Ayn Rand was an "objectivist" thinker and brilliant woman that was far before her time. Though some of her views are a bit more progressive than I am (at this stage in my life anyhow), there is no denying her sheer GENIUS when it came to her socio-political ideologies. Recently, I received a quote in my MySpace Bulletin from someone who posts as Ayn Rand (though they are moreso a forward thinking group I believe...of people) and they sent me this nugget: "Inflation is not caused by the actions of private citizens, but by the government: by an artificial expansion of the money supply required to support deficit spending. No private embezzlers or bank robbers in history have ever plundered people's savings on a scale comparable to the plunder perpetrated by the fiscal policies of statist governments."-- Ayn Rand, "Who WIll Protect Us From Our Protectors"? The Objectivist Newsletter, May 1952
Thank you to the folks at this site who are able to provide these words of wisdom. All I can say is keep them coming! I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Interesting email I received about the welfare state...
Someone sent this to me via email. Some of it at the end (the commentary part) I don't think I would use the verbiage they have chosen to use, but the sentiment goes along with my Libertarian views. However, the email itself and the parable as it is written uses an EXCELLENT analogy that I don't think I would have thought of. Your comments as always are appreciated. I am pasting it in it's entirety:
We bought a bird feeder. I hung it on the back patio and filled it with seed.
Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.
But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.
Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table...everywhere.
Then some of the birds turned mean: They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket.
And others birds were boisterous and loud: They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.
After a while, we couldn't even sit on our own back porch anymore. It was unbearable.
I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone.
I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio and soon the back yard was like it used to be...... quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.
Now let's see....... our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen.
Then the illegals came by the millions....
Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families: you have to wait 4 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor: your child's 2nd grade class is lagging behind other schools because 1/2 of the class doesn't speak English: Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to press "one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties.
Maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.
We bought a bird feeder. I hung it on the back patio and filled it with seed.
Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.
But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue.
Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table...everywhere.
Then some of the birds turned mean: They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket.
And others birds were boisterous and loud: They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food.
After a while, we couldn't even sit on our own back porch anymore. It was unbearable.
I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone.
I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio and soon the back yard was like it used to be...... quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.
Now let's see....... our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen.
Then the illegals came by the millions....
Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families: you have to wait 4 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor: your child's 2nd grade class is lagging behind other schools because 1/2 of the class doesn't speak English: Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to press "one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties.
Maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Digg - The "Black/Urban Culture"
Digg - The "Black/Urban Culture"
Free Thinker "The Infidel Guy" Reginald Finley Sr. has some interesting insight on the African American race and culture. Interesting video. Let me know what you think.
Free Thinker "The Infidel Guy" Reginald Finley Sr. has some interesting insight on the African American race and culture. Interesting video. Let me know what you think.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Outrage!
These three young lives were snuffed out (and a fourth was intended to be another victim with a shot to the head as well) by several people. TWO suspects are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS/ALIENS. There is no mention of the one guy in custody (28 year old Jose Carranza) as being an illegal with a history of crime and violence here in the USA. Why is this not mentioned? Is that not odd/strange to you? Is this the "liberal media's" attempt to just "wash" this little fact over? There is another suspect they are looking for named Rodolfo Godinez. In this article it says he is a Nicaraguan "National"...but doesn't that just mean he is not a citizen of the United States...or worse yet, an ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT/ALIEN to the United States? The apparant lack of clarity or transparancy on this issue is appaling and quite simply MIND boggling! It is a travesty that these young people whom seem to have had a history of good morals, character and judgement had to have their lives ended/wasted so brutally by people that did not have the legal right to even BE here. And we KNEW about them!
This in no way implies that this would be any less tragic had these young people been shot/killed by citizens any more acceptable, justifiable or understandable. Heinous is heinous. However, it points to a much greater problem in the security of our own borders...or at least in the inability or unwillingness of the states to ENFORCE current laws that are in place to prevent just these kinds of things.
This article uses words like "undocumented immigrant" from Peru and Nicaraguan National etc. Why don't they just come out and say it. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT/ALIEN!? Carranza has had TWO previous indictments from alleged sexual assault of a minor ...sadly they have this mis-reported and/or misrepresented by CNN's reporting by saying that it was a 13 year old girl. What it was is: "Carranza was indicted by grand juries in New Jersey twice this year — in April on aggravated assault and weapons charges; and in July on 31 counts which included aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13 years old and endangering the welfare of a child he had a duty to supervise". There is a big difference in the reporting. How come Fox News got it right? This indictment was in additon to VARIOUS and MULTIPLE weapons and assault charges. But not once do they use the term "illegal alien". Amazing. THESE are the very sorts of things that create RIFTS and BI-Partisanship and distrust in any and all media. You have to go to MULTIPLE sources to get the truth or get to the nuts and bolts. That is WRONG.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/10/schoolyard.killings/?iref=mpstoryview
This local CBS news affiliate said it like it is. Used the word "ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT"/ALIEN for Carranza and stated that it is believed that Godinez is a CITIZEN of Peru (in other words...illegal immigrant/alien). http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_223110502.html
This local blog from the NJ Star Ledger calls it like it is too: http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/
Of course FoxNews is going to be ALL over this and aggressively going after these guys...but they do a pretty good job of stating the obvious and just through prose...seeming to get the reader to ask the obvious...WHY were these people still here and WHY were they able to continue to commit crimes after they had been caught the first time? Where did Carranza come up with the money to pay his bail on his previous arrests and/or indictments? Sad indeed. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292717,00.html
This in no way implies that this would be any less tragic had these young people been shot/killed by citizens any more acceptable, justifiable or understandable. Heinous is heinous. However, it points to a much greater problem in the security of our own borders...or at least in the inability or unwillingness of the states to ENFORCE current laws that are in place to prevent just these kinds of things.
This article uses words like "undocumented immigrant" from Peru and Nicaraguan National etc. Why don't they just come out and say it. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT/ALIEN!? Carranza has had TWO previous indictments from alleged sexual assault of a minor ...sadly they have this mis-reported and/or misrepresented by CNN's reporting by saying that it was a 13 year old girl. What it was is: "Carranza was indicted by grand juries in New Jersey twice this year — in April on aggravated assault and weapons charges; and in July on 31 counts which included aggravated sexual assault of a child under 13 years old and endangering the welfare of a child he had a duty to supervise". There is a big difference in the reporting. How come Fox News got it right? This indictment was in additon to VARIOUS and MULTIPLE weapons and assault charges. But not once do they use the term "illegal alien". Amazing. THESE are the very sorts of things that create RIFTS and BI-Partisanship and distrust in any and all media. You have to go to MULTIPLE sources to get the truth or get to the nuts and bolts. That is WRONG.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/10/schoolyard.killings/?iref=mpstoryview
This local CBS news affiliate said it like it is. Used the word "ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT"/ALIEN for Carranza and stated that it is believed that Godinez is a CITIZEN of Peru (in other words...illegal immigrant/alien). http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_223110502.html
This local blog from the NJ Star Ledger calls it like it is too: http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/
Of course FoxNews is going to be ALL over this and aggressively going after these guys...but they do a pretty good job of stating the obvious and just through prose...seeming to get the reader to ask the obvious...WHY were these people still here and WHY were they able to continue to commit crimes after they had been caught the first time? Where did Carranza come up with the money to pay his bail on his previous arrests and/or indictments? Sad indeed. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292717,00.html
Good intentions for all...
I'm just sitting here thinking. I do believe that the liberals have good intentions...I really do. However, I also feel that those intentions for the most part are socialist and thus, unconstitutional and still provide FAR too much power to the feds. I think it was Toqueville (sp?) that said that socialism was slavery, but I could be wrong. Medicare is not covered under the constitution, nor is Social Security. The right is leaning towards fascism (power of the "State" 'read- the country' takes precedent over the power of the people). This is also unconstitutional as the PEOPLE and the individual states have authority over the federal government (per the constitution). That's why I like Ron Paul. He is a constitutionalist for the most part. Though he isn't afraid to state his own PERSONAL beliefs and opinions...I have a firm trust and belief in this man...that he would not let his personal ideologies or beliefs/value systems change the constitution. But who knows...just my musings.
Friday, August 10, 2007
What's Happening to me?!
WTF! I'm becoming more and more of a freak with my politics and I don't know why, other than I'm convinced that the polarizing characters involved in modern-day popular politics in the United States are just plain DANGEROUS! As time goes on...I'm more and more dissillusioned and dissapointed with what the "dual monarchy" has to offer "WE THE PEOPLE".
Let me start by giving a brief synopsis of my former background. I am a proud and former United States Marine. 0331 Machine Gunner (Infantry) was my primary MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and secondary was 8152 (Security Forces). I was hard core conservative and Republican. Based on my personal experience, I think to truly succeed in the Marine Corps you need to be a conformist and a believer in "the system".
I was meritoriously promoted to both LCpl and Cpl and made Sgt. (E-5) in less than four years (which at that time was almost unheard of and VERY rare in my MOS). I was selected Marine of the Month (Twice) and competed for Marine of the Year (out of over 500 Marines) and came in 3rd out of 5 contestants. Point I'm making is I was a good Marine, followed the rules, was squared away and "believed" in the system.
That is why my relatively rapid change in my politics is such a shock to me. Here is why:
Marijuana should be legalized. I'm not a pot smoker (though in all honesty I have tried it before...and yes I inhaled and yes, I did it more than once). There are a lot more intelligent people than I that feel this way, so I will leave those people to define the medicinal benefits of marijuana as well as the scientific facts regarding it's efficacy, lack of true "physically addictive qualities" etc. But from the "laymans" perspective as I see it. It's simple math. I have seen INNUMERABLE fights and violence when people were drunk on alcohol (also a depressent, but it is also known and proven to be both physically and psychologically addictive). I can't EVER remember seeing someone stoned and violent....just doesn't happen. Coincidence? Again, these are "lame" arguments, but are valid from my point of view.
Secondly I believe that marijuana "weed" is something that has grown naturally for THOUSANDS of years and is something that God has put on this earth. It is a NATURALLY occuring natural product. However, I personally have never "stumbled" upon a free flowing pool of vodka in nature (see where I'm going with this)? Why is marijuana in a catagory of drugs with Opium, LSD, Heroin and Cocaine? All I can say, is if you have the balls...do some research on this. The governments case is pretty lame and standing on some "weak" legs if you actually look into it. Does this mean that I think we should all be toked up and wasted...going through our days or our lives "half baked". No...of course not. However, I do believe it can be regulated (like alcohol, tobacco or any other number of schedule 2 through 5 category drugs which as I've already stated have physically destroyed FAR more lives). Instead, the U.S. Government keeps marijuana in Schedule 1 category (which is the worst of the worst and is by far the most restricted of all drug schedules/categories).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_rescheduling_in_the_United_States
There are MANY reasons why I say this. Drug companies make far too much money (the root of all evil and corruption) and there are too many reasons for them to make all of these drugs that are out there (which they even say "this drug may not work for everyone"...) and some of the side affects AND addictive qualities of some of these Schedule 2 category drugs are FAR worse than marijuana can and will ever be, but again, marijuana is in the Schedule 1 category. Doesn't this seem odd to you?
Moving on...I watch the O'Reilly factor almost daily. For years, I can say I was a fan, even a BIG fan. Why? Because good ol' Bill was pushing all of the right buttons. He urged the masses of MAINSTREAM America NOT to be the "silent majority". To speak out against the liberals and fight back on their own turf. For too long, the "Left/Liberals" were broadly painted with the unflattering "intelligencia" moniker. It worked...for a while. And for me...PERSONALLY, the biggest kicker on the left is that there seems to be a concentrated effort to remove GOD from everything. However, our own Constitution clearly states that GOD gave "we the people" our rights. Our RIGHTS are from GOD. The power of the government comes from the people. In other words WE THE PEOPLE allow the government to have the power it has, but we have the authority and RIGHT to LIMIT that power (of the government). But then you listen to him now (Bill). And I still do. But he says things that are fucking SCARY!
In one sentence, he says he is all for free speech and freedom of the press, but then he talks about how a website should be scrutinized because they aren't "policing" their site and allowing free speech (Bill calls it hate speech and hate-mongering and inciteful). It may be ALL of those things, but in THIS country...MY FUCKING COUNTRY, I have the right to say it. Are you kidding me Bill? Sometimes listening to his rhetoric scares me because he goes on witch hunts! He is one man, with a great deal of power and influence...he needs to use it wisely. Still, in his defense, many of the things he is passionate about, I firmly support. He is a HUGE proponent of "Jessica's Law" and has started a crusade (ironic words I know) to shame state legislatures into passing the bill into law in their respective states. Good for him. Still, I don't think that is HIS job to do...he is just a reporter, not a law-maker. Again, VERY slippery slope, very dangerous ground.
His book "Culture Warrior" had some excellent points. The main one that I got out of it (now this is ME talking, read the book and you come up with YOUR own conclusions) is that the district courts are using the legal systems (and liberal judges are spearheading this movement) to over-ride the voice of the people (that would be you and me). If Americans VOTE and the vast majority do not support legalizing homosexual/gay marriages, then the people have spoken...period. Still, history has shown us that oftentimes it takes the voice of one (or a very few) brave and forward thinking souls to be heard over the din of the masses (racism, Jim Crow laws etc) when sometimes the voice of reason IS the courts. Is this one of those times?
I don't know. As a Libertarian (damn near leaning to anarchist) I believe in basically live and let live. If you want to bugger some dude, that is up to you. MY GOD will judge you according to my beliefs and ideologies...but it is not my job to judge you. This goes back to the marijuana thing. Conservative Christians have pushed their ideology on our country to make laws that fit their Judeo-Christian ideologies, dogma and philosophies (anyone remember prohibition)? This can be said about marijuana too. YES...our country was indeed founded on these philosophies and that should always be recognized and acknowledged....still, because the CHURCH says that schlepping your schlong in some guys pooper is wrong doesn't mean that our FEDERAL government should force that just because it's whats in the bible.
I was taught "a sin is a sin". Sins aren't ranked...they are ALL sins. So a lie, rape, murder, coveting your neighbors wife...all of that is EQUAL in the eyes of God (based on the theology I was raised on and believe). So who am I to judge? God will ultimately judge the character of the person and their heart. Last thing on religion. I am a "spiritual" christian (not quite a Deist). This means that I believe in God and I feel that the following two things are critical to my eternal salvation. 1. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour and that He died for the sins of all people. 2. I adhere to the belief that one must have a PERSONAL relationship with Jesus Christ (not the church) and that if you truly have that, that you will go to heaven. Maybe a juvenile view of it, but that is what I belive...take it or leave it. I do pray daily (at the weirdest times) and I do have a personal relationship with Jesus and I do believe that He died for our sins...nuff said.
So the polarization of my country (YOUR COUNTRY) scares the shit out of me. The far left liberals scare me (and I think the majority of Americans) because they want to remove GOD from pretty much everything. A Christmas tree is offensive (but other religions can practice their religions openly and we as Americans have to acquiesce to their desires and spiritual needs?). Does this make sense to anyone? Not me. That's the right wing side of me shouting out in protest. In this country EVERYONE can worship however they wish FREELY. If the pledge of allegiance offends you, then you do not have to participate (and children should be tought not to tease others for being "different") and should not fear reprisal. But don't stop ME from participating.
Don't come to MY country and try to turn it into the very country that YOU left due to oppression and twisted ideologies! If your country and it's customs are so awesome, then stay there. But DO NOT turn MY country...the United States of America into mini-Cuba, Saudi Arabia, China, Mexico or anywhere else. Accept America for the melting pot that it is. With PEOPLE FROM Cuba, Saudi Arabia, China and Mexico and everywhere in-between.
I'm tired...there is so much more to say. But those of you who have read on I truly appreciate your interest into reading into just a little piece of ME and my mind. I hope it has interested you a little and at the very least maybe challenged you to rethink your own reality. I believe that the USA is the greatest country in the world. I also believe I am truly BLESSED to have been born and raised here and consider it an honor and a privelege. I am proud to have served my country and proud to be an American. But that does NOT mean that I think that what the representatives of my country are doing in government are moral, legal and/or ethical. Don't blindly follow, step back and ask some simple questions. Iraq (why are we REALLY there)? How would WE as Americans feel if someone decided that George W. Bush were an "evildoer" or "evil dictator" and that country (or coalition of countries) came to our "rescue" and decided to depose our fearless leader and force upon us an entirely new ideology/form of government? Seriously, think about that and remember this simple fact...DEMOCRACY was NEVER earned through the force of a gun to the heads of the people! Democracy (true democracy) is an organic thing that is grown and cultivated from within (just like REVOLUTION). Till a later date, thanks again and your comments and input would be greatly appreciated. Next time I have a stream of consciousnes blog, I will drink some coffee first!
Yours
Dan
Let me start by giving a brief synopsis of my former background. I am a proud and former United States Marine. 0331 Machine Gunner (Infantry) was my primary MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and secondary was 8152 (Security Forces). I was hard core conservative and Republican. Based on my personal experience, I think to truly succeed in the Marine Corps you need to be a conformist and a believer in "the system".
I was meritoriously promoted to both LCpl and Cpl and made Sgt. (E-5) in less than four years (which at that time was almost unheard of and VERY rare in my MOS). I was selected Marine of the Month (Twice) and competed for Marine of the Year (out of over 500 Marines) and came in 3rd out of 5 contestants. Point I'm making is I was a good Marine, followed the rules, was squared away and "believed" in the system.
That is why my relatively rapid change in my politics is such a shock to me. Here is why:
Marijuana should be legalized. I'm not a pot smoker (though in all honesty I have tried it before...and yes I inhaled and yes, I did it more than once). There are a lot more intelligent people than I that feel this way, so I will leave those people to define the medicinal benefits of marijuana as well as the scientific facts regarding it's efficacy, lack of true "physically addictive qualities" etc. But from the "laymans" perspective as I see it. It's simple math. I have seen INNUMERABLE fights and violence when people were drunk on alcohol (also a depressent, but it is also known and proven to be both physically and psychologically addictive). I can't EVER remember seeing someone stoned and violent....just doesn't happen. Coincidence? Again, these are "lame" arguments, but are valid from my point of view.
Secondly I believe that marijuana "weed" is something that has grown naturally for THOUSANDS of years and is something that God has put on this earth. It is a NATURALLY occuring natural product. However, I personally have never "stumbled" upon a free flowing pool of vodka in nature (see where I'm going with this)? Why is marijuana in a catagory of drugs with Opium, LSD, Heroin and Cocaine? All I can say, is if you have the balls...do some research on this. The governments case is pretty lame and standing on some "weak" legs if you actually look into it. Does this mean that I think we should all be toked up and wasted...going through our days or our lives "half baked". No...of course not. However, I do believe it can be regulated (like alcohol, tobacco or any other number of schedule 2 through 5 category drugs which as I've already stated have physically destroyed FAR more lives). Instead, the U.S. Government keeps marijuana in Schedule 1 category (which is the worst of the worst and is by far the most restricted of all drug schedules/categories).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_rescheduling_in_the_United_States
There are MANY reasons why I say this. Drug companies make far too much money (the root of all evil and corruption) and there are too many reasons for them to make all of these drugs that are out there (which they even say "this drug may not work for everyone"...) and some of the side affects AND addictive qualities of some of these Schedule 2 category drugs are FAR worse than marijuana can and will ever be, but again, marijuana is in the Schedule 1 category. Doesn't this seem odd to you?
Moving on...I watch the O'Reilly factor almost daily. For years, I can say I was a fan, even a BIG fan. Why? Because good ol' Bill was pushing all of the right buttons. He urged the masses of MAINSTREAM America NOT to be the "silent majority". To speak out against the liberals and fight back on their own turf. For too long, the "Left/Liberals" were broadly painted with the unflattering "intelligencia" moniker. It worked...for a while. And for me...PERSONALLY, the biggest kicker on the left is that there seems to be a concentrated effort to remove GOD from everything. However, our own Constitution clearly states that GOD gave "we the people" our rights. Our RIGHTS are from GOD. The power of the government comes from the people. In other words WE THE PEOPLE allow the government to have the power it has, but we have the authority and RIGHT to LIMIT that power (of the government). But then you listen to him now (Bill). And I still do. But he says things that are fucking SCARY!
In one sentence, he says he is all for free speech and freedom of the press, but then he talks about how a website should be scrutinized because they aren't "policing" their site and allowing free speech (Bill calls it hate speech and hate-mongering and inciteful). It may be ALL of those things, but in THIS country...MY FUCKING COUNTRY, I have the right to say it. Are you kidding me Bill? Sometimes listening to his rhetoric scares me because he goes on witch hunts! He is one man, with a great deal of power and influence...he needs to use it wisely. Still, in his defense, many of the things he is passionate about, I firmly support. He is a HUGE proponent of "Jessica's Law" and has started a crusade (ironic words I know) to shame state legislatures into passing the bill into law in their respective states. Good for him. Still, I don't think that is HIS job to do...he is just a reporter, not a law-maker. Again, VERY slippery slope, very dangerous ground.
His book "Culture Warrior" had some excellent points. The main one that I got out of it (now this is ME talking, read the book and you come up with YOUR own conclusions) is that the district courts are using the legal systems (and liberal judges are spearheading this movement) to over-ride the voice of the people (that would be you and me). If Americans VOTE and the vast majority do not support legalizing homosexual/gay marriages, then the people have spoken...period. Still, history has shown us that oftentimes it takes the voice of one (or a very few) brave and forward thinking souls to be heard over the din of the masses (racism, Jim Crow laws etc) when sometimes the voice of reason IS the courts. Is this one of those times?
I don't know. As a Libertarian (damn near leaning to anarchist) I believe in basically live and let live. If you want to bugger some dude, that is up to you. MY GOD will judge you according to my beliefs and ideologies...but it is not my job to judge you. This goes back to the marijuana thing. Conservative Christians have pushed their ideology on our country to make laws that fit their Judeo-Christian ideologies, dogma and philosophies (anyone remember prohibition)? This can be said about marijuana too. YES...our country was indeed founded on these philosophies and that should always be recognized and acknowledged....still, because the CHURCH says that schlepping your schlong in some guys pooper is wrong doesn't mean that our FEDERAL government should force that just because it's whats in the bible.
I was taught "a sin is a sin". Sins aren't ranked...they are ALL sins. So a lie, rape, murder, coveting your neighbors wife...all of that is EQUAL in the eyes of God (based on the theology I was raised on and believe). So who am I to judge? God will ultimately judge the character of the person and their heart. Last thing on religion. I am a "spiritual" christian (not quite a Deist). This means that I believe in God and I feel that the following two things are critical to my eternal salvation. 1. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour and that He died for the sins of all people. 2. I adhere to the belief that one must have a PERSONAL relationship with Jesus Christ (not the church) and that if you truly have that, that you will go to heaven. Maybe a juvenile view of it, but that is what I belive...take it or leave it. I do pray daily (at the weirdest times) and I do have a personal relationship with Jesus and I do believe that He died for our sins...nuff said.
So the polarization of my country (YOUR COUNTRY) scares the shit out of me. The far left liberals scare me (and I think the majority of Americans) because they want to remove GOD from pretty much everything. A Christmas tree is offensive (but other religions can practice their religions openly and we as Americans have to acquiesce to their desires and spiritual needs?). Does this make sense to anyone? Not me. That's the right wing side of me shouting out in protest. In this country EVERYONE can worship however they wish FREELY. If the pledge of allegiance offends you, then you do not have to participate (and children should be tought not to tease others for being "different") and should not fear reprisal. But don't stop ME from participating.
Don't come to MY country and try to turn it into the very country that YOU left due to oppression and twisted ideologies! If your country and it's customs are so awesome, then stay there. But DO NOT turn MY country...the United States of America into mini-Cuba, Saudi Arabia, China, Mexico or anywhere else. Accept America for the melting pot that it is. With PEOPLE FROM Cuba, Saudi Arabia, China and Mexico and everywhere in-between.
I'm tired...there is so much more to say. But those of you who have read on I truly appreciate your interest into reading into just a little piece of ME and my mind. I hope it has interested you a little and at the very least maybe challenged you to rethink your own reality. I believe that the USA is the greatest country in the world. I also believe I am truly BLESSED to have been born and raised here and consider it an honor and a privelege. I am proud to have served my country and proud to be an American. But that does NOT mean that I think that what the representatives of my country are doing in government are moral, legal and/or ethical. Don't blindly follow, step back and ask some simple questions. Iraq (why are we REALLY there)? How would WE as Americans feel if someone decided that George W. Bush were an "evildoer" or "evil dictator" and that country (or coalition of countries) came to our "rescue" and decided to depose our fearless leader and force upon us an entirely new ideology/form of government? Seriously, think about that and remember this simple fact...DEMOCRACY was NEVER earned through the force of a gun to the heads of the people! Democracy (true democracy) is an organic thing that is grown and cultivated from within (just like REVOLUTION). Till a later date, thanks again and your comments and input would be greatly appreciated. Next time I have a stream of consciousnes blog, I will drink some coffee first!
Yours
Dan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
