Father

Fathers day has come on gone. I had probably what was the longest conversation with my father in my life. He is a good man, just wasn't a good father. There are a lot of men out there that aren't good fathers. Some are just boys themselves and really don't know how to be a father. If you know a good father out there, have one, or one is the father of your child please show your appreciation. Mothers do a wonderful job as mothers, especially in the black community. Without black women who knows where we would be. So when you have a good black man, pump him up and laud him for the things he does. I only wish that I could have had that in my life. Men around me that are active in their childrens lives is so admirable to me. I say thank you to all the good fathers out there. Good fathers along with good mothers will make a better society in the end.

Debt to Society

Recently the homie Mike Vick got out of jail for fighting dogs. This got me to thinking about those who have been caught breaking the law. I've thought about how someone ever gets out of jail/prison and makes it. The deck is so stacked against you because those things follow you for a long time or the rest of your life. Is that fair? I mean, if your punishment has been served why isn't that the end of it?

So a lot of people think Vick should be reinstated and allowed to play football. Others I have heard say that any other regular person wouldn't be able to go back to their job. This is probably true for the most part. For them, I don't think it is fair. You break the law, you are punished, and that should be it when you finish your punishment. If what you did is so bad that it has to stay with you forever, why not just keep the person in jail? You put a person out there and make their situation difficult and it is no wonder so many people end up right back in trouble.

Part of your punishment is often about rehabilitation. Well if you do that, then you should be fine to contribute to society like a regular citizen. Not be hindered by your past forever. But maybe jail doesn't really work on the person. I guess it just serves as a holding place until they feel like letting you back out. We could at least have a better plan to assimilate people back into society.

I just wonder what it really means to pay ones debt to society when the punishment goes past time served and probation. In a country of second chances, are criminals given a second chance?

No peace in death

Death is one thing that has always scared me. That probably shows a lack of faith in my relationship with God more than anything. Being the person I am it is a struggle not to question what comes next. What has gotten me thinking about death lately is all the famous lives that have been lost recently. Some of these caught my attention more than others. This has all made me wonder why we can't give these people peace in death?

David Carradine was found in a somewhat compromising position in his death. Steve McNair the same. Michael Jackson had a "mysterious" death. Why do we or the media focus on the circumstances of their deaths so much? None of us are above faults in our lives. But they are dead and no longer here. Why not celebrate their life and be happy that they will hopefully be moving on to a better place? That wouldn't be sensational enough. We love controversy and feed on peoples mistakes and misfortunes. It seems so petty and useless to me. Entertainment at the expense of another persons loss of life.

Michael Jackson was a spectacle the last few years, and now they have done the same thing with his death. Part of me is happy he is gone because maybe now he can find peace outside of the spotlight in which he spent his entire life. That had to be draining. I am definitely sick of all the coverage. Really, just let his family and friends morn. We don't need to know the details of his passing. He is gone. Some nurse is all on TV talking about what Jackson asked her for. Got to get her five minutes in.

McNair, a good player and what seemed like a good person was apparently having an affair. Or maybe there was an understanding with his wife. Who knows. Doesn't really matter. He was too young, and so was the young lady. There are four young men who will now grow with no father. Families have lost loved ones. But all I see, read and hear about are people talking about this relationship with the woman. So much focus on the negative rather than the positive. It is a shame to live a decent life and have it treated like this after you have moved on.

I just wish we could give people peace in death. Is there anything in your life or at your house that if you ended to day would change the way people look at you? Would you want it made all public?