Doing My Part..

I was involved with this including this video documenting what we did. I'm proud of what we achieved. Keep people in need in your hearts and minds.

Some people hate

After being asked to remove this person from our list. They took time to insult our charitable effort last night. Here is the quote they sent as part of their message and my response.
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Don't bring your need to the marketplace, bring your skill. If you don't feel well, tell your doctor, but not the marketplace. If you need money, go to the bank, but not the marketplace. -Jim Rohn
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(From me to person)

You will be removed. Just to make sure though -we find complete removal is most effective when you click on the "unsubscribe" link that comes into each message we send out.

For the record. We don't "need" money. We raised it for charity and we went to the bank to add to what we raised. We didn't come to the marketplace for money. We came for help to help people.

Thank you for your time.

SYGU

Thoughts on MLK Day...

I saw an news flash that said there is now less people than a year ago - who believe that our President represents a large shift in racial relations. However, a majority still feel that his election DOES signify some progress.

I'd agree with that assessment. What pains me is that nobody really seems to care about it. I mean that people are still debating the same kinds of problems in the same way - getting us the same results. Those "results" could often be accurately described as "very little progress if any" (that's my own quote - ahem). Political parties are content to attempt push one agenda (their own) while pummeling their oppositions - for the sake of the win - not the sake of the people. My complaint with the whole process is when people make COMPLAINTS about options given as solutions but have no credible options of their own. Race fits into that category.

If I hear one more person talk about a double standard, or why they are scared to comment for fear of being viewed as racist I am going to scream. The truth is THERE ARE DOUBLE STANDARDS and there are PEOPLE WHO ARE RACIST. We don't need to tip-toe around it or hide it. We know these things. Where the problem comes in - is when people say in private what they won't say in public (Insert Sen. Harry Reid or Rev. Jesse Jackson joke here). Then there is this cloud of secrecy like you are hiding something from me. If that is the case - why should I trust you? You obviously don't trust me right? Right - blah blah blah.. Old news.

This problem is like a cancer. Like drug or alcohol abuse. America and the world's addiction to it runs deep - centuries deep. So why do people expect this to be fixed in a year (the historical equivalent to the blink of an eye)? Just like addicts we need some self help groups. Some face time with each other. Yeah there may be some screaming at the top of our lungs. But make sure thats screaming OUT about what you feel and not AT the other side. We are far too advanced a species to be beyond control of tone and AT LEAST the exploration of context. Of course there is "reaction" to random commentary- it catches you off guard and you have a knee jerk reaction. But in the proper forum you get time to explain your concern, the other person gets tim explain what they mean in what they say - and vice versa.

But how do we act these days? - we pounce on every "he/she mis-spoke" or every joke made in "poor taste". But then pay comedians to do it right out in the open? No wonder we can't figure it out! That makes an oxymoron of "Free Speech" if you ask me.

Is that how we move forward? Is that really honoring the "Dream"? I don't think so. Faith without works is death (James 2:17). ARE WE REALLY WAITING FOR THIS PROBLEM TO FIX ITSELF? Are we that's stupid?

The election of our President WAS the indication of what can be accomplished when people speak out in the even the smallest way (a vote). But now we are silenced again? Ok to return to years of complaining and blaming "the man" or the government. The time for that is past. We've had and HAVE big problems. Its time for us to stop being so quiet. Stop being so ineffective and start working on our problems. Start speaking so that our opponents and neighbors can hear us -but more importantly we make sure to take the time to hear them.

Off to be productive today. You all be safe.

Broken Silence - US (the U.S.) versus the Terrorist...Its Chess not Checkers

I hate that something like this inspired me to post again. But I guess I am just following suit. It takes blood to be shed for us to get the point - or does it. The terrorist attack on the Detroit Delta Flight and on the CIA base in Afghanistan. Shootings at Ft. Hood, the Holocaust Museum, and the Federal courthouse in Las Vegas. Even people crashing the Presidential State Dinner not once but 3 times - in the same night?!? - This has been beyond ridiculous for awhile but now its public and embarrassing. Didn't that used to be enough - where is our pride - or even better our common sense?

The current security measures used by the Dept. of Homeland Security, TSA and other government agencies is a FARCE - comparable to the shenanigans on "Jersey Shore" or other comical "reality shows" (anyone remember that "Homeland Security" reality show?). The equipment out there that is supposed to keep us safe from terrorism and violence? Complete BS! Those x-ray machines detecting weapons or explosive chemicals -is like trying to cook Thanksgiving Dinner with an "Easy Bake Oven".





And to top it off - the PROFILING.... HOW DUMB CAN YOU GET!!!

Aside from being completely racist its completely ineffective. Why? Because you have to disclose what the profile is in order to justify it. Even if you didn't - it would take about 48 hours for the whole world to know what the profile is. (We just don't live in a "Top Secret" world anymore - lets be honest). Once they know what the profile is? - they change what/who they send at us IDIOTS. The only way to be fair, consistent and effective is to NOT profile and to check EVERYONE the same way. EACH TIME EVERY TIME. I don't care that it will take 3 hours longer to be at the Airport - that's what magazines and ipods are for. I don't care if you FEEL inconvenienced you - you can't FEEL anything if you dead. Or better yet I am not trying to FEEL the burning of my flesh from the flames of a bomb or it pierced by some nuts vengeful bullets. If I can live - I can wait. And so can you. If you can't - do us all a favor and drive - we don't want you bitching in line anyway.

Now I ripped on the technology we do have...(because it sucks).. But there is stuff out there that could do better. But we can't use it because people are whining about not wanting somebody to see them naked. Get over it. I'd rather they see people like this:



Than like this:



Sorry to be so graphic - but I think thats the problem. People aren't visualizing whats the alternative to really beefing up security.

We have people hired and trained to gather intelligence. I need them to get on top of their game and REALLY start connecting the dots - in ADDITION (vs. instead of) to adding real 100% screening methods by our security personnel. If you can tell me who a guy was communicating with via email within hours of them committing a violent act -that means you knew it advance. I really believe that. Stop stockpiling information and use it proactively for something. Its not intel if its after the fact - its history. History never saved anybody until they learned from it. You get a lead FOLLOW-UP ON IT- and find out if ANYBODY else knows anything about it. This inter-department secrecy is a #fail - and its making people looking bad - in the deadly sense of the word.

I'm feeling better now that I've vented. But I don't feel safe. Think about it.