Apology? What Apology?

“I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son.  I did not know how old he was.  I thought he was a little bit younger than I am.  I did not know if he was armed or not.”

There is no apology in those words attributed to George Zimmerman.  I know the difference between an apology and a statement of condolence.  It was painful hearing and reading reports giving the admitted shooter of Trayvon Martin credit for apologizing with those words, reiterated above.

I think the truth of my opinion is in the dictionary, any dictionary!

One defined apology as ‘a regretful acknowledgement of an offense or failure’.   Did even one of George Zimmerman’s four sentences or the combination of all of them meet this definition of apology?

Another dictionary defined an apology to be ‘a formal justification; defense; excuse’.  Did even one of George Zimmerman’s four sentences or the combination of all of them meet this definition of apology?

Yet here’s another definition, ‘apology- excusa’.   And, yes, that was in a SPANISH Dictionary.  Did even one of George Zimmerman’s four sentences or the combination of all of them meet this definition of apology?

And, finally, another dictionary documents the definition of apology as, ‘A formal expression of regret for an offense, incivility, etc.   Again, did even one of George Zimmerman’s four sentences or the combination of all of them meet this definition of apology?

Most importantly, there was no acknowledgement of any deed on Mr. Zimmerman’s part.

The words and the attention given to what were actually words of condolence from the admitted perpetrator – an expression of sorrow to them, the parents of the child he has admitted he killed - had to be heart breakingly unbearable to Trayvon Martin’s father and mother.  I think their devastated response was totally understandable.

And the media and involved lawyers have the nerve to credit George Zimmerman with an apology!!   Come on!!!!!! 

Workaholic Relaxes

Found a good movie. 

It’s a sentence.

It’s about me. 

Just now, I found a good movie.

I’m content.

I’m ashamed.

I’m not being constructive

Yet, I’ve overcome me.

I’m happy.

Still, not making anything happen.

That’s not good.

Not offering new perspective.

That’s not good.

Not making a difference - somehow.

That’s not good.

His shirt is off.

She is in underwear.

She begins demonstrating high school ‘cheers’.

His grin is so cute.

This movie is good.

I’m relaxing.

Monday afternoon and I’m changed.

I think
For now at least.
For longer I hope.
It's best. 
I think.

Income Tax Matters

She said with relief that her taxes, federal and state, were done and in the mail.  All the clutter of receipts and documents were gone from tabletops and desks - everything safely put away to retrieve for future reference when necessary.  

The woman matter-of-factly stated she’s always done her own taxes.   “Why not?  Accounting was my major course of study in college.  My pride will not let me pay anyone for a skill set I should have.”   She admits there is usually some new tax provision every year but the government’s instructions are complete.  “I just have to be patient and confident.”  Good for her.

Maybe she should do my taxes.  She told me she gets a modest refund every year. 

Then I was dismayed to learn this year she was expecting a larger refund than ever, but was not at all thrilled about it.  “Now, when the government needs increased revenue in order to handle obligations and reduce our trillion dollar deficit, I’m paying less taxes,” she lamented.  I couldn’t believe her!

She understood why her tax obligation was lower.  The combination of increased prescription costs, always-high property taxes and generous charitable contributions together with her lower income resulted in a formula that favored her pocketbook – not the governments.

It pleased me that she cared about doing her part to fund this nation.   Still I think she will put her ‘windfall’ to good use.

                                  $    $     $     $            

Enjoy the weekend.   I look forward to returning on Monday.

The Wolf Was Formidable

Racism is formidable.

The three little pigs didn’t give up trying to build a house the wolf could not destroy.  They overcame the equally determined and strong wolf.  Of course he was a lot of air (oh, I so want to say ‘hot air’) and bluster, blowing down each structure those pigs thought would stand up to his attacks.  Until they figured it out – what that wolf could not overcome.  The material for the home was changed to bricks.  The wolf was defeated!

What can we do more of, or in a different manner, to rid this wonderful country of the treachery of racism?  We must put a stop to disparaging one another on the basis of heritage, belief, and culture.  There’s plenty of dialogue.  Much more work is called for.   Maybe, unlike the three little pigs, we have stopped working toward a solution to the problem of racism.  On the face of it, one might say our increasingly diverse nation is doing much better than we did in the past.  Nevertheless, we’ve got a long way to go because we are more diverse. 

Regarding Trayvon Martin, it’s painful listening to commentators give racism primary focus in the litany of issues wrapped up in the process seeking justice for the murder of the unarmed young man.   It’s painful because unfortunately, I think, the attention to racism is warranted. 

Racism is formidable and not at all simple like the wolf.

Will you do your part every day in every way to defeat racism?   Respect each and everyone for the human being they are. 

Anticipating Justice

They’ve announced a news conference for ‘around 6 pm’ tonight.  It is said the Florida State Attorney’s office is expected to charge George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin on February 26^th this year.

I’m nervous thinking about the new facts we will be faced with managing.  Somehow I think after hearing this news, it will be best for me to pretend to myself that “I don’t care” how the media spins the information we’ll hear tonight and hear over and over in different syntax in the days to come.

(Now they are announcing George Zimmerman will be charged with 2^nd Degree Murder and is ‘in custody’.)

Earlier the speculation from the broadcasters was he would be charged with 1^st degree murder.  What is the difference? 

2nd is better than nothing?  

I’ll research the difference although I’m quite certain all the highly paid news talkers will make that clear to me and all – over and over.  What they will not be able to do is tell me how I feel about it.  At this point I don’t even know the difference between a charge of 1^st  or 2^nd degree murder so intellectually I know I must not let myself be emotional.

Will I be sorry I posted this prior to knowing the facts?

I’ll know later.  Right now my anticipation for what I will know in a few minutes is based upon a lack of confidence in being told - what I believe I should hear.

We’ll see.  

The announcer just said, “Tune in for the news conference – to learn of justice for Trayvon Martin.”

May that be so. 

Truth

It’s not a game.  Not to me.  Truth is trust.  Truth is the foundation for a good moment; a good day; a good life; real love.

But today I found out truth is a game.  Opening Facebook, I discovered some one had sent me a Truth Game Request.

I shuddered.  What if I agreed to be a participant?  What would I end up divulging that I would prefer not to put ‘out there’?  I wouldn’t want to lie.  I shuddered. 

As a matter of personal discretion I think I must decline and not risk Social Media compromising some of my privacy.

Truth is a game I choose not to play.  Truth is serious business to me.

Contemplating Renewal

For sure, really there is no post today.

 My thoughts seem fixed on various aspects of the Trayvon Martin murder case or on it being Holy Week with Easter Sunday only a few days away.

I extend my heart-felt sympathy to Trayvon Martin’s family and friends for their great loss.  I pray Justice will be done.

May the rest of your week be one of peace.

I look forward to returning on Tuesday.

APRIL 2012

On My Mind This Month:

April 3 – The 110^th birthday anniversary of John Wesley Woods, Jr., my father.    He died on November 15, 1960.  Black Star Girl, my first book is a tribute to him.  Excerpt from that memoir - “My father’s proud, independent demeanor convinced me he descended from a line of African tribal chiefs.”  I hold that thought to this day.

April 10 - The Seminole County (Florida) Grand Jury is scheduled to consider evidence and determine the path to JUSTICE in the February 26 murder of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida.  Reports say the Grand Jury will 'investigate' the killing.

April 17 – Federal Income Tax Reporting and Payment Day.  This is extended from April 15 due to a holiday observed in Washington, DC.  Most states have the same extended deadline or later.  Check to verify.

April 21 – The 71^st Birthday Anniversary of my sister, Kathleen Woods (1941-1991).   Kathleen, a little sister who died too soon, gave comfort and loving care to my baby girl and boy through many a sickle cell crisis.  She lives in my heart.

April 22 - Native American Ministries Sunday in the United Methodist Church.  On this special Sunday my church will recognize and support the contributions of Native Americans to the church and society.

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What's Wrong With This Picture?

We know the whereabouts of Trayvon Martin.  We do not know the whereabouts of George Zimmerman.  

Where is that man who admitted he shot and killed Trayvon Martin?

Is he in hiding?  Yes, I ask the question because I’m not brave enough to blatantly say what I think.  “He is in hiding!”  What’s he going to look like when we see him again?

His supporters and the news community are busy churning out rhetoric and massaging information in defense of him shooting dead an unarmed 17 year-old after he, the aggressive emotionally militant man, had been told to essentially, ‘step back’.

These days the more I hear and read, the more their public defense of his dastardly act offers words that appear to match, feature by feature, Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.  With the help of the news media, TV and print, they are building a case for the shooter of Trayvon Martin never to pay for the crime. 

It’s been 36 days since that Sunday when Trayvon Martin was taken from his family, his friends, his world that was  - and was yet to be.  We know where he is.  Where is the person who shot him dead?  The public should know where he is.  There is no JUSTICE.

I think that is what is wrong with this picture – for sure.