This is my response to a Tweet and Facebook post and I HAD to share it here (original Tweet below):
43. Ain’t that sad? And we’re being encouraged to call. Lord help us. You’d think it’d be all Senators without question. Especially the “religious” ones. The Republican party — you know, faith and family and all that crap. I’m heartbroken by children being damaged by this senseless act — I’m just as heartbroken by all the adults who are standing by, using Biblical passages to justify their wrong-doing, their racism. Is there any question if these were little White blue-eyed children this would be happening? Not. One. Question. At. All. I am NOT trying to sell my book at all — I’ll give it to anyone who wants it, but THIS is exactly what my story is about — PEOPLE DOING THE RIGHT THING when a child was in need. Adults, stepping in and making sure a little brown Latin kid from the streets didn’t fall through the cracks and all of them — not knowing each other and not at the same time — just doing the RIGHT thing and BEING A GOOD AND DECENT PERSON. I’m so sorry, I’m so friggin’ angry about this… it’s killing me. This administration is killing all of us slowly.
Read my book if you need a reminder of HOW important WE ALL ARE to a child — to each other!
I wrote this on a Facebook comment section of Under Armour’s advertising of a sports bra that the brilliant Misty Copeland was wearing. It’s in response to another person telling me that Kevin Plank (CEO of Under Armour) really wasn’t saying all that much…. here’s my response.
Thank you for your information. However, I’m quite concerned with any business that vocalizes their opinion during such a turbulent time in our country so much so, that their own spokespeople (Misty, The Rock and Steph Curry for example) find it necessary to come out and set the record straight, sort of speak.
Here’s the thing: I don’t want my country to fail – no matter who’s in office. I’m not sure any SANE American wants that. So, if any administration finds the need to reach out to people in business to get answers, to give help or advice, then so be it. I know other organization like Amazon, Tesla and others have met with the Administration trying to assist in the next steps… I get all of that. Unfortunately, like UBER, you guys (UA) stepped in it and you stepped in it “bigly”.
You don’t get a pass from me because this is the business you’re in. You should know better. And yes, I’m so disappointed. I do love Misty Copeland and she was one of the first reasons I made the change from Nike to UA. And just yesterday, I bought NIKE shorts online — I haven’t bought from NIKE in a long time but I’m getting ready for a Tough Mudder in March so I bought two pair. Honestly, I didn’t even flinch at where I was going to purchase my new items… I just did it.
When you guys “step in it” it does something to the subconscious. And surely, I’m not a supporter of this administration. But as professionals in this field, you guys should know better. Maybe the same thing happened with Obama – people got upset with organizations that supported him, I have no idea. Regardless, just like Uber, you have some mending to do from a PR point of view. Of course Uber went all out and wrote a letter to its customers, and when I got rid of the APP on my phone, I got a letter from Uber asking me to reconsider and to give them one more shot – then, I was asked to just read a little more information on what the organization is doing to help others, to clear the air. I linked over and saw a more detailed outline of what they were doing to be on-board with what is MORALLY right – and yes, not lose me to Lyft (I’m not completely clueless that, at the end of the day this is capitalism after all and business is business – I’m fine with that, as long as you have a moral compass as a human being, as a company).
Am I using Uber nowadays? Not just yet, because I haven’t needed to. But, I put the app back on my phone and I certainly will next time I need a ride. I give Uber credit for acknowledging the issue and realizing they probably could have done better initially. They didn’t deny the mistake. Or make it sounds like it was just some little thing.
If Under Armour wants my business in the future, it needs to stay out of politics. Period. Full Stop. If it chooses to assist OUR COUNTRY in helping any administration, it needs to do so, understanding the ramifications of all of their verbage, and acting accordingly. I would think this is PR 101.
Liberals. Conservatives. So called Independents…start finding that place inside you that is LOVE, like when you were a child, that free-spirited place where it was fresh, clean and easy — because all this hate, from all sides, is only going to make matters worse for all of us, not better. Nobody wins in HATE. Nobody. Love still has a shot. Find a way to get there…
It doesn’t mean you have to stop your protest. Or that you shouldn’t support President-elect Trump or any of your causes. It means it needs to come from a good place. Not an evil, vindictive, hurtful place. We can make change, make our voices heard, do our jobs — without being so angry, so pained and so inhuman.
You know what social media has done a good job of? Making us less compassionate. We have no empathy for each other — we can never just disagree, kindly, lovingly. It’s easy to do behind a keyboard — when there is no real physical reaction to have to absorb. I refuse to let technology change me. And I’m screaming at all of you right now: You have become horrible people because you are not coming from a place of LOVE. Stop it. All of you.
We are Americans. We will get through this. But we have the power to decide HOW we do it. Decide right now, to be better than you used to be. Be the person you want others to be…don’t demand from others what you’re not capable of providing. If all you got is hate, I don’t want you on my side. Cause as corny as it sounds, my side is LOVE. Period. – CLezeth
I’m bothered by the Grand Old Party. I’m stunned by the loss of integrity and lack of honor that was once synonymous with the Republican Party. Every time I hear one of them raise the name of Ronald Reagan, I cringe for him, his legacy – for our country. How far off the rails have we gone? Whether I believed in Reagan’s ideas for our country is/was irrelevant. No one can deny he was a beacon of honor and integrity. And yes, he was this Democrats President too.
I watch in horror as the Republican Party finds ways to justify the monstrosity it has become. Instead of taking responsibility for the mistakes it has made, they seem, instead intent on denigrating and condemning Hillary Clinton. Don’t get me wrong, you can fight the right fight against your opponent, but all the Hillary bashing in the world would only make sense if the FBI had found her at fault and pursued charges. If the countless “Benghazi” hearings had concluded even ONCE that she was to blame and indicted her for at least something, anything! And yes, if it was Hillary who had actually slept with those women who accused her husband —well, hell, that would have at least been a good story and place to start! Maybe you are one of the few who really believe this “system” of ours is “rigged”. Well, if that’s the case, you’re so off the deep end, there’s nothing I can say to sway you…
But Republicans, real true honest to goodness Republicans – WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING? It seems like for the past year you’ve been flailing in the air grasping at…nothingness in pursuit of bygone ideals that contradict who the face of your party has become. Have you not noticed? It’s a stark difference – blatant really. Have you all completely lost your minds?
You’re so obsessed with finding blame in Hillary Clinton and in everyone else (the media seems to be a safe scapegoat) that you’ve lost all focus on what is fundamentally right and what is absolutely wrong. Basic decency, integrity and honor have escaped you. And instead of seeing that, you keep bashing the democratic nominee at the same time alienating those of us, who could – at one point in time — see your point of view – even if you had a legitimate argument once, you’ve lost your way so badly, that it just looks like a child having a temper tantrum about the wrong thing. You look ridiculous. And as adults, we’re just sitting here waiting for you to be older and wiser, because we’re sure, then – we hope — you’ll understand.
The problem is — we don’t have time for conservative republicans to figure it out.
Much to the chagrin of most of my liberal friends, I’m a conservative Democrat, always have been. I could have voted for a Republican, but honestly – today…which one? So many have failed the integrity test at this point, it’s shameful. I’m disgusted by Paul Ryan. Maybe US Representative Adam Kinzinger of IL is the GOP’s best bet at this point. Integrity intact. Doesn’t waffle about anything. Seems to have his moral compass pointing North. I disagree with 80% of what he believes in, but I respect him. Can’t say that for most of the Republican party. Adam seems to be one of the few young Republicans with integrity who has not flip-flopped or wavered… his bearings seem straight and he gets the simplicity of what’s right and what’s wrong. Republicans, with Paul Ryan and his friend Reince at the top of the list, have lost their way. I suggest the GOP faithful have a conversation with Congressman Adam Kinzinger, watch how he answers questions regarding your Republican nominee, and find your way back to the path to civility. In essence, learn to stand your ground, you know, without a gun.
And Hillary.
Maybe we’ve all gotten so used to flash and shiny objects with quick “feel good” instant gratification, that we’ve all forgotten that the role of a President is to actually BE and FUNCTION as a President. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Barack, Michelle and Bill Clinton when it comes to oratory skills. Clearly, I’d like to be motivated and inspired too by words that ignite me into euphoria. It makes it easier to handle the bad days. And I can admit that yes, even when I didn’t agree with Reagan, Lord have mercy if that twinkle in the eye didn’t catch me every time. But Carter, George H.W. Bush and George Bush Jr., weren’t kickin’ it with oratory skills either. Actually, in all due respect, they were rather boring. Mundane. Painful to listen to at time. But they were our Presidents nonetheless. And we accepted that. Because they were men.
I bring this up because I don’t need Hillary to woo me with her oratory skills. I don’t care if you “like” her – what I care about is, can she do the job? Does she have what it takes to BE President? And when it comes to being a woman, I have to say, did anyone really think it would be easy for the first woman to become President of the United States? It seems to me that any woman considered worthy would have had to have AT LEAST 30 years’ experience or something comparable – and I’m pretty sure she still would have lost to a first time male Senator with no experience before even getting a shot (forgive me President Obama, but you know it’s true). This isn’t me screaming sexism; this is me admitting a truth about where we’re at in this country when it comes to women and leadership. There is no other woman in this country that would have had it any easier. Make no mistake about it: Any woman, Republican or Democrat, would have been smeared and tossed into doubt, regardless of what they did or didn’t do. They would have gone to such lengths as to blame her for the misdeeds of her husband to whatever extent possible, just to make it quite improbable that she could be worthy of the title, the position of President. Just like any other “firsts” – it has to move through the barriers, fair or unfair, before it accomplishes its goal. And then, if we’re lucky, it becomes a new normal.
My criteria for being President of this great country of ours, is pretty simple: If I know more about foreign policy and domestic policy than you do, you cannot be President. If you don’t seem to understand how our branches of government work – or how many branches we actually have – you cannot be considered to occupy the office of the Presidency. It really is that simple. If you claim to be a brilliant business man and you can’t pick the right people to put around you to assist you in your quest – and you can’t do the simple task of managing your negatives, elevating your positives: you are not qualified to be a CEO let alone President of the United States.
The GOP has some work to do. And for the sake of our great country, I hope they start by owning up to their mistakes by voting for country over party and then doing the real work of reestablishing what the Republican party stands for now and in the years to come. We need at least two strong parties in this country…it’s the only way our democracy will continue to thrive. Of this, I am absolutely sure.
In the meantime, I’m voting FOR Hillary. She’s the right person, at the right time – and Lord have mercy it is TIME!
The Guardians of “Peace” have now done a victory lap by releasing another letter to Sony basically telling them (paraphrasing here): Thanks, good job on not releasing the film. And as long as you don’t ever show this film including the trailer, we promise not to release all the sensitive information we still have on your company. (Read the Article in Variety here).
Oh hell no! Are you kidding me? A victory lap? Another threat? I am so pissed!
I hope Sony realizes real fast that this is not about money and rethinks it’s actions.
I hope the other studios realize this is not about competition anymore and start standing by Sony instead of just watching their demise.
I hope the President decides to have a viewing party at the White House and invites both parties to watch.
I hope Sony releases the film to EVERYONE for free on EVERY SINGLE PLATFORM available.
And I hope every single company embraces the idea and every single American and all people around the world watch it.
I had no intention of seeing this film. It looks ridiculous. It isn’t my kind of film and although I respect these actors, producers, etc., for their talents in other projects, I could have cared less on so many levels about this film. But now? Now, this is about something else. And it’s the only movie I want to see.
I believe we show who we really are, not when things are easy, but when things are tough (thank you Maya Angelou). When things are hard, scary and unknowing is when WHO WE ARE matters. The Guardians of “Peace” are messing with the one word the United States is known for: FREEDOM. And to that, I say FU!
I will see the movie the minute I can. Thank YOU Guardians of “Peace”.
Image borrowed from Variety interview Randall Park & Sony
All I keep hearing this morning from the talking pundits on all the news shows about Bill Clinton’s speech was “how great it was” but “you know, they don’t even like each other.”
Really? President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama don’t even like each other?
Well, jeez. We should all have friends like Bill. I’d like a friend who doesn’t like me yet:
defends every single thing I’ve done in the last four years,
slams my enemies for all the wrongs they’ve said behind my back and in front of it,
Anoints me for a job I may be on the verge of losing,
And who rallies all my supporters and a lot of undecided folk to my cause.
Seriously, what the hell? If that ain’t friendship I don’t know what it is.
Obviously it’s time for me to make some new “friends”.
Watching these debates have been comical at the very least. I’ve felt bad for conservatives only because I remember what it felt like when John Kerry was running and we didn’t really have a viable candidate to feel proud of. And even though I consider myself very much more to the center with a slight lean to the left, I can’t say that as an American I have felt good about any of the current candidates running for President. At the very least, as an American, I want to see competence – I want powerful, bold and brilliant discussions between candidates. I certainly don’t want to see a comedy sketch even if in some instances I’m kinda glad they’re flailing all over the place — making my decision to still have to vote for President Obama that much easier. I mean, goodness. Herman Cain was way too much. And although it was hilarious, it was also disheartening. It was difficult and yes, ultimately, very disappointing watching it all unfold.
Regardless of all of the fodder and laughter and “comical-ness” of most of the candidates, nothing has intrigued me more than to see Newt Gingrich become the front runner for the Republican Party. I would say it saddens me, but it doesn’t. It actually inspires me. It used to be Dan Quayle. Simply, when someone becomes successful in spite of their fumbling, their lack of savvy, or spelling ability – I have to applaud them. But when someone like Newt Gingrich, who was considered an embarrassment to his party, and I consider an embarrassment to our nation, is able to become the front runner in less than two weeks with all of his baggage – or luggage as most of the pundits on today’s Sunday shows were calling it – then I can’t help but be inspired!
I’m inspired because in this country, you really can be whatever you want to be. And maybe it’s not about how hard you work and maybe it’s not about who you know, but maybe it’s about how badly you want it. Can you look yourself in the mirror and believe that you are not a Lobbyist , but instead an “Historian”? Can you live with that “truth”? Can you believe your own lie so much, that it becomes a truth or at least forgotten and forgiven by everyone else in your party?
Newt can!
If you can wake up every day and feel good about a bold face lie that you can tell the American people, then you too can be anything you want to be! Obviously, I set my sights way too low. I was inspired by Dan Quayle because I thought it was quite brilliant for someone to become Vice President of the United States even though he couldn’t spell. It made me realize that you can make mistakes, not be book smart and yet, still be somebody.
But now, with Gingrich, I realize you can also be a good liar, and if you do it consistently, everyone else will believe you too! And then, if everything aligns correctly, you can be whatever you want to be (Mitt, you’re an inspiration too! $10,000 bet? I bet you $10,000 that you blow it!)! God, I love this country!
administration. But as professionals in this field, you guys should know better. Maybe the same thing happened with Obama – people got upset with organizations that supported him, I have no idea. Regardless, just like 
synonymous with the Republican Party. Every time I hear one of them raise the name of Ronald Reagan, I cringe for him, his legacy – for our country. How far off the rails have we gone? Whether I believed in Reagan’s ideas for our country is/was irrelevant. No one can deny he was a beacon of honor and integrity. And yes, he was this Democrats President too.
