Under Construction

If you notice that my blogspot looks a little different it is because of a suggestion from a follower of mine,who notice something was lacking.
So stay tune folks!
                                                                  Bigmac

Hell No To Medical Marijuna

Full disclosure folks,I have smoked weed and I'm still here to see another day,so the issue I have with legalizing marijuna is twofolded.
First we have too many issues with drugs in our community today with out the State of Pennsylvania,allowing another legal drug to invade our community.
Yea I know  illegal weed is right down the street for a price,but just like the bug( before the State Lottery what numbers were called in Baltimore)the state getting in the business doesn't make it right for my community.
So many people that I run into on a daily basis are so stuck on stupid (SOS) from the use of one drug or the other that my community here in Pittsburgh is a walking dead community.
Funny thing about this is the money that will be generated from the sale of legal weed will never see it's  way to my community.
The money is to be used for roads and bridges in Pennsylvania,AND OF COURSE THE ROADS AND BRIDGES IN MY COMMUNITY NEVER MAKE THE LIST FOR REPAIR UNTIL IT'S HALFWAY IN THE RIVER.
So Governor Rendell go pedal your drugs elsewhere,my community needs hope not more dope!
My community needs jobs and leadership,not another  legal pimp and drug dealer,we already have Walgreen and Rite-Aid and poverty doctors pumping us up with enough legal drugs.
                                                                              Bigmac

What about the people killed on the oil rig?

Much has been said about the thousands of  gallons of oil leaking from the oil rig disaster,we all have heard about the millions of dollars in losses to the seafood industry.
But no one is talking about the lost lives of the dozen men and women lost in that disaster.
Just goes to show you that the lives of us worker bees out here is not valued.
My heart felt sorrow go out to the families of these oil rig workers.
                                                                                     Bigmac

Fish and Oil Don't Mix

I grew up eating fresh seafood right off the boats that sailed into and docked in the port of Baltimore,during the late 1950's and 60's.
It was exciting to watch my father bring home a bushel of blue crabs live and cook them in a pot on the stove or to eat a spot or rock fish fresh from the Chesapeake Bay.
I have been paying attention to the state of health to the Chesapeake Bay for the past few years and it's not good folks.
Between overfishing and pollution flowing into the Bay,fishing and crabbing is not what it use to be.
So with the Oil leaking from the BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico creeping slowly and closer to the fishing areas of the Gulf,30% of the shrimp consumed in this country is about to become contaminatated with crude oil.
The big shots at BP oil is said to have led every government agency involved with this spill   clean up to believe that they had this spill under control.
The price of seafood will hit the roof in the coming days and BP will try it's best to spin the story as to not make the spill it's problem.
                                                                                            Bigmac

Republicans in Florida gone Mad!

Seems to me the Republicans have lost their minds,Governor Charlie Crist has finally reached the point where even he can't stand the smell coming from his party in Florida.
As some of you may know Governor Crist was running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate and was told to go pound sand by the party power elite.
To my way of thinking Governor Crist was one of the few Republicans who I had any respect for.
I guess the Republican Party is really hell bent on becoming the party of I don't give damn about anyone that is not rich?
                                                                                  Bigmac

It was all about her

I made a trip early this morning to the post office to mail a few letters,there was  other person there  being waited on ,I said oh wow I'm the  next person.
Usually my trip to our local post office is greeted with long slow and indifferent lines,anytime of the year.
The indifference is coming from both customer and postal clerk,most of the time.
This morning it was the customer,after the postal clerk give the customer in front of me what she came for,she stood there for a few mins. more talking about personal things.
 Usually I'm a little patient with the post office service,but this morning I was a little pissed at the arrongance of this woman to continue a personal conversation while I waited in line.
THEN LIKE A GUST OF WIND SHE TURNS AROUND AND SAID TO ME OH SORRY I DIDN'T SEE YOU IN LINE!
I said to her yea like a lot of folks,who don't see me!How in the name of Jesus can she miss my Big Black Behind at 6'5 250 pounds?
At that moment folks I felt like Ralph Ellison's Book "The Invisiable Man".
                                                                                              Bigmac

Crazy World Y'all

A couple days ago,here in Pittsburgh the news was all about a sexual predator football player for the Steelers,while here in the hood where I live we were cutting and shooting each other like we were making a cowboy movie on a low budget.
One incident stood out for me,two men in their 40's were arguing about when one was going to be paid the the five dollars that was owed him.
The arguement got so heated and stupid each person pulled out weapons and began to fire wildly at each other striking a ten year old kid in the face.
Ok I'm just so sick and tired of these cowboys who walk and live in my neighborhood,I'm so sick and tired of the sorry excuse of the criminal and social systems that have allowed those folks to live and breath in my neighborhood.
                                                                                              Bigmac

I want to do business with my folk!

But so many of the Black Businesses that I have called for bids for different services have disappointed me as a consumer.
I called a tree service own by a Black father and son to cut and remove trees and brush from the back yard.
They give me a bid of $375.00 it seem a little over priced for the amount of work involved.
So as a informed consumer I sorted out another bid from another tree service,needless to say it wasn't Black own.
Their bid included not only the trees I wanted  originally removed but trees that I thought would be an additional cost in the future,their price in total $500.00
The bid for our tree removal and clearing went to the second bidder hands down.
What I learned from this experience is when doing business,keep your emotions in check and simply look at the transaction as just business,if the person who happens to be doing the work for me looks like me thats a bonus.
Folks if we are going to be in business we have got to think long term,we have got to start  thinking in terms of repeat business and growing our business.
Charging me the max at one time for a service doesn't endear me to call your business again,second the goal of any business should be extreme customer service,which means give the customer what they expect.
                                                                        Bigmac

The Gender Wars

This post is inspired in part from a post I read this morning at jackjodell.blogspot.com,it got me to thinking how does the gender wars going on effects the community (Pittsburgh)  that I live within.
Personally I don't think many people I come in contact with think that deep about the behavior that goes on between the genders.
That's because for many the roles of the gender have ever really been defined.
When we refer to each other as my babies daddy or my babies momma,then I think you have serious issues with who and what you are.
So people will understand where I'm coming from I will define the people I'm talking about as the Black community I know in Pittsburgh.
The Black community I know is so far out of touch with the reality of economic and social order that to have a discussion on gender is like beating your head againist the wall.
Most people I encounter are comfortable being a zero or maintaining a image of being one.
Most don't make it known that they care about an issue until it smacks them dead in the face,and even then it only an issue until they can get it out of their face.
Most have never traveled or explored anything outside of the Pittsburgh region.
Most people I encounter think a nice night out is going to a bar or club in their lastest clothing that they over paid for.
So for me there is no gender war in my community there is a war for the brain  and it seems to me that Madison Ave. has won, and decides what's important in the Black Community I know in Pittsburgh.
                                                                         Bigmac

Why are Black People Still Going To Jail?

I know you will say because some of us are committing crimes against society,and yes thats true,because in ever segment of society there are some people who will not hit a lick(work).
But folks are you not sick of going down to the county jail,dragging your children along to visit  skippy and ray-ray?
It's about time we start to raise our children the correct way folks,I mean you made a decison to have this child,now its time for you to put away your child like thinking.
But oh you are just a child your self,so whats happening to our children that today they are having children?
As you can see folks there is a lot of work to be done in our community before we can seriously begin to address the title of this blog post.
So where do we begin?
Where is the leadership in our community?
Where are the Pastors?
Where are the true men who are willing to stand up and be real men and lead?
Where are the true teachers,who really teach?
Oh where oh where have my people gone?
Why have we fallen for the slick Madison Ave hype of this who we are?
Why are so many Black people still self hating?
                                                                                                  Bigmac

Money Talked Loud,Roethlisberger Walks!

Look folks I'm a fan of the Steelers and support them,but I can't in good conscious let the decison not to prosecute Roethlisberger for sexual assault pass without commenting.
I'm getting sick and tired of high profile and rich people getting away with crimes in this country.
For me this ideal of smacking high profile and rich people on the hand for crimes Skippy and Ray-Ray go to Jail for many years is just plain wrong.
The DA in Milledgeville,Ga. ought to go to jail also for not at least taking this case to a grand jury,so regular folks can evaluate the evidence in this case.
To make it plain what happen in this case,Roethlisberger and his Lawyer payed off the young girl involved to just go away.
This case stinks to high heavens,it just furthers my belief that the criminal justice system is a joke for poor and working people in this country.
                                                                        Bigmac

Carry Me Home West Virginia

Life is cheap in West Virginia,when I first heard about the mine explosion last week,my gut reaction was the remaining miners were already dead.
All of this rescue action was just show and tell by the government and that lowdown mine owner Blankenship.
I don't know why I just felt like it was some of my own family who were trapped or killed in that mine explosion.
Maybe because of the stories I heard growing up on how my own grandfather on my father's side was killed  at work in 1935 in Wilmington,NC.
Maybe also because I'm just a working stiff also and desire more for myself and other people in this life.
My heart felt prayers go out to the families of the 29 miners who passed away just trying to do the right thing,going to work!
                                                                       Bigmac

Tiger Woods WHY DAMIT WHY?

Would you allow Nike and the Golf Industry  to PIMP you and your dead father(may he rest in peace) with the latest commerical "welcome back Tiger".
Tiger do you have not a ounce of self respect left?
Tiger do you hate yourself that much that you allow the golf industry and nike to disrespect your dead father?
Tiger someone needs to tell you the truth of this matter,your problem my friend is simple,keep your zipper up and stay focus on your job and family.
                                                                       Bigmac

Follow The Money

Yea folks thats what we have to do if we want to know how any group or organization is funded.
We having been hearing from these groups calling themselves the teabaggers now for over a year,they claim to be every day people who are sick of the government in their lives.
They claim to be just Joe and Jane Lunchbucket,if thats the case, my question is just how in gods name are these people paying for the hotels and other expenses they inccur while protesting in washington on a  tuesday afternoon?
Look take it from someone who's lived and worked in the Metro DC area it's not a cheap place to live,play or work.
That question should be running thru everyones head?
                                                                                             Bigmac

You got to like Mike,a true "house negro"

I mean come on Michael Steele,it's 2010 why do you still feel a need to jigg and cowtow and buck dance for the Republican party.
It's apparent to anyone with a half of a brain that they have no love for you or your approach to bring Black folks into the Republican camp.
It would be one thing if the true members of the Republican party were really seeking diversity,buts lets be real herethey are not in any shape or form.
To be honest in my opinion the Democratic Party fairs no better,because they have been pimping the Black Community for the past fifty years.
But because of the investment Black folk have in the Democratic Party we have a responsibility to make the party more responsive to our community.
The way we can start is electing officals who have the community interest at heart,if we had congress folk who were doing their  JOB,the Michael Steels of our community would be moot.
                                                                                                                    Bigmac

Waking Up To Republicans/Teabaggers

You may have fell for the excuses from Republicans about the behavior from their allies the teabaggers,but not I.
The Republicans in this country have made it clear to anyone with a brain that if a law or bill being consider by the Congress is deem to support or help poor or working class people it is oppose to it.
Folks don't believe the excuses of why they are opposing the health care reform for money reasons,because these people will spend a dollar quicker then you can blink your eye for a weapons program.
It's well past time that poor and working-class people in this country start to holler back,loud and clear what we want our people in Congress to  do!
                                                              Bigmac

Where do health reform go from here?

Ok a health care reform bill has pass the Congress,but do you know that many of the parts of this bill don't go into effect until years down the road?
What do you think of the politicans who opposed any kind of health care reform,but didn't give up their own Blue Cross policy?
I personally don't think they give a dam one way or the other if I or you die from a lack of health insurance.
Folks it's time to get up off of our collected butts and start our own dam tea party and begin to let these politicans know that they are in Washington to serve the regular folk,not the insurance companies.
                                                                                   Bigmac

It's time Black America Fire the likes of Al Sharpton!

Let's not sugarcoat what I mean folks,just what in the world has Al Sharpton effectively done to improve anything in Black America?
I have listen to his radio program on XM channel 169 for over two years and all I have ever garner from his show is when the next meeting or convention is going to be!
When is Al Sharpton going to take some of that money he's collecting and build a school in the neighborhood?
When is he going to take some of that money and open a business and put some of the folk who are unemployed to work?
When is he going to take some of that money and start to build some housing for the homeless?
When Al,when are you going to really start to keep it real?
                                                                    Bigmac

Health Care Reform? When Hell Freezes Over!

I can't help but be pessimistic about health care reform in this country,deep in my heart I feel the people who could make this happen don't care if people die for a lack of health care.
I'm really sick of all of these ads on TV telling folks to call this politican and that politican and tell them to vote no on health care reform.
Just who the hell are these people who are paying millions of dollars to advertise against health care reform?
Most of the people who grace the nightly news against health care reform don't seem to get the fact that we already have socialize medicine,with Medicare,Medicaid,VA health care what the hell is that if not government health care.
                                                                                  Bigmac

Will Ben Roethlisberger get treated like Mike Vick?

Easy question for me to answer,hell no it's already apparent from the way the media is handling the allegations of rape by the 20 year old student that the fix is in the works.
I hate to see anyone get caught up in the criminal justice system,but damn it's time for people to open up their eyes and understand that there are two justice systems in this country,one for poor and black folk and the other for the rich and famous white folk.
For all of you color blind folk out there go ahead and call me racist,but there are facts and then there is ignorance! The media here in Pittsburgh has really gone soft on this story,I believe they are afraid of telling the truth about Big Ben!I can't believe that you wouldn't begin to wonder if this guy has some sexual addiction that needs to be address quick fast and in a hurry.Maybe Tiger Woods could hook Ben up with a treatment plan?
                                                            Bigmac