The Conservative Sage

  2016 has certainly been a momentous year for the country and world. This year saw the passing of Icons like Muhammad Ali and pop stars Prince and David Bowie. Just this week Longtime Cuban strongman Fidel Castro died at the age of 90. Castro's death caps an eventful and tumultuous year in American politics which saw the upset election victory by Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton. Trump ran on a populist message of bad trade deals, curbing illegal immigration and rebuilding Americas' military. His campaign slogan Make American Great Again has become a catchphrase. If Trump truly wants to make America Great Again, I would recommend that he adopt Fidel Castro's communist playbook-why not? It was effective for 50 years. For starters he should take the constitution, shred it and declare himself President for life. No need to be concerned with another wild and controversial election for the foreseeable future. As commander-in-chief Trump co...

T his man you most likely never heard of was once one of Africa's most notorious slave traders. His name is Hamad bin Jum'ah bin Rajab Bin Mohammad bin Sa'id al-Murjabi. Thankfully he has a shorter name, Tippu Tip. He was a very powerful Swahili-Zanzibari slave trader who had a strangle hold on the clove and ivory plantations in Eastern Congo and Zanzibar during the latter half of the 19th century. Cloves are flower buds used to make spices. Tippu Tib also controlled the lucrative ivory trade and was said to have acquired as many as 10,000 slaves. How did Tippu Tib acquire and maintain this empire? The same way other empires are built, by force of course. He raided villages in search of slaves and other loot. Those who refused were dealt with by having villages burned and crops destroyed. He was also very friendly with European explorers and assisted them with their foray into the interior of the continent. Such as noted British explorer and abolitionist...

I along with the rest of the world tuned in recently to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, the opening ceremonies were certainly a site to behold. It featured elaborate visual displays special effects and cultural dancers. One in particular which told the story of Brazil's eclectic but sordid history of slavery. Which is by no means unique to Brazil, nor to any country in the world. Very few nations can claim no history of it. I can distinctly remember learning about the powerful West African empires of Ghana and Mali in high school. If only I were sophisticated enough at the time to ask an obvious question: How did they become empires? Steeped into the conscience of many Americans is the premise that the United States was "founded on slavery and stolen land from the native Americans". The dark beginnings of American history are only unique to those with only a cursory knowledge of history. If one throws a dart at a map of the world, It will most certainly land on a c...

As President Obama's 2nd and final term comes to an end, many of his fans are already suffering from separation anxiety. 'We will miss you President Obama' pages are floating around social media sites. His loyalist are already touting his "accomplishments" as evidence of him being one of our greatest Presidents. As the melancholy begins to spread I would ask why does it have to end? We may not necessarily have to say goodbye to the celebrity bashes with Jay Z and Beyonce or the late night appearances on Jimmy Kimmel. There is a way that we can enjoy the Obama's for the next several decades. I propose we make them King and Queen of America. What title is more befitting of our country's first black President? America has always had unofficial royalty with Elvis, Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali. Why not make it official with King Barack and his queen Michelle, who is just as elegant as Queens Elizabeth II of England or Noor of Jordan. Barack would ...

There is a very old theory that people often see what they are or what they are not. It is said that women who want to have children will see pregnant women everywhere. Men who are balding will see all the men with flowing hair in the room. If one spends any significant time on social media, it is clearly evident that the ability to think clearly and discern facts from opinion has become extinct.  Many of us are familiar with the concept of projection. Whereby one assigns his or her character flaws onto others. Ever met a thief that didn't believe everyone else was crooked also? I have had the pleasure attending the Republican convention in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. There have been those in the mainstream press and blogosphere who have fabricated incidents of alleged racism such as a "white" elevator sign at the convention arena. Failing to note the colors of the other elevators were red and blue. Then there was the imaginary Hitler salute by talk show host Lau...

Anyone who has known me for any length of time can attest to my disdain for the damage that the University does to the minds of America's youth. One example is the White Privilege myth which has been propagated by liberal academics at numerous American universities. A recent Washington Post article by Professor Christine Emba entitled 'This Is What White Privilege Is" has finally forced me to respond. Ms. Emba describes White Privilege as the social advantage that comes from being seen as the norm in the United States, automatically conferred irrespective of wealth, gender or other factors. The benefit of the doubt that one is afforded for having white skin. One such advantage is not being followed or harassed while shopping. If blacks indeed are followed while, it is unfortunately a monster of our own creation. I was employed as a security officer for several years at a shopping mall in Northeast Ohio. The mall is locat...