Who Is Deholl?

I am a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, cousin, uncle, nephew, friend, and still a son and grandson to people I miss, or do not see as often as I should. I have been a student, Boy Scout, alter boy, paperboy, activist, athlete, volunteer and voter.


I am a sage, a bard, a griot, a spinner of yarns, a teller of tales, a blogger, an observer, a voice actor, and a writer and reader of the news.

Greed: Is it a Bad Word?

12/13/

The frontrunners are calling each other greedy. Is it interesting, curious, or just truth in campaigning?

Guns Kill People if People Want them Too

12/20/2011

Terrible Tragedies --

This is what our children are doing. Seventy people were arrested and 161 guns seized over the past year in a sting operation mounted by police in Washington, D.C. Police set up a recording studio and put out the word that they were interested in guns and drugs.

They took in more than $7 million in various drugs and illegal weapons. They also learned a lot about murders and other crimes, including a plot to take down the studio and possibly kill everybody inside.

The word often used on the street between folks in the life is "soldier." They use it as a term of honor and respect among themselves, even though it has nothing to do with crap like this.

There is no honor in street violence. There is no discipline in dealing death for a few dollars. There is no manhood in disrespect for humanity.

That's the tragedy of it. Not just the funerals of people who die much too young for being in the life, but too often, the good folks caught up in the violence and the mothers, sisters and children who shed tears or won't venture outside without looking out the blinds first.

When I drive through cities and see young men on canes, or in wheelchairs for all the wrong reasons, it's hard to not think of them as the lucky ones who have survived a plague of urban violence that's ripping our families apart.

Music used to be fun, and it still should be. This is not a blast at rap or hip hop. They are art forms no different than jazz, R&B or country. We are losing a generation to a war on the human spirit.

The tragedy is thuggery, and the indignation that doesn't rise up until the honored dead are family, close friends, or the children of someone we know.

Don't hate the players, hate the game. The stakes are life or death.

— with Jeanmarie Stokes at Any Sad City, USA .

 12/23/2011
"While there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour." -- Charles Dickens, author from "A Christmas Carol," 1846

Several years ago, my wife shared a Christmas tradition with me. We set a place at our table for those we've loved who have gone to God.

Jews and Christians share a belief in everlasting life. My Jewish friends celebrate Hanukkah as a tribute to divine providence. As Christians, Christmas marks the dawn of our spiritual salvation.

Imagining loved ones who sit in that chair, I do not see them in time of pain, suffering or strife. I fondly recall them as they were when we shared the season's joy of Christmases past.

Whether it is in a favorite ornament, a sacred hymn, a mealtime prayer, or an old family dish, the joy they shared this time of year brings me warm albeit misty smiles.

We miss them because they taught us joy, we remember them best as they once smiled.

From the Holly Family to yours.... Haneirot Halolu, Merry Christmas.

12/27/2011

While Hawaii born incumbent Barack Obama enjoys a much deserved break in his home state, the race for the GOP nomination continues.

This is what democracy looks like. Hopefuls are stumping for votes in places like Iowa and New Hampshire. They are also seeing chinks in their organizations in places like Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio.

Presidential campaigns can be fun. I figure I will blog about this one hot and heavy in 2012. For now, I am in holiday mode.

By the way, I ran into Michael Steele at Target Christmas Eve. He was doing some last minute shopping in the neighborhood. I wished him a Merry Christmas, and suggested we both take a break from the past time of politics for a few days.

Then we both shared a laugh after agreeing to not work Christmas and spend that one day on family time.

Question of the day: When was the last time you used one? Followup question of the day: Do people still tell their kids to keep enough change for a phone call?