— “Chink In The Armor” — Is This What We Want To Be???

I am not a huge Basketball fan, but the story of Jeremy Lin (who happens to be Asian) kinda caught my attention as he appears to be a smart guy who managed to help his team get a couple of clutch wins after taking buzzer beating shots and then making Tebow-ish statements after the games.

The story begins where an unsuspecting writer uses a term that would be blown out of proportion by those who would race-bait.  He wrote a story that included the term “Chick In The Armor”.  The author, Anthony Federico, is getting a raw deal by his company ESPN — who FIRED him — for the confusion.  Well, Anthony Federico wrote a response for being FIRED by ESPN and you can see who is classy and who is the big corporation that does not care about protecting or defending its employees.  Here is his written response:

——————–Anthony Federico Letter——————–

I wrote the headline in reference to the tone of the column and not to Jeremy Lin’s race. It was a lapse in judgment and not a racist pun. It was an awful editorial omission and it cost me my job.

I owe an apology to Jeremy Lin and all people offended. I am truly sorry.

Actions speak louder than words. My words may have hurt people in that moment but my actions have always helped people. If those who vilify me would take a deeper look at my life they would see that I am the exact opposite of how some are portraying me.

They would see that on the day of the incident I got a call from a friend – who happens to be homeless – and rushed to his aid. He was collapsed on the side of the road due to exposure and hunger. They would see how I picked him up and got him a hotel room and fed him. They would see I used my vacation time last year to volunteer in the orphanages of Haiti. They would see how I ‘adopted’ an elderly Alzheimer’s patient and visited him every week for a year. They would see that every winter I organize a coat drive for those less fortunate in New Haven. They would see how I raised $10,000 for a friend in need when his kids were born four months premature. They would see how I have worked in soup kitchens and convalescent homes since I was a kid. They would see my actions speak louder than my words. They would see that these acts were not done for my glory, but for God’s. They would see that each day I live and will continue to live a life of joy and service.

It never has been or will be my intention to hurt anyone.

I wrote thousands and thousands and thousands of headlines in my five years at ESPN. There never was a problem with any of them and I was consistently praised as an employee – both personally and professionally. Two weeks prior to the incident I had my first column published on espnW.com. My career was taking off. Why would I throw that all away with a racist pun? This was an honest mistake.

It is also crucial that people know that the writer of the column had nothing to do with the headline. I wrote it and now I take responsibility for it.

I am actually a Knicks fan and an ardent supporter of Jeremy Lin. Not surprisingly, he has handled the entire situation with grace and class.

Now I have to find a new job and move on with my life.

My solace in this is that ‘all things work together for good for those who love the Lord.’ I praise God equally in the good times and the bad times.

-Anthony Federico

——————–Anthony Federico Letter——————–

Now obviously, he is a talented writer, but does this sound like the words of a racist? Really, if it does, it’s worth noting that I understand he’s married to an Asian-woman himself (so he CANNOT be racist).  Does this pass the Smell Test to you?  Either way;  I would warn anyone who works for ESPN and remind you that they don’t care about thier employees and will let you go if damn-near ANYONE dislikes what you say.

He is my hero for the day.  I can only hope Mr. Federico keeps writing and finds success doing what he loves; but for the rest of us?  Is this what we want to be?

— Kali Pinckney

— Shared Sacrifice And The Government

Now,  I’m not a fan of the concept of “Shared Sacrifice”.  I think it is counter to what America is in the sense that it attempts to lock us all into a relationship that was never intended by our Constitution.  Just look at the language of the Bill Of Rights when it speaks of “No Person”, “Their Persons”, or “The People” and note that those terms are based upon the INDIVIDUAL; not groups of people.  As an individual, you have a right to free speech, a right to your religion, and a right to bear arms… as an individual!

The irony is that government finds it better when people are governed as a group so it does EVERYTHING it can to put people in groups and not deal with the individual.  And as an entity, government is willing to take away rights of some to meet its goals of treating ALL the same.  As an example, if left to government, Speech that is unpopular like the Westboro Baptist Church’s constant protests of soldiers deaths would be banned.  But government fails to recognize that Freedom Of Speech is not meant to protect those ideas we all agree with but those ideas we DON’T agree with (no matter how much we despise what they say).

ONLY GOVERNMENT WOULD BENEFIT IF WE ALL SACRIFICE OUR INDIVIDUALITY FOR GOVERNMENT GOALS.  It reminds me of a quote by Any Rand when she states:

“It only stands to reason that where there’s sacrifice, there’s someone collecting the sacrificial offerings.  Where there’s service, there is someone being served.  The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.”

I think Ayn Rand’s quote is right.  I also think that the government talks a little too much about sacrifice from the individual for my comfort.

— Kali Pinckney

— Interesting Dichotomy — Illegal Alchohol, Yet Legal Cocaine

It’s Ironic that in the short history of the United States we’ve went from being a country that had legal cocaine, to a country that had illegal alcohol (prohibition).  Now we’re not talking about the cocaine that makes you high and entices you into running down the street butt-naked yelling, “SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!!” but we’re talking about the amounts that numb up the mouth (about the amount that was in Coca Cola).

Really? You don't see many Black cops around Prohibition era

Cocaine Toothache Drops

Now, the alcohol Prohibition gave birth and strength to the Mob, the Speakeasy, the Rum Runner (speed boats), and NASCAR (the largest spectator sport in the US).  I’m not suggesting we need to legalize any drugs but what we should learn is that Prohibition of any drugs does not work; and never will.  If demand is present, supply will ALWAYS be met.

But, despite all of the intellectual/philosophical talk; aren’t those images amazing??

— Kali Pinckney

— I Loved Whitney As A Singer — But People?!?!

Now, I love the talent Whitney Houston had.  Man she had some pipes; but flying the flag at half-staff?  Really?  Now she sang two of the best renditions of the National Anthem I’ve ever heard and perhaps its because I’m a vet, but… Perspective!

Again, NOTHING against Whitney but her being a hero was based on the fact that she was popular and could sing.  Now, let’s clarify something… I don’t even think ALL police, or ALL firefighters, or ALL Military are hero’s.   Based upon the below Bob Dylan quote (which I tend to agree with), would an amazing singer be that?  Is Whitney Houston a hero??

“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of

responsibility that comes with his freedom. “

– Bob Dylan

— Kali Pinckney

— The Birth Of A Kingdom — A Poem

The Birth Of A Kingdom

 

Once upon a time, in a lonesome land far far away,

Where people had laws and freedoms to say.

There was no King; and there were no subjects,

Only written rights and a loathing of disrespect.

 

Yet nothing is promised and nothing guaranteed,

Some will surely fail and some surely succeed,

But there were scarce few whom refused to try.

They, the few, who did want but did never decide,

Mistakenly believing that any freedom was free,

They should have from others what they should see.

 

They complain of “them” and group themselves in,

To the light, and the dark, and the fat and the thin.

Those who see, who need, and whom cannot read.

They would claim it unfair and then plant the seed,

To create a union and compile their naughty greed,

Justifying their wants but ignoring their depravities.

 

“We can all do well”, they say, leaving no one to fail,

As we take the most from those who strive and prevail.

They design; they invent, and they manage to create,

We can’t do it ourselves, so let’s take it by the state.

They’ll surrender their goods, if we all stand strong,

We’ll attack those all, who declare us wrong.

 

We took just a bit, and they did not fight our power,

When we take a speck more they’ll hide and cower.

When they learn their place, we’ll take as we will,

Those first who stand up, are those first we’ll kill.

We’ll reform our nation, and impose a stout King,

To do what we think will keep us from wanting.

 

As is always the case, the King bloats corrupt,

He does what he wills, and takes what he wants.

The Kingdom grows, and takes the land of those,

Who want nothing to do with any Kingdoms at all,

Whilst Kingdom creates laws after laws after law.

 

Another sure fault as the Kingdom makes haste,

It grows like a weed, leaving a bitter pungent taste,

In the throats and souls of those it subjugates.

Emerging ever larger and claiming all it stakes.

 

Awakening factions will see what’s borne for them,

Deciding enslavement is a worse way to condemn.

 

The King and Kingdom at first “asked” for our compliance,

Then they requested, demanded, and imposed our silence.

First what we ate, wore, and then what we bought at the store,

Eventually it was what we saw, heard, said, and ever more.

The Kingdom dictated we buy articles of its mandate,

To stand up and call attention draws us a far worse fate,

If we did not comply, we received taxes; lashes; or both,

The Kingdom stole our wealth, and gave itself our growth.

 

…Until the response of the enslaved was, “NO MORE!”;

The era of voluntary compliance was thereby OVER!

 

The King sent his constables to force them to pay,

There were not enough police to secure that day.

Offended and angered, the serfs felt betrayed,

Seething rage took over and running riots were made.

It was no longer wrong to ignore the King’s command,

The Constables threatened, but were outnumbered 800-to-10.

The villagers raised their spades, and buried those Kings men.

 

The King called his Knights to go secure his homeland,

No one would speak to them nor lend them a hand.

With more and more of their property declared contraband,

Fewer and fewer still would accept the Kings demands.

After weeks of patrolling and collecting the Kings dues,

Knights, armor rusted, and their Knight enforced curfews,

Having to sleep sometime, they did,

           …and their throats were sawed through.

 

The King was beside himself and sent for his soldiers,

To do what it took, anything, to institute his orders.

Aggressive at first, the soldiers promptly did learn,

You lose when surrounded by villagers and serfs 50-to-1.

Honorable soldiers deserted and refused to murder and kill,

The rest were hunted, ambushed in streets, slain wholesale,

            …and the remainder soon lost their will.

 

The Kingdom did fall; but never to another,

Their insides blown out, the tyrants were gunned-over.

 

For posterity, it was villagers, individuals, and a few brave,

That skinned the corrupt King, and danced on his grave.

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— Kali Pinckney

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