Comments for Liberty and Pride

Comment on Do Felons Deserve a Second Chance by Michael Goins

Michael Goins — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:50:37 +0000

I am even worse off than most here, as I am a recidivist sex offender. I went to prison once in the army, and then once when I got out. The charges were the same, but because of my status employment has been nearly impossible to find. The one good thing to come out of this is that I am fully qualified for Pell grants and Stafford loans, so I am going to go to school, either for Culinary Arts or an Associates in Science.

I do not think society will ever relax the rules, and maybe they should not. If I am being honest, and I owned my own buisness, and a 2 time convicted sex offender came in wanting a job I would probably flat-out refuse him. All I can say is good luck to all in my shoes. At least if I graduate I can say that I did not let my mistakes and my past keep me from trying.

Comment on Do Felons Deserve a Second Chance by Kesha Kelley

Kesha Kelley — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:45:33 +0000

I have a felony and got it in 2007.. my first charge of my life first time iwas in jail.. Finally got off papers in 2010 and now looking for a job.. I have plenty of years in customer service and retail.. graduated from everest for medical insurance billing and coding went back to school for medical assistant and graduate from thete and havent had a job in 3 years.. Can anybody help… I am a dallas, texas girl and willin g to do what i need to for my kids, also willing to walk my way up the ladder if need b.. I JUST NEED A LIL PUSH OPF HELP OR ADVICE…

Comment on Do Felons Deserve a Second Chance by chris suttles

chris suttles — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:14:21 +0000

Well, once released from prison u must, find a job, pay court costs, pay ur probation office, find a home and transportation. Can u find a job? Yes. Can u find a good paying job to keep you from the temptation of going back to crime????
Yeah, convenient stores and fast food hire felons…yay! $7 an hour doesn’t pay for a home, a car and a family! And one writer said he is now a manager, after 4 years. Yay! Well, with a college degree I’m earning $7 an hour and paying court costs and my probation office.

Comment on Do Felons Deserve a Second Chance by esoteric

esoteric — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:43:23 +0000

@ Conservative American: your attitude is a part of the problem. Get off your high horse and have a heart, for God’s sake!

How do you think life is being convicted of, and doing time for a felony I didn’t even commit, having been tricked into confessing, due to my severe naivete concerning the legal system? I’m going, and have been so far, to have a horrible time finding a job!

As far as I’m concerned, I paid my debt to society by the loss of my freedom and the emptying my my wallet via court fines. How does shouldering me with a stigma that hinders my employment help me, you, other taxpayers, or the economy at large? All this does is make me a pissed off young person, with no job, no motivation, possibly no stable home, and having to rely on government handouts, forever. I can’t even back into college, in order to finish and use knowledge gained there to better myself!

Glad you had such an easy time (sarcasm) recovering from your unfortunate days as a felon, but my circumstances are different than yours, while those of some other criminal are also different than yours. The fact that you walked five miles in the snow, uphill both ways to work each day…I really don’t give a sh*t. The fact that you have done it is irrelevant, the fact that I am indeed physically capable of walking miles to work is also irrelevant; your reasoning seems to be “misery loves company” – so because you suffered long hard hours looking for work/trudging to work/struggling through dead-end jobs, that means I have to as well?

Be a human being, have a heart! Drop the whole “it builds character” b**lsh* (or whatever your reasoning is) and either propose a solution, or shut the heck up.

Comment on Muslims Exempt From Obamacare by Bob Miller

Bob Miller — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 19:51:53 +0000

As to ‘auto insurance.”

Read your state statutes. Most are called financial responsibility laws, not “insurance” laws. No one in any state that I am familiar with has to buy commercial insurance. One can self-insure via posting a bond and other methods.

Comment on Do Felons Deserve a Second Chance by omar

omar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:31:12 +0000

Good evening Conservative American. You’ve hit the nail on the head in so many areas and some of them, well I don’t really agree. One that sticks is simply taking responsibility for your actions and not expecting people to come to your aid or rescue. While embarrassing, I am somewhat transparent about my past. I was convicted of a sexual offense with another adult who chose not to tell the truth to save their own hide while in the military. I wouldn’t dare argue guilt or innocence (been there and done that) but I do believe in pulling your own weight. I am so behind you on that. Since release, I have completed my BS in EDU and Human Services. Currently, I am working on my Master’s in Human Service Admin. I will help myself! I have been HIRED and then FIRED or told the position is too high of visibility and even escorted out of work places once the background check came back (even though I disclosed the information in my hiring process). It’s been like that since 2007 and you know what, they are going to have to keep telling me NO until someone see what a great contribution I have to ANY organization. To the others who have served time, stop answering to what they say you are and start making a name for your self. We keep living by these titles and even think we have to live under this new rule of conducting our selves like we dont have ideas; like we can start companies; like we cant raise our children with AS great as morals and values as parents without backgrounds like ours. Like Black people who where ostricized, we have to use every available resource to over come these barriers. IT IS NOT EASY! It will get harder and harder before you see ANY light but if any of your dare to change what society has labeled you as, you contribute to the countless men and women who say I am NOT what you say I am.

Start your business. Education is the ONLY real freedom from any title, label or bondage that you may THINK you are subjected to live under. It’s not about religion (but man does it help) or your walk with any deity; rather it’s about the drive to succeed; standing up and SHOWING the rest of the world that the title is not who you are.

Comment on Obamacare gives the government access to your bank account by Not Surprised

Not Surprised — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:03:05 +0000

For the first time in history, thanks to our president, Big Brother is alive, well and fully functional. If he is re-elected the blame will then lie with the public. He proved, without out a doubt, who and what he stands for.

Comment on Muslims Exempt From Obamacare by Farah

Farah — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:43:21 +0000

this is insulting beyond words. how could something like this NOT have been brought to the public’s attention prior to this behemoth bill being passed….??????? oh i remember, Nazi Pelosi and the famous “you have to pass it to know what’s in it”……..my god, what have we done? whatever chance we had, with the law AND the majority on our side, we let pass when we, the people, didn’t DEMAND her resignation then and there. i pray for peace but with this being shared on facebook its only a matter of time, i fear…please, pray for PEACE!

Comment on Muslims Exempt From Obamacare by Katie Hubbard

Katie Hubbard — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 06:32:09 +0000

If SOME Muslims know this is available to them, they WILL apply for it. SOME Muslims expect to be exempt from many things or demand special treatment because they ARE Muslims. Just read CAIR’s information/”requests” to the medical community and/or law enforcement. You’ll understand what I’m talking about.

Comment on Do Felons Deserve a Second Chance by Nikki B

Nikki B — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:52:16 +0000

im 28 a black woman,and 3 year ago i was convicted of a felon. i’ve always believed that the real punishment would start upon release from jail, when you’re ready to start being a productive citizen and pay taxes. Being a felon taints you. Why should i have to settle for a burger job when i have the background to do much more and make more money. why do i have to work in factories physical labor when i have the education to do much more and make real money. its very discouraging. trying to stay focused. i seriously want a second chance at a real career not just a j.o.b. so this is my life forever? im a Christain i believe in second chances. give me a chance to prove myself is all i ask.