Fair Game ?

   Shaquille O'Neal is known as one of the most dominant big men in basketball history. His sheer dominance on the basketball court was awe inspiring. He was such a force of nature, that after breaking down a few basketball goals, the design of these basketball goals had to be modified, or Shaq proofed,  but he wasn't great at everything. His free throw throw percentage was awful, but his 3pt shooting % was even more atrocious. He was 1 for 22  or  about 5% for his career. Needless to say his coaches preferred for him to play down low, but as a basketball player all rules that apply to an accomplished three point shooter like Steph Curry apply the same to Shaq. They are both basketball players and although they have different skillsets they are officiated under the same type of rules.
     This brings me back yet again to our current state of equality here in America. The same America that has a professional sports league that has ostracized a man (Colin Kaepernick) who protested against inequalities and mistreatment of people of color in regards to police brutality and other atrocities. This same league has teams who signed a QB (Chad Kelly) who was once kicked out of the  Clemson Tiger football program for being emotionally unstable,belligerent, any other synonym to describe someone who was a pain in the rear after being told he wasn't guaranteed to be a starter in an upcoming season. This man also once threatened to shoot up a bar with his AK47, but was only subjected to community service. Last year he sneaked in a family's home in Colorado and was arrested, ultimately getting him dismissed from the Denver Broncos. This choir boy still manages to get opportunities, just last month he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts. If you speak out against the wrong doing of your fellow man,  the shallow moral compass of some fans, discourages most team owners from taking a chance on a player like Colin Kapernick, even if he's a more viable option than a lesser talent like Nathan Peterman aka, the most prolific thrower of interceptions in NFL history. Thats the NFL for you.
      Just recently in Arkansas a young gentleman named Ed Truitt had an encounter with an officer who pulled out his service weapon on him as he was stopped in a parking lot. Not knowing all the facts in the case, Mr Truitt had a weapon in his vehicle which he said was registered and apparently there had been a series of break ins in the area which led to him being accosted by the cop. Truitt was deemed suspicious, but without having anything of consequence on Truitt the officer still pulled out his gun on him. Truitt having seen similar incidences occur with the likes of Philando Castile and Stephon Clark, kept his hands in visible sight as well as he streamed the encounter on Facebook live. In those incidences those cops made assumptions and murdered those men due to fear of a potential weapon being used on them although a command was given to perform an action.What's even more alarming is Clark was just holding a cell phone. When did Samsung make a cellular gun?
      Permittless, Concealed , and Open Carry are now legal in Arkansas for those who can legally possess a firearm. A category Truitt falls into.  Like my basketball analogy explained, there can be 2 different types of players, although they play different ways, the same still rules apply. It is a shame that in a land where we are taught in school that we are all equal. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, but it doesn't resemble that one iota. Why does it feel like we are divided and true liberty and justice exists for some  and not all?  Are we that naive to believe that these principles instituted by this country's forefathers, looks nothing like they envisioned. When a man has to live stream to ensure his life will be spared. It speaks volumes. Trust me, some people won't have to stoop to that level to ensure their survival. Case  in point, Grady Wayne Wilkes. In  Auburn,  Alabama this man shot and killed an officer, and wounded 2 other people after authorities were notified about a domestic disturbance involving him. Despite the violent nature of his crimes. His arrest was rather uneventful despite the fact he was known to be armed and dangerous.  I don't get it. A man with a gun who just killed a comrade you don't fear him. But if you look in your glove compartment  you're a dead man. I guess  the approach of shoot first and ask questions last has some unknown variables that are only applied in certain cases which seems like a violation of the rules of equality. Which makes me wonder why did these officers not fear for their life since this man had proven to kill a man, not just a man, but one of their own? They made a conscious decision to allow this man to live. But a 12 year old child with a toy gun gets shot on sight with no repercussions. Maybe I have a distorted view of how I see it, but stuff like this is incomprehensible. Day after day our judicial system continues to allow these acts to happen. Fans were able to get the NFL to institute a new interference review rule after an ergregious missed call was not made in the NFC Championship game. There's been more than enough outcry about these unjust killings to make changes too. But still no movement. Is a football game more important than a human's life? I think it's about time we get some transparency on rules of engagement and what is deemed an unlawful killing by law enforcement. In most jobs, when a person makes an ergregious error they are punished significantly. Those actions which led to the incidents I have mentioned should get dissected for gaps and corrections with the intention of having no more reoccurrences. I think if some of these officers were held more accountable, and punished satisfactorily , we'd make tremendous strides in interactions between cops and minorities.  We should have more defined lines of clarity. Apply all the rules appropriately. We all should be afforded the same rights unless we have proven ourselves to be unworthy. A person with a violent criminal record riding around with a gun in his car, doesn't have much of a ground to stand on. If you have a criminal record  or aren't disciplined enough to conduct yourself in a civilized manner, then an officer maybe justified to be more demonstrative in their engagement with you. I shouldn't be fearful of being killed for following a command. Just as important is the fact the people who can't handle pressure well, don't need to be cops. It takes a special type of person who has the right temperament to perform under intense conditions,  if you don't have it, find a new job. You are putting the public in just as much harm as you are serving and protecting.
   In my basketball analogy I compared Shaq's style of play to Steph Curry's style. We are all privy to the same rules, laws, etc. But some of us are better equipped to operate in different areas better than others. Did Shaq need to shoot threes? No, because he wasn't good at it. Should Steph try to go down low in the post? No, he's too slight.  Although they don't do those tasks well, they can still attempt to execute them because they play on the same court under the same rules. We know how skilled these two basketball greats are because we've seen them perform on the highest level, but you can pick another NBA player similar in size and their skillset and overall abilities maybe totally different.  Should the rules be applied differently? No. The difference is you may not give Steph an open three pointer because you know what he's capable of. Give the other guy a shot and  see if he is a serious threat before you try to race out to defend him on the three point line. He may very well be harmless and throws up bricks as much as he could be a great shooter too. But afford him the opportunity. In all walks of life, stop assuming and apply rules appropriately. Judge people on their character. Stop stereotyping people based on looks. You'll find this will go a long way in healing what ails America.

       

2 Sided

     Take any two people regardless of race, age, religion, etc. and if they accidentally touch a hot iron or stove. What do you think they’d do? There are severe illnesses that affect the feeling in your extremities. But if both were considered normal, relatively healthy, human beings would one feel the pain from the heat, more or less due to their ethnicity. No. I am sure they both would undoubtedly agree that it was a rather unpleasant experience. Think about people from northern states like Minnesota and Michigan. Temperatures in the single digits aren't uncommon to them. But if they have a 50 degree day in February,  they'd put on shorts and sandals due to unseasonbly warm temperatures. Whereas people in South Florida exposed to those same temperatures would probably freak out because they are usually warmer. Why such a drastic difference in feelings? They come from two totally different environments. One is more tropical the other is more frigid. Proving our sense of normalcy isn't always the same. Based on what we've been exposed to majority of the time our interpretations of a particular variable, in this case temperature, can be viewed markedly different. I know its cliché,  but the phrase perception is reality is confirmed by this premise. We are all a products of our environment.  But like a chameleon we can change to blend in. So why is it so difficult for us as humans, especially Americans to coexist?
     We all have witnessed some of our loved ones go on to glory. No matter how it occurs it's always painful. It could be health related like cancer or heart disease, a car accident, or something malicious such as murder. Either way it's painful for those left behind to lose someone they whom they knew and loved.
     Some Americans are too rigid in their thoughts and opinions. Sure there are some issues that we may be unequivocally passionate about. I despise women and child abusers. But some people continue to lack objectivity, empathy, and overall self awareness in regards to how others in a different demographic or socioeconomic group might perceive the same thing. Issues like welfare assistance,  and  legalization of marijuana come to mind.
    I'm not dismissing the fact that groups like #blacklivesmatter aren't needed. They are.  I concur wholeheartedly that the way cops interact with us needs to change. Under no circumstances should a cop who kills an unarmed citizen who wasn't a legitimate threat to them, to still be able to get a job in law enforcement again, but it happens. Our lives are valuable too. But the results of Philando Castill's (black man killed by a Hispanic cop)death by an officer and Justine Damond's(white woman killed by a black Muslim cop) death by an officer in the same area only years apart, netted a far different result for each victim and the scary, incompetent, cops that killed them. The outcry for police protection was far less prevalent for one over the other as well as the pay outs for the families. Why? Was the prosecutor that much better? Blacklivesmatter is needed.
     #Blacklivesmatter also needs to address the issue of black lives, caring about black lives too. Control what we can control. This starts at home. If you see someone that looks like you and you call them a brother treat them like one. Jealousy and envy are the works of the devil. The fact is we just can't highlight incompetent cops and turn a blind eye to the black on black crime going on in America too. Everybody can't rhyme like Jay Z.  Shooting another man for stepping on your Jordans is foolish, but that's the world we live in. People competing to see who's the top thug, who has the most women, money,  clothes, and who has the fliest ride. I believe rectifying these issues will help us with some of these other societal problems. They need to put more of an emphasis on showing love to your neighbor. Having such an unstable footing in black communities makes it that more difficult to combat injustices that go against us. The animalistic approach we sometimes have towards one another leads to innocent people being judged unfairly.
    Lastly, why I don't have a flattering opinion about abortion. I recognize that God is the ultimate judge. So who am I to judge. Yet some are so vocal about this issue and use Christianity as a way to condemn those who have abortions calling it murder.  What if it was a situation where a mom could endanger her life by having the child, or if she was raped? Yet some of these very same people find ways to justify killings of unarmed people by cops and want to be cops over things as small as parking in a handicap spot. Why the difference? It's possible to feel mournful for an unborn child. I get it, but for people who were already established and were apart of, or even had their own families it is a much more meaningful loss for their loved ones. An unborn fetus hasn't created memories and hasn't had a chance to impact others with the exception of the mom they were carried by. No person, including me is above reproach. Modern day society allows us to be more expressive than ever,  but if somebody dares to push against the old guard, they are hit with ridicule. I can't give you the most poignant explanation, but is this God's best for us to always be at odds? I don't think so. Differences of opinion are natural,  but it shouldn't cause  such a toxic environment. I believe we all desire a blessed and prosperous livelihood. One were our families are safe and we can live our lives in a harmonious fashion. Let's put differences aside and work towards that common goal.

$tand up for What?

The flag and anthem ordeal has me like many others, frustrated. I stand wholeheartedly behind the NFL player protests. But what has it given us besides daily fodder on slow news days in the world of sports. NFL players don't have guaranteed contracts. So those that aren't financially stable err on the side of caution fearing being cut. Owners like Jerry Jones are bullying these players who unlike their brethren in the NBA are rendered powerless.  President Trump uses it as a diversion whenever he starts catching heat about things going on in his administration. He can always pick on the segment of players in the NFL who wish to carry on the narrative started by Colin Kaepernick. Maybe I wouldn't have as much of a problem if I didn't know this is more about money than anything else.
    
      Owners have these teams to make money , I get it . But they all are profitable and  they are only considering their players as cash cows. Not human beings. They stand behind causes that affect most people. For Harvey,  no one said a thing about JJ Watt using his status as a player to raise money for recovery. I commend him for that. But it affected people from all walks of life so no one had a problem. Breast cancer awareness month.  Who among us doesn't know anyone who hasn't been afflicted by cancer? So those things NFL owners openly support. Disproportionately, blacks seem to get the short end of the stick in judicial matters. So why not use their power and influence on Capital Hill for more stricter sanctions on law enforcement and registered weapons permit owners for unlawful or unjustified use of weapons. Not just against blacks but all people. It just appears to me that our lives aren't valued the same. That's what these players want. That's what we want. People with resources and influence who can further help facilitate change. Let's have equal unalienable rights for all citizens. One compromise would be inviting family members of victims of these unjustified acts to games as a show of solidarity and  support for the cause the players are protesting for and acknowledging them like they do for slain officers and soldiers.  This would go a long way in showing the masses that this is a real problem and the NFL isn't ignoring it.
 
      I am a veteran and a Christian. Those were choices. You know what I didn't choose , my genetic makeup. So it pierces my soul,  to see so much acceptance of substandard treatment against people who look like me here in this country still today.
  
     I think I speak for most people of color when I say blood being shed here today is much more relevant to me than the blood that was shed in 1776. I am not dismissing the exploits of those pioneers of US history.  But let's be real, I don't think those folks had my ancestors best interest in mind either.  Hence the reason it took nearly 100 more years to abolish slavery in 1865.
     First of all we must live a nearly perfect life. It's not like we can go in a church and shoot 9 people or go in a school, killing faculty and students and still expect to get your day in court. That's too much to expect. After killing 9 people, a cop really wouldn't say you look hungry sir. Let's stop by Burger King before we take you in. Cops don't do that, right. But you better not park in that handicap spot without proper licensing. Whats that like a $200 fine Let me pay it and just move on. Or how about defend your woman's honor, you wouldn't deserve to be shot. Right.  Personally I think you are less of a man if you won't defend your wife's honor if she's accosted in a malicious manner by some strange man but that's another issue. How about you go to Grandmas house and have a cell phone in your hand in the backyard? Oh, those are definitely acceptable reasons to be killed. In those instances will the citizen patrol guy or the cop see any prison time? Probably not. Why not?  That is simply what Kaepernick kneeled for and this stuff is still going on today. Are we supposed to leave it as status quo, because most of America can't feel our pain? I hope not. We need tougher legislation. Cops need more intensive training. But you'll never hear that from our Russian puppet in the White House.
     
      We live in a country where two people can commit essentially the same crime but get issued far different punishments with the only difference in the people being pigmentation and/or socioeconomic status. But protesting for the betterment of your people is supposed to be dishonorable, unpatriotic. No, it's exercising rights given to them because our military has given them that right.  These players aren't naive. They know at 6"5 280 they are defensive lineman for their fans favorite team while the pads are on. But when they are on the street they are considered a scary dude by those that don't know them. Not my words but Officer "Scary" Betty Shelby before she shot Terrence Crutcher in 2016 for being upset that his vehicle broke down. Her fear made her react. She didn't even get a manslaughter charge.
   
       I understand players like Dak Prescott have a limited time to make money on the football field so they may acquiesce to ownership demands. But don't have such a narrow minded focus. Dwayne Johnson was college football teammates with Pro football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. Want to guess who's Q rating and bank account is higher right now?  Ever heard of Jim Brown? Or even Terry Crews. Football player turned actors. Don't let the NFL silence your platform that isn't the only way to make money.
     
      Lebron James and the other NBA stars toe the line every night. No one NFL player is as big of a star as he is. But he is as vocal on social issues as any athlete has been in the last 30 years. Yes he's approaching billionaire status so he is financially set. But he still retains his marketability despite expressing his opinions adamantly. Alienating some I'm sure. But he knows he is a voice that can be heard loud and clear.  Remember to whom much is given,  much is required. Don't stay silent use your voice,  use your platform.

Stand up for What?

The flag and anthem ordeal has me like many others, frustrated. I stand wholeheartedly behind the NFL player protests. But what has it given us besides daily fodder on slow news days in the world of sports. NFL players don't have guaranteed contracts. So those that aren't financially stable err on the side of caution fearing being cut. Owners like Jerry Jones are bullying these players who unlike their brethren in the NBA are rendered powerless.  President Trump uses it as a diversion whenever he starts catching heat about things going on in his administration. He can always pick on the segment of players in the NFL who wish to carry on the narrative started by Colin Kaepernick. Maybe I wouldn't have as much of a problem if I didn't know this is more about money than anything else.
   
      Owners have these teams to make money , I get it . But they all are profitable and  they are only considering their players as cash cows. Not human beings. They stand behind causes that affect most people. For Harvey,  no one said a thing about JJ Watt using his status as a player to raise money for recovery. I commend him for that. But it affected people from all walks of life so no one had a problem. Breast cancer awareness month.  Who among us doesn't know anyone who hasn't been afflicted by cancer? So those things NFL owners openly support. Disproportionately, blacks seem to get the short end of the stick in judicial matters. So why not use their power and influence on Capital Hill for more stricter sanctions on law enforcement and registered weapons permit owners for unlawful or unjustified use of weapons. Not just against blacks but all people. It just appears to me that our lives aren't valued the same. That's what these players want. That's what we want. People with resources and influence who can further help facilitate change. Let's have equal unalienable rights for all citizens. One compromise would be inviting family members of victims of these unjustified acts to games as a show of solidarity and  support for the cause the players are protesting for and acknowledging them like they do for slain officers and soldiers.  This would go a long way in showing the masses that this is a real problem and the NFL isn't ignoring it.

      I am a veteran and a Christian. Those were choices. You know what I didn't choose , my genetic makeup. So it pierces my soul,  to see so much acceptance of substandard treatment against people who look like me here in this country still today.
 
     I think I speak for most people of color when I say blood being shed here today is much more relevant to me than the blood that was shed in 1776. I am not dismissing the exploits of those pioneers of US history.  But let's be real, I don't think those folks had my ancestors best interest in mind either.  Hence the reason it took nearly 100 more years to abolish slavery in 1865.
     First of all we must live a nearly perfect life. It's not like we can go in a church and shoot 9 people or go in a school, killing faculty and students and still expect to get your day in court. That's too much to expect. After killing 9 people, a cop really wouldn't say you look hungry sir. Let's stop by Burger King before we take you in. Cops don't do that, right. But you better not park in that handicap spot without proper licensing. Whats that like a $200 fine Let me pay it and just move on. Or how about defend your woman's honor, you wouldn't deserve to be shot. Right.  Personally I think you are less of a man if you won't defend your wife's honor if she's accosted in a malicious manner by some strange man but that's another issue. How about you go to Grandmas house and have a cell phone in your hand in the backyard? Oh, those are definitely acceptable reasons to be killed. In those instances will the citizen patrol guy or the cop see any prison time? Probably not. Why not?  That is simply what Kaepernick kneeled for and this stuff is still going on today. Are we supposed to leave it as status quo, because most of America can't feel our pain? I hope not. We need tougher legislation. Cops need more intensive training. But you'll never hear that from our Russian puppet in the White House.
   
      We live in a country where two people can commit essentially the same crime but get issued far different punishments with the only difference in the people being pigmentation and/or socioeconomic status. But protesting for the betterment of your people is supposed to be dishonorable, unpatriotic. No, it's exercising rights given to them because our military has given them that right.  These players aren't naive. They know at 6"5 280 they are defensive lineman for their fans favorite team while the pads are on. But when they are on the street they are considered a scary dude by those that don't know them. Not my words but Officer "Scary" Betty Shelby before she shot Terrence Crutcher in 2016 for being upset that his vehicle broke down. Her fear made her react. She didn't even get a manslaughter charge.
 
       I understand players like Dak Prescott have a limited time to make money on the football field so they may acquiesce to ownership demands. But don't have such a narrow minded focus. Dwayne Johnson was college football teammates with Pro football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. Want to guess who's Q rating and bank account is higher right now?  Ever heard of Jim Brown? Or even Terry Crews. Football player turned actors. Don't let the NFL silence your platform that isn't the only way to make money.
   
      Lebron James and the other NBA stars toe the line every night. No one NFL player is as big of a star as he is. But he is as vocal on social issues as any athlete has been in the last 30 years. Yes he's approaching billionaire status so he is financially set. But he still retains his marketability despite expressing his opinions adamantly. Alienating some I'm sure. But he knows he is a voice that can be heard loud and clear.  Remember to whom much is given,  much is required. Don't stay silent use your voice,  use your platform.

Standing for a Cause

Standing for a Cause

The name Colin Kaepernick will forever be stored in the annals of NFL history. But not for the fact he has the most rushing yards in a game by a QB in playoff history. Or leading the San Francisco  49ers to Super Bowl 47. But for starting a league wide protest during the playing of the national anthem at the start of NFL games back in 2016. Say what you want to, but his reasons for doing so are being validated , even today. Why else is a man slain on camera for defending his woman from some strange man? After it was obvious he wasn't attacking the guy further once a weapon was brandished. A fatal unnecessary shot was delivered and law enforcement won't press charges on the shooter. Why not? Most real men would have reacted similarly to a stranger accosting their significant other but did he deserved to die for it?

Do we Matter?

      Picture it , Sicily 1948. Ok,  that's a little Golden Girls humor. But I figure, I might as well be a little light hearted because of so much contention and discord in modern day America. Even Shonda Rhimes couldn't come up with a script as entertaining as the real life scandals going on in the White House. We have a reality TV star as the President. Only in America , right. Everyday at town halls across the country in areas that 45 aka,  President Trump, won overwhelmingly.  Lawmakers are being taken to task over this healthcare reform bill that will supplant Obamacare.  But for as much drama this has caused. One of America's most heinous and darkest issues continues to rear it's ugly head.  Cops killing innocent citizens , most notably, black males without any repercussions. 
    Comedian Dave Chappell once told a joke referencing why do those Foreign terrorist  groups never capture Black Americans and use them for their intimidation tactics up to and including beheadings. Now personally I'm not one to volunteer for that type of assignment, but he does make a good point. Do they perceive us as Black Americans,  to be less valued in our country than other other ethnic groups?  Does it hurt Americans less to see a black person killed?  How about on June 12, 2016 the day of the Orlando, Florida,  Gay nightclub shooting. Two of the survivors  mentioned that the shooter ,Omar Matteen, shouted thru the locked bathroom door  "That if you are black I won't shoot you. You guys have suffered enough". Despite his "generosity" the two witnesses wisely stayed in place. The events of that night were horrifying, and ultimately Mateen was put down and justifiably so. But it does make you wonder about how we are perceived.
       Last fall, then San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick was ridiculed for not standing for the American flag prior to the start of NFL games.  His reasoning was due to lack of suitable punishment for cops who wrongfully assassinate innocent people, especially those of color. Also in regards to the Presidential election he felt neither candidate put much effort into pushing this agenda. Being in California, a staunch Democratic State.  His vote was largely irrelevant due to the antiquated system known as the Electoral College. But that's another issue. Unfortunately his message got lost because people conveniently ignored it. Instead they lambasted him for his approach. But tell me what effective protest doesn't make some people feel uncomfortable?
     Believing that no man should have a right to kill a person without repercussions when the victim  has done nothing wrong in that moment is blasphemous. Of course there is the ensuing character assassination,  to "somewhat" make some people feel the killing was justified.  But as witnessed on May 17th , 2017. America still accepts cop killings. The latest example,  Officer Betty Shelby was cleared of her manslaughter charge for killing Terrence Crutcher. The whole ordeal was caught on camera and still there was no conviction. All before, with the Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown cases , all we had was here say, nothing was a slam dunk,  no confirmed eyewitness accounts or concrete  evidence. So this one should have been a slam dunk, right. No. Fortunately there was a recent conviction of a cop killing in 2015.  An eyewitness taped N. Charleston cop, Michael Slager  shooting Walter Scott as Scott attempted to run away during a traffic stop. Yes he should not have ran, but he had a warrant for back child support and didn't want to go jail. Officer Slager ensured that mom won't get child ever again. Was the punishment worth the crime? If not for the video, Slager would almost certainly be free, since his account was a whole different story and was nothing like the evidence showed. Of course a jury of "his" peers would've let him off and he would go on with his life. Fabricating the truth just enough to stay out of trouble is taught on the first day of Police Academy .
     Seriously , lets not forget the fact that innocent human beings are being killed, families are being broken, lives are being altered. All some people care about is character assassination or justification for these murders.  My thought is, if someone is selling cigarettes illegally does that equate to being killed?  I don't care about their prior offenses. If nothing illegal is going on at that moment and it doesn't threaten your life. Why take their's? Don't slaughter us unnecessarily, we aren't like deer or any other wild game, are we? Or is that how some people portray us to be.  If someone of another ethnicity was suspected of doing the same act would cops react the same?
    Why do proponents of #bluelivesmatter try to justify the reason someone has loss their life. They feel that the cop is always right. Aren't  they are paid to protect and serve "all" citizens. If a crime was committed by me at least let me get my day in court, unless you unequivocally,  without a doubt, had to kill me. Surely if Dylan Roof can knowlingly kill 9 parishioners in a church, and get taken to Burger King afterwards, I can expect the same treatment too, except take me to Whataburger. My point is protect us, don't just kill us and concoct bogus stories to get out of being punished for your screwup. If I mess up on my job , depending on the severity of of the incident, I can be fired.
      This is mind boggling how in our,  "Christian" society,  some people care more about a police dog than a fellow human being. Kill a police dog, you get 40 years. By contrast a cop kills an unarmed black man and they get an endless amount of money in their Go Fund me account . To me there's something seriously wrong with that picture. The fact that an animal is held in higher regard than a person is really appalling.
    But I have faith in God that these atrocities will one day be an afterthought. That only happens if we truely do matter. I'm not talking about  LeBron James,  Beyonce,  or Denzel Washington.  You shouldn't just care about only those folks that entertain you. If you really cared for them,  when they voiced their opinion you would respect their thoughts and not say, "stick to playing  basketball",  you're no politician " so on and so forth. When folks got on social media complaining about Colin Kaepernick speaking out against social injustice. It showed their ignorance and what they view him as. He is a person first and foremost. Just like you he has an opinion and because of free speech and the fact he lives in the greatest country in the world he's entitled to it. After all the commotion started by Colin we still see the same results. So I ask this in closing , will we continue to die as martyrs? Or will "All Lives Matter" once and for all.

Decision 2016

     Tuesday November 8 America will elect the 45th President of the United Stattes.  To say this election season has been a war is being kind. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both been scrutinized as thoroughly as an accountant going over tax returns. Between Hillary and her email scandal, to Donald and his happy hands. I think for most people here in America have grown weary and dread the fact the fact that these are the last two standing. Let's be honest there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. What we as citizens need to do is to educate ourselves on the policies and see not only what directly affects us. The residual effects of certain policy changes can severely impact a multitude of people. Remember there's two sides to every equation.
     Reducing taxes sounds great in theory, but if it was so simple it would've already been done. But what if that impacts a child getting a meal at night. Or a school having the proper tools to educate our youth.  Romans 12:13, states Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. This is one nation under God, correct.  How about same sex marriages? The Bible speaks defiantly against this.  But your vice may not be that issue. One has to wonder what if Presidents were able to impact if you could have a divorce or not. How would that influence your vote? All in all , just be mindful and think about if certain polices like nationwide pat downs by law enforcement based on suspicion only, would affect someone you know. Would it be worth it? Such divisive acts such as this would really hinder the growth of our nation.
      Both candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are seriously flawed candidates. But we as Americans must hold ourselves accountable for them being in this position. There were other qualified candidates who didn't have as much baggage, but a great many of us chose our candidate, largely for the wrong reasons, now we are stuck in a quandary. We are choosing between the lesser of 2 evils. The irresponsible one or the insensitive one. Most people would say we're screwed either way. But we must remember God is our source, not man. 1 Timothy 2: states, kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Regardless of who wins we must stand fast and pray for our newly appointed leader, so that he or she may lead this country effectively.
      In the aftermath ,what we all must do is be respectful to one another. We as citizens of this country must come together. In fighting  only weakens us.  Especially with the terror alert we received last week.  Al-Qaeda and ISIS are watching and if we aren't prepared we could suffer some grave consequences. Let's rise above all the manusha and celebrate our 45th president with dignity and let's be thankful for those who fought for the right to vote in our democratic process.  Let's not take this for granted.

Decision 2016

Tuesday November 8 America will elect the 45th President of the United Stattes.  To say this election season has been a war is being kind. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both been scrutinized as thoroughly as an accountant going over tax returns. Between Hillary and her email scandal, to Donald and his happy hands. I think for most people here in America have grown weary and dread the fact the fact that these are the last two standing. Let's be honest there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. What we as citizens need to do is to educate ourselves on the policies and see not only what directly affects us. The residual effects of certain policy changes can severely impact a multitude of people. Remember there's two sides to every equation.
     Reducing taxes sounds great in theory, but if it was so simple it would've already been done. But what if that impacts a child getting a meal at night. Or a school having the proper tools to educate our youth.  Romans 12:13, states Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. This is one nation under God, correct.  How about same sex marriages? The Bible speaks defiantly against this.  But your vice may not be that issue. One has to wonder what if Presidents were able to impact if you could have a divorce or not. How would that influence your vote? All in all , just be mindful and think about if certain polices like nationwide pat downs by law enforcement based on suspicion only, would affect someone you know. Would it be worth it? Such divisive acts such as this would really hinder the growth of our nation.
      Both candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are seriously flawed candidates. But we as Americans must hold ourselves accountable for them being in this position. There were other qualified candidates who didn't have as much baggage, but a great many of us chose our candidate, largely for the wrong reasons, now we are stuck in a quandary. We are choosing between the lesser of 2 evils. The irresponsible one or the insensitive one. Most people would say we're screwed either way. But we must remember God is our source, not man. 1 Timothy 2: states, kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Regardless of who wins we must stand fast and pray for our newly appointed leader, so that he or she may lead this country effectively.
      In the aftermath ,what we all must do is be respectful to one another. We as citizens of this country must come together. In fighting  only weakens us.  Especially with the terror alert we received last week.  Al-Qaeda and ISIS are watching and if we aren't prepared we could suffer some grave consequences. Let's rise above all the manusha and celebrate our 45th president with dignity and let's be thankful for those who fought for the right to vote in our democratic process.  Do not take this for granted.

Decision Time

     Tuesday November 8 America will elect the 45th President of the United Stattes.  To say this election season has been a war is being kind. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have both been scrutinized as thoroughly as an accountant going over tax returns. Between Hillary and her email scandal, to Donald and his happy hands. I think for most people here in America have grown weary and dread the fact the fact that these are the last two standing. Let's be honest there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. What we as citizens need to do is to educate ourselves on the policies and see not only what directly affects us. The residual effects of certain policy changes can severely impact a multitude of people. Remember there's two sides to every equation.

     Reducing taxes sounds great in theory, but if it was so simple it would've already been done. But what if that impacts a child getting a meal at night. Or a school having the proper tools to educate our youth.  Romans 12:13, states Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. This is one nation under God, correct.  How about same sex marriages? The Bible speaks defiantly against this.  But your vice may not be that issue. One has to wonder what if Presidents were able to impact if you could have a divorce or not. How would that influence your vote? All in all , just be mindful and think about if certain polices like nationwide pat downs by law enforcement based on suspicion only, would affect someone you know. Would it be worth it? Such divisive acts such as this would really hinder the growth of our nation.

      Both candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are seriously flawed candidates. But we as Americans must hold ourselves accountable for them being in this position. There were other qualified candidates who didn't have as much baggage, but a great many of us chose our candidate, largely for the wrong reasons, now we are stuck in a quandary. We are choosing between the lesser of 2 evils. The irresponsible one or the insensitive one. Most people would say we're screwed either way. But we must remember God is our source, not man. 1 Timothy 2: states, kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Regardless of who wins we must stand fast and pray for our newly appointed leader, so that he or she may lead this country effectively. 

      In the aftermath ,what we all must do is be respectful to one another. We as citizens of this country must come together. In fighting  only weakens us.  Especially with the terror alert we received last week.  Al-Qaeda and ISIS are watching and if we aren't prepared we could suffer some grave consequences. Let's rise above all the manusha and celebrate our 45th president with dignity and let's be thankful for those who fought for the right to vote in our democratic process.  Let's not take this for granted. 

When is Enough, Enough

Once again,  on our nation's birthday, there was a senseless killing of a citizen by the hands of a law enforcement officer. To say this matter is getting old is like a flood victim saying that they are tired of seeing rain and wondering if the sun will shine again. It is very disparaging seeing another family on national television having to fight back tears over something so heinous and avoidable. Every time we get the same story. The cop feared for their life, the perpetrator reached for their  weapon,  etc. When upon video surveillance or other video it appears that the person has been subdued and no longer a threat to the officer.
    I get it, their lives are precious too. But just like on my job if I make an egregious error I am punished, or at worst, terminated. Most of the time these cops get a slap on the wrist. Those acts without any serious consequences for the officers involved has lead to chaos and   social unrest amongst many citizens in this country.
    America is the greatest country on this earth , land of the free and home of the brave, but it appears that comes with certain requirements. Some of which some folks will never comply with due to their pigmentation. The rules are different, anyone who says otherwise is being delusional. Watch the general response to the lady whose child fell into the Gorilla enclosure and the family in Orlando at the Disney Resort whose child was killed by a gator. Both were examples of poor parenting,  one was crucified and the other was seen as more of a sympathy figure , granted, the child was killed by the gator. While the kid that fell in the Gorilla  enclosure was only roughed up a little. But the vitriol spilled towards one over the other was not close. It just baffles me that in 2016 we still have these issues with equality.  We live in a country where a 12 year kid can't play with a BB gun in a park and a man can't shop in a Walmart with a toy weapon across his body because of his pigmentation. This is sad but true.
      How can this madness end ? 1st we must examine ourselves for what we are doing wrong. Boys in the Hood is not just a John Singleton movie, but it is real life for some people here in the US. In Chicago even with the extra patrols, five people were shot to death and 61 others were wounded between 3 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Tuesday of the 4th of the July 4th weekend, according to statistics kept by the Chicago Tribune. That's not by cops people. That's by your own people. Black on black murders are more prevalent than cop killings of black men,  and I believe to some degree this plays a part into cops believing black men are all killers. In order to fix this epidemic we must hold ourselves accountable. I'm being honest with you, there are certain places in Houston,  TX  you won't find me at after a certain time and I'm a black man.  The problem is that some of these kids are being reared to be the Drug Lord instead of a Pharmacist. A crook instead of a lawyer. A gangster instead of a boxer. They have the belief there's no way out except by the ways of criminal activity  when with God all things are possible. But this endless cycle of futility feeds into the belief that black men are menaces to society and that no good comes from them. So cops taking out black men whether justifiably or not, is always a positive result in their eyes. Just like an 8 point deer they are wild game. Only they get toe tagged.
     How else can we justify Dylan Roof killing 9 churchgoers at a bible study and being taken to Burger King by authorities knowing he was armed and just murdered 9 church members during their weekly  bible study. All the while Tamir Rice and John Crawford got killed on the spot for just posessing toy BB guns. 
     This is supposed to be a land of equality. From recent accounts it's not. See https://www.rawstory.com/2016/07/here-are-8-white-people-who-pointed-guns-at-police-officers-and-didnt-get-killed. Let it be known that there have been situations where cops have been killed and they do have right to protect themselves but the recurring theme is that they use far more restraint when dealing with non-blacks. It appears that those lives matter unlike those of blacks. Hence the reason for #blacklivesmatter.
     Now where do we go from here?  When celebrities such as Jesse Williams use their platform to make light of such egregious acts, people seem as though they are race baiting. But it says alot to stand up for a cause knowing that you are a rich and successful actor,  who can just live in his fairy tale life and ignore this new age Jim Crow treatment all the while risking his career. It sounds comical. But I am expecting to see a book any day now titled "How to be a Black Man and not get Shot and Killed by Cops, for Dummies".  I'm not being facetious, but this is a major problem. People must be educated on how to respond to interactions with cops. The problem I think a lot of guys have is showing respect to those in authority. They been reared to have disdain for the police for obvious reasons . In retrospect this makes you no better than a bigoted cop or racist. Love your neighbor. That's how we win this battle. There is a certain amount of decorum you can display that can help neutralize your interactions with cops. Have a healthy respect for their position. Realize that some battles aren't worth dieing for. God gives us discernment, we must really apply that principle when confronted with anyone who has a weapon that can seriously hurt or kill you.
       As I mentioned earlier we also must get away from portraying ourselves as hard core, and thug life. Why? I'd rather live in an area where there is harmony and low crime, than one with constant drama and chaos. But there are another set of  issues dealing with that. When you are driving a nice vehicle in a well to do area you are looked upon as if you don't belong. Cops constantly follow you because you can't possibly afford the car you drive and think it must be stolen. Or as a friend of mine told a story of him doing yard work at his own home, and being asked by a fellow neighbor how much he charged to mow his lawn. Thinking all along surely a black man can't afford to live here. But this is modern day America. The same America that stands staunchly behind that 2nd Amendment right to bear arms only to see a cop slaughter an American citizen just because he exercised his right to bear arms. The same America who said if the club goers in Orlando were packing , they would have deterred the killer from murdering so many. Let me ask you? What are those gangs in Chicago using? Guns. Are they stopping any of the gang activity that's going on today. No. What about the shootout in Waco,Texas last year. Very few people mention how out of hand that got. Gang activity is prevalent among people of all ethnicities but only blacks are treated as savages. 
      Cops must not assume all people of a certain demographic are the same. Making assumptions leads to misinterpretation. You must get to know a person before you pass judgement. These cops need to not make such hasty decisions because of what they believe a stereotypical black man is. Most black men I know fall for a lady with a big butt and a smile. But they are also law abiding citizens who are out to just make an honest living like most other people. Not all cops are bad, some give you directions when you're lost, help you get your car out of traffic if you break down, and some do actually help protect you from bad guys. But some assume we are all thugs, we all are killers. How about giving blacks the benefit of a doubt as other ethnic groups? By murdering blacks all you are doing is continuing the cycle of broken homes. Eliminating the father figures who help mold these kids. This is what creates the thug that cops are afraid of. The kids look to the local dope man for direction on how to be a man. 
    Violent retaliation against cops is not the answer either. We must learn to fight in the judicial system. Proverbs 15:18  Reads, A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.  People on both sides of this matter must do a better job of controlling their emotions. Remember cooler heads prevail.
      Yes Blue lives matter, and All lives matter. How about having Black lives matter just as much. God created us all equal. The Vanderbilt football player who raped an unconscious women got 15 years in prison. The Stanford swimmer guilty of the same crime got 3 months because he's not fit for prison. Are you kidding me.  Have you heard of OJ Simpson, Michael Vick, and Jared from Subway they were affluent at the time of their convictions and have and in OJ and Jared's case, are serving time in prison. An even bigger slap in the face was Ricky Jackson who was wrongfully convicted of a murder and was released from prison after serving 39 years receiving a mere 1.3 million dollars. While a popular sideline reporter,  formally of ESPN and now with FOX , Erin Andrews received 52 million dollars  because a man recorded her changing in her hotel room during her time working college football games for ESPN.That really damaged her career. She is now on FOX's number 1 NFL broadcast team. Now you tell me which one was more of an injustice. If all lives mattered there wouldn't be such a huge disparity in regards to issues like these.  We need to PUSH. Pray Until Something Happens. Otherwise these poignant episodes will continue to doom our proud nation. Get it together America.

Enough Already

   Once again,  on our nation's birthday, there was a senseless killing of a citizen by the hands of a law enforcement officer. To say this matter is getting old is like a flood victim saying that they are tired of seeing rain and wondering if the sun will shine again. It is very disparaging seeing another family on national television having to fight back tears over something so heinous and avoidable. Every time we get the same story. The cop feared for their life, the perpetrator reached for their  weapon,  etc. When upon video surveillance or other video it appears that the person has been subdued and no longer a threat to the officer.
    I get it, their lives are precious too. But just like on my job if I make an egregious error I am punished, or at worst, terminated. Most of the time these cops get a slap on the wrist. Those acts without any serious consequences for the officers involved has lead to chaos and   social unrest amongst many citizens in this country.
    America is the greatest country on this earth , land of the free and home of the brave, but it appears that comes with certain requirements. Some of which some folks will never comply with due to their pigmentation. The rules are different, anyone who says otherwise is being delusional. Watch the general response to the lady whose child fell into the Gorilla enclosure and the family in Orlando at the Disney Resort whose child was killed by a gator. Both were examples of poor parenting,  one was crucified and the other was seen as more of a sympathy figure , granted, the child was killed by the gator. While the kid that fell in the Gorilla  enclosure was only roughed up a little. But the vitriol spilled towards one over the other was not close. It just baffles me that in 2016 we still have these issues with equality.  We live in a country where a 12 year kid can't play with a BB gun in a park and a man can't shop in a Walmart with a toy weapon across his body because of his pigmentation. This is sad but true.
      How can this madness end ? 1st we must examine ourselves for what we are doing wrong. Boys in the Hood is not just a John Singleton movie, but it is real life for some people here in the US. In Chicago even with the extra patrols, five people were shot to death and 61 others were wounded between 3 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Tuesday of the 4th of the July 4th weekend, according to statistics kept by the Chicago Tribune. That's not by cops people. That's by your own people. Black on black murders are more prevalent than cop killings of black men,  and I believe to some degree this plays a part into cops believing black men are all killers. In order to fix this epidemic we must hold ourselves accountable. I'm being honest with you, there are certain places in Houston,  TX  you won't find me at after a certain time and I'm a black man.  The problem is that some of these kids are being reared to be the Drug Lord instead of a Pharmacist. A crook instead of a lawyer. A gangster instead of a boxer. They have the belief there's no way out except by the ways of criminal activity  when with God all things are possible. But this endless cycle of futility feeds into the belief that black men are menaces to society and that no good comes from them. So cops taking out black men whether justifiably or not, is always a positive result in their eyes. Just like an 8 point deer they are wild game. Only they get toe tagged.
     How else can we justify Dylan Roof killing 9 churchgoers at a bible study and being taken to Burger King by authorities knowing he was armed and just murdered 9 church members during their weekly  bible study. All the while Tamir Rice and John Crawford got killed on the spot for just posessing toy BB guns. 
     This is supposed to be a land of equality. From recent accounts it's not. See https://www.rawstory.com/2016/07/here-are-8-white-people-who-pointed-guns-at-police-officers-and-didnt-get-killed. Let it be known that there have been situations where cops have been killed and they do have right to protect themselves but the recurring theme is that they use far more restraint when dealing with non-blacks. It appears that those lives matter unlike those of blacks. Hence the reason for #blacklivesmatter.
     Now where do we go from here?  When celebrities such as Jesse Williams use their platform to make light of such egregious acts, people seem as though they are race baiting. But it says alot to stand up for a cause knowing that you are a rich and successful actor,  who can just live in his fairy tale life and ignore this new age Jim Crow treatment all the while risking his career. It sounds comical. But I am expecting to see a book any day now titled "How to be a Black Man and not get Shot and Killed by Cops, for Dummies".  I'm not being facetious, but this is a major problem. People must be educated on how to respond to interactions with cops. The problem I think a lot of guys have is showing respect to those in authority. They been reared to have disdain for the police for obvious reasons . In retrospect this makes you no better than a bigoted cop or racist. Love your neighbor. That's how we win this battle. There is a certain amount of decorum you can display that can help neutralize your interactions with cops. Have a healthy respect for their position. Realize that some battles aren't worth dieing for. God gives us discernment, we must really apply that principle when confronted with anyone who has a weapon that can seriously hurt or kill you.
       As I mentioned earlier we also must get away from portraying ourselves as hard core, and thug life. Why? I'd rather live in an area where there is harmony and low crime, than one with constant drama and chaos. But there are another set of  issues dealing with that. When you are driving a nice vehicle in a well to do area you are looked upon as if you don't belong. Cops constantly follow you because you can't possibly afford the car you drive and think it must be stolen. Or as a friend of mine told a story of him doing yard work at his own home, and being asked by a fellow neighbor how much he charged to mow his lawn. Thinking all along surely a black man can't afford to live here. But this is modern day America. The same America that stands staunchly behind that 2nd Amendment right to bear arms only to see a cop slaughter an American citizen just because he exercised his right to bear arms. The same America who said if the club goers in Orlando were packing , they would have deterred the killer from murdering so many. Let me ask you? What are those gangs in Chicago using? Guns. Are they stopping any of the gang activity that's going on today. No. What about the shootout in Waco,Texas last year. Very few people mention how out of hand that got. Gang activity is prevalent among people of all ethnicities but only blacks are treated as savages. 
      Cops must not assume all people of a certain demographic are the same. Making assumptions leads to misinterpretation. You must get to know a person before you pass judgement. These cops need to not make such hasty decisions because of what they believe a stereotypical black man is. Most black men I know fall for a lady with a big butt and a smile. But they are also law abiding citizens who are out to just make an honest living like most other people. Not all cops are bad, some give you directions when you're lost, help you get your car out of traffic if you break down, and some do actually help protect you from bad guys. But some assume we are all thugs, we all are killers. How about giving blacks the benefit of a doubt as other ethnic groups? By murdering blacks all you are doing is continuing the cycle of broken homes. Eliminating the father figures who help mold these kids. This is what creates the thug that cops are afraid of. The kids look to the local dope man for direction on how to be a man. 
    Violent retaliation against cops is not the answer either. We must learn to fight in the judicial system. Proverbs 15:18  Reads, A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.  People on both sides of this matter must do a better job of controlling their emotions. Remember cooler heads prevail.
      Yes Blue lives matter, and All lives matter. How about having Black lives matter just as much. God created us all equal. The Vanderbilt football player who raped an unconscious women got 15 years in prison. The Stanford swimmer guilty of the same crime got 3 months because he's not fit for prison. Are you kidding me.  Have you heard of OJ Simpson, Michael Vick, and Jared from Subway they were affluent at the time of their convictions and have and in OJ and Jared's case, are serving time in prison. An even bigger slap in the face was Ricky Jackson who was wrongfully convicted of a murder and was released from prison after serving 39 years receiving a mere 1.3 million dollars. While a popular sideline reporter,  formally of ESPN and now with FOX , Erin Andrews received 52 million dollars  because a man recorded her changing in her hotel room during her time working college football games for ESPN.That really damaged her career. She is now on FOX's number 1 NFL broadcast team. Now you tell me which one was more of an injustice. If all lives mattered there wouldn't be such a huge disparity in regards to issues like these.  We need to PUSH. Pray Until Something Happens. Otherwise these poignant episodes will continue to doom our proud nation. Get it together America.

MVP Status

      In the 2010 NFL football season the Carolina  Panthers gained the dubious distinction of being the NFL's worst team. This occurrence afforded them the opportunity to have the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. It was largely believed that the Panthers would pick a QB due to the lackluster play of the 2010 2nd round pick ,Jimmy Clausen and determining early on that he wasn't the QB of the future.
     It was largely assumed Andrew Luck, a once in a generation prospect, a prodigy at the QB position, would probably come out after his junior year. Now hear me out, I commend anyone who values their education and because he grew up in an affluent household, he was not pressured into not leaving early to turn pro. Andrew ,allegedly returned to school to complete his college degree avoiding the draft all together. Whether true or not, in Carolina this was perceived as a slap in the face and that he didn't want to be with their franchise.  Ironically  several athletes who go pro early return to school to finish their degree during their playing careers. I recall Vince Carter and Antwain Jamison getting their UNC degrees at the same time. Shaquille O'Neal walked the stage at LSU.  In fact, Cam Newton, another top prospect at the time, just received his degree earlier this year. So that reasoning comes with a hint of skepticism.
     In 2010 Cam Newton had one of the most dominant individual seasons in college football history at Auburn University. Leading the Tigers to an undefeated National championship season and accumulating several awards including the Heisman Trophy. 
     As a result Cam declared a year early  and the Carolina Panthers made Cam Newton the first pick of the 2011 draft. Luck consequently entered the 2012 draft the next year and became the first overall pick of the Indianpolis Colts.
     Cam entered the league under much scrutiny. There was talk he couldn't understand the NFL game and that his transition to the league would be rough. He would follow along th same lines of JaMarcus Russell, Vince Young, and Ryan Leaf and be a big bust. All he did was break the all time rookie passing yardage record and single handedly gave the Panthers franchise hope. He may never be a traditional drop back passer. His success can not be solely quantified by passing statistics. He could very well become the all time rushing TD leader for QBs by seasons end and there are countless times throughout the course of a game where he pulls a rabbit out of a hat to make a play.
    Early on winning games was challenging to say the least. Was it always Cam's fault ? No, but he struggled making plays when it mattered most and sulked in postgame press conferences  as the loses mounted. The media constantly beat him down. Asking can he win? Is he a leader, why is he always hiding under a towel, etc. But in his 3rd season after a 1-3 start, Cam would lead the Panthers to one of their most successful seasons in their history.
       Entering his 4th season, the Panthers organization decided to make several changes to the team replacing his top 4 wide receivers including the franchise's most accomplished player, Steve Smith. Under these circumstances even Peyton Manning would struggle with such a transition. The receiving corps were already underwhelming but to do that and expect Cam to excell was incomprehensible. Not to mention he missed time due to offseason ankle surgery, which set him back even more. Leading to questions about is he a franchise QB? Have the Panthers overpaid for him? He's not a leader, etc. To say Cam Newton is free from criticism would be naive. His passes sometime look as though he is throwing  to the Charlotte Hornets Front court, but to say he's not a good QB is asinine. No he doesn't  have the stats of a prototype QB. But what he does for this team can't be quantified. He's special in his own unique way. No QB has nearly as many running TDs as him since he arrived in the league and the last time I checked they count the same as a passing touchdown.

       So why all the vitriol for Cam and not so much for others like Ryan Tannehill or Andrew Luck. In Andrew Luck's 4th season his team acquired several former Pro Bowl players most notably Andre Johnson and Frank Gore, to help get his Colt team over the hump. How has the chosen one responded ? How about going 1-5 and leading the NFL in interceptions. Mind you the Colts are 3-5 and those two other wins were led by seasoned vet, Matt Hassellbeck. Luck is excused because he has little help. Little help, what about TY, what about Andre Johnson, Dwayne Allen. No line , Cam was sacked 9 times by the Eagles on a Monday Night in 2014, was that strong line play. Oh and he's injured. Cam had an injured ankle all of last season, and also had the rollover accident that resulted in transverse fractures in his back. Was he given a fair shake? No, all you hear is he has pedestrian numbers and that he is too arrogant

     Now Newton and the Panthers are owners of an 11 game regular season winning streak. A year ago the NFC South was the armpit of the NFL. This year the the South is awful again, except it's the AFC South led by Texans and Colts at a smoking 3-5 record. Cam Newton has ascended to MVP status while Luck is throwing interceptions like Santa delivering presents on Christmas Eve. Both of these young signal callers have potential for greatness. But you can't dismiss the talents of Cam. When the chosen one has been awful. He is an acquired taste. An anomaly of sorts. Trust me being USC fan I saw why some may not be too fond of him. All the smiling and running over your team's DBs is tough to watch and is something few others can mimic. But the man is having fun. His gamesmanship is contagious and gives his team confidence. Give him his due all that matters is that he wins. This isn't a Rex Grossman or Trent Dilfer situation though. Cam is needed, and without him this team would be awful. That's the true definition of a MVP.

 

NFL 2015 Bring it On

The air is getting a little cooler. The fan bases are all excited. Tailgaters are getting all of their materials together. It must be football season. After last year's exciting finish, one would venture to think, what could the NFL do for an encore.  Let's see there are rules changes. Such as the one forcing the extra point to be kicked from the 15 yd line. How about the NFL showing diversity and inclusion by hiring the first female ref in NFL history. Will Seattle make it to a 3rd straight Super Bowl? Oh and there's some story about a quarterback who allegedly doctored footballs to give him a competitive advantage. The point is, there are a multitude of reasons to to watch this season.

        That being said here are my thoughts on the 2015 NFL season.  

AFC East 

1) New England  - Don't they always win, besides you know who's  back

2) Buffalo - Tyrod will surprise some people  

3) Miami - You play in Miami, that's enough 

4) NY Jets- Geno Smith was scheduled to start at QB, enough said.

AFC North 

1) Baltimore - Suggs, is a scary individual, no really he is.  Flacco and Smith lead a solid offense that should have beat the Patriots in the playoffs.

2)Pittsburgh - Hide your dogs, hide your wife. OK thats old stuff, the Steelers are not your father's Steelers. Big Ben to Brown is probably the best duo in the league along with Leveon Bell on the ground  makes this offense formidable, but the defense is only a shell of its former self which will hurt

3)Cincinnati - Dalton is too limited to get this team into serious contention but everywhere else they are solid 

4)Cleveland - When will Kyrie be ready?  LeBron needs all the help he can get.

AFC South 

1)Indianapolis- Luck with more tools to work with and a weak division, equals division championship 

2)Houston  - Defense could be off the charts good, led by the incomparable JJ Watt and the potential of Jadeveon Clowney. But they have no proven quarterback.

3) Tennessee - Mariota, get your running shoes ready

4) Jacksonville- When are they moving to LA?

AFC West

1)Denver- Peyton's last stand

2)Kansas City - Complete team with an underwhelming QB, Maclin should be the 1st WR to score in nearly 2 seasons 

3)San Diego - Beautiful area, awesome weather, but kind of pricey, 

4)Oakland - Mack is a player. Derek Carr has potential but team is a few years away 

NFC East

1)Dallas - Jerry is going for it. The signing of Hardy hurt me being a Panthers fan

2)Eagles - Chip Kelly is either a genius or a plum fool. He keeps Riley Cooper but let's proven commodities like DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, and Jeremy Maclin leave

3)NY Giants - O'Dell Beckham Jr is a highlight waiting to happen. Will Eli find his magic again? 

4) Washington - RG III and Jay Gruden haven't song the Toy Story theme song "You got a friend in me" together. Just a guess.

NFC North 

1)Green Bay- With Rodgers everything's possible 

2) Minnesota - Teddy with Peterson on the ground, and Wallace as a deep threat could be lethal 

3)Chicago -If John Fox can save Cutler from himself,  the Bears could suprise 

4)Detroit - The loss of Suh and Fairley was big literally and figuratively 

NFC South

1) Carolina - The eventual Superbowl champs, ok maybe not. Best defense in the division led by Uncle Luke. Cam gets criticized a lot but the overall offensive personnel is pretty weak.

2)Atlanta - Can put up points,  defense should be improved still limited though 

3) New Orleans - Losing Jimmy Graham will hurt, Brees has lost a step

4) Tampa - Famous Jameis can't save this trainwreck 

NFC West 

1)Seattle- Only thing that can break them is the love of $$

2)St Louis - Foles should stabilize what's been a tenuous QB situation and their defense will raise havoc

3) Arizona- The loss of  defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will hurt and the team won't get off to as good of a start as the 2014 season

4)San Francisco - Let's see they replaced their head coach with a position coach, along with significant retirements, and team dismissals, otherwise they're ok

AFC Playoffs : Baltimore,  Kansas City ,  New England,  Indy, Denver,  Houston 

NFC Playoffs: Carolina,  Dallas, Green Bay, Seattle, Minnesota,  St Louis 

In Superbowl 50 

I have Green Bay beating Indianapolis 

Lone Warrior

      First of all I would like to say the GS Warriors don't have to apologize to anyone about winning this NBA Finals. There will be no asterisk attached to their season accomplishments. Along the way they played several teams who haven't had their full complement of players ( ex. Jrue Holiday, Patrick Beverly, Kyrie Irving)  at all times during these playoffs, all the while they with an already strong roster and deep bench suffered no such quandary. Steph Curry is a bad man and deserved his MVP status. But I'll say this with confidence if Kyrie and Love were available this would have not been a series. If Shumpert or LeBron hit a game winning shot at the end of game 1, avoiding  Kyrie’s overtime injury, Cleveland may be celebrating tonight.
      But the operative word was "if". I'll use that "if" word again. If we are going to give an MVP to the best player in this series it would not be Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and especially not Draymond Green (who some say expects to recieve a max contract, but not if I'm paying the bill) but LeBron James. But unfortunately he will be 2-4 on basketball's  biggest stage. A point in which you are judged amongst the greatest of greats. The Jordans, the Birds, the Magic Johnsons of the basketball world. But ultimately he has tasted the champagne  and succeeded at the highest level but just not at the success rate of other legendary stars. So here he is somewhere in the pantheon of NBA greats between Karl Malone and Michael Jordan. Better than most but not the best ever. But 4 MVPs, 2 NBA titles, and 5 consecutive trips to the Finals are nothing to sneeze at. 
     Would Jordan be 6-0 without Pipen or Horace Grant.  Would Bird have 3 rings without McHale and Parrish.  How about Magic without Worthy or Kareem for a whole series.  Sure they could win a game but when you are in the NBA Finals you have to have a good team.  NBA championships are a team accomplishment. With apologies to Delly and Mosgov , the Cavs weren’t picked favorites to win before the playoffs because they were the LeBron’s top cohorts. But the trio of James , Irving , and Love seemed to be a formidable grouping.  Look at how injuries crippled the OKC Thunder this year.  To see this Warriors team win a Championship before a team with Kevin Durant , Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka is very surprising. This championship will go to the team that best withstood attrition.  Steph Curry is good, but is he really considered a better player than Kevin Durant.  I venture to guess most people would say no.
      Kobe Bryant, who many compare James to has always had that other guy on his Championship teams from Shaq, Pau Gasol, Glen Rice, to Ron Artest. One of his seasons without another significant star player. He was criticized due to losing in the 1st round against the Suns after squandering a 3-1 lead and practically laying down in the decisive game 7. He at the time was outmanned, I recall Leandro Barbosa destroying the Lakers and detractors were critical of Kobe’s defense and his approach in that decisive game. But when you are the only consistent source of offense on the team what do you expect. Even great players get fatigued and one can only do so much in a team game. Fast forward to the 2008 Olympics. Kobe, not needing to score as much, took the assignment of guarding Barbosa again.  Barbosa was rendered ineffective because Bryant was able to focus on just playing defense,  he didn’t have to carry the team offensively due to the overall strength of the USA team. Barbosa saying afterwards “he’s never guarded me like that”.   I mention this because it brings to light the plight of LeBron James.  To call LeBron a failure as a basketball player after these Finals is blasphemous. 
       His 1stgame ever as an 18 year old was 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals on 12-of-20 shooting  and his stat line from Game 5 of these 2015 Finals is  40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in a loss.  He from day one has succeeded his lofty expectations with the exception of one. The number of NBA championships.  Losing this Finals doesn’t come with an asterisk due to a limited supporting cast.  Delly can have some moments but asking him to hold down Curry for a whole series was asking too much. Also expecting JR Smith to show up every game was a pipedream. He is too inconsistent. Losing the Finals means your team lost just like no one player gets all the credit, no one player gets all the blame .  Robert Horry and GS Warrior coach Steve Kerr played on teams that went 7-1 and 5-0 respectively in The Finals. But some of the players on those opposing teams never got to experience a championship. But it doesn’t make them less of a player.  Players such as Allen Iverson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Reggie Miller should not take a backseat to an Andre Igudola, Klay Thompson or even Steph Curry ( at least to this point) because they had a GM who constructed a team that was good enough to achieve the ultimate goal.  If you’re going to criticize James, you also have to give him his credit.  Although one would venture to think how different things would be had they kept Wiggins and not gotten Love. No matter what you think about him, he's a legend of the game. His place in history is still to be determined. But there will soon be a day when young guns the likes of Anthony Davis and Andrew Wiggins will be the frontline stars of the NBA, so enjoy LeBron why you can.

When Will We See an End?

  Here we are yet again America. In my home state of South Carolina another unwarranted death dealt out by the boys in blue has taken place. A routine traffic stop gone wrong. It sounds like a broken record but sadly no resolution has taken place.  What went wrong? Who's to blame?
     First off I'm glad to see the victim Walter Scott's family asked that media whores like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson stay away.  They tend to stir up  a hornets nest instead helping find a resolution to the problem. Ferguson is still a mess today months after they were there. They need to put more emphasis on educating the people on how to interact professionally with cops. Not running might have prevented this incident and there would not be this world wide firestorm we have today about this N. Charleston incident but it shouldn't have led to death.
       Let's back track a little to last February when Ray Rice was seen pulling his then fiancee from an elevator in an Atlantic City casino. No one knew what went on inside, only that it wasn't good and that Ray Rice played a part in it. Ray told the local authorities what he did and  he was jailed, put on probation and entered into a first time offender program. What happened  next was the NFL and the Ravens levied a suspension on him for 3 games. But then TMZ released a video that would forever change how the NFL now deals with its players that are involved in domestic disputes and incidences. After viewing the horrible act committed by Mr Rice in the elevator he was indefinitely suspended from the NFL. Mind you the NFL and other sports as well have always had players that have committed such sinister acts but after seeing it on film it gives you a perspective that just makes you see just how awful the act really was. Consequently two other players Greg Hardy and Adrian Peterson who were awaiting trials about their domestic violence cases were put on the Commissioner's exempt list and missed the rest of their seasons.  The NFL has taken a hard line on this topic but only after turning a blind eye for so many years. It took that riveting video to give a better perspective on how heinous the act was.
      Now to the April 4th shooting of Walter Scott.  He was a man who committed some crimes but nothing of the extreme violent variety.  But when you make questionable decisions you open yourself up for trouble.  So he has a DUI, and back payment for child support for several of thousands of dollars but not armed robbery,  drug distribution, rape or anything of that nature. So I imagine his demeanor is not one of violent variety but one of a man who doesn't want to go behind bars knowing he has some pending warrants. So the threat of going back to jail scared him into literally running for his life.
      So if he had stayed in his car would he be alive today?  Almost assuredly yes. But we also have seen cops mow down 12 year old Tamir Rice for holding a toy gun at a local park in Cleveland.  Or John Crawford in Beavercreek, Ohio who was just playing with an airsoft rifle in Walmart and was shot before he could respond to the command to get down. Some cops are too cowardly and never try to diffuse the situation even when no real threat exists. Talk first. He was believed to have a bench warrant out on him for child support. Unless he has a good life insurance policy there's little chance that he'll be able to catch up on his  back payments thanks to the killer cop. I feel some sorrow for the cop's family as well the stress of the situation and the fact his wife is expecting in the next few months. But trying to take a shortcut often gets in you in a into tight situations you can't get out of. This wasn't a split second decision, just a I'm too lazy to run or call for backup so I'll just shoot him. Forget about those people this suspect is  leaving behind. Mr Scott was a father, a son, an uncle among other roles,  but all Officer Slager could see was he's making me run too much.
    I know, I know more blacks kill blacks than cops do, but aren't they supposed to be held to a higher standard. In some cases deadly force is needed. Such was the case in January of this year in nearby Freeport,TX with Ronald Sneed who held his girlfriend at gunpoint. In this instance there was a chance he could seriously harm her so one of the responding officers shot him. But the cop was protecting the interest of a fellow human being and the story was corroborated with the girlfriend. Funny thing is once the blacks are caught they are convicted and sent to jail and are often given hard time in most instances.  Some even get the nasty needle. George Zimmerman didn't even get convicted for his obvious disregard of instruction from the 911 operator. We now see what kind of low life he is. Just like OJ he'll mess up again and get what's due to him. But these cops are repeatedly getting off with the same lines,  I was threatened.  I feared for my life. He reached for my gun. It happened so fast. 
      Oh, but now we have a video. Show of hands, who has ever seen an episode of Cops the TV show. There are countless episodes where someone evades the police officer and tries to run and usually they get caught by the initial officer or help from a backup officer.  In those instances the cops never fire a weapon unless the perpetrator has fired a weapon at them. It would be easier to take the shortcut and shoot the individual.  But these cops use integrity and apprehend their perps in a more sensible manner. Or maybe is it that the video is rolling so they know what not to do on camera.
       Mr Scott left the car he was in and ran to a park where the officer followed him and attempted to tase him. After that failed attempt Mr Scott and his apparent Usain Bolt like speed were too much for the officer. He ran again but this time instead of chasing him on foot he fired eight rounds at Mr Scott fatally wounding him and cuffing his hands on his then dead body.  He then goes to retrieve the taser and plants it beside the dead corpse. To set up his blatant lie, which had ran in the local paper as a struggle with Scott who reached for his taser and he then responded with deadly force. But unknowingly he was caught on video by an eyewitnes, who wanted to show the world the truth.                                                                     Every case is unique in some way but one can't help but wonder what if we had a video of Darren Wilson shooting Michael Brown or Trayvon's fight for his life. Would things be different? Unfortunately those in the grave can't defend themselves against public opinion. They are rendered speechless by being murdered. They themselves unarmed.

       But even with this video and blatant cover up is this enough to finally convict one of these guys ? The Eric Garner incident was on video and still there was  no conviction. If this doesn't get it done what will?  It just amazes me how James Holmes the Colorado movie theater killer and Jared Loughner the Arizona man who shot a US senator and killed 6 others ,are here still wasting tax dollars when they easily and justifiably should have been shot on sight by law enforcement for the mass shooting events they were involved in. But playing with a toy gun in Walmart gets you shot down like you're big game. Something is wrong and it's time to call on the one who knows all the answers. Jesus. We must treat each other with respect and live a life pleasing to God. No this may not end all that troubles this nation immediately, but the word says all things are possible thru Christ. Love thy neighbor and forgive. Let's move forward before there's more civil unrest. Let's not assume someone's exterior makes them any less human than another man. All lives matter, let God be the final judge.

  

This Is how I see it: New Year for Change ?

This Is how I see it: New Year for Change ?:          As we have now have stepped over into this New Year. We now get a chance to start anew.  Whether it be your  finances, your health...

New Year for Change ?

         As we have now have stepped over into this New Year. We now get a chance to start anew.  Whether it be your  finances, your health, your relationships, your spirituality, or any other part of your life where change is necessary.  We all should have a drive to improve our stance in life. Change is essential in order to sustain success. If one becomes stagnate they stand still. Think of it as water. If water sits in one spot too long it grows algae, it mildews, and in some instances it becomes foul and develops a bad odor.  That’s a microcosm of how your life can become. You want to lose weight, put down the Popeyes  chicken.  You want to improve in your career, go back to school and increase your education. If you play basketball and you’re a poor free throw shooter,  take more shots or tweak your technique some. Changing bad habits will  help you as you progress thru life. Hopefully you see my point.  But as a society we seem to miss the boat in terms of the way we think about change in certain areas of our existence.
        How many innocent victims have to be murdered by those sworn to protect and serve us before there policies change. Change is very prevalent in my occupation and these new policies are often implemented after an unintended incident has taken place.  There needs to be a town hall discussion with law enforcement officials across this country on how to react in such tense situations.  Shooting to kill shouldn’t be your first reaction. There has to be an alternative.  I do recognize that there’s  a fine line to walk with such a dangerous occupation.  For the record, all cops aren’t bad, in fact there are a lot more good cops than bad ones. Problem is several incidents throughout history (statistics tell us this is true)shows  that they target a certain demographic with a lot more frequency and ferocity. Am I saying that this is not sometimes warranted, no.  But what I am saying is just like every cop is not dirty or has bad intentions.  Every black man or boy is not a criminal or at the very least deserves not to be shot at and possibly killed on site when suspected of a crime. We have to change our our preconceived notions. 
        The bible states,  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret – it only causes harm.” (Psalms 37:8).  In some of these incidents the victims felt like they were being harassed and maybe so. But showing your inner strength to diffuse the situation allows you an opportunity to possibly live to see another day.  It doesn’t make you less of a man to handle situations in a calm, non-confrontational manner.  It just means you show control  and that you aren't the menacing, undisciplined person some assume you to be. This is why I was a little turned off by the cops being mad at the St Louis Rams Players hands up game entry and other athletes wearing the I can’t breathe shirts.  These men took a stance that others like them in recent memory have shied away from. Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods stayed clear of social issues to protect their bottom line unlike their predecessors such as Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali.  It was refreshing because although they risked turning off some endorsers and fans. They felt this was bigger than them as an individual. It was all about the greater good.  They know that if you strip away the talent they have to entertain the general  public. What are they, but a black man who could easily be viewed as a criminal,  a thug, crook, etc. instead of a hardworking morally strong person. At the same time I applaud Rex Ryan and Tom Coughlin for wearing the NYPD caps during their respective team's football games last month.  In light of the recent slayings of 2 NYPD officers by some ignorant dupe thinking he was exorcising revenge for Eric Garner it showed support for those who are doing things the right way.  Two wrongs don't make a right. Our mindsets have to change people.  What did killing those cops do? It only infuriated some of the very cops who were guilty of committing excessive abuse against members of the public.  Think they won’t do it again if they can get away with it after such a malicious act.
         We as members of the public, specifically black men, must change how we deal with authority.  We must not always look to fight.  We must do more to change how we are perceived.  Stop the gang violence, drug dealing, the robbing. It sickens me to see the news and see another black man do some heinous crime. All these guys have done is perpetuate the myth. It makes it rougher on those who are good citizens and impactful members of society.

          Geraldo Rivera was called out for saying that the athletes who criticized cops for all of the recent shootings should wear,  be a better father t-shirts. There is truth to that as well.  But fatherhood is a choice, holding a toy gun and getting shot because of it, or getting strangled to death, not so much. Also the player in question was LeBron James, a married father of 3. It is though, an epidemic of sorts that has lead kids from single parent homes to a life of crime. Several make it thru and become a success such as a LeBron James.  So it’s not a guarantee of failure. Putting the father back in the home goes a long way in maintaining stability in a child’s life. Much like we as children of God must maintain our relationship with our Heavenly father. I can attest to the fact that if you don’t maintain a relationship with him you will have fruitless manifestation in your life. For those that pay child support , thinking that your child support payment is all your kids will ever need from you is ludicrous. They need to spend time with you as the male figure in their life.  1 Timothy 5:8 states , But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. God’s intention is for you to be there for your family. Don't ignore them.

          Just think of how much this country of ours has changed since 1776.  Blacks were kept as slaves, women weren’t allowed to vote.  Now one of the richest and most influential people in this country is  Oprah Winfrey, a black woman.  If not for changing of our beliefs there would be no President Obama, no Oprah,  Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.  Diversity and inclusion is paramount when implementing the laws that govern this country. Having different point of views allows us to see issues from different perspectives.  When people reference taking  America back. Taking  America back to where?  The one that enslaved people of color , dismissive of women’s rights, segregated schools. I hope not.  We are all created equal in God’s eyes. Positive change that impacts us has a lasting effect and benefits us all in the long run.  
         Just like the seasons, change is inevitable.  Unless you’re happy with your status in life be proactive and commit to change. Doing nothing guarantees you will get nothing different than you already have.  James 2:17 which says, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. “ in other words talk is cheap.  Having faith for changes in your life is null and void without your action.  Ignorance is committing the same act while expecting a different result.  In the words of Mary Mary, “Go Get It”.