It seems impossible! Yet the first Quarter of 2015 slipped by us.
Weather and her companions plagued all of us as the year changed.
Snow, sleet and ice troubled many.
Floods, mud slides and sink holes claimed lives, land and property.
All this as fields went dry from lack of rain.
People were restless, some from confinement, others from insecurity
of not knowing what comes next and for how long.
Even so, somehow we found time to celebrate a snowman,
a wedding, a bar mitzvah, a christening
and to grieve universally for injustice.
Some overcame worry with humor,
even as patience wore thin for others.
We helped each other, improvising when necessary
bemoaning when greed overtook others.
And then suddenly April was here.
We had come through the first quarter of 2015.
How can it be?
Monday, March 23, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
DOES THE POWER Of THE NRA & THE GUN INDUSTRY THREATEN OUR SAFETY?
In 1986, President Ronald Regan signed the Law Enforcement Officers Protection ACT. The Law directed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to ban ammunition that could pierce the body armor of police officers. The NRA opposed the Legislation.
In September of 2013, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson, and Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte, and Chuck Wexler executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum wrote an article, which appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. They urged Missouri's Legislators to sustain Governor Nixon's veto of HB 436. The Bill would have "nullified all Federal gun laws in Missouri." The officers explained that communities would be less safe if Missouri's Law Enforcement Agencies would be unable to work with Federal Agencies like the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Officers asked legislators to uphold the Governor's veto of HB 436.
The legislators did not uphold the Governor's veto of HB 436.
In 2012, 20 children and six social workers were gunned down in their school in Newtown, Connecticut. The Sandy Hook Advisory Commission was appointed to look into the tragedy. Three years later the Commission presented its findings in a 277 page Report to the Governor who said he doubts the state legislature has the "appetite" to take up many of the additional gun control recommendations included in the Commission's Final Report. Some parents of the Sandy Hook massacre are suing the manufacturer of the gun(s) used by the shooter. But Congress, prodded by the gun lobby, passed a law in 2005 protecting the gun industry from liability for death and injuries caused by fire arms.
On March 11, Michel D.. Sher of the New York Times wrote:
"The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had proposed to restrict the armor-piercing 5.56-millimeter "M855 green tip" rifle bullet, saying its increasing use in hand guns that could be concealed posed a threat to law enforcement officers. But in a Twitter post the Agency acknowledged the intense opposition to the change and said it would shelve the proposal for now. The opposition came from Republican Senators and the NRA saying the "Second Amendment is at risk."
In Tallahassee, Florida, four moths after a mentally ill gunman wounded three students in Florida State. State legislators are considering a Bill that would allow holders of concealed weapon permits to carry guns onto public universities and college campuses. Some legislators have expressed reservations about the Bill because of the many students living on campuses. Eight other states now permit gun holders to bring them on campuses. Marion Hammer, former NRA national president and head of its Florida Chapter, said, "Oopponents' arguments are emotional hysterics not based on facts."
On March 13, 2015, Police Officer Don Re wrote on his blog donofalltrades.com of his experience of trying to save the life of a six year old child who had been shot during a shoot-out in Ferguson, Missouri. Officer Re ended his account with, "This is all too sad and it needs to stop. Someone please figure out how!
Do I believe the NRA and the Gun Industry threaten my safety and the safety of my country? You betcha! What can I do about it? I will support and vote for the candidate(s) who will not abide this kind of power and urge others to do the same.
In September of 2013, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson, and Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte, and Chuck Wexler executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum wrote an article, which appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. They urged Missouri's Legislators to sustain Governor Nixon's veto of HB 436. The Bill would have "nullified all Federal gun laws in Missouri." The officers explained that communities would be less safe if Missouri's Law Enforcement Agencies would be unable to work with Federal Agencies like the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Officers asked legislators to uphold the Governor's veto of HB 436.
The legislators did not uphold the Governor's veto of HB 436.
In 2012, 20 children and six social workers were gunned down in their school in Newtown, Connecticut. The Sandy Hook Advisory Commission was appointed to look into the tragedy. Three years later the Commission presented its findings in a 277 page Report to the Governor who said he doubts the state legislature has the "appetite" to take up many of the additional gun control recommendations included in the Commission's Final Report. Some parents of the Sandy Hook massacre are suing the manufacturer of the gun(s) used by the shooter. But Congress, prodded by the gun lobby, passed a law in 2005 protecting the gun industry from liability for death and injuries caused by fire arms.
On March 11, Michel D.. Sher of the New York Times wrote:
"The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had proposed to restrict the armor-piercing 5.56-millimeter "M855 green tip" rifle bullet, saying its increasing use in hand guns that could be concealed posed a threat to law enforcement officers. But in a Twitter post the Agency acknowledged the intense opposition to the change and said it would shelve the proposal for now. The opposition came from Republican Senators and the NRA saying the "Second Amendment is at risk."
In Tallahassee, Florida, four moths after a mentally ill gunman wounded three students in Florida State. State legislators are considering a Bill that would allow holders of concealed weapon permits to carry guns onto public universities and college campuses. Some legislators have expressed reservations about the Bill because of the many students living on campuses. Eight other states now permit gun holders to bring them on campuses. Marion Hammer, former NRA national president and head of its Florida Chapter, said, "Oopponents' arguments are emotional hysterics not based on facts."
On March 13, 2015, Police Officer Don Re wrote on his blog donofalltrades.com of his experience of trying to save the life of a six year old child who had been shot during a shoot-out in Ferguson, Missouri. Officer Re ended his account with, "This is all too sad and it needs to stop. Someone please figure out how!
Do I believe the NRA and the Gun Industry threaten my safety and the safety of my country? You betcha! What can I do about it? I will support and vote for the candidate(s) who will not abide this kind of power and urge others to do the same.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
SIX MONTHS AND COUNTING. . .
It has been six months since Ferguson, Missouri first became the name of a national movement grown into a world-wide one. Since that time and now, people, organizations and some elected officials have heeded the call to lance some of the festering corruption, prejudice and ignorance which has stymied communities and oppressed people.
Most of the activity has been well-intentioned, some better than others.
Recently, one of the organizations to which I belong sponsored the program "Community Policing: Where do we go from here?" Two speakers shared both their first-hand experiences and predictions for the future.
One speaker was a career police officer who since retirement has become a training consultant for police departments in the region. The other was chaplain to a number of police departments in the area.
Both spoke of the aftermath of Ferguson demonstrations, protests and plundering of properties.
They described the breakdown of systems and people, men women and children's outrage. They told of the lack of respect for laws and the people entrusted to enforce the laws in our communities.
Both speakers were articulate, honest and forthright in assessing our ability to resolve long term issues. They said the issue of lack of respect for police will be with us for a long time and both gave their reasons for their assessment.
Both spoke of the lack of leadership of the protestors. Both spoke of the issues of race and religion, the lack of opportunity for education, and the disparity in wages for work, while describing conditions found in impoverished to well-to-do neighborhoods.
Mentioned too was lack of parental supervision, the communication value of electronic equipment, the press and media, pornography and lack of qualified people to work in our communities whether as teachers or as police officers.
Neither the police chief nor the clergyman seemed able to connect the dots between the anger of the protestors and society's double standards set by elected officials, institutions and individual disregard for law, life and fair treatment for all.
After the presentations, I found myself wondering how our country became so hardened to accepting debtors prisons to punish people rather than supporting education to help people learn?
How had we gone from providing families with financial help for the elderly and disabled to wanting to disassemble plans now in place?
How had we gone from a nation that was inventive and productive for many, to one that is selective for a few?
How had we gone from a country where trains ran on time to one in which the tracks were in disrepair?
How had police departments become military fortifications and why?
How had we as a people forgotten about the importance of our civil participation in the political process?
There is no quick, simple or slick answers to any of this, but until we begin to understand how these issues relate to Ferguson and Ferguson relates to these issues unrest will be with us for a long time to come.
Most of the activity has been well-intentioned, some better than others.
Recently, one of the organizations to which I belong sponsored the program "Community Policing: Where do we go from here?" Two speakers shared both their first-hand experiences and predictions for the future.
One speaker was a career police officer who since retirement has become a training consultant for police departments in the region. The other was chaplain to a number of police departments in the area.
Both spoke of the aftermath of Ferguson demonstrations, protests and plundering of properties.
They described the breakdown of systems and people, men women and children's outrage. They told of the lack of respect for laws and the people entrusted to enforce the laws in our communities.
Both speakers were articulate, honest and forthright in assessing our ability to resolve long term issues. They said the issue of lack of respect for police will be with us for a long time and both gave their reasons for their assessment.
Both spoke of the lack of leadership of the protestors. Both spoke of the issues of race and religion, the lack of opportunity for education, and the disparity in wages for work, while describing conditions found in impoverished to well-to-do neighborhoods.
Mentioned too was lack of parental supervision, the communication value of electronic equipment, the press and media, pornography and lack of qualified people to work in our communities whether as teachers or as police officers.
Neither the police chief nor the clergyman seemed able to connect the dots between the anger of the protestors and society's double standards set by elected officials, institutions and individual disregard for law, life and fair treatment for all.
After the presentations, I found myself wondering how our country became so hardened to accepting debtors prisons to punish people rather than supporting education to help people learn?
How had we gone from providing families with financial help for the elderly and disabled to wanting to disassemble plans now in place?
How had we gone from a nation that was inventive and productive for many, to one that is selective for a few?
How had we gone from a country where trains ran on time to one in which the tracks were in disrepair?
How had police departments become military fortifications and why?
How had we as a people forgotten about the importance of our civil participation in the political process?
There is no quick, simple or slick answers to any of this, but until we begin to understand how these issues relate to Ferguson and Ferguson relates to these issues unrest will be with us for a long time to come.
Monday, January 19, 2015
TO BUILD OR NOT TO BUILD? THAT'S THE QUESTION!
One of the things I have noticed as I travel around the country is that cities which keep their waterfronts and coastal areas open for public use fair well. Once blighted areas are brought to life by planning for public use as opposed to man-made structures like buildings, hotels or stadiums.
Right now, St. Louis is contemplating whether or not it needs to build a brand new stadium for its privately owned football team. The City wants to erect it on the banks of the Mississippi.
All sorts of fancy juggling of public and private money investors, taxes and bonds and commercial
reasons, not to speak of football fans are pushing to "prove" the soundness of the undertaking. Yet, I hear no discussion nor do I see any planning to keep the great Mississippi Riverfront easily accessible
for public use and enjoyment.
When I questioned an urban planner about this omission I was told, "we do have a walkway and bicycle path planned around the structure," and then was told of the "do ability" of raising the money and the dollar benefits of a new stadium..
Whether or not the move to build a new stadium makes sense at time when the City has such great need in other areas of daily life is yet another question seemingly not taken too seriously.
But I do know that the benefits of public, year around access to the Country's, if not the world's, great River should at least be a part of the decision making process in determining whether or not to build
a football stadium on the banks of the Mississippi.
Yet, I hear no discussion nor do I see any alternative plan to keep the great Mississippi Riverfront
easily, and invitingly accessible to visitors and the public alike.
Are we asking the right question in our soliloquy "to build or not to build a Football Stadium?"
Right now, St. Louis is contemplating whether or not it needs to build a brand new stadium for its privately owned football team. The City wants to erect it on the banks of the Mississippi.
All sorts of fancy juggling of public and private money investors, taxes and bonds and commercial
reasons, not to speak of football fans are pushing to "prove" the soundness of the undertaking. Yet, I hear no discussion nor do I see any planning to keep the great Mississippi Riverfront easily accessible
for public use and enjoyment.
When I questioned an urban planner about this omission I was told, "we do have a walkway and bicycle path planned around the structure," and then was told of the "do ability" of raising the money and the dollar benefits of a new stadium..
Whether or not the move to build a new stadium makes sense at time when the City has such great need in other areas of daily life is yet another question seemingly not taken too seriously.
But I do know that the benefits of public, year around access to the Country's, if not the world's, great River should at least be a part of the decision making process in determining whether or not to build
a football stadium on the banks of the Mississippi.
Yet, I hear no discussion nor do I see any alternative plan to keep the great Mississippi Riverfront
easily, and invitingly accessible to visitors and the public alike.
Are we asking the right question in our soliloquy "to build or not to build a Football Stadium?"
Monday, December 29, 2014
WHAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP FOR 2015?
The disrespect shown by the New York City Police to the City's elected Mayor was disquieting to people around the country. It was a visual pantomime of how we view personal and professional responsibility toward each other, the nation, and the communities in which we live.
When the police, attending the funeral for Officer Rafael Ramos turned their back on their Mayor, it took the quiet, sober, experienced voice of the New York police Commissioner William J. Bratton to say, "it was very inappropriate."
Referring to how African Americans perceive the police,
Mr. Bratton said, " their perception is the reality we have to deal with, " and saying, "the issues go far beyond race relations in this City."
Would that this kind of strong, honest leadership prevail in every American City in 2015.
When the police, attending the funeral for Officer Rafael Ramos turned their back on their Mayor, it took the quiet, sober, experienced voice of the New York police Commissioner William J. Bratton to say, "it was very inappropriate."
Referring to how African Americans perceive the police,
Mr. Bratton said, " their perception is the reality we have to deal with, " and saying, "the issues go far beyond race relations in this City."
Would that this kind of strong, honest leadership prevail in every American City in 2015.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
NO MR. CHENEY, 9/11 WAS NOT TORTURE!
In a recent interview, Dick Cheney said, "Torture is what the Al Qaeda terrorists did to 3000 Americans on nine-eleven."
No Mr. Cheney, nine eleven was not torture! On that awful day in September, 3000 innocent men and women were killed, and an untold number of people were disabled for life. It was an act by a group of murderers who wanted to terrorize this country.
The murderers hoped they could change our way of life and our values. Unfortunately Mr. Cheney, they did! At the time, we were over whelmed by horror and fear. Newspapers and citizens around the world proclaimed, "We Are Americans too!" They and citizens here looked to you and other& officials to give us a sense of how to express our anger, our collective grief and to still maintain the sense of who we are.
Unfortunately Mr. Cheney, we learn now that you believed, and may still believe, we as Americans can become like our murderers and still maintain our value for all human life and law. Even after so many young lives were lost, misdirected at the hands of profiteers and questionable policies, still you seem ready to discount and deny the truth.
Mr. Cheney, when a powerful nation like America fails to admit that it has made mistakes or erred in judgment, it weakens our resolve as citizens to uphold our laws and respect our government.
Mr. Cheney, history has proven the strength of ordinary men and women to defend this land in time of war and adversity but history also warns us against political cover up and misplaced trust in those who would deceive us.
Please Mr. Cheney, no more excuses! Let's move forward knowing we must vow never to forget what happened when we became less than the Americans we are.
Have a good holiday and Happy New Year, Mr. Cheney.
No Mr. Cheney, nine eleven was not torture! On that awful day in September, 3000 innocent men and women were killed, and an untold number of people were disabled for life. It was an act by a group of murderers who wanted to terrorize this country.
The murderers hoped they could change our way of life and our values. Unfortunately Mr. Cheney, they did! At the time, we were over whelmed by horror and fear. Newspapers and citizens around the world proclaimed, "We Are Americans too!" They and citizens here looked to you and other& officials to give us a sense of how to express our anger, our collective grief and to still maintain the sense of who we are.
Unfortunately Mr. Cheney, we learn now that you believed, and may still believe, we as Americans can become like our murderers and still maintain our value for all human life and law. Even after so many young lives were lost, misdirected at the hands of profiteers and questionable policies, still you seem ready to discount and deny the truth.
Mr. Cheney, when a powerful nation like America fails to admit that it has made mistakes or erred in judgment, it weakens our resolve as citizens to uphold our laws and respect our government.
Mr. Cheney, history has proven the strength of ordinary men and women to defend this land in time of war and adversity but history also warns us against political cover up and misplaced trust in those who would deceive us.
Please Mr. Cheney, no more excuses! Let's move forward knowing we must vow never to forget what happened when we became less than the Americans we are.
Have a good holiday and Happy New Year, Mr. Cheney.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
THANKSGIVING 2014
THANKSGIVING 2014
THANKSGIVING IS WHO WE ARE AS A NATION.
GATHERED AROUND OUR NATIONAL TABLE ARE FACES OF MANY COLORS
OF MANY DIFFERENT CULTURES, FAITHS AND STORIES.
YET, AS ONE WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS OUR LAND
LET US SO REMEMBER, AS WE REMEMBER THOSE NOT HERE.
BEVERLY D. REHFELD
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