How Brown Won and What This Means for Obama

Republican Scott Brown just succeeded the late Ted Kennedy for the Massachusetts US Senate seat over Democrat Martha Coakley. What seemed to me a landslide a few months ago, as Coakley lead by 30%, has since been an underdog’s determination to earn a seat. Scott Brown, who has more political experience than Coakley, fought relentlessly against the Democrat led BLUE state like Massachusetts.

But how did Brown really win? Easy, hard work beats favoritism, if the favorite is not working hard. Democrats in Washington thought Coakley was not taking Brown nor the election too seriously. Despite her lack of political experience, she had no agendas of her own besides the typical “I am passing Obama’s bills in Washington” slogans. During the winter break, Coakley went on many vacations and Brown hit the ol’ campaign trail with his standard American blue-collar truck.

Massachusetts spoke loud and clear that they want Obama to start upholding his promises or else they will take necessary action to make it clear that they mean business. In fact, 51% of Massachusetts voters as registered independent voters. This seat was vital for Obama’s Health care reform bill, but Massachusetts residents are all covered by safe-net hospitals and State wide health coverage for all by Mitt Romney in 2006 before allowing Obama’s friend Deval Patrick (who endorsed Coakley and the MA residents are not too thrilled with either) to take office. The main priority of Massachusetts residents is the return of the troops, which Obama went against the grain on that agenda that had him win Massachusetts by 26% against John McCain, and the ECONOMY.

So Coakley conceded even with the help of former President Bill Clinton, President Barak Obama, and even the wife of the late Ted Kennedy, Vicki. This vote takes the Democratic seats in Senate down to 59 and brings the Republicans up to 41, which can cause a filibuster in the Healthcare reform Obama had planned and push it back longer. Obama did congratulate Brown and states he looks forward to working with him on the floor at Washington.

Happy Dr. Matin Luther King Jr.’s Day!

Kool Kids Inc. wishes you all a wonderful day in honor of our brother, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King predicts Obama’s success

King ready to deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech

“I Have a Dream” Speech

King’s last speech in 1968

Free Music Friday

I know it’s really Saturday… Don’t get too mad at me y’all… I woke up late yesterday and it kinda messed up a brotha’s schedule for the rest of the day.  I ain’t forget about y’all tho.  Here’s another drop to start off your three-day weekend on the right foot.  This one comes from the gruesome twosome from Virgina.  Yep, I’m talking about Clipse.  And their latest album, Til the Casket Drops, despite being well received by those familiar with the group, has gotten little press and recognition by the general public (as was the case with almost all of their albums).  So here it is for you to download and enjoy.  If you like it, don’t forget to go out and cop in the store or iTunes or Amazon, or however you get your music… I know it’s a recession, but you should support artists you like.  Especially if you want them to keep entertaining you.

Song of the Week

To go along with the Free Music Friday Saturday, Song of the Week also comes from Clipse.  And since I was late, I’m giving y’all double servings of hotness.  Here are two tracks from Til the Casket Drops that I’ve been rockin’ to for a while now… Freedom, and There Was A Murder.  I like both of these so much, I let my windows down when I roll up at the parking garage at work with these joints BLASTING (well, maybe not blasting, but I don’t turn the music down lol).  Enjoy.

UPDATE: Added Life Change, just for good measure.  How are these guys not platinum?

US Doing More Than Just Sending Money

The Los Angeles County Fire Department urban search and rescue team loads equipment before heading to Haiti Jan. 12. (Reuters Photo)

So call me a bit of a cynic, but in during a short conversation with a friend of mine on Twitter, I made mention to the fact that I would be interested in what the U.S. decided to do to help the people of Haiti, outside of just sending a couple dollars.  Because while it might seem like money is the cure for all of our problems, in situations like this, money is truly worthless.

While seeing people donating to the Red Cross, it was important for me that our government step up and do something, especially if we were spending the money and resources on a war in another country to try and spread “democracy” (take the quotation marks however you’d like).  That, and its not like we have the best reputation for acting quickly bringing aid to those in need (Katrina victims in New Orleans come to mind).  Well, color me pleasantly surprised when I went on a search to see what, if anything, we as a nation were doing to help.  The article I read on the subject claims that the U.S. is “spearheading” the global response to the issue and while I’m not sure as to the accuracy of that statement, we are at least involved.  The number of troops being sent isn’t exactly firm, but based on reports thus far I think it is safe to assume that we will be sending medical care and supplies, as well as an expeditionary unit to help find survivors.  Real flesh and blood people are going to go help, and I think this will do a lot more than the reported 3 million euros — worth $4.37 million in U.S. currency — that the European Union has approved to give to Haiti.  Not that the cash isn’t a good thing (because it is), but in this instance, I’m proud that the U.S. isn’t just gonna toss some paper at the situation and call it a day.

Fox News – U.S. Spearheads Global Response to Haiti Earthquake

Now while it sounds like I’ve been bad mouthing donations or cash aid this whole article, that’s not my intent.  I just didn’t want for us as a country to be sending cash and that’s all.  But for individuals who want to contribute to the relief efforts in Haiti, a cash donation is a great idea.  By donating to the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), you are helping to buy food and medical supplies, and facilitating the sending of volunteers to help.

For those that want to contribute to the effort, please check out the links below:

• American Red Cross | How to Help Haiti Quake Victims
• CNN: How you can help

If you’re getting involved, let us know what you’re doing in the comments.

A Souvenir from RitualsofChloe

http://ritualsofchloe.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/omar-told-you-i-got-you/