Are there any true leaders left in America?

By Sylvia's Thoughts

My fellow Americans, this time next year the country will be getting ready to elect, or re-elect, a president. Unfortunately it will once again be only a person with a title and position, for we ran out of leaders, of any color, in America a long time ago. You see leadership has nothing to do with position, title, influence or authority. Leadership, ladies and gentlemen, is about servanthood. A true leader has a servant’s heart. A true leader is the first one in and the last to leave. A true leader eats only after all of his people have eaten. A true leader protects and defends those he swore allegiance to; even at the risk of personal loss.A true leader is honest and has integrity whether or not it makes him unpopular. A true leader watches over those least able to help themselves; the poor, the elderly and the disabled, and does not steal from them. The absence of leaders is countrywide and across the board; not only federal government but state, county and city as well. And the biggest problem is we keep mistaking celebrities for leaders.

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http://www.examiner.com/sports-bars-6-in-san-diego/sylvia-van-peebles

Remembering September Eleventh

September Eleventh

By Sylvia Van Peebles

You did not know when you awoke that you would not return,

to the ones you love whom you hold dear,

the ones you left to mourn.

It was early when the enemy struck as the planes came one by one,

and flew into those pillars of trade,

down they came, the evil deed done.

Such a senseless act not understood by anyone that day,

to bring such pain to so many,

in such a horrible way.

Fathers, mothers, children, cousins, grandparents and others,

friends and neighbors, aunts and uncles,

our sisters and our brothers.

Even now it’s still so fresh; our grief is still so great,

will I ever see a Muslim,

and not be filled with hate?

We are in a time and world when wars will never cease,

we have to learn to work together,

if we’re ever to find peace.

Remember those who died that day with love and not regret,

September eleventh is a day,

we will never forget.








Copyright 2011 all rights reserved

MCRD-San Diego Family Day and Graduation-My New Marine!

I'm the Proud Mom of a New Marine!

Top row-second from left.

Yes, that's right. My son Vernon will graduated from Marine boot camp on July 29th at MCRD in San Diego, CA. He's wanted to do this for quite a while. I am so very proud of him. You can read about him and his success at http://sylviasthoughts.hubpages.com/hub/OO-RAH-The-Making-of-A-Marine.

The ghettos were created

By LadyFae

The ghettos were created
the ghettos were made
giving all sorts of people 
reasons to hate

Black men pushing
that terrible dope
with as a result 
life without hope

But do you know
where they got if from
where they got their drugs
that make them do wrong?

Who needs superpowers? Real People Take Over Comics!

President Barack Obama’s 2008 appearance in Spider-Man’s comics was one of the most commercially successful instances of real people appearing in comics books.

Nowadays, musicians, politicians, comedians muscle in on Superman and Spidey

Slower than a speeding bullet. Not nearly as powerful as a locomotive. Completely unable to leap tall buildings. Yet real people, many with all-too-human foibles, are muscling in on the likes of Superman and Spider-Man on comic book racks these days.

Can We Handle the Truth?

A look at where we are.

It never ceases to amaze me how things never seem to change; they just sort of shape-shift with the current environment. What surprises me even more is how we have become so saturated with deception, lies, misrepresentations and untruths that we don't even see the truth when it's staring us in the face. Or maybe we do see it but it's so ghastly, we shut it out.

My Son Is Graduating From Marine Boot Camp!

Terminology to learn for
San Diego MCRD Graduation


Watch Your Step!
Respect the Marine Corps grounds during your visit to the Depot. Please do not walk on the grass. Please do not walk across the Parade Deck.


Family Day
The day prior to graduation with activities planned for families of graduating Marines. Your new Marine will escort you with his left arm to reserve his right hand for saluting higher-ranking Marines.

The (Online) Dating Game

They Mean Well...

I'm sure there are many of you who thought you were perfectly content in your singleness. You come and go as you please, and can be sloppy for days at a time because you only have yourself to answer to. Life is good. 

Marbled Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

INGREDIENTS
1 package of traditional fudge brownie mix -
1 3-oz pkg. cream cheese
3 tbsp. butter or margerine
3 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. vanilla exptract


BAKING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350F (325F for dark or non-stick pans) Spray 13x9 pan with baking spray with flour.
2. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth in medium mixing bowl.
3. Stir in sugar, egg, flour and vanilla and beat until smooth; set aside.
4. Prepare brownie mix according to pacakge directions for cake-like brownies. Spread half of the brownie batter in prepared pan. Spoon and spread cream cheese mixture over batter. Spoon remaining brownie batter over top. Take a knife and make swirls in the brownie and cream cheese batter.
5. Bake at 350F (325F for dark or non-stick pans) for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set (cream cheese swirl will be slightly browned) Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares.

Book Review of Success Acceleration by Tony Jeary

I have read many so-called self help books over the years, but none have impacted me as much as Success Acceleration by Tony Jeary. Even though it was written nine years ago, I find myself referencing it more now than ever due to the economy, unemployment, and life in general. 

Autism Symptoms-What To Look Out For

Consult Your Doctor Early

My son, Matthew.

I am writing this because I am the mother of an autistic child. Even though you may have heard it all before, I am writing from my own experience of twenty-one years, and I have written other articles on autism as well. So if I sound like a book, it's because I've been through pretty much the whole gauntlet. Please be assured, you're not the only one. Autism can be found in children of all ages, in every corner of the world and among all ethnic, and economic groups. No parent wants to think something is wrong with their child, and many think that it's their fault is something is wrong, even though a lot of children suffer from this hard to diagnose and puzzling disorder. Often well-meaning family members and friends will tell you that it's just a phase the child is going through and it will pass, causing us to adopt a 'wait and see' attitude. As the parent, you know your child better than anyone. Keep an eye out and check the progress charts. If you suspect something is amiss, don't hesitate to contact your child's pediatrician.

I admit it, I confess... (the true story of a facebook addict)

Hello. My name is Sylvia's Thoughts, and I am a facebookaholic.....

Why God Didn't Make Men Mothers

It Was Adam's Fault!

Have you ever wondered why men weren't the ones to give birth to human offspring? After all, according to them, they are the bigger and the stronger of the two sexes. They have a higher pain threshold, and after all, they werecreated first. Thank God, that in his infinite wisdom, he chose woman to be the birth vehicle. Had he not, the Bible would have been a short story.

1st Black Rose Princess-Not Black Enough For Jet!

Wow Jet! I just discovered these two issues! I wasn't black enough for you to do a feature article or interview with me when I made the Tournament of Roses Royal Court, even though I am the sister of Melvin Van Peebles, yet you've got me in two issues! And without my knowledge! You just inserted articles from other publications. What was this, damage control? I deserved more from you and Ebony. The other black girls that followed me were able to do so because I didn't drop the ball and I passed the baton with grace and finesse.

Sixty And Still Sexy!

It’s funny how your perspective on age changes as you progress through the years. When I was a kid, sixty seemed absolutely ancient.

Sonia's World

Hello, my name is Sonia. I live with a very interesting group of people. Even though we no longer live together under one roof, we tend to invade each other's personal space on a regular basis. I've kept this journal of cartoons that tells about our family life from my perspective.

Check Me Out On HubPages

You can see some more writing at http://hubpages.com/hub/My-Stolen-IDentity . Come and visit me there and leave a comment.

A Cake Fit For a Queen!

Hey, I don't know if any of you bake, but I just found the cake I'm making for Mother's Day. I found it on Delish.com and it's amazing! Check back with me and I'll let you know how it came out!

Ouch!

Ouch! You trampled my self-esteem

and didn’t even say “excuse me”.

Ouch! You slammed the door on my feelings,

and never looked to see if they were hurt.

Ouch! You dropped my fragile heart,

and I felt it shatter into a million pieces.

Ouch! You said as you held your chest,

red staining the shirt you were wearing.

May 3, 2011 - melsbabysis

Heart Cry

I was five when I first met you

you gave me a stuffed dog

that I never put down

You were so far ahead of me

yet I struggled to catch up

I never saw you very much

you were always gone

And when you were with me

I was a bit shy with you

Desperately wanting validation from you

but somehow always falling short

I finally matured and grew to like myself

inspite of not knowing who I was

No longer needing you to approve of me

I finally knew freedom from the loneliness

I had always carried with me

And now that I am older

my heart cries out for you

Not because of the emptiness

you never filled for me

But because of the love

you never accepted

May 3, 2011

Mario's New Movie-"We the Party"

This is Mario's new movie. The kid's seem to love it! I hope it is wildly successful for him! Take a look at the trailer and tell me what you think!

My New Marine!

My son, Vernon, left for Marine boot camp yesterday! It has been his heart's desire for several years, so I am happy for him. He is an extraordinary young man and will be an asset to the Marines. May God protect him and keep him out of harms way.

Melvin's Interview On TheRoot

Melvin Van Peebles: The Baadasssss Interview

Who I Am

I am a not-so-well-known member of a well-known movie industry family. That is not to say that I am not as brilliant or wildly talented as the rest, I just chose a different path. But I love and am proud of each and every one of them.

What's New?

Right now I am in the throws of writing my first novel. It's a suspense story and the first in what I hope will become a series. I am also free-lancing and writing short articles for Independent Publishing. I've always loved to write but never thought of doing it as a way of earning money. First draft of book should be done around mid-July.