I was always told that it was better to give than receive. Apparently, that is not the motto for Congress. While everyday people are struggling with the sequester cuts, Congress just before flying back to their home districts last weekend, passed a bill to ease the airport delays brought on by the sequester cuts affecting air traffic controllers. Meanwhile the rest of everyday American citizens are still struggling with cuts resulting from the sequester. Yet, Congress saw fit that business travelers and members of Congress were not inconvenienced by the airport cuts across the country. The sequester is still affecting Head Start programs, senior programs, unemployment, student aid like federal work study programs federal disaster programs and jobs just to name a few. For many senior citizens who are struggling to make it from month to month, the sequester cuts Meals on Wheels programs. For those recently affected by disaster, the sequester cut FEMA and threatens to cut … [Read more...] about When Will the Sequester End?
Archives for April 2013
Terror Comes in the Form of Bombs and Guns
Last week the Boston Marathon bombing caused terror all over Boston and surrounding areas leading up to the shooting death of one suspect and the arrest of his younger brother. President Barack Obama described the Boston Marathon bombing as an act of terror and stated his Administration may invoke the public safety exception to Miranda, allowing FBI officials to question the suspect without reading him his Miranda rights to remain silent and seek advice of any attorney. Presently, the suspect is not in any condition to communicate due to his medical condition. The Federal Public Defenders say they will represent him. The issue of terror raises many concerns. Terror comes in many shapes, forms and sizes. For those living in the Washington, DC area in October of 2002, for three weeks, the DC Sniper, John Allen Muhammad and 16 year old Lee Boyd Malvo held the entire DC, Virginia and Maryland area in terror as they randomly killed 10 persons in three jurisdictions and injured three … [Read more...] about Terror Comes in the Form of Bombs and Guns
NRA Wins Round 1 on Gun Control Bill
The vast majority of Americans support background checks for guns at gun shows which exceeds our present background check system. The NRA is stronger than the will of the American people at least at this moment in time. The U.S. Senate failed 90% of Americans on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 when it failed to pass the gun control legislation. Over 90% of Americans support filling in the gap with stronger background checks to help prevent getting guns in the wrong hands. Sixty votes were needed to pass the legislation due to procedural rules agreed to by both sides of the aisle. With 52 Democrats in the Senate and several Republicans voting in support, it seemed to have a chance at passing. However, several Democratic Senators voted against the amendment on background checks. Four Democratic Senators voted to kill background checks. The final vote on the Manchin-Toomey background checks amendment was 54-46. The Manchin-Toomey plan would have expanded background checks to include … [Read more...] about NRA Wins Round 1 on Gun Control Bill
DC Honors Emancipation Day on April 16
On April 15, Boston commemorated Patriots Day while on April 16 , Washington, DC honors Emancipation Day. April 16 is a local holiday in Washington, D.C. Emancipation Day is the day in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed a declaration freeing 3,100 slaves living in Washington. The president's action happened nearly nine months before Mr. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in ten Confederate States. Patriot's Day is held one day earlier in Boston and commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord, which were fought near Boston in 1775. Patriot's Day is annually held on the third Monday of April and coincides with the running of the Boston Marathon. And following the day after the Boston Marathon terrorist attack, the parades and speeches went on as planned in DC–albeit with much greater security in DC. It is important to remember our past. Emancipation day is more than parades but offers an educational approach to the past, present and the … [Read more...] about DC Honors Emancipation Day on April 16
Police Officer Makes Mockery of Trayvon Martin’s Death Gets Fired
From George Zimmerman’s mother writing on the anniversary of her son’s arrest that he is the victim used “solely to placate the masses” to last week’s firing of a police officer sergeant who wanted to use a silhouette picture of the likeness of Trayvon Martin as a target in gun shooting practice, things could not have gotten any stranger in the Trayvon Martin saga last week. The image which was not used shows the heights to which some people will go in showing either their racism, ignorance or both. In the words often used by Dr. Phil to describe bizarre circumstances, what was he thinking? A Port Canaveral, Florida police sergeant wanted to use a likeness of an image dressed as Trayvon Martin as a shooting target, according to various sources. The image was not used as other officers declined. A trial is scheduled for June 10 and regardless of which way the jury or judge decides, a tragedy occurred last year on February 26, 2012. And a tragedy should not be seen as a comedy … [Read more...] about Police Officer Makes Mockery of Trayvon Martin’s Death Gets Fired
The Sequester is Now Closing Courts
The Sequester Has Now Hit the Federal Courts President Obama has been having a difficult time getting his federal judicial nominees confirmed and now the sequester and furloughs have hit those judges already serving on the federal bench. There has been little talk since the sequester began on when it might end. And no federal agency was exempt from sequestration. Now with many of the federal courts in an emergency situation due to a lack of judges being confirmed to fill vacancies, furloughs are now beginning to take place. And yes, the furloughs will mean closing federal court houses that are already backlogged with overwhelming dockets. It will also mean reducing trial time and hearings. Even federal prosecutors, federal public defenders who represent defendants and the U.S. Marshall’s office will be placed on furlough. For a court system that is already running on fumes, it will further hamper the judicial process. For that man or woman who has been waiting to have their … [Read more...] about The Sequester is Now Closing Courts