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Editorials/Columns
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The Curse Of The White Horse
wo weeks ago 10-year-
old Alton Banks died from a drug overdose. He wasn't a user. He just had the misfortune of, somehow, being exposed to Fentanyl (a powerful elephant tranquil- izer that has become popular in the drug trade because of its ability to be used as a syn- thetic version of Heroin) on his way home from a public pool in Miami.
Alton's death is, ar- guably, the most disturbing fatality linked to the growing opioid epidemic. To say that it's proof of the United States' new drug crisis would be an understatement. When chil- dren start becoming over- dosed after simply playing in parks contaminated with a drugs' residue, that's a cause for concern that should re- quire the government to de- clare a full blown state of emergency.
What I can't understand about those who deal with this particular narcotic is why they would, knowingly, distribute something so lethal? I get the concept of wanting to have the strongest
stuff on the block. But what's that worth if you kill off half your clientele?
While it's true that some people want to go as high as possible, I'm going to assume that they would also like to share what they experienced when they come back down. Fentanyl, as it turns out, doesn't allow that to happen.
Of course, I can't blame the dealers alone for Fen- tanyl's popularity. There has to be a strong demand for the product in order for there to besomuchofitonthe streets.
If that's the case, then I'm sure death-chasing heroin addicts are equally responsi- ble for the tranquilizer's rise. Their reputation for seeking out the dope with the largest body count is probably the main reason why drug use has become increasingly more dangerous.
To them, someone dying from a fix doesn't raise a "PROCEED WITH CAU- TION" sign. To the contrary, it acts as a green light of con- firmation that there's some high quality "s---" floating
around.
In a dope fiend's twisted
way of thinking, death is never brought on by a drug's deadly potency. As far as they're concerned, it's more of a reflection on the victim's inability to control the horse he or she was attempting to ride. "Man, they just couldn't handle that bad boy. Imma show 'em how it's done... Pass me the syringe."
This is, in essence, the challenge facing those who are trying to stem the over- flowing opioid tide. The so- called "junkies," who view a brush with the other side as the ultimate rush, are being enabled by pushers who are more than happy to escort them to the light. It is a recipe for disaster, concocted in the minds of people blinded by delusion and led on by greed.
As long as this dynamic exists, there's always the po- tential that an unattended needle or drop of poison will be somewhere waiting to take the breath away from another innocent like Alton. And, with that being a grim reality, we should all be scared as hell.
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Why Trump’s Pokes Are No Joke
A ccording to Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus, a joke is “anything said or done to arouse laughter, as a funny anecdote. . .” (it is) “a thing done or said merely in fun” and is there- fore, synonymous with the words like quip, jest, practical joke, monkeyshine, shenanigan, horseplay, gag, or making merry among other terms of the like. So, having reintroduced the truth of the term “joke,” at least as far as Webster’s Dictionary is con- cerned, when we’re told President Donald Trump’s warning to police about not being “too nice” to sus- pects is in reality a joke, we ask which of Webster’s explanations best fits President Trump’s definition? Perhaps, a more honest answer would simply be “none of the above terms would adequately fit Pres- ident Trump’s police brutality installment as what comedian Martin Lawrence might call “a jokee-
joke.”
Yet, another reason why our 45th President’s bid
at stand-up comedy (if indeed, that’s what he’s doing), falls flat is because his punchlines have left few people laughing. Indeed, from Hawaii to Key West, most law enforcement professionals have given the White House’s answer to comedian An- drew Dice Clay a thumbs down. Even Saturday Night Live has sniffed at President Trump’s police- poo-poo and left it untouched.
However, what seems to have escaped the notice of most Trump-observers is that at no time has Pres- ident Trump ever said he was joking . . . not when he implied President Obama was from Mars . . . not when he said five innocent Black teenagers should be put to death for a crime they didn’t commit, and not this time when he flippantly gave the green light for police brutality throughout our nation.
So, why do we think he’s kidding?
Because we’ve watched Archie Bunker and no- body could be that stupid.
Letter To The Editor
It’s A New Day In The NAACP
he mission of the Na-
tional Association for the Advancement of Col- ored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educa- tional, social, and eco- nomic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
The vision of the Na- tional Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a soci- ety in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
As the current President of the NAACP Hillsborough County Branch, I want to express my appreciation to the community that have supported the NAACP over the years. When I think of all the Civil Rights pioneers and trailblazers who made the Hillsborough Branch what it is today.
I know with the new of- ficers, our future is bright
as we press on to continue the legacy afforded to us. We have come this far by FAITH.
I am aware that our re- cent branch election process was troublesome to our members. I will work hard to ensure that all fu- ture elections run smoothly. Under my lead- ership, we will continue to be the voice for the voice- less on civil rights issues. Under my leadership, we will continue to collaborate with many organizations, groups, sororities, fraterni- ties, churches and mosques to strengthen our voice. We will continue to work with everyone, no matter what neighborhood or so- cial status. We will have a Freedom Fund Dinner this year.
Along with mini- fundraisers throughout the year, we will make sure that a proper notice will go
out to the community invit- ing them to the general membership meeting.
Most importantly, I will work hard to ensure every member receives a mem- bership card from the na- tional office. I truly, understand, value, and re- spect the members of this branch.
This is a time when our community must come to- gether and remain Stead- fast and Immoveable. We have the voice and the vot- ing power that has the abil- ity to change policies within our communities.
As we've had many cases that brought disappoint- ment and anguish to our local community, it's time that we direct the anger, hostility and animosity in a productive action.
Thank You, YVETTE LEWIS, Presi- dent NAACP Hillsborough County Branch
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