Is Turnabout Fair Play?

I have refrained from engaging in many conversations with friends and strangers about the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Mainly because I don't particularly care for either of the candidates: Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Hilary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), and Barack Obama (D-IL). But with the malicious attacks leveled at Senator Obama for comments made by his former pastor and spiritual advisor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, I got to thinking, "Is turnabout fair play?"

Why has the media been so negligent in covering inflammatory comments made by a pastoral supporter of John McCain, Pastor John Hagee? Most people who watch television ministry are probably aware of John Hagee, a white, evangelical pastor of a mega church in San Antonio, Texas. Pastor Hagee is a very popular preacher. He appears several times a day on various television stations across the country. I happen to like Pastor Hagee. I believe that he is a man of God and that he really believes the Bible is the infallible word of God, as I do. I also like Reverend Wright. I believe that he is a man of God and he believes the Bible is the infallible word of God. I don't think Pastor Hagee's views are all that different from Reverend Wright when it comes to his convictions.

Pastor Hagee is often quoted as saying that the Catholic Church is a "whore religion." He is a strong supporter of Israel. And he preaches death to unbelievers. This is the same pastor that Senator McCain openly lobbied for support during the Republican primary. While the media has hopped on Reverend Wright's inflammatory comments and "attacks" on America, they have largely ignored John Hagee's claims and criticisms.

Now it seems that Pastor Hagee may become a "thorn in the side" for the Republican presidential candidate, according to The New York Times. Finally the media seems to be focusing their radar on this "crazy" white preacher from Texas. I've already issued my disclaimer, I like Pastor Hagee.

I also like Reverend Wright, who is a supporter of Minister Louis Farrakhan. So if Obama can have Reverend Wright and McCain can have Pastor Hagee, then I guess turnabout is fair play. Does one beget the other?

Wright. Hagee. Farrakhan. Am I aligned with all of their beliefs? No.

Should I, or Senator Obama, or you be held accountable for our pastor's views? They have a right to their beliefs, and so do I.

Here's an op-ed piece from today's issue of the The New York Times. It's titled The All-White Elephant in the Room.

Okey Dokey Friday Jokey

Friday Humor . . .

When the Going Gets Tough

For most of us changes in our eyesight usually prompt a call to the optometrist or ophthalmologist or other medical professional. If we have a toothache or chipped tooth, most likely we will make an appointment to see a dentist; and if you experience knee, shoulder, or joint pain, like I did last week, you will call an orthopedic specialist posthaste. Most folks, if they're ailing or feeling pain, typically seek some kind of medical treatment.

So why is it when some of us experience emotional pain or psychological trauma, we hesitate to visit a mental health provider? Given all of the strain and stress caused by family obligations, school, our jobs, dealing with difficult people, and unreasonable expectations that we and others place on us, it is no wonder that many of us are “disconnecting” from reality. Sometimes you don’t even know, let alone feel, that you’re under stress because you’re so used to operating at or above 100%. You become immune to the signs and symptoms.

We’re in constant motion. That’s the society we’re living in. We’re constantly meeting deadlines, running the kids around, caring for loved ones, and serving on multiple committees and boards. We spend more time advancing our careers and education than we spend nurturing healthy relationships with our families. And what’s worse, we spend even less time developing a relationship with our Creator, whom all blessings flow. Then what’s leftover we give to ourselves—maybe.

With this kind of imbalance there is no wonder why we feel overwhelmed or under appreciated and choose to disconnect. After giving away so much of ourselves, how can we possibly expect to maintain good mental health?

The Louisiana Weekly on Sunday examined suicide and depression in the black community. According to the Weekly, "Still suffering from the vestiges of slavery and still targets of institutionalized racism and discrimination today, with health and economic disparities in their disfavor in almost all societal categories, blacks are the first group of people who need to seek help for possible mental illness and depression, yet the last ones to get it." Author and Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Alvin Poussaint said blacks "see mental disorder and depression as a sign of personal weakness or moral failure." In the book Lay My Burden Down, Poussaint and co-author Amy Alexander write that blacks downplay issues of depression and mental illness, which can lead to suicide (Jackson, Louisiana Weekly, 4/6).

According to an article in the Beacon Journal, one in five Americans has some type of mental disorder— defined as a change in mood, thought or behavior, causing distress and/or problems in day-to-day functioning. Nationwide, mental illnesses cause a disability rate second only to heart disease, according to a 1999 report by the U.S. Surgeon General.

One way to improve mental health is by talking. Through dialogue people can come together for a mutual exchange of ideas, observations and experiences. Dialogues go beyond the usual interactions between practitioners and recipients of mental health services. They provide a safe environment in which participants may speak freely to create better understanding and mutual trust and respect.

Temporarily disconnecting from the strain and stress of life is a natural response. But how and when you choose to reconnect will determine your success in managing life’s challenges. If you are experiencing any of the problems listed in this post, please seek help. If you don’t have adequate health coverage, there are many ways you can still seek help. Contact a mental health provider in your community.

Here’s a list of resources that may be helpful:

· American Mental Health Counselors Association
· National Mental Health Information Center
· Online Health Resources
· Mental Health America
· Mental Health Organizations by State
· Mental Health Agencies
· Treatment Advocacy Center
· Mental Health Today
· HealthyPlace.com
· The Bright Side

When Godly Women Disagree . . .

This is what it sounds like when women of God disagree.

Knock Knock

Remember when you were young (I mean really, really young) and use to play childhood games? I can remember spending hours playing Tag, Hide-and-Seek, Red-light/Green-light, Ring Around the Rosey, Kick Ball, Freeze, and Simon Says. Awwwwwwwwwwww. Those were the days. I was part of a group of neighborhood kids who played until we were exhausted, or at least until our Moms called us home. It seemed like we never grew tired. We were like the Energizer Bunny, we kept going and going and going.

Sometimes we'd race our bikes up and down the street or around the corner, or just ride in the driveway. Other times we'd just sit and tell jokes. Of course during play-- especially when the boys would play--the jokes almost always turned silly or into "a game of Yo' Momma."

I never really liked the "yo momma" jokes because it always turned personal and somebody usually ended up with a swollen lip or a black eye. But what I liked most about our childhood games was the "Knock Knock" jokes. Remember those?

Here are some of my favorites:

Knock knock!
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad I stopped by?
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Knock knock!
Who's there?
Anita.
Anita who?
Anita damn break!
---------------------------------------
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Sara.
Sara who?
Sara a doctor in the house?
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Knock knock!
Who's there?
Sacha.
Sacha who?
Sacha lot of questions!
----------------------------------------
Knock knock!
Who's there?
May.
May who?
Maybe I'll tell you, maybe I won't!
-----------------------------------------
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Lena.
Lena who?
Lena a little closer and I'll tell you!
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I invite you to tell me your best "Knock Knock" jokes!

Hallmark Greeting

I ran across this beautiful Hallmark greeting and thought I'd post it. The message is geared towards the New Year, but it is a prayer for all seasons. So as the saying goes, "better late than never."

Prayer for the New Year

Give us the kindness to hear with compassion,

to offer support,

loving comfort, and care.

Give us the courage to do what is needed,

the wisdom to choose

what is right and most fair.

Give us he vision to see what is possible.

Give us the faith

that will help pave the way

for a present that's hopeful,

a future that's peaceful --

give us the heart to bring joy to each day.

Catch a Falling Star

One of the coolest things about blogging is having the opportunity to have your thoughts and ideas exposed to hundreds, if not, thousands of people across the globe. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a bit of creative ingenuity, then sit back and enjoy the ride. The reciprocity may be boundless.

Although I'm relatively new to blogging, I'm having a ball using this form of expression. It's like having an electronic diary, but the only difference is that you really don't mind if someone finds your diary, opens it and read it. As a matter of fact, I hope you not only read my blog, but ponder what I'm saying, and share it with others.

Since I've been on blogger.com I've read many wonderful blogs. The interesting thing about blogging is that you never know whose blogging or what they have to say until you log on. There are so many web sites dedicated to blogging that it's virtually impossible not to catch the "blogging bug." That's why I have dedicated this post to bloggers everywhere. I applaud each of you for your diligence in blogging every day, and even those who only post once a month, you deserve an applause, too. Thanks for giving me something to laugh at, seriously ponder, or even frown upon.

Let's support bloggers everywhere and continue to fight for our right to free speech. Please check out these blogs and share them with others.

• http://deepnthought.blogspot.com/
  
• http://whatwouldthembido.blogspot.com/
  
• http://blackwomanunhinged.blogspot.com/
  
• http://www.mychurch.org/hgh
  
• http://www.pulpit-pimps.org/
  
• http://www.slumpfacade.blogspot.com/
  
• http://lovebabz.blogspot.com/
  
• http://www.justwritenow.blogspot.com/
  
• http://living-loving-laughing.blogspot.com/
  
• http://www.happiness-project.com/