Monday Musings...
As the year 2009 winds inevitably down to it's conclusion, have you stopped to take a good look around you at a lot of the people?
Well, we know the "world" is changing, and by that I mean circumstances are moving in every direction at once...that's a given.
Another thing is that unreasonable measures of control are being exercised by some over many with the sole purpose of dominion (and the higher level of power associated with it).
This is not conspiracy theory...it's FACT.
Yet, everything always comes back to the people.
People are the ones IN power, and people are the ones UNDER that power.
It all depends on what side of the fence you're on that defines which "people" you are part of.
Many of us prefer to think for ourselves...we make as good choices as we can, are not afraid to take on a challenge or shoulder a burden, and take pride in doing so, simply because we CAN do it.
We're charitable to a fault, and friends to those often in need.
We embrace traditional values, principles and morals.
We teach those we can BY those traits as we LIVE them.
And we do it ALL without government intervention....amazing, huh?
But there are those that feel such things are either beneath them, or they're too damn busy to bother. They'd much rather be doing something that has no value, serves no purpose, and teaches no lesson.
We have allowed such things as generational stupidity, a lack of manners, and a hedonistic mindset to pervade our way of life.
You can't help but see it every day.
Sadly, we see even more of it during this time of the rolling year.
It can be blatant as ignoring the real "reason for the season" in lieu of sales, sales, and more sales.
Now don't get me wrong...presents are GOOD. They are representative of a PART of the season...
Don't take my word for it, look it up in the BIBLE. Gifts WERE given at the first CHRISTMAS.
Gifts are given as an adjunct to WHY we celebrate this holiday.
They surround the true meaning of Christmas, but are not at the center of the festivities.
Now, I could go on about Christmas being redemptive, because Jesus was born, and all that, but most of you already know the story (or read the book, which can be had on DVD now...imagine that).
In the end, though...it still all comes down to PEOPLE...regular people...like you and I.
No smoke, no mirrors, no BS...none of that.
Now...I said all THAT...to say THIS:
There are FOUR families that I know of who WON'T be having a really good Christmas at all, thanks to the criminal justice system (or the lack thereof).
** This story out of Washington state was just too damn disturbing. Apparently, you can't seem to have a cup of coffee if you're an officer these days, especially near Seattle.
Here's a link to the initial story:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/78088192.html
And here is a followup story:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/29/washington.police.shooting/index.html And this story:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577765,00.html
This was a totally senseless taking of four lives by a criminal psychopath with a history as long as your arm.
My prayers and thoughts go out to those families, as words just fail to convey my thoughts.
But, if you prefer something a bit closer to the city of Fort Wayne, how about these?
** 1 killed in shooting; no suspect, motive / Holly Abrams - The Journal Gazette
One man is dead after a shooting on the city’s southeast side Sunday night, according to Fort Wayne police.
Police were called about 10:30 p.m. to the 2800 block of Schele Avenue, near McCormick Place apartments. Neighbors had called police after reportedly hearing gunshots and then seeing a man lying in the street. That man was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the victim was not released pending an autopsy and family notification.
((Editor's note - 1302 hrs - an update to the story can be found here at this link:

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/Fort-Wayne-shooting-kills-a-man

We'll be following as it develops))

Some witnesses told police they saw a dark-colored truck leaving the area after they heard the gunshots.
Police said they have no suspect description or motive in the killing at this time.
This makes the 20th homicide for the city...for those keeping count.
** Stores, inn robbed; police probe link
Fort Wayne police investigated two robberies over the weekend but are uncertain whether they are related, according to officer John Chambers, police spokesman.
Boudoir Noir, 512 W. Superior St., was robbed just after 4 p.m. Saturday. A man entered the business, demanded money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Chambers did not have details Sunday on whether the man was armed. A complete description of the robber was not available.
(doesn't ANYONE pay attention these days?)
Another robbery was reported just after 4 p.m. Sunday at the Guesthouse Inn at 3017 Coliseum Blvd. W. A man entered the inn armed with a handgun and demanded money. He left, heading west on Coliseum Boulevard with an undisclosed amount of cash. That man was
described as in his 20s, 5-foot-7, white, wearing black sunglasses and a black hooded sweat shirt.
** Robbers strike 2 businesses / Holly Abrams - The Journal Gazette
Fort Wayne police believe two armed robberies Saturday are connected.
The first robbery was reported just before 11 a.m. in the 2100 block of South Calhoun Street, police said. Two men entered the business, brandished knives, demanded money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to officer John Chambers, Fort Wayne police
spokesman.
The men are believed to have left on foot. A complete description was not available.
Just after 11 a.m., a second robbery was reported at the Dairy Queen at 412 Southview Ave., near Paulding Road and Lafayette Street.
Two men, also armed with knives, robbed the business in the same manner and left on foot, police said.
No one was injured in either robbery.
Police dogs were used in both cases to track the robbers without success, Chambers said.
Seems that a handgun wielded by some citizen in EITHER store might have solved a LOT of problems regarding these robberies...
What's the old saying..."Never bring a knife to a gunfight"...? I think that's how it goes.
I'll say ONE thing...both the criminals AND the FWPD have been busy THIS weekend.
But, as we're SO used to hearing..."It''s the economy, stupid".
Right. Sure. Okay. Tell me another.
While the economy might very well be a perfect scapegoat for such behavior, let's just say it's CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR (which happens year-round, regardless of holiday or economical parameters), caused by a generation of entitlement-driven assholes suffering from terminal stupidity who feel the world owes them a living...sound a lot more closer to home now?
And please don't tell me any BS about "perceived crime", OK? That fairy tale belongs more to the Brothers Grimm than reality.
The ONLY thing that deserves perception here is that CRIME IS A FACT OF LIFE on the south side of the city, got it?
And THAT perception is rooted in STATISTICS...and those nasty facts.
I'm sure these people who are the latest victims are feeling that holiday spirit NOW.
Well, I'm sure the BLACK community is out today...pounding the pavement, trying to help the police and locate people who know anything about these crimes, as well as attempting to turn their OWN young people AWAY from a life full of criminal activity...
ROFLMAO!
Yeah, right....that is DEFINITELY happening. NOT!
'Tis the season, hmm?
Well, we've sure got our share of criminals...AND morons, make no mistake.
We just tend to NOTICE them more this time of year.
So, we can blame the holidays...(and some will probably want to blame G.W. Bush as well)
Amazing how that works, isn't it?
Point those fingers at everything BUT the RIGHT thing...all for the sake of DIVERSION.
Yes, I'm sure the victims' families feel so much better now.
I know I do....(yeah right).
Stay safe out there, America.