Interesting. This story has been up for almost two hours, 87 hits, and no opinions. I even put this link on the Commercial Appeal blog. Nothing.

Is it that noone cares, or that the problem has become too overwhelming to even know where to start?

These problems are not a local problem, this is a nation wide issue.
Our legal system is broken, our government is broken. The American will is broken. We live in a violent society and a violent time.
People are looking to escape their problems, so they turn to drugs. People are broke and need money, there are less jobs and it is harder to find them so they turn to robbing, stealing and looting.
You watch a movie or a TV program and there is sex and violence in it. There is no other way to make entertainment anymore. Hollywood has to make the bucks. It's on video games and the internet. Violence is everywhere you look.
I am not saying that this is the reason for it, but it makes a lot of it start.
Then on top of it all, jail is a place to go to get away from having to be responsible. In jail, you don't have bills, you don't have to get up and work 9-5. You don't have to pay for a car, commute, work with other people. You get free room and board, 3 meals a day, entertainment, free health care, free gym membership and education. There is no detourant for committing crime.
When you go to jail, this is the time you should be repaying your debt to society, not in Club On Taxpayer Money or Resort Taxpayer Flip the Bill. This is way past time to change back to the older ways. You committ a crime, you should repay not get perks. Meanwhile, I try to live an honest life and I cannot even get an education because it costs too much. Should I rob a bank, kill someone so I can go to jail and get supported by the same people I harm? Why not. Sounds like a WIN-WIN to me.
Also, our forefathers left countries that over taxed and overburdened them. Here we live in the richest country in the world and we don't even manufacture most of the goods that we buy. Why is this? Our government has sold us out to other countries and we the taxpayers are paying the price while our government sits back and gets fatter and richer.
No matter how much gets pointed out, nothing, I feel, will ever change in my lifetime. It is only going to get worse while my government continues to work against me, a taxpayer.

Rick Elgin
rwe38133@yahoo.com

Maybe if they let the police do their jobs it would make a small difference. I think the biggest problem is the idea we instill in people that they "deserve" respect (respect coming to mean "give me whatever I want with no work"), and the idea that you need to cultivate self-esteem in children. I teach my kids nothing is deserved unless you earn it, and self-esteem should have a foundation. Sociologists (there is a joke...a science dedicated only to excusing bad behavior) say lack of self-esteem motivates criminals...I would say an excess of self-esteem causes it.

Wow, just heard Mayor Silly Willies’ comments on the Memphis murders of last night and he said More police wont help, more prisons wont help,which of both I agree, but then here comes the famous arrogance factor. He said that marching in the streets and praying wont even help.Boy, he is the all knowing , all powerful.I hope ya’ll elect him again, ya’ll deserve him.

why dont the chatrooms load right ? I swear its just like a mom and pop operation

This is a nationwide problem that starts in the home and continues into the mean streets of the inner cities. Wherever there are gangs and drugs and guns, there can be no peace. Where there is fear and hatred of local police and gangbanger thugs offer protection and value to kids in the streets, there can be no peace. Where kids look to professional atheletes as their heroes and idols instead of real leaders like Martin Luther King, there can be no peace. Where fathers are just a distant memory or an unknown entity for children growing up, there can be no peace. Where parents think children are a burden on their party life and become grandmothers at 32, there shall be no peace. Where the belief that God is just a being that helps the rich folks, there can be no peace.
Until we follow the advice of Bill Cosby and spiritual leaders in our communities, who teach and preach self respect and dignity and pride instead of power and ego and wealth, there is no end in sight to this problem in our communities. The people of these violent communities along with groups of angry people from outlying communities have to just stop and say ENOUGH! Enough of the killing of innocent children. Enough of the gangs. Enough of the drugs. Enough of the being scared to leave your own home for fear of being robbed, raped or carjacked.  WAKE UP MEMPHIS AND LETS TAKE OUR CITY BACK AND START A REVOLUTION FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY!

Memphis is in this position thanks to the Mayor we have. Crime has never been is priority.  I wonder if he will even show up for any kind of meetings.  He couldn't even give us any positive input today in his radio interview. He is supposed to be the leader and give people 'hope". All he does is drive more people (all races) & businesses away from Memphis. And so many of our other 'leaders' under the Mayor are already in prison. So look at the examples these people set for the community. Thugs dressed in suits and for some reason keep getting voted in.

Excuse me, sir, but my father died at the age of 34 when I was only 11. My mother didn't remarry and I never had a father figure in my home. I was raised, however, that I lived in my mothers home, not the other way around.
I lived in fear of the parental figure in my home and the CONSEQUENCES of what would happen if I stepped outside of the bounds that were expected of me.
I cleaned the house, I mowed the lawn, I emptied the trash, I cooked for myself, I went to school  and in the summer I was expected to have a part-time JOB.I've bought my own shoes and clothes since I was 15.
The problem is not only the parents you stated but almost any parent today. We cater to children today. Every parent wants better for their child. This is not wrong, but there is a neglect there just the same.
I don't care how "good" of a parent you think or claim you are. You have no control of your children today. Your government controls you and how you can control your child. There is a fine line between discipline and neglect. But today you cannot even discipline your child, which is, to me, neglect.
Today, we are beginning to see the results of not being able to discipline your children. We live in a society that has no CONSEQUENCES.

unsubscibe, I assume you were referring to my post. Your mother obviously raised you right. But just let me ask you this one question. Do you think you are the EXCEPTION or the RULE? There are examples everywhere of kids growing up in rough neighborhoods and making it. Former congressman JC Watts comes to mind. I do wholeheartedly agree with your assessment about not punishing your kids. I believe that corporal punishment should also be returned to the school systems. I do believe that you can discipline your child without fear from the government though. I spank my kids whenever the need arises. I just make sure my children know that I am spanking them because I love them and not because I am mad and want to physically hurt them. So I do not believe that as you say "we have no control of our children". I do however believe that we all make a decision on whether or not to take seriously that awesome responsibility of being a parent or just decide to let the "village" raise our kids. And lets not start blaming the government for everything and start taking a little more personal responsibility for what happens to us. As Chuck Swindoll said, “The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day...I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me, and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.”

Here's to hoping that there are more mothers out there like yours.

I'm greatly disturbed by the number of people who think prayer is the answer to crime in our community. In fact, relying on ineffective methods like prayer prevents us from enacting actual, proven crime-reduction strategies. If a god exists (which is not necessarily the case), I'm quite sure his master plan is not affected in the slightest by human beings' desires. It is time for Memphis to research rational approaches to crime reduction that produce quantitative results!

I beleve we can do both virginia. If you believe what the bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14,

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land",

then I would say that prayer IS the answer.

However, if you are an agnostic or atheist, then you have to rely on the good deeds of human beings for the rest of your life to repair the sicknesses of our society. If that is your position, all I can say is "God help us".

One problem is the lack of jobs for ex-felons. I'm an ex-felon, and every time that I get a job, I loose it when it comes time to get on permenant. I'm not saying, that that's a reason to commit a crime, but I feel that it will help crime to go down. Everybody needs to have the same oppertunity to have a job felon or not.

Madame President- you have mail.

Hi Cat and Shadow!!!

I received the mail Cat...now, it's your turn. ;-)

I am not against prayer but, praying is not the answer to the crime ridden streets of Memphis. Making good use of the justice system IS!   How many faces do we see that ARE repeat criminals??  People commit murder and are back out on the streets, to do it again, in a few years. Until the ‘system’ starts punishing criminals to the fullest extent (which includes the death penalty) NOTHING will change. Criminals respect nothing, or no one, and they don’t fear the petty consequences the justice system gives!  Personally, I don’t care if they kill each other because it’s, “good riddance to bad rubbish” but, they are taking the lives of innocent children and adults all over the city!
Twenty years ago, Memphis was a beautiful city, now it’s a cesspool! Why? Because the law and the city leaders have allowed it to become one!  Look at Tennessee Waltz! When some in city government are corrupt, what do the citizens expect?  Memphis is at it’s breaking point and that lies at the doorway to the Mayor’s office. He is on record as saying he admires the work ethics of a female ex felon as he placed her in high paying position. He continues to give his cronies high paying (library) positions! The Mayor is so blatantly uncaring, he laughs if anyone questions his decisions, appointments or deals.  The schools didn’t become dangerous this year; they’ve been that way for years 10 plus years! The streets didn’t become dangerous recently; they’ve been that way for 10 plus years! The entire USA knows what a wasteland Memphis has become. Maybe calling in the National Guard will help but having a Town Hall meeting will do nothing. The decent, working people of Memphis will continue to be ignored and caught in the thugs crossfire!

I would not mind paying more money for more jails IF we did the following:

Make the penalties stiffer. 25 years to life? Your sorry a$$ stays in 25 years, minimum, etc. ABSOLUTELY NO PAROLE. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts...

I also think Memphis needs to have a curfew and enforce it. It would be inconvenient at times, sure, but worth it. I'd be willing to deal with it until we get stuff under control.

More VISIBLE leadership from our elected officials. Even if they just go on tv to say they are sorry for what happened, simple acknowledgment of knowledge/concern for what is going on in their city/county would be great. One of the reasons we have leaders is to give us someone to look to for guidance, leadership, and comfort. Their silence makes people desperate, because they feel alone. Mayor Herenton does not appear to care about his citizens. He can't be bothered with them unless it's election time. Otherwise, he holes up in his "Ivory Tower" and hides. Although, if he is going to go on tv (when cornered into it) and say crap like this...

"You embrace the city as your family," Mayor Herenton said.  "The city of Memphis, because I'm the Mayor, is my family.  So anything that diminishes Memphis...it diminishes me as a Mayor.  But I don't take sole responsibility for it."

... I might rather see him keep his mouth shut.

If he looks at the people of Memphis as his family, well, that explains why it is dysfunctional. He ignores them unless he wants something, like more money. Tells anyone who disagrees with him to "leave" or calls them "haters." He doesn't take sole responsibility- HAHAHA... noone is asking him to take SOLE responsibility for it, but they are asking him to take SOME responsibility for it. THAT IS HIS JOB.

Those are my suggestions.

WOW a lot of good posts....I admit, I haven't posted before because I just didn't know where to begin.  However, since I am home sick today, with nothing else to do but lay around feeling sorry for myself (LOL), I will make a few comments.

1.  Without specifically addressing prior posters, I believe, if Mayor Herenton was a TRUE leader, he would absolutely take responsibility for the mess Memphis is in, apologize for it, and do something constructive to make it better.  It wouldn't hurt to hire more policemen, make penalties stiffer for crimes committed and stop hanging out with and rewarding thugs and criminals by giving them high paying jobs within city government.

2.  While I do not believe prayer is the only answer (remember the old adage God helps those who help themselves), I think prayer is a GREAT thing!  However, prayer alone will not make Memphis a better place.  Parents need to take back authority and responsibility for raising their children.  Children run the households these days with very few exceptions.  Parents need to be held accountable for their children’s' actions!  QUIT BEING LAZY!  Nobody ever said parenthood was a walk in the park.

3.  Prisons have become warehouses and country clubs for criminals.  Turn prisons back into penitentiaries!  One is supposed to be penitent for committing a crime...not having weight rooms, high definition TV and the ability to get a better education than I can afford to get.  Bring back chain gangs.....let the criminals be used to keep the highways clean and in good repair.  It is NOT a violation of their civil rights to do a little work!  

4.  Quit making excuses for everything in your life!  Accept personal responsibility and insist on the same from your family and friends.  America didn't get to be a great country by whining and blaming.  People worked and were PROUD to work.  This country is sliding away morally and intellectually because alot of people no longer care about anything and the majority that DO care have no incentive or guts to STERP UP and do the right thing.

The mass murder on Lester Street may be a suicide murder done by Cecil Dotson.  If this is true, our justice system could be at fault for releasing Dotson from prison after serving only 4 years in prison!  MURDERERS SHOULD SERVE LIFE IN PRISON without the possibility of parole!!!  Until the laws are changed there will be more senseless crime, and innocent people will lose their lives.  Memphis is no longer a safe place to live and as crime continues to get worse - more residents will move away and I will be one of them!

Soon to not be a resident of Memphis, TN

Shadow, sorry you're sick. Hugs. Get better soon.

I should have said we should pray too. Not to the exclusion of action, but in addition to it.

When America began turning it's back on God, by discontinuing prayer in schools, taking "In God We Trust" off money, etc. then God turned his back on us. Who can blame him? Doing so certainly didn't make things better. Couldn't hurt to try asking God to come back again and help us, now could it?

Parents also need to be able to spank their children (not beat, but spank) without fear. My brothers and I were spanked and we turned out okay- we all work (sometimes more than one job, finished high school and attended college, no illegitimate children, no one has been arrested/in jail, no drug/alcohol problems, we pay taxes, no police visits to our homes for domestic violence, etc.). We were raised with Christian values/beliefs. Seems like it worked, huh?

It starts with our elected officials not doing they're jobs. This city started its down fall when the so called "Mayor of Memphis" was elected 16 or so years ago. Yet he keeps winning the vote. This city used to be a beautiful place, now people have to worry about if they will make it to work or school alive or without getting robbed. Wake up!! we need to elect someone who cares about the education and safety of our kids and us. Another big issue in this city is RACISM, its crazy. Quit worring about the color of one another's skin and start looking for ways to pull together.  To much finger pointing and not enough answers.

We need jobs for ex-felons.

I think alot of this starts with people appointed to positions with authority(police officers) down to the thugs.  The police officers in this city are crooks and many of us know this.  Therefore, if people in positions that should be protecting our communities are doing their jobs, then maybe crime wouldn't be so rapant in the city.

Alot of this starts in the home.  I think that there  should be stiffer punishment for crimes committed and juvenile offenders should be charged as adults.  The ministers need to come out the pulpits and get into the communities since the people that need to be reached do not come into the church.  Also, there should be programs available for offenders to obtain employment other than the second chance program.  Last but not least PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!

This Binghampton shooting is just another case of the ineffectiveness, malfeasance, and myopia of our criminal court system. Cecil Dotson, while also a victim in this incident of murderous mayhem, was undoubtedly the instigating and incendiary element in this crime, which likely was perpetrated as a result of revenge or some other form of retribution. If he had not been at that home and was instead incarcerated as he most surely deserved to be, these other people and he would likely still be alive. How is it that he's so shortly out of prison after having been found guilty of conspiracy to the murder of a store clerk? How is it that he was not incarcerated after a subsequent aggravated assault while in possession of a deadly weapon? Was that not a "Stop, Do Not Pass Go" transgression of the parole restrictions and prohibitions which he surely was under? Why again still free after multiple domestic violence convictions or charges? I hope the judge or other criminal justice system official that released him realizes just what he has wrought. Same goes for the Taylor Bradford killing. Another recidivist perpetrator prematurely released is largely responsible, as the henchmen of a group of co-conspirators, for the killing of a young man just starting his adult life with all the promise of the future that entails. Another mother, another father, and the extended family suffering lifelong scars and the wrenching emptiness of a loved one's life cut needlessly short. And so the beat just goes on...and on and on. When are we going to hold these judges and other criminal justice officials accountable on a case-by-case basis?

The mayor needs to honor the title of the program that he provided, second chance program for ex-felons. I worked a  whole year for a temporary service and when I was ready to become permanent, they checked my record then released.

Good Morning,

Unfortunately, it may be too late for Memphis. The damage may be to far gone. Twelve years ago, I came to Memphis with an idea to generate revenue to help the youth in the city. Everywhere I turned, I was ridiculed and it seemed each person was more concerned about their own gain. I am a Computer Systems Engineer and a Systems Analyst. I have worked with communications and data since 1976 and I retired from the military in 1993. I was living in Europe with my wife and son when I came up with an idea. I believed the concept was possible so I called a German businessman and impressed him enough over the phone to come over my house for a presentation. To this day, I do not know what happened but for some unknown reason I gave the man the wrong address to my house and I missed the opportunity. I took this as an omen. Frustrated, I sat down in my desk chair and contemplated what transpired. I prayed about my life and asked God what I should do. All I will say is that I was compelled to purchase a ticket for Memphis and try and help the young people in the city where my family resided.

I bought a round trip ticket because I figured that since my concept was logical, it would take only 30 days to complete my mission. I would be back on the plane to my family. I was dreadfully wrong! You see, I have never lived in Memphis. I family (mother and father) moved there from New Jersey after I joined the military. I did not know the mentality of the people there. Luckily, I had an uncle who lived in the city who had relocated there from New York. I showed him my presentation and immediately he volunteered to chauffer me around to the so-called influential people of the city. People that could get the project off the ground. To make a long story very short. I discovered the city filled with greed. Greed among adults, greed being taught to children, greed for the sake of greed. What festered this greed was the lack of self worth which is based purely on materialism. If you own a Lexus you are somebody. If you wear Tommy Hilfiger you are somebody. If you walk around with a cell phone to your head you are somebody. Basically, this is embedded into the children at an early age and earning this materialism by hard work or merit is not taught so obtaining materialism is by any means necessary. Add drugs and the perception of drug dealing provides the means to obtain the materialism and that compounds the problem. But wait, not only does materialism factor in on this issue we must add the variable of desensitization of violence. Parents allow children at an early age to view unsuitable content on television and purchase video games that are extremely violent in nature. I have witnessed young parents holding 2 and 3 year olds on their laps while watching Silence of the Lambs on television. What once was unthinkable acts to the normal human mind are now everyday thoughts and are thinkable to today's youth. No respect for human life. They find enjoyment from mass murder and mayhem when they play Grand Theft Auto on their Playstation consoles. To sum it up, rent a copy of Children of the Damned (1963 version) and you pretty much know what you are dealing with. It is only going to get worse! These children are going to teach their children their ethics, principles and morals which are not existent.

The Solution:

What Memphis needs to do is to create a city owned business. For example a barbecue sauce company or a woman's body lotion and toiletry company. For example sake, I would use a body lotion company. Lets call it Lady Egypt because of the pyramid and Memphis. Have accountants figure out a percentage in which a beauty or barber shop can make a slight profit from stocking the product however the majority of the revenue would go to production and for the upkeep and maintenance of a charter school for young men that are on the brink of going down the wrong path. For example, have always done well in school and their first time getting in trouble with the law. . Or their parents really want to save their lives and get them on the straight and narrow. Have the school run by men that will teach these young men how to become respectable men.I suggest staffing the school with retired military men Teach these young men not only how to do the three "R"'s but how to become entrepreneurs. Show these young men how to run legitimate businesses. Provide role models for the communities with these young men.  How hard work will obtain wealth. In Memphis there is one constant. I call it the "OOh that's cute I want one" mentality. It is that whenever there is a new fad, everyone will do it. Whether is it is Phen Phen, or Beepers or Nikes whatever. Use this for the good. Have these young men represent what all young men should strive for and that education and hard work is something that they should work to obtain. Not ignorance and crime.  In order for this solution to work, the school must be in the Pyramid! Turn the Pyramid into the school and the factory for the production of the city product that will fund the school. The students can work on the creation of the products.

In conclusion:
My sister and I was in a heated discussion last Sunday about Memphis and why I decided to give up. Basically, you cannot help people that do not want to sacrifice to help themselves. By the way, the idea I had when I first came to Memphis 12 years ago was to compress motion pictures into a format so that they could be downloaded to your television set via the internet. Basically what Netflix and Wal-Mart is offering today. This product would have made a company in Memphis very wealthy today if they had not been focused on themselves and not the children.

Lindelman, I believe that we live in a society full of people that want the "spotlight". No ones tragedy is worse then mine. A time of Reality TV.
I feel that, I'm sorry to say, but our government, legal system and the media are out for whoever can make the most money. It's all about the greenback.
I also feel that the government is too much into our personal daily lives and not enough into protecting my rights as a citizen and protecting my future financially.
I feel that my government has sold me and my nation out to pad their own pockets and only care about their financial future and live in the here and now and what is in it for them. I don't care if they are Democrat, Republican or Independent. All politicians are about the same. You can make promises all day long, but there is someone in their back pocket that is actually making the calls.
Our legal system is broken and that is the bottom line. Until there are actual CONSEQUENCES for your actions, these things will NOT change.
Where is the detourent? If I commit a crime., juvenile or adult, if I go to jail, I have it EASIER inside jail then I do outside, because I don't have to pay bills and I don't have to have an income to survive, I don't have a boss to answer to nor a commute. Taxpayers make sure I am taken care of and I have benefits. Who wouldn't want Cable, Medical, Education, Electricity, Food, Gym Membership, Sex, Pizza parties all for free?????? Oh, and now jails are offering to transfer your sentence to other jails. It's a WIN-WIN situation. And if I am wrong about this, then why are the prisons full. There are more people in jail now then ever before. This is per capita, it's not because there are more people in the world.

StarChild- you have a wonderful idea, however, this would not work in Memphis nor most any other city in the USA and for one reason.
One persons son would get mad and want to get even with one or more of these "retired military men" and claim they got touch inappropriately" and there would be law suits flying because there was money to be had somewhere and they would smell this out like it was candy for the nose and shut the place down.
No one in Memphis wishes to see a success story, especially the african segment of this city/state.

Thanks to the Eyewitness News Team! You have shown a true interest in what’s going on in Memphis! Also, thank you for reporting that the illustrious Mayor of Memphis declined to participate. Once again, he flaunts his total lack of interest and arrogance.  He probably had some fries to eat.

It is difficult to expect the crime in Memphis to subside when the people in charge are criminals. Our city government is fodder for the national media, and we are the laughing stock of any cities of size in the nation. Our government officials are under constant scrutiny by the federal authorities, and our "mayor" believes that he is smarter than, and therefore exempt from, the law. He also believes that he is anointed by God to be the city's mayor, so he must be entitled to run the city however he sees fit. The "mayor" relies on intimidation and systematic ignorance to remain in office and perpetuate his self-serving agenda. In addition, if people would put actions before words and get involved, things would change. I work in public education, and it only takes ONE person to help turn a child around. If you're so unhappy with the way things are going, quit complaining and DO something. Quit electing criminals based on race rather than qualifications (this applies to BOTH black AND white leaders). Become a mentor and invest in the future of our students before they are so far gone that no one can reach them anymore. They are NOT a lost cause - there are just more of them than there are people willing to spend time and energy raising them to be productive citizens rather than a generation of the condemned. Maybe you haven't given birth to the kids in our school systems - neither have I. That's not an excuse. You can either get involved and be a part of change, or you can pontificate on the problems our city faces and go down in flames with it. If I go down, at least I'll go down fighting.

I tried...... The only way to prevent a disease is immunization. I have offered Memphis a solution. Placing band-aids on festering sores will not solve anything.  You must stop the problem at the source which is the mentality of the people. You must instill pride, ethics, respect and most importantly hope into the children. You  must place examples thoughout the community and have a shining goal in the distance to strive for. It is up to you citizens of Memphis to take the first step to get this done. I have now cleared my conscience and have done what I feel God has told me to do. In closing, Wal-Marts do not close... Wal-Mart's are corporate viruses that spread throughout communities and devour small local small businesses.  The only time a virus dies is when it has nothing to feed upon. The Wal-Mart on American Way is closing, think about it. Memphis you have about 5 years to turn your city around. You really need to start concerning yourself about the children that are currently 10 years old right now.... it is going to be frightening.

I really haven't spoke a whole lot on the cures and remedeys of crime here in the city.I personally think that if grown folks were to get off the dope it would help a lot.Back many years ago I dabbled in dope. I guess it was part of me growing up. But the thing that gets me is the 40year old and up crowd being on dope. That just blows my mind. They may as well be still sucking their bot-bot.
Another thing I wish to rant about this morning, and yes this pertians to the Lester case but it happens all across this land WHITE and BLACK. Please stop getting on TV trying to defend your loved one. My God, people were on there saying so and so was such a good person. LOOK.... When you do time in prison, you are not a good person. When you live a lifestyle of crime and drugs and put your loved ones at risk, you are not a good person. When you lay with a person like that, then I'm sorry, you are not a good person.
All the time on TV we see,white and black, the family of perpetrators of crime get up on TV and defend the Hell out of them. To those of you who do it,STOP IT ! This thing is a tragedy, whether the people were good or bad is beside the point. Those little kids sure weren't criminals. In my opinion the only ones who were in the wrong place at the wrong time were the children. They were put in harms way by people who WEREN'T good people.

Starchild, you were making a lot of sense in one way until you brought up Walmart. Now your true agenda is showing and I really don't think God has anything to do with it.
IDIOT !

First- Shadow and Dover- you guys were quoted on the special last night. Cool, huh?

Second- was anyone TRULY surprised that Mayor Willie declined to appear last night? Proves what we all say- he DOESN'T CARE about his "family that is the city of Memphis." What on earth could have been so friggin' important that he couldn't spare an hour for his citizens? It's HIS JOB!

Third- I almost hate to say this, but I agree with Dr. White regarding lifestyle. Yesterday when they showed pictures of all the adults that were killed, I was almost NOT surprised to see that the photos were all mug shots from the sheriff's department. That's not to say that I don't feel bad for their murders, but if you live a criminal lifestyle, it's bound to catch up with you eventually. But of course the families/friends ALWAYS go on tv and say what a "good" person they were. Criminal record=good? Not usually.

Fourth- does anyone in this city know how to SPELL and use proper punctuation anymore? Their/there/they're... detourent? s/b deterrent, etc. There is a spell check on this thing. That little red line under a word? Means you need to take a look.

Good morning Cat – I missed the first 30 minutes.  I hope they mentioned my opinion of wee willie and his arrogance, ignorance, and lack of interest!


I also noticed ALL of the  ‘victims’ photos were mug shots.  It makes me sick to know, once again, children were placed in a dangerous environment.  Did I hear correctly?  Cecil Dotson’s sister said, "he had turned his life around"?  If what I read is true, he was supposed to be in court for a Jan. 1008 offense. To me, that would come under the heading of  ‘same ole’ rather than ‘turning his life around’!

Catgirl,
 It's no sin to agree with Dr.White. It's kinda funny , if I used the name Billy on here you guys wouldn't have a problem at all on what I say. I don't hate black people. I dont condone stuff thats white. Just stuff thats right . I call it like I see it. I call a freak a freak and a saint a saint.
 Cleaning this city up dont start with groups and commities and money, or even the mayor, (although he should show more concern). It starts with each and every one of us. It has to start with the individual. Get off the dope and the drink. That above all has to happen first.
If all these people were good then our jails would be empty and we all would be in a circle holding hands singing cumbiya.

DrWhite, you are right I am an idiot...

Walmart's only exist where there is growth, where there is profit...Walmart's do not close, they expand their empire across thriving communities. If an organism is dying, a virus cannot exist. Walmart's do not close... This is my last posting because I am an idiot and it doesn't make any sense for me to make no sense.

fedup said: Maybe you haven't given birth to the kids in our school systems - neither have I. That's not an excuse. You can either get involved and be a part of change, or you can pontificate on the problems our city faces and go down in flames with it. If I go down, at least I'll go down fighting.
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Being a mentor is fine but if you think that will solve the ‘issues’ at hand  you’re dreaming. It has nothing to do with ‘willing’! There are not enough mentors to go around!  My God…the number of children wandering aimlessly, born to irresponsible parents, far outweighs those who are available and capable of mentoring!  Spending a few hours per day with a child won’t help when other things go ignored. Children NEED a parents love. They need to be taught respect and morals by their parents 24/7!  Don’t blame society for what irresponsible people do, or don’t do,  to the children they are so eager to have!

It makes far more sense to hold parents accountable for the children they bring into this world. If they are not responsible then punish them by law.  Teens are having babies and they don’t know who the father is! They have no education so they draw a welfare check, a  SSI check. Meanwhile, all too often, the child is ignored and passed on to a relative to raise. Many are left to raise themselves.  When they are caught in criminal activity, the parents/guardians  become defensive and make excuses for them!   When one is killed in a gang fight, the parent/guardian are screaming and crying because they had NO idea the child was in a gang!  Be a mentor if it makes you feel better but parents MUST be held responsible for raising  their children!

Dover- of course nothing bad about Wee Willie Winkins was said.

DrWhite- a lot of what you say is right. It's your approach that I think many object to. Honesty is a really good thing, but when you are abrasive (purposely) in how you say it, it loses it impact. People cease to listen.

You draw more flies with honey. You can be honest and diplomatic at the same time, without ignoring your principles.

Kumbaya, dude.

StarChild- take DrWhite with a grain of salt. We all do.

Ahhhhh cat....nothing bad said about wee willie! Surely,  that was an oversight.
 ;-)

Abrasive? After what has happened you bleeding hearts still want to fix it with calamine lotion and a powder puff?
You can take me with grain of salt if you wish.
Is it a grain of salt to tell the adults to get off dope?
No. you dont want diplomacy, you want tollerance. Being tolerant has got us to where we are today.Tollerance is just like anything else.It's good only in moderation. Now , with that being said , here is my new posting. WARNING ! It may be abrasive so you may want to go hug some trees or save some beavers. The truth is a large rough pill for some to swallow, but it's the truth nontheless.

All you whites out in the burbes who do dope and want to talk about the people in that house among others, you are just as bad, when you buy your dope you automatically contribute to the thug-like lifestyle that respectable folk are trying to combat.So YOU need to get off your holier than thou throne and get off the dope and lead by example. You can’t tell little Jimmy or Pamala Sue the wrongs of drugabuse if you do it yourself.
Every bit of the money you spend on dope filters right back to houses just like that and contributes to the crime and the decay thats is happening right before our eyes. Some of you even attend church. Do you really think you are any different than dopeheads who don’t attend. If you think you are then you are fooling yourself. YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS !

Still if I called myself anything without the word ''white'' in it. there wouldn't be a problem. I STAND FIRMLY BY WHAT I SAID ! I said it and I don't regret it.

DrWhite- I am quite seriously, roflmao...

I am FAR from a bleeding heart liberal. Had you read my posts and paid attention, you might have picked up on that. I am also FAR from tolerant.

I was just suggesting that it might do more good to be less abrasive in your approach. When you instantly antagonize people, your message falls on deaf ears. Why? Not because you aren't telling the truth, but because you are coming across as a jerk.

Can you honestly tell me you pay more attention to jerks than to those who come across as civilized, rational, educated human beings?

And for the record- I don't give a rat's butt what your stupid name is.

Oh golly gee wiz,I'm sorry Catgirl(as I hang my head in shame)I'm sorry Starchild, please don't go.
 Oh please good christian family oriented drug users, please try to stop, please for your childrens sake.



That any better ?

Babylon Is Fallen
1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. 2 And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.” 4 I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; 5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 “Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her.

Preach it StarChild, Preach it StarChild, Preach it

My dear God, Memphis residents you truly need to pray. Pray for the children, pray for each other, pray for help. With the crime, hate, violence and people like DrWhite living there, Memphis makes Sodom and Gomorrah look like the Garden of Eden.

My wife and I will keep all of you, especially the children in our prayers. Please try and do something to solve the issues and try to work together instead of against each other. Fighting will not solve anything. You really cannot afford to waste time, with each passing day the situation is becoming more grim. Focus on solutions and not silly bickering. Do not allow hateful, evil people distract you from the goal and that is saving the children and your communities. Call your do nothing politicians and implement change or it will be too late!

DrWhite- you are being purposely obtuse and stupid, and you know it.

THAT, dear sir, is why we take you with a grain of salt.

And I am done engaging in a battle of wits with an unarmed person.

Pray for StarChild, who just don't have a clue and wants her cake and eat it too. I said that nice and gentle like too.
StarChild , I love you. In Gods' way of course.
 Please StarChild, see the reality going on around you , PLEASE, for your own sake ! It's much bigger than the pyramid, bigger than the mayor, even, bigger than WALMART.
Hurry, before its too late !

Cmon Cat, dont be so thin skinned. Lets dance

DrWhite, I have a couple of questions to ask of you. I am just curious because I find you to be fascinating. Since your identity is hidden. Basically you are exihiting your true nature which is obviously evil. I never really communicated with someone that found enjoyment from performing sinister actions. My questions are why is it fun for you to insult people or demean people? Do you understand that your actions or perceived as evil and do you care? Do you see any difference in someone that commits a crime as an evil act as you performing an evil act on this message board? Lastly, I have given a little information about myself on this board, what do you do for a living? Are you a professional or a blue collar laborer? Of course I expect you to reply to my inquiries with evil because of your nature. As I said, I was just curious.

Madames President and Vice-President! Help me save Starchild.

Please, Starchild, don't encourage DrWhite. He is just trying to instigate trouble and dissension. While some of his points are valid- don't do drugs, etc., mostly he is just here to fight with people.

He also, we strongly suspect, has several names on here where he pretends to be different people. Just ignore him.

I understand... an evil spirit.. just like I thought.  Take care! I have said what I wanted to say. We have yall in our prayers and do not forget to try!

StarChild, My identity is no more hidden than yours. I have already said I was sorry for the name calling earlier Now, my Bible says once I apologize then its on you then. I'm blue collar(as if that matters).I dont drive a pickup,I bathe daily,never owned a rebel flag,love TD Jakes and Billy Graham, dont care much for Creflo Dollar or Joel Osteen. Yes, There is very much a difference in street crime than whats on this board. Thats my problem with you. People like you want to make excuses for the real evil. You want to sugar coat things.
Now maam, let me interview you,oh , and please be nice, I don't want to get traumatized.

What religion or faith do you follow?
Do you have any children?
Are you divorced?
If so, how many times have you been married?
Do you believe in capital punishment in any case?
Do you believe in the right to bear arms?
Do you believe in abortion?
Do you believe that a parent is responsible for their children?
Who did you vote for in the last election?
Who will you vote for in this election?

I am humbly awaiting the answers.PLEASE

What religion or faith do you follow?  All No one knows which one is the correct religion. I believe in a supreme being.
Do you have any children? Yes Two.
Are you divorced? No
If so, how many times have you been married? Twice
Do you believe in capital punishment in any case? No
Do you believe in the right to bear arms? No
Do you believe in abortion? I believe in choice, if a woman decides to have an abortion she is the one that has to answer to God. Personally, I am against itl.
Do you believe that a parent is responsible for their children? Yes.
Who did you vote for in the last election? Kerry
Who will you vote for in this election? Obama

I am humbly awaiting the answers.PLEASE

i am not here to fight with anyone.

DrWhite, evil is evil and I do not sugarcoat anything. Evil is evil. Hurting someone physically or mentally is evil. Now that is not sugarcoating. Kindness and respect is how you should treat your fellow man.  Hate begats hate. Whether you realize it or not. Attitudes such as yours started this mess in the first place during segregation in the south.

Work with these people on this board to come up with solutions, do not be a part of the problem which caused the problem in the first place.

When I give my opinion here or anywhere and I get attacked then I'm going to defend myself. Im a member of 6 blogs in this city and  I'm the same on every one. This is the only one I get so viciously attacked on. I'm not going anywhere. If you disagree then I'm fine with it, but you regulars on here can't see when you're being dupped. StarChild has a hidden agenda which she pretends to hide behind religion. I think the others besides Catgirl understands that. Thats why they are so silent. Catgirl, You're ok with me. My mother many years ago was fooled by Jim and Tammy Baker. So I understand. No harm, No foul.

Cat - Madame President has read the banter and made the executive decision to keep quiet.  Can you believe it!?!? lmao  I think you said it all when you said...and I quote you...."I am done engaging in a battle of wits with an unarmed person". I think DrWhite aka <multiples> means well. He's frustrated like the rest of us and has a tendency to over compensate by demanding he's right instead of simply stating his 'humble' opinion.

StarChild - we appreciate the prayers. The citizens of Memphis need all they can get. Until the government changes, and people decide to be parents, nothing will change. I SO hope all of those who voted for a Mayor because of his color now realize they were fooled. He needed their votes (got them) and now he could not care any less about their welfare.

Cat - I'm concerned that Madame Vice President might have that horrid flu that I had...if so..she maybe 'missing in action' for a week or two. ;-(

Lastly, let me correct you about my gender. I am a man.  At one time probably one of the most violent men that you an ever want to meet. I taught at the Advanced Combat Infantry Leadership School at Fort Benning Georgia. Urban and Jungle Warfare course. Violence doesn't solve anything.....

*Shakes head sadly*

Starchild- I tried to warn you. Now, you've done it. I can only imagine what DrWhite is going to have to say about everything.

Madame President- I tried. Really. I did. I will resign if you deem it necessary.

"StarChild has a hidden agenda which she pretends to hide behind religion"
Huh? I am so sorry, I have to go now.... Peace to one and all... I outstayed my welcome.

Dover- Oh, I hope she doesn't have it.

DrWhite- Apology accepted.

DrWhite - I'm not easily fooled.  I get your point and agree with 'most' that you say. I just disagree with the way you go about saying it at times. But, I'm not your 'keeper' .   From what I've read Cat was just trying to make this same point.

I'm sure you know by now, Cat isn't easily fooled either. Most of us are on the 'same page' when it comes to problems and solutions...it's just how we go about expressing ourselves.

- just my respectful opinion -

Cat - resign???  Not an option!!! I need you as I continue to fall short, shoot myself in the foot,  and need backup! lol

Thank you for your kind words and support, Madame President. THAT is why we chose you to lead.

And yes, that is precisely the point I was trying to make to the good "doctor," but he was too busy yelling to take the time to listen. It's been my experience that people yell the loudest when they just don't get it or they just don't understand. I had a boss like that. Took me a long time to realize she wasn't yelling at me personally when I would ask her a question, she was yelling to distract me from the fact that she didn't have the answer. And rather than just admit that, she yelled and kept people stirred up, thus diverting their attention from her inadequacies. She was a tad insecure.

Thank you StarChild for your service to our country.
Notice , he didnt answer my ?'s Hummm
Sorry about the gender blunder.
Thanks to everyone else who is truly understanding

lol Cat - I'm thinking DrWhite had an overwhelming patient load and is stressed. I truly think he just got caught up in the moment because he does think you're purrrrrrfect most of the time.

You know I've got your back. We ARE two of  the Three Margaritas! It's one for all..and all for one!  ;-) I'm looking for the 3rd who is now MIA!

What religion or faith do you follow?  All No one knows which one is the correct religion. I believe in a supreme being.
Do you have any children? Yes Two.
Are you divorced? No
If so, how many times have you been married? Twice
Do you believe in capital punishment in any case? No
Do you believe in the right to bear arms? No
Do you believe in abortion? I believe in choice, if a woman decides to have an abortion she is the one that has to answer to God. Personally, I am against itl.
Do you believe that a parent is responsible for their children? Yes.
Who did you vote for in the last election? Kerry
Who will you vote for in this election? Obama

I do not have any hidden agenda, the only agenda I ever had was a concern for the future of children on the path of a hopeless future.  This being said, DrWhite may I finally leave now?  I believe I have answered all of your questions, made my suggestions and I will pray and hope for the best for the citizens of Memphis. I personally do not have nothing the gain from the success or failure of your city. I just am a concerned human being that cares, that is all! There is not hidden plot to overthrough the wealth of your town or conquest of the residents of Cordova. Just a person that cares. My goodness...What is wrong with the world when you feel guilty to care, that is so sad... Peace to one and all!

That's it- the good doctor is stressed due to flu season.

BTW- Doc, Star DID answer your questions. Go back and look.

Oh for the love.....y'all just ignore Dr. White.  I am too sick to engage in a battle of wits today, butm if I wasn't......   Cat and Dover...I miss you guys!  I also missed the town meeting...is it recorded anywhere for play back?  I hope to be at least more myself tomorrow.  

Shadow- go to home page of myeyewitnessnews.com and check violent city forum.

I thought of a few things we could all do that would help.

1. Quit going to see/buying movies/videos with any kind of violence in them. There are other options.
2. Quit buying our children video games with demons, monsters, and crime as their themes. There are other options.
3. Write/call all your state/federal legislators and request stiffer penalties/jail time for criminals.
4. Quit letting our children dress like "hootchie mommas" and "gangsta" wanna bes. No short, tight clothing for the girls, and no saggy baggy pants for the boys.
5. Have dinner with our children. At the dining room table, no television. Talk to them.

shadow!!! Sorry you are not feeling well...I hope you feel much better soon! You are missed!!!

Cat - great ideas! I think everyone should write and ask for stronger - longer penalties and not just complain they are not good enough. Everything you mentioned  should happen on a daily basis. Sadly, we know they do not.  Time, love, and teaching their children seems to be too difficult and time consuming for some parents. All are key and must start the day they are born and continue 24/7.

It took me a while, but look way back in the old posts of Static and see if anything is familiar with this page. I knew I saw something very familiar. I got to admit, he got me that time. LoL

I think it is sad that we as people can't live in peace. Its getting so bad that we are not safe anywhere. I think there should be more strict laws and that they need to be enforced . i also believe that we as the community need to get out and take back our streets. We are giving these criminals to much power over our lives. Until we stop being scared help the police catch these people. We are always quick to blame everyone else but we need to start looking in the mirror.  

downsouth, Bravo, very well said. It all starts at home

I was listening to WDIA this mornng and what Bobby said  when you call crime stoppers you should be careful and not tell other people you called in with information to solve the crime or you could be hurt by the criminal that committed the crime.

What's wrong in saying that.

I'm pretty new to this whole blog thing. However, in the last week or two that I have been doing this I have not seen a page like this one. This was a good one.

Dr. White- I must say, I like your style. To all the others, I'm sorry for encouraging him. I don't mean to, but I do think toes need to be stepped on. I like the fact that he isn't afraid, although his identity is hidden from those toes, to tell people what he thinks, however abrasive it may be.
 
    I think that if we, as a people, weren't so afraid of hurting peoples tender little feelings we may not be in the position we are. Parents are so afraid of hurting their precious little hellians that now we have kids that know no boundaries. When generations have been raised with no limits and without knowing the word "no" then we will have generations that have no respect for others or consequences.
   So, Dr. White, I think your approach is needed. However, I agree with the others in saying that sometimes you shouldn't use steel toed boots to step on those toes. Maybe some bedroom slippers. Still, toes need to be stepped on. Maybe when people start hurting some childrens feelings now, later we will have adults that know responsibility.
 StarChild- This is just a place to talk. It sounds like you have a pretty tough background. I suggest you use that mentality here. This is where you say things you wouldn't in person. Like Dr. White, thank you for your service. Too many times that isn't said. If this was in person, I would shake your hand and tell you that you are appreciated.
   To Sleep out Willie, do you take responsibility for anything? Stop backing out and start standing up. To those who were stupid enough to vote for him, stop complaining about how things are. What did you expect? You voted someone in that hasn't done anything in 15 years and you thought he'd start now. Really?

nvrplyn since you apparently try to analyze situations/people use these skills to analyze the crims situation in Memphis. Communicate with these people on this board and other boards and work to find solutions to the problems that are facing your communities.  My service to my country was because there was a real threat to the security to our nation by the Soviet Union and it's allies. As a young man, it was what I was supposed to do.  Lastly, when you have faith you are not afraid of the unexpected because what will happen is going to happen. God has given you common sense and you must pray for wisdom. I will say this in text and to your face, I fear no one.. there is no need to.

StarChild said:I will say this in text and to your face, I fear no one.. there is no need to.
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StarChild - I understand you said you are not from Memphis but you're obviously focused on the city for some reason. Maybe, as you said, you're on the blog to offer prayers. If so, we thank you. But, if someone has a gun aimed at your head and you don't fear them....you're real special!

Im telling ya StarChild and Statc are one in the same

DrWhite said:
Im telling ya StarChild and Statc are one in the same

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I agree ;-)

okay...here is a mystery! My moniker has always been underscored orange text. For the first time, it's not! lol.......so why the change??? anyone??

hmm now it's back to orange underscore. Oh well, sorry...to waste space.  I was just trying to figure this mystery out.

I was bred, born, raised, educated,  and spent over 50 years of my life in Memphis, but a few years ago I got my family out of that, rotting, politically corrupt, crime-ridden, cesspool, imploding-on-itself hellhole and moved to Florida. The best way to see Memphis is in your rear view mirror. Now I can watch those idiots kill and  eat each other from a thousand miles away.

I was bred, born, raised, educated,  and spent over 50 years of my life in Memphis, but a few years ago I got my family out of that, rotting, politically corrupt, crime-ridden, imploding-on-itself cesspool and moved to Florida. The best way to see Memphis is in your rear view mirror. Now I can watch those idiots kill and  eat each other from a thousand miles away.

i have no sympathy, none at all. I have no pity due to I never saw any of the BLACK community showing one bit of sympathy when a white mother was murdered by a black teenager. I saw no sympathy when a white father was murdered by another black teen. I saw no sympathy from the black community when a white mother was violently RAPED with her pre-teenaged son in the next room.
I also am sick of the media in Memphis that shows all of these stupid black idiots on the TV saying that something needs to be done when the crime in Memphis is primarily committed by blacks themselves or bring it onto themselves, as in this case.

I HAVE NO PITY, NONE!!!

All of you whom continue to blame the Mayor for the horrible acts of these heartless human being are stupid as hell. Yes, there is a major problem, can it be fixed? yes, but by whom? Only the man up above can fix it,God.The Mayor and the police officers can't be at someone's house when they've decided in their minds that they are going to retaliate and kill a person. Stop blaming the Mayor and blame those that are actually doing it. Do any of you have a plan or any ideas? If so why don't you present it to the powers that be and I can guarantee you that absolutely nothing will change.Because nine times out of ten it has already been thought of and the crime here is only getting worse.This is only something that God can fix. Get off your high horses and stop and think for a minute.Can anybody stop you from doing something that you want to do? I think not.It may not be the desire to kill but unfortunately there are those that do and these low-life dogs just don't have the same morals and values that some of us human beings have. Praying is the only answer.    

Thank you Dover,LoL, watch your colors,don't let them orun on ya,LoL , have a good one

To Sympathetic31---Here is test for you. I want you to try and get in touch with the mayor or any person that can do anything about the current situation. After you do that, especially with the mayor, come back with that person onto this blog, and we bloggers will give them every suggestion we have or can come up with in the time we are allowed. I'm sure all of us will even meet them in person. No media, no cameras. Just us and them.
  When you try this you will see why we don't do that. Its impossible. When has our great mayor or any higher elected official shown up to any meeting. They get paid and re-elected no matter what they do. It doesn't matter to them.
   StarChild- I will do my best to rise to the challenge.
   The end to Memphis' problems is simple. Get willlie and his clowns out of office. Just look at how many people he has appointed since he has been in office. Then check and see how many were friends of his. The numbers should almost match. They are not there to work. It was a present from willie. I wish we could get Wharton or Ford Jr. in there. If all the majority cares about is a black mayor, take one of them. They are great men who actually seem to care.
  Here's my analysis for the day: All the blacks I'm around want to act street tough. Like they are some real thugs. All they talk about is money and sex and power. However, when the offer of free money and power is given(Crime Stoppers) they refuse because they are too afraid. Maybe the black leaders need to step up and start teaching the younger generations how to stand up and respect themselves and their community. Willie, if you are such a stand up, smart, respectable leader like you say you are, teach our kids how to be the same. If you are not, get out of the office and give it to someone who will do it. Until these kids care as much about the freedoms the greater generations fought for, Memphis will be hell. Each black kid that commits a crime should be marched through the Civil Rights Museum. Then maybe they'll see what they are giving up for which so many died. Blacks died for the right for a good education. Which group has the highest rate of truency(sp?) in Memphis? Lowest rate of graduation? My wife was a memphis teacher in Frayser so I know the answers all ready.
  Ok. I'm done.

nvrplyn ,
 I hate to be the bearer of bad news but  StarChild and Static are the same person.
Don't worry, I was fooled too.

I guess that will make it easier in later posts, huh?

And if that is true, I hate to assume, I think I like StarChild best. That personality seems to be the smarter and more logical of the two.

For now it is, but it will slowly snowball into a MANIC explosion. LoL. Be careful out there and have a good day.

It seems like we get a lot of crazies on here. I wonder how many blogs Dahmer and the UniBomber were on?

LoL no telling.

If Memphis is the breeding ground for criminals, maybe blog sites are the nurseries.

I think that a way to handle the crime in Memphis Tn is to bring some of our troops home and post them everywhere on the streets of Memphis. We have our troops over in Iraq fighting a war that the people over there do not appreciate. Why not bring our troops home to help us take our city back so that our kids can have a future to look forward to.