“I Don’t Know Karate, But I Know Ka-Razor!”

In 1973, James Brown submitted a song for the soundtrack of a Fred Williamson blaxploitation film, “Hell Up In Harlem.” The song was ultimately rejected as being, “the same old James Brown stuff.” Pissed off, Brown released the record on its own and it became one of his greatest hits, reaching #1 on the R&B charts. It arguably had one of the greatest single lines of all time, “I don’t know karate, but I know ka-razor.” There is some dispute about what he’s saying, many people thinking he’s saying “crazy.” He is indeed saying ka-razor, referring to a strait edged razor to bring to a fight when his regular fighting skills just won’t do. It’s time that Democrats bring a little ka-razor to this fight against Trump and what he represents because they are literally taking away our rights while Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi whine.

With the retirement of Anthony Kennedy from the Supreme Court, Donald Trump is preparing to appoint, and the Mitch McConnell led Republican Senate to approve, a right-wing Justice that will change the shape of America for decades and it’s time to fight. I am not advocating violence, I am saying it’s time to acknowledge that we’re in a fight for our way of life and for others their actual lives if the right gets what many of them think now they want.

White women, 53% of whom voted for Trump, will eventually realize that when Planned Parenthood goes which is high on Trump’s list. So will the availability of healthcare to many women for whom Planned Parenthood is their only option. No matter one’s opinion about abortion, they’ll realize that mammograms and prenatal care, contraceptives and testing critical to all women, will be lost to many as a result of not fighting for these rights. This court will likely decide that they know what’s better for women’s bodies that they themselves.

Ronald Reagan once said, “Latinos are Republicans, they just don’t know it yet.” He was suggesting they would find more in common with Republicans than Democrats once they took a close look. Now, they can see from any distance how Republicans really feel. They’ve listened to the voices of children crying, torn away from their mothers and fathers at the border. They told immigrants as they arrested them, “you didn’t come in the right way.” When they tried to seek asylum at official ports, they were repeatedly turned away, leaving them little recourse. They rewrote the rules just for you saying fleeing violence at home wasn’t sufficient reason to grant asylum. The United States created much of that violence, helping establish the cartels, picking winners and losers, allowing some to prosper while crushing others. The same Ronald Reagan gave us Iran/Contra where he and the current NRA President provided arms to Nicaragua.

The LGBTQ community is well aware of what to expect from this massive change in direction on the Supreme Court. Recent gains including the right to marry are subject to being wiped away. The current court just said that their rights are subservient to whatever one can claim as a religious right of their own. Trump has already said, “Transgenders can’t serve in the military. He refuses to acknowledge, “Pride Month.” His Justice Department has argued in court that discrimination against gays is legal. Today they don’t have to bake your cake, tomorrow who knows?

If there are any of my sisters or brethren still undecided as to what in the hell they had to lose? Know that any Federal supervision of local police forces is already gone. The Supreme Court too will look away from the systemic practices of law enforcement and the official cover-up that always follows, resulting in no justice, no justice, never any justice. Your ability to get a quality education or be admitted into a good college is being negatively affected while at the same time, HBCUs are being underfunded and losing accreditation. Mass incarceration is making a comeback as for-profit prisons are ramping up to accommodate those caught up in the next round. Trump has already advocated “stop & frisk” in more of our communities and now the court won’t stop him. It’s time to fight (metaphorically) and if you don’t know karate, at least know ka-razy because it’s no time to hold back.

Starting today, call your Senator and let them know you will not stand for a directional change to the Supreme Court. At the same time, register to vote and if you already are registered, find someone else you can get registered because it’s the results at the ballot box that matter. It is essential that Democrats not only take back the House of Representatives but the Senate as well. This November, we the people need to change the current direction of America. Skinheads, Neo-Nazi’s and White Nationalists have become mainstream. They are represented in the White House, time to send them to the outhouse.

Whether or not the next Trump nominee is stopped, we must continue to reject what some Republicans have stood for while others said and did nothing. The housecleaning shouldn’t stop there because Democrats have not been nearly as responsible to the people as they have their contributors and lobbyists. It’s time to payback not just one Party but to force our entire government to represent the people and not the power. Getting rid of Citizen’s United would be a start, ending Gerrymandering and voter Suppression good follow ups. It’s not enough just to get mad, it’s time to get even!

“Sold me out, for chicken change (yes you did!)
Told me that they, they had it all arranged
You had me down, and that’s a fact
Now you punk, You gotta get ready
For the big payback! (the big payback!)
That’s where I land, the big payback (the big payback!)”

Why The Open Supreme Court Seat Gives Democrats A Better Chance At The Senate

In a bombshell announcement, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy said he was retiring from the Supreme Court. There had long been speculation he’d retire, his wife allegedly wanted him to retire. He will turn 82-years-old in July. Without meaning to disparage, he was old and tired and that was reflected in this last session where he seemingly rolled over and let the partisan right-wingers have their way. Even his concurring opinion in support of Trump’s “Travel Ban,” a meager 1 and 1/2 pages indicated his effort was gone. Kennedy had apparently retired long before his announcement.

Immediately, Trump, McConnell, and many top Republicans started drooling at the thought of what they could do with an untouchable partisan majority once they inserted another like-minded Justice to serve 30-40 years or more on the bench. They could undo Roe v. Wade, outlaw gay marriage and eliminate Affirmative Action. Planned Parenthood… gone! This most recent session gave us a glimpse as to what the new SCOTUS would look like. They approved a “Travel Ban” which was an ill-disguised Muslim Ban in its third iteration, they severely wounded public unions by eliminating their ability to collect dues from all workers they were required to represent. They looked the other way on “Partisan Gerrymandering” which in most cases is “Racial Gerrymandering” by another name. Out of the other side of their mouth, they said; “Racial Gerrymandering” is bad and rejected the Texas version of it, The new Court, not much different than the current one, will take away rights from women, gays, minorities, workers, and students. We don’t have to guess at their intentions, they are happy to tell us who they are and what they plan. And that will be their undoing.

While the Democrat Party has mostly been a pushover in times like these. Even the initial comments from the elected leaders are focusing on Republicans not “being fair” when not applying the same standard about holding confirmation hearings so close to an important election. Frankly, they sound like they’re whining and when Mitch McConnell points out that “Mid-Terms are different than a Presidential election,” he’s right. The same President will be in place before and after the election and would be in no way compelled to consider any result of the election when making his appointment and sending him/her to the Senate for confirmation. A far more compelling argument is that the current President is a target of an investigation and has a conflict of interest in appointing a Justice that might ultimately hear his case. Another possibility is that he’s demonstrated an unusual deference to the Russians he may or may not have conspired with, we should wait for the investigation to be concluded before possibly letting Vladimir Putin select our next Supreme Court Justice.

But it won’t be Democrat leaders who carry the fray, it will be the people. It will be the women, even many of the 53% of white women who voted for the serial sexual harasser, pussy grabbing adulterer that didn’t give them pause earlier. They will recognize that killing Planned Parenthood not only limits options for abortion but takes away the only source of Healthcare for an astonishing number of women, particularly in rural areas. The LGBTQ community will be reinforced in the knowledge that their hard-fought rights, many decided on the swing vote of Anthony Kennedy, are in jeopardy. Any Black people who hadn’t yet decided what it was they had to lose under a Trump administration will have noticed Trump and Jeff Sessions bringing back mass incarceration and expanding voter suppression. Hispanic voters will have noticed people that look like them having their children separated from their parents, some likely to never see them again. Muslim voters are now more than an ocean away from friends and relatives, they are separated by laws no less racially based that those that interred the Japanese during World War II while Germans and Italians with whom we were also at war, were affected in much smaller percentages. Young people will see that individual rights have been pushed aside for corporate rights and that they are doing worse than their parents as a result.

At Planned Parenthood, phones are already ringing off the hook because the man who promised he’d make overturning Roe v. Wade a litmus test when selecting a Justice, is preparing to do it again. He lived up to his promise on his first choice, Neil Gorsuch, and will no doubt do the same on his second. Hispanics who have traditionally not turned out at the polls in representative numbers will be there, perhaps remembering the cries of the children, calling for their mothers. Reliable Black people will be there again, hoping to get in line next to someone wearing a MAGA hat. Muslims will turn out, Native-Americans who don’t see the humor in “Pocahontas” being used to ridicule Elizabeth Warren about her lineage. And then the women, some of whom stood by while Republicans came for all the other groups, now see that Trump, and the Republican Party, have come for them.

While Democrat leaders are calling on deaf ears for “fairness.” Americans are mobilizing against a Court and a Republican Party gone too far. These will be votes against the Republicans as opposed to for Democrats and Democrats would do well to start standing for something as opposed to only being against Trump. Democrats and even the people may not be able to stave off the confirmation of the type of Justice many of us fear. They can take back control of the House and Senate and begin to legislate fixes instead of not doing their job which has been true for the past two decades.

The Democrat Party has an excellent chance to re-take the House of Representatives and in what originally looked like dire straits, have a better chance than before of controlling the Senate as well. In a new day without the filibuster. They can perhaps pay less heed to civility and more to the people. It will require less whining and more organizing. The upcoming elections will be won by getting out the vote and the people have been energized to a level not seen before. The leaders of the Democrat Party need to lead or get out of the way because the people are coming.

How “Shithole Countries” Organized A Trade War And Brought Trump To His Knees

Their covert communications were never intercepted because the CIA, FBI, NSA, et. al. were never looking in their direction. The target date was September 1st, late enough in the United States growing season that they’d have no chance to respond. They gave no notice, sending out a tweet on August 31st announcing their 100% export tariffs/duties on all goods from their countries going to the US. Half of America was confused, not recognizing that America even bought goods from those countries, some the same names as those whose children we were separating children from their parents at the border. Guatemala and Honduras were on the list. Peru, Chile, and Mexico participating as well. Costa Rica had joined in along with several African countries. Trump immediately responded with a tweet, “Shithole countrees think they can mess with the US? We don’t need their goods or there people! MAGA!” The countries raised the export taxes to 200%… it was on.

August 31st was a Friday and the announcement came after most in the White House has gone home. Chief of Staff John Kelly was still there, working on the same plan he’d been refining for a year. How to quit and retain his honor if Trump did just “one more thing.” The problem was his honor was lost long ago. He still dreamed though. An aide showed him the tweet and he ignored it to go home for the weekend. He told the aide, “Let someone else worry about it.”

Grocery stores were the first to understand the significance of the export taxes. They were at the end of the US growing season. Much of their fruits and produce was already coming from those countries; cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelons, bananas, grapes, peppers, and more. Jewelers recognized how much of their diamond and gold supply came from Africa. Egyptian Cotton had long been branded as the world’s best, now all these things had tripled in price. The stores all raised their prices at least double while simutaneously cutting their profit margins. They called their trade groups, Congressmen and lobbyists. They demanded action, this cannot stand!

No one in the Administration even knew who to talk to on the other side? Most of their embassies were unstaffed. John Bolton wanted to bomb someone and Mike Pompeo had no contacts. The countries hadn’t even issued any demands or contact information. Their only line of communication was through Twitter where any negotiations would have to be conducted in public. Finally, they picked Jared Kushner to respond with a reply, “What do you want?”

The response came a few hours later, “What is your plan to reunite the families you separated?” This set off some scrambling in the White House and three hours later a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office was held. Trump asked, “So what is our plan?” Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “Don’t you think it’s a little late to be asking that? This was your idea. You’ve had me saying for three months we know where every child and parent is, do we?” Trump looked at Jeff Sessions, “Do we?” Sessions said, “I think HHS has control of the lists?” Trump asked, “Where’s Alex Azar?” John Kelly said, “He quit twenty minutes ago, matter of fact, I’m out the door too. I can’t think of a better time.” Kelly turned and left the room, slamming the door behind. Sarah Sanders said, “How am I supposed to explain this to the press?” Trump said, “Just make something up… you always do.”

Across America, grocery prices had gone up an average of 30%, stores which operated on thin margins anyway were now losing money because of their increased shrinkage from throwing away out of date product they miscalculated people would buy at higher prices. Mexican Restaurants were shutting down which got the attention of Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen and Sr. Advisor Stephen Miller who frequently dined at Mexican restraunts on days they’d been especially cruel to Mexicans and those who looked like them. Unexpectedly, the NRA was hearing from its members that gun sales were way down. It seems even the drug cartels and gangs south of the border had stopped buying guns at gun shows, utilizing the loopholes Congress would never close. Even the drug lords were upset at the way the children were treated at the border and agreed to stop their purchased until this matter was concluded.

The NRA applied pressure to all the members of Congress they owned which was basically all of them, they demanded an immediate end to the export taxes, but no one knew what the countries wanted yet? Mid-terms were approaching and all the backlash was accruing to the Republicans who supported Trump or said nothing when the children started being taken away. The menu at Mar-a-Lago had been decimated, most of the fruit and vegetable dishes were no longer offered along with the some of the steaks. Trophy wives were upset about the lack of diamonds and gold suddenly, they didn’t sign on to be team players, their expectation was they’d get paid, so they cut off their husbands, adding more pressure to the situation.

Trump’s approval rating was down to 18% among all Americans yet surprisingly still hovering at 77% among Republicans. That figure was misleading because over half the party had now left and become Independents or Democrats but the remaining ones were still loyal. Trump himself finally tweeted, “What du you want?” The reply came immediately, “1. Reunification of all the children taken from their parents 2. Removal of any tariffs introduced since you’ve been President 3. Fire Stephen Miller 4. Resign or be Impeached?

All of Congress had read the exchange and internal huddling indicated Impeachment would be no problem, the NRA had given them the green light. Mitch McConnell made the trip to the Oval Office to tell Trump he couldn’t survive an Impeachment vote. Trump… broken and bowed, acknowledged he had no choice and agreed to all the demands. He fired Miller first whom he blamed for all his racist policies, although he’d harbored them himself all his life. The tariffs were renounced by tweet, the process of reuniting children began although the ultimate success was unclear as they had no idea how to connect several of the families. Further negotiations indicated the demand would be considered met after 90% of the families were reunited with clearly outlined plans to keep working on the rest. Talks almost broke down when Trump admitted “a few children had died while in custody.” An agreement was made that no pardons would be issued for the rest of Trump’s term and no future President could pardon Trump or his staff or the export taxes would resume. Also, because Trump often lied, Impeachment proceedings began in the House of Representatives, giving Trump some impetus so he could quit rather than be dragged out.

A month later, people were eating their fruit salads, bananas and the East Coast had pineapple again. Mar-a-Lago was closed and up for sale. It seems for the first time in a while, no Russians were lining up to buy a Trump property. The entire Cabinet resigned along with Trump, Gary Pruitt and Wilbur Ross were both arrested on the White House steps on a variety of charges. Indictments came down for Erik Prince, Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, Jeff Sessions and since he was no longer President, Donald Trump as well. Contracts were signed with Court TV and The Comedy Channel to televise all the trials. Most of the families were reunited and the US had agreed to provide counseling as needed which was in every case. Because the countries south of the border had learned to utilize each others goods and services and not depend on the United States, their economies improved and the US started experiencing negative immigration as people returned to their countries. The cartels and gangs had engaged in discussions with their countries leaders and stopped persecuting the people The cartels went into agribusiness of legal crops. The gangs became the primary work force and took up agriculture somewhat grudgingly. The pay was much less but they had a higher life expectancy so there’s that.

As for Trump himself, he was convicted of multiple financial crimes including money laundering, fraud, insider trading, and FEC violations. Charges were still pending related to Conspiracy but the list of people that have flipped on him included his sons (including Barron), Melania (who revealed her marriage to Trump was fake because she was already married at the time). After Melania testified, she told reporters, “I told you I reaqlly dont care!” Ivanka and Jared testified against Trump for reduced sentences, it seems she was complicit in everything after all. Trump was sent to a Federal Prison in New Jersey which had a golf course, but part of his sentence was that he not be allowed to play. Mike Pence was also found guilty of gross negligence and conspiracy and forced to resign. Republicans lost both the House and Senate in the mid-terms. Democrats promised to keep a strict rein on new President Mike Pompeo who was a lame duck from the beginning having promised not to run. Paul Ryan had declined to accept the Presidency as he was next in line after Pence, probably because he knew of pending charges against himself. A final tweet was issued from the Twitter account registered to the shithole countries, “Don’t start none won’t be none!”

How “Shithole Countries” Organized A Trade War And Brought Trump To His Knees

Their covert communications were never intercepted because the CIA, FBI, NSA et. al., were never looking in their direction. The target date was September 1st, late enough in the United States growing season that they’d have no chance to respond. They gave no notice, sending out a tweet on August 31st announcing their 100% export tariffs/duties on all goods from their countries going to the US. Half of America was confused, not recognizing that America even bought goods from those countries, some the same names as those whose children we were separating children from their parents at the border. Guatemala and Honduras were on the list. Peru, Chile, and Mexico participating as well. Costa Rica had joined in along with several African countries. Trump immediately responded with a tweet, “Shithole countrees think they can mess with the US? We don’t need their goods or there people! MAGA!” The countries raised the export taxes to 200%… it was on.

August 31st was a Friday and the announcement came after most in the White House has gone home. Chief of Staff John Kelly was still there, working on the same plan he’d been refining for a year. How to quit and retain his honor if Trump did just “one more thing.” The problem was his honor was lost long ago. He still dreamed though. An aide showed him the tweet and he ignored it to go home for the weekend. He told the aide, “Let someone else worry about it.”

Grocery stores were the first to understand the significance of the export taxes. They were at the end of the US growing season. Much of their fruits and produce was already coming from those countries; cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelons, bananas, grapes, peppers, and more. Jewelers recognized how much of their diamond and gold supply came from Africa. Egyptian Cotton had long been branded as the world’s best, now all these things had tripled in price. The stores all raised their prices at least double while simutaneously cutting their profit margins. They called their trade groups, Congressmen and lobbyists. They demanded action, this cannot stand!

No one in the Administration even knew who to talk to on the other side? Most of their embassies were unstaffed. John Bolton wanted to bomb someone and Mike Pompeo had no contacts. The countries hadn’t even issued any demands or contact information. Their only line of communication was through Twitter where any negotiations would have to be conducted in public. Finally, they picked Jared Kushner to respond with a reply, “What do you want?”

The response came a few hours later, “What is your plan to reunite the families you separated?” This set off some scrambling in the White House and three hours later a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office was held. Trump asked, “So what is our plan?” Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “Don’t you think it’s a little late to be asking that? This was your idea. You’ve had me saying for three months we know where every child and parent is, do we?” Trump looked at Jeff Sessions, “Do we?” Sessions said, “I think HHS has control of the lists?”  Trump asked, “Where’s Alex Azar?” John Kelly said, “He quit twenty minutes ago, matter of fact, I’m out the door too. I can’t think of a better time.” Kelly turned and left the room, slamming the door behind. Sarah Sanders said, “How am I supposed to explain this to the press?” Trump said, “Just make something up… you always do.”

Across America, grocery prices had gone up an average of 30%, stores which operated on thin margins anyway were now losing money because of their increased shrinkage from throwing away out of date product they miscalculated people would buy at higher prices. Mexican Restaurants were shutting down which got the attention of Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen and Sr. Advisor Stephen Miller who frequently dined at Mexican restraunts on days they’d been especially cruel to Mexicans and those who looked like them. Unexpectedly, the NRA was hearing from its members that gun sales were way down. It seems even the drug cartels and gangs south of the border had stopped buying guns at gun shows, utilizing the loopholes Congress would never close. Even the drug lords were upset at the way the children were treated at the border and agreed to stop their purchased until this matter was concluded.

The NRA applied pressure to all the members of Congress they owned which was basically all of them, they demanded an immediate end to the export taxes, but no one knew what the countries wanted yet? Mid-terms were approaching and all the backlash was accruing to the Republicans who supported Trump or said nothing when the children started being taken away. The menu at Mar-a-Lago had been decimated, most of the fruit and vegetable dishes were no longer offered along with the some of the steaks. Trophy wives were upset about the lack of diamonds and gold suddenly, they didn’t sign on to be team players, their expectation was they’d get paid, so they cut off their husbands, adding more pressure to the situation.

Trump’s approval rating was down to 18% among all Americans yet surprisingly still hovering at 77% among Republicans. That figure was misleading because over half the party had now left and become Independents or Democrats but the remaining ones were still loyal. Trump himself finally tweeted, “What du you want?” The reply came immediately, “1. Reunification of all the children taken from their parents 2. Removal of any tariffs introduced since you’ve been President 3. Fire Stephen Miller 4. Resign or be Impeached?

All of Congress had read the exchange and internal huddling indicated Impeachment would be no problem, the NRA had given them the green light. Mitch McConnell made the trip to the Oval Office to tell Trump he couldn’t survive an Impeachment vote. Trump… broken and bowed, acknowledged he had no choice and agreed to all the demands. He fired Miller first whom he blamed for all his racist policies, although he’d harbored them himself all his life. The tariffs were renounced by tweet, the process of reuniting children began although the ultimate success was unclear as they had no idea how to connect several of the families. Further negotiations indicated the demand would be considered met after 90% of the families were reunited with clearly outlined plans to keep working on the rest. Talks almost broke down when Trump admitted “a few children had died while in custody.” An agreement was made that no pardons would be issued for the rest of Trump’s term and no future President could pardon Trump or his staff or the export taxes would resume. Also, because Trump often lied, Impeachment proceedings began in the House of Representatives, giving Trump some impetus so he could quit rather than be dragged out.

A month later, people were eating their fruit salads, bananas and the East Coast had pineapple again. Mar-a-Lago was closed and up for sale. It seems for the first time in a while, no Russians were lining up to buy a Trump property. The entire Cabinet resigned along with Trump, Gary Pruitt, and Wilbur Ross were both arrested on the White House steps on a variety of charges. Indictments came down for Erik Prince, Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, Jeff Sessions and since he was no longer President, Donald Trump as well. Contracts were signed with Court TV and The Comedy Channel to televise all the trials. Most of the families were reunited and the US had agreed to provide counseling as needed which was in every case. Because the countries south of the border had learned to utilize each other’s goods and services and not depend on the United States, their economies improved and the US started experiencing negative immigration as people returned to their countries. The cartels and gangs had engaged in discussions with their countries leaders and stopped persecuting the people The cartels went into agribusiness of legal crops. The gangs became the primary work force and took up agriculture somewhat grudgingly. The pay was much less but they had a higher life expectancy so there’s that.

As for Trump himself, he was convicted of multiple financial crimes including money laundering, fraud, insider trading, and FEC violations. Charges were still pending related to Conspiracy but the list of people that have flipped on him included his sons (including Barron), Melania (who revealed her marriage to Trump was fake because she was already married at the time). After Melania testified, she told reporters, “I told you I reaqlly dont care!”  Ivanka and Jared testified against Trump for reduced sentences, it seems she was complicit in everything after all. Trump was sent to a Federal Prison in New Jersey which had a golf course, but part of his sentence was that he not be allowed to play. Mike Pence was also found guilty of gross negligence and conspiracy and forced to resign. Republicans lost both the House and Senate in the mid-terms. Democrats promised to keep a strict rein on new President Mike Pompeo who was a lame duck from the beginning having promised not to run. Paul Ryan had declined to accept the Presidency as he was next in line after Pence, probably because he knew of pending charges against himself. A final tweet was issued from the Twitter account registered to the shithole countries, “Don’t start none won’t be none!”

 

What Is It Trump Doesn’t Want You To See?

Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro (D-Nev) undertook a tour of several detention centers where immigrant children were being held. Some were torn away from their parents while crossing the border seeking asylum. She notified the centers in advance of her intended visits. When she reached the Casa Presidente facility in Texas, she was denied access because it was “private property.” She was allowed to see what the government wanted to see, not what they have chosen to hide.

This scenario is now playing out across the country as more and more facilities are identified and the public demands to known what the conditions are. Occasionally, elected officials and sometimes the press are allowed into selected facilities. Always under the condition they not speak to the children, no audio, and no cameras, no cameras, never any cameras. It may well have been the unauthorized leak of the voices of young girls crying for their family that pushed Trump to issue the Executive Order that stops future separations of families. This does not affect those families already separated, some of those families may never be reunited. They release selective pictures depicting what they want you to think. What is it they don’t want us to see?

On May 12, 2018 a distraught Honduran man allegedly killed himself, weeks after he was separated from his wife and child at the border. Marco Antonio Munoz was found dead in his cell although under watch, his death was not reported in local media and never publicly disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security. Starr County Sheriff’s Deputies recorded the incident as a “suicide in custody” in their reports. What is it the government doesn’t want you to know?

We know from reporting that several children have been taken to the hospital since the implementation of Zero-Tolerance by Donald Trump. The children had no medical records. What we don’t know, and can’t rely on the Trump Administration to tell us is, how many people have died while in custody by any cause, suicide, murder or natural death? How many children have been assaulted, harassed or raped? We read about children being given excessive doses of medical drugs issued by psychiatrists, what is the truth? How many families will never be reunited because the government never thought to track them in the first place. How many children are being given up for adoption to American families while their own families desperately want them back?

These are the things being hidden by our government. They would distract you by focusing by Administration members being heckled while at restaurants. We would rather know the answers to these questions? We must not stop until we uncover that which they are hiding. Melania Trump may not really care? The question is… do U?

Melania Trump, “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?”

Melania Trump boarded an Air Force jet to McAllen, Texas, wearing a green jacket saying, “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?” Whether she was speaking about this visit to see immigrant children, some locked away due to her husband’s policy. Or her role as First Lady in the reality show that is her life. It hardly matters. Melania Trump doesn’t care anymore. Perhaps she hasn’t for a long time?

She doesn’t go on trips where FLOTUS might be expected to appear. She slaps away her husband’s hand when he reaches for hers. She sleeps in a separate bedroom from her husband and pointedly rebuked Rudy Guliani when he suggested she “believed her husband” regarding the porn stars and Playmate’s that have dominated the news.

The problem with her no longer giving a shit, when representing a President we know doesn’t give a shit, is that her visit carries no weight. Zero-Tolerance has not gone away. Trump’s recent executive order only says that new families apprehended will be kept together while the US prosecutes 100% of families, even moving them to the front of the line for deportation. They will be held mostly on Air Force bases in new tent cities, where the press will not be allowed to document the care and conditions.

The Executive Order contained no provisions to reunite the 2,300 kids that have already been separated from their parents. Some of whom may never be returned to their parents. Since then, Trump has mumbled some words suggesting reunifications will take place, but they are only words, Trump words at that which carry even less weight. There is no policy or process to restore the families that have been torn asunder by Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions, and Kirstjen Nielsen.

This is not the time to claim victory and ignore what happens next. The pressure that got Trump to make what may ultimately be a subtle change, must continue if true victory is to be won. If you are waiting for the kindler, gentler voices in Trump’s sphere to make a difference? Ivanka has problems of her own and Melania has told the world, “I really don’t care!”

Melania Trump “I Really Don’t Care… Do U?”

Melania Trump boarded an Air Force jet to McAllen, Texas, wearing a green jacket saying, “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?” Whether she was speaking about this visit to see immigrant children, some locked away due to her husband’s policy. Or her role as First Lady in the reality show that is her life. It hardly matters. Melania Trump doesn’t care anymore. Perhaps she hasn’t for a long time?

She doesn’t go on trips where FLOTUS might be expected to appear. She slaps away her husband’s hand when he reaches for hers. She sleeps in a separate bedroom from her husband and pointedly rebuked Rudy Guliani when he suggested she “believed her husband” regarding the porn stars and Playmate’s that have dominated the news.

The problem with her no longer giving a shit, when representing a President we know doesn’t give a shit, is that her visit carries no weight. Zero-Tolerance has not gone away. Trump’s recent executive order only says that new families apprehended will be kept together while the US prosecutes 100% of families, even moving them to the front of the line for deportation. They will be held mostly on Air Force bases in new tent cities, where the press will not be allowed to document the care and conditions.

The Executive Order contained no provisions to reunite the 2,300 kids that have already been separated from their parents. Some of whom may never be returned to their parents. Since then, Trump has mumbled some words suggesting reunifications will take place, but they are only words, Trump words at that which carry even less weight. There is no policy or process to restore the families that have been torn asunder by Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions, and Kirstjen Nielsen.

This is not the time to claim victory and ignore what happens next. The pressure that got Trump to make what may ultimately be a subtle change, must continue if true victory is to be won. If you are waiting for the kindler, gentler voices in Trump’s sphere to make a difference? Ivanka has problems of her own and Melania has told the world, “I really don’t care!”

SuperFly: A Review (Spoilers)

Blaxploitation: 1. The exploitation of Black people, especially with regard to stereotyped roles in movies. 2. An ethnic sub-genre of the exploitation film that emerged in the United States in the early 1970’s.

The original Super Fly was produced in 1972 on an estimated budget of $58,000. They got all their money’s worth as the film was one of the Top Ten grossing films of the year and Curtis Mayfield’s soundtrack was nominated for two Grammy’s; Best Soundtrack and Best R & B Album. Super Fly came out on the heels of “Shaft” and “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.” It helped open the doors for more blaxploitation flicks including “Cleopatra Jones,” “Uptown Saturday Night,” and arguably “Enter The Dragon,” starring Bruce Lee. Whatever you think of the blaxploitation era, it created black stars and provided hundreds of jobs in the film industry. Some of the actors were able to crossover and become fixtures in mainstream Hollywood. It gave us soundtracks featuring Earth, Wind and Fire, Isaac Hayes, and Mayfield, all are classics still getting airplay. These films also helped perpetuate stereotypes that live on in America. Blaxploitation had a place and a purpose, many were glad to see it go.

SuperFly (2018) is an updated remake of the original film. Set in Atlanta instead of New York. We see many of the same characters who’s fate was predetermined when we first heard their names. When Freddy was first introduced, we all knew it was just a matter of time before he was killed, based on the original film and one of the hit’s from the first movie, “Freddie’s Dead.” The movie ambitiously attempted to duplicate the success of the original soundtrack with the 2018 version produced by Future and featuring Rick Ross along with Young Thug, Scar, Little Wayne and others. Ultimately, the music worked best when they used short clips from the original Curtis Mayfield soundtrack in critical scenes.

Regarding the film itself, there was some outstanding acting by star Trevor Jackson and the always captivating Michael K. Williams. The rest of the cast did what they could with the material, stereotypical as the roles were. Director X, with most of his experience doing music videos, did well with showing us the bling but the story itself was jumpy and the pacing uneven. One example was the aforementioned Freddie, who was literally not worthy of Priest’s (Trevor Jackson) attention but when he died we were meant to believe he was a critical figure in the film, beloved by all? If they wanted to make his death important, they needed to establish the character, which never happened.

My harshest criticism is about the need for the film itself. A question I’m still asking is, “Do black filmmakers have a responsibility to advance the culture in their work?” On one level the film is entertaining… if that was the only goal it worked. It glorifies drug dealers, strippers and guns with plenty of gratuitous nudity and violence. There is not a single character you could point to and wish your son or daughter followed their lead. Even Priest abandoned his code when faced with opportunity/danger, first going around his mentor to achieve his own goals and later selling him out when it became a him or me situation. One constant theme was that there truly is no honor among thieves.

I should have been part of the target audience for this movie; someone who’s seen and liked the original. Instead I worry about the message it was sending and what the producers had in mind? Maybe I’m just a hater for wanting more from the films we make and expecting us to get a little more than simply entertainment? We never saw the harm done in the community by the cocaine around which the film centered. Even the girl that accidentally got shot got paid $50K. The drug culture isn’t no harm no foul, would showing that have been too much to ask?

The ending leaves us set up for a possible sequel. Priest achieved his goal and got out of the game, taking a lot of money with him. Events at home could easily bring him back for another sequel, “Return of Super Fly.” I’m hoping Priest just stays gone.

Save The Children by Marvin Gaye (For no particular reason having nothing to do with Zero-Tolerance…

I just want to ask a question:
Who really cares, to save a world in despair?
Who really cares?
There’ll come a time (There’ll come a time)
When the world won’t be singing (When the world won’t be singing)
Flowers won’t grow (flowers won’t grow, no)
Bells won’t be ringing (the bells won’t be ringing)
Who really cares? (Who really cares?)
Who’s willing to try? (Who is willing to try?)
To save the world, (to save the world)
That’s destined to die (that is destined to die)
When I look at the world (when I look at the world)
It fills me with sorrow (it fills me with sorrow)
Little children today (children today)
Are really going to suffer tomorrow (really suffer tomorrow)
(Oh!) What a shame (what a shame)
Such a bad way to live (such a bad way to live)
Oh, who is to blame? (Who is to blame?)
We can’t stop living, (when we can’t stop living)
Live, (Live)
(Live for life) Live for life
(But let live everybody)
Live life for the children (live life for…the children. Oh, for the Children)
You see, let’s…let’s save the children
Let’s…let’s save all the children, (Save the babies, save the babies!)
(And if you want to love, you got to….save the babies)
(Oh you’ve got the feeling, you’ve got the feeling)
(You will save the babies)

[Verse 2]
But who really cares?
Who’s willing to try?
To save our world
To save our sweet world
To save a world
That is destined…to die
Oh, la la la la, la la la
Oh, oh, dig it everybody

Where Are The Girls? Trump’s Zero-Tolerance Shame

When the government does something so heinous they have to hide what they’re doing, you know it’s bad. They have released a few photos of teenage boys playing video games, mostly a different group of immigrants than those forcefully separated from their parents at the border. No sign of the girls and toddlers? Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Director Kirstjen Nielson said she “didn’t know,” where the girls were? She also said the Trump administration doesn’t have a policy to separate children from their parents, although Chief of Staff John Kelly, Senior Advisor Stephen Miller, and even President Donald Trump say differently. Nobody has said where the girls and toddlers are?

We’ve heard from a few of the girls on an unauthorized audio tape released by Pro Publica. We heard young girls, reportedly between ages 4–6, crying for their parents. Calling for their mama or papa, in one case asking if her aunt could pick her up? Those young girls are somewhere… the government won’t tell us.

Trump doesn’t want you to see pictures beyond the few his DHS department has released. They tell us of the comfort, security, health services, and games. Cameras are not allowed in. Elected officials are mostly turned away. Those few that have seen inside speak of cages, mylar blankets spread out on the floor, what under any other circumstance would be called child abuse of the boys that have been seen. Where are the girls? Where are the toddlers? Why won’t the government show us or tell us? Our government is now being compared unfavorably to Boko Haram, holding girls hostage to attain a political gain. What trauma is Trump willing to inflict to get his wall?

The United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned America for its policy of stripping children from their parents. Trump and U.N. Secretary Nikki Haley responded by withdrawing its membership in the Human Rights Council. The United States and Human Rights are no longer to be mentioned in the same sentence without drawing attention to the hypocrisy of the Trump Administration. Where are the girls? Where are the toddlers?

Trump blames the Democrats on what he and Sessions did. John Kelly spoke of this very policy a year ago. The latest polls show 55& of Republicans are in favor of this zero-tolerance policy. If Republicans hate so much being seen as racist, perhaps they should stop doing racist things?

The children fleeing to this country from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico are seeking refuge from the certain terror and possibly death they face at home from gangs and cartels. They undertake dangerous journeys under the calculation that it is the only chance for safety and perhaps life itself. Some are under threats of being killed unless they pay money they do not have. They get to America… land of the free, only to see their children kidnapped, some never to be returned, until Trump blackmails the legislature to give him what he wants, using children as pawns.

Sooner than later, the girls and toddlers will be found and the conditions they have been placed in will be revealed. What will be the result of the traquma these children and their parents are facing at the hands of Donald Trump, Jeff Sessions, John Kelly, Kristjen Nielson, and the 55% of Republicans that support them. The girls and toddlers will be found, their stories will be told, and the blame will be certain. But for now… where are the girls? Where are the toddlers?