A Long, Long Way to Go!

I’m writing this post as a testament of current events and a response to a growing sentiment of hate and racial division within the United States of America. America has come a long, long way in the area of race relations as even Martin Luther King Jr. pointed out in the Late 1950’s but he also acknowledged that America has a long, long way to go. Today, is no different, our great country has come a long, long way. We have seen the election of the first Black President, there is much more equality now than in the 1950’s and 1960’s. BUT, things could be much, much better!

As things reach a boiling point in the shooting death of Treyvon Martin, a 17 year old black teenager in Florida who was shot by a Hispanic Neighborhood Watch leader, George Zimmerman, my concern grows for the furtherance of race relations. It has become a hot button, black/white issue with hate propaganda overloading the airwaves. As a local police officer, I wonder how a seemingly local issue has become a national debate? It’s not as if similar crimes have not occurred on a somewhat regular basis across the country. I’m not saying that justice for Martin and/or Zimmerman should be ignored but it seems as if there was an agenda behind this case…an agenda which seems, in part, motivated to set-back race relations. There is so much hate and tension building and no good can come of it.

I began reading Martin Luther King Jr.’s April 1957 speech “A Realistic Look at the Question of Progress in the Area of Race Relations.” I found some great insight…King says:

“My friends, I cannot leave you without saying that as we move on let us be sure that our methods are thoroughly moral and Christian. This is one of the basic things confronting our nation. No matter what we suffer. I know it’s really hard when we think of the tragic midnight of injustice and oppression that we’ve had to live under so many years, but let us not become bitter. Let us never indulge in hate campaigns, for we can’t solve the problem like that.”

For the sake of my children I hope the hate rhetoric is quelled quickly. I hope we start hearing the voices of reason. Let our justice system work and not have people take matters into their own hands when it comes to handing out justice. Street Justice is not the answer. The flaws with the process and the system should be addressed through rational and peaceful channels. Lawful channels.

“ Somebody must have sense in this world. And to hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of hate in the universe. We must not use violence. Maybe sometimes we will have to be the victims of violence, but never let us be the perpetrators of violence. For if we succumb to the temptation of using violence in our struggle, unborn generations would be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness and our chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos. We must not use violence.”

I believe we must send a message of love and respect. Approach our differences with humility. If we honor the opinions of others and approach our conflicts through admirable action over pointed words our common ground can be found. What we want as, black, white, yellow or brown is not that much different. We must restore our values. King continues:

“Our aim must never be to defeat the white man or to humiliate him. Our aim must be to win his friendship and his understanding. Oh, no matter how much we are mistreated there is still a voice crying through the vistas of time saying, “Love your enemy. Bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.” And then, and only then, can you matriculate into the university of eternal life. We must get a hold of this simple principle of love and let it be our guiding principle throughout our struggle.”

In this challenging time in America, there is much division over politics and now race. Many of us have not been sucked into the game of words, but I urge everyone to pay attention to what is going on. Apathy today will only cause you to awaken tomorrow to a world you don’t recognize. I am looking for the leaders to emerge. Leaders that will set us on the right path, take the wheel and correct the course of this great nation. Sadly, I have seen few. Our government and our media are not providing the voice that is needed. Be weary of those who speak with charisma, ensure they are sending the right message…

“This means that through this period we will need leaders on every hand and at every scene who will stress this. This is a time for sound and sane leadership. This is no period for rabble-rousers, whether the rabble-rouser be white or Negro. We are grappling and dealing with the most complex, one of the most weighty and complex social issues of the centuries. This problem is deeply rooted in the emotions, deeply rooted in the customs and traditions of the South. And we can’t solve the problem with misguided emotionalism. This is a period for sane, sound, rational leadership. We must be calm and yet positive at the same time. We must avoid the extremes of hot-headedness and Uncle-Tomism. Oh, this is a period for leaders. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause.”

It is with great hope that I can one day, years from now, look back on this blog and reflect and say America has come a long, long way since Treyvon-Zimmerman. Now lets keep working towards the next great achievement.

I encourage everyone to look up and read MLK Jr.s entire speech “A Realistic Look at the Question of Progress in the Area of Race Relations.”

Stand and fight!

Does evil exist? It’s a fairly simple question. I believe most of us would say yes. What do you do about it? That is a much more complex question. Centuries of human civilization have endured the struggle between good and evil. It seems unlikely that humanity will put an end to this struggle on its own. What do you do about it? Fight? Give-up? Wait until evil confronts you specifically? If the forces of Good and Evil exist then it is reasonable to believe those forces are actively at work. Perhaps you don’t believe in some external supernatural forces, fine then there are internal forces within each of us that dictate our thoughts, emotions and feelings of right and wrong. Regardless the struggle exists and yet many of us go through our day without taking a stand.

Christian author John Eldredge does an excellent job of outlining this ongoing battle of Good and Evil, if you get a chance to read some of his books I recommend you do so. Here are my thoughts, if evil exists, shouldn’t we take an active role in fighting it, in our own lives at a minimum?

I want to shift gears slightly and talk about State sponsored Evil! Sounds scary huh? An entire nation, run by an evil regime, with vast resources at its disposal, ready and willing to carry out its plans. (Begin Sarcasm) Good thing none of those have ever existed (End Sarcasm)

As an American one of the things I’m proud of is the goodness within the people of this country and willingness to stand up to evil….time after time. Has everything this country done been good or just? No. Has every war we’ve entered been for the right reasons? No. Are there global battles that we should not yet be involved in? Yes. Does America have the right to act unilaterally and independent of our allies if we see fit? Your damn right we do and sometimes it is imperative that we do so. The world, to include many of our allies, is to a point, jealous of American dominance. Many wish to see a more global government but I warn you this will only shackle our freedom and destroy the seed of goodness.

Wise council should be sought and our allies respected but we must make our own decisions. When governments such as Iran threaten to annihilate Israel or attack us for supporting them, the answer is not to back down. When rhetoric inside of a nation’s government has been for destruction of a race or people then we should not stay silent and be lured into a false sense of security because the initial attack is not a direct assault on us. Evil ignored is evil at work! We are being flanked!

Good loses to Evil when Good does nothing! But, I’m tired, we’re stretched to thin, we have our own problems! We do have to be smart about the battles we pick and when we choose to fight them, but we also can’t simply refuse to fight because we are exhausted or the odds are stacked against us. Was the ragtag band of American colonial militia a match for the British Empire…perhaps the strongest nation on the planet at that time? Was Normandy an easy gimme! Should David have been able to slay Goliath? The point is I’m sure none of those circumstances were ideal, I know for a fact General Washington had his back to the wall many, many times with an ill-equipped, beat down and broken army but the “Cause” made it worth fighting for and the greatest nation in the world was born.

We need only stand against evil; Providence will see us through!

Remembering Sam

Ten years ago an article from my college’s newspaper, The Daily Aztec, on January 29^th 2002 began as follows:

“The news that a San Diego State student died of meningitis Saturday morning sent shock waves through the university yesterday.

Samantha Graham, a communication senior, is believed to have contracted the disease over Winter Break. She was to graduate this spring.”

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve read a story such as this and thought, Wow, that’s too bad they were so young or maybe saw the headline and not thought much more of it as I continued on with my day. My point is it never really hits you until it hits close to home.

Samantha Graham was a friend of mine, a classmate and co-worker all rolled into one. Her death hit close to home. I had lost older family members but when someone who is your age dies, especially at a younger age, there is something that will rock you to your core. I imagine our military men and women have come to understand this far to well.

Samantha left behind a twin sister, Abby, who I was and am still friends with today. I can’t imagine how the loss of Sam feels for her. I always identified the Graham’s as twins, a pair and it was hard to picture one without the other, even when I was around either of them without the other, I always pictured them as a package deal. Like those broken heart necklaces that were once popular that said “Best” on one side and “Friends” on the other and fit so nicely together; even when they are apart you know there is a match that makes it whole.

Nothing is a bigger test of faith than death, especially when it involves someone we have grown so close with. Jesus Christ did not want to die either and think of the questions of faith even his followers had when our world’s savior breathed his last breath on the cross. Do you think they questioned their faith? I’m reminded of Jesus’ appearance to several of his disciples after his own death on the road to Emmaus from Luke 24:13-32 (Read it).

Death seems so unfair when it comes so early and unexpectedly. Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and was crucified on Good Friday. It was unexpected just as Sam’s death was unexpected.

I get “the angry with God” feeling! I actually think its ok. I think we are suppose to tell him how angry we feel, tell why it is unfair, how hurt we are. I even think its ok to ask him and ourselves “why” why her, why him, why now, why did this happen? I think it is ok to do all of this as long as you are communicating with God. Go ahead let him have it.

It was August of 1998 and I was beginning my first semester at San Diego State University. I lived in the dorms, Tenochca Hall, 3^rd Floor. The first two female students I met were Samantha and Abby Graham. I can picture the moment still, two beautiful girls with beaming smiles as excited as I was to embark on our college experience. Samantha as it turns out lived above me on the fourth floor the same floor as a young woman who would eventually become my wife, Gina. Gina recalls Sam as being one of the few girls who lived on her floor whom she genuinely liked because of how friendly she was. I eventually went on to work with Sam and Abby as front desk assistants and later resident advisers. Sam and I worked in the same dorm hall and was one of my favorite co-workers. Sam and I even were in the same Spanish class one semester. We both had our own college lives, which kept us busy, and doing our own thing much of the time, but I very much considered her a friend.

At the funeral my heart broke watching Abby and thinking how this was all affecting her. Abby spoke at her sister funeral and it strengthened me. Even though I don’t remember what she said exactly I have always remembered she stood up. I remembered it when my Dad and my Grandpa died and Abby’s strength, even years later, gave me strength.

Odds are if Sam were here today, I’d occasionally message her on Facebook, or click “like” if she commented about the Aztecs going to the sweet sixteen, but I don’t know how much our relationship would grow outside of that. I think of her and Abby much more often than I would have if she were here and as strange as it sounds our relationship has grown. I also know she is in a great place now and that is not just religious talk but a deeply routed feeling which tells me its fact.

This post may have seemed to ramble or seemed to run on, but its my tribute to my dear friend Samantha Graham and also my hope that each person that reads this will remember everyone they have lost and talk to them whenever they feel the need. Just like the Best Friends necklace I mentioned earlier just because you are apart doesn’t mean the other half is not out there somewhere, even in death.

Please visit NMAUS.ORG to make a donation in the memory of Samantha Graham

Be Excellent To Each Other

Sometimes the greatest wisdom is found in the most unlikely places. Two high schoolers, Ted Theodore Logan and Bill S. Preston, Esquire from the 1989 comedy Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure are traveling through history in an attempt to find a few iconic figures for a history report, instead they stumble on much more; the meaning of life. “Be Excellent to Each Other!” and “Party on Dude!”

Three children are playing on a playground when they decide to play a game to see who can climb to the top of the play structure and slide down the slide first. Three parents look on from the side of playground. The race begins in fury of screams and giggles as the three children sprint across the sand towards the play structure. About midway up the play structure one of the kids slips on a stair and falls hard and begins crying. The two other children glance back and one continues onward to the top of the structure, elated to have won, while the other stops in his tracks and returns to his injured companion.

How does the parent of the injured child feel? How does the parent of the child who sacrificed the race for his friend feel? How does the parent of the “victorious” child feel? How do each of the children feel after the event is done and finished?

No amount of success or wealth will matter unless it has been obtained righteously. You will become broken and cynical if you use others as a stepping stone to your climb up the play structure, if you build yourself up on the failures of others. The need for wealth becomes insatiable as you use “stuff” to attempt to heal that brokenness.

Be Excellent to Each Other! Do unto others as you would have them do to you! In business seek to create win-win situations. Don’t make it your goal to put others out of business but simply make your business better. Chances are in your personal life you have come to respect those who have treated you with excellence and not those who have a great resume. When you are at the end of your days you will have little regret if you have treated people right.

Party on Dude! Keep on, keeping on! Enjoy life! First, be excellent to each other, then Party on! You are meant to enjoy life here on earth despite the hardships that come. Hardships will come and hopefully you have some people in your life to help you through them. Hopefully you help others through theirs. We weren’t created to survive, hope that angels are with us and pray for miracles. We were created to rule this earth and bring goodness to one another, to make miracles happen through human actions. Angels do exist and serve a purpose. God allows for true divine miracles to happen but the design is for us to work in concert. The heavy lifting is meant to be shared!

So on Monday morning when you walk back onto the playground; have fun. Race to the top of the play structure and try your best to win...but don’t win at all costs. Don’t run every race, sit on the swings and be your friend’s biggest fan. When your parents tell you its time to go home, look back and reflect on the good times you had and look forward to tomorrow. Party on Dudes!

We Rise Again -- Remembering OPD Officer Dan Bessant

I never knew Officer Dan Bessant as he was gunned down about four months before I started the Police Academy. I was about midway through the application process to become a police officer for the City of Oceanside on the night Dan was murdered. Sitting at home with my wife the night of December 20th, 2006 we could hear endless sirens from nearby College Blvd and in the distance. I knew that something big had happen. The next morning I learned what tragedy had unfolded. The loss of a human life, a warrior, an officer.

A battle was waged in heaven and Satan was cast out for his pride. The battle continues here on earth....The goodness of man's heart battling sins of the flesh. In the end good prevails but the battle must be fought, the days long, the hour dark and sometimes all will seem lost....but fight we must. When our comrades are struck down we must not forget that their souls have been ransomed and salvaged. For when Dan was gunned down in cold blood, his earthly body did die..........his flesh was bloodied and torn but his soul lives and his uniform of wool, kevlar armor and semi-automatic pistol were cast aside as he dawned his new uniform of light, armor of righteousness and God's mighty sword as he took up his new position in St. Michael's Army. He will continue to keep guard over Heaven's gates, keeping watch over his earthly brothers. The battle against evil is not yet finished, his fight continues but fear not because Satan's demons are no match for God's warriors. Sins days are numbered. In our own time we will meet Dan and the rest of God's soldiers on streets of Gold!

The Power of the Christmas Season

When I first watched this, I watched it live, it was a cloudy day and it was dark and gray in the house all morning long...there is a segment were Glenn says the following:

"I think we are missing the true power of God, the power of the season the power of Christmas. If you are just lighting a candle for the season, well then you are missing out on the point that Miracles can and do happen. And now more than ever, I think, God is crying out to us and telling us he will sustain us, he will light our way. I know it to be true."

Just as he was saying this and reached the point "he will light our way" the sun streamed in through the blinds of the window in front of me. Some will call it coincidence, but I will call it GOD!

Everyday Heroes (The Atlas Patriot)

Everything that is good about America is and always has been derived from its people. Individuals! I’m quite confident that if we look at all that is wrong with our country today we can find the answer within ourselves. We assume that everything will work out. We assume that because we have been born into greatness and lived in the greatest country in the world that it is a guarantee. The truth is many of us have forgotten that freedom must be fought for and goodness manifests itself through actions rather than thought. What is the point of your existence? Is it about acquiring as much wealth as you can, as much stuff as you can, as much entertainment as you can, while you can? Do others matter at all?

We need to change ourselves so that we put others above ourselves. We must sacrifice some of our own comforts for others; we must serve. Until we change ourselves we can’t expect our families to change, our friends to change, our communities and our country to change. It is time to jump off the bandwagon. We can’t just sit idly by anymore. It takes courage to act and act we must.

Look to the heroes in your life. Look to the people who you believe to be good people. Look to those that put themselves last. Look to those who stand by their principles. We have to incorporate the goodness of others into ourselves and vice versa. It starts with little things and the little things combine to form big things. There are many iconic heroes that have existed throughout history many of whom did nothing extraordinary in their lives but simply stood by their principles or put others first.

Our politicians are not going to fix the problems that exist in America today. It has to start with ourselves and with our families. It is not an easy task and will take work, but we must be willing to put the effort into it. Start by setting a goal for yourself, a simple goal, then repeat it on a weekly basis then once it becomes routine, expand on it with a new goal and then another and another.

I hope to in the future of this blog to tell about some of the everyday heroes in my life, the Atlas Patriots! In the meantime don’t expect things to happen, make them happen!