5 Alabama Police Officers fired

This story is very disturbing (5 Alabama police officers fired over beating caught on camera). This happened in 2008. I agree with the Mayor’s comments that the police officers did a great job up until that last minute when the suspect was ejected from the car. They beat an unconscious man for 4 seconds. And the officer to throw the frist punch, was a black man.

I know tensions were high because it was a 50 mile chase, and the suspect did almost run over a police officer, but officers are trained to keep their cool during these types of incidents. This is a clear case of police brutality; though it lasted only seconds, it was wrong.

Another tragic story that could have been avoided

I am from Fort Washington, Md.  My parents still live there.   You know it’s Spring in Fort Washington, Md when you hear the roaring sounds of motorcycles and cars speeding down Indian Head Highway Route 210, or as my parents call it, Indian Head ‘Speedway’ 

Last month, a 26 y/o man by the name of Brian Harris, was driving an off-road bike on the street.  He was trying to make a turn and hit a car.  He was thrown from the bike and died from his injuries. (Read Story Here)  Police discovered that not only was Mr. Harris driving illegally, but he was drunk. 

This is yet another sad story that could have been avoided.  We hear these types of storied all the time in this area.  This county is still recovering from the drag racing incident that took place a few years back on Indian Head Highway.

In the Gazette this week, The Poindexters (friends of Mr. Harris’s family) wrote a letter to the editor titled ‘Real story was about man’s life not his death’  In this letter they tell a story about Brian being a good man who was raised by Christian parents. 

This all may be true, but how do they blame the Gazette for simply reporting the story?  Brian was illegally driving an off-road vehicle on a public street.  He was also drunk.  Brian could have hit a pedestrian or killed someone else in this accident.  I wonder if the Poindexter’s letter to the editor would have been the same?

Family and friends of Brian should mourn his death, but should also use this experience to talk to other young people about the dangers of driving drunk and the importance of following and obeying the law.

Authorities arrest suspect in murder of District Heights woman

This is a sensless murder (Boyfriend Charged in Killing of District Heights Woman).  If the allegations are true; that he killed his girlfriend because she was pregnant, then he deserves to be charged with 2 murders.  If don’t want to get your girlfriend pregnant, then use condoms!!  It is not a hard concept to grasp!

911 Operator hangs up on woman 3 times

A 911 operator in Lincoln Park, Michigan hung up on a woman 3 times after used the F word when trying to get help for her father who was having a seizure.  Then to make matters worse, when she went to the police station to file a complaint, she got arrested for something that may not even be a law in Michigan.

News Story

People outraged after Popeyes runs out of chicken

If you hadn’t heard, Popeyes ran a special where they were selling 8 pieces of chicken for $4.99.  Of course people stood in lines wrapped around streets for this special.  And when they ran out of chicken, some customers were outraged. 

Really?

Outraged over chicken?

This is border line coonery.  I know the economy is bad and families are hurting, but maybe they should have showed up early.  Please don’t act a fool on the news over chicken!!

One Prince George’s County parent sets the standard

Giving a big shout out to my good friend Monique Montague-Harper. She was featured in the Gazette article: ‘Parent volunteers back Landover school’

She is a hard working mother who understands that supporting children doesn’t stop in the home, but also carrys over into the schools.

Keep up the good work Mo!!

Another series of Senseless Murders

I am going to borrow one of my mother’s sayings:  This world is going to hell in a hand basket.  What in the world is going on in America?  (Children shot in Terrytown; three dead, victim’s mother arrested after fight with police) People are killing like its going out of style.  This case is so disturbing; I hate to prejudge but it is obvious to me that this was some act of revenge for not paying for drugs.  Crack was found in the house.  These people should not have had custody of those children.  Now those babies are dead because of irresponsible adults.  Every adult in that house who is still living, needs to go to jail for the rest of their lives.

Restoring Civil War’s Missing History

This is very interesting article.  A little slice of American History you can share with your children and students.

Restoring Civil War’s Missing History
Site of Black Troops’ Battle ‘Endangered’

LOREE MURRAY 88 years old: A Local Giant

Reading this article about the life  Loree Murray, made me think of so many things that I should be doing around my community.  This lady was the beast.  

Murray lived in North East Washington D.C. .   Her neighborhood was directly affected by the drug epidemic.  She took on Rayful Edmund III even after he was convicted.  She protested in front of Edmund’s grandmother’s house because she was not doing anything to save the community that her grandson was destroying.  Anyone who grew up in the D.C. area during the 80’s knows that people died for crossing Rayful Edmunds, he was not to be played with.  Ms. Murray didn’t care because she was not having it. 

I think about the community activities and groups that I participate in and they don’t even compare or scratch the surface to what Ms. Murray has done. 

This woman put her life on the line for her community and for all of us.  How many of you are willing to do even half of what she did?  I can’t even say that I would be able to; but I can  continue what I am doing x2.

God Bless Ms. Loree Murray and her family.

Sexting

Technology is an amazing thing.  Now that our cell phones can take pictures and videos, teenagers are texting pictures of their body parts to their peers. 

When a teen sends picture mail to another peer should that be considered child pornography? 

I have several friends who are teachers who have caught their middle school students sexting pictures of their genitals to female students. 

Should these students be charged with sex offenses or should is police prosecution too extreme?

Teens and Sexting