I have a friend and ex-coworker who once gave me the advice that a person cannot possibly begin to understand/manipulate the system until he/she has a full grasp and insight into the pathology and dysfunction that is hard at work behind the system. I have found that to be true in many circumstances in my life. Like work, for example - it’s easy to manipulate one’s boss once you realize what his/her weaknesses are, what his/her passions are and what his/her fears are. Once you understand those things - - the question of a raise becomes rather easy. I haven’t failed yet. (cha-ching)

This same friend of mine also advised me that once a person has honed and perfected the ability to fake sincerity - you can basically get yourself out of most sticky situations. I have never been one for fake anything - - I always prefer things to be real, sincerity included. If my sincerity isn’t real - then why bother?

But I can see situations where it may come in handy to fabricate a little sincerity now and then. I guess it all depends on what’s on the line. Would I fake a little sincerity in order to keep my job so I can continue to live in the lifestyle I’ve become accustom to? You bet’cha. Now, I might fake a little sincerity - but would never compromise my personal or professional set of values and ethics - that is where I would draw the line.

Of all people in the world who have the ability to fake sincerity the best - I think politicians take the cake. Oh yes, even my beloved Republicans. Trent Lott, to be more specific. When his statement regarding Strom Thurmond first came out in the press - I thought to myself “Yea, it was a stupid thing to say - but I’m sure he didn’t really mean what some people have taken from it - give the man a chance to clarify his statement before roasting him”

I think that’s pretty reasonable. *nod*

However, as time wore on and the days past and I listened to his many many apologies to the nation on different media venues ~ I began to think back to that advice given to me by my friend. Clearly, Mr. Lott doesn’t have the polish needed to fake sincerity. Do I think that Sen. Trent Lott is a racist? Not really.

What I think is that he comes from a racist background, which is no crime really, if you consider the status of the world 40 or more years ago. We were a racist country. We did adopt a platform of segregation. At the time - it wasn’t a bad thing. In hindsight, I believe most Americans agree that segregation, racism and even going as far back as slavery is a bad, immoral and dangerous thing. I believe most Americans are now embarrassed at that chapter in our nation’s history - whether directly or indirectly involved.

Today, we would never think of segregation as a GOOD thing. It’s a very bad thing. Today, we are a more enlightened public - more interested in and sensitive to human rights. Today, on a platform of equal opportunity, freedom and human rights - segregation would never fly - nor should it even be a whisper in the back of anyone’s mind.

Trent Lott made a big oopsy when he made the statement that America would potentially be better off today if they had elected Strom Thurmond into office back in the 1940’s. Considering that Strom Thurmond ran on a strong segregation platform - that statement sure did require some HUGE clarifications. However, Sen Lott has not stepped up. His clarifications have been weak and his apologies far too many and lacking any real substance.

While I waited and watched - I did notice one thing that told me that Sen. Trent Lott’s career as the Senate Majority Leader was soon coming to a screeching halt. That little detail was our own President Bush. Bush did not rally around Trent Lott during a time where most Republican President’s would stand by his good ol’ boy and offer him support from the White House. President Bush stood quiet. And the silence was deafening. I’m sure Trent Lott thought so.

I think the Republican Party benefits from Lott’s resignation. They certainly do not stand to gain a thing by keeping him at his current post. Trent Lott’s comments, and the repercussions, have sullied his name and he has been successful in making loyal Republican party members across the nation angry because Lott has made dirty the causes we most believe in. Equality. Freedom. Human Rights.

To think that one of our own would compromise that message in such a huge manner - some would call it a slip of the tongue. But I always wonder about tongue slips. I think that a lot of tongue slips can be very revealing if you really listen to them. Sometimes.

At any rate, Trent Lott has resigned his position as Senate Majority Leader - he has publicly state he will not run again. I think this is a good thing. Slip of the tongue or not. Misunderstood or not. Taken out of context, or not. Racism - in any form or fashion, in this day and age, is not tolerated. I don’t care if you are a grocery clerk or the Senate Majority Leader of the 107th Congress - - any whispers of racism at any level of our American society should be abolished.

That is idealistic thinking, I know. Racism exists - in some areas more than others. However, it’s still out there - and it’s a lot more prevalent than some people think it is. However, it certainly is not something that is tolerated from the leaders of our country, in any way, shape or form.

To give Trent Lott a little consideration - as he says, he did not mean that Strom Thurmond’s stance on segregation would have benefited our country. He said he meant that Thurmond’s stance on State Control would have been beneficial. Meaning that we don’t need a HUGE federal government controlling every little details in the states. Allow the states to control and police themselves, with very little federal government involvement. However, the segregation theme was such a HUGE part of Thurmond’s agenda - it cannot be ignored.

I think it’s dangerous to begin to say we know what goes on in the hearts of men. To start speculating on a person’s inner motives is an impossibility. I would like to think that Trent Lott means what he says about the segregation. I would like to think that his appearance on BET (Black Entertainment Network) was a sincere gesture, and not political grandstanding. But who really knows? I can’t pretend to know what lurks in the hearts of men.

However, I can state that I think Lott did the right thing in resigning his post. I believe it’s the best thing for the Congress and for the nation. We don’t need anymore division on any level - we have enough problems all by our little selves without the help of our elected leaders, thank you very much.

Just another blip - - let’s move on now, shall we?