Preying on the Weak

Ever get mad watching someone get picked on? For those that know me on a personal level reading this, you know I never can sit and keep my mouth shut when I see things like this. I always like to level the playing field when I see 1 or more people make fun of someone who isn't good at defending themselves. Most people don't have the fire or the courage for conflict like I do. So to see a friend, co-worker, or even an innocent bystander get picked on incites rage inside of me.

Too many times do we see people using others to make themselves feel better. The most obvious form that stands out is slavery. All cultures at some point has experienced this. Now in the US, we don't see the physical form of slavery, but rather than mental. You could be in the workplace and watch 1-2 managers pick on a co-worker over something small or insignificant. They will barrage this person because it makes them feel better. The victim in this situation will then think of themselves as small and insignificant as well. The only thing they will feel they are good at is failure. Instead of producing an environment for success, these "bullies" use people to make themselves feel better. They should be looking more into who they are and why they would need to do this, instead of making those who they feel are "beneath" them more weak and powerless.

We have all done this at some point in our lives. But the key is to overcome this inferiority complex. It's one thing when you didn't realize you were doing it and have now stopped. It's another to know that you're doing it, yet you keep at it. We all learned that bullying in school is wrong. But yet, we see this practice continued in the workplace and in public places as well. This is pure ignorance. How can you grow when you keep on making mistakes that you are aware of, but refuse to acknowledge.

My kids' karate instructor Michael Graves (Mahato Karate) said something that made a lot of sense..."When a black belt defeats a white belt, this should come as no surprise. You don't gain anything from the exchange, just the obvious. Now a black belt defeating another black belt...this is a true equal exchange."

So when a "black belt" is making fun of a "white belt", it's only to prove that they are not true "black belts". True "black belts" accept real challenges, not ones that are easy to overcome. Those who I truly respect are those who will challenge everyone, not just a certain person or entity. In those type of exchanges, it forces others to think and challenge the thinking of the person.

I would love to see a world that puts everyone on a level playing field and forces us all to see why we should stand above the rest. We should all use this mentality. It would further put us in a higher level of thinking, further benefiting those around you. This would then remove these "bullies" as they would be no better than the person next to them. Then what would they do? Would they push themselves to be better or just wither away into obscurity?

Community and Unity...Why it's More Important Now Than Ever

Back in November, I had to grab some oil for my Saturn at Walmart. When I went to purchase the oil at the cash register, I seen above me a TV with Janet Napolitano on it talking about "See Something, Say Something." Here is the video(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfmDjc24jYw). First thing that came to mind was "Why is this even here?" Seeing this didn't seem to sit right. So I went home and started doing some research on why this is even put up there.

An idea hit me as soon as I sat down. I decided to look up World War 2 Germany. Why would Homeland Security tell me to "See Something, Say Something" when this is common knowledge. Isn't Homeland Security about stopping terrorists? Why would terrorists go to Walmart? Then it hit me...this is something Adolf Hitler used to gain power and control the masses. This was promoting normal everyday people to spy on one another. Now why would we want that? It's one thing to be suspicious of a neighbor, it's another trying to spy on them, believing they are a terrorist. This just isn't right. It's bad enough we're getting molested in airports now by the TSA, now we have to spy on our friends, co-workers, and neighbors?

As this information was hitting me like a ton of bricks, I remember the quote from George Washington "United we Stand, Divided We Fall." Isn't this spying thing dividing us? Because it sure does feel that way. Why would our own country want us divided? This doesn't make sense. In fact, what Homeland Security is doing is violating the Constitution. The TSA is already violating the 4th Amendment. Homeland Security is attacking the 1st Amendment by labeling protesting as "low-level terrorism." Here is the link of the ACLU sending a letter to Gail McGinn, Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness http://www.aclu.org/images/general/asset_upload_file89_39820.pdf). So it is quite disturbing that this government agency is blatantly bashing our Constitution and violating our rights.

It is more important than ever that we stand together. Forget this spying stuff! I believe everyone has a right to protest something they don't believe in. I protested against Senate Bill 510 last year (which eventually passed as HR 2751 http://www.gop.gov/bill/111/2/hr2571senateamedment) where it gives the FDA unlimited power. I recommend you read the bill the judge for yourself. If we allow the spying to continue, we will lose more and more of our freedoms. You are more likely to get hit by lightning or even win the lottery than get hit by a terrorist attack. We shouldn't live scared. Living in fear is wrong. To quote the movie Hellraiser..."Fear is the mind killer." We are frozen in our thoughts and incapable of free thinking when we are consumed by fear. If our Founding Fathers lived in fear, would we have this country today? If Christopher Columbus lived in fear, would we still believe the world is flat?

All I ask is to open your minds, realize the environment you're in, and come to the conclusion that Community and Unity is what makes us stronger. Living in fear is not the answer. Feel free to post your comments, I'm interested in hearing what you have to say. Thank you for your time.