Elections Have Consequence

During the 2016 presidential election, voters made their decision. Millions of Americans supported Donald Trump and many may have voted for him with reluctance.

Many decided the other choice was far worse for the country. And in that election, a Supreme Court nomination would be a priority. One candidate  discussed it at great lengths and built his platform around it. One candidate did not. Hillary Clinton's history  led the majority of the Electoral College supported voters to vote FOR Trump AND against the Democrat.

You know the current big story I am sure.... Brett Kavanaugh is nominated to be a Supreme Court justice by President Donald Trump in the summer of 2018. In early September, Kavanaugh was interviewed by many Senators from both parties in their offices. Then there were 3 days of grueling questions and grandstanding by Senators on the Judiciary Committee. The hearings closed, and votes for confirmation were scheduled. Then Senator Diane Feinstein exposed a letter she had received in EARLY SUMMER. Weeks prior to the one on one interviews and the hearings. The letter was from a California woman claiming the Kavanaugh sexually threatened her...... in HIGH SCHOOL 30+ years in the past.

And the stall was on. See the Democrats are sure they are winning back the House and Senate in November. They want to stall his nomination long enough to request that his confirmation be held off until the "new" congress takes over in 2019. (See Merrick Garland)  Why else would Senator Feinstein hold on to the letter during the one on one interviews AND the 3 days of hearings.

The behavior of the Democrats in this process is frustrating. They will ignore many related current issues currently under investigation (Keith Ellis) and put all of their last minute marbles on the words of one woman from 30+ years ago. Look, I do not know if it happened or not. And based on all that she CANNOT remember about the incident how can she be sure WHO the incident happened with. Or if it happened at all. But it may have. Until actual evidence or witnesses are discovered then they are willing to destroy a mans life and career over the word of one? One that has a history of activism in support of the Democrat party.

Seems like a last minute stall to me. I say give her an offer to appear, if she refuses then HOLD THE CONFIRMATION VOTE. The time to worry about the balance on the Supreme Court is BEFORE the election. And everyone on both sides should look at the map above and remember this......


Elections have consequences... and this is a big one.



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A Stranger... In An Alien Place

Wow this song really hit me today for some reason. The song Heathaze by Genesis is very emotional and talks to me of the the fruitless expression of feelings. And at some point it is easier just to go along, to get along. Especially the section about the fisherman casting his line into a dried up river bed. We decide to throw some bread to the ducks instead, it's easier that way. Sometimes it is easier to just feed the ducks. The trees are shaken by the hot winds of the South. Tree's give up their dried up leaves but for some reason many of us just can't/won't let them go. Even though new ones will take their place.

This is from the Genesis Duke album. This album is my favorite from lyrics to artwork it is very emotional. Scroll down to start the video then scroll up to follow the lyrics. And then...... throw some bread to the ducks..

"Heathaze" Written by Tony Banks

No cloud, a sleepy calm,
Sunbaked earth that's cooled by gentle breeze,
And trees with rustling leaves,
Only endless days without a care,
Nothing must be done.

Silent as a day can be,
Far-off sounds of others on their chosen run
As they do all those things they feel give life some meaning,
Even if they're dull.

It's time to stop this dreaming, must rejoin the real world
As revealed by orange lights and a smoky atmosphere.

The trees and I are shaken by the same wind but whereas
The trees will lose their withered leaves,
I just can't seem to let them loose.
And they can't refresh me those hot winds of the south.
Oh I feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place.

Now the light is fading fast,
Chances slip away, a time will come to pass
When there'll be none,
Then addicted to a perfumed poison,
Betrayed by its aftertaste,
Oh we shall lose the wonder and find nothing in return.
Many are the substitutes but they're powerless on their own.

Beware the fisherman who's casting out his line
Into a dried up river bed,
But don't try to tell him 'cos he won't believe you.
Throw some bread to the ducks instead, it's easier that way.
I feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place.

The trees and I are shaken by the same wind but whereas
The trees will lose their withered leaves,
I just can't seem to let them loose.
And they can't refresh me those hot winds of the south.
I feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place.

To Kneel Or Not To Kneel

The NFL kneeling issue has many sides. The problem is that folks with a political bend see only their side. And insist that the other side is wrong. First let me say that these thoughts are my opinions. If you disagree please let me know in the comments but keep it respectful as I am.

First off... the 1st Amendment guarantees that American citizens have the right to freely voice your opinions. I do not doubt that the players are sincere in the protest and that most are not trying to disrespect America, the American flag or the U.S. military. People have been and will be oppressed all over the world. It is horrible and should not happen but human nature is flawed.

The NFL is a collection of private businesses. Owned by individuals not the government. Private business can set rules for it's employees and contracted athletes. If actions taken by players have an adverse effect on that business then it has a right to reprimand or make rules to avoid the behavior. A recent example is Starbucks. A few employees gave the company a bad name so the company changed it's policies to avoid controversy in the future. Private companies have the right to do that. A private company can donate to pro-life groups or to Planned Parenthood. With the understanding that there may be business effects by doing so as driven by the free market. Private business has been under attack for some time now for their stances on various subjects.

DISCLAIMER -- OPINION AHEAD

Have any of these players that took a knee done anything in their personal time to promote the causes they wished to promote? Sure seems that would have a more positive impactful effect on their issues and causes. I agree most of the media hyped the whole thing up on both sides. The protesting players do have free speech. They can speak up and stand up, or kneel all they want when on their own time. Would an employee of planned parenthood be allowed to stand in one of their lobby's and make statements that are pro-life and anti-abortion and keep their job? Would an employee of the NRA be allowed to stand in it's lobby and shout THE NRA IS KILLING OUR CHILDREN and keep it's job? And I would not have a problem with either of those examples resulted in the employee being fired. A private business has that right.

The NFL is not evil, NRA is not evil..... but silencing free speech is. Bottom line is that private business has the right to operate and make rules that support them selves. And citizens have the right to support or not support that business. When we stop letting folks express themselves on their own time then we are doomed..... of wait. Ok guess it's too late. re: Rosanne.

I am so saddened and frustrated for what this country has become that I think to myself "why even post this". Nobody cares right? But I guess I still do.


For now.