California Leads the Way to Banning Grand Juries

Image by Elizabeth Brossa on Flickr

California is the first state to ban grand jury protocol in incidents of police killings. California’s new law, signed by Governor Jerry Brown on August 11, is in response to the distrust people have of the grand jury system, following the deaths of unarmed black men across the country. Even when it’s clear police officers may have committed murder, grand juries fail to indict.

Bernie Sanders, No Other Presidential Candidate, Is the Champion for Everyday Americans

Image from Bernie Sander’s FB page

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders trails Hillary Clinton by a close margin. In the polls, Sanders beats Donald Trump. He attracts huge crowds at each of his rallies. Clinton says, “Everyday Americans need a champion. And I want to be that champion.” But it’s not Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, or any other candidate who is the champion for everyday Americans, only Bernie Sanders.

It’s a significant accomplishment for a democratic socialist.

Stephen Hawking Et Al Call for an International Ban on Killer Robots

The sentry robot in action in Cheonan,
92 kms south of Seoul. Getty Images 

Along the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea, the South Korean military deployed SGR-A1 Sentry Guard Robots to replace human sentries. The SGR-A1 sentry needs a human operator to fire its weapon. But in time, weaponized autonomous ‘killer robots’ -- self-directed, no human operator -- will replace soldiers along the DMZ as well as soldiers, marines, and sailors in military units worldwide.

How Can Doctors Not Talk About A Major Threat To The Life And Well-Being Of A Child?

“Firearm violence has become a leading cause of death and injury for children and teens. Guns in the home raise special concerns because they significantly raise the risk of homicide, suicide, and unintentional shootings.”

Guns, Guns, Guns, and More Guns as the Result of More Homicide and Crime

Image by Engin Asil

Considering the money made from promoting and increasing gun ownership, whether legal or not, and the windfall profits made from exploiting crimes committed at the hands of someone with a gun, it’s clear why we can’t solve the gun problem.

God and Money

God, the Father watches us all everywhere

Until we develop new ways of thinking about God and money, eliminating our religious and profit problem, poverty, suffering, and inequality will only continue for many people.

SCOTUS Ruling and the Unsuitableness of Religiously Defined Marriage

The assault on same-sex marriage, based on the belief that marriage should be exclusively the union of one man and one woman, and whether its exclusiveness is constitutional, has been debated for decades. The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruling making same-sex marriage legal across all 50 states will not change that. The assault and debate will continue. But at the heart of the marriage controversy are antiquated religious beliefs.

Outstanding! Jon Stewart — Thank You for Honestly Telling It the Way It Is

Regarding the killing of nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (Emanuel AME) Church in Charleston, S.C., President Obama, rightfully but guardedly expressed his sadness and anger, condemned racism and addressed the need to do something about the gun problem in our country.

Jon Stewart, however, dropped his usual comedic skit on the Daily Show to express his concerns over the tragedy in Charleston.

Play

Capitalist Are in the Throes of Selling the Hangman’s Rope That Will Eventually Cause Their Demise

By rstrawser, Flickr

Someday society will be free from work and need for money; a world where everyone can follow their passions, where everyone is equal, and, once freed from pursuit of empire, money, and profit, a world at peace.

A Memorial Day Reflection: Ron Kovic’s Memory of War

VietnamWar Memorial, Statues of Vietnam War soldiers
By Angelskiss31,  Flickr 

A majority of young Americans have never served in the Armed Forces. Their understanding of military service and war comes from how the news media reports our wars. Television, movies, and the playing of video war games further distort their view of war. Unlike previous wars, restrictions on publishing certain images of war and inadequate media coverage sanitize war in a way that creates ignorance of the horrors of war, and what face combat veterans when they return home.