Welcome to the fourth edition in the series of the Water Cooler. This feature will highlight what’s hot, topical and up for discussion.
A section below is titled Photography. This section will be interactive for all my visitors. Your images with your credits (linked to your blog) can appear on the next edition of the Water Cooler. If you have taken photos (artistic, unique, related to travel, scenery, landscapes etc) that people will find interesting to look at, share it with us every Sunday on the Water Cooler. Your images may be emailed to blog.corvedacosta@gmail.com Go ahead send in those images your photo could be featured here.
Here we go.
Others in the series: Water Cooler, Water Cooler Ed. 2, Water Cooler Ed. 3
Politics
This week a video uploaded to YouTube showing children singing a tribute to the American President Barack Obama was very contentious. The children who were of all races by my eyes sang two songs dedicated to Barack Obama – one done to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Now, there is certainly nothing wrong with anyone showing their love for their Prime Minister or President. However, this tribute that was done to commemorate Black History Month took a turn for the wrong; it was on the borderline of worshiping Obama. We cannot ignore that Obama has made his presidency all about him. He has taken a lot of time to create an image that is respected by millions. So respected he is that opposing Obama is seen to be racist. The position he has as the leader of the free world must be respected. I get the impression from Obama that he wants to be talked about and wants to be seen as the greatest of all – the saviour. He works so hard creating an impression that with this video you cannot forget the speech he made to the children in schools recently.
Below are words the students chant to Obama:
He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance
Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in His sight
Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmmm
Barack Hussein Obama
The lyrics in the video are not only shocking but to see underage children without the consent of their parents sing to Obama in this way makes you flabbergasted. This tribute or act of worship does not in anyway congratulate or give credit to the black people who fought for what we have today. It serves to worship; sing the praises and rhetoric that Obama spews on the networks daily. I am saddened that these children were misled by lunatics who are not appreciative of democracy and prefer personalities over substance. I would rather here the children sing of how much the country has grown to elect a black president than to sing “All are equal in His sight”. Do we realize these children are being indoctrinated? This is what we see of Hitler and North Korean leaders and it makes us cringe in our seats. So why doesn’t this make us wonder?
We have all been ‘Obamarized’. We have fallen in love with Obama where to oppose him is racist and to disagree with him makes you a supporter of the right. What those kids did in that video is wrong. Singing Obama’s ideologies to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic makes me disturbed, a little. It does. I am not sure the President would approve it but parents for the most part should be outraged especially if you support Obama and found the video okay. It is given that mainly republican parents are going to be annoyed by it and they should. Supporters of this video should imagine their child singing praises to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. I think then you will understand how crazy and absurd it is of teachers to be directing such an activity.
Love and Relationship
Have you ever seen a couple together and wonder how cute they look together? Uhhhh. When we say they are perfect for each other is it because we love their interactions and chemistry or is it that we love how attractive they are together, how well they compliment each other?
Rihanna & Justin
Rihanna and Justin
It is something that I have noticed with myself. More so, because sometimes I am asked to find potential partners for people – my own circle of friends. I do not know if it should be called judging but we tend to have our own conclusions based on one look. It is true first impression lasts but do we need to step back and observe couples longer before making our own final predictions.
They say opposites attract. I am not sure how people respond, but what if you saw a couple out and you think they don’t match. Are we ending a couple’s relationship in our psyche before giving them the time to date – before finding our own conclusions?
Julie Henderson & Simmons
Rihanna is making the news again and it is rumoured that she is secretly hooking up with beau Justin Timberlake. These are some photos taken on a video shoot recently. What do you think, what makes two people right for each other – keeping in mind we are looking in from the outside? The jury is out on this one.
Inspiration of the week
Last week I had an encounter that I will always remember. I went on an interview for a job in my field. After the interview session I had the opportunity to have a discussion that really moved me. For this week the inspiration has to 
deal with focusing on what others say. This is tricky because people will tell you things that will hurt you in the future. As an individual you have to discern between what is good for you and what is bad. Sometimes people tell us good things and because we have a mental block against taking corrections or suggestions we totally ignore what they have to say – for our own detriment. This week we are going to think on the positive suggestions we get. You may not think they are good for you but consider them, evaluate the ideas and see if they make your life better or worse.
Photography
We start this week with photography from Craig A. Bloomfield from Jamaica. Click here to view his blog.
Sunset in Negril Jamaica
Caribbean Sea
Scene from Mikuzi - Portland, Jamaica
Corve DaCosta's Blog 
I do not share your assessment of Obama and the song tribute, but that is OK.
As for the opposites attract analogy, I have mixed emotions. My first marriage was definitely of the situation, and it did not end well. Beth and I are very similar, and it has been wonderful.
Hope your picture segment works well.
@Ken
Thanks for the comment. I hope your marriage continues to be successful. All the best.
I hope my blog visitors here will participate in the photography aspect of the Water Cooler.
We share the same opinions on Obama – trust me on that.
I agree with you on children praising Obama to that extent – I think people are forgetting a little bit that he is only the president of the United States, not God. I like the guy, and I belive he will bring positive changes to the country, but something like that video show that it is perhaps being taken a little too far.
As for constantly mentioning his race, i think it`s a little sad that everyone is still so focused on him being the first black president of the USA, rather than praising him for what he has done, or is working on doing. You know we live in a world that is not 100% accepting when people cannot see each other just as people, but need to point out each others differences, almost as if they were trying just a little too hard to show we accept each other.
ps. The picture of the sunset is simply breath-taking!
@Thanks Claus G for the comment.
It is sad that we are still focused on Obama’s race. I think majority of the youth are willing to accept it (his race) but older folks still make it an issue.
That sunset is awesome. The photo is not edited by the way.
All great stuff! And I had no idea that Rihanna and Justin were together. WHAT?
@Jeve
Thanks for your comment – love your blog.
Rihanna is allegedly seeing Justin. Whether that will take off – time will tell.
As I sat and watched the video of the children singing a song, it made me go back to my childhoold, especially during the months of January/February and recant on how often this is done in elementary schools. There isn’t anything wrong with it. Sure, if you’re anti-Obama who strongly believes in the ideology of such, then yes, it would be offensive, but the same could be applied to people who felt differently about the idologies of such people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. DuBois, Muhammad Ali, Harriet Tubman, etc. These people just mentioned made a difference, made a change…brought some form of positivity in the lives of the people who needed their actions to quinch their thirst…a thirst that was being brought upon with actions and methodologies that fed into a limited mentality and a limited way of life. He may not represent this to you, but to many, Barack Obama represents that to them. This man has yet to strip our country of it’s dignity (if we even have any left), continously torment it’s citizens with flatulence via BS, or inflict an unjustified war that we’re still paying for right now. What he has done is to start a process of rectifying the detestable actions of our previous Commanders…a process that he has only been working on for eight months; new life can’t be created in eight months, how in world do people expect a country to change in eight months (rhetorical question).
No, I’m not saying to worship him, nor am I saying to put him on a pedistal and raise it to be on the same level as God, for he is just a man who eats, sleeps, and defecates just like the next man. What I am saying is this…if his presidency will encourage our current youth, the future leaders of tomorrow to do better and to strive for greatness, allow it. If seeing a country that was fundamentally built by Blacks, and it’s Black citizens finally find comfort in calling this country home by seeing a Black man in the position as a president, allow it. If, finally, a parent can tell their Black son or daughter, “you can be president,” with conviction and truth, allow that. A society is greatly reflected by what was instilled at an early age.
I dont’ think Obama has made his presidency all about him. Other people have made it all about him, and how could they not? Out of 44 presidents, only one is Black…that’s 0.022%. This is a big deal…Obama is a big deal, for he is running our country. It’s not about reprsenting a savior…it’s about representing a change, in different facets. Last, I don’t think someone is a racist if he/she disagrees with Obama…they’re things that I don’t agree that he has done. Instead, I take it for what it is, which is a disagreement. Now, if you speak negatively about his phenotypes, especially his skin color, then yes…you’re a racist, point blank.
“All are equal in His sight”. I think that was clearly a reference to God, and not to Obama. You are right in saying that a lot of people are truly loco for Obama, but that’s because he represents a radical change in this country. In the next ten years, latinos will rise as the dominant racial/ethnic category, the baby boomers will skew the average age of the population. American society is going to experience some of the greatest changes it has seen in it’s short history. To have a president that does not come from the majority group, let alone from a privileged background, is inspiring. If a young man can grow up with a sense of pride and inspiration from President Obama, i don’t think that is a bad thing.
His presidency has become “racialized” through the comments by Wilson and Carter, but many people still can’t come to terms with having a black president. Perhaps it’s not as much of an issue as Carter has termed it as, but the veil of racism is pervasive in the teabagger protests, as well as the Obama as Hitler (a comparison that is tenuous at BEST). The presidency has not been all about him. He has made it a pointed goal not only to be bipartisan, but taking the time to reach out and build coalitions. My disappointment with healthcare reform is President Obama dogged insistence in working for a bill that has the support of most of Congress. If anything, he should make it more about him, maybe things would get done.
i didnt even watch that video because i know id be shaking my head about that bs. i want people to realize that he isnt someone to praise…wtf? should i have to even say that? lol wow!
umm couples.. i say they look good together, and their chemistry is great..perfect example: jada and will :]
rhianna and justin?? i didnt know that… cute
why am i just noticing that youre in jamaica… send for me :]
I have to agree the Obama song was a bit much, and very poorly thought out.
I’ve seen and heard of a lot of minority kids finding real inspiration in Obama’s election as President. For so many kids who have for too many years felt “less than” others or never believed that they can achieve greatness, I’m thrilled that they have a highly intelligent, compassionate individual they can look up to.
The photos are gorgeous!
You wrote “This tribute or act of worship does not in anyway congratulate or give credit to the black people who fought for what we have today. It serves to worship; sing the praises and rhetoric that Obama spews on the networks daily.”
I agree. Such a tribute is meant to worship and massage the ego of Obama and his bogus rhetoric. In the meantime, Obama seeks to re-write the civil rights move with his own radical idea along with history.
In the meantime, liberals continue to dumb our schools down even futher, as if one could. Enter indoctrination. Itis said that education does not begin or end in school. God help the children in families that do not know any better.
Now for your photos. Corve, you truly own the camera. Your photos are masterful. I look forward to peaking in on your blog for your latest work.
Moving on to Justin and Rihanna. I love Rihanna’s work. She is an amazing talent, but from a parent’s point of view, I think she should slow down, take her time and soul search. Discover herself.
Timberfake is another story. I don’t like the way he treats the sisters. Okay, okay, no one forces the sisters along, but I as a woman of color do not feel this guy. First it’s the superbowl, clearly he and Janet were in on it together, but Janet came out looking like the sleaze as Timberfake pranced away scott free. And then later, the pig refers to her as a “bitch” and is nasty about it? I really don’t think so!!!!
Then not too long ago, I happen to catch his video with Ciara who LICKS his face? Come on…..lick his face? As a woman of color, I was insulted!!!! Why didn’t he get a white woman to lick his face. Of course, as it turns out, it didn’t end well for Ciara either. Fiddy was far less thrilled about the lick than I was.
Then we get to his video with Rihanna which I’m not feeling either.
Even for a fat paycheck, we sisters deserve better. I can’t help but interpret a put down of women of color in his videos. Admittedly though, I have not watched many of Timberfake’s videos, but still that is my point of view.
Good stuff as always Corve!
Politics
I don’t have a problem with children singing a song for or about President Obama but let’s keep it real. He is not a god or an idol or a king or anything like that.
Love and relationships
Love, is a combination of many things. Way too many intricate mixes to get into here. But you should be free to love whoever you want.
Photography
Beautiful pictures Craig.
Btw, thank you for stopping by my blog Corve! Don’t be a stranger 🙂
I don’t know If I said it already but …Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks, 🙂
A definite great read….