Legalization of prostitution

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A whisper can be heard to legalize prostitution. It is part of the decriminalization movement re victimless crimes. Not as loudly discussed.  Heard occasionally as part of the discussion, however.

 

I believe its time will come. Sooner or later, I cannot tell. However, the movement will proceed as others have. Those that at one time no one thought possible. Such as a woman’s right to vote, women in combat, gay marriage, legalization of marijuana, transgender recognition.

 

Vocal arguments in support will claim such action as being better and safer for the ladies. Provide them with dignity. Pensions and medical coverage will be available. The right to unionize another advantage.

 

Whether true, remains to be seen.

 

If prostitution is legal, it will be an occupation as all others. Participants/employers/employees can be taxed as with any other business/occupation. The tax dollars involved huge..

 

Perhaps pie in the sky. Germany legalized prostitution in 2002. Turned out to be great for tax collections. Detrimental to the ladies.

 

I published a column in August 2013 regarding Germany’s experience. I republish it as part of this column. An eye opener.

 

Germany . . .

Biggest whorehouse in Europe

 

Germany has a propensity for coming up with ideas which appear brilliant on the surface. Ideas which will benefit Germany. Ideas that supposedly will benefit others they intend to do business with. Everyone eats!

 

In the final analysis, only Germany benefits. Only Germany eats.

 

The perfect example is the Eurounion which Germany was instrumental in conceiving and selling to fellow European nations. Each nation would be better off economically. It did not work that way. Germany benefited/benefits big time to the detriment of other countries. Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus being prime examples.

 

Germany came up with another plan which was to work to the benefit of a certain group. Prostitutes.

 

Germany adopted a law in 2002 which legalized prostitution. A simple one page law. Its purpose was to destigmatize prostitution. The ladies henceforth would be considered employees as in all other occupations. They were to have contractual rights with their pimps, the right to pension benefits and medical insurance, the right to unionize.

Prostitution was henceforth to be viewed as a voluntary occupational choice. The selling/rental of a woman’s body was no longer immoral.

 

The world’s oldest profession had come a long way. St. Augustine considered prostitution immoral and wrong. However, he viewed it as a necessary evil. Hundreds of years later, Germany gave it dignity.

 

What was the thinking behind the new German law? Was it really the welfare and dignity of the women involved? Or, was there more?

 

All of the above and perhaps more. Prostitution as a legal occupation became subject to taxation. Taxed nationally by Germany’s federal government. Taxed additionally by Germany’s municipalities. Pursuant to the law, the municipalities had the responsibility of overseeing the prostitution business.

 

Prior to the 2002 law, there were 100,000 prostitutes in Germany. Three years after its adoption, 200,000. Today, 400,000.

Competition became keen. Young ladies flocked to Germany. Easy money was in the offing.

 

The problem was too many got into the business. Most involuntarily, the rest by choice. Of the 400,000 present day prostitutes, 300,000 are estimated to have come from Eastern Europe. Primarily Romania and Bulgaria. Most brought into Germany by unscrupulous pimps who had now become legitimate businessmen. Promises were made that the young ladies would have a better life. Lies, of course. They unknowingly were forced into prostitution when they arrived. Threats and beatings became commonplace to keep the women in line.

Where economics is involved, matters come down to supply and demand. Legality brought with it the tremendous influx of new ladies to the profession. As evidenced by the 400,000 prostitutes presently in Germany.

 

Today, there are 3,000 brothels in Germany. Five hundred in Berlin alone. It is estimated that 1.2 million men pay for sex daily.

With so many women available, competition became cut throat. Prices for sex services suffered. They dropped. Dramatically. In 2002, the charge for oral sex and intercourse was 40 Euros. Fifty four dollars American money. Today, 10 Euros. Thirteen dollars American money. In many instances, less than 10 Euros. Whatever a lady can get.

 

A buyer’s market.

 

Package deals have come into play. There is a twelve story brothel in Cologne. Every floor and every room occupied by a working girl who must be kept busy. Hi rises are common in the German brothel business. The Cologne one offers the customer all the sex and all the alcohol he wants for as long as the customer wants it. For 50 Euros.  Roughly $65 American money. Another in a different city offers all the sex the customer can handle in one visit for 50 Euros. These prices include multiple companions.

 

Germany has become known as the discount sex capital of the world. Obviously.

 

Tour promoters from other countries, including the United States, offer six-day packages. Business is booming. Thailand formerly had the distinction of being the sex capital. Germany has outdistanced Thailand because of it cheap prices.

 

Big business requires marketing to continue successfully. Brothel operators offer all sort of incentives. An afternoon discount for men 66 or older. A 20 per cent discount to the unemployed. Day passes. Rebates to golfers. Flat rates. Flat rates being the one price for all services for as long as desired described hereinbefore.

 

Prostitutes have been left behind. Those whose lives were to have been enriched by the 2002 law. There are no contracts, pension or medical plans. The ladies are subjected to significantly more abuse than before.

 

Business is tough. Brothel operators have become tough. The girls are required to service more men per day. Whereas most used to do 10 men per day, the number is now 20 or 40, depending on the brothel involved. Unbelievable! In the infrequent times they are not working, the ladies are kept crowded in small single rooms with one bed. No toilet facility, except down the hall.

 

Germany and the municipalities are not suffering, however. They are getting rich tax wise.

 

Germany’s federal government taxes a prostitute’s income. Brothel operators are also taxed. A flat rate per prostitute per day. Twenty five to 30 Euros. Note per day. The municipalities also tax. Acceptable conduct in the taxing world.

All this amounts to triple taxation. Not double taxation.

 

The tax flow dollars are tremendous. No source could be discovered which measured the federal government’s take. However, information was available indicating the tax income of certain municipalities. Astronomical!

 

Not everyone is inclined to voluntarily pay taxes. Tax avoidance is a universal game at every level and profession. Bonn was concerned the street walkers were not paying. Without a brothel operator or pimp, it was difficult to compel voluntary payment.

Bonn put in automated pay stations on the streets. Like parking meters. Each street-walker is required to deposit 6 euros a night. Nine dollars American money. Police keep tabs on the ladies. They cannot be arrested for prostitution as it is legal. They can however be fined for not having their 6 euro receipt.

 

Bonn’s cost for each meter was $11,575 American money. The number speaks for itself as to the tax dollars involved.

The Bonn street walkers are incensed. They consider the meter double taxation.

 

Bonn does provide a service. It has constructed large wood garages where the ladies can take their customers to do the deed in the privacy of a customer’s car.

 

The thrust of this article is not that prostitution is legal in Germany. It is legal in other places. Nevada, Amsterdam, and Sweden for example. The thrust is to show another example of how Germany came up with a brilliant idea to help a certain class. The help did not materialize. Never the less, Germany benefited. The class walked away empty-handed. In worse condition than before.

 

Germany did it with the Eurounion. It has done it again with the prostitutes.

 

Please Germany, no more brilliant ideas! No ideas! You are bad news!

BLACK LIVES MATTER / PLAY TOUGH

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Republicans do not have a monopoly on wealth. There are wealthy persons on the Democratic side of the ledger, also.

 

Whereas wealthy Republicans generally make political donations to further selfish business interests, wealthy Democrats tend to support a cause rather than a monetary interest.

 

A noteworthy Democrat is Gorge Soros. Soros made his fortune in the stock market. He is a recognized American business magnate. Forbes lists him as the 17th richest person in the world. His wealth is estimated at $24 billion.

 

Soros is a supporter of progressive liberal causes. He believes in social justice and supports organizations so inclined. His donations are  in the millions.

 

He also supports those major political candidates who believe as he does. Hillary Clinton, an example. He has already given in the first six months of this year to two Clinton super PACs. Priorities USA Action and American Bridge 21st Century. $1 million each. It is expected similar sized and larger donations will be made as the campaign progresses.

 

Soros thought George W. Bush was bad for America. Especially Bush’s decision to invade Iraq. He contributed $20 million in the 2004 Presidential election to various groups in an effort to defeat Bush.

 

Soros donations to liberal causes and candidates are made personally and through his Open Society Foundations. Those receiving contributions are close to one thousand.

 

Soros assumes no direct control over the groups receiving the monies. He understands the liberal thought process of the groups receiving the money and leaves it to them to do the right thing. Soros does not mini-manage them.

 

The first anniversary of Michael Brown and Ferguson recently occurred. It is said Soros contributed $33 million to bank roll the demonstrations which took place a couple of weeks ago. Not to one group alone. Too many. Not at the time of the demonstrations, but months before.

 

The Chief of Police for St. Louis County said the demonstrations were not locally caused. He said outsiders were fomenting the trouble. I did not believe him at the time. I do now. $33 million adds a lot of inflamed protest to a situation.

 

Many of the recent Ferguson protesters were outside activists. Primarily from Washington, DC and New York. Professional organizer types. All on the payroll of the organization they represented. Most funded by Soros.

 

One of the Soros funded organizations at Ferguson was Black Lives Matter. They have been in the news frequently the past few weeks. Black Lives Matter is the group that has been interrupting Presidential candidates. One being a Bernie Sanders at a rally in Seattle on August 8.

 

Black Lives Matter is a grassroots activist movement. It was born in the wake of and in protest of George Zimmerman’s acquittal in the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2013. The 2014 shooting of Michael Brown and the choking death of Eric Garner enraged the group further.

 

Since Zimmerman’s acquittal in 2013, the Black Lives Matter group has conducted Black Lives Matter demonstrations 984 times worldwide.

 

Black Lives Matter is a growing force of influence. Politically and otherwise.

 

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow applies here. Black Lives Matter was started by three black ladies in 2013. Today it has chapters all over the U.S. and continues to open new chapters at a fast rate.

 

Black Lives Matter is full time paid persons. This is their work for which they are adequately compensated. A difference from other political movements. The monies primarily coming from Soros contributions.

 

Black Lives Matter representatives are hard ass people. Tough. They do their job well. Perhaps too well.

 

On July 15, they interrupted the Netroots Nation Conference in Phoenix. The cry was, “Burn everything down!” At the same event, the group interrupted the speeches of Democratic candidates Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley.

 

Bernie Sanders was in Seattle on August 8. There is no Democratic candidate further to the left. He has been a social and civil rights activist his whole life. He is an Independent seeking the Democratic nomination.

 

Black Lives Matter members stormed the stage. They physically took the microphone from Sanders. They took over the rally. Sanders walked off the stage.

 

Bullies in the pulpit.

 

Black Lives Matter representatives said Sanders was not doing enough to reform criminal justice and promote racial equality.

 

Republican candidates were not immune. On August 13, the group interrupted a Las Vegas Jeb Bush rally.

 

Following the Sanders Seattle rally, members of Black Lives Matter were asked by a media person….. Why Sanders? What about other candidates? The reply was they had something planned for everyone.

 

I was concerned. Sanders was moving up in the polls. He was about to overtake Clinton. He has recently in New Hampshire. I wondered whether favoritism was being shown Clinton. Recall Soros is a major Clinton contributor and expected to be even a bigger one as the campaign moves forward.

 

Was there concern by some that Sanders had to be brought down in order to help Clinton?

 

The question brought to mind the dirty tricks by Donald Segretti on behalf of the Committee for the Re-Election of the President in the famous Nixon campaign. The dirty tricks were considered questionable and unethical. Apparently illegal. Segretti was sentenced to jail.

 

Federal laws were passed post Watergate covering dirty tricks.

 

On August 11, Clinton was holding a public forum in Keene, New Hampshire. The topic involved mass incarceration. Boston chapter members of Black Lives Matter were on their way to attend the rally. I assume also to interrupt, as per their prior activities.

 

The group arrived as the rally was in progress. Clinton had not spoken yet. The door to the rally was locked. No further persons were permitted to enter. The Clinton people had been made aware that the group was on its way and intended to appear.

 

I never heard of people being barred from a political rally. Lock the door? Come on.

 

The reason given was capacity. An overflow crowd. Too many. It was represented that the Secret Service had decided no further persons be admitted. Since, a Secret Service representative has verified that it was their idea to preclude further admissions.

 

I may be getting cynical in my old age. I find it hard to believe public officials. Especially the Secret service. A group that partied with prostitutes paid for by a drug cartel in a South American country, who have not been able to secure the White House, etc.

 

The Boston group were placed in an overflow room and required to watch Clinton on TV. The overflow group, including the Black Lives Matter people, totaled less than 20.

 

Afterwards, Clinton did meet with the group in the overflow room for 15 minutes. Black Lives Matter representatives said no pictures and no reporters. Clinton agreed. However, Black Lives Matter videoed the interview and intend showing it at a later date.

 

Following the meeting, kumbaya prevailed.  The group said they were satisfied with Clinton’s responses. Though they had further questions they would raise at a later time.

 

I do not believe Soros had anything to do with the Clinton rally. Nor the Sanders rally for that matter. He leaves those he funds alone to do their thing. Also, he is not as his wealthy Republican counterparts. He contributes money to further liberal causes. Not to add to a company or person’s bottom line. The contrast glaring when it comes to motivations.

 

I have to question the Clinton rally. The group showing up late, being barred because there was no room at the inn, having to watch on TV in another room, interviewing Clinton in that room afterwards, refusing reporters to be present or photos taken, coming out of the meeting saying in effect everything was A-ok, etc.

 

Fishy? Sounds that way.

 

The Sanders rally speaks for itself.

 

Black Lives Matter is here to stay. The group is sufficiently funded to live a long life. Their purpose is right. Admirable. Their methods wrong. Deplorable. Interrupting a speaker as they have done does not set right with me. Nor does the shooting of blacks by cops. Two wrongs do not make a right, however.

HEMINGWAY’S FIRST LOVE

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Ernest Hemingway was 18 years old. William Robertson described him as “…..untested in love, war or writing.” Not for long, however.

 

It was the spring of 1918. World War I was raging. Hemingway went to Italy to become a Red Cross ambulance driver. Within one short year, he became expert in love and war. Soon thereafter, in writing.

 

Hemingway was severely wounded by mortar fire. Shrapnel in his legs. After suffering the wounds, dragging himself along he assisted several Italian soldiers to safety. He received the Italian Silver Medal for Bravery.

 

He was sent to a hospital in Milan. His recovery took six months. During that time, Hemingway fell deeply in love with Agnes von Kurowsky. Agnes was a Red Cross nurse.

 

Plans were made to marry. Hemingway returned to the States. Agnes was to follow soon thereafter.

 

Agnes did not follow. Instead she sent Hemingway a Dear John letter.

 

The letter began, “I am writing this late of night after a long think by myself and I am afraid it is going to hurt you, but I’m sure it won’t harm you permanently…..”

 

Agnes was seven years older than Hemingway. In the letter, she referred to him as “kid, my kid.” She wrote she was fond of him “more as a mother than a sweetheart.”

 

Agnes broke Hemingway’s heart.

 

After Hemingway had left Italy and before she wrote Hemingway, Agnes fell in love with an Italian officer. The officer came from an influential and moneyed family. They never married. The Italian officer broke off the engagement. He became convinced she was marrying him for position and money.

 

Agnes had several such relationships after Hemingway. Strange that she felt it necessary to better herself via marriage or otherwise. She was already part of the social hierarchy. Her father had been a teacher of languages, an uncle a world famous Chicago architect, and a grandfather a general in the U.S. Army.

 

Agnes studied at a seminary school for ladies. She became a librarian. Her specialty cataloging. She found the position unexciting. She returned to school and became a nurse.

 

Agnes did not marry till 1928. She was twice married.

 

Hemingway and Agnes neither saw nor spoke to each other after the Dear John letter.

 

Hemingway went on to literary fame. Agnes a housewife who in later years returned to to work as a library cataloger.

 

Agnes maintained the relationship was an innocent flirtation. Hemingway viewed it as a loving affair, sex a definite part of it.

 

Agnes to her dying day denied sex was involved. In the Milan days, virtue was part and parcel of a woman. No sex before marriage. No living together before marriage. Agnes was preserving her public virginity by denying sexual involvement with Hemingway.

 

Hemingway kept his pain to himself. Except in his writings. Literary scholars believe the emotional effect of Agnes’ rejection molded his impression of women. The Agnes experience triggered his literary preoccupation with romantic loss.

 

Many believe Catherine Barkley in A Farewell To Arms was based on Agnes. They are also of the opinion she was the heroine in two short stories. A Very Short Story and The Snows Of Kilimanjaro.

 

Things get a bit murky. Agnes moved to Key West to live in 1951. She lived in Key West with her second husband till 1965. While in Key West, she worked at the Monroe County Library as a cataloger. She left in 1965 because she got sick of the conch train going by her home and announcing over the loudspeaker…..This is the house of Ernest Hemingway’s girl friend.

 

Agnes had always sought to keep her Hemingway relationship secret. She sought neither gain nor notoriety at any time.

 

Hemingway was dead. His fourth wife Mary returned to Key West to clean out a trunk of old papers stored at Sloppy Joe’s. Among the papers were Agnes’ letters to Hemingway, including the Dear John letter.

 

Mary met with Agnes. In fact, they met several times. Became friends. Mary returned to Agnes the letters written by Agnes to Hemingway. Most were passionate. Those letters were eventually given to Henry Villard who shared them and other documents with John Nagle, a Hemingway expert.

 

When Hemingway was in the hospital in Milan, a fellow patient was Henry Villard. Villard and Hemingway became best friends. A friendship that lasted their lifetimes. Villard became a prominent American diplomat.

 

Agnes needed a favor from Villard. This was after Hemingway’s death and while she was still living in Key West. She wrote Villard and told him that if he could arrange the favor (which had nothing to do with the Hemingway/Agnes relationship), she would surprise him at some point.

 

That time came upon Agnes’ death. Agnes had kept a diary of her relationship with Hemingway. She left the diary and letters previously mentioned to Villard.

 

The diary and letters were examined ad infinitum by literary experts. The issue became…..Did the two really have sex? Opinion falls on both sides of the issue.

 

Hemingway was a frequent traveler from Havana to Key West after he took up residence in Cuba. He never saw Agnes while in Key West. It is believed he never knew she resided in Key West.

 

Interesting. More interesting than fiction. The truth always is.

THE STEALING OF AMERICA

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Money controls elections. Election results provide control of Congress, the decision making process of government. Results even control Presidents.

 

There is an old saying…..He who pays the fiddler calls the tune. How true!

 

Big money controlling the government has resulted in elected politicians becoming feudal serfs of those who have the money. Elected officials no longer represent the people. Major corporations and the rich reap the benefits of laws that make it easier for them to increase their net worth and profitability. To the detriment of the American people.

 

Former President Carter recently said that the United States was an oligarchy. He was correct. He said the United States became that way because of unlimited political bribery. Correct again.

 

Carter claims that large unlimited contributions by the rich are “…..a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors.” He observed that elected officials consider “…..unlimited money as a great benefit to themselves.”

 

Our elected representatives are dance house ladies willing to dance with anyone who can pay their way. Major corporations and the rich buy all the tickets.

 

Million dollar contributions are the direct result of Citizen United decided several years ago. Recall, corporations are persons, they have a right to be heard, etc. Called freedom of speech. Citizen United and subsequent decisions paved the way. The modus operendi. Contributions would be to super PACs. The money in turn found its way into candidate’s coffers. All legal.

 

For years, the United States recognized the danger of large amounts of money influencing elected persons. Contributions were limited. Today, unbridled.

 

A perfect example is Hedge-Fund magnate Roger Mercer. He donated $11 million to a super PAC supporting Ted Cruz. If he had donated directly to Cruz’s campaign, his contribution would have been limited to $2,700.

 

Who is screwing who here?

 

Today, there are three ways to make contributions to candidates.

 

The first is the old fashioned method of personal direct payment. Limited by law. The $2,700 thing. The second is the relatively new super PAC indirect way which permits corporations and the rich to give unlimited dollars into the millions. The third involves contributions via non profit groups. Referred to as 501(c) (4) contributions. Disclosure not required.

 

Quite frankly, the nonprofit one confuses me. I cannot figure it out. All I know is that the contributor to the nonprofit fund is not disclosed. Important to those who do not want the public to know who they might be trying to influence or buy.

 

Analyzing which candidate is taking in the most money is difficult. Direct contributions are one item. Super PACs another. Considered separately for accounting and disclosure purposes.

 

Via the direct contribution route Hillary Clinton as of 7/31 had raised. $47.5 million. She had raised twice as much as any other candidate. Jeb Bush raised only $11.4 million re the direct donation route. A far cry from Clinton’s $47.5 million. However, Bush had raised considerably more when super PAC monies were considered. Bush had raised $103 million as opposed to Clinton’s $15.6 million.

 

Scott Walker announced his candidacy on July 13. Within days, Wisconsin billionaire Diane Hendricks contributed $5 million to the Walker Super PAC. In two weeks, Walker took in $20 million total via super PAC contributions. He even announced he was going to finance his candidacy with super PAC dollars rather than direct contributions.

 

Walker appears to be a favorite among super PAC contributors. His Wisconsin governor years have been supported by the Koch brothers. In addition to the $5 million Hendricks contribution, Marlene Ricketts gave $4.9 million. The owners of the Chicago Cubs $2.5 million.

 

Then there are those candidates who have few if any supporters with the big bucks. Bernie Sanders, for example. He raised $15.2 million via direct contributions. Significantly less from super PAC monies. Direct contributions represented 76 percent of the $15.2 million.

 

Ted Cruz has taken in $38 million via super PAC contributions. Glad to receive the money. However, he is right up front condemning the process. An intelligent man. He speaks effectively out of both sides of his mouth. He recently said, “Lobbyists and career politicians today make up what I call the Washington Cartel….. (They) on a daily basis are conspiring against the American people…..career politicians’ ears and wallets are open to the highest bidder.”

 

Joe Biden says that “…..where the money is, there’s almost implicitly some string attached.”

 

John Dingell, the 29 term Democratic Congressman from Michigan, recently stated, “…..our government has largely been put up for sale.”

 

John Kerry in his farewell remarks to the Senate in 2013 said, “…..alliance of money…..is steadily silencing the voice of the vast majority of Americans…..corrosion of money in politics…..muzzles more Americans than it empowers…..an imbalance that can only sow the seeds of unrest.”

 

In 2009, a year after the bank created recession, John Durbin said, “The banks…..are still the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill…..they frankly own the place.”

 

The America we knew is gone. Do we want it back? If so, we have to work for it. Citizen United must be reversed. Only the Supreme Court can do it. Which means the next member of the Court has to be a Democrat. Get involved. Watch for whom you vote. Party affiliation should not be the guiding force in who to vote for. Make candidates keep promises made. Let them know you are watching.

 

Keep in mind that money talks, bullshit walks. Another reason Citizens United has to go.

 

It is said we have become a 1 percent / 99 percent society. Things are bad. For the people. Not the rich. Some say power still resides with the people. It has only diminished. I say under present circumstances less power is no power.

 

We are supposed to be and once were a government of the people, by the people, for the people. We have become a government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich.

 

Is this what we want?

HARRY TRUMAN’S MOTHER IN LAW

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Poor Harry Truman. One of the greats. Accomplished what he did while living with his mother in law for 33 years. A woman described as a mother in law from Hell.

 

Margaret “Madge” Gates Wallace lived as a dowager. She was the top of the social hierarchy in Independence, Missouri. Raised and lived in one of the biggest homes. Her family had servants, lace curtains and Brussell carpets on the floor.

 

Truman came from the other side of the tracks. Literally. He was a farmer’s son and a dirt farmer himself till 33. He never graduated from college, could not seem to hold a job down after his farming days were over. Failed as a haberdasher. Lost a ton of money in a zinc mining operation that failed.

 

Bess was the well heeled granddaughter of Independence’s Flour King. As far as Madge was concerned, Bess made a colossal social faux pas in marrying Truman.

 

Truman could not afford a home for his wife Bess and daughter Margaret till he became a United States Senator. Prior thereto, he lived in his mother in law Madge’s home.

 

Madge thought Truman would fail as a politician. Told him so repeatedly to his face. Questioned his decisions while President. Even worse, she initially questioned his qualifications to be President.

 

Madge hated Truman. Never thought him good enough for her daughter. Even after he became President. He was unworthy of Bess. Madge never let Truman forget the low esteem in which she held him.

 

She never referred to her son in law as Harry or son. Always, Mr. Truman. Even after he became President.

 

She was a confirmed anti-Semite. Gave Truman repeated hell for recognizing the new State of Israel.

 

When Truman ran against Dewey in 1948, her opinion was that Dewey was the better man, that Dewey would trounce Truman.

 

She was critical with Truman firing General Douglas Mac Arthur. She thought MacArthur was “…..such a nice man.” She also said she could not “…..imagine a captain from the National Guard telling off a West Point general.”

 

Madge’s husband David stepped into his bath tub one day, put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger. Madge could never cope following the incident. She considered her husband’s suicide a scandal. She became a prisoner of shame. From that day forward, she leaned heavily on Bess to take care of her. Truman assumed the responsibility also upon his marriage to Bess.

 

Truman did a good job. Especially since Madge’s dislike for him was obvious. When he was elected to the Senate, Madge came to Washington with the family. She and Margaret shared a bedroom in the apartment. When Truman became President, Madge moved into the White House where she had her own bedroom.

 

Madge died at the age of 90 in her White House bedroom. She had lived with the President and Bess for 33 years.

 

During his Presidency, Truman visited Key West a total of 175 days covering eleven separate trips. Not once did Madge join him. Fortunate for the President, perhaps.

 

Some further Truman background is in order.

 

Truman was raised and lived his early adult years on a farm. Working as a farmer. The Truman family moved to Independence when the President was 6. Independence in those days was at the edge of the American frontier. Men carried knives and guns. Fistfights common.

 

Truman’s mother taught him how to read starting at age 5. She sat him on her lap and used the family Bible as a text book..

 

When Truman was courting Bess, Bess’ home was far different from his. Madge’s family did not work with their hands. They had no debt. They did not worry about insects. A constant concern at the Truman farm home.

 

Truman was a good man. Obviously. An excellent President. An excellent son in law. He put up with his mother in law Madge’s abuse each and every year he was courting or living as man and wife with Bess.

 

I came across an article listing history’s six notorious mothers in law. Madge was one of them. Right next to Catherine de Medici.

 

Historians suggest Truman tolerated and took care of Madge out of respect for Bess. His love for her was so great that he bore Madge’s insults their entire relationship.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD SELLS ABORTED FETUS BABY PARTS

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Selling body parts is big business worldwide. Lucrative. Four years ago, I wrote an article and did a TV show concerning the subject.

 

There has been little news concerning the subject since that time. Until last week.

 

The sale of body parts is a crime. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. A federal crime.

 

Yet a person can decide pre-death if he or she wants a certain body part to be preserved and forwarded for use to a person in need. Such is legal. As long as the donating person and hospital and staff removing the organ do not receive payment.

 

The organs are generally sent to a corporation that specializes in seeing where the organs are needed, who is to receive the next one, etc. That organization may charge.

 

This past week it was discovered Planned Parenthood sells the human tissue of aborted fetuses. Also, intact body parts from partial birth abortions. The tissue makes available cells for different body organs. The intact body parts include the heart, kidneys, lungs and liver. Plus, and this is the big one, calvarium. Calvarium is the technical term for an intact body head.

 

Planned Parenthood and its affiliates perform removals. The national Planned Parenthood arranges procedures and details.

 

Planned Parenthood is paid for the cells and body parts. Anywhere from $30 to $100. The purchasing company arranges for subsequent sales. Such sales legal. At astounding prices. A vial of two million fresh cells sells for $1,932. Frozen cells, $1,840. Liver tissue as much as $23,000. The purchasers generally pharmaceutical houses.

 

There is the legal term informed consent. It requires in this instance the knowledge and permission of the donor to donate a body part. Query: Are women going in for an abortion made aware that the fetus’ body parts will be sold?

 

Plan Parenthood’s selling of aborted baby cells and body parts has been going on for years. Very few persons outside the network of those involved knew. How this knowledge came to the world’s attention this past week is interesting.

 

There was an undercover meeting involving one of the heads of Planned Parenthood and two movie actors. The movie actors represented they were interested in doing business with Planned Parenthood for body parts. A luncheon meeting in a public place. Nothing fancy.

 

Dr. Deborah Nuctalola was the Planned Parenthood representative. Dr. Nuctalola spoke openly and knowingly. She responded to questions asked in a similar fashion. Even to the extent of explaining how care had to be taken in the partial birth situations to avoid damaging the organ. Note that it is a crime to perform an abortion in such fashion as to intentionally preserve a certain body part.

 

The video can be found on the Internet.

 

The video reminded me of a movie made several years ago involving leading Germans sitting around a conference table quietly and matter of factly discussing the final elimination of Jews via gas chambers. Feelings and morality nonexistent in the movie and video. If anything, the video reflected a person proud of the fashion in which the business of removing aborted fetal tissue and body parts was done. The Doctor’s was a professional presentation in an informal setting.

 

The U.S. Congress has called for hearings by July 31.

 

Margaret Sanger is recognized as the mother of Planned Parenthood. The fetal tissue/body organ discovery has opened Sanger to closer scrutiny. She is long dead, having passed away in 1966.

 

The information concerning Sanger includes her being anti-black, having participated in Klu Klux Klan meetings, being a believer that only the fittest should survive, all others sterilized and /or segregated via concentration camps. She supported Nazi doctrines and euthanasia.

 

The exposure of Planned Parenthood’s sale of aborted fetus tissue and body parts and Sanger’s background were precipitated by the recent South Carolina Confederate flag issue. It is called action and reaction. You hurt me, I hurt you.

WE LOST OUR WAY…..

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We lost our way. I am not telling you anything you do not know. Our values have changed. We are in a downward spiral.

 

Examples are rampant.

 

Hitting us in the eye constantly these days is the police/black problem. Actually, a police v. citizens’ problem regardless of color. Police historically served to protect the people. Today, they are the enemy. The police concern is for their personal safety first. Not those they are sworn to protect.

 

Shootings aside, a more obvious example is what occurred recently in Tampa. A detective on a robbery call was driving an unmarked vehicle. He hit a pedestrian, Did not stop nor report the incident to his superiors. The pedestrian was decapitated.

 

It took almost ten days for his superiors to determine he might be the bad guy. The dead man’s blood was the same as the droplets of blood on the police vehicle. They still have not arrested him.

 

Authorities tend to whitewash police incidents.

 

Secret Service and other federal officials party with prostitutes in foreign countries. The services of the ladies generally paid for by drug cartel persons.

 

The recent Charleston shootings bring to our attention an FBI foul up.

The FBI is purportedly the best of the best. The FBI did the check up of the killer when he sought to buy the gun. An error was committed in the Charleston killer’s case. The FBI failed to disclose all details of the young man’s criminal record. A proper disclosure would have resulted in a rejection of the gun sale. The gun used to kill the nine people.

 

Court decisions in most instances have gone from bad to worse. People have lost faith in the judicial process. Especially United States Supreme Court decisions. We have been plagued in recent years by bad decisions. An example being Citizens United which opened the door to permitting corporations and the rich to make unlimited contributions to political candidates.

 

Money buys elections. Congress a perfect example. Even Presidents to an extent. Politicians are influenced by those who contribute large sums to them.

 

Politicians lie to us. Even a President of the United States. Bush 2 and weapons of mass destruction.

 

Computer hacking now a way of life. Especially government and corporate records. Just last week, it was announced that the 4 million turned out to be 21 million persons who had their personnel files held by the government hacked. Congress fails to allocate enough monies to keep security systems up to date. Corporate America fails to do so also. Money spent on security takes away from profit.

 

Hatred and bad blood permeate our society. People do not differ merely from thoughtful political perspectives. Their differences are driven by a hatred for the other side.

 

There was a time we fought wars to win them. No longer. Now wars seem to be fought merely to maintain the status quo.

 

God has become a part of our political back and forth. Church leaders have become participants re public issues before the media. They spend more time in public view than in their pulpits. The clerics pursue dogma and policies that do not fly with Church members. Following which the clerics wonder why their churches are empty.

 

Unions were once strong. Over the years, they have been crippled. Cut off at the knees.Starting with Reagan’s handling of the air comptrollers. The unions had become too strong and needed to be cut down to size. However not so much that they could become extinct.

 

Unions are a necessary ingredient when it comes to workers’ rights. Corporations are not going to worry about the welfare of their employees. Profit is their concern. Unions must be revitalized to keep employers honest in employee dealings. Do not expect employers to police themselves.

 

We read about the Greeks not paying taxes. We have the same problem right here in the United States. Trillions of dollars of corporate profit and the profits of the rich sit untaxed in off shore accounts. The corporations and rich not paying their fair share.

 

We like to think the United States is a God fearing nation. The good book says we are our brother’s keeper. How does that line up with a Republican party that wants to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

 

I could go on and on. The point has been made.

 

Some will disagree with my observations. Some a few, some many. The examples are everyday realities, however. They hit us right in the face. They cannot be denied. As long as we are willing to see that which is. And not what we want to see.

ILLEGAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING

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No, it does not refer to young girls being taken across territorial lines for purposes of prostitution. Rather, a new form of transportation. Uber.  Same name as the company.

 

Uber is a whole new concept in shuttling people around who need transportation from one point to another. Similar to a cab. Yet not a cab. So claims Uber.

 

Uber had its beginnings in 2009 in San Francisco. One of its its founders, Travis Kalanick, is CEO. Senior Vice President is David Plouffe. Plouffe is an experienced political operative. Plouffe was one of Obama’s chief political strategists. He knows how to mobilize political support.

 

Uber refers to itself a new type transit provider, a transportation network company. Technologically driven. If one needs a ride and has a smart phone, the process is simple. There is an app on the phone. Push a button and a vehicle shows up to take you where you want to go. The slogan, Tap an App. Generally quicker and at half the price of a cab.

 

Uber has grown dramatically since 2009. Money initially was invested by outsiders in the millions. Now in the billions. Uber is presently valued at $41 billion. By the end of 2015, it is anticipated further billion dollar investments will be made. Uber’s value is expected to rise to $50 billion.

 

Uber presently operates in over 300 cities covering six continents.

 

Uber does not screw around when it wants to do business in a State or City. It generally either comes in unannounced or gives a city a reasonable amount of time to make up its mind that Uber can do business. If a city says no, Uber literally storms in with an army of lobbyists and lawyers. Sharp elbows the order of the day.

 

Most states/cities have rules regarding cab services. Uber says it is not a cab. It also says it cannot wait months or years for local laws to be cleaned up so they can operate. Regardless of size, few cities can play tough for only so long with a $41 billion company accustomed to getting its way.

 

Uber’s  primary tool is the power of back room lobbying. The art of political influence. The reason Plouffe is on board.

 

Uber has a presence in almost every State house. Two hundred fifty lobbyists and 29 lobbying firms in State capitols. One third more than Walmart.

 

Uber has expanded internationally also.

 

Uber has a local rules be damned attitude. They are experienced, know what is legal, what the law permits. They have a package that sets forth steps necessary so it can operate in an area. The troops are sent in to get things done if local cooperation is not forthcoming. The troops all heavy hitters. Well connected.

 

Portland, Oregon was a problem. Uber hired Dan Bates to lobby for the company. Bates was Portland’s lobbyist in the capitol. In Kansas, Uber used Governor Sam Brownbeck’s former campaign manager as its lobbyist. The man was also a lobbyist working for KOCH industries at the time. In Connecticut, Uber hired the House Speaker’s firm. In Illinois, a former Governor’s Chief of Staff.

 

Examples of how Uber spends its money promotion wise include the State of Texas. In 2013, Uber had no registered lobbyists in Texas. In 2014, 14. Thus far in 2015, 28. Lobbyist contracts are speculated to cost Uber for 2015 in the area of $420,000-$945,000. More money than Philip Morris or Pfizer spends.

 

In 2014 in Maryland, Uber paid its lobbyists $208,000. In California, $684,000. Uber spent $600,000 in a Seattle referendum. Lobbying efforts cost them for city purposes alone in Washington, DC, $314,000.

 

The Philippines approved Uber in May. The Nevada Assembly passed a bill in May legalizing Uber service. It is expected the legislation will pass easily the Senate and be signed by the Governor.

 

Paris itself and France a war. Both presently oppose Uber. Paris taxi drivers a strong political influence. They struck to express their opposition. The Netherlands, Italy, Indonesia and South Korea are investigating Uber and obtaining court ordered bans against the company. I question how long these countries can hold out against Uber. Especially the Asian ones. Billions of Chinese dollars are invested in the company.

 

Taxi drivers in many places make $6 an hour. In those same places, Uber drivers earn $16 an hour. Some taxi companies require drivers to pay upfront costs each day. Approximately $175. The first $175 taken in goes to the company to cover the cost of the vehicle, dispatch costs and insurance costs. Then the driver makes money for himself. Could be as much as $200 a day or significantly less.

 

Taxi drivers and taxi companies are the one’s opposing Uber. Customers generally like Uber’s service. Quicker and cheaper. Uber knows how to get the populace on its side and to continue supporting the company after it is allowed to work in a city. Petitions are used. As in politics. People love Uber and are happy to sign petitions supporting Uber’s aims.

 

This is not the Biblical David and Goliath situation. Cities are the David’s. They cannot stand up to the Goliath Uber.

 

This brings me to Key West. Since December 14 last year, there have been Uber vehicles operating in Key West. Local cab companies raised hell. Key West stood for their locals. Not realizing the people working with Uber were generally locals also.

 

Key West has an ordinance requiring passenger vehicles for hire to have a decal or permit authorizing their use as same. A violation of the ordinance is a crime. A misdemeanor. The penalty a fine of $200 and/or up to sixty days in jail.

 

Key West invoked the ordinance. Two undercover Key West police officers arrested two drivers. Their cases are pending. Local authorities also have warned that as of July 1, all persons violating the law will be arrested.

 

There are four cab companies in Key West. The number of permits is 56 or 74. I could not determine the actual number. The four companies own all the permits. There is no room for a new type transportation company. Assuming the ordinance applies to Uber.

 

Uber is not a bad guy. It is a good company that discovered a new way of operating a transportation business. A way that provides cheaper prices and quicker pick up time to customers.

 

Uber does play hard ass. It could not stay in business if they had to screw around ad infinitum with different local and State ordinances to get their business going in a particular locality. Uber has invented the better mouse trap. They come into a community and say we have something new and better. Which they  do. This is what we would like to do and we know how to do it.

 

Key West in fighting Uber is merely putting off the inevitable. Uber succeeds in the end because it understands its business. Legally and other wise.

 

Key West must keep in mind what happened in a similar situation several years ago. The Duck Tours case. Cost Key West $8 million. Uber and the Duck matter have many similarities.

 

Then there are the more recent food truck cases. Key West said the operations were restaurants and needed local approvals. The owners said no. We are motor vehicles. The court agreed, ruling food trucks were motor vehicles. The city lost. Not an $8 million beating. Fortunately.

 

It is a new time. The world progresses. Uber has what appears to be a better product for all concerned. I am not saying put the cab companies out of business. No, merely let Uber compete with them fair and square. I believe 5-10 years down the road, cabs as such will be a thing of the past. They will not be able to survive against the tide. Technology as Uber represents will have taken over. Uber and similar companies will be the transportation vehicles of the new day.

AMAZING GRACE REVISITED

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I FIRST WROTE THIS ARTICLE EIGHT YEARS AGO. THE ONE YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ IS ITS SIXTH PUBLICATION. AMAZING GRACE TOUCHED ME AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. THE PRESENT PUBLICATION WAS MOTIVATED BY REVEREND CLEMENTA PINCKNEY’S SERVICE AND PRESIDENT OBAMA’S EULOGY. THE PRESIDENT BEGAN SINGING AMAZING GRACE ALONE AS PART OF THE EULOGY. WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION JOINED IN.

 

AMAZING GRACE

 

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

 

There is a story that goes with these beautiful words and the song from whence they came. It starts with slavery.

 

Most are unaware that the Founding Fathers dealt with the issue of the importation of slaves to the United States in the Constitution. Article I, section 9, stated in effect that the government could not ban the importation of slaves for at least 20 years.

 

Why such was placed in the original Constitution is not certain. I suspect that the Founding Fathers, most of whom were slave owners, were of the opinion that twenty years would give them enough time to propagate additional slaves. Since slaves had a significant monetary value and one’s worth was often measured by slaves owned, it made sense that there had to be a time when no more would be permitted entry to the United States. An overabundance of slaves could conceivably diminish the value of each slave.

 

Twenty years passed. The Congress could not wait to pass a law banning further importation of slaves to the United States. They did it one year early in 1807. Thomas Jefferson was President at the time. He is also considered the Father of the Constitution. He supported the proposed law and did not hesitate in signing it. The law went into effect January 1, 1808.

 

From that day forward, the United States Navy was on the lookout for any ships that were attempting to bring new slaves to American shores. The Navy was kept busy. Slavery was a big business. It took till 1862 for the Navy to finally eradicate the problem.

 

Although the final three slave ships were captured in 1862 when the Civil War was already two years old, their capture had nothing to do with the Civil War. It was the result of continued enforcement of the 1808 law.

 

The last three ships captured were the William, Bogota and Wildfire.

 

The demand for new slaves was overwhelming in the 1700s and first half of the 1800s. They were needed for work in North and South America. It is estimated some twelve million were imported during those years.

 

Cuba was in need of great numbers of slaves. The sugar fields needed workers. It is estimated at least 100,000 slaves were delivered from West Africa to Cuba.

 

Slaves had to be replenished. Most of the slaves delivered were young. Teenagers. They did not live long. They were literally worked to death. The need to replenish drove the slave industry.

 

John Newton was a slave trader. A bad guy in his early years. Very bad. Mean. He was known by people acquainted with him as a despicable person.

 

On one of the trips across the ocean, Newton and his ship engaged a violent storm. Newton thought he was going to die. He learned to pray. He asked God to save him. God did.

 

Newton continued as a slave trader for a few years. However, his conscience was now bothering him. He quit his chosen profession and went to theology school. Newton became a minister.

 

In 1779, Newton wrote Amazing Grace. Not as a musical piece. Not as a song. But rather, a poem. His congregation would recite, not sing, the words at services.

 

The poem continued to 1835. At that time, someone put it to music. There was an English tune New Britain. It became the melody for Amazing Grace.

 

Prior to the 1960s, Amazing Grace had no particular popularity. Except in the black churches. It became a song of hope and redemption. An African American spiritual.

 

Then came the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The marches, the boycotts, the assassinations. Amazing Grace gained national prominence and popularity during that era.

 

It also became a top selling recording.

 

Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley and Tennessee Williams all recorded it. So did Althea Franklin and Judy Collins. And most recently, Susan Boyle.

 

Amazing Grace’s history began with the United States Constitution, the law of 1808, John Newton finding God, someone putting the words to music and finally the civil rights movement.

 

Today the hymn is sung everywhere. Both for the living and the dead. Warm and uplifting.

AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE

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America, land of the free. Not really. Not for persons of color.

 

Strange that a Civil War, a Civil Rights Movement, and a black President have failed. Failed after 150 plus years to bring the United States to accepting and treating all persons equally.

 

This article highlights two individuals and one situation. All three from different time periods. All three telling the same story. Equality yet a distant hope, a distant dream.

 

His name Eugene Bullard. Better known as Gene.

 

He was born in 1895 in Columbus, Georgia. The grandson of a slave. His father a Haitian, his mother a Creek Indian. He was fortunate to have received formal schooling till age 10. He learned to read and write.

 

Ten opened his eyes big time to racial discrimination. He saw his father narrowly escape a lynching. He decided America was not the place for him.

 

Gene stowed away on a ship to Scotland. Eventually ended up in Paris where he settled.

 

World War I began in 1914. Gene tried to join the French Army. He was refused. Not because of color. Rather because he was a foreigner. He was permitted however to fight with other foreigners for France in the French Foreign Legion.

 

Trained as a machine gunner, he fought in several major battles. At some point during the war, France permitted foreign troops to transfer to the regular French Army. Gene was assigned to the Metropolitan French Army. Crack troops. The division became known as the Swallows of Death.

 

Gene was seriously wounded in March 1916 at the Battle of Verdun. Recovered by October, he joined the French Air Force. He was the first black combat pilot in history.

 

The U.S. was still not in the war. Americans who wanted to fly joined the French Air Force. The group was known as the Lafayette Escadrille. By the time Gene applied, the group was filled.

 

He took more training.

 

Another American volunteer group was formed. The Lafayette Flying Corps. Part of the French Air Force, also. Gene joined.

 

He took part in heavy combat missions.

 

Racial discrimination had left its mark on him. His life became one opposed to discrimination. Reflecting his feelings, his plane was named Tout Le Sang Qui Est Rouge. All Blood Runs Red.

 

When the U.S. entered the war, the U.S. Army sought out all Americans flying with the French Air Force to transfer to the U.S. Army Air Force. Gene took and passed the physical. However, he was rejected because of race. Only white pilots were permitted to fly for the U.S.

 

Gene was a hero to the French people. He was awarded 15 medals. One medal came later in life in 1959 when he was awarded France’s highest honor, the Chevalier of the Legion d’honneur. Another recognition came a few years earlier when he was invited to Paris to rekindle the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe.

 

He remained in Paris after the war. Initially employed as a drummer, he became manager of Le Grand Duc night club. Paris’ most famous night spot at the time. Frequented by friends such as Josephine Baker and Louis Armstrong. He also opened his own night club. L’Escadrille.

 

World War II began. Following France’s invasion by Germany, Gene joined the French Army. He was seriously wounded. Friends helped him escape to neutral Spain and then to the United States. He spent significant time in New York hospitals for his war wounds from which he never fully recovered.

 

His French fame did not accompany him to New York. He was a black nobody. Broke. He worked menial jobs. His last as an elevator operator at Rockefeller Center.

 

His night club in Paris was destroyed by the war. However, he was able to obtain some settlement from the French government for it. He used the money to buy an apartment in Harlem. He remained a stranger in his homeland. Spent his days sitting in his Harlem apartment. In obscurity and poverty. All he had were photos from World War I and his decorations which covered the walls.

 

Gene died in 1961 at the age of 66 of stomach cancer. He was buried in the French Veterans’ War Section of New York’s Flushing Cemetery.

 

On August 23, 1964, 33 years after his death and 77 years to the day after passing his physical for transfer to the U.S. Army Air Force, Gene was commissioned posthumously a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

 

World War II brought another person of color to the forefront. Josephine Baker. In reality, during the war she was a spy. A spy for France. A woman whose life was on the line for five years because of her activities.

 

During that time she was a singer and dancer. The most popular in the world. Known as the Black Pearl, Bronze Venus and Creole Goddess.

 

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, her father deserted her and her mother early on. Josephine was poor. Very poor. She dressed poorly and was always hungry. Her playground was the train yards of the St. Louis Railroad Station. A place where she developed street smarts.

 

At 8, she worked for a white family as a domestic. She dropped out of school at 13. Homeless, she slept in cardboard shelters, scavenged food from garbage cans.

 

At 15, she was dancing on street corners for pennies. A producer saw her and brought her to Harlem to work as a show girl.

 

She began as a chorus girl. The last girl in the line. Her comic ability revealed itself. She became the highest paid chorus girl in vaudeville.

 

In 1925, she went to Paris. Her fame instantaneous. Night clubs the venue. She engaged in erotic dancing initially. Topless and only a stringof artificial bananas around her waist. Later, she took singing lessons. She excelled as a singer also. Became recognized as a grand diva.

 

She was the most successful American entertainer in France. Ernest Hemingway said she was “…..the most sensational woman anyone ever saw.”

 

Her close friends were Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso and Christian Dior. They ran together.

 

She returned to the United States in 1935 and 1936. Starred in the Zigfeld Follies. America did not take to her. They could not accept a black woman in a starring role. She was replaced by Gypsy Rose Lee. Time Magazine described Josephine as a “Negro wench.”

 

She returned to Paris, married a french Jew and became a French citizen. She renounced her American citizenship with no difficulty.

 

Her time as a patriot came during World War II. When Germany invaded Poland,

France declared war on Germany. French Military Intelligence immediately recruited Josephine. She frequented embassy balls and parties. Information was easily picked up. She reported back what she heard.

 

When Germany invaded France, Josephine moved to her chateau in southern France. She housed friends of De Gaulle and escapees from the  Germans. She obtained visas for many.

 

As an entertainer, she was allowed to move freely throughout Europe and North Africa. She also visited neutral Portugal and South America. She picked up information concerning German airfields, harbors and troop concentrations.

 

The information was returned to French intelligence in invisible ink on her sheet music and on notes pinned to the inside of her underwear. She figured no one would subject her to a strip search.

 

When North Africa was freed, she remained and entertained British, American and French troops.

 

In 1949, she returned to Paris. Welcomed with open arms!

 

She visited the United States again. This time as a ball of fire. She refused to accept segregation in any form.

 

Josephine had an appearance scheduled at a Miami night club in 1951. The night club practiced segregation re its customers. No blacks.  She openly went to war with the nightclub. Loudly. She won. The night club desegregated.

 

That same year, the NAACP designated Josephine Woman of the Year. One hundred thousand attended her parade in Harlem.

 

The Stork Club became a problem. The Stork Club also had a policy discouraging black customers. The Stork Club refused to serve her. She took the Stork Club on publicly. She also attacked her supposed friend Walter Winchell for remaining silent when she raised the issue. Winchell retaliated. He rebuked her and called her a Communist.

 

The publicity killed Josephine. Winchell was a power. Her work visa was terminated, all her engagements cancelled. She returned to France. It was almost 10 years before she was permitted to enter the United States again.

 

One of the good things to come out of the Stork Club incident involved Grace Kelley. The two did not know each other. Kelley was there the night the club refused to serve Josephine. Kelley walked out with Josephine. Never to return to the Stork Club again.

 

A close relationship developed from the incident. Josephine and Kelley became excellent friends. In Josephine’s later years when she was near bankruptcy, Kelley allowed her to use two homes she and her husband owned in Monaco.

 

Las Vegas refused to integrate its shows. No blacks could perform. Josephine went after Vegas. Vegas relented. As a result, Josephine began receiving calls from the Klu Klux Klan.

 

Another thorn in Josephine’s side was the practice of New York hotels to refuse admission to blacks. During the 1950s trip to New York, she and her husband were refused admission to 36 hotels.

 

She stood next to Martin Luther King in 1963 in Washington. Right next to him. She spoke. The only woman to speak. She also introduced Rosa Parks. Josephine wore her Free French uniform with the medal of honor of the Legion d’honneur which France had awarded her.

 

Josephine died broke. Were it not for friends like Grace Kelley, her last days would not have been as caring as they were.

 

The Civil War did nor solve the black/white problem. During World War I, the problem still existed. Gene Bullard was denied acceptance into the U.S. Army Air Force. Finally World War II, before and after, shows the prejudice that still existed as regards Josephine Baker.

 

Which brings me to the third and final episode. The Charleston, South Carolina massacre of last week. Where nine blacks were shot to death while Bible reading in church. By a 21 year old young man whose words during the event clearly reflected the tenor that still exists regarding blacks.

 

Then there are the killings of blacks by police.

 

Where does it all end? Does it all end? I don’t know. It has been more that 150 years since the Civil War and as a nation we are still mired indiscrimination and prejudice.