Miriam, I almost forgot about what your husband said to you. Although his
comments were probably in jest as the mafia does not operate in the US, only
the mob does; still what he was speaking to was the lack of adequate education
and basic nurturing that afflicts many youth. I think we are fortunate as blind
folks, we receive more of a spotlight and have much more access to education
and general welfare than the general population. I would like to see all people
raised to the same level as we have it when it comes to education and welfare
supports; however the trend seems to be going in the opposite direction.
Frank
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Miriam Vieni
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 10:10 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Images of Militarized Police in Baton Rouge Draw
Global Attention
It's really important to distinguish between Jewish American people and the
Israeli government. Among Jewish people throughout the world, it is important
to distinguish between those who are Zionists and those who are not. Among
those who are Zionists, it is important to distinguish between those who are
not wealthy or powerful, but support Israel because of a history of
anti-semitism from which they believed Israel would protect them, and those who
are right wing racist Zionists. And it is also important to rmember that until
the 1960's, a very large percentage of American Jews were low and middle income
people, lived in poor neighborhoods, and were subject to the same deprivations
as everyone else who lived in poor neighborhoods.
Because education had always been so important to Jewish people, by the 1960's
and 70's, many had improved their financial status and moved to more privileged
areas. My husband was Italian and grew up in, I think, an Italian area in
Harlem for part of his childhood. His family moved a lot. He used to tell me,
half in jest, half seriously, that had he not been blind which meant that he
attended the New York Institute for the Blind and Brooklyn College, he would
have been in the Mafia.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Frank Ventura
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 6:56 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Images of Militarized Police in Baton Rouge Draw
Global Attention
Bob, I agree it may be more subtle here in Boston; usually to protect potential
republican presidential candidates; that is not the way it is in the rest of
the country since the 70s. I think one of the worst is NYC where the murders
that cops commit are rarely reported in the media, especially if they happen in
the poorer boroughs of Brooklyn and the Bronx. In the neighborhood I grew up in
it was literally a bloodbath with daily cop violence. Of all the kids in my age
range only myself and Ritchie Castro made it out without catching a bullet.
Even my neighbor Jose who was the Tiny Tim of the neighborhood, small frail ,
wheelchair bound and non-verbal was shot. If anyone still believes that the
cops are actually there to "protect and serve" instead of the understanding
that they are an occupying army then said person should be stripped of their
wealth and forced to live in AnyCity USA for some time. Most cities in the US
have been turned into the mold formed after Gaza, or is it the other way
around? The right wing media has been very successful in framing this as a
black versus white issue to maintain the support of the stupid white suburban
white sheep. In reality it is the Israeli trained empire versus the working
class, and guess who is winning. In addition to African Americans, poor inner
city Hispanics and poor inner city whites (yes they exist) are being killed as
well. But, the right wing media doesn't want us to know that for fear that
white America will wake up and see what is going on. Don't believe me, just
look at our for profit prison population. How many citizens of Israel do you
see in there? Look harder since all you will see is African Americans, poor
Hispanics, and poor whites. We are becoming the new slave labor colony and I
think it is becoming obvious who the slave master is.
Frank
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bob Hachey
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 4:03 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Images of Militarized Police in Baton Rouge Draw
Global Attention
Hi Frank,
Thanks for posting the petition on defunding brutal police departments. I'm a
Moveon member, but didn't get that one.
WE are fortunate here in the Boston area in that we have not seen the
horrendous police brutality that we've seen in Baltimore, Ferguson, Batton
Rouge and Minneapolis, unless it has been kept out of the media.
I have recently spoken with a number of RIDE ddrivers, people of color who have
lived in some of Boston's poorer neighborhoods and they have personally
experienced harassment at the hands of the Boston PD, but nothing like the
brutality that seems to be all around us.
Bob Hachey
Bob Hachey .
