Today on MSNBC's "Now with Alex Wagner", African-American State Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D) St. Louis unleashed a tirade against the local government in Ferguson, MO. During her vehement interview, she indicated that she expected a movement will be initiated to recall Ferguson's Mayor.
Now, we strive to be fair and reasonable here, but State Senator Nasheed's reason for a recall seems to be, shall we say, not well thought out. But, she didn't stop with a unreasonable basis for recall. She also tore into local employers who, in her opinion, were not hiring young, local African-American's simply because of their undeserved/unjust criminal background.
According to State Senator Nasheed, a major reason for both the potential recall and the unwarranted/large number of local criminal convictions was due to the local government's representatives, including the police department who, in her opinion, don't reflect the ethnic make-up of the community.
This is an absolute fact, but these governmental officials were elected by eligible voters in Ferguson. If African-Americans do not run for office or if African-American candidates do not carry the majority of votes they won't be elected - period. So, who's really to blame for those elected to local offices in Ferguson? As State Senator Nasheed forcefully noted, Ferguson has a very high percentage of African-Americans compared to other ethnicities. Therefore, it's obviously the vast majority of eligible African-American voters who must be responsible for electing the current local government officials.
And, the State Senator's reason for wanting to recall the Ferguson Mayor is equally confusing. If she really means what she said, she's simply a racist and that label does not do her constituents any favors. I know she would bristle at being characterized as a racist since that's her main criticism for Ferguson's problems. But, when your main reason for recalling the duly-elected Mayor is because "not only is he not African-American, you have a Republican", well what would you honestly call her justification for recall?
Nasheed also railed against local hiring practices. Eligibility for a particular position/job must be considered lest we go down the very sad road depicted in the movie "Idiocracy". If eligible African-American workers do not apply for a job/position what are local employers supposed to do? They can either lower their standards or hire from those who do qualify. The residents must take responsibility for both those they elect and for those they locally educate in order to obtain the result Nasheed is demanding. The State Senator's demands cannot be justified simply based on an ethic majority.
Qualified, law-abiding African-American job candidates must have an equal opportunity for employment, to do otherwise is obviously racist. The employer, unless bound by racial quota considerations, should be free to employ the best candidate for the job/position regardless of race. However, the hiring decision can be subjective. For example, the job may require a high degree of security and hiring a repeatedly-convicted felon might not only be a very bad decision, it could be considered negligence.
State Senator Nasheed also proudly announced her intention to introduce legislation called "Ban the Box". This legislation would prohibit employers from asking on an application if the job seeker has misdemeanor or felony convictions. Apparently State Senator Nasheed is intending to also infringe on an employer's right to obtain an independent background report on a potential employee. I'm sure many local employers would absolutely obtain a background check if they were prohibited by law from asking for this information on an application.
This may be a situation where "unintended consequences" should have been considered by the lawmaker and/or her staff. It is very possible that a formal background check could highlight other negative information for an applicant, which might not have been revealed if only a job application was considered.
We would suggest that State Senator Nasheed tone down her rhetoric and absolutely think through future pronouncements or be seen as simply a "shoot from the hip radical" who's incapable of seeing the Big Picture. Obtaining the changes that the citizens of Ferguson are demanding will depend on initially adhering to our Election Laws and to nominate/elect candidates who they feel are most qualified to represent them. Attempting to force changes, which may or may not reflect the desires of the entire city's electorate, will only lead to anarchy.
If anarchy is the intention of the State Senator, we would again suggest that she think though the potential outcome and resulting consequences of such an approach. Solutions to the perceived injustice(s) are much more likely to be supported by the community if accomplished by a democratically-decided election rather than a "brute force" approach advocated by only a few radicals.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Tony Stewart Pre-Crash Pictures - Zoomed Perspective
Below are a few pictures from the incident that preceded the unfortunate accident that took the life of Kevin Ward, Jr. These pictures are focused on the angle of Tony Stewart's left front wheel in an effort to identify whether he had his wheels turned into Ward's path.
The following photos are provided for your scrutiny. We are not passing judgment, just hoping to clarify things for NASCAR fans
Friday, August 8, 2014
Brooking Institute Rep Says World Safer Now Than '40's, 50's or 60's
A Brookings Institute Senior Fellow stated on FOX News today that the world is safer today than in the 1940s, '50s or '60s. While we can't argue about the 1940s, it's difficult to get to the same opinion for the '50s or '60s. Certainly we didn't have the long security lines at our airports, tourists could travel throughout the middle East and Africa without fear for their safety stemming from terrorist attacks.
In reference to the major uprisings in Iraq, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Gaza and the current border crisis on the Southern U.S. border, not to mention the Ebola outbreak threatening West Africa, it's difficult to remember a more serious period of widespread threats to World peace.
Now, we don't pretend to be "experts" on these events and the Brookings Institute should have a much better handle on these situations than we do, but it sure doesn't feel like a "safer" period than we experienced in the 1950s for example.
We would suggest that a reference like that made on FOX today by the Brookings Sr. Fellow, needs a little more "flesh on the bone" to justify that statement. To state this evaluation without facts to back it up, smells a little like cozying up to and attempting to justify the Administration's current stance on engaging our enemies. It's pretty obvious that after 6 years of "feeling out" the current Administration's strengths weaknesses, our enemies have decided it is time to test their evaluation of our weakness and reluctance to engage.
This could be a very well calculated multi-front attack to test the U.S.'s response. If our enemies can obtain a successful outcome, it will only strengthen their radical beliefs and subsequent attacks will be even more extensive and brazen.
We fear that things will only continue to deteriorate if the Administration fails to respond in a decisive manner. Drone and air attacks could seriously reduce the threat from ISIS in Iraq. Hamas must be eliminated from the Palestine government. Russia needs to know we will repel any further incursion into the Ukraine. And finally, we need to slam the borders shut. Illegals should not be given amnesty and they all need to be sent packing.
Let's get our priorities straight. The U.S. is OUR country and we must protect it - period. We fought for our independence and for the system we've enjoyed for over 200 years. Those who feel "guilty" for our successes and feel we must bow to others need to individually handle these feelings. Become a missionary, donate your "undeserved" dollars to whoever, but don't think for a minute that the U.S. majority will rollover and embrace your guilt.
In reference to the major uprisings in Iraq, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Gaza and the current border crisis on the Southern U.S. border, not to mention the Ebola outbreak threatening West Africa, it's difficult to remember a more serious period of widespread threats to World peace.
Now, we don't pretend to be "experts" on these events and the Brookings Institute should have a much better handle on these situations than we do, but it sure doesn't feel like a "safer" period than we experienced in the 1950s for example.
We would suggest that a reference like that made on FOX today by the Brookings Sr. Fellow, needs a little more "flesh on the bone" to justify that statement. To state this evaluation without facts to back it up, smells a little like cozying up to and attempting to justify the Administration's current stance on engaging our enemies. It's pretty obvious that after 6 years of "feeling out" the current Administration's strengths weaknesses, our enemies have decided it is time to test their evaluation of our weakness and reluctance to engage.
This could be a very well calculated multi-front attack to test the U.S.'s response. If our enemies can obtain a successful outcome, it will only strengthen their radical beliefs and subsequent attacks will be even more extensive and brazen.
We fear that things will only continue to deteriorate if the Administration fails to respond in a decisive manner. Drone and air attacks could seriously reduce the threat from ISIS in Iraq. Hamas must be eliminated from the Palestine government. Russia needs to know we will repel any further incursion into the Ukraine. And finally, we need to slam the borders shut. Illegals should not be given amnesty and they all need to be sent packing.
Let's get our priorities straight. The U.S. is OUR country and we must protect it - period. We fought for our independence and for the system we've enjoyed for over 200 years. Those who feel "guilty" for our successes and feel we must bow to others need to individually handle these feelings. Become a missionary, donate your "undeserved" dollars to whoever, but don't think for a minute that the U.S. majority will rollover and embrace your guilt.
Friday, July 18, 2014
BUK MISSILE SYSTEMS HAD "FAILSAFE" OPTION DISABLED
A FOX NEWS correspondent today reported that the Russian-made BUK Missile systems (SA 11 and/or Gadfly) have a "failsafe" option that, when activated, would identify the target based on signals transmitted from the targeted aircraft. The inference here is that commercial airliners "squawk" a unique signal that would notify the BUK system that they have targeted a non-hostile aircraft and the firing would automatically be aborted. Therefore, it is apparent that someone disabled this option to allow manual firing on any target acquired.
Disabling the "failsafe" option takes the operation of this missile system to an even higher level of sophistication and makes it more likely that the attack was controlled by an experienced operator(s) and far less likely that a "rebel separatist" simply pressed a button and erroneously brought a commercial Malaysia Airlines 777 out of the sky.
To our knowledge, this feature of the BUK system has gone largely unreported by the mainstream and, other than one mention on FOX Cable News, even the cable news networks have not picked-up on this additional bit of evidence to help identify who was ultimately responsible for this tragedy.
Disabling the "failsafe" option takes the operation of this missile system to an even higher level of sophistication and makes it more likely that the attack was controlled by an experienced operator(s) and far less likely that a "rebel separatist" simply pressed a button and erroneously brought a commercial Malaysia Airlines 777 out of the sky.
To our knowledge, this feature of the BUK system has gone largely unreported by the mainstream and, other than one mention on FOX Cable News, even the cable news networks have not picked-up on this additional bit of evidence to help identify who was ultimately responsible for this tragedy.
Friday, January 8, 2010
PLEASE STAND UP, PLEASE STAND UP, WILL ? PLEASE STAND UP?
January 8, 2010
We've given the Administration more than ample time to identify those responsible for the lapse in national security during the Christmas bombing attempt on a Delta/Northwest airliner. The President has even indicated that he's not interested in placing blame. Well Mr. President, as long as your national security contingent and others in the employ of the Federal government know that their screw-ups will not cause any repercussions, they will continue to act in the "matter-of-fact" manner (at best) that most taxpayers know all to well.
If the "buck stops here" as the President has said and if he is not going to insist on the resignation of Leitner, Brennan and Napolitano, then maybe he should resign. It would be much simpler and more appropriate to identify the people who actually dropped the ball and FIRE them. But, with the pervasive PC attitude that handcuffs our government, that would make those actually responsible "feel bad" and we can't have that!
This approach is doomed to fail and most likely will result in a catastrophic event that will again be shown to have been preventable if only someone had done their job. The next event, successful or not, will not be tolerated by taxpayers. The President has said he won't tolerate it, so why should we? Unfortunately, his proclamation rings empty without those responsible getting the axe!
We've given the Administration more than ample time to identify those responsible for the lapse in national security during the Christmas bombing attempt on a Delta/Northwest airliner. The President has even indicated that he's not interested in placing blame. Well Mr. President, as long as your national security contingent and others in the employ of the Federal government know that their screw-ups will not cause any repercussions, they will continue to act in the "matter-of-fact" manner (at best) that most taxpayers know all to well.
If the "buck stops here" as the President has said and if he is not going to insist on the resignation of Leitner, Brennan and Napolitano, then maybe he should resign. It would be much simpler and more appropriate to identify the people who actually dropped the ball and FIRE them. But, with the pervasive PC attitude that handcuffs our government, that would make those actually responsible "feel bad" and we can't have that!
This approach is doomed to fail and most likely will result in a catastrophic event that will again be shown to have been preventable if only someone had done their job. The next event, successful or not, will not be tolerated by taxpayers. The President has said he won't tolerate it, so why should we? Unfortunately, his proclamation rings empty without those responsible getting the axe!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
MR. PRESIDENT - COUNTRY NEEDS FINGERS POINTED!
January 5, 2010
In a candid admission, President Obama announced that the intelligence community had failed to "connect the dots" in relation to the Christmas attempted bombing of a Delta airliner bound for Detroit. This is something that semi-intelligent observers knew days ago without the President saying the obvious today. Obviously, there are individuals responsible for acts that allowed the terrorist to get as far as he got, not to mention the failure of the overall intelligence apparatus to communicate.
It's fine and accurate to fault the group as a whole, but it's high time that we make people take responsibility and be accountable for their actions. Until we begin this practice, bureaucrats will continue to hide behind the establishment. Only when individuals are held responsible for their actions will they put at least some effort into properly doing their job.
Another attack, successful or not, within the next few months will create a public outrage that the Administration does not want to encounter. We can only believe our elected representatives are serious and capable of doing their own job when they insist that those responsible for critical lapses are held accountable.
In a candid admission, President Obama announced that the intelligence community had failed to "connect the dots" in relation to the Christmas attempted bombing of a Delta airliner bound for Detroit. This is something that semi-intelligent observers knew days ago without the President saying the obvious today. Obviously, there are individuals responsible for acts that allowed the terrorist to get as far as he got, not to mention the failure of the overall intelligence apparatus to communicate.
It's fine and accurate to fault the group as a whole, but it's high time that we make people take responsibility and be accountable for their actions. Until we begin this practice, bureaucrats will continue to hide behind the establishment. Only when individuals are held responsible for their actions will they put at least some effort into properly doing their job.
Another attack, successful or not, within the next few months will create a public outrage that the Administration does not want to encounter. We can only believe our elected representatives are serious and capable of doing their own job when they insist that those responsible for critical lapses are held accountable.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
FEDS NEED TO WAKE-UP & GET TOUGH ON "TERRORTS"
Yes, "terrorists"! The administration has a very difficult time describing these fanatics as
"terrorists", apparently because that term inflames our enemies. Well, the PC-approach is not making much of a impact with these wackos, so let's just be sensible adults and call them what they are - "terrorists"! It's also time to begin treating them as enemy combatants and keep them in our GITMO detention facility.
The "warm and fuzzy" tactic our Administration has implemented at the behest of his ultra Left wing "anti war" backers was doomed to fail from the outset. A perfect example of how this group's agenda will ultimately lead to further pain for our citizens. The terrorists are not interested in making peace and we can't due anything to appease or change them. It's just so silly when any serious observer can readily see that these fanatics are no different (arguably worse, since they aren't affiliated with any nation) from enemies we faced in World Wars 1 and 2.
It's also high time for some accountability! Obviously, someone approved the "junk-in-the-trunk" bomber's U.S. Visa. Someone didn't seriously follow-up on concerns his own Father recently reported to our State Department and CIA, even after the terrorist was denied a Visa earlier this year by the UK. Someone allowed him to board the flight in Amsterdam without the proper documents and with enough "red flags" to have denied boarding to an 89-year old Grandmother from Kansas! There are at least three people who have some real explaining to do and they should be publicly identified. Until we start making people accountable for their actions, especially those charged with protecting our country's security and the safety of our citizens.
The amazingly poor selection of Janet Napolitano as Secretary of Homeland Security is potentially worse than President Bush's appointment of Michael Brown as FEMA Director! This woman has no clue and this is no time for someone with her "everything's working fine" attitude to be running the Department responsible for protecting our country's infrastructure and citizens. A very weak attempt to deflect criticism and an example of her incredible naivety - this lady must go and must go NOW!
Let's declare the TSA a group that will not be allowed to unionize due to national security and get on with appointing a leader for this post. By leaving the TSA leaderless, it only provides another way to get around assigning responsibility for any blunders made under this group's umbrella.
It's time for the United States to treat these terrorists the same way we treated our enemies in WW's 1 and 2! These are NOT isolated attempts, they ARE our enemies, we MUST stop them. If we do not radically change our tactics, I would suggest any and all Administration advocates of our current approach and their families make arrangements to meet representatives of these "extremist" groups in, oh, let's say Sudan or Somalia. I'm sure if they can all just set down and hug this can all be settled. If supporters of the current approach would not bring their loved ones to a meeting in Sudan or even refuse to go themselves, they are just showing that they are afraid to engage these radical Islamists because it might make them feel bad.
The next attempt, if successful and within the next month, will totally be the fault of Janet Napolitano, President Obama and anyone who refuses to aggressively engage these terrorist factions NOW! Do we need another tragedy, two more? When are we going to find and finish the leaders of the radical Islamist factions that have vowed to bring down America? Put the IRS in charge of finding and tracking these terrorists. The IRS can sure do a good job of not letting anyone who owes federal taxes "fall through the cracks", that is unless you're a member of Congress or happen to work in the White House.
And Alan Combs, these are not minimart thieves - they are enemies of our country just like Germany, Japan and the axis countries were in WW 2. Why are we so intent on treating these wackos differently than prisoners captured in all previous wars? THEY WANT TO KILL US MR. COMBS! Maybe you and your family should lead the U.S. contingent when they meet Osama bin Laden and his "warm and fuzzy" comrades in Sudan.
"terrorists", apparently because that term inflames our enemies. Well, the PC-approach is not making much of a impact with these wackos, so let's just be sensible adults and call them what they are - "terrorists"! It's also time to begin treating them as enemy combatants and keep them in our GITMO detention facility.
The "warm and fuzzy" tactic our Administration has implemented at the behest of his ultra Left wing "anti war" backers was doomed to fail from the outset. A perfect example of how this group's agenda will ultimately lead to further pain for our citizens. The terrorists are not interested in making peace and we can't due anything to appease or change them. It's just so silly when any serious observer can readily see that these fanatics are no different (arguably worse, since they aren't affiliated with any nation) from enemies we faced in World Wars 1 and 2.
It's also high time for some accountability! Obviously, someone approved the "junk-in-the-trunk" bomber's U.S. Visa. Someone didn't seriously follow-up on concerns his own Father recently reported to our State Department and CIA, even after the terrorist was denied a Visa earlier this year by the UK. Someone allowed him to board the flight in Amsterdam without the proper documents and with enough "red flags" to have denied boarding to an 89-year old Grandmother from Kansas! There are at least three people who have some real explaining to do and they should be publicly identified. Until we start making people accountable for their actions, especially those charged with protecting our country's security and the safety of our citizens.
The amazingly poor selection of Janet Napolitano as Secretary of Homeland Security is potentially worse than President Bush's appointment of Michael Brown as FEMA Director! This woman has no clue and this is no time for someone with her "everything's working fine" attitude to be running the Department responsible for protecting our country's infrastructure and citizens. A very weak attempt to deflect criticism and an example of her incredible naivety - this lady must go and must go NOW!
Let's declare the TSA a group that will not be allowed to unionize due to national security and get on with appointing a leader for this post. By leaving the TSA leaderless, it only provides another way to get around assigning responsibility for any blunders made under this group's umbrella.
It's time for the United States to treat these terrorists the same way we treated our enemies in WW's 1 and 2! These are NOT isolated attempts, they ARE our enemies, we MUST stop them. If we do not radically change our tactics, I would suggest any and all Administration advocates of our current approach and their families make arrangements to meet representatives of these "extremist" groups in, oh, let's say Sudan or Somalia. I'm sure if they can all just set down and hug this can all be settled. If supporters of the current approach would not bring their loved ones to a meeting in Sudan or even refuse to go themselves, they are just showing that they are afraid to engage these radical Islamists because it might make them feel bad.
The next attempt, if successful and within the next month, will totally be the fault of Janet Napolitano, President Obama and anyone who refuses to aggressively engage these terrorist factions NOW! Do we need another tragedy, two more? When are we going to find and finish the leaders of the radical Islamist factions that have vowed to bring down America? Put the IRS in charge of finding and tracking these terrorists. The IRS can sure do a good job of not letting anyone who owes federal taxes "fall through the cracks", that is unless you're a member of Congress or happen to work in the White House.
And Alan Combs, these are not minimart thieves - they are enemies of our country just like Germany, Japan and the axis countries were in WW 2. Why are we so intent on treating these wackos differently than prisoners captured in all previous wars? THEY WANT TO KILL US MR. COMBS! Maybe you and your family should lead the U.S. contingent when they meet Osama bin Laden and his "warm and fuzzy" comrades in Sudan.
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