Mulloverthis’s Weblog

Although I believe in divine healing, healing comes in different manifestations.  We ought to pray and to believe God for our bodies to be in perfect health and wholeness.  It is also vital to use common sense and take care of our bodies.  Once we are diagnosed with a sickness–which may be genetic, have developed spontaneously, or brought on through lack of care or ignorance–how we respond to it is up to us.  Surgical, medical, homeopathic and faith healing are all viable pursuits to deal with challenges to our health.  Whatever we do, we are to live by faith. 

I’ve had surgery and prayed over the anesthesiologist, surgeons, surgical nurse and everyone else before I allowed them to knock me out.  I had NEVER had a surgical procedure before, and was not aware of any aversions/allergic reactions to anything at all.  The anesthesia almost killed me.  I could not breathe, and my lungs were severely compromised after the surgery.  I could not breathe normally on my own until 7 days after the procedure.  I understood the power of prayer once I was trying to recover.  So, in all health matters, prayer is a strong recommendation.

Prevention is the best strategy to insure wellness, total health and complete prosperity.  One must “know” in order to prevent sickness and diseases, much of which can be avoided.  Knowledge is power.  Applied knowledge is wisdom.  In the African-American community diabetes is rampant, and is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. 

So, here are some links to power below so you and I can operate in wisdom and preserve life:

/www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/health/01well.html?em&ex=1215144000&en=b76004734758a927&ei=5087%0A

For statistics on African Americans & Diabetes:

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/african-americans.jsp

Links to diabetes websites:

http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp

http://diabetes.webmd.com/

The hike in gas prices has caused lifestyle changes for many who cannot afford to pay $4 and up per gallon.  Just for general principle sake, many are not driving as much because somehow in our minds, we just should not have to pay so much money for gas.  Not one day has gone by–not one–where I haven’t heard someone complain about the rising cost of gasoline, passed right onto the consumers.  So, check out the link below for some tips on how to be cost-effective with these ridiculous prices. 

Then take a few deep breaths and hope that they don’t go up to $7 per gallon, as some analysts project.  Let the thought of an organized boycott run across your mind.  I hope to see one where Americans refuse to purchasing gas for an entire weekend and walk, ride or use public transportation.  Just like the good old civil rights days, we can gain some extra cardiovascular exercise through a long brisk walk.  When the oil companies scream, “ouch, our revenue has been affected” and there are billions of dollars in lost work productivity for those unable to get to work, the government will intervene. 

As usual, mulloverthis.

For tips on how to save gas, click below:

//www.npr.org/blogs/newsandviews/2008/07/the_gas_reality_theres_no_magi_1.html?ft=1

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/drive.shtml

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106842/article.html

If you live long enough, you will experience the best of times and the worst of times, all at the same time.  This holds true, for example, when a doting father watches his only daughter get married.  The ultra dad may be exuberant while witnessing his daughter take on the life of a wife, all while grieving because his baby girl is now looking to another  as her strong man, protector, provider and leader.  Divorce often has this ambivalent effect on couples that don’t make it.  While each partner may be looking forward to a permanent dissolution of the marriage, it is often a painstaking reminder of the end of life as usual.  Psychologically, it can be as traumatic as experiencing a death, or loss of a loved one.  So, this divorce cannot be an easy time for Bynum or Weeks.

The couple received a final divorce decree on June 20, 2008 at the Atlanta area Gwinnett County Superior Court.  Bynum and Weeks were a high-profile ministry couple who had an unprecedented media exposed take-by-take coverage of the demise of their marriage.  Their union had challenges like most.  The straw that broke the camel’s back was the August 21, 2007 parking lot incident where Bynum alleged that her then husband, Weeks, assaulted her by beating and repeatedly kicking her.  Weeks plead guilty to aggravated assault, after initially stating that he never put his hands on  Bynum.  He later changed his story and said he pushed Bynum away because she was attempting to assault him.  Bynum was the one with the documented bruises and the testimony of two black male hotel employees who had no prior relationship to Bynum other than seeing her frequent the hotel.  Even with Weeks’ alleged spousal abuse to his first wife, alleged physical altercations with a male and female church employee, a switch in stories before the world, and conviction, he still claims to be the victim. 

Had Michael Jackson, OJ Simpson, Marion Barry, Mike Tyson and most recently R. Kelly not been hailed as heros by a litany of supporters amidst alleged crimes against women and children, I might be alarmed.  This is the world we live in.  Where a prominent Baptist preacher petitioned for Mike Tyson, who has recently been linked to a murder plot in Bedford-Stuyvestant area of Brooklyn, New York, to have his prison sentence for raping Desiree Washington stayed.  Where were the church leaders petitioning for Bishop Weeks or other pastors with violent tendencies to have a stay from mounting a pulpit to lead people?  They couldn’t see past Bynum’s fiery personality, or whatever else became the focus.  I’m sure Desiree Washington understands.  Her commitment to dancing to win the competition for which she spent 6 months preparing, over 24 hour delay in reporting the crime, and willingness to visit the famous boxer’s hotel room–after having asked to re-schedule the date, after asking her roommate to go with her to Tyson’s hotel room (who declined)–made her a scorned girl who didn’t want to be treated like a one night stand.  Poor Mike, Poor OJ, Poor R.Kelly, Poor Weeks.  How dare anyone interrupt their lives and make them accountable for alleged criminal activity?

It will be a better day when the focus of crimes committed against women are on the actual criminal activity and not on all of the issues with which the women who were murdered, raped, beaten, and assaulted walk into the criminal activity . 

Should Bynum have stayed will always be a question.  I happen to think that Bynum is a woman responsible for her own life before the Lord and that calling is greater than her calling to influence what a world looking at this fiasco will think about Christians who divorce.  One thing is certain:  her decision to leave is between her and the Lord who knows whether she would have ended up in a coffin from the maniacal behavior of a man who a bellman had to pull off of his wife while stating, “I’m going to kill you”.  The same people with signs praying for their celebrity and religious icons to get off (who they tend to empathize with), would be the same dramazoids waiting to view her body and crying empty tears.  Bynum made the choice to live and I don’t believe God intended for her to part from death at her husband’s hands.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2008/06/21/bynumgwx.html

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2008/03/14/weeks0314.html

In a speech entitled, “The America We Love”, Obama incites Americans to be patriotic to our nation while subtley putting to rest the notion that he may be unpatriotic.  You may be surprised that I only have two thoughts on this one:

1.  If only oratorical skills and charisma while reading someone else’s brillant speech writing were the quintessence of Presidential competency, we might all be convinced.  Concerted efforts to prove patriotism draws attention to a problem, which may really be non-existent.  Obama just be who you are, your patriotism or lack thereof, will shine through.

2.  Does the “we” include Michele Obama?  Hope she was the first to get the memo prepped with Q-tips to make sure there is no blockage to her auditory functions to hear, and a helmet to protect the nervous sensory ability to understand that a wife needs to act like she loves the country of which her husband wants to be President.   Even Kizzy had a patriotic moment of hope and was proud of her country knowing that one day, Michele Obama and I would be free.  At least ”freer” to be on the road to the White House if we so desired, even with institutionalized racism and sexism as invisible but surmountable barriers. 

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/obama-tries-to-answer-questions-of-patriotism/index.html?nl=pol&emc=pola1

I don’t think these two have the power to unify the Democratic Party.  They do, however, have the ability to put differences aside and make the best of the mayhem.  Obama and Clinton have negotiations underway with the genius of a familiar attorney to both of them–their book deal patron,  Robert B. Barnett.

Reputedly at issue are some housecleaning concerns such as Hilary’s campaign debt, her role in the upcoming national convention and on the campaign road, and the use of Clinton’s former staff in Obama’s campaign.  My advice to Senator Obama and his assortment of advisors is well represented in a mulloverthis comment posted on the Root:

“…To all Obamaites who think that he can win without the support of Clintonites, think again.  Obama BARELY won the popular vote.  According to presidential history, he did not prevail in enough key states to beat McCain in the delegate counts either.  Hilary moreso prevailed in the “major” states.  Unity–or at least settling for best of the least– is a prerequiste for Obama to be our next president.  So, Obama and his deluded champions need to calm down and figure out how to secure Hilary supporter votes and those of non-war non-Bush republicans.  That is the only way Obama has a chance.  Remember, he hardly beat Hilary, who could follow the leads of the other democratic presidential campaign drop-outs:  Hold a press conference, endorse Barack, and go on vacation. “ 

In other words, Obama needs to try his best to supplement Hilary Clinton’s expenses for the national convention and make Clintonites feel well-adjusted in transitioning to his camp, at least to the millions that will take the leap. Let this quest for unity be a litmus test for Obama’s ability to unify America. 

Obama, we are watching. You ought to be able to converge with one commander-in-chiefing woman.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/us/politics/26unity.html?_r=1&nl=pol&emc=pola1&oref=slogin

Here we go again.   Every now and again, I cannot contain my ability to allow Whiteys to brief themselves and simply mind my business. 

Although they may be polar opposites, Pat Buchanan’s fellow Blackman Detective Ralph Nader, accused Democratic Presidential Nominee, Senator Bararck Obama of “talking white”.  It is important to comprehend the context of this remark to fully appreciate what Nader is communicating.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jun/25/nader-critical-of-obama-for-trying-to-talk-white/

Apparently, Nader is miffed by Obama’s political agenda because it does not include–or at least has not widely pushed–the issues that plague the abject poor.  Although I wholeheartedly and cannot emphasize enough how much I agree, I cannot side with Detective Nader this time.  Predatory lending, payday loans and the like should be addressed by the Obama campaign along with a number of other issues that plague, transcend and certainly is not limited to  the Black community.  However, Obama is not the candidate of the Black Community and never has been.  This is what distinguishes him from the Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons of the political world.  This is what may even get Obama into the White House.  He is not alienating white people because he is not a crusader for Black people.  White people don’t have to feel threatened by Obama.  Obama is not “talking White”.  He is talking what he so-called believes in.  If what he believes in is “white”, then remember, Nader said it first.   We just may have to accept that White talk is non-Black community, non-poor or working class talk, according to white political detectives.  By the way, who gave Nader his detective badge and authority? Whoever credentialed him in this regard is a target for citizens arrest.

Obama is the people’s candidate.  Folks, Obama wants to see everybody happy and fusion in the melting pot of America.  Can’t we all just get along?  In Obama’s world one day we will all–the teenage mothers who kill unborn babies without parental consent, along with the conservative Christian right, human beings with male genitalia and female breast implants who are a man on Monday and a woman on Thursday, Black militant leaders (at least until they become too vocal and threaten his popularity), with young KKK prospects, skinheads, aryans, Farrahkhanites, and Oprah along with her occult spiritual advisors, the Bible toting believers and all, rich and poor, gun control advocates and right to bear arm purists–live and be free, free at last, from and bounds of human decency and morality all with an occasional Obamian attempt to abuse the Bible to justify this unity. 

Let’s be excited about our Country and the opportunity for Obama, a Black man, to finally be President.  But let’s not forget to be excited about the ideals of faith in the God of the Bible as a Christian nation.  And let’s certainly not forget that Obama is a man who happens to be Black and is free to be who he is.  He should not be held to represent a community that he does not, simply because he is Black.  White talk is not serious Presidential talk.  Obama is talking competent candidate talk.  Obama is simply being a man who reflects his earnest convictions, much of which I adamantly disagree with. 

So Nader has done as Whitey always does.  “Missed it” because he is clueless.  Once White men learn that they are not Black, and can never speak for a Black man or the Black community, they will stop trying to tell Black people how Black they are, and are not and what their speech is, and is not.  The Naders of this world will realize that–after they just may have to be treated for shock–the Black community is not homogeneous, and every successful Black person does and may not relate to what a white man thinks should be important to our community.

I’m sure Nader has good common sense but this was just a glitch in his pompous brain.  An inverse analysis would suggest that golfing, badminton, the prime rate, Haliburton, and private banking is appropriate talk for white politicians.  Or better yet, Nader “talks Black” by his own standards. 

Moderator’s Note:  I do not believe that Nader is a racist, or a white man oblivious to what concerns many in the Black community.  He is simply engaging in Whitey behavior by suggesting that Obama’s decided calling card during his campaign should emphasize the poor.  

The absolute unmitigated colossal gaul or, “audacity of hope”  of Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton to continue her campaign as she congratulates Obama as the Democratic Nominee.  How dare this woman, who was squeezed out of the race by the influence of the media imposing pressure on fluctuating delegates and super-delegates, continue to get up and address the almost 18 million United States citizens that support her candidacy.  Ignore the fact that in terms of the popular vote, Senator Obama did not prevail against Senator Clinton when these demands for unity and the good of the party were at stake. 

Eighteen million votes usually speak volumes: even when the last tidbits were being cast for Senator Clinton last night to get her 55% of the South Dakota votes to win that primary.  However, the morning has arrived and Senator Clinton is allegedly vying for a VP nod on the Democratic ticket.  We shall see who Senator Obama chooses as his running mate.  Nonetheless, Hilary fought a good fight and apparently, she hasn’t relinquished her gloves.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=760227568

http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/obama-taps-group-for-veep-search/20080604120109990001

Father Michael Pleger, a Caucasian Catholic Priest on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, was asked to step down for his remarks against Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton during a sermon as guest preacher at Senator Obama’s former home church, the Trinity United Church of Christ of Chicago, Illinois. 

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Again, Obama was not at the church during this sermon, as he was conveniently absent from all the prior controversial sermons that are presently problematic for the Presidential hopeful.  This tirade, however, given in big fat excuse tradition of Black liberation theology, was the straw that broke the camel’s back for the Obamas.   Barack, Michele and their two children have severed their ties, albeit regrettably, with their home church for almost 21 years.  To think, this church just started all of this political aggrandizing, with live cuss words in tow,  and using the pulpit to mobilize its congregants when Barack began his campaign (sarcasm here, folks). Barack went to church and left his ears at home for almost 21 years.

During this public discourse, Father Pfleger, a “friend” of the ministry,  Barack Obama, and would you be surprised if we mentioned Farrakhan, had the audacity to pre-suppose that Hilary Clinton is a White Supremacist whose tears were resultant from a sense of entitlement to the election because Bill was her husband, she is White,  and a black man, Barack, came out of no where to steal her thunder.  Barack’s friends better learn their lessons.   Friends and long-term alliances are expendable when it comes to his campaign. 

The White Catholic Priest, who is so in tune with the thoughts of privileged White women, is now asked to temporarily step down.  The question is, was it because he needs to go back and as a priest be touched with the feelings and infirmities of women who live every day with men, who feel that they are entitled to the Presidency, superior corporate positions, and even positions within the church? Could it be that men wanted to shut this woman up, while she was still winning primaries and neck and neck with the Black man with the popular vote because men, and even catty queen bee women, are not ready to see a woman President?  Most likely, Father Pfleger missed his ABC’s of the priesthood and got caught up in a moment in a church where these types of moments are defended and highly applauded.  It is because the pulpit of any REAL church is supposed to be for the gospel, and the truth of the Word of God must be applied to all. It is not a place to villify a white woman who ran for President and intimate her intentions and frustration with Barack were bred from White Supremacy, any more than Barack’s frustrations with Hilary were from misogynistic entitlements and having to deal with a fiery woman who wants to stand toe to toe with a man.

Moderators Note:  This blog does not address Father Pfleger’s contribution to the Black Community or his commitment to equality in America.  Unlike Dr. Boyce and others, this moderator will not cloak nonsense with looking at all the good a  person has done to bypass aggregious offenses, just as we do not survey a person’s life work when they offend the black community and our community cries out for action and justice. There will be no hypocrisy here.  The man clowned on the pulpit, now he will take a reprieve or join the staff at Trinity. Thank God the Catholic Church took action against this impropriety, and prayerfully, they will begin to have such gumption when it comes to their priests who use their office to fulfill life-long missions to molest and rape boys and young girls.

Lou Dobbs posed the question to his guests on today’s show, “WOULD EVERYONE HERE AGREE THAT THIS IS A BROKERED NOMINATION?”  The press and political pundits have already dropped out of the race before all the votes have been counted.  TIME Magazine’s cover story  is “And the winner is…” with a picture of Barack Obama.  The so-called experts have moved on to the question of will Obama beat McCain.  Yet, the reality is that neither Obama or Clinton have enough delegates to secure the nomination.  So, if Hilary is squeezed out of the race for the cause of “unity” within party ranks, the Democratic party can concentrate on ending the White House Republican regime.  Ignore the polls showing that the majority of democrats want the race between Hilary and Obama to continue.  

I have a solution.  Since there is this urgency for synergy within party ranks to prepare for  McCain, let the movers and shakers call for Obama to drop out.  His lead over Hilary in the popular vote is like splitting hairs.  Super-delegates will pay attention to the popular vote.  John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama, which is not surprising at all.  Although Edwards made a number of gratuitous comments regarding Hilary, he stated he believed the “man” for the job was Barack Obama. Consequently, the super-delegates committed to Edwards may transfer to Senator Barack Obama.   The good old boys are squeezing hard. It is hard to believe that if Hilary were a white male with the same stats and prospects in the remaining primaries, there would be so much pandering and overt requests to just give up.

Clinton believes she may still win the nomination.  Clinton’s call for Michigan and Florida’s delegates to not only be seated, but their votes counted (representing over 2.3 million popular votes) during the DNC convention is controversial.   Obama was not on those tickets, so he will not get any delegates if these votes are counted.  This, according to some commentators, will not be fair to Senator Obama.  The rights of United States citizens to have their votes counted should not be balanced against what is fair to the leading candidate.  This Obamamania is starting to make some otherwise reasonable individuals delusional.  Since when are voting rights contingent upon how it will affect a candidate’s standing?  Well, the pressure is on to make one contender the winner.   The mele is politics-as-usual, whether Obama wants to admit it or not.

Those who still have to vote, do not fall prey to the influence of those who have already decided there is a Democratic nominee.  Know that your vote is supposed to count.  Media bias may dissuade some people some of the time, but it won’t fool all of the people all of the time.  The press will continue to distort commentaries to feed a spin–as in alleging that Hilary relied on working class people, white people, to get the win in West Virginia to substantiate the Clintons and their race card tactics–while the only people who will really pay the piper are the Americans who drink the kool-aid and fall for the hype.   

How is it that some headlines have the audacity to ask if Hilary can steal the nomination from Obama?  Is there not a prerequisite that Obama actually have the nomination before she can steal it?  Clearly, Obama does not yet have the nomination.  The Superdelegates have the opportunity to change their allegiance and vote for Hilary, if they feel that Hilary will be the better candidate to defeat McCain.  If in fact this does occur, is that a “steal”, or just the way things work?  Hello, Bush is in office despite Al Gore having won the popular vote.

This shroud cry for Hilary to “drop out” is quite interesting.  Obama’s lead is not substantial enough to secure the nomination to date.  Why does the DNC need to have a solo nominee in order to “unify” the party and compete against the RNC candidate, John McCain? 

For those of you with answers, please post…