The Official website of dj Riley

Happiest New Year 2012

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:30:22 -0500

What a year this has been for so many of us. Such a hardship for some, such bounty for others, so many blessings for me and my family. I love you guys so much. It's hard to believe that I've been at home and on a ventilator for two and a half years. I've spent some time in and out of Saint Johns, UCLA Hospital in Santa Monica. For the most part, I've been healthy and comfortable. I know some of you have been disappointed that I haven't regained the use of my voice. If it's possible, I'm going to definitely try and work on some changes for the coming year, 2012, a year of significant and substantial change for so many of us.

I've been on the mend for most of our president's first term of duty. I have to say, there's been some disappointment, especially some of the compromises he's had to make in order to work with the Republican House and so much influence in the Republican Senate. I ask myself if he would have really been willing to undertake this task if he knew that so much of the support that he got during his campaign and election would be rescinded and that he would be abandoned in the very first House selection in 2010. It makes me wonder whether people have any level of political sophistication at all when they were supporting and electing him in 2008. I know I heard him when he said it was going to be a difficult ride at first, trying to get certain policy implemented and established. But when it happened, people turned on him and acted as if our current political and economic hardships were brought in and caused by Obama's political lack of sophistication. Of course, we all know that isn't true. It didn't seem to matter in the 2010 election. Of course, working with the new Republican regime in the House and the machine in the Senate hasn't made it any easier.

I want things to get better and I believe that Barack Obama can improve things over the next four years. He should be given a chance to work more conscientiously on his policy outcomes in the coming years. I'll be doing what I can to put myself in position to support his reelection campaign with everything I have. I'd love to be able to live into another term of an African American presidency and given a chance to work on some policy stabilizing ideas that Barack has been trying to promote. I would love to see the health care bill reinforced and stabilized in the new term. I would love to see some revenue accumulated by getting some more tax money from the wealthiest sectors in society. Right now, the economy is so bad it would not be a catastrophe to take some additional income from the tax base that Obama's proposing in order to stabilize our economy along with savings that would be incurred with the military budget changes and some of the jobs created by the infrastructure reinforcing that Obama is proposing. I know some of my college buddies are disappointed by stalwart support for Obama given the state of the economy and the miniscule changes we've experienced this past couple of years. Most of you know how dedicated, loyal, and intelligent I am also. So even though you may have some questions regarding your support of Obama, you should still be supportive of me and know that my intentions are honorable and intelligible when it comes to our country and our collective communities. I know that things are going to get better. And I believe that Barack Obama can be instrumental in making those things happen given the time and support that any president is due.

So many challenges have taken place for so many this year. Some of the stuff that people are facing because of the economy is really moving. So many of my family, friends, and contacts have been faced with challenges. But we've been blessed. Most of us are still working and healthy and experiencing success in our relationships and careers. I've been in touch with a number of people throughout the year. I'm still thankful and sometimes a bit in awe of the number of people that still think of me and contact and reach out to me. I'm so thankful to them and I love you for your efforts. My experience is most of what I have to offer to my loved ones as an example of what giving love and reaching out can do to enhance your life. I pray that all of you consider your blessings and realize what and who you have to be thankful for and acknowledge them. It will make a big difference in all our lives. Thank you again for encouraging me and for motivating me to reach out and be there for those people I care about. Stay in touch with me. Give me the blessing of your time and your consideration once again in the new year. I'll do my best to continue to try and be worthy.

King and Obama's Moral Imagination

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:27:55 -0400

I was listening to Barack Obama at the Martin Luther King Jr. monument dedication. I wasn't able to listen to all of it because my station cut off on me right in the middle of it. But he talked about 3 things that made a difference to me and left his usual lasting impression on me. He talked about Dr. King having a MORAL IMAGINATION. What a concept! I challenge anyone to think about that idea and not come up with something profoundly human for all of us concerned about a better world. He also described Dr. King's CIVIC VISION, another term that depicts a collective viewpoint on how we should look at each other when thinking about policy and representation for our mutual best interest. He described a man that had the kind of FAITH IN US, where there could be an African-American president of the United States. This came to pass because Dr. King was right and we need to remember when thinking about our choices in the upcoming election that all children can envision a life that includes the presidency.

We dropped the ball in 2010 and took the Congress away from him, which created an even more complex problem for him to deal with. Then the economic environment that he was elected to deal with took away his ability to be effective on many levels. He still has been able to maintain a dignity and a sense of purpose that's created some positive options for us and that has saved us from an economic collapse and begun to provide a foundation for a better future. I will be writing to you and encouraging you to continue to support Barack Obama, to listen to him, and to disseminate his ideas for a more formidable and all-inclusive society. My mentor and California Berkeley professor Harry Edwards gave an interesting and uplifting Obama support speech in the Silicon Valley. I would like to provide you with a youtube link so you can listen to it and get back to me on your opinions of his straightforward, intellectual endorsement of the president:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgRdQLeAYrc

I love you and I believe you will make the right decision and give your support to the President.

Still Strong and Faithful

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:37:32 -0400

I just got out of the hospital. I was there for 5 days, fighting a problem with my lungs. I've been on antibiotics for about 10 days. I love all of you. Thank you for your prayers and your positive thoughts.

So many things are happening in our country. My President is doing some things that remind me a lot more of the person that I thought he was going to try to be. I'm not sure if that's because things have gotten so bad or if he resigned himself to the possibility of just being a one-term president. I'm glad that he came up with a jobs bill. I'm also glad that he supported the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," though I'm not sure what effect that is going to have on gays when they come out in the military.

As controversial as it is, I think it's important that all people pay similar taxes. It's not fair that the rich don't contribute to the tax base. Everybody is clamoring to reduce the debt. Paying less to Iraq and Afghanistan and increasing the tax share of the wealthy is a way to do something. There aren't many options with the economy being so bad. I want Barack to continue to be courageous and try to make the country the equitable nation that it's supposed to be. It would be better for him to have that kind of legacy. If we don't have a strong government, that's able to balance things between the rich and the poor and take in money to pay for programs and policy that give us all a chance to make it, we're not the United States of America anymore.

I hope that everyone is able to get to see some of the rescheduled dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument in Oct. I love MLK and I love you all. Thanks for staying in touch.

Labor Day

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 00:24:44 -0400

It's been such a wonderful summer for me. Thank you to all of you that have stayed in touch with me, through e-mails, Facebook, and my website. I'm so blessed to have so many caring, concerned, and comforting people in my life. This latter part of the summer has been especially eventful and exciting. As you know, I've been to Oakland to be with my brother and his family and my friends up north. I've enjoyed a number of musical concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and of course, I saw my girl Sade at the Staples Center. I'm so blessed to have shared these events with my trusted nurses Natalie and Alma, my buddy Baron and his girl Cindy, and a number of other jazz friends. The Buena Vista Social Club from Cuba was particularly good; Robert Cray played some blues that was really great; Gladys Knight is still a favorite; and George Benson is still my first and number one jazz entertainer. I missed my friends Marcus Miller and George Duke. I'm sure they were terrific also. I'm trying to go to the Bowl one last time for the Quincy Jones extravaganza on Wed.

I've been able to send a number of my friends to see Sade during her tour. That's been a pleasure and a blessing. Most of them have really enjoyed the shows, like I did. Sade is someone very special to me and she, like Wynton Marsalis, treats me with a lot of respect and love and I always feel wanted and special when I'm around them. They see to it that everyone treats me good and understands our relationship.

Thanks to those of you that prayed for me to find a supportive and capable roommate to take Alan's place. Eli is my new roommate. He's very kind and conscientious. I hope things are going to work out for us. So far, so good.

My nurse Alma is leaving for the Philippines this week. So I'll have a substitute nurse for the next month. I'm going to depend on Eli helping the new nurse to take care of me while Alma is away. I'm a bit anxious about this temporary change. I get comfortable with things and I get anxious about new things. I have to rely on my faith to get me through these periods. I appreciate all your prayers. I'm sure that does a lot to remind God of my circumstances and makes things run more smoothly. I'll be looking forward to them this month. My uncle George and my friend Ted have been my spiritual comforters. I'll be depending on them to help me get through these next few weeks. I'd appreciate if you would pray for Alma's safe return.

I'm sorry that the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial dedication was preempted because of the hurricane. My President's campaign is coming up soon and I pray that I can get involved with the campaign and be of benefit to him. My friend Steve McKeever is going to have to be my liaison. Obama depends on Steve to do certain things for him, culturally and musically. I'm hoping that Steve can put me in touch with some people that will make my efforts on behalf of the President significant. I hope you all are still supportive of him and give him another four years to make things better.

This has been quite a season for me. I've appreciated staying in touch with everyone and all your support. I love you all. Continue to stay in touch.

Always,
DJ

My Trip to Oakland to See My family

Sat, 6 Aug 2011 20:42:41 -0400

Berkeley and the Bay area have been very important to me throughout my life. I credit that area to turning me into the kind of man I have become. It gave me some lifelong friends and a confidence that allowed me to accomplish things in my life. I pray that everyone has a place like Berkeley to allow them to become the best possible person they can be.

This weekend, my friend Baron and my brother are providing me the accommodations to make a trip to Oakland with my nurses so I can be with my family to help celebrate my brother's 50th birthday. When I left the hospital 3 years ago, we had a big birthday party that many of you attended to celebrate my 50th birthday and my release from the hospital. This will be my first trip up north in five years. I ask that you pray that I have a safe trip. I'm looking so forward to it. God has been good to me and has provided so much for me all my life, especially these last few years. The main thing he has provided me with is friends and family that care about the accomplishments I have made and the survival that I've endured.

When I come back, I'll be looking for a new roommate to help me (along with my nurses) to remain as independent as possible. It will also give me an opportunity to continue contributing as much as I can. Please pray for me on that front as well so I can continue living amongst the people I care about so much.

I love you all so much. Thanks for everything and God bless.

Always,
DJ