Back to the present

Try to imagine with me, an early America, and our founders were working feverishly to wove together this new nation. In their way, was the army of King George, imposing British law and stifling the attempts of the Colonists to separate from the grasp of British rule.

The pens of those who helped craft our founding documents, were busier than their weapons. But that was soon to change. While the pens were mighty, so too were the muskets of the British, and their well documented Brown Bess rifle. In an effort to counter Britain's advance on Concord, the local militia was called upon to fight. And fight they did.

That was the "back" side of this writing to consider.

The "present", remove the 234 years or so. Let's really stretch your imagination with this.

That local militia was then armed with Brown Besses, Pennsylvania Rifles, or maybe a Club Butt Country Fowler. What ever they had to hunt and to protect their families with, that's what they brought to the fight. And just like firearms owners of today, they bought what they could get, or afford.

But what if? What if they could get and afford a better rifle? A multi-firing rifle? A lighter rifle? A more accurate rifle? An assault rifle?

Do you really think, for a Lexington minute, that any one of the colonists would not have bartered or bought an AR-15? Does anyone really think that any one of them, would not have traded most anything for a firearm that would more than meet the stronger and more professional soldiers and firepower of King George's army? Does anyone think that if any farmer turned Minuteman would not have latched on to such an arm? (By the way, my father-in-law, rest in peace, was a farmer and loved his Mini 14. He was shooting coyotes from his tractor long before the words "assault weapons" hit the lips of liberals.)

I think that far too many, even some well heeled "sportsmen", tend to think a true hunter doesn't really need an "assault rifle". Well, it is my belief that the men of that revolutionary era would have grabbed onto such guns, in a heartbeat. Let's keep in mind, it wasn't just for hunting and family protection, it was for the ready protection of freedom. It was to fight well armed foes. The 2nd amendment, was written to reinforce the 1st amendment, when the words penned so well before, failed to stop the lead of the British.

Don't be fooled. There are those, who after they grow tired, or win, at the health care issue, will take a breath and then come after their next target...the assault weapons (by what ever definition they attach to it next time). This is a fight we must win, and that means we all have to fight it. Be prepared to call, write, and voice your objection of any such attempts. It really is about FREEDOM.

The Death Penalty

As of April 16, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the death penalty, by lethal injection. With that, states are now continuing with those on death row and are sentenced to die.

I am all for the Death Penalty. Always have been. However, my view has changed a bit, and I offer up the following for your consideration.

Not long ago, Texas, and Dallas County in particular, has released a man, falsely convicted of a serious crime. The man spent some 23 years in prison, for a crime he did not commit. DNA set him free. It was primarily a "photo line-up" that convicted him. While he was not on death row, this in part is why I have changed my position, in part anyway.

Eye witnesses are notoriously inaccurate. Same can be said for other types of "circumstantial evidence", when considered without enough collaborative evidence. Most cases ARE "circumstantial", but most good cases have an abundance of it that supports but one conclusion.

My "death penalty" view has changed, in a large part, because of DNA. Dallas County has now had 16 people set free by DNA. "16" people, wrongly convicted. How would YOU like to have been one of those!

I would like to see a change in death penalty cases, and I submit the following:

1. Death Penalty sentences should be reserved for those people who are guilty beyond ALL doubt, not just "reasonable doubt". Those, like Jeffrey Dahmer, comes to mind. As does Charles Manson, a gleeful bragger of his acts, and proud of those who followed him. Or Dennis Rader, the BTK killer. Fast-tracks for all of them.

2. All such cases where ONLY "circumstantial evidence" brings about a "reasonable doubt" conviction that could warrant a death penalty, should NOT receive the "death penalty", but instead, a mandatory LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE. This way, should new evidence come into play later on, the person would still be here for a new trial, or release.

3. ALL death penalty cases, under example #1 above, should be "fast tracked" through the system, and the penalty should be carried out within 1 year after conviction. When such a conviction was obtained with NO DOUBT, supported by the evidence and confessions, then why the wait?Once judicial checks have been reviewed, then git'r done.

The above, while still not perfect, may do several things.

a. Eliminate a wrongly convicted person from being put to death by our system.

b. Keep open the possibility of a new trial for those who may have been wrongfully convicted.

c. And lastly, fast-track, keeping the long and expensive "appeals" to a minimum, the sentencing for a swifter adjudication.

Any man, or woman, who should commit such an act that would warrant the death penalty, and does so in such a manner where NO DOUBT is left as to that person's guilt (so much so, that no other possibility could exist), then such a swift death penalty could bring about a new "deterrence" for such acts.Even if it didn't, that person could never kill again, including killings of guards and other prisoners.

ABC's Charlie Gibson

Some may ask, "Why didn't Charlie Gibson know about the ACORN accusations?"

Well, in all fairness to Charlie, he had no way of knowing. When the main stream media awaits for their news from The White House, they will only know what The White House tells them. And let's be honest, The White House, in particular Obama, who was ACORN'S legal counsel, and who reaped huge benefits from the activities of ACORN, is not about to tell Charlie Gibson. And, I expect Obama is just hoping that the media will not bother with REAL journalism and discover things for themselves.

So Charlie....I understand. It isn't your fault. It's not like you are a real journalist. It's not like you owe the American people anything. After all, we can still find the truth, we just have to look outside ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, and CNN.

Good night Chet....Good night David. Good bye REAL journalism.
Dan

PS. Tea parties? What tea parties?

What would TJ do?

I can't help but wonder... What would Thomas Jefferson do?

Just look at the size and power of today's government. It was NEVER intended to be this way. TJ and the boys would NEVER have let this happen. But WE did. I say WE, because as a nation, WE have let, and often demanded, that this government get this big.

All parties are guilty. This didn't happen over night. In my view, it has taken an even uglier pace in it's growth with Obama, but this has been coming for some time, and it's OUR fault.

But it isn't too late to turn the tide. It's time to get out the vote and vote OUT every person, regardless of party, who has voted for these expansive taxes, programs, and pork-barrel projects.

For the people...by the people. Professional, career, politicians are NOT "the people". They no longer are part of the working public, taking time off to represent us. Today's politician, for the most part, are too often people who want their terms to last until retirement. And when they MOVE to their Washington office, seldom to return to their beginnings, they take on that Washington mentality and become washed in the politics of the next term, NOT representing their constituents and the country's BEST interest.

Take back our country. Vote OUT everyone who has help grow the government, and not grow America!

Drug wars

While I completely DISAGREE with Hillary Clinton on the suggestion that our gun laws are helping the drug warring bad guys, I agree with with her, when she said, in essence, that America has to share the blame for the drug war, the murders, and the corruption in Mexico.

Let me say this - and LISTEN UP (if this applies to you) - IF you are even a "social" user of cocaine, then YOU share the blame for the drug related murders on either side of the border! YES, you do. Try to justify yourself all you want, but you do!

The lust for the dust, pays big money, and that money is what is fueling the killings. Billions go south - YOUR billions. If it weren't for your lust, your partaking of it, your acceptance of it, there would be no money in it for the drug lords.

Whoa.....did I hear some say, "Well, if they would make it legal, this wouldn't be a problem"? Did someone whisper that stupid argument?

To start with, the substance IS ILLEGAL. It IS A FELONY to possess. So, before we go down that road, and it's simply a road to excuse the use, IT'S A FELONY. So you are choosing to commit a felony at the get-go! You really want it? Get your legislators to pass a law legalizing it, and you can have it. But until then, IT'S A FELONY! It's illegal, like it or not, and you're choosing to commit a FELONY when you possess it, share it, consume it.

But, it's coke and you like it and you don't hurt anyone....blah blah blahhh. In case you missed it, it's a FELONY. So, from day one, you choose to commit the FELONY. NO ONE in the country doesn't know its illegal, so you are making the conscious decision to commit a FELONY. All other arguments come in after that. Want it legalized? Fine, get the law changed. Until then, STOP BEING THE CONSUMER WHO FUELS THE DRUG WARS AND MURDERS! IT'S A FELONY!

A lot of Mexican cops, justices, town leaders who oppose the drug trade, and the countless bystanders, have died because of the greed for the drug money. Of late, even those who were trying to get treatment for their addiction, in a rehab center just across the border, were executed by drug bandits. If you're a user...that means a small part of that is YOUR money to help fund those bad-guys!

By the way, that violence is here too! Arizona and Texas are seeing a huge growth in the drug related violence. Many people have been harmed and killed, because of the money involved. If you're a USER...and that means any dang socialite out there who just parties a little...then YOU contribute to the deaths. YES...YOU DO!

Now, for those who don't use, but stand while a friend uses ... then you are standing by while a felony is being committed. Don't. I'm just real enough to know you won't or can't turn in your friends or family, but put some distance between you and them. Not only to keep from being busted too, if it should come to that, but to show you do not condone it. Let them know, by your leaving their presence, that you don't like it and won't condone it.

Lastly - the mounds of money is the fuel that is burning violence in this drug war. While those in various uniforms fight that war, it is the end-user who can win it for us, by STOPPING their use. Even if all the so-called "social users" would stop, and shun those who didn't stop, could have an impact. And it would let law enforcement focus more energy on fewer people to target and prosecute.

JUST SAY NO.....shouldn't be a slogan, it should be an action!

I welcome your comments.

Obama and the CIA

Obama has seen fit to let those in his administration pursue an investigation into the conduct of some CIA field agents in war-time interrogations of those who would plot to kill Americans in mass. It would appear to me, that they WANT to prosecute any of those from the prior administration. And this, after it was already looked into and waved off as no prosecutable wrong-doings.

On the other hand, Obama served along side of Bill Ayers, in community committees and political activities. They may not have been "friends", but Obama had no problem having a political dinner with Ayers. And Ayers, along with others in a 70's radical group who plotted and bombed government buildings.

So... Investigate those charged with doing all they can to help protect America from another attack? Or... Associate oneself with the likes of Bill Ayers, who helped bomb OUR buildings, for political expedience?

Add to this, the blatantly obvious example of a person in a higher position than his experience can support. A person with NO past experience to be prepared for such a monumental task, and who is exposing himself every day, as an example of the blind leading the blind!

To the 53% of the voters who turned out to vote for Obama in 2008 - WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?

Church and State

What a topic! On the way home today, I was listening to a radio talk show, and this was the general topic. On the air, was someone representing the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They profess to be protecting the constitutional principle of the separation of state and church.

Now, as I often will do, I offer this disclaimer: I am NOT a constitutional or historical scholar. So with that, take what you wish from my words and viewpoints.

Being the simple man that I am, I tend to look at this subject is a simplistic way, trying to imagine what our forefathers were wanting to accomplish with our most precious national document. I also think we should not stray from the spirit of that document, and instead, find ways in our modern world to go back and really apply those ideas and principles, and spirit, to our country today. I believe it can be, and should be, done.

So, just what does the Constitution say about the so-called, "separation of church and state"? Well, as it was written, it states, "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ..." Well, I do not see today, anywhere, that our Congress has established a religion. Where is it that the "state", by way of Congress, has established a religion? Where is it, that Congress, or any state or city, has established a religion? Does a prayer, establish a religion? Do the words, In God We Trust, establish a religion? And, who has been denied ANY governmental services, or even protection, because they were not of a particular religious persuasion?

If you look at the word, establish", one can easily find as part of the definition,
1 : something established: as a : a settled arrangement; especially : a code of laws b : established church

Wouldn't a government who would "establish" a religion, have that same religion as part of some established order and cause its people to acknowledge their religion, before receiving some part of the government's graces in services, protection, or other benefits?

It would also seem to me, that there should be some kind of "harm" that such inferences to God in a public prayer, aside from just being offended, should be shown in a measurable way, before demanding that the inference be removed. The 1st Amendment does NOT protect people from being offended. And that, my friends and readers, is what this is really all about. Some people don't want religion in any public view and it offends them that God might be somehow lurking around, watching them! The fact is, no one has been harmed. No one has been denied ANY services or protection, because God somehow is mentioned in the public arena.

Our Founders, knew that men are weak and subject to corruption. Our Founders, knew that it could only be by the guidance of a higher power, of a higher power of conscience and of right and wrong, that people might....MIGHT....keep that higher power in mind when conducting ourselves with out fellow citizens.

Let's face it, while there are those who hate the mention of God, where DO we get our foundation of right and wrong? Where are the writings of how to treat our fellow man, if not in the writings of someone referring to some higher power. Man, is weak. Man, is corruptible. Man, without someone higher to answer to, will drift towards self above others. It is God, in what ever religion you may find him, that sits on our shoulders and whispers to us when we might stray from what is right or wrong.

God, is mankind's "father". And like a loving father, God guides us and is our conscience. But we are free to choose and free to disobey. Man surely has, and surely will. But that is not to say we should strive to follow the teachings of His word.

What would be our right and wrong foundation, otherwise? What else is it seated? By what other measure, do we know right and wrong? Without God, or that higher power of justice, would we even have laws?

I'm sorry. I've strayed. My point is this. For about 235 years, there has been NO government established religion. NO ONE, has to follow any particular religion, and NO ONE has been denied services or protections, or any of their RIGHTS, by a prayer, the mention of God in a public place, or the word God on our currency and landmarks. Sorry if that offends you, but if it does, then you offend me. But you have a right to follow no religion, if you wish.

Before I conclude, I will say that I DO NOT want our government to dictate what religion I must follow. We sure don't need a religion that dictates that we cut off your head for following some other religion. Or be denied rights, because we didn't follow some religious doctrine. We can see that in bombings elsewhere! Our government has not, and should never, dictate a religion to follow. THAT would be an establishment!

God Bless You!
Dan

Need help with my car

I am asking all of you to chip in and help buy me a new car. Please, I need a new car.

Now, I do have a car. But my transmission needs work, and I don't want to just fix it. The rest of the car is pretty good. Oh, a little air leak by the window, but I get pretty good mileage. I change the oil on regular intervals, and it runs good. The body has a few dings, but is still without rust. And, it does what it needs to do, I guess, i.e. get me to and from work, to the store, and so on.

But I want a new one. My car has some routine costs ... like tires, wiper blades, and such, and is paid off. But I want a new one. An all shinny and new and completely different one. And, I want you to help buy me one.

I know... I know. For far far less money, I can fix my transmission and have a good working car. But I want an all new one, and I don't want to fix what I have.

What? Why toss out the whole car, just to fix the transmission issue? Because, my neighbors have a new car, and I want one too, and why can't you help buy it for me? After all, I'm a good guy, so shouldn't I get a new car , and not have to spend my own money to fix the one I have?

Come on ... you've helped buy a bunch of other people get new cars, and you've helped bail-out big banks, and if you're willing to pay for a whole new health care plan ......why NOT buy me a new car? Please Mr. Obama ... Buy me a new car!!!!!

Some of our health care entities may need some overhaul. But let's not throw it all out, in favor of a government mandated plan that will cost us ALL and, from all appearances, will weaken the best health care services in the world. Some of it may be broken and need fixed. But not the whole thing ... and NOT at the cost of billions and billion and billions to all of us. And NOT managed by a government, who has NO BUSINESS, being "in business"!

BIG government. It's been coming for a long time, and it's here. I plan on watching to see who votes for this Obamacare plan and do everything I can to vote them out. And I don't care what party they may be in! We need to take back our country and set the record straight on who works for who!

By the way ... Don't report me Bro. Don't report me to The White House!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day (This is a re-POST from last year - Fatherhood)

Before reading the re-Post of the updated piece, let me say this.....
Happy Father's Day to ALL the dad's out there (present and past) who take that title seriously and truly LOVE their children. I celebrate this day with love for my children, and I celebrate YOU....the fathers of the world. - Dan

Fatherhood
I absolutely love being a father! I am Blessed to have great kids. And in all fairness to my ex-wife, it took both of us to help make that happen. "Dad", is a word that is like music to my ears when it comes from the mouths of my kids.

Okay - but to my topic of today - Fatherhood. Calling all fathers....calling all fathers..... Our kids need YOU. Our communities need YOU. Our nation needs YOU.

Even if you are divorced and live in a separate home than your kids, they need YOU in their lives. And they need the very best from you for guidance and example.

Some months ago, there was a news story of some VERY misbehaving boys, and the mother who left them alone in protest of their actions. Now I don't know all the story, but I did see one of the 4 boys yelling obscenities at the news crew. In essence, the story was about a single mom having very difficult challenges with her teen sons. Throughout the story, something was missing.... a DAD! Either the dad was dead, gone, or just plain derelict in his responsibilities in helping raise those boys. In any case, it was obvious those boys needed a strong male role model in their lives. Where was the dad?

Throughout my career in law enforcement,working on the streets and jail, I have seen countless kids, mostly boys, who either did not have an active dad in the picture, or a very bad one serving as an example for behavior. In either case, a REAL "father" was missing and the kids, and the community, were paying the price. I see kids all the time, where I think to myself, "That one will be in jail soon!" Our children learn more by example, or the lack of one, than by anything else. A "father" can be the strongest example a kid, specially a young boy, can have. (Even daughters need a good "dad", so they can gauge what a "man" should be like when she chooses a husband.) Boys will more likely (not in every case, some kids have other issues that can impair the parenting process), emulate the characteristics of the father, good or bad.

I once heard (or read?) somewhere - "Everyone can serve as an example, even if by being a bad one!" It's that way with fathers too. If a father treats his wife bad, the likelihood is that his male children will do the same. If a father is a drunk or does drugs, then it is far more likely that his children will too. Who could truly love their children, and want that for them?

MEN - If you don't want to be an active and participating "father", then don't father children! In MY opinion, ANY male (I won't use "man" for such lame a--holes) who fathers children and doesn't participate in raising them, should be castrated! (Actually, I'd also go for any women who help create fatherless children with multiple men, for pleasure, should be sterilized!) Yep... CASTRATE the bastards! No more creation of children by men who don't take responsibility. They are NOT real men, they are just sperm dispensers on legs.

To any male who should read this, who falls into that category of creating children and then NOT participating in raising them....... SHAME ON YOU. You are a spineless scrotebag simpleton with a penis for a brain! And if any such person should father multiple children with multiple women, and take care of none of them, I'm just fine with dumping their worthless body in a swamp!

As a nation, we tolerate far too much. And part of that, is tolerating such people and having the rest of us, saying nothing of the children who have to grow the best they can, pay for it all. The gators could eat well with all those who commit such acts. Hard? Damn right! Needed? Damn right!

I love my kids. I can't imagine this world without them. And I can't relate to those men who don't love their kids and want to be part of their lives, and to do well by them. To all those real dads out their, I salute you! Fatherhood is the greatest job out there.

To my children - I love you. I have made mistakes and I hope you see them for what they are and do better than I did. I hope too that you take all my best parts, and take them with you through your lives. You are already better than I am, and I am so pleased, and Blessed. Thank you God for my children. They are gifts beyond my deserving.

Dan

Re-Post Is She Terminal?

This is an updated rewrite of my earlier entry.

It saddens me, to see her so sick. She is down, and from the looks of her, she could be terminally ill. She's been through so much in her life. Many have attacked her, wounded her, trampled on her, tried so hard to make her disappear from the planet. Today, she is under such extreme attacks, and this time, from within her own family. If she goes, I just don't know what I'll do, and I am sad at the prospect.

America. Oh, how I love her name. America. Oh, how I love my country. America. Oh, how sad I am of what far too many are trying to do to her, make her become, make her into what she was never meant to be.

Why do I say all this? Because, today, it looks to me like the "government of the people, by the people, and for the people", has been plowed under by the swarm of hungry...power hungry... politicians and bureaucrats. The "government", even on local levels, has become the BIG manager in most all aspects of our lives and businesses. Now, with trillions of dollars of taxpayer money, BIG government has now decided what to do with OUR money...and our future money...and with our very lives.

While I liked George W. Bush, I had a number of disagreements with some of his policies. But today, with this new administration, what I am seeing, frankly, scares the crap out of me. The BIG government of today, is looking to be the GIGANTIC government in the coming few years. And with that, WILL come "socialism". How else can one say it? With the government injecting itself into our personal lives and business, and the government distribution of OUR personal wealth....what IS socialism otherwise? And can anyone count the Czars? And why Czars? Can't the officials who pass congressional scrutiny handle the jobs? Or, is the CONTROL Obama gets with Czars a bigger reason for them? (No congressional scrutiny!)

I am absolutely convinced that our forefathers would be up-in-arms over what they see today. In fact, they WERE up-in-arms some 230+ years ago. And WHY were they up-in-arms?They were fed up with the strong arms tactics and imposition of unfair taxes upon the colonies and the citizens of the New World. Great Britain, at that time, WAS the government. And THAT government wanted to impose its will, and taxes, in every way it saw fit to do. Sound familiar?

Well, TRILLIONS of dollars promised by THIS government, on top of the .7 Trillion before Bush left office, WHO will pay for all that? WHO will be taxed to pay for the sins and mistakes by our own government and big business? And when it comes down to it - just how many, what percent, of our citizens really wanted this, or want to pay for it?

THIS is NOT America. This is something else, but it is NOT America. Businesses grow. Businesses go under. The natural evolution of capitalism, has been circumvented by the rich and powerful. Now, our government will decide who makes it, and who won't. The ever increasing government hand, has now grown to control the direction of business, and us...we, the people.

BTW - Don't get me wrong here. I DO NOT blame rich (wealthy) people who earned their way and are good citizens and stewards of our national interest. But, there are those who will sell all of us down the river, for GREED. And there is the problem... unbridled GREED. GREED for money. GREED for power.

It seems to me that far too many in America, WANT the government to save us from ourselves, save us from our debt and the personal consequences of bad decisions. As long as the government hands us money, we'll go along with IT (big government). Give me a $600 or $400 tax rebate, and I'll shut up and let you do what ever you want......

I am sick at what we have become. And in November, we (I say we, because WE are all in this together.) voted in the biggest bunch of greedy people in the history of our country. And with that, we are being sold out. I weep for my America. I weep for the country that spread freedom, helped other people and countries in times of natural disaster and pain. I weep for those who came before us, and died in an effort to keep America free, and keep American as a land of "for the people, by the people". The people we have in Washington today, are NOT "the people", but they are there...BECAUSE we let them be there. The personal agendas and greed for power, is limitless. And Americans put them there. Shame on us.

So, I sit by the death bed of the America I love and have believed in. I watch helplessly as she succumbs to the trampling on the long held belief's of a nation of free people and non-intrusive government. Before long, her colors could remain, but the stripes will be removed, the stars gone, and some new "Obama-like" symbol will replace her. Letters and emails have failed, and I know of no cure to help. Good men sit by, and other men want to turn off her life support machine. Freedom of her people is old fashioned, in the eyes of our new power mongers.

Pardon my ramblings, and perhaps lack of delivery in this addition, but my sadness almost over-takes me and the grief I am feeling for what I fear is coming, has a grip on me.

Am I alone? Are there any other voices that share in this feeling?

God Bless America, for as long as we still have her. - Dan

PS. While not exclusive to Veterans, the sound of her name, America, and the songs about her, America, America the Beautiful, God Bless America, The Star Spangled Banner, etc., bring goose bumps to us, as does the raising or passing of our Flag. What is happening to America, is hard to swallow for THIS Veteran.