Wednesday, July 24, 2024

An Open Letter to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Attorney General Garland and my elected officials

 Sonya Massey.  Thirty-six years of age.  Killed by gunfire from an Illinois Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy on July 6.  Sonya had called 911 to seek help from law enforcement.  What she received was an execution by law enforcement.  This type of law enforcement response has become an expected event.  An event that we stop to shake our heads at, feel remorse, then move on until we hear of the next victim. Then we repeat the cycle of remorse. Time…and time…and time again.  After each murder, nothing happens in terms of hiring processes of law enforcement officials.  There is no time out called for law enforcement heads to review use of force procedures.  There is no outrage by our elected federal officials calling for investigations and asking for the resignations of those in charge of law enforcement.  Why not?

Is it acceptable that being a law enforcement officer means killing a citizen is an allowable condition?  Is it okay that a citizen is killed in the course of a police officer, or sheriff’s deputy’s actions on the job?  If it is a failure of the Secret Service to have not stopped a would-be assassin from firing shots at a candidate, why is it not a failure of law enforcement when people are needlessly killed during an interaction between citizens and law enforcement?  Are we now at the point where if you are a person of color, you handle threats to your life yourself rather than call 911 and the police to come to your aid?  Must people of color arm their households to police ourselves and our neighborhoods?  If we call 911, do we need to say, “please do not send a white, European American policeman or sheriff who has no experience living among people of color?”  Will attention be given to this situation only if a celebrity speaks out about the issue?  Will more attention and a stop to these murders only happen if the victims are white, of European American heritage?  These are some of the questions.  What are the answers?

What are you doing to put an end to these senseless acts of murder by law enforcement?  Why are you not doing more?

The actions by these law enforcement officers shows a pattern of behavior that has not been addressed by systemic changes and improvements in the hiring, training, and development of law enforcement officials.  This is especially true as these are public service jobs where people hired are given weapons which can kill the people they are sworn to protect.

 We need a nationwide academy teaching best practices, especially best practices in interacting with citizens holding weapons other than guns.  Best practices in interacting with people who may have mental disabilities. Creation of a model use of force policy.  Enhanced screening of applicants for law enforcement positions, especially those allowed to carry a weapon.

The killer of Sonya Massey had a law enforcement partner by his side. That partner did nothing to deescalate the situation.  That should not be an allowable standard practice of a law enforcement officer.  It should be a daily discussion among partners that only certain situations will require use of a weapon against a citizen.

These are the issues.  What is your response?  A lack of a response by you tells me that we are on our own and we should best protect ourselves, because no one is coming to our aid.  That means people of color should definitely consider a law enforcement officer approaching us or at our door a threat to our lives, so act accordingly.  Is that what you advocate?  Please do not say just comply with the instructions of the law enforcement person.  Watch the video involving the interaction and compliance of Sonya Massey to the request of the law enforcement officer.

In life, we are told to “never forget”.  Whether it be the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 during World War II.  Whether it be the Holocaust carried out in Germany during World War II.  Whether it be terrorists crashing commercial airplanes into buildings in 2001 during 9/11.  Conversely, we are also told to “put the past behind us and move on” when it comes to the past history of lynching of people of color in the United States of America.  Put the past behind us and move on when discussions come up about the institution of slavery that existed in the United States of America.  Is your answer that the murder of people of color by law enforcement is just another response  of “put the past behind and move on?”

The American public.  Where are you?  You march and protest against a war halfway across the world, but show no compassion or anguish for your own fellow citizens.

President Biden.  In your speech to the American people tonight, you did not mention any plans to address this tragic systemic problem. Is it not important that this situation that repeats itself and destroys families be ended?  What are you going to do?  If you have no response at all that is the same as your saying, “it’s not important to me.”



Monday, July 22, 2024

Biden meets his Moses Moment. Next : Kamala's spiritual growth moment

 You have to applaud President Biden for humbling himself and accepting the realities of his age, health, and true ability to manage the office of the President of the United States.  There is no shame to accepting the limitations of our humanity.  Biden should be proud of the accomplishments of the federal government during his leadership and term as President.  Managing the recovery from Covid was a challenging task in many ways.

Next up.  Kamala Harris.  There still are events with Biden that could thrust Harris into the role of President before November and before January.

One key issue Harris needs to address are her views on abortion.  Kamala may benefit politically if she clarifies that a decision on abortion should not be a governmental decision, or court decision.  Instead it  should be a personal spiritual decision each individual makes.  It's not about human rights, or the rights of a woman.  It's about God's intent on how we should value the ability to create life.  It's not about abortion being humanly legal or illegal based on our "laws" or the constitution.  The issue needs to be raised above the category of human law.  It has been proven since the days of the Old Testament, that written laws by themselves cannot improve human behavior.

So, Vice President Harris.  Please elevate the abortion issue to the responsibility of the individual(s) involved in creation of the life.  That includes the cases of rape and the mother's life being endangered by a birth.  A decision to terminate life being able to exist and grow is of course one of the most important decisions a person can make.  It's an issue that has direct human connection to our Creator.  A human decision first must come through a connection to God, seeking His assistance in making the correct spiritual, not human decision.  If a life is ended, that may be the life that would have one day created the cure for the human diseases that currently plague us.  The aborted life may have been the person who could have lead the way to bringing peace to various places in the world.

But with all the human distractions in front of her, she needs us to remind her of the responsibility to lead a dialogue on the issue.



Thursday, July 18, 2024

Stupid Human Tricks: Episode 289

 "Prime Video, Amazon MGM studios, Sony pictures television and the producers of The Boys, oppose,in the strongest terms. real world violence of any kind."  This was the disclaimer attached to the viewer discretion warning of an episode of the Boys.  Apparently it relates to the content of the episode having some similarities to the recent assassination attempt on POTUS45.  Here is a thought!  If you really oppose violence of any kind, don't create and then show an episode dealing with real world violence!  Human stupidity reigns!



Wednesday, July 17, 2024

God's Rebellious People

 After the assassination attempt last weekend, I thought this would be a defining moment in the 2024 Presidential election.  Would the close call with death transform the former 45th President of the United States into a rationale, God fearing politician?  The answer came quickly.  There was no quote of the 45th President thanking God for his surviving the attempt on his life.  Instead there was business as usual.  He had an opportunity to change his ways.  He assumed it was God blessing his candidacy.  Why didn't he think it was a message from God that he needed to change his ways?  45 has been called a narcissist and he definitely displayed that behavior by not thanking God foremost for being able to see the world and his family still.

Now Joe Biden in his eighties has Covid.  The drama train is rolling down the tracks almost pulling into the station now.  We have a President well past his prime; a deranged former President; and a capable Vice President waiting in the wings for the next chapter to occur.  This play can take several directions.  Will failing health be the deciding factor in President Biden deciding to step down from the office of President of the United States?  Will Biden be more humble than the 45th President was after being an inch away from departing this life?

As I write this politicians are gathered in Milwaukee believing that they are charting the course for the future of the United States of America.  How many of them are even thinking about what God wants done in this dramatic governmental situation of 2024?  It's just more of the same politics as usual.  People gathering thinking they can do something to "solve" the problems of the world.

That's not what we are here for people.  There will be no heaven on earth, don't you get it?  This is our temporary home.  No matter what happens with the Presidency, the expectations of God from us will not change.  God is still waiting on us to focus on the way of life God intended us to have.  

Our human drama continues.  Next chapter.



Friday, July 12, 2024

Biden's "Moses and the Rock" Moment

 In Numbers 20:6-8, God instructs Moses and Aaron to specifically speak to a rock, "...and it will pour out its waters."  But in Numbers 20:11 Moses does what Moses wants to do. "Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out."

President Biden is facing his "Moses Moment".  Biden is ignoring what time had done to his body and mind.  In the face of evidence, that being his actions and behavior over the past year, Biden seems to think his own beliefs override the evidence.  His pride has made him strike the rock twice rather than step aside as the Democratic candidate, or even better for the country to step aside as President and allow the Vice President to assume the Presidency, at least for the next 4 months.

The world will be okay without you as President, Mr. Biden.  The 45 Presidents before you all relinquished authority.  Some had no choice.  You have a choice.  Again, thank you for your service over the past 4 years.  But, it's time to move on.



Saturday, July 6, 2024

Joe, maybe the Lord tried to tactfully tell you to "Joe, it's time to go!"

 The ABC interview of President Biden did raise some additional questions.  Is it Biden's human pride that is keeping him in the race?  Does he not want to relinquish one of the world's most powerful positions to a woman of color?  Would doing so violate some European American male credo?  Does he really think no one can do a better job than him? Even the person in the position of Vice President who exists to do exactly that!  That being to step in when a President is unable to carry out the role of President.

Biden is coming off as arrogant in his refusal, as that of the normal behavior of Trump!  If this is how Biden behaves when asked questions, how does he respond in crisis situations?  A fumbling incoherent response is not what is needed in those instances.

Resign now President Biden.  Kamala Harris is ready.  It is her moment.  Does the Lord have to speak louder for you to hear the message?



Tuesday, July 2, 2024

How do you declare weather historical, if there are no records going back 100 years plus?

 I keep hearing weather newscasters talk about historical storms, historical hurricanes.  But, I thought I heard someone say that records on storms only date back to 1963?  The satellite technology we have today did not exist 60 years ago.  Our ability to predict coming storms did not exist until the past 60 years or so.  There was a comment that hurricane Beryl was the earliest category 4 hurricane in recorded history.  So what year did this "recorded history" start?  When did hurricanes start being recorded?

We need to push back at these historical pronouncements being made by weather officials.  What is the supporting evidence to their statements?  They need to clarify the definition of recorded weather history.  




Monday, July 1, 2024

What Jesus says about how to live our lives.

 The bible actually contains guidance to us mere humans on what behavior we should demonstrate every day.  Let's go to Matthew in the bible.  When Jesus lived among humanity, Matthew recorded Jesus's statements about the kind of behavior, the Father, God, expects us to display.  Let's see what Matthew 5 through 7 say.

Jesus talked about human characteristics/behavior that should be blessed:  

1. Those who seek spiritual enrichment and knowledge to help them lead the life God wants them to lead.  

2. Those who mourn during difficult times. 

3. People who are humble and who don't always tout themselves or their accomplishments.  

4. Those who fight for justice.  

5. Those who show mercy to others.  

6. Having pure intentions, not those based on personal gain. 

7. Those who seek peace and end to conflicts. 

8.  Those who are punished and persecuted for doing the right thing, and 

9.  Those who follow God's teachings despite being mocked and criticized by others.

Jesus said we should display our beliefs in him openly.  Their is no need to hide.  We need to control our human lusts.  Avoid situations that feed that lust or don't allow visuals to feed a lustful desire.  If you promise God something, follow through to the completion.  Do not seek revenge against another person. Love your enemy through peaceful coexistence.  Give to those in need.  Give God sincere prayers and don't pray lofty prayers to impress others.  If you fast to bring focus to your spiritual goals, do so privately not for recognition of your fasting. Don't focus on monetary and earthly material things as the goal of life.  Our life here is temporary.  Focus on gaining admission to the gate leading to eternal life.  Do not worry about every day life events.  Seek the kingdom of God, not an earthly heaven.  Do not judge others.  Go to God with your earthly requests. They may not always be given to you, but asking and seeking from God is the first step.  And finally, understand that the path to heaven requires much discipline and attention to detail in your behaviors.   The highway to hell is easy to navigate.  But the road to heaven requires thought, planning, and actions on our part.

All of these are part of the roadmap Jesus gave us to find and gain eternal life.  Place those ingredients in your life bowl and stir.  Bake until done!