A writer writes!
There have been a number of incidents over the past year with deadly results for African American males. In each case an unarmed African American male was killed because the other person feared for their life. Some of these incidents involved policemen, authorized to carry deadly weapons which they decided to use when they felt "fearful".
The question that came to my mind regarding those incidents is if the policemen were armed and the person they shot not armed, what were the policemen fearful of? Were they afraid of being choked to death, beat up, or what?
In another incident a white male, who later was found guilty of manslaughter, claimed the reason he shot a young black male was because the white male was fearful of his life being threatened. Thankfully the court saw that there was an alternative to the man using deadly force.
The rationale that fearing for your life needs to be examined carefully in each individual case. Yes, if someone has you trapped in a corner and is approaching you in a menacing manner, I would see a person being fearful for their life and taking the appropriate defensive/deadly action. But if you are a policeman and someone is just approaching you without a weapon, I would question why would there be a need to shoot and kill an unarmed person.
Fear by itself is not the reason that defines that it's okay to kill another person.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Form Letter Responses by Members of Congress
A writer writes!
Members of Congress allow their constituents to contact them regarding issues. Based on the member of Congress being too busy, the response from the member of Congress is normally compiled by a staff member rather than the Congress member. That response normally is a compilation of data and statistics and standard political double talk in the form of a form letter response to the inquiry. That form letter may be signed via a machine rather than the Congress member's personal signature.
For the various category of issues, a staff member of Congress has already compiled a standard letter designed to fit the category that your question falls into. There are standard responses to letters that cover Health Care, Gun Control, Terrorism, and many other topics you see in the "choose from" column of your Congress members website. It's obvious from standard form letter responses, that most Congress Members really don't care to really communicate with a constituent after they have received your vote.
Yes, it may be difficult to compile a personal letter to each letter from a constituent. But I would like to see the member of Congress try to spend more personal time to respond to a constituent. You owe that person your time, especially if you took their time via a phone call or an in person conversation during your election campaign to then seek their vote.
The form letters I have received in response to a question often are global responses someone just dug out of a file and returned to me. Then that staff member "checks the block" proudly, and feels good about having responded to the inquiry. Well guess what, your standard form letter responses are insulting at best and show no real effort to respond to the constituent.
I challenge all Congress members to ensure each letter they received is personally responded to rather than responded to via a standard form letter. Make sure the constituent's questions and concerns are responded to. To casually send a standard form letter that is closest to answering the questions or concerns is a disservice to yourself and your constituent.
Congress already has a bad reputation. Sending form letters to respond to your constituents only adds to the bad reputation. Show that you really care. Send a response that is personal in nature and that really answers the questions raised by your constituents.
Members of Congress allow their constituents to contact them regarding issues. Based on the member of Congress being too busy, the response from the member of Congress is normally compiled by a staff member rather than the Congress member. That response normally is a compilation of data and statistics and standard political double talk in the form of a form letter response to the inquiry. That form letter may be signed via a machine rather than the Congress member's personal signature.
For the various category of issues, a staff member of Congress has already compiled a standard letter designed to fit the category that your question falls into. There are standard responses to letters that cover Health Care, Gun Control, Terrorism, and many other topics you see in the "choose from" column of your Congress members website. It's obvious from standard form letter responses, that most Congress Members really don't care to really communicate with a constituent after they have received your vote.
Yes, it may be difficult to compile a personal letter to each letter from a constituent. But I would like to see the member of Congress try to spend more personal time to respond to a constituent. You owe that person your time, especially if you took their time via a phone call or an in person conversation during your election campaign to then seek their vote.
The form letters I have received in response to a question often are global responses someone just dug out of a file and returned to me. Then that staff member "checks the block" proudly, and feels good about having responded to the inquiry. Well guess what, your standard form letter responses are insulting at best and show no real effort to respond to the constituent.
I challenge all Congress members to ensure each letter they received is personally responded to rather than responded to via a standard form letter. Make sure the constituent's questions and concerns are responded to. To casually send a standard form letter that is closest to answering the questions or concerns is a disservice to yourself and your constituent.
Congress already has a bad reputation. Sending form letters to respond to your constituents only adds to the bad reputation. Show that you really care. Send a response that is personal in nature and that really answers the questions raised by your constituents.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Ebola - The Easiest Terrorist Weapon
A writer writes!
To no one's surprise, Ebola has made it the the United States. A man in Dallas who came to the country from Africa to visit, apparently contracted Ebola while there. Maybe no one wants to say it publicly, but Ebola is a walking biological weapon available to terrorists. It would be very easy for someone willing to give their life to interact with those who have Ebola, lie about having any contact with someone who had Ebola, and then catch a plane to a major population center in the United States before displaying Ebola symptoms. That person then goes to an event that is well attended, football game, etc. and spreads Ebola to to others before getting too sick to walk around further. You don't have to be a CIA analyst to figure that scenario out.
So, what is our government doing to prevent such an occurrence? Who knows? But, I think I will send my Congressman a quick note and ask her for the answer.
In the meantime, drug companies should start going into major production to manufacture the drug that is supposed to be helpful in combating Ebola. Who knows, a pill that prevents you from contracting Ebola may become the most desired Christmas gift during the upcoming commercial holiday period!
To no one's surprise, Ebola has made it the the United States. A man in Dallas who came to the country from Africa to visit, apparently contracted Ebola while there. Maybe no one wants to say it publicly, but Ebola is a walking biological weapon available to terrorists. It would be very easy for someone willing to give their life to interact with those who have Ebola, lie about having any contact with someone who had Ebola, and then catch a plane to a major population center in the United States before displaying Ebola symptoms. That person then goes to an event that is well attended, football game, etc. and spreads Ebola to to others before getting too sick to walk around further. You don't have to be a CIA analyst to figure that scenario out.
So, what is our government doing to prevent such an occurrence? Who knows? But, I think I will send my Congressman a quick note and ask her for the answer.
In the meantime, drug companies should start going into major production to manufacture the drug that is supposed to be helpful in combating Ebola. Who knows, a pill that prevents you from contracting Ebola may become the most desired Christmas gift during the upcoming commercial holiday period!
The MCL Crowd
A writer writes!
Famished and fighting off an approaching lack-of-food armada headache, I stopped by my local MCL restaurant for a complete meal. Having visited MCL for the first time in over 15 years a month ago, I knew that MCL wouldn't let me down.
My image of MCL was always that it was the place where older people went for a decent meal. I have no idea what "MCL" stands for. Obviously for those who frequent it, the name stands for good food at reasonable prices. For anyone who knows the history of the naming of MCL, send me a note and I will send you my coupon for a slice of pie for the cost of 99 cents.
As I entered MCL to first wash my hands, cleanliness is next to Godliness, I saw 4-5 older people sitting in a lounge area. They looked semi dressed up in sport coats for the men and dresses for the women. I said to myself, maybe it is their big day out for the week. Having someone to meet and bond with is always great, at any age, I surveyed the people inside the restaurant and in line, and quickly surmised that in the event of any conflict breaking out, I could take any of them and even a group of them in one-on-one combat.
The line was slowed by an elderly woman who was having problems moving at a quick rate. I could have shoved her aside, and feigned food hysteria but better manners prevailed. MCL does a good job of lining up the food in an orderly fashion. The food looks all fresh and colorful. To the point that you may find your mouth drooling while in line, which isn't a pretty sight. I ordered everything I had not had in the past few weeks, liver and onions, fresh backed rolls so soft they slide down your throat, summer squash, (is there a winter squash?) pumpkin pie for dessert, and several more items along with the classic sweet tea. At the end of the line I pulled out my trusty coupon for a whole dollar off an entree!
I joined the other "older" people in the eating area. Although I did see a family and a man who must have been in his late 30s or 40s, I came to the realization that I officially am a senior. I was eating with the other older people. I can see myself now putting on a sports coat and tie, and making my way to MCL to join my fellow seniors for a decent meal. The workers busing the tables are very friendly and must be to handle some of the banter the senior crowd delivers. I heard one older woman railing about how they should not have let the person who contracted Ebola into the country. Her recommendation was that no one from Africa should be allowed back into the United States. Her "visit Africa and stay there policy" might become very popular if an Ebola breakout occurs in Dallas, Texas based on one person so far being found to have contracted Ebola after coming to the city from Africa.
I figure that in future visits to MCL I will gain knowledge from conversations with other seniors or just by overhearing their conversations to others. Maybe MCL will one day be a recruitment center for those looking to find mature people with definite opinions on a variety of topics. Until then, save a piece of pecan pie for me!
Famished and fighting off an approaching lack-of-food armada headache, I stopped by my local MCL restaurant for a complete meal. Having visited MCL for the first time in over 15 years a month ago, I knew that MCL wouldn't let me down.
My image of MCL was always that it was the place where older people went for a decent meal. I have no idea what "MCL" stands for. Obviously for those who frequent it, the name stands for good food at reasonable prices. For anyone who knows the history of the naming of MCL, send me a note and I will send you my coupon for a slice of pie for the cost of 99 cents.
As I entered MCL to first wash my hands, cleanliness is next to Godliness, I saw 4-5 older people sitting in a lounge area. They looked semi dressed up in sport coats for the men and dresses for the women. I said to myself, maybe it is their big day out for the week. Having someone to meet and bond with is always great, at any age, I surveyed the people inside the restaurant and in line, and quickly surmised that in the event of any conflict breaking out, I could take any of them and even a group of them in one-on-one combat.
The line was slowed by an elderly woman who was having problems moving at a quick rate. I could have shoved her aside, and feigned food hysteria but better manners prevailed. MCL does a good job of lining up the food in an orderly fashion. The food looks all fresh and colorful. To the point that you may find your mouth drooling while in line, which isn't a pretty sight. I ordered everything I had not had in the past few weeks, liver and onions, fresh backed rolls so soft they slide down your throat, summer squash, (is there a winter squash?) pumpkin pie for dessert, and several more items along with the classic sweet tea. At the end of the line I pulled out my trusty coupon for a whole dollar off an entree!
I joined the other "older" people in the eating area. Although I did see a family and a man who must have been in his late 30s or 40s, I came to the realization that I officially am a senior. I was eating with the other older people. I can see myself now putting on a sports coat and tie, and making my way to MCL to join my fellow seniors for a decent meal. The workers busing the tables are very friendly and must be to handle some of the banter the senior crowd delivers. I heard one older woman railing about how they should not have let the person who contracted Ebola into the country. Her recommendation was that no one from Africa should be allowed back into the United States. Her "visit Africa and stay there policy" might become very popular if an Ebola breakout occurs in Dallas, Texas based on one person so far being found to have contracted Ebola after coming to the city from Africa.
I figure that in future visits to MCL I will gain knowledge from conversations with other seniors or just by overhearing their conversations to others. Maybe MCL will one day be a recruitment center for those looking to find mature people with definite opinions on a variety of topics. Until then, save a piece of pecan pie for me!
Monday, September 22, 2014
What Images/Actions Make Others Hate the USA?
A writer writes!
The latest terror threat to the United States apparently is a group labeled, ISIS. This group apparently has a distinct hatred of anything American. Well, I assume they do. Who knows what American consumer products they use in the safety of their homes? If you hate everything American, I assume that also means you avoid anything made by Americans?
What makes members of these groups hate America and all the citizens that make up these United States of America? Is it the opulent wealth that is often displayed as being what America is about? Is it political policies of the American government? What is it? Even if these groups despise what America stands for in their eyes, why is violence the answer? Especially violence against people who are powerless to control anything but their own lives. Beheading people who are not involved in making policies accomplishes what? It displays the brutality of your group and the inhumane nature of your group. It displays how evil you are that you have rationalized that your actions are justified.
To those groups who despise others and their way of life, that does not give you the right to destroy other people's lives. For you to think so is absurd and just shows how off your thinking is. For those Americans who are joining these groups...what are you thinking? What are you fighting for or against?
Here's an idea. Why don't you clearly explain why you have turned to violence to express yourselves. What is is that America is doing that makes violence the answer? Use your own words to explain yourself. Don't use the doctrine of your "group". Talk to us in simple common language.
The latest terror threat to the United States apparently is a group labeled, ISIS. This group apparently has a distinct hatred of anything American. Well, I assume they do. Who knows what American consumer products they use in the safety of their homes? If you hate everything American, I assume that also means you avoid anything made by Americans?
What makes members of these groups hate America and all the citizens that make up these United States of America? Is it the opulent wealth that is often displayed as being what America is about? Is it political policies of the American government? What is it? Even if these groups despise what America stands for in their eyes, why is violence the answer? Especially violence against people who are powerless to control anything but their own lives. Beheading people who are not involved in making policies accomplishes what? It displays the brutality of your group and the inhumane nature of your group. It displays how evil you are that you have rationalized that your actions are justified.
To those groups who despise others and their way of life, that does not give you the right to destroy other people's lives. For you to think so is absurd and just shows how off your thinking is. For those Americans who are joining these groups...what are you thinking? What are you fighting for or against?
Here's an idea. Why don't you clearly explain why you have turned to violence to express yourselves. What is is that America is doing that makes violence the answer? Use your own words to explain yourself. Don't use the doctrine of your "group". Talk to us in simple common language.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
NBA Owner Worried About Black Crowd Keeping Whites Away
A writer writes! Although the National Football League had enough embarrassing stories about player misbehavior lately, the NBA not wanting to be left out contributed another owner/GM tale of misspeaking.
The Atlanta Hawks primary owner and GM Danny Ferry put themselves in the bulls eye. The owner "self reported" his misstatements regarding having a mostly African American fan base. Ferry read and paraphrased some statements he should have known better not to repeat. My source tells me that Ferry has gone into the witness protection program, and will likely reappear transformed as an African American himself. My guess is that his new name will be Dante' Jordan, in honor of you-know-who.
Ironically when I would watch NBA games from Atlanta I marveled at how the fan base there was predominantly African American. Now we know the Atlanta owner wasn't impressed.
It's nice to get confirmation that people think of us just as we thought they think of us. We are not paranoid. We just know who we are dealing with. Now I'm just waiting for comments and thoughts of the owners of major chain stores and restaurants and their views of African Americans to surface.
The Atlanta Hawks primary owner and GM Danny Ferry put themselves in the bulls eye. The owner "self reported" his misstatements regarding having a mostly African American fan base. Ferry read and paraphrased some statements he should have known better not to repeat. My source tells me that Ferry has gone into the witness protection program, and will likely reappear transformed as an African American himself. My guess is that his new name will be Dante' Jordan, in honor of you-know-who.
Ironically when I would watch NBA games from Atlanta I marveled at how the fan base there was predominantly African American. Now we know the Atlanta owner wasn't impressed.
It's nice to get confirmation that people think of us just as we thought they think of us. We are not paranoid. We just know who we are dealing with. Now I'm just waiting for comments and thoughts of the owners of major chain stores and restaurants and their views of African Americans to surface.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Human Annoyances
A writer writes!
I recently ventured out to a mall to purchase a few discretionary items. Who goes to the mall to buy something you really need? While driving to the mall I saw one of the more annoying current sights that you see on the streets. That is the sight of a grown human being waving a sign in a circular gyrating motion to get your attention. The sign typically is something about buying/selling gold, or an advertisement for some goods you really don't want.
My first thought is to feel sorry for the individual if that is the best job they could get. Then I wonder is the person a college graduate who took out some $40,000 plus in student loans and this is the best job they could get? My typical reaction when I see the wave signers is to do my best to ignore them as if they did not exist. The second reaction is to suppress the urge to yell out the window, "really, is this the best job you could find? You must be desperate for money!" But, they are making an honest living so I leave them alone, even if the sight of a grown person waving a sign seems demeaning.
Next pet peeve. Workers in those mall kiosks who aggressively try to get you to try out their product. My deranged thought process is to think, "now these people really think I drove 15 miles so they could get in my face, pushing some product at me." Today's product, electronic cigarettes. My thought which I should have said out loud is "Why would you want to sell me something that you have no idea about the side effects? You really want me to buy cancer??"
Remember, if you're old enough, those vampire movies where a cross could be used to ward off evil blood sucking vampires? I am now looking for such a cross to wear to the malls around my neck, along with a garlic clove necklace to keep these vampire sales people away from me. Next time I'm going to just have to respond, "Yeah, I drove 15 miles just to talk to you? Didn't you get my message? What's your address and phone number. I'll come by your house at 9 tonight and we can talk." In other words "Go away and let me conduct the business I came to the mall for! Shuddup! Get out of my way!"
Or better maybe I should walk through the mall twirling one of those annoying signs. Mine will say, "No, I don't want to buy anything from you!"
I recently ventured out to a mall to purchase a few discretionary items. Who goes to the mall to buy something you really need? While driving to the mall I saw one of the more annoying current sights that you see on the streets. That is the sight of a grown human being waving a sign in a circular gyrating motion to get your attention. The sign typically is something about buying/selling gold, or an advertisement for some goods you really don't want.
My first thought is to feel sorry for the individual if that is the best job they could get. Then I wonder is the person a college graduate who took out some $40,000 plus in student loans and this is the best job they could get? My typical reaction when I see the wave signers is to do my best to ignore them as if they did not exist. The second reaction is to suppress the urge to yell out the window, "really, is this the best job you could find? You must be desperate for money!" But, they are making an honest living so I leave them alone, even if the sight of a grown person waving a sign seems demeaning.
Next pet peeve. Workers in those mall kiosks who aggressively try to get you to try out their product. My deranged thought process is to think, "now these people really think I drove 15 miles so they could get in my face, pushing some product at me." Today's product, electronic cigarettes. My thought which I should have said out loud is "Why would you want to sell me something that you have no idea about the side effects? You really want me to buy cancer??"
Remember, if you're old enough, those vampire movies where a cross could be used to ward off evil blood sucking vampires? I am now looking for such a cross to wear to the malls around my neck, along with a garlic clove necklace to keep these vampire sales people away from me. Next time I'm going to just have to respond, "Yeah, I drove 15 miles just to talk to you? Didn't you get my message? What's your address and phone number. I'll come by your house at 9 tonight and we can talk." In other words "Go away and let me conduct the business I came to the mall for! Shuddup! Get out of my way!"
Or better maybe I should walk through the mall twirling one of those annoying signs. Mine will say, "No, I don't want to buy anything from you!"
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