Thursday, July 28, 2016

In Need of Reality



For nearly two generations, no American has been obligated to join the military. Less than 0.5 percent of the population serves in the armed forces, compared with more than 12 percent during World War II. Even fewer of the privileged and powerful and their children shoulder arms. As you would expect...this separates the great majority from the reality every soldier faces. With nothing to risk...most Americans never have to concern themselves. The media doesn't show the body bags coming home anymore, or the faces of the parents, brothers, sisters, wives and husbands as they get a knock on their door. America is removed from this reality and we must bring it back with a national draft that places every child at risk...including the children of the privileged and powerful. Maybe, one day, enough of us will care if our children die. 

Click for a NY Times Article:

The Haunting faces of war:  

In Need of Reality

For nearly two generations, no American has been obligated to join the military. Less than 0.5 percent of the population serves in the armed forces, compared with more than 12 percent during World War II. Even fewer of the privileged and powerful and their children shoulder arms. As you would expect...this separates the great majority from the reality every soldier faces. With nothing to risk...most Americans never have to concern themselves. The media doesn't show the body bags coming home anymore, or the faces of the parents, brothers, sisters, wives and husbands as they get a knock on their door. America is removed from this reality and we must bring it back with a national draft that places every child at risk...including the children of the privileged and powerful. Maybe, one day, enough of us will care if our children die. 


Click for a NY Times Article:



Thursday, July 7, 2016

"Show some respect or your dead."

Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Michael Brown, Eric Garner...names we should remember...and so many more I can not remember. And on calls in to news shows and comments on social media what do I hear and see? All these folks telling us how, if only these folks had shown some respect for these officers they would be just fine. Since when did showing disrespect become a capital crime deserving of the death penalty? 

 

Philando Castille's murder: Click if you wish (very graphic).

Alton Steele's murder: Click if you wish (very graphic.). 

Eric Garner's murder: Click if you wish (very graphic).