America, Is She Terminal?

(This is an updated version of an earlier post.)
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", 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 even with our very lives.

No long ago, the President of Mexico was permitted... encouraged and applauded...to address our congress and criticise one of our own states. Now add to that, our government may consider letting 11 other countries join in a law suit against Arizona. THIS government, OUR government (to include Arizona) has turned on one of our own. If they succeed, with the help of foreign countries, then who will be safe in challenging the "government" on the next issue?

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 235+ 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. 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, with TRILLIONS of dollars promised by THIS government, on top of the about 5 Trillion before President 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 the health-care reform act that was passed, or want to pay for it? The top ten polls of that time were clear - a majority of Americans were against THAT bill. But it didn't matter to those who hold the power. They forced it into law anyway. They DID NOT listen to "the people".

And now, with the majority of Americans supporting what Arizona is trying to do, THIS "government", supported by 11 foreign countries, is ignoring the will of the people, and going after them anyway.

Add to all that, Obama just signed an Act into law, that grants huge arrests power to the Secret Service, to arrest anyone THEY think "could" be inside some arbitrary protective zone the President, or other Politicial figure, is speaking and traveling. You could be arrested and held, without trial, for what THEY could interpret as Hate speech, even it it's just anti-government political speech. Free speech? Sounds like extremely limited free speech. Where does that end?

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 political machine. 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. That BIG government hand, is around the freedom neck of America.

I am sick at what we have become. And in 2008, we (I say we, because WE are all in this together.) voted in the biggest bunch of power hungry 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 tyranny. I weep for those who came before us, and died in an effort to keep America free, and keep America 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, while 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. I pray for HONEST change this November (2012). Even though I don't see a lot better to choose from, we MUST make changes, and often, in that highest of offices. We MUST make them understand, their seats are a temporary one, and granted by US, to serve US, not rule us.

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, i.e.  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, and the ever growing disrespect for her, is hard to swallow for THIS Veteran.

Don't leave your horse in the barn

Generally speaking, people are okay and unchallenged by just living the life the government lets them live. And as long as any government intrusion happens to "the other guy", then people will sit quietly by, feeling smug in that they don't have anything to worry about. But, they DON'T like people to stand up in the public square (read - any public venue) and protest the government or the leaders, and to point out, sometimes loudly, what is going on around us. Nope. That makes many feel uncomfortable. Oh yes, they'll protest in the confines of their homes and among the few they are comfortable talking to, but to write a public piece, or be vocal in public? Nope.

 

Some 237 years ago, I expect there were those who also felt uncomfortable when some would speak out in the public square about King George. There were those who sided with the British, and would not go along with any uprising against the King. But those who were vocal about freedom, did so at their own risk. Great risk in fact.

 

Samuel Adams and John Hancock had to go into hiding, because of their written and spoken protests. Patrick Henry, in a publicly defiant voice, pronounced, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" You don't think that British spies didn't take note of that speech in Richmond Virginia! Those early Patriots KNEW they were putting themselves and their families at risk. William Dawes (a shoe maker), the other "rider" like Paul Revere, was caught and arrested before his "ride" really got going. And Paul Revere took great risk of death in his "ride" to warn of the advancing British soldiers (who were headed to impound the Patriot's weapons stores). Both threw off the personal risks, and saddled up anyway. Freedom was THAT important.

 

Aside from our soldiers fighting our wars abroad, I can't help but wonder, "Who would dare put their personal freedom, their very lives, on the line for the cause of freedom and against government tyranny?" I fear the number of citizens who would, are dwindling.

 

I can't say with certainty that I'd give up my life for liberty. One can't say for certain, until faced with such a test. I will say that in my heart of hearts, I hope I would be so courageous to do so. But until that test comes, I WILL be vocal. I WILL write my protests. I WILL do so in public. I WILL NOT hide when speaking against injustice and the growing tyranny I see rising from our government. And if I make you "uncomfortable"? Well, I guess you can close your window, shut me out, close your ears, and block my words. But I WILL NOT sit quietly by, while America and our constitution crumble around me. I WILL NOT see signs of trouble, and not speak up in warning. No sir, I WILL NOT leave my horse in the barn. Will you?
 

Innocent until proven GUILTY

In light of recent and nationally notable cases, I am sharing a true story. In NO WAY, do I suggest anything, one way or another, about any other case. I share this true story, to show why we have the system we have (imperfect as it is).

The following is a personally experienced true story. (Abbreviated, but otherwise factual.)

 

The Allegation ~

I man with a prior police record, is accused of attempted rape and aggravated battery.

 

The Victim's report of the crime ~

The female Victim had known the suspect for only a few weeks, dating him exclusively during that time. He wanted to cut off the relationship, and she went to his hang-out bar to talk to him. She asked him to go outside and talk, and he went outside with her. In the alley parking lot by the rear entrance, they got into any argument. The suspect tried to force her into oral sex. She resisted. He showed her a gun that he had in his car, and said he'd already killed one person, and he would kill her if she didn't submit. She still wouldn't. He threw the gun into the back seat of his car, then got mad and picked up a large chunk of nearby concrete and smashed a large hole into his own windshield. He then grabbed her, tried to tear her top off, then grabbed her and rammed her head into the hole in the windshield. He left her there, and went back into the bar. She escaped and ran around to the street, and across to a McDonald's, and the police was called. She has a small cut on her head, and her sweater was missing, revealing just her bra.

 

The Police ~

The Police arrived, spoke to and observed the very shaken Victim, and called for an ambulance. She was treated at the scene by the EMT's for a minor cut to her head, but required no other treatment. Other Officers then went to the bar to locate and contact the Suspect inside. The Suspect was subsequently arrested, the car searched, and a gun found. The Victim's sweater was not found. The chunk of concrete was not identified as the one reported to have been used by the Suspect, and none was collected as evidence, nor was any glass from the windshield for comparison trace evidence. A handgun was found in plain view on the backseat of the Defendant's car.

 

The Suspect was well dressed in ironed jeans, cowboy boots, and a starched western shirt. When contacted in the bar, he did not run, nor display any concern when the Officers came in. He had been drinking a couple beers and watching a baseball game on the TVs with the other patrons. The Officers took him back outside, by his car, and arrested him after the Victim identified him to police.

 

He was arrested and booked on felony charges, with a $50,000 bond.

 

The Evidence ~

Observations by the police of a smashed car windshield.

Slight cut to the head of the "victim".

A Handgun (Unknown origin of the handgun, and not found to be tied to any other crime).

(No women's sweater, torn or otherwise)

(No piece of concrete said to have been used to smash window - not collected)

(No glass or blood evidence on the person of the defendant)

The Defense Attorney ~

The Defendant's Attorney called me, as I was a Private Investigator at the time, for a consultation. I was provided a copy of the police report to review. The Defendant has a history with the Police. The Attorney also added this - The Defendant was a witness, a "star witness", to a year old murder case resulting from a shooting at another bar. In that case, and as far as the Defense Attorney knows, is not related to this case. But curiously, the Murder Suspect is trying to get an appeal of his conviction. The Attorney thought it was too much of a coincidence, and that such a felony conviction could come up as discrediting his Defendant in the other case. The Victim had stated that this defendant had a gun and had killed someone before. The Defendant says the gun was planted in the his car. The defendant did not own a gun, let along that gun. But the fact that the Victim made the claim about of gun, added to the suspicion the Defense Attorney had about the case. Any relationship between the Victim and the convicted murder defendant, was unknown.

The Defendant ~

He had only met the woman several weeks prior to the incident, when she first came into the bar and they hooked up. They dated for 2-3 weeks. He thought she was too clingy and demanding of his time, and he wanted to break it off and told her so. A few days later, she showed up at the bar and asked him to go out back to talk, which he did. They argued and her told her to get lost, and he returned to the bar. He said he was outside for less a 2-3 minutes.

 

He had no idea his car window had been broken, he doesn't own a gun, and has no idea why she would say he confessed to shooting anybody. And when the Police came in the bar, he had no idea they were looking for him for anything. (His past run-ins with that Police Dept., were related to his drinking and DUI's.)

 

The Defense Investigation ~

I reviewed the Police report and Victims statement, as well as reviewed the evidence documentation.

1. The Victim's sweater was never found. It had not been in the Defendant's car, nor in the alley, nor in the bar, and not along the street and path toward McDonalds.

2. The concrete block was not collected.

3. No glass was collected from the car windshield for any comparison to any trace evidence.

4. No glass was collected from the Victims head.

5. No evidence that the gun was the Defendants, nor matched to any crime.

6. No witnesses or other supporting facts to support Victim's allegations.

7. The small cut on the Victim's head, hardly bled, and required no hospital treatment.

 

I began at the bar, and during interviews of those who know the Defendant, and those who were just there, resulted in no one having any idea that anything had happened prior to the police arriving. The two bartenders I spoke to, recalled that night and the woman coming in, but both put the Defendant back in the bar in under 2 minutes, and no indication that anything was wrong. No one knew the woman, other than she showed up with the Defendant a couple times. She was not a regular, and had not been seen there before, or since.

 

I then started looking at the Victim. She was from the area, but had been in and out of her family's home, and had been seen with an unknown man, not the Defendant.

 

I also looked at the Murder case, and that suspect, who had been convicted and was serving time. That convicted suspect had a brother. I found the brother, living at his parent's house, and I started watching who came and went. With that, I observed and ID'd the female Victim, sitting on the porch with the brother, then again later walking hand-in-hand down the street. This connection, had every appearance of being a possible set-up, to get our Defendant convicted of a felony.

 

Additional background on the victim, revealed that she had been seeing that brother, prior to the bar incident.

Later, during the trial and cross examination, the Victim first denied knowing the convicted murder suspect, or his family. When shown a surveillance photo, she had no comment. During the Defense presentation, when I was on the stand, and the Prosecution started to ask questions, but after a couple basic ones, stopped when the answers were not what he wanted the jury to hear.

 

The Jury ~

The Jury deliberated, after going over the instructions, for less than 30 minutes.

They returned with a verdict of NOT GUILTY.

 

Summary ~

1. The "crime" never happened.

2. The "victim" sought out the Defendant at the bar, and attempted to get a relationship going.

3. The actual murder gun was never found, but the gun from the Defendant's car was not matched to any murder. Unknown owner.

4. The Victim's boyfriend, the Murder Suspect' brother, was believed to have staged a "crime" and attempted to frame the Defendant in hopes that a felony conviction, and new evidence of this defendant having a gun, would help get a new trial.

5. The Jury did not find the Victim credible at all.

6. The Defendant was in fact, framed from the start.

Conclusion ~

Not all "VICTIMS", are Victims.

Not all "CRIMES" are crimes.

And thorough Police Work/Investigations are always critical to making good cases.

 

An arrest, is NOT proof of guilt. That is why we have a system of "innocent until proven guilty". That is also WHY the media should never take sides in their reporting of criminal events.

 

Death and Racism in Florida?

In Feb (2012) in Florida, a Hispanic-white man shot and killed a young black man, who is reported to have been unarmed.

The "shooter", who has yet to be charged, had first been reported as a person who shot the youth, in "self-defense". The "shooter" has been reported to have received some minor injuries, as a result of an initial altercation with the youth. We don't know the truth of any of that, YET. The "shooter" is claiming that he shot in self defense.

A full investigation has been called for, and is absolutely justified, as should be with ANY killing of another person.

But calls by many in the black community for the "shooter" to be dragged into the street, or lynched, or left to mob pay-back retribution, has been fed in part by those who "claim" to be for the oppressed "African-American" victims of racist acts in America. And, even President Obama weighed in, going so far as to pander to the victim's family and that community, by saying, "if I had a son, he'd look just like....(the victim)"
Obama - STHU. As President, you have NO BUSINESS commenting on a situation that has yet to be fully exposed and investigated.

I am NOT defending the "shooter". Nor am I condemning him. I can't do either, because I don't KNOW the facts. Neither do those raising voices to avenge the victim. The investigation must play out, and all the facts be found, before any case can be made, and if appropriate, a trial to take place. THEN, a court will have the opportunity to make any judgments.

Another issue at play, is the so-called "Stand your ground" law, where a probable "victim" can use deadly force to protect themselves, where ever that threat is, and not have to flee. It has been suggested that the "shooter" was in such a position when the shooting occurred, but those facts are not yet clear. But with that, Senator Chucky Schumer has already called into question Florida's law, even though it is not yet know if that applied, or like any other broken law, abused. Schumer - STHU too! You don't know crap!

As for any "racism", we don't know yet. Some background on the "shooter" has suggested he has called the police many times about suspicious "black males" in the neighborhood. Maybe there have been suspicious people in that neighborhood. Maybe his presence has prevented crimes? We don't know - Yet.

But the cries of American Racism, over this incident, is stupid, and as presumptuous as racism is. THEY don't yet know the man's heart, and in the heart is where  racism lives. It may be played out in actions, and this may end up being that. But I don't know. Do you? Does Obama? Does Schumer? Does Al Sharpton? Does "The New Black Panthers", who have offered a $10,00 award for the capture of the "in hiding" "shooter"? (The police KNOW where he is, and the investigation continues.)

All that being said, there IS a good reason to be concerned, and to ask a LOT of questions with this. It could be, that the police took the word about self-defense, too quickly, thus failing to conduct the initial investigation as it should have. All that is not clear yet either. But if there was a break-down in that process, then proper attention to that was in deed proper. And what ever happened to prevent a proper investigation, IF that was the case, needs correcting.

Now - While I DO NOT know anything on the Florida case, I can tell you this - - - -
I worked a case years ago, where a "victim" was stabbed to death. The "victim" was unarmed. The suspect was arrested and charged with the murder. However, it was later found that after the knifing, the victim's friends had grabbed the "victim's" gun, and hid it prior to when the police arrived. As far as the police knew, the "victim" was unarmed. The full truth to what all happened, did not come out until the trial, a year later.

Unless YOU were there, and have FIRST PERSON knowledge of THE FACTS, don't be too quick to judge. That goes DOUBLE for those in high places and considerable influence.  It's irresponsible for such people to make comments about a situation that has yet to be properly investigated.

MY version of a US Foreign Policy

Iran is said to have made it's first nuclear rod fuel rods. IED's and suicide bombers still causing deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, zealots kill Americans and violently protest the burning of some Korans. Korans by the way, that were properly disposed of, because they were defaced by the inmates in a military prison.

Obama rushed to apologize to the Afghans, and I expect some troops to eventually be thrown under the bus by their Commander and Chief.

*We have a foreign policy of appeasement and apologies, which is to say we don't have one.
*We don't have an energy policy that promotes new exploration, no new refineries, and gas is at an all time high for this time of year.
*Afghan president Karzai has asked for all our troops there, to confine themselves to our main bases, and to stay out of the villages (where our troops have developed relationships with locals), due to a single incident of one of our guys going nuts and killing civilians (and yes, that was a terrible thing).
*We have exhausted our troops, and their families, with multiple deployments.
*Our president has set a get-out-of-Afghanistan date, so the Taliban, and Karzai, are now just holding out for our exit.
*We still give money to countries who either hate us, or aid our enemies through the back door.
*We still have about 9% unemployment, and higher in industrial cities and poorer neighborhoods.
*Obama wants to continue borrowing our way out of the economic mess we're in (has that EVER worked?).
*Our southern border, in spite of the hard work our Border Patrol is trying to do, still leaks like a sieve. (Laredo Nueva is the deadliest city in the world, and it's right across the river!)
*Our own screwed up government conducted a FAILED gun running operation, that so far has been part of the murder of one of our Border Patrol Agents, and has lost track over some 2,000 guns to Mexican dope and gun runners!

Our leadership has FAILED, and it ain't all Obama! Many people in our highest offices and positions, are failing us.

I'm sick of these people and their policies. And with my own brand of audacity, I'll make a few suggestions for whom ever comes into office from this November's elections.

Foreign Aide -
    End ALL foreign aide. ALL countries wanting foreign aide, will have to re-apply, and convince us 
    that they should get ANY. If it does not serve OUR best interest, and does not improve the lives and
    human rights for their citizens, then NO WAY.

United Nations -
   Worthless, toothless, and full of far left leaders, who DO NOT have our best interest in their scope
   at all. End their USA home, and let them move elsewhere. Then get out of the UN!

Military engagements/wars -
   1. Other than an required immediate response to a direct threat to us, or a very close ally, then ALL
       military action on foreign soil (and air space), will ONLY happen with Congressional approval.
   2. In such an event, clear objectives are to be defined, and all manner to be given to achieve it.
   3. In such events, ALL manner of force will be used for the quickest possible defeat of our enemy,
       and NO occupation longer than the action calls for.
   4. Rules Of Engagement will be open to all measures needed to rain hell on the enemy, and any
       places they use to hide, launch attacks, use as shields, and what ever else the Field Commanders
       need to bring the conflict to a quick conclusion. (In WWII, we bombed whole cities, young, old,
       women, children, just to stop the enemy war machine, and bring them to their knees.)
   5. I would make clear to the world, this: The USA does not want to occupy any other nation; the
       USA does not want war in any other country; but if any country causes the USA to engage in war,
       ALL HELL will be brought down on the earth our enemy stands on. NO MERCY on anyone who
       combats us, or aides those who do. George Bush had it right, in that you're either for us, or you're
       against us. I'd only add that you don't have to be for us, as long as you're not participating in some
       way against us. Leave us, and our close allies, alone, and we'll leave you alone. If other 3rd world
       countries want to kill each other, then it's not our concern. If it's genocide, then the world can
       petition the UN to do something about it!

      WAR IS HELL .... not a surgical operations with pain killers and sterile surroundings! And HELL
      is what any potential enemy needs to be sure of coming with us!

Border -
    1. All Troops on foreign nation bases to be evaluated for placement in strategic locations to protect
        America, protect our allies, and sufficient enough to conduct multi-front battle grounds if needed.
    2. Other troops, will be used at new base camps along various border areas of the USA. These
        troops will have clear ROE and means to protect our border from illegal crossings and assaults by
        terrorists and narco terrorists.
             A. Border fences to be placed along all border areas when humans could cross.
             B. A 100 yard NO MAN'S LAND to be cleared  along the US side of the fence.
             C. Clearly marked in the "neighboring" language and English, the warning of the KILL
                 ZONES for illegal border crossings are considered assaults on our national sovereignty. If
                 anyone crosses such areas, then we must assume they intend to do us harm. (WHO does not
                 understand a fence, and Ports Of Entry?)
             D. A clear ROE will apply. This WILL NOT be law enforcement action, as this WILL BE
                  national security and defense. (And if Mexico doesn't like it - TUFF SHIT!)
    3. Border Agents and ICE will conduct ALL law enforcement responsibilities on those entering
        Posts of Entry, as well as take charge of immigration enforcement on those businesses who might
        be using illegals to work.  (Illegal includes those with expired visas.)
    4. Border "Protection", will be a Military function!
    5. All force needed to stop insurgencies and illegal crossings, shall be employed.... From non-lethal,
        to scorched earth beneath their feet!

Economy -
    1. The federal government WILL NOT take on any function that competes with private business,
        nor run any private business.
    2. The government will remove or suspend ALL impediments for businesses to conduct business. 
        Short of REAL issues of public and employee health issues, as well as real fraud issues, the
        government needs to stay out of private business.
    3. The Fed would be abolished.
    4. Some tax money could be used as incentives to increase the number of employees. Better to take
        the amount we use for "unemployment", and pay companies with incentives to "employ" people.
    5. Unless a LAW is broken, stop threatening businesses for this or that.
    6. While all reasonable measure should be taken to protect wild-life, and potential extinction of
        animals, PEOPLE come first. (BTW - We weren't here, when the giants of the earth, dinosaurs,
        died off!)
    7. A system of cash awards to companies who design and PROVE new viable innovations in
        technologies, i.e.  new battery technology, alternative energy uses, etc., shall be explored for
        validity and implementation. The cash awards should only be commensurate with the expected
        financial gains such innovation would bring in a certain number of years. Incentives will be the
        goal! Even prize money for individual citizen ideas to advance the well being and advancements
        of America.

Taxes -
   1. EVERY ONE who works, pays taxes of some kind.
   2. Some level of a "national sales tax" should be implemented, so EVERYONE pays in.
   2. The tax books and regs, get tossed out, and the IRS would be reduced to only that needed to
       actual collection of those limited taxes levied.
   3. A smooth transition to the Fair Tax would begin.
  
LINE ITEM VETO - Shall be the rule! I feel this would go a long way to reducing "pork" that gets added on to bills, just because a bill might have merit and would likely pass, adding crap on to them is BS!

Term Limits
   I've resisted them in the past, but with less than half the citizens taking part in the voting, I'd be in
   favor of them. It works for the office of president!

In all cases, the Constitution and Bill of Rights shall be our guide, and the 10th amendment shall be followed. The federal government would be reduced to only those areas of TRUE federal authority, and that which the states request as federal assistance (within the law).

In all other cases, state and local government shall impose those rules, laws, and taxes, as approved and voted on by each state's citizens.

Pretty arrogant, I know. But it's my way of thinking, so there ya go!

Why I rant!

Special note to my Face Book friends:

Okay ... To explain, as some may shake their heads each time I post on political issues. I state the following, not in anger, but to clarify why I "rant", and why on sites like Face Book.

I have very passionate beliefs;  They are conservative (Duh); I am a flag waving patriot; I believe our FOUNDATION is fundamental to our freedoms (and doesn't need changing); and I strongly believe in and love MY country (it didn't just start with the election of someone I supported).

I believe, with all my heart and soul, that to sit quietly by and just get-along, is why our country has slipped to where we are today. We're a mess economically; our foreign polices stink and are dangerous; and we're so politically correct, we won't call things as they really are in fear of offending someone; and far to many think that Freedom OF religion, means freedom FROM religion and want all references to religion out of our public domain (and we're paying for it with decay in out-right public demoralization).

I shall NOT sit quietly by and not shout from the roof-tops, that "We THE people", must take control and no longer relinquish it to so few. I will take advantage of any free speech avenue I can to try to express my concerns for my country. Even if you are a democrat or independent, you too should educate yourself to as much truth you can find, then VOTE you honest conscience.

We don't have to agree, but we all need to participate. The free flow of information, ideas, and then voting for whom we believe best that can serve America, is critical. And I, for one, will NOT follow any Pied Piper, of any party.

Petroleum and our National Security

Oil - or the control of oil - can be a weapon to be used against us. And in our (USA) case, we are very vulnerable to having it used as such. Let me paint you a couple pictures to make my point.

1. Iran completes the construction of a couple nuclear weapons. With such weapons, they can either use them themselves, or make them available for our other enemies to use. Even without an effective delivery system, cross-country transport, and remote detonation, could be done. (IED anyone?)

2. The Taliban, or other radical Islamists, places nukes in strategic oil production/distribution locations, and hold hostage the oil from those locations. (Even low-yield nukes, would close oil fields from use.)

3. Iran commences a naval stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz, effectively shutting off shipping from that region, while countries and militaries maneuver some kind of stand-down.

4. Iran (#4 in oil production) also cuts all exports of oil to the US.

5. Venezuela (#11 in oil production), taking sides with Iran, shuts of all oil exports to the US.

With the above strategies put into action, or any of two such events, then here is what "I think" we could expect –

*Oil imports get drastically cut.
*US oil supplies get stifled, and prices jump drastically.
*Oil prices skyrocket, to $300 brl, or more.
*Gasoline prices in the US jump to $10 plus per gal.
*With a possible military threat, our military would be first on the list for oil/fuel, and could cause limited supplies for commercial use, and could even cause rationing, like what was seen in the 1973.
* Trickle up supply costs, would drive prices of all trucked goods, to go up exponentially.
* Consumers panic buy goods, drive prices higher.
* Small businesses suffer from exploded prices, and have to close.
* Gasoline shortages cause people to lose work, incomes dive, civil unrest erupts in hardest hit areas.
* Fear drives citizens to demand something be done.
* Government responses could escalate into wider war in the Mid-East.

By the way, Ron Paul fans – THIS is why I can’t support Paul. He doesn’t think we shouldn't tell another country they can’t have nukes!

Contrary to hostile nations and terror groups, we (the USA) don’t threaten another nation's “existence”, as Iran and extreme Islamists do!

We have to think far past gasoline prices for our cars, as oil is not JUST a commodity. It is a way of life in the industrial world, and in the US in particular, and is a needed commodity for everyday life and commerce.
Cut our oil, and cut our way of life and cause crisis all over the country.

Vilifying the Rich?

Today's Blog -
(This applies every day, but before Obama's State of the Union Address this date, I'd ask people to keep this in mind.)

Vilifying the Rich?

Before I begin, let me make clear the following ~ I am middle-class, at best. I am not supporting ill-gotten gains in wealth. I am not suggesting the rich be given special consideration in taxation.

I DO believe in some reasonable tax reform, where everyone pays into the system (I like the Fair Tax, but several simplified tax plans could be better than what we have now.). And in no way, should criminal activity, such as fraud, be tolerated.

This wave of blaming the rich is BS, and it's a serious diversion from the real problems in American economics and government.

But, what should we think about the RICH? Many (most?) of those Occupying Wall Street, would say we should arrest them (for what crime?) because they shouldn't have that wealth (really?). Why don't they protest a $32 million a year Alex Rodriguez of the NY Yankees? And have you noticed, many of those people doing the protesting, do so while using their Apple laptops, iPhones, iPads, and such. All those are made by one of the biggest and most successful companies out there, owned by one of the richest men in America (RIP Steve Jobs), at a net worth of around $7 billion (and their products are made in China?)!

The RICH, you know ... the ones Obama encourages many to hate and to blame for all our woes ... employ people, start businesses, and buy stuff. They buy LOTS of stuff. And that STUFF, is made, maintained, and sold by people from all walks of employment. I say, instead of vilifying the RICH, make stuff for them! Sell stuff to them! Maintain stuff for them! Make YOUR money OFF of them. Thousands upon thousands of people and small businesses are doing that right now!

Just for fun, lets make up a RICH family. A RICH family who have earned their own way, by, let's say, designing and selling the best mouse traps the world has ever known.

The RICH family is a family of four. A 46 year old dad; his business partner wife, who is also 46 (high school sweethearts); a 18 year old daughter; a 16 year old son; two pure bred Irish Setters; and an African Grey Parrot. They live on 5 acres, in a gated community, with a pool, a 4 car garage, with a 5 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath, 3800 sq ft home.

Fred RICH, drives a new Cadillac SRT.
Betty RICH drives a new XC-90 Volvo SUV.
Sandy RICH was given a 1992 Nissan Sentra for school (Dad's character builder).
Sean RICH was given ... a ride to school (also Dad's character builder).
Fred loves golf, and belongs to a country club.
Betty loves antiques.
Fred and Betty enjoy weekend day-trips on their new full-dressed Harley-Davidson.
Sandy shows her dogs on a national level.
Sean plays baseball, on the school team and on a summer league.
They all love in-home movies, and enjoy the surround sound, fully equipped home theater system, with a 72" TV, and plush theater seating.
Fred and Sean hold weekend billiard challenges in their game room.
Betty takes in-home cooking lessons, in their large country kitchen, from a professional chef.
Sandy has learned to bake Chicago style pizzas in the brick-oven (yeah, nice kitchen!).

Okay, nice, uh! Yep, the RICH have what many would think of as a well to do life. They earned it, and at a rate of $1,200,000 a year in earnings and investments. And, they have an accountant, to make sure they follow the law, and pay only what the insanely complex tax code requires. They are, by any standard normal people would say, RICH.

So, I ask ....
And how many people were involved in building their house?
What about the sub-contractors for the pool, landscaping, tennis court, gazebo, fence, ect?
How about the suppliers of all the plumbing? The electrical? The appliances? The cabinets?
How many people work in the Cadillac and Volvo factories?
Or work in the sales rooms, finance departments, service shops?
How many people work at the billiard company? Or the factory show rooms? Or the delivery and set-up crews?
How many people make and install the TVs, stereos, all the home theater furnishings?
How much gets spent in travel to all the baseball games (gas, meals, even over-nights)?
How much to maintain the Pure Bred Irish Setters, and travel for the dog shows?
How about the Veterinarians for the dog and parrot?
How many people maintain the country club, and golf greens?
What about the personal tennis instructor and batting coach?
While I don't contribute, HOW much has the RICH family spent at a two-week summer vacation at a south Florida beach condo?
When Fred and Sandy go to work, how many people are employed in the parking garage, or work in building maintenance?

And HOW MANY PEOPLE, do the RICH's employ, pay, provide benefits to?
And how many people, collectively, design, build, supply, sell, and maintain all the RICH stuff?
And how many of those protesting at Wall Street, will be hiring YOU?

Protest REAL fraud and criminal conduct!
Protest bad government! (Try DC, and not Wall Street!)
Protest wasteful government spending!
Protest government elected officials and appointees who abuse their power, and getting life-long benefits, when the rest of us have to follow laws and rules they don't!

Are YOU employed by a broke person? Or has someone with money to invest, provided a means of earning a living to you?

To Protest "the RICH", because they have, and you don't, IS STUPID. Unless - SOCIALISM is your preferred form of government!

The 2nd Amendment and YOU - Updated

From many in today's world, and in particular our country, OUR 2nd amendment is under constant attack. So, I blog about my concerns and beliefs.

Internationally, the U.N. has designs on restricting America's gun ownership, as part of an overall desire to eliminate armed societies. There are those in our country, in THIS administration, who are in favor of such a movement, but know the fight will be hard to get around the 2nd amendment.

In OUR country, there have been a number of anti-gun activists through the years, and in this administration, it is rife with such people, namely the US Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the President himself. In turn, they are supported by various left-wing organizations, and strangely enough, even the ACLU (who usually defends individual rights!). They argue the 2nd amendment is NOT about an "individual" right, but only about a "militia", which would be organized and called out by the government. (The Supreme Curt has said it IS about an individuals right.)

Many non-gun and gun-owning Americans, fit into four basic positions: 1) Don't own one, and have no opinion on the subject either way; 2) Totally against firearm ownership, and believe only the police and/or military need to posses a firearm [these folks want each of us to depend on  9-1-1 to save us, and are NOT concerned that our government would ever turn on us]; 3) Believe in limited gun ownership [where one can own for protection, but don't think we should have so-called assault weapons]; and  4) those of us, who believe that the bottom line for a strong 2nd amendment, and firearms ownership, to protect ourselves AND our country. (I'm in the 4th group by the way.)

I am not speaking as a constitutional scholar, or an expert on the 2nd amendment. I am just an average citizen who reads on the various issues that concern me, and make decisions based on what I read and believe, and not what I'm told to believe (Anyone who knows me personally, can attest to that!).

But to me, one average American citizen (for whom The Constitution and Bill of Rights were written for), firmly believes the 2nd amendment was not about hunting. The 2nd amendment is about the "individual's right to bear arms, because, as George Mason has ".... believed that governmental tyranny was the primary evil against which the people had to defend ...". Having come from a country and government where the standing armies were used to control its populace, our founders wanted some measure of protection against having our own army turned against us, buy some "governmental tyranny".

If a government, insistent of "protecting" it's citizens, decides to disarm them, then what other freedoms will "they" decide is in our so-called best interest? And, if a president decides to subvert the constitutional structure of our nation, and conduct him/herself outside congressional approval, then how far is that from a dictatorship, i.e. tyranny?

If one is to accept that concept, then being able to "bear arms", to own firearms, not only protects one self and their family, but could be called upon to join with one's neighbors for a common defense, then just like the "Minutemen", a citizen would be prepared at any given moment, to help defend their community, or even their country. That principle didn't end with the Revolutionary War either.

As far as the so-called "assault weapon" issue, does one think for a moment that if our forefathers had access to a better firearm, they would buy what ever they could afford? Does anyone really think, that Patrick Henry would have said, "Yes, I know it's a better rifle to fight our well armed enemies with, but I don't think anyone needs to have more than the ol' Brown Bess!

My point is, that if firearms ARE for self defense, as well as a ready arm for a tyrannical government, then is keeping the citizens held to just a shotgun, and maybe a revolver, really acceptable? In the face of our enemies, foreign and possible domestic, who would CERTAINLY be armed with the latest in firearms, would YOU want to be saddled with such limited arms? If your enemies come to your neighborhood with AK-47s, wouldn't you prefer to have the same, or it's equivalent? And have ready access to it? (Storing them at an armory, which is controlled by the government, IS NOT ready access.)

I want to own what ever I can afford to purchase, maintain, safely store, and learn to shoot well with. Anything less, is a handicap.

Our 2nd Amendment Rights are constantly under attack. Politicians and anti-gun activists every day, are working to limit (and even eliminate) the 2nd Amendment, or at least cause it to not apply to YOU, the Individual. I will not sit quietly by and let that encroach on my freedoms and safety. I blog and write letters to Representatives, to help in my small way to keep MY rights....ALL of my rights! While many don't like my out-spokeness about such issues, I shall not, EVER, remain silent.

By the way, the NRA is the oldest and most organized organization, with 4 million strong members, who constantly watch and fight for our 2nd amendment rights. That's why I belong to the NRA. I ask you to join too.

Lastly, I want to add the following. In light of the terror and death brought upon those in Aurora Colorado, by one deranged person, I will say this -
As a former Law Enforcement Officer of 13+ years "on the street", I will ALWAYS be armed with what ever I think will best suit my needs. The Police, for all their want and try, are RESPONDERS. The call for aid/help, is most always as a result of a criminal act ALREADY committed, and victims ALREADY victimized. And friends, EVIL will always exist in the hearts and minds of the few, and no law will change that.

WHO Do You Believe?

I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick and tired of the lies and deceptiveness from Washington, and Politicians in general. And today, I include major news outlets in the same light.

In national debates for offices; in national news releases from either party and The White House; and even from network pundits ..... WHO do YOU believe?

Does EVERYONE have an agenda? Even the various news media, seems to have their own agendas, and the reporting is slanted in that way.

So, I ask, WHO do YOU believe?
WHAT IS the truth?
And WHY do I doubt everyone so much any more?

I'll take on the last one first. -

The major news outlets, have LET ALL OF US down. THEY have failed us, and continuing to fail us daily. I say this, because THEY DO have their own agendas. And their reporting, is a direct result of that bias on what we will get from them.

Ideally, the real news outlets and reporters, would report THE FACTS, and investigate the sources of such information to confirm the trust worthiness of the information being reported to us.

I want to make up MY OWN MIND, and I can only do that with as honest and as complete of the information as possible. And if it is on-line or in print or electronically provided, I need to know I can TRUST the source of the information. I need to know that what I am being given, is as much of the truth as can be found, and NOT only what some journalist or media outlet wants me to know.

The good, the bad, the ugly...I want to know it all. I want to make up MY OWN MIND, and I want to do it based on the fair and impartial reporting of the facts.

But today, I just don't now WHERE I can get that. I don't trust Washington, Politicians in general, AND the media. They could ALL be trying to sell me a lemon, for all I know.

I challenge ALL media outlets, to wash themselves of ALL agendas, and just report facts. I challenge them to also have REAL discussion panels, that can honestly and impartially discuss the facts and stories from all over the globe, WITHOUT their attempts to side with one side of an issue or another. I challenge them to take a pledge, of telling the truth and all the facts. No more chill up a leg for a candiate, or some favored comments of one candidate over another, or vilifying one and glorifying another.

Newspapers, and all other news agencies, should be OUR watchdogs. Not, the attack dog for any one entity or another. Otherwise, I am left to do what I can to decipher the news and do what I can do come to a reasonable decision on any important matter, on my own.

As it stands, Politicians (of all parties), and news media, dine at the same club. And that club, doesn't seem to include "the people".