Master of My Domain: The Remix 1.5

Love

2012-09-16T03:12:00.000-04:00

I know You Love Me By the Way you Look at Me The way You Smile when You

Think I'm Not Looking The little Things you Do for Me That make Me feel Like a Million dollars The way You can Make Me smile Even If you Don't know You are When I'm Lost and Alone You always Find me And make Me feel Missed And Wanted I Love YOU Too But I Wish I Could hear You Say it Just ONCE

Working at the Pyramid

2012-08-28T00:26:00.001-04:00

It's been a while since I blogged. A long while. It's been interesting being me. Got rid of one lover, found another, got promoted.

You've heard the term be careful what you wish for. That can't be a truer statement.

After my first day of vacation, I am sitting here, wishing, hoping that I didn't have to go back to work. I know that I am just not cut out for this work thing. I swear I was born to be independently wealthy, a stay at home rich person. Someone stole my birthright, and I aim to get it back. Either that, or go working at the Pyramid.

Justice In the Age of Social Media

2012-03-27T01:29:00.000-04:00

Hello. Me again. I know. I've been missing in action for some time now. Yes, you know, the break up, the move out drama, life, travel, all of that. I've been busy, I've been mourning, and I guess I've been dating. I'm not going to say I'm back, but, I will say that a number of recent events have forced me to weigh in on a very hot button issue now. The internet, as we know it, has gone through a number of hmm, shall we say, makeovers in the last 15 years or so. Much of it has been in the eyes of the media, and we know just how reliable they are. As Sophia Petrillo, the character from Golden Girls used to say, picture this: America, 1990's. The news media is scaring the big baby Jeezus out of parents everywhere with the dangers of the internet. It will corrupt your children with porn, viruses and stolen music. It will be the source of the end of the world! Your teeth will rot, and your hair fall out one by one. Remember those days?

Then somehow overtime, the bogeyman named the internet went away, or at least lost it's tooth, and now everyone and their baby brother's using the internet. From babies playing with tablets in TV commercials to TV, Radio and Newspaper outlets hawking their Facebook, twitter, pinterest and whatever other site is the flavor of the week to them. The point is, the American, and perhaps the world media has been behind the times and behind the curve when it comes to the Internet, Social Media, and it's global impact on modern society. And sadly, the more things change, the more they remain the same. As the traditional media scrambles to remain relevant, a dramatic turn has been made in how people worldwide receive and consume their news. And what seems to escape many in the media, is just how powerful this bloc of consumers is, and how willing they are to use their power to effect change and justice. Many years ago, one could easily argue that Americans, American kids, were smartass, unintelligent, uninspired buffoons who thought they owned the world, and that the rest of the world should move out of the way as the cool kids came down the hall. And people would have good reason. All one had to do was scour the news for instances of Americans behaving badly; from Europe, to the Caribbean and all over, the absence of common sense, and knowledge of world customs and what Jamaican elders would call broughtupcy (pronounced brought-up-see) meant arrests and in some cases public punishment in places all over the world for what were usually stupid offenses. But the perception of Americans as buffoons has made a dramatic change in the last 5 years or so, it it's gone mostly unnoticed. The increased access to the internet, and social media has opened up the world to an unsuspecting generation, who have in turn, embraced the idea of the world as being a very, very small place. And that is not only heartening, it's changing the world for the better. Many years ago, you may have read about the Iraqi attack on the Kurds, or the war in Bosnia. You may have come across statements about the blood diamond tragedies on the African continent. In those years, it would have been something of a fairytale, that came and went with negligible impact. But what has confounded many experts, many of them self-avowed, is that the so called "anti-social"social media has created a new generation of activists and warriors around the world, the likes of which has never been seen before. One only has to think about the Arab Spring, the riots in London and Paris, the Occupy Wall Street movement and the natural disasters in Haiti, Japan and elsewhere to see that the world as we know it, has shrunken. The wide, vast, unknowable world has become part of almost everyone's life, as they can log in to their cell phone, e-reader, tablet, TV set or game console and experience the world in new and more meaningful ways. It is no longer possible for a brutal dictator to slaughter his people, for an African Warlord to use child soldiers and to maim or kill innocent civilians and slip under the radar. The world is watching. Teens and retirees and factory workers and stay at home moms are becoming active and staying active in world affairs like never before. Social Media is being social, political and I dare say the world's largest source of advocacy and activism, as people start to take back the power they handed over to politicians and the media. The stories that large media outlets wouldn't or could cover are forced into the headlines by community campaigns, and online activism. Justice is coming to the world, riding on the Social Media train. There is in this country a conversation going on about the role of guns, money, politicians and big business. As the United States gets ready to get in full swing for the Presidential Elections, politicians are reaching out more and more to their constituents in social media, canvassing for support, rallying the troops. The problem, for them anyway, is that they seem not to remember that the things they've said and done can come back to haunt them in very big ways. From their pronouncements on women's health, the role of big business and tax cuts for millionaires or "job creators," politicians are finding that they too can't hide from justice. As they try to recruit members of the key 18-50 demographic, people who have grown up in an era where being gay is no big deal, where marijuana use and women's health are battles that were won before their time, and whose concerns are being able to find a job post-college that allows them to live in something larger than a USPS Priority Mail box and eating more than sodium packed processed food, politicians remain clueless to the real issues. The real issues, issues that politicians the world over are ignoring to their own peril, have to do with justice for everyone, empowering the 99 percent, and taking back their lives and their government. For too long, politicians have been slaves to corporate masters, and the average joe has felt slighted and disconnected from the process. It should be no surprise that citizens everywhere are taking their power back, and letting their elected officials know that they do have the power, and they know how to use it. The killing of young Trayvon Martin, and the firestorm that has ensued since then, points to this power. A little known incident has become the focus of world attention, as people mobilize, protest and demand action in unprecedented ways. Some have said that the Social Media process failed Martin and his family, but I disagree. One only has to look at the Emmet Till incident, civil rights action in the south, and a host of racially charged incidents over the last 30 years to see that Social Media is helping to right wrongs. Social Media Action has forced the Justice Department and the State of Florida to get involved; it forced banks to backpedal on plans to charge customers for withdrawing their own money, and it has helped to let so-called radical right-wing radio and TV commentators know that their words or hate will not be tolerated. It is a running joke that if a black child goes missing, you never hear about it, but if a white child does, there are amber alerts and news headlines every 5 minutes. Social Media is forcing a change where the stories that get covered are not the ones that news directors dictate, but rather the stories that the world determines are important. I'm sure that the Kardashians and the latest "reality" pop tartlet will continue to dominate many news outlets, but I predict there will continue to be a seismic shift in the direction that coverage of local and world events takes going into the future. The makers of Skittles, Arizona Tea and hooded clothing items are likely to get a solid boost in sales as a result of this tragedy in Sanford, Florida. It is my hope that Justice in the Age of Social Media continues to play an equally large part or gets a great boost in of all our consciousness as well.

"Mystery Man" in Eddie Long Case Identified

2011-08-05T08:14:00.000-04:00

It seems to be the gift that keeps on giving. 'Bishop' Eddie Long's sex scandal refuses to go away quietly, as now, the identity of a fifth accuser has been released. The young "mystery" man apparently played a part in the mediations that led to the settlement in the case. More on this story after the break.

The report now from Fox 5 Atlanta.

Bishop Eddie Long Had Fifth Accuser in Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit: MyFoxATLANTA.com

Apple - Me Love You Long Time!

2011-07-26T10:05:00.000-04:00

I have to say that I wanted my next blog posting to be of substance and significance, since I've been so busy that I haven't had time to post in a very long time. It's not that I have nothing to say, I've just been too busy to say it. And, it's actually nice having a life outside of the internet.

So to the subject of my post. My new found love for Apple.

I embarked on a project yesterday, after feeling my Macbook Pro screeching along painfully. The 80 GB hard drive that it came with was more than 2/3 full, and so like any computer, it was starting to be dreadfully slow, even with an upgrade from the 2GB I got it with, to 3 GB. So, I decided that I was going to upgrade the hard drive myself. I called Apple Tech Support for information on how to reinstall my Final Cut Express, but they weren't all that helpful. So, I researched it on their support website, and it wasn't all that helpful either. Whatever would I do?

The first step was to buy the replacement hard drive. At $49.99 with a $10 reward zone certificate at Best Buy, that 250 GB hard drive was a steal. Following the advice of a "genius" at the Apple Store in Columbia, who I was very pissed at (maybe later,) I went to iFixit.com for instructions on how to take the laptop apart.

It turns out that I had all the tools I needed, even if they weren't the exact ones on the site, and within 30 minutes the old hard drive was out, and the new one in. Before I started, I actually did a final Time Machine Backup, to make sure if anything went wrong, I had at least a backup of my latest and greatest.

Loading the Operating System on the new drive was a little tricky, but having been on the phone with Apple last week, I knew what to do. First, I had to clear PRAM, which prior to last week I never knew existed, and then, booted to the Snow Leopard DVD. I realized quickly that I had to "initialize" the hard drive so that the OS would recognize it, and once I figured out how to do that (5 minutes,) The installation was underway.

Loading the OS takes about 45 minutes, and I used part of that time to gather as many of my application disks as I could, as I dreaded the process of reinstalling my apps. I made a list of the things I felt I absolutely had to have right way, and it was very long, so I prepared to work into the dead of night.

Once the OS was done loading, the setup gave me a number of options which I skipped over, then went back to, because there was something there that was very intriguing. There was an option to RESTORE FROM TIME MACHINE BACKUP! I was very skeptical, but it did say that it would restore my data, applications and settings from a Time Machine backup. I figured I had nothing to lose.

It took about 5 minutes to calculate the amount of data in my Time Machine Backup, and then it came back with 60 GB of data, including my profile, settings and applications. That sounded about right, as I had only about 30 GB free space on the 80 GB hard drive. The process would take about 45 minutes to complete. So I kicked it off, and watched the President's address on TV.

By the time the Speaker of the House had completed his very well rehearsed and choreographed performance, the restoration was pretty much done, and to my surprise, the majority of my applications, settings and all were installed on my mac, and working just as they did on the other drive. I only ran into a few issues with iLife 11 and iWork 09, with them both needing to be reinstalled. It took a bit of massaging to get iPhoto to work right, but for the most part, my libraries and pictures transferred over completely.

Mail, iCal, Address Book, all came back in pristine condition, which would have been devastating if they hadn't, since my MobileMe data are all stored on the Mac. Most importantly, I started up Final Cut Express and it opened right up! I didn't need to reinstall!

Having done perhaps hundreds of Windows installations and reinstallations in my past, this was by far, the easiest and best reinstallation experience I have encountered. In addition, When I checked for Software Updates, Apple rolled all the updates into one file, so that I didn't have to download a gazillion like on Windows update. Sure it took longer to download, but the experience was so much easier and pleasant.

I haven't tested all my applications, but I'm sure that the ones that I haven't tested yet will be fine. After all, I do have all the install disks. I am staying away from OS X Lion (10.7) for now, as there are incompatibilities with at least 3 of the applications I use. But all in all, this experience was one of the least frustrating I have ever had, and I can't say that about most windows installations.

Oh Yeah, She's Back!!!

2011-03-19T21:59:00.001-04:00

Showtime's Nurse Jackie

Season Three of the Showtime hit Nurse Jackie returns March 28th. I can't wait. I know it's going to be just as good as last season. I really would love it if they would bring Mo Mo back. He was so sweet. And gorgeous. Here's a look at the trailer, after the break.

Apple: You Have Got To Do Better!

2011-03-10T10:24:00.000-05:00

As much as I love my iPhone, Apple should realize that there are other options. And, if pushed, I will exercise those options.

Yesterday, I got two emails from the iTunes store. This, in and of itself is not unusual, as I get these emails whenever I purchase anything (purchase meaning both items with a dollar value and free items.) What was unusual was that I got these emails telling me that I had made two in-app purchases, to the tune of $19.99 each.

Considering how cheap I can be at times, especially in these hard times, this came as quite a shock. It also came as quite a shock to learn that these purchases were made from apps/vendors that I have never heard of. In other words, I did not initiate these transactions. (More after the jump...)

So, being the tech savvy person that I am, I immediately changed my password for the iTunes store (also known as the Apple ID), and for Paypal as well, since this is the funding source for my account. I also submitted a fraud report to the iTunes store and Paypal. This is where it gets to be rather nasty.

I got the standard "why got your message and we're looking into it" spiel from iTunes, and then I thought, this should be relatively easy, right? That couldn't be further from the truth. I left for work and while there, I noted that the new iOS software had been released. So once I rushed home, I updated my phone, and found out that at least 10 of my applications, including financial/banking apps, Angry Birds (yes, I am addicted) needed to be updated. So I attempted to log into my iTunes account, only to receive the message - "Your Apple ID has been disabled. Please contact http://www.apple.com/... etc.)

Now, it's bad enough that I was robbed of close to $40, through no fault of my own. But, to add insult to injury, Apple disabled my account, without notification that they were doing so, and no explanation of the reason why this was done. This is unacceptable.

What makes this even more trying is that the only support for iTunes is "web based" - which basically means you send them an email through a web form, and they take their time getting back to you. I've contacted them 4 times now, and the only response I have received are automated acknowledgements of my contacts. This too is unacceptable.

A search of the so called vendor who initiated the transactions - GAMEISLIVE Corporation based, I think in China, shows that there have been hundreds, if not thousands of such unauthorized transations, WORLDWIDE. That's right Virginia, there is a pattern. It also appears that this vendor may (or may not) be an innocent pawn in this game of rampant fraud, but the hole remains in the itunes store, that has yet to be fixed by apple.

The one key thing that I have seen, from people who have suffered the same experience, that Apple has yet to respond to, is the framework for in-app purchases. In the current setup, in-app purchases are turned on by default, and require no additional authentication. The result is, any unsuspecting person, and several parents, can and are shocked by the flood of purchases from within apps, that they had no knowledge or control of.

Unless you manually enable restrictions, assign a pass code and turn off in-app purchases, this too can happen to you. So now, my next step is to call the office of the Attorney General, and file a report with them. I have already filed a report with the Federal Trade Commission. I may also have to file one with the state of Maryland. If Apple will not act on its own, we may be forced to make them act.

Apple has been known to be an innovator of the highest caliber. But when it comes to customer service for some of its highest grossing products, there needs to be vast improvement. If iTunes only available support is web based, then there needs to be a more responsive chat or email system. Or, it needs to be changed to include phone based support. As the company's footprint continues to grow in the internet space, so too must its commitment to listening to its customers. Otherwise, we'll take our business elsewhere.

What's all the Hoopla regarding the "Gay Sauna" Doritos Ad?

2011-02-07T14:39:00.000-05:00

Sorry if I don't get it. I thought it was funny. And, for all the right reasons.

Apparently there has been some major fallout regarding one of the contenders for the Doritos Crash the Superbowl competition, "Gay Sauna," in which a Black California man, wakes up to find a white guy ogling his nether region - where a bag of Doritos was strategically placed.

It had all the right moves for me; innuendo, the whole mandingo/jungle fever thing, and I got a good laugh. So why did people find fault with it? Here's the video in question, followed by an interview that George King, the black man in the commercial, did with NoMoreDownLow TV, in which he addresses the "controversy" after the break.

Gay Porn "Actor" in Real World: Las Vegas?

2011-02-07T14:26:00.000-05:00

This really doesn't make a difference to me, as I can count on one finger the number of reality TV shows that I watch, but apparently, in the newest iteration of MTV's Real world (real? really?) There's a (former?) gay porn model (I hate the word star used in this context) who, may or may not be trying out with a girl.

MTV's The Real World

24-year-old Dustin Zito (who supposedly performed as "Spencer" with guys on the NSFW site Fratmen.com) is just one of the strangers sharing a Las Vegas suite in the 25th season of the MTV show. Note the picture here is not of the individual in question.

It promises to be interesting, I suppose, if you're into that sort of thing. You be the judge; the trailer follows after the jump.

The (Re)Writing of American History

2011-01-25T23:30:00.000-05:00

It is sad that my very first post of 2011 has to be about an uneducated person, (not Sarah Palin) whose influence has the potential to lead astray those feeble minded among us who do not read.

I'm talking about Michele Bachmann, the darling of the Tea Party movement, whose knowledge of American History, well whose knowledge of anything of substance, period, seems to be gleaned from the pages of the National Enquirer. (Sorry Enquirer.)

In these two reports, we see what happens when one who's uneducated, and un-knowing, rewrites American History. We begin with CNN's Anderson Cooper, followed by MSNBC's Chris Matthews, ripping into the founder of the Tea Party Express, after the break.

AC360

Hardball with Chris Matthews

Watch: Long's Items Were Allegedly Stolen to Gather Evidence

2010-12-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

Via Rod 2.0: Atlanta's Fox 5 reported that the alleged burglary of Eddie Long's Private office which resulted in the arrest of one of the plaintiffs in the current sex coersion lawsuit, was to gather evidence and to send Long a message.

In the report after the break, it is said that the items taken were returned, once information was copied from them.

I-Team: Bishop Eddie Long Church Break-in: MyFoxATLANTA.com

Santa's response to the Economic Crisis

2010-12-10T20:29:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to all, as the holiday approaches. This post is a continuation of a conversation that a dear friend and I had on facebook yesterday. She started out by saying "Don't expect much for Christmas... Santa's sleigh was repossessed, the North Pole is in foreclosure, and the elves have been laid off"

I continued the thread by suggesting that Santa may need to diversify, outsource some of his work, and do some worker retraining if that doesn't pan out... Well anyway, the joke continued to the point where she suggested that I tell Santa these things, and I asked her to do it, because I as out of minutes (Jamaicans - out of credits.) From there, things spiralled out of control, as it was disclosed that she has been on Santa's naughty list, and wanted me to convey to him that she wants to get off it.. So, here, in my limited imagination, is Santa's response to Sophia. (After the break.)

From: Santa

To: Sophia

Re: Naughty List

Date: December 10, 2010

My Dear Sophia. It is the time of year when, of course, everyone wants to be on my good side. People drive nicer (Except in Baltimore, Washington, DC, Los Angeles... anyway, I digress.)

They leave cookies and milk out (which is nice, except I am now lactose intolerant and my cholesterol is through the roof.) and all sorts of things. Which brings me to my point.

People do all these things to get on my good side. But, dear girl, tell me, as one of your famous singers sang, quite well, "what have you done for me lately?"

You, my dear, were put on the naughty list for a reason, and being as stubborn as you are, you figured you would just continue to do what you do, thinking I would forget. Don't you know I see you when you're sleeping? (And by the way that peeping tom charge was dropped.) You know they say "cash moves everything around me" and though ethically and legally I can't accept cash, my charity, "The Broke Santa Recovery Foundation" accepts donations all year long.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I have received your notice, albeit by a third party, that you wish to be reconsidered for the nice list this year. I can't make any promises, given that, (cough, cough) you are so late in the game, and all requests are processed in the order that they are received. You are number 67,747,277,402,170,742,272,727,831 in line. I am working as hard as I can, but you know they have so many people in China, and with the economy, half my elves were laid off. I bet you didn't think that there were that many people in the world.. Well, I think some of these requests are duplicate, but, my chief fact checker took a buy out, and you know how these Windows PCs crash. Anyway.

Like I said, I can't make any promises. Your friend who is delivering this message, since I couldn't pay for my email anymore, made some good points about outsourcing. Once the electric bill is paid, I might dust off the old dial up and see what labor rates are like in India. Who knows, I may be able to get some last minute work done by Christmas Eve, assuming, of course America Online still has that free dial up. Anyway, I have to run now, Martha got some new recipe for, what is it? Something called "Jerk Pork." I think I heard the name before, sometime ago when I got stuck in a mango tree, but the years are all running together. I'm hoping it is good.. because lately my heartburn has been burning a hole in my tummy. Keep in good spirits, and give generously... to my charity, that is...

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Nick.

Watch: Eddie Long Case(s) moves to Mediation/Settlement

2010-12-09T09:49:00.000-05:00

Interesting. After preaching very loudly that "I am not the man being portrayed" court filings reveal that Eddie Long's sexual coersion case is being moved to mediation. Is that an admission of guilt? What does that mean for his mega empire?

CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 ran the following report, which you can see after the break.

NYTimes: Freezing Out Hope

2010-12-03T08:14:00.000-05:00

From The New York Times:

OP-ED COLUMNIST: Freezing Out Hope

After the pummeling in the midterm elections, has President Obama suffered a moral collapse?

http://nyti.ms/gaYYI3

Get The New York Times on your iPhone for free by visiting http://itunes.com/apps/nytimes

Things We Couldn't Do Without Federal Employees

2010-11-30T23:07:00.000-05:00

I listened with keen interest yesterday afternoon as the President of the United States announced that the salaries of most Federal employees, excluding the Military, were to be frozen. The rationale of the Commander in Chief, for this move, is the widening effort to curb government spending and shrink the deficit.

This post continues after the jump.

I watched with interest, tonight, as on the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, (twitter: @maddow), spoke to an economist who broke down the nuts and bolts of the tax rates, employment and other issues at stake in this deficit conversation now going on in our nation's capital.

Now I am no economist, and I never have been good at math, but even I understand, quite clearly, that the math just does not add up. For one, you don't lower the taxes of the wealthy and expect to be able to pay for all the goods and services that we as Americans, consume. Many of the wealthy already have tax shelters and other devices to squirrel away their money from the IRS, and clearly awarding them a tax cut means even less for the federal treasury.

The Republican myth, as has been spun for the past several years, is that the unfunded tax cuts for the wealthy are (or will be) used by business owners to expand their businesses, hire new workers and build the economy. The problem is, and as the economist, whose name escapes me now explained, business owners only expand their businesses and hire more employees when they feel that more consumers are willing to purchase the goods or services that these new employees are providing. Given that logic, and given that many businesses are seeing record profits, with less workers doing more work - and bonuses at an all time high, it is exceedingly clear to me that this belief by the Republicans is patently false.

Business owners, in the name of being leaner, and cutting costs, have been putting the squeeze on their employees to do more, produce more, work harder, all in the name of record profits; these profits, incidentally go to shareholders and CEOs delivering these profits at the expense of their employees, and the economy.

But back to the title of this post. As I looked through twitter at the derogatory comments posted since the President's announcement, it became very apparent to me, that many in our country have no idea what we do, as employees of their government. They seem to believe that we sit in offices all day, doing nothing, or, have long lunches, or worse. And some went as far as to say, that we should be lucky, because no-one would be willing to pay us for what we do in Corporate America.

Well, I thought I would make a list of all the things that I can think of that we, as Americans couldn't do without our Federal employees. I think the best way to start is to look at my typical day, as an American citizen, and how my daily activities are all impacted by the work of a hard working individual at some federal agency or activity.

1. Woke up at 6:30. My alarm clock in this case is my iPhone. The iPhone's operation, wireless frequency, radiation levels and other key aspects of its operation, are monitored and certified by the Federal Communications Commission, and other agencies, to ensure that they are relatively safe, do not conflict with other wireless and electronic devices and the service providers provide service that is available to all Americans, not just some. The time service on the phone is likely synchronized with servers provided by two federal agencies - The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on the civilian side, (an agency of the Department of Commerce) and the US Naval Observatory on the military side.

2. I tuned on the TV to check the weather report, and the top stories of the day. The TV in my bedroom is a Samsung 32" LCD HDTV, which like the cell phone, is certified for safe operation by the FCC. The electricity that powers it, and all the other devices in my home, is regulated for quality and safety by the Department of Energy, and if Nuclear power is involved, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is responsible for the safe, efficient operation of nuclear power plants, regulation of the plants and research, development and enforcement of nuclear related activities, including, I guess, disposal of nuclear waste.

Also, the coal that many plants use for generating power, leaves an ash which has to be disposed of. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for ensuring that the by-products, and waste is properly disposed of, and without damaging our wildlife, natural resources and people.

3. I won't get into the water for my shower, but bear in mind that there are standards for safe drinking water, the temperature that water should be without scalding you, and so on.

4. I left for work in my Toyota Hybrid Vehicle, which runs on gasoline that is regulated in terms of the quality that will ensure your vehicle will perform consistently. Multiple Federal agencies are involved in my ride to work:
a. Highways - The Federal Highway Administration makes the rules and enforces them, regarding the safety or roads and bridges, etc.
b. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is responsible for the safety of the highways, as it relates to motor carriers, passenger buses (non-transit systems), movers and so on.
c. The Federal Transit Administration is responsible for public transit, the city buses and trains that I pass by on my way to work.
d. The Federal Railroad Administration is responsible for the safety of all other trains, rail lines/tracks, that I pass on my way in to work every day.
e. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration handles car, light truck and other vehicle standards, investigate accidents and provide recommendations and solutions to existing and future issues.
f. The Federal Aviation Administration makes sure that airplanes don't fall out of the sky, and that planes that come into our skies meet the same standards of operation to keep us free from falling planes. I mention that because I drive by the airport every day, and planes fly over head, over my house and in the general vicinity.
g. All of these agencies do research and development activities, and provide grants and other funds to states and activities for their safe operation, or in support of their activities.

5. I went to Physical Therapy this morning, and the operations of those employees and doctors, nurses, etc fall under the department of health and human services, I'm guessing, which makes sure there are standards for patient care, and for professional advancement of the practitioners. The breakfast and lunch I had and the prescription medication, fall under the Food and Drug Administration, along with the tobacco that my coworkers smoke.

IT Specialists make sure government computer systems stay online and available to process financial systems, databases and critical systems that are needed to make life and death decisions, whether on terrorism, air safety or military operations. Employees at the Parks keep the grounds and animals and other resources available for everyone to enjoy. Federal Law enforcement personnel protect federal employees, the President, Congress and other federal and non-federal facilities where federal and military employees work and play.

There are federal employees running day care centers and military facilities here and abroad, commissaries and exchanges, doctors, nurses and other health care providers at Veterans medical facilities and other facilities that serve federal employees, the military and the congress. They deliver your mail and packages; they judge your traffic cases, civil and criminal cases so that you get the best possible outcome under the law. The Coast Guard patrols and protects our waterways.

Federal employees answer your calls to provide information on your benefits, help you with forms and applications, give directions and advice. Yes, there are a lot of us, and yes, we do a lot, every day, to keep you safe, help you live through your retirement years, and so much more.

I support the President's efforts to get the deficit under control, as I suspect that if this hasn't been tackled, my daughter's grandchildren will be working to pay it off. But, I do believe, and many agree, that this will only be a drop in the bucket. The unfunded tax breaks to the wealthy would provide several hundred billion dollars towards the deficit - but, this is not a position that will be supported by Republicans. So where do we go from here? Only time will tell.

Watch: CNN's Anderson Cooper Goes Toe to Toe With A Birther Wingnut

2010-11-30T21:01:00.000-05:00

I'm wondering when people are going to address the elephant in the room. The issue of the race of the President of the United States is being sold as not being an issue, while some push the issue of the validity of his birth certificate. Yes, Virginia, the "birther" issue still exists, and is alive and well. CNN's Anderson Cooper went toe to toe with one Texas "lawmaker" who certainly believes if it's on the internets it must be true.

Anderson's interview, after the jump.

Watch:British Prime Minister, David Cameron, MP, Says It Gets Better, Today

2010-11-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

The British Prime Minister lends his voice to the Anti-Bullying it gets better campaign with his own message, and thoughts on where Britain is on diversity. Watch, after the break.

Watch: Fox News People Make Fun of Palin

2010-11-19T08:38:00.000-05:00

via Towleroad:
Interesting how the Fair and Balanced comedy circus tends to eat its own, at least when they think the cameras are off, and no-one's watching.

Watch as a bunch of Foxies (no cuteness intended,) devour Palin, during a break.

Grab the Popcorn: TJ Holmes Strips for Science

2010-11-16T09:37:00.002-05:00

All I have to say is when I got a tweet from him last week that there was a story he was doing that all men should see, I had no idea what I was in for. And let's just say it was all worth it.

Watch as CNN's TJ Holmes strips, uh, for science or something... after the jump.

Watch: A Post-Racial America? You Be the Judge

2010-11-12T11:06:00.000-05:00

I came across this very troubling story on Towleroad this morning.

A Postal Carrier in Massachusetts apparently lost his job, following an altercation with a customer, in which he refused to take back a certified letter.

And justice, which is apparently very blind, never saw the actions of the woman who assaulted him. Watch the videos after the jump, and share everywhere so that justice gets done.

Part one:

Now here's part two:

'Repeal is on the Line': SLDN targets 14 Senators, including Reid and Levin, on DADT

2010-11-09T16:33:00.001-05:00

Via Towleroad:

Today, SLDN sent a national action alert asking its supporters to contact Senators about passing the Defense bill, which contains the DADT language. From the press release:

"The stakes for repeal happening this year couldn't be higher. Sen. John McCain wants repeal language stripped out of the defense bill so he is not forced to take an on-the-record vote against funding the troops, and he wants the Democrats to give in to his outrageous demands. We have to stand up against this bullying," said Aubrey Sarvis, Army veteran and executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "Repeal advocates must urge their senators to call up the defense bill as reported out of the Armed Services Committee and pass it before the Senate goes home for the year."

SLDN isn't just targeting the usual GOP suspects. The team at SLDN knows what's going on up on Capitol Hill. Remember, this isn't just a political game for SLDN. It's about getting the repeal language passed before it's too late. SLDN represents servicemembers who want to serve their country. Throughout this legislative process, I have found SLDN and Servicemembers United to be honest with the community about what's taking place. I don't think that can be said of all the players.

SLDN knows we need the Democratic leaders engaged. Hence, SLDN's target list includes Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Carl Levin, among others. The Senate switchboard number is (202) 224-3121. If you are a constituent of any of these Senators (or contributed to any of their campaigns), call today.

Here's SLDN's target list:

KEY SENATORS WHO NEED TO HEAR FROM REPEAL SUPPORTERS:

--Harry Reid (D-NV);

--Carl Levin (D-MI);

--Susan Collins (R-ME);

--Olympia Snowe (R-ME);

--Mark Pryor (D-AR);

--Blanche Lincoln (D-AR);

--Richard Lugar (R-IN);

--Judd Gregg (R-NH);

--Scott Brown (R-MA);

--George Voinovich (R-OH);

--Kit Bond (R-MO);

--Joe Manchin (D-WV);

--Lisa Murkowski (R-AK);

--Mark Kirk (R-IL);

Again, the Senate switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.

Christian Mcbride at Clarice Smith Center - Win A Pair Of Tickets!

2010-11-05T07:08:00.001-04:00

Christian Mcbride and INSIDE STRAIGHT
Friday, November 12 . 8PM

Featuring:
Christian McBride, leader and bass
Warren Wolf, vibraphone
Christian Sands, piano
Jaleel Shaw, alto and soprano saxophone
Ulysses Owens, Jr., drums

A chameleonic virtuoso of the acoustic and electric bass, McBride leads Inside Straight, a gifted band of jazz stand-outs, in a performance that allows every member to shine within a tight yet laid-back groove.
TICKETS: $42

TICKET GIVEAWAY DETAILS: To enter to win a pair of tickets to this event, send an email to aalmoite@umd.edu with CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE GIVEAWAY in the subject line. Please include your name, email and phone #. Entries must be received by Sunday, 11/7 and the winner will be selected and notified the next day.

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Where it's more than a great performance.

For ticket information call: 301-405-ARTS (2787)
or online at www.claricesmithcenter.umd..edu
to purchase your tickets today.

Al Jarreau performs with The Airmen of Note Nov. 5th 8pm

2010-11-05T07:07:00.001-04:00

Lt. Col. A. Phillip Waite, Commander and Conductor

WHAT'S HAPPENING: The Airmen of Note’s Jazz Heritage Series featuring Grammy award-winning vocalist Al Jarreau

WHEN: Friday, November 5, 2010 at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Lisner Auditorium on the campus of George Washington University, 730 21st Street NW, Washington, D.C., Nearest Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU Station

WHAT ELSE: Concluding the 2010 Jazz Heritage Series we will feature one of the great jazz vocalists of our time: seven-time GRAMMY award-winning vocalist Al Jarreau. This multi-faceted performer has earned the highest honors in the industry for his work in jazz, R&B and pop styles, including a star on the Hollywood "walk of fame." Airmen of Note arranger Master Sgt. Alan Baylock will give some of Jarreau's biggest jazz and funk hits the "Airmen of Note touch" for what is sure to be an exhilarating concert at Lisner Auditorium.

Free! No tickets needed

For more information about this performance and The United States Air Force Band, visit www.USAFBand.af.mil

The Jazz Heritage Series is brought to you by The United States Air Force

BCJS presents The Antonio Hart Quintet Nov. 14th 5pm

2010-11-05T07:06:00.001-04:00

THE BALTIMORE CHAMBER JAZZ SOCIETY
CONTINUES TWENTIETH SEASON WITH THE ANTONIO HART QUINTET
Baltimore-bred cats Antonio Hart and Lee Pearson bring the funk

The Baltimore Chamber Jazz Society will hold its second concert of the season at The Baltimore Museum of Art on Sunday, November 14, 2010. One of Baltimore's premiere jazz concert series for two decades, BCJS continues to program some of the finest artists in jazz today. All concerts in the Five at 5 Series take place at The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore. Subscriptions are $135. Individual tickets are $30-$35 general admission, $28-$33 for BMA Members and Senior Citizens, and $10 for students with ID at the door. For more information, please call the Chamber Jazz Society at (410) 385–5888 or visit www.baltimorechamberjazz.org.

The Antonio Hart Quintet features Antonio Hart on alto and soprano saxophone and flute, David Berkman on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, Lee Pearson on drums, Renato Thoms on percussion, and guest vocalist Charenee Wade. Baltimore native and School for the Arts alum Antonio Hart comes home for the second concert of the season. A brilliant alto saxophonist, he has played all over the map and his music—infused with African, Latin, and Gospel elements—shows it. In both standards and originals, Hart speaks with his own imaginative voice. His music “generally fits into the modern mainstream, but it avoids being predictable or merely revisiting the past” (All Music Guide).

In conjunction with the concert, The BMA will offer a free pre-concert gallery tour beginning at 3:45 p.m. To reserve a space for the tour, please call the BMA directly at 443-573-1818.

The season continues in the New Year with The Marc Copland Quartet on February 27, 2011; The Houston Person Quartet on March 27, 2011; and The Annual Jazz Masters Concerts featuring The Junior Mance Quintet on May 1, 2011.

Buy Tickets Online!

Free: Al Jarreau performs with The Airmen of Note Nov. 5th 8pm