Bullying seems to have made a resurgence in the media of late. In the past week, I have counted no less than two news stories about teens who have decided to end their lives as a result of being bullied. In at least one case, the bullying took place over the span of a year and what appears to be two different schools.
Allow me to share my experience with this. I was in sixth grade. There was a bully that thought I was his punching bag. In our school, we had a rather large playground and at that time, sixth graders still got recess. This boy would seek me out to inflict his punishment. If I was playing kickball, he'd find me and either take my spot or physically beat on me. If I was somewhere else on the playground, he'd still find me. I tried the walking away strategy. I'd walk away to his verbal abuse. Words don't mean anything anyway, didn't really make a big deal, but still when another student makes you look stupid in front of the whole class..."sting" is a good way to put it. I tried the simple avoidance strategy. I'd be on the playground, head on a swivel. If he looked like he was coming toward me, I'd find an out. One day, I'd had enough. He cornered me on this wooden jungle gym thing, literally. He'd backed me into a corner on this elevated platform. He had assumed the typical bully posture of grabbing my shirt and essentially getting nose-to-nose. I don't remember to this day, how it happened but I reversed the situation and had him almost pushed over the rail and about to take a tumble to the ground about 5 feet below. A teacher spotted this and put a stop to it. We were warned and told not to be "rough housing". I think that lasted about a week. We were on the playground and he decided it was then that he was going to take issue with me for the jungle gym incident. I had been taking Tae Kwon Do lessons for a while during all of this. I think I was a yellow belt. After the first incident, I decided I had it in me to no longer be the victim to this asshole. He started pushing and I assumed a defensive stance, ready to square off. He did the "bully thing" and berated me for squaring off and charged. I never threw one punch. I did leg sweep after leg sweep until finally ending up mounted on top of him. By this time, a teacher had seen what was taking place and came to his rescue. In retrospect, he then assumed the role of the victim. He cried to the teacher that I was "using that karate stuff on me." I do not deny that I was using my martial arts training to defend myself. I used it in the manner of which I was trained. I had successfully defended myself against this bully. However, now I was being frog marched into the office and was about to be expelled from sixth grade for "fighting".
They told me that I needed to call a parent. We were both being suspended. I called my Dad. I knew what would happen. They didn't. My dad came and picked me up, took me home and then sat me down and had me recall, roughly, the entire two weeks of bullying from this kid. It was a Friday when this happened, so we were told to meet back at the principal's office with our parents on Monday morning before school. I showed up with my parents. The other kid and his parents no-showed. I was told to sit outside, but I didn't need to be in the room to know what was said. Needless to say, this was never found on my record, I was not bullied anymore, and I don't recall the kid ever showing back up in school.
I know firsthand the role of the bullied and, as a result, I have a very low opinion of bullies. I also have a low tolerance for the bullshit handed forth by bullies. Bullies are weak. They are poor excuses for human beings. They are empty on the inside. I believe they seek to make someone else feel bad about who they are because the bullies feel bad about who they are. I could entertain other people's opinions about how they come from a broken home or from a home devoid of love and hugs and kisses. Maybe they needed more unicorn farts in their life. I DON'T CARE! Bullies are bullies and deserve to be put in their place by anyone with a set of balls (whether actual balls, lady balls, or just metaphysical balls) and the willingness to do so. Which brings up the situations at hand in the media right now.
I think this has been brought about by our PC, lovey-dovey, feel good, everyone gets a ribbon culture which has spawned this "zero-tolerance" policy that so many school districts have adopted. I think zero tolerance is a cop out. To punish the victim in these instances is the same as punishing the rape victim and the rapist because the rapist perpetrated the act, but the victim was a participant in the act. I think it is a weak minded policy that makes it easy for school administrators to punish fighting, which should be punished, yet not have to get their hands dirty and make any judgements about the parties involved. Maybe there needs to be some judgement. Maybe bullies need to be called out. Maybe these assholes need to be put in their place when they're young before they get older. Maybe someone just needs to let them get their asses beaten to prove to them that they don't get to act this way as a functioning member of society. I ask you, "What's wrong with telling a kid, "Hey, you're being an asshole and this type of behavior is not going to get you far in life and may in fact get you killed."?"
My solution:
Schools today have become one of the most monitored entities in the country. My son has a laptop form the school and there is a firewall set up that will notify the IS department if he is on inappropriate sites. There are multiple cameras set up in his high school. There are teachers everywhere. I cannot believe that the potential does not exist to watch these kids almost everywhere. I believe that teachers are not bouncers. I don't think they are there to break up fights, but they are there to maintain the safety of the kids in that school. If they see a kid getting bullied, why do they need to wait until either the victim commits suicide or they bring a weapon into the school to exact their revenge. They should have the capacity to stop that bully in his tracks. The victim has no place in the punishment equation. That bully will no longer be attending that school after one occurrence.
Second, parents are going to have to assume a bit of responsibility here. They need to be checking in on their kids' social media sites. They need to be ingraining the mentality that bullies are not to be tolerated. They need to be teaching their kids to stand up to bullies and not fear repercussions from the school.
Bottom line: Agree or disagree with me, but I think the kids picking on other kids and bullying them, need their ass kicked somewhere up around the vicinity of their shoulderblades. They need to know that there are more people that just want to live peacefully than there are who want to make themselves feel better about themselves by pushing others down. They need to realize that those peace-loving people will beat wholesale ass when provoked by a bully.
I'll say it here and now: I have taught my children that they are not to suffer any bully. If they are bullied, they have every right to physically defend themselves if left with no other alternative. They are also to stand up for anyone else they see getting bullied. They are also taught that if they are bullied and have to fight, they better finish it and stomp a mudhole so deep in that kids ass that he feels pain every time he just walks by them. They are taught that I will defend their right to defend themselves to the nth degree. I will go to the school and let the admins know of their failures. I will seek legal counsel if necessary.
The only zero tolerance that should be in effect today is that of bullying. Zero tolerance does not mean expelling the perpetrator and victim. It is the intolerance of the act of bullying.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
"I'm Offended!"
How many times have I heard this today??? If one were to listen to the news recently or, for that matter, anyone really talking; it would eventually be heard that someone was offended about something. It's really not a difficult thing to predict. All it really takes is for one person to express their true feelings or beliefs and soon enough, another individual will be offended at either the beliefs of the other person, the actions of the other person, or the audacity to express an actual opinion about something.
The term, "I'm offended!" has been used so much recently that it really has lost all meaning. Everyone seems to be offended about something. Where in the hell did this start? Why did it start? What does it really mean? Are people really this offended about that much? I have these questions almost every time that I hear someone say this. You could almost say I am offended by the overuse that this term gets! (Not really. Just a tad annoyed and pissed off.)
Are you really that damn offended? Is it possible to be offended by so much? I believe that when someone cries out that they are offended by something. I truly cannot believe that they know what offended is, nor do they understand the concept. I think they are using the term to say, in other words, "I don't like what you just said. I don't agree with what you said, but I cannot formulate a valid counterpoint to your statement, and therefore you've "offended" me and that should, in turn, invalidate your point." Everyone is not going to agree with everyone at the same time. Not everyone is going to like what others have to say. There will always be those who disagree.
There is nothing wrong with this!
Disagreement is how change is brought about. There is nothing wrong with having different opinions. What is wrong is having such disagreement with another's opinion or argument, that you decide rather than to actually talk to the person or discuss it, the "offense" card is played to shut down the process.
Where the eff did this start? I honestly have no idea, but I am one who would like to believe that it probably has its origination and roots in the politically correct movement. (Can you believe that I am not blaming BHO for this one?!?!? Not to say he doesn't help it though.) The idea that one has to either change their opinion or beliefs simply because another doesn't like it is simply ludicrous. I am not one to believe that we need to sugar coat things. Example: If you are overweight, you are not weight challenged, under tall, a food addict, or fluffy. You are fat. To use a medically appropriate term, you're obese. Even still that is trying to hide the truth behind a polished term. Its not offensive. Its not an insult. Its not meant to be mean. It's the unadulterated, unvarnished truth. We need to hear this more often. We need to stop being such big weak-hearted, weinies! We have become a nation of victims. We have become a nation of weak-willed cry-babies.
We need to stop being so easily offended in this country. Thicken up that skin. Understand that everyone is not going to agree with you all the time. I am sure I have done some dumbass stuff and would expect to be called out on it. You know what, I build a damn bridge and get the hell over it. There is no being offended in this. Save that for things that are truly offensive: murder, rape, theft, racism, etc.
The term, "I'm offended!" has been used so much recently that it really has lost all meaning. Everyone seems to be offended about something. Where in the hell did this start? Why did it start? What does it really mean? Are people really this offended about that much? I have these questions almost every time that I hear someone say this. You could almost say I am offended by the overuse that this term gets! (Not really. Just a tad annoyed and pissed off.)
Are you really that damn offended? Is it possible to be offended by so much? I believe that when someone cries out that they are offended by something. I truly cannot believe that they know what offended is, nor do they understand the concept. I think they are using the term to say, in other words, "I don't like what you just said. I don't agree with what you said, but I cannot formulate a valid counterpoint to your statement, and therefore you've "offended" me and that should, in turn, invalidate your point." Everyone is not going to agree with everyone at the same time. Not everyone is going to like what others have to say. There will always be those who disagree.
There is nothing wrong with this!
Disagreement is how change is brought about. There is nothing wrong with having different opinions. What is wrong is having such disagreement with another's opinion or argument, that you decide rather than to actually talk to the person or discuss it, the "offense" card is played to shut down the process.
Where the eff did this start? I honestly have no idea, but I am one who would like to believe that it probably has its origination and roots in the politically correct movement. (Can you believe that I am not blaming BHO for this one?!?!? Not to say he doesn't help it though.) The idea that one has to either change their opinion or beliefs simply because another doesn't like it is simply ludicrous. I am not one to believe that we need to sugar coat things. Example: If you are overweight, you are not weight challenged, under tall, a food addict, or fluffy. You are fat. To use a medically appropriate term, you're obese. Even still that is trying to hide the truth behind a polished term. Its not offensive. Its not an insult. Its not meant to be mean. It's the unadulterated, unvarnished truth. We need to hear this more often. We need to stop being such big weak-hearted, weinies! We have become a nation of victims. We have become a nation of weak-willed cry-babies.
We need to stop being so easily offended in this country. Thicken up that skin. Understand that everyone is not going to agree with you all the time. I am sure I have done some dumbass stuff and would expect to be called out on it. You know what, I build a damn bridge and get the hell over it. There is no being offended in this. Save that for things that are truly offensive: murder, rape, theft, racism, etc.
It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that.' Well, so fucking what.
--Stephen Fry
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Participation Ribbon
Someone once said, "Follow your dreams." Screw that! Do you have a dream? Don't follow that dream. You hunt that thing down. Stalk that motherfucker, corner it and devour it.
I've been thinking about the whole concept of participation ribbons lately. Not sure why. Got me to thinking about the whole mentality that is pervasive in this world right now. This feeling that, "we're all special and we all deserve to be treated just for doing our best". Everyone has been to the baseball or basketball game where everyone gets a ribbon just for playing. I never really used to be bothered by this. My kids have each gotten participation ribbons for various sports. At first, I thought, "well, at least they got something for their effort." Lately, the thought has irritated me. I think this practice has been instrumental in the downfall of the social interaction of this country. The act of making sure everyone gets to feel special is based on a socialistic mentality and low and behold, what do we see taking place in this country right now? We have a president that wants to make sure of "social justice". He wants to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have any. He wants it to be fair. Let me tell you something that the sooner you understand, the better you will be:
LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Life is not all sunshine and rainbows. It doesn't give out participation ribbons. Life is either lived or not. It is not participated in. Life will smack you in the face and never bat an eye. It will kick you in the teeth, knock you down, and keep you there if you let it. Contrary to what mommies and daddies have been telling you: YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL!
The idea that someone deserves anything simply for participating is bullshit. It is not a healthy way to go through life. It causes one to believe they are entitled to things that they didn't earn. This is bullshit. Quite frankly, we don't DESERVE anything that we do not work for or earn. When is the last time someone got a participation diploma? A participation MD? A participation promotion? People that acquire these and other things get them through one thing, work.
Imagine a doctor. As a student, they really were not stellar. Actually, they just showed up for classes and tests. They didn't really try. Failed exams. Having really done nothing to deserve or earn a degree in medicine. At commencement, they are awarded a MD simply because they participated in medical school. Would you like to be treated by this physician?
If you want something, you go get it. You work for it. You live, eat, and breathe that which you're dreaming about. You don't quit. You keep on working and never expect anything to ever be given to you. Stalk your dream! Don't plan on mediocre work to get you your dream. A very wise and spiritual man once said, "The proof of desire is in the pursuit." If you want something, I should be able to look at you and see what you're passionate about by how you're pursuing it.
I've been thinking about the whole concept of participation ribbons lately. Not sure why. Got me to thinking about the whole mentality that is pervasive in this world right now. This feeling that, "we're all special and we all deserve to be treated just for doing our best". Everyone has been to the baseball or basketball game where everyone gets a ribbon just for playing. I never really used to be bothered by this. My kids have each gotten participation ribbons for various sports. At first, I thought, "well, at least they got something for their effort." Lately, the thought has irritated me. I think this practice has been instrumental in the downfall of the social interaction of this country. The act of making sure everyone gets to feel special is based on a socialistic mentality and low and behold, what do we see taking place in this country right now? We have a president that wants to make sure of "social justice". He wants to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have any. He wants it to be fair. Let me tell you something that the sooner you understand, the better you will be:
LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Life is not all sunshine and rainbows. It doesn't give out participation ribbons. Life is either lived or not. It is not participated in. Life will smack you in the face and never bat an eye. It will kick you in the teeth, knock you down, and keep you there if you let it. Contrary to what mommies and daddies have been telling you: YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL!
The idea that someone deserves anything simply for participating is bullshit. It is not a healthy way to go through life. It causes one to believe they are entitled to things that they didn't earn. This is bullshit. Quite frankly, we don't DESERVE anything that we do not work for or earn. When is the last time someone got a participation diploma? A participation MD? A participation promotion? People that acquire these and other things get them through one thing, work.
Imagine a doctor. As a student, they really were not stellar. Actually, they just showed up for classes and tests. They didn't really try. Failed exams. Having really done nothing to deserve or earn a degree in medicine. At commencement, they are awarded a MD simply because they participated in medical school. Would you like to be treated by this physician?
If you want something, you go get it. You work for it. You live, eat, and breathe that which you're dreaming about. You don't quit. You keep on working and never expect anything to ever be given to you. Stalk your dream! Don't plan on mediocre work to get you your dream. A very wise and spiritual man once said, "The proof of desire is in the pursuit." If you want something, I should be able to look at you and see what you're passionate about by how you're pursuing it.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Bill of Needs
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an 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.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
When was the last time you actually read the Bill of Rights? The last time I checked, it was the Bill of Rights, not the Bill of Needs. There has been a lot of rhetoric going around lately about The Constitution and the Bill of Rights. There seems to be a mentality that the government is the only one that knows how to interpret the Constitution and they seem to always interpret it to their benefit and to the detriment of the Constitution and ourselves. They seem hellbent on telling us what we need and what we deserve. It would appear, that if you were to read a newspaper or listen to a speech from the current administration, (I use the term 'speech' loosely as they all seem to be more of a lecture, IMHO), they know best, and we are lowly, ignorant subjects too ignorant to know when to even come in from the cold let alone protect ourselves.
The 2nd Amendment seems to be at the forefront of this debate and it is, but you really have to look deeper for the heart of the matter. The entire Constitution and the very foundation of this great country is under attack by the current administration. We currently have a man occupying the office of the President of the United States, who just days before election day in 2008 said, "We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America." His words, not mine. There, just before the election, he laid out his plans of taking this country; founded on God, freedom from tyranny, liberty, and the ability to exercise the rights granted to us and endowed to us by our Creator, and fundamentally transform it. To what, you ask? Well, we only have his track record and his biographical evidence to look at for enlightenment as to the path he wants us to take. Unfortunately, most of his records from his past have been sealed and will never likely see the light of day. We do have the records of those he has used or left behind to give some clues.
Early in his presidency, he was so occupied with the legacy that he was to leave as the first "black" president, that he assembled a group of the most renowned presidential historians. Rather, than asking these scholars what he could learn from the preceding presidencies and how to pattern his presidency to be successful, he asked what he could do to leave a profound and lasting legacy. He felt no need to hear from these scholars about their respective specialties and was only concerned with what would make him more popular. Former aides and assistants, often speaking on terms of anonymity, will speak of his never wanting to hear anything that will prove him incorrect or will likely prove that he is lacking knowledge in some form. He surrounds himself with "yes-men" and anyone who dares disagree, is dealt with swiftly. Example: A veteran war-horse, battle hardened and steely-eyed with a depth of understanding of the military and its workings rarely rivaled, General James Mattis is being forced out of his position as the United States Central Commander because he dares disagree with our current president in the proper use of the most powerful military force in the world. These are two examples of egotism, refusal to hear differing opinions especially when that opinion may be from one whose knowledge happens to be superior, an inferiority complex, and the willingness to use others to his benefit. Of course, this describes almost all politicians, but I digress.
Looking at his track record, we know that even though he promised to be a president who unified the people and healed the land, to bring transparency to the presidency, and to halve the deficit by the 3rd year of his first term to name a few things. These have yet to occur as I am sure anyone can agree, we are currently more divided as a country than ever, we have a president who uses powers of executive order to legislate change that only he and his associates get to discuss, and the deficit...has had more added to it than all presidencies before him combined. He has shown a complete lack of desire to take responsibility for anything and place blame on his predecessor. We live in a country where it has become evil to be successful and virtuous to be a victim. We are told that we need to give up personal liberties in exchange for collective action and to better take care of those less fortunate. Those who have taken risks and succeeded in life are further taxed, because they "don't pay their fair share". We live in a country where someone who works hard to be healthy, keeps their blood pressure in check, eats well, keeps their cholesterol low, and generally takes good care of their body and life, buys insurance for another who drinks, smokes, overeats, has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood sugars unchecked all the while refusing to work, buy insurance and yet wear designer clothes, carry a top of the line phone, get manicures and drive a new car. We are told that this is "fair".
Do you see what is happening? The United States of America is being "fundamentally transformed". This country was founded by people who revolted against a tryannical king who was taxing them beyond measure, and basically making life a living hell for them. They revolted and formed a new country and swore to never bow a knee to another king! They formed a REPUBLIC! Not a monarchy. Not a democracy. Not a dictatorship. A REPUBLIC! A government in which the power rests in the hands of the people, not the government. This man is destroying the foundations of this country and smiling all day long while doing it.
The attack on the 2nd Amendment is just the most recent and visible attack propogated by lies and misinformation against the law abiding citizens of this country. We are told that there is no "need" for certain types of weapons because they are mean and scary looking. Nevermind that these weapons cannot act on their own, yet are blamed as if they do these vile acts of their own volition. Violence brought on others is formed out of the hearts of men. The weapon used is only a tool. The very fact that this man tried to warn people that others were going to say he was being "tryannical" in banning weapons demonstrates that he does, in fact, realize he is bringing tyranny on this land. To further be preached at by a talk show host who happens to be a citizen of the crown from which this infant coutnry revolted, adds further insult to injury.
Bottom line, this man is destroying this country and our Constitution. He is doing exactly as he said he would. He is fundamentally transforming the United States of America. He is currently readying his associates in an attempt to limit the 2nd Amendment. If he is allowed to do this, which Amendment is next? Freedom of speech? Illegal search and seizure? The right to a speedy trial and due process? The 2nd Amendment protects the others and must be maintained without restriction.
Congress shall make no law respecting an 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.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
When was the last time you actually read the Bill of Rights? The last time I checked, it was the Bill of Rights, not the Bill of Needs. There has been a lot of rhetoric going around lately about The Constitution and the Bill of Rights. There seems to be a mentality that the government is the only one that knows how to interpret the Constitution and they seem to always interpret it to their benefit and to the detriment of the Constitution and ourselves. They seem hellbent on telling us what we need and what we deserve. It would appear, that if you were to read a newspaper or listen to a speech from the current administration, (I use the term 'speech' loosely as they all seem to be more of a lecture, IMHO), they know best, and we are lowly, ignorant subjects too ignorant to know when to even come in from the cold let alone protect ourselves.
The 2nd Amendment seems to be at the forefront of this debate and it is, but you really have to look deeper for the heart of the matter. The entire Constitution and the very foundation of this great country is under attack by the current administration. We currently have a man occupying the office of the President of the United States, who just days before election day in 2008 said, "We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America." His words, not mine. There, just before the election, he laid out his plans of taking this country; founded on God, freedom from tyranny, liberty, and the ability to exercise the rights granted to us and endowed to us by our Creator, and fundamentally transform it. To what, you ask? Well, we only have his track record and his biographical evidence to look at for enlightenment as to the path he wants us to take. Unfortunately, most of his records from his past have been sealed and will never likely see the light of day. We do have the records of those he has used or left behind to give some clues.
Early in his presidency, he was so occupied with the legacy that he was to leave as the first "black" president, that he assembled a group of the most renowned presidential historians. Rather, than asking these scholars what he could learn from the preceding presidencies and how to pattern his presidency to be successful, he asked what he could do to leave a profound and lasting legacy. He felt no need to hear from these scholars about their respective specialties and was only concerned with what would make him more popular. Former aides and assistants, often speaking on terms of anonymity, will speak of his never wanting to hear anything that will prove him incorrect or will likely prove that he is lacking knowledge in some form. He surrounds himself with "yes-men" and anyone who dares disagree, is dealt with swiftly. Example: A veteran war-horse, battle hardened and steely-eyed with a depth of understanding of the military and its workings rarely rivaled, General James Mattis is being forced out of his position as the United States Central Commander because he dares disagree with our current president in the proper use of the most powerful military force in the world. These are two examples of egotism, refusal to hear differing opinions especially when that opinion may be from one whose knowledge happens to be superior, an inferiority complex, and the willingness to use others to his benefit. Of course, this describes almost all politicians, but I digress.
Looking at his track record, we know that even though he promised to be a president who unified the people and healed the land, to bring transparency to the presidency, and to halve the deficit by the 3rd year of his first term to name a few things. These have yet to occur as I am sure anyone can agree, we are currently more divided as a country than ever, we have a president who uses powers of executive order to legislate change that only he and his associates get to discuss, and the deficit...has had more added to it than all presidencies before him combined. He has shown a complete lack of desire to take responsibility for anything and place blame on his predecessor. We live in a country where it has become evil to be successful and virtuous to be a victim. We are told that we need to give up personal liberties in exchange for collective action and to better take care of those less fortunate. Those who have taken risks and succeeded in life are further taxed, because they "don't pay their fair share". We live in a country where someone who works hard to be healthy, keeps their blood pressure in check, eats well, keeps their cholesterol low, and generally takes good care of their body and life, buys insurance for another who drinks, smokes, overeats, has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood sugars unchecked all the while refusing to work, buy insurance and yet wear designer clothes, carry a top of the line phone, get manicures and drive a new car. We are told that this is "fair".
Do you see what is happening? The United States of America is being "fundamentally transformed". This country was founded by people who revolted against a tryannical king who was taxing them beyond measure, and basically making life a living hell for them. They revolted and formed a new country and swore to never bow a knee to another king! They formed a REPUBLIC! Not a monarchy. Not a democracy. Not a dictatorship. A REPUBLIC! A government in which the power rests in the hands of the people, not the government. This man is destroying the foundations of this country and smiling all day long while doing it.
The attack on the 2nd Amendment is just the most recent and visible attack propogated by lies and misinformation against the law abiding citizens of this country. We are told that there is no "need" for certain types of weapons because they are mean and scary looking. Nevermind that these weapons cannot act on their own, yet are blamed as if they do these vile acts of their own volition. Violence brought on others is formed out of the hearts of men. The weapon used is only a tool. The very fact that this man tried to warn people that others were going to say he was being "tryannical" in banning weapons demonstrates that he does, in fact, realize he is bringing tyranny on this land. To further be preached at by a talk show host who happens to be a citizen of the crown from which this infant coutnry revolted, adds further insult to injury.
Bottom line, this man is destroying this country and our Constitution. He is doing exactly as he said he would. He is fundamentally transforming the United States of America. He is currently readying his associates in an attempt to limit the 2nd Amendment. If he is allowed to do this, which Amendment is next? Freedom of speech? Illegal search and seizure? The right to a speedy trial and due process? The 2nd Amendment protects the others and must be maintained without restriction.
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