I watched a documentary called, The Silence of the Bees, it aired on an episode of the documentary series, Nature, on PBS the other night. It is about the mysterious cause of a disorder called, Colony Collapse Disorder which is killing bees in alarming numbers around the world. As is discussed in the video not having enough bees to pollinate our major food sources would be a disaster of immense proportions for the human species.

 

I spent a lot of my childhood on a farm, I have hunted and fished all my life, and worked in construction outdoors, and can say from my own observations just in last 10 yrs. the number of species dying off is quite frankly scary. I have noted an slight increase in bees this year but it has been late into the season that I've seen them. The bees I've seen seem under sized, not as sharp in flying, uncordinated, and clumsy looking is the best way I can describe them. 

 

The Silence of the Bees, pbs.org

 

 

 

 

The first thing to keep in mind in my humble estimation is to acknowledge that a lot of progress has been achieved in America in addressing racism and having an equal society as proscribed in our Constitution. Keeping this in mind I think helps keep the tenor of the discussions on race at a social level, which is more amenable to resolve issues even further than we have.

 

As with most issues there are good points in each side’s arguments and some not so good points in their respective  arguments to be considered, discussed, then resolved.

 

Another point, I think is important to keep in mind is that maybe the more important issues when considering racism is the role wealth, social status and class plays in race relations in America. When these broader issues are pondered it may become clearer black people are not the only group struggling in America now or historically. This should help defuse the explosive issue of race a little more as well, I should think.

 

A couple of other things that could be kept in mind as well when having discussions about race are a historical perspective and the nature of humanity. Historically speaking all races have had groups in slavery or oppressed, financially exploited and ethnically cleansed. So brutally speaking every race is just as capable of treating another race as horribly as black people and others have been treated in America or around the world. In fact a historical check of the record shows, white people can show the same brutality they have now or historically existed towards black people, to other white people. White people have enslaved, raped and pillaged their own just they have other races, some would argue even more so. A check of the record for black people reveals that they too have been historically, and are now just as brutal to each other as some white people have been towards black people. For instance in the history of black people it is known blacks have sold other blacks into slavery and enslaved other blacks. And these same scenario's go for all the races throughout the earth and in the history of the races on earth.

 

Cruelty and inhumanity are traits that are common to the human species maybe if racism is addressed in this context as well it could help bring down the level of intensity in all sides of the arguments even more.    

 

 

 

 

cnnnews.com

 

My first inclination to this is no, people should not be sued for this. I am not sure putting legal proceedings into this type of civil matter makes the situation any easier to resolve. There are some places some whites don't want nonwhites, and in my opinion there are some places and things going on with whites, nonwhites should want no part of.

I think most businesses should not be forced to hire people they do not want to either. The areas I think people could justifiably sue are against public institutions, for access into governmental processes or the courts, etc. I think it has to be accepted that there are some people on all sides who will never be accepting of others not like themselves.

Maybe, black and white people and other races should take situations like these as an indicator that integration for now has gone as far as it will go in some areas. That it is now time to work harder individually and collectively and build their communities up to model the ideal communities they desire, then they will not need to attend facilities where they are not wanted or sue to be granted access where they are not wanted. Certainly, it is not like ethnically segregated communities have not sprung up before in the history of this nation. It’s just that in times past these settlements, villages, and cities were destroyed. So if black people and others have built up 'ideal' communities before, under even more difficult circumstances in the past, in today’s climate it should be much easier. And in fact communities like these for several races already exist in different areas of this country.  

I think segregation based on racial identity is ignorant but not a crime. I am just being practical and trying to make sense of another crazy issue, in ‘our’ crazy world. So I accept there are some people who are racial separatists, and rather than demonizing or criminalizing their preferences, which further alienates the parties, I think they should be allowed to do as they wish.  

I would add though given the history of humanity, I think these segregationists will find the racially based utopias they think they will have, will be just as difficult to manage as the 'integrated' communities they say exists now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In contemplating the recent racial commentary of the GOP and the accompanying opposition to Supreme Court nominee Sotomayor and commentary and actions around that matter, I am questioning if racism is impairing the political objectivity of the GOP. After all the GOP has to realize that by opposing the Sotomayor nomination they might erode support in the Hispanic voting bloc.

 

I will also mention but not elaborate on how the GOP has treated Gen. Colin Powell as an indicator as well that the GOP is struggling mightily with racial politics and progress.

 

I do not preclude the concept that the GOP might be signaling that it is transforming itself into a white power nationalistic Party either, which by the way I have no problem with as long as savage ethnic cleansing, slavery and rabid human rights violations are not on the agenda as a result of the ideology. I will add I also believe that the Demcratic party has in the core of it's power hierarchy an element of white power nationalistic politics. I have dubbed each type as the conservanazi's and the demokraut's. 

 

This, on paper any way still remains a free country, people are allowed to feel, think, and say what they want. Largely America remains a de facto segregated nation. So in my opinion race based extremists who want total separation from other races should be allowed to do that as well. If they think they can do it better themselves, I say they should have the opportunity.

 

 

 

Having grown up in Pennsylvania, saying Pennsylvania racism is reminiscent of the Jim Crow south, I assure you is no exaggeration. Drive through any of the counties or major cities in Pennsylvania, and you will be able to see for yourself how segregated it is here. As you drive notice how many blacks you see employed in stores, on construction crews or any place for that matter, especially in Central and Northern Tier, PA. Some here in Pennsylvania take pride in saying the state has Philadelphia on one side,Pittsburgh on the other and Alabama in the middle, and they mean this literally.

 

I have often wondered how many soldiers from Pennsylvania have been involved in human rights violations and crimes against humanity while at war.

 

Thousands of young black men are in prison cells, juvenile placements or involved in the justice system here in Pennsylvania too. In my opinion there is virulent racism at every level in Pennsylvania. Why, I don’t know because once again the black people in this state have no power really, and are not responsible for the fiscal crisis or any of the other things that really are angering people. The street crime and drug dealing that is correctly associated with some blacks is directly tied to poverty and the lack of viable opportunities, like just about every place in America.

 

If Nazism ever openly came to power and genocide was started in America it would not surprise me that death camps found warm reception here in some parts of this state.      

 

Southern Poverty Law Center: Warns of Neo-Nazis in Military

 

It can't happen here, by Pat Buchanan

 

200 white workers fired & replaced with unskilled minorities

 

Black teens attack white family on 4th, shouting 'It's a black world'

 

Demint: America is 'Where Germany was before WWII'

 

Police Commmander: 'Fear is palpable on the street among police'

 

Obama's record on firearms triggers run on sales in state

 

GOOGLE sayz, Results 1 - 10 of about 2,380,000 for minorities the blame for America's problems. (0.15 seconds) 

  

Scapegoating is one of the most perplexing things that can occur in societies I think. In reading about historic instances of scapegoating and observing it here in America over the years it is interesting that the lessons that should be learned from scapegoating innocent people never are.

 

For instance, I find it absurd that black people, a group that occupies one of the lowest rungs in the societal hierarchy, who have the least power or access to power, who have had the least impact in leading this country, who are systematically denied access to many areas of privilege, yet they are considered by some to have made the decisions, and to be the blame for why this country is in the condition it is in. It’s amazing to me. This is beyond illogical, yet in many and growing numbers of people minds this premise grows that some how the least powerful group in the society is responsible for their problems. Never mind almost all positions of power and importance historically have been and currently are occupied by white guys in suits. This is the frank truth of the matter.

 

Before Obama there has never been anything other than a white man in the Presidents office. In the Senate and House, overwhelmingly the majority of members have been Caucasian people. The same goes for just about every major decision making institution and body of power in American society.

 

Black people who have been brutalized, oppressed, segregated put in desperate circumstance, after desperate, deplorable circumstance having to do desperate things to survive, yet some how, to some people this qualifies them as the number one reason why America is beleaguered, straining and appears to be swirling around the drain. This would be funny if the situation were not as serious and dangerous as it is.

 

How many times in history has one group attacked another, only to later find out they were completely wrong? From my count this has happened to many times to count. Yet as times get tougher in America it seems the situation could end up this way again. How much more blood shed and injustice will be enough? I guess when none of us can live on earth, when we will have completely destroyed the place!!

 

To me, fear is behind scapegoating, in that the attacking groups are really afraid to challenge the real forces causing their perceived problems.  The other things behind scapegoating are bloodlust, the desire to kill and hatred that motivates that. And if America is like pre-WWII Germany, let’s not forget how Germany and the German people ended up.

 

MORE BETRAYED AND DEVASTATED BY THEIR OWN KIND, THAN BY ANY GROUP THEY ATTACKED AS BEING THE CAUSE OF THEIR PROBLEMS.

 

 

In the first place I still have a little residual shock left over from the fact that we have a black person elected as President in our country. Although, I expected Obama to win because of the people who supported him behind the scenes, his being in office says a lot about the democratic nature of the American people and our political machines. It takes a lot of character for just one person to change but Obama’s election means a good deal of the country has demonstrated change which is remarkable and obviously historic. Even more remarkable is that even the frothing racists, assorted Aryan supremacists and white separatist’s factions in the US seem to be trying to appear tolerant and restrained, at least in public anyway. This is worth notice in my opinion because to put aside to any degree, feelings as strong these groups have, right or wrong, takes character. Rather these groups realize it or not, they are changing, we all are, in my opinion for the better. There is no need and we have no time for hate between races or political groups and religion persons and the rest of it. Ultimately Obama’s election to me really says how badly the American people want change from the status quo of certain people in suit$, stealing all the loot. For me this includes the racists, etc. because if they were not hungry and looking for change as well they’d be making Obama’s job a lot harder than they are.  And I know these groups have immense power in our society, as they say, they have an invisible empire. We are united like a typical dysfunctional family or siblings; we can fight with each other but no else better try and fight with one of us. Deep down we all want this democratic republic to succeed. 

 

Not that leadership alone defines greatness in my opinion but America in electing a black person as President is still being a leader by demonstrating that we as society can get over, albeit slowly, the obstacles that cause many around the world to engage in almost nonstop internal civil strife of varying levels. South Africa did this first in our era but they do not have the profile that America has in the world, nor have they made the social progress that we have in my humble opinion. We have a long way to go in America in a lot of ways, correspondingly though; we have made commendable progress in many other ways.

 

 

In the age of companies allegedly being to big to fail, in DC they’re called (TBTF) companies, one could question how healthy representative democracy is really. The needs of average Americans it seems are increasingly marginalized and put on the back burners of the political oven. Insurance companies, banks, corporate agriculture, big pharmaceutical companies/medical industry, manufacturing sectors, energy companies and the military-industrial- complex, and a few other special interests have such a strangle hold on the law and the political machines/processes that many of them have an iron grip on American consumers. 

 

Many of these companies maintain monopolies/oligarchies in their respective industries. Some of these industries actually have laws that force Americans into purchases of their products or services and worse. In this environment and climate I question just how healthy representative democracy really is just as many others do who are imminently more qualified, credible and educated than I am. Government for and by the people seems an after thought in government when facilitating big businesses pursuit of profits and the almighty dollar.    

 

 

1.	a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply.

2.	a problem for discussion or under discussion; a matter for investigation.

3.	a matter of some uncertainty or difficulty; problem (usually fol. by of): It was simply a question of time.

4.	a subject of dispute or controversy.

5.	a proposal to be debated or voted on, as in a meeting or a deliberative assembly.

 

As I listened to Gov. Sarah Palin and watched her body language as she did her resignation press conference. I could not help but wonder what alchemy and byzantine political plots caused this woman to take the steps she has taken. She is in the prime of life and career, on the verge of making political history and she makes a move that could jeopardize all she has accomplished. Something does not compute here.

 

The mainstream media continues to ravage the lady implying she could not take the heat in the political kitchen and that she is simply small time, unsophisticated, a Wasilla hillbilly, etc. and ad nauseam. Some of the criticism is on point but I take exception to the ad hominem attacks that routinely pass as news when many of these talking heads do what is supposed to be professional reporting. Meanwhile, many of these same critics meekly, almost cowardly, accept the status quo of DC politics. They, to me are establishment automatons that lack the courage to seriously question, challenge or expose the US political situation for what it really is. Self examination is not a requirement to be a critic I take it. Nor is living up to the standards they say others should be maintaining.

 

When I look at governor Palin I see another person who could not make the break into the all boys club hegemony that the white males of the GOP have long maintained over that party. I see with her what I saw with Gen. Powell frankly. And her resignation and the treatment of her could turn out to bite the GOP in the ass just as their treatment of Gen. Powell has in my opinion.

 

They better hope Ron Paul does not decide to ally with her to broaden and solidify his message with the thousands that like Gov. Palin. Independents could also see this as an opportunity to raise Palins profile and ally her to their causes as well. Which could further erode the already shrinking base of the GOP!!!

 

Most of the pundits I have heard prognosticate about Palins resignation the spin is this is the death knell for career, she’ll never recover, it’s a big mistake, the wrong political calculus, she has the wrong team, again, etc and ad nauseam.

 

What I see is the possibility of a brilliant political move to set herself up as an ultimate Washington DC outsider, a real maverick that will not put party politics before the will of the American people. Some one who would rather resign putting her career and future on the line, rather than compromise her beliefs. And by all indicators this is what the American people really desire, a change from the corruption that is eroding the credibility of US democracy, destroying the DC political machine and pushing the American people to the brink.

 

I am not a fan of Sarah Palin’s but I do like to look at matters as objectively as I can to discern all possibilities and possible outcomes to any situation. Plus I do not like how the press just ravages and savages certain people almost nonstop. I will follow this ladies political moves with heightened interest because in my opinion she is in a perfect political position, she is underestimated, isolated, alienated and an underdog. As I see the situation this is largely how the American people feel as well.