All that most of us can do is pray . . . .

Warning: This video is horribly graphic. It brought me to tears watching it. Please don't take this cautionary warning as a joke! Watch the video here: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/derrion-albert-vigil-and-march-postponed.html.

Pray. That is about all I could do after watching this video. I was angry, horrified, ashamed, torn and appalled. But all I could do is pray for this young man's family and the souls of those involved in taking his life. Pray. That's all that any of us who are not eyewitnesses to this tragedy can do. Those of you who are, please step forward and provide as much information as possible.

And perhaps that is a component of what is missing. Timely and proper prayer. I wonder if the young men who are charged with the crime are now praying, asking God to forgive them of their sins. I would ask them, as they kneel in their holding cells begging for forgiveness and to be absolved of their actions, did you pray before you swung your first punch, made your first kick or picked up the 2x4 that would cause the blunt force trauma that took this young persons life? Timely prayer. Praying post action is usually an effort to exculpate ourselves of poor decisions only after we have realized that our decision making was poor. It is a retroactive action. And it most definitely isn't the proper prayer. I would ask those individuals a second series of questions starting with do you feel your prayer is now proper? Do you feel that perhaps praying for better decision making before you take action (in this or any other situation) would be more proper? One of the greatest gifts God has given us is free will. I would ask if that free will is something that they cherish or abuse regularly? That free will is soon to be taken away from them. God willing.

Many of us are asserting blame. And even still, some of us are hoping to be excused of their contributions to this event occurring. A parent of one of the charged stated that their son is "not a bad kid". Perchance this poor assessment of child behavior is what makes this parent a "bad parent" for they have not been able to distinguish behavior which is to be considered "bad" and more importantly take necessary action to correct that behavior. Children make mistakes. Children that are properly raised do not make such egregious mistakes in which their errs takes the life of another. But it seems we are all looking for a pass. This parent, in a time in which they are saddened by the notion that they are soon to lose their child to prison, should have the compassion to understand that their loss is second to that of the loss that Albert's parents must feel. But in making such judgment towards their child, they also must judge themselves for they in essence have failed as a parent. Harsh. Perhaps. A necessary condemnation. Absolutely. For this attitude, this demeanor, this premise is what is lacking in our world today. That the effort that we put forth into raising our children will be reflected in the choices that those children make.

In reading the many desolate articles that have been written on this tragedy, I noticed something that may not necessarily stand out, but when scrutinized has to be a major contribution as to why our children are making poor decisions and finding themselves in situations which require decision making skill that they perhaps have not been properly prepared to make. Bare with me as I connect the dots. Eugene Bailey's mother has commented. She has another son, Vashion Bullock, who she pulled out of Fenger High School previously due to danger. Her last name is Smith. The primary respondent for the slain student's family is the Grandfather. From the articles I have read, no "fathers" have commented. Is it apparent now? The absence of the shared surname and lack of "father" respondents speaks to the dissolution of the familial structure that is a necessity for the rearing of a child. Perhaps in our praises for those who are I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T we have encouraged the idea that a unified effort isn't necessary to developing a child to be a productive participant to our society. We've heard it before. . . It takes a village to raise a child.

Lastly, President Obama has been under some criticism lately regarding the notion that the United States will not be able to solve all the worlds problems on its own. He has been shunned for in essence communicating to the rest of the world that the United States, in all it's self proclaimed greatness, may need some help. That sentiment is exactly what has created the opportunity for the Fenger High School brawl to occur. The idea that it is not required that we all contribute to providing solutions to these ills. That perhaps one action, one person, one thing can make this all better. I implore that everyone must begin at home and continue their efforts in their community to make these occurrences of violence rare versus regular.

And if you can't sign on to that notion, then perhaps you should just pray.

It's never to late to. . . . . . . . .

It's easy to blame anyone other than ourselves for the issues that plague our lives. Unfortunately, it's far to common an occurrence amongst us all. Taking into account what has happened to you in a situation is far easier than giving credence to the idea that your actions (or lack of action) long before the situation even reared its ugly head may have put you on an inevitable path to the place where you are now; attempting to assign blame. It's an odd phenomenon that we assign the failed outcomes of our decisions (oft labeled re-actions) on the actions of others, yet in most cases take full ownership for our decisions that result in successes. I suppose when the outcomes are positive, there isn't enough praise to be shared.


Life is a host of choices. And learning to make better choices should be the goal we are continually seeking to achieve. If our effort at making better decisions/choices is as invigorated as our effort at assigning blame, we will most often have outcomes which we can be satisfied with regardless of their being viewed as positive or negative. Problem is, we are most often compelled to blame others as it alleviates us of self responsibility.


It's never to late to take responsibility for one's actions. The premise that "what's done is done" is a fallacy. I assert this to be true because many times, the effects of our "what's done is done" actions are much more everlasting than we ever would imagine. Many of us have had things done to us which have had lasting impressions on our psyche which have in turn become distinguishing and formidable components of our development as individuals. The experiences of our past have made indelible marks and influence on the way we make choices and decisions in our lives. It is often heard when people stand in front of podiums and audiences accepting awards and acknowledgement for a job well done that they are simply products of their environments, from well raised homes for which their mothers, fathers and mentors have ingrained upon them invaluable life lessons and guidance which has made them who they are today. Yet, when we are stand at the feet of judgement, we don't often enough take into account that that same upbringing and set of experiences may have contributed to poor estimation of the results of our choices and decisions.

It is a requirement that each of us take responsibility for our actions, absent of other's actions. It is never to late to do so. Regardless of the time that has passed in between. The first step to doing so is acknowledgement. We must give admission to the cue that our yesterday affects our present and tomorrow. We must give admission to the cue that those things that have made impressions on us from our past enable our decision making today. This is something we do without hesitation when the outcomes are admirable. However, when our decisions turn for the worse and cause unsettling ripples the pool of life, we must give just as much admittance to the fact that addressing our past is imperative to making better decisions in our present and tomorrow. Resolution of yesterday's issues isn't easily done for we have for so long muddled through. Yet the resolution of said issues has the opportunity to bring a certain peace that will permit us to make choices with sound and clear mind versus a mind clouded by the influence of unfortunate experiences of our past.

It's never too late. . . .

Is there something you thought that it was too late to resolve?

There's nothing wrong with this picture. . . .Absolutely nothing!

Nope. I know you want to play the card here. But you're wrong. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this picture. So stop it. Stop before you start with your anti-conservative, they must be racist slander. This is just the American right as defined by our great Constitution to criticize our government! Nothing more, nothing less. It's our patriotic duty as American citizens to let our government, a government for the people and by the people, know when we are not pleased with the direction that they are taking our Country. We love this country, and we are simply expressing such in our tea parties and posters and emails that show our lack of support for President Mr. Obama's decision making. You can attempt to make this a black or white thing but it isn't. And you know it. We're just "expressing concerns that the health-care proposals would make the quality of medical care worse in our country." We really need you to understand that. It's not about his tar complexion or race at all. So please, please don't make this a racial thing. Despite our country's long time negative infatuation with pigmentation, oppression based on ethnicity and undermining of a particular subset of people based on their skin tone . . . this has nothing to do with that.

Respectfully,

Conservative America

I Can Read Too! Part 1 : Jason Chaffetz . . .

"America has forgotten how to read, or at least most of us. This must be the case because it seems that nowadays, we must be read to by our legislators and radio commentators for we don't seem to have the skills to make decisions on our own. So I have decided to read for us. I Can Read Too! is an series poised at giving context to the claims that politicians make based on snippets and excerpts that they provide to us of humongous bills and legislation passed through our Government for which we don't take the time to read ourselves. Reading is fundamental! And the more you do it, the more you can make decisions for yourself versus having to rely on persons with perhaps self-interested motives to make decisions for you. Our first goes out to Congressman Chaffetz of the great State of Utah."



Greetings Congressman Chaffetz:

I was watching a video on CNN which you quoted from the HR3200 bill regarding the "euthanasia" claims as well as the requirement to submit income tax documentation for affordability credits. My assumption is that you have read the entire document because you are quoting from it, but I am a bit baffled why you didn't provide the necessary context around the need for income tax documentation. The excerpt you quote and highlight in your video (". . . the individuals income shall be the income for the most recent taxable year . . . ") pertains to the distribution of affordability credits supplied by the government? Do you not feel this is valid information? Do you not think that it is a good process to verify that persons receiving said credits are actually in need of them? Or is the government to take people on their word and word alone? So if I make $100k a year and tell you that I make $10,000 (below the poverty line in the contiguous 48 states), would you not need to verify that? That is the true intent of the income verification you referred to but it seems that you left this out? Why is that the case?

You also spoke to the confusion surrounding the "euthanasia" claims in section 1233: Advance Care Planning Consultation. You again highlighted a portion of the bill which provided an "explanation by the practitioner of the continuum of end of life services and supports available". You stated that you could see why people would be confused. Yet you didn't take the time to explain that was only a sentence of Part E of Section 1233. Unless the alphabet has changed, four letters precede letter E, those four letters providing context to section E. Context provides understanding. Context provides support. Why have you elected to leave out the context? Do you not feel your constituents are not able to comprehend? You also stated that it's not optional? Where is it deemed in either HR3200 or Social Security Act 1861 that it is mandatory? Perhaps I missed it somewhere in the context. Is the provision in actuality limiting the amount to be paid out by the government in only allowing this to be done every five years? Do you suggest that this consultation between physician and patient be done more frequent at greater cost to the government?

I would implore that you take the time to provide context to your constituents. It's imperative that we be provided adequate and contextual information as we attempt to make sound decisions on where we stand with respect to the next generation of health care legislation in our country. Not doing so could be seen as shady politics.

I suppose that you signed up to do these videos on CNN to show that you are, as your site states, "driven by what is right, guided by the Constitution, committed to integrity and personal responsibility." Please hold steadfast to these humble and noble principles. It is what is necessary from our new and future leadership in America's political arena.

With Sincere Thanks,

Robert Weaver

What Damon Wanted to Say But Didn't Because He Has More Sense Than Me.

First, read this:

XXXIV. Parents Fearing Obama’s School Speech

Great post by the good brother Damon Smith. He has a great knack for saying what needs to be said in a way that can be accepted. I pride myself on my ability to be able to tell people that they're stupid without using the word 'stupid' as well. But not this time. So I begin . . .

Parents Fearing Obama's School Speech:

You're stupid.

Normally i would try to say this to you in a manner in which I'm smiling while saying it, using big words that your dumbass wouldn't comprehend anyhow . . . wait. . . . that your dumbass wouldn't comprehend anyhow and with a tone that isn't by any means threatening or scary.

Not this time.

What did you think he was going to do, give your kids a thesis on Karl Marx and Fidel Castro's approach to effective government while sending them home with pamphlets highlighting socialism like he was a Jehovah's Witness or something? Have a hypnotic spiral playing in the background while constantly reciting in a monotone voice, "I am your leader! Pay for my health care! Buy a GM or Chrysler! Caring for one another is good !" Did you not think the teachers and principals you trust your kids with each and every day, THE MEDIA, anyone. . . would be standing guard? You give Obama waayyyy too much credit. Yes he's perhaps one of the most charismatic Presidents we've ever had, but dude isn't Bishop Don Magic Juan. He won't have your kid on the block selling ass!

I need an explanation from one of you. Just one of you. Hopefully someone with half a brain. . . . dang, Hopefully one of you with half a brain, as to why you thought this was a bad idea. But please don't insult me with the "ideology" defense for your actions. President's of recent past have shown the ability to provide a message to students which are without political agenda or partisanship. Why wouldn't Obama be able to do the same. Bush II could. And he's about as smart as those two fools on Real Chance of Love.

And I hate Bush II. I really hate him. With a passion (. . . have I expressed how much I hate him?). But if while he was President, or even today as steward of his ranch, I would jump at the chance of my child hearing the President speak, let alone speak in person (and so would some of you idiots as evidence is provided by this asinine notion here). Why? Because I respect our nation and just as important our President and leader.

Our country was no less divided when Reagan, Bush I or Bush II spoke to our students so the notion that our leadership would be motivated (or even willing) to encourage their partisan beliefs upon schoolchildren is idiotic. So what's the reason? Do you feel that strongly about the health care plan? Bailout? Van Jones? I know what it is. And I'm not afraid to say it.

You have not dealt with your issues on racism and the fact that the leader of the free world, the most powerful country that exists, is a black man. You will attempt to deny it. But you can't. You don't have a justified reason for your assumptions and actions. The White House put the speech out before so that you can review it, read it, make your mind up about it, etc. They did so despite the fact that you probably don't know what your kid's teachers' lesson plan is today. The teacher could be reading excerpts from Orwell's 1984 (you probably don't even know what book that is) or the Bible today and you wouldn't have a clue. It's because you wouldn't care. The nation has a 30% drop out rate. That is evidence that you parents aren't well engaged in what is going on in the classroom of our schools. That's because you're spending hours at town hall meetings talking about Obama's euthanasia health care reform package that will permit the government to kill your unborn child because they can't produce a birth certificate to verify that they're a US citizen! Dumbass.

YOU MAKE ME WANT TO BE CANADIAN!

[ breathe. . . ]

So to all you parents who thought that this was a bad idea. I have a secret to tell you. During the speech, a high frequency message was being played that can only be heard by children of conservative Americans that voted against Obama encouraging them to create living wills that give all their inheritance to needy underprivileged children before moving to Waco, Texas and joining a cult and staging the largest mass suicide ever. Don't believe them when they say they're staying at their friend's house this weekend. It's a lie.

Idiot!

Sincerely,

Your President.