In 1999, I used to space-out in Ms. Stadler’s first period algebra class and stare at this hokey educational poster that read “Stand up for what is right, even if you’re standing alone.” I used to picture Superman in his iconic stance with his hands on his hips.

The last son of Krypton protecting the weak and fighting for justice. That image and saying stayed with me till this day. It’s very hard doing what is right and its even harder to do it alone because our society lives by “majority rules.”  In fact, thats how we make our laws and elect our presidents. However, just because the majority agrees that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. At one point the majority agreed that black people should be slaves, in another time in our history it was ok to persecute and kill people that the majority believed to be witches. The point being, it’s hard to go against the majority when you are the only one that is right. No wonder Superman keeps a secret identity. I’ve tried doing the right thing when I am the only one and I usually get crap for it.  So it’s really, really, really hard to be altruisitic sometimes.  It’s even harder to be Superman, yes, I’ve tried.

Recently, however, I got the chance to meet a guy that gets pretty close. A real guy, not an actor or a nut trying to fly, but a man trying to do the right thing. His job is to protect those that need protecting and to fight for justice.  However, he doesn’t stop when he clocks out, no this guy keeps it going even off duty.  In fact, he kinda looks like Superman too.  Big, strong boy scout that dresses in blue, police blue that is. The man I am referring to is Officer Martin Escobar. Police officer by day, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master by night and a 24/7 defender of justice.

He even stands like Superman.

Unlike, the man of steel though, he is not taking on Lex Luthor. No this gentleman is taking on a far more nefarious nemesis… the state of Arizona. When the whole SB1070 fiasco came about, people rallied and protested, others left, an even larger majority said “what are we going to do?’  Martin Escobar DID something.  At the risk of losing friends, akin to brothers in the police force, and becoming an outcast in his own profession, he decided to stand up for what is right even if it meant he would be doing it alone. His plan: to sue the state of Arizona.  He’s probably going to get loads if money if he wins, that should be motivation enough, after all he is suing a state, right?  Sadly, no, Mr. Escobar will not recieve any monetary compensation if he wins, the only reward will be that this law gets repealed. In fact he will probably lose lots of money since he is doing this out of pocket. His main reason is that as a police officer this law forces him and other officers to use racial profiling in order to enforce it.  Many, have criticized his efforts and even mocked the humble policeman for his plight, but despite this he carried on. Can you imagine what his life would be like if he wore a cape and his undies over his pants? No respect whatsoever.  His efforts garnered so much attention that CNN decided to interview him.  So much has this man achieved on his own that the city of Tucson has now decided to be a co-plaintiff on his law suit. He’s not so alone now, Lex Brewer.

As a result, I could not help but track this man down and intrview him myself, I must admit the man made me nervous. It was like meeting, well, your hero.  And since The Citizen can now handle the cutting edge of video tech known as YouTube I decided to do it on video.

And because I am an equal opportunity blogger and believe that our non-English speaking citizens (yes, Sheriff Arpaio and Senator Pierce, we have Spanish only citizens) should understand this man’s opinion here it is in Español.

Officer Escobar did an english version of this video too but it was too large to upload. I will add it as soon as I can find a way to compress it and post it up on here.

Arnie Bermudez

“I don’t need offspring, just clones, that way the margin of error is non-existant.” -me

I found the following story while trolling through CNN. Apparently, $250 million dollars is being used to fund abstinence programs in school… that are not evidence based.  A resounding WTF comes to mind. We are funding programs in school that are not based on any factual or even circumstancial evidence? $250 million to tell hormone driven teens NOT to have sex? Ridiculous. That’s like telling a hungry person not to eat. I can’t believe my taxes are paying for this hogwash. No sex before marriage?!!! How about no marriage before sex? The result would be a much happier life and if the person chooses to get married a much happier marriage. 

Here’s an idea, how about we teach kids how human biology works and the risks that come with having sex, as well as, how to protect themselves and their partners from them while using the appropriate measures. Then again, this would require evidence, facts and common sense and that would probably confuse kids. Lets not fight ignorance with knowledge and education, we may actually teach our youth something. I shouldn’t be suprised though, since some states already teach another evidence lacking program called Intelligent Design.

Arnie Bermudez

“I found something on my face today… a whole lot of handsomeness!!!”- Me