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Wolves in sheep’s clothing

On the surface there is nothing nefarious about a small, one man, communications company, an public school advocate, and an allergist. These are people that would not stand out in a crowd, or elicit any kind of concern for regular people on the street.

Sadly, the humble titles and diverse backgrounds of the three men I’m discussing today are far from innocent. They are working hard to undermine the systems of democracy, and to throw local politics into disarray with their unique brand of flamboyance, extremism, and manipulation.

Gerry Monroe, Steve Hotze, and Aubrey Taylor working together to disenfranchise communities of color.

Steve Hotze is an allergist and a local Houston GOP activist that has spread hate and misinformation for years. Among one of the more disgusting displays of hate by Steve Hotze is his campaign against the HERO ordinance in Houston.
“When conservative firebrand Dr. Steven Hotze unsheathed a sword in August while speaking at a conservative rally that doubled as a campaign launch against Houston’s nondiscrimination ordinance, even some politically aligned with the longtime anti-gay activist were taken aback.”


Steve Hotze has also come out as a radical supporter of Donald Trump’s Qanon fueled election lies. Hiring people to try and prove election fraud, where there is none. One of his hired thugs nearly murdered an innocent AC repairman in an attempt to spread misinformation.

““We’ve uncovered a massive voter election fraud scheme in Harris County,” Hotze said in an Oct. 14 video. “We have 20 investigators on the ground that will be working between now and Election Day.” Hotze’s plan blew up five days later in the pre-dawn hours of Oct. 19, when one of hisprivate investigators, former Houston Police Department captain Mark Aguirre, slammed his SUV into a box truck driven by air-conditioning repairman David Lopez-Zuniga. According to an account Lopez-Zuniga later gave to local TV station KPRC, Aguirre feigned injury after the crash. And, as Lopez-Zuniga approached to help him, Aguirre allegedly pulled a gun, disengaged the safety, and aimed it at Lopez-Zuniga’s head.“

Far from being an innocent allergist, Steve Hotze is a radical right wing bully that threatens and instills fear in under represented communities while trying to steal a legitimate election away from those he disagrees with.

Aubrey Taylor never could resist selling out to those that would disenfranchise his own people.

Let’s now talk about Aubrey Taylor. Aubrey runs a blog, online, that he thinks is a news source. Full disclosure THIS is a blog as well, and while I do my best to reference new sources, I am not a journalist, I am an activist. My job is to uncover the truth in dirty politics and to call it out.
Aubrey Taylor profits greatly from politics. His consulting business makes a lot of money from candidates that were previously clueless about his ties to Steve Hotze and Gerry Monroe (more on him later). Aubrey Taylor is sideways with many people right now because the Harris County Democratic Party has censored Harold Dutton for pushing a GOP sponsored anti-trans education bill. Aubrey, as you can see below, throws in with anti-LGBTQ extremist Steve Hotze, and does comms work for Harold Dutton. He also takes a lot of money from GOP candidates and PACS.

Not content with just being a token to anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ hate, Aubrey is also helping Steve Hotze push election lies so that he can further profit. His support of restrictive voting bills will disenfranchise the poor, and communities of color. Meanwhile he’ll collect a paycheck.

Now on to Gerry Monroe.

I could write a novel about the self proclaimed “Five Star General” who was so offended by my critique of his misogynistic statements, he sat in front of Hobby Airport for hours, pretending like he was flying in an army of his friends to hurt me. I’ve got video of that on my social media somewhere, I promise you it’s as sad and pathetic as it sounds.

Here is a quote regarding his “activism” at HISD:

“The case, Monroe v. Houston Indep. Sch. Dist., No. CV H-19-1991, 2019 WL 7206031, (S.D. Tex. Dec. 11, 2019), examined whether a citizen who made threatening remarks and gestures toward a Houston Independent School District principal could be temporarily banned from board meetings.HISD banned Gerry Monroe from all HISD “[f]acilities, activities and meetings.” The facilities ban followed two different HISD meetings. At the first, Monroe became belligerent, yelled, banged on the table, swore profusely, insulted administrators almost incessantly, and repeatedly yelled racial epithets. Two days later, Monroe attended an HISD board meeting. He wore a bandana around his neck and a t-shirt with an HISD principal’s picture on it. Above her picture, the shirt said, “PRINCIPAL IRMA SANDATE MUST GO!”; below her picture, it said, “BECAUSE SHE DON’T LIKE BLACK PEOPLE.” Monroe gave an angry speech and repeatedly called the principal an “idiot.” He insisted that she immediately be fired. At the end of his speech, Monroe paused and raised the bandana over his mouth towards his eyes and said, “I got a team that can protect every last one of [the teachers]. You need some help?” Lowering his bandana, Monroe shouted “Do something with that idiot over there. This is the mandate: Either you take her out or I’m going to take her out.” Throughout his speech, including during the mandate, he pointed at the board with a hand gesture that, according to some in the room, looked like a gun. Monroe stated that he did not remember using a gun gesture during the meeting.“

Gerry Monroe has also mocked the Trans community. He does it often and he isn’t ashamed of it. It fits that he would throw his lot in with Aubrey Taylor and Steve Hotze, they all seem to have some extremist anti-LGBTQ views.

Now Steve Hotze is blatant about his ultra right wing views. He uses his money to champion those causes. He also uses his money to prop up people like Aubrey and Gerry, so that they can cause friction and discord in the Democratic party. They get money and some notoriety, while the rest of us see voting rights erode, and vulnerable communities slandered and harmed by their antics.

Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing indeed. These two men should have nothing to do with Democratic Party circles. They are toxic and pathetic.

References:

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Fear-aiming-to-take-HERO-6589831.php

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/12/16/he-is-going-to-shoot-me-man-who-says-he-was-held-at-gunpoint-by-ex-hpd-captain-in-election-fraud-conspiracy-theory-speaks-to-kprc-2-investigates/

https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-a-qanon-backing-hormone-doctor-financed-2020s-craziest-scariest-election-conspiracy

http://aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com/ – Beware the blatant lies and anti-lbgtq content.

https://ed311.com/can-citizens-who-make-threats-at-board-meetings-be-banned/
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Pearland, Brazoria County, Elections and tax dollars

People say all politics are local. There is no more truth to that than in the elections happening locally in Brazoria County. Take a look at the Pearland city council, the pattern is obvious, it is 100% dominated by white males, all from the Republican Party. Though Pearland is one of the most diverse cities in America, our leadership lacks any representation of that diversity.

In the last 20 years Pearland has grown by over 400%. The community is becoming much more diverse and progressive, however the school board of Pearland ISD and the city council, are still under a full and tight control of the “old” Pearland. Just take a look at the Brazoria County Republican Party’s website – nearly all of the elected positions in the county, about 40 of them, are occupied by this single party. Even non-partisan positions, including school boards, local city councils, MUD districts, etc, follow a similar trend as the Pearland City Council.

The working-class of Pearland, who live in newer master planned communities, are not even aware of how and who makes the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives. This is by design, with the local GOP happy to keep people in the dark. The voter turnout in local elections has hardly gone beyond 10% over the years. Those who are frequent voters most likely belong to a close network of churches and social circles related to the established. In the 2021 local election that is going on right now, less than 2000 people (or 1%) have voted in Pearland so far, out of a population of 155,600 (Source: Brazoria County Election Office).

It is not that people haven’t noticed or challenged this status quo. But the establishment, with its power, money, and structures, has tried to block and stifle the change. Since 2016, numerous attempts have been made to increase voter turnout and to elect those who can represent the new dynamics of Pearland. Nevertheless, most of these efforts have been stymied, including a petition to move local elections to November, where turnout would be greater. Some new candidates have received death threats and become the targets of vicious attacks on social media. 

Despite the fact that local election turnout has been overwhelmingly low, this year, the early voting days have been cut several days shorter (ending on Apr 27th, Tuesday). Perhaps the Republican party doesn’t want people to know and come out to vote, just like what’s happening at the state level? Bills that attempt to strip voter rights and redraw voting districts for the controlling party’s advantage (called “redistricting” or “gerrymandering”) are being shoveled into the state legislature, whose session is ending at the end of May.

The real questions facing people of Pearland and the county are: who are actually controlling the tax dollars? What about corruption and lack of transparency in local politics? How are those who are willing to challenge the established being targeted?

COVID has brought even more controversial issues. As schools and cities reopen in person operation, will they follow policies guided by science or by political ideology? Will the school board and city council remove the mask mandate against public health guidelines?

In addition, many people saw this year’s property appraisal value jumping by 10%, following the pattern of previous years, despite financial difficulties many residents are facing in the pandemic. How will the federal and state relief fund (which comes from your tax dollars) be used in local business and school districts? Will the money be kept in the close loop of the power circle?

These are tough questions residents need to ask and follow. Yes, life is too busy for the working class. But if nobody pays attention, the effects of local politics will have a much greater impact than federal policies on your daily life, such as the water you drink and schools your kids go to.

Election Day is May 1st, Tuesday (there is no voting day available between Apr 27th and May 1st). For voting hours, locations, and sample ballots, visit the county election office website: https://www.brazoriacountyclerk.net/departments/elections/current-election-information. Check out the candidates’ websites and see what they are talking about. Find trusted organizations in your community to make noise and make changes that make sense to a majority of the people rather than a selected few in power.

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AAPI and White Supremacy

AAPI have always suffered the effects of white supremacy in America. Some of the first immigration restrictions in US history came about because of the influx of Chinese into the US, seeking opportunity after the devastating impact of the Opium wars with the UK. White Americans saw the influx of hard working Chinese immigrants as a danger. Here was a group that would never be able to fully integrate into “white” America. Exclusion of Chinese immigrants, and a campaign of racism was started. For those that remained in the US, the powers that be eventually would pit Chinese and Irish immigrants against each other in a rush to finish the transcontinental railroad. They were also used to form narratives against Blacks in America, and to set the “model minority” narrative.

https://www.history.com/topics/immigration/chinese-exclusion-act-1882

Anti-Chinese Advertisements in the 1880s

Let us never forget that when it suits white supremacists, we are depicted no differently than any other ethnic group. The same narratives used against the Chinese would later be used against Eastern European, and immigrants from Central and South America.

In times of war, the “model minority” AAPI groups are frequently targeted as an outlet for the ignorant. The worst example of this ignorant hatred is how Japanese Americans were treated by their government during WWII. Loyal Americans of Japanese descent were rounded up, their businesses and homes seized, and they were forced into camps. There was never any threat of “spies” among the Japanese Americans. Many of which loyally served in the military. Ignorance and fear mongering won the day.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/injustice-japanese-americans-internment-camps-resonates-strongly-180961422/

  • George Takei’s family at an internment camp

The Korean and Vietnam wars would avoid the internment of other AAPI, but the increase in hate rhetoric against AAPI groups would continue, well into the 1980s.

After 9/11 Muslim Americans also felt the brunt of ignorant racism and hatred. Their business and places of worship were targeted, and they lived in a state of fear, that continues to this day.

http://www.csun.edu/~sm60012/GRCS-Files/Muslims-post-9-11.htm

Anti-Muslim graffiti after 9/11

After COVID-19 reached US Shores, hatred and ignorance against Chinese Americans, and other East Asian AAPI groups again increased. Chinese businesses faced boycotts by the ignorant, and AAPI citizens have seen an exponential increase in hate crimes levied against them. From racial slurs, to dangerous chemicals being thrown at them, to murder, the cycle of ignorance and violence continues.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/23/anti-asian-violence-is-surging-we-cant-answer-bigotry-with-bigotry

From the article“In April, a Brooklyn woman suffered severe burns after being doused with chemicals. Last month, 84-year-old Thai immigrant Vicha Ratanapakdee died in an assault in San Francisco. Noel Quintana, a 61-year-old Filipino man riding the New York subway this month, required about 100 stitches after being slashed with a box cutter. Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition documenting anti-Asian hate amid covid-19, has tracked more than 2,800 incidents of violence, harassment or discrimination between March and December 2020, many aimed at the elderly. Activists say the true numbers are surely higher.“

The question I hear often is “well AAPI are considered model minorities, you aren’t always targeted, and people have a generally positive opinion about AAPI groups”. This is still white supremacy at work. There is a narrative that AAPI groups are harder working or smarter than other BIPOC groups. This in itself is damaging, setting the stage for unrealistic expectations, and pitting AAPI groups against Black and Latin Americans.

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education-postsecondary/news/2018/08/29/455316/gaps-debate-asian-americans-affirmative-action-harvard/

The narrative is used against other groups in an attempt to attack Affirmative Action, a necessary policy that is used to try and bring equity to Blacks and other BIPOC groups after centuries of oppression and devastation.

AAPI groups are used as a tool, to incite fear and anger, when it suits a society build on white supremacy, or as a tool against other groups in an attempt to keep us permanently split. AAPI too often fall into a pattern of “anti-blackness” or “anti-Latino” that is damaging not just to those groups, but also to AAPI. It isolates us, and when we face overwhelming discrimination, we have no moral high ground from which to defend ourselves, and far fewer allies than we need to push back. It is high time AAPI groups deal with our own bigotry, and begin outreach to groups that know all to well the damaging effects of white supremacy.

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Hate MUST NOT Win

A few years ago I was at George R Brown to show support for my Muslim neighbors and friends. They had an amazing conference , there was good, music, craft stalls. It was fun. Across the parking street, a group of proud boys, bigots, and boogaloo assholes where protesting them, based on nothing but hate. I’ve talked about this before. Amelie and I walked towards the bathroom, and while they were in there, I was confronted by a big, ignorant, fucker of a proud boy. Screaming I didn’t belong here . I was in the wrong place. He was trying to start an altercation. At one point I saw a couple of officers, and asked for help. They turned their back on me. The proud boy was emboldened and kept pressing. I finally walked away when Amelie was done, and managed to make to back to the convention center. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t helpless, I had what I needed to protect myself if it came down to it, and instinctively got into a guarding stance. This asshole wasn’t going to kill me without a fight, and I think that my dumb luck and instinct threw him off enough that he wasn’t going to risk anything. At the end of the day he was a coward and a bully. One on one he was nothing. Emboldened by numbers though, they will attack anyone, including the cops they claim to respect. Those cops didn’t have my safety in mind, they happily gave space to white supremacy. The problem is, that toxicity destroys everything, and now it’s been turned into the same systems that empower it.

Content warning, this is disgusting and violent. I don’t cheer this. But this IS the America we live in. I’ve seen this multiple times. The LGBTQ and BIPOC communities have seen it. Women walking home alone have seen it. We can, and must, do better.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/us-capitol-police-officer-crushed-riot-b1784670.html

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Eugene Howard Toxic Leadership

The Brazoria County NAACP is suffering from toxic leadership. I have long said that the mark of a good leader, and organization, is transparency to the members and communities they serve.

In violation of the chapter charter, Eugene has failed to ensure that members are uploaded to the national database, he’s failed to ensure that members are notified of meetings, and he’s failed to ensure timely treasurers reports. Now in most cases an officer failing to do these things is no major issue, however members have been asking for adherence to rules for over a year, and are met with stall tactics from Mr. Howard.

He failed to setup a meeting to go over the necessary steps for elections, and even had a separate account setup for membership dues that were never forwarded to national, and he himself was never listed in the national roles this year until September.

Because of these inaccuracies the leadership team scheduled the charter mandated meetings and proceeded to ensure members were properly notified. Mr. Howard immediately became combative on that call, and all subsequent calls. Here is an example of how Mr. Howard treats membership when they criticize his actions or tone. FULL DISCLOSURE, I was involved in this meeting and absolutely called him out.

Remember our Friend Leisha D’Angelo?

This is Leisha, supporter of Kevin Cole

Well Mr. Howard has recruited her to join the NAACP because obvious bigotry and support of bigots is in line with the type of organization that Mr. Howard wishes to lead. An organization that cares nothing for integrity or honesty, as long as Mr. Howard can get some camera time and some PR.

This is the longer exchange. Mr. Howard wishes to silence people that provide valid criticism.

Bad behavior must be called out, even when it is uncomfortable.

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Pearland’s Long History with Racism

Pearland is the second most diverse city in Texas. The City’s founding was dependent on both Brazoria County and Houston, as a Railway hub. Early advertisements trying to draw in new residents advertised Pearland as the “Capital of Caucasia”. While that language is no longer used, it has been replaced with “Don’t Houston our Pearland” a blatant dog whistle that seeks to keep Pearland “status quo”. For People of Color this is means blatantly “White”. Despite halfhearted protests to the contrary.

Blatant Racism by Kevin Cole, current candidate for Mayor.

The Court “Rules of Court Decorum” list “No inappropriate attire. No shorts or cut-offs; No low-cut blouses or tops; No skirts or dresses that are short (less than halfway from knee to top of thigh); no muscle shirts or shirts without sleeves, clothing with offensive, vulgar, racist, sexist, obscene, lewd, or suggestive words, slogans, depictions, or pictures; No clothing too tight, too short, too baggy, or pants worn below the waistline.”
So while you can’t wear Racist language on your clothing, you are free to express those views and hold office in Pearland. Former City Council member Kevin Cole, and Current City Council Member Woody Owens are proud of the language they use online. Kevin Cole is currently running for Mayor in Pearland.

https://t.co/V7fgCADFG3?amp=1

Here is a video that highlights some of the bigoted rhetoric that Mr. Owens has shared.

It’s important to note that Pearland ISD has a long history of racism as well. The racism is core to the identity of many in Pearland. The question comes to, why are such blatantly racist people allowed to hold office in Pearland? Simply put, all positions are “at large” positions. Municipal elections are usually held in May, a historically low turnout date that has allowed racists to consolidate their power. Tactics such as closing of roads near polling locations, or trying to illegal prevent people from voting because “they look like someone that already has”.

While there are many in the community that gloss over these issues and excuse them, it’s become blatantly clear that while those in power will gladly take the tax dollars of POC, they clearly don’t want to let them have a true voice in leadership.

Pearland leadership decided to invite CBP snipers onto the rooftop of Dawson HS in preparation for George Floyd’s funeral. Racist leadership see any gathering of support for Blacks and other POC as “dangerous”.

In the last few years Pearland has seen dozens of articles regarding racism. At each incident leadership glosses over the problems, promises reform, and then they openly support racist rhetoric and openly invite dangerous hate groups with their rhetoric and racist dog whistles. Below are some examples of the articles that have been written about Pearland and Pearland ISD.
What is truly infuriating isn’t just the racism. People of Color are used to dealing with institutionalized racism and open bigotry. It’s not “new” to us. It’s the sad attempts at trying to explain away the racism by mediocre leadership that assume that anyone darker than a sheet of printer paper is somehow easily fooled into believing their lies. Truthfully that’s not new to POC either, it’s just constantly insulting.

News Sources:

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/08/12/pearland-isd-teacher-under-fire-for-white-slaves-post/

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Second-Pearland-ISD-student-accuses-administrator-15001523.php

https://www.chron.com/houston/article/Pearland-ISD-faces-accusations-of-racial-13872602.php

https://www.thecrisismagazine.com/single-post/2019/12/16/Racism-in-Texas-Schools

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/pearland-parents-complain-of-pattern-of-discrimination-in-the-district

https://www.click2houston.com/news/2019/06/15/neighbors-concerns-grow-after-racist-graffiti-spray-painted-on-fence/

http://forwardtimes.com/what-if-it-were-your-child-pearland-isd-employees-named-in-federal-lawsuit-after-humiliating-13-year-old-black-student-by-blackening-his-scalp-with-permanent-marker/

https://www.rawstory.com/2012/04/racism-and-vigilante-justice-in-pearland-texas/

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2017/11/17/251599/pearland-isd-continues-to-support-superintendent-after-latest-controversy/

http://www.city-data.com/forum/houston/1744688-what-african-american-experience-like-living-3.html

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Black Lives Matter

Where do you stand? Alongside our Black brothers and sisters, defending their rights, or so you stand with the forces of oppression that have too long dehumanized and murdered without regard for their rights? Protests are happening around the world, and people are being shot, maimed, and murdered. We have proposal by Letitia Plummer that will begin to address the impunity with which HPD operates. Will you make calls and send emails? Will you call out the conditions that protesters are being held in?

The choice is yours.

In order to get this proposal passed, we the people must contact City Council and make a demand for it!

To those who are trying to learn what you can do to become a better ally, this is an action you can take NOW.

To those who have been marching, protesting, and/or been arrested over the last week, this proposal is a direct response to the power of your voice. Call our Council Members and let them know you support this. Don’t stop fighting. It’s working. ✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾✊🏻✊🏽

▪️CONTACT AT-LARGE 1
Council Member Mike Knox
Phone: 832.393.3014
E-Mail: atlarge1@houstontx.gov

▪️ CONTACT AT-LARGE 2
Council Member David W. Robinson
Phone: 832.393.3013
E-Mail: atlarge2@houstontx.gov

▪️ CONTACT AT-LARGE 3
Council Member Michael Kubosh
Phone: 832.393.3005
E-Mail: atlarge3@houstontx.gov

▪️ CONTACT AT-LARGE 5
Council Member Sallie Alcorn
Phone: 832.393.3017
E-Mail: atlarge5@houstontx.gov

🔹 And finally, call Council Member Letitia Plummer (At-Large 4) to thank her for her work and to let her know you support her.

Phone: 832.393.3012
E-Mail: atlarge4@houstontx.gov

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Fool us once…

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. We get distracted, or passionate about something and we ignore the consequences of our actions, or we say something that is out of character and out of line. It’s important to learn from these mistakes, so that we can grow as a person, especially when it is our goal to go into some sort of leadership position.

Violation of the Hatch Act by John Cobarruvias

John is a well known member of the party. Dare I say he is infamous for his voracious blogging habits. While I probably agree with John on many items, where I differ from him is with his approach. While I’m no stranger to speaking out, and perhaps making enemies, I try to stick to the facts, and I try to keep from being an outright bully. The violation of the Hatch Act above could simply be written off as passion.

However 4 years later John stirred further controversy with his misogynistic comments towards a member of the GOP. I am definitely not a GOP apologist, and I strongly disagree with most of their platform. That said, there is no excuse for open misogyny. There are plenty of ways to call out a politician without resorting to rude, crass, and sexist language. Ok, he got out of hand, maybe it was just a one time deal.

But no. Here is John, again criticizing others. This time he is being vindictive and rude towards other Democratic voters, because he disagreed with their pick for candidate. It’s one thing to list out why a candidate is problematic, it is quite another to brand anyone that disagrees with his beliefs as “dope smoking voters”. John talks about the need to fall in line for the sake of party unity, but apparently that unity only works one way. His way. FYI, studies have shown that if Texas would legalize marijuana, we would be able to avoid the budgetary disaster that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing. The economic benefit to Texas for legalization of marijuana has been addressed for years.

John was elected SD11 Committee Man a few years ago and had to resign for personal reasons. It’s important to note that at the same time he was facing a lot of heat from conservative advocates for this tweet. It is hard to take the high road in gun reform when you make tweets like this. FYI I am a gun owner and a huge advocate for greater gun reform to ensure that nobody, no student, worshiper, or fellow Texan has to fear for their lives due to gun violence. I have worked with March for Our Lives and other gun reform groups, so I understand the complexities of the gun reform discussion in Texas, and I also realize that this approach (John’s approach) does way more damage to the cause than is needed.

This year John tried to push through a change to the party rules to ensure that DSA members and other progressive members would be disenfranchised and booted out of the party. He claims that it is because they won’t support another Democratic Party Presidential candidate. I was a Bernie supporter in the 2016 primary and voted for Hillary during the general. I again supported Warren and Sanders this year, but I am currently serving as Biden delegate to the state convention. I brought this up, because John has a history of poking this “divide” as an excuse to silence progressives.

This was his reply to my commentary, right before John blocked me from his wall.

It’s obvious that John has a one track mind, he’s not open to compromise or discussion, and his approach to conflict is to attack, demean, and mock others. He spreads false statements, and tries to silence any who would argue with him on his approach.

John cares little for the opinions of others, and only seeks to further divide progressives from moderates.

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Memorial Day 2020

Memorial day is a US federal holiday that was established in 1971 that is dedicated to honoring our soldiers that have passed away while serving in the US military. A moment of silence is held at 3pm local time throughout the country. Please join me in observing this moment of silence and in honoring our honored dead.

This year, with the world in the midst of a Pandemic, it is important that every citizen remembers why these brave service people sacrificed their lives, and it’s essential that we all do what we can to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain. We must all do what we can to safeguard ourselves, our families, and our communities.

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Herd Immunity

The simplest definition of Herd Immunity , Per Merriam-Webster is :  a reduction in the risk of infection with a specific communicable disease (such as measles or influenza) that occurs when a significant proportion of the population has become immune to infection (as because of previous exposure or vaccination) so that susceptible individuals are much less likely to come in contact with infected individuals. I’m going to give you two additional definitions:

Eugenics:  the practice or advocacy of controlled selective breeding of human populations (as by sterilization) to improve the population’s genetic composition
And
Genocide: the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group

More on those two in a bit. Now the commentary coming from members of the GOP, and the domestic terrorists trying to force the early opening of state and local governments is that the only way to get past the COVID-19 crisis is by applying a type of herd immunity by ensuring that a large part of the population are exposed to COVID-19, comparing it to the Flu, and trying to offer lives as a sacrifice to the alter of capitalism.

Johns Hopkins, as well as several other scientific and medical institutions and journals have addressed how much more devastating COVID-19 is. It is at least ten times as deadly as the common flu, and it is several times more transmissible than the flu. The virus, thus far, seems to have far reaching and long lasting impact on several aspects of the body. This is not the flu.

In order to reach herd immunity without a vaccine, we need to ensure that at least 70-90 percent of the population is infected. The population of the United States is roughly 328 Million people. So to reach 75% exposure that means roughly 246 million people need to be infected. Let’s look at the low end of the mortality rate (1-2 percent). That means 2,460,000 people will die if we try to reach herd immunity by exposure. What that figure doesn’t take into account is the fact that our healthcare system would be crippled dealing with these infections, meaning additional people will die due to lack of access to healthcare and other secondary causes.

This number will also leave us with an grotesque impact on all aspects of society. The economy would enter a large scale depression, leading to years, if not decades, of impact to common people. The fact that COVID-19 affects the poor and people of color dis-proportionally because of their lack to access to healthcare, leads to another grim scenario. The Flu, only has a .1 percent mortality rate. We also have a vaccine for the Flu that provides true herd immunity without the extreme loss of life (300,0000 deaths without the vaccine).

What people are screaming for is an inhumane cost in human lives. They know the statistics for who is more likely to be affected. They are talking about the “strength” of the immune systems for those that will survive. This mirrors discussions on Eugenics, breading out those that can’t survive the pandemic. This isn’t based on facts, COVID-19 can, and will affect the young, the rich, the poor, and people of all races.
What people are fighting for, when asking for social distancing and safety measures to be dropped, is the genocide of millions of Americans. We don’t have to let these people die. Politicians are choosing to allow these deaths, so that they can pander to greedy and heartless donors and supporters. We cannot allow this to happen. The mere suggestion of allowing this is traitorous and heartless.

SOURCES:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herd%20immunity

https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/achieving-herd-immunity-with-covid19.html

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eugenics

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rethinking-herd-immunity/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genocide

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Staying Home is about empathy.

I’m not self isolating and wearing masks because I’m afraid. I have spent years as a community organizer and activist. I work towards empowering and elevating those that are marginalized or vulnerable. I do this work because I believe every person is precious. I’m not personally afraid of COVID-19, but I take precautions because I don’t want a single person to got through the disease because I was careless. I don’t want to see healthcare workers over whelmed.

I want to shorten the impact of this disease, and the only way we can do that is by isolating and preventing further spread of this virus. Ignoring the advice of doctors and scientists will only lengthen the impact of COVID-19, costing lives and expanding the damage to people’s livelihoods. This isn’t a politically motivated statement, it’s one based on facts, supported by research.

There is rhetoric out there that pushes conspiracy theories and accused those of us listening to experts of being afraid. It’s empty partisan postering. It’s dangerous and will lead to more deaths and long term impact that can’t be swept under the rug or ignored.

These safety measures will only seem like they are overblown because they are working. That’s the point. We are trying to prevent the spread of the disease and it’s horrible impact.

Lives cannot be replaced. Stay home, save lives. If you have to be out, adhere to social distancing and wear a mask. Do it to save others, and don’t let charlatans goad you into ignorant and destructive actions.

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Shut it down

The rapid spread of COVID-19 shows the power of pathogens and the lack of preparedness humanity has in our ability to mount a rapid response to the spread of previously unknown pathogens. The financial toll to the world’s economies will be enormous, but the impact in lives, and long term mental health will be even greater.
Here in the US we have lost vital weeks of proactive action because of the fear of financial impact and the result of anti-science narrative from people in power.
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/medicine/sph/ide/gida-fellowships/Imperial-College-COVID19-NPI-modelling-16-03-2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1AWr6AHz24s5w3gJ0pjFcOmAem4FjZrg6bBcky6pb7Uf1vnvfyYfZ5c9w

This case study from the Imperial College in the UK goes into extreme detail of why it is necessary to undergo suppression strategy. This is particularly true in the US where we don’t have extra capacity in critical care units, and where our medical professionals, support staff, and infrastructure are already taxed.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/interview-francis-collins-nih/608221/?fbclid=IwAR3JBm8VzTEzkFNg5E5g9U_HUcB7s0gJE4Il21DwFs3pFp6Hl1L1SxHBzoQ

What does this all mean? If we want to avoid the worst case scenario, of 4-6 million Americans dying from allowing the virus to run its course, then we must implement stringent isolation strategies for the population. Per Francis Collins, in his interview with the Atlantic posted above:

““That means we all need to take responsibility, even if we are thinking of ourselves as relatively impervious to this illness.  It would be easy for a young person to look at the data and go, ‘Well, you know, what if I get it? I’m probably going to be fine.’ But you have to think of yourself also as a vessel for other vulnerable people.  Even if you don’t think you need to do this kind of isolation for your own good, you’re doing it for the rest of the country—and particularly for your grandparents and other people who are in a vulnerable state.”

And Collins also offered a big-picture perspective for Americans. “I think people need to be prepared that we are going to be in this space for more time than they will like,” he said. “In many ways, the best sign that we’re making progress will be that the duration of the epidemic goes on a little longer. That’s what flattening the curve means.”

We don’t have time to wait for our leaders to order a mandatory lockdown, we should all be self-isolating and saving our resources and efforts into protecting our neighbors, families and communities. Doing anything otherwise would be irresponsible and heartless. We are taxing our medical professionals, who will also start getting sick. We are taxing our infrastructure, and we are causing permanent harm to society by risking additional deaths. Yes, this pandemic will likely extend for many months. We need to make sure it does so we don’t see countless millions die needlessly.

We must push our elected officials to mandate the closure of all public spaces except for essential services. We must ensure this because if we lose our front line healthcare workers this gets much, much worse. We must do this because it is the morally right thing to do, to defend the lives of our communities by flattening the curve.

https://backyardbend.com/coronavirus-and-the-sun-a-lesson-from-the-1918-influenza-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR049G9QdMvNJUBPbHtMhsmJ12tNjL1J0YrKlgydRGxHflFlaLQeJp-msF8
Lessons from the 1918 Flue Pandemic

The science behind this is sound. We must act now if we wish to save lives. We live in a time of technology that allows us to carry on work and school remotely, where we don’t need to expose others to the dangers of this pathogen. The only thing stopping us is our own hubris and ignorance.

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Preparing for a Pandemic

When it comes to preparing for a major health crisis I tend to listen to scientists, and medical professionals and not someone known for pandering to conspiracy theories, and who’s own ability to do a proper google search leaves his sentience in doubt.

https://ktrh.iheart.com/featured/houstons-morning-news/content/2020-03-10-fryer-feature-no-crisis-too-far/

Greg Travis and KTRH radio are working hard to politicize and issue that should be common sense. The world is facing a pandemic, and the most vulnerable populations will suffer greatly if they ignore the advice of actual experts, while listening to the verbal vomit coming from those that are motivated only by what the stock market drop means for their bottom line. The COVID-19 virus will affect everyone regardless of political affiliation, and it’s important to get ahead of this and work proactively instead of reactively.
Reactive measures are always costly and inefficient. When talking about a pandemic the cost will not just be financial, it’ll be in lives.

https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation

Quarantining people now will save lives, and that’ should be the primary focus of our elected leaders, not pushing easily disproven right wing conspiracies.
It’s ironic that Greg Travis mentions the zombie apocalypse. That scenario is exactly what epidemiologists use to plan responses for a pandemic, and it’s something that he should read further into.

Thank you to Mayor Turner and Judge Hidalgo for putting lives over other considerations. That’s a sign of proper leadership!

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Anti-HERO

Max Miller is affiliated with the Houston Pastor’s council, who worked with Rick Scarborough’s Vision for America to fight the HERO ordinance. He’s anti-trans, and here he is helping to fundraiser for Shawn Thierry. Not the first time Shawn has been affiliated with Max Miller. See the last two screenshots.

https://onenewsnow.com/culture/2015/11/02/houstons-chance-to-disregard-lesbian-mayors-decree
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/11/03/why-houstons-gay-rights-ordinance-failed-bathrooms/?outputType=amp
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Unfit to Serve

I will never understand why someone runs in a party that they have no alignment to. Well outside of a selfish desire to keep power.

Jerry Zimmerer is a politician through and through. He has run as a republican three different times, in 1994, and twice in 1996. He’s donated heavily to GOP causes as well.
That was in the past. He ran as a democrat recently, so all is well. People change, heck I’ve changed.

Well.. except recently he has sided with republicans on the bench instead of democrats. Most notably :

In Nguyen v. South by Southwest, Don Wade v Household Finance Copr. III, and Suzanne Elizabeth Wexler v The State of Texas.

In these cases Zimmerer is seen to protect corporate interests, and in the case of Wexler vs Texas he sided with officers that refused to read Miranda rights to a woman that was detained.

Zimmerer also voted in Republican primaries until 2014, when the changing demographics proved that running as a democrat would be a “winning” choice for him.

All of this is a matter of public record, his horrible rulings, his past support of the GOP.

He’s an opportunist. Don’t believe empty rhetoric, look at his actions.

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#NeverMoore

Not all grassroots organizers will agree with each other on our endorsements. As I stated before, the endorsements I made were hard, for many reasons. I obviously don’t live in multiple congressional districts so obviously I’m an outsider looking in to other areas and making choices based on what information I can gather.
I live just outside Manvel, in CD22. I am in the boundaries of PISD. My endorsement here wasn’t taken lightly. It’s important for me to spell out that of the candidates, one of them stood out as someone that I cannot work with. Nyanza Moore has expressed some misogynistic, and anti-trans rhetoric. While I acknowledge that people can grow and learn, her latest actions prove to me that she isn’t apologetic regarding her views, but rather apologetic that she’s been caught expressing troubling views.

Some people have had different interactions with Nyanza. Whenever I’ve confronted her directly about her transphobic comments she has steadfastly refused to acknowledge that she even made them. When I presented video evidence, she’s ignored me.
It’s also important to note that Nyanza didn’t bother screaming with the GLBT Caucus for an endorsement. As she’s said publicly, she knows who her base is, and she doesn’t seem to care about reaching across to others.

In PISD we have a district led by a superintendent that is blatant in his prejudices and torment of Trans students. We cannot empower such hate by allowing Nyanza to be our Democratic candidate in 22.

I have posted about her hate rhetoric before. Here are the videos again. This is blatant hatred and ignorance. A public apology must be issued before I’ll reconsider this.

I have nothing but respect for everyone else who’s doing the work of vetting candidates. Thank you for all that you do!

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Texas CD 2

I have serious concerns about the CD2 race, in particular Sima Ladjevardian, who I have brought up before.
Below are the receipts. Yes, she has given to democratic donors heavily, but I have seen some pretty shady donations, some as recent as 2015 to Republicans. Her 2015 donation was to Charles Boustany, who made the statement, in support of a fellow GOP seeking Louisiana’s senate seat “”Republicans who care about the future of our country need a Republican in the Senate who will work with Donald Trump to roll back the failed liberal policies of President Obama,” Boustany said. “I endorse John Kennedy and urge all my supporters to cast their vote for him.” In the Tribune article she plays off GOP endorsements by insinuating that it was a one time thing in deference to community elders. Except it happened a few times. People said “maybe they are friends” ok. So I backed off. However Looking more into her dealings I’m not liking what I am seeing.

 While Sima touts her pro-worker credentials at CPPP, and their unionizing, looking at tweets from workers, she was part of the management group that looked to suppress unionization. Sima got the AFL-CIO endorsement, however someone that was able to raise 200k quickly, and tout her Pro-Union chops didn’t bother with a union bug on her first batch of campaign material.

 She has ties to Amir Mireskandar, a former consultant for Kim Ogg. Former because he is under FBI investigation for trying to influence elected officials, like Ogg, and Ken Paxton, etc, while working for several Poker Houses seeking to expand and legitimize their businesses. He is also CEO and managing partner of Mires, Ran Clark and Associates, a consulting company that has Wayne Dolcefino listed as part of leadership in Media Consulting & Investigations. Dolcefino is a well known GOP operative.

We are eight days out from the Primary, and she still hasn’t filed her financial disclosure forms. She was supposed to do that on 2/2. So we now have no way to fully vet out a candidate that has started at least 2 businesses with a person that is under FBI investigation for trying to influence elected officials through donations.

In Comparison I have researched both Travis Olsen and Elisa Cardnell , neither of whom have significant ties to PACS or a history of donations above the mandatory reporting thresholds.

Below is a timeline of activity, and link to sources.

Timeline of activity:

2007 – Sima Ladjevardian makes max donation to Rudy Giuliani

2015 – Sima Ladjevardian makes last donation to Republican Candidate Charles Boustany.

2018 – Texas Progressive Executive Council Founded. Sima and Amir are listed as Co-Chairs in articles.

2018 – Texas For Fairness and Justice PAC founded and lists Amir Mireskandar as Treasurer. Listed as a sister pac to the TPEC

July, 2019 – Ogg dismisses poker room cases, citing conflict with consultant and fundraiser, Amir Mreskandiari. The clubs are Post Oak Poker Club and Prime Social Poker Room.

August 24th 2019 – Kim Ogg speaks about donations from Poker Houses to Adrian Garcia and Ken Paxton

December 2019 – CPPP is accused of anti-union tactics on Twitter despite statements to the contrary.

December 9th, 2019 – Sima Ladjevardian files to run in Texas 2. She immediately raises 200k and garners the support of people such as Kim Ogg, Adrian Garcia, Etc, who all benefited from TPEC and Texas for Fairness and Justice PAC.

December 20th 2019 – Sima’s campaign files for extension for Financial Disclosure form, listing a date of February 2nd.

February 22nd, 2019 – Sima’s Finanical disclosure form is now 20 days late. 10 days to primary.

Sources:

https://www.texastribune.org/2019/12/19/democratic-primary-challenge-us-rep-dan-crenshaw-gets-11th-hour-shakeu/

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Ogg-dismisses-poker-room-cases-citing-conflict-14100998.php


https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-poker-club-DA-consultant-trade-14435780.php


http://miresran.com/leadership.php


https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?tag=fundraising


https://www.corporationwiki.com/Texas/Houston/amir-mireskandari-P3253678.aspx


https://twitter.com/CpppUnited/status/1204918257553162240?s=20


https://tpec.us/harris-county-progressive-political-news/


https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00678136


https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/charles-boustany-endorses-john-kennedy-231418

https://texassignal.com/texas-progressive-executive-council-previews-2020-election-strategy/
https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/charles-boustany-endorses-john-kennedy-231418
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Stop and Frisk

Vet your candidates. Bloomberg has a history of problematic behavior. He’s given heavily to stop progressive candidates, and has blood on his hands.

https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/26/bloomberg-republican-endorsement-2020-073807
https://www.thedailybeast.com/michael-bloomberg-in-2015-saw-russias-point-in-invading-ukraine
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Frustration

I know it’s important for me to focus on my self,and on my mental health, but it’s damn near impossible right now. I’m an empathetic person, and for the last few years every day I just get a sense that more and more people are suffering. There are people that are being tortured, murdered, and erased while many of us fight an uphill battle.

Sometimes the sense of all the human suffering that is going on is overwhelming. I have no idea why we aren’t all in the streets demanding the removal of a treasonous and evil regime. I get frustrated that so many people reject the fact that they have power to change things if they would just listen and vote.

I will keep fighting, I will keep screaming, and I won’t forget or ignore the suffering of others. I know that there has to be balance, but right now, tonight, I’m feeling overwhelmed by it all. I’m sad for my fellow people, and I just want to find the spark that will help us all change what is happening.

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Being an Ally takes more than words…

Being an ally takes more than words. As a straight-Cis-Male, I have had to learn a lot about my desire to be a better feminist, and a better person. The first thing I’ve learned is, I have to listen, a lot. I have to swallow my over inflated ego, and listen. I’ve learned that my voice, is best utilized when it is elevating the voices of others. I’ve learned that being an activist and progressive is a lot more complex than I could ever expect. People that I wish to help are as multifaceted, as any other group. The different opinions and approaches are a maze to navigate.  It’s essential to find the place where I can do the most good, and stick to it.

I’ve learned that the work needs to be done, for the sake of the future. I will never see a day where all people are truly regarded as equals. I’ll never see a completely just society. I can help lay the foundation to it, and that’s the most important thing I can do as an individual. I don’t need accolades or recognition for the work I am doing, I simply need more people to realize that the change with need starts with them. Small things, a little at a time, are essential. This is no sprint, it’s not even a marathon. It’s a relay marathon, and we need everyone helping out.

A note to my fellow-men. We are all dripping with levels of toxic masculinity. A truly good man gives to others, because it is the right, and just, thing to do. We have grown up being told that we must take what we want. That to be a “man” we must hide our emotions, and defend each other at all cost. We fear showing weakness, because it’s not “manly”. We defend the patriarchy, because it gives us a default “special” place in society.
We have been taught wrong. Embracing our emotions makes us more powerful. We become wholly ourselves. We must treat everyone with the same respect, kindness, and nurturing, that we would love to have for ourselves. We must speak out against injustice, no matter who is committing it. We must earn our place in society, through our words and deeds.

Feminism is not a threat to masculinity. It is our salvation, should we learn to embrace it. I don’t expect to win the praise of my fellow-men with these words, and to be frank, I don’t care to. We are each on this journey alone, and we can choose to embrace ourselves fully, and help others, or we can continue down a lonely, hollow, path.  I choose to be wholly myself, and to be an ally to others. I can only hope that others do the same.

I’ve also realized that I am far from the perfect ally. My temper comes and goes. I am not as kind as I should be to those that love me the most. I have been damaged by the same elements in society that I seek to fight against. This is no excuse. I am in charge of my destiny and in control of my own actions. It is up to me to keep on changing for the better, and up to me to deal with the consequences of my shortcomings. I am ok with this, I own this. I take responsibility for my actions, and I will continue to try to be better. I will not always succeed, but I will not allow my fragility to excuse poor behavior.

For those that I have hurt, I am truly sorry, for those that I have helped, I don’t seek praise or recognition.  I simply ask you to pay it forward.
Much work is left to be done. I ask that no matter what our mutual experiences entail, that you work with me. Let us make the world a truly better place.

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Legacy

Watching the Vice videos, I’m utterly disgusted at all the things that White Supremacists and Nazis say. The whole concept of racially superiority is such a joke. Racial purity is as well. Throughout the history of humanity, there has been once constant, humanity’s constant curiosity. We have explored, traveled, and spread throughout the Earth. The constant migration patterns of people have ensured there is no such thing as racial purity. Even the Germanic people of Western Europe can trace their lineage to migrations from Asia.

In regards to “savages” it’s ironic that those of European descent, to make such statements. The preservation of ancient Greek and Roman knowledge is due to the preservation by Arabic civilization. Knowledge was retained, and reintroduced from the middle east, through Russian and into Scandinavian societies. The renaissance was only successful because of the knowledge preserved from the east.

European dominance, thanks to rich trade with Asia, and sciences preserved and spread from the middle east, allowed the European powers to obtain not just knowledge, but also gunpowder, which they used to become more efficient conquerors. Tell me, who is more savage, those living in relative harmony with their environment, or those sailing to new lands, and forcing their will on native people and ecosystems?

Africa, America and Asia all suffered from the ill-conceived policies of colonialism, forcing traditional enemies to be part of the same “nation”, etc. There is no superiority in conquest and murder. Greed is no excuse to destroy native cultures, yet that is the history of the West. It’s a violent one, and though we have benefited from the technology developed to sustain this greed for expansion and conquest, we also immense ecological and cultural damage to deal with.

Humanity has a history full of violence, and barbarism, and the West is the pinnacle of those achievements. We are at the precipice of change. Either we give up old biases, and learn, and accept from our violent past, in order to make a more harmonious future, or we continue down the path of denial. We reject change, in the name of petty bigotry, and we prove to our progeny that the West’s legacy will truly be one of barbarism.

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Fake Geeks

Let me say this to all the “geek” men that feel the need to belittle and harass women for the crime of having a cool job. Fuck off. Take your vile misogyny, and shove it up your ass and die. You’re not geeks, nor men. You are vile sacks of shit that need to go back under the rock you came from. All this woman is guilty off is enjoying some time with coworkers. She’s not a “fake geek” you are. I’ve lived my entire life being a nerd/geek whatever term you wish to use. I grew up being mocked, for the simple crime of liking things that weren’t mainstream. I’m sick of the bullshit “gamer” talk, the attacks I see on others for enjoying the same things. Comics, Sci-fi, science, etc, are not the exclusive domain of men. I sure as hell don’t see you douche canoes mocking women dressed in cosplay. Maybe that’s because you are a bunch of losers that enjoy creeping on women from a distance, because you subconsciously realize that your foul personalities are kryptonite to the other sex. Maybe it’s just because you have mommy issues, I Don’t give a fuck. You are assholes. You give geeks a bad name, and you deserve to get dragged through the mud, in public, for your vile statements. I promise you one thing, if I ever find out about one of you cretins trying to get a job where I work, I will shut that shit down. You’ll be stuck in your parent’s basement, with your hateful rhetoric, and your box of tissues.

https://www.themarysue.com/marvel-editor-harassed-for-selfie/

 

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Equality

When I talk about how frustrated I am, let me explain why. The US has never been perfect. It’s had many, deep flaws. The history of the US is fraught with favoritism and deep seeded bigotry. That said, it was a nation full of people who fought. We fought to make the nation better for all people. In my short life, I have seen women, LGBTQ, and other minority groups gain ground in their pursuit of equality and justice. Under Obama, we saw a shimmering light of progress, not full equality, but more progress than had ever been witnessed. Now this push for equality saw an equal, harder push towards stopping any further progress.

Hatred stewed, and a narrative formed, trying to explain how the work of progressives would “take away” from others. How does asking for equality take away from others? There was no pursuit to remove religious freedoms from Christians. They were free to worship in their churches and prayer houses in peace. We simply asked that the more radical adherents not be allowed to discriminate against others. Pushing for the end of a for-profit prison system, and equal treatment under the law, for minorities, wasn’t taking away the privileges of White America. We simply asked that others be able to enjoy the same freedoms. Legalizing same-sex marriage was not an assault on heterosexual, or religious people. We asked they be treated with the same protections that any couple that is in love be treated with.

People demonize “illegal immigrants” for the same crime that Columbus, and America’s very founding fathers participated in. The pursuit of something better. They mock environmental protections and deny science, in order for profit. We can’t drink money, breathe it, or eat it. This is foolishness at its height.

The pursuit of science and education is laughed at, as if it was something to be ashamed of. The pursuit of knowledge is tantamount for a healthy democracy. We should not speak of intellectualism as if it were something to be avoided. Our very nation depends on scientists and engineers, but also, musicians, and artists.

The radical right is so busy, finding fault in others pursuit of equality, that they have allowed treason to go unanswered. People scream of wars against Christianity, or against white america. No, there are no wars against these things, except the war being fought by those that would see others deported, mistreated, or ignored, simply so that a subsection of America can sleep at night with the belief that they are “better”, all while surrounded by poverty, disease, and pollution.
All of the good that the US stood for, and the good that could have been, are now threatened by the arrogant actions of a small minority of people. They fight to destroy anything that doesn’t fit into their narrow viewpoint. They would take away our freedoms, all while screaming patriotic epitaphs that no longer have any meaning.

If you are a patriot, you will fight for the rights of others. You will pledge your lives, your fortunes, your sacred honor, in order to defend the dream, so easily afforded to a few, and so hard-fought for so many others. Demonizing your friends, neighbors, fellow residents, because they seek to live a life as free as yours, in true equality, is not the mark of a patriot, or a “conservative”. It is the deepest form of treason.

This is why I’m frustrated. This is why I get angry, and fired up. There is nothing wrong with me, I just see what is so horribly wrong with so many others.

This is not a joke. This is not an over reaction. I wish to see America fully live up to its full potential. That will never happen until we fully embrace the words All People are Created Equal.

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Communication

I’ve been contemplating this. Please read fully before attacking me.
I’ve noticed a lot of statements regarding people being to easily “offended” by things. That may be true, but that statement is being used to dismiss actual dialogue in many situations. It’s ok to be offended by certain things, and to bring it up in a rational way. That’s how conversations are started, and how people learn to understand. It’s also ok to say “that comes across as a bit racist” or “That can be mistakenly viewed as a racist statement.”
Those words are meant to bring light to a situation. It’s ok to ask “How so?” and it’s ok to discuss it. For my White friends, I know you are all good people. Most of you are not “racists” but some of you may be ignorant of certain things. You have some prejudices, so do I. It’s something I work to get over and to improve on constantly. Please don’t get “offended” by the statement, but seek dialogue.
Here are some situations, and my views on them. These views apply to some people, and not to others.

1. I have heard the statement “They are taking our jobs” from people in regards to immigrants. Let’s analyze that. Many of the people being accused of this are migrant workers, earning less than minimum wage. We currently have an unemployment rate of about 5.5 to 6%. If migrant workers are “taking” these jobs, it’s because those 19 million Americans are either A. unqualified,C. unwilling to do those jobs, or C. Being passed over because those hiring are trying to circumvent labor laws. The solutions would be to put more money to education and the enforcement of labor laws. Hold companies accountable for hiring undocumented people instead of demonizing those coming over and looking for an opportunity.

2. I’ve seen people offended that minorities bring up stories of injustices to them. Statements are made like “I would never do that” or “I’ve never seen that happen”. Congrats, we aren’t talking about you, and you live in a wonderful area where people aren’t outwardly racist. This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen in other places, or when you aren’t around. Listen, think. How would you feel if you walked into a mall and were followed around all day by a Police officer? This happened to me, I was in slacks and a button up shirt, and I was shopping, and paying for stuff. He profiled me because I “don’t fit in”. That was wrong, on his part. I didn’t do anything stupid, I kept calm and I was annoyed and offended.

3. Asking for bad police officers to be held accountable for breaking the law, or abusing their power, doesn’t mean people don’t support law enforcement. Most police officers are hard working, good people. Just like most people of any ethnic, religious, or political group tend to be good people. Holding bad people accountable for their actions is part of making sure everyone has justice.

4. Being Pro-Choice doesn’t mean being pro-abortion. It means that I let women, and their doctors, make their own medical decisions. I have my personal views, I keep them to myself. There are medical reasons, and ethical reasons, for abortion. Every situation is different.

5. Don’t cheer the death of anyone. The loss of any life is tragic. It doesn’t matter what they looked like, or what they did, we should learn to treat each other with respect. The taking of any life is a serious thing, and something that shouldn’t be done callously.

6. Corporations aren’t people, but since they are being treated that way, they should pay their fair share of taxes. If they choose to offshore their headquarters, in an attempt to bypass tax laws, then they should have tariffs levied against them. If they want to contribute to the political process, then they need to pay up like the rest of us. Same for Churches.

Stop demonizing groups of people. Realize that assholes exist in all groups. Listen to each other. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

You are welcome to disagree with me. I encourage it. Keep it civil though, let’s have discussions. I will delete any post that attacks me, or someone else. We need to talk TO each other, not AT each other.

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Acceptance

When I was in Elementary school, I went to a school that didn’t have many Asians in it. I remember being in 2nd grade and having some kid say something about his uncle fighting the Vietnamese in Vietnam. He made fun of me because I had to be one of them. I’m not Vietnamese, but to that kid, and his parents, all Asians had to be Vietnamese and were not “welcome”. As I grew older I learned about the Japanese internment camps, and how Japanese Americans were distrusted, just because of their heritage. I asked why German and Italian Americans weren’t placed in camps too. I learned that many were discriminated upon, but mostly they could blend in and assimilate.
I saw racism focus on anyone that looked “Arabic” during the first Gulf war, and then after 9-11. Even Indian friends faced racism because bigoted Americans couldn’t tell the difference. I know Koreans faced the same kinds of Racism during the Korean War, and the Chinese were mistreated during the 1800’s because of the influx of immigrants. I now see Latinos being targeted for the same reasons.
All these groups face racism for one reason. They don’t “look” American. I’ve been the victim of such racism. I often times talk about Americans as if I wasn’t one. I was born here, I’ve only ever lived in the U.S. I’ve been called out for talking about Americans because I am one so why don’t I always claim it? I now realize I meant “white” people when I talked about “Americans”. That’s wrong, I’m an American I’m proud to be one. I claim it proudly, and I hold no ill will. I love this country.
I grew up feeling like I didn’t belong because I didn’t “look” right. That feeling is something that evolved from the casual racism that young children are exposed to. It’s something we must all stop from happening.
Let’s all take a moment to realize that most of us are descended from immigrants. We all have ancestors that probably fought each other. We are all here for the same reasons. The promise of opportunity. Stop pointing out differences and start looking at each other’s humanity. No child should grow up feeling like an outcast in a nation of immigrants.

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How many more?

What is it going to take? 74 school shootings since Newtown, and we have had 0 action on anything that makes sense. Our politicians, ON BOTH SIDES, are busy courting favor with gun manufacturers and ignoring the pleas of reasonable people all across the country.
We hear extremist right wing puppets talk about “good guys with guns” but we sit helpless as even our POLICE are being killed by extremists with guns. Morons now show up to stores, armed for battle with their imaginary foes, with no more training, or common sense than the average half wit can get in a 4 hour course.
We sit by as the “liberals” in our government ignore, and hide from controversy because “it’s an election year”. WE NEED LEADERSHIP, we need STATESMEN and STATESWOMEN that will do what is right, “not because it is easy, but because it is hard!”
Our leaders have failed us, and we are busy arguing about petty topics. GET IT TOGETHER, call, scream, yell, MARCH, do anything to make them hear us!

http://everytown.org/article/schoolshootings/

 

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All you need is…

I often find myself wondering why there is so much suffering in a world full of people with such a capacity for love.  Even in the most violent, desperate environments you’ll find small acts of kindness.

We often find ourselves being told to “hate” another person or group for their differences in beliefs, but how different are we all really?  We all need food, shelter, and love to survive.  If only we could learn to love the differences in others, the world would be a much happier, positive place.  Why can’t we all just learn to let go of the past and look forward to a future where we all live, and work, for each other?  We are one family, one large, complex, family.  When we can all realize that, the world will be the place we deserve it to be.

No, I’m not innocent in acting out in anger, or being upset at groups of people for one reason or another.  I do realize that my reactions are misguided, and I refuse to let a small subset of people tear my birthright away.  I deserve to appreciate and love everyone as much as possible.  I just need to keep reminding myself that everyone has potential, everyone needs a good example, and I need to start living my life as a positive example for others.  I may stumble, and that’s ok.  That’s part of being human too, and I have to learn to forgive myself for my inadequacies as I learn to forgive others.