Miranda Under Fire

Remember the police warning "You have the right to remain silent, if you give up that right anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you." Now, as of today, you had better get ready to find out what changes have been made to that all too familiar. The Supreme Court has revised the Miranda warning requirements, and added some madness to the game. According to news sources, the Supreme Court has trimmed the decision three times this session.



While they have not repealed the requirement that police officers inform a suspect of their rights of silence and to an attorney, they have limited the information the police officer has to give during the warning. They will not tell a suspect they have the right to have that attorney during questioning, nor will they let the suspect how long it will take to get the attorney. The courts then placed a limit on how long the request for an attorney is valid. If a defendant is released from custody for 14 days, the police can go back at the suspect again and unless the suspect re-invokes his/her right ot silence and an attorney, all over again. The police do not have to read the suspect his rights for a second time.



Now, I agree with law and order as much as anyone else, however not at the expense of anyone's rights. Miranda has actually been turned upside down. Now the one thing that surprises me is that this subject was not front page news. I stumbled on it by accident this morning!



Well, The Courts have went too far. Everyone arrested or taken in for questioning is guilty. Many have no real knowledge of the legal system. How many innocent people have wound up in prisson, even on death row, because of ignorance of the law. There has to be a better way. I used to repect the Supreme Court, as of this, not so much. Now I feel nothing but pity and disappointment. What's next, repealing the right to appeal a wrongful conviction?



Oh well, now we see the true Right Wing.

The Verdict is in: Business as Usual

Okay, as I said in yesterday's post, Los Angeles juries are not to swift when it comes to convictions of rogue cops and celebrities. Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Oscar Grant. Again the message it is ok to shoot an unarmed Black man, as long as you are a policeman still whispers loud. Mehserle faces up to four years in prison. Not that stiff a sentence. Now, if I am not mistaken, the sentencing judge can suspend that sentence and give him probation. I am not sure, because I am not a legal expert. However, when it comes to California, nothing surprises me. Only time will tell.

The worse part is that no one is a winner, no matter what the verdict was. Oscar's family will never see him again. His daughter will ultimately never know her father. Johannes Mehserle has to live with what he did. His career in law enforcement is over. He will always be the guy who shot and killed an unarmed man. Should he go to prison, he will have to be placed in protective custody and he will experience the fate of those he himself has previously arrested, during the course of his short career.

Grief? There is more than enough to go around. I don't know, it seems like the only relief the Grant family might get is in Civil Court. Sound familiar? (Think OJ). The only difference is the city of Oakland has to pay. It seems that in all the cases where an unarmed Black man is killed by police officers, the results always seems to be the city throwing money at the festering wounds. I hope they learn one day. To much pain, too much crying, too much dying.

Oakland Waits for Verdict in Oscar Grant Shooting.

It is a recurring theme in today's society. An unarmed Black man dying at the hands of law enforcement. The trial of Johannes Mehserle, a BART police officer, is in the hands of the jury. Seversal months ago videos of the shooting went viral and millions watched as the tragedy occurred. Mehserle's defense is that he accidently drew his service pistol, instead of his taser, which was alledgedly his intention. Well, the incident and the public reaction lead to a change of venue to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles court system does not have a stellar reputation in these matters. It appears that rogue cops and celebreties fail to get convicted there.

With that in mind, it is understandable why merchants in Oakland are in fear of civic unrest. After all, following Grant's funeral, rioting occurred. There have calls for calm and peace from all walks of Oakland life, including Grant's mother. You can believe everyone is anxious, even fearful of what may happen. Again, everyone will be expected to accept the jury's verdict. According to the law, that is what is supposed to happen. Usually, of late, it does. Rioting will not solve anything in a case like this. Unfortunately, in cases like these, you never know what a jury might do. I am not taking sides. I saw the video and unless the defendant is just plain stupid, or easy to panic, I cannot really swallow his story. However, I was not there and some things just do not show up in the video.

My primary question is this: "Is this verdict going to to be lawful and just, or just business as usual?"

Republicans Grant the Appearence of Attacking Deceased Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall During Confirmation Hearings.

How pitiful can the Republican Party be? During the confirmation hearings for President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, some ass of a senator from Arizona began attacking the tenure and performance of Justice Thurgood Marshall. Now correct me if I am wrong, has not this gentlemen been deceased for some time? What does the admiration Elena Kagan for the late Justice have to do with anything? Because Elena Kagan mentioned an admiration for the late Supreme Court Justice, she was raked over the coals, but more preposterous was that fact that the late Justice Marshall was also raked over the coals. Who the hell is being confirmed here? The fact that Ms. Kagan has to endure the BS tells me that racism still has a firm foothold in our society. If the Republican Party wants to become inclusive, attacking Justice Marshall is not the way to go. Even conservative Blacks will not stand for that.

From what happened at these hearings today, it appears that Elena Kagan will be confirmed. The only thing they seem to be able to attack her on is the ban on military recruiters on Harvard's campus and her admiration for Thurgood Marshall. In one article I read it was stated, "Elena Kagan will be confirmed, Thurgood Marshall, not so much."

Confederate History Month

This post will be short and sweet. Virginia declared Confederate History Month a few days ago. The beginning of the Civil War is being celebrated as some kind of great thing. Do not get it twisted! The Confederates were traitors; States Rights equals White Supremacy and Slavery; they became the cowardly KKK; they long for the "good ol' days" when every non-white was at best a second class citizen. Confederate History Month is a slap in the face of equality, promotes bigotry and turns back the hands of time. True the Civil War is a part of history and to glorify the Confederate aspects of it becomes a cruel joke. Supporters of this honoring the Confederacy demonstrate how far we really have come. Unfortunately, it has become plain we have not come far enough.

Some Can't the Forest, Because They're Looking At the Trees

I am gonna make this short and sweet: the Tea Party is comprised of a bunch of racists, bigots and zealots looking for a reason to create havoc and stagnate progress. With the economy being what it is; it is the perfect climate for fostering ignorance, hatred and blaming of the new administration. Where were they when Bush and Cheney where wrecking this country's economy and place in the world?

I am fed up with Sarah Palin, Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh. They have the right to their opinions, no matter how assinine they are. What is scary, they have so many knuckleheads listening to that garbage. They are provocative to the point of some ignorant bigot taking their rhetoric as gospel and going postal on a bunch of innocent people. Funny, they criticize politicians, but they have their own politicians who do the very things they complain about, but for them.

I believe in God as I understand him. They claim to be Christians, but I find it hard to believe. However, we all have things to answer for, come judgememnt day. Glen, Rush and Sarah, see you then!

Tea Party? Racist/ Anti Semetics? You Do the Math 2

Tea Party critics accuse them of bigotry and racism. GUILTY! The public does not get to see the overt racist signs nor the rhetoric on the Tee-shirts. Granted, I do not believe all in that movement are bigots and racists, however, if you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas. I have yet to hear any of the tea party leaders denounce or ask the bigots to demonstrate elsewhere. Their movement, like it or not has become the disguise the bigots needed to promote their messages of hate and intolerance. Unfortunately, our own media bears some of the blame. By the media's refusal to publish the photos of the placards and tee-shirts that spout racist jargon referring to the President, they are as if not more guilty than the party that refuses to address the issue.

The primary excuse the movement claims is that they are protesting fiscal irresponsibility of this administration. Where were they during the past eight years when Bush and Chaney were robbing the American taxpayer blind. They took the Patriot act and turned it into a license to steal. I did not hear of any "Tea Party" then. I believe I heard just the opposite. They protested about Obama's heritage (or what they perceived as Obama's heritage), but no one had anything to say about how the presidency was highjacked twice. As far as I am concerned, no matter how successful the healthcare effort ends up, because it was spearheaded by an administration led by a Black man, there will always be a problem.

That is just plain ignorant!

Tea Party? Racist/ Anti Semetics? You Do the Math

It pains me to see racism and anti-semetism disguised and camoflouged as anti-government patriotism. I keep hearing about so-called patriots protesting healthcare reform and spouting hatred at the same time. It is time someone called this farce what it is..Bigotry, racism, anti-semetism and hatred. They do not care about the healthcare bill. They are just "Good Ol' Boys" that want to set this country back to the "Good Ol' Days". Have you noticed any Blacks or Latinos in any of those crowds of protesters. If so, I wonder if they really believe they can benefit from the madness.

There are probably some people in the "Tea Party" who do not fit that description, however I am afraid their numbers are dwindling. While there are some things I do not like about the government, and the politicians, I do not want to turn back the hands of time and relive the past, where I was afraid of being lynched, because I knew I deserved equal protection under the Constitution. I believe that eventually the ship will right itself, but the enemy is not the politicians....not so much. You have a problem with what is happening to this country, check out the banking system. If you research that, then maybe you will know where to direct your anger.

My message to the Tea party: Do some real research and you will see who to point the finger at. Unfortunately, you have too many ignorant individuals who will not take the time to do the research necessary to find the truth. Oh well time will tell.

Personally, I am getting prepared.............FOR ANYTHING.

Is Anybody Out There?

I usually write about politics and the state of things today. I am never sure what to expect when I turn on the news, read a newspaper or check things out online. The more information I encounter, the crazier this world seems to me. I grew up in the '50s and '60s when while things were turbulant, they were not as nuts. We were struggling with civil rights, the Viet Nam War, and trying to find ourselves. "Turn on and Tune Out" was the catch phrase and still those times were not as crazy as these.

The amount of scandals were not as abundant. Crooked politicians usually were caught with their hands in the till, not with their hands up someone's skirt, or in someones pants. They were not being caught in public bathrooms trying to make a "hookup". We have had state governors resigning as a result of sexual orientation, illicit affairs, selling senate seats, and so many different things.

Now we have state governors slashing public school budgets, to balance state deficits. While it may work from a financial standpoint in an immediate sense, it is going to be a bad thing when the children of these cutbacks wind up under educated and unable to compete in tomorrow's work force. The real impact is on the less affluent. The rich will not have to worry about their children's education. They are able to buy it. Those who cannot, well it seems like you will be S.O.L.

Hospitals are going bankrupt, healthcare cuts, when does it end? Let us take a look at this whole picture. The economy is struggling; at the state level, everyone appears to be fighting to address deep deficits. What gets to me is that whenever they cut, it is always the less fortunate who get the majority of the budget cuts. This is the Republican way!

Since Ronald Reagan, the homeless population has risen exponentially. Ronald Reagan loved poor people...he made so many of them. The Conservatives have followed his tradition with a smug look on their face as if to say, "So what?" Oh well, let us see which segment of society will wake up first. Right now, everybody is nodding off.

The Bigotry Connection

Am I dreaming, or has Sara Palin and that Beck character joined forces? I caught a glimpse of the story in passing, but the thought is scary, but very enlightening. I wondered when the real Sarah Palin would show up. Now all she needs is a sheet over her head and a torch ready light a cross on somone's lawn, maybe even carrying a noose. Glenn Beck is a racist, no ifs, no ands, no butts! There is no other explanation aside from the obvious; to bigots have found each other and are joining forces to promote Jim Crow all over again. They may not be able to reverse things back to 1950, but then can make it difficult to solidify race and class relations. Those two in collaboration are as dangerous as a angry blind man with a gun in a subway station.

Ignorance always troubles me. Ignorance times two really troubles me, because they are both influential figures that appeal to other ignorant individuals with guns. They possibility of Sarah Palin running for president in 2012 is a nightmare in high definition. The possibility of her winning is a bad acid trip. This unholy alliance is going to be interesting to watch over the next several years. It's like Hannibal Lechter and Jeffrey Damer inviting you to dinner, it's a one way trip.

Here We Go Again!

Joe Slack, angry citizen, suicide murderer and crazy as hell! I know the climate of the country is one of anger and resentment toward the government and its agencies. People are unemployed, broke, homeless, starving and totally disillusioned at the way things turned out. Mentally impaired individuals with weapons are coming out of nowhere promoting, planning and executing acts of domestic terrorism.

James Von Brunn, another mad man with a weapon and a hatred for Jews and Blacks attacked and killed an innocent man and was subsequently killed by surviving security guards. Neither man knew their victims' names, nor did they care.

Slack is considered by some a hero for his act of domestic terrorism, while Von Brunn is just considered "nuts". Maybe in the circles of White Supremecists, VB might be considered a hero, too. Twisted, isn't it? The victims are the real heros. Two individuals who did no harm to their assassins, but paid the supreme price of both of their killer's insanities.

The anger perpetuated by the plunging economy is spreading like wildfire and if continued unchecked, the violence will escalate and the collateral damage will increase exponentially. The fuel to this anger is the raging conservative rhetoric of the tea party members. While not actually participating in the violence, (as far as we know), their rants and divisive actions are running many of the social accomplishments back the dark ages.

I spoke with an individual who is as angry as anyone I have ever seen at the government and how our citizens are being treated, but for the life of me, I cannot get it through his head that what he is angry about, my people have been subjected to the same thing since the abolishment of chattell slavery. He is a Viet Nam vet, who is being shafted by the same country he chose to defend and returned home to an ungrateful society calling him things like "child-killer" and "murderer", to name a few. He is homeless, unemployed, in need of medical care with little financial support. I feel his pain. The Veterans Administration wants to place him in substance abuse rehab, but the guy does not drink or use drugs. He needs a shelter that would act as a "hand-up" to allow him to become independent and self-supporting again, unfortunately, like so many other vets of other wars, there is no place like that for any of them.

Now, I am not saying this guy will snap and commit some kind of domestic attrocity, but the law of averages says there is at least one person like him close to the edge, with the idea of doing so. The rhetoric he speaks is so similar to the tea party, it's scary. Only without the bigoted overtones. Hopefully, something miraculous will happen and all of our vets will be treated fairly and get the help they need.

Hopefully, there will come a time where we will not have to wonder whether or not we will return home that evening as we leave to start our day. Let us be optimistic, shall we?

Now, the IRS? That is another blog. They have to be the most despised and hated government agency in America. Their agents are threatened constantly! Everyone who gets audited, hates them. They may have earned their reputation, because of the blanket authority they have and wield. They literally can take everything you own in the name of tax evasion. Heaven help you if you are caught cheating them. We read about celebreties that wind up in jail for not paying taxes. Unfortunately, little people also get punished for not paying taxes. It is harder on them, because they usually get cleaned out and ruined, so you wind up with angry little people with an ax to grind. Scary, isn't it?

I have no answers to that issue, but Joe Slack thought he did, unfortunately for everyone, (especially Vernon Hunter), he was dead, dead wrong. Anyone else have any more bright ideas?

Bi-Partison? BS! Compromise Will Never Happen!

Here we go again! The President is fighting an uphill battle (and what seems a losing one), because no one in Congress seems to realize they are supposed to serve the people, not the Fed, not the banking community, and not corporate fat cats! It seems they are paying up for those campaign contributions!

I see why the conservatives are surging. I listened to some of the speeches from their big gathering in DC and the keynote speaker is the best example of a reincarnation of every bigot I have ever seen, heard or read about. Glenn Beck is a racist posing as a Born-Again Christian. The Tea-Baggers, or Tea Party, whatever they call themselves have some good points, however their racism ansd bigotry is prevelant and on display. The statement made about illiterate people voting in the last election, was he or was he not referring to the days when Blacks were unable to vote if they could not pass a literacy test. I got news for you, Creep; a lot of your buddies wouldn't be able to pass a literacy test either, and they have been voting since they were eligible!

I am sick of hearing how they are going to save America, while millions continue to starve and fight poverty and homelessness. I am sick of hearing about how far we have come as a people when in reality the racism, bigotry and ignorance still exists, only with a little window dressing. The real problem is not between Blacks and Whites; it's between the "haves" and "have-nots". Racism and bigotry are only tools to keep the rest of us asleep and at each others' throats. However, some of us are too stupid to recognize when we have been played.

Getting back to the stupid Congress. For the first time, there is a President willing to work on both sides of the aisle and no one wants to agree on anything. Nothing is getting done, because everyone is playing politics. I see why the senator quit! It has to be frustrating for those who want to get something done, to be thwarted by knuckleheads who either stupid or just plain don't get it.

Well, I hate to bet the bearer of bad news, but if someone doesn't wake up, things are going to get much, much, worse. I can only hope that Glenn Beck is not the voice of the majority. I hope there are some with some kind of intelligence that can circumvent what his kind is trying to do. I personally am not with the Slavery thing. Maybe I am a bit paranoid, but it sure sounds like that is where this guy is going.

The whole situation is just sad.

Wake Up People!

The "Tea Party" movement is a threat to any people of color, low-income and who believes in equal rights. Their reaction to the misinformation of Republican zealots who release lies and falsehoods about any programs to help the poor, disenfranchised and less fortunate. I have remained silent and just watched the madness surrounding the healthcare reform efforts and anything the present administration attempts to implement to get us out of the mess we are in. While I have questions about some things, overall I think many of the ideas are good. The opponents of the bills are usually in the pockets of the medical and pharmaceutical lobby. That includes both Republicans and Democrats. The latest Supreme Court blunder is the ruling that corporations can donate any amount of money to any candidate during a political campaign. If you think that money will not influence the candidate's actions once he/she is elected, you must be smoking crack or just plain stupid.

Healthcare Reform will not happen because the money is invested in the direct opposite! The economy will remain in the toilet, because the jobs that would normally be created are all overseas! Big corporations have moved their factories overseas where they can pay workers four dollars a day and reap big profits while whole cities have died as a result of their decisions.

I always believed the oil companies should have bailed out the auto industry, because the auto industries kept producing the gas-guzzlers that made profits for the oil industry so astronomical. The American taxpayer continues getting screwed without any grease. The President cannot do it by himself. He has to have the backing of Congress and the people. Congress is off kilter and the people are misled on all fronts by the media and knuckleheads like Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin.

We make rock stars of dingbats and villans out of those who would help. Race is a part of the equation. I have seen the President subjected to all sorts of disrespect that no other President had to endure. If a member of Congress would have called Bush or Reagan a liar during a speech, he would have disappeared or been thoroughly ruined. The one thing the former "powers that be" want more than anything else is for Obama to fail! If he does not accomplish anything during his tenure the race card is back in play and we will not see another president of color anytime soon. This reminds me of Jimmy Carter's term, he had to try and clean up all of the damage done by Nixon and Ford in four years! Not gonna happen.

What is real scary is that we gave Bush eight years to wreck everything, but we will only give President Obama four years to straighten it out. The whole thing sucks and we, the real little people are going to suffer again!

The solution? Stop giving tax breaks to companies who send our jobs overseas. Stop allowing corporate contributions to politcal campaigns to go unregulated. Find some way to dispell the lies and misinformation consistently disseminated by the media and make somebody tell the truth.

I DARE YOU!