Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.
There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920).
While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen. Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.
I spent six years in the United States Marine Corps I served at the tail end of the Vietnam era. I was not drafted I volunteered and was proud to serve. It was without a doubt one the defining moments in my life. But what I recall about Memorial Day in those times was how divided the nation was and how the returning veterans were not given the respect they so richly deserved for the service.
Those images of citizens disrespecting those the veterans has stayed with me and shaped my attitude toward those who choose to enter the military. I have made it a custom to shake the hand of anyone I see in a military uniform, I have passed this tradition on to my children as well.
The young men and women who have now been engaged in conflict for more than ten years are all volunteers. They stayed in the gap for you and I, many have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our way of life. I know many of us have grown weary of war and the resulting loss of life and the devastating injury to so many young people. But the bible in the book of Galatians say it best:
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
But what we must do is not minimize what these young people have done for this country. Whatever the political debate, one thing is definite and unequivocal they are HEROES and are owed are respect and gratitude. God bless and have happy, health and safe Memorial Day.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Yesterday Today and Tomorrow
I am a member of the group we call the “Baby boomers.” We are the children of the post world war two era. I don’t feel that I and my siblings really fit into this group because my father never fought in the war. He was not opposed to the war. But he was born in 1932 so he was not eligible to go and fight.
When Japan attacked us at Pearl Harbor he was only 9 years old. So he missed what was called the war to end all wars. When we then got involved in the Korean War in the early 1950’s he got a college deferment.
However, my father did do his patriotic duty for his country. My father did something that my years of service cannot even compare too. He went to work at naval ordnance plant here in Louisville Kentucky. The plant was one of the major manufacturers’ and reconstruction units of naval gun. I remember when he started as a machinist and when he retired he was the number two man at the plant.
There were those who hated him both black and white because as he told me once, “when you have a job you do your job to the best of your ability.” He did that job for 41 years and retired from the only job he had ever had. I olve my dad and I am so grateful that those were the last words we shared.
What my father experienced was the way things use to be, I sometimes wonder what he would think of how many jobs his son has had? But that was yesterday and we now face a serious job crisis there are no more employers that you can work can establish a long-term relationship.
There will be problem and lay off and no jobs are guaranteed.
I have personally experienced this modern flux in the job market. This is the reality we face and there are options, if we are willing to take a chance and embrace the new reality. The future lies in technology there are many way for us to take advantage of this new job market.
The internet allows everyone to connect with hundreds of millions of potential customers looking for all ids of products and service. The key is to find your niche and do the marketing to drive customer to your website. Is this going to be one of those get rich schemes no, you must do work and you must be patient.
Yesterday was about getting a job, going to work and in 40 years you retire like my father did, today we are on the cusp of a technological revolution and tomorrow holds a brave new world of opportunity for those who have the skills and knowledge to take advantage of what this historic paradigm shift means in terms of financial freedom.
So what about tomorrow, what does it have in store and how can you be ahead of the cure? The next wave that is occurring now is mobile marketing. There are over 5 billion cell phone in the world the dwarfs those who are on the internet by more than two to one.
So what must you do to get involved in the mobile marketing craze? If you want to do what I have done to bring in nearly $3000.00 per week on a regular basis CLICK HERE!
When Japan attacked us at Pearl Harbor he was only 9 years old. So he missed what was called the war to end all wars. When we then got involved in the Korean War in the early 1950’s he got a college deferment.
However, my father did do his patriotic duty for his country. My father did something that my years of service cannot even compare too. He went to work at naval ordnance plant here in Louisville Kentucky. The plant was one of the major manufacturers’ and reconstruction units of naval gun. I remember when he started as a machinist and when he retired he was the number two man at the plant.
There were those who hated him both black and white because as he told me once, “when you have a job you do your job to the best of your ability.” He did that job for 41 years and retired from the only job he had ever had. I olve my dad and I am so grateful that those were the last words we shared.
What my father experienced was the way things use to be, I sometimes wonder what he would think of how many jobs his son has had? But that was yesterday and we now face a serious job crisis there are no more employers that you can work can establish a long-term relationship.
There will be problem and lay off and no jobs are guaranteed.
I have personally experienced this modern flux in the job market. This is the reality we face and there are options, if we are willing to take a chance and embrace the new reality. The future lies in technology there are many way for us to take advantage of this new job market.
The internet allows everyone to connect with hundreds of millions of potential customers looking for all ids of products and service. The key is to find your niche and do the marketing to drive customer to your website. Is this going to be one of those get rich schemes no, you must do work and you must be patient.
Yesterday was about getting a job, going to work and in 40 years you retire like my father did, today we are on the cusp of a technological revolution and tomorrow holds a brave new world of opportunity for those who have the skills and knowledge to take advantage of what this historic paradigm shift means in terms of financial freedom.
So what about tomorrow, what does it have in store and how can you be ahead of the cure? The next wave that is occurring now is mobile marketing. There are over 5 billion cell phone in the world the dwarfs those who are on the internet by more than two to one.
So what must you do to get involved in the mobile marketing craze? If you want to do what I have done to bring in nearly $3000.00 per week on a regular basis CLICK HERE!
A Poet is Gone
You won’t see any breaking news. You probably won’t see it on the news at all. But nonetheless we have lost a brilliant social activist, song writer, musician and intellectual.
Today I learned that Gill Scott-Heron passed away May 27, 2011 at the age of 62 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City. Scott was as well known for his music, as he was for his performances of the spoken word. He and his writing partner Brain Jackson wrote some memorable songs.
He said that his influence were wide-ranging from Richie Havens, John Coltrane, Otis Redding , Jose Feliciano, Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, Malcolm X and his long time collaborator Brian Jackson. Scott never received his undergraduate degree, however in held a Master degree in creative writing.
He had been labeled a black activist because of some of more provocative works such as “The Revolution Will Not be televised,” or "Whitey on the Moon.” I think he did some of his best work in the late 70’s and 80's with his album “Secrets” with song like “Angel Dust” or “shut em’ down” a song about the hazards of nuclear power plants, this is relevant to today’s problems.
Before there was Hip-Hop there with Gill, in the early 1990 he said the regarding Hip-Hop, “They need to study music. I played in several bands before I began my career as a poet. There’s a big difference between putting words over some music, and blending those same words into the music. There’s not a lot of humor. They use a lot of slang and colloquialisms, and you don’t really see inside the person. Instead, you just get a lot of posturing.”
Some did however call him the “Father of RAP.” In his later years he did have what some would call a substance abuse problem, specifically with arrest for cocaine possession. He had a couple of stints in prison but had managed to continue to tour and produce music until very recently.
I found his use of words to be inspiring and thought provoking and as a young man growing up in America Gill Scott-Heron made me appreciate the beauty of words. Rest In Peace!!!
Today I learned that Gill Scott-Heron passed away May 27, 2011 at the age of 62 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City. Scott was as well known for his music, as he was for his performances of the spoken word. He and his writing partner Brain Jackson wrote some memorable songs.
He said that his influence were wide-ranging from Richie Havens, John Coltrane, Otis Redding , Jose Feliciano, Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, Malcolm X and his long time collaborator Brian Jackson. Scott never received his undergraduate degree, however in held a Master degree in creative writing.
He had been labeled a black activist because of some of more provocative works such as “The Revolution Will Not be televised,” or "Whitey on the Moon.” I think he did some of his best work in the late 70’s and 80's with his album “Secrets” with song like “Angel Dust” or “shut em’ down” a song about the hazards of nuclear power plants, this is relevant to today’s problems.
Before there was Hip-Hop there with Gill, in the early 1990 he said the regarding Hip-Hop, “They need to study music. I played in several bands before I began my career as a poet. There’s a big difference between putting words over some music, and blending those same words into the music. There’s not a lot of humor. They use a lot of slang and colloquialisms, and you don’t really see inside the person. Instead, you just get a lot of posturing.”
Some did however call him the “Father of RAP.” In his later years he did have what some would call a substance abuse problem, specifically with arrest for cocaine possession. He had a couple of stints in prison but had managed to continue to tour and produce music until very recently.
I found his use of words to be inspiring and thought provoking and as a young man growing up in America Gill Scott-Heron made me appreciate the beauty of words. Rest In Peace!!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Lessons Learned At Fifty-Four
I know that fifty-four is not normally one of the so-called milestones in ones journey thorough life. But for some reason this morning as I awoke, have gone through another night of storms. I felt like sharing a few words; I won’t be so arrogant to call them words of wisdom just as my title simple states, “Lessons Learned At Fifty-Four.”
There is on major lesson that I have learned and that is it’s o.k. to not know the answers. I use to be a very arrogant young man; I can admit that now and not feel self-conscious. I mean when I look back on some of the things I did in order to impress people with my extensive knowledge base of useless facts. I am amazed that I didn’t get my little butt kicked. I unfortunately enjoyed being the one in the room who thought he knew everything about everything.
But life has taught me the importance of listening. This is a dying art in the ever increasing violent rhetoric that is passing for civil discourse in or society. I have special appreciation for the art of the interview being that I spent eleven years doing interviews on television. At the beginning I use to have a list of questions that I would mechanically walk through. As I began to study the tapes I saw a very disjointed and uninteresting interview. It wasn’t a true conversation the best interview is not an interview at all but a conversation.
And the art of conversing requires a give and take a ying and yang. This is what I think is missing in the American political arena. Politicians really don’t listen to what the people have to say, they have fallen in love with the sounds of their own voices. Believe you me, if there was a recovery group for diarrhea of the mouth, I’d be chairing the meetings.
Another lesson I have learned is that life is truly a gift from God and we should treasure each day and make the most of it, because the present is truly a gift. No I am not going to proclaim that I have even come close to perfecting this one. But as the comedian Steve Harvey said,” Don’t trip, God’s not done with me yet.”
But the most important lesson for me has been staying away from poison people. You know what I mean the people who just radiate negativity from every pore of their being. These people can show up at a picnic and turn a sunny day into an all out thunderstorm. These people will steal your energy with their constant negative response to any and everything you are trying to accomplish. My advice to you regarding theses type of people is very simple, when you see them coming turn and run like your butt was on fire.
No matter the subject they will find some way to put the conversation in a bad light. These people must be avoided at all cost. Well I don’t normally write very long articles. I heard an old preacher say,” it don’t gotta be long to be strong.” My birthday present to you, God Bless!!!
There is on major lesson that I have learned and that is it’s o.k. to not know the answers. I use to be a very arrogant young man; I can admit that now and not feel self-conscious. I mean when I look back on some of the things I did in order to impress people with my extensive knowledge base of useless facts. I am amazed that I didn’t get my little butt kicked. I unfortunately enjoyed being the one in the room who thought he knew everything about everything.
But life has taught me the importance of listening. This is a dying art in the ever increasing violent rhetoric that is passing for civil discourse in or society. I have special appreciation for the art of the interview being that I spent eleven years doing interviews on television. At the beginning I use to have a list of questions that I would mechanically walk through. As I began to study the tapes I saw a very disjointed and uninteresting interview. It wasn’t a true conversation the best interview is not an interview at all but a conversation.
And the art of conversing requires a give and take a ying and yang. This is what I think is missing in the American political arena. Politicians really don’t listen to what the people have to say, they have fallen in love with the sounds of their own voices. Believe you me, if there was a recovery group for diarrhea of the mouth, I’d be chairing the meetings.
Another lesson I have learned is that life is truly a gift from God and we should treasure each day and make the most of it, because the present is truly a gift. No I am not going to proclaim that I have even come close to perfecting this one. But as the comedian Steve Harvey said,” Don’t trip, God’s not done with me yet.”
But the most important lesson for me has been staying away from poison people. You know what I mean the people who just radiate negativity from every pore of their being. These people can show up at a picnic and turn a sunny day into an all out thunderstorm. These people will steal your energy with their constant negative response to any and everything you are trying to accomplish. My advice to you regarding theses type of people is very simple, when you see them coming turn and run like your butt was on fire.
No matter the subject they will find some way to put the conversation in a bad light. These people must be avoided at all cost. Well I don’t normally write very long articles. I heard an old preacher say,” it don’t gotta be long to be strong.” My birthday present to you, God Bless!!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The End Of An Era
Well did you hear it? It occurred at about 4:00 PM today, ladies and yes, some men all began to cry as there companion of the last 25 years called it quits.
Yes, the Oprah Winfrey era ended today, with the long time Television icon giving her viewers a one women last show. Oprah was her usual eloquent self as she proclaimed mixture of reminiscing and life lesson she has gained as a result of her twenty-five years of coming into our homes every day.
Winfrey, spoke of her humble beginnings and how amazing she found it that she had come so far and that her life has been touched by “God’s amazing Grace.” My seventeen year-old daughter was almost in a panic the lasts few days. First, she kept me abreast of the number of days remaining and she would run out of her room into my office telling who was now performing and what they were doing.
I have to admit that the last few years, I would catch the program from time to time but I was never a hardcore fan sitting at home waiting for four o’clock. But I did and do respect the heck out of this media icon. When I had my program I actually tried to get her as an interview. I failed, I got tony brown instead. Do get me wrong we were a PBS based program, and Brown was a great interview, but he’s no Oprah.
Wifrey spoke most poignantly about we here audience gave her the courage to face some her personal demons. Specifically the fact that she had been molested as a child, but the audience gave her the strength to face it for the first time. Oprah took thorough so much and we have changed her and she has changed us and in my humble opinion for the better.
Oprah not sure where you go next but Thank you and may God Bless You!!!
Yes, the Oprah Winfrey era ended today, with the long time Television icon giving her viewers a one women last show. Oprah was her usual eloquent self as she proclaimed mixture of reminiscing and life lesson she has gained as a result of her twenty-five years of coming into our homes every day.
Winfrey, spoke of her humble beginnings and how amazing she found it that she had come so far and that her life has been touched by “God’s amazing Grace.” My seventeen year-old daughter was almost in a panic the lasts few days. First, she kept me abreast of the number of days remaining and she would run out of her room into my office telling who was now performing and what they were doing.
I have to admit that the last few years, I would catch the program from time to time but I was never a hardcore fan sitting at home waiting for four o’clock. But I did and do respect the heck out of this media icon. When I had my program I actually tried to get her as an interview. I failed, I got tony brown instead. Do get me wrong we were a PBS based program, and Brown was a great interview, but he’s no Oprah.
Wifrey spoke most poignantly about we here audience gave her the courage to face some her personal demons. Specifically the fact that she had been molested as a child, but the audience gave her the strength to face it for the first time. Oprah took thorough so much and we have changed her and she has changed us and in my humble opinion for the better.
Oprah not sure where you go next but Thank you and may God Bless You!!!
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Spring Of Fury
I will be 54 on May 26, 2011 and I have never seen such a violent season of tornado's. My wife thinks I am crazy when I get all worked up whenever the weather men report severe weather coming are way. I bought a generator a few years ago because I wanted to be prepared. We have a storm kit and my daughter and I check on a very regular basis.
I lived in Los Angeles when the Whittier earth quake shook L.A. and the surrounding area for nearly one minute. It was the longest minute of my life and has made me very safety conscience. Some might say a bit paranoid, but I say prepared.
I grew up in Louisville and lived through the April 1974 tragedy when tornadoes broke out across a wide path of the mid-west.
It was a terrifying experience. I can recall the way the sky looked a mass of whirling gray and black as I ran home from fountain ferry Park. I equate my heightened sense of preparedness to the experience of those people who lived through the great depression and their need for thriftiness.
But in my life there has never been a year like we are seeing this year. There have been over 400 people killed in storms this year. This has not occurred since 1953 according to weather statistics.
We lost over three hundred souls in the storms that went through the south. I was blessed that my niece a physician and her husband in Birmingham lived through the devastation in there city. Now we have the tragedy in Joplin. We have lost over 100 souls and we must pray for their families.
I am not sure why this year has been the year of the deadly storms. But one thing I know is that we now have the most sophisticated weather systems that we have ever had and yet over 400 people have lost their lives. Mother Nature has shown us that she is still in control no matter how sophisticated are technology we are still no match for her rage.
I have no answer or words of wisdom, just an observation. Life is a very precious gift and it is finite we never know when it will end. But it will end, so tonight when you go to sleep, no matter what your loved has done or how you feel tell that special one “ you love them. “ I know those over 400 people who have died this year suddenly wish they had that opportunity, just one more time, to tell those they left behind, I LOVE YOU!!!
I lived in Los Angeles when the Whittier earth quake shook L.A. and the surrounding area for nearly one minute. It was the longest minute of my life and has made me very safety conscience. Some might say a bit paranoid, but I say prepared.
I grew up in Louisville and lived through the April 1974 tragedy when tornadoes broke out across a wide path of the mid-west.
It was a terrifying experience. I can recall the way the sky looked a mass of whirling gray and black as I ran home from fountain ferry Park. I equate my heightened sense of preparedness to the experience of those people who lived through the great depression and their need for thriftiness.
But in my life there has never been a year like we are seeing this year. There have been over 400 people killed in storms this year. This has not occurred since 1953 according to weather statistics.
We lost over three hundred souls in the storms that went through the south. I was blessed that my niece a physician and her husband in Birmingham lived through the devastation in there city. Now we have the tragedy in Joplin. We have lost over 100 souls and we must pray for their families.
I am not sure why this year has been the year of the deadly storms. But one thing I know is that we now have the most sophisticated weather systems that we have ever had and yet over 400 people have lost their lives. Mother Nature has shown us that she is still in control no matter how sophisticated are technology we are still no match for her rage.
I have no answer or words of wisdom, just an observation. Life is a very precious gift and it is finite we never know when it will end. But it will end, so tonight when you go to sleep, no matter what your loved has done or how you feel tell that special one “ you love them. “ I know those over 400 people who have died this year suddenly wish they had that opportunity, just one more time, to tell those they left behind, I LOVE YOU!!!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The End Of The World Again
“The head of a US Christian broadcaster says he is certain the apocalypse is upon us and may watch the drama unfold at home on television.
The theory is that those worth saving will go to heaven while the rest of humanity will be left to face oblivion after a day of judgment — beginning at 7am in the UK — accompanied by the second coming of Christ.” - Harold Camping (May 2011)
Why does the media even give these so called prophets the time of day. As a former pastor and student of the bible it is clear that these people have not read or understand the Bible.
Before I go to scripture and totally repudiate the misguided rambling of a misguide and probably well intentioned old man. I must protest in the strong fashion how these fringe elements have been able to hijack sound bible based Christianity and make Christian as a whole look like fanatics .
This is not the only media coverage to make Christians look as though we are out of touch with reality. The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka Kansas, headed by Fred Phelps has also garnered a massive amount of air time. This is the church that has somehow seem fit to use the bible as there basis to dishonor the funerals of our fallen heroes. Those young men and women who volunteered to go into harm’s way to protect our way of life.
I served in the military I was a marine at the ended of the Vietnam era, I didn’t see combat but I have many friends who did and in my eyes they are heroes. I have also taught my childern to shake the hand of anyone they see wearing a military uniform. My son Wayne Jr. who has autism is now passionate about doing this, in the malls or on the street he will shake the service person hand and thank them for there service.
This country was founded on Christian principles all of the higher institutions of learning (Harvard , Yale)were founded by Christians. What institutions of higher learning were founded by Islam? Radical Islamism wants to kill us and our media makes light of where we came from as a nation.
Network television programs like the “Law and Order” series have for years made light of Christians and made us look like radicals or hypocrites. I am not denying that we Christian are far from perfect. Because we Christians, aren’t perfect but there those of us who are trying to live in this world and not of this world.
I spent eleven years as a media correspondent with my own program and felt the hand of the liberal agenda with it’s mantra “If it bleeds it leads” toward the end of my media career I felt like a whore. Doing what made the ratings and not what I felt was right.
The Bible is very clear that nobody will know when the world will end. Jesus said in Matthew 25: 13, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes." In Matthew 24:44 he says, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes." As my mother has put it, I don't know when Jesus will come, but I know when he will not come—when somebody says he will. Anytime somebody says they know when Jesus will come again is calling Jesus a liar.
So let's stop playing church and be the body of Christ. Let's stop be ashamed and stand up proclaim his Name. Let's show the media and there liberal agenda that we are Christians. Onward Christian Soldiers!!!
The theory is that those worth saving will go to heaven while the rest of humanity will be left to face oblivion after a day of judgment — beginning at 7am in the UK — accompanied by the second coming of Christ.” - Harold Camping (May 2011)
Why does the media even give these so called prophets the time of day. As a former pastor and student of the bible it is clear that these people have not read or understand the Bible.
Before I go to scripture and totally repudiate the misguided rambling of a misguide and probably well intentioned old man. I must protest in the strong fashion how these fringe elements have been able to hijack sound bible based Christianity and make Christian as a whole look like fanatics .
This is not the only media coverage to make Christians look as though we are out of touch with reality. The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka Kansas, headed by Fred Phelps has also garnered a massive amount of air time. This is the church that has somehow seem fit to use the bible as there basis to dishonor the funerals of our fallen heroes. Those young men and women who volunteered to go into harm’s way to protect our way of life.
I served in the military I was a marine at the ended of the Vietnam era, I didn’t see combat but I have many friends who did and in my eyes they are heroes. I have also taught my childern to shake the hand of anyone they see wearing a military uniform. My son Wayne Jr. who has autism is now passionate about doing this, in the malls or on the street he will shake the service person hand and thank them for there service.
This country was founded on Christian principles all of the higher institutions of learning (Harvard , Yale)were founded by Christians. What institutions of higher learning were founded by Islam? Radical Islamism wants to kill us and our media makes light of where we came from as a nation.
Network television programs like the “Law and Order” series have for years made light of Christians and made us look like radicals or hypocrites. I am not denying that we Christian are far from perfect. Because we Christians, aren’t perfect but there those of us who are trying to live in this world and not of this world.
I spent eleven years as a media correspondent with my own program and felt the hand of the liberal agenda with it’s mantra “If it bleeds it leads” toward the end of my media career I felt like a whore. Doing what made the ratings and not what I felt was right.
The Bible is very clear that nobody will know when the world will end. Jesus said in Matthew 25: 13, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes." In Matthew 24:44 he says, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes." As my mother has put it, I don't know when Jesus will come, but I know when he will not come—when somebody says he will. Anytime somebody says they know when Jesus will come again is calling Jesus a liar.
So let's stop playing church and be the body of Christ. Let's stop be ashamed and stand up proclaim his Name. Let's show the media and there liberal agenda that we are Christians. Onward Christian Soldiers!!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Let Freedom Ring!!!
I know we are facing a serious financial environment in the United States. Gas prices our extremely high, the unemployment rate is still very high and home foreclosures are still occurring at an alarming rate. We have areas of our country that have been devastated by tornados leaving hundreds dead and thousands of people homeless.
But with that said, I am amazed at what is happening in the middle-east and its citizens taking to the streets and demanding freedom. There is something blowing the wind and there is a craving for more self determination in a part of the world that just a few years ago we could not even imagine.
The dictatorial leaders are finding their hold on power to be tenuous at best. I have a friend who has lived in that area of the worlds for more than thirty years. He has worked as an instructor in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, working with the Saudi military.
He told me that the young people of the middle-east have become aware of the freedoms that the rest of the world and want the same. The reason for the unrest can be directly contributed to the technological advancements specifically the internet.
No longer can events be kept undercover with the instant access to the World Wide Web. We as a country have a true opportunity to play serious role in a power shift. I know that we must move cautiously and be certain we have a comprehensive approach to these events. But there is a new reality in the world and it’s one that we must play a major role.
Granted we must take care to not give the militants an opportunity to circumvent the process and turn these countries into enemies of the United States. Because these people our screaming for freedom and this is an opportunity to make a difference. We need to be certain that also we help our friends in Israel because this thing could turn into and anti-Israel very quickly should we not be at the table.
But the damn has broken and change is inevitable what the change will look like is the sixy-four thousand dollar question.
But with that said, I am amazed at what is happening in the middle-east and its citizens taking to the streets and demanding freedom. There is something blowing the wind and there is a craving for more self determination in a part of the world that just a few years ago we could not even imagine.
The dictatorial leaders are finding their hold on power to be tenuous at best. I have a friend who has lived in that area of the worlds for more than thirty years. He has worked as an instructor in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, working with the Saudi military.
He told me that the young people of the middle-east have become aware of the freedoms that the rest of the world and want the same. The reason for the unrest can be directly contributed to the technological advancements specifically the internet.
No longer can events be kept undercover with the instant access to the World Wide Web. We as a country have a true opportunity to play serious role in a power shift. I know that we must move cautiously and be certain we have a comprehensive approach to these events. But there is a new reality in the world and it’s one that we must play a major role.
Granted we must take care to not give the militants an opportunity to circumvent the process and turn these countries into enemies of the United States. Because these people our screaming for freedom and this is an opportunity to make a difference. We need to be certain that also we help our friends in Israel because this thing could turn into and anti-Israel very quickly should we not be at the table.
But the damn has broken and change is inevitable what the change will look like is the sixy-four thousand dollar question.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Where Have All The flowers Gone?
In less than three days the city of Louisville has experienced the shooting of two children and the death of a fourteen year old. Unfortunately the three year old child has also died as result of being shot in the head while his family was visiting friends. We still have 10 year girl who is recovering for her wounds.
It is only May and this year is becoming the year of the child and not in a good way. We are killing and maiming our children. There is a culture of violence that permeates our society. We have become numb to the senseless death and mayhem that occurs in or city.
There are neighborhoods where crime and illegal activity has become a normal part of everyday life. There was a time when this type of activity was not allowed to be so openly conducted in our communities, but that has changed.
We have become so complacent that now we see our children being sacrificed because we don’t want to get involved. Most of these violent activities occur, because we have become use to the drug dealing and other types of illegal activity. We turn our heads and look the other way, we don’t want to be the one who stands up and take a stand.
But who is looking out for our children if none of us are willing to do the right thing? Who are the role-models? Who do they emulate as the way adult should act?
The late Michael Jackson said best in his iconic song “The Man In The Mirror”:
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
O.K. Louisville it’s time to make that change, If really want to save our children.
It is only May and this year is becoming the year of the child and not in a good way. We are killing and maiming our children. There is a culture of violence that permeates our society. We have become numb to the senseless death and mayhem that occurs in or city.
There are neighborhoods where crime and illegal activity has become a normal part of everyday life. There was a time when this type of activity was not allowed to be so openly conducted in our communities, but that has changed.
We have become so complacent that now we see our children being sacrificed because we don’t want to get involved. Most of these violent activities occur, because we have become use to the drug dealing and other types of illegal activity. We turn our heads and look the other way, we don’t want to be the one who stands up and take a stand.
But who is looking out for our children if none of us are willing to do the right thing? Who are the role-models? Who do they emulate as the way adult should act?
The late Michael Jackson said best in his iconic song “The Man In The Mirror”:
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
O.K. Louisville it’s time to make that change, If really want to save our children.
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