Progressing Backwards

Is racism bad? Yes. On both sides of the aisle. It runs both toward and from several ethnicities. Personally, I’d like to see people of all skin colors and ethnic backgrounds get along and just acknowledge each other as people without any describers other than gender or hair color or other innocuous stuff. Except then there’d end up being animosity based on THAT.  Because that’s how humans work. We are a warring and excessive animal. 

The George Floyd situation? Clearly wrong and those men deserve to be punished. Absolutely. The man who exercised unnecessary force and violence as well as those who had a responsibility to ensure he didn’t act that way. When you wear a badge you’re held to a higher standard and you ARE you brother’s keeper. It is your responsibility to keep your brothers in check. Not just the citizenry but those with badges as well. 

I fully agree with peaceable protest for justice. Absolutely. PEACEABLE protest. Not looting, rioting and being violent. That’s not how to push for justice; it’s how you show your base nature of being a lowlife or a thug. Those using these protests as a cover or excuse for their criminal acts show precisely WHY we need the police they’re protesting against. 

True to our human nature, though, these protests have gone to extremes. The reaction to this instance of unnecessary violence and abuse by police has been carried too far. It’s like humans look for a cause, find the line, then just proceed to cross that line. The response by the police to George Floyd was excessive, so the response to it is excessive too. Human nature. 

And part of this excess is crying for defunding and/or dismantling police. Out of 60 million interactions between police and citizens a year, we have one case like this every 4-5 years. So, basically, 1 case out of roughly 1.3 BILLION interactions. But the protests say black people are being targeted. Except the numbers don’t support this. Who cares about facts when you can respond with emotion? Emotion clouds reason and logic so basing policy and affecting change based on emotion is a terrible idea. So I’m sure that’s what’ll end up happening. Right up until they later realize how terrible that decision was. 

Disband the police? Then what? Are we promoting vigilantism? Surely no one thinks crime is just gonna stop if you get rid of the police. Surely no one is dumb enough to think that any excessive violence or racism by people will just disappear if you dismantle the police.  Are these “progressive” people really pushing for us to return to the Wild Wild West? Why is progressive supposed to mean “moving forward” or “forward thinking” but it’s a name adopted by the most SHORT SIGHTED members of society? It’s like they enjoy the hypocrisy of their oxymoronic behavior so much they adopted a name that suited said hypocrisy. 

Look, I’m all for progress but maybe we should do something that’s actually progressive instead of regressive.  I’m all for checks and balances. I’m all for righting wrongs. However, I’m not down with the hypocrisy of blaming the entirety of one group for the actions of the few. That’s prejudicial by definition and close minded by practice. 

Protesting all over the place to end prejudice while exercising prejudicial behavior doesn’t make you any better than those you’re protesting against.  Committing criminal acts while pushing to disband police makes you part of the problem, not the solution. Try changing YOUR behavior before insisting everyone else change theirs. 

Are there police that abuse power and have no business having a badge? Yes. Unfortunately, though it’s not just law enforcement where this problem occurs, they get the most media attention because of the deaths that result. Not that every death that’s been protested is solely the fault of the constabulary involved. This one? Definitely was senseless, needless and the fault of those law enforcement officers involved. It was way over the top, just as the response has been. 

Here’s the problem with those pushing to disband law enforcement... right now you’ve got an organized group upon which you could focus your anger and disapproval. What happens if you succeed and we have no law enforcement? Let’s look first just at one aspect.... things would move in one of two directions. 

First, let’s say it just leads to martial law. You think having the government make our decisions for us and enforcing them with an iron fist is going to be a better solution? That’s laughable. 

Secondly, let’s say the police get disbanded and there is no martial law. So then we’ve got lawlessness and vigilantism and now you don’t have an organized group to voice your displeasure to. Don’t like what’s going on? Then shit will just get more violent in response and everything escalates. Sure hope you’re not one of those liberals who doesn’t believe in gun ownership when your “solution” backfires on you and the people who protect you are all fired and told not to protect you anymore. 

Remember, wars are the result of two or more parties of opposing opinions reacting in the extreme. Keep taking protests and shit to extremes and demanding extreme “solutions” and see if peaceful “getting along” is the natural outcome. 

Finally, and think hard about this..... demand the firing of the roughly 20,000 people who are trying to enforce law in the other 328 million (and ever increasing) people in the U.S. alone and put them on welfare and unemployment. Hell, keep decreasing the number of people paying taxes and increasing the number of those without jobs.  Now who’s supporting the rest of the country? Apparently you’re not familiar with the formulas that lead to economic collapse. Now imagine that collapse with no one to put their life on the line for you.  Welcome to the prequel for a Mad Max type of society. 

"Full Metal Valentine"

So today is Valentine's Day. It's that lovey-dovey day and stuff. So, with teary eyes, I thought I'd say a few words. You know, to express my feelings on such a sweet day. So let's get to it. 

So where did Valentine's Day come from? Well, it comes from some pretty obscure stuff. Way back around 200 A.D. it had been determined that "married men make bad soldiers". So Emperor Claudius banned marriage and this Saint Valentine dude would marry them off before they got drafted. 

Boy have things changed. I remember being married. There were times I'd have gladly sacrificed myself to a volcano if it got me a little peace and quiet. Fight the "hordes"? You betcha! Bring on the pain and suffering, please. 

Let's examine this Saint Valentine guy, though, rebel that he was. Was he real? Well, apparently there were many people that got that distinction. The good ole Catholic Church kinda made him up so that they could try to convert more people from paganism. It seems every year another "Saint Valentine" was martyred around the 14th. The Romans would behead the poor dude on the 14th and then have all kinds of fun throwing Christians into lion pits starting the 15th. It was a punishment for turning away from the Roman gods and seeking Christianity.  Fun times. "Here's your lacy little heart card now go play with the giant kitty cats."

That was just a fun little part of their festival, Lupercalia. That started on February 15th when the guys would draw names of the lucky lady that'd be their date for the night. There's even speculation that that woman would be the guy's sexual partner for the year. 

Who needs hearts, flowers and chocolates when you've got a hat to draw names from? I wonder if there were ever guys that were like "nah. No way. Let me draw again. Have you seen this gargoyle looking girl I got stuck with?!" Or the poor girls that got stuck with the nastiest guy in the realm? 

So here I sit, enjoying my Valentine's Day in the most appropriate manner I can think of. I'm watching Full Metal Jacket. It's one of my favorite love stories. 

"Don't Tell Me Who Matters"

I wanted to give France enough time to mourn its loss before posting this. Before talking about something that I find offensive. Ironic, really, since the post that I'd had scheduled for today was about how inured I'd become with how we Americans are offended by every little thing. Guess I can scratch that post now. Too bad; it had some humor to it. 

So what has me so bothered that I'm having to edit (and you'll see later, censor) myself? Well, let me start at the beginning. Or the middle as it may be. 

See, I love me some Taco Bell. So I stopped at the TA truck stop in Greencastle,PA since they've got the Bell next door. As I pull in I see they are flying the American flag at half mast. Wanting to confirm my assumption as to why, I asked inside. They looked at me like I had been living in a cave and said "because of the terrorist attacks in France."

Respect for innocent lives needlessly lost. The manager of that TA in Pennsylvania didn't know any of the people who were murdered but wanted to show respect and sympathy from half a world away. Had that manager been working I'd have gladly shook his hand. 

People's actions tell a lot about what kind of person they are. We can agree on that, right? Respectful people deserve our respect. You agree? Me too. So here comes the other shoe...

Here lately I've seen posts saying "F%*k France". It's hashtagged in all sorts of Tweets. How callous can you get? To steal a thought that was shared to me: these people would feel completely differently if one of their loved ones had been among those lost. I'm paraphrasing but the sentiment remains the same. Mercifully, this time it wasn't here but it has been before and there's no guarantee it won't be again. Especially since Emperor Obama thinks it's a good idea to invite unknown Syrian refugees to come to America. (One of his dumbest moves yet. And he's funneling them in through the most "French" state in the Union, Louisiana).

I know people who have family abroad. Had any of them been injured and someone responded with that level of disrespect I'd throat punch them. No, I don't mean that figuratively. I would quite literally bring those disrespectful assholes grave bodily harm, personally, given the opportunity. 

 I've read articles about how the folks at "Black Lives Matter" have said they don't care about France or its problems. In fact, they're upset that the news of the attacks is out shining that group's agenda. 

Seriously? They want us to take their movement seriously yet they have no respect for the innocent victims? They hurl obscenities regarding an entire nation during one of that nation's worst tragedies yet want us to feel sorry for their ignorant, "entitled", whiny asses? No. You lose your credibility. You lose any and all sympathy from me. 

Here's a bit of history for you: One day after the September 11 attacks, Le Monde, the famed French daily, ran a full front page editorial under the headline "NOUS SOMMES TOUS AMÉRICAINS," which translates to: "We Are All Americans." The very first sentence was: “In this tragic moment, when words seem so inadequate to express the shock people feel, the first thing that comes to mind is this: We are all Americans". They did NOT say "F%^k America." 

France played a key role in aiding the colonies during the American Revolution. They sent us supplies, troops and money to help us win our independence. They left themselves deeply in debt financially to do so. Without the help of France, Spain and the Netherlands this country would not have won its independence. What they did NOT do is say "F*^k the colonies". 

In 1886 the French even sent us a gift. A little thing we call the Statue of Liberty. Engraved on the pedestal for that statue it reads: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

It does NOT say anything indicating they didn't care about our problems. 

Yet I see people posting on Facebook "what did France ever do for us?" What did France do? They helped us create this country. They mourned with us when we were attacked by terrorists. They stood by us during the darkest parts of our history. They put themselves in debt to stand with us. They've been our allies since before we were even a NATION. 

Before we became so self-centered and so self-absorbed as people that we disrespected them during one of their darkest times. 

You addle brained jackasses who lack respect for innocent victims, you racists who can't understand that ALL lives matter, not just the black ones, you aren't worthy of respect. You're nothing more than hypocrites. 

(Upon rereading this prior to posting I'd like to make a correction here. I say "all lives matter" but I know I don't mean that. Terrorists, radical Islamists who seek to impose their will through wanton death and destruction: your lives actually DON'T matter to me or to anyone else. Jihadists who wish to destroy us: your lives don't matter. To all of us you consider Infidels, you are nothing more than a plague that needs to be eradicated. The world truly is a better place without you.) 

Yeah, I probably sound like I'm irritated with these "Black Lives Matter" people. That's because I am. "Waa! We are so oppressed. Waa! We should be entitled to whatever we want. Waa! We should be allowed to commit crimes without fear of justice." Blah blah blah. Meanwhile, 2 black men, police officers, are charged with murder after gunning down an unarmed white man in Louisiana. The hail of bullets also killed the man's 6 year old autistic son. Because that little boy wasn't black does HIS life not matter?! Is there a rally demanding "justice"? Is there looting or rioting? No. In fact, it gets quickly glossed over on the news because it doesn't fit anyone's agenda. 

Soldiers of every ethnicity are killed fighting a war to keep these racist, "Black Lives Matter" people safe. Do those SOLDIER'S lives not matter?! Innocent blood is spilled by terrorists globally. And you disrespect the victims because they took time away from your "movement"?! Which is ironic when you think about it. There were black lives that were ended in the attacks in France. Are you guys saying since they weren't part of your group then THEIR black lives didn't matter?

We are all being attacked by a common enemy. One which our President is sending reinforcements from Guantanamo Bay, by the way. Now is the time to grow up and actually unify if you want to institute change. 

Yeah, we get that all these people in the "Black Lives Matter" group had rough lives. They feel they should get paid more for unskilled jobs like pulling fries out of the fryer than firefighters get paid for saving lives. 

They didn't have access to college, despite the NAACP or the United Negro College Fund. They didn't have access to good jobs despite Affirmative Action or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They didn't have access to anything to help them. They didn't have access to the same schools as everyone else. Oh wait, they had access to all of these things. Maybe their lives are difficult because of their own choices and actions. Maybe people just didn't respect them enough because people's actions tell a lot about what kind of person they are. 

Maybe, just maybe, if these people put as much effort into improving their lives as they put into finding someone to blame then their lives would already be better. No, I don't feel these people are entitled to anything except to leave. Go to Mexico or Central America and see how rough life actually is for those without opportunities. Go to Africa where Jewish people were slaves for centuries and see how difficult life truly is. Maybe you'll learn to appreciate the opportunities you actually have here. Maybe you'll learn the value of respect. And, if you don't, then just tell them you're "entitled" to whatever you want because you say so. 

I don't care what color a person is, what their sexual preference is or what type of vegetables they like, if they treat others with respect then I will treat them with respect. Conversely, if they go around disrespecting everyone else then I have no respect for them. They could be whiter than aspirin or darker than midnight, the skin color doesn't make the person. The measure of a person's value is universal. No one life matters more than another. When a person donates blood, organs, money or anything else they don't label on it the skin color of those that gave. Nor do they discriminate who receives it by skin color, sex, religion or sexual preference. Why is that? Because we all matter equally. Every ethnicity has had its share of difficulties. The difference is that everyone else learned to overcome them instead of acting like disrespectful thugs. Your actions define you. 

(Author's note: I censored myself as much as I could in this post but, for those who I may've offended with my language, I apologize. If you'd like the language cleaned up so that you can repost if you wish, send me a message and I'll do what I can without damaging the integrity of what it is meant to convey.) 

"Doomed to Repeat History"

My question on this: 

The Civil War was fought partially because the federal government wouldn't acknowledge the States' sovereignty in passing their own laws. Sooo... What happens now that a federal law is forced that contradicts what some states have passed into law? 

Some states have consistently ruled against gay marriage. Now they're told by the government, basically, "too bad". 

Ironically, as they fight to take down a flag that symbolized a war against precisely this type of governing, the government flexes more "you'll do as we say" muscle...

I'm not against gay marriage; it doesn't affect me. I'm not necessarily against this ruling. I'm just pointing out the irony and wondering about backlash.

I've stated before and I'll state again: if you're against gay marriage then don't marry a gay person. Other than that I don't see where it's anyone's business. What's the harm, really? I personally feel marriage is a sacred Union. I'm also twice divorced. I don't think sexual orientation is going to do any more "harm" to the institution of marriage than has already been done. (Maybe here I should stop to explain since it keeps getting confused...yes, I'm twice divorced. Yes, I believe marriage is a sacred Union. The point in those combined statements is this: regardless of how sacred this institution is, we still manage to screw it up. Divorce is becoming more and more common. So, who are we to say that those same-sex marriages are going to ruin the idea of marriage any more than we heterosexuals?)

Heterosexuals have had centuries of messing up marriages. As it turns out, marriage is also the leading cause of divorce. So now more people get to lose half of what they own. Awesome. Is it really my problem or yours? I say "hey, let gays have the same right to grow to hate one another as we heterosexuals get." 

I see people posting about "it's a great day for the LGBT community and equality." Eh, I don't understand our fascination with "equality". Yeah, yeah, Lincoln said "all men are created equal.." so I'm curious how far we are going to start taking this "equality" thing? Are guys supposed to start having babies next? Count me out. I'll be the first to admit the inequality of the sexes. I'm not interested in giving birth. 

Oh, what else did they do though? What did they do to show "equality" to other minorities? Simple. They violated an agreement that they made with a DIFFERENT minority. No, seriously, they did. In fact, it was a minority America had CREATED. How's that for further irony? 

See, the government made an agreement with the Apache Indians quite some time ago. After nearly eradicating them for having the audacity of being on our land before we got here. Only now they don't care about that agreement anymore and they just gave (yes, gave away) Apache holy land to a company in Australia so they could mine for copper. 

Well, wait a minute, I thought we were a country that valued all people, honored our agreements and touted "equality". Give one thing, take two others. 

It's great that we applaud "progress". Ya know what's better? Learning from our own history. Eventually other people are going to notice the "give one thing, take two others" tactic that our government likes to pull. 

So we've got the federal government forcing us to buy insurance from private companies, overruling states' laws, giving away Apache holy land, and just giving themselves raises and exorbitant benefits packages while impoverishing the people they rule. Nah, this can't turn out badly at all. No wonder they keep wanting to take everyone's guns...

"Flying High"

Well looky there, a Confederate Flag is under attack for being a "racist symbol". You know, the one that flies over the South Carolina state capital building. Or DID. Anyone feel like looking at this logically with me? C'mon, let's take a little trip through our country's history....

Now, some people call that particular flag the "Stars and Bars". Those people would be wrong. That's ok, not everyone knows the history of the confederate flags. The flag that's causing all this uproar is actually the Confederate Navy Jack. It wasn't adopted by the Confederacy until 1863. Why is that one the symbol of the south? Because it looks cooler than the original flag of the Confederacy that originally liked quite a bit like Old Glory. Looking cooler is important because being a redneck is one thing but you've still gotta have fashion sense. 

Is it a symbol of racism? Of course not. It's a reminder of a historical period. Something called "the Civil War". We studied that while I was in school. They're quick to say that the war was over slavery. At the time some of us asked questions like "so the Northern states didn't have slaves and the Southern states did?" To which we were informed that the Northern states had slaves too; there's no way to deny it. Oh. Well then why were they fighting over slavery? That makes no sense. Granted, slavery is a shitty deal. I get that. 

So what WAS the Civil War about? Surely we have history books around here somewhere. Wait, I get it now..."In the spring of 1861, decades of simmering tensions between the northern and southern United States over issues including states' rights versus federal authority, westward expansion and slavery exploded into the American Civil War"

Well right there it says it's about several things including States' rights versus Federal authority. So it makes perfect sense that, during a time when the federal government is flexing even more muscle, any symbol of States' rights should be done away with. 

We have Federal income tax enforced by the IRS. The federal government forces us to purchase health insurance. The federal government has the right to take its citizens' property through "right of eminent domain". The federal government talks about "gun control". That same federal government is losing sight of the "by the people, for the people" part of the constitution. What the federal government doesn't want is a reminder that its citizens stood against once and it had a hell of a fight on its hands. 

What prompted the idea of getting rid of the flag? A shooting in Charleston. A tragic one by a disturbed individual whose father gave him a gun as a gift. He had a "rebel flag". So let's blame the flag. Sure. Except a flag doesn't shoot people. He was an idiot that didn't understand the meaning of the flag.

People latch onto the idea of racism because it helps continue to spark the flames that divide us as Americans. They tend to forget certain things like states' rights and focus on the slavery issue. They also tend to overlook the fact that the flag that so offends people also reminds us of a time that brought about the end of slavery. It signifies the states' rebellion to being slaves to the federal government. But I'm probably the only person that looks at things from that angle I suppose. 

We celebrate freedom. We use symbols to do so. The American flag, Old Glory herself, is a symbol of our rebellion against the oppressive control we were under from British rule. If the Queen of England finds that flag offensive are we going to get rid of it too? No. Why? Because it's part of our history and our heritage. Guess what, so is that Confederate flag. Don't try to destroy history, learn from it. 

It is necessary to disclaim any connection of these flags to neo-nazis, red-necks, skin-heads and the like. These groups have adopted this flag and desecrated it by their acts. They have no right to use this flag - it is a flag of honor, designed by the confederacy as a banner representing state's rights and still revered by the South. In fact, under attack, it still flies over the South Carolina capitol building. The South denies any relation to these hate groups and denies them the right to use the flags of the confederacy for any purpose. The crimes committed by these groups under the stolen banner of the confederacy only exacerbate the lies which link the secession to slavery interests when, from a Southerner's view, the cause was state's rights.