu, Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock.

I take my stand based on my principles. Romney and the Republican Party, what are you basing your stand on?"  Raynard Jackson

Well, now that you've read Raynard's lamentations, I'd be interested to know what you think?  To the rest of my readers, especially those of you who are Black Rep-ugh-blicans equivocating over what to do with your vote in light of your party's blatant racist moves against your own people. it's time to wake up and smell the coffee.  In fact, I recommend you form a BRO - "Black Republicans for Obama", and vote to re-elect Barack Obama President of the United States.  Any other stand is on shaky ground.

 Stay Blessed &

 ECLECTICALLY BLACK

 Gloria Dulan-Wilson