Final Thoughts on the sham that was "hands up, don't shoot".

"A lot of good has come of the Ferguson protests, not the least of which is the Justice Department's report, which documented widespread, institutionalized racial bias in the Ferguson, Missouri police operation" so said Gabriel Arana in a recent column for the Huffington Post discussing journalist Johnathan Capehart's admission that "hands up, don't shoot" were a sham.  

What "good" has come out of the protest?  How many buildings / businesses have been destroyed?  How has this impacted the residents of Ferguson's shopping needs?  How have the property values been impacted?  What has the impact been on home owners or auto insurance rates?  

If the "good" is that people are now "aware" - really?  People, most people anyhow, already knew that bigotry existed.  The trouble is that in the case of Ferguson there was no bigotry regarding the case of Michael Brown and Darren Wilson.  The entire narrative of "hands up, don't shoot" was false.  People were hoodwinked, bamboozled into buying a narrative that turned out to be a lie.  That narrative polarized our nation.  Those that wanted to "wait" and see what an investigation showed were called racist.  

Regarding the Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division (DOJ-CRD) (DOJ report) let's review it and have a national conversation, please. But let's be honest and open about everything. 

First, let's turn the DOJ-CRD report over to qualified statisticians at an appropriate University that does criminal justice research. Is the report real? I have read all 105 pages of the report and do not believe that it would hold up to a true Chi Square analysis (mostly because it doesn't contain enough data to actually do one). The report does not contain any statistical data sets and bases everything off of the concept of "disparate impact". There is no argument that tickets issued were invalid only that more black residents were given tickets as opposed to other residents. 

The fact is, simply saying that 85 percent of vehicle stops, 90 percent of citations, and 93 percent of arrests are of black residents does not prove racism. The reality is that the DOJ's own Bureau of Justice Statistics’ 2011 Police-Public Contact Survey  (BJS-PPCS) shows that nationally, blacks were 31 percent more likely than whites to be pulled over for a traffic stop. Because the population of Ferguson is 67% black this would mean that black motorist in Ferguson should comprise 87.5% of all traffic stops and the DOJ report puts the number lower. While some will say the 31% shows "racism" by itself what they need to know is that the BJS-PPCS report also shows that 42% of all of those stops are of women and not black males. Further the DOJ-CRD report fails to mention the age of the population in Ferguson and that many of the non-black community members are beyond what most consider the typical age of criminal behavior (i.e. above 40 years of age). 

The DOJ-CRD report does not provide a matrix for what crimes were committed or why arrest were made nor does it show what the conviction rates are. The trouble with this is that (1) the DOJ had these records and decided not to share them, why? (2) The DOJ-CRD report offers no comparable rates for comparable crimes committed by white (or non-black) offenders. As such the "statistics" are nothing more than an unsupported statement. 

The DOJ-CRD report further asserts that the court / police set up a "revenue generating operation" with tickets and fines. The trouble here is that such a system is common in many communities and particularly in communities with a low (mil) tax base. I worked in and around the the Cities of Flint, Detroit, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor and Port Huron for years and know that the same ticket, fine system is in place. In truth the City of Washington D.C., where the DOJ is located, has one of the most punitive systems in the nation and they are, like Ferguson, a black majority city but unlike Ferguson the City leadership is majority black. Google the case of Megan Johnson, a D.C. resident, who lost her vehicle after ten unpaid parking tickets. Her fines were doubled, vehicle confiscated and sold at auction and then her tax refund confiscated to pay the excess amount. 

If all of that isn't enough to raise serious questions regarding the legitimacy of the DOJ-CDR report the final issue, IMO, is the that State of Missouri AG Office has published a Racial Disparity Index for the last 15 years. That report (with index and matrix) is available online and in truth the rate of disparity has fallen in Ferguson for the last three years. Further, the adjoining communities within St. Louis County actually have a higher index rating than Ferguson (meaning more blacks are pulled over and ticketed). Is the DOJ-CDR report saying that the AG's report is wrong? 

It's important to see what the actual crime rates rate is in Ferguson and the surrounding communities (St. Louis County). This information can be found at another part of the DOJ; Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Uniform Crime Report. Those numbers overwhelmingly show that arrest rates for blacks in St. Louis County are far higher than those of other ethnic groups. Further the rate of offender / victim (who is committing a crime against whom) is also far higher for black on black crime than other ethnic groups. 

Racism is a very serious issue and a civil society should work to address the concerns. However claiming "racial disparity" and calling an entire department "racist" without quantifiable data is worse. It places a red letter of accusation on those allegedly committing the act without verifiable data and as such labels them "racist" without a reasonable accounting. For those that see this as a "good" what such things do is excuse the past behavior (tickets, arrest) as being only the result of racism when even the DOJ-CDR report does not allege this. 

I believe the narrative of this report was completed in a vacuum. The DOJ wanted to find something to support a supposition regardless if they could prove it or not. In truth the seven, clearly bigoted, emails that they found were from four years ago. The legitimate questions then are; why did those emails stop? Was the culture of the department changing and was that change coincidental with the hiring of the Police Chief who has now resigned as he was hired three years ago? Was Officer Wilson part of that changing culture as he was also hired not long before the emails ended? Is it a coincident that the emails ended during the same time the MO State AG's Racial Disparity Index shows that Ferguson's numbers were falling (unlike several of the adjoining communities)? 

Regarding Officer Wilson the reality is that the DOJ could find no evidence to suggest he committed a crime. Just as the State Grand Jury found. Just as the three autopsy reports found the physical evidence supported him. Yet, we are told that this event was the tipping point although we now known that the "hands up, don't shoot" narrative was completely false. How then are we being asked to buy into the narrative that a department shown by the MO State AG to have declining racial disparity numbers, with an apparent stoppage of bigoted behavior (emailed jokes) and with a newer Police Chief (who presided over the falling numbers) is racist. This simply defies linear logic. 

Where is the media in being responsible and examining this report? While several newspapers have questioned the report as of this time not one (minus the New York Post) has openly said the report is either "fake" or "unverifiable". Why? This is important. We are seeing an entire community (Mayor, City Council, Court, Police) all being thrown under the bus and called "racist" without any real statistical evaluation of the data. Regardless of which side you are on this is inappropriate and must be questioned.

But it goes back to the sell of the narrative.  We were all told about Mr. Brown just recently graduating HS and wanting to attend college.  We were told about his family being destroyed by his death.  Most folks waited with great concern to hear from Mr. Brown's mother and father and followed as they went to the Hague, presented themselves at events in Atlanta, Miami, New York and Washington D.C.  As a father you can only imagine the heartbreak the family is feeling.  But then the "narrative" is confronted with reality and you find:  

(a) Mr. Head (Step-father) and Ms. McSpadden (Mother) are being investigated for assault / theft after allegedly beating and stealing (money and "I am Mike Brown" t-shirts) from Michael's fraternal grandmother last year? BTW; just how long do investigations take in Ferguson that an incident from Oct 18, 2014 is still under investigation? 

(b) Michael's uncle (Leslie McSpadden) published the song "Mike, Mike" on YouTube before the grand jury decision was announced and clearly threatened to kill Mr. Wilson and burn Ferguson to the ground ("Darren Wilson I don't know if you listening, but I got a silencer so you can cancel Christmas, ketch you walk'in out the house and gift wrap you like it's Christmas", " "Darren Wilson you motherf-ing f(a)(g)", "If we don't get justice for my nephew Michael Brown, I put that sh(it) on Kaden we gonna burn this city down"). 

(c) Mr. Brown's step-father (Louis Head) the night the verdict was announced, "burn this (b)(i)tch down, burn this (b)(i)tch down". 

(d) The day after two police officers were recently shot in Ferguson Leslie McSpadden tweets: "Woke up in a GREAT mood this morning :-) 2 cops shot in Ferguson last night. You ain't seen shit yet wait till summer".  Understand this is "alleged" but after the threats issued in the Youtube song and the pending assault investigations it's not really a stretch.  

(e) Mr. Brown's uncle Leslie Lavon McSpadden tweets the day after the police shooting; "IF my FAM woulda got JUSTICE in August maybe those two cops wouldn't have got shot LASTNIGHT.  But if IF was a 5th we would all be drunk".  Understand this is "alleged" but after the threats issued in the Youtube song and the pending assault investigations it's not really a stretch.  It's uncomfortable to admit but reality tell one that it's reasonable to think, what really was the narrative and was it just a "sell" and if so why?  

Regarding the shooting of the two police officers it was initially reported that Mr. Jeff Williams admitted responsibility.  Then you start seeing that Jeff "Loc" Williams aka Jeff Dgaf Loc is a 20 yr old black male from St. Louis County. He is Facebook friends with Dorian Johnson and Piaget Crenshaw. Mr. Johnson was with Mr. Brown the morning of the theft from a liquor store in Ferguson and the subsequent shooting death of Mr. Brown by Officer Darren Wilson. Ms. Crenshaw was the witness that appeared on CNN and stated that Mr. Brown was shot by Officer Wilson while he was surrendering and that his (Mr. Brown) back was turned when Officer Wilson shot him. Both Mr. Johnson and Ms. Crenshaw were discredited by other witnesses and by the forensic evidence. 

Mr. Williams shared the a video reenactment of the Brown / Wilson conflict on 15 January 2015 with the comment "F-d up". The video has been widely discredited based on the eyewitness testimony along with the physical evidence however websites like "alwayz turn up" have been sharing it. 

Mr. Williams, like Mr. Johnson and Mr. Brown, had an affinity for Swisher Sweets cigarillos and on 23 January 2015 shared he desire to get high when he wrote; " Need swisher...cant sleep gas wat Ismoke". But smoking blunts wasn't Mr. Williams' only enjoyment as he wrote, "Codeine da. Only thing tht keep me away from da lies" on 28 Dec 14. 

Mr. Williams also had no problem threatening violence or saying that losing his life was of no concern to him. On 2 January he wrote;"It's so easy to take somebody life.... Bt y'all #$%$ scared to bang....smh........ Gotta Have da best of both worlds" which proceeded "Stop making threats cuz I swere I hate living......#$%$. shut up or kill me" from 28 Dec 14. 

Mr. Williams has uploaded several photos of himself (or others with him) throwing gang signs. In a post from 10 March 2011 he was given great advice by someone after uploading a photo of a gang sign by a user named Jessie Mooney that read: "Please dont tell me you are suppose to be in some type of game, Little man you dont know what road you are heading down Nephew. but i know you think you are grown up now, so it don't matter to you what i say. If you was smart you will not be putting these types of pic up on the net." So clearly Mr. Williams had people in his life trying to keep him from making bad decisions. 

Mr. Williams also shared that he has a son (born in 2012). Although he shared numerous post about getting high, various rap lyrics and other things he shared only one photo of his son in 2012 and nothing since. 

The point with all of this is (a) don't make your Facebook profile public. (b) don't post photos of yourself with drugs, making gang signs and so on for the entire public to see.  (for those that don't know the term "Loc" is most often a reference to "Crips" and means; "Love Only Crips").   

I am sure "protesters" will come out and say that Mr. Williams was not a part of what they are doing however just like his friends list how Mr. Johnson and Mr. Crenshaw it also shows several other folks who have been associated in the media with the "protest". So . . we will see. 

I feel bad for Mr. Williams. He is a 20 year old guy with a child along with an apparent drug and gang problem. Not a wonderful start and to now add firing a weapon into a crown and hitting two people. Damn.

But after being arrested and getting an attorney Mr. Williams story changes and it becomes how he was "beat up" by the police.  Maybe he was, no clue.  But, I sure hope Mr. Williams lawyer goes to YouTube and views the video, "RAW: Protesters fight outside Ferguson Police Station" by user DMailorinliespir1978. The video is from 12 March 2015 and appears to show Mr. Williams getting into a fight with a much larger man and getting hit several times. Might this explain the "bruises"?

So once again it becomes rational to wonder, are we being sold another narrative?  Honestly, when that question is asked (and given everything it should be) the real impact of the Ferguson protest has been to create a greater divide, to demand that black Americans commit to a particular narrative and if they don't they will be called names like Mr. Capehart was.  Finally, white Americans, many anyhow, simply don't want to say anything because they don't want to be called a "racist".  So, really, has any of this been "good".  No, I don't believe so.  Mr. Brown was killed and his family and friends will live with that loss.  Mr. Wilson will never get his life back and will never work in his chosen career field.  And you and I, mom and pop America are pushed further apart all because of a lie, "Hands up, don't shoot".  It never happened yet the damage is real.  Nice.  

A little reality . . . . .

"One death is a tragedy; one million is a statistic."  -  Joseph Stalin

Joseph Stalin (1878 - 1953), for those unfamiliar,  ruled the Union of Socialist Republics (USSR) from 1929 until his death.  He was an alley of the US during WWII and help move the USSR from a peasant farming society into an industrial / military power.   Stalin is also responsible for the death of 20 to 62 million Russian's during his rule.  Stalin ruled by fear.  Russian citizens did not speak out against Stalin or his policies for fear of being imprisoned in the "gulag". 

Statutes of Stalin were built throughout Russia and even today, sixty plus years since his death, his image is carried during the May Day Parade and many in Russia (and particularly his home state of Georgia) view him as a "hero".    But the 5' 4" Stalin was directly responsible for killing more then Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein, Pol Pot or Josip Tito.  In truth, Stalin is behind only Mao for his murderous ways (Mao is "credited" with killing more then 60 million).  

Clearly, Stalin was not a "good guy".  He did transform the Russian military and economy but he also killed millions and enslaved millions more.  But if he actually spoke the words above as he has been quoted, he was sadly correct. 

Witness the uprising from Ferguson (MO) around the death of Michael Brown at the hands of Police Officer Darren Wilson.  The media has shared over and over the images of protesters carrying signs that read, "Black Lives Matter" but do the protestors really believe that? 

The truth is that black people are being killed in America but if you think the "cops", "pigs", "the man" (whatever we wish to call it) are the problem you are sadly mistaken.  That does not mean any death is acceptable but it means things ought to be put into context.  Think of it like this: we all get drive on public roads in cars, buses, motorcycles, bicycles and so on everyday knowing that a very real risk of harm exist.  Yet we engage in this because of the risk assessment we have made.  What is the real risk assessment for Black Americans?  Do they, as a group, have a higher rate of homicide in America and if so what group is the greatest threat to them?  The answer can be found by looking at the last ten years of data from the Uniform Crime Report (Federal Bureau of Investigation).  What does this data tell us? 

'04 total homicides in America; 14,121 of that 6, 632 were black Americans (46.9%). There were 15,935 known homicide perpetrators in '04 and of that 5,608 were black Americas (35.2%).

'05 total homicides in America; 14,860 of that 7,125 were black Americans (47.9%). There were 17,029 known homicide perpetrators in '05 and of that 6,379 were black Americas (37.6%).

'06 total homicides in America; 14,990 of that 6,843 were black Americans (49.5%). There were 17,399 known homicide perpetrators in '06 and of that 6,843 were black Americas (39.3%).

'07 total homicides in America; 14,831 of that 7,316 were black Americans (49.3%). There were 17,040 known homicide perpetrators in '07 and of that 6,463 were black Americas (37.9%).

'08 total homicides in America; 14,180 of that 6,782 were black Americans (47.8%). There were 16,277 known homicide perpetrators in '08 and of that 5,943 were black Americas (36.5%).

'09 total homicides in America; 13,636 of that 6,556 were black Americans (48%). There were 15,760 known homicide perpetrators in '09 and of that 5,890 were black Americas (37.4%).

'10 total homicides in America; 12,996 of that 6,470 were black Americans (49.7%). There were 15,094 known homicide perpetrators in '10 and of that 5,770 were black Americas (38.2%).

'11 total homicides in America; 12,664 of that 6,329 were black Americans (49.9%). There were 14,548 known homicide perpetrators in '11 and of that 5,488 were black Americas (37.7%).

'12 total homicides in America; 12,765 of that 6454 were black Americans (50.5%). There were 14,851 known homicide perpetrators in '12 and of that 5,531 were black Americas (37.9%).

'13 total homicides in America; 12,253 of that 5,375 were black Americans (51%). There were 14,132 known homicide perpetrators in '13 and of that 5,375 were black Americas (38%).

Total homicides in America from '04 - '13: 137,296. Total black homicide victims '04 - '13; 67,346 (49%).

Total known homicide offenders '04 - '13: 158,065. Total known black homicide offenders '04 - '13; 59,270 (37.9%)

Although just an overview several things stand out (1) Blacks in America account for 13% of the population but as a community they account for 49% of all homicide victims from '04 - '13. Let that sink in. A cohort that makes up 13% of our entire population actually accounts for 49% of all people murdered in America are black!  If that isn't a "WTF" statistic, I don't know what is.  (2) Although Blacks account for only 13% of population as a community they account for 37.9% of all known homicide offenders. Again, let that sink in. Once more a cohort that accounts for just 13% of our entire population accounts for 37.9% of all known offenders or a rate of 2.91 higher then the actual percentage of the population that cohort accounts for (also consider that this percentage and rate could only go higher if all offenders were known).  Again, another "WTF" statistic that nobody seems to want to address or discuss even though we are told "Black Lives Matter". 

I believe part of the problem, if you look at the numbers, is that homicides (and all violent crime) have gone down in America but as you can clearly see they have not gone down` within the black community. I believe this is where a big part of the problem comes from; people are dying and they are dying at a greater rate then any other ethnicity. That's a real, serious, unforgivable and I would argue unaddressed problem. So I think some of the anger about Michael Brown's killing in directed, in general, at the horrific rate of murder within the black community. I also believe that it can be addressed - quickly.

Addressing this should begin first with Mothers and Fathers. Next extended family. Then the Church and Community. Only if this becomes an individual priority for people to look in the mirror themselves will this change. It isn't impossible but it isn't easy. More importantly, IMO, Michael Brown's killing, while tragic, isn't a opportunity to demand changes from the system unless first changes are demanded from individual community members and from one another. If we are really to live the principals of "my brother's keeper", now is the time and if Michael Brown's death provides the catalyst then he did not die in vain. If after all the rhetoric, rioting, protesting and so on all that occurs is a "systematic change" for the police, courts and so on without the greater community demanding changes then American as a community will have failed our children again.  Think about it we are now nineteen years past the "Million Man March" (Oct 16, 1995) when Black Leaders called on Black men to address the economic and social issues harming the Black community.  Imagine that one year before Michael Brown was born millions gathered either in person or in spirit to "transform" the Black community. 

Think about how children will be impacted if parents don't embrace positive changes. Better yet, its fair to ask if Mr. Brown was from a positive environment where those around him largely supported positive choices? Well, I can't say anything prior to 9 August when the entire world learned Mr. Brown's name but since that time we know that many of those close to him have not acted in a manner that would be consistent with Michael learning positive values that keep him and the community safe.

After the decision of the Grand Jury was read Michael's stepfather, wearing a t-shirt that said, "I am Mike Brown" was caught on video tape repeatedly screaming; "burn this s**t down" and "if I get up there I am going to start a riot".  Did he actually feel that way? Sure - at that moment. Does he actually feel that way? He says no and I have no choice but to take him at is word. The Attorney for the family (Mr. Crump) has said it's not appropriate to judge him for this because he is human and was acting on emotion. OK. But isn't it a fair question to ask if "acting on emotion" and in a criminal manner is "common" for those that surrounded Michael prior to his death?

In truth the step-father hasn't been alone in behaving in an inappropriate manner and the fact that this language / behavior isn't being addressed is extremely concerning as I believe it will be a catalyst for even more caustic behavior in the future.

Consider, what if the threats to "burn the city" or "murder Mr. Wilson" continue. Are there not enough people who are weak enough to actually attempt or honestly follow out on those threats? We know that as of today 36 business have been either looted, damage or burned. We know that at least two police cars have been burned and another three damaged. So clearly, someone is getting the message to "burn the city".

I have been following this closely and have been amazed that the Brown Family and those close to them have sent such conflicting messages. Let me first say that I have found nothing contradictory about Michael's father and honestly feel his words and actions have been a terrific example. But, I digress, fair or not - some have judged this behavior and made the assumption that because of it there exist a confirmation that Michael Brown must have been a "thug".

Think about the raps published by Mr. Brown. I get it that cussing, talking about drugs, guns, killing and gangs are part of the music but isn't it also true that if you surround yourself with negative images you invite negativity into your heart? I understand that this is an unfair judgment but it's also a judgment that people make everyday about others at work, with family and with friends.

Think about the fact that two months ago Leslie McSpadden, the uncle of Mr. Brown willingly published a song on YouTube (Google (although I do use links a lot, I won't link to this video): "Leslie McSpadden Mike-Mike, the uncle of Michael Brown finally speaks and puts his emotions into a tribute song dedicated to his slain nephew r.i.p. Mike Mike #MB #Gang") where he rapped:

"Darren Wilson that's your a@@ you m***********g f*g"

"if we don't get justice we gonna fight you with a 9"

"if we don't get justice for my nephew Michael Brown, I put that s**t on Kaden we gonna burn the city down" (notice how its the same threat he stepfather made? Somebody has been saying / thinking / talking about this - folks don't just spontaneously bust out with; "burn this city down").

"Darren Wilson I don't know if you listen but I got a silencer so you can cancel Christmas, ketch you walking out the house wrap you like it's Christmas, b***h I am MB game you either with or you against, squash".

Is it fair to question how such negativity, if present when Michael Brown was alive, could have impacted his outlook of the world around him? I think the answer is no that it isn't fair but the truth is "the fair is in August" and life isn't fair and people make those judgments daily.

Think about the fact that, Mrs. McSpadden, Michael's Mother, is currently under investigation for a robbery and assault committed against Michael's Paternal Grandmother (Pearlie Gordon) and an uncle of Michael's. Apparently on or about 18 October at Red's BBQ in Ferguson (ironically enough the same Red's BBQ that was either burned, damaged or looted the other night during the riots), Mrs. McSpadden and several others assaulted Ms. Gordon and at least one other person who were selling "Justice for Mike" t-shirts. Mrs. McSpadden allegedly took 1,400.00 worth of merchandise and 500.00 cash before leaving. (Google the headline: "Police investigating assault & felony robbery following fight among Michael Brown`s family" by Chris Haynes). Again, people will (fair or not) look at this and question just what type of environment was Michael Brown raised. We all know this is true even if we don't admit it.

This was a tragic event but it is being made into something it isn't. The killing of Mr. Brown was not racially motivated nor is it a cause for "civil rights". There is a color involved but it isn't black or white but rather "GREEN". Which makes me wonder after the trips to Hollywood, Washington D.C., Atlanta, New York and of course the trip to the Hague when is Michael Brown getting a headstone? According to CNN (Google the headline; "In the shadow of the storm called Ferguson, a quiet grave" by Moni Basu 19 November) Mr. Brown remains in an unmarked grave some 90 days after his death. But . . . . it's all about remembering "Mike" and "Justice for Mike" or "Hands up, Don't shoot" or . . . . something. Who knows. Maybe it really is about "burning the city down".

See, I know I am being judgmental and in some ways maybe even "mean". But the truth is we need to start being honest with one another. Parents need to follow the old Michael Jackson song and take a long hard look at "the man in the mirror". Leaders need to honestly start asking if they are putting the community first or if it's the next election that matters. We as a community need to honestly ask why we can't just simply find a common ground. It's not that hard - honestly.

But it will NEVER be done when the opine is "black men being killed by cops", "unarmed teenager (who just assaulted a store clerk and who the Grand Jury believed assaulted a police officer)" or "the system". If the black community wants change . . . . . first; clean up your own house before you ask others to clean up. Secondly, realize that black men are killing other black men at a rate higher then any other group in America and if this isn't addressed it will be self inflicted genocide. Nobody is telling black men to harm one another except other black men. Until this is addressed stop trying to sell the ruse of "oh, the cops" as it rings hallow. It's like addressing a symptom only to be killed by the disease. Again, I know this sounds judgmental and maybe even mean but guess what . . . it's also true. 
Like Stalin said . . . "a single death is a tragedy; one million a statistic".  We are being asked to examine and change our judicial system and for each individual Americans to take a good look in their heart and change any ill feelings they may harbor against the Black community.  I am in favor of both but I know unless the Black community begins to address the very real issues within the Black community changing the judicial system or asking people to examine their own hearts will have little impact.  I actually believe if this is what occurs it will have a negative impact in the future.  If the underlying issues are not addressed and changed and the rate of crime continues at some point in time you reach a "tipping point" where people who have been asked to change and examine the social / judicial structures throw up there hands and no longer participate. 

Admit it or not we are a far less racist society today then we were 40, 50, 60 or even . . . 19 year ago.  America has made great progress.  But today we are told "Black Lives Matter" after the death of Michael Brown.  Isn't that the same message spoke 19 years ago at the "Million Man March"?   I believe if things continue to be ignored the truth is that we will again have another "tragedy" in the near future.  The problem is that an individual tragedy is overshadowing the overwhelming and underlying true problem.   

"Y'all make sure you tell'em it wasn't protesters"

But it was. 

This is why I struggle with hearing much of the "logic" of some of the "protesters" and the so called "left" in America. 

Its dark.  They have no flashlights.  The are not wearing reflective gear.   outside.  Nobody is carrying a flashlight.  They walk into a four lane road yelling, "back up, back up, we want freedom" and then it happens.

 

 

(Note:  I am having trouble getting the video to embed and be viewable.  If it is not viewable it can be seen here).  

An innocent person simply driving down the street suffers a financial loss and could have suffered a serous personal injury. 

Within seconds of the accident happening several of the protestors can be heard saying that everyone needs to make sure they tell them it wasn't the protestors.  Then later in the video protestors can be heard saying the other car (silver Ford Focus) "hit" the driver of the blue Nissan.  By the end of the video even the man taking the video seems to agree that the silver Ford Focus hit the blue Nissan. 

Except that simply isn't true.  The "peaceful protesters" began walking into the street at about 30 seconds into the video (see below).  As they walk into oncoming traffic the approaching vehicles had a green traffic light but had stop to avoid hitting the protestors or had to take evasive action to prevent from hitting them. 

At 31 seconds protesters are now across two lanes of traffic and continuing across the street.  An oncoming vehicle (north or above the protesters as you view the photo) appears to be in the left turn lane.  This vehicle's position creates a "billboard" or obstruction for the approaching silver Ford and blue Nissan. 

At 32 seconds the protesters are further into the road with more protesters entering the street from the right of the photo.  Below the protesters a dark colored sedan can be seen stopped in the road in an effort to prevent hitting a protester even thought the vehicle has a green light. 

33 seconds into the video the protestors are no into the middle of the street and continuing left.  A vehicle approaching them (top of video) appears to be stopped in the left turn lane and the lights of the silver Ford and blue Nissan can be seen to the left side of the street (upper left of road).  At this point it appears the silver Ford is beginning to maneuver to the left (drivers right) to avoid the protesters. 

34 seconds in the protestors have a dark colored sedan and another vehicle stopped in the road below them (to the right on the screen) and the silver Ford is now clearly moving to the left (drivers right) to avoid the protesters.  Notice the vehicles still have a green light. 

At 35 seconds in the protesters have now moved clearly into the turn lane and are completely blocking off three lanes of traffic.  The silver Ford has now moved to the left (drivers right) to avoid the protesters who are being led into traffic by someone wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans. 

36 seconds into the video and the protesters can be seen to the left of the silver Ford which has now crossed the intersection.  The silver Ford has taken evasive action and has moved to the left (drivers right) to avoid hitting the protestors.  The actions of the silver Ford require the driver of the blue Nissan to take evasive action and move to the left (drivers right). 

At 37 seconds the blue Nissan makes contact with a light pole as the silver Ford crosses thru the intersection that the protesters have blocked.  There does not appear to be any physical contact with the silver Ford and the blue Nissan. 

In the screen shot at 38 seconds the silver Ford is completely past the intersection and the protesters can be seen still blocking  three lanes of traffic.  There appears to be no damage on the silver Ford. 

There also appears to be no drivers side damage to the blue Nissan as can be seen on the video and captured below. 

In essence many things may have contributed to this accident; driving conditions (late at night, poor visibility, wet driving surface), driver error (was the Ford going to fast, did the vehicle in the left turn lane (above the protesters position) come to a stop to far back from the intersection and thereby cause the blue Nissan and silver Ford to have limited visibility or awareness of the obstructions they would soon encounter). 

But the one clear cause was the action of the protesters moving into traffic and attempt to imped the legal progress of approaching motorist.  Without the protesters entering the roadway illegally it is highly unlikely this accident would have occurred.  Their actions set-off the chain of events that caused this event. 

In the video the protesters can be seen surrounding the driver of the Nissan and offering "support" by telling him that the silver Ford caused the accident.  The trouble is the silver Ford was trying to avoid the protesters and it is very possible that the driver of the blue Nissan could not see the protesters as his visibility would be blocked not only by the silver Ford but by the vehicle in the left turn lane. 

Someone within the group of protesters should have had enough awareness to say, "man, we shouldn't have been in the street" and acknowledged the role they played.  Instead they took great pains to make sure everyone would know "the protesters didn't do this" and even tried to sell the idea that the silver Ford "hit" the blue Nissan even when it's clear there appears to be no damage to the blue Nissan on the driver side in any of the video taped shots.  Notice how quick that narrative spread on the video?  The problem is that it is nothing more then a self serving lie.  Notice also that people quickly buy into this because it supports what they want to believe - "we" didn't cause this.  Let's be fair it would suck to think and know you did cause it but in the end ethics should tell you that you have to be honest.  Instead what happens is a collective group basically agreeing that it wasn't us - even when video tape evidence shows that without them in the road the silver Ford does not have to swerve to the right (entering the lane of the blue Nissan) causing the Nissan to swerve also.  The longer the video goes on the more angry and demanding the protesters get needing to ensure that people know "they" didn't cause this accident.  It's a wonderful example on how "group think" works and how quickly it takes hold without ever being spoken.  Everyone just "knows" that we are all "good" and "we" couldn't have done this.  Except they did. 

This got me thinking about the whole Michael Brown / Darren Wilson tragedy and how this is all, IMO, a narrative being sold to people and how it could have been avoided.  Consider this; Mr. Johnson states that he and Mr. Brown were stopped by Mr. Wilson because they were walking in the street and he (Mr. Wilson) told them to get on the sidewalk. 

Mr. Johnson relates that Mr. Wilson, after telling them to move to the sidewalk, began to drive away and then stopped and backed up to them.  The "leaks" in the media tell us (if true) that Mr. Wilson returned to Messer's Johnson and Brown because a radio broadcast had been announced regarding a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for two suspects involved in the robbery at the Quick Mart (which BTW, we now know by the admission of the Brown family attorney that Mr. Brown was actually the person on the video).  So  here's a thought - would this incident have ever occurred if Messer's Brown and Johnson had just been walking legally on the sidewalk and thereby Mr. Wilson would have had no reason to stop and notice them.  He could have just simply continued on his merry way  and driven past them. 

The chain of events and how the results they have are important here.  Without robbing the store there would have been no "BOLO' and Mr. Wilson as no reason to turn back and engage with Messer's Brown and Johnson.  Without walking in the street Mr. Wilson has no reason to stop and engage with Messer's Brown and Johnson. 

The ultimate and tragic realization of the truth and power of the "butterfly effect".  Think about it.  In video that shows the accident from a different angle (see below) a "protester" is heard at 14 seconds into the video proclaiming, "we going to block off the streets right here then".  If only they had considered what walking into traffic at night, in dark cloths, while the street is wet and while the cars you are attempting to block have a green light, might ultimately result in.  By not thinking about that the protesters were selfish, inconsiderate and acted illegally.  By then demanding on video that people know "it wasn't protesters" fault they prove themselves to be not only selfish but demandingly ignorant and unaware of the true cause and effect of ones actions. 

 

(Note:  I am having trouble getting the video to embed and be viewable.  If it is not viewable it can be seen here). 

As suspected.

Now that it is clear my favorite bigot can't eclipse the 1,500 "likes" mark on his hate group (African American Defense League) or get above the 300.00 mark with his bigoted "Help Thy Neighbor Fund" after two months, as suspected he needed to "amp" up the rhetoric. 



Enter the AADL:  Hands Down Shoot Back 2014 & Beyond, Facebook group created as a "educational" page.  So what is the "education" the silly little doctor of divinity that calls himself a psychotherapist selling?  Hate, threats and of course . . . ignorance. 

One has to wonder what "Ready or not! Here we come! You can't hide! We're gonna find you!" means when it is expressed while holding a handgun in the air?  This must just be about peace, right?  I also wonder if the man in the photo (see here) is acceptable that the post he made which originally accompanied the photo was replaced with a very real threat (original post below from 12 November).

I
 am sure he is aware as not only did the good doctor tag him in the photo he is also on listed as the Lt. for the State of Missouri for the African American Defense League.  It strikes me as funny that the good doctor always puts up photos of others in the most provocative nature and never himself - I wonder why that is?  (wink, wink, nudge, nudge . . . ). 



I do wonder when the threats will be addressed by folks like the good doctor.  Of course, I won't be holding my breath. 


One thing that I did find funny about the new AADL:  Hands Down Shoot Back 2014 & Beyond Facebook Page is that the good doctor in promoting "African American" Defense League used a stock photo as the profile photo of black soldiers.  I am sure the good doctor assumed those soldiers must be proud African's even if they are not proud African Americans. 

So why is this photo funny?  Had the very educated doctor taken 20 seconds to google the image what you find is that it is a stock news photo from the 2013 French Bastille Day Celebration.  The troops were actually participating in the parade because they had taken part in the French governments war against al-Qaida-linked extremists in Mali.  So for a minister who says that he is Muslim to use a photo of black soldiers that needed the support from a dominantly white country (France) to rid themselves of a dominantly black Muslim extremist group in an African country - well, the irony is pretty hilarious. 


If you are unaware of the good doctor and his many alias, fronts, pontifications and misdirection's you can read about his ability to "hoodwink, bamboozle and lead astray" the community he says he loves so richly here, here and here.  Each page has links to his websites, pontifications, asinine theories and completely profane rhetoric.  The most ironic thing about all of this is that I actually gave this information to the good professional on his Facebook page and he "liked" my post.  Tool.   
 

How with they spin it this time?

Just shy of one month ago Jah'keem Yisreal (aka Alton Nolan) beheaded one former co-worker and stabbed another in Oklahoma.  Mr. Yisreal is a Muslim convert and the immediate response was that his actions had nothing to do with Islam even though he had posted photos on his Facebook page referencing beheading and his desire for America to burn.  MSNBC Host Melissa Harris-Perry said his actions were "workplace violence" and even agreed with one of her guest who joked (or I hope it was intend to be somehow funny) that what Muslims needed was a change in the cultural paradigm and that the new narrative should be that Muslims are actually funny people. 

Then there is Zale Thompson.  Mr. Thompson is a 32-year-old Muslim, who lived in Queens (NY), struck one of the officers in the back of the head with his hatchet and gashed another on the arm, the police said.  Officer Kenneth Healey is a 25-year-old rookie in the NYPD, he was injured critically in the attack. The other officer injured was Joseph Meeker. According to Newsday, both are natives of Long Island. CBS New York reports that Healey’s father is also an NYPD officer.

The Daily News reports that a homeless woman was also hit by a stray bullet during the incident. She’s in critical condition. Mr. Thompson was shot dead by the police at the scene. 

Mr. Thompson is alleged to have connections to IS (aka ISIL, aka ISIS) and like Mr. Yisreal last month, Mr. Thompson's Facebook had a profile picture of what could be seen as a Muslim terrorist.

 
Mr. Thompson was caught on videotape as he approached the officers with an axe: 

 

 

Like Mr. Yisreal, Mr. Thompson also adopted a Muslim name, Zaim Farouq Abdul-malik.  He had been discharged from the US Navy for misconduct.  Mr. Abdul-Malik (aka Thompson) was also, like Mr. Yisreal before him, willing to make public comments supporting Jihad on the internet.  On one youtube video he commented: 

 

If you’re looking for “perfect” muslims who never make any mistakes in
their Jihad, then you will be looking in vain! If the Zionists and the
Crusaders had never invaded and colonized the Islamic lands after WW1, then
there would be no need for Jihad! Which is better, to sit around and do
nothing, or to Jihad fisabeelallah!

 

But, I am sure that his faith in Islam had nothing to do with his axe wielding attack on two rookie New York Police Officers, right?  

 

 

Is there a message in the fact that we have seen Mr. Yisreal, Mr. Abdul-Malik and the two Muslim attacks in Canada within the past month?  Isn't this what the Department of Homeland Security warned America that IS (aka ISIL, aka ISIS) were calling upon fellow Jihadist to engage in? 

 

 

The truth is "we", you and I, Mom and Pop in Westernized Countries may not be at "war" with Islam but it seems clear that Islam is at war with "us".  The question is, just how will we react and will the media tell us the actions of Mr. Abdul-Malik had nothing to do with Islam.  

 

 

For the Love of Money.

On 20 August, I wrote a long post on the killing for Michael Brown.  In that post I wrote;  "Sad that it has come to this.  But I believe there is a narrative of "green" at work."  I spent a great deal of time looking at some of the folks involved with the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" protest along with many of the social commentators and the attorneys representing the Brown family (Parks and Crump).  At that time I believed that the issues were not really black v. white but that a color was involved and it was "green".

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) (video at the link)  – In a recent statement, Michael Brown’s mother asked that her son not be part of self-serving business or political actions as she pleaded that he be remembered for the good.  A reported assault and theft this past weekend may dramatically underscore that sentiment.

It happened Saturday night, October 18^th, at about 8:15 pm in the parking lot of Red’s BBQ.  It`s the corner of Canfield and West Florissant, just blocks from where Michael Brown was shot and killed.
Police sources tell us Brown`s Grandmother, Pearlie Gordon, along with Brown`s Cousin Tony Petty, were selling t-shirts and other Michael Brown merchandise.

A police report describes a car pulling up and several people getting out.  One of those people, was reported to be Michael Brown`s Mom, Lesley McSpadden.  A witness described McSpadden yelling ‘You can`t sell this s%$&”  One of the relatives, who was selling, reportedly demanded McSpadden show a document proving she had a patent.

The police report says that`s when an unidentified person with McSpadden assaulted Petty so violently that it resulted in a 911 call.  A witness tells Fox 2 that the weapon was a metal pipe or pole.  The suspect reportedly struck Petty in the face.  Medics then took him to Christian Northeast Hospital.  The witness said the assault suspect grabbed merchandise and a box of cash believed to contain about $1,400.

It appears surveillance cameras could have captured the fight and be part of police evidence.  Police report no arrests at this time.

We reached out to the local Brown family attorney, Anthony D. Gray and he declined to comment.


I have said all along that I have nothing but compassion for the parents of Michael Brown.  As a father I cannot imagine losing a child and I am willing to give Ms. McSpadden the benefit of the doubt and believe that she does not want Michael's image used for others to profit.  I get that.  I agree with her.  But, I am also not blind, deaf or dumb and I know that just like people trademarked and profited off "Justice for Trayvon" clothing and other items, so too will someone profit off of "Hands up, Don't shoot" or "Justice For Michael Brown" in some manner.  Right now there are two pages of search results where you can order a t-shirt on Google alone.

 

 

Above:  Google results for Justice for Michael Brown T-Shirts

 

 

At the end of the day the death of Michael Brown was tragic for him, his family, friends along with the community of Ferguson (St. Louis), the State of Missouri and the United States.  For Mr. Brown's friends and family his death is a tragic for obvious reasons.  For the local, state and nation it is a tragedy because race has been used to hustle a strange form of justice intended to subvert the established system of justice. 

 

 

The belief without evidence that the death of Michael Brown at the hands of white police officer Darren Wilson occurred simply because he was black has done nothing but continue to polarize our communities.  The cries of racism have been long and loud.  In the end the truth is that from nearly the moment the story broke nationwide color was involved.  But that color was "green" and the behavior of Michael Brown's relatives only underscore that.  In the end it all boils down to . . . .

 

 



More Hate and Misdirection from the Party of Inclusion.

Anthony Brown (D-MD) is running or Governor.  He is running in a state that favors Democrats by a margin of 2-1.  Democrats currently control the Governor's Office, House (98 D / 43 R) and Senate (35 D / 12 R).  Maryland is so solidly Democrat that Pres. Obama won 62% - 37% in 2008 and 62% - 36% in 2012.  But much like the coronation of Sen. Clinton in '08 that was derailed, something odd is happening in Maryland.  Mr. Brown does not hold a double digit lead over Republican challenger Larry Hogan as expected. 

Part of this can be explained because of the unpopularity of  current Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and because Mr. Brown was in charge of the failed Maryland Health Care Exchange website that fizzled despite a cost of 288 Million.  But even with those two issues how can a clearly Democrat state have such a close race when Democrats outnumber Republicans by a two to one margin and just what is Mr. Brown going to do about it? 

Back in April I wrote a blog entry about the upcoming midterm elections and wondered just what the issues would be.  Although I believed there was then many issues that could be a focus (and still believe that today), I concluded that "the" cause celeb issue would be "racism".   As early as April enough high profile people (Pelosi, Israel, Obama, Holder, Clinton, Sharpton) had climbed aboard the; "but, but, but . . . RACISM" wagon as the underlying explanation for nearly everything that was wrong.  So what will Mr. Brown do?  Why, follow the advice of Pelosi, Israel, Obama, Holder, Clinton, Sharpton and most recently Hagan by engaging in a campaign of fear. 

Recently the Brown campaign mailed out the following advertisement: 

Above:  Outside Cover

 



 

Above:  Pages One and Two. 

 

 

Above:  Page Three and Four

 

 

 

Above:  Back Cover

 

 

So there it is.  Fear.  Images from the Civil Rights Movement.  Donald Trump and Voter ID laws.  WOW.  Maybe someone should remind Mr. Brown just what party supported the Civil Rights Legislation and more importantly just which party was in control in the South during the "Civil Rights" movement.  But, hell . . . why let facts get in the way when you can use fear and race because it's all about emotion - right! 

 

 

Sadly, Mr. Brown is not alone and in fairness this isn't a surprise.  Remember that it was on 08/22 that, Ms. Janet May (Chairwoman of the Democratic National Convention) said  "Ferguson; could be a rallying cry for Democratic get-out-the-vote efforts, according to the voter education committee chair for the Democratic Southern caucus. “There is a story beneath the story in Ferguson,” chairwoman Janet May said at the Southern Caucus meeting during the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta.  May ran through the stats of the 21,000-person Missouri town: 13,000 black citizens, about 7,000 white. Five city council members– one of whom was black. Fifty-three policemen – 50 of whom were white. A white mayor. “Do you see the picture here?” May said. “These folk don’t vote in local or midterm elections.” She added: “Now if we can’t take that scenario and roll it into a message for our party, we just need to pack it up and go home. Because we have been grasping for a message.”  In truth this is a strategy and has only one goal in mind; keep US in office.  

 

As Ms. Mays words were spoken in Atlanta it's not shocking that the State Democrat Party in Georgia followed her advice and this week distributed a campaign mailing depicting young children holding up a "hands up, don't shoot" sign. 

 

 

Above:  Front Cover

 

 

 Above:  Page Two

 

Above:  Page Three

 

 

Above:  Back Page (Note it clearly indicates it is paid for by the Democrat Party of Georgia). 

 

Nothing like selling bigotry and in fairness ignorance.  Consider that the State Democrat Party from Georgia assumes that Officer Wilson wrongly killed Michael Brown and in truth the Grand Jury has not rendered a decision nor has the Department of Justice.  Nothing like making someone guilty before a trial. 

 

Ironically in the same week that the Brown Campaign and the State of Georgia Democrat Party sent of their flyers the daughter of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Ms. Christine Pelosi penned an Op-Ed for the Huffington Post accusing Republicans of; "There they go again: The GOP is trotting out their well-worn smear and fear tactics and swift-boating women with our gender. Enough is enough. We must reject the politics of personal destruction and choose hope over fear."  Ms. Pelosi didn't cite one example of a smear and fear tactic or of swift-boating a women (whatever that is) but she sure wrote a ton of words and clearly ignored her own party.  Pathetic. 

 

Ms. Pelosi could have mentioned the words of OH Rep Fudge (D) or the accusations of  MO State Senator Chappelle-Nadal (D).  Shoot, Ms. Pelosi could have even mentioned the threats of extortion issued by Rep. Holmes-Norton (D).  Instead she chose to ignore and allow her own party to continue selling Hate and Misdirection all the while pointing the finger at others.  Pathetic, truly pathetic. 


Fear and Hate in North Carolina

Taken in part from the Fayetteville Observer (10/20/2014):

Democrat Kay Hagan is locked in a tight race for U.S. Senate with Republican Thom Tillis. She is the incumbent senator, and he is s the speaker of the N.C. House.

Polls have shown the race leaning toward Hagan but well within range for Tillis. Because of that and because the outcome of the North Carolina contest could determine whether the GOP takes control of the Senate, more than $100 million has been or will be spent on the race, much of it to pay for attack advertising and much of it spent by groups operating independently of the campaigns.

On Sunday 10/19/14 a group called Concerned Citizens of Cumberland County placed flyers under the windshield wipers of cars at the Kingdom Impact Global Ministries on Murchison Road.  Those flyers read: 

Dawn McNair said she was surprised Sunday when her daughter pointed out the background on a political flier urging people to get out and vote.

The front of the flyer blares: "Kay Hagan doesn't win! Obama's impeachment will begin!  Vote in 2014."                                                                           
 The words are superimposed over a grainy reproduction of a photograph of what appears to be a lynching. 

Someone tucked the flier under McNair's windshield wiper while her car was parked at her church, Kingdom Impact Global Ministries on Murchison Road.

"My daughter said, 'Mom, look in the background. They're lynching somebody.' It's the lynching of an African-American man," McNair said.

At the bottom, the flier reads, "Not endorsed by any candidate. Paid for by Concerned Citizens of Cumberland County." No contact information for the group was on the flier.

I Googled "Concerned Citizens of Cumberland County" (see below) and could find no website or other information outside of the reporting of this story.  Just who are these people?  Are the a 501(c)4?  Who is on the board and what association do they have with Sen. Hagan?

I am sure the DNC and the Hagan campaign will come out very soon and reject the flyer by the CCCC, right?  Promoting bigotry and hate cannot be an accepted part of the Democrat campaign strategy, right? 

The saddest part of this, IMO, is that Fayetteville (N.C.) is the home of the United States Army 18th Airborne Corps, 82d Airborne Corps, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (better known as Delta Force), 3d Special Forces, United States Army Parachute Team (Golden Knights), United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.  In the heart of such heroic patriotism and selfless sacrifice hatred is being used to try and "win" an election.  Pathetic.