Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.
After receiving my second Master’s degree, walking off the steps of the courthouse after the divorce was finalized – now who am I and what do I do with myself…
The Curse of Knowledge
Blog
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Amber Alert Charlotte, NC
Vehicle Information
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- Color:
- Blue
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- Description:
- unknown make/model or license plate
RALEIGH 11/16/2025 6:02 AM — The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department is searching for a missing child: Nalaya Crew.
Nalaya Crew is a 10-month-old, Black, Female, approximately 2 feet tall, weighing 20 pounds. She has black hair, and brown eyes. LIGHT GRAY SHIRT WITH CHEETAH PRINT IN BLACK, WHITE PANTS WITH A PINK BOW, WHITE SOCKS. MAY HAVE PINK LINING AROUND COLLAR AND SLEEVES OF SHIRT
See Picture on the NC AMBER Alert WebsiteThe victim is believed to be with the following 2 persons:
Michelle Hemphill is described as 19 years old, Black, Female, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. She has black hair, and brown eyes
See Picture on the NC AMBER Alert Website
Timothy Lee is described as 23 years old, Black, Male, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. He has black hair, and brown eyes
See Picture on the NC AMBER Alert Website6600 block of Monroe Rd, Charlotte. Unknown direction or destination. The vehicle is a blue. The vehicle is described as Blue Mi
Just saw this on Neighbors: https://neighbors.ring.com/n/V7RljwBUaZ
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Daily writing promptWhat part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?
I always try to skip procrastination – it always seems to distract me from my routine and my primary purpose.
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Political Notes at Your Request
The Role Of The President
🏛️ Constitutional and Executive Roles
• Chief Executive: Oversees the enforcement of federal laws, manages the executive branch, and appoints Cabinet members and federal officials (with Senate approval).
• Commander-in-Chief: Leads the U.S. armed forces. While Congress declares war, the president directs military operations and strategy.
• Chief Diplomat: Shapes foreign policy, negotiates treaties (ratified by the Senate), and represents the U.S. in international affairs.
• Chief Legislator: Influences lawmaking by proposing legislation, signing bills into law, or vetoing them. Delivers the annual State of the Union to outline policy goals.
🧭 Symbolic and Civic Roles
• Chief of State: Serves as the ceremonial leader of the country, representing national unity and values at home and abroad.
• Chief Citizen: Expected to embody civic virtue and moral leadership, acting in the public interest and setting a tone for national discourse.
• Chief of Party: Leads their political party, shaping its platform and supporting candidates during elections.
⚖️ Limits and Accountability
• The president’s powers are checked by Congress and the judiciary.
Executive orders, for example, can be overturned by courts or revoked by future presidents.
• The role is defined by Article II of the Constitution, which has sparked centuries of debate over how much inherent power the office holds.
What Is Birthright Citizenship?
Birthright citizenship is one of the most foundational—and contested—principles in U.S. law. It means that anyone born on U.S. soil automatically becomes a U.S. citizen, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and why it matters:
• Legal Basis: Rooted in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868. It states:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens…”
• Key Interpretation: The phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” has been interpreted to exclude only children of foreign diplomats and occupying forces—not undocumented immigrants or temporary visa holders.
⚖️ Historical Context
• United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898): The Supreme Court ruled that a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents—who were not U.S. citizens—was still a U.S. citizen by birth.
• Indian Citizenship Act (1924): Extended birthright citizenship to Native Americans, who had previously been excluded due to tribal sovereignty.
🔥 Current Controversy
• Executive Order 14160: Issued in 2025, it attempts to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S. if neither parent is a citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Legal Challenges: Multiple lawsuits have blocked the order’s implementation. Courts argue it contradicts over a century of constitutional interpretation.
• Potential Impact: If upheld, it could leave hundreds of thousands of U.S.-born children in legal limbo, complicating everything from passports to Social Security.
🌍 Global Comparison
• The U.S. is one of the few countries that still practices unrestricted jus soli (citizenship by birthplace). Many other nations have moved to jus sanguinis (citizenship by bloodline), requiring at least one parent to be a citizen.
That Was Meant For The Babies Of Slaves
Trump’s comment -“That was meant for the babies of slaves” refers to his interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship clause. During a press briefing in June, he launched into a tirade against birthright citizenship and claimed it was originally intended only for the children of enslaved people.
Here’s the historical context behind that claim:
🧾 What the 14th Amendment Actually Says
- Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” regardless of race or parentage.
- It was designed to ensure that formerly enslaved people and their descendants were recognized as full citizens after the Civil War.
🧠 Why Trump’s Interpretation Is Controversial
- Trump argues that birthright citizenship was a narrow remedy for slavery, not a general principle for all people born in the U.S.
- Legal scholars and courts have consistently interpreted the amendment more broadly, affirming that it applies to anyone born on U.S. soil (with few exceptions like children of foreign diplomats).
- His framing attempts to delegitimize birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants or non-citizens.
🔥 Why It Matters
- This rhetoric isn’t just historical—it’s political. It’s part of a broader push to restrict immigration and redefine who gets to be “American.”
- By tying citizenship to slavery alone, Trump is trying to narrow the scope of constitutional protections in a way that many legal experts and civil rights advocates reject.
FULL: Trump birthright citizenship remarks “Meant for babies …
Trump’s birthright citizenship order faces legal blow
Trump’s efforts to end birthright citizenship hit roadblock
BREAKING: Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright …
President Trump claims “US birthright citizenship is about …
Let’s build this message like a sermon, a syllabus, and a street warning—all in one. You want it to hit like truth wrapped in fire: righteous, rooted, and ready to educate and activate. Here’s a draft that blends your tone, your intellect, and your unapologetic clarity:
“Meant for the babies of slaves”? Nah. That’s not just historical ignorance—it’s a setup. And I see it clear as day.
Let me break this down for the folks in the back and the ones pretending not to hear:
- Birthright citizenship wasn’t a favor. It was a correction. A constitutional reckoning after centuries of legalized dehumanization. The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 to guarantee that the children of enslaved Africans—who built this country brick by bloody brick—would never again be denied their humanity or their rights.
- Trump’s claim that it was “meant for the babies of slaves” is not a history lesson. It’s a dog whistle. Watch FULL: Trump birthright citizenship remarks “Meant for babies …” and you’ll see the tone, the intent, the setup. He’s not honoring our ancestors—he’s weaponizing their legacy to strip rights from others. That’s not patriotism. That’s projection.
- The courts are already pushing back. Trump’s birthright citizenship order faces legal blow and Trump’s efforts to end birthright citizenship hit roadblock show that this ain’t settled law—it’s political theater. But don’t get comfortable. The backlash is real, and it’s looking for a scapegoat.
- This ain’t just about policy—it’s about permission. When leaders spit twisted history, some folks hear a green light to act reckless. And in 2025, I feel it in my bones: some of y’all think you got permission to call Black folks out our name again. Let me be crystal—that’s a FAFO situation. You come with hate, you gon’ meet resistance. And it won’t be polite.
We know what this rage is. You got lied to. Played. Promised a country that never existed. And now that the truth is leaking through the cracks, you’re mad. But don’t bring that fury to us. We didn’t build the lie—you just believed it. Watch BREAKING: Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright … and President Trump
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List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.
- Everything must change
- Nothing stays the same
- The young become the old
- And mysteries do unfold
- There are not many things in life you can be sure of
- Rain comes from the clouds
- Sun lights up the sky
- And hummingbirds do fly
- Winter turns to spring
- A wounded heart will heal
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Who Are the Marines
MsConcerned Newsletter
Date: November 12, 2025 | Issue No. 2511
Marine Corps Boot Camp: Forging Guardians of Principle
Marine Corps boot camp instills unwavering discipline, unity, and moral strength through intense training, shared hardship, and a deep commitment to core values—preparing Marines to protect each other and uphold the Constitution above all else.
Core Values: Honor, Courage, Commitment
- Honor teaches recruits to live by an uncompromising code of integrity—never lie, cheat, or steal.
- Courage is built through facing fear and adversity, especially during grueling exercises like the Crucible.
- Commitment means putting mission and team above self, even when ideologies differ.
Teamwork Beyond Ideology
Recruits are grouped into platoons where success depends on mutual support, not personal beliefs. Exercises like the Confidence Course and The Crucible require physical and emotional reliance on one another. The mantra becomes: “You cover her, she covers you”—because survival and mission success depend on it. This breaks down regional, racial, and ideological barriers. The only identity that matters is Marine.
Rules, Regulations, and Rigid Discipline
Marines are trained to follow rules of engagement, federal law, and military codes with precision. This rigidity isn’t arrogance, it’s survival. In combat, hesitation or deviation can cost lives. When Marines transition to civilian roles, their strict adherence to structure can be misinterpreted as haughtiness, especially when others disregard protocols or gaslight their commitment to lawful conduct.
Protecting the Constitution, Not Politics
Marines swear to defend the Constitution—not a party, not a politician. Their mission is apolitical: ensure every American wakes up safe, free, and sovereign.
Why Civilians Sometimes Misunderstand Marines
Civilians may see a Marine’s refusal to bend as inflexible or vain. But that refusal is rooted in training, law, and loyalty—not ego. When civilians ignore federal/state guidelines, it clashes with the Marine’s deeply ingrained sense of duty and order.
In essence, Marine boot camp doesn’t just build warriors—it forges guardians of principle, unity, and law.
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© 2025 MsConcerned. All rights reserved.
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Band of Brothers
Easy Company was an elite World War II unit of white paratroopers, part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. There were no Black soldiers due to the U.S. Army’s segregation policies at the time.
Who Was Easy Company?
- Unit Name: E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
- Nickname: Easy Company, from the phonetic alphabet used during WWII
- Motto: Currahee (“We Stand Alone”), derived from a Cherokee word
- Role: Elite paratroopers trained for airborne assaults behind enemy lines
- Training: Began in 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, under harsh conditions including runs up Currahee Mountain
- Combat History:
- D-Day (Normandy, France): Jumped behind enemy lines on June 6, 1944
- Operation Market Garden: Fought in the Netherlands
- Battle of the Bulge: Defended Bastogne under siege
- Final Push: Advanced into Germany and Austria by war’s end
Their story was popularized by Stephen Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers and the HBO miniseries of the same name.
Why Were There No Black Soldiers?
- Segregation in the U.S. Military: During WWII, the U.S. Army was racially segregated. Black soldiers served in separate units, often in support roles rather than combat.
- Paratrooper Units Were All-White: The newly formed airborne divisions, including the 506th PIR, were considered elite and were exclusively white by policy.
- Systemic Racism: Black Americans were denied equal opportunity to serve in combat roles due to widespread racial discrimination and beliefs about “fitness” for elite service.
It wasn’t until 1948, with President Truman’s Executive Order 9981, that the U.S. military officially began desegregation.
DOD – Department of Defense
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Veterans Connecticut Tax Exempt
Full Property Tax Exemption for Certain Veterans With Disabilities
The legislature passed a new law that fully exempts from property tax a primary residence or motor
vehicle for each former veteran who has a permanent and total (100%) disability rating. The
exemption may also be transferred to a veteran’s spouse or minor children in certain
circumstances. The eligibility criteria and application requirements for this new exemption are
generally the same as those for the existing disability rating-based exemption for veterans (PA 24
46, effective October 1, 2024, and applicable to assessment years starting on or after that date).
