"Not on Our Watch" - No Expiration Date

Almost every public office I know of has an oath of office.  Whether elected or appointed to the office, the person taking office is required to take the oath of office.  When a person joins the military to take an oath.  The oath taken a similar to the one taken by the members of the U.S. military shown below.  As far as I'm aware there is no expiration date on any of the oaths.

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. 

There's a group who firmly believe in the oaths that we took, the Oath Keepers.  no matter when the oath was taken, it is still honored today. The oath taken is just as sacred and necessary today, if not more, then when the oath was administered.

In 1980, I only though I knew what the oath meant, all the same I was ever so eager to take it.  So great was my devotion and love for this country, I was ready to die for it and all it meant.  A lot of time has passed since my taking of the oath in 1980, but also I have gained a lot of information and knowledge.  Knowledge about the true meaning and importance of The US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, what they mean and what they stand for.  Today, over thirty years later, this oath means more to me and is more important than ever.  Whenever they took the oath, I am sure that very much the same is true of all my brothers and sisters who have taken the same, or similar oath. 

The motto of the Oath Keepers is - "Not On My Watch" 

Oath Keepers will obey the orders shown below.  The greatest concern should be that we have these orders.  By doing show it should be apparent, there are laws in existence which 'mandate' these very things.  At any time we could be subject to such laws that are in violation of what and why this country was founded. 

1. We will NOT obey orders to disarm the American people.
2. We will NOT obey orders to conduct warrantless searches of the American people
3. We will NOT obey orders to detain American citizens as “unlawful enemy combatants” or to subject them to military tribunal.
4. We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a “state of emergency” on a state.
5. We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty.
6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.
7. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.
8. We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to “keep the peace” or to “maintain control."
9. We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies.
10.We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.

Go jump off a bridge it is good for you!

If I told you to do this would you?  You probably wouldn't do it if I said to but would you if someone else told you to?  You probably still wouldn't, but it seems that we do almost every day. Why is it that people seem to blindly accept what others tell them is good for them. Why is it, that parents blindly accept someone else telling them that they should and to in this case require their children to comply. And they do this without knowing all the information or the full impact.  When

When I first heard about this, I was outraged and totally opposed.  The more I learned the more my feelings of resistance grew.  These feelings mounted and intensified, and continue to grow.  First off, I have an issue with any one mandating or regulating, things that affect my body or someone else. This infuriates me more when I learn of possible conflict of interest, or greed.

Do you know what I'm talking about?

 This is something we probably all heard about recently, especially if you have a daughter between the ages of 14 and 24. Wait!  A new initiative will have even younger girls receiving treatment to promote acceptance among parents.  Going even further in may be a requirement that have your son receive the same treatment. Wait!  A new initiative, may have your younger daughters receiving the same treatment and even your son'
sreceiving the treatment.  

If you haven't figured out yet what I'm talking about, you're either don't have children or you've been living under a rock.  What I am talking about is the 'new' HPV vaccination.

Before you run out, or drag your children out, to the Dr. for this vaccine, you may want to research are more.  There are several things you will probably we need to know, at least want to know, before signing the dotted line in taking the needle.

One of the major things that are really irks me about this is the new initiative.  To even suggest, but the vaccination be given to younger kids, merely for it to be more widely accepted by parents.  I'll ludicrous is this?  Where's the merit and value in giving it to younger kids?  Is it so that will be more accepting when giving a our older children were sent to increase the size of bank accounts?

Hey I have made my decision and maybe you have to.  If you haven't made the decision or been faced with it yet, get the facts first.  This is not a magic wand or cure all the HPV or cervical cancer.  This is not a cure and it best could be a prevention.  The most effective way, and most economical way, is to test sexually active people for HPV and treat the HPV.

Know the facts and make informed decisions, don't blindly accept the word of others especially if there's a chance that they stand to profit at your expense.  Separate marketing from actual data and statistics.

Where have I been ?

The last few days, have found me engrossed in on my latest endeavor and left me little time for much else.  Right now I'm involved with establishing an organic food co-op. While I had hoped for interest in the idea, it has been greater than I expected with no more exposure than it has so far. Currently I  am working on a new web site to be used to disseminate information about the initiative.  As soon as the web site is up and running I will publish the address to it here.

An organic coop is something that is valuable to the community.  We must begin to be dependent on our local community for survival and not be so willing to accept products from wherever they come. If you were not familiar with coop, you should make yourself more knowledgeable as to what a coop is and what it can do for you and your community. While I expect the coop will keep me busy for quite some time, I hope to make myself available to write more often.

It is important for all of us to be involved and aware of what is going on.  We must ensure the continued success and survivability of our communities.  Our reluctance to take an active stand and part is and will continue to be a major factor in the declined and death of our communities.  We only need to look at cities such as Detroit, to understand the significance. For far too long we have relied on corporations and governments for our survivability and continue on the same path.  Governments and corporations are ran by individuals with narrow minded thoughts that are not necessarily in the best interest of everyone involved.  Far too often and the corporations and governments have shortsighted goals that served their purpose primarily.

Ultimately it is not about the profit is about the people who the corporations and the governments represent.  If we continue, to allow ourselves to be dependent on these entities, we will allow ourselves to be controlled by them. We need only to look around ourselves and listen to the news to know that governments and corporations are becoming more and more self serving with little regards to individuals.

What is punishment for?

Why do ‘we’ impose sentences and fines upon people?  Do you have a good understanding of the sentencing laws in your jurisdiction and how they work?  Perhaps you should lest you be taken by surprise sometime!

Really, I suppose sentences and fines have a place in the world, or at least some people would tend to think so.  So if sentences and fines do their magic and work as deterrents to more crimes being committed, I propose this:  Anytime a crime is committed by any elected or appointed public official let’s make an example out of them.  Give them two times the maximum fine for the crime being committed!  How is that for deterrence? 

Let’s take it a step further though to ensure there is no favoritism!  Every time one of these officials is  brought up on charges, let us require a special ‘board’ akin to a Grand Jury to oversee their trial!  To make it even more fair and unbiased, let the ‘board’ be comprised of people who are from a different jurisdiction from which the accused comes!  And to make it even more fair, let’s say that no one on the board can be of the same political party!

To make it even more fair and special to be on this ‘board’ let’s say anyone on a board who is accused (accused not necessarily convicted) of a crime related to any case they convene for be privy to the same sentencing as the accused in the case.  The ‘board’ would oversee the proceedings and ensure the letter of the law was followed with no favoritism or special privileges!

While we are at it, why don’t we extend the sentencing laws to include any individuals associated with the accused.  Any sentencing laws applicable to the accused would be extended to these individuals as well!  For instance a private individual offers a bribe to an official, the private individual gets the same sentence.  Of course, there will be a need for a ‘special board’ for this person or persons as well.

While we are at is, let’s go one step further and make it so there are no double standards!  Elected and appointed officials are subject to the same laws as an ‘average’ citizen, there is no special consideration or circumstances! 

How is this for deterrence?

Reverse Discrimination

Something I really hate is discrimination in any form or fashion.  I can remember long hours of conversation with my parents on a number of topics.  One of the most heated debates was on racial discrimination.  I love my parents deeply but this is one thing we could not agree on.  They for their own reasons felt discrimination toward some races.  While high on the other hand could not see their points and argued vehemently that all people are the same regardless of their race.

It is my thoughts and opinions that discrimination occurs whenever special action or legislation is generated for a specific group or race.  Why is it necessary to expend all the resources (primarily time and money) promulgating all the laws and guidelines?  When in actuality aren’t we all the same? Undoubtedly, there are special circumstances were some laws and regulations are necessary.  Primarily this is for special circumstances such as the disabled. This is only necessary because largely people are uneducated to understand the special circumstances and requirements or unwilling to accept the differences of some people.

When you look at many applications for employment and the myriad of other things, you will see the statement: We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or veteran status…  Alternatively, something very similar to this.   As you read through the list that is easy to see that each of the group is listed is comprised of human beings. Shouldn’t the same basic law apply to each of them?  Even this statement alone portrays pretty well how our thoughts of discrimination should be.  In my mind, I do not see that there should be any requirement to single them out! 

When we single out a group of people, isn’t that in a sense discriminating against them?  Hell now we are free to classify and make distinguishing comments and opinions about the group!  Is that not in a sense a form of discrimination?  Hell, I fall into as least five or six of the categories listed!  So I have to know all those laws to be sure I am being treated fairly?

Why do we have kids?

Why do we have kids?

Yes, we probably all know the original reason were meant to have kids, procreate and populate the world.  We must have gotten the message pretty good with a world population of 6,697,254,041 (according to the World Bank and I have to ask WTF does the World Bank have to do with it?  That is another post though) we got the message pretty well and took it literally.  Maybe ‘someone’ should have told us to stop?  There are approximately 490,000 babies born per day around the world.  And we just keep populating!

This isn’t about the population of the world though, this is about kids and families.  Around the world there are millions of kids who are members of single parent families.  Now this does not mean they were born immaturely or anything, it often times mean the parents got a divorce.  Of maybe they were born out of wedlock, or sometimes because one of the parents is deceased.  Whatever the reason, we still have these millions of kids living in a ‘single’ parent household.  Blessings be with these parents or the kids could fall into another classification.

Often times these kids and single parents have a tougher time of it due to all the dynamics of raising a family, especially in this day and time!  We are all aware of the problems encountered by single parents, log hours, multiple jobs, trying to be the mom and dad, the list goes on and on.  Really though who suffers the most?   It is the kids that have to suffer from a single parent family.  Not that single parent families aren’t adequate or more than adequate, hell in some cases they are better than the ‘original’ two parent family.  No wonder how wonderful the parent is, the kids still suffer in one way or another.

So why do we continue to have kids, especially at the rate we do?  It is not for the original reason to populate the world, or to help take care of the family or the farm!  Maybe we give in to the propaganda that says we should have so many kids.  Personally I am still looking for the half a kid my government says I should have!  Does anyone have half a kid?

Wait before I go any further, let me say for the record I LOVE kids, in case anyone is wondering.  If I had my way, I would have had a dozen kids!  I just wasn’t in my cards though to have a dozen kids.

So why do we keep having kids?  It seems to me that we continue to have kids for one of several reasons; 1) we are still trying to populate the world (wait didn’t you get the memo?  We are over capacity now!, 2) we still believe in the family unit (you might want to listen to the song “Cat’s in the Cradle”), 3) we don’t know where kids come from (no wonder we have an education problem or our parents failed to communicate with us), 4) we have an ego problem and have an intense need to see a ‘mini-me’, 5) we believe what we are told and strive for the 2.5 kids (wake the hell up), 6) we need a purpose in life! , 7) we truly love kids and want to have a good life with them.

Twice in the last two weeks I have received inquiries for me to donate my sperm because some ‘chick’ wanted to have a baby in a not so normal way!  No commitments, no family responsibilities.  Wait a minute what is wrong with this picture other than the fact that I am old?

So a couple starts out with the right idea, get married, have kids and raise them the right way.  Somewhere along the way though something goes wrong and one of the parents (sometimes both) the parents split and breakup the family.  Now a single parent family is born.

Things really start going south now in all too many ways.  Two things the parents should realize right away lest you do even more harm; 1) kids are not a possession, 2) kids are not ammunition for your personal use.  Just because they make look like you, have your last name or came from your egg or sperm you do not own them.  Pure and simple, get over it we do not own people, whoever they are!  Oh yeah one other thing, kids are not there for your amusement or spy!

It is sickening when ex-partners (yeah be it spouses, domestic partners, or otherwise) turn to the kids to exert their control and power over their ex.  Not only do the ex’s make the other suffer they also suffer the children at the same time.  Simple things like taking charge of that it’s a life.  Just to show there might buy doing things like changing their hair color, their clothing, etc.

Don’t try a power trip or control, to get what you want instead use some common sense and think about someone other than yourself in your grab for control and power. Think about the people you are hurting beyond just your ex. Think about the actions were taking and now for reaching they may be.  The effect may be adverse and leave permanent scars.

Things I have learned

Since having my stroke last year, I have learned a plethora of things!  Some good, some not so good and others downright deplorable!  The deplorable is one of my biggest pet peeves and it has to do with people, now not all people for sure but by and large sadly it seems the vast majority of people!  Hey if this fits you and you take offense maybe you should also heed.  Why are people so shocked when I say I am blind?  Yeah well wake up, there are varying degrees of blindness, though I am not totally blind, I do have limitations, I am aware of them and I respect them.  By definition, I am legally blind and as such 'act' much like a fully sighted 'regular' person.  In a short time, I have learned to live within the limitations of my blindness, one you should be most thankful for is I don't drive!  

There are a number of day to day tasks that I do undertake, one big one is that I shop.  Even though I shop I do know and live within my limitations.  Despite those limitations, I to date have yet to 'run over' or 'knock down' one of the selfish seeing patrons of the supermarket who does cross my path.  Also, I have as of yet to 'knock down' one of the little brats you so lovingly call your child.  Well if it is your child and you are so loving why in the hell don't you mind them better in the stores?  

Not so long ago, I was in a 'famous' department store at the cosmetic counter purchasing some items.  A rather common task for me at most any department or grocery store.  On this particular trip, to make the purchase there were not less than five children around me acting like they were just set free from prison!  What made it even more sad was that both the mum and dad were there too yet did nothing to control their children.   Hell it did not even matter that this seeming 'normal' appearing blind man was there, the parents just ignored the ramblings of the children and went about their business.  Perhaps I was left to presume I should do the same and ignore the wee people bumping into my knees and trying to topple me?

Ah but children will be children and I do love them and overlook their zeal for life and their curiosity.  Their parents on the other hand should be tarred and feathered for letting their 'young 'ins' behave so rudely!   One of the even 'better' things is to be in the local market and have adults acting like children instead of respectful grown ups.  What the hell is it with people who zoom right in front of your basket with theirs seemingly oblivious to your presence and undoubtedly spoiling for the fight should you dare hit them or their basket!

Ha!  Guess what?  I have a license to hit you or your children, or your basket!  I can't see!  As of yet though, I have not and doubt I ever would 'hit' anyone though the thought is tempting sometime!   Then why would I ever lower myself to your level?  As for the kids, they are innocent, it is your fault that they run amok like they do.  Teach them respect!  And learn some yourself while at it!  The world does not exist for you!

During the past year!!!

36 have been accused of spousal abuse   

7 have been arrested for fraud   

19 have been accused of writing bad checks   

117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses   

3 have done time for assault   

71   cannot get a credit card due to bad credit  

14 have been arrested on drug-related charges   

8 have been arrested for shoplifting   

21 currently are defendants in lawsuits,

And,   
84    have been arrested for drunk driving

In the last year

Can   
You guess which organization this is?

It ' s the 535 members of the   
United States Congress   

The same group that cranks out   
Hundreds of new laws each year   
Designed to keep the rest of us in line.

You   
Gotta pass this one on!

On November 2nd, 2010 we need to replace all of them, 100%.