A Wake Up Call

I'll get some grief and disagreement for this but I'm OK with that. It's my blog, my opinion. I don't need approval.

I've been thinking about the violence in the country over the last year. Over the summer of 2020 we watched cities burn. Minneapolis had billions of dollars of damage to buildings and businesses.  Portland had rioting and destruction every night for nearly three months while their mayor supported the actions of the rioters... until they tried to burn down his apartment building. In Seattle, rioters took over an entire section of the city, killing two innocent people, and the Police Chief retired because the City Council wouldn't allow her officers to intervene.

Many people died in the violence. Police officers and civilians were killed and injured. Democrat politicians, from governors to the Washington elite, mostly ignored the violence. Some defended and even encouraged it. Congressman Jerry Nadler told a reporter the violence was a myth.

The violence caused by left-wing demonstrators went on, often unchecked, for months. Then there was an election and the Democrats won. Suddenly, with a few exceptions, the violence stopped... until January 6th.

On January 6th, some Trump supporters, some far right-wing people and some far left-wing people (all verified) descended on the U.S. Capitol Building, breaking windows, vandalizing the building, entering private offices and stealing artifacts. The violence lasted for several hours. One rioter was fatally shot. One police officer was hit in the head and later died from a blood clot in his brain. Three others died of medical complications.  Then it was over - the same day.

The violence should all be condemned, regardless of who perpetrated it and regardless of where it was. But the outcry over the Capitol Building was far greater than it was for the violence and destruction in our major cities all summer. Many say it's because the January attack was on our center of government. But rioters tried several times over the summer to burn down federal and state government buildings. I suggest a different reason for the increased outcry over the Capitol attack.

For the first time since the 2020 violence began our elected officials in Washington were scared. Suddenly the violence became personal to them. It was no longer some city a thousand miles away. It was in their place of business and their offices. And most of them were like scared children. Their fear is understandable but in many ways they needed a wake up call. They're now paying attention.

I understand the notion that the attack on the Capitol was an attack on all Americans. But I see it more as Americans venting their anger because their voices weren't being heard. What they did was wrong, period. But in reality it was no worse, and in fact not as bad as what happened in Minneapolis alone.

Some want to blame the President's speech that morning. Except investigation has revealed that the violence had been pre-planned, days before the 6th. And the President did not tell people to assault the Capitol. He told them to go "peacefully and patriotically" to the Capitol to make their voices heard. By the time he uttered those words the attack was already beginning.

Our elected officials mostly live in their own self-serving worlds. On January 6th they learned there are other people in their worlds and many are not happy with them. It wasn't the right way to go about it. But the message was clear - "Don't marginalize us. We won't allow that anymore." And I think at least some of them got the message.

Silencing Has Begun

Twitter and Facebook recently shut down President Trump's accounts. Apparently they believe they should control what the President of the United States is allowed to express publicly. Main stream media outlets recently have refused to air the President's rallies. And last night Google and Apple removed Parler apps from their app stores, telling Parler they need to better control content on their web pages or their apps will no longer be available.

Don't get me wrong - Facebook and Twitter, as private companies, have the legal right to censor content. Membership on their pages is voluntary and they can restrict what one says. However - big tech threatening to silence another company if that company doesn't conform to their standards should scare people. And main stream media outlets that refuse to air the things the elected President does are no longer news outlets. They're left-wing propaganda machines. But that comes as no surprise to most of us.

President Trump has attempted to remove or modify Section 230 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, that prevents big tech companies like Facebook and Twitter from being sued for censorship. Our brilliant elected officials overrode him. The result is that the President himself has been silenced on those social networks, as well as several of his associates.

I never thought I would see such constraints on the First Amendment in my lifetime. But then - I never thought I would see socialism become popular in these United States either.

Historically, the average length of a democracy has been about 200 years. We are a Constitutional Republic, which may be the reason the United States has been around for nearly 245 years. But things are changing. I don't see the United States falling as a nation but I do foresee the constitutional government changing to a socialist government. Funny thing is - some people believe socialism will be better and that everyone will be equal. But those with money and power will maintain their money and power and those without money and power will maintain that status. Under socialism the upper middle class will erode away to lower middle class and only the elite will have status. That's how it works.

Democrats will control all three branches of government in just over a week. If they do what they're promising, abolish the Electoral College and pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices, they will control all national elections for decades. And the United States in which we grew up will cease to exist. And sadly, some people don't realize it... or simply don't care.

Same Auld Lang Syne

Saw a post by a friend that I didn't realize was a true story. I wanted to share it.

On Christmas Eve in 1975, singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg ran into an old high school girlfriend; a chance encounter that would lead to one of his most endearing and popular songs, "Same Old Lang Syne." 5 years later, in December of 1980, the world first heard that song as it began its run on the charts that would last for more than 4 months.

Met my old lover in the grocery store. The snow was falling Christmas Eve.

I stole behind her in the frozen foods and I touched her on the sleeve

She didn't recognize the face at first... but then her eyes flew open wide.

She went to hug me and she spilled her purse and we laughed until we cried.

We took her groceries to the checkout stand. The food was totaled up and bagged.

We stood there lost in our embarrassment as the conversation dragged.

We went to have ourselves a drink or two, but couldn't find an open bar.

We bought a six-pack at the liquor store and we drank it in her car.

We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now.

We tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how.

She said she'd married her an architect who kept her warm and safe and dry.

She would have liked to say she loved the man but she didn't like to lie.

I said the years had been a friend to her and that her eyes were still as blue.

But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude.

She said she saw me in the record stores and that I must be doing well.

I said the audience was heavenly but the traveling was hell.

We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now.

And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how.

We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to time.

We're living in our eloquence. Another 'auld lang syne.'

The beer was empty and our tongues were tired and running out of things to say.

She gave a kiss to me as I got out and I watched her drive away.

Just for a moment I was back at school... and felt that old familiar pain.

And as I turned to make my way back home - the snow turned into rain.

Dan Fogelberg, in my humble opinion, was one of the single, best lyricists of my lifetime. This song, "Leader of the Band," and my favorite - "Nexus." He often told intricate, detailed and intimate stories then set them to his own amazing music. He was one of my favorite artists. Harry Chapin had a similar gift but Harry died before he really got a chance to show off his writing talents.

So here's to you, Dan. Thanks for the songs that I know so well and still sing when they come on the radio. And thanks to Doreen for sharing the story.

Gun Ownership Under a Biden Presidency

 

Joe Biden supporters like to say "He doesn't want to take your guns." Whether innocently or intentionally, those supporters are not paying attention.

In October Biden said he wants to do away with the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which could bankrupt the entire firearms industry.

The PLCAA, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005, prevents gun manufacturers from being sued by victims or victims' families if one of their products that is legally purchased and owned is somehow misused by someone, as in the commission of a crime or a child being accidentally shot

Biden has stated one of his priorities is to repeal this law, opening up avenues for people to sue gun manufacturers if someone is shot and/or killed by someone who uses the gun legally or illegally. He says no other manufacturer enjoys such protections. But when is the last time you heard about a car manufacturer being sued by someone because one of their vehicles was used during the commission of a crime?

These lawsuits would initially cause gun prices to skyrocket and eventually could bankrupt the manufacturers, which is Biden's intention.

Biden's Vice Presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, and his selected Chief of Staff, Jennifer Dillon, have both stated the campaign's intention to initiate a mandatory buyback of "assault weapons," forcing Americans to sell such weapons to the government or register them with ATF. Biden has also stated his intention to tax owners who choose to keep the weapons $200 per weapon and $200 each per "high capacity magazine."

Biden's plans call for a complete ban on manufacture and sale of new assault weapons and high capacity magazines (the definitions of which will ultimately be decided by left-wing politicians) thus preventing many Americans from purchasing their weapon(s) of choice.

Depending on how it is defined, the ban on high capacity magazines could also effect the sale and ownership of some handguns. Many have magazines that hold more than seven or ten rounds and as such could be banned from manufacture and sale. Current owners of said handguns could also be forced to sell them to the government or be taxed exorbitantly in order to keep them.

Yes, he wants to take your guns. He and his cohorts are fairly blatant and open about it. And his followers who deny it are wearing blinders.

Are We Headed Toward 1984?

I'm finding myself scratching my head while listening to the latest news about the Covid virus. Despite all of the precautions taken the virus is recurring in some areas of the country. "Masks and social distancing are the answer," they said. Except I know several people, including one of my doctors, who followed all precautions and still contracted the virus.

The death rate has fallen to less than 1% for most Americans yet cities and states are locking down once again. And yes, I know there have been 248,000 deaths in the United States but before you get self-righteous about it remember that more people die every single day from vehicle accidents than die from Covid. And depending on which statistics and agencies you believe, the actual death rate from Covid alone may be far lower.

Some states are now putting stringent restrictions in place, particularly for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. California Governor Newsome has limited family gatherings to 10 people, outside only. Oregon's governor has issued similar restrictions and has earned that violators will be prosecuted. Pennsylvania's governor has not only issued restrictions on the number of guests per household but has mandated family only - no unrelated guests, and wants to order people to wear masks inside their own homes. New York's Governor Cuomo has issued numbers restrictions on family gatherings and will require anyone entering New York from out of state to bring proof of a negative virus test (recent) and be tested again upon arrival or face quarantine. Joe Biden is still advocating lockdowns and a mask mandate should he become President.

Are states going to send police house to house on Thanksgiving Day to check the number of guests present? If a house has exactly the prescribed number of guests wouldn't a police presence take that number above the ordered threshold thereby causing a violation of the mandate(s)?

At least one county sheriff in Oregon has stated publicly that his office would not enforce the restrictions. New York sheriffs and even NYC Mayor De Blasio have stated they will not enforce Governor Cuomo's family gathering restrictions. Good for them.

Arlington National Cemetery the other day cancelled the annual "Wreaths Across America" event scheduled for next month citing Covid-19 concerns. The event, to be held outdoors, brings together families and friends to honor our fallen military members. President Trump intervened and the Secretary of the Army reversed the decision saying the event will be held after all. Outdoors with proper precautions it should be no more dangerous than the public celebration of Joe Biden's projected victory after the election, don't you think?

After personally listening to various doctors, both on TV and in person, there is no doubt in my mind that Democrats, the main stream media and big tech (social media) are using this virus to control the masses. All three work hard to discount and erase any dissent or opinions different than theirs. Social media is censoring dissenting opinions and "correcting" anyone who dares to voice that dissent on their platforms. Genuine journalism no longer exists, with the exception of a hand full of people who still report the truth instead of what the left wants us to hear.

I can't help but wonder if Biden gets sworn in as President how far the police state and censorship of free speech will go. Prosecution for family gatherings have already been introduced. During a Senate hearing with big tech executives this week Senator Chris Coons (D DE), a friend and advisor to Joe Biden, indicated he is in favor of increased scrutiny and censorship of "false information" on the internet. Can you say "Big Brother?" I knew you could.

The Left Is Changing America - And Not For The Better

Gotta love liberals who vilify and boycott a minority owned and operated company and its minority CEO. The crime? Praising President Trump while he (the CEO) was a guest at the White House. Civility has apparently been removed from the left-wing playbook and been replaced with destruction of anyone who does not publicly share the left-wing ideology. The recent Goya controversy demonstrates that perfectly.

Before President Trump was elected Americans were able to speak openly about their beliefs, popular or not, without fear of reprisal. Today, thanks to radical left-wing ideology and the accompanying anarchy, you can be murdered merely for daring to utter "All lives matter." You can lose your job for trying to be inclusive of all people, as in the case of the art curator who was run out of his position for saying publicly that his museum would still feature white artists along with artists of color.

You can resign your job as a writer/reporter for not leaning far enough to the left. Take columnist Bari Weiss, who was hired by the New York Times to bring outside opinions and topics to the slowly failing paper. She resigned this week saying basically that instead of the Times promoting different ideas, discussion and dialogue, they push their opinion on people.

"Truth (at the Times) isn't a process of collective discovery," Weiss wrote in her resignation letter, "but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else."

Granted, Weiss resigned of her own volition. But she did so because her articles didn't fit the Times' adopted, far-left agenda. In her letter she stated she was called a Nazi and a racist by her "enlightened" coworkers. Who would want to continue working under those conditions?

2020. Enter the age of the "cancel culture." The left has adopted a seek and destroy attitude against those who dare to disagree with them. "You are entitled to your opinion," they will say. "But don't you dare say it publicly or we'll take you down - first with insults and personal attacks, then, depending on your status in the country, with an all out attack to shut you up." Even some celebrities are participating in this. And no one who doesn't conform is safe.

I believe America has been permanently changed. If the left takes control of the government in January the anarchy will continue unchecked, or at least until the new liberal government gives them what they want. The rioters have tasted blood. They're not going to stop feasting voluntarily.

If President Trump gets reelected the anarchy will only increase until he decides to put an end to it with force. If that happens things will get really ugly before they get better. But if Trump is in a second term he has nothing to lose politically. With so many liberal mayors and governor's allowing the destruction and assaults to continue, federal law enforcement intervention will likely be the best and most viable option to restore order and the rule of law. Otherwise I see fed up patriots getting involved.

Are We Headed Toward Armed Conflict?

ESPN announced recently that the NFL will play the "Black National Anthem" before the actual, legal national anthem before each first game when the season starts.

The NFL can do whatever they wish - I don't and won't watch them anyway. But I am curious when the "Black National Anthem" came about and what law was passed making the song a national anthem. The "Star Spangled Banner" is the official national anthem of the United States. To my knowledge there is no other.

Professional sports organizations are not only condoning racial division but some are promoting it - the NFL and NASCAR being two prime examples. After a decades long struggle for equality it seems some Americans desire racial separation and even self-induced segregation, with black people demanding black only spaces on college campuses, etc.

And before anyone even starts, (and I know some who would) this isn't Trump's doing. Nothing about the current state of racial tension has anything to do with Trump. George Floyd was killed by police on Trump's watch. That is true. But several black people were killed by police on Obama's watch and there were protests and rioting following those events as well. So let's not pretend it's Trump's fault. If you go there you're simply being foolish.

The division is only growing. Black Lives Matter and Antifa are still calling for the murder of police officers while they continue to destroy property and assault people. The violent mobs, made up of mostly young, white idiots, are trying to push the country toward Marxism and most of them probably have no idea what it is.

These groups are destroying historic statues "in the name of George Floyd" without even understanding the significance of many of them. In one city they pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus and spray painted "George Floyd" on the base. First - what has Christopher Columbus got to do with George Floyd and second, if it wasn't for Columbus the idiot protesters would even exist. There is no sound logic in their actions. Destroying ties to our history doesn't change our history. George Orwell was more right than even he knew.

Politicians are trying to defund police departments, much to the peril of the citizens. (Politicians don't have to worry. They use our dollars to hire security for themselves.) AOC wants to completely defund the NYPD. Might I suggest the NYPD remove all police from her family's neighborhood initially to see how it works out?

The proposal to defund police departments, and the reason for the proposal, would make an outsider think black people are being slaughtered by police on a daily basis. That's simply untrue. If you're honest you understand that the instances are the exception, not the rule. And in most cases the shootings have been ruled as justified and some of the deaths ruled to be accidental by the courts. But facts and truth don't usually matter to an angry mob.

The now infamous couple in Saint Louis, who armed themselves when a group of protesters broke through a wrought iron security gate and entered their supposedly secure neighborhood and began threatening them with death, are not out of the woods yet. There is talk that protesters plan to return to the neighborhood with violence and the couple has alkegedly been told by the police and several private security firms that they are on their own and to simply leave and let their beautiful home be destroyed. Since when is that acceptable in the United States of America? And where are the couple's friends and neighbors?

Sadly, I see armed confrontations in America's future. Gun sales have skyrocketed since March and many Americans are prepared to defend what's theirs. Black Lives Matter says they are training paramilitary groups to fight police and say they are "headed to the suburbs." But the suburbs are where most of the armed citizens are. BLM and Antifa might not like what they find if they venture out of the safety of Democrat run cities. But I fear it may happen. And it will be ugly.