State of the Union: America does big things..

If you were determined to be a good citizen tonight, which would have meant turning from Glee or re-runs of The Office on TBS, you would have sat through President Obama's second State of the Union address which included 62 minutes of uninterrupted speech time. Unless you count the 80 times the speech was interrupted by deafening applause and mixed reviews of standing ovation.

Here are some of the talking points:

For the liberals: a renewed call to raise taxes on the very wealthy, a promise of more higher-education aid for the middle class, new federal initiatives in scientific research and energy technology, and a renewed focus on jobs, in the form of fresh spending for road and bridge repair and high-speed rail construction. There was a new push for immigration reform, a pledge to protect Social Security from efforts to privatize or slash benefits and a renewed vow to start withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan next summer.

For the conservatives: lower the corporate tax rate, reduce medical malpractice costs and let ROTC and military recruiters back on all college campuses.

Green projects & Innovation:  He called for more spending on high-speed rail and high-speed Internet. And in a key concession, one sure to rile environmentalists, Obama called for spending on clean-energy technology - but for the first time included nuclear power, "clean" coal and natural gas.
- KTLA News

"With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with bio fuels, and become the first country to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015. We need to get behind this innovation. And to help pay for it, I'm asking Congress to eliminate the billions in taxpayer dollars we currently give to oil companies. I don't know if you've noticed, but they're doing just fine on their own. So instead of subsidizing yesterday's energy, let's invest in tomorrow's." Well said, Mr. President.

Health care: The laugh of the night came when he referenced the disagreement between the parties over the health care bill - as if to say "disagreement" was an understatement. Personally, I think there is nothing funny about it and it is in fact very sad that our government can't just decide something and move on already. Obama promised medical malpractice reform and continuance of health care reform.

Education: "But if we want to win the future - if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas - then we also have to win the race to educate our kids." said, Obama. He spoke of his incentive Race to the Top that will be replacing Bush's No Child Left Behind policy. He urged students to become teachers to go to work for their country, wanting 100,000 new teachers in the next year.


Cutting Back: He mentioned that he plans on vetoing bills for pet projects or earmarks; Proposed deficit-cutting steps, including a five-year freeze in spending for some domestic programs.

If you missed tonight's Address, I have included a link to the text in it's entirety. If you don't feel like reading it, because your eyes are as tired as mine, here are some soundbites:

"Governing will now be a shared responsibility between parties," he said. "We will move forward together, or not at all."

"What comes of this moment is up to us. What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow."

"So yes, the world has changed. The competition for jobs is real. But this shouldn't discourage us. It should challenge us."

"The first step in winning the future is encouraging American innovation. "

          "And this July, we will begin to bring our troops home."

"Now that the worst of the recession is over, we have to confront the fact that our government spends more than it takes in,"

In a survey taken by the OC Register, 97% of the American people who watched tonight's speech, "liked him before and like him more now" 42% "Disliked him before and dislikes him less now", well, that's promising.

"America does big things and structure is strong.", Barack Obama. I think so too, Mr. President, I think so too. I believe in your vision. And I wish America the best in 2011.

Second Graders Having Sex In The Classroom With Teacher Present

Whatever happened to just an innocent classroom of learning?

In Oakland, CA an investigation is under way at Markham Elementary School. Second grade students were allegedly engaged in oral sex in the classroom. They reportedly stripped off some of their clothes during class. The police investigation began when parents were notified of the situation in a letter on Thursday.

The second-grade teacher has been placed on leave from the school and has been barred from the campus. The male teacher, who's name has not been released told investigators he did not see any of the acts that authorities suspect occurred last week.   "We believe if the reports are true, there was a serious lapse of judgment or lack of supervision in the classroom," said Troy Flint, a spokesman for the Oakland Unified School District. "We're investigating how could this have happened. It seems unthinkable to us, just the same way it does to the public."

I am outraged that this could happen in the classroom right in front of the teacher. How much commotion could have been going on for him not to have seen two children having oral sex? Didn't he notice them taking clothing off?

Funniest Facebook Conversation Ever...Hint: It Has To Do With Hotties and Coconuts

Oh, It looks so Innocent doesn't it.

Authentic Legal Disclaimer: (not really I just think it sounds legal-ish when I read it aloud) Names and Faces May Be Omitted To Protect The Identities Of Others. (Unless she tells me it's ok, in which case I will edit her back in.)

Her On Tuesday:
Excited about my coconut water I bought today. Loving the benefits coconuts offer.

Mental flash to last saturday, when I went to a Sprouts for the first time. I was so astounded with the invigorating farm produce selection and mesmerized by the all encompassing homeopathy section, that I entered a punch drunk state of being. I found myself grabbing items that I not only didn't need, but I didn't really want either it seems. While in the checkout line, my mommy/wifey beacon glimmered brightly, illuminating this rather large cylindrical display of COCONUT WATER. (It's even named after a organic substance, this must be good for you) So I read the can, great benefits. I check out the other people in my close vicinity also taking several cans. I see that they are on sale so I grab'em. I figure it's worth a shot.

As soon as I get home, I drink awaiting the unadulterated quench mixed with an instantly healthier body. (I have no idea what I thought would happen, I just knew that it would make me better some how.) I drink.

Instantly, I run to the sink and spit it out. This was so gross I couldn't stand it. It tastes like taking the oil bits left in the Italian dressing bottle, mixing it with chicken grease and then mixing it aga with a pina colata and letting that chill on ice for an hour.

Suffice it to say when I saw this comment. I had to respond.

Me on Tuesday: I bought some coconut water and I can't do it, I need some pineapple or something to mix in. I know it's good for me but SO gross.

Her on Tuesday: Is it really Jaz? :( LOL

Me on Tuesday: Well, i think its cuz im not a milk drinker anyway so it grosses me out. lol I bet it's good with rum. (Everything's good with rum)

Her on Tuesday: LMFAO!!! OMG, that defeats the purpose of its benefits!

Me on Wednesday: But so yummy! LOL j/k

I tried to warn her. Time goes on. I forget about the whole conversation, until tonight.

Her on Friday: Coconut water: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKING DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESCUSTING

(yes, that many "U"s and that many "E"s)

 I "Like" the comment.

 

Her on Friday: *BARF* Jaz, why didn't you tell me it tastes like what purified horse shit would smell like?

Another Commenter: Oh, I thought you knew. It's great for you..if you can get it down. :/     (apparently, I wasn't the only one punch drunk in the grocery store)

Her on Friday: T, I couldn't get it down. I was so excited the other day to have it in my fridge. Guess them mofos will be in there for decoration...

Me on Friday: I tried to tell you....LMAO LOL LMAO I thought you had tasted it before. It looks appetizing on the outside of the can, tho. LOL LMAO

Another Commenter: LOL...I remember your excitement! I went through the same thing...I threw it away.

Her on Friday: OMFG... I will give you credit for telling me it was nasty, but DAYUM!! Not that grotesque!!!!!

Me on Friday: I mixed it in the baby's milk.

Her on Friday: LMFAO!!! Poor baby J!!! :'(

Me on Friday: Couldn't just let it go to waste. I was so excited about it when I bought it too, I had 5 cans!

Her on Friday: I have 5 also. They'll just have to take up space. Maybe I'll make the cat drink em... LMAO

Me on Friday: It's an acquired taste.

A Different Commenter: that shit is bomb!

Her on Friday: O good. Now my coconut water has a new home!

LOL. *smile*

So You Want To Go To Law School, Animated

I love this video, so much that I had to re-post it here. It encompasses all the warnings that the attorneys tell me on the daily at the firm, only over a computer generated voice, which is much funnier. Thanks, Dwkazzie. He makes several computer animation videos. Check them out. I have been laughing all night.

Why Do People STILL Think Our President Is Not An American?

Barack Obama & Dad, In Hawaii

Before I even start this post, here is a link to a picture of Barack Hussein Obama's Birth Certificate.

It is difficult to understand how the Birthers Movement still exists. Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961... the end. Even if he wasn't, he is already the president so what does it even matter. This Movement was very strong during his campaign. I thought it had fizzled out (or maybe I just stopped paying attention) after he was elected.

Now the new governor of Hawaii has given them something new to sink their teeth into. In a recent article featuring an interview with governor of Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie, by Star-Advertiser political columnist Richard Borreca, commenters twisted his answer to a question about the whereabouts of Obama's birth certificate. Here is an excerpt from his interview: 

Q: You stirred up quite a controversy with your comments regarding birthers and your plans to release more information regarding President Barack Obama's birth certificate. How is that coming?

A: I got a letter from someone the other day who was genuinely concerned about it; it is not all just political agenda. They were talking on Olelo last night about this; it has a political implication for 2012 that we simply cannot have.

(Abercrombie said there is a recording of the birth in the State Archives and he wants to use that.)

It was actually written I am told, this is what our investigation is showing, it actually exists in the archives, written down ...

...What I can do, and all I have ever said, is that I am going to see to it as governor that I can verify to anyone who is honest about it that this is the case.

If there is a political agenda then there is nothing I can do about that, nor can the president.

See the full article here.

So, the last time I checked, my Certificate of Live Birth wasn't recorded in the Department of Health. But if I wanted a copy, I would go to the COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE. You know, where they RECORD things. I mean really, this guy just doesn't know where to look. The worse part is that non-believers jumped on the opportunity in his lazy rhetoric offered..."It was actually written I am told, this is what our investigation is showing, it actually exists in the archives, written down" Well it would be written down, it's called being RECORDED. That doesn't mean it is forged. The fact is that despite all the bloggers exploding on the Internet, there is nothing in this article that suggests Obama's Birth Certificate doesn't exist. Quite the opposite,Abercrombie is saying that his birth is recorded in state records.

Barack Obama & Mom, Guess Where? In Hawaii.



The scary part are the comments from the angry Birthers, drooling over this new bite of information. Several blogs have taagged this interview with Mr. Doesn't-Know-His-Own-Government-Abercrombie here are some of examples of the comments.

9-11 Infidel says: [First of all, what's up with his screen name?] No shit Sherlock. Try looking in Kenya.

Dead Kracker Babies says:[Does his screen name, not ring a bell at his mental stability?] They can’t find my record of birth in Hawaii either, perhaps it’s because I wasn’t born there. Duh!

Dogwood says: I don’t care about Hawaii anymore. I’m starting to wonder whether Obama was even born on planet Earth. :[Really?]

Teacake says: Thing is, his father is a foreigner and that alone disqualifies him because both parents have to be American citizens. No one ever talks about that. :[Let's hope this person doesn't breed.]

All you birthers out there, please enlighten me. With all this evidence to the contrary, Why do you STILL believe our President is not an American?

He Had A Dream. Do You Think Dr. King Would Be Satisfied?

My first memories of Dr. Martin Luther King are of my 3rd grade play in the multipurpose room at La Tijera elementary school. All 30 kiddies, myself included, recited the "I have a Dream" speech while wearing red sweatsuits and a black pointy hats [I have no idea what the outfits were about]. I remember how it made me feel. So important to have learned the first paragraph of that speech and so incredibly honored that this was a "black man" that wrote it. I was in love with his vision. At the time I only understood it to mean that he believed that all people should be equal, no matter what the color. Since I was repeatedly "mocked" for being a "rainbow" kid because I would enjoy the company of kids that were not always just black on the playground I bought into this dream. I found myself spending lunchtime and recess inside with my Caucasian teacher, Mrs. Leirner grading the other children's papers while she studied for the LSAT (foreshadow anyone?). I enjoyed learning about different religions and traditions. I would grow up to study Japanese in high school and even minor in Asian studies in college. Dr. King inspired me to believe that people could be treated equal as well as become who they wanted. In light of his day, I have reposed his speech here on my blog. Enjoy.

P.S. Do you think Dr. King would be happy with the social and political status of the world today? I do. What do you think?

Shut Up Willis: LSAT Update Part II

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

It has taken me 2 months to get enough time to actually take a full length practice test. This took major maneuvers, People. I had to get a baby sitter for 4 hours. Get ink to print the damn thing. Take a mountain of vitamins and herbs to have enough energy to last through it, but I made it.

I climbed the mountain top to my first LSAT score. A wonderful incredible amazing magnanimous.....(drum roll please).... 143.

Isn't that just precious. Boy, I have work to do. I'm not soooo worried about it, given that I haven't even finished the first workbook and I am only getting 1 hour of study time per night. I try and study on lunch breaks but I am getting totally discouraged on bringing my LSAT book to work. Unfortunately, I have been on the receiving end of several negative comments from the peanut gallery.

It is so interesting how negative energy works. It spreads like venom. And much like venom when someone is infected with it, the most desirable action is the urge to purge that negativity from themselves, which may include spewing it upon others. When certain beings see me, they see a working wife and mother with a young child and grown lady bills. People also see a African American woman with a good career opportunity and a semi good head on her shoulders. Which is great. However, that also means that I am often mistakenly misunderstood to be "stretched too thin" and "incapable of getting better" which means I should be concerned with "not f&%*%ing up what I already have".

I say all this to say, that when I tell people of my ambitions to attend law school it is NOT often met with a supportive ear. It is most often met with a look of confusion, pity and condescending staring. I have received this from family, friends and most especially, people at the firm.  What people don't know about me, is that precise treatment, fuels my fire.

Honestly, I wouldn't be where I am today, if I listened to the Nay-Sayers. If I played it safe, I wouldn't have a lovely family, degrees, great career path or the house with the white picket fence (well, it's white metal but who's counting). When I think about it, I have the American Dream already, living it. But I want more. I never want to be stagnant in my education, my development and my success. I decided that a long time ago that I was never going to be JUST satisfied. So, I will always strive for more. For myself and my family.


But before I shut up the negative Natalies and storm the halls of law school, I have to pass this damn LSAT with a MUCH better score than a poo poo 143. So.......babysitter anyone? Bueller? Bueller?