January 27, 2011
Raynard Jackson
Two nights ago, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address and, as usual, he declared the state of our union is good. No president has ever said anything differently. Every president is only going to put the best face on the state of affairs in our country.
But, the state of our union is not great. We have runaway deficits, high unemployment, unbridled partisan bickering, crumbling infrastructures (bridges, roads, etc.), and a Congress wi
January 6, 2011
Raynard Jackson
Current Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan is considered a rising star among many in the international community. Good luck seems to be the hallmark of his life.
He ascended to the presidency last year with the untimely death of his predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua. Mr. Jonathan, a zoologist by training, is not your typical Nigerian politician.
Upon completing his education, he worked as an education inspector, professor, and environmental protection off
December 9, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Once again race has reared its ugly head with a Republican elected official. But, this time in a more subtle way.
Incoming Republican congressman, Tim Scott has decided not to join the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in January. While I don’t necessarily have a problem with that, I am viscerally embarrassed by his rationale for not joining.
Scott is the first Black Republican elected to the House from South Carolina since Reconstruction. His district is over 80% whi
October 21, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Am I the only one who has noticed the media’s total irresponsible coverage of the Rutgers’ college student who committed suicide when he became aware that his roommate streamed his gay sexual encounter on the internet? I think, therefore, I am not.
Supposedly, the student jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his roommate broadcast his gay sexual encounter live on the internet. The media portrayed his death as a cause célèbre as to how “gay” bullying has led
October 14, 2010
Raynard Jackson
With the mid-term elections fast approaching, I thought this would be a good time to give my views on the state of the political landscape.
Let me start by saying publically what I have been telling friends all year—if you are an incumbent, you will not be getting my vote!
Politicians from both parties have made a mockery of our political process. I was taught as a child that in a democracy—the majority rules. But, no one notified our U.S. Senate because in order t
October 7, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Can you imagine Michael Jordan hitting the game winning shot and then asking the media not to say anything? Or Barak Obama winning the presidential election and refusing to talk about his victory? Or You discovering the cure for cancer, but not wanting anyone to know?
Well, that’s in essence what Macy’s Department Stores have done. Macy's is the top department store chain in the U.S., with more than 800 stores in 45 states and annual sales of more than $26 billion.
Tw
September 16, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Everybody wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die. I have been told that the only way to go to heaven without dying is by visiting the beautiful island of the Seychelles (pronounced—say-chells).
It is an island country consisting of 115 smaller (mostly uninhabited) islands. It is located off the east coast of Africa (northeast of Madagascar) in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It has a small population, just over 87,000 people; but is big on hospitality.
Pres
September 9, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Am I the only one in the U.S. who is amazed by the media coverage of the person in Florida who wants to have a Koran burning party on Saturday, September 11th? Unlike the media, I refuse to name him because I will not contribute to his getting 15 more minutes of fame!
Even conservative media and talk show entertainers like Laura Ingraham have contributed to this circus. They have been very critical of the media coverage. So, what do they do? They have guests on the
September 2, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Originally, I wasn’t going to write about radio talk show entertainer Glen Beck’s supposed “March on Washington;” but, because you, my readers, asked me to comment, I will.
The event was called, “Restoring Honor.” Its stated purpose was to be a “celebration of America’s heroes and heritage. So, I have a few questions that I wish Beck would have addressed. You can only restore that which was lost. So, what in Beck’s mind was lost and how is he going to restore it?
July 29, 2010
Raynard Jackson
“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!” This famous quote is from the Scottish author and novelist, Walter Scott’s epic novel, Marmion (published in 1808). This is a very appropriate quote in response to the editorial Virginia senator, Jim Webb had published in last Friday’s Wall Street Journal (http://www.jameswebb.com/articles/wsj-diversity.html).
His editorial was titled, “Diversity and the Myth of White Privilege.” I am in total agreeme
July 22, 2010
Raynard Jackson
During the past two weeks, Americans has once again been forced to confront our intractable issue of race—live and in living color. Regular readers of my column are well aware of my writing modus operandi. My job is not to make you agree with what I write, but rather to make you get beyond your personal biases (and we all have them) and to consider another point of view.
If, after having read my column, it motivates you to discuss what I wrote with a friend or colleag
Having received so many calls this week on the approaching anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death June 25, 2009, 1:25 p.m. (LA time), I decided to re-run the column I wrote last year in the aftermath of his death. This was my tribute to Michael and his family. I will have an exclusive announcement about this very soon, so be on the lookout!
Ode to Michael Jackson
July 2, 2009
Raynard Jackson
Like a candle in the wind,
Your life came to a sudden end.
With “A Child’s Heart,”
You began your start.
You brou
June 17, 2010
Raynard Jackson
There is a raging debate about the Democratic Party’s push to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) and to give amnesty to illegal immigrants. This debate provides an interesting insight into the psyche of Democrats and Republicans.
DADT is a Clinton era policy that simply says gay people can serve in the military as long as they don’t make their sexual preferences known (notice I used the term preference, NOT orientation. Orientation is very passive and suggests that one
June 3, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Am I the only who is sick and tired of illegals telling me what their rights are in this country? Am I the only one who is sick and tired of pro-amnesty groups trotting out all the sob stories from illegals—“their mother brought them here when they were little kids, etc?” It’s not about rights; it’s about what is right!
Is it right for illegals to get free healthcare when citizens do not? Is it right for illegals to get in-state tuition for university when citizens do n
May 6, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Even non sports fans have heard of athletes like Terrell Owens (T.O.), “Pacman” Jones, Mike Tyson, O. J. Simpson or Ben Roethlisberger—for all the wrong reasons. But, I guarantee that most people have never heard of Myron Rolle.
Who is Myron Rolle? He is a recent Rhodes Scholar who is finishing his graduate degree in medical anthropology. He graduated from Florida State University (FSU) in 2 ½ years with a pre-medical degree in exercise science (with a grade point averag
April 29, 2010
Raynard Jackson
My position on illegal immigration is very public—I DO NOT SUPPORT AMNESTY under any circumstances. So, with the new illegal immigration bill signed into law in Arizona and the volume of phone calls seeking my opinion, I have decided to share my thoughts on this issue.
But this time, I want to try a different approach. Those who are interested in my detailed views on illegal immigration can go to my website and read some of my previous columns of this subject. In thi
April 22, 2010
Raynard Jackson
Just like Halley’s Comet only comes around every so often, so does a politician like Mississippi governor, Haley Barbour. He is completing his second term as governor and is term limited from seeking another term. Barbour, a lawyer by training, has one of the most impressive backgrounds of anyone on the political scene today.
He ran for the U.S. Senate in the early 80s (lost), worked in the Reagan White House, the campaign of Bush 41, and served as chairman of the pa
Republicans and Adult-ery
April 15, 2010Raynard Jackson
Now that I have everyone’s attention, let’s talk about the one way the Republicans can negate the momentum they have gained heading into the fall elections.
Political analysts all agree that this fall’s elections will be a referendum on the Obama administration and the Democratic controlled Congress. If the elections were held today, in all likelihood, the Democrats would be handily defeated in both the house and the senate (not enough to take
April 1, 2010
Raynard Jackson
With so much news coverage surrounding the heated rhetoric coming from the tea party, I thought it would be instructive to dissect their anger to see if we can come away with some understanding of their issues.
But let’s be clear on something. Tea party members are aligned with the Republican Party—no matter what both sides say. Name me one tea partier that is supporting a Democrat or the president’s agenda. This is part of the perception problem each group is having—t
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