Speeching for Hillary: From Obama Cares to the Women Kind

As a dyed-in-the-wool advocate, part of my responsibility is to be an ally for those fighting to get, keep, advance the fairness they deserve and the worth they offer. This is why I support Hillary, in part, and why I offer her the wisdom of my ways. I think she might enjoy the fun, dare she.

Here is a speech I suggest she might consider delivering (words and sound effects offered for fun). She needs to accept that a lot of folks -- men and women -- are stuck on the basics. They need to learn why, even in parroting the ways and means of the past leading  men, what would happen when she put ideas into practice would be, could be, should be different for one simple reason …:

WOMEN ARE BETTER THAN MEN -- Of Being and Doing of Womankind

[NOTE: What Hillary might say is in quotes. What you and others will be wanting to do in parentheses. Please, all parties, feel free to exaggerate and extrapolate!]

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!!” (outrageous clapping and clapping and clapping!)

“Gee … It’s almost as if you thought I was Bill!” (giggles and clap, clap, clap!)

“So here is the rub of this talk folks.

“Hire me to be your next CEW -- the nation’s Chief Executive Woman -- because like it or not guys … using that word generically .. like it or not world … we women think, act, and perform differently and most often better than men!” (explosive applause … clap, clap, clap)

“We do!” (yelling over the noise)

“All right ... “ (smiling broadly) “All right … don’t rub it in you enlightened bunch!

“Some men are actually trying to learn …. hahahahaha … really, I’m sure of it.” (clap, clap, clap)

PREGNANT PAUSE:

“Time to get serious.” (waving hello around to the crowd)

“Women. Think. Different. We act differently. Even given the same set of circumstances … we accomplish differently than men. And almost always better!

“The facts are indisputable, the results uncontestable.

“Women are different kinds of leaders than men … just as, by the way … a black president is different than the white ones have been. (clap, clap, clap)

“Since we know that in this day and age there are a lot of people, good ones and those not so well endowed … with goodness or smartness I mean … (smiles and wink to clap, clap, clap)

“I just want to give you one quick comment that builds on facts.

“Are you aware that when women were invested with the ability to be more equal, more evident, more visible participants in the financial markets -- using the same tools and tactics as men -- for more than 10 years … WE DID BETTER!

[NOTE TO POLITFACT: http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2015/11/06/men-women-investing-differences/]

“We as women and we as a society of, by, and for all money people!

“Though male investors are rising up to dispute this, the evidence suggests that if you had put your money in the hands of female financial investors across the last many years … even while the system itself has been unjustly slow … painfully slowly … changing because of laws forced upon … you would be better off than if you had put your hard earned, 70% lesser dollars in the hands of male investors.

“Now isn’t that interesting?” (clap, clap, clap)

“And that’s true even when the women investors operate in a man’s world!

Hillary Looking around: “We know as women that we do so much better when it comes to teaching, nurturing, supporting, caring for, loving those who are in our lives! We know we do exceptionally well on the assembly lines and in elected offices … the lower ones that we have access to anyway …” (clap, clap, clap)

“We know when we are entrepreneurs and increasingly tech experts and game designers for the next generation ….

“And thanks to courageous and powerment women and those who fight for gender and human dignity on all fronts … we even do better as a class when … sadly … our government puts weapons of war and policing into the hands of women!

“Women soldiers and police officers are damn good security experts! (standing applause!)

“I’ sorry, but I just don’t see a female police officer pulling a gun and shooting a toy gun carrying little boy … I just don’t!” (standing applause!)

“Womankind … mom kinds … women who are kind … we don’t do that! (screaming applause)

“And this is true for a very simple reason:

“Even when we are put into the same unfair and unjust systems that men occupy, we fill those spaces differently.

“Women think, act, do differently from men. We just do!”

Nodding around and to herself, Hillary continues:

“Just think about this when you talk to those who are doubters, even those rather vocal folks who … I know this is hard to believe … those folks who seem to live off the idea of finding ways to attack me. (clap, clap, clap … rising applause and hoots and hollers!)

“When THIS HILLARY says I have respect for the core aspects of our society and our culture and our patriotism … those parts of our culture that we count so honestly as The American Way … I really mean it …

“But I also mean that when we turn those ideas and expectations into reality … when we improve laws and the rules that make men play fairer … when I do what it will take to be your next … maybe next two! … hehehehehe … presidents … we will get to have a celebration of what Makes America Great.

“Because when women do things, we do them better and they have better results! (clap, clap, clap)

“When I propose, with your help, new ways to make the Affordable Healthcare all that we want it to be, we as women leaders will get to the intended results better, more economically, more honestly … and without wasteful insurance exploitations ….! (rousing applause!)

“When I propose ...with you …  (gesturing around)

“When we propose new ways to keep your local schools … hell, even your local drinking water systems … clear, clean, and transparent … the way MOTHER NATURE knows democracy should be … Don’t think I’ll do it the way the conservatarians do …

“Flint wouldn’t have happened with better women leaders across Michigan and elsewhere across this nation.

“Of this I can assure you … Women as leaders will not gamble on the health or the welfare of the basic necessities of their families … of your family … NO DAMN WAY!

“Women … we women … think, act, do differently than men.

“We know it in our hearts and increasingly the world knows it in the facts that we have a right to be proud of!

“So I say again:

“When I propose to put into action the concept that women deserve fair and equal access to the pay and the worth of what we do … what we do better, that’s right … what we do better than our counterparts … I will do it in ways that mean we will fill those positions with women who get and are rewarded with the returns we all help them earn! (overwhelming standing ovation … clap, clap, clap)

“If you love Bernie Sanders … and we all do … me included … hehehehehehe … Really, there is life outside of campaigning you know … I feel his impact too … (clap, smiles, claps, smiles, laughing)

“If you feel the Bern of his desire for change and his lifetime passion for justice …

“Ask yourself this:

“When Bernie says it so many get excited about Lady Liberty … but when my sister, our sister in advocacy … and the legions of others like Elizabeth Warren say pretty much the same damn thing … ask why she gets pillared and Hillarized … and he gets glorified.

“Elizabeth exemplifies getting things do … as does Bernie in his efforts.

“Yet he seems different. But why might that be? What is the difference?

“Everyone knows.

“The difference is that Elizabeth is a woman and try as he might … Bernie is No Woman … and that my dear friends … my ardent followers and naive corporate funders … makes all the difference.

“Bernie gets credit and we keep up the fight … even taking your money to show that there is value is us being on the frontlines.

“Women act, think, do different … and The Bern has the burn for change … and I hope he continues with his drive. But the true change is the change women bring to the game … and do better at when we really get to play.

“People take note: I have a loud and passionate voice of my own … particularly when I’m praising the MAN who has done the most for us … all of us … men and women, people of color and whites, the poor and the excessively greedy … yes … straight and gay and those struggling to fit in … even natural born and immigrant citizens who both are trying to make sense out of the way into this great nation ..

“Please TAKE NOTE … I praise this man … President Barack Obama … because as a person of color, as a president who has taken his own racial path to power and leadership … he knows there is a difference. (clap, clap, clap)

“People on the outside always have to find better ways to get in … but once inside … yes .... once inside the game … the magic of what they can do … of what we can do … is powerful … is empowering … (louder and louder clapping and clapping)

“President Barack Obama is the closest thing we’ve really had to a woman president in office … honorary or otherwise ... sorry Gloria!

“Because he too cannot do it otherwise … like women … he acts, thinks and does differently ….

“I feel your burn President Obama to be a leader for people of color … I do … and I want all of us … even the candidates who have their own burning desires for justice … to see that good leaders do better when they do as women do! (thunderous constant applause and ravaging screaming)

“Women of America. Women tomorrow. Women of yesterday. Women of the here and now. Women of Faith:

“Take note and take this to heart:

“When I tell you that we can be practical and pragmatic … that we can use the wisdom of experience and the power of effective access to better uses … you can believe me.

“No matter what those lost voices in the woods of hunters fearful of losing what men used to value so much ….

“Don’t be deceived … We as women … me as a woman leader … can and will do better than they have!

“We are women … and we think … we act … we get results differently … and that’s why this Hillary … (pointing to herself)

“... this Hillary ...  wants to follow the sounds of anger and the successes of the president who is black to show you why it makes all the difference to have a Commander who knows and a Chief Executive Woman who lives the dream of the women kinds of success …

“Women are different … and that’s a damn good reality that media stars my never understand!”

“But you know and I know that it makes a difference.

“Thank you all so much. It’s time to get your big beautiful behinds up and keep on working for all the women and the womankind success favors! 

"VOTE TO BE OF THE RIGHT KIND!”

____________________________

[All yours Hillary. Feel free to twist and turn … you hardly need a man to tell you that. I hope you get to read this, get to think about it, get to accept the fact that the time is right to explain why women and womankind matters. Assuming, of course, that you too are a believer!]

BOGO Hollywood - Bye Matt, Get Leo Too

Oh Hollywood, glorious Hollywood. Never should you proclaim you tried. There is always evidence that you might actually be doubling down on the contrary.

No people of color? Really. Yet you honor two rather pure, white, beloved guys who get nominated for making the same movie! Centuries apart in their focus, perhaps, but still: white guys get a bogus BOGO recognition?

Have you not noticed?

Try this. In general terms, here is the straightforward story you wanted to tell us:

A guy, trapped by the beast of circumstances in a harsh and ghastly (gas-less?) environment, fighting to overcome abandonment and revengeful forces to get home.

Okay, here are more specific details for those who aren’t so sure. Says the InterWeb of the true colors of these tales of white guys overcoming their challenges:

THE REVENANT: “While exploring the uncharted wilderness in 1823, legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) sustains injuries from a brutal bear attack. When his hunting team leaves him for dead, Glass must utilize his survival skills to find a way back home to his beloved family.”

THE MARTIAN: “When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home....”

Didn’t notice, huh? Two for one? BOGO celebration of the purest of a kind?

They are the same movie, and they serve to make the same kind of heroes out of the same kind of actors, IMHO.

Perhaps the stars might accept that they did well and make room for two others …? To me, that could should would do more than any boycott to ensure that we know the actors themselves have noticed that they are on the same mission for style and fairness. They (and you, Hollywood) can afford it.  

ACCIDENTAL ESCORT: Stumbling on America's Madam King and Queen of Socks

I was asked today to prepare a short anecdotal piece about an event in my life. Being absent minded of some of the chronology of life, I wrote an honest piece without remembering that I was doing so on the day of historical remembrance. Hence my recollection of how I accidently did what history and the civil rights tsunami couldn't do: Escort America's Madam King into the Lair of the Queen of Socks.

Ok ... I get it: That doesn't make any sense. But take a moment and read this piece. You might find it actually does. Happy MLK Day. It was my pleasure to lean and serve:

I called the actual story I wrote "ACCIDENTAL ESCORT -- Bumping Into History"

PERSONAL MEMORY OF THE UNUSUAL KIND

"Oh my, you dropped our Socks!"

She said it right to me, touching my shoulder in apology.

The funny thing is,  this turned out to be the least unusual bump into America’s line of royalty on the afternoon about 20 years ago when I got to spend a few second escorting the King and the later Queen of the nation along their ways.

See, the commentator about my less-than-nimble fingers was Hillary Clinton (yep, that one) on the occasion of an invite I received to visit the White House during a violence prevention gathering in Washington.  As it turned out, she hit me pretty hard on the back while pushing her way into the back of the room, opening the secret panelled door as we all looked forward to see the First Hubby come in.

Little did she know that I was standing in the very swipe range of that passage, blocking her way while innocently dunking the cat-shaped cookies they had given us into my cuppa! (The Clinton’s official house cat was named Socks!) ! I, of course, was dumbfounded and perplexed momentarily, causing me to step on the poor pastry beast’s crumbly head. Which in looking back was probably a good thing: I was so distracted I couldn’t think of anything to say.

I mean … knocked about by Hillary?

But even more so, that was hardly the highlight of the afternoon.

I had just finished my first direct encounter with a King. And I have to admit, her invitation was a bit more classy.

But we have to back up a bit. The year was about 1998, though I confess I don't rightly recall the numbers. Chronology and I sometimes have a fighting relationship.

Anyway, there I was, standing in line on the street, next to get permission to go through the high-security screening house on the prairie of the White House lawn. “Everyone must be searched” someone bellowed consistently. When all of a sudden, a big bold arm smacks me on the chest, stopping me in my tracks.

"Sorry, sir," the Secret Service guy says, "wait here a few minutes."

Out of nowhere, a small entourage of Black vehicles, untelling of their occupants, pulls arrogantly up to the curb. Wandering eyes pierce us all as two or three guards jump free, scanning everything. Then, they part, and, reclaiming the feel of classiness, a regal woman lays her sturdy but adorned foot on the walkway, gently glancing about for wrinkles in her attire.

"Mrs King," the agent in charge proclaims, "Good to see you. This way with your men, please."

Turns out even the good guys with private guns had to go through the scanning. Off they were whisked. Silently I admired my fortune: "Wow, that was cool," I say to whoever happened to be behind me.

Four or five minutes later, I'm jolted into awareness. "Your turn," I'm advised. "Continue through the booth please."

Inside the house, the armed guards re-dress after their searches, belting back their devices and pistols. I'm pushed past and told to go forth as I’m clearly no threat. “The reception is straight ahead” someone noted.

Steps outside, as I gazed about in awe, there she was. Standing quietly, alone, unharnessed by anyone. Only before that comes into focus, I see her stumble and squeal with surprise: "Oh my," Coretta Scott King, the wife of America's own Martin Luther exclaims, regaining her posture instantly.

"Oh dear," she then says, stepping towards me as she recovers. "I misstepped. Believe I twisted my ankle!" she shares, to me I guess. I’m the only other one there.

Gallantly, and without options to hide behind, I meet her step. She smiles, smoothes her dress again, and says in the most powerfully innocent proclamation of righteousness my mind can comprehend …  says it literally this way, words from the mouth of the loving wife of an outstanding legend of justice, capturing what history never got: "Young man: Could you possibly help me make it to the White House?"

Then, needing no affirmation, she inserts her arm around mine and propels us both forward, never to utter another word to me. The White House awaits, and she needed to be there.

In stunned and utter silence, seconds drag and drag in the force of wow. And we approached the building, only then to be embroiled in agents who rolled out of the building’s door and swooped up from behind, regaining their assigned expectations.

"We got it sir," one of them said, making clear that his offering to continue with Madam King was hardly a suggestion. "Please continue to the reception," another steward offered. "There are teas and cookies inside."

And so there I was, flummoxed and confused, holding myself up in delight and wonder. Speechless. Gaining comfort in the stability of the wall, desperately seeking to calm my nerves with a dip and sip, when ... BOOM!

[Oddly enough, I had the need and was motivated to share this experience on this January 18, 2016, one MLK day of remembrance -- a day my chronology of life has forgotten all about until there was a need to shape a tale -- AS]

SPORTING DOLLAR BRAIN DAMAGE

Politics may be blinded to the stupidity of money, but sports have been knocked out cold on the entire concept.

No long and twisted words of wisdom here. My comment is simple and to the point: there is something seriously wrong with a cultural element wherein the actors (sports owners and teams) have to be rewarded with $100 million in compensation for being the loser in a contest for more exploitive and excessive profits.

Seriously folks? Ticket prices are absurd, well beyond the reach of average people. Second mortgages are needed to buy both a hot dog and a beer.

Cities are in decline. Reason is blocked out of good investments in people and places. So Oakland puts together, after years of negotiations, what was likely a completely loosing plan… and gets $100 million … for .... what?

I’ve written thousands of proposals to build nonprofit, charitable, and empowering projects around the nation, and have never gotten paid of with $100 million for writing a bad one even after 40 million people felt the power of change that resulted.

I feel sick and sad. We coulda, shoulda, and under most circumstances, woulda done better in this society had we even tried. If you’re thinking about having kids … might reconsider. They could well be born with a logical and fairness concussion.

Enjoy the games.