The National Parks: America’s Best Idea –A Film by Ken Burns

MoonHowler

The National Parks: America’s Best Idea begins tonight. Ken Burns, film maker for 30 years has created the series. So I dedicate this weekend to film makers.

I am a huge proponent of the National Parks and I have waited for today with great anticipation. The series starts tonight at 8 pm on PBS.

National Parks preserve that which is best of our country for our posterity. They are a great source of national pride. They require protection and preservation. They can cause controversy. They protect us from ourselves and from our greed.

Ken Burns exposes the difficulties the national park system has had since its inception and gives us beautiful film footage of the wonders of our nation, along with a good dose of history. The previews are on now and will be repeated throughout the day. Each episode can be viewed online and will be repeated for about 2 weeks on PBS. You can create a scrapebook of pictures as well as other things. You will be able to buy the dvd and book at some point.

http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/

This series will probably renew a huge interest in our national park system. Plan to go soon, early and often, before the throngs get there. My wish is that we, the Anti crowd, will be able to put aside some of our rancor and discuss this series.

Chicago Teen Attacked and Murdered

MoonHowler

Chicago teen Derrion Albert was attacked and murdered by a street gang of thugs last Thursday as he walked home from school. In what appeared to be a wilding, other teens beat Derrion with 2 x 4’s until he lay senseless. He later died.

What motivated such senseless brutality? Derrion’s family has revealed that he was a good student, had certificates for outstanding attendance, played several sports and was the love of his family’s life. Police are reviewing a video of the beating and have told the media that it is too early to report any findings.

A make-shift memorial outside the community center where Derrion’s murder took place was burned in what police believe was further gang violence.   All of the momentos left by those wanting to pay their respects have been burned beyond recognition. 

 

There will be a vigil and march this afternoon, organized by the family of Derrion Albert, to honor his memory and to speak out against this kind of senseless violence. Security has been beefed up at Fenger High School today which has reopened today. Apparently school was closed on Friday. Many students are expressing their horror that someone could be murdered while others just stood around and watched. Is that the new sign of being cool?

There is speculation that Derrion refused to join a gang because he was very goal oriented. They made him pay. Is there a special hell for these killers? Why must kids who are doing the right thing penalized? What happens when parents cannot afford to move their kids away from the violence?

I am not posting the video. It is far too graphic and horrifying to be posted on Anti. It is very painful and uncomfortable to watch. I will provide a link for those with a strong stomach.

What possesses human beings to behave like this?

 

   WARNING

***Graphic Link***

[UPDATE: 4 men have been charged with murder in Chicago for the beating death of Derrion Albert. Police have determined that Derrion got caught in the cross fire between 2 rival gangs.]

New Sign in Town

MoonHowler

I just got an email from one of our contributors telling me of a new sign on the Fernandez property. 

[Original content redacted]

I have taken the content down because the viewers felt that we were giving someone attention who perhaps didn’t deserve it. The City of Manassas and Mr. Fernandez have been going back and forth over his signs for over 2 years. Mr. F has been ordered to take down his signs by the City, in accordance to their regulations. At the 11th hour before he was to enter court, he took the last one down.

Now he has posted another sign. Regardless of whether his sign violates City ordinance, it appears that most folks have gotten tired of his antics.

Rather than give free publicity to something many of our contributors do not approve of, I decided to remove the entire content of the sign and leave up the thread so we can continue the discussion. I hope this method of information sharing suits everyone. If it doesn’t, as they say on the street, sorry about that.

A big thanks to Ivan, Emma, and others who provided updates during the day. Thumbs down to the person who snagged the original.