It's important to start a program BEFORE the gang culture takes hold of a community. How? Continue to involve children in wholesome activities like Little League, Scouts, Church Activities, and family functions. Reach out to those students who are not participating in such activities - for whatever reason - and try to involve them before they seek the companionship of a 'gang'.

Why:

*To enable persons with different backgrounds and perspectives to work together to achieve a common goal.

Mildred Loving, Who Fought Ban on Mixed Marriage, Dies at 68
By DOUGLAS MARTIN

Mildred Loving, a black woman whose anger over being banished from Virginia for marrying a white man led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling overturning state miscegenation laws, died on May 2 at her home in Central Point, Va. She was 68.

Rudy Giuliani's priest has been accused in grand jury proceedings of molesting several children and covering up the molestation of others. Giuliani would not disavow him on the campaign trail and still works with him.

I have a sincere concern about BPR, who claims to be a pre-school teacher. Early education teachers are the most important teachers in a child's development, IMO.

Thinking that I was going to take my mind off the current news, politics, etc., I started reading a novel. Wow! Fascinating!

. . for domestic refining of gasoline from our own reserves. . ., which he states, the Congress has voted against. Now who would benefit from this? American oil companies? - the American people? In a room with thinking conservatives - I asked the question.

Different Standards for Black and White Preachers?

Rudy Giuliani's priest has been accused in grand jury proceedings of molesting several children and covering up the molestation of others. Giuliani would not disavow him on the campaign trail and still works with him.

Can Diversity Training help to implement a meaningful discussion regarding race relations in the United States?

We're more than just 'sound bites' This is not shared to change anyone's opinion of this man - just to give more information.

No matter the outcome of the election in November, the American people have made a historical turn in their thinking about 'who' can represent the United States as an American. See excerpts from CNN poll:

The Blended History of Fayette County. God bless Dr. Sams. What a wonderful 'healing' event!!

The Democrats in Fayette County aren't alone!

From the New York Times:

Only slothful thinkers still view Democrats in the West as Prius-driving latte-sippers along the Left Coast. The larger story is about home-grown identity. Eight of the 11 Western States have Democratic governors. The Democrats picked up two Senate seats in the West in the last two national elections, and are poised to pick up two more this year, in Colorado and New Mexico.

I know that the majority of the bloggers on The Citizen are Republican - and conservative. But tonight a black candidate for President won the primary in South Carolina by building a coalition of Americans of all races, gender, and economic status.

Today I was the recipient of a random act of kindness. While in the post office - and a bit hassled because of an inordinate amount of packages to mail - I inadvertently left my credit card in the lobby when I went to stand in line to mail my packages and buy stamps. A gentleman came in and gave a 'credit card' to a lady behind the counter. I checked my wallet - and sure enough - my credit card was missing. I stood in line to retrieve my credit card - and fortunately the man who turned it in was still in the lobby. I was able to thank him! What a great way to start the New Year!! I'm so glad we decided to settle here.

At your suggestion, I read Kessler's book, "The Terrorist Watch". Kessler is obviously a believer in the Bush administration. (He reverently calls Bush the CEO of the War on Terror.) Most of what this administration has 'accomplished' is under investigation. History will be the judge of the Bush administration. 70% of the American public today does not agree with Kessler's assessment of this administration. Kessler reports what other authors have reported regarding the CIA and FBI. As the CEO of the War on Terror, Bush's record is questionable. The book is an interesting read. Americans need to get beyond partisan loyalty and politics - and elect leaders who are knowledgeable, honest, and respected. . . REGARDLESS OF THEIR PARTY AFFIILIATION.

BRAVO!!

Juan Williams comments make sense.

The Little Rock Nine

A year ago, your child was involved in a conflict at their high school. The conflict was centered around who could sit under a tree on the school grounds. This conflict was allowed to fester because of inept school leadership and community lack of interest. The community is a small community – where people appear to get along reasonably well. The students at the school have not had any intervention or guidance for resolution regarding this conflict about the ‘tree’. The conflict continues to fester – and a fight breaks out on the playground. The fight is serious. One student received serious injuries. Your child is reportedly involved in the fight – and is charged with attempted murder. There are conflicting stories from the witnesses. Some say your child was not even in the area – but he is charged with attempted murder at a trial that many considered unjust. A higher court finds the charges unjust – and lowers the charges. There are citizens in the community who agree with the injustice of the original charges. However, the DA in this instance stands by his charges – even though a higher legal authority has reduced the charges. Many citizens in the country acknowledge the injustice that this local criminal system tried to enforce, and feel that your small town is not the only place where justice is not distributed equally. How would you feel?

. . to those of you who joined me in a conversation regarding the sensitive topic of 'race' - without trying to twist my words or intentions.

Now that we have, I hope, established some credibility with one another regarding the sensitive topic of ‘race’ - I have a question.

• A little girl lost in one of the stores in the Pavilion, and several people comforting her until her 'lost' mommy was found.

Michael Duffy of Time Magazine has written a thought provoking article “How To Walk Away’. He incorporated the thinking of some of the top officials in the world – which motivates one to think about this situation based on facts and experienced knowledge of respected military, political, and diplomatic leaders. The title of his article elicits a gut wrenching reaction to those of us who are not accustomed to our country ‘losing’. But after reading the article – his summation makes sense.

Many on this site have posted facts regarding the current and past administrations role and involvement in Iraq, the Middle East and the 'war on terror'.

What a relief! I am so glad to hear from posters that our experience in 2003 was not about race! It was the only negative experience that we have had from retailers in Georgia - and being new to the south - we thought it was about race.

Did I miss the comments on the wonderful weekend that we had in Fayetteville? We had guests from California and Washington D.C.

Let's have a seminar for the entire community given by law enforcement entitled: "How citizens can help prevent crime and identify criminals in Fayette County." It is disingenuous to challenge the NAACP, when organizations supposedly representing the Christian community, the 'white' community, the 'male' community - are not being challenged with the same issue when their 'members' are involved in criminal actions.

Peachtree City and Fayetteville have been listed as among the safest cities in our country. I feel this is due to a citizenry that cares - and outstanding law enforcement practices. I shuddered the other day when I saw on the news a lady being robbed in a public parking lot while patrons appeared to calmly walk by. (They may not have realized what was happening.) Today a friend and I were talking in a parking lot in Fayette County. We may have looked distressed since one of us was on the cell phone trying to contact another friend. A gentleman looked over and politely asked if everything was all right. We smiled and answered in the affirmative. We were so impressed that he even was concerned!

After watching the Plame-Wilson hearings this morning on CSPAN - I just want to know what are the opinions of those who the Congressman represents regarding his questions and contribution during the Federal Committees' hearings.

The same 'history' and 'symbols' can have different meaning and bring up different emotions in citizens of the South. The Confederate Flag was the flag of the South during the Civil War.