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New Year, Same Blood Stains
Iwonder how many lives Donald Trump is will- ing to sacrifice to keep his
job? As it stands now, I have the figure hovering some- where around 40,001. That includes the Iranian general Qasam Soleimani, who Trump ordered assassi- nated using a drone strike, the 10,000 soldiers he re- cently deployed to deal with the aftermath of Soleimani’s murder and the 30,000+ military per- sonnel who are already sta- tioned in the Middle East region who have been placed on high alert while awaiting Iran's response.
Trump said he killed Soleimani because, ac- cording to him, the Iranian leader posed an "imminent threat" to American lives. It is a claim that he has yet to provide evidence to back up and one that could be as bogus as the "weapons of mass destruction" excuse George W. Bush gave when he started his own war with Iraq nearly two decades ago.
The truth behind what
DONALD TRUMP
transpired, of course, is that Trump needed a distraction to divert attention away from his pending impeach- ment trial in the Senate. And there may not be a more proven way for a president under fire to accomplish that goal than to instigate a mili- tary conflict with one of his country's most despised en- emies.
Trump's desperate at- tempt to protect his presi- dency, to me, is eerily reminiscent of the actions taken by the character Nino Brown during the wedding scene in the movie New Jack City. But, instead of using a flower girl to shield
himself from bullets, Trump is placing the lives of service men and women in jeopardy just so he can stay in office.
With rumors of war and the potential threat of retal- iatory attacks against U. S. installations across the globe, I can only imagine what's going through the minds of people who have family members serving overseas? And, for those who actually voted for Trump in the last election, the situation is probably even more difficult to han- dle.
If one of their sons, daughters, husbands or wives is returned to them in- side of a flag draped coffin, not only will they have to deal with their tremendous loss, they will also have to reconcile with the fact that it was the ballot they cast for a maniac-in-chief 3 years ago which, ultimately, led to their loved one's death.
Unfortunately, what we're witnessing is the kind of chaos that typically tran- spires under reckless leader- ship. And, unless "we the people" demand a change at the top, it's highly unlikely that things will get any better going forward.
What a way to start a new decade.
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Dancing With Death
n spite of the many talks his parents and grand-
parents have had with Marques about male-fe- male relationships, sex, and venereal diseases, Marques ended up with a venereal disease at the age of twenty-four. Understanding why Marques would fail to take the advice of his parents and grandpar- ents, became a yet unanswered mystery to his family since he contracted the disease from his new steady girlfriend.
Marques is not alone in making unwise decisions about unprotected sex.
In fact, Florida leads the nation in the number of new HIV cases. At least 4,683 new HIV infections were recorded in 2018. Indeed, having unprotected sex is a dance with HIV death, and could result in death because of people’s failure to get an HIV test before becoming intimate with someone.
Moreover, having unprotected sex, knowing that you have the HIV virus, is classified as “attempted murder.” Marques dodged the HIV bullet this time, but what about his future?
Data exists for diagnosed cases of HIV, but what about the estimated one in seven cases that are un- diagnosed? With one million known people living with diagnosed HIV in the United States, and Florida, accounting for twelve percent of all HIV di- agnoses nationwide, all Florida residents should be made aware of the need to be tested.
We should also be aware of the HIV test which only takes 60 seconds. According to the CDC, every- one thirteen years and older should be tested at least once in their lifetime. Blacks and other minority populations should be tested once a year because they are considered high-risk populations.
Therefore, a word to the wise is sufficient. When someone asks you to dance unsafely with HIV, choose to sit that one out.
Local
Shots Fired At Local Funeral Home
Last week, two groups of people exchanged gunfire at a local funeral home. The incident took place Friday evening.
According to sources, people who are reportedly gang members from rival gangs were at the Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, and the shooting was a result of that.
Jeff Rhodes, owner of Ray Williams Funeral Home said they were there for two separate wakes and attended separate wakes. However, once they went outside, the
JEFF RHODES
shooting took place.
Rhodes further said that he and other funeral home owners, “have been talking about security because we have all experienced some type of problem. But usually we have a heads up, This time, there was no warning.
“We called police and they got here very quickly. No one was injured by gunfire, but I heard some had minor injuries received while they were trying to get to safety.”
No arrests have been made and the investigation is continuing.
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