RESPECT DUE

This last week has the social forces at odds with whose right and who’s wrong in the methods used to stage dissent.  In the United States of America we recognize dissent as an important part of our governance.  The spark igniting this last confrontation was the refusal of a NFL quarterback to stand during the National anthem. 

Now I, being an absolute zealot in favor of our country, am in complete disagreement with his apparent misunderstanding of the country in which he is forced to live.  I am, however, just as strongly  in agreement with his right to act in any way he chooses as long as it does not lead to violence.  The fact that I may think he is ignorant and misinformed should in no way affect his rights.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is quoted as saying the following: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses  Black people and people of color. To me this is bigger than football. It would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” ( The bodies in the street was later explained as those killed unjustly by law enforcement personnel.)

There are so many things, in just this one short statement, that I find to exemplify his ignorance about the country he lives in.  His lack of knowledge about the principles of law enforcement, about the reasons behind the respect and reverence most of our citizens have for our flag and our country. 

One of the other things I see in his disrespectful attitude is a misplaced anger and blame.  I view this young man as a youth looking for a place of relevance in a world colored by propaganda and prejudice.  He was taught by an education system that tells a history in lessons taught with portions of truth and untruths in equal proportions to promote ideology.  He is misplacing  the who, what and why of his disappointment and anger.  Our country and our flag do not deserve his disrespect.   If he wants to let the world know he is not happy with certain things, he needs to stick to the subject if he wants to have any kind of a real impact.  

“a country that oppresses Black people and people of color”

Regardless of what views as oppression the continuation of slavery is not an oppression that was carried forward as a government policy since the mid and late 1860s.  Under the “Colors” of the flag, (now being disrespected) President Abraham Lincoln signed an executive order on January 1, 1863 granting the legal status of “Free Man” to some 3 million slaves.  In order to achieve that status they had to flee the Confederate States of America which was at that point in time a separate and distinct country.  It should come into consideration, by the detractors of our country, the large numbers of people still escaping oppression and tyranny of their own countries by entering our country.  They certainly don’t do this because we oppress people of color.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_landmark_African-American_legislation  The article should enlighten folks regarding the efforts undertaken, by all three branches of our government, to help “people of color” attain all of the rights implied in our Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  It is not our country that deserves disrespect.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color”

As I have stated, above the laws and statutes of the United States are in the favor of equality of status and opportunity among all of its citizens regardless of color, creed or family descent.  So what is to be said about the flag?  Our flag waves over a country, a government and a people steeped in the history of attaining the freedom and opportunity to be all that their abilities can obtain.  This flag represents thousands upon thousands of American lives that have been spent to give those same opportunities to people around this rock we call our world.  This flag also represents and stands for all of the mistakes, missteps and errors that have been made in our country’s evolution.  Most of all it stands for HOPE, the hope we have in leaving our children and their children a better place than the one we were born into.

“There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

This part of the statement, made in reference to law enforcement, is part of the BLM credo.  Like most statements inferring ALL it has no place in giving cause for the disrespect being shown our flag and our country.  It does have validity as a point of discussion and as a problem to be addressed, not by government but by our society.  We all have a part in that responsibility and in this respect the word ALL is more than appropriate.  We all have the right, granted under our laws, to the fair and impartial treatment of our laws.  It is not our country or our flag that deserves disrespect, it is our people our society as a whole.  Regardless of color we all have the responsibility to ourselves, our families and our neighbors to support law and order with in our communities.

Mr. Kaepernick, you might look in the mirror to see if you are doing what you can for a positive effective change of condition.

God Bless our country, our flag, and the people which it represents.  Love your neighbor.

IS TRUMP RACIST?

This is an article written by a young man I don't even know, who shows a wisdom many who are so much older lack.

http://unlockyourbravado.com/2016/07/03/trump-racist-lets-take-look/

Is Trump Racist? Let’s take a look  BY VAN BRAVO•JULY 3, 2016MIND, SOCIAL COMMENTARY

This article is quite long but if you are at all interested in being informed about the decission you will make in November  Take the time to read it and pass it on.

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT PREJUDICE

Prejudice is a very insidious sickness of the human condition and is usually only apparent in the other guy. 

Unfortunately, it will eventually infect all of us in one way or the other, forming our attitudes and affecting our interaction with others in our world.  Christ said “Be ye as little children”. If only we were able to maintain that degree of innocence.  I can truly attest to this regarding racial prejudice. 

I grew up in a small town of approximately 600 people. When I reached the age of high school, the only people I didn’t like were bullies, Japs and Germans. .That was because I had some actual mental or physical contact with those groups.  All other people were just that, people.  I never learned to distrust or to think that colored people were any different from me.  It wasn’t until many years later that I learned why. 

I had never had any contact with people of any other color so I had never learned prejudice. For that, I feel blessed and fortunate.  I thank you Lord, for those years of innocence.  That brings me back to the children.  Children are colorblind. They will play, argue and make friends with any other child until one of them crosses the line of civility, and that is one of their guidelines. I think that is the kind of personal judgment that Rev. King was referring too.  

I did learn in later years that my contact with colored races during my formative years was so minimal due to the cities “Sundown Law”.  People of color were not allowed in the city limits after sundown and knowing this they just never came into our area.  My innocence was paid for with that which remained hidden to my nature, prejudice, bigotry and mistreatment. 

 I could feel guilty about those things but that would be misplaced guilt.  I could spend my time trying to make retribution for that but it wasn’t me that created the circumstance.  I could be aware of how wrong that law was.  I could have compassion for those who were harmed.  Having the compassion does not mean that I have to accept the blame for an act in which I was not involved.  I can, out of compassion, understand the current plight and work toward improving it.  I also feel anger toward the ignorance of the past actions of mankind in their injustice toward their fellow man.  Color is not the first to be touched by prejudice and bigotry there are few if any throughout history that have not been under that attack.  I am currently one of those who feel its sting.  I am one of those arrogant white people who want the world to forget all of our races past transgressions.   I am one of those religious fanatics who believe in the deity and the graces offered by my Savior Christ.  I am one of those traditionalists who believe that marriage is reserved for the union of a man and woman.  I am one of those who fervently wish we had a different President of our country.  I am one of those who wish our young people would pull their pants up, turn their hats around, and respect the lessons learned in the past.  Just because I believe these things does not negate my belief in the fact that we all put our lives on pathways of our own choosing.  The mile walked in my moccasins may be different but I also understand that your mile is unique to you and I hope your journey ends well.  

God speed.

THE ABOVE TEXT IS EXERPT FROM: http://aresponse2.blogspot.com/2013/09/pardon-mei-said-what.html 

To trade one form of prejudice for another doesn’t make you better or different but it can make you a bigot of another color. Arbee

MINIMUM WAGE

MONDAY, MAY 5, 2014

MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE another wolf in sheeps clothing

Another wolf in sheep’s clothing trying to wheedle its way into the 2014 election discussion. 

In an attempt to direct the political discourse away from all the “false” subject matter such as spying on US citizens, and the IRS choosing to audit and harass conservatives groups over liberals at some 280 to7. 

Fast and Furious, Benghazi and sending armed force against a rancher in Nevada are a couple more questionable subjects. The Democratic political talking points are out to gain votes with the populace need for more income.  Rather than create more jobs by increasing the need for employment, they seek to gain votes from those trying to make a living by working entry level jobs.  

The big point they are using, to bribe voters, is that it is not possible for a family to live on minimum wage employment.  In that belief and statement they are correct. 

The misleading part of that statement is that those jobs are for those entering the workforce for the first time.  Those who have had to drop out of school; those who have to work part-time jobs as they try to gain skills and more education need those jobs.  

The supporters of higher minimum wages do not want our young millennial population to know that with a higher minimum wage, the pipeline for improving their own lot is clogged.  The 15 or 16 year old high school student trying to help his family’s economic situation will have lost his entry into the workforce to the college graduate or the main supporter of families with more experience.  Those young people will find it almost impossible to gain the work skills needed to make them a vibrant component of the economic growth and stability of our country.

 I personally believe in a minimum wage, one that allows people an economic lift, one that opens the doors of employment to those needing to gain work experience and one that helps young people learn the value of education and work as means to a better way of life.  Giving folks a place to grow stagnant, in the complacency of mere existence, does nothing to help the individual nor does it help the middle class.  

I also believe that the entry wage levels are a viable means of helping with a supplemental income for those looking for better employment and for those who are unable to work in more physically or mentally demanding positions.  Older folks and those with physical and mental challenges need economic supplements to exist.  

With the reduction of purchase power, as a result of increasing the money supply rather than employment opportunity, the societal aids of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and disability compensation do not stretch and require part-time employment for subsistence.  If the population lacks incentive to move up in income bracket, the opportunity to fill those needs becomes highly inadequate.

What is used to fool the sheep is just another ruse, another trick in the progressive bag of false hopes, to fool those in need of real systems to make their lives better.  The one who is given fish never learns to fish for his own food and eventually will become a slave to the one who keeps feeding him. 

Until there is no one left with anything to share.

A NEW DAY http://aresponse2.blogspot.com/2013/09/it-should-be-new-day.html

IT SHOULD BE A NEW DAY (IN MEMORY OF Martin Luther King)

“We all stood - amidst this brotherhood of humanity - rapt with attention as King told of his dream of an America where his four little children would one day live in a nation where they would not be judged "by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."  Martin Luther King.

What a powerful phrase. It should replace the tired worn, “we shall overcome”, rhetoric of the past. Why are there not thousands of voices condemning the continuation of a fight against those who would continue a fight in anger when achievement in harmony would be so much better? The blame of failure to succeed lies within the individual and those who instill beliefs of blame upon others.”  (Huffington Post)

King’s words are revered today as a battle cry.  Not the words about character (they would be pointing the finger in an unpopular direction) but the call to overcome unfairness. We have too many churches, learning institutions and politicians clinging to the injustices of the past rather than the possibilities of the future.  

If an honest appraisal of our race problems in the United States were to be taken, one would have to admit to great movements toward equality in most areas of our society.  We hear only about how badly we mistreat our African American populace and other people of color.  This is in fact true, but the reasons are most likely not due to prejudice.

We continue to hear about the disproportionate numbers in regards to unemployment, incarceration, conviction rates and income.  We get bombasted with media hype about how Latinos and African Americans are viewed as dangerous by the rest of us.  About how we view them as incapable of holding higher paying jobs.  Once again there is truth in those statements, but the reasons are most likely not entirely due to prejudice. The responsibility for curing social illnesses is one we all bear each and every day.  If we as individuals do nothing to make our neighbors existence on this planet better, then we are failing both them and ourselves.  As a society, we need to start treating cause rather than blaming the symptoms on someone else.

Martin Luther King’s dream consisted of an uplifting of his people into a place where their character replaced color as criteria for equality or inequality.  There can be no denial of his character or the character traits that he propagated within his community.  Whether or not he would be happy with the advances we have made regarding racial equality is not the question.  Would he be promoting the anger, the resentment and the entitlement mentality?   I don’t think so.  He was a person who accepted his responsibility as a leader and acted in that manner.

We no longer have that many heroes in our society who promote good behavior, a high ethical standard and the Good Samaritan attitudes that I was privy to in my formative ages.  The Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidys have all been replaced.  Heroes expounding the feats required to overcome evil are at a minimum, while being replaced by examples of a more dubious nature.  Our young people are in an atmosphere constant input from those outside their immediate influence.  This is not limited to any one ethnic group but spreads across all boundaries within our country.  Our society is what the majority holds sacred in its cumulative beliefs, ethical sensitivities and whatever seems popular. 

Character is only relevant to now, in the new society, not what was or what may be a better for the individual in fact.  Age old mores of value are being eroded by the constant waves of anger, mistrust and feelings of being denied, the “you owe me because I exist”, perks of life.  It is as if the past descriptions of morality and respect for others have been replaced in the new heroes with the attitudes promoted by gangsta rappers, shock entertainers, anarchists, rebels, violent videos.  It is no longer an “in thing” to be a law abiding, hardworking, responsible young adult who works toward achieving successes in their life.

The society and country we are to be exists in the nourishment we provide the minds of our children.  It rests upon each of our shoulders to insure the quality of character that will enhance the beliefs of the future in a positive manner.  All people of all groups within our great country have the responsibility of positive example, remembering that we are all members of the family we call humanity.

FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

When President Obama stood before his country and claimed his Presidency would fundamentally change our country, we had little understanding of what he really meant.  We had no real idea who this man was, what made up his agendas, and what he honestly believed those changes were to be.  Our national discovery system, the news media, was no longer objective and reported to our populace not facts but interpretations.  Without in depth scrutiny, we had no hard facts regarding his core beliefs, and consequently, the man we saw was the man Mr. Obama needed for us to see. 

Our country bought into a lie, not one that was told with ill intent but one that was told with complete honesty on the part of Mr. Obama.   This honesty is what helped sell the package of change.  This honesty existed because of a belief system that had been fed and nurtured during Mr. Obama’s entire life.  The beliefs of his father, his professors, what he had read, his community action and what he had been taught spiritually make up who he is.  His ability to foist his belief system upon an unaware populace was enhanced by a progressive world system that believes:  “you must say whatever is needed, in anyway your audience will accept, to move your cause forward.” 

 We see that being played out every time Mr. Obama speaks in a public forum.  His speeches are tuned to getting the most populace support possible, feeding the fires of discontent with whatever words will supply the most fuel.  He may feel he honestly has a right, honestly feel justified, honestly feel the United States needs to change and honestly feel he has an obligation to twist truth and reality to meet the goals required by his belief system.  Unfortunately, almost 80% of the mass media, those we are supposed to be able to trust, support him.  They don’t necessarily support his beliefs as much as they need to associate themselves with any agenda that perceives them as smarter than the average, “ignorant” American citizen.

Black liberation theology is most likely the most predominant portion of our President’s current religion.   Mr. Obama has been part of Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s flock for at least twenty years.  Rev. Wright gained some slight scrutiny during the President’s first campaign and those who looked at it critically were quickly labeled racist.  The approach to Christianity is somewhat different than the traditional.  Traditional Christianity views Christ as the Son of God, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Traditional Christianity is founded on the belief that Christ’s death, Resurrection and Ascension were all for forgiveness of mans’ Original Sin and the forgiveness of sin for those who recognized Christ as their personal savior.  The premise of Black Liberation Theology is that Christ was basically a community organizer and a teacher whose main agenda was to see that the poor were fed and clothed.

LUCK OF THE DRAW

Just for a hoot I thought to have a look at a bit of political history.   I can still hear the rhetoric of the man we were to elect the 44^th President of the United States.  I distinctly heard him promise “the most transparent administration” in recent memory.  Seems to me I heard a lot of things back then.  It seems so very, very long ago.  The only things proven true were those I feared.  My trusted Google was more than happy to provide me with a White House Brief regarding what Mr. Obama meant regarding transparency.  It was a fantastic memo.  Unfortunately, the fairy tale of all time came to a screeching halt as political expediency overtook his verbosity. 

 Have a look at this memo and give him your own grade.   https://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment  

What is really sad about the total lack of adherence to this idea is the addition of misspeak, convenient loss of memory and brazen lies that have been put to use to circumvent transparency.  For some in our society, that seems to be some sort of a badge of honor as they can hardly wait to vote for a woman that makes this president look like Sister Theresa.  Come to think of it, Mrs. Clinton had her hands covered with plenty of what made this administration appear to be so secretive and untruthful.   The only political factor that comes close in comparison is that of Sadam Hussein’s publicity man Bagdad Bob, his reporting was upside down as well.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2013/03/barack_obama_promised_transparency_the_white_house_is_as_opaque_secretive.html

This election cycle we are faced with a difficult decision in our country.  I have to admit it’s apparent to me what would be the better of the two candidates, but then I’m not part of the intelligentsia.  It’s probably the poker player part of my reasoning but I for sure wouldn’t be playing a 95% odds of a known loser against drawing a whole new hand. 

There is not one segment of our society, our security, our medical and our educational system that has not been affected.  This lack of transparency and the dissemination of falsehoods by the current administration has been its main implement in keeping the rest of us in the dark.  This is nothing new to Mrs. Clinton as it has been a major component of the Clinton machines operating manual for the past thirty years.  I cannot understand the thinking process that would vote to see this activity continued.  Sadly one would have to admit that honesty in our political aggregate has been sorely missing during other tenures as well.  

We can mix up the cycle this time.  We don’t need to elect someone, to the office of POTUS, who regards us as ignorant, and calls us the little people.

Some suggested reading regarding the lady who could become our first female President: “Crisis of Character”; “Armegeddon”; http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2016/01/30/clinton-system-donor-machine-2016-election/ ; Clinton Cash; “Hillary’s America”. 

I can guarantee that there are many detractors of these titles, but where there’s smoke there is also a smell.

We do not have to accept that hand. I would suggest we draw all new cards, who knows we might get aces.

Pray for our Country and love your neighbor.

God Bless our Country and Bless us all with discernment.

BE RESPONSIBLE

Does anyone else have politician fatigue? 

Do you wonder how we can gain back some of the control of governance? 

Do you think our country will survive under the system of political prostitution? 

Do you think we should return to the rule of law? 

Are you happy allowing our country to controlled by those basing decisions on a political game of winning votes instead of what is actually best for our country?

Are you happy with your votes based on actual observation being discounted by votes based on ignorance and apathy?

Get involved.  Look for the facts.  Protect yourself from pure propaganda.

Speak out from a position of reason based on fact rather than propaganda and ideology.  Educate yourself and avoid bandwagon mentality.

VOTE!

VOTE FOR OUR COUNTRY NOT FOR IDEOLOGY, PARTY POLITICS OR APATHETIC MALAISE.

WHO GAVE PERMISSION

Is Milwaukie, this time around, being attacked by justifiable anger?  Who will pay the price of giving permission to this anger allowing anarchy?  How proud are the community activists that feed their neighborhoods the putrid food of injustice and blame?

The local news cameras were more than happy to display a Milwaukie councilman explain why the mob activity was justifiable.  This councilman sincerely proclaimed this mob should be understood, why the police should be better, why the schools should be better and why society should be blamed.  There is no better example of implied permission than this type of rhetoric by someone who should be a positive role model, but is not.  How do you help solve a local, and what is now a national, problem by lauding the reasoning behind a mob movement?

My generation was so much more fortunate than those in the teen generation of today.  We had heroes with a definite distinction between good and bad, right and wrong.  That distinction has been highly muddled for the generation of my grandchildren, and I deplore their plight.  My concern is not for those fortunate enough to be born into families with sufficient means and who are already a couple of steps up on the ladder but rather for those who are striving to grip the first or second rung.  

Our society does not need reminding and our awareness does not need to be shaken for us to realize that there is a problem.  We see it, we know it exists, we know it requires a solution.  What I don’t understand is why some of the community and national leaders are focused on the awareness factor rather than what it will take to fix the problem.

I am often reminded of a Clint Eastwood movie, “High Plains Drifter”, in which an entire city was too afraid to face their real shortcomings.  That fear brought them under control of the one person they chose to save them.  That fear caused them to paint their entire town red.  I see that same fear painting many of our cities and towns that same color but with the blood of their children and the blood of those who would protect them.  

We have neighborhoods who expect someone else to save them, a segment of our population who places the blame for their plight and their blight on injustice.  The past offers no savior.

Be careful, anger leaves you open for manipulation and the end result is the color red, the color of the blood that flows within the bodies of every human on this planet.  Do not give the manipulators power over your communities.  Do not let them use your angers to create mobs that tear down your own communities. I plead with those who feel they are getting the short end of the stick please do not let those seeking their own form of power seduce you.  Mob rule and anarchy are no solution.  Burning your neighborhoods, attacking authority will not bring you fairness or favorable understanding.  Murdering your protectors will not bring peace and prosperity.  Following those who seek recognition and power through racism and divisiveness are absolute traitors to your needs.

 

Now is the most important time in your entire life.  Don’t squander it on the failures of the past or the injustices you have suffered through.  Make positive use of now to change the future using the past only to see how you have failed yourself.  Correct your own actions, that is your responsibility and it is within reach of your power.  I will never condone the past that has treated you with injustice nor do I think that past should give you the permission or motivation to ruin your today and lose your tomorrow.  Ask yourself the question, am I adding to the solution or am I accepting the result of anger and blame?

You do not have to accept the crime in your neighborhoods, poor educational systems, lack of representation but you are not going to get any better if you give passive permission to mob rule and anarchist who would decimate your communities.  Take back your lives. Easy for me to say and I realize that fact, I realize that I have been fortunate through birthright and skin color not to be plagued with the same angers of historical cause.  I realize all of that.  Those facts do not make me a racist.  Do not let that same history turn you into one.  

Our nation and our precepts will not survive as individual loose strands of the powerful entwined cable we could be.

God Bless our Country.  Love your neighbor and remember him in your prayers.

AND TRUMP ACCUSED OF

Def.  xen·o·pho·bic: adjective  having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.

Def.  Bigot:  a person who strongly and unfairly dislikes other people

Enough with the baloney already. 

The tar and feather factions of the progressive ideologies have joined forces with those throwing a hissy fit on the right.  The attempt to twist and abuse the factual content of Mr. Trump’s stances on Radical Islamic Terrorism and illegality at our southern border has been largely successful.  Terms like hateful, bigoted, racist, xenophobic, have been used with abandon in order to create a perception unsupported by fact.  As usual, the firestorm is fanned by a ratings hungry media and a click hungry bunch of bloggers.  The left side of politics is more than happy to add their support to this and that is easily understood.  What is difficult to understand is why the conservative GOP is so intent on messing around on the wrong side of what could benefit their political goals.

Political correctness has run amok in our society, our history being rewritten and our future directed by the few.  Anyone who can access a microphone or a reporter (sometimes questionable) has the power of directing our sociological path with their hurt feelings.  This is nothing less than a form of social readjustment similar to the restrictions imposed in Germany during the 1930’s and early 1940’s.  We, as a unified country and international community, opposed that then, why not now?

Mr. Trump is applying for the position of POTUS, the most important office in the United States.  Should he acquire that position he will be required to take an oath in which he agrees to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States.  Within the boundaries of that oath he is agreeing to defend the people of this nation, all of us, from enemies within and without.  Protecting our borders, as defined in our laws, and protecting our economy it seems would come under the inclusions of that oath.

In relation to our Muslim citizens, I don’t think they would be interpreting Mr. Trump’s stance on keeping us safe from Radical Islamic Terrorists as being racist, bigoted, or xenophobic in nature if it weren’t for the twisting of his words.  The Muslim population worldwide has suffered terrific loss of life, country and stability at the hands of this terrorist bunch of fanatics.  I would venture a guess they don’t want that brand of Islam in their neighborhoods any more that the rest of us.  Media and ideology have discolored truth and political correctness as the paintbrush of choice.  

In reference to opening our doors to all Muslims because they are Muslims, is not rational and we do need to be assured of which set of belief structures they emulate.  Not a good time to just open your front door.  Mr. Trump’s stance on Muslim immigrants into our country, quoting him:   "Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life." That quote sounds a lot more like common sense approach than a bigoted or racist one.  It most assuredly is not at odds with our Constitution as one recent democrat speaker inferred during the DNC.

Regarding our southern border, the Donald wall, and the rule of law, I find it difficult to label him as a xenophobe for stating he will take his oath as President as an oath.  Our country has existing immigration laws that have been abused, often ignored not just by those entering our country but by the very government officials we have elected.  While I think we have to find a humane way to deal with people who have behaved as law abiding citizens. we do not have to continue with the malfeasance as common practice.  Trump stating he wants to stop the influx of drugs and criminals, not to mention Jihadists, by enforcing our border does not make him a racist or a bigot. 

Wake up folks, you are being manipulated, and it’s not going to serve you well if it is successful.

Pray for discernment.  Demand honesty and truth.

God bless our country and our neighbors.

JUST A COINCIDENCE

I received this as an e-mail and found it somewhat thought provoking.  If I were into conspiracy theory    well you decide

Before Obama, there was virtually no outlandish presence of Islam in America.
• All of a Sudden, Islam is taught in schools. Christianity and the Bible are banned in schools.
• All of a Sudden we must allow prayer rugs everywhere and allow for Islamic prayer in schools, airports and businesses. 

• All of a Sudden we must stop serving pork in prisons.
• All of a Sudden we are inundated with law suits by Muslims who are offended by American culture.
• All of a Sudden we must allow burkas to be worn everywhere even though you have no idea who or what is covered up under them. 

• All of a Sudden Muslims are suing employers and refusing to do their jobs if they personally deem it conflicts with Sharia Law.

• All of a Sudden the Attorney General of the United States vows to prosecute anyone who engages in "anti-Muslim Speech".
• All of a Sudden, Jihadists who engage in terrorism and openly admit they acted In the name of Islam and ISIS, determined NOT to be Terrorism, but other nebulous terms like 'workplace violence."
• All of a sudden our troops are withdrawn from Iraq and the Middle East, giving rise to ISIS.
• All of a Sudden, a deal with Iran must be made at any cost, with a pathway to nuclear weapons and HUNDREDS of BILLIONS of dollars handed over to fund their programs.
• All of a Sudden America APOLOGIZES to Muslim States and sponsors of terror worldwide for acts of aggression, war and sabotage THEY perpetrate against our soldiers.
• All of a Sudden, the American Navy is diminished to 1917 Pre-World War I levels of only 300 ships.  The Army is at pre-1940 levels. The Air Force scraps 500 planes and planned to retire the use of the A-10
Thunderbolt close air support fighter. A further draw down of another 40,000 military personnel is in progress.
• All of a Sudden half of our aircraft carriers are recalled for maintenance by Obama rendering the Atlantic
unguarded, NONE are in the Middle East.
• All of a Sudden Obama has to empty Guantanamo Bay of captured Jihadists and let them loose in Jihad-friendly Islamic States. He demands to close the facility.
• All of a Sudden America will negotiate with terrorists and trade FIVE Taliban Commanders for a deserter and Jihad Sympathizer.
• All of a Sudden there is no money for American poor, disabled veterans, jobless Americans, hungry Americans, or displaced Americans but there is endless money for Obama's "Syrian refugee" resettlement programs.
• All of sudden there is an ammunition shortage in the USA.
• All of a Sudden, the most important thing for Obama to do after a mass shooting by two Jihadists is disarm
American Citizens.
• All of a Sudden, the President of the United States cannot attend the Christian funerals of a Supreme Court
Justice and a former First Lady because of previous (seemingly unimportant) Commitments.

THOU SHALT

Like it or not, those tablets Moses hit his people over the head with have influenced societies world round for centuries. It seems to make no difference where or what point in time of existence those laws have relevance.  The commandments have significance not just to those who see it through the eye of religious beliefs, but in secular purpose as well.  It really makes no difference whether you think God gave those directions to Moses or if Moses is trying to herd a pack of Jewish cats out of his own reasoning.  Those rules helped Moses quell problems within that society. 

It’s pretty evident religion has come under social fire in the last few decades and blowback has created problems in our society. No matter your position regarding spirituality, those commandments make sense for society and human interaction.  To look at them solely through the prism of religion at the exclusion of secular value is to do our society a disservice.

There is a lot of discussion regarding the breakdown of values in the United States   For example, the lack of reverence and respect between the different age groups and the loss of family cohesion, just to name a few.  Like so many things we see under attack through the guise of political correctness, we have “thrown the baby out with the bath water”.  So many of the things that gave our society strength and unity have been rejected and discarded. We are now staring a form of anarchy straight in the eye.  Even though it has not grown to the giant it could become, the danger of loss of respect for life and increases in neighborhood crime show anarchy growing out of the toddler stage.  

It would be nice if we could at least use those commandments as a guide for overall personal interaction within our society.  We could almost consider them to be basic common sense for the good of man.

So you don’t want religion, or at least anyone else’s to have a say in your personal life.  Fine, I don’t necessarily want your religion, say Sharia law, messing with me either.  I would appreciate some kind of mutual agreement as to how you are going to behave towards me.  From a purely secular point of view, for the point of open discussion, let’s have a look at the last seven of the ten.  (Personally, I find the first three to be important guides as well.)

#4 Remember the Sabbath day:  seems to be just plain good advice.   We all need a chance to recharge our energy, to check our focus, revive both mentally and physically.  Give yourself a chance to reconnect with your family and friends; an opportunity to stay grounded.

#5 Honor thy father and thy mother:  not all of us are lucky enough to have the parental history and influence that would promote feelings of honor.  We need to examine our own lives to see if we are instilling that important opportunity in our children’s lives.  We need to be honest about our own weaknesses and failings in order to do better.  We also need to establish forgiveness for ourselves.  That goes for father and mother as well.  Non-forgiveness serves no good.  One other aspect dealing with #5 is in many cultures the old folks are given respect for wisdom gained over the course of their lives.  Seems like an idea to be emulated.

#6  Thou shalt not kill:  we all realize the importance of this rule, especially as it pertains to us personally.  We do need to look a little deeper into what that really means.  This rule originally includes such things as anger and hatred as well as the promotion of those attitudes that can lead to the actual act of murder and killing.  Rule #6 implies in its intent that we respect the lives and the right to life of all.  The one exclusionary aspect would be in the act of protecting your life or the life of others.

#7 Thou shalt not commit adultery:  again this seems to reek of common sense.  Adultery is as old as man himself and I suspect it will continue to be a factor of human existence.  The deterioration of trust in a relationship totally destroys the ability to face things together and to overcome the obstacles of life.  We are always better together than separate when in like purpose.

#8   Thou shalt not steal:  another common sense situation.  I don’t want you taking from me and I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual.  Theft is not good.  If you want something, earn it.  This can also lead to item #6 and that’s not good for anyone.

#9  Thou shalt not bear false witness:  trying to rely on any information in today’s world seems an exercise in futility.  I know very few who have not been hit by the stinky end of this stick.  I once had one of my own children use the defense “everyone lies”, sadly that seems the case.  Just doesn’t mean it’s a good thing or a way of life to be copied.  We should demand truth and honesty, not just from our inner circle but from those who affect our lives.  We should all bear in mind, one of the hardest persons to be honest with……..yourself.  Ideology and propaganda do not register well on the Pinocchio scale unless, of course, you consider a long nose attractive.

#10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, house or properties: common sense here again prevails.  It certainly doesn’t pertain to any of us personally because we would never do such a thing.  It does pertain to that other guy who lies, cheats and steals to obtain the power over others.  That other guy whose greed to have it all causes him to lie, cheat and steal.  Get the idea?

Help make our families, our society, our country, our world better for mankind.  That means the whole rainbow deserves a better place.

Pray for discernment.  Pray for our country.  Love your neighbor.    God Bless the USA

OBJECTIVES MATTER

The hard right and the political outsiders seem to have taken a dim view of “the Donald’s” efforts to kiss and make up.  In their perspective, they view it as more of a kiss up.  I totally understand how they could be having a minor snit fit.  I might ask them to get serious about what goal or goals they would like to accomplish this election cycle.  I have to commend Mr. Trump for coming back to the true success principle of management by objective.  It serves no good purpose to stand on a soap box supported by hot air.  In order for any of that exercise to be meaningful, the objective is simple and succinct.  Win.  Without the win all other goals evaporate.

One of the reasons I support Mr. Trump is his business experience and his success in that field.  Those matter to my view of the messed up economy, jobs, GDP, debt and taxation.  His win matters to me because his nature is to succeed and he completes what he sets out to do.  An example of good business practice is that of recognizing your market, tapping into what works, avoiding pitfalls and providing the right goods and services.  Another good business practice is minimizing your competition by outperforming, by incorporating and by defeating them in open market.  That is what this last olive branch is intended to accomplish.  Mr. Trump is smart enough to listen and learn from the experience he surrounds himself with and to incorporate opposition into the fold.

We are in the finals and we need to clear all the hurdles.  We need to keep the objective in focus.  We need to get it through our heads, past all of our doubts, our disagreement and our mistrust that without unity we are too weak to win.  

Some look at Mr. Trump’s ego as being a drawback, not as what it really is a motivator to his success.  At this point, our wish list is firmly reliant upon that success.  

His use of our country’s laws regarding taxes, bankruptcy and labor has also brought some gnashing of teeth and grimaces, viewed as another drawback.  Once again reasons to fear are not so.  In his use of the rules he answered to whom and what his responsibility and agreement demanded.  We can expect no less when he tells us he is on our side, and he is for all Americans.  I trust in his history of adhering to his promises, his agreements and his ability to know what it takes to reach a goal.

What you need to know is what objectives you have when it comes to voting.  What goals do you want our next President to fight for?  What you would like to see fixed (excepting the election of course).  Which candidate you know will not help you gain the majority of your wish list and which one will.  Winning the battle and losing the war is not an option.  Winning both the battle and the war is the objective, help don’t hinder.

Pray for your country.  Pray for discernment. 

God bless our country.

PATHOLOGICAL SHORT CIRUCUT

Short circuit definition:  an abnormal connection between two nodes of an electric circuit. This results in excessive damage to the entire circuit, causing overheating, damage and possible explosion.  Although normally a result of a fault, there are occasions when caused on purpose. The result is a connection with almost no resistance. In such a case, the current is limited by the rest of the circuit.

(Or in the case of humans, caused by some pathological fault)

Pathological definition: adjective:  relating to, or manifesting behavior that is habitual, maladaptive and compulsive.

For some inexplicable reason these two definitions seem to be somewhat appropriate regarding Secretary Clinton’s recent “short circuit” during her interview with Chris Wallace last Sunday.  Mrs. Clinton seems unable to control herself when it comes to her struggles with truthfulness and her constant inability to get her facts straight.  It’s impossible for her to admit that she was lax, totally negligent and misleading regarding our country’s national security while in the office of Secretary of State.

I cannot fathom why she is even allowed to put herself in the position of becoming the next President.  I cannot understand how a major political party can support her in that quest.  We personally would not continue a relationship with someone who can’t tell the truth even when that truth might serve them better.  If you can’t trust someone why interact with them?  Most assuredly you would not allow them control over your finances, your children, your health or anything else.  So why are so many trying to infect the rest of us with her sickness?  With Hillary, I know what I will get and I’ve had enough political and personal fertilizer and I just don’t need anymore.

Do you think our politicians have served us well over the last 50 years?  Have they served us before themselves? Have they made choices for our country or have they chosen their own personal gain and power over common good.  I think it’s time to choose a non-politician to shake the sack up and see if some good comes out.  Trump’s methods, attitudes and ethics have given him a measure of success that would be great to see emulated in our vast government machine.  Perhaps he might be labeled brash, unconventional and politically incorrect but I can deal with that. I don’t like the direction we’ve headed in.  

We have accumulated enough debt.  We have wasted enough time money and national blood by not prosecuting wars to the best of our ability.  We have made ourselves vulnerable and I’ve had enough pathological liars to last a lifetime.  We need to make a change and one that works a lot better than the last one we were promised.  We need someone who is there for all of us.

Demand honesty from your media:    http://arbeeresponds2.blogspot.com/2016/08/he-said-what.html

Pray for discernment and pray for your country:  http://arbeeresponds2.blogspot.com/2016/08/he-said-what.html

God bless you neighbor and God bless our country

I WISH IT WERE

https://www.facebook.com/meawwcom/videos/1196996217037687/


I’m pretty sure most of us would like some things in our life to be a bit different; especially those things we have no control over.   For example:    other people; our past; and most assuredly our world.  We exist not in one world to wish things were different but each relationship and group of relationships are like different worlds we have to manage our way around in.  To make it even more difficult, those worlds very seldom stay in their own orbit.  They seem to gravitate toward one another in unpredictable and in some cases unwanted paths.  To put it mildly, the complexity of our lives increases exponentially the further our life expands and interacts with other people, families, cities, nations and the mega world in general.  Sometimes we have to slow down, step back and inspect our lives comparing what we find to be against what we would like things to be.  We need to affect our worlds in a positive manner, changing our trajectory and sometimes those of others who are affecting our end results.

I wish I were more perfect, not only in my own perspective but in the estimation of all the worlds I impact.  Sadly, I possess an adequate inferiority complex.  It’s handy in enabling me to understand imperfection exists.  I wish I had an excellent and loving relationship with everyone in my world of family, friends and acquaintances.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case.  The good news is those things we are directly involved in can be corrected and improved.  Hopefully, to become as we wish.  We are always a work in progress, wanting to improve and be our best.  We do all things and make all decisions lives based on our best knowledge at the time.

I wish other choices were as easy.  They are not.   When our world is expanded to include our neighborhoods, our country and in some cases multiple nations, our decisions have to be made on somewhat nebulous information.  I wish we could believe our media, our politicians, our educators, our friends and family.  If the truth serum infused with fact were injected into those worlds, without fail, we could make a good decision easily.  That serum does not exist.  I wish it did.  That leaves us with making a decision for our country based on our own beliefs, ideologies and on what we want from our own wish list.  Since we doubt the honesty of what we hear out of the mouths of others, it’s totally up to us individually and we need to find honesty within ourselves at least.  We need to know what parts of our reality is real and what is fantasy created by infused falsehood.

I wish I could see into the future.  I wish I could see and know what would be best for our nation, our society, and the people of the large extended world we exist in.  We are lucky to live in a nation born under the rule of law, one that has written into those laws a basic right to excel individually, an economic system that has allowed individuals to climb above their station of birth.  I am proud to live in a nation, in a society that has helped itself and other nations in the world to achieve those same freedoms.  I wish all of our citizens would see the diamond in our nation’s nature and not just the lump of coal it came from.  I wish all of my wishes had already been granted.  They haven’t.

I wish we had a government of the people and for the people.  We don’t.  Our government, designed to be minimal, is now bloated with professional politicians, regulatory bureaucrats on both national and local levels.  Many of those folks speak and perform not to benefit our society but to maintain a personal level of power.  This has occurred because we the people have been misled by the very people charged with presenting us with truthful factual information.  I wish this had occurred.  It hasn’t.  We need to demand it.  I wish we would.  We don’t.

When we as individuals make our decisions and choices out of anger, ideology, racism, bigotry, etc. the fact is we are making our decision ignorantly.  I wish this would work for us.  It doesn’t.  Repairing our own world must come first and hopefully, we make those repairs in time to make wise decisions this coming November.

·         I think I have my own wish list coming together.

·         I wish we could elect folks who will help folks be their best possible self, by example.

·         I wish we could elect folks who will give our nation a sense of unity, a sense of forgiveness and understanding.

·         I wish we could elect folks who help us all realize that labeling people as one color or the other hurts us all.

·         I wish we could elect folks with the drive to help our nation as a whole, not just to enhance their own chance of electability.

·         I wish we would all reach for the same attitude we see in the biblical Good Samaritan, me included.

·         I wish we could and would love our neighbor as ourselves, and treat him as we would like to be treated.

·         I wish those that spread hatred and anger would just dry up and blow away.

I wish all these were easily attained, but they are not.

Pray for discernment, for your neighbors’ well-being, and your country.

God Bless the USA

BAIT N SWITCH POLITICS

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bait-switch.asp

DEFINITION of 'Bait And Switch':  A dishonest marketing tactic in which a marketer advertises a very attractive price/rate/term that is really a teaser rate meant to attract customers.  Once the customer comes into the store/office to inquire about the advertised price/rate (the "bait"), the advertiser will attempt to sell the customer a more expensive product (the "switch").

Is there anyone in our population who doesn’t recall who said “You can keep your doctor”?  Who said, “Ours will be the most transparent administration”?  Who was it that said “Hope and Change” would be a good thing.  In some states, if a car salesman made such statements and gave a similar grade of product in place of the car advertised, he might well face hefty fines and in egregious cases jailed for fraud.  I guess in our new form of judiciary certain leniencies are available.

This election cycle we get to make our best guess once again.  Let’s hope that we get lucky enough to make a better and more fruitful decision.  Hoping and praying to get a better result than what we had the last couple of times.  All we can hope for is that someone in this pair will be honest with us.  We also need to have a pretty firm idea of what we hope to get this time around.

One side of the debate is offering us the first woman nominee of a major party, a past Secretary of State with a dubious record.  Her ability to twist and bend the truth is at the top of her list of credentials.  On the other side of the coin, we have a candidate that seems to have no filter on what he thinks, but his record of successful business and ability to create wealth is indisputable. Which one is more apt to change things for the better?  We have to go to their track record to make our best guess.

Do we go with the one who is the polished politician?  The one who says what political expediency dictates? We know for sure that what she states as fact, may or may not be.  How probable is the old marketing trick of bait and switch and how much of what we see is merely a smoke screen.  Or do we go with the one who has spent the last 30 years being able to say whatever he feels like. Her opponent has a reputation for achieving what he sets out to accomplish and has the business reputation of doing what he says he will do.  His evidence of achievement is stunning.

We are at a crossroads. We know that staying on in the same direction leads to a cliff most of us do not want to go over.  We have a choice of staying on the same pathway or do we catch a ride going in a different route that may lead us to a brighter place.  The choice for me is simple.  I choose not to go over the cliff.  I choose not to follow or to be led by a person who lacks the moral compass of honesty and truthfulness.  I deplore the sick virus of political correctness that attacks the very core of honesty, a virtue that used to have much more esteem.  Whether I like what Mr. Trump dispenses vocally or not, the knowledge of what he says is totally unfiltered is reassuring.

Just ask yourself, “do I think I have been lied to during the last 7 ½ years?” Was Hillary complicit in those falsehoods?  Has Hillary shown any sign that honesty is an important part of her moral fabric?  Do you know for sure where she stands on the different factors facing our country?  Some of the things I believe she will hold to are: staying the current course regarding ISIS; status quo on education; raising taxes; excessive regulations inhibiting business; appointing liberal judiciary.  

I would suggest that our odds are better with an unknown with a possibility of a better economy, better education for all of our population, a return to the rule of law for all of our society and a chance to believe what we hear.  I’m pretty sure there is far less danger of political “bait and switch” with the unfiltered non-politician.

Pray for discernment, our country and your neighbor.  God Bless The USA