CIVIL WAR ONGOING

The Civil War ended almost 150 years ago. The slaves were freed. Persons of color were held to be equal to their white brothers and sisters.

 

Sounded good in theory. Black people continue to be treated poorly, however.

 

In the 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson was instrumental in the Civil Rights Law being passed. The law was all encompassing. Abuse of blacks was supposedly at an end.

 

2008 saw the election of our first black President. Many thought Obama's election symbolized the race problem had been put to rest. It had not. I suspect the reason many today dislike Obama is because of his color.

 

Something occurred in Crystal Springs, Mississippi recently which supports my premise the Civil War is still with us.

 

Charles and Te'Andrea Wilson reside in Crystal Springs. Both are black. They attend the First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs. They are not formal members. However, they  attend the Church on a regular basis.

 

First Baptist Church is predominately white.

 

Charles and Te'Andrea wanted to get married. They visited the Pastor of what they considered their Church. The marriage date was July 21, 2012. The Pastor booked the Church for them for that date. He also made arrangements for the Church portion of the ceremony. Charles and Te'Andrea sent out invitations inviting friends to their wedding at the First Baptist Church.

 

The day before the wedding, the Pastor spoke with Charles and Te'Andrea. He told them they could not be married in the First Baptist Church the next day. He blamed the congregation. He told Charles and Te'Andrea that the congregation had decided blacks could not be married in the First Baptist church. No blacks. The Pastor further stated that the congregation had told him that if he did marry Charles and Te'Andea In the Church, he would be voted out. A nice way of saying fired. Apparently Baptist ministers serve at the will of the congregation.

 

Would you believe it? in 2012! In a House of God. By people of faith.

 

I have said for years that we continue to fight the Civil War. Blacks have come a long way. A trip they should not have had to make in the first place.

 

The problem of race relations festers. It will not go away.

 

A shame.

 

A shame on the predominately white congregation of the First Baptist Church. A shame on the Pastor who did not stand and do the right thing.. A shame on the South generally that never  forgets nor wants to move on. A shame on us all that the issue of race relations is still with us. 

FORE FATHER TO THREE PRESIDENTS AND TWO ACTORS

The story of the Mayflower is known to all.

 

The vessel left England in 1620 for the new land and a new life. One of the passengers was John Holland. History spells he name two ways. Holland and Howland. I shall refer to him as Holland.

 

Holland was 14 years old at the time.

 

The Mayflower was not that large a boat. Large boats were not yet in vogue. The Mayflower was a mere 100 feet long. The wind powered the Mayflower by filling its sails.

 

At one point, the Mayflower engaged strong north Atlantic winter gales. Ferocious storms. Holland was thrown overboard during one of the storms. As he was going over, he grabbed some lose hanging sail ropes. He held onto them for dear life. Eventually he was able to pull himself up and back onto the Mayflower.

 

Holland had looked death in the face and survived.

 

Watching him almost meet his Maker was Elizabeth Tilley. Age 12.  At some time after the Mayflower reached Plymouth Rock, Holland and Tilley married.

 

The Hollands had 10 children. The 10 children produced for the Hollands 82 grandchildren. From that point, the descendants multiplied ad infinitum. They became too numerous to count.

 

The Holland descendants include three Presidents and two actors.  Presidents  Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the two Bushes. The actors Humphrey Bogart and Alec Baldwin.

 

A thoughtful pause. If Holland had not saved himself when he fell overboard, the three Presidents named would not have been. There would be no Social Security today. The Iraqi War would not have occurred. Casablanca might not have been the successful movie it is. 30 Rock might not be the Emmy award winner it is.

 

Holland did save himself and propagate. His blood continued to propagate over the years resulting in the Presidents and actors named. All because he did not die that fateful day.

 

Holland lived a long time. Historians do not know the exact age of his death. They describe it as in excess of 80 years.

 

Holland had a distinction in death. He was the last Plymouth Rock male from the original Mayflower to die. He who almost passed on at 14 outlived them all.

COCKFIGHTING

Cockfighting is or has been the sport of the ancients, Presidents and the common man. Yes, even today it is still considered a sport. Though an illegal one. To train roosters for two years to be killers. To train them to hate other roosters. To alter their natural spurs to add on razor sharp metal ones. To generally permit two roosters to fight to the death.

 

Cockfighting is referred to as a blood sport because of the preceding.

 

Cockfighting had its beginnings in ancient times. Around 400-500 B.C. It was considered a sport. The Chinese, Persians and Greeks were the first to become involved. The rooster owners were sportsman and trainers. The spectators those who paid a price to watch the fight and gambled on its outcome.

 

Three of the greatest Presidents of the United States participated in and enjoyed the sport. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.

 

Down through the years however, cockfighting has become illegal. Very illegal. Today every state in the United States bars cockfighting. Persons participating are not looked upon favorably. Jail is a predictable punishment.

 

Two reasons have lead to cockfighting becoming illegal. Gambling and animal cruelty. No question each is a signmificangt part of the activity.

 

Bush 2 signed a federal law in 2007 barring cockfighting on the national level and imposing federal punishments to what has become less and less of a sport and more of a crime. The federal laws are generally joined with state ones in the prosecution of cockfighting cases. Per the federal statute, any cockfighting implements are confiscated. The roosters themselves are considered implements.

 

Why do I write concerning cockfighting at this time? Simply, the Florida keys have historically been a home to the sport. The fights generally are conducted off the beaten path. Back in the mangroves.

 

Every few years, a cockfighting arrest is made in the Florida Keys. One was made last week which gives rise to this column. The raid was very close to home. It took place on Rockland Key. Rockland Key sits between Big Coppitt and Key Haven. I live on Key Haven.

 

The cockfighting arrests were incidental to a drug raid. The authorities were making a drug raid. They happened upon cockfighting implements as part of the drug raid. Two hundred fifty chickens were confiscated, together with other cockfighting paraphenalia.

 

I can only speak based on my limited knowledge of cockfighting in the keys. This arrest may deter, but will not stop the illegal sport. There have too many other arrests over the years. The fights continue to prevail. Cockfighting as such and as a money maker is too ingrained in the lives of the locals. I suspect therefore that cockfighting will continue.

 

The only admonishment to perpetrators is don't get caught. Jail is an almost certainty.

A STORY OF COURAGE

What follows is an amazing story.

 

Her name is Claire Lumas. Early 20s. Lovely. Long flowing blond hair. Lives in England. A professional horse rider. Competed in horse shows.

 

In a horse riding event five years ago, Claire was involved in a freak accident. She and her horse came in contact with a tree. Claire suffered multiple fractures. Several to her back. She was paralyzed from her chest down. A paraplegic. Never to walk again.

 

Claire spent five years in a wheel chair. Till January of this year. When she started walking again.

 

Modern science and medicine made it possible. Plus Claire's mental determination, of course.

 

Claire got robotic legs. A bionic suit had been designed with people like Claire in mind. Long pants. From the chest down to the ankles. Bulky. Thick. Reminds me of snow pants of old, but significantly larger.

 

The suit senses when Claire wants to walk. Shifts her weight to make her legs move in a walking fashion. Makes a discernible hissing sound with each step.

 

In her first attempt at bionic walking, Claire did 30 steps. Three weeks later, she was walking like crazy. Then last month she did the impossible. She ran the London Marathon. All 26.2 miles of it.

 

It took Claire 16 days to complete the 26.2 miles. But she did it!

 

You say WOW! I say WOW! Claire is a person of courage. One who faced the odds and would not give up.

 

Claire has tried to live life since her unfortunate accident. Three years ago, she got married. Then she got pregnant. Delivered a healthy baby girl who is now 15 months old.

 

The robotic legs cost $75,000. Her horse friends and other groups helped Claire raise the money. She is the first woman in England to walk using the bionic approach.

 

Claire is a winner! An example to the rest of the world. Never give up. Never say something cannot be done. Never say never.

 

Go Claire!

NO RESPECT FOR WOMEN

Two recent media events evidenced disrespect for women. One involved a Jesse Lee Peterson who was guesting on the Sean Hannity show. The other Rush Limbaugh on  his radio/TV show.

 

Jesse Lee Peterson is a misogynist of the first class. He is President and founder of the BOND of America Group. An organization dedicated to a conservative agenda for blacks. Peterson is black.

 

Peterson recently appeared on Sean Hannity's show on FOX. Peterson's comments were to the effect that women should not have the right to vote. Why? Because they vote for the wrong people. He claims that the root of our present day problems was giving the women the right to vote in the first instance..

 

Peterson goes back to the days of the suffragettes. They were the women of almost one hundred years ago who marched for the right of women to vote. Peterson says these ladies were evil minded. They tricked the men of those days into giving them the right to vote. How I ask. Probably by lifting their floor length skirts a bit and exposing their ankles to the men. Otherwise, I cannot conceive how.

 

Peterson also asserts that women cannot make sound decisions.

 

A little digging into Peterson's background reveals the following. He claims affirmative action is reverse discrimination. First time I heard a black take that position. Normally it is a white. How about the black people stuck in New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina  were lazy and immoral. He is otherwise  generally critical of black people. He is quoted as saying that he "...thanked God and white people for slavery."

 

Further, Peterson describes slave ships as akin to "...being on a crowded airplane." He considers slavery to have been a good thing. He favors putting black people back on the plantation so they understand the work ethic.

 

As to women again, he believes that men have the right to hit women. As long as the woman deserves it, of course.

 

Query: Why does Hannity even put a guest with this background on the air? There have to be self imposed media limits on the left and right. It is an affront to all Americans to subject them to this, and please excuse the description, garbage. I can think of no other.

 

Now comes Rush Limbaugh. The most heard radio personality in America. More people listen to his show than any other.

 

You will recall Limbaugh disparaged women during the recent birth control controversy. I refer specifically to the female law student who appeared before a Congressional committee in support of health insurance providing free birth control to women. He referred to this young lady after her appearance as a prostitute of sorts for wanting free contraceptives.

 

In recent days, Limbaugh has announced his formation of Rich Babes for America. He claims it is required to oppose NOW, the National Organization for Women. Limbaugh believes that NOW is to far to the left and that a similar organization is required to represent contrary positions. He invites women of all political persuasions however to join. Liberal as well as conservative.

 

Limbaugh appears to be for real about this organization. He has even listed it on Facebook.

 

Limbaugh wants his female listeners to have a place to go. He says his organization is for women who believe in family, American values, and not being told by faux feminist groups how to think. I have always been under impression that women in general believe in family and American values.

 

I find nothing objectionable in Limbaugh starting such an organization. It is right, especially if needed as he asserts. My problem is his use of the word "Babes" to describe the membership. An obvious insult to women in general. If said in the work place by a male, it could result in discharge or some disciplinary action at the least. The use of the term also reflects Limbaugh's belief as to what  women are. Babes.

 

I suspect that if a conservative couple in the Midwest were confronted by the wife being called a babe that the husband would knock the one who uttered the statement on his ass. There are some things you do not tolerate in polite society.

 

You will note that I have not even commented on the classification of "Rich." It clearly suggests the organization is only for ladies of wealth. This brings into play the 1 percent / 99 percent thing. The obviousness of the word requires no further comment.

 

I share Peterson and Limbaugh with you to show what I consider their less than respectful thinking regarding the mothers, wives and ladies comprising American society. Terrible is the only way to describe their thinking.

JAILED PERSONS ENTITLED TO ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE

The United States Supreme Court did it again!

 

The Court recently decided a case which in effect mandates the best health care for persons in jail. Better than what most honest and law abiding persons can afford or have available to them. The decision places felons, killers, rapists and armed robbers in a preferential position as far as health care is concerned. And at no cost to them, to boot!

 

In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that the absence of adequate health care for prisoners violated the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

 

The Court said prisoners have a Constitutionally protected right to adequate health care. Adequate meaning the best.

 

The decision was written by Justice Kennedy. He represents the swing vote on the Court which is otherwise evenly divided 4-4, conservative versus liberal. The conservative faction of the Court cannot be blamed for the decision. The four votes Justice Kennedy sided with were provided by the liberal members of the Court.

 

A significant quote from the decision reads.....Just as a prisoner may starve if not fed, he or she may suffer or die if not provided adequate medical care.

 

If prisoners are entitled to adequate health care, why not the entire population of the United States? The reason is simple. The citizenry has no similar Constitutional right as prisoners. The people are only entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No where in the Constitution does the freedom from cruel and unusual punishment apply to them. The cruel and unusual punishment prohibition only applies to prisoners.

 

What a screw job! Felons receive better health care than you and I. The taxpayer's once again pay and receive nothing for their money. Our tax dollars go to provide jailed persons with health care that most of us either do not have or can not afford.

 

I understand the decision from a legal stand point. However, I find it difficult to understand from a personal perspective. We pay and the prison population benefits. We get nothing in return, except perhaps the personal satisfaction in knowing that our tax dollars are going to provide some jailed killers, rapists and armed robbers with great health care. The same care very few of us can provide to our loved ones and ourselves.

 

Only in America.

 

LIFE BEGINS FIRST DAY OF WOMAN'S LAST MENSTRUAL CYCLE

You read it correctly! Life begins before conception. Even before the sex act giving rise to the conception takes place. It occurs the first day of the woman's last menstrual cycle.

 

That is what the State of Arizona says.  Arizona's Governor recently signed such a bill. It is now the law of Arizona.

 

The new law clearly defines when the life of an unborn child begins.The law basically claims that fetus life begins not at conception, but up to two weeks before. It is measured from the first day of the last menstrual period of the pregnant woman.

 

The new law is an attempt by the abortionist faction to shorten the time frame within which legalized abortion may take place. The first twenty weeks of a pregnancy is the time within which an abortion can be legally performed. 

 

Conception is generally recognized as when the woman's egg and male's sperm unite. Such has been the date from which the twenty  weeks was measured. By pushing the date for conception from a legal perspective back to the first day of the woman's last period, the abortionist have shaved two weeks off the twenty weeks. Now, in Arizona at least, the twenty weeks will be measured from a date two weeks earlier.

 

Ridiculous. Arizona is playing amongst other things with God's work and scientific teaching.

 

The Bible, other religious writings, the Church, various religions.....all cannot tell us with any degree of certainty when life begins. God never spelled it out. Scientists and religious have blessed us with their opinions. However that is all they are. Opinions. Even the tablets God gave to Moses failed to identify when life began.

 

My lifetime has revealed to me at least four different instances when life begins..

 

When I was in law school more than fifty years ago, it was when the baby was born. The fetus had to come out kicking, screaming and breathing. Otherwise the law generally took the position that no life had begun.

 

Then came the theory with which most of us are familiar. Life/conception begins when the woman's egg and male's sperm unite.

 

During the ongoing abortion war, a third theory was offered. One which many believe is the true time when conception begins. it is the time when the sperm inoculated egg adheres itself to the uterine wall. Without the adherence, there can be no life. The egg and sperm are flushed down the toilet.

 

Now comes Arizona with a new definition of when life begins. The first day of the woman's last menstrual cycle. A folly as there has been no conception in any form. The sex act giving rise to the conception has not yet even occurred.

 

Arizona's new law represents a form of insanity. Anything to achieve a result. Even in the face of scientific impossibility. Who can object, if it is law.

 

I object. Many of you may object. The Governor and legislators of Arizona do not. An example of why politicians are becoming less desirable creatures with every passing day.

 

Religious philosophy teaches us that the end does not justify the means. Something erroneous/wrong cannot be used to effect a desired result.

 

Manipulating the law as Arizona has done in this instance is a wrong means. It is like rewriting the Bible, contradicting scientific fact. It is not correct. It should not have been done.