This is one of the signature songs of "The Boss", Bruce Springsteen. How prophetic. I dedicate this song to my duly-elected President, Barack Hussein Obama II, who was BORN IN THE USA.
Please turn your speakers up to the LOUDEST possible setting.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The POTUS Spoke; the #Hate Continues
Just now, the natural-born 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., TOLD OFF the "carnival barkers" and those participating in the "birther" sideshow. He produced his "long-form" birth certificate from the State of Hawai'i from August 4, 1961. Hawai'i usually doesn't release the long forms, but hey, if the POTUS asked...
The Prez reminded people and he and the American people have much more important stuff to do and this stupid "no facts" distraction is ridiculous. He was speaking to the press, to the (hopefully) majority of Americans with some sense and to Congress. "O" acknowledged that there would still be those who would not believe him and try to keep this "issue" alive--sure enough, the Twitterverse was exploding with Republicans who called him a whiner and an "affirmative action" baby. Geez. Is this all they got?
Meanwhile, the carnival barker himself, the Donald, continued his racist rant, calling on President Obama to "get off the basketball court and do something about the high gas prices". You know, the Trumpster who gets along so well with "the Blacks"...
This is just a repeat of the insane Republican response in the spring 2008 to $4/gallon gas. Candidate Obama calmly told the country that yes, gas prices were high for many reasons, but they would come down again--they always do. He recommended some "in the meantime" actions that people could take--like ensuring that their tires were properly inflated to save gas. The Republicans mocked him and demanded that Congress repeal the gas tax NOW.
As usual, Mr. Obama was looking and planning long-term, while the Republicans had knee-jerk short-term "solutions". Republican candidate Senator John McCain did not even realize that: 1) it would take MONTHS for Congress to repeal the tax if at all; and 2) gasoline taxes pay for road repairs--repealing the tax and ending that revenue stream would put 1000s out of work and make our roads worse than they already are.
But no matter--it made a great soundbite. However, as usual, Mr. Obama was the only adult in the room and his policies made sense in the long run--gas prices were back down before the Democrats held their convention in August 2008 to announce Mr. Obama as their candidate for President.
The Republicans continue on with their "no answers/no plans" racist/empty suit agenda while the natural-born President of the United States works HARD for the betterment of America and ALL of its citizens.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Things to Do Thursday: Bunnyville at the Detroit Zoo
It's almost Easter and there are a lot of exciting activities for the kiddies this weekend. When is the last time you and the family went to the Zoo? We have one of the greatest zoos in the world right here in Metro Detroit. This Saturday, kids will have a whole day of fun stuff to do at the Detroit Zoo.
What is your favorite Detroit Zoo memory?
Things to Do Thursday: April Michigan Wine Tasting
Did you know that April is Michigan Wine Month? Did you know that there are many wonderful wines made and sold right here in our great city and state?
You can combine "Earth Day" celebrations with tastings of Michigan wines this Friday:
~ Friday Apr. 22 – Feeling eco-friendly and ready to drink at the same time? Come enjoy Earth Day Wine Tasting at Motor City Wine from 6:30PM to 9PM. Each wine falls into the eco-friendly category, whether it is made with organically grown grapes, is biodynamic, or are made sustainably with a low carbon footprint, you’re bound to feel good about yourself drinking down a glass of these fine wines! Michigan wines will also be featured. Check out the Website for ticket and event info.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Where ARE your Facebook Friends?
If you have noticed that things have changed in your newsfeed since Facebook made that drastic profile change a few weeks ago, you're not alone. Thanks to my Facebook friend Robert Randall for these tips. Pam's Facebook is: http://facebook.com/pamelahilliardowens Writing It Right For You Facebook Fan Page: http://facebook.com/wirfy Please make sure you are on both of my pages! Have you noticed that you are only seeing updates in your newsfeed from the same people lately? Have you also noticed that when you post things like status messages, photos and links, the same circle of people are commenting and you are not hearing from anyone else? ...The problem is that a large chunk of your contact list can't see anything you post and here's why: The "New Facebook" has a newsfeed setting that by default is automatically set to show ONLY posts from people you've recently interacted with or have interacted the most with (which would be limited to the couple of weeks just before people started switching to the "new profile"). So, in other words, for both business and personal pages, unless you or your friends/fans commented on one anothers posts within those couple of weeks - you are now invisible to them and they are invisible to you!! HERE'S THE FIX: On your homepage click the "Most Recent" title on the right of the Newsfeed, then click on the drop down arrow beside it and select "Edit Options". Click on "Show Posts From" and change the setting to "All Of Your Friends and Pages" (you can also access the "Edit Options" link at the very bottom of the Facebook homepage on the right) Note: Business pages do not have a newsfeed. Owners of business pages should adjust the settings on their personal accounts. The good news is: You can now view all of your friends and fans again. The bad news is: YOU ARE STILL INVISIBLE to a large portion of your list. If you want to re-establish contact, you will need to get the word out to ALL of your contacts by inviting them to this "event" or creating one of your own so they can read the post and adjust their settings. To invite your friends: Click on "Attending" at the top and then you will see an option to invite your friends under the smiley face. It’s public so everyone who logs onto Facebook can view it and even the friends who can’t see your posts WILL see the event invitation. You can also tweet about it, create a blog post or send out an email to your subscribers in hopes of reaching them all.PLEASE READ:
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE WHO USES FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL REASONS AND WISHES TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH THEIR CONTACTS!!
Words on Wednesday: The Global Worth of a Teacher
Lately, teachers and teachers' unions have been under full-blown assault here in Detroit and around the country. However, there are many countries around the world where teachers are honored and valued--and it is about a lot more than money.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Today in Black History
Cheyney State College in Cheyney PA is oneof the oldest Black colleges in the United States. It was opened in 1837 as a school for Black boys.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Tax Day: Post Office to Keep Regular Hours
Back in the "old days"--about 3 years ago--before most people started filing their annual tax returns electronically, the Downtown Detroit and Royal Oak, Michigan post offices stayed open until midnight to accept and stamp the returns for late filers. There was almost a party-like atmosphere, especially in Royal Oak where people dressed up like Uncle Sam. At both post offices, free aspirin was passed out as the postal workers ensured that returns had the correct postmark date.
No longer. E-filing of tax returns is now the way the majority of filers submit their taxes, and neither the Downtown Detroit Post Office nor the Royal Oak Post Office will offer extended hours this tax day. So, if you are still planning to file your taxes by snail mail, make sure that you get to the post office before the regular closing times: 7pm in Royal Oak and 10pm in Detroit.
Monday Musings: Tax Day!
Since Friday April 15 2011 was Emancipation Day in Washington DC, "Tax Day" for the United States was moved to today, April 18 2011. Of course, the irony of "Emancipation Day"--the day in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves in Washington D.C. ahead of the nationwide Emancipation Proclamation--is that District Residents STILL have no voting rights in Congress and are subject to "taxation without representation". But that issue is for another blog post at another time; probably over at my Black Liberal Boomer blog or at the Jack and Jill Politics blog where my husband is a regular contributor.
Meanwhile, here in the "D", we have a huge IRS Office formally known as the IRS Detroit Computing Center; located at 985 Michigan Avenue. You've seen it every time you've been downtown. It is part of the Detroit skyline, but understandably, there is no identifiable name on the building. You have until midnight tonight to file your taxes: e-filing is best, but the downtown Post Office at 1401 W Fort Street will also accept your paper tax returns and ensure that they are postmarked with today's date.
Have you completed filing your taxes? Do you file electronically? Are you expected a tax return?
Friday, April 15, 2011
OSF: Welcome Back, Detroit Symphony Orchestra!
We often dedicate Fridays to music from the "Old School", also known as "Grown Folks' Music". Most of the time, we recognize and secretly dance in our cubicles to pre-1990 songs by the Temptations, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gay, Aretha, etc. Here in Detroit, a city KNOWN for some of the greatest "Old School" music ever produced, we are so very glad to have our own Detroit Symphony Orchestra, also known as the #DSO, back to the stage after a lengthy absence.
First, when the DSO came back to the Max last week, they were greeted to an uber-exuberant standing ovation just for walking on stage!
Next, for your viewing and listening pleasure, the DSO playing the "1812 Overture"--an "Old School" song with lots of excitement and rhythm--and you can dance to it, too; especially the ending!
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