A Time for Reparations

It is time to put our money where our mouth is. We need to do the right thing that General Sherman recommended at the end of the Civil War to give every slave a mule and 40 acres of land. We have given reparations to Japanese internment victims and Germany has given reparations for World War II to Israel. Estimates are that slavery cost the slaves $20 Trillion. There is no real way to calculate the cost of slavery, with interest up until today. What we do know is that slavery lasted from 1619 to 1865 in the US-which is 246 years where slaves were not allowed to read, to get an education, to move around, to think or be a person. Families were split up, people were raped multiple times, whipped, harassed and terrorized. There is nothing called a good slaveowner, or slaves were well treated. This is totally impossible and a fallacy. Slaves were denied wages, freedom and were give bare necessities to survive. The slaves were at the beginning of the Civil War estimated at $4 Billion. The cotton industry was responsible for the huge growth in the north with cheap textiles, exports to Europe and was central to the US economy. Now, after the Civil War, segregation and Jim Crow laws kept blacks from voting, from a good education, from good jobs and income. Jim Crow laws in essence were like the Nuremberg laws and just as harsh. The South had vagrancy laws and black men were picked up on the streets and taken to work for free or to pay off a fine or debt. Wages were terrible for blacks and blacks were denied entry to jobs, good schools and white society. Red lining was practiced so blacks could not get mortgages to buy homes. Blacks had seller contracts at high rates and if they missed a payment would lose the house and they gained no equity. Blacks were denied social security, GI Bill benefits, unemployment and other New Deal support systems until much later than Whites. Do not forget lynching, destroying towns, massacres and killing blacks for whistling at a white woman (Emmitt Till). Jim Crow lasted from roughly 1865 to 1964 or another 99 years. So we have 345 years of lawful destruction of black lives, jobs and freedoms. We had other Civil Rights laws in 1968 that helped with housing issues but this is a good time. After Civil Rights, the war on drugs and crime targeted black people. Blacks in jail, blacks dropping out of school, blacks being shot by the police or stand your ground laws. Blacks wages, wealth and ability to move up are markedly less than whites. For every slave, lower wage, red line, person in jail, a white person benefited. Whites gained from slavery, segregation, post Civil Rights and the white economy benefited from killing black society. I hear that blacks should be fine and equal and if they are not, it is due to them being lazy or thugs or dumb. To me, it is like having the Daytona 500 and whites have a 345 lap head start, and then you let the blacks begin the race. Why did they not win? so far behind? Hmmm? Anyone with common sense can see how white society, American society has benefited from keeping the blacks down and discriminating blacks. What do we do? Reparations, pay the descendants of slaves from 1865. Estimates are from a low of $12,000 per person to $1.5 million or $5 Trillion to $24 Trillion is due to blacks. I have seen direct payments or payments to the community. We have done both in the past. I do believe a direct payment would be fantastic along with community money to rebuild cities, education, homes, business development and health care. The community funds can go to an oversight committee that would take requests for funds for local areas. Money to people would be a stimulus package and support business, education and living expenses for blacks. Both are good spending and would add to GDP and the economy. There is a Congressional Committee proposal by John Conyers that is introduced each year to look at the issue. I would be willing to start with $1 trillion over 10 years which is $100 B per year. We can then divide up the $100 B between people and the community. The point is to do this. We need to look at this and do it now. Pick numbers that make sense. Pick numbers that help the black community and the US. I am open to ideas.

Oklahoma protesters of Obama with Confederate Flag-heritage of hate

The League of the South, KKK in all southern states, Sons of Confederacy are all supporting the Confederate Flag. There are parades showing support of the Flag. On Thursday, President Obama visited Oklahoma for a prison visit about prison reform. There were protesters of President Obama outside of his hotel waving the Confederate Flag. This is just another example of the hatred and racism shown to the President. Protesting a president with the flag of hate-they do not use US flag but the flag of slavery to wave at the President. This is just spewing hate. Oklahoma was not part of the South and did not participate in the Civil War,so how could these people use heritage? It was used for hate. Symbols matter and the symbol of slavery, segregation, hate being waved at the President who happens to be the first African American President. This is hate. Ask any of the protesters their feelings on the president and it would not be of love and tolerance. They feel hatred. Do they believe blacks and whites are equal? The flag shows that this answer is NO! The flag shows their racist, hateful beliefs. Terrible.

Where are the Good Police? Are there any good police? Police should protect all not just white

The idea that it is a few bad cops that are killing black people is an old, outdated and false statement. I know black cops are involved in killing black people. I know white cops are involved in killing black people. The problem is that if you are black you are dying in the custody or vicinity of police. Protect and serve seems to be for whites only. Has it changed since segregation when blacks could be lynched, killed by whites at any time. The police let this happen. Has this really changed? The list keeps getting longer and longer of black people dying in the hands of police. Dontre Hamilton shot 14 times (disturbing the police, had mental illness) Eric Garner (selling illegal cigarettes), John Crawford (Walmart shopper holding b-b gun), Michael Brown (jay walking, shoplifting?, pot use), Ezell Ford (mentally ill, unarmed), Dante Parker (killed by repeated taser), Tanisha Anderson (mental ill, unarmed, smashed head on concrete while apprehending), AKai Gurley (walking girlfriend home, unarmed), Tamir Rice (12 year playing in park, play gun), Rumain Brisbon (shot as police thought pill bottle was weapon), Jerame Reid (getting out of car), Tony Robinson (disrupting traffic, assault officer),Phillip White (erratic behavior), Eric Harris (73 year old sherrif thought used taser but used gun), Walter Scott (running from police), Freddie Gray (trying to leave police, killed in custody), Sandra Bland (suicide in custody?). None of these people deserved to die. None deserved this treatment. These are the known deaths that is in the public view. There can be others. Then there is cases in New Mexico police shooting at black mother and her car with children in car, the Texas 15 year old being man handled by police. The list continues. A White killers of 9 people is treated well and even gets a Burger King meal. The Colorado Theater killer was treated respectfully. Whites consistently yell at cops, threaten cops, have weapons including guns and they are treated with respect. The police might put to the ground but whites are not killed by choking or tased to death or shot 14 times. I have friends and family members that have been arrested on drugs, alcohol and were belligerent, threatening but never were mistreated. Police protect and serve white people. Some of these criminals do not deserve this kind treatment but they get it. Where are the good police, that protect both black and white? Where are the police stopping this kill black people behavior? Where are the police intervening? Where are the police saying that this is wrong? Where are the police calling out their own? I don't see them. I see some police on the news giving comments, but actual police on the streets, stopping these events? No. Police are standing by and letting blacks die. They are letting blacks be mistreated. Until I see police officers intervening and making a change, all of the police are the same. The police are not there to protect blacks or Hispanics. The police are not good. Police only serving whites does not serve the public. Black lives matter. Brown lives matter. All lives matter. Police need to protect and serve all people.

Gun Controls, Responsible Laws are needed

The second amendment: The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Notice the beginning of the amendment, a well regulated militia. Now the Supreme Court in the Heller case gave individuals the right to bear arms individually. Normally it was related to well regulated militia and the courts looked at types of guns and purpose of guns. Was it military use? Used for militia? Now with this case and the presidency of Obama, less people have bought more and more guns. The percentage of Americans that have guns have decreased but the number of guns owned is over 300 million. The following are gun statistics from Gunviolencearchive dated July 15, 2015. I want to look at accidental shootings Some statistics state that 100 children die per year due to accidental shootings. Below it lists 1658 children killed or injured. It also lists 1004 accidental shootings. Total Number of Incidents 26,469 Number of Deaths1 6,800 Number of Injuries1 13,580 Number of Children (age 0-11) Killed/Injured1 376 Number of Teens (age 12-17) Killed/Injured1 1,282 Mass Shooting2 162 Officer Involved Shooting2 2,334 Home Invasion2 1,168 Defensive Use2 642 Accidental Shooting2 1,004 Now since most Congressmen and women will not create legislation on background checks, or laws about gun shows or loopholes, there are other ways to regulate gun use and practices. Regulations are expected and regulations and restrictions are on every amendment and right. The freedom of speech or religion are not unlimited and have practices that are not allowed in our country. The same can be said for the second amendment. My ideas do not relate to these restrictions, they are related to insurance and punishment. Gun owners should purchase insurance for their guns. There should be a new market for insurance with companies providing gun insurance to all types of guns. If the gun is a hand gun or AR-15 it would have a different rate than a standard shotgun for hunting. The insurance companies would rate people based on age, gun safety courses taken, tests taken, safety practices. The gun insurance would pay out due to accidental shootings, property damage, hospital bills. The insurance would put a cost on guns that relate to responsibility. The more responsible, the lower the rate. Now with punishment of gun accidents. They are called accidents, but most are preventable. Children, toddlers and teens have access to guns. Our children are finding the guns and playing with the guns and then the gun goes off. Responsible gun owners lock up their guns with no access to the key. Responsible gun owners do not have loaded guns available in the open. If a guardian is not responsible with their guns with the two options, they will be charged for the "accident". I know the people are punished for losing a loved one, and this hurts the family tremendously. We need to let the other gun owners, the ones that the accident has not happen to be responsible. I am not saying a parent should be charged with murder, but there should be a consequence. Jail time, fines are within the parameters. States can have the choice of punishments, but it is so sad seeing the deaths over and over in the news. People might say, the numbers are low. This does not happen often. The idea about a law, if it saves one life, it is worth it. If I can allow law abiding citizens their right to own and use a gun, but save a life, the law is acceptable and so worth it. A life is worth more than ownership of a gun. Thoughts? Ideas?

Obama Hope and Change-It is Real

Friends of mine on the right and left have made fun of Obama and his slogan from 2008. Many of my Democrat friends did not vote in 2010, 2012 and 2014 due to the perception that there has been no change. There is no hope. Well, President Obama made over 700 campaign promises in 2008 and has kept 45% with 22% a compromise. A compromise like the Affordable Heath Care Act was a great achievement and it was a compromise. Compromise is not bad, so these are included in achievements. In total he has kept 484 promises with record Republican opposition. The Republicans have not supported anything with Obama's name except for TPP and the trade agreements. Here are some of Obama's major achievements: 1) Stimulus package stopping the Great Recession and starting economic growth- 2) Unemployment dropping from 10.8% to 5.3% 3) Saving the auto industry 4) Killing Osama Bin Ladin 5) Health care reform-end of pre-existing conditions, end of lifetime and yearly maximum payouts, 26 year old on parents plan, plus 20 others 6) Opening diplomatic relations with Cuba 7) Iran Nuclear Deal 8) Wall Street Reform-Dodd Frank 9) Student loan reform-getting private companies out of process 10) Create consumer friendly credit card rating 11) Credit card bill of rights 12) Closed donut hole for senior citizens and prescription purchases 13) VA fully funded 14) Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell 15) End Iraq War These are all huge by themselves. There are so many more. The changes in same sex marriage, health care uninsured rate, lowering of unemployment are all tremendous achievements. Obama has done so much more. He is a leader and done things by executive order, bills and in executive agreements. He has had a successful presidency. Add more if you would like-there are plenty more achievements.

Operation Jade Helm-I am there to help you!

To All My Friends in Texas and the Southwest. Tomorrow is a huge day-July 15 and Operation Jade Helm. This is the day Texas is invaded and martial law occurs, concentration camps are set up at Walmarts and everyone's guns are taken. Please contact me and I will give you my number, email or way to contact me, so if anything happens to you, I will help. I am very good friends with President Obama. My family goes to dinner with the Obama's at least quarterly to discuss economic and foreign affairs. I actually gave him the idea to open an embassy in Cuba (over a Cuban cigar and vodka). My son Chase gave him the Heritage Foundation article on healthcare reform. So if you have been arrested by US military or Obama took your gun or you have family in concentration camps, call me. I will help you and your family. I will check on military operations every day this week. So you can just open a cold one, make a jack and coke or whatever drink, turn on Jimmy Buffet, Lynyrd Skynyrd or any music and enjoy your summer. Relax and enjoy.

Iran Deal is A Good Deal and Better Option than War

The new Iran Deal is a historic, positive step. It is a win-win situation and stops to drums of war. It involves give and take, a compromise on both sides so it is not perfect for both sides, but it is important and practical. It allows verification of nuclear facilities and military sites. 2/3 of centrifuges will be destroyed going from 19,000 to 6104. The Deal will keep Iran from producing more materials for a nuclear bomb for 10 years. The sanctions against Iran will be lifted and Iran will be begin to trade. Most of the people of Iran are young and do look to the West. They can be our friends. A deal like this could begin regime change. This deal has brought Iran to commit 40,000 troops to help fight terrorism in Iraq. I know every Republican will be against this deal. John McCain has not liked a single war and Lindsay Graham is just about as warlike. Republicans want to bomb Iran and use military force. Military force did not work in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya or in any recent conflict. Even with the largest military, the largest military budget or nuclear weapons arsenal, diplomacy works. Diplomacy worked against the Soviet Union. Diplomacy worked to stop Syria using chemical weapons. Diplomacy and talking helped the US normalize relations with Cuba. While diplomacy can fail and it has be followed up. Bombing Iran is not like Iraq. Iran's military is much better than Iraq's. Iran has trained military guards, navy, air force and the facilities are not easily bombed. It would not be like Israel bombing an Iraq nuclear facility and then it is over. Bombing Iran would start a war, terrorism against the US and more killing. The Iran deal will work because of "verification and not trust." Many do not trust the Iranians to follow through, and either did the negotiators and steps were put in place. Verification and snapbacks where sanctions will be put back into place if the Iranians fail on their side of the bargain. All countries except 3 support this deal.This deal was negotiated by everyone on the UN Security Council plus Germany with Iran. It was an important process that took 18 months and followed 12 years of Iranian concerns and build up of a nuclear program. Nuclear experts feel that this is a great deal. Diplomatic experts feel this is a good deal and a step towards peace. Hope begins today.