Tag Archives: Texas

Stay strong Texas

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I’ve been through a few storms myself from hurricanes to tornadoes and even a blizzard or two.  They are never fun, at least in my opinion.  I’ve never understood why people in coastal areas choose to stare down the barrel of a loaded gun, but for those who decided to stay at home in coastal Texas, I wish you the best.

I would have boarded up and hauled ass myself.  Then again, my first responder designation means that I have to stay to help those who refuse to leave.  I’ve seen the effects of wind and water enough to know that a Category 3 hurricane is not something that I’d purposefully choose to try to ride out.  My life is far more important than any material item whatsoever.

For those outside of Texas, I hope you have full tanks of gas.  Our major refining and gasoline production is sitting in the bullseye, so expect some disruption to the availability of gas for next week.  If the damage is extensive, be prepared to feel some pain for a while.

Edit @ 7:22pm EST

Harvey has increased strength and is now a Category 4 hurricane.  It’s the strongest storm that’s made landfall in more than a decade as America hasn’t felt a direct hit from a major hurricane since 2005.

My prayers goes out to all who are in the pathway of this storm.

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Justice or Just Us

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A record 149 people were exonerated in 2015 bringing the total to 1730 exonerated since 1989.

I came across this article last week, and I think it’s something that should be front and center for this presidential election campaign season.  Unfortunately, it’s not.

Exonerations hit record in U.S. as wrongful convictions become a ‘regular’ problem via Yahoo News Digest

https://www.yahoo.com/digest/20160203/exonerations-hit-record-wrongful-convictions-become-regular-problem-00106496

Get the app and the day’s need-to-know news. https://yho.com/newsdigestall

I know the justice system isn’t perfect, and it hasn’t been applied perfectly in the past.  Sometimes, I wonder if these “few” exonerations are simply just the ones that are easy to prove.  No innocent person should be forced to serve time for a crime they didn’t commit.  At the same time, a guilty person shouldn’t be free to roam the streets.

I’ve long thought that the justice system is not the arbiter of innocence or guilt.  It’s simply the arbiter of who can best prove their case.  There are times when it’s quite easy to prove innocence in today’s time.  You can use DNA, video evidence, or other things to prove a person didn’t commit a crime.  Things were not always that easy.  Those things that can prove innocence can also easily prove guilt.

I’m sure people wonder why minorities have distrust for law enforcement and the legal system, and when you can average exonerating a person every 2.5 days within a year, it’s not hard to understand.  It’s not just minorities that get screwed over by the system either.  If you can’t afford a good lawyer, your chances are not going to be good of defending yourself in court.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re Black or White when you don’t have the green to help your case.

The “Making a Murderer” documentary has put this back in the spotlight for a minute.  I haven’t followed the case of Steven Avery or watched the documentary, but I see nothing wrong with reviewing cases where there may be evidence to prove someone’s innocence.  Given that some of the exonerated from last year were on death row, it may be a lifesaver to some people if their cases are reviewed.

The one thing I would like to see happen on top of the exonerations is a review of those responsible for locking up innocent people.  If it’s found that the prosecutors, or even law enforcement, have broken the law or knowingly set up a person they knew was innocent, they should have to face some type of review of their work themselves.  If they have a pattern of abuse like that, then they should face the repercussions of their actions and be punished accordingly.

The veracity of our justice system depends on the honesty and integrity of the entire process.  If the honesty and integrity is in question, then so is the system of justice.  Without the honesty and integrity, there is no justice.

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Who didn’t see this one coming

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From the New York Daily News:

An arrest warrant has been issued for Ethan Couch, the Texas teen involved in the infamous “affluenza” DUI crash.

Couch, who prompted outrage after receiving no more than probation following a deadly drunken driving accident two years ago that killed four people, missed a meeting with his probation officer earlier this month, according to KVUE.com.

Now, lawyers for Couch, 19, have confirmed police have been ordered to detain the teenager after authorities were unable to reach either him or his mother.

A kid who got let off punishment for killing four people because his “affluenza” kept him from having any sense of responsibility is now lacking responsibility in checking in with his probation officer.  Why not give ALL kids the same opportunity then, including the ones that have the sense of responsibility to serve out their terms in jail, probation, or whatever is meted out?  Are we not all one and the same?

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Happy Juneteenth!!!

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Today is the day that I will celebrate my independence day.  In fact, I won’t be alone either.  All across this country, there will be barbeques, parties, and maybe even a parade or two.  Those not celebrating today because it’s Friday will likely do so tomorrow if they haven’t celebrated already.

Why celebrate independence today and not on the Fourth of July?  It’s because today is Juneteenth.  If you don’t know about Juneteenth, here’s a quick rundown.

“Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.”–Courtesy of Juneteenth.com

On June 19, 1865, General Granger read aloud his General Order #3 to the people of Galveston, Texas that read as follows:

General Order #3

“The people are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them, become that between employer and hired labor. The freed are advised to remain at their present homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

With all the sadness in the news lately, I’d rather focus on something a bit happier.  I just returned from a great vacation with the family that I may post about later on.  We celebrated then as we will celebrate today.  Our celebration will include prayers for those in Charleston, South Carolina and everywhere else who are mourning the loss of loved ones.

Richmond, VA Juneteenth celebration from 1905, courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

So, to all those who are descendants of slaves no matter how far back or what race, Happy Independence Day!!!

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The one that got away

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From The Grio:

In the clip posted on Twitter, the handcuffed white suspects has been left completely unattended and decides to jump up and run away. Meanwhile, right next to him five police officers are surrounding and tasering the black suspect.

No one even pays attention to the white suspect for the most part, and he’s already across the street by the time we see just one of the cops finally going after him.

I’m not convinced it’s all about race in this one.  I think it’s more of a matter of sloppy police teamwork.  Take from it what you wish though.

You can’t take your eyes off perceived threats, even if they are handcuffed.  With five officers in close proximity, there’s no reason why that guy should have been able to abscond like that, even if he was eventually apprehended.

 

 

 

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