Patriots vs. Thugs

What must be going through the mind of that celebrated "patriot" Cliven Bundy?

Bundy, and the "outside agitators" or "out-of-town" people who supported him were celebrated as patriots standing up for rights against an oppressive government.

Now, fast forward to the current situation in Ferguson, Mo. These individuals, for some reason, are not be hailed as patriots for their protests in the wake of the shooting of Michael Brown.

They're being called thugs, out-of-town agitators, race hustlers, race baiters, hooligans, criminals, outside agitators and ... well ... you get the picture.

Interesting how are perspective changes as we look through the prism of our biases.

Check out Salon.com for a perspective.

Take a look at the photo and think of the response in Ferguson when police heard that some people might be armed among protesters.

#Ferguson

#HandsUpDontShoot

We all need to think of where we're headed as a nation.

#Ferguson Matters

I, for one, applaud the protesters in Ferguson, Mo. I hope that continues nonviolent protesting will help generate a positive change in communities across this country in the wake of the killing of Mike Brown.

Change can't happen if the silent majority are outshouted by the vocal minority.

#HandsUpDontShoot
#Ferguson

O'Reilly, Criticism, Blacks

I found this quite interesting. Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly had interesting comments related to what has been happening in Ferguson, Mo.

This is how he was quoted by Media Matters:

O'REILLY: Do we as a society -- what do we do? Do we weigh in as the boy's father -- and if it were my son, I probably would have said same thing, but he's obviously talking through an emotional prism. His son is dead. He believes, probably -- I know he believes -- that it was an injustice, that it was done for nothing, it was a murder. And many, many African Americans believe that without knowing the facts. Do we criticize them, or do we remain silent?

O'Reilly has never really been shy about criticizing black folks. So, it's hard to understand where he's coming from with this one.

Handed Over On A Silver Platter

President Obama is not and should not be above criticism. Reasonable (well-reasoned criticism) is not only OK, but should be encouraged.

What's sad, however, is to see black folks who call for black unity, but criticize Barack Obama for not handing them everything they've ever wanted on a silver platter ... because he's a black president. I thought of this as I watched a video from a cat who sparked a lot of people commenting and whining about Barack Obama not giving them everything they've ever wanted.

No president will give you everything you want. If that is your expectation, disappointment will always be within walking distance.

No one, regardless of race, should be sitting around relaxed because we have a president of their color and think that he will cure all of our ills like .

Do for yourself, first, before you even think of looking for help from someone else. And, don't think because someone who has your skin tone is in power that you've made it to the top of the world. If that is your mentality, you're probably closer to the bottom than you'll ever be to the top.