Category Archives: Death

United States Army Disabled Veteran, Sergeant Kericia E. Smith Faces Third Heartbreaking Trauma of Her Life

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img_1132Many people, born and raised in the United States from an early age adhere to and are taught to pledge our allegiance to the flag, and ultimately our allegiance to America –the red, white and blue, that is, the bloodshed, or the honor and purity of white and of an unstained message; and, a color that results in the blue as like streaming tears that come, however, despite that scripture tell us to love our neighbors.

Our neighbors as those who reside here with us under God. One Nation undivided, in liberty and justice for all. Hence, it is a must that we all consider to look at this message with the question of how does it happen that bad things are a reality in a country so great as this?

How, is it the case, that my country does not have my back, or that, those who live here do not have my best interest and the interest of my family; or the interests of my neighbor at heart? How–can one still love their neighbor, or more specifically, how can my neighbor love me after this, that is, the trauma of the American Dream; and, we ask how does this massacre of U.S. citizenry happen?

Embracing Me as Her Journalist

Sergeant Kericia E. Smith said, “I think you should tell them why you decided to write this story,” and after thinking about it, or rather, after her prompting I have agreed to tell you her story sprinkled with my voice (together we will speak) so that those still asleep abiding in the American Dream can wake up to the travesties of life happening while you are sleeping? I accepted this story without too many reservations, because firstly as Americans we forget that to give does not come in the form of money only, especially when someone faces hardship reaching deep into their heart and soul. I have a heart and to believers, the scriptures tell us “Do not worry…”. Scriptures also tell us that we are to ‘bear one another’s burdens’.

Secondly, I have been trained well to understand that as a journalist I am called to be the proverbial ‘watchdog’ of the government and not only the government but those who connect with it to utilize law, and along with this understanding I see that the more professional journalists (some seemingly) care more about their bosses than a common cause among the people; however, I have no boss except the Most Highest God of this universe. Hence, the excuse is taken away of what will I eat or what I will wear.

Also, in this stance I as a writer, a mother, wife, grandmother and citizen take the pledge to uplift my neighbor in whichever way I can in honesty and fair dealing and I know that this is the Way, and, I believe scripture is true that He will provide. As a reward, I have been trained to help Sergeant Kericia E. Smith through this circumstance. In any case, I am more grateful in this instance that the Most High chose me to serve her. As a result, Sergeant Smith has created a new phrase calling me her ‘freestyle journalist’. It’s catchy would you agree?

We need you to look at this, and notably, this story is for anyone facing the trauma of inadequate care of yourself or a loved one in a hospital and or health care environment, and this message is also helpful for workers who see such horrendous events take place.

The Call for Help

I received a voicemail from Sergeant Kericia E. Smith, founder and CEO of the Association of Veteran Women, Incorporated [AOVW, Inc.] who (in short) explained that she needed a storyteller. Telling me, she was having some troubles, or rather, that she is having a few heartbreaking moments she wanted me to take a look at.

So I do not need to tell you how excited I was and unprepared for even this one. Subsequently, I learned she is named after her best friend pronounced [Ker (ee) sha], and they also share a birth month.

Sergeant Smith is an advocate for all women, but mainly for those women who have risked their life serving their country in the Armed Forces. Ultimately, a voice that until now has gone unheard, and, she is a miracle because I believe she is a groundbreaker and a trend setter for many who have lost hope. Hence, she fits the profile of a fighter, and she does not look like what she has been through. Thus, as divine connections happen she and I have worked diligently and have crafted a story that is beneficial for the public to know. However, before I move on, it is important that you know that Kericia initially called several journalists’, major newspapers and magazines to tell her story, but decidedly they were uninterested because there was no response. Kericia says, that someone told her to search out freelance journalists and she found my website The Dailey Grind where my motto is ‘Reporting what the news won’t.’  She told me, that she prayed and left a message, and I am the only one to respond to help her.

Therefore, I tell you Kericia this is it—the time is now and that God has prepared you for such a time as this! In the words of Ms. Shirley Chisolm, Kericia has decided that she is “Unbought and Unbossed!”  Essentially, she says “My misery has become my ministry!” I agree.

My Best Friend Died

I am Sergeant Kericia E. Smith. I am a disabled veteran diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD], a trauma I acquired while on active duty. I was also my best friend’s primary caregiver, and is the reason why I want to tell you the story about my best friend who was admitted into Arlington Memorial Hospital for dehydration and a urinary tract infection, and who was later admitted to Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital for a bedsore. Moreover, in the process of admitting my best friend I was given admission papers to sign, but now in retrospect suspect there may have been a  Mandatory Binding Arbitration Clause. Nevertheless, I was never given a copy of any document I signed. However, in that case, what I do know is that my best friend was un-necessarily medicated to the point of a medically induced coma. As a result, they did not feed him, but without authorization inserted a feeding tube, gave him steroids and two blood thinners; along with, another drug that also causes bleeding.

In short, on May 16, 2016 at about 10:30 a.m., I walked into my best friend’s room and found him

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Custom Casket Spray

bleeding out severely, and all day long I begged the doctors and medical staff at Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital to transfer him to Arlington Memorial Hospital Emergency Room which is right across the street—they refused. Consequently, around 8:30 p.m., my best friend who was my father was unresponsive, and to my dismay there was no defibrillator available for them to attempt life-saving measures. Hence, my beloved father, a Medicare/Medicaid patient bleed-out and died.

To date, I have not been able to obtain my father’s death certificate because Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital has not filed or recorded it with the City of Arlington, or, Texas Department of Vital Statistics. I would also like to mention that Kloe my service dog was God sent and has done an outstanding job and has been a tremendous help throughout this ordeal—she saved me.

Please note, that if I had not fed my father and inserted a feeding tube, given him steroids, and if I had given two blood thinners; along with, another drug that causes bleeding and allowed him to bleed to death I would be in jail.  Needless to say, I am re-traumatized all over again, because (as mentioned) I was my father’s primary caregiver.  I witnessed my father’s death and it was nothing I could do to help him. Consequently, it is a sad day in America that I served my country since I was 18 years old, and yet, my father had no medical staff including doctors to care enough to let me save my father’s life by answering my pleas to transfer him to the emergency room across the street. I ask how can they continue to receive federal and state funds? These doctors and medical staff took an oath to save lives so how could they just stand by and let my precious beloved father die for no good reason?  

This is not an attack on all medical professionals or providers, and, it is in my personal opinion that there are excellent hospitals, doctors, nurses and other medical staff who give quality care to all their patients. However, at Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital my father did not receive the quality lifesaving treatment that he deserved. [Sergeant Kericia E. Smith, United States Army, and Army Reserve; Disabled Veteran; Face to Face Interview, Thursday, September 15, 2016; 4:30 p.m.].

This is a heartbreaking and touching story. Conversely, as I was writing and recounting her pain it is easy to visualize this scene taking place in the hospital, because for those of us who have lost a parent or both parents we understand grief– but not this way. Moreover, perhaps there is someone who can attest to this type trauma, or, those people who have experienced the trauma firsthand and know the full picture. Hence, here I will recount to highlight some of the facts Sergeant Smith mentioned so that we all will understand better the plight Sergeant Smith and her dad suffered at the hand of medical professionals who take an oath to save the lives of the people they treat.

A Brief Background Check of Kindred Rehabilitation Hospitals

Renamed Kindred Healthcare in 2001–Vencor (1998), was one of the nation’s most prominent healthcare companies, however, the company has a shady and elusive past and is due for a background check if you are considering this source for your loved ones. Kindred Healthcare Corporation is the largest healthcare company in the United States with a net worth of $7 billion (See: Kindred Hospital Annual Reports). Accordingly, Kindred Healthcare works under a plethora of venues, such as, post-acute services; including, transitional hospital care, short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health, long-term care, assisted living,  nursing facilities, palliative care and hospice.

Here is a breakdown of events:

Frederick D. Smith (October 11, 1937 - May 16, 2016)

Frederick D. Smith (October 11, 1937 – May 16, 2016)

   A Last Word from Sergeant Kericia E. Smith

Vencor/Kindred’s long history of wrongdoing seems to always survive and thrive due to Medicare fraud which only adds insult to injury with the loss of my father.  If these Medicare fraud cases were known to the public then our loved ones would be less likely to be put at risk.  Kindred seems to look at ‘profits over patients,’ and our lives are worthless because Kindred medical staff is reckless with our medical care. Additionally, any other business as unethical and abusive would have gone out of business decades ago, yet, Kindred continues to thrive on recklessly committing Medicare fraud. 

Why has the Department of Justice not been more aggressive at informing the public about Kindred’s record of bad behavior? It is the case, that Kindred decayed decades ago from the inside out, and this should send a stench up our noses because the carcasses of our loved ones are not collateral damage and the loss of life should cry out for justice. Nevertheless, we are told ‘If you see something to say something!’ Consequently, I did see something, and I said something, but they did absolutely nothing! It is absolutely appalling! Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital had NO Defibrillator!

I am Sergeant Kericia E. Smith and I approve this message—over and out!
[Sergeant Kericia E. Smith, Electronic Communication, September 21, 2016; 5:31p.m.].

Related Articles and Additional Resources

Also see:

Please stay tuned for more detailed information concerning Kindred Healthcare facilities the Tort Reform and Medicaid/Medicare Fraud (False Claims Act).

For more information on Association Of Veteran Women, Incorporated call:

Sergeant Kericia E. Smith, (817)461-5116. Or send an email to: aovwinc@aol.com

 

kayla-dailey__picKayla Dailey, is a prolific writer whose aspirations include hope of encouraging those who face trials and difficulties in life through the written word. As a student of the word she writes, Kayla has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Ashford University, and holds, a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Management with specialty in Public Administration. Mrs. Dailey is an advocate for civic and community building issues, African American liberties, equal employment, and now veterans and their families; as well as, advocacy against domestic violence for women, children, abortion and other issues people face.  

© Copyright 2016. The Dailey Grind. All Rights Reserved.

HIV is Living Among Black America

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slidethumb_fuelDid you know that 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women are diagnosed with HIV?

Statistics from the Center of Disease Control [CDC] estimate that in 2010, there were 44 percent of African American adults and adolescents carry the horrific burden of contracting and spreading the virus—13 and older.

Accordingly, African Americans account for 13 percent of the entire population but present with the virus eight times more than whites.

Here are the numbers:

  1. 70% African American men (14,700) of all new cases out of the 20,900 new cases reported
  2. African American men account for 63.6 new cases out of 100,000 populace which is 7 times higher than white men
  3. Men having sex with other men account for 72 percent (10,600) of new cases, and gay and bisexual men between the ages of 13-24 than any other race represented which means that Bisexual and gay men are more than 3 times more affected than other races
  4. African American women represent 29 percent of all new cases, that is 6.100 of adult and adolescent women, but since 2008 there is a decrease to 21 percent
  5. 1 percent out of 100,000 women have the virus which is 20 times higher than white women and 5 times more than Hispanic and Latino women

The need to bring this news to your house is urgent, and urgent for us all as a group; even more than for the individual who suffers such a fate. Consequently, when speaking concerning HIV as an epidemic in America the premise here is that people may not feel that the issue affects them since it’s not in their house. However, generally speaking the premise here is not the houses we live in per se’, but the house of Africans as a nation within America whose members are attracting the virus daily. Let us not forget that end of the woeful event for many is death; therefore, there is a need to deliver this news to your door, to my door and the doors of our neighbors that we are dying ever so slowly from the silence of non-adherence to the call that HIV creeps softly, but AIDS kills loudly.

I want all of us to get this warning, because we see a very small sound coming from health officials concerning this matter, or, we do not take heed concerning taking care ourselves, to educate ourselves because our children are dying, our women, our men. It is the case, that with all the education available we must send this call out right up and to the doorsteps of every person to feed of its contents at the dinner table, and especially when we prepare to lay down unprotected.

I ask —do your love yourself? We are going in-depth about this topic, dedicating much time to discuss every single detail to alleviate and protect our house that means the group, the family and the individual. It is the case that if we do not learn the truth about the behavior that leads to contact then no one can save us.
Look for more information on HIV and African Americans coming soon!

Watch: Out of Control: The AIDS Epidemic in Black America

Gun Control and Lobbyists

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right to carrySpecial interest groups, also known as “Advocacy groups” carry much weight in the political area. Take advocates of gun control which is a big issue across the board in America where many seek to do away with gun play even in hunting. There are mixed feelings with regard to who has a right to carry and some feel that their rights might be violated.

In the article, “Special-interest groups–In the cross-hairs,” the The National Rifle Association lobby to protect such rights in the political area siting their 1st Amendment right to carry and bear arms are violated with new or pending policy changes where guns are concerned saying, “Thirty years ago, the NRA was principally an organisation for hunters and sports-shooters. Lobbying against gun-control laws was a rare activity, since there were few such laws about. (The NRA’s then president, General Franklin Orth, testified before Congress in the 1960s in support of a gun-control measure: a bill banning mail-order gun sales after the Kennedy assassination.) Since the mid-1970s, though, the NRA has increasingly focused its supposed 3.6m members and its $137m annual budget on two political objectives: helping to elect pro-gun-rights candidates, and then lobbying to ensure that they keep the faith when gun-control laws are mooted in Congress. According to the Centre for Responsive Politics, which tracks the impact of political donations, the NRA has given nearly $8.8m since 1991 directly to parties and individual candidates. It has shelled out many times that sum on indirect lobbying. Four-fifths of this money goes to Republicans; and it has been Republicans in Congress who have mainly been responsible, in one way or another, for blocking gun-control laws.”

The above information from even one group is huge and conveys truth while answering the question if special interest groups can ‘buy’ an elected official I can say with great confidence that it is most probable and likely that this is taking place. Hence, it is the case that media time can be bought as well. Yes, there is a great influence here.

In recent activities where President Obama went against the senate to establish stiffer penalties for our gun- toting counter parts he was hit with heavy resistance. I agree that it is fair that those who own guns be put on a tight leash, and while this might not seem fair to respectable law abiding citizens; the consequences of carrying should not outweigh or weigh as much as some who are carrying guns elsewhere. Hence, today, whether on the street or in the office mental illness runs deep in America. Hence, One nation, one gun law for all.

Those against guns feel the sting of them in their neighborhoods. Four years later, a family still suffers from a gunman who shot and killed a young girl and her grandmother during her birthday party.

The article, “Man gets death sentence for killing 2 at Fort Worth birthday party”, gives this account:

“Erick Davila was forgiven by the victims’ family after Friday’s sentencing.

Davila, 21, did not react when his death sentence was read Friday in the courtroom of state District Judge Sharen Wilson. The jury that convicted Davila last week of capital murder deliberated about seven hours over two days before deciding his punishment.

He was convicted of fatally shooting Annette Stevenson, 48, and Queshawn Stevenson, 5, in April during a children’s birthday party. Four other people, including three children, were wounded.

Davila was a member of a Fort Worth street gang, and authorities believe Annette Stevenson’s adult son, Jerry Stevenson, may have been his intended target in retaliation for a prior gang-related incident in which Davila was wounded. Jerry Stevenson was unhurt during Davila’s shooting rampage, which occurred at Annette Stevenson’s East Fort Worth home.” (Dennis, 2009).

This event happened just four blocks from my home and I say money cannot buy common sense. This is what advocacy with special interest groups; such as, guns and other issues should fight to win.

Source:

 The Economist

NRA-ILA, Institute for Legislative Action

prisonMan gets death sentence for killing 2 at Fort Worth birthday party

Watch: Trigger Happy: NRA Wing-NUTS Dig in As Obama Takes Gun Control Debate To The People

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The Genocide of Black America, Hebrews

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Watch: The Black Genocide (Maafa21)

Democracy, The Great Black Out

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prison-slavery
Photo Source: Newsome.com

“Daily the Negro is coming more and more to look upon law and justice, not as protecting safeguards, but as sources of humiliation and oppression. The laws are made by men who have little interest in him; they are executed by men who have absolutely no motive for treating the black people with courtesy or consideration; and, finally, the accused law-breaker is tried, not by his peers, but too often by men who would rather punish ten innocent Negroes than let one guilty one escape. (W. E. B. Dubois, 1903, The Souls of Black Folk) (as cited by Black American Quotes).

This is the jest of findings in the black community where people are being held captive and prisoners to a system which does not seem like it is made for them. In my community many people cannot afford attorneys for legal needs, not because the help is not there but because if one is not indigent then the help is not available. In the crimminal court might appoint an attorney for an individual does not have good intentions. Notably,  some of these people might work along with the prosecution to railroad our men. The result, too much time given in some cases. In the YouTube video “Democracy is black” the author had a simple but powerful message which conveys all colors being combined in a test tube which produced one color; that color being black.

The message, denotes the color black as being dominate over all other colors within it. The video ends saying, “Democracy is power, the color of a nation”. If black means power then it is lost when it comes to the legal system in America; surely America has failed a nation of black people, because whether it is a case of criminal or domestic there is a hard path in America; one that is black.

Once I was served divorce papers. I sought help from a government agency who provides free services. I was told I didn’t qualify, but was given a document to file and had to show up for court by myself or Pro Se as it is known, and I found out quickly that without an attorney the judge won’t listen. The judge was talking and speaking with my ex-husband’s attorney and would not even look my way; a continuance was scheduled. During that time my unemployment ran out and I called the service back and was given attorney at that time; hence, I had to literally have no money. However, I can proudly say that I still have my daughter with me who is now 14 years old, but in saying that people without money do not have a fair chance at all in the legal system. I was blessed, but how many have lost their children in this manner? This could happen to anyone, but I was a single and a black woman and there are many like me.

In an article, “In Forma Pauperis” the author, Arthur Ghee (2007),” says, “Are you being denied full access to the courts? What if you cannot afford court filing fees? You are considered an indigent person. The term for filing in the court system is called, in forma Pauperis or (IFP).IFP is a legal term derived from the Latin phrase “in the character or manner of a pauper”. In the United States, the IFP designation is given by both state and federal courts to someone who is without the funds to pursue the normal costs of a lawsuit or a criminal defense.” (Ghee, 2007) (as cited by BlackLegalinfo, 2007). That was me; I was seemingly, without rights because I had no money. This was a civil case, but what about criminal cases?

In the criminal arena there are many cases where a defendant might not be able to afford an attorney. It is here where we find trial courts and appellate courts; and where, one who is black or non-white does not stand a chance of getting a fair trial if he were to walk into court with no counsel or a court appointed one. It is not the case that all court appointed attorneys are shoddy, but a fair amount have done a bad enough job that practically every person you ask who has used one would tell you they are no good. I have spoken with many who believe this way, and they say it is best to have a so called “free world lawyer” if you are to get a fair trial. If a trial does not fare well, then there is the appellate court. Pember & Calvert (2013) says, ”Trial courts are fact finding courts and appellate courts law reviewing courts” (p. 16. Para. 1).

Conversely, in trial court all the evidence against the defendant is laid out for a jury to decide a guilty or not guilty verdict. However, in an appellate court a ruling has to be made upon finding flaws in the way the case was handled. Notably, in an appellate court is where someone has filed action saying that their rights were violated during the trial process, this is also where “Constitutional law” is upheld if it have been overlooked; most common is of a racial nature.

In an article from New America Media, the author states, “The report, Critical Condition: African American Youth in the Justice System, identified a number disparities among Black youth, including disproportionate arrest rates and harsher prison sentencing, as compared to white youth. ‘It is baffling that we are still faced with this serious problem of racial disparities in our justice system,” said Liz Ryan, president and CEO of Campaign for Youth Justice. “It is time for states to reverse punitive laws that result in the transfer and incarceration of African American youth in the adult criminal justice system.’ According to the report, African American youth make up 30 percent of youth arrested while they represent only 17 percent of the overall youth population. Additionally, African American youth are 62 percent of the youth prosecuted in the adult criminal system and are nine times more likely than white youth to receive an adult prison sentence, the report revealed. The NAACP supports the report’s findings and pointed to the now famous Jena 6 case in Louisiana as an example of Black youth being mistreated by the nation’s criminal justice system.”

Ultimately, If things are to change and the so called negro race be seen as a color dominate race or a race from which all colors are derived the judicial system must change to give fair trials; without or without money as a motivation. Notably, we must consider that if Democracy is black the colors which make it black must come to accept it as such. Times are dark for the so call negro in America. Democracy is black because a nation cannot win when it cannot see light. Democracy is black, today, because of the great black out of a nation. Until that time as a change is brought forth the path remains black for some.

Source:

 Black American Quotes, (2013). Black Injustice

Black Legal Info, (2007). “The unequal scales of Justice”  

Democracy  Challenge , (2013). Democracy is Black  

 New America Media, (2013). Report: Criminal Justice System Unfair to Black Youth 

Pember, D. R. & Calvert, C. (2013). Mass media law (18th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Watch: Modern Slavery: More Black Males in Prison Today Than Those Enslaved in The

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Your Sunday Bread: The House of Israel

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Three people in chains, probably somewhere in ...

Three people in chains, probably somewhere in East-Africa. The total number of slaves in early twentieth-century Ethiopia is estimated at between 2 and 4 million in a total population of about 11 million. “#v=onepage&q=&f=false Women and Slavery: Africa, the Indian Ocean world, and the medieval north Atlantic”. Gwyn Campbell, Suzanne Miers, Joseph Calder Miller (2007). Ohio University Press. p.219. ISBN 082141724X (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ladies and Gentlemen, some of us have been running all our lives trying to fit in with the status quo, longing to be like someone else and even taking on their customs not knowing who we are. Here we are trying to live holy and walk a righteous path mimicking people because we have no root, no stability, no justice.

Justice has come.

Yah says it’s time to come out from among them. We are walking toward newness of life, even now the weight has been lifted just knowing that now we have our identity back. To those who listen this is a powerful message to let you know that Yahweh has not forgotten one hair on your heads.

Speaking of heads…I was led to Matthew 26, where Mary came to where Yeshua was having supper and poured the ointment on his head…this is significant because in this instance…she without knowing it was anointing him for his burial.

How many know that without their HEAD people die, and so it is in this instance that she (the one accused of adultery) was THE CHOSEN to do this wonderful work for the Messiah. Praise Yah everybody your blessing has come. (v. 7, 12)

The oil once poured on the HEAD ran down to his BODY( ye are the chosen and his BODY). Moreover, in saying that ye are his body we seek a more definitive answer for body to get clear vision which notes:

“Body:is used of a (large or small) number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were; a social, ethical, mystical body” (Strongs, 2012).

In a greater translation the body can also be considered in comparison as slaves. This is interesting, because in society a slave has always been considered subservient.

English: The Hunted Slaves

English: The Hunted Slaves (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here we have in the beginning of text a women considered subservient, chosen to anoint the head; that is the Mashyach with oil which flows down to the body who for all purposes are slaves?

Here is a powerful explanation says the Most High. In Revelations 18, we see this, “And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.” (v.13).

The text is speaking of those things considered a commodity by those in gentile rule, all this that have made them rich. Slaves are among them…people and souls of men.

You are an expensive commodity but still considered subservient in the eyes of those who sold you…but God, When I look at the definition of slave…it led me to:
“that which casts a shadow as distinguished from the shadow itself” (Strongs, 2012)

That shadow found in Psalm 91, the secret place.

Watch: Let My People Alone

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Kansas City Cheif Player Murder-Suicide

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English: Jovan Belcher, a player on the Kansas...

English: Jovan Belcher, a player on the Kansas City Chiefs American football team. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Kansas City Chiefs player kills his girlfriend in a murder-suicide, fans mourn his loss.

‘Jovan Belcher, shot his girlfriend to death on Saturday morning at their home in Kansas City and then drove to the team’s practice facility a few miles away. He then shot himself to death in the parking lot while head coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Scott Pioli watched,” reports say.

Many convey sadness as they deal with the shock of this tragedy.

One fan reflects of how the deceased player was looked upon as a role model in the community, sources say.

Also as tragic is the reality that suicide has claimed the lives of old and young more than one might care to admit.
According to research analysis provided by Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention those who are most at risk factors include the following:

  • depression and other mental disorders, or a substance-abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors
  • prior suicide attempt
  • family history of mental disorder or substance abuse
  • family history of suicide
  • family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
  • firearms in the home, the method used in more than half of suicides
  • incarceration
  • exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members, peers, or media figures.

Suicide is common among children and young people?

In 2007, suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.1 Of every 100,000 young people in each age group, the following number died by suicide:

Children ages 10 to 14 — 0.9 per 100,000suicide-by-method-chart

Adolescents ages 15 to 19 — 6.9 per 100,000

Young adults ages 20 to 24 — 12.7 per 100,000

As in the general population, young people were much more likely to use firearms, suffocation, and poisoning than other methods of suicide, overall. However, while adolescents and young adults were more likely to use firearms than suffocation, children were dramatically more likely to use suffocation.
There were also gender differences in suicide among young people, as follows:

Nearly five times as many males as females ages 15 to 19 died by suicide.

Just under six times as many males as females ages 20 to 24 died by suicide.

If you or someone you know suffer from any of these symptoms or issues, please know help is available.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health.

To read more: Chiefs fans somber after player’s murder-suicide

Checking in: Health Reform across the country

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Checking in: Health Reform across the country

Real stories of someone who needed the help

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9th Ward: Minimal Media Help, Maximum Tourism Coverage

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Hurricane Katrina, was perhaps, the most devastating and deadly natural occurrence known to the United States at least to those who suffered through it and who lived to tell about it. Who can forget the lines of people waiting for relief to come?

The infants without milk; or the elderly without medical attention, those who died waiting, those who slept in a stadium with without proper sanitation for such a large amount of people, and those relieving themselves wherever and whenever possible; a stench so horrid, the stench of rape, the stench of a people seemingly forgotten.

In my neighborhood even though there are leash laws which protect animals from harm, and while there is protection for these animals facing neglect there is even less help when it comes to media attention on some issues troubling man. Hence, the way I see it; the media is a “Watchdog” chained.

When I say chained; I mean, although they are supposed to put an eye out for wrongdoing in the government which is designed to help the citizens they do for some, but for others they turn a blind eye. Although, Katrina was a national, even worldwide disaster; what people still ask, and what people still wonder is what took the government so long to help those people?

Perhaps, there is something shady going on within the news industry, because one executive said of his station that news is what he says it is. I say, if this thinking is embedded in the industry as a whole it is no wonder; then that, issues go unnoticed, unheard, and ignored by the media.

The media as the Fourth Estate was originally included with the three class statuses: upper, middle and lower. I believe they were originally called the First, Second, and Third Estate; all, which were government intertwined. In other words, the government ran them and decided who got what and where they got it from; if anything during the Medieval Period. Probably, they included the media because they could stir trouble for an ill or poorly run country. With that in mind, the U.S., established the “Fourth Branch” of government and set the media as watchdog to guard them and keep them honest; however, the media is a “watch dog chained.”

New Orleans was hard hit and ravished by what we thought was Hurricane Katrina. However, evidence and eye witnesses have determined that this is not the case. News updates first reported that the levees which held waters to the great Mississippi River collapsed, but someone living nearby called the news stations to report hearing a series of explosions before the flood came, and after the storm had passed.

In the article “Levees Blown Say Eyewitnesses – Media Ignores Them,” Greg Szymanski says this:

“Eye witnesses are starting to come forward, some only a block away from the 17th St Canal levee break, saying they heard a loud, powerful explosion right before water starting gushing in, as they ended up in a matter of minutes floating downstream on their rooftops.”

“Terry Adams, who lives one block away from the 17th St. break, remembers hearing what sounded “like a bomb going off” from where the levee gave-way before rushing water forced him to his rooftop. “Everything was calm, it was late at night, and the storm had passed. I thought we had dodged a bullet and there was no water in my house and I was only a block away from the 17 th St. break,” said Adams, a lower 9th Ward resident, in an extended conversation this week from New Orleans.

“Then I heard what sounded like a bomb go off from the direction of where the levee gave-way and within a matter of minutes I was forced up on my roof where I floated for about a mile into town before somehow getting to safety.”

“Asked if he was sure he heard an explosion, he added: “Water breaking a levee isn’t going to make the noise I heard and besides, the levee should have broke before or during the storm, not afterward. “I heard an explosion and so did a lot of other people. It came right from where the levee broke. What else could it have been but somebody blowing up the levee?”

None of this was ever reported on the news; despite repeated calls to news stations, and it should be noted that today, although some residents still have not been given the call to go home; city officials allow tours through the ruins of what once was someone’s home.

According to the article, “Katrina victims take on hurricane tour operators”, a Fox8 News reporter says this: “About 9 million people visit New Orleans each year, mostly to see its stately homes along oak-lined avenues, dine at its renowned restaurants and take in the jazz and ribaldry of Bourbon Street. But Katrina’s devastation in August 2005 unleashed an unexpected cottage tourism industry, drawing a daily parade of rubbernecking tourists for a close-up look at the city’s hard-hit Lower 9th Ward.”

The article states further that officials “Worried that a flood of tour buses and vans would interfere with clean-up efforts, the City Council approved an ordinance in 2006 banning them from crossing the prominent Industrial Canal entering the neighborhood that received Katrina’s fury.” “Now, tour operators are crying foul, claiming the ordinance had been thinly enforced until recently.” They say a business that is bringing them and the city tourist dollars is being hurt.”

To see more on the tours: Click Here

To read more of the Levee Explosions: Click Here 

  • Watch:Hurricane Katrina: The Drive: New Orleans Lower 9th Ward

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Your Sunday Bread, Addressing the Pulpit

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Addressing members of the clergy’s behavior is a difficult situation. No one wants to see their pastor, the leader of their church caught in scandal, because not only does it bring the church a bad name, its members are looked upon harshly, and worst of all the word of God.

In all of this one might wonder what has become of this thing; or amazed at how this all came about.  Our church was popular someone might think, but within these perils of thought one must also consider whether their church has become popular for the wrong reasons.

Before we go on with this subject, we must note that people are quite hush hush about what goes on with the men of God; those who lead the flocks, and when the preacher is seen doing things contrary to the word of God, where sin is present no one wants to be the one to confront it. Most people are fearful of the man of God and most will use the word to excuse their inability to speak out. Actually, it is cowardice in its greatest display.

The scripture taken from Psalms 105:15 Saying, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm”, and the same in 2 Chronicles 16:22.

Although we shouldn’t touch those anointed many people  are portrayed doing that in the bible and more so in deed than words. Here we note that the prophets were being killed because of speaking God’s word to those who were idol worshippers and other sins.

The Prophet Elijah was chased out of town by a death threat from Jezebel in 1 Kings 19:2-3,

“Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.  And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.”

Prophets were killed for spreading the word of truth in those days.

Today, however, the men of God are seen having affairs, molesting students under their care and counsel, raping; and even participating in homosexual acts against its members which are most certainly acts against the word of God.

Sin is running rampart in the pulpits, our leaders falling under the lies of Satan and no one is saying anything.

No one wants to talk about it; that is, to straighten the man out!  Sadder still is prayer being manifested as a last resort when those act already known by some in the church are made public. Hence, we see our preachers being drug off to jail, sent to prison and one notable example  is of a Pastor and Funeral Director who was murdered, hog tied and gagged; not for spreading the good news of Christ our Savior, but for deeds done against our Holy God and his church.

God says this:

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.

 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth(Suppress it) in unrighteousness;

 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

(Romans 1:16-18, 22-25) (Emphasis mine)

Pastor John Piper explained homosexuality as “worship of self” as a form of idolatry which in turn leads to men and women’s lust of same sex which is idolatry.

God gives explicit word for people who accept this in church and out as well. He says about the homosexual that he gave them up to this life style to do what they will, which in turn leads to more sin.

The observation here is that these things are occurring in the Roman Church who the author speaks to. Notably, people might believe that he is speaking to someone outside; this is what one would expect, but sadly we cannot tell the world from the church.

God says, “
“ And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (Romans 1:27-30)

And covenant breakers; the church:   

 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:31-32).

The main concern is to judge what is right and stop turning a blind eye to sin. There is something wrong when people called by the name of God cannot open their mouths and speak truth no matter who it is.

Probably the most heinous crimes are not done by people unsaved, but by people who call themselves saved. Now everybody is shocked and taken aback because someone they idolized and worshipped instead of God has left them disappointed and dumbfounded. Why are we shocked when we don’t pray, when we don’t speak truth even to the ones who teach us.

We have to take the church back it has become a breeding ground of sin. God is not pleased and is bringing his wrath in judgment.

above all things pray without ceasing

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