Black Klansman-a movie

First I am assuming this movie depicts actual events. If you know otherwise please advise. I learned of it from my son. His best friend since school days in Des Moines is black. I also consider him a friend. He asked my son to see it. He did and then asked me. This all happened this morning. I found it playing at 11:30 so I went. It was a very disturbing movie. We see the Klan members including David Duke saying their hateful ideas and at the same time black leaders exhorting eager young people to push their black agenda, as if all white people were racist and hateful. I just refuse to accept this premise. I have listened to speeches by Louis Farrakhan. Do it if you want to see for yourself. The story is about an intelligent young black man who applies to become a police officer in Colorado Springs. This must have been a few years ago because they state he would be the first black officer. He does encounter rudeness and racism by other officers. He convinces his superiors to use him as an undercover agent. They do. Because of his flawless English he is able to convince Klan members of his desire to join them. A white officer is actually the one to infiltrate up to and including receiving a membership card. In a scene near the end he has tackled a terrorist female while wearing civilian clothes as an undercover officer. The police responding refuse to look for his credentials and beat him severely until another agent comes along. They were attempting to prevent a bomb being set off. It did go off but only the bad people died. It ends with scenes from the Charlottesville riot. They then conclude by showing President Trump when he commented on it. He blamed both sides and claimed there were good people on both sides. The reason for the rally was to protest removing Confederate statues. I am one of those who don’t think it is right to pretend these things never occurred. I think I am one of the good people. Watching excerpts from the stage play Hamilton, Elizabeth Warren stated that men like Washington and Jefferson were flawed men. How outrageous. There would not be a United States of America if they had not been born. Re-writing history as we think back 200 years makes no sense, at least to me. I really don’t recommend seeing this movie. Regardless of the color of your skin you will be angered. There were only three other people in the theater. Jack B. Walters September 6, 2018

Respose to an article

Dear Mr. Huppke, September 6, 2018 This is in response to your article mocking those who have reacted negatively to the Nike/ Kaepernick situation. Let me start with Levi Strauss. I stopped purchasing from that company years ago after they closed down the last three plants operating in Texas. You don’t have to explain Patriotism to me as far as Corporations are concerned, They stopped being American companies in the mid-70’s, with their only remaining objective to make maximum profit regardless of the direct loss of good paying manufacturing jobs for willing American workers. Nike has read the tea leaves. They understand that their younger customers are more sympathetic to the reason mostly black players and now performers feel comfortable to disrespect our National Anthem by kneeling. Those of us from previous generations who are most offended are not their primary customers so it is profitable to take the action they did without a loss of profit. There is a possible backlash that might occur. Nike supplies uniforms and saleable goods in the stores at the University of Arizona and I am sure many other Universities. I and others are very close to giving up our season tickets out of our outrage over this blatant disrespect. We are the ones who contribute the most to support college athletics. As to the supposed reason, police brutality towards black citizens, I am aware of how outrageous they were treated, particularly in the Southern States for 100 years after the Civil War. It is my belief that the Civil rights bills passed under the leadership of Lyndon Johnson brought that to an end. To say all racism ended then would be a ridiculous statement but a massive change did occur. To keep vilifying our dedicated police men and women does nothing to reduce prejudice. It instead inflames the issue. Your article only added to separating us more. Instead of healing the controversy continues to escalate. Yours truly, Jack B. Walters

Letter to Dave Heeke

Dave Heeke September 4, 2018 Director of Athletics Dear Sir, I am one of many; I hope, that was incensed to read that the Nike Company has chosen to honor Colin Kaepernick by granting him a multi-year contract to represent the company. They refer to him as an “All American Icon” and wrote “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.” I am aware that the U. of A. uses Nike for uniforms and sports goods in their stores. I don’t expect you to cancel the contract but you might rethink when a new contract is considered. I have no doubt most active players have some of the same views as Kaepernick but you need to remember that most of those long term buyers of tickets are from previous generations for whom this disgraceful conduct is not acceptable. Yours truly, Jack B. Walters

The Captured Economy

By; Brink Lindsey and Steven M. Teles Having just read and commented on “Capital” by Thomas Piketty, I was pleased to find this newly published book at the Library. It also provides sometimes difficult to understand issues, but it is a much easier read than CAPITAL. The authors do comment on that book. Perhaps it was the impetus they needed to write their own book. This one is only 180 pages. I am almost afraid to write a review based on the warning written on the publishing page. It says, in part “All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means”. As a result by comments will not be specific but I will still try to get you to think about the issues. What I believed was missing from the other book “Capital” was specifics. It contained reams of data stating the disparity in wealth between the rich and the rest of us but not dwelling on why. This book does. The hardest to understand is the financial system. What I learned was that after the depression in 2008 caused by the reckless behavior of the banking system: they have, step by step, loosened controls to where the down payments are miniscule compared to what we remember when we first attempted to purchase a home. Qualifications have also been eased to where the ability to pay off loans is not as stringent as they should be. These are the driving forces which have resulted in the housing boom today. Any attempt to put reason back into the system will be vigorously contested. Another reason for increasing home values is the lack of space for new homes. Particularly in highly congested cities like San Francisco the costs rise to the point where even well paid people cannot afford to purchase. They also discuss licensing requirements to be a physician, dentist, hair dresser, barber, etc. While justified to protect the public it has the effect of limiting entrants into those fields. The fewer number of Doctors graduating is also a limiting factor. They do end with suggestions on what could be done. I will not enumerate them. No matter what, the present system in effect at all levels of government, favor those already in the system. Not much chance of keeping the rich from getting richer. Read this book if you want to learn more. Jack B. Walters September 2