Less Than or Equal to Those Who are Guilty

In her article “It’s Hard Not to Have Death Penalty Doubts,” my colleague Tricia makes her argument that, “If Perry’s financial backers and political allies support the death penalty then he will, too.” Many, along with Tricia, constantly quote how Perry stated that, “he doesn’t lose sleep at night about innocents put to death,” could this be due to the fact that because at the point of an inmate being placed on death row, he/she has gone through all the judicial processes that determine, through judges, attorneys and juries, in order to formulate his/her’s guilt or innocence?
 

The number of innocent prisoners being executed in Texas is equally if not less than that of the number of guilty inmates released back into society. I can’t help but refer to the case of James Ealey, who was convicted of murdering four members of the Parker family back in 1982, then released because the ruling was overturned and then charged and convicted of murdering restaurant manager Mary Hutchinson in 2006. Now, this is gonna sound twisted, but isn’t it better to have executed one who is possibly innocent then to set free one who is possibly guilty, who has the potential to take the lives of those we know are innocent, as with the Ealey case?

As unfairly as it is for innocents to be put to death and guilty parties to go free, I think it equally unfair that people continue to reticule Perry, for doing a job, that the citizens of Texas, place him in office to do. It’s not like Perry himself is acting as judge and jury on any cases coming before Texas courts, so why is Perry constantly blamed when people, thought to be innocent, are put to death?

I have never been shy to admit that I am not a huge Rick Perry fan, however when people try to argue against his stance on the death penalty spouting such things as “Perry, should revamp due process by prioritizing a suspect's proof of innocence before proven guilty,” I’m puzzled.  Due process was ignited to the fullest in the Ealey case, however, he was found guilty and convicted of murdering an innocent woman, after being found innocent of murdering a pregnant woman, her two teen daughters and her 3 year old grandson. Tricia, although I can respect your opinion, I can also advise that you look at it from a different perspective.

The Three "R's..."

Would anyone reading my article like a pay cut like the one that the Texas schools districts received from the state? Anyone? If you wouldn’t want that kind of cut, let me be the first of many who’d say, I’ll take a pay cut like the school districts got from the state, each and every month!

There has been allot in the news about the numerous cuts the Texas state government have made to the school districts. It seems typical that government entities whine about getting cuts, when in fact, their funding is increased. On the federal level you hear about "cuts" when the increases aren't high enough. This is the case with Texas schools as well. They have learned to whine and spin to the point of lying when it comes to money.

In a recent article of The Dallas Morning News , Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst puts it well, without the spin: “Under the old law, we were expected to increase our funding for public education by $8 billion,” but Dewhurst also said recently at an event sponsored by the Texas Tribune, “We increased our funding for public education by almost $4 billion. Only in government if you expect an $8 billion increase and get $4 billion is that a cut.”

As well, in a November 18^th article in The Austin American Statesmen there was a story about how the high school football programs are costing the school districts, rather than generating a positive revenue flow. The Richardson School district loses over $122,000 per school year. Maybe, rather than whining about cuts that are really an increase in funding of about $4 billion for the year that don’t support the areas where districts are struggling, the school districts and its administrators can properly compensate its teachers and educational staff and provide it’s students with the proper educational tools that would get them back to what the school system should be all about, the three "r's", riting, readin and rithmatic!

Let the Punishment Fit the Crime...

In his article titled Ultimate Justice, my colleague, Travis makes his argument that, “Capital punishment is an outdated unmoral punishment that we need to rise above from and join the rest of civilized society,” in rebuttal to Governor Rick Perry’s stance on the death penalty. Although Travis admits that, ”Rick Perry is not the one to blame for the continued excessive use of capital punishment,” that, ”It is the majority of Texans who vote for the Judges,” that are responsible, Travis mocks fellow Texans by implying that many Texans stance is, “kill em all, and let God sort it out,” and ends his article with a quote from Desmond Tutu, which is obvious he’s in agreement with, that “To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice.”

Allow me, a native born Texan and born again Christian, for a moment to indulge those of you who say “Justice should be left up to God.” Any Theologian and well read Bible Scholar will tell you that He (God) instituted the death penalty. He gave it as law to His people, the Israelites. God uses government to enact justice and there is nothing wrong with that. And if you back the “innocent people will be killed” argument then what do you say about people like James Ealey, who was convicted of murdering four members of the Parker family back in 1982, then released because the ruling was overturned and then charged and convicted of murdering restaurant manager Mary Hutchinson in 2006? He killed again because he never receive punishment for his initial crime!

Look, I understand the arguments against the death penalty, but I do not think it is inconsistent to be pro-life and yet pro-death penalty, as Governor Perry. Because life is so precious when an innocent life is taken shouldn’t there be retribution? Shouldn’t there be a price to pay for murder? Yes. Yes, God can forgive a murderer but we as a society are not God. Do we just forgive those who break the law? Do we forgive the thieves and let them go free? Do we forgive the rapists and let them go too? “Well yes sir, you raped and beat that woman but we are not God. We can’t judge you. Go and sin no more.” What nonsense!!!!! Do we forgive murderers and demand no JUST punishment for what they have taken?

Duly note that I am not a huge Rick Perry fan, however when people try to argue against his stance on the death penalty spouting such things as “God will judge” that’s where you lose me because we are not God. We as a society must have JUST punishment for wrongdoing. Where is the justice for someone like James Ealey who murdered a pregnant woman, her two teen daughters and her 3 year old grandson? And then found his way back into society after years in prison and murdered another innocent woman? He took 6 lives and yet gets to keep his own? That’s justice? I think not! Travis, although I can respect your opinion, I can also advise that you “rethink” your stance.

Maybe One More Coat of Paint?

Honestly, I thought nothing of it when I heard the allegations being shot at Governor, Rick Perry.  After all he is a middle aged, white male, protestant from one of the last states to abolish slavery.  I just assumed he had “racial tendencies” without digging through his past.  But let’s “give the devil his due”  for a minute here. This is still the South and I don’t know of any white person who was not subjected to the “N” word while growing up.  My grandmother heard the word used like salt or pepper with no apologies.  It’s how many Southern white children were taught to discern the good folks from the bad. Consequently, many understand that one racist generation does not necessarily make the next generation guilty.

Then while rushing in one morning to catch The View, I heard Whoopi blurt out the word “N*****HEAD,” stating something about it being painted on a rock at a camp the Perry family had purchased.  What took me by surprise was hearing the word “Head” at the end.   A chill went through me like a ghost.  I remember watching the movie Rosewood not too long ago and envisioning the scenes where the K.K.K. horse backed through the towns looking for innocent, helpless people to lynch.  It was the same feeling; the same chill.  Whoopi went on to say that the sign was painted over some time ago.  Many “right-leaning “reporters have suggested though that this was a political smear job.  Perry was being unfairly accused of racism because of a trivial oversight, that the word was painted there prior to the purchase.  

They might be right; I could believe that it was a political smear job.  I could believe that Democrats were turning over every rock to find anything they could on Perry.  I can easily envision Democrats fist pumping and patting each other on the backs when they discovered the existence of such a disgrace.  And that’s exactly what I see this as, a disgrace.  I think that if the N word had been a picture of a Swastika instead of this particular racial slur, Perry would have immediately blown that rock to “Smithereens”, not just painted over it a few years ago.  I am also certain that if Perry had grown up as a black male in Texas, with the Rebel flags and the N word flying over his head, he most definitely would have found a way to remove any hint of such a slur on his property.

Whether or not you consider Rick Perry to be a racist will depend upon the window you sat at in this world.  Did you grow up white or black?  If you grew up white, then you probably feel that the press is making too much out of a simple word.  However, if you grew up black then you know it’s more than “just” a word.

Not Ashamed...

In a recent article titled “We’re On a Mission from God,” written by Eileen Smith, editor of In the Pink, Smith attempts to make a mockery of Anita Perry’s, Texas Governor Rick Perry’s wife, speech given at North Greenville University in South Carolina reflecting on “the rough month that her husband had endured on the campaign trail,” and how her husband was “being brutalized because of his faith.” Smith concludes her article with an insight of her own, stating such things as, “this evangelical sh** is becoming tiresome,” and “Hey, Rick. God called. He wants you to stop speaking for Him.”

I have to admit I was a tad “irked” after reading Smith’s commentary. The thought of someone mocking someone’s adoration towards whatever “higher power” they acknowledge is smiting the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
 

I admit that although I am a native Texan, I am not the biggest Rick Perry fan, however, I am a fan, follower and believer in Jesus Christ and as a follower, as well, one who believes everyone has the right to praise, acknowledge, worship and promote whatever “higher power” they serve it gets under my skin when someone “pokes fun” at someone else regarding their religious beliefs.

Smith makes it clear that she is no fan of Governor Perry or what he claims to believe in, although she never commented on her own beliefs, she is clear that she is tired of hearing about “Perry’s God.”
 

Note, that I am the last person to sit around smiling at someone who continues to “beat a dead horse,” except when it comes to religion. I commend Governor Perry for not being ashamed to acknowledge that he does believe in some form of a “higher power,” and that regardless of the many turned noses and backlash he receives about his vocalism regarding his faith, he is not ashamed of that faith nor has he backed down on commenting about that faith, despite the negative feedback.

Let’s face it people, in “the end” there will be only one group of folks with their heads held high as to the decision they made throughout their lives on what “higher power” to follow. Many will perish at a time when it will be too late to “switch teams.” Whether Governor Perry will be amongst those “standing tall,” or “falling short,” is not up to me to comment on or judge for that matter, after all he is amongst many citizens of this country who has obtained the right to freely speak about his religion and beliefs. We can assuredly say that at least 67% of Texans are onboard the “Perry Ferry,” as estimated in a recent poll of Texas Perry supporters.
 

“You Go,” Rick Perry for not being ashamed!

The God I serve makes it clear that, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." –Mark 8:38 (NIV)
 

That’s enough for me to back off Perry, and his associates, when it pertains to his prayer and religious statements.

When Did Being Informed Become "Harmful?"

“The U.S. Supreme Court recently refused to let Texas enforce its new abortion sonogram law…” reads the first line of Emily Ramshaw’s Texas Tribune article titled “Supreme Court Won't Reinstate Abortion Sonogram Law.” Ramshaw concludes that she is “awaiting comment on the denial from the AG's office,” not really stating her own view point on the matter either way.

Allow me to share MY view point… I’m a tad disheartened that the law, “which would have forced women to have a sonogram and hear a description of the fetus before terminating a pregnancy,”  wasn’t passed. Yes, I said “disheartened!” The mere fact that we were even debating over whether or not to pass this law is puzzling! No one objects to x-rays regarding sore knees or aching backs. Very few demand medical treatment, with little information collected or provided. Furthermore, many physicians would be considered negligent if they declined to collect information concerning a medical condition and provide that information to a patient before offering treatment. But then, pregnancy is a peculiar medical condition. Most often a patient is very much aware of her medical condition before she walks into a doctor's office. With the case of abortions, she surely knows she is pregnant and she knows the cure, at least by name. A woman does not need an x-ray to tell her she is pregnant, prior to having an abortion. What she might not know, and what she may not WANT to know, are the details.

My question though is, “Where is the harm?” According to Ramshaw’s article, Julie Rikelman, senior staff attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights stated that “the district court’s decision to block portions of this new law, which is intrusive and unconstitutional, was well-supported.  There is no basis for the state’s attempts to short-circuit the legal process by trying to nullify the court’s decision on an emergency basis.” But to me, any type of medical procedure should be considered an “emergency basis.”

Abortion has always been a psychologically complex medical procedure to consider. Numerous studies have been conducted that identify the often troubling psychological consequences that take place after an abortion is received. Many women undergo depression and regret in the years following having an abortion. For abortion advocates, front loading the procedure with information will only make a difficult choice even more difficult. There is apprehension that many women will decline receiving an abortion if they are mandated to listen to details before receiving one. A women strolling down to the clinic in anticipation of receiving an abortion might have second thoughts if she is required to deal with the details of what she is considering. She might learn that an abortion is not quite the casual procedure she expected.

Why any of that should bother abortion rights advocates puzzles me. Should the law have been permissible to stand, abortion would be no less safe or legal. It might have become infrequent, but hasn't that been the stated objective of abortion advocates from the start? Or have they really intended that abortion should ONLY be safe, legal, and easy?

If “being informed” is the enemy of abortion, it scares me to think of what constitutes as its allies…

To Scheme or Not to Scheme... That is the Question

It appears that Democrats as well as Republicans equally are reprimanding Governor Rick Perry for his categorization of the Social Security retirement system as a “Ponzi scheme.” Instead of pondering on what he’s trying to get across, many immediately come to the defense of the system and instantly contort Perry’s stance into one where he’s determined to abolish the program instantly upon becoming President. Let’s face it folks, the shock of the current and growing senior citizen population draws the need to at least evaluate the current Social Security Program.

So that we’re all clear, as defined by Wikipedia, a Ponzi scheme is “a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors, not from any actual profit earned by the organization, but from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors. The Ponzi scheme usually entices new investors by offering returns other investments cannot guarantee, in the form of short-term returns that are either abnormally high or unusually consistent. The perpetuation of the returns that a Ponzi scheme advertises and pays requires an ever-increasing flow of money from investors to keep the scheme going.”

 To be fair, the Social Security retirement program did not begin as a Ponzi scheme. At its conception, the initial person to receive benefits in the United States contributed nearly twenty-five dollars and collected benefits of nearly twenty-five thousand before her death. The dilemmas with the programs emerge from the reality that the average citizen presently lives much longer following retirement than when the program was started in 1935. Additionally, the federal government has unceasingly reached into the Social Security Trust fund to subsidize its deficiency consumption. They procure the money debited from our paychecks and utilize it as they wish. Often substituting it with an IOU, however that IOU does not achieve the credits that could be gained in alternative investments. With folks lasting longer along and with us taking in a bit less, the time/compounding belief cannot imaginably compensate the extended portion of time seniors of the present are anticipated to receive.

Although I am “Pure Texan,” I admit to not being as big a fan of Governor Perry and his idealisms as my fellow Empower Texans cohorts who wrote “Excuse Me, But It Is A Ponzi Scheme.” I honestly do not know as much as I should about Governor Perry's politics and integrity. Still, I admire his boldness to voice out clearly as he discerns it regardless of all the chastisement he is getting for not illuminating ''diplomacy”. Many politicians are too afraid to bring about the issue of Social Security for apprehension of not winning the senior vote. I arbitrarily consider that it brings forth a new perspective on boldness to listen to a candidate voice their opinion.