Thursday is your day to be a guest blogger. Express yourself on any subject of your choice.

Effective July 1, Virginia joins several states and the District of Columbia that ban text messaging while driving. The law will challenge many because it is not uncommon to see a driver trying to maneuver and text message simultaneously. Those that are guilty disregard and jeopardize the safety of us all.  In an ABC News report, Michael Pina of AAA stated “Clearly, the problem with texting is the same portion of your mind that you need to be using when you’re focusing on the road is the same portion that you’re using when you’re texting.” The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reports that inattention is the leading factor in most accidents. About 80 percent of accidents involved driver inattention within three seconds of the event.  

Carelessly, the lives of so many can be changed in a matter of seconds. Two examples of several incidents include the case  of a 49 year old driver who was sentenced and convicted for taking a life after slamming into several vehicles while texting several bill paying transactions. The other case involved an accident that claimed the lives of the driver and four other high school students.  Records indicate a text message was sent by the driver thirty eight  seconds prior to the tragic crash.

Text messaging is great technology, just not while driving.

Health care reform is a complex issue that has the current administration seeking support to make it happen. While many agree that reform is necessary, there is much disagreement on how to revamp the system.

How would you design the health care system to make it fair to everyone?     

Thursday is your day to be a guest blogger. Express yourself on any subject of your choice.

African Americans have made great strides since the Civil Rights Movement of the fifties and sixties. We can eat in the restaurant of our choice, shop and live where we want, for the most part. There are many in our midst that  suggest with the election of Barack Obama, that our time has indeed arrived and the need for  affirmative action and groups like the NAACP and Urban League has passed. But don’t be fooled by the radical extremism that has been overshadowed in many white collar circles by conservative talk outlets that preach a new, sometimes very subtle message that implies that their rhetoric has nothing to do with race, but conservatism.

A quick reality check is as close as the headlines and hidden stories in the news  the past few weeks. Several stories that jumped off the pages of my newspapers:

1.Guard killed during shooting at Holocaust museum
2.GOP Activist Likens Gorilla to Michelle Obama
3. Ex-Employees claim racism in Wells Fargo subprime loan push
4. Racist e-mail aimed at Obama raises hackles in Tennessee   

Just recently, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano came under sharp criticism by conservatives when she addressed the potential increase in recruitment of right-wing extremists being tied in part to the nation’s first African-American president. The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that in 2008 there are as many as 926 active hate groups in the United States, a fifty percent increase since 2000, with 26 operating in Virginia. 

To sum it up, racism is alive and well. There is still work to be done. Just as our ancestors stood strong in unimaginable struggles, we can never become complacent but must stay focused and committed to continuing the fight for justice and equality. We’ve come a long way, but we are not there yet!       
 

The civil unrest in Iran has been in the media since the country’s recent presidential election.  President Obama has refrained from taking a stance with either side despite the fact some US congressional leaders would like the President to lend support to the Iranian protesters.

Should the President intervene in support of the protesters?
 

Have A Great Day!

Thursday is your day to be a guest blogger. Express yourself on any subject of your choice.

June 21st is Father’s Day – a day to celebrate the fathers that accept responsibly the role of fatherhood. But just like on Mother’s Day, there should be a big to-do on Father’s Day as well. Just as flowers, gifts and things are in high demand on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day doesn’t seem to command the same attention. Gifts and gadgets for dad aren’t flying off shelves and seating with no waiting at eating establishments usually isn’t an issue like it is on Mother’s Day.

Too often we hear that there is a lack of positive fatherly role models. I respectfully disagree. Let’s not accept the media’s image of the deadbeat dads, especially the all too often negative portrayals of our black men solely as blinged out rappers, thugs, gangsters and hustlers. We need to do a better job of highlighting the positive presence of the father and father figures in our midst that live up to the expectations that define a father’s role. We should be talking about the dedicated and responsible fathers that work EVERYDAY for the well-being and interest of their children.   

Being a father is no easy task. So, on Sunday roll out the red carpet in honor of your father or the father figure in your life. Make a big to-do and shower dad with just as must heartfelt gratitude as mom receives on Mother’s Day. 
   
Much respect to the fathers and father figures that are handling their business. To the fathers that recognize that they can do better, it’s never too late to get it together. 

Have a Great Father’s Day!

Late night host David Letterman made controversial jokes about Sarah Palin and a member of her family. Palin found the jokes to be offensive and inappropriate. Letterman later apologized, but protesters are calling for Letterman to be fired.  What do you think?

Should Letterman be given a pink slip?

Thursday is your day to be a guest blogger. Express yourself on the good, bad or ugly.

Last week, the President and the First Lady flew to New York for an evening out. The First Couple had dinner in Greenwich Village prior to attending the Broadway show “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”. It’s refreshing to have a President that’s publicly passionate about his other half who is unequivocally his soul mate. The first couple share a bond that one hopes is forever strong and won’t give way to infidelity and public scandal.
                         
So, what’s all the fuss over the President and First Lady’s date? For the record, the President picked-up the tab for both dinner and the theatre tickets. Although these were minimal expenses, Republicans would have us believe that the expenses were funded by our taxpayer dollars. Expenses associated with the presidential escort, security and travel is and always has been standard operating procedure whenever any first family leaves the White House, whether it’s a visit across town or across the Atlantic. Why now is the cost of protecting the leader of the free world, the focus of endless discussion by many Republicans and conservative talk outlets?
 
Playing on our emotions, the critics were quick to scrutinize the President for spending taxpayer dollars in light of our economic turmoil and the current collapse of GM. The President has been dealing with these problems along with a host of others since the day he has taken office. President Obama is human and is entitled to take a break to get away from it all, something Bush 43 did not hesitate to exercise as he traveled far and often.  Reportedly, the Bushes traveled hundreds of times to their ranch in Crawford Texas and the presidential retreat at Camp David.

Again, why all the fuss over the President and First Lady taking a moment to get away from it all?     

Supreme Court Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor has been quoted as saying “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would, more often than not, reach a better conclusion,” and added "than a white male who hasn't lived that life." This comment has sparked accusations of racism from critics.

 Do you find this comment to be racist?

TanyaFree.com is a proud sponsor of Fridays at Sunset.

Thursday is your day to be a guest blogger. Express yourself on the subject of your choice.
 

The Virginia gubernatorial election for 2009 is scheduled for November 3rd. Candidates from both the Democratic and Republican Party have already begun the fight vying for our vote. If you haven’t been bombarded with phones calls from the campaign office of the candidates soliciting your support and vote, likely you will be in the months ahead. For the record, I’m not endorsing any particular candidate or party at this time.

Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell received the nomination of the Republican Party on Saturday. The Democrats will choose their nominee on June 9th. Seeking the Democratic nomination is former Democratic National Committee chair Terry McAuliffe, former State Delegate Brian Moran and State Senator Creigh Deeds.

Virginia is one of two high profile gubernatorial elections this year. Our decision should not be based on the amount of money raised, commercials aired or robo calls received but rather where the candidates stand on the hot button issues affecting Virginians. Much is at stake in this election .The next governor will be in power when the ever important congressional lines are re-drawn. Among other concerns, where do the candidates stand regarding the need to create jobs, health care, education, improve the environment, developing alternative forms of energy and state budget shortfalls? 

Virginians, take a moment to visit each candidate’s website.

http://www.bobmcdonnell.com/ 

http://www.terrymcauliffe.com/ 

http://www.brianmoran.com/  

http://www.deedsforvirginia.com/.  
 

Last week, the California Supreme Court upheld Prop 8 that bans same sex marriages.The ruling comes on the heels of several states that recently allowed same sex marriages. The controversial issue is being challenged on a state by state basis. What do you think?

Should same sex couples have the right to get married?           

Sunday Jazz on Tanya Free and Friends is a cool mix of classic and contemporary jazz artists. Sunday Jazz. all day every Sunday.

Thursday is your day to be a guest blogger. Express yourself on the subject of your choice.

Michael Vick, former NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons committed a horrible crime and there is no denying that. Vick was released from a federal prison last week and the media attention, anger and outrage is just as intense as the day Vick was first arrested. It’s a persistent thorn hindering his chances of returning to the NFL.  Reportedly, prior to any decision being made on whether Vick will be allowed to return to the game, PETA is calling for the NFL commissioner to require Vick to undergo a full psychiatric evaluation. Such interference and ridicule is absurd. What does one have to do with the other at this point? Justice has been served and the former NFL quarterback has served 21 months in a federal prison. Although the remaining months will be served on house arrest, unlike Bernie Madoff, he won’t be confined all day in luxury. Vick will be working for a construction company at $10hr. In light of making millions, how humbling is that?
 

The media and the special interest group PETA can be an unrelenting force to reckon with and circumvent. That’s the challenge confronting Vick. But it’s time to move on and let the former NFL player restore his career.  I wonder if the ridicule and resentment be the same had the situation involved one of the Mannings, Favre, or Brady? I doubt it, considering the arrest a few weeks ago of a deputy sheriff on charges of animal cruelty and dog fighting which didn’t seem to capture a fraction of the degree of media attention or outcry from PETA. Where is the request for a psychiatric evaluation?

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, lobbied for Vick’s NFL suspension and the severing of corporate sponsors. He met with Vick and as a result, Vick asked for an opportunity to work with the Humane Society in the fight against dog fighting. Pacelle agreed to give him that opportunity. Unlike the Humane Society, it’s a shame that PETA, who seems only to be using this opportunity to further its own self interest, hasn’t put forth similar good will. With or without PETA, the NFL should follow the Humane Society’s lead. For the record, the NFL has given second chances to drug abusers, bar brawlers, wife beaters and the list goes on.

Michael Vick, in two months will have served his time and is taking further measures to show that he is worthy of a second chance. Just as we have all fallen short at times, Michael Vick should have the opportunity to make a living and provide for his family like any other American citizen. He has not only served his time, he has accepted responsibility, faced financial ruin, humiliation and more as a result of his mistakes.

In this land of opportunity and second chances for politicians, clergy, movie stars and the like, why are only CERTAIN athletes the subject of such scrutiny and disdain?