Of course...

Of course...

Not all cops are racist. Most aren't even jerks. It's a tough job where split second decisions can be and often enough are the difference between life and death. For the cop and/or whoever they're dealing with at the time.

Of course...

Mistakes are made. Split second decisions are a 50/50 proposition at best. Often made with minimal information and inherently emotional, these decisions are bound to go the wrong way sometimes. It's part of the job.

Of course...

Not all people of color are criminals. The majority just happen to live in close proximity to criminals. Many happen to be impoverished.

Of course...

There is now and will likely always be mistrust between people of color and police. It's unfortunate but it's a fact.

Our jails are filled with minorities. So no matter how tolerant an officer might be, he/she is conditioned, just like the rest of us, to see minorities as criminals. Or at the very least to have a mental picture of a criminal as a minority. It isn't racism, it's stereotyping. And stereotyping is something we all do, something inherent to our human minds. We make connections between words and images as a matter of time saving. We need a generalized vision of the world in order to make sense of it. And, especially in America, criminal = non-white. And in the worst of us, non-white = criminal. And just like some of the worst of us are CEO's or doctors, some of the worst of us are cops.

Just like police have a stereotype for criminals lurking in their subconscious, minorities have a stereotype for police in their's. It strikes fear in them.  You'd be hard pressed to find a person of color who hasn't had a bad experience or at the very least witnessed a bad experience at the hands of an officer.  I can't tell you how many times I or someone I was with has been pulled out of their car, cuffed, patted down and then let go with no explanation whatsoever. You notice the passersby smugly joyful that another criminal is being taken down. You feel like a criminal. And then they're gone. Leaving you frightened and ashamed.  It's a horrible. It's degrading. It's embarrassing. It's a helpless, hopeless experience. And it's common. You learn to just go with it because you've witnessed those who ask what's going on end up in worse situations.

So we're here, with Police Officers and minorities equally afraid of each other. Equally suspicious. And then you pour gasoline on the embers.  Another officer kills another unarmed minority. 50 bullets into a man on his wedding day. 7 shots under largely unknown circumstances. 1 shot to the stomach of a 12 year old.

Mistakes...powered by stereotypes...

And this is where the fork begins. Mistakes can be justified and still be mistakes. Justice does not have to be an eye for an eye. Often an admission and remorse can be enough. But, in our world, responsibility must rest somewhere and far more often than not it ends up resting on the dead. The ones who cannot speak for themselves. History, once again, written by the victor. The apologists grasp at every straw to demonize the victim. The angry point to history to demonize police as a whole.

We all know in our hearts that they're both wrong. No unarmed person, even a suspect, deserves to die.  Not all police, probably not even this police, are evil enough to just erase someone for the hell of it.  The issue is the responsibility that comes with the power.  An officer has license to kill if necessary. When the victim is unarmed that license appears to mean carte blanche. Abused responsibility at its worst. And there is rarely a "sorry, I was scared, I reacted, I fucked up" statement of responsibility taken. Maybe there can't be legally.

But all that pain and frustration and shame comes pouring out. They remember that James Holmes (killer of 12) and Jarod Loughner (Killer of 6), armed to the teeth, were apprehended without injury. Given their day in court. They remember that Sean Bell, Tamir Rice, John Crawford III, etc, etc, etc (killers of 0 combined) were gunned down. White killers with assault rifles walked into the backs of police cars. Black innocents shot and killed before they knew what happened.

And they fill with rage.  They're helpless. They feel like the difference between the bad guys and the good guys isn't for them. They're frustrated. They spin in circles looking for a direction to turn. And we have nothing good to tell them. A lot of us are sorry for what's happened to them, for what will continue to happen to them. But what hope can we give them?

Communities of color are often told that they have to take responsibility for themselves. That, though it may only be a small number of bad apples, the basket spoils unless change is made from within. They are commonly judged by the worst among them. They are feared as a whole because the worst among them are dangerous.  And they feel the same way about police.

If you're going to judge and stereotype based upon the worst members a community, be prepared to be judged and stereotyped by the worst members of yours. It's natural...Innate.

Rebuilding the bridge will take a scary level of self awareness. It will take rational, measured responses. It will take the end of tribalism on both sides. The beginning and end of the conversation is the idea that protecting/defending your own, no matter what, is admirable. It isn't. It's false patriotism. True loyalty is understanding that those you are responsible for are flawed. Are capable of making mistakes. Are, citizen or police, criminals.

Of course...

Not all police are bad. Not all minorities are bad. We have a lot of work to do. It must be done together.

Myth of Equality

Another state took the plunge into denying equal rights for all its citizens. There are now 31 states where my marriage is OK but others' aren't. Saddening. Maddening. Unexpected? Not by a long shot.  If Americans have been culturally consistent about anything since its inception some 250 years ago, it’s been oppressing someone. Anyone whose throat we can stand on we do. If we weren't enslaving people we were making damn sure that they weren't our equals. In point of fact, despite the proclamation in our most holy of documents that all men are created equal, equality is a very recent revelation for most.  Slavery may have ended 150 years ago but, it’s been less than 50 years since civil equality became a rational way of thinking. Hell, we kept our mothers, sisters and daughters out of the voting booth until just 99 years ago. For a country founded on the idea each and every citizen is entitled to the opportunity to live his/her life as he/she chooses, we've done an awful job backing up that idea with action.  There has, at no point in the history of the United States, been a period where at least one group wasn't fighting for equality.

“Fighting for equality”. What a ridiculous statement. Think about what equality means. It’s the simplest of ideas. One set of rules for everyone. That's it. It couldn't be an easier thing to give. It takes hard work to create inequity. It takes lobbying and vitriol and money and time and unbelievable amounts of effort to stare a group of people down and say, "You know all those rules we have in place already? Well, we made a whole different set for you." But, that's who we are. If we aren't crushing the hopes and dreams of some section of our society then we aren't "real" Americans. 

I just want to address some of the issues and call some people out on their bullshit if you'll indulge me for a paragraph or three.  It's just entirely too frustrating to shut up about anymore.  I honestly wish I were clever enough to create simple meme and be done with it but I'm a rambler so, ramble I must.

Gay Marriage

Let’s just get this out of the way. There is no such thing as gay marriage. The LGBT community isn't fighting for some special exception to the rules. They're fighting to be treated exactly like everyone else. Marriage is marriage. One human loving another and vowing to be together forever.

Sanctity

Really? This is still an argument? If you've ever honestly tried to use this argument and were able to keep a straight face then you're a disgusting hypocrite.  The only way to genuinely make this an argument at all is to punish those who have disgraced the institution in any way.  By taking away a right from a specific group you essentially make that right a privilege. To preserve the sanctity of that privilege you must take it away from EVERYONE who doesn't "respect" it. That means all you cheaters lose the privilege. That means all you divorcees lose the privilege. That means that everyone that has a marriage that doesn't live up to the standards we set as a society must lose the privilege. Standing on your soap box with your third wife while your mistress brings you coffee is off the table permanently.  Will that ever happen? No.  Of course not. Therefore sanctity is an opinion, and apparently a pretty elastic one.

Laws don't change minds

They sure as hell don't. But that isn't the point of laws.  They exist to protect us from ourselves. They exist to protect me from you and vice versa.  Racism, misogyny and homophobia will likely always exist. And, while that may be a bit depressing, there is little we can do about the families that raise their children to hate those who are different. We can, however, keep those types of people from being validated through legislature. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion as an American. In fact, you can go out on a street corner and scream your opinion through a bullhorn while holding up a giant sign that cleverly sums up that opinion. Unfortunately for you, and for me in many, many cases, our opinions mean next to nothing when it comes to the law. If you aren't putting anyone in danger then the law should not be telling you what to do. Bigotry will always exist and, in some ways, will always be protected (1st amendment). But, shouldn't we learn from our past mistakes and realize that bigotry should never be legislated? We've tried this before. With African Americans, with Asian Americans, with women. It doesn't work out. The righteous win in the end. If you need to think about it pragmatically, lets at least save ourselves some time and money.

Religion forbids

Yeah, it forbids you to cast judgment. It's no secret that most of the money donated to the "fight for the nuclear family" is coming from Christians. Be they evangelical or Mormon, the followers of Christ have latched onto this issue and are refusing to let go. Only problem is that they aren't very Christ like. As I said before, you are entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to read a passage in the old testament forbidding homosexuality and to allow that to inform how you feel about homosexuals (coincidentally, the previous passages proclaiming similar punishments for eating shellfish and pork are all but ignored by mainstream Christians, imagine picket lines in front of Red Lobster citing Leviticus 11:4-43). You are entitled to feel hatred toward whomever you want. However, it is not your place to judge them. You are not God and only God can judge. God doesn't need your help. Your job is to live your life as you believe your God wants you to. It is not to punish your fellow man. Judge not lest ye be judged.  I'll never understand why that isn't the easiest rule to follow.

And that's all. It is a sad set of circumstances we find ourselves in but, I find solace in the notion that future generations are always more intelligent and compassionate then their forefathers. 10, 20, 50 years from now, our children and grandchildren will look back on our generation the same way we look back those in the pre-civil rights era. They'll be embarrassed for us. They'll wonder why there was so much hate in our hearts. They'll wonder how their parents and grandparents could let such a thing happen. It’s unfortunate that this is way it works in our country. It’s pathetic that it takes hindsight to find compassion for human beings whose only crime was being born. Our offspring will have to fix our mistakes. They'll do what we're seemingly incapable of doing. They'll do what's right.

Loyal To a Fault

Loyalty is, and should be, viewed as a virtue. In the sports world it is doubly so. We applaud those athletes who eschew the draw of the big market out of loyalty to the cash strapped franchise that drafted them. Even though we know full well that the opportunities afforded such athletes, especially those toiling in pre-internet obscurity, would be greatly increased were they willing to ditch the quiet life of the small market and head to the greener pastures and brighter lights of large market organizations. No athlete in recent history had more to gain than Kevin Garnett. He of the lithe 6' 11" frame. Defensive savant and offensive force of the rarest ilk. Guard like handle, center like size, enough intensity for the entire conference. His mindset was basketball. Winning basketball. Day in, day out, 24/7, 365. And yet, despite 14 all star appearances, 4 All NBA 1st team selections, and an MVP in 2004, he didn't make the finals until 2008. 13 years into his NBA career.

As Garnett creeps toward the top 10 in several all time categories, and as he becomes only the 3rd player ever with 20k points, 10k rebounds and 5k assists, we begin contemplating his place in the NBA pantheon. My question isn't one of where exactly he belongs on the all time list, but whether or not his loyalty to Minnesota was detrimental to his legacy.

Years from now, when those who witnessed Garnett in the flesh are dead and gone, all that will remain of him will be grainy video, box scores and his shrine in the hall of fame. NBA historians will see an incredible player who put up amazing stats but, unfortunately was not a winner. They'll see the eye popping PER and also the 7 straight 1st round playoff losses.  They'll see the sudden jump to the conference finals and the even more sudden plunge out of the playoff race entirely.

Today we question the loyalty of the Lebron's and Howard's of the league. Call them selfish for wanting a better situation. Call them cowards for joining forces with their natural rivals.  The truth is that history rewards winners. Very few care about stats of decades gone individuals. The most well thought out formula proving that the best player in 1980-whatever was....who the hell cares? The Lakers beat the Celtics in the Finals, we all know Magic was amazing, Magic was the best. Even in this very moment we question whether or not Lebron is the best player in the league because of his lack of jewelry. The fact that he's been the best player for at least the last 4 years and doesn't seem to be slowing down will be lost on future generations if he fails to win multiple titles. Something he almost assuredly would not have accomplished had he chosen loyalty over his desire to win. He has yet to earn those rings but, there is no rational argument for his not being in a far better position to compete having eschewed his hometown for a legitimate Robin to his Batman.

In the League Pass and internet based present the small market team is nearly obsolete in terms of individual marketability. There will always be players who prefer the bright lights of LA or NY, or the beaches and lack of taxation of Florida. However, the overriding factor when chosing to stay put or join another franchise is the teams' dedication to winning. And of course money (but in a trade situation money is moot and as a free agent, options are rarely limited to losing organizations).  This of course brings up the question of whether or not positioning ones self to win titles should factor into ones legacy?  We tend to give credit for off season training. Adding a post game, working on extending their range, becoming a better passer.  We even give credit for luring free agents to join them. Why not give credit for moving to a better situation competetively?

Perhaps Garnett has cemented his place in the NBA conciousness with his singular Championship with Boston in '08 but, more likely, he missed out on being considered the greatest 4 of all time. Give Garnett the rings on Duncan's fingers and the case is open and shut. Imagine Garnett in purple and gold circa 2004. Do he, Kobe and Shaq rattle off another 3-peat? 4-peat? There were countless possibilities and opportunities had he forced his way out of the Twin Cities. Alas, he chose to remain loyal to the organization that drafted him and made him the incredibly wealthy man he is today.  A moral victory to be sure. But, there is little doubt that he sacrificed his prime in the process.  Will history see him for loyal superstar he was or will all the losing as a Timberwolf forever stain his legacy?

Jason Saves The United States

The best thing about being an American is that you're entitled to your own opinion...About everything. We don't ever have to agree on anything. It's also the worst thing about being an American. I say that because those in power take advantage of the fact that we agree on very few of the little things. They play them up and make them seem like things that are vital to the fabric of our nation when they are actually anything but. They do this to waste our time and to keep us from taking a closer look at the big picture. Keep us arguing amongst ourselves about issues we'll never, ever, agree on and take away our ability to unite on issues of larger scope and graver consequences. We need to accept that there are millions of issues we'll never agree about. Most are philosophical, and the only philosophical idea that is integral to America is freedom. And even that can be interpreted in a million ways. With that in mind, here are 7 ideas that, I hope (and if you aren't a douche bag), we can agree on.


1. Work for unemployment -

We really need to give up this sense of entitlement we all seem to have. Somehow we've all come to believe that we're above certain forms of labor. Well guess what, you're not! If you want to collect unemployment then you'd better be a full time student or working whatever crappy job you can find or that the unemployment office gives you. There are plenty of "menial" jobs out there. To make whatever job that might be more palatable, you'll still get the same money you would have made sitting on your ass only you'll be saving us a shit load of by flipping burgers for 8 bucks an hour. Unemployment will pick up the difference. No, you aren't entitled to kick back and let the rest of us cover your bills. We'll help, but only if you're helping yourself by any means necessary.  Here are the simple rules...

• You have 6 weeks to find a job once your unemployment is approved (plenty of time for you to   grieve).
• If you find a job that pays less than unemployment would have, we'll cover the difference for up to 12 months.
• If you don't find a job then you take what we give you. Non-negotiable.
• Get fired or quit and you're done with unemployment as well. Done and done.

Unemployment is a bridge, not a lifestyle.


2. Work for Welfare -

Basically the same as the new unemployment plan with a few welfare specific rules.

• Drug tests. A no-brainer that only holier than thou assholes can dispute. If you're not on welfare, do all the drugs you want. If you want public money to support you, you'd better have piss cleaner than a christian scientist.
• If you're on welfare and you have another kid you don't get an increase in pay. Take away the incentive to pile more weight on an already exhausted system.
• Two word...Time. Limit. Unless you can prove that you have some kind of disability that prevents you from getting a job, you have 2 years to get your shit together. End of story.

3. Hospitals should be Non-Profit -

Practicing medicine in order to make money just seems fundamentally wrong. It's obviously a complicated situation and I don't claim to know exactly how to make this happen but get some people who know what they're talking about in a room and figure this out! The biggest catch 22 in the system is drugs. You can't make them non-profit because it takes away the incentive (aka money) to do research and development for new drugs. Of course, that's a good thing depending on who you ask. One question I don't think anyone can answer honestly is; What's the incentive for drug companies to develop cures rather than treatments?  Fact is, there isn't one. Diseases are a drug companies customers, not patients. Why kill off your customers?  There has to be a way to get money into the hands of researchers who have no monetary agenda.


4. Flat(ish) tax -

Have you ever seen the tax code?  Its thicker than Bible and more confusing than a David Lynch movie. Why?!  We tax everyone but then make up 2.5 trillion loopholes that can be exploited (mostly by those with more money than anyone will ever need) to get out of paying. Why not just lower the tax rate and remove all the loopholes. All of them. There's no such thing as non-taxable income anymore. Here's the new tax code. And yes, it can be this easy.

• Under 20,000.00 annually -  Exempt
• 20,000.00 - 29,999.99 annually - 10%
• 30,000.00 - 39,999.99 annually - 11%
• 40,000.00 - 49,999.99 annually - 12%
• You get the idea...

We cap it at 33% (250k+ annually). Everyone pays for every penny earned. Lump sum payouts in excess of $999,999.99 get hit for 35% because hey, you can afford it you rich bastard. And guess what, the country comes out ahead. Based on some quick calculations using the latest census data, the US would rake in about 4.75 trillion in household income tax. Almost 300 billion more than they did with the current tax system. All I'm doing is cutting the bottom 95% of Americans a break and letting the top 1.5% do some heavy lifting. Estimating (on the low side) a median gross income of 1.06 Million per household means that they still net 715K per year. Can they really complain about that? And, for the vast majority of us, paying 12-14 percent leaves us with plenty of money to purchase insurance, invest in retirement accounts, and line the pockets of every corporation out there.


5. You want to be a politician? Ok, your private life is OVER!

A little anecdote first. Congress is voting on which military contractor will be awarded a nine digit contract to develop a new missile defense system. One particular congressman happens to be chairman of the committee assigned to go over the particulars and make a recommendation before the vote. The committee seemingly does its due diligence, makes its recommendation and the vote goes as they wanted. 8 months later the chairman of that committee is taking a 7 figure consulting position with the exact same contractor he recommended. Illegal? Nope. And it happens all the time.

Let's just face the facts and admit that we're weak, corruptible people. Everyone is. That's why there are laws and consequences for breaking those laws. No one can be trusted to behave ethically just for sake of behaving ethically.  We have to effectively make being a politician a crappy job that only those who really, really want to serve their fellow citizens want. The rules are as follows.

• You give up your right to work wherever you want if you run for political office. Once a public servant, always a public servant. You'll have some kind of government job for the rest of your life.
• You're money will be monitored. Forever. Any check you cash or purchase you make had better be on the up and up or you're doing serious time. Very, very serious time.
• Every email you send or text message you receive goes through an agency designed to monitor your affairs. Your right to privacy is null and void.

Its really that simple. Destroy corruption by removing the impetus for being corrupt. It will be a pretty expensive agency that needs to be created to police politicians but its well worth the money. And hey, I just earned us an extra 300 billion with my tax program so we can afford it.


6. STOP CAMPAIGNING!!! -

This might take care of itself since we've already decided that politicians will be ostensibly poor, weeding out those who would use their legislative power for monetary gains and empowering those who actually have the public interest in mind. However, its worth the overhaul just for the sake of keeping congressmen in congress, senators in the senate and the president in the oval office. You know, where they belong.  Just a few simple rules here...

• The campaign trail gets shortened to a 6 week sprint. No ads, no rallies, no tours until mid September.
• In order for the public to get to know the candidates there will be a 6 debates. 1 every month from May through October. 
• There will be a ban on negative ad campaigns. We want to know why you're a good choice, not why you're the least terrible choice.
• No more campaign contributions for federal politicians. Congressmen get 2 million, Senators get 5 million, Presidents get 20 million. It comes out of the tax revenue.  They're only campaigning for 6 weeks so that's plenty of money.

7. Start from scratch - 

Something of a nuclear option but since we're changing all the rules we might as well change the players too. ALL OF THEM.  Hold a special election in 2012 for every single seat in the House and the Senate and ban all incumbents and previous office holders. We need entirely new blood not just an injection. And no, I don't care if you think your congressman or senator is doing a good job. Look at our country, they're not.

Seriously Parents

There are those of you who will immediately dismiss this article because I am not a parent and can't possibly understand what its like and blah blah blah. Hell, maybe I'll dismiss myself on the very day I become a father. However, I hope that I'll look back on this see a well reasoned argument from an unbiased individual who had my best interest at heart.  That being said, here's the crux of it.

You're kid isn't nearly as special as you think they are!

Now that you're finished gasping incredulously I want you to know that I have nothing against your kid. I definitely have nothing against kids in general. I love kids. I've watched dozens of them grow up in my family and they're all unique and gifted in their own ways. It's you that I have something against. Somewhere in the last few generations, parents went from being idealistic about their children to being downright fundamentalist about them. Parents no longer accept the idea that other kids are better than their kids. Not better in a classist way but, better at things.

Let me fill you in on something. There's a 99.999999 percent chance that your kid isn't the smartest kid ever. She's not the best soccer player that has ever lived. He's not a 6 year old Derek Jeter. If it turns out that they are, great! But, assuming that they are before they've tried is assinine and does nothing but hurt your children in the long run.

It's insane to me that there are sports leagues for kids over the age of 8 in which score isn't kept. Sports are about competition people! They're about trying your best and living with the results. They're about working hard and developing skills. They're about testing those skills against others. They're about team work and structure and sportsmanship. You know what they're not about? YOU!

You see, kids are resilient. They lose and they cry and they eat some pizza and they forget about it. They move on. Its you who can't handle it. And you're embarrassing yourself. No kid wants to be known for their parents' exploits on the sideline. You should beam with pride when your child does great, and comfort them when they fail. And that's really the point. Failure is part of life. You don't want it shoved down their throats when everything is suddenly out of your coddling hands.  You want them innoculated against failure as early as possible in an environment you can help control.

Failure is important. It shows us what we're not good at in order for us to find what we are good at. Most of us discover our talents by trial and error. Had I not discovered that I wasn't a great speaker I might never have found my talent for writing. And I'm sure all of you have at least one similar anecdote. Your kids need to fail.  They need to learn perseverance. They need to learn perspective. They need to find what they love, what they're passionate about. Most importantly they need parents who don't force them to be what they aren't.

You can't decide what your childs gift is. You can't even decide whether they have a gift at all. Do you know what happens when parents refuse to accept their children for how they are? The children always feel like disappointments. They can feel it. Do you know why your kid didn't make the team? Because, they weren't good enough! And that's ok. Unless you make it not ok. You bitching and complaining until the coach puts your kid in lineup doesn't make your kid feel better. It makes them feel worse. Deep down they know they aren't good enough at this particular thing and you throwing a fit makes them feel like its not ok that this isn't their thing. It makes them feel like you don't accept them the way they are.

Now, I'm not advocating never pushing your children. Most, if not all, kids need a swift kick in the ass from time to time to live up the their potential.  I'm advocating a little perspective with your children. Before you go ape shit another kid beat your kid put yourself in the shoes of the other parent. Be honest with yourself. Hell, ask your kid what they think. And before you stick your kid in a completely non competitive environment. Ask yourself, is that the way the world works?  Do we all get prizes just for showing up?

Being a kid is about having fun. If you, as a parent, aren't having fun then chances are your kid isn't either. But its also about learning life lessons. And learning to lose with grace is one of the most important lessons a person can learn. And I'll repeat, your children can handle it. I understand the desire to protect your children from pain but, there is only so much we can do. They will fall, they will cry, they will fail. Its your job to teach them to get back up. Its your job tell them that everything will be ok. Its your job teach them what failure means. It doesn't mean throw a fit. It means try harder, or try something else. It's not the end of world. It's not something they need to be protected against. Its a part of life.


PS.  Don't read the next paragraph if you're especially sensitive.

There's a special place in hell (figuratively of course) for parents who get into fist fights at pop warner football games and parents who dress there four year olds up like grown women to be judged on their looks. I'm sorry, but its true. And its pathetic beyond words.

Peace!

Maybe We Will!?!

Dear President Obama,

Hope is the most fragile of emotions. It is difficult, in these most jaded of times, to inspire the masses. To make them believe that change for the better is on the horizon. It is even more rare to find a single person who can insprire this belief in millions. In you, so many of us found that person. We listened to your impassioned speeches and latched on for our own unique reasons. You promised us CHANGE, gave us HOPE and we ate it up. We were a disenfranchis

ed country searching for someone to lead us out of the 9/11 era of fear and war and into a new era prosperity and equality. You were the right person at the right time.

And then you took office.

From the outside it appeared as though you were everything we'd hoped for. You were thoughtful and charismatic. Strong and intelligent. You were the president who was truly going to fight for us. You weren't our peer, you were what we all strive to be. The man who knew what was best for our country as a whole and would stop at nothing to bring us back to promninence. We were a country divided, fighting two wars, our economy crumbling, and yet we had hope. Nothing to fear, Barrack Obama is on the job. You were the combination of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King we'd been waiting nearly 50 years for.

And then you started listening.

The racial backlash of electing you began to manifest itself in townhalls across the country attacking you in the only "pc" way possible. And even some very not "pc" ways. But, you knew this was going to be a battle. You knew there would be a significant part of America that would disagree with any legislation you brought to the table. We trusted that you were prepared to fight the good fight and carry this country into the 21st century, on your back if need be. Instead, you began to mince your words. You began cowtowing to your objecters. You began making excuses.

GO DOWN FIGHTING!!

As much as all of your supporters would love to see you in office for two terms, we'd prefer that you stick to your guns. Four years of a staunch progressive attitude may cost you the 2012 election but, it will also have a million times more impact than what you're doing right now. We don't want this Obama. We want the Obama who stood up nearly a year ago in Grant Park and made us believe that we had done something wonderful for America by electing him. We need him. Now more than ever. As much as I hate to say it, take a page out of the George W Bush playbook and force this healthcare reform down our collective throat. Not this basterdized version making its rounds on capital hill right now. The real, lasting, equality creating reform that you promised us the very first time you uttered the phrase "Yes We Can!" You are, perhaps, the most powerful president in history. You control every branch of government. Start acting like it! Tell fox news and the birthers and every other naysayer in America, "Guess what folks, the country elected me, I'm gonna do what I believe is right. I've heard what you have to say but, I'm done listening now. Its my job to make these decisions and I'm making them."

Make us believe that you are strong enough to do this job the way it needs to be done. Right now you're a politician. Please Mr. Obama, be our president.

Sincerely,

Jason

American't?!

There are a million things that seperate each one of us from the other. We are NOT born equal. The circumstances that created the person you've become are different not only empirically but subjectively. While many of us may broadly agree on a matter, it is unlikely that we agree on every detail. We are, each of us, a seperate conciousness. Guided by our own rules, our own morality, our own perspective. In each of our minds there is black and there is white, right and wrong. It is a concious decision to find the gray.

Society can only exist in the gray. Rules must be open to interpretation. Debate and criticism are the idealogical founding fathers of any democracy.

We are seperate individuals with our own unique opinions and yet we have managed to create one of the greatest democracies, if not the greatest democracy, on earth. We have made terrible decisions along the way. We have acted in childish ways. We have settled our differences with words and with violence. We have treated eachother unfairly. We have treated eachother brutally. We have looked upon one another with utter disgust. We have looked upon one another with absolute love. We have fought change at every turn.

Change. It is the one word beyond all others which defines the success of every society in history. Those which have refused to change have died. Those which have embraced change live on.

We have, by and large and after much turmoil in most instances, accepted change. The America of today bears little resemblance to the America of 1776. To say nothing of our economic evolution, we have evolved quite well as a society. Our constitution once stated that a black man was worth only 2/3 of a white man, and that women were worth nothing at all in the eyes of the government. Women got the right to vote 55 years after slavery was outlawed. It took another 40+ years before minorities were given equal rights under the law. The point being that we have fought wars for equality. We fought our government for equality. We have fought long and hard in every battle imaginable so that we may look upon our neighbors as ourselves. In each instance we fought for change because change was and continues to be necessary. The founding fathers of our country knew this and included, within the constitution, a method to change the constitution as we see fit. It was written to be an evolving document and by extension our society was created to evolve.

We have made great strides but the fact remains that we are different. We will always be seperated by race, creed, color, income, ability, intelligence, and countless other things which we cannot control.

What we can control is how we perceive these differnces. We can absolutely control how far these differences will seperate us. We can find common ground. We can make every attempt not to create more things which will seperate us. We can voice opinions and ideas without viewing them as gospel. We can be open to having our minds changed.

It is the height of arrogance and stupidity to have an inalterable opinion on absolutely anything. The world is not static. It changes faster than we can possibly react. But, we must try. We must do our best. Our best is when we disagree and find a resolution. We are, in most opinions I hope, a better country than we were 250 years ago and that is not the result of harmonious accord. It is the result of acrimonious criticism of just about everything. We are free to criticize. It our right to criticize. It is, in fact, our duty to critize eachother, ourselves and especially our government and its politicians.

Saying that George W. Bush is the greatest president in history is (though I personally hate to say it) Pro-America. Saying that George W. Bush is the worst president in history is also Pro-America. Supporting or protesting a war...Both Pro-America. Being christian or being muslim or being jewish or being atheist...All Pro-America.

Yes, there are endless issues that will always seperate us. We will never, ever, agree on everything. However, we have a choice. We can embrace our diversity and allow it to continue shaping a society worthy of the envy of our neighbors. Or we can view the world as black and white and allow those gaps to widen until our differences are irreconcilable. This is the choice of the individual. This is the test of your patriotism. Can you value the opinion of someone you passionately disagree with? Can you understand that you may not be right? Can you accept being wrong? Are you willing to learn and to change?

Close the gaps folks. Move forward not back.