I Had a Dream

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and delivered his famous I Had a Dream speech. It was a rousing and lengthy speech about race relations in our Nation at that time. The words Dr. King spoke were of hope, that our Nation would overcome the prejudices of racial tension and turmoil that were present during that time. One sentence, which has stuck with me through my years, from when I was a child who listened to this speech, was; I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
http://www.juntosociety.com/hist_speeches/mlkihad.html

As a small boy, I was very taken by this man and his speech. I consider him one the heroes in my life. From the day of that speech, I tried to live my life, with that philosophy in mind. When I found myself beginning to think racial bias, I would remember Dr. King’s words and do my best, to see the good and potential in a person, instead of racist hate. This was not easy since my upbringing came from a very racially prejudiced family. Over the years, I have forged many a friendship from all racial backgrounds. But, a case that is in front of the Supreme Court makes me shudder in the belief that we could be returning to those dark days of racial strife. That case involves the New Haven Connecticut Fire Department.

I have researched through the internet to obtain various opinions on this case. I am very disturbed with the sharp contrast in beliefs from a Left Wing Website or Blogger and a Right Wing. I guess that is natural but, it appears no one remembers the days where rioting was a common event and protest marches were part of the evening news. Through the years we, as a Nation, appear to have eclipsed the barriers of racial bias. The fact, that we have elected the first African American President, stands as testimony to this fact.

I implore the Supreme Court, to make the decision necessary, to keep this country from sliding back down the slippery slope of quotas and racial bias. If these Justices fail to do so, the words of a dream, from a very famous and wise activist, will fade and become meaningless in a time, where so much as been achieved.

That’s how I see it.

Afghanistan - Bananastan

On January 26, 1972, A Motion Picture titled The Hot Rock was released to theaters in the USA. This movie starred Robert Redford, George Segal and a host of well known actors of that day including the acclaimed stage and screen actor Zero Mostel. In short, the movie was about four (4) guys who steal a diamond from a Museum. There are so many mishaps in doing this that they have to steal it a few more times during the course of the movie. In the end, Robert Redford is able to finally claim the prize when he obtains the gem from a Hypnotized Safety Deposit Box Concierge by using the code word Afghanistan – Bananastan. There is a lot more to the movie. But, you will just have to see it for yourself.

Though, for President Obama, there is no secret password to solve the problem that faces our Nation with Afghanistan and Pakistan. After the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, came crashing to the ground from terrorist attacks, the Taliban Leadership in Afghanistan spoke out and claimed responsibility along with the Terrorist Group called Al-Qaida. We soon began Military Action in Afghanistan to uproot and destroy the Taliban, Al-Qaida and to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden, the founder and Leader of the terrorist group. Unfortunately, the previous Administration of George W. Bush, which was in power when the attack took place, decided to fight a War with Iraq. This war was based on the threat that Saddam Hussein, the Leader of this Middle Eastern Country, had acquired Weapons of Mass Destruction. In particular, Nuclear Weapons. This proved to be false. Whether the Intelligence information, provided by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), was negligent or the Bush Administration, deliberately circulated false information to justify the war with Iraq, has yet to be determined. But, the transference of Military Assets from Afghanistan to Iraq allowed the Taliban to regroup and become a power once again to be reckoned with not only in Afghanistan but, in Pakistan as well.


Now, President Obama, along with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, must join forces and find a way to once again turn back or destroy the Taliban and disrupt the Al-Qaida organization as much as possible. The Nuclear Arsenal of Pakistan hangs in the balance. Of course for the United States, it means bringing Military Action to a close in Iraq and shift all resources back to an area most Americans believe the fighting should have taken place all along.

How Pakistan’s and Afghanistan’s Military, respond with US support, still remains to be seen. But, more than Military action will be needed to ensure that, once the Taliban and Al-Qaida are disrupted or destroyed, their ability to recruit members and regroup as a force will be eliminated. Hopefully, these three leaders, along with help from many of our allies around the world, can bring the changes needed to succeed in what could become another long and dragged out campaign. A campaign that will surely be spent, not only with Billions of American dollars but, thousands of American lives as well.

That's how I see it.

From My Cold Dead Hands

On May 20, 2000, then National Rifle Association President Charlton Heston, made a speech in front of a large audience at the 129th NRA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. The following are the closing remarks from that speech;
For the next six months, [presidential candidate and Vice President of the United States] Al Gore is going to smear you as the enemy. He will slander you as gun-toting, knuckle-dragging, bloodthirsty maniacs who stand in the way of a safer America. Will you remain silent? I will not remain silent. If we are going to stop this, then it is vital to every law-abiding gun owner in America to register to vote and show up at the polls on Election Day.

Heston paused to pick up a replica of a Revolutionary War musket, and continued

As we set out this year to defeat the divisive forces that would take freedom away, I want to say those words again for everyone within the sound of my voice to hear and to heed, and especially for you, Mr. Gore: 'From my cold, dead hands!'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_my_cold,_dead_hands



Charlton Heston, Actor, Political Activist and Four (4) Term President of the National Rifle Association, passed away on April 5, 2007 at the age of 84. So, he was not able to respond when, then Democratic Presidential Primary Candidate Barack Obama was quoted at a fundraiser in San Francisco; 'It's not surprising ... they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them, or anti- immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations,' referring to small town voters in the state of Pennsylvania.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/usa/features/article_1399675.php

Today, in 2009, the topic of Gun Control is once again appearing on the Horizon. The Gun Control Lobby is pushing hard for President Obama, to make significant movement, in the direction of banning Assault Weapons and if they had their way, all weapons. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence was originated to advocate for this cause. On March 30, 1981, James Brady was shot and paralyzed during an assassination attempt against then President Ronald Reagan. The following are the first two (2) paragraphs from the website;
http://www.bradycampaign.org/about/jimandsarahbio.php


James S. Brady achieved a lifelong career goal with his appointment by President Ronald Reagan in January of 1981 to be Assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary. However, his service was interrupted on March 30, 1981, when John Hinckley attempted to assassinate the President, and shot both President Reagan, Mr. Brady, and two law enforcement officers. Although seriously wounded by the gunshot wound to the head, Mr. Brady remained the White House Press Secretary until the end of the Reagan Administration.
Since leaving the White House, Mr. Brady has spent much time lobbying with his wife Sarah, Chair of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (formerly Handgun Control), for stronger gun laws. On November 30, 1993, President Clinton signed the "Brady Bill" - a bill named in Mr. Brady's honor - into law. The Brady law required a five-day waiting period and background check on all handgun purchases through licensed dealers. Mr. Brady also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence (formerly the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence), the Brady Campaign's sister organization, which is a 501 (3)(c) organization working to reduce gun violence through education, research, and legal advocacy. In addition, Mr. Brady serves as Vice Chairman of the National Brain Injury Foundation as well as the Vice Chairman of the National Organization on Disability.

I bring all of these facts to light to show what powerful lobbyists are dueling in this issue. No matter what statistics either side brings to the table, the discussion is about changing one of the very foundations of our nation. The Right to Bear Arms.

The following is from the Cornell University Law School website titled The Constitution; http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

To me looking at this Amendment, it appears rather vague, allowing significant latitude in its interpretation. Maybe it was written that way for a purpose. The purpose being that this right was and could be needed to keep our Republic safe from all enemies, Foreign and Domestic. But, I do believe our Nations Founding Fathers anticipated and had the foresight to see, that times and Society could change at some point in the future, where this Freedom will still stand strong but, tempered for the good of the Nation. I believe they knew this Basic Right will always hold true, the core beliefs, of what made our Nation the leader in the World today.

I believe in the Right and freedom to Bear Arms, as well as, every right and law in our Constitution. I have not nor has any member of my family been involved with any type of incident where Guns were involved. I hope that life is kind enough to me to keep it that way. But, if it is not, I hope I will remain true to my core beliefs. That is, I do not believe that shredding any of these rights is justified, no matter what statistics or outright facts are proven.

So, I implore President Obama, use wisdom in your quest for Gun Control. I am not as educated as you but if we put tighter Regulation on Gun Manufacturing along with Traceability and more responsible Gun Ownership Laws, I believe we can obtain the means necessary to effectively manage the use of All Weaponry, without sacrificing any rights. Here’s a suggestion for starters. Make all firearms like automobiles. Their Serial numbers go into a Federal Registry along with a print of the Ballistic make up of that weapon. Make altering a weapon to hide its identity a crime. I have many more suggestions but, I think you get the idea.

Gun Control is a Hot Button issue that I believe surpasses Healthcare, Gay Marriage, Abortion Rights or even the Economy. My message to President Obama is this; you will always be remembered for tearing down the Racial Barrier and becoming our Nations first African American President. Please do not let your legacy be tarnished by becoming the only President that stirred a Revolution. You see, I am afraid the Revolution I am referring to, may not necessarily be fought in the Voting Booth.


That's how I see it.

With Liberty and Justice and Healthcare for All

At the end of our Pledge of Allegiance, we say with liberty and justice for all. For way to many Americans, Healthcare is added to this Wish List. The following is a reprint from the website: WWW.healthcareproblems.org/health-care-statistics.htm . The information is spelled out much clearer and understandable than I could have done.
Healthcare is one of the top social and economic problems facing Americans today. The rising cost of medical care and health insurance is impacting the livelihood of many Americans in one way or another. The inability to pay for necessary medical care is no longer a problem affecting only the uninsured, but is increasingly becoming a problem for those with health insurance as well.
Nearly 50 million Americans do not have health insurance, while another 25 million are underinsured.
The amount people pay for health insurance increased 30 percent from 2001 to 2005, while income for the same period of time only increased 3 percent, as reported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The typical family health insurance plan costs $12,000 a year or more.
Healthcare expenditures in the United States exceed $2 trillion a year. In comparison, the federal budget is $3 trillion a year.
The underinsured are those who have health insurance but still struggle to pay their healthcare bills. Many of them are faced with rising health care premiums, deductibles, and copayments, as well as limits on coverage for various services or other limits and excluded services that can increase out-of-pocket expenses. The following statistics were part of a study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund and recently published in the online version of the Health Affairs journal.
The number of people who are underinsured has grown 60 percent to 25 million over the past four years.
The fastest growing segment of the underinsured are middle and upper income families. The rate of underinsured for those with incomes of $40,000 or more nearly tripled, to 11 percent.
The highest rate of underinsurance is in families with incomes under the poverty level (about $20,000), at 31 percent.

HealthPac Online publishes the following: The United States is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not have a universal health care system. Source: Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences
These are pretty grim statistics for a country that promotes patriotism, freedom and a willingness to die for our country. Is it to much to ask for our country to give us a little more in return?


When I researched the reasons, for our Healthcare System to be the way it is, I was appalled at my findings. Conservative Democrats as well as Republicans, continually through the years, have stonewalled and kept the Average American Citizen from a Comprehensive Healthcare System. This is a disgrace when you consider that our Politicians, enjoy Healthcare benefits for life, once they have achieved Office. The belief of Capitalism and Free Trade, touted by Lobbyists and Politicians from both parties, with ties to the Healthcare industry, have used their influences to obtain their wealth and financial well being at the expense of Lives of American Citizen’s. I believe, this is reprehensible and calls for an uprising in this Country against our Political System that holds us hostage from what should be considered, an inalienable right to us.

I call upon the Obama Administration to take the lead and finally, put to rest, the Healthcare issue in this Country. We make sure Militarily, Economically and Socially, we are second to none. I implore all our Politicians, from both parties, to do the same for Healthcare. I believe the American People are fed up and want this issue resolved or maybe the next revolution will go beyond the Voting Booth.

That’s how I see it.

Somalia is not Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera written by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan in 1879. In 1981, this opera opened on Broadway in New York City and received a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award during its tenure of 787 performances. On April 30, 2009 Richard Phillips, Captain of the American Flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Senator John F. Kerry (D) MA. Captain Phillips did not describe musicals or swashbuckling fun for all. Instead, he gave a riveting testimony about his ordeal when, Pirates from the nation of Somalia, took control of his ship in the waters near the Gulf of Aden in the Indian Ocean. Among the suggestions Captain Phillips had to offer, to combat the problem with Piracy was, more Military presence in the area around the Somalia Coastline, along with armed Security Forces on board the Cargo Ships themselves. These were part of the discussion of deterrents to a growing problem in that part of the world. Enhancing Ship design and more proactive anti-piracy training for the ships crews were also of mention. One main point stuck out among all of the suggestions. This is an International problem. No one country has the answer. All countries from the industrialized world must come together to collaborate and find a workable solution to this matter. Military action could result in an immediate abatement of the problem but, if economic needs still exist, the Pirates would find a way to adapt to the new threat to their livelihood and resume the practice. A long term solution, to address the core issue that breeds this type of behavior, must be developed and implemented if, Piracy is to be minimized or defeated. This brings us to ask the question; are the problems in Somalia indicative of the problems all third world countries face today? My opinion would be yes.

I realize, with the recovery of today’s economy taking place, the call to help third world countries will fall understandably on deaf ears. But, once we find ourselves on the road to prosperity again, we and all industrialized nations throughout Europe, Asia and in some areas of South America need to do what we can to bring all less fortunate nations to the table of economic and social stability. To do so would benefit all of us, in the long run, as we try to live together on this rock we call mother earth.


The ideals of raising a family and making life better for our children do not change just because of where we live. But, how we accomplish these ideals, in the matter of moral, social and economic frameworks will determine the direction and eventual events that will affect all of us on this planet. This is why I believe, it would be to the advantage of all of us who are more fortunate and privileged, to do what we can as a Society to embrace all that are not as fortunate. A person may still become a Terrorist because of his personal idealism. This cannot be stopped. But, if a person turns to Terrorism, Piracy or Drug Dealing because there is no other option to make a better life for his or herself or family, then we are all just as guilty of the crime. By keeping all that we find ourselves privileged to, away from those who may not be as fortunate, will have to bear the fruits of hatred and disdain. What a shame to have to suffer when we are all capable of so much better. All we need to do is reach out, care and help.

That’s how I see it.

From Securities Investment to Investment in Border Security

Before I will begin an article, I roam the blogosphere and read the many writings from my fellow bloggers. From learning things or situations I knew nothing about to obtaining inspiration for writing of my own; it is an activity that brings me great enjoyment in my quest for knowledge and personal growth. (Boy! Isn’t that profound?) Yesterday, I read an article from a fellow blogger http://www.republicanremix.com/. It was a short but, to the point article about the War on Drugs. (As Titled) When I thought about this topic I realized, this could be an opportunity to help improve our economy, without continuing to pour money into banks that were still not performing as they should. Now, I’ll bet your thinking I am leading into legalizing the Drug Trade. I would never consider such a thing. However, I do believe more latitude in the use of Marijuana would not hurt. No, I am not a Cannabis advocate. However, I have been known to delve into volatile liquid substances from time to time but, I will reserve that for another article. I am talking about fighting the War on Drugs by securing our Borders. I believe we could benefit greatly by investing less in Securities, (Banks) and investing more into Border Security.

In the final months of the George W. Bush Administration, the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) was started. This program, which is continuing into the President Barack Obama Administration, is pumping as much as a Trillion Dollars into our economy through Banks. When I researched the industries involved with securing our Borders, I realized almost every facet of our economy could be enhanced. I believe, more so, than what the Banks have been able to provide. In fact, the Banks would have probably benefited better if done this way. Let me explain.

If, not only us but, every country in the world, effectively secured their Borders, the first improvement in the World Economy would be through Employment. Let’s face it, regardless of how advanced our technologies are, people will always be the key to success. Now, with employment on the rise, Foreclosures drop dramatically. Purchasing of everyday items, such as food and clothing, rise. This alone, makes most businesses thrive and the Banks are getting the money flow they need to keep the economy going. Families have money to spend on extras, such as eating at Restaurants or obtaining additional purchases to make life easier. This cycle continues like a wheel where as the economy gets better so, does Employment, etc., etc.

Now, let us look at what it takes to secure the Borders. Understand, I am not advocating the Big Brother Concept, but, surveillance, Transportation, Infrastructure such as buildings, (Halliburton would love that) possibly Firearms, (NRA would be giddy over this) and even Private Sector Security (Blackwater, USA is ready) would thrive. The Wheel I mentioned above gets bigger. Let alone the fact; Drugs, Illegal Immigration and the pursuit of Terrorism would be more manageable. I could go on and on but, I believe the thrust of my conversation is being understood.

So, it seems to me, with a little fore thought we, as well as other countries, could be making investments that would have multiple benefits and probably resolve a lot more of our Social and Economic issues more quickly and efficiently, than pumping money into Banks. Of course, I am just looking at this as a Regular Joe. I just hope our elected officials are looking at all of this and taking stock of what they are doing, before all the money runs out.

That’s how I see it.

To Be Supreme

Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice David Souter announced his retirement from the bench, at the end of this Court Session. He is considered to be part of the Liberal Wing of the Supreme Court. I always found the designation of Liberal Wing or Conservative Wing to a Supreme Court Justice to be unsettling since, political views were not to be considered by a Judge, when rendering a decision. As I grew up, I was taught that, the courts were to be devoid of political partisanship and were to make judgments based on the interpretations of the Written Laws standing. Other than for the 2000 Presidential Election, I still believe that today. I have found once, a person has been nominated and confirmed to the highest court in our land, they will make judgments based on Written Law without much of a slant to their personal political beliefs. This, I believe, is a good thing.

Now the Right Wing of our Political World is already jockeying, trying to figure out who President Obama will select and how they can vote down the appointee. I cannot condemn them for this because the Left Wing would be doing the same thing if the roles were reversed. What I believe hurts the Right Wing is their inability to focus on what they stand for. The GOP is in such internal turmoil that it is doubtful they will be able to provide a suitable argument against an Obama appointee unless, the pick is so outrageous, the American People will object. The GOP stands to look as obstructionists and trying to undermine the present Administration. This, in turn, will make the American People continue to look away from them.

For the Right Wing, I do not have an answer other than find your message, stick to your message and try to gain back the confidence you have lost from the American People. For the Left Wing, you have an opportunity, with more sure to come. Make sure of your choices and pick those who will use the Written Law to decide court cases. Not Political Agenda to favor a Party Goal. So far, I believe, the Supreme Court has basically remained that way. Let’s keep it so.

That’s how I see it.