“No Words for the Unspeakable” Ushers in a New Generation of Change

I am just at a loss. The past few days have been added to the list of “Darkest Days in America” because of the innocence taken from an elementary school Newtown, Connecticut.  It is a moment of “where were you when…” and “what’s next for the nation”…among many other questions.  Never in my life have I seen an American President openly show emotions for an atrocity so horrendous as the one of Friday, December 14, 2012. [I want to say President Clinton did after Columbine, but I honestly don’t remember it as powerful as President Obama’s remarks.] It is because of a lone gunman, who was just twenty years (just five years my junior) took the innocent lives of 20 children ages six and seven. It didn’t stop there though. He further stole the lives of six adults including the principle of the school and a first grade teacher who was just TWO YEARS older than I am. The shooter’s name will not be mentioned at all from me, because, I agree with Anderson Cooper…he had enough coverage and deserves no more time as he did multiple unspeakable acts within a mere ten minutes or more.

I have been trying to figure some things out.  Yesterday, I posted on Facebook that we should hold off on the political commentary and focus on the families and others affected by this tragedy.  I figured a week would be appropriate; however, the time to speak is now.  This is the second shooting within a week. I would like to just discuss some things going through my head as I think it would be the best way to attempt to cope with this tragedy.  While I am not directly affected, and while I have no children of my own, I feel that as a future parent and as someone’s child (not to mention a constitutional right) I have just as much right to talk as the next person.  I am not here to say my thoughts or ideas are the right and only way; but, I am here to offer my thoughts and contribute them to the conversation that will need to take plan sooner rather than later. I am not an advocating for stricter laws or better healthcare or any other political stance.  I am advocating for common sense, respect, and a potential gateway to having a constructive dialogue to help diminish the violence that we are finding more and more within our daily lives. So here it goes…

I do know that the United States Constitution has a second amendment referring to firearms. In fact, I know it well. It says:

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Now for me, I have to think about this for a while. Please bear in mind that I have only taken one legal class (and it was Legal Environment of Business) and was president of the Pre-Law Club in college. To me, the right to bear arms is clear: citizens can do that. I also know that in order to protect a state, citizens can be in a militia…which I think of as the National Guard of a state. Each state has a national guard (e.g. “The Texas National Guard”, “The North Carolina National Guard”, etc).  One key word that I think people often overlook is the word “regulated”.  I think that this word alone allows policy-makers to regulate the laws and determine which firearms are restricted to solely those protecting the free state and not to the citizens of the state. I understand that many citizens hunt, which is fine.  However, I don’t find a reason why someone would use an AR-15, or another semi-automatic gun, to hunt deer or medium game animals. I have many friends who hunt and I have asked some of them and they say that kind damage done by the ammunition would either destroy or spoil the meat. I honestly don’t know because I don’t hunt, although I have hunted in the past.  Again, I am not advocating for stricter laws, I am merely trying to make sense of all of this and how we can move forward. Guns can be a good thing; but they must be regulated as outlined in the Constitution.

Another thing I would like to mention: why is the shooter being considered as “a mentally-imbalanced person” or “a deranged young man”?  Why not consider him a domestic terrorist? A terrorist by definition is:

“A person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism” or even “a person who terrorizes or frightens others”. (by the way, the part of speech is considered to be a noun)

 Now, some things come to mind.  While we still don’t know the motive, some things could be made: 1) not ideal childhood in school so why should these innocent ones have a better one (selfish); 2) done days after a mall shooting in Oregon (either “copy-cat” or “one up”); 3) done during Hanukkah (religious harm); and 4) wants attention to compensate for said childhood experience.  Clearly I have no answers regarding these observations, but the one thing I can deduce is that this shooter killed innocent lives and has once again instilled fear into not only those families but millions of parents in the United States. To me, that’s a terrorist. I don’t understand the difference is between this shooter and a member of Al-Qaeda.  They both destroy lives and themselves. They commit cowardly acts for those that commit horrendous crimes against humanity…and innocent lives at that.

So the second thing I would like to discuss is the topic of health. No, I’m not going to talk about The Affordable Care Act or it’s other alias. Since the law is not discriminatory, it allows every citizen to the same healthcare benefits as others.  It includes a broad range of things, including Mental Health. In fact, there are at least two different sections in two different titles addressing enhancements in Mental Health.  Of course, there is always more we can do to improve mental health within our country.  One of the things I keep hearing is that there should be more funding for mental health, yet the same people who want states to do more are in deficits.  In fact, mental health needs to be addressed in every state…but as states can’t handle some of these demands, they rely on the federal government for this…and ironically, the federal government has responded.  It is interesting that the only time people need the federal government is when something bad happens and when they can’t rely on their states for ways to help.

It seems that we can come to a common sense approach regarding this issues of guns, violence, and the future of the United States. Yes, citizens are guaranteed the right to own guns in their own homes. Yes, the states have a right to protect themselves…which is why they have national guard unites within their state lines. I do think there is a certain line of balance that needs to be addressed with regards to the second amendment.  I think more of the emphasis needs to be focused on “regulated” and less on the words “right to bear arms”. If we regulate guns and take the appropriate steps, hopefully we can reduce the deadly shootings within the United States each year.  Nobody should live in fear that the next movie they see will be their last; or that new shirt in the mall will never be purchased, or that they will see their child off to school only to find out that they won’t be coming home with homework ever again.

This is one final thing that crosses my mind regarding these tragic events. I would like to address anyone that says that the reason this happened is because of the lack of God in our country or that he has been banned from schools via school prayer: How Dare you! I mean seriously, who the hell do you think you are attempting to tell grieving families that the reason they lost their children is because God isn’t allowed in the school building?  Furthermore, I would love to challenge anyone to prove that God was not in that school building. The fact is we can’t prove or disprove he wasn’t. It is entirely selfish for ANY follower of God to attempt to rationalize any actions they think their God makes. As far as I am concerned and through my teachings and personal studying regarding the subject, God would never harm the innocent and even told his followers to allow the little children see him. Not to mention that it is NOT the time to even attempt to thrust your religious beliefs on those who lost loved ones. I mean, do you plan to tell those same grieving parents that if their children weren’t saved then they were in Hell??? I mean, how screwed up and how selfish do you have to be to bring your own religious beliefs to the conversation.  This is also a violation of those mourning parents’ constitutional right to not be blasted with religious rhetoric. I do happen to believe the United States Constitution has wording that validates the separation of church and state.  Religion, personally speaking, is a private matter and should NEVER be used to try and boost attendance on Sunday services or used as scare tactics. I also firmly think that Mike Huckabee, and others, who claim this event happened because of the lack of God in schools should formally apologize to every single parent who lost an innocent child and should resign from whatever position they are on – if they are on a television network – and return to the pulpit where they belong!

The only solution I can offer is that we stand up.  This has to be the last straw for the American public. I am challenging everyone who reads this, especially those that are a part of my generation, to get involved and let your voice be heard.  I know many in my generation are outraged at the past events of the past six months. We are the 21^st Century “Generation of Change”.  We are at the forefront of many important issues. Regardless of beliefs, I think it is important that those who care about humanity and strive to co-exist will find a way.  Here in the United States, our struggle is with how to enact laws to not violate the constitutional rights of all Americans. 

Again, I am still concerned with the recent events that have taken place in Newtown, Connecticut.  I am not well-versed in gun laws.  I am, however, am a human being who thinks that we need to change some things in order to better society. I don’t want the United States to become the nation as gun deaths rising by 50% each month. What I can promise, though, it to become more engaged in these conversations (after educating myself on all aspects of these tense dialogues). In the meantime, I will continue to send positive thoughts to the families of those affected in Newton; I will continue to support teachers 100%; I will continue to push for common-sense laws to ensure children can’t lose their innocence to vicious cowards; and, I will continue to be an American that has had enough of members of Congress who claim to represent the will of their constituents, yet continue to vote against their interests because they receive funding from groups that want to advance their own interests. I will stand up and I will fight for all Americans…it’s the very least I can do to ensure these unspeakable acts don’t happen to any parent or child again. I am part of the new “Generation of Change” and I am not backing down…and neither should you!

Raised in the South[ern Political Scene]

          I predicted Rick Perry would drop out to become the GOP Presidential nominee (last night as well as a week ago).  This is due to his low polling numbers and his inability to finish a coherent, or valid point, in any debate.  Besides, I can't image the voters would want their next president to come from Texas (after President Obama's second term...and no offense to any Texans I know).  I also know that Jon Huntsman dropped out this week; I wish Perry had of done so before Huntsman.
          Okay, with two days left until the South Carolina Presidential Primary, it is only fitting to briefly discuss the Palmetto State.  After that, I'll give my predictions. Now, my predictions will be a little harder to solidify mainly because a lot has taken place within the past five hours and everything goes back to square three (figuratively-speaking).  In addition, I couldn't give an accurate prediction because:
1) I don't have a PhD...yet;
2) South Carolina is tough to call because only two GOP candidates have campaigned and been in official primary polls before (Romney & Paul), and
3) I live in North Carolina - the better of the two states as life is better on top of things.

          South Carolina is one of the states with the highest unemployment rates in the country- currently 9.2% if I remember correctly.  This is surely above the national average of 8.4%.  In addition to a horrid job market, South Carolinians are relatively influenced by religion. Over half of all residents of the Palmetto State are evangelical Christians and believe in the King James Bible (which is not a bad thing, but it can be used as a highly effective way to reach out to voters).  South Carolina's devotion to raising revenue is not just found in Religion; it is also found in its travel and tourism industry.  For this sector of the state economy, the focal points include Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Charleston, Columbia (the state capital for those that are not good with geography), and even Spartanburg & Greenville.
          The south offers a lot of wonders...in South Carolina, not so much.  I still have yet to understand, or have been explained the reasoning, why South Carolina is so important to be considered worthy of being the "Primary of the South" breadwinner for professional politics.  I would image there are way better places within the southern states that could represent the "Southern Vote" than the state of South Carolina.  Heck, even from a historical standpoint the capital of the Confederation was never in South Carolina, Sherman's March did NOT go through Columbia or anywhere else in the Palmetto State, Gettysburg was in Pennsylvania, and Fort Sumpter is in South Carolina but it wasn't even that big of a deal (I know I'll get an earful from all my History-fanatic friends later on that issue).  Even though South Carolina was the first to secede from the Union, this does not make it valid for them to be dubbed as "first primary in the south and what we say goes" because - the end of the day - South Carolina: fought in a war...and lost, good reprimanded, supported slavery, had their economy crushed because of said issues, acted like a five year-old by rebelling, and has good places to get food (real BBQ comes from NORTH Carolina).
         
          Anyway, onto the importance of predicting the South Carolina GOP Presidential Primary:

          1st - Romney 33%
          2nd - Gingrich 31%
          3rd - Santorum 19 %
          4th - Paul 17%          

          After everything settles down in South Carolina - and the lights go out in Georgia (don't ask) - all eyes will turn onto the Sunshine State...and no, it's not Ohio! While I have many friends from Florida, I hope they have stepped up their voting procedures since the last election cycles. I mean, honestly, we don't need another reason to hate Florida. I image they'll do alright since 2000 still haunts them to this day, haha!

Don't forget the SC Debate is on today at 8pm on CNN. 

If you want to contact me and discuss any political issues or thoughts, then feel free:

E-mail ~ timoteohines@gmail.com
Facebook ~ Tim Hines
Twitter ~ @timoteohines

New Hampshire: Where Potential Presidential Candidates EARN Their vote

          With only two days until Republicans - and Independents - in New Hampshire go to the cast their vote in the Presidential Primary election, only Republicans will be able to pick a candidate who will face President Obama in November (and lose).  Let me clarify, New Hampshire voters have a better track record for picking party nominees and presidents. I mean, they voted for McCain for the Republicans back in 08 and went to Obama in the general election.  They know their politics.
          With all of that in mind, I'd like to focus on Mitt Romney - the presumed GOP nominee to challenge the President this year.  When he ran in 2008, he received only 31% of the primary votes and did not get the party nomination.  Furthermore, I think the voters of the Granite State understand the "accomplishments" of the governor next door. Such accomplishments include: raising taxes and fees for corporations as well as on middle-class families in "The Bay State" during his tenure as their governor, making the model for "ObamaCare" from his "RomneyCare" healthcare plan, integration of English into schools (which does not even make sense and is not needed) to combat illegal immigration - because after all, Massachusetts has a lot of illegal immigrants from Canada and should therefore be considered a border state...maybe they have a pirate issue as well!

          Okay, so here is my predictions for the 2012 New Hampshire Presidential Primary:

                                                                    Mitt Romney - 30%
                                                                    Jon Huntsman - 24%
                                                                    Ron Paul - 19%
                                                                    Rick Santorum - 14%
                                                                    Newt Gingrich - 11%*
                                                                    Rick Perry - 3%*
          
   * - Both of these candidates will not drop out after New Hampshire as they purchased huge amounts of TV ad time in South Carolina - and I'm being forced to watch them as I'm in the viewing area.
    
           Even though Romney has a commanding lead right now, I really think his performance in this weekend's debates will hurt him in the final stretch leading up to the primaries.  Personally, I think his attack on Jon Huntsman's service to the nation was shameful and downright arrogant (equal to the $10,000 bet offer).  He should win the Dumb-Ass award, not the GOP nomination. (Huntsman 1, Romney 0)
           Speaking of Jon Huntsman, I'm so glad he got the endorsement of the Boston Globe - which was a big brush-off to Romney (Huntsman 2, Romney 0).  Huntsman's climb in the polls is a great sign...I just hope it will last through Tuesday.  If Huntsman wins in New Hampshire - BIG IF (even I don't predict it) - then that would be a huge setback for Team Romney. [I would like to also add that I am really annoyed that the political pundits have the candidates as teams....this is NOT a freakin' tween novel series!!! But, if we are going to go down that route, then I am Team Huntsman & Team Obama, haha.]  Yes, I am a fan of Jon Huntsman; moreover, he is the ONLY GOP candidate I will support...I'm still not liking Ron Paul.  Why [you may ask]; because I'm not a noob. <---Inside joke by the way.
           Huntsman had his best debate performance on Sunday during ABC's Meet The Press. This is the one where he put Romney in his place regarding his service to the country - and his two sons serving in the military.  Once he heard Romney's lame attempt to gain more votes, Huntsman looked at the voters of New Hampshire - and those to tuned into the program - and said, "this is why America is divided; because of views like that" which received a thunderous applause from the crowd (and yes, I gave a standing ovation right there in my living room).  After that, I really couldn't help but notice that Santorum was trying to play the "I'm a evangelical, tea-partier-but-not-really, anti-gay candidate" which was just comical.
          I do not understand how Rick Santorum almost won the Iowa Caucus.  To clarify, I know HOW; but, it still baffles me and even scares me because he has no substance.  He merely latched onto the Huckabee endorsement and took it to the bank - he's lucky it worked in Iowa because it won't do a thing in New Hampshire.  Remember, Huckabee gained only 11% of the Republican primary votes in 2008.  They want someone better than that so Santorum should pick up on that. He found out that same-sex marriage is still accepted in New Hampshire when he was booed at a rally in Concord this past week. Also, if you are going to pull off the sweater vest look, please buy them from a respectable store like Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, or Gap. Jos. A Banks is NOT the place to buy sweater vests.  It is a place to buy sweaters but NEVER sweater vests. [Yes, there is a difference and it is more than just one having sleeves versus one not having sleeves.] Moving on to the other candidates.
          The only thing I will say about Rick Perry is that I'm glad he remembered the three agencies he wanted to eliminate.  I am also thrilled to learn that he blames George W Bush for the mess that the country is currently experiencing.  He further proved why the United States does NOT need to elect another person from Texas - because they screw the country up worse than Texas Two-Step on Tuesday night instead of Friday night.  Well, I'm guessing that's when they have dancing night as I'm sure they don't watch Glee in Texas - even though Mark Salling is from Texas. If Perry were to get elected, then the Congress would do to him what they do in Texas - they'd "treat him ugly" and veto anything he tried to abolish. One last thing about Perry: I think when you governor a state that has always tried to secede from the union, you should automatically be disqualified to hold the nation's highest office. As long as I'm talking Texas politicians, I really don't think Ron Paul will do anything after Florida.  With that said, he'll bow out and retire from politics.
          Newt Gingrich, on the other hand, will continue to fight for the nomination and cry "flip-flopper", "bad governor" and fit "Reagan conservative" into every sound-bite he can. I love it when Republicans want to lower taxes, yet "The Gipper" raises taxes over eight times during his time in the White House. Don't you just love Reaganomics? If you are like me and barely remember Reagan, just look to the last Republican President: Ol' W. That's right, George W Bush paved the way for tax cuts to those wealthiest Americans & corporations - yet lost over seven million jobs during his time and office AND signed two free-trade agreements sending jobs elsewhere. Let's also remember that Bush made a lot more recess appointments than Obama...or should I save that for another time? :D
          After Tuesday, the candidates will travel to my area of the country.  I will try my best to make the drive to South Carolina - as Greenville & Spartanburg are only an hour & twenty-to-thirty minutes away - to see if i can get a picture or shake a hand with these candidates.  It's not that I'm endorsing them; it's just the fact that I am being a part of history and it will be a chapter in my book whenever I decide to write it. I would have said something to tell the kids and grandchildren, but I don't see myself being a parent anytime in the next twenty or thirty years. The future Mrs. will have to be just as politically-minded, if not more so, than I am .     

Post-Election & Post-Debate

     Okay, so what a week...so far anyway!  This past weekend I drove up to Dumfries, Virginia and helped out a friend of mine with a campaign she was a part of for this election cycle.  This past weekend was GOTV - Get Out The Vote - and it was so awesome!  It felt great being a "volunteer" but I really got involved and fell right into the swing of things.  I have a confession: I LOVE GOTV and E-Day!!! I love the excitement, organizing walk packets, cutting turf, organizing volunteers, making calls, etc. It is "the rawest form of Democracy" and I love it! Anyway, on Saturday night I drove up to DC - my city - and I just felt right at home.  This is because I spent a full semester in Washington for an internship at the Department of Education.  This was the same semester that President Obama was inaugurated so that was a big plus!  I have too many memories of that time in my life, haha!  Anyway, Washington, D.C. is my city and I can't wait to go back and live there.  After all of these adventures, I found out that the candidate I was helping my friend out with had won re-election!  This is wonderful and it feels really good to be apart of a winning campaign. Yay for Team Toddy!
     I was also surprised that State Bill five was rejected by the voters of Ohio.  As far as I know, this bill would have allowed the break-up of unions in Ohio.  I'm not well versed in Labor Union issues or relations so I will not comment too much on this.  All I will say is for the friends that were involved in making sure SB5 was rejected had a major victory on Tuesday.  I wish I could understand the Labor Unions and the issues that are important to them; well, maybe one of these days I'll fully understand it.
     Well, the other thing was the 500th Republican Debate last night in Michigan (The next debate will be on Friday in Utah and the topic will be family values....I'm kidding).  I mean honestly, it is really necessary to have a debate at least once a week until there is a candidate?  The only thing that really changes is the way they answer the questions.  It's the same empty rhetoric and finger-pointing of "my plan is better than their plan" which is childish. I decided to watch the CNBC debate because I figured what else is there to do other than watch Survivor? I will admit that whenever they went to either a break or Michele Bachmann I flipped the channel to Survivor.  Now I know that some of you are thinking that I'm sexist. You're wrong!  First of all, I really don't see her being the republican nominee; second, she offers no viable answers to anything she is asked or either agrees with Gingrich; third, she doesn't understand any concept of how the economy works or even how to create jobs since she couldn't do it in her own district in Minnesota (and I'm sorry but having a family practice to "pray the gay away" does NOT qualify as a legitimate business........do I dare mention the words separation of Church and State?); and the final point, she has nothing else to offer voters since her peak was back when she won the Iowa Straw Poll.  Since then, she has stated controversial (and wrong facts) things on HPV and its link to mental retardation, her staff and campaign have abandoned her and have joined another campaign - I think Romney but it really doesn't matter for the sake of this point, and she just can't get passed the whole "Obamacare is wrong and I'll repeal it" battle cry.  I mean, how stupid! Maybe if she had read the law then she would understand just how important it is especially to those with pre-existing conditions, the senior citizens, etc. Oh yeah, to those that argue that it hurts small businesses, the democrats wanted to the taxes out of the bill because they knew it would hurt small businesses but the Republicans decided to leave it in and attempt to sell it as a "democratic" mistake. Okay, I won't get started on the Health Care bill but seriously people!
     I have a feeling that Rick Santorum will be the next to get out of the race.  I also find it hard to believe that the winners of the debate last night were Romney & Gingrich.  I did NOT like the way he was treating Maria Bartiromo and his arrogant style is just making him look stupid.  If you don't want to answer a question...then don't freakin' show up for the debate.  I mean, it's not like you'll be the nominee!  Surprisingly, Herman Cain did a decent job of answering the allegation questions...wonder which political person helped him with that since he is a "businessman" and not a politician?  One final thing about the fiasco last night...and in every republican debate: can we please stop saying we want to eliminate federal departments that are not "Constitutional" because it just makes you look incredibly stupid. If you really wanted to start with elimination of federal departments based on Constitutionality, then you would begin with George W. Bush's "Department of Homeland Security" as we already have a Department of Defense.  Furthermore, I would LOVE to see just how many of you went to college without ANY federal help and were able to pay all expenses out of pocket.  That reminds me, Gingrich thinks all students should be cattle in college and only be there for studying.....I wonder how the Greek members of Washington feel about that? Surely those presidents who were in Ivy League Fraternities would disagree because Gingrich believes we should go to college strictly to go to college and leave after obtaining all classes - and eliminating all extra-curriculars including Greek Life, Student Government, Residential Living, Internships, etc.   Again, how stupid!   Okay, well I guess I will stop for now.
     In other news, I'm still waiting for my GRE scores.  I do believe they will arrive this week.  I can see Graduate School getting closer and closer. Thank you Department of Education for helping me afford college!!! Oh wait, did I say that out loud??? I mean seriously, let's privatize everything so those that can afford it will be able to do it and those that can't will suffer. Okay, I'm sorry; I did say I would stop. Honestly.....talk about class warfare - lead by the Republican party and their privatizing everything!  I love the argument of returning everything to the states; yeah, because the states are broke so clearly they know how to manage money let alone other things for their citizens.
     Anyway....it is almost Thanksgiving so yay for going to New York to visit my other side of the family!  I still haven't decided if I am going to fly or drive.  I do have a strong feeling I'll be driving though.  I guess we'll see!