EVENT ALERT: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FINAL SOTU JANUARY 12, 2016

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All: 




Well in 18 hours we'll be sitting in front of our TVs, Computer screens, or other devices and watching President Barack Obama make his 8th and final State of the Union Address (a/k/a SOTU).  There is a lot of anticipation and speculation about what he's going to say - now that it's clear that the repuglycons are not going to be cooperative - since they haven't been in the past, why expect them to do so now - most of us are wanting him to go for the gusto and really come up with some earth shattering, paradigm shifting policies that will totally blow away any that have been put forth by his predecessors - regardless of what their party affiliations.

I had posted my top ten Executive Order Wish list a few weeks ago, and asked others to do the same - however, political apathy being what it is - I got a few "likes" but no real response.  And it for this reason that a brother - the first Black president of the United States of America - has had to struggle to get even the simplest bill passed, or person appointed to key positions.  Because we dropped the proverbial ball.  

We are now at the end of an era - where a man stood and faced a den of thieves - and the people who sent him out into the fray to do battle - dropped the ball, backed off, sat on their haunches, and watch with prurient interest to see whether he would sink or swim; and appeared to be utterly amazed when he not only swam, but did the back stroke!!! 

National Public Radio (NPR) posted an article about the top 5 things to look for in President Obama's 2016 SOTU - which I have reprinted here for those of you who have not watched the previous 7.  While they are by no means definitive, they at least give you some context with which to gauge what saying and its relevance to the over all picture.  

Of course, there should and could be a Black people's list of criteria for the SOTU - such as REPARATIONS  for all descendents of African Americans of chattel slavery (the present day equivalent of 40 Acres and a Mule in todays dollars) - notice I did not say a "study" - I said full Reparations.  This is the one gripe I have had with the Administration - however, given the context of the lack of voting power - a/k/a apathy on the part of Black voters in both 2010 and 2014  - two crucial times when we should have showed up and showed out - it's rather difficult to make that demand when we didn't deliver the majority he needed to make it happen.  Still, it can be effected through Executive Order, in much the same way Lyndon Baines Johnson brought the GREAT SOCIETY into being.  It takes vision, courage, and a game plan - And the only person I know who can deliver that - is President Obama - if only he would.

Gun Control, climate control, ACA  - all very important - but the one thing - perhaps the only main thing the first - and maybe the only - Black President can do for Black people is level that playing field with the economic and educational power that has been maliciously and deliberately withheld from them for 400+ years.  (and by the way, if the President wants to know how to make it happen in such a way that it doesn't get squandered, lost, strayed or stolen - tell him to contact me - I have the blueprint already laid out).

Over the years, there have been some really hostile, negative things leveled at our President by so-called Americans - primarily from the red neck side of the equation.  I've chosen to ignore them; not give them any space on my blog.  Still have the same policy.  However, I found it interesting to read some of the comments attached to NPR's post on the upcoming SOTU.  Out of over 500 comments, I selected a segment of the more "intelligent" comments that I thought would be of interest and use to you going into the broadcast tomorrow.  I've posted them along with the NPR article for your perusal.   

5 Things To Watch For In Obama's Final State Of The Union

Updated January 11, 201611:49 AM ET Published January 10, 20164:39 PM ET

Mara Liasson

Twitter

President Obama is seen on a television inside the U.S. Capitol delivering his last State of the Union address in 2015. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

On Tuesday night, President Obama will give his final State of the Union address. It's the last big speech many Americans will watch him deliver, and he wants to leave a good impression. Here are five things to watch for.

1. How different will this speech be from his past State of the Union addresses?

White House aides are promising that this speech will be different. Instead of the usual laundry list of legislative proposals, the speech will be thematic and future-oriented.

President Obama described what he wants the speech to focus on in a video the White House sent out previewing the speech.

The White House YouTube

"Not just the remarkable progress we've made, not just what I want to get done in the year ahead, but what we all need to do together in the years to come, the big

things that will guarantee an even stronger, better, more prosperous America for our kids — the America we believe in. That's what's on my mind."

This makes sense. With attention turning to the race to succeed him, the window for passing major pieces of legislation through an oppositional Congress is closing fast.

But there are still things the president wants Congress to do.

2. What are Obama's legislative priorities?

The president will probably reiterate his call for a hike in the minimum wage, as well as tax reform that frees up money for infrastructure investment. But those are big reaches. More realistically,

the White House is hopeful they can get Congress to approve the big trans-Pacific trade agreement and a bill overhauling the criminal justice system. Expect to hear Obama offer an olive branch

to the Republicans on those potentially bipartisan issues.

3. How will the president try to shape his legacy?

This is a valedictory speech, and Obama will try to frame his accomplishments in the most positive light. He'll talk about the dramatic recovery of the auto industry, the improving employment

situation and the initiatives he's taken on his own to combat climate change, enact tougher gun background checks and reopen relations with Cuba.

The White House announced over the weekend the guests who will join first lady Michelle Obama in the House chamber. Those selections nod to the arc of Obama's presidency, and the president

will no doubt nod to them on Tuesday night. They include Edith Childs, the South Carolina woman who inspired the "Fired up! Ready to go!" chant during Obama's first campaign, one of the first women to graduate from Army Ranger School, a DREAMer, the lead plaintiff in the historic Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, an empty chair for victims of gun violence, a criminal justice reform advocate, an Affordable Care Act "navigator" and many others.

Of course, the best way for President Obama to cement his legacy is to help elect a successor from his own party.

4. How will Obama use the speech to help Hillary Clinton's campaign?

In his last State of the Union address, the president framed the coming election in terms of the economic debate. He talked about widely shared prosperity and focused on inclusive growth, not just redistribution.

And that's the frame Hillary Clinton has chosen for her campaign. Expect to hear more about that on Tuesday night.

Also listen for how often the president touches on hot-button issues that play well with the Democratic base, like climate change, gun control, immigration reform or gay rights.

The White House promises this won't be a "political" speech, but the subtext will be clear: We've come a long way. We have a long way to go, so let's not let the Republicans take us backward.

5. What effect will the speech have?

Most State of the Union addresses have a very short shelf life. But a well-received SOTU can deliver a political boost. President Obama is hoping this one does.

The best way a president can help elect a successor from his own party is to get his approval ratings up — above 50 percent, if possible. Obama has been stuck in the mid-40s for months,

below the 50 percent that President Reagan enjoyed at this point in his second term or the 60 percent Bill Clinton had. If he can improve his standing, he could help Hillary Clinton and his own legacy.

I NORMALLY DON'T INCLUDE COMMENTARY UNLESS IT'S FROM EXPERTS OR PEOPLE I ADMIRE – BUT I'VE BEEN CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT INTELLIGENT AMERICANS ARE THINKING & SAYING. AND SINCE THIS NPR, YOU'LL LIKELY GET A GOOD CROSS SECTION OF RIGHT AND LEFT WINGERS, BLACK AND WHITE – SO LETS TAKE A SAMPLE AND SEE WHERE WE AGREE OR DISAGREE. Normally – also – I would highlight my agreements in red – but since we are dealing with Democrat as “Blue” I will highlight those statements I found positive or helpful in Blue instead.
• Nancyknits Wow, just wow. It is mind boggling that in a forum which often has more thoughtful contributors than many other sites where people just anonymously rant, this "discussion" is filled with hateful remarks rather than fact-based arguments or points of view that consider the pros/cons of any real issues.... many of the remarks/attacks are about as content-based and specific as Trump saying he's going to "make American great again" without defining what that means or how he will do it (mostly it just seems like doublespeak for being very "anti" a lot of people, groups, religions, socioeconomic classes, etc. wanting to take rights away from many to protect the "rights" of a few). Meanwhile, evidence continues to accrue re: the greatly improved economy among many other positive changes that have occurred under the President... even though no president or leader can please everyone all the time, it seems like Obama could have been perfect and those who do not support him would still vilify him, which is really sad. None of those folks ever mention that it was a Democrat who left us with a balanced budget and a Republican administration that took us into wars that they then left Obama to deal with.... Hmmmm.
  wildred63 nancyknits • These folks are allergic to facts. If you notice, nearly 99% of the their "arguments" (I am being generous here) are logical fallacies. I would have respect for them if they actually proposed ideas instead of behaving like ill-mannered children.
  w8ofwater wildred63 • My top 5 things to watch for includes some low-level GOP lawmaker trying to make a name for himself with the Trump lynch mobsters by boldly shouting some cheap insults
  freedumb sings w8ofwater • yew lye!!!
  Mars S freedumb sings • Funny you mention that. As we ALL know, the president DID lie. "If you like your doctor..." Thanks for mentioning that.
  LL LL w8ofwater • I sincerely hope not. But if that does happen, I really, really hope Obama's staff has come up with a constructive and appropriate way for him to deal with it. He did a masterful job of just ignoring it when it happened the first time. But if it happens again? You gotta think his team has come up with something.. It's the responsibility of the chair of the assembly to keep his body in order, up to and including directing the seargeant-at-arms to take appropriate action.Boehner couldn't lead a two-step and I don't expect any more from Lyin' Ryan....heck it could come from Ryan!
  OneGiantLeap nancyknits • You have to admit. Obama does a lot of complaining.
  Wayne Piper OneGiantLeap • No. Republicans do a lot of complaining. If you want to talk about complaining, they are the loudest.
  Mars S OneGiantLeap • He really seemed put out at that town hall meeting on guns. He clearly doesn't like it when citizens and journalists challenge him.
  Granturismo nancyknits • Uh, why do you think the economy is something a dem should bring up, unless your talking to the 1%? According to Forbes, on almost every measure examined, the 2009-15 recovery since the recession ended in June of 2009 has been the meekest in more than 50 years.
  Paul J. Granturismo • So what you're saying is a Republican administration tanked the economy in a remarkable way, and a Democratic administration, despite zero help from a Republican congress, managed to get things back on track. Must be some sour, sour grapes to spin that as a negative. Sure is going to hurt when they write the history books and point out what a great job Obama did.
  Averal • How do you get through to people who dislike you? (for whatever reason) Look what America has accomplished during the 7 years of the Obama administration......Compare THAT, to what happened under 8 years of George W. Bush..............https://ourfuture.org/20141208...
  www.cbsnews.com/news/stocks-bu... How the Republican party can convince SO MANY PEOPLE in this country, that Obama has been TERRIBLE while THEY are going to "Make America Great Again" is beyond me. Do FACTS even MATTER anymore?I make MY decisions, based on REASON, and LOGIC. I wish there was some way to convince others to do the same.
  Mark Kropf Averal • The problem being that President Obama could not please the GOP, in general, even if he had been able to conduct a more assured International policy and had achieved more in office. Dealing successfully internationally when you are actively being de-ligitimated by the opposition is extremely hard as other governments see you as weak. Achieving much at home is a problem with an obstructionist legislature. President Obama may only be cheered by many on his way out the door, and then only for leaving and over the multiple others jeering him. Were Jesus to descend from heaven and bless him, he would still have the religious Right up in arms against him. Republicans might at some time be able to make the country great again, but first they have to have some positive agendas. Merely repealing some legislation and sending others packing is not going to do anything great for us. Reversing supposed injustices or bad practices does not make for any good practice. Policies don't merely tear down, they rebuild and replace. Finding replacements for the ACA and for other disliked Democratic policies and that can actually be implemented is essential. So far the GOP doesn't seem to have a game plan to build more than walls. It seemingly doesn't have clue.
  nancyknits Mark Kropf • For example, how many times now have Republicans voted to repeal or dismantle the ACA but never proposing any kind of alternative plan to offer healthcare to American citizens??? They just do this over and over without actually governing by proposing any plans of their own... because they are just "anti" everything the President says or does with nothing much to offer. Same with gun regulations... they would "unsign" his executive orders on day one - but what will THEY do to reduce the 30k+ Americans who die by guns every year? It doesn't matter if by suicide or homicide; both are unacceptable and directly relate to accessibility and availability of lethal weapons.
  tictoc nancyknits • The GOP is working on a health care reform plan of their own and it should be ready sometime in 2092. They don't want to rush it through like the job saving bill they just sent to Obama after seven years to repeal ObamaCare.
  LL LL nancyknits • exactly, in another piece a Hispanic woman, Republican, said she met with Ted Cruz and tried for 40 minutes to find out what his actual plan was on immigration. Close the borders he said. But how, what is your plan. she got nothing. Because they have nothing to offer. They have no vision. They have no plans. They just have highly paid campaign staff.
  Nancy Keeton Mark Kropf • Remember too, that my own shameful excuse for a Senator proclaimed the morning after President Obama first election, that the GOPs first priority was to make him a one-term president.
  glenview0818 Mark Kropf • I am not supporting the Republican party here, but first it must be remembered that during the first two years of the Obama administration, he owned the office and never introduced a single piece of gun control legislation, not to mention that he ran under the single payer health plan, and we ended up with the Romney individual mandate plan. If you own the office for two years you would sure think that some Democratic party value legislation would be introduced. Though I disagree with most Republican party legislation, when they own the office they come in guns a blazing. [I HAVE TO AGREE WITH HIM ON THIS ONE – BUT IT WAS THE DEMOCRATS AND THE VOTERS WHO LIKEWISED DROPPED THE BALL IN 2010 AND FELL FOR THE MEANSTREAM MEDIA HYPE – WIMPS!! - NOT PRESIDENT OBAMA]
  Anonymous_02030 glenview0818 • Lilly Ledbetter says hello.
  LL LL Mark Kropf • I would say this was the first time in my lifetime that I witnessed a destructivist Congress that attempted to undermine the POTUS in critical international diplomacies. I mean, for all the criticism of it today, when Bush said trust me there are WMDs, dems joined in support of the President in what they believed was a difficult decision. Even those who voted against only did so with a vote. They didn't then write the leaders of the countries involved and say we are taking this down because the President will have no power. Vote against the President's policies that is your right and in fact your duty if you feel strongly about it. But interfering in Presidential matters after you lose that vote? Nope. Bad, bad, bad form. if not treasonous form. I don't like to throw that word around lightly but Tom Cotton...you out there? Bud, get yourself under control.
  glenview0818 LL LL • Ya, the Republicans and Democrats can always get together on starting a War, then after the dust settles one or another is left crying.
  J D Mark Kropf • As we all know the infamous Koch war on Obama is not only unprecedented in American history but very successful considering how much good Obama has done for them and this nation. Citation from The New Yorker August 30, 2010. http://www.newyorker.com/magaz...
  LarryL1970 Mark Kropf • Great comment. Remember... it's not about the President's accomplishments. Republicans openly planned to obstruct all progress since the President's first inauguration. The criminal use of the filibuster, the mindless conspiracies, the pledges to never compromise, and the fifty-plus votes to destroy the Affordable Care Act were never about the President's accomplishments or the Democrat's platform. It's always been about a relative few, far-right power-brokers and their attempts to control our government through the media manipulation of fearful, undereducated, and seemingly disenfranchised whites. It's still working for them in the heavily gerrymandered states, but that political system is imploding at the national-level.
  Laurie Norton Averal • You're absolutely right! Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans don't follow the news closely and have very little idea what's really happening in our state and federal governments. (If it were otherwise, the Republicans would have to change or disappear.) When the average person who doesn't really know what's happening hears some completely unsubstantiated phrase like "Obama's been SUCH a disaster!" repeated over and over, that person understandably starts to think there must be some truth to it. Obama's opponents have used that fact against him again and again, especially in their misleading and unsubstantiated attacks on the ACA. And this is exactly why you see so much lying going on. I mean, the fact checkers go bonkers on the falsehoods and misinformation that comes out of these peoples mouths, but the campaigns have figured out that the people voting in the GOP primaries have officially dismissed any outside fact checkers as liars themselves. And MSM (MAINSTREAM MEDIA)? forget it. Even if the MSM focused hard on all the misinformation the GOP base wouldn't even begin to listen to it. The propaganda is complete with these people. Believe no other sources but ours. Fortunately, the GOP base is by far the minority vote come the general election. And the GOP cannot stop this. They cannot put forth a candidate with national appeal because they sold their souls to this brainwashed base. they cannot undo it.
  MichaelJNellett Laurie Norton Why the Republican progressives and the entire Democrat Party are one and the same? The Republicans have just given Obama and the progressive Democrats EVERYTHING they wanted and you idiots are blaming the Republicans? By the way, Obama illegally delayed the most heinous provisions of the ACA so that they don't kick in until AFTER the 2016 election and he's out of office along with Harry Reid. Tell me in 2017 how much you love the ACA then. What exactly did the ACA reform in our healthcare system again? [REPUGLYCON PROGRESSIVES IS AN OXYMORON]
  blackshadow Averal • The big tall wall by the republican's doll, that has the gall + got the call
  A wall of sprawl covered in scrawl, republicans screaming to "STAY OUT Y'ALL!"
  Their message from god, only the gop's sheep applaud
  tictoc Averal • The small minority of Tea Party extremists don't really matter. They won't add anything to the general election debate. Obama is the closest thing we've had to an Eisenhower republican for president, since Eisenhower. Will the RNC let Trump give the GOP rebuttal to Obama's State of the Union?
  Donna A tictoc • Can the RNC .stop. trump from spewing anything....? and Will the msmedia follow, yes- of course!
  Zed Towers Averal • Results: 7 more years of warring  - massive pointless surge in Afghanistan- war for oil in Libya by UN proxy- the Yemen 'success'- Iraq's reboot of no-boots
  - a failed attempt to war in Syria, followed by a war in Syria- we bombed doctors without borders. maybe twice now....7 more years of making the rich richer:- policy for the 1%- likely to hit $20 Trillion in Debt, most of the cost to the rich- banks rewarded and no prosecutions- a brief continuation of Bush's tax breaks- sequester spending at the loss of social programs; 7 more years of pandering to the NRA- Joe Biden's post Newtown failure- guns on Amtrak (because Reagan was wrong)- guns in our Nation's Parks- toothless executive orders with little impact- reduction in the prosecution of illegal gun sales; 7 more years of bad energy policy- cheap gas so we can buy SUVs (hint: tax it for our roads)- more fracking (we can drink bottled water!)- unprecedented offshore drilling along the Atlantic Coast- failure to close ANWR- way to little support for the green revolution going on everywhere else; 7 more years of a failed war on drugs; 7 of the most polarizing years ever; The masterful killing of Universal Health Care for RomneyCare rebranded as Obamacare. Millions still uninsured (RomneyCare did more!). Millions on junk plans. Millions unable to pay deductibles if they get sick. Millions paying more. But hey, we didn't have to embrace yucky coverage that most modern developed nations enjoy. Really, what could go wrong when Big Insurance writes a law with their lobbyists in for-profit health care!!!! Barack Bush, the 3rd & final installments on a failed 21st Century. Hopefully Hillary won't bring 5 & 6. [THIS GUY WAS/IS CLEARLY A REPUGLYCON]
  freedumb sings Zed Towers • snore.....
  Zed Towers freedumb sings • Just like a Trump supporter when confronted with the facts....
  glenview0818 Averal • Averal, there is no logic to any argument that is based on a Republican or Democratic party stance. If you used logic you would take a stance for the people not the greedy self serving party system we have here in the US. The republican party stance is "capatalism" for everything, and the Democratic party stance is "the republican party is wrong" to everything. We as a nation need to unload both of them.
  LL LL Averal • You know, I've been thinking on this a lot. I think you overestimate "SO MANY PEOPLE." Just because they are loud and control the base doesn't mean they are really all that many. I think MANY, MANY independents and moderates will quietly vote for whomever wins the Dem Primary.
  Field Gull Averal • They don't really care, they relish hating Obama because they don't have control themselves. He isn't the terrible failure the GOP wants him to be, and he was far from a savior but didn't do terribly either.
  MichaelJNellett Field Gull • Really?
  Field Gull MichaelJNellett • Yes. Really. Nobody inspires bizarre, angry fixation of hate like Obama. One does not simply respectfully disagree with the president (if you're a right winger) [I DON'T AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT – BUT I KNOW THAT THE RACIST TO THE BONE RIGHT WINGERS REVEL IN THEIR NEGATIVITY AND DISRESPECT FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA]
  Toxophilite Averal • Most people don't decide their political affiliations based on objective facts - they decide them based on pre-existing beliefs/biases, often which they are hardly even aware of. And then, the more motivated of those seek out "facts" that support those beliefs/biases, which in turn supports their political affiliations.
  blackshadow Averal • planned parenthood just announced they support the real american party, Hillary Clinton and the Democrats not the women hating republicans
  funbobby51 Averal • It is easy, interest based negotiation.
  john della selva • Amazing to me how much President Obama has accomplished w/ the most polarized Republican Congress in recent times. 63 x's? they have tried to overturn Healthcare legislation. What's abundantly clear how racist and scared the Republican party has outwardly shown itself to be since President Obama was first elected. I've never seen such disrespect for any U.S. president,especially how they call the president only by his last name Someone said it best when they said if President Obama's for it we're against it even if it helps the country!
  Rich Huffaker • It is truly incredible to read the comments of so many who so totally hate the man.
  Not the man's policies, the man. What i see is a middle of the road democrat, promoting the same exact policies that democrats have been promoting for the last 50 years. Nothing radical, nothing extreme. A man whose term has been largely focused on reacting to the economic collapse that he inherited (no blame intended). Two terms, during which the economy recovered and unemployment dropped significantly. One could argue that this president's attempts were wrong headed, and that the recovery could have been stronger, but of course this is all speculation, no one knows if republican policies would have lead to a better recovery, or any recovery at all. Under his administration he passed the comprehensive health care reform, again, a policy priority for democrats for decades. So what's to hate? Think he has weak foreign policy? Don't like the ACA?
  Is anything he has done or not done deserving of such a tsunami of animosity towards this man?
  Zed Towers Rich Huffaker • His policies have been for the 1% and the Military Industrial Complex. Forget needed social programs when we can have Big Banking, Big Insurance, Big Oil and the rest of the Biggies run the show with a faux-Democrat label.[MORE FAUX FACTS]
  tballiett5555 Rich Huffaker • They're racists - pure & simple. Otherwise they would just hate the president - not the man.
  MichaelJNellett tballiett5555 • History will write that the Obama administration was the most corrupt in history just wait and see. If disliking someone personally because of their arrogant, condescending egomaniacal attitude then I guess we are racists. What does blaming our animosity on his skin color say about you Comrade? An Alynsky disciple who knew??
  Rich Huffaker Roy Joy • As Thomas Jefferson put it "Some truths are self evident". The differences we have on these issues amount to matters of degrees. The right wing media would have you believe differently, that the people who disagree with you want to destroy America. If Americans ACTUALLY TALKED TO EACH OTHER instead of listening to pundits we would find that we can totally understand each others viewpoints and are capable of coming to respectful agreements.
  The hatred spewed toward this man is rooted in the lowest of human emotions. Disagreements toward his policy priorities fail to explain this effect.
  Roy Joy Rich Huffaker • Who said anyone wanted to destroy America? And not having a high opinion of the president automatically puts me on the right? And ..."understand each others viewpoints"? I understand your position well. It's dogmatism with a very LIBERAL helping of moral parentalism.
  Rich Huffaker Roy Joy • "Who said anyone wanted to destroy America?" Apparently you are not familiar with the rantings of the tea party or right wing media punditry - limbaugh, coulter, Hannity and the other shills for the right. That is exactly their claim. And my comments are only directed to you if you are one of those who spend their time spewing hateful personal attacks ( as opposed to policy criticisms) against the president.

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Michelle Obama for Tom Wolf as next Governor of Pennsylvania

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

You may notice some differences in my Blog over the next few weeks  - where possible, I will be allowing political candidates that I support to share the landscape with other relevant ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS and information.

Pennsylvania went overwhelmingly for President Obama in 2012 - despite all the conjecture about it being a "battle ground state."  Now it's time to help make it official by electing TOM WOLF as next governor of Pennsylvania - giving Philly the moxy it needs to get out from under some pretty oppressive oppositional policies that has seen the forced closing of 30 schools; teachers robbed of their insurance; students robbed of the right to a positive educational environment, and so many more issues.  

Below is a card endorsing Tom Wolf, who is wholeheartedly supported by the First Lady (and the President).  If you are in the Philly/PENNA area, make sure you sign it.  If you've not, but have relatives or friends who are, make sure they sign it.  We cannot allow territorial differences to prevent us from winning across the board. 

STAY BLESSED

On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 11:33 AM, Tom Wolf for Governor <info@wolfforpa.com> wrote:

http://action.WolfForPa.com/Michelle-Obama-Card

Paid for by Tom Wolf for Governor

Contributions or gifts to Tom Wolf for Governor are not tax deductible.

This email was sent to: gloriadulanwilson@gmail.com
If that is not your preferred email address, you can update your information here
We believe that emails are an important way for the campaign to stay in contact with supporters like you. This campaign appreciates any feedback you might have -- positive or negative. Click here to contact the campaign with any questions, concerns, or ideas. Click here if you would like to unsubscribe from Tom Wolf for Governor email updates.

Without the important partnership between the governor and the mayor of the fifth largest city in the US, we will continue to face stagnation - of course Mayor Nutter is doing all he can to prevent that  from being the situation; but things work more smoothly if they are working in concert, as opposed to Nutter always having to operate from damage control. 

Make yourselves a committee of one to get out the vote  - help those who have no transportation get to the polls - contact your fellow church members.  This is serious.

Oh, yes - also SIGN THE CARD and Pass it on.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 
Gloria Dulan-Wilson 

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An Obama A Day Keeps the Mitt-twits Away

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

I've been rolling this concept around in my mind, and I've come to the conclusion that it's better to be a pro-actionary than a re-actionary.

As a writer, journalist, Eclectically Black woman, Blogger, mother, grandmother and US citizen, it is my duty and responsibility to keep the stupids from inundating us with their propagandistic BS. So, starting to day, I am writing something positive every day – and twice on Sunday – about President Barack Obama, his family the people who work with him; as well as all the wonderful valiant work they are doing to pull America out of the sink hole the Rep-ugh-blicans put us in.

If we Bloggers, writers, journalists would each write something positive about the President, it would go a long way in thwarting the crap that the Koch's, Bushes, Mitt-Twits, the Supreme Court, multimillionaire corporations - so-called super pacs (who have now been declared individuals) try to level against him, in a vain attempt to keep him from being re-elected, and complete the work he set out to do.

It's not that difficult; actually, it's a pleasure. At least it is for me. It's kind of like putting together a “brag book,” where you're bragging on all the great accomplishments Obama has achieved thus far.

It's a no-brainer, really. He's consistently given us so many examples of what a great president he is. Even if we all write the same thing, or if we repeat ourselves, it is no problem, because in that way we are accentuating the positive, reinforcing it, burning it into the psyche of people who don't have access to the truth, or who are either too lazy, confused or nonchalant to do the heaving lifting and research themselves.

Mind you this doesn't have to be a super long piece or a documentary – though that would also be acceptable. I know we're in the age of sound bytes and 800 word articles; but have you noticed that the New York Times still goes into great detail to make their point? And they're still the most widely read publication in the world. If it takes that long to educate the masses, do what you gotta do to get the point across.

Or, it could, likewise, be as simple as a quote, or as elaborate as a video of the President engaged in something. It could be a list of his accomplishments to date; BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE HIM A PART OF EVERYTHING WE WRITE GOING FORWARD – not just up to election day, but election and beyond.

A photo of the President and/or the First Lady, or Vice President Biden, and a caption or quote underneath will also be great. Then make sure you send it out to your fan base, tell them to upload it on FaceBook, Twitter, etc., as well as Mocha, BET, and all the social media, Black, White, Asian, etc., that exists. Make it viral.

The multi-billionaires who mean us no good are trying to buy this election out from under the people of the US. Let's cut them off at the pass!! This is community guerilla warfare. And the guerilla's always win because they think outside of the box.

Everytime someone reports that Obama is being outraised in funding sources, remember the Supreme Court has given corporations human status, and carte blanche to underwrite and undermine our President. It is our job to remind America that our votes are not for sale, and that DOLLARS DO NOT VOTE, PEOPLE DO!!!

This is no time for side line, or idle observations; this is no time for regurgitating the swill that generally comes from meanstream media. This is the time for us to use our highest and best sources, coupled with the fact that, rather than so-called objectivity, you have a stake in the outcome as much as the readers you write for; because you're not just a journalist, you are also an American citizen. You owe it to yourself to take a little enlightened self interest and be more than a reporter – be a supporter. A support of the truth that BARACK OBAMA is the best President this country has had in more nearly 150 years.

So, consider this DAY ONE of my OBAMA-A-DAY KEEPS THE MITT-TWITS AWAY, and keeps us informed and free.

Let's make it a contest: The Blogger, writer, or journalist who can log in the highest number of positive content about President Barack Obama (including his wife, children and cabinet) will win a prize. Starting Monday, August 13, 2012, and ending midnight the day after the Presidential Election. All quotes, photos, articles, etc. have to be dated and time stamped for verification. We will have an independent jury do the tally. There will be a first, second and third prize. If you're in, let me know. We are the most brilliant people on the planet. Let's make it happen AGAIN!!!

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
gloriadulanwilson@gmail.com

Obama's CBCF Address Speaks Truth - Meanstream Media Report Speaks Lies

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson

The following is the official transcript of President Barack Obama’s speech to the audience and guests of the Caucus. You may have read headlines in many newspapers stating "Obama tells Caucus to "Stop Complaining" The headlines of the “meanstream press” obviously focused on the very last sentence of his speech, totally negating the relevance, significance and necessity of the foregoing 28 minutes. You will recall that most of the headlines and the sound bytes from the “meanstream” media quoted one line, while totally ignoring everything else he said. I call this deliberate distortion, disingenuous, biased racist reporting. I have been covering the CBC for 36 years, and have watched as the meanstream (read mainstream) press has either ignored the event all together, or gotten it consistently wrong. It's just not in them to be truthful.

However, I am not surprised, given the fact that these people have a vested interest in making sure that he does not get re-elected next year. What I am surprised at, however, is that a few of our elected officials (notice that I never call them “leaders”), actually made asinine statements in reference to his speech, which, in the main, shows me that they either do not understand where he is coming from, or they have succumbed to the brainwashing.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters is reported to have said that he “would not made such statements to the Jews“. To which I would respectfully respond, “Most likely not, since he isn’t Jewish, and he was addressing the CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS, which is facing a different constituency and a different set of circumstances and challenges.”

Let’s get real. The hardest hit with poverty, health issues, and employment challenges happen to be who? AFRICAN AMERICANS!!! To ignore the 99% of the speech for a line that represents less than 1% of the entire context seems to indicate that we’re not paying attention to what’s up. Time to wake up, and step up the program, or there will be an even larger majority of rep-ugh-blicans in DC in 2012.

If anything, they had better be putting together the means by which the JOBS ACT that Obama has proposed is passed. The big thrust has to be making sure that they stay on point and on message with President Obama, or end up being one trick ponies and the laughing stock of the world for having fumbled the ball twice: once, when they were in the majority for the first time in a long time, and not being able to get things done because of infighting; two, when they limped through the mid-term election, and allowed the Rep-ugh-blicans to become the self fulfilling prophesized majority during the second half of the term, as opposed to holding the line and increasing their numbers.

By the way, this criticism is not just leveled at our elected officials, but at those of us who do the electing - the voting; you and me -we, us!! So the buck is not being passed - it stops right here with all of us. This is what President Obama basically said in his speech - and I back the Brother up all the way. He spoke truth to power, if someone felt it stepped on their toes, so be it. Now, they say that Black folks don't read. It's a new stereotypical form of brainwashing that has been going around for quite some time to dis those of us who do, and who had the value of an education. But on the off chance that some of us might have bought into that pejorative and are now officially part of the sound byte, video streaming generation, you can also VIEW THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS ON YOUTUBE - hellooooo! So you can check it out for yourselves instead of letting meanstream media give you a snow job.

This marks the fourth year that Barack Obama has addressed the Congressional Black Caucus. First as Senator Barack Obama, considering a run for the Presidency, and the three consecutive years that he has addressed them as the President of the United States. First Lady Michelle Obama attended this year for the first time. The Phoenix Awards Dinner is part of the 41st Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and looked gorgeous as always!

The Caucus which officially runs for 4 days, basically starts the week end prior to the open forums, with most of the intense workshops happening during the four-day conference. This year it began on Wednesday Sept. 21, 2011, with the theme “iLead | iServe”, and a focus on “the value and impact of leadership and services within the community. The Caucus is held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, with participants and elected officials from all over the United States, parts of Africa and the Caribbean in attendance. It is one of the most important and prestigious events for African Americans, not to be sullied by some two-bit meanstream report that seeks to undermine its significance. It provides a blueprint for elected officials to follow for the upcoming year, as well as addresses issues unique to the African American experience.

That said, this is the official transcript of PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’s speech at the 41st Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner, Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C., Saturday, September 24, 2011.

8:30 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: "Hello, CBC! (Applause.) Thank you so much. Thank you. Please, everybody have a seat. It is wonderful to be with all of you tonight. It’s good to be with the conscience of the Congress. (Applause.) Thank you, Chairman Cleaver and brother Payne, for all that you do each and every day.
Thank you, Dr. Elsie Scott, president and CEO of the CBC Foundation, and all of you for your outstanding work with your internship program, which has done so much for so many young people. And I had a chance to meet some of the young people backstage — an incredible, unbelievably impressive group.

You know, being here with all of you — with all the outstanding members of the Congressional Black Caucus — reminds me of a story that one of our friends, a giant of the civil rights movement, Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery, told one day. Dr. Lowery — I don’t think he minds me telling that he turns 90 in a couple weeks. (Applause.) He’s been causing a ruckus for about 89 of those years. (Laughter.)

A few years back, Dr. Lowery and I were together at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma. (Applause.) We’ve got some Selma folks in the house. (Applause.) And Dr. Lowery stood up in the pulpit and told the congregation the story of Shadrach and Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace. You know the story — it’s about three young men bold enough to stand up for God, even if it meant being thrown in a furnace. And they survived because of their faith, and because God showed up in that furnace with them.

Now, Dr. Lowery said that those three young men were a little bit crazy. But there’s a difference, he said, between good crazy and bad crazy. (Applause.) Those boys, he said, were “good crazy.” At the time, I was running for president — it was early in the campaign. Nobody gave me much of a chance. He turned to me from the pulpit, and indicated that someone like me running for president — well, that was crazy. (Laughter.) But he supposed it was good crazy.

He was talking about faith, the belief in things not seen, the belief that if you persevere a better day lies ahead. And I suppose the reason I enjoy coming to the CBC — what this weekend is all about is, you and me, we’re all a little bit crazy, but hopefully a good kind of crazy. (Applause.) We’re a good kind of crazy because no matter how hard things get, we keep the faith; we keep fighting; we keep moving forward.

And we’ve needed faith over these last couple years. Times have been hard. It’s been three years since we faced down a crisis that began on Wall Street and then spread to Main Street, and hammered working families, and hammered an already hard-hit black community. The unemployment rate for black folks went up to nearly 17 percent — the highest it’s been in almost three decades; 40 percent, almost, of African American children living in poverty; fewer than half convinced that they can achieve Dr. King’s dream. You’ve got to be a little crazy to have faith during such hard times.

It’s heartbreaking, and it’s frustrating. And I ran for President, and the members of the CBC ran for Congress, to help more Americans reach that dream. (Applause.) We ran to give every child a chance, whether he’s born in Chicago, or she comes from a rural town in the Delta. This crisis has made that job of giving everybody opportunity a little bit harder.

We knew at the outset of my presidency that the economic calamity we faced wasn’t caused overnight and wasn’t going to be solved overnight. We knew that long before the recession hit, the middle class in this country had been falling behind -– wages and incomes had been stagnant; a sense of financial security had been slipping away. And since these problems were not caused overnight, we knew we were going to have to climb a steep hill.

But we got to work. With your help, we started fighting our way back from the brink. And at every step of the way, we’ve faced fierce opposition based on an old idea — the idea that the only way to restore prosperity can’t just be to let every corporation write its own rules, or give out tax breaks to the wealthiest and the most fortunate, and to tell everybody that they’re on their own. There has to be a different concept of what America’s all about. It has to be based on the idea that I am my brother’s keeper and I am my sister’s keeper, and we’re in this together. We are in this thing together. (Applause.)

We had a different vision and so we did what was right, and we fought to extend unemployment insurance, and we fought to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, and we fought to expand the Child Tax Credit — which benefited nearly half of all African American children in this country. (Applause.) And millions of Americans are better off because of that fight. (Applause.)

Ask the family struggling to make ends meet if that extra few hundred dollars in their mother’s paycheck from the payroll tax cut we passed made a difference. They’ll tell you. Ask them how much that Earned Income Tax Credit or that Child Tax Credit makes a difference in paying the bills at the end of the month.

When an army of lobbyists and special interests spent millions to crush Wall Street reform, we stood up for what was right. We said the time has come to protect homeowners from predatory mortgage lenders. The time has come to protect consumers from credit card companies that jacked up rates without warning. (Applause.) We signed the strongest consumer financial protection in history. That’s what we did together. (Applause.)

Remember how many years we tried to stop big banks from collecting taxpayer subsidies for student loans while the cost of college kept slipping out of reach? Together, we put a stop to that once and for all. We used those savings to make college more affordable. We invested in early childhood education and community college and HBCUs. Ask the engineering student at an HBCU who thought he might have to leave school if that extra Pell Grant assistance mattered. (Applause.)

We’re attacking the cycle of poverty that steals the future from too many children — not just by pouring money into a broken system, but by building on what works -– with Promise Neighborhoods modeled after the good work up in Harlem; Choice Neighborhoods rebuilding crumbling public housing into communities of hope and opportunity; Strong Cities, Strong Communities, our partnership with local leaders in hard-hit cities like Cleveland and Detroit. And we overcame years of inaction to win justice for black farmers because of the leadership of the CBC and because we had an administration that was committed to doing the right thing. (Applause.)

And against all sorts of setbacks, when the opposition fought us with everything they had, we finally made clear that in the United States of America nobody should go broke because they get sick. We are better than that. (Applause.) And today, insurance companies can no longer drop or deny your coverage for no good reason. In just a year and a half, about one million more young adults have health insurance because of this law. (Applause.) One million young people. That is an incredible achievement, and we did it with your help, with the CBC’s help. (Applause.)

So in these hard years, we’ve won a lot of fights that needed fighting and we’ve done a lot of good. But we’ve got more work to do. So many people are still hurting. So many people are still barely hanging on. And too many people in this city are still fighting us every step of the way.

So I need your help. We have to do more to put people to work right now. We’ve got to make that everyone in this country gets a fair shake, and a fair shot, and a chance to get ahead. (Applause.) And I know we won’t get where we need to go if we don’t travel down this road together. I need you with me. (Applause.)

That starts with getting this Congress to pass the American Jobs Act. (Applause.) You heard me talk about this plan when I visited Congress a few weeks ago and sent the bill to Congress a few days later. Now I want that bill back — passed. I’ve got the pens all ready. I am ready to sign it. And I need your help to make it happen. (Applause.)

Right now we’ve got millions of construction workers out of a job. So this bill says, let’s put those men and women back to work in their own communities rebuilding our roads and our bridges. Let’s give these folks a job rebuilding our schools. Let’s put these folks to work rehabilitating foreclosed homes in the hardest-hit neighborhoods of Detroit and Atlanta and Washington. This is a no-brainer. (Applause.)
Why should we let China build the newest airports, the fastest railroads? Tell me why our children should be allowed to study in a school that’s falling apart? I don’t want that for my kids or your kids. I don’t want that for any kid. You tell me how it makes sense when we know that education is the most important thing for success in the 21st century. (Applause.) Let’s put our people back to work doing the work America needs done. Let’s pass this jobs bill. (Applause.)

We’ve got millions of unemployed Americans and young people looking for work, but running out of options. So this jobs bill says: let’s give them a pathway, a new pathway back to work. Let’s extend unemployment insurance so that more than six million Americans don’t lose that lifeline. But let’s also encourage reforms that help the long-term unemployed keep their skills sharp and get a foot in the door. Let’s give summer jobs for low-income youth that don’t just give them their first paycheck but arm them with the skills they need for life. (Applause.)

Tell me why we don’t want the unemployed back in the workforce as soon as possible. Let’s pass this jobs bill, put these folks back to work. (Applause.)

Why are we shortchanging our children when we could be putting teachers back in the classroom right now, where they belong? (Applause.) Laying off teachers, laying off police officer, laying off firefighters all across the country because state and local budgets are tough. Why aren’t we helping? We did in the first two years. And then this other crowd came into Congress and now suddenly they want to stop. Tell me why we shouldn’t give companies tax credits for hiring the men and women who’ve risked their lives for this country — our veterans. There is no good answer for that. They shouldn’t be fighting to find a job when they come home. (Applause.)

These Republicans in Congress like to talk about job creators. How about doing something real for job creators? Pass this jobs bill, and every small business owner in America, including 100,000 black-owned businesses, will get a tax cut. (Applause.) You say you’re the party of tax cuts. Pass this jobs bill, and every worker in America, including nearly 20 million African American workers, will get a tax cut. (Applause.) Pass this jobs bill, and prove you’ll fight just as hard for a tax cut for ordinary folks as you do for all your contributors. (Applause.)

These are questions that opponents of this jobs plan will have to answer. Because the kinds of ideas in this plan in the past have been supported by both parties. Suddenly Obama is proposing it — what happened? (Laughter.) What happened? You all used to like to build roads. (Laughter.) Right? What happened? Reverend, you know what happened? I don’t know. They used to love to build some roads. (Laughter.)

Now, I know some of our friends across the aisle won’t support any new spending that’s not paid for. I agree that’s important. So last week, I laid out a plan to pay for the American Jobs Act, and to bring out — down our debt over time. You say the deficit is important? Here we go. I’m ready to go. It’s a plan that says if we want to create jobs and close this deficit, then we’ve got to ask the folks who have benefited most — the wealthiest Americans, the biggest, most profitable corporations — to pay their fair share. (Applause.)

We are not asking them to do anything extraordinary. The reform we’re proposing is based on a simple principle: Middleclass folks should not pay higher tax rates than millionaires and billionaires. (Applause.) That’s not crazy — or it’s good crazy. (Laughter.) Warren Buffett’s secretary shouldn’t pay a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett. A teacher or a nurse or a construction worker making $50,000 a year shouldn’t pay higher tax rates than somebody making $50 million. That’s just common sense.

We’re not doing this to punish success. This is the land of opportunity. I want you to go out, start a business, get rich, build something. Out country is based on the belief that anybody can make it if they put in enough sweat and enough effort. That is wonderful. God bless you. But part of the American idea is also that once we’ve done well we should pay our fair share — (applause) — to make sure that those schools that we were learning in can teach the next generation; that those roads that we benefited from — that they’re not crumbling for the next bunch of folks who are coming behind us; to keep up the nation that made our success possible.

And most wealthy Americans would agree with that. But you know the Republicans are already dusting off their old talking points. That’s class warfare, they say. In fact, in the next breath, they’ll complain that people living in poverty — people who suffered the most over the past decade — don’t pay enough in taxes. That’s bad crazy. (Laughter and applause.)

When you start saying, at a time when the top one-tenth of 1 percent has seen their incomes go up four or five times over the last 20 years, and folks at the bottom have seen their incomes decline — and your response is that you want poor folks to pay more? Give me a break. If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a janitor makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that with a badge of honor. I have no problem with that. (Applause.) It’s about time.

They say it kills jobs — oh, that’s going to kill jobs?? We’re not proposing anything other than returning to the tax rates for the wealthiest Americans that existed under Bill Clinton. I played golf with Bill Clinton today. I was asking him, how did that go? (Laughter.) Well, it turns out we had a lot of jobs. The well-to-do, they did even better. So did the middle class. We lifted millions out of poverty. And then we cut taxes for folks like me, and we went through a decade of zero job growth.

So this isn’t speculation. We’ve tested this out. We tried their theory; didn’t work. Tried our theory; it worked. We shouldn’t be confused about this. (Applause.)

This debate is about priorities. If we want to create new jobs and close the deficit and invest in our future, the money has got to come from somewhere. And so, should we keep tax loopholes for big oil companies? Or should we put construction workers and teachers back on the job? (Applause.) Should we keep tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires? Or should we invest in our children’s education and college aid? Should we ask seniors to be paying thousands of dollars more for Medicare, as the House Republicans propose, or take young folks’ health care away? Or should we ask that everybody pay their fair share?

This is about fairness. And this is about who we are as a country. This is about our commitment to future generations.

When Michelle and I think about where we came from — a little girl on the South Side of Chicago, son of a single mom in Hawaii — mother had to go to school on scholarships, sometimes got food stamps. Michelle’s parents never owned their own home until she had already graduated — living upstairs above the aunt who actually owned the house. We are here today only because our parents and our grandparents, they broke their backs to support us. (Applause.)

But they also understood that they would get a little bit of help from their country. Because they met their responsibilities, this country would also be responsible, would also provide good public schools, would also provide recreation — parks that were safe, making sure that they could take the bus without getting beat over the head, making sure that their kids would be able to go to college even if they weren’t rich.

We’re only here because past generations struggled and sacrificed for this incredible, exceptional idea that it does not matter where you come from, it does not matter where you’re born, doesn’t matter what you look like — if you’re willing to put in an effort, you should get a shot. You should get a shot at the American Dream. (Applause.)
And each night, when we tuck in our girls at the White House, I think about keeping that dream alive for them and for all of our children. And that’s now up to us. And that’s hard. This is harder than it’s been in a long, long time. We’re going through something we haven’t seen in our lifetimes.

And I know at times that gets folks discouraged. I know. I listen to some of you all. (Laughter.) I understand that. And nobody feels that burden more than I do. Because I know how much we have invested in making sure that we’re able to move this country forward. But you know, more than a lot of other folks in this country, we know about hard. The people in this room know about hard. (Applause.) And we don’t give in to discouragement.

Throughout our history, change has often come slowly. Progress often takes time. We take a step forward, sometimes we take two steps back. Sometimes we get two steps forward and one step back. But it’s never a straight line. It’s never easy. And I never promised easy. Easy has never been promised to us. But we’ve had faith. We have had faith. We’ve had that good kind of crazy that says, you can’t stop marching. (Applause.)

Even when folks are hitting you over the head, you can’t stop marching. Even when they’re turning the hoses on you, you can’t stop. (Applause.) Even when somebody fires you for speaking out, you can’t stop. (Applause.) Even when it looks like there’s no way, you find a way — you can’t stop. (Applause.) Through the mud and the muck and the driving rain, we don’t stop. Because we know the rightness of our cause — widening the circle of opportunity, standing up for everybody’s opportunities, increasing each other’s prosperity. We know our cause is just. It’s a righteous cause.

So in the face of troopers and teargas, folks stood unafraid. Led somebody like John Lewis to wake up after getting beaten within an inch of his life on Sunday — he wakes up on Monday: We’re going to go march. (Applause.)

Dr. King once said: “Before we reach the majestic shores of the Promised Land, there is a frustrating and bewildering wilderness ahead. We must still face prodigious hilltops of opposition and gigantic mountains of resistance. But with patient and firm determination we will press on.” (Applause.)

So I don’t know about you, CBC, but the future rewards those who press on. (Applause.) With patient and firm determination, I am going to press on for jobs. (Applause.) I’m going to press on for equality. (Applause.) I’m going to press on for the sake of our children. (Applause.) I’m going to press on for the sake of all those families who are struggling right now. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I am going to press on. (Applause.)
I expect all of you to march with me and press on. (Applause.) Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. Shake it off. (Applause.) Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We’ve got work to do, CBC. (Applause.)

God bless you, and God bless the United States of America." (Applause.) END
8:58 P.M. EDT

Now that you know the truth, I do hope you will make it your business to share this speech and the video with all your friends, relatives, associates, co-workers, enemies (especially them); clergy, educators (who should be playing it in school, or after Sunday Service). If we can watch all the other madness on TV, we can certainly take the time out to check in on what OUR PRESIDENT is saying first hand.

Other ways to keep up with what is actually happening with President Obama is to log on to the White House. They give a daily briefing and update of the President's activities, speeches, and proposed legislations. We cannot afford to be spoon-fed poison from those who would rather see us subjugated to pre-civil rights, voting rights era when we were at the back of the bus, the bottom of the heap, the last to be, do, have anything. We either seize the time and opportunity now, or pull the dirt up over ourselves and save them the trouble of burying us alive.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson