Thought of the day

Racism sucks. Anyone who prescribes to any form of racism sucks. All people have dignity, and that's that!

Little things that make my day

a. my favourite singer Jordan Pruitt now follows me on twitter...I've made several plugs for her on my blog, and I do use a lot of her work in quotes....Yes, I am a proud JPru addict and if you judge me, I do know where you live :p...

b. Latin...and lots of it :)

More on that Trayvon case....

I didn't think I was going to dedicate a blog to this story...but apparently since 2 min of video isn't enough...and people questioning me means that thoughts need to be put into writing.

Let's start off with what we DO know about the case itself....

• A 17 year old boy was murdered allegedly (since we don't have a conviction)
• A guy was also beaten up before this happened
• Trayvon was NOT a regular in the neighborhood
• Both Trayvon and Zimmerman have their various issues with character
• Trayvon was approached after the police told Zimmerman not to do so. 
• Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime
• A bunch of people have tried to make this a racially motivated crime without examining the evidence. 
• Zimmerman was apart of the neighborhood watch team. 

As is my opinion in any case, ALL the facts need to come out before we come to a formal conclusion...that said, it doesn't prevent my opinion from being said. 

In my humble opinion, there were multiple wrongs committed. 

a. Trayvon approaching Zimmerman and having an attempted assault. Trayvon should have just walked straight home or to wherever he was supposed to be going without going onto anyone's property. This is especially true because had been suspended from another school, and had already gotten in trouble. When  someone is in trouble, you don't want to do anything else to agitate that. It'd be like someone who is on parole for burglury to go and rob some other store during parole time....it'd be STUPID. 

b. Zimmerman's failure to listen to the police dispatcher on the phone. He should have let Trayvon walk and not follow the guy. Let the police arrest him, and take care of it that way. He should have given the police a description of him, and left him alone. 

c. The alleged murder of Trayvon. This was not proportionate to the assault that happened. Perhaps a simple shot in the leg if Trayvon was trying to get away would have been enough. To keep him so the police can get him. That would have been proportionate, but murder absolutely not. 

d. The use of the word "coon" (also could be goon transcripts unclear)...Now I am not all that familiar with slang or anything like that, but must be some kind of bad term. Now I don't know the motivation behind what caused Zim to say this word? Was it before the scuffle, after? We don't know. I don't presume that he's a racist because he said it. Zim's mental status during the ordeal we don't know. A definite error in judgement that's for sure. Racist comment at worse. I'm sure that all of us have lapsed when it comes to language once or twice especially out of anger towards a person or thing. 

The what should be done:

A: Prayers for the soul of Trayvon Martin as well as for his family as they're going through this difficult time. That the Lord may grant them strength to deal with this problem in a faithful matter.

B. Prayers for the safety of the old couple whose address SpikeLee tweeted. They are innocent. 

a. George Zimmerman needs to be arrested and prosecuted for murder (or convicted of a crime of some type). Why? That is something we know that happened. We do NOT know the motive behind the crime....This is why I'm hesitant to charge him with a "hate crime" or "racist" until we have full evaluation of his psychological status. If that can be proven, add it on, if it can't, just charge him. At the present time there is not enough evidence to charge him. Let the cops do their jobs. 

b. Apologies from the following: Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Barack Hussien Obama for the exploitation of this kid, and for the attempt to divide the country based upon race. Apologies from SpikeLee for tweeting ANYONE's address...that is flat out wrong..He should be expelled from twitter. 

c. Enough with the tributes...Apparently this guy was a gang member, sorry, I don't like that.

Some further reflection

a. Every time blacks play the race card, it really makes me sick. If we want equality. How about we start judging things upon merit instead of automatically pulling out the race card when something happens. It starts with attitude, and the attitude needs to change before any real transformation can take place. Instead of presuming that all other races are racist against us...how about getting to know people on a personal level instead? (Obviously not all blacks do this but, I'm talking to those that do have this mindset). If's funny, I've had no questions about my race from anyone that doesn't have my skin colour. But I get asked if I'm black from blacks. I make friends with those that share interests with me, and those that try to get to know me. It just happens to be one of my closest friends is Russian, another Mexican, another white. The only reason I don't have many black friends...not many majored in Physics and mathematics and the demographics of where I lived in California. Forgive me for deciding that I like math and science more than liberal studies. (Sorry Liberal studies majors :p). I have no hatred towards anyone of my own race (I do disagree with policies, but that doesn't mean I hate them). 

b. Perhaps it's because I don't define myself by race first. I don't view things in light of my skin colour. I've always viewed things in terms of my own merit, and people are individuals, that can be potential friends, or potential enemies. I don't presume motives behind people. 

c. It really annoys me, when people end words with a, izzle, etc. I know a proper sentence is hard to construct, but do it. At least when one is talking to a majority of people. It's one thing to talk like that amongst your friends or a group of people. It's another thing entirely to do so in front of strangers, those you don't know and those in academia. Believe me, amongst my inner most circles, I do speak with my own language quite a bit. When i'm speaking to students or other people, I don't use this language though. Especially in public forums where people all over the world can see interactions. (Not saying it's right of them to judge a person upon their use of language), but impressions make all the difference. The truth is I'm more likely to speak with someone who can form a coherent sentence than one that refuses to use proper grammar (well semi, because we all screw up). (And I'm not talking about dialects and accents, that's different). 

There are some that are going to call me a sellout, or "white" so what, I don't care!, It's beneath me to call anyone I don't know names. I will not go ad hominem on anyone. Hopefully this will be the last I speak on this. 

7/2 Time Out Tuesday Vol X

hosted by AOA

1) I made a very short video...I hope to do more of these...probably not at 10 pm at night though :p. 

2) On slightly more serious note, a few people you should keep in prayer:

a. This guy 

@Realbrother0003 on twitter...The lack of love is obvious. It's rather incomprehensible to me that someone can be filled with that much hate towards people. I'm no people person by any means, but I do not hate anyone to the degree that this guy does...if you're not following me @japotillorjr...you should :D (yes, I changed my name from @verbumveritatis, I have my reasons)

b. One of my friends from back home. She is doing well, and her surgery for cancer went well. Just pray for no further complications. 

3) Not all of you may be into this style, but the other JP as I refer to her has, has a nice new song :)

7/2) TIme to boost the IQ of 7/2 TOT....again

7/2 Time Out Tuesday Vol 9.

Hosted by AOA

1) Yesterday was the solemnity of St Joseph. I took Joseph as my Confirmation Saint name. And it's pretty cool that the Holy Father has the name Joseph as well. So a belated Solemnity to all of you and hopefully all of you had a good one.

2) Because it was a solemnity yesterday...I tried my hand at baking. Unfortunately, I didn't have any mixing bowls until today...thus the cake comes one day late...Here are the photos to prove it. 

3) To solve this right's issue once and for all...I've made a simple check list...with some definitions to help. As you can see, none of the listed issues are rights....even though they may pass pieces of a check list. 

7/2) I apparently gained a ton of followers on my twitter page. Apparently there are people that like the fact that I took some racist to school on twitter. Welcome to my world...throwing common sense at people for 26 years and counting...

7/2 Time Out Tuesday Vol 8

Hosted by AOA

This week will be summed up in pictures....

1) Here is an old picture of me from high school...I'm the tallest one in the picture...I learned more about physics from my HS Geometry class than I did in any of my college classes. Of course, my HS math teacher is a physicist and has forgotten more about physics than I'll ever be able to tell you. (She'd say the same thing about me oddly)

2) Since I don't believe in political correctness...or for that matter...the government telling me what sized candy bar I can buy...

3) One solution....A fun problem finding the angle between magnetic field

7/2) and another....finding the sum of forces on q2

Happy Birthday Mom

Today would have been mom's birthday...no long post...prayers appreciated...it's tough with other things now in my perspective..

7/2 Time Out Tuesday....Vol 7

hosted by AOA

1) I'm sure the MSM has been paying no attention to the Cold Case Posse down in Arizona. So let me share the video...No commentary...just listen...it will be a while.

2) Sandra Fluke and Rush Limbaugh....If you don't like what people have to say...don't listen to them. It's called free speech. A friendly reminder from the bill of no rights: (which should be an official document by the way.

"You do not have the right to never be offended."

This country is based on freedom, and that means the freedom for everyone, not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots and probably always will be.

What people say may very well be offensive and wrong. But they do have a right to say it. Do I agree with everything Rush said. Absolutely not. I do believe has has the right to say it though. If you don't like the language...change the channel.

3) This guy rocks:

7/2) Father Z wrote an excellent entry on why the religious model isn't good for the state to follow:

The contraception debate...what people have missed.

a. Ordinary means vs. extra-ordinary means. (or the use there of)

i. The ordinary means is to prevent the conception of a child from birth. There are many reasons behind this, that's not the point of this blog entry. The word literally means against conception. Science has acknowledged that human life begins at conception. Why? It is not possible for anything other than a human being to be formed by a human egg and human sperm. (Though those of you with little kids would probably beg to differ). In this particular scenario, it is the INTENT of the person that is using contraception to not have a child. It is this use which the Church condemns. The denial of life. This is a Catholic blog, so I'm writing from a Catholic perspective. Children are a gift from God regardless of the circumstances that surround the situation. Even in the cases of pre-marital sex, rape, etc, where sin abounds, grace abounds that much more. The 3 conditions of a mortal sin are 1. Grave matter, 2. Knowledge that what you're doing is grave matter, and 3. The intent to do the sin anyway. In this case, why should anyone pay for someone elses' sin? Forget the whole religious freedom thing, this just doesn't make regular old sense. Should I have to pay for your groceries? Should I have to pay for your gas? Why would you want me to directly influence the decisions that you make for you and your family? It's really as simple as "If you want to play, you have to pay." (Not that I'm condoning such behaviour...) If someone wants condoms, or the pill, they can BUY IT THEMSELVES! No insurance company should have to cover things that are easily available over the counter.

ii. The extra-ordinary means is used for various womens' issues. Thanks be to God I'm not a woman, and will never have to deal with these issues. (I don't want them, I'm happy enough). In this situation, the INTENT is not for Birth Control; but to deal with a medical issue...(such as excessive bleeding, or a few things, I'm not all up to date on Biology. I'm a Physicist ;)). The un-intended consequence of using this medication is a result that makes conception less likely to happen. In this situation CONTRACEPTION is not being used for its intended purpose. It is being used for medical means with a secondary effect. Normally in this situation, these pills are not available OTC, but only by Rx means. The question of whether insurance companies should cover this situation. I again do not think they should have to cover this situation either. Why? The modern concept of insurance has effectively driven up costs because no longer are people required to directly participate in the market place for a good or service (more on that point later). Competition and choices bring down prices. It's why you can buy cereal and most groceries for cheap. There are varieties forcing competition. As far as the moral situation goes for the extra-ordinary situation, the intention is what saves this from being a mortal sin. One way to look at it, is if there was a surgery on a pregnant woman. Let's say the surgeon botched the job they were supposed to do, and resulted in killing the baby. It was not the intent of the doctor or the woman to kill the baby. It was a freak accident. Not exactly ideal, but things like that do happen. The Church is the hospital of mercy, not house of condemnation. (Though obviously the Church needs to call a spade a spade, and a sin a sin). These particular circumstances have ALWAYS been understood by the Church, and have always been understood as non applicable in their situations. An easy example. The normal posture for receiving Communion in the Roman Catholic Church is kneeling and on the tongue. Obviously if someone can't kneel, that person does not have to kneel, a bit of common sense needs to be applied by those on the right and the left to this situation.

b. The problem with the mandate....


i. The people (us) are being forced against our will to pay for someone elses' activities. Some of you are going to mention car insurance I'm sure. Besides for the fact that owning a car is not a right, the 2nd thing is that if you don't have a car, you don't need insurance. So that particular situation is different than this mandate. What this mandate does is effectively force you to buy insurance or face a fine. Unlike auto insurance, where if you don't have car, insurance on it is not necessary. This mandate would effectively mean that the government can force you do to what it wants...regardless of your opinion. Michelle Obama on her "fat crusade" wants Candy Bars to be smaller...now the government could in theory make you buy certain foods. It's all for your best interest of course. Since you don't have your own best interest in mind. By mandating health insurance it's effectively the reverse of what some on the left accuse the right of doing. Forcing their own beliefs about insurance, contraception, whatever it happens to be down someone's throat.

c. Fortunately, there's a solution.

The key to understanding this is MANDATE. No one should be forced to do something that they don't want to do.

It is an entirely different proposition if one person out of their OWN free will offers their insurance company a few extra dollars so that contraception can be covered. The initiative comes from the consumer of the product. Most insurance companies I'm sure would gladly take a few extra dollars from your own pocket books to cover this for you. Why? You're covering your own expenses, it's as simple as that.

The original intent of insurance (or rather, what insurance should be) is to cover catastrophic events, or things that endanger one's life. Unfortunately, in modern times, basically health insurance and healthcare have been equated to the same exact thing. How many of you actually know how much your medicines and various things cost? The vast majority of people do not pay for doctor's visits out of pocket. (My mom worked in medicine, so I never had to see how much these things actually cost)...Don't you think that's a problem? That you get a service, and you DO NOT know how much it costs? All you do know is that you pay x amount for your insurance each month, and all things are covered. It'd be like McDonald's taking away the prices from the menu, and saying order what you want, we'll bill your grocer and you'll never see the bill.

Another thing to consider, how often do we even use the service? Someone as young as myself doesn't as often go to the doctor, as say someone who is older than me, or even younger than me. Why do you keep paying for something that you don't use that often? Wouldn't it make more sense to pay for something when you need it? Rather than always anticipating the cost? Of course being fiscally sound is very important, and it'd require you to actually be responsible, but isn't that what we're supposed to be?

What about those that don't have insurance, yeah, yeah, I know...Think about this...with you paying for more things out of pocket rather than with the insurance company, that frees up capital for said insurance company can use to help those that don't have insurance. In other words, you become a smaller risk to the insurance company, thus allowing the insurance company to take greater risks on those that don't have insurance. Also, along with that point, I remember back in the good old days we actually used to help our neighbour out of our own good will, and their sake. When you give of your income YOURSELF without coercion it is much more meaningful.

What are your thoughts?

Thought of the day

I do not like when people try to project a vocation onto me, or my friends for that matter.

Thought of the day

In order to begin anew, i would have to know that the previous action would not happen again. I do not make the same mistake twice.