Sibling Rivalry

When I was young my brother would always argue with me about how to cut the lawn. I preferred a circular motion and he wanted a linear cut before my father would come outside to examine our body of work we would rant and argue some times even throw grass and weeds at each other..

Of course after our internal drama the grass would be cut and my dad would be happy later we realize that our sibling rivalry only made the lawn look better .

Cornel West and Al Sharpton are superb grass cutters for the community and the guy in the big white house

Things to consider in a Political Execution

For a nation that suffered and still reeks with pain of 9/11 does a war on terror bring justice or vengeance. I prefer justice from the scene of a courtroom rather than the barrel of a gun. The death of Osama bin Laden must be viewed not only in the context of the war on terror. We must also evaluate his death from the perspective of retribution and vengeance. Yet these insights have to be reviewed in the context of our values and principles. Even the purpose of people like Osama bin Laden requires examination.

After we return from the celebrations, political bravado and the media's agenda in the portrayal of this event at some point we must have the courage to understand why people would wage war against another nation. Why would people wrap themselves in bombs and kill innocents. Why nations invade the sovereignty of another borders. Is there ever a reason for the killing of innocents even when the reasons are inhumanity and oppression?

Is it appropriate for a nation in it's quest to defend it's borders and citizens to execute a terrorist rather than capture that person and bring them to justice. Can a military force make justice? Should a nation allow it's principles and rules of law been articulate by a barrel of a gun or the rules of engagement in a war on terror. Does justice just belong to those who define it. Are the rules of law just for those who have power. It is JUSTUS or JUSTICE depending on what side you are on?

Can one wage war in a humanitarian fashion. Is a nation correct in ignoring those who call themselves freedom fighters but instead indicting them as terrorist. Is a patriot a cheerleader for nation's ego and nationalism. We must have the courage and integrity to ask the questions and challenged the dogma, rhetoric and propaganda.

I choose not to run outside and wave my flag after the death of Osama bin Laden. Instead I prefer to understand why people do what they do is it the conditions one lives in or is it a personal decision. I want to wage a movement of humanity I want to serve in the community of peace and be an advocate for civility and justice that revolves around the respect and dignity of all people everywhere on our planet.

In a nation where evil and good exists I want to always have the ability to decipher the code of justice or vengeance and not allow my government, media, political interest groups and others to decipher this code of justice or vengeance for me. I will always reject the politics of an execution whether a terrorist by the military of the execution of a criminal by the state.