What is the Real Injustice?

I have thought long and hard about commenting on the George Zimmerman-Trayvon Martin affair, but after watching congressman after congressman speak today on the chamber floor about the "lack of justice", and "racial profiling", and how we've gone backwards as a nation in our desegregation attempts it's time to speak up.
First let me say that I believe George Zimmerman was over-zealous at the least, and perhaps guilty of something less than murder two or manslaughter. But there was another crime here, or at the least an injustice against society, and it was perpetrated by Obama and his administration. Obama came out, prior to the trial, and interjected his opinion, and in essence made this a race issue- again. No one plays the race card as frequently and as divisively as Obama has. All of a sudden its a black-white issue, never mind the fact that Zimmerman is Hispanic.
Obama sent Eric Holder the Attorney General down to Florida with Al Sharpton (I have a hard time calling him a Reverend, for I think men of God should strive for peace and not constantly stir the social or political pot) to organize protests on Trayvon Martin's behalf. Then, at least four separate times the Justice Department sent people down to help organize TM rallies (they filed expense reports that are public record under the Freedom of Information Act). The Obama administration actively pursued portraying this unfortunate incident as racially motivated.
Then the trial, and Zimmerman is found not guilty of murder or manslaughter and again, Obama stirs the pot, saying it could have been him 35 years ago (which, if it had, our country wouldn't be mired in such a mess as he's created) and justice was not served. Well, I beg to differ. If anyone was not getting justice it was Zimmerman, for Obama and Holder and all were doing all they could to turn the country against him. Then, despite the odds, he's acquitted and the screams of injustice starts anew. What was the purpose of a "fair trial" if the only acceptable verdict is guilty? Did it matter that the prosecution withheld evidence that proved Zimmerman's version as accurate? Did it matter that Zimmerman thought Martin "looked like he was on drugs or something" as told to the police, and Martin happened to be suspended from school for possession, even though the defense couldn't share that fact with the jury, per judge's orders? Did it matter that the only time Zimmerman commented that Martin "looked black" was in answering a direct question from the police dispatcher who asked, "Is he black, white, or Hispanic?" Even though the mass media left out the context of the question when they reported it- so where is the justice?
Four days after the trial was over Zimmerman was driving and happened upon an SUV that rolled over in a traffic accident. He didn't see the accident, but happened upon it. Immediately he stopped, helped both parents and the two kids get free of the wreck, made sure they were okay, then left after the police got there. Amazing amount of press coverage on that, right? Not one major news outlet covered it that I heard or saw...
Nor did I see or hear Obama or Holder flying to Chicago a couple weeks ago when twenty-three people were shot within the course of a week. Where's your indignation over these people who were shot Mr. President? Do you think their mothers' grieve any less, hurt any less? But they don't have you spotlighting their loss. Is it because you couldn't twist any of them into a racial affair? Justice was served Mr. President and a verdict received. Do you want to keep stirring up everyone, or perhaps you should shut your divisive mouth for a change. Here's an idea- try leading our  country for a change. Get out in front and lead. I understand your leading from behind- if things turn around then you'll be in front and you can claim credit you don't deserve...
As for all the congressional people spewing their indignation today let me just say, you weren't slaves, your parents weren't slaves, nor your grandparents or great grandparents... Perhaps back even further- so perhaps it's time to let the whole "persecuted people" thing go. I'm frankly tired of hearing it. And for the record, while your ancestors were in this country as slaves, their African brothers were actively engaged in slave-trading in their own country. So, you're no better than we are. We're all just people- let's all start acting like it. Perhaps the color of one's skin wouldn't matter so much if we'd just stop calling attention to it every time...
Food for thought...

Beyond the Fourth Deminsion...

In high school I had an English teacher who introduced me to the author Louis L'Amour, a mostly western writer, but one who wasn't afraid to explore outside the box. One of his books, The Haunted Mesa, was based on the Anastasi Indian legend that they came into this world from a hole in the ground, supposedly from another dimension. Now, when I was young I was taught that we live in a three dimensional world, and then at some point later "time" became the fourth dimension. The idea of another dimension, co-existing with our own, and at some point intersecting or interacting with our own was intriguing...
Yet these many years later that book has inspired my thinking outside of conventional thought, especially in light of my Western Judeo-Christian up-bringing. We were taught that when we die we will either "go up to Heaven" or "down to hell", depending on our faith, beliefs, and life. I often wondered where "up there" Heaven could be- beyond the furthest reaches of our solar system perhaps? It seemed awfully far away, especially when we were taught that God was near, in control, and watching out for his children. How so, from way "up there?" And conversely, where is hell? where is "down there"?
I'm finding, with age and study, that which I accepted so blindly when younger doesn't always fit with what I learn today. I do believe that God watches over his children, for the Bible tells me so, and I believe in the sanctity of the Bible.  I also believe God is near, not far away "up there" somewhere. So how does Jesus live in Heaven while his Holy Spirit is here? Here's a hypothesis: Heaven is right here, nearby, just another dimension that we do not see or understand. I believe that Heaven intersects with earth regularly, as God is constant contact with his creation. One day, and only God knows that day, He will set this creation right, cleanse it of its sin and evil and reunite it with heaven- the doors to that co-existent dimension will be opened to his creation.
There's a lot of talk among Christians that we may very well be in the end times, but again, only God knows the day. Early Christ-followers prayed for Jesus' return, and now some 2000 years later we still hope and pray for his return. Peter writes in his second book that "with God a thousand years are like a day, and a day is like a thousand years". Many interpret that to say that it may be a long time before Christ's return; I believe it is just more evidence that God in his Heaven that is all around us, is not bound by time or space. As his created we are bound by our four dimensions- He operates outside any boundaries, for he is the Uncreated. And one day he will cleanse this earth-not destroy it!- and open our eyes and senses to his world co-existing all around us... Beyond the fourth dimension...
Food for thought...

Mind vs Emotion- The Battle Rages On...

I've been reminded a lot lately about things I've written in the past so I thought I better refresh myself by doing a little reading. I ran across this tonight...
Emotions are a real conundrum, for we rely on our feelings to guide us, yet there is nothing more unstable, and often faulty as our emotions. All too often we act, not on logic or fact, but on our feelings. We do what feels right, we get in relationships because it feels rights, or we act because our "gut" tells us to. Sometimes we get pensive, even afraid to act, even though logic dictates that is the correct choice. Sometimes we are ambushed by our feelings...

I find myself even today ambushed by my feelings. For some time I've been seeing someone who is quite wonderful actually. We enjoy many of the same activities, we enjoy each other's company, we seem to fit quite well in each other's worlds. The problem is that from the very beginning there have also been differences, red flags if you will, that have left me feeling that this is not a "forever thing". We've had frank discussions about them, and even there we have differences, for they were red flags to me, not as important issues to her.
Now I find our relationship at a crossroads, for I have decided to sell out of my business and move down to Florida. Naturally enough this has caused stress in the relationship. The problem is that any time the issue comes up it causes hurt to her, and subsequently I feel badly, guilty. I don't want to hurt her, and I sure don't want to feel bad... Ideally it would be wonderful to continue to enjoy our friendship, our relationship in the time I have left here, but the reality is the closer we get to fruition the harder, more painful it becomes. The logical thing to do is try to minimize the pain and damage now, rather than continue and deal with on-going and increased pain and issues. The head says stop now, end the relationship to minimize the heartache; the heart says continue on because the desire to see each other is still there and so strong.
I am ambushed by my emotions, for they contradict the logical. My heart versus my head. Knowing what's right and doing it are sometimes two different things. And it doesn't make it easier knowing she doesn't want to stop either, and continues to push to continue despite the pain it is sure to cause. What is one to do? In the end, it seems that logic is again the right choice. Am I strong enough to act?
Can I remember my own words from days past?
Food for thought...

A Lesson in US History...

Someone once said, (and forgive me for not remembering who), in essence, that when we forget history we tend to repeat it. With that thought in mind, and in light of our volatile political arena, I thought it interesting to look back to another era, when we were in the midst of establishing some of our "constitutional rights", (some of which our current administration is hell-bent on taking away from us). As we struggle with the whole immigration problem, and the amnesty talk, the path to citizenship, et al, I'm reminded of another time in our great nation's history when there was a struggle for freedom, for independence, for citizenship by a segment of our population. The results of that struggle can be clearly found in our 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to our constitution.

To refresh your memory, our 13th amendment abolished slavery. Our 14th amendment granted citizenship to those freed slaves, and the 15th amendment granted the right to vote to all, including women, who were pretty much treated as second class citizens prior to their right to vote. Also, we were a nation of two major political parties at this time, and the votes to pass these amendments ran right along party lines. What is amazing is, the party of the freed black man, the champion of women's rights, was not the Democratic Party- nay, it was the Republicans!

The Republican Party voted 100% to 23% Democratic to abolish slavery, then followed with a 94% support for citizenship to the freed slaves to 0% support from the Democrats. On the right to vote for all, again the Republicans gave 100% support to 0% Democratic support. Blacks and women, the grassroots base that elected this corrupt and divisive administration, the foundation of the Democratic Party, can thank Republicans for their rights and freedoms, for history shows that at least one party is concerned about trying to do things right- and it isn't those progressive, liberal, "give away the farm" politicians that you've been supporting. Perhaps it's time to come home. We welcome you...
Food for thought...

FREE SPEECH- A modern day fantasy?

I wonder if we aren't regulating ourselves right into a Hiltlerian existence... Already our right to our religious beliefs are under attack by our government- those who are "Christian" are labeled "far right" and accused of infringing on the progressives' rights. We are being stripped of protections against government interference and are being ordered to do things that violate our very core values.
Our second amendment rights are under attack- the right to bear arms. Anyone who has studied history knows that one of the first things Hitler did- in the name of "for the good of the country"- was to strip Germany's citizens of their weapons, and thus their right to defend themselves against his upcoming tyranny... All that it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing... Dietrich Bonheoffer wrote of his life in Germany during Hitler's reign- it is insightful and frightening- because there are a number of parallels to our society in America today...
Now our rights to free speech are being challenged. Those who choose to speak out against a corrupt or out-of-control government are being accused of "inciting violence", by a government  I take issue with that. Free speech, by its very nature, will probably offend someone somewhere. But to react in violence is not the fault of free speech, rather the fault lies at the feet of the violent ones, and their inability to control themselves or police their own actions. At a very early age I was taught the idiom, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Words are words- and expression of thoughts, ideas, bigotries, even lies or shades of truth... but certainly not violence, even when the words cry out for it. For violence takes action, not words, and we are all responsible for our own actions. To react violently, then blame it on being manipulated by words, is no defense at all.
The Bible says, "From out of the heart the mouth speaks." If you want to know someone listen to them. In due time you will know someone well, just by the words they speak, for that is the overflow of their heart. Listening is a lost art- usually we are busy mentally formulating a response to something said, and anxious to reply lest we forget our point, to really listen to all that's said, and we miss much. And we fail to understand our opponent... Learn to listen, take time to understand who and what you're dealing with, before you react. Then, temper your reaction with the same grace you would desire someone to show you...
Food for thought...