Hamp's Corner of America

Incompetency in Government?

Over the last five months, I’ve watched in horror as my country’s Democracy has been attacked, twisted and so wrongfully interpreted. Terminology such as Fake News and Alternative Facts have caused us to laugh at their nerve for a short minute. Then we realize that none of the stuff is funny. During this time our nation’s White House spokesperson has issued hour by hour updates of half-truths, untruths, and verbiage meant to change the subject. So much so…I believe each and every White House spokesperson has lost their credibility with the American Public. All while our allies and nations around the world probably think they are looking at some reality TV show.

Most congressional Republicans, House, and Senate, credibility with other than their hardcore constituency has suffered heavy body blows during this time. They are trying to sell a health care plan that one may find in a Cracker Jack box and just as effective. Their visits to their town halls have given them an up to date clue as to their future prospects as a congressional representative.

This Russia thing, well at least now we have a special council that will investigate this entire sordid affair. Was there collusion with any or President Trump’s campaign personnel or not? What did the president know and when did he know it?

And where is the president in all of this you ask? Initially, he seemed as though he only wanted to please his base (34 to 39% of voters) depending upon the news cycle. You know the person that says “I voted for Trump so he could shake things up in Washington.” Can’t you see Muhamad Ali screaming “I shook up the world, I shook up the world.” All that’s needed for that phrase is to add, ‘for all the wrong reasons.’ Now even the Donald has contributed his patented Fake News and Alternative Facts to the media that at times he acts like he’s delusional. One day, he says one thing, and the next day or maybe even later on that day, he says another. I have never seen the presidency in such turmoil, and that would include Richard Nixon during Watergate. This is more than simply; I need to cover my behind from this presidency.

I believed during the campaign that the Donald had no clue as to what it took to run Pennsylvania Avenue, and serve the United States people. And I do mean the people, any of us, Republicans, Independents or Democrats. During the last five months, he has still surprised me as to how much he is outclassed in his position.

He is a man trying to run the United States Government like a small or large private business. He, like his fellow party members, want Government to get out of their way and let them do whatever they want to do. They don’t want to talk to the government unless their house and property’s flooding. Then they want to know how come it takes FEMA so long to bail them out of a place they were warned not to live because of of…wait for it…flooding. He comes from that world where the attitude is, I got mine, you don’t, and there are no free lunches in our public cafeteria. You say you’re suffering from Poverty, Racism, Minimum Wage, No Health Care, Unemployed or worst, unemployable? Tough cookie, pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get off my doorstep. I have nothing, including self-help programs for you. “Damn beggars ought to get a job” is their last word on the matter as they slam the door on your face.

Most people who are not living in the Land of Oz could have predicted startup problems by noticing who he picked to head various governmental departments. First of all, he surrounded and continues to do so, with people who had no experience of being a Government employee. Or any idea as how to run the federal departments they are assigned to direct. Some wouldn’t know the difference between a government requisition and a weekly time card. Most probably think reading the FAR (Federal Acquisition Manual) is like going through the yellow pages. And who thinks that you can pick which government regulation you want to cancel while keeping only the one’s business people like? As the youngsters use to say, “You better ask somebody…” How do you think those hard working lower-paid government workers are feeling about now? Secondly, he hasn’t filled a lot of the open slots. The result has been chaotic, to say the least.

Since at the moment, the Donald has another three years and eight months left to act as President. What can we do to save our country from being pillaged and halt the attempt to turn it into a cash cow for the rich? Become involved in any way shape of fashion. We all have a say in the direction this country takes in spite of those who think that we don’t. You don’t have to wait until the 2018 elections. Notify your elected officials today of your concerns. Join those who care and act, bypass those who like to talk and vent while sipping on their favorite drink.

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-gD

Join us for the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

In a continuing effort to publicize my book, Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Arkansas Years 1917-1953, I will join LitFires Publishing exhibit at this year’s ALA (American Library Association in June) Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago. Go to http://exhibitors.ala.org/ for the full details. Meanwhile look for my fifth book to be published in August. Thanks and see you in Chicago.

Get any of my books by visiting my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html .

One Trick Pony or Jack of all Trades?

Some of you millennials may not have heard the term ‘One Trick Pony.’ For those who haven’t let me explain how it relates to people, places and things. It’s pretty simplistic in meaning that the pony has one trick. It is not good at any more than one thing, thus the phrase.

A lot of professionals in entertainment, business occupation or career slots suggest you pick a field and stay with it. They say you have to be passionate about your selection. Be persistent, unyielding, don’t let anybody move you off your spot. Keep moving toward your ultimate goal. Zero in on that particular skill set and enhance it to make you a well-rounded individual in your field of expertise.

Professions relied on calling in THE expert. Whenever they needed to solve a burning question to finally implement a big project or solve a problem in their processes. They’d call for the big kahuna. And you better believe THE expert would come at a BIG expense.

This being a capitalistic country and a money driven society made everyone long to be that expert. Therefore, with the emphasis being on a talents expertise there was a rush to become THE expert in various fields. Yeah, go forth young man or woman, become a specialist.

That’s what business instructors, analysts, and prognosticators said as recently as a couple years ago. In most cases it worked yesteryear. Some are stuck in that mode today. Unfortunately they are giving you the old way of rising in your chosen field. That doesn’t work today. Whether you are aspiring to be a Singer, Actor, Doctor, Lawyer, or Politician, versatility is a must to become a star in any chosen field.

Over the last few years, doctors were urged to become specialists in some type of medicine. That is supposed to make them experts in their particular field. Yet it hinders them by causing them to call in another specialist when they run into another organ issue that is connected to their operational body part. They try to have all the necessary surgeons in during the operation. Every now and then, they still have to call someone else to scrub in during an operation. Or if it’s beforehand they send you to another specialist in order to get another experts opinion.

Take a rapper for instance, who think that all they have to do is get a beat and a hook in the rap to create a number one hit. Keep in mind that their entire premise is based upon voicing the truth about what they supposedly have personally experienced in the hood. For those outside the rap game, the entire presentation all sounds the same. And that’s because it is the same. So people chase the dream of becoming a rapper for over twenty-five years and still are no closer than they were before their first release. A lot of rappers are attaining stardom for one hit record. Then fading as fast as they arrived because there is no there…there. If quietness is kept, it also happens to one hit singers.

How about an actor or actress? The two that comes to mind are Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. There is no typecasting these individual whose versatility is always on display to an audience. They are not one trick pony’s. When you think of them competing for various parts, they are two people that can play a couple of stationary bowling pins. As long as you gave them dialog and allow facial inflictions; case closed for considering anyone else for the part.

This also applies to our personal lives. On a personal note, I was a one trick pony. At the time, I had a dying need to please me and only me in every way imaginable. I wanted to be the best all talented, all rich, etc. etc. in the world. I wanted to be recognize as THE one and only. I was a walking neon sign that said look at me, for I am the one. The one of what didn’t matter, because I wanted to be THE One of it all. Maturity was realized and it dawned on me that whatever I tried to do, someone came before me and many were more accomplished at it than I. I had to drive out the conceit and begin to find my niche in life. My father words rang in my head, “Boy whatever you do, do it well.” I started taking his words to task. I became pretty good at most things. And boy did I get an education about life while becoming “A Jack of all Trades.”

Even if you excel at one of the personal traits, self-satisfaction is secondary to shared success. With maturity also comes the realization that all things worth having is even greater if share with someone. That goes double for sharing it with someone you love or even a group. Success is more special when sharing it with family, or a few close friends. That’s why you see so much jubilation when a sports team wins a championship. There is no substitution for looking in the eyes of someone you know is happy you reached a certain pinnacle. Keeping in mind that it is better to be good in several areas to become a superstar.

In the end when you look at the big picture, which would you rather be? Will you settled for being a home run hitter? Or would you like to be thought of as a complete ball player. When the managers on certain jobs come around with layoff pink slips? Who normally gets to stay on the job? The expert or the person that can handle various duties as assigned.

And finally, as an Entrepreneur, wouldn’t you feel more comfortable with a working knowledge of your entire business investment? Otherwise, how would know if people you have placed in certain positions are able to handle all aspects of the job. How long would it take for you to see that one or more is faking it? Their intention is to get paid, for they can find another job. But how many times can you come up with the funds to invest in a business venture. Now which would you rather be, a ‘One Trick Pony’ or ‘Jack of all Trades?’

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-gs

Join us for the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

In a continuing effort to publicize my book, Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Arkansas Years 1917-1953, I will join LitFires Publishing exhibit at this year’s ALA (American Library Association in June) Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago. Go to http://exhibitors.ala.org/ for the full details. Meanwhile look for my fifth book to be published in early July. Thanks and see you in Chicago.

Get any of my books by visiting my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html .

This, That, and so on;Vol III, March 2017

This, That and so on…Vol III, March 2017

I look at what is going on in the political world and immediately think about the Bush-Chaney White House. However, there is a difference in administrations. G Dubya relied on his father’s knowledge and contacts to select administrative personnel and appointments. The Donald relies on the Donald, end of story.

I have to mention the death of my man Chuck Berry, Mr. Rock and Roll. He caused me to get yelled at quite a few times. My mother would tell me to stop playing with her household broom. It was for sweeping the floor, not playing like it was a guitar. She would add if you want to sweep the floor, be my guest. RIP Chuck. If you get a chance, play his classic. It’s called “Nadine”…honey is that you. What a nice song.

For me, maybe some are wondering where I’ve been, what am I doing? The short answers are finishing my next book and working on my clients business. I am also adjusting my priorities by letting some responsibilities go or expire. Sitting in front of a computer for ten to eleven hours a day is no longer an option. For those who are wondering why I haven’t got back to them or ran a particular show with them as a guest. Please bear with me. I am guilty of being a man who has a lot of plans but tends to think; I am the only one who can carry them out. Part of it is true because they are ideas or processes that only I can complete in the format or my style, so to speak. Just know that after the last of April I will once again be available to complete my commitments to you. Here is thanking you in advance for your patience.

Meanwhile, lots of stuff coming up…like the NBA Playoffs. LeBron James, please…just please shut the hell up. You are a prime example that some people should not say anything. Otherwise, their words will reveal a lack of knowledge about life or a particular subject. Oh yeah…go, Warriors. The NFL Draft, please 49er’s a few more good players and a Quarter Back of the future. Baseball season is coming up. Go A’s and Giants. March Madness is here. I don’t ever make out a bracket. I just wait for the Final Four, lol. Spring is here with summer on its way…whoopee.

Of course, I cannot let the death of the TrumpRyan Health Care bill in the House go without adding my epitaph. For seven years, House Republicans have voted to repeal ObamaCare or the (ACA) Affordable Care Act, one and the same. First, you didn’t have a plan. And now you do have a mean-spirited document you called a plan. Overall 24 million people were going to lose their health care. It also slashes Medicaid while presenting a giveaway to Insurance company’s’. Clearly giving something to people take more words to explain rather than taking services away. Thus the huge difference in size between the ACA and GOP Bill; are you listening to Shawn Spicer? Thanks to the demonstrations of the American Public at numerous Town Halls. Only 17% of the Americas liked the Republican bill. Down goes Trump, down goes Republicans under the weight of people realizing what ObamaCare personally means to them. Long live the American Democratic process.

I like Michael Che (Saturday Night Live Star) come back to a white Boston University student who questions why he labeled Boston as one of the most racist cities he ever visited. He asked her to “talk to your closest black friend and ask them to explain it to you.” He said the woman responded by remarking “Touche.” Now we all know that no one (white, black, brown, yellow or red) leaves their house in the morning going to find a friend from a different ethnic nationality. We meet people in our social travels, strike up a conversation, etc., etc. That’s easier for a people person like me. We like to engage everyone in conversations. It is not so easy for reclusive individuals. At any rate, friends are hard to come by, no matter their race, creed or color.

I remember back in the sixties that one of the goals for integration was to debunk the stereotypes people of all colors had about different races. I am somewhat surprised that we still hear some of the same stereotypes being shared and taken as gospel by some folks like…neo-Nazi, and white nationalist. Could it be they are looking for ways to dislike a person of a different race? And back to the real subject, Boston has had that reputation as far back as the sixties.

My sister-in-law called me the other day. “Yes, you called me,” she asked. I told her I had not called. “Well your phone must have called me,” she responded. I repeated the fact that I didn’t call her. But then in a comedic mood, I asked…”Did you want to speak to my phone?” Sister-in-law was not amused as she was standing at the service window at a Milwaukee post office. Evidently, their receipt machine was having a problem. We both laugh, and she said “bye” in a not so amused tone. Lol for machines in general. As for Sister-in-law, she knows I love her.

Let me finish with a comment on people’s perception of each other’s action. I freely admit that I am not everyone, and that would include some family members, cup of tea. Mostly it’s because some people want me to follow their agenda. It doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not, they just want a ride and die individual to agree with them in every way. I tend to want to talk facts to support an optimistic viewpoint. So when I disagree and try to point out why, some take that as a personal affront.

Well, that says more about them than it does me. I certainly don’t have all the answers to every problem. But I can recognize BS when I see or hear it. BS in the individual or their point of view. And going further, I will tell them so in plain English. The problem is some people don’t want to hear the truth.

I’m sure; you have friends and family that are the same way on both sides of the personality viewpoint. So, you too have experienced their dismissive nature of your attitude when there is a disagreement. I am not one who likes to spend a lot of time and energy on phony people. It makes me appreciate my friends and family who are fair and for real. In the end, you don’t have to work at being friends. Nor is a family member correct in their actions on any cause. Most family or friends understand you or me because they want to have your back. I’m just saying…

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

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“In my latest book, Remember Moz, Gracie & John Hampton’s First-Born, I wanted to tell the world about a unique individual. Not because he happened to be my father but to explain who he was, where he came from, and how he evolved into the man he became up until his death. In doing so, I wrote of his ancestor’s roots back to and through the Civil War. The inclusion of his birth and upbringing in the heart of Arkansas, or Jim Crow country, add southern reluctance to learn why our country involved itself in a bloodthirsty four-year exercise in the first place? Then you begin to understand why our parents behaved the way that they did. See if I captured the essence of this paragraph.” Get the book via the Authors Page at http://outskirtspress.com/webPage/isbn/9781478766056

Or visit my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html .

This, That, and so on…

This, That, and so on…February 2017 with Hamp.

The movie, “Fences.” I finally got to see “Fences” the movie. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are the stars. Denzel also directs the movie. He plays the Oscar Nominated part of Troy Maxson. The movie’s based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. In fact, Denzel states that it would have been much more difficult to play the part without having performed the part on stage. So far he has chalked up numerous critics acclaim for performance included winning a SAG Award (Best Actor) and a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture.

After listening to Troy passing on what he thinks are wisdom anecdotes to his sons and wife. You reach the conclusion that the guy has more of a mental problem than his mentally challenged brother played by Mykelti Williams. But then again he is representative of the black man working to support a family in the fifties. Many people of color, especially black folks were immigrants from Jim Crow’s South. Most joined the big migration during the late forties during and after World War II. They arrived in these Northern and West Coast cities looking for a better life that being say a sharecropper in the South. They pretty much had to rely on their guild and common sense rather than a basis or extended educations. The movie portrayed the tussle of individuals misdiagnosed world view, especially men, with other family members. They may not have known how to articulate it, but they loved their offspring and wanted them to avoid the barriers they had to faced simply to carve out a life for themselves and family. In that context, one can understand where Troy is coming from, even if you don’t agree with his summation of life. Or for that matter, how he tries to pass on knowledge to his son. Check it out; the picture is well worth your time.

Super Bowl winning Patriots and the White House: I am not surprised at more and more Patriots players are not going to the normal White House ceremonial visit with the president. Given the rhetoric, he has espoused during the presidential campaign. The people he has chosen to run various government agencies. Steve Bannon and a host of advisors the Donald has chosen to work with him. The Moslem Travel Ban that was not a Moslem Travel Ban. Add the constant half-truths, twisting the truth with “Alternative Facts” and outright lies that emanate from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue these days. Who wants to association with that? Maybe the real question is who these people whose used as a prop by the Trump Admiration are?

Black History Month: When you have the capacity to read a book or look at a film and imagine the period depicted in the media. Seeing yourself as a character portrayed in the storyline. That is when you know that you, your family, your race is a part of the history of this world. Suppose you are a kid with their unbridled imagination. The point is that Black History matters.

Bill Withers quote on the times we are living in today: Just in case you didn’t know, “Still Bill” as we called him back in the day father and other men in his family were coal miners. His take on the politics of today as explained by him. He gave the following quote to Joy Reed on AM Joy (Sunday, February 12, 2017). “The times we are living in now are described as synonymous with a slang description of someone who has intimate relations with someone mother.” Whoa! You feel him? His overall thought was people are predisposed to believe what they are led to believe.

Al Jarreau Dead at 76: Another Jazz or R&B great is gone. A fellow Milwaukeean, All was had a unique style that captures the music world. An Ebony article stated that he’d just announced his touring retirement. He’d done so just after being hospitalized for exhaustion. He will be missed by me and all his many fans.

NAACP Image Awards: For me, the sight of so many stars of color in attendance at the NAACP Award Night is pleasing to see. Some other winners included Moonlight for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture, Queen Sugar for naacp-image-awards Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series and Black-ish’s Kenya Barris Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. Viola Davis won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Fences. For Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety Program (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble, Roland S. Martin of NewsOne Now with Roland S. Martin was the winner. He was up against Joy Reid. AM Joy brings in the largest MSNBC audience ever for a weekend. Her time-period is the 10 a.m. to Noon Eastern Time-period.

The Weekends Hairstyle: Look, what is up with The Weekends hair? I’m sure that some will look at me and say, you are out of touch, don’t know what you are talking about dude. Or what’s up with my hairstyle? All that may be valid, but I still ask the question. Is it a tribal style, or some heritage tradition? Or is it something that is designed and groomed (or ungroomed) by the wearer? Okay, I will say it, how does it look to other people. Is it an attractive look? Without me giving an opinion, does it make people notice him? Yes, it does. But then what do onlookers take away from the artist and style? I’m just saying.

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-fR

Join us for the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

Or visit my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html .

Has Common Sense Left The Building?

I’ve told my wife and friends several times in the recent past. I no longer have my cool stroll. Some, not me, would call it a pimp walk. But most dudes from my era (the sixties) had the stroll walk. For that matter, it goes beyond the sixties. A perfect example of that was the Obama Stroll. Yes, the president had his version. Well today, my stroll is more like a penguin’s walk. The reason is I’ve got arthritic knees. It’s also a case of both knee joints not having much cartilage.

Yeah, it’s a trip growing older, but then the alternative, hold your breath…is death. My wife uses a cane to help her walk, for she has the same problem. Socially, our knees hamper us both from climbing steps, dancing as we once did, or participating during the fellowship period after church services.

With age, as anyone over fifty will tell you, come wisdom. I use to tell my kids as they reached the teenage years. Always, keep in mind that someone twice your age has learned by accident more than you know right now.

This morning I watch a football player on Sportscenter using his cell phone to film a live selfie of himself. The problem, this was at the same time his coach was giving a short speech and instructions after the team had won a playoff game. He posted the live film on Facebook.

Old school people would look at that as disrespecting the game and coach. They would think that player is exhibiting a selfish attitude. It’s a practice that is the exact opposite of teamwork. Most people around his age, especially boys or young men, would ask where is the problem. We leave women out because they mature faster than young men.

As far back as high school, friends would categorize me as a serious dude. “Man you need to relax.” My answer then and now is it’s a serious world. When I partied, which was often, they said I relaxed too much. Well, unapologetic I am my daddy’s child. As he did, I love, work and play hard. But I never, ever forget who I am, or from whence I came.

I heard Pharrell “Happy” Williams complain during a recent interview that old people and traditions are insignificant. I’m sure he doesn’t mean any and everything as in all subject matter. It does show that a lot of people in his age group are insensitive and uneducated about certain society issues. I love the song “Happy” as does everyone. But being Happy 24-7 is an unrealistic goal for most adults. Being content 24-7, a few steps lower than happy is possible.

In fact, I can tell you that my wife and I are content. We are comfortable with ourselves, life and most of our family and friends. Oh, now and then something always come up, family members who think they been disrespected. Some younger, a few older folks don’t like something I’ve done at some time or the other. In that respect, I always feel if we can’t talk it out, then they have the problem, not me.

I’ve said almost all my life. You don’t have to be brilliant to understand life, but you do have to be living in a world of reality. Lying to one’s self doesn’t help you mature; it only confuses your judgment. Think about it. There is enough confusion pushed by people from all walks and corners of society. It’s hard enough keeping an honest perspective from what’s shown on television, propaganda pushed by certain political groups in this country without adding personal misjudgments or lies to the equation. One has to stay in the world of society’s reality, not one you’ve created for yourself. You know the kind, where you are always right, and everybody else is wrong. So your attempt to hang with people who believe as you do is not conducive or contributing to your growth as a person.

Common sense must accompany maturity and growth. It always seems to boil down to I am living free, being me and having fun. I’m here to tell you that both are possible, but it requires personal sacrifice. It requires hard work, accepting responsibility, determination and being honest with you and yours. The question, how bad do you want it? Or is it too tough a road for you to travel to reach that particular goal?

That is what separates the OG’s, so to speak from the younger ones. The OG has learned from actually participating in life. The youngster only dreams of what could be and has yet to see that dream become a reality. Instead of taking steps to make it a reality they talk about it. They put it in songs; they write poems about it. They get high and think an idea realized at that time is original. When they find someone else has thought of it, they think the person stole their idea. They interpret it as something that is needed in society but never puts in the work to make it happen. If only I would have, etc., etc. Yes, that is when you wonder what if I had? Well, youngster, you can, but you have to get off your behind and do it, not just talk about it. That is where the saying talks the talk and walks the walk take place.

Education is a must, but common sense is a place where we all need to reside. With both, the sky is the limit. If you have to choose, basic education and good common sense are great ingredients for happiness and contentment. A person’s word is all they have to give you. If you can’t count on that, well, shame on them. Respect your fellow human beings need to be themselves. Your expectations of who a person is or can don’t count unless it’s a politician. They work for us. A lesson in how to live is available from those who have already lived a longer life. However, that older individual must be the teller of truth. Common sense should be a priority in any politician’s character.

And yes there is a higher power for man did got here by walking from the sea evolving into an ape, etc., etc. Your answer to life, peace, and happiness is within you. No human can make your day. It starts and ends with you. If you cannot understand that, then you, my friend will have a problem until you do.

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-fK

Join us for the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

Or visit my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html .

BOBSA and the new EBHA

I’ve interviewed Sam Ennon, BOBSA Founder and CO more than a few times over the last couple of years for my Blog Talk Radio Show. In fact, after hearing his opinions through another interview, I conducted; I called him to request a sole interview about BOBSA. During the phone call, I found him to be as personable and honest in his opinion about any subject, as was my first impression.

I also discovered that we had a lot in common, besides being a member of the same era. Specifically, he called it “Connecting the Black Dots” within the black community. It simply means enabling dwellers that bring their hard earned dollars into their community. In turn, they establish a venue that allows each dollar to circulate within that community via an exchange of goods and services before it exits, possible never to return. That ensures that neighborhood served in some ways by a member of that particular community. For the hip-hop crowd, it means people are getting paid and establishing wealth for themselves. Thus there is a rise in the economics of wealth in the community. People, along with the community become more self-sufficient. It is a concept in which I’ve written, in fact, based my entire Entrepreneurial life on, the self-sufficiency of the black community.

And that, my friends’ is the name of the game in this country. And if you as a person, entrepreneur or community don’t understand that concept, shame on you. You must be aware of why retail stores or other businesses will not relocate or open branches in your community. Or those that are there may someday move onto greener pastures. And you will be left wondering why you have to travel five miles or so just to pick up a carton of milk and a dozen of eggs. The people in the communities have to support those people of color selling goods and services for they too will spend money within the community.

With the Black Hair Care Industry generating some 9 Billion dollars one can see why this would be important. Black folks should be more than just a consumer while finding a way to get around the monopolization of the industry by the Koreans.

Sam, through BOBSA, is collaborating with the Chinese Hair manufacturers to address these type issues. As the first sentence in their mission statement says, “Enterprise of Black Hair Alliance (EBHA) is dedicated to a shared effort to create and develop a beauty industry that bridges with the black community.” That’s the exact opposite of Koreans business practices within the black community. Their idea is to take all that black consumers have to spend, and you will hardly ever see that dollar circulating back into the community. Not unless it’s a black person who works, very rare, for the Koreans.

None can explain it more clearly than Sam Ennon himself. We put together a sort of informal interview of Mr. Ennon by me for your consideration. Listen closely to his description of the details of the Chinese collaboration that will benefit the consumer and entrepreneur. Click on the link below to view the interview.

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=ajUirx1afMQ

So take a leap of faith and common sense. EBHA is the place to be for anyone currently in or want to become involved in the Black Hair Care Industry. Contact Sam Ennon, CEO of EBHA at sam@eobha.com. The website is www.EoBHA.com, currently under construction. His office number is 847-324-3870. Tell him Hamp sent you.

We will provide a progress interview in late January. Stay tuned to my site for details. More updates to come in 2017. Stay tuned and…

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

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What Does the 2.9 Million Popular Vote Margin Mean for Democrats?

I smile at the picture of the Donald telling an interviewer what a landslide he had over Hillary Clinton. His feeling is that he has the mandate to do whatever he and his fellow Republicans want. The fact that he won Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio by under a reportedly 77, 000 votes or so doesn’t dampened his rhetoric.

The popular vote lead by Hillary Clinton is surpassing 2.9 million over Trump. The obvious question, how someone who loses the popular vote by such a wide margin claim to have a mandate can? And the biggie, why did that over 77 thousand voters vote for the Donald?

Look at it this way; our systems say that any state that has a majority of votes for a presidential candidate. That candidate is awarding all of the state’s Electoral Votes. So those 77,000 or so votes spread over the states above is a very small margin of victory. It’s not a mandate or approval of the president-elect policy. It should also be noted that most of the country’s population centered on the west and east coasts.

I watched a broadcast of MNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes on the evening of December 13^th. Chis and his special guest, Senator Bernie Sanders was in Kenosha Wisconsin. Kenosha’s located between Chicago and Milwaukee, just to give you a geographical marker. Trump won (by about 215 votes) Kenosha County which had not voted Republican since 1972. Chris was there to get a sense of an audience of voters on why they voted Republican.

The bottom line, he picked a panel of two women and two men who voted for Trump. They voiced their opinions to a specific question regarding minimum wages, immigration, and Wall Street Responsibility. The panelist stated they opposed the Muslim people ban, deporting people back to their country, etc. In other words, they felt that none of those ideas would become policy. Those same people voted for Trump. Senator Bernie Sanders, who’d won the Wisconsin Primary over Mrs. Clinton, wanted clarification of a point. He didn’t understand why Trump backers voted for a liar whose policy they thought would never be enforced. At the end of the day, they couldn’t explain it.

The Donald is going to count on his voters numbering in the 44 to 46% range to have his back. Those people don’t care about his tax returns, conflict of interest while president, or not qualified personnel he has nominated to his cabinet. So don’t look for them to oppose anything Trump proposes because they believe in Trump, Trump, and more Trump.

He will package his programs as though each action benefits them. They will continue to take him at his word until something directly affects their lives. That something will have to be clear, concise, and in black and white. In other words, something they simply cannot deny or accuse the Democrats or press of misinterpreting as they tend to do for anything Trump. At least that will be the Donald’s version.

For his critics his game is simple. Create a distraction, for instance, the day he announced the controversial Rex Tillerson as his Secretary of State nominee. He tweeted that Lockheed’s F-35 Jet cost was out of control, saying billions of dollars will be saved once he takes office. Needless to say, Lockheed stock took a nosedive after hearing that news. The tweet does a couple of things besides acting as a distraction. He warns his enemies and all that he can and will hurt you or your pocketbook with a simple tweet. It also makes others wonder who he will come after next. And it pleases the people that elected him. They say, as one of the Kenosha panelists said, he is already shaking things up.

Let’s not forget the revenge factor. Remember the picture of Mitt Romney after teasing him about the Secretary of State Job. The man looked like a whipped dog stepping up to the microphone and reversing himself on all he said before Trump won the presidency. But the Donald is going to learn, people who use power like that don’t usually keep that kind of power for long. He’s voted out of office, or it goes to his head, and he commits an impeachable offense. My bet is on the latter.

Kellyanne Conway has been named counselor to Trump. She, the smiling blond, blue-eyed and professional spokesperson and ‘calm the waters in chief’ sorely needed during the campaign. You get the picture of her being a smart individual in choosing how she will associate with his administration. She wants no responsibility when things go wrong, yet have the autonomy to be able to try and advise the Donald on how to conduct himself as the President. Good luck with that Kelly.

Now their latest mantra is Democrats you lost; accept it and move on. They want us to sit in a corner and let the Donald do his thing. Don’t worry your little simple minded heads about the things going on with Trumps business connections, tweets, or how he plans on gutting the American way of life for what’s left of the middle class. You lost, they scream, go back to your homes, and stay off the streets. Don’t get involved in things where you know nothing or it is not your business. The Donald will take care of things. Sure…and the tooth fairy won’t leave any more coins to children. Why, because he will not have any spare change. The administration being assembled is like the Class War Clean-up Crew. You think you didn’t have much disposable income after eight years of George W. Bush? Just wait until the Donald’s crew, along with this Republican Congress get through with all Americans. And for those almost 77,000 Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio people who elected Trump. Boy…are they in for a rude awakening.

But then never mind the Donald. The question is where we go from here. We can look to the North Carolina race for Governor. Look at what happen even after the guy finally conceded. In short, keep congressional representatives feet to the fire. They should start with the nominees the Donald selected to run these various governments agencies. Vigorously oppose those actions we disagree with on the local and national stages. It’s up to the Democrats to keep their eye on the 2018 mid-term elections. Pick strong candidates and start doing the groundwork today. We cannot afford to wait and wind down for the past national election. We don’t have the time.

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

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Too Many NFL Games & Injuries

I thought it was just me and a small segment of other NFL fans throughout the country. Any number above five percent of pro football TV watching fans, in my estimation is a significant number of people. Well, Austin Karp of Sports Business Daily tweeted that viewing on Fox TVs single header through week nine was down 9% from last year. Viewership for the primetime game between the last Super Bowl champion (Broncos) and the upstart contending Raiders is a whopping 20%.

Another ominous warning for Commissioner Roger Goodell and his bosses, NFL Team Owners, should read like a stop sign on scheduling another game on another day of the week. And that is NFL ratings have declined for 27 prime time games. One can throw out different numbers for specific games. Obviously, the matchup of teams would be a determining viewing factor as would other scheduled TV events or national election news. Nevertheless, the result is that large numbers of people are turning away from the NFL. Other sports such as Baseball and Basketball are picking up the slack. Is it happenstance or a trend?

I began as fan rooting for Bart Starr and the Green Bay Packers. That was before I moved west. Even before the move, I began to like the San Francisco Forty Niners. I am still a fan of the Niners but find it hard to watch them lose game after game. So much so, that I changed the channel (Nov 5^th) Sunday to follow the FBI’s report of ‘nothing to see here.’

Over the last fifteen years or so, pro-football was king. Over most of those years, Commissioner Goodell and a few greedy owners started to become unreasonable. People need to be reminded that these owners are rich and their teams are worth millions. A few successful franchises worth is into the billions. Now, the current commissioner presides over team officials that want a new stadium. They have seen the Cowboys, Minnesota, and even the Niners new facilities. They want to pay as little as possible for it, insisting their host city cough up large amounts of funds for this venture.

If you research most of these deals, you will find the NFL has taken the argument of say a COSCO or some other retail outlet and garnered a deal to build their store on a specific site in the host city. The idea is to show how this store benefits the area with a tax base, job in working for the store, and some other kinds of value for the community.

Each NFL team is a sole proprietor with limited investment partners acting as a sports entertainment mechanism. They are selling tickets to attend the game and advertising in every corner of the stadium. Don’t forget their contracts generating income with sports gear companies. They are making money any and everywhere possible. The question is at what cost to all the taxpayers in that city and or county.

What other business you know of allows you, the entrepreneur, to ask your customers to help finance a luxurious playing facility? The entrepreneur hires the architect, project manager, and everybody associated with building the facility. The NFL chips in because the league will make money on this venture too. The only benefit the taxpayers are getting is to say it is their team, without benefits. There is no benefit to the taxpayer, except bragging rights. The last time I checked, you can’t pay for anything with bragging rights. Nor can you trade your bragging rights or a portion of for any commodity.

Ticket prices are not going to be reduced although there is bound to be an increased seating area. Corporate is going to pay more for luxury suites. So, in the end, the owner’s revenue will increase, and sales at the concession stands will pay a higher use fee. The host city gets to pay for those tickets, maybe some at a discounted price. They also are responsible for furnishing the workforce required to direct automobile and pedestrian traffic. That is just a few of the indirect cost of hosting an NFL team in your city.

The city is already dealing with closing schools and firehouses. They’ve laid off police and are really in no shape to help rich owners build a stadium. Placing pressure on the host city, team officials scream you don’t love me. I am moving to another city where they will build me a nice stadium. Every year, I will only play an eight season schedule, plus a couple of pre-seasons game. So we, I and you Mr. City Host will have to find other attractions to rent out the stadium the rest of the year. By the way, our league will chip in some money, but we must have money from your city if you want us to play our home games in your city. We don’t care how it’s packaged as long as it is currency or negotiable and payable Bonds.

Take the Las Vegas Raiders, please. Here is one of the poorer teams who need a stadium. Or at the very least, they need a refurbishing of the Oakland Coliseum. A team that has moved from and back to Oakland. Alameda County and City taxpayers are still paying for the 63.9 million dollar relocation, operating and training facility. Reportedly it is part of the 197.7 million borrowed for improvements to the facility. Bloomberg writers Darrell Preston and Aaron Kuriloff wrote a piece on January 28, 2013, entitled, “Oakland Pays $14 Million for NFL Raiders as Cops Fired.” They reported that the “city and county have limited options to recover the loan because mandatory payments are limited to the amounts received from parking, concessions, and rent, according to stadium authority documents.”

It seems that these franchises will agree to most any plan as long as they are not going to be left holding the bag. Thus the problem, the host city is left with an incentive to get a deal done that keeps the team in the community.

To my mind, it surely doesn’t even out if the municipality has to lay off police officers, close schools, and other public service entities. That is why as much as I love football, I understand when a mayor like Libby Shaff says no. Especially when it comes to using public funds to maintain the status quo, make improvements or donating to the pot for building a brand new unit.

Goodell and the owners have gotten so sensitive to the injuries players are experiencing while playing the game. They sent out a memo asking the club personnel not to talk about concussed players. It’s as if they are trying to hide this fact from the public eye. Hey, Goodell, we are watching the game on a lot of big screen TVs. Replays show angles we didn’t initially see on impact. What is wrong with the NFL, are you kidding me?

And for a couple of years, Goodell has been floating this idea to add another game during another day during the week. I’ve gotten to the place where I cannot tell you who is playing on Monday night. I use to know the schedule as well as anybody including the coach of my favorite team.

Now I wonder if my favorite player is going to get up after making or getting tackled. Knock a player out of the lineup with a season-ending injury and I’m not sure who will take his place. I used to keep up with all things Forty-niners, as in who was cut or selected off the waiver wire. Now I have to wait until the announcer tells me who is returning kickoffs. I don’t know the player’s numbers much less their name. As for the NFL, the goose no longer can be sure their golden egg is in the same place they left it. The NFL needs a dose of common sense. And no one seems to have that trait that is in charge of anything.

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

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This Country Has Elected A Trump Type Before

The candidates are rounding the half mile heading for the finish line. Who will win? The race is still up in the air. On the one hand, we had a clear favorite as much as a week ago. That is until the Republican-leaning FBI Director broke protocol and injected himself into the race. You all know what happened there as well as the differing opinions as to why he did it. It’s all crystal clear as for why he chose to in my mind. I will leave you to your opinions.

But, I want to bring up another election from another time. It is the 2000 election I am referring to when Republican George W. Bush received 271 Electoral votes to Democrat Al Gore, Jr’s 266. Let’s just say we let our country and Al Gore down during a very important election. No need to bring up the recount issues in Florida and the ultimate party line Supreme Court decision that gave G Dubya the presidency.

Instead, I want to remind everyone of the aftermath of that historic election and Supreme Court decision. The US became involved in an ‘all war all the time’ in some remote region of the world. Terrorists attacked us. We bonded as a nation only to find our country in a senseless war by G Dubya and the Chaney administration. They had some people cowering in their homes listening for various levels (see picture) Homeland Security Warnings. Maybe we should use these kinds of warnings when we have candidates who are unqualified to hold any political office much less president of the United States. But then I’m getting ahead of myself.

By the time President Obama took office the surplus left by outgoing President Bill Clinton was now a large deficit. The best way I can point out how it was at the time? You have to google the media political cartoons that were printing which framed the new president’s task. All warned in some form or fashion the need to fix the Economy, Iraq War, and Global Warning, War on Terror, Bin Laden still alive, Energy, Afghanistan, Russia, and Inflation. And let’s not forget the Mortgage Housing crises which threaten to lower the United States credit level around the world. Some in the Republican Party were yelling let the US default on its debts.

Over the last eight years, President Obama has slowly pulled ourselves and the country from the brink of failed financial policies. Policies I might add that the current Republican Candidate wants to recreate and adapt. Jesus Christ…please protect this country from itself. It was a job in which he’s had to work around Republican obstructionist.

And now, history seems to be repeating itself by providing Americans with a choice between a well-known faulty individual. A woman who’ve been investigated almost as much as President Obama. Are we poised to elect the next George W Bush like president again?

The difference I see is that G Dubya is not so outward impulsive, innately vengeful, or deviously calculating or tied so closely to improving his personal fortune as the Donald. I think G Dubya cared for this country and there lies the big difference in my mind. The Donald cares for the Donald and only the Donald. He has proven that time and time again during this campaign. There are scores of Americans who have bought into this farce of a man. The question on everybody else’s mind is why?

Let’s get past his legitimization of right wing extremist, i.e. Klu Klux Klan, Alt-Right and every Tom, Dick, and Harriet on the fringe of a white revolution in this country. We will group them in the…oh, I don’t know, let’s call them Deplorable. Why don’t we also skip the anti-Hillary Rodham Clinton voters along with the hate any and everything Clinton group? Who’s left? Not that many people in my mind.

Because in reality, the only people that are left are those who genuinely think Mrs. Clinton will make a horrible president. My question to those folks is will she screw up America’s standing in the world, undermine our democracy, feed her personal coffers while not giving a hoot about this country as much as the Donald? I don’t think so.

Now you know where I am going with this article. You think G Dubya screwed up our country. This country, in fact, the world will not be the same during a Donald Trump’s presidency. The Republicans don’t care as long as they get ideologues on the Supreme Court. As long as they get re-elected, they think the Donald will be manageable in the White House. Based upon what, I have no idea.

All those people who will vote for him think they are going to be better off. Once again, better off than whom? Of course, the real extremists think they are going to have a free hand to push their agenda against people of color. I got news for you. That is not going to work. People are not going back in some hole to hide from people of authority. People of Color are not going back to the 1950’s. We still deal with racists on a daily basis. You think we have forgotten the struggles of the Civil Rights era.

The Donald has not proposed a program that will improve any industry or governmental entity in the United States. Why? Because he doesn’t have a plan or program that will ‘Make America Great Again.’ How is he going to bring jobs to this economy? His entire policy is Washington DC, and Hillary is crooked, elect me to fix it. Based on what we’ve seen from him during this campaign, he is not qualified to be in charge of my life or America lives in general. Based on what we know about his business practices; qualifications for our president? I don’t think so. Is he morally and spiritually qualified to be the United States of America’s president? No, would be the summary answer.

We have already seen eight years of what would be a mild administration compared to a Trump presidency. All one has to do is remember or google the highlights of the G Dubya and Chaney administration. Remember, our world allies are watching to see how this plays out. So is Russia.

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

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It’s Much Deeper Than The Donald’s Audio Tape

Wow! It took an audio tape where the Donald was clearly heard talking about grouping women in general and one woman in particular. A tape where he actually used the P word when referring to a woman’s gentiles. That’s where numerous elected Republicans, some who are running for office on this year’s ballot draw the line? Never mind all those things he reportedly said that was degrading to and about women, minorities, and anyone else that he disagreed with in the first place. Never mind his so-called principles on law and order.

The fact that he refuses to recognize a confession with DNA results collaborating the real rapist identity of a white woman jogger in New York. He still thinks these teenagers in 1989, who served some time in jail before being exonerated, are still guilty because they confessed after a long ordeal with New York Police. One could say he was advocating lynching these young boys. And to this day, still, think they are guilty? He also wants to bring back the previously ruled unconstitutional Stop and Frisk law.

He lies and pretty much says whatever he wants on a daily basis. Mrs. Clinton was kind in her description of his part in their October ninth debate. She said Trump delivered an ‘avalanche of falsehoods.’ The rhetoric directed at her and her husband, Bill Clinton along with the Obama administration. Yet, he is the Republican nominee for President of the United States. Most forward thinking people look at Donald Trump and ask ourselves, how did this man become the Republican nominee? He is clearly unqualified for that or any political office in this country.

But hold on, the fact that Donald Trump is the Republican Parties Presidential Nominee goes much deeper than a gross audiotape. Remember when he was leading Hillary Clinton in a lot of national and state polls? He, along with his surrogates, the entire Republican Party, and millions of ultra and Alt-Right Conservatives, think Hillary Clinton is the Anti-Christ. They thought that they could sneak an unqualified bigot by the American voters as long as he ran against Mrs. Clinton.

They didn’t say much when he is shouting dangerous rhetoric at his rallies. Phrases like, “they wouldn’t do that in the old days. I like to punch them out.” It was a reference to demonstrators at his rallies.

Oh yes, we look at Donald Trump and ask ourselves, how did this man become the Republican nominee? Well, have you been to the movies lately? Watched TV, listen to some of the songs on the radio? It’s a laboratory demonstration on how to kill and maim with weapons made for killing people. Not for hunting as the NRA likes to tell you. The story lines are brutal and filled with deadly violence. The characters, including the heroes’, are suspect and untrustworthy. All this, while treating their fellow man as if they are our competition or the enemy rather than our next door neighbor. In real life, since when does it take approximately eight to nine supposedly well trained San Francisco Police Officers with weapons drawn to shoot down a man with a knife, killing him? Killing him (December of 2015) because they felt threaten. Does that make sense to you… or anybody?

There is an entire genre of music (Gangster and some mainstream rap) where the lyrics used will turn your stomach. They advocate pimping, calling woman degrading names and suggest the only way to the American Dream is to do whatever you have to do to get paid. Our kids (white, black and all) know the words to these songs before they can recite their ABC’s. Society has changed from the sixties style of “We wish you love and peace” to ‘F_ _ _ you, I got mine, now get outta my face son, while I pig out on what’s mine and cash.’ They are just a minority of rappers and entertainers. But, they are so loud and sell a lot of tapes over and underground. Sometimes you hear them blasting from their cars at the stop light. Their ways and actions are hypnotic to our young folks. Especially to those who don’t have good role models or a loving home life. A great example would be households where babies are raising babies if you get my drift.

If not Donald Trump for president, it would have been someone else with the same type of personality and beliefs. Remember the establishment Republicans tried to tone down their man. They tried to tell him to use the code words, dummy. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell advised him to use a teleprompter and don’t go off message. Now, the same man who was part of the meeting that took place after the first election of Barack Obama electing not to cooperate with the new president in any way shape of form. Now this two-faced American politician says “Don’t ask me about Trump.” Their narrative is still Hillary Clinton is the Anti-Crist. Talk about her, and we will help you get elected. They were all about the Republican majority in the House and Senate.

Remember the first rebranding of Trump begins with his newly selected campaign spokesperson Kellyanne Conway. She was everywhere explaining what the Donald really meant when he slipped back into his real personality. You couldn’t turn on the TV without seeing Rudy Giuliani or Chris Christie explaining what the Donald meant when he went off message. Just like Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them; the first time.”

Some may say, by now I am stating the obvious. A post on forwarded to me by my youngest son from Occupy Democrats pretty much starts the conversation. It says “The worst part about Trump isn’t that he’s a racist, sexist, ignorant bigot. It’s that his supporters know that and don’t care.” It only confirms that most people in spite of the narrative you may get in various media outlets know what is going on in these United States today.

Beginning with G Dubya’s eight years, there has been an erosion of race relations in this country. It was more of a quite storm then suddenly becoming louder and louder during the last almost eight years of the Obama administration. Various acts, circumstances have aided the continued change in attitudes or even tolerance by a lot of white people toward Blacks, Hispanics, and Muslim and in the last year or so, a closing of their rank and file. It’s that adage of discussion among them that starts with ‘You’re either with us or against us.

Now this is not meant to group a lot of progressive thinking people into a mob. Nor a recruitment for some far right wing skinheads living in the woods of Iowa or wherever. Because you have to keep in mind those people are in the minority of the US population. But, they are a very loud and shrewd minority. They know how to stroke the fires depending upon the latest threat, as they would call it, to white power. We just have to admit that it is there and not shy away from those who would take us back to the Thirties, Forties, and Fifties.

This no-longer-a-subtle change of attitude was aided by the rise of the Tea Party. Who, by the way, was adopted by the Republican Party. So much so, most establish Republicans added in getting them elected and toning down those who ran for office to be presentable politicians. Do you remember when the Tea Party had placards depicting President Obama as Hitler? They had him dressed in the Nazi’s Army Gear, mustache and hair style. I’d never seen a sitting president disrespected in such a grotesque manner. We almost know by heart and hear the new Jim Crow code words on a daily basis. They are in the print, broadcast, and internet media. They normally have a large picture of the perpetrator with the broadcast of the story. Use the code words boys, folks will know what you are talking about, they urge with a wink. You’ve heard them, Law and Order, Only criminals will have the guns, Illegal Immigrants, Good American, Liberal Politicians, Obamacare, and many others too numerous to mention here. The most popular today is, “Make America Great Again.” That’s right boys when you are for the right things and against the things most Good, and Law Abiding Americans don’t like, you’ve got the ticket. They try to wrap themselves in our United States Flag. They do this as if they are the only Americans in this country.

I am still and always will be a man who loves God, Family, Country and all Gods people. As Americans, we have to understand that these divisions in race relations could and do threaten our very Democracy. My summation to these shifting racial attitudes is the outstanding poem turned into a Documentary from Maya Angelou, “And Still I Rise.”

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

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