Dishonorable, Disgraceful, Deplorable

Join the military, defend our country, it’s people, it’s constitution and follow the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the law of the military.

When a person signs that paper, stands and pledges, give the oath, they are part of the military. A military based on volunteers, not forced, not required, volunteers making a choice of their own FREE will to defend our country and at the same time, agreeing to follow the UCMJ or be punished accordingly.

Two Navy personnel have now disrespected and ignored the oath they willingly made when joining the military. They have chosen to dishonor, disrespect and disgrace the United States of America, and to go against their oath, their promise.  Young, naïve or old and wise, it does not matter, these two Navy personnel broke their oath, they broke military law.

Why did they enlist?  Was it in their hearts to defend the United States, the constitution, and it’s people?  Or was just for the college money?  In either case, these two Navy personnel agreed to follow the UCMJ.  They did not follow the rules, “the law” of the military.

As with any “job” there are rules listed in the employee handbook you must follow.  If you choose to ignore the rules and requirements of your employer, an employer you choose to work for, you can be fired.  Are you allowed to bring your politics into the work place? Stage a protest? No you are not. If you do, you have placed yourself at the mercy of your employer, you must/should stand up for your choice and take whatever punishment is dealt to you.

Ms. Ervin, you broke a promise, your oath, you broke the trust that was bestowed upon you and you broke military law (UCMJ).  It is only right you loose your security clearance and any privileges the military has afforded you. Do not dare to whine and cry because you lost your security clearance, it is your fault. Be an adult and own what you did. You are smart enough to know what you did and the consequences that may result, do not continue to play for public support from those that do not understand or know what it is like to be put in the position you were placed in as an Intelligent Specialist.

If you cannot be trusted to obey military law, how can you be trusted with military secrets?  How can you be trusted to not follow protocols or orders if you don’t like them or if you disagree with them.

Ms. Ervin, you are not fit for duty, you are a disgrace to your uniform.

Ms. Ervin, you and the other sailor who refused to stand for the flag or anthem, need to be dishonorably discharged, immediately. I am disgusted you represent our United States Navy.

The uniform you wear and the military branch you are part of, is not an appropriate platform for your protests.

R martin

Cascade Mall, Burlington, WA

First off, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and survivors.

Cascade Mall Shooting

Second, shooter is still at large!  Law Enforcement is asking for publics help in identifying the shooter.  Please see the link above for news report and pictures of the shooter.

FACTS (as we know them at this time):

1. Shooter entered Cascade Mall, left, in about 10 minutes he returned carrying a rifle, entering through a Macy’s store entrance.

2. Shooter shoot and killed 5 people; 4 women died at the scene and 1 man taken to Harborview Hospital where he died. Unconfirmed reports a witness stated the shooter called out a woman’s name before opening fire.

3. Shooter left his weapon, a long gun (rifle) on a counter at Macy’s department store.  The shooter left the scene before Law Enforcement arrived at the mall.  Witnesses stated they saw a man fitting the description of shooter walk through the mall parking lot towards Interstate 5.

4. Shooter description: 5’9”, dark hair, early 20’s, slender to athletic build. Original witness reports stated the shooter was “possibly Hispanic”.  Updated reports by Law Enforcement state they are unsure if shooter is “Latino or not”.

5. At this time, Law Enforcement have not identified the shooter.  Law Enforcement is asking for anyone with information to contact them.  Contact Skagit County investigators at: 360-428-3211.

As of this time, there is no update expected from law enforcement because there is nothing new to report.  All energies and resources are dedicated to finding the shooter.  Once there is more information available, law enforcement from all the agencies will partake in a news conference.

There are a lot of people making unsubstantiated claims as if the claims are fact and they are not. No identity has been given of the shooter.  It is unclear of his nationality, race, or religion.  Please do not stir the hate by projecting these false claims; it does not help the situation.

The important issue at this moment is to find the shooter.

For updates and more detailed information you can twitter:

@rstevenm80 @MariaKIRO7 #CascadeMall #Burlington

R martin

What is the Truth, Right or Wrong

Say it enough, tell one person, who tells 2 people, who tell 4 people, and so on; you know how it goes.  Next thing you know it is considered the truth or the way it is.

Starting as infants we are taught right from wrong. If we are taught left is right and right is left, as you grow you will call your left hand your right. If you are taught it is wrong to go around naked, you will believe that, but is it really? If you were raised that going naked is okay, there is nothing wrong with being naked, you would believe just that.

If everyone you know and everything you read says a person or organization believes/supports nonviolence, you will believe it even if you don’t have all the facts or a partial shred of proof.

So if almost every media outlet or news story says one thing, it doesn’t matter if it’s an opinion or factual; it becomes the truth in many peoples eyes.

Believe it or not, agree or not, this is brainwashing.

High profile protests, generalizing statements using keywords are inciting riots, hatred and racism. Most of us have heard or saw news reporting protests because a black person is shot.

Taking to the streets, the protesters signs in hand and chanting, have been building ill feelings towards all law enforcement, not just the officer involved in the shooting but all officers and at times towards a race of people.

Protesters have waved signs and chanted “whites are the devil”.  Yet these same protesters are saying they suffer from racism, discrimination profiling and targeted violence. Say it enough and it becomes truth imbedding in peoples lives, including the younger generations.

Are these protesters suffering from racism, discrimination, profiling and targeted violence, in some cases, yes they are. That is not the debate or bases or topic of this article.

As a young child I was taught skin color, religion or male/female, it doesn’t matter, we are all equal. Process of change had already started and what I was being taught was evident.  I have see the change, for the better; I see less racism today than I saw as a child. I see more equality among people than I saw as a child.

Does bigotry and sexism still exist? Yes it does.  Is it better than it was before?  I believe it is, at least from what I see. No I am not black or a female. I am white and a male. My view is not as in-depth as the people experiencing the inequality, racism and sexism, but on the surface I do see the change, in-depth view of white males (at least a lot of them) in the United States.

Do we really want to regress? No, I don’t think so. Yet when protesters are standing in the street yelling and screaming, waving signs stating a certain ethic group are devils, or a certain sexual orientation is evil, that is exactly what is happening.

It is not all whites or blacks that are the devil, racist or preach equality while degrading, belittling, and teaching hate.  It is only some people no matter the race, religion, or sex.

Martin Luther King, Jr. in my opinion was the greatest civil rights movement activists.  He was a man, before my time, a man I wish I could have met, sat and spoke with, a man with a message to many people have forgotten.  Message of love, respect, equality and nonviolence.

Quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at time of challenge and controversy.”

“I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is to great a burden to bear.”

Martin Luther King Jr. marched in peace.  Mr. King Jr. protested in peace.  This man drew tens of thousands of people to follow, protest and march with him, keeping to nonviolence.  He lead by example.

Martin Luther King Jr. did not just protest about equal rights, he acknowledged not all people of any one color or religious belief contained hate or racism in their hearts, mind or emotions.

Martin Luther King Jr. knew, to be heard by the masses, violence and hatred could have no part in protests.  He knew he had to lead by example. He knew he had to lead with…. respect.  He treated himself with respect, he treated his protesters with respect and he treated those he protested against with respect.

Are all whites, blacks, Muslims, Christians, bad? Repressive? Racist? Ignorant? Sexist? NO! Generalizing groups of people is prejudice.

The truth or appearance of truth

Protesters have the right to voice their opinion, free speech, it is guaranteed by the Constitution.  Time and time again we have seen protesters rising up, demanding equal rights AND spewing hatred, racism, PREJUDICE. The same they are protesting against. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Unfortunately, younger generations are learning it is okay to be violent, it is okay to hate, it is okay to prejudice.  It is not.  Recent protests are teaching only half truths, stop the prejudice and inequality.  The protests are teaching lies, it is okay to be hateful, it is okay to be violent.

Again, say it enough, see it enough and it becomes acceptable, the way of life… or truth.

Mr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I hope I have done you, your quotes and your memory justice.

With respect,

R martin

#BlackLivesMatter, #BlueLivesMatter, #PoliceMatter, #Respect, #MLK,  #protest,

Journalism, CNN No Bias

Journalism, unbiased reporting of news, events, incidents and note worthy topics. I am not including opinion pieces, as opinion and editorial pieces do not necessarily fall under the ethics of true journalism.

Opinions, well everyone has an opinion, everyone has the right to voice their opinion and opinions are not regulated by what use to be the teachings of journalistic ethics and standards.

Ethics and standards of journalism

The basic teachings (and seem to be most forgotten of late) include fairness, integrity, truthfulness, accuracy, and objectivity.  Through in accountability and professionalism to round off how a journalist is suppose to act.

CNN

Apparently, some at CNN feels they have the right to put words in someone’s mouth, I.e., Donald Trump.  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stated there is a need for profiling, such as Israel profiles when there is suspicious behavior. At no time did Donald Trump say anything about race, religion or sexual orientation.

However, CNN reported not only in an article but also in headlines using the word “racial” in his comments. Trump did not at anytime use the word racial or any word hinting at race or anything particular type of profiling other than saying to do it like Israel.

So did CNN stick to the standard of journalistic ethics? Was CNN’s reporting truthful? Accurate? Fair? Objective? No to all of these questions.

Once again the media did not represent unbiased reporting.  Once again the media openly supporting Hillary Clinton for president, throws out the race card. Again, as with the “Make America Great Again”, media jumps on a band wagon promoting false statements in an attempt to make someone out as a racist or their statements promoting racism.

CNN showed poor journalistic skills, flat out lied. CNN needs to report the truth, not insinuate or make it appear a person’s comment needs to be taken a particular way when it is not what the person said.

CNN is intentionally making false statements, reporting them as truths in the attempt to rally people against Donald Trump.

Why can’t the  media just do their job the way they are suppose to? Just give us the truth, unbiased, accurate and objective. If it’s going to be an opinion piece, fine, but state it as an opinion piece, not as fact.

R martin

Has Political Correctness Endangered US?

Is it a bomb or not? Original reports stated there was an explosion in Chelsea, New York and a second “device” was found near the area of the explosion.

Bomb

The definition of a bomb: an item filled with destructive material, explosive material, gas, smoke or incendiary material designed in such a way to explode on impact or setoff by a remote control device, time device, or fuse.

The Device

The device found close to the scene of the explosion was a “pressure cooker with wires connecting a cell phone…pressure cooker containing with explosive material, bearings and bb’s”.

The item – a pressure cooker, the remote control device – cell phone, contents – explosive material, bearings and bb’s.  Looks like a duck, acts like a duck, it is a duck.  Looks like a bomb, acts like a bomb, it is a… BOMB!

Donald Trump

Presidential candidate came out publicly a bomb had exploded in Chelsea, New York.  Media has come out against presidential candidate Donald Trump for calling it a “bomb”; the media said there was no confirmation a bomb was involved despite the discover a second “device”.

Hillary Clinton

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton slammed Trump for calling it a bomb, yet within minutes she was calling it a bomb, before law enforcement (on live TV) said a “bomb exploded” in Chelsea, NY.

Media Bias

As Donald Trump was vocal about a bomb exploding and a second bomb being found, the media was quick to respond.  Not only providing news of the incident but the media also attempted to turn people against Trump by saying Trump had no evidence it was a bomb. In fact some media outlets reported the explosion might have been a gas leak even after law enforcement stated it was a bomb.  Media also chose the words “explosive device” instead of the word “bomb” while the media went on a rampage against Trump for using the word bomb.

Once Hillary Clinton used the word bomb (by mistake?), the media did not go after her for using the word bomb instead of the phrase “explosive device”.

To the media, to those wishing to be politically correct, and those thinking there is a difference, looking it up, “explosive device” and “bomb” are the same thing.

If you want to use the phrase “explosive device” or the word “bomb”, fine, great, it is what it is.  But don’t say an explosion with undetermined original is what it is even after law enforcement states it is a bomb or explosive device.

My Thought

Don’t go after any person political candidate or not when the person uses the word “bomb”.  Furthermore, if the media is going after one candidate for using the word bomb, then go after both.  If you don’t it is considered bias. And the some media, far, left liberal reporters say the media is treating Donald Trump with a soft touch.  Read the interviews, that is definitely not the case.

Black Lives Matter, Where Are You?

Phoenix, suspect “allegedly” attempts to run down 3 police officers. http://abcnews.go.com/US/surveillance-video-shows-moment-suspect-run-phoenix-police/story?id=42068647

Philadelphia, suspect goes on deadly shooting spree, first ambushing an officer and then killing one person and wounding 5 others. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/09/17/anti-cop-note-found-at-scene-deadly-philly-rampage-gunman-identified.html

Where is Black Lives Matter group?

Why are they not out protesting Phoenix? Is it because the suspect is black? Is it because the police officers are white?

Why are they not out protesting in Philadelphia? Again, is it because the suspect is black? Or is it because the ambushed officer is black and so was the shooter?

These are both excellent opportunities for the Black Lives Matter organization to speak up.  Why? Because it was a black officer that was shot!  It should not matter the color of the suspect (or the officer for that matter but to prove a point), but Black Lives Matter should be standing up and protesting the violence against the black officer.

I find it interesting (in a reverse discrimination sort of way) a black man shoots a black officer and there is no protest.  The reverse of an incident in Milwaukee that lead to civil unrest when it was first reported the shooting involved a white officer shooting a black suspect. Shortly (a couple of days later) it was confirmed the black suspect was actually shot buy a black officer.

Black Lives Matters should also be standing up and protesting FOR the officers.  This is a prime opportunity to protest against violence against police officers and ANY person by black people or any person for that matter.

Black Lives Matters seeks headlines promotes them only if it fits their “cause”.  Even though, according to Black Lives Matter website, the organization is promoting the end to violence against blacks. Well, the officer shot in Philly, is black! So protest!! I mean it!  If Black Lives Matter wants the country to get behind their cause, they should be protesting at every turn when violence is involved with a black person whether they are the victim or the suspect.

Unfortunately, there is no sensational headlines to be made from a black person shooting a black officer.  It does not draw in as many readers, therefore, not as much advertising dollars and that is why most major news media offered little to no news reporting.  It is also the same reason Black Lives Matters did not protest, there would be few from the public to get “mad” and protest and there would not be as much media attention to further their cause.

All lives matter!

R martin

Katie Couric, In Trouble…. Again

Long time anti-gun advocate.

Katie Couric news (reporter?) is in trouble again, because of her “Under the Gun” documentary. Just as with her bias reporting, so was her editing and approval of the UG documentary. Miss Couric admits “it was misleading and misrepresented” Virginians Citizens Defense League (VCDL) who’s representatives were interviewed during the “documentary”.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2016/09/13/katie-couric-faces-12-million-defamation-suit-for-misleading-gun-documentary-edits.html

http://thefederalist.com/2016/06/03/katie-courics-anti-gun-producers-repeatedly-violated-federal-gun-laws/

Documentary issues.

In one instance, questioned directed to the VCDL were edited to include a delay before the questions were answered.  However in reality, the was no delay in answering.  The delay was meant as a way to make VCDL reps appear to be unsure or not clear of their position or to make it appear the reps maybe re-thinking their stance to possible agree with Miss Couric. As stated, the delay was edited into the documentary.  The same questions when posed to supporters of gun control/anti-gun were not edited to included a delay.

Katie Couric admits, in public, the circumstances were misleading and misrepresenting. Yet, the documentary was not re-edited to remove the added delay. Now Miss Katie Couric is being sued by the Virginians Citizens Defense League.

So why the was the delay edited into the piece? The director of the documentary, Stephanie Soechtig, stated it was to give views time to reflect, yet it was only done to the VCDL question/response. Originally, Miss Couric supported the statement given by the director of the film. Now, Miss Couric says “I regret that those eight seconds were misleading and that I did not raise my initial concerns more vigorously”.

More Editing.

The production team also edited the conversations with gun owners they interviewed, which is normal. But to take excerpts from the gun owners answers, not the full answers, to make the answers and gun owners look silly, unprofessional, “stupid”.

Conclusion – My Opinion

As she has done in the past, Katie Couric and her team have show less to be less than professional, honest and unbiased. Instead of documenting the facts, Team Couric has twisted the answers to fit their point of view, their opinion and to their benefit. And Katie Couric calls herself a reporter?

If the film is suppose to be a documentary based on fact, not an opinion piece based on Team Couric views and opinions, Katie Couric has done what she tends to do with her news reporting, not report just the facts, but includes personal opinion, twisted statements pointing to her views with all disregard for true journalism and ethical reporting.

R martin

 

The Democrats Real Plan

Branding, front face, media exposure, popularity, well known, recognizable, are all part of a good media campaign. Is that why Hillary Clinton is the DNC party nomination for United States President?

Under normal circumstances, a person with a lot of bad publicity, and I mean a lot as with Hillary Clinton, this would not be an idea person to be the front face of a campaign. So why did the DNC really make her their nomination? Is it because she is a woman and that will bring in votes? Is it her history in politics (which is not the best according to both Dems and Reps)?

The candidate.

Hillary Clinton has the branding, well known, easily recognizable both by name and by picture, has had a lot of media exposure (good and bad) for over a decade. These reasons alone make her a good choice. Plus she has political experience, good and bad, but she has the experience at some of the highest levels of government offices. Again, these add up to a good reason for her to be a candidate.

Sell the candidate to the voters.  Get the public/voters behind the candidate, rile them up, pump them up, get them to the point the candidate can do no wrong.  Then, because of health issues the candidate, Hillary Clinton, has to back out at the last minute.  The ideal and best democrat for the position of president is…. Mr. Kaine but because he is virtually unheard of through most of the United States, on his own, he would not stand a chance to win a DNC nomination for president. But if Hillary was to back out, the DNC has the option/responsibility to choose her replacement.

Mr. Kaine has already been endorsed as Hillary’s running mate, a good reason to pick him.  Now add an endorsement by Hillary herself, all of her voters would gladly follow her lead and vote for Mr. Kaine.

Wait…

It’s to late, it’s to close to voting time because in some states absentee ballots are already mailed, in other cases ballots are already printed and about to be mailed. Now what? It’s to late to put Mr. Kaine’s name on the ballots and remove Mrs. Clinton’s. Electoral votes. That’s right, the voters themselves would not be able to vote because Mrs. Clinton’s name is on the ballot. So the voting for president is done by the electoral college which would take all of the voting for our next president out of the public’s hands. What does this mean? Politicians would elect our next president.

Scared?

Does this scare you? It should. Although the electoral votes are suppose to represent the people, if the people have not had a chance to “tell” – vote who they want, how is the electoral college suppose to know? They don’t. They vote as they please. Could they go by the last few public poles done by survey? Yes they could, but which one do they use? Not all the public poles offer the same results. As of now, depending on the pole you are quoted, Hillary Clinton is ahead or in others Donald Trump is ahead.

In essence, the politicians decide who they want for president. And we, have to live with the results. So where is the “people’s” choice? There isn’t a “we the people” choice, it would rely solely on the electoral college.

Is this the plan?

So is this the plan? Does the democrat party feel they would have a better chance of getting another democrat president into office in this manner?

By all rights, in my opinion, Mr. Kaine is a better choice for president than Mrs. Clinton. Mr. Kaine’s political views are not governed by the democrats “by laws” or rules. As a governor and senator, Mr. Kaine’s political career has show he does not follow all of the ideals laid out as a far left democrat. His ideals and past political record shows he falls somewhere in the middle and at times even agreeing with some republican views. Is he a democrat? Oh most definitely, but he tends to side with and fight for the people and what is right for the majority not for himself or for the powers above him.

Or…

Maybe it’s none of the above and Mrs. Clinton is not going to drop out of the race.  Maybe the idea behind this whole election is to position Mr. Kaine in the public’s eye for president in 2020.

R martin

Shooting at Shawnee KS

What happened…

Recent reports of a shooting at Shawnee, KS Walmart. As the report says, a woman was attacked while putting her baby into the car. As the woman was being attacked, a good Samaritan attempted to help the woman, unfortunately the good Samaritan was shot multiple times. Another good Samaritan got out of his vehicle, drew his weapon and fired, killing one of the attackers.  The second attack ran from the scene.

Shawnee Walmart Shooting

This is rare!

If you do a internet search for the above story, you will find the story in (mostly) only local media outlets. Most national media are choosing to ignore this story. Why? Because it goes against most media’s stand on gun control.  The story is a perfect example why law abiding citizens should be allowed to carry guns. The law abiding citizens did not start the attack, they tried to stop the attack on a mother of a infant.  Who knows what would have happened, how far would the attackers gone in hurting the mother (with the infant in the car) had these two good Samaritans stepped in to help.

It took a law abiding citizen with a gun to stop the attack.  I’m not trying or meaning to minimize the efforts of both good Samaritans (one was shot multiple times by the attackers) but it took a gun to stop the criminals.

Yet most major media outlets have not reported the incident as they do when a criminal open fires on the public. Why? Because an incident of this type does not further the majority of media cause to remove guns from law abiding citizens.

What is so rare about this incident?  The fact it was actually reported and posted on the internet.

You see, most people reading the story will think “I’m glad someone was there to protect that mother and her infant”, “that’s the reason for carrying a gun” and that is exactly what gun control activists don’t want people thinking.  Oh sure the media could emphasize the fact the criminals (at least one) was carrying a gun, however, most people reading the article will stand behind the fact a good Samaritan was legal carrying a gun and used it to save the mother and infant. 

Gun control

Let’s stop kidding each other. Gun control does not keep guns out of criminal’s hands. If criminals want a gun, they have the means to get a gun and they will. Gun control only restricts the efforts of law abiding citizens from getting the weapon they feel most comfortable with to protect themselves from criminals.

Stop agreeing with all the gun control lobbyists and the media that is under the thump of the demos (which is a majority percentage), when you don’t know all the facts. The media has purposely twisted and exaggerated and flat out lied about gun violence.

What does gun control do to the criminals? Nothing. Criminals do have access to guns, they always have and they always will. Most criminals do not get guns that have been stolen from a legal gun owner. Did you know, drugs and sex slaves are not the only things being smuggled across our borders? A lot illegal weapons (that can be traced) are traced back to weapons that have been sold outside of the United States and smuggled across our boarders.

Yes, some guns are on the street because someone’s house was robbed and the criminals were able to gain access to guns in the home. But most are not.  Criminals also gain access to guns through friends or people that can legally buy a gun.  This action is irresponsible by the person legally able to buy a gun, these people when caught should be arrested (not just fined), held accountable for contributing to criminals and should NEVER be able to legally purchase a gun, gun parts or ammunition for the rest of their life.

Thoughts and prayers

My thoughts and prayers go out to: the injured mother and her infant, the good Samaritan who was shot by the criminals,  to the good Samaritan who shot and killed one of the attackers and to the family of the criminal that was killed.

R martin

My List of Disrespect

I have written about several issues, problems in America. I have written about our freedoms, our rights that are provide for us in the United States Constitution.

Looking back, I realize most of these issues stem from lack of respect, disrespecting others, those differences between you and them, those freedoms and rights provided in the Constitution. Yet how many of you will step up and claim “it’s my right to voice my opinion” “it’s my right to protest”.

You are correct!

If you said any of the above give yourself two brownie points, because you are correct, you do have those rights. But you are not the only one. Others have the same right and most importantly we all have the same rights, the right to protest, the right (and obligation in my opinion) to ensure everyone’s rights are recognized and protected.

However, no one has the right to disrespect anyone.

One of the most media saturated stories right now are athletes refusing to stand during the National Anthem. This my friends, readers and fellow citizens, is a form a of disrespect. Disrespect of our country and disrespect of each and every one of us.

Important side note.

Due to a marriage in our family we now not only root for our state teams (Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, etc.) but also for the San Francesco 49’ers. But this has all changed.

Disrespectful

Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the National Anthem and encouraged a following. No more 49’ers. NO 49’ers games will be watched in our house. No tickets will be purchased to attend any of their games. At least not until Colin is removed from the team or forced to stand respectfully during the National Anthem as per protocols and tradition.

Seattle Seahawks joined arms “in unity” as they stood (they were going to kneel but some players protested so the compromise was standing with locked arms). That is not acceptable. Traditions and protocols are clear, you are to stand, right hand over your heart, all head coverings to be removed. NO more Seahawk games will be watched in our house and no tickets will be purchased to attend any of their games.

Miami Dolphins, four of the players kneelt during the National Anthem. Use to be a team I would watch from time to time, but not now. At least not until the players are removed from the team or forced to stand respectfully during the National Anthem as per protocols and tradition.

Marcus Peters of the Kansas City Chiefs, yeah will, no more at our house.

As you see, I am not biased towards teams when they allow their EMPLOYEES/athletes to use such a disrespectful action towards our country, our military and our citizens.

Thank goodness, as of yet, no one on the Green Bay Packers (second favorite team) have pulled a stunt like the teams/athletes above.  I know there are other athletes and teams that have shown the same kind of disrespect, but this few I have listed gives you a good idea as to my stance on their actions.

It doesn’t matter

To me, it doesn’t matter which athlete, which team or which sport is involved. Keep in mind, I am a long time Seahawks fan, through thick and thin. I was at their first game, in Seattle at the King Dome. I have been a fan ever since, until now.

I’m not say these athletes don’t have the right to protest, I’m saying they don’t have the right to infringe on my right to a relaxing, drama free, sporting event. Protest on your own time in an appropriate place and in an appropriate manner. I understand what these athletes are protest, and I agree it is an issue to protest. It is being done in the wrong manner.

Owners wake up!

To the owners of sport teams, you have a right to stop these athletes protesting at the start of the game. You have a right to make them stand in a respectful way.  Read the contract you and your athletes signed. Unless you agree with their form of protest, I’m not taking the actual issue, you do have the right to make them stop. The athletes are on your dime, your time, while they are committing these disgusting disrespectful actions towards our flag, National Anthem and our country, the United States of America.

R martin

Patriot Day–Day of Remembrance

To day is a day of remembrance. Fifteen years ago we, the United States of America was attacked with great magnitude. The attack changed our lives, our sense of security and our thoughts.

Remember the fallen, our fellow citizens, law enforcement, firefighters, medical responders, private citizens at ground level trying to help and those private citizens at work and those in the towers for whatever reason.

This is our country, we were attacked on our soil. Do not forget this day, remember it, pray it does not happen again, pray for the family and friends of those we as a country lost, pray we can come together as a country to better ourselves and to better our country the United States of America.

We were attacked because of what this nation stands for; the good and the bad. Keep our fallen in your hearts, thoughts and prayers as we move forward to make change, to strengthen the good and to better the bad.

We were attacked on our soil bringing us into WW II, we came together as a nation and for decades we strived to be a better united nation. Let 9/11 be the fuel to strive once again to be a better united nation.

Remember, “United we stand, divided we fall”.

Respect our nation, our flag, our pledge and our anthem. Respect our country even during protests, make it non-violent, make it about all the people, but…  RESPECT our country, symbols and etiquette designed to bring this country together and which represent those that have served so that we may have freedoms in the United States.

R martin

Sports vs Protests–Politics

There is no place in sporting events for politics including making statements either verbal or via actions.

I for one, do not tune into a game of any sport to watch a protest. I want to watch the game, it being baseball, basketball, football, tennis, golf, car racing, it doesn’t matter, I’m not there to watch a protest.

This is the United States of America, you have the freedom to choose, so choose the correct agenda, the correct words and the correct actions.

For those of you athletes who recent chose a sporting event to “voice” your protest by sitting or kneeling for the National Anthem, you have disrespected this country, sports fans and me.

I don’t want to hear about your issues, I don’t want to hear what you are protesting, I don’t want to hear what you stand for, you lost that opportunity by disrespecting my country and me!

Wrong agenda folks!

If an athlete wants to make a statement, they need to do it on their time, not mine.  I paid money to watch the game! The average person cannot go to work and stand in protest no matter the issue (excluding work related issues or stances such as a strike). So what makes these athletes feel the have the right to stage a protest at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a game?  They don’t! It’s called lack of respect for the spectators, lack of respect for other athletes and lack of respect for the sport and the opportunity they are give to play said sport.

These protesting athletes think they have the right to interrupt my time to relax and enjoy a sporting event, they think they have the right to force their issues upon me.  They don’t! These athletes are teaching people it is okay to disrespect others.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I disagree with their plight, I’m saying there is an appropriate time and place, choose it wisely. Forcing their issues/cause does not make me want to listen and side or help them, it makes me want to tune them out until the sporting event begins. And in some cases, I will/have get up and walk out.

Protest in a positive way!

I agree we all have the freedom to protest, to air our opinions and our grievances but do it in a positive manner. If you give a speech cussing and belittling people, you will not get as much support as you would if done in a positive manner.  Think of it as a debate or giving an oral report. You are trying to persuade people to side with you and take up your cause. Positive actions create positive feedback and supporters. Negative actions create anger, bad feelings, less support and it distracts from your “fight” to bring about change in a positive way.

If your group of protesters start a riot, the riot becomes the issue, not the reason for protest. If your protest is forced upon someone, they will not support you, they will be angered by your actions.

Be respectful!

If you as a protest are respectful, more people will listen you and the facts you state. Don’t lie, or twist the facts to your benefit, respect your audience enough to be straight forward and honest. Your actions as well as your words, need to be respectful to everyone involved; fellow protesters as well as your audience.

A protest does not give anyone the right to be disrespectful. Is it common to be disrespectful? Yes, unfortunately even more so than it was five years ago. Do not disrespect traditions, protocols (such as standing and placing your right hand over your heart for the national anthem and pledge of allegiance), if you are out of the country or at an event where another country’s anthem is playing, be respectful and stand.

Think about it!

If someone approaches you to discuss an issue, a new law, better pay, equal rights, etc. who are you going to actually stop and listen too?  The person that is yelling and screaming obscenities, the person who is being disrespectful to you or your country or the person that calmly, politely explains their plight? I for one, will listen respectfully to the person that is respectful and polite.

Teach respect!

One of the major issues this country has right now is the lack of respect for individuals and their rights. Violence promotes more violence, be the “bigger man” don’t cuss back, stay calm, be respectful. People will accomplish more by showing respect, being calm and being polite. Others will learn from your actions. If you want people to treat you with respect, shouldn’t you show them respect?

Respectfully,

R martin

Make America Great Again Now Racist

Just when you think it is safe to read an ex-president’s statement without bashing a current president or possible future president, former President Clinton proves us all wrong.

Apparently, the phrase “Make America Great Again” is a racist slogan according to former President Clinton. With the ideals of promoting business, to strengthen our economy, build character, strengthen our military and to build our nation to a strong, respected country one might use the slogan “Make American Great Again”.

Over the years, several presidential candidates have use a slogan just as this or similar to forge their ideals to win an election. Former President Bush did, former President Clinton did (almost the exact wording) for his election and re-election campaigns and again when speak to elect his wife for president.

However, now, according to former President Clinton, it is a racist comment. Why? Because presidential candidate D. Trump is using it for his election campaign AGAINST President Clinton’s wife in her bid for the presidency.

D. Trump is using the slogan and backing with statements as to what he plans to do to make America great… again; as we once were, a respectable, strong country working to a betterment for it’s citizens.  A country to be feared by our enemies, a country leading the way to better human rights, equal rights for all it’s citizens and legal documented visitors.

Former President Clinton says (apparently what comes to his mind) the slogan is racist.  A slogan meaning things are to regress, an economy equal to decades ago, a social status structure of decades ago, stating if you are a white southerner, you know exactly how racist the slogan is.

Let’s think about that for a minute.  Isn’t former President Clinton from the south?  A slogan he himself used for his presidential bid and re-election bid. So what did he mean when he used the slogan?

What did he accomplish as president?  A regression in the economy? A further space and divide among lower, middle and upper class? A more prevalent social ladder to a plateau leading to the top where corrupt, rich stand looking down at the general public with a “I am above the law” attitude?

Again the Clintons present themselves as better than all others, their actions and speeches are more of a “do what I say, not as I do” attitude.

The phrase “Make America Great Again” is NOT a racist slogan or statement. If an individual sees it as such, it is only perceived in their mind based on their attitudes, thoughts and life style.

R martin