Tuesday Coffee: A Few Thoughts To Begin The Week

            Sorry to have been silent for a few days. I was not happy with how the remote pot turned out and unless I absolutely have to or am out and about with something pressing to say I will not be using it. Right now I am posting from a friend’s computer that is on loan to be for a few hours a day for school work and writing. In this day and age that is basically all I need a computer for, so I am working on developing better habits slowly. It is going to take time still, but I am going to work on it. Now, if I could just get a better sleeping pattern I would be doing even better. Though as I have been away from the keyboard ideas have been swirling in my head. Just going to take some time to get them all down on paper.

            I’m working on an article about Chicago for Odyssey this week that will be published next week. Might try to do two articles this week and put out a piece of fiction as well next week. Not sure on that yet. Or, if I am even allowed to do that yet. Tune in tonight to hear me on That Damn Radio Show from 11 PM to 1 AM. And term is starting up this week and I am already done for the week and jumping on week 2 to try and stay ahead. I am determined to do better than last term this term.

            TIME Magazine also has an interesting article up about internet trolls this week. And, no I do not fear the trolls. They will never drive me from the internet. I do understand those that are driven from the internet by them though. But, for me I believe a line has to be drawn against hate and malice. And, I am drawing it. I support of freedom of speech but there is some behavior that is just bad behavior. I don’t dispute the right of anyone to disagree with me but there is such a thing as doing it civilly and with good manners and then there is just being an idiot about things. Here is meant to be a place of being civil and having manners about things as much as possible. Something even I am working on in my writing.

            Speaking of controversial things, I have been listening to a couple of audio book by President Obama. Now, don’t get me wrong I don’t agree with everything he does, but I am starting to understand his thinking a bit more. At least from what he has written down in books and narrated into the audio books. It also gives me a different perspective on the world as well, which is always a good thing to have. And, I am planning to read Hillary Clinton’ book as well as Jill Stein’s and any other candidate’s book on their views on the issues. I want to try and get inside the candidates’ heads and see what they are thinking truly so I can make a better informed decision.

            I’m constantly trying to learn more whether in school or not. I am a lifelong learner. I think being a lifelong learner is a good approach to take to life since we are always making new discoveries and advancements in everything. It doesn’t take much either. Just reading a bit here and there as well as doing a little surfing on the web once you know what you are looking for. And, knowing how to weed out reliable source from those that aren’t. We have to remember that we as the human race have not reached maturity yet. Want proof? Look at how we treat each other on the internet, in the world. We still have a ways to go, but I am confident we will get there.

            As you can see there are a number of things that have been running through my head. Some of them I might come back to later in the week. Though I have other things to talk about still. I’ve also decided that my next computer will have a touch screen. But, for now I can deal with it not having a touch screen. Feel free to leave questions and comments below. And, please share with your friends and family. As for me I am back to working on other project and school as always. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *

Thursday Coffee: Looks Like I Am Going Remote For A Bit

You'll have to pardon the grammar errors for once I'm afraid. You see my computer broke so I am posting remote. It's not like usual where I write up a post and then copy and paste it. I'm writing in the blogger app on my phone for the first time ever.
So not sure how this will come out as you read it the first time. Though if you are reading it and it looks flawless it probably means I went back and edited it after getting my computer back. It is definitely an adjustment for me not being able to use a computer, but I think I can manage.
Just going to be an issue when it comes to school possibly so definitely have to get it fixed at least for that. 
I'm working on finding ways to do what I did on it for the most part while I can't use it. Though it is interesting to see some of the ways that it can be done. Mind you there are limits to how much like a computer I can work on a phone or Kindle. But I am managing since it is just a matter of being creative and working around things like I used to do.
I'm not beat yet not by a long shot. I just have to find ways to work around things for a little while. As I have said before I refuse to be beaten. I will find a way no matter what. I may have setbacks, but I will persevere.
I am taking my chance and making something of myself in society. And, nothing is going to stop me from making that dream come true. For some a good run gets their adrenaline pumping but for me it is writing like I am doing here.
It gets me pumped up and ready to go. I will try the copy and paste method tomorrow just was in a hurry to post today. I wanted to write here so bad. So you may see a second post today. We'll see just depends on how things go.
Sorry if this post is short I will make it up to you in the long run. Feel free to leave questions and comments below. And, please sha re with your friend and family. As for me I am going to see what else I can get done before I eat. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *

Tuesday Thoughts: Dear Dad

            Me and my dad aren’t really good at sharing emotions, just a hang up for us. But we are learning. Pam I hope you are reading this and make sure dad does too. Hopefully it gives him some insight into how I look at him.

Dear Dad,

            Since we started communicating again I have learned a lot of what has gone on in the past as well as what goes on behind closed doors with the family. And, I know you wanted to keep me safe from that part of the family but I would rather be in 100% with you and help you shoulder the burden it can be at times. I’m sorry I caused you so much pain as a teenager. It wasn’t you it was feeling isolated socially that made me run to Portland. And, that wasn’t the best choice for e academically. And, yes I have some problems, but you raised a respectable sun that does his best to run his household responsibly. I’m working on doing better than you did like you hoped I would someday. I hope to make you proud eventually.

            I know you worked a lot when I was a kid because you thought that was what you thought that was the right thing to do as well as you like to keep busy. Me I just wanted my dad around to spend time with. But, I do understand why you did what you did. I also get that you were trying to do with your encouragement method though I pat on the back would have helped me with. But I get it now. I hope you can understand that sports were never really my thing. I’m a geek/nerd. I’m into Science Fiction and Fantasy type stuff. Like tabletop games and computer games. I tried to do well in sports to impress you, but never could quite get it to fit me.

            I get that you wanted me to follow in your footsteps during high school, but I just couldn’t handle the stress. I’m sorry for that. I might have done better with a work from home job as well as studying who knows. But I am glad I worked at Beech Ridge while I did in the summer time. It taught me a valuable skill. That being how to deep fry without a timer. I also want to thank you for helping me be able to work with the Drama Club on the plays I worked on. It was a rewarding experience and I learned a few things as well. Yes, I was bullied in school but thought I had to stand up for myself to fix it. Didn’t want you to have to save my butt every time.

            It worked out in the end. We may clash at times I’m not going to lie. But I am glad you are my dad and I am proud to have you as my dad. I know you don’t get why I want to spend time with you completely. But, it’s because I know I only have you for a limited amount of time and I want to make the most of it. Whether it is BBQs or going to the races or just sitting around telling stories. And, trust me that visit when Matthew and his wife were up that we spend the whole time sitting around telling stories meant a lot to me.

            It was even great when you and me sat watching tank builders building tanks. And I will gladly come watch races with you, but I am bringing something else to do during the less interesting parts of it. Just so I don’t annoy you when you are into it more than me. And, you are definitely invited over for football this fall. I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but I am getting cable. And, I wrote this for the public to see dad because I want them to now I am proud of you and thankful for the things you have done for me. Even though I know I can be a pain in the butt.

            I’ll wrap this up though since I know you aren’t as into reading as me. Just wasn’t a favorite thing of yours as it was mine. So feel free to leave comments and questions. And, everyone is welcome to share this. As for me I am going  back to the grindstone with more writing and studying. *Tips his hat and walks slowly out the door. *

Monday Beginnings: The Baltimore Police Report

            Finally, finals are done with and I can get back to my routine at least for a couple weeks. And, fair warning this is going to be a soap box sort of column today. Tomorrow will be a more personal one.  Now, last week the Justice Department’s Review of the Baltimore Police Department came out. I can’t say I am surprised about the results that show that the department has a problem when it comes to policing African- Americans. But, that does not mean I am giving up on the department and saying the situation is hopeless. It’s going to take some work, but the department can be fine-tuned to being a respectable police department that can be a shining example for the country.

            First you have to root out any of the problem people in the leadership. The ones promoting bad policing. Those that make it hard to report problems and encourage using too much force. As well as those who encourage racial profiling, which has been proven not to work.  You have to have a strong leadership that believes in what you are trying to accomplish or it is not going to succeed. This is part of the foundation you are building.  Once leadership is in order you start encouraging people to start filing complaints and building their trust again within the department.

            Second thing is to get officers a bit loosened up and interacting with the communities they police on a friendlier basis as if they actually belong to the neighborhood and are not just wardens there. Get them eating from the local eateries and talking with the local people about what is going on in the neighborhood. Playing around with the kids when they have some free time. Even helping with homework if they can if it is being done outside. In general, setting a good example for kids to follow as well as adults and being part of the community. It helps build trust and comradery between the community and the officers who police it.  It will take time but stick to it.

            Third as the fine tuning is going on invite the public to be part of the process. Hold meetings for the public to comment on what is working and not working. Make them feel and be part of the fine tuning process. The more the public feels they are heard the happier they will be with the outcome of the fine tuning. And, the end result you are looking for is the public trusting and being happy with its police department once more. The public doesn’t want crime in their streets but they also don’t want cops treating them like second class citizens. They want a police force that inspires confidence and trust among the citizens. As well as feels like part of the community.

            Fourth and final but not least, implement these changes in how future cops are trained. Including what they reach for first in a need for force situation. Teach them de-escalation tactics strongly. Make them train longer if it gets you better officers. Make sure you are only getting the best people to be officers. That is what you want for your police department after all. I don’t mean make them robots, but make sure they can handle the day to day rigors of the job. They can still be human but we don’t want them losing their cool under pressure either. It’s fine if they need to talk to someone after a situation, but they need to be able to handle the situation at the time they are dealing with it. Remember this is about building for the future.

            I’ll climb off m soap box for now, but I can foresee this being a continuing issue for the foreseeable future. Feel free to leave questions and comments below. Share this column with all your friends and family please. As for me I am going to do some reading and call it a day. I apologize for this being so late was a long day. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *