Ta'Shia Asanti On Bishop Eddie Long: State of the Black Church, Bishop's Lesson & Our Evolution
By Ifalade Ta'Shia Asanti (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED @ 2010, NO PORTION MAY BE PRINTED OR DISTRIBUTED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR)

Please note that Bishop Long's (alleged) actions do not represent the totality of the Christian faith, nor are they a representation of the thousands of Christian ministers and Christian people who are doing good work, who have powerful ministries that are healing and uplifting communities across the country. Let us separate the man from the religion, the religion from the institution, at least as it relates to the alleged crimes committed.

While I have never met Bishop Eddie Long and make it a practice NOT to judge anyone I haven't sat down with or spent time getting to know, I am deeply disturbed by some of the Christian responses to the horrific acts of deception alleged by four former members of Bishop Long's church.

For the record, Bishop Eddie Long is the Pastor who not only vehemently condemns same sex marriage--he's the minister that allowed the Bush administration to use him as a pawn to further conservative Republican interests by calling for a national ban on same sex marriage. This was followed by a march and massive protest through the streets of Atlanta organized by Bishop Long and supported by his followers. This march alienated and humiliated same gender loving citizens of Georgia and forced some back into shame-ridden closets. All in the name of Jesus...

http://www.thegavoice.com/index.php/news/atlanta-news-menu/1181-flashback-bishop-eddie-longs-anti-
gay-march-through-atlanta

Bishop Eddie Long is the Pastor who said on video that it is a man's job to heal "weak" women and that women could only be made strong through marrying the right man (according to B.E.L. only a man can be healed, strengthened and uplifted by God Himself).

Bishop Eddie Long is a Pastor with a history of devastating statements and divisive activism grounded in patriarchy, sexism & homophobia. Bishop Long's actions have supported millions of same gender loving couples and families being denied health, retirement and tax benefits and legal rights due to them as part of their constitutional rights as tax-paying American citizens.

In Africa, the rippling effects of American homophobia promoted and taught by Pastors like Bishop Long have resulted in the murder and mayhem of same gender loving people who live on the Continent. In America, yet another Black youth took his life a few days ago as a result of "gay-bullying." Bishop Long's hate campaigns have played a significant role in promoting the brand of theology that supports the growing number of violent hate crimes in this country, increasing numbers of youth suicides and incidents of gay bashing/bullying.

Some feel sorry for him. I am sorry but I do not. I do feel sorry for his wife, children and church members. I feel deeply sorry for the alleged victims.

And speaking of the victims....

Bishop Eddie Long is accused of preying on young Black men who were seeking a father figure. Black boys who came from broken homes. The unrehearsed, unplanned testimony of Jamal Parris broke the silence of four Black men who were seeking spiritual empowerment and healing through the church but instead were systematically abused mentally, emotionally, sexually and spiritually through money, fame and power until they were unable to turn down the sexual advances of their spiritual leader.

And while these young men were being psychologically raped by an alleged down-low minister, their alleged rapist was on TV and in the pulpit talking about how homosexuality was a sin. Imagine for a minute, what it was like mentally and emotionally for those young men to walk around with a secret like that, for them to be tossed to the curb after being subjected to sexual abuse by the leader of their church--a man of God. And then to see him on TV and in the pulpit condemning people who were engaged in consensual, loving, committed relationships with same sex partners. What a slap in the face that must've been.

And finally, imagine the inner hatred and spiritual sickness Bishop Long has to be walking in to allegedly pull off a performance of this magnitude. This is a man who, if found guilty, needs serious prayer and psychological help. And I'll be praying for him to get that help once he is no longer in a position to hurt young men in his church.

It is critical that we examine the State of the Black church, the social positioning it provides for some African Americans who join it, its political power and financial prowess--all factors that have made it "the in thing" to be a part of instead of a place for healing, evolution and empowerment. This, in conjunction with religious teachings that support institutional cover-ups of ill behavior, gender and sexual oppression, reveal a faulty power structure that is sustained by teachers of the doctrine who promote a religious brand that demands conformity all all costs.

Whether Bishop Long is innoocent or not I submit: The Black community and the Black church itself must reevaluate the theology being taught at Mega congregations. When women (and men) are taught to bascially believe a woman is NOTHING without a man, unable to "repair" herself through her own faith and connection to and with her own God (according to Bishop Long, his female members can only access God's healing through their man) it leaves them and their children open to all kinds of abuses.

This case prompted me to think about the Mothers of the four young men. Are they still with the church? Did they think anything was strange with the relationship between Bishop and their sons? Since Bishop Long's female members are taught to be submissive and silent, did that weigh in on the length of time the abuses went on?

I submit too that: it is time for a complete overhaul of the inner workings of the Black church including its leadership, supporters and members. If it is finally determined that the allegations are true, there is no WAY somebody in Bishop Long's leadership didn't know something was going on between Bishop and his "spiritual sons." There is always somebody who knows...there is always somebody who stays silent.

And so I submit again: what manner of doctrine and religious programming supported their silence?

And as we engage in this proposed overhaul of the Black church, perhaps it is also time we do a thorough evaluation of the doctrine and scriptural wisdom that guides it. It is no secret that the bible was altered to keep a certain segment of the population in a position of power.

It is also no secret that the bible was used by European missionaries who were major players in the institution of slavery to further enslave African people. Christian missionaries presented the image of God in a European context and told Africans that their ancestral faiths, which predated Christianity by thousands of years, were "of the devil." Many still pray to an image of Christ that excludes every race except for the White race--an image (and religion) that was FORCED upon Blacks during slavery.

The unwillingness to acknowledge truths like this--perhaps that is what is at the heart of the successful deception by Bishop Long of his followers and the deception of the Black church as a whole.

This is not to say that Bishop Long and other ministers have not done good things through the ministry. Clearly, Long and his leadership have built an incredible legacy through which thousands of lives have been touched. I am sure many people's lives are better as a result of some part of his work and church. As we begin to explore redemption, if in fact the Bishop is found guilty, perhaps we can build on this good....

However, as we acknowledge the good we must also talk about what is not so good as it relates to the Black church and Christianity. Through this brand of honesty, maybe, just maybe, the Black church as an institution could be strengthened and protected from those that seek to use the faith to divide, deceive and destroy. Perhaps an inclusive spirituality can be birthed that welcomes all of God's followers, whereever they are, however they identify.

We must begin with education or re-education as I call it.

I have a test I give my Christian sisters and brothers. So far, not one has been able to answer these questions in their entirety. To the dedicated believers of this powerful faith I ask:

1. What was the name of the first Christian church?
2. Who was Serapis and what was his role in developing Christianity as a mainstream religion in the world?
3. From what people and from what spirituality were the teachings of Christianity drawn from?

And if that's too hard, I tell them to Google "Serapis." Again, most are afraid to see the truth....just as they are now afraid of and running from the truth about Bishop Long and the truth about the twisting of the doctrine to condemn SGLBT people.

But if we dare to know the truth, here are some links to begin with...

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Serapis&wrapid=tlif12857462127192&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=L-6iTKbzBIGosQORuIH6Bg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CEQQsAQwAw&biw=1277&bih=533

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/serapis.htm

I ask too, how many Christians know who King James was, historically speaking? He was one of the editors of the version of the bible that is used in almost every Black church in the country. Yet most know NOTHING about him.

Again, here's a link if we dare to educate ourselves in the wake of this spiritual, cultural and religious crisis...

http://www.libchrist.com/other/homosexual/kingjames.html

And after we click on this link, we will surely think hard, really hard, before we condemn our SGL sister or brother. Because the ugly truth is, we've been studying from and teaching with a bible co-written by a man who was part of the community that Bishop Long condemned.

Again, I say, perhaps our ignorance about King James is a symbol of how 25,000 people could be deceived by a man who some members are saying even now that, "they believe everything he says." In fact, 3000+ of those members have launched a web page on Facebook titled, "Bishop Long is Innocent."

I will never forget Jamal Parris' eyes when he told his part of the story. The hurt that shined from his soul through his pupils, the shame he wore on his skin like a cloak as a result of being victimized by his Pastor--anyone with a spiritual grounding can see there is some truth to what he is saying. And if you haven't seen the video yet, here's the link.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/iteam/bishop-eddie-long-accuser-talks-jamal-parris-20100928-es?ref=nf

Even with the deception, the homophobia, the sexism and more--this is bigger than defrocking Bishop Long. There is one final piece I want to leave with readers of this editorial.

As we approach a major election, there are some who are celebrating, even hoping for, the dismantling of an institution that played a major role in electing President Obama. And I do know this, there are organized measures being orchestrated behind the scenes as it relates to making sure Pres. Obama is not re-elected.

From Maxine Waters to the sistah from the Department of Labor to Bishop Long, there seems to be a political trend of disempowering Black power structures right now....I don't know, maybe its just me who sees it. But we have to admit, the timing of this is quite interesting....

I am not saying the four boys are being used by opponents of re-electing Pres. Obama but I am saying that their confession can be used...Thus, we must begin to think about new social and political structures to support a candidate who (including Pres. Obama):

A. Has a real chance of winning and;
B. Whose work and ideals are a doorway for the continued building of a society that supports equal opportunity, sustainable living and social justice.

In closing, I pray that this crisis be a catalyst for evolution within the Black church, that we continue the work of fostering a society that allows members and leaders of the Christian movement to be who they are--whether that is Same Gender Loving or heterosexual. I pray too that Bishop Long learns his lessons and gets his healing from what has to be one of the most harrowing experiences of his life. The bible says, "Judge not, lest you be judged." Somebody has put Bishop's judgemental actions on the Karmic speed dial and all I can say is, I hope his slate is washed clean....

Ifalade Ta'Shia Asanti is an award-winning journalist, poet, TV producer and author of two books. She was one of the first Black columnists for the LN, editor of GBF Magazine and is a freelance writer and blogger for DenverUrbanSpectrum.com More about her work can be found at www.tashiaasanti.com

HELP WANTED: GOOD OLD FASHIONED MOTHERS

By Helen L. Burleson, Doctor of Public Administration

I long for the good old days when mothers taught good manners. Those good old fashioned mothers taught that if you don’t have something nice to say about someone, don’t say anything. Mothers also discouraged the use of foul language and crudity. Daughters were taught to become young ladies and sons were taught to become gentlemen.

Four good-sized men supporting a Republican candidate were seen recently manhandling a 115 pound young lady by wrestling her to the ground and then putting their feet on her shoulders and head causing her to have a concussion. Those wonderful mothers of old taught their sons that you NEVER hit a lady, regardless of the circumstances.

During a political rally during the immediate past pre-election season, two men were seen manhandling 2 middle aged-ladies whose Democratic sign had been mishandled by a person with an opposing view. The person, from the opposite party, who caused the disturbance was unchallenged and unfettered.

Also recently 2 men supporting the Democratic Party were arrested at Republican political rallies for unknown and perhaps unfounded reasons.

Female candidates are now using vulgarity, street or profane language to get their points across. One aspiring to become President of the United States used a term which in Spanish is considered a vulgarity in referring to male body parts. Now the women candidates are playing rough and tough by telling the males to “man up.” This sexist language is no more becoming used by females as it would be if used by men. Women libbers would be all over this crying foul as an attempt to put women down. I personally do not feel is it any more acceptable to defame men as it is women. It is profane and offensive.

One aspiring candidate told the President of the United States to “shove it.” Shove what, where and how? What kind of a crudity is that? What kind of person would be so disrespectful in talking to anyone; but, to say that to the President of the United States reflects so badly upon his mother, that one wonders if he evolved motherless in the gutter.

Good manners, common decency, common sense and polite and appropriate speech are lacking in the United States today. Why are we sinking to the lowest possible way of expressing ourselves? Why is it we are finding new language as a way of explaining it?

This current wanton cultural trend of bullying, badgering and belittling has become acceptable in America today, however, it reflects badly upon our education system and family values. Good parenting and effective home training no longer are valued, and this is America’s loss.

There was a time when mothers did not talk or preach “abstinence,” they simply taught their daughters the importance of self respect and self control. Now we have the same mother who apparently wants to become President of the United States whose teen-aged daughter totally ignored her mother’s use of unnecessary language “abstinence.” This obviously is hollow and meaningless, because her daughter became a mother while still in her teen years before completing high school.

When candidates falsify their records or achievements, upon challenge of correction, it becomes, I “misspoke.” What does that mean? That person simply deliberately did not the truth. Here again we are using this creative new language to describe aberrant behavior.

People running around with tea bags attached to their hats and chanting mean and malicious slogans are now being referred to as impassioned, when it used to be simply called “crazy.”

People are flaming unhealthy feelings by talking about using our Second Amendment Rights and reloading and they are stirring up emotions in unstable people which could potentially lead to tragedy and violence.

Has America gone mad? Where are the mothers in this picture? Are all the decent good old fashioned mothers missing in action? We have stooped to a new low in this country where anything goes. These people, aspiring to become law makers are behaving so badly in their desire to lead the country in making rules for governance, that they are a disgrace to themselves, their mothers and the human race.

We need to tone down the rhetoric and extremism in this country, not just because we look bad to the rest of the world, but because we are setting the mold and model for a future generation of degenerates incapable of self actualization and self control. This does not bode well for America’s future. Please decent mothers, answer this ad. Step forward and reclaim our civility. Your absence is sorely missed!

We must hold in our awakened mindfulness awareness of all sentient beings as being our mother and of each one of us being a mother keeping in our heart that all who are here bless and keep the world whole.

The nature of the compassionate heart is that we see our gifts and freely devote our waking moments to living in this world here and now.

It is this moment that is essential and that changes the cold hearted decisions of despots and those who seek to live in the past or who plot to plunder the earth's vast wonders.

What we are called to do is live according to principles of forgiveness, awe and openness to every being who we meet on the path.

No one has less and no one more in this world. We are the same.

When we look into the mirror what is reflected are the conditions of all of us from the birth of life unto the utter end.

When you say, I love you, you enter inyo a covenant with the other that remains forever.
We share the steps and the horizon of our ancestors and those who are unborn all at once in this moment.
We call upon them to give us the promise of this peace within.

We listen and hold in our awakened consciousness the ultimate power of the divine in each step and each breath. Exhale the beauty and grace of your life and then and turn and inhale the infusion of the inter connection of all beings.

This giving up of the desire to possess frees us to love and focus on what matters, how simply and effortlessly we pass through with dignity and compassion.

SARAH PALIN: IGNORANCE AND PROMISCUITY

THE NEW COTTAGE INDUSTRY

By Helen L. Burleson, Doctor of Public Administration

Statistically, America is now number 23 in the world in educational achievement.

Look to America’s fascination with Sarah Palin and how she has catapulted ignorance into a multi-million dollar enterprise. Americans on her level can’t get enough of her. The more she mocks intelligence and intellectualism, the more she increases her financial value. Not able to articulate a complete sentence, among her followers this is the new norm. As she sputters, sparks incoherent phrases of derision and mockery, the more they love her. She has become a household name, and has risen to the level of the people who are well known by just one name, like Cher, Oprah, Aretha, Bono, Heidi, Marilyn, Einstein, Ike, Mike, Teddy (both the first and the second – Theodore Roosevelt (also known as the rough rider) and Edward Moore Kennedy.

Palin has produced two books written by others and she has traveled the country greeted with admiration as she grows richer and richer. They call it folksy. They call it relating to her base. The more inarticulate she is, they more they love her.

Though she preaches abstinence, she is now the grandmother of a grandchild born out of wedlock, whose teen-aged mother is now capitalizing on promiscuity. On the speakers circuit, Bristol Palin can command in excess of ten thousand dollars telling teens that she made a mistake, and abstinence is the best policy. In other words, the old fashioned, don’t do as I do, do as I say you should do.

This mother and daughter duo are charming the dollars out of the pockets of the lesser educated people who identify with their common touch. Together as a package or solo, they are gold, pure and simple.

At a time when America is far behind much of the industrialized world, and learning and knowledge are the keys to responding to the technology era, the Palins are taking America back to the Stone Age. Remember the Stone Age when cave men were first learning how to use language, they spoke in sputters and single words and used body language to communicate.

We are in a knowledge-based race to develop and train a generation to get ahead in the age of technology and innovation. Perhaps we are on the wrong path. The Palins seem to have found the keys to the kingdom – ignorance and promiscuity. America seems to have an insatiable appetite for both.

Today, the quitter governor of Alaska, whose only aim seems to be to spread ignorance and hatred for the Obamas, took a swipe at Our First Lady, Michelle Obama. Adjudged the most powerful woman in the world, Michelle Obama, a Princeton University graduate, an attorney and a Harvard law school graduate is a beautiful, well poised, articulate and gracious lady. Palin, by contrast took 6 years and 5 colleges before she could earn a Bachelor’s degree in communications, is now the reigning queen of the trailer park crowd. Palin, also by contrast could easily qualify as the most ignorant woman in the world, yet she lashed out jealously at First Lady Michelle Obama.

Palin’s status in life is solidified and personified as the new low in the dumbing down of America. Bristol Palin, a chip off the old block is doing what her mother should be doing. Sarah should be on the speaker’s circuit saying that American women should not do as she did, but should stay in school, get a good education and add to the body of knowledge as the scholarly First Lady Michelle Obama does. Bristol’s message of don’t do what I did is hollow. Her practice abstinence message would be more effective if she had practiced what she now preaches.

The new cottage industry should not be ignorance and promiscuity because that only causes us to fall further behind in the race to the top for America to regain her position as the most admired and most imitated country in the industrialized world. The new cottage industry should be what President Obama proposes in his initiative to elevate the American standard of excellence with his “Race to the Top.”

The 33rd Starz Film Festival Begins This Year at the Lowenstein Theatre on Colfax Ave. on Nov. 4

The first night of the 33rd Starz Film Festival is Tuesday November 3 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House where they will show the film “Rabbit Hole,” in which Nicole Kidman is the Executive Producer. These are all red carpet events. Tickets are on sale at the box office on the west end of the Tivoli Student center at 900 Auraria Parkway or on line at denverfilm.org. The film schedule will be released on October 18.

The Starz Film Festival will kick off on November 4, 2010 at the Lowenstein Complex on Colfax Ave. with the two films: “Casino Jack,” and Morning.” They will occupy the area adjoining the Tattered Cover Book and Twist And Shout Stores., and across the street from East High School. The Denver Film Society will lease the three theatre venues for two years, moving their operations to the neighborhood on Colfax. Tom Botelho, Executive Director has stated, that “this is an opportunity for them to capitalize on the location with an option to buy the theatre. The capacity at the Lowenstein is 180 seats. They will move in on October 15, and have an additional site for their offices. There will be a restaurant and full bar in the lobby that will seat eighty people.

On Thursday November 5 “Big Night,” and “127 Hours, “ will be featured at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the performing Arts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at www.Denverfilm.org and in person at 900 Auraria Parkway in the west end of the Tivoli Student Center.

The closing on Saturday November 13, is showing, “Black Swan,” with Natalie Portman, once again at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex at 7:30 p.m. The eleven days of the film festival will be packed with artists, events and 100,000 film goers, including critics, producers, actors and directors, all who attending showings at the four venues, Starz Film Center on Auraria Campus, the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the King Center on Auraria Campus and the Lowenstein Theatres.

“Corner Store,” is a documentary about a man named Jousef Elhaj and the tribulations of his family in occupied Palestine in the second “Infata,”or shaking off of the shackles of occupation. Mr. Elhaj came to San Francisco and opened a grocery and liquor store called, “Church St. Market.” He works there from 7:30 a.m. Until midnight without exception for ten years. While at the time his three children live in occupied Palestine. He is gaining the necessary papers to bring his family to the United States, to join his four brothers and his sister, who already have emigrated. Cara Jobson is a lawyer who is representing Jousef to help gain his family's freedom and to join him.

This film is disgusting and heart wrenching because the United States and Israel have collaborated in punishing people who have no other interests than their heritage, their families, their freedom, as an independent state on their sovereign land in and around Bethlehem. He decides to go and find his family, to make the final preparations to being them to America. Palestinians live in a large open prison with hug walls and limited access to their communities and yet, they have stood their ground and arisen with vision and focus on their many gifts.

The passage of ten years has changed nothing for these people. They live on the edge of being evacuated and driven from their homelands. They live under the constant threat of violence based on the Israeli government's determination that they will force their will on Palestinians. For further information contact www.thecornerdocumentary.org. Sign up to help work on changing the dynamics of the occupied settlers of Palestine.

The film will be shown twice at the Starz Film Center on the Auraria Campus at the Tivoli Center at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday November 6 and on Sunday at 2p.m. It is one among numerous films on justice and the human rights of people throughout the world.

“When I Rise,” is the true account of an African American student , Barbara Smith Conrad, at the University of Texas in Austin in the 1950's, when she was barred from performing a romantic musical. Her life brought her to international fame as a mezzo-soprano. She has demonstrated that along with the gifts with which we are endowed there are intangible attributes of courage and conviction to higher principles that transcend time and place no matter what the circumstances. This film will be shown on Wednesday November 10 at 9:15 p.m. At the Tivoli Student Center.

AMERICA MUST REMAIN NEUTRAL
By Helen L. Burleson, Doctor of Public Administration

For the United States to weigh in on the situation in Iran would seem a little like the pot calling the kettle black.

Let us go back to Chicago, August 23, 1968 during the Democratic National Convention. Thousands of people, many of whom were young students, protested the unpopular war in Vietnam; and thought the ideal place was the DNC Convention where the selection of the country's leaders were to be decided.

Having a hidden agenda, the late Mayor Richard J. Daley, the father of the current mayor of Chicago, gave the Chicago Police Department the order to "shoot to kill" the demonstrators.
I watched in horror on television as the Chicago police launched the most brutal and vicious attack that I have ever seen. Though I was alone, I kept crying out loud, those are our children, those are our children, why are they brutalizing our own children like that. It was as though the police were so psychologically revved up that they were maniacal in their fervor and fury.

This action resulted in 8 young people being arrested for a variety of charges like curfew violation and unlawful assembly without "permits." The eight were Rennie Davis, David Delinger, Bobby Seale, Tom Hayden, Julius Froines, Lee Weiner, Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman. Bobby Seale, being denied the opportunity to select an attorney of his choosing, vocally protested this right being denied him, was ordered bound and gagged while in court by Judge Julius Hoffman (not related to Abbie). Later Bobby Seale's case was separated from the others, thus the infamous title "The Chicago Seven."

Though I have no proof of this, it was widely rumored that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was in Milwaukee on his way to Chicago leading a poor people's march to demonstrate at the DNC Convention. Dr. King was alerted to the mayor's order, and thus remained in Milwaukee.
It is my personal opinion that once passions had been aroused in the Chicago policemen, all of their hatred, their biases, their contempt, and their deep seated emotions unleashed, could not draw back or reel in their emotions despite the fact that they were confronted by a group of largely white college students. The Mayor had assembled 12,000 Chicago policemen, 6,000 Illinois National Guardsmen and 6,000 U. S. army troops for the "purpose of maintaining order."

The vicious cycle had started, the next altercation and example of our own inhumanity was at Kent State University at Kent, OH where students were fired upon randomly.

The next in this season of man's inhumanity to man was Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. Bullet holes could still be seen in dormitory buildings. This is something, I personally witnessed when I traveled a few years later to Jackson, MS.

Now, I ask you, where do these atrocities give us the right to voice any negative feelings about what's going on in Iran? The last person in the world to criticize President Obama is Senator John McCain, the war hawk. McCain has not lived up to his patriotic duty to deliver Osama bin Laden to us. He promised during the campaign that he knew how to get bin Laden and he would get bin Laden. To my knowledge, we don’t have bin Laden yet. McCain should spend his time and energy “getting” bin Laden who is a greater threat to us than what is going on in Iran.

President Obama, again, demonstrates his even temperament and his sound judgement to say as little as possible. The last thing we need at this time is for the world to remind us of how we dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, where we, Americans, were the only country in history to use atomic energy for destructive purposes. We certainly do not need them to remind us of our own history of violence perpetrated upon our own people.

For those who are critical of President Obama's "inaction" please review American history.
My conclusion for the United States to remain neutral is based on FACT, how you arrive at your decision for the United States to interfere is up to you.

I AM PART OF THE BASE
By Helen L. Burleson, Doctor of Public Administration

Ever since Herbert Hoover, I have experienced the governance of every president.
This morning, I heard “Newbies” and talking heads on Morning Joe on MSNBC criticizing the President of the United States.

Joe Scarborough, the Republican former politico, hypocritically declared that, “I have never heard a president talk like that before.” Perhaps not Joe, because you haven’t lived long enough. Peggy Noonan, please come and talk with me and I’ll tell you what the base is thinking because you haven’t a clue.

President Obama is absolutely correct. Like a good teacher, a good coach, or a good parent, once in a while people need a good “scolding” when they seem to be slacking or not performing according to their potential.

Of course, if one has malice or is subject to interpreting everything negatively, one could think the worst of what President Obama is saying to his base.

Mr. President, I heard you loud and clear. My enthusiasm hasn’t waned, because I have a deep and broad understanding of the reality of what is going in America. I am enthusiastic.

We, in your base, need not only a good “scolding” but we need a good old fashioned ‘whopping’!

Anyone with even a partial brain knows that America has never been in such a horrific state of affairs as we are in now, even when compared to The Great Depression. Mr. President, you walked into the White House with two major wars and troops stationed in numerous countries throughout the world. There was unrest throughout the world. There were countries in turmoil and fighting age old conflicts that have been going on for years way before you were born. I was in Europe in the ‘70’s when the American dollar was devalued. Shop keepers did not want the American dollar because it was unstable. They wanted credit cards because they could adjust the prices according to the value of the dollar. They knew that had they taken cash, that was it. If they had accepted one dollar, they might end up with a piece of paper worth only ninety cents. Also, I remember during The Great Depression when school teachers were paid in script, in other words, they were given an IOU or a promissory note.

Though my father was blessed with employment throughout The Great Depression, both the company for which he worked, International Harvester Company and the labor union provided extras for the workers’ families because of the hard times.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt presided as a war time president because of WWII, but that was one major war. He did not inherit that “JUST” war. We were attacked during his presidency. It was his duty to protect Americans; and, we had every right to defend ourselves. There had been little prosperity in the middle class before The Great Depression. Home ownership was almost an unknown quantity. Families, if they were fortunate, had only one car as compared to today when even with our three car garages, sometimes there are one or two additional cars sitting in the driveway.

Schools were doing a much better job of educating students in those days. Teachers and adults were respected and most parents, despite their level of education, supervised homework and cooperated with teachers. Many schools today resemble a jungle where both teachers and students dress and behave inappropriately. Some teachers not only demean their students but they curse at them.

America has lost her moral compass, and standards of decorum and excellence are in the pits.
This tragedy that America has become is what President Obama inherited. Not respected as highly in the world as we once were, President Obama is, gradually through listening and negotiating, attempting to restore not only our self respect, but our international respect.

Now, enter President Obama and he is expected in less than two years to correct all the societal ills that have been festering in America for centuries.

Yes, Americans are whining and they do need to buck up because most do not know what hard times really are. We, at last, have a bright future and a brilliant young president whose ideals and dreams are for a better America. He is taking us in the right direction, but it takes time to correct the flaws and faults of several generations.

No president, regardless of his accomplishments or lack thereof, has ever been maligned, lied upon, and had his motives questioned the way President Obama has. We have had some bad presidents. We have had some presidents who needed to be impeached. We have had presidents who never should have been president in the first place and would not have been except for the malfunctioning of “friend” placed Diebold voting machines, and people in position to corrupt the election process and then have the ill-gotten results legitimized by the highest court in the land.

I am the base. I am the highly educated and intelligent base. I am an experienced member of the base and I am sticking with our president; and, his “scolding” has energized me more because I know that with all that I am doing, I could do more to open the eyes and minds of the base.

Never in my history, which spans 80 years, have I known a president more inclusive and dedicated to elevate the status and standards of living for all of America’s people. “Buck up.”