tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90285016698641376672023-11-15T23:25:37.938-08:00The Written Word: From Where I Sit
Commentaries on politics, pop culture, and contemporary issues--by Wista Jeanne Johnson
Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-27597139058940104942019-07-26T18:41:00.000-07:002020-04-22T16:00:34.484-07:00The Big Squeeze: the ever rising costs of just about everything<br />
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Is it the goal of every business, public institution, or organization to squeeze as much money out of us as possible? I think so.<br />
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Here are some reasons why.<br />
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<i>The costs for essential services or products routinely go up.</i><br />
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Prices for essential products or services increase (e.g. rent, plane fares, bank fees, insurance premiums, co-pays, or pharmaceutical drugs) annually or regularly. I never know the rationale for such increases, but I'm guessing it's partly because consumers (as a group) don't question them; we just pay up.<br />
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<i>"Free" stuff now comes with ads.</i></div>
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TV advertisements inundate every medium, even those that used to be ad-free--blog posts, <i>YouTube </i>videos, and "free" movie apps (such as TUBI). </div>
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<i>Admission prices often out of reach.</i></div>
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Admissions to <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/article/what-are-the-ticket-prices-for-us-theme-parks-cm528910">theme parks</a>, celebrity <a href="https://www.thefader.com/2017/01/05/concert-tickets-expensive-rihanna-beyonce-adele-drake">concerts</a>,<a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/average-price-a-movie-ticket-soars-911-2018-1178410"> movie theaters</a>, and major zoos can be out of reach for many low-income persons and families.<br />
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For example, one major zoo charges $56 for adults (12 and up) and $46.00 for children (3-11). A family of four would pay $204 for a 1-day pass.<br />
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<i>Extra cruise activities/events can come with a cost</i>.</div>
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On-board beauty workshops, seminars on art, or port talks seem geared toward making sales rather than sharing information with cruisers, who already have spent hundreds of dollars on airfare, cabins, port tours, drink packages and gratuities. </div>
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<i>Cable service is expensive.</i></div>
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Cable companies constantly push add-ons (e.g. enhanced Internet service) to their basic service. My cable bill (minus any add-ons) is close to $200 per month (14% of my rent and more than my car insurance). </div>
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I pay for channels that I <i>never watch</i>--foreign language news, sports programming, outdoors programs, and countless lesser known TV channels featuring old TV shows, and even older, movies.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">There is no option to choose programing tailored to my actual viewing habits--5 channels and two premium channels. </span></div>
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<i>Hotels have resorted to "resort fee<b>s.</b>" </i></div>
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Recently, the local news in Las Vegas reported that guests are fed up paying <a href="https://www.ktnv.com/hotels-are-facing-a-growing-backlash-against-resort-fees/">"resort fees"</a> at large hotel chains. F<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">ees at Strip hotels range from $15.00 to $45.00 per day, per room.</span><br />
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One hotel, just outside Las Vegas, offers two- or three-day promotions for free rooms, free concert tickets, and free slot play (averaging about $30 per day).<br />
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I happily take advantage of these perks but spend enough on slots and food to pay for the free stuff.</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In addition, I pay the resort fee of $18 per day (up from $12 a couple of years ago). </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>Airline baggage fees can add hundreds of dollars to a fare.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The most confusing and scary part of a recent trip was determining how to avoid excess baggage fees. I am no good at measuring whether my bag has "...max linear dimensions of 62 inches" or whether it weighs X number of pounds. (No big scale at home, duh.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">So, I guesstimate. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">As it turns out, my bag was overweight by one pound, but the agent allowed it to go through. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">On the return trip, I was 4 pounds overweight and had to re-pack (on the floor in a crowded wait area). I got it under 40 pounds, but misplaced my passport in the process. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I had pre-paid $35.00 for one bag and would have had to pay another $30 for up to 50 excess pounds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">One of my fellow travelers paid $150 in excess baggage fees.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i></i><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Options, please</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I realize that businesses, organizations, and institutions also must pay for goods and services and need to cover costs.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Still, consumers have fewer and fewer options in the marketplace to lower living expenses or to control how much we pay for insurance coverage (health, car, home), rent, food or electronic devices.</span><br />
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I 'd love to hear your comments about any fees, charges, or add-ons that drain money from your bank account.</div>
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Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-30281137302443479182019-07-05T17:08:00.000-07:002020-04-05T13:05:52.820-07:00Face Time<div style="text-align: center;">
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I avoid mirrors; they lie, deceive, and confuse.</div>
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Whose face<i> is</i> that with deep crevices around the mouth, dark circles under the eyes, and sagging jawline?</div>
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Mine?</div>
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I search in vain for the woman (girl?) who once attracted males so eager to please whenever I stepped up to a counter, entered a room, or needed assistance.</div>
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I look, but she's gone.</div>
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Consequently, my new (old) face, avoids selfies, group shots or live-chats.</div>
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Most of the women in my family, on the other hand, are hooked on selfies. Why not? They're still young or young-ish. Wrinkles and frown lines are of no concern.</div>
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In September 1983, my mother--who died in 2015 at age 95--wrote an article for <i>Essence</i> magazine "Act My Age? At My Age?" describing her reaction to aging:</div>
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"I gazed in wonderment and disbelief at the drawn face! Whose face was that? Where was the smooth-complexioned, somewhat attractive face that I had been accustomed to seeing so many mornings? And when had that youthful face drifted into the past--leaving only a reasonable facsimile of me?"</blockquote>
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Exactly.</div>
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Some of you are probably thinking, "Get over it. Everybody gets old."</div>
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True, yet, older women, unlike older men, aren't considered "distinguished" or "handsome," or "dignified." Well into their sixties and seventies, men date or marry women of all ages.</div>
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I despise the unflattering misconceptions about older women. Too often, we are considered:</div>
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<li>asexual</li>
<li>physically unattractive</li>
<li>"cougars" (read: predators) if we date younger men</li>
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Martha B. Holstein, guest editor for 2017-2018 edition of<i> Generations, </i>published by the American Society on Aging writes: </div>
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"The message is clear and powerful--we are not socially valued, except in specific situations like the cuddly grandma role, and we are not expected to have anything to contribute. Each morning when I open my newspaper and scan the news from Washington, D.C., I am presented with a sea of men in suits. People that look like me are rarely at the table while matters affecting our lives are discussed. When other features of our identity-race, class, and disability--are added in, the potential for exclusion expands." </blockquote>
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Into her nineties, my mother, "Miss Kitty," would smile brightly for photos, not the least bit self-conscious about her aging countenance. </div>
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The article explains her epiphany:</div>
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"...I took another look (in the mirror)…staring back at me...was the reflection of an older woman (who) appeared to be well-adjusted to and quite satisfied...that she was not only a mother and great-grandmother, but a great-great grandmother...I gave a silent prayer of thanks for my good health and for an astute and very active mind."</blockquote>
I loved my mother's 95-year old face! Above all, I cherished her quick wit, feisty spirit, and unabashed love of self.<br />
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She's my role model for accepting inevitable physical changes to my face and body and ignoring other's misguided perceptions of me.<br />
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Now, you might be wondering, "How old <i>is </i>she?"<br />
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Well, let's say, I am lucky enough to be blessed with four children, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, all of whom love me just as I am.<br />
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Likewise, my interest in writing, politics, music, technology, environmental issues, animal welfare, and contemporary culture keeps my mind sharp and my ideas relevant.<br />
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Meanwhile, I continue to work toward greater self-acceptance. </div>
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Thank you, Miss Kitty.</div>
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</b>Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-35440296450877266792018-02-18T23:18:00.000-08:002019-07-26T14:49:56.376-07:00My "Black Panther" Experience<br />
A large tub of popcorn in hand, I settled into my--almost front row--leather reclining seat and suffered through at least 7 or 8 previews. What the hell?<br />
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I couldn't wait to see this film that has had such a phenomenal opening--both critically and financially.<br />
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Secretly, however, I was afraid that I might be disappointed despite <i>Rotten Tomatoes'</i> Critics Consensus: "Black Panther elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights while telling one of MCU's most absorbing stories--and introducing some of its most fully realized characters."<br />
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While black moviegoers were holding our breaths in anticipation, "others," I am sure, were hoping/expecting that it would be a superhero flick in black face, full of braggadocio and<br />
non-stop wisecracks.<br />
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<i>Panther </i>is, in fact, a <i>serious </i>work that pays homage to ancestors, traditions, African culture and ingenuity, women, elders, and ritual; much of which is no longer valued in contemporary African American life.<br />
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Director/Writer Ryan Coogler, 31, infuses it with humor, pathos, inter-generational conflict, and social commentary; this movie is just the shot in the arm we need in the face of rising neo-Nazism, white supremacy, and hate-mongering.<br />
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Unfortunately, we still live in an America where we must prove that black lives matter.<br />
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Kudos to some of the best actors in film today: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupito Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Sterling K. Brown, Winston Duke, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, and Leticia Wright.<br />
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Might this film be an Oscar contender? Don't know, but it has already won the hearts of millions.<br />
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-5921191603928770162018-02-18T21:38:00.000-08:002020-04-22T16:04:20.765-07:00Black sitcoms: funny and relevantI am not a fan of most TV sitcoms.<br />
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Most involve white, middle-class families in two-parent households who live in a never-never-land where the most serious problems are: <i>Who will Bobby take to the prom? How will we get rid of an annoying in-law. How to get the nerdy guy a date?</i><br />
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To my mind, some of the best TV sitcoms feature black characters who are consistently funny <i>and </i>relevant.<br />
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<b>"Everybody Loves Chris" </b>is a sitcom loosely based on Chris Rocks' growing up years in Brooklyn, New York; his family lives in a low-income neighborhood rife with crime, drug dealing, and shady characters who are as much a fabric of the community as the hardworking families. (<i>Show received 51 nominations and won 7, including AFI, British Comedy Awards, and NAACP Image Awards.) </i><br />
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<b>"Martin"</b> is a comedy that never attempts to be anything but relevant to black viewers. What makes it hilarious are the characters who look and act like people I might know. (<i>Show received 11 nominations and 6 wins, including NAACP Image Awards, Kids' Choice Awards, and People's Choice Awards.)</i><br />
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<b>"My Wife and Kids,"</b> starring Damon Wayans and Keisha Campbell, is non-stop jokes. As parents to three kids, they embody the middle-class lifestyle but always fall back on old-school parenting that brooks no nonsense from smart-mouth kids. They often bicker and disagree about the best ways to raise/punish/support their brood, yet they always end up doing what is best. (<i>Show received 36 nominations and 10 wins, including BET Comedy Awards, Family Television Awards, NAACP Image Awards, People's Choice Awards, and Prism Awards. </i><br />
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<b>"The Bernie Mac Show"</b> is brilliant. His asides to the camera contrast with his on-screen actions. He is an avid believer in "spare the rod and spoil the child." Much of the humor grows out of the clash of parenting methods between Mac and his wife. The kids are always messing with him, and he constantly plots revenge against them. What makes this show touching is that Mac is raising his drug-addict sister's children. Sadly, this comedic giant died too soon. (<i>Bernie was nominated numerous times as lead actor (Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, Primetime Emmy, and Family Television Awards but won BET Comedy Awards twice and NAACP Image Awards five times.) </i></div>
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<b>"Blackish" </b>( Tuesdays, 10 PM on ABC) is a fresh take on the black family. Anthony Anderson is a successful ad man (Dre Johnson) whose colleagues are not the least bit politically correct; Tracee Ellis Ross (Rainbow) is superb as a successful physician, frequently in conflict over her roles as black woman, wife, and doctor. Their kids, on the other hand, are happy with all the privileges and perks afforded by their parents' success.<br />
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Success, however, doesn't shield them from the misconceptions and biases that African Americans confront everyday.<br />
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One memorable episode finds Rainbow and her younger daughter shopping at American Doll; they want to by a black doll, so the salesperson brings out a doll seemingly dressed as a slave. Bo indignantly asks why is the only black doll is dressed so. Her daughter, on the other hand, wonders why her mother is making such a fuss. A generational divide for sure.<br />
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I<i> hope</i> that other black sitcoms in the works are funny while depicting the many aspects of the black experience in America.</div>
Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-84286083589885125192017-02-25T14:40:00.000-08:002020-04-22T15:20:41.353-07:00Will the Real Donald Trump Stand Up?<div>
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<i><b>WILL THE REAL DONALD TRUMP STAND UP?</b> </i></div>
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Forgive me, but I simply cannot take President Donald Trump seriously as the leader of the Western world.</div>
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He is such a self-promoting, egotist; I cannot imagine him standing before Congress delivering the State of the Union address or conducting Cabinet meetings, or hosting foreign dignitaries at the White House</div>
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It is difficult to believe that the former reality TV star is capable of running the business of the United States.</div>
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Equally difficult, is divorcing his pre-election utterances, rants, and obscenities from his now-milder persona.</div>
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<b>Who is Donald Trump really? Was he faking his tough-on-everything stance or is he faking his current moderate views on these issues?</b></div>
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Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-10096556322262976182017-01-04T06:28:00.000-08:002017-01-04T13:07:27.683-08:00Behind Closed Doors: Michelle and Obama<br />
<i>In the final few days of the Obama Administration, it seemed apropos to re-post this blog written before he got a second term. Despite some outdated references, I think the idea is relevant. Enjoy.</i><br />
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Michelle and Barack Obama are unlike any presidential couple this country has ever seen. And I'm not just referencing their color.<br />
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They seem like ordinary people who happen to be the President and First Lady. I would feel right at home in their company, talking and laughing with them about any number of topics.<br />
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They appear down-to-earth...and cool.<br />
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I can imagine the conversations that go on behind closed doors:<br />
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<strong>Michelle:</strong> Whew! Am I glad to be home.<br />
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<strong>Obama:</strong> Remind me again. Why did I take this job.?<br />
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<strong>Michelle:</strong> Because you wanted to make a difference. Be a different kind of politician.<br />
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<strong>Obama</strong>: Jeez, I'm trying my best to do things that matter--help community colleges, give health care to the uninsured, get gas-guzzling clunkers off the road, speak to kids as their President, offer incentives to companies that produce energy-efficient products and services.<br />
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<strong>Michelle:</strong> I know.<br />
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<strong>Obama:</strong> Instead, my ratings keep dropping...and worse, some folks seem thrilled by this.<br />
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<strong>Michelle:</strong> Sure do. <br />
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<strong>Obama</strong>: How about that Glenn Beck calling me racist? I'm biracial, with parents from two continents, have lived in Indonesia and Hawaii, and have done community organizing in economically-devastated sections of Chicago. Maybe, he meant that I don't like white people...my grandparents were white, dude.<br />
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<strong>Michelle:</strong> I don't understand why my outfits are the subject of such attention--my shorts (at Martha's Vineyard), my sweater (in Europe), my sleeveless dresses, my handbag. Don't Americans have more important things to worry about?<br />
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<strong>Obama:</strong>:(Chuckles) Hey, I'm soft, haughty, inexperienced, and a closet-Muslim.<br />
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<strong>Michelle:</strong> Folks even criticized us for having dinner in NY. Think we should be chained to our desks.<br />
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<strong>Obama:</strong>I'd better push through as much of my agenda as I can. 'Cause, I don't think I'll get a second term.<br />
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<strong>Michele: </strong>You've had the country's top job; where do you go from here?<br />
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<strong>Obama:</strong> First, I'm going to have a burger and a smoke.<br />
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<strong>Michelle:</strong> I'll lose these pearls and slip into a sleeveless top and jeans.<br />
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<strong>Obama</strong>: Yeah.<a href="http://www.nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/04/michelle_obamaslideshow.html"></a><a href="http://www.nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/04/michelle_obamaslideshow.html"></a><a href="http://www.nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/04michelle_obamaslideshow.html"></a><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/04/michelle_obama_slideshow.htm."></a><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/04/michelle_obama_slideshow.html"></a>Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-44893032033157518362016-09-26T19:49:00.002-07:002020-04-22T16:05:43.773-07:00(In)Human NatureIt is easy to become disillusioned with human beings in light of daily injustices, atrocities, and mass killings.<br />
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Disillusionment is behind every "riot" that erupts when another black man is shot by a police officer.<br />
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Disillusionment keeps women who have been raped from stepping forward to confront their attacker(s).<br />
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Disillusionment prevents victims of human trafficking from escaping their captures.<br />
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Disillusionment stops otherwise concerned citizens from voting.<br />
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Disillusionment fuels frustration that comes after dealing with companies/corporations that pursue profits over customer satisfaction.<br />
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Disillusionment results when whistle blowers end up disgraced, financially-ruined, or vilified after exposing corruption or injustice.<br />
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I could go on.<br />
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What saves us from absolute disillusionment, however, are (extra)ordinary acts of compassion by:<br />
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<li>A retiree who feeds the homeless from his pension.</li>
<li>A corporate employee whose advice saves you hundreds of dollars.</li>
<li>A citizen who risks his/her life to save another.</li>
<li>A journalist who risks his career to highlight corruption or injustice.</li>
<li>An organization that strives to free those wrongfully imprisoned.</li>
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There is hope for the human race; just look beyond the horror stories heralded in the media to those small acts of mercy, courage, and generosity that often follow in their wake.</div>
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-1751803677118184282016-08-26T09:32:00.001-07:002016-08-26T09:32:50.297-07:00Trump Stumps: Tough Talk, Few Tactics I try to avoid news programs (on practically all the major news outlets) that feature coverage of Donald Trump. Now I get that he is the GOP contender for the presidential prize and cannot be ignored.<br />
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Still, when I hear him address adoring crowds, I scratch my head. How is it possible that a clearly politically clueless candidate has managed to leap-frog over more viable Republican candidates to compete against Hillary Clinton?<br />
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Donald Trump has not offered the American people any substantive policies or platforms to support his claim that he will "make America great again."<br />
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His public performances--and that they are--seem more like stand-up comedy routines that pump up his image of himself as a no-nonsense, tough-talking leader who will show the rest of the world, including our allies, who's Boss. Really.<br />
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Politics is complicated. The Constitution calls for the separation of powers and checks and balances, which assures that neither the President nor Congress operates free of constitutional constraints.<br />
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So those jobs Trump<a href="http://heavy.com/news/2016/08/read-full-transcript-donald-trump-rally-speech-akron-ohio-text/"> promises</a>, the defeat of ISIS, the repeal of "Obamacare," and the restoration of military cuts will require more than his say-so.<br />
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Just ask President Obama.<br />
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I believe, in fact, that Trump represents the deepest yearnings of a segment of our population that views our nation as a global behemoth envied by of the rest of the world and big enough to take on all enemies.<br />
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Even if you believe this, the battlefield has changed. The threats to our nation occur on many fronts--from cyber attacks to domestic terrorism by lone wolves. Big talk accomplishes nothing.<br />
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Complex world and national issues require cooperation across party lines and national borders as well as a commitment to fairness and justice for all.<br />
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We cannot solve global problems with nationalistic rhetoric.<br />
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Be wary of a candidate who has simplistic answers to modern-day problems, namely, Donald Trump<br />
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-83913484173908317992016-07-08T04:39:00.000-07:002016-07-08T04:39:50.430-07:00We are angry and fearfulMy thoughts about the shooting deaths of two black men--Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castille in Minnesota--during separate police actions this week no doubt echo those of millions of outraged African Americans.<br />
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Graphic cell phone images of bullets devastating their bodies brought the horror home in a way that verbal accounts could not.<br />
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We are angry<i> and</i> fearful.<br />
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We envision our sons, fathers, grandsons, nephews, brothers, uncles or cousins writhing in pain or dying on some dirty, urban street; their lives instantly exposed to the harsh spotlight of public scrutiny.<br />
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Despite national protests, outcries for justice, or family pleas for action, most African Americans have little faith or expectation that the officers involved will suffer any significant legal consequences.</div>
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While white Americans are horrified by random mass shootings, they seem complacent about the serial deaths of <i>young </i>black men at the hands of police.<br />
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Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton was the lone public official--black or white--who spoke frankly about the incident at a press conference yesterday:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"Would this have happened if ... the driver and passenger were white?...I don't think it would've. So I'm forced to confront and I think all of us in Minnesota are forced to confront that this kind of racism exists."</span></blockquote>
Will these shootings promote serious examination (or re-thinking) of police response tactics? Will white Americans ever own up to the racism that infects every aspect of life for African Americans?<br />
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Frankly speaking, organized social and political action to address long-standing issues (i.e. mass incarceration, high unemployment among black youth, disparate health outcomes) will save more black lives than impromptu street protests.<br />
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We know another shooting involving police officers and black men (and women) is likely.<br />
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In the meantime, let us prod elected officials into action and raise awareness among white Americans that this is not a <i>black </i>issue; it is an American issue. <br />
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-85426377867473129922016-06-25T17:45:00.000-07:002020-05-08T14:49:48.425-07:00Things I Wonder About....<div>
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I don't know about you, but there are many things that occur on a daily basis that I wonder about...<br />
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Why does an accident stay on a driver's record forever and affect how much interest he or she pays? I drive in Las Vegas where drivers are so reckless that I see an average of one bad accident a day. No matter how carefully you drive, some nut will make a left turn from a no-turn lane or come across three lanes to make a turn and almost hit your car.<br />
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Why do phone calls to utilities for clarification on your bill leave you scratching your head as they explain how your bill got so high?<br />
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Why do companies waste our time with automated questions that have <i>nothing </i>to do with what you want an answer to. After suffering through "Please press #1 (2, 3, 4,5) or 9 to return to the main menu," you finally get the option to speak with live person. (Who often sounds robotic.)<br />
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Why do good workers rarely get praises or raises; while, less productive workers hang on for years<br />
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How did we come to the place in American politics that a buffoon like Donald Trump actually got into the Oval Office?<br />
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Why do banks get rich charging $39.00 when you access your overdraft line? Wealthy patrons (who can afford the fees) never have to pay them, only someone who has the misfortune of having less money than needed to cover expenses and bills.<br />
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Why do we pay hundreds of dollars for satellite or cable services that feature decades old movies (Hint: "The Shawshank Redemption"); or pay $4 or $5 for current films; or feature those annoying infomercials that most of us never watch<br />
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Why do we have to register a car every year? Why not every 5 years? This is just one of many fees designed solely to increase government revenue.<br />
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How did the credit reporting companies--Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax--get so much power over our lives? If you try to get a home, car, or credit card, your credit score can make or break you. Once again, only those who utilize credit cards because of limited funds and get in over their heads, pay higher interest and/or late fees if they miss a payment.<br />
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Why do we give celebrities and public figures gifts or flowers but resent when a homeless person asks a dollar?</div>
Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-59405736010152683262016-01-06T18:25:00.000-08:002016-01-06T18:25:47.256-08:00Someone Please Give Me Specifics About Your Political Platform!<br />
Political campaigning in America is woefully inadequate.<br />
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Neither Republican nor Democratic candidates provide more than grand promises or harsh accusations.<br />
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This clash of tongues, not ideas, leaves me wondering what any of them would DO relative to the economy, ISIS, North Korea, gun control, immigration, or national security.<br />
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Admittedly, these are complex, even longstanding, issues that defy easy or quick solutions. Still, we elect representatives who we hope will grapple thoughtfully and thoroughly with them, not make glib statements to garner votes.<br />
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On the Republican side, criticizing Obama and overturning legislation passed under his watch are major themes. Nonetheless, I have not heard what, if anything, Republican candidates would put forth to replace "Obamacare."<br />
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If the Affordable Care Act <i>is </i>repealed, millions of Americans could no longer get health insurance if they have a pre-existing condition or could lose access to medical care.<br />
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Democrat Bernie Sanders says that his first initiative after becoming President would be to make Big Corporations pay their fair share of taxes. This might not be so easy in a Republican-dominated 114th Congress, Bernie.<br />
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Donald Trump's lead in the polls remains a mystery to me. (He is, however, gaining credibility with print and broadcast journalists who seem surprised that his is maintaining a strong lead over other Republican candidates.)<br />
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Some political observers suggest that Trump speaks to the fears and grievances of millions of Americans who work hard but seemingly cannot hold onto their middle class dreams.<br />
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So, what are his solutions? Beats me. I have not heard him outline any concrete policies or legislation that he would put forth.<br />
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As for Hillary Clinton, she is conducting such a low-key campaign that I find it difficult to determine what she will do to address the serious issues facing our nation.<br />
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I am no political pundit, but I am a voter.<br />
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So far, I am not excited by much of what I hear from candidates in this election year.<br />
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How about you?<br />
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-13449040521689138822015-11-28T12:45:00.000-08:002015-11-28T12:45:05.764-08:00World Gone WildYesterday, a lone gunman killed three unsuspecting people, including a veteran police officer, at a Colorado Planned Parenthood.<br />
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Two weeks ago, Paris was the site of a series of terror attacks that killed 129 civilians.<br />
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On Thursday, Chicago PD released a video of the shooting death 17-year old Laquan McDonald by Officer Jason Van Dyke, which led to protests along Chicago's "Magnificent Mile" on Black Friday.<br />
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Violence, it seems, is the universal solution for addressing personal grievances (real or imagined), economic or social oppression, political differences, religious divisions, marital discord, and racial animosities.<br />
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One would have hoped that 15 years into the new millennium, we might have evolved to be more tolerant of differences (diversity) and less wedded to our prejudices and hatreds.<br />
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We are all guilty of adding to the violence pot. We all have reasons to hate. We all harbor anger toward some "Others."<br />
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In our personal lives, we find it hard to forgive, much less forget.<br />
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The bombers, the shooters, and the terrorists just take their anger to extremes.<br />
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I don't have a big solution, but I think breaking the chain of violence begins with each of us scaling back hateful rhetoric, revenge talk (even jokingly), and racial stereotyping.<br />
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Sound Utopian?<br />
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Probably, yet the alternative is to live in a world where we are more and more afraid of going to the movies, dropping our kids off at school, worshiping in church, or enjoying a music concert.<br />
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The option: continuing along the path of violence until we destroy ourselves and our planet?<br />
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Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-18321416206812066722015-11-14T16:30:00.000-08:002020-04-21T15:14:11.834-07:00The Terror of FearI remember the first time that I realized that the world could be violent and unpredictable.<br />
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After 9-11, I was stripped of the illusion that our government could protect us from enemy attacks on our soil. </div>
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The Boston Marathon bombing cemented that idea.</div>
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Yesterday, we learned just how ugly the world can be. Over one hundred young Parisians killed for no good reason--at least those that most civilized people can comprehend.</div>
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What is the intended message of the Bataclan concert massacre? I really do not understand how killing random citizens advances the cause of ISIS or Al Qaeda or "lone wolf" terrorists.</div>
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What I do know is that although most of us go about our daily, fairly routine lives, others with evil intent have left us expecting the worst.</div>
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It could be your city or mine--Las Vegas. We might go the the Smith Center or to see a Cirque du Soleil show and end up dead.</div>
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A frightful reality, but one that people around the world share.<br />
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<b>Fast forward to 2020:</b> Fear Unleashed<br />
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The coronavirus epidemic has forced us to live in a world that once existed only in films.<br />
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We are afraid to go outside.<br />
We cover our faces with masks.<br />
We stop going to church, movies, concerts, bars, even schools.<br />
We mistrust our local, state and national governments ability to provide necessary resources to confront the pandemic.<br />
We're cremating the dead bodies of coronavirus victims.<br />
We're divided into two camps: Stop the shutdown! Keep the shutdown but give us more economic assistance.<br />
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We really don't know when the end will be in sight.<br />
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For once, we've met an enemy that hides in plain sight and can't be killed with conventional weapons.<br />
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Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-84095684446253685862014-12-01T21:55:00.000-08:002014-12-01T21:55:22.112-08:00In Defense of Black GirlsThe recent flap over remarks made by a Republican staffer, Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn), about Sasha and Malia Obama were the latest assault on famous black girls.<br />
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In a Facebook tirade, Lauten advised the presidential daughters to, "Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot in a bar." Say, wha'?<br />
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Unfortunately, other notable public figures consider the Obama sisters fair game.<br />
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2010--Glenn Beck, former Fox News commentator and author, mocked Malia's intelligence after reports that she had asked President Obama "Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?" a reference to the BP oil spill.<br />
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2012--Noted right-winger Ann Coulter said, "It's time to start imitating liberals in another way and go after the Obama children."<br />
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Sasha and Malia are not the first black girls to face harsh public scrutiny.<br />
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Consider:<br />
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2013 Gabby Douglas, first black female gymnast to win a gold medal at the London Olympics, received worldwide acclaim; however, her permed and pony-tailed hair were the subject of social media posts and Tweets. <br />
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2013 Quvenzhane Wallis, nominated "Best Actress" for her starring role in <i>Beasts of the Southern Wilds </i>at age nine, was the butt of supposedly satirical characterization of her as "kind of a cunt" in <i>The Onion</i>, an American news satire organization.<br />
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2009 Gabourey Sidibe, garnered a "Best Actress" nomination for her role in "Precious" as an abused and abandoned teen mother. Nonetheless, nasty Tweets sprung up about her weight and outfits that she wore on the red carpet.<br />
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Reality check. These black girls earned the nominations, awards, and celebrity for their outstanding abilities.<br />
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Snide, racist, misogynistic comments will do little to tarnish their fame; on the other hand, they reflect the mean-spirited mentality of social media morons with too much time on their hands.<br />
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No doubt other accomplished black girls in sports, entertainment, and public life will emerge and face detractors.<br />
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Happily, there is no stopping the inevitable forward march of black girls toward success and achievement.<br />
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-78935022630907752082013-09-04T22:53:00.001-07:002013-09-04T22:53:43.425-07:00Obama Dare<br />
I did not pay much attention to the Syrian civil war (probably like most Americans) until I heard that the army of President Bashar al-Assad was accused of using chemical weapons against civilians; I watched with interest the world's reaction (or inaction) to this horrific event.<br />
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Likewise, I followed President Obama's efforts to rally our allies behind a military response--with limited success--and his calls for Congress to sign a resolution that would support the use "targeted strikes" against Syria. This week the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee voted in favor of Obama's request.<br />
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I am not sure which side of the issue that I fall down on: using military strikes in response to the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons (which it says was carried out by rebel forces) or staying out of the conflict in the face of a lukewarm international response.<br />
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Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Americans oppose military action.<br />
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Those who argue against taking military action cite several reasons, including the fact that atrocities have occurred in other nations and the U.S. has not taken action. Likewise, others believe that the President will entangle us in another drawn out war on foreign soil.<br />
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Some political analysts say that the U. S. should not continue to be the watchdog for the rest of the world.<br />
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Obama's position is that the international consensus against the use of chemical weapons demands a swift response.<br />
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World politics is thorny and complicated, and the president must consider the interests/views of many stakeholders/groups--the public, our allies, Congress, other Middle Eastern nations, diplomats, and our foes (mainly North Korea and Iran).<br />
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Whatever the outcome, President Obama can expect criticism, but isn't this the price anyone who sits in the Oval Office must pay for the privilege of serving?<br />
<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-12216693572364797252013-07-13T22:37:00.001-07:002013-07-13T22:37:47.705-07:00The death of Trayvon Martin, an American tragedyWhen attorneys in the George Zimmerman trial gave closing arguments this week, I could not bring myself to hear the defense's closing. Why?<br />
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I could not bear to hear Trayvon Martin, demonized as a black "thug," "punk," or "hoodlum." No. These words were not uttered, but I believe they came to mind for many who viewed blurry images of a young man in a hoodie buying a drink and Skittles on February 26, 2012.<br />
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From family photos of Trayvon, it is obvious that he had a varied and positive upbringing.<br />
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Trayvon was 17 and on the verge of manhood. I suspect that in a few years, under the guidance of a protective mother and a doting father, he would have been a productive citizen with a bright future.<br />
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Thanks to George Zimmerman, a man with a gun and a perception of himself as an enforcer (who has not seemed remorseful), he will never have this chance.<br />
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Trayvon Martin is a symbol of America's black youth, often regarded with suspicion, contempt, or fear.<br />
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He could have been my son, grandson, brother, nephew, or uncle shot dead because he looked, "suspicious."<br />
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The defense made Zimmerman the victim and Trayvon the aggressor.<br />
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Today, a jury acquitted him.<br />
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It is a sad day for his family and for America.<br />
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He is another native son taken from us too soon.<br />
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-15433795380532574322013-06-08T05:42:00.000-07:002013-06-08T05:42:32.426-07:00I Like Father, I Like Son<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ5Z7P1X6w-GWWly0nWMecJLhzzsWpNY4DYOWXUFOt1O4wc_2UVmQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ5Z7P1X6w-GWWly0nWMecJLhzzsWpNY4DYOWXUFOt1O4wc_2UVmQ" width="134" /></a><br />
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Just saw "After Earth" starring Will and Jaden Smith, father and son space explorers. The film is set in the future where Earth becomes uninhabitable because creatures, especially the Ursa, ugly, vicious monsters, are hell-bent on<br />
devouring humans.<br />
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Most reviewers have trashed the movie for its script, performances, and plot.<br />
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Nonetheless, I applaud Will for doing something unprecedented: showing blacks as leaders in the interplanetary future.<br />
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Likewise, he does that dynasty thing: using his son in a major motion picture, which depicts the complicated, though loving relationship, between an accomplished father and his ambitious, rebellious offspring.<br />
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Sure, Will is rather one-dimensional as Cypher Raige; while, Jaden (Katai Raige) moves from clumsy to heroic (in the film's climactic scenes).<br />
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On the other hand, I respect Will for playing against type, such as the swaggering, fast-talking action hero of "Independence Day," "Bad Boys I and II, and "I, Robot."<br />
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At age 44, he is taking on more grown-up, thoughtful roles as he enters the next phase of his career.<br />
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Will Smith wrote the script in which plot and character development leave much to be desired. Hey, he tried.<br />
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But, some of the blame for the predictability of the of action goes to the director, M. Night Shyamalan, who directed such cinematic duds as "The Village," "The Happening,"and "Lady in the Lake."<br />
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When I heard of his collaboration on the film, I did not expect much in the way of originality or creativity.<br />
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The Smiths are a show-biz family with two talented children, including 12-year old daughter, Willow, an actress and singer. The Smith children are being groomed by pros--Jada Pinkett Smith and Will. (Another son, Trey, 21, is less in the celebrity spotlight.)<br />
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I hope that the film's negative reviews won't deter this close-knit family from pursuing other roles that demonstrate their artistic diversity.<br />
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-35716871030506838362013-02-18T21:03:00.002-08:002013-02-18T21:07:26.778-08:00Fee SpreesI have noticed a trend in American society that gives me pause: the charging of fees for things that should be <i>free!</i><br />
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For example, the IRS now demands a $150 payment for setting up a payment plan. Who came up with this idea? It amounts to penalizing taxpayers who cannot afford to pay the full amount of monies due.<br />
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Likewise, some cell phone companies (e.g. MetroPCS, Cricket) charge a fee when you pay online OR when you come into the store to make a payment. What the hell?<br />
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In addition, the courts, jails, and public defenders offices are forcing those charged or convicted with a crime to pay a fee for days spent in jail, parole services, and other penalties. Is this what America has come to? Insisting that those with the least pay the most.<br />
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Another example is Cox Communications, a cable company that charges $30.00 if <i>you </i> install a cable box yourself. If you do it wrong and need a technician, the cost is $60.00.<br />
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Some credit card companies, charge as much as $14.50 to make a payment by phone.<br />
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My bank charges $3.50 to transfer money from one of my accounts to another, such as from savings to checking.<br />
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Come on America, this mean-spirited mindset is making it more difficult for average consumers to conduct business.<br />
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Similarly, there is no longer an effort to serve the consumer. Rather, agencies and businesses have no compunction about charging for services that should be free.<br />
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More and more, we are held hostage to big government and corporations that are all about the almighty dollar and less about treating Americans fairly.<br />
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<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-54365392965526318552013-02-07T21:43:00.001-08:002013-02-07T21:43:51.604-08:00Post-New Year BluesWell, here I sit, one month and seven days into a new year. Sad to say, I have broken one of my (few) resolutions. It has to do with my finances.<br />
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I keep very close tabs on my spending, so I have a clear picture of where my money goes, and it ain't where it should be going---into a savings account.<br />
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I should have a substantial nest-egg by now after all my years of working. So, why am I so careless about spending? There's always a battle between the Me that wants to save and the Me that wants to keep money in my checking account in case I need it for something.<br />
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I am not a spendthrift my any means. I buy most of my clothes from thrift shops and take lunch to work. I don't go to hair or nail salons. I borrow DVDs, CDs, and books from the library. So, why the heck do I resist putting money (after expenses) into my savings account?<br />
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When I fritter away money on day-to-day purchases, at the end of the month, I don't feel good about myself.<br />
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This year, however, I intend to examine my behavior <i>and</i> find ways to save for that rainy day.Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-15116056184646267422012-12-31T11:30:00.000-08:002012-12-31T11:30:51.352-08:00As I sit in a mid-level hotel on the last day of 2012 at the Primm Valley Resort enjoying six complimentary hotel days, President Obama is updating the American public about the feared "fiscal cliff." <br />
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Without knowing the final outcome of the negotiations, I hope that 2013 will be a more prosperous year for all. Most Americans are hardworking, but the hardest working are at the bottom of the economic ladder--home health aides, convenience store clerks, hotel maids, certified nursing assistants--who work long hours to make ends meet.<br />
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These workers provide services that it is easy to take for granted. Having a parent in a nursing home, I see much of the heavy lifting, changing soiled bedcovers, escorting patients to the bathroom, mopping floors, even moving furniture done by non-professional staff such as nursing assistants.<br />
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On the same note, my son, Darryl, just told me about a documentary, <em>One Day on Earth</em>, that chronicled a day in the life of people around the world. Having seen the desperately poor conditions under which many people live, he came away grateful for the material benefits he enjoys in America.<br />
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Thankful for <em>my</em> blessings--material and otherwise--I enter the new year determined to spend and save more wisely, and mindful that but for an accident of birth, I could be among the world's less fortunate.Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-52974580878045457922012-05-22T08:36:00.000-07:002012-05-22T08:36:13.697-07:00<strong>The Presidential Race: Not a Popularity Contest</strong><br />
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Governor Mitt Romney is neck-in-neck with President Obama in the presidential race. Whoa! How did that happen? I cannot think of one proposal on the Republican hopeful's platform. Mostly, he has re-shaped his image into "I'm just like you, only richer. :)"<br />
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Likewise, Obama is <em>too</em> laid back; he projects, "I am president, but also a cool guy." He shows up on lightweight shows (i.e. "The View") to "chat" about his politics.<br />
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I hope the next stage of the campaign will include serious (not nasty) debates about their plans to boost the economy, to limit super PACs (political action committees) spending, to promote gay rights, to curb corporate misdeeds, and to make taxes more equitable.<br />
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Perhaps, Americans are too jaded to care anymore. We take democracy for granted as well as our power to affect change. So, if things continue to go downhill for the 99 percent, we should not complain.<br />
<br />Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-5852526302204451392012-02-13T20:22:00.000-08:002012-02-13T20:22:59.151-08:00Celebrity: No Guarantee of HappinessWhile driving to work one morning last week, I heard a KNPR tribute to the late "Soul Train" creator and host, Don Cornelius. I was saddened to learn that the 75-year old had committed suicide by gun. Damn. I wondered why. Illness? Depression? The program provided no details.<br />
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Curious, I googled some articles that reported Cornelius had said he was "not quite the same" following 21-hour brain surgery. In 2008, Cornelius was charged with felony domestic abuse against his estranged wife, Victoria Avila-Cornelius, and placed on probation for 36 months.<br />
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Then, on Saturday, I learned from AOL that gorgeous, talented Whitney Houston had died. Over the weekend media reports speculated that her death was due to a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol even though the medical examiner's office says it will take up to eight weeks for the toxicology report.<br />
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Whitney was one of America's favorite divas, even when she and former New Edition bad-boy, Bobby Brown, paraded their dysfunctional relationship before millions of viewers.<br />
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These tragic deaths remind us that celebrities are fallible. However, the world gets to see their foibles and faults in the glare of publicity. Likewise, millions of people--who don't know them--make rash judgements. <br />
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Celebrities' wealth and fame do not render them immune to mental or emotional problems. So, next time you look enviously at the life of a movie star, sports figure, or entertainer (even briefly), remember behind closed doors they struggle just like you and me. Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-29611270357393444882012-02-06T23:57:00.000-08:002012-02-06T23:57:36.147-08:00"Anonymous" hackers: cyber rebels?Hackers are cyber rebels.<br />
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They brazenly penetrate "secure" computer systems and access e-mail communications of banks, law enforcement agencies, corporations, and credit card companies demonstrating their vulnerability.<br />
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Recently Anonymous, an amorphous collective of hackers, released audio segments of communication between Scotland Yard and the FBI. <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/anonymous-hackers-strike-15516681?tab=9482931&section=1206840&playlist=2521702">http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/anonymous-hackers-strike-15516681?tab=9482931&section=1206840&playlist=2521702</a><br />
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The group has launched cyber attacks across the world closing down the government website in Sweden, breaking into Greece's Justice Department, and accessing personnel data at police stations in Boston, Syracuse, and Salt Lake City.<br />
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Their video taunt, "Expect Us."<br />
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Ironically, I am reading, <em>Ghost in the Wires, My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker </em>by Kevin Mitnick with William L. Simon (Little Brown and Company, August 2011), now reformed and <br />
a security consultant, co-author of two bestsellers, <em>The Art of Deception </em>and <em>The Art of Intrusion.</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWdH706DFC9w3NMoQaOxokfTHzSO1HR4f5M8AaREcll1XOTXBtYmMICTYnE2LdyS6jMun4hyphenhyphenVSOZDyWRJbg_dOzjaxkxtFDekNtqtMWKFFlM_w-o7UBNKwaawHY5ANnb9plChspN1f5pZ/s1600/71Kevin_Mitnick_F_321x45.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWdH706DFC9w3NMoQaOxokfTHzSO1HR4f5M8AaREcll1XOTXBtYmMICTYnE2LdyS6jMun4hyphenhyphenVSOZDyWRJbg_dOzjaxkxtFDekNtqtMWKFFlM_w-o7UBNKwaawHY5ANnb9plChspN1f5pZ/s200/71Kevin_Mitnick_F_321x45.gif" width="142" /></a></div>Prior to his crossover from the dark side of hacking--into organizations such as Microsoft and Pacific Bell--Mitnick was pursued by the FBI and was one of U.S. Marshall's "most wanted."<br />
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Nonetheless, Mitnick served a total of 26 months--on three separate occasions--for breaking into phone company systems and downloading data and stealing files and manuals. <br />
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Today he heads Mitnick Security Consulting and speaks around the country about scams and security risks.<br />
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All of this makes me wonder. Just how safe are our personal histories, financial data, or personnel files? Personally, I think it is naive to think that <em>any</em> information is safe from hacking, whether benign or malicious. This is the price we say for continually emerging computer technologies.Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-54479868917283545222012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:002012-01-16T15:38:47.105-08:00Martin Luther King Day: Do We Remember?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoM7COR3cY9kw1UzDRBea5cshdzUc3VBC6hVVnSUgFmQJTyIIvO5SdWmw1O-yiN4d1KDLQ4fU2LtmuSljiDWboBpGG-gvu_ot2bl_zkycn2JKk-ea1fdsA7CQSRON0Ssgscuy2fIubnC8/s1600/0909001r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoM7COR3cY9kw1UzDRBea5cshdzUc3VBC6hVVnSUgFmQJTyIIvO5SdWmw1O-yiN4d1KDLQ4fU2LtmuSljiDWboBpGG-gvu_ot2bl_zkycn2JKk-ea1fdsA7CQSRON0Ssgscuy2fIubnC8/s320/0909001r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Today we commemorate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For many of us, however, this translates into a day off work. <br />
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Dr. King's legacy seems of little relevance to Americans in the new millennium; the drama, violence, and controversy surrounding the civil rights movement long forgotten.<br />
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Vicious police actions against nonviolent protesters--using fire hoses and attack dogs--shocked the nation. On the other hand, those televised images to mobilize people of different religions, race, and economic status in the fight against segregation.<br />
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Bombings, murders, and church-burnings dominated newspaper headlines during this period of deep unrest.<br />
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Millions of Americans--black and white, male and female, straight and gay--have benefited from the courage of King and ordinary citizens who faced hostile crowds and indifferent law enforcement to bring about change. <br />
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It is inevitable that historical events lose less impact for later generations who did not witness or participate in them<br />
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Nonetheless, by recalling our nation's history, we recognize the price paid by others for rights we enjoy today, even in times of economic instability.<br />
,Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028501669864137667.post-39090851418436568812012-01-09T21:11:00.000-08:002012-01-09T21:11:54.332-08:00(Re-) Running Amok on TVWe all know what to expect from TV programmers on holidays---marathons (re-runs). Day-long replays of old series (<em>Twilight Zone, Law and Order</em>) can be entertaining for loyal fans; however, too many networks/channels, including Sy-Fy, Lifetime Movie Network (LMN), Investigation Discovery, and A&E fall back on old (often stale) programming.<br />
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The Premium channels are not much better. Most of them feature the same movies week after week. So, that extra $10 or $11 monthly charge does not assure that viewers will get new content. <br />
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This week, for example, HBO's roster includes <em>Gladiator</em> (2000), <em></em><em> Pulp Fiction</em> (1994), <em>Sixteen Candles</em> (1984) and <em>Missing</em> (1982), <br />
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Cinemax's most recent movie is <em>Sucker Punch</em> (2011) and its oldest, <em>Universal Soldier</em> (1992).<br />
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Showtime offerings range from <em>Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon</em> (2011) to <em>Serving Sara</em> (2002).<br />
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Many of these movies are available at your local library for free!<br />
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Nonetheless, I (and millions like me) continue to pay for premium channels. Perhaps, we do so for the opportunity to an occasional hard-hitting documentary or original program whose content might not fly on the regular networks. <br />
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I only ask: HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime, please update your film archives from time to time.Wista Jeanne Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750431356647716707noreply@blogger.com0