From the 6/11 Show – The Media, Race Relations, Drugs and Legalization

I remain concerned about the lack of honest conversations concerning the minority communities.  We have serious problems that the drug mavens and too many opportunists use to their advantage.  An uneducated media becomes the pawn for misinformation and misrepresentation.

A New York Times Article caught my attention this week: “BLACKS ARE SINGLED OUT FOR MARIJUANA ARRESTS, FEDERAL DATA SUGGESTS” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/us/marijuana-arrests-four-times-as-likely-for-blacks.html 

Further review found other major publications regurgitating the mantra of “racism in law enforcement” concerning drug arrests.

The reader should be informed that the unsuspecting reporters are being used by the business suits that have the most to gain from seeing more drugs distributed to our streets.  When discussing race relations and drugs I never see a young black mother quoted that her community needs more marijuana and drugs in her neighborhood.

We can’t have solutions without honest dialog. It is estimated that the Black population accounts for about 12% of the total population in America.

There is no question that according to 2011 FBI crime statistics Blacks account for 31.7 % of “drug abuse violations. http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/table-43

Upon further review, blacks were arrested for 49.7% of the murders and manslaughter, 32.9% of the rapes, 55% of the robberies, 33.6% of the aggravated assaults, 32.3% stolen property and the list of violent and property crimes continues to mirror the arrest records for drug violations.

The correlation with violent and serious property crimes and the drug arrest records are statistics the media gurus ignore.  The same statistical correlation matches up for the white communities.

A reporter can’t make it to the four o’clock happy hour if they take the time to explore deeper the ramifications more drugs into the minority communities may bring.

There was a reason for the huge minority backlash when their communities were awash in crack cocaine during the 80′s.  Advocating for the liberalization of marijuana without education isn’t going to create a job or healthy community. The drug mavens and the business suits who have the most to profit know that, but the media remains either complicit or clueless.

We continue to have serious race relations in our country.  It is unconscionable to me that the media uses little critical thinking before becoming a puppet to the drug industry. 

Reducing the marijuana arrests in the Black community should be parallel to reducing the arrests for all crimes in the Black community.

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From the 6/4 Show – Definition of Addiction is Evolving – Money, Money, Money

The definition of addiction runs the spectrum from “a moral failing” to being an “incurable disease”.  The age old questions continue to be asked:  is it the substance or the person that causes the disease?  Is addiction genetic or learned?  Is preventing severe withdrawal a sign of addiction or is a person who “craves” the substance the only definition of addiction?

Addiction has become an all encompassing word that covers a multitude of factors that leads to devastating substance misuse for too many.  It is a convenient word to use for the unexplainable that has become part of the human condition in every community.  From those who get sick from one drink or one pill to those who can’t stop after one drink or one pill, few understand the driving force behind the self destruction of addiction.

It recently occurred to me that “Addiction” has a different meaning for everyone, unless you are in the medical profession.  For a medical professional, “addiction means money”.

The early origins of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) did not mention the word “disease”.   http://www.aa.org/aatimeline/   A camaraderie of like minded people inspired by Bill W. and friends started an organization that has helped tens of thousands over the last 78 years.  The foundation of AA was built by like minded people in need to aspire for the same goals.  The early AA meetings were held in churches, people’s houses and community rooms.

In 1935, there was no such specialty as “addiction medicine” or psychiatrists to hand out pills to generate income.

There were no methadone programs or “Suboxone doctors” to enable a life-long dependency and money flow with little afterthought on helping the person psychologically for a long term solution.

On the May 28th radio show, Richard Wallrath said:  “alcohol was not the problem, I was the problem”.   That understanding has helped him for the last 45 years.

After almost 7 years of doing the radio show I believe addiction is “a thinking problem” and the substances become intertwined in coping with our surrounding environment.  There becomes a very tight relationship between the substance and survival.

“Addiction Medicine” is the new “Quack Medicine” in our midst.  Be wary of the “professional” who convinces the public that addiction is an “incurable disease”.  Be wary of the professional who preaches “medication therapy” for the rest of one’s life.  Addiction Medicine is going to siphon billions of dollars from health care while we watch our loved ones languish.

The “business model of addiction medicine” which includes prescription drugs for long term treatment, is the new coming disaster for those who need help the most.

“A thinking problem” needs a long term solution without a lifetime belief that you are incurable.

Depending on someone who carries a prescription pad is a road to nowhere.

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From the 5/28 Show – Movie Review: Deep in the Heart

Deep in the Heart is on the Wal-Mart Shelves. http://www.deepintheheartmovie.com/    The radio show had the opportunity to interview Richard (Dick) Wallrath, the “Texas Gentleman” the movie depicted.

Speaking to Dick Wallrath was a pleasurable diversion for the radio show.  Admittedly, the radio show generally focuses on the hypocrisy, marketing and distribution of drugs and alcohol.  I need to spend more time on successful stories of treatment and recovery.

Deep in the Heart is a film for anyone who wants to sit back and be inspired.  Dick shared on air that “alcohol wasn’t the problem, he was the problem”:  An insightful statement for those who do not understand addiction and a reminder for those who are attempting recovery.

An impressive group of actors in Deep in the Heart helped actor Jon Gries effectively share Dick Wallrath’s life.  Dick admittedly had “hit rock bottom” and a combination of faith and a new perspective over 40 years ago created a path of daily forgiveness to his family and success that Dick has shared along the way.  Jon Gries shared Dick’s trials and tribulations perfectly.

Dick Wallrath made it clear on air that independence and hard work are the cornerstone for success.  He also made it clear that faith, humbleness, and sharing one’s success brings great contentment.

Dick has become the largest contributor in the country to 4-H and Future Farmers in America (FFA).  He has committed millions of dollars to create scholarships for thousands of young people associated with 4-H and FFA.  Dick committed to supporting the movie with 4-H and FFA as the main recipients from the success of the movie.

Present Texas Governor Rick Perry appeared in the film to re-enact a real life award Dick was honored with at a recent Texas 4-H and FFA convention.

Deep in the Heart is a film every age should see. It’s a “feel good” and inspirational film meant for all.  We are all in charge of our own destiny and Dick Wallrath and is a reminder of the human spirit too many of us have hidden within us.

My suggestion: Go to Wal-mart, buy the movie, get some popcorn and soda, and grab the family and friends to watch an entertaining and inspirational film.

Deep in the Heart will have special meaning for people of faith and people either in recovery or facing recovery. But, the movie’s appeal goes much further.

The fact is:  Deep in the Heart is a movie for anyone who believes in the human spirit that includes love, forgiveness and sharing.

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From the 5/21 Show – Pharma and Your Emotions

Past blogs have shared with you the diabolical marketing from the Pharmaceutical companies that has created millions of people not being able to start their day without a drug to prevent a sickening withdrawal.  I repeatedly have written and said on air that future historians will be writing about how millions became addicted from legal prescription drugs and tens of thousands died in a technological age in which the media remained silent.  We have government leadership that has put the Pharmaceutical company interests in front of the health of our families and communities.

The ingenious marketing of pharmaceuticals has bypassed science and targeted our emotions.  We make most of our buying decisions based on an emotional level of need.  The advertising, the packaging, the image created from the marketing, etc. all are a major part of our buying decisions and where we shop.  Our car purchase is not based on our utilitarian needs.

Emotions and logic do not always coincide.  Our compassion and caring is being exploited by Pharma.  The emotional messages for pain, depression, anxiety, children’s issues, and a myriad of ailments has completely convoluted our thinking that has led to needless death and destruction.  Every sheriff in the country will attest to our illogical response concerning prescription drugs as the destruction marches onward.

“Not Safe as Prescribed” continues to be a difficult message for the majority of people.  Our emotional and caring being has been hijacked by the multi-billion dollar promotional budgets of Pharma.   Your doctor and medical professionals are given the attributes of a drug based on emotion and not science.  Pharma and your doctor hide behind the “safe as prescribed” mantra of the FDA.

A “drug kills” and creates severe withdrawals over time and your doctor hides behind the emotional and “rational message” Pharma has created for them.  The drugs that create far too many negative outcomes are called “prescription drugs” in the same breath as penicillin.  Pharma has masterfully marketed and capitalized on mixing in the dangerous drugs with the life saving drugs.

The FDA that has become dependent on the drug company user fees continues to be a pawn and an accomplice to the mass destruction the legal drugs are creating.

The media has lost their critical thought processes to the emotional message Pharma has created in our society.

I am waiting for the mass media to understand the meaning of the Renaissance Age (a period in which critical thinking emerged).

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From the 5/14 Show – Racism and the Fuel That Powers it

There were two recent occurrences that started a riveting conversation between Montana, Cedric and myself Tuesday night.  I accidently saw a David Chappell rerun that depicted Black men denigrating and stereotyping the African American male. 

On the radio show I played a rap song that included the F and N words and encouraged “popping the molly” (ecstasy).  I don’t remember the B word in this particular rap song.

In my world, there is no tolerance for bigotry and racism.  But, I have come to the realization that the instincts of hatred remain entrenched in corporate America.  If a buck can be made from a concept, then a creative marketing message needs to be accepted. This is true for any product or business.

The entertainment industry and related industries make money from promoting racism.  The messenger has become the African American entertainer who continues to be given a free reign to expound upon stereotypes, drugs, and negative decisions every young person of every generation has faced.  EVERY young person today is seeing and hearing the message “pop the molly” and F’in Nig….. brings.  The drug and alcohol mavens in the business suits understand how to move concepts and products to our streets under the guise of entertainment.

Society laments the statistically sad economic and social state of the minority communities and the bigotry that it generates.   Meanwhile,  corporate America laughs going to the bank from the message creatively passed along to foment the condition.

A few of the “Black leaders” seize upon the economic opportunity racism brings and ALL of America’s leaders remain silent on the message being generated from the entertainment industry.

Unfortunately, too many people in white America have their bigotry reinforced by watching “pop the molly” and David Chappel reruns.

Every generation has passed through a phase of youth that includes challenging the norms of the older generations before them.  The entertainment industry has been in the forefront of every movement.  Elvis, Lennon, McCartney, Mick and Dylan were the messengers of the 50′s and 60′s.  In an earlier age, society would not have tolerated the message coming from the entertainment industry today.

The news media remains silent.  The media makes their money from human tragedies and momentary turmoil.  Writing about the evils of racism sells more papers and creates more viewers than searching for the root causes.

The radio show is attempting to peel away the hypocrisy and truth about the drug distribution to our communities.  We need an open discussion to understand the marketing and selling of drugs into our neighborhoods.

Tuesday night I came to realize we need an open and honest discussion on why we are allowing the stereotypes and negative influences that impede social progress to be promulgated by people of color on behalf of corporate America.

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