A Mother’s Lament…

 

As the ground, shook beneath her … Wang Xiaoni rushed back to her apartment. Her safety didn’t matter at the moment. On her mind was the well-being of her baby and mother.

Wang Xiaoni worst nightmare gripped her as she saw the apartment building in rubbles. Trapped underneath it all——her 56-year-old mother, as well as her 5-month-old son.

She cried out to anyone who would listen … but it seemed as if her voice echoed into empty space. Perhaps, others did hear her pleas for help, but numb from the earthquake, which accounted for the loss of 15,000 lives in DUJIANGYAN, China so far, were powerless to act.

Finally, help comes … a truck full of soldiers. As they cordoned off the area and try to extricate the ones buried in the rubble——Wang Xiaoni, 26 … silently prays. She hopes against all odds that her baby and mother are fine.

What seems like endless hours slowly pass——no one has been brought out alive.

As she clings to a sliver of hope…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What If…?

 

Happy Mother’s Day…

We had some friends visit us today in celebration of Mother’s Day. My usual, well ordered household was being overrun with the inexhaustible energy of young children. To return the house to some semblance of sanity, I suggested that they watch a movie.

They chose one of our family’s favorite … Mary Poppins.

I’ve seen this movie an incalculable number of times. But on this particular day … chosen to honor women, who through their tireless efforts brought children into the world or for others, who adopted them——it was as if I was watching the movie for the very first time.

Glynis Johns … in the role of Mrs. Banks (dauntless crusader for women votes) was singing “Sister Suffragette” and it started me thinking…

What if…?

Hillary Clinton would have understood her role in shaping history?

She could have identified with the young college educated women of this generation——women … who would not allow themselves to be shackled with the rhetoric of yesteryear?

She would have ran her campaign to embrace the diversity of a nation … rather than covertly trying to prey on its fears and prejudices?

She would have understood that America was primed and ready to accept a “Woman” as President … but through her questionable statements and actions … has cast a disparaging cloud on whether women can be an influential voting bloc that turns elections?

Never has there been such a grandeur stage … for a woman to achieve immortality——all of it now——slipping from grasp … because of a question of character.

“The circumstances by which you live, determine your reputation … but the truth you believe … determines your character.”

As the Mother’s Day celebration winds down in my household … I can still hear Glynis Johns singing “Sister Suffragette.”

 I’m left to ponder, how different things could have been for Hillary Clinton, had she simply asked…

What if…?

What One Does Speaks So Loudly…

 

After the results of the Indiana primary, three minutes into her victory speech … Hillary Clinton appealed to her supporters that she needed an infusion of money to continue:

“I need your help to continue our journey. This has always been your campaign, and this is your victory because your support has meant the difference between winning and losing.”

What was most perplexing about Senator Clinton’s comments——her use of the words our journey. In a time when most Americans are struggling with the state of the economy, Mrs. Clinton has loaned her campaign $11.4 million.

Perhaps it was at the request of her supporters.

A campaign funded by contributions from the populace has always been a good barometer for candidates to gauge, not only their level of support, but also their constituents desire to see them continue.

What does the following say about Hillary Clinton’s campaign: she contributed $5 million in February, $5 million April 11, $1 million May 1^st and $425,000 on May 5^th.

Seems as if the needs of one … far outweigh the needs of many.

No longer is the rhetoric to see a democrat in the White House——unless of course, it’s Mrs. Clinton. The derisive overtones, incendiary remarks, and questions of electability … all covertly done with one purpose——to cast a disparaging light on her political adversary to secure the nomination for herself.

Is this our journey that she was alluding to?

A house divided will never stand——neither will a campaign that is built on deceit.

One doesn’t have to look too far, to figure out why the money to support Senator Clinton’s campaign has been waning. The issue has never been one of electability—— but more of integrity.

Exit polls have shown….There’s growing sentiment that Hillary Clinton can’t be trusted. Contrary to the public’s perception of her exhuming skeletons from the closet of her political rival … Mrs. Clinton seems willing to provide opponents with a glimpse into her own as well:

·         Her insistence of support for weapons inspections, not war in Iraq. Although her speeches advocated action against Saddam Hussein … and she voted to authorize the use of force.

·         She agreed that Michigan and Florida primaries result shouldn’t be counted because they violated party rules … but has done a complete turnaround to help her campaign.

·         She claimed that her opponent wavers on his stance of NAFTA … but failed to acknowledge that she was in favor of it.

·         Hillary Clinton asserted that she help to broker peace in Northern Ireland … but no one can recall her in a negotiator role. Surely the empty park in Belfast, which was supposed to be filled with the laughter of catholic and protestant children, can attest to that fact.

·         The pregnant woman who lost her baby and subsequently her life because of a lack of medical coverage….Mrs. Clinton had to recant the story because it was told to her and she never corroborated the facts.

·         Senator Clinton claims that she and daughter faced danger on their trip to Bosnia … but later clarified that she misspoke about the incident.

The question in Hillary Clinton’s television ad should never have been … who do you want answering the phone at 3 a.m. But once it’s picked up, who do you trust … to make the right decision?

       

“What one does, indeed, speaks so loudly… that no matter what one says——cannot be heard.”

 

An Inning Too Late…

 

Roger Clemens apologized…

No one seems to know what for.

What was clear however, the mistakes that he was apologizing for … had nothing to do with his professional life as a baseball player.

If this is in fact true——why burden the public with it?

Amidst the improprieties on the field, with alleged use of steroids and HGH, come new revelations of adulterous affairs.

Roger Clemens has no one to blame but himself for his fall from grace. His defamation lawsuit against Brian McNamee is what opened this Pandora’s Box.

Rather than rehash a worn out story, let’s look at this from a different perspective. Baseball fans are divided on whether Roger Clemens is innocence or guilty of allegedly using steroids and HGH. As well they should be … nothing has been proven.

If Clemens wants to apologize to his family for personal mistakes, so be it. But baseball fans who have idolized him——should take a page from his book and apologize to their families as well.

If you admired Roger Clemens for his ability on the baseball field, spoke to your child about emulating his work ethics and stopped right there … you should be commended.

But for others——blind admiration for Clemens, led him to take their rightful place, as a role model in their children’s lives … a burden that should never be placed on any athlete.

The demands of playing requires a baseball player to be away from home more times than not. If they cannot be home to be a role model to their own children…

What makes them capable of being one for yours?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

While A Mother Weeps … A Perpetrator Lurks In The Darkness.

 

The life of Katherin Shuffield has been irrevocably changed forever.

She pleaded for someone to help her.

Katherin laid helpless in a pool of blood … shot in the abdomen by a mask bandit, while he robbed the Huntington Bank Branch located on 2030 N. Post Road, in Indianapolis.

The thought that consumed her wasn’t about herself, but the safety of her babies.

Katherin at the time of the shooting was five months pregnant.

Her assailant, if caught—won’t be tried for murder.

Under Indiana Law, the fetus has to be seven months old. So as Katherin weeps for the lost of her twins, lawmakers debate what charges should be brought against the suspect, who remains at large.

As prayers and sentiments from well-wishers cascade upon Katherin and her husband Jason … a disturbing thought comes to mind.

Throughout out this ordeal, there has been no mention of the perpetrator lurking in the shadows.

The entity that has decided to remain quiet …

Offering no words of comfort to the Shuffields, why after three robberies … in a span of a year——nothing has been done.

In this case their silence speaks volumes…

A bank is where one goes to ensure the safety of their hard earned money. It’s taken for granted that the bank will make certain to safeguard the capital you’ve entrusted them with.

In the case of the Huntington Branch Bank ——one has to think long and hard, if they want to deposit their money with a bank…

Who put a woman and her unborn children … in harm’s way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fanning the Flames of Discord…

 

The Republican Party is beside itself with bliss over the disparaging state of affairs that has assailed the democratic presidential nomination process.

The constituents and the concerns of how to right this ship——embroiled in anarchy, innuendos, and racial rhetoric … are no longer the cornerstone of the democratic party.

What seems to be of significant importance … how to smear and discredit our political adversary, so that our candidacy can be seen in a better light?

The verbiage that the Democratic Party uses—— if it weren’t for the economic turmoil, the loss of American soldiers, and how the United States is viewed around the world, would be almost comical. Some members have intimated that this petulant and derisive struggle to elect a democratic presidential nominee only serves to strengthen the party.

Worse, is the political fodder propagated by the media:

Their coverage of Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.’s sermons … tends to lend credibility to the conjecture, that the congregation was reduced to the level of pigs, which he led on a ring, attached to a chain, embedded in their snouts.

If the predilection of the superdelegates and the constituents they serve ——prohibits them from voting for a candidate because of the hue of their skin or their gender … they should stop this farce and cast their votes now.

Otherwise, no need for an election——hand the White House’s keys … to John McCain now.

What’s eight more years?

 

Why Some Believe … NYC’s Finest Have Fallen?

 

It was as if a million souls cried out in unison. The verdict had been handed down in the shooting death of Sean Bell. The three officers had been acquitted. I didn’t realize what was going on, until I happened to overhear several phone conversations.

The rancor with which the men spoke—— clearly depicted that they thought this was 1999 all over again.

Different victim … same results.

They didn’t question how could this happen. They simply stated the obvious … at least, the way they saw it.

New York City was hell-bent on annihilating Black Men.

This view can be interpreted in so many ways … but nothing to the extent of a racial killing. Two of the officers involved in the shooting of Mr. Bell were also African-American.

The truth concerning the events of that ill-fated night, perhaps will never be truly known. The different accounts by both sides, makes it increasingly difficult to understand what really happened.

The defense chose to paint the men has drunken thugs … while prosecutors portrayed the officers as a frightened and disorganized group.

Was it a bachelor party gone wrong?

Was it an overreaction by police, which led to the use of excessive and deadly force?

Neither of which delves into the disturbing trend that threatens to sever the already contentious and frayed relationship … between NYC’s finest—— and the citizens, they have sworn to protect…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Mother’s Dilemma…

   It’s 2.55 a.m. and Sandy, a mother of three, makes her way to the kitchen for something to drink.  She curses silently to herself. If only she wouldn’t have been so lazy to turn on the humidifier. She opens the refrigerator and stares at her choices: milk or juice. She quickly grabs a tall glass, pushes on the ice dispenser, and fills it with water.

“If only Bob wasn’t working the graveyard shift,” Sandy mutters to herself. “Until the end of the month, we’re going to be alone. This is the price we pay—for being homeowners.”

When Sandy reaches the top of the stairs, she notices that the television is still on in the twin’s room. She opens the door to her son’s room first. Although it is only lit from the nightlight, Sandy can see the silhouette of the raggedy teddy bear, her son clings to.

She opens the adjoining door that leads to the twin’s room. Her son needs a teddy bear to put him to sleep, and the twins the television. Sandy quietly touches each child head in turn.

Sandy starts to turn off the television, when the picture of sleeping children catches her attention. She turns up the volume slightly.

Three o’clock in the morning the announcer says.

“How could he know that I’m up at this time of the night?” Sandy chuckles. “Well my kids are peacefully asleep….Why should I care—who is answering a phone?”

But soon the answer dawns on Sandy. Bob spoke to her about it before. She never cared for politics.

Sandy turns off the television and heads for her room.

The thought still plagues her. If an emergency threatens her family, who is the person— she wants picking up that phone?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Walls of Jericho Part 1….

I Have a Dream

On August 28, 1963 … a man stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and proclaimed his dream:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Forty-five years later … the fulfillment of that dream still eludes the nation.

Was this dream hewed from a deranged mind totally out of touch with reality?

Was this dream carved out of an imaginary utopia that only he could see?

Was this dream of a promised nirvana just an ideology, to give false hope to his people, who at that time were shackled by the chains of discrimination?

Some have become disheartened, and dispirited, that the message delivered back then does not apply today.

While others are so disillusioned and disenfranchised that they see no reason to raise their voices in unity, to assail the very political tyranny, which has enslaved them to a life of poverty.

Has the dream truly perished?

In these troubling times of economic turmoil, inadequate educational standards, and American soldiers dying overseas on every front, the demarcation lines are no longer skewed as they once were to the hue of a person’s skin, in as much as to the disparity between the wealthy and the impoverished.

In a nation overflowing with material prosperity, the promissory note pledged by the founding fathers that all Americans would inherit, for some have indeed been a returned check——clearly stamped “insufficient funds.”

Why Some Would Rather Curse the Darkness….

 

 

There seems to be a growing romanticism that serves politicians well when talking to citizens of the Rust Belt.

As I traveled through Pennsylvania, I couldn’t help but noticed the overpowering fear that gripped the people I spoke to. Across the hall from me, a group consisting of two families had taken what seemed like refuge, in one room of the hotel. It was the only way … they could afford to give their children, one-day of enjoyment over the spring break.

I met a young woman, who works two jobs and attends college, in order to make a better life for her two kids. I was drawn into a conversation with a couple that had moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania and were now in danger of losing their home.

The economy in Pennsylvania has been transitioning from an industrial state to an information driven one for the last twenty years. Yet, some would rather curse the darkness, as opposed to getting a bigger breaker to provide more light.

 Pennsylvanians have been characterized as simple, hard working individuals, who despise politicians with flowery speech. This portrayal has led some politicians to believe that they can easily be duped— into casting their votes for anyone promising to restore jobs to the Rust Belt … re-establishing their way of life.

What they failed to realize is that the economy has been the bedrock of previous political campaigns. All across Pennsylvania, young people are crying out for a “Change We Can Believe In.”

They have been energized and await the opportunity for their voices to be heard come election time. On April 22, Pennsylvania will host the largest of the remaining contests, which has given politicians a chance to outline their promises.

The emphasis has shifted from global and industrial policies to household economics: subprime mortgages, the rising cost of healthcare, gas prices, supermarket costs, and student loans interest rates.

While one candidate talks about changing the way things are done, the other speaks of bringing back jobs to the Rust Belt.

Which can make good on their promise?

If the empty park in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which was supposed to be filled with the laughter of Catholic and Protestant children, is any indication—bringing back jobs, restoring a way of life, for most Pennsylvanians … sounds like another hollow promise.