Middle Ground (opinion) – Page 4

Practical Guide to the End of the Republic

I’ve gone through the other traditional steps of grief: Anger, Denial, and Bargaining. Now I think I’m ready to move on to… Acceptance.

Yes, I’m trying to wrap my head around the idea that cartoon character “Donald J. Trump” will likely be our next president, and in the process will very likely dismantle our federal republic, a system of government that has stood for over 200 years.

As a student of history, I take some solace in knowing that I will be witnessing a major historical event. It’s not often one gets to witness the birth or death of a nation, especially one’s own nation.

So… lock all the doors, turn out all the lights, grab a bag of chips and your favorite shotgun, curl up on the couch, and together, collectively, we will turn on the TV or laptop, and over the next few months watch the end of civilization as we know it.

For those of you who don’t know what to watch for, here now is my “Practical Guide to the End of the Republic”, for the casual observer…

Suspension of Constitutional Rights. We’ve already seen a preview of this…

Freedom of Religion? Only if you’re the “right” religion, otherwise we’re creating a national database to track your movements. And we’re closing the border to you.

Freedom of Speech , Freedom of the Press? Nope, we’re going to “open up” libel laws to make it easier to go after people that say bad things about us. This is clever, after all Freedom of Speech and of the Press does not protect libelous speech, so all we have to do is redefine “libel”. (I expect the new definition to be something like “words not double plus good about Trump”.)

Freedom of Assembly? Sort of, if you can take a punch. For a preview, just look at how protesters fare at any Tump rally today.

Other constitutionally guaranteed freedoms? Yeah, they’ll stay mostly intact. Unless you’re Mexican. Or look like you’re Mexican. Or know someone who might by Mexican. Or eat too many tacos. Nope those folks we’ll cart off to, oh I don’t know what we’ll call them, maybe “deportation camps”, where they can help build the wall.

Suspend the Constitution. Don’t think it can happen? It’s probably easier than you think…

The Constitution provided for the checks and balances we all know about between the President and Congress. but… Today is different. Teddy Roosevelt established the precedent of going around Congress with a little something called the “Executive Order”. It’s meant to allow the President to direct various governmental departments on how to do their job, but over time has become essentially a unilateral law-making ability for the Oval Office.

Now before you go blaming Obama or George W for this abuse of power, understand this… Obama and W each issued less than 300 executive orders, none of them particularly ground-breaking. Teddy R. issued over 1,000 of them, and distant cousin FDR over 3,500 of them. TEN TIMES the number of the typical modern president. So… blame the Roosevelts.

But here’s the thing. In 1933, when a certain German president suspended that country’s constitution, he did it with a single executive order, just one, issued in response to an act of terrorism. And that is exactly how I expect it to happen here. This is how we created the Department of Homeland Security. This is how we passed the Patriot Act.

Trump has four years to wait for an act of terrorism on American soil, then, in a single patriotic-sounding executive order, and with great fanfare about protecting the people, he will do away with all those liberal, politically-correct concepts of yesteryear, such as the Bill of Rights (whatever remains of it), national elections every four years, and so on.

Suppress the opposition. Here there’s not much to do. The Democrats have already done most of the hard work for him.

I mean seriously, Hillary Clinton? That’s the BEST they could offer as an alternative? It’s like they want him to win. Have they completely given up already?

But that’s not the only opposition to presidential power, what about Congress? No problem, they’ve spent the last two decades using partisan obstructionism to render themselves completely impotent anyway, without any outside help. They’ve made it easy. If they ever do pass anything, all Trump has to do is veto it, when’s the last time you saw a veto override. And Trump can do anything he likes, via the previously mentioned executive orders. Eventually our Congress will disappear in much the same way as the Roman Senate, victims of their own self-induced irrelevance.

What about the Supreme Court? Our third branch. Sounds good right, nine individuals, appointed for life, beholden to no one. Surely they can stop the abuse of power, right? Nope. Hear again, Congress has already shown the way on how to eliminate the power of the Supreme Court. Currently there are only eight justices, and they won’t rule on anything important for fear of a 4-4 deadlock.

Here’s how you would normally get a 9th justice: the President appoints someone, and Congress approves them. Yet, Congress has made it perfectly clear they are willing to approve no one, literally not a single person on the planet, and let the Supreme Court do without, for as long as they like, in this case until there’s a new president.

So all Trump has to do, is appoint only Trump yes-men, Congress can either approve them, or do nothing, and eventually the existing eight will die out. Either way Trump wins. Trump is young enough he could outlive the entire Court, and unless Congress re-stocks it exclusively with Trump minions, it will disappear entirely.

Adopt a new title. Every elected leader turned fascist dictator has adopted a new title for themselves, something to set them apart from the past, something for history to remember them by.

So, what then for the orange one… “Furher”? No, way to German. I mean Trump is probably an admirer, he liked the salute at his rallies until someone pointed out the connection, so no. “Dictator-for-life”? No. To third-worldey. “President-for-life”? Even worse.

I think he will probably take a page from a slightly older history. When Rome transitioned from republic to empire, the dictators took the title “Caesar”, in honor of their first dictator, Julius Caesar. It only remains to be seen, will future American dictators be referred to as “Trumps” or as “Donalds”. Of course, my first instinct is to call him “Orange Julius”, but that’s just me.

I Know Why Poor Whites Chant Trump, Trump, Trump

http://www.stirjournal.com/2016/04/01/i-know-why-poor-whites-chant-trump-trump-trump/

First – this is NOT an article about Trump. (Even I’m getting tired of those. You can only say the same thing so many times.)

Second – this article is NOT anti-Trump. (Trump may be the inevitable result of this story, but he is not the story.)

THIS story is much older and bigger and wider and deeper than the current Trump phenomenon. This is the history of who we are, and how we got here. Trump is only the latest chapter. This story started hundreds of years ago, generations before we were born, and yet directly impacts us today.

Our world today did not just suddenly spring into existence. It is the direct result of literally everything that came before it. We lose sight of that at our own peril.

The article is long, but not unnecessarily so. It contains great insight and understanding. The tone of the article implies an intent that I don’t think exists, but the facts, the things that happened, regardless of intent, and the results of those actions, are irrefutable. These things happened. God can judge intent. We are left with the results.

It doesn’t hurt that it is well written, and makes for an easy read.

If you don’t want to read the whole thing, you will miss out on a lot of important history, but I think this excerpt sums it up best…

“I’m no one special. I am a poor, uneducated, white woman. I am the white underclass, and I am no one’s enemy. I fight for racial equality because people of color are not my enemy. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people are not my enemy. Immigrants and refugees are not my enemy. Muslims are not my enemy. Native Americans are not my enemy. Single mothers and fathers are not my enemy. People on Medicare, disability, food stamps, and unemployment are not my enemy. The homeless are not my enemy. And it turns out that the people of a small Arkansas town in the middle of the Ozarks are not my enemy.”

“Other poor people are not the enemy, no matter how they look, how they pray, or who they love. They are fighting to be heard. They are people who, like Trump supporters, agree with the statement, ‘People like me don’t have any say about what the government does.'”

Our Choices So Far — part 2

Well, it’s nearly done. Unless there is an intervention by God Himself, or the Ghost of Reagan, it looks like Trump will be the Republican nominee. This means in about six months, one of the following will be elected as our new president:..

Option 1: Uncle Bernie. Bernie is like that crazy old uncle you see at holidays, he always saying the most ridiculous but lovable things. He’s so sweet and he means well, he just has no idea how anything really works. You just want to hug him. You really wish you could live in his world. And his ideas, they’re such nice thoughts, just so impractical. “They should give everybody free Twinkies on Tuesday. Twinkies for everybody, who’s with me. And puppies. Puppies for everybody. Nobody can be sad if they have a puppy.”

Option 2: The Wicked Witch of the West. That’s not really fair, there is a fundamental difference between Hillary and the Wicked Witch. The Wicked Witch of the West never gave a flying monkey what anyone else thought of her, and she certainly never changed her agenda to gain anyone’s approval. So… my apologies to Wicked Witch fans everywhere, she is clearly the more respected of the two.

Option 3: A giant talking oompa-loompa turd coated in a weird mixture of skin bronzer, dorito dust, and buffalo sauce, and possibly possessed by the ghost of Hitler.

Yeah. That’s it. Those is our choices. I think Sophie had an easier choice. (What, too soon?)

So, is anyone else out there beginning to wonder if maybe free Twinkies isn’t our least dangerous option?

Bathrooms? Really?

Let’s review. In parts of the world people are starving, dying of AIDS, or unable to find clean drinking water. Soldiers and paramilitary are raping and killing missionaries and other civilians. Young women and children are kidnapped and sold into sex slavery. Terrorists are blowing up buildings over poorly drawn cartoons. Refugees are losing their homes and homeland and literally everything they have, and they have nowhere to turn.

Meanwhile, in this country race relations between police and the black community are at their worst since maybe the 70’s, Flint Michigan is creating a generation of special needs children from lead poisoning in their drinking water, the war on drugs continues to imprison the wrong people, the only job growth is in low wage jobs but everyone’s okay with low wage workers living in poverty, health care is still our biggest expense and we still don’t have a good plan for dealing with it, an entire generation is living with their parents because they can’t afford student loans and to live on their own, and again we’re all okay with that, not to mention in a few months one of four possible idiots with the best of intentions will begin putting bad policies in place that will only make things fantastically worse, and may even possibly bring an end to an American Republic that has otherwise withstood over 200 years of well-intentioned idiots.

And our biggest issue is: Who can use which bathroom?

Seriously? That’s the problem? That’s where we draw the line in the sand?

A little over a hundred years ago most of us didn’t even have indoor plumbing. As a species we’ve been pooping and peeing in front of ourselves for hundreds of thousands of years. Now suddenly we’re shy about sharing a potty with someone who is different.

If that’s really the biggest problem in your life, then get down on your knees and thank God with everything you’ve got, because you’ve got a pretty freaking wonderful life.

Otherwise, knock it off. Forget about who’s peeing where, and try focusing on some of the things going on around you that are truly worthy of your indignation.

And while we’re on the subject, let’s stop for a moment and be honest about what we’re really afraid of. There is no epidemic of male perverts sneaking into women’s rooms. It’s just not happening, not to the extent that it can’t be dealt with using existing laws. A guy follows your wife or little girl into the bathroom with bad intent? Yeah, obviously, beat the living crap out of him, no jury will convict you. We don’t need a law saying he can’t go in there. And by the way you could be prosecuted under that same law if you go in there to pull him out.

No, be honest, predatory perverts in public restrooms is not a huge pressing issue. What we’re really afraid of is… transvestites.

I say “we” collectively, because I have to believe, if you’re afraid of transvestites, it can only be because you’ve never met one. Honestly, there is no one on the planet who has ever met a transvestite who is still afraid of transvestites. They are literally the least threatening people alive. Sadly, they are often the people who have spent their whole lives getting beat up. They are not the predators. They are the prey.

So, if that’s your fear, face it. Go meet a transvestite. Find out for yourself how “scary” they really are. I’m telling you, you won’t regret it. Anyone who is brave enough, or crazy enough, or unconcerned enough, or whatever, to put a dress on over a penis and go out in public, knowing the public’s reaction dress-covered penises, THAT is someone you want to talk to.

Harriet Tubman on the $20…

Conservative reaction: It is political correctness run amok, it is nothing but pandering to women and minorities. Andrew Jackson was a great president and a war hero, and he deserves his place on the twenty.

Liberal reaction: Well it’s about time, Harriet Tubman was a hero who saved thousands of lives, while Andrew Jackson’s relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans resulted in literally thousands of unnecessary deaths.

My reaction: Hmm… Okay.

Branding

It occurs to me….

If you don’t hate poor people, you’re branded a “liberal”.

If you don’t hate rich people, you’re branded a “conservative”.

So two questions…

1) When did we begin defining our political affiliations based on hate?

and more importantly….

2) I don’t hate poor people. I don’t hate rich people. On the other hand, I do hate people in general. What does that make me, politically speaking?

Our Choices So Far

It is a long ways to November, and I’m not gonna make it unless I scale back a bit. So for now, at least until I can’t stand it any longer, this is all I have to say about the presidential race…

In no particular order…

Hillary Clinton – is an opportunist. She is untrustworthy. She has an open marriage with the truth. She will say or do anything if she thinks it will get her votes. She has no real character and no real direction. Her only goal for becoming president is to become president. No one knows what she would do if president, but we could always hack her mail server to find out. But… She is a better choice than Trump.

Ted Cruz – is a mean little obstructionist wing-nut. He has alienated everyone in Congress. Even other Republicans don’t like him. He is more concerned with winning a political point than doing what is right for America. Despite claiming to be a Constitutional scholar, he would completely dismantle the 1st Amendment given the opportunity. He is everything that is wrong with modern American politics. But… He is a better choice than Trump.

Marco Rubio – is an ineffective first term junior Senator, completely beholden to his party establishment, and who religiously clings to the party line, even when it makes him look like an idiot. In other words, he is basically the Republican version of a Barack Obama. He is inexperienced, he is a lightweight, and he is in way over his head. But… He is a better choice than Trump.

Bernie Sanders – is a democratic socialist in the European tradition. He will increase government spending. He will increase taxes. He is convinced you will be better off for it. I am not convinced. Though he means well, many of his plans are naive at best, catastrophic at worst. But… He is a better choice than Trump.

Donald Trump – is a giant gasbag full of hate, nonsense, buffoonery, and bacon grease. He wants to make America great again by getting rid of all the Mexicans and Muslims, much like a certain German politician wanted to restore the Fatherland by getting rid of the Blacks and the Jews. He laughs at the handicapped. He enjoys watching his minions beat up protesters. He doesn’t realize Mexicans have developed a new anti-wall technology called “tunnels”. He could be the villain in an Austin Powers movie, but he would have to tone it down a bit. He is a better choice than Re-animated Zombie Hitler, but not by much.

America – there are only four viable non-Trump choices left – as distasteful as it is, we have to pick one of these four idiots to be our next president. At this point, I don’t even care which one, just pick one of them. I will go along with whoever you like. We can try again in four years, with a different set of idiots. But seriously… literally any candidate but Trump.

Lives Matter

I have held off commenting on the whole “Black Lives Matter” controversy for quite some time, mostly because I can’t believe it is even possible for there to be a controversy. I seriously thought I was imagining it. Apparently I am not. So…. hang on, we’re gonna have to think this one through.

Let’s break it down….

It’s a pretty simple statement. Black Lives Matter. Who in their right mind could possibly argue otherwise? Seriously, how do you argue against that statement?

Then I realized. In my logical, English-speaking mind, the opposite of “Black Lives Matter” is the simple negation, “Black Lives Don’t Matter”. Who would believe that? Who would think that? What kind of racist monster would even suggest saying Black Lives Don’t Matter?

Nobody. No one would. That’s not it. That’s not how it works. First…. you have to twist the message.

Transform “Black Lives Matter” into “Only Black Lives Matter” , then…. now you’ve got something. Them’s fightin words. Now you can work up all your righteous indignity and respond with “All Lives Matter”. All Lives mother-&@#$! That’s right, you ain’t special. All Lives Matter.

But… There’s a problem with that. A big, fundamental problem: Nobody is saying “Only Black Lives Matter”. Nobody. Nobody is saying “Black Lives Matter More”. Nobody is saying “White Lives Don’t Matter.”

Nobody. No. Not anybody. Stop it. Just Stop. Nobody.

The only thing the “Black Lives Matter” movement is saying, is…. wait for it….. Black. Lives. Matter. Just those three words. That’s it. That’s all. Nothing more. Nothing less. It really is that simple.

Only in America would people think “All Lives Matter” is the logical opposite of “Black Lives Matter”.

Do we not understand subsets?

Of course All Lives Matter. Of course Black Lives Matter. These are not mutually exclusive. After all “Black” is part of “All” right? Black people are part of All people, right?

Wait…. now I think I see the problem…

Super Bowl Halftime Show

Just an observation…

As I’ve been browsing facebook today, I’ve noticed a lot of comments along the lines of Beyonce’s outfit was inappropriate, or the lyrics were not appropriate, or they were offended by the “black panther” style costumes or “black power” gestures. And something occurred to me.

These are the very same people, in many cases, that complain about people today are too easily offended, that people are too sensitive to every little thing, that political correctness has run amok, and political correctness is just ruining this country. We need to say no to political correctness, speak our minds, stop filtering, and stop worrying so much about offending others.

So what I’ve gathered is this. When white people say or do something inappropriate, black people need to calm down and not get so offended by it, don’t be so sensitive, after all it’s a free country, and we’re not hurting nobody, and we’re all free to express ourselves any way we like.

But when black people say or do something inappropriate, black people need to realize what they’re doing is offensive to others, this is not the right time or place, and they need to take that somewhere else, or keep it to themselves, because we don’t want to see it. Show some sensitivity. That there are boundaries and decorum and folks shouldn’t just go around willy-nilly expressing themselves any way they like.

Again, just an observation, feel free to discuss…

The Shining City upon a Hill

I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don’t know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That’s how I saw it and see it still.

— Ronald Reagan