Choices

Non-obvious actions taken in obvious moments, difficult decisions that might be easier to avoid, responses instead of reactions, and most of all, the choices we make when it doesn't even seem like we have a choice--all of these, taken together, define who we are and the impact we make.

"I had no choice," actually means, "I had only one path that was easy in the moment."

The agenda we invent and act on defines our organizations, our work, and the people we choose to become.
 

--- Seth Godin: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/12/choices.html  

Video Intrigue: Kendrick Lamar "Untitled"

Performance

 

Interview and Performance

"Any Outrage Out There for Ramos and Liu, Protesters?” Yes Mike, there is outrage.

 

Mike Barnicle, a gentleman I don’t know, but watch and listen to regularly on "Morning Joe" produced the opinion piece : Any Outrage Out There for Ramos and Liu, Protesters?  I typically agree with his expressed views on the show, with this piece, not so much. In general he is spot on, until he calls to question the protesters motives or lack of contriteness.  Fact is, I like the man as presented on the show, as we often do with talking heads and personalities we tend to agree with, which compelled me to draft this reply. Worst than Mike though, are the many other prominent individuals spouting various reasons for the death of the officers, and blaming something or someone other than the killer, which is sick.   

I don’t speak for protesters, however, I am most certain of the answer: Yes. Absolutely appalled. We[protesters] are outraged. 

Will there be protests, no, because cop assassination is not an issue.  A possibility, yes, but not an issue.  Being killed in the line of duty is not to be conflated with assassination.

For the record. I find peacefully protesting, marching, or rallying obsolete. Nevertheless, for those who engage in the practice I wish them well in achieving their goals.  Further, to associate the despicable act of cop assassination, which according to reports was committed by one individual, with a group of individuals gathered to protest for a change in how officers of the law engage with the citizens of the United States to too clever by half, and worst, not becoming of our professed American values.

The families and friends of the two slain officers are now in the exact same situation as those who’ve lost a loved one, whether by natural causes, freak occurrence, at war, the hand of a criminal, or at the hand of an officer of the law. Bottom line, we can all relate to the sickening feeling we have when we lose a dear loved one, and express empathy, not spread hatred or point fingers.

At issue is the fact that officers of the law are to uphold the law equally. Criminals have no such obligation. Recent events --- as succinctly described by Mike in his op-ed --- involving officers of the law and citizens ignited some citizens to protest. Those same recent events don’t justify the killing of police officers, and the individual that committed the act is not to be associated with individuals gathered to exercise their right to peacefully protest for change.

To ask, “Any outrage out there for Ramos and Liu, Protesters,” is petty, and asserts that those protesting don’t care about the lives of police officers, which is not true --- Police Lives Matter, and misses the point of the protest: Fair treatment under the law.

No one has blood on their hands for the slain officers except the killer, no one is to blame for the death of the officers except the killer, and everyone should be and it’s certainly true that I and many others are outraged at the savage assassination.  Lack of protest does not diminish that outrage.


To the family of Officer Ramos and to the family of Officer Liu, please accept my humble condolences.  I wish your families well.