The Scoop at What’s the Scoop

By Bob Cox

One of the best things about publishing this magazine, especially when the economy was floundering has been meeting and developing friendships with positive and inspiring local business owners. One of my favorite clients that has also become a friend is Faze Hayat, the owner of What’s the Scoop Ice Cream Parlor in East Sacramento. Whenever I drop by to visit with Faze, he’s almost always laughing and joking. On those rare occasions when he isn’t, it doesn’t take long for him to snap out of the doldrums.

I stopped by What’s the Scoop recently to get the scoop on how Faze and his wife Angel made it through the Great Recession to celebrate their businesses sixth anniversary this month.

Q: Why did you decide to open an ice cream shop?

A: We just wanted to bring something special to the area that it was missing. We noticed that there were mostly corporate chain ice cream stores in the area, so we decided to give people what they wanted. After a lot of taste testing, we figured out that people wanted Gunther's Ice Cream, which has been a landmark in Sacramento since 1940. The quality of the ice cream is great and it’s locally made. No matter how much things change, Gunther’s Ice Cream offers the nostalgia of good old fashion ice cream.

Q: What makes Gunther’s Ice Cream taste so great?

A: Gunther's uses a slow churn, hand-controlled method to process their ice cream, along with a higher percentage of butterfat cream and the finest ingredients available. This produces a richer and creamier ice cream. My wife Angel and I actually trained at the production facility and all the ice cream is made here in Sacramento.

Q: Can you tell us about some of the flavors that you have?

A: Sure, we have 47 different flavors of ice cream and a lot of them were made specifically for us. Our best seller ever is our Coffee Oreo. Our Taro flavor, which is actually a purple root from Taiwan, is our next best-seller. Our butter brickle is another favorite, with pieces of toffee, candy and roasted peanuts in a vanilla base.

Q: What other products do you offer?

A: We have bubble teas, which are the freshly brewed tees from our tea espresso machine. No one else in Sacramento has that. Our customers like it because they can customize their flavors and get a freshly brewed tea within 20 seconds. We have several non-dairy products on our menu, including our bubble teas, milk teas, slurpees and all our smoothies. We also offer Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches made with Gunther’s Ice Cream, real fruit freezes along with a large variety of handmade bon bons, nutty cones, clown cones, ice cream cakes and much more.

Q: What are the biggest challenges of owning a business?

A: Marketing. We have so many customers that still come in to the store and ask us if we are new to the area. We continue to rely on the word of mouth of customers to relay that “What’s the Scoop” serves Gunther’s Ice Cream in East Sacramento.

Q: What life experiences have helped you become confident enough to own your own business?

A: I come from a car background and I always had to deal with all different types of customers and learned how to be a chameleon and blend in with anyone at any place at any time. Also, my parents owned a tire and rim shop. My wife also came from a family of entrepreneurs that owned multiple businesses, so she understands the trials and tribulations that come with owning a small business.

Q: Were there people that doubted your ability to run a successful ice cream shop?

A: Yes, a lot of people with expertise in our field doubted us and we had to prove a lot of people wrong. This experience taught us to never go with what other people think about you. If you're doing something positive and you keep going for it, then you can achieve anything

Q: You’re always positive and upbeat every time I come see you. What do you do to keep that positive attitude?

A: I just look in the mirror (laughing).

Q: I hope they don’t see what we see (laughing)...I’m kidding! In all seriousness, do you have any suggestions to help people stay positive and motivated?

A: Yes, just keep CVS open and the hair color section alive (laughing). Seriously though, we do have two daughters (Ashley and Fyzah) and they are our biggest motivation. We’d like to see them be what they want to be. We don't push them into our business but they do see us working hard every day. They respect that and they actually want to come in and help out and learn the business. That reminds me of a quote: To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business and your business in your heart.

Q: The best job I had in college was when I delivered flowers for a local florist because everybody was happy to see me. Has that been your experience owning an ice cream shop?

A: Yes because it's a treat. If someone comes through the door and they’re having a rough day, that always changes to a smile when they look up at our menu or when we talk and joke with them. We just make them feel like they're at home. Our motto is to smile and serve! You never know whose day you could make with a simple scoop of ice cream.

Q: Do you have any advice for the younger generation?

A: The biggest thing is just don't ever stay down if you fall down. You can accomplish whatever you want because nothing's out of reach. Follow the positive people, the people that support you. You can achieve your dreams, just make sure you stay positive and always keep a smile on your face. Look forward and not backwards!

Q: On a more serious note do people really scream for ice cream?

A: The kids do and they’ll scream at you too if you get it wrong (laughing)! Actually, they choose by the color of the ice cream! “I want the pink one” or “I want the purple one”. It’s so cute to see them get so excited about ice cream.

Q: Actually I saw one of your younger customers screaming when his ice cream fell off the cone and onto the sidewalk outside your store. When he came back in, you gave him a free scoop!

A: That's right (laughing). We will load them up for free, but most of the time there's a lot of people screaming because the ice cream is so good and it's a good experience.

Q: So is that the scoop at What's the Scoop?

A: That's the scoop at What's the Scoop (laughing)!

Editor’s notes: What’s the Scoop Ice Cream is located at 6350 Folsom Blvd., Suite 400 (at the Southwest corner of Folsom Blvd. and 65^th Street) in East Sacramento. Their phone number is (916) 370-7301 and their website is www.whatsthescoop.net.

The Golden Rule Behind The Ultimate Service Team

By Bob Cox

Of all the advice Dave Trux, the owner of Valley Motorwerks has received during his lifetime, the one he credits much of his success to is following the Golden Rule, “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you”. He doesn’t just practice this rule in the comforts of his home but everywhere he goes, especially at work.

Over the years as an outside sales rep, I’ve been in hundreds of auto repair shops and not all of them have given me a warm and fuzzy feeling. On more than one unpleasant occasion, I’ve experienced the wrath of a greasy and hostile mechanic. Fortunately, you won’t have to endure that kind of treatment at Valley Motorwerks. You can expect an experience that’s as far from that as possible.

“We created some core values here at the shop and we pretty well stick to those. One of our core values is that we treat everyone that walks through the door like a member of our family. And that treatment doesn't just extend to our customers. That treatment extends to everyone, from the guy who picks up our waste oil to the guy who delivers our parts. They are as important to the success of our business as the people who walk through our front door and spend money with us”, explained Dave.

I caught up with Dave the other day to learn more about his compelling core principals and how he’s applied them to other aspects of his business.

Q: What did you do before you became the owner of Valley Motorwerks?

A: I've been involved in automotive as a vocation the good majority of my adult life. I started in the dealership level for a brief time then moved to the factory level with Audi. After that, I worked in automotive aftermarket marketing.

Q: How did you get involved with Valley Motorwerks?

A: Through my former business partner, Walter Ford. I came back to Sacramento from Houston, Texas in 2004 and Walter and I met through racing. He opened Valley Motorwerks in 2006 and then we formed a partnership in 2014. He's been out of the business now for just over a year and here we are.

Q: What was it about Valley Motorwerks that was so appealing to you?

A: Well it's my affinity for the German cars that we work on. Also, the fact that we're still involved in motor sports as well. This is a natural fit for me.

Q: What makes Valley Motorwerks unique?

A: When it comes to servicing and repairing German automobiles, we truly are Sacramento's original dealership alternative. You would get the same high level of service that you would at the dealership without the expense of a dealership. We have factory trained technicians, a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty and install OEM parts. It's just like going to the dealership but you get to keep a little more money in your pocket.

Q: Do you have the freedom to install aftermarket parts that are superior in either design, durability or performance?

A: Yes, and that’s because dealers have to meet strict franchise agreements, so the dealerships have their hands tied in many instances. We have the ability to install a variety of superior aftermarket items, including exhaust systems, suspension and brakes. For example, we offer a brand of brake pads that gives you the stopping power of a factory pad without the excessive brake dust.

Q: What makes of vehicles do you specialize in?

A: We began strictly with BMW's and then began servicing Mini Cooper, which is a BMW product that's very similar to BMW in engineering and design. After that, we slowly branched out into servicing Volkswagen and Audi because those two brands are cousins as well.

Q: What qualities do you look for when you hire a technician?

A: Well, I certainly want somebody who's enthusiastic about the brand’s we work on and that's exactly what we have. Secondly, we look for somebody that has some experience at both the dealership level as well as the independent level. We've been fortunate in that area as well. Training is ongoing and continual here. I’ve invested in sending my guys to classes as far away as Dallas, at my expense. So, that really benefits the shop, our technicians and ultimately the customer.

Q: With highly trained technicians, you should have fewer customers coming back to fix the same problem. Is that correct?

A: Yes and everything we do is backed by a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty. We've even stretched those limits from time to time, depending upon the situation. In the rare event of a comeback, the customer comes first. We spare no expense in making sure that customer is satisfied.

Q: Your shop has several large windows with a direct view of everything that's happening in your shop. Can you tell us your thinking behind these windows?

A: Yes, we wanted a seamless look, from the front of our shop to the back of our shop that is totally transparent. Customers absolutely love the fact that they can watch their car while it's being worked on. That transparency also keeps us on our game and encourages us to keep the shop clean and orderly. If I had a dollar for every time somebody said they loved being able to look out into the shop, we probably would have closed the doors a long time ago (laughing).

Q: What have been the biggest surprises you've experienced while owning Valley Motorwerks?

A: Well, the county of Sacramento and the state of California can be challenging to the small business owner, but I think they’re making strides to improve their relationships with small business owners. On the positive side, the guys I'm surrounded with are great. Everybody here is pretty tight knit. We all respect and support each other.

Q: Are you able to help people that have extended warranties who want to give your shop a try?

A: Yes absolutely. If you have an extended warranty you can choose an independent repair shop that can handle that extended warranty. You don't have to go back to the dealership. If you’re planning to buy a new or used vehicle, I strongly recommend purchasing an extended warranty. I don't know of a customer with an extended warranty that hasn't at least broken even with their extended warranty.

Editor’s notes: Valley Motorwerks is located at 11403 White Rock Road in Rancho Cordova, CA. For more information about Valley Motorwerks, contact Dave Trux at (916) 636-9526 or visit their website www.vmwerks.com.

98 Pound Weakling “Pacq’ed” a Punch

The Legend of Boxing Great Manny Pacquiao

By Bob Cox

One of the most unlikely success stories began when the comedy show Seinfeld was soaring to the top of the TV ratings chart, the country was experiencing an onslaught of unsightly mullets and a congenial governor of Arkansas was elected President of the United States. The year was 1992 when a 14 year-old homeless and scrawny destitute high school dropout from General Santos City in the Philippines, decided to fight back.

The young man named Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, (born December 17, 1978), experienced a traumatic setback while he was he was in sixth grade. His parents separated after his mother discovered that his father was living with another woman. Alone with seven children, his mother, Dionisia Dapidran-Pacquiao struggled financially and the family quickly became accustomed to the perils of poverty. The boy left his home at age 14 because his mother was simply not making enough money to support her family. After his move to Manila, he lived for a time on the streets.

Things seemed to go from bad to worse when his close friend, an aspiring boxer named Eugene Barutag died in 1995. At age 16, Pacquiao was at a crossroads. He could’ve given up on life and packed it in. Instead, he became more determined than ever to persevere. Pacquiao followed in his friend’s footsteps by pursuing a career as a professional boxer. At the demure height of 4’11 and tipping the scales at 98 pounds, he was one of the most unlikely candidates to pull off such a feat. Pacquiao was actually 7 pounds under the minimum and resorted to putting weights in his pockets to make the light flyweight division of 105 pounds!

In his first boxing match on January 22, 1995, Pacquiao won a four-round bout against Edmund "Enting" Ignacio. He became an instant star of the TV program called Vintage Sports Blow by Blow. Pacquiao would go on to enjoy great success as an amateur boxer, compiling a record of 60-4 before turning pro. He made ends meet financially when he was accepted by the Philippine national amateur boxing team, where his room and board were paid for by the government.

Over the next 20 plus years, Pacquiao would go on to achieve extraordinary success. He is considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time. He is the only eight-division world champion and has won ten world titles. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" (2000-2009) by the Boxing Writers Association of America, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization. He is a bona fide rags-to-riches story as he was the second highest paid athlete in the world in 2015, according to Forbes.

Outside the boxing ring, Pacquiao has enjoyed success in business, acting, professional basketball, music recording, the military and politics. In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the province of Sarangani and was re-elected in 2013 to the 16th Congress of the Philippines.

The married father of five children decided to exorcise the final demon from his past by picking up where he left off in school. He would go on to pass a high school equivalency exam in 2007 and was awarded with a high school diploma by the Department of Education. Pacquiao enrolled for a college degree in business management at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) in his hometown in General Santos City and in 2009 received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) by Southwestern University (SWU) in recognition of his boxing achievements and humanitarian work.

With all this behind the kid from General Santos City, what will he do for an encore? Whatever it is, we can’t be too surprised.

Resurrecting Your Mobile Phone

By Alika Salazar

People destroy their mobile phones in a number of unintentional and intentional ways. The majority of customers we’ve helped over the years have been victims of a wide variety of accidents, like when they place their phone on top of their car and then drive off or when they roll over their phone while sleeping. On the other hand; there are those rare occasions when a broken phone is not accidental, like when an angry significant other throws it at the nearest wall or out of the car while driving on the freeway. Whatever the cause, if your phone is severely damaged, does this mean that your phone is done for?

Absolutely not! A lot of times, a simple screen repair is all that’s required. In more severe impact cases, there is a chance that the motherboard has been damaged or the solder points between the chips have been separated. Fortunately, that’s pretty rare. In either situation, we have been able to repair the vast majority of impact damaged phones.

The other common problem we see are water-damaged phones. I’ve had several customers bring their phones to us after dropping it in water and tell us they put it in rice and their phone was still not working. If you drop your phone in water, be sure to turn the power off immediately, keep it dry and bring it to us right away. The longer you wait, the greater the potential damage the water inside will cause.

So, if your phone has suffered what you believe to be irreparable damage, stop digging that grave in your backyard and bring your phone to us for a free no obligation price quote. As a matter of fact, if you have any electronic device that’s been damaged, like an iPad, tablet, laptop computer, desk top computer, gaming system or just about any other gadget that runs on electricity, don’t give up on it before you bring it to us. Odds are good you’ll be happy you did! 

Not Like Pulling Teeth

By Bob Cox

When Sil Ferrari’s original chiropractor retired about a year or so ago, he embarked on a dialing expedition and got lucky...very lucky! The Carmichael resident eventually chose Dr. Blakely because her practice was also located in Carmichael.

“One of the reasons I definitely wanted to go to a chiropractor was because I kept experiencing pain from arthritis in my neck and hips. I wanted to see a chiropractor before I complained to my physician. One of the main issues that I had for almost two years was a shooting pain from my wisdom tooth on the left side. I would get this shooting pain at least once or twice a week and it felt like it was going all the way up in my brain. I talked to my dentist about it and he referred me to an orthodontist, who recommended that I have the tooth pulled out”, explained Sil.

After going to Dr. Blakely for regular adjustments and supplements for the past four months, Sil’s results have been amazing! “I decided to hold off on having my tooth pulled and Dr. Blakely has had a very good success rate in helping some of the issues that I've had. I haven't had any pain in that tooth since she has been working on my neck. Under Dr. Blakely’s suggestion, I've been taking aloe and a supplement for joint support once a day,” said Sil.

So, the combination of adjustments and supplements has really helped Sil get back on track. “I know the arthritis will never go away permanently, but I no longer have any problem walking, I don't have any problems with my neck and I don't have any shooting pains in that upper tooth area. I would recommend Dr. Blakely for anyone that’s in pain. She's very easy to work with and listens to what's going on and if adjustments need to be made, she has no problem doing that. She'll even take complaints (laughing). She's just a very, very gracious and nice doctor to work with”, smiled Sil.

By George, You Are the Father of Our Country

By Bob Cox

Thankfully, we don’t need to have George Washington, our nation’s first president appear on the Jerry Springer Show with a paternity test to verify that he is the father of our country. If we did, wouldn’t that make us a despicable bunch of desperados in search of an even more bizarre form of entertainment? Sure, but you have to admit that this would be quite a show title: The Father of Daytime Trash Talk vs. The Father of America!

Whenever George Washington is mentioned, perhaps the most common images I get include his role as a founding father, a brilliant and courageous general and America’s first president. What’s truly inspired me most recently is learning about the amazing perseverance he displayed and the limitations he had to overcome throughout his lifetime, which began during his early childhood days.

Washington’s American family tree took root when his great-grandfather, John Washington immigrated from England to Virginia in 1656 and began accumulating land and slaves, as did his son Lawrence and his grandson, George's father, Augustine who was a tobacco planter that also tried his hand in iron-mining ventures. The first child of Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington was George Washington, who was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia on February 22, 1732.

Life in the colonies nearly three centuries ago when Washington was growing up on Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg was a daily struggle for survival for the average family. The mortality rate was significantly higher than it is today, so the idea of tracking life expectancy did not even exist and only a small percentage of people reached their golden years. Formal statistical tracking of life expectancy began around 1900, when the average American lived to the age of just 47 compared to nearly 79 years today. One can only wonder what the average life expectancy was back in the 1700’s.

Washington’s family was no stranger to the grim reaper as three of George’s nine siblings died before adulthood: his sister Mildred died when she was one, his half-brother Butler died in infancy and his half-sister Jane died at age twelve, when George was two. Nine years later, Washington’s father died of a sudden illness in 1743. Fortunately for the Washington family, George’s half-brother Lawrence stepped forward to become a surrogate father while his father-in-law and prominent land-owner William Fairfax also became an important role model.

In addition to the emotional grief over the loss of his father, Washington’s formal education was cut short because of his death. While his formal education was limited to elementary school, George would earn “an advanced degree from the overcrowded school of hard knocks”. After Washington turned 15, he attempted to join the Royal Navy but was turned away when his widowed mother objected. The following year, he was invited to join a survey party organized by his neighbor and friend George Fairfax and he gained valuable experience from this opportunity. At the age of 17, Washington began his career as a well paid professional surveyor and would go on to receive a commission and surveyor's license from the College of William and Mary.

Two years later, Washington took time off work to accompany his brother Lawrence to Barbados. Lawrence suffered from tuberculosis and they both hoped the weather would improve his condition. Unfortunately, Lawrence's health failed to improve and he died in the summer of 1752.

Washington began his military service in the French and Indian War (1754-1762) as a major in the militia of the British Province of Virginia. George served as an ambassador of the British Crown and was sent to speak to the French and Indians. In 1753 the French had military control into the Ohio Country, a territory that had been claimed by the British.

Two years later, Washington would be tested in combat. In the Battle of the Monongahela the French and their Indian allies ambushed the British forces. After devastating losses, the British panicked and made a chaotic retreat. Washington took notice and rode back and forth across the battlefield, rallying the remnants of the British and Virginian forces into an organized retreat. Despite a lingering illness that included severe fever and headaches, he showed tremendous courage under fire and his coat was actually pierced by four bullets.

Later that same year, Lt. Governor Robert Dinwiddie rewarded Washington with a commission as Colonel of the Virginia Regiment and the task of defending Virginia's frontier. Although Washington never received commission in the British army, he gained tremendous leadership skills. He carefully examined British military tactics and gained a keen insight into their strengths and weaknesses, observations that served him during the Revolutionary War. It was during this period where Washington was recognized for his courage in combat as his soldiers followed his lead without question.

During this respite between the wars, Washington married a wealthy 28 year old widow named Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759. Washington's marriage to Martha greatly increased his property holdings and social standing. Overnight, he became one of Virginia's wealthiest men. Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie promised land bounties to the soldiers that served during the French and Indian War and Washington received another 23,200 acres. By 1775, Washington had doubled the size of Mount Vernon to 6,500 acres. As a respected military hero and large landowner, he held local office and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, representing Frederick County in the House of Burgesses from 1758-1765.

Washington enjoyed the fruits of an expanding empire as he diversified his tobacco crops to include wheat, flour milling, fishing, horse breeding, spinning and weaving. Growing tensions between the colonies and their British rulers; however, dissolved the peace and revealed an ominous future.

Washington’s involvement in the politics of the day began when he took a stand in 1767 against the various acts of the British Parliament. He opposed the 1765 Stamp Act, the first direct tax on the colonies imposed by the British Parliament, with no representatives from the colonies.

He also opposed the Townshend Acts (1767) and the Intolerable Acts in 1774, stating that they were "An invasion of our rights and privileges". In July 1774 he chaired the meeting at which the "Fairfax Resolves" were adopted, which called for the convening of a Continental Congress. In August, Washington attended the First Virginia Convention and was selected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress.

The final vestiges of peace evaporated in a hail of exploding muskets in April 1775 when the Battles of Lexington and Concord erupted near Boston. Washington came to the Second Continental Congress dressed in a military uniform and was ready for battle. He had the experience, charisma and leadership qualities that commanded attention. Congress created the Continental Army on June 14, 1775 and Washington was appointed as a full General and Commander-in-chief. Two months later, on August 23, 1775 Britain issued a Royal proclamation labeling American rebels as traitors who faced the confiscation of their property while their leaders were subject to execution.

Over the next eight years, Washington lost many of his battles, but his army never surrendered. He served three important roles during the war. First, he plotted the overall strategy of the war in cooperation with Congress. Second, he organized and trained the army. And third, he was the face of armed resistance to the Crown, a living representative of the American Revolution with the strategy of maintaining an army in the field at all times.

Washington's defining moment of the war showcased his remarkable character, strength and leadership during the frigid winter months at Valley Forge in 1777 and 1778. An army of 11,000 marched into winter quarters in December 1777 and over the next six months, the deaths in camp numbered in the thousands, mostly from disease, lack of food, inadequate clothing, poor shelter and extreme cold. During that dreadful winter, British troops were comfortably quartered in Philadelphia. As conditions worsened, Washington faced the unrelenting task of maintaining moral while repeatedly asking the Continental Congress for badly needed provisions, with no success. As in battle, Washington refused to surrender and Congress soon gave full support to funding the supply lines of the army. By late February, there were adequate supplies flowing throughout camp.

After the war was won, the Treaty of Paris was signed in September 1783 and Great Britain finally recognized the independence of the United States. Washington resigned his commission, disbanded his army and on November 2, gave a stirring farewell address to his soldiers. The following month, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief, saying "I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping." King George III called Washington "the greatest character of the age" because of this noble action.

Washington's retirement into civilian life at Mount Vernon didn’t last long. He once again answered the call of his country by attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787. He was elected unanimously as president of the Convention. He criticized the Articles of Confederation of the thirteen colonies for the weak central government it established. Washington argued for the need of a strong federal government, specifically to provide for the needs of the military, which was clearly lacking for him during the winter at Valley Forge.

Interestingly enough, the majority at the convention did not share Washington's vision of a strong federal government to bind the states together. They compared that model of government to the British Parliament that previously ruled and taxed the colonies so unfairly.

The Electoral College unanimously elected Washington as the first president in 1789 and then unanimously again 1792. He remains the only president to receive the totality of electoral votes. Congress voted to pay Washington a salary of $25,000 a year (about $340,000 today). Despite facing financial troubles, Washington initially declined the salary to maintain the role of a selfless public servant.

Washington displayed a high level of tolerance for opposing opinions and was an outstanding judge of character. He was also known to be systematic and orderly while listening to the opinion of others. At the same time, he was bold, decisive and eager to take action. After reluctantly serving a second term, Washington refused to run for a third, establishing the tradition of a maximum of two terms for a president.

Two years after leaving office in1797, Washington passed away at his home in Mt. Vernon at the age of 67. People around the world mourned his death. In the United States, memorial processions were held in several major cities and while in France, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered ten days of mourning throughout the country.

As we are about to celebrate our great nation’s 240^th birthday this 4^th of July, we have so much to be grateful for and yet so much unfinished business ahead to truly apply the ideals of our nation’s architects who, as Abraham Lincoln stated so eloquently during the Gettysburg Address, “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal”.

While Washington possessed a long list of admirable character traits and amazing accomplishments, like bravery, perseverance and wisdom during times of war and peace, he was far from perfect. The single greatest flaw during his lifetime was Washington’s decision to keep the chains of slavery shackled tightly around the necks of our African American brothers and sisters.

So, since Washington was a slave owner, should we wipe the slate clean of all the positive things that he achieved at such an enormous personal cost during the birth of America? If your answer was yes, that would be understandable as the enslavement of innocent people is an abomination of justice. While Washington’s actions in this matter were morally indefensible, the record also shows that he was the only prominent Founding Father to arrange for the release of all his slaves following his death, as he privately became opposed to slavery later in life. He also believed the divisiveness of his countrymen's feelings about slavery as a potential threat to the unity of the nation, a foreboding prophecy that would nearly divide this nation in half by pitting brother against brother upon the crimson soaked battlefields across America less than a century later.

Wherever there is injustice, like in the massacre of 49 innocent people in a nightclub in Orlando or when a pastor from a local church praises the deeds of the deranged murderer, like Roger Jimenez did at Verity Baptist Church did the day after this crime against humanity occurred, the voices of reason, compassion and justice must be heard. Every injustice that’s ever occurred throughout human history has begun with sowing seeds of hatred and intolerance towards our fellow man. The only way to extinguish this infectious virus is to find a healthy way to help that individual replace those poisonous seeds of hate with seeds of kindness, compassion and love. Forcing our intolerant views upon an intolerant individual would be akin to putting out a raging fire of madness with sticks of dynamite. On the other hand, we need to practice wisdom be being vigilant when it comes to potentially dangerous individuals like Roger Jimenez. People with that much hatred in their hearts do have the potential to cross the bloody line that separates murderous ideas from action, as deranged people like Omar Mateen have once again tragically proven.