Ethical terrorism?

  The official statement from the Biden administration is that we will remove all our troops from Afghanistan. We are leaving, never to return. But, America will still pursue those responsible for terrorism. We will use clandestine methods, launch remote strikes. In short, we will use terrorist tactics. And that begs the question, does that make us any better than the terrorists? It is a rather delicate ethical dilemma isn't it? What other methods are available to us? On the one hand you can say it is the only reasonable, logical way, to respond. Fight fire with fire! On the other hand, is terrorism ever acceptable? And how can you not call that terrorism? Labeling it retaliation, retribution or revenge does not alter the action. It really is the age old question, do the means justify the end? 

  If the end result is noble and good, then whatever method used to achieve that result would also have to be noble and good. And we tend to use that as justification for our actions. Today I heard that as an official policy of the United States. Rather shocking if you really think about it. Making a public statement that we will hunt you down and destroy you wherever, whenever and however we can is surely a terrorists threat. Fact is, if I said that publicly I could be arrested and prosecuted. The charge? Making terrorist threats! That is the reality no matter how else you look at it. If you read the Bible it is clear that the ends do not justify the means. In proverbs it says: "there is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." 

 Setting aside Biblical references are we really justified in conducting covert warfare? Is that the official policy of the United States going forward? Whoever we feel should be eliminated, will be eliminated. That is so even when we can not clearly identify the responsible parties. Yes if you claim responsibility I will believe you, and whatever blows reign down upon you is your own fault. But we are talking about a splinter group of a larger organization known to us as Al-Qaeda. Can we know for certain just who they are? Well, that's who we are talking about today anyway, what about tomorrow or next week. Who's making the list? 

  Now it could be pointed out that when we entered the war with Britain to gain our independence we didn't fight fair. There was shock on the part of the British that we were hiding behind trees and buildings. We were not being honorable by refusing to walk upon the battlefield in organized columns and engage the enemy! We were labeled as cowards, indeed we were called terrorists! Insurrectionists! Certainly not men of honor and principle, we were no better than the savages that had been driven from the land the colonies now occupied. And that was used as justification to "employ" those same savages to fight on the side of the British. Fighting fire with fire. For surely only other savages would know how to fight such an enemy. And now apparently we have decided that only terrorists can fight other terrorists! The quest to out terror each other has begun in earnest. Or perhaps, it is just a continuation? A dilemma as old as man himself. The battle of the righteous. 

 The moral dilemma we are faced with is the ethical use of force. That is at the heart of the second amendment. We are entitled to defend ourselves! Does that defense mean we have to wait to be attacked? If a wild animal is in the forest behind your home threatening your livestock, and possibly your children, do you have to wait for that animal to attack? Or are you justified in hunting that animal down and killing it before it can do any harm? That's the question isn't it? Is there ever an ethical use of force? We certainly glorify and admire the pacifists in history, that much is certain. Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King spring to mind. Still we admire our great Generals and combatants just as highly. As long as there cause was "just" we do. Over the centuries some have fallen from grace and others have ascended depending upon the political climate. 

  Personally I don't feel violence is ever ethical, but it is justified. Yes I believe in the second amendment and my right to defend myself, my family and my property. I will do so by all means necessary. And that is the key, necessity. Necessity is decided on an individual basis. What is necessary to preserve? Also an individual choice. The acquisition and retention of property or retaining the same is always that necessity. It is the things we refuse to relinquish that test our beliefs. A moral and ethical dilemma for certain.

  Since I first wrote this piece we have withdrawn all our troops. just not all Americans. The administration has launched two drone strikes, a little bit too late in my opinion. So, I guess the covert, not so covert operations have begun. Will the Taliban receive international recognition as the government of Afghanistan? That remains to be seen. Apparently Biden is willing enough to acknowledge their dominance. Why else would he submit to their wishes? The whole deal is one big mess. For twenty years we have had troops in Afghanistan, troops that fought and died. The blame for being there in the first place could be laid at the feet of George H Bush. He was President then. War was not declared on Afghanistan, that can only be done by Congress. Just like Korea and Vietnam, war was never officially declared. The reason? Who do you declare war on? A shadowy group of terrorists that have no territory of their own. There is no nation of Taliban! And today they are talking about a splinter group of that group, ISIS K. Is that so as not to offend the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, or ISIS? You know because we wouldn't want to offend anyone. Mustn't lump all terrorists into one group, that would be racist! All terrorists aren't the same!

  So once again we are faced with that moral and ethical dilemma. What to do? There are those that believe Christianity and Judaism, want to eliminate Islam. That is at the core of all the conflict. It always has been. It began with Mohamed after his initial teachings were rejected by his own people. But all of that is history and bears examination. Still the bottom line remains, there are those that believe they must defeat others in order to survive, to keep their faith alive.

  And that is what history is really all about. Conflict and Conquest! Peel back everything and that is what is exposed. Dominance. Win, by all means necessary. Once again the question is asked, is there honor in war? Are we justified? We are attacking ISIS K, because K is responsible for the attacks at the airport. Absolutely justified. Reports say a few civilians got blown up in the process. The report also says just a "few" hundred Americans and allies are left behind, no big deal. There are always innocents killed in wars, that is the nature of war. Mans' struggle to wage "ethical" war is done to ease the collective conscience. The taking of lives is never a good thing. But then again, some people just need killing, don't they? Can you wage ethical terrorism?               

I will survive

  Vaccine mandate! Why is this being pushed so hard? What is the reasoning? The official line is to stop the spread of covid. Well, we all know that covid can be spread by the vaccinated as easily as it can be by the unvaccinated. Well. then when I get covid, and the assumption is that everyone will, it won't be as bad. A survival rate of 99% isn't good enough, I should be deeply worried about a 1% chance I won't make it. That's what the government is telling me, the same government that encourages me to play responsibly while buying lottery tickets with a one in three million chance I will win. But, hey it's fun and profitable for the government so go for it. They have established free help lines for those with a gambling problem. Okay so I should do it to protect you! Not sure what I am protecting you from though, everyone is equally as likely to spread the virus. 

  So let's say the government should do everything they can to save lives, including mandating vaccines. What is the leading cause of death in automobile accidents? Speed, yet the government keeps raising the speed limits on the highways. We would all be a lot safer if we just slowed down. Alcohol use between the ages of 20 and 39 is responsible for about 13.5% of all deaths in that age group! No one is limiting that, in fact, it was considered essential during the last lockdown of the country's businesses. Think about that. About 14% of fatal car crashes are caused by cell phone use yet they come as an accessory in the car! Doesn't seem like the government is awfully concerned about that. You should not be using your phone in the car, and you should not do that to protect me! 

 Then we hear about all the other vaccines being administered. We hear how many lives saved. But why do we have to get those vaccines? The answer is simple enough, because the diseases and virus's they combat still exist in the world! No vaccine has ever completely eliminated a disease. the best they can do to protect you against infection. All vaccines are preemptive. The current therapy isn't a vaccine at all. although the experts choose to call it that because they don't have another name for it just yet. Experimental therapy doesn't sell very well. Now I'm not arguing that all the other vaccines haven't prevented many infections or saved lives, I'm certain they have. It could very well be this current therapy will do the same but it's hardly been a long time. This particular version of a corona virus was first identified in 2020 and the FDA has already approved a vaccine? The first corona virus was identified in 1965 as the common cold, no vaccine for that though? And let's not forget variant D is on the loose, this experimental therapy hasn't been shown to be effective against that. 

 The government first mandated seat belts in cars, then five mile hour bumpers, padded dashboards, and air bags. Still the leading cause of death in car accidents is speed. The government sure hasn't done anything about that. Why not mandate governors on all cars, you know, for your own good and the good of all the other motorists? Tobacco alone causes over seven million deaths a year! It is estimated that eight hundred and ninety thousand people die each year as a result of second hand smoke. What response from the government? Tax the product higher, make people go outside to use the product. Haven't heard of anyone saying stop production though! In fact the push is on to legalize smoking another product  because smoking pot won't cause any harm to anyone and they are going to do it anyway. Well the bottom line is simple enough, people are going to spread the virus whether they are vaccinated or not! 

 The virus will survive just as all the others have. It will mutate, change, and return. It's a good thing that medicine can provide some measure of protection, offer me a safety device. The decision to use that safety device should remain with me. I feel that way about the requirement to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle too. I'm hurting no one but myself when I don't wear it. If I do not get the vaccine I am endangering no one but myself! Me getting vaccinated will not prevent you from contracting covid 19 or variant D. And that is a fact. It's as simple as this. Whenever I drive my car I am taking a risk. You may run into me or I may run into you. The only way that can be fully prevented from happening is for one of us to not drive the car!  

counter

  We have all heard of actions being described as a part of the counter culture movement. Counter culture is exactly what it says, it runs counter to the normal accepted practices of a culture. We have heard of Beatnik's and Hippies. Both were counter culture. They are plenty of others, most notably today is this LGBTQ counter culture movement. Folks with those inclinations have always existed within our culture, just not showcased as a normal way of life. It isn't the cultural norm. Eventually, like all the other counter culture movements, it will be absorbed into the culture, replaced by some other enlightenment. Previous generations will be upset by it and rail against it. It happens with almost every generation. It's my thinking that the internet, with its' global reach, will only increase the frequency of this phenomena. Going viral means something different today than it did forty years ago! 

 I have written before that there is little that can said that hasn't been said before. I even had someone provide a quote from someone else expressing that same opinion to prove my point. Always good to receive validation. I expect this mornings thought has been thought of before as well. Counter culture is the restructuring of culture. Usually it is just a surface thing, like a remodel, and doesn't last. As with most things it goes in cycles. As our current press secretary likes to say, we will have to circle back to that. Yes, and we usually do. But there are times when the foundation gets altered and that can lead to the downfall of the whole thing. 

 We are in one of those times, in my opinion. The counter culture is attacking the core of our culture. That core is the Constitution of the United States and the freedom it guarantees. That core has been under attack since the beginning. It took thirteen years for the first amendments to be added to that document. The ten that were added came from a list of over two hundred that were proposed. You don't often hear about that process but yes, there were over two hundred different proposed "additions" to the constitution, later called amendments in legalize. Today we embrace those first ten additions. They were also the last additions concerned with individual rights! The following amendments all apply to states rights or other procedural matters. Some were necessary to clear up the waters, you might say. Consider having to stipulate that "all men" means women and people not of European descent. It wasn't a change to the foundation, indeed that was shoring it up. But I'm getting off track a bit.

 The counter culture today is attempting to disguise itself as patriots, that aren't patriotic. Well, because being patriotic isn't a good thing anymore, it is being redefined as nationalism. This group would alter the basic foundation of freedom and hand that freedom over to government. Isn't that what these mandates are all about? The government knows best! Compliance with government mandates or suffer the consequences. Well, because if the government decides that is in the public interest that overrides personal freedom. And that, that was the very reason revolution was considered a necessity wasn't it? The same government that allows, as a basic right, homeless, vagrants, beggars, drug addicts, criminals and other ner do wells, to live on the streets of our cities in squalid conditions causing a public health risk. Those same people are often provided services as an act of compassion and a social responsibility. They are given clean needles, injected with narcan, at taxpayers expense, so they can continue their lifestyle! Illegal aliens are streaming across the border in record numbers bringing god only knows what with them. The government provides for them as well, education, training, free food, housing and medical care. All of those people have rights is the cry. It's human rights and you don't have to be a citizen of this country to receive all the benefits! And now, you will be injected with a "vaccine" whether you like it or not! No choice for you! This in the name of what? It certainly isn't freedom. no matter how you spin it. Not even Jen Psaki can circle back on that! 

 Today's counter culture is going counter to American culture as a whole. You can see it in everything these days. The absence of morality, ethics and just plain old common sense. America is Mother, Apple Pie, and God Bless America! Those are the core values. It's a historical fact that a Republic generally lasts about 250 years before it declines into a Democracy. We are seeing that process today. There is little I can do to stem the tide of history. All I can do is say, Mr. Franklin I tried to keep the Republic. Those words I recited each morning in school " and to the Republic for which it stands" still ring in my ears. 

 The fall of the Roman Empire it has been said was due to its' size and foreign invaders. Certainly both of those conditions exist in America today. The only difference being we are inviting the invaders, throwing open the gates. Globally the United States provides literally billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid while ignoring our own citizens. Rome is burning and our President is just playing second fiddle to a group of terrorists! This vaccine mandate is just another chip in the foundation of the Republic. The same government that says you have a right to kill the unborn but no right to refuse being injected with whatever they feel necessary! A government that now agrees that you don't have to put a gender of a birth certificate because you don't know gender until the child tells you. A government that allows "other" as an acceptable response to the question, what gender are you? A government that refuses me a scholarship because I'm not a minority, I can't choose that as an option. I don't "qualify" for a host of programs or benefits as a result of that, no choice for me. And none of that has to do with my income, just the color of my skin. There are well over 400 government grant programs for minorities. All of that is done under the blanket of, cultural diversity. Well, the simple truth is there is but one culture, the American Culture, it was a Republic. A Republic in decline, just a few mandates away from a true Democracy. The fifty one will mandate what the forty nine can and can not do. 

moderation

    After posting yesterdays blog I received a message that commenting had been blocked on that blog. I'm not certain if that came from Facebook or Goggle, as neither seemed to claim responsibility. I was informed that I could reenable commenting without penalty to my group. In thinking about that I now assume it was a Facebook policy. My group, B'low the bridge, is where that message appeared. Well, I just enabled commenting once again. I certainly don't want to  "monitor" what others are saying, that's on you. It is right there in the description of my group, you can say whatever you like. Unlike some other groups where your every comment is filtered and monitored by those proclaiming freedom, I actually allow freedom of speech. It's also true there are some I just don't speak to or allow in the group. I make no excuses for that, take it for what it's worth. Two people in eleven years, so far.  

  I was a bit surprised as this was the first time that has ever happened. It certainly isn't the first time I have had comments on my blog that ran contrary to the liberal view. Yeah, I'm a conservative. I'm just not conservative when it comes to giving others my opinion. That goes whether in person, on Facebook or in my blog postings. But the "overseer" said the comments were inciting violence, perhaps even hurting people's feelings. I guess they figured it wasn't my fault although I am the administrator of the group. The buck stops here! LOL. The underlying threat was there, my group could be removed or blocked at their discretion! I will only be allowed so much leeway before being shut down.

  I'm not quite certain what it means but I have followers, about twenty four or so. I think that means they are notified each time I post something. Occasionally I will get a comment from someone I don't know. I assume they somehow stumble across my blog when doing a Goggle search. I have noticed that certain words or phrases will bring up blogs and stuff as well as search results. It's pretty strange really, a little creepy. Type in the Dugan Man and my blog shows up at the top of the list. Now, those people are not in my group or on my friends list. They can comment on the blog and I receive notification through my g-mail account. That works with those that are blocked from my group as well, LOL, and is being used. I'm not certain how it happens but others go "viral" and have hundreds of followers. I wonder how they get to be so well known and popular. I mean I get it with the rich and famous, celebrities and all that, but these common people it is rather a mystery. 

 Well I realize that Facebook is more for the old people. That's what my grandkids tell me and I think they are right about that. Those on Facebook, like myself, aren't terribly tech savvy or addicted to devices. I enjoy the pictures, the memes, the wise cracks and political commentary. I don't do twitter or whatever else is the cool thing. It is an amusement to me, nothing more. Being denied Facebook is like not being able to have your favorite candy, a disappointment but not a big loss. Those reading my posts are a small group, no doubt about that. I'm also aware that I am not offering any special insights or information, just the thoughts of an old guy living in America. For the most part I just write what others are thinking. Sometimes I'm wrong though, that isn't what others are thinking. Well, imagine that. In conclusion I have now decided it was rather flattering in a way. My blog, my posting was influencing others to comment. It was felt those people should be silenced. Really if it was Facebook police as I suspect, they were saying we would like to block you from posting a link to your blog because of the comments from others. Now I feel "empowered!" Anyone that knows me will understand that last statement, LOL, I think it is stupid. I did receive a comment once regarding my "posse" That was amusing to say the least. My posse was gossiping. Yeah and no one does that on Facebook unless they are very bad people. Why they are judging others! Well, use your own judgement when commenting, I will not moderate you, you get blocked, that's on you. Well unless you really irritate me than you could be number three! LOL  

 

a time for action

  As I watched President Biden give his speech yesterday it became more evident, he just doesn't have a clue. He even plagiarized Abraham Lincoln with his "last full measure of devotion" reference. Well, okay he didn't attempt to take credit for the phrase but he didn't credit Lincoln for it either. I was particularity bothered by his saying our servicemen gave their lives. No, those lives were taken from them! Those soldiers were there carrying out the orders of their superiors, following ultimately, the orders of the commander in chief. Biden did say the buck stops with him right before blaming Trump for the attack. So the underlining message was, it's not my fault. He was trying to say that Trump had negotiated with the Taliban and that was why no Americans had been attacked. The implication was plain, he hadn't negotiated with the Taliban and so they attacked! What he failed to point out was a simple fact. President Trump had indeed spoken with the leaders of the Taliban. He informed them of another simple fact, you hurt one single American and I will wipe you off the face of the earth! Trump didn't negotiate, Trump gave them an ultimatum. And the difference is obvious to anyone. The Taliban respected, or at least feared, the retribution of Trump and don't care what Biden says. That is our political state at the moment.

 I watched and I listened. As the late great Yoga Berra pointed out, you can see a lot just by looking. I watched a mentally confused, somewhat befuddled man attempt to stumble his way through a speech. It was the most incoherent ramblings I have ever heard. He said nothing meaningful. His strongest words were, we will not forget! Meanwhile he is busy loading airplanes with Afghan refugees that may or may not be Afghans at all. Are they being thoroughly vetted? No, and they are being scattered across the country, sprinkled like salt. When questioned directly about his decision to withdraw and the timeline chosen he deferred to blaming Trump. 

 At one point he lowered his head in total frustration and then looked up like a lost and frightened man. It was then I saw the way out. It is becoming evident to me. I have said all along this man would be replaced and never make a complete term. Now I see. He will step down for mental health reasons, the strain taking a toll on him. He was already in a fragile state, those close to him knew that all along, it won't take much to push him over the edge. And the powers that be will hail that as a triumph. Old Joe, the martyr that lead his country to the end, till he collapses with the weight of responsibility. After he lost a son as a direct result of serving in Afghanistan. as he mentioned to justify the withdrawal. Joe will leave being honored as a noble warrior! Kamala Harris will take the seat and appoint whoever she chooses to be the vice president. And yes, make no mistake about that, it will be her choice, as least constitutionally it will be, but the deal was already been sealed. All that is left is to reveal who that choice will be. 

 So the fix is in. Joe and his family will receive all the benefits an ex-president is entitled too. Joe will not be aware of any of that, he will be beyond comprehending what actually transpired. He will be lead about, trotted out on social occasions, and used to obtain every bit of sympathy that can be managed. Poor Joe, he gave all for his country. The goal is control. It's really that simple. If you can control the President, you can control the congress. That control can be cemented by the rewriting of the constitution. But first we have to establish the legality of mandates. A new avenue of mandates has been created through the FDA. Remember there were many challenges to a vaccine mandate and the toughest one one to rebuke was that the FDA hadn't approved it. That barrier now being removed the mandates are flying! The government can now mandate your health care choices! A small step? A tightening of the collar in my opinion. Those refusing will be isolated, singled out and punished for their non-compliance. Only a matter of time until government mandates are readily accepted as the normal thing. 

 If you think that is just crazy talk go back a hundred years. Just a hundred years ago, four of five generations depending on how you wish to count did you have any taxes to pay? No, you did not, there was no federal income tax. Did you need a permit to build a home? No, you did not. Was your second amendments rights being questioned? No, they were not. How many remits, permissions, requirements and mandates has the government issued in the last hundred years? More than you or I can count and the majority of them just go unquestioned and unchallenged. In order to receive mail, through the United States postal service I had to prove my residences and citizenship status! Yes, that is a fact. I received notice about that a while back. No matter that I had the same address, the same PO box for over twenty years, I was called into question. A government requirement. Seems insignificant doesn't it? It's not. 

 How long will Biden last? That's the question I have this morning. It isn't a matter of if, it is when. I have no doubt that he will step down, for the good of the country, whether he believes that or not. If old Joe has any cognitive ability left he should be pretty nervous about now. That is if he intends to get out of office alive. He had better cooperate! Yes, he is useful at this moment, someone has to take the fall for this disaster. They even have him saying, the buck stops here, but it is Trumps fault. In just over one hundred days in office he is on track to out executive order every previous president by a significant number! He hasn't signed many bills though, those are being reserved for Harris. Executive orders are far easier to reverse or ignore altogether. Really they only need to last long enough to make it to the supreme court. 

 All of this has shown me the lengths those in position of power will go to secure their own agendas. The whole virus thing, whether naturally occurring or a leak from a Chinese lab has been used as a springboard. Never let a good pandemic go to waste. If we can use this to instill fear and control in the population, we should take advantage. And that is exactly what has happened. And now this withdrawal from Afghanistan. I'm certain that disaster won't go underutilized. The President himself admits they were warned, well in advance that such a tragic event could happen but continued on anyway. No contingency plan made, no effort to stop it, just a warning beforehand. What was the warning? Run away, don't come near the airport! A sworn enemy of the United States and the Taliban will be attacking! The Taliban will just allow them through because they don't care if Americans or their own citizens get blown up! They don't care because they have just been given millions of dollars, arms, equipment and a promise that the Americans will leave everything to them. No harm, no foul. Hey it isn't like the deal Trump made. That guy would hurt the Taliban! No telling what Trump might do, he just might blow the Taliban up! Ah, but not old Joe. It's all good. 

 And what is the big issue that few are talking about right now? Voting rights. Yes, you hear an occasional mention but we are being distracted by covid and Afghanistan. When our attention wanders from those issue we are reminded of the violence and drug usage in the cities and the homeless. We are told about the poor refugees walking with their families, little children and babies through the Sonora desert in some desperate attempt to survive. We are told to worry about our children being safe in schools and how guns are so violent. And when voting rights are discussed it is a racial issue. You are not supposed to think about just who they are attempting to secure the right the vote for. Is it law abiding citizens, that are productive members of society? No, not hardly, they want the felons, because they make such good choices for themselves and for others, they want the "refugee" that just received all the free stuff, they want the dregs of society! And the narrative is, don't judge those people for their choices. Well I guess I'm just a judgmental person because I assume, based on your previous choices, that you  will choose the same thing all over again. You make very bad choices! 

 I'll finish with this quote from Teddy Roosevelt: "There is but one answer to terrorism, and it is best delivered with a Winchester." Trump knew that and no Americans were hurt in Afghanistan for well over a year. Biden didn't make it much past one hundred days. Why? Because the Taliban do not fear him ( the United States) anymore, that's why. Just a bunch of hot air. The anniversary of 9/11 isn't far off and it just became even more dangerous. Don't be distracted! That is an immediate concern of mine, if I were the President I would be be extra vigilant, hyper sensitive even. I'm blowing somebody up just to send a message! I'm not playing! This is a time for action, not retreat.  

a new policy

 Personally I can remember when President Reagan said, " we do not negotiate with terrorists." That was in response to the hijacking of an airplane. Just the other day Bidens' press secretary was asked if that policy was still in effect. She insisted that it was and that no negotiating with the Taliban had taken place. It's a lie, I know it's a lie, you know it's a lie, and she certainly knows she is lying. She claimed there was no quid pro quo. Meanwhile the Taliban has received, by one estimate, 250 million dollars worth of military equipment and supplies. But, no deal was made. Americans with passports and all the diplomatic papers required are being told to not to try to get to the airport. Wonder why that is? This morning they were almost bragging about the numbers of people evacuated outside the airport, sneaking them out. Why do they have to do that? Because the Taliban is in control of the whole deal that's why. And they can't really be trusted to follow the deal made. Make no mistake about it, a deal was made and it will come to light over time. After the 31st, a deadline set by the Taliban, I suspect all hell will break lose. The Taliban will begin to press their advantage in earnest, seizing control with an iron grip. And now, now they have the equipment and supplies to do just that. What a windfall for them. Whatever equipment they don't personally want will certainly be for sale to the highest bidder. I'm betting lots of other terrorist states would love to have their engineers get a close look at American technology.

 What will become of all this? That's a question everyone should be thinking about at this point. This goes far beyond evacuating Americans and refugees. This is empowering, a term I hate, a terrorist group to further push their extremist agenda. Talk about boosting morale! The Taliban forced the United States of America to evacuate! Oh they can say it was a withdrawal all they want, but it was an evacuation. How else can you explain why all that equipment, all those supplies, all of that was abandoned, just left for the enemy to seize! As far back as the Civil war it was known to not leave your enemies weapons, food and supplies! Yet, here we are equipping terrorists. Makes Obama and his gun running deals to the Columbians seem like a playground deal. This is a whole new level of treason. And I question, how could our Generals have allowed such a thing to happen? Where the heck were they? We just turned tail and ran! Just two hundred Americans faced as as many as six thousand Mexicans at the Alamo, they didn't just run away and leave everything behind! We made no effort to defend anything, just left a handful of soldiers there and said, do what you can boys, we have negotiated with the Taliban but you're on your own. And the President says, it did happen faster than we thought it would, oops. 

 What's the plan moving forward? We will bring all the refugees here to America and provide them with a better life. No need for those folks to risk their lives, risk anything at all in defense of their home. No, they can turn our home into their home! Yes, we are so empathic we will not only allow that, we will help them build it. We will adjust our way of life to accommodate them. We will tax our citizens to fund it all too. Special consideration, provisions and exceptions granted at every turn. Need to learn to speak English, no problem we will provide private tutors and instructors. But if you don't want to learn English we will just print everything in your language and provide translators for you. That's the plan isn't it? Let's make them all feel welcome and right at home. And don't you dare say a thing about it, you racist! They are all future voters! Every one of them will be voting in our elections within the next decade, if not sooner. Just who do you think they will be voting for? I'll tell you this much, political party won't be a factor. No, they will just vote for whoever is going to give them more free stuff, more of America until they have turned America into a third world nation! That's who they will vote for. Think about that. When they gain enough to elect their own, that is what they will do. Doesn't take a lot of thought to understand that. We aren't selling out, we are now giving it away. That's the new policy! No negotiating though, just give them what they want and get out.    

  

  

Mandated

  Mandates are being mandated! With the approval of the Pfizer vaccine a new weapon was unsheathed. The FDA now controlling a portion of our freedom. I heard the politicians, almost gloating over that approval, insisting you have no right to refuse now! Mandates, mandates and more mandates. It's almost as though the FDA now holds the key and you you will not be allowed to roam free unless you comply. No school, no sporting events, no job without blind compliance. I see it as a new tool in the government toolbox, a tool to be wielded whenever the need is created. Remember this is in response to a disease with a very high survivability rate in the first place. Yet the narrative is one of, we will all die unless every single person complies with the directive. The bludgeon being, it's approved.

 I would like to believe that this approval was based solely on tests and trials but I don't. Political pressure has driven this decision, that's my belief. It seems like I have been able to predict each step along the way. Not just me though, I've listened as many others called the shots along the way. I listened as the official government response flip flopped according to the reaction from the general public. We started out with requiring an N-95 mask. Remember that? When the supply of those masks was exhausted it was announced that any mask would do. Heck, you could use a old handkerchief, whatever. Make your own, that is fine. Soon we had matching masks to go with our outfits. Social distancing was six feet and we put tape and markings on the floors, sidewalks, everywhere. Well, because even with a mask on the virus can travel five foot eleven inches, just not six feet. We were sanitizing everything in sight. Still are, although now they say the virus isn't spread by contact, only airborne. Then we all had to stay indoors and no gatherings. Well except in Walmart and Liquor stores, they remained open for business as usual. The casinos did limit the number of people but never closed their doors. essential don't you know? 

 The vaccine was created in record time, almost overnight in scientific time. From a completely unknown viral infection to the "cure" just like that. Even before the virus itself had been isolated and identified a vaccine had been developed. Of course it isn't really a vaccine in the traditional sense, nothing is traditional about any of this, but the power that be decided to call it a vaccine, so it is. Experimental therapy doesn't sound too reassuring. But still thousands got the jab. Then we have it under control, almost, but there are those hesitating to participate in the experiment. Unleash the variant! Delta arrives on the scene. Even the vaccinated are getting that, but it isn't killing them, it is only killing the unvaccinated. Put those masks back on, social distance, and if you haven't complied and received the jab, you will be targeted! Still, people are hesitating. Why? Because many are saying, it is an experimental therapy. Those folks are telling the truth! Man, that sure interferes with the narrative. As long as the FDA does not give their approval rebuttal is very difficult. That obstacle to compliance must be removed. And now it has. Was it done in response to trials and testing? Seven months, since it was first deployed. Seven months. The polio vaccine, which is often cited as proof positive that all vaccines work, took years to approve. The disease was id'd in 1840, isolated in 1908, and the vaccine wasn't approved and distributed until the 1950's. But this one, seven months. Well, because we have made such advances in science is the answer. Yes we have, and this experimental therapy is the first time being used on human subjects. 

 One down, and two to go. The other vaccines will be approved within a few weeks, I have no doubt about that. Can't let the competition get too much of a head start on you. Three vaccines all in record time, a medical miracle. But I'm being told I should believe. But even more I am being mandated to believe, to place my trust in science. The FDA approved this! And that is like Mom or Dad saying, because I said so. You do this or you can't do that. This isn't about healthcare, this is about control and compliance.     

Informed

  This morning I have to console myself with the knowledge that the polls reported on television aren't really reflective of America. I want to believe that. Last evening it was said that according to a recent poll 48% of Americans believe the government should regulate misinformation. The newscaster was quite excited about that as she wholeheartedly agreed. What I heard was, almost half of the people in the country would be fine with being censored. Regulate misinformation? That is modern day speech for, control of information, the very tactic Hitler and his cronies employed. That was followed by book burning. I can't bring myself to believe that almost half of the people in America would be alright with that, they can't be that naïve, can they? Are they that frightened of truth that they are willing to allow the government to determine what is truth and what is not.

 It is said we live in the information age. From young children, right on up information is at our fingertips. It has been hailed as a triumph. So many people be "woke." We have become concerned with the things that happened two hundred years ago and are taking action! We broadcast each first. We can review what others posted twenty years back and hold them accountable for that. Celebrities and the commoners alike have suffered from that, the indiscretions of their past coming back to bite them. And we feel great about that, justice is served! Statues that offend and opportunities denied must be rectified. Information run through the filter of time and homogenized to satisfy the palette of the woke. We mustn't let anything interfere with that. 

 I just can't believe that anyone would think that control of information is a good thing. How can that ever be a good thing? I've said it before and continue to support Facebook or other free platforms to regulate what they will allow on their sites. I've been excluded from Facebook for expressing an opinion they didn't like and it was their right to do so. I don't like it but it is what it is. I don't pay a cent to use it and it certainly isn't anything that is essential. Information is essential! All the information is essential to the thinking man. Yes even conspiracy theories, far left or far right ideas should be freely shared. It is up to the individual to discern their own truth! It is not a function of government! 

 This particular poll was taken in response to vaccine hesitancy. Have you noticed how the official narrative is one of, you are not cooperating. People are hesitating to be injected with an experimental therapy. Now they announce that it has received FDA approval so, just like that, it is declared safe and effective after just seven months. I'm not supposed to feel like that approval was received in response to political pressure, but rather based on science. I'm not supposed to consider that Pfizer can now advertise their product and make it available. If I advertise a product why would I do that?  Couldn't be for a profit could it? Does anyone really believe any of that was done for free? Research, development, manufacture and distribution of three vaccines, all free. If only information could be controlled than I wouldn't have any questions about that. It is my feeling approval was granted for only one reason, to encourage compliance. Second and third waves, threats of isolation, denial of freedom, deadly variants and daily mortality figures haven't convinced everyone so we will now say it is approved! Well, if the government approves it must be alright! That should work. 

 I give this approval a vote of no confidence! I do not trust the government to be honest and straightforward in this regard. It is obvious that government wanted approval. Never before in the history of the FDA has an experimental therapy been fully approved in seven months. Remember this isn't really a vaccine at all but rather some hybrid formulation never tried on humans before. But I'm supposed to place full confidence in this after seven months! No, sounds more like the boy who cried wolf to me. It was only a week ago that I listened as the Governor of Maryland said, I will pressure the government to approve this vaccine with everything that I can. I'm certain he wasn't the only one applying political pressure. Interesting to note that approval followed, almost immediately after Bidens withdrawal debacle. But I'm certain politics never played a role. No, I vote no confidence.

living with reality

   "The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." Rudyard Kipling

 I find this quote from Kipling to be rather appropriate for today. Independent thought is being stifled in America. This is evident to anyone really paying attention to what is going on. All thought must conform with those in positions of power and supported by science. Holding religious views is tolerated, even supported on occasion, especially so when it serves as a tool. Some have extracted a single premise from the religious teachings and employ that as bludgeon. Accusations are aimed at those exercising independent thought. They are not being empathetic. Everything you do should be done for someone else is the underlining message. Anyone not in compliance with that, is a threat to the tribe. Basically it is a mob mentality fueled more by emotion than actual facts. It's the same emotion that drives popular culture. It's the reason the news sends out a constant barrage of deaths and infections. The reason the focus is on the elderly and children. The reason you are being told you must cooperate to save the world, or save the planet, the psychology is the same. It's an attempt to transfer responsibility to you. You are the only one that can prevent this!

 This is what is being used to further this agenda of vaccination. If you pay attention you will notice quite the opposite is said when promoting other "tribal" wants. Take the whole gender fluidity thing. In that scenario science is being ignored altogether, excused by what? Empathy? The tribe wishes to pretend they can be whatever gender they feel like and that is to be accepted without question. The "science" of emotion is to be followed, anything else is just a phobia. There certainly isn't any concern for others lives when supporting abortion. But there again, it's the science of emotions that should be followed. I don't want to have a baby, my body, my choice, I get to murder my own offspring! Very empathetic don't you think. The bottom line in all of this is, dependence. 

 You are being taught to be dependent upon the tribe. Now you can't proclaim an allegiance to the tribe, that would be nationalist and a very bad thing. The message today is, seek help! In everything you attempt to do, seek help. You must receive validation from the tribe to be successful. There is truth in that as far as material things go, fame and fortune is dependent upon acceptance from the tribe, but emotional success is dependent upon independent thought. If you become dependent upon others for your emotional health, you will soon find yourself gravely ill. Filled with manic and panic your emotions will collapse. That's what I keep hearing. You have to comply with this mandate for me, you have to save me! I hear the cries of dependence. The cries for reassurance and validation. 

 Trust the science. The problem I have with that is science itself has undermined that trust. Have you listened to the side effects of medications? Science created those medications, studied them, they were all subject to extensive testing before approval, yet, well they hardly ever kill anyone so it's all good, trust the science. The latest scientific creation is this vaccine that isn't really a vaccine. It is something created in a laboratory that effects our mRNA proteins to trigger a response to a virus that isn't there. It was created in record time. An amazing feat of science. Rushed to "market" provided free of charge to all as an experiment never tried on human subjects before. My independent thought on all of that is skepticism. The polio virus was identified in 1908 but the vaccine wasn't developed  and deemed safe for use until the 1950's. That seems more like a reasonable test period. It is worth noting that although the incidence is small, you can still get polio. No variants of polio so far, although this new virus has already spawned several, each more contagious, more deadly than the last. That despite thousands of people being vaccinated! Trust the science it is only the unvaccinated that is causing this reaction. Well, sure vaccinated people can spread the virus and any of its' variants but they aren't, just like Bruce Jenner is now a woman. Hey, trust the science on that one.

 It may be proven that I am wrong and I'm alright with that, been wrong before. I can say that without shame because I have always made the choice myself. What I am ashamed of is when I just went with the crowd and that turned out bad. When I was a part of that I am ashamed. Strange how I am now being told to go along with the crowd when the crowd says I should, but not when the crowd says I shouldn't. You know on those things the crowd knows to be wrong but wish we were right because it is what they want. Things like drugs, alcohol, gambling, the absence of morality or accountability. I shouldn't object to those things. But if you refuse to go along with the crowd I should isolate you, call you names, and deny you everything. 

 Read the last line of Kiplings' quote. Answer that question? Who owns you? It is a privilege that can be denied you by yourself! I am an independent member of the tribe called Americans. We value independence and freedom above all else. Yes it is an emotion, and emotions are what drive men forward. It was emotion that secured freedom and it will be emotion that preserves it. Control your emotions carefully, don't be swept away with the tide. Each of us live within our own reality. You have to accept the reality you live in to be truly independent.      

 

lessons learned

  The past holds reassurance for the future. That is why understanding history is so important. Lessons learned, handed down generation to generation. When that chain is broken or lost, ultimately confusion will result. It's an old saying you can't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been. It has been nine generations since we were successful in obtaining independence from Great Britain. Nine generations of freedom from oppression by a tyrannical King. King George the third was the one our Declaration was addressed to. For us a declaration of freedom, to him a declaration of insurrection. Had he remembered his history he would have been aware. In 1215 something similar had transpired, it was called the Magna Carta. In his defense it had been about 18 generations prior but concerned the same thing. The Magna Carta, as we were taught in school is also known as, The great charter of Freedom. Yes, it was about freedom from oppression. It concerned church rights, illegal imprisonment, obtaining swift justice and taxes paid to the king. Well, don't all those things sound familiar? Yeah, same thing today. Ironically it was Pope Innocent the third that annulled the Magna Carta. That happened just a few months after the signing. But still, the point had been made. 

 I am concerned that history is being rewritten and the lessons lost. Fundamental lessons from history. Lessons like freedom is never granted, rather it is seized by those strong enough to hold onto it. Is that insurrection? Certainly to those wielding the power it would be. But when the populace reacts in defense of freedom earned that should serve as a warning to those in the seat in power. The Magna Carta was that message to the King John. And that message was crafted primarily through Christian thought and practices. Yes those fundamentals are contained within Christian doctrine. Due process of law being least among them. No man could be punished without first having had due process of law, in a timely fashion. Innocent until proven guilty, just as Christian doctrine teaches that forgiveness and salvation is at hand but you do have to appear before the judge. In Christianity the word of God is the law! It's a fundamental lesson to be taught to each generation, it is the foundation of America! 

 There are those today attempting to rewrite that narrative. The reasons are simple enough to understand, power and money. By consolidating power in government, government can control the populace. When government begins to make demands upon the governed resistance is inevitable. Under the guise of, we know best, government begins to limit freedom. It's for the common good. Generally that is the big lie, the big ruse. Generally it is to benefit the government, not the governed. More taxes, fees, permits and permissions. If you can eliminate or negate Christian principles altogether the flood gates are open. Fear is the ultimate restraint. That is true whether it is fear of government, or fear of eternal damnation. It is the threat of punishment! Fear is a reality even when fear is not justified! Fear is perhaps the ultimate reality. And there are only two responses to fear, fight or flight. It is far easier to just run away. Far easier to justify surrender than to fight. Far easier to dismiss possibilities than to embrace them. 

 The lesson is plan enough. Freedom is never granted, it is always seized. It is held by those strong enough to accept responsibility for that acquisition. Freedom is to be cared for, embraced and protected. Freedom isn't the ability to do what you want, but rather the obligation to do what is right. Freedom is the exercise of restraint. 

Poor Joe

  I have to say I have never been much on foreign affairs. Other than getting along with the other nations in the world I don't see much use in concerning myself with their affairs. Should the United States be the moral conscience of the world? It's certainly a role I have been told that we fill. You could say that began in 1914 when we entered WW1. The Germans had invaded Belgium and rumors of atrocities were filtering out of Europe. Then, they began sinking American merchant ships. Announcing a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare they then sank the Lusitania. Wilson did not want to enter the war but was pressured and felt he was left with little choice. WW2 was just a continuation of WW1. It was also the last declared war the United States has fought. It could be argued it was the last war in which we could declare victory. From Korea going forward I believe that is the case. Our involvement in those conflicts has centered around appeasement, promises and commerce. The promises are the moral ground upon which we stand. And today, as far as Afghanistan goes, I believe we abandoned that promise, that moral high ground for the first time. It wasn't a strategic withdrawal, it was an abandonment. Basically we just threw down our weapons, packed a light travel bag, and left. 

 I listened to what Biden had to say. At least I listened to the written responses he was reading from as he shuffled the stack of papers he had. A few times he invoked Harry Truman with the buck stops here quote. I suppose that made him feel "empowered" as this woke bunch like to say. I listened as he said I could see no other way forward other than chaos. Perhaps that is a reflection of his home life, there has certainly been chaos there. He certainly couldn't be said to exercise any control over that. Forty seven years a Senator and his only accomplishment was taxing social security recipients. The second time social security was taxed it was Biden, as VP, that cast the deciding vote! The buck stopped with him, although I haven't heard him bragging about any of that. But Biden insists he is in contact with the Taliban, negotiating with them. He admitted receiving many warnings, many messages, many concerns about this action, but yet deciding to just run away was the proper course of action. 

 Now that the buck has stopped with Biden, and moral obligations discarded, what is our course forward? As I said I have never really concerned myself with foreign affairs. I do believe in an old adage, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. It's advice going back a thousand years or more. Biden questioned what value does Afghanistan have to America? He questioned if we should have ever cared  a bit about any of that. He asked, what if the Taliban had gone to Yemen would we have gone there and never entered Afghanistan? If the communists in North Korea hadn't crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea we wouldn't have gone there either! We did so in response to a United Nations agreement to end hostilities. We had given our word and we had  a moral obligation to fulfill that word. For a President to start talking about what ifs' just exposes his weakness. It's the " at this point what difference does it make" attitude all over again, A prevalent theme for the Democratic party it would seem. Apparently Biden has decided, the buck stops there, that Afghanistan doesn't matter at all. We are leaving as fast as we can and the devil take the hindmost. We won't expand the circle of defense around the airport for fear of upsetting the Taliban, that what Joe said, not me! 

 Following each conflict we have been involved with since Korea, America has lost face. Certainly those that served in those conflicts feel that way, certainly the family members that lost their loved ones feel that way. Indeed following Vietnam service members themselves were vilified and blamed, the buck was stopping with them, those that were simply following the orders of their superiors! And today with this Afghan debacle Insult has been added to injury. The world is laughing at us, at the incompetence of this President. The very party that installed him in office admits that he is wrong. They were well aware of his weakness when they put his name on the ballot. It was his malleability that was the appeal. He is certainly being controlled, of that I have no doubt. He is being told what to say, when to say it and how to say it. It's obvious enough. He isn't able to answer questions that he hasn't been provided a script for. The medications are working I'd say. He walks to the podium almost robotically and reads his script. Easily flustered and confused the person in his ear guides him, calms him down. Just say, the buck stops here, Joe! It makes you look strong, believe me. Insist that you made a decision. Then take your ball and go home, back to the basement. You will be brought out when we need you for public relations purposes or when we need to blame someone for the mess. You will be replaced soon enough. Poor Joe. Just another part of the plan in my opinion. The only question I have is, how long will Kamala last?  

all part of the plan

 Where to begin? Listening to our President on television he says these words, I can't see any way there wouldn't have been chaos. When asked if he planned on that "chaos" he answers, yes. And says that in the most condescending tone, as if , everyone would have planned on chaos. To further add to this the reporter just nods his assent! Oh, okay that settles that. As long as you planned for chaos Mr. President? Really that was part of the plan for bringing the troops home. Just leave arms and ammunition, weapons, buildings and supplies behind, put the troops on a plane and leave. That's the plan? Every man for himself. Yeah, that's a great plan alright, I'm sure the Taliban appreciates that. I guess that stern warning to not harm Americans is really doing the trick, I hear the Taliban isn't harassing fleeing Americans just beating, shooting at, and otherwise intimidating everyone else. The news reports they are being quite friendly actually. Well, as friendly as they can be amid all the chaos that was planned for. 

 The other big news was the recommendation for booster shots. Never mind that the CDC hasn't approved the initial therapy we will now start scheduling boosters. There has been some scientific evidence that the original treatment could be the reason for the variant appearing but that is being ignored. Governor Hogan of Maryland was on television saying he was going to pressure the CDC to give their stamp of approval for the three "vaccines" currently available. After all he is the governor and would certainly know when a therapy should or should not be approved. He is qualified to do that! All I can say is, I knew from the first day they injected the first person with this "vaccine" that it would become just another in the long list. The demand having been created, either by accident or appearing naturally makes no difference, the protentional for profit won't be overlooked. I understand that all of this has little to do with health and is centered on control. I am not being fooled, I've been around the block a few times. The masking and unmasking, the denial of services, goods and freedom has nothing to do with prevention, it has to do with control. The virus can be spread by the vaccinated as easily as the unvaccinated.

 In the city of Baltimore the murders continue unchecked. It's so bad they now report when someone is merely "wounded" as just an incident. the only serious ones are when the person is kilted. They just arrested a 14 year old for murder having shot another person on the street in broad daylight. He will be charged as an adult but that is being met with protests. It isn't really the Childs' fault, no it's because the street lights are out, the streets are dirty and there is high unemployment. If this child was white and lived in a wealthy neighborhood that wouldn't have happened! So, you see, not his fault. We should build a state of the art grocery store in that neighborhood, fix all the street lights, clean the alleys up, renovate all the buildings, provide high paying jobs to all the residents, and send all the children to Ivy league colleges. That will stop the murders. Locking people up won't stop that. They have planned for chaos too! Same party leadership as what's' in the white house.

 Illegal aliens streaming across the southern border, thousands of them. What effort is being made to stem the tide? The only plan so far is to transport those crossing the border to various cities throughout the country and provide for them. And now they are concerned with bringing in displaced Afghans. But only the ones that love America, I'm certain there will be a vigorous vetting process to ensure no Taliban members gain entry to the country. You know, like the ones that were trained to fly airplanes in Florida twenty years back. Yeah, the requirements are even more stringent now. NOT I know it and so does everyone else. The appeal is to empathy and humanity, except when the President says otherwise. Remember, just the other day Joe Biden said he stood by his decision to withdraw all the troops from Afghanistan. Why should American lives be lost, America first! Never mind the chaos or those lives being lost that aren't Americans. Well, turns out, it was all part of the plan.  

an idea that endures

 Do you feel an obligation? It is becoming an ever increasing thing with me. I wonder if that is just another one of those things that come with aging. We all laugh and kid about that, there is little else one can do. This obligation concerns my contribution. What have I contributed to this world? I believe we are all here for a purpose, to fulfill some destiny, some function or purpose. The universe is too ordered to be a completely random thing. Surely that extends to life. All of that is the providence of religious leaders and philosophers. I don't consider myself either of those. My faith is on shaky ground and my philosophy ever changing. All I can do is continue on the path, not knowing when or where. I'm alright with that but the why is a concern. It is the why that creates the obligation. Just what am I supposed to contribute?

 The older I get the more I am aware of the passing of others. By aware I mean not just the simple grief that accompanies that reality but an awareness of their contribution as a whole. We attempt to summarize that in an obituary. This is who they were. The words always fall short to those that really knew the person. In working on the family tree I have uncovered obituaries from the distant past, brief passages about an ancestor. Most often mentioned are those the deceased leaves behind, the phrase being, they are survived by. A strange phrase in my opinion. But then again we all survive day by day don't we? By what power do we survive? More philosophy, more wonder. I do feel like those obituaries have brought me closer to those I never knew. That is to say, I know something about them beyond a name and a date. A summary of their life? A synopsis? Yes you could say that. 

 As to obligation, I feel I have one. Just to whom I haven't decided just yet, perhaps I never will. All I can do is offer what I'm willing to give. Today we hear an awful lot about sacrifice. Sacrifice is what we are willing to give in exchange. The question is, what is it you wish to receive? To be remembered has to be the objective. All material things are transient. Fame ensures you will be remembered, at least for a while. Meaningful contributions to society will be remembered. Still, it is said that fame is a fleeting thing and there is truth in that. History written and rewritten one can go from hero to villain. The statues and memorials of yesterday replaced by the hero's of today. 

 Ideas endure. That is what I have determined so far in this life. The ideas of my grandparents, parents and my own ideas endure over time. Those ideas drift in and out of favor, no denying that, but they endure. We change the words, the manner of expression, but the idea remains. We are here for a greater purpose. There is more to life than living. The first person to draw a picture on the wall of a cave had that thought. The first person to stare at the stars surely had that thought, that idea. Where do we fit into that? Is that dependent upon your contribution? Will the idea survive without your contribution? Yes I suppose it will, but still, I have this idea. I have something yet to contribute, not sacrifice. And yes they are different things altogether. But then perhaps I have yet to make the sacrifice? Perhaps that is what is missing. It's just that in my thinking a sacrifice is given in the hope of a return. Seems selfish in a way. A contribution however has no such expectation. It's a gift. Is there a reward? Guess that all depends doesn't it? Do you have an expectation of reward? It's an idea that endures. 

securing the common

  The other day a friend posed a question on Facebook. He was curious about whether people were interacting less on the platform. I believe they are and that is what my reply was. I do think it is the result of a few things, one of which is the Facebook police. Yes there are those folks that post things that are a bit over the top, things that hurt others feelings. Opinions can be strong and cut deep. Those same people however also may enjoy posting family photo's and sharing the things that amuse them. I know that I like doing that. It is strangely satisfying to get "likes" on your postings isn't it? Yes, you like that too and it's alright to admit to it. Remaining genuine while doing so can be the challenge. It's a double edged sword really, being genuine can get you blocked from posting as quickly as inciting division. It is far easier to get folks upset than it is to please them. Well I think the truth is people are far quicker to react to those things that upset them. We do tend to scroll on by the amusing posts without clicking the like button or leaving a comment. Irritants, like an itch, need to be scratched! I'm as guilty of that as anyone else, I make no pretense about that. 

  I do think he was correct though, people aren't posting and commenting as much as they did in the past. Besides the Facebook police some of that stems from getting to know each other as well. The cyber world is a much larger arena than most of us have ever dealt with. I can't say with certainty but that's my feeling. I was raised in a small town where most everyone knew everyone else. At the least we heard the rumors about those "others." Yes, small town gossip. I suspect the same could be said about those in the city just on a neighborhood level. The neighborhoods in the city being as large as the town I grew up in. Most of us are suspicious of those not from the neighborhood. Those folks are not readily embraced. Some come into the neighborhood with their foreign ideas and upset the proverbial applecart. Same thing happens on Facebook. 

  There is a difference though as people are far quicker to confront one another when out of reach of each other. It's like the things you would say when you were out of earshot of your parents or others that disagreed with you. Those folks wisdom tells you not to confront directly. But on Facebook you can let it fly, let your first thoughts come flying out. That's what prompted the Facebook police however, to act as a buffer. You can be silenced. In a way you could say it is working it has altered the way people interact on that platform. I admit I find myself tempering my words a bit, choosing a more civil way to convey my message. It can sometimes present a challenge but it is possible. And yes there are some I just don't interact with anymore. I put those folks on ignore. In ten years time I have only blocked two people from posting on my "page" if that is the proper term. The reason for doing so is simply because I have nothing more to say to those people. I'm not placing blame anywhere, just stating a fact. 

  I have been on Facebook for over a decade now. That's hard to believe as I remember when there wasn't any Facebook. I still remember dial up internet, limited hours of usage, and AOL chat rooms. I remember the excitement of finding old friends and classmates and connecting once again. Interesting that I have discovered some of those that I didn't interact with all those years ago and now find I still don't. I have also found some I wish I had known back then as well, we would have gotten along famously. I'm thinking about personalities. Our personalities and behaviors are influenced by our environment. It's fascinating when you realize just how different that can be within the same community, town or neighborhood. 

  In the old days each town had a common. The common is the area where the houses were built and the livestock quartered. It could be somewhat sealed off for defense against wild animals or other peoples. But as the town grew the common did not, it remained pretty much the same. Same thing happened on Facebook. Is Facebook attempting to secure the common? Yeah, I guess you could say that. I do not hold it as a restriction of freedom, though many do, it's their town after all. I'm just a visitor.   

a change in policy

 The news is dominated by the fall of Afghanistan and the placing of blame. The blame is being placed on the leaders of Afghanistan. At least that is what our President says. He says he will not hand this conflict over to another President. He goes on to talk about American lives and how many have been lost. He questions why that should be, why should American lives be lost? I couldn't help but remember, not that long ago, when that sort of talk, America first, was Nationalist speech and compared to Hitler! Now, just like that there are main stream media outlets proclaiming the righteousness of such a statement. Yes, by God, real flag waving Americans! Amazing how attitudes can change so quickly. Well the attitude at our southern border hasn't changed any, it's an open door. American lives aren't that important! No, don't close the border or even attempt to stem the flow there, wouldn't want to hand that problem over to another president. Just ignore it altogether.

 Setting aside political differences one does have to ask, why did we leave all our equipment behind? Basically we have armed the Taliban with the latest weapons we have to offer. No telling how many weapons small and large are now in their hands. As the left is fond of saying, I'm certain they feel "empowered." If this sweeping victory doesn't bolster their confidence, convince them of their prowess of the battlefield I don't know what would. Will the Taliban be content with Afghanistan? As the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 approaches it certainly must be an inspiration. What happened wasn't a withdrawal it was a retreat! The afghan military folded like beach chair and American troops just left everything behind. Our President says, it happened faster than we thought it would. So what you are saying is you expected that to happen just not as fast? Having expected that why didn't you expect them to seize every military asset they could get their hands on? Why weren't those assets, at a minimum, destroyed?

 I won't pretend to be some military leader or political analyst. I'm no expert in foreign affairs. Still I've been around for a while. I heard first hand accounts about Korea where some of my friends Dads had fought. I was around for Vietnam. I was in the service when that was ended and remember that mess. I was there for Desert Storm and Desert Shield, shock and awe followed by a withdrawal. I remember well the attack on 9/11. An attack orchestrated by the very Taliban we have now armed better than many other armies in the world. But it's the fault of the Afghan leaders. they ran away. And our President says, why should we stay and fight? He does say if the Taliban doesn't treat their citizens correctly we will come back and punish them! He said we will be "forceful." Bet that has the Taliban shaking in their boots. 

 I will just go about my life as best I can. I have deep concerns for the country and the direction we are headed. In my estimation Biden is a weak leader and isn't really in control of anything. What forces are manipulating him behind the scenes? I shudder to think about it. A great portion of the country is living in fear. Fear generated and fueled by this administration. Biden is attempting to justify this decision to withdraw. Now the Taliban announces a general amnesty to all Afghan peoples. Yes, join them and they won't kill you, that's their amnesty. Anyone thinking differently is just naïve. And to further enable things the government is instituting a new program to allow Afghan refugees into the country. Are those people really running from the Taliban? The plan is to allow hundreds of these people into the country immediately. 

 Meanwhile we are being conditioned to accept the idea of vaccine passports. That is nothing more than a step toward passports to travel about the country. You will show the proper papers or be denied access. Not just to concerts and sporting events, eventually to anything the government wishes. Those failing to comply will be isolated. Anyone remember the Warsaw Ghettos? What was their purpose? But that can't happen here right? I recently had to renew my drivers license. I was required to provide my papers. Yes I had to produce a birth certificate, a social security card, and proof of residence. I had to prove my citizenship! While I was doing that there was another line for those with foreign documents, ones that couldn't be questioned. They weren't being denied anything, they were being aided in their quest to obtain a license to drive. Meanwhile I could show my ID card proving I am a Retired member of the United States Navy but that wasn't sufficient proof. Additionally I would have to pay for a background check, conducted by the FBI, if I wanted my commercial license renewed. 

 But take heart, our President has embarked upon a course of America first. That's what he said and I will hold him to that. Next we are closing the border to protect Americans. We will finish the wall. We will now start withdrawing all our troops for the various locations around the globe. America first. Sounds great to me. Of course I have been told I'm a Nationalist and that isn't right, but now it is. Hooray. A change in policy?         

someone to ask

  I try to write something different but when you are writing what is on your mind you tend to repeat yourself. Seems to happen more often the older you get. I suppose that is simply because we face the same things in life over and over again. That is we experience the same emotions only under different circumstances. That's the human condition. The way we feel so to speak. Today there is much discussion about mental health, a subject not often discussed when I was younger. Mental health, the way we deal with emotions. That's what I think it is and I don't think you need a Doctorate to understand that. For me that's on the same level as those professing some secret knowledge about abstract art, yeah, if you say so. But some folks take comfort in all of that and it seems to make some folks feel better, no harm, no foul I say. Yes you can become depressed, obsessed, manic, and a host of other maladies, all emotions out of control. And man attempting to discover the causes. Drugs are often used to suppress emotions whether they are prescribed or self medicated. But I'm wandering of a bit from what is on my mind this morning.

  Yesterday I was telling my wife stories about my childhood. I was telling her about the neighbors I had and what colorful characters they were. Now we didn't say such things as we celebrated their differences or talk about acceptance and inclusion, none of that. We just took people for what we perceived them to be. That's right, what we perceived them to be regardless of what they felt they were. I'd say it was more of an honest relationship. No one was putting on airs. My wife never had an opportunity to meet any of those folks. She grew up in a different state, a different city altogether. I know little of her childhood and have only met a few of those she grew up with. Now she doesn't tell nearly as many stories about her childhood as I do. I can't say why that is, just that it is. Anyway I enjoy telling the tales, describing those folks as it is almost like visiting with them. They are very much alive to me, although I'm certain the vast majority have long since passed on, as the saying goes. Funny how we say that, the reality for me is I have left them behind as they are all in the past. A matter of perception I suppose. 

  I was telling my wife about this particular neighbor, a lady I called Aunt Francis. She was not related to me at all, at least not that anyone was aware of. I wouldn't be surprised to find that she was some distant relative however, hers was an old family in the town where I was born. But anyway, this woman sure had some funny ways about her. Really I suppose she was just old fashioned and stuck in her ways. She was like a pioneer woman in my eyes. She would hunt squirrels in her yard, skin and eat them for dinner. She made dandelion wine, sewed her own clothes, go fishing and pick up potatoes out of farmers fields. She taught me a tea bag should be used at least three times, and paper towels were nothing but a waste of money. She wore bloomers which would be hung on the clothesline, along with everything else. And she surely was the model for those yard ornaments you see today. She would bend over at the waist, never bending her knees, to pick dandelions or pull weeds. Walking up you would see those bloomers hanging down below her dress. I can see and hear her talking to this day. 

  In telling the stories about her I couldn't remember a certain detail. I realized at that moment, there is no one left to ask. That is the emotion I'm feeling this morning, the one often repeated these days. Definitely a result of getting older! It's just an unimportant little detail, a simple question, but a piece now missing. I can't be the only one left that knew her from those days. Surely there are others but I'm not aware of anyone. She didn't have children of her own. She only said God hadn't seen fit to give her any and that is all she ever said about that. She did take a liking to my sister and left her everything she owned. She told us all about that explaining she had a sister but her sister had enough already. Her wish to give my sister her home, car, and the contents of the house. In that way my sister wouldn't be dependent upon no man! She never explained that reasoning just that it was the reason. She had been married for many years herself but who knows what she was thinking. No matter though. And no, that isn't the detail I can't remember. I was trying to remember if she ever had a washing machine. I don't remember her having one, but she could have. An insignificant detail but no one left to ask, and that is what I'm writing about. 

  It's something that was just brought to the forefront once again and I expect it accompanies the loss of friends and relatives. Mom would have known the answer to that question or my sister for certain. I can't ask either one of them. I find myself reminiscing about the old days and the people that where in my life. Stories told as best as I remember. I find it a responsibility, to tell the stories as accurately as I can remember. It's difficult when there are no other resources except your memory. When there is no one left to ask. I believe that is the reason writing was invented in the first place, to tell the story. It began with a simple drawing on the wall. As accurate a description as they could manage. I feel that responsibility as well. Yes, I could embellish, delete, or simply fabricate any story I want, no one left to dispute them, and that is the responsibility. It's a portion of your moral character. Doing the right thing even when no one is looking, and telling the truth even when there is no one to dispute it. Same thing in my thinking. 

  You have a responsibility to history. Each of us do. History should be recorded as accurately as possible, void of bias and opinion. That's a difficult thing to do, perhaps an impossibility, but the attempt should be made. We are all riddled with prejudice and perceptions. I don't believe we can free ourselves from that but we can be made aware of it. No one likes to tell of their mistakes, their errors in judgement without somehow justifying those. Some will use them as a crutch and seek sympathy because of those missteps. I see that a lot these days. I say you can't create a crisis, overcome that crisis, and then proclaim victory. Correcting your mistakes isn't an accomplishment to be rewarded! It's nothing to brag about. If you feel the need to brag, brag about what mistakes you haven't made. But I digress a bit. What I'm saying is this; when you are the last it is your responsibility to record the truth. Don't rewrite history. But then again can we all agree on history? That's doubtful. I suppose we just all want to have the last word until we do. At least that's the way I feel about it right now. Sure wish I had someone to ask. 

proving belief

  I did make a Facebook posting about this but thought I would elaborate a bit more on this absurdity. I'm listening to the morning news and they are discussing the legality of vaccine mandates. Now I should point out I live in Maryland, a state with employment at will. What that means is the employer can require you comply with certain rules and regulations and if you don't, you don't have a job. I did sign that agreement with one employer although I wasn't required to do so with others. But whatever the case may be in Maryland the employer can legally require you receive the vaccine as a condition of employment. So, that being established the government official being interviewed was asked if there could be allowable exceptions. He stated that yes, the employer could do that as well. He went on to say religious belief may be one of those exceptions. And here is where it got absurd. He says if a person can provide proof of what vaccines they haven't gotten in previous years, ie: polio, chicken pox, seasonal flu, then an exception may be granted. So my reaction is; I have to prove my religious belief? I can prove that by proving I haven't received vaccines? 

 Setting aside vaccines and that whole issue let's examine this. Now yesterday I was a sinner, I had lost my way, but today, today I have been saved! Glory Hallelujah I believe! How do I prove that? Do I have to prove that? Now I don't know what religion opposes vaccinations, Amish maybe, Scientology, Druids, Pastfarians, or the divine right of the sun God but couldn't I just convert instantly? That's how it happens right? A beam of light shines down, or I have a dream, maybe I almost choke to death eating chicken, but my life flashed before my eyes and I am saved! Now, I believe! 

 None of that is intended to disparage anyone or their beliefs but that is what is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, the first amendment in fact! So, is it legal for anyone to demand proof of your religion? Seems unconstitutional to me. 

 During the draft years one could request exemption based on your religious belief, a conscientious  objector. One of two decisions could be reached by your local board. You could be excused from service altogether, or simply assigned to non-combatant service. All of that was based upon written and oral testimony. You had to "convince" the board members of your sincerity and have witnesses testify on your behalf. No, they didn't just take your word for it. According to this government official, at least in the state of Maryland, your employer has that right to decide. If you have been employed by this company prior to this mandate you can be fired. The reason for termination, religious belief. How can it be any other when prior to that I was fully qualified? What changed? It is only my religious belief that keeps me from complying. I can change my gender at any time, you can't fire me for that. I can insist you use a different pronoun when addressing me or I can sue you! See the absurdity of such a statement. How does one prove belief? Many have been martyred for their belief, proof positive? 

 Are we going to say you can practice your religion, as you see fit, until we decide it isn't fit? That is to say the government will mandate what you can or can not believe? When the government decides that your religious belief poses a health risk to others the first amendment no longer applies? Well now that's a sticky wicket ain't it? Is prevention a risk to others? That is, I should receive the vaccine to protect myself against covid and if I don't I'm putting you at risk? How is that? If you are vaccinated you can still spread the virus, science proves that. Seems like you are putting me, the unvaccinated, at risk. You should wear a mask and sanitize your hands. Do that to protect me. Although if I truly believe I'm not a bit concerned with this covid because I believe I will be alright. Hey, my religious belief doesn't include harming you in any way whatsoever. It only concerns what I believe should or should not be injected into my body. Just because you like to drink doesn't mean I should either. You want it, you like it, you believe it makes you feel better, go for it. I'll abstain. Same with any drugs. You know there are no "rules" with religion. Each one of us can believe what we want and how we want. We have Christians supporting abortion and no one is saying they aren't Christians because of that. It's a modification of belief, but belief as valid as mine. No, when it comes to religion you just have to take my word for it! That's the law, isn't it? What's the proof? 

Amendment One, U.S. Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; etc. Seems perfectly clear to me.    

enjoying freedom

  The town of Greensboro has sponsored an event called Riverfest for the past three months. We have a park located by the river complete with a Gazebo. Local food trucks, apparently all the current rage, stage a "war" among themselves. Admission is minimal, only five dollars for the early birds, that would be us senior citizens for the most part. Last evening was the final event this year. The wife and I have attended each one supporting the town and enjoying the entertainment. 

 So, we are going to the event and we discover that neither of us have our phone. Being the rebels that we are we also decide we don't care! That's right, we are leaving home without a phone. My wife's only comment was, you won't be able to take any pictures. In another act of defiance I say, I don't care. Yes, it was a real throwback to the old days. We did take our folding chairs, you know the type, in the little carry bags. I remember when we had those aluminum framed ones, the seat and back woven out off those wide plastic strips. Before that my Mom had wooden framed beach chairs with canvas seats and backs. Now that is a throwback! Today we practically bring the whole living room suite with us. We did meet up with our son and his wife, she said she had texted us. I just laughed and said, we don't have our phones. She smiled but didn't look surprised, she has come to know what rebels we are I guess. 

 I admit it did feel a little strange though, being out without a phone. Funny how quickly we become accustomed to things isn't it? My phone case was damaged and I didn't feel like carrying the thing around or sticking it in my pocket. It isn't difficult to crack the screen on those things. Don't want to finance another one. Isn't that crazy? Phones that you have to finance? No, I don't have one that costs over a grand but a few hundred is enough for me. It's all nuts, pay for the phone, pay for data, pay for messaging, pay for calls. And we call it progress. Well I can take pictures and videos with it. Yeah, it's progress. Another thing about all of this is that others expect you to have your phone with you at all times. I called, I sent you a text, where were you? I find myself saying the same thing when others don't answer their phone. Well, no answer! Another expectation dashed to the ground! In the old days I would have just thought they weren't home or where outside, something like that. Today, we think, they just aren't answering, I know they have their phone! 

 The wife and I each have our own phone. I expect that is the normal thing these days. Being retired I am with her 90% of the time. It's a rare thing for us to be apart. Neither of us belong to any groups or have any hobbies that would separate us for any length of time. Why do we have two phones? Well, you have to be able to call one another don't you? Imagine living in a world where you can't always do that? I don't have to imagine it, I remember it. When I was a kid the phone booth was my cell phone. If I called home someone may or may not answer. I usually only called because I was going to be late coming home. If no one answered the phone I went home! That's how that worked. No messages, just get home. We have thought about getting rid of one of the phones, do we really need two? I don't know, seems risky. We are all about security these days aren't we? It does appear to be a prevalent theme in todays world. Left the house without a phone today and without ID, you got a problem with that? 

 I don't know it just amused me I suppose, being without a phone or a camera. If anything had happened I couldn't have recorded it for my legal case! I was at an event and couldn't post a thing to Facebook or send out a tweet, not that I know how to do that, I don't. As a result you all got no picture of my food or any strange looking people I may have encountered. I apologize for not fulfilling my social contract. You do need to know those things. I did check when I got home, no missed calls, one message from my daughter in law, guess everything was alright. Made it through without a phone on my person. If only for a short time I was free! It's kinda scary though. LOL  Makes me nervous. 

 

Vocab

  Our choice of words convey a message to others. Obvious enough, but perhaps more importantly is the words chosen to convey the message. It is something I have written about in the past and something that stays on my mind. Vocabulary is what I'm thinking about. Remember that from elementary school? I recall getting a list of vocabulary words to learn their meanings and spelling. It was stressed that a wide vocabulary was important in the world. Today I'm beginning to question that, especially when listening to the politicians today and others in positions of authority. A recent campaign by the governor of Maryland includes this catch phrase, "just wear the damn mask." How eloquent, it certainly projects an air of civility and concern. That is just one example if you are listening you will hear many more. Now our leaders have their sleeves rolled up, collars open, and spitting out expletives like a street corner thug. It is supposed to impress us with their sincerity. Well because if I'm cursing I really mean it! It's like your mother using your middle name, you pay attention.

 The majority of us senior citizens can and will quote the great orators of the past. In my estimation just having people listen doesn't make you a great orator. What is a quote from Biden? "C'mon man, you know the thing." That is what will be remembered about him and his speeches. Reagan was known as the great communicator. He will be remembered by these words, " Mr. Gorbechev tear down this wall." You could argue his training and experience as an actor benefitted him and perhaps it did. What did Obama say? "If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan." Clinton, " I did not have sexual relations with that woman." His wife, " at this point what difference does it make?" And Trump, what words will Trump be remembered for? Nothing springs to the forefront whether for ill or to his credit. Certainly not a great speech maker. But my point is simply it appears we have abandoned the use of words, of vocabulary, as a means of communication. It is being reduced to rudimentary levels. Like grunting animals the meaning is being conveyed but not understood. Compliance stems from fear, not intellect. Consider this quote from Jefferson: "I should esteem  it the extreme of imprudence to prolong the precarious state of our national affairs, and to expose the Union to the jeopardy of successive experiments, in the chimerical pursuit of a perfect plan. I never expect to see a perfect work from imperfect man. The result of deliberation of all collective bodies must necessarily be a compound, as well of the errors and prejudices, as of the good sense and wisdom, of the individuals of whom they are composed." He certainly explains his thought doesn't he? Yes, and it makes you think about what it is he is saying. The speech is designed to do just that. It isn't intended to tell you what to do, how to think or act but rather to draw your own conclusion. He is not speaking at you, he is speaking with you! Big difference. He is not dumbing it down to convince you to just agree with him. What was the context of that writing? It can be found in the Federalist papers. Jefferson is urging ratification of the Constitution. He is using the power of vocabulary to convey a message, not brute force.

 I'm just saying. The words chosen make a big difference. The words I'm hearing today from our elected officials and other authority figures are not ones of wisdom, or even well thought out. They come across as angry, frustrated and aggressive. More like your parents when they got annoyed with you when you were a child. No explanation just, because I said so. As I was writing about just the other day, a verbal assault. That's what I hear for the most part. Several prominent politicians have openly said, if you don't wear a mask it's your fault that covid spreads! If you refuse to be injected you are to blame! It isn't their fault, it's yours! Does that sound familiar? You will comply, or else! You will sit at that table until you finish everything on your plate! Do you have a hall pass? If not, you stay where you are until you get one. Soon a mandate will be issued. What is a mandate? It is an official order or commission. The question to be asked is, can you mandate some one else's medical choices? Yes I said YOU because YOU are the government, it is up to YOU. You don't get to pass the buck this time. If you decide someone else can mandate your medical choices I can then mandate your choice, that's how that works! It's not your body, your choice, it is now your body, my choice. We are not talking about driving a car, putting up a fence, voting, what I can see or read. we are talking about a medical decision. But you say it's the government deciding. Alright are you good with allowing the government to decide when it goes against what you want? You want to have an abortion but the government says no, you good with that? The government used to give electric shock therapy for the insane, that was a government decision. What, it wasn't a good one? Hey, the government says it was alright, cutting edge technology,  a revolutionary treatment. Later the government just said, oops. Margaret Sanger, the founder of planned parenthood wanted to sterilize black people because they were inferior. Today that program is endorsed by the government, only difference being allowing the babies to be killed before they are born. The results are the same, the reduction in the number of little black babies, but that's a choice right? Yup, that's what the government decided. 

 Well I went off on a tangent as I am prone to do, sorry about that. All I'm trying to say is listen. Listen carefully to what is being said. Does it contain any substance at all or is it just orders to be followed. You are not to question that authority. Just like when you were a child. You should be seen, (at the polls on election day) but remain quiet the rest of the time. No criticism, no questioning, just do as you are told! We are the government and we are annoyed with you! You will do as you are told or else. Are you good with  that message? Will you comply to get that candy bar? You can go to the movies if you behave yourself. The government is even offering an allowance. Now be a good citizen, sit down, shut up and do as you are told.