Category: News and Views

Putin’s War

There are no winners in wars

There is no real winner in a war. Perhaps egos are satisfied, but there are no winners. There can never be a replacement for the lives lost unnecessarily on either side. There will be no solution for the families torn apart forever. How can this be a just cause when the goal is the destruction of another man’s country? How can it be fair when those calling to start a war is rarely, if ever at all, on the battlefield fighting and risking their own lives? It is easy to give the command when your own life is in no danger. We can only hope common sense will prevail and this senseless war will end. No more children should have to die unnecessarily. While we support Ukraine we must also condemn the discrimination experienced by people of color as they too try to flee for their lives. Everyone’s life matters. We are in this together. We pray that this war ends soon.

Bronx Fire

A tragedy That Could have Been Avoided

On Sunday January 9th seventeen people perished in a deadly apartment fire in the Bronx. A community was thrown into mourning for loved ones who have departed this earth forever. Some were young children. They died not because they had to because of their circumstances.

A space heater is presumed to be the cause of the fire. It is reported that a door was left open causing the smoke to spread through the building. Close the door they said. The open door is responsible for this tragedy. No one has so far addressed the real reason that lead to this tragedy. No one has questioned why this person or persons needed a space heater in order to keep warm during the winter months. The real reason is that fact that landlords are relinquishing their duties to provide adequate heating for their tenants. This is evident mainly in minority communities. Despite calls to 311 nothing is being done and many residents have no option but to use space heaters to keep warm.

This is not the first fire that has happened because of failure to provide heat and it will not be the last. The mayor seem to be oblivious to the heating problem in many minority communities in New York and especially in the Bronx. If he is interested in knowing I am sure 311 can furnish him with that information. On some of the coldest days there are apartment buildings in the Bronx with no heat, and no one to turn to for help. The space heater is not the problem the LACK OF HEAT that cause people to depend on space heater is the real issue. I would like to remind the Mayor and those in authority that not providing heat is illegal in the State of New York. My question is what to you plan to do about it to prevent more loss of life?

If you live in an apartment complex where their is inadequate heat, please leave a comment of where it is located. Together we must create change.

Parents Accountability is the Right Move

Oxford school shooting: Parents charged with manslaughter

School shootings have become something of a norm in the USA. Nowhere else in the world do they have repeated school shooting without anything been done about it. Thoughts and prayers cannot bring back a dead child but it appears that is all whichever party is in office, has to offer. Holding the parents of Ethan Crumbley’s accountable for the shooting death of four students is the right step moving forward.

Buying a fifteen- year-old a gun as a Christmas gift was irresponsible. After being called to the school twice in response to their son’s bizarre behavior they did nothing about it. Taking the gun and locking it away safely should have been a priority. Instead they argued that he should remain in school fully knowing he had the means to carry out the acts depicted in his drawings. Their lack of responsible parenting has resulted in four families mourning the loss of their children.

I hope this serves as a deterrent to others. You have the right to your second amendment, no on can deny that. However, that right should not infringe on the rights of others to live. A gun is not a toy to gift a child. Be responsible parents and gun holders.

It is Almost the end of the Year

Can you believe it. We are in te month of December. Another year is coming to a close. It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming 2021 and soon we will be saying goodbye to it. Many of us had hoped we would be able to say goodbye to COVID-19 too but alas a new variant is upon us. The normal that we seek to return to is still out of reach. However we must give thanks we are still here and we can only pray that eventually man will win the war against this virus. For now please stay safe.

Less News Might Reduce Stress

Limit the News You Watch

When was the last time you watched a news cast that left you feeling energized and motivated? I am almost certain that has not happened lately. At any given time of the day the news report is filled with more negatives than positives. Imagine filling your mind all day with that kind of negative energy. It could leave you feeling less energized, and even depressed. While it is important to stay informed watching less news might reduce your stress level.

Personal, I limit myself to half-an-hour of news most days, if at all. I usually tune in to “World News Tonight with David Muir. This half-an-hour segment keeps me informed on the things that I need to know. By the way this is not an endorsement of ABC. You can tune in to your favorite news channel. The point I am trying to make is keep informed without drowning yourself in all the negative news of the day.

A World in Turmoil

Prayers for Afghanistan

My heart goes out to the people of Afghanistan, especially the women and children. I just don’t understand how this happened. The US was in the country for 20 years. Biden claimed they trained over 300 thousand Afghan soldiers and gave them state of the art millitary equipment, yet the moment they begin moving out the country collapsed. Is it that the Afghan soldiers are so afraid of the Talibans that they gave up without any form of resistance? Aren’t they all now at the mercy of the Talibans?

COVID-19

Do Your Part to Stop the Spread

How many of you thought we would have put COVID-19 behind us by now or at least have things under control. Instead of things getting back to normal, we seem to be taking a step in the wrong direction. This is a disease that is spread from person to person. If each person do his or her part in trying to stop the spread, it will. Get vaccinated, wear a mask. Let’s all do our part.

The Trump Era

Trump’s rise to presidency was not an accident. White Evangelicals were opposed to Barack Obama and they resisted his presidency. Not surprising as this was the same group of people who for centuries used the bible to convince black folks that slavery was justified by God and they should obey their masters. It did not please them to see one elevate to the height of presidency.

Not once did they say God bless President Obama. But God sits high and he looks low and he blessed Obama’s presidency. Eight years, no scandal, no chaos. He ruled with dignity and integrity.

Then came Donald Trump, a man known for unfair business deals, a womanizer and adulterer.  A man who spoke derogatory about women even going as far as saying he grab them by the pu..y.  

Evangelicals presented him as a man of God. They claimed he was sent by God and he was going to do great things for America. Their overpowering influence caused many to believe the lie.

But unlike Obama who they despised; Trump’s presidency was rocked by one scandal after another. It was full of hate, bigotry, and division. Many of the people around him were either accused of crimes or convicted for crimes. He failed to put the people first when the Corona Virus crisis hit, focusing more on the stock market.

White Evangelicals tried to fool the people again not knowing Trump’s purpose had already been accomplished and God had exposed them for who they are.

The funny thing is, Trump could have made a difference in uniting the people. He could perhaps have convinced his base who were mainly white, racist individuals that he was president for all, and he wanted a nation where people of all color or race live in unity. His base adored him. They might have listened. Instead he fueled the flames of hate and division.

That is not of God. That is not who God is. That was not what well thinking Americans wanted for the country.  The people have spoken and he need to respect the wishes of the American people.

Longing For a RETURN TO THE nORM

Like me, you are probably tired of hearing about the Corona Virus. However it is here, it is real, and we have to be sensible. It is up to each of us to do our part to stop the spread. It will not go away at the wave of a magic wand, although we all wish it would.

Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)

Don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk. Avoid crowds, wear a mask, practice social distancing. Adapt to a new norm. The sooner this is over the better, but remember we all have to do our part.

First Female Vice President

Historic Moment

File:Kamala Harris Official Attorney General Photo.jpg - Wikimedia ...

Joe Biden’s pick of Kamala Harris as his running mate is no doubt historic, and an inspiration to women everywhere. In a male dominated world, this is the first time a woman has been chosen as a vice president. Women are just as capable of leading as men are. We wish her all the best.