Saline County Kansas Republican Jim Gile Is A Bigot

 

In yet another example of old school bigotry and racism in Kansas, (not that many families of the Kansas "old school" racists have really been in America long enough to be "old school", but that's another post) Saline County commissioner Jim Gile made a decidedly racist crack at a city counsel meeting the other day, and after a half hearted apology, resisted a well placed call for his resignation, insisting that racist remarks at public podiums were okey-dokey "back in his day" and that he actually represents his district very well, despite, and because of, his obvious bigotry!

The remark was made about roof repairs of government buildings. Giles expressed a desire to hire an architect, rather than allowing a contractor to do what he referred to as "nigger rigging". When asked what, exactly, he meant by that, he said, "Afro Americanizing". So there you have it, Kansas. An actual admission to racial prejudism from the podium by an elected official. Anywhere outside of Kansas, especially anywhere that boasted a population of truly civic minded intelligensia, who care about their community, their children, and the future of this nation, would have run out of forms for picketing permits by this time because of the commissioners remark. But Saline County appears to only have a handful of persons who find Gile an anachronism. Yet, as many American families of African descent have resided in this country longer then most Kansas Caucasion families, the excuses invoking an "old school" attitude don't really provide an equation that explains the commissioner's bigotry, either.

Okay then; this is exactly why Kansas children are seldom equipped to attend college or live successfully outside of Kansas. It's quite possible that Jim Gile actually DOES represent Saline County. That's incredibly sad. Shouldn't New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca, Kansas, and Westboro Baptist Church make enough of a statement about bigotry, without any help from officials who represent the views of the general public in Kansas?

"I am not a prejudiced person," Gile told the Salina Journal. "I have built Habitat homes for colored people."

 

Convicted Killer Howard Marnell Is About To Go Free

Should Howard Marnell, convicted of the 1982 murder of Sandra Olrich, be handed a "get out of jail free" card by the parole board? Apparently, he has exhibited enough "good behavior" in prison, after the exceptionally violent murder of his sister-in-law, which is technically domestic violence, for New York to take seriously his request for parole from his sentence of fifteen years to life. He says he has learned to "control his rage", and that he has matured. Control his rage? Sandra Olrich was only twenty years old in 1982. What could she possibly have done to incite that much rage from anyone? Howard Marnell is the type of criminal who should stay behind bars for the rest of his life.

 

A Huge Thankyou To The Horatio Alger Association

My daughter just got a scholarship from the Horatio Alger Association. The association, named after Horatio Alger, who wrote many novels about people going from "rags to riches", was established in 1947 for students who aspire to attain college education but whose families cannot afford it. My daughter has always been precocious, creative, and a brilliant student. I have always been very proud of her, and have always had high expectations of her. Whether she knows it or not, she has always exceeded my expectations. Unfortunately, a family law court judge in West Virginia used yours truly and children as an example of how a divorced mom can be forced to pay for the privelege of escaping domestic violence, and expressed, not only disdain for me while in court, but rage at my daughter for answering a policeman's questions after a domestic violence incident. The judge was determined to do all she could to make sure that there would never be enough money for my daughter to attend college, and denied us everything from child support to justice. The hardships that followed certainly took their toll on our family, but I always insisted that my children learn, think, and do their very best in school. My daughter will graduate from high school this year as the valedictorian of her class, despite the opinions of anyone who did not like us because we lacked a white picket fence, cable TV, and lots of stupid video games.

A huge "Thankyou" from a grateful mom, Horatio Alger Association! You gave my daughter an opportunity she never would have had, otherwise. I met some of the others in the honors program at the college she has chosen, and am very impressed with the school and with it's students. She is overjoyed to go to college this fall, and I am very happy for her!

Thankyou, also, for believing in my daughter's talent and ability. She has always exceeded my expectations, but it is very encouraging to know that others can see the wondeful things about her that I see. Today, and for the rest of my life, I am a very proud mom!

 

Holocaust Remembrance Day

 

Holocaust Remembrance Day

In Case You Missed Church On Sunday

 

Just for some perspective.

 

Life Imitates Art

Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? In this case, I really think life, unfortunately, imitates art!

 

Dewitt Parker Missing From Tennessee

 

Dewitt Parker, twelve, left home in Memphis Tennessee last weekend after getting into a fight with his mom, and went to school at Kate Bond Middle School on Monday, April 1, but has not been seen or heard from since. He is 4'11'', about 90 lbs, and had on black shorts and white and light blue tennis shoes. There isn't a missing persons poster for him yet, or any contact information listed, but this as child is not at school, where he belongs, my recommendation is to contact whichever law enforcement is local to where you are if you see him or know his whereabouts, and try to get him back to his family. Four days can be a long time in the life of a twelve year old.

 

Update: Dewitt has been found.