NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made news by saying he will not show
pride in our nation by standing for our national anthem, blaming America
for oppressing black people.
When any American says he does not have "pride in our country" it says
more about him than our country. He's misguided. Most discontent is about
failure to enforce laws or address problems.
American's pride in our nation should be indelible. Even
with all the warts
no nation has done as much
for the betterment of its citizens and millions
around the world, which should cement the word "pride" in every American.
Considering the state of Black communities there is plenty to be angry
about, but its not cops as Kaepernick alluded to in his statement.
His initial statement was a direct indictment of law enforcement when he
stated "people getting paid leave and getting away with murder". He
joined many others who point to law enforcement without evidence to bare
out this false narrative the media keeps reporting.
Everyone, no matter his color, should be angry when their communities are
torn apart as we see in Chicago and other crime ridden cities. But to blame
cops instead of the people who run these cities will not improve the lives
or ensure the safety of residents.
Kaepernick bought into the lie law enforcement has a vendetta against
Blacks and has created divisiveness between law enforcement and citizenry.
Since his statement Kaepernick has been both highly criticized and praised,
this is the state of where we are. Without solid evidence cops are targeting
Blacks, many people believe this is true.
One side note. Those who support Kaepernick's "right" which he does have,
reach back to previous displays, notably John Carlos and Tommy Smith at
the 1968 Olympics. To make a comparison to Black communities in 1968
and 2016 demonstrates either ignorance or denial of advances!
Now to the side who say Kaepernick should be 'thankful' for the money has
made. Again, these folks are bringing up something having nothing to do
with his protest. Income does not disqualify a person from speaking his
mind!
I doubt if Kaepernick took the time to speak directly to cops in his years
in San Francisco to understand their jobs rather than "learn" through the
media. Like so many others he grabbed on to the lies fed through the
airwaves beginning with "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" protest by NFL players
and protests across the country against law enforcement.
If Kaepernick wants to 'sent a message' it should be delivered in every city
hall where people live in fear. He could invite other NFL players, Hollywood
celebrities and notable Black activists to join him.
Kaepernick can taken an even bolder step, he could join law enforcement to
do good in the communities he cares so much about.
I don't care if Kaepernick protests alone or is joined by 100 other players.
It would only demonstrate that ignorance may be bliss, but it still remains
ignorance.
Please add feedback in comments section
below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog
http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Why Hillary Clinton should not be our next president
Donald Trump met with the moms of American children killed by
illegal
immigrants as a result of the policies Hillary Clinton supports.
Don't expect Hillary Clinton to meet with these families, she will never
hear these stories. This alone tells you of her “selective” compassion.
Its solely for illegal 'dreamers', not Americans who had their own dreams
destroyed.
Hillary has little compassion for them, they are not Hollywood or media
stars, or big money special interest donors.
History bares out Hillary is bought-and-paid-for by the special interests.
Its corruption of the highest order, done with impunity!
This corruption relates closely to another corruption scandal that strikes
at the heart of our democracy. Every day more more alarming facts come out.
The scandal is the State Department’s Pay-For-Play Scandal under Hillary
Clinton. If our Secretary of State can be bought, or bribed, or sell or
trade government favors, then the whole American system is threatened.
Hillary Clinton, did government favors for those giving her family and
her foundation massive amounts of cash. The new revelations about her
email scandal make clear we have only seen the tip of the iceberg.
Hillary Clinton was desperate to cover-up her crimes. That’s why she
deleted 33,000 emails. That’s also why she lied repeatedly to Congress
and the American public. She said she never sent or received classified
materials. That was a lie, proved over and over again.
She claimed she used an insecure email server for the convenience of using
only one device. But she used multiple devices. Another lie.
Under penalty of perjury, she said she turned over all of her work-related
emails. But the FBI found thousands she never turned over, and now just
found another 15,000 more. Another Clinton lie.
She said she sent nothing marked classified. A total lie, unmasked to the
world. And more to come.
She said her server was secure, and had no breaches. But we know now it was
completely unsecured, and the FBI Director said it could easily be hacked by
our foreign enemies. More Clinton lies.
Clinton said her lawyers reviewed all of her emails before destroying them.
One more Hillary Clinton lie. Lie after lie after lie.
It is impossible to figure out where the Clinton Foundation ends and the
State Department begins. It is now abundantly clear that the Clintons’ set
up a business to profit from public office. They sold access and specific
actions by and to them for money.
It goes back to the Arkansas days and the money they 'lost' on Whitewater
and the 'lucky' windfall on cattle futures, and it continued during the White
House days with the sale of the Lincoln Bedroom to large donors and to the
illegal foreign donations that put the donors in jail and the Clinton's on
the road to riches, even after leaving the White House “dead broke”.
Once President Clinton was out of office the small time Clinton business –
or, more accurately, their crime enterprise – grew with the roles reversed.
Bill, now an ex-President collected the money for the Clinton Foundation and
Hillary Clinton had the public offices to sell; Senator, Secretary of State
and for all that time a potential President. They turned this into an
exponentially larger business.
It was more than a business, it was a continuing big time criminal enterprise.
It involved numerous violations of the conflict of interest and bribery laws
and other serious laws of the United States.
The e-mails and phone logs show that the Clinton Foundation and the
Clinton Department of State were one and the same. If you donated to the
Clinton Foundation or paid massive speaking fees to Bill Clinton, you got
an entry to the Department of State. Together they constituted the most
scandalous and certainly most profitable sale of public office since the
Teapot Dome Scandal of the 1920s.
Today a phone log was released for Cheryl Mills. She was Secretary of State
Clinton’s Chief of Staff. You would expect the log to contain only calls
concerning Department of State business. But Cheryl Mills received 148
messages between 2010 and 2012 from the Chief Operating Officer of the
Clinton Foundation, no other individual or group appears to have left that
many messages.
We also just learned today that more than half the people who met with
Hillary Clinton from outside government while she was Secretary of State
were donors to the Foundation.
This creates the nexus which is at the core of a RICO case. In other words,
they merged the two into the Clinton Family racketeering enterprise. The
specific crimes committed to carry out that enterprise are too numerous to
cover here. Consider the sale of U.S. Uranium to Russia, and the exemption
of a telecom giant from sanctions after they paid Bill Clinton for a speech.
The UBS saga is another one. Shortly after Hillary Clinton became Secretary
of State she went to Geneva and intervened in a dispute concerning secret
identities of Americans. She negotiated a very good deal for UBS and a very
bad deal for law enforcement. Of the 52,000 accounts the U.S. was seeking,
the government settled for only 4,450 accounts. Her intervention was
described by Treasury as “unusual”.
Before her unusual intervention UBS had donated only $60,000 to the
Foundation. After the Clinton favor for UBS, it opened its wallet for
big bucks and out came a $600,000 contribution, a $32 million loan and
a $1.5 million speaking fee for Bill Clinton. This is corruption, pure
and simple and why a special prosecutor should be called for.
Justice is supposed to be blind. It’s never supposed to be for sale.
Hillary and Bill Clinton having been going through their “criminally
charmed” lives as though they are above the law, even 'bulletin proof'
as Bill's mistress Gennifer Flowers said about them.
When you objectively look at both of them, something partisans will refuse
to do, it should be impossible to vote for either! There are so many more
deserving Democrats more worthy of the honor of being the party's nominee.
Unfortunately, that was not to be. Any such hopefuls will have to wait
'their turn', which may be a long way off even if Hillary is defeated.
Remember, Chelsea is now old enough to run in 2020!
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
immigrants as a result of the policies Hillary Clinton supports.
Don't expect Hillary Clinton to meet with these families, she will never
hear these stories. This alone tells you of her “selective” compassion.
Its solely for illegal 'dreamers', not Americans who had their own dreams
destroyed.
Hillary has little compassion for them, they are not Hollywood or media
stars, or big money special interest donors.
History bares out Hillary is bought-and-paid-for by the special interests.
Its corruption of the highest order, done with impunity!
This corruption relates closely to another corruption scandal that strikes
at the heart of our democracy. Every day more more alarming facts come out.
The scandal is the State Department’s Pay-For-Play Scandal under Hillary
Clinton. If our Secretary of State can be bought, or bribed, or sell or
trade government favors, then the whole American system is threatened.
Hillary Clinton, did government favors for those giving her family and
her foundation massive amounts of cash. The new revelations about her
email scandal make clear we have only seen the tip of the iceberg.
Hillary Clinton was desperate to cover-up her crimes. That’s why she
deleted 33,000 emails. That’s also why she lied repeatedly to Congress
and the American public. She said she never sent or received classified
materials. That was a lie, proved over and over again.
She claimed she used an insecure email server for the convenience of using
only one device. But she used multiple devices. Another lie.
Under penalty of perjury, she said she turned over all of her work-related
emails. But the FBI found thousands she never turned over, and now just
found another 15,000 more. Another Clinton lie.
She said she sent nothing marked classified. A total lie, unmasked to the
world. And more to come.
She said her server was secure, and had no breaches. But we know now it was
completely unsecured, and the FBI Director said it could easily be hacked by
our foreign enemies. More Clinton lies.
Clinton said her lawyers reviewed all of her emails before destroying them.
One more Hillary Clinton lie. Lie after lie after lie.
It is impossible to figure out where the Clinton Foundation ends and the
State Department begins. It is now abundantly clear that the Clintons’ set
up a business to profit from public office. They sold access and specific
actions by and to them for money.
It goes back to the Arkansas days and the money they 'lost' on Whitewater
and the 'lucky' windfall on cattle futures, and it continued during the White
House days with the sale of the Lincoln Bedroom to large donors and to the
illegal foreign donations that put the donors in jail and the Clinton's on
the road to riches, even after leaving the White House “dead broke”.
Once President Clinton was out of office the small time Clinton business –
or, more accurately, their crime enterprise – grew with the roles reversed.
Bill, now an ex-President collected the money for the Clinton Foundation and
Hillary Clinton had the public offices to sell; Senator, Secretary of State
and for all that time a potential President. They turned this into an
exponentially larger business.
It was more than a business, it was a continuing big time criminal enterprise.
It involved numerous violations of the conflict of interest and bribery laws
and other serious laws of the United States.
The e-mails and phone logs show that the Clinton Foundation and the
Clinton Department of State were one and the same. If you donated to the
Clinton Foundation or paid massive speaking fees to Bill Clinton, you got
an entry to the Department of State. Together they constituted the most
scandalous and certainly most profitable sale of public office since the
Teapot Dome Scandal of the 1920s.
Today a phone log was released for Cheryl Mills. She was Secretary of State
Clinton’s Chief of Staff. You would expect the log to contain only calls
concerning Department of State business. But Cheryl Mills received 148
messages between 2010 and 2012 from the Chief Operating Officer of the
Clinton Foundation, no other individual or group appears to have left that
many messages.
We also just learned today that more than half the people who met with
Hillary Clinton from outside government while she was Secretary of State
were donors to the Foundation.
This creates the nexus which is at the core of a RICO case. In other words,
they merged the two into the Clinton Family racketeering enterprise. The
specific crimes committed to carry out that enterprise are too numerous to
cover here. Consider the sale of U.S. Uranium to Russia, and the exemption
of a telecom giant from sanctions after they paid Bill Clinton for a speech.
The UBS saga is another one. Shortly after Hillary Clinton became Secretary
of State she went to Geneva and intervened in a dispute concerning secret
identities of Americans. She negotiated a very good deal for UBS and a very
bad deal for law enforcement. Of the 52,000 accounts the U.S. was seeking,
the government settled for only 4,450 accounts. Her intervention was
described by Treasury as “unusual”.
Before her unusual intervention UBS had donated only $60,000 to the
Foundation. After the Clinton favor for UBS, it opened its wallet for
big bucks and out came a $600,000 contribution, a $32 million loan and
a $1.5 million speaking fee for Bill Clinton. This is corruption, pure
and simple and why a special prosecutor should be called for.
Justice is supposed to be blind. It’s never supposed to be for sale.
Hillary and Bill Clinton having been going through their “criminally
charmed” lives as though they are above the law, even 'bulletin proof'
as Bill's mistress Gennifer Flowers said about them.
When you objectively look at both of them, something partisans will refuse
to do, it should be impossible to vote for either! There are so many more
deserving Democrats more worthy of the honor of being the party's nominee.
Unfortunately, that was not to be. Any such hopefuls will have to wait
'their turn', which may be a long way off even if Hillary is defeated.
Remember, Chelsea is now old enough to run in 2020!
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Why Donald Trump should be our next president
Why should the American people elect a multi-billionaire without any political experience to be our next
president. By any measuring stick formally used Donald Trump would
never have gotten out of the gate.
But, this is not the “measuring
stick” of the past, its a new one, a little of John McCain
'straight talk', a lot of 'solution oriented' stump speeches and an
abundance
of bravado, bombast and politically incorrect rhetoric!
But, this still does not answer why
should we vote for Donald Trump. There is a two-part answer, the following is the first part and can
be summed up in a word, “solutions”.
Donald Trump is offering solutions to
problems politicians have either kicked into the future for a new
crop politicians to fix, or threw money at them to pacify the
public.
I can begin with many issues but will
start with one we would normally not
connect with Donald Trump, education. Trump was fortunate to go to the
best schools, as were his children, and now his grand children. So, you
would not think he would be critical of Common Core, now adopted and
being implemented in forty-five states. But he is!
connect with Donald Trump, education. Trump was fortunate to go to the
best schools, as were his children, and now his grand children. So, you
would not think he would be critical of Common Core, now adopted and
being implemented in forty-five states. But he is!
Common Core has been the 'instrument' the education industry promoted by
corporate interests wrapped in the appealing paper of 'globalism'. Trump
knows it, understands this is not the best education standard for our
children. His position is supported by millions of parents and even
teachers even as teacher unions support it.
corporate interests wrapped in the appealing paper of 'globalism'. Trump
knows it, understands this is not the best education standard for our
children. His position is supported by millions of parents and even
teachers even as teacher unions support it.
Additionally, Trump keep promoting school choice, charter schools, and merit-pay
for teachers, no longer discriminate as Hillary
Clinton does against African-American students by opposing school
choice because she is owned and paid for by the education
bureaucracy.
The remainder of the issues we are well aware of, security, safety, jobs, regulations, trade, crime, etc.
The second 'surprise' was seeing Trump
tread where no former Republican dared, into the problems in Black communities!
Although Trump understands that traditional Republican voters and independents are needed to win the presidency, he also knows people who may never even vote for him are deserving of a voice when a Republican nominee is campaigning. Trump decided to not only be that voice, but be a megaphone!
Trump addressed crime head on, taking
no prisoners in his indictment of current efforts to reduce crime. He
reminds us what the media tiptoes around, offering the hard numbers
hidden by the "soft bigotry" of the ruling class which
governs every major city in distress.
We can begin with the fact that violent
crime is rising across the country. More than 2,700 have been shot
in Chicago alone this year, a level of crime that no American should
consider acceptable.
He goes on to cite statistics Democrats
will never say out of shame and Republicans are uncomfortable even
mentioning.
Some of facts rarely brought to the
public's attention, beginning with the devastating economic
conditions in the African-American communities.
Overall labor force participation rate for black Americans slipped from 63.2%
to 60 %, down 3.2 %., for Black teenagers, from 29.6 % to 23.2 %, down
6.4%.
The percentage of Black Americans in poverty has grown under Obama, the
Census Bureau reports, from 25.8 % in 2009 to 26.2 % in 2014 — up 1.6 %.
The number of blacks on Food Stamps soared under Obama, from 7.4 million
in 2009 to 11.7 million in 2014 — up 58.2 %!.
to 60 %, down 3.2 %., for Black teenagers, from 29.6 % to 23.2 %, down
6.4%.
The percentage of Black Americans in poverty has grown under Obama, the
Census Bureau reports, from 25.8 % in 2009 to 26.2 % in 2014 — up 1.6 %.
The number of blacks on Food Stamps soared under Obama, from 7.4 million
in 2009 to 11.7 million in 2014 — up 58.2 %!.
own homes plunged from 46.1 to 41.7 %. Nearly 4 in 10 African American
children live in poverty. 58 % of young African Americans are not employed.
Homicide is up nearly 50 % in Washington D.C. and up more than 60 % in
Baltimore. Violent crime rose 17 % in the fifty largest US cities.
Trump says all this to set the stage for his bold initiative to reduce crime
across America. He pledges to restore law and order, supporting law enforcement.
He pledges to work with them and community leaders so every citizen in the
land to restore safety to crime ridden communities. He will appoint an
Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security completely committed
to upholding the law and appoint federal officials and investigators who
will work hand-in-hand with police and citizens to dismantle gangs, cartels
and criminal syndicates terrorizing our people, and appoint prosecutors who
will go into the most dangerous communities in America.
This is his commitment, to work to liberate citizens from violence and fear,
saying all citizens deserve to be protected. No American left behind.
He pledges that every African-American parent in this country, and all parents
in this country should be able to raise their kids in safety. Trump wants to
ensure every African-American child in this country, and all children in this
country, are put on the American ladder of success: a good education, and a
good-paying job.
Such a bold campaign pledge was not expected from a candidate who gained
attention on the issues or immigration, trade and security. This should
tell everyone Trump appreciates the problems all Americans face, especially
those 'forgotten' by both political parties, one by design, the other by
indifference!
Trump pledged to cut tax rates, reducing the number of rates from seven to
three while Hillary Clinton will add one, naturally a higher one.
As he pledged, he would repeal and replace Obamacare with one that allows
portability without the govt. imposed boundaries.
He is the only candidate who even announced nearly a dozen jurists he would
consider for the Supreme Court, an opening for his critics, he did without
fear.
One of the first issues he campaigned on was fixing the Veterans
Administration, and introduced a ten-point plan to the VFW which
was pleased when hearing details.
He also addresses job-killing regulation which he knows more about than
most politicians or the bureaucrats who write them which will unleash
an American Energy Revolution.
This is what can be gained with a Trump presidency:
More jobs, higher wages, and a massive reduction in the terrible crime
plaguing our inner cities.
Trump continue to remind the electorate the importance of border security,
restates the plan build a wall and even close the tunnels used for drug
trafficking.
Trump reminds of the sobering statistics from Texas, nearly two hundred
thousand illegal immigrants were booked into Texas jails between 2011 and
2016. Collectively, those arrested were responsible for more than half a
million criminal offenses, including 1,055 homicides, 5,516 sexual assault
charges and more than 50,000 charges of either burglary or theft.
These are statistics, like the horrid ones in urban crime centers, Hillary
Clinton will not talk about, and for good reason.
Trump pledges to end the folly of Sanctuary Cities.
As for the refugees from the Middle East, they will remain in the Middle
East. Visas will be suspended until effective screening can be assured.
This is the promise of a business man's presidency with a common sense
approach, putting the American people first.
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Saturday, August 27, 2016
We should be concerned!
Those of us who believe in the Constitution, fear for it place
in American governance, should consider our founding document
may soon be as "dead as the men who wrote it!
It does not take much of a stretch to see the evidence, whether
it is from the highest perch, the Supreme Court, the most modest
courts at state and local levels, the Congress which legislates out
of the boundaries of "limited governance" or any president who
determine what within the Constitution he'll abide by.
Over the last one hundred years the Constitution has been literally
'shredded'. It has been viewed by the people who have sworn to
uphold it, as an impediment, a 'nuisance' and hurtle which stands
in the way of them governing as they will, not as the founding
document instructs.
Why did this happen, how did it happen and most importantly,
how can we stop the 'bleeding', the smearing of the Constitution's
ink, so it becomes so unreadable, it becomes worthless?
It happened because the desires of men cannot be bound by words,
no matter the source. The Founders knew this, warned of the perils
ahead, but were long gone, their voices silenced, the writings
either ignored or 'interpreted' to allow breaches.
It happened when those we elected determined the Constitution
prevented them from governing as they desired. This was done
be all three branches, Congresses writing new laws that destroyed
the authority of independent states, presidents who used power
of executive offices to rule beyond his limits, Courts with deem
their desires take precedence of Constitutional authority.
It can only be stopped when the public recognize the damage already
done, the imposition on their lives, the lost liberty, and fractured
freedom, and demand we become a constitutional government once
again.
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Those of us who believe in the Constitution, fear for it place
in American governance, should consider our founding document
may soon be as "dead as the men who wrote it!
It does not take much of a stretch to see the evidence, whether
it is from the highest perch, the Supreme Court, the most modest
courts at state and local levels, the Congress which legislates out
of the boundaries of "limited governance" or any president who
determine what within the Constitution he'll abide by.
Over the last one hundred years the Constitution has been literally
'shredded'. It has been viewed by the people who have sworn to
uphold it, as an impediment, a 'nuisance' and hurtle which stands
in the way of them governing as they will, not as the founding
document instructs.
Why did this happen, how did it happen and most importantly,
how can we stop the 'bleeding', the smearing of the Constitution's
ink, so it becomes so unreadable, it becomes worthless?
It happened because the desires of men cannot be bound by words,
no matter the source. The Founders knew this, warned of the perils
ahead, but were long gone, their voices silenced, the writings
either ignored or 'interpreted' to allow breaches.
It happened when those we elected determined the Constitution
prevented them from governing as they desired. This was done
be all three branches, Congresses writing new laws that destroyed
the authority of independent states, presidents who used power
of executive offices to rule beyond his limits, Courts with deem
their desires take precedence of Constitutional authority.
It can only be stopped when the public recognize the damage already
done, the imposition on their lives, the lost liberty, and fractured
freedom, and demand we become a constitutional government once
again.
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 26, 2016
Ben Franklin's Wisdom, should be heeded today
The task before the original and probably the only true America's 'best and brightest"
was daunting. It took the entire Summer of 1787, beginning on May 25th at Independence
Hall in Philadelphia and was completed with the signing by the delegates from the states
on September 17th.
There is much to be learned by researching available information on line, including the
most complete notes taken by James Madison who attended every day of the convention.
They can be found on this site: http://www.nhccs.org/Mnotes.
I did not go through all the notes Madison took, but was curious what Madison wrote on
the last day.
Madison's note began with a statement by Benjamin Franklin which is worthy of our attention
today. Franklin said then was exactly what the American people should hear today.
He began by saying there was some elements he could or would never support, but he
added his respect for the wisdom of the others was stronger than his own convictions.
What Franklin said was not the "compromise" we hear about today. It goes deeper.
He spoke of his infallibility was no superior to any other man's. He felt it was so important,
he needed to speak before the members would decide whether or not to sign the document.
He also said his and colleagues criticisms stay within Independence Hall, not be used for their
own benefits with constituents. Franklin believed solidarity was paramount.
(I highlighted some points)
Remind your elected officials of the wisdom of Franklin words and the extraordinary efforts of the men who gave up up the Summer of 1787 and created a constitution
which was the bedrock that allowed our nation to become the greatest in history.
Understanding what Franklin said can make all the difference when the people we
elected confront issues more overwhelming and complex.
From Madison's Notes:
FRANKLIN rose with a speech in his hand, which he had reduced to
writing for his own conveniency, [2] and which Mr. Wilson read in the
words following.
Mr. President,
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do
not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them:
For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being
obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change
opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but
found to be otherwise.
It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.
Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it
is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the
certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and the Church of England is never in the wrong.
But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as
a certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said "I don't know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that's
always in the right -- Il n'y a que moi qui a toujours raison."
( There is only me who is always right.)
In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults,
if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary
for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to
the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely
to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in
Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall
become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of
any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may
be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of
men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble
with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of
opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an
assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes
me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it
does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with
confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the
Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation,
only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another throats.
Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better,
and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have
had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never
whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they
were born, and here they shall die.
If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in
support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our
favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity.
Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing
happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of
the goodness of the Government, as well as well as of the wisdom and
integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a
part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily
and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by
Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may
extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having
it well administered.
On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of
the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on
this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make
manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument. --
He then moved that the Constitution be signed by the members and offered
the following as a convenient form viz. "Done in Convention by the
unanimous consent of the States present the 17th. of Sepr. &c -- In
Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names."
Heeding Ben Franklin's words today...
I was interested in learning more about the creation of our Constitution which we still
argue passionately about today.
The task before the original and probably the only true America's 'best and brightest"
was daunting. It took the entire Summer of 1787, beginning on May 25th at Independence
Hall in Philadelphia and was completed with the signing by the delegates from the states
on September 17th.
There is much to be learned by researching available information on line, including the
most complete notes taken by James Madison who attended every day of the convention.
They can be found on this site: http://www.nhccs.org/Mnotes.html
I did not go through all the notes Madison took, but was curious what Madison wrote on
the last day.
Madison's note began with a statement by Benjamin Franklin which is worthy of our attention
today . Franklin said then was exactly what the American people should hear today.
He began by saying there was some elements he could or would never support, but he
added his respect for the wisdom of the others was stronger than his own convictions.
What Franklin said was not the "compromise" we hear about today. It goes deeper.
He spoke of his infallibility was no superior to any other man's. He felt it was so important,
he needed to speak before the members would decide whether or not to sign the document.
He also said his and colleagues criticisms stay within Independence Hall, not be used for their
own benefits with constituents. Franklin believed solidarity was paramount.
(I highlighted some points)
Remind your elected officials of the wisdom of Franklin words and the extraordinary efforts of
the men who gave up up the Summer of 1787 and created a constitution which was the bedrock
that allowed our nation to become the greatest in history.
Understanding what Franklin said can make all the difference when the people we elected confront
issues more overwhelming and complex.
From Madison's Notes:
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
argue passionately about today.
The task before the original and probably the only true America's 'best and brightest"
was daunting. It took the entire Summer of 1787, beginning on May 25th at Independence
Hall in Philadelphia and was completed with the signing by the delegates from the states
on September 17th.
There is much to be learned by researching available information on line, including the
most complete notes taken by James Madison who attended every day of the convention.
They can be found on this site: http://www.nhccs.org/Mnotes.html
I did not go through all the notes Madison took, but was curious what Madison wrote on
the last day.
Madison's note began with a statement by Benjamin Franklin which is worthy of our attention
today . Franklin said then was exactly what the American people should hear today.
He began by saying there was some elements he could or would never support, but he
added his respect for the wisdom of the others was stronger than his own convictions.
What Franklin said was not the "compromise" we hear about today. It goes deeper.
He spoke of his infallibility was no superior to any other man's. He felt it was so important,
he needed to speak before the members would decide whether or not to sign the document.
He also said his and colleagues criticisms stay within Independence Hall, not be used for their
own benefits with constituents. Franklin believed solidarity was paramount.
(I highlighted some points)
Remind your elected officials of the wisdom of Franklin words and the extraordinary efforts of
the men who gave up up the Summer of 1787 and created a constitution which was the bedrock
that allowed our nation to become the greatest in history.
Understanding what Franklin said can make all the difference when the people we elected confront
issues more overwhelming and complex.
From Madison's Notes:
FRANKLIN rose with a speech in his hand, which he had reduced to
writing for his own conveniency, [2] and which Mr. Wilson read in the
words following.
Mr. President
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do
not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them:
For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being
obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change
opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but
found to be otherwise.
It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my
own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most
men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in
possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it
is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope,
that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the
certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and
the Church of England is never in the wrong.
But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own
infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as
a certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said "I don't
know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that's
always in the right -- Il n'y a que moi qui a toujours raison."
( There is only me who is always right.)
In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its
faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary
for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to
the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely
to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in
Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall
become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of
any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may
be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of
men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble
with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of
opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an
assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes
me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it
does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with
confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the
Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation,
only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another throats.
Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better,
and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have
had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never
whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born,
and here they shall die.
If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the
objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support
of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose
all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our
favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or
apparent unanimity.
Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing
happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of
the goodness of the Government, as well as well as of the wisdom and
integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a
part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily
and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by
Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may
extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having
it well administered.
On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of
the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on
this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make
manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument. --
He then moved that the Constitution be signed by the members and offered
the following as a convenient form viz. "Done in Convention by the
unanimous consent of the States present the 17th. of Sepr. &c -- In
Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names."
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
A lesson from Benjamin Franklin which should be heeded today...
I was interested in learning more about the creation of our Constitution which we still
argue passionately about today.
The task before the original and probably the only true America's 'best and brightest"
was daunting. It took the entire Summer of 1787, beginning on May 25th at Independence
Hall in Philadelphia and was completed with the signing by the delegates from the states
on September 17th.
There is much to be learned by researching available information on line, including the
most complete notes taken by James Madison who attended every day of the convention.
They can be found on this site: http://www.nhccs.org/Mnotes.html
I did not go through all the notes Madison took, but was curious what Madison wrote on
the last day.
Madison's note began with a statement by Benjamin Franklin which is worthy of our attention
today . Franklin said then was exactly what the American people should hear today.
He began by saying there was some elements he could or would never support, but he
added his respect for the wisdom of the others was stronger than his own convictions.
What Franklin said was not the "compromise" we hear about today. It goes deeper.
He spoke of his infallibility was no superior to any other man's. He felt it was so important,
he needed to speak before the members would decide whether or not to sign the document.
He also said his and colleagues criticisms stay within Independence Hall, not be used for their
own benefits with constituents. Franklin believed solidarity was paramount.
(I highlighted some points)
Remind your elected officials of the wisdom of Franklin words and the extraordinary efforts of
the men who gave up up the Summer of 1787 and created a constitution which was the bedrock
that allowed our nation to become the greatest in history.
Understanding what Franklin said can make all the difference when the people we elected confront
issues more overwhelming and complex.
From Madison's Notes:
argue passionately about today.
The task before the original and probably the only true America's 'best and brightest"
was daunting. It took the entire Summer of 1787, beginning on May 25th at Independence
Hall in Philadelphia and was completed with the signing by the delegates from the states
on September 17th.
There is much to be learned by researching available information on line, including the
most complete notes taken by James Madison who attended every day of the convention.
They can be found on this site: http://www.nhccs.org/Mnotes.html
I did not go through all the notes Madison took, but was curious what Madison wrote on
the last day.
Madison's note began with a statement by Benjamin Franklin which is worthy of our attention
today . Franklin said then was exactly what the American people should hear today.
He began by saying there was some elements he could or would never support, but he
added his respect for the wisdom of the others was stronger than his own convictions.
What Franklin said was not the "compromise" we hear about today. It goes deeper.
He spoke of his infallibility was no superior to any other man's. He felt it was so important,
he needed to speak before the members would decide whether or not to sign the document.
He also said his and colleagues criticisms stay within Independence Hall, not be used for their
own benefits with constituents. Franklin believed solidarity was paramount.
(I highlighted some points)
Remind your elected officials of the wisdom of Franklin words and the extraordinary efforts of
the men who gave up up the Summer of 1787 and created a constitution which was the bedrock
that allowed our nation to become the greatest in history.
Understanding what Franklin said can make all the difference when the people we elected confront
issues more overwhelming and complex.
From Madison's Notes:
FRANKLIN rose with a speech in his hand, which he had reduced to
writing for his own conveniency, [2] and which Mr. Wilson read in the
words following.
Mr. President
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do
not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them:
For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being
obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change
opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but
found to be otherwise.
It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my
own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most
men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in
possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it
is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope,
that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the
certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and
the Church of England is never in the wrong.
But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own
infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as
a certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said "I don't
know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that's
always in the right -- Il n'y a que moi qui a toujours raison."
( There is only me who is always right.)
In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its
faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary
for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to
the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely
to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in
Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall
become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of
any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may
be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of
men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble
with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of
opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an
assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes
me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it
does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with
confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the
Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation,
only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another throats.
Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better,
and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have
had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never
whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born,
and here they shall die.
If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the
objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support
of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose
all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our
favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or
apparent unanimity.
Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing
happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of
the goodness of the Government, as well as well as of the wisdom and
integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a
part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily
and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by
Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may
extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having
it well administered.
On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of
the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on
this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make
manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument. --
He then moved that the Constitution be signed by the members and offered
the following as a convenient form viz. "Done in Convention by the
unanimous consent of the States present the 17th. of Sepr. &c -- In
Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names."
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
All Politicians do is Talk", just ask any vet!
Of the many things
Donald Trump said during the first
Republican debate one stood out to me, "All Politicians
do is Talk". Trump was referring to problems passed along
rather than being resolved.
One issue Trump speaks about is the Veterans Administration
which has had problems serving veterans efficiently for decades,
proof positive Trump's claim, "All Politicians do is Talk", is more
than campaign talk!
Why bring up the VA now? For one thing Trump brings up the VA
and its problems at every rally and in every interview.
But, more than a presidential candidate bringing up the problems
at the VA is the news which is rarely reported. Today, there was one.
Today, in Long Island, NY a tragic event occurred. A seventy-six year
old veteran killed himself in the parking Lot of V.A. Hospital.
Put yourself in this man's shoes. He lived a long life, served his
country earned the medical services all veterans earned. He goes
to the VA hospital for aid and wound up killing himself.
To take another comment from Donald Trump, "This should not
happen in America". Yet, it does happen with regularity as the veterans
who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam are not receiving medical
assistance they rightfully deserve.
The Veterans Administration has been paralyzed by its own bureaucracy.
What they do should be no more complex than private medical facilities,
but apparently in govt. they must be.
Veteran should not have to wait 3-6-9 months for an appointment as many
do. They should not have to be restricted to VA facilities when private ones
can see them immediately.
The problems at the VA are not insurmountable, it appears to be Congress is.
Maybe Donald Trump, who never served in the military, may be the person to
serve our veterans!
Republican debate one stood out to me, "All Politicians
do is Talk". Trump was referring to problems passed along
rather than being resolved.
One issue Trump speaks about is the Veterans Administration
which has had problems serving veterans efficiently for decades,
proof positive Trump's claim, "All Politicians do is Talk", is more
than campaign talk!
Why bring up the VA now? For one thing Trump brings up the VA
and its problems at every rally and in every interview.
But, more than a presidential candidate bringing up the problems
at the VA is the news which is rarely reported. Today, there was one.
Today, in Long Island, NY a tragic event occurred. A seventy-six year
old veteran killed himself in the parking Lot of V.A. Hospital.
Put yourself in this man's shoes. He lived a long life, served his
country earned the medical services all veterans earned. He goes
to the VA hospital for aid and wound up killing himself.
To take another comment from Donald Trump, "This should not
happen in America". Yet, it does happen with regularity as the veterans
who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam are not receiving medical
assistance they rightfully deserve.
The Veterans Administration has been paralyzed by its own bureaucracy.
What they do should be no more complex than private medical facilities,
but apparently in govt. they must be.
Veteran should not have to wait 3-6-9 months for an appointment as many
do. They should not have to be restricted to VA facilities when private ones
can see them immediately.
The problems at the VA are not insurmountable, it appears to be Congress is.
Maybe Donald Trump, who never served in the military, may be the person to
serve our veterans!
"The police acted stupidly"...should have warned us!
This was President Obama comment upon hearing a Harvard professor,
"Skip" Gates, was arrested by Cambridge police on July 16, 2009, less
than six months after being sworn in.
The president's entire statement tells us much more about him, borne
out by his frequent mention of race during his entire two terms, without
defining a problem or offering a solution!
His statement,
"I don't know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what
role race played in that. But I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us
would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge police acted
stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that
they were in their own home, and, number three, what I think we
know separate and apart from this incident is that there's a long history
in this country of African Americans and Latinos being stopped by law
enforcement disproportionately."
The president immediately saw race as the contributing factor, without
seeing all the facts! Then he added "stupidly" based on proof Gates
was entering his own home. But, Gates was not arrested for entering
his own home, he was arrested on charge of "disorderly conduct", yet
Obama convenient sidestepped the reason. (Obama could have said
Gates acted "stupidly" for behaving disorderly)
What the "police acted stupidly" comment telegraphed is how little
respect the president has for law enforcement. President Obama rarely
shows solid support for law enforcement and even when he offers positive
remarks, there is always a caveat to provide him 'political cover' towards
the only constituents he cares about, the voting block which support him.
"The police acted stupidly" was the signal most Americans did not see,
but his remark can arguably be used to advance the opinion that law
enforcement is the enemy in too many urban, impoverished communities.
We know in the past there has been solid evidence across our country
law enforcement had many "bad apples" and worse. But, no one can
deny advances made through legislation, new state and federal agencies
and local civilian oversight commissions.
Today is not the yesterday President Obama and urban community leaders
attempt to convince us still exists.
We are better for the accomplishments of the past fifty years, something
President Obama refuses to acknowledge.
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
"Skip" Gates, was arrested by Cambridge police on July 16, 2009, less
than six months after being sworn in.
The president's entire statement tells us much more about him, borne
out by his frequent mention of race during his entire two terms, without
defining a problem or offering a solution!
His statement,
"I don't know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what
role race played in that. But I think it's fair to say, number one, any of us
would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge police acted
stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that
they were in their own home, and, number three, what I think we
know separate and apart from this incident is that there's a long history
in this country of African Americans and Latinos being stopped by law
enforcement disproportionately."
The president immediately saw race as the contributing factor, without
seeing all the facts! Then he added "stupidly" based on proof Gates
was entering his own home. But, Gates was not arrested for entering
his own home, he was arrested on charge of "disorderly conduct", yet
Obama convenient sidestepped the reason. (Obama could have said
Gates acted "stupidly" for behaving disorderly)
What the "police acted stupidly" comment telegraphed is how little
respect the president has for law enforcement. President Obama rarely
shows solid support for law enforcement and even when he offers positive
remarks, there is always a caveat to provide him 'political cover' towards
the only constituents he cares about, the voting block which support him.
"The police acted stupidly" was the signal most Americans did not see,
but his remark can arguably be used to advance the opinion that law
enforcement is the enemy in too many urban, impoverished communities.
We know in the past there has been solid evidence across our country
law enforcement had many "bad apples" and worse. But, no one can
deny advances made through legislation, new state and federal agencies
and local civilian oversight commissions.
Today is not the yesterday President Obama and urban community leaders
attempt to convince us still exists.
We are better for the accomplishments of the past fifty years, something
President Obama refuses to acknowledge.
Please add feedback in comments section below, or email ajbruno14@gmail.com
"Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/
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