Catch the Nigger by the Toe.... by Britt Michaels

Virginia legislator Frank D. Hargrove, made a statement on January 15, 2007, about how blacks should get over slavery. Of course he was chastised for his stance between the past and the present. May as well add in the future. Dwight Clinton Jones, a black member of the Virginia House of delegates, chided the remark, saying "as if slavery was a birthday party that someone had last Saturday night".

Let's see now, has the concept of calendars or time been changed? We're talking a difference of a week and 150 years. It's not the right concept to compare a dramatic change in society to an insignificant night's engagement on the calendar. Instead, compare slavery (time) to how the resurgence of slavery around the world has happened in the last two generations.

Most robotic-minded people will agree with the critics. It's the 'right thing to do'. Let's not be allowed to think for ourselves, because it'll offend another segment of American society. Regardless how irritating it is to the bratty, segmented branched of our American society. "I shaking the bush, boss."

Some of you men out there can see where this is going. For those unfortunate enough to, at one time, (I emphasize one time), forgot your wife's birthday, or some other important date, can attest to. No matter what (diversion) caused this atrocious mental lapse; nor what you do to atone for this blunder, she will never EVER let you forget it. If you live another 50 years together, this small-minded spouse of yours will not let it go. There should come a time to bury the hatchet. Life is too short to harp on past gone incidents. We all make mistakes, including small-minded wives.

Accept the apology, then find something else to bitch about.

This is different though. After all, Mr. Hargrove is a racist now, isn't he?

Define racist. Webster's dictionary: One who engages in any program or practice of racial discrimination, segregation, etc. based on race. Like Jesse Jackson.

Rev. Jesse Jackson's definition: Any one who doesn't have a "Yessa, boss" reaction to any of his racist attitudes. He still wants white-America to make financial atonement, or reparations, to blacks. Yet, his remark calling New York City 'Hymietown' went unchecked.

What's your definition of racism? Why?

• We haven't officially had slavery since the Emancipation Proclamation, in 1863. Slavery in the minds of most believers of it didn't go 'poof'', it's gone. The mind doesn't work like that. It takes years for a belief to develop in a person's soul. It takes years to reverse a belief. The same for generations of people.

• Through Reconstruction after the Civil War, and the gradual 'importance of segregation' being eroded through each advancement of generations, the idea that America still strongly embraces racist attitudes is nonsense. Look at all the high-tech jobs colored people have.

• Notice that racism only applies to whites? Why is that? — because we have been programed to believe this is the way it is. Anyone is subject to these attitudes. Yes, there are many who still harbor these racist attitudes. With time, perhaps, we can rid America of these Jesse Jacksons.
  

• Due to affirmative actions, and other preferential treatments, blacks have more opportunities than many whites — especially men. In higher education institutions. and jobs, especially those 'mandated' to have minimum number of minorities.

Look at the history of slavery in America. It was started by natives in Africa, hunting down and capturing other black natives. These hunters then sold them to European sea-travelers; These captured natives were then brought back to land, in-cluding America, and auctioned off as slaves.

We don't have slavery anymore in America. Get over it. Slavery is wrong — at any time — in any country. Though slavery is outlawed the world over, it's still practiced around the world today. Where's Jackson, and his ilk, in fighting real slavery?

Oh yeah, racist America elected a colored president in November, 2008.

The reference to the title is in a former children's playground saying, to wit:

Eenie, meanie, miney, moe,

Catch the nigger by the toe.

If he hollers, let him go.

Eenie, meanie, miney, moe,

Will The Real God Please Stand up by Britt Michaels

We're born. We stumble through life. We die. That's what people do.

We can't believe that's all there is to life. That's why we invented God.

 Throughout history, there have been many gods — but is there A God? We're not very good at grammar. Commentors say "...is one of the best teams in the league." To be correct, it's either 'one of the better teams', or, 'the best team'; however way 'best' is defined. Let's look at the semantics of language.

'Best' is the superlative case. There is only one 'best'. Supreme is synonymous to ultimate or greatest. 'Supreme' is the superlative case. There can be only one supreme being, or God. The old Greek and Roman societies had patrons, or gods, for most any occasions. Crops, the seas, war, backgammon...... The Catholic Church thought this a real neat set-up. The use of many gods though, clashed with the First Commandment. The hierarchy got around that by using tricky wording: calling their gods, "patron saints". Probably were lawyers.

A (one) God would have manifested himself the same to all new tribes during the dawn of civilization. Instead, each new group came up with its own god. Why different gods — if there's only one God? Gods are the invention of man.

 

We're born. We stumble through life. We die.  That's what people do. We can't believe that's all there is to life. That's why we invented God.



Each society in its early development, as to even today, had to devise laws and morals to survive. Otherwise, without controls, the society would break down, into rival factions. Tribal leaders realized this. Human controls, such as police and jails, for example, wouldn't be enough. Some higher form would be needed.

Since 'God' hadn't shown his face, or even a sleeved arm with a finger pointing out a cloud, one had to be invented. Tribes were small and isolated from each other in those early days. Since there wasn't a common God, each tribe would have had to invent its own god. Humanoids were pretty thick in those days. They were easy to manipulate. (Actually, they still are.) 'God' had to be a physical force. Strong enough to control. Plain enough to see. Acts of Nature, like active volcanoes, thunder and lightning and forest fires were good starters.

These were strong forces. Though easily visable, it was hard to grasp and understand them. Though survival tactics were the primary activities, there was always enough time for tomfoolery, thievery, debauchery and other non-social activities. The tribal leaders saw the morals of their community disintegrating. Hence, the need for the invention of a 'Supreme Being'. The rest is history. Some 'gods' aren't really gods — but we treat them as such. Celebrities, the almighty dollar and twinkies, to name a few.

"We Be Sorry" by Britt Michaels

The saying goes, 'better late than never'. Not always.

Two years ago, the Florida legislature sold its pathic soul. It had passes a resolution apologizing for its role in the conduct of slavery in this country. No one today was alive nor partook in trading or having slaves. No one alive today was a slave. Doesn't matter. It's the 'feel good' attitude that counts. So many self-conscious whites will now be able to get a good night's rest. With this contrived guilt taken off our backs.

It won't end here, of course. Within a few months, maybe years, there will be a call for financial reparation to blacks. Read: free money. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will be demanding reparations. The Florida legislature must feel satisfied and relieved with this apology, but will some day rue this decision. It has, instead, opened up Pandora's box.

Though we haven't had slavery since the Emancipation Proclamation in September, 1862, (effective January 01, 1863) the actual removal of slavery had taken several generations to disperse. Still, some people, white and black, refuse to let the matter die.

Let those concerned with real slavery, look to Africa's western countries. This is where the slave trade started — and still exists today.

The ones who need to own up to slavery are the 1700s and 1800s America. Not 1900s and 2000 America. Five states have previously apologized for slavery: Alabama, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia. Notice no African states (nations) are mentioned.



Alternate History by Britt Michaels

The Internet is a fun place to meander, often finding interesting stuff. This is besides 'Stumbling Upon'. Last week I was looking for something in history, and found 'Alternate History' website. It was on our recent presidents, administrations, and projections of wars and such, if certain things had happened. Examples: Different presidents elected in 1952, with the effect on the Korean War ("Police Action"); different takes on 'Rip Van Winkle'; Orson Wells; the movie "Final Countdown".

I read this for over an hour. Something like a "What If" story.

The next day I thought more on this matter. On my life. I went through my life, from preschool to the present. What if my parents had chosen house A instead of house B when we moved (which we often did). My new school would have been different, as would my new friends. Different teachers and teaching techniques. I may have learned more -- or less, than I have.

When I enlisted in the service (conscription was the 'in' thing then), if I entered a few days or weeks apart from my actual entry date, my basic training TI would've been different, my eventual field and base tranfers would change. I went to school for bomber navigation. Got cross-trained in (nuclear) weapons maintenances. Tried to get shipped over- seas for two years. No luck. All four years in the U.S.

When my stretch was over (1963), I went to school and worked at a franchised restaurant. I quit school, working full time as a cook. What if I had done the opposite? If I stayed as breakfast cook, the next level was management. I liked the job (best job I ever enjoyed. I came in on my day off to see if anyone called in sick.) Lousy pay as a cook, though. Should have stayed for the next level as day manager. Didn't. Quit and went to California to work for mining company. Quit that after a few months, and went back home.

I got a couple of, what ended up as, dead end jobs. In 1967, I 'kinda sold' water softeners. While doing the Home Show, I met an artistic glassblower. He wanted to take on an apprentice. I accepted. I worked with him for a couple of years.

Then one of life's pivotal events happened that changed my life. My father died in 1969. I didn't fault his lifestyle, but did not want to go out without visiting or living in another country. I needed a drastic change in life. I applied for residency in Australia. I got my visa, and moved to Sydney. I worked at the glass for a while. It didn't work out. I had to re-evaluate the situation. I hired on as a cook. Nice to have a trade that can be used anywhere in the world. Six months later, met a shop owner in a mall that wanted my glass. So, back in the glass business. Came back to the Colonies for a year and a half. Back to Aussie and New Zealand for 8 years. Stayed in glass this time.

Came back in '81. No more traveling. I did it though! If I hadn't, I'd be very disappointed with myself right now.

This is a synopsis of my life. In my mind, I have expanded each of these segments as I typed this story out. I've had other jobs; in the neighborhood of 20, or more, besides those already listed. Some were very short-lived. Doing address curb markings for a summer, assembling toy paddles for six months. Other stuff like that. Not very exciting — but different. To me, it beats working in a factory for 45 years. I knew men who said that they had to struggle to get up and go to work for the last five to ten years before their retirement. "Who'd hire me at 55 or 60?, if I quit now. Plus, I'd lose my pension." My mother tried to get me to work at Allis-Chalmers for the "security". They completely shut down in Milwaukee in the late '80s, when I was in my late 40s. Great security!

I didn't do everything proper with my life. I got a lot of it wrong. I got some of it right. My biggest stumbling block is procrastination. Almost everyone does it. I make an art form of it. There's a song by Willie Nelson, "Nothing I Can Do About It Now", I have on one of his CDs. If you don't have the song, get it. It's a nice snappy tune. It's helped me get over my bigger bloopers in my life.

Last couple of years I've been on a new kick. Writing. Not the 'Great American Novel'. Don't believe there is such a thing. Two short stories. I want to get one of them on the market in '10. Maybe both — that bugaboo, procrastination, again will play a role. Been checking options on the 'Net.

Play this 'What if' on your own life. See where it leads you. You too, will say to yourself: "I wonder how my life would be different today, had I ....."

© 2009 by James M. Britvich All Rights Reserved



Imagine by Britt Michaels

I like the Beatles. As a group, and individually, concerning their music. One of the songs that has always stuck in my craw though, is John Lennon's "Imagine". The words and thoughts are of a flighty teenager — not one of a real world adult.

It starts, 'Imagine there's no heaven.... or hell'. This is about the only sentiment in the song that I agree with. One of the nuns I had as a teacher — eighth grade, as I remember, told the class once, that throughout history, more people have been killed in the name of a God, than from human selfishness, feelings of self-importance and greed. I believe that statement started me on the road to becoming an agnostic. I gave up religion in the early '60s.

'Imagine there's no countries...Nothing to kill or die for.' Come on. Though many wars are over land, others are over revenge, religious conflicts, the glory of being a part of history, or maybe just for something to do. During Alexander the Great's time, with a total world population of less than 150 million, wars were very prevalent. They're a part of the human race we will never rid of.

'Imagine no possessions....all the people sharing the world..' Never happen. Even early man collected stuff. Weapons, if nothing else.

Some thoughts on ideas Lennon forgot to add.

'Imagine a world with no bleeding-heart liberals:

• No class warfare

• No "acclaimed-minority" preferential treatment

• You support only your family'

Was he advocating a one-world government?

© 2008 by James M. Britvich All Rights Reserved