Wake Up People!!

It seems that with each passing moment, we lose more of ourselves as a human race. It is sad when people lose the battle in fighting for their lives, i.e. cancer, but it is always senseless and horrific when people have their lives taken from them. In light of recent events, I have been asked many times, given my perspective being black and being a former cop, what side of the issue I am on. Simple answer to a misguided question. I am on the SIDE OF GOOD, wherever it is. 

I will always have the backs of my former  law enforcement colleagues, as long as they do the right thing. I go to sleep every night very thankful for them working those very familiar hours that I remember so well. 

There are a lot of misguided people in our society. Unfortunately every institution, law enforcement included, is a cross section of our society. So yes, there are misguided people in all walks of life. 

That being said, those of you that believe that the senseless murder of these officers is a justifiable payback for previous injustices, SHAME ON YOU. The killing of an unarmed individual, REGARDLESS OF RACE, is not necessarily justified just because the grand jury didn't bring an indictment. That doesn't mean people are justified in retaliating, looting, etc. 

Just because an officer of one race arrests, subdues, or shoots a subject of another race, doesn't necessarily make it a racial issue. The racism stems from the reactions of both sides of the issue after the fact. I don't agree with "I Can't Breathe" or "Breathe Easy, Don't Break the Law" but I do understand. 

I will never second guess what another officer's mindset was at the time he or she had to pull the trigger or take some type of action. That is a millisecond decision that many people never put in that position will try to Monday Morning Quarterback. 

There will always be people who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. That is why law enforcement will always have more than their share to handle.  That's why we trained the way we did and standardized as much as we could.

 

The events of the past few months have brought out the worst in some people. Social media has caused people to lose all sense of restraint and sometimes, and although we have the desire to know, we don't need to know everyone's innermost feelings, thoughts and opinions. Some things are better left unsaid. 

Come On People

Saluting with a coffee cup. Saluting with a dog. 

Needing saluting lessons. 

Not saluting at all. 

4 different Presidents, 4 different miscues. Trivia: can you name all 4 POTUS?

As a veteran, sure I noticed, the salute issues of three of the above and as a history buff, I knew about the 4th. Was I disappointed in recent events? Yes. Was I insulted?

It would take more than that. 

If we are are fortunate to live long enough, we will see future POTUS create bigger fodder for the media. 

That being said, I am extremely ASHAMED in those that continue to carelessly use their 1st amendment right to spew unnecessary insult that has a non-political undertone which is becoming more and more obvious each day. I am so tired of people who claim to be religious but publicly state and infer things that are contrary. 

Feel what you feel. Hate whom you wish to hate. State it freely if you wish, but we all have to live in harmony. If some you wish your children to spew the same things that you do, I feel sorry for you. 

Nevertheless, God bless us all and God bless the United States of America. 

Just Sayin'

Generally, Sundays are meant for celebration, reflection, football, and catching up on Facebook posts (LOL).  It has been a long time since I posted in my blog but I figured it was time for a post.

Every once in a while I read something that catches my eye.  While I am still bound and determined not to discuss my personal political views, I do my best to respect those views of others even when the views turn to insults.  I guess that is why I am an independent.  Some would say that is because I can’t make up my mind.  I believe that it is because I’ve never believed that I should vote for someone just because of the party they are in (My mother may be shooting daggers at me from the heavens right now). 

Let’s face it folks, both the red and blue sides both have their share of idiots and people still vote for them simply because of the party they are in.  I must say, that in all the years of my voting life, I have never seen such a seething hate in people as I have regarding this upcoming election.  Many people have ideas about what to do and where this country should go.  If there is anything good that can come from what I have witnessed from the local to the national levels, is that an election year gets people talking.  The campaigning, however, brings out the worst in people, similar to reality TV shows.  I realize that there will always be the argument about people voicing their opinions.  It has been interesting to quietly view the opinions of my fellow Facebook friends who have voiced their opinions, comments, compliments, and insults. 

After this election, regardless of how it turns out, half of the country will be disappointed, and in some cases, bitter.  That being said, it is important for all of us to remember what is important, who is responsible for the condition of our country, when did the problems start, and what has TRULY been done by all of those in power to do something about it.  Are the people in power willing to help the person in charge or are they just working to do what they can to get (or keep) their choice in the White House.

I’m not about party.  I’m about what is right and best for this nation overall.  That is not always an easy thought to process.  .  This author of the post below is a supporter of our President.  The post in no way signifies which side of the aisle I lean towards.  I just thought it was one of the most interesting posts that I have read.

Let us not forget the "REAL" Statistics.  Romney says that "Obama has a record."  He's right.  Let's take a look: 

1. The Recession:  Obama, utilizing the policies started by the Bush Administration to try and reverse the recession and prevent a depression, has been successful.  Or should we have followed Hoover's plan....again?

2. The Debt: In the 1980's Reagan ran up massive deficits -- equal in today's dollars to the Obama deficits. It pulled us out of what was then the worst recession (remember the 'stagflation' of the 1970's) since the Great Depression. Obama is following that game plan, which has been a proven winner at least three times since the Depression: The New Deal, WWII and the Carter/Regan Recession. A better measure is what percentage of GDP is our debt? Nowhere near the record (WWII).

3. Health Care: We call ourselves the Greatest Nation in the world. A superpower. A moral, Godly nation (I get that thrown at me all the time). Well, where is the moral high ground in allowing 47 million people to go without health insurance? Obama passed a REPUBLICAN idea, implemented by a REPUBLICAN administration in Mass -- that the REPUBLICANS now want to dismantle? Why? Because it wasn't their idea?

4. Social Issues (Gay Marriage, Abortion, et. al). Simply stated: No matter what a person's beliefs are, in a FREE nation (or does the Bill of Rights only matter when it's your idea) the GOV'T had better have a damn compelling reason to interject itself into any person's life. Or do the 4th and 14th amendments only apply when we are comfortable with the behavior? The church will always have the ability to deny gays marriage within the church. To preach against abortion. The Gov't however is SEPARATE from the church -- or do Godly people forget that this country was built on SEPARATION of church and state? WE CAN'T force our religious opinions on those who do not share them.

Would our economy be stronger, faster, under a Romney / Ryan presidency? Probably. Freed from the shackles of gov't regulation designed to provide a level playing field that allows protections for small business, middle class people, and the poor -- corporations will make trillions. If you want that ... but have no rights when fired, denied health care, or even the escape hatch of bankruptcy (no Bankruptcy provision in the US Constitution -- and we've gone years in the past with no bankruptcy provision -- we did have debtor's prison though), then go ahead and cast your vote for Romney.

Want to repeal the 13th Amendment? Vote Romney. Want your wife and daughter to lose the vote, control over their bodies, and become chattle (property) again? Vote Romney. They represent the interests of absolute capitalism, absolute greed, no restraints class warfare, and imposition of a moral code that is as strict as anything Islam has to offer.

If you can take a slower economic recovery, enough gov't regulation to provide a stable jobs market for myself and your peers, and retention of protections under the new health care law (sorely overdue, and an issue for nearly 100 years now), as well as retention of constitutional protections and judicial protections of many of the social issues we've already seen ... then you can, even as a Godly person, only vote for Obama in this election cycle.

I welcome responses, but I will state to anyone who chooses to respond.  I state this to my high school students:  Have an opinion.  That is your right.  But also have a point, be respectful, be truthful, and above all, do your homework.  

10 Years Later

As I think about that very sad Tuesday morning of 10 years ago, the wave of memories came flooding back to me this morning.  This is a very emotional day for me but I cannot begin to imagine the pain felt by those who lost friends, family, loved ones, children, parents, husbands, wives, etc.  I remember how frightened I was when I realized this tragedy was a terrorist attack.  I was more frightened when I learned that there were planes that flew out of Boston.  My brother travels quite a bit.  I joke that he has accumulated so many frequent flyer miles that it will take several lifetimes to use them all.  He is from Boston and flies out of Logan International.  I had a hollow feeling, wondering if he was flying that day.  I finally got through to my sister-in-law who stated that he was not flying that day and I remember how grateful and relieved that I was that my brother was ok.

I was working as a police officer that day and after learning about the first plane, I returned to my police department to see the news broadcast of the tower being hit.  About 5-7 of my fellow officers were watching the broadcast when we saw the second plane hit.  I remember how hard it was to work while wrapping my brain around what had just happened.  As the day went on and we learned that the FAA was stopping all air traffic and landing every plane in the country, it was the first time I realized just how many planes fly at one time.  I also remember how eerily quiet the skies were.

All I wanted to do was to be close to my family.

As we take a moment to remember, think about what we lost as a country, but also remember what we have gained.  Despite our differences, whether, political or idealogical, we, as a country, are still standing, still strong, and still here.

Take a moment, today, to remember those lost, but to also hold those you love.  Life is fleeting.  Take time to smell the roses and enjoy the company of those you love.

September 11, 2001 - September 11, 2011
WE WILL NEVER FORGET