A Judge Of Society

I was so moved when I read this story, I wanted to share it with as many people as I could. I posted it here on my blog. Read the story and see what you think:

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line,
there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the
same choice?


At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled
children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would
never be forgotten by all who
attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a
question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything
nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things
as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically
and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize
true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people
treat that child."


Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were
playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's
father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their
team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play,
it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to
be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.


Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not
expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around or guidance and
said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I
guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth
inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a
team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in
his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.





In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team

scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of
the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right
field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously
ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning
from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In
the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.




Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to
be next at bat.


At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their
chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat
Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay
didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less
connect with the ball.


However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher,
recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for
this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to
lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.




The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.



The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball
softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the
ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.


The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft
grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the
first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have
been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first
baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from
the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first!
Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far,
but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline,
wide-eyed and startled.


Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!"
Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second,
gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time
Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the
ball ... The smallest guy on their team who now had his first
chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the
ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the
pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball
high and far over the third-baseman's head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of
him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to
help him by turning him in the direction of third
base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third!"


As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the
spectators, were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run
home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate,
and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the
game for his team.

"That day", said the father softly with tears now rolling down
his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of
true love and humanity into this world".


Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that
winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his
father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother
tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY: We all
send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second
thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life
choices, people hesitate. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene
pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about
decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.


If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are
that you're probably sorting out the people in your address
book who aren't the "appropriate" ones to receive this type of
message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we
all can make a difference. We all have thousands of
opportunities every single day to help realize the "natural
order of things." So many seemingly trivial
interactions between two people present us with a choice:




Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those
opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the
process?


A wise man once said "every society is judged by how it treats
it's least fortunate amongst them".

You now have two choices:


1. Delete


2. Forward


May your day, be a Shay Day

Have My Check On Time

I came back today and was met with a story about children participating in the 'summer jobs program'; and them not being paid on time. I'm sure this isn't as critical as some people make it out to be. No doubt it's a temporary inconvenience that will be cleared up in 7 to 14 days. But that could seem like an eternity to some people though.Many of the parents have expressed outrage publicly about their displeasure with the situation. Let's be clear here, I'm not saying people shouldn't be upset. It depends on the reason you're complaining in the first place though. Is it because the system has failed because of someones incompetent work performance, or is it due to your incompetence as a parent? Have you failed to live up to your obligations to your children? By not adequately providing for their well being. If you're counting on a 'summer jobs program' check to keep your budget afloat. You don't have your business in order to begin with. This is a multifaceted problem that addresses a variety of issues in the community. When people work, they are expecting to be paid at the agreed upon time (payday). Any employee expects to get their money when they've worked the allotted hours. The only people that won't raise a fuss are those people who are in management. They're supposed to represent the company no matter what's happening. Another reason for their calmness in the midst of confusion is usually.They expect to get paid even if no one else does.In all my years of working. I have never had this happen to me. Not saying that it couldn't, it just hasn't.

One thing I haven't heard mentioned so far, that I think is a valuable lesson. This is what happens when we depend on these sponsored programs. What happens if the sponsors don't show up when expected? Now this can inadvertently be compared to the aftermath of "Hurricane Katrina". If your only option depends on someone else coming through. You just might come up short. Always have a backup plan in place. Many of these jobs were created anyway. We mustn't forget that some people were complaining at first about there "not being any summer jobs available". They claimed the children would be predisposed to commit crimes due to boredom. I knew that was just a smokescreen. It seems it hasn't helped cut down on crime so far. The criminals aren't concerned with getting summer jobs. They're just waiting to rob them one way or another after they get paid. Back to those outspoken parents complaining more than the children. It's not like the children won't be paid at all.Those same parents were undeservedly counting on this money then. If I were a betting man I'd be willing to bet. Many of these parents are probably the same people complaining loudest now.

If There Is Such Thing

This is a picture that could be looked at a hundred years from now and not be cause for embarrassment. Her great grandchildren could see this photo, and the only thing they could say is "grandma was a fox".I agree with a statement I heard earlier today. "Any woman in America could strike this pose and excite her man". Considering who the model is (Serena Williams).We know the minds and imaginations are going to run wild.If there is such thing as tasteful pornography. This would be the model.

Poster Child For Brutal Pastime

The biggest thing Michael Vick is guilty of is being "Rich and Famous". What was initially an investigation of his cousin. Resulted in the the indictment that named Michael Vick. Go to any neighborhood in America with hip-hop influenced young people. You are bound to find some young men and possibly young women too. Who engage in this so-called sport. It seems this type behaviour is accepted if not commonplace in the hood. Dog fighting didn't reach it's present popularity with the arrival of Michael Vick. He is just doing what he has probably always done. Only difference now is, he is a multi-millonaire. Who has recently signed a new NFL contract. Just like cockfighting and underground prizefighting. This is both an organized and a well funded activity. They have trade shows and even published magazines. This criminal activity has the whole nine yards. It is enjoyed and participated in by only God knows who.

The PETA organization have took this and ran with it. Not to mention people like Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W. VA.)overreacting. He has called for the man's execution. This thing has taken a life of it's own, like the Don Imus outburst. I must say Mr. Vick hasn't done the best job of damage control on this matter. He doesn't seem to be aware of the implications this will cause. He has already lost a lucrative endorsement worth millions. Nike was just about to launch a line of clothing bearing his name. Not condoning what he did, or trying to give him a way out. All the facts have yet to come to light. In this situation he should keep a low profile.

The Miserable Group

I watched Mayor Herenton last night conduct one of his few sit down interviews. Usually his interviews are impromptu and under duress. When I say under duress. I simply mean they usually take place in the spur of the moment, in front of a microphone and the news cameras. Even though this outing was a walk in the park. He still made it a productive campaign appearance. I'm sure he faces more public opposition than praise lately. The interview was conducted by one of his long time supporters "Janice Fullilove". On her new television show the "Truth be told". It wasn't a surprise that she didn't ask him the so-called hard questions. Like those who don't like him would've wanted. In spite of this advantage for the Mayor. I still think he presented himself admirably. He could have took this time to get down and dirty; but to his credit he didn't. He certainly wouldn't have been tempered down by Janis. That would have been right up her alley. She has been known to have a few fiery diatribes of her own.

I think Mayor Herenton will be reelected for a fifth term in office, but that's my opinion. In spite of all the things accomplished in his tenure. It escapes the minds and eyesight of many of the residents. Things I would think that would be obvious to anyone looking. Some people still think he has done a poor job. The Mayor touted his fiscal record and accomplishments. Despite being accused by some people of not doing so in the past. He stated his position on consolidation with which I agree. And he brought up the need for toll booths, which I've never heard him mention. The issue that he seems to take the most flack for; crime. He gave the only answer that he could. Regardless what anyone tells you, "the mayor can't stop crime". Until the people in the community change their mind and hearts, the crime statistics won't change. I like the name the Mayor came up with for his detractors. He called them "The Miserable Group".

2007 Memphis Election Candidate List

Mayor:

Fred Askew
Laura Davis Aaron
Carlos F. Boyland
Randly L. Cagle
Carol Chumney
Willie W. Herenton (incumbent)
Robert "Prince Mongo" Hodges
Bill Jacox
Roosevelt Jamison
Dewayne A. Jones, Sr.
Bill Mcallister
Jame McKay
Herman Morris, Jr.
Jerome C. Payne
Sharon A. Webb
John H. Willingham

City Council District 1:

W.B. Bates
Jerry Benya
Rudolph Daniels
Keith Ferguson
Stephanie Gatewood
Jesse Jeff
Bill Morrison
Antonio "2 Shay" Parkinson
Riesel Sandridge


City Council District 2:

Daryl Benson
Jesse Blumenfeld
Bill Boyd
Karen Camper
Georgia Cochran-Cannon
Ivon Faulkner
Todd Gilreath
Scott Pearce
Daniel Price
Brian Stephens


City Council District 3:

Jennings Bernard
Albert Banks, III
Harold Collins
Davida M. Cruthird
Ike Griffith
Jerome Payne
Ronald Peterson
Madeleine Cooper Taylor
Coleman Thompson


City Council District 4:

Wanda M. Halbert
Johnny Hatcher, Jr.
Venita Marie Martin


City Council District 5:

Jeff Bailey
Denise Parkinson
Richard Parks
Kerry Rogers
Bob Schreiber
Jim Strickland


City Council District 6:

Perry Bond
James O. Catchings
Charles Etta Chavez
Jesse Chism
Philmore Epps, Jr.
Edmund Ford, Jr.
Clifford Lewis
Alicia A. Howard
Willie H. Justice, III
Reginald Milton
Ed Vaughn


City Council District 7:

Veronica Sherfield Castillo
Barbara Swearengen Holt-Ware (Incumbent)
Preston Poindexter
Derek D. Richardson


City Council District 8, Position 1:

Joe Brown (Incumbent)
Ian L. Randolph
Tiffany L. Lowe


City Council District 8, Position 2:

Janis Fullilove
Henry Hooper
Matthew Jordan
Derrick Lanois
George Monger
Jesse E. "Elder" Neely
Brian L. Saulsberry
David W. Vinciarelli
Trennie Williams


City Council District 8, Position 3:

Del Gill
Myron Lowery (Incumbent)
Toni Strong


City Council District 9, Position 1:

Cecil Hale
Scott McCormick


City Council District 9, Position 2:

Joseph L. Baier, Jr.
Kemp Conrad
George Shea Flinn
Frank Langston
James Christopher Lochbihler
Florence Johnson Raines
Joe Saino


City Countil District 9, Position 3:

John H. Coats
Boris Combest
Reid Hedgepeth
Desi Franklin
Lester F. Lit
John Pellicciotti
Mary Wilder


City Court Clerk

Betty S. Boyette
Thomas Long (Incumbent)
Jeffrey J. Shields
M. Latroy Williams

Kathryn Bowers Changes Plea

I guess it's only expected that someone would exhaust all avenues available to them before pleading guilty. Having said that, I guess I can't blame Ms. Bowers for holding out until today. In spite of her age and failing health. I still don't feel sorry for her though. Everybody all of a sudden gets sick when they are caught in their crimes. I wonder would her health be failing if she wasn't going to jail.She is having her charges reduced by pleading guilty. She could possibly get ten years but she won't. Since she was the connection in this whole thing. I think she should get at least two of them.

Debate 08: Giulliani Girl Vs. Obama Girl

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A Weight Off His Shoulders

He looks like a man who just got released from prison. We now see the smile that he has shown the people for the last five years. This is a totally different look than he had the other day, before he made his announcement.

Truth Be Told

Last night I saw the first episode of Janis Fullilove's new talk show "Truth be told". I enjoy listening to Janis talk about different issues, even though I often don't agree. Especially when it comes to politics. I first became a fan of hers when she was on WDIA in the nighttime. I always thought she was engaging and informative on current events. I was also drawn to her confessions of Christian faith. That was before she became so involved in politics, or at least before she ran for office.

I don't think she's only going to deal in politics, at least I hope not. If she does the show won't be that interesting. It'll just be more of her one sided diatribes. That type journalism is what has always been her demise in the past. Everyone has to find their own way. You have to ultimately do what pleases you. Otherwise there will always be this void. Janis has said to be a public servant is a burning desire she has. We don't always get what we want. Some people feel her true calling is that of a talk show hostess. Truth be told I think they might be right.

I Think She Got Her Wish

Just the other day Ms. Louise Patterson was in the news. It seemed as though a changing of the heirarchy was taking place. After a four month wait since the Bishop's death. The "Temple Of Deliverance" installed their new pastor today. "Superintendant Milton Hawkins" was named as the new leader of the church. He is pictured above seated next to the Bishop's wife. It's common knowledge this was her choice.

I Knew This Was Coming

I don't want to be the one to say "I told you this would happen, but I did". I figured the members of "Temple of Deliverance" wouldn't allow such a smooth transition. It took a while, but eventually they proved me right. With such a large and flourishing congregation. It's no wonder that the power struggles would be happening. Louise Patterson the widow of G.E. Patterson, is a major figure in the outcome of the church. In my personal opinion, I don't think she should. G.E. Patterson was the presiding bishop, not his wife.

This week the fit hit the shan. Ms. Patterson went to the church and found that her husbands belongings had been packed and the locks had been changed. It's been four months now; it was really about time. The saga of "Life after the Bishop" begins. I talked to some members who like the bishop's nephew (Supt. Milton Hawkins) . They support him being given the pastoral appointment. Obviously there are those who support the interim pastor "Jerry Maynard". It will be interesting to see where this ends. Why couldn't this be like when Adrian Rodgers died or Jerry Falwell? They buried them and their respective ministries moved ahead. When ministers become larger than life, and run their churches without checks and balances. When they die this is what happens. I knew this was coming.

Read my earlier blog:
http://indepcons.blogspot.com/2007/05/men-all-pause.html

Is This What's Meant By "Hypnotized Minds"

I read this story and I couldn't believe what I was reading. It's hard to imagine children could be this callous. Doesn't seem like they would be old enough to have such a devious mind. This saga unfolds like a made for television drama. Read the story below and see if you find it equally as alarming.

Fla. mother and son are attacked

By BRIAN SKOLOFF and JENNIFER KAY, Associated Press Writers
Tue Jul 10, 5:57 PM ET

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Mother and son huddled together, battered and beaten, in the bathroom — sobbing, wondering why no one came to help. Surely the neighbors had heard their screams. The walls are thin, the screen doors flimsy in this violence-plagued housing project on the edge of downtown.

For three hours, the pair say, they endured sheer terror as the 35-year-old Haitian immigrant was raped and sodomized by up to 10 masked teenagers and her 12-year-old son was beaten in another room.

Then, mother and son were reunited to endure the unspeakable: At gunpoint, the woman was forced to perform oral sex on the boy, she later told a TV station.

Afterward, they were doused with household cleansers, perhaps in a haphazard attempt to scrub the crime scene, or maybe simply to torture the victims even more. The solutions burned the boy's eyes.

The thugs then fled, taking with them a couple of hundred dollars' worth of cash, jewelry and cell phones.

In the interview with WPTV, the mother described how she and her son sobbed in the bathroom, too shocked to move. Then, in the dark of night, they walked a mile to the hospital because they had no phone to call for help.

Two teenagers — a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old — have been arrested. Eight others are being sought.

Welcome to Dunbar Village, a place residents call hell.

___

"So a lady was raped. Big deal," resident Paticiea Matlock said with disgust. "There's too much other crime happening here."

Built in 1940 to house poor blacks in then-segregated West Palm Beach, Dunbar Village's 226 units sit just blocks from million-dollar condos on the Intracoastal Waterway. Billionaires lounge on beachfront property just a few miles away on Palm Beach.

The public housing project's one- and two-story barracks-style buildings are spread across 17 grassy, tree-lined acres surrounded by an 8-foot iron fence. The average rent is about $150 a month.

Almost 60 percent of the households in the area that includes Dunbar Village were below the poverty level in 2000, according to Census figures. Only 19 percent of the area's residents had high school degrees. About 9 percent of the adults were unemployed, nearly triple the state average.

Teenagers with gold-plated teeth wander the streets. Drug dealers hang out on nearby sidewalks. Trash bin lids are open. Flies hover over dirty diapers. Clothes dry on sagging lines.

Since the June 18 attack, police have increased patrols in the area, blocked off one entrance and will soon install surveillance cameras.

"It took this to make that happen?" Matlock, a 32-year-old single mother of three, snarled.

As in other blighted neighborhoods across the country where criminals seem to have free rein, residents here live in fear. Snitches get stitches, they say. Or worse.

"I try to be in my house no later than 7, and I don't come out," said Citoya Greenwood, 33, who lives in Dunbar with her 4-year-old daughter. "I don't even answer my door anymore." On the Fourth of July, "we didn't know if we was hearing gunshots or fireworks."

___

Avion Lawson, 14, and Nathan Walker, 16, will be charged as adults in the assault and gang rape, prosecutors said. They are jailed without bail.

Lawson's DNA was found in a condom at the crime scene, and he admitted involvement, authorities say. Police say Walker's palm print was discovered inside the home. He denies being there. His attorney says he will plead not guilty. Lawson's public defender did not return telephone messages.

Walker and Lawson did not live at Dunbar but visited often. Lawson stayed with his grandmother there. Walker came to hang out and play basketball. Dunbar has become the place to be for wayward black teens, residents and neighborhood kids say.

Walker and Lawson both grew up mostly fatherless, bouncing between homes. Walker's family sometimes lived in old cars or abandoned houses, said his mother, Ruby Nell Walker.

"We've never really had a real home," said Naporcha Walker, Nathan's 15-year-old sister.

He dropped out of school after spending three years in seventh grade. The family lives on food stamps and recently had to pawn their television and radio, Ruby Walker said.

"I just feel like he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. ... My son is not a rapist," she said.

Ruby Walker said she herself was raped twice, at ages 7 and 12. She said that just days before the Dunbar attack, someone tried to rape her again, and "my son came to me crying and said he wouldn't ever do that to anyone."

She has had her own problems with the law — at least nine arrests on charges such as disorderly conduct, aggravated assault and battery, according to state records.

Avion Lawson was a headstrong kid, never listening to his mother, said his cousin, Cassandra Ellis.

"I knew he was bad, but I never pictured him to be that type of bad," Ellis said. She said one traumatic experience may have scarred him — watching his older sister fatally stab a boyfriend.

"It was an accident. She killed her boyfriend. They was fighting, there was a knife," Ellis said. "He was there when it happened."

___

City officials are quick to note that neither Lawson nor Walker lived at Dunbar, and say they are doing their best to make the place safe.

As quickly as overhead lights can be replaced, they are shot out, so officials are now considering bulletproof lighting.

"Isn't that quite a commentary on what the situation is there?" said City Commissioner Molly Douglas, whose district includes part of Dunbar. "Dunbar Village is a hell hole. They shouldn't have to live in fear."

More officers are hitting the streets, but "I just bow my head sometimes and think we just couldn't possibly have enough officers ever to take care of all of this," Douglas said.

Laurel Robinson, head of the city's housing authority, said that up until about four years ago, the federal government provided the city with $160,000 a year for security in public housing projects, but Congress did away with the money.

"Every family housing project in the country has suffered because of it," she said.

____

The rape victim and her son have not returned to their apartment since the attack.

The woman fled Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with her son seven years ago in search of a better life. With no money, they landed in Dunbar. The two almost instantly became targets for crime, standing out as Haitians among the mostly American-born blacks in the housing project. Her car and the boy's bicycle were stolen. Their house was ransacked.

On the night of the attack, she was lured outside by a teenager who knocked on the door and said her car had a flat. Nine more teens, their faces shrouded with T-shirts, barged in, she told authorities. They brandished guns and demanded money, then went beyond the imaginable.

"I was so scared," the woman told WPTV. "Some of them had sex with me twice, some of them had sex with me three times. They're beating me up. They make me do those things over and over. The man with the big gun, he put the gun inside of me."

She said that when she was forced to perform oral sex on her own son, she told the boy: "I know you love me, and I love you, too."

Investigators say it is not clear exactly why the thugs picked her house.

The boy's sight has returned. Both mother and son are seeking counseling.

"I have to try and talk to him every day. He's so angry," the woman said. "He said we never should have moved to Dunbar Village."

___

AP researchers Judith Ausuebel and Monika Mathur contributed to this report.

(This version CORRECTS by deleting number of times police were called to Dunbar Village; police now say their figures were incorrect.)

Don't Go For The Gimme

There has been an organized movement put together to recruit A.C. Wharton to run for the city mayor of Memphis. If Mayor Wharton ran against Mayor Herenton, I still don't think he would win. The flip side of that is Mayor Herenton wouldn't either. It would severely divide the Black vote. Allowing someone who wouldn't possibly win otherwise, to possibly have a chance. In a worst case scenario they both could end up losing. Thus allowing a dark horse candidate like councilwoman Carol Chumney to win. There has been one onslaught on the Mayor after another. From the recall to the latest sex scandal. I would hope Mayor Wharton wouldn't allow himself to be used as a pawn to undermine Mayor Herenton too.

I don't think Wharton has to resign from his county Mayor post to run for the city position. If so it wouldn't be like him really taking a chance. If he did win what exactly would he gain? I will hold up on my judgement until he makes a decision. I still think Mayor Wharton is a man of his word. If you come in on your knees, they'll never let you stand up. I noticed the majority of the people who showed up to support him were predominately White and elderly. The first time he makes a decision these people don't agree with. His name will be like mud. Once the curtain is closed their selection is a secret. I would just tell A.C. Wharton"don't go for the gimme".

Just Jockeying For Position

If you ask me "this is nothing more than sour grapes" by these two preachers. Bill Adkins has been relatively quiet about city politics for the last fifteen years. He has been too busy fleecing his flock. He was instrumental in getting Willie Herenton elected as the cit's first black mayor to begin with. Now all of a sudden he's speaking out against Willie Herenton trying to entice A.C. Wharton to run for city Mayor. Leo Gray has been suffering from illusions of grandeur all along. He has aspirations of being the local version of Jesse Jackson. The one thing the two ministers have in common is their pro-black stances. These two preach racism from the pulpit. Talking to one of Bill Adkin's members makes you wonder do they attend weekly church services or "Black Panther" rallies. I don't personally know any of Lasimba Gray's members, but I've seen him on t.v. enough. Any where racial tensions are afloat with a news camera, he will be in the midst.

It's obvious that neither of these pastors have received preferred status under this administration. When the media wants a spiritual point of view, they don't call these two. Neither have received any special appointments, or been appointed to any governing boards. They have both been successful in their own rights; but egos are at play here. The bottom line is two of the biggest race baiters in the city, haven't benefited directly from having a Black Mayor. At this point they have nothing to lose. If Wharton did get in the race. In a worst case senario their situations wouldn't change. I just think they're jockeying for position.

Money Isn't The Thing

There was a total of 122,293,332 votes cast in the 2004 election. Claiming 258,000 at this point in the game is not that many people. I know they are excited about the amount of money that has been raised. The Democrats are leading the Republicans at this point. What it shows is that a very few people have contributed a lot of money so far. Can you say George Soros? I bet he is a very big reason for this early amount. Somebody with an agenda is behind these early numbers. I think someone just wants us too think the Democrats are further ahead than they really are. This is kind of late in the game to have less than .02% of the registered voters. The election will be held in November of this year, that's not very far away. I have often said before " Barack OBama or Hillary Clinton either one getting the Democratic nomination, just assures us of another Republican president".

Never At The Same Time

I knew this meeting of the forces wasn't likely to happen. I was telling my friend earlier today, they never work together. These two problem profiteers cancel each other out. Al Sharpton has came to town and stirred the rebel rousers up already. He has met with the child's mother and preached the child's eulogy. That doesn't leave much room for Jesse Jackson to do what he does best; make a mountain out of a molehill. There aren't any major manufacturers in the West Memphis area to shake down either. This scandal wasn't big enough for the two of them. Al has already come and milked this tragedy for all it's worth. He has plugged his organization (NAN) and got on the local news. If anyone will gain from this untimely tragedy, it will be Mr. Sharpton. I think for him this has been a successful outing.

The mid-south area is a hotbed for racial tension. It's like a powder keg waiting to explode. You have a group on stand-by just waiting for the riots to start. Al Sharpton had to catch himself in one of his speeches. He almost suggested that Blacks take it to the street. Some people could have easily taken his statement as a call to become unruly. I just heard this Saturday's planned march has been cancelled. Had it taken place that would have been the first division. You can't follow Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson both. They both require your undivided misdirection If you have to decide between the two of them, you might start to think. That would be dangerous for both of them. They feed solely on untrained emotions. Their main objective is to have you rush to judgement before the facts are in. They have to move fast or that window of opportunity will be closed. Both of them in the same place at the same time would be like a double whammy. It's going to have to be something bigger than this, to support both camps. Until something really big and unjustified happens. You will never see them at the same time.

Sign Of Blight

I read this story and thought to myself this doesn't describe Memphis at all. Unlike most predominately Black cities, Memphis is headed in a totallly different direction. Read what a blogger had to say:

Detroit being reclaimed by nature.

The new issue of Detroit being reclaimed by nature.
The new issue of Harpers Weekly features an article on “post-Industrial” Detroit.

Detroit has long been one of the largest majority black cities in America. It has been on a steady decline for decades. Now pheasants, turkey, and foxes roam the streets while vegetation grows on high-rises.

A Detroit Blogger describes the situation…

Even downtown, abandoned skyscrapers, with windows left open to the elements, become giant pigeon coops, with upper floors covered in inches of pigeon droppings, as generation after generation of pigeons live uninterrupted by humans in the middle of a major downtown. Buildings like the Wurlitzer, the Lafer and the Broderick house hundreds of pigeons between them.

Trees up to two or three stories tall rise up from the roofs of a number of local skyscrapers, like the Metropolitan, Charlevoix and Lafayette buildings, and hotels like the Fort-Shelby, and used to rise from the Statler and Book Cadillac hotels. A bushy tree rises higher each year from the Detroit Building’s roof on Park Avenue.

Probably the most visible wildlife in the city are the roving packs of wild dogs in Detroit neighborhoods. Groups of usually four to seven dogs, each litter progressively wilder and stranger-looking than their predecessors, roam through even well-kept neighborhoods, occasionally making the news when they attack someone, usually children or mail carriers.

Probably the most famous symbol of wildlife’s reclamation of the city are the stubborn trees referred to locally as ghetto palms. Known for their ubiquitousness in Detroit’s alleys, empty lots and fence borders between homes, the Ailanthus altissima, also called the Tree of Heaven, was imported from China in 1784 and spread through the city like a weed. It’s a very hardy species, able to grow in very small amounts of soil, requiring little sunlight or water, and able to withstand all sorts of soil pollutants, as anyone who’s tried to rid their property of them can confirm.

You can use their height as a gauge of how long a particular parcel has been neglected. In some areas they reach several stories high

Ron Paul Renegades

Yesterday Andrew Clarksenior was bombarded on Mike Flemming's show, by callers in support of Ron Paul for president. Based on the attitude of most of his supporters. I think he is probably a Conservatives Conservative. There's not much room for compromise among them. Either you're with them or against them. They hold fast to this notion of adhering strictly to the constitution. In itself that may be a good thing, but it lends credence to conspiracy theories. These people tend to have what appears to be tunnel vision. They fix their eyes on one particular issue and hold on like pitbulls. To some people that tenacity may be just what's needed in today's political climate. Realistically that strategy is not very effective though. In a presidential race that will be so personality centered. No one is going to be able to show up and hijack a party. Being able to get along with others will be one of the biggest factors the Republicans have to face.

Sammis Responds.......Officer Hiding No Longer

"I am not hiding anymore. My face and my voice is not a concern.
I still CANNOT talk about specifics of the incident until the State Police/FBI have released their results. I can, and would, comment about everything else that has transpired as a result of this incident.
I would like to say that if these "so called" Reverands and Pastors are truly Christians, then they should not preach pre-judgement until after they know the facts. They do not know the facts nor do they know the truth. They only know specualtion, rumor, and outright lies and deception about the incident. They know what people with anger and hatred have told them. I feel as if they don't want to know the truth. I feel that they only want reason to riot and to promote rage.
This was not a black/white racial issue. I didn't make it one, THEY did.
This was not a political statement. I didn't make it one, THEY did.
I did not wake up Friday morning and tell myself that I was going to shoot a 12 year old.
I sincerely hate it for the Farrow family.
What is troubling for me is that it isn't even about Deaunta anymore. It's about racial tension, and votes for politicians who want to trample Deaunta's memory."
Erik Sammis"

Be Careful What You Say

I developed a new found respect the other week for WDIA's talk show host, Bobby O'Jay. In the past I had been extremely critical of this man in regards to some of the things he says. Due to the amount of influence this man has on the people of Memphis Tenn and the surrounding areas. He ranked in the 50 most influential people in the whole state. I thought he should be very careful of what he says over the airwaves. Since obviously so many people swear by what he says. Which in my humble opinion he just hasn't done. Then I witnessed his callers in action and saw where he was coming from. It is all about his livelihood.

I agreed with the position he took on the Don Imus issue. As one radio personality to another, he read the writing on the wall. He took a lot of flack for that. The vast majority of his callers disagreed with what he said. That doesn't look good to his bosses. They pay this guy over $100,000 a yr. to play up to his audience. He has to keep the Lady D's and the L.A. Roses calling on a regular basis. Like Lady D once said "it's not how many you can get to listen, but how many you can get to call". Two hours can seem like forever when you're talking to yourself.

Last week he made a comment that reached unfriendly ears. Only in the respect they aren't prepared to overlook his irresponsibility. He said "the policeman in West Memphis shot the 12 yr. old in cold blood". The big difference here, from all those other people who have a problem with what he said. This person has a platform to make their displeasure known. Andrew Clarksenior did just as he has done other radio personalities (Janis Fullilove) in the past. Read my earlier blog: http://indepcons.blogspot.com/2007/03/you-never-know-whos-listening.html .He hasn't used this against them , only let them know he heard what they said. It's just a matter of time before somebody gets one of these people on tape; just like they did Don Imus. All responsible broadcasters better be careful what they say. They never know who's listening. Above all what I found most interesting in this whole thing. Is the fact that she said "he should be fired".

BTW: A disagreement is brewing between Bobby O'Jay and Jennings Bernard. It upset Bobby enough that he mentioned it on his show. Read what got it started.

http://www.memphisrealtalk.com/BlogandComments.aspx

Happy July 4th

Did Tennesseans Foot The Bill

I haven't seen Joe Towns Jr. (D-84) in Memphis this whole year. I saw him yesterday standing on the stage at Deauntae Farrow's rally with Al Sharpton, in West Memphis Arkansas. With all the murders and crime going on in his own district. I have not seen him in attendance at one meeting or rally here in Memphis. The only time he was in the news was for his excessive spending. Makes me wonder did the people of Tennessee foot the bill for his photo-op.

Better Late Than Never

The only bad thing about what Mayor Herenton had to say is the timing. Had he said the same thing years ago, it would have been just as true then. It may just not have been politically correct then. Truth be known,just like it still isn't now. This is one of those things, no matter when you say it out loud. It's going to offend someone. Those who don't like him will say he made this whole thing up to boost his campaign. Others will claim Some people seem to think his latest tirade will hurt him. I don't think that it will. I think he might have went overboard in some of his accusation, but he cleaned it up nicely in the end. Watch the link below and see the whole interview:

http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=3669463&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1

Deaunta Farrow's Funeral

Eyewitness News did some excellent coverage on Deaunta Farrow's funeral. Based on the stories I'm sure that will arise in the future. It's only fair that we also allow for paying final respect. I must say I don't share the opinion of most people that are speaking out about this unfortunate occurance. Therefore I'm going to wait and see what the FBI investigation reveals. They have already informed us there will be no timetable on the bureau's findings. I think most of us already know what they will find. I think they're just allowing for a cooling off period. Which I think is sorely needed. Click on the links below to see the homegoing service.

Pt. 1
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=361139@video.abc24.com&navCatId=12#top

Pt. 2
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=361139@video.abc24.com&navCatId=12#top

WDIA Blue Jeans Ball

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