Tamir Rice Maters

Over the past year there has been a lot of racial tension due to a number of police shootings of African Americans, and I have myself expressed some concern over the shootings and how I saw the issue.  In all of this, I was clear that I felt that the African American community missed an opportunity to express outrage about a young 12 year old boy being shot in a park by two police officers.

To this day, and even now with the grand juries decision, I feel that this particular shooting is the one that African Americans should have been behind and demanding justice for.  Yes, Black Lives Mater, and Yes, ALL Lives Mater, there is no doubt to it.  The quick response to shoot and kill a child is to me disgusting and outrageous.  I understand that police officers have to make quick decisions and are in fact trained for the worst possible outcome so that they may stay alive and hopefully save lives when needed.  But this was not one of those moments!

For the police to have pulled up so close to the playground, and not to take an extra 30 seconds to question the child and to learn what was going on is inexcusable.  He was only 12 for God's sake!  If he was an older teenager or man, I can see more of a reason to respond quicker, but even then, with no reports of gun shots, and a child in the playground, there was a better then 50/50 chance it was only a child playing.  That's how they should have responded.  Once on the scene they should have kept a safe distance to determine what was happening instead of rushing in and making the wrong judgments.

It's not the fault so much of the officers involved as it is the society we live in.  From the parents that allowed the toy gun to be played with, especially when the red cap was pulled off, to the community members in the park that had called the police, to the police department that trains its officers, and so many more reasons...the community as a whole failed here and a young child paid the price.

If the African American community across the country does not come out strong and loud against this senseless killing, then they should NEVER complain again about another life lost, especially if that person was trying to flee an arrest, or resisting an arrest.  If they put themselves in a position to be arrested, then they should cooperate with the officers who are only doing their job.

Tamir Rice Live Maters!

 

The Best of America?

When we elect a president, a majority of the population is supposed to say, ”We choose this person to represent ALL Americans,” and yet, with this year’s top Republican contender being the biggest bully in the country, are we no longer wanting the Best of America to represent us?

 

The reporters are saying that most people who are following the Trump do so because he “Says it like it is!”  Really…being a bully and commenting on people’s looks, how they act, or what they say in a negative way is “Saying it like it is?”

 

Calling out politicians and the decisions they make is healthy for a better discussion in politics.  But to call out a person because of how they look, how is that making our country better?  How does insulting people just because they question you better for America?  What Trump is doing is not healthy in any format, but yet, Americans continue to give him credit and attention.  Have we really become a nation of Reality TV, where fake reality is perceived as the truth, as the way we should live our lives?

 

I don’t agree 100% with any Democrat or Republican that is currently running for President, none of them can meet my standards or ideas for the future, and that’s ok.  I expect that is the case for every American, or at least it should be.  We need to hear them talk about the issues at hand.  We need them to talk about ALL Americans and not a core base of supporters that are lining their pockets.  And yes, even Trump has his core base of supporters lining his pocket; to think otherwise is a fantasy.

 

Trump is a smart man who has an endgame laid out for when he is not selected as the Republican, Independent or Democratic nominee for President.  He is in it for himself as he is for everything he does.  And that is ok for him, but not for America.  Regardless of which party you support, it’s past time for us to really discuss the issues on how to move America forward and help us to remain a great country and to guide the world to a safer, better place.  It is not time for a school yard bully to take center stage and get press time because he is a bully.  That is not what made America great!  We are not Russia or any other country that lives in fear of their leaders.

 

Over the past couple of years, Bullying has become a hot topic issue, and how to stand up to a negative behavior in a positive way has shown to stop that negative behavior.  So how is it that the nation is allowing for such a negative person to dominate the air waves?  How is it that the press allows for such negative behavior?  How can it be that NO ONE has put him in his place and said “Enough Is Enough!”  He needs to show respect for EVERYONE and stop personal attacks!  But sadly, the reality is simple; he is only doing what has been done for too many years, just with a little more showman ship.  Therefore, it is not Trump that we should be directing our attention to, but to our own behavior.  We as Americans have allowed for this ‘bullying’ style to exist for way too long, and only we can stop such behavior by starting with ourselves.  We must stand up to every bully that treats other people in a negative way that is after all the core teaching in most ALL Religions:  Do unto others as you would want done unto yourself!

 

I refuse to believe that we have allowed ourselves to go so deep into despair that we honestly believe a bully is our future.  Is this someone we can have faith in finding a middle ground that helps ALL Americans?

Work longer hours to build America?

Jeb bush in an interview on July 8th, on Periscope made a comment that sickens me.

“People need to work longer hours to help grow the economy." He then follows it up with, "the simple fact is people are really struggling. So giving people a chance to work longer hours has got to be part of the answer. If not, you are going to see people lose hope. And that’s where we are today.”

People have been loosing hope for generations and not because they want to work more hours to keep up with expenses of life.  No, they are loosing hope because they are forced to work more hours just to stay afloat! 

How can Jeb Bush honestly believe that encouraging people to work more hours is actually going to help the economy and the individual.  In fact, I know from personal experience, being forced to work more hours actually hurts the economy.  I have less time to 'enjoy my pursuit of happiness,' because I can't for afford to.  I earn less money now working 40-80 hour weeks then I did 25 years ago.  In addition the added stress has caused physical injury to myself both from the longer working hours, and the continued stress of trying to survive!  That alone hurts the economy.

Why should I continue to work hard for the 1% that continues to work less and earn more?  Why should I be denied good health as I stress out more from working longer?  Why should I be paying more to live a normal life? 

Clearly Jeb Bush is out of synch with reality.  He is set on lower taxes for the rich.  He is set on higher profits for the large corporations.  He is set on making the average American work longer in order for the 1% to be wealthier.  If he really wants to help the average American to not lose hope, then demand corporations pay a fair and honest wage.  Demand they truly hold up their agreement to provide high quality products, great service and at a fair cost.  It is those items that have made America great.  It is those items that have built the American economy.  It is the hope and belief that the average American can become a part of the 1% that has fueled the economy.

All Jeb Bush is doing is trying to convince people to work harder and earn less for the good of the country.  REALLY?

We must thank our founding fathers this weekend for allowing people to say foolish, and at times, hurtful things

July 4, 1776, Independence Day, a day that we celebrate for it was written and approved by men who were willing to give their lives to form a new country.  We not only celebrate their courage and their desire for freedom from a tyrant, but for what has become a country of such freedom and hope that millions of people from around the world dream and desire to have such freedom.  With this freedom to pursue a basic goal of self worth and happiness, it also has the ability and the right to say what is on your mind.  But with that basic freedom of free speech, responsibility for what you say comes with it.

Recently, Donald Trump choose to exercise the freedom of speech by saying things that were hurtful, incorrect and disrespectful to a group of individuals that live in this country, and about their relatives who live in other countries.  I will not repeat what he said, for there is no reason to continue to hurt people with his words.  This is not the first time Mr. Trump has gone off the deep end with his comments, and to be blunt, his bullying tactics.  However, with those comments, and the fact he is claiming to be a member of an organization that he feels supports him, those words he said can not go un-noticed, or go without punishment from that organization.  The organization I am referring to is the Republican Party.

While a small few within the party have come out against what he has said, the people who run that organization have not, nor do they seem willing to.  In fact, it appears they have chosen to be quiet in the hopes that it would fade away, and even Mr. Trump would fade away quickly.  That way, they will not be in a position to alienate anyone within their party for condemning what Mr. Trump said.  This is a true mark of what politics has come to.  Let others on the fringe of the organization say what ever they want to say to win people over to the party, thus bringing in more money and hopefully more votes.  Ignore what they say, so as not to alienate those fringe elements, or even the core base of their party.  And while that may seem to be a good idea, all it does is harm America as a whole.

By not condemning those words, or even addressing them, the Republican party and the Democrat party allow those words to continue to divide Americans.  This is one of their goals, to have only two parties rule the country, thus preventing any sense of common ground to exist as proven more so since 2008.  Just as they continue to claim they are for the middle class, when in fact they continue to destroy the middle class by their actions.

The fear of alienating anyone so as not to loose money or votes is a joke. This stifles true conversation, true engagement and ultimately finding that middle ground that benefits everyone.  It was that middle ground that took our founding fathers months to find when they choose to break away from England and form their own country.  That middle ground is what made America great through the years.  It was a place where people could have heated, honest conversations to express their thoughts, and from that, a middle ground was created which then lead to greater prosperity.

For any one party not speaking up about such hatred and miss-guided comments in fear of alienating their membership does not bring people to a place of true growth.  Finding that middle ground that allows for us to learn and grow as a country, as people.

So while we may dislike what is said, we must thank our founding fathers this weekend for allowing people to say foolish, and at times, hurtful things so that a conversation can exist and we can grow from what was said.  It is one of our rights given to us through blood on the battle fields.  It is one we should honor and respect.



 

Spoiled Rich Kids...Ops, Adults

It's understandable why some spoiled brats act the way they do, their parents give them approval to be that way.  It's not right, but its one of those parenting things that we all have to deal with at some point.  But when is it right for grown adults to act like spoiled brats?

Clearly such actors like Johnny Deep and actress Amber Heard, or musician P. Diddy think it is ok to act like spoiled brats.  Each of these people have broken a law during this year and each have acted like the law does not apply to them.  Why?

Is it America's fault for paying these people outrageous sums of money to do a job?  Is it our fault for treating them as if they are special?  Is it our fault that we believe we can't live without them, so they are allowed to get away with a crime?

How dare they, and how dare those who 'follow' these people into believing that any one of them are more important then anyone else.  A life is a life!  A crime is a crime!  It does not matter who did wrong, they should step up and take full responsibility for their actions!  To blame another party for them acting like spoiled brats is pathetic and shame on each of us that allow this type of behavior.

When our children see that people like this can do as they please, then we are the ones to be held accountable for when a child does the same thing or worst.  Children learn by example, and these so called 'stars' are not the examples we should be following for any reason. 

Be a MAN/WOMEN and step up and take responsibility for your actions, don't hide behind your press agent, your money or your illusion of grandeur and show our kids what the true and most valuable aspect of life is about: Accountability for your actions!

Killing Innocent People is not a War

On June 17th, a white man opened fire on church goers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina, killing 9 worshipers.  This act of terrorism, hate and total disregard for human life is unacceptable.

While over the past few months, I have posted on this blog my frustration with how the African American community has handled the various protests against the police in various cities, I have never called for retribution against any person or race.  The killing of any person is just not acceptable!

I understand that there are people out there that love to bend the truth, hell we see it by professional lawyers and reporters daily, and we know it exists on the internet, most notably from religious extremest, but at no time is promoting the killing of people acceptable.  That is pure hate, not religious freedom or free speech!  If the internet can not police itself and remove such twisted websites that promote hate, then this is when laws must be enacted that protect people.  I know it's a fine line to walk; censorship vs free speech, but when and where will we draw the line to stop this.

If web sites can exist that promote hate, maybe then they should share the screen with polar opposites.  Thus having a double screen appear, one side with one point of view and the other side with the other point of view...and have it so that NO one person can cancel out the screen showing one opinion or the other...constantly showing both point of views.  Maybe then, free speech can be exercised in a safe way.  Maybe then, a person may choose to read the other point of view and then think for themselves about what they read.  Maybe then, they will learn that there is always two sides to an issue and no one side is the absolute correct side.  Maybe then people will let go of hate and begin to see the middle ground.  Maybe then, we can actually see people coming together to find a resolution to the issue at hand.

I DO NOT advocate killing at any time of innocent people.  War is another issue, but a pure hate crime as the one in this church is not a war!

Letter tells L.I. black family: 'YOU DON'T BELONG HERE'

Really People...haven't we grown past this?

It is hard for me to understand why we have so much hatred in this country.  America has always been a place to live your dream, to become the person you want to be, but I never thought it also meant being a Racist, or someone with hatred in their lives.

While the sad letter written to the Copes of Long Island is protected under free speech as it did not threaten the family, it is still a sad state of affairs. 

Across the country, there is continued fear of people loosing their jobs to foreigners, wither here in the USA or abroad in third world countries.  I understand that, but, that does not give way to hate towards them.  They are only trying to survive like we are.  If there is any anger to be created from this, is towards our politicians who would rather be paid off by wealthy companies, yes, that 1% of the population that still controls our lives.  And since, we as Americans continue to do nothing about it, we then should be angry at ourselves, not at people of different races, nationalities, etc.

Until Americans begin to actually stand up against corporate greed, then stop blaming others, blame yourself for allowing it!  People are people, we all have our faults, our strong points, our humanity.  Everyone should be treated equally, and if we as Americans can not show this in every day life, how can we expect the Government, or the 1% to show it.  After all, they are feeding on the fact that we don't treat each other fairly and with respect and use that fear to continue to control us and make their billions.

Yes, I know, this has been said over and over again.  Sadly, until things change, it will continue to be said over and over and over....

Lives Mater

My last posting was in December and a lot has happened since that time for the African American community with another man dying at the hands of police.  This last incident was not of the fact that the officers involved where white, there were a total of six officers responsible for this tragedy.  They came from various ethnic backgrounds.  Thus, unlike other incidents, the claim that it was a racial thing is not valid, however, the aspect that another person died while in police custody is serious.

Yet, the protest in Baltimore over this latest incident once again turned into rights.  Rights that destroyed over 200 business, burned buildings and caused physical harm.  Why is it that we are at this stage?  There is no simple answer to be given for many levels of anger and fear.  But, it is clear that the continued growth of the economic despair is the most credible reason of them all.  When any ethnic group is still short changed in education, which leads to lack of good jobs, which then leads to the need for survival in its most crud form, it is no wonder that their anger wells up and comes out in moments of protest.  Therefore, can this be avoided?  Yes, without a doubt.  But will it be?

It is wonderful to see a new generation coming up that has more concern for human dignity then the previous generation or those who are part of the wealthy elite.  But, at the same time, the wealthy elite continue to dig there heels in and do everything they can to become richer by the hour!  Until they stop there actions and begin to realize that life on this planet is a team effort and the wealth therefore should be shared by all, then the ever increasing dived between the classes will continue.

More and more of the lower income segment of our population will show their anger in riots and protest that result in harm not towards the wealthy, but to their own brothers and sisters.  What I am saying is nothing new, but it is continuing to grow and become more and more of an issue.  Greed is the culprit here and trickle down economy as it has played out for years does not work!  Change must happen or a revolution will take place.  I sincerely hope to not be alive when that happens, I would prefer peaceful change or revolution anytime.

While the calls for "Black Lives Matter" continues, I would implore the African American community to get behind the Tamir Rice case which is truly a sad case of police brutality against a 12 year old African American.  To continue to only demonstrate when an African American is resisting arrest, or in the act of a crime does send the wrong message.  Yes, ALL lives mater, so educate our children to not resist arrest.  Educate our children to not commit a crime.  Educate our children to live better lives.  Simply Educate our Children!