When will the insanity stop?

Today, I received an e-mail from a friend from England. She asked when will the Americans give up their guns. I thought about it for a while and I responded, "We will never give up what the Constitution says that we have a right to own."  It is a sad state of affairs that we purport to be a world power, yet we cannot control a lot of the senseless violence due to weapons. There is a reason why we are probably the most violent country in the world. What must we due to ensure that our status in the world will not only be that of the six o'clock news coverage of another mass shooting? AMERICA turn in your weapons. Does this picture sum up why we do not give up our guns? You tell me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXys9jMrYLk

Mexico is not the problem!

Let me see if I get this right. Americans love to get high. They want the best stuff and the best prices. The Mexicans have a product that the Americans want and they will provide it at a good price. Now the American government is trying to have an all out assault on the Mexican drug cartels only because they are providing a product that Americans want. Am I missing something or is this a double standard? What ever happen to capitalism? Please, if you know something more please share. I firmly believe that if the American government can do something about its own people, then we would not be having this conversation. Yet, "Choice Theory" reigns supreme. America, deal with it. You started this problem. 

Keep it real pimpin' ain't easy, ask Mike.

What do the following individuals have in common; Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, Carmelo Anthony, Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, Lebron James and of course, Sir Michael Jordan?  Okay stop guessing, they are all millionaires who could care less about what you or I think. Their bottom line is the dollar bill and nothing else. I recently heard a sports commentator on WBAI radio station, 99.5 FM, listener sponsored, asking an athlete why more athletes don't speak up on issues facing society. The person being asked the question said that athletes are concerned with their words being taken out of context, thus possibly causing them problems with sponsors. It never ceases to amaze me why the media looks to "these" individuals to ask question about what happens to the average person. Granted, most of these individuals come from the communities that are facing most of the problems, however, they rarely stay and take all of their money to the suburbs. I say ask the common person and see what they say is affecting them and what they need as assistance. I think the recently released convict, Charles Barkley, said it best when he stated, "I am no role model for anyone. Parents should be role models for their kids." The media should stop looking to these individuals to speak for the common person. These superstars are "prostitutes" for corporate America. I dare anyone to say that they are not. Okay, you know my position regarding your opinion; yours count as much as mine. Let me hear you what you have to say. 

What are we becoming in this society?

When I read about the police officers being killed in Oakland, California, my hearts immediately went out to their families and colleagues. It is a sad day for the law enforcement community. Yet, I am reminded of the young man that was killed by the police officer a few weeks earlier. What happened to the Community Policing concept? Are times getting that bad on the west coast? These recent events have the potential to exacerbate racial tension. As I was looking at the press conference I recognized the deputy police chief as a former classmate from the FBI National Academy. Initially, I was happy for his accomplishments, then I realized that this is the same individual that was not allowed to graduate with us because of some "racist" remarks he made to a woman who was with her family at a local eatery. So, what does this have to do with this incident, probably nothing. However, I did say that this situation has the potential to set things off. Leadership starts from the top and trickles down. I hope that I am wrong.

http://news.aol.com/article/oakland-police-shooting/392279?icid=mainclassicdl1link3http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Foakland-police-shooting%2F392279


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XA_3qG5pVg

Who will watch the police?

During several discussions in my classes, I observed the disdain on student's faces regarding their feelings about police officers. Not ever trying to change anyone's thoughts, I wanted to give a little reprieve to those who believe that nothing is being done. There are organizations that are doing a diligent job, but are they doing a disservice to the honest cops who take their jobs seriously and responsibly. Should a police officer have to look over their shoulder every time they make a split second decision on the street? Should the mainstream public afford the police officer the benefit of the doubt based on the stressful job they are required to do?

 http://video.google.com/videosearch?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=copwatch&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=DxvFSZSlAtqwtgfysr3JCg&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#

http://www.brownwatch.com/police-brutality-watch/2008/5/25/black-man-alleges-moss-point-police-attacked-him-with-taser.html

Oh, maybe this is why Copwatch is needed. Who knew...

http://videos.myrtlebeachonline.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1800601

Taser or gun, no difference. Death inevitable.

After having several debates regarding the Bart Police Department shooting of an unarmed man, I had to do a little soul searching regarding my position on the police officer's defense. I stated that there was no way that the police officer would shoot an unarmed man while lying in a prone position and with numerous witnesses. I still maintain my position until all the facts come out. However, the attached link will shed new light on the usage of the taser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msp7ZKiMcWY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkPg-b94Ckc&feature=related

No, really why are you in jail?

I totally understand cracking down on the little guy to set an example. However, what is the cost for imprisoning someone for stealing gas? Yes that is right, gas. With all the corruption that is going on in the State of New Jersey, do we really need to feed the prison industrial system with another low level criminal? Can there be a better way to deal with situations like these? Does probation come to mind?

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/former_nj_employee_gets_three.html