TALKING WITH CONGRESSMAN BOB GOODLATTE AT JUNETEENTH UNITY DAY
THE ARTIS BLOG ARCHIVES JULY, 2007
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THE ARTIS BLOG
7/30/07
* Some topics for discussion are just plain dumb. A few years ago after a political debate, I was stopped by an all knowing liberal White woman who had decided to give me an ear full.
* After telling me what a bad person I was for some of my conservative views, namely my views on personal responsibility and accountability, she told me that I should feel indebted to the Democratic Party. She told me that I should feel indebted to the Democratic Party because it was the Democratic Party that passed Civil Rights laws that made me who I was.
* I asked her which Democratic Party I should feel indebted to; the Democratic Party of George Wallace or the Democratic Party of the KKK.
* Frustrated, she then told me that I was the Whitest Black man that she had ever met. I asked her, "What could you possibly know about being a Black man?" I then asked her, "Are you saying I'm not Black enough because I think for myself or are you saying I'm not Black enough because every other word out of my mouth isn't mf or some other curse word?"
* She stared at me like she wanted to hit me, her face redder than an overripe tomato. Since I was on a roll, I added, "You may think I'm not Black enough for you. But, I get called a nigger, too." That was too much for her to take as she stormed off into the sunset.
* I thought of that exchange as I was listening to some talking heads discuss Democratic Presidential candidate, Barack Obama. The topic of their discussion was, "Is Barack Obama Black enough to win the Black vote?"
* Personally, I think any discussion on this topic is racist. No one ever asks White candidates if they are "White enough" to win the White vote.
* Plus, any discussion on this topic is insulting. This discussion reinforces the notion that Black people vote in lock step, that Black people are not capable of thinking for ourselves in order to make a decision on who to vote for.
* I don't have a problem with any discussion or question on what Obama needs to do to win the Black vote. Asking a candidate running for office what they need to do to win a particular voting block is a legitimate question.
* It's time to end the silliness of discussing whether or not Barack Obama is Black enough to win the Black vote. In this Presidential Election, we have more important issues to discuss.
SEE YOU WEDNESDAY
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
7/27/07
* If I were a betting man, I'd bet everything I own on a couple of things. I would bet that Mike Vick will never play for the Atlanta Falcons again. I would bet that unless the charges against Vick are dismissed or he is found not guilty in his upcoming trial, Vick's Nike days are over and he won't be playing football at any time this year.
* Some people say that Vick is innocent until proven guilty. I agree. However, some thing can't be overlooked. Someone had to bankroll the activities that Vick is accused of taking part in. Vick allowed his name to be used in association with the activities he is accused of taking part in. Vick owned property that is involved in the charges against him.
Courts usually hold people responsible the use of their name if their name is used for illegal activities. Courts usually hold people responsible for the money they give to their friends if that money is used for illegal activities. Courts usually hold people responsible for the property they own if that property is used for illegal activities.
* Vick says that he didn't know what his friends were doing with his money, his name and his property. However, courts and juries rarely allow ignorance of criminal activities, the "I Didn't Know Defense," to be a justification for innocence.
* Some say Vick is being picked on because he's Black. In this case, no way. Vick's in the bind he's in because he's either guilty or because he allowed his friends to take advantage of him. Either way, Vick should have known better. Vick should have known that public figures are always under a microscope.
As for the NFL telling Vick not to report to training camp, the NFL was correct in what it did. The NFL is, first and foremost, a business. Vick's situation has become a media circus. Any media circus that is based upon bad publicity is bad for business.
* America is a forgiving country. However, there are two things Americans will never forgive a person for doing. In this country, you will never be forgiven if you mess with children or if you mess with animals. If Vick were rich, White and a gifted pro athlete, the outrage against him would still be the same. The media coverage would be the same also.
* Some say Vick was right for looking out for his boys. I disagree. Loyalty, looking out for your boys, is a two way street. You look out for your boys when your boys look out for you. To do otherwise is just plain dumb.
* Why do I say this? Look for one of Vick's boys to cut a deal to sell Vick down the river, if one of his boys hasn't done so already. My gut tells me that one of Vick's boys is singing to the police like a pretty little song bird.
* We act like dog fighting is new. It isn't. Dog fighting has been around a long, long time. So let's stop blaming hip-hop culture and rap music for the problems Vick is facing. I'm 50-years-oId. I knew of dog fights when I was a kid.
* I'm sure Vick isn't the only pro athlete involved in dog fighting. I'm sure baseball, basketball and other football players are involved in dog fighting, too.
* If I were a betting man, I bet one more thing. If convicted of the charges against him, Vick will not see the inside of a jail cell.
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
5/25/07
* I am often asked, "What's wrong with today's children?" My answer usually surprises people. Whenever I'm asked, "What's wrong with today's children," I always answer, "Their parents."
* I know of situations where bad kids have good parents and good kids have bad parents. But, more often than not, good kids have good parents and bad kids have bad parents. As old folks used to say, "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree."
* Children need three things in life to be successful; love, structure and discipline. Too much of one and not enough of the other will always lead to problems.
* Two of the biggest problems with today's parents are, 1) parents trying to be their child's best friend and 2) parents putting their needs ahead of their children. Trying to be your child's best friend doesn't work. Any parent who puts their needs ahead of the needs of their children are just sorry individuals.
Don't get me wrong. You shouldn't give up life because just because you are a parent. However, if you are at the club more than you are at home taking care of your children, you are a sorry individual. If your children know their babysitter better than they know you and you don't have at least two jobs, you are a sorry individual. If you buy a new pair of rims instead of paying child support, you are a sorry individual. If you have a baby simply because you want to play Barbie, you are a sorry individual. (If you are lonely, buy a puppy.) If you make a baby just to feel like a man you are a sorry individual. Nothing upsets me more than some baby-maker walking around talking about "his" kids even though he fails to provide for them.
* There is a whole lot of silliness going on with today's parents. Parents trying to buy the love of their children by over-indulging them. Parents not setting limits. Parents supporting their children when they know their children are wrong. Parents serving their underage children alcohol at parties in their home. Parents partying with their children. Parents buying drugs for their children. Parents not keeping up with their children's school work. Parents not saying, "No," because they don't want their children to get mad at them. Parents allowing their children to be raised by the television, by video games and by other electronic media and then complaining about the outcome. Parents looking the other way as their children engage in a life of crime. Parents encouraging their children to engage in a life of crime. I could go on.
* To hear society talk, you would think that it is impossible to be a good parent today. I'm here to tell you that being a good parent is not impossible. Tough, yes. Impossible, no.
* To hear society talk, you would think that it's hard to be a decent parent. I'm here to tell you that it's not hard to be a decent parent, either.
* It's not easy being a decent or good parent. But, it's not impossible, either.
* Children need three things, love, structure and discipline in equal measure.
* If they can't get that from their parents, they will get it from somewhere. There's nothing wrong with today's kids.
SEE YOU FRIDAY
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
7/23/07
I love little kids. I've been a lot of things. But, I've never been an amusement park before. Check out the following picture and video to see what I mean. And check out the pictures and another video clip from the ALLEN-ROBINSON FAMILY REUNION. A link to those pictures and video clips are posted under "THE ARTIS BLOG" link to the top left of this page. Good people. Good family. I'm a lucky man.
* Where is it written that young Black brothers and sisters have to be criminals, have to be "hard" in order to be "real" Black men and women? Or is hope so unrealistic to so many of our young Black brothers and sisters that they feel they have no other choice but to engage in criminal behavior in order to achieve some kind of American Dream?
* According to the Sentencing Project, Blacks in the U.S. are put in prison at a rate that is more than 5 times greater than Whites.
* Iowa had the greatest disparity in the United States, with black going to prison at a rate that is 13 times higher than Whites.
* In fact, Blacks in Iowa go to prison at double the national average. Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut and Wisconsin put Blacks in prison at more than 10 times the rate Whites go to prison.
* There can be no argument that there are injustices in the American justice system which contribute to these figures. However, in my opinion, injustice in the American justice system is a contributing factor, not the main factor, when it comes to the prison rate of Black Americans. As I've said many, many times. If you don't to the crime, you won't have to do the time.
* Let's be honest. The statistics clearly show that year after year, the majority of the victims of Black criminals are Black people. Crime in Black America is usually Black on Black crime. In addition, there are certain givens, certain realities, about crime and criminality in the Black community. You know from the start that if you are Black and you engage in criminal behavior, you are eventually going to get caught and you are eventually going to go to jail, unless someone kills you first. In this case, the person pulling the trigger is usually going to be Black. What is the Number One cause death of young Black men? Murder by other Black men.
If you are Black in America, you know that you will get more time in jail for the crime you commit than anyone else. You know that as a Black person, when you get out of jail for committing a crime, it will be harder for you to get a second chance than anyone else. Plus, I'm willing to wager that 99 times out of 100, the person most responsible for helping the police and the courts send a person to jail is probably a homeboy or a homegirl who flipped in order to save their behinds or flipped out of jealousy.
* This is nothing new. The givens and the realities about being a Black criminal in America have been around since the birth of this country. But, why does it appear that in the last 25 years it has become so hard for Black people to understand the realities of being a Black criminal in America?
* There are many reasons for this lack of understanding. 1) Ego. Some criminals think only "suckas" get caught and they are not a "sucka." 2) Greed. Some criminals think I'm gonna get mine now. 3) Instant gratification and recognition. Some criminals think that if they live a life of crime, they will be important. 4) Unrealistic justification. Some criminals think racism is justification to lead a life of crime, "It's hard out here for a Brother/ Sister. If I were White, I wouldn't have to do what I do." 5) Hopelessness. What is there to do to make money other than being a criminal? 6) Some people just live the criminal lifestyle and the so called "perks" that come with it.
* I catch a lot of flack in some circles for talking about Black crime and taking a stance on Black crime. But, the people who give me the most flack on this issue can't answer one very important question. If Black people won't help ourselves by doing everything we can to stay out of jail, whois going to help us stay out of jail? The answer to this question is no one. Black crime is our problem. If we as Black people won't attempt to solve the problem of Black crime, no one else will.
* Some have accused me of selling out Black people, of picking on young Black men concerning Black crime. No, I'm not picking on anyone. I just live my life by 10 simple rules. Four of those rules plainly say, "Thou Shall Honor God, Thou Shall Not Worship False gods," "Thou Shall Not Kill," Thou Shall Not Steal," and "Thou Shall Not Lie Or Bear False Witness." These rules have been around for thousands of years. Everyone should live by these rules. In my opinion, if you don't speak out when people don't follow these rules, you are not much of a person.
I'LL SEE YOU MONDAY.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
7/18/07
* There are times when a person does something and you ask yourself, "What was that person thinking?" There are other times when a person does something and you say to yourself, "What an idiot!" In the case of NFL player Mike Vick there's only one thing anyone can say. What an idiot!
* When I think of Vick's situation, I think of my old high school coaches. I was a top athlete back in the day. In high school, I set track and field records that still haven't been broken. I got offered a basketball scholarship to Marshall University even though I didn't play basketball in my senior year of high school. I could dunk a basketball from the foul line.
* In college, I was the first James Madison University track and field athlete to be named ECAC All-Conference. I'm still listed in the Top 10 in three track events at JMU. I could run a 10.2 hundred meters. Somewhere I have a gold medal from the 1980 Penn Relays in the mile relay.
* Injuries prevented me from making the 1980 Olympic Trials. I missed the trials that year by .02 seconds in spite of running most of the season with a cracked vertebra in my lower back, torn back muscles and a bum hamstring caused by trying to come back from my back injury too soon. When I hurt my back, the doctors told me I'd be able to run again in three months. I was running in practice 9 days later. I only missed two track meets.
* Why did I do it? My high school coaches always told never to take my athletic ability for granted, that athletic ability is a gift that eventually goes away. I wasn't about to let an injury get in the way of my one and only chance of going to the Olympic Trials.
* In college, I had a lot of things thrown at me; women, money, drugs. I said no to the money and the drugs. I didn't want to lose my college eligibility and I knew drugs would hurt my performance on the track. There were times when my home boys wanted me to hook them up. Someone was always trying to get me to do the wrong thing. But, through it all, I never forgot what my high school coaches told me.
* My high school coaches always told me that as an athlete, I would always be a target. And because I was a target for both good and bad people, I needed to watch my back. They told me that as an athlete someone would always be watching me looking for both good and bad. They told me that for all of the people who were patting me on the back as their hero, there would be just as many people who would stop at nothing to tear me down. My high school coaches told me never do anything that would embarrass myself. They told me to always be careful who I hung out with because sometimes your friends aren't really your friends.
* No, I wasn't the perfect athlete. I got the big head. No, I got a big water head. After 4 1/2 years of college, when my athletic eligibility was up, I was only a second semester sophomore. With the exception of Spanish and math, college was easy for me. However, spending time with the opposite sex was more important to me than going to class. I did some dumb things. But, while an athlete, the dumb things I did weren't illegal and they were done behind closed doors. Although I wasn't in high school anymore, I never forgot what my high school coaches told me.
* I don't know if Vick is guilty or innocent. But, I know this. Vick's high school coaches probably told him the same thing I was told. Even if his high school coaches said nothing to Vick, common sense says that when you are an athlete, you've got a big bulls-eye eye on both your chest and your back. Common sense says that you can't do anything without someone eventually finding out about it, especially if what your are doing is illegal. Because of this scrutiny, you have no other choice but to keep your nose clean. You have to be careful who your boys are. You have to have eyes in the back of your head. This is especially true when you are superstar athlete and you are being paid hundreds of millions of dollars for your athletic ability.
* Mike Vick? The man has a $100 million body and a ten cent head. I don't feel sorry for him. If he's guilty, he's a sick man who should have known better. If he's innocent, Vick's a guy who got played by his boys. Still, Vick should have know better. Either way, Vick put himself in a position where he should have known better. What an idiot.
SEE YOU FRIDAY.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
7/16/07
* On Friday, I asked the question, "Are civil rights organizations a thing of the past?"
* It's no big secret that the number of members in civil rights organizations have been in decline for some time.
* It's no big secret that contributions to civil rights organizations have been in decline for some time.
* It's no big secret that there's a growing generation gap between those adults in civil rights organizations and minority youth. Many will even say that civil rights organizations are out of touch with today's minority youth.
* It's no big secret that there is a growing tension between local and national chapters of civil rights organizations over who should be supporting who.
* However, one thing hasn't changed. Whenever a minority member has a problem, that minority member will usually contact a civil rights organization for help. As long as this continues to happen, no one can say civil rights organizations are a thing of the past.
* I was going to post some complaint E-mails I got from The Onzlee Ware Fan Club, TOWFC, today. I changed my mind. TOWFC is upset with me over some of the content in THE ARTIS BLOG. TOWFC claims I've attacked Mr. Ware on my blog for the past several months and they are sick and tired of it. I had every intention of posting these E-mails until I remembered that the supporters of the Hershberger Road methadone clinic here in Roanoke, Va. were upset with me a few years ago over "PLAN SHUT IT DOWN," a page on jeffartis.com. Instead of E-mailing me with their complaints, the supporters of the Hershberger Road methadone clinic made a web page, had people post comments on the web page's message board and sent me a link to the web page.
* The web page was quite impressive. They had my picture on it, with a little devil beard and horns growing out of the top of my head. The caption of the picture called me, "THE ANTI-CHRIST." The comments on the message board were impressive, too. Some were quit creative, although one person suggested that I be taken out and shot because of my opposition to the Hershberger Road methadone clinic. And all this time I thought liberals were passive, non-violent and anti-gun. I guess I was wrong about that one.
* Anyway, I got to thinking. If the methadone clinic folks could take the time to create a web page to vent about little ole' me, then members of The Onzlee Ware Fan Club could do the same thing. They could create a MySpace page. They could call it, "JEFF ARTIS IS A JACKASS AND HERE'S WHY." Maybe calling the page, "JEFF ARTIS IS A SELF CENTERED EGOTIST AND HERE'S WHY," will draw more traffic. Either way, they can send me the link and I'll post the link on jeffartis.com.
The Big Lie, which TOWFC apparently believes in is, I'm a person that people just can't stand. Of course, it's not true. But, people will say anything just to shut me up. The people who like to tell this lie are the liars, crooks, fat cats, incompetent public officials and their supporters who wish I would just go away. But, that ain't gonna happen. The way I see it, if you don't like what I write on jeffartis.com, read another website. After all, this is America.
Right is right. Wrong is wrong. As long as people are being treated like second class citizens, as long as people are being exploited, as long as there are inequities in our social, political, legal and economic systems, there will be a www.jeffartis.com. And if people don't like what I write, too bad. To my many supporters, thank you. No matter what, I've got your back and I won't sell you out. To my few detractors and critics, get over it. The problem isn't me. The problem is you and your perverted definition of right and wrong.
SEE YOU WEDNESDAY
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
7/13/07
* Two of my heroes have recently passed. I have always been in awe of Roanoke, Va.'s Ms. Margie Jumper, called by many, "the Rosa Parks of the Roanoke Valley." Ten years before Rosa Parks, Ms. Jumper refused to give up her seat on a Roanoke streetcar to a White man. Ms. Jumper's act was an act of courage that should be awe inspiring today. But, in today's world, Ms. Jumper's actions are misunderstood by a generation of people who don't understand just how dangerous Ms. Jumper's act of courage actually was. Many people in today's America just don't understand that Ms. Jumper's act of courage could have easily been a death sentence. Many people in today's America don't understand that at that time, Ms. Jumper could have been easily been killed in broad daylight at 12 noon, in front of 1,000 people. No one would have been convicted for what they did. The local media would have blamed Ms. Jumper for getting herself killed. That's how dangerous Ms. Jumper's act of courage was in 1940 America. Thank God, that didn't happen.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Jumper. I usually don't get weak kneed meeting people. But, in the case of Ms. Jumper, I knew that without her sacrifice and the sacrifices of others, I wouldn't be where I am today and I couldn't do what I do today. I've never forgotten that I owe a debt to those who came before me. That's why when I met Ms. Jumper for the first time, I was speechless. Meeting your heroes has a way of doing that to you.
I love living in the Roanoke Valley. But, the Roanoke Valley is an area where many people of color are often afraid of their own shadows, especially men of color. These could take and should take a lesson from Ms. Jumper. We all should take lessons from Ms. Jumper. She was a great woman. She was a woman of courage. She was a woman of conviction. She was a woman who was a true hero. She will be greatly missed.
To read more about Ms. Jumper, please click on one of the following links.
* I've always been a fan of Lady Bird Johnson. She was an outspoken supporter of the 1964 Civil Rights Bill and one of America's first conservationists. On the Mount Rushmore of First Ladies, there is Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Lady Bird Johnson. Whenever you're driving down a highway and you see wild flowers instead of billboards, thank Lady Bird Johnson.
* I'm not surprised. The U.S. Government says federal law enforcement agencies committed civil rights violations in the name of The Patriot Act. I told you this would happen.
* I'm not surprised. A government report says al-Qaida is as strong now as the organization was before 9/11. First, we should have taken care of business in Afghanistan before invading Iraq. Second, we never should have invaded Iraq.
* I'm not surprised. A government report says the Iraq government has failed to meet set benchmarks in the formation of the new Iraq government. Of the 18 benchmarks Congress wanted the Iraqi Government to meet, only 8 were met to the satisfaction of Congress. President Bush calls this progress. I call this something else.
* I'm not surprised. Barack Obama is raising a ton of money for his Presidential campaign by going after small money donors, those who give $5, $10, $25, or $50 campaign contributions instead of the big money contributions. Is the Democratic Party retuning to it's roots? Probably not, but, it's nice to think about.
* I'm often asked if I'm a Republican or a Democrat. I'm neither. I vote for the best candidate in any election. And if he or she doesn't do the job they promised to do once elected, I vote for someone else. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who displays blind devotion or loyalty to a particular political party is being foolish. As I've said before, in the 21'st Century, the only difference between political parties is their mascots. Other than that, they're all the same. Let's be serious. Since the Dems have taken over Congress, have we really seen any kind of change. It looks like business as usual to me.
* The Center For Responsible Lending says banks make $17.5 billion each year charging their customers overdraft fees. And you thought the banks were going broke.
* I hope to see you at Washington Park in Roanoke, Va. on Saturday, July 14, at 6 P.M. to help "FED UP" stop the violence among our youth in Roanoke, Va. Some people talk. Some people do. "FED UP" does. We need to help "FED UP" save our children. It's a good organization, with good people who want to help our children.
COMING MONDAY: ARE CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS A THING OF THE PAST?
SEE YOU MONDAY
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
7/11/07
* I've been a baaad boy. It seems I've upset Henry Hale of the Onzlee Ware Fan Club who was deeply offended by my comments about him on an ARTIS BLOG I posted last month. Oh well. You can't please everyone, especially members of the OWFC. Hale says I attacked him. I didn't. I made fun of him. You see, members of the OWFC are like members of the Paris Hilton Fan Club. OWFC members, like Paris Hilton Fan Club members, always feel persecuted, always feel picked on, always feel their man/woman is always persecuted and always feel they can do no wrong.
I will say that members of the OWFC are different than Onzlee Ware supporters. I respect Onzlee Ware supporters. We talk. We have intelligent debates on the issues. But, OWFC members? Please. OWFC members give new meaning to the words, "Why is everybody always picking on me?" They are whiners, hypocrites and whiners. Did I say whiners twice? Good. It fits. Anyway, I'll be posting Hale's letter in the coming weeks. Get your tissues ready. It's a good one.
* Speaking of the Onzlee Ware Fan Club, they are at it again, tearing down Mac McCadden campaign signs. But, that's Democrats for you. Republicans come at you full bore. Democrats come at you in the middle of the night and then swear they didn't do it. Members of the Onzlee Ware Fan Club always blame someone else when something dirty goes down.
* I know how dirty and petty politics can be. I've run for office twice, in '95 and '96. I ran as a Republican. Some folks were outraged that I would run for office as a Republican being a Black man. But, those folks don't know the real story as to why I did what I did. I had checked out the Roanoke Democratic Party. I was told I could join. However, I was also told I had to sit in the corner and keep my mouth shut. On the other hand, the Republicans contacted me, asked me to come on board and encouraged me to run for office.
* If not for the Religious Right faction of the Republican Party and the right wing faction of the Republican Party going off the deep end on social and racial issues, things would have worked out fine. However, there was no way I was going to turn my back on Blacks, the poor, women rights, abortion rights and gay rights. I sell out for no one.
* During both of my campaigns and on Election Day, Republican operatives openly campaigned for my opponents, Vic Thomas in 1995, and Nelson Harris in 1996. At the polls on Election Day, Republican operatives were passing out campaign literature for Thomas and later for Harris. But, that's cool. That's their right. I woke up the day after both elections with my head held high.
* The Democratic Party went after my family in the '95 campaign. They busted out the windows of my car. A few weeks later, my wife was driving our car when it blew up. I was told that someone had messed with the engine. At school, my children were told I was going to be killed. Someone covered the bottom of my 7-year-old daughter's kiddie pool with ground glass. Luckily, I had decided not to campaign that day to stay at home in order to spend time with my family. Luckily, I happened to be on the back porch when my daughter came running out of the backdoor to jump in her pool. I caught her at the last minute. Early in the campaign, some racist called my house telling me, "Ain't no Nigger going to beat Vic Thomas. You won't be alive on Election Day."
I asked Vic Thomas and the Democrats to publicly condemn what was happening to my family. Of course, in typical fashion, they refused. The police came, looked, and they said there was nothing they could do. Many people, including the so-called leaders of Roanoke's Black community and Roanoke NAACP told me behind closed doors that I got what I deserved. Publicly, they said nothing. Some things you don't forget.
* I had a falling out with The Roanoke Times during the '95 election. In an article talking about my position on domestic violence, the paper took a shot at my mother and my wife, insinuating that my mother and wife were loose women. (I'm being polite.) After I sent out a press release telling The Roanoke Times, "they could kiss my Black behind," the paper never went after my family again. The paper sent me a written apology. I accepted their apology. However, I'll never forget what The Roanoke Times wrote. I'll never forget seeing my mother and wife in tears over what was written in the newspaper.
Some people said I was a bad guy for doing what I did. Some people said I was nuts. But, I have always considered myself a husband and a father first, anything else is second. As I've said many times, you can come after me all day long. But, if you go after my family, it's on. And I will take no prisoners. As far as I'm concerned, any man that doesn't protect his family isn't much of a man.
* Not much happened to me and my family during my '96 campaign. I was asked by a reporter what I would do I someone came after my family again. I told the reporter, "I sure won't get down on my knees and sing, We Shall Overcome." Again, people said I was a bad guy. Oh, well. Some things are more important than winning an election.
* Will I ever run for office again? I don't see it. I'm having too much fun doing what I do now.
* Anyway, exposing the "thug politics" of certain political candidates is a full time job. Thug politics has no place in American politics. If you're scared, buy a dog.
SEE YOU FRIDAY.
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
7/9/07
If you are a regular reader of THE ARTIS BLOG, you know that I'm hard on liars, crooks, fat cats, cowards and whiners. So let me give you a warning. If you are in love with these types of people, log off right now. I'd hate to hurt your feelings. Let's keep it real starting with. . .
* Paris Hilton got what she deserved. In fact, she got off easy.
* Much has been made of the new fines in Virginia for bad drivers who hold Virginia driver's license. Yes, these fines should apply to all drivers, not just those from Virginia. However, the simple fact is, if you don't break the law while driving, if you obey simple traffic rules, you don't have anything to worry about. If you drink and drive, if you drive 20 mph over the speed limit, if you don't use your turn signals, if you drive without a driver's license, if you drive on a suspended driver's license, hey, I don't have any sympathy for you if you get pulled over by the police and get fined.
* The Valley View Mall in Roanoke, Va. has instituted a shopper's curfew on Friday and Saturday night. After 6 P.M. on these two days, you cannot be at the mall if you are under 18 and you are not with an adult or a parent. Good. The mall's a place of business, not a playground.
* Many people say that there's nothing for the youth of Roanoke, Va. to do. With a city wide drop out rate of 42%, some say higher, and with statistics clearly showing that the Roanoke, Va. Public School System is one of the worst school systems in Virginia, there's plenty for kids to do. Study.
* I'm tired so of the so called leaders of Roanoke's Black community going into the White community and saying one thing, before returning to the Black community and saying something totally opposite. Yo' brothers, man up.
* I'm equally as tired of people in Roanoke's Black community popping off about so called unity and then going out and stabbing those who truly care about Roanoke's Black community in the back. Lead, follow, or get the h#*l out of the way. It's that simple.
* Last Saturday, the Roanoke NAACP held a forum on how to deal with the police when stopped. Forty people showed up. I have to ask, where were the young people, the ones who are always saying how bad the Roanoke Police Dept. is? To my young brothers and sisters, no one can help you if you aren't willing to get the information to help yourself. Speaking of which, if you don't try to run over policemen with your car while having 9 bags of crack in your car, you probably won't get shot in the leg by the police.
* Well, given the Supreme Court's decision of a couple of weeks ago, affirmative action is dead. If affirmative action isn't dead, affirmative action is certainly on life support. "The Big Lie" that White men are being oppressed and discriminated against by minorities finally won the day. Funny thing, though. Those same White men and misguided minorities who say affirmative action is such a bad thing have no problem using their own special brand of affirmative action to get ahead.
After all, where would George Bush and people like him be if they weren't first given special consideration because of their last name or their economic class. In the case of Clarence Thomas, a critic of affirmative action, where would he be if it weren't for the very policies he is now so much against? The public record clearly shows that Bush, Thomas and people like them didn't get a leg up on their competition because they were qualified. Bush, Thomas and the people like them are hypocrites, pure and simple.
* And to those who are selling the gloom and doom of the Supreme Court's affirmative action decision, let me say this. First, with almost a trillion dollars in disposable income, the Black community can control the politics and economics of the Black community if it chooses to do so. Second, Bush told us exactly what he was going to do if he became President in 2000 and again in 2004. What did Black people do on Election Day? We stayed home and didn't vote in the numbers that we should have voted. If you didn't vote in these two elections, don't complain.
* Let me close by saying this. As you know, I am a huge fan of professional rasslin'. That said, I don't feel sorry for Chris Benoit. I'm sad that he's gone. I feel sorry for his wife and his child that he killed. But, I don't feel sorry for Benoit.
The Benoit case is simply horrible. I wish it didn't happen. But, no one held a gun to Benoit's head and told him to abuse steroids. If Benoit was clean and had snapped, that would be one thing. However, as it stands now, the Benoit case is a clear case of domestic violence that ended with two murders and a suicide. Any man who hits a woman, any man who kills a woman, isn't a man. He's a thug. Any man who kills his child, any woman who kills her child, anyone who kills a child, period, isn't worth a damn.
SEE YOU WEDNESDAY
KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!
THE ARTIS BLOG
7/6/07
STOMP THE VIOLENCE
I hope you had a happy Fourth of July. I'll be back Monday, July 9 with my next ARTIS BLOG. Until then let me tell you about an upcoming event from ACTING FAITH MINISTRIES. Check it out if you can. It's going to be a good one. ACTING FAITH MINISTRIES is an organization that has it going on as an organization that tries to help our young people. Again, check this event out if you have a chance. You won't be sorry. Some people do. Some people talk. ACTING FAITH MINISTRIES does. Help ACTING FAITH MINISTRIES "STOMP THE VIOLENCE," on JULY 7, 2007 at the Roanoke Civic Center. It's time to save our youth.
On July 7, 2007, Independent Gospel Music Award (IGMA) Recipient and AFR Recording Artist, Nicole Page, will be recording her new solo project, "DELIVER ME" live at the Roanoke Civic Center. Ms. Page is best known for her first CD, "TOMMY & NICOLE ENCOURAGE U" and most recently "THE MARY PROJECT."
July 7, 2007, is God's perfected day to host such an awesome crusade that will benefit those communities dealing with drugs and gang violence, as well as, support those communities battling the disease of sickle cell anemia. This concert will promote unity to help with these problems. This concert will promote unity to help "STOMP THE VIOLENCE" in the Roanoke Valley by allowing ACTING FAITH MINISTRIES, the Alpha & Omega Step Teams, along with the various Greek fraternities and sororities, to perform a brief step demonstration to show that unity is needed to combat these problems. Leaders from the Roanoke community will speak briefly about the different issues dealing with drugs and gang violence that will help the community to take back our youth.
Others participating in this event are THE MOYER BROTHERS, TEMPLE OF THE WAY OUR DANCERS, OFF DA HOOK and a host of others. All performers will minister through song and dance and show our support for this crusade.
Information booths will be available with representatives to distribute information on Sickle Cell Anemia in addition to other diverse community resources for our youth and their families to take advantage of. Partial proceeds from this wonderful event will go towards SICKLE CELL DISEASE RESEARCH and PROJECT VILLA HEIGHTS. PROJECT VILLA HEIGHTS is an effort by ACTING FAITH MINISTRIES to obtain and assist in the restoration of the Villa Heights Community Center located in the heart of Northwest Roanoke, Va.
Tickets for this event are available at Tickets.com and the Life Way Christian Book Store at the Valley View Mall. Ticket for this wonderful event are $12.50 in advance and $15.50 at the door. For more information on this event, please call ACTING FAITH MINISTRIES, (540)529-5583 or (540)378-9408. For more information on ACTING FAITH MINISTRIES, please log onto, www.actingfaithministries.com.
