Jumpstart’s Post

Today, we observe #Juneteenth: a day of reflection, resilience, and recognition of the fight for freedom and justice.

https://lnkd.in/dPPjVGe8 A life well lived in pursuit of justice. 

I often hear from individuals deeply interested in Ukraine's affairs that the Revolution of Dignity was a CIA-orchestrated coup against a "Russian" rule-based system within Ukraine. 🕵️♂️🇺🇦 While I understand this viewpoint and acknowledge that intelligence services worldwide work towards their national security objectives in such scenarios, I respectfully disagree with the notion that this was an #American-led coup. 🇺🇸❌ It was, unequivocally, the people of #Ukraine. 🇺🇦✊ These were people yearning for what we cherish in #America: the fundamental right to the pursuit of happiness. 🗽💫 Such happiness remained elusive under a #Kremlin-backed regime, with citizens at the mercy of corrupt officials and oligarchs. 💼🚫 And let's not forget, this wasn't the first uprising. The Orange Revolution of 2004 is yet another instance where the Ukrainian people stood tall against the same oppressive forces they faced a decade later in 2014. 🍊🔙 After waiting a decade for change, only to be met with more of the same, the people's patience wore thin, and in 2014, they said, "enough is enough." 🕰️💥 Little did they know that soon after, #Russia would annex #Crimea and instigate conflicts in Donetsk and Luhansk, leading to a full-scale invasion eight years later. 🇷🇺🚀 Despite these challenges, the Ukrainian spirit of freedom and justice for all remains unbroken. They continue to resist, embodying the true essence of courage and resilience. 🛡️🔥 Let's never forget their struggle and the ideals they fight for. #SlavaUkraini 🇺🇦🌟

The Four Freedoms | Freedom for Virtue Political freedom relies on the virtue and morality of citizens, as emphasized by historical figures like Livy, Jefferson, and Mill. True freedom involves self-mastery and the pursuit of virtues such as family fidelity, self-control, humility, and toleration. These virtues reduce the need for external governance, support strong communities, and preserve a truly free and flourishing society. https://lnkd.in/gmbXHN9t

Art in Transitional Justice: Artistic processes, such as truth commissions or memorialization projects, can play a role in transitional justice efforts, fostering reconciliation, collective memory, and accountability.

Art in Transitional Justice: Artistic processes, such as truth commissions or memorialization projects, can play a role in transitional justice efforts, fostering reconciliation, collective memory, and accountability.

When someone chooses to expose a misuse of power and stand for what is right, they initiate the reshaping of the culture to come. Throughout history, courageous voices were compelling enough to motivate government to enact legislation to defend the vulnerable. Their sacrifices and unwavering determination modeled a way of life that challenged the masses to confront their biases and bigotry. A clarion call persists as our world continues to experience an epidemic of prejudice, mistrust, and injustice. Not everyone has the position or platform to influence the laws of the land from the highest courts; but every one of us has the power of influence to impact the lives of those around us just by doing what is right. Through simple acts of kindness, we can be voices of everyday justice as we choose to use our power for good. Download for free: https://lnkd.in/eg-UaNMV

A secure society is built on a balance of justice, security, and personal freedom, with the state playing a crucial role in ensuring these values. The balance between these principles is delicate and dynamic, requiring constant vigilance and adjustment. The state's role is complex and contested, as it must balance its mandate to protect public order and prevent overreach while ensuring the state acts as a facilitator of freedom. Fairness is central to this discussion, as it calls for uniform rules to govern state interventions. However, the pursuit of equity leads to the state overstepping its bounds, infringing on individual freedoms and the principle of justice. This debate highlights the importance of balancing justice and support for the vulnerable, avoiding policies that inadvertently harm society. Real-world examples from Australia, particularly the Northern Territory, illustrate the practical challenges and successes of striving for a secure society. Community policing initiatives in remote Indigenous communities aim to balance respect for local traditions with effective law enforcement, while the Northern Territory's failed approach to youth justice reflects the ongoing struggle to find the right balance between punitive measures and rehabilitative support. The foundations of a secure society lie in the careful calibration of justice, security, and freedom, guided by the principles of fairness and equality. As we move forward, it is essential to remain vigilant in protecting individual liberties while ensuring the common good, striving for a balance that honors the dignity of all members of society. #security #securitytraining #justice #fairness #freedom

I don’t mean to be Negative Nancy, but someone has to say it. The blog I wrote reflects a critical perspective on contemporary American society and politics, framed through the principles of the Declaration of Independence. It suggests that the foundational ideals of equality, government by consent, the right to alter or abolish government, natural rights, and the indictment of tyranny are being undermined or forgotten. There, I express my disappointment in how these principles are currently interpreted and applied, particularly criticizing the influence of wealth in politics, recent Supreme Court decisions, and the behavior and policies of Donald Trump (referred to as "Orange Man"). The piece argues that modern America has strayed from its foundational values, emphasizing the importance of intellectual honesty and civic responsibilities in shaping the future of the country. @followers @highlight I’ll also plug my novel, #thelastindependenceday. If there was ever a time to read it to get one version of unchecked extremism, this would be it.