Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

September 9, 2012 at 5:45 am (Politics)

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

On September 6, 2012, Arizona’s former Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. On January 8, 2011, an assassination attempt was made on her life during a meeting in Tucson, Arizona. While others were killed during the shooting, she was critically injured but survived. On January 22, 2012, Gabrielle Giffords announced her resignation from her congressional seat to continue her recovery.
During the days and hours preceding Gabrielle Giffords’ arrival, the delegates and guests were revved up by the speakers outlining The Democratic Party platform and virtues of reelecting Barack Obama as president of the United States. A magic and emotional moment came when Gabrielle Giffords began to walk toward center stage.
There were uproars of tears and cheers as she was being escorted. When she first uttered the first words, there was silence. As he continued, others joined in. From the delegates to the media people, tears were flowing as they join her in the pledge. The tears and cheers continued as she walked away. Her movement and speech clearly showed the tragic results of the shooting. It was the most moving event of the convention. How can one not feel anything during those few minutes?
The NRA, gun lobbyists, right-wing conservative tea baggers, and Republicans running for office are amazingly quiet when tragedies involving guns occur. The Gabrielle Giffords’ shooting and killings, the recent murders in a movie theatre, the killings at high schools and colleges do not seem to concern them too much. They only come alive or get concerned when somebody mentions any way of controlling the availability of guns.
Somehow, they feel that their rights to ‘bear arms’ are being taken away from them. In addition, they feel that President Obama is trying to do away with the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. Some may feel that their right to hunt for food or sport will also be taken away. The NRA is infamous for stating, “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” They act as if this statement removes any fault from the availability of guns. Actually, the type of gun control that some propose, does not reflect these ‘feelings.’ It has also become a false political issue to portray Obama as being against the right to bear arms. (In reality, Obama has not made strong statements against gun ownership or proposing much stricter laws to control the selling of guns.)

Party affiliation, ideology, or demographics does not and should not have anything to do with protecting the innocent from crazed people with guns. The ease and affordability of obtaining guns and other weapons is the problem. Democrats, Republican, and all citizens should come together to make and changes in the law to protect every citizen of the United States. Political Partisanism should not be a reason in making decisions about protecting our citizens. It has been accomplished in the past.

On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. opened fire on Republican President Ronald Reagan just outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. President Reagan was shot by one bullet, which punctured his lung. Three others were also injured in the shooting. James Brady, assistant to the president and White House Press Secretary was one of the injured and became permanently disabled during the assassination attempt. He was shot in the head by one bullet.

James Brady, along with his wife, Sarah, became gun control advocates and lobbied for stricter gun control and assault weapons restrictions. On November 30, 1993, Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Brady Handgun-Control Bill. The Bill was named the Brady Bill in James Brady’s honor. President Clinton also honored James Brady in 1996 with the Presidential Medal of Honor.

This, by far, is the most dramatic and positive reaction to the widespread gun use by criminals, the misguided, and the insane in the United States. It took twelve years, but at least there was a reaction and a positive outcome from both sides of the political aisle. The assassination attempt on the life of Gabrielle Giffords, reminds us of the attempt made on the life of President Gerald R. Ford in 1975 and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. In 1968, the brother of the late president and former U.S. Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy, was also assassinated.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ tragic shooting in 2011 and her courageous and moving appearance at the Democratic National Convention in 2012, should remind us all that many of these tragedies can be prevented. If we care enough about innocent lives being destroyed or tragically changed forever, we need to do all we can do to prevent it. It starts with common sense dialogue. Politics, race, religion, or demographics should have nothing to do with it. This is a great nation! We love our nation. Let us turn our tears into action. If we really want to make this nation a more perfect union, let us work together to make sure nothing like the recent tragedies happen again.
William Phifer

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President Barack Obama

September 6, 2012 at 6:24 pm (Politics)
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President Barack Hussein Obama
On November 2008, Barack Hussein Obama, was elected as the 44th president of the United States. He was born in August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was president of the Harvard Law Review. Before he achieved his law degree, he worked as a community organizer. He worked as a civil rights attorney in Chicago and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. He served three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. He ran and won as a United States Senator from Illinois in 2004.
Few would argue that he is an accomplished, well-educated person deserving of interest and praise. This is true without any other details about him. Yet, he has been hounded consistently with unfounded accusation, insults, racial slurs, threats, and general hatred.
He has been openly called a communist, a fascist, a baby killer, a terrorists, a socialist, a Muslim and an Arab. In 2007, when he became a possible candidate for the presidency, this ‘hounding’ started in earnest. It did not stop when he was elected president in 2008. Most of this ‘hounding’ came from the Republican Party’s ‘Tea Baggers’. It continues today in 2012 as he is running for a second term in office. During this first term in office, the Republican Party has made it clear that they will do anything to try to prevent him from succeeding.
Why? His father was a Kenyan (Black), and his mother was an American (White). Although he is just as much Black as he is White, he is identified as African-American. (I generally do not have a problem with that description. It is not a negative. However, White racists treat it as a negative.) White Racists perceive this country as a Write America, and see Obama as a ‘threat’ to that perception.
During President Obama’s first year in office, 2009, politicians on both sides of the aisle were in an uproar over comments made by former President Jimmy Carter. Here is a quote from Jimmy Carter at a town hall meeting at Emory University:
“When a radical fringe element of demonstrators, and others, begin to attack the President of the United States of America as an animal, or as a reincarnation of Adolf Hitler, or when they wave signs in the air that say we should have buried Obama with Kennedy, those kind of things are beyond the bounds of the way Presidents have been accepted, even with people who disagree, and I think people who are guilty of that kind of personal attack against Obama have been influenced by a major degree by a belief that he should not be President, because he happens to be African-American. It’s a racist attitude… My expectation is that in the future, both Democratic leaders and Republican leaders will take the initiative in condemning that kind of unprecedented attack on the President of the United States.”
I am in total agreement with President Jimmy Carter. The Republicans may not say that they agree. They continue to use these attacks and talk around the issue of race, but it is there. Some Democrats, who are in office, do not want to go as far to say that the main issue is race, but it is.
Many of us are appalled by these racial attacks, accusations and lies. When this is aimed at the United States president, it is even more appalling. For some people, they are still fighting the Civil War. I am saddened and ashamed that the United States has not matured enough to truly judge and treat any person fairly and without bias toward race or religion.

William Phifer

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DON’T BE SCAMMED!

September 6, 2012 at 4:09 pm (Technology)

DON’T GET SCAMMED!

The rule of thumb is, “You can never get something for nothing.” Another rule is, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably isn’t.” Those who are offering you something that sounds great, with no or little cost, have a different rule, “Never give a sucker an even break.” In addition, as credited by P.T. Barnum, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
Frauds have been with us for hundreds or thousands of years, worldwide. Swindlers have devised a variety of schemes to separate us from our money or other possessions. Often, the scammed, unwittingly, but willingly hands over their possessions and information to strangers based on greed, desperation, or ignorance. Scammers fast-talk (or write to) us into believing that they are honest, caring, and sincere about giving us something of great value to us because they trust us. Most scammers are intelligent, highly skilled at what they do, and have nothing to lose.
In the 21st Century, Scammers regularly use the postal service, email, other Internet communication, and the telephone to browse for potential ‘suckers.’ Emails are being used more often than the other forms. The Internet’s email system is probably the easiest one to use because a scammer can send out thousands of fraudulent letters, notes, and/or attachments to people within minutes. When that many emails are sent out at once, there is a greater chance that several people will fall for the enticement.

Some clever scammers use what is known as phishing. Phishing is a method used by scammers to obtain usernames, passwords, or bank names of the users to swindle them out of their money. Thousands of Emails are sent out every day to unknown people with known or unknown email addresses, hoping for a response, where personal or bank information is sent. AOL users are flooded with this type of fraud often. They are often told they need additional information to keep an AOL account opened. Once scammers gets enough information, your entire bank account can be wiped out.

The names and logos of legitimate banks are used. If the name of your bank or financial institution happens to be one of them, you may more likely respond to this scam. They will often tell you that your account is being closed, or they need more information to keep it open. There is often a link to a fake site, where users can send information. Do not do it! Tell them nothing and never give them any information. Call or contact your bank directly if you are not sure. Do not respond to this scam.

One of the oldest, widespread, and common ‘new’ scam is called the “419,” or Nigerian Scam. The online dictionary,Wikipedia concisely and correctly defines these types of scam:

“Nigerian scams (also called Nigerian 419 scams), are a type of advance fee fraud and one of the most common types of confidence frauds in which the victim is defrauded for monetary gain.

There are many variations on this type of scam, including advance fee fraud, Nigerian Letter Fifo’s Fraud, Spanish Prisoner Scam, black money scam, or Detroit/Buffalo scam. The number “419” refers to the article of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud.[1] The scam has been used with fax and traditional mail, and is now used with the internet.

While the scam is not limited to Nigeria, the nation has become associated with this fraud and it has earned an unenviable reputation for being an epicenter of email scam crimes. In fact, the top three nations of origin of these scams are the United States, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria (in that order). Other nations known to have a high incidence of advance fee fraud include Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Spain.”
The emails can come from almost any occupied continent in the world. It does not matter what country, race, age, or gender of the scammer. The ‘pitch’ is almost the same. Here are the most common pitches:
 I am dying of cancer. I trust you and want to will my money to you. Please email you name, address, date of birth, occupation, Social Security number. God Bless you!
 You have won the Lottery for $85,000,000. Give us your full name, address and bank account number so that we can deposit your winnings.
 We trust you! We want to send you $250,000 to give to charity. You can keep $10,000 for your troubles. Just send us $2,000 for processing fees.
 There are packages that we want to send to you from our country. We just need some information about you.
 Your bank account will be closed. We need some more information to keep it open. (Bank account can be exchanged for charge or savings account.)
 I am a Christian! I need your help. I have money that I want to leave to my sister in your country. God will bless you for helping me.
 This Mr. Jackson from the FBI! We are sending a refund for $50,000,000. Send us your full name, address, Social Security number, and bank account number.
There are similar varieties of these scam emails that are being sent out daily. They often use logos and ‘look’ real or authentic, coming government, the FBI or bank officials from other countries. They use real names of people or people/leaders that you know in the United States. The scammers prey mostly on the poor, the uneducated, the desperate, and the greedy.
Tips to remember on how to avoid being a scam victim:
 You cannot ‘win’ a lottery that you never heard of or entered.
 Why would a stranger want to give you money?
 Never send your personal information through emails, especially your bank information, birthdate, and social security number.
 Do not reply to unknown emails. If you do not know the person or business that sends you an email, delete it.
 Do not be persuaded by any reference to God, Jesus, Allah, or any religious belief by the scammer.
 Sometimes scammers will use real-life disasters in other countries to get you to send money. Do not sent money to unknown charities.
 By the way, once you send a personal check to an unknown recipient, that person(s) can figure out how to clean out your entire bank account.

Remember that anybody can be fooled. You can be rich or poor. You can be well-educated or have a limited education. Whether you are trying to help others, sharing your money with others, in need of money or just plain greedy, you can become a victim and a big loser. Be forewarned and forearmed!

William Phifer

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James David Manning’s Obama Trial (response to blogger)

May 25, 2010 at 1:42 pm (Politics, Religion)

May 25, 2010

Dear Mr. Chase Hunter,
If this is a real response to James David Manning’s allegations against Columbia University and President Barack Obama, please rest assured that you have nothing to be concerned about. You are correct, the allegation are outrageous! James Manning’s tirades against Barack Obama go back to 2004, when he ran for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois. If you really see and listen to most of his ‘sermons’ and speeches about President Obama, you will see a pattern of racial insults, crude and unsubstantiated accusations, and vulgar references about Obama and his family.
It is difficult for me to determine the true reason why he is devoting most of his time to ‘exposing and destroying’ this president. Is it jealousy? Is it racial hatred because President Obama is biracial? Is it a self-serving ploy to gain recognition and fame? Does he get a lot of support and/or money from right-winged racists? I really do not know. How can a person question the integrities of an institution such as Columbia University and President Obama when he has the audacity to award himself a Doctor of Philosophy degree from his own ATLAH Theological Seminary, an unaccredited educational institution that he created?
He still questions Obama’s birthplace. No one has come up with any proof that he was born anyplace outside of the United States. The state of Hawaii has made his Certificate of Live Birth public. The question of his birth has been brought before the courts several times. In each case, suites have been dismissed. Most people, including congress are satisfied that the Certificate of Live Birth from Hawaii is authentic and that Barack Obama is the legitimate U.S. President, and was eligible to run. Mr. Manning does not!
Several months ago, Manning declared that he was filing a lawsuit (trial) against Columbia University and Barack Obama, questioning his education and eligibility to be President of the United States. Even though I thought the lawsuit was frivolous and had no chance of being successful, I believed he would really use the U.S. court system. He did not! Instead the ’trial’ is taking place in his church. This means, that no matter what the outcome, nothing is binding. Don’t you see that this is a mock trial held in a church where the accuser is the pastor and the jurors are his congregation and supporters? In conclusion, there is no need to fear a national uprising or civil war as a result of Manning’s trial in his church.
William Phifer

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John McCain, An Open Letter to

May 5, 2010 at 6:39 pm (Politics)

                                                                                        William Phifer

                                                                                         May 5, 2010

The Honorable John McCain
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator McCain,

As a city and state resident of New York and a United States citizen, I am always fearful and appalled when I hear attempts have been made to kill innocent people and to disrupt our lives. Whether the attempts are successful or not, the emotional responses are profound and pervasive. I was working in Manhattan on September 11, 2001, when the Twin Towers were purposely rammed and destroyed by two fuel-filled jets. It is even now difficult to fully express my inner pain, fear and sorrow for the many lives disrupted and lost. As fellow Vietnam Veterans, we share an additional pain and perception that most civilians can never comprehend when it comes to tragedies and loss of life.
When an unsuccessful attempt was made to set off a homemade bomb in Times Square on Saturday May 1, I feared for the worse. This may have been one of several attempts in different areas to disrupt our lives, as happened in 2001. As it seems to have turned out, this attempt was carried out by a lone person, possibly acting on orders. New York City continues to be within the crosshairs of terrorists from several countries. Knowing the many prospects of escape in New York City, I honestly did not think he would be caught so easily and quickly.
A New York citizen noticed a suspicious-looking car illegally parked. He notified the police. After a brief investigation, the police found a homemade bomb in the car. The NYC Police and Fire Department helped to evacuate and cordon-off the area for safety. Representatives from the FBI, the State Department, and National Security and others worked with the NYC Police Department in conducting an investigation to find out what person and/or what organization was responsible. Surprisingly, there was a lot of evidence for the officials to work with.
Most of U.S. citizens are very pleased and surprised that a suspect was not only named, but captured within 53 hours. Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized U.S. citizen who recently spent five months in Pakistan, was arrested on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. He was arrested at Kennedy Airport while aboard a jet headed for Dubai. Eric Holder, the U.S. Attorney General, made the first arrest announcement. During a follow-up announcements officials, indicated that Shahzad confessed to the crime even after he was given his Miranda Rights. They further stated that he is still taking and supplying investigators with valuable and useful information.
My concern, Senator, is why are you not applauding the quality of the capture and information investigators have obtained and they continue to obtain more information and evidence? In your recorded words, yesterday morning on Imus In the Morning, you stated, “You don’t give this guy his Miranda Rights until we find out what it’s all about.” Imus then stated, “One of them already given him his Miranda Rights.” You then responded, “Well I think obviously that would be a serious mistake at least until we find out as much information we have and there are ways, legal ways of delaying that.”
Why do you voice your objection to the giving the suspect his Miranda Rights, which is law? And, by the way, the Miranda Rights Law does not just apply to citizens of the United States. Any suspect being questioned by U.S. legal authorities and is tried in the U.S. courts must first be given their Miranda Rights, which states:
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?”
There are accepted varieties of this statement, but this is the most widely used version. The results of The Supreme Court case in 1966, Miranda vs. Arizona made Miranda Rights a U.S. law, which you, of all people, as a senator representing Arizona, should know and honor this law.
A tragedy was averted. The suspect who tried to orchestrate the crime was caught and he confessed. He was given his Miranda Rights, but he continues to talk and is giving us important and vital information. There was another person arrested in Pakistan. The NYC Police, Fire Department, the FBI and Other federal authorities did a great job! Why can’t you see this as a positive outcome to what could have been a tragedy? The world is listening to all we say and do. This has nothing to do with partisan politics, demographics, or conservatism vs. liberalism.
We feed into that minds of terrorists when we are seen and heard squabbling over unimportant and unsubstantiated issues. If we are truly a United States, we need to put aside politics when we are confronted with national or worldwide threats. The United States President, the Attorney General, the Justice Department, the FBI, and local police authorities deserve our thanks and support, especially when tough decisions are being made in support of the U.S. Constitution and local laws to safeguard lives and our nation’s stability.
                                                                                                                  William Phifer

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James David Manning

April 29, 2010 at 9:04 pm (Religion)

James David Manning was able to overcome difficulties and indiscretions as a youth. He was in prison for three and a half years for burglary and other crimes. He was released in 1978. During his incarceration, according to him, he became a ‘devout’ Christian.
Manning graduated from The College of New Rochelle with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attended Union Theological Seminary, where he was ‘awarded’ a Master of Divinity degree. He granted himself a PhD in Philosophy from his own, ATLAH Theological Seminary.
Manning has been the pastor of ATLAH World Ministries Church since 1981. It is located in Harlem, New York City. From its outward appearance, it is a typical local church. Prayer and Bible services are held each week. ATLAH also holds educational classes for Children and youth.
The primary impetus of Manning’s ‘mission’ appears to be to identify and negatively characterized individuals and causes he disagrees with. He can be seen and heard on Youtube on the Internet. There are many recorded videos of his sermons and lectures. Most of what he says is based on what he believes, not on facts. His accusations are way over the top and border the absurd. Manning often reprimands his congregation, the Harlem community and the Black race.
James Manning is overly obsessed with hatred of President Barack Obama. During his weekly tirades, he is often seen and heard making negative statements about him. This obsession started in 2007, when Barack Obama announced his candidacy for President. Manning made doomsday predictions about the future of this country, if Obama becomes president. He continues today making those predictions and adds that the United States is under siege and on the verge of collapse as a result of his election to the presidency. Manning continues to call Obama a pimp, a communist, a fascist, a liar, trash, a spineless snake, as well as other labels and insults. His tirades include insulting his parents and his wife.
It is unfortunate and disturbing that anyone talks and acts this way. It is especially disturbing when it is done by minister in church, where there are many impressionable people, young and old, seeking happiness, spiritual wisdom and tranquility.
There are several biblical passages that I would recommend to James Manning.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Eph 4:29
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Eph 5:4
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Col 3:8

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Republican Senator Tom Coburn Criticizes Fox News

April 7, 2010 at 2:17 pm (Politics)

Republican Senator Tom Coburn Criticizes Fox News
(April 6, 2010)

In a rare sign of common sense, civility and honesty in the last two years, Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma criticized the distorted views issued by Fox News on the Healthcare Law. Senator Tom Coburn, a Republican Conservative, was speaking to a crowd in Norman, Oklahoma. A woman in the crowd expressed her fear of possibly being put in prison for not obtaining health insurance under the new Health Care Law. Senator Coburn responded, “The intention is not to put any one in jail. That makes for good TV news on FOX but that isn’t the intention.”
Senator Coburn then defended Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. While discussing his policy disagreements with Pelosi, Coburn said “she’s a nice lady.” The crowd began to hiss and boo. But Coburn quickly rejected the crowd’s hostility towards the Speaker.
“Come on now. She is nice – how many of you all have met her? She’s a nice person,” Coburn said as he went on and added, “Just because somebody disagrees with you don’t mean they’re not a good person,” Coburn said. “I’ve been in the senate for five years and I’ve taken a lot of that, because I’ve been on the small side –- both in the Republican Party and the Democrat Party.”
Senator Coburn didn’t stop there. He continued to make statements about Fox News which sounded more like warnings against Fox News reports from many democrats. “What we have to have is make sure we have a debate in this country so that you can see what’s going on and make a determination yourself.” Coburn then added, “So don’t catch yourself being biased by FOX News that somebody is no good. The people in Washington are good. They just don’t know what they don’t know.”
I am moved by these statements by Senator Coburn in several ways. He has demonstrated the courage to go against what seems to be a stubborn conservative view that anything said or written negative about the Democrat Party or their proposals is good for the Republican Party. This is often the case whether a statement is true of false. Fox News has often been challenged, by Democrats and clear-thinking listeners, as being a biased network. In their defense to criticism, they often resorted to name calling anyone opposed to their views that of the Republicans, such as; Anti-American, Communist, Dictator, Hitler-like, Socialist, and Fascist. In many cases, the name calling was even directed at President Obama.
What really bothers me is that so many listeners and Republicans stand by every word that Fox Network says. Often they restate many false and misleading statements and add points of their own.
Elected official and supports’ lives have been threatened over the issue of Healthcare Reform. Bricks have been hurled through windows. Congress leaders were cursed and spat upon. Individuals have called, wrote, or emailed threats to supporters of Healthcare Reform. In some of those threats, there were racial references, which had more to do deep-seated racial prejudice than Healthcare concerns. A handful of Republicans have condemned such acts, but the same Republicans state that the Democrats are to blame.
It also bothered me when Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, shouts, “You lie!” at President Obama Healthcare address before Congress in September of 2009. When elected officials, their supporters and the news media resort to these tactics, it sends the wrong message to US citizens and the world community.
Senator Tom Coburn has demonstrated the use of common sense on an issue that has helped to divide and bring the worst out of our country. Based on previous political statements that he has made, he may not have intentionally tried to spearhead changes in the attitudes among many Republicans.  But I can only hope that elected officials, Democrats and Republicans will follow this lead by calling any person or group to task who is  spewing falsehoods, deceptions and violence to a controversial, but important issue such as Healthcare Reform.
William Phifer

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Doctor Refuses to Treat Obama Patients

April 3, 2010 at 6:52 pm (Heathcare Reform)

Dr. Jack Cassell, a Florida medical doctor, refuses to treat patients who supported President Barack Obama. Outside of his Mount Dora’s office, the notice says, “If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years.”
This kind of reaction goes against the Hippocratic Oath that most doctors around the world have to abide by, which outlines the ethical use of medical techniques and the treatment of patients. The refusal to treat certain patients also goes against many state and local laws governing the licensing of medical doctors and the treatment of patients. Even Dr. Cassell concedes that refusing to treat patients in need because of politics is unethical, yet the notice remains on his office door for all to see.
The refusal to treat certain patients may be in violation of the Civil Rights’ Act, which is part of the United States Constitution. It appears that Dr. Cassell brings us back to a time when hospitals refused medical care for people based on their race.
The presidential election of Barack Obama in 2008 has awakened irrational racial fears, hate and separatists’ ideas of some individuals who did not vote for him. Dr. Cassell may not be happy with all the provisions that are in the Healthcare Reform changes, but it is now the law! Reacting as he did only feeds into those frenzied individuals who react without a full understanding of what the Healthcare Reform means to them. If other doctors and medical facilities follow the same kind of illogical reaction, to what appears to be a political difference, this nation would undergo further polarization.

(Ironically, the Health Care Bill is labeled by Congress as, Bill P47. My blog web site is Billp47.)

William Phifer

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EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

March 28, 2010 at 4:46 pm (Earthquake in Haiti)

Written: January 14, 2010

During the last two days, I have read and listened to the tragedy that occurred in Haiti this week. I am pleased by the response of countries from around the world and President Obama, representing The United States. I want to do my little part by donating money through a reputable organization.
But I am appalled and disgusted by the remarks of Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh. I am well-aware of the type of people they appeal and cater to. These twisted minded, ignorant people have stooped to a new low. Less than 24 hours after the earthquake, they went on the air and spewed racial, quasi-political, tasteless, and ignorant comments. I sent both emails, telling them how I felt about their comments. Most of the major networks are giving the Haiti tragedy the full coverage that it deserves. Fox News gives some coverage, but prefers to air its continual attacks on anything that President Obama says and does.
I sent the following email to Pat Robertson, CBN and the 700 Club:
Before Pat Robertson dies, I hope he realizes how wrong he was and how distasteful, racist and mean-spirited he has been in the wake of the tragedy in Haiti. His comments were not of a true Christian. He also does not show a true understanding of history. I suggest that he study before opening his mouth. Frankly, if I were the president of Haiti, as desperate as I would be for help at this time, I would not accept a penny from him or his organization.

William Phifer

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Stopping The Healthcare Violence

March 26, 2010 at 6:06 pm (Politics)

Stopping The Healthcare Violence
To put it quite simply and directly, the issue is not Healthcare Reform! The issues that encourages the kind of violence that we have read about or witnessed, is racism, anti Obama (anything) and political power-playing. (Jimmy Carter was right!) If Barack Obama was not the president, the Senate and House of Representatives would have stuck to relevant issues on this important bill, both before and after the historic passage and signing.
Instead, many Republican elected officials purposely misinformed the public about the content and rationale of the bill. Many vowed to kill the bill before knowing its content. They almost unanimously declared that they would reject the bill, even if amendments or changes were made.
Before the 2008 Presidential Election, right-winged Republicans stated that Barack Obama was a left-winged radical Liberal who was not an American, but a Kenyan. They called him a Muslim, The antichrist, an abomination, a terrorist, a communist and a fascist. Part of the intent was to help build up fear and hate among potential voters.
During political rallies, many republican supporters and some democrats have taken this form of political rhetoric as fact and to the extreme, (as I believe it was the intended result,) including shouting out racial slurs, displaying racial signs and threatening Obama with physical violence. Few, if any of the republican have voiced objections to this kind of behavior. Why? because they represent their base supporters.
After the 2008 Presidential Election, republicans began denouncing Barack Obama before the Inauguration on January 20, 2009. The ‘Birther’ gained more momentum. Birthers and some racists urged others to not recognize him as a duly elected U.S. president. At least one uniformed soldier refused to be deployed to Iraq, stating that he was not his Commander-in-Chief. Rush Limbaugh told his listeners that he hoped that President Obama would fail.
During the Healthcare Reform Bill debates, before and after the voting took place, some Democratic leaders in the Senate and House were targeted with intimidation and racial slurs. Some were spat upon. Others had bricks hurled through their windows. Still others received written threats to them and their family for supporting the Healthcare Reform Bill.
Healthcare Reform is an important issue. Issues were discussed. Debates, changes and refinements were made. But the Republican Party decided to say, ‘no’ to anything when it came to a vote. Instead, filling their supporters with misinformation, they added fuel to racial, religious and regional discrimination, hate and divisions that we have not seen since the Civil Rights era.
I am a proud American! I believe in the values that this country was built upon. I also believe that the willingness to change is a part of what makes this country great. Our Constitution allows us to make these changes and refinements.
We have come a long way since the Civil Rights era. Electing an African-American as president adds hope and tells the world that our words, written in are Constitution, are sincere. We still have a long way to go! We have a good chance to get closer. But those elected officials who would try to bring us back to an era where we treated others with inequality, discrimination and disrespect makes me less optimistic about our chances. I hope that the Republican Party wakes up and realizes that what they are doing is disruptive and destructive to the stability of our country.

                                                                                                 William Phifer

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