Please visit my book's website: www.billiondollarwinner.blogspot.com and read the Prologue to the Book.
Friday, July 31, 2009
I've Written My First Book
Please visit my book's website: www.billiondollarwinner.blogspot.com and read the Prologue to the Book.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Daley Puts Our Butts On The Line For His Olympic Nightmare
There is a parable that I can remember hearing in church. The story goes that a man is lying in bed dying. His entire family has gathered at the house to mark the occasion. Sitting at his bedside is his young son who wants to be with his father as much as possible before the father passes on. All the other men are in the living room. All the women are in the kitchen preparing food.
The dying man who is struggling to live smells an apple pie that someone has just taken out of the oven. The dying man musters up enough strength to tell his young son to go to the kitchen and ask his mother to send him a piece of that freshly baked pie. The young boy runs off to do as he is told. He returns minutes later empty-handed and tells his father, "I'm sorry Papa; Mama says the pie is for the funeral."
I thought about that parable when I read where Mayor Daley has taken it upon himself to sign an agreement before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to possibly put us taxpayers on the hook for the Olympic Games. Like the man in the story, this city and many of its residents are struggling to hold on. We are losing out to unemployment, inflation, crime, lack of resources, over taxation and on and on.
As we ask for things that this city needs now, like streets repaired, quality schools, police protection, snow removal in the winter and street cleaning in the summer, what we get from the mayor is like the mother in the story, we're told to hold off on our share of the pie until the 2016 Olympic Games. And even when the pie is cut, will we be around to partake in it?
The Games will last only 14 days. But in the meantime, everyone will have their lives affected by the process leading up to them and our pocketbooks will surely be reached into afterward.
We are expected to ignore the fact that the mayor touted how ours would be a privately funded undertaking. Remember that the mayor went and got the Three Negroteers - Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan and Barack Obama - to tout Chicago to the IOC. And like the wonderful bait and switch artist that he is, the mayor after baiting the IOC with those millionaires has now replaced them with average folks like you and I to foot the bill. Ain't that sweet?
Well, here's something I'd like to see: All those members of Chicago's 2016 committee, as well as every single alderman and politician that is so gung ho for the Olympics, putting their checkbook and house titles on the line the same way the mayor is putting the rest of us on the line for his Olympic quest. Let's see how many cost overruns and nephews making millions off of city contracts will go on if everything they own can crumble if the Olympics aren't a success. Let's make the mayor sign a lifetime commitment to live in Chicago so that he too will feel the bite long after he is gone from office.
Do I really expect the mayor to personally risk his economic future on the Olympics? Yes, I do. I am tired of those who don't live the average life always telling the rest of us how to live and what to do and then after leaving office move to some place else to get away from the mess they have created.
The moral to that parable was that you don't always get what you asked for. And that you might not be around to get what you asked for when it does become available.
Pay attention Chicago. Pay attention!
The dying man who is struggling to live smells an apple pie that someone has just taken out of the oven. The dying man musters up enough strength to tell his young son to go to the kitchen and ask his mother to send him a piece of that freshly baked pie. The young boy runs off to do as he is told. He returns minutes later empty-handed and tells his father, "I'm sorry Papa; Mama says the pie is for the funeral."
I thought about that parable when I read where Mayor Daley has taken it upon himself to sign an agreement before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to possibly put us taxpayers on the hook for the Olympic Games. Like the man in the story, this city and many of its residents are struggling to hold on. We are losing out to unemployment, inflation, crime, lack of resources, over taxation and on and on.
As we ask for things that this city needs now, like streets repaired, quality schools, police protection, snow removal in the winter and street cleaning in the summer, what we get from the mayor is like the mother in the story, we're told to hold off on our share of the pie until the 2016 Olympic Games. And even when the pie is cut, will we be around to partake in it?
The Games will last only 14 days. But in the meantime, everyone will have their lives affected by the process leading up to them and our pocketbooks will surely be reached into afterward.
We are expected to ignore the fact that the mayor touted how ours would be a privately funded undertaking. Remember that the mayor went and got the Three Negroteers - Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan and Barack Obama - to tout Chicago to the IOC. And like the wonderful bait and switch artist that he is, the mayor after baiting the IOC with those millionaires has now replaced them with average folks like you and I to foot the bill. Ain't that sweet?
Well, here's something I'd like to see: All those members of Chicago's 2016 committee, as well as every single alderman and politician that is so gung ho for the Olympics, putting their checkbook and house titles on the line the same way the mayor is putting the rest of us on the line for his Olympic quest. Let's see how many cost overruns and nephews making millions off of city contracts will go on if everything they own can crumble if the Olympics aren't a success. Let's make the mayor sign a lifetime commitment to live in Chicago so that he too will feel the bite long after he is gone from office.
Do I really expect the mayor to personally risk his economic future on the Olympics? Yes, I do. I am tired of those who don't live the average life always telling the rest of us how to live and what to do and then after leaving office move to some place else to get away from the mess they have created.
The moral to that parable was that you don't always get what you asked for. And that you might not be around to get what you asked for when it does become available.
Pay attention Chicago. Pay attention!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
WestSiders - Can you Help Out?
I received a very nice letter from a man who grew up at the corner of Cicero and Quincy in the 1940s. He has fond memories of the area. If you have pictures from the area, especially the building which was once located at 4804 W. Quincy, could you email me a copy?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Danny K. Davis for Cook County Board President
I had heard about this weeks ago. At that time, Ike "INDICTED" Carothers was coveting Danny's old seat. But what a difference an indictment can make.
Anyway...
Within a few weeks, we will announce an exploratory committee and a very favorable poll for Cook County Board President. Congressman Davis will seek the input of Cook County residents for the purposes of considering a run for Cook County Board President. If you would like to join our exploratory committee, please sign up at www.davisforcookcountyboardpresident.com.
Anyway...
Within a few weeks, we will announce an exploratory committee and a very favorable poll for Cook County Board President. Congressman Davis will seek the input of Cook County residents for the purposes of considering a run for Cook County Board President. If you would like to join our exploratory committee, please sign up at www.davisforcookcountyboardpresident.com.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day
This Sunday, June 21, is Father's Day. Unlike Mother's Day, when you can't walk into any restaurant and get a seat, reservations won't have to be made days in advance to take Dad out to eat.
For real fathers (and I mean people who are more than sperm donors) it's a day to celebrate the real men of our community. They are the ones who not only have created children, but have taken on the responsibility for those children as well. And if you're a man who has abandoned your own children to raise another woman's kids, you get no credit from me. Because whatever the reason for doing it is, it's just an excuse!
Father's Day is truly one of the most underrated holidays on the calendar - especially in the black community, where the stigma of fatherless children is so overwhelming. And although the reasons that men abandon their children are as varied as the raindrops that fall from the sky, my focus is on celebrating the men who are fathers.
First, let's give kudos to the men who did it the right way. They met, married and started a family all in that order. No matter how much we as women may proclaim ourselves to be independent; we only marry because a man has asked. My role model for that is our current president, Barack Obama.
Next let's give credit to stepfathers. They are the men who met a woman with children and stepped up to the plate. Be it the woman with one child or even one with eight, they didn't fear taking on the responsibility of raising children. After watching a special on his life, I have to make this year's role model former Olympic gold medal winner Bruce Jenner.
Finally, to the unwed fathers: For whatever reason your relationship with the mother didn't work out, you were there for your children. From the moment of conception to their birth and to this day, you were and are there for your children. You signed that birth certificate so that your children will have your name and not have the space filled in with "unknown." My role models are all the countless and nameless individuals who have taken on that responsibility. So just fill in the blank!
Let's give a word of thanks for any father who no matter the reason made the effort to do for their child even if it meant dealing with "baby mama drama." You showed up for birthday parties even though you weren't the first invited or the most welcome guest. You continued to call to speak with your child even though it mean listening to verbal abuse from their angry mama. You showed up for your visitation day even though the mama played games by making you wait, not having the child ready on time or calling the police when you brought the kid home five minutes late. You paid the child support and held your tongue as you wondered why her nails are always done but your child has holes in their shoes. You made sure that all your children knew one another even if they have a number of different mothers. You were the temporary stand-in father because you were the coach for the team, the mentor at the church, the teacher in the school or just the neighbor on the block.
To every one of you: Happy Father's Day!
For real fathers (and I mean people who are more than sperm donors) it's a day to celebrate the real men of our community. They are the ones who not only have created children, but have taken on the responsibility for those children as well. And if you're a man who has abandoned your own children to raise another woman's kids, you get no credit from me. Because whatever the reason for doing it is, it's just an excuse!
Father's Day is truly one of the most underrated holidays on the calendar - especially in the black community, where the stigma of fatherless children is so overwhelming. And although the reasons that men abandon their children are as varied as the raindrops that fall from the sky, my focus is on celebrating the men who are fathers.
First, let's give kudos to the men who did it the right way. They met, married and started a family all in that order. No matter how much we as women may proclaim ourselves to be independent; we only marry because a man has asked. My role model for that is our current president, Barack Obama.
Next let's give credit to stepfathers. They are the men who met a woman with children and stepped up to the plate. Be it the woman with one child or even one with eight, they didn't fear taking on the responsibility of raising children. After watching a special on his life, I have to make this year's role model former Olympic gold medal winner Bruce Jenner.
Finally, to the unwed fathers: For whatever reason your relationship with the mother didn't work out, you were there for your children. From the moment of conception to their birth and to this day, you were and are there for your children. You signed that birth certificate so that your children will have your name and not have the space filled in with "unknown." My role models are all the countless and nameless individuals who have taken on that responsibility. So just fill in the blank!
Let's give a word of thanks for any father who no matter the reason made the effort to do for their child even if it meant dealing with "baby mama drama." You showed up for birthday parties even though you weren't the first invited or the most welcome guest. You continued to call to speak with your child even though it mean listening to verbal abuse from their angry mama. You showed up for your visitation day even though the mama played games by making you wait, not having the child ready on time or calling the police when you brought the kid home five minutes late. You paid the child support and held your tongue as you wondered why her nails are always done but your child has holes in their shoes. You made sure that all your children knew one another even if they have a number of different mothers. You were the temporary stand-in father because you were the coach for the team, the mentor at the church, the teacher in the school or just the neighbor on the block.
To every one of you: Happy Father's Day!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Something to Make You Laugh
AN ATHEIST IN THE WOODS
An atheist was walking through the woods.
'What majestic trees!
'What powerful rivers!
'What beautiful animals!
He said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling
in the bushes behind him.
He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge
towards him.
He ran as fast as he could up the path. He
looked over his shoulder & saw that the bear was closing
in on him.
He looked over his shoulder again, & the bear was even
closer.
He tripped & fell on the ground.
He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was
right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw
At that instant the Atheist cried out,
'Oh my God!'
Time Stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of
the sky.
'You deny my existence for all these years,
teach others I don't exist and even
credit
creation to cosmic accident.'
'Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament?
Am I to count you as a believer'?
The atheist looked directly into the light, 'It would
be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a
Christian now, but perhaps you could make the BEAR a
Christian'?
'Very Well,' said the voice.
The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed.
And the bear dropped his right paw, brought
both
paws together, bowed his head & spoke:
'Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from
thy bounty through Christ our Lord,
Amen..
An atheist was walking through the woods.
'What majestic trees!
'What powerful rivers!
'What beautiful animals!
He said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling
in the bushes behind him.
He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charge
towards him.
He ran as fast as he could up the path. He
looked over his shoulder & saw that the bear was closing
in on him.
He looked over his shoulder again, & the bear was even
closer.
He tripped & fell on the ground.
He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was
right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw
At that instant the Atheist cried out,
'Oh my God!'
Time Stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of
the sky.
'You deny my existence for all these years,
teach others I don't exist and even
credit
creation to cosmic accident.'
'Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament?
Am I to count you as a believer'?
The atheist looked directly into the light, 'It would
be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a
Christian now, but perhaps you could make the BEAR a
Christian'?
'Very Well,' said the voice.
The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed.
And the bear dropped his right paw, brought
both
paws together, bowed his head & spoke:
'Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from
thy bounty through Christ our Lord,
Amen..
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Excellent Ruling regarding child conceived after death of Father!
No benefits for girl born from dead dad's sperm
U.S. appeals court in California rejected claim for child survivor pension
The Associated Press
updated 12:10 p.m. CT, Thurs., June 18, 2009
PASADENA, California - A U.S. appeals court says a California girl conceived from the frozen sperm of a dead man cannot receive his pension benefits.
A panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision Wednesday, ruling the girl wasn't dependent on her father at the time of his death.
The case involves sperm that Bruce Vernoff's widow, Gaby, ordered extracted after he died unexpectedly in 1995 from an allergic reaction. It was kept frozen for 15 months before she became pregnant and in 1999 gave birth to Brandalynn.
She applied for child survivor benefits from the Social Security Administration but was rejected, and a legal battle ensued.
A call seeking comment from the widow's attorney was not immediately returned Thursday.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
U.S. appeals court in California rejected claim for child survivor pension
The Associated Press
updated 12:10 p.m. CT, Thurs., June 18, 2009
PASADENA, California - A U.S. appeals court says a California girl conceived from the frozen sperm of a dead man cannot receive his pension benefits.
A panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision Wednesday, ruling the girl wasn't dependent on her father at the time of his death.
The case involves sperm that Bruce Vernoff's widow, Gaby, ordered extracted after he died unexpectedly in 1995 from an allergic reaction. It was kept frozen for 15 months before she became pregnant and in 1999 gave birth to Brandalynn.
She applied for child survivor benefits from the Social Security Administration but was rejected, and a legal battle ensued.
A call seeking comment from the widow's attorney was not immediately returned Thursday.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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