LeBron James: So Generous; Sui Generis

The reasons LeBron James returned to Cleveland are many and myriad, with more motifs, motives and modi operandi than I can comprehend. Perhaps even he is not sure of all the forces behind his decison. What appears on the surface to be an emotional choice can instead of and as well be viewed as a smart business decision as his endorsements won't suffer and in fact are probably enhanced by his deft judgment and a surely genuine sui generis moment in professional sports; an athlete trying to give back to his community, especially in the black community, where human resources are severely scarce as the forces of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, incarceration, and structual and institutional racism take their toll. It appears as if James may really be The Chosen One,  trying to help raise the standards of his whole community. A leader by example of what giving back means, for the people and by the people.

The opportunity to continue to learn and share his basketball prowess with other basketball elites, coaches and players alike, as well as ownership he knew and respected and was still comfortable with, played a part as well. Don't think owning an NBA team isn't a part of the KingJames future.

From the physical and mental aspect, a Cleveland team filled largely with young, vibrant minds still learning the game, and LeBron, still smarting from the way the Spurs dissected his team, hopes to help build and mentor a team to the NBA Championship. The kind of team that strives to find the best shot possible, regardless who shoots it, and a team that plays the best help defense in the NBA.

The Cavaliers were the best logical choice. He gets to try and groom them to playing basketball the right way, so much harder to do with established veterans, although they did well in Miami, it was over to LeBron, obviously. This new team is years younger and now man for man are a team to be reckoned with that will only get better. Wouldn't it be fun to see the Cavs win an NBA title?

The Cavs were 21 games behind Miami last year. If Lebron is good for 10, that makes them even, and the season hasn't even started. (Lebron brings Cleveland up at least 10 games and the Heat fall back 10 games next year. It's my math and I'm sticking to it.)

I first noticed James as he scored 25 points in a row against Detroit in the playoffs. We all watched him take Miami to four straight NBA finals and I was astonished as he took his talents back to the Midwest. Those were moments but what is really amazing to me is what transpired in Si.Com. LeBron said "I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get." To me, that is impressive. For me, this is his signature moment, not as a basketball player, but as a black man.

 

I can see a political career for Mr. James if he chooses. Maybe even commissioner of the NBA someday. The graciousness he exuded concerning the Dan Gilbert letter and the fans that burned his jersey generated goodwill of unheard of proportions in O-H-I-O. The man can run for mayor now and when he retires in most cities in America, don't doubt it. Much like Dave Bing and Kevin Johnson, among others, but with just a bit more cachet. Another trip to D.C. might be down the road as well, only this time as a member of the legislature.

With what he publicly set out to do and accomplished and with what his future portends, nothing he does will surprise any of us anymore.  I can't wait for LeBron James and The Ohio Players in Cleveland next year. The NBA just became more interesting.  

Barack Obama: 21st Century Black Genius

In response to Fred Thompson column in The National Review Online http://bit.ly/RyH5b8

                                                                                                                                 

                                                         Why Obama won

                                                "United States decided on the best choice."

 

All of the lies and flip-flops Romney made, YOU can't even address them. America voted for the better man. Allow me to address your concerns elucidated previously.

“Being a businessman worked against him.” What kind of genius does it take to leverage a company into bankruptcy, destroying a viable American business in the process, take all the money, fire all the workers then ship all the jobs to china?

“Peanut allergies are epidemic and we’ve nominated Mr. Planter.” Few envy Romney his money but making it off the backs of fired American workers was too much for us average folk. He continued to lie and dodge about his tax reforms, obviously would support continuing super rich tax cuts and wouldn't ever show us his tax returns. How could we in good faith trust in his business acumen or in him?

“Role of money.” Your party were the ones overjoyed with the 2010 Citizens United decision but be careful what you wish for applies here. The citizens did unite and we gave freely to Barack Obama. Super PACs, 50l(c)(4)s and the ignominious Karl Rove fiascos, American Crossroads and Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, were defeated by GOP arrogance and failing to understand the changing face of democracy in America; simple white man politics rhetoric is dead. Time for new politics for a new epoch.

“Couldn’t make the case.” Romney couldn't make his case because it was built upon a house of cards, depending on who was dealing to determine what he was saying that day. Besides, Ayn Rand or trickle down economics are not only ancient, but failed concepts. Giving money to those in need would much better drive the recovery than Bush tax breaks for the wealthy. That is just simple math. Those in need would spend it, thereby lubricating the supply chain all the way up. Trickle down leaves it to the largesse of the business community to generate jobs. The former, much more than the latter, creates inertia for a recovering economy. Finally, it isn't so much that the proceeds from the super rich will fix our economy, it's the idea that they are paying their fair share, a concept not connected with percentages and dollar amounts, but more with a concept that prides itself on fairness and justice for all. We call that democracy, remember her? She governs so that all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that are affecting their lives.

"Hurricane Sandy and the “Christie embrace.” Imma give you that one, see because I am objective, I believe. The president proved he was the man for the job and Christie, who no doubt played the race card, (the one for 2016 presidential election), knew which side his bread was going to be buttered on. It didn't help that Romney had bad timing when he said Fema should be dismantled and states should be left to themselves to rebuild from disasters. Romney showed he wasnt presidential with those positions. Additionally, his blathering about Benghazi, even before the bodies had been recovered, was clearly a mistake. Politicizing that situation inaccurately and trying to get President Obama involved in minutia regarding whether he called the attack a terrorist action, only highlighted the smallness of the man.

"Despite all of this, Mitt kept it close with good debate performances." If you consider losing 2 out of 3 debates a good performance, well that explains how your whole sanctimonious GOP platform failed; being out of touch with reality does have repercussions.

“People concluded it doesn’t matter.” That old saw, trying to suppress the vote indirectly didn't work this time. The supposedly no difference between the candidates spiel we saw right through. We concluded that Romney didn't matter, nor did the GOP vision of and for America. It's a new day and we are feeling mighty good, get used to it. On the diminished GOP vote, they didn't stay home, they switched sides. Had you considered that? Add that to your why Romney lost soliloquy.

It does make a difference who is President of the United States, which must be a shock to you. Also a shock to you no doubt is that a Black man won again. You all expected your patriarchal and patronizing, good ol' boy, racist dog whistle, class warfare, ultra-conservative and antiquated business as usual politics to win, but the good guys won this time. The gay, God fearing, Asian, weed smoking, freedom of choice, transvestite, young, civil union wanting, Black, bi-sexual, Latin, contraceptive using, white, single woman, bi-racial, moms, educated and Warren Buffett all say it makes a difference. That is todays America. And that is why our 44th President is Barack Obama, 21st century Black genius.