SOTU 2012 WW Style!

As I tucked my kids in for bed last night I was not the only one telling fairytales and painting dreams of a most vivid and vibrant future and a “happily ever after.” I was joined by President Obama in fantasy and fiction telling. As we lay our “kids” to bed in the hopes they are nourished in the dreams and alternate realities we lay out for them, what did we really say? NOT MUCH!! Although I was preaching from the gospel of Disney. Mr. Obama’s  fairytale should have come from the Brothers Grimm!

We all knew what he would say; we just wanted to see the delivery. Something akin to watching the Olympics. We knew the routine but will it be presented in the manner in which it had been so well scripted and crafted? Yes he stuck his landing pretty good last night. He got 9’s and 10’s from the masses of those holding out for hope and change 3 years in, but for those of us living in reality we walked away questioning “where IS the beef?”

For those of us in Wisconsin who seem to have short term memory loss regarding this president, I was baffled that his message was not met with a little more pessimism. He had promised so much yet delivered nothing to those who waited in vain for the man who would supposedly lace up his sneakers and join the picket line. I watched as these same people who are so disgusted with the progress in Wisconsin and Milwaukee, give a clear pass to this man simply based on his vocal stylings. What else could it be? He has created no substantial hope or change, just more of the same. He is an average politician with above average rhetoric but we dare not call him out or lest we be cast out of this sheep society for free thought.

If you had put his record out there of job loss, dismal education progress, and his relationship with Wall Street/rich cronies, just to name a few, you could easily compare him to Scott Walker, but you would love him instead of hate him. And I make this comparison using the left’s logic. If I took left pundit talking points and used their definition (or rhetoric) of failed leadership, I could easily insert and invoke the name of Obama and be meaning Scott Walker (or vice versa). “Doesn’t care about blacks, loss of economic empowerment for blacks, hanging with the rich instead of the poor, doesn’t give his millions to charity,” etc. al.

The man who met with Hispanics and the LBGT communities but told us to stop our whining, this is your hero? The same man who left you at the altar in Wisconsin and never backed you up when you absolutely needed him, you want to give him another 4 years to do the same ignoring of you? I just do not get it. I really don’t.

He spoke about teachers and supporting good ones, while letting bad ones go. That is just what we did here in Wisconsin! You are welcome Mr. President courtesy of Governor Walker and the Republican Party. We gave back to the school districts and tax payers what the union fat cats took away. We gave communities tools like Act 10 and the right to not have to enter into affluent contracts with the likes of WEA Trust who were really only union tax stealing money pits. Instead we put in accountability and mandates to teach our 4 year olds how to read or answer to” we the people.” We chose CHOICE over forced; we opted out of unhealthy relationships and into thriving partnerships of true transparency and government of the people, by the people. We created a manageable budget and began to pay back those we owed.

The President thrust out General Motors as if it is the company we once knew it to be. It is not! The jobs are mostly gone. The company is pretty much fluent in Spanish or Asian. Sure on the books some of it is here but it is not the General Motors your parents once owned or worked for! Those jobs are gone and only administration and lobbying positions remain. We as a country do not own much at all as most of our jobs are all overseas and creation has been in stagnation. We are owned by China and have a downgraded credit rating. Mr. President close the tax loop holes already. You keep saying it but you never do it. Stand for something before you use Martin’s name. We bailed out everyone but the middle class yet you stood their last night and spun yarns of the brightest of prosperities which is neither our reality nor will it be anytime soon.

He said the unemployment cycle was “a maze.” You betcha it’s a maze and under whose watch did it become this ongoing forest of trees for which we cannot see the sun anymore?

He talked about the American Dream, the precious American Dream as if it was the governments to give and take away. What happened to capitalism and free enterprise? What’s mine is mine dammit! It is not the government’s to do with as it sees fit. You can have your taxed share, but you are not entitled to sustain life on the backs of the middle class and do away with the things that make people self-sufficient. Government is not supposed to be growing and all powerful. Its job is to monitor and assist, not become the provider and head of household. It is already enough that welfare, the great failed social experiment, has grown and continues to fester yet we wonder why jobs are going away, education sucks, and the onus of personal responsibility has been replaced with apathetic sheep who know nothing of economic empowerment and SAVING!!!

Mr. President you warned about shady dealings in the Congress but yet you have no answer for Solyndra or the “Fast and Furious “ programs. Did you think we would forget? How about the fact that the CBC Head, Emanuel Clever said if it where Clinton and he had done what you have done to your own, he would have been marched upon. Africa is seeing the worst of times yet you do far less than the last president.  Not to mention you an African killed leader we had no impending threat from. You are one of their own sons, their own. If you could do this to them why should we African Americans expect more?

However we extended our card and gave this “brother” a great big pass and turned a sorry blind eye to our treatment. We keep worrying about the known racists yet we refuse to call out the ones WE OURSELVES keep in the dark. And if we don’t bring him and those like him to light, who are we to demand anything more from anyone else when the most powerful person on the planet is given a pass to ignore and destroy us? Sheep! Stand and defend yourselves.

We in Wisconsin have our own flock of sheep and we sheep follow loyally those with family name and privilege to the grave in hopes they may rise to the standards of their ancestors. Most of them have not and yet we say nothing or elect more of them or give them new titles and benefits without questioning one word about their lack of assistance and support to this community. We also follow those who have been our “brother” or “sister” because we are too wimpy to ask them what they have done for us, US!!!! So it is no surprise to me that the Wisconsin black will not stand now.

As an aside the potential candidates for many of our races here back home in “Wisconsinland” (which seems to be the last bastion for real hope and change) have criminal backgrounds or of misappropriation of funds that should send us screaming away if we really wanted to make a difference. Instead we line up and get their white “masas” to line up for us too! Sandy Paasch has no business in county politics! Barrett has no business in state politics! They are not our allies. Barrett has reigned over a Milwaukee that had gone from #3 in segregation to #1, staying strong in first place, and yet we clap and cheer him on. No one vets these new black potential candidates anymore in the community. We depend on Bice, Ingram, or Kane to possibly do that. One little visit to CCAP should put the fear of God into your hearts and wallets, but we only use that on potential soul mates.

Sorry went off on a little tangent, but it needed to be pointed out…

MILWAUKEE CITY AND COUNTY RESIDENTS USE CCAP and/or GOOGLE AND VOTE ACCORDINGLY!!!

Just a little friendly warning before you regret giving even more pathetic, benefit seeking, lying, cheating, living off us, smile in your face, dagger behind the back, desperate for incomes, lacking leadership, low life scum, these new jobs and then wonder why we cannot get rid of them and why our communities look tore up!!! HALLEJUAH AMEN! I hope I emphasized enough that there are some real threats to our own community from within trying to take advantage while we are putting all our resources and attention into getting rid of Scott Walker. WATCH OUT LITTLE SHEEP! Danger, danger!!!! Scott Walker is NOT our biggest threat.

As with any relationship do a little searching and ask them the questions. CCAP and Google are our best tools in deciding local elections.

I will elaborate more on this as we get closer to these elections.

Anway back to POTUS. His speech was great. I respect the man, I really do, but at the same time like any jilted lover, I cannot forget! “Let’s stay together.” Indeed Mr. President. I will meet you on Main Street but I will not be messed over twice, not if I can help it. You made promises of hope and change, gave us visions of grandeur and have delivered very little especially to US!

So as with any fairytale, I have come to the conclusion that American reality was not found in the great oratorical spectacle given last night. It is pending lore from the fairytales found in the Brothers Grimm tales. Three years of ignoring US and ignoring the platform you ran upon shan’t be rewarded but must be accounted for and we are owed an apology at the very least for invoking in America, especially Black America, visions of a real future of growth and opportunity. Very little progress was made in the great race debate and that was because it was used, used to create feelings of true change and real hope when in reality there really never was an US in your heart. Just opportunity for you and yours alone.

Whites cannot say it, nor will they address it openly or honestly. They are scared and have their own agenda which is not ours at all. Instead they created Occupy movements that mask their criticisms and racism. They do not intend to give you more rope, nor do they intend to ever” Occupy” us with money or time. They simply do not have need for us and use us as a means to an end. This, this was another failed experiment in social justice gone horribly wrong. I hope we at least can see that this man is not MLK or Malcolm. He does not intend to change the path of the African American or make a significant dent in Black history, other than being the first biracial president with a hype swag and flare. This man is a smooth-talking object of affection sent from the left, designed to tide us over until they get their power and move on sans us.

Peace Family,

WW

Productions Presents…

“We Are The Drum – A Rhythm In Wisconsin” 2012

Inspired by a distinctive movement for racial justice in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

http://capitaproductions.org/

Since 1990, CAPITA Productions (City At Peace In The Arts) has been presenting a Black History Program yearly for thousands in the Greater Milwaukee Area.

This year we are adding a very special and overdue segment which will celebrate those brave marchers and demonstrators, from all backgrounds, who risked their lives for the cause of civil rights, especially in Milwaukee. It will be a dramatic reenactment of the Underground Railroad, prominent in the Waukesha area; the escaped slave Joshua Grover, and Fr. Jim Groppi’s “March on Milwaukee”.

For 200 consecutive nights hundreds marched for open housing through rain, snow and fear of physical attacks. These heroes have not been properly honored until now. Their stories should be known by our youth as well as everyone in Milwaukee and across the nation.

We will celebrate those who lived this experience, sharing the stories of those who participated in the demonstrations, served on the NAACP Youth Council, Commandos, and all organizations that led or joined in some way, the historic Milwaukee’s Civil Rights Movement.

Public Shows:

Tickets are $10 (balcony) $15 (floor)per person

• Friday, February 24, 2012 @ 7:30pm

• Saturday, February 25, 2012 @ 7:30pm

• Friday, March 2, 2012 @ 7:30pm

• Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 7:30pm

PUBLIC SHOW TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

Buy Now Online http://www.capitaproductions.org/tickets.html

Student Shows:

Tickets are $4 per child.

For more info on the student shows,

Call Liz Coleman- 414-807-7322

• Tuesday, February, 21, 2012 @ 10:00am & 12:00pm

• Wednesday, February, 22, 2012 @ 10:00am & 12:00pm

• Monday, February, 27, 2012 @ 10:00am & 12:00pm

• Wednesday, February. 29, 2012 @ 10:00am & 12:00pm

All shows will once again take place at:

North Division High School Campus

Auditorium

1011 West Center Street

Milwaukee, WI 53206

According to The Business Journal, Simon Property Group Inc. may prohibit Milwaukee County Transit System bus service on the mall’s property in the near future.

In a memo addressed to the county transportation, public works and transit committee, the Indianapolis-based owner of the Greendale mall raised concerns about the service, including noise and frequency of service.

“Concerns raised by the Simon Property Group have included removal of bus service on the mall property before and after mall hours, financial assistance for continued operation along ring roads during mall hours, signing a hold-harmless agreement for continued operation, addressing noise concerns from nearby residents and overall consolidation of bus service during mall hours,” the memo said.

Currently, there are four bus routes at the mall, serving about 1,200 riders a day, and a freeway flyer service from southwestern Milwaukee County to downtown serving about 310 riders per day.

There is no specific date on when the buses would have to start operating off-property. The county transportation, public works and transit committee will address the memo in an upcoming meeting.

Simon Property Group Inc. currently owns or has an interest in 383 properties in North America, Europe and Asia.

Earl appears at the 2:36 – 3:40 MM.

There is something sinister about the country’s drift to the extreme right. With the aid and support of most of the country’s media, the ultra conservative right wing has begun to expand their war on the poor and working class in general and Black Americans in particular. For instance Michael Bloomberg, the unpopular and distrusted mayor of New York City, has proposed a social engineering plan that would place all new immigrants to America in Detroit Michigan, as a way of repopulating that city.

The Journey for Justice

As I write this it has been one day shy of a month since you were taken from us. The killers have been apprehended, their lies spinning in the media, the pain of still not knowing the real reason why they did this, and continuing life without you are all washing over us in the most surreal of ways. We see people living while we are all still on that corner in disbelief. It feels like we are trapped in some time continuum while the rest of the world moves on. It has been very difficult to get back into living while we are really still waiting and wanting to wake up from this nightmare.

While we mourn the loss of you, we also acknowledge the blessing of knowing your killers were captured and now must face the consequences of their actions. As we attended the Vigil for Homicide Victims Families for 2011, we met many families who did not even have this peace. We are thankful for that at least. My prayers are with these families holding out hope that someday they too will be able to have justice for their families and their loved ones who were taken from them so violently.

Sadly the job of defending these killers has now begun. As painful as what actually happened, the lies and the demonizing of Andrew as if he asked for this somehow are sickening. Creating and conjuring up stories to try and justify the taking of a life of another human being makes no sense to me. If they were forthright about what occurred that night we could begin to heal and move forward. However the journey for justice and the work of honoring Andrew for who and what he was is now a daily task that is liken to reopening the wound over and over again while putting  more and more salt in that wound. One day we hope to make that wound clean and heal from it. However we are busy with the task at hand, the task of not letting the lies and stories take root and flourish. We want answers, we want truth, and we want justice!

It seems in the last few days new accounts of what happened are released to the media. A new day, a new story, a new lie, a new pain.

Here is one example of the new and ever changing stories we have had to endure:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/displeased-with-rap-beats-two-killed-man-complaint-says-gt3lrpm-136628503.html

Sorry but I cannot look at them anymore nor see the names and claim to have full control over my anger at the lies and artful storytelling that replaces fact from fiction. I simply do not have the space or capacity right now to even have their names share space with Andrew’s. I simply don’t. I am praying and working on it.

Not to mention Andrew did not create music or rap or need or want the items they claimed he took from them. They simply lied. Andrew was no rapper, nor claimed to be a musical artist in any way, shape, or form. He owned a few game consoles that he purchased from Wal-Mart (in his possession for quite some time) and I am certain any number of employees from Wal-Mart would be happy to prove he worked hard and earned everything he possessed. He simply was not this person the killers would have people to believe. But it still leaves us wondering why they did this?

With the addition of taxpayer-funded legal counsel aiding the killers, they are now feverishly recreating the circumstances of that fateful night so they can find a way to freedom. Lying is not a way to freedom! However anyone that knew Andrew can read the stories and know they certainly are lying instead of manning up and taking accountability for their choices. Playing God, no matter what the reason is, is not our role to take. If you should choose this path, you must also be prepared to live within those decisions even though you may regret them. When you put a gun in your hand, you also claim a power that cannot be reasoned away with lies and fallacies. You decided to take an adult action when your mindset was that of a child’s. You will answer for that as an adult and lying will not make it any better. In fact you cannot get the redemption or the freedom you seek until you make it right with God, your community, and those you impacted directly, including your own families who now also must experience some loss and grief of their own. The best defense for you now is to choose truth. For my sister Karin and Andrew’s daughter Alayna, I hope this one thing you will give them as it is what they deserve to have in order to start healing.

In the last month we have all been through an array of emotions. One can get tired from a 24 hour stretch. In those hours you go from joking with Andrew about something he would have done or would have said, to becoming very angry he is not here to share it with you. You tell a story or remember something, a smell, a picture, pick up the phone to call him and it just hurts to your soul.

Anger, hate, revenge, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding all run the gambit each day in this quest for the justice we seek. In order to heal we must address these feelings and then pray on them so that we have power over them and not the other way around. I know my soul is tired; I can only imagine how Karin must be feeling. It must be overpowering and overwhelming. However I am so very proud of her and am learning from her how to be a survivor, a fighter, and a good mom even though time and space separate you from your first born child. She is advocating for Andrew and Alayna as well as for herself and for Symona, Alec, Micah, and Amira. They are all going through hell, shear hell.

Today as I came into work I could have sworn I saw you driving up for school. I raced to park my car and greet you and was tear-filled thinking I was waking up from a very long and realistic nightmare. However the person in the car was not you. The horrific wakeup call sounds again, Andrew is gone and this is real. The sun is shining on my face but I cannot feel its warmth. I get angry with God and ask for understanding and a word, but it is hard to hear Him when your heart is heavy burdened.  So I go back to my office filled with pictures of you and boxes of tissue to hide and cry until I can muster up the courage to walk amongst the living even though I feel so empty inside.

Anger is the toughest emotion to deal with. And in dealing with anger, I am asking God to forgive me for doubting He will see us all through this. I have anger for the killers who decided to act like cowards and then lying on top of it, making it that much worse. I was angered that the only law enforcement officer that attended the Homicide Vigil was Sheriff David Clarke. Where were the police chief and the mayor? Why were they not hearing and seeing these people and consoling these families? Anger at people who show hate and the utmost of disrespect for the sanctity of human life and saying or writing hurtful words knowing a grieving and suffering family will receive them. Anger for not being a better aunt and somehow protecting my family, and failing to protect Andrew.

One last ride, one last hug, one last lunch together, one last laugh at something. God please just one more time. I am so angry for taking for granted the time we had together. This was a gift I failed to respect and now it is gone forever.

And lastly dealing with anger that nothing you do will ever change this one thing no matter how many bargains you make with God to restore Andrew’s life.

However it is in voicing this anger that you find out exactly who and whose you are. While the anger can be distracting or comforting for a moment, it is not empowering nor is it going to bring Andrew back. No amount of vengeance or evil to those who trespass against us can ever replace what we have lost nor will it make it any better. It just gives the devil the victory he seeks. It is also in this anger that one realizes the pain and hurt you are feeling are not anything you would wish on your worst enemy including these murderers or their families who have done nothing wrong to have pain thrust upon them now as well as our family. This anger must pass so that we can move forward and seek justice and act according to God’s will. It is a tough task.

Seeing this vicious cycle of hatred and violence in Milwaukee inner city living for so many years also compels me to be even more renewed in my own mission to help stop senseless violence. As adults we must be better role models and act like Christian adults at all times for our youth. Only then can we start to give them any hope for a better future.

We know that the leading cause of death for young black men Andrew’s age is homicide at the hands of another black man. We must be now even more vigilant about getting Andrew’s story out there, the real story. If it can reach even one hardened heart, open one closed mind, give someone pause before picking up that gun,  cause someone to reevaluate their anger and the consequences of acting upon that anger, then Andrew will have saved someone and that is the hope that gives me strength to even share this pain with you all today. Somehow someone might live through the night instead of dying violently. No good byes, no chance to say one last I love you; just an immediate halt to a life lived out loud and vibrantly. Andrew and Karin deserved this and it was taken from them for no reason other than anger and hate.

At some other time I will share more of what I have been experiencing. Now I hope we all can focus and look at how we can move forward together and save our children. Those of you, who know me, know how lengthy I can be. And as sure as I hear Andrew telling me to get to the point just because he has a date with his most precious baby girl Alayna, I will stop here and welcome you to share your thoughts and feelings as well. They have been empowering and so thoughtful we appreciate them all.

I want to end by taking time to thank all those people who took the time to send cards, call and uplift our family, share this story, pray for us and with us, deliver food, flowers, a word, or a hug. We thank you very much for sharing so unselfishly.

Thank you to Alderwoman Coggs for her support, leadership, and guidance. She has always stood for the needs of the inner city and all of the residents of this city. We need to acknowledge her for her leadership in the community and her work with our youth and Tracey Dent as well for his tireless work with our youth.

For those in the community who took the time to stand with all the families at the vigil which I know meant a lot to all of the families and for those who host this somber occasion faithfully each year. MICAH and Northcott Neighborhood Association along with Mothers Against Gun Violence, Glenda Campbell work very hard call our attention to this matter each year and help the families cope and survive. Thank you!

For MoWoods Designs for taking the time to help me design and recreate some great memories in pictures and helping bring my words to life. Thank you!

Brother Frederick Alexander Meade, a very big thank you for using your voice and power to get this message to the right people and for your support and dedication to our family. More than we could ask for you sacrificed without a hesitation or moment’s pause.

Those people from Andrew’s other family at Wal-Mart; the shirts, the pins, the food for the repast, the donations, the flowers, money, and everything you all gave even in these tough economic times, THANK YOU. I now see why Andrew went to great lengths to keep you protected and loved you all like family. You all are truly a very special community and have been a great inspiration.

To those I am forgetting excuse my tired mind and accept my apologies and please know I am thinking of you and thanking God for you and your connection to us and Andrew. His friends and those who offered up stories that shared who Andrew really was and those who did not know him at all and took time to share your support, compassion, and concern, God bless you! This is the beloved community Martin envisioned for us. We are in relationship with each other and what happens to one happens to us all. God bless you continuously.

Humbly I want to ask you all a few favors, as if I could, but I must:

There are some very angry young people in this community who have said and written some very hate filled remarks in the past month directed at Andrew and our family. Their comments are unspeakable and misguided. Instead of meeting them in hate, I ask everyone to pray over them with a strong force that will move them to be compassionate people instead of what they are becoming. They only know what they have been taught or have seen. Possibly somehow we have forsaken them or failed them in some way. We must give love to them now more than ever. They are truly a bitter group and it is in their hate that we must be an example and show them the real power of unconditional love to remove that hate from their hearts and stop them from becoming the next perpetrators of violence and devastation. Please reach out to these young people and help them.

Secondly if you know of a young person without a mentor or positive adult in their life, or are in need of a mentor or positive adult for yourself, can you reach out to us someway and let’s get these relationships going? Our young people are in a war that rivals the wars overseas. They are fighting to get to school, to get home, to get to work, to achieve and succeed and we are not doing enough to help them safely to a better outcome. Let this violence start coming to an end and let us work together to give our young people some hope and care. They need us and we are not responding in every way we could.

Thirdly, the preliminary trial starts January 9^th at 1:30 pm Room #146 of the Criminal Justice Facility located at 949 North 9th Street. We are asking people to come join us to take a stand against violence, to stand up for our young people, to let the community know we have had enough of the violence, we have had enough of the lies and less than fair penalties that often communicate to people that human life is not valued, to stand up for Alayna as she approaches her 3rd birthday without her daddy by her side, and as always for Andrew and the person he really was and will always be. And simply for Karin as she needs our strength and our power in number to be her strength and her voice until justice is given to her. Please if you can come be with us, we would appreciate your help in showing this city we matter, Andrew matters, our young black men matter, all human life matters!!!! WE MATTER!

As always if you want to help with Alayna’s fund or help Karin as she seeks to pay for Andrew’s Home going and for legal aide, you can make donations at Educator’s Credit Union to either fund.

The Andrew Damone Tyler Memorial Fund

The Alayna Marie Tyler Benefit Fund

Both Funds are at The Educator’s Credit Union

https://www.ecu.com

414-325-2500 Toll Free 1-800-236-5898

P O Box 081040 Racine WI  53408

 Again we thank all of you who have made donations to assist Karin and our family. Your actions are prayed over as well. God bless you.

Family please take time to just love each other like tomorrow is not promised. Call your family, make up with your friends AND especially your enemies, call that person who you feel trespassed against you and make it right no matter what. If there is a “hater” in your life let it go or give them the gift of peace which is strong and unselfish. Walk away if you cannot make it right and forgive yourself of your own trespasses. Use life’s lessons to make you stronger and learn from them. Most importantly learn how to be peace (make it a verb-ACTION), learn how to forgive, learn how to love, learn forgiveness and compassion for all God’s creatures. Love conquers all even death. I love you all and may His peace be upon you all always.

Peace Family,

WW

December 29, 2011

Amy Paul, 414.278.5150
Contact: Jeff Bentoff, 414.278.5281

Abele Names Policy Expert Amber Moreen as Chief of Staff Abele Cites Moreen’s Background in Economics, Policy Analysis and Organizational Development

MILWAUKEE–County Executive Chris Abele on Thursday named policy analyst Amber Moreen as chief of staff.
The appointment of Moreen stems from Abele’s desire to make research and analysis the cornerstone for decision-making in county government, he said.

“Amber will greatly benefit my office and Milwaukee County taxpayers through her exceptional background and experience in developing sound public policy solutions based on research and data,” Abele said. “As chief of staff, she will help me build on a growing culture of rigorous and disciplined decision-making among department heads and all leadership throughout county government. I’m pleased to bring her skills and commitment to the task of building the most efficient and sustainable county we can and delivering the level of services that Milwaukeeans deserve.”

Moreen joined Milwaukee County government in July as senior policy advisor.  Moreen has expertise in organizational development and applied economics, as well as an extensive background in public policy analysis. She holds a PhD in Policy Analysis from Pardee Rand Graduate School, and her work experience includes the Argosy Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency and International Institute for Sustainable Development. Moreen has served on consulting committees for the UN, the World Bank, and other international organizations.