Hot and Cold

A teacher tapes the hands of Black students and makes them crawl under a desk...

Read this story: http://wcbstv.com/watercooler/slavery.haverstraw.middle
.2.880370.html

Was this really necessary?

On "Black Friday" morning, a Wal-Mart employee was TRAMPLED to death by irate shoppers looking for a "deal".  He was the one opening the doors that morning.

When the store closed and employees tried to clear the area and announced that someone had died, many shoppers were upset and had the audacity to complain about being in line overnight.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20081129/D94OJ4NG0.html



Where are America's priorities?

I thought this economy was in a recession?

How do you just step over a man on the ground without a care in the world to make sure he is ok? Then have the NERVE to complain about standing in line all night?

That flat screen TV can be replaced or bought another time. This man's life is GONE because of pure ignorance and impatience. Is this society that screwed up? Really?

My God.

16 students involved in a fight at Bradley Tech. One cop injured after being punched in the face.

I just don't get it.

I am highly upset.

Maybe I care too much about my future.

Maybe I see how some poor children suffer because their parents didn't get an education, and therefore, cannot get a good-paying or respectable, or legal (yes I said it) job.

But I just do not understand why teenagers come to school and FIGHT!

Bradley Tech is an excellent school. Rockwell Automation is always looking for future engineers, and the company is willing to provide scholarships and internships, investing in the future. I have a classmate who graduated from Tech and now makes $15 an hour an an intern at Rockwell.

Don't the other students want that? Don't their parents want that? Doesn't our community want that?

Or do they want more criminals posing as leaders, like Michael McGee?

The vote was just passed this week to increase taxes, and that money would go to MPS!

To do what!

Pay for more cops to walk around Bradley Tech?

This is my plea to all MPS students:

Take you education seriously. Period.

So I'm sure you've heard....

John Kerry was at some rally talking politics, when he said this:

"Barack got asked the famous boxers or briefs question," Kerry said. "I was tempted to say commando."

"Then they asked McCain and McCain said, 'Depends."

The media ATE THIS UP as you could guess. Big feeding frenzy. 

Check out how Greta Van Susteren blew it up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-jhKFD50HM

Now...to be fair, when Kerry said "depends", it could have been one of two things, because he didn't actually say "he wears Depends". But at the same time he didn't say, "it depends".  He could have meant:

"Depends" as in, it depends, as in, it varies. He could wear briefs on Monday and boxers on Tuesday.

Or "Depends", as in, the adult diaper.

Hey, I'm just being trying to be fair. I don't want to be one of those Journalists that cries foul at every comment without examining both sides. :)

The crowd laughed, and loved the joke. But Kerry is what, only six or seven years younger than McCain, so if he really did mean adult diapers, he better be careful because he isn't that far away from that himself.

Your thoughts?

Quote and full story:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/10
/21/2008-10-21_former_presidential_candidate_john_kerry
.html

In Los Angeles, there is total outrage from the results of an audit that revealed over 7,000
rape kits have not yet been tested!

They are sitting in the lab freezers while thousands of woman go without closure and justice, and the criminals that did it are still free!

Some of the kits, 217 of them to be exact, are over ten years old, and in California, that means the statute of limitations has passed, and that if a DNA match is found, the person cannot be prosecuted.

They say it's because of money, under staffing, and poor budgeting....that's always the answer, right?

This is in part why some women who are assaulted do not come forward, and it is really a shame.

What is going on with our justice system? We need to do more to help protect and get justice for our women.

See the story yourself on cnn.com:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2008/10/
21/pn.rape.kit.backlog.cnn

The following is from jsonline.com:

West Bend - A 15-year-old student at West Bend East High School who complained of racial harassment at the school this semester was arrested Monday night on accusations of obstructing officers investigating her complaints, police said this morning.

The girl repeatedly lied to police about the incidents, police Chief Ken Meuler said.

"She violated state law by giving us false information," Meuler said.

The girl had alleged that other students had tossed eggs on her and had pushed her down a stairway as part of a series of incidents that began Sept. 18. The department's investigation reviewed surveillance video and interviewed other students and administrators but could find no evidence to support even one of her claims, Meuler said.

The girl has withdrawn from the school district, Meuler said. Police are seeking five counts of obstructing officers, and the allegations are being reviewed by the Washington County district attorney's office.


I am so relieved to know that she lied! I absolutely hate when people play the race card. I hope West Bend's reputation was not injured due to the ignorant and completely disturbing lies told by this little girl. She looks like an idiot. I really hope her family was not in on this. If not, I truly feel sorry for them because their image is completely destroyed by this senseless, crude act.

I hope the students at West Bend do not think all minorities that come to that school district will behave like this. As I Black young woman, I am embarrassed and ashamed of this girl.

Your thoughts?

I saw it. Did you see it? What do you think of it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufn_uA2-0Vg


As the election gets closer and closer, things are really getting tense between the two candidates. This is such a turn off for me, a first-time voter. What do you all think?

I have JUST finished watching Bryan Polcyn's excellent investigative report, "A Night In The Inner City".

Bryan, I would like to thank you for rolling up your sleeves and going on 29th and Locust to do this story. Thank you for talking to the people that live in the neighborhood, showing the man that set up the initiative on his block to fight violent crime, and thank you for setting up your cameras, dispelling the awful rumors and stereotypes that people have in their heads.

What irony...those so called "gunshots" were fireworks. Yes, illegal fireworks, but fireworks, and NOT gunshots.

At first, I was very nervous about this report. I thought you were just going to keep airing the bad news that the people in these neighborhoods already know about. But you showed what the people in the suburbs don't see on the news. A quiet neighborhood on a Saturday night. People riding bicycles, jumping rope, and throwing footballs.

Thank you for pointing out that the PEOPLE are violent, not the neighborhood. The people that come and cause problems don't even live in the area.

Thank you for this story. I hope people in the suburbs that constantly turn their noses up on the inner city will be encouraged to do something to HELP our communities, instead of running away from the problem.

Thanks Bryan.

So....I'm currently a Journalism major at Valparaiso University in Indiana. I have quickly realized that this is not the school for me. The easy thing to do would be to transfer back home to UWM. However, my parents have made it very clear that they do not want me to transfer. They have given me an ultimatum. If I transfer home to Milwaukee, they will provide NO financial assistance and I will NOT be able to live at home. As an only child, I have no one else to turn to for help or assistance. Applying for FAFSA has resulted in another blow. Because I am a dependent child and both of my parents are married and have jobs that do support the family, I was only offered $1700 from UWM. That is a start, but I cannot put myself through school with that amount alone. I am determined to move back home to the city that I've grown up in for almost 19 years. Milwaukee is my home. And this is my life. I don't want to load you with my sob story, but I am ready to drive my life in the direction of my choosing, not my parents'.  I believe education is very important, and UWM is a great school in a great community.


Can anyone help me? Should I wait? Or should I leave and be happy? My happiness comes at a price, my parents' sadness and disappointment. Are there any good scholarships for people who are ALREADY in school? PLEASE don't tell me about fastweb because it doesn't work. Everyone uses that site, which depletes my chances. Someone help! Are there any mothers out there with an opinion? Other college students? Fellow alumnus?

We had a lot of breaking news stories this year. As we prepare to enter a new year, I would like you to share which story (local or national) shocked you the most? It can be ANYTHING!

Here's A Short Recap To Choose From:

The death of Anna Nicole Smith
The Don Imus Scandal
Al Gore and the Global Warming Crisis
Britney Spears Scandal(s)
Michael Vick Troubles
Ald. Michael McGee in Jail
Massacre at Virginia Tech
NASA Astronaut Lisa Nowak
Mattel's Big Recall
Minneapolis Deadly Bridge Collapse
Baseball & Steroids
Larry Craig & His "Foot Tapping"
Pres. Bush & Karl Rove
The Jena 6


Or, you can share a personal event that took place this year that had a major impact on your life. I love to read your thoughts!

 

We've ALL heard the negative things about Wal-Mart. As much as I hate it, I LOVE shopping at Wal-Mart! Especially the one on 108th St, and the big one in Germantown. The ones in the city are so small. But, this year, Wal-Mart's tag line is "The more you save, the more Christmas you can give".

Ok, yes, we do give gifts on Christmas, but is Wal-Mart that money hungry?

Has America really come to the point where Christmas is only about how many money we can spend and how many gifts we can give?

And what about that jewelry commercial where the couple breaks the wishbone? The daughter asks how does it work. The parents say the one who gets the bigger piece "gets their wish". Then the father presents the wife with a diamond ring or bracelet or some expensive object. *Ugh*

Is this what we want to teach our kids?

What do you all think?

If you've read my profile, you'd know that I'm a current undergrad student at Valparaiso University, located in Northwestern Indiana. Also, if you looked at my picture, you'd see that I'm a minority. There aren't many minorities, but I try to look past that because there's more to a person than just the color of their skin.

Not asking for any special treatment, but just for you to open your eyes to a surprising fact that I learned today. The KKK is still alive and kicking in Valparaiso, among many other cities and towns in NW Indiana. Students at my school did a study of racial incidents since 1990, and the results were surprising to me. They include burnings of crosses, carvings of swastikas, and vandalism of homes and vehicles, along with harassment. Please take a look at the facts:

http://www.valpo.edu/organization/copc/bias/

Be sure to look at the interactive map along with the list of incidents reported. The incidents were not just against Black people.

After reviewing the information, I am very nervous. Yes, I know racism is everywhere, but I didn't know it was that bad in Indiana. I thought I was going to a great school with a great environment, with great people. But now, I am very doubtful of it. I don't know what to say or think. I don't know if I should stay or come back to Milwaukee. I just want to get a college education so that I can become something useful to our society, and it's hard when you have things like this to look past. What's the incentive? How can I prove people wrong when they don't give me a chance?

I am really looking for insightful thoughts and opinions, so I could really use your support.

Please keep the ignorant comments and remarks to a minimum.

This topic has laced news stories on and off for a while now.

We know how the President feels about it, but how do YOU feel about it?

Recently, the Fox affiliate in Chicago led a debate. They invited various people of different ages and backgrounds, including an undocumented young woman, to give their stance on the topic.

One person said, "We are ALL immigrants. none of us are Native American. We came over here and took over."  Another said, "These Mexicans just come and take all the jobs away from people. Look at the construction sites, you see them all the time."

That comment led to an even bigger argument, with everyone accusing her of being a racist. You can see the whole thing on http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/About
Us?pageId=5.1

What many people fail to realize is that Mexican natives AREN'T the only people who come into this country, whether it's illegally or not. Many point the finger at that country, and that country alone.

One of my friends pointed this fact out to me:
The same people that complain are the same people eat out at Chinese Buffets, and get their hair and nails done at various shops around the country. They purchase gasoline from immigrants, but it's only a problem when a Mexican person gets a job at a construction site, where some Americans are too lazy to work anyway. The jobs are available, so why can't they take it? Some Americans are just focused on office jobs, not the jobs where you get your hands dirty.


I am not taking any sides at this point, because I am still trying to educate myself and get the facts from both sides.

How do YOU feel about Immigration?

Violent behavior in Milwaukee has become an everyday activity for criminals. From gang rapes to homicides in the peak of the day, nothing is surprising anymore. But who do we blame? Who can the criminals turn to in order to change their lives? Many feel they can't trust the police because of the Frank Jude, Jr. story. They can't trust their local aldermen and women because of Michael McGee, Jr....and Sr. for that matter. Where can our children go when their parents seek refuge from high bills and stress on local street corners?

After I graduate from college in 2011, I plan to come back to Milwaukee to create an outreach center for our youth...and adults. But I need to know where the root of the problem is. Is it at home where one parent is in charge and under a lot of stress? Is it in schools where other students judge kids for not knowing the correct answer? Or is it our media, who continues to front page the violence, and not enough peace?

Please, give me any suggestions you have. Your opinion is important to me...and the future of Milwaukee.