The Whitehurst Blog - Politics, Racism, Military, Marijuana Legalization & More

Tuesday, 19 April 2016

College Financial Aid: An Open Letter To My Elected Officials
Topic: Politics

Dear Elected Official:

I'm a disabled Illinois resident, on a fixed income, and my daughter is graduating high school this year. We were looking forward to her pursuing a degree in the medical field at a state university, until we saw the $27,000 per year price tag. I was the first in my family to obtain a college degree, and that was done with a combination of Pell Grant and Illinois State Aid. I assumed that the same help was available for my daughter and her generation in their pursuit of education. Ha! I was thoroughly shocked when we got back her financial aid letter -- $5000 for Pell Grant and nothing for state aid! I decided to look at the financial resources that my elected officials are working with:

President: $400,000 per year plus pension and perks

Vice President: $233,000 per year plus pension and perks

U.S. Congress: $174,000 per year plus pension and perks

Illinois Governor: $177,000 per year plus pension and perks

Illinois General Assembly Member: $67,000 plus pension and perks

It seems that my elected officials have voted themselves to get thousands of dollars; while the poor, who are trying to educate themselves in furtherance of a better future, have been left in the dust. How are the people of America in general, and of Illinois in particular, supposed to compete in a future economy without education? What have you all been doing while in power? I understand that both the U.S. and Illinois governments seem to enjoy being in a perpetual state of gridlock, but your lack of funding for Federal and State financial assistance is killing the collective brain of our future generations. How do you plan to address this issue? Action please!

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 10:48 PM CDT
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:33 PM CDT
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Tuesday, 5 April 2016

Profits Over People!!!
Topic: Varied Thoughts

PROFITS OVER PEOPLE

Is anyone else paying attention to the money driven society that we live in? Yes life costs money, but our society has become an all out quest for profit. When you would think that certain aspects of American life would be guaranteed to insure the health and well being of the populace, instead it's a rat race to make money -- and everyone else be damned! Capitalism is running wild!

We live in a society where Americans starve to death. We have under-supported food banks in a country that spends trillions on war. Americans, including veterans, go homeless in a country where people spend their last dime on the latest brand name purse or gym shoes. Automobiles can cost as much or more than houses did 30 years ago, and houses cost so much that you need to win the "Little Lotto" in order to pay it off without crushing debt. Again, Capitalism run wild!

When you'd think the synergy between a healthy educated populace and a healthy/strong nation would be recognized, people have to make life decisions to get either. Relative to health, even with the Healthcare Reform Act in place, people still have to make choices between seeing doctors with rising health insurance costs or buying food. That same food where a loaf of bread or a bag of chips for the family can cost more than a gallon of gas! Companies even sell bottled water now! Water was free 40 years ago!

You'd think that the American government would want an educated population to fuel the country and its progress. However, college costs require our potential students to choose between getting an education with crushing debt, or being uneducated with a dim employment outlook. In the current economic climate both choices can leave a person poor! When I went to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1984, it cost less than $7000 and all of that was paid by government Pell Grant plus state aid. Today, it costs $27,000 a year to go to the same school! My daughter planned to attend until we found out that our total government aid came to $5000. That is ridiculous! For a degree a person comes out of school over $80,000 in debt. Again, Capitalism run wild!

We've even come to the point where people choose their mates based on money. Profit has become so ingrained in our American collective consciousness that we turn away people who may bring wondrous joy into our lives, simply because a wallet or a bank account isn't "big enough." I had a woman refuse to talk to me because I didn't have rough hands -- meaning that I didn't have a good job. Stop the madness! People are more important than material goods! It's time for a mindset change to -- PEOPLE OVER PROFITS, before it's too late...

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 5:18 PM CDT
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:34 PM CDT
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Thursday, 4 February 2016

Nigeria To Buy JF-17 Fighter Jets
Topic: Military
nigeria jf-17

To aid in the battle against terrorists, and to modernize air defense capabilities, Nigeria is planning to upgrade its air force with the purchase of JF-17 fighters. The Sino-Pakistani co-produced jet is capable of both air-to-air and ground attack missions with precision munitions.

While most nations aim to fly 4.5 generation or 5th generation fighters, the JF-17 provides a cheaper alternative for developing nations. The JF-17 is a 3rd generation airframe housing 4th generation internal features. The version that the Nigerian air force will be getting is the updated JF-17 block 2, costing Nigeria roughly $25 million per plane. This version includes a refueling probe, a data link, improved avionics and electronic warfare capabilities, and the KLJ-7v2 radar.

An even more upgraded JF-17 block 3 model is in the design stage, and scheduled to go into production around the 2018-19 timeframe. The block 3 will have stealth features, an AESA radar, HMD with advanced wvr missile (possibly the South African/Brazilian A-Darter), a more powerful engine (either of Russian or Chinese design), and may include an internal IRST.

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 2:20 PM CST
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:35 PM CDT
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Tuesday, 22 December 2015

Attempted Attack On My Daughter!
Topic: Personal Stories

photo of me and my daughter

I was just on the phone with my daughter while she waited for a bus. She likes to stay on the phone with me because it makes her feel safer. She said that a suspicious car was sitting a couple of blocks away with his lights out. Then he moved a block closer. She asked if she should walk back home and I told her yes. Then, all of a sudden, my daughter says "He's following me!" I'm screaming "How close is he?" and "Where is he?" My poor daughter sounded so stressed, almost in complete terror, when she screamed "He's coming! He's following me!!!" Being on the phone, helpless to save my baby, all I could yell was "RUN!!!" My daughter sounded like she was about to have a nervous breakdown as she ran for her life! I'm repeatedly asking "How close is he? How close to home are you?" I was thinking this man was in his car the whole time, but my mother just told me that this garbage had gotent out of his ride and chased my daughter.

Any parent, and particularly any father, can only imagine my feelings right now. I just listened to the attempted abduction (or worse) of my daughter...and I was powerless to help her! My daughter is very aware of her surroundings and that's a very good thing. For those reading this...STAY AWARE!

That powerlessness that I spoke of comes from not having a car. If I did, I would be driving her, and she would be a lot comfortable and safe. I have a GOFundMe Page that addresses this. I realize that money is tight during the holidays, but any donations after the New Year would be greatly appreciated. Happy and SAFE Holidays to you all!

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 7:14 PM CST
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:36 PM CDT
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Monday, 21 December 2015

Only Cowards Beat Women!
Topic: Varied Thoughts

photo of Cris Cyborg photo credit: MMA Weekly

I was just doing my usual daily thing, watching the tv show "Cheaters," when I was actually shocked for the first time. A cute woman had just seen video of her boyfriend cheating with her roommate; and was confronting them both. All of a sudden, the man punched his girlfriend in the face! She was layed out on the ground, face down, with her head near a puddle of blood.

The other night I was watching MMA on "Showtime" when a fight between a Japanases woman and transgendered Cris Cyborg aired. Cyborg beat the woman into submission, and I was left wondering what television and sport had come to. Cris Cyborg has no business putting his hands on real women in a violent manner. It's not competition when he fights a lady, it's a televised crime! Just because a man starts taking hormone shots doesn't make them lose their male bone structure. On top of being a natural man, Cris Cyborg is a steroid user! How can any legitimate sports sanctioning organization endorse men beating women under their banner? And, how could any self respecting male athlete consider it competition to beat down a woman who is clearly no physical match for them.

What both of these stories illustrate is men trying to exert physical power over women through violence. Neither the cheater on the tv show, nor Cris Cyborg, have any right to batter women! No man does! Men who beat women are essentially bullies who are really cowards in their hearts! Only a coward would beat a woman! Ladies, if a man beats you CALL THE POLICE! PRESS CHARGES! SAVE YOUR LIFE!

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 12:51 PM CST
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:37 PM CDT
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Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Clinton Campaign Responds to Whitehurst Blog Post
Topic: Healthcare

HILLARY CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN RESPONDS TO OBAMACARE POST ON THE WHITEHURST BLOG:

CLICK HERE TO READ

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 5:34 PM CST
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:38 PM CDT
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Monday, 30 November 2015

Old Eyes
Topic: Personal Stories

I was waiting for a ride to pull up one day. I was standing on my block, finishing a cigarette, when I saw the car drive up in front of my building. I put my cig out, then ran up, swung the car door open and jumped inside. I looked over to say something and right then I noticed something -- I didn't know who the hell the driver was! I quickly looked around the inside of the car, saw that I didn't recognize a thing, and in Sherlock Holmes fashion deduced that I was in the wrong damn car! I hurriedly said I was sorry, and jumped out! I was lucky, particularly in my neighborhood, that the driver didn't pull out a gun. Yes this was embarrassing and even dangerous, but it was also sad. Sad because it wasn't the first time that it had happened.

Another day I was once again waiting for a ride. This time I was looking for a minivan. I had been waiting a while, and was getting a bit tired, when my ride finally pulled up. I ran up to the back door, and admittedly pulled on it like a person who was tired of waiting. The door didn't budge, so I pulled again and again...and again the door didn't move. I looked into the window and I saw a couple of shocked children who I didn't recognize; and an equally shocked and unrecognized mom and dad. I figured out my error and immediately apologized. Old eyes come with old age, but if I don't start being more careful with these "Old Eyes" I'm not going to make it to an older age...

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 8:49 PM CST
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:37 PM CDT
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Wednesday, 25 November 2015

16 Shots In Chicago!
Topic: Police Brutality

16 shots!!! 16 shots at a Black teen on a Chicago street, caught on video, and the shooter gets paid desk duty for a year! If I'd shot a White man 16 times, and it was caught on video, I'd be locked under the jail within hours. The disparate treatment of African-Americans by police and the "justice system" is obvious! Black Lives Matter to me, but they definitely don't matter to those who carry badges as they ride through Black communities like occupying troops in foreign territory. Black Lives also don't seem to matter to the State's Attorney, who only brought charges when it was clear that the incendiary video of Laquan McDonald's murder would be released. The Chicago Police Department has a long history of racism against Black people. I've been called a nigger by a CPD officer, and I've heard CPD officers brag about beating suspects. The nest of rats known as the Chicago Police Department needs to be cleaned out! The Black nation won't continue to accept this! ï¿½€ï¿½#‎ReformorRevolutionï¿½€ï¿½

WATCH VIDEO

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 12:58 PM CST
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:38 PM CDT
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Friday, 20 November 2015

Frontline: ISIS In Afghanistan (Video)
Topic: International Affairs

Frontline goes into the deadliest areas of Afghanistan to explore the spread of ISIS. If you thought they were confined to Syria and Iraq -- Think Again! Watch this video now:

ISIS IN AFGHANISTAN VIDEO

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 7:29 PM CST
Updated: Saturday, 10 September 2016 12:21 AM CDT
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Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Battle Cats: The Use of Cats In Warfare
Topic: Military

photo credit: National Post

Animals have been used in warfare by humans for thousands of years; and cats are no exception. Anyone who has had a cat knows that they have an independent streak, making them very difficult to train! This streak has limited the use of felines in war, as opposed to say horses or dogs, but people have found uses for them:

The ancient Persians used the Egyptian reverence for cats against them, carrying cats into the Battle of Pelusium. It was assumed that the Egyptians would be hesitant to strike the cats by mistake. The battle ended in an overwhelming Persian victory.

For ages cats have been used by navies as pest control -- or ratters -- to keep food supplies safe. In the 16th Century the Germans developed plans to use rocket propelled cats, and cats for carrying jars of poisoned gas.

Surprisingly, cats have even been used in modern times. The British used 500,000 cats to detect poisoned gas during World War I. In World War II, the British used cats as an early warning system against German bombing. Maybe the most gruesome use of felines belongs to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), with its Operation Acoustic Kitty during the Cold War. A cat underwent surgery to have a microphone placed in its ear, a transmitter attached to the skull, a battery placed in the neck, and wires run along the length of the spine. This was done to create a "Living Microphone," to listen in on Soviet conversations. Some Russian diplomats were in a park in Washington, D.C. The CIA subsequently released the cat in their direction on a spying operation. Everything was going according to plan until the kitty walked into a street -- and was hit by a taxicab!

References:

www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/05/operation-acoustic-kitty-the-cias-would-be-cat-spy/275665/
www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2013/01/30/rocket-propelled-cats-and-other-feline-weapons-of-war/
www.ripleys.com/blog/pelusium-cats/
www.petmd.com/cat/slideshows/seasonal/five-cats-of-war

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Posted by Steven Whitehurst at 9:27 PM CST
Updated: Monday, 5 September 2016 6:42 PM CDT
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