Happy Holidays~ Drive Safely not Drunk

Well folks it’s the holiday season that means hot toddies, buttered rum, cocktails and parties!

 D.U.I.’s increase during all holidays that means the drunks and the police will be out.  I want you to be safe during this holiday season and every time you drive.  Here are some fun facts on D.U.I.’s:

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•  40% of all fatal accidents are alcohol related 
•   Approximately every 2 minutes someone is injured in alcohol related accidents 
• Alcohol is the number one impairment factor for people in jails and prisons (during commission of crimes)
• About 2/3 of D.U.I. convictions are for first time offenders
• One person is killed every half hour due to drunk driving (whether they kill themselves or others)

I warn you not only because of the obvious safety issue for yourself and others, but a D.U.I. is costly.  It will run about $2,500 not including lawyer costs.  How is that you say? 

Well in California the mandatory fine is $1810, then you have to install a interlock device which has to be blown into before car will start, this device also need to be checked and they charge to 

            1. Install    2. Check every 60 days (mandatory)   3. Monthly usage fees.

Then there is mandatory jail time which can equal loss of job and/or wages, but if you choose to do community service instead, they charge per day for that.  Not to mention your insurance rates automatically go up.  The courts mandate you attend D.U.I classes which are expensive, and the whole thing will be on your record for up to ten (10) years.

So one night on the town partying can cost you lots of money, and almost ten years to get over.  I am a die-hard party girl, but them odds ain’t right!

Here are 12 questions to ask yourself to see if you have a drinking problem, realistically if you drink and drive you have some type of problem, it may be judgment or alcoholism (I’ve done it lots of times so I am not judging!)

1.      Have you ever decide to stop drinking for a week or so and was unable to do so?

2.      Do you wish people would stop telling you about your drinking?

3.      Have you ever switched form one kind of drink to another in hope that this would keep you from getting drunk or better control you’re drinking? (example from hard alcohol to wine or beer?)

4.      Have you had to have an eye opener experience to question your drinking habits?

5.      Do you envy people who can drink and control it without getting in trouble?

6.      Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?

7.      Has your drinking caused problems at home or with your loved ones?

8.      Do you every try to get extra drinks before last call, or party to ensure you get enough?

9.      Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you continue to drink and get drunk?

10.   Have you missed work, school or appointments because you were drinking, drunk, or hung over?

11.   Do you or have you had alcohol black outs?

12.   Have you ever felt that your life or problems would be better if you weren’t drinking?

If you answered YES to 3 or more questions you may have a problem with alcohol according to AA. (***this is not a professional diagnosis…I am not a alcohol professional I used the standards set by AA**** seek professional help/assistance!!!!!!!)

Please be safe and healthy!

Peace, Love and Strength

T. Davis

Faith: Spirituality vs. Religion

Is there a difference between religion and spirituality? Most people, as well as the dictionary give different explanations.  Religion is described as a system of beliefs, values and practices of worship.  Spirituality is often described as having a personal (spirit) relationship with God, having the nature of spirit and soul.

The Qur'an simply states "and they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah (Arabic for God); offering Him sincere devotion, being true in faith, to establish regular prayer, and to practice regular charity; and that is religion right and straight".  Surah 98:5
Whether you call Him Jah, Allah, Jesus, Jehovah or Yahweh, Tom,  Derek and Harry .... He will answer.  The Bible tells us not to get caught up in religion but to develop your won personal relationship with God.
II Corinthians 3:6 "Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter (law, religion) killeth, but the spirit giveth life".
Follow your heart and conscience, some believe that is your spirit communicating with God. So yes, I believe there is a difference between religion and spirituality.  The first is man-made and the other is God-given.  Me personally am of no religion, I believe in prayer, my own relationship with God, my background was raised Christian Baptist yet as an adult I studied Buddhism, and Islam.  I have read the Bible and Qur'an twice, the Torah, Jehovah and Catholic books.  I've done research on theology and  I encourage you to establish your own relationship with a higher power regardless of religious affiliation.

Peace, Love and Strength
T. Davis

Poor crimes vs. Rich crimes

Our American so-called justice system was designed for safety and to protect our rights.   There are laws to govern social control and the criminal justice system is to enforce them.  Since the criminal justice system a reflection of our society, it holds the same problems like racism, sexism, classism and other  -isms.
Poor crimes or "street crimes" such as drug dealing, theft crimes against people and property are often the result of poverty,  mental illness, addiction and lack of opportunities.  The people who commit low level street crimes are often uneducated victims of social discrimination, poor, non-whites.  Although they may be valid reasons for criminal activity, there are no excuses.   It is the responsibility of the criminal justice system to identify the reason and offer preventative, proactive solutions, rather than just punishment.
Rich crimes or "white collar" crimes such as embezzlement, fraud, violation of corporate and business laws, insider trading, bribes and kickbacks are often committed by brokers, politicians, CEO's bankers and government employees.  Criminologist Edwin H. Sutherland describes white collar crime as "a crime by a person of respectable and high social status in the course of his occupation".  The biggest frauds are with insurance and medical, false coding, pharmacy fraud, false and double billing, "ghost" patients, psychiatric schemes, home health care and medicare/aid benefits, according to a report in Mother Jones (3/4/95 by L.J. Davis).
What are the reasons, excuses or causes of white collar crimes?  Well, these criminals tend to come from middle to upper class families and communities, are educated and highly intelligent with ample social opportunity to be law abiding citizens.  Our American culture is also to be blamed, because we are materialistic, narcissist and lack  moral values that affect others.   Western society and capitalism tends to promote the me, me, me attitude.  Most Americans value achievements defined as wealth, material things which is often consider better than honesty, fairness, integrity and humanity.  White collar crimes affect us all in a sense that as taxpayers we pay the cost for these crimes.  The Savings and Loan scandal costs approximately $500 BILLION (with a B) to half a trillion (with a T) dollars, compared to the entire cost of World War II which was $460 billion.
White collar crime clearly affects us more than all street crimes because of larger number of victims at one time.  Take drug dealing for example, it's both a rich AND poor crime, but current laws focus mostly on street level dealers rather than large scale operations.  Statistics show that 75% of drug users are white and those incarcerate are non-white, stereotypical drug dealers.  Yet rich white bankers, business men and investors are major traffickers.  Police often focus on non-white, urban neighbourhoods, while white bankers and business men are making millions in the drug trade.  This practice of racism and classism puts more non-whites behind bars, yet does nothing to tackle the drug problem in America. These street criminals, non-white defendants are over arrested and under defended due to lack of financial support to fight the criminal justice system vs. the rich counterparts who may never see a courtroom let alone get convicted.  Since most white collar crimes are committed by upper social class individuals, the criminal justice system seems to favor and take pity on them, legal defenses are covered by corporations and wealth.  Judges are often biased against poor, non-whites and reluctant to put members of their own social class behind bars, instead offer heavy fines (which are easily paid, sometimes with taxpayer dollars) and alternative sentencing, thus supporting the good ole boy system of justice.
What happened to Equal Protection of the laws as guaranteed by the 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution?  Justice in America is clearly defined by race, and social class.  It seems to be tipped in favor of the rich and the poor are on the lower end.  It's hardly surprising though since the American criminal justice was designed by rich, male, white land owners.  Thus racism, sexism and classism is woven within this system, the rich get richer and protection and the poor go straight to jail without collecting $200 or a get out of jail free card like in Monopoly.  It's known that street crime is often the result of poverty and disenfranchised communities.  Aristotle said "Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime".  The social breakdown of morals and crime as a whole affects us all, and all criminals should be held accountable to the same standards regardless of race, sex or social class.
Is there truly liberty and justice for all in America? 
"If government becomes a law breaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself.  It invites anarchy".  Justice Louis D. Brandeis

Peace, Love and Strength
T. Davis

America Behind Bars

Currently in the United States there are over two (2) million citizens incarcerated and hundreds of thousands on parole or probation.  Americans hold the highest rate of incarceration in the history of the world.  Some major factors are mandatory/minimum sentencing laws, poverty, the so-called war on drugs, and breakdown of families and communities as a whole.

Since the 1980’s the incarceration rate of women is the fastest growing population with 70% being non-violent crimes, or drug offenses, but yet they receive hard sentences.  Many female inmates are head of households and/or sole providers of their families, and approximately 80% are mothers.  This is a dangerous trend of incarcerating women due to the impact it has on families, it is NOT reducing crime but continues the cycle of broken families and communities. 

Separation from their children is the hardest punishment of all; because incarcerated parents are leaving behind over a million children.

Studies show Blacks are over arrested and under defended.  The so-called war on drugs is racist and is a war on poverty stricken Americans.  It has been proven that Whites use drugs at a higher rate than Blacks, yet Blacks led in drug arrests and convictions.

We as Americans need to address the way we handle crime and punishment, especially drug and non-violent offenses.   We seriously need to consider alternative sentencing, repeal minimum/mandatory sentencing laws, mental health and drug/alcohol treatment, also explore more productive rehabilitation policies.   Women especially need alternative sentencing due to the impact it has on children and families.  Many women are victims of abuse and are in co-dependent, financial relationships that cause them to make bad decisions, which leads to incarceration.

God please bless America.

Raider Nation

Well since it's still football season, and we lost a legend in football the great owner Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders I dedicate this blog to him and the Mighty Raider Nation.  I didn't always agree with how Al Davis ran his team but key word....it was HIS team to do what he wanted.  He always said he would never step down or retire, he would have to die...well that's what happened and as the nation wonders the direction our football team will go, the fans will remain the same. 
The silver and black fans of Oakland Raiders are the most notorious in American professional sports, it is rumored we started the trend of "tail gating" we have a reputation for drinking, cursing, fighting, and basically causing mayhem to other teams and fans.  If you've attended a game at the Oakland Coliseum it is evident we live up to our name of the bad boys/girls of football, but the love you see among the sea of silver and black is so real and tangible it is almost felt literally.  We are rowdy but get a bad name for a few isolated acts of violence and ignorance by some fans who really have nothing to do with the game or Raiders.  Actually, there have been no acts of violence in the Oakland Coliseum in over five (5) years, while across the bay the 49'er fans and sporting events in candlestick park have had numerous publicized acts of violence.  Miami fans have had several incidents of violence, but seeing how their team plays (and losses) I can understand!  Even when the Raiders suck and we are losing the fans remain loyal and unmoved, once a part of Raider Nation it's a invitation for life, like a urban sports fraternity.  Our fans are diverse, multicultural, mostly blue collar hard workers, proud of their Bay community team.  Most were raised Raider fans, even when they left and went to L.A. we remained loyal which is why there are still many Raider Nation fans in southern California.
The famous "Black Hole" is the section of the rowdiest fans, it is a mix of suburban families to bikers and Mexicans.  All coming together for the love of the game and Raider Nation, how many sports teams can claim to bring together fans from all walks of life, social, economic, and racial backgrounds?  That's why I'm a proud Raider fan, the Raider Nation has done more for diversity in football then any other team, just visit us one Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum to see the diplomatic racial love and harmony!

Shout out to Raider Ron, Ricky's Sports Bar (the Raider Bar) 150th & Hesperian Blvd. San Leandro, Ca., Raider Pirate, the Raider rappers, the Black Hole, Raider Cynt, and all Raider fans.

In the words of Al Davis " JUST WIN BABY"!!

Real men and women wear Black!

Peace, Love and Strength
T. Davis