“Are We Free?”

Are we free? As a Republic are we, the citizens free?

There are some 50 million Americans that are unable to read and write, more citizens in the Republic are living below the poverty line today than at any time since the Great Depression, and not since the pre-civil rights movement have we witnessed politicians who so openly and brazenly campaign on platforms laced with racism, bigotry, and xenophobia and have the audacity to call it "American Values."

Are we free?

Corporations are wreaking havoc on the environment, elected officials are aiding and abetting, the gap between wealthy and poor is widening, the Texas school board is attempting to re-write history with baseless opinions instead of facts, and the Libertarian Party with members such as Rand Paul is looking more like a movement longing to return to the "good ole' days," aka where separate and unequal was the law in many parts of the United States.

Are we free?

Just a thought: I am a Progressive but most importantly, I am an American. There are some citizens that want to tear down America, a Republic that took more than a century to create and build up according to their ideology--an ideology containing bigotry, racism, fear-mongering and exclusion.

The way that a Republic is to survive and thrive is moving forward and creating a culture full of opportunities for all of its citizens. However, we must remove the "robe of political affiliations" and simply be Americans--seeking liberty and justice for all.



Anthony P. Johnson
The “180th Watchdog Coalition.”

"A Love Poem: BP."

BP, you screwed-up and now taxpayers’ have got to pay for the clean-up.

BP, Halliburton and Transocean are playing the blame game and could care less that 11 people died in the explosion--what a shame, what a shame, what a shame.

Rand Paul says it’s un-American to criticize BP. Maybe he needs to go to the Gulf and see the damage committed by the big three.

BP, you had thirty days to clean-up the mess; I once witnessed a robot and a human take less time playing several games of chess.

BP, you had your chance and failed so step aside; the federal government will clean the mess at taxpayers’ expense because you think that’s how we ride?


Anthony P. Johnson

"A First-Rate, Second-Rate Man."

I do not know what more I can say about the mayor of Philadelphia. I am officially using up the English vocabulary to describe his pathetic, weak, vacillating, fear-mongering, coward-like, and bullying tactics in his feeble attempts to get what he wants, and not to benefit all Philadelphians. He has taxed and cut jobs and much needed resources in our city since the onset of his administration more that 2 years ago.

When history revisits this individual, I believe it will share my view of Mayor Michael Nutter which is he was a "first-rate, second-rate man."



Anthony P. Johnson
The “180th Watchdog Coalition”

“There's a Cure for HIV/AIDS and Philadelphians Didn't Get the Memo?”

HIV and AIDS are ravaging Philadelphia. The increase of HIV and AIDS among women, men, and adolescents is 5 times higher than the national average.

What the hell is going on?

Did you think that a cure for HIV and AIDS was discovered, so people could return to the sexual decadence of the 1960's and 1970's? Seriously, is there a cure for HIV and AIDS, but Philadelphians didn't get the memo? Of course not! When Philadelphians are contracting these infectious diseases with such regularity it appears poor judgment and a lack on intelligence have convinced many that HIV and AIDS was not as life-threatening today as it was in the 20th century.

HIV and AIDS are just as powerful in the 21st century as they were 25 years ago. Believe it! Parents, teachers, medical professionals, and elected officials must increase education and provide additional resources to the masses specifically in the impoverished communities about implementing a rigid regiment of abstinence and/or safe sex.

A moment of commentary-- In 2008, 24,570 Philadelphians tested positive for HIV/AIDS, and of those, 14,083 are living with AIDS and 10,488 are living with HIV. Just like the Swine Flu epidemic, we must sound the alarm loudly to inform the public that HIV and AIDS in Philadelphia is steadily increasing not decreasing. Increasing!

It is time to place HIV and AIDS back at the forefront of our conscience and in our sexual behaviors.


Anthony P. Johnson
The “180th Watchdog Coalition.”

The “Party of Fools, Hypocrites and Fiscally Irresponsible."

Illegal immigration and the disastrous oil spill have taken center stage in America.

If we are going to have a "serious" conversation about these issues, we must disregard and distance ourselves from the insipid, idiotic, and narcissistic ideology of some citizens in the Republic.

To be candid, there is no Republican Party in America, period! The Republican Party died a long time ago. Individuals like Sara Palin, John McCain, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Michael Steele, Bill O'Reilly, and George Will are speaking on behalf of a new breed of political party in America--the "Party of Fools, Hypocrites and Fiscally Irresponsible."

To prove this theoretical perspective on the members of this new party, what clear, insightful and effective solutions have the Palins, Boehner’s, McCains, Cantors and their cohorts offered to address illegal immigration, attempted terrorist attacks, the oil drilling debacle, America's decayed education system, corrupt politics, the escalating rise in middle class America living below the poverty line, and the environment? Not one intelligent solution has been developed by them for the Republic's current dilemmas. Not one! Zero! None!

Let's accept the fact that members and subscribers to the "Party of Fools, Hypocrites and Fiscally Irresponsible" are a part of the human species but nothing more. Let citizens of the Republic be more "intellectually critical" instead of being seduced by those that seek political office that stoke one's anger and frustration into voting for individuals that will not strengthen and unite America, but divide and implement chaos instead.

We must reconfigure the current path we are taking the Republic. If we are not careful, 100 years from now America will appear next to Rome in the history books as two great empires that perished because they devoured their own.




Anthony P. Johnson
The “180th Watchdog Coalition.”

"Coward."

Sgt. Robert Ralston, a 21-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, shot himself in the shoulder and "cowardly" lied that an African American male did it.

Whether you're a cop getting shot, or someone getting robbed, or kidnapped, even in 2010 African American males are still targeted as the predator and scapegoat when a crime is committed. Ralston's “pathetic act” sparked an all out hunt by law enforcement to capture the fictitious assailant despite grave doubts about Sgt. Ralston's story.

Although, Ralston is suspended with intent to remove from the police force, he will not face criminal charges for his dastardly act. Sgt. Ralston is a first rate "second rate" man, and his wife should be forever ashamed of him.

Commissioner Ramsey displays the leadership, tact, and wisdom that the Philadelphia Police Department desperately needs especially at a time in which lawless, racist bigots like Ralston is given a badge, a gun, and is asked to protect and serve. Commissioner Ramsey is not playing the “behind the blue wall” ignorance. He is sending a message that “If you commit a crime as a police officer your career is over, period!”

Note to Philadelphia Police Officers: Many of you are heading down a dark path from whence you'll never be able to return. You either serve and protect law abiding Philadelphians with Honor, Courage and Integrity--or find another profession and with the utmost urgency.




Anthony P. Johnson
The “180th Watchdog Coalition.”

Michael “Houdini” Nutter

Remember Michael Nutter, the candidate?

I remember the "candidate" for mayor with a vision to clean-up city government corruption, make Philadelphia's streets safe, be a friend and supporter to city unions, create jobs for Philadelphians, and provide social service programs that would build character and integrity in youth and adolescents that are embracing the "darker angels" of their souls.

Unfortunately, Mr. Nutter is more like Houdini, where as a candidate; he bedazzled the voters with the type of rhetoric Philadelphians needed to hear as we endured 8 years of "open corruption" and a host of other mismanagement policies and projects by the Street Administration. But as mayor, Mr. Nutter is nothing more than a noun, a verb and according him, "America is in the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression."

What a sad state of leadership our great city is enduring.



Anthony P. Johnson