Monday, June 29, 2015
pendrake's passions: The Confederate Battle Flag is for ALL Southerners...
pendrake's passions: The Confederate Battle Flag is for ALL Southerners...: As a Southerner I am appalled that the Confederate battle flag has been expropriated by evil people to become a symbol for race hatred, a p...
pendrake's passions: "Mother Emanuel" AME Church Members Again Show Ame...
pendrake's passions: "Mother Emanuel" AME Church Members Again Show Ame...: Members of the historic "Mother Emanuel" AME church have given Americans another vivid lesson of what it means to be Christian. ...
"Mother Emanuel" AME Church Members Again Show America What Christians Are Like
Members of the historic "Mother Emanuel" AME church have given Americans another vivid lesson of what it means to be Christian. The church dates back to free African Americans in 1787 (yes, there have been free African Americans as long as there have been African Americans). They have a history of struggle and perseverance, as does the entire African American community. And they have just reacted to yet another brutal attack with Christian Love and Forgiveness.
After Dylan Roof was arrested for the brutal and senseless assault on their members, they addressed him with love and forgiveness. Other people have expressed rage for his act of hate. They welcomed him into their church and he almost could not carry out his assault. I hope that they will make a mission out of forgiving him, much as Pope John Paul II did with Mehmet Ali Agca.
This church has a long history of leading with love, not hate. Indeed, many African American Christians have had a long history of love and care. I love the South, and I hope that we can show the rest of America that we know how to get past hate. The racial killings in the North in recent times have been met with violence. Here we have racial killings met with love.
After Dylan Roof was arrested for the brutal and senseless assault on their members, they addressed him with love and forgiveness. Other people have expressed rage for his act of hate. They welcomed him into their church and he almost could not carry out his assault. I hope that they will make a mission out of forgiving him, much as Pope John Paul II did with Mehmet Ali Agca.
This church has a long history of leading with love, not hate. Indeed, many African American Christians have had a long history of love and care. I love the South, and I hope that we can show the rest of America that we know how to get past hate. The racial killings in the North in recent times have been met with violence. Here we have racial killings met with love.
The Confederate Battle Flag is for ALL Southerners: It is Time to End Reconstruction
As a Southerner I am appalled that the Confederate battle flag has been expropriated by evil people to become a symbol for race hatred, a purpose which desecrates it and dishonors all those OF ALL RACES who fought under it, not to defend slavery but their homeland. It is very well documented (despite lies to the contrary) that about 70,000 Southerners "of color" fought in uniform and armed (often dieing or facing imprisonment) as member of Confederate forces (both national and State).
It would be far more effective in reducing race hate in the South if Southern African Americans would embrace this symbol as theirs. Do not allow it to be used as Dylan Roof did. By recognizing that so many "colored" Southerners loved the South, they will help rid our land of the evils of "reconstruction", the program by which the South was pillaged. The same forces that engineered the evil of reconstruction were allied with the Yankee absentee landlords that were responsible for the worst evils of slavery.
Slavery is an ancient institution in Africa, but it is an evil institution. It is true that there are idealized forms of it that have benefits, and many Africans have, for thousands of years, seen it as a way out of even worse conditions. Voluntary slavery differs little from indentureship, but much of the slavery practiced in Africa and exploited to the rest of the world is just the result of tribal warfare or religion-based terror. In many cases, it has just been pure human trafficking. Many nations outside Africa practice slavery in industry, and slavery can take many forms.
Africans immigrated to America under a variety of circumstances. Large numbers came to this country involuntarily as chattle slaves. Others came as indentured servants (many of whom were betrayed when they arrived in America and forced into slavery. Others came as free people, some bringing slaves with them. For the most part they faced hostile conditions after they arrived. However, many, even before 1860, thrived. Some became wealthy (and were among the wealthiest people in America.
African Americans have fought bravely for their nation (on both sides in the War Between the States). The first American to die in the Revolution is usually considered to be Crispus Attucks, an African American. During the Revolution, African Americans were members (both as free and slave) of Southern militias. They served in the Confederate forces as equals, some even being officers. No Northern or federal forces (except naval) were integrated until after WWII.
It would be far more effective in reducing race hate in the South if Southern African Americans would embrace this symbol as theirs. Do not allow it to be used as Dylan Roof did. By recognizing that so many "colored" Southerners loved the South, they will help rid our land of the evils of "reconstruction", the program by which the South was pillaged. The same forces that engineered the evil of reconstruction were allied with the Yankee absentee landlords that were responsible for the worst evils of slavery.
Slavery is an ancient institution in Africa, but it is an evil institution. It is true that there are idealized forms of it that have benefits, and many Africans have, for thousands of years, seen it as a way out of even worse conditions. Voluntary slavery differs little from indentureship, but much of the slavery practiced in Africa and exploited to the rest of the world is just the result of tribal warfare or religion-based terror. In many cases, it has just been pure human trafficking. Many nations outside Africa practice slavery in industry, and slavery can take many forms.
Africans immigrated to America under a variety of circumstances. Large numbers came to this country involuntarily as chattle slaves. Others came as indentured servants (many of whom were betrayed when they arrived in America and forced into slavery. Others came as free people, some bringing slaves with them. For the most part they faced hostile conditions after they arrived. However, many, even before 1860, thrived. Some became wealthy (and were among the wealthiest people in America.
African Americans have fought bravely for their nation (on both sides in the War Between the States). The first American to die in the Revolution is usually considered to be Crispus Attucks, an African American. During the Revolution, African Americans were members (both as free and slave) of Southern militias. They served in the Confederate forces as equals, some even being officers. No Northern or federal forces (except naval) were integrated until after WWII.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Citizen's United , a True Misnomer
Once more we are hearing from the right-wing corporate lap-dog organization called "Citizens United", a right-wing (more properly, Reich-wing) political action group funded primarily by the infamous Koch Brothers. Yes, I realize that I put my life in jeopardy by criticizing these people, but I have, on several occasions, taken a solemn vow to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic".
The Supreme Court of the United States has made a few serious blunders in it's history, and the current right-wing dominated court made one of the most serious in the history of the court when it flew in the face of the intent of our Founding Fathers by not only granting PERSONHOOD to corporations, but giving them unlimited political power by allowing corporations to spend unrestricted amounts of money on political propaganda. Joseph Goebbels would be proud, and the organization so misnamed as "Citizens United" seems to be reveling in the prospect of being free to further the aims of fascism in America. My father fought in WWII to keep fascism out of America, yet here it is. Many Americans are alarmed by the rise of fascism in America, and we see a current emphasis on limiting the militarization of our police forces with the creation of SS style strike forces masquerading as emergency response units (SWAT units). Small towns that may need such a force every half-century now have ill-trained units with lots of fancy, expensive, and dangerous weapons that they really want to use.
The true citizens (HUMAN) of our country have the opportunity to become united in repealing this wholly un-American court ruling. A proposed constitutional amendment would do that. Last year the Senate approved a proposed amendment, but that seems to have died in the water, since the House refused to consider it even though it would have passed with an overwhelming bipartisan vote. We now have to hope for a movement to force the issue, hopefully by returning the control of congress to the people rather than corporations and a hand-full of robber barons. There is a movement to call for a constitutional convention, but we can hope that such a movement will result in pressure on Congress to act. Perhaps enough people will vote in the next election to return control of Congress to the electorate.
The Supreme Court of the United States has made a few serious blunders in it's history, and the current right-wing dominated court made one of the most serious in the history of the court when it flew in the face of the intent of our Founding Fathers by not only granting PERSONHOOD to corporations, but giving them unlimited political power by allowing corporations to spend unrestricted amounts of money on political propaganda. Joseph Goebbels would be proud, and the organization so misnamed as "Citizens United" seems to be reveling in the prospect of being free to further the aims of fascism in America. My father fought in WWII to keep fascism out of America, yet here it is. Many Americans are alarmed by the rise of fascism in America, and we see a current emphasis on limiting the militarization of our police forces with the creation of SS style strike forces masquerading as emergency response units (SWAT units). Small towns that may need such a force every half-century now have ill-trained units with lots of fancy, expensive, and dangerous weapons that they really want to use.
The true citizens (HUMAN) of our country have the opportunity to become united in repealing this wholly un-American court ruling. A proposed constitutional amendment would do that. Last year the Senate approved a proposed amendment, but that seems to have died in the water, since the House refused to consider it even though it would have passed with an overwhelming bipartisan vote. We now have to hope for a movement to force the issue, hopefully by returning the control of congress to the people rather than corporations and a hand-full of robber barons. There is a movement to call for a constitutional convention, but we can hope that such a movement will result in pressure on Congress to act. Perhaps enough people will vote in the next election to return control of Congress to the electorate.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Boston Jury Rewards Tsarnaev With Martyrdom, Lowers America to Barbaric Standards
The Federal jury in Boston hearing the penalty phase of the trial of Dzokhar Tsarnaev, the admitted second member of the brother team of terrorists who carried out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, has awarded him with martyrdom status, while simultaneously lowering the status of the United States to that of third-world, uncivilized nations. In fact, the United States continues to embarrass itself by trailing only China, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia in number of executions, and ranked ahead of Yemen and the Sudan.
As a Christian, I note that the other nations in the same category are not Christian in any way, shape, or form. Although the U.S. is supposed to be secular, there is no secret (note the dates on both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) to the fact that we are supposed to be founded on Christian principles. Jesus stated clearly that only a sinless person can be an executioner, and even He (the only sinless person) refused to be an executioner.
As a Christian, I note that the other nations in the same category are not Christian in any way, shape, or form. Although the U.S. is supposed to be secular, there is no secret (note the dates on both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) to the fact that we are supposed to be founded on Christian principles. Jesus stated clearly that only a sinless person can be an executioner, and even He (the only sinless person) refused to be an executioner.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Florida Pain Patients Suffer Prescription Shortages
Florida's ill conceived crack-down on lax pain prescription laws has had the result of making genuine pain patients suffer. My elder son was in two auto accidents in recent years, neither of which was his fault. In fact, one accident occurred when a drunk driver was fleeing another accident while being chased by police. That driver received a prison sentence.
For a number of years my son was on tramadol (along with a number of other medications). His new physician changed his prescription because of concerns about seizures. The new laws in Florida have made it virtually impossible to get his prescription filled.
A few months back I was in an automobile accident (I was on a bicycle and was hit by a Deputy pulling out of a side street). I suffered a whiplash type of injury, and will be in pain until I die. I was given one prescription for tramadol, but have been told that I will have to rely on Naproxin from now on. I have found that one 375MG Naproxin and 1 tramadol 50MG per day controls my pain (I am only in pain when up and particularly when at my computer writing, which is my job these days). I have run out of tramadol, so now I have to rely on Naproxin, and will need to up my dose. That will put me at risk for stomach problems (any nsaid causes that risk). I may try supplementing it with Acetaminophen. My son cannot take Acetaminophen on a regular basis due to liver concerns. I just took a 500MG Acetaminophen and need to take my Naproxen, so I will see how that works.
For a number of years my son was on tramadol (along with a number of other medications). His new physician changed his prescription because of concerns about seizures. The new laws in Florida have made it virtually impossible to get his prescription filled.
A few months back I was in an automobile accident (I was on a bicycle and was hit by a Deputy pulling out of a side street). I suffered a whiplash type of injury, and will be in pain until I die. I was given one prescription for tramadol, but have been told that I will have to rely on Naproxin from now on. I have found that one 375MG Naproxin and 1 tramadol 50MG per day controls my pain (I am only in pain when up and particularly when at my computer writing, which is my job these days). I have run out of tramadol, so now I have to rely on Naproxin, and will need to up my dose. That will put me at risk for stomach problems (any nsaid causes that risk). I may try supplementing it with Acetaminophen. My son cannot take Acetaminophen on a regular basis due to liver concerns. I just took a 500MG Acetaminophen and need to take my Naproxen, so I will see how that works.
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