Nails...

Thanks. I give thanks. Thanks for all that I have. For all that I have become. Looking back on life and its trials, how could one trade their experiences for anything? My tribulations are those things that I have endured which only add to my life's story. I do not wish to be anyone but who I was created to be. I do, however, admire many people for their many talents, abilities, virtues and characteristics. There is greatness in men and women in every corner of the earth. Sometimes, it helps me to embrace these strengths when I feel lacking in any particular area. Presently, I wish to be more patient. Oftentimes I speak or act or even react too quickly. It's only afterwards when pondering the transpired events that I realize that better approaches may have been able to be made. We can apologize for wrongs we commit but we cannot undo nor change what has occurred. That very notion reminds me of the story of the father and the child and the picket fence:

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.”

The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said “I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you.”

“Of course I can,” said the father.

Significant Other, Father, Friend

Good Day All,

For Etrice Gonzalez

Yesterday I posted some preseason NFL tickets for sale online. One of our friends in common expressed interest in those tickets. At first I was going to just simply exchange the money for the tickets until that person told me why she wanted them. The tone of the statement concerned me. After I told her to send me a message containing her telephone number, she further stated the reason she wanted these tickets. She expressed that she and her two sons had been going through a pretty rough time. As of today, it has been 11 days since she lost the closest person to her heart. Her significant other...the father of her children...of all the days in the world - on Father's Day. I'm not a person who is easily emotionally stirred but this situation really hit me especially after just being able to spend time with my beloved daughter whom I could not imagine being eternally separated from. I immediately spoke to a co-worker/friend/confidante who is a minister and at times deals with tragedy. I asked if he knew any way I could raise money for a cause. After pointing me in the right direction I was able to set up a fund specifically for her and her. A fund that would show her that people do care. That many hands make the load light. I know that no amount of money can fill that hole in the heart that has been created by tragic circumstances but as a fellow member of our small family of friends, I thought I could help to make a difference. My goal is to raise enough money to hopefully pay for those tickets, and possibly a meal for her family before or after the game. I will pay for her fuel costs out of my own pocket if I'm capable. I only ask that you give a little and please share the link so that no friends are missed. Again, we are a small family of friends. I have been in similar situations and have received a down-pouring of love from family and friends. This is my opportunity to initiate such feat.

Just hit donate and help out a little. Thanks friends :)

The Villain is Born...

Today marks the day of the birth of Star Wars. It was Memorial Day weekend in 1977. Americans lined up to generate revenues of $461 million in the US and nearly $800 million globally - in 1977! It would become the greatest saga of entertainment history. Often considered the greatest villain of all time, [http://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/the-50-best-movie-villains-of-all-time?pageNumber=5] Darth Vader's iconic appearance and commanding voice [James Earl Jones] has set the bar quite high for entertainment - even 35 years later!

Dear Mr. Obama

Dear Mr. Obama,

I know people forget. We see that especially when the going gets rough. I know that the vote on the Buffet Bill was quite insulting. Maybe we need to give less-rich people more power to clean up corruption - democrat and repiliCONs. Well, again, sometimes people forget what you've done so I thought I'd remind them of just some of your accomplishments:

• Appointed first Latina to the US Supreme Court
• Promoted social responsibility through creation of serve.gov, a national database of volunteer opportunities
• Signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, giving the FDA the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco for the first time
• Increased average fuel economy standards from 27.5mpg to 35.5mpg, starting in 2016
• Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers
• Launched recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, providing transparency and allowing the public to report fraud, waste, or abuse
• Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America's Veterans
• Signed the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act, which provides health care to 11 million kids -- 4 million of whom were previously uninsured
• Issued executive order to repeal Bush era restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
• Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis
• Developed stimulus package, which includes approx. $18 billion for nondefense scientific research and development
• Signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in the defense procurement and contracting system
• Issued executive order to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay
• Ended Bush administration's CIA program of 'enhanced interrogation methods' by requiring that the Army field manual be used as the guide for terrorism interrogations
• Increased minority access to capital
• Established Credit Card Bill of Rights, preventing credit card companies from imposing arbitrary rate increases on customers
• Health Care Reform Bill, preventing insurance companies from denying insurance because of a pre-existing condition
• Tax cuts for up to 3.5 million small businesses to help pay for employee health care coverage
• Tax credits for up to 29 million individuals to help pay for health insurance
• Require health insurance plans to disclose how much of the premium actually goes to patient care
• Added 4.6 billion USD to the Veterans Administration budget to recruit and retain more mental health professionals
• Significantly increased funding for the Violence Against Women Act
• Lifted restrictions granting Cuban Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send remittances to the island
• Eliminated subsidies to private lender middlemen of student loans and protect student borrowers
• Increased funding for national parks and forests by 10%
• Significantly expanded Pell grants, which help low-income students pay for college
• Expanded hate crime law in the US to include sexual orientation through the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
• Appointed nation's first Chief Technology Officer
• Signed financial reform law establishing a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to look out for the interests of everyday Americans
• Signed financial reform law requiring lenders to verify applicants' credit history, income, and employment status
• Signed financial reform law prohibiting banks from engaging in proprietary trading (trading the bank's own money to turn a profit, often in conflict with their customers' interests)
• Signed financial reform law allowing shareholders of publicly traded companies to vote on executive pay
• Cut prescription drug cost for Medicare recipients by 50%
• Provided $12.2 Billion in new funding for Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
• The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009: a $789 billion economic stimulus plan
• Created more private sector jobs in 2010 than during entire Bush years
• Voluntary disclosure of White House visitors for the first time in US history
• Appointed first Latina to the US Supreme Court
• Went after banks and bank executives for paying themselves outrageous bonuses
• Saved an auto industry
• Saved countless jobs in the auto industry
• Extended unemployment benefits of those who would otherwise be without
• Was a part of the Administration that captured the world’s most wanted criminal
• Vowed to end war and bring troops home
• Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
• Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
• Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
• Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
• Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
• Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
• Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier’s family
• The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
• Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
• Limits on lobbyist’s access to the White House
• Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
• Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
• Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
• Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
• Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
• New federal funding for science and research labs
• States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
• Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
• Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
• New funds for school construction
• The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
• US Auto industry rescue plan
• Housing rescue plan
• $789 billion economic stimulus plan
• The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
• US financial and banking rescue plan
• The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
• Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with theGeneva Convention standards
• Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
• The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
• Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
• Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
• Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
• Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
• Successful release of US captain held bySomali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
• US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
• Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
• Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
• Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
• Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
• Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
• Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
• Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
• Expanding vaccination programs
• Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
• Closed offshore tax safe havens
• Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
• Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
• Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
• Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
• Lower drug costs for seniors
• Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
• Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
• Improved housing for military personnel
• Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
• Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
• Increasing student loans
• Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
• Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
• Established a new cyber security office
• Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
• Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
• Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
• Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
• Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
• Improving benefits for veterans
• Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
• Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
• The FDA is now regulating tobacco
• Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
• Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
• Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
• Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
• Making more loans available to small businesses
• Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
• Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
• Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
• Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
• Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
• Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
• Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
• New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
• Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
• Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
• Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
• Held first Seder in White House
• Attempting to reform the nation’s healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
• Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
• Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
• Has announced his intention to push for education reform

Emmett Till 2012

Talked to a 'friend' the other day. That person asked me if it was necessary that the President weigh in on the Trayvon Martin incident. "Doesn't he have better things to do?" My reply, "WOW."

I think people have forgotten what Black people have gone through in this country for HUNDREDS of years. What is more important than stabilizing the ethical fabric of life we all use to adorn our livelihood? Rooting out bad weeds that poison the entire crop is quintessential in maintaining/restoring/cultivating positive race relations in this country. I can't think of anything better that should captivate the attention of the Leader of the Free Market. Take care of home on the homefront first. Then tackle the issues that lie abroad the global spectrum secondly.

Many pundits have spoken words of truth: any death to occur by another is a tragedy. One murder is not greater than another (some have spoken on intra-racial [black on black, brown on brown, etc.] crime and gang violence) At it's peak, gang violence begets more gang violence - one block vs. another block whereas racial violence, well, begets entire segments of a culture retaliating on one another - on a much larger scale. A scale that encompasses masses of populations. Earthquake the comedian referred to forgetting the Taliban, heck, we have our own terrorists right here in the United States. Geraldo Rivera said that the hoodie killed Trayvon and he received considerable backlash. When listening to his words, however, I heard at least half of my family members voices from Uncle Quincy to Aunt Gertie: "Pull your pants up, young man. Don't wear your hair like that - you will be perceived as part of the world. Take that ear ring out. Stand up straight when you walk. Be presentable before your Heavenly Father and not to the wolves of the world which only consume and leave carcasses to rot upon the soil." This is precisely what has happened. No, we should not judge others by what they look like but the fact of the matter is IT WILL HAPPEN NONETHELESS. As a people and society, we must present our best countenance, and put our best foot forward at all times - staying on guard. We must keep our children as safe as possible with the realization that we must release them into this wicked world outside of our grasp. In this sense I can concede Geraldo's words. I can't count how many times I've seen a young male harassed or beaten for wearing a color although it was clear that the victim was obviously "unaffiliated." Quick fix - don't wear that color. Sorry, this is the world in which we live.

Back to the subject at hand: The people have spoken. The people want justice. Although it is most difficult to 'unlearn' traits, behaviors and things that have been inculcated into the mind for many years, reasonable persons in this case are not asking for epiphanies, heart-felt change, or any miracles but rather due process and the moral aptitude to follow the letter of the law without hindrance of existing corruption, wether it be Public Official, law enforcement, or legal representation. This should not become another tragic case entitled "Modern Day Emmett Till" where a young black boy armed with nothing more than charm was kidnapped, beaten, mutilated and shot in the head before being thrown in the Tallahatchie River with a 70-pound anchor tied around his neck with barbed wire. His killers were acquitted. Please don't forget what this is truly about.

Gustava Fradue, Momma, Grandma, Great Grandma, Great-great Grandma

Losing a loved-one sometimes reminds people to "stop and smell the coffee, or the roses," if you would. To "live life to its fullest." As of late, I have been thinking quite differently - It is not time to smell the proverbial roses but rather time to go to work. Yes there is work to be done. We can 'eat, drink and be merry today not knowing if we will die tomorrow' but the ultimate goal, if you do so believe, is to reserve our place in the Heavenly Father's Kingdom. In order to do so, we have been commissioned to perform certain and specific tasks. The work is neither easy nor always well-received. When commissioned, Jesus did not rest, nor had he even a place to rest. (Mt 8:20, Lu 9:58) Instead of storing up riches on earth, we must strive to store up riches in Heaven which are far greater than the treasures of the here-and-now which have a definite end date. Yes - To work we must go. Let us not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has its own anxieties that need to be delt with tomorrow. We love you Gustava Fradue! You have taught your children and your children's children how to love and treat one another and most of all, you taught us who Jehovah is. For that, we could not ask anything more of you!