Racism

All this talk of Ron Paul and racism has caused me to reflect.

Racism exists.  Today.  Right here in America.  I can say that with confidence because I am a white mother of a black son.  If you don’t know my family dynamics, reread that sentence.  Let it soak in.  It will make sense after you read it a couple times.  And just in case you’re confused about racism, it goes both ways.  I’m not blaming whites or blacks or Muslims or Christians.  It’s everywhere and we’re all capable of it.  My personal experiences… While shopping at a Walmart Pharmacy, I was denied the medicine I needed for my son by a black pharmacy tech.  A social worker later explained that many black women in our local area are offended by white women marrying black men.  White woman, black son must equal black husband.  We had some white friends that said that our (white) daughter was welcome to come over, but our (black) son was not.  Then there was the person who was encouraging my white child to be a doctor or an inventor and told my black child he could be a rapper.  That person was sincere.  I’ve been asked if his penis is bigger.  Yep, you read that right.   Do moms compare penis sizes at playgroup or something?  I must’ve missed that one.  And for some reason, people seem to think it’s more ok to tell me racist jokes.

Why did I tell the inhabitants of the internet all this?  Because I don’t want some silly, “You’re white, you don’t understand” response.  Do I understand every aspect of racism?  No.  Who really does?  I do know that my son is more likely to be pulled over by the police, more likely to be evaluated for special education, etc.  While most people aren’t openly racist, there are stereotypes that guide everyday life.

So, what about these racist Ron Paul newsletters?  I can’t tell you if he wrote them or not.  But I’ll give my two cents on it.  Adjust it for inflation, and it probably won’t amount to much.  However, it’s my blog, so I can say what I want.

1. The ghostwriter explanation makes sense.  If you’ve had any affiliation with a candidate, campaign, or organization, you’ll know that they use them all the time.  Most mail pieces, emails, etc. are written by staff or consultants.  They’re also edited by staff.  They are written in first person as though the candidate or leader of the organization wrote it.  And that person rarely sees what was written in his or her name.  I’ve even ghostwritten a few email pieces.
2. Ron Paul doesn’t name his ghostwriter.  Often more than one person works on one piece.  And most organizations probably don’t keep record of who wrote which piece.  In fact, it’s fairly common for a candidate to not know the writers.  Why hire a staff if you still try to run everything on your own?
3. The bulk of Ron Paul’s speeches are clearly not racist.  He protests the War on Drugs which disproportionately incarcerates black males.  His stance on civil rights is far beyond that of modern Republicans.
4. Maybe he is racist at some level.  Granted I probably won’t get the Ron Paul Supporter of the Year Award for that statement.   I do have to question the relevance of a handful of statements made decades ago that MAY have come from him.  Here’s the thing.  Most Americans are racist.  My personal experiences in racism are irritating, and sometimes downright painful, but I must take them in stride.  If I disqualified people from my life because of the stupid things they say and do regarding race, I’d be isolated.  Do I tell my daughter that she can’t be friends with certain people because their families are racist?  Do I not shop somewhere because one employee refused service?  Do I ostracize family, friends, and church members because they made a statement that seemed harmless to them?

In the end, I still wonder about the newsletters.   Is it a negative in my book?  Yes.  However, when I compare the pros and cons of the Republican candidates, one still stands out above the rest.  Ron Paul is still more consistent than those other guys and gal.  And thankfully Ron Paul refrains from the typical (and evidently acceptable) Republican hate speech against Muslims, Islamists, Iranians, etc.  If you want to call Ron Paul a racist, that’s fine.  But let’s call all of them out for it.  The rest of the candidates want to bomb all over the Middle East because of a stereotypical fear of Middle Easterners.  And they want to “help” Israel do the same even when Israel’s Prime Minister doesn’t want the help.

I doubt any of us have found a candidate with whom we agree with 100%.  As the light shines on each of them, we’ll find a little more dirt than we’d like to see.  In the end, hopefully, each of us will support the man or woman who is the most consistent on the issues, has the greatest character, and will lead our nation as defined within the Constitution.  For me, that person is still Ron Paul.

I detest the title of this, but it’s a good video.  Take a look.

BJ Lawson Pulls Ahead of David Price

Exciting news from North Carolina’s 4th District, where the Republican Party is the 3rd Party.

By BJ Lawson, on Sep 7, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

B.J. Lawson Polling Ahead of Rep. David Price
Likely voters choose Lawson over Price 46.5 percent to 46.1 percent

RALEIGH, N.C., September 7, 2010 – William (B.J.) Lawson, MD, Republican challenger to Rep. David Price in North Carolina’s Fourth District, announces a turning point in his campaign as a recent poll shows that 46.5 percent of likely voters would elect him, as opposed to 46.1 percent who would vote to re-elect 22-year incumbent Rep. Price.

“This proves that voters know that Washington insiders aren’t serving their best interests, especially not one who votes with Nancy Pelosi more than any other congressman,” said Dr. Lawson.  “Nearly half of these respondents are Democratic voters, so regardless of political affiliation, Americans know you can’t spend yourself out of a recession just like you can’t drink yourself sober.  Americans know that you need to cut taxes and wasteful government spending, stop the bailouts, and let North Carolina keep more of our money to allow us to create jobs and prosperity in our own communities. Americans are hurting and responsibly tightening their belts and their spending, so it’s time for the government to have enough respect for us to do the same.”

This poll was conducted in mid-August by Action Solutions, which carries out its polls via a state-of-the-art automated telephone system using standard statistical methods to select a representative sample of registered voters.  Action Solutions polled 1,038 registered likely voters here in the Fourth District – respondents included 45.4 percent Democrat, 28.2 percent Republican, 23.6 percent Unaffiliated and 2.8 percent other/third party – which accurately reflects the expected off-year turnout in the district.

Other data from respondents included:
•    95 percent were “very likely” to vote in the November midterm elections
•    71 percent believe that Congress is doing a poor job here in the Fourth District
•    52 percent do not think government spending helps the economy

These poll results also come on the heels of an influx of endorsements from key conservative congressmen including Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Walter Jones (NC-03) and Tom McClintock (CA-04), as well as former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.  Lawson has also been endorsed by key North Carolina state legislators including House Minority Leader Paul “Skip” Stam, Reps. Marilyn Avila and Nelson Dollar, and State Senator Richard Stevens.

A resident of Apex where he lives with his wife and three children, Dr. William (B.J.) Lawson is a Constitutional Conservative running for Congress in North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District.   For more information, see the campaign’s Web site, http://www.lawsonforcongress.com.
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Conservatives are aware and angry.  We must show up at the polls and formally register our discontent.  The spending and the loss pf personal liberty will never end unless we vote and work hard to elect those who pledge to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.

Show Tunes and Politics

Believe it or not, I’ve been working on several posts, but I can’t seem to get any of them right to my satisfaction.  My thoughts are all over the place lately.  Maybe too much is happening.  Maybe I’m not focussed.  So today I’m trying yet another post. It’s short, an easy read.

This morning I’ve had songs from The Lion King in my head.  Count yourself privileged that you don’t have to watch me dance to the songs in my head!  This one sticks out.  It’s “Be Prepared,” sung by Scar as he plots to take over the flourishing kingdom by killing the king and his son.

[Scar:]
I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog’s backside
But thick as you are, pay attention
My words are a matter of pride
It’s clear from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we’re talking kings and successions
Even you can’t be caught unawares
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
Be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer

I know it sounds sordid
But you’ll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared!

[Scar:] I will be king! …Stick with me, and
you’ll never go hungry again!

[Hyenas: {In tight, crisp phrasing and diction}]
It’s great that we’ll soon be connected.
With a king who’ll be all-time adored.
[Scar:] Of course, quid pro quo, you’re expected
To take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes
And though I’m the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is
You won’t get a sniff without me!
So prepare for the coup of the century
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning…

Ah, the beauty of politics.  The lyrics of this song concisely say what is going on today in so many corners of politics.  Our leaders recognize that the bulk of the populace is thick.  They see the vacant expressions and recognize the lack of retention.  So they promise the world.  They only deliver the bad, but we quickly forget.  We are so easily manipulated.

Will you continue to be thick?  Will you continue to forgive and forget?  Will you continue to vote for the horrid representatives because they have money?

CPAC 2010

We all need to recharge our batteries sometimes.  In a society of grotesquely obese  government and citizens who rarely pay attention to what is really happening, it is easy to become weary.  The liberty movement is beginning to see successes, but they are slow to come.  It is easy to get depressed or want to give up.  It’s important to reconnect with those share your beliefs, in order to keep the faith.  The torch of freedom won’t be carried by only one or two people, but a generation of individuals determined to right the wrongs of the past several generations.  The burden is heavy and the job immense.  Few times in our history has so much been asked of a young generation.  If we don’t carry this burden and successfully return our nation to its founding principles, we risk losing all that these United States were formed to protect.  No one can face this immense challenge sanely without the camaraderie of like-minded souls who share your passion, drive, intelligence, and vigor.

This past week I attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) as a volunteer for Campaign for Liberty.  CPAC is traditionally a neo-conservative conference.  It is geared toward people who believe in individual liberty for those who subscribe to their moral and religious code.  God-given unalienable human rights do not apply to those who do not fit their mold.  They subscribe to a principle of aggression, desiring to force the world to emulate them with bombs, drones, and tanks.  It’s not exactly a utopian environment for me.  However, Campaign for Liberty reminded us that many of us were once neo-conservatives.  Someone opened our eyes to the concept that war is not pro-life and it is not prerogative of these United States to coerce any sovereign nation to be a democracy, republic, or any other form of government.  Using government to further religious or moral causes is dangerous ground, as the ideals forced upon us in the future may not be what we like.  Let each person choose religion and morality for himself.  Awakening happens over time, requiring gentle, but consistent education.  Campaign for Liberty worked to educate and awaken the neo-conservatives at CPAC, along with providing education for the liberty movement and the opportunity for weary warriors to recover and connect.

I’m amazed at how exhausted recharging makes me.  During the day, I attended a mix of events.  Some were big government politicians claiming to be small government Republicans.  Their speeches were merely pep rallies with occasional talking points with almost no substance.  Speaker after speaker joked about Obama’s teleprompter while unfolding wrinkled notes from a coat pocket.  What does one learn from the over-told joke?  Conservatives can’t use technology as well as liberals.   The worst part is that they think that is good.  Speeches were light on principle and philosophy, and heavy on name-calling and empty talking points.  However, the Campaign for Liberty sponsored events dug deeper.  One sessions analyzed the actions of Abraham Lincoln and the repercussions we still feel today.  We learned about economics, nullification, and Constitutional authority.

My volunteer activities were just as diverse.  I manned the video camera of two events and was a bartender for the Bloggers and New Media Meet and Greet.  I also joined a group of activists for a photo-op on the Hill with Dudley Brown of the National Association of Gun Rights for a petition drop.

The social time filled the evenings and went into the wee hours of the morning, with bedtime somewhere between 3:30a.m. and 6:30 a.m. each “night.”  The recurring statement was “I LOVE being around like-minded people!”  How often do you have the chance to socialize with intelligent and diverse people who share your passion for saving liberty?  Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) and Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA) both hosted happy hours at local bars.  The C4L volunteers gathered the first evening to get to know each other at the CPAC Underground.  And the last night we celebrated Ron Paul winning the CPAC poll.  Between drinks and dancing, we debated politics, groaned about our work ahead, and celebrated each others’ successes.  We shared information on how we were successful at campaigns, legislation, and growing the movement.  It was invigorating.  Of course, you don’t spend 21 waking hours a day with the same people and leave friendless.   We’re all plotting which conference we’ll be at next time, and how to coordinate lodging and transportation.  And perhaps a 12 step program for those who find themselves at every single conference.

If you’ve never gone to a liberty oriented political conference, look into it.  Campaign for Liberty puts on top-notch events.  Go as a volunteer, and you’ll save money and help in the liberty movement.  In 2009, FreedomFest and Campaign for Liberty had their events together.  I have heard that Freedom 21 is a good educational conference.  Ask around and find one.  Even if you go alone, as I did, you’ll find friends quickly.  See you at the next conference!

Vaccines and Rick Perry

Until a few months ago, I was completely on board with vaccines.  Both my children received routine vaccines.  Even our two dogs and two cats got their regular shots too.  Personally, I’m not so good about my own.  Needles make me ill.  I’m fairly healthy.  Why go through it?  I never questioned vaccine safety or necessity.  I must admit, I thought parents who didn’t vaccinate their children were a bit odd, over-concerned, and occasionally paranoid.  However, I have always believed it is the parents’ right to decline vaccines or any other medical treatment.  Sometimes, it was a matter of religion.  For others, vaccines are unnatural.  They prefer a natural, organic, hippie sort of lifestyle.  Of course, some people thought the government was out to control, sterilize, or kill them.  Then there is medical corporate lobby that pushes vaccines on politicians, and an unreliable FDA that approves them with little testing or documentation.   Whatever their reasons, parents have the right to refuse vaccines for their children.

Governor Rick Perry doesn’t agree.  A few years back, he signed an Executive Order mandating that little girls receive the Gardasil shot, a vaccine that protects against an STD.  A what?!?!  Yes, an STD.  And yes, he mandated it!  In Texas, parents can refuse to vaccinate their children.  Despite the wealth of misinformation, children can attend public school without vaccinations.  At the time I was a strong proponent of vaccines, but requiring one without any option to refuse rings of Nazi Germany and concentration camps.  If you think that’s a hyperbole, think about the scenario for a while.  You have an 11 year old daughter.  She’s a bit boy crazy, but really doesn’t have much of a clue about sex.  You take her to the pediatrician for her yearly well visit.  You expect her to measured and weighed, and to have conversations about deodorant and healthy eating.  Instead your doctor says she’s required to get a shot that will protect her against an STD.  “Thank you, but I think we’ll wait on that,” you say as you snarl at the doctor for bringing up STDs.  You’ve raised your daughter to be modest and respectful of her body.  You have an open relationship with her.  You are on the path to abstinence and would prefer to deal with the issues of sex in a different environment.  Maybe you’re a bit naïve and a little nervous, but this isn’t at all how you pictured it.  The doctor responds that you actually don’t have a choice.  The government requires it.  She will get the shot.  Sorry that you disagree, but it’s mandatory.  It will be ok.  It’s for her own good.  Think of all the disease and heartache we can prevent.  Work will make you free.  Oh sorry, wrong propaganda phrase. 

If it were me in this scenario, I probably grab my daughter and run.  Unfortunately, parents didn’t.  The death rate for this vaccine is abnormally high.  I’ve seen claims of sterilization, repeated miscarriages later on, and other disastrous effects.  So it turned out to be a bad vaccine.  That’s not what concerns me as much as that it was required, forced.  No choice allowed.  Fans of Rick Perry say he saw the error of his ways.  I disagree.  He didn’t reverse his order when parents and legislators cried out.  The Texas legislator passed legislation overriding that Executive Order.  As a final act of his defiance of parental rights, Perry would not sign it.  It went into law without his signature.  Parents today again have choice and rights.  But not with the help or support of Governor Perry. 

Why did Rick Perry assault parental rights?  I have no idea.  Perhaps he thought parents were incapable of dealing with sex education and STDs.  Maybe he really thought he’d rid the world of cervical cancer and later be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  Conceivably he had a buddy pedaling a vaccine that no one else would buy.  Maybe he’s a control freak.  I can’t answer the why.  All I can say is that it was wrong.  I hope parents remember Perry for what he is when it comes to parental rights.  Your children are the most precious people in the world.  None of us are perfect parents and we will make mistakes.  Those are our mistakes to make and the responsibility rests fully on us as parents.  We don’t need a governor making more mistakes for us. 

As a side note, recent personal research has led us to no longer vaccinate our children.  We’ve found the risks often outweigh the benefits.  There is a wealth of propaganda in favor of vaccinating, but one must really dig to find opposing facts.  I urge you to read and research.  Come to an informed decision, whatever it is.  I wish I would have researched sooner.