This Thanksgiving Remember that #AllLivesMatter and #BlackLivesMatter

by Tommy Lee Jenkins, III


I am an American.  I am a veteran.  I am a writer.  Above all, I am a Black man living in America.  When I saw the Michael Brown story, I was appalled at what I saw captured on cell phone video.  I saw an unarmed Black teenager, gunned down in the street, at point-blank range with his arms raised in the air, trying to surrender.  Michael Brown had been shot 6 times.  It seemed like a slam dunk case.  The officer who did the shooting would be fired and arrested and placed on trial.

Wrong.  The officer who shot Michael Brown was Darren Wilson.  He was placed on leave with pay.  He was under investigation for indictment by a grand jury.  He was not indicted.  In the history of grand juries handing down indictments, there is a 98-99% rate of indictment.  This case, of an incident where a murder has taken place, on video, as it happens, seems to fall in the category of the 1-2% exception.

I've been Black my entire life.  I understand how unjust and irrational protocol can be in America, especially when you introduce race into the mix.  People become hypocrites.  Institutions, such as the justice system applies a double standard in certain situations.  It influences whether people find me attractive or not.  I wasn't really shocked when the grand jury came back without an indictment for Darren Wilson.  I'm not even shocked that the Pew Research Center released a survey confirming that Blacks are more likely than Whites to see the shooting as race-related.

I'll tell you what I'm shocked about.  I'm shocked that we are embarking on the holiday season - Thanksgiving and Xmas, and there is no empathy for Michael Brown's family.  The grand jury who returned a vote for not indicting Darren Wilson have just told the Brown family that their son's life was not worth the effort of a trial.  The looters who burned down Ferguson have just told the Brown family that they are not going to respect their wishes, even though the protests are being held in their names.

There is a problem on both sides.  Personally, I lean towards the side of the protesters because I don't see how a person could be unarmed and shot on video and no one see anything wrong with that.  A lot of people who are upset with the protesters believe in the rule of law when it comes down to the protesters burning down the place and looting, but the rule of law did not apply to Darren Wilson when he shot the teenager.  Before the verdict had been publicized, people were calling on protesters to be non-violent, but no one seemed to care that Darren Wilson had not been nonviolent in the case of Michael Brown.  It was a situation that could have easily resulted in arrest versus death.

I refuse to let this news ruin my holidays and I urge you to do the same.  This holiday season, enjoy yourselves and your families.  Reach out to people you don't normally reach out to during the holiday in the true spirit of Thanksgiving and remember that #AllLivesMatter and #BlackLivesMatter.  I think it's a shame that we can send a man to the moon, but we can't manage to get along.

P.S. It's pretty hard to get along with someone if they think my life doesn't matter.

Anyway,
G-d Bless and Take Care
Happy Thanksgiving, America
I Hope You're All Proud of Yourselves

Constitutional Violations May Be Under Way In Ferguson, MO

by Tommy Lee Jenkins, III


A sad event transpired in Ferguson, Missouri.  An 18-year-old black youth was gunned down in the streets like a rabid dog while minding his own business at the discretion of a White police officer.  The police officer was able to level unfounded charges posthumously against the slain youth and avoided arrest and jail time for what essentially amounts to murder.  The youth was not under arrest.  He had not been read his rights.  He had not undergone a trial by a judge or a jury of his peers.  That Black youth's name was Michael Brown and Michael Brown is dead.  He can no longer speak for himself.  He will never be arrested.  He will never be charged with anything.  He will never have a day in court.  The White police officer who murdered him, is free to roam the streets and kill again.

There is a sad event transpiring in Ferguson, Missouri.  Tragic as the vicious slaying of Michael Brown may be, his death was merely the beginning in a cornucopia of missteps and mistakes that the Ferguson police are perpetrating.

1.   Crowds are ordered to disperse even though it is every American's Constitutional right to freedom of assembly.

 2.  People are being arrested and detained without any formal charges and having done nothing in violation of the law.  This is in violation of the Fourth Amendment as a citizen's actual person is being seized and placed into custody, unreasonably.


There are serious violations being committed in Ferguson, Missouri.  When asked whether or not he was going to call in the National Guard to "handle" the crowds, Police Chief Thomas Jackson responded that he would not call in the National Guard and some speculate that it is due to the blatant Constitutional violations that have been committed in Ferguson, MO.

This issue is slowly becoming less and less about race and more and more about the rights we have as American citizens, the Constitution of the United States of America, and what, if any, powers the police have.  The police have essentially overstepped their authority.  Who do we, as American citizens, go to next?

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: Portrait of an American Terrorist

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Faces a Tough Road Ahead

by Tommy Lee Jenkins, III

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev did it.

He conspired with his brother, now deceased, to blow up the 2013 Boston Marathon.  He shot it out with police and escaped capture.  He bragged about having blown up the Boston Marathon when he and his brother took an unwitting civilian hostage to get cash from him at an ATM.

I love Boston.  I lived there from 1995-1996 and again from 2004-2010.

I love the stores.  I love the history.  I love the accessibility and the walkability of the entire city and the surrounding towns.  I love to run.  I love the Boston Marathon.

Despite the horrific bombing that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev orchestrated under the obvious duress of his older brother, my heart goes out to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.  He is an American.  Granted, he's a newly minted American, but he's an American, nonetheless.

He's 19.  He's a baby.  He didn't understand what he was doing, he was just tagging along with his older brother.

I believe he can be reformed.

I also believe that it would be a huge mistake for us, as Americans, to choose to exact revenge over justice.  His case is a special case and should be handled as such.  Right now, officials are contemplating seeking the death penalty.  If anyone reading this has absolutely no empathy for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, they should at least consider the possibility that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev would be an excellent case study for the profile of a terrorist.  Perhaps, a new breed of terrorist -- a homegrown Islamist extremist.

Its a thought.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev saddens me so much because he did have everything going for him.  He became an American.  He graduated high school.  He went to UMASS.  He threw it away for appears to be nothing.

I'm just heartbroken that he's so young and he could have had a different future.

But he does serve a use and he has a purpose.

Study him, for he and his brother may be the beginning of a wave.  Study him because he could give you insight into what to look out for in the off chance that he may be the face of a new kind of terrorist -- what officials in the intelligence community might call a "lone wolf" with no ties to any terrorist organization and bread crumb trails to follow.

What the 2012 Grammys Say About America

by Tommy Lee Jenkins, III

Yes, I watch the Grammys.

OK, you got me.  I haven't watched in a while, but, given the death of Whitney Houston, I just couldn't resist this year.  I used to watch the Grammys because, in my old age, its hard to keep up with what's going on in the music world (i.e. what music to listen to, what's new, what's different, what's the same, etc.)

The Willie Nelson commercial where Willie Nelson does a cover of a Coldplay song.  I don't know what he's selling but its a really sweet cover.  I love Coldplay.  I love Willie Nelson.  The very backwards nature of an old man covering a young man's song is rather quite refreshing.  I mean, I think Rod Stewart sings some songs from younger artists and does it quite well.  It was unexpected.

Rihanna and Coldplay.  I <3 Coldplay.  I also <3 Rhihanna.  To see them together was totally awesome.  It brought back memories of the 9/11 televised fundraiser that turned out to be a sham.  That fundraiser was significant even though it was a sham because you saw artists from different genres and political idealogies coming together to heal a wound that had been torn in the fabric of America.  Coming together.  Working towards a common goal regardless of everything.  Ultimately, in today's political climate, that is what we're seeking.  Some common ground amidst our differences.

Chris Brown.  Chris Brown rocks.  Despite his thing with Rihanna, no one can deny his stones as an artist.  He was invited.  He delivered.  He sucks as a human being but he does rock as an artist.  Maybe one of these days he'll get it together and become a well-rounded individual.  I really don't think he's come to terms that he has a problem.  That's something that only time and G-d can take care of.

I really like the Home Away commercials and how they're capitalizing on Al Green and President Obama.  I almost signed up, until I realized I hadn't spoken to my closest friends in years.  If I ever did anything like that, I would have to cover it myself.

OMG!  Stevie Wonder is still alive?

Diana Ross just being there was awesome.  I just wish she had performed.  I loved her performance on Oprah.  She's old but she's definitely still got IT.  I wish she was more active.  She is a living icon and I know she has so much more to give.

That was really a punk move on Kanye West on not showing.  If Chris Brown can show up with Rihanna, I don't know what his excuse is.

Paul Mcartney can do no wrong.  He is reinventing himself.  I'm buying that new album of his.  I just never shake him and the song he did for 007.  He should do another one.  Rock + Ballad + Autotuning =  His next 007 song.  Maybe even a remake of his old 007 song.  With Rick Ross?  I don't know, maybe.

The Beach Boys sucked.  They brought back memories of the white-washing of rock and roll.  It only re-emphasizes the mantra that if a lie is told long enough, it becomes the truth.  Adam Levine really lost cred with me by appearing with them.  I don't believe in dividing America but there's something really White-Supremacist about that whole thing.  I excuse Adam Levine because I assume that he doesn't know the true history behind that time period in music.

As far as Adele and Florence + the Machine is concerned, I'm troubled that White America has to concede to another country to find its soul.  Country music is supposed to be "White Soul" but these imports are eating their lunch.  British artists are not American.  White America should be ashamed that due to their unfounded White Supremacy, another country is deemed acceptable to represent their interests.  There are talented White unknowns out there.  It all becomes a matter of if White America is not too lazy to figure out who they are.  They actually have to pound the pavement to find them.  Its a shame but not one I'll point out.  Its the Hate that will destroy the Hater due to sheer laziness.

Lenny Kravitz wasn't there.  Prince wasn't there.  Trent Rezner wasn't there.  Llloyd wasn't even mentioned even with the help of Patti Labelle.

I let it go.  On a lighter note, I feel Bruno Mars rocked and he demonstrated that we young folk can rock just as good as the old folk did once upon a time.

Ravings of a 2012 Madman

by Tommy Lee Jenkins, III

There's something happening here.  What it is ain't exactly clear.

Every ancient civilization known to us now has predicted that this year is supposed to be our end.  The question is, is it our ultimate end, or is it the time we  end what we think we know to be the truth to pursue what truly is the truth?

Nobody knows.

What we do know is that its getting unseasonably warm in places that should be cold.  We know that Iran is hell bent on destroying Israel (and America, for that matter, if we stand in their way).  Pakistan, Iran, and North Korea has nukes thanks to the Khan network.  Our CIA knew about it for at least 15 years without acting because we wanted to see how deep the rabbit hole went.

This is the end.

We've always thought it would be a simple end for the human race.

We never imagined that our end would be culminated from a perfect storm of one mishap after another -- both natural and manmade.  We still have time to control our destiny but we are doomed to destroy ourselves because it is in our nature to war, ignore the environment, and overlook the needs of our fellow man.

I hearken back to a story I read in elementary school.

"The life you save may be your own."

I'm hoping that this is a new beginning and we ultimately survive and are forced to learn from our pat (and current) mistakes.

Live long, my friends.  And remember to Be Strong.

New Year's Resolution to Become the Best Me

2012 Will Be My Best Year Yet

by Tommy Lee Jenkins, III

This year I decided to jump on the band wagon and start making some New Year's resolutions.  I'm going to go to the gym more.  I'm going to save more money.  I'm going to write a screenplay.  I'm going to start work on my business plan, so that when I am in a better place, I can just jump in to the next phase of my life's plans.

I am proud of my progress in the first month of the new year.  I am balancing my checkbook and saving more money.  I'm paying off my credit cards.  I actually have been going to the gym more than I had been.  I am spending more time with my family.  I am forging a closer relationship with my higher power and my family.

I haven't made any new friends this year and I haven't found that elusive better job, but I am going to continue to apply to better jobs.  As far as my resolution to get a better job, I have an obligation to the rest of America to get a better job.  If I get a better job, then I make more money, pay more taxes, and consume more goods.  In the process, I would be using my credit cards more, thereby improving my credit score.

This year is the Chinese Year of the Dragon.  The Dragon is emblematic of a strong character, synonymous with that of the Lion.  In that, I pledge to find strength where I previously thought I had none, venture out, and take a risk.  I plan on starting my own business.  As I've hinted before, that's a long-term plan that most likely won't pan out within 2012.

Since my business won't be starting anytime soon, its time for me to do new things (like writing this blog) and learn new skills.  I am going to buy Dummies books on jewelry-making, woodworking, candle-making, and screen-writing.  I live in constant fear of losing my job.  If I learn a new skill, it would enrich my life, but it would also give me another avenue to pursue if I were to lose my job.

I enjoy writing.  Maybe this blog will turn into a newspaper.  Maybe this blog will be nothing more than a mere open diary for the entire world to read.  I'm taking a chance.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  You can't have a newspaper if you have nothing to say.

I'm contemplating voting in the Republican primary.  If I do, I'll be voting for Mitt Romney.  I'm still voting for Barack Obama in the General Election, but I think I want to participate in the Republican primary so I can see who's voting.

Go forth and find your inner Dragon.

Happy 2012!

America at a Crossroads 2012

The Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street, and the General Anathema in America (2012)

by Tommy Lee Jenkins, III

There is something gravely wrong in America today.  Yes, there is extreme income inequality and disparity coursing through our society.  Yes, we are a nation still at war.  Yes, we find ourselves in trying times and the future seems uncertain.  All of these things are correct, but there is something else wrong.  I feel that we, as a nation, are beginning to realize that something is wrong, but we just can't figure out what it is.

America is at a crossroads in 2012.  It is an election year.  We are in the midst of our third Great Depression.  Those familiar with American history know that there was a Depression in 1893, 1929, and by all definitions 2008.  The fact that most public officials, journalists, and politicians avoid using the word "depression" doesn't change the fact that we are in one.

When Barack Obama was elected for President, a lot of things were going on in America:  We were at war in two countries, the World and U.S. economies collapsed, unemployment shot to record highs, the price was shooting into 3 digits per barrel, Iran launched its first rocket into space, pirates re-emerge as a leading threat to cargo ships off the Horn of Africa, and President George W. Bush signs the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act into law.

Let mw start out by saying that I like the Republican Party (at least, I like the ideals that they claim to espouse in front of the camera).  Limited government, keeping taxes low, promoting free market capitalism, reigning in spending, and being strong on defense.  These are ideals that the Republicans had plenty of opportunities to prove their expertise in from 2000-2008 and every time, they failed to live up to their own ideals.  This is so much so, many frustrated Republicans led a movement to break away from the establishment Republican Party.

THE TEA PARTY

I have been disappointed with the Republican party, but I really didn't find anything appealing about the Tea Party either.  There was something artificial about the Tea Party.  It didn't seem like a genuine movement.  It was bought and paid for by the Koch brothers.  The majority of the members of the Tea Party were White Americans.  They were more well-off than most Americans, which is probably why one of their biggest gripes was the elimination of taxation.  They would show up to Tea Party protests wearing loaded guns.

Their list of demands in the interest of a better America were:

1. Identify Constitutionality of every new law
2. Reject emissions trading
3. Demand a balanced federal budget
4. Simplify the tax system
5. Audit federal government agencies for waste and constitutionality
6. Limit annual growth in federal spending
7. Repeal the healthcare legislation passed on March 23, 2010
8. Pass an "All-of-the-Above" Energy policy
9. Reduce Earmarks


The Tea Party was too divided.  Their organization was not centralized.  They were not inclusive and they had all kinds of zany ideas which called into question how they were able to make the big paychecks they were pulling down.  I did, however agree with them when they saw and acknowledged that there was something drastically wrong with the Republican party.  Out of the list I agree with demanding a balanced federal budget, simplifying the tax system, auditing federal agencies for waste, and passing an "all-of-the-above" energy policy.

OCCUPY WALL STREET

Occupy Wall Street was the cry of the rest of America.  There are 2 origin stories for Occupy Wall Street.  The official story about the Occupy movement was a blog post from the Adbuster's Media Foundation.  It can be verified and it is a fact.  I call into question the origin of the Occupy movement because something similar to it went on before the blog post and it was the 2011 Wisconsin protests.  This is working class America.  This is white collar America.

The Occupy Movement represented a more diverse and larger segment of the American population.  I found that I could relate more with the Occupy movement.  There were homeless people there, trust fund babies, and secretaries.  There were lawyers, documentary film-makers, and teachers.  These people weren't griping.  They were going through real financial and social upheaval and they took to the street so their voices could be heard.

The Occupy Movement could agree that they wanted:

1. More and better jobs
2. More equal distribution of income
3. Bank reform
4. Reduction in the influence of corporations in politics
5. Economic justice
6. Re-implementing Glass-Stegall
7. Term limits
8. Fair tax code
9. Student loan forgiveness
10. End outsourcing
11. Abolishing the electoral college
12. Foreclosure moratorium
13. Reform public education
14. No censorship of the internet
15. End the War in Afghanistan

As much as I dislike the Tea Party, there are some obvious overlap in what the Tea Party wants and what the Occupy movement wants.  Both want an overhaul of the tax code.  Both want a balanced federal budget (the Tea Party wants to cut programs and lower taxes; Occupy wants to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations).

Long live Occupy... Occupy will never die.

AMERICAN INDEPENDENT VOTERS

That brings us to me -- the American Independent voter.  We don't want anything really.  We just want to get up, go to work, come home, wind down, and relax.  It becomes hard to lead a simple kind of life when it feels like your world is collapsing around you.  We appreciate our power as voters and wield that power with all of our might.  We recognize that we have to do more than just vote.  This year its our turn to react to the unjust practices in our political system, but we haven't quite figured out how to respond to the injustice yet.