Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
African Americans and military veterans: A great debt owed.
I am a veteran of the United States Navy. I enlisted in 1972 during the Viet Nam war. As a result of my service I was placed in Harms Way, twice in Panama, in 1976. In one instance if it were not for a woman I had been dating I would have been killed. The other was a mission I was part of which envolved the troops training to take over the Panama Canal, if President Carter had not agreed to turn control of the Canal to Panama. Had I been caught, I'm sure I would have been tortured and possibly executed.
I want to make it known, that not every miltary person is trained to kill for their country, but all are trained to die for their country.
Every where I go and it is established that I am a veteran, I am greeted with a resounding, thanks for your service. It makes me feel proud and I don't mind risking my life. But there is one segment of this country that I don't seem to get this greeting, in fact, I get a feeling that my service was not appreciated at all. Those people are African Americans. In fact I can't recall ever being told thank you for your service by any Black person other than fellow veterans, family and close friends.
If there are a people who owe a debt of gratitude, to their veterans it is the African American community.
African Americans have served in every war this country has had. In the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 . particulary in the battle of New Orleans, African Americans fought while they were still slaves.
In the Civil War more than 180,000 African Americans fought on the side of the Union. It was the bravery and courage of those troops that allowed for the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments.
It was the Black Calvary troops that protected settlers in the west and their reputation lives today as a result of the Buffalo Soldiers and is still an active regiment in the U.S. Army the 9th Calvary.
In World War I France actively recruited African Americans for service and introduced African American culture to the world.
In World War II,one of the first heroes of the war was Doris Miller, my personal hero, the Tuskegee Airmen, the 761 Tank Battalion, The crew of the destroyer escort the Mason. Because of Black men and women in uniform, the United States could no longer deny Blacks equal rights and lead directly to acceptance of the civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's.
During Viet Nam it was a common sight to see African American troops fighting in every living room in the country on TV. There was no way President Johnson could deny signing the civil rights acts of 1964 which lead finally, to the basic freedoms African Americans enjoy today.
There is a direct coalition of military conflicts and the bravery and dedication of African Americans in the military and African American progress in this country. I truly believe that African American troops in both Gulf wars lead to the belief that a person of African decent could be trusted as Commander and Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
African Americans owe a great debt to black Military, not only did they fight and die to preserve the United States of America, they fought and died so that American society would realize that we are a brave and courageous people. We have earned the right to be called Americans.
I want to make it known, that not every miltary person is trained to kill for their country, but all are trained to die for their country.
Every where I go and it is established that I am a veteran, I am greeted with a resounding, thanks for your service. It makes me feel proud and I don't mind risking my life. But there is one segment of this country that I don't seem to get this greeting, in fact, I get a feeling that my service was not appreciated at all. Those people are African Americans. In fact I can't recall ever being told thank you for your service by any Black person other than fellow veterans, family and close friends.
If there are a people who owe a debt of gratitude, to their veterans it is the African American community.
African Americans have served in every war this country has had. In the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 . particulary in the battle of New Orleans, African Americans fought while they were still slaves.
In the Civil War more than 180,000 African Americans fought on the side of the Union. It was the bravery and courage of those troops that allowed for the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments.
It was the Black Calvary troops that protected settlers in the west and their reputation lives today as a result of the Buffalo Soldiers and is still an active regiment in the U.S. Army the 9th Calvary.
In World War I France actively recruited African Americans for service and introduced African American culture to the world.
In World War II,one of the first heroes of the war was Doris Miller, my personal hero, the Tuskegee Airmen, the 761 Tank Battalion, The crew of the destroyer escort the Mason. Because of Black men and women in uniform, the United States could no longer deny Blacks equal rights and lead directly to acceptance of the civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's.
During Viet Nam it was a common sight to see African American troops fighting in every living room in the country on TV. There was no way President Johnson could deny signing the civil rights acts of 1964 which lead finally, to the basic freedoms African Americans enjoy today.
There is a direct coalition of military conflicts and the bravery and dedication of African Americans in the military and African American progress in this country. I truly believe that African American troops in both Gulf wars lead to the belief that a person of African decent could be trusted as Commander and Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
African Americans owe a great debt to black Military, not only did they fight and die to preserve the United States of America, they fought and died so that American society would realize that we are a brave and courageous people. We have earned the right to be called Americans.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Middle Class bites the hand that fed them. Unions
Of all the organizations that middle class Americans reject, the most baffling to me are Labor Unions. Unions help to create the middle class. Before unions worker's wages were at the mercy of employers. There were some employers, like Henry Ford, who understood the value of workers making a decent wage, but by in large most employers were greedy and unfair. Not only did Labor Unions fight for better wages, but they also fought for health benefits and safer working conditions, which also benefited the workers family and communities. In the 1950's and 60's the middle class flourished and the American economy was robust. Industry was booming due to the Viet Nam war, and after the war ended companies started to profit in the billions of dollars. There was always contention between corporations and labor unions, but that is what bargaining is all about. There is nothing wrong with a worker bargaining for a fair and decent wage and safe working conditions.
There were a few bad apples, unions that were under the control of organized crime and there was an aggressive push by the justice department to get rid of them. Most Labor Unions in this country were not controlled by organized crime but along with the news media and major corporations, you couldn't see it. There was an attempt to paint all labor unions as Mafia controlled centers of wealth.
The Middle Class attacks on Labor Unions started under Ronald Reagan. When President Reagan busted PATCO, the Air Traffic Controller's Union, it signaled the decline of Unions and public opinion. Corporations quickly picked up the ball and began a successful campaign to label labor unions as greedy and negative and bad for the nations economy. Then the GOP started to pack the the courts with judges which weakened Labor Union law suits to the point that Labor Unions actually became ineffective and thus furthered it's decline in the public arena. It isn't a coincidence
that the stagnation in wages, the decline of the Middle Class, parallel the devaluation of Labor Unions and the unpopular opinion they have with GOP conservatives. Am I the only one who sees that, not only do the GOP want to take us back in time with social issues, they want to go back to a time where workers are at the mercy of employers.
Corporate America keeps riding their agenda on the coat tails of disgruntled people to have one asset THEY VOTE.
It's the same thing that happened in the Southern States in 1861. The poor whites went to war to keep a system in play that was keeping them poor, Slavery. Why hire a blacksmith when you can own one?
Good or Bad the Labor Unions were the only organizations formed to fight for fair wages for middle class Americans. Even if a company does not have a union, the employers keep their wages compatible as to keep employees from considering forming a union.
It is ironic that the very person who actually helped to vilify labor unions, was the President of a major Union himself. Most of his wealth came from unions fighting to get actors fair wages and salaries for the work they did and the product they helped produce.
There were a few bad apples, unions that were under the control of organized crime and there was an aggressive push by the justice department to get rid of them. Most Labor Unions in this country were not controlled by organized crime but along with the news media and major corporations, you couldn't see it. There was an attempt to paint all labor unions as Mafia controlled centers of wealth.
The Middle Class attacks on Labor Unions started under Ronald Reagan. When President Reagan busted PATCO, the Air Traffic Controller's Union, it signaled the decline of Unions and public opinion. Corporations quickly picked up the ball and began a successful campaign to label labor unions as greedy and negative and bad for the nations economy. Then the GOP started to pack the the courts with judges which weakened Labor Union law suits to the point that Labor Unions actually became ineffective and thus furthered it's decline in the public arena. It isn't a coincidence
that the stagnation in wages, the decline of the Middle Class, parallel the devaluation of Labor Unions and the unpopular opinion they have with GOP conservatives. Am I the only one who sees that, not only do the GOP want to take us back in time with social issues, they want to go back to a time where workers are at the mercy of employers.
Corporate America keeps riding their agenda on the coat tails of disgruntled people to have one asset THEY VOTE.
It's the same thing that happened in the Southern States in 1861. The poor whites went to war to keep a system in play that was keeping them poor, Slavery. Why hire a blacksmith when you can own one?
Good or Bad the Labor Unions were the only organizations formed to fight for fair wages for middle class Americans. Even if a company does not have a union, the employers keep their wages compatible as to keep employees from considering forming a union.
It is ironic that the very person who actually helped to vilify labor unions, was the President of a major Union himself. Most of his wealth came from unions fighting to get actors fair wages and salaries for the work they did and the product they helped produce.
Indefinite Detention: Senator Sees No Need To Change Law That Was Ruled Unconstitutional
Indefinite Detention: Senator Sees No Need To Change Law That Was Ruled Unconstitutional
In 1973 I came home on leave. On the airplane an individual who said he was from Lebanon started up a conversation. He asked about a lot of different places in Los Angeles. For some reason I became suspicious even alarmed. When we arrived at the airport and I was waiting at the baggage area, I noticed a brief case that looked similar to the one the individual was carrying, sitting all alone in the middle of the floor. At the same time my sister and brother were approaching the entrance, I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Get out! Don't come in here.!" I reported my concerns to a uniformed officer and got my siblings out of there as soon as possible.
My siblings and most of the people in the airport probably thought I was crazy. What they did not know was one of my jobs in the Navy was to distribute Top Secret information. I knew of concerns of terrorist attacks on airports.
Of course nothing happened. No bomb went off. But what if it had and I had done nothing?
There are people who want to kill U.S. citizens. They are planning and plotting as I type.
I know I looked crazy and maybe I alarmed a lot of people that day, but I had information they did not. But I would do it again and again to protect my siblings and the people in the airport, even if it upsets them.
In 1973 I came home on leave. On the airplane an individual who said he was from Lebanon started up a conversation. He asked about a lot of different places in Los Angeles. For some reason I became suspicious even alarmed. When we arrived at the airport and I was waiting at the baggage area, I noticed a brief case that looked similar to the one the individual was carrying, sitting all alone in the middle of the floor. At the same time my sister and brother were approaching the entrance, I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Get out! Don't come in here.!" I reported my concerns to a uniformed officer and got my siblings out of there as soon as possible.
My siblings and most of the people in the airport probably thought I was crazy. What they did not know was one of my jobs in the Navy was to distribute Top Secret information. I knew of concerns of terrorist attacks on airports.
Of course nothing happened. No bomb went off. But what if it had and I had done nothing?
There are people who want to kill U.S. citizens. They are planning and plotting as I type.
I know I looked crazy and maybe I alarmed a lot of people that day, but I had information they did not. But I would do it again and again to protect my siblings and the people in the airport, even if it upsets them.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
When will Mitt Romney take the stand?
Mitt Romney's Bain Playbook Remains Unclear As Attacks Grow
This is perhaps the most confusing political campaign I have ever witnessed. Romney is like a defendant in a court case who will not take the stand in his defense. It's like he's taking the 5th on his history, be it Bain or his job as Governor of Mass.
What is more confusing is that he seems to be getting away with it. Imagine if you will candidate Obama not explaining, Rev Wright, or any other criticism of his background. You don't have to be a political scholar to say he would not be POTUS.
Yet Romney seems to be getting away with bashing Obama, saying that he has no skills to be POTUS despite holding the office. Yet Romney does not say what makes him uniquely qualified.
It appears that Romney is banking on, that enough people will dislike Obama's record as POTUS, and he can just slide in safe to the White House. Sneak in with his coat over his head.
Are the American voters really that gullible, or just plain stupid? If they elect Romney into office without having him take the "stand", well stupid is as stupid...you know the rest.
This is perhaps the most confusing political campaign I have ever witnessed. Romney is like a defendant in a court case who will not take the stand in his defense. It's like he's taking the 5th on his history, be it Bain or his job as Governor of Mass.
What is more confusing is that he seems to be getting away with it. Imagine if you will candidate Obama not explaining, Rev Wright, or any other criticism of his background. You don't have to be a political scholar to say he would not be POTUS.
Yet Romney seems to be getting away with bashing Obama, saying that he has no skills to be POTUS despite holding the office. Yet Romney does not say what makes him uniquely qualified.
It appears that Romney is banking on, that enough people will dislike Obama's record as POTUS, and he can just slide in safe to the White House. Sneak in with his coat over his head.
Are the American voters really that gullible, or just plain stupid? If they elect Romney into office without having him take the "stand", well stupid is as stupid...you know the rest.
Gordon Marble: I just heard today that Exxon/Mobile spends most of it's
Gordon Marble: I just heard today that Exxon/Mobile spends most of it's
“I just heard today that Exxon/Mobile spends most of it's political contributions on GOP candidates and law makers. More than 100 million dollars. So who do you think will have the leverage in Congress? The only way I can help make a dent is to vote and educate as many of my peers as possible. All the people I have known in my entire life, I could not collect a million dollars let alone 100. I question whether the average American can ever effect policies in this country again. But I for one will die trying. I will go to the polls on a gurney with an IV if I have to. Corporations may win this battle, but I see it like war. In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never, Never, Never give up!"
“I just heard today that Exxon/Mobile spends most of it's political contributions on GOP candidates and law makers. More than 100 million dollars. So who do you think will have the leverage in Congress? The only way I can help make a dent is to vote and educate as many of my peers as possible. All the people I have known in my entire life, I could not collect a million dollars let alone 100. I question whether the average American can ever effect policies in this country again. But I for one will die trying. I will go to the polls on a gurney with an IV if I have to. Corporations may win this battle, but I see it like war. In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never, Never, Never give up!"
Monday, May 21, 2012
Cory Booker Bain Remarks Complicate Things For Romney, Axelrod
Cory Booker Bain Remarks Complicate Things For Romney, Axelrod
Whether Mayor Cory wants it or not he as earned 30 pieces of silver. He "Kissed" Obama on the cheek in front of millions of people. I understand he is a politician and he has to protect his political contributors, one in which I now suspect is Bain Capital. He has provided the GOP with a poison apple they will use to cripple Obama's campaign. The problem is he may have crippled his chances for national office. The Dem base is very unhappy with the way he has cruciifed their leader. I know I am.
Whether Mayor Cory wants it or not he as earned 30 pieces of silver. He "Kissed" Obama on the cheek in front of millions of people. I understand he is a politician and he has to protect his political contributors, one in which I now suspect is Bain Capital. He has provided the GOP with a poison apple they will use to cripple Obama's campaign. The problem is he may have crippled his chances for national office. The Dem base is very unhappy with the way he has cruciifed their leader. I know I am.
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