New Year’s resolutions

Every year like millions of people I make a list of all the things I want to acheive in the coming year some years I acheive all of them others well let’s just say by the middle of the year I try to forget about the ‘damn’ list..lol

Well this year I’ve decided to share five of the things on my list not all of them I can’t do that, I need to keep somethings to myself come on..lol.

I hope you’ll share some of your resolutions with me and every couple of months we’ll meet back here and compare notes on how we’re doing.

1. Get a better job that utilizes all or at least most of my skills and intellect.

2. Read more. I think I do quite a lot about a book a week but I believe I could do more about 2…

3. Start saving.

4. Learn how to sew. I’ve already researched this one and I’m going to start classes in February..so one down almost..

5. Get a better apartment.

So those are a few of my resolutions go ahead and share a couple of yours with me..I can’t wait to see them and please have a fantastic New Year!!

President Bloomberg good for America but bad for democrats?

I don’t know if you’ve heard or even if you care (i’ll care for both of us) but Michael Bloomberg the mayor of the great city of NY (I just love the place..lol) is contemplating running as an independent for the presidency.

Now I have no problem whatsoever with Michael Bloomberg running as a candidate from one of the two established parties but to run as an independent during this particular election  might be problematic to the democratic party not because Jewish voters would naturally trend towards Bloomberg, who is Jewish, but because one of the major established bases of the democratic party will be fractured once again just like it was during the Nader years.

The democratic base will be split right down the middle those who vote for the nominated candidate, because they want to win sorry but it’s true, and those who vote based on idealism.

I know that right now they are thousands I’d even say millions of people who are disillusioned with the political process and politicians in general but a third party candidate is not the solution. He/she regardless of how wealthy they are will not win the presidency and the obstacles on the way there are virtually insurmountable. Third parties and third party candidates are basically viewed by voters as a voice piece of a particular issue not the whole package voters are still quite prejudiced in this regard.

What has to change are the types of people we elect to public office and the process of electing and dismissing those persons if we can institute the necessary changes we will see drastic changes in Washington.  

Bloomberg might be doing what he believes is right and I can’t fault him for that but in so doing he might ultimately be taking votes out of the hats of democrats I understand and believe that idealism is great but to be honest winning would be even better.

  

Benazir’s 19 year old son to lead good idea or bad idea?

Bhutto’s son Bilawal has been named the new leader of Pakistan’s People Party, the party that Benazir Bhutto led until her death on Thursday his father and Benazir’s husband Asif Zardari will be co-chairman of the party.

I don’t know how I feel about this decision. On the one hand I understand that Bhuttos have always led the party and they have always been symbols of democracy or the prospect of democracy for the Pakistani people and symbols particularly in developing world politics are extremely crucial to the success of any political party but Bilawal is only 19 years old he has just lost his mother and now he is being thrust into a world that could and ultimately might claim his life is this fair, is this sane?

I understand he wouldn’t be the next Prime Minister of Pakistan but he is still and will always remain a target from those who wish to curtail democracy within Pakistan and herin lies the real issue.

I’m sure his mother and his family have on countless occassions discussed the what ifs and sadly he is currently living the worst case scenario but to ask a 19 year old regardless of how smart he is to navigate the world of politics let alone Pakistani politics even if they are others to guide him is courting catastrophe and he wouldn’t even be allowed to wet his feet properly before having to help his party contest the elections on January 8th. 

And I’m left to wonder what if the worst happens and I do believe it’s possible and Bilawal is also assasinated will one of his younger sisters who are currently 17 an 14 years old will one of them have to assume leadership of the party?

I don’t know what the answer is but I do know that I hope and pray that the security around him and his family is increased so that I will not be talking about the death of yet another Bhutto on my blog.

useless and trivial celebrities

OK..from this moment on I will no longer be a willing participate in the dissemination of useless and trivial celebrity information.

What is this you ask dear reader? OK..anything to do with Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan or any celebrity whose life has no affect on MY life whatsoever.

If this celebrity is participating in advancing the public discussion or discourse on a particular issue or cause then fair enough but other than that I no longer will discuss, buy magazines or visit celebrity sites that discuss the latest celebrity affair or debacle. In my own home I do not watch reality shows unless they are labelled documentaries but I have on occasion bought a tabloid but from this day on no more.

Enough.

I will no longer join the mob that seeks to live life vicariously through the antics and experiences of a particular celebrity.

I am better than that.

YOU, WE are better than that.

So if you want to join me in my boycott of celebrities who serve absolutely or very little purpose hit me back or just simply change the channel whenever a discussion is ensuing about one of their latest tactics, read a book on something important to you or just simply do something meaningful to the advancement of your life or others BE the ANTI-celebrity but if you must choose a celebrity to help you cope with mundane occurrances of everyday life pick people that HAVE made significant contributions or continue to make contributions to the advancement of your life or our lives.

As of today I know I will.

pay attention to this…

Jacob Zuma the current leader of South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) is being charged again with corruption charges.

He was charged back in 2005 but charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

The reason I want YOUto pay attention to this is because this man could eventually become the president of the only ’socially, economically and infrastructurally developed country’ in Africa. And as a proud black person who despairs about the future of the African continent I cannot believe that this man, this corrupt and ignorant man, could become the President of South Africa and by extension the de facto leader of the continent.

Zuma was charged but acquitted of rape but not before saying these stupid, stupid, statements during his rape trial:

He explained unashamedly, that in accordance with Zulu tradition he had been brought up to understand that a man could not abandon a woman in a state of arousal, otherwise she might become infuriated, and accuse him falsely of rape.

In other words, he had had no choice but to carry on.

If that was not bad enough, Mr Zuma told the court he thought the risk from HIV was small, and that he had taken a shower immediately after the sexual intercourse on the night in question, because – he believed – it was one thing that might reduce the chances of contracting HIV.

These assertions came from the man who was head of the National Aids Council and the Moral Regeneration Campaign.

He is homophobic and is a self-proclaimed polygamist. Yup. Just the type of leader I want black kids in Africa and across the globe looking up too..Yup!

You know, if his statements and actions DO NOT disqualify him from becoming the leader of  THE most successful country on the African continent what would?

It’s leaders like Zuma that must be held accountable somewhat with the condition in which Africa and Africans now find themselves, by condoning ignorance and extreme attitudes towards women, economics and other important issues, as he and countless other African leaders standby the sidelines, gleefully lining their pockets with the people’s coffers, and watch as Africa heads to hell in a handbasket.

What Bhutto’s assassination means to me..

As a woman Benazir Bhutto symbolised and represented most of what I hold dear. Courage. Honor. Dignity. And belief in a set of principles (democracy) that if implemented successfully leads to immense benefits for the majority, I’ll even say all of those within any given society.

Her death although coming as no surprise to those familiar with the politics of Pakistan reminds me that sometimes, some of us, must be willing to pay the price for our ideals and that good men and women must stand up to the forces that seek to destroy our societies.

As Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,”  yesterday a good woman paid the ultimate price to show us that good people everywhere are not afraid and that they are willing to stand up not just here in the West but across the globe in order to bring modernity and prosperity to their countries and the world’s majority.

Benazir was not afraid and we musn’t be either.

an attack, a tragedy and Rudy Giuliani

And the candidate that never forgets to talk about 911 is now on MSNBC talking about Ms.Bhutto and the events that happened there today.

The only candidate that seems to benefit from these types of events is Rudy Giuliani and although he has heard and is obviously aware of the cynicism that accompanies him whenever he talks about 911 and terrorism every opportunity he gets he runs full speed ahead shouting, “Listen to me, listen to me, I can protect you, I can, I can..didn’t you see how I saved NY after 911 I can protect America too from 911,” shame on you Giuliani for trying to capitalise on such great tragedies and shame on you MSNBC for falling into this trap. 

Man oh man.. come on Rudy you have to run your candidacy on more than just terrorism you can do that right?

can’t keep track anymore..

Obama, Clinton, Romney have all released their statements…so that leaves who? Oh right..the ones that don’t even have a chance but still want to get their names/voices/faces on t.v.. 

 You know what it really saddens me to hear these important men and women release strong statements condemning those who killed Ms.Bhutto but you know what I really doubt most of them when it comes to putting any type of significant action behind their statements.

they keep on coming..

And now John Mccain has added his statement to the pile..it was just aired on CNN wasn’t really listening but i’m sure you can find it here..

What did I tell you..

It only took Rudy Giuliani a few hours to release a statement on Ms.Benazir Bhutto’s death. He even released a statement before President Bush didn’t see that one coming did we?

Check out his statement here 

Benazir Bhutto assassinated..

Benazir Bhutto the former PM of Pakistan and promising future leader of that muslim nation was assassinated earlier today.

Now I wonder how long it will take a certain presidential nominee to start spinning this tragic event in his favor?

and the winners are..

Ok..I don’t have a crystal ball and I’m not psychic but i’m going to list the winners of the Iowa caucuses based on all my ‘research’ and my ‘contacts’(newspaper reporters and anchors..lol) I think I can predict the winners. I’m going to try to do this for each one of the caucuses and primaries. This is the first time I’ve ever done this but hopefully it wouldn’t be my last.

Drumroll please..lol..

In Iowa on the Democratic side I’m going to pick Edwards as the winner (but I don’t think he’s going to win the nomination), Obama second and Clinton third.

As for the Republicans I’m going to pick Huckabee, Romney and Mccain.

That’s my list if you have one please, please post it and at the end I’ll post the winner. I don’t have any prizes to offer but if you’re the winner I’ll eat a huge piece of humble pie and I’ll post your list and any comment you want on my blog  (once its respectful and conforms to my blog’s standards) and you get bragging rights on my blog as well and that should be  more than enough in my book…lol.

i’m back..so sorry..

I know, I know it’s been a while since my last blog. To all my readers, my two friends and my husbad..lol, please accept my sincere apologies. I promise to blog at least once a day from this moment on and if I can’t do that at least four times a week. I swear.

And yes this counts.