The American Dilemma

In 1964, in the wake of President John F. Kennedy’s death, Lyndon B. Johnson signed into the law the Civil Rights Act.  In short, it became illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, skin color, national origin, religion and gender.  It was the culmination of decades of work by civil rights activists and a step towards a promise fulfilled in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.  Since the passage of the law, the country has tried to live up to the best intentions of the act.  Perhaps, the country’s measure of progress is highlighted by the actions of “civil rights’ leaders” on issues of little racial importance.   

In light of the Treyvon Martin case, the acquittal of George Zimmerman and the context in which both transpired, we have a classic example of what has happened to the civil rights’ movement.  More importantly, we have an idea of what has happened to its standard bearers.  To put succinctly, the civil rights’ activists have turned what is not racism into racism and have turned a blind eye to the true issues that face the black community.  To exemplify their lack of interests in solving real issues and in the midst of all of the protests, gesticulations and prognostications, there is a demand for a “conversation” on race.  Generally, when someone tells me there needs to be a conversation, it is never a true conversation they seek.  What they seek is a one-way channel of dogma to be digested and swallowed whole.  Anything short of that and the labels come out, be it racist or whatever.   

Reverend Al Sharpton, a man who built his career as a racial ambulance chaser, throwing out racist epithets toward Jews and other groups, has somehow, by the media and other interested parties, been re-cast as an arbiter of racial harmony, justice and equality.  None of his actions seem to support that image.  Mr. Sharpton’s power stems from the continuation of outrage and victimhood, following a two-step process.  First, he turns his rage upon things that has little to do with racial justice or equality, such as the Duke lacrosse team rape fiasco or George Zimmerman.  The real threat, in his mind, lies outside the community and not within.  Second, he continues the role of outraged speaker, stoking and maintaining support by not focusing on the community.  In short, his support is based on finding fault with others.  Fortunately, not all black leaders have been so detached.

Actor, comedian and activist Bill Cosby has drawn much criticism for his remarks about how the black community needs to get its own house in order.  He has gone after parents who are failing in their job in raising their children.  He has attacked the black community for accepting that which denigrates them such as certain entertainment and community standards (teen pregnancy, single-parent homes and some music).  He has further faulted its leaders for not calling enough attention to the problems tearing at the fabric of black society.  In recent weeks, there has been much attention drawn to the fact that since Trayvon Martin was killed, hundreds of black youths were killed in Chicago alone at the hands of other black youth.  However, Mr. Sharpton has nothing to say about that.  There is no “day of outrage” or mass demonstrations throughout the country on this subject.  There are no speeches, no threats of boycotts on the city (as Mr. Sharpton has threatened on Florida) and no bombastic charges about the threat the city poses to the black community. 

Ultimately, tactics used by men like Mr. Sharpton are counter-productive – certainly for the black community.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that destructive means cannot create constructive ends.  However, the politics being played by the good reverend as hysteria over reason and thought have held the black community back, creating a perpetual victimhood mindset.  It has also created a national atomism that can be ultimately destructive for the country as a whole.  Let me be clear.  There are real examples of racism that need to be dealt with and done so in a way that fixes the problem and does not exacerbate already high emotions.  One who deals with racism must also keep the legacy of past leaders in mind.  They can do this by rationally addressing real concerns and not focusing on trivial (from a racial point of view) matters that only stoke fear and distrust. 

Republicans and Women

In the last general election, women voted primarily for President Barack Obama, though the percentage of women voting for the incumbent dropped from 2008.  Throughout the two political party nominating conventions, two different images were presented.  In North Carolina, the Democrats harped on the idea that the Republicans were waging a “war on women.”  Meanwhile, in Florida, the Republicans were highlighting their up-and-coming female stars who dot the political landscape, from the state legislatures to the federal one.  Recently, the fight to label the Republicans as anti-women has taken on a fever pitch in various states, most notably Texas, on the issue of abortion. 

One of the more puzzling things about the abortion fight in Texas, one that has already been addressed in North Carolina and Wisconsin, was the content of the pro-abortion argument.  State Senator Wendy Davis of Texas drew a great deal of attention to herself and her cause with a filibuster of an abortion bill.  Now, given the attention she received, given how often her supporters mentioned back-alley coat hanger abortions, one would be forgiven for thinking that Texas was considering abolishing abortion altogether.  No, what the bill was suggesting is that there should be a law against abortions beyond 20 weeks – that is five months and well into the second trimester.  We are entering into late-term abortions territory here.  Is that what Sen. Davis “bravely and courageously” fought for?  Did she fight for the right to abort babies that are into their final stages of development?  Is that what her “oh-so-cool” pink sneakers are about? 

The news media made a great deal about the amount of people swarming the Texas capitol but a couple of things need to be understood.  One, Austin is a bit of an odd duck in Texas as it is easily the most liberal city in the state.  Therefore, the fact that a horde of late-term abortion advocates could descend upon the legislature is not surprising.  Second, the majority of Texans and of Americans are against abortions beyond twenty weeks.  Once surveys ask about late-term abortions, the numbers of those opposed are even higher.  However, the media has painted a narrative that the proposed state laws are unconstitutionally restrictive and the opposition to the laws is increasingly large.  There is a discontinuity between the facts of the situation and the reality.  Is it possible that the same gap exists when speaking about Republicans and women?

According to Gallup, women’s support of President Obama dropped 3% in 2012 compared to 2008.  One might think this is rather paltry but given that women, traditionally, have always been keen towards the Democrat Party, the number is nevertheless surprising.  Additionally, given the “war on women” perpetrated by the Republicans, this statistic seems particularly perplexing.  While numbers of women are small in Congress as a whole, there are a sizeable minority of Republican women serving in Washington, as well as governors throughout the country.  When one considers that thirty of the country’s fifty states are governed by Republicans, the idea that women are rejecting the conservative message also rings hollow.  By the way, four of those thirty states are governed by women (Jan Brewer in Arizona, Susana Martinez in New Mexico, Mary Fallin in Oklahoma and Nikki Haley in South Carolina).  In comparison, there is only one female Democrat governor (Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire).   

Historically, there has been significant female support for Republicans and conservatism.  The philosophy’s message has a great deal that appeal to women.  Political pundits often attempt to pigeon hole various groups and in doing so, minimize the minority within that group and in their own way, prevent its growth.  The fact is that with every major demographic group that has traditionally voted Democrat, there is a growing number voting Republican and representing or trying to represent the Republican Party.  It is interesting that most of the pundits on television who claim to have the answer for the Republicans in future elections are Democrats.  Call me Jewish but I doubt their sincerity.  The best way to win future elections is not to forego conservative principles.  It is the philosophy that most empowers women and the rest of us too.

Going to California

In my life, I’ve been to California three times.  The first time as a marine doing desert training in the Mohave Desert.  (By the way, for giggles, do a five day forecast search on the Weather Channel website – it puts your own experience in perspective.)  The second time, I was with my wife in Sacramento and the Sonoma valley and its wine.  Today, I’m in California as part of a family vacation/baseball trip.  California does something to me and fills me with a spirit that is difficult to describe.  I’m an east coast guy, who has been rather divisive of the west coast.  While it is filled with its share of peculiar people, it is the spirit that draws me back.   

I think part of California’s draw goes back to the spirit that first moved European peoples into the region in the first place.  The east, the place I called home for a long time, represented the old and the established.  From the earliest moments of our history, people have chosen to leave the old and set out a course for something new.  Beginning in the 1840s, one of those destinations was Alta (Upper) California and with the gold strike in 1849, the trickle of hardy souls turned into a wave of mass migration seeking fortune and a new start.  From that point, California represented opportunity, youth, risks and adventure.  The people that traversed the Great Plains were the future of our country and that painted the region with a perpetual sense of youth and adventure. 

So, to enter the state today, one is confronted with the spirit of California.  To notice how often we run into Europeans, it is an idea that has permeated throughout the Old World.  Sure, many travelers want to see New York City but it is California that beckons.  There are many things within the state that are appealing and one of those things is its diversity.  The youthful-in-spirit population is as different as the landscape that surrounds them.  In the north, epitomized by Sacramento, there is a difference in attitude and outlook that often runs in contrast with the heavily populated areas of central and southern California.  One of the major differences is political as the northern part of the state is generally more conservative.  This places it in stark contrast with the rest of the state.  Additionally, the high mountains and tall trees with smaller towns create a different aura.   

The central part of the state, spanning from San Francisco in the north to the Los Angeles area to the south is full of activism, liberalism and an alternative spirit.  San Francisco is a quirky city that tolerates little in the way of conventional thinking.  Anyone who suggests otherwise is seen as the weird ones.  The city by the bay is probably the most similar like the large burgs of the northeast – small, compact, confined by geography.  To the south is Los Angeles.  The problem in defining the city of angels is that there is the perception (often centered around the entertainment industry) and the reality.  The reality is a mixture of ethnicities and economies that provides a contrast to the silliness of Hollywood.  The working class Los Angelinos probably has little understanding of the peculiarities of their own city, much less those of San Francisco.  Their live is their family, their work and their neighborhoods.  Still, they are concerned by various issues ranging from gay rights, to immigration to government services and historically, have fought for their views.

In the southern part of the state, typified by San Diego, a split personality exists.  There is the laid back Jimmy Buffetness of the beach life and the military world which has long been an integral part of the city.  The people of San Diego are split politically, a bifurcation that separates along the lines of their paradigms - social activism and military conservatism.  While there is also activism in the city, it is much more toned down (neighborhoods like Hillcrest notwithstanding) and understated than what is found in the rest of the state.  In short, San Diego stands removed from the rest of the state on many levels. 

In some ways, the calls for California to be split into multiple states would not be a horrible idea.  Likely, the state would be divided along the previously mentioned lines.  However, it would possibly ruin the spirit of the state.  What makes California so mesmerizing is watching how the different components fit (though some say they don't).  Perhaps, one could not get such a vibe from the state if it were more homogenous, which a separation would surely do.  San Francisco needs San Diego and vice versa as fodder for cultural and zeitgeist comparisons.  On the same basis, every town needs Los Angeles.  I like the state.  I still would not live here but I’d hate to think of the United States without California.

Brief Message V

Over the last couple of months, I've been writing some thought-provoking and serious articles.  So much so, I'm tired.  I'm ready for some hedonism.  Compounding this urge to cut loose is the fact that I'm in sunny but oh so cool California.  I mean real cool.  I went to a baseball game where the game time temperature was 61 degrees.  Not exactly the stuff the "boys of summer" were made of but I'll take it.  Anyway, I do have an interesting article on California coming up next week but until then, I'm about to head down the Pacific Coast Highway and there is a girl with a beautiful smile (a.k.a. my wife) calling my name.  So, I'm out of here but as usual, feel free check out some of the older posts for intellectual stimulation and even leave a comment or two.

Ross