Tag: civil rights

Opinion

Chaos in America

Despite chaos being pushed from the Oval Office the country continues to respect it’s citizens and their vote. Lies and liars do not dominate our country yet. We have to push on to Inauguration Day despite the pandemic, armed citizens harassing officials to get their way, and an array of threats to decency in our republic. The Republican Party is in trouble and if enough people vote for them without forcing a correction; the problem will metastasize to destroy the country as we know it. Joe Biden has been elected to fill the breach, but he will need all the help he can get. Every American must research, prepare, and act to protect the United States Constitution and our rights as citizens. “The vote is our most powerful non-violent tool” said John Lewis, and he was right. In my book “Centurion Crew (a great gift idea available at Amazon) a group of patriots battle to save the republic from evil, but this is reality and the heroes are the majority of us; if we are to be saved.

Books, Review

Book Review: Overground Railroad by Candacy Taylor

Overground Railroad by Candacy Taylor is a book well worth your time if you have interest in modern American history or Black history. The book tells the story of the Green Book guide which told African-Americans traveling from the 1930s to the 1960s where they could go with some level of safety. Targeting and degrading Black people was a legal and prominent feature of American society before the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The knowledge provided by the Green Book allowed Black travelers to maintain some dignity while protecting themselves and their families. The stories of Black entrepreneurs who started hotels, restaurants, and other businesses to serve their people are inspiring and tie directly into the Civil Rights movement and future progress. A lot of people helped to create the progress in civil rights and dignified treatment for all people that we strive for. Obviously there is a lot more to be done before we approach even reasonable equality of opportunity. Targeted aggression and degrading of Black people continues, but Ms. Taylor is a fighter who shares her plans and suggestions for achieving a better day in the book. The author brilliantly connects current events to history before concluding the book with a listing of historical Green Book sites.

Opinion

Deserved Government

Recent and upcoming elections have underlined that we the people receive the government that we deserve. I don’t mean that every individual is receiving what they deserve, but as the American electorate we do. Georgia is voting on two senate seats with the two incumbents both being accused of insider trading of stocks based on information they received as representatives of the people. The people of Georgia will determine whether the incumbents return despite what would be criminal acts if they were not US Senators. Why would our representatives not be corrupt if the public will not hold them accountable? We are hopefully leaving the time of Trump where lies and absurdities were accepted and routine because the majority of voters said; enough! We are entering a new period where we will discover whether or not some people are above the law. We are becoming an unstable country because there are too many hidden agendas weakly concealed by lies. Republicans seem to believe they will be better off if their fellow citizens are controlled or diminished, and they are willing to accept disrespect for themselves to get it. The Republican Southern Strategy has delivered a toxicity of racism and hatred that is destroying our democracy. We have all been diminished by this belief-system and we must confront and outvote this poison in our country.

Opinion

Is it Pardon season?

Donald Trump has started a new round of dealing out pardons to co-conspirators, and criminals who are friends. Trump may even try to pardon himself before he is done with his term and try to make his run to 2024 and a second term. Trump will try to convince voters that he is being attacked if anyone tries to hold him accountable for his actions. Agent Orange will try to create fear in the new administration with threats of violence by his followers if anyone attempts to enforce the rule of law. 2021 must be a time of courage and fortitude by the Biden administration, Congress, and relevant state attorneys general if America is to have a future. Trump cannot be allowed to place himself above the law and return to the presidency as an autocratic agent of chaos, fascism, or a foreign power. Every American who stood up for the republic, and has not brought into the lies dispensed by pro-Trump media must push for equal enforcement of the rule of law. Think of what it will mean if future presidents are able to ignore Congress, the courts, and promise pardons to their co-conspirators if caught. The next months will determine the future and current strength of our republic. Research what you can do to hold your representatives and the powerful accountable; act to protect your civil rights!

Opinion

Will the Republic hold?

We are experiencing the unthinkable. A president is actively working to overthrow the will of the people as expressed in an election with several Republican officials supporting him. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called the Republican Georgia Secretary of State to push using his power to throw Democratic votes away. Trump is soliciting state legislators to overthrow their elections and appoint electors to pick him and not Biden who won. Trump has been referred to as the poster boy for White privilege because he has gotten away with so much criminality and corruption. The world is watching at a story that is not about one man, it is about a nation at war with itself. Is our republic important enough to the majority of Americans to be maintained in the face of Trump’s assault, or is white supremacy more valued? We have failed many tests in the last five years; allowing Trump to emerge as a politician based on the racist Birther lie, not scrutinizing his finances, electing him despite numerous red flags, etc. Americans rose up to stop the madness in the election of 2020; leading to another period of anxiety as we watch Republicans fail to care about decency or the republic. The outcome is not clear, but this cannot go on forever, so think of ways to empower people who represent your values and respect our votes.

Opinion

The search for Equality in America

Joe Biden’s election to the presidency and how people voted is telling. More than 72 million people voted for Trump despite 4 years of watching his corruption, incompetence, racism, and lying. People of color claim they want systemic inequality removed and a chance to develop wealth. I define equality as an equal chance to be successful with dignity and respect for everyone. No one discusses the other side’s view of our society; Republicans say they do not want universal healthcare or other equalizing policies, and do not recognize unequal treatment based on race or ethnicity. The question for America is; are we committed to liberty and justice for all, or will enough Americans buy into an authoritarian style government as long as it preserves white supremacy? 77 million plus citizens voted to continue the American experiment and strive toward a more perfect union. We have not resolved the question of our future course as a nation yet, but the Biden administration will be significant in predicting our future.

Opinion

Warriors not Worriers

Time has almost expired for everyone who recognizes the threat of Trump, to confront your concern with a plan. Scientist say that some are born with a genetic predisposition to worry, but these worriers can change by modifying their behavior. Making a plan and working that plan when confronted by fear or anxiety can change a worrier into a warrior. Warriors are not just those who go off to fight in war, they are people who use their minds and determination to overcome adversity or challenge. People like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fanny Lou Hamer, Gandhi, John Lewis and others are examples of those who did not use violence, but their minds and abilities to turn fear or despair into hope. We see examples of warriors today in people like Stacey Abrams, Lebron James, and Alicia Garza. Become a warrior for truth and justice; as John Lewis said make “Good Trouble” and stand up when you see wrong. The election of 2020 is just the first step in a long road to save humanity and the environment that makes our civilization possible. Everyday citizens will have to get engaged and stay that way with the determination to not just be bystanders. If you have not already voted, plan your vote and be prepared for resistance, but do not give up on your rights or your voice.

Opinion

Louisville, Kentucky

I am still recovering from the results of the Grand Jury in Louisville and what it means to the rest of us. We have laws that say we can defend our homes from invasion by outsiders, but most of the witnesses say the police did not identify themselves in a late night raid. Only one witness of thirteen said he heard the police identify themselves. One officer was spotted with a body camera, but official reports say there was not one. The officers that carried out the no-knock warrant were not the same ones who investigated the case. The casual errors leading to a major catastrophic event are not excusable and the people of Louisville deserve a full accounting of how a citizen was killed. The officers should be held accountable for any behaviors that led to loss of life just like any other citizen. As a society we cannot have super citizens or lesser citizens. The protection and jeopardy of the law should always be predicated on transparency and truth. Vote in 2020 to strengthen decency and truth! Like the heroes of my book Centurion Crew (available on Amazon) act to protect our republic.

Opinion

Millennial voters

There is a lot of reporting that millennial voters are not motivated about the upcoming elections. I hope the reporting is incorrect because no group will be impacted more than younger citizens. The continuation of our republic, civil rights, economic growth, climate policy, healthcare policy, and infrastructure development are all on the ballot. If America makes the wrong choice in 2020 there will be a series of unfortunate events accelerating the demise of decent culture and civilization. If you know a millennial or are one; make sure you share the importance of voting with someone who is struggling with priorities and choices. The choice this year is clear and stark. Vote in 2020 like your life depended on it; it does!

Opinion

Michelle Obama is right!

I watched Michelle Obama speak tonight and I was amazed at her accuracy in describing our predicament and our challenge. Americans must define themselves and get rid of Trump and the Republican majority in the senate. The future of our nation and the world depends on this election. Trump threatens to not leave the White House if he loses while attacking the US postal service with no evidence. As outrageous and threatening to the republic as Trump is; his threat to the climate is the final nail in the coffin of our human future on the planet. He wants to remove restrictions on methane leaks from oil exploration that major oil companies say are important to fighting climate change. Trump has repeatedly shown that he is ignorant, does not care about humanity, and thrives on casual cruelty. Trump says outrageous things and acts like he is running a criminal organization rather than a government. If America does not rebuke the abomination of his presidency we will be damning ourselves in more ways than one. Please vote like the future and your life depends on it because they do. Research and vote Democrat up and down the ballot in 2020!