Questions about Race

Last Sunday’s Opus cartoon ran this question:

“Is Obama a black man with a white mother or a white man with a black father?”

Anyone have an answer? In the cartoon they tabled the question and went swimming.

My thoughts are that the answer is defined by our culture, which says if you look black you are black no matter how much white blood you have. At one time the state of Louisiana had a Law that said if you are one sixteenth black you are black no matter how white you looked, (Remember the movie “Show Boat”?).

We are finding out, through DNA testing, that we who think we are black often have more European DNA than African. Those who think they are white often have more African DNA than European. Some scientist say there are no long-term white American families without African DNA. As for Black Americans it is extremely rare to fine one with no European DNA

Linda says she knows the answer. She says, "Obama is a black man with a white mother. She says it is culture, which decides. We live in a country founded on racial constructs. Thus, you are what the American culture says you are. Race is not a scientific term but a social/cultural construct. Therefore race can be defined in any way the culture dictates. You can fight against it. Many people have tried. But you are still fighting against the known cultural norm, which our culture labels you by."

Woodberry Kitchen

Last night I finally went to Woodberry Kitchen for dinner. Keith, Linda and I went to celebrate Keith’s birthday. I had roast chicken with grits and asparagus. Linda had shrimp with spoon bread and Keith had the seafood stew. Each dish was wonderful. The dishes were well thought out and executed. The Seasoning was perfect. Their choice of ingredients was top notch. But the shining star of Woodberry Kitchen was the excellent service and great atmosphere. Our waitress was perfection. She knew her job was to create a pleasant dinning experience. She mastered all the important factors pleasant service, efficient prompt service and all with a subtle personnel touch.

Suicide Rate

First of all I am fine. Feel good and energetic.

I want to bring up a subject that I discussed before i.e. the suicide rate of the active duty soldiers/marines as well as the military veteran. It has gotten worst. It was announced that currently every 18 minutes a veteran commits suicide. One in four soldiers/marines is suffering from posttraumatic stress syndrome. Posttraumatic stress syndrome condition often leads to acts of violence including suicide. The war has become more destructive of lives than most people realize. In response to the high suicide rate, the VA has set up nation wide suicide hot lines. I hope this helps. As for me, I survive by having the best therapist for artist and Posttraumatic stress disorder and the support of my Linda, family and friends.

Posttraumatic stress syndrome extracts a tremendous social cost. A spouse, mother, children, etc anxiously await the return of their loved one from the war. Knowing that once he is home all will be well again. Their worries and anxieties will be over. But instead their troubles just begin. Their returning solider is moody, anxious, angry, depressed and sometimes violent and/or suicidal. Families breakup children are traumatized spouses and family member are confused, hurt, and grief stricken. A terrible, terrible social cost far greater than the statistics indicates.

“War!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing.
It’s nothing but a heartbreaker…”

Bad Day in DC

Yesterday I went to DC even though yesterday and this morning were horrible health days for me. I, after two bouts of pneumonia, continue to try and beat bronchitis. I remain on antibiotics. I also was and stll am very worried about my son Russell, who remains hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs. I also had these violent episodes were my fingers freeze up with incredible pain and then begin to tremble. The shakes were so bad that I could not hold food on my fork or a glass in my hands. Additionally, since I had forgotten to bring my pain medication, I was in horrendous pain. By the time the Gala dinner began I was alternating between being tired, sick, angry, embarrassed and profoundly sad. Linda was wonderful through all of this as were my friends and peers. With Linda’s help I got through the event dinner, albeit with some tears. Slept well that night and awoke this morning feeling mentally better. I talked myself into a calmer state and used every once of my Buddhist mental abilities to push pain, tremors, and depression away. Today I am resting in bed, watching the Food Network and dozing.

I guess I should not have gone to DC. But I just needed to go to DC to celebrate one of the wonders of African American Art, Dr. Leslie King Hammond. She has been a mentor of many many artists. Including My Linda, My best friend Tom Miller and myself. She is one great lady.

A Lot Has Happen

My-my a lot has happen this last week. My dear son Russell is in the Hospital with blood clots in his lungs. I t looks like he will be OK. They are dissolving the clots and searching for the cause or causes.
Our government has finally admitted that the chemicals in plastic bottles, including baby bottles can cause cancer and developmental problems. Canada is moving to ban the use of this chemical, While we have taken no such action. In fact we have not taken any action at all. We would not want to slow the profits of the plastic industry. Now would we. We all should write our elected officials and demand action. I certainly will.

The Washington Post said they also were upset with the lack of substance in the Democratic Party's campaign especially the debate in Philadelphia. It was a snippet match.

I am in Washington, DC for a confrence today and will remain over night. Go shopping tomorrow and return to Baltimore in the evening

I love you guys

Disappointed

I am disappointed in the Presidential campaign. It has become a series of verbal put downs with no substance. I thought just this once the United States would have a real discussion of the issues. You know detailed discussions on health, the economy, education, housing, the wars, our handling of natural disasters, campaign financing, poverty, etc. I guess I was dreaming and expecting too much from our political system which thinks we are stupid and only want sound bites not substance. Maybe it's true!!! when I talk to most people they seem to respond to sound bites but their eyes glaze over when I talk about real issues.

Thank God for my family, friends my bloger's feed back, (comments etc.), and other blogs. It makes me still believe there is intelligent life in the universe.

Does Anyone Else Hear The Who

Why do we humans think we are center of the biological universe? We tend to measure all things from our biological viewpoint. Even the Scientist do it. We completely dismiss creatures that do not look like us in any way. Like fish or insects. We get disturbed if we experiment on mammals yet say nothing if we use fish or insects no matter how bizarre or cruel the these animals, Gods creations, are treated in the experiments.

We say no life could exist on that newly discovered planet circling a distant star because it is not earth like. Wow, that seems so strange to me. We say things like that even in the face of the strange life forms we have that thrive at temperatures that would turn us into ash in a second. Creatures here on earth that live quite well with no light or oxygen.

We used to believe that we were the only animals that had language. Now we find that even fish vocalize. The great apes not only have language but use tools as well. Crows even use tools. Birds can use language. Did you know house cats only meow to humans not to other cats? What’s with that?

So why do we think we are the center of the biological universe?

Can we honestly believe, that in this uncompressible large universe, God only chose this speck of dust to create a being in “his likeness?” Does anyone else hear the Who?

Obama's Small Town Remarks

I Obama was right when he said, "You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton Administration, and the Bush Administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." However in American politics being right or telling the truth can kill a campaign.

Beef Short Ribs and I Feel Good

Yesterday I cooked beef short ribs. The only adequate description of my finished ribs is WOW!!!!! They are just incredible. There are some many levels of delicious flavor I lost count. 
I started the cooking by creating a roux. I cooked the roux till it was the color of chocolate. I than added chopped onions celery, carrots and green peppers. I salted and peppered the mixture and cooked it until the onions were transparent. I than added the ribs that I had seasoned with salt and pepper. I also added low sodium chicken broth. I than placed the covered cast iron stockpot in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 hour. After 1 hour turned the oven down to 300 and baked the ribs for 2.5 hours more. The results tender magnificent short ribs with to-die-for au jus.

Sunday and Monday I had a temperature and felt awful. Mostly a cough and nausea. It all seem to go away on Tuesday but I still felt tired. Today I feel great. So good I went to the gym and my trainer said I did very well.

Did You Know?

Did you know the Homeland Security Secretary has the power to void or ignore any law that stands in the way of constructing a border fence? I fact last week he voided 30 laws in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. The list included laws protecting the environment, endangered species migratory birds, the bald Eagle, antiquities, farms, deserts, forest, Native American graves and Religious freedom. Wow!! That is one powerful man. In my mind that kind of authority in one position, who is not answerable to the people, is most likely unconstitutional. Luckily some organizations, in an effort to stop this grab of power, had the good sense to file a case with the Supreme Court. The full story is in today’s New York Times.