Conservative Radio Host Says It Was Absolutely “Torture”

For those who believe that I have an ax to grind with Conservatives and/or the Republican Party, please allow me to make this statement as clearly as possible. I do not have a problem with individuals who choose to be Conservatives even those who have issues with me being Liberal. I respect your embrace of conservatism, just as I appreciate those who respect my embrace of moderate liberalism (isn’t that just as oxymoranic as compassionate conservative).

It’s not those who are Conservatives that I have the issue with. It’s not even those who are true Republicans I have issue with. I believe many of the few True Republicans or should I say the Moderate Republicans do not like the extreme the GOP has gone and continues to go either. It’s not necessarily the Republican Party I have the issue with, but the extreme, exclusionist element that has hijacked the GOP is the problem. Now I do not pretend that the Democratic Party is perfect either, but I’m sure someone will accuse me of suggesting such.

Now I’ve said all that I believe I need to say in regards to the issue of torture, which includes waterboarding. I’m still amazed by those who feel the need to defend the use of torture. I’ve personally given up seeking common ground with these individuals in hopes they will some day realize their error and join the rest of us, both Liberals and Conservatives in our collective outrage on the use and endorcement of torture by the Bush/CHENEY Administration.

I give Eric “Man Cow” Muller, an extreme right-wing radio talk show host from Chicago credit for actually doing what so many who agreed with him (at least before this incident) in regarding waterboarding wouldn’t do, such as Sean Hannity. Mr. Muller didn’t believe waterboarding was torture and has repeatedly told his radio audience such among many other things for awhile. Since so many refuse to listen to the reasoning of Liberals or Moderate Conservatives, perhaps they will consider the words of one of their own.

Thank You Mr. Muller for having the courage to stand by your claims and test to see if waterboarding is torture.

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The Dream Works

DreamWorks has announced a deal this week with the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for a major motion picture about the civil rights icon.  As someone who has read his autobiography, collected as many recording that I can find for purchase and studied his words and actions I was delighted to hear about this, but concerned of the additional skewing of his legacy and place in history.

“The purpose of making a movie about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is to tell a great story which could bridge distances and bring people together. We remain committed to pursuing a film chronicling Martin Luther King’s life provided that there is unity in the family so we can make a film about unity in our nation. We believe this is what Dr. King would have wanted.” – Chip Sullivan; DreamWorks Spokesman

Personally, I carry the tremendous respect that I have for Dr., Mrs.  & Yolanda King to their children and remaining siblings. I haven’t had the privilege of meeting Rev. Bernice King or Mr. Dexter King, but I hope that Martin Luther King III & Bernice King will be able to resolve any conflict and avoid legal action in hopes of negotiating consensus regarding this opportunity.

It may not be much consolation or value, but I truly respect and appreciate the sacrifices your family and hundreds of thousands of other families made so that I can have the opportunity of true equality. Many people of multiple races still have no clue about these sacrifices, the implications and true examples of it. The lesson of love, forgiveness and reconciliation is one that I strive to promote each day. I understand the contempt we can have towards those who fail to consider these lessons, but we still must seek love, forgiveness and reconciliation.

When you’re willing to extend your hand instead of clinching your fist towards someone, you begin to move into the beloved community. Our loyalties must transcend our race, family, class, and our self interests.

The vision of a completely integrated society, a community of love and justice wherein brotherhood would be an actuality in all of social life is possible, only if we strive towards it. To be apart of such a community would be the ideal expression of what Dr. King coined as “The Beloved Community”. So often we get caught up in me and neglect considering he and she. Are your pride and/or prejudice preventing you from entering this community?

References & Inspirations

Salon – 05/20/09 “DreamWorks: King Biopic requires unity from family”

Torture: What Would Jesus Do?

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I simply can not believe the blindness of this statement on the philosophical implications of torture in terms of what Jesus would do.

Gary Bauer, a former Republican presidential candidate affiliated with several Christian right groups over the years, said the discussion should not come down to…

“Would Jesus torture? There are a lot of things Jesus wouldn’t do because he’s the son of God. I can’t imagine Jesus being a Marine or a policeman or a bank president, for that matter. The more appropriate question is what is a follower of Jesus permitted to do? I think if we believe the person we have can give us information to stop thousands of Americans from being killed, it would be morally suspect to not use harsh tactics to get that information” – GARY BAUER

Seriously, this is unreal. Attack me if you wish, but I dare you to validate this statement with the teachings of Jesus Christ without perversion. Taking just a simple look at this statement would lead one to the assumption that Jesus would be against torture. Do I need to remind you of the act of crucifixion?

There were only 12 disciples, not 24. Jack Bauer wasn’t a disciple of Jesus, so why are you conforming to his gospel?

Allow me to make this easy enough for you to understand. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ wouldn’t you do what he does? Isn’t he the example?

Listen, God is no respecter of persons, this includes his son. The belief Jesus wouldn’t or couldn’t do something because he’s the Son of God would not be an acceptable excuse according to the Bible. That would mean that God is no respecter of persons that isn’t his son. (Romans 2:11)

Why should I engage in a public debate with Pharisees and Sadducees on the issue of torture when the answer to the question is simple and clear? How does the issue of torture align with what is know as the Greatest Commandment?

Torture contradicts the instructions, examples and teachings of love your neighbor as yourself. If you choose to become a follower of Jesus Christ, do what is written. Too often we as Christians act like the priest on that road from Jerusalem to Jericho and remain silent when we should speak. Many act as the Levite did when he saw the man who was robbed and left for dead and just pass to the other side of the road. I don’t want any trouble. I just go along to get along. I know some may not understand what I’m referencing, but I’m sure followers of Jesus Christ feel me. (Mark 12:28-31)

Even for my friends who may have historically viewed the story of the Good Samaritan as a religious heretic and/or an inferior race, I hope you have not continued to adopt discrimination in this or any circumstance today.

Who among us will act like the Samaritan when it comes to the issue of torture? This is the answer to what followers of Jesus are to do. Luke 10:25-37 is the information to stop thousands of Americans from being killed. It is morally suspect to use harsh tactics to get that information, when a better law has already been written and implemented.

You see this is the problem with Christian Extremism. Why adopt such a backwards thinking? And you’re surprised and/or upset by anyone who rejects Christianity? This sort of public example of the perverted beliefs placed upon Christianity, coupled with the systematic incorporation of theological bigotry and the denominational exclusionary practices in our segregated sanctuaries by those who proclaim to be followers of Jesus Christ is the problem and one of the real and factual arguments against Christianity.

Quit perverting Jesus to fit your own antiquated beliefs. Stop using Christ as your crutch of justification for your own illusions of morality and irrational conceptions.

References & Inspirations

Military.com – 05/13/09 “Evangelicals Wrestle with Torture Issue”

The Washington Times – 05/14/09 “Torture Soul-Searching”

Google/Associated Press – 05/13/09 “Torture Debate Prompts Evangelical Soul-Searching”

The Holy Bible (New International Version)

*OK You Can Hate Me Now.

A Republican Joke

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After Sen. Specter’s defection to the Democratic Party as a result in part from the perception that the GOP has moved too far right, the GOP responds by placing a moderate as the ranking Republican with a very conservative Southern Republican who represents everything that has driven Specter and other moderate Republicans out of the party.

Sen. Pete Sessions (R-AL) is one of the most conservative senators, taking hard-line positions on issues such as immigration, civil rights, torture and affirmative action.

His nomination as a judge in 1986 ran into trouble when civil rights groups complained that he had pursued politically motivated voter-fraud charges against black leaders as a U.S. attorney in south Alabama. Others came forward to say he had made racially insensitive comments, including calling groups like the NAACP “un-American” and agreeing with someone else’s statement that a white civil rights lawyer was “a disgrace to his race.”

That leads me to begin to understand why he thought this joke was funny.

“I didn’t think the Klu Klux Klan was all that bad, until you learned that some of them smoke marijuana.” – 1986 Judicial Nominee Pete Sessions

Hold on, before you respond just wait it gets better…

In 1986 Joe Biden was a senator from Delaware that was on the Senate Judicial Committee. This is how he immediately responded to Pete Sessions, “Do you not think it was insensitive to say that in front of a Black man, after a Black man had just been brutally beaten and hung?”

So your boy Pete Session responded the way any good ole boy would respond, culturally insensitively, “Senator, my impression of the situation was that it was so ludicrous that anybody would think that I was supporting the Klan that he would not be offended by it.”

“Whatever Mr. Session’s view of the Klan may be today, the remark he made was not made in a joking manner.” – Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Figures (One of the lawyers in Session’s office at the time of the statement)

Seriously, you really think that was funny.

Republicans, is this who you really want to have represent you on matters of justice and civil rights in the senate?

Oh yes, I want to be Republican now. You have a Black man as a chairman, that’s all I need. Why should I consider reason, equality or fairness in judicial matters? The hell with justice, the hell with civil rights, the hell with cultural awareness, just show me a Black person and I’m all for it.

<Insert any number of derogatory adjectives of choice here> PLEASE! You’ve got to be kidding me.

So I ask the question again to Republicans, especially those who have align themselves with the politics of Pete Sessions. Why are you silent? If you want to suggest that you don’t see color how can you sit in silence when one of your own makes such a ridiculously outrageous statement? Unless you agree with it. I would love to hear your response to the question anything else will be deleted. You can not accuse me of being bias on this sort of issue, because I have called out Democrats who have resorted to the same tactics, regardless of their race.

Each time I’ve called on Republicans to speak up on this issue all I get is silence, but let me start talking about taxes or abortion and I can’t shut you up. Well speak up now. The party seems to not be able to validate itself without an enemy or something to protest or be upset about. Well this should upset you, but this is not just about some 23 year old joke, but the works and attitudes of the person who uttered those words since that time.

He’s record of insensitivity and intolerance is too long for me to comment on each instance, but I ask you to check for yourself by going to SourceWatch (a non-partisan project of the Center for Media & Democracy) to learn about Mr. Session. If you’re a Republican this is who your ‘leaders’ selected to represent the Republican Party and what it values in terms of judicial matters in the senate. (CLICK HERE TO VISIT SITE)

I challenge you to come up with a defense for some of his actions. I’m sure some will tip toe away from addressing his position on civil rights and immigration, but I can’t see how you can remain silent over his arresting opposition on torture.

References & Inspirations

Boston Herald – 05/05/09 “GOP’s Sen. Jeff Sessions leads court nomination fight”

SourceWatch – “Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)”

Politico – 05/04/09 “Sessions to Replace Specter on Judicial Committee“

The Inconvenient Truth

<Insert One Big Gigantic Boisterous Exhale Here>

Warning
This one may be too harsh for some to tolerate, but I’m not holding any punches on this one. So if you have a soft spot for injustice, fraud, lies, liars and crime, then this is not the post for you.

Now this is my warning, so don’t get mad at me for use of strong language. Don’t get upset with me if you find yourself within one of the groups I’m speaking about. I clearly understand that not all who may have identified themselves with the acceptable ideology of the culprits that I will soon mention are guilty.

I will not do what many that accuse the individuals on my side of doing. You’re not guilty by your association, but you are guilty if you continue to associate with the knowledge of a deed that has been proven was supported, acknowledge and approved of by the people you soon will know by name.

The Inconvenient Truth
The Inconvenient Truth – Now I’m not referring to Former Vice-President Al Gore’s Book & Movie, “Inconvenient Truth”, but on this Earth Day 2009 it seems like that’s what’s happening to the Bush/Cheney Legacy and those who supported them.

Inconvenient truths are being revealed in terms of some previously classified documents regarding the acknowledgment and approval of torture from top Bush/Cheney officials. The finger of truth that was water-boarded, repeatedly slapped, beaten and locked away, detained or should I say classified to never see the light of day again. But it seems the beaten and battered hand of truth is pointing in the direction of the two whose name in which the administration was named after.

How inconvenient is the truth for some and satisfying or vindicating it is for others. The truth always prevails regardless of how effective its opposition justifies or argues their actions.

To the purveyors of war whose only zeal of life seems to seek confusion of the facts, distort public perception and offer alternative reasoning, what many refer to as lying I say to you to not seek to polarize this into a political issue. You already achieve that when you were in power and decided to coop the Justice Department for your own purposed like you did FOX News. Now is your opportunity to get your story straight and tell the truth. Whether you want to admit it or not, judgment day is approaching and we will wait to see if you will accept the ideology of responsibility and accountability for your actions or continue to be defiant. Do the honorable thing and stop pulling the Republican Party fully into the political abyss. The stress and truth continues to mount.

How can ANYONE who proclaims to uphold the values of the Republican Party remain silent? Is torture and lying about it the value you really want to uphold? And you wonder why you’re having troubles recruiting a diverse group of Americans to the party.

Waterboarding
On the issue of whether waterboarding is torture or not. I can’t believe the audacity of some FOX News hosts assertions that water boarding isn’t torture. Glenn Beck leading his three blind sheep to follow his belief that waterboarding isn’t torture. Sean Hannity said he’s willing to be waterboarded to prove that it isn’t torture. Well I say let’s find out by allowing me to water board you. I will do it for at no charge, but I need you to sign this waiver of immunity in the case ‘something tragic was to happen to you and you actually died’. I’m willing to add Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly add no cost.

The former Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Court of International Trade, Hon. Evan Wallach is quoted in the Washington Post as saying, “The media usually characterize the practice as ‘simulated drowning’. That’s incorrect. To be effective, waterboarding is usually real drowning that simulates death.”

I know how FOX and their followers so love the military, but will not offer their own sons and daughters would believe top ranked officers in the military.

Major General Scott Black; U.S. Army Judge Advocate General, Major General Jack Rives; U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General, Rear Admiral Bruce MacDonald; U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General and Brigadier General Kevin Sandkuhler and John Fugh Marine staff Judge Advocate said that, “The use of a wet towel and dripping water to induce the misperception of drowning is unanimously and unambiguously agreed that such conduct is inhumane and illegal and would constitute a violation of international law, to include Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.” Whew.

The argument of it’s just a difference in politics is ridiculous. You’re either for torture or against it. So to borrow and remix a line from George W. Bush, in regards to torture if you’re not with us then you’re against us. Obviously judging by the recent and upcoming developments many in the Bush Administration was against us.

Listen, if you want to accept the absurd and paranoid argument offered by Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and those who continue to fall in line, then you will need to come up with a justifiable case for torture. Essentially, that’s what the Bush Administration has tried to do and you see where this is leading them.

How do you reconcile your conscience knowing the truth? Do you continue to deny the truth? Do you find another area or person to place blame? No you hold yourself accountable and admit what is true, if you’re an honorable person.

How inconvenient it is to embrace truth? Obviously very inconvenient for some.

One Question
After all of this proof that smacks you in your face I am left with one question. One question for those who boldly supported the Bush Administration; one question for all of those who bought into the oxymoronic empty campaign motto compassionate conservative propaganda back in 2000; one question for the single-issue voters who demonstrate more concern for the unborn than the living. Listen I support pro-life, but in ever instance. You can’t be pro-life for one and pro-death for another, that’s essential makes you pro-choice, because you’re picking and choosing who you want to live.

I have one question for those concerned about higher taxes, but had NOTHING to say about their taxes going up under George Walker Bush. Can you be honest enough to admit you’re your aversion to President Obama has nothing to do with taxes or even policy? I bet the policy you protest in public doesn’t match up to the ones you profess in private. These are the same people who openly embrace the propaganda of fear. One question for the Christian Right who allowed themselves to be pimped by Karl Rove, George Bush and the GOP to be its Main Girl for political gain. Well it’s the morning after how do you feel now?

The fear of defeat should not control your ability to reason and to embrace truth. Where’s the accountability? If you are going to hold President Obama to a higher standard, why didn’t you apply that same standard to the guy you supported for eight years? What’s the difference?

The hypocrisy of those who refuse to accept reality will be forced to acknowledge the inconvenient truth it presents. What do you have to say for yourself?

How do you justify it not being torture when a person was waterboarded  over 180 times in a single month? The United States doesn’t endorse torture, but the Bush Administration obviously sponsored it.

References & Inspirations

U.S. Senate Armed Service Committee – 04/22/09 “Senate Armed Services Committee Inquiry Into The Treatment of Detainees in U.S. Custody”

NY Hospital-Cornell Medical Center – 09/1957 “The Methods of Interrogation and Indoctrination Used By The Communist State Police”

U.S. Senate Select Intelligence Committee – 09/25/07 “Interrogation Policy & Executive Order 13440”

CNN – 09/21/01 “Transcript of President Bush’s Address”

American Civil Liberties Union – 04/16/09 “Bush Administration Torture Memos: Bradbury & Bybee Memo”

Frm. Brig. General Janis Karpinski “One Woman’s Army”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – 04/04/67 “Why I Oppose the War In Vietnam”

War Made Easy – The Movie “Transcript: How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us To Death”

Jon Stewart Show – 04/21/09 “Jon Stewart Takes on Torture’s Supporters”

The Pro-Truth Agenda

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How hypocritical is it for SOME Catholics to oppose or protest the invitation of President Obama at Notre Dame’s commencement, because of a single issue. Where was the same passion when young boys were being preyed upon by Catholic Priest and Bishops?

It’s perfectly acceptable to passionately express ones disapproval of a president or any politician’s position of a single-issue, but how can you reconcile the expression on one issue and not another that should go against ones religious beliefs? It makes your argument suspect or bordering on disingenuous.

The Catholic Church is not along in their hypocrisy, because many within other Christian churches fracture themselves with boisterous support against many issues made to be controversial that should be fairly easy to embrace or resolve. Many churches are divided along racial, political ideological and even economic class lines in some instances. Forever blaming the Devil with the devil’s work is performed by them.

Those who may only half read this and instantly assume that I am attacking the Christian Church, Christians or just Catholics, I ask you to read again. Then consider what I’m saying and challenge yourself. Exercise your faith and question what you believe with honesty. I am not coming against the Church or Christians, but challenging you to consider the true character of Christ instead of relying on self-righteous indignations and provocations usually motivated by malicious motives.

You may disagree with President Obama for his position on abortion, but does that mean he has no value or lack beneficial insight? Where was your opposition to war promoted by President Bush?

More importantly, where is the “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” I believe you can find Matthew 7:3-5 in the Catholic and Protestant Holy Bibles.

You may get mad, verbally assault or damn me if you wish, but I challenge you to answer the underlying question presented here. Concern yourself not on whether a person is Pro-Life or Pro-Choice, but on if they are Pro-Truth, Pro-Reconciliation, Pro-Mercy or Pro-Love. Quit all of this non-sense and think. Whether a person had an abortion or not, whether you are Pro-Life or Pro-Choice does not matter if you proclaim to be a Christian. God Damning anyone who doesn’t believe what you believe or who makes a decision to have an abortion is not a fair or even loving representation of the examples of Christ.

Pro-Choice does not mean Pro-Abortion and those who continue to promote the misconception that it is should bear the same measure of contempt as they do for those who perform abortions. Don’t masquerade dissension of a political figure or position in the garment of religion, thus you allow yourself to confuse God and the Government. (Hmm, that sounds familiar) Look for what’s true in a person or a position instead of always seeing what’s wrong with them or their position.

I’m going to stop here, but I’m sure this conversation will continue.

References & Inspiration

The Holy Bible (NIV) – Matthew 7:3-5

NPR: Tell Me More – 05/01/09 “Presidential Address Sparks Anger”

Catholic Online – 05/01/09 “Montana Bishop Joins Outcry against Notre Dame”

Google Search – “President Obama & Norte Dame”

Cheney: Using Lies as Alibis

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Just the beginning of the GOP Cat being let out of the bag, by Dick Cheney. Keep Talking Dick, help the prosecution build its case for sending you and others to jail.

So Mr. Cheney, you want give us your poker move and try to make people believe that there’s some unreleased memo that will vindicate your knowledge and approval for torture. Well why not declassify the ENTIRE memo instead of bits and pieces. Why torture us, let us see it all.

According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment adopted into force on June 26, 1987 that the U.S. Government is legally obligated by the U.N. to investigate allegations of torture and prosecuting those who order, authorize or carry out torture. (Source)

So all the flack I received year after year of “Not Supporting the Troops” and being “Unpatriotic” from Republicans, I am waiting to hear what you have to say about this. You can’t say I’m not open-minded enough to listen and consider your positions, unlike many are to mine.

One of the many things that I find absurd is the repeated warnings and documented advice you had from well respected and highly knowledgeable individuals and organizations on the use of torture and you ignored it. Who’s not supporting the troops now? Who’s unpatriotic now?

“Serious concerns regarding the legality with some of these techniques could be construed as TORTURE, as that crime is defined by 18 U.S.C. 2340.” – U.S. Air Force Memo to Joint Staff, 11/01/02 (Source)

“The significant legal, policy and practical concerns of Category III Techniques violate the President’s Order on Human Treatment and various U.S. Code and Military Justice articles.” – U.S. Army Memo to Joint Staff (Source)

“Several of the Category II and III Techniques arguably violate federal law and would expose our service members to possible prosecution.” - U.S Marine Corp. Memo to Joint Staff, 11/04/02 (Source)

Hold up there’s this from the U.S. Army CITF Chief Legal Advisor Major Sam McMahon’s Memo to CITF Commander. On the recommendation of torture it may subject service members to punitive articles of the United States Code for Military Justice CITF Personnel who are aware of the use or abuse of certain techniques may be exposed to liability under the UCMJ for failing to intercede or report incidents.”

So what’s next?

How do you reconcile the growing evidence of torture? Will you continue to deny, deny, deny and stand with them on this sinking Bush/Cheney tugboat of lies? Will you take the Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck approach and say to the world, “Are you going to believe me or your lying eyes?”

Listen, I’ve made it easy for those who still refuse to acknowledge the truth. Many of you have seen the pictures from GITMO and other places. Now I ask you to simply read Article 3 of the Geneva Convention’s treatment of Prisoners of War and tell me if you can still take the Republican position on torture.

Mr. Cheney, if this is your attempt to position yourself for an “I Told You So” in the case of another attack on the U.S. then I will leave my contempt for you and your position silent out of respect for those who may read this and allow others to offer theirs. If this is true, then my silence would only amount to a whisper to the deafening silence of the supporters and apologist for the position taken by Dick Cheney.

References & Inspirations

Amnesty International USA – “War on Terror”

International Humanitarian Law – “Article 3: Treatment of P.O.W. Geneva, August 12, 1949”

U.S. Senator Levin – “The Origins of Aggressive Interrogation Techniques Report”

U.S. Senate – “Senate Detainee Report”

Learn To Love (Part 5)

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***IN CONCLUSION TO THE LEARN TO LOVE***

If I am to always to seek love, truth, consensus I must accept that the fact that I may never completely achieve it. The position I strive to gain is one that seeks the truth, bare witness to the facts and work towards reconciliation. The goal is to never tear down, derogate or enable anyone.

How are we supposed to learn to love in the deepest sense?

Justice, truth, fairness & equality have been discredited by our need to be seen as good, righteous, value oriented and popular, even when our actions are examined they prove otherwise.

When you love you have difficulties remaining silent when people are treated unfairly. It bothers you when you to witness injustice carried out against innocents. You’re convicted to rightly protest against inequality when you honestly learn to love. Love isn’t accepting any whim or doctrine marketed towards you for temporary social and/or political expediency. Regardless how you’ve experienced it, love is eternal or long lasting.

We all are entangled in the continuous struggle against the good that we want to do and the bad that we’re lead to do. The will to speak the truth against what’s popular or accepted and/or even when it isn’t popular is how we win this battle. I’m still learning to love those who silently discount, ignore or simply dislike me. I may not like what they do or what they’re promoting, but I honestly try to love them.

Recently I wrote a post called, “Let the MF Burn”. I wrote it, because I was fed up with a group of people who has accepted an ideology that goes against what the original ideology of their party. As someone who doesn’t agree with what the party has become year after year since at least the late 1950’s; I believe that the party has found itself lost in an ideological and dangerous philosophical wilderness.

I know there are some who desperately seek something to mask their true outrage, but let’s be honest about what we’re really upset about.

I say this because the same party I affiliate myself with has wondered in the same wilderness as the ones accused find themselves in today. I am weary that some of them of my own party who are wondering on the outskirts of this wilderness. The extreme disenchantment with what these groups of people are essentially accepting and some unintentionally promoting is not a product of love, loyalty or even patriotism, but the opposite.

Have we not come to such an impasse in society that we have accepted the “my way or else” mentality, or shall we be plunged into the abyss of annihilation for those who disagree with us? I can think of few things that are more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

When the signs of hate are disguised and marketed as a patriotic protest against the reversal of what they are actually upset about, you must look at the motivation of the protest. Xenophobia, intolerance and discernment are not bound to one group. But when groups are moved to the fringes of love it turns into hate.

SIDE NOTE:

When you immerse yourself into a flag of one belief you forget that same flag is subornate to more than one belief.

When you’re holding a sign of hatred, what are you baring witness too? If you proclaim to be a Christian and we’re a Christian nation, stand behind Christ. To stand behind Christ is to stand in love, tolerance and acceptance.

Flags have been used to represent the perpetrators of some notorious deeds. So wrapping yourself in the garments of patriotism as a shield from criticism or to legitimize what you’re doing is not wise. Leave the flag alone and allow it to represent what it is suppose to represent.

You protest because you feel that your voice is unheard, but to have a protest mean something requires you listening to what the one you accuse is actually saying or have said to you.

Those who are impatient and seek change must remember that change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. Disagree or embrace it, but change will never happen if we do not work together. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent, so quit bending over towards any ole whim of doctrine. Get up off your knees and stand up for truth.

We learn by accepting one another. We learn by seeking truth and justice for each other, in return you receive the same for yourself. We learn to respectfully disagree without becoming disagreeable. We learn by always seeking to understand each others position, and when that position doesn’t line up with truth or reality we teach what they need to learn. We learn by serving one another the truth with love and respect regardless of how radical it may appear.

Some say we should worry about the right-wing extremist, others say we have to worry about the left-wing extremist. I believe the question is not which extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be? “The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.”

I’ve often repeated a quote of a man whom I continue to learn from and have tremendous respect for his examples, lessons and sacrifice. So in conclusion I return to the question, how do we learn to love? I believe we must understand that we are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. I can not be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. Once an individual realize that they can rise above the narrow confines of their own individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity, then we have began to learn to love.

References & Inspirations

The Washington Post – 02/13/05 “When Sexuality Undercuts a Family’s Ties”

Christian Answers – Kevin James Bywater “Is Interracial Marriage Biblical?”

NPR: Tell Me More – 04/20/09 “Tax Protests About More than Money”

Comfortable With Yourself

If you can not view this video, please click here.

After listening to what the late Dr. John Hope Franklin had to say about the importance of history and his responses to the questions the interviewer asked him I can honestly say that I completely understand or can relate through my own experiences with what he’s saying. You must be comfortable with yourself first if you’re going to be comfortable with others and have them comfortable with you.

When you look at people as being different you tend to overlook your similarities. Stop looking at people as if they are different than you and begin to see them as you see yourself. I believe it’s then when you realize that what you was taught or was lead to believe was not 100% accurate.

This is a basic message I strive to deliver to people I meet and/or read this blog weekly, if not daily. Those who has criticized me for being too liberal, sympathetic or passive on various issues that tend to raise passion in some and indignation in others often are not truely comfortable with themselves and/or discussing the issue openly and honestly. Hot button topics and issues such as abortion, religion, politics, economics, sexuality, race and relationships seem to upset some, but I ask you again to be honest with yourself in the analysis of your criticisms.

What about the topic touches you so close that it causes you not to see your similarities with what or who you disapprove, but the differences?

Let Go The Ego

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Let Go The Ego — I bring this up because a lady asked me this morning, “Why I’m a Democrat?” Now I’m being nice just having a friendly conversation with her about the weekend. I had a magazine in my hand that had President Obama on the cover and I guess working in a very conservative area of town this lady had to ask me a stupid question about politics. Of course she was a Republican, but I give her credit for breaking conservative protocol and having an open-minded conversation with such an evil liberal like myself. That was brave of her.

Now I’m being a little silly, but it helps me from doing what I see many people who does not socialize themselves doing. Assuming the worse or becoming oblivious to life around them.

This subject is something that I’ve come to a clear revelation on and have tried to hold back and it keeps coming back up. It’s not something I want to discuss all the time, but the question this lady brought up really bothered me, because I assume she would have known better. She appeared to be more aware of the diversity around her, but I guess I was wrong.

Since I didn’t have much time to go into it at the time she asked me, because I needed to get to work. But I invited her to visit this blog and I will try to provide a response. I didn’t think it would flow out of me this quickly, but here it is. I hope this does not offend you, but the cluelessness of the question is not just tied to you, but to an ideology.

The brief response I gave her wasn’t adequate and sincerely hope she reads this in full. I invite and challenge others to let go of their egos and consider others.

First I want you to understand that this is not just confined to just Republicans or Conservatives, although I’ve primarily received it from Republicans and Conservatives. This is spills into all walks of life, Democrats as well as Republicans, Christians as well as Jews, Muslims and others, Black, Latino, Asian, Native American and White. I titled this “Why I’m Not a Republican” to give it a title, but it’s not limited to just Republicans.

Now I’ve written about several of the topics regarding politics and have had many responses from people who identify themselves as either a Republican or Conservative. I appreciate the few fair-minded Republicans and Conservatives who take the time to consider what I’m saying even if they disagree or miss the point. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will one person breakthrough the walls built up in opposition to alternative opinions in a day or single post either.

I’m not suggesting that Democrats or Liberals have all the answers either, but there’s a reason why I value Democratic and Liberal opinions over Republican and Conservative opinions. I choose to be a Democrat because of my life experiences. You may choose to be a Republican because of your life experiences, but the question was directed to me. The lack of many Republicans and/or Conservatives willingness to honestly address the many questions I’ve posed to them continues to strengthen my association with Democratic principles, but it’s not limited to them.

Last year during the election season I wrote several articles that asked Republicans and/or Conservatives a simple question and not a single person who identified themselves as a Republican or Conservative would answer the question, but was willing to bring up the single-issues of abortion, taxes and morality. The question was around what they thought about the clear and overt racism that was going on in the McCain/Palin Campaign. I repeatedly ask the question only to be called Nigger, Pompous, Uppity, Boy and many other names. It’s still there, reference posts between mid-August to late October 2008.

I know some will say well the Obama Campaign said this or that about McCain/Palin. Prove it. Night after night all we saw was lily white rallies that grew more and more intolerant of change. The discord within the GOP today on anything President Obama does is a continuation of that. You don’t like anything he does or has to say regardless of the facts. He’s not the blame for your discontent, nor is the Democrats.

When I address the hypocrisy of many Republicans, Conservative Christians and Democrats towards their treatment of our fellow citizens who are Gay or Lesbian all I received was hate. I continuously addressed it and the Republican or Conservative response was silence.

When confronting the issues of abortion, I thought I had a fair assessment on both sides of the coin and all I received was hate and complete closed mindedness. I took it down and wrote Ideological Moratorium a few days afterwards as a response to the hate.

I seek to have an honest discussion about race and was very fair towards Michael Steele’s chairmanship. I even defended him on more than one occasion, but what was he greeted with by his own party, hate. Look back at the post from early February to see for yourself.

I write about Religion and don’t even inject political ideology, but what response do I receive. Politics as usual. What I’ve written about religion, race and inclusion can be applied to political ideology and I have applied it. Many times I am greeted with the same partisan arguments that are bankrupt of any resolution.

Why repeat what hasn’t worked expecting a different outcome? Unbind yourself. This goes for Democrats too. Think! Think about what you are doing. Not in terms of how it may benefit you or your agenda, but how does it benefit others. Here I go back to this same question posed by Jesus and more recently by Dr. Martin King. What are you doing for others?

Stop with the nonsense of I’m a Christian if you are unwilling to act like Christ. Stop living in vain. IF you make it into Heaven there’s going to be people who were Democrats there. There will be people who may have had an abortion there. I’m sure you’ll find some of the same people you call illegal immigrants chillin’ with Christ there too. There’s going to be tax collectors up there, I believe Jesus hung out with one if my interpretation of the Bible serves me correctly. And while I’m at it, there’s going to be someone who was Gay or Lesbian up there too. Yeah GET MAD AT ME.  Who are you to judge?

You see that’s the point right there, who are you to judge. I believe that’s Matthew 7:1. How is the evil that you’re doing any better than the evil you accuse other of?

The point is that YOU’RE NOT GOD, so stop acting as if you are God judging everyone. Republicans as well as Democrats will go to Hell. America is not the center of the world and Conservatives isn’t the core of American values, nor is Liberalism.

You don’t know the life experiences people go through. Just because your parents, grandparents or uncle is or was a Klansman doesn’t mean you as a White woman can’t love a Black man. Just because a White man called you a Nigger and did everything within his power to hold you back doesn’t mean you can embrace that White man with sincere love. The Mexican man who is willing to work to support his family here and back home in Mexico day in and day out and endure discrimination from Blacks & Whites isn’t a criminal. Respect him or her. Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean that the Muslim is bad, embrace him or her has your friend and stop making them your enemy. Again, if you proclaim to be a Christian why do you hate your neighbor?

So what she had an abortion, treating her as if she was trash doesn’t help her feel any better about herself. Ask her what lead her to have an abortion and then LOVE HER for who she is, not what you want her to be. Terrorizing the doctor who performs the procedure is no better than remaining silent as the jury convicts the young Black kid to life in prison. If you’re pro-life why are many pro-death penalties? There’s a place for it and not everyone is rehabilitatable, but look at what you’re doing.

I am not a Republican, because I don’t trust the ideology. That’s not to say I believe all Republicans are bad as many of them accuse me of. All Democrats are not as evil as you believe they are. I’m just like you.

Last thing. Lay off President Obama. You may not understand or even care what he represents, but just like you told me back in 2000, GET OVER IT. He’s the President. What President Obama represents is not just a more united state of America, but the dream of America. That even the oppressed is worthy and can rise from the narrow confines that many place them in. The oppressed have managed to place themselves into this mind frame.

You and I are not as bad as some think or say we are. Never allow anyone regardless of who they claim or think they are telling you any different.

Everyone will not like what I have to say and for the first time I really don’t care if you like it or not. I say this because someone has to. I’ve come to a point in my life that it’s not about making you appear wrong for me to appear right. I’m tired of the crap we feed each other about one another. You may choose to believe or perpectuate the lie, but I’m choosing to approach it truthfully. Not trying to score any points or to make friends. You don’t have to believe what I believe for me to be friends with you. Talk ill against me if that makes you feel better. I just want us to do better. If we’re ever going to succeed at life we got to put down our egos and humble ourselves. Consider and accept others as you want them to accept you.

Hate is much harder to maintain than love. Simplify your life by embracing it openly and honestly in everything you do. We all mess up, but don’t give up.

I apologize for this running long. I’m talking about golf tomorrow. Lighter subject.

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Rush Limbaugh Discusses Race Relations

I wish this was a joke, well in a way it is a joke. But Rush Limbaugh is actually trying to talk about Race Relations as if he’s some authority. Well I guess he is in a way, but as the antagonist. So I guess if you do the opposite of what he’s saying you’re alright.

WHAT! You’ve got to be kidding me. You can’t be serious Rush. This is what you and your drones honestly believe?

OK, let me stop laughing for a minute here and get serious. It’s not really worth my time to crush you point by point on this one, but if you really want to go there and have a honest debate on Race Relations, the Civil Rights Movement which you say had no purpose and have me explain what you essentially are doing I’m more than willing to have that discussion.

Although I believe I would have a more sensible debate on race with Oscar the Grouch. Dude, you absolutely do not know what you’re talking about. This wouldn’t even be a fair debate, because you don’t know history. All you know is the fantasy that someone has spoon feed to you. In case you didn’t receive the memo I’ll summarize it for you, “We’re not afraid of you and your lies.”

The reign of psychological terrorism and scare tactics defended by the propagandist of fear is over. The way you counter illogical, irrational and unsubstantiated assumptions of the morally deficient, socially insecure and emotionally unstable individuals such as Rush Limbaugh is simply speak truth to their perceived power. Use their ignorance as a footstool to promote what is the truth regardless of how bitter it may be.

There’s no need to be fearful of individuals who support the crap that spews from mouth of people like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck and others, they’re scared and when fairly challenged they can not support their claims.

Rush I would love to debate you on the issue of race. That would be fun. You can gather whomever you please to assist you. I’m not an expert, but understand that I would not hold back and will boldly pull the white sheet that you place your soul behind.

Now I know I’m not suppose to laugh or make fun of the mentally challenged, so you have to excuse me and make an exception this one time.

Making This Old World, A New World

RE: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

There’s not really much that I can really say to add. Forty-One (41) years in Memphis, Tennessee the world lost a truly unappreciated man until after this day. Many people of all variations still fail to honestly realize the level of significance of his life. Some only know him by one speech, others sum his life into a phrase; I Have A Dream. Some mistakenly worship him; some continue to hijack the meaning of his words to fit a political or ideological agenda if examined would contradict the mission of the movement.

I am far from a scholar on Dr. King, but I do consider myself a student of his philosophy. I’ve tried to embed it into many areas of my life in hopes to gain better comprehension of the things of this world and people.

I’ve tried to collect as many recordings and videos as I possibly can find in addition to reading as much as I can. When I last visited the Lorraine Hotel, now the National Civil Rights Museum it was during the time I was reading his autobiography. Knowing the outcome I wanted to visit as many of the sites that I could since I was fortunate enough to live within a reasonable driving distance of many of these historic landmarks of the civil rights movement.

Once I taken the tour and arrived at the end of it, the book became real to me and the purpose of his life clearer to me. I understand that many people have their opinions and assumptions about Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement and I respect that. I ask that you consider taking time to learn more about this man than what you may have heard from a sound-bite or read on this blog. It doesn’t matter your race, religion, beliefs or political affiliations, there’s something there for you to learn.

The job of uniting the state of America was not begun by Dr. King, nor did it end with him. It’s not the sole responsibility of President Barack Obama or of any one group, whether political, religious, academic, business or cultural. It’s a responsibility of us all. Dr. King like so many others were a reminder and enforcer of that. If we are to make of this old world a new world we must start with ourselves. What are you doing for others?

*I encourage you to take a look at the unseen pictures recently published of the images after the assassination. Forty-one years later I still find myself shaking my head as I see the man clean up the blood hours later. (http://www.life.com/image/85755039/in-gallery/24651)*

A Confederate Contradiction

As many people throughout the United States and the world are still coming to grips and realizing that all Black men are not out to get them (however you choose to read that is correct) and what was once thought to be a fact of life and insurmountable for one to consider has been proven wrong by the presidency of Barack Obama.

Today Blacks are forced to embrace this reality as well as Whites and all other races and cultures. I am not as bad as some say that I am and not as good as I believe I am is what many men & women privately confess to themselves. The contradictions are being revealed and the realities are difficult to honestly dispute.

Now it’s rare that I talk about many regional controversial issues like the one that surrounds the Confederate Flag. This is especially true being from the American South where you can easily find this flag. I just want to offer my thoughts, ideas and suggestions about another reality that is controversial for many, the Confederate Flag.

I understand that there are certain groups of people who will find this to be a sensitive subject. Without any assumptions I ask everyone to approach the subject without any preconceived bias, connection or allegiances. To honestly address certain issues with a controversial history with sincerity you must approach it with an open mind.

To reiterate a previous statement I must repeat it to make myself clear. I’m not suggesting that I have the answer to the dispute. I only offer an alternate point-of-view with hopes that it may lead to a consensus regarding the controversy and contradictions of the Confederate flag.

What moved me to bring up the subject of the Confederate flag?

In a previous post titled “The Tale of Forrest Park” I discuss a park in Memphis, Tennessee called Forrest Park that was approved to be placed on the National Historic Sites registry. The Forrest Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans submitted the nomination to the National Park Service in what I like to call a Blagojevich move. I actually admire the move, because it’s legal and shrewd at the same time. Regardless of how some like or dislike the move it was perfectly legal.

The history of the Confederate flag is one that claims heritage and hatred, but to the surprise of both parties I have a different position for each side to consider when thinking about this symbol of history.

For those who may not know this history may be wondering how Nathan Forrest and the Confederate Flag relates?

Well the short answer is that Nathan Bedford Forrest was a general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. You often find the reverence towards this flag given by those who revere Nathan Forrest. It’s hard to separate Nathan Forrest from the Confederate Flag and Nathan Forrest from the KKK and the Klan to the Confederate Flag and the Flag to the Civil War. If you want to go into detail about what all the Civil War was about you may find more resources and reasons for these relationships.

In Nashville there’s a roadside memorial to Nathan Forrest on a horse surrounded by Confederate Flags on I-24 between the Old Hickory Blvd exit of Brentwood and Harding Place in Nashville. At some point each week I pass this ‘exhibit or tribute’ if I decide to take that route home.

Now when this memorial was unveiled years ago it was offensive to me and many others of all races and backgrounds. It represented a symbol of hate, domestic terrorism and discrimination, but when I came into contact with some people who proudly displayed the flag and looked at it as a symbol of their heritage I was confused. How could this flag be a source of high regard with such a sorted history? Back when the terror level was raised to White for the white sheets and members of Homeland Security worn them this flag was often used in their operations or should I say misused. This is the confederate contradiction.

It’s about heritage not hate some claim and that may have been the intended purpose, but it’s hard to dispute the misintended use of this flag as the symbol of choice for those who perpetrated acts of domestic violence years ago and those unreported cases of today.

But today something has changed within me when I see this flag. It does not bother me anymore. It just makes me smile and sometimes chuckle to myself. I smile not out of any respect or disrespect towards the Confederate Flag, but the contradiction and symbolism.

I like how the cartoonist Walt Handelsman illustrated this ongoing confederate controversy or contradiction.

Now I’m not saying that I have the answer to the dispute, but an alternate point-of-view that may lead to a consensus regarding the Confederate flag.

I smile because I know that we  all have overcome. Not just Black people, but White, Latino, Asian and Native Americans have overcome. Yes there’s still a racial divide, but no longer does a man on a horse, a coward covering his face with a white sheet or even a flag with a meaning attached of pride and southern heritage or a meaning of hate and fear can divide us.

These things can’t bother me anymore because it doesn’t govern me and is proven to be wrong regardless how you slice it.

Although I understand and can relate to the hatred that some may have towards the confederate flag I choose not to go that route, because the flag has two meanings applied to it. One of hate and one of heritage. Regardless of how I look at it the flag is what it is, a symbol. The symbol itself is not evil or bad, but the meaning applied to that symbol and how it’s interrupted is the issue.

It’s a symbol of regional pride and heritage for some whose family members fought, sacrificed and died in the Civil War. It’s a symbol of hate and fear for some whose family members died at the hands of those who upheld the flag in reverence. Now we can go into detail of the root of the matter of why the North & South were fighting and how that relates to the other meaning of the symbol, but that gets I save the American history lesson for another day.

The point is that this is not a battle for Non-White people to be fighting, because Non-Whites did not hijack the meaning of the Confederate Flag. This is a fight for within the Southern White community and those who reverence the Confederate Flag. The debate is with those who value it to properly reconcile its meaning with those who continue to misused and misrepresented its meaning. The damage is done, now is the time to stop fighting about and over it and reconcile our difference and participate in the union of uniting the state of America.

References & Inspirations

NPR: Weekend Edition Saturday – 02/12/00 “Confederate Flag”

What Can Brown Do For You?

This is the new catchy slogan that’s currently being advertised by shipping giant UPS. I want to use the slogan as a political diversity campaign, but I’ll save that one for another day if someone doesn’t still it first. I’m sure the UPS lawyers may ensure that does not happen, even from me.

What brown has done for Bill O’Reilly is dropped its advertising on his show, “The O’Reilly Factor”. In an email statement to Think Progress UPS said, “Thank you for sending an email expressing concern about UPS advertising during the Bill O’Reilly Show on FOX News. We do consider such comments as we review ad placement decisions which involve a variety of news, entertainment and sports programming. At this time, we have no plans to continue advertising during this show.”

Although I understand ThinkProgress email campaign in protest to the sponsors I agree with what the Ford spokesman suggest when speaking for him. Although this is a legal method it opens the door of criticism to come in towards you too. To best get rid of the O’Reilly Factor is to make it not a factor by changing the channel. There will always be someone who will want to watch and listen to what Bill O’Reilly has to say.

References & Inspirations

ThinkProgress – “Stop Supporting the O’Reilly Harassment Machine”

ThinkProgress – 03/27/09 “Corporate Responses to O’Reilly Campaign”

The Tale of Forrest Park

The National Park Service has placed Forrest Park in Memphis on the National Register of Historic Places.

Now many may be thinking, “OK, I guess that’s good.” Well allow me to explain why some people are upset with this.

Nathan Bedford Forrest, the man Forrest Park was named in honor of was a Confederate General, which is fine. The problem for many is that Mr. Forrest was also the founder of Ku Klux Klan in addition to a slave trader.

The designation, approved by the city of Memphis officials will likely ‘stir some feelings’ and  damper efforts to rename the park, where Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife are buried, according to The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, TN.

The eight-acre park, established in the 1900s, has long been a point of racial controversy, with local officials and other groups periodically rallying to rename the park and remove the statue of Forrest, a revered Civil War cavalry leader who also was a slave trader and a leader of the Ku Klux Klan.

Some choose to only revere Mr. Forrest for his role in the Confederate Army and either dismiss or ignore the whole Ku Klux Klan & Slave trader thing. Others choose to only despise Mr. Forrest for his role in founding the Ku Klux Klan and ignore the whole General in the Confederate Army thing. I understand the reverence and despise of this historic figure, but I think both sides should be honest with themselves about this whole thing.

I can understand the need some may feel to learn about their history, but just like I embrace the achievements of my own heritage, I must embrace the degrading circumstances of slavery, Jim Crow and segregation of it too. You can measure your life by just the breath and height, you must include its length too. (Reference to “Three Dimensions of a Complete Life”)

We have to be honest with ourselves and from who we come from. The heritage of my race is not 100% positive, it’s made up of heroes and villains. I only ask others to be as honest as I am when discussing and discovering those ‘unflattering’ attributes of your heritage.

I honestly understand why many people are upset over this latest action in regards to Forrest Park. It’s like having a Park named Simpson Park in honor of O.J. Simpson. We can only focus on his sports career, all of the other stuff isn’t all that important.

Hey, that’s not a bad idea. That way the same people who are in favor of Forrest Park will have to address the realities of having a park named after such a controversial figure.

You can’t pick and choose what aspects of a person’s history you should choose to admire without acknowledging the not so flattering aspects. No longer can we hide the facts of history behind the white robes of fear. Nathan Forrest is revered as a son of the south, but the son is unrepentant, a prodigal. I defend your right to honor who you please, but I shouldn’t hear any flack if I want to honor someone you may view as unrepentant, say someone like O.J. Simpson for example. I’m sure you understand the outrage of many. I only want to illustrate the feelings some may view this park. The reverence says more about the person who reveres it than the person revered.

Although I understand and can relate to the hatred towards a group that feeds on it I must insist that this isn’t the way we should go. Allow Forrest Park to become a symbol of a place not named after a man of hate, but a community of love and acceptance. The growing irrelevance of the group founded by Mr. Forrest is reflective of the irrelevance of hate and fear of an ideology proven to be self destructive.

References & Inspirations

Knox News – 03/20/09 “Forrest Park Placed on Historic Register”

Wikipedia – “Nathan Bedford Forrest“

Who’s Who of the Civil War – “Nathan Bedford Forrest“