Of all of the things I have accomplished in my life, none has given me more satisfaction than being a father and a grandfather. Many men feel the same way I do. However, fatherhood in our society have been devalued greatly over the past 40 years for a number of reasons.
We are losing our children, pure and simple. One of the reasons we are losing our children is because many of us have abdicated our role in being a father to these lost children. Somewhere, somehow, we have decided as men, that our lives are more important than the lives of our children. We have decided as men that our wants and needs are more important then the wants and needs of our children. This is wrong. As a consequence, when we look into the mirror and ask what is wrong with our children, quite often the answer is looking us in the face.
Children are a gift from God. They need to be treated as such. I have three children, one deceased. To be honest, there is nothing I wouldn't do for my children and grandson. I get after them when they are wrong. I support them up when they're right. I've done without so they can have. There have been times I've told them ,"No." We've shed our tears of joy. We've shed our tears of sorrow. We've had our fights and arguments. I've been wrong a few times in how I've handled things. Through it all, I love them and they love me. Most important, there's very little I would have done differently in raising my children and helping to raise my grandson.
I've often said that a man who doesn't take care of his children isn't worth a warm bucket of spit. Some say this is harsh. It isn't harsh at all. In this age of PC, we've forgotten about honesty. Given the current state of many of our children, honesty is something that is sorely needed in our society. Some men try to justify why they aren't the father they should be. However, there is no justification for not taking care of your children. I'll tell a man in a minute, "You made that child. You had fun making that child. Now take care of that child. After all, that child didn't ask to come into this world."
I'm sick and tired of men who claim to love their children, but, when the time comes to "take care" of their children, they are no where to be found. You can't truly love a child if that love doesn't come with financial support, proper guidance, putting aside your wants and needs for the needs of your child, emotional support for your partner regardless of whether you live together or not, or if you are a man who is still breast feeding at 21, letting your Momma run your life instead of being a real man and taking care of your business on your own. After all, Momma wasn't that bedroom when you made that baby. If she was then something is seriously wrong. These are all topics I will be discussing in the coming months.
I'll leave you with one thing. The primary goal of all Dads should be to want their children to become successful adults. For this to happen, children need three things. Children need love. Children need structure. Children need discipline. Children must receive love, structure and discipline in equal measure. Giving a child love, structure and discipline must start from day one. Too much of one and not enough of another is a recipe for problems on down the road.
Let me say one other thing. Dads, I'm going to tell you this right now. The way you were raised as a child may not work in raising your child in today's society. For example, maybe you got whippins' as a child. That type of discipline may not work on your children today. Also, you must always remember that your child is not a carbon copy of you, especially if your child is a boy. What do I mean? You may have been a star football player in your youth. Maybe your son will grow up not interested in playing sports at all. You may not have gone to college. Maybe your son wants to be a college graduate. Sometimes to be a successful Dad, you've got to check your ego at the door. There's nothing wrong with that. If you think there's something wrong with checking your ego at the door when dealing with your children, there's noting wrong with your children. There's something wrong with you.
I can think of no greater honor than being a Dad or a Grandfather. Our children are gifts from God. They should be treated as such.
WE THE PEOPLE
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THE ARTIS BLOG
5/12/10
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Jeff --
Today, it is my great honor to nominate our Solicitor General, and my friend, Elena Kagan, to be the next justice of the United States Supreme Court.
As I send my nomination to the Senate, I wanted to record a special message for you that I hope will help us launch a national discussion.
Elena is widely regarded as one of the best legal minds of her generation -- earning praise from across the ideological spectrum throughout her career. Above all, she is a trailblazer. She wasn't just the first woman to serve as dean of Harvard Law School -- she was one of its most beloved and successful leaders, building a reputation for openness to other viewpoints and skill in working with others to build consensus. These were some of the many reasons why I selected her to be my Solicitor General, the nation's chief advocate -- the first woman to hold that post as well.
Her work as Solicitor General has allowed me to see firsthand just why Elena is particularly well-suited to the Court: She has not only a keen understanding of the law, but also one that is rooted in a deep awareness of its impact on people's lives. Last year, she made that clear -- choosing the Citizens United case as her first to argue before the Supreme Court, defending bipartisan campaign finance reform against special interests seeking to spend unlimited money to influence our elections.
Now, I look forward to the prospect of Elena taking her seat alongside Justice Ginsberg and Justice Sotomayor. For the first time, our nation's highest court would include three women, ensuring a Court that would be more inclusive, more representative, more reflective of us as a people than ever before.
When Justice Stevens wrote me to announce his retirement, I knew that the Court would be losing a standard bearer. And I felt a responsibility to nominate an individual capable of being that same guiding force, a consistent voice of reason on the Court.
I am certain I have made the right choice. As you learn more about Elena, I am confident you'll see what I do -- that she is a voice we need on the Supreme Court.
Please watch the message -- and share it with others:
In trying times, we can all use a little humor. Check out these riddles.
1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?
2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?
3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away ?
4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday?
5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!
THE ANSWERS TO ALL FIVE THE RIDDLES ARE BELOW:
Answers:
1. The third room. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead. That one was easy, right?
2. The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry (shot; held under water; and hung).
3. Charcoal, as it is used in barbecuing.
4. Sure you can name three consecutive days, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
5. The letter e, which is the most common letter used in the English language, does not appear even once in the paragraph.
How did you do?
SEE YOU SOON
WE THE PEOPLE
THE ARTIS BLOG
5/1/10
YOU ARE INVITED TO "JUNETEENTH 2010"
On June 12'th at 12 noon, the Roanoke, Va. Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the SCLC, will hold "JUNETEENTH 2010," at Washington Park in Roanoke, Va. Now in our 4'th year, the SCLC's JUNETEENTH Celebration is a day where we not only celebrate the end of slavery in America, we also celebrate unity, fellowship and brotherhood.
Due to the generosity of Wal-Mart, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Heiner's Bakery, Little Debbie, the City of Roanoke, Va., AARP and others "JUNETEENTH 2010" is free to the public; food and entertainment included.
What is "JUNETEENTH"? The American Civil War ended April 9, 1865. However, the last slaves held in the former Confederate States of America did not know of their freedom until June 19, 1865. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger led the United States Army into Galveston, Texas. Upon arriving in Galveston, General Granger read "General Order Number 3" which stated:
"The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."
With General Granger's reading of "General Order Number 3," the last 250,000 slaves of the former Confederacy were freed. The date of June 19, 1865, became known as "Juneteenth Day," the day all of the slaves in the South were finally free.
"JUNETEENTH 2010" is also part of the Roanoke SCLC's gang prevention program. The Roanoke SCLC wants to provide our young people with an opportunity to meet positive role models from all spectrums and all walks of life in hope that our youth will become productive citizens. To meet this objective, businesses, churches, and civic organizations are welcome to participate in "JUNETEENTH 2010" by setting up a table free of charge for community education.
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., founder of the SCLC, "JUNETEENTH 2010" is a community gathering. "JUNETEENTH 2010" is a day where we can all come together as brothers and sisters regardless of race, color, creed, socioeconomic level or political party affiliation to have a good time and to get to know each other better.
The Roanoke SCLC would be honored for you to attend and/or participate in this wonderful event of unity, fellowship and brotherhood. Again, donations of canned goods will be taken at "JUNETEENTH 2010" for the Southwest Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank. Please feel free to give me a call. "JUNETEENTH 2010," FREE FOOD, FREE ENTERTAINMENT, A FREE GOOD TIME.
Yours truly, Jeff Artis, "JUNETEENTH 2010"
(540)355-4118
WE THE PEOPLE
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THE ARTIS BLOG
4/19/10
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
It has now been well over a year since the near collapse of our entire financial system that cost the nation more than 8 million jobs. To this day, hard-working families struggle to make ends meet.
We've made strides -- businesses are starting to hire, Americans are finding jobs, and neighbors who had given up looking are returning to the job market with new hope. But the flaws in our financial system that led to this crisis remain unresolved.
Wall Street titans still recklessly speculate with borrowed money. Big banks and credit card companies stack the deck to earn millions while far too many middle-class families, who have done everything right, can barely pay their bills or save for a better future.
We cannot delay action any longer. It is time to hold the big banks accountable to the people they serve, establish the strongest consumer protections in our nation's history -- and ensure that taxpayers will never again be forced to bail out big banks because they are "too big to fail."
That is what Wall Street reform will achieve, why I am so committed to making it happen, and why I'm asking for your help today.
We know that without enforceable, commonsense rules to check abuse and protect families, markets are not truly free. Wall Street reform will foster a strong and vibrant financial sector so that businesses can get loans; families can afford mortgages; entrepreneurs can find the capital to start a new company, sell a new product, or offer a new service.
Consumer financial protections are currently spread across seven different government agencies. Wall Street reform will create one single Consumer Financial Protection Agency -- tasked with preventing predatory practices and making sure you get the clear information, not fine print, needed to avoid ballooning mortgage payments or credit card rate hikes.
Reform will provide crucial new oversight, give shareholders a say on salaries and bonuses, and create new tools to break up failing financial firms so that taxpayers aren't forced into another unfair bailout. And reform will keep our economy secure by ensuring that no single firm can bring down the whole financial system.
With so much at stake, it is not surprising that allies of the big banks and Wall Street lenders have already launched a multi-million-dollar ad campaign to fight these changes. Arm-twisting lobbyists are already storming Capitol Hill, seeking to undermine the strong bipartisan foundation of reform with loopholes and exemptions for the most egregious abusers of consumers.
I won't accept anything short of the full protection that our citizens deserve and our economy needs. It's a fight worth having, and it is a fight we can win -- if we stand up and speak out together.
So I'm asking you to join me, starting today, by adding your name as a strong supporter of Wall Street reform:
Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
WE THE PEOPLE
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4/19/10
A MESSAGE FOR THE BROTHERS
As warm weather hits and summer begins, I have a message to my young Black brothers out there. Stop being your own worst enemy. Stop getting involved in the American criminal justice system. Stop making babies you do not want to take care of. Stop flunking out of school. Stop chasing unrealistic dreams. Stop thinking you cannot be successful because you are Black, poor, or come from a single parent household. Stop thinking that racism will always hold the Black man down. Stop blaming the White man for all of your problems. Start thinking that the only thing keeping you from becoming a success are the limitations you place on yourself.
There is no excuse for the numbers we have in the Black community when it comes to the rates we have in the areas of crime, teenage pregnancies, absentee fathers, students dropping out of school, unemployment and underemployment, the HIV/AIDS and a host of other problems that adversely and disproportionately affect the Black community, especially when the solutions to these problems are so readily available.
It starts with self. Believe in yourself. Do not base your self worth on what others are telling you. Understand that those who say you are no good simply because you want to succeed only say so because they do not want you to succeed. This includes family members and friends who do not want you to succeed because your failure makes them feel better. Do not fall for this “crabs-in-a-barrel” mentality where people do not want you to be successful because they cannot be. Simply put, do not let anyone crush your dreams.
You must realize that you can do nothing without an education. It doesn’t matter if you can run as fast as a horse, jump out of a gym, sing like a bird or throw a baseball 100 mph. Without an education, you are doomed to being controlled instead of being in control. After all, isn't that what's life is all about, being able to do what you want when you want?
As your generation says, “It’s all about the Benjamins.” You need to understand that the most important thing you have to do in your life is get a good education. Education holds the keys to being successful in life. The more education you have, the more Benjamins you will make.
I hear a number of you young Brothers talking about being “hard.“ You take pride in your ability to beat someone up, fire a gun or disrespect young girls who should know better. Your vocabulary consists of words that should never be used in public. Brothers, let me tell you the truth. Being “hard” isn’t being a man. Being "hard" just makes you expendable.
Let me tell you something else. The most dangerous Black man in America doesn’t carry a gun. He carries a book. He takes care of his family. He avoids the American criminal justice system. He takes care of his community. He works for positive change. He doesn’t work for the chump change many of you get from an illegal hustle.
No, Brothers, I’m not passing judgment on you. Sometimes, the truth hurts.
WE THE PEOPLE
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THE ARTIS BLOG
4/14/10
Who am I supporting for re-appointment for the Roanoke, Va. School Board? Ms. Suzanne Moore. Ms. Moore has done a heck of a job as a school board member. Her work is well known. She should be re-appointed.
Who am I supporting to take Courtney Penn's place on the Roanoke, Va. School Board? I'm supporting Mr. John Elliot. Here's why.
Candidate for Roanoke City Public School Board SNAP-SHOT
John W. Elliott, Jr. Resident: City of Roanoke 1922 Mount Vernon Road Roanoke, Virginia 24015 (540) 344-7700 Office Phone (540) 989-4850 Home elliott5j@netzero.com
Employer:Intercept Youth Services Title:Day Treatment Counselor [Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy]
Education:Bachelor of Arts - Johnson C. Smith University
Master of City Management - East Tennessee State University
Listing of my school related activities: Roanoke, Virginia:
I have been a volunteer parent for both Patrick Henry High School and the Governor's School PTA. I served on the site-base committee for the construction of Patrick Henry / William Fleming and the parent committee for the recruitment & retention of students at the Roanoke Valley Governor's School. I also served as Athletic Director at William Fleming High School 2008-09; JV Boys Basketball Coach at Patrick Henry High School 2003-04; AAU Coach & Asst Coach Roanoke Hawks & Roanoke Warriors 2001-08, Student Activities/Athletic Director, and Men's Basketball Coach at VWCC [State Title 2003]. I developed a Black History Month Program for Roanoke area schools. I have created two programs to motivate Roanoke area students to continue school after high school: "What's in Your Suitcase? / Where to from Here?" I also created a program called "High School Symposium" featuring a workshop called Books & Ball for area high school seniors.This program was designed to counsel and guide students who sought to continue their education after high school at Virginia Western Community College.I have also presented student personal growth sessions at William Fleming and Patrick Henry as well as a presentation called "Transitioning from High School to College" for students with disabilities. Delray Beach, Florida: I served on the City's Education Board to aid in identifying future school sites and programs and developed a program called "KIDS & COPS," which is now a standing board.I was also actively involved with a number of community neighborhoods associations. Charlotte, North Carolina: In the role of probation officer and prison counselor, I worked with troubled youth and young adults; I also worked with the teachers at the Street Academy (comparable to Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy) in presenting motivational programs for the students assigned to that school. Experiences Which May Qualify Me For This Appointment: I believe that the above experiences noted and my experiences in behavioral observation, esteem building, career development & placement, inspirational leadership, program development, staff training & development may serve the Roanoke City School Board quite effectively.In addition, as a former prison counselor, juvenile probation officer, criminal investigator, personnel director, city administrator, deputy administrator for an alcohol & drug prevention program, and an education administrator, I have encountered persons of varying ethnic and economic backgrounds. My Philosophy Of Education:
"Education is the key component to opening many doors of opportunity that has been and is eluded by those who do not take advantage of it.Education is the prescription for navigating a successful life for many of our citizens who understand that those who are educated are the ones who are willing to learn." In closing, I'd like to say that:
"Success is not in what you do, rather in the contributions you make while you are doing it."
J.W. Elliott, Jr.
I work with John Elliot everyday. I know his work. John Elliot would be an excellent edition to the Roanoke, Va. School Board. I've worked with Suzanne Moore. I know her work. Suzanne Moore has been an outstanding school board member. Call Roanoke City Council and ask them to appoint John Elliot and re-appoint Suzanne Moore to the Roanoke, Va. School Board.
WE THE PEOPLE
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THE ARTIS BLOG
4/1/10
* In a Fox Network interview on "The O'Reily Factor," Sarah Palin finally comes clean and tells America, "The problem we have as Republicans is Republicans don't have anyone who can compete with President Obama today or in 2012. Just look at the man, hot as a pistol. He is a great President, a good American, a wonderful family man and husband and his hopey, changey policies will bring America future greatness. Republicans just can't compete with that. That's why Republicans do what we do. That's why we say what we say."
* A new Pew Research poll on the Tea Party Movement finds what most Americans have suspected. The poll found that Tea Party members not only dislike President Obama, Tea Party members dislike Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Great Pumpkin and little baby kittens. According to the poll, Tea Party members feel these items are all related to President Obama's socialist agenda.
* After many months of speculation, Rush Limbaugh finally made it official. Limbaugh says he really is a closet liberal. Limbaugh made this announcement on his radio show. "My mother was a liberal. My father was a liberal. My grandparents were liberals. This conservative thing? A brother's got to make a buck somehow. Wait, I'm not a brother. Damn. That's what's wrong with me."
* Pope Benedict XVI has given his approval to gay marriage. When asked what changed his mind, Pope Benedict XVI said, "The way my priests are acting and have acted in the past, who am I to pass a moral judgment against anyone?"
* In a JeffArtis.com Featuring The Artis Blog exclusive, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, sat down with me to announce his new plan to fund education in Virginia. Gov. McDonnell will try to end Virginia's shortfall in education funding by buying lottery tickets, namely Mega Million and Power Ball tickets. Gov. McDonnell had this to say about his new education funding plan.
"Jeff, I saw the speech you gave in Roanoke last month about education on YouTube. I also looked at your speech since it was posted on your website. You really hurt my feelings. But, your words also got me to thinking. If we could just find a new way to fund education without raising taxes, that would be a wonderful idea. Then, it hit me. A lot of people play the lottery. Why not Virginia? If we hit one of those big lottery jackpots, our problems with funding education will be solved. I'm sure the people of Virginia won't mind the state using tax dollars to fund this new idea. We can buy $10.00 worth of lottery tickets on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday when the lottery has those big jackpots. My plan will only cost $40.00 a week and could bring in millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars just for education. That's tax dollars well spent."
* In the War on Terror, France has declared war against itself. When asked why it would do such a silly thing, an unnamed French representative said, "Frankly, France is the only country France can beat in a war."
* Gangsta rapper, GucciMane, has decided to make a career move. Gucci has decided to leave the rap game to focus on a gospel career. Gucci says, "I can't sing. But, I don't really need to. In today's music game, even a non-singer like me can sound good on a CD. The machines will make me sound good."
* Terrell Owens was set to appear on the television show, "The Biggest Loser." When told the show was about losing weight and not about no longer having an NFL contract, Owens said, "Opps, never mind."
* Dallas Cowboy owner, Jerry Jones, has decided to donate the Dallas Cowboys to charity. When asked why, Jones answered, "It's been so long since we've won a Super Bowl, let alone play in the Super Bowl, that I just decided what the heck. It's not I'm really losing anything. At least now someone will benefit from this team."
* The Kansas City Royals are favored to win baseball's World Series this baseball season.
