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Editorials/Columns
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Who’s That Peepin’ Through Your Window?
“ here's no such thing as having complete pri- vacy in the United States." Those were the chilling words of F. B. I. director James Comey last week after it was discovered through Wikileaks that the C.I.A. has the capabil- ity to hack into almost every electronic device on the planet. Phones, televisions, cars, per- sonal computers, just about anything that's linked to the in- ternet is vulnerable to govern-
ment intrusion.
According to Wikileaks, the
C.I.A. created malware can be used to break into smart phones to steal text and voice messages, manipulate smart televisions by turning them into listening devices during what's being described as a "fake off-mode" and, what's most alarming, it can be used to take over the operating system of an automobile even while the driver is behind the wheel.
As it turns out, all of the suspicions that our conspiracy theorist friends had about the nefarious activities of the fed-
eral government are true.... Big Brother, like Santa Claus, really does know when we're asleep or awake and whether or not we're being bad or good.
Of course, the official state- ment from the Central Intelli- gence Agency is that none of these spying techniques have, or are, being used against U. S. citizens (not yet anyway). But how do we really know?
Last year, after the F. B. I. was unsuccessful at persuading Apple to help them break into the I-phone of a dead terrorist suspect, they announced that they gained access to the phone with the assistance of an un- named private security com- pany. After this recent revelation, I don't think it's a stretch to assume that their help actually came from this top-secret hacking arsenal.
I don't think we should be surprised that the U. S. govern- ment is involved in this level of super surveillance. After all, we opened the door for them to be able to watch our every move the minute they sold us on the
idea that having an "all-seeing- eye" on every street corner would be the best way to keep us safe.
Being able to install that same type of technology inside of our homes, at our expense, was just the next logical step in the process.
What creeps me out more than the fact that every device around us could potentially be monitoring and reporting everything we do back to a data bank somewhere, is that this could only be the tip of a very large iceberg. Knowing that the information we're made aware of is only a small portion of the story, I can't help but wonder what kind of capabilities are at their disposal that we still don't have a clue about?
With our lives becoming more uncontrollably transpa- rent every day, the concept of engaging in any activity in se- cret may one day be considered a thing of the past. The good news, for those of you whose lives are an open book or who enjoy the constant presence of prying ears and eyes, is that you no longer have to keep your blinds open to have an audi- ence.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Company. You can write to Mr. Barr at: Clarence Barr 43110- 018, Oakdale F. C. I., P. O. BOX 5000, Oakdale, LA 71463.
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C. Blythe Andrews 1901-1977 (1945)
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T
What Steve King Said All Over Again
o relation to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (not at
all) Rep. Steve King R.-Iowa, during an interview with CNN reporter Chris Cuomo, said he meant every bit of what he tweeted about ultra-right Dutch Parliament member Geert Wilders’ vow to “de-Islamize” the Netherlands. Which inspired (for lack of a less ingenuous word) Congressman King to tweet and then re-tweet that not only did he support Wilder’s words about a reborn Netherlands, but then added, “I’d like to see an America that’s just so homogeneous (one- race) that we look a lot the same.”
King’s comments came amidst his concern that due to 1) an increase of non-Caucasian immigrants and 2) a plummet- ing rate of white population growth in such countries as France, Spain, Austria, and Germany, a growing fear was that the world’s white’s might lose their place on the planet, or in Steve King’s words, “We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies.”
But what most folks don’t know is, though Latino’s are America’s largest minority, they aren’t its fastest growing group. That title belongs to the group called “mixed-race,” Americans whose parents are caucasian-white and African American. Their complexion spans the gamut from the whitest-white to the darkest brown, and they are fully inte- grated into our American diversity. So, what is America to do, Mr. King?
We suggest, be proud that through our veins flows the blood of the world.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5-A
No Trespassing
E
mpowered Greetings.
Today, as I was going to the office, I saw a sign on a con- struction site that said “NO TRESPASSING.” I’ve gone pass that site on numerous occasion and my subconscious mind brought back to me recollection that the sign has been there since the origin of the project.
However, today God used that sign to speak to me and I am going to use those two words “No Trespassing” to speak to you.
Many of you have hope, dreams and aspiration that once you’ve shared them, the adversary sent things in your path to hinder them from man- ifesting. There are those of you that may have been violated as a child or even as an adult and are still trying to cope with the pain of the situation.
Some are yet trying to break out of the cycle of poverty and daily struggle of maintaining to keep your head above water. While others are in business and really want to throw in the towel because this is not what you signed up for.
You thought your money would be flowing freely and your finances on fleek. No mat- ter who you are or what you’re facing, I want you to make a declaration today that simply states, “No Trespassing.”
No means to refuse or deny. Trespass is to enter a person’s land or property without their consent. Make up in your spirit today that when the pains of the past try to replay themselves in the movie reel of your mind, that you’re going to say access denied. “No trespassing!”
I may not be over this, but
it’s not going to stop me from getting to my divinely designed destiny. Get a resolve in your spirit that when the adversary tries to use people to kill your dream of being successful, steal your joy, peace, happiness and accomplishments or destroy your confidence, that you will stand flat footed and firm and say “NO TRESPASSING.” Not today!
There will be “NO TRES- PASSING” on my feelings or my emotional state of being. There will be “NO TRESPASS- ING” on my bank balance or my goal of financial freedom. There will be “NO TRESPASSING” on my family or its stability. There will be “NO TRESPASSING” on my business pursuits or career opportunities to advance my life.
Be encouraged and know that you have the power to say no to anything, anyone and any situation that tries to enter the intellectual property of your mind or personal space without your permission. “NO TRES- PASSING!”
Contact Selphenia Nichols at (813) 956-0185.
Yes, Indeed, We Care
isten to what comes from our hearts. Anytime news
media has to spend countless hours and massive amounts of money cutting through so-called “alternative facts,” “deflective news leads,” or flat-out lies in order to find the truth, then there is a problem with government trans- parency.
Contrary to “the people don’t care about my income tax returns,” we want to tell you “the people do indeed, care. We, the People, care that “President Trump” lied when he prom- ised to release his tax returns as soon as the IRS audit of his returns were complete, but when he became president, he re- fused to release them.
We certainly do care about the large number of his staff, advisors and appointees who have had conversations and clandestine meetings with Russian officials during the pres- idential campaign and prior to Trump’s being sworn into of- fice.
Indeed, the fact that Trump has been supportive of Putin and has business dealings in Russia, raises the question of whether Trump’s financial dealings with Russia may be re- vealed if he (Trump) releases his tax returns. Please believe that we the People care if Russia and Trump have colluded to ensure the most recent presidential win.
We care that repealing protections from polluting Ameri-
L
can waterways and building the oil pipelines through the Midwest’s major water source places the health of millions of Americans in jeopardy.
Yes, we care about snatching Affordable Care Act (aka “Obamacare) health insurance sub- sidies and Medicaid from low and middle-income Americans; we care about raising insurance premiums on the average of $1,500 or more per enrollee, and doing this while cutting taxes on the rich by more than $420 billion.
Yes, more Americans care than those who don’t care. And we will keep on caring until what we care about steps back to the polls in election year 2018.