November 16, 2009
Despite what some may argue, second Congressional district Representative Anh “Joseph” Cao (R – La) may not be the health care hero he has been dubbed. Cao, who represents a heavily Democratic district, made headlines when he voted in favor of health care reform.
Recently, he has been hailed as the poster boy for bi-partisan legislation and progress who stood up to his Republican colleagues and voted with the needs of his Democratic constituents. While millions followed the monumental November 7, 2009, Congressional vote for health care reform many supporters of the measure celebrated Cao’s courage to break from party politics.
What most people didn’t pay attention to was the fact that Cao’s vote was recorded after 218 other Congressional members voted for the measure though he said he had decided to support the bill once the Stupak Amendment passed.
When asked if his plan was to not voted until the bill had enough support to pass, he responded with, “Uh, no.” He says that he did not intentionally wait until the number of support hit 218 – the number of votes needed for the measure to pass the House – he went on to explain that he and his colleagues have 15 minutes to vote and that many times they wait until the last minute.
Cao argues that his vote was not contingent upon anyone else’s. However, he did not answer when asked if he had been the deciding vote – would he have still supported the measure. He went on to say, “my commitment is to support the President in his reform bill.”
Despite Cao’s commitment being to support President Obama with health care reform, he voted to replace the bill with the Republican version – that did not address denying people because of pre-existing conditions. After that motion failed, he voted to table the Democratic bill.
Cao goes on to say he voted for the Republican version of health care reform because he thought “there were some provisions in the Republican bill that were good, but still it was only a procedural vote.” He says he did not think his party’s bill was a better measure but that tort reform and other issues needed to be addressed.
After the Cao’s vote on health care reform, his office released a statement saying, “Cao votes for life.” Many people incorrectly assumed that meant he voted for the lives of the millions of uninsured and under-insured Americans. He explained that the statement was in regards to his support of the Stupak Amendment, something that supports the notion that a women’s ability to have the right to choose should be based on how much money is at her disposal.
If Cao’s commitment is truly to support President Obama’s health care bill, he should be one of the first to vote instead of the second to last when the measure goes before the House again this year. Hopefully, his pro-life stance is extended to those who will die without reform in our health care system.
7.07.2009
Local legislator makes mockery of the term 'role model'
The Shreveport Sun
June 29, 2009
Last week – the day before the Legislative Session ended – Shreveport rapper, Hurricane Chris, performed his latest single “Halle Berry (She’s Fine)” on the House floor after receiving a proclamation for his musical accomplishments.
Local State Rep., Barbara Norton introduced the motion by saying she felt it was important to support young people who are doing positive things in their community and inspiring other youth to do the same.
I do not know of the positive contributions Hurricane Chris has or has not made in the community. However, I do know that we must be mindful of who we praise and what we condone especially for the sake of our children who look to us for guidance and examples of what is right and wrong.
Today, far too many of our children believe that in order to find success, they must rap/sing, become professional athletes or even sell drugs or other illegal items. My concern is that this recent proclamation will solidify this myth.
At some point, we have to take a stand and increase our expectations of each other. At some point, we have to teach our sons to have respect for women and teach our daughters to respect themselves.
At some point, we have to look at disrespectful, disgusting, sexist and hateful lyrics and tell our children they are not ok. At some point, we have to tell them that just because you see something on television or hear it on the radio does not make it good or right.
At some point, we need to teach our children (and a number of adults) that their value in life is beyond being someone’s sexual object. At some point, we have to redefine what it means to be a hero in our community.
Yes, Hurricane Chris has made accomplishments in his musical career – but that, alone, does not make him a role model. Role models should be the people in our everyday lives who strive to make life better for the people around and the generations to follow.
Role models are people who are not only respectful but are respectable and radiate a sense of pride. Role models uplift their communities, not take advantage of them. You cannot uplift your community if you play an active role in its downfall.
If a child is disobedient, yet he receives praises for his actions he will continue to disobey. If we celebrate songs that disrespect women, promote drug selling and violence; what are we teaching our children?
Yes, a number of political figures have recently admitted to extra-marital affairs but honestly, how many of our children go around quoting them? We can always look around and see what other people are doing wrong, but it never changes the damages that we have made.
Some people have argued that doing something and rapping about it are not the same, children are not the best at filtering reality from fiction and unless we tell them when things are right and when others are wrong, they may never know.
Right now, the world is looking and laughing at us yet I am only concerned with what our children see. It is my desire that we show them hope, dignity, respect and the path towards a productive future. I ask that we all work together in exposing them to role models who may guide them in this direction.
June 29, 2009
Last week – the day before the Legislative Session ended – Shreveport rapper, Hurricane Chris, performed his latest single “Halle Berry (She’s Fine)” on the House floor after receiving a proclamation for his musical accomplishments.
Local State Rep., Barbara Norton introduced the motion by saying she felt it was important to support young people who are doing positive things in their community and inspiring other youth to do the same.
I do not know of the positive contributions Hurricane Chris has or has not made in the community. However, I do know that we must be mindful of who we praise and what we condone especially for the sake of our children who look to us for guidance and examples of what is right and wrong.
Today, far too many of our children believe that in order to find success, they must rap/sing, become professional athletes or even sell drugs or other illegal items. My concern is that this recent proclamation will solidify this myth.
At some point, we have to take a stand and increase our expectations of each other. At some point, we have to teach our sons to have respect for women and teach our daughters to respect themselves.
At some point, we have to look at disrespectful, disgusting, sexist and hateful lyrics and tell our children they are not ok. At some point, we have to tell them that just because you see something on television or hear it on the radio does not make it good or right.
At some point, we need to teach our children (and a number of adults) that their value in life is beyond being someone’s sexual object. At some point, we have to redefine what it means to be a hero in our community.
Yes, Hurricane Chris has made accomplishments in his musical career – but that, alone, does not make him a role model. Role models should be the people in our everyday lives who strive to make life better for the people around and the generations to follow.
Role models are people who are not only respectful but are respectable and radiate a sense of pride. Role models uplift their communities, not take advantage of them. You cannot uplift your community if you play an active role in its downfall.
If a child is disobedient, yet he receives praises for his actions he will continue to disobey. If we celebrate songs that disrespect women, promote drug selling and violence; what are we teaching our children?
Yes, a number of political figures have recently admitted to extra-marital affairs but honestly, how many of our children go around quoting them? We can always look around and see what other people are doing wrong, but it never changes the damages that we have made.
Some people have argued that doing something and rapping about it are not the same, children are not the best at filtering reality from fiction and unless we tell them when things are right and when others are wrong, they may never know.
Right now, the world is looking and laughing at us yet I am only concerned with what our children see. It is my desire that we show them hope, dignity, respect and the path towards a productive future. I ask that we all work together in exposing them to role models who may guide them in this direction.
Michael Jackson touched many lives, the man and the artist
The Shreveport Sun
June 29, 2009
Many people can, will and have professed their undying love and respect for Michael Jackson and his music. Likely, nothing I say will be original or groundbreaking. Many of us cannot list our favorite MJ song – that is simply impossible as trying to settle on even a favorite album may be too difficult of a task.
I, like many other 70’s, 80’s and 90’s babies, literally grew up to the sounds of the Jackson family. I simply cannot think of a time when his music was not a part of my life. I am certain millions of others feel the same.
And in this group of millions are people who look, sound and live nothing similar to how I look, sound and live. The fact that someone in a far off part of the world that I do not even know exists, understands how I feel right now speaks of Jackson’s reach.
To say that Michael Jackson created music that sounded good is selling him short. What made him and his artistry remarkable is that it felt good. With his piercing vocals, often in depth lyrics, stellar production and likely the best dance moves of our lifetime – he was the epitome of the word entertainer.
Though many people would say entertaining was his forte, I argue that using entertainment to provide social commentary and inspire social change was his greatest strength.
With songs like “We are the World,” “Stranger in Moscow,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Another Part of Me,” “They Don’t Care about US” “Heal the World” and so many others, Jackson used his worldwide platform to expose us all to the harsh realities of the world.
A young boy from Gary, Indiana, a place known for its limited options, grew to become an icon who transcended race, gender, class, culture and other restricting barriers. Michael Jackson changed the world of music and as the first – and likely only – artist to sell a billion records, globally, he obviously touched many lives.
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