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BigSmooov's Blog

by BigSmooov from NE Washington DC

Last Post 29 days, 22 hours Ago


The Deadly Month of April
May 6, 2008 | 2:24 PM
Category: News
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As a resident of Ward 5 in DC, I've seen a lot of positives changes.  We now have little cafes' all over the place where you can sit outside to eat and drink.  We have some of the streets being fixed.  Buildings that haven't seen activities since the riots of '68 are now hot spots for social gatherings.

As the old saying goes "The more some things change, the more they stay the same."

In Washington DC alone, 18 people have been murdered in the month of April.   Everyone from drug dealers, harmless bystanders, to a tourist that just wanted to use the ATM.  Most of these killings were in the Ward 5 area. 

Residence blame it on lack of positive activities that will distract the youth from negativitiy.  My repsonse to that is....WHY IS IT SOMEONE ELES RESPONSIBLITY TO RAISE YOUR CHILD!?!?!!?  YOU HAD THE CHILD!  IT'S YOUR REPSONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A WAY FOR YOUR CHILD TO DEVELOPE PROPERLY!

Other residence blame it on the lack of police presence in their communities.  My response to that is....WE HAD A "ALL HANDS" ON DECK AND STUFF STILL HAPPENED! TRY HELPING THE POLICE OUT BY LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT YOU SAW!!!!

As a father of a 10 year old boy,  I make sure that he is involved in activities outside of his community.  My son doesn't go outside of our home to play with the other kids.  I have a problem with children his age outside past 8:30 playing ON A SCHOOL NIGHT! So no...he will not play with those kind of kids who come from stupid parents.  Nothing agaist the kids...at that age...they are a product of their home environment.  Why would they let their kids play out there that late unattendant knowing what kind of neighborhood these kids are in?  I guess you don't have any fear when you know who the bad seeds are.  OOOOPS...DID I SAY THAT?  

If you want your neighborhood to function like others, WORK TOWARDS IT BY TAKING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!!!  It really burns me up seeing all of these people complaining about what's going on in their communities but don't want to talk to police about what they KNOW is foul in the areas.  Go to the more "well-to-do" places.  When they see something that's going on...you can best beleive they are on that phone calling the police.

(To my outsiders looking in) If you were the mayor...Realistically....how would you suggest taking care of the troubled communities?

Give your answer as if our mayor, ward representatives, and police department will be reading your suggestions.

21 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 21
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Starrman1 read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 2:40 PM

BigSmooov, do some editing, and clean up the empty space.
BigSmooov read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 2:51 PM

Wow...thanks for the heads-up Star. I don't know how that happened.
Starrman1 read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 3:07 PM

Sometimes if I click and drag after typing onto MS Word, the spacing goes nuts, and I have to re-edit and sometimes two or three times.

The crux of your post is parental accountability and that there HAS to be parents and responsible adults involved in their children's lives. Not just turning them loose and wondering when, and sadly these days, if they will come home.

And you are right, the police are fighting a losing battle if the residents do not, or refuse to come forward. Like you poited out, a lot of the parents know who the troublemakers, (bad seeds) are, drop a dime on those bad kids, maybe some will get turned around before it is too late.
priveye
May 6, 2008 | 4:55 PM

Hey Smoovie...keep up the good work with your son.

Feel free to kick some butt of the low life's that call themselves parents.
Mountaineerfan read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 5:02 PM

Well,Smooov,it looks like I get to join the elusive club with priveye and a couple of others who never thought they'd ever agree with you on anything,yet here we are.As everyone knows I was always taught that nobody likes a snitch and for the most part I still believe it with a passion.However,there are always exceptions to every rule.My exceptions to this rule are murderers and poachers.I've no tolerance for either.
jadeddude read my blog
May 6, 2008 | 6:44 PM

Mandatory life in prison without parole for anyone over 18 period! also the death penalty!If the death penalty does one absolute guarantee is the son of a bitc_ does not get to kill again period! That is a deterrent!Life without parole for any teenage murderers also!When they reach 18 they immediately are transferred to adult facilities, without exception. Quit coddling these gangbangers and juvies,let them know they will receive the ultimate penalties for the ultimate crime!
Starrman1 read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 8:04 PM

Mountaineerfan, you left out child molestors.
Mountaineerfan read my blog view my photos
May 6, 2008 | 11:30 PM

You're right Starrman.Adding it to the list.
msacs9
May 7, 2008 | 11:59 AM

The solution to this problem is not as narrow as one may think. Since the system years ago, decided that parent's had a few options when it came to correcting their children, what solutions do they have to rectify this nightmare. Surely not a slap on the wrist!

Some children cry for love, affection and parents who care about them. When that's not received, the kids are bitter and do stupid and mean things. Not only should they be punished, they should have mandatory canceling, and possible jail time for the crimes they commit. There are actually parents out there who are afraid of their child. I'd have a rough time feeding them, or for that matter, having them live in my house!
bootsykowan read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 12:19 PM

Bigsmoov, thanks for your energies. Do you have any neighbors that will support you? You seem to be isolated by the majority of your community? What do you and your friends talk about? This blog is the first step. Get more of your friends to support you here where you can communicate beyond the obstacle course of your community secret network/terrorists/bullies. Also thanks for FOX for featuring you.
BigSmooov read my blog
May 7, 2008 | 12:25 PM

I do beleive there are some parents that fear their children msacs9. Isn't that sick?

Jadeddude...I agree. These knuckleheads are being coddled! They are not afraid of the system. In some cases, it's a badge of honor! How much of a "honor" is it if they are in prison for 5 years? I bet that mentality will change!

DC is a great city! It's just the kids messing it up. The parents need and should be held accountalbe for some of the children's actions. They can say "I don't know what my child does 24/7." Understandable...but...you know darn well they are not suppose to be out at midnight on a school night!

Make the juvenile system tougher and something that should be feared not only by the kids by the parents also!!!!!
BigSmooov read my blog
May 7, 2008 | 12:30 PM

Bootsykowan...there are pleanty of great parents in the area...but guess what....

I don't know were they live because they don't hang out drinking and acting like idiots like all the others. They are doing social activities outside of their community (just like me) to have the child branch into different social enviornments to learn how to conduct themselves around people as a whole. The "good parents" are also very hard working people that will dedicate their time to getting themselves and their children out of their.

I understand what you mean though. I see the good ones. I do make an effort to say "hi" when I can.
bootsykowan read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 1:47 PM

Oh that explains why good people are scarce around here. I will let you get a glimpse of a community good person. He was expounding just like you about parents. I was in complete happy agreement with him. Then I entered my apartment from our neighborhood, a hallway. I reviewed the entire conversation. When I had asked him why his female partner who actually leased the apartment didn't go to management and complain. He said "Oh well, you know, she's young and feels funny about it", or something like that. See how hard it is to get someone like yourself, even from "good" people? Thanks for the amicable discussion and very rare indeed. Remember I'm a female too;) It's just that I'm an old female and guys feel protective about their young adult females;)
GrandmaM read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 1:53 PM

I've been thinking about your post above and then this morning I heard "We are Family" on the radio. No, I'm not senile yet. There was a line that went to my heart. To paraphrase it: "We have just one rule. Be proud of you and the the things that you do."

The answer is there. It's simple. But if Mom and Dad teach you to be proud of being a thug, how can you turn out well? The citizens of DC can change, and can teach their children a better way. First they have to learn to be proud of themselves, and to put their families first, as you do.
bootsykowan read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 2:23 PM

GrandmaM, I just wrote my aparment complex maintenance the same sort of thing because the closing mechanism is missing in the hallway door that leads to the outside door that's supposed to eventually implement its expensive security system:) The other door that leads to our hallway was kept open by using the sink room door to keep it open. I'm the only one that undid the mess. They are all young hardworking folks where I live.
bootsykowan read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 5:33 PM

You know what might help a whole lot. If, when bloggers, blog, their spouses would join in. That shows family power. It might carry more than twice the energy.
Especially, with this topic which I consider part of the philosophy of "communitize". That's what community is all about. It starts with two people. One person does not a community make.
milu read my blog
May 8, 2008 | 12:48 AM

plenty
believe
residents

You are so right, Smoov. Always talking about things for kids to do. Where are the missing in action parents?? When their young children act up in school and are truant the parents should have to go to parenting classes, do community service, etc. Their negativity, irresponsibility and dysfunction have les to their children's failures, criminal activity and lack of morals.
bootsykowan read my blog view my photos
May 8, 2008 | 7:44 AM

In addition, I wrote my REIT who is my landlord and therefore community leader that all REITs should adopt the most local public elementary school next to each apartment complex. I don't believe this would cost a single penny. It's just adding some "community" to the dollar sign. I'm a tenant these last two years, the first time in my 55 years of adulthood. I always owned my own home. I see the world now in my waning years a whole lot differently simply because of the switch from homeowner to tenant. There's a difference being a tenant who never experienced home ownership and one who can no longer take that kind of responsibility. In fact, that's where pensioned people can help out a lot. Even the gated retirement condo community could help in this adopt a local elementary school. It costs nothing but to include it in the brain process. I believe all people should have the same experience to be a home owner and to be a tenant. So you might look into the apartment complexes close to your communities to participate in the larger community. Starting at the cafes and other eating places and talking it up loudly while you eat with your family is a good way to send messages. My own adult kids have to shush me all the time because they don't want the other people eating in the restaurant to hear me. They think I will ruin them. A word to the wise. In fact, in the eating places is where you can demonstrate your own kids' power in spreading your ideas. Picture it, families arguing at every table in a restaurant where rich kids go. Believe me, the rich kids only know
bootsykowan read my blog view my photos
May 8, 2008 | 7:48 AM

(cont.) what their religious leaders tell them about poor kids. Poor families can save $$$ for an extravagant trip to the foreigners, the rich families eating places. No free lunch nor education, action, stop whining. Innovative thinking. I learned all this from 9/11. Bin Laden has been a great teacher for me. He appeals to poor people doesn't he? Everyone of us has the same speaking rights as bin Laden. In fact, as Rev. Wright.
Honest1inVA
May 8, 2008 | 4:30 PM

Parents need to be strict with their children.
Give them a curfew. ASK QUESTIONS!!!! Who are your friends, what are their names, who are their parents,etc. CHECK UP on your kids don't let them hang out with bad kids.
Enforce discipline and teach them RESPECT.
Teach them that being in a gang, dealing drugs and being a bum is no way to go through life.
Spend time with your kids, BE A RESPONSIBLE PARENT! BE A BETTER PARENT!!!
Kids learn by watching you and what you teach them DOES sink in.
Bring out their full academic and intellectual potential.
Teach them to believe in themselves and to take advantage of every opportunity to achieve a better life through hard work and setting personal goals in academics.
Believe me, if you don't have an education, you are going NOWHERE.
KEEP THEM OFF THE STREETS!!!!!
They will thank you for it later!
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BigSmooov

I mostly deal with issues of inequality. Whether it be race, sex, economical, political, etc... You'll see my blogs!

Member Since: 1/16/2007


 

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