Views from Point Breeze

Political reality is now affecting the Trump Administration.  He is facing challenges on a number of fronts.  Michael Cohen will be sentenced today for a number of crimes including campaign finance violations and tax evasion.  Paul Manafort is languishing in jail while facing additional charges for lying to the special counsel and sharing information with the Trump Administration.  A Democratic majority will take place in the House that is intent on governing as opposed to posturing for a base.  On live television yesterday, we see how Donald Trump has completely pivoted on how the wall will be funded. During his campaign, Mr. Trump made it clear that we would build the Wall and Mexico would pay for it.  The supporters of Trump who attended his numerous rallies soaked up this expected domination of our NAFTA partner by the big, bad USA.  President Enrique Nieto made it abundantly clear that Mexico would not pay for the wall.  His refusal to pay ...

Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is the observed century-scale rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system and its related effects.  Former U.S. Vice President produced a documentary called 'An Inconveient Truth'.  It was produced in 2006 and grossed almost $24 million dollars.  The movie was credited with raising international public awareness of global warming and energizing the environmental movement.  As we are in the middle of searing August temperatures on the east coast, I wonder how Scott Pruitt was even confirmed as the former leader of the Environmental Protection Agency. California now has 16 active fires going on.  The Mendocino complex fire currently consists of two fires - the Ranch Fire and the River Fire.  The fire has currently burned 75 residences.  The Carr Fire has claimed 7 lives farther north in the state.  In a state of emergency, President Trump has blamed the state for diverting water...

The roller coaster ride that is the Trump presidency is careening towards a startling turn.  It was announced yesterday that his administration is looking at ways to revoke the security clearances of former intelligence directors that have been critical of his policies or actions.  As Sarah Sanders put it during her press briefings, 'some former officials are monetizing their public service.'  Susan Rice, James Clapper and James Comey are two of the six officials on the target list.  James Comey no longer has a clearance because he was fired by the President.  When you are the Emperor though, the optics of crushing someone that is already down are what counts. There was also an all caps Twitter threat directed towards Iran that promised fire and fury that likes of which history has not seen.  He used that same incendiary language six months ago as a threat towards North Korea.  In his mind, a war will be over in two weeks after massive bombings and h...

It is Sunday morning and I am listening to gospel music on App Radio.  My granddaughter will be going back to Coatesville after a two week visit.  I finished up a great vacation week which included two days in Atlantic City, seeing The Incredibles, July 4th activities on the Parkway, a visit to Harrah's Casino, Cooper River Park and finishing three books.  It was a wonderful staycation.  One of the highlights of my week was the House Music Festival that was also in Atlantic City. I was excited about this event anyway because a couple of my good Friends were going to be in town for the event.  Michael Fielder, Darryl Hudson and Lance Chase had all decided to come in town at the behest of Troy Johnson.  I met these Brothers during my undergrad days at Howard University and we have remained Friends for life.  After attending a Homegoing service for Norman Myers this year I have made it a priority to get together with my Homeys to celebrate living. The...

Thursday was a great day for breaking news across the country and world.  Bill Cosby was found guilty on all three counts of indecent and aggravated sexual assault against him.  He dodged the legal bullet last year when a jury was deadlocked on the charges.  Kim Jong Un became the first leader from North Korea to cross the DMZ in 65 years.  As recently as six months ago, Mr. Un was shooting missiles all over the place.  I hope the world can breathe a sigh of relief that nuclear war can be averted.  Finally, Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. was arrested and charged as the Golden State killer.  He terrorized that area of the country for years and at one time was a member of the police force. I guess comedian Hannibal Burruss can be credited for helping to finally bring Bill Cosby to justice. Amazingly, even with a net worth of almost $400 million, Bill Cosby was still performing.  I guess he had this insatiable need to be in front of audiences.  At...

Philadelphia was in the news for some crazy reasons this past week.  A Southwest Airlines plane had to make an emergency landing yesterday due to a malfunction.  A woman from New Mexico, Jennifer Riordan, lost her life during the harrowing landing.  This plane was on its way to Dallas but was diverted because of this tragedy.  Many of the passengers were calling loved ones to give their last goodbyes.  On the positive side, the Flyers and Sixers are in the playoffs.  I rode the subway with the Flyers fans today.  Good luck against the Penguins.  The other news story became a national referendum on race. Two African American males were arrested in a Starbucks while sitting there waiting for a friend.  It was a Starbucks on 18th & Spruce Street in Center City.  I received a Starbucks gift card from my nieces Saba and KiKi this Christmas.  I am not considered a frequent visitor but I love the one located in the Barnes & Noble...

There are a number of people in the United States this weekend who will ponder what they could have done differently on Valentine's Day this year.  Maybe they should have kept their child home from school on a sick day.  Maybe they should have planned their trip during this week.  One Father wondered if he told his daughter that he loved her.  It is such a heart wrenching time to think about what one could have done to save or protect a loved one.  The scene has been repeated so often that people outside the U.S. must wonder if we really care about our citizens.  There is a movement called Rachel's challenge going on that remembers a young lady killed in the Columbine shooting in 1999. Oh how I wish that the tragedies could have ended with the tragic loss of her life. Nikolas Cruz did not care what the plans were for the future of the students and staff that he gunned down that day.  He didn't care that some of these students were scholars and volunt...

The last year of nuclear tests have been terrifying for the world at large.  North Korea is a dictatorship headed by Kim Jong-Un.  Under his leadership he has tested more than 80 missiles.  It is a wonder that no one has been killed.  There are some reports that one of the missiles exploded in the country but their secretive news agencies won't reveal this to be a fact.  Many of the people that receive news in North Korea only read or hear what the government wants them to hear.  Hunger is a problem and citizens must cheer wildly whenever their Supreme Leader is in their presence.  The consequences for lack of enthusiasm could be death, President Trump has blamed the Bush, Clinton and Obama administrations for not 'dealing' with the threat from North Korea during the last twenty-five years.  He feels that bluster and threats will lead this country of twenty-five million people to voluntarily relinquish their nuclear weapons.  We have tried ...

On Sunday, February 4th, the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LII 41 - 33 against the New England Patriots.  We won with a backup quarterback, Nick Foles, while being pegged as the underdogs by the Vegas odds makers for the third straight game.  Some fortunate people placed six figure bets on the Eagles.  They went home very happy.  For the rest of us the feeling of vindication and satisfaction was immense.  We are done being the bridesmaids.  We have joined the rest of the NFC East teams that have won rings.  We will wear the crown for a year or until we relinquish the title to a worthy competitor. A parade is scheduled for tomorrow.  It will go from Lincoln Financial Field, down Broad Street and to the Art Museum.  Many people will take pictures at the Rocky Statue.  He was a mythical figure based in Philadelphia who conquered the boxing world with grit and determination.  How he beat Drago without getting his neck separated f...

I had the occasion to attend a celebration in memory of Martin Luther King yesterday.  It was held at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Spring House, PA.  The program featured a diverse array of faith leaders and a dynamic keynote speaker.  I was in attendance to support my wife Shawn who is a member of a choir at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.  There was also choirs there from Salem Baptist Church and Bethlehem Baptist Church.  It is primarily an African American Church located in a bucolic area of Montgomery County. I arrived at the ceremony early to get a good seat.  We had been there before for the Homegoing service of Sylvia Jones.  Sylvia was married to Neil Jones and was the Mother of two beautiful daughters before she succumbed to an aggressive form of cancer.  Reverend Quann is the Pastor of this historic church.  They will celebrate 130 years of existence later this year.  There was also a march yesterday from Wissahickon High Sch...

I am up listening to ESPN radio on Alexa.  I stayed in the house yesterday and savored the silence of Christmas Day.  We had a Christmas Eve gathering that was really nice.  The day started with Lynne and her friend Frank stopping by for lunch.  I fried fish.  Julius made grits and biscuits.  We exchanged gifts and had a good time talking and laughing.  Mom Bell came over for a few minutes.  We then began to prepare for the visitors in the evening. I listened to a variety of Christmas stations this year. I-Heart Radio was the go to for Christmas Jazz.  WDAS always plays the classics leading up to Christmas Day.  I also played Ashanti's Christmas and listened to the Motown Classics with the Jackson 5 singing Frosty the Snowman.  Reggie Wallace was a big help to me in preparing for guests by prepping food and assisting with dishes.  Leah and Lorae stopped by.  I was surprised by this.  It was really Christmas weather ...

Two United States Senators offered their resignations due to allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace yesterday.  The longest serving Congressman in the House of Representatives offered his immediate resignation earlier this week based on claims of inappropriate workplace behavior.  We have a sitting President who almost twenty women claimed sexually assaulted them during his time as a self-proclaimed star and real estate developer.  I am highlighting December 12th on my calendar.  It is the day when another politician with allegations of child sexual abuse is up for election.  The Republicans are so desperate for a vote in the Senate that they will look past allegations of sexual impropriety for the sake of the part. I guess powerful, and mostly rich people are used to getting their way in business and in life.  Bill Cosby was a megastar who was intent on reviving his show business persona when his actions after hours caught up with him.  H...

Sexual harassment allegations are bringing down movie producers, actors and network executives.  Harvey Weinstein should be arrested soon based on the numerous women who have accused him of sexual assault.  Bill Cosby is well into his journey to try to prove his innocence of many allegations of unwanted advances.  I cannot imagine the pain that many women feel at having been used by men in power.  There are no winners when it comes to sexual harassment.  The latest allegations have come against Senate candidate Roy Moore.  They could not have come at a worse time for the Republican party. Former Judge Roy Moore is supposedly a Christian conservative.  I am a Christian and we just seem to be on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to spiritual values.  In fact, I wonder if we are praying to the same Jesus Christ.  There was a painting of Jesus Christ, according to Leonardo da Vinci, that just sold for $450 million.  It is a Europea...

I am shocked at the lengths that some people will go to in order to sell books.  Sacred secrets and behind the scenes agreements are all fair game for an author.  As a political observer I feel that some agreements, especially at the highest levels of the DNC, should remain secret.  The Republicans are in control of government right now.  They do not have much to show for it legislatively but they are trying to lead.  Today, November 7th, is Election Day, and Democrats should be focused on trying to win back a few seats in order to implement our vision. Democrats won seats in New Jersey and Virginia as Governors.  They also made significant leverage in Virginia as the first transgender candidate to be elected.  There was a Hispanic woman elected as a first time participant.  There were also first time Mayors elected throughout the country.  Democrats now completely control the legislature in Washington state.  We also made inroads in D...

As a parent, I try to be consistent when it comes to making up my room.  You would not want unexpected company coming to your house and finding out that you live like a slob.  Clean up under your bed and put away things when you can.  Those of us that work for a living sometimes find it hard to do these things.  The reason that I am emphasizing it again is that when you leave your house, it is not a guarantee that you will return.  The ISIS inspired attack in New York City yesterday makes putting your room in order all the more important. Five of the most unfortunate victims of yesterday's attack with a rented Home Deport truck were five friends from Argentina who were celebrating the 30th Anniversary of their graduation from high school.  Who calls their families and tells them that they will be returning in caskets or body bags instead of on their regularly scheduled flights?  A young Mother from Belgium was also among the eight confirmed fatalitie...