G. Eric Francis's Blog, page 5

December 28, 2014

The Blue and the Blues

Let me get up on the pulpit one last time in 2014, despite the high probability that this will be ignored.

I'd like to speak to all of those folks who completely support those men and women who put on a uniform and swore the protect the public, even if it mean their lives.

Now, as I've said before, anyone who goes out everyday and risks their lives so my family and myself can be safe (that includes the fire department and the armed services) I will always say "thank you."  Despite my disgust at times with the police department, let me be clear...I am disgusted with those who abuse the public trust given to them, not everyone who wears a badge.

The thing that frustrates me (or rather, things) is how folks can, say, raise thousands of dollars for a fallen police office officer (See the NYPD's Officer Ramos, which I have already condemned as a senseless and foolish act) but not give a shit about the countless amount of men of color who got shot because those bad apples who do abuse their power know they will more than likely get away with it.

I can't accept or wrap my mind around this concept.

I have seen plenty of posts concerning the recent executions of both Officer Ramos and Liu of the NYPD.  Tons and tons of support.  No problem with that. As far as I knew, they were good cops.

I have a friend...hopefully someone who I can call a good friend, who has a couple of family members that wear blue.  Now, if they are anything like she is, then I know they honor that badge as well.

One of my favorite people in the world, now retired in FL (jealous!) was an investigator...and I KNOW she honored that badge of hers.

However, this is the sad thing.  A lot of people hold these men and women in such high standard, but you can't see when SOME (not all; I would like to think that most of them honor that trust) abuse their power.  Automatically when these folks kill people who look like me...lately when they are clearly unarmed or guilty because their are minorities, are guilty because obviously we are born to break the law...at least that is what is assumed.

I saw a news report a week or so ago about the entire "Breathe Easy and Obey the law" bullshit shirts.  Some old dude...probably wishing that the Emancipation Proclamation was abolished, said that if the young black males simply obeyed the law (referring to Eric Garner in particular) they'd be alive today.

Hell to the no.

I believed there were 4-5 cops surrounding this man.  They couldn't have taken him down without choking him out and causing a heart attack?  Really?

Oh, lets go to Michael Brown.  Say he did rush the cop.  Shoot out his kneecaps.  Can't rush for shit then.  Or hell, pull ur weapon if you think a 12 year old has a real gun (which I would figure that most cops might have a clue how to tell a toy guy from a real one...even tho I also did hear that now dirtbags can make real guns look fake, so maybe that's a wash).

I've never been a cop or a soldier.  I get tho that these men and women have to make decisions every day that could mean life or death for them.  I hold that in the highest regard...that, and u'd have to be a bit crazy to do that sort of work for what I believe is grossly underpaid.

But when all of those cops turned their backs yesterday on the Mayor of NY during a funeral service, simply because he felt that shit was out of control (and he was a Parent first b4 the mayor), that was ridiculous.  TALK to one another.  Root out the pieces of flotsam that is causing your rep to be so poor.  You want people to trust the cops...go to the communities you swore to protect and chat with its citizens.  Despite what Chris Rock once said, not all folks of color/latin descent/etc were "born suspect."

It is this blinder way of viewing the police is the biggest flaw of all.  It just allows senseless killings on both ends of the spectrum to continue, causing a war that no one will win.
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Published on December 28, 2014 08:56

September 13, 2014

BlackWhiteAsianLatinJewishBaptistCatholicAllPeople America

With all the crap that has been going on in the news lately (and the ugliness that many choose to ignore is still alive and well) it saddens me that folks are choosing to ignore that this is a fractured land we live in.  I hate seeing folks who post things to continued to grow the rift (thug shit, he deserved it, ALL cops are just angels and no one understands how hard their jobs are, etc etc).

I will be the first to admit the blame...not all cops (well, except the NYPD it seems) suck.  I apologize for that, as that I have seen a few that seem to be decent people.  However, I am always careful, as that any seemingly wrong move could make me (or even more scarily so, my children) a news story.  I am a law-abiding citizen like most people, and I shouldn't feel that as that I am going to Wal-Mart and decide to pick up a toy guy (even if I was stupid enough to threaten someone playfully with it) that I would risk being blown away for it.

It's terrible that I am programmed to think that way, while someone else with straight hair doesn't have those problems.

 I will also say that in some ways, some groups bring a few things upon themselves with their behavior as well.  Some people are simply not good.  That crosses all lines, even though it seems that the light shines most brightly on folks who have more melanin than others.  But the media sucks...that's why I am glad I never used my degree.

Social media sites like Facebook is an interesting concept that I am glad that happened.  In a lot of ways (both good and bad, as that I feel we have forgotten how to simply sit down over a drink and have a conversation because of it) it has brought the world closer...as well as taken a few people (me included) down a few pegs.

When I post things like this, it all comes from the heart.  I know I have few friends, and most of this will either be ignored or just be chalked up as "G being G".  A good friend, who felt that I crossed the line when it came to bringing up things that I felt we as human beings and Americans need not to ignore asked me what gave me the right to say these things.  I should keep posting things like my ID issue the other day, because its the "funny" or "safe" thing to do.

That is all fine and dandy (god knows I am a very self-depreciating person; I like making folks laugh, even if it is at me), but while I may not have the respect of my youngest sibling, the issue that no one wants to sit and talk about these things just makes me SO sad.  People just keep on walking, acting like "well, it has nothing to do with me/it's their problem" in their mindset, figuring that it doesn't affect them.  The one thing that I've learned (and also have been at fault at as well) is that when you surround yourself with just one type of person, your mind closes.  You don't get the entire story before you form an opinion.  And that is simply doing yourself a disservice.

I can count the number of people of African Descent that I call actual friends on one hand.  That has always bugged me, as that while I believe one should have friends from all over the spectrum so you can open your mind to their experiences, I also feel that you need folks in your life that can relate to what it is like to live your life as you are.  But just as some folks are guilty of ignorance, folks who look like me are just as guilty.  I know this from being married to a Caucasian female, who is one of the brightest people I know.  With that being said, however, there are time that even she, because of the circles she keeps, is a little blind to certain things as well.  We are all sadly guilty of it.  Not expanding your experiences is a big reason why things like Ferguson and Trayvon Martin (never mind the toy gun thing at Walmart) took place.

Anyway, I am off to Walmart.  But I will end with this.  Whenever I see something that doesn't seem right, I am gonna share it.  I know due to my reputation, I won't get read like some folks.  I also know this is why I have received little support as I chase my dream of being a writer full-time (note, to all those who have supported me, I love and respect you all.  And btw, most of that support has come from folks who DON'T look like me).  But to answer my friend, I will answer that long ago question with this one...what gives me the right to be quiet and act if there is nothing wrong when there is?

And finally, to all my friends who have small children or are about to have kids, you can stop the bleeding.  Teach them to judge folks on their character.  It is the only true thing that anyone needs to see.  It isn't a stereotype, it isn't formed by media..and ultimately, it never lies.

Y'all have a good day...and be good to each other, no matter what.
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Published on September 13, 2014 08:06

September 2, 2014

Maybe 2 Missed Dances

I never did attend my HS Prom.

27 years that has sat on my mind, even though I don't know why.  Nearly 3 decades have passed, and you'd figure I'd be over it, ya know?

I am sitting at my kitchen table, and my oldest walks in from school, a month in, says his hello, then disappears in his room.  He has a program called "Roblox" (pretty much Legos in the virtual world) and says he is learning code so he can build his own games/world.  He also says that if enough people play these games, he could actually make real money at it.

I can't fault the kid for his ambition.

But then again, I look outside my house (for now), and see kids playing.  Biking.  Enjoying what is now the endgame of warm weather, as the leaves will soon begin to change, the days already are getting shorter, and the precursor of that evil season, winter (better know as fall) will soon be upon us.

Part of me knows that the boy is just doing his thing, and perhaps he is at peace not dealing with the human race.

Then again, I keep thinking about what I missed in my life.  The "big events" that form what you may be as an adult.  Yeah, he still has time.  But before I blink, he'll be getting a summer job (Daddy's orders) and that freedom that he had...he has...will be gone.  He'll be subjected to someone else's will, determining when he can enjoy this small space of time we call life.  Vacation time, holidays, adding in the 104 days (maybe) he gets for weekends, all the other times will be spent making someone else richer.

Childhood is truly wasted on the young, isn't it?

But there he sits...maybe chasing his dreams.  Maybe this is his childhood the way he wants it built.

I don't know...I guess I don't get it..  This is the time to do mind-numbing dumb things...and mostly get away from it.

"He's just being a kid," they'll say.  The world's most perfect excuse.

I didn't want to enjoy that excuse...well, not in a way I should have.

Like that prom I missed.

Maybe I'm reading too much into things...or too much into him.

But you gotta come out to play sometime...while you still have time.

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Published on September 02, 2014 13:46

August 23, 2014

Not about me, it's about us.

Some people think I am quite funny.

Some consider me a good man.

Some consider me a good friend.

Some think I am a loudmouthed, whiny know it all who sponges off his wife and refuses to get a job.

Some people think I am a perfect example of why folks of color are no damned good.

Most ignore me.  I'm used to that.  But not everyone, and for those who don't....thank you.  I've looked at my "friend" list, giving serious thought of paring it down in half.  I guess my idea of friendship is that where you actually interact with people beyond a keyboard.

But what bugs me today is that one life seems to be worth less than another.  I don't get that.  We are all born the same way (tis why all women should be respected; as Chuck D once said, "Without Sisters, there'd be no misters")  I also don't get that while the big viral thing these days (and note, excellent, excellent cause)very few, if any, can't see that a life is everything.  More than possessions, or fame (the fact that very few entertainers from all cultures have said NOTHING, but will sure as hell dump ice water on their heads) human life is so damned fragile.  I've been mugged thrice, with knives and guns pointed at me.  I could have become a statistic.  Part of the reason why I moved to the MidWest...even tho now the city I've called home is a damned semi-war zone.

My boys were born from parents of different cultures, but similar experiences.  I sadly though have to tell my oldest the following...

"Just because your mom is white doesn't mean shit.  As far as the police are concerned, you are black and a suspect."

Anyway, I go now.  I leave saying these last 2 things.  A semi-associate told me that when I write, do it because you love it.  Do it because you have something to say.  I feel that I do, whether it is a story to entertain, or pointing out the obvious that people ignore, since it isn't their "problem."

The last 8 days...man...I shed a tear.  I shed a tear for the "States of America."

We sure as fuck aren't united.
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Published on August 23, 2014 08:46

August 15, 2014

Sad...or what my little boy says, I currently feel

I was going to put this on my blog page, but I decided to share this on google + first.  

I am sad tonight.

No, nothing has happened per se, no major tragedies, etc.

I am just...well tearful.  As a 262 LB man, that is hard to admit or say.  The last decade of my life has been, well, quite disappointing.  I've been out of work for 6 1/2 out of those 10 years.  My 2nd son, born with Down Syndrome and later developing Autism, is a brilliant kid trapped in the body of a sleep deprived semi-violent little person.  Outside of a few people, I truly don't have any friends in  this Midwestern city that I've spent nearly 1/2 my life in.

Ugh, I hate to sound like some whiny little child.  I needed to get this out, though, because it is blocking me from doing what I need to do...as well as want to do.

The need is to try to find work before I lose all of my worldly possessions.

The want is chasing the dream I've run after for 37 years.  

That dream...well, I've stumbled over my feet, even though I should be proud that if I died tomorrow, I am a PUBLISHED AUTHOR.  I mean, hell, you could look me up via ISBN number, for goodness sake.

3 books.  Twisted like my imagination, hopefully entertaining and thoughtful.  They are there, sitting out in the world.

Buried by 100's of thousands of other folks trying to catch that same dream.  

The Hunger Games.
The Mortal Instruments.
Harry Potter
Fifty Shades of Grey 
Divergent

All creations from minds who once sat at a table, or a couch, or at a Starbucks with an idea and a dream.

I used to dream of all the things that I'd buy when I wrote that best selling novel....how I'd negotiate movie rights with me taking 10% of the back end.  

Man...now...I'd like to simply pay my mother back for everything she's done...especially the last several years.  Pay my brother, cousin, best friend, good friends here in the city, etc.  Help both of my boys.  Donate to cause that support Down Syndrome, Autism, Heart Disease, Cancer.

To give my wife, who has carried this family on her back for a long time, a sit down and a breather.

A lot of people don't like me very much.  I know that people think ill of me, and while I know that you can't make everyone like you.  But I guess that the lessons I learned growing up just can't process this.  Do unto others...I've always tried to treat folks right.  I know I have my faults...I can be pushy at times with my opinions...especially if I feel strongly about them.  

Racism exists.  My non-black friends don't get that.  

Black people sometimes are their own worst enemy.  Maybe this is why I don't have many friends of color like myself.

A simple sit down between (seemingly) intelligent folks would solve the majority of the world's problems. Wish someone in every gov't (especially my own) would follow that simple instruction.

But I'm sad.  Sad that when i asked for help, no one answered.  I guess I don't get that.  I haven't earned a check in 3 months.  But a woman I have never met who is suffering a major health challenge I gladly gave a little change that I really didn't have.  The people involved are good, good people...beautiful both inside and out.  Plus, it reminded me that that could be me...or my wife...or my children.  

I may not give God a call too often, but it was right.

Anywho, I have to run.  I have a tab open to 100's of book blogs that I am sending emails to, asking them to read my 3rd book.  I've even found a few of them who read books like my 2nd book.  It is tedious, and most will probably say "thanks, but no thanks."

I am sad, true.  But I am also stubborn.

I can't accept that all these ideas floating in my head screaming to be told is the Higher Deity's version of a bad joke.

If that is so, then I will truly be sad.
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Published on August 15, 2014 21:15

August 12, 2014

To My Captain, Oh Captain

Man,  Robin Williams.

It is weird how one can be affected by the sudden passing of someone that you never met.  But you know, I did know Mr. Williams in a way.  Hell, he was an icon, an idol of mine, his totally twisted yet brilliant ways of looking at life making me laugh ever since he called Orson in a spacesuit.

I think the big thing that hits me hardest about his passing (and likely taking of his own life) is that you saw this manic comedian and fantastic actor with a smile on his face.  Oh, and you having a bigger smile on yours as he took you on a roller coaster ride with his humor.  But underneath...man, now that darkness (which had been talked about before) is now coming to light.

Back in college, when I was messed up over my great heartbreak, I tried to kill myself.  Not too many people knew about that; not exactly something you post on Twitter.  My mother and aunt were so freaked out when they heard about it, they drove up 5 hours from NYC to make sure i was all right (after spending quality time overnight in the psycho ward per NYS law).  I never thought of myself as someone who was depressed enough to consider taking my own life.   But life throws you some fucked up curveballs sometimes.  I think that is why I joke around so much, always pushing the envelope, to act as some sort of salve and protection when shit hits the fan.  It also reflects in my writing as well (as if those who have stopped by the domain hasn't noticed...:)

Some 24 years later, while I have had some struggles, I can't think of doing such a thing, as that I have two sons to raise.  But man...I guess when it comes to this particular celebrity passing, it particularly kicks me in the ass...not only for the loss of what I considered pure genius when it came to his craft, but the fact that no matter what you see in someone on the outside, you truly have no idea what is going on inside.

Just because you have it all like Mr. Williams doesn't mean you truly had nothing at all.

Thanks for bringing light in my darkness Mork, Popeye, Peter Pan, Adrian Cronauer, John Keating, Euphegenia Doubtfire, Sean Maguire, Robin McLaurin Williams.
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Published on August 12, 2014 04:17

August 10, 2014

Write...Write....Right! (note sure if this is part II, but I'll cover my bases)

"I am a guy chasing a dream of writing stories for a living.  It is all I've wanted to do (besides being a DJ, 'cuz I LOVE music) since I was 8 years old.  In 2005 I started my first book, "A Prayer for the Dying", finally publishing it in 2012.  I then followed up with a book for children (based on stories I told my oldest when he was a pup) called "Cluck The Undercover Chicken."  It is one of my favorite projects.  For this new book, I decided to step into some controversial territory, based on some posts on my blog site, "The Future's Domain."  I posted a couple years back my views on homosexuality, as that I have a couple of family members who are either gay or lesbian.  Combining that with other entries (the book is partially true, with a lot of fictional fluff tossed in) I came up with "A Beginning, No Middle, And And End."  It's a story of a successful gay man in the mid-21st century who has to deal with a dangerous situation as well as the bigotry of his father, a man bitter because his quit on his own dreams long ago.  

When I wrote the first book, I hoped to strike gold and not have to work anymore.  The 2nd book was based on my wife's faith in my storytelling skills.  This one, and the others after it, will simply be because I love to write.  If I get lightning in the bottle, so be it."
I wrote this the other day while promoting my 3rd book, "A Beginning, No Middle, And An End." While it was used for a commercial purpose, everything I said there was absolutely true.  I've been writing stories for 37 years now, and like this blog, it allows me to share feelings, thoughts, observations, or just my strange imagination with folks.  I always like to make people smile, whether it would be via laughter, crassness, or just my odd observations of life.  Writing has always been my one "superpower"; a source of strength and magic, joy and pain, and release when my real work (as it so often does) sours.
"The Future's Domain" will always be a home to me, even though I know I let months go by b4 I return to it.  There is no money in it for me, I am no where near the top of the Internet food chain, and I am sure I've made a few people's eyes roll in the back of their heads.  The big thing, thought, is that as long as that big search engine company is here, it won't be taken from me, and hopefully, it'll be found by others LONG after I'm gone.  Whether it is a political subject, controversy, sex, life, relationships, or just me sharing something personal, in my words, I am eternal.
That isn't too shabby.
Keep on coming back.  I am sure another life even will cause me to return here to bore ya...:)
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Published on August 10, 2014 19:58

August 8, 2014

It's a Commercial, Folks.

Hey folks...first off, I am nearing 20,000 views.  While that means little in the blog sphere, it is flattering to me, and I appreciate it.
I wanted to let you guys know that I have taken some blogs from the past 6 years and used them to based my 3rd book on, which was released this week.  It's called "A Beginning, No Middle, And An End."
I came up with this idea about 3 months ago, and I am happy the way it came out.  To spare you the standard synopsis (when have I EVER done anything standard, right?) here is what is about...
1.  Takes places 30 years or so in the future.2.  The main character is a former game geek turned multi-millionaire.3.  He is gay.4.  His dad is a never been writer who is pissed that his son is gay...and never used his superior talent to do what he couldn't.5.  There is a kidnapping.6.  Somebody's gonna die.7.  It has what I'd like to call a "3 level ending" that I hope you will enjoy.
Anywho, it is available in paperback and kindle format, sooooo....well, you know what to do...:)
Kindle VersionPaperback Version
Oh BTW...This Sunday and Monday, you can get it for nothing.
See, I appreciate the nearly 20K views.  I am not THAT bad of a guy...:)
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Published on August 08, 2014 22:10

July 6, 2014

Thuganomics...but I ain't John Cena

So, how are thugs born?

Actually, if I take a minute...how are gay folks born?

Wait...doesn't society say that people decide to be gay, and there is NO WAY that they were meant to be that way?

I have lived in a midwestern city for 19 years.  I've made fun of the city, showing what a buddy of mine would kindly call East Coast Arrogance.  While perhaps at times I don't show the love for this place I've called home for nearly 1/2 my life, but it's a good town, filled with folks who are proud of it.

But I go back to my first question.  A police officer died last night because someone decided that he was in a war zone and having an  AK-47 was a good thing.

So in a few days, another police funeral will take place, and a man who probably was fairly close to retirement instead gets to do the dirt nap.

Not cool, right?

Now I don't know if many of you knew this, but my grandfather, Francis Brown, was a man who...well, he was a damned angel on this earth.  A farmer down south, a pillar in his community, and a man of God if I've ever seen one.

He helped a young man who had multiple arrests on his record.  This dude should have been in jail for life.  Yet my grandfather helped him out, fed the man, tried to give him purpose.

In November 1998, that young man repaid him by breaking into his house trying to rob him.  Then he shot him, leaving him to die on his bed.  My aunt found him the next day.

So, are thugs born?  Do racists come out of the birth canal saying "I'm gonna kill that n***er/spick/chink/wap/pick your insulting description and fill it in here!"

I always do a lot of reading between my job searches, and I love (gag) the responses some people have posted.  "Ain't nothin' but a thug!  An eye for an eye!  We have to stop being so kind to these criminals!"

You notice how people end up with accents?  I always found it cool when a person of color, say from England, had an accent.  Let's go the world over...some folks feel what we call beautiful is ugly, and vice versa.   Each place a child is born, that child's future is formed by his surroundings.

There is a neighborhood called Haughville (forgive the spelling; if the locals can help me out, I'll correct it later).  It is a "hood."  You know, a place where thugs are "born" and "raised."  Let's look at those two words..."born" and "raised."  When you are born, you piss and shit on yourself until you are TAUGHT where to put your body wastes.  TAUGHT.   You absorb lessons from your folks, your surroundings, your experiences.  Unless you have positive reinforcement, most times you don't learn shit.  Now, let's go back to Haughville for a second.  There are good people there...I have to believe that all hoods are not filled with THUGS.

But that is what people think.  Hell, I think that a lot of times, and I tend to avoid these areas.

But I grew up in these so-called "hoods."  I was born in Manhattan, but raised in what is known as the "Boogie Down Bronx."  Now a good chunk of Manhattan is filled with folks who, frankly, make a lot of money.  And are white.  NYC is the great american melting pot, true, but this remains a fact.

This is why I didn't turn out to be a thug...that's it!  Or am I supposed to be one because, per Mr. Chris Rock, black folks were "born suspect?"

You know, I used to call gay folks "fag" and "d**e" when i was young, cuz well I was a dumb ass.  I was influenced by my society...where I grew up.  You weren't friends with gay folks.  My mom once told me that you "better not bring a white woman to my house."  She grew up in the South at a time where a woman couldn't use the same bathroom as a white person.  She was affected by her society.  Never mind what my grandfather went through back in his day.

Folks, I believe that gay folks are born that way.  Maybe it takes them a while to figure it out, but it is what is.

However, thugs aren't born. I've never seen a black/white/latino/whatever toddler go gansta on me and hold onto an AK-47.

WE MAKE THUGS.  AND RACISTS.  We create them.  Black folks create them because we destroy ourselves instead of uniting.  We can learn from Latin folks, cuz guess what?  They are slowly but surely taking over, taking advantage of our stupidity.  They work together...and as a sports fan, when you have a team united, they are the ones usually holding the championship when all is said and done.

WE MAKE THUGS...and RACISTS.  When instead of building pretty stadiums, we help the Haughville's of the world via education, rebuild their neighborhoods, stop babies having babies, and give them some sort of hope.

I was blessed.  I spent my formative years in a 16 floor building between 179th and 180th streets intersecting with Clinton Avenue.  My folks, especially my father, didn't play.  I have received 6 ass whippings (that I still remember WELL) in my life...and some LONG ass punishments.  I went to church 50 out of 52 sundays a year.  When it was time for dinner, my ass better be on the 14th floor where my apartment was and eat my dinner.  I washed dishes, did the laundry vacuumed the house.  And my parents made sure that besides a suspended license, I spent NO TIME in jail.

I have to thank them for that.

WE MAKE THUGS.  Our self centered, ignorant selves made them...much like a writer creates monsters in a book.  And going all "wild wild west" ain't solving shit.  This is the the United States, not places like Saudi Arabia where folks get their hands cut off, or a woman being stoned to death (a little biblical, don't ya think?) cuz she decided to get some different dick.

No one unless he serves in the United States Armed Forces should have an AK-47 on them.  Also, I believe that if you have no desire for change, you should be put away for life and let the rest of us live in relative safety.

But if we weren't all about ourselves 99% of the time, perhaps we could sit down and say "we have to flush this shit down, before we all get PUT DOWN."

Someone pointed out that the individual's father who gunned down the officer here in Indy died in police custody due to a heart attack a couple years back.  His father was a "thug" who got maced and died during a struggle with the police.

I wonder how the "thug" begat a "thug?"

Oh....and as for the police...how about that cop who shoved over a woman in a wheelchair?  Damn that is a straight up "gansta" there.  Or the other day, a cop jumps some woman and whoops her ass?  You can't take a female, big burly cop?

Wild wild west mother fucker.

This ain't a perfect statement.  There are people out there are simply no damned good.

But it is better than what we're doing.

We are all free minded people...people also choose to be "thugs."

But you know...hang out in a one parent home for a minute.  And mama is working 2 jobs, and she is never home.

Those streets are tempting, isn't it?

To finish up, I argued with my wife this morning (correction, debated) about a woman who she knows who grew up in the hood, single parent.  This woman got knocked up early, could of fell into the chasm.   Instead, she now has a great job, and handled her business.  She did make a choice.

So thugs are not born.  Some thugs are just, well, thugs.  But man, wouldn't be nice if some folks could actually SEE there is a choice to make?

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Published on July 06, 2014 07:35

July 5, 2014

The Good, The Bad, and We B Ugly

Everyone, per the constitution, has the right to bear arms.

However, that doesn't give you the right to bear them just to show how big of a d**k you don't have, or how manly you think you have to be, or because you are a social reject you have to join other social rejects to make a social reject gang.  Oh, it also doesn't mean that you should carry enough weaponry for a small army into a crowd and shoot them up.

We are a flawed, flawed species.  And this country, this country that should be so proud of its accomplishments, instead is falling into the abyss.

We have either been brainwashed to think that our "rights are being taken away" (last I checked, no one was trying to change the 2nd amendment) or the old adage that "money talks, and bullshit walks" (I'm looking at you, NRA) is blocking good common sense.

My father had a variety of guns...he hunted and also had guns for protection.  As far as I know, he didn't own guns to prove how much of a bad ass he was.  Everyone has a right to watch their own ass, and I've said many a time that if is between you and me dying, I am damn well gonna make sure that it'll be you.

I am not blind to the fact that there is no way gun control will ever happen; it is too easy to get a gun, and until people say "enough is enough" and actually force the government to do something to cut down on this dumb shit, senseless shit (like this story in Indianapolis) will continue.

But carrying your gun everywhere laws like the ones in IN, and the one recently passed in GA makes no sense at all.

"You know Martha, I need to carry my Glock 42, cuz I think I'm in danger when I go to the supermarket to pick up those extra size tampons you need."

I've been mugged four times in my life. Have had guns in my face, knives, or just simply was outnumbered.  We are selfish and violent by nature; thankfully most of us can control those urges.

But confusing "freedoms" with what is simply a unwillingness to sit down and communicate with one another is simply slow, slow, slow genocide.

The story that I linked to above?  I have hung out in that area many a time in my 20's.  Believe me, if you go there, you wouldn't think shit like that would happen.  My, my, have things changed.

Does anyone ask why?

Is that what "the right to bear arms" means today?

I will finish my soapbox with this....my neighbors have a gun and two tasers in their home.  Hell, they have even taken their young son out to a gun range to shoot the damn thing.

I don't even blink.   It's in the Constitution.  They have a right to protect themselves. However, they are my friends because they have the good sense not to go get a soda and some chips while having their "piece" stuck in their drawers while doing so.

This ain't the time of the Old West.

But it sure is ending up like that.  I guess it's almost time for High Noon.

Might as well queue the music...Sergio Leone, you're up.
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Published on July 05, 2014 08:07