Can We Discuss Brother Cornel West For A Moment?

UPDATE: August 11, 2024

I've been posting information about Dr. West's campaign originally because I was really thinking he'd have a chance to do something.  But, as time as past; and the dynamics of the presidential race has changed, I'm liking the team of Harris/Walz more and more.  

I'll continue to post information from Dr. West form time to time because I still think he could be a strong voice for progressives. But I'm refocusing my personal energy to cover politics in general.  I'm hoping Dr. West will reorganize and use the energy and goodwill he has garnered to do something positive to work with Harris/Walz to bring progressive issues to the forefront. 

Original Post Below: 

I really, really think he would be an interesting and effective President. Yes, he is a bit eccentric. Yes he has a lot of jazz references. No, he's not the "clean cut" candidate you might be used to seeing.

And yet, he is still very well read and abreast on issues. A freedom fighter, who has a command on the English language and is not afraid to use both his inside and outside voice. Check out some his platform and videos. You'll find that he might be the candidate for you too.

If you are thinking about staying home and not participating at all in the November elections, consider at least coming out to vote for Progressives …and their Democrat allies, to fill as many seats as possible in the House and Senate.  

Congress needs to be rid of the foolishness and folly of Republicans.  They are not serious about their

4 Things to Consider to Stay Productive and Motivated While Working Remotely

For many people, working from home is the ideal situation as it helps cut down on the costs associated with work; and helps mesh work into their lifestyle.  So I think corporations and management should keep that same energy that they had when asking people to work during the peak of the pandemic. Having said that -

1. Management should approach the solution of working from home as an extension to working from the office -- even if they never go back to the office again. Communicating with employees using various technologies like phone text, Zoom meetings, Google chat, WhatsApp, and even Skype --can increase  esprit de corps (spirit of the group) among team members.
2. Assume the motivation is already there... until proven not to be.  Then use conflict/resolution strategies to find out what's going on just as you would during a counseling session, or a one-on-one session, back in the office.
3. Ensure everyone is familiar with, and skilled in, the use of applications and technologies being used by the organization. Sometimes, people need additional training

The First Thing That Must Go Is Qualified Immunity

The NAACP Legal Defense Fund defines Qualified Immunity as more or less a rule that is used to protect law enforcement officers and other government officials from being held accountable when they violate people's constitutional rights.  It is not a law.  And it is a problem when we as a people work to hold officials and officers accountable.  

There is nothing that needs to be put on a ballot; nor law that needs to be overturned.  Current laws just needs to be applied and upheld just as they are for ordinary people.

It seems like a simple fix, but there doesn't seem to be the willingness to ensure that it is done.  I believe once they realize that the law also applies to them, they'll immediately stop some of the atrocities that are currently inflicting upon others.  They don't get to have a gun, taser, stick and partner and say they feared for their lives.  

If that is the case, then they should look for another job.  And if  then the police forces say that they can't find anyone to fill the jobs, then maybe they are trying to fill the wrong jobs or find another way to address the issues.

In short, there needs to be a revamping of the system.  Now is the time to do it.

#QualifiedImmunity #Justice #

VA Should Not Be Its Own Entity (Part 1)

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), especially the Claims side of the VA,  should not be its own entity; especially the VA Claims.  It seems like it's one big money laundering scheme for the private sector.   

Full disclosure, I'm a Veteran.  And actually, the Services side of VA is pretty decent.   But the Claims side is mad awful.  This is about me and other veterans who have gone through the system only to be denied by people who have never served in the actual military a day in their life.

This is going to be a post that damn well might turn into an eBook because that's how much I have to say about this matter and how salty the "system" can make you feel.  And I hope every Service Member who has ever served thinks about this for themselves and for future Service Members.

Let's explore a few things.

Of the approximate 331,441,281 plus Americans identified in the 2020 Census, less than 50 million have served in any branch of service over the history of the country.  I found this Census Bureau pdf about Veterans very interesting.  In one section it mentions a "Declining size of the veteran population"…  Let's just say what it is.  They are DYING off, many without