The Ferguson Grand Jury's Decision

The Ferguson grand jury's decision not to indict the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, 18, fueled a back-lash of protests in Missouri as well as across the nation and Internally. The August 9th shooting in 2014 put a spotlight on issues facing the Ferguson Police and its community.

Looting and protests of the shooting became the norm of a community at odds with its police force. Confrontations with the police blanketed television news stations as social media exposed countless scenes involving police and protesters.

Every action has a re-action to it. It applies to all life. Looting is a crime, brings negative attention and law enforcement gets involved. The anger heightens as both looters and police occupy the same space. The people looting, burning property and destroying their own neighborhoods could of used the  opportunity to be heard through meetings with officials. The opportunity presented offered a means to get resources for education, learning more about getting a police force that look more like the community for a start. A property destroyed hurts a community and requires funds to replace it, or maybe it never is replaced.

The grand jury's decision picked open racial profiling which stabs at the minds and attitudes of some African Americans on the justice system. There's the problem in Ferguson of people not feeling that their government hears them, Joe Hubbard, a former state representative. Problems happens when a community and the police force look nothing alike.

A simple truth is stop when asked to by a police officer. It is not the time to argue, struggle or question the officer. You can protest after the incident is over and you are home. Contact a legal help organization or a lawyer.

The grand jury's decision not to indict drove anger levels up as December is to arrive. Missouri protesters temporarily shut down the St. Louis Galleria Mall per news reports. The mall later re-opened Friday. Protesting took place in Philadelphia, PA, Boston, MA and other U.S. Cities.

The Bill Cosby Sex Scandal

The Bill Cosby sex scandal has twisted and turned upside-down many lives. The rumors of sexual misconduct by Cosby goes back over ten years, but picked up after a social media stunt. The stunt involved fans to meme Cosby. It did not go as planned for the Cosby camp. He has denied the sexual misconduct claims until recently.    

The allegations against Cosby involved drugging and sexually assaulting young women. The misconduct started as far back as the 1970s (http://www.vulture.com/2014/09/timeline-of-the-abuse-charges-against-cosby.html). Lawsuits have been filed.  

There is no doubt about the number of women who have made allegations against Cosby. Many people are asking on social media, in homes and alone: Could the beloved father figure, sitcom star and comedian be a serial rapist?

The Bill Cosby sex scandal entered into an even more disturbing platform. 'That the Bill Cosby sex scandal was created...' The question of what happened in Ferguson is very new. The Cosby sex scandal extends to more than a decade.   

The Bill Cosby sex scandal began long before Michael Brown's death. Conversation about the misconduct has been going on for years. The difference is that women are finding the courage speak-out and be heard. There is no comparison of what the Brown family lost and the Bill Cosby sex scandal. The two are in different categories.   

Cosby has not been in front of a judge or jury. He has not been charged legally with anything. He had a stand-up comedy routine that pokes fun at drugging women's drinks in 1969. Was it just a matter of business or truth to it?  

The Bill Cosby sex scandal is an on-going debate in the public forum. He has supporters as well as non-supporters. "Mr. Cosby does not intend to dignify these allegations with any comment," John P. Schmitt, Cosby's lawyer.

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby is a name that ushers a smile to my face for more than one reason. He and I were born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the neighborhoods of Germantown was Cosby's home. I spend time in the area of Germantown. He. too, attended Temple University. Only, I graduated whereas Cosby did not. Cosby's ability to bring laughter borders beyond a degree. 

The allegations of inappropriate conduct of Cosby toward women started about a decade ago. Cosby denied them. He did not have a trial, judge or jury. The allegations are not true? People near and far are weighing in on the allegations. Some believe he is guilty while his fans are standing by the beloved father figure.

The old allegations of misconduct in regard to women took on new life when a social media stunt that requested fans to meme Cosby turned against him. Until recently, Cosby maintained that he did not drug and sexually assault young women.

I visited my Facebook feed to see stories and comments for and against Cosby. Facebook is not the only platform where people are expressing their views. Some are at the point of fighting words. The streets of Philadelphia, office cubicles, homes near and far are in discussion about the allegations.

People are in disagreement on questions about Cosby's responses to the media, or his reactions to reporters. Cosby had a chance to address the allegations to a NPR reporter. Crosby would not answer any questions. The opportunity for him to comment on the allegations arrived through The Associated Press. Only, Cosby had no comment. At the end of the interview, Cosby told the reporter asking about the sexual misconduct was of low integrity, and Cosby wanted that portion of the interview taken out.  

Allegations against Cosby has taken a different turn. According to Deadspin, Cosby bullied an All American football player (http://deadspin.com/bill-cosby-once-publicly-bullied-a-notre-dame-football-1661325778). Cosby had been invited to speak at the school.

Bill Cosby has become more than a home-town personality. The allegations of drugging and sexual misconduct of young women who approached him for career advice will be proved or disproved in time. Facts are what can bring justice, truth and comfort.     

 

Happiness Is?

Happiness is you and your choices. Many people wonder if they will experience happiness or have happiness visit their lives again. The answer is yes. "I Am Responsible For My Own Happiness" applies to you. Choose positive choices that swings your mood to happy. It's not the choice to make someone else happy, but a choice that makes you smile. Let's look at paths to a better you.

1. Pull-up the courage to wave good-bye to whatever brings you sadness.
    It's impossible to be positive when you're around negative people or those
    who find pleasure in hurting others.

2. Dr. Martin Seligman who pioneered positive Psychology suggests "positive" emotions.
    The happiest people discovered their strengths and used them. Sometimes, you have to
    find courage to speak-up, stand-up and be heard.

    I, for example, wrote the book: Start Writing.
    Start Writing is the writer’s hand-book for common sense techniques to inspire remarkable writing   projects. It walks you through setting-up appointments to get writing done, explains the best use for breaks and gives advice on a writing session‘s potential. There’s a right and better way to do most things in life. I discuss the effective way to use writing prompts. The topic turns to putting your own spin into writing ideas. Writing ideas are churned-out using your own spin with your experiences and views of the World stirred-in. The techniques in this book helps you develop your “voice and more.” 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW9HNF0

3. Be mindful of your thoughts.
    The issues and activities you ponder over and are interested in becomes a life-style. They curve-out your  
     personality. The life changing thoughts like: I'll grow my business everyday or I'll not be dragged into  
     others' misery shapes a person.

4. Bad experiences topple into life.
    You, for example, call to cancel the cable service. The cable company all but says "no." The experience is
     a bad one. Learn from it. Use what you learned in a similar situation.

5. Plant a looking-forward-to project.

    Look at your circumstances. What can you make or sell to help yourself? Your happiness? Turn it into a 

    business. Start with people you know.

6. Talents. 
    Decide on what talents you have. Talents are the first steps toward a brighter and happier   
    tomorrow. Use your talents. I used my talent of word power to write a book, not my first. Now, explore      your talents. What will you create?

7. Believe.
     It's no harm in feeling unsure, but hold onto believing in yourself. Believe you can. It may not get finished  
     today, tomorrow or next week. The goal is to keep working, moving forward and happiness is yours.

The Facts on Ebola

The facts of Ebola stops unnecessary fear. They help you understand better how-to handle the fear associated with this often fatal disease. The public at large is not doomed to get Ebola, because the risk is low. The five major airports in the U. S. are checking people who have arrived from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to news reports.

People who have visited or are from the above countries will be checked by public health workers. The process is to last 21 days for possible symptoms of Ebola, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The symptoms of Ebola are fever, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, aches and weakness. The symptoms can resemble other diseases in the early stages.

The facts on Ebola are that those handling or in contact with the bodily fluids of a person infected can be at risk. People working with animals that have the virus are at a higher risk as well. A contaminated needle when not handled properly poses a threat. 

There are travel warnings for "non-essential travel to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The U. S. is taking the highest precautions for public safety. The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that travel to the countries with an Ebola out-break be limited, or counsels against "non-essential" travel.

The facts of Ebola brings new challenges, and the U. S. is still working on the totality of it. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration to date has not approved a treatment for the virus. An experimental anti-body based drug is being considered. The drug is named ZMapp. Also, plasma from people who have over-come Ebola is being considered and used.