Because Politics Is Not My Life

Time is too precious. The hours, days, weeks and months flee. There is no time to waste. I am willing to write a congressman to let him/her know about an issue that might be of interest to me. Nevertheless, I will not waste my time getting involved in "petty politics," it just seems so silly to me. If I do not like a political leader, should I write letters and try to cause others to write letters as well? What is at stake? Will politics cease to be corrupt if I get involved more fully? I understand that there is a need for politics. But please understand: I have a life. If I have personal problems, it is definitely not the fault of government. I will not go to government if someone does not love me. I will not go to politicians if I am unable to have a happy marriage. Government/politicians cannot help me if I have anger issues. If I am bitter about broken relationships or friends that have betrayed me; is it the fault of government? No. Why blame government if I am not happy? Never,never, never will government be perfect as long as it is run by men and women. Political involvement might keep one busy, but it cannot fill the void that is in the heart. When the prodigal son realized that feeding hogs and wanting to eat their "food" was not for him: "he came unto himself." What does that mean? That means he quit blaming anyone else. That means he did not blame his parents, friends, society, government or anyone else for his situation. "He came unto himself," means he took full responsibility for where he was and what he was doing. He said: "I will arise." He did not say to anyone: "You pick me up....its YOUR fault I am here." He did not say that. Why? because "he came unto himself."

Make No Friendship With An Angry Man

There is a whole lot of life to live. There are beautiful experiences awaiting us. It is best to use our time wisely. If a man is extremely angry about something that has happened in the past; if he does not want to let it go because it continues to be an obsession; even if it has nothing to do with you, make no friendship with an angry man. Why? because he can contaminate you with his anger. He will speak in accordance to his anger. He will plan, act and think in accordance to his anger. He will influence you. Anger is his "friend" and "they" want to include you. No way. Why should you get trapped? Why should you take up an offense that has nothing to do with you? Stay away from that person. He is poison. "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." (Proverbs 22:24,25) Do you think God knows what He is talking about? Do we know more than He does about relationships?

Little Gangster (Part 13) A woman Scorned

Shakespeare has well stated:"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." It took exactly 3 days for Leti to find out that Jet had married someone. She had been trying to contact Jet for several weeks. Jet's mom did not care much for Leti, even though Leti was beautiful.......she was a chola to the core. To say she felt used is an understatement. As was mentioned before, Leti liked to party. She liked to get high. She liked to be with guys. But she had really fallen for Jet. The weeks that they were together, she saw Jet exclusively. There was nobody else. She thought the relationship had automatically evolved to the point that she was his one and only girlfriend. She was mistaken. She was furious. She was a little crazy. On the other hand Tiffany was upper middle class, educated, disciplined, sophisticated and attractive as well. Jet knew what he was doing. Conditions were already ripe for what was to happen next. There was already a feud going on between one of the gangs of City Terrace and a gang from Estrada Courts in Boyle Heights. Leti had lived in Estrada Courts all of her life. For a long time, a gang member from Estrada Courts had been an admirer of Leti. His name was Toe. Leti had never paid much attention to him. One night she asked Toe to take some vatos to City Terrace and "mess up some dudes from Terrace." He gladly obliged. The problem was that he killed somebody. Toe left L.A. He went to Tecate, Mexico to live with his grandmother. Three days later someone drove by the projects and shot and killed a 14 year-old boy who was not a gang member. One week later, a gang member from Pico Rivera who was the 14 year-old boy's cousin shot and killed two gang members from City Terrace. Neither the Los Angeles Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff were successful in finding the killers. The killings caused a stimulation in gang activity. More gangs seized opportunities to get involved. Gangs in Norwalk, Cudahy, Montebello and the greater Boyle Heights area became involved. By late August, eight young men were dead as a result of these feuds. Some arrests were made. One night during early September of 1973, I heard a mother's plea as I listened to the radio. The woman was sobbing as she uttered these words: "Please, please stop this violence, You are hurting people. I will never see my dear son again. He has been killed because of this violence. Stop, stop, stop, please stop." Jet and Tiffany have been married for over 35 years. They have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Jet's mom had also moved to San Jose to be near her son and his family. She passed away about ten years ago. Jet has never returned to East L.A. I don't know what happened to Leti.

(please refer to postings of 2/1,11/30,10/14,9/6 and 8/10 to read all parts related to "Little Gangster" parts 7 to 13)

Little Gangster (Pt. 12) The Wedding, A Fresh Start

"Look Jet, you and Tiffany have been a couple for almost three years. I'm not sure what is going on. You two can get married in Church or in this house next month. I want you to work for me, Jet, we are opening a branch office in San Jose. I want to put you through a training program so that you can learn the business fast. I know you can do it." Everything happened so fast as the days passed. Jet broke the relationship with Leti, and Leti was not pleased. Jet did not tell Leti about Tiffany, or of his plans to get married. Jet sensed trouble. He quit his job at the community college. He shared his concerns with the Olsons. They suggested he move out of East L.A. They offered him a small, one bedroom house to live in, located in the back yard of the property. He started fixing it up. He started working for Mr. Olson. During the evenings, They all ate together. Tiffany was employed by her dad but she worked at home. Every day, Jet reported to work at Mr. Olson's office, learning from the bottom up; the accounting business. Jet was focused, driven and a hard worker. He was in love. The Olsons and Jet made their plans for the wedding. The circumstances were not normal. Everyone understood. But things could have been a lot worse. The day finally came. June 25, 1973. It was a simple wedding at the house. Albeit, it had an elegant appeal. Close friends and family, mostly classy, educated people helped to create a cordial and accepting atmosphere. The weather was pleasant, and the socializing fun and friendly. Dusk arrived. The bride and groom bid their farewell , and with much gratitude hugged everyone goodbye. Jet and Tiffany had their bags already packed. Tiffany's cousin took them to the airport. They boarded a flight which took them to San Francisco for their honeymoon. After one week they headed to San Jose and began to occupy their three bedroom town house in a gated community of San Jose. They were happy. Things were really looking great.