YOUNG LADIES JOIN ISIS

Recent news indicates three female teenagers in Britain are on their way to join ISIS in Syria. By publication date, they may have already arrived.

Two are 15 and one 16. All A students.

There are more than these three who from western countries have gone to join ISIS. Some to fight. Most to marry and have babies withjihadists.

What is the motivation? What compels them to leave places like the United States and Great Britain? Why is Syria the primary destination?

Understand first that most/a very high number are Muslims. These young ladies feel alienated by American and British society. They have a sense of inequality. They are not assimilating.They perceive a failure on the part of western nations to give them a sense of belonging, purpose and value as Muslims and citizens.

Primarily through the internet and social networking, ISIS romanticises the Syrian revolution. ISIS describes ISIS life as an adventure. For those seeking empowerment, ISIS portrays guerrilla warfare as fun. All three intensify the radicalization of these girls/young women.

The call to the young is to come participate in the creation of a new country and the building of a new state.. Exciting for young dreamers. Many are angered by the killings of Assad's regime

The preceding seem romantic to female teenagers and young ladies. One that promises a meaningful life. One that gives purpose to their lives. Down deep many are seeking martyrdom in the cause of Allah. All a fantasy.

For some in explainable reason, these young people revel in the gore and brutality of ISIS. So much so that they become desensitized to the horrors being committed.

Most of the girls travel to Syria expecting to marry. A jihadist. One of ISIS' fighters. Following which they want to have babies. Not one or two. Rather they in effect wish to become ISIS breeding machines. A small number want to fight and look forward to active participation in the war along side the men.

The attraction to ISIS has been detailed. However, why primarily join the fight in Syria? ISIS is waging war in other countries. The attraction is because of a prophecy told long ago.

A battle was prophesied 1,400 years ago and they wish to participate in that struggle. The prophecy is contained in the sayings of the Mohamed and others.

The prophecy said there would be a confrontation of two huge Islamic armies. There would be a great battle near Damascus and intervention from the north and west of Syria.

The teenagers and young  ladies are unhappy with what they perceive as not having been accepted as a Muslim in the United States for example. The feeling is one of not belonging. There is another side to the story. They come to the U.S. and wish to continue living as Muslims. They dress to a degree as in the Muslim nations which they left. They want to be ruled by Sharia law. They desire only Muslim conclaves and do not wish to be assimilated.

It is easy to say let them go. Good riddance. However, they know not what they do. Many came for a better life and to escape oppression. Perhaps there is more the schools and society can do to keep them happy and here. Sort of hard to do however if you are mentally driven by a need to maintain your heritage.

WHAT RECOVERY?

I do not buy that we are in recovery. The 1 percent are. I question whether they actually suffered at any time. The 99 percent are not.

Last week, I wrote about the NFL not paying taxes. Taxes on $9.5 billion in revenue. An organization that pays its Commissioner Roger Goodell $44 million a year.

In the past, I have written about the U.S. corporations making billions and not paying taxes. General Electric being one example.

All the preceding made possible by Congressional action and Presidential approval. They make the laws. The laws which in most instances benefit the very rich.

There recently has been an exuberance, an excitement, a jubilation in Washington. We are told recession recovery has arrived.....look at the good job we have done.

Generally accepted indicators indicate it. I do not agree. In spite of the 321,000 jobs created in November, in spite of the 5 percent growth rate for the GDP in the third quarter, in spite of the Stock Market being at its highest levels ever, in spite of the 5 percent unemployment rate.

New jobs created are not of the quality pre-recession. They pay much less. The stock market primarily benefits only those who can afford to play, the 1 percent. A 5 percent unemployment rate does not take into account the millions who have fallen off the radar screen. Those no longer receiving unemployment benefits. They have become a shadow society.

I will concede the U.S. is getting out of the hole. However, not totally.. We are about half way. The rich have gotten richer, the poor remain where they were in 2008. For them, no recovery.

I say these things based contrary to the indicators the government relies upon.

When Reagan began his Presidency, corporations paid a $1.25 in taxes to the $1 the people paid. Today, American corporations pay twenty cents to every $1 the people pay. 

It was recently reported that for the first time in U.S. history, a majority of public school children live in poverty. For the first time in 50 years. Again, the recovery has benefited the rich only. The poor are still waiting.

Sixteen million public school children are homeless. They live in the woods, cardboard boxes, abandoned cars, etc. They go to school each morning dirty, not well fed.

The organization No Child Held Back recently reported on the less than adequate conditions. The organization quoted Sonya Romero Smith, a veteran teacher at Lew Wallace Elementary School in Albuquerque. She said, "When they first come in my door in the morning, the first thing I do is take an inventory of immediate needs: Did you eat? Are you clean? A big part of my job is making them feel safe."

Smith is a veteran kindergarten teacher. Her present class totals 18. Fourteen are eligible for free lunches. She helps them clean up with bathroom wipes and toothbrushes. Her desk drawers are stocked with clean socks, underwear, pants and shoes.

Something is seriously wrong when a nation does not take care of those least able to care for themselves.

The U.S. economy is divided into two parts. Big business and small business. The economy is good, if not great, for big business. Small businesses are still struggling. Small businesses pre-recession provided 2/3rds of American jobs. They are no where near that number today.

Small business is still in the doldrums. There can be no true recovery unless things get better for them and small business jobs become available.

Those who control government do not seem to care about poor children and small businesses. They are not concerned with the poor. They are more concerned with passing legislation that helps the rich. I am telling you nothing you do not already know.

Unless and until these and similar problems are corrected, the recovery will not be complete. Regardless of the indicators Washington has been throwing at us.

GREECE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT

The Greek election on January 25 was revolutionary. In overwhelming numbers, the Greek people swept into office the Syriza Party. Syriza is an acronym for Coalition of the Radical Left.  The party is led by a 40 year old firebrand, Alexis Tsipras. Tsipras will shortly be elected by Parliament as the new Prime Minister.

Greece has been led in recent years by the conservative side of the electorate. The group has failed to extract Greece from its problems with the Eurounion. The people have gone way to the left in selecting the Syriza Party. It is as if Republican tea party members had been elected. Except from the liberal side of the aisle.

Greece has been in the worst economic shape of any Eurounion member. The debt overwhelming. The Eurounion consistently demanded repayment. Austerity was forced on the Greek people. They have had enough. They opted to be led by the extreme left. The Syriza Party would have had no chance of being elected if economic conditions had been stable.

Austerity was imposed by the Eurounion on Greece. Germany leading the Eurounion group. The Eurounion became the banker. In reality, Germany. The cry.....Pay! Pay! Pay! 

Greece tried. Unsuccessfully. Since 2010, unemployment has grown to 27 per cent. Fifty per cent of that number being college graduates between 20 and 30. Three million people are living at the poverty line or below. 

Parents cannot feed their children. The farmers cannot sell food to the stores because there is no one who can afford to buy what they grow. The stores shut down because no one is buying. A wicked cycle. 

Following is a perfect example of what has been occurring in Greece. Many women are desperate for work. They beg the brothels to hire them. They need to earn money to put food on the table for their children. Greek law prohibits married women from working in brothels. Prostitution is legal. These women end up working the streets in desperation.

Things are so bad that those who work the brothels are coming up short. Services that cost 50-70 euros, are now going for 10 euros.

During the campaign, Tsipras promised the world so as to be elected. It was not difficult for him. He promised everything to those who had lost everything.

He promised an end to austerity which he described as a return to democracy. He promised that the rich would pay their fair share of taxes. He promised to write off the national debt, raise the minimum wage, rehire all public workers who had been laid off, reduce taxes, provide free electricity and food to those without, free medical care for the uninsured, return to real property taxpayers all rent increases paid since 2008, reduce taxes overall, and more.

The big thing was his promise to either renegotiate the debt owed the Eurounion to a more favorable level or pay the Eurounion nothing.

Germany is going crazy. A rich Germany loaned much of the money to Greece through the Eurounion. Things have changed. Germany is on the brink of a recession. If Germany is not paid, it could fall over the edge

Italy and Spain are sitting back and smiling. They are in the same position that Greece has been. They are making noises that if Greece gets a better deal or does not pay, why should they.

I keep mentioning Germany because Germans has been running the show. The Germans, as well as the Eurounion, have not been fair to Greece. In 2010, the Eurounion loaned Greece 240 billion euros in bailout money. The money was of no use to Greece. Ninety percent had to be paid back immediately to cover unpaid interest and fines. The Eurounion, and especially Germany, were hard assed bankers as they continue to be to this day.

Lets assume Greece does not pay back the Eurounion  and Germany, what happens? Greece will leave the Eurounion and create a new currency. The Eurounion will press for payment. Sue Greece? What Greek court would enforce any judgement. Germany would fall into recession. All this triggering what could be a world wide depression.

Even worse, I can see a situation where Germany would go to war with Greece over the money. Remember, Germany is in bad shape. It might be the only alternative left for Germany. Such a war would include other Eurounion nations and who knows who else. Already Tsiprashas met with Russian and Chinese representatives.

There is also an undercurrent by the Greeks regarding Germany. World War II wounds still fester. The Greek people recall that Germany occupied Greece and treated the Greek people poorly.

That is the story. The world is watching.

What is going to happen?

DEBTORS' PRISON

Debtor prisons have existed almost forever. Years before the birth of Christ. They gained additional prominence in Medieval Europe.

Debtor prisons are for those who cannot pay a debt. Pay or go to jail. Simple.

Colonial America had debtor prisons.

James Wilson signed the Declaration of Independence and was a Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He spent time in a debtor's prison while sitting as such a Justice for failure to pay a debt.

Robert Morse was another who signed the Declaration  of Independence and spent time in a debtors' prison. Three years. George Washington was a frequent visitor.

The United States did away with debtor prisons in the mid 1800s. They returned in the twentieth century. The U.S.Supreme Court dealt with the issue in the 1983 decision Bearden v. Georgia. The Court held debtors' prisons unconstitutional, without first making inquiry into a person's ability to pay and consider whether there are adequate alternatives to imprisonment. The case involved a person on probation who failed to pay a court ordered fine. He was incarcerated.

Present day scenarios involve minor crimes and infractions. Traffic violations like speeding or driving without a license, shop lifting, public drunkenness, and other misdemeanors. Jail or a fine are available for sentencing. The court orders a fine to be paid. The individual fails to pay the fine. The result, jail.

The problem with the Supreme Court decision was the verbiage requiring inquiry into a person's ability to pay. Partial payments are ordered. At some point, the person fails to pay and is jailed. The court has satisfied the requirement re inquiry as to ability to pay by providing for partial payments.

From the type of misdemeanors and infractions described, only the poor are jailed. The rich pay the minor fine to rid themselves of the problem.

There are always the astute who figure a way to make a buck in less than a tasteful fashion. Jails in the United States have been growing at a rapid rate for many years. 1992 brought increased incarcerations. 2010 another jump.

upward 

The courts were overburdened supervising those on probation. Probation officers were overworked. Private probation companies developed. They agreed to take over the burden of the courts and probation officers in most instances for a fee. The fee is not charged to the county or city. It is charged to the person placed on probation by the court. As a result, the counties and cities experience significant dollar savings.

Judges are more inclined to place people on probation since the financial burden is no longer that of the county.The probation company collects and pays the fine to the court. Again, no charge to the county.

Nothing is for nothing, however. The person on probation pays. The twenty odd States that permit private companies allow them to charge for the company's services. Such cost generally labeled as supervision. There is no oversight. The private companies are free to charge those on probation at will. An example being $300 per month while collecting a $150 traffic fine over a period of six months. Note, $300 a month for six months of supervision for a $150 fine. A money making business!

If the person owing the $150 fails to pay at any time and is jailed, the $300 charge per month continues till he is released. It is the private company doing the paperwork for the county or city.

Local governments have become pigs along the way. Seeing how the private companies could charge and add on for anything at will, courts in certain areas are charging for the time of the county public defender (I thought the poor were entitled to counsel free), court costs, court paperwork. And room and board for the time spent in jail. The private probation company does the collecting. Everyone eats!

An unholy alliance has developed between county and city courts and the private companies. The courts were strapped for cash. The private companies came to the rescue.

Georgia is the State most deeply involved with private companies. Thirty four such companies operate in Georgia. Five hundred thousand people are on probation a year. Big bucks! 

An example of how the system works involves Thomas Barrett. The State, Georgia. Barrett stole a $2 can of beer. He was unemployed, on food stamps, and selling his blood to make a few extra dollars. The court fined him $200. Partial payments were permitted.

Barrett's case for purpose of probation was then turned over to a private company. The company charged him $360 a month for supervision. When the amount he owed reached $1,000, the company obtained a warrant to have him jailed. The county realized an additional benefit since a portion of his confinement costs were also added on.

The total kept going up. How was Barrett ever going to get out of jail?

Barrett's case is not uncommon.

The injustice is easy to sense. The reason it continues is that local governments are happy to have the problem and costs of probation off their hands. Ergo, officials are intentionally blind to the injustice. Another reason is that government has failed to provide oversight of the private companies. They operate at will. They are basically free to do what they want.

A federal judge recently labeled the system as a ".....judiciously sanctioned extortion racket." Company employees generally operate like abusive bill collectors. The system is nothing more than legal terrorism. Monies are being extorted from the poor. Poor people going to jail for a lack of money.

It is estimated that 20 States permit private probation companies at this time. More will join since it is a dollar saving mechanism.

As banks and major corporations have lobbyists, the private probation company industry has lobbyists, also. They generally operate with State governments. 

The problem is relatively new. No solutions are on the table. One will come with time. When more are aware of the injustices involved, the cry will grow for reform. Unfortunately, that time is still a ways off. Perhaps, a long way.

BLACK PANTHERS RETURN

History repeats itself.

The Black Panther movement began in 1966 and had basically run its course by 1982. Small straggler groups of no significance remained.

Tough blacks! They challenged police brutality. For them, the revolution had come. Police were "pigs." The Black Panthers were militants who believed in social revolution. They  burned and blew up buildings, shot and killed police officers. Vietnam was in full swing. They opposed the draft and de facto segregation.

In the end, some were killed, others went to jail, and a number have escaped capture and prosecution to this day. Interestingly, some became prominent political figures and were elected to public office.

Ferguson several months ago reactivated the movement. In Dallas, Texas. They call themselves the New Black Panthers. 

Five insignificant groups existed in Dallas till the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson. The five came together and formed the Huey P. Newton Gun Club. Huey Newton was a leading Black Panther back when. when Staten Island's Eric Garner was killed, they added his death to to their list of reasons why they exist.

The Dallas Black Panthers are shades of the 1960s organization.  They label police as "pigs." and claim police brutalize black people.

The Black Panthers assert two reasons for their formation. They were formed for purpose of self-defense. The self-defense of blacks. A second reason is they support gun rights. Surprisingly, Texas is one of six States that does not have an open carry gun law. They support such a law. In so doing, they refer to themselves as the Black NRA.

The Dallas group consists of former Army Rangers and private citizens. They wear military apparel and carry assault rifles.

Violence begets violence. A people can only be defecated on so long before they react. The Dallas Black Panthers are as Texans of old: Don't Tread On Me!

The contingency refer constantly to the fact that in the past 12 years in Dallas, over 70 unarmed individuals have been shot and killed by police. Most of them black and Hispanic. They further are quick to point out that the Grand Jury process does not work. There have been no indictments in Dallas since 1973 of any police officer who killed any one.

They are serious minded. They patrol Dallas streets. Their training significant. Knives play a big part. From their perspective, a knife changes the whole game. They train their "troops" to perform slash and stab maneuvers.

The group publicly marches singing....."No longer will we let the pigs slaughter our brothers and sisters and not say a damn thing about it." Also....."I used to salute the f--king flag! Now I use it for a rag!" "Black power" is another chant.

They compare themselves to the American Revolution's Minutemen.

The Dallas Black Panthers are not a rag tail group. They are well funded. Donations come in from all over the country. Some think the Koch Brothers support them. They are not considered a liberal group. They are believed to be to the far right.

They are considered a hate group. Denounced as such by the Anti-Defamation League, The Southern Poverty Law Center and Bobby Seale. Bobby Seale co-founded the original Black Panthers with Huey Newton in 1966.

It is expected the movement will grow and spread.

Startling! 

Assumed police power is the reason we are at this point. Police abuse in every form must be stopped. Attempts are being made. None enough. We are not even to first base yet in addressing the problem.

RANK INSUBORDINATION

On December 20 in New York City, two police officers were shot and killed while sitting in a police car. Two days later, the PBA, the  police organization authorized to collectively bargain with the City on behalf of its members, began an aggressive campaign aimed at the Mayor. 

The PBA became angered with New York Mayor de Blasio for comments he had made to his bi-racial son regarding how to conduct himself any time a police officer stopped him. The Mayor is a Caucasian man married to an Afro-American woman.

PBA President Lynch blamed the Mayor for the shooting of the two police officers. He said their blood was on the hands of the Mayor. Lynch claimed the Mayor's advice to his son and subsequent release of that information to the public was inflammatory and abusing as regards police officers.

In addition to the blood comments, New York City police have turned their backs on the Mayor whenever he has been speaking or at a public event.

There is another reason why Lynch and the PBA are conducting themselves in this fashion. The PBA is without a contract with the City. It ran out. A new one has not been agreed to. Negotiations are presently underway to agree on a new contract. Some quarters believe Lynch and the PBA are conducting themselves as they are in order to gain leverage in the negotiations.

Some believe there is an additional threat. If the Mayor does not submit to PBA demands, an armed organized rebellion against civilian control could occur. Sounds far fetched. However in today's police/citizen climate, anything is possible. The PBA has been quick to remind that they are 35,000 strong, that they have more members than the FBI.

A police stoppage has occurred since December 22. Police are performing their duties not as before and not as normal.

Traffic tickets are off 94 percent. Down from 10,069 to 587. Summonses for low level violations are also down 94 percent. Down from 4,831 to 300. Parking tickets are off 92 percent. 14,699 to 1,241.

The Mayor is the civilian head of the Police Department. Just as the President is commander in chief of the armed forces. Public officials in New York State have no right to strike. They do have a right to bargain for benefits. The strike leverage is not available to them. Nor are work stoppages.

Calvin Coolidge was Governor of Massachusetts in 1919 when the Boston police went on strike. He said, "There is no right to strike against the public safety, anywhere, anytime." More recently recall President Reagan in 1981 with the air controllers. The controllers went on strike. Reagan said no way could public employees strike. He gave them two days to return to work or they were fired. Most continued to challenge Reagan. Eleven thousand were fired.

Interestingly, people thought Reagan would not deal so harshly with the controllers. How were planes to fly in our busy air corridors? Reagan called their bluff and the planes continued to safely fly.

New York State has had on its books for years the Taylor Law. It covers the relationship of management and labor regarding civil employees. The Taylor Law is clear. It prohibits work stoppages and strikes. Union officials violating the Taylor Law are subject to arrest. The charge is criminal. Additionally every officer participating in a work stoppage or strike can be fined $2 for every $1 of earnings.

An all out confrontation has not yet occurred. de Blasio is keeping his cool while Lynch is ranting and raving. If push came to shove and work stoppages continue, the Mayor could ask the Governor to send in the National Guard to perform police functions.

I think Lynch and the PBA are wrong. The Mayor is in charge. He is the civilian authority. I view what the PBA is doing as an arrogant assault on democracy. A further dilemma arises. If the police do not follow rules, why should the people?

Much has been written and spoken in and by the media regarding this confrontation. I have not found one article completely supportive of the PBA's position. Those siding with the PBA generally acknowledge the PBA's conduct is wrong. However, they encourage the Mayor to apologize. Seemingly an apology would settle the situation.

Most of the articles written refer to the police conduct as treasonous, rogue, mutinous, exploitative of the two police killings, a coup in the works, the usurpation of the Mayor's authority, an all out assault on the Mayor, and defiant.

Strong characterizations. However if the shoes fit, Kelly and the PBA should wear them. 

A perfect fit from my perspective.

AMERICAN DREAM.....going Going GONE

The American dream. Work hard, study, go to college.....The world is yours! Gone! 

There was a time when parents hoped for their children a better life than they had experienced. The process was known as social mobility. It worked. The children went on to better jobs, educations and enjoyed the excesses of a material world. No more. Gone!

The American dream has been replaced by an American reality. People find themselves stuck in a social status. There is no upward mobility. Sociologists and economists claim what you will be is determined by who you are. Lineage and ancestry come into play. If your father was a carpenter, you will be one. If your father was a ditch digger, you will be one. 

The United States is on the road to becoming a banana republic. We may already be there. There are two reasons. First, bad government policies. Second, systematic crime and manipulation by big banks. Both have little or no consideration for anything but themselves. The rich get richer and the poor poorer.

While  this downward trend has been going on, the United States' reputation has suffered a similar malaise. The United States is on its way to no longer be a leading power and shining city on the hill. 

While the middle class has been disappearing, it has found significant success in other countries. We are going backward while the rest of the world moves forward.

What is replacing the middle class is a form of the feudal system known in the middle ages. The king in a castle on the hill and the serfs working the fields below. Fields owned by the king. Families doing so for generations.

The middle class was born of World War II. Soldiers returned. They wanted a better way. They went to school and worked hard. From 1945 to the mid 1970s, the system worked. As productivity increased, wages increased. A middle class developed. People were earning good wages. They could provide for themselves and their families. Their children went on to a better life.

Since 1973 there has been a downward spiral, however. Productivity has increased 80 percent. Wages, only 10 percent.

The reason obvious. Government first and foremost. Government has been bought by corporate America and the banks. Lobbyists hired by them have great influence. They write laws and have Congressional members introduce them. Congress dances to their tune.Who is doing similar work for the former middle class and other persons not so fortunate?

We have been sold a bill of goods. For example, U.S. corporations claim they cannot pay higher wages. They cannot afford it. If they do, they will not be able to compete globally. A crock. How can Germany be explained? Germany is an industrial nation. Successful by today's standards. Germany has consistently raised the wages of its workers and has a strong middle class. Germany competes in the same world market as the United States.

People are discouraged and despondent. A 2013 CNN poll showed 60 percent of Americans believed the American dream was no longer available. Three reasons were given. Lagging wages, a tough job market, and greater income inequality.

A college education is more expensive than ever. Most students go into extreme debt to obtain a college degree. Purportedly the ticket to success and wealth. Then they cannot get a job upon graduation.

We are told the recession ended in 2009. Tell that to the unemployed or those making low wages. Control by corporations and banks of government power has resulted in the top 1 percent earning significantly more dollars in the past five years. 

The unemployment figures fail to impress me. Yes, under 6 percent is terrific. However, that figure does not include the 92.6 million unemployed that have fallen off the radar and are not counted.

Workers' wages have fallen 36 percent in the last ten years. Seventy six percent of Americans live pay check to pay check. Burgeoning unpaid student loans constitute a big economic threat. Employment growth is only found in the MacDonald's of this world. Twice the number of people are on food stamps today than were in 2008.

There has been no recovery for the working people. Most will work till they die. Forget retirement.

The solution? People have to take back the government. It is not going to happen quickly. Election districts have been gerrymandered under the guidance of the rich. It has to start at a grass root level.The precinct level. People must organize and go door to door to elect people who genuinely have their interests at heart. A tough long term way. However one of the few if the middle class is going to have a chance of recovering.

If not my suggestion or some other workable one, I fear we may experience an Arab Spring. It has happened elsewhere in the world. Why not here? There already are demonstrations nationwide over the race/police issue. Such could grow into a why can't we get a better jobs one. Remember that in the Egyptian demonstrations, college graduates who could not get decent paying jobs were in the forefront.

Our country is in a hole. We have to dig our way out. The road back is long.