Fifty years after the passing of The Civil Rights Act...and after voters in our country - not just once...but twice...(in 2008 and 2012) - elected an African-American President...we continue to find that racism remains rampant in the United States.
Now there are some of you...who may be fed up - if not altogether annoyed or even pissed off - that I am talking again about the disturbing issue of racism...but when the front pages of our newspapers...the lead stories on our network and cable news broadcasts...and the home pages of Internet Websites...are blanketed with the names of ignorant bastards... whose racist remarks...thoroughly disgust me...I then have to speak my mind.
As an American...and especially as an American journalist...I'm a tremendous supporter of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. But although people in our great nation are able to enjoy freedom of speech...it nauseates me that there are those who spew out the venom and the offensive vulgarities that were spoken by Nevada rancher, Cliven Bundy and allegedly by Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling.
It amazes me - although I suppose I shouldn't be - that in 2014...there are still so many disgraceful people...who can hate a person...merely because of the color of their skin. It's deplorable...and it's despicable.
Nevada cattleman, Cliven Bundy's reprehensible remarks were videotaped and posted on YouTube. They were first reported by The New York Times earlier this month. Speaking of black people...who are receiving federally funded assistance...the 67-year old Bundy "often wondered...if they're better off as slaves picking cotton...and having family life...and doing things...or are they better off under government subsidy?"
The Bureau of Land Management claims that Bundy owes Uncle Sam 1.1 million dollars in taxes for grazing hundreds of cattle on federal land since 1993. When law enforcement agents tried to seize the animals...the G-Men came armed. But the rangers were not the only ones carrying guns...so were a militia of Bundy's supporters who confronted them. The stand-off became "breaking news" with many conservatives believing that Bundy was an American "patriot"...while liberals were feeling that Bundy was breaking the law and should either pay the money he owes...or go to jail.
But this commentary is not about Bundy's fight over grazing fees. It's about the appalling language he used about African-Americans. And now, those conservatives are no longer in Bundy's corner.
As for the longtime owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team... the alleged voice of Donald Sterling was caught on tape...whereby he was practically ordering his then-girlfriend...V. Stiviano...not to take pictures with black people...and not to bring them to any of the Clippers games.
The attorney for Stiviano confirmed late today...Sunday, April 27th...that the voice on the audio recording...is indeed that of Donald Sterling. Lawyer Mac Nehoray says the tape is authentic.
The recorded comments - allegedly made by the 80-year old Sterling - were first revealed by the celebrity news Website, TMZ on Friday, April 25th. In an argument with Stiviano, Sterling is apparently saying, "Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people. Do you have to? You can sleep with them. You can bring them in... you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that...and not to bring them to my games."
But the sports Website, Deadspin acquired exclusively today...(Sunday, April 27th)...the following...which is a transcript from the recording allegedly made between Sterling and Stiviano.
Stiviano: "I don't understand. I don't see your views. I wasn't raised the way you were raised."
Sterling: "Well then...if you don't feel - don't come to my games. Don't bring black people and don't come."
Stiviano: "Do you know that you have a whole team that's black...that plays for you?"
Sterling: "You just...do I know? I support them and give them food...and clothes...and cars...and houses. Who gives it to them? Does someone else give it to them? Do I know that I have? Who makes the game? Do I make the game...or do they make the game? Is there 30 owners...that created the league?"
The repugnant remarks by both Bundy and Sterling are discrimination of the worst kind. Nobody can punish the stupidity of Cliven Bundy for his sickening comments...but if there is definitive proof...that the voice on the recording is in fact that of Donald Sterling...then advertisers who sponsor the Los Angeles Clippers need to boycott the team until the National Basketball Association not only chastises and reprimands him...but suspends him...and forces him to release himself as owner of the Clippers...because of his totally inexcusable and horrid words.
President Obama reacted strongly this morning (Sunday)...about Bundy and Sterling. The President stated, "We've made enormous strides but... you're going to see this percolate up every so often." And President Obama went on to say, "When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance...you don't really have to do anything...you just let 'em talk."
No matter what some of you may think - or not think - racism in the United States is still part of our everyday lives. Will bigotry and prejudice in America - and all around the globe - ever end? It's a terrible shame...but people express their evil, repulsive and detestable thoughts - both privately and publicly. Will we ever live in a colorblind society? Will we ever live in a world where people don't verbalize or write vicious and vile statements...just because of a person's race...religion... ethnic heritage...or sexual orientation? Every human being on the planet Earth - whether white, black, brown, red or yellow...has feelings. We can all be hurt - physically and emotionally. And no matter what color our skin is...we all bleed red. In God's eyes...we're all the same. Hopefully...there will be a time...when everyone will realize that.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication
of GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B.
Duglin.
The
Controversy will make an effort to publish a new commentary every Sunday.
Unscheduled essays may appear, from time to time, on other days as
well.
Please post
The Controversy site on your own Facebook pages and on your Twitter accounts;
and please pass a link to everyone in your e-mail directories.
Now, please express your opinions in
the comment box below. You do not have to register your name and you can remain
totally anonymous if you prefer. The Controversy wants to know your views on
the editorial above and on any other commentary or essay written on this blog.
Just click on the word "Comments" below and write your thoughts in the box that
appears. Make sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on
the word "Publish." Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The
Controversy.
Copyright 2014 Gary B. Duglin and
TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
I'm a Jew. If you're a regular reader of The Controversy then you know that - as I have mentioned a few times over the last 17 months - that I am Jewish. But whether you are Jewish...or you are Catholic, Protestant or any other Christian denomination...this is a week of religion...a week of reflection...a week of family...a week of love.
Last Monday night - April 14th, 2014 - began the 8 days of Passover. And today - Sunday, April 20th, 2014 - is Easter. This is a week of celebration for nearly 14 million Jews and more than 2 billion Christians around the world.
This is a week when Jews from America to Israel...and in countries spanning the globe...commemorate the emancipation of the Israelites from the unbearable horrors and slavery...to the Pharaoh...in ancient Egypt. If you have read the Old Testament of The Bible...then you will recall that God sent Moses to the Pharaoh with a message to "Let my people go." But despite numerous warnings...Pharaoh refused to obey God's command...and so the Lord brought forth 10 devastating plagues...the last of which was the killing of all firstborn Egyptians. While doing so, God spared the Children of Israel... and "pased over" the homes of the Hebrews - hence the name of today's holiday of Passover. Therefore, this week...Jews everywhere... honor the Exodus from Egypt - the freedom that our ancestors gained...and we began Passover - as we do each year - with a Seder...a Jewish ritual feast.
Last Friday - April 18th, 2014 - was Good Friday...a religious holiday that is observed by Christians...to memorialize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is the Friday before Easter Sunday...and part of Holy Week...which began the Sunday before...known as Palm Sunday - the start of the last week of Lent, which is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance.
Easter is much more than traditional customs such as parades, stuffed toy bunnies and hunting decoratively colored eggs. Easter is a festival and holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead...and it is described in the New Testament of The Bible as happening three days after Christ's crucifixion on a Roman cross. Like the Passover Seder for Jews... Easter Mass is very, very special to Christians. And at both...we pray for peace...and freedom for all.
We are living today in a world that, quite frankly, is a scary place. The planet Earth is one big haunted house. Americans, especially...never know who is going to materialize from the shadows of darkness...and point a gun in our face. In 2014...we always need to be on our guard...and fully aware at all times...as we need to watch out for that unknown, disgruntled individual... who may enter our workplace...with a machine gun in hand...spraying bullets in to the air...and randomly killing dozens of innocent people.
Each day of our lives is blanketed with the mystery...of whether a bomb is going to explode...while we are walking down the street...or while we are cheering and rooting the friendly competition at a sporting event.
School children are no longer living - as I did - in an age when the worst thing the average kid needed to worry about while sitting in his or her classroom...was the neighborhood bully... not a deranged, murderous madman...shooting to death...our friends and teachers.
During this week...we need to think in a positive light...that our hopes and dreams will come true...and that each of us can find happiness and success. It is important - especially this week - that we believe that God will protect us...and no matter how much bad - how much evil - has troubled the lives of all Americans...we need to feel deep in our hearts...that goodness will prevail.
I - as many others - question and wonder...if we pray...why are our prayers not always answered? No matter how much we pray...and no matter how much we ask God to make our lives better...to give us the happiness we long for...the financial success we strive to attain...the best of health so we can live pain-free, illness-free, stress-free for 100 years or more...that there's safety, security and peace around the world...and that nobody is hurt or harmed by any means...our prayers are not always answered as we so desire.
But hopefully...yes, hopefully...each of us will discover...whether through religion or some other form of guidance - spiritual or otherwise - that we will survive through the trials and tribulations...and the perilous journeys of our human adventure...called life.
Oh I understand...and know first-hand...that with the many problems... that we Americans suffer from - be them the pains and agonies of poor health...the financial woes of our day to day existence...or any hardship that is troublesome in any way...not to mention the cruelty to others by some - I've got to believe that "the good guys" will win in the end.
This is a time - during Passover and Easter - that we need to find the love inside us...the love inside our hearts...and to share that love with the people we care about. And that we hope and pray...that those who maybe don't usually think this way - will follow us in that same direction.
Throughout this Holy Week of both Passover and Easter...we need to ask ourselves what Passover and Easter really mean. Both holidays...of both faiths...are holidays of freedom. They are victories of good winning over bad...and life winning over death. And with all the problems...and troubles... and difficulties that we Americans - in the year 2014 - have to endure...and overcome...we need to also realize...that we are still blessed...with many privileges...and many freedoms...that others in the world are unable to enjoy. We sometimes forget that...and - at this time of year - we...as Jews...as Christians...and others who practice any other faith...or no religion at all... need to look at ourselves...as if each of us...had personally followed Moses out of Egypt. And hopefully...the freedoms of all Jews...of all Christians...and of all Americans who believe...or don't believe...in God...or any supreme being...will live on forever.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication
of GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B.
Duglin. The
Controversy will make an effort to publish a new commentary every Sunday.
Unscheduled essays may appear, from time to time, on other days as
well.Please post
The Controversy site on your own Facebook pages and on your Twitter accounts;
and please pass a link to everyone in your e-mail directories.
Now, please express your opinions in
the comment box below. You do not have to register your name and you can remain
totally anonymous if you prefer. The Controversy wants to know your views on
the editorial above and on any other commentary or essay written on this blog.
Just click on the word "Comments" below and write your thoughts in the box that
appears. Make sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on
the word "Publish." Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The
Controversy. Copyright 2014 Gary B. Duglin and
TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
Republicans on Capitol Hill - at least those in the Senate - have once again let it be known...that equal rights for each and every American - for ALL Americans - are not the belief of the GOP.
On Wednesday, April 9th, 2014...Senate Republicans blocked legislation - The Paycheck Fairness Act - which would close the earnings gap between men and women. When will Republicans realize, understand and agree that women are equal - in every sense of the word - to men? Democratic Senator Harry Reid of Nevada - the Senate Majority Leader - stated in a floor speech..."For reasons known only to them...Senate Republicans don't seem to be interested in closing wage gaps for working women."
Republican leaders attacked Democrats for accusing the GOP of being unsympathetic to women in the work force. Sorry, Republicans in Congress, but if it looks like a duck...walks like a duck...and quacks like a duck...it must be a duck.
According to WhiteHouse.gov...by age 65...the average woman in the United States will have lost $431,000.00 throughout the life of her business career...as a result of the earnings gap between males and females. And globally...on the ladder of gender equality...America ranks #23. That is despicable...humiliating...and shameful.
But why? Why is this issue still being discussed, debated and argued in the year 2014? Why is a woman - whether she is married or single - not being compensated equally...when she performs the same job being held by a man?
I have been accused by some of my readers as being "a liberal lunatic" and...for being to the "left of President Bill Clinton." I take that as one of the highest compliments anyone could give me. After all...President Clinton - in a February 21st, 2011 documentary special on MSNBC - was called "President of the World"...and in survey after survey...poll after poll...between 60 and 80 percent of Americans have stated...that if our Constitution permitted Bill Clinton to be elected to a third term as President of the United States...that they would vote for him. And...given those numbers...Mr. Clinton would win the Presidency again...and do so...in a landslide. So go ahead...compare me to President Bill Clinton...and make my day.
But equal pay for women should in no way, shape, manner or form be a liberal issue or a conservative issue. In simple terms...equal pay for women... is right. For years now...studies have proven that girls outperform boys...in every level...from the 3rd grade on up. And research shows that the same applies for women over men. Also...statistics indicate there are more women today...in law school, in medical school, in dental school, in veterinary school and in pharmacy school...than men. Yet we still find an unfair disparity that women make - on average - 23 percent less money than men. And women of minority races earn even fewer dollars than that.
At The White House on Tuesday, April 8th, 2014...President Obama echoed words that he has spoken in the past that "The average working woman earns just 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. In 2014...that's an embarrassment. It is wrong." Mr. President...a more truthful statement couldn't be made.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication
of GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B.
Duglin. The
Controversy will make an effort to publish a new commentary every Sunday.
Unscheduled essays may appear, from time to time, on other days as
well.
Please post The Controversy site on your own Facebook pages and on your Twitter accounts; and
please pass a link to everyone in your e-mail directories.
Now, please express your opinions in the
comment box below. You do not have to register your name and you can remain totally
anonymous if you prefer. The Controversy wants to know your views on the editorial
above and on any other commentary or essay written on this blog. Just click on the
word "Comments" below and write your thoughts in the box that appears. Make
sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on the word
"Publish." Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The
Controversy. Copyright 2014 Gary B. Duglin and
TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
March 31st, 2014 has come and gone...and those of you who thought The Affordable Care Act would not be a success...but would be a flop...can all apologize to President Obama.
The objective was for at least 7 million Americans to enroll in the Healthcare Exchanges by last Monday...and the target was not only reached, but was surpassed by an additional 100,000 people.
Actually, however...the news is even better than that. According to the Los Angeles Times..."At least 9.5 million previously uninsured people have gained coverage. Some have done so through marketplaces (or exchanges) created by the law...some through other private insurance...and others through Medicaid...which has expanded under the law in about half the states." The Los Angeles Times says, "The tally draws from a review of state and federal enrollment reports, surveys and interviews with insurance executives and government officials nationwide."
If you could see me now...as I sit at my computer and write this commentary...you'd observe me with a grin that is bigger than The Cheshire Cat. As a huge supporter of The Affordable Care Act...and a great fan of President Obama...I'm totally tickled...and overjoyed with delight...that The White House met its goal.
Personally...I myself would not have health insurance today...without "ObamaCare." As a 2-time cancer survivor...who also suffers from Crohn's Disease...I was turned down - over and over and over again - by various health insurance companies...before The Affordable Care Act was passed by Congress as the law of the land. Each time I applied for health insurance, I was told - in so many words - to go away...because of my pre-existing conditions. I - and millions of other Americans - never have to worry about that...ever again. All three branches of the federal government - from the President of the United States...to Congress...to the Supreme Court - have endorsed this law. Therefore, it baffles me that most Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives continue to attempt...with befuddling efforts...to confuse the American public...in to thinking that "ObamaCare" is bad for our country.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius says that without The Affordable Care Act...up to 129 million non-elderly Americans... who live their lives with one or more pre-existing health conditions - such as cancer... heart disease...high blood pressure...arthritis...and certain other ailments - would be at risk of losing their health insurance...or be denied coverage altogether. But now...throughout the future of the 21st Century... and forever more...the policies of The Affordable Care Act...allow Americans living with pre-existing conditions...to be free from discrimination...and they can obtain the health insurance they need. Plus...families no longer need to be concerned...that their insurance could be cancelled...or capped...when a child - or anyone in the family - gets sick. And nobody will go broke...because of medical expenses charged them...when agonizing through a disease or the aftermath of an accident.
With a smiling Vice President Biden at his side...President Obama...on Tuesday, April 1st...spoke to reporters in The Rose Garden at The White House...and asked..."I got to admit. I don't get it. Why are folks working so hard...for people not to have health insurance?" The President also noted that "This law is doing what it's supposed to do. It's working. All of which makes the lengths to which critics have gone to scare people, or undermine the law, or try to repeal the law without offering any plausible alternatives...so hard to understand." Mr. Obama went on to say, "Why are they so mad about the idea of folks having health insurance? Many of the tall tales that have been told about this law... have been debunked." The President rightfully mocked Republicans by adding, "There are still no death panels. Armageddon has not arrived." And proving that The Affordable Care Act is a success...President Obama boasted with pride and heartfelt celebration, "Instead...this law is helping millions of Americans. And in the coming years...it will help millions more." And the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office agrees. The CBO estimates that enrollment in the Healthcare Exchanges will skyrocket to 22 million people by 2016.
President Obama hit the bull's-eye...as The White House had predicted that a minimum of 7 million Americans would sign-up for healthcare under The Affordable Care Act by March 31st. But whether it was 7.1 million people...or 70.1 million people...it wouldn't have made a difference. Republicans would still be against this law. But why? For members of the GOP to launch a smear campaign against President Obama and his signature piece of legislation...before they had even a shred of evidence...or an ounce of proof... that The Affordable Care Act was not going to work...is beyond any realm of comprehension.
All that being said...Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas continues his ludicrous crusade...spewing out thoughtless drivel...ignoring facts...and using words of fantasy and absurdity...as he still thinks the GOP can repeal The Affordable Care Act. Cruz remains "absolutely convinced that we are going to repeal every single word of ObamaCare." But President Obama - in The Rose Garden last Tuesday - was emphatic...that "The debate over repealing this law is over." And despite that Cruz - and most other Republicans in the Senate and House - have done everything they could think of...to try to kill The Affordable Care Act...the overwhelming majority of people in America...do not want this law to be repealed. And attempts by Republicans are ridiculous exercises in futility...since as long as President Obama is in office...as long as there is a Democratic President...or a Democratic majority in one or both Houses of Congress...a repeal law will never be signed. So my message to Republicans is this...STOP! Stop trying to bring down this law. You're wasting your time. You're wasting America's money. And you will continue to fail. Concentrate on matters to help the citizens of our nation...not to hurt them. Let President Obama do his job. America will be better...and Americans will be better off.
Hopefully Congress will remember the words that President Obama delivered from Capitol Hill during his State of the Union Address on January 28th, 2014. "Let's see where else we can make progress together. Let's make this a year of action. That's what most Americans want. For all of us - in this Chamber - to focus on their lives...their hopes...their aspirations. And what I believe unites the people of this nation...regardless of race or region or party...young or old, rich or poor...is the simple, profound belief...in opportunity for all. The notion that if you work hard...and take responsibility...you can get ahead in America."
President Obama pledged to bring affordable healthcare to all Americans. And he has succeeded in doing so. "ObamaCare" is a monumental triumph. As such, the President is justifiably entitled to take a very special victory lap. And while you're at it, Mr. President...take as many laps as you like. You deserve it. And it would be my extreme honor...to be by your side...as you do.
The Affordable Care Act is here to stay. And thank God...and President Obama...for it.
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
"We'll talk again."
The Controversy is a publication
of GBD Productions. Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B.
Duglin. The
Controversy will make an effort to publish a new commentary every Sunday.
Unscheduled essays may appear, from time to time, on other days as
well.Please express your opinions in the
comment box below. You do not have to register your name and you can remain
anonymous if you prefer. The Controversy wants to know your views on the essay
above and on any other commentaries written on this blog. Just click on the
word "Comments" below and write your thoughts in the box that appears. Make
sure please that when you finish your statement that you click on the word
"Publish." Thank you for your thoughts and thank you for reading The
Controversy. Copyright 2014 Gary B. Duglin and
TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
