Bill Cosby is apparently not Dr. Cliff Huxtable

Pardon me for the (‘ahem’) pun, “The proof is in the pudding” as Bill Cosby, the voice behind Jell-O and several other popular consumer product brands of the 1970’s, faces an increasing number of women who have come out from behind a decades-old curtain of shame and pain to accuse the celebrity comedian, entertainer, actor, moralist and Black “Father Knows Best” from the Baby Boomer Generation of being a serial rapist. In Mr. Cosby’s case, silence is not golden and statements by his attorney that he hasn’t been prosecuted or found guilty of these heinous accusations does not necessarily exonerate him of having done something criminal or improper of a sexual nature. Even Mr. Cosby issuing a brief statement like he refuses to dignify these [absurd] allegations by not answering them or telling people to do some fact-checking does not help his cause.  It’s like one of the classic oaters [Westerns] called “Shane” where the hero (Shane) played by Alan Ladd tells his protagonist, the gunslinger dressed in black (Jack Palance), “You’re a lowdown, yellow-bellied Yankee liar” to which his adversary (Palance) said, “Prove it!” So, isn’t this basically what Bill Cosby is saying, “Prove it?”

The ‘Coz’ knows that the statute of limitations has expired for the crime of rape and there was no forensic testing done forty years ago for fibers from clothing, or DNA samples collected from a rape kit after his accuser contacted the EMT or police and went to the hospital where an invasive exam could be performed to collect the evidence resulting from an exchange of bodily fluids or indication of vaginal penetration that would be used in a criminal proceeding. The only thing is that for women making such a charge means that their past sexual history could be introduced as evidence in court, whereas for the defendant [male] it is not required; and this is exactly what happened in the rape case against Kobe Bryant, so this is what keeps many female rape victims from not coming forward because they don’t want to go through such an ordeal and have their private and intimate sexual history exposed to the public                                                                                          

What is strange and weirder is that Bill Cosby used to have a comedy routine where he talks about drugging women and then having sex with them, but something like that could not have evoked much laughter from the audiences back then and it sure isn’t funny now. Come to think of it, was it life imitating art and these performances were just his way of bragging about or celebrating his criminal misdeeds and getting away with it right under peoples’ noses? As Arnold (Gary Coleman) from “Different Strokes” would say, “What you talking about Willis (Todd Bridges)”? Is it possible that the clean cut, respectable All-American dad, Dr. Cliff Huxtable was in fact a Gemini personality like Dr. Jekyll masquerading before the public, while at the same time keeping his Mr. Hyde inner psychopath or sociopath  nature from being discovered and exposed; until now? “Say it ain’t so” or is it so, really and truly? Bill Cosby is a role model and represented the  example of what a good dad could be and a responsible husband should be for legions of his fans; probably more Whites than Blacks because Blacks know better than that because it was unrealistic, at least the Dr. Huxtable portrayed on television. In fact the entire show was the White ideal that for all intents and purposes, very few educated, White upper middle-class families could live up to such high standards. Maybe there is an object lesson in all of this because after all, Hannah Montana is definitely not and was not Miley Cyrus, but at least in her case one can attribute her recent outrageous behavior to coming of age, growing up into early adulthood, and raging, post-adolescent age hormones.

As far as the African-American community is concerned there are so few moral authorities, especially among Black men and although comments that Bill Cosby has made about young Black males clothing, rap music, and other adverse stereotypical behaviors which delighted the ears of religious and political Conservatives, this fiasco may undue whatever credibility and respectability that he has left. I mean, this is way more serious than how many women Tiger Woods had sex with or indecent sexual behavior and innuendo by former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain’s female accusers, or even Anita’s Hill’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee at Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court nomination hearing about his indulgence in reading or watching pornographic material and other sexually explicit and lewd descriptions of genitalia as well as other interests of a prurient nature. Pertaining to Mr. Cosby’s troubles, this is one skit that “SNL” will never perform, even if writers are chomping at the bit to use their creative imagination and genius to come up with a racially and gender provocative routine because this is not something that can be trivialized into a comedy format, and it would be professionally irresponsible as well as grossly insensitive to the female victims, of whom all of them can’t be lying, nor even to Bill Cosby because, until proven guilty he has to be given the benefit of the doubt; even if that doubt of innocence increases with each passing day.

In America there are at least two crimes that you cannot expect to apologize for and receive forgiveness: one of them is rape and the other is being a pedophile. So, while we may never know exactly what happened between these women and Bill Cosby, one thing is for sure, something did occur and the bigger question that seems to get lost in the debate is whether Camille will, like Hillary Rodham-Clinton, “Stand by her Man” because at this point, his career comeback and social as well as moral legacy just might be going up in flames.

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 25, 2014
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

 

 

Republican control of Congress is mandate on Barack Obama's presidency

Super Tuesday’s mid-term elections might just have well been Blue Monday for president Obama, as Republicans gained control of the Senate after election results were finally tabulated. Candidate Barack Obama campaigned in 2008 as an agent of “Change” and the irony is, he accomplished that very thing; but not quite the way he expected. In president Obama’s first term, Democrats lost the majority leadership in the House of Representatives, which had been that way since the Clinton administration. After last night, the GOP gained six seats in the Senate, which had formerly been held by Democrats. This is a resounding defeat and repudiation of president Obama’s leadership and policies. Since Harry Reid will no longer be Senate Majority Leader, many of the bills signed into law by president Obama and those issued by Executive Order will probably be declared invalid and overturned; principal among them all is the controversial Affordable Care Act (ACA), or as it is derisively known as, “ObamaCare.”


This power shift in the nation’s capital will have implications for the state of Washington in particular, because Sen. Patty Murray would no longer head the Budget Committee and Sen. Maria Cantwell would have to step down as the Chair over the Small Business and Entrepreneurism Committee. However, the Republicans shouldn’t celebrate too soon because they still have to tackle the daunting issues of immigration reform, a sluggish economy, the budget, social security, the environment, global climate change, national security, and foreign relations; to name a few. For president Obama, will he erect a political wall around himself of Executive Orders and veto power, or instead, give in a little bit and make concessions by working with Republicans to get some meaningful legislation passed into law before he leaves office? Another interested spectator in the electoral outcome is none other than Hillary Clinton, of which, the results are undoubtedly the final nail in the coffin for her plans to run for president. It is unlikely that Hillary Clinton wants to be president with both Houses of Congress under Republican control. After last night’s results, not only is Barack Obama truly a “lame duck” president, but you can stick a fork in him and turn him over because for all intents and purposes “HE IS DONE.” President Obama likes to say, “The buck stops with me”-well, indeed it does.



Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
November 5, 2014
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Some thoughts on Marriage from someone who’s been there

This article is not a primer or guidebook on marriage, so if the reader is seeking marriage advice might I suggest Dear Abby, a member of the clergy, or perhaps Dr. Phil McGraw. Indeed, there are many sources to choose from on the subject and I am sure that close friends or relatives are only too willing and eager in most cases in offering their two cents; and “For Free” on top of that. What I am sharing is an unsolicited perspective based on what I know and have observed, and I certainly do not claim to be an expert because I don’t claim ownership to the answer of marital happiness or success; but I can give my opinion on some aspects of the experience. Let me start off by saying that I think an individual should not marry until later in life. Of course someone will mention their parents or good friends who married in their teens to a childhood sweetheart and are happily celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary, or have renewed their vows as senior citizens, and all that. Yes, there are many couples who have done such a thing and I do not mean any disrespect to the marital bond, love and commitment that have kept them together these many years, and I am sure they do not see themselves as the exceptions to the rule but rather just an average couple who found their soul mate, fell in love and got married. Even more interesting than that are the people who are totally opposite from the other, and yet in spite of these differences they are very happily married and wouldn’t have it any other way.

I wish that all marriages were like these but unfortunately such is not the case. There are of course socioeconomic factors at play that affect marital relationships, and the one thing that I have pondered about is that social science reveals the human brain is not fully developed until around the age of 24; so what does this have to do with marital longevity when millions of people marry young and stay that way until severe physical/mental disability or the death of one spouse end the marriage? I think when one is attracted to another person in many cases it is based on physical/sexual attraction and saying you are in love is a convenient culturally acceptable gift wrapping meant to satisfy certain social expectations reinforced by the established religious institution of holy matrimony as well as civil/moral authorities and through cultural/ethnic religious traditions. I mean, how many betrothed or engaged couples would not say they are getting married because they “love” the other person as opposed to saying they are taking the person off the market, or honestly admit to the sexual attraction first and foremost?  Is it possible that someone could be in love with the idea of being in “LOVE” or in love with the idea of being “MARRIED” because of the societal value placed on the experience and influence of the Christian Church that condemns illicit [outside of marriage] physical contact of a sexual nature?

Marriage is serious business involving a lifelong commitment that many younger people and quite a few older ones might not be able to fulfill, despite trying their best. The older teenager or early twenties person has just barely been emancipated from under the authority of a parent or legal guardian, and yet think he/she is able to take on the responsibility of marriage and raising a family with another person for the rest of their natural life, that is quite a leap of faith. Let’s face it, most of us weren’t thinking about the future but only the present-what we look like or how we are now and not about 40 years from now when the gray hair or bald areas appear on our scalp; the body is not toned, firm, and athletic and there is a bulging stomach, sagging breasts, varicose veins in our legs; flatter hips, our chest is not the ripped six-pack abs and that low BMI (Body Mass Index) of around 10% is now30%  or higher and our triglycerides and cholesterol (HDL) levels are high and we have plaque clogging our arteries, and most of all, the sex that used to be what we wanted to engage in everyday is almost nonexistent now.  This is the reality awaiting someone contemplating marriage that needs to look-into the future, your future. Also, if you think about it seriously, since each person sleeps approximately 8 hours daily on average, a 24 year old has spent 8 years of their time with their head on a pillow asleep and have enjoyed a mere 16 years enjoying life; that is surely not enough time to mature physiologically, socially, mentally, intellectually, mentally, and almost every other way to make such decision regarding marriage.

The American cultural lifestyle experience worships youth, beauty, physicality, sexuality, virility, instant gratification and not so much the qualities and benefits associated with age, patience, time and wisdom. We want to enjoy what is deemed the best NOW because later in life that treasured opportunity available at the very moment won’t be as good later and has no or limited usefulness. Love is for the young and NOT for those “young of heart,” which is just old age sentimentality; if one is really honest. Perhaps some of the reasons contributing to the high divorce rate and marital infidelity is because the individuals were not ready to give up their independence, freedom and autonomy but because of external pressures and expectations went ahead and got married anyway. There are countless examples of married couples who were right for each other but they married to soon instead of waiting until their heart [feelings] matched up with their head [intelligence/maturity]. There are many thousands who married early than they should have who are bitter, filled with resentment, anger, and regret- playing those old tapes over and over again in the minds, “If only I could do it all over again, I would . . . “

Finally, adding to that, marrying someone before both/either of you experience PMS (Pre-Midlife crisis Syndrome) just might be headed for a marriage on the rocks. Since the brain and all other high level functions don’t fully develop until the twenties it would seem prudent that it should take just as many years to understand the social world you live in, and plan a life as well as career where becoming an adult with family responsibilities would be much more realistic and enjoyable.

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St. #B-11

Tacoma, WA 98402

October 13, 2014

robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Columbus Day should be rescinded as a holiday

I am not sure about the rationale behind celebrating the exploits of the European mariner from Italy who discovered the New World (North America); and for that reason he deserves to have such an honor bestowed upon him? Besides, he didn’t discover America anyway. In the books, LEGENDS, LIES & Cherished Myths of American History, by Richard Shenkman, and Don’t Know Much About History, by Kenneth C. Davis, this explorer is presented more as a mass murderer than a hero. He was responsible for the extermination of thousands of Arawak Indians on the island of Haiti [NOTE: These are the same tribal ancestors referred to as the Taino in Hispaniola and the Bahamas referenced in Smithsonian.com]. According to historian Howard Zinn, the celebrated Columbus wanted a tribute of gold to take back to Spain from Indians fourteen years and above; those who did not comply had the hands cut off and bleed to death.

He goes on to recount that two years after Columbus’ arrival 250,000 Indians on Haiti died from murder, mutilation, or suicide. As a result of the indigenous population’s encounter with Columbus, his fellow explorers from Spain, following in his footsteps continued with the same and even worse mistreatment of the Arawak that by 1515 there were just 50,000 Indians left; in 1550 only 500 remained; by 1650 there were none (zero). Because Columbus discovered a peaceful people who welcomed him and his crew with kindness and open arms, now they no longer exist. If there was ever more incriminating evidence for crossing out October 8 on the calendar, then I cannot think of a stronger case to be made. This was genocide and ethnic cleansing in its most egregious and highest form and truly a holocaust for them. To honor this man after the atrocious murder and enslavement of men, women, and children would be like the Jews celebrating Adolph Hitler-which of course, warrants no further commentary; and so it should be with this evil man, too. Instead of the surname "Cristobal" that refers to someone of saintly character he should be named "Diabolos" for his deeds are more closely related to Satan than Christ.

  

So, why would there be national recognition of a man such as this-it all has to do with repeatable criminal acts. Columbus came to a foreign land and “discovered” a people already living there and subjugated them while wanting their gold. The European settlers to America that established the 13 colonies also “discovered” Indians living here, also. However, unlike Columbus who wanted to fill the royal treasury in Spain to reimburse King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella the cost for subsidizing his voyages (ship, cargo, and crew, etc.), in America there was the expansion westward under the mantra of “Manifest Destiny” to dislocate indigenous people comprising 500 separate nations (including colonial tribes) and government complicity in the crime of the ages by granting large tracts of land to any White settler who was up to the challenge of taming the wilderness frontier-except that the Indians were there first and ostensibly standing in the way of progress and profits. To make a long story short, the First Nations tribes and people are about a fraction of what they once were, along with losing the vast tracts of land that they once owned; having been taken away by military conquest and through legal treaties that were never adjudicated (enforced) consistently in their favor in state/ federal courts, the Supreme Court or ratified by just acts Congressional legislation. This pattern of exploitation and subjugation is not quite the genocide that was done to the Arawak, but it is still near cultural annihilation in almost every significant and conceivable way. So, why does America still celebrate this mass murderer's deeds; that's a very good question, indeed.

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St #B-11

Tacoma, WA 98402

October 11, 2014

robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Race is no longer an issue in America?

There is sign carried by one of the members for Veterans for Peace that reads: THE FIRST CASUALTY OF WAR IS TRUTH and nothing could be more appropriate than to lead the discussion on this important topic of race. There has always been differentiation or segmentation of human beings since primitive hunter/gathering tribal groups migrated out of the African savannah millennia ago. It is not my intention or interest to teach a course on Cultural Anthropology, Biblical Archaeology, Biology, Sociology, Microbiology, Genetics, or even History, but rather to mention these disciplines as a possible starting point when it pertains to understanding race; so let’s begin. Any cursory reading of our nation’s most cherished document, the Constitution, will reveal in plain language that “race” was an issue from the founding of the Republic. This problem was a concern that Thomas Jefferson addressed in his personal letters, as well as those of the “Great Emancipator” Abraham Lincoln. The color line on race, especially as it pertains to the American experience, was drawn a long time ago and was exported by the colonial settlers from Europe (old, medieval, renaissance, or classical, etc.); it doesn’t matter which era.

Christianity played no small role in the formation of a hierarchy or strata of people based on interpretation of the Bible relative to geography, cultural traditions, language, and physical characteristics. Not only that, color schema throughout Holy Writ depict ‘white’ as something holy, pure, virtuous, light, good, saintly, heavenly and more like God. On the other hand, blackness/darkness is considered evil, corrupt, defiled, rejected, hellish (outer darkness, the blackness of darkness), pain, misery, death (Sheol/the grave), and God separated the Darkness from the Light; there is no fellowship between light and darkness, though your sins be as scarlet (crimson red) they shall be as white as snow; and so on. The implicit meaning is one of “otherness” and doubtless may have influenced the cultural foundation for instituting a system for racial discrimination based on the distinctiveness of skin pigmentation due to phenotype. The scientific research only served as a backdrop to justify social attitudes that had already been inculcated among the masses of the White majority, even if it was on a subconscious or subliminal level. Race is a cultural construct but it has deep meaning in the society, eliciting emotional and physiological reactions because of constant and unrelenting exaggerated stereotype propaganda. Of course, it doesn’t necessarily have to be negative but it is an identifying marker for certain group behavior that supposedly is measured against the values and normative lifestyle of the dominant control group against whom everyone else (the ‘other/s’) are measured. There was, and the attitude might still linger among Whites, that no matter how worse off your circumstances you are still better than any Black person (or non-White for that matter)-simply because of having White skin. White skin privilege, physicality, or intellectual superiority is a myth that has been shattered long time ago but statistics have to be skewed and history deconstructed in a revisionist version to perpetuate this false belief.

Be that as it may, race is a convenient lie, an invention created by those who exert power in society and control the factors of production as well as all the other systems and institutions-to safeguard their propertied interests. The thing that is real is physical biology, and even those attributes aren’t all that significantly different among exogenous and endogenous groups. Since race is an illusion then the idea of a ‘pure’ race or some kind of inherent racial superiority divinely bestowed upon a particular people of European stock based on “Manifest Destiny” is also not true as well. In attempting to deconstruct this inherited fallacy of race I almost forgot to address the main purpose for the article, namely, to raise a serious question as to the absurdity of those proponents of an America where ‘race’ is no longer a concern. I can understand if mainstream media talks about a post-racial America but when Black intellectuals advocate this lunacy then I have to take notice. This reminds me of the lyrics to a song by Curtiss Mayfield of the soul group ‘The Impressions’ back in the 1960’s where he says “educated fools from uneducated schools. . .” So, to the individuals who cling to the neoliberal diatribe that class has replaced race, I have a little exercise for you, although in point of fact you take it every day-but here goes: When you walk out of your residence and come in contact with any person while engaging in some type of transaction for a product, service, or whatever it might be, do you notice class or race? What class, or is it race, that comprise the people that you interact with at the supermarket, bank, department store, restaurant, car dealership, or on your job? What class is in the majority of nearly every institution or organization in America-or is it no longer race? I could go on and on but I think the point has been made. No, race is still an issue in this country as it was from its foundation and will continue to be for as long as people continue to be spoon-fed on a steady diet of lies, half-truths and distortions. Yes, we are different but it is not because of ‘race’ but rather differentiation in our genetic markers. These changes and adaptations were necessary evolutionary mechanisms for survival as members of one race of Homo sapiens whose primordial ancestors made serial migrations away from our common place of origin from the African continent. Our diversity as far as phenotype is a badge of triumph in overcoming environments that were hostile, deadly and threatened our continuity as a human species, and of which we should celebrate instead of getting bogged down in the miry quicksand of race delusion.

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St. #B-11

Tacoma, WA 98402

October 7, 2014

robertrandle51@yahoo.com

What does Ferguson have to teach us about changing the racial narrative?

Just when the dust was settling over George Zimmerman shooting Trayvon Martin, now a White police office shoots and kills 18-year old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Another Black mother crying over losing her son, but does it ever stop and when will it ever end? It could be a police shooting or someone dying from a chokehold while being restrained by police, the result is the same- death. In nearly all these instances of what would appear to be unwarranted use of excessive force, the officer is rarely if ever charged with a felony crime of first degree manslaughter, which is ridiculous. Now having said that, there are a few bad apples in every police department and these are the ones that are a disgrace to the uniform and dishonor the very oath of civic responsibility and duty that they have been sworn to uphold, “To Protect and Serve.” I think that by and large, the police are not respected and appreciated for the tough job they are required and expected to perform. The police see and are exposed to things that many of us have no idea are happening right under our very noses, dealing with and resolving some of the very worst of situations in order to keep the public safer, certainly deserves our respect and support.

But before continuing on, there is some room for criticism in the Black community. First and foremost, we must stop using the police department as the culturally-institutionalized racial boogey man or scarecrow to justify some kind of almost inbred, generational hatred and mistrust of all police officers, especially the ones who are White. Perhaps even more important than these incidents that make national headlines in newspapers and lead stories on broadcast news is the fact that more Black youth kill one another or are victims of felony assaults than police shootings, so where is the outrage in that? This is a real problem that the Black community doesn’t quite know how to come to terms with and yet it is something that we just can’t ignore. What if Trayvon Martin or Michael Brown had been shot by another Black youth, would we even be talking about them or would they be just another entry in the local obituary column?

Some final thoughts: Does the age of the victim make a difference, I mean, what if the police fatally shot an unarmed 12-year old Black male that was walking down the street or on the sidewalk, or had just shoplifted some candy? What would be the public reaction if a Black police officer shot a White teenage male six times, with two bullet wounds to the head, or slammed a White teenager’s head on the hood of a police cruiser, or if a minority officer placed a chokehold on a White teenager who later died of a heart attack-would the officer be criminally prosecuted or cleared to go back on duty?  A few solutions: First and foremost, all police officers or those who patrol in population dense urban areas or communities with diverse ethnic minorities should be required to wear on-body cameras as well as have dash cameras on their vehicles. These devices must be working and on at all times, especially in encounters with criminal suspects. Investigations of any suspicious shooting death by police should be handled by an independent civilian review board or other agency unrelated to law enforcement, and any forensics should be conducted by a medical examiner outside the local jurisdiction.

The U.S. Justice Department and Attorney General’s office should investigate these kinds of events and take charge when local authorities are stonewalling, and the government should vigorously seek indictments through a federal prosecutor on civil rights violations, especially the Fifth Amendment: No one shall be deprived of Life, Liberty, or Property without due process of law. President Obama commented that this was another teachable moment, but for whom? What we need is a “prosecutable” moment where these kinds of egregious abuses of police power will not happen again. It is only when a police or law enforcement officer is finally arrested, tried, and sentenced in federal court (because it is highly unlikely that White jurors would convict) under a federal judge or magistrate, that rogue cops will not be able to continue committing such criminal acts with impunity.

What the police departments have to realize is that the ‘real’ enemy is not the Black community but one of your own fellow brothers in blue, and what the Black community has to do is get over the internal programming of hating the P-O-L-I-C-E that we have been spoon fed for generations; even when many of us have had quite benign encounters with them which usually involved some kind of traffic infraction or violation. And in those few instances when the police did act in some other way, can we say we were just innocent victims minding our own business and were randomly targeted without any prevailing circumstances to the contrary, or that we weren’t doing something we should not have been doing, or that we were at the wrong place at the wrong time? Let’s wake up and smell the coffee and can’t we all just learn to get along.
 

ADDENDUM:

Since the motivating idea behind the protests is about justice, would rioting in Ferguson and other acts of civil disturbances and demonstrations taking place across the country be happening if Michael Brown were White and shot by the same policeman or another White officer? Why don’t White people get enraged and tear up their communities or would they do so only if a Black cop shot a White youth? In my local community there was a ‘rainbow coalition’ of residents, probably more Whites than Blacks protesting the incident in Ferguson, but I wonder how many Blacks would be participating in demonstrations where a White youth was fatally shot by a White police officer- or even a Black policeman? I mean, if it’s a matter of “justice” and not JUST US, then race, color, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation shouldn’t matter- but we seem to be nearly invisible when incidents of brutality happen to other people, or is it only just about “us”? Lastly, I wonder what the level of tension is in the squad room at the Ferguson police department, especially between the half dozen Black policemen and their fellow White comrades in blue. Not only that, but have any of the Blacks personally spoken to Officer Darren Wilson in a show of support or shunned him, and would any of them be willing to partner with him in future community patrols?

Robert Randle
776 Commerce St #B11
Tacoma, WA 98402
August 20, 2014
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Minimum Wage: Plausible moral choice or bad economics?

There is doubtless a compelling moral reason to support workers earning more money to take care of their family responsibilities but just how practical is it? A crash course in “Microeconomics 101” shows   supply/demand models that seem to strongly suggest the alternative opinion that such a policy is not the panacea that it would appear to offer at first glance. For one thing, there is a certain number of jobs at the prevailing wage rate (job market in equilibrium), and this is taking into account the people who are looking for work and vacancies that have gone unfilled. Imposing a minimum wage rate (price floor) that is above the prevailing wage rate can result in employers laying off workers or not hiring as many workers at the higher rate. As a result, you have a greater Demand for jobs at the higher wage but the Supply has shrunken, adding to higher unemployment. The policy benefits those few workers who are paid the higher wage but at the expense of those who had to be laid off. One of the unintended consequences is that it disproportionately affects low-skilled and less productive workers because it will be harder for them to be competitive in the labor market at the higher range of earnings as employers can be more selective about whom they want to hire. An employer might raise the wage of workers fifteen percent or so but more than that, say fifty percent or greater, might just force the company to go out of business. The most disadvantaged, unproductive workers are the most vulnerable and increasingly likely to be priced out of the job market altogether. In order to survive, employers will have to reduce hours, cut benefits (pensions, health benefits), as well as pass along the increased costs to the consumer.

With the wage increase, unemployed people might find it advantageous to spend their time and effort trying to get one of those better paying jobs when they might have been willing to work for much less, even at the old prevailing rate. A better solution might be for an individual employer to pay workers a “living wage” which is in economic terms, an hourly wage rate for a 40-hour work to pay rent or housing for no more than roughly thirty-five percent of the amount earned. If the rent is $210 weekly, this amounts to $840 monthly. $840/0.35= $2,400/160 hrs. = $15/hr. In this example the living wage may very well exceed the minimum wage and it is offered simply as an illustration. Practically speaking, if a firm wanted to pay its employees more it could do so by becoming more efficient, lowering marginal costs while increasing the output from labor (being more productive). It could become more innovative than the competitors where it gains a monopoly position and could charge higher prices from increased Demand, thereby passing along some of the increased profits to valued employees who contribute to the successful outcome. So, the minimum wage might be a good short term remedy to offset higher cost of living expenses but it may not solve the long-term solution of pay inequity; at least not for those who will be the most adversely impacted (economically poor, low-skilled, non-college educated, or workers who do not have vocational/technical school training).

 

REFERENCES

 

Browning, Edgar K and Zupan, Mark A. Microeconomics: Theory and Applications.
New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2006. Print.

Parkin, Michael. Microeconomics. New York: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2005. Print.

 

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
May 27, 2014
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

                                      

Michael Sam coming out of the closet

The confession by University of Missouri football player Michael Sam about his sexual orientation has received praise across the country, especially from President Obama and First Lady Michelle. This admission has received quite a bit of coverage in various news, media and entertainment outlets like the New York Times, ESPN, NFL Network, Sports Illustrated, and even the Arsenio Hall show. I wonder why Michael decided to mention that he is “openly gay” at this point as opposed to sooner; wait until later to talk about it or not say anything about his sexual preference. Did someone find out about Michael’s lifestyle choice and threaten to expose him by leaking it to the public and so he decided to get ahead of it to save further embarrassment, ridicule or criticism? Was this done to spare his teammates, coaches, family, friends, or the University further anxieties about having to explain potentially damaging rumors and inquiries into Michael’s past and present off-campus activities, private life and intimate associations? Also, there is a cultural dimension to the matter because Michael is African-American and attitudes about homosexuality versus Black male masculinity are a little more complex than perhaps any other ethnic/racial group; with the possible exception among those of Latino origin. The “down low” brother has been the object of scorn, controversy, and contradiction within the Black community and its perceived threat to Black manhood or identity. The time and attention over this brouhaha may well be misplaced. If Tim Tebow came out of the closet as a gay man, then there might be something to talk about, but in Michael’s case, I am not so sure; and it might have been overblown, anyway.   

New Orleans Saints Linebacker, Jonathan Vilma, made an interesting statement to reporter Andrea Kremer of NFL Network, in which he said, “I’m naked, taking a shower, and the guy looks at me . . . what am I supposed to do?” The reaction is based on whether one is ‘homophobic’ and the level of self-confidence or security in your own sense of being a man or level of physicality. There are men who have tendencies or subtle attractions or attachments to other males in some kind of bonding ritual but are not homosexuals; at least they do not act on the feelings in an intimate sexual manner but they do like to roughhouse a little bit; or perhaps it is more than that. There are also “feminized males” but not the ones who are cross-dressers, transgendered, or likes to wear some article of female clothing, which is usually panties; but not necessarily always. There are a few other examples but not to digress any further from the case of Michael Sam and other athletes, both in and out of professional sports, should everyone who is gay or lesbian say they are? I mean, what you do in private and behind closed doors is your personal business as long as your lifestyle choice doesn’t pose a threat or harm to me or in some way leads to the destruction of society. The only thing that is relevant in the discussion is whether or not someone has HIV/AIDS [like former NBA great, Earvin “magic” Johnson], and having a same-sex male partner is not synonymous with the disease or any other health risk, so I don’t see what the problem is. So, would the spotlight be on Michael Sam if he were not a gridiron star player who will be included in the NFL draft? What if there is an openly gay athlete who sits on the bench and gets very little playing time-is his/her sexual orientation less important, or is he/she less courageous than Michael? Maybe one day these tell all’s won’t be so surprising [if they really are], but until then the “tabloid” media will continue to entertain the public with more stories like this one.

 

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
February 12, 2014
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

 

 

 

2014 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

One of the responsibilities for the Chief Executive is delineated by Article 2, Section 3 (a): He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.  Televised State of the Union addresses are usually unexcitingly mundane political theatre, and President Obama’s 2014 speech deviated very little from his previous ones or those of other presidents in contemporary modern times. The Republican response afterwards was rather anemic and commentary by syndicated columnist David Brooks and political commentator Marc Shields on the PBS McNeil/Lehrer News Hour didn’t find much substance in the address, either.  Mr. Brooks mentioned that it lacked anything dealing with outlining policy, which he found a little disappointing, but that criticism is a usual complaint based mostly on partisan ideology. The thing is, though, the event is not the appropriate forum for policy formulation but rather serves as a national stage for the president to share his assessment on the overall health of the nation and to offer recommendations to Congress for implementation of  legislation that will, in the words of the Preamble, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity; as well as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as articulated in the Declaration of Independence.

 

President Obama is certainly not shy about heaping high praise upon First Lady Michelle Obama and her Let’s Move partnership that has supposedly contributed, based on her example, influence, and advocacy, the reduction of the upward trend in childhood obesity for the first time in 30 years. Additionally, Michelle and Jill Biden launched the Joining Forces Alliance which has been a vehicle to provide incentives for employers to hire and train more than 400,000 veterans and military spouses. I wonder if there is a website or information that can be accessed to find out how these organizations are really performing and the success rate, beyond all the rhetorical spin and fuzzy math.  Of course it is to be expected that there would be compelling human interest stories of real, hardworking Americans like teachers, farmers, autoworkers, rural doctors, pizzaria workers,  blue collar workers, female single parents, or the child of a non-English speaking factory worker.  The most emotional moment was about the life of Army Ranger Sgt. Corey Remsburg, who was severely wounded while on his tenth deployment was nearly killed by a massive roadside bomb in Afghanistan.  Sounding a note of positivity, president Obama mentioned about the rebounding housing market, rising domestic oil production levels, reduction of the deficit by more than half, and supplanting China as the number one place for business investment dollars. He also took the time to defend the burgeoning size of the federal government. President Obama said the compromise with Congress over the budget should free up time to work toward the creation of new jobs, not create new crises. He referred to the government shutdown which threatened the full faith and credit of the United States [affecting the rating on Treasury bonds in the international financial markets].

Although no specific policy was highlighted, what was introduced were numerous programs and foreign policy strategies; some old some new, such as:

 

1. The White House just organized a College Opportunity Summit where already, 150 universities, businesses, and nonprofits have made concrete commitments to reduce inequality in access to higher education.

2. Reforming the tax code because complicated loopholes that punish businesses investing here; end those incentives to ship jobs overseas, and lower tax rates for businesses that create jobs here at home (old news).

3. Create jobs rebuilding our roads, upgrading our ports, unclogging our commutes – Congress  protect more than three million jobs by finishing transportation and waterways bills .But I will act on my own to slash bureaucracy and streamline the permitting process for key projects, so we can get more construction workers on the job as fast as possible (old news).

4. High-tech manufacturing in Raleigh, North Carolina and Youngstown, Ohio where we’ve connected businesses to research universities (old news).

5. Bank loans to small business owners (old news).

6. Bi-partisan trade promotion authority to protect our workers, protect our environment, and open new markets to new goods stamped “Made in the USA”

7. A patent reform bill that allows our businesses to stay focused on innovation, not costly, and needless litigation.

8. Businesses plan to invest almost $100 billion in new factories that use natural gas. I’ll cut red tape to help states get those factories built and put folks to work, and this Congress can help by putting people to work building fueling stations that shift more cars and trucks from foreign oil to American natural gas (old news).

9. Environmental protection: strengthening protection of our air, our water, and our communities. I’ll use my authority to protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations (old news).

10.  A smarter tax policy that stops giving $4 billion a year to fossil fuel industries that don’t need it, so that we can invest more in fuels of the future that do (old news).

11. Climate change (old news).

12. Immigration reform (old news).

13. An American Job Center – places where folks can walk in to get the help or training they need to find a new job, or better job.

14. Vice-President Biden to lead an across-the-board reform of America’s training programs to make sure they have one mission: train Americans with the skills employers need, and match them to good jobs that need to be filled right now.

15. Reforming unemployment insurance so that it’s more effective in today’s economy. But first, this Congress needs to restore the unemployment insurance you just let expire for 1.6 million people (old news).

16.  We worked with lenders to reform student loans. We’re offering millions the opportunity to cap their monthly student loan payments to ten percent of their income, and I want to work with Congress to see how we can help even more Americans who feel trapped by student loan debt (old news).

17. I asked this Congress to help states make high-quality pre-K available to every four year-old.   Race to the Top, guaranteeing every child access to a world-class education. So just as we worked with states to reform our schools, this year, we’ll invest in new partnerships with states and communities across the country in a race to the top for our youngest children. And as Congress decides what it’s going to do, I’m going to pull together a coalition of elected officials, business leaders, and philanthropists willing to help more kids access the high-quality pre-K they need (old news).

18.  Last year, I also pledged to connect 99 percent of our students to high-speed broadband over the next four years. Tonight, I can announce that with the support of the FCC and companies like Apple, Microsoft, Sprint, and Verizon, we’ve got a down payment to start connecting more than 15,000 schools and twenty million students over the next two years, without adding a dime to the deficit.

19.  We’re working to redesign high schools and partner them with colleges and employers that offer the real-world education and hands-on training that can lead directly to a job and career (old news).

20.  And I’m reaching out to some of America’s leading foundations and corporations on a new initiative to help more young men of color facing tough odds stay on track and reach their full potential.

NOTE: This was quite unexpected and the quietude in the Chamber was so deafening that you could hear a pin drop a midst the astonished crowd; along with the multitude of hushed whispers. NO APPLAUSE FOR THIS CAUSE.

21. Today, women make up about half our workforce. But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That is wrong, and in 2014, it’s an embarrassment. A woman deserves equal pay for equal work. It’s time to do away with workplace policies that belong in a “Mad Men” episode (old news).

NOTE: I think this is the first time that a State of the Union speech referenced a series on HBO.

22. Lifting the minimum wage to $10.10; it’s easy to remember-ten ten.

23. Let’s do more to help Americans save for retirement. I will direct the Treasury to create a new way for working Americans to start their own retirement savings: MyRA. It’s a new savings bond that encourages folks to build a nest egg. MyRA guarantees a decent return with no risk of losing what you put in.

24. And because of the Affordable Care Act” more than three million Americans under age 26 have gained coverage under their parents’ plans. More than nine million Americans have signed up for private health insurance or Medicaid coverage. And here’s another number: zero. Because of this law, no American, none, zero, can ever again be dropped or denied coverage for a preexisting condition like asthma, back pain, or cancer.  And we did all this while adding years to Medicare’s finances, keeping Medicare premiums flat, and lowering prescription costs for millions of seniors (old news).

25.  Citizenship means standing up for everyone’s right to vote. Last year, part of the Voting Rights Act was weakened. But conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats are working together to strengthen it; and the bipartisan commission I appointed, chaired by my campaign lawyer and Governor Romney’s campaign lawyer, came together and have offered reforms so that no one has to wait more than a half hour to vote (old news).

NOTE: The political commentators and pundits punted on this one, too (no pun intended).

26. Citizenship means standing up for the lives that “gun violence” steals from us each day. I have seen the courage of parents, students, pastors, and police officers all over this country who say “we are not afraid,” and I intend to keep trying, with or without Congress, to help stop more tragedies from visiting innocent Americans in our movie theaters, shopping malls, or schools like Sandy Hook (old news).

FOREIGN SECURITY/NATIONAL SECURITY:

27. And I know this chamber agrees that few Americans give more to their country than our diplomats [Benghazi consulate in Libya] and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces (old news).

28.  After 2014, we will support a unified Afghanistan as it takes responsibility for its own future. If the Afghan government signs a security agreement that we have negotiated, a small force of Americans could remain in Afghanistan with NATO allies to carry out two narrow missions: training and assisting Afghan forces, and counterterrorism operations to pursue any remnants of al Qaeda (old news).

29.  While we have put al Qaeda’s core leadership on a path to defeat, the threat has evolved, as  al Qaeda affiliates and other extremists take root in different parts of the world. In Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, and Mali, we have to keep working with partners to disrupt and disable these networks (old news). 

30. In Syria, we’ll support the opposition that rejects the agenda of terrorist networks. Here at home, we’ll keep strengthening our defenses, and combat (old news).

31.  New threats like cyber-attacks (old news).

32. The prudent limits on the use of drones (old news; foreign/domestic??).

33. I will reform our surveillance programs – because the vital work of our intelligence community depends on public confidence, here and abroad, that the privacy of ordinary people is not being violated (old news).

34. This needs to be the year Congress lifts the remaining restrictions on detainee transfers and we close the prison at Guantanamo Bay (old news).

35. American diplomacy has rallied more than fifty countries to prevent nuclear materials from falling into the wrong hands, and allowed us to reduce our own reliance on Cold War stockpiles (old news).

36. Syria’s chemical weapons are being eliminated, and we will continue to work with the international community to usher in the future the Syrian people deserve – a future free of dictatorship, terror and fear (old news).

37. American diplomacy is supporting Israelis and Palestinians as they engage in difficult but necessary talks to end the conflict there; to achieve dignity and an independent state for Palestinians, and lasting peace and security for the State of Israel – a Jewish state that knows America will always be at their side (old news).

38. Iran has begun to eliminate its stockpile of higher levels of enriched uranium [sanctions??]. It is not installing advanced centrifuges. Unprecedented inspections help the world verify, every day, that Iran is not building a bomb.

39. Iran’s support for terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, which threaten our allies (old news).

40.  Our alliance with Europe remains the strongest the world has ever known.

NOTE: Is this statement overlooking the NSA documents about U.S. spying on their allies, thanks to Eric Snowden?

41. From Tunisia to Burma, we’re supporting those who are willing to do the hard work of building democracy. In Ukraine, we stand for the principle that all people have the right to express themselves freely and peacefully, and have a say in their country’s future. Across Africa, we’re bringing together businesses and governments to double access to electricity and help end extreme poverty. In the [South] Americas, we are building new ties of commerce, but we’re also expanding cultural and educational exchanges among young people. And we will continue to focus on the Asia-Pacific [containment/restraining China], where we support our allies, shape a future of greater security and prosperity, and extend a hand to those devastated by disaster (old news).

42. As this time of war draws to a close, a new generation of heroes returns to civilian life. We’ll keep slashing that backlog so our veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned, and our wounded warriors receive the health care – including the mental health care – that they need. We’ll keep working to help all our veterans translate their skills and leadership into jobs here at home. And we all continue to join forces to honor and support our remarkable military families (old news).

 

 

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St. #B-11

Tacoma, WA 98402

January 30, 2014

robertrandle51@yahoo.com

 

Is Richard Sherman vindicated and Michael Crabtree vilified?

It has been nearly a week since Seattle Seahawks Defensive Cornerback Richard Sherman’s postgame victory rant to FOX Sports reporter Erin Andrews, which has gone viral on the Internet. The thing is though, a sincere apology from Sherman and a fine in excess of $7,800 from the NFL for taunting, notwithstanding, there are several things that need to be put into perspective. The first thing that has to be admitted is Sherman’s behavior in that moment of his interview was unprofessional, but it does not mean he has “no class.” In fact, his class was on display after the game winning deflection of San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick’s pass to Wide Receiver Michael Crabtree that as both players were walking off the field, a jubilant Sherman patted Crabtree on the backside and said, “Hell of a game.” An understandably dejected Crabtree did not acknowledge Sherman, and rebuffed his gesture with a swing of his arm toward Sherman’s shoulder or facemask. In all due fairness to Crabtree, he almost made an incredible catch that would have sealed Seattle’s fate, and the San Francisco Forty-Niners would have been representing the NFC in Super Bowl XLVIII. Obviously, the weight of that fact was not lost on Crabtree and so because he is such a competitor, as well as feeling a little bit like he might have let his team down, he acted the way that he did; but that was of course, on the field.

Now to break it down a little more: This was the third meeting between the Forty-Niners and Seahawks in this football season and there is probably no love lost between these two professional sports franchises, coaches and their fans; let alone the players.  As always, the media likes to stir things up and will exploit to the fullest any trash talking or incident for maximum effect, and such is the case in this case.  Any casual viewer of the Seattle Seahawks games cannot but notice Richard Sherman always talking because that’s just the way he is. Even during interviews after the game, on more than one occasion Richard Sherman not only likes to talk into the mic and in front of the camera. He also likes to play like a reporter by taking the mic and asking some of his fellow teammate’s questions, too. With all that being said, Q13 FOX, in true 12th man true blue-green Seahawk fashion, expended considerable resources to vindicate Richard Sherman but allowing the viewing audience to hear a recording of what was said on the field after the Seahawks victory; which has been broadcast over and over again every day since last Sunday. Sports Director Aaron Levine is especially annoying, and I think Michelle Ludtka should replace him because she is a better sportscaster, period. The one thing that I think portrayed Richard Sherman in the negative light that it did was during his tirade, he called out Crabtree as “second-rate” and by saying, “This is what happens when you try to test/challenge me” [paraphrasing Sherman].

I can understand why Coach Pete Carroll and The Seahawks organization wanted to do damage control in a hurry, and get this matter behind them and not let it take on a life of its own, and become a distraction leading up to and possibly during game day. Strategically, Richard Sherman talked about his behavior was not who he really was, and the outburst was just a side of him as a player in the heat of a hard-fought battle, and it was not personal. Then there was the Sherman family biography with his parents especially praising Richard’s academic accomplishments as an Honor’s Student in High School and Stanford graduate with a BA in Communications. Such a wonderful picture and not that of a “thug” drafted strictly for athletic ability. There was also mention of the charity work that Richard Sherman is involved in, but many professional sports athletes give back to the community or get involved in helping others; Crabtree probably does the same, as well as other San Francisco Forty-Niners. In fact, the Forty-Niners or their fans are involved in a local charity in the South Sound (Seattle or thereabouts).

One final point: I wonder if there would have been the same concern or outrage if Richard Sherman had done his Dennis Rodman high-on-somethin’ ranting and raving persona in front of reporter Pam Oliver [who reportedly said that the 12th man wasn’t all that great; at least to her] instead White reporter Erin Andrews.

 

Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
January 25, 2014
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Rise of the Drones

The Tacoma News Tribune featured an article on December 30, 2013 by Associated Press reporter Michelle Kindles, about the growing business of unmanned aerial drones, and the six states that have been awarded contracts so far; Washington State was not among the bidders for this newly evolving and potentially profitable commercial industry. Drones are supposed to be used by the military in the War on Terror to destroy al-Qaida insurgents in the Arabian Peninsula and Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan, not soaring overhead in American airspace. Proponents of this venture talk about the benefits to farmers, private businesses, the government (state/federal), and research opportunities for colleges and universities. The detractors on the other hand express “right of privacy” concerns and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) wants to introduce la bill before Congress that would prohibit searches for illegal activity without a warrant. ACLU attorney Catherine Crump wants Congress to act now and enact legislation that would have nationwide privacy protections before the skies are filled with drones.  If this isn’t bad enough, American citizens are increasingly placed under surveillance at-shopping malls, courtrooms, public libraries, art galleries, hotels, schools/colleges, government buildings (county, city, state, federal), sporting events, and watched by traffic cameras as we drive through intersections, etc. And thanks to Whistleblower Eric Snowden, the NSA has been collecting data on our personal/private cellphone conversations without our knowledge or permission.

In fact, Lawrence Hurley of Reuters was featured in Tacoma News Tribune January 18, 2014, NATION&WORLD section (page A-13), writing about 2 cases (Riley v California; U.S. v Wurie) that are scheduled to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, and the legal issue is “Whether police can search a criminal suspect’s cellphone [for evidence] after he has been arrested, without a search warrant”? Just like with the unmanned aerial drones, can law enforcement use technology in criminal prosecutions by extending the range of the “plain view” doctrine from a thousand feet up in the sky by the use of a telephoto camera lens of a residential home suspected of growing marijuana plants? It is all about protecting the Fourth Amendment guarantee which prohibits unreasonable search and seizures without a valid search warrant based upon “probable cause;” not on general principle, intuition, a lucky break, or some other chance and circumstance. This Brave New World or the “new normal” in America is beginning to look more like North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, or some totalitarian regime in the Middle East where, like with them, the increasing police powers of the state are slowly but surely eroding our civil liberties and privacy rights/right to an intimate life without government putting its nose into our personal business. What will be the next constitutional and fundamental right taken away or abridged? Is it like Gil Scott Heron of the Last Poets who defines “F-R-E-E-D-O-M” as free doom?

Of course one can always look on the bright side of things and say these changes are just growing pains and that American society, like the forecast on the economy in 2008, is strong and good. But wait, didn’t the Meltdown on Wall Street happen soon afterward? Perhaps not too much will be made of drones flying overhead and like most things, will be so commonplace that one will hardly notice, or it could be like the old saying, “The road to HELL is paved with good intentions.”

 

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
January 20, 2014
robertrandle51@yahoo.com