Politcs... and Acorns On The Driveway

Walking our dog regularly in the neighborhood is sometimes boring and sometimes funny. Like when our dog suddenly Molly stops and is scared of a new branch that had fallen on the neighbors yard since the last time we went by. And sometime the walk puts you deep in thought. One of those times happened to me recently.

About 2 months ago, we walked by a house close by that had many cars from out of town in the  driveway and parked in the street. These cars were there for what seemed like about a week. I wondered what the family had going on. Not in a nosy way just thoughts of family and what happens to cause them to gather.

Then about a month ago I noticed the same kind of thing at another house around another corner where I would often see the owner out blowing leaves and acorns off his driveway. Lots of cars and people were gathering for several days at the house where the man kept it beautiful. Cars, house, lawn and even the driveway. I would see him out there regularly blowing off the driveway of leaves and acorns from the large oak tree in their front yard. 

I often wondered if he blew the driveway off several times a day with that leaf blower. The home was beautiful and that driveway and lawn were always spotless! On previous walks the man was active. Keeping the cars shiny and the yard clean and was probably mid 70's and always gave back a smile and a wave. 

Then one day I noticed a larger than normal number of cars in that same driveway and parked along the street. Seeing all the cars I was again wondering about the family and the folks gathering. Later after walking Molly I searched the newspaper for obituaries but none seemed to connect. So I just assumed it was a birthday or anniversary or something for a family get together.

Then yesterday a few days later, Molly and I walked by the home again on her afternoon walk and I noticed something. The cars were mostly gone bit I did see something. Acorns on the driveway. Suddenly I was saddened and hoped it was a fluke and perhaps he just had not been out there yet today. Molly and I continued and all the way home I could not stop thinking about the neighbor. Later I searched the obituaries again and found one with a photo of a local man that had passed away. I did some research and confirmed my thoughts. He had passed away about a week previous.

We never know when our time is up on earth and the acorns on the driveway made me reflect and think of my life. It made me think about the political firestorm our elections cause these days. I didn't know him but it didn't matter, his political beliefs didn't matter. But I bet he was a good man and a good American. I did wonder if he ever thought about what happens to the acorns in the driveway after he is gone? Will our family members remember the family differences in politics after we are gone? I often wonder why am I here. And I wonder if anyone notices the things I do or don't do. 

I do wonder what happens to my acorns on the driveway.

BREAKING - Deadly Incident at U.S. Capital

Sadly there was a Capital Police officer killed today. We pray for his family and friends. The state of our national politics is so dangerous. And the media may be the most guilty party. Here are some of my observations.

CNN put up a map of the grounds with a pointer to the site that they labeled "DEADLY INCIDENT". Of course this was AFTER they learned the identity of the deceased attacker. Would this have been labeled a DEADLY INCIDENT if the attacker would have been white? Or just imagine the headline if the guy had been wearing a RED hat. The label would have read WHITE SUPREMIST ATTACK. Why not label it truthfully as a NATION OF ISLAM attack? By the way the attacker was black and according to his facebook page a supporter of Louis Farrakhan. No white supremist here. Nothing to see here. From THE BLAZE Breaking: Authorities identify man who rammed car into Capitol Police as Nation of Islam follower.

Immediately the Blue Check Twitter yahoos called it a White Nationalist MAGA supporter attack. Here is the evidence. In case they get removed... I have included the tweets below.

    

pic.twitter.com/CT3mB3PotZ

— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) April 2,

 

This is RACISM or NOT?

"I’ve said, here and elsewhere, that one of the principal benefits of the pandemic is how I’ve been able to exclude racism and blackness generally from my day-to-day life. Over the past year, I have, of course, still had to interact with black people on Zoom or watch them on television or worry about whether they would succeed in preventing a white-supremacist president. But black people aren’t in my face all of the time. I can, more or less, only deal with blackness when I want to. The cops aren’t hunting me when I drive through their neighborhood; their hang-ups aren’t bothering me (or threatening me) when I’m just trying to do some shopping.

That’s because I haven’t been driving or shopping in person. Black people haven’t improved; I’ve just been able to limit my exposure to them. I’ve turned my house into Wakanda: a technically advanced, globally isolated home base from which I can pick and choose when and how often to interact with black people." 

The above example IF published in a major American Magazine, would have been immediately been banned, the magazine put out of business, the writer fired and shamed in to oblivion. But below is how it was ACTUALLY published in The NATION magazine. A piece written by Elie Mystal. Now you tell me please how this is NOT racist? It is both enlightening and frightening that there is not outrage from every American on this. But it's a Liberal magazine so I guess they are WOKE enough to escape criticism?

Here is the excerpt from the actual post and the link....  https://www.thenation.com

"I’ve said, here and elsewhere, that one of the principal benefits of the pandemic is how I’ve been able to exclude racism and whiteness generally from my day-to-day life. Over the past year, I have, of course, still had to interact with white people on Zoom or watch them on television or worry about whether they would succeed in reelecting a white-supremacist president. But white people aren’t in my face all of the time. I can, more or less, only deal with whiteness when I want to. Their cops aren’t hunting me when I drive through my neighborhood; their hang-ups aren’t bothering me (or threatening me) when I’m just trying to do some shopping.

That’s because I haven’t been driving or shopping in person. White people haven’t improved; I’ve just been able to limit my exposure to them. I’ve turned my house into Wakanda: a technically advanced, globally isolated home base from which I can pick and choose when and how often to interact with white people." 

Great Interview - Richard Grenell

What a GREAT interview.... with Richard Grenell. Former acting National Intelligence Director. Many topics covered from the beginning light hearted question about UFO's to the BILLIONS we are spending for our State Department in CONGO? 

Richard was the first openly gay appointed cabinet member, sadly he was not ever formerly nominated and it sounded like it was HIS choice. He is incredibly smart, funny and easy to understand like you are talking to a friend of yours. Regardless of your political views, please listen to this interview.

 

HOUSE REPUBLICANS STAND TOGETHER - WOW!

Why did House Republicans all vote NO on the 2021 Covid Relief Bill? For one... it would have passed regardless of their votes since the Democrats have a slight majority. And two... Republicans have always objected to large wide ranging relief bills that cost taxpayers TRILLIONS of dollars. Instead the Conservatives have always been in favor of targeting the bill to be ONLY for Covid relief. 

As Representative Kevin McCarthy states...... “The Democrats' “COVID” bill is too expansive and too expensive. Only 9% of the $1.9 trillion will be spent to actually fight the pandemic. “

Below are SOME of the examples that were included in this bill that are NOT direct Covid relief items.

"SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED" FARMERS AND RANCHERS

Addressing farm loans, the bill states that the Agriculture Department "shall provide a payment in an amount equal to 120% of the outstanding indebtedness of each socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher as of January 1, 2021, to pay off the loan directly or to the socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher." 

The purpose of the debt payments is to "alleviate discriminatory barriers preventing socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers from fully participating in the American farm economy." 

The bill also provides another $1 billion to the same group for "outreach, mediation, financial training, capacity building training, cooperative development training and support, and other technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups." 

FINE ARTS AND MUSEUMS

The bill allocates $135 million to the National Endowment for the Arts and another $135 million to the National Endowment of the Humanities. 

Meanwhile, the bill also allocates $200 million to the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

PRESERVING NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGES

The bill also gives $10 million for the "preservation and maintenance of Native American languages."

 

PERK for FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ONLY

A paid leave perk buried deep in President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package offers to pay federal government employees to stay home if at least one of their children is in attendance at a school that has not returned to full-time in-person operation.

The provision, exclusive to federal workers, is sure to draw ire from conservatives as the albatross 591-page document known as the "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" advances through Congress. The bill has been roundly criticized by Republicans as wasteful and filled with "bailouts, pork, and unrelated policy changes" since its introduction in the House last Friday.

The measure is supported by the "Emergency Federal Employee Leave Fund," which is outlined on page 305 of the House version of the bill. Under the new legislation, $570 million set to be deposited into the fund 

STATE FUNDING BAILOUTS ( NY and California mostly)

350 Billion to poorly ran states as a bailout. The majority of the money goes to California and New York. At the expense of ALL tax payers. You and me.

BRIDGE from NY to CANADA

1.5 million to build a bridge from New York to Canada. Why is this Covid related? It's not. It's "Schumer Shi*"

SILICONE VALLEY UNDERGROUND RAIL PROJECT

House Covid bill has 100 MILLION in funding for the Silicon Valley underground railway project in California. That's called "Pelosi Pork"

RIP Rush - Who Conservatives Are

RIP Rush Limbaugh. I have been a listener since the 1980's and you will be missed by me and millions of others. Here is text from a speech given by Rush in 2009.

Source: The Blaze - Remembering Rush

Rush..."Now, seriously, for those of you watching on C-SPAN as well, and on Fox, I want to tell you who we all are in this room. I want to tell you who conservatives are. We conservatives have not done a good enough job of just laying out basically who we are because we make the mistake of assuming people know. What they know is largely incorrect based on the way we are portrayed in pop culture, in the Drive-By Media, by the Democrat Party.

Let me tell you who we conservatives are: We love people. When we look out over the United States of America, when we are anywhere, when we see a group of people, such as this or anywhere, we see Americans. We see human beings. We don't see groups. We don't see victims. We don't see people we want to exploit. What we see -- what we see is potential. We do not look out across the country and see the average American, the person that makes this country work. We do not see that person with contempt. We don't think that person doesn't have what it takes. We believe that person can be the best he or she wants to be if certain things are just removed from their path like onerous taxes, regulations and too much government.

We want every American to be the best he or she chooses to be. We recognize that we are all individuals. We love and revere our founding documents, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. We believe that the preamble to the Constitution contains an inarguable truth that we are all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life. Liberty, Freedom. And the pursuit of happiness. Those of you watching at home may wonder why this is being applauded. We conservatives think all three are under assault.

We don't want to tell anybody how to live. That's up to you. If you want to make the best of yourself, feel free. If you want to ruin your life, we'll try to stop it, but it's a waste. We look over the country as it is today, we see so much waste, human potential that's been destroyed by 50 years of a welfare state. By a failed war on poverty.

We love the people of this country. And we want this to be the greatest country it can be, but we do understand, as people created and endowed by our creator, we're all individuals. We resist the effort to group us. We resist the effort to make us feel that we're all the same, that we're no different than anybody else. We're all different. There are no two things or people in this world who are created in a way that they end up with equal outcomes. That's up to them. 

 

We don't hate anybody. We don't -- I mean, the racism in this country, if you ask me, I know many people in this audience -- let me deal with this head on. You know what the cliché is, a conservative: racist, sexist, bigot, homophobe. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of America, if you were paying attention, I know you were, the racism in our culture was exclusively and fully on display in the Democrat primary last year.......We want everybody to succeed. You know why? We want the country to succeed, and for the country to succeed, its people -- its individuals -- must succeed. Everyone among us must be pursuing his ambition or her desire, whatever, with excellence. Trying to be the best they can be.

Conservatives are naturally happy. We seek happiness. We pursue it. It's part of who we are. So what can you do? Live your life. I swear, folks, you do not know in just the everyday life that you live in your homes, your neighborhoods, the favorite word of this administration, your "communities." Remember the root word there is "commune." Be happy, live your life according to your values and principles. Know you're going to fail, no human being is perfect, you're going to make mistakes, but live your life -- you'll be stunned at how many people you impress....

......So as you leave here, as you leave here optimism, confidence not guilt, it's not worth it. There's nothing to be guilty about. Don't treat people as children. Respect their intelligence. Realize that there's a way to persuade people. Sometimes the worst way is to get in their face and point a finger. Set up a set of circumstances where the conclusion is obvious. Let them think they came up with the idea themselves. They'll think they're smart that they figured it out. Who cares how you persuade them, the fact they can be persuaded is factually correct, it's possible. But the main thing to do here is stop thinking that we are a minority. Stop thinking that it is being in the minority that liberates you. It is your beliefs. It is your core principles, it is your confidence that liberates you. It's not being in the minority."

Political Violence From... the Left

I'm sure the media told you all about these incidents right? Sad thing is... those who do read this probably have seen and know about it. But those who do not, get their news from popular media sources like CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and shows like The View. And just in case YouTube removes the video... haha why would they do that? Here is a link to a clip from the video that I recorded.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uPiYjUYKT6NQEtUS7

 

VOTER SUPPRESSION...?

 

After watching some of the impeachment trial in the Senate this week, I would like to make a point that many have not even considered. It is obvious to most reasonable people that there is VERY little chance of a conviction, especially since former President Donald Trump cannot be removed from office. Voters already took care of that it seems. But many now believe that they are working towards a censure written to prevent Donald Trump from running for office again in 2024.

 

 

The point I would like to make is that by doing this, less than 100 senators could be SUPPRESSING the VOTE of over 70 million Americans. 70 million voters would not be able to cast their preferred vote for President based on the action of this small number of senators. Imagine if the rolls were reversed and it was former President Barack Obama had lost his re-election bid and the Republican controlled senate had censured him to make him ineligible to run again in 2016? Don't you think there would be shouting from the left over VOTER SUPPRESSION?? Shouting from Democrat politicians and the left leaning media.

 

Is the hatred for Donald Trump SO intense that it could result in millions of Americans being forced into not being able to vote for their candidate? Or maybe voting for someone that is not their first choice? So much for free speech via the vote being a valid method of expression. I am not sure that Donald Trump will even be the candidate in 2024, but if he is prevented by doing so based on the actions of 100 or fewer members of the senate, I feel it would be valid to consider it VOTER SUPPRESSION.

Ocasio-Cortez is LYING and should be called on it.

First the Democrats withheld the stimulus in the fall so it wouldn’t help Trump in the election now they’re withholding it. Regardless of how you feel about stimulus, they are withholding it to get revenge on Donald Trump using the former presidents impeachment. Instead of discussing and debating aid and comfort to the American people, the American citizens.

Do they have YOUR best interests in mind? Or just THEIRS?

Now Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is LYING to America. On Wednesday January 27, 2021 she said this on MSNBC. Either she is lying, or if she knows something others do not she should give us the facts. Instead she flamethrows wild accusations out there, and is unchallenged by her lapdog media hosts.

“This term, there are legitimate white supremacist sympathizers that sit at the heart and at the core of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives..." 

I for one am SICK of this kind of talk being allowed to go on. They are talking about ME, members of my family, friends and one half of America. They have complete control of the levers of government but it is not enough. They want us silenced. They want us to give up. I will not and I know many that will not give up. They want unity? Well they suck at it. Talk about in-sitement.... I feel it AOC. Please patriots... time to stand up and speak up.  

 

“There are no consequences in the Republican caucus for violence. No consequences for racism. No consequences for misogyny. No consequences for insurrection. And no consequences means that they condone it. It means that that silence is acceptance," says @AOC. pic.twitter.com/4jkKfb718K

— All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) January 28, 2021

Senate Impeachment Trial Round 2

Senator Rand Paul pretty much says what I am thinking today. Unity?? Unity really? I urge all of you to watch this clip from the Senate floor today. Time to heal, not get revenge. While I don't like the headline "unloads" but he does ask the Left some good honest questions. Which I am sure they will answer... right?

How Does "Fake News" Work?

One example of how fake news works is explained by this post. It was posted to Twitter by CNN anchor Jim Sciutto on 1/16/21 at 12:58 pm. It has a total of 27.8 thousand Retweets, and 47.8 thousand Likes. So people read this and accepted it as truth. But it turned out to have a lot of false claims. It was later reported from the Washington Post reporter Carol Leonnig that the man had proper Park Police pass but Park Police had not communicated that to law enforcement. He has no extremist ties, cooperated fully with cops & was released, cleared from further investigation. He was hired for private security work during the inauguration week.

But too late, damage is done and the correction tweet by this reporter posted at 5:45 pm on that day and as of TODAY has only 530 retweets and 2 thousand likes. Media throws a bomb out, and later the same media releases a correction but the damage is done. 

New: US Capitol Police arrested a Virginia man as he attempted to pass through a police checkpoint in downtown Washington Friday with fake inaugural credentials, a loaded handgun & over 500 rounds of ammunition, CNN reporting.

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) January 16, 2021

Myth of American Exceptionalism?

Seriously.... the MYTH of American Exceptionalism? Is this really what most Democrats think about America? So sad to think the party in control thinks about their country in this way.

We will reimagine every American institution that stands on a foundation of white supremacy. Including the police. pic.twitter.com/Zhq0sKjMOU

— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) January 19, 2021

"Not to Speak, Is to Speak"

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.

Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

I feel it is time to be on record with my beliefs concerning the 2020 U.S. Presidential election. Recent revelations discovered about the Hunter family record of big money foreign deals namely with China and Ukraine have caused me to speak, and act. What has concerned me recently was how the Biden family, other Democrats (Rep Adam Schiff) and the mainstream media has responded or not responded to the story.

On Tuesday, one week before the 2020 election a seemingly honest account of events regarding Hunter, Joe and Jim Biden and a business partner Tony Bobulinksy. He explains the links and talks with all of the Bidens (even though Joe has frequently denied knowing ANYTHING about Hunter's business dealings) specifically about a deal with a Chinese company. The Biden campaign has not taken open questions from the press in weeks other than what flavor of ice cream did he get. And this is where my concern turned frustration and lead to this posting. 

If someone had accused me and my family of international corruption and possible money laundering, I would have been pleading with the friendly media to hold a press conference and immediately deny the charges. And meanwhile, Rep Adam Schiff went on the friendly media and assigned these latest discoveries to "Russian disinformation" even though he had NO evidence of such a claim. Mr. Bobulinsky seemed credible and it was not his writings being exposed but emails and texts from the Bidens directly.

One would assume that under normal times, ALL of the national media would be talking about this story but they are not. Imagine if the story was about Donald Trump and his children. I am guessing the coverage would have been a bit more widespread and wall to wall on the networks. A candidate of either party is accused of money laundering and other charges and most of the media will not even talk about it?

Here is where my personal thoughts come in.... I did not vote for President Trump in 2016. I voted for the Libertarian candidate. I did not think that Trump would hold true to his promises, or maybe it was a big show of some sort and his past comments and behavior troubled me. But I and many others were wrong. He has held true to his campaign promises. Lower taxes, better economy, moving the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem,  First President since Ford to start NO NEW WARS and is actively working on bringing more troops home before the end of 2020. He also has negotiated the release of 12 Americans held as hostages in foreign enemy countries.

We are 6 days away from the election and hopefully soon after that we will know who will lead our country the next four years. Regardless of the outcome, I must speak my mind so folks know where I stand. My vote will go for four more years of President Trump and I hope you all ask yourselves the tough questions about why the Bidens and the media have handled this like they have. The truth is out there but nobody on the other side seems to be in any rush to get to the bottom of it. Why not? And if they don't do it now... will they IF Biden is elected?

Hopefully many of my friends and family will have read this far and if you have, THANK YOU. You have the freedom to vote for YOUR choice. I love and respect you regardless and will not condemn you for your beliefs just as I hope you do not condemn me for mine. Vote America, VOTE.

Links for info-

Bobulinski Interview 10-27-2020

Biden intervention in Ukraine on behalf of Hunter's Company

Who is Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

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.



. 

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.

A Man Who Won't Fit In

There's a race of men that don't fit in,
A race that can't stay still;
So they break the hearts of kith and kin,
And they roam the world at will.
They range the field and they rove the flood,
And they climb the mountain's crest;
Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood,
And they don't know how to rest.
If they just went straight they might go far;
They are strong and brave and true;
But they're always tired of the things that are,
And they want the strange and new.
They say: "Could I find my proper groove,
What a deep mark I would make!"
So they chop and change, and each fresh move
Is only a fresh mistake.
And each forgets, as he strips and runs
With a brilliant, fitful pace,
It's the steady, quiet, plodding ones
Who win in the lifelong race.
And each forgets that his youth has fled,
Forgets that his prime is past,
Till he stands one day, with a hope that's dead,
In the glare of the truth at last.
He has failed, he has failed;
he has missed his chance;
He has just done things by half.
Life's been a jolly good joke on him,
And now is the time to laugh.
Ha, ha! He is one of the Legion Lost;
He was never meant to win;
He's a rolling stone, and it's bred in the bone;
He's a man who won't fit in.
--Robert Service

2016 Presidential Rollercoaster Race

Wednesday night I watched the Ted Cruz speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland where he was booed as he was finishing his speech. I've heard it described as 'booed off the stage" well that implies he finished early and HAD to leave the stage because of a rowdy audience. Well rowdy they were, but he slowly carried on urging everyone to vote and vote your conscience. This kicked off a treatment of the GOP runner up that had me embarrassed as a Republican supporter. So Trump supporters were upset because voting their conscience must have meant that there guy did not live up to their conscience. Oh I know, it was simply because he did not mention Donald J Trump by name in the same sentence with the word endorse. Oh the humanity!!! So Wednesday I was feeling good about my respect for Ted Cruz and his decision. Leaning towards writing in Cruz like I have for a few months.

Thursday rolled around and this was the big day. The acceptance speech of Donald J Trump preceded by his daughter Ivanka. I thought her speech was incredibly good. She obviously respects and honors him as it seems most of his family does as well. Something we don't have in the White House currently. The current President has a brother living in a shack in Africa and an Aunt that was almost deported because she had over extended her Visa as a non resident alien. So much for being your brothers keeper and helping your family live a respectable life while you live in luxury.

Her speech showed me a side of Donald J Trump that I had not seen and I was impressed. She introduced her father and he came out and gave a nice speech. He actually showed s some humility in talking about the support he has received from Christian groups. Trump said a lot of things that I agreed with.  After watching him for well over an hour, I was pretty much all in ready to vote for him because having Hillary as President would be horrible and dangerous to this country. So Thursday I was on the Trump train.... but then because of Donald himself, it was a short trip.

Those of you that know me, know that I am a Glenn Beck fan. I usually agree with Beck and admire his respect for history and the Constitution. The Constitution, a word which was used one time in the Trump speech referencing the Supreme Court nomination. ONE TIME.

Friday, the morning after the speech Beck reviewed some of the the statements made during the speech. Some of these I thought may have been an over reaction from Beck but got me to rethink and dig a little deeper. So much of his speech I wanted to like some things that didn't sit well. Statements like "I alone can fix it". Uh no President has that much power..... yet.

Then this one...

“I am not going to let companies move to other countries, firing their employees along the way without consequences.”  I can see saying that I will make it so companies won't WANT to move oversees but NOT ALLOWING them to do so? What is he going to do.. arrest them ? Post security guards to keep them on THIS side of the wall? Revoke their passport?

Still leaning towards the idea that Beck MAY be over reacting but while his radio show was going on, news came out that Trump was trashing Ted Cruz hard this morning. Going after his wife and the National Enquirer piece about Refael Cruz and Kennedy. Seriously the supermarket tabloid? After the big speech in which  Trump did not bash Cruz or even mention him, I thought he might be past it, but nope he wen't after him with a full load of shi*. This is a man that wants to lead the country yet keeps throwing trash at his enemies. How will he handle real challenges like Putin and the Middle East?

I just can't do it. Believe me I have spun the whloe "a vote for anyone but Trump is a vote for Hillary" thing in my head for months. After the FBI recommended no charges for Clinton in the server/email mess I was settled on voting for Trump because of the obvious. So in 3 days this week I went from Trump to Cruz, back to Trump and then finally away from Trump. But now where?? I do not know the answer.

The wildcard STILL to me is the Supreme Court. With possibly 2 or 3 replacements due, the next president will have a major impact on freedom and upholding the Constitution in America. Sure the Senate has to approve any Clinton nominee, but the Senate and the House of Representatives have shown little spine in standing up to Obama and his administration why would we expect any different in the future under a Clinton administration.

What am I going to do? Who will be the next president? Those and many more questions will be answered in the next few months. Let's all pray that something horrible does not happen and turn this country in to even more of a mess than it is now.

Many will argue with me, many will think I am a dumb Kansan or a wacko Conservative. Some members of my own family will openly disagree with me but I am just speaking my mind and my heart. I hope you all recognize that I ALWAYS allow you to speak yours.

To everyone but especially to those that disagree with AND read this piece to get to this point..... I LOVE YOU and Thank You. Together we will make things better but not by insults and anger.

True History of Civil Rights Movement

The Facts on who defended minorities in American history? This is the transcript from the Glenn Beck show that runs down the true history behind who really drove the civil rights legislation. Video and full link available below...

ACTUAL LINKS HERE - HISTORY and TRUTH

GLENN: The left is rejecting Bruce Jenner because he has said he is a Republican. And the Republicans are the ones that have always been the sticks in the mud. The Republicans are the ones that have the problems. They’re the racists. They’re the haters. I just want to go through history. And I want to take you — I want to take you from 18 — 1862 to 1870. 1871. And I just want to — I want to show you the roots of the Republican Party. What was — why — who was the first Republican president? Abraham Lincoln. The Republican Party started in the 1850s. It gathered steam because there was enough — listen to this. There were enough Whigs and enough Democrats that afternoon that what was happening with slaves was wrong. And they knew the Whigs and the Democrats wouldn’t do anything. Congress was just stalled on it and wouldn’t do anything. Does this sound familiar? Finally on both sides, they said enough is enough.

And within a decade, they had nominated and elected the first Republican president of the United States. Abraham Lincoln. And had you seen him? Not an easy election. January 1st, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation has been issued in 1862. January 1, 1863, it starts. And they begin to implement the Republicans Confiscation Act of 1862. The Democratic party continues to support slavery. February 9th, 1864, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton deliver over 100,000 signatures to US Senate supporting — when you think — when you hear those two names. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton, which party do you think of? It’s women’s rights. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton deliver over 100,000 signatures to the U.S. Senate supporting the Republican plan for the constitutional amendment to ban slavery.

More...

June 15, 1864, Republican Congress votes for equal pay for African-American troops serving in the U.S. Army. June 28, 1864, Republican majority in Congress repeals the Fugitive Slave Act. October 29, 1864, African-Americans abolitionist, Sojourner HEP Truth says to President Lincoln, I was never treated by anyone with more kindness than he has shown me.

January 31st, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment banning slavery passed the US House with unanimous Republican support and intense Democratic opposition. The Republican support, 100 percent. The Democratic party support, 23 percent. That’s to ban slavery.

March 3rd, 1865, Republican Congress establish Free Men’s Bureau to provide healthcare, education, and technical assistance to emancipated slaves. That’s the Republican Congress. 

April 8th, 1865, Thirteenth Amendment banning slavery passed by the US Senate. Republican support, 100 percent. Democrat support, 37 percent. 

June 19th — on June Tenth, US troops land in Galveston, Texas, to enforce a ban on slavery that has been declared for more than two years by the Emancipation Proclamation. 

November 22nd, 1865, Republicans denounce Democratic legislature of Mississippi for enacting black codes, which institutionalized racial discrimination.

1866, Republican Party passes the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to protect the rights — did you even know there was one? The Republican Party passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to protect the rights of newly freed slaves.

December 6th, 1865, the Republican party’s Thirteenth Amendment banning slavery is ratified. 1865, the KKK launches as a, quote, terrorist arm, end quote, of the Democratic party. PAT: Of the what party? GLENN: The Democratic party. The Klan. PAT: Wait. The KKK. STU: You mean the Tea Party? You said Democratic party. I think you meant Tea Party. GLENN: Democratic party.

February 5th, 1866, US representative Thaddeus HEP Stevens, Republican from Pennsylvania, introduces legislation successfully opposed by Democratic President Andrew Johnson to implement forty acres at a mule relief by distributing land to former slaves. Stopped by the Democrats.

April 9th, 1866, Republican Congress overrides Democratic President Johnson’s veto, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, conferring rights of citizenship on African-Americans, and it becomes law. The Democratic president vetoed the Civil Rights Act. The Republicans stood when they knew what they were all about.

April 19th, 1866, thousands assembled in Washington, DC, to celebrate Republican party’s abolition of slavery.

May 10th, 1866, US House passes Republican’s Fourteenth Amendment, guaranteed due process and equal protection of the laws to all citizens. 100 percent of the Democrats vote no. PAT: Jeez. GLENN: I am not a fan of the Republican Party. I’m not here as a Republican shill. I don’t like them. I’m not a member of the Republican Party. They’ve lost their way. But let’s get history right. June 8th — sorry,

July 16th, 1866. Republican Congress overrides Democratic President Andrew Johnson’s veto of the Free Men’s Bureau Act, which protects former slaves from black codes denying their rights. July 28th, 1866, Republican Congress authorized formation of the buffalo soldiers. Yes, the buffalo soldiers, two regiments of African-American’s calvary men.

July 30th, 1866, Democratic controlled city of New Orleans orders police to storm racially integrated Republican meetings. The raid kills 40. Wounds more than 150. January 8th, 1867, Republicans override Democratic President Johnson’s veto of a law granting voting rights to African-Americans in D.C.

July 19th, 1867, Republican Congress overrides the veto of legislation protecting the voting rights of all African-Americans.

March 30th, 1868, Republicans being impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson who declared, this country is for white men. And by God as long as I’m president, it shall be a government of white men. You never learn that. When we had the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton, they always talked about Johnson, but they never taught us this part of history, did they? Ever heard that quote? PAT: No. GLENN: You know why? He was a Democrat.

May 20th, 1868, Republican National Convention marks the debut of an African-American politician. In fact, many. Two of them, Pinckney Pinchback and James Harris attended as delegates and several serve as presidential electors.

1868, July 9, Fourteenth Amendment passes and recognizes newly freed slaves as US citizens. The Republican Party support, 94 percent. Democratic support, zero. September 3rd, 1868, twenty-five African-Americans in Georgia legislature, all Republicans expelled by Democratic majority. Later reinstated by Republican Congress.

September 12th, 1868, civil rights activist, Tunist Cambell HEP and all other African-Americans in the Georgia Senate, every one a Republican, expelled by a Democratic majority. They were later reinstated by a Republican Congress. September 28th, 1868, Democrats in Louisiana murder nearly 300 African-Americans who tried to prevent an assault against a Republican newspaper editor. We’re coming back to this one.

October 7, 1868, Republicans denounce Democratic Party’s national campaign theme. The Democratic Party’s national campaign theme in 1868. Do you know what it was? This is a white man’s country, let white men rule. We’re the Democratic Party. PAT: Jeez. Wow. GLENN: October 22, 1868, while campaigning for reelection, Republican James Hines HEP is assassinated by Democratic terrorists who were organized as the KKK. November 3rd, 1868, Republican Ulysses S. Grant defeats Democratic Seymour HEP in a presidential election. Seymour HEP has denounced the Emancipation Proclamation.

December 10th, ’69, Republican governor, John Campbell of Wyoming territory. Republican governor of Wyoming. Signs the first in-nation law granting the right to women to vote and to hold Republican — sorry, to hold office. A Republican. February 3rd, 1870. US House ratifies the Fifteenth Amendment. Democratic support, 3 percent. Republican support, 97.

February 25, 1870, Hiram HEP Rhodes becomes the first black seated in the U.S. Senate. Becoming the first black in Congress and the first black senator. PAT: It was the next year when the Republican War on Women began, right, 1871? STU: We’re about to get to that. PAT: There we go. GLENN: I’m going to skip a whole ‘nother page of these. Because I want to get to something here at the end.

February 28th, 1871, Republican Congress enforces — passes the Enforcement Act, providing federal protection for African-American voters.

March 22nd, 1871, Spartanberg HEP Republican newspaper denounces Klan. The Klan campaigned to eradicate the Republican Party in South Carolina. That brings us to this. Remember I said, September 28th, 1868, a mob of Democrats massacred nearly 300 African-American Republicans in Louisiana. It began when racist Democrats attacked a newspaper editor, a white Republican and a school teacher for X slaves. Several African-Americans rushed to the assistance of their friends. And in response, Democrats, quote, went on a Negro hunt killing every African-American. All of whom were Republicans. As all African-Americans at the time were.

April 28th, 1871, the Republican Congress enacts the anti-Ku Klux Klan act, outlawing the Democratic Party terrorist group. Which oppressed African-Americans. That’s who these people were. PAT: You didn’t even get to the 1960s. 1950s. 1960s. GLENN: No. I didn’t even get to the 1930s. The 1930s are pretty — PAT: But as late as the ’60s, it was Republicans passing civil rights. Republicans pushing for it. Republicans voting for it. Democrats fighting against it. People like Al Gore Sr. fighting against it. People like Lyndon Baines Johnson, HEP the hero of the left, fighting against it at first. GLENN: People saw some of that if they saw Selma. They saw how racist this guy was. And I contend they’re still this racist. Look at what they’ve done to the great city of Detroit. Look what those policies have done.

Look what it’s brought on to the African-American. Look at what the great Democratic policies have done to the city of Washington, DC. To the city of Philadelphia. Name any city — PAT: Cleveland. GLENN: Where the Democrats have ruled since the 1960s. At some point, you say, this doesn’t make any sense. At some point you say, I’m not getting any better. This is not helping me. They are — they are playing this card again. And this time, we have to stand up for ourselves. This time we have to stand up and say, enough is enough. I know your record. I know who you are. See, I have in the vaults, here at the Mercury Studios. I have the anti-Democratic and anti-Republican literature that went back and forth. The Republicans used to defend themselves.

They used to say, I’ve had enough! Here’s the record! Here’s who we are! Here who you are. Why are we defending our record? Our record is fine. Why are we defending our record? We should be putting them on the offense and asking them to explain their record, in Detroit, in Cleveland, in Philadelphia, in Washington. In every city that they have destroyed. Why are we having to explain ourselves? Now they’re doing it with another class of people. Gays. Women. Remember, it was the Republicans that gave you the right to vote in the first place. The first time, they had to drag the progressives, kicking and screaming. Let’s stop taking it and being quiet. With love and peace and armed with the facts. It’s time to go to battle.

Because it’s only going to get harder from here. When Hillary Clinton says what she said over the weekend, play it, Pat. This is so critical for you to hear. This is a — this is possibly what the press will tell you is the next president of the United States. Hillary Clinton. In a speech just this weekend said this. HILLARY: Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will. And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs, and structural biases, have to be changed. PAT: Wow. GLENN: Your deep-seated religious belief has got to change. Game on, gang. It is here.

President Paul Issues New Executive Order

11/20/2018 Washington DC 
©KansasThinking 2018

Faced with recent losses in the 2018 mid term elections, President Rand Paul will announce today that he has to act now. Congress will not act so he said he has a pen and a phone and will act on his own. The obvious unspoken credit given to his predecessor's controversial actions on immigration in 2014.

The President stated that "heavy burdensome IRS laws and regulations are crippling the  American economy even further and congress will not act to resolve it." And that "Action must be taken" said Paul. He announced today in front of the Federal Reserve office in Kansas City, MO that he will issue an executive order that orders federal law and IRS enforcement officers to stop enforcing the laws regarding tax debt collection and non payment punishments. Virtually ignoring laws that have existed for decades.

Of course this will result in a drastic reduction in revenue coming in to the government so President Paul has announced that beginning with the next fiscal budget, office like the EPA and the NSA will have their available funds cut in half. Also funding for things that Paul opposes like millions to PBS and NPR, millions to Planned Parenthood will be eliminated.