Immigration Bill Does NOT include Gay couples, Is this really necessary?

So among the joy of the New Immigration bill coming to pass, there has been a dark cloud cast upon it now as some realize that Gay couples who are illegal immigrants are not included. And if the GOP would have their way, it would be an unnamed group who wasn’t mentioned in the quest. Well here is the positive side, there is recognition now and it is possible that the Gay community will get their way. Rightfully so. I’m all for Gay rights. However, in the process off writing this story I was asked a simple question. ” How would anyone know if the immigrant was gay or not?” Well, isn’t that a valid question? I’m thinking that it is the question that will come across plenty of minds when they read this story. So how do we answer this? Honestly, and with a little bit of my opinion, since I know that you as my readers value it so much.

Here is the story, and then stay tuned for my thoughts. …

An 844-page bill introduced in the Senate in mid-April by a bipartisan group of eight lawmakers includes measures to make legal immigration easier for highly skilled immigrants, migrant farmworkers and those living here illegally. It has no provisions that would help foreigners who are same-sex partners of American citizens to become legal permanent residents.

Gay advocates were sharply disappointed to find that same-sex couples were excluded from the legislation, since the Democrats who wrote it included two of their most consistent champions, Senators Charles E. Schumer of New York and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the second highest-ranking Senate Democrat. Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, the Democrat who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee, where the bill is under consideration, has offered, since as far back as 2003, a separate measure that would allow immigrants in long-term same-sex relationships to obtain residency with a green card.

But in the lengthy closed-door negotiations that produced the overhaul proposal, the four Republicans in the bipartisan group made it clear early on that they did not want to include such a hot-button issue in a bill that would be a challenge to sell to their party even without it, according to Senate staff members. The Republicans are Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Jeff Flake and John McCain of Arizona, and Marco Rubio of Florida.

Many Republicans in both houses of Congress oppose any recognition of same-sex unions.

Now, with the immigration bill scheduled to advance next week toward a vote in the Judiciary Committee, Democrats are in a quandary about whether to offer an amendment that would give green cards to same-sex partners.

Republican sponsors of the overhaul warned on Tuesday that such an amendment would sink the entire measure.

“There’s a reason this language wasn’t included in the Gang of Eight’s bill: It’s a deal-breaker for most Republicans,” Senator Flake said. “Finding consensus on immigration legislation is tough enough without opening the bill up to social issues.”

Under existing immigration law, it is generally a quick and straightforward process when an American citizen seeks a green card for a foreign-born spouse in a traditional marriage.

But under a 1996 federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, Americans cannot apply for green cards for foreign spouses of the same sex. In addition, the immigration code does not recognize same-sex partners.

Last Wednesday, about 40 gay and lesbian families from 27 states fanned out across Capitol Hill in a lobbying blitz, hoping to show lawmakers why they cared about the issue.

“I was troubled to hear hesitation from Senate Democrats,” said Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality, a gay rights group that organized the Washington visits. “When Democrats are falling over one another to say how they support marriage equality, why are they abandoning gay families when actual legislation is on the table?”

Among those knocking on doors in Washington were Ness Madeiros, 35, and her wife, Ginger, 37, who traveled from their home in Minneapolis with their 8-month-old son, Jamie, in tow.

“He was the most amazing tiny little lobbyist,” Ness Madeiros said in an interview together with Ginger. “He did not cry for 10 hours, and we cried in every meeting.”

Ness, an immigrant from Bermuda, said she had lived in the United States on and off for more than a decade, always with legal, but temporary, immigration documents. She said she met Ginger, an American citizen, in 2006 when they were both working at a boarding school in Massachusetts. They were legally married there in 2008.

Shortly after, an effort to obtain a permanent green card for Ness through an employer failed. Ness left for Bermuda, where she remained for two years, the couple said. In 2010 she returned here on a student visa to live with Ginger in Minnesota and study for a master’s degree in psychology.

Without a permanent green card, Ness cannot officially adopt Jamie or share ownership of the house where they live. Her visa is about to expire, the couple said.

“It’s a pretty scary situation for us,” Ginger said. “If something were to happen to me, what is Ness left with?”

Senator Leahy’s bill does not seek to legalize gay marriage. Instead, it would allow an American citizen to petition for a green card for a “permanent partner.” Senator Susan Collins of Maine, a Republican, is a co-sponsor of that bill. “Our legislation would simply update our nation’s immigration laws to treat binational, same-sex permanent partners fairly,” she said on Tuesday.

She and Senate Democrats are looking to Mr. Leahy to decide whether to attach that measure as an amendment to the larger bill. He has not yet tipped his hand.

But in an interview Tuesday with the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Senator Rubio was blunt in his assessment of the impact of any same-sex amendment. “This immigration bill is difficult enough as it is,” he said. “If that issue is injected into this bill, this bill will fail. It will not have the support. It will not have my support.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Ok so lets stop there with the Popular Marco Rubios comments. Is he genius or what?

Listen folks, while this bill is on the table, lets try to solve all possible angles of discrimination that we can. Or it will create an outcry. Which is exactly what we have now. My thoughts are of course, it is not really any ones business what your sexual orientation is. That is a personal life choice. Now please, don’t send me messages telling me that being gay isn’t a choice. That’s not what I’m referring to. I am referring to the fact that disclosure is YOUR choice. Most people cannot just look at someone and determine their sexual orientation. So basically, this doesn’t have to be an issue. But it will eventually come up.

Marco Rubio, what to say? … Idiot!! anyone? First of all Marco, your tiny little voice is NOT the only voice to be heard. We are merely hearing your voice right now because fools love to be heard. I must say it is unfortunate that this has to be included, because frankly, I’m getting tired of hearing, “We forgot about the Gays!!!” Its like ok, Americans have the right to bear arms. Must we include, “Oh and gay people too!” ??? Must we say, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that ALL men are created equal!” Oh and the Gays! All I’m asking is when does the lnclusion clause… if you will, end with the Gay community? Maybe there is a bigger picture. Maybe it is something that should have been addressed hundreds of years ago when writing the Constitution. Oh I forgot. America being founded on Freedom of religion forgot to include Gay people because god hates them!! I totally forgot about that minor detail. So basically every time congress agrees to sign a measure that would accept homosexuality, they are going against biblical principles.

Well, I’m Atheist, so that is just fine with me. Unfortunately I make up a small percentage, so the likes of Marco Rubio will be heard throughout the land.

Phone Jammers, why they may seem cool, but can cause major Panic

Stories have broken across the nation about this device that seems to be such a wonder to many folks out there who want to silence their fellow passengers on the bus, or any public place where noisy phone chatters may be present. Obviously, who hasn’t heard Taneisha on the phone with her girlfriend LaQuanda talking about her no good baby daddy? This inconsiderate chick has no idea that her entire conversation is being heard by the masses, and she doesn’t care. 

Who hasn’t heard the charming male talking to his latest conquest about how he’d like to make her feel good and how much he misses his boo? We’ve all been there. Or we can’t forget the elderly, and their conversation consists of a billion, “Can you hear me now????” repeatedly. Apparently, they cannot hear each other. What a shame! Unfortunately, we can. So you’re thinking, what if this loud mouth passenger is sitting next to you? What if you had the power to silence this inconsiderate jerk? Would you? You might just do that. Now yes it is illegal to do it, but it may be well worth the risk for some of you.

 Here’s the other side to this story. 

Imagine you’re a woman, and you have a hot date that was planned with this sexy guy. You have been planning to see him all week. You got your purse packed, you got your condoms, you got your girlie necessities, and you got your cell phone. Your date picks you up and you wave good bye to your friends and smile as you drive off. You take your cell phone out your purse only to discover that is has no cells. Matter of fact, it is DEAD. Every time you attempt to turn it on, it just slowly powers off. You attempt to make a phone call and the reception is bad and the calls won’t go through. You slowly glance over at your date and he seems confident and hardly notices you fidgeting with your phone, because he is focused on getting you two to your destination. You start to think, I know for sure that I charged this phone for several hours before I left. You even double checked to ensure that this phone was fully charged before you got into the car. 

However, now you aren’t so sure. He is quiet this evening, not a care in the world and yet, you are in a panicked state. So you comment to him and say, “What is going on with my cell phone???” He replies, “you know how crazy these cell phones can be.” Hmmmm, you think. No biggie… let’s think about the possibilities for your evening with prince charming. 

 

You have a problem. If the person who is on the bus can use one of these products to actually keep you from calling for help in the event of an emergency, and from calling your friends and family, Literally, if you have ever fallen prey to one of these devices you will recognize it. At Target, they have some sort of device that keeps consumers from making calls when they are in a certain part of the store. And a date with bad intentions could leave a lady stranded with no way to call home and if her date flips out on her, she has no way to call 911. You’ve been warned. 

James Holmes purchased 6,000 rounds…once again, do we need stiffer gun laws?

Ok, so we arrive at this topic again. I am going to keep it short and sweet. DO WE NEED TO CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF AMMUNITION THAT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN PURCHASE IN THE UNITED STATES? 

OR…do we need to take Colorado off the map?

James Holmes

Since no one wants to talk about gun control…can we talk about ammunition? We’ve been here before and I keep saying the same thing, regardless of how many mass murders we have, nothing has changed. So is it time? James Holmes purchased over 6,000 rounds of ammo online, with NO QUESTION. Is this domestic terror?

Since when is it necessary for anyone to have to purchase this much?

This young man with a promising future went into a theater and killed at least 12 people and injured dozens and no one wants to talk about our gun laws? In Florida, the story of Andrew Scott rings in my ear because he was shot because of mistaken identity…for the simple fact that he answered his door with a weapon. Gun control…people are too trigger happy and if the LAWmaker/enforcer isn’t following protocol, then why should the citizens? I agree with the right to bear arms for EACH law abiding American, however, something is terribly wrong when there is NO REGULATION.

Is America willing to deny everyone?

Here is another point. His mother knew what her son was and her chilling statement says it all. “You have the right person.” Perhaps there is NOTHING to be done at all. His background was spotless and he had great potential…whats the problem? HIM!

Why Atheism is the best choice.

The best thing to happen in my life is when I made a conscience choice to be Atheist. Now what I had not realized is that I was ALWAYS an Atheist, but just didn’t have the heart to tell god No! There is always that part of your life where you begin to question the things around you that don’t make sense. It is amazing what you will discover about yourself once you start listening to the voices inside your head. See people tell you all the time that the voices in your head are crazy, but in reality, that’s just truly your mind and the  way you view life. Now if your voice is telling you to explore your fetish of sucking baby toes, then you got a problem. Seriously…you do.

We talk about the voice of god, but I wanna tell you this. The voice of god is nothing more than your split personality telling you something that the weaker side of you can’t handle. It’s truly an alter ego. Jekyll and Hyde if you will. Most people who are religious have a desperate need to be this way. It is their crutch because they cannot handle their lives the way it is, so they need the strong ego of their mind to intervene and make things right. We should call this god. It has rule of their life, it controls the destination and it controls the outcome and the person who uses god is forced to act as a child and say that this is their imaginary friend. Now why when a child comes to a parent with a new “friend” who no one sees but them, we freak out and say, “Ooh no!” However, so much of the worlds population believes in an imaginary person whom they have NEVER SEEN!

Let me explain why NOTHING else mattered in life before Atheism. Religion had me so bound and gagged and I wasn’t able to accomplish anything.There was this constant inferiority complex that I carried around. There was nothing that could soothe me, with the exception of the bible…or so I thought. But even that provided little comfort. I didn’t’ trust anyone, and I exercised ABSOLUTELY NO STRENGTH OF MY OWN. Well let me tell you how the other day I looked around and said wait a minute…

No one is watching over me?
No one is going to answer my prayers?
No one was there in 1999? ( fill in your own dates)
Giving does not bring me closer to god?
Ive been doing this all on my own?
I love me and that’s all that matters?
There is NO VENGEANCE FROM GOD!?! (This one pissed me off the most) and the list goes on. You can tell me yours in the comments section.

For anyone who was once a christian or practiced any organized religion, its amazing what you discover when the truth comes out. It’s depressing, disgusting and I felt raped and violated. I was so angry, because it felt like I had been in the movie with Michael Douglas called “The Game” problem is…this was no game, this was my life/is my life and someone toyed with me and mine. That is a tough pill to swallow.

What I love about being Atheist…and Atheist living…

The best thing to happen in my life is when I made a conscience choice to be Atheist. Now what I had not realized is that I was ALWAYS an Atheist, but just didn’t have the heart to tell god No! There is always that part of your life where you begin to question the things around you that don’t make sense. It is amazing what you will discover about yourself once you start listening to the voices inside your head. See people tell you all the time that the voices in your head are crazy, but in reality, that’s just truly your mind and the way you view life. Now if your voice is telling you to explore your fetish of sucking baby toes, then you got a problem. Seriously…you do.

We talk about the voice of god, but I wanna tell you this. The voice of god is nothing more than your split personality telling you something that the weaker side of you can’t handle. It’s truly an alter ego. Jekyll and Hyde if you will. Most people who are religious have a desperate need to be this way. It is their crutch because they cannot handle their lives the way it is, so they need the strong ego of their mind to intervene and make things right. We should call this god. It has rule of their life, it controls the destination and it controls the outcome and the person who uses god is forced to act as a child and say that this is their imaginary friend. Now why when a child comes to a parent with a new “friend” who no one sees but them, we freak out and say, “Ooh no!” However, so much of the worlds population believes in an imaginary person whom they have NEVER SEEN!

Being Atheist holds one accountable to their own life. It leaves one to make all decisions and to face consequences if necessary for choices made. It makes one a critical thinker. It makes one accept their lives and their arrangements with an open mind and rediscover what it is that interests them. There is no set rule to follow. Now this, people have a problem with. Why?? Because they like the idea of rules, and usually these people are NOT self starters. They wait for everyone to initiate everything for them and they sit idly by waiting for the outcome. If the outcome isn’t whats expected, they can blame god and say, “it wasn’t gods will.” My number one reason for becoming open with Atheism is, I grew tired of making excuses for why god didn’t come through. Either this god was gonna be powerful and show himself faithful, or he was going to be a no show. Well, too many no shows and you’re fired.

Andrew Scott, shot dead by police, a huge mistake of address.

So the story goes this way. Andrew Scott had just gotten off of work and made his way home from his job at Hungry Howies. As all accounts could say, he was asleep or relaxing, when all of a sudden loud pounds begin to hit his door. He jumped up startled and was concerned with who was at the door that time of morning. He grabbed his gun because he didn’t live in a safe neighborhood, and when he opened the door, he was armed and shot immediately by police.

These same officers never identified themselves. They also reported that upon searching his house, they found drugs (weed) and a scale, and some other drug paraphenelia (baggies). Hmmmm, so why are they trying to sell us on this bad guy image? Is this really necessary? Well of course it is if they think they fucked up!

This is who they were looking for…

Story goes here…

Officials said the incident started when deputies were looking forattempted murder suspect 31-year-old Jonathan Brown at the Blueberry Hill apartment complex on Ryan Drive in Leesburg.

According to authorities, Brown fled from deputies on a motorcycle, which they later found parked in front of Apartment 114. However, that was not the apartment in which Brown lived.

Three deputies were in uniform when they banged on Scott’s door of Apartment 114 around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, believing Brown was inside.

Deputies said they admit they knocked on the wrong apartment door but said they had to open fire when 26-year-old Scott came out, armed with a gun.

Scott was shot and killed, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Originally, the Sheriff’s Office said deputies had announced who they were.

But an email the Sheriff’s Office sent Sunday revealed deputies “didn’t announce and identify themselves” and called it a “minor detail.”

And on Monday, the Sheriff’s Office told WFTV’s Kathi Belich that deputies didn’t have to identify themselves at all.

A spokesman with the Sheriff’s Office told Belich that all deputies saw when the door opened was the muzzle of a gun, and they did what they had to protect themselves.

But friends of Scott WFTV talked to said deputies are painting him in the wrong light.

A friend of Scott’s called him a gentle giant and said he’s the one who gave Scott the gun for his protection. He said Scott had just gotten home from working late when the deputies came to his door.
“They banged on the door. They didn’t yell out, ‘Lake County Sheriff!’ They weren’t being loud; vocal. The guy opened the door at 2 in the morning,” said a witness who did not want to be identified.

“I saw him six hours before (the shooting), and he was fine,” said one of Scott’s friends. “When I heard about it I thought it was a joke.”

Drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in Scott’s home, deputies said.

K-9 Deputy Richard Sylvester, who shot and killed Scott, was wearing a black utility vest with the word “sheriff” on the front.

WFTV learned in the six weeks before Sunday’s shooting, Sylvester has been working around 40 hours of overtime per two-week pay period.

WFTV asked if that could’ve been a factor.

“Regardless of how tired he was, regardless of how much overtime he had this week, or last week, or the last three weeks, or the last month, he took the action he was forced to take that given moment,” said Lt. John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

No matter what, the Sheriff’s Office said, Scott opened the door with the gun pointed at them, and at this point, there’s no indication anyone said anything before Sylvester opened fire.

“This individual was in his home. He was at a place he had a right to be. He’s awoken early in the morning by someone banging at his door; certainly he had a right to go to that door armed,” said Sheaffer.

In some cases, officers don’t identify themselves for the element of surprise if they don’t want a suspect to get away. But the only way in or out of Scott’s apartment is through the front door and the front windows.

“The bottom line is police went to the wrong house. This was an otherwise innocent person, and he was shot to death,” said Sheaffer.

The officers could have surrounded the front and then identified themselves, especially since the officers did not actually see Brown go into the door.

“It was the middle of the night, so they felt it’d be more tactically advantageous to just knock on the door, and that’s what we did,” said Herrell.

“If the name of the law enforcement agency was announced, do you think this could’ve been prevented?” asked WFTV reporter Ryan Hughes.

“Well, based upon what we found inside his home — drugs, scales, pipes, baggies — I can’t answer that. I don’t know what he thought,” Herrell said.

Sylvester never used his dog to track the suspect. Investigators said Brown’s motorcycle was still hot and was parked in front of the door.

They eventually caught Brown at his apartment, which is in the next building.

Sylvester is now on administrative leave. He was also involved in last week’s deputy shooting behind an Advanced Auto Parts store in Eustis.

WFTV was told he’s a police dog handler and that he witnessed two other deputies kill Gilberto Rivera.

The Sheriff’s Office said Rivera had just killed the auto shop clerk he was stalking and wounded another employee.

The deputy who fired the shot that killed Rivera has been placed on administrative leave.

———————————————————————–

Ever seen the movie “An Innocent Man” starring Tom Selleck. There is a great story line to this movie. Two crooked cops are searching for a drug dealer, and they were given the wrong address by a snitch, who happened to be an addict. Well, they arrive to this guys house, (good resectable guy at that) and they bust the door down, ultimately shooting the guy twice. They plant drugs in his house and tear it all up. They knew what they had done and when they discovered that an innocent man had been shot, they had to cover up their dirt. Of course, if this had been the correct address in the movie, these cops would have stolen the drugs and money and created a hostile place for this guy. Afterall, who would report being robbed by the cops if you’re a drug dealer?

Another point to make, and lets be real here. This was a white guy being accused of selling pot. Ummm, what person wants to risk being shot to death over some pot conviction? He would have been out in no time. Seriously…did they have to shoot this young man? And why didn’t they announce who they were? Ok, yes I understand they were looking for a big time criminal, but…even still, not to announce yourself is asking for that sorta outcome.
Andrews friends are so upset right now because the media is showing his mugshot as his primary photo, and of course the first thing the officers did was to show him as a bad guy and paint him in a bad light. Why? Because then you folks will be desensitized about what’s really going on with this story. So they call announcing themselves a minor detail? Get the fuck outta here. Minor? So the law is So the law is above reason.

Also, did the jerk who parked in front of the wrong apartment do this on purpose? Obviously one has to wonder if he anticipated such a disgusting act on his part having this take place. This guy really was innocent and is innocent and hopefully his family can sue sue sue.

The Minnesota, Saint Paul (S) Aints…sponsoring a night of Atheist supporters.

I actually chose this story. being the Atheist that I am, wanted to share it with my readers. It’s interesting how we form opinions of each other without knowledge of the truth. It’s unfortunate that people still look at Atheist as if they are devil worshippers. The problem? We DO NOT BELIEVE IN gOD! So since we don’t believe in god then it’s impossible to believe in some satan character. 

 

 

This is a good thing and it brings awareness to all that we exist.

Minor league Saints hosting a night for Atheist. For one day next month, the St. Paul Saints minor league baseball team will become the Aints.

The Saints, known for off-the-wall promotions in the team’s 20-year history, will have a theme night on Aug. 10 titled “A Night of Unbelievable Fun,” sponsored by the Minnesota Atheists. While the team’s staff generates many of the Saints’ promotions and giveaways, several ideas come from outside sponsors.

This promotion fell into the second category, said Saints general manger Derek Sharrer.

“I think our message here and our brand of entertainment has always been one that’s been inclusive,” Sharrer said. “When we were approached by the Minnesota Atheists, we felt like it was within our nature to be inclusive and certainly work with them to provide them the opportunity to provide their message in the same way that we have worked with hundreds and hundreds of faith-based groups over our 20 years here in St. Paul.”

Target DOES NOT allow EBT/SNAP bottled water purchases!!!

So, let’s get this straight, they do NOT allow customers who are on the foodstamp program to use their cards to purchase bottled water? That is exactly correct. But why…when they allow EBT RECIPIENTS to purchase:

Candy, Cake, donuts, cookies, sugary cereal, processed foods, soda, all sorts of juices, kid snacks, icecream, frozen pizza,chips, etc…

So what’s the problem? Is it the Target Brand that they don’t want to sell that’s on the docket for todays blog or is it all bottled water? 

But seriously, why do they have a problem with customers purchasing water and have no problem with purchasing a bunch of fatty unhealthy shit!?! What is that about?  Are they locked in with the healthcare industry? I mean, to the point where whenever someone gets treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure, that they get a cut of it? They act like they have a vested interest in poor people not drinking water. 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/SNAP/retailers/eligible.htm

That is the link to tell you whats purchasable under the Welfare/Snap/EBT program.

My Dream Lover…come back to me

Stumbled upon the last place I saw you. I recall the moment my eyes left yours. The moment tore through my heart like a fierce storm. You were all I ever needed in my life and all I had desired. I asked about you, cause it had been a while, and I discovered that she was gone. My body sank into denial and became engrossed with fear. I think he’s alone now, I thought to my self, and it brought a smile to my face. Now my heart aches for the one you lost. Right now, I wanna be the one to hold you. Place your head on my shoulders and console you. But I can’t be there…I’m just your Dream Lover.

Signing up for this impossible task, nothing given, and not much to ask, was all my soul could bear. Crying every night, longing for your touch, dreaming that you could be there. Oh my Dream Lover, how I love you so, I want you to know, I have a selfish kinda love for you.

 

 

Because I waited such a time, for a moment like this, just didn’t think I’d see it so soon. It brings me to the point of no return, and makes my sky full of gloom. How do I say, Love me now without coming off so strong? How do I say, it’s my turn now, without coming out as wrong? I understand what you may have had with her and all the memories that you two possess, but it’s my turn to love you like no other, and lay those feelings to rest.

 

 

I will be here for you whenever you need and want me. Ive always told you that I’m yours. You never have to think of another man taking your place. I assure you baby, there is no more room. My nights are filled with you My Dream Lover…..

Chris Rock causes some twitter followers to get angry with tweet

“Happy white peoples independence day the slaves weren’t free but I’m sure they enjoyed fireworks,”

So Chris Rock told the truth and people have a problem with it? Seriously…get over it. It’s common sense that blacks were slaves back then, so why should they be happy with Independence Day? It didn’t benefit them whatsoever. Afterall, Independence Day is this…

A federal holiday in the United States commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

So if you read the information below you will have a better understanding of whats common sense to African Americans.

The Emancipation Proclamation is an executive order issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War using his war powers. It was not a law passed by Congress. It proclaimed the freedom of slaves in the ten states then in rebellion, thus applying to 3.1 million of the 4 million slaves in the U.S. at that time. The Proclamation immediately freed 50,000 slaves, with nearly all the rest (of the 3.1 million) freed as Union armies advanced. The Proclamation did not compensate the owners, did not itself outlaw slavery, and did not make the ex-slaves (called freedmen) citizens.[1]

On September 22, 1862, Lincoln issued a preliminary proclamation that he would order the emancipation of all slaves in any state of the Confederate States of America that did not return to Union control by January 1, 1863. None returned, and the order, signed and issued January 1, 1863, took effect except in locations where the Union had already mostly regained control. The Proclamation made abolition a central goal of the war (in addition to reunion), outraged white Southerners who envisioned a race war, angered some Northern Democrats, energized anti-slavery forces, and weakened forces in Europe that wanted to intervene to help the Confederacy.[2]

What that means is this. African Americans were not free so why should they give a flying fuck about Independence Day?!? Just saying…

Listen, should Chris Rock let this go? Hell yeah because it does nothing to help anyone at this day and time, but it is his twitter and he is able to speak whatever he wishes. What he said was true and correct, so if anyone is offended by the truth, then thats their problem, not his.