Susan Mangatal

This week started off a bit troubling for me, with the announcement from President Barack Obama regarding the deployment of 30,000 troops to Afghanistan stating “it’s vital national interest…after the Al-Qaeda 9/11 attacks."  It seemed like a nail was driven right through me when he made this statement on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, before an audience of cadets at the United states Military Academy at West Point, NY, and to all of America via TV and Cable Networks.  

He truly did a great job explained his decision, and appeased me a bit by outlining his exit strategy; under which our American troops will begin leaving the country in 18 months.  Yup, he basically pledged to begin ending the American Commitment in Afghanistan by July 2011.

He stated troops are to leave for Afghanistan soon, and from my readings Senior Administration Officials stated the first batch of troops will start deploying in January and possibly sooner.

Hummm, the Republicans must be dancing on the ceilings, and just celebrating this announcement "big time".  Actually, I heard Senator McCain talking about how pleased he was with President Obama's decision.  However, he further aggravated me by stating that President Obama didn't need to set a date outlining his exit strategy, instead he believed a goal should be dictated by what is taking place on the ground in Afghanistan - he declared "a timetable for a withdrawal would merely send the Taliban underground until the Americans began to leave."  

Whatever...Man!!!

I am trying to deal with President Obama's decision the best I can, but it comes with great difficulty and quite maddening.  It's truly troubling since throughout his campaign he promised to bring the troops home, and I was hopeful he would.  However, he declared during his speech that "our security is at stake." 

Oh well...so it ah go!  Indeed he is the Commander in Chief , and respectfully I must deal with his decision, and pray he keeps his word regarding his exit strategy deadline.

Read some of President Obama's speech below, and if you are interested in reading the entire speech as supplied by the White House, PLEASE CLICK HERE (Courtesy of Chicago Tribune!)

 

..."As your commander in chief, I owe you a mission that is clearly defined and worthy of your service. That is why, after the Afghan voting was completed, I insisted on a thorough review of our strategy. Let me be clear: There has never been an option before me that called for troop deployments before 2010, so there has been no delay or denial of resources necessary for the conduct of the war. Instead, the review has allowed me ask the hard questions and to explore all of the different options along with my national security team, our military and civilian leadership in Afghanistan, and with our key partners. Given the stakes involved, I owed the American people and our troops no less.

This review is now complete. And as commander in chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan. After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home. These are the resources that we need to seize the initiative, while building the Afghan capacity that can allow for a responsible transition of our forces out of Afghanistan.

I do not make this decision lightly. I opposed the war in Iraq precisely because I believe that we must exercise restraint in the use of military force and always consider the long-term consequences of our actions. We have been at war for eight years, at enormous cost in lives and resources. Years of debate over Iraq and terrorism have left our unity on national security issues in tatters and created a highly polarized and partisan backdrop for this effort. And having just experienced the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the American people are understandably focused on rebuilding our economy and putting people to work here at home."...

As I talk about Government, I sigh so deeply over Baltimore's Mayor Sheila Dixon's guilty verdict of Embezzlement.  Why...oh...why I ask?  Sure, I know all politicians are corrupt, but I can't believe she let herself get caught up in this messy situation, and now found guilty.  Obviously, she is a smart lady to be in such a leadership position (Mayor), but I ask again why...why would she spend gift cards intended for the homeless on herself? (Gift cards she solicited from a city developer for Charitable purposes/homeless.)  I got the impression that she was very aware of the odds against her, yet she lets herself get caught up in this mess.

Thankfully she was acquitted of five other counts including the most serious charge of felony theft.

It is a known fact that Mayor Dixon has been doing a commendable and admirable job as Baltimore's Mayor, and is loved by many Baltimoreans.  As a matter of fact she is a great friend and an undeniable support to the Caribbean Community in Baltimore.  Therefore, many are saddened by her indictment.

I understand that she is appealing the verdict, but in the meantime I have heard and seen many officials asked her to step down as Mayor to which she stated: "My administration and I will continue to do the people's business without interruption." Indeed she vowed the work of her administration will continue.  Read some of her words at her brief press conference on Thursday, December 3rd.

"I deeply regret that the citizens of Baltimore have had to go through this ordeal with me.  ...I know the issues reach further than just the courtroom, but my attorneys advised me to limit my comments while the legal process continues.  ...My administration and I will continue to do the people's business without interruption and will continue in the best interest of the city"

 

World Aids Day was observed this past Tuesday, December 1, 2009, and the theme for this year was "Universal Access and Human Rights". This important day has been set aside since 1988 to bring awareness to AIDS;  to remind people that HIV has not gone away; and that there are many things still to be done.  Essentially, it's all about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education.  Around the globe leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care.

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system - the body's defense against diseases.  If left untreated, HIV eventually weakens the immune system so much that the person falls sick with infections known as opportunistic infections or OIs. The most serious of these OIs are called AIDS defining illnesses. When the person becomes ill with one of the AIDS defining illnesses, she/he is said to have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk. The most common ways HIV is passed on are:

• Sex without a condom with someone living with HIV
• Sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment
• From an HIV-positive mother (to her child) during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding (but with effective treatment and care the risk of transmission can be greatly reduced)

The statistics are (according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)) there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children, and in 2008 some 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus; an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS, and approximately half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 24 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.  

For me though, I am deeply concerned about the  prevention of AIDS since at this time there is no cure or vaccination that can prevent or cure this infection.  Actually, timely diagnosis and treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy.  I have learned people on HIV treatment can live a healthy, active life, even though they may experience side effects from the treatment.  To prevent this disease, there are a few simple things that can be done and followed to be protected from this devastating  disease.  

• Avoiding casual and unprotected sex with partners of unknown sexual status
• Using condoms correctly and consistently.
• Getting all sexually transmitted infections treated by a qualified doctor as soon as possible, also getting your partner checked/treated
• Insisting on sterile disposable syringes and needles for injections
• Not sharing needles and syringes for injecting drugs 

Bringing awareness to this disease (AIDS) is very important to me as well, and below I have listed some of what you can do to contribute to bringing awareness.

• Find out facts about HIV and talk to your friends, family and colleagues about HIV- make sure they know the reality, not the myths.
• Know your HIV status: get tested if you have put yourself at risk.
• Talk to all new sexual partners about using condoms. Using a condom during sex is the best way to protect yourself and your partner from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• If someone tells you they are HIV positive, treat them with respect and don’t tell others without their agreement.
• Wear a red ribbon as a symbol of your support for everyone affected by HIV< and to raise awareness.

As I close out my comments this week, I am tempted to mention the crazy happenings that transpired with The 12th Greatest Golfer Of All Times - Mr. Tiger Woods.  However, I will reserve my comments because I am more interested in keeping my male friends as well as my male readers.  I must say though I thought he was a lot smarter than what he is perceived to be NOW!  Even though it's very serious, the entire situation is amusing.  Why I ask, why must folks do things to bring so much turmoil and drama into their lives?  Granted, everyone makes mistakes, but this is stupid.  However, he is a billionaire, so I know it will all work itself out very soon.  

LOL...I have gotten lectures from my comedic husband Todd about what I should do if I was even in Tiger's wife position, and they were hilarious...LOL!  I told him he really needs to go into comedy because his wild lectures were funny and certainly not anything I agree with.  The following statement without a doubt is so right: "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus." It's obvious we see things quite differently!

The Happenings

This Sunday, December 6th in Baltimore, Maryland, the Baltimore Caribbean Carnival Committee will hold there holiday Parang Fundraiser for Baltimore Carnival 2010 at the Blue Caribbean.  Get out and support this worthy cause!  Click on the flyer to the right for all the details.  

I must briefly mention last Saturday's (11/28) Queen Ifrika and Tony Rebel's concert was really very nice.  Queen Ifrika is one of the most warmest artist I have ever known.  A truly conscious singer, a good performer, and just a very lovely woman!  The show itself was one of the best I have seen this year, very positive, conscious and truly full of vibes. Tony Rebel was excellent too.  I'm not quite sure if they are still on tour, but if you hear they are coming to your town, drop everything and make arrangements to purchase your tickets right away.  If you are a conscious reggae lover, you will not be disappointed.

Special Greetings Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of New York is celebrating her 45th Birthday.  Join her for her Annual Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser at The Picnic House in Prospect Park on Saturday, December 5, 2009 8:00 p.m. to 12 Midnight.  RSVP Online Special Birthday Greetings: Elaine Simon (Baltimore Caribbean Carnival President) Ziggy Phipps DJ Super Slice Aunt Beulah in Trinidad Special Anniversary Greetings to East Coast Caribbean Events & Caribbean 1st Fridays.  They will be celebration their 5th Anniversary with their monthly "Fresh Fete Fridays" this 1st Friday of the month (Dec. 4th) at Zanzibar on the Waterfront . Please check out our "Featured Events" below, or Log into our "Events" page for all the "What's Happening". Until Next Week, Take Good Care of yourselves and Have a lovely weekend!    Feel free to always comment regarding this commentary or any of my past E-Newsletter commentaries, and I thank you for all the intriguing and thought provoking comments you send me on a regular basis.  As usual, I am eager to hear your thoughts on all I wrote above, so I look forward to having you share them with me: susan@ariousentertainment.us.  Please check out our "Featured Events" below! Additionally log on to our  "Events" page to see all the events we are informed of.  Additionally, if you would like to share your thoughts on any of the issues above,  feel  free to send it directly to me at:  susan@ariousentertainment.us. Have a great weekend!    FEATURED EVENTS Check out our "Featured Events" listed below.   Also, there are several events taking place, so to view all the Events please log on to our "Events" Page above! To Enter The "Events" Page December 6, 2009 - Washington DC December 12, 2009 - Washington DC December 19, 2009 - Washington DC   December 20, 2009 - Lithonia, Georgia Featured Caribbean Social Network - LOG ON...JOIN...MAKE IT YOURS!