Iran's Missles

Photo Courtesy AP

Want to talk about it some more?  Iran continues to do what it wants while using basic stall tactics commonly referred to as "Negotiations".  These new missiles are just the first in a new lineup of bigger and badder missiles Iran has constructed, with even bigger longer range ones to be released in the coming months according to their regime.

Edmund Burk said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." I think at this point talking is close to the equivalent of nothing.

This is a hard stance for me to draw.  I lean libertarian, and non-interventionist ideals are strongly rooted in my mind. I prefer our intervention to be positive intervention, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked.  War and force are something to be used only when absolutely required.

It is difficult because reading and understanding our complicated history in the Middle East helps me to understand some of the hate many have for us. The US has made plenty of missteps in it's past policies, and in many instances helped to create the problems we currently are dealing with.

That said, I am also a realist.  I have read and understand the ideologies that drive Iran's regime.  I am not afraid to call crazy, crazy, or evil, evil, and to identify religious extremism for what it is.  Non-Interventionism is a great ideal, and it is harder to stick to in the post modern age of weapons that can take out entire civilizations from thousands of miles away. This is not a geo-political ideology that fuels Iran, it is a religious one.  An inner belief window based on the idea that certain lives are more valuable than others, and that mass genocide is appropriate even at the cost of ones own destruction.

It's time the US listens to the leaders of Israel and take a strong stand against Iran's missile and nuclear programs.  Time is running out and once they have the bomb, it will be everlastingly too late.

Cop Shootings

I don't know if the number of cases involving cops shooting unarmed individuals is actually on the rise, or if the media has just stumbled on to it's latest money and ratings maker.

I do know that police brutality is nothing to be laughed at, and I hope that our police forces are receiving additional training on how to use the least force possible.  It appears a new culture is beginning for our police officers, and it's both a good thing and a bad thing.  On one had being a cop has never been harder and the scrutiny never greater than I have witnessed in my lifetime.  On the other hand respecting human life and avoiding the use of deadly force except for in the most extreme circumstances is vital to human rights.

I am going predict that by the end of 2017 if not sooner 80%  or more of police will have body cameras.

Photo Courtesy of theatlantic.com

Hearts Grow Cold

The human race is disappointing and inspiring at the same time.


Image Via 4chan/Twitter

I read this story about this kind looking innocent man harboring a few extra pounds.  He was dancing, and apparently got ridiculed for doing it.  The first picture shows him doing the dance and the next picture shows him obviously dejected.

It's not often that a story moves me to tears, but the beginning of this story really had me feeling sick.  The unnecessary sadness this man is feeling in the second picture truly struck a nerve deep within my soul.  This man is a human being, with real feelings and emotions, dreams and desires, yet many can treat him like he is nothing.  In that moment I had ask myself, "Is our culture really so filled with rude, demeaning and insulting individuals, and why does this kind of thing seem to be happening with increasing frequency?"

A quick browsing of popular websites like "peopleofwalmart", or a quick scan of posts trending on social media along with the nasty unfiltered comments that accompany them can easily break ones faith in humanity. In the scriptures we learn that "the love of many will grow cold". 

There is a cultural cesspool of demeaning, rude and critical attitudes that is invading it's way into the hearts of man like a deadly disease, and the primary symptom is zero empathy or heartlessness.  And it is being taught via the media starting at very young ages.

I had one experience with this kind of heartless media Last week, working in a clinic where I work with the youth. A child I work with as an SLPA wanted their fun activity to be watching a popular Disney television program. At one point in the program, and overweight female shows up at the main characters door, crying because she was stood up for her date.  What does the main character do in this situation?  Does he invite her in to listen with a empathetic ear?  Does he offer a kind word of empathy?  No, he simply remains quiet, gives her a rude look that implies "go away weirdo" and then shuts the doors in her face.  Cue the laugh track.

 But as I kept reading the story I also was led to remember that we humans are inspiring. The story took a sweet turn in a positive direction.  The good, the loving, the kind of society reacted.  Within a short period of time, over a thousand woman, and even a few celebrities including Pharrel and Andrew W.K. reacted by throwing this man a very special dance party.  The love and kindness shown to this man led to more tears than the hate inspired and I thanked my God that there are still a large amount of people who love.

I am not saying that we should ban out media, or even go to extreme measures to stop our children from being exposed to such media.  Instead we need to do our job as leaders and parents to teach our youth how to treat people through example.  We need to show them how to love our neighbor, and remind them to keep rude thoughts and comments to ourselves instead of shamelessly spewing hate over the internet.

Criminal Justice Broken

Image Courtesy of 123rf.com

Jodi Arias will be sentenced to life in prison.  I honestly don't care about this either way. What really bothers me is the wasteful amounts of time and money we spent on putting this woman behind bars.   Apparently analysts are predicting that this trial will end up costing somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-13 million dollars!  3 million of that was just in paying for her defense!

Was the second re-trial for the sentencing really necessary?  Was it appealing because they truly sought this woman's death, or did an extra 6 months of pay for rehashing the same already prepared for trial offer a bit of extra incentive.

I am planning making a longer more thought out post on the costs of the American Legal system. The numbers are mind boggling, especially during a time of uncontrolled spending, unbridled debt, and deep budget cuts.