Mayday on the Front Line

This picture serves as a “Double Edge Sword” because on one hand it cuts through the callousness of the heart; showing that when push comes to shove, regardless of race, Americans will protect each other. On the other hand, this picture shreds through the notion that our government gives a damn about our troops. When we have civilians standing guard for our troops because they are not allowed to carry firearms, it’s a sad day for America. The same soldiers who carried a M16 A-2 service rifle for the good of mankind; cannot carry a firearm for their own survival, how does that work?

To add injure to insult, the Department of Defense cowardly demands recruiting centers not only to stay unarmed, and unguarded but also not to wear their uniforms! If not wearing a uniform will de-escalate the attacks on our military, why didn’t that strategy work for the Iraq army, which had uniforms of sweat pants and flip flops? People have asked me what I thought about Donald Trump’s comments regarding John McCain being a hero and my answer was, “Donald’s comments were just as absurd as the Department of Defense telling our valiant soldiers to not wear their uniforms.” Last time I checked, Americans don’t tuck their tails and run. We didn’t become a great nation by allowing foreign or domestic threats to alter, dictate or intimidate our culture; much less, diminish our resolve.

What the Department of Defense and Commander-in -Chief have failed to realize is that Americans have a limit! We can only be pushed back so far with your politically correct campaigns, your water downed version of war, with a hostile enemy on American soil. If the statement, “Where there is a will, there is a way” is correct, you will find that the will of the American People has always risen to epic proportions when as a nation, our backs our pushed against the wall; if you don’t believe me, keep pushing. 

It's time to clean the backyard!

I feel compelled to share a story with you that still bring a giggle to my face. As a teen-ager, my brother and I would make some extra dough by cutting my uncle’s grass every week. Who needed a part-time job, with an uncle paying $50-$100 dollars, just for cutting his grass? One morning my brother and I woke up and went directly over to our uncle’s house to cut his yard but in the process, we bypassed our own yard needing to be cut. We walked about 4 blocks before my uncle pulled up in his car and told us to that our granny said, “Mo Back”. Since we didn’t know what Mo Back meant, we said, “What?” My uncle said in a loud voice, “Granny said to come back.” The lesson we learned that day was, “Take care of home before you take care else where.” We also learned what the phrase Mo Back meant; which was, come on back.

I sit and wonder at times if America could stand to hear the phrase, “Mo Back.” As a nation we appear to be highly motivated to assist Ukraine; while at home, we have doctors treating people for cancer who are perfectly well; it’s time to Mo Back. We have taking the lead in sending troops to Afghanistan in order to fight terrorist; while at home, we have unarmed solders being killed by terrorist; it’s time to Mo Back. As a nation we have sent troops to Iraq to implement democracy; while at home we struggle with acknowledging racism and social injustices taking place nation wide; it’s time to Mo Back. We assist in Egypt with massive airstrikes due to hundreds of people being killed but at home, we have policemen terminated black life for misdemeanors; it’s time to Mo Back.  

I’m not a rocket scientist but it would seem logical that a country would want to first establish at home what they’re attempting to implement abroad. Here’s an idea, why don’t America restore the trust of the American people in politicians? How about this one, establish a government that works for the people who elect them, instead of people working for the officials they’ve elected? As for a war against Isis and the Taliban; if we are not winning at home, what makes us believe we can win in the Middle East? It’s time for America to come on home, while there is still a home to come home to.

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

As you looked at the picture of the dead mouse caught in a trap; you’re probably wondering, “Where are you going with this one?” Well as soon as I read an article from the Washington Post titled, “From A First Drug Arrest To A Life Sentence”, I thought about a mouse problem I had at my home. After discovering that we had a mouse running around the house, I went and brought a couple of mouse traps and set them in the corners of the kitchen. Little did that mouse know that when he came out to hunt, there was a trap already set for his demise. It was sorta like “Trading Places”, because the mouse that was out hunting for food became the prey of the trap I already set! What irony, the hunter became the hunted. That leads me to my next question;  

What’s the chance of an American citizen, who’s a first time, non violent offender, to serve a LWOP (Life with-out parole) sentence for a nonviolent crime? The chance is a reality if you’re Sharanda Jones. In 1999, a federal judge sentenced her to life in prison after her conviction on a single cocaine offense.  For the past 16 years, Ms. Jones has been housed at Carswell federal prison in Fort Worth for a cocaine conspiracy conviction. Maybe Sharanda Jones caught the wrong judge with the wrong case, at the wrong time; which would explain this ridiculous sentence. I wish that was the case but the cold reality of the matter is, there’s a common theme with African Americans and LWOP sentences for non-violent crimes; Blacks catch the blunt end of the sentences.

Estimates show that nationwide, 65.4 percent of prisoners serving LWOP for non-violent offenses are Black, 17.8 percent are White and 15.7 are Latino. Need more? The percentage of Black prisoners serving LWOP for non-violent offenses is 78.5 percent in Mississippi, 68.2 percent in South Carolina, 60.4 percent in Florida, and 57.1 percent in Oklahoma. (Statistics gathered by the A.C.L.U.)

A quote from the late 2Pac sums it up best; “Use your brain, use your brain; it aint them that’s killing us, it’s us that’s killing us, it aint them that’s knocking us off, it’s us that’s knocking us off. I’m telling you, betta watch it, or be a victim, be a victim in this white man’s world.” 2Pac- White Man’z World

If I could talk with "Laura"

Dear “Laura”,

As I read about your story I felt compelled to reach out to you. Maybe my motivation for reaching out to you comes from the similarities in our upbringing. I was raised by my grandparents as well and I too believed that my parents had me before they were ready. Living with anyone other than your parents can make a child feel like they don’t fit in the family; almost like a house guest that over stays their welcome. I guess since 2002, when Belgian legalized euthanasia, there have been 1,400 people a year that feel similar to you. “Laura” we also share another trait, which is depression. For me, it has been a constant fight to maintain my sanity; and that’s with taking medications. I also had a parent who was an alcoholic as well; which led to me being sexually abused by others and that sucked. I understand that you’re 24 years old and in the process of making your funeral arrangements; as well as, your last words to your mother and grandmother.

This is normally where the intervention comes in, attempting to make you see the reasons for living But not this time. The reason people push us past our dark feelings are because they are uncomfortable talking about death and would rather jump straight to life. Even though they mean good, they unintentionally devalue our feelings in order to make them a little more comfortable with helping us. “Laura” once your date for death is set, what do you see as the benefits for ending this life? Do you believe a benefit would be that you would rid yourself of all pain (emotional and physical)? Would a benefit be to not feeling like a failure? How about not being a burden to others, by way of worrying about you? "Laura", while I do empathize with you, I disagree with your statment of, "life, thats not for me." 

"Laura" everything that you and I have went through (Good/Bad) is woven into our being, with the purpose of giving us an opportunity to experience unconditional love from a God who works EVERYTHING out for our good. By the way, the benefits that I listed above are unproven, wishful thoughts that attach themselves to our feelings, to appear as facts when in actuality they are nothing more than opinions. Hope to talk with you later. I love you, in Jesus Name. 

Dr. "Do Wrong" A.K.A. Dr.Farid Fata

As I have started to mature, meaning hit the 40’s, the priority of having good health has moved up. I’m at the age where I need to get a colonoscopy, a prostate exam and a host of vitamin supplements. Even though my health is a concern, I still need a pep talk from my wife in order to get the ball rolling. Right about the time when I’m motivated to make the appointments and put some vacation time in from my work; BAM! A Dr. from Detroit has made over 17 million dollars from diagnosing people with a terminal blood cancer, who didn’t even have cancer! This Dr. was also giving unnecessary infusions or injections and flat out misdiagnosing the rest. Just how many patients did this Dr. Bamboozle? Around 553 patients put their trust in this Dr and fell victim to his web page of labeling him as, “World-Renowned” and “Top Doc”. One patient had been grossly over treated with expensive and harsh chemotherapy; to which he had a testicle removed. Another patient received chemotherapy for 2 ½ years but he didn’t even have cancer. The treatments were so strong that the patient’s teeth fell out of his mouth and his jaw started to change shape. By the way, the Dr. received a sentence of at least 34 years.

As I reflected on this story, and once again became ambivalent to prioritizing my own health; I recalled what the wisest man in the world left for advice. He said, “Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety”. (Proverbs 11:14)

What the wisest man in the world was saying is that an individual is to obtain a wide range of input, opinions and facts before coming to a conclusion and making a final decision. Talk with your spouse, friends, and relatives. Seek much legal advice, get a 2^nd and 3^rd opinion and meet with professionals. Obtain a multitude of published documents, books and findings. NEVER RELY ON THE ADVICE OF ANY ONE DOCTOR, LAWYER OR INTRUCTOR. 

Our Biggest Idols Still Have Feet Of Clay

It appears that this Bill Cosby has made some poor choices; This Bill Cosby quite possibly got away with Date Rape. This Bill Cosby might have got away with rape more than once. This Bill Cosby appeared to have enjoyed sex; so much so, that he was willing to violate his potential sex partner’s rights. It seems that this Bill Cosby allowed his sexual appetite, money and notoriety to over-ride his conscience. But this is the same Bill Cosby that we’ve enjoyed, as he played the role of Cliff Huxtable on the Cosby Show. This is the same Bill Cosby that gave us Fat Albert and the Gang. Let’s not forget, this is the same Bill Cosby, who could make us laugh without the crutch of using foul language.

This Bill Cosby is left with the task of reconciling the young Cosby's indiscretions with the much more poised and diplomatic, older Cosby. As this Cosby reflects on his stance in the past on morality, irresponsible black fathers and lazy single mothers; he will undoubtably wonder why his message was good for the listeners but to no avail for himself. It appears that Cosby falls in line with the rest of us; knowing the difference between right and wrong, but being found deficient in the resolve to not practice the wrong thing. Or just maybe, we have embodied Cosby as his character on the Cosby Show; portraying a loving, funny, functional father, with a functional family and in the process, forgot that he was playing a role. This serves notice to me, signifying that even our biggest idols have feet of clay. 

What are you Plugged into?

For the remainder of this year, I will be working on letting my phone charge completely before I take it off of the charger. I’m notorious for leaving out of the house with half a battery on my phone and expecting it to last for the entire 10 hour shift at work. This usually turns into a scramble at work to find someone who has a charger, so I can get a little juice for the trip home. My wife on the other hand, charges her phone overnight, so that in the morning she has a full battery; that would be too much like right for me because that would take out some of the chaos and scrambling. My logic for not keeping the phone on the charger is that while it’s plugged in, I’m restricted. I can utilize my phone for as long as I want but the cord only stretches so far.

As I thought about my dilemma with the phone, I couldn’t help but to see the correlation between the phone and life. Some of us choose to plug ourselves into sources that don’t and won’t recharge our battery. We plug into a career, believing that it will be able to keep us charged, until the company starts to downsize and one of the positions that’s phasing out is ours. We plug into another person, only to learn that other people aren’t a good power source because they get drained and need to recharge their battery also. Some of us plug into God for a small fraction of time, and wonder why our success over an addiction, attitude or temptation is short lasted.  

The trick is to learn how to stay plugged into your source. You can have the victory over temptations, habits and attitudes BUT it will cost you! You’re probably wondering, “What will the cost be?” The cost for you to stay plugged into your source will be the same as the cost for me to be able to utilize my phone for as long as I want; the cost is, Being Restricted. You won’t be able to stay plugged into your source and freelance wherever you want. It boils down to, how bad do you need to stay plugged in? How much is your victory of depression worth to you? How much is your freedom over destructive appetites worth to you?

A little Faith can go a Long Way!

There is a lot of talk regarding Faith; and to be honest, some people make Faith sound so mystical, when in fact; everyone uses it on a daily basis. I set my alarm for 5am, and that took Faith. I believe and trust that I will continue to sleep unless the alarm goes off. I drive to my job and perform my duties for an entire week, trusting that I will receive a monetary compensation for my work; that is Faith. I usually will come home very hungry and trust that my wife has prepared a meal; that is Faith. Recently I purchased plane tickets to visit my family in Indiana and that took faith because I’m trusting that I will be alive in order to get on that plane next month.

Even criminals utilize Faith because even though their plan is illegal, they have enough trust in the plan, to act upon it, hoping to get the intended results. It takes Faith in order to be a successful prostitute because one has to spend the time getting ready to stand on a street corner, trusting that their clientele will be ready for some action. It takes Faith in order to be a sinner because you have to believe that you will not reap from what you have sown.

How can you tell if you’re applying Faith to your goal? That’s easy; if your current actions are guiding you towards your goal, that is Faith. If your goal is to lose weight but you’re constantly eating fast food, your actions are betraying your goal.

As James said, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead”  James 2:17

This Flag Burning; Should Be the Least of our Worries!

My Fellow Americans,

I speak to you today, not as an author or a person who writes blogs; I come to you as a mailman delivering the mail. The message I bring is that since America has rejected the true and living God, He has rejected you.  America (Babylon) you were humble in your beginnings, you weren’t without sin but you knew from where your help came from. Through your acknowledgment of being under divine blessings, you were favored and given influence further than the eye could see.

But your prosperity has impaired your judgment; intoxicated with pride, you have become a stumbling block instead of a lighthouse for salvation. My priests have drunken from your wells of apostasy, urinating their toxic vile of the Gospel on my people.  America; you have sat on your throne of idolatry for some time and allowed your pride to deceive you.  There has been a room designated for us to sit and reason together but your wealth would not allow you to come. America has become like an inmate on death row; awaiting execution with the only hope of a pardon, coming through repentance. Your military is in need of protection! When the soldiers who protect a country need protection themselves; that country is in trouble! Not only have you bit the hand that has fed you, but as the blood drips from your mouth; you compose a look of being dumbfounded and appalled of your guilt. Your laws have testified against you; having to change the definition of words, to call evil good and good evil!

THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST HOUR IN WHICH TO REPENT, CHANGE YOUR MIND, TURN AROUND, WEEP FOR FORGIVENESS; TURNING YOUR HAUGHTY SMILE INTO A FROWN, SIGNIFYING THAT YOUR SPIRIT IS BROKEN AND CONTRITE. HATE YOURSELVES FOR YOUR UNDOING AND RUN TO ME, WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME.