What To Do When They Come For You?

by with No Comment Media

What to do when they come for you? It sounds like a Robert De Niro line from one of his famous mafia movies, except it’s a legitimate question Joy Reid and her team should be trying to answer.

If you’re a liberal or a big Joy Reid supporter, you’re probably defending her and prepared to move on. If you’re a conservative and not a fan of her politics, then you might be suggesting a double standard and calling for her job. Either way, it’s almost inevitable that more of her (The Reid Report) blog posts from 10+ years ago will surface.

Disparaging comments and hard to explain sentiments regarding 9/11 conspiracies, jabs at John McCain, and her apparent homophobia, which includes petty and insensitive digs at Anderson Cooper and her current MSNBC partner Rachel Maddow, are coming back to haunt her at a time when her progressive voice echoes loud for those who identify with liberal and Democratic policies.

Reid first apologized in December 2017 when homophobic posts from her past about Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (D) first appeared saying her comments were, “insensitive and tone-deaf.” However, more troubling posts surfaced in April 2018, and this time around she sang a different tune denying that she wrote these posts and that she must have been hacked…

“Most straight people cringe at the sight of two men kissing… I couldn’t go see Broke Back Mountain because of the gay characters. “Does that make me homophobic? Probably… And I’m not exactly proud of it. But part of the intrinsic nature of ‘straightness’ is that the idea of homosexual sex is…well…gross. For the record, I’m sure gay people think straight sex is gross, too.” – The Reid Report

When these most recent comments surfaced, she revealed that she had hired a cyber security consultant in December 2017 to investigate. The consultant believes her blog was hacked during the time many of these posts were published, stating he found significant evidence which indicated that Reid’s old blog had been compromised.

On April 28th, MSNBC shared her recent statement regarding the matter. She stated, “I genuinely do not believe I wrote those hateful things.” In another comment shortly thereafter she spoke about her evolution…

“I’ve also spoken openly about my evolution on many issues and know that I’m a better person today than I was over a decade ago… I believe the totality of my work attests to my ideals and I continue to grow every day.” – Joy Reid

Should her apologies and the above acknowledgment of her evolution suffice? Should we believe her when she admits to writing some of the disparaging comments but not all of them?

If she was a college student in 2005 when she admitting to writing some but not all of these distasteful things, I think many people on both sides of the isle would give her a pass. But in 2005, she was a 36-year old journalist with the assumed maturity and professionalism that should trump any college student.

Many people are calling for her to be fired for her homophobic comments in the past. The irony – many of the people calling for her to be fired likely agree with her past sentiments and beliefs about homosexuality and gay relationships.

For now, her employer MSNBC is sticking by her. The bigger question is… should you do the same?

Subscribe for free to keep up with LCR perspectives. 

Sinclair Will Carry Trump’s Torch

by with One Comment Media

If you didn’t know who Sinclair Broadcasting was prior to this week, chances are they silently crept up on you last week through one of their 193 locally owned TV stations. 193 might not sound like a lot, except it is… Sinclair’s 193 stations makes them the largest broadcaster in the US, which allows them to reach 40% of American homes. Sinclair, which is known for their conservative slant, is a publicly traded company; yet, it’s still owned and run by the founding Smith family who holds a majority interest. Last week their employed news reporters read the exact same script bashing supposed “fake news” that echoed throughout the rest of the country. When messaging is the same, the exact same, it’s no longer news, it’s propaganda… and that’s dangerous to say the least.

Take a look back to World War I. Woodrow Wilson and the American Government’s powerful use of propaganda, which was built on a lack of transparency, was in large part successful in the states and throughout the rest of the world in ultimately convincing people they were on the right side of history.

After major networks like CNN and MSNBC criticized Sinclair for said propaganda, President Trump quickly tweeted his praise for Sinclair calling them “far superior.”

To make things worse, Sinclair has a $4 billion proposed merger with Tribune Media on the table. If the merger is approved, Sinclair would be able to reach three out of four homes in America. Does anyone think our government or this administration is going to suppress this merger?

“He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense.” — Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim, 1900

When telecommunication companies like Sinclair succeed and continue to expand through mergers & acquisitions, democracy, different and honest perspectives, challenging yet compromising dialogue, loses, and nears a painful and regrettable demise.

If you’re a news reporter for a Sinclair owned station, you might find yourself in a career conundrum you never imagined. What should they do? Quit? Protest? Carry on? Make subtle facial expressions in an attempt to let you know their reading another bias politically slanted script? If you’re in one of their local markets chances are you depend of them for your local and national news. Should you not watch? Find another source of media and news?

These tough decisions will shape our nation? Media is a powerful tool, conservative or progressive ideology, it’s not a good idea for anyone, or any one group, to own the majority of our news outlets.

This is what propaganda in 2018 looks like: Sinclair News Clip

If we’re not careful, Sinclair will carry Trump’s torch long after his 4 (or 8) years in the White House. It might be too late.

Subscribe for free and share our content, different perspectives matter.

Cultural Blind Spots

by with One Comment Media

Lack of Diversity = Cultural Negligence

Things that you cannot take back: A stone after it has been thrown, a word once it has been spoken, an offensive ad after it is published, and an audience after cultural negligence. A hooded top with the words “COOLEST MONKEY IN THE JUNGLE” on a black child model is the latest public relations nightmare in the world of advertisement. The international retailer H&M published an on-line advertisement for its U.K. site; however, the tone-deaf and racist ad quickly spread through social media, resulting in H&M pulling it.

The question is, why did “they” not realize the severity of the cultural insensitivity. Are “they” diverse enough to throw a flag on the play of cultural negligence in the room where decisions are made? Furthermore, even if there are a few token diverse voices in the room, is the environment and leadership diverse enough to encourage as well as respect the voice(s) of cultural awareness and inclusion?

H&M is not the only organization that has seen its lack of diversity affect the campaign message in a racially tense era. In 2007, HP depicted a white man in an office with 6 black sprinters in starting positions that appeared to be bowed to their master. In 2017, Nivea had an ad with a tag line “White is Purity”, which white supremacist were happy to retweet. In 2011 and 2017, Dove released ads that were interpreted as blacks using the product to cleanse themselves of their brown skin.

Imagine the impact “they” in the advertising team would have if the group was a true representation of the consumers they target. According to The National center for Education Statistics, in 2014, the number of minority students enrolled in the public schools was 50.3%, making it higher than whites for the first time in U.S. history. As the minority transition to become the majority, companies need to execute a plan to guarantee the right representation at all levels of the organization. If they do not, they will continue to have advertising PR nightmares that lose more patrons than they gain.  H&M released a statement that apologized for offending and stated its commitment to diversity and inclusion. It will be interesting for them to share what their organization diversity numbers are currently, particularly in the advertising department.

According to a U.S. Black Consumer Survey from 2017, 70% of black millennials say they are more likely to buy from a brand that takes a stand on race-related issues. With heightened race tensions in society and constant reminder of opinions and feelings smeared through social media today; what percentage of black millennials would buy from a brand that is tone-deaf to race and negligent to their culture? This segment in the market is one that companies need to capitalize on, not offend. In order to capitalize, companies need to make a conscious effort that starts in the human resource department. The number one priority needs to be an overhaul of hiring practices and retention strategies to attract and retain a diverse talent pool that brings cultural awareness and inclusion. Only then can “they” have the voices in the room to depict an accurate society. “No! This is completely inappropriate and offensive!” is what someone in a diverse and inclusive room would have said when calling a young black boy a monkey was suggested.

Elizabeth Warren Agrees, DNC Cheated Bernie

by with One Comment Media
In an interview Thursday [11/2/17], CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Elizabeth Warren, “Very quickly Senator, do you agree with the notion that it was rigged?” Without hesitation, Warren answered “Yes.”
The DNC has nobody to blame but themselves seems to be the sentiment many picked up in the Politico article that highlighted excerpts from Donna Brazil’s new book set to be released November 7th. Nearly a year after Hillary Clinton’s shocking loss to Donald Trump, Donna Brazile, the former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, is making strong claims against the DNC and others.
What are the claims? President Obama left the DNC in significant debt ($24 million in debt to be exact), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz was not a good leader and a terrible fundraiser are among them. The biggest claim; however, states that Hillary rigged the DNC and Bernie never had a fair chance to win the nomination.

“If the fight had been fair, one campaign would not have control of the party before the voters had decided which one they wanted to lead. This was not a criminal act, but as I saw it, it compromised the party’s integrity. I had to keep my promise to Bernie. I was in agony as I dialed him. Keeping this secret was against everything that I stood for, all that I valued as a woman and as a public servant. “Hello, senator. I’ve completed my review of the DNC and I did find the cancer,” I said. “But I will not kill the patient.” I told Bernie I had found Hillary’s Joint Fundraising Agreement. I explained that the cancer was that she had exerted this control of the party long before she became its nominee. Had I known this, I never would have accepted the interim chair position…” – Donna Brazile

She regretfully called Bernie to discuss the findings of her investigation. Despite basically telling Bernie he had been cheated, she quickly went on say that his support was needed to secure Hillary’s victory.

“but here we were with only weeks before the election… I had to be frank with him. I urged Bernie to work as hard as he could to bring his supporters into the fold with Hillary, and to campaign with all the heart and hope he could muster. He might find some of her positions too centrist, and her coziness with the financial elites distasteful, but he knew and I knew that the alternative was a person who would put the very future of the country in peril. I knew he heard me. I knew he agreed with me, but I never in my life had felt so tiny and powerless as I did making that call. When I hung up the call to Bernie, I started to cry, not out of guilt, but out of anger. We would go forward. We had to.” – Donna Brazile

This is a stunning revelation – maybe great leadership in her ability to focus on the big picture and try to get Bernie and his supporters on board? Or maybe not, considering CNN fired her for apparently sharing debate questions with Hillary prior to one of the presidential debates.
I’m sure people from Hillary’s camp and others at the DNC will respond to this article and Donna’s book that comes out in a few weeks. Whether some of her claims or all of them are true, its appears that our political system is broken at best and corrupt at worse.
If Donna’s claims regarding Hilary and the DNC are true, where does this leave the party?
How will this hurt their voting base and ability to attract millennials and/or working class voters who decided to vote for Trump in 2016?
Want to read similar content from the Left, Center, Right? SUBSCRIBE for only $2/month.

What Frederica Wilson SHOULD’VE DONE

by with One Comment Media

“He knew what he signed up for… but when it happens it hurts anyway.” – Trump’s remarks according to Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and the family of La David Johnson.

[Prior to Chief of Staff John Kelly’s remarks about Frederica Wilson] After talking to people on both sides of the aisle, I’m convinced that most Democrats think that the politicization of this “private call” is President Trump and his administration’s fault, and most Republicans think it’s Rep. Frederica Wilson’s fault. Attempting to remove politics, and considering President Trump lacks tact and compassion in the most obvious situations, I still think it’s safe to assume that he did not call this gold star widow with malicious intent.

Unless you’ve chosen to ignore this story, by now you know that Congresswoman Frederica Wilson is a close family friend of Sgt. La David Johnson’s family. She’s known the family for quite some time… La David Johnson and his brothers were alum of her 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a mentoring program she started in 1993 geared to help “minority male students graduate high school, go to college, vocational school or the military, and be positioned to become contributing and self-sustaining members of society.” She was also the principal of a school that La David Johnson’s father attended.

I don’t think anyone would blame the Congresswoman for “defending” the Johnson family, or speaking up if she felt they were slighted or disrespected in such a time of grief and anguish. But, the family should be her #1 priority. Considering Trump’s inability to take the high road in any situation, considering Trump blatantly disrespected a gold star family during his campaign, did the Congresswoman really think that publicly expressing her frustration with Trump’s remarks would render an immediate apology from him?

More importantly, did she think the inevitable media attention it would create would be in the best interest of the family or help them heal? If you believe so, then maybe she made the right decision. But if you don’t believe her immediate response of going to the media would be in the best interest of the family or help them heal, then maybe a different plan of action would’ve been better.

What should she have done? 

She should’ve reached out to the President and the White House in private expressing her frustration, as well as relaying the pain his words caused the widow. It’s a snowball’s chance in hell it would’ve rendered a positive reaction or an apology; but, it wouldn’t have appeared to be political, and most importantly it would’ve allowed the family to mourn and grieve in peace without the media frenzy. If the President or a White House Offical chose to ignore her or not render a positive reaction or an apology, then going public with a statement would’ve probably been better received as less political, and truly genuine regarding her concern for the family.

It’s hard to give the Congresswoman the benefit of the doubt when it feels like she’s capitalizing on the moment especially when she’s calling herself a “rockstar” in the process.

With that being said, in such situations, we’d hope the president could take the high road and just render an apology. By doing so, he proves that he can show empathy, it makes the Congresswoman’s point irrelevant, and most importantly, it preserves the privacy of a family forced to mourn the loss of their hero.

Unlike the other 3 U.S. soldiers who were killed and retrieved when the other soldiers were rescued, La David Johnson was left behind and his body was retrieved a mile away and 48 hours later. The family was not allowed to I.D. the body and they had to have a closed casket funeral, which suggests that La David Johnson’s body was mutilated or in extremely bad condition when they found him.

They deserve answers… not sure receiving an apology or the current back and forth between a Democratic Congresswoman and the White House supersedes those answers and the speed in which they receive them. 

Eminem Rips Trump… Will “Working Class” Jump Ship?

by with One Comment CultureFeaturedMedia

Detroit rapper Eminem has never been shy about attacking his adversaries, NEVER. And if you didn’t know where he stood, he unequivocally stated his position and disdain for President Trump during the 2017 BET Hip Hop Freestyle Cypher. He also dedicated several lyrics in support for Colin Kaepernick and other NFL player who’ve chosen to kneel in protest.

Eminem’s lyrics in the 2017 BET Cypher Link: The Storm Eminem Verse

Colin Kaepernick immediately reacted on Twitter by thanking Eminem for his support.

Twitter was quick to react, including LeBron James and fellow rapper J. Cole…

I think it’s a foregone conclusion that Trump will respond… but should he is probably the better question?

Eminem explicitly drew a line in the sand for his fans who choose to support Trump, assuming many of them are considered the “working class” – will they listen to Eminem? Many Republican’s and celebrities have publicly denounced Trump and it seems to have had little effect on his base. Will Eminem’s appeal be any different?

Sierra Leone Crisis = International Silence ?

by with 2 Comments Media

Sierra Leone…

I am sick and tired of one tragedy being more noteworthy than another. I am sick of one loss gaining more awareness on social media platforms and support while another is ignored and lost in the dark.

This is my outlook on the Sierra Leone Mudslide disaster… 

499 dead. Hundreds are currently missing. Where is the world’s outcry? Where are the colored filters on Facebook for Sierra’s Leone’s Mudslide victims?

All hell broke loose in the early hours of Monday (August, 14, 2017), Sierra Leoneans woke up to devastating torrential rains that caused flooding and triggered a massive mudslide. Most the damage done was in the Mortormeh, Kamayama, and Kaningo communities, which are on the outskirts of the capital Freetown.

Sierra Leone government’s initial reports have indicated that as of now, over 499 bodies have been recovered, of that number 150 were children. Search operations are still ongoing. The bodies have been brought to the central morgue in Freetown, but it is estimated that the number of victims may increase to the thousands.

People have lost property, possessions, and hundreds are now homeless with nowhere to go. Most of these people are women and children, mothers and infants that need urgent help and care.

To make matters worse, health workers have warned of an impending health crisis since corpses have been left in the open and the mass burial of bodies is still underway.

There are agencies working on the ground who are doing their best to respond to the disaster, but due to the large scale of destruction it has been described as an unprecedented tragedy for Sierra Leone.

As this all plays out, I am baffled and enraged by the lack of outcry or support from the international community. It’s now Sunday (August, 21, 2017), and I note an echoing silence by some of the international leaders and communities around the world.

The lack of support or a response even is disgusting. Sierra Leone, a country in perpetual conflict has seen its share of trials and tribulations that range from Civil War to the Ebola crisis. This latest disaster feels like the one that is meant to break the people’s will.

The only good thing I have come to find out of this disaster is that African leaders around the continent have officially expressed their support and sympathy to the people of Sierra Leone. Countries like Senegal, and Ivory Coast have made substantial financial donations and sent relief packages to aid the rescue efforts.

Citizens of Sierra Leone who live abroad have also sent back support and assistance to Sierra Leone, but little to nothing else has been said or done by countries like France, UK, Germany, or the USA.

No one tragedy is above another, or holds less severity than another. The attack on Barcelona received support and attention from all the corners of the world, but a mudslide that kills over 400 people in Sierra Leone receives nothing but a whisper? 

This is the problem with the world. This is what makes us in the West isolated and unaware of what is taking place on our own planet. Our media covers only what it feels aligns with its agenda, and everything else is ignored and left in the dark.

I hope and pray that after reading this those who truly care for others will conduct some research on Sierra Leone and attempt to either help or at the very least bring attention to the situation.

We are part of this world, humanity is important, and it’s about time we actually act like it and hold others accountable for it as well.

Want to read similar content from the Left, Center, Right? SUBSCRIBE for only $2/month.

Merck, Under Armour, Intel: “Unacceptable!”

by with No Comment Media

On August 14th, chief executives from three of America’s largest companies decided to step down from the President’s Manufacturing Council after the recent alt-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which the president was hesitant to immediately denounce white supremacy.  The violent weekend in Charlottesville claimed the lives of 3 people and injured 19 others.

The CEO’s explain why they left…

Kenneth Fraizer, CEO of Merck:

America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hate, bigotry, and group supremacy… As CEO of Merck and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism.” Kenneth Frazier’s full statement

Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel:

“I have already made clear my abhorrence at the recent hate-spawned violence in Charlottesville, and earlier today I called on all leaders to condemn the white supremacists and their ilk who marched and committed violence. I resigned because I want to make progress, while many in Washington seem more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees with them.” Brian Krzanich’s full statement

Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour:

“We remain resolute in our potential and ability to improve American manufacturing… However, Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics.” 

Is the President losing the business community? Merck’s stock jumped nearly 1% shortly after Kenneth Frazier made his statement. It should be noted that the CEO of Tesla Elon Musk and the CEO of Disney Bob Iger both stepped down from the President’s Business Advisory Council in June after the president decided to leave the Paris Climate Accord.

Related articles:

Heather Heyer, “A Very Strong Woman”

Charlottesville, VA… The LCR Responds…

 Want to read similar content from the Left, Center, Right? SUBSCRIBE for only $2/month.

The Trump Effect… This Week’s Recap 8/4/17

by with No Comment Media

Whether you’re on the Left, Center, or Right… listen to their words and draw your own conclusions…

At a Trump rally Thursday night (8/3/17) West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced his decision to flip from the Democratic Party to the GOP:

“Today I will tell you with lots of prayers and lots of thinking, I’ll tell you West Virginians, I can’t help you any more being a Democrat governor.” 

At the same rally, Trump responded to the ongoing Russia investigation:

“We didn’t win because of Russia. We won because of you… The Russia story is a total fabrication. It’s just an excuse for the greatest loss in the history of American politics.”

Special Counsel Robert Mueller issued grand jury subpoenas this week as the next step in his investigation. Special counsel to the President Ty Cobb responded:

“The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly… The White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller.”

Republican Senator Lindsay Graham on whether or not Trump lied about helping his son write a misleading statement about his meeting with a Russia lawyer in 2016:

“If that’s true then that was a bad decision by the President which will make us ask more questions… When you get caught in a lie about one thing, it makes it hard to just say ‘let the other stuff go.'” 

Recently released transcripts reveal Trump’s comments in his January (2017) conversation with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto:

“We have a massive drug problem where kids are becoming addicted to drugs because the drugs are being sold for less money than candy… I won New Hampshire because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den.” 

(Trump won the Republican primary in New Hampshire, but he lost the state to Hillary Clinton in last years presidential election by roughly 3,000 votes.)

New Hampshire’s Republican Governor Chris Sununu responded to Trump’s statement:

“It’s disappointing his mischaracterization of this epidemic ignores the great things this state has to offer.”

New Hampshire Democratic Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter also responded:

“No, Mr. President, you’re wrong about New Hampshire – but you have failed to help us fight the opioid crisis… Stop attacking health care, and make the investments you promised.”

The Trump Admistration hopes to cut legal immigration to the United States by nearly half. As critics piled on, Trump responded:

“This legislation will not only restore our competitive edge in the 21st century, but it will restore the sacred bonds of trust between America and its citizens. This legislation demonstrates our compassion for struggling American families who deserve an immigration system that puts their needs first and that puts America first.”  

“The Mooch” Is Out… The LCR Responds…

by with 3 Comments Media

After just 10 days, White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, has been fired. Not only fired, but escorted out of the White House. Our contributors respond…

“The Trump Administration is in a tailspin. Where’s the pilot? Certainly not Donald Trump, whose temperamental instability is now legendary. The new Chief of Staff, John Kelly appears to have made the recommendation, which may be the only indicator that someone might be able to take the controls in an effort to prevent the administration from crashing and burning into the earth.” – Registered Independent Voter 

“Anthony Scaramucci’s short tenure is truly astounding. After 10 days of foul mouthing tweets, interviews, and brash statements Anythony was fired and “escorted” out of the White house today. The Trump administration now awaits the new Chief of Staff John Kelly, who some feel will finally bring some measure of organization and discipline to the White House.“ – Independent Asian Inquisitor  

“Anthony Scaramucci resigned today. I think that makes it a total of 10 days that he lasted in the position. At this point, Trump’s presidency is looking more like a badly produced reality dating show and less like the highest office in the country. Actually, it’s not even at this point; Mr. Trump has been making a mockery of the office for quite some time now. This presidency says more about us as a people than Donald Trump. This is who we as a people chose to run our country. Not only him as a president, but all the senators with the power to hold the president accountable. When will we say enough is enough? Someone needs to step in, but who can that be with the GOP holding all the cards? Who knows? Until then, I’ll be waiting for the next episode from the shit show.” – Left HR Professional 

“Maybe this is going to be the next phase of McMaster. Chaos ensues, and eventually the President concedes that he needs a professional – even if the professionals insist as a condition of taking the job that they require the authority to work. Maybe that’s a sign that the level of crazy may decline in the coming months.” – Right Army Veteran  

“Ten days and a profane diatribe later Trump is yet again facing a major personnel shakeup in an increasingly chaotic White House. Ironically enough Scaramucci’s tenure was shorter than the time it’s taken for Spicer to leave his post after resigning. There may be one silver lining though, the removal reportedly comes at the request of John Kelly, the new Chief of Staff, and hopefully signals a new direction for the White House and hopefully increased stability. Or, just as likely, more chaos. It’s anybody’s guess.” – Center Left College Student 

“Today’s latest White House staff shake up isn’t shocking or a surprise. What is a surprise is the firing is one of Trump’s personality, a brash in your face New Yorker.” – Independent Texas Male 
Want to read similar content from the Left, Center, Right? SUBSCRIBE for only $2/month.