Happy Thanksgiving

I wish each and everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Not long ago returned from a day of Thanksgiving and a hearty meal with family and friends. This is the officially recognized holiday, the fourth Thursday in November. The Thanksgiving Day meal I enjoyed today was the second for this month. The first was last Sunday after Church, with my Christian brothers and sisters. As a matter of fact I give thanks at every meal.

I am thankful for;
I am thankful that I am Saved by the Grace of Jesus Christ.
I am Thankful for the blessings bestowed upon me by God Almighty.
I am Thankful for my family and friends, both biological and Christian.
I am Thankful to the Founders and Framers of this Republic.
I am Thankful to have been born in this Republic.
The list goes on and on I have much to be Thankful for.

There are two sides to Thanksgiving, or giving thanks. We should be thankful for what we have and we should be thankful for what we do not have.
I am thankful for not having another President Clinton.
I am thankful that the politicians of today were not around at the founding of this Republic.
The list goes on, I have much to be thankful for not having.

I am also Thankful that I will not be among the masses taking part in the “black Friday” sales.

Glad that’s over

So now the big question is; Who won Trump or Clinton? Both campaigns will be running to the office to check the latest polls. The other minor parties will be doing the same. Checking to see who got a “bump” and who lost ground.

Today the pollsters will be out in force asking their questions, the same questions that allow you pick from of their responses rather than letting you answer their questions in your own words. Remember this pollsters are paid, depending on who is paying the bill sets the questions, how they are worded and your “options” for an answer.

The talking-heads will have a field day today dissecting what Trump and Clinton said. The presidential debates are meant, I suppose, for the purpose of helping the undecided make up their minds and perhaps to give reason to change support form one to the other. The last of these two reasons is pretty much pointless since some states already have early voting in progress. Those people have already made their choice. Nothing in the debate tonight, or the future debates, would have any consequence to those that have already voted, they have already made their choice. It is also very doubtful that either lost or gained any support. There are very few if any voters that have not already made their choice and are just waiting to cast their ballot, no matter what they may claim.

Since everybody is going to declare who they think won or lost the at the debate, I might as well get in on it. So here we go.
Who won? Nobody.
Who lost? Everybody.
I even lost something in this debate. I lost nearly 2 hours of my life. That is two hours I lost and will never be able to get back. Gone forever and for what?

The problem with the debates is the debates. The questions are pointless. Does anybody expect a great, knock it out of the park answer when the question is pointless? Then only two minutes are allowed for a response and thirty seconds for a rebuttal. What could possibly be learned from 2 minutes much less 30 seconds?

Let me give you an example of a pointless question? The moderator asked a question concerning the racial tensions in America. Think about how he phrased the question. Think about it this way. If he were to ask; How do you plan to deal with the racial tensions in America? The answer would be the standard run of the mill answer, and the usual blames will be attached. One claims a lack of law and order and the other claims mistrust. Guess what? Both are the correct answer.

There is another thing about the questions at the debates, the question are phrased so that they can be answered in 2 minutes. There is another and perhaps more important point to make about the debates. The moderator is also a voter, which means that he or she has a preferred candidate and a preferred party. They will not ask questions that may cause embarrassment to the candidate or the party, or in this case the political party nominee. He or she will not show the same discretion to the other side.

What I personally would like to see in the debates are questions that require a much longer answer and some critical thought. For instance, if the moderator wants to ask about racial tensions in America, maybe he or she could raise the question in this manner. Why are there racial tensions in America? I would like to see someone, anyone answer that question in two minutes? (Maybe I will do a post about that subject in the future).

If you want to have productive debates ask better questions. Another thing that would help would be that the moderator leave his personal agenda out of the process.

For me nothing has changed. One wants you to have the opportunity to have a job and the other wants you to have the opportunity to get free stuff.

Paying Tribute

Tribute. noun 1 a: a payment by one ruler or nation to another in acknowledgement of submission or as the price for protection.
Tributary. noun 1: a ruler or state that pays tribute to conqueror.
Tributary. adjective 1: paying tribute to another to acknowledge submission, to obtain protection, or to purchase peace.

The above definitions come from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Eleventh Edition, and yes I did “cherry-pick” them for use in this post. I intend to continue using this same dictionary as well as a history1800s.about.com article written by Robert McNamara and my own knowledge.

The payment of $1.7 Billion to Iran by BHO and his administration in my opinion amounted to paying a Tribute to Iran. I base my opinion on the following:
The Nuclear Deal with Iran was passed off as a way to prevent a future war. Did anybody ever explain exactly what war this deal was to prevent? Was Iran threatening to go to war with the U.S. or any other nation over the sanctions imposed on Iran? Was Iran threatening to go to war if they were not permitted to become a nuclear nation? Was the payment of the $1.7 Billion included in the deal?

Let us also not forget about the $400 million paid to Iran in cash for the release of 4 hostages. The State Department said it was not a ransom payment they called it leverage. The only way I could see it as a leverage was to with-hold the ransom payment until certain conditions were met. Such as the two planes leaving the ground simultaneously, one carrying the cash(ransom)and the other carrying the hostages.

On a side note. We must not forget that the sanctions imposed on Iran were a direct result of Iran’s actions. Had the Iranians not swarmed the U.S. Embassy in Teheran and taken Americans as hostages the sanctions would have never been imposed.

So let’s go through each definition. Before we do let me clarify something. Iran is a predominately Muslim country following Islam, the Iranians are Persians.
If I use Tribute as a noun, it asks these questions.
If the tribute paid to Iran by BHO was to acknowledge submission, what was it that BHO submitted to? BHO is the head of our government and by default represents America. Did BHO take it upon himself to voluntarily submit to Islam? If he did submit to Islam did he take America with him?
If the tribute paid to Iran was for protection, just who or what is to be protected? Who or what is Iran supposed to Protect?
If I use Tributary as a noun, it asks these questions.
If the tribute was paid to Iran as conqueror, who or what was conquered? Was America conquered by Islam? Or was it a payment for future Islamic conquests?
If I use Tributary as an adjective, it asks these questions.
If the tributary paid the tribute to acknowledge submission, who submitted to what?
If the tributary paid the tribute to obtain protection, who or what was the protection intended for?
If the tributary paid the tribute to purchase peace, who was the peace purchased for and for how long?

All of these questions open up endless speculation. Do they not? Some of the answers one could come up with are down right scary.

Paying Tribute to Muslim nations, the followers of Islam is nothing new.

The following comes from an article written by Robert McNamara at history1800s.about.com

The Young U.S. Navy Battled North African Pirates
Barbary Pirates Demanded Tribute, Thomas Jefferson Chose to Fight

I will not use the article in its entirety, I will use only parts of it and at times interject thoughts and opinions of my own. If you have not read the article in its entirety please do so, it is very interesting and educational.

The Barbary Pirates had been marauding off the coast of Africa for centuries. The North African pirates had been a menace for so long that by the late 1700s most nations paid tribute to ensure merchant shipping could proceed without being violently attacked.

In the early years of the 19th century the U.S. at the direction of President Thomas Jefferson decided to halt the payment of tribute. A war between the small and scrappy American Navy and the Barbary pirates ensued.

Background of the Barbary Pirates
The Barbary pirates operated off the coast of North Africa as far back as the Crusades. According to legend, the Barbary pirates sailed as far as Iceland, attacking ports, seizing captives as slaves and plundering merchant ships.
As most seafaring nations found it easier and cheaper, to bribe the pirates rather than fight them in a war a tradition developed of paying tribute for passage through the Mediterranean. European nations often worked out treaties with the Barbary Pirates.

So you see there is a long history of paying tribute to Muslim pirates and nations. There is another interesting tidbit from the article by Mr. McNamara.

In March of 1786 two Ambassadors, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams met with the ambassador from Tripoli in London. They asked him why American Merchant ships were being attacked without provocation. The ambassador explained that Muslim pirates considered Americans to be infidels and they believed they simply had the right to plunder American ships.

That answer was simply priceless wasn’t it? The Muslims have not changed one bit. They simply believe that they have the right to plunder those they consider to be infidels. There is even more from the article.

The U.S. government adopted a policy of essentially paying bribes, or tribute, to the pirates. Jefferson objected to the policy of paying tribute. Having been involved in negotiations to free Americans held by North African pirates, he believed paying tribute only invited more problems.

A man like Jefferson in the government of today would be like a breath of fresh air. He recognized the Muslims for what they were and was not afraid to say so. But wait there is still more.

While the tribute was being paid the young U.S. Navy was preparing to deal with the pirate problem by building a few ships destined to fight the pirates off Africa. 1801-1805: The First Barbary War.
When Thomas Jefferson became president he refused to pay any more tribute to the Barbary pirates. In response the pasha of Tripoli declared war on the United States. Congress never issued an official declaration of war in response, but Jefferson dispatched a naval squadron to the coast of North Africa to deal with the pirates. The show of force by the U.S. Navy quickly calmed the situation.

There was a problem with the way the war ended, it ended with a Treaty. It is the same problem that has plagued the U.S. for years. Congress did not declare war against the pirates and their sponsors(more on this later). Since war was not declared it was not fought with the objective of demanding and unconditional surrender from the pirates or their sponsors.

More from the article. After the victory at Tripoli, a treaty was arranged which, while not entirely satisfactory to the U.S., effectively ended the First Barbary War. There was delay in the ratification of the treaty by the Senate. Ransom had to be paid to free some American prisoners. The treaty was eventually signed and Jefferson reported to Congress that the Barbary States would now respect American commerce.

This brings up two points I made earlier. The treaty to end the first Barbary War was not entirely satisfactory to the U.S., then why the hell was it agreed to much less ratified? The same as the nuclear Deal with Iran, by all reports it was not entirely satisfactory for the U.S., why the hell was it agreed to then carried out? And Make no mistake the deal with Iran is a Treaty. The Secretary of State and others in the administration have already said that some of the money would likely be used to promote terrorism. A nation promoting terrorism is certainly not in the best interests of America, is it? Giving them the money to do it with is insane. The other point is, If the U.S. was victorious then why the hell did a ransom still have to be paid for the freedom of American prisoners? Wasn’t the First Barbary War fought because Jefferson refused to continue paying tribute? Did the vanquished get to dictate terms to the victor? An undeclared war that ends with a treaty is unfinished business. If there was a First Barbary War, guess what followed shortly after? You guessed it.

More from the article. 1815: The Second Barbary War. During the War of 1812 between The U.S. and Britain. The Royal Navy had effectively kept the American merchant ships out of the Mediterranean. Problems arose again with the Barbary pirates at the war’s end in 1815. Feeling that the Americans had been seriously weakened, a leader with the title of the Dey of Algiers declared war on the U.S. the U.S. navy responded with a fleet of ten ships. By July 1815 the Dey of Algiers was forced to commit to a treaty. Pirate attacks on American ships were effectively ended at that point.

You will notice that the First Barbary War ended with an “arranged” treaty and the Second Barbary War ended when the vanquished was forced to sign a treaty. But still a treaty is a treaty no matter if is arranged or forced. The first treaty lasted for 10 years. The second treaty lasted until 2009 when the Somali pirates emerged. They all have one thing in common, the pirating ended with a response from the U.S. Navy along with the Marines. The other thing then as now the Muslims would prefer to attack merchant shipping(they are unarmed vessels), they have yet to try an attack on an Armed vessel. I am referring only to pirates attacking ships on the high seas. I was not referring to the terrorist attack on the U.S.S. Cole.

You will also notice that the Dey of Algiers declared was on the U.S. only because he thought the U.S. was so weakened it could not resist and would once again begin paying tribute. How typical of Muslim terrorists, picking a target because they thought their prey was in weakened state.

A few paragraphs back I mentioned the Barbary Pirates and their sponsors. Now I will address the sponsors of the Barbary pirates. Back to the article one more time: By the early 19th century the pirates were essentially sponsored by the Arab rulers of Morocco, Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli.

Those four listed above make up what would be known as the Barbary States. If the Barbary pirates could be looked on as terrorists, then Morocco, Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli could be seen as one of the first state sponsors of terrorism.

No one can argue that Iran is one of the largest state sponsors of terrorism. People in our own government has even made that claim. There is another thing, when the negotiations for the Iranian Nuclear Deal began, just who initiated the talks? If Iran initiated the talks Iran would have been the weaker party and unable to demand concessions from the other parties. If Iran did not initiate the talks then it would have been one of the other countries involved. Perhaps it was BHO and his administration that initiated the talks. If this is the case it would indicate that the one initiated the talks was in the weaker spot and unable to make demands and seek concessions from Iran. It would be much like the Second Barbary War, the Muslim pirates declared war because they thought America was weak. I have a feeling that desperation set in somewhere along the line and it became “a deal at any cost” endeavor on the part of all the participants except Iran. I just wonder why so many countries were involved? Why were there deadlines to reach a deal? When time had expired why was a new deadline set? Did Iran demand so many concessions because they viewed the U.S. as weak? Did the BHO administration make so many concessions and demand so little because they were weak?

The Iranian Nuclear Deal intended to avoid or prevent war lets Iran build the ultimate weapon of war, a nuclear weapon. Seems kind of stupid to let someone build a nuclear weapon that has threatened war, in the name of peace.

The “peace at any price” strategy had failed when the British PM Neville Chamberlain used it against Adolph Hitler. Was it not Neville Chamberlain who uttered these now famous words; There will be peace in our time, or something to that effect. Hell he even waved the document that He and Hitler had signed. You know the one that assured peace.

Questions and Answers Part 2

We as citizens of America need to start asking questions, a lot of questions. Who, What, Where, Why, When and How should be applied to every decision or statement that comes from the administration and congress. It would seem that Why would be the most important. We must look for a Motive, just like the police do in crime solving. Nobody does something for nothing, there is always a reason. Gather the evidence, investigate and find the motive, pretty simple when you think about it. Means, Motive and Opportunity.

This part of the series, as did the last, has to do with the assertion made by BHO and others that Donald Trump in their opinion is unfit and woefully unprepared to be president. In the last post I left off with; How will the establishment regain control? Can the establishment regain control?

They, the political elite, actually believe that the primaries were about Trump. True enough Trump won the nomination, but the primaries were about America and the American citizens. America was the message and Trump was the messenger. Even if Trump loses to Clinton there is no guarantee that the establishment will ever regain control of the Republican party. But it is certain that if Trump wins the establishment will never regain control of the party. The only way the establishment can regain control, in their mind and thought process, is for Trump to lose. The party elite and their donors as well as their surrogates in the media worked tirelessly throughout the primaries, at the convention and still work today to rid themselves of Mr. Trump.

Make no mistake they want the party back under their control. Will or can the party elite regain control of the party is not the important question. The real question, the important question, is how far are they willing to go to regain control? There is another thing to consider, regaining control does not guarantee the you will retain control. If you regain something that is no guarantee that you will retain control. Regaining and retaining are two entirely different things. So which is the most important? When you work out a way to retain control, you have in essence guaranteed that once control is regained it will never be lost again. This creates a new question. How far are the party elite willing to go to regain and retain control of the party. And remember that it is not only the party elite it goes all the way down to the politicians. It is all about power and control, if there is no control there can be no power. They will not stand for losing neither.

Now this is starting to get complicated and not to mention that it opens the door for some very interesting theories. One does not even have to use their imagination to figure out how far they are willing to go in their quest to regain control and then to retain that same control.

I will say this, the best and most horrific example of how far a politician will go to regain and retain control of something that had “slipped” away is what is called the “Civil War”. Abraham Lincoln declared war on the States of the Southern U.S. who had seceded. The Reconstruction period was the way to retain the Union. The “Civil War” is laid square at the feet of Abraham Lincoln. The Reconstruction period can be laid square at the feet of the politicians succeeding him. Both have been proven to be totally unnecessary. The Southern States were seen as disloyal to the Union. The “Civil War” was the instrument used to get the Southern States to return to the Union. The Reconstruction period was the instrument used to punish them for leaving the Union. More on this later.

I am not saying that the party elite are going to declare a “civil war” against those that they view as disloyal or have a reconstruction period after their victory. Some say that the civil war was waged to save America. You claim that Trump is destroying the party. I just wonder how far you are willing to go to “save” your precious party.

The next post will highlight some of the steps that you have already taken to “save” your precious party.

Time to wake-up

Wake-up sleepy heads, as they say “Wake-up and smell the coffee”. While you are at it wake-up the American spirit, the spirit that should reside inside every legal and lawful American citizen. Wake-up your values and take notice of what is going on around this country. Wake-up your morals and take notice of what is happening around this country.

Then again you may not be sleeping, you may be like the frog in the pot of water. You were not placed in a pot of hot water if you were you would have recognized the danger that you were in and you would have immediately gotten out. You were placed in a pot of water with a comfortable temperature and you remained. A fire was built under the pot you were comfortable in and the temperature was slowly increased and you never felt the danger that was awaiting you. The water is getting hotter and hotter and still you remain, never noticing the water is at, if not already past the temperature where if you were placed in it at the beginning you would have gotten out. Perhaps you have gotten comfortable while you are being stewed. Comfortable and complacent.

America finds herself in the unfortunate position of being the frog in the pot of near boiling water. The American spirit has been being boiled out of the citizens for so long the American spirit is being boiled out of America herself. There is at this point two flames in America one is growing bigger and stronger while the other is growing smaller and weaker. The flame growing is the flame under the pot with America in it. The flame growing smaller is the flame of the American spirit, Freedom and Liberty.

Now, let’s talk about “Making America Great Again” more specifically the “Greatness of America”. America truly is a great, unique and exceptional country no matter what the “apologists” claim or say. I would dare to say that there is no nation on earth like America. What was it that made America great to begin with. A little history, short version.

America was not a free and independent nation in 1776 or times prior. The 13 colonies existed under the rule of a tyrannical and despotic Monarch. A point was reached when the insufferable was no longer sufferable. America declared its independence in 1776, and then fought for it for 5 long years. It took 5 years for the British to finally get the message that the Colonials had stood all they could stand and would stand no more, but get the message they did. The beginnings of American greatness began with the Colonials they wanted freedom and liberty and were willing to take up arms and possibly sacrifice everything, even their lives to gain it. Independence was not granted to the Colonials, they fought for it and won it many died to gain it. Those brave souls earned for each and every legal and lawful citizen of this great nation Independence with all of the Freedoms and Liberties associated with it. In short America became a great nation not because of the world, but instead in spite of the world, and therefore owes no apologies to the world.

So, how did America find herself sitting in a pot of near boiling water? There are three answers to that question.
The first answer is sadly enough the citizens. The citizens found out soon enough that they could indeed vote themselves money from the national treasury(more on this in a later post).
The second answer is that the government changed. They found out soon enough that they did not need consent to govern(more on this in a later post too).
The third answer is that the Conservatives found themselves swallowed up by the Republican Party(more on this now). The Republican Party does not now or has it ever represented any Conservative values. There have been times when a Conservative have been elected President and along with him brought Conservative values, but was only allowed to implement Conservative changes to government that the Republican Party would allow. The Republican Party is the party of Big Government, always has been always will be. The Democratic Party is nothing like it was, and has deteriorated to a level of outright Socialism. The funny thing is that most Conservatives are former Democrats. President Reagan was at one time a Democrat, as he famously stated when asked why he left the Democratic Party “I did not leave the Democratic Party the Democratic Party left me”. President Reagan knew and recognized that the Democratic Party had been hi-jacked and would never return, lost forever to Radical Ideologues. There are still many Democrats in the spirit of President Thomas Jefferson and President Ronald Reagan, but none of them hold office as Democrats and sadly they do not fit in with Republicans(this will also be covered in a later post).

There is before America a chance, perhaps the last chance to get out the hot water. That chance comes in the form of Mr. Donald J. Trump, he is no Jefferson or Reagan but he is the possible way out. Look at the rest of the contenders, one is a self-proclaimed socialist and the other is, well. Sanders and Clinton will both keep America in hot water, boiling the very life and spirit out of her and us.

Many of us recognized the dangers of being a pot of water long ago and got the heck out of it. Now we find ourselves trying to pull America out of the pot. The task before us is a great one. We try to pull but America sinks deeper in the pot, slowly having the spirit cooked out of her. There are times when we make great progress then a set back occurs and America slips back in. But we keep trying, it would be a shame to let this Nation continue to boil. At any rate, if you are asleep wake the heck-up realize that America is in a heap of trouble climb out of the pot dry yourself and for God’s sake help us pull this great nation out of the proverbial pot. You do have another choice, you can remain asleep in the pot of boiling water until one day you hear someone say “Put a fork in her she is done”. Your choice.

The Strategy of Cowardice

That which is happening now is certainly revealing. What it reveals is that desperation has set in. The republican field of candidates seeking the nomination has dwindled from 17 to now just 3. Enter the Cruz/Kasich “deal”. With the Cruz/Kasich deal allows the primary process to go forward with 3 candidates in some states and only 2 candidates in others. Donald Trump is and will be the only one of the three on every ballot from this point forward. Donald Trump is demonstrating that he is the only one with guts enough to move forward risking defeat each and every time. While the other two will no longer have to risk coming in dead last in a field of three, but then only at certain times. They get to choose the times and which contests they will skip. Fine and Dandy for you. What you are doing is limiting the choices the voters could make. Another instance of a politician placing himself first and foremost. Neither Cruz or Kasich are willing to skip a contest they could possibly do well in. Donald Trump is willing to participate in every contest, win-lose or draw. It appears to me that the Cruz/Kasich deal shows that neither Cruz or Kasich has the guts to face a tough fight. They simply pull out of possible loss. Rather than risk losing they simply choose not to play. The strategy of Cowardice.

Cruz and Kasich are blinded by political ambition. They are so blinded that neither sees that the voters see them as a part of the problem, they are not seen as part of the solution. They just do not get it. If they do get it, they simply do not believe it. Whereas, Donald Trump is seen as part of a possible solution. That is another thing that they do not get.

I have no doubt that this “deal” was only one of the many things discussed and “hatched” at the closed-door meetings between the RNC, politicians and their donors. I also have no doubt that promises were made for Cruz and Kasich to go along with this “back-room deal”. I also have no doubt that this deal is or was the only “back-room deal” or scheme planned and hatched. I am sure the rest of this plan will come to light at a later time.

The RNC has now reached a point where desperation is setting in. The stop Trump effort was in no doubt, at least to me a RNC plan. I believe that they are so desperate they would be satisfied if a democrat once again occupied the Oval Office. What would be the “rhyme and reason”. The only answer I can come up with is to protect the Status Quo. The entire political system in general and politics including politicians specifically is corrupt, to what level the corruption has reached is any body’s guess. The only one’s that know that answer are the political insiders, and they ain’t telling. We ain’t knowing because we ain’t asking the right questions. Donald J. Trump might just be the question and the answer. The level of corruption in government would be exposed if an outsider exposed it, but to expose the corruption the outsider must get inside. An outsider could also expose the level of corruption in the government as well. I have a hunch that once the level of corruption is exposed the citizens will expect and demand accountability and may even seek out some retribution.

The RNC must realize by now that do not just have one problem(Donald J. Trump) they have another problem(We The People). Every vote for Trump is a vote for America, it is not a vote for the RNC. I believe that the voters in both parties have lost Faith, Confidence and Trust in the political parties and most of all in the politicians. We no longer Trust the political parties or the establishment politicians. Even if the RNC finds a way to stop Mr. Trump, they still have us to contend with. The voting in the primary process has proven that the RNC and the politicians are no longer trustworthy. More than that the RNC can no longer trust us to support it. It was not the Thirteen Colonies that abused the British Crown, it was the British Crown that abused the Thirteen Colonies. The Colonials finally reached the point were they would no longer stand for abuses. Much the same with the RNC and the voters. It was not the Voters who abused the RNC, it was the RNC that abused the Voters. The point is arriving where the voters are growing tired of the abuses. How will the RNC contend with us, We The People? We can no longer trust you and now you can no longer trust us. Greed and Corruption caused the rift between the Crown and the Colonies. Greed and corruption has caused the rift between the RNC and the Voters. Remember the RNC made the first move, the same as the British Crown. The sheep are waking up. What will the RNC do to “lull” them back to sleep? Can they?

Now it is time for the big question. Which of the three remaining candidates would make a great president, the ones who avoids possible difficulties or the one willing to face all possible hardships? One that avoids challenges or the one who boldly faces challenges? This provides part of the answer to the question of why the people are so “pissed-off”. It seems that politicians avoid anything that could endanger their political future.

Neither of the two participating in this scheme are willing to drop-out and let the remaining two “fight-it-out” to the end. It is no longer about gathering a few delegates here and there. And let us not forget this deal was hatched between and by politicians in a moment or fit of desperation, one politician promising to help another politician reach his goal. There in lies the problem both Cruz and Kasich want the same thing, both want to be president. In true form of politicians one of them is bound to break the deal. Neither Cruz or Kasich could reach out to the voters and gain their support, confidence or trust. This is why they are behind and losing badly.

Kasich stayed in the race to force a contested convention. Cruz would be happy with a contested convention. I thought the object was to win not force a contested convention. It seems pretty sad that the focus has shifted from winning to tying, or preventing a win. I am sure Cruz would rather Kasich just drop-out all together, but Kasich has no intention to drop-out. Trump has the same goal he has had from the beginning, and that is to win, go to the convention to accept the nomination.

One thing that perplexes me is when a candidate has the strategy of running on the statement “I am the only one that can beat Hillary Clinton”. The only way to beat Hillary Clinton or whoever the Democrat nominee is, is if the voters turn-out to vote for you. If the voters do not vote for you, you do not win. So far the majority of voters have voted for another candidate, not you. I understand the concept of bound and unbound delegates. If the convention lasts long enough eventually all delegates are unbound. Winning the convention makes little difference if the general election is lost. Don’t believe me look back at 2008 and 2012.

There are “talking heads” that claim the Trump candidacy is nothing more than a “Populist Movement”, meaning that Trump is only winning because he is popular. The general election is nothing more than a popularity contest, with the addition of the Electoral College, giving the illusion of representation. Electoral College votes are doled out based on the popularity of the candidate in that state, if he or she fails to get the most popular votes he or she does not get the Electoral College votes. The most popular candidate gets the Electoral votes. Winning the popular vote in Alaska does not carry the same weight as winning the popular vote in California. The whole election process, every election process is based on popularity. The next president has to be popular in enough states to lay claim to 270 Electoral College votes, no matter how unpopular he or she is in the remainder.

The Declaration of Independence ends with these last few words, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. Could you even imagine politicians of today using such words and actually meaning it? I submit to you they would not. Any documents written today would end with, we pledge to each other the Fortunes of others, we are politicians we have no Honor.

Personally I would laugh my ass off if Cruz and Kasich never got another single vote. If either want to win, then beat Donald J. Trump on the Field of Honor, or do you not have any Honor? No you are politicians, Honor is foreign to you.

How on earth did America reach this low point?

Perhaps a better question would be, How low will America sink? I’m not even talking about the presidential primaries or the conventions, though that seems to be the subject of the times. what I am talking about is America in general and the American citizens in particular.

Is it the state(condition) of America dragging down the citizens or is it the state(condition) of the citizens dragging America down? The answer to this question is that one feeds off of the other in what appears to be a never-ending cycle.

The current state(condition)of America.
If America were a person in the Emergency Room what level of care would be needed? America is by no means in a condition of being placed on Life Support, but the Vital Signs are not good and treatment is required to prevent a further deterioration in Vital Signs. Much like a person America could only end up in the Emergency Room for Illness or Injury or both. Triage would reveal the reason and course of treatment. The triage would reveal that there is both an Illness and an Injury that has caused the continued decay and decline in America. But there is a Cure.

The decline of America and the American citizens began with the birth or more aptly the creation of Generation E. The American government created the E Generation, and the created Generation E has given birth to millions who are a part of Generation E. To answer the question, What is Generation E? Generation E is the Entitlement Generation, the Generation that believes that they are Entitled to anything and everything. Not only are the good and decent citizens forced to contend with and support the Entitlement Generation, we are forced to contend with Generation O and Generation D. In case you are wondering, Generation O is the Offended(by any and everything)Generation, and Generation D is the Dependent(on government for any and everything)Generation.

In the not to distant past there was one constant that kept America safe and strong and that was the citizens. When Japan attacked at Pearl Harbor it was done so to deal a death-blow to the U.S Military and especially the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. Japan did not attack or attempt an invasion on America for one simple reason, an outright invasion of America would have come at an extremely high price and the price was unaffordable to Japan. Had Japan mounted an outright invasion of America, Japan would have faced a heavily armed population. Not only were the citizens armed but they were a hardy and hardened lot. It was famously said by one Japanese “There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass”. The Japanese were ambitious not crazy. It is my opinion that no country on earth would attack America for the very same reason.

In 1941 there were many veterans of WW 1 still among the citizenry and still relatively young and able-bodied hardened by war and further hardened by the Great Depression. Many of the population still lived in rural areas on farms and ranches. They too were hardened by the Great Depression. The people in the rural areas had to make do with what they had and make the best of it. These people had skills, farming skills, raising their own food and hunting skills(actually going into the woods and mountains and taking game)to feed their families. If things were needed that they could not afford they made up for the lack of cash by trading and bartering. They made do without government handouts. They endured the hardships and pressed on. That was then.

This is now. Look around the general public today, you will see many(to many)that are lazy and fat. You see many that will not do for themselves, they expect and even demand that the government do and provide for them. These are the same ones that do nothing to better themselves. These are the ones that feel that they are entitled to something, everything and anything even though they have never earned it. They feel Entitled and are Offended if someone insist that they provide for themselves and have become Dependent on government. They have been Conditioned to believe that the government provides Free Services(Welfare), the government does provide Welfare, but it is not Free, for the government to Give to one it must first be Taken from another. Does anyone really believe that these people know what a true hardship is? They will stand in line for hours upon hours or even camp-out in front of a store just to be the first or among the first to buy the latest electronic gadget or game or to see a movie. But they will not stand in line to do their civic duty and vote. If they do vote and have to wait in line they claim that is not fair or places an undue hardship on them and demand that the government do something. They readily show photo ID to by beer and liquor but cry foul if they must show ID to vote. The only hardship these people know is if they can not acquire the latest electronic gadget or if there reality show gets cancelled. This is the Illness.

The preceding paragraph was not written for every citizen, if it does not apply to you then you will recognize that fact. At the same time those that it does apply to will not recognize that it was written for and about them. Would anybody really expect these people to come to the defense of this country? Would they be willing to lay down their gadgets and pick up a rifle and get behind a blade of grass? I submit that they would not. They would rather submit to an enemy than Offend the same enemy.

Sadly there are not any veterans of WW1 among us now they have all since passed. However, we are fortunate to still have among us some veterans of WW 2, Korea and Viet Nam these too are hardy and hardened men and women. But sadly they are growing old and they too will pass from us in the not to distant future. Additionally we still have among us the veterans of Desert Storm, of which I am one and we too are aging and undoubtedly will also pass from existence. As will the ones who follow.

One undeniable fact is that the Entitled, Offended and Dependent Generations exist in every generation from the Depression era to the present.

Governments role in the decline of America. Where should I start?
Should I start with Tariffs? Tariffs are no more than a tax. A tax placed on goods imported that is paid wholly by the consumer. The tax is not paid by the overseas manufacturer. The tax is not paid by the exporting country. The tax is paid by the consumer in the importing nation to the government of the importing country.
Should I start with Subsidies? Subsidies are no more than corporate welfare. They are used to prop up businesses or industries that the government says provides a benefit. The only one that benefits is the business or industry. Subsidies are paid for with tax dollars. The consumer pays the subsidy(if they pay taxes)and still pays for the product. Buying one thing twice.
Should I start with the other subsidy, Welfare? Yes welfare is a subsidy. The tax payers are forced to subsidize the lifestyles of others that will not or choose not to finance their lifestyles for themselves. There are many welfare cases that are generational. A reward for bad behavior and bad decisions.
Should I start with Income Taxes? Income taxes are at this point a penalty for producing. Welfare is a reward for not producing.
Should I start with the National Debt? Nearing 20 trillion dollars in debt, money spent buying votes and friends. Please explain to me how everything that was taken in was spent or wasted and why you had to borrow an additional 20 trillion dollars to continue spending or wasting.
The list goes on and on. This is the Injury.

Taxes at the outset were intended for the Welfare(Well-Being)of the Nation. They were intended to fund the needful functions of Government, they were not intended to subsidize the less fortunate and especially not the lazy and slothful. There was warning from long-ago that went something like this; The Republic is in danger of failure when the populace discovers they can and then begin voting themselves money from the national treasury. They discovered it, they do it and the Republic is in great peril.

If you need proof that America is in decline you need to look no further that this. Some men that claim to feel like a woman demand to use facilities for women. The state says no, men use men’s rooms and women use women’s rooms. Then some federal government knucklehead says that might be discrimination based on sex. Some men feel Entitled to use women’s rooms based on how they feel and are Offended that they can’t and are Dependent on government to force the women to comply and allow men in the women’s rooms. College students that seek counseling because they were traumatized by someone writing in chalk “Trump” on a sidewalk.

There is another aspect to “Making America Great Again”, other than bringing back jobs and money from overseas, though that would be nice. What is needed to make America great again is for the American citizens to make themselves great again. The citizens need a revival of the American Spirit. American citizens need to become hardy and hardened. American citizens need to return to the practice of Self-Reliance and become Self-Dependent. Rely and Depend on ones own self. Stop being lazy and slothful. Learn to live with-in one’s own means. Learn to make do. Become the one behind the blade of grass. This is the cure so to speak.

America is great, always has been, always will be. The government and some of the citizens are dragging her down. Every time I hear a political clown claiming that he or she will shrink the “size and scope” of government I just bust out laughing. No politician has any intention of shrinking the federal government, I especially get a kick out of one claiming to abolish the IRS. Just how does one abolish a federal government agency? No politician will shrink the federal government in size or scope. If the federal government were to be shrunk, that would in theory return power to either the state or to the people. Do you really think the federal government would empower the states much less the people? Government at all levels is about power and control. What we the people should be concerned with is, when will the government gain absolute power and total control? If and when government gains absolute power and total control over the people it will be because the citizens allowed it to happen.

All of the Kings, Tyrants and Dictators of the world have always feared one thing and one thing only, and that is a nation of Free People. America was founded as a Free Nation(at that time Free and Independent States)inhabited by a Free People Governed by Consent. It is my opinion, If the nation continues down the current path the nation will no longer be a Free Nation inhabited by a Free People governed by Consent, it will become a Nation Ruled by Force with no free inhabitants.

So I now ask what is it that keeps our enemies from our shores? I can assure you that it is not the Entitled, Offended or Dependent Generations. The answer simply put is that there are still enough Hardy and Hardened Americans to make the cost to high to bear. The downside to this is that time and laziness has taken a terrible toll on the Hardy and Hardened.

To answer the Question, How low will America sink? To the very bottom if the people do not wake up and start acting like the Americans and if the government does not start governing as the Founding Fathers envisioned. Both must happen. So which are you ? Part of the Illness? Part of the Injury? Are you willing to be part of the Cure.

The problem with establishment politicians

This goes for politicians at all levels federal, state and local they just plain do not get it. What they just do not get is the fact that the citizens are getting fed up with their greed, corruption and partisan politics.

This is especially true for the GOP. The republican party has disappointed the voters constantly. Making then breaking promises to the voters. It seems that many conservatives in name only say what the voters want to hear then do what ever they or the establishment want as soon as they take office. Well GOP, like it or not the voters are fed up with you, your lies and your politics as usual. I should not be taking such “liberties” with my interpretation with what is happening in the GOP primary process, so from this moment on I will stick with my opinion and stop trying to interpret the action of others.

You will notice above that I called them Conservative In Name Only(CINO) and not Republican In Name Only(RINO), that is because they do not understand the principles of Conservatism. If one does not know or understand the principles of conservatism, how can one claim to be a conservative? As a reminder to the ones who claim the mantle of being a conservative, these are some of the principles of Conservatism; 1: Lower Taxes 2: A Limited Government 3: A Strong National Defense 4: Individual Financial Responsibility. If you can not live up to at least these four principles (these are the easy ones)of conservatism then please stop calling yourself a Conservative.

What the establishment GOP does understand is the principle of big government, which is understandable because the Republican party, yes the party of Lincoln was founded in and on the principles of a big centralized government. The federal government has been growing in size and scope since Lincoln was elected and will continue even after this election.

Another problem with establishment politicians is that they engage in partisan politics. The word partisan takes on a whole new meaning with used in conjunction with politics. The political partisans are nothing like the partisans of WW 2. When someone engages in partisan politics, this is the result, A firm adherent to a party, faction, cause or person; especially one exhibiting blind, prejudiced and unreasoning allegiance. When a politician engages in partisan politics he/she is only concerned with what is best for the party or the person who best represents the best interests of the party, the party supporters(donors) or special interest groups(lobbyists). Little if any concern is given for what is best for the nation as a whole. The motto of the establishment is “Party First, Foremost and Always”.

The federal government will continue to grow until conservatism and the principles of conservatism come back to America as a way of life. The time has come when the GOP establishment must and will take a back-seat to the voters. There must be a reason the two GOP candidates who do not represent the establishment are winning and leading in the delegate count must be doing so for a reason.

Now on to matter that is near and dear to my heart, the Florida primaries are coming up. You can bet your bottom dollar that an establishment candidate will not get my vote. Not only is the primary coming up, we in Marion County have another issue on the ballot. We are expected to vote yes or no to increased sales tax to fund roads and public safety. A voluntary tax of 1% for four long years. The Marion County Commission has somehow managed to get that on the ballot, typical politicians. There are a present signs going up around Marion County, that read “Road Project Ahead Pending Sales Tax Approval”, these politicians must be kidding. The ones that I have seen are located north of the intersections of CR 25A and CR 329 just before the Lowell Post Office and north of the intersection of CR 315 and CR 316 just before the Ft. McCoy Post Office and I am sure there are more. Making and putting up these signs must have cost money, money that could have been put to better use, maybe road maintenance, but no it was wasted making stupid signs. These signs in my opinion are to put a “guilt trip” on the voters. Go out and see for yourselves, shining examples of waste, fraud and abuse at the county level. This ballot initiative will get a big fat NO from me. If you can waste tax money-making signs, what else have you wasted money on? You waste money and you want me to give you more, “fat chance”. Not only do you want the voters to voluntarily pay more taxes, you will raise the millage rates on property taxes. You want the people to give more and then you will take more. I guess the Marion County Commission calls that a “little give and take”.

Some of my Conservative brothers and sisters are calling for more like Ronald Reagan, I personally am calling for more like Thomas Jefferson. Short of a Jefferson or a Reagan I will settle for a Trump or a Cruz.

Forward to the Past

Freedom and Liberty are but one generation away from being extinguished is certainly a true statement, sort of. The further this nation gets from the days of its founding the less some of the population, and the numbers keep growing, understand the reasons why America why America wanted to be and became a free nation. The reasons the Colonials wanted to be free were basically pretty simple. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, yep just that simple. The Colonials had suffered(lived)under the rule of tyrants and despots as long as that life was sufferable. When the insults, usurpations, despotism and tyranny reached a point where they were no longer sufferable those brave men and women rose up against tyranny and threw off that form of government and instituted a new form of government. The intended form of government was one in which governed by consent of the governed, it was not one in which they would be ruled. When one is ruled there is no need for consent. If the colonials had only sought to continue to live under tyrannical and despotic rule the would have been no need for the American Revolutionary War. No, they did not intend to replace tyranny with tyranny, they instead sought to live a life with individual freedoms and liberties, willing to live and be governed, but not willing to live under rule by force.

It is not just this or the next generation that places this Republic in danger, sadly previous generations play a major part in placing this Republic in great peril. Many in America, people of all ages and dispositions have become completely dependent on government. These are the people who only slightly mumble in complaint against government overreach. They expect that the government provide for their lives from cradle to grave. What they do not grasp is the fact that if the government gives the government can take away. They also do not grasp the fact that for the government to “give” them something it must first be “taken” from another.

Another true statement is, Freedom and Liberty are but one election away from being extinguished. It is saddening and somewhat frightful that the voters of America are even considering voting for some of the candidates who are seeking the office of the President of the United States of America.
Lets face it when a self-proclaimed Socialist is running in the primaries and doing very well there is something wrong. The talking heads and pundits on TV, radio and print seem to think that this is because the voters only support a socialist because they do not understand what socialism is or just do not care. While I do believe that they do not care they do know what socialism is. Basically it boils down to this, whether it is socialism, communism or fascism the government takes care of everything and that is what they want. The supporters of socialism want the government to take care of everything and thus they are free from personal responsibility. The residents of nations under socialist, communist or fascist rule live a life where the government provides for their lives from cradle to grave.

There is an old saying from the past that sums it up best, and it goes something like this; The Republic is finished when the voters realize that they can vote themselves money from the national treasury. So with that, I ask you this, which is the lowest of the low, the one that would vote him or herself money from the treasury for personal gain or the one that would provide an avenue for a person to vote themselves money from the treasury? There would be no mechanism for a person to vote for themselves money from the treasury unless a corrupt politician provided that avenue. That shows that the politician is the lowest of the low, but the person that votes money from the treasury for his or her own gain is pretty damned low, also.
It seems that some of the voters of today, of varying ages and dispositions have given up on the ideas of self-determination and self-reliance and seem content to be cared for by government. It is quite possible that this election could be the one that ends the Republic as we know it. It also seems that some voters are voting to move forward into the past taking what was left to us and giving it back to tyranny and despotism.

It does not matter if the Tyrant is a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent a tyrant is a tyrant. If the democratic party is willing to accept a Socialist who carries the letter (I) behind his name, to run on the democratic ticket the Democratic Party has become the Democratic Socialist Party. The GOP is not much better than the Socialist Democrats, at least not in the aspect of pushing forward with the “big government” agenda. I get tired of hearing Republicans calling themselves Conservatives. I also get so tired of hearing the Republican Party being the “party of Lincoln and of Reagan”. Lincoln was a big government republican, he came from the Whig party. Do not confuse the Whig Party with the Whigs of the Colonial and Revolutionary War times. Maybe the GOP really are “big government” Republicans and not Conservatives. They would stop being RINO(republican in name only) and become known as CINO(conservatives in name only). Government is about power and growing government and acquiring even more power.

Yet another true statement is, Freedom and Liberty could be extinguished by one more stupid vote or action by the congress critters, the courts and/or the current administration. This is perhaps the most damning of all, the Legislative branch is supposed to write legislation and send it to the President for signature of approval or veto. Congress does not read the legislation they pass, remember these words “You have to pass it to find out what is in it”. The president is not supposed to legislate by executive order. The courts are supposed to interpret law not make law, abortion and same-sex marriage come to mind. If a law is unconstitutional then by all means strike it down, do not strike it down and then just up and make law. The idea was to have three separate branches of government, each with its own specific role in government, a system of checks and balances.

Some of the candidates on the GOP side are saying what needs to be said, while others are saying what we want to hear. As for abolishing the IRS, just how is that possible? What about the 16th Amendment? Do you just plan to abolish the 16th Amendment by executive order? As for simplifying the tax code that takes legislation. Does anybody really believe that the government will in any shape, manner or fashion give up that power? We on the right, the Conservatives, the true Conservatives have been promised so much by Republican Party politicians only to be disappointed, sold down the river so to speak. Promises made but never kept and in some cases no attempt was even or ever made to act in a manner to fulfill the promises.

On the Democratic Socialist side all of the candidates are promising to give away “free” stuff. As pointed out above the only way for the government to give away anything it must first be taken away from another. Ask one of the Democratic Socialists, what happens when all of the wealth has been redistributed and everybody is equally poor what happens next? As for taxes how much is a fair share? To tax the wealthy at a level you say is their fair share you have to modify the tax code. That takes legislation, are you planning to tax by executive order? How many poor people have ever given another a job.

This election is about more than electing a President and some Senators there is the possibility that three or four Supreme Court Justices will be replaced. Think about that, it is especially important since the Supreme Court has taken up deciding rights and making law. The President will nominate Justices and the Senate will hold confirmation hearings. Do you really want a Democratic Socialist naming a person to a lifetime appointment?

Fail to learn the lessons of history and history repeats itself. Do not vote America back in time, politically. I was not there, but I read somewhere that the times before 1775 really sucked.

Wrong again

My prayers and thoughts go out to the victims and their families in San Bernardino, Ca. My appreciation goes to the Law-Enforcement agencies and other first responders.

Another tragedy presents another opportunity for the politicians and activists to politicize the sorrow. Even as the tragedy was unfolding it was being politicized. The Liberal Socialist Progressives will use this tragedy to further promote their agenda. They will as usual politicize the tragedy as they attempt to assign blame or find a way to justify the actions of those responsible for the carnage, which ever serves best to promote their agenda. They will get this wrong as they have in the past gotten so much wrong.

In the attempt to politicize this tragedy the Liberal Socialist Progressives and activists will first blame the gun. They will blame the gun, even though the gun was not the cause of the carnage it was merely the chosen instrument. It was the person behind the gun that should be blamed, and rightfully so. But they will not blame the person, unless the person they can assign the blame to fits in with their narrative and agenda. Then someone will attempt to find some occurrence in the past that justifies the actions of these murderous Moslems.

The first I will address is the apologists. The Liberal Socialist Progressives and the Apologists will attempt to find some occurrence in the past that would justify the actions of these murderous Moslems. Let me just address this in this way, there is no justification for what those murderous ingrates did.

Now I will address the Liberal Socialist Progressives. The Liberal Socialist Progressives as well as the gun control activists will start out saying that “something has to be done to control gun violence”. They will claim that only way to stop or lessen gun violence is that more laws are needed, more gun control laws. The gun control laws already on the books only effect the law-abiding population and has had no effect on the criminal element in our population, nor will any future laws. If there is anyone who believes that laws already on the books have any effect on criminal activity, they need to look no further than the prison system. America has laws making murder a criminal act punishable by imprisonment or death, murders still occur. There are laws against rape, robbery, drug possession and sale, theft and many others, yet the prisons contain people, men and women, convicted of the same acts(crimes). Criminals break the law, that is what they do. The residents in the prison system are not there for obeying the law, if they obeyed the law they would not be in prison.

Not only will they blame the gun, they will attempt to demonize the legal and lawful gun owners and the groups that support and defend their rights to gun ownership. It is not the legal and lawful gun owners that are the problem. I have often wondered why the legal and lawful owners of firearms would need to have an advocate to act on their behalf to guard and protect the right to keep and bear arms guaranteed by the Constitution. This is particularly puzzling when each and every politician, upon taking office swears or affirms to uphold the Constitution. Which brings up this point. The Founders and Framers must have known that at some point in time the Federal Government would begin to act as Monarchs and that is most likely the reason why the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights ends with words “Shall not be infringed”. Only the Second Amendment ends with these words.

Think on this for a moment. Could Law Enforcement patrol the entire length and breadth of America, given the sheer size of America, providing safety and security of the population? How often do the residents of rural America even see law enforcement on patrol? Where are the most law enforcement officers seen, in the cities and towns or as they say “out in the sticks”? Law enforcement and the military operating simultaneously could not patrol America for coast to coast and border to border. If the agenda and objective of the Liberal Socialist Progressives and the gun control groups is to have the legal and lawful Americans disarm, either voluntarily of involuntarily, would America be a safer nation for its legal and lawful citizens? I submit to you that it would not. The criminal element has already demonstrated their utter disregard for the law already and would not obey a new law the same as they have disregarded the past laws. I ask this, Would you rather defend yourself and your family with a cellphone or with something at least as powerful as what the criminal who is assaulting you or your family with? If you chose the phone at least the one the other end of the call heard what happened to you or to your family. If you wish to defend yourself or your family with a cellphone I suggest you learn to throw it at 2000 feet per second.

Not only do the Liberal Socialist Progressives get it wrong every time regarding firearms, they also get it wrong on immigration, every time. There was a time in years past, now many years past, when people immigrated(legally)to America to make a better life foe themselves and their families. The legal immigrants assimilated into American society willingly living under the laws and customs of America, that was then this is now. The immigrants of today are no longer expected to assimilate into American society. If they are not expected to assimilate, what makes the Liberal Socialist Progressives believe that they will obey the laws of America, much less respect the customs or traditions? Let me use this example. If an immigrant moves in next to you that comes from a nation where murder is legal, would you want them to assimilate and live under the laws of America, or not to assimilate living under the laws of America and continue murdering because it is the custom of their native land? Would you feel comfortable living next door to a rapist, after all they only rape because it is a custom in their native land? How about a thief or a child molester? Today not only are immigrants not expected to assimilate they are not even expected to immigrate legally.

One thing about the Liberal Socialist Progressives is that they will never admit that their agenda was flawed or had failed. The only failure they ever admit to is that “we did not go far enough”. They never admit the plan was unwise or unjust, just that the plan was not “grand” enough. They only want to “progress”, go forward, no matter the cost or outcome. They are willing to destroy America in the name of “progress”. Maybe the “grand” plan of the Liberal Socialist Progressives is to reduce the entire population of America to a cowering population seeking cover and calling for another to come and save them from some terrorist or criminal. The one receiving the call will undoubtedly arrive carrying what you despise most, a gun. Or maybe the Liberal Socialist Progressives do not think there are already enough criminals in America, they seek to create more by making the legal and lawful owners of firearms criminals.

I can not control every minute of every day, as a matter of fact most of what happens daily is out of my control. I can not be there every second of every minute for my family. But when I am in the presence of my family they can rest assured that I will protect them from harm or die trying. My family and especially my wife will never hear these words from my lips “I am sorry Honey, I wish I could have done more than call for help”.

The difference between me, those like me and the gun control zealots is that not only will I place myself in harm’s way to defend and protect my family I will do the same for your family and even you. While I am willing to place myself in harm’s way to protect those that I love I will do the same for a stranger. The best I can hope for from you is that you will run away and hide then when you are safe you will call someone for help that would use the same tool I would have used, a gun. Amazing isn’t it, I would stand and fight while you would run. Maybe Chivalry is not dead after all, at least not yet.