— Last Dance — Donna Summer

Now if you know me [which you don't], you know I love me some Disco.  I may have missed the Disco era due to being too young to fully experience the best parts of it (Studio 54, jeans vests, and key clubs.. what!?).  But one of the best parts of that decade were some of the singers.  Donna Summer was one of those whose music will always be remembered.

Well She has died today [17 May 2012] after a battle with cancer.  The good news is that she’ll live forever through her music, and Diva-ness.  One of my favorite songs from her is Last Dance, and it seems fitting to play it for her.

Now, people think I’m wrong, but I believe disco will return in a couple of decades so until then…

— Kali Pinckney

— Police Drones — Part Two

Okay,  It was coincidental but this is the second day in a row that I’m directing my (and anyone who sees this) attention to the Police use of Drones.  Not because they’re interesting but because they’re a threat to privacy.  As a Libertarian, I see that drones are a direct threat to privacy.  I’m in good company, however.  Listen to Judge Napolitano’s concerns.

For a look at the original article this video is posted go read; First Patriot To Shoot Down A Government Spy Drone Will Be A Hero, from InfoWars.com.  And I tend to agree.  No good can come from this!

— Kali Pinckney

— Police Department Drones — Now It Begins

I just saw a poll that asked the question, “Do you believe Police Departments should operate drones”?  Most people who responded to the non-scientific poll (which is why I’m not publishing it), still believe that Police Departments SHOULD NOT have Drones and I Agree.

Now, I’m not concerned with the tiny drones that a department can use to scout out a house before the SWAT Team is preparing to enter once they determine that they have the correct house, proper warrant to enter and search, and a legal cause to break someone’s Constitutional rights and enter someone’s house.   I’m not concerned about the battery operated four fan drones with the cameras that can fly under 50 feet and have no sensors on them, but enable police to see whats on the other side of a fence.  No!

But This Is Not Where We Will End Up

Although, I’m NOT concerned about the small drones I’m afraid that the use of these small [lets call them] “Tactical” drones will give way to the larger drones that will inevitably come.  Police Departments will NOT be content with “tools”, they will want drone “programs”.  They will recognize that police helicopters are limited and that drones with hi-tech sensors will not only save money, but will be able to linger above cities for days (some drones can linger in the skies for up to 42 hours).  Police will claim that they are valuable tools in helping officer safety and tracking down bad guys.  They will claim that drones are merely a replacement to Police Helicopters and that the people should not fear thier use.

But what every government will find is that the citizenry will not want to pay for such drones and Police Departments will not be able to afford them.  So instead of accepting that the citizens of a city do not want them, there will be the inevitable Federal Drone Grant to supply them to local governments.  With that grant will be the obligation (or even requirement) that the Federal Government have access to them upon National Security necessity.  Just as Homeland Security 911 Grants benefited the Federal Government, so will a drone grant.  We are already seeing Federal Law Enforcement agencies, such as the Customs And Border Protection (CBP) using drones and we have already seen the first case in which a Predator drone [A Homeland Security Predator] was used to help the Grand Forks, North Dakota Police Department arrest Rodney Brassart because he claimed 6 cows that entered his land. 

Imagine larger police Departments, such as Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) or the New York Police Department (NYPD) with Predator Drones maintaining a permanent presence at 35,000 feet, above those city’s with the ability to zoom in and watch your vehicle as you leave your house and arrive at your destination when it isn’t the government’s business where you travel.  Your privacy is sacred and it is a Constitutional Right (Privacy).  Until there is evidence of wrongdoing and a warrant has been issued, police, or government should not concern itself.

http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=228416406&edition=BETAUS

There used to be a time when I despised much of what the ACLU got involved in, but lately, although scary, I find myself despising them less.  They share the premise that the government must be opposed by someone.  Do you really trust the government to utilize drones AND protect your rights?  Just remember what government tried to argue with GPS transmitters.

— Kali Pinckney

— Nigel Farage ; At It Again — Making Sense

Alright, I’m neither a “Good follower”, or a “Blind Follower”.  I take pride in my ability to logically process information other attempt to feed me.   BUT there is one dude that makes sense to me and that is Nigel Farage. As a member of UKIP, he tries to ensure that Europe and the EU cause as little damage as possible to the rights of the individual member countries.  I wrote a couple of other notes about him HERE (check it out) and HERE (check it out), but he just gets better and better:

Now, perhaps you noticed that I said that he gets “better and better”, but the truth is that his message gets more and more dire.  Unfortunately, he’s pretty logical, rational and accurate.  And now, he’s talking revolution.  Now if he was a cult leader, I’d probably be in his cult because he makes sense to me but… I hope he’s wrong (but I fear he’s right).

— Kali Pinckney

— The Year Of Racial Renaissance — 2015

I call for A Year Of Racial Renaissance.  IT’S TIME!

Imagine a country in which — one way or another — we allowed ourselves to change the way we see race!  Imagine if we made significant changes to rid ourselves of quotas and made ourselves racially Neutral?  Imagine if race wasn’t included in determinations of whether or not you get a Job, get an Education, or are treated by the Law.  It seems to be really easy to say we want everyone to be treated equally, however, it is apparent that many of us who suggest that we want equality; actually want “more equality” for ourselves [Ala the 7th Commandment of Animal Farm].  We must ask ourselves if we truly want people to be treated equally; because if we do, we cannot treat ANY group with a preference over others due to their racial makeup, right?   Any employment application that has a racial check box should obviously go away; Right???

What will be interesting, is to see which organizations OPPOSE a Racial Renaissance.  It’ll be interesting to see the groups stand up suggesting they don’t want to change how race is treated.  We will see those same “race baiters” who always seem to pop up whenever there is an opportunity (such as the current Treyvon Martin case) claim that “We Cannot Do This”, and “We Cannot Change This Fast”.  They will proclaim, “That A Lack Of Protection Won’t Stop Racism Against Their Individual Groups”, but they will not be able to hide the fact that it is them who is actually afraid of the change.  We see that those particular individuals who arrive whenever someone claims racism [and when there are media cameras around], never, in fact, do anything positive for race relations.  Instead of correcting any miscommunications or speaking logically on the event they are protesting, they collect money, not for any victims, but for themselves.  They do this by inflaming communities and bullying business’, politicians or others who disagree.

In spite of all evidence (such as fewer incidents of racial hate crimes, increasing interracial marriages, and increasing diversity in workplaces and schools),  we see that some [and we ALL know those groups] currently seem to benefit from racial turmoil; and the reason why they do not want to change is because they will lose money and find themselves obsolete under a lack of racism.  They will do all they can to protect their status quo (and keep those donations coming in).   They are the modern day Snake Oil salesmen.  They mix up a concoction and tell everyone that their Snake Oil can fix all your ills (from fatigue to cancer).  These groups instead claim everything (from the collapse of the family to unemployment) is due to racism.

Now, Here’s Where It Gets Tricky

We ALL know racism exists!  The problem is that racism will ALWAYS exist and it ALWAYS has existed because it is a condition of humanity, like jealousy.  It is not going away!  But what we all should fight against is governmental (or systematic) racism.  That occurs when government has a “separate but equal” policy, or when under truly racist President Woodrow Wilson, the government and military was “re-segregated”.  Obviously, government policies should NOT take race into account.  It should also be obvious that; if we are going to combat racism, we are going to have to change individually.  The reason why is because NO government (1)  Can force people to be less racist, or (2)  Right the wrongs for an entire race.

Again, it should be obvious that no one can force anyone else to not be a racist but the real problem occurs when many feel they are a victim of racism merely because someone doesn’t “like” them; and that may be true!  But as an unfortunate side-effect of freedom, there is a right of association.  If an individual chooses to only hang out with his own race; that is his own prerogative.  If an individual starts a business, no one can force her to hire someone she does not like.  No government can force anyone to “like” anyone else.  But that is Okay!  because Government’s job IS to ensure individual rights are protected, not to ensure everyone gets treated as great as they feel they should.  You are NOT free if someone else determines whom you will associate.  By extension, it is not freedom if government determines whom you let in to your school, club, or whom you hire in your private business.

Just as it cannot determine your friends, government cannot right the wrongs for an entire race.  We must be concerned when Government policy attempts to equalize the condition of an entire race.  Whether it is paying the Japanese for interning Japanese Americans during World War 2; or thinking reparations for descendents of slaves is a good idea, it is never a good idea to punish people who had nothing to do with such decisions or apologize to those who were not mistreated by people who had nothing to do with such decisions.  The good news on racism, however, is that people change over time with experience, exposure, and education.  Previous racist generations die-off (respectfully), and the children exposed to racists MAY not grow up to be racist themselves.  As an example, in 1938, the U.S. wouldn’t have had a black President due to a lack of voters, however, fast forward to 2008 and you get B.O..  It is the natural progression of things to become LESS racist [WHEN EVERYONE IS TREATED EQUALLY], but this is on an individual basis.  Government should NEVER allow itself to be manipulated into choosing any race over any other race when it comes to benefits, freedoms, aid, or taxes!

In The End

A Racial Renaissance will NOT be easy to achieve, but Martin Luther King Jr.’s goal was a world in which the individual was judged “by the content of his character” and we need to see it through.  I’ll even grant you that the American Indians may be a sole exception [due to Treaty], but we all know throughout our entire beings’ that getting rid of racial preferences (for or against any race) is the absolute, unequivocal, right thing to do!

I recognize that it’ll take time to even start such A proposal.  If we commit now, 2015 could be our year!  It’s highly unlikely, but…  Let’s just start with the idea of our government being racially neutral and treating everyone exactly the same.

— Kali Pinckney