Maya Angelou http://mayaangelou.com/ died May 28, 2014. I was going to write an entire blog about her, but realized that would be hypocritical. I knew of her. I have read some of her poems. I have watched her interviews and poetry readings on TV. But I am not well versed regarding her life, except to know that she was involved in the civil rights movement. I have told myself several times in the past that I want to read her best known work: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I have put it off, sometimes, because I think it will be emotionally difficult. But, I did put it on my reading list.
There was yet another mass shooting this week, this time in Santa Barbara, California. The perpetrator, Elliot Rodger, was known to have mental health problems, and left video evidence of his pre-meditated act. Some of these have been removed https://www.youtube.com/user/ElliotRodger, because of their content. I saw one on TV. It was sick.
The father of one of the victims spoke out regarding these episodes, and that we need to be proactive to stop this horror https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u38LLKgp_f4.
The last time there was a mass murder, I contacted my Congressman, Randy Naughebauer, and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The responses I received were non-descript. In other words, they were not concerned about gun control or improving mental health services.
Texas is a law and order state, a state's right state, a personal firearms state, and a state that does not believe in spending money for mental health care for the low income/indigent population. Our current governor rejects Federal money: not for economy stimulation, not for medicaid expansion, not for anything. (I resent this: I continue to pay my Federal taxes, but my governor prevents me from getting maximum return on my investment. When I tell Governor Perry supporters my view point, they are astounded to realize what they are missing out on! Duh! They are so blinded by states rights, that they do not see what benefits they lose.)
Once again, I will contact my representatives and express my concern about these issues.
Depending on where you are in West Texas, the rainfall amounts we have received since last Friday are from 3 to 5 inches. This is a blessing for farmers, especially dry land farmers. This rain did not dispel our drought/water restriction problems. But, it did help the fireworks vendors, as they may be able to sell fireworks without concern for a ban. This is a big industry for July 4th.
President Obama addressed the graduating class at West Point today. http://www.usma.edu/parents/SiteAssets/Graduation%20Activities%202014.pdf. or http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/05/28/america-must-always-lead-president-obama-addresses-west-point-graduates One of my coworkers was present. Her nephew was graduating. What a thrilling experience that must have been.
We have been blessed as a nation: A civil rights activist died today, but the President addressing the United States Army Military Academy (West Point) is a man of color. While he generally does not use the presidency as a bully pulpit, he has let it be known what it means, telling the general public, that to be a black man who might be "profiled" by police when a crime has been committed causes much anxiety, fear, paranoia, and concern that his rights will be violated.
The reality is this could happen. Our law enforcement people do over react sometimes to race, color, gender. Our law enforcement people are put on the line, over and over, asked to make split second decisions, so many of their decisions should not be second guessed. But sometimes, once a suspect is subduedand in custody, thingshappen, and our law enforcement officers need to be second guessed.
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