Thursday, April 15, 2010
"A New Day is Coming to the 180th District."
Dear Members,
The “darkness” has engulfed the 180th District. Our broke, bleeding, and bankrupt community is currently facing several crisis of epic proportion:
• 23.4% of families are living below poverty in 2010
• Unemployment is 11.4% in 2010
• Only 23.9% of the population has completed high school in 2009
• 63% of Latino children will drop out of school in 2010 without a high school diploma
• 30% increase in crime and violence, making the 180th District one of the highest in Philadelphia
The 180th District is mired in peril as the elected officials that are supposed to represent the residents do nothing to improve the current situation--pure and simple. To say that the incumbent State Representative for the 180th District, Angel Cruz, has failed miserably would be an understatement. His “lack of leadership” in serving the public-at-large has become legendary. The basic needs for the 180th District is extensive, and most importantly “vital,” to returning to its rightful place as a “vibrant and safe” community.
But the “dawn” is coming…
The “180th Watchdog Coalition” will be a powerful and vocal voice for the 180th District that will hold all elected officials accountable in serving the needs of its residents. We seek to effectively and efficiently transform the 180th District with programs and reform to improve and enhance the lives residing in the community.
Specifically, the “180th Watchdog Coalition” seeks the following from elected officials representing the 180th District:
• Secure funding and push for neighborhood patrols
• Address crime in the community by increasing police patrol, creating stricter penalties for drug dealers, pedophiles, and violent gangs
• Provide the community with Literacy and GED Programs
• Re-implement extracurricular activities back into the public schools in our communities
• Implement effective recreation centers in the communities
• Partner with local food markets, pharmacies, and retail stores to hire residents that support these businesses as loyal customers to decrease unemployment and poverty
A “new” day…
Conversely, the “180th Watchdog Coalition” can be a part of the outcome in revitalizing the 180th District. We can achieve this vision, and in so doing, give rise to the dawn of a new day in the 180th District. The "180th Watchdog Coalition" needs you to join this fight for neighborhood preservation. Please join me in making this committee a meaningful entity that can help us reach our goals of safety, education, employment, and solutions for our children and elderly.
Best Regards,
Anthony P. Johnson, the “180th Watchdog Coalition”
“Keeping Politicians Honest & Effective”
The “darkness” has engulfed the 180th District. Our broke, bleeding, and bankrupt community is currently facing several crisis of epic proportion:
• 23.4% of families are living below poverty in 2010
• Unemployment is 11.4% in 2010
• Only 23.9% of the population has completed high school in 2009
• 63% of Latino children will drop out of school in 2010 without a high school diploma
• 30% increase in crime and violence, making the 180th District one of the highest in Philadelphia
The 180th District is mired in peril as the elected officials that are supposed to represent the residents do nothing to improve the current situation--pure and simple. To say that the incumbent State Representative for the 180th District, Angel Cruz, has failed miserably would be an understatement. His “lack of leadership” in serving the public-at-large has become legendary. The basic needs for the 180th District is extensive, and most importantly “vital,” to returning to its rightful place as a “vibrant and safe” community.
But the “dawn” is coming…
The “180th Watchdog Coalition” will be a powerful and vocal voice for the 180th District that will hold all elected officials accountable in serving the needs of its residents. We seek to effectively and efficiently transform the 180th District with programs and reform to improve and enhance the lives residing in the community.
Specifically, the “180th Watchdog Coalition” seeks the following from elected officials representing the 180th District:
• Secure funding and push for neighborhood patrols
• Address crime in the community by increasing police patrol, creating stricter penalties for drug dealers, pedophiles, and violent gangs
• Provide the community with Literacy and GED Programs
• Re-implement extracurricular activities back into the public schools in our communities
• Implement effective recreation centers in the communities
• Partner with local food markets, pharmacies, and retail stores to hire residents that support these businesses as loyal customers to decrease unemployment and poverty
A “new” day…
Conversely, the “180th Watchdog Coalition” can be a part of the outcome in revitalizing the 180th District. We can achieve this vision, and in so doing, give rise to the dawn of a new day in the 180th District. The "180th Watchdog Coalition" needs you to join this fight for neighborhood preservation. Please join me in making this committee a meaningful entity that can help us reach our goals of safety, education, employment, and solutions for our children and elderly.
Best Regards,
Anthony P. Johnson, the “180th Watchdog Coalition”
“Keeping Politicians Honest & Effective”
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
"Sometimes...You Must Break the Rules for a Greater Good."
It’s easy to say "we followed the rules."
The Nazi Generals said they were "following the rules" when they murdered nearly 30 million innocent children, women and men; the hospital personnel said they were "following the rules" as an individual lay dead on the floor of an emergency waiting room while his watch was stolen in the process; and the military personnel at Abu Grab said they were "following the rules" when they tortured and murdered Iraqi prisoners.
When a SEPTA driver is told by her supervisor not to assist an elderly man on her bus that was unresponsive, urinating, and finally died because her route could not be delayed, there is no longer any doubt that we’ve become desensitized to the point that we’ve lost our humanity.
We must be willing to break the rules for a greater good. From the Nazi Generals down to the privates, to the military personnel from Abu Grab, they were in position to say “No! I will not follow the rules nor participate directly or indirectly where I am to perform acts of fear and violence on others." The SEPTA supervisor and the hospital personnel had the authority to forgo the organization and hospital standard policies and procedure and address the individuals that required immediate medical assistance. Unfortunately, they chose “rules” over human compassion.
As we continue down this slippery slope of quickly losing our humanity and becoming “compassionately and emotionally void” to one another, imagine how difficult it will be in our efforts to regain it.
Anthony P. Johnson
The Nazi Generals said they were "following the rules" when they murdered nearly 30 million innocent children, women and men; the hospital personnel said they were "following the rules" as an individual lay dead on the floor of an emergency waiting room while his watch was stolen in the process; and the military personnel at Abu Grab said they were "following the rules" when they tortured and murdered Iraqi prisoners.
When a SEPTA driver is told by her supervisor not to assist an elderly man on her bus that was unresponsive, urinating, and finally died because her route could not be delayed, there is no longer any doubt that we’ve become desensitized to the point that we’ve lost our humanity.
We must be willing to break the rules for a greater good. From the Nazi Generals down to the privates, to the military personnel from Abu Grab, they were in position to say “No! I will not follow the rules nor participate directly or indirectly where I am to perform acts of fear and violence on others." The SEPTA supervisor and the hospital personnel had the authority to forgo the organization and hospital standard policies and procedure and address the individuals that required immediate medical assistance. Unfortunately, they chose “rules” over human compassion.
As we continue down this slippery slope of quickly losing our humanity and becoming “compassionately and emotionally void” to one another, imagine how difficult it will be in our efforts to regain it.
Anthony P. Johnson
Monday, April 12, 2010
"It’s Just Entertainment."
In the recent issue of Forbes Magazine, Glenn Beck said, "I could give a flying crap about the political process. We’re an entertainment company."
If you haven't done it yet, add Glenn "I could give a flying crap about the political process" Beck to the list of "buffoons of entertainment" such as Rush “I say what I say for the ratings” Limbaugh and Michael “Stark Raving Mad Dog" Savage to name a few. If you continue to think that these individuals were ever speaking out against tyranny, racism, and bigotry while uniting America--I implore you to re-evaluate your support.
When individuals use the airwaves to promote vitriol and "factless" ideology, we should switch channels post haste.
Many Americans believe that we are entitled to free speech, i.e. say whatever we want without facts--but freedom of speech is not free, pure and simple. It is to be used with intelligence and with the utmost rigor of truth. We are entitled to our opinions, but we are not entitled to our own facts.
President John Adams was vilified for 200 years because he implemented the Alien Sedition Act making it a crime to criticize elected officials without facts. Censorship isn’t an option in the great Republic. I would be treading on dangerous grounds by asking for censorship. Some of us are all too familiar with the history that has shown the problem with censorship in which people that promoted peace and tolerance were censored, and those that spewed fear and hate were given free reign.
Conversely, we must hold individuals responsible when they use television, radio, and newspapers to spread deception, chaos and anarchy that only divide America. Whether it’s Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, the N.Y. Times, Fox News, Michael Savage or elected officials at every level, "We the People" will hold them all accountable when they cross the line from journalistic integrity into "journalistic deception and entertainment."
Anthony P. Johnson
If you haven't done it yet, add Glenn "I could give a flying crap about the political process" Beck to the list of "buffoons of entertainment" such as Rush “I say what I say for the ratings” Limbaugh and Michael “Stark Raving Mad Dog" Savage to name a few. If you continue to think that these individuals were ever speaking out against tyranny, racism, and bigotry while uniting America--I implore you to re-evaluate your support.
When individuals use the airwaves to promote vitriol and "factless" ideology, we should switch channels post haste.
Many Americans believe that we are entitled to free speech, i.e. say whatever we want without facts--but freedom of speech is not free, pure and simple. It is to be used with intelligence and with the utmost rigor of truth. We are entitled to our opinions, but we are not entitled to our own facts.
President John Adams was vilified for 200 years because he implemented the Alien Sedition Act making it a crime to criticize elected officials without facts. Censorship isn’t an option in the great Republic. I would be treading on dangerous grounds by asking for censorship. Some of us are all too familiar with the history that has shown the problem with censorship in which people that promoted peace and tolerance were censored, and those that spewed fear and hate were given free reign.
Conversely, we must hold individuals responsible when they use television, radio, and newspapers to spread deception, chaos and anarchy that only divide America. Whether it’s Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Keith Olbermann, the N.Y. Times, Fox News, Michael Savage or elected officials at every level, "We the People" will hold them all accountable when they cross the line from journalistic integrity into "journalistic deception and entertainment."
Anthony P. Johnson
Friday, April 9, 2010
"Whatever is the Matter with John McCain?"
Whatever is the matter with John McCain?
For a half minute, he says he's a Maverick; for the other half minute, he's not a Maverick.
John McCain is for wealth distribution.
John McCain is against wealth distribution.
Do you see the pattern?
John McCain is for ending "Don't ask, Don't tell."
John McCain is against ending "Don't ask, Don't tell."
John McCain is a Republican.
John McCain is a Tea Bagger.
John McCain doesn't know who the heck John McCain is.
This man is a little more than a year removed as the Republican candidate for President of the United States. Of America!
When an elected official behaves in a desperate, indecisive, incoherent, and undignified manner; it's time to retire.
Mr. McCain, it's time to exit the building of politics--permanently.
Anthony P. Johnson
For a half minute, he says he's a Maverick; for the other half minute, he's not a Maverick.
John McCain is for wealth distribution.
John McCain is against wealth distribution.
Do you see the pattern?
John McCain is for ending "Don't ask, Don't tell."
John McCain is against ending "Don't ask, Don't tell."
John McCain is a Republican.
John McCain is a Tea Bagger.
John McCain doesn't know who the heck John McCain is.
This man is a little more than a year removed as the Republican candidate for President of the United States. Of America!
When an elected official behaves in a desperate, indecisive, incoherent, and undignified manner; it's time to retire.
Mr. McCain, it's time to exit the building of politics--permanently.
Anthony P. Johnson
Monday, April 5, 2010
“Frankly Speaking, Chairman Steele.”
Are you seeing the picture Michael Steele? Do you hear the grumblings in your own party about you as the RNC Chairman?
I think I know what you might be thinking. You’re thinking, “They--and it's a lot of them--want you fired, removed, or dethroned because you're an African American.”
Wrong!
You might be musing that members of your party want you out as RNC Chairman because you're implementing Progressive ideologies which is a good idea in the Republican Party--a party that has woefully lost its way in the American landscape.
Nope!
Frankly speaking Mr. Steele, the members and donors of the Republican Party want you removed as the head of the RNC because of your “horrific” poor decision making, your “utter” aloofness to address the fundamental concerns that is affecting their interests, and your lack of vision to refresh, remodel, and advance the party still using 19th and 20th century philosophy that many Americans find completely outdated.
At long last Michael Steele--will you please just go away?
Anthony P. Johnson
I think I know what you might be thinking. You’re thinking, “They--and it's a lot of them--want you fired, removed, or dethroned because you're an African American.”
Wrong!
You might be musing that members of your party want you out as RNC Chairman because you're implementing Progressive ideologies which is a good idea in the Republican Party--a party that has woefully lost its way in the American landscape.
Nope!
Frankly speaking Mr. Steele, the members and donors of the Republican Party want you removed as the head of the RNC because of your “horrific” poor decision making, your “utter” aloofness to address the fundamental concerns that is affecting their interests, and your lack of vision to refresh, remodel, and advance the party still using 19th and 20th century philosophy that many Americans find completely outdated.
At long last Michael Steele--will you please just go away?
Anthony P. Johnson
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
“Zero Tolerance…Seriously?”
What are children supposed to do when they are being bullied on a daily basis at a school they are attending where the adults are supposed to provide academic enrichment and safety from bullying but have failed on both fronts?
What are parents and caregivers to do when they repeatedly go to the school pleading and finally demanding that school officials stop other youths and adolescents from bullying their children only to be told, "We'll take care of it," and they do nothing?
Who is guilty for the young lady that recently committed suicide after being bullied viciously and with perfect regularity by schoolmates? Who is guilty of the murder of a student that refused to join a violent gang where members attended the same school who were bullying him? Who is guilty of for the bullying of Asian students attending South Philadelphia High School for the last decade? Who are the guilty culprits who stand paralyzed with indifference while our young people of all nationalities, backgrounds, religious affiliations, or sexual orientation are bullied, beaten and murdered?
If Zero Tolerance in our schools is supposed to protect the youth and adolescents from bullying, then it is a complete and utter failure, pure and simple. If one child--and I mean one--dies because he or she is being bullied and no action is taken to thwart this type behavior, then it appears that Zero Tolerance is nothing more than a “fanciful” concept that isn't worth the paper it’s written on.
What good is a law when it is not being implemented effectively? We must hold accountable those who crafted and failed to make Zero Tolerance a powerful ally for students against bullying and violence.
In the end, perhaps we should rename the policy of Zero Tolerance to "Not Really Zero Tolerance."
Anthony P. Johnson
What are parents and caregivers to do when they repeatedly go to the school pleading and finally demanding that school officials stop other youths and adolescents from bullying their children only to be told, "We'll take care of it," and they do nothing?
Who is guilty for the young lady that recently committed suicide after being bullied viciously and with perfect regularity by schoolmates? Who is guilty of the murder of a student that refused to join a violent gang where members attended the same school who were bullying him? Who is guilty of for the bullying of Asian students attending South Philadelphia High School for the last decade? Who are the guilty culprits who stand paralyzed with indifference while our young people of all nationalities, backgrounds, religious affiliations, or sexual orientation are bullied, beaten and murdered?
If Zero Tolerance in our schools is supposed to protect the youth and adolescents from bullying, then it is a complete and utter failure, pure and simple. If one child--and I mean one--dies because he or she is being bullied and no action is taken to thwart this type behavior, then it appears that Zero Tolerance is nothing more than a “fanciful” concept that isn't worth the paper it’s written on.
What good is a law when it is not being implemented effectively? We must hold accountable those who crafted and failed to make Zero Tolerance a powerful ally for students against bullying and violence.
In the end, perhaps we should rename the policy of Zero Tolerance to "Not Really Zero Tolerance."
Anthony P. Johnson
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