The Real War in America

The real war in America is happening right in front of our eyes in Chicago. In just one weekend there were 8 killed and 40-plus wounded. This was here on American soil. While most of the media was covering the return of Zombies supposedly connected to bath-salts, the black community in Chicago was engaged in war.

When the temperatures start to rise, there is an increase in violence in most black communities. It would suggest that someone has spiked the Kool-Aid packages sold in the corner markets. Or that there was some type of government experiment to thin the heard.

The usual excuses always seem to be the ones that are discussed by experts- the same experts that return to their suburban homes and enjoy their fresh squeezed lemonades and glasses of wine on their patios. Then there are the constant chants of “there is nothing to do” and that a larger police presents would somehow decrease the violence.

These excuses hold some truth, but they fail to address the issue. Violence is a natural behavior and once this behavior is accepted by a community and not channeled properly there is only destruction on said community.

The relationship between the black community and police, no matter what race or creed, is one that lacks trust and respect. Neither the police nor the black community seems to respect or understand one another and this division is fatal. The police represent the system. A system that has denied the black community the opportunity to gain liberty and live in happiness, all due to political and social economic barriers.

But the black community brings their own ammunition to this war as well. Shotgun shells are lyrics that blast from the speaker and penetrate the listener. The uniform of pants sagging to the ground showing of their latest underoo purchase, and the need for father-figures often creates youth that do not stand a chance.

This alone should be a case for an increase in Gay Adoptions, to support our own country instead of forcing individuals to depend on adoption agencies overseas. The lack of parental direction, financial opportunities, and failing education, has created a hell-storm that is impossible to escape.

I often equate the action of hunters in the wild killing a deer and placing it above the fireplace as the same activities that are happening in Chicago. Some may say that this is a stretch, but the action of wanting and needing to kill anything has to be connected to the same part of the brain. And for those trapped in the black community the only thing they can kill is each other.  There is no outlet for this human behavior that is reinforced by the music, the loss of an identity, and the need for acceptance.

Many communities have escaped some of these social ills, but the truth is also that not too many cultures have been put under the same strain as the African American community. Many communities still hold on to their cultural beliefs. These beliefs are handing down for generations. And often the only cultural beliefs that African Americans can pass consist of poverty, a white religion, and violence.

Responsibility is and should remain in the hands of the individual. But one must understand that responsibility is a trait that must be learned, and often passed down or taught. As Americans we have a responsibility as well, a responsibility to demand that our educational system in the inner-city gives our youth a proper education that will allow for them to be able to decipher the difference between entertainment and reality which has become so easily blurred.

The individuals in power such as government, education, and entertainment need to take a stand. As these individuals often contribute to the systematic and economic abuse that harms and punishes the black community. This war in Chicago can easily spread to any town in America, and when it does do not say that there were no warnings. Soon there will be nowhere for any of us to escape this war, and we may all be victims taken away from a crime scene as a snippet of the 10’oclock news.

Don’t Ask, But I Will Tell

The don’t ask, don’t tell policy in the military is something that needs to be eliminated immediately. No matter what an individual’s sexual preference may be they should have the right to fight for this country. Religion must be separated from the policies that we all must live by. The fact remains that many inside the military want this policy repealed and eliminated. And living in a country that is dependent solely on the freedom of religion should also include those that do not believe in religion.

But the don’t ask, don’t tell policy is an issue that should stand alone and not be included in military spending. This is why our government is failing the people. Our government continues to clump other policies inside one bill. Why is the Dream Act included in a vote about military spending and policies? The Dream Act is a nightmare for American citizens and the illegal immigrants that are supported by this act.

The Dream Act offers illegal students the opportunity to become American citizens if they join the military or attend College. What is this? Some benefit for parents breaking the law? Where are the benefits for the American citizens that have broken the law? Is there some special law for children whose parents are murders or drug users and currently in jail? And why do we always have to do some backroom deal to address issues that are vitally important in our society? I thought that we were going to be more transparent. If you call clumping everything in one vote transparent then maybe the talks of one term are becoming more evident.

Just yesterday I saw a park full of illegal immigrants looking for work. It had been a while since I have seen images like this. I mean, it is not their fault that Americans would rather pay for cheaper labor. And the fact remains that corporations will always look for a way to make a profit. Should we allow this illegal behavior to continue and be supported? I mean, these illegal aliens were standing two blocks away from the Court House while police officers are waiting to give people speeding tickets; people who are already paying enough taxes to support a small militia. They could round these individuals up, run a background check, take some fingerprints, and input them in the national database. But this would take to much work in the Texas heat.

The Dream Act makes it mandatory for illegal alien students to attend college or join the military. This is proof that our government sees citizens, legal or illegal, as tools to do their dirty work. They would rather build a larger army and create more debt with college loans then help the citizens that have done everything right to become a citizen. This is worse then when republican president Ronal Regan, waged war on drugs and then gave millions of illegal aliens amnesty.

Why do we need of 159 Billion dollars for two wars and one was officially called completed? 159 Billion dollars could do a lot of work in fixing failing schools, decrease the violence in some communities, and create opportunities for individuals that really need it. But no, our government would rather play war games in the mountains, stop people with different sexual preferences from joining the military, and spread Western Philosophies around the world even if the are proven to be failures.

I do support my troops, but they did not make the call to fight a war that the Soviets could not even win. I do not think that all illegals should be shipped out and sent back but rather documented and order to stand in line to become citizens, and their children should also have to do the same, no matter if they were born here or not. But I am not in support of creating a program that benefits the children of people that have broken the law. We have to change and not believe in one party over another. Our values should lead us not religion, not sexual preferences, and no way should corporations continue to run politics.

Democrats and Republicans need to be ashamed of themselves right now. I am upset with the government and the certain policies that are being put in place. I have said this before, and I will say it again- they are the puppets and the real leaders have not been shown. Question why we still fight over who sleeps with whom and really- if you are that caught up in another individual’s sex life then yours must be lacking.

Military spending, don’t ask, don’t tell, and the Dream Act are three different issues, and there is no reason they should all be treated as one. I say thank you to anyone that wants to fight for this country, but I also want say that the average citizen needs to fight as well for our government to stop talking and get something done- and now.