The Senate Judiciary confirmation hearings on Judge Sotomayor begin this week. Senators will inquire if Judge Sotomayor can be a fair and impartial judge. Republicans will grill her on quotas, racial bias and gun control. Democrats just want her to be fair and rule liberally. So what does it mean to be fair and impartial? Judges are asked to set aside their own personal views and rule solely on the law as applied to the particular facts of a case. Yet, must a judge truly forget and set aside his or her own ethnic background, race, religion, gender, family background to rule fairly? We start life with a clean slate. From then on, we learn what it means to be male or female, black, white, Asian or Latino, rich or poor, educated or non-educated, Catholic, Jewish or Muslim. The Senators cannot seriously expect Judge Sotomayor or any judge to truly set aside everything that makes us who we are. We are the sum total of all our parts This includes race, religion, gender, familial … [Read more...] about Judging Judge Sotomayor Fairly
Michael Jackson: A Funeral Fit For a King?
Why is Michael Jackson's funeral being broadcast worldwide? He was not a head of state, a president, prince, king or queen. Princess Diana at her death was no longer royalty. She was divorced from Prince Charles, heir to the British throne. By the time of her death, she was only "the People's Princess", a title lacking in substance. Yet, her funeral was broadcast all over the world with millions watching. Is there any difference between Michael Jackson and Princess Diana. In this country, we have a long and warped fascination with royalty. We treated President Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy as the royalty we never had. We referred to them as Camelot, a reference from the legendary King Arthur days. Before President Kennedy, we were star struck by American actress, Grace Kelly who married the King of Monaco. Even before then, we were fascinated by the royal marriage of Wallis Simpson to Prince Edward. He was forced to give up his heir to the British throne by marrying an Ameircan … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson: A Funeral Fit For a King?
Eric Holder should hold SEC Investigation
Eric Holder where are you? This is truly madness. I'm reading the Washington Post on July 2. It reveals a female SEC lawyer investigator was questioning the Madoff madness in 2004. She highly suspected fraud and wanted answers from Madoff and documents produced. So what happens...nothing! One of her supervisors, according to the Washington Post, has since married Madoff's niece. The lawyer was reassigned to work on another matter. The Madoff matter was closed with no further action. The lawyer involved ultimately left the SEC in 2006 after filing a hostile work environment claim. Sounds like a made for TV movie but it's real. You have to wonder who's minding our money matters. This whole Madoff incident has not been fully investigated. I wonder if it ever will be. The who knew what when and why should be explored to the fullest. The victims should be screaming for a full and complete investigation. The buck should not just stop with Madoff. I know if I had lost all of my … [Read more...] about Eric Holder should hold SEC Investigation
Madoff Madness- Bernie Made Out Well
By now most know Bernie Madoff got 150 years in jail. He made off with estimates of up to $65 billion in invester losses. He got to live a lavish lifestyle like a king for almost 30 years. He defrauded over 1300 investors with his elaborate ponzi scheme. In the end, he got caught. For all of his money madness, did Bernie make out well? Several questions come to my mind when I think of Madoff. When are the others involved in his scheme going to get their day in court? It is highly improbable and most likely impossible that he ran and organized this elaborate scheme alone. It's far too elaborate and well orchestrated for that to be the case. His wife, sons, brother, accountant, assistant and confidante are all possible co-conspirators in this madness. Yet, it appears so far that the victims are letting Madoff take the blame completely alone. There was also the brokerage firms recruiting investors for Madoff. What did they get in return? The victims should scream until all involved … [Read more...] about Madoff Madness- Bernie Made Out Well
Michael Jackson-Social Agent for Change
Michael Jackson will always be remembered as the King of Pop. No one can take that title away from him. His Thriller album sold 100 million copies, more than anyone else including the Beatles or Elvis. Yet, he also leaves a musical legacy of social activism. His music and legacy was also about social change and justice. Michael broke the color barrier at MTV. He became the first black artist to showcase their talent on MTV with Billie Jean and Beat It. He paved the way for many others. Then who could forget the Jackson 5 cartoon show on Saturday mornings. In the '70's there were few black tv shows or blacks appearing on TV. In 1985 he brought together artists and musicians from all over to perform a benefit for the famine victims in Ethiopia. His lyrics on We Are the World symbolize his spirit of social change. He wrote: "We are the world, We are the children; We are the ones who make a brighter today, so let's start giving. There comes a time when we need a certain call; … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson-Social Agent for Change
Metro Crash Worthiness and Safety
The crash worthiness of DC Metro system's older cars may have played a contributing role in Monday's deady accident. DC's Metro rail system did not have the millions of dollars necessary to replace or retrofit the cars. These defective and outdated cars, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, should have been replaced several years ago. Metro has now immediately established a fund of $250 million for the victims' hospital, funeral and other immediate costs associated with the accident. Yet, how much is a life worth? All of the victims were someone's mother, father, sister, brother, friend, co-worker or neighbor. How do you measure that loss? How do you place a dollar amount on their life? Profits should never be placed before people. When the National Transportation Safety Board recommends replacement for safety reasons, what more information do you need? Now Metro is facing the loss of lives and loss of millions from lawsuits to follow. A new report from the … [Read more...] about Metro Crash Worthiness and Safety