Ferguson

Weird night on TV.  Part of it took place in Ferguson.  Really put a lot of pressure on the “ordinary people”.  First, the grand jury set up for the release of the decision, not on a Sunday morning, but the following night.  At 8:00 P.M. the word came out that the police officer would not be indicted.  Then followed a dismal presentation by the county prosecutor.  Words full of nothing new, he apparently knew nothing pertinent, or else he could not say it because of laws or rules or traditions. Much of his statement was intentionally ambiguous and conflicted with other parts of his statement.  It became clear that the timing and the method of the release of information was deliberately set up to provoke  citizens to demonstrate, hopefully to riot so their actions would gloss over the stupidity of the entire proceedings and lack of justice and to assume the blame for the shooting upon their own black bodies and souls.  Even as the prosecutor  was speaking, crowds began mulling about and problems began developing.  

Then Obama came on TV and had his own Bobby Jindal moment.  He seemed to really know nothing about the case, either that or he wasn’t going to speak about it or something.  He just hoped everybody would put up with the outrage and get along.  Did he mumble?  Meanwhile, on the split-screen TV, while Obama was mumbling on one side of the screen, objects were being thrown on the other.  A police car was almost turned over, then its windows were smashed in, then the police showed up, then the gas and smoke began to cover the streets. 

Obviously it was intended to go this way.  It was constructed to unfold like this.  The citizens were made to feel like they could either accept being trashed, or urge each other on to riot – so their outrage would transfer the attention of the world to them and away from the stupidity of their elected officials. 

Veterans Memorial Amendment

I hereby propose a Veterans Memorial Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment will permit American combat forces to engage an enemy or to attack a foreign land ONLY under the following conditions: 1) An income tax of at least 50% of all gross revenues will be levied on all people, all industries and all private businesses for the duration of hostilities. 2) All Americans between the ages of 18 and 45 years of age shall report to a draft board to be inducted into the American Military Forces. This will be enforced without regard to occupation and will include all politicians, sports figures, CEOs and staff members of all corporations. 3) The money collected under this taxation will be used to provide for a) the medical care of all injured members of the American Armed Forces for the duration of their injuries, b) for continuing education for all who served, and c) reparations and repairs of damage done to the nation we attack.

This amendment will provide that ALL Americans will become participants in any future wars, not just a small collection of people who are basically too poor to obtain any other employment than the armed forces.

Who Did You REALLY Vote For???

The Hickory Daily Record reported today that several voters in Greensboro reported their machines were not marking their ballots correctly.  At least two voters said they tried to vote for Democrat Hagan but their machines marked their ballot for Republican Tillis.  If you are using a voting machine, check the "transaction receipt" shown (under glass) in the bottom left of your machine and make sure it is registering your vote correctly.  If not, call one of the poll workers.  If it happened to me, I would shout in a loud voice that my machine was stealing my vote and ask for help –  this would alert other voters.   If you do not know how to verify the accuracy of your vote – most people don't – ask the poll worker who shows you the machine.