Houston and Mexico

I wonder what would happen if I walked into a gun store in Houston and asked to purchase 10 223.caliber Bushmasters, 25 machine guns, 50 shotguns, and 100 assault rifles?

The gun owner would probably call the police! However, they don't call anyone when people purchase guns that are being used for killings in Mexico. You know the drill: Don't Ask...Don't Tell!

According to some new reports, Houston is the #1 city for point of origin for weapons for drug cartels and gang wars in Mexico. Houston (and other cities) is supplying weapons that are more powerful than what the Mexican police have. In fact, some of the weapons from the United States are being used to kill police. Talk about killing our friends! But, people all over the world have been supplying the armies, gangs, and killing groups of others for centuries. In fact, I once served under an individual who had an associate who sold guns to both sides in Mexico about 40 years ago, so this isn't a new thing. As long as there is a buck to be made, some people don't care where the money comes from.

So, do we devise stronger laws and go after the gun stores and gun shows? Do we just hope for the best and trust gun stores and gun shows will see the errors of their lack of due diligence and believe they will just do the right thing. Do we insist that gun shows and gun stores report any large sales of arms to the authorities like the banks do whenever someone deposits an unusual large sum of money?

Since we are living in a time of growing gangs, terrorist sleeper cells in America, and powerful drug cartels that control entire regions of a country (including the authorities), should we push for more drastic action? What about installing high-tech surveillance cameras in every gun store and gun show? Whenever a purchase is made, it is automatically recorded and a picture is taken of the transaction forms and of the purchaser and seller. The cost could be passed on to every weapon sold, thus the gun store or gun show would still make their profit. Talk about job security! We could create about 3,000 new jobs just from this situation!

Oh well, those who constantly parade in favor of "individual rights" would never stand for this. There would be lawsuits daily. The courts would be clogged. Business owners and gun show operators would be furious. The fax, phones and mail bags of politicians would be overflowing. New gun store owner lobbyists would be filling the halls of Congress, as well as the pockets of their politicians. The "freedom" to purchase without government hassle would be the cry of the day!

Maybe the average taxpayers would rise up. Maybe they would demand that those with rights to buy and sell also balance their rights with being responsible and do a better job of self-policing. Ha! We wouldn't be wearing seat belts if the government didn't have penalties for not doing so.

The balancing job of rights versus responsibilities is out of whack. For over 50 years, we have been traumatized concerning "rights." Notice that little is said about "responsibilities." A flying bird needs two wings. If America is going to be responsible about terrorism and eliminating drugs, it will have to remember that there can be no rights without responsibilities. America---it's time to grow your responsible wing to at least match your rights wing. Otherwise, this bird is going down in defeat and the terrorists and drug cartels will use our rights against us. They will become more powerful, and we will become weaker.

If our government has become too lax and overburdened with laws to protect individual, it may be that legal gun owners will have to become the police, judge, and jury of their towns, cities, and even the nation. Maybe the timid, nice, quiet taxpayers will rise up, purchase large caches of guns and ammunition, become properly trained, practice shooting often, and take matters into their own hands before they were lulled to sleep with "let the authorities take care of the problems." Someone said a long time ago: if good people do nothing, evil will continue to rise. Is evil rising in your neighborhood, rural area, town, city, or region? Don't hide your head and hope that "the authorities" will handle it. YOU need to get prepared to handle some things for yourself!

Guns, Drugs, and Water

In the news recently were articles about Houston, Texas being the major supplier of guns, including the powerful 223.caliber Bushmaster, to drug cartels in Mexico.

It's interesting that gun stores along the Mexico border states of Texas and Arizona can sell thousands of guns to people for their "personal use" without being concerned how the guns will be used. It's also interesting that thousands of gun stores don't care how the guns will be used and aren't concerned. I wonder how they would feel if guns they sold were used to kill members of their family. Oh well, profit is the name of game and killing people is just a shame!

America could easily stop the drug traffic. However, our weak laws, weak judges, and money-hungry lawyers don't want to stop that traffic...it just makes too much money and there are just too many powerful people in America making money. Perhaps when their daughters are being raped and members of their family are being taken out by some drugged-up person, they might be encouraged to change their mind. Or, when the American public gets fed-up and hire their own police force to take out drug users, drug manufacturers, drug distributors, etc. As long as America is the drug consumption capital of the world, why shouldn't the drug cartels get their supplies in to meet the demand? It's just business!

Don't drink the water! That's right. If Americans really knew how weak the EPA, FDA, and other regulatory bodies were concerning their water coming in their homes, they would demand stricter laws, more testing, and more regulators to show up without notice to those who consistently send their dirty water into our water supply. However, the current laws allow us to be poisoned a little bit. They don't tell us about animal and human do-do in our drinking water. It's just a little bit. We aren't told a lot about the tons of poisons in the water used to create drugs and wash out the utensils creating the drugs. Plus, America is drug-crazy. Just look at how many drug commercials there are on any given night on American television.

Aaah! Free Enterprise and Dictatorship (state-controlled) Enterprise is just wonderful---for those in control and enjoying the Good Life! Who is going to speak up against the strong and powerful greedy and rich barons of the world? Speak up and you are liable to lose your job, your family, and even your life! However, if individuals banded together and rose up against the evil and corrupt, there could be a change.

But, how do you tell the evil rich people from the not-so-evil rich people from the almost-good rich people from the clearing-my-conscious rich people from the good rich people from the for-sure-I-want-to share-my-wealth rich people? Heck! I am not God...I am just an observer and thankful that some rich people do some good with their wealth while living, and even after they die. Mmmm! Maybe Bill and Melinda Gates will help me build helpful museums and positive training centers across America! Maybe we could become so successful that those who sell guns and use drugs would see a benefit to change their ways. Maybe the drug manufacturers and others who misuse our water would want to change. I just remembered: people want to know the answer to "What's In It For Me"? If only we could make "Good Living" more important that "Greedy Living"! Oh well, back to thinking and writing.

The Underground Railroad Defined

Here is one of our upcoming events to which everyone is invited:

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
and
Flying Geese Productions
Presents

’The Underground Railroad Defined’
By
Professional Historical Re-enactor/Lecturer
Melissa Waddy Thibodeaux and
Author, Tom Calarco of Cincinnati, OH.

Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.
1834 Southmore, Houston TX 77004

TOM CALARCO

is an independent scholar specializing in the Underground Railroad. He is the author of The Underground Railroad in the Adirondack Region (2004) among other works.

MELISSA WADDY THIBODEAUX is an independent scholar specializing in Reenacting Stories of the women and men of the Underground Railroad via her nationally-known one-woman presentations, mainly “Harriet Tubman”.

Join us for this informative and entertaining gathering and hear about the upcoming new book entitled, “Places on the Underground Railroad”, currently being written by these two scholars for release in the fall of 2009.

Video presentation, historical re-enactment, Q&A and refreshments.

Please RSVP by Thursday April 16th by 5:00 pm

The Buffalo Soldier Era

When did the Buffalo Soldier era Begin?

National museum founder in Houston reviews
the story of these “unsung heroes”
______________________
By EDWARD G. UDELL, SR.


Did the history of the Buffalo Soldiers begin when the West was being won? Or did it begin during the Civil War? Or did it begin with the Cheyenne and Plains Indians?

The answer to that depends on how much one really knows about the history of America, beyond what is learned from distorted Hollywood movies, or from most history books.

Here in Houston, a native-son spent over 30 years researching old books, reading government documents, and collecting letters, photographs, and military artifacts from an age long forgotten by many. Captain Paul J. Matthews, ROTC graduate from Prairie View A&M University, became intrigued when he first heard about Buffalo Soldiers in 1964. Between that time, serving in Vietnam, and then working for Merck Pharmaceuticals, Captain Matthews began a meticulous search for the truth concerning these African Americans called “Buffalo Soldiers” serving in the military after the Civil War. The quest blossomed into the creation of a national museum, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. This museum has the largest collection of any museum in the world concerning the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, with hundreds of artifacts, photographs, letters, old books, uniforms, guns, and ammunition.

Paul Matthews’ journey didn’t just stop with the “official” time of the Buffalo Soldiers from 1866 to 1948, when President Truman signed an executive order for the military to fully integrate. Some generals refused, thus extending the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers beyond 1948. Then some African American military personnel found out some of their history and with pride continued to call themselves “Buffalo Soldiers.” Then there is the story of Colin Powell walking into an African American barber shop and being saluted by an 82-year-old African American WWII veteran who had to carefully rise from his seated position who gave his name, rank, and closed with “Buffalo Soldier.” Colin Powell later saw a street on an Army post, named “9th Street” and discovered it stood for the 9th Calvary of the Buffalo Soldiers. Colin Powell began a campaign and soon there was a monument on this post. To get the full story and flavor, one gets cold chills and a feeling of real pride in America when Captain Matthews tells this story.

Of course, not all Americans who know the true history of the Buffalo Soldiers are excited about their “fierce fighting sprit” and daring exploits. There is the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and their interactions with the Native American people. Whether heresay or fact, some Native Americans have had stories passed down through generations of the atrocities of the Buffalo Soldiers in dealing with their people, after their people gave these soldiers their legendary name.

Since there are no living witnesses of what may have happened on every expedition or fight between Buffalo Soldiers and Native Americans (aka The Indian Wars), Captain Matthews has set aside a portion of the museum to honor the Native American people for their role in creating the name “Buffalo Soldiers”. It is his hope that a peace can be brokered with those Native Americans who have heard some of the bad stories of how their people were treated by the Buffalo Soldiers and have had some issues with the “heroic” acts of the Buffalo Soldiers in the West. According to historic documents, the Buffalo Soldiers were the peace-keeping unit of the American Army. There are records showing how the Buffalo Soldiers often had to intervene between the Native Americans and the encroachments and crimes of Anglo settlers. It was often the Buffalo Soldiers who had to help round up Native Americans and ensure their safety onto land set aside by the government through treaties.

The Native American exhibit at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum includes pictures, art work, photographs, and implements of war. When the museum moves into a new location in late 2009, Captain Matthews has plans to expand the Native American exhibit and include a Native American curator, as well as Native Americans on the museum board of directors, on the Founders Club (the museum’s fundraising arm), and have Native Americans to help lead tours as their ancestors are an integral part of the Buffalo Soldier story.

“What is interesting about the Buffalo Soldier history is discovering how the history of other cultures are so connected with them. There were involvements with the Chinese, Hispanics, women, arriving European immigrants, and those of mixed heritage,” Matthews said. “The knowledge of the Buffalo Soldiers history is relevant to all Americans, as well as to many groups from other countries. When the museum made its first trip out of the United States to Belize in October 2008, it was discovered that some Buffalo Soldiers had made trips to that country and settled there.”

Though the full authenticity of the history of the Buffalo Soldiers is still being unraveled, the history at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum cannot be disputed. There are stories of tourists from other countries who tell of their families being saved by members of the Buffalo Soldiers during WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the war in the Philipines, as well as stories of lives saved on the western frontier.

Lest the readers just think that all those wearing the label “Buffalo Soldiers” were African American, Captain Matthews relates the story of an Anglo American who served in WWII with a Buffalo Soldier regiment. When Captain Matthews was winding up a tour recently, a visitor shared his story of being one of the few “white men” to serve as a Buffalo Soldier!

The work of the museum caught the attention of a private Buffalo Soldier collector and historian, Anthony L. Powell of California. He and NBA Hall of Famer Kareen Abdul-Jabbar (formerly known as Lew Alcindor), of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, gathered historic photographs and published a book. This book is now in the museum’s book store. Later, Mr. Powell placed some of his $4 million private Buffalo Soldier collection in the museum. He plans to place the balance in the museum when the move is made to more modern facilities.

Matthews and other museum curators and private collectors are hoping to attract over 100,000 visitors annually when the museum moves into the historic Houston Light Guard Armory. Currently, the museum has over 40,000 visitors annually to the museum, as well as those attending special museum presentations at schools and other venues.

“It is very significant about the move we are about to make,” Matthews stated. “This new building was built in 1925, has history back to 1873, and is connected to the Texas State Militia, as well as to the Confederate Army. For over 30 years, the building languished, sometimes used as storage by Houston Community College, and often used by transients. We purchased the property in April, 2008, had a groundbreaking ceremony in May, 2008 with the mayor, civic and corporate leaders, members from local foundations, a spokesperson from the Houston Light Guard Armory Veteran’s Association, a Native American leader, and members from the community.”

Matthews continued by saying, “Our present location at 1834 Southmore has served its purpose for eight years, giving us a place to share with the public. However, the 6,000 square feet and a storage trailer is now too small. Plus, the second floor has been difficult for young children, senior citizens, and the disabled to navigate. The new facility will have 21,000 square feet, ramps, an elevator, and ample parking for tourist buses and the public. Plus, there is a Metro bus stop up the street, and the Metro Light Rail is just two blocks away.”

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum began planning their move to a better facility two years ago. There is a very heart-warming story Captain Matthews tells about how “angels” from the community helped in introducing him to the new location (about 15 blocks from the current museum), and helping to raise funds to purchase the property. “We are thankful for the assistance of our Founders Club (led by Steve Eason of the Houston Chronicle) made up of corporate and civic leaders. They began developing a strategic plan to reach others to help us raise $4.1 million to renovate the Houston Light Guard Armory. This group obtained the services of Tracye McDaniel, COO and Executive Vice President, of the Greater Houston Partnership to serve as the chair of the Capital Campaign.”

Thus far, the museum as raised over $1.3 million, getting two foundation grants of $500,000 each from the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, and the Houston Endowment. The search is underway to find four other foundations or corporations to match these gifts. Also, appeals are being made to others for gifts of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 and more. The museum is offering “naming rights” to those who wish to give significant gifts in the name of their family, corporation, or organization. There are also 35 exhibits and museum spaces that can be named in honor of those giving sizeable gifts. Some donors may wish to purchase brick pavers engraved with their name, the name of their company or family, or to memorialize a loved one.

“The museum also offers historic storytellers, dramatic presentations, and full-length plays about the major era of the Buffalo Soldiers,” Captain Matthews revealed. “Many students and adults need a little extra help in learning from, and understanding, history. When the learning is fun and presented in other venues that today’s society is familiar with, it’s often easier to remember dates, places, and characters.”

When Captain Matthews mentions the “major era” of the Buffalo Soldiers, he is describing the time from 1866 to 1952. However, the full story of the Buffalo Soldiers cannot be understood without connecting them to the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, The Spanish-American War, the War of 1812, the Revolutionary War, slavery, Africa, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and the war to conquer Space. Visitors to the museum are often amazed at the connection of African Americans in all of America’s wars, contrary to what has been portrayed in Hollywood since 1909. Only at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum can more real history be found. There are probably dozens of films that could be made from the letters, notes, pictures, artifacts, and government documents found at the museum.

The exhibits at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is divided into: The Beginning of the Buffalo Soldiers; the Western Era; the Native American Room; the Work of Chaplains; Honoring Buffalo Soldier Women; the war in the Philipines; The Spanish American War; WWI; WWII; the Korean War; the Vietnam War; the Medal of Honor and other medals exhibits; the uniform room; the Space exhibit; and the Ranch Tools Room. The new facility will feature an expanded version of those listed above, plus will feature items archived and never exhibited. The $4 million Anthony L. Powell private collection will also be on hand, along with new materials and sculptures. Houston Community College, one of the many educational partners of the museum, will offer some specialty classes. There will also be a place for the young and older visitors to do research and work on computers, surrounded by music and a deli shop. Along with an area for performances, the new facility will have space which can be rented out by groups for meetings, receptions, weddings, and other community uses.

Captain Matthews and the museum board is also working to use “green building” principles as they renovate the Houston Light Guard Armory. “Energy is becoming scarce and expensive. The museum wants to do its part to save energy and cut back on carbon emissions. We have put together a team of environment-savvy professionals who are designing and using their engineering expertise to offer a building to the public that is safe, energy-efficient, and one that will be a model for future generations.”


 Where: The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, 1834 Southmore Blvd., behind Walgreen’s on Almeda, right off the 288 Freeway
 When: Mondays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturdays, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and private tours by appointment
 Tickets: $2 donation per person until November, 2009
 Info: Go to www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com or call 713-942-8920.


MORE GOOD STUFF NEXT TIME!

Disgraced African American Athletes

I am writing to you blog readers for advice. I am interested in knowing if you might know where I can find a list of disgraced African American athletes. If possible, I would like to put together a piece on these young men from the first African American athlete disgraced to those current, like Michael Vick and Plaxico Buress.

As an ordained minister, chaplain, community consultant, father, and sports fan, I am concerned about the lack of character development training given to our athletes, especially African American athletes. I thought the sports owners, managers, and coaches had a better understanding of African American history, African American social life, and the need to give African American athletes social skills, business sense, and wisdom they might not have had the opportunity to obtain.

I am also concerned about the loose-living style our African American athletes are bringing with them into the professional world of sports. Too many of them remind me of a prize bull that a owner has just allow to run amuck as long as the bull makes money for the owner.

Whether we blame racism, societal causes, urban poverty, weak or absent fathers, or whatever, dysfunction runs rampant through many inner city families. However, through a coach with a sharp eye; a friend that sees talent; or a teacher seeing an opportunity for a student to escape poverty, many African American young men have been developed for the sports world. But, when a young man, unaccustomed to big money and the glory it brings, is allowed to spend and live his life with few boundaries, the American public is stumped when they make horrific negative choices which adversely affect their future. No one told the public “These young men have been given a lot of money, but no one is really helping them with a lot of character.

t bothers me when I see or hear about sports figures like Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor being murdered, or the shooting of Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier. Or, the questionable actions of Kobe Bryant, Mike Tyson, Ray Lewis, Darryl Strawberry, Ron Artest, Rae Carruth, O.J. Simpson, and my friend (he doesn’t even know me!) Michael Vick. Instead of just getting angry at these mis-directed and/or un-directed wanna-be millionaire African American athletes, I wanted to do something.

I began by talking to some sports agents to try to understand what they do for their clients aside from just negotiating big contracts. I then had a long phone conversation with the director of a worldwide sports agency. I wanted to know what it would take for me to learn the sports agency game. I also wanted to see if there were any sports agents or sports attorneys who assisted their clients with positive behavior development, or strong character development. The short answer was “No!”

The sports agency owner then told me that there was a real need for some character development for many athletes. We discussed the major moral dilemmas facing African American athletes and their lack of training concerning how to use money without going through it like it would last forever. With my broad-based background and connections with lawyers, financial advisers, investors, and successful business people, I was told that I could help fill that void as a sports agent who would care more for my clients than just making a big paycheck.

Before I begin my training to become a sports agent, I wanted to do a piece on the unfulfilled potential of many of our African American athletes. Of course, I am also going to do a piece on those African American athletes who have made wise choices and/or lived fulfilling, if not wealthy, lives. I am thinking of Joe Louis, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Jesse Owens, George Foreman, and others.

Since the Michael Vick story is still pretty fresh, I want to contact him and offer him my services after I become his friend. If I can help him make better personal and business decisions, I will then move on to others. Eventually, I may become a sports agent who gets known for helping clients build strong character.

Thanks in advance for helping me!