Recorded by the Department of Justice there was  over 10,000 DUI accidental deaths and 1500 deaths of citizens while in police custody. Repeat: “While in police custody” Thus meaning there was no trial or convictions prior to their untimely deaths while in the “accountable” custody of the oppressor.

This report by the DOJ does not record the number of peoples killed by the police outside of custody such as the one shot because they thought a cell phone was a gun. In the last decade alone the number of people murdered by police has reached 5,000. The number of soldiers killed since the inception of the Iraq war, 4489.

When a police officer is killed in the line of duty his or her name is added to a plaque at a designated city government memorial as scribed “Let My Name Be The Last”

Perhaps there is a time for a non violent movement across the nation , in every city, county and township for the “Peoples Memorial” for those loved ones an innocent peoples who have died by the hands of the oppressors. Using the same logic that the police and other agencies memorialize their own losses.

That a “Citizens/Peoples Memorial” be ground breaking in every city, honoring the names of the peoples. That such agencies; that were to serve with the same dignity and respect they demand; but failed to command.

Let the list be compared annually throughout history in separate locations of the city to allow those to mourn in memory without harassment of any kind.

Let there be a end to temporary memorials on sidewalks of wreaths, flowers , candles and other items of make shift memorials that the local governments remove after a designated time has passed and the loved one is soon to be forgotten.

The movement is “So that the peoples may live.” To live on in our memories “hearts and minds” and for those others who would like them to be forgotten.

Perhaps we need to consider this as it may be the most important movement of all; that of any untimely death caused by the government or agencies of irresponsibility or lack of accountability.

“Critical Thinking”: Separating the Pepper From the Fly Shit–If You Dare

by Jim Craven/Omahkohkiaaiipooyii

Introduction: What is “Critical Thinking” (CT) and Why Do Those Who Claim to Most Call For It Really Fear It Most?

Critical Thinking (CT) is a lot like heaven: “Everybody wants to go there but nobody wants to do what it takes–die”); or it can be seen as like the “Christmas Spirit”: “It is easier and better to give than receive”); or, perhaps like the old saying: “Be careful what you wish for you just might get it.”.

I was once asked to jump on the “for Dummies” bandwagon and write a book with the title “Critical Thinking for Dummies”. I said that the book would not likely sell many copies and the person who wanted me to write the book asked why. I said, “Look at the title: Those truly aspiring to learn some of the principles and tricks of critical thinking are not likely  dummies and likely do not think of themselves that way; and those who are the real dummies have every reason to burn not buy or read the book, kill the author, and blacklist all those who buy it; as critical thinking, when learned and applied consistently is a real threat to their kind.” He laughed and said “I guess that is applied critical thinking”.

“If the construction of the future, and its completion for all time is not our task, all the more certain is what we must accomplish in the present: I mean the ruthless criticism of everything that exists; the criticism being ‘ruthless’ in the sense that it fears neither its own results nor conflict with the powers that be.” (Karl Marx letter to Arnold Ruge 1843)

I could go to some of the standard texts (there are few) in CT and just quote some pithy definition. Rather than that, I’ll give my own working definition of what is real critical thinking and how does it differ from mere criticism or even critique. Basically CT involves the development, application and “validation” of scientific-method-based analysis of the real quality of one’s own thinking and the products of it, and that of others. By “quality” I mean multi-dimensional: rhetorical intention; disguised intention; deductive logic; inductive process and logic; sources; methodologies and sampling; consideration of alternatives to positions advanced; framing; rhetorical and other use of logical fallacies  http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Talk:Logical_fallacy ; propaganda and psyops trade-craft; implications; etc.
Continue reading →