G. Perry – American-Rattlesnake http://american-rattlesnake.org Immigration News, Analysis, and Activism Wed, 22 Nov 2017 19:42:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.11 Parting Thoughts http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/09/parting-thoughts/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/09/parting-thoughts/#respond Mon, 11 Sep 2017 13:01:31 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25597 You haven’t heard from me in a while, but it’s time to break my silence. I’ve been sick for the past few months-most of this year, in fact-and have tried not to focus on political issues, to not much success. I’ve come to realize that even though I’ve devoted more than six years of my life to the subject of immigration, it’s been misplaced energy.

I’ve been trying to find a way to express this in different ways, but it basically boils down to the fact that I haven’t been leading a life that glorifies, or even acknowledges, God. Focusing on temporal things exclusively is a dead end. If I haven’t learned anything else over the past few months, it’s that.

Continuing to sin, expressing remorse but not repentance, has been a staple of my life. It’s something that has been plaguing me these past few months. In terms of this website, I don’t think I can continue as a contributor, at least, in the same way I’ve been doing since its inception.

Above and beyond this site, I’ve wasted years online attacking people who I thought were wrong politically. I’ve invested so much time and energy on divisions that don’t matter. My advice would be to try and find The Living God, something I’m having a lot of trouble with.

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/09/parting-thoughts/feed/ 0 Helping Out The Twins http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/helping-out-the-twins/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/helping-out-the-twins/#respond Mon, 12 Jun 2017 16:20:50 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25240 The last thing you probably want to see right now is another GoFundMe request, but my friend has 2 beautiful twins whose medical bills are becoming prohibitively expensive. Pitch in what you can, if you feel inclined. Here’s her GoFundMe page.

 

 

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/helping-out-the-twins/feed/ 0 Second Thoughts http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/second-thoughts/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/second-thoughts/#respond Tue, 06 Jun 2017 12:13:25 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25217 It should be noted that my thoughts do not reflect the opinions of the publisher or any other contributor to this website. That said, here is an essay I wrote for Medium where I reflect upon the first 100+ days of the Trump administration, as well as my evolution in thought regarding the current President.

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/second-thoughts/feed/ 0 Thoughts on Trump http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/thoughts-on-trump/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/thoughts-on-trump/#respond Fri, 02 Jun 2017 10:12:06 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25209

A discussion of the 2016 election, as well as the current administration.

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/06/thoughts-on-trump/feed/ 0 From Libya To Manchester http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/from-libya-to-manchester/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/from-libya-to-manchester/#comments Tue, 30 May 2017 22:50:51 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25200 The horrific Manchester bombing has many facets beyond the immediate carnage and loss of life, including the decision by Western nations to topple the Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, which prompted years of chaos both in Europe and the Middle East. Some of that chaos was caused by Arab-Muslim exiles returning to their homeland in order to participate in the war to topple Qaddafi as well as the ongoing civil war. The New York Times has a fascinating story describing how momentous foreign policy decisions can have unforeseen consequences domestically.

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/from-libya-to-manchester/feed/ 1 Bravery In Action http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/bravery-in-action/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/bravery-in-action/#respond Sun, 28 May 2017 01:52:51 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25196 Many of you have probably heard of the brutal murders which occurred on a light-rail train in Portland, Oregon yesterday. Buzzfeed has provided the biographies of the victims of the Portland train stabbing attack, including a link to a GofundMe page dedicated to providing their families with financial support in the wake of an horrific loss. The loved ones of these brave men deserve your support.

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/bravery-in-action/feed/ 0 The Manchester Attack http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/the-manchester-attack/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/the-manchester-attack/#respond Tue, 23 May 2017 15:44:04 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25192 The Guardian has live coverage of the aftermath, including police investigations into possible suspects.

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/the-manchester-attack/feed/ 0 New York City http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/new-york-city/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/new-york-city/#respond Thu, 18 May 2017 16:20:19 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25174 Update:  Law enforcement has confirmed that Richard Rojas, of the The Bronx, is in custody. He allegedly has 2 prior DUI convictions. 

According to Fox News, the incident was not terror-related but the result of an intoxicated robbery suspect.

Reports of a car plowing into pedestrians in the middle of Times Square. Will keep you updated.

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/new-york-city/feed/ 0 Mother’s Day http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/mothers-day/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/mothers-day/#respond Sun, 14 May 2017 07:38:34 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25164 Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there, including my own mother, a good Christian woman who introduced me to Dr. Charles Stanley. Here’s one of his sermons from several years ago entitled How To Love Your Mother.

]]> http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/mothers-day/feed/ 0 The Health Care Chronicles: Don’t Be Me http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/the-health-care-chronicles-dont-be-me/ http://american-rattlesnake.org/2017/05/the-health-care-chronicles-dont-be-me/#comments Thu, 11 May 2017 22:41:41 +0000 http://american-rattlesnake.org/?p=25147 As I sit at my desk with two alternately bleeding/clotting nostrils, mild chest pain and throat discomfort-and twinges of pain in my left shoulder blade-I’ve come to realize that I’m not the best long term planner. Take this as a cautionary tale about the general perils of neglecting your health, or perhaps as a specific indictment of my own stupidity/hubris.

Over 2 years ago I visited a free clinic located around Union Square in order to investigate what can only be described as colorectal problems. After examining me, the physician told me that I probably had hemorrhoids. However, she wrote me a referral to see a gastroenterologist, which I promptly dismissed.  About a year later I went to the same clinic and received the same diagnosis. I had hemorrhoids, but I might also want to see a gastroenterologist to get a second, more comprehensive, opinion. Of course, I ignored this recommendation.

Fast-forward to approximately 5 months ago. I’m feeling fatigued, my bowel problems have progressed in an unfortunate direction, and I’m having a multitude of other symptoms. I take several rounds of inconclusive blood tests, make an impromptu visit to the ER, and am no closer to understanding why my body is falling apart.

I’ve been told by friends that as a patient I have to be an advocate for myself. It’s something that I’ve failed to do-to my detriment-many times over. If there’s one lesson to be drawn from my example, it’s that you need to be insistent and unrelenting in advocating for your needs. Physicians are not omniscient, even if they have some of the answers. If you feel something is awry, don’t wait until it’s too late to speak up for yourself.

It might save your health…or your life.

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