As the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial in Georgia ends, it reminds me of the Casual Killing Act of 1669. The deviant law, the Casual Killing Act of 1669, which devalues Black lives and makes it legal to kill a slave at will with impunity, is far from new. In the case of Ahmaud Arbery, it took several months for his three killers to be charged.

Moreover, the casual killing of slaves” says that if a slave dies while resisting his master, the act will not be presumed to have occurred with “prepensed malice.” While listening to the defense closing statement in Mr. Arbery’s today, it’s evidence that the Casual Killing Act is still in play!

I have another message for Senators Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. It’s still NOT about YOU; It’s “For the People.” I know that you are aware of the games the Republicans play. They pretend to want bipartisan legislation; however, they walk away from voting bipartisan and vote no at the end of the day.

The Republicans’ strategy is to delay, delay, and delay and provide no support. Your baseless accusations about the cost and quality of “Build Back Better” have created catastrophes within your party, and your positions are indefensible.

The game is old, and Democrats must not tolerate their rope a dope strategies anymore, period. Additionally, Mr. Manchin and Ms. Sinema, you both have done well; you have done enough for your sponsors by giving them significant wins.

Now is your time to support your party and stop giving Mitch McConnell the power of the Senate Majority Leader! Mr. Manchin and Ms. Sinema Vote “For The People Act.” Like it says, it’s’ for the people!

Mr. Manchin and Ms. Sinema, The For the People Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally shift power away from wealthy special interests and put it in the hands of everyday people.

The bill, designated as H.R. 1 and S. 1 in Congress, is the boldest, most comprehensive democracy reform legislative package introduced in Congress in decades as it deals with ethics in government, money in politics, voting rights, election security, and gerrymandering.

The bill is multifaceted, addressing voting rights, campaign finance, redistricting, government transparency, and ethics. Many parts of the bill are reforms Common Cause has successfully won at the state and local level, often with bipartisan support. For the People Act is an opportunity to pass these important reforms at the federal level.

So, what is in the bill? Here is a quick snapshot and some highlights, broken down by the three key issue sections of the bill.

Protecting and expanding voting rights and election security:

• Automatic voter registration
• Online voter registration
• Same day voter registration
• Make election day a federal holiday
• Voting rights restoration to people with prior felony convictions
• Expand early voting and simplify absentee voting
• Prohibit voter purges that kick eligible voters off the registration rolls
• Enhance election security with increase support for a paper-based voting system and more oversight over election vendors
• End partisan gerrymandering by established independent redistricting commissions
• Prohibit providing false information about the elections process that discourage voting and other deceptive practices

Reduce the influence of big money in our politics:

• Require secret money organizations that spend money in elections to disclose their donors
• Upgrade online political spending transparency rules to ensure voters know who is paying for the advertisements they see
• Create a small donor-focused public financing matching system so candidates for Congress aren’t just reliant on big money donors to fund their campaigns and set their priorities
• Strengthen oversight rules to ensure those who break our campaign finance laws are held accountable
• Overhaul the Federal Election Commission to enforce campaign finance law
• Prohibit the use of shell companies to funnel foreign money in U.S. elections
• Require government contractors to disclose their political spending

Ensure an ethical government accountable to the people:

• Slow the revolving door between government officials and lobbyists
• Expand conflict of interest law
• Ban members of Congress from serving on corporate boards
• Require presidents to disclose their tax returns publicly
• Overhaul the Office of Government Ethics to ensure more robust enforcement of ethics rules
• Require members of the U.S. Supreme Court abide by a judicial code of ethics

“If the proposed changes above sound like a lot – it is. But the decades of neglect and changing political dynamics demand comprehensive solutions”.

There are significant cracks in the foundation of the U.S. Republican Party, and repairing the fracture will be no easy undertaking. It seems that the Republican Party’s right hand doesn’t know what its left-hand wants to achieve. The U.S. Republican Party has demonstrated a state of dysfunctional behavior that has not emerged in recent history.

Case in point; a majority of GOP in congresspersons voted to send the U.S. economy off the “Fiscal Clift” because Mitch McConnell and friends refused to help raise the federal debt limit. Consequently, the GOP’s stance intensifies a political standoff and risks volatility in the financial markets, creating cracks in the broader economy.

Moreover, the intensity of the do-nothing Republican Party could cause a crisis that will trigger a government shutdown. The GOP’s actions will wreak havoc, not only on the U.S. economy but on the global economy as well. There is a significant leadership vacuum in the Republican Party. It appears that several members of the Republican Party are more concerned about their vulnerability related to future primary challenges in 2022 from the far-right within their party than they are about the tremendous hardships that the financial security than Americans people.

Furthermore, to my astonishment, there are members of the Republican Party that believe that government has no place in solving the problems of the American people. However, these same Republicans fought very hard to get elected to governmental offices. The question is, why are they there? As an alternative to working for the sole purpose of serving the American people, conceivably, they are planning on getting PAID BY attending to the interest of the “Big Money Donors (BMDs)” and “Major Lobbying Groups (MLGs).”

The Republican Party has shown a propensity to be at war with women, the elderly, immigrants, minorities, job creation, infrastructure, gay rights, the environment, green technology, and even science. The people elected GOP congresspersons to solve the multitude of problems facing our nation, yet; we now see that numerous members of the Republican Party are even at war with themselves, putting them at war with the needs of the American people.

Battling President Biden over raising the debt limit is a threat to the U.S. national security. This kind of stupidity will cause a halt to our emerging economic recovery and severely damage the U.S. credit rating.

The American people must stand with President Biden and demand that congressional Republicans earn their generous salaries by working in good faith with the president to pass sensible legislation and solve the fiscal and social crisis facing this nation.

More importantly, the people must pressure the Republicans’ corporate paymasters to force them to cease any actions that will remotely harm the U.S and global economies.

The Taliban Takeover Of Their Country, Afghanistan, Could Be A Victory For The Afghanistan People And Global Community

After retaking their country, the 21st century Taliban leadership has an opportunity to create a new paradigm that includes designing and developing a responsible governing body to manage a new nation.

Since taking power, the Taliban held their first press conference by declaring “amnesty” for government officials and vowing to uphold women’s rights under Islamic law. They also stated that they “have pardoned all those who have fought against them. The Taliban also stated that “Animosities have come to an end,” and they “don’t want to have any problems with the international community.”

Most world leaders are skeptical of their words; however, we must observe their deeds. It is to the Taliban’s advantage to be civil; consequently, thus far, they have presented themselves in a largely peaceful and cooperative manner. We have an opportunity for the world community to participate in this peaceful transition of power. Regional nations and the world community must work with these 21st-century Afgan leaders to form a government for all of Afghanistan.

The world community can influence the new Afghan leadership to develop a peaceful model of governance. Also, to grow their country, the new Afghan leadership must avoid a massive Brain Drain of the country’s talent pool. Moving forward, the United Nations should call a special session and encourage the Taliban to present their new Afghan vision and method of operation.

Lets’ be clear, the Taliban are members of the Afghan families, and indeed they have undoubtedly learned from past mistakes. Since their principally peaceful unchallenged advance into the Afghan capital, they have presented themselves as a responsible governing force. There is a proven method for the world community to make sure that this continued.

Following the Haitian revolution in 1804, France and its Western Allies forced Haiti to pay massive reparations to France before recognizing Haiti’s Sovereignty and ending the nation’s political and economic isolation. These immoral debt payments to France were as much as 80 percent of Haiti’s, a new country, overall revenue.

I am not advising major powers to force the new Taliban government to pay for recognizing its sovereignty and its’ ability to engage in the global political and economic systems. This action would also be immoral; however, the Taliban must know that treating their people well will determine their inclusion or exclusion by the world community.

Similar to the natural resources in Haiti, Afghanistan is also Rich But Poor By Design. World powers are well aware that the nation of Afghanistan has an abundance of natural resources that could make it one of the richest mining regions in the world. “The major mineral resources include chromium, copper, gold, iron ore, lead and zinc, lithium, marble, precious and semiprecious stones, sulfur and talc, and many other minerals.”

In closing, ending the deplorable practice of “bacha bazi” by wealthy or prominent Afghans exploiting underage boys as sexual partners who are often dressed up as women to dance at gatherings is a must. The fall of the Taliban government in late 2001, coupled with the stream of donor money transferred into Afghanistan, empowered Afgan warlords, former military commanders, and wealthy business people to expand their practice of exploiting underage boys. This practice is illegal in most countries, and allied powers cannot continue to remain complicit in the sexual exploitation of children.

The World Community is Better than that!

The January 6 Bipartisan House Select Committee investigating the riot at the United States Capitol will hold their first interviews today, Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The House Select Committee’s mission is to find the truth related to the 1/6/ U.S. Capitol Riot and make sure that it never happens again. To achieve this goal, the Select Committee must identify the radicalization process of these Home Grown terrorists.

For the Bipartisan House Select Committee to successfully find the truth, there must be an acceptable SET of FACTS! Let’s be clear, no one involved in this process has a right to their own set of facts. More importantly, so-called “alternative facts” have no place in a legitimate investigation period.

The world communities witnessed the 1/6 Domestic Terrorists who attacked the U.S. Capitol. We watched in disbelief as tens of thousands of Trump followers storming the Capitol, stealing and destroying government property. The mob brutalized Capital police and inflected terror and fear in the former Vice President, lawmakers, and Capital Hill Staffers. The rioters’ sole intent was to stop Job Biden’s certification as the 46th President of the United States.

Many of the individuals who participated on January 6, 2021, Domestic Terror attack on the U.S. Capitol put their lives and freedom on the line behind a Big treasonist LIE, the biggest in U.S. history. The Domestic Terrorist storm the Capitol on January 6 to foment a coup against our legitimately elected 2020 President, Joe Biden. Former President Trump could have done the most effortless thing in his presidency by ensuring a “Peaceful Transition of Power.” He lied, and he failed himself and the Nation!

The riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 has led to one of the most significant criminal investigations in American history. Based on public documents related to the domestic terrorist attack, five people died, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer and, the government has brought charges against more than 550 individuals. All Americans must closely monitor these cases.

The United States of America is once again at a reflection point. The most troubling revolution of 1/6 Domestic Terrorists attack at the Capitol was current and former law enforcement officers, military service members, and veterans. Our duty as citizens of this Nation is to regain a true sense of the meaning of Law and Order and punish the perpetrators and instigators of the Big Lie. For this Democracy to survive and thrive, we must ensure that no one is Above the Law in America.

Breaking News, the State of Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the state must expand Medicaid to low-income residents. The Missouri Supreme Court agreed that the people’s ballot initiative that voters approved last year was constitutional. Thousands of low-income Missourians will gain medical coverage under Medicaid expansion.

People in the other 12 states have yet to expand Medicaid, all with Republican governors or GOP-controlled legislatures must pass ballot measures to demand that they receive medical coverage under Medicaid expansion. Medicaid expansion saves lives every day.

The richest country in the world can and must do better by its’ low-income residents.

Let’s be clear, Haiti has continued to be punished by many in the global community for fighting and obtaining its’ independence from France. Sixth-five years before African-Americans won their freedom in the United States, Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Henry Christophe prevailed over the French, and Dessalines declared Haiti independent in 1804. As a Melanated Nation, Hait has one distinctive characteristic with many of her African sister nations: Rich but Poor by Design.

On January 12, 2010, one of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history leveled the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. The earthquake that killed more than 150,000 of Haiti’s beloved people unmasked some sinister secrets that most Western nations have known for years. The earthquake revealed that Haiti has oil reserves the size of Venezuela’s or more extensive. Moreover, Haiti also has tremendous resources of Gold & Minerals like Iridium.

For many years, the world community has labeled Haiti the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, suppressing the news of its great wealth. Governments and individuals who have worked in ways to prohibited Haiti from using its natural resources to promote sustainable economic development benefiting the Haitian people have, in many ways, violated the spirit of humanity and the United Resolution 1803, 3171, and 3201.

Facts About Haiti’s Natural Resource Wealth:

“Scientists Daniel and Ginette Mathurin indicate that Haitian soil is rich in oil and fossil fuel, and gold which Haitian and foreign experts collected. “We have identified 20 sites Oil, launches Daniel Mathurin stating that 5 of them are considered very important by practitioners and policies.

“The Central Plateau, including the region of Thomond, the plain of the cul-de-sac, and the bay of Port-au-Prince, is filled with oil, he said, adding that Haiti’s oil reserves are larger than those of Venezuela. An Olympic pool compared to a glass of water that is the comparison to show the importance of oil Haitian compared to those of Venezuela, “he explains.”

All Haitians must realize that their glorious nation in the Caribbean is not poor but enormously wealthy. The proof is as close as their computers and the internet. It is time for Haitians in the diaspora worldwide to work in unison with their people in-country to ensure that Haiti’s natural resources lift its mighty people that have suffered far too long.

Haitians suffered unimaginable for many years under French rule. After the revolution, they suffered under the control of foreign appointed and endorsed dictators who showed the Haitian people no mercy, respect, and love.

Haitian people must not see the glass as half-empty; contrarily, their glass is truly half-full and growing fuller all the time. Additionally, Haitians have every right to stand tall and be proud of their historical past. The Haitian Revolution, which lasted from (1791–1804), was the only slave revolt that led to the founding of a new nation. Haitians and all people of African descent worldwide should be very proud of their people living on this small Caribbean island nation for achieving a monumental triumph over a powerful oppressor.

Most people throughout the world have no idea about one of the most disturbing twists in the aftermath of the Haitian revolution; that being, Haiti was forced, by France and its Western Allies, to pay massive reparations to France. France, the colonizer, demanded this pound of flesh before recognizing Haiti’s Sovereignty and ending the nation’s political and economic isolation. What a concept, the oppressed forced to pay the oppressor. These payments set back Haiti’s economic development for generations. Today, Haitians are still feeling the crushing economic pain.

Fact: African-Americans and our brothers and sisters throughout the Caribbean Islands are still fighting for reparations for the enslavement, stolen labor, and brutal mistreatment of our forefathers and mothers in the Americas. 

Haiti’s Sad fact, many in Haiti’s elites identified more with the French colonists than their Haitian brothers and sisters. One of the most atrocious actions of Jean-Claude Duvalier during his 15-year presidency was his participation in the cover-up regarding Haiti’s resource wealth.

Duvalier was well aware of Haiti’s resource wealth; however, he used designer poverty to kill thousands of his own people and negatively affected the health of thousands more. At the same time, he maintained the continued support of Prime Ministers and Presidents from around the world. Western powers were complicit in Duvalier’s dastardly deeds committed without any signs of remorse or regret.

In the 1990–91 Haitian general election, The honorable Jean-Bertrand Aristide became Haiti’s first democratically elected president. Aristide won his election with 67% of the vote. Following a brief military coup in September 1991, Aristide was president again from 1994 to 1996 and 2001 to 2004.

Aristide was ousted in the 2004 coup d’état after right-wing ex-army paramilitaries invaded the country from across the Dominican border. Aristide and many others have alleged that the United States had a role in orchestrating the coup against him.

Former U.S President George Bush forced him into exile in the Central African Republic and eventually to South Africa. He finally returned to Haiti in 2011 after seven years in exile. Western governments and their Haitian collaborators punished President Jean-Bertrand Aristide for simply loving his people.

Let’s be clear, Haiti’s natural resources belong to the Haitian people, period! Haiti’s diamonds and gold, natural gas, and oil reserves could dramatically accelerate Haiti’s economic recovery and enable the Haitian People to become self-sufficient. It would allow Haiti’s leaders to push for financial independence through trade and industry rather than promised handouts! Haiti can achieve higher economic growth rates and rising prosperity by comprehensively implementing the “Aristide Plan.” Haiti must also find an honest broker to extract revenue from the abundance of its’ natural resources. This strategy will vastly enhance all Haitians’ quality of life and quickens the nation’s economic development.

U.N. Resolutions 1803, 3171, and 3201 provide Haiti, Africa, and other states permanent full title and ownership over their natural resources.

Breaking News “The U.N. human rights chief on Monday urged countries to “fully fund comprehensive processes” and take “a wide range of reparations measures” to address the legacies of slavery, colonial rule, and racial discrimination.”

France must be first in line to and reverse its’ cruel treatment of Haiti. After Haiti won its independence from France in 1804, however, Freedom from France in 1804 did not mean an end to foreign powers intervening in Haiti. Like most colonial powers, the French, democratically ruled at home, had/have no desire to see free Haitian/African people live in and enjoy democracy.

France only recognized an independent Haiti in 1825 after its former Haiti agreed to pay compensation and reparations that would be worth $22 billion today. Over the next 120 years, Haiti had to pay an annual fee for its national Sovereignty. These debt payments to France were as much as 80 percent of Haiti’s revenues. Now, does the world community understand why Haiti is still struggling to feed and house its people?

HISTORICAL FACT: “During the nearly two-decade occupation, the United States controlled Haiti’s security and finances. It also imposed racial segregation, forced labor, press censorship, and deposed presidents and legislatures that opposed the U.S. presence. Some fifteen thousand Haitians were killed in rebellions against the U.S. administration, the bloodiest of which occurred in 1919 and 1929. President Franklin D. Roosevelt withdrew U.S. troops in 1934 as part of his Good Neighbor Policy.”

The latest news stated that “Israeli ground forces joined attack on Gaza on Friday, representing a major escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants as they edged toward all-out war.” Let’s be clear, people, this is not a war; it’s a massacre. Israel has the most sophisticated weapon systems in existence. Israel also controls the airspace and the territorial waters of the Gaza Strip. This situation limits Palestinian’s rights to freedom of movement and impairs Gaza’s ability to carry out foreign trade.

Israeli ground forces attacks on Gaza is very similar to the slow-motion murder of George Floyd in front of the eyes of global humanity. The world community must stand up and speak out against this pending slaughter of human beings. Mainstream media must not try to indicate that there is some level of equivalency here! Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing criminal charges, appears to use the airstrikes and ground forces against Gaza to save his political career and stave off his corruption allegations.

“According to the health ministry in Gaza, 103 people were killed, including 27 children and 11 women, while 580 people were wounded.” “In Israel, there have been six Israelis killed, including a six-year-old child.” Just like the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol Building in Washington DC, It appears that what we are witnessing in Israel/Gaza conflict is a total collapse of the rule of law.

Israel, like any nation, has the right to defend itself; however, when does a nation’s or an individual’s action cross over from proportionate legitimate defense to genocidal disproportionality? Its’ time for leaders from around the WORLD to say full-throatily that enough is enough. If world leaders don’t do anything, they become complicit in this rapidly developing genocide.

I have a message for Senator Jon Tester of Montana, Senator, Kyrsten Sinema, of Arizona, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. It’s not about YOU; It’s “For the People.” I know that you are aware of the games the Republicans played during former President Obama’s Administration. Former President Obama made a concerted effort to work in a bipartisan manner. Republicans pretended to want to work with him; however, in the end, they voted against him at every turn.

I ask that you all don’t turn your back on the American people. History is in the making, and “we the people” need you to be on the right side of history. Your future collective votes will either save this democracy or hand it over to the demons.

If either of you is waiting for the Republicans to be bipartisan, please listen to statements made by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “McConnell said the bill would not get a single Senate GOP vote, despite the White House’s bipartisan outreach”.

 If you need any clarification regarding Republicans’ support, McConnell has given you the answer. You were elected to serve the needs of the American people. As I stated earlier, its’ not about you. Now is your time to be “For The People.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told you all you need to know. Democratic Senators Jon Tester, Kyrsten Sinema, and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, its’ time to VOTE yes on:

Racism Is An Expanding Global Sickness That’s Spreading around the World, like the viciousness of the Coronavirus. We often think we control national and global racism and its wicked and devious ways; however, it resurfaces with a vindictive vengeance again and again. Moral people must collectively cut the head off this race-based snake called racism.

Republican legislators, in several states, like the race-based snake, are passing laws designed to protect drivers who Hit protesters. Over the last year, anti-racism protestors and demonstrators have had to defend themselves from vehicular assault from police and many times from white racists without moral authority nor supremacy.

These so-called bombastic laws grant civil immunity to drivers who ram their vehicles into anti-racism protesters, sometimes injuring or killing them. The only justification these drivers need is to claim that the protests made them concerned “for their own well-being at the moment.” Republican legislators designed these criminally intent laws to end legitimate national protest movements and to silence dissent.

These new states’ laws make one think of the Virginia “Casual killing Act of 1669.” It also give civil immunity to whites only when they felt like killing a person of color. They are a form of Stand Your Grounds by Car. These laws are very dangerous and patently inhumane. Is this the kind of America we dream of?

What we have here is another “American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) designed legislation.