Ceasefire Need in Ferguson, Missouri

It was a sad day when police shot 18 year old, Michael Brown.  Apparently the Ferguson, MO, police officer fired his gun nearly 7 times, most of those striking Brown.  What we don’t know yet is what happened right before those fatal shots were fired.  So far there is only speculation and the word of a few spectators and their stories do not all jibe.

The police department, or the state, has decided to release video footage from a convenience store where just before the shooting, a black male, acknowledged to be Brown, stole a box of $50 cigars.  The man is then seen pushing the clerk.  The video might be important later but I question its release while the pot was still boiling over.  The police were trying to keep the lid on, and bringing in a Trooper Captain to monitor the protests was a good idea, taking the local cops out of the picture at the protest sites.  And it probably didn’t hurt that Captain Johnson was a black man and from the Ferguson area.

The first night after Johnson walked in solidarity with the protestors, was relatively quiet and everyone took a big sigh of relief.  But it did not last through the next night, where looters and thugs decided they wanted more stuff they did not pay for, and for good measure those people tried to destroy the very convenience store where the video was shot.  Think about that – punishing the victim of the theft for being the victim of the theft.

History has shown that when the “mob mentality” reaches fever pitch, there is little that can stop it.  When those few (and is was just a few in the crowd) decides to incite a riot, weak thinkers jump in to take part and shroud themselves in the anonymity of the crowd.  To look the part, most also wore masks to conceal their identity.  Brave people, aren’t they?

To their credit, many of the protestors railed against the looters and a group tried to protect the store.  Some people who were there for the real reason of protesting police actions they see as excessive, know that their objectives are diluted by the actions of a few scofflaws.

This whole thing is a “wicked” problem – one that would not be easily or quickly resolved.  Justice for anyone takes time.  The rabble-rousers, some coming in from outside to ostensibly right the wrong, and some ad hoc, need to work to quiet the constant beat of the drum.  Captain Johnson’s goals are being overrun by others who apparently don’t believe his comments about “not tearing down our own house.”

The Brown family lawyers and “new” friends from the national black community could do much more to help stop the violence.  The Brown family itself is calling for peace, but others are not joining in as they should.  The police, whether that be the locals, the state, or the FBI needs to coordinate the investigation, not create “silos” where each runs off and does its thing.  And information, once confirmed, and with a constructive purpose should be released in a press conference open to the media, as tough as that would be.

Ferguson will get through this crisis, but unless someone starts to work on what caused the firestorm, it will occur again.  No doubt.  The Ferguson Police Department needs to work on recruitment of people of color.  Out of the 54 sworn officers, only 3 are reported to be African-American.  In a community that is over 60% black, this small number can make the PD seem like an occupying force.  There are many other ways to bring together the community.  The officials, in concert with representatives of the community, should convene to work on that now.  Or there will be many more "Sad Days." 
 
 

Let's say "No Thanks" to Another Iraq War Invitation

I suppose smarter people than I will make some decision on what the U.S. should do in the current crisis in Iraq.  Still, it would take lots of convincing for me to believe that we, as a country, should enter into IRAQ WAR, Part II.  The Middle East is a mess, not likely to change anytime soon; the tribal and religious warfare has been going on for centuries.  Why do we think we can fix that?

The Israel-Palestine conflict has only been going on since 1948 (well, earlier in some form) and we cannot seem to get that one closer to the finish line.  What, with our collective hubris, do we think we can reasonably do?

True, a stronger Al Qaeda faction, or whatever the terrorist flavor of the day is, is a threat to our country and other interests.  But if there was an answer, should we not have already reached the solution?   All those years of expending our blood and treasure has now come to naught?  Should we throw more good treasure after bad?

It seems the Iraqi army/police force has decided to drop their weapons and flee.  They blame it on their incompetent leaders, but who trained those leaders?  I thought the U.S did, and if so, what did we get out of it?

I say NO to more aid to this truly “god-forsaken” patch of earth.  We have spent billions so far and have not met the goal.  Why do some people insist that the next time will be better?

Let’s, instead, bolster our own borders and our spy craft using just a portion of those billions and let those “lost” countries deal with their own issues.  Let them implode on themselves.  Let the Middle East fix itself.   We have tried and apparently failed.  Time’s up.

Street-Legal Weed: Another Social Experiment?

Not to judge too harshly, but the news stories showing the lines at recreational pot shops in Colorado lately might say volumes about whether this great experiment will work.  I’m sorry, but I didn’t see too many executive types in those long lines, nor did I see what I might describe as geeks (meaning those techies who create new and exciting things for us).

     Instead, I saw what I would have stereotypically expected to see: old hippie types, tatted up and ratty haired stoners, and a general bunch of those on the lower end of the socio-economic scale.  Of course, there are executives, et al, who smoke the devil weed but I really doubt they would be interviewed on national TV to say they couldn’t wait to get home, lay on the couch, and light up.

     While I clearly am generalizing, I don’t think I am too far off the mark to say that this experiment may show its downside way before we can see some socially redeeming value.  No doubt there was lots of pot out there before legalization, and ironically it probably cost less than what the new shops are charging now.

I have seen many teen stoners online praising the legalization, and also saying they want to move to Colorado as if their whole life now revolves around smoking and getting high.  Wow!  And do they know that the legal age is 21 and that it cannot be smoked in public?  Getting together with a few buds (and “buds”) at the playground to take a toke or two would still be illegal.  And the fines would likely be higher than before.

     But who knows, maybe it will make our country a little mellower.  Maybe we will generate more intellectuals, more creative geniuses finding the cures for cancer, or more literary giants.  Or maybe, just maybe, we will have more unemployed, more traffic accidents, more neglected kids, and less incentive to make a better life.  Just as long as they have weed to take away the sharp edges of life, who cares about college, career advancement, and role modeling.  I think this experiment is going to stink up the lab.

Let's Dig Deeper Into Poverty

The current buzz in Washington is about income inequality.  It is clear that the gap has widened between the top 10% to the bottom 10%.  The hot issue about to be addressed in Congress is the extension of unemployment benefits.  As of this writing it is not clear how that will go.

But maybe we should dig deeper into the reasons for poverty and attack some of those reasons before we just handout more taxpayer money.  It may feel good to help others this way, but in some cases --not all -- we are enhancing this cycle of dependency.  Or at least decreasing the sense of urgency to get a job and be self-sufficient.

There many reasons people may be below the poverty level.  Here are just a few ideas to consider working on at a more basic level.  The "teach a man to fish" philosophy is in play here.

1.  Continue to fund Head Start.  This program has shown its worth in preparing very young children for social interaction and learning, and helps to ensure success in school.

2.  Institute a nationwide "gatekeeper" system where each government aid applicant provides his or her background regarding education, health issues, children (which may include going after child support), and other issues of daily living.  Once this information is known, targeted aid, called "wrap-around" can be tailored to the individual or family.  Just throwing money at people and expecting them to make all the right choices is folly.

3.  Consider a work program, or at least a standardized work training program for those who are able.  Preparing people to work will increase their success at getting and holding jobs.

4.   Provide adequate childcare for those willing to work, but only after assessing if there are appropriate family members who could provide care.  Offer parenting classes where indicated with other incentives if needed.  Parental involvement is crucial in any children's plan.

5.  When indicated, provide an incentive to staying off illegal and harmful drugs, through treatment, increased personal funding, or a deferred prosecution if the person has violated the law.  These incentives can help whole families by giving them choices to make.

This plan would not be any less expensive than the current welfare/food stamp/housing programs, but the infrastructure is already in place in nearly every county in the country.  Funds would be needed to add or expand those "best-practice" programs using existing social agencies.  The results could be fantastic.

Are We Watering Down the Importance of Graduation?

At the end of the school year, one of our granddaughters was finishing 8th grade, moving on up to the high school in the fall.  The middle school, in a very good public school system, was holding a graduation ceremony for the 8th graders.  I wondered at the time if having an 8th grade graduation (complete with caps and gowns), was diluting the recognition of those who made it through 12 or 13 years of education when they graduate from high school (yes, one does graduate FROM high school, not "graduate high school").

I remember my high school graduation very well.  I ordered my cap and gown, complete with tassel, and tried it on at least twice before the big day.  I was conservative so did not partake in the silliness of wearing shorts (or nothing) under the gown.  Others were less conservative and could not wait to moon the audience at the right time.  Personally, I was offended that this rite of passage could be taken so lightly.

When I graduated from the university at age 47 (long story), I was not going to be denied my chance to walk across the stage to receive my diploma.  I ordered the cap and gown and tried it on at least twice before the ceremony.  My wife, my mother, and my sisters were in the audience and I wanted to look great.  I did, of course, gray beard and all.

Then finally, I went on for my Master's degree, and through much hard work, I finished in a year and at age 48, I again was not going to forgo the walk across the stage, so once again ordered my cap and gown.  Only this time, I got a Master's hood.  Cool.  It was a big deal, and truth be told, I tried it all on about 4 or 5 times, constantly adjusting the hood that always seemed twisted.

I found, as most do I believe, that graduation from high school and college is a big deal -- a recognition of major accomplishments.

Because it was my lovely granddaughter, I came around to seeing this 8th grade "graduation" in a less cynical light.  It was cute and she was moving on to the Big House populated by grades with names and not just numbers.  She would be a freshman, the lowliest being in the high school.  That would be a change for sure.

I still decided to draw the line at 8th grade.  In the last few weeks, I read about graduations from Kindergarten, and can you believe, from pre-school?  What's next?  Graduation from potty training?

Well, that is a major milestone, so maybe another exception is in order.

Traitor or Hero? Are You Really Asking That?

I am still thinking about the ramifications of the NSA and other leaks perpetrated by Edward Snowden.  I am puzzled how a person without a high school education gets such a sensitive job.  I am amazed that there are so many non-governmental employees with top-secret security clearances.  Clearly, there needs to be a review of all this deep, dark world of espionage.

I do not believe that we, as Americans, should be told everything about what the country is doing to thwart terrorist activity.  That would certainly be counter-productive.  My ideas are evolving about some of the things the government has done in our name to protect us (e.g., phone records).  Part of me wants to be incensed at the intrusion in our free society.  Part of me, probably the cop part, says that if you aren't doing anything illegal, who cares if they collect this data?  I have not resolved that yet.

What I have resolved, however, is the Mr. Snowden is not a hero.  He certainly swore an oath when he got his security clearance to hold the secrets of the USA close to his chest.  He could have left his employment, not deigning to stick with such a horrific job if he was upset at what he was learning.  But no, he kept his (high-paying) job, in Hawaii I might add, until he seemed to have come to the conclusion that he should be the savior of the nation and let fly with all sorts of classified information.

He has done real harm to our security - that is clear to anyone watching the news.  He has put our clandestine services in harm's way needlessly.  Mr. Snowden is nothing but a traitor to his country and to the pledge that he took before he worked for our spy network.  He needs to be caught, charged, tried, and dealt with...severely.

Where Will it End? Some Suggestions

The Sandy Hook School tragedy is beyond comprehension, let alone words.  It is, of course, made all the worse by the thought that most of the victims were not just innocent, but were very young children.  So first, we must all keep those affected families in our prayers.  That may seem trite to say because we are saying it so much these days, with all the carnage left by shooters in Oregon, Aurora, Oak Creek, and unfortunately, on and on.

We ask over and over how this could keep happening in our country and the answer is not simple.   It is not just a matter of more gun control.  It is not just a better handle on those with mental health issues.  It is not just a matter of increased security.  The answer, as so many are, is complex and needs a multi-faceted focus.  I offer a few humble suggestions here for anyone to ponder.

1.  We need to assess why the U.S. has so many of these kinds of shootings.  Do other countries have fewer per capita killings such as these?  If so, what is the difference?  Is it our culture, our level of freedom, our wild west heritage, our 2nd Amendment?
2.  We need to look at our mental health system and put in place an "early warning" system where patient confidentiality (or the protection of the confessional) is trumped by real concerns for the safety of the person and others.  I know it is easy to second guess after the fact; it is easy to point out the "signs" of problems before these horrific acts.  Yet, we must have some sort of screening system, that professionals as well as friends and relatives can access to report their concerns.
3.  We need to assess our security, particularly in schools.  Locked outside doors, cameras, and even security guards might deter a potential shooter.  Of course, with those things in place, we will never know what didn't happen.
4.  Finally, but surely not the last idea, is that the U.S. must address reasonable gun control.  We will never be able to ban ownership of all guns as is the case in many countries.  We are too far beyond that, with our constitutional freedoms, or self-sufficiency heritage, and many other reasons.  However, there can be some compromises made that still allow for the "right to bear arms."  Every answer had its pitfalls, but surely someone can craft a series of compromises that gives us room on both sides.  I suggest a few here; there are surely many more that can be generated in a good discussion.
A.  Ban all assault weapons for civilian ownership, the same with high capacity clips.  There is no legitimate reason for these other than for killing people in great numbers.  These are tools of war or law enforcement.
B.  Require all guns be registered in a national database (or shared state databases).  This still allows for hunting weapons, handguns for personal protection or sport, and nearly anything else you need a gun for.  Limit gun ownership to a reasonable number, say 12 guns per person.  This, of course, allows the determined gun buyer to purchase guns in the names of his or her spouse, children, cousins, etc, but still requires all gun to be registered.   Concealed carry is now allowed in 49 states, so continue to refine the training requirements with a minimum standard set by the federal government. 
C.  Require a comprehensive background check for all gun owners and set parameters for denial of registration (e.g., mental illness, criminal background, and the like).

With a combination of good policy in all of the suggestions above, we will never stop everyone who is set on horrific massacres, but will save untold numbers from the possible threat of maiming or killing.  

We have to start somewhere.  We have to have this discussion now.  We have to agree that we do not want to see more tragedies like Sandy Hook, Aurora, Columbine, Virginia Tech, and on and on.