practical politics

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Sep 27 2012

Practical Politics

In the tightly wrapped, turgidly plotted thrill ride that is the 2012 presidential race, with both contestants trying to leave no stone unturned, or the smallest chore undone, in attempts to gain the ultimate advantage that will garner the required 270 electoral votes on the evening of Nov. 6, not enough attention has been paid to the other half of this story—the congressional races.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Sep 20 2012

Practical Politics

Very recently, in a calculated attempt to undermine the credibility of his opponent in the upcoming presidential debates, and to provide himself cover in case he suffers an ignominious defeat in them, Mitt Romney announced that he might not do well in the debates because the president was simply going to prevaricate his way through them.

Really?

A liar calling someone else a liar? Things that make you go hmmmm . . . . Sure, politics is not about fairness, but once again, the Romney team shows that it is the leader in utter gall.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Sep 6 2012

Practical Politics

Truth be told, the Republicans have been hiding in plain sight. They have formed a relentless phalanx of do-nothingness regarding helping the country out of its economic doldrums, and have calculated that most people just won’t believe their lying eyes.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Aug 30 2012

Practical Politics

Life, knowledge, lessons, even imagination are all based on relationships. In fact, relationships are the essence of our being and being here. Stop and think about it for a moment: yin and yang, man and woman, people and the environment, weather and water, up and down, right and left, coming and leaving or coming and staying. It’s all people and people, people and things, or things and things.

Relationships.

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Aug 23 2012

Practical Politics

From now through Nov. 6, 2012, any political-cultural discussion that seeks to entice us into emotional responses unrelated to either the presidential election or to the election of members of Congress, should be looked at as a probable smokescreen and sleight of hand to distract us and foil our focus and concentration.

It’s a tactic that has worked many, many times before. Pickpockets, at least the successful ones, have always mastered the art of distraction and misdirection, long enough to relieve us of our hard-earned valuables.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.