I'll Make Up My Own Mind, Thanks...

     First off,  I think we can all agree the recent events in Charlottesville are disturbing on many levels. Most notorious being the ignorantly blatant display of Nazi flags and white supremacy/nationalism.  That being said, the real narrative lies (as it so often does) in subtlety...and subtlety combined with a gross lack of context and ignorance is quite the nasty concoction! Interestingly, and not on a pure whim....*gasp* I know, I know, let that sink in for a minute...I was in Charlottesville this morning and we took the opportunity to walk through some history.  I made a few observations...Beginning with what a stranger at the park told us..."Don't judge us based on what you see in the news..."








1. The Robert E. Lee statue is not just a "statue".  It is located in Emancipation Park which is smack dab in old, historic downtown which is just that...historic.  FYI Charlottesville is also the location of Monte Cello and is in the same county as Thomas Jeffersons birthplace in Shadwell .  As we walked past old taverns, churches, the courthouse, mercantile's etc we took a brief moment to read the placards telling the history of these quaint buildings and snapped pictures of the several other monuments and statues scattered about.  It was extremely sobering to stand at what had once been a slave auction block. The building at this location was "originally number zero" and a mercantile.  In front of the courthouse stood a monument to "Confederate Soldiers Defenders of the Rights of the States".   A statue of Stonewall Jackson was among the many other monuments, statues, and placards. Ironically, the brief tour filled with me with immense patriotism for not only was this historic mall a tribute to our nations early years and the men who helped shape it but it gave testament to what we as a nation were able to overcome during the Civil War! Simultaneously, it was a glimpse into the reality that was slavery.  It was as if that small stone screamed "This was reality. A fact. Don't forget."   So no...the Robert E. Lee statue is not "just a statue".  It is a minuscule piece of an entire display of Charlottesville history and founding pride.  If you remove the statue you would have to remove the entire historic downtown mall...and so, Charlottesville! Context, people! Context! Not to mention the dangers of erasing history. Which leads me to my next observation...

2. It wasn't until I was standing at the old auction block looking at a piece of cardboard which simply read "PEOPLE" that I started to be angry. Just hold on, and hear me out.  To me, this was the most somber moment of the whole trip. And here I am in 2017 wrestling with myself as to whether or not I should remove the piece of cardboard which covered the word "slaves". (For the record, I didn't) It's 2017! Does anyone think slavery is ok! Are people still afraid to be on the wrong side of history when it comes to this issue? Is history really so offensive to people?  Here I was on an incredibly historical and fascinating walk only to be met with signs that people wanted to remove it or erase it like it never existed.  Which brings me to my third observation.

3. Why are the only people who came to defend the removal of history a bunch of despicable Neo-Nazi, white supremacist nationalists trash! These people are the worst of the spectrum. They used this as an opportunity to express their own vicious hatred and deplorable agenda! Where are the fellow patriots! The ones who know that history is just as important to our past as it is to our future! Where are those who study history so we are not doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past but also highlight the good? And in the words of Sarah, "Do we study the Civil War to have an opinion?!" It's absolutely mind boggling! I really have noting to say to either side.  The issues run centuries long and include way too much political theory, history, and mere
human nature!
             

     So there it is.  Just my take and opinion after personally having been there and seen it.  I don't ask you to share the same opinion. I only encourage you to do your own research, check things out for yourself, and then come to a educated decision based on facts and your own reasoning. Peace out!

POP...Goes the Weasel

    Good stewardship, compassion, tolerance, and love are all commendable virtues.  But even virtues can be spoiled... and the road to hell is paved with good intentions!  The uproar about the US leaving the Paris Peace Accord, Elizabeth Warrens emotional take on the cutting of certain school programs, the continued tensions surrounding the immigration debacle, reactions to Trumps first foreign trip as President, to say nothing of continued "protests" (dare I even mention Kathy Griffin) etc... got me thinking once again of the ways virtues can be painfully twisted and spoiled.  But it is a very long topic, so I will attempt to make this as brief as Griffin holds gigs! 

       First, let's just get one thing straight.  It was never about global warming/saving the earth. It has always been about globalization and government.  I have sat in on congressional meetings and listened to the numbers, the expected results, the changes in temperature over the last century, and the costs of government regulations to businesses (in the billions with little to no overall affect; especially when countries like China and India remain the largest contributors to pollution on a massive scale) and studied enough economics to know that all this apocalyptic doom surrounding the coming destruction of planet earth is...wait for it...seriously though, drumroll please...a FARSE! *Gasp* Someone please do something, she's out of control! But wait, that's not it...this is good...I completely believe it is right to practice good stewardship and take care of the wonderful planet we get to call home.  But here's the catch...that doesn't necessitate my latching on to global warming (the way the left portrays it at any rate) and insist that "We need you government. You're our only hope". Simply put, there's a reason global warming is for the most part a strictly liberal stance.  And it has nothing to do with whether or not the earth's temperature is rising...and yes...I listened to a global warming advocate/scientist admit herself that the overall changes were minute/miniscule, that drastic changes would have little to no effect, but that the costs would be high. But it's a tricky business. After all, who would want to branded as an enemy of the earth? Spare me your spoiled sense of duty and stewardship!

        Elizabeth Warren made quite the emotional stance on the immorality of a budget that would cut a number of after school programs.  It was an appeal to compassion and love...blah blah blah...something like that.  Number one, the government is NOT more important to a child than family! In the name of all that is good, can we please stop judging compassion based on how many people are dependent on the government and how involved government is in the lives of children! You really want to be compassionate? Let people be compassionate! Let communities and families come together.  Compassion does not mean supporting a plethora of government programs! No, I'm not against programs that actually help...I'm against the out of control scale of government programs and 'intervention".  To be frank, the left needs the "needy". They need people to help, they need the rich to blame, and they need the silent majority to pay for it! Because God forbid we actually get people off government assistance and give them back their lives. God forbid, families/parents actually know what is best for their children. Oh no....it was never really about helping people at all. If it were, people would be getting help in the way they really need it...not in the way government says they need it. Spare me your spoiled compassion!

    But this has already gone long. One last thing.  Do your own research, thinking, and analyzing.  Study history, economics, etc.  Hear evidence from both sides. Study history as it was; without commentary and bias. Well, that's it for now. I have homework to do, coffee to drink, and I think my motivation ran away again. Sucker! As always, may the odds be ever in your favor.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight?

    Equality, tolerance, and love. They keep using these words but I don't think they know what they mean.  Nor do they understand that the misplaced and misunderstood application of these words can have detrimental results and even lead to the end of civilization as we know it.  This is not some kind of doom and gloom prediction of the future but can be taken as a warning straight from history herself and is as important to our past as it is to our future.  Frankly, the forces have been in place for so long, the minds of generations already so molded, and the various networks so fixed that a correction of course is quite probably impossible.  One need only to look at what is happening to the  current administration to hear the hisses and clanging of those who have worked in the dark as they emerge, with claws sharpened and strength acquired from decades of patiently preparing, to defend what they have built under the darkness of  apathy, complacency, and perpetual indulgence! And how nauseating the sound, how eerie it's effects on the minds of men, and how repulsive is their talk of equality, tolerance, and love! Not the traditional definitions of the words...only their painfully twisted, morally confusing, exasperatingly manipulative application of them! For they know that we are not equal, they know that true tolerance is the mean between indulgence and the deficiency of it, and that their definition of "love" (with her call to promiscuity, "equality", demolition of the family, abolishing of religion, and suppression of conscience and natural law) is merely "Screwtape transgendered".

     For we are not equal but unique, and we celebrate our uniqueness of talent, capabilities, and desires, by ensuring equality of opportunity and equality before the law.  We are tolerant yes, because we understand the importance of faulty arguments/differing views to defining right and wrong, but not to the degree that we permit all/any debauchery and evil under the sun. And yes, we love for it one of the most important and beautiful things in the world, but not to the extent that we would allow one of our family members to harm themselves, give the murderer/rapist a kiss, or pretend that killing our unborn children is ok. We do not call equality destroying the complementarity of the sexes or replacing "achievement with quota entitlements".  We do not give love and tolerance "license" to destroy lives or live whatever way one pleases without any mention of right or wrong, for while we may have succeeded in justifying and suppressing conscience, in the words of Budziszewski, we know that "conscience will have its revenge".  The problem in our modern society is not the lack of equality, tolerance, and love but it's rampant,exaggerated, and misunderstood application. Government is not the solution or the problem...we are! We normalize it, allow it, condone it, and vote it!

"Phobia's" and "ism's" and Labels...Oh, my!

     

You call it racism, I call it a game that we're all  getting really sick and tired of.

You say our irrational fears have been played on and call it Islamophobia, I call it Boston, London,San     Bernardino,Paris, Orlando, Belgium, Chattanooga, Istanbul, Ohio State, Ft. Sam (to name a few).

You call it xenophobia, I call it respecting the law.

You call it sexism, I call it...never mind, I just laugh.

You call it homophobia, wait...what?  Do you mean Rainbowphobia or unicornphobia? Im                 confused.... what am I afraid of again?

      

       Racism implies hatred of an entire race of people simply because of their ethnicity and is completely wrong and childish! It is not racist to disagree with someone or to state "white girls and their coffee" or "Mexicans love tortillas".  In fact, everyone has made statements or thought something about a particular race that was a generalization,stereotype, or mere fact. Right or wrong,  that does not make you a hateful, spiteful person or a racist. It's a game, and quite frankly...it's a joke.  And let me tell you, I would be the first to speak out against anyone/anything racist! 

       You say immigrants are being deported, well, I suppose we should all start packing our bags! And where did you say your family was from again?  There gonna have a hell of a time trying to figure out whether to send me to Germany, Scotland, Japan, or Ireland,etc but hey, I'm also Native American so I guess that's one thing I have going for me! I for one am not against immigration or anyone who comes here legally! However, I'm also not afraid to use the term "illegal" although apparently even that's not politically correct now!  

        As for "sexism" and "homophobia", I'm a woman and I also know/have friends who are gay. I also didn't walk the streets in a display that actually embarrassed and degraded my sex and I support traditional roles and institutions  You will never find me a pro-gay rally but you won't find me at an anti-gay rally either! Just because I do not agree does not mean I push my own moral code down your throat. I am able to see both sides of an argument and treat everyone with the respect they deserve as human beings. Try putting the "sorting hat"on my head and it will prove problematic.  Because I can be pro equality but not a feminist, I can hate terrorism but not Muslims, and I can be for immigration and welcome diversity while supporting a temporary 90 day travel ban (which doesn't include the other 43 Muslim majority countries, but I digress), and I can be pro-life and pro-traditional marriage and still love people! 

     
          You see, slapping a "phobia" or "ism" doesn't change the reality that there will never be a grand "utopia" due to human nature.  Sunshine, love, and rainbows, may sound good and all but as long as there are humans on this earth there will be humans messing it up. We will always have to deal with real "phobias" and real "isms".  However, just slapping the title on anyone who disagrees with you doesn't count and simply takes away from the real displays of hate and injustice.    

Right Twix? Left Twix?

       You can protest, protest, protest, and perhaps you will bring about some change. You can scream to your hearts content because after all "squeaky wheel gets the grease" right? So stomp your foot, raise some hell, and know that you are having an impact. But before you crawl into bed at night, before you allow your heart to become all warm and fuzzy, and sure as heck, before you degrade others and cast their opinions to the dirt, I want you to ask yourself one question...when all is said and done...when you are read about in the history books 100 years from now, when they speak about you in schools, and study the society you were a part of...how will history remember you? What side of history will you be on? When "they were the best of times, they were the worst of times" is challenged and dissected, when these new ideas and Utopian notions are no longer raw and new (on trial, not yet judged by future result and implications, unprotected by a failure to see characteristic mistakes and errors), when these days are judged in the future and all her mistakes, failures, and yes, achievements, are plainly seen in 20/20 hindsight...what side of history will you be on?
               
       We will not be judged by our emotions. Future generations will not feel the same waves of passion or political partisan. They will simply see the results of it; be it good or bad.  History reveals to us the mistakes of the past and gives to the future a personal "diary" full of all the rights and all the wrongs. We do not feel the feelings and face the same struggles as our founders, we did not live through the ideological warfare and persuasions of Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia
, nor has our generation taken up arms in a civil war.  Each and every generation is presented with a unique set of challenges and incredible responsibility. History continues and you simply become part of the narrative. So, while you're helping to write it's pages...what side of history will you  be on? Rise up!

I'm Just Saying...

       Thought I'd take a couple minutes to share my thoughts on an issue that has weighed heavily on my mind lately. No, it's not global warming, animal rights, or even pizza! It's the "controversial" pro-life/pro-choice debacle which has been at the forefront of issues as of late. I'm going to go ahead a skip the "it's a fetus" "it's a human being" aspect of it since science has already cleared that up for us (shout out to science for actually being practical in this instance). OK, maybe not...I lied. First of all, it's not your body. DNA, will attest to that fact as well as the incredible fact that never again in the history of the universe will there be another one like it. A unique existence whether you believe it's a human-being or not. Like I said, this is already largely understood and so "who cares, it's legal and convenient" and "well, it's my/their right" are the fall back arguments. But that's just it...you don't have the right to do whatever you want. You give up rights ever single day: your "right" to drive 90 in a 70, your "right" to walk down the street naked or smoke whatever the heck you want...among other things. Society collectively  decides to give up certain "rights" for the good whole. But the wheels on the bus go round and round and we'll simply exhaust ourselves while getting nowhere. It is largely because of this fact, that I came to a difficult conclusion...you can't make abortion illegal.
       
         Oh, I suppose you could but let's think about this. Human nature people. Human nature. Women have known how to terminate unwanted pregnancies since ancient times! If you want to take a life, you're going to do it. Now, I am against forcing me to use my money to pay for others abortions. I feel that clinics should be forced to use their own and not government funds. But, if you make abortion illegal what would happen? The rise of abortion horror studies would make a clinic seem like a day at Disney World. We've already seen the effects of government banning what the human heart desires with prohibition. So no, I don't want to see abortion made illegal (although I must admit, it kinda makes me cringe to say it). No, I want to see people choosing not to have one, and living their lives in such a way that they're not even in that kind of "predicament". (Most abortions are had by unmarried girls under the age of 25).
       
        We want to scream "it's my body, it's my choice, it's my right" without addressing the real problem. Why are a majority of people going to the clinic in the first place? Not all of course, but the majority? Instead of screaming "it's my right" why don't we teach young people the dangers of promiscuous living? There are young teenage girls getting pregnant left and right but the issue is still whether or not it's her right to have an abortion?! You have young adults who have no problem sleeping around or living with a partner but can't be bothered with a child because  "it's not financially wise"  or "not convenient" and yet the question is still whether or not it's her right to terminate her pregnancy?! The problem is not abortion, but the hearts of the people. It's not just a basic matter of birth control either. Teach young girls to respect themselves! They shouldn't even be having sex! This applies to guys too. Teach them the real life dangers. Bring back moral principle, a call to a higher standard, and the value and sanctity of life.  Teach the young adults about responsibility and living for something greater than just yourself. All before getting pregnant, not just after! You see, the problem isn't abortion at all. It's people that choose. And what about saving the mother from the psychological and physiological effects of having an abortion? The reality is...she is also a victim!

Immigration, Agitation!

       It remains a mystery to me how people pick and chose facts and latch onto ideas, causes, or "morals" if and only if it already fits their preconceived notions and beliefs. Right now, Christians are under attack for supporting Trumps ban temporary ban on immigration from seven countries (ahem...the same countries listed in 2011 by the Obama administration when his temporary ban was imposed) known to harbor mass numbers of  terrorists. Leviticus 19:34 is thrown around left and right along with the "All Lives Matter" slogan. However, this fails to take into consideration one little thing...reality! Also, you can't use scripture as a defense in this case yet bash it at every other turn. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Context is also an issue but apparently doesn't deserve a place.  The facts of the matter are already out there, but I suppose I'll need to point them out once again.
         First of all, this is not a Muslim ban! It remains a ban on nation-states whose interests are in direct opposition of our way of life and who would like nothing more than inflict harm and kill innocent civilians. And let's just get one thing straight. It is not our fault that they just so happen to be Muslim! It could be any race, religion, or gremlin out there and the argument would remain valid. Muslims are also being targeted by other Muslims so we can stop pretending that they are the victims of our racism and turn to the real perpetrator...radical extremism. A true Muslim ban or attack on Muslims would be rounding up Muslims like they did to the Japanese Americans during WWII, but I digress. That's not even the issue here. People want to scream about not helping refugees without even bothering to consider why the Middle East is in such a crisis to begin with. The situation is truly sad and terrible, and you know what could help it? *insert the childhood anticipation of Christmas morning* DEFEATING RADICAL ISLAM! There I said it! Instead of ignoring the issue of national security, sovereignty etc... this administration actually wants to address the real issue; namely, defeat ISIS so all these people can go back to homes and live in peace! Their coming here does not fix the real problem! It only exacerbates it.  Plus, there are still at least 43 other predominantly Muslim countries not affected by this temporary ban. 43! So, you're going to have to do better than claim hated, injustice, and intolerance.
          Now comes the immigration argument. We've all heard it. "This is so un-American"  or "America was built by immigrants" or "An immigrant is taking Michelle Obama's job".  I only have one question...what country did the Obama's and even your own family come from? Because, news flash, if you're not 100%  Native American you come from a line of immigrants! And if my calculations are correct, how does allowing immigration from 188 other countries mean we're against immigration and/or un-American? You know what that means? *Gasp* Could it be! We're not against immigration at all! By the way, Leviticus 19:34 addresses the foreigner living your land.  To treat them kindly and with love. Riddle me this...how does that equate to having a right to enter this country? How does that equate to being "immoral" or hateful with the placing of a 90 day temporary ban. FYI, just gonna debunk this right now, those already here legally will be able to enter after going through a brief screening process. In ancient times, there were no national borders or laws like we have today. Nomadic people would frequently travel around and pass through foreign land, If they wanted to stay a while they would need to receive some kind of permission. Moral of the story, it's about showing love to those around you and cannot be translated into open borders. We all know recent immigrants. The British lady at the grocery store, the Russian who made me coffee, the Mexican here with a green card etc... How do we treat them? How do we treat our "neighbor". That's the spirit of what this passage is saying.
           As for the "All Lives Matter" people being hypocrites etc. it's kind of hard to take you seriously when you say stuff like that yet walk around with female genitalia on your heading advocating that it's your right to kill your child.  I know, I know, those pictures of the children! And who is destroying their lives? Not us. Radical Islam is! They just want the killings, bombings, rapes etc. to stop! They've asked for our help, not to be able to come move over here! And guess who didn't help them? I give you a hint...his initials are Barack Obama.  They want to go back to their homes and live in peace. Absolutely, all lives matter! So why not defend the innocent, exterminate the evil that is radical extremism, and get them the real help they need: a restoration of peace.  Having everyone run away from the enemy and relocate does not solve a dang thing. Quite frankly, we shouldn't even be in this mess to begin with.  So here's the long and the short of it. Your idyllic imagination of some kind of grand utopia has failed to take into account the basic human tendency of self-interest and is now being challenged. Man is not inherently good nor will he ever be! There is good and there is evil. As long as there are humans on this earth we will continue to be in this struggle. But I guess it's hard to make sense of it all when you don't believe is absolutes now isn't it?