Paul Ryan, Public Enemy Number 1

Remember the face of Representative Paul Ryan, pictured at left. His picture should be plastered on post office walls for his egregious $3.5 trillion budget, which passed the House Thursday. Only 10 Republicans crossed party lines to vote against it, making the total 228-191.  Beware, average Americans! This budget contains deep cuts in programs aimed to improve the life of the nation's citizens.





As an example, Ryan's so-called "Path to Prosperity” plan slashes money from Medicare and Medicaid, programs that provide health care to the elderly and poor, leaving Ham on Wry to wonder Prosperity for Whom? His plan includes provisions for Medicare eligibility age to increase over time beginning in 2023 from 65 to 67. In the future, the government would provide assistance for seniors to purchase private health-insurance plans or choose to enroll in current fee-for-service model. Seniors would most likely pay more out-of pocket health-care costs when the spending cuts in the plan kick in.

Ryan's plan also slashes money from food stamps, condenses the tax codes to two levels, 10% and 25% for individuals--including those earning above $1million per year, reduces corporate taxes, and also targets federal employee pensions systems. Ham on Wry can't help but wonder if members of Congress are included in the proposed pension cuts.  

Fortunately, this plan has no chance of passing the Senate; however, voters should be paying close attention to its contents. Ryan has no interest in preserving the intent of the Preamble to the Constitution, which states, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." The founders charged citizens to establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and promote the general welfare, among other things, because citizens ARE the government.

Ham on Wry encourages readers to fully inform themselves before the next election, because in this blogger's view, Paul Ryan and most of the House Republicans are enemies of average citizens and seek to place greater financial burdens on the middle class. This election year requires all people of voting age to take their responsibilities seriously and inform themselves about candidates by reading a variety of viewpoints and avoiding TV political ads and forwarded, erroneous e-mails to form opinions. The Republican Party has morphed into something that Ronald Reagan wouldn't recognize. He would never support the Ryan budget because the cuts are applied disproportionately to the nation's most vulnerable citizens. Ryan, along with all the Republicans who voted for the budget, should hang their heads in shame.

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Police Video Raises Doubts About George Zimmerman's Version of Killing Trayvon Martin in Self Defense

Ham on Wry purposely chose the photo of Trayvon Martin's parents at left because the police video of George Zimmerman in handcuffs is grainy and was taken four hours after the shooting. His parents. Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, are left without a son and the constant agony of looming doubts over what actually happened February 26 when Trayvon was killed.





Every nuance of this case is being examined with great scrutiny by the media and people who are interested in the findings from the investigations being conducted by the Department of Justice and the FBI. All who follow this case are entitled to their opinions about the shooting of Trayvon Martin, but it is incumbent on them to recognize that opinions aren't facts. Eventually, the investigations will end, and the conclusions will be announced. Only then will we have a clearer understanding of what transpired the day Trayvon died after George Zimmerman shot him. Until that time, it is wise to pull back a bit, allow the parents to grieve, and wait. No matter what conclusions one draws from the information played across TV screens, on videos, and through social media, the most important part of this investigation will determine whether George Zimmerman will be arrested as a possible murder suspect. We mustn't lose sight of that and make it a racial issue, if, instead, it was an overzealous, self-appointed defender of the neighborhood who acted beyond any authority or threat to this life.

Many mistakes have been made thus far, so the public must allow authorities time to identify the pieces of the puzzle and present it as a whole. Perhaps then, Trayvon's parents can find some measure of peace and move on.

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Leaked Information Clouds the Central Issues of Trayvon Martin Case

The killing of Trayvon Martin is fast becoming a media circus and has devolved into a case touting competing accusations of bad behavior. Trayvon attended high school in Miami, FL, and was suspended for having a baggie with traces of marijuana and a marijuana pipe in his possession. He had previously been suspended for writing graffiti on school property. Trayvon was visiting his father in Sanford during his suspension when he was killed February 26, 2012. Police reports recently released state that George Zimmerman, who killed Martin, was found with a bloodied nose and a wound on the back of his head. Zimmerman's version of what happened included details about Martin jumping on him and smashing his head to the ground.

George Zimmerman has made 42 calls to 911 in his eight years as a Neighborhood Watch volunteer. When he called 911 to report Trayvon Martin as a suspicious person, the dispatcher inquired if he was following the suspect. When Zimmerman answered in the affirmative, the dispatcher replies, "We don't need you to do that." Zimmerman was carrying a gun, which violates the training of formal Neighborhood Watch groups, although his group was not registered. Volunteers are trained to observe and report but not pursue. Details have also emerged that Zimmerman assaulted a police officer in 2005 and was arrested in a domestic violence case in 2007.

What do all these accusations mean in relation to the shooting of Trayvon Martin?  Absolutely nothing. No matter what either of them had done in the past, Trayvon's killing still needs to be investigated on its own merit and should have begun on February 26th, when it occurred. Martin isn't alive to tell his side of the story, and witnesses have given varied accounts of what happened. This isn't unusual.  If you've ever heard witnesses describe a car accident, no two tell exactly the same story.

All of the hype and speculation does not aid the investigation. Zimmerman is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law if he's arrested.  We must allow the Department of Justice and the FBI to gather evidence and finish their investigation.  When that occurs, we will have more fact-based information on which to determine what really happened.

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Afghan Victims' Families Paid $50,000 for Each One Who Died

The United States Military provided the relatives of 17 people killed in a shooting rampage by a US soldier in southern Afghanistan compensation for their losses Sunday at a private ceremony in the Kandahar provincial governor's office. The relatives received approximately $50,000-some reports state that the amount is closer to $46,000-for each person who died and $11,000 per injured person. No explanation was offered as to why the number climbed to 17 from the original number given of 16 dead.


These payments far exceed the usual payments made to civilians whose relatives are killed in military operations there, but the United States. hopes it will help to mend the damage the shootings caused. In Afghanistan, demands for speedy justice exist, and under Islamic law, diya, the offer of blood money common in the Afghan culture, can mitigate against revenge on the perpetrators of violence. Often a death sentence will be commuted to imprisonment if relatives agree to accept payment.

U.S. investigators now believe that Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bates left the base twice to commit the murders. After his first attack, they theorize that he returned to base and later sneaked out to kill again. Friday, he was formally charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder in connection with a nighttime raid on two remote Afghan villages. In all, nine children and eight adults were murdered during the pre-dawn hours on March 11.

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Obama Comments on Trayvon Martin's Killing

Haraz Ghanbari/AP photo

President Obama responded to a reporter's question about the Trayvon Martin case Friday, saying, "Obviously, this is a tragedy. I can only imagine what these parents are going through. And when I think about this boy, I think about my own kids. And I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this, and that everybody pulls together -- federal, state and local -- to figure out exactly how this tragedy happened.”

His final comments touched this blogger more than any words previously spoken. He aimed the message at Trayvon's parents and stated, "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon. And I think they are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves, and that we're going to get to the bottom of exactly what happened.” With those words, he captured the feelings of parents everywhere who worry every time a teenager leaves of their sight.

Florida Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Biondi have finally appointed Angela Corey as a special prosecutor, after the sitting prosecutor Norman Wolfinger recused himself. It took almost four weeks and the glare of the national spotlight for them to act. Ham on Wry invites readers to draw their own conclusions about why the prolonged delay in taking action occurred.

Although George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed Trayvon, claimed that the 17-year-old attacked him so he killed him in self defense, this case should have raised immediate concern because Trayvon was carrying only a can of soda, some Skittles, and a cell phone, which was knocked out of his hands at the time of the incident. Was Zimmerman attacked with a pop can or did Trayvon throw Skittles at him? Common sense and reason dictate that the killing should have been investigated. The police department in Sanford has some explaining to do, but, now that the news has spread around the country, perhaps justice will be served.

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Sanford Sheriff Steps Down Temporarily to Ease Tension

AFP photo

Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte, Jr. announced that police Chief Bill Lee, Jr. will temporarily step down amid the growing furor over his failure to arrest George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin. He added that he hoped this action would restore order and expedite the legal process in the case.

Chief Lee told reporters, "It is apparent that my involvement in this matter is overshadowing the process. Therefore, I have come to the decision that I must temporarily remove myself from the position."

Chief Lee also said that he couldn't arrest Zimmerman because the Stand Your Ground Law prevented him from doing so, since no evidence existed Trayvon Martin wasn't killed in self defense. Ham on Wry doesn't buy that. In watching this story unfold on various media forms, I heard Zimmerman call in to report suspicious activity, and when the person speaking to him asked, "Are you following him?" Zimmerman responded in the affirmative. The person at the other end said, "We don't need you to do that." Perhaps I'm missing something, but when a person in authority tells a Neighborhood Watch volunteer not to follow someone and he does, shouldn't that be reason enough to at least investigate the case thoroughly?

If Stand the Ground precludes such an investigation when someone unarmed is killed, then the law should be struck from the books. Americans don't live in the Wild West, and the statistics about guns used in crimes are alarming. Most often, the person with the gun is not using it defensively, and, instead, has the intent of harming someone with no means of defense. Perhaps for the sake of calm, police should place Zimmerman in protective custody, until the Department of Justice and the FBI have completed their investigation.

Ham on Wry will not proclaim this a racially motivated shooting, unless the facts support it. However, this blogger feels that it was a stupid, senseless act of violence. Nothing in evidence leads to the conclusion that Trayvon Martin threatened George Zimmerman in any way. In fact, the cell phone recording of his call with his girlfriend indicates exactly the opposite. Ham on Wry can say the the Feds will examine all evidence thoroughly.

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Justice Department Investigating Trayvon Martin's Shooting

George Zimmerman, a self-appointed watchman in a Sanford, Florida community, shot and killed Trayvon Martin February 26th.  That's a fact. The circumstances surrounding the incident aren't quite so clear.  Zimmerman claims he shot the 17-year-old in self defense and local police did not arrest him or investigate the crime, citing Florida's Stand Your Ground Law. Ham on Wry would attempt to explain the law; however, it makes no logical sense to me, so, readers can research it online. Essentially, the law permits the use of deadly force in self-defense, and, as a result, justifiable homicide cases have risen 335%, since it was passed in 2005.

Ham on Wry will not discuss the law in-depth because that truly isn't the issue here. The issue concerns what Sanford police consider self-defense. Trayvon Martin was unarmed and attempting to reason with his pursuer when he was shot. An attorney for Martin's family held a news conference Tuesday and offered cellphone records that he claims prove Martin was talking with his girlfriend at the time he was confronted in the gated community where he was killed. Zimmerman said that he feared for his life in confronting Martin and fired on him to protect himself.

I say, "What?" Zimmerman was taller and far heavier than Martin, and I find it difficult to fathom how he could have feared for his life from an unarmed teenager causing no problems. He could have also wounded Martin rather than killing him. Finally, after a three-week delay, the Justice Department has stepped in to investigate the case. The FBI has also been summoned to probe the facts surrounding Martin's death, and state attorney Norm Wolfinger of Seminole County, where Sanford is located, announced Tuesday that he will take the case before a grand jury next month.

It's about time! Despite the Stand Your Ground Law, Sanford police should have investigated immediately after receiving notification that a teen had been killed when no crime had occurred prior to his death. I understand that the neighborhood had experienced crimes which might have caused Zimmerman to be suspicious, but he killed a person without determining whether the kid had any kind of weapon. That begs the questions about why Florida passed Stand Your Ground, but I'll leave that for a possible future post.

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