Does this logo or message make you angry? Does it make you uncomfortable? Do you understand the message? I know a racist when I see one because I was one. Growing up in the South in the 70's gave me a warped perception of color and prejudice. One event that changed my life was when I said the "N" word in public at a grocery store. We didn't have much diversity in the area and when I saw an African American lady and her child leaving the store, I naturally and excitedly blurted out what I had heard behind closed doors, at church and at every other place that was considered a safe white area. I will never forget the hurt on the Women's face as she swept her child away. I also remember the scolding that Grandpa gave me afterward and the fact that he never used that ugly word again. Even though I had learned my lesson, I would fall back into my bigoted ways during early school years. It was almost encouraged on every level. You're white, you're a dude and you're superior in every way to others. The soft shoe dance that happened whenever a leader told an off color joke and even a group of men, including the pastor of the church who did a full black face version of Shirley Caesar's Hold My Mule as the crowd went wild.

In the 80's, there was a massive change in tone and an expectation of Christians to become republicans and to support such slanted idiots as Rush Limbaugh and Jerry Fallwell / the Moral Majority. I hadn't really chosen a side until then but as I walked out of a Sunday School class, the teacher followed me to argue about me rolling my eyes at her praising of Ronald Reagan. She said that I was a Christian, so clearly I was a Republican and supported Reagan. I told her that My grandfather was a Democrat, my Father is a Democrat and I guess from now on, I will be an outspoken one. She got a case of the vapors and we never discussed again. In school, I went toe to toe with the Reagan heads and it seemed as though the world was against me. It also became glowingly obvious that these same folks tended to also be on the wrong side of racial issues and they'd often speak of welfare, people of color and women in horrible terms. Dog whistles and coded words were constant. Around this same time, I had a friend named Stanley (God rest his soul) who I became fast friends with. He was my first African American friend and an awesome person. He showed me a glimpse of the real world. We discussed struggles and shared more than a few malt liquors including my first which was hilarious because he told me it was a black version of beer.

As I evolved more and more, the typical people I had always hung out with became less and less accepting of my views and opinions. The church remained a constant and being Pentecostal made it even worse. In my lifetime, this church believed that women shouldn't cut their hair or wear makeup or even wear pants. We even had to wear our shorts over sweatpants in a basketball game because it was also a sin for men to wear shorts. We also were just over the time period of soda's being sinful. Til this day, women are treated as second class citizens and although technically, they aren't openly racist, you can bet your life that they privately remain so. Over the years, I have hardened my resolve and I know where I stand on pretty much every issue. This is also why I left the church. I will qualify that remark by saying that there are some churches who aren't guilty and are much more progressive and liberal minded. There is one in particular that I have attended since that never speaks political garbage during services and that's as it should be. The church used to be controlled by segregation and hate, then gender inequality, then abortion, then their stance on marriage equality and now, back to racism. It's entirely odd to watch religion change their stance on slavery and the KKK even though slavery is supported more than 100 times in the bible. The subjugation of Women remains a sore spot but the church changed their stances even though they believe biblical passages still apply that tell Women to submit to men  and to remain quiet. Now, there needs to be a change because homosexuality is mentioned far less than the others. In fact there are only a few verses and hardly any in the new testament that even broach the subject and there are zero mentions of trans people. Can you see that we stand on shaky ground in our condemnation of others? As a result of the marriage of church and state...Republicanism, Nationalism, Christianity and right wing extremism, we find ourselves right back where we started, racist by default.

In many ways, racism never left it was just swept under the rug. There was plenty of company there including the Native American slaughter and the witches burned at the stake just to name a few. Let's get straight on point. A bunch of your are way to quick to jump on the back the blue band wagon and it's sadly predictable. Because of the societal pressure you've soaked in, you can't detach yourself for even a moment from your white privilege. When the hell did the white poor and working class become so chummy with the police anyway? I know I've had my fair share of run ins with them. See, I'm mot the guy who immediately says thank you for your service to anyone for any reason because some are assholes. Now before you start flipping out, I have plenty of friends and family who served in military, law enforcement and all walks of voluntary service and I know plenty who are deserving of respect but I also have been involved with many that suck. Take for instance my first traffic stop. I was cruising home in a 1963 Chevy II Nova that had been restored by my brother. I was oblivious to anyone else in the world being around me as I breezed though stop signs and exceeded the speed limit. By the time I hit 3rd gear (3 on the tree) I could barely make out some sort of lights far behind me. I made a right turn and sure enough, there was a patrol car that jetted by where I had come from. I turned around in a subdivision and by the time I got back to the main road, there were 3 patrol cars waiting. As I got out of the car, there were several young cops, some that I had even attended school with. They started in on me with the yelling and asking why I was running and did I have drugs? One even through in the ever popular "boy" after each accusation. The original officer told them to pipe down and grabbed my arm telling me to get in his car. He was the only African American on the force in our town and he proceeded to break it down for me. He said they could throw me in jail and call my Father but instead, he was going to let me go with a reckless driving ticket and 6 points. My Dad was not happy with any of it and was ready to go to war but I told him that thanks to officer Barney, nothing worse happened. Yes, you always should act calm and as respectful as possible but in my case, it wouldn't have mattered if the younger asshole cops had been allowed to continue with me. Good Cops, I love you and thank you but ya'll need to speak up and be willing to expose the bad apples. No more excuses. The blue wall of silence is over.

All lives matter? Yes, we know and you can stop yelling that now. All lives aren't being hunted down in the street and shot in broad daylight. All lives aren't being chocked to death for no reason. All lives don't have to have the talk with their children. All lives aren't worried each time they drive home or walk the street. No, Black Lives matter and should have always. Colin Kaepernick tried to tell us but we didn't listen. White America turned it's wrath toward him and the President called him a Son of a Bitch, very classy by the way. They turned their anger against him and burned jerseys because they were told to by their leaders and churches and political gods. Great job idiots. We can't have peaceful or silent protest that make us feel uncomfortable so now, we have actual protest. Make up your mind please. We are so deceived as a people and so blinded by our own beliefs that we can't even reason together. Where am I at? I'm with Black Lives Matter, I'm with Marriage equality, I'm with equal rights and the right for a women to control her own body. I'm for equality on all fronts. I'm for progression and forward thinking. Can I also ask one more question? Why in the hell would any African American allow the right wing and Republican Party to ever state that they are still being kept on the plantation by the Democratic Party. Get this one straight my friend. The Party of Lincoln died in the 60's. The Dixiecrats walked out of the Democratic convention over the issue of civil rights and joined the Republican Party which welcomed them with open arms. Since that time, one Party has stood up for civil and equal rights and the working man while the other has remained a safe harbor for the bigot and the corporations. Both parties are not the same and never have been. Are there still a few nasty racist holdovers in the Democratic Party? Sure but I have no problem denouncing them and telling them to kick bricks all day. 

It's no longer acceptable to just remain quiet and not be racist. It's time to take a stand and to speak up for others. I once coached a basketball team. We had 1 African American and he was an instant All Star. The other team members and their Dads called a meeting to set me straight. They revolted and complained about the Black kid being a ball hog. They threw the word "colored" around and then asked me what I was going to do about it. I thought for a second and then I unloaded. I remarked that rest assured if I could find 4 more Black athletes, none of them would ever play again. I walked out of the room and we never discussed again but they got the point. I could continue to share story after story but in closing, you will eventually have to make a stand and choose a side. Make sure you aren't on the wrong side of history and that you always stand up for justice. I am so thoroughly blessed that my kids are now participating in Democracy and being politically active in the correct ways. The youth are smarter and more dedicated and that's why the Democratic Party will one day reclaim the South for Liberty and Fairness. The Southern Strategy of racism and bigotry by the Republican Party will end in our lifetimes. 

Black Lives Matter
The Southern Donkey Blog

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!

This is an open letter to all of those holding onto the slim hope that they can make a difference from within. Over the years, I have spoken to many people who have no business being in the GOP. They often realize that the Republican Party has left them but they deny it and cling to what they've been taught or inherited as a birthright. The old party of Lincoln hasn't existed in decades and never truly lived up to the hype. The list includes Women, anyone on the LGBTQ spectrum, pro choice individuals, proponents of equality, voting rights supporters and those who truly aren't racist. "But I can change it." This is the ringing statement I have heard but you have the same odds of changing the now Party of Trump as an abused wife has of changing her horrible lover or spouse. In simple terms, it ain't going to happen!

I watch as Log Cabin Republicans try to speak freely and claim a position in the party and I listen as a Trans Woman holds a protest sign at Cpac and feels encouraged because a handful of people don't scoff or yell at her. I hear folks saying that their Grandparents were Conservative so they refuse to turn their party over to extremist but in fact by staying with them, you only provide cover for their extremist behavior. "I can't be homophobic because I have a gay friend who is a Conservative," "I can't be racist because I know the token Black GOP candidates in the GOP." I really feel what you're saying because my Grandfather was a Democrat and so is my father but I'd like to believe that if I realized that the party was on the wrong side of history and currently favored Russia and North Korea over the general good of the Country and anyone from the other party, I'd change in a skinny minute. 

It's time to come out of hiding. It's time to change it or leave it. It's time to stop being used as a pawn. It's time to stop being gullible. It's time to express yourself and to be listened to for who you are and no berated for what you are. It's time to believe the Republican Party when they say horrible things about you and when they Govern in horrible and hateful ways. It's time to realize that you will probably never be in the 1%. It's time to stop supporting policies that affect the real you in a negative way. It's time to stop discriminating against others. It's time to stop chanting lock her up and build the wall. It's time to speak up and voice opposition to a policy that allows children to be being taken from their parents. Yes, it blows my mind when African American's hate Hispanic's and when Hispanic's fear African American's. It's insane when you realize that there are Gay people who hate African Americans, when Gay people oppose Transgender rights, when Bisexual folks are rejected by others in the LGBTQ community and when religious people live a life that is hidden in the shadows supporting all sorts of legal and theological discrimination. Yes, it's time to come out from the place that doesn't want you and doesn't care about you and it's time to come home to the political side that accepts you as you are. Time to belong to a Party that values your opinion and requires nothing from you but desires everything that you have to offer. It's time to realize that both parties have issues but one is extremely worse than the other. It's also time to realize that you can't keep the Republican Party from driving off a cliff but you can leave and let the 20-30% of the population have zero power in the political process. Leave them to their own devices and watch as is crashes and burns. In the word's of my Grandfather, "it's time to poop or get off the pot."

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to talk about an old subject. For 5 decades, I have been told to resist Peer Pressure. Coming from a religious, evangelical and Pentecostal back ground, we were always warned about the dangers of giving into the temptations of this world. Typically, this was meant to say never hang out with people who drink, smoke, curse, look different or acted differently than you'd been taught. It's funny how a constant threat of eternal hell will often ensure obedience in a guilty soul. As I grew and learned that other people could actually be a good influence and that everyone else wasn't headed for hell, I found myself questioning almost everything. There was no ill intent on the part of my parents and they were simply doing what they thought best. I have given into peer pressure and I've influenced others along the way and I've made lots of good and poor decisions thus far. Everyone has to choose their own path and direction comes from knowledge. 

These observations bring me to my point. I have fought and struggled for many years with the concept church and politics mixing. I remember when Ronald Reagan was running against Jimmy Carter. My Sunday school teacher made a point to state that Jimmy Carter was evil and Ronald Reagan was a great man. I spoke to her after class and asked how she had arrived at this conclusion? She said that all Democrats were sinners and all Republicans were good because they were anti-abortion. Yes, that's correct, they used to be called anti-abortion instead of pro-life but through market research, they had a name change. I told her that my Grandfather was a Democrat, my parents were Democrats and I was. I went further and asked her if that made us evil? She shrugged off the question and reiterated how Christians needed to vote Republican. Shortly after this episode, our new pastor began to echo the same lines from the pulpit. I meet with him and turns out, he listened to Rush Limbaugh everyday and took Rush's words for truth. I gave Rush a few listens as well as another radio guy named James Dobson. At the time, Dobson was portraying himself to be just an evangelical outreach but it quickly became evident that he was a Rush homer as well. He would often reference that he understood if listeners wanted to turn away to a "certain" other radio host. I also often heard Rush state that his audience didn't need to have their own opinions, he'd tell them what to think. Between Rush, Dobson, Jerry Falwell and the rise of fox news, there has been a relentless war against Liberalism for at least 40 years. It's ingrained in the church, it's indoctrinated in the South and has lead to untold violence and extremism. Every Sunday, we would eat at Grandmother's house and Jerry Falwell would be pimping his hit piece video tapes against Bill Clinton. This single action lead to the militia movement and the Oklahoma City bombing. These vile actors have also encouraged the killing of Doctors who provide abortion services and the bombing of clinics. It's the reason why people hate planned parenthood, it's the reason why so many believe the lies about Babies being cut into pieces and sold, it's the reason why the right wing is home to the racist majority in America and it's a huge reason why Donald Trump was elected by those who consider themselves to be about family values. Is this right wing / conservative movement not a great example of peer pressure? Allowing yourself to be so distracted by lies and fear that you condemn entire groups is not a Christian value. Sowing hate and discord is not a Godly virtue. Discrimination against other races, religions or sexual orientations is evil incarnate. Isn't it funny how people claim that we can't change our doctrines or documents when in reality, we have always done both? Remember when slavery was accepted as a Christian practice, when it was bible sanctioned to discriminate, support segregation and to oppose mixed marriages? I sure as hell do. I've often said that in order to remain relevant, the church will have to change and accept others including same sex marriage because how is this issue any different from the past change regarding racism? They also must change in their sexist ways and in how they view women as a collective. The current Republican, Conservative church is so eager to cry that they are being persecuted but I say to you, how can you be a majority and be persecuted? How can you complain simply because you can't influence and control others? Can you even say the word persecution after reflecting upon the plight of the Jewish people in Germany or the Native Americans who we decimated as a culture in this Country? I think it's time that we practice what we have preached and we resist the peer pressure to do wrong, to be evil and to treat others poorly. Stop putting your faith in man and start putting it in your fellow man. Stop building kingdoms of gold on earth and start directly helping those who are in need. We all participate in ancient human behaviors and being your brothers keeper and evolving into a better human race are perhaps the greatest practices. Can we stop being political fodder and start forming our own opinions? Perhaps throw the entire algorithm into default by not being a predictable clone and a useful idiot. 

The Southern Donkey

In the 90's, I became the Broker in Charge for a small Real Estate firm in South Carolina. The owner was a small, petty but very rich man. The company had the word American in it and I attempted a ton of marketing strategies revolving around the American flag, the colors of the American flag and all manner of lapel pins, car signs, etc. I even found it necessary to wage a war with the local newspaper over the use of the American flag in advertising. We eventually prevailed because we had the word American in our name. To say the least, I have a degree from the school of red, white and blue. I eventually left the company and forged a path to my own company. 

I find it extremely ironic that while I used American affects during my time at the above mentioned Real Estate Company, there were no shortage of good ole boys, hunters and basic redneck folks who would poke fun at me for wearing the colors of the USA and yet these same folks became the biggest "Patriots" in the world after 9-11 and even more so after the election of Barack Obama. True Patriotism is easy to prove. Were you eligible to serve your Country and did you do so? No reasonable person could argue with the Patriotic intents of folks who willingly defend the Country. The problem is, there seems to be an unlimited supply of militia inspired, chicken hawk cowards who choose to wrap themselves in an American flag in an attempt to display their pride for the Country. This was prevalent during the Bill Clinton years and it's become an epidemic during the Obama Presidency. During the Bush years, these same folks would consider any criticism of the President as an attack on our troops even though Bush took the troops into a war based on lies and even shut down the Government office dedicated to bringing Osama Bin Laden to justice. 

At some point, the gun crazy, anti government, fear mongering has to come to a head and stop. Never has this been more true than the after effects of the attacks on 9-11. We seem to have forgotten that instead of keeping us safe, Bush actually resided over the attacks of that day. Instead of being smart, Bush bought into the mindset that Bin Laden desired by spending ourselves into oblivion and declaring war on a tactic of war and by invading a Country that had nothing to do with the attacks of 9-11. 

We were all in unison after 9-11 but some of the patterns that have remained are actually disturbing. Firefighters in New York as well as all First Responders were rightfully supported and honored but in my opinion, some have abused the power and influence that they found after that day. Who could blame a Fireman, Policeman or Soldier for basking in the glow of Patriotism and especially attention by the opposite sex simply for being in a certain job position? 

The problem is, that many have now merged the love of Country, hatred of Government and false Patriotism into a hybrid energy that is doing us a lot more harm than good. My best example would be the case of a local police officer who was killed on the job. Don't get me wrong, this is an awful situation and any time an officer dies, it's a sad thing but being a police officer isn't nearly as dangerous as we make it out to be. In fact, a policeman is far more likely to commit suicide than to be killed by a criminal. That being said, there are police officers who die on the job and in the case mentioned above, we aren't even sure of the exact details yet (although the claim is that he was killed while chasing a drug dealer who also is dead). For some reason, this particular death was an epic reflection of police lives matter. My entire hometown was shutdown while hundreds of policeman...some from other states that made a procession to his burial spot. There were also hundreds of people who lined the freeway and roads waving American flags and saluting as the procession came through. Fire stations were also present and flying giant American flags from their trucks over the roads in a display of support. My question isn't to wonder why an officer would receive support but why has this sentiment peaked at this moment? Could it have to do with a white backlash against the Black Lives Matter movement? Could it be false patriotism by people who want to prove how patriotic they are? I think it's a sad combination of all of the above and why has this officer received so much attention while others before were an afterthought?  Please realize that I'm not being critical of the police or the good cops that are in it for the right reasons. I had this very conversation with a cousin. She was actually being pretty ugly and racist in relation to unarmed people being shot and killed by police. When I spoke up, she reminded me that her son was a police officer. I told her that I loved her and her son but that that doesn't change the fact that there are bad cops and that there is a need to call them out in order to preserve the honor of the good cops like her son. There's nothing as honorable as an honest peace officer but there's nothing as rotten as a crooked one. If you're a true Patriot, you'll support the good, the honest, the decent (regardless of skin color) and those who truly protect and serve but you'll also stop using the American flag or your since of pride to cover your racism, sexism and discriminating ways. When it comes to the USA, we are not Northerners, Southerners, Liberals or Conservatives when it comes to our freedoms or threats from terrorism but we are all Americans. Can we start to behave as such?

The Bible and Sin

The bible and sin. Let's first of all talk about what sin is. Sin is not a list of do's and don'ts. Sin is basically doing anything that you feel is against God's will. It is a personal conviction and not necessarily constant from person to person. Also, God would be the ultimate judge of mankind and would have no need of a militant enforcement group to do his bidding in a hateful and mean spirited way. I have located 11 verses in the bible that supposedly reference homosexuality. 7 of these verses are located in the old testament and anyone who understands anything biblical would have to admit that the old testament is basically the wild west of religion and if you believe in Jesus, you would further understand that the new testament and the messiah being born cancels and voids the old testament and the contract written in it. It is not really possible to cling to a single point or cluster of verses without embracing them all. That would include clinging to a required way of living that no man could ever live up to. The new testament verses are the following...Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-10 and Jude 7. I have not included any translations because you might want to do your own research as well. What I observe in these is that these scriptures group together behaviors for the most part. There seems to have been some liberties taken with the translations from the original language with a particular mindset or outcome in mind. There can also be a case made that there is no big sin or little sin and that hypocrisy is very prevalent when the people who worry about homosexual behavior are themselves guilty of the other sins mentioned...enslavers, liars, perjurers,unholy and profane, those who strike their fathers and mothers, murderers, the sexually immoral,who worship idols, or commit adultery,or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or that cheat people. The religious right wing of politics is filled with people who are guilty and would be condemned by the same list. I would also offer another old testament verse for all who insist on using it to bash people. Psalms 82:3- Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. In the case of the Duck people, can you please tell me who the weak or poor or oppressed is? I can assure you that it's not the wealthy family of television stars who use the bully pulpit to extract fame and fortune from their followers. Let's just be very careful before we condemn others and use any religion to further hatred or bigotry. The same excuses were made originally for slavery. There are at least 100 bible verses that deal with slavery and as just 1 example consider Titus 2:9-10- Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. In the same way that the church had to change on the issue of slavery and racism, it may also find itself at a similar crossroads with homosexuality. Only the future will tell.

The Southern Donkey 2013

The Clingers

46 years on this earth have taught me many life lessons. They have also allowed me to learn a great deal about myself as well as others. In many ways, I have transitioned from defending what I was taught religiously above the State, The Nation and the world to being open minded enough to realize that I'm incapable of having all of the answers. Politically, I made a sincere effort for some of my life to remain a neutral or independent observer but it simply became impossible to not choose a side when religion decided to incorporate with the republican party in the 80's. I found myself more and more often at odds with church people who agreed with Limbaugh, Jerry Falwell and everything the conservative political agenda had to offer. 

I have heard of religion or Christianity being referred to as a crutch and until recently, I really never fully got my mind wrapped around that analogy. During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Barack Obama endured lots of criticism after he mentioned how people in the rural and suburban areas find themselves frustrated and bitter with the political process and cling to their religion or guns as a result.To those who already hated that fact that a Black Man would dare run for the presidency, this was an obvious target to pin him as a secret Muslim who hated America and our "official" religion and God. It also feed the tenacious gun lobby and their mindless minions who wanted to believe that all Democrats would take away your guns. As I've pondered this statement for 5 years, I believe I have arrived at the true meaning of it...at least in my own mind.

Religion seems to be man's way of reaching up to God. Most religions are very similar in that each claims to have exclusive access to God, forgiveness of sins and access to a Heaven or afterlife. Each tries to encourage behavior that is moral and beneficial to our fellow human. Most also tend to offer a punishment for not observing the rules. Reflecting back on the crutch reference, I can't help but think of many Christians that I know and have come in contact with over the years. There are those who find it necessary to believe every word that proceeds from the lips of a pastor or what they have been told is in the bible. It's not so much a true belief system but rather an obedience out of fear and motivation. It appears that there are moral people in this world and people who struggle with these issues. Many are able to retain a moral structure only when there is a threat of eternal damnation hanging over their heads. Religion and morality are not synonymous and there are plenty of moral people who have absolutely no religion. I realize that this runs contrary to everything we have been taught but do you really believe that a Nation could be formed and grow without organization or rules or laws regardless of any religious institutions? The clingers are those who are unable to function on their own and be moral. It is the fear of a deity or punishment that binds them with fellow clingers and keeps them in check in their own lives and in the way that they treat others. It is this clinging mentality that is counted on and exploited by many churches and religious establishments. The clinging mentality enables church to become a business in which people are willing to do whatever they are told, pay whatever the dues should be and to take the leaders word as the gospel without even reading it for themselves. It's a self fulfilling prophecy and a system of guilt and greed. There is nothing wrong with having a belief system. There is no shame in loving a God figure and living your life in a moral way while helping others but when you can only function as a robot being programmed or out of a guilt complex, there are severe issues and they are found within yourself. We have been told about free will and the dangers of it but we are not encouraged to be free thinkers. True religion that is not corrupted by greed has nothing to fear from competition from science and institutions of higher learning. If the product is worthy, it will stand on it's own. Clinging to guns has taken on a life of it's own. The gun lobby and manufacturers of weapons as well as ammo have enjoyed never before seen prosperity on the strength of inducing fear. Fear that the President is going to outlaw guns and send thugs to our doors to collect them. The President doesn't make laws but he makes for a great Boogeyman because high society and racist people already despise him. There are many who know full well how afraid some are and have in many ways set up a new religion...the church of the gun brotherhood. New and bigger gun shops open daily and it's almost impossible to keep ammo on the shelves. Gun prices have never been higher. Here again, there's nothing wrong with having guns for protection or even hunting but when will you wake up and realize that you are being used for greed and profit? Hatred and fear are strong emotions and bind many together because nothing unites people like a common enemy. The things that you cling to will own your soul. Wouldn't it be better to be owned by your family or your desire to help others? A strong work ethic is also to be desired but if you gain an empty wallet and a feeling of moral superiority, what have you gained in the end? 

Think for yourself and be moral for yourself and stop being a puppet for others. Spend your money and time on the things that prophet your soul and not you fears. Believe in yourself and others and cling to your family and friends and not the things that make others wealthy. 

The Southern Donkey 

Choosing Sides

Dear Republicans,

Every day you are choosing sides and in almost every instance, you're making the wrong choice. Do you realize that when you support and implement strict anti abortion laws that you're choosing the side of the rapist and the incestuous family member over the victims of these violent acts? No matter how convinced you are on a personal level about abortion being wrong, it's never in God's plan to be raped or sexually assaulted. As a single issue voter, you have also fallen into the mindless mass of sheep that the Republican powers count on to do their bidding. The anti abortion laws are also in direct conflict with the law of the land. If you find yourself an "issues" voter, perhaps a quick visit to Romans 13 would be in order. Do you further realize what a complete farce it is to call yourself pro life and yet support war and the killing of thousands of innocent civilians? Pro life and pro war are competing and opposite agendas no matter how hard you want to believe the contrary. When your chosen leaders run on moderation and then do the complete opposite they become nothing more than deceitful liars. How can you support people who you can't trust and how can you trust people who are incapable of telling the truth? 

Immigration is another area that is being used and manipulated by the rich and powerful. Do you realize that as Christians, you are obligated to protect the stranger in our land?  Leviticus 19:33-34 as well as the other linked verses should make any religious person utterly ashamed for their hate and racism cloaked in what they have been told is patriotism. When you choose to be anti immigrant, you have sided with major corporations over the human rights of those who are used and abused in the name of cheap labor. Do you not also realize that supporting massive tax breaks for the wealthiest is in turn supporting the exportation of manufacturing from the US and into the hands of foreign Countries and inhumane labor policies and wages? Patriotism is supporting a living wage for Americans and making corporations pay more to send work abroad than to keep the goods and services in this Country. Patriotism is never using the force of the military to expand capitalism in the name of freedom. 

Finally, do you not understand that when you repeal and restrict the rights of others to vote that you choosing the side of the bully in the fight? In much the same way that people want to force Christianity into our politics and to force us to have a State sponsored religion, they also only want people voting who feel exactly the same as they do. Do you understand that allowing a State sponsored religion could some day mean that the National forced religion could change to a Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Buddhist or other type belief system that you would not support? Do you not realize that others might someday restrict your right to vote for the same reasons? Fairness means not always getting what you want and Democracy demands doing the will of the majority of the people and not just the wishes of the most elite or blessed among us. Health care reform is already working and will only improve the lives of the majority of Americans. When you speak of repealing, defunding or shutting down the Government to stop the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, you are choosing the side of big Pharma and the Giant Insurance Lords over the health and safety of your fellow Citizen. Smart choices always begin with being fully informed and not just doing what you are told. Make up your mind and exercise free will but do the due diligence required before jumping to conclusions or following blindly. 

The Southern Donkey Blog

The Kids are not Alright

What is easy to screw up and almost impossible to fix? The answer is children. While some find it hard to remember what it was like to be young, I remember it with blazing clarity. I come from a place with a strong mother and a father who poured himself into his work with addictive commitment. Our household was bathed in religion and filled with love. I eventually learned to form my own opinions and as my life has taken many turns, I have arrived at solid ground in my personal life. Along the path, many of my stops have involved working with youth groups and talking to kids. Below, are just a few experiences that I want to share.
David was a kid in one of my youth groups. He was raised in a broken home by a mom who often exercised poor judgement, especially with men. I took a large group of kids on a retreat and as we sat around very late one night, David began to talk. He shared that he was aware that some people considered him to be crazy and he wanted to explain what makes him the way he is. He reflected back to a time when he lived in a trailer with his mom and she had started dating a guy who wasn't very good. Although he was only 12, he tried to tell his mom that she could do much better. His mom ignored his warning and as he came home from school one day, this same guy had his mom pinned against a table in the kitchen and was yelling at her and slapping her. He went in and pulled the abuser off his mom. As a reward, the guy hit David and went back after his mom. David remembered going to his bedroom and getting a baseball bat and returning to the kitchen. He admits to blacking out as he went after the man who was hurting his mom but he also said that when he snapped back to reality, the guy was out of the house and his mom was safe. He recalled that he determined in his mind that nobody would ever be able to hurt him again (physically) and as he looked over to me...he said, and they haven't. He apologized to the other kids in the room if he had ever been rude or mean to them. Later, there was a time when a kid ran into the room where we were working with the kids and said that David was about to get into a fight outside with another kid in our group. As I arrived on the scene, the two of them were nose to nose. I ended up squeezing between them and as David said he wasn't going to back down, I said well I guess we''ll all have to fight then because you gotta swing through me to get to him. I watched as David's hard heart began to break and a tiny teardrop formed. We went from the edge of a free for all to a life changing event in an instant. David began to change and to trust people again and my last interaction with him was his announcement that he was going to be a father. I'm not sure how the story of David has unfolded since that time but one thing I've learned is that it's easy to screw a kid up but nearly impossible to repair one. All stories are not as dramatic as David's but there are tons of others to choose from. When you become a parent, doesn't it make sense to at least take care of your kids and to love them? If you want to take an only child and make them believe that the world revolves around them, you have every right to do so but they will be in for a rude awakening when real life sets in. If you insist on playing the game of favorites among your offspring, I can promise that you will set the entire group up for a lifetime of insecurity and comparisons. If you deny your kids the love and affection that they deserve, they will spend their entire lives in an empty pursuit of it. There's nothing worse than watching grown children gathered around the bed of a dying parent who has been hard, indifferent or abusive to them. The emotions wash through their faces as they flip though feelings of guilt and regret. If you're a parent, don't be lazy with your caring, conservative with your emotions or too prideful to be humble. It's never to late to start over if you've failed but the journey back is a long one.

Armed and Stupid

To say that I've had enough of the gun violence and the gun culture in America, would be an understatement. Even though the right wing loves to call for violence and then they refuse to take any responsibility for it when their misinformed and mindless followers act on their commands, it's far passed time that not just Democrats but the people who care about a better and safer future, go on the offensive. 

There have been 181 incidents of gun violence at schools since the events at Columbine. The assault weapons ban has expired thanks to a congress who is afraid of the NRA and their lobbyist and yet, the very first idiots out of the gate after any act of violence are the "guns don't kill people" crowd. I've heard all of the arguments and claims that the conservatives love to make and all of them are baseless and clueless. 

"We don't blame the car or ban cars when a drunk driver kills an innocent person so why should we ban guns?" First of all, nobody is trying to ban all guns and if you believe anything to the contrary, you're just not very smart. Intelligent gun control is how society deals with these problems. I'll accept your car challenge. Let's place guns on equal terms with owning and operating a car. Driving is a privilege and not a right, a license is required to operate one, a minimum age is required, registration is required and if you violate the law while operating one, there are extreme consequences. Wouldn't it be a good idea to at least require the same standards for guns that we require for cars? And, when I speak of a license test, I'm not talking about the farce currently known as the concealed carry courses offered around the Country with some guy named Cletus or Jimmy Bob handing out the certificates. I personally know of a local church that had a concealed weapons class that is a shining example of this stupidity. One of the participants shot himself in the leg during the course and still passed it. 

The second group out of the gate after these violent incidents is the "God isn't allowed in schools" crowd. Our religious culture has merged and become an arm of the republican party. Pat Robertson calling Obama a Muslim and a socialist, Franklin Graham calling Obama a sinner and deleting the reference to Mormonism being a cult from his website so that Christians would feel comfortable voting for Romney and who could ever forget the hit job from hell that took place every Sunday through Jerry Falwell? We have church members carrying weapons into church and believing that their real gods of Rush, Hannity , Beck and Capitalism have given them the right to use violence to overthrow the Government and any Democrat who crosses them. My question would be, is God everywhere or can he be blocked out by chalkboards? The argument of God being removed from schools is asinine at best. Students can bring bibles to school, they have rallies at the flag pole, they have religious clubs and Lord knows there is ample peer pressure in America to be a believer or risk eternal damnation. If kids can bring bibles to school and can pray there, how exactly has God been removed? Just because teachers do not force a certain version of religion upon their students, it doesn't mean that hell has erupted at school. These same folks would be angry beyond belief if a teacher was offering their views on Islam or encouraging their child to consider atheism. Religion and belief systems should be taught at home and shared at church. Church and State combined can only produce bastard and inbred results. What exactly is the prayer quota for keeping gun violence out of schools? Is 3 times a day good enough or is there another equation?

The NRA will send it's armies out in waves to try to debunk any relationship between guns and violence. We will also have political figures who will suggest making our schools into compounds with fences and body scanners. These folks will go to great lengths to distract from the real  discussion that is needed in America. This argument isn't unlike the healthcare debate. If every other modern Nation on the planet knows how to provide quality healthcare to everyone and they also have much less gun violence, are we above learning from tried and true methods? Lies can only be carried so long in a right wing bucket before they begin to evaporate. 

I, like many Liberal and Democrats, own guns and have my whole life. We are not trying to end gun ownership or to stop hunting or self defense but there comes a time, when the people become sufficiently pissed off and will demand change. Only certain people should own certain types of guns and some people shouldn't own any guns. The often quoted second amendment says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. When this was written, the idea of a militia was relevant and there were no semi or fully automatic weapons as we know them today. Until we can have a discussion without the influence of big money and the NRA, we will continue on a downward spiral of violence and our kids will continue to pay for our sins of omission. 

The Southern Donkey Blog

The Hangover PartI

Now that the election is over and the good guys and girls have won, it's time to reflect on the events of the day. I assumed that we could at least have a day to enjoy the victory and that the losers would be in full retreat. I was wrong on both accounts. While I enjoyed a leaf and match moment after Ohio was called, there were others who were already crying foul, doom, disaster and decrying the end of human civilization. Don't even try to give me the insane talking point about how Democrats don't know how to lose or win with grace and dignity. Al Gore and the year 2000 is all the proof you would ever need to blow that theory away. We celebrate with positive affirming actions and look forward to a bright future when we win and when we lose, we accept defeat and begin the hard work of trying again. We don't make subversive and private deals to destroy the other sides governing power.
Perhaps the most disheartening things that have been posted on the day after the election are the extreme religious reactions and the failure of people to separate church and state within their lives. I was born and raised in a religious family and was given no choice in the matter until after high school. I remember when the attitudes at church in relation to politics changed in the mid 80's. The church became infected by the Reagan mentality and it was convinced by Falwell and others as to how much of a Saint this man was. The denomination that I came from consisted of non drinkers and they believed that anyone drinking would burn in hell but of course, this was overlooked when Ronnie would partake in giant beer chugs. Thanks to the 700 club, Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Focus on the Family and christian radio, church and state have been joined in an unholy matrimony that can't be broken. The Christian world view is an offspring of this union and has brought guilt into the mix. I observed a post today claiming that God would bless the USA despite what happened in the election and some saying that this was God's way of bringing about the end of the world and the most concerning were the postings about how could they face their kids and church classes and what could they say after this election result? I have several statements for these types of people. Number one on the list would be that if you serve a God who produces political guilt in your soul, then I want nothing to do with your version of God. There is no moral high ground in following a political party and there is no eternal impact upon a person's soul if they vote against the party that you believe in or fail to vote. We have gone from being consumed with hatred of Muslim culture and it's practices to a place where we insist and expect anyone running for public office or participating in a sporting event to show their Christian credentials at every opportunity. Christian persecution does exist but it's in reverse. It's the Christians who are doing the persecuting. Try being a Deist or an Atheist, a Jew or a even a Catholic and see how easy it is to live a life of  freedom. I have long since walked away from all of the guilt and strings that the church attempted to place upon me. I find myself looking in from the outside and it's hard to imagine that I ever truly believed all of the rituals and mind controlling philosophies shoved upon the masses. Churches that insist upon preaching the gospel of politics should have their tax exempt status taken away and then we would see if the faithful flock would stick around without the tax deduction benefits. When they make a point of preaching hate, partisanship or discrimination, it's not a matter of Big Government suppressing their freedoms but it's a matter of getting what they've asked for and deserve. I see so much racism dressed up and disguised as religious freedom and political party association. When 90% of a church congregation supports drug testing for welfare recipients and yet has no problem with corporate welfare or subsidies for Big Oil which trumps social welfare at a 10 to 1 clip, something is horribly wrong. The prevailing mentality and unsaid insinuation is that welfare goes to Black Americans who do nothing but sit around all day looking at their fancy cars, smoking weed and drinking cheap wine that they bought with food stamps. If it wasn't based in racism, the accusation wouldn't sting so badly for right wing, Christian republicans.
Reaching across the isle has been mentioned a lot lately but it doesn't count if you're reaching across to join hands with another republican on the other side. Believe me, Democrats know how to reach out and extend olive branches and we also know first hand what it feels like to have our hands slapped and the olive branches thrown back at us at full speed. Democrats have moved so far to the middle that we've crossed midfield. Until republicans figure out that America means more than a pledge to Grover Norquist , we can never begin to solve our problems as a Nation. We stand ready and willing to work on big solutions to big problems but the road blocks get really freaking old.
The current political climate demands that anyone running for political office be supportive of drone attacks and killing terrorist at any cost. It's not that it's correct or proper but just a sign of the times. The defense contractors make millions from the operation, development and building of these items and they are huge political donors to the campaigns. Some day, a truly brave soul will stand up and speak out against the atrocities committed in the name of homeland security and hopefully, the American People will be ready to hear the message and change our ways for the better. Exporting war should be a last resort and not an excuse to create wealth for the richest corporations in the world.
All this being said, there were some moments of great meaning on election night. As I started interacting with the members of the Southern Donkey group, I became emotional as many responded and thanked me for doing what we do. I find great comfort in our numbers and could never convey just how much each and every one of you mean to me. It's times like these that make me know that it's all worth while and make me feel like we're making a difference. The South can be a beautiful place but only as attractive as the manner in which we treat our fellow man regardless of their skin color, religion, sexual orientation or wealth. The republican party continues to exert control and dominion over the South in elections and politics but it's not as one sided as it once was. Overall, the South is locked in an approx. 60/40 split between republicans and Democrats but my hope is that someday we can rise up and speak out without the instant judgement associated with daring to break away from the approved religious and political standards that many have come to expect and assume.

TSD 11/07/2012

We Should Agree?

There were times in our political history that there were ways of agreeing on basic concepts in spite of our differences. Compromise wasn't always considered to be a dirty word or a sign of weakness. Below, I've listed a few basics that we have always agreed on or we at least should agree on no matter what your political affiliation.

Money should be limited and disclosed in politics. The current conservative leaning Supreme Court overturned our entire history with Citizens United.

Child labor laws are a good thing.

A minimum wage should be a living wage.

Government is not evil, it should be made of the people, by the people and for the people without people in Government trying to sabotage it's efforts in an attempt to privatize everything for a profit.

The Social Safety Net is not up for debate or for sale to the highest bidder. Medicare and Social Security are not giveaways but they allow people to retire and live in dignity without depending on cat food to survive.

Rape is always wrong and the victims shouldn't have to be placed on trial or pay for the medical assistance they require.

There is zero medical evidence to support the theory that rape victims can't conceive a child during the act.

Rape victims should not be obligated to carry the offspring to birth whether the act is done by a stranger or God forbid, a family member.

Rape victims that do conceive a child and give birth should not be under any obligation to the father to interact with them or allow them to see the child.

Abortion should be legal at least for a certain early time frame. Late term abortion should be a last resort and allowed in instances of danger to the mother's health.

The term "no free lunch" doesn't just apply to no work = no pay or food for individuals, it should also be applied to raising taxes are necessary in order to pay for the common goods...roads, bridges, etc. When the budget doesn't balance, it becomes necessary to raise taxes, especially on the wealthy.

The Country comes first, even if it means your opponent gets the credit for the idea or success.

Wealthy corporations don't need tax breaks for exporting American jobs or subsidies when they are making record profits.

Public education should be funded and guaranteed. We frequently hear how throwing money at education isn't the answer but shouldn't that apply to the military budget which trumps education spending by miles?

Politics and religion should not be mixed and the founding fathers were not mostly Christians. There should not be a religious test to run for office but your religion can and should be examined in order to ensure that you will put the Country over your faith and not use public office as means to end the world and force a religious Armageddon.

Racism has always existed and is alive and well. Civil rights and integration are needed and legitimate.

Women are equal to men and should have all the same rights, including thinking for themselves and voting.

Voting is a right and efforts to restrict voting, especially in ways that hurt certain citizens who vote certain ways is not only wrong but should be illegal.

Crazy people should not be able to own guns. People shouldn't be able to own cop killing weapons. We've reached a point where the NRA owns one political party and has placed a down payment on the other one. We are unwilling to make any restrictions on gun ownership. The NRA has a stance that anyone should own any gun for any reason and when the U.N. and the world try to ban even the trade and sale of illegal handguns, it becomes an attempt by the President to team up with the U.N. to take everyone's guns away...according to the NRA and fox news.

It's nobody's business what takes place in a bedroom between consenting adults.

We have a right to privacy.

And immigration policy straight from the Statue of Liberty- "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

Behind the Closet Door

Behind the Closet Door

I write this looking back at 45 years of history in my own life. I can't speak for anyone else but I can speak with authority about my own life and experiences. To say that my views and beliefs have changed many times in my life would be an understatement but I feel that my current convictions are built upon bedrock. Others may not know why they feel the way they do and might not be able to defend themselves but I swear in a fair and logical fight, I could go undefeated. 

When I was very young, it wasn't unusual to have friends and relatives spend the night and hang out. I remember one specific night, one of my friends stayed the night and we shared my twin bed. There was a very brief moment when we touched hands and although neither of us went any further than a light touch, it was just understood that we at least considered it. As far as I know, I've always been heterosexual but I can honestly say that I have had moments when I felt more or less masculine than others. There were also times in my life when others would confide in me about their closeted lives. I remember once when I worked at Wendy's, there was a female co-worker who I noticed copied my style (rolled up sleeves, hat tilt, etc.) and at one point, as we were cleaning up the pans after hours, she walked over and told me she was going out of town for the weekend to see her friend. I nodded in agreement and then she said "girl friend". Again, I just nodded and she then asked me if that bothered me? My response was, why should it? To say the least, we became pretty good friends after that and I never told the other workers anything about what I knew. There were also times that I knew that others were gay without them ever telling me and it just didn't matter. 

I've attended church throughout my life and I've watched as church has evolved from accepting racism openly to pushing it beneath the surface. Church remains the most racially divided establishment in America in my opinion. Although churches and pastors have always seemed to speak out against homosexuality, it has taken a nasty turn over the past few years. Many churches and members have begun to be militant against the sexual preferences of others. It has become commonplace for religious people to make fun of the gay community and to even endorse violence against LGBT individuals. I can't help but feel that the tide is turning and eventually, churches will evolve on this issue just as they have on slavery and the roles of women in the church. It becomes really difficult to cling to old testament segments without taking the whole of the law upon yourself. One must not pick out the hatred of same sex couples and not cling to the scriptures that ban mixing of cloth, eating shellfish or killing blasphemous children. There are other common sense reasons for changing the views on homosexuality that include the fact that as a rule, child sexual abuse doesn't come from homosexuals but rather heterosexuals. How would the churches who preach that the King James version of the bible is the only true word of God react if they found out that King James was in fact gay?

In the end, it comes down to the closet. While bigoted people would desire that all LGBT people remain in the closet, they fail to acknowledge or remember that they are the one's who are compelled to go into the closet. Matthew 6:6 tells Christians to go into their closets and shut the door and pray to their father in secret. There was never a commandment for gay people to hide and remain in the closet. 

I'm a free thinker and count myself as blessed to have friends of all races and all sexual orientations. I simply can't imagine life in an all straight culture or worrying about what everyone else chooses to do in the privacy of a committed relationship or behind closed doors. There truly isn't an in your face gay agenda that could ever equal the attacks made by well meaning, God fearing folks against anything LGBT. It is funny however that the most racist and sexist people in the world tend to shut up and behave while in the presence of the people that they are most disgusted by. Some day, society will be accepting of others because morality has nothing to do with skin color or who you choose to love or marry and it has nothing to do with your religious standing. Laws would exist regardless of faith or sexuality. Think about it.

TSD - 08-03-2012

Rights

You have a right to your opinion- I have a right to mine
Just because it's your opinion, doesn't make it correct
You have the right to be a religious as you chose- I have the right to be as free from religion as I may chose.
You do not have the right to impose your religion or morality onto others or kill, hate or harm in the name of any God.
You have the right to watch fox in your home- I have the right to ask for the channel to be changed at any business or restaurant that I may enter.
Watching fox has nothing to do with patriotism or freedom.
You have the right to be an obnoxious jerk face- I have the right to ignore you or respond in kind.
Daring to speak up or return fire isn't disrespectful.
You have the right to hate the government- I have the right to love it and defend it.
Government workers aren't the problem but are people so stop being jealous.
You have a right to go broke because of medical problems- I have the right to healthcare that covers us all and doesn't break the bank.
Being sick shouldn't be a matter of living only if you can afford care and it should be illegal to profit from the misery of others.
You have the right to defend corporate welfare- I have the right to defend human welfare.
Corporate welfare is 10 times higher than human welfare.
You have a right to right wing radio- I have the right to demand equal time for Liberal causes on the public airways.
Conservative media has a monopoly on the airwaves and it's not because it's preferred by the public.
You have the right to call yourself an independent or libertarian- I have the right to point out that you're hiding behind those titles when every viewpoint syncs up with the republican party.
Tea Baggers are also nothing but republican junk yard dogs.
You have the right to make up facts and pull figures from dark orifices- I have the right to call you a liar.
Every issue or opinion doesn't have two sides, sometimes there's a right and wrong side... period.
You have the right to be racist or homophobic- I have the right to point out these issues and make you feel embarrassed for being that way.
This is a case where a right is actually a wrong.

TSD-

The Civil War 2012

I've lived in the South my entire life so I have plenty of skin in the game. Some misunderstand my criticism of the South as hatred and some get defensive and want to rally around the South at all cost. The only way to make the South a better place for us all is to be honest and open about the good and the bad. Don't get me wrong, I know that there should be free speech and people have the right to have and to hold any feelings that they want however, just because someone has an opinion or feeling, it doesn't mean it's a good thing or justified or proper. We still have an alarming amount of people living under the mantra of "the south's gonna rise again". This basically amounts to a belief that the South was right in the civil war and that we were somehow wronged by the Northern aggression during the civil war. The pressure to not be openly racist and hateful has been a good thing and much of the sentiment as well as the rebel flag society has gone underground. There are a few brave souls who get rebel flag tattoos or run around with a huge flag attached to their truck but the more refined rebellion has now embraced the don't tread on me flag. It often feels that the civil war is being fought by the die hard South but just not with guns on a battlefield. The politics of the South has been co opted by an opportunistic republican party that considers Southern conservative voters to be their property and pet. The powers that be pour the hate, the racism, the fear and the religious guilt into the South through a funnel. The funnel runs through some churches, through conservative talk radio, through fox news and through peer pressure. This influence is unfiltered and hits the desired target at full force. The feeling of we'd rather be morally right that protect our best interest or provide a better future for our children is unbelievable and dangerous. You can't be in charge of your life as long as you're a pawn on a chess board. One day, I can only hope that we will wake up and realize that different doesn't equal evil and see that letting go of the past grudges does not make us weak. I crave an honest and open debate about real issues. The government is not out to get you and is not to be feared. We are the government even if there are republican elements that aren't capable of ever accepting a Democratic leader as fairly elected or legitimate. The facts are, the South isn't going to break away from the United States again, it's not the job of the South to "save" the rest of the heathens up north or out west and until we decide to think for ourselves and not be used, the South will never be all that it can be. Never find pride in ignorance and instead of trying to find an enemy to attack or rally against, can we find a way forward?

TSD

Conversation with Conservatives

Welcome to a new series on the Southern Donkey Blog. Whenever you see this title or image, you will know that the series is continuing. I have had so many interesting interactions with conservatives that I've decided to start publishing some of them under the title of "Conversations with Conservatives". The names will be protected but the interactions are real. If you have similar events, please feel free to send them to me or post them on one of our pages. The first conversation that I want to share is a brief encounter that thrust me into the political fight and occurred during Bill Clinton's second term. I've always been a Democrat but had seldom felt the need to openly defend myself. On this particular occasion, my brother and I were visiting my Grandmother at the hospital and as we were leaving, I was confronted by an older gentlemen in the waiting room who was watching the television and staring at CNN's coverage of the President. He reached out and grabbed my arm as I passed him and this what transpired....

Older Man- Ain't you glad that you didn't vote for him?

TSD- Well, I actually voted for Bill Clinton two times. 

Older Man- The hell you say!

TSD- No, I voted for him and really glad that I did.

Older Man- mumbling obscenities......you, you... you draft dodger!

TSD- No, I never dodged a draft, I'm just a Democrat.

White Lady working behind the reception desk- Well  I agree with the Older Man, why would anyone vote for a Democrat?

African American Lady sitting near us- I'm with the man who voted for Clinton and he's a great man. 

TSD- Thanks, you know it's just a matter of opinion and everyone has a right to their own.

At this point, my brother came by and asked what was going on and what the ruckus was about? The waiting area had divided into two groups and was getting very agitated. I decided to leave before a full blown riot broke out. As I left, I turned to the Older Man and said, you have a nice day now and this was roughly equivalent to handing him a grenade as he went into a ballistic fit. Although this was a short happening, it changed my life and made me chose a side in the Southern political fight. This wasn't a war that I had asked for but it became really obvious that it was either learn to fight back or be beaten down politically. Watch for more conversations with conservatives to be posted in the coming weeks.

Flowers in the Desert

Sometimes, the South can be a lonely and desolate place for a Liberal or Progressive minded person. Every day brings battles and persecution just for daring to speak your mind or voicing support for the Democratic Party. To the untrained eye, the South would appear to be unified behind hunting, fishing, country music, concealed carry permits and anti governments sentiments. Just when the desert seems to be harsh and without any hope, an oasis can often be found. The Southern Donkey found an oasis in the Southern Desert tonight. I attended a high school musical. The kids put in a ton of work and it paid off greatly. Against all odds for success, the drama department decided to put on a musical called "Singing in the Rain". I'm sure that many of the kids that participated in the play were subjected to ridicule for learning to tap dance and for singing their hearts out. In full disclosure, my daughter had some minor parts in the musical but it wasn't so much pride in my daughter as it was just being moved by a group of people who put the arts on display for the world to see. Being able to get lost in an innocent story line was refreshing and although there were some concealed carry people in the audience, even their hard hearts became warmed by the spirit of the the performance. Art, sports, comedy and music have the ability to unite us in common interest and they allow us to leave the bickering world of hateful politics behind. I have to feel that the next generation will have a chance to advance the South beyond it's old stereotypes. Imagine a South free of racism, conservative extremism and one that isn't so stuck in tradition and the rebel way that we risk our future in order to feel that we are right and the rest of the country is wrong. Southern Pride can be found in our sweet tea, hospitality, cooking and the beautiful scenery but only by striking the resentment from our past can we begin to find solid ground to stand on in the future.

TSD

The Sporting Life in 2012

It's no secret that The Southern Donkey has been known to play some golf. I have a strong background in sports including basketball, softball, football and various others. I've lost a lot of my sports addiction over the past few years for many reasons but part of my dissatisfaction comes from the fact that corporate America has tried to make sports into a business and they have become all about story lines and not about the games or the competition. Giant corporations have taken control of the teams and the events and are mostly concerned with exacting as much profit out as possible.
Sports have also become the domain of religion much like politics. With conservative corporate America running the show, the tendency has become to appeal to a base of religious fans who are fascinated with the white christian American story line. This in part explains the fall of Tiger Woods and the rise of Tim Tebow and the likes of Bubba Watson. It's ironic that I was on the verge of posting some comments about Bubba Watson being the Tim Tebow of the PGA but I restrained myself because I didn't want to offend people on either my golf or political pages but then, as it turns out, Bubba and Tebow are buddies and they media has gone crazy with the hype.
I believe that white America to a large degree still holds a grudge back to boxing being taken over by African Americans as well as the NFL, basketball and even baseball. The longing for a great white hope still lingers in the hearts of some and the Nationalism that took hold after 911 only further cemented the desire for a non Muslim hero to emerge on the scene. The PGA is controlled and dominated by wealthy white christians and they have mixed religion, politics, sports and patriotism to levels that make me want to just puke. They constantly have military day, do huge segments about some members holding religious services on the course and the announcers are almost 100% male and white. The sport seems to try to discriminate based on financial abilities and the charitable giving that is done is only a means to ease the critical eyes that would dare gaze upon the huge profits being made.
If you're a fan of Tebow or Bubba or any other great white hope, it's not a problem and you have every right to be a fan of whoever you chose but all I ask is for some balance. When is the last time that you supported or the corporate media did a story on an athlete of a non christian faith or who might be an atheist? Why do we never ask if God was responsible for the loses and the interceptions as well as the wins and touchdowns? I'm perfectly willing to allow others the freedom to focus on and be a fan of anyone just as long as I also receive the same courtesy to dislike players and athletes, especially the ones that I'm told that I have to like and approve of. I ask today, that you broaden your horizon and decide for yourself what your opinions are in every situation in this life. Only by thinking for yourself can you truly have solid and grounded reasons for the life that you live. Freedom to agree as well as disagree without demonizing others can make us strong and if your product is really a good one, why would you ever fear competition?

Think about it..... TSD

Time to Speak Up!

Jesus wore a hoodie and sandals, does that make him a thug or a hipster douche bag? Jesus also is pictured with long hair so does that make him a threat or a dug dealer? I ask these questions partly in jest but also because I'm really tired of the people in life who judge others based on their looks, skin color, piercings, hair length and tattoos. Being a natural born southerner, I inherited a rebel spirit but not one that makes me hate ethnic people or Yankees. My rebel soul makes me want to express myself in ways that aren't common to our section of the Country. Accepting people at face value and forming your own opinions should be the only reasonable way to live your life.
Racism still exist and is a dirty little secret in much of America. If the conversations that take place in private were to be know in the open, I'm afraid that all out race wars would occur. So many white Americans hold racial grudges against all ethnic people but especially against African Americans. They've been told that Black People are lazy, scary, criminals or that they have taken their jobs or been promoted when not deserving. They resent mixing of the races and interracial dating or marriages and the "N" word is alive and well whenever people feel they are in sympathetic company. At one point, it was considered acceptable to allow older people or dumb people to cling to their racist and hateful opinions but there comes a time when we can no longer remain silent. It's no longer reasonable to allow others to express racist jokes or sentiments without rebuttal. I also have a word for the Christian community....1 John 4:20- If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. Whenever you hear a Christian express hatred for President Obama, African Americans, Latinos or Liberals, just ask them to read this verse. 
It's amazing to me to watch as people become hero's or zero's based upon their perceived political actions. We watched as Captain Sully went from a right wing hero to a zero after saving lives on his airplane and then speaking up in support of unions and now, we've watched as the right wing has rallied around a confessed murderer in George Zimmerman. The support comes because he carried a gun as the NRA preaches and he has in some sick manner, obtained street credibility by killing an "evil Black Person". 
I've followed this case for days on end and I just can't let it go away. The following thoughts are simply my opinion and are not intended to be the final word in this matter. The facts are, Florida is largely run by conservatives in power and they have obeyed the NRA and a group called ALEC in passing laws that favor more gun ownership and more use of guns in the public streets. The side affect of these laws has been racism with extreme prejudice. I'm going to offer my view of how this horrible situation might have happened. You may have a different view and that's fine but in the end, we may never know everything exactly as it happened. What we do know is that a 17 year old kid, who was unarmed in dead and the killer walked free. 
In my mind, George Zimmerman is an unstable person who should have never been allowed to carry a gun. I  believe George Zimmerman had racial influences from his father who turns out to be a retired judge in Florida. Zimmerman probably watched this family and this kid as they moved through this neighborhood and it got under his skin. I'd also assume that he would be a fox viewer and right wing radio listener. The gun in his holster was much like money that burns a hole in a person's pocket until they can use it. On the night of the murder, Mr. Zimmerman took it upon himself to follow Trayvon Martin. He may have started with some honest intentions by calling the police to report a "suspicious" person but the Rambo syndrome quickly took over. It becomes apparent that he's not interested in allowing the police to do their job but his longing for wild west justice begins to take over. He follows Tayvon and as it should, it begins to make Tayvon very nervous. The 911 operator told Mr. Zimmerman  not to follow along but he continued to do so. Zimmerman caught up to Teyvon just before the police arrived and I firmly believe he tried to grab and detain him by force. As any normal person would do in that situation, Treyvon would have fought back and tried to escape. He had no idea if this guy was trying to kidnap or assault him. I believe that Zimmerman pulled his gun in an attempt to subdue Trayvon and as you can hear in the 911 calls, Trayvon appears to be begging for his life. In the end, Zimmerman pulls the trigger and kills Trayvon. If the stand and defend law applies here, it would be more on the side of Trayvon Martin than Zimmerman because Zimmerman was clearly the aggressor and was staking a 17 year old kid who had no weapons. The hit job being done by the republicans against the dead is unforgivable and the newest development of Mr. Zimmerman's father talking to the media and blaming the President, the NAACP and civil rights leaders for hatred is, in my opinion is the final missing piece of the puzzle. His father is working the media in order to obtain all the right wing support possible and in the end, what we're dealing with is a case of a former judges son who committed murder and was allowed to be released because of his father's connections. Much of the current unrest would be quieted if the shooter was simply arrested and placed in jail until a real investigation could run it's course but the longer he remains at large, the more we risk further violence. 

The Age of Disrespect

One political party in the US has been on a slow train to a dark and sad location for many years. The journey has been long and deliberate and the final destination is a place called "Disrespect". In my lifetime, I can't remember another President or even a Government official that has been attacked and hated in any way similar to President Obama. I know, I can already hear the republican wanna be victims crying about the way Bush was treated but let's be clear, the next image that someone shows me with elected officials yelling, shouting down or getting in the face of Bush, will be the very first one ever. It simply never happened. Conservatives were the first ones to demand that everyone respect the office of the President, even if he did commit war crimes or send our sons and daughters to die for a false cause. Sure there were some Americans who took issue and tried to protest the Bush administration but they were kept far away from view, not allowed at functions and never showed up with guns at protest rallies. Zero Democratic officials ever offered any public disrespect to Bush or even Cheney. Obama has endured a greatest hits collection of racism and violent rhetoric. Let's look at the following links as further proof. In case you forgot, the President was openly heckled during a speech to congress. This particular video shows the famous "You Lie" comment by a South Carolina redneck politician who went on to raise money from his lack of manners. The things that were lost in this video clip were the other republican members who were talking back during the whole speech and waving papers and signs and the President as well. Some of their papers were supposed to be bills but turned out to be blank just like their souls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aE_nEoE5kE&feature=fvst

We won't also get into the tea party idiots who took up arms and spit on Democratic leaders who were going to Capital Hill to vote on the health care law. Let's next take up the Birth Certificate fiasco. There have been too many republican politicians to even mention here that have questioned or refused to admit that President Obama is a legitimate President or even a US citizen. Any reasonable person knows that if there were any proof, in the slightest that Obama wasn't a legitimate citizen, his enemies would have stopped him in his tracks long before he was ever able to run for President. The following clip shows Obama taking the high road as always. Here, he roasts his most vocal critic at the time, Donald Trump. As we discuss this, there are still States trying to block him from being included on their ballots for the next Presidential race. Let me go ahead and break this down for them. Even if a racist state decided to block Obama in their state, it would quickly be over ruled on the Federal level and there would probably be fines imposed for bringing such a stupid theory to the courts. I'm not even going to justify the other birth certificate talkers with a clip. Tom Delay may have the most goofy quote on the matter when he actually asked for the President to show his "gift certificate". I'm going to assume that he was drunk at the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8TwRmX6zs4

We now have republicans who are running for President and using racial overtones to appeal to the racist South voters. Newt has staked his claim to tapping into racism and hatred of Obama. The following clip discusses him calling President Obama a "food stamp" President. Newt and Mr. Google search, Santorum  have bought into the whole idea of making white people afraid that Obama is secretly working to help Black people and to take from White people. There's only one party that finds a home for racist politicians and hate speech and it certainly isn't the Democratic Party. Liberals are talking in terms of making America strong and building a better tomorrow while republicans are trying to set back race relations 100 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcwgUWje0LE

We've also had professional athletes who have refused to go to the White House because they don't want to meet President Obama. The following article shows a goalkeeper for the Boston Bruins who declined an invitation to the White House as a protest. Whatever happened to respect and civility and common decency?
Hockey Player Disrespects The President

There are many others but I want to end with the latest example of blatant disrespect given to President Obama. Governor Jan Brewer tried to make news and sell books by confronting the President and ultimately pointing her grim reaper looking finger in his face for all to see. John Boehner and Eric Cantor have also shown little to no respect for the President by refusing his invitations to meetings.
Brewer Disrespects The President

In the end, this is not a both party issue but it is simply the republicans reaping what they have sown. For years, they have allowed Rush and fox to attack Liberals on a daily basis and have mixed Christianity and Sports with right wing politics to the point of believing that Democrats and Liberals are going to hell and should be assaulted verbally and physically. What use to be said in private is now out in the open and it has reached the point where their elected officials on the republican side agree with the racist and wrong headed audience of conservative voters. President Obama and his beautiful family have been gracious in the face of open racism and have chosen to take the high road in every situation. I can only hope and pray that the republicans come to their collective senses at some point before they are forced to face their demons after their disrespect and hatred come to fruition in a most unfortunate way.

01/27/2012 1:50 TSD