Rosa Parks, Robert Graetz, Liberty and Justice
Today is the anniversary of the day that Rosa Parks made waves in Montgomery Alabama in 1955 by refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. What Rosa did that day sparked a movement resulting from pressure that had been building for almost 100 years.
African Americans, who had been freed from slavery by Abraham Lincoln, were forced to endure a century of contempt, disdain and abuse from white Americans. Our society, although founded by men who rejected the concept of social classes, was maintaining a dual class existence and legally forcing people of color to live a servile existence.
This was wrong.
By the power and grace of God, this finally changed in America as a result of the boycotts, rallies, legal wranglings, and efforts of the Federal Courts and finally Congress. Although one may believe strongly in the sovereignty of the states, clearly the rights of United States citizens was being abridged by the actions and/or inaction of many of those states, and the Federal government needed to act.
When I contemplate these events, it always amazes me that human beings can be so incredibly dysfunctional. It certainly makes greater sense to me to see an individual here or there who is so stupid that they actually think they are superior to others. But to think that large swathes of our society would actually continue to look down on others because of a history that is over two generations old, and especially in a time following the horrors of Nazi Germany, that they could continue to look upon other humans as just wild cattle that had been let loose and whose status as free men and women had to be tolerated. How could our country reach this point?
I think the answer to [...]
Big Brother is Watching..New Bill to Give Obama Control over Internet
Just when you thought it wouldn't get worse, it does. A pair of bills (Sen 773 & 778) have been introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (W-WV) that would be a part what's being called the "Cybersecurity Act of 2009". These bills would grant the White House sweeping new powers to access private data online, regulate the cybersecurity industry, and shut down portions of internet traffic if it deems there is an "emergency". A new office called the Office of the National Cybersecurity Advisor would be created and would report directly to the President. Hmmm....wonder how I apply for that position. Do I have to pay taxes to be considered?
For your enjoyment, here is a working draft of the bill:
http://cdt.org/security/CYBERSEC4.pdf
This new Act raises privacy concerns on many fronts, not the least of which is it grants the White House the authority to disconnect "critical infrastructure" networks from the internet. These would include banking, utilities, health/medical, etc.
Sounds all well and good right? If there were a massive cyberwarfare attack on our infrastructure, this is just another way to protect critical elements. However, we know that this power can [...]
The Real Democrat party
I thought this was timely, and am sharing the complete text of what Bit posted at his site. It amazes me how easily we forget these things. Bit says: This was sent to me via mail this monring, and I’ve echoed out in total: The Democrats: Democrats fought to...Martin Luther King Jr.
I am white, grew up in a predominantly white community in Connecticut, later moving to Rochester NY, and eventually Iowa. In Connecticut, I experienced the busing of the late 60’s and early 70’s, which was extremely difficult for all of the students. There...Stay in Touch
