WQMG » I’m just saying….

High Tech vs Old School

Renee Vaughn — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:59:28 +0000

Now you know the staff and crew of the Tom Joyner Morning Show is truly old school, while engaged in the latest technology and social networking that’s currently available. However it struct a chord…at least with me….when Tom Joyner commented not too long ago that albums from ‘back in the day’ doubled as a great way to stay cool during the hot summer months because he and Jay Anthony Brown would use them as fans..something you can’t quite do with a mp3 player, ipod, or even cd! Although modern-day technology is a good thing- what other old school items(and not necessarily just electronics) do you miss and even wish were still around today?!?

What ever happened to saying….I WAS WRONG?

Marty Freeman — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:09:42 +0000

It’s a lost art. It rarely happens in real life and hardly ever in the entertainment business. A simple statement that we drill into our kids but just can’t seem to practice ourselves. When was the last time you just admitted you were wrong without justifying your actions? You know what I’m talking about…..when we admit we’re wrong but then try to justify what we just admitted to be wrong. Example (I was wrong for calling you out your name but you made me mad or I did it because I was hurt) If you’re justifying what you’re admitting guilt to are you really sorry for what you’ve done? How do you feel when someone tells you they’re sorry for what they’ve done but are explaining to you why they did it and trying to justify there actions all at the same time? Unless you have problems mentally and can’t understand your actions you know exactly what you’re doing and if it’s right or wrong. It’s like when you were a baby and mommy or daddy tells you don’t touch the hot stove or it will burn. When we touch it once we know not to touch it again or else. Same thing when we continue a pattern of behavior that we know is wrong and when we’re caught we still just can’t say I WAS WRONG! Be careful of someone who can do things right before you and justify them all in the same sentence. A person who will do someone else wrong will eventually do you wrong. Don’t fall for the tears and the immediate running to the church. You were going to church when you were doing wrong so running there now isn’t any different? Some people say I’m hard on folks and my response to that is I’m real with folks. I say what you don’t want to hear about yourself. I keep it 100% and have been fooled enough to know bull**** when I hear it. Look in the mirror and justify your own actions because you can’t justify someone else’s. Don’t be a pushover and believe any and everything. As my dad would say ” Use your darn head besides something to rest a hat on”. In a nut shell……WE know exactly what we’re doing and who we’re doing it for, with or to!

Schooling Others

Renee Vaughn — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:03:31 +0000

Sticking to my back to school theme with many kids and especially teachers preparing to head back to the classroom, I wanted to touch on the definition of a teacher and ask for some feedback on why even the best teachers remain at the bottom of the payscale compared to other professional careers.

By definition a teacher is a person who provides schooling for others- in addition to it being a role that is often formal and ongoing, and if the individual wants to become a teacher at a state-funded school, must obtain professional qualifications or credentials from a university or college*

Factor in as well the number of participating teachers in the United States alone ranges up to 7.2 million who plan to teach from pre-kindergarten to college. But aside from those that teach at institutions of higher learning, the average salary/pay-scale for some teachers is still relatively low compared to other professions such as doctors, lawyers and professional athletes who make anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually and yet I ask wasn’t there a teacher who taught or inspired that same individual to want to persue a career in those fields I just mentioned and yet there are STILL some highly qualified teachers who are the most underpaid/highly-stressed persons but many continue with their passion/compassion to teach some of our future brightest students in the classroom.

Just imagine if a teacher of today could (with the best credentials possible) make the same amount of money as some of the best paid high-profile lawyers, doctors, or entertainers……just a matter of putting our priorities in the right place for those who have taught us endless possibilities to use our minds and our talents!

*WIKIPEDIA definition

Education Is The Key

Renee Vaughn — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:41:06 +0000

Back to school time is almost here….and parents feel free to start doing cartwheels:-)….as President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan( a guest this week on the TJMS) are among some high-powered speakers addressing the National Urban Leage and bringing some big news about 19 finalists in the administration’ s Race To The Top…where the state of North Carolina is in the running as one of those finalists…yeah!! This initiative, among others, is part of the administration’s plan to reform public education in America in lieu of the very ineffective No Child Left Behind program under President Bush.

As a parent, teacher or retired teacher what can we as families and communities do to not only continue to encourage our kids about the importance of a good education but one that’s on equal footing so ALL children have an opportunity to receive a quality education!

Why The Special Treatment?!

Renee Vaughn — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:11:56 +0000

THE PARTY IS OVER FOR LINDSAY LOHAN….that’s what the current headlines are reading in newspapers, blogs, and websites across the country, and now the word is she will spend ONLY about 2 weeks in jail. Now had it been an ordinary ‘joe’ like myself or perhaps even YOU…there would be no hesitation at the ‘full extent’ of the law to serve the same original 90-day sentence as Lindsay. So this particular blog today has me wondering why do celeberties seem to continue to get special treatment or only serve 1/2 or even 1/3 of an initial sentence while everyone else has plenty of jail ‘time’ to seriously think about the crime(s) we’ve committed? Does anyone else think there are two different systems of justice?!?!?!

As this isn’t Lindsay’s only offense or run-in with the law…she’s been free on bail since missing a court hearing in May 2007 for a drug and alcohol case..on probation since August 2007 after pleading guilty to misdemenor drug charges and no contest to 3 driving-related charges, not to mention missing 7 classes since last December after her probation was extended for a year to give here more time to complete the class.

Now is it just me or Lindsay just doesn’t seem to GET IT! To many get-out-of jail free cards translates to not taken her actions seriously, and perhaps foolishly believing that because of who she is, the system will just let her ’slide’ by just one more time…if she keeps this type of attitude and way of thinking up, I’m afraid Lindsay just may RUN OUT OF TIME and be added to the list of celeberties who have died too young while on a collision course with life….

Love, Need or Want It?

acstone — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:28:46 +0000

I’m liking WalMart a little too much these days and I’m having to find excuses NOT to drop by and pick up a few things! And it got me to thinking about the things we spend our hard earned dollars on. What amount of things do we buy that we really don’t need? It’s probably more than we think, and there in “lies” the problem. We don’t always think enough about the stuff we buy, and we lie to ourselves about needing this stuff. If you’re guilty, raise your wallet or your pocketbook, turn it upside down and kiss your money goodbye! You’ve heard the phrase “think before you speak?” Well, next time we’re getting ready to drop a few dimes lets take a moment to “think before we spend.” I’m just sayin…..

Decisions Decisions

Renee Vaughn — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:37:14 +0000

The choices that we make in life, for better or for worse, are decisions that generally alone affect the individual that makes them….HOWEVER…LeBron James’ decision to leave his hometown of Cleveland for a chance to win a (NBA) ring with Miami either left a bitter taste or fans elated in his choice of picking a new city and new team! Making a major choice or decision never will please ANY or ALL parties/persons involved, and giving the very public decision that LeBron made is one that he likely made alone(at least in terms of the announcement) and will have to live with primarily on his own…like it or hate it the choices or decisions we ALL make will likely be the ones we will have to live with, along with the outcome of the circumstances!!

Quote of the Day

Renee Vaughn — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:46:03 +0000

An unknown author once wrote….’one day your life will flash before your eyes. make sure its worth watching.’ Indeed as 2010 alone seems to be flying by at the blink of an eye- are you watching the world or is the world REALLY watching you?! Living life to its fullest has never been more prevelant, but is it full of the everyday blessings- that despite the struggles we ALL confront on a daily basis, you still give thanks- or you’ve decided to ’stay mad at the world’ because you feel that you’ve been singled out because ‘bad things’ seem to keep coming your way!

I like to say..there are NO bad days..some days just provide a BETTER outlook than others, as everyday of course won’t be perfect…but YOUR life continues to have a story to tell..it’s just up to you as to whether it can have a happy ending…here’s to more of those HAPPY endings than not!!

Celebrating Black Music Month

Renee Vaughn — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:20:37 +0000

In addition to bringing in the summer season..June is the month we celebrate by paying tribute to the rich musical history and honor the many traditions African-American musicians, singers, and composers have made to the culture of our nation and to the world. Did you know that former President Jimmy Carter decreed on June 7, 1979 as the month to celebrate black music?! and other Presidents have followed including George W. Bush who issused a proclamation in June of 2005 (www.usgovinfo.about.com) ****type in the search engine black music month proclamation****

Who are some of your favorite artists/favorite songs for the month that recognizes the powerful, moving, and soulful music that speaks to EVERY heart, lifting us in times of sorrow and helping us celebrate in times of joy!!

Men you have reason to celebrate!!!

Renee Vaughn — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:35:45 +0000

Father’s Day…June 20th…is a day honoring fathers and celebrating paternal bonds, fatherhood, and the influence of fathers in society in general. It’s celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in 55 countries! The first observance is believed to have occurred in June, 1910 after a parishoner, while listening to a sermon that honored Mothers, felt the same should be done for Fathers who deserved recognition. It took several years thereafter to make the holiday official, even with support from the YWCA, YMCA, and churches. The day even ran the risk of disappearing all together from the calender…as many people saw Father’s Day as simply filling the calendar with mindless promotions! Dang fathers, you just can’t catch a break can ya?!?

Well here in 2010, celebrating the men making a difference in hour homes, churches, businesses, and communites, has never been more needed or crucial in a society where we hear ‘too’ many stories of ‘dead beat dads or just trifling men in general. Please take a moment to recognize those men who deserve to be honored…I’ll start it a ‘Happy Father’s Day’ to my dad…the ’step’ has long since been removed… Freddie and one of my ‘favorite’ uncles Walt and Royce, Sr.,.love you guys:) and to fathers everywhere from 97.1 QMG!