I will keep saying this, and saying this, and saying this. I don't care
how much or how often.
America as a nation MUST, MUST have a
dialogue, a national conversation, through the mass media, our elected
officials, whatever, about race.
White, Black, Brown, whoever,
whatever, have GOT to begin talking to one another. All sides have
legitimate complaints and arguments and MUST talk these out and come to
some kind of meeting of the minds.
For every complaint a White
person has about Blacks, the same can be said the other way.
America
is a far better nation for ethnic minorities to live in, than it was 50
and 60 years ago. We are not that far removed from that horrible time
when it just wasn't OK to be anything other than a White person and have
all the privileges and benefits of American society. People of color
were systematically targeted for discrimination, many times violently
and with tragic results. In America.
Things were regularly and
frequently done to minorities in the "good old days" that would be
classified as "war crimes", "terrorism" and "crimes against humanity" by
today's standards. It was almost as though Black people were enemy
combatants in a war. The memory of those atrocities is still fresh and
painful in the minds of Black people. THAT is why the killing of
Trayvon, and so many others, hurts so deeply, even before all the facts
of the case are in.
If America and the American people do not
take steps to learn how to really be a "colorblind" society and get
along with one another, we do not deserve to last another 200+ years as a
sovereign republic.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Thoughts on Trayvon
(This is a compilation and editing together of several posts I made on the Houston Chronicle comment forums, with some additional comments added.)
The shooting death of central Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, a young Black man, and the outrage over it, has got me thinking about the larger issues surrounding it.
This issue should not even be about race, but it happened in a state and a city where, sadly, there is apparently a LONG and horrible history of racism. The Black people of Sanford, Florida should not be blamed for their mistrust, their suspicions, or their outrage.
Trayvon Martin was allegedly killed by a man named George Zimmerman - a man of partial Hispanic heritage who has been described as White - someone who felt threatened - but all indications, including eyewitness testimony, point to the assumption that Trayvon was simply minding his own business and posed no threat to Mr. Zimmerman. No threat whatsoever. In fact, it was Trayvon who apparently felt threatened, as indicated by the cell phone conversation with his own girlfriend as the situation was unfolding.
Yes, you may indeed ask: "Can we leave race and politics out of it?"
I would like to do that. The case needs to be looked at with just the facts. But ask the Black people of Sanford, who have had to put up with bigots - and their heinous actions - possibly all their lives. They'll probably say no.
After reading the news reports, and learning about incidents in the past which are just as outrageous, I am also not convinced that the local Sanford police are capable of making a proper, impartial investigation. I believe that the local PD is hiding some of the facts and trying to protect George Zimmerman. Whether or not that is true, I don't know, but even the hint of suspicion is not something that should even be a part of this case.
I am glad the United States Department of Justice is doing something, and frankly I think a Federal investigation of the Sanford PD as a department is in order.
This situation hits home with me on a personal level.
My own son is a teenager, much like Trayvon Martin. My son is 16 and Black and lives in Texas. And if some dumb*** shoots MY son because they consider him a threat (when he is homeschooled and college bound), I would be devastated, outraged and demanding of some sort of justice.
Because, as many people that identify with Trayvon Martin, sadly, tragically, also identify with George Zimmerman.
The attitude of many people who are commenting on newspaper forums, in my opinion, is part of the problem. It's an attitude that I hear ALL too often in cases like this. Comments of "why are these Black people stirring the pot and race-baiting by getting Obama and all these celebrities to weigh on on this. Just let the investigation run its course."
There's a big problem with that sentiment. Minority groups, right or wrong, are still feeling, even though we are in the 21st century, like they're getting the short end of stick in this country. Instead of whining about it, people really need to try to walk a mile in the other guy's shoes.
By the way, I think it was good, proper and totally appropriate, and necessary, for the President to speak on this (and kudos to the GOP presidential candidates AND former Florida governor Jeb Bush to speak out as well).
Why is it, when Black people stand up against legitimate concerns about racial hatred, and demand the same justice expected of every American, it becomes a matter of "stirring the pot" and "race baiting"?
I seriously question whether or not those who feel they're being "baited" and their pots stirred are bigots and racists themselves.
I will keep saying this, I don't care how many times, because it's important.
America needs to have a serious conversation on the national level about race and racism. People on all sides, all viewpoints, right, left, middle of the road, we MUST come together as Americans and lay it all out on the table and talk this out.
Income inequality, what the Occupy movement is fighting, is a BIG part of this. But conservatives pooh-pooh the Occupy movement as a bunch of smelly hippies who defecate on police cruisers.
The survival of this republic depends on this. America has to have a serious conversation as a society and figure out ways to get along with one another and make sure everyone has an equal chance at life, liberty and happiness. Some of the ways we get that done might smack of "communism". So be it. Whatever it takes.
We cannot go forward as a nation paralyzed by bigotry.
At the very least, more young men like Trayvon Martin, and like Oscar Grant II, will needlessly lose their lives.
The shooting death of central Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, a young Black man, and the outrage over it, has got me thinking about the larger issues surrounding it.
This issue should not even be about race, but it happened in a state and a city where, sadly, there is apparently a LONG and horrible history of racism. The Black people of Sanford, Florida should not be blamed for their mistrust, their suspicions, or their outrage.
Trayvon Martin was allegedly killed by a man named George Zimmerman - a man of partial Hispanic heritage who has been described as White - someone who felt threatened - but all indications, including eyewitness testimony, point to the assumption that Trayvon was simply minding his own business and posed no threat to Mr. Zimmerman. No threat whatsoever. In fact, it was Trayvon who apparently felt threatened, as indicated by the cell phone conversation with his own girlfriend as the situation was unfolding.
Yes, you may indeed ask: "Can we leave race and politics out of it?"
I would like to do that. The case needs to be looked at with just the facts. But ask the Black people of Sanford, who have had to put up with bigots - and their heinous actions - possibly all their lives. They'll probably say no.
After reading the news reports, and learning about incidents in the past which are just as outrageous, I am also not convinced that the local Sanford police are capable of making a proper, impartial investigation. I believe that the local PD is hiding some of the facts and trying to protect George Zimmerman. Whether or not that is true, I don't know, but even the hint of suspicion is not something that should even be a part of this case.
I am glad the United States Department of Justice is doing something, and frankly I think a Federal investigation of the Sanford PD as a department is in order.
This situation hits home with me on a personal level.
My own son is a teenager, much like Trayvon Martin. My son is 16 and Black and lives in Texas. And if some dumb*** shoots MY son because they consider him a threat (when he is homeschooled and college bound), I would be devastated, outraged and demanding of some sort of justice.
Because, as many people that identify with Trayvon Martin, sadly, tragically, also identify with George Zimmerman.
The attitude of many people who are commenting on newspaper forums, in my opinion, is part of the problem. It's an attitude that I hear ALL too often in cases like this. Comments of "why are these Black people stirring the pot and race-baiting by getting Obama and all these celebrities to weigh on on this. Just let the investigation run its course."
There's a big problem with that sentiment. Minority groups, right or wrong, are still feeling, even though we are in the 21st century, like they're getting the short end of stick in this country. Instead of whining about it, people really need to try to walk a mile in the other guy's shoes.
By the way, I think it was good, proper and totally appropriate, and necessary, for the President to speak on this (and kudos to the GOP presidential candidates AND former Florida governor Jeb Bush to speak out as well).
Why is it, when Black people stand up against legitimate concerns about racial hatred, and demand the same justice expected of every American, it becomes a matter of "stirring the pot" and "race baiting"?
I seriously question whether or not those who feel they're being "baited" and their pots stirred are bigots and racists themselves.
I will keep saying this, I don't care how many times, because it's important.
America needs to have a serious conversation on the national level about race and racism. People on all sides, all viewpoints, right, left, middle of the road, we MUST come together as Americans and lay it all out on the table and talk this out.
Income inequality, what the Occupy movement is fighting, is a BIG part of this. But conservatives pooh-pooh the Occupy movement as a bunch of smelly hippies who defecate on police cruisers.
The survival of this republic depends on this. America has to have a serious conversation as a society and figure out ways to get along with one another and make sure everyone has an equal chance at life, liberty and happiness. Some of the ways we get that done might smack of "communism". So be it. Whatever it takes.
We cannot go forward as a nation paralyzed by bigotry.
At the very least, more young men like Trayvon Martin, and like Oscar Grant II, will needlessly lose their lives.
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Some thoughts on homelessness in Houston
It's been a few days since I have posted. I have some things to say on Rush Limbaugh and his furor over the comments he made about Sandra Fluke, but that will need to wait a day or so.
Meanwhile, I have some comments on Houston's proposed regulations on the feeding of the homeless population, much of it centered on downtown and Midtown. There are fines of up to $2,000 for violations of these proposed new rules. Some faith based charities are up in arms over this and see it as a restriction of religious liberty. Others see it as a means to drive the homeless out of Downtown.
Houston sells itself to the rest of the nation and the rest of the world as a "can-do" city with some of the smartest and hardest working people in the country. Obviously something's wrong, because this city has a massive homeless problem. Not quite on the scale of NYC of LA or SF but for what it is, it's bad.
There are many agencies that try and help here in town, and some Houstonians give money to these organizations. That's all well and good, but other cities realize that SOME public the dollars must be brought to bear to solve the issue.
If the city wants to put regulations on feeding the homeless in the name of orderliness and cleanliness, fine, but I disagree 110% with these ordinances when they are designed to drive the homeless out of town.
Houston needs to follow the model of other cities across America and have a municipal or county-run shelter campus where the homeless can get everything they need - a place to sleep, a place to eat, a place to wash clothes, a place to GET clothes, a place to take a shower. The Beacon, a facility which is run by Christ Church Cathedral is a step in the right direction, but needs to be about three times its size and be open 24x7 instead of four (4) days a week.
Phoenix spent $25 million on a Human Services Campus.
http://www.humanservicescampusaz.org/
Houston needs to follow suit.
Meanwhile, I have some comments on Houston's proposed regulations on the feeding of the homeless population, much of it centered on downtown and Midtown. There are fines of up to $2,000 for violations of these proposed new rules. Some faith based charities are up in arms over this and see it as a restriction of religious liberty. Others see it as a means to drive the homeless out of Downtown.
Houston sells itself to the rest of the nation and the rest of the world as a "can-do" city with some of the smartest and hardest working people in the country. Obviously something's wrong, because this city has a massive homeless problem. Not quite on the scale of NYC of LA or SF but for what it is, it's bad.
There are many agencies that try and help here in town, and some Houstonians give money to these organizations. That's all well and good, but other cities realize that SOME public the dollars must be brought to bear to solve the issue.
If the city wants to put regulations on feeding the homeless in the name of orderliness and cleanliness, fine, but I disagree 110% with these ordinances when they are designed to drive the homeless out of town.
Houston needs to follow the model of other cities across America and have a municipal or county-run shelter campus where the homeless can get everything they need - a place to sleep, a place to eat, a place to wash clothes, a place to GET clothes, a place to take a shower. The Beacon, a facility which is run by Christ Church Cathedral is a step in the right direction, but needs to be about three times its size and be open 24x7 instead of four (4) days a week.
Phoenix spent $25 million on a Human Services Campus.
http://www.humanservicescampusaz.org/
Houston needs to follow suit.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Why I am closing my PayPal account after 10 years
My beef with PayPal
I am closing my account with PayPal.
I have been a PayPal member since 2002, and a user of their MasterCard debit card since 2008.
I have used PayPal primarily to pay for items purchased online from websites such as ebay and Amazon. Their debit card has been an excellent alternative to my standard bank-issued debit card.
There have been a few minor issues of annoyance with the account that by themselves could have soured me on the service (a couple of times their debit card failed to reach my mailing address, and once I had to call and get my account password reset), but I elected to stay with them, primarily because PayPal for several years has been one of the few non-bank payment services of its kind. And for the most part my experience with PayPal has been free of any major mistakes and other issues.
However, one very recent issue really stood out as an example of poor customer service and a lack of follow-through on the part of PayPal that frankly infuriated me.
Here's the text of the email I sent earlier this week to no fewer than six different PayPal e-mail addresses.
"I got an email from PayPal asking me to add money to my account to resolve a negative balance.
***This negative balance was specifically caused by PayPal's explicit and express failure to use my backup source of funding to cover a charge of $71.92 at a Target location here in Houston, made by myself on February 19***.
Several other transactions made that week DO clearly use the backup funding, reflected on my PayPal online statement AND my credit union online statement.
Enough money was in the backup account at time of purchase to clearly and fully cover the purchase.
This is the first such instance I have experienced with PayPal and it is RAPIDLY souring my otherwise good experience with PayPal.
PayPal needs to proactively credit my account accordingly for the Target store charge as I believe PayPal was clearly in error. I used my PayPal Mastercard at Target on February 19 precisely in the manner I have done in the past at other Target locations AND as I usually have at dozens of locations and stores with NO issues whatsoever. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT. I WANT RESOLUTION OF THIS MATTER IN MY FAVOR AT ONCE.
If this matter is not resolved at once I will allow the account to be handled by a collection agency and dispute it by any and all legal means at my disposal as a consumer.
I expect a reply in writing within the next 5-7 business days."
This email, by the way, was sent after I made two separate inquiries on my negative balance using the contact forms provided on the PayPal website with no real acceptable response other than a form letter.
The e-mail from the collections department prompted my e-mail, and I got only one standard form letter e-mail response.
Thursday, March 1, I telephoned PayPal debit card customer service to try and get a resolution to the situation.
I spoke first to a standard CSR, but she kept repeating herself, so I asked to be connected to a manager. The manager kept repeating herself, and apologizing, but was firm: the negative balance was my responsibility. I told her that I would bring the balance current, but that I would be closing the account immediately thereafter (I tried three times this morning to close the account but was not successful - I might have to make another phone call, which will not be a fun thing for me to have to do).
What PayPal should have done:
PayPal should have issued a credit (at PayPal's sole and complete expense) in the amount of $71.92 to bring my account current, as it was an error between PayPal and Target which led to my backup source of funding not being used. Doing so would have acknowledged that there was an error on the part of PayPal when I used their debit card in good faith in the manner that I always have been, and that PayPal, and NOT me, accepted responsibility for my account going to a negative balance.
Instead, PayPal kept insisting that the negative balance was my responsibility regardless of the fact that it was a PayPal error that caused the negative balance.
If this were even a transaction from a bank, the result would have been different. Banks give credits all the time for errors that can be proven were their fault, such as an ATM machine not dispensing the proper amount of money.
So I am closing my PayPal account after being a loyal member for 10 years, and documenting my troubles for all to see as a cautionary tale. I am switching immediately to the Serve payments service from American Express, and am hopeful that American Express' reputation for quality will end up in a vastly different result should a situation such as this arise.
I am closing my account with PayPal.
I have been a PayPal member since 2002, and a user of their MasterCard debit card since 2008.
I have used PayPal primarily to pay for items purchased online from websites such as ebay and Amazon. Their debit card has been an excellent alternative to my standard bank-issued debit card.
There have been a few minor issues of annoyance with the account that by themselves could have soured me on the service (a couple of times their debit card failed to reach my mailing address, and once I had to call and get my account password reset), but I elected to stay with them, primarily because PayPal for several years has been one of the few non-bank payment services of its kind. And for the most part my experience with PayPal has been free of any major mistakes and other issues.
However, one very recent issue really stood out as an example of poor customer service and a lack of follow-through on the part of PayPal that frankly infuriated me.
Here's the text of the email I sent earlier this week to no fewer than six different PayPal e-mail addresses.
"I got an email from PayPal asking me to add money to my account to resolve a negative balance.
***This negative balance was specifically caused by PayPal's explicit and express failure to use my backup source of funding to cover a charge of $71.92 at a Target location here in Houston, made by myself on February 19***.
Several other transactions made that week DO clearly use the backup funding, reflected on my PayPal online statement AND my credit union online statement.
Enough money was in the backup account at time of purchase to clearly and fully cover the purchase.
This is the first such instance I have experienced with PayPal and it is RAPIDLY souring my otherwise good experience with PayPal.
PayPal needs to proactively credit my account accordingly for the Target store charge as I believe PayPal was clearly in error. I used my PayPal Mastercard at Target on February 19 precisely in the manner I have done in the past at other Target locations AND as I usually have at dozens of locations and stores with NO issues whatsoever. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT. I WANT RESOLUTION OF THIS MATTER IN MY FAVOR AT ONCE.
If this matter is not resolved at once I will allow the account to be handled by a collection agency and dispute it by any and all legal means at my disposal as a consumer.
I expect a reply in writing within the next 5-7 business days."
This email, by the way, was sent after I made two separate inquiries on my negative balance using the contact forms provided on the PayPal website with no real acceptable response other than a form letter.
The e-mail from the collections department prompted my e-mail, and I got only one standard form letter e-mail response.
Thursday, March 1, I telephoned PayPal debit card customer service to try and get a resolution to the situation.
I spoke first to a standard CSR, but she kept repeating herself, so I asked to be connected to a manager. The manager kept repeating herself, and apologizing, but was firm: the negative balance was my responsibility. I told her that I would bring the balance current, but that I would be closing the account immediately thereafter (I tried three times this morning to close the account but was not successful - I might have to make another phone call, which will not be a fun thing for me to have to do).
What PayPal should have done:
PayPal should have issued a credit (at PayPal's sole and complete expense) in the amount of $71.92 to bring my account current, as it was an error between PayPal and Target which led to my backup source of funding not being used. Doing so would have acknowledged that there was an error on the part of PayPal when I used their debit card in good faith in the manner that I always have been, and that PayPal, and NOT me, accepted responsibility for my account going to a negative balance.
Instead, PayPal kept insisting that the negative balance was my responsibility regardless of the fact that it was a PayPal error that caused the negative balance.
If this were even a transaction from a bank, the result would have been different. Banks give credits all the time for errors that can be proven were their fault, such as an ATM machine not dispensing the proper amount of money.
So I am closing my PayPal account after being a loyal member for 10 years, and documenting my troubles for all to see as a cautionary tale. I am switching immediately to the Serve payments service from American Express, and am hopeful that American Express' reputation for quality will end up in a vastly different result should a situation such as this arise.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
A quick word on Andrew Breitbart
The passing of Andrew Breitbart, the controversial conservative commentator, in Los Angeles on Thursday struck a chord with the right wing community, drawing responses from such luminaries as Rick Santorum and Michelle Malkin. Several of his enemies on the left remembered him as well, some less gracious in their comments than others.
Breitbart was a right wing wacko, to be sure. His despicable and unwarranted witch hunt of USDA official Shirley Sherrod, his witch hunt on ACORN, his horrible, unconscionable remarks on the death of Ted Kennedy, did not endear him to me. His actions frankly angered me.
But I hear he left a wife and four kids. I don't care how much of a wacko he was, leaving this earth at 43 is way too soon. It's kind of a wake up call for me as I am 42, and have no intentions of leaving this earth before MY time is up.
We have now lost Whitney Houston at 48, former Monkees lead singer Davy Jones at 66, and now Andrew Breitbart, all in the span of what, 2, 3 weeks? Amazing and sad.
Breitbart was a right wing wacko, to be sure. His despicable and unwarranted witch hunt of USDA official Shirley Sherrod, his witch hunt on ACORN, his horrible, unconscionable remarks on the death of Ted Kennedy, did not endear him to me. His actions frankly angered me.
But I hear he left a wife and four kids. I don't care how much of a wacko he was, leaving this earth at 43 is way too soon. It's kind of a wake up call for me as I am 42, and have no intentions of leaving this earth before MY time is up.
We have now lost Whitney Houston at 48, former Monkees lead singer Davy Jones at 66, and now Andrew Breitbart, all in the span of what, 2, 3 weeks? Amazing and sad.
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