Author: Sue Seboda

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Powering Through

On Learning to Shoot, Part 4

During a group ski lesson many years ago, I had successfully conquered the intermediate slope, thoroughly enjoying myself, implementing newfound skills quite well, thank you very much.  At the bottom I took a break from patting myself on the back to notice my surroundings.  Barreling straight for me was another student. Unbelievably she crouches down low.  My efforts to get out of the way failed as did my suggestion that she not turn herself into a bowling ball.  Upon impact, I flew out of my skies into the air.  She came up crying and I came up laughing.  She at her embarrassment, me at my premature gloating.  Welcome to learning.  Two steps forward, one step back.  

And so it is with precision pistol.  On my first string at 50 yards, I got two on and that was someone else’s target.  The other day, at 50 yards, all ten rounds found the target, 9 of them in the scoring rings. Hot damn!  The cat’s meow!  We are rolling now!  I then proceed to fall apart at 25 yards for the rest of the day and realized my preening was once again premature.  Two steps forward, one step back.  Power through.  No discouragement allowed.  

As we jerk our way up the hill of learning, new shooters should also be aware that learning can be a progression of phases.  The early phases are like some sort of bizarre hazing ritual we must endure. In the latter part of June, I joined the Thursday league for the first time and faced the impossibly distant 50 yard target for the second time.  The fluster factor was HIGH and the number of bullets that made it to the target LOW.  Even more horrifying, first grade math eluded me as I turned Mike’s score sheet into a Rorschach test.  As I stared at that mess, I realized I was smack dab in the middle of the spaz attack phase.  The only thing to do is refocus and power through.  

That day Eddie showed me how to pull the trigger.  The following Tuesday, I started to consciously put together the basics my new friends and mentors had taught and low and behold, I started the slow climb out of the spaz attack phase to the second phase – the first incline.  

As any new shooter has discovered, there is an endless list of dos and don’ts.  I like to prioritize learning and focus on a limited number of key fundamentals first.  Below are a few that have helped tremendously.  Detailed explanations of these concepts can be found in the excellent “The New Pistol Shooters Treasury”.

See the Sights   Early on, Mike said my shot pattern suggested I wasn’t seeing the sights clearly.  Correct, they were a bit blurry.  This is of utmost importance because one does not focus on the target but on the sights.  They must be perfectly aligned during the arc of movement and trigger pull to achieve success.   So it stands to reason, they must be crystal clear to have any chance of learning this harder than it sounds task.  Luckily I had an eye appointment in a couple days and walked in with my gun figuring it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission.  Let’s just say I am glad that appointment was in Florida where such things happen.  With the proper stance, I held the gun in firing position, and we determined the prescription necessary to see the sights clearly.  That afternoon, I had new glasses.  It was transformative.  It’s up to me now to truly manage the sights not passively observe them.  

The Natural Point of Aim   Mike put it best: “the natural point of aim is the place you are most stable, comfortable and strong.  The duty of holding the gun is shared by the back, chest and shoulders. The head is aligned with the body so that the eye is aligned with the sight and the neck is not twisted so much as to reduce circulation through the neck. And, very importantly, it is the place where the gun will be steadiest and will naturally return after recoil.”  To determine the correct foot position, close your eyes and bring the gun into firing position.  Adjust the feet until your gun rises automatically to the proper position during repeated attempts.  

The elbow is important.  When raising the arm, it should be strong, flat and locked.  Mike suggested visualizing the arm as a cannon.  Perfect.  Also while walking to the car after the terrible shooting day mentioned above, I ran a mental video of my mechanics and realized something very important.  My elbow was breaking plane after each shot.  This causes all sorts of unnecessary movement that could result in difficulty regaining the sight picture, a rushed shot and jerking the trigger.  Think cannon, not spaghetti.    

Pulling the Trigger   No doubt reams have been written on this subject.  From The New Pistol Shooters Treasury: “Get the proper grip on your pistol and keep the pressure constant, align the sights on the target properly, then with the trigger finger only, exert a steady, constantly increasing pressure, straight to the rear, until the hammer falls.”  Better yet, get someone to actually pull the trigger with you.  Skip the death grip on the pistol and practice moving the trigger finger without moving the rest.  If this sounds easy, let me assure you it is not and requires much practice.

On one occasion Paul watched me during timed fire and noted that I lifted my finger off the trigger between shots.  I was completely unaware of this bad habit.  Keeping proper pressure on the trigger at all times reduces movement and sight alignment can be regained more readily.    

There are many opinions on exactly where the trigger should make contact with the finger.  Some folks place the crease on the trigger, others the pad, others in between.  For now, I am doing what feels natural and will make an adjustment as necessary.  

Dry Firing   Dry firing is the secret sauce.  On my second day, Paul asked, did you practice dry firing?  I looked at him as if he had three heads.  Then he proceeded to show me a snap cap.  A snap cap is used in the pistol to dry fire and provides the opportunity to practice grip, stance, raising the gun to firing position, sight picture and, most important, trigger pull.  The first time I tried it, I was amazed at the information I gained.  All kinds of bad things were happening.  The more practice, the more likely it is good things will happen instead.  

While I continue to improve with two steps forward and one step back, I know there is another phase coming.  Like the spaz attack phase it will be important to avoid discouragement and power through.  It is the dreaded plateau.  With any luck it will be a long time before I get there and when it comes, may it be short lived.  

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Whitey in the Woodpile

America on Shaky Ground, Part 3

Do you really think the likes of Carol Swain, Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas and Ben Carson achieved success by crawling around under someone’s bootheel?  Of course not, they believed in their own ability to succeed, worked hard and took advantage of all that America has to offer.  As Dr. Swain eloquently explained “I was born into a world where systemic racism was real—no-fooling, outright-bigotry, back-of-the-bus real. But here’s what you need to know: Yes, that racism shaped the black experience—but even then, it did not define it. Change was in the air. Call it systemic reform.”  

The systemic reform Dr. Swain referenced has transformed our country.  While there is more work to do, a person of any color can succeed in America.  Our collective American message should be one of possibilities, hope, hard work, personal responsibility, and perseverance.  We should encourage all citizens to learn from the past and shoot for the stars.  Sadly the opposite is happening. We are bombarded with negativity and defeatist messaging that black folks are victims to white oppressors.  Some would have us believe that America is drowning in racism and white supremacy.  As one BLM leader said regarding US systems of law: “when we talk about institutional and systemic racism, I can’t think of an example of a system that is clean.”  Welcome to the race chapter of the victim/oppressor club where black outcomes are stymied by whitey in the woodpile.  

Will stoking animosity between racial groups result in the advancement of our nation?  Highly unlikely.  Has any group of any size achieved success when the team members are infighting rather than focused on the goal?  A group with a common focus that knows what’s working, what isn’t working, creates reality based plans, learns from mistakes, avoids problems and works in concert has a chance of winning.  A group divided by hate sinks to mediocrity or collapses entirely.  We see this concept played out in our families, sports teams, small business, large corporations and countries.  Since this is a fundamental fact of human interaction, why has a narrative been deployed that pits citizens against each other rather than a message of unity that uplifts us all?  

It is extremely disorienting to watch black people who have achieved the pinnacles of success tell their black brethren that their success is hampered by white people.  Where is Captain Obvious when you need him?   There are many reasons individuals and groups achieve different outcomes not the least of which is the individual’s attitude and work ethic.  However, these peddlers of victim ideology offer only one excuse for poor outcomes – systemic racism.  

Anyone who listens to the local news knows that there are serious problems that plague poor minority neighborhoods that are unrelated to racism.  These communities suffer from lousy government schools, the disintegration of the family, a culture of government dependence, drugs, out of control gangs and black on black violence to name a few.  Instead of honest conversations regarding the economics of poverty and comprehensive multipronged strategies, we see black youths loot and burn their own communities, often destroying minority owned businesses.  Then BLM tells us “looting is reparations”.  Translation – violence that destroys other people’s lives is okay because whitey is in the woodpile.  

The actual occupants of the woodpile are race hustlers and others who seek to benefit from the extreme division caused by corrosive victim/oppressor ideology.  These evil people are sacrificing our black youth for their own gain.  It is beyond sad that many have placed themselves in victim status in search of a handy oppressor to blame for their personal outcomes.  Victimhood is at best a recipe for mediocrity and will likely result in worse outcomes for struggling black folks.  How can this be good?  

Even though we still feel the shock waves from slavery and the unbridled racism that followed, it is my fervent belief that the vast majority of Americans are not racist.  Please consider how these folks will react as the nationwide hunt for whitey in the woodpile intensifies and white people are tried and convicted for the actions of their ancestors.  It is very bad business to fight racism with racism unless division is the actual goal.  There is a better way.  

We will delve into the subject of race in greater detail in future articles but for now our goal is to list destabilizing factors impacting America.  Without question, the racial segregation of Americans via victim/oppressor ideology puts us on dangerously shaky ground.  

Shaky Ground Summary

As a reminder we will only examine what is happening and leave why unasked for now.  Below is a summary of destabilizing factors addressed in this and previous articles in the America on Shaky Ground series.  

  • Part 1 – Division and distrust caused by the prohibition of gathering.
  • Part 2 – Division and distrust caused by categorizing women and men into victims and oppressors.  
  • Part 3 – Division and distrust caused by racial segregation via victim/oppressor ideology.

Notes

  • Dividing our nation along racial lines is so incredibly destructive that it behooves all Americans to study this issue in depth rather than react emotionally to three word slogans.  Empirical evidence and historical context are essential to evaluating the current narrative accurately.  A great start is the “Black Wisdom Matters” series of videos curated by Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams and other very smart people.  Here is part 1 of 7.  
  • “Discrimination and Disparities” is an excellent book by Thomas Sowell that offers an in depth examination of disparate outcomes among groups and forms of discrimination.  This is critical information for assessing the current conversations on “equity”.  “Black Rednecks and White Liberals” is a collection of thought provoking essays that provide necessary historical facts missing from critical race theory based narratives.  
  • The Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization is more than it appears and research into BLM and the founders is wise.  This video by Ami Horowitz is worth your time.  
  • This Forbes article provides a quick summary of the history of slavery. Note to all our poorly educated students, America did not invent slavery.

Pearls of Wisdom from Thomas Sowell

Below are two Thomas Sowell quotes which elaborate on the concepts discussed above:  

“While the lessons of history can be valuable, the twisting of history and the mining of the past for grievances can tear a society apart. Past grievances, real or imaginary, are equally irremediable in the present, for nothing that is done among living contemporaries can change in the slightest the sins and the sufferings of generations who took those sins and sufferings to the grave with them in centuries past. Galling as it may be to be helpless to redress the crying injustices of the past, symbolic expiation in the present can only create new injustices among the living and new problems for the future, when newborn babies enter the world with pre-packaged grievances against other babies born the same day. Both have their futures jeopardized, not only by their internal strife but also by the increased vulnerability of a disunited society to external dangers from other nations and from international terrorist networks.”  Black Rednecks & White Liberals.

“Whatever chances such people have of acquiring the missing ingredients for their own advancement are reduced to the extent that their problems are misdiagnosed as the sins of other people rather than things that they themselves lack—even if they lack those things for reasons beyond their control. Often the things they lack can be acquired sooner and more extensively than they can either reform other people or get the society as a whole to provide for them through a redistribution of existing wealth what they are capable of producing for themselves through an upgrading of their own productivity. Moreover, rising productivity adds to the net wealth of the society and the world, which is more likely to gain the respect of others, as well as self-respect, than are reiterated pleas or demands for a share of what others have created.”  Black Rednecks & White Liberals.    

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Bad Ole Men

Part 2 America on Shaky Ground

Last week a guest speaker opened her remarks with an obvious excuse.  She told a large gathering that “covid protocols” prevented her from attending in person. I suspected then she was full of it and was on alert for more.  I didn’t have to wait long.  She proceeded to explain when she was in meetings with men “her voice was not heard” and that other women would help her employ strategies so men “would hear her voice”.  Let’s put our boots on and wade in.  

As someone who has always worked in male dominated fields and was typically the only woman in a testosterone filled conference room, I can say with certainty that I rarely had a problem with my voice being heard.  If my message was not initially understood, I wondered how to communicate more effectively.  People process information differently and one’s style has to be adjusted accordingly.  These differences do not necessarily break on gender lines although, news flash, men and women are different.  Even with an appropriate communication strategy, failure can occur for reasons that have nothing to do with gender.  The listener can be a jerk, have extreme ADD or be one of those manic talkers incapable of listening.  Regardless of the countless factors that contribute to failure, in some quarters it’s always the bad ole men who prohibit women’s “voices from being heard”.  Women are the victims and men are the oppressors in this corrosive narrative.

Sadly some women have been actual victims at the hands of truly bad men.  These women are real victims through no fault of their own.  Victim/oppressor ideology attempts to project the no fault reality of the genuine victim to all women.  If a woman buys into this theory, she has no personal responsibility for bad outcomes in the conference room or life.  It’s the oppressor’s fault.  They get away with it because good folks will never ascribe blame to real victims and it’s just so hard to tell the difference between real and ideological victims these days.  As a result people have stayed silent and allowed this con job to take root.  

Conversely, traits of actual bad men are projected to all those in the targeted oppressor group and viola, all men, including good men, become victimizers and misogynists.  A casual observation of the men we know proves the lie of gender based oppressor theory.  

This concept is not new.  When I started out 40 years ago, a few folks dangled the victim card in my face.  I swatted it away like a bad smell.  I was focused on achievement and had no use for “poor pitiful me” ideology.  Even then our society had progressed to a place where women had the opportunity to advance unfettered should they choose to do so.  In fact, a competent woman in a male dominated industry actually had the advantage.  In order to recognize this, however, it was essential to have the correct perspective.  I believed in my ability to succeed and remained focused on the goal.  Equally important the source of my failures could be found in the mirror.  That isn’t to say that I was free of insecurities. Like all humans, I had plenty and perhaps more than most.  But insecurities were my baggage to offload, not an amorphous self-limiting ideology that cast me as a victim.  

One difference between then and now is victimology has gone mainstream infecting Americans of all ages including young impressionable minds.  Should we encourage our daughters to view themselves as oppressed or teach the concept of personal responsibility? Do we want them to fear there is an oppressor behind every male face?  Or should we teach them to evaluate the character of both men and women acknowledging there are good and bad of each?  Should we teach our sons they are bad simply because some stranger with questionable motives has labeled them an oppressor?  Or should we teach them how to think?  Should we ensure young people understand the prerequisites of success or turn them into victims trapped below a self-imposed glass ceiling?  

Victim/oppressor ideology divides us horribly.  Consider how real victims feel towards their attackers.  Now imagine that negativity and distrust percolating in the newly oppressed ideological victims.  As we see on the news daily, it is disastrous for America and puts us on very shaky ground indeed.  

A more insidious and equally dangerous result is a culture of mediocrity.  How can anyone possibly be the best they can be if bad outcomes are always someone else’s fault?   How does an individual learn and grow without the benefit of acknowledging and examining their own mistakes and poor choices?  Victim/oppressor ideology therefore stunts growth potentially reducing the chance of success.  Dampening the achievements and ambitions of individuals results in mediocrity or worse.  As the number of achievers declines, the overall success of America will diminish and with this comes destabilization. 

Luckily for the propagation of our species, the gender chapter of the victim/oppressor club has not attracted wholesale membership.  We women like our men and do not take kindly to painting our good men with a bad ole man brush.   The race chapter however is growing at an alarming rate…

Shaky Ground Summary

As a reminder we will only examine what is happening and leave why unasked for now.  Below is a summary of destabilizing factors addressed in this and the previous article in the America on Shaky Ground series.  

  • Part 1 – Division and distrust caused by the prohibition of gathering.
  • Part 2 – Division and distrust caused by separating women and men into victims and oppressors.  

Notes

The phrase “prerequisites of success” was lifted from one of America’s great critical thinkers, Thomas Sowell.  I highly recommend “Discrimination and Disparities” for an excellent discussion on this topic.

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In Search of the Bullseye

On Learning to Shoot, Part 3

There is one silver lining of the Covid Era aka “The Gun Age”.  I have a new passion. Target shooting.  A few months after my first sweat soaked handgun lesson, I impulsively bought a .22 pistol.  I was hooked the minute the gun was in my hand.  Shortly thereafter I left free America to head north to not so free Maryland.  

I had two goals when I arrived, buy a .22 pistol and find a place to shoot it.  I failed miserably in the first and succeeded spectacularly in the second.  

A friend recommended Anne Arundel Fish and Game (AAFG), a private shooting sports club that includes covered 24-position precision pistol (a.k.a. “bullseye”) range, a set of  action pistol bays, a casual plinking range, a covered 6-position 100-yard rifle range, a covered 12-position 50-yard small bore (rimfire) rifle range, two trap fields, and an archery range. It is a wonderful place.  On Tuesday mornings, they hold precision pistol training.  I figured that would be all me and emailed the gentleman who manages the pistol range, Paul Striffler and asked if I could come by and watch.  While a bit intimidated, I knew I would like it and started the process to join the club.  Meanwhile if I could secure a gun, I could join the Tuesday morning sessions while the application was in process. 

Buying a gun in Maryland as a Florida resident deserves its own article.  Suffice it to say, regulations have done nothing to keep guns out of the hands of criminals but are very handy to keep them away from me.  Then I borrowed a .22 pistol which turned out to be a “no good deed goes unpunished scenario” for the lender.  Long story short, I bought another pistol in free America and returned to Maryland this summer with a Browning Buckmark and a provisional membership to AAFG.  Finally, goals achieved.  

I emailed Mike McGrath, who has been very helpful through the entire process, to let him know I was back, had a weapon and was ready to go.  In a classic verbal tell of the jitters, I asked Mike if I should jump in on Tuesdays or practice a bit first on my own.  Mike reminded me that Tuesday sessions are the practice where you learn to shoot before shooting.  Ahhh, no need to clean the house before the cleaners arrive.  Got it.  

The moment of truth arrives.  I show up early on the following Tuesday and meet Paul and the 12 or so other folks whose names I promptly forgot because I am a nervous wreck.  I am no stranger to doing things that make me uncomfortable so I know the feeling well.  Paul taught me the proper stance, grip and how to bring one’s arm into position.  We touched on using the breath and had quite a bit of conversation about the “arc of movement”.  As soon as I heard that phrase, I knew the arc was going to be my nemesis.  My analytical mind computed how far off a shot would be at 25 yards with an out of control beginners arc.  I had been shooting at about 7 yards up to this point.  Luckily though I was too nervous to think about much, Paul was an excellent coach, I hit the target more often than I missed and got a bullseye.  Most important, I enjoyed it thoroughly.  Success. 

The following Tuesday I immediately notice the targets are an impossible 50 yards away.  This was a big problem.  I was next to Bob and another Mike who runs the Saturday league.  I wondered if I would annoy them with my endless questions and confirmed what I already knew, folks here are incredibly helpful and more than happy to share their knowledge.  Tightening up that coffee fueled arc of movement for a 50 yard target is where my worry should have been directed.  The other problem is my mind was in overdrive and that always screws things up.  When overthinking, I tend to dwell on the wrong things like “please God don’t let me do anything stupid” and forget to think about the right things like setting my stance correctly.  

It isn’t long before Mike says to me, Sue, you are shooting at my target.  As my cheeks no doubt flare, I thought, good news, I actually hit the 50 yard target I was aiming at.  Then I breathed a sigh of relief that at least one stupid thing was out of the way.  Note to self, pay attention to the numbers on the stations.  All in all, my performance was abysmal, but fun was had by all.  The good news is I can only go up from here and we shoot 25 yards next Tuesday…

Practical Tips

  1. Relax.
  2. Relax.
  3. Relax.
  4. More tips to follow.  Start with these.  

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The Beauty of Gathering

American on Shaky Ground, Part 1

As Joni Mitchel said, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.  It is also true that we don’t know what we lost till it’s back.   

For 14 long Covid months, either government edict or individual choice restricted the ability of most to gather.  This was a severe loss with far reaching implications.  My first opportunity to gather unfettered was at an outdoor concert in mid-May.  The night was perfect, the music excellent and the crowd happy. All of this was punctuated by a superb display of nature as the sun set over the water.  It was powerful medicine.  I was reminded that gathering is a basic human need that lifts and unites us.   Events of the last year demonstrate the converse is also true, the extended inability to assemble will depress and separate us.  

As I contemplated the positive energy sifting through me and the crowd, I was deeply reminded why the right of assembly is specifically outlined in the 1st Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”  Gathering is power.  

Is it any surprise that communist countries who wield total control over their subjects severely restrict assembly and religion?  We humans are a wily bunch that can be difficult to control.  Separating us from each other and our collective power is a good first step.  It is destabilizing.  Sprinkle in a huge dose of fear and behavior control becomes even easier.  The Covid experience taught us this is absolutely true.  My intention is not to discuss whether Covid restrictions were necessary but to recognize the reality of their impacts.  Covid edicts separated us from essential human needs, injected boundless fear, destabilized us and set the stage for the successful manipulation of millions.   

With this Covid reality firmly understood, I took a few steps up the ladder and realized that there are a good number of destabilizing forces at work in our country.  America is on shaky ground.  For now, let’s not examine why, let’s just examine…

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Maskless in a Masked World

I am vaccinated and theoretically the risk of catching or transmitting covid is infinitesimal, so I do not wear a mask. It’s a simple concept which is why I am befuddled that mine is the only face on display in most establishments. It is understandable that a high risk vaccinated person may choose to continue masking, but everybody?

Today I ventured into a Whole Foods in Montgomery County, MD.  I was the lone maskless human, as usual.  The store was busy.  A rather aggressive woman told me to put on a mask.  I stated that the requirement for masks has been lifted plus I was vaccinated.  She screeched “I have no idea if you are vaccinated or not”.  I asked if Whole Foods’ requires masks even if the County does not.  She said yes and that I was wrong, the County does require masks indoors.  Hmmm.  I put a mask on so I could check out and left the store.  Because I am done with this nonsense, I did what I do and verified the facts.  Whole Foods follows the local jurisdiction and Mongtomery County had lifted the mask mandate.  No mask required.

Work Sue marched back in.  The mask police were now at the door and asked me to put a mask on.  No.  Please?  No.  I went to customer service where a group of women were standing behind plexiglass and requested to speak to the manager.  These poor women almost toppled over themselves backing away from me, the maskless monster.   “Mam please, please step away”.  Sigh.  I waited for the manager.  He calmly explained that Montgomery County mask mandate is in place until May 28, 2021 and Whole Foods follows the local jurisdiction.  I calmly proved that he was wrong.  I also suggested that to get over the Covid nightmare we need to get busy getting over it.  

Even if Whole Foods instructs their mask police to stand down, it appears that many vaccinated, low risk folks will continue to mask in this area.  Somehow these folks cannot grasp that covid is on the way out and their risk is very low.  Sadly government at all levels and their media lapdogs have consistently doled out incomplete and misleading information.  Fear blossomed and thinking stopped.  The best remedy for these folks is to spend a week enjoying a maskless life and hopefully the spell will be broken.  

Update 2.1.22

We have since learned that being vaccinated does not stop the spread of Covid. If it did, Covid would be in the rear view mirror. We have also learned, although many of us were aware of this from the beginning, cloth and surgical masks offer very limited protection against the highly transmissible Omicron. A high risk person in close proximity to others should perhaps consider a well fitted N95 mask. While some debate the effectiveness of even the N95, if my life were on the line, an N95 would be on my face.

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Government Gods Like Cruise Ships

By Sue Seboda

During Covid a dangerous creature emerged – the government god.  In search of relevance, these self-appointed gods picked Covid winners and losers.  They delivered incredible profits to big box corporate giants while shuttering small businesses even if they could operate safely.   Casinos won, churches lost.  Airlines, where passengers sit inches apart, continued to fly but restaurants were closed, some forever. They gave “essential” folks the ability to pay their bills and booted many “nonessentials” to food lines and government handouts.  All the while the government gods were free to ignore their own rules and studiously avoid the very real consequences of lockdowns.  Sadly the fear soaked citizens let them do it.  

In Key West, we are once again at the mercy of government gods.  This branch of Tallahassee gods has decided they know what’s best for Key West and they, and they alone, will pick the winners and losers in our town.  The House will vote on HB267 soon and, if passed, the bill will land on Governor DeSantis’s desk for signature or veto.  HB267 seeks to override the November 2020 referendum in which Key West citizens voted to restrict the size and number of cruise ships.  This bill was sponsored by Rep. Spencer Roach from Ft Myers and Rep. Tyler Sirois of Merritt Island.  

Inquiring minds would like to know how the size of cruise ships in Key West impacts Ft Myers, Merritt Island or any other city in Florida?  Have Rep. Roach and Sirois been in Key West when thousands of cruise ship passengers have been disgorged?  Are Rep. Roach and Sirois aware that many businesses in Key West are doing notably better without cruise ships?  Have they bothered to ask why that might be?  Have they evaluated how businesses who have been hurt with no cruise ships will be impacted when they return at a level consistent with the referendum? Or are they only focused on the reduced income that Mark Walsh and Pier D Development will experience from smaller ships?  

Has Mark Walsh’s nearly $1,000,000 donation to Friends of Ron DeSantis encouraged Rep. Roach and Sirois to arrogantly assert we “are engaging in economic elitism in an attempt to remake Key West in the mold of Martha’s Vineyard”.  First, why do they care what happens in our town?  Second, are we elitists if we want cleaner water?  Third, is it elitism to prefer more businesses that serve both the locals and tourists and less that peddle junk?  Fourth, please produce one human being who wants Key West to be Martha’s Vineyard.  In my humble opinion it is elitism for any Tallahassee god to create laws that determine which Key West businesses prosper and which do not thereby impacting the nature of our town. 

Regardless of your political party or whether you are for or against cruise ships, we should unite in the knowledge that our vote matters.  If those at the State level believe the citizens made a mistake, let’s examine all of the facts and perhaps hold another referendum if current reality differs from assumptions made in November 2020.  As a community we should honestly evaluate how and which businesses have been and will be impacted with no, limited, or the maximum number of cruise ships. We should also determine post covid travel patterns before any decision is made since this could significantly impact the debate.  One thing we cannot do, however, is let the government gods take over our town and once again pick who wins and who dies.  

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Key West vs the Cruise Industry

Open Letter to Governor Ron DeSantis

The purpose of this letter is to express opposition to the recently passed SB426 which overrides Key West citizens’ vote to limit the size and number of cruise ships and request that you veto this bill in its current form.  I also wish to register disturbance that this bill has been crafted and supported by my fellow republicans many of whom do not live in Key West.  

Supporters fail to acknowledge a very basic question.  Did Key West have the legal authority to hold the referendum?  If so, then any attempt to silence the voters is wrong.   The shortsighted arrogance of this effort smacks of the nauseating elitism and hypocrisy we are exposed to on a daily basis.  If republicans wish to distinguish themselves as the party of common sense and principle then we better start walking the walk at every level of government.  

The only conceivable reason to override the Key West voters is if their actions caused grievous harm to other Floridians.  Did they?  Please detail exactly how since limiting the size of cruise ships in Key West appears to be a local issue and has no impact on the citizens of Bradenton or Fort Myers.  The argument that all ports serve the entire state does not apply. The only “goods” being delivered by cruise ships are tourists not trade product destined for the local and regional supply chain.   

Other reasons to support SB426 have been bandied about such as:

  • The citizens’ vote was based on an environmental report that was flawed.
  • Those in favor of cruise ships did not have the opportunity to present their data adequately.
  • Very few people voted.
  • People impacted by this vote such as those who work in restaurants do not live in Key West and did not have the opportunity to voice their opinion.  
  • Businesses are negatively impacted by the vote to restrict cruise ships.

Please see my responses below:

  • Scientists have conflicting opinions regarding the environmental impact, but our laymen eyes see the difference as do our local fisherman.  Some have made the fair point that restricting cruise traffic to smaller ships will result in dirtier older ships.   Doesn’t that statement alone suggest that all ships have an environmental impact?  
  • If new data exists that conclusively demonstrates there is no environmental impact of large cruise ships, work with the City to present this data and hold a new referendum.  The citizens can review and vote accordingly.  
  • After the election shenanigans we have observed, it has been shocking to hear anyone diminish the value of legal votes.  In addition, if the number of people that voted determined the validity of an election, elections would be thrown out all over the country.  It is an absurd argument.   
  • With a record number of visitors, many Key West businesses that cater to locals, vacation rentals and hotel guests, experienced increased March 21 profits compared to March 19.  Please detail exactly which businesses are in decline because the blanket statement that all businesses will suffer without cruise ships is untrue.  I suspect the primary businesses with reduced profits are those that sell cheap trinkets from China or run the $5.00 tee shirt scam.  Many citizens oppose the proliferation of such stores. Do Key West citizens have the right to determine the tone and tenor of their own town without interference from state level politicians?  In the opinion of at least 10,000 Key West voters, the answer is yes.
  • Anyone who is actually in Key West knows that town is packed.  Restaurant reservations are difficult at best.  If a restaurant is failing now, one can only assume it has nothing to do with cruise ships.  More likely they need to improve marketing efforts, are having difficulty finding staff or their food is bad.  

We must also consider the big picture.  We are in a twilight zone world of disinformation, boundless corruption and power struggles in which the combatants fully believe the ends justify very destructive means.  2022 and 2024 elections will determine whether we continue down a path of false narratives or turn the tide towards facts and common sense, a path towards centralized collectivist government or federalism, a path of divisive identity politics enforced by cancel culture or the free expression of critical thought.  In order to change course, we need principled leaders who are an uncorrupted, shining force of good.  The question is simple.  Is this a principled bill or one based on cruise industry dollars in the pockets of swamp creatures?  

Certainly I am naïve about the mechanics of politics but I do know that it is impossible to make everyone happy and this fact surely plays into a numbers game of votes and campaign contributions.  Considering the state of our country and how long it’s been since we have had solid leadership, I do believe the people will open their wallets wide and stampede to the polls if a truly genuine, principled leader emerges.  We hope that leader is you.  Please choose wisely when this bill lands on your desk.  Our country depends on it.  

Sincerely,

Sue Seboda

Key West

Posted on

Flaps and Folds

Sue Seboda, April 15,2021

I came by my vanity late in life.  It was a match made in heaven but, sadly, a notable problem has developed.  How does one reconcile being vain with the advent of old lady skin?   I stare at my arms and legs with a macabre fascination wondering what old fart has snatched my body.  Is there a deeper reason I have a newfound affinity for alligators?  What are we going to do about the grievous loss of our young girl skin? 

Denial.  Initially I figured I would do what all the woke kids do – identify as a younger person.  It did not work.  That pesky old bugger reality intruded on this fantasy and old lady skin is still advancing regardless of my feelings.  

Anger.  Our high degree of Irishness has always been a source of pride in the family.  But I am here to tell you that Irish skin does not hold up well.  Aside from rosacea and myriad other skin conditions, flaps and folds are developing that are most distressing.  Why oh why didn’t our ancestors marry a Mediterranean or two to bolster that fragile Irish skin?  

Bargaining.  Please God, if I work out every day, will you stop this?  How about if I promise never to go in the sun again?  How about random acts of kindness in the shade standing on my head?  No?  Can you slow it down at least?  Come on man, please?  

Depression.  Skip this step.  

Acceptance.  I am poor at accepting something as distasteful as old lady skin but I figured perspective would be most helpful. Have a good look around and a remarkable discovery will occur.  Young girl bottoms are on full display.  These bottoms are every size and shape with varying degrees of unattractive cellulite assaulting the eyes.  Nobody cares.  Bingo!  If young girl bottoms are OK what could possibly be wrong with a bit of old lady skin? 

The answer is simple, vanity has to go and sleeveless shirts can stay.  Reality wins.  But does that mean we roll over and turn into old ladies?  NO.  While we have to accept old lady skin, I will never accept old lady muscles.  Work out.  Stay active.  Strong muscles will keep us young in all the important ways.  Yes, the skin will flap and fold in the gym.  Don’t look at it.  

Anything else to be done?  Old lady skin appears first in the areas of greatest sun damage.  (Take note young sun worshippers.)  To avoid further damage and dehydrating the skin, I have succumbed to the unstylish ugly Columbia shirt when stuck under a hot sun.  Sigh.  When hiking or out shooting, I upgrade to the slightly more stylish Patagonia shirt.  I have always been a big fan of lotions and potions.  They clearly didn’t do their job but they do temporarily make things look better or make me feel better, not sure which.  Proper hydration in and out is key as is a healthy diet which is good for everything.  

The bottom line?  If you got it, flaunt it.  

Recommendations:

  • Exercise is the fountain of youth.  If need motivation and live in Key West, I highly recommend Dante Harper who runs Flex Key West, 1204 White Street.  There is something for everyone at Flex with approximately 9 thirty minute classes daily including strength, cardio, boxing and abs.  If you are uncomfortable with in person training, Dante also streams classes.  If in Annapolis, try JD Adamson, the Fitness Studio of Annapolis, who is also excellent.  He offers traditional individual training and I promise you will see results. 
  • Lotions and Potions.  Everybody’s skin is different so what works for me may not be ideal for someone else.  Having said that I am a huge fan of Eminence products and slather them on liberally.  For sensitive rosacea prone skin, the Calm Skin line is ideal.  For sunscreen I wear Ulta MD physical defense and Eminence Red Currant Protective Moisturizer.  For body cream I like Epionce Medical Barrier Cream and for hands the magical Refissa. 
  • More aggressive treatments.  There appears to be nothing logical for the arms and legs although you can get an arm lift if want to lose two months of your life and have a big ole scar running down your arm.  Far more can be done for the face and neck from noninvasive to completely invasive.  If interested in this route, make an appointment with the most highly skilled cosmetic dermatologist and/or plastic surgeon in your area and examine what makes sense, if anything, for you.  
Posted on

Money vs Lives

December 21, 2020

By Sue Seboda

Money vs lives. Remember that?  Anyone who advocated for a balanced approach to Covid had that phrase viciously thrown in their faces in a high-pitched social media frenzy.  The money vs lives mantra was generated and propagated by the lockdown proponents, adopted as gospel by a fear soaked populace and used strategically to silence common sense among the citizens and local politicians. Among other things, this weaponization of Covid was used to justify mail in voting and solidify power structures.  But today let’s steep ourselves in the irony of another goal, the most basic of them all, money.  

The reality of the money vs lives mantra is far different from the lockdown or die message in the early days of Covid.  It’s Big Pharma money vs our lives.  We little people are clearly expendable unless Big Pharma and their clingons can make a bundle.  What other explanation is there for the incurious attitude of the western world to safe, inexpensive, off patent, readily available and potentially effective ivermectin?  Why are front line doctors who have firsthand experience with ivermectin’s ability to reduce mortality and hospitalization ridiculed, criticized and fired?  It has been known since April that ivermectin has notable potential as a Covid therapeutic.  So why do the FDA, NIH and CDC say this inexpensive, off patent drug should not be used until further studies are done?  Why haven’t these studies already been concluded as has been done with vaccines and expensive drugs that can be patented?   It’s simple, there is not enough money in it to get Big Pharma’s attention.  

For those who have never heard of ivermectin, it is an antiparasitic drug initially developed for animals in the 1970s. During the 1980s it was discovered that ivermectin was highly effective for certain parasites in humans.  More than 3 billion doses have been prescribed (many donated by Merck) since the 1980s confirming its safe human use.  Because in vitro studies have shown ivermectin to be a potentially potent antiviral agent as well, Leon Caly et al conducted an in vitro analysis of ivermectin’s effectiveness against Covid, releasing results in April 2020.  The April study was widely criticized because in vitro doses were higher than what is considered safe for human use.  Regardless some countries began treating Covid patients with ivermectin at safe dosages achieving notable reductions in mortality and hospitalizations.  In the US a handful of doctors began using the drug with success even as the FDA, NIH and CDC continued to recommend against its use until rigorous clinical trials were conducted.  

I recently became aware of ivermectin due to the grassroots efforts of Dr. Bruce Boros in Key West, FL.  His success with the drug in treating Covid patients is notable.  His disgust with the medical community for lack of interest in ivermectin is palpable.  Dr. Boros first tried ivermectin on a hospitalized patient with 88% oxygen who was headed towards a ventilator, and therefore a high chance of death.  After two doses of ivermectin, the patient’s downward trend was reversed and his lungs began to clear.  This patient fully recovered.  Dr. Boros has since treated approximately 160 Covid patients with ivermectin resulting in zero hospitalizations.  He begins an ivermectin protocol immediately, even before PCR test results are returned since the earlier ivermectin is introduced, the sooner the viral replication is impeded providing the patient with the best chance to avoid serious illness and death.  

Further research led to Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) and Dr Pierre Kory who testified before the Senate Homeland Security committee on December 8, 2020.  To potentially save your life or someone else’s, please make the effort to read his presentation or watch the video.  An excerpt:  “And so, it is with great pride as well as significant optimism, that I am here to report that our group, led by Professor Paul E. Marik, has developed a highly effective protocol for preventing and early treatment of COVID-19. In the last 3-4 months, emerging publications provide conclusive data on the profound efficacy of the anti-parasite, anti-viral drug, anti- inflammatory agent called ivermectin in all stages of the disease. Our protocol was created only recently, after we identified these data. Nearly all studies are demonstrating the therapeutic potency and safety of ivermectin in preventing transmission and progression of illness in nearly all who take the drug.” 

“People are dying at unacceptable and untold rates. I am a lung and ICU specialist, and all I do right now is take care of COVID-19 patients dying of breathlessness in ICUs. By the time they get to the ICU, it is nearly impossible to save most patients…. I don’t know how much longer I can do this, especially knowing that it will all be needless death from here on out, given there is a readily available solution. A solution that cannot be dismissed or ignored. There is a critical need to inform health care providers in this country and the world. The leadership of our governmental health care agencies has a great responsibility here. All we ask is for the NIH, the CDC, and the FDA to conduct a rapid review of the literature reviewed in this presentation and provide guidance to the country’s health care providers.”  

In addition to Dr. Kory’s testimony, please listen or read the Chairman’s (Senator Ron Johnson) and the ranking member’s (Senator Gary Peters) opening statements.  Senator Johnson cannot understand why those who would attempt to implement early treatments are blocked and vilified.  Senator Peters displays the worst form of politics while accusing Dr. Kory of a political gambit.  “Sadly, it appears that today’s hearing will follow the same path, playing politics with public health, and will not give us the information we need to tackle this crisis.”  Reprehensible. 

Meanwhile according to Dr. Kory “the last treatment recommendation on ivermectin is from August 27th where on the NIH website, they recommended that ivermectin only be used in clinical trials and they based that recommendation as “expert opinion” only given the lack of clinical studies at the time.” Since the hearing and the release of FLCCC’s findings?  Crickets. 

While caution is an essential component of drug approval, my uneducated mind suggests there are serious ethical concerns with clinical trials considering the results of previous ivermectin trials.  Would you want to be in the placebo group knowing that all studies to date show lower mortality with ivermectin?  Politicians like Senator Peters have blood on their hands. As do the media outlets who attacked and attempted to silence Dr. Kory before he even spoke.  As do the FDA, CDC and NIH who are mired in their own bureaucracy and Big Pharma funding.  Yes, Big Pharma pays these agencies to conduct studies on their drugs of choice. Has Big Pharma stepped up to assist in the study of ivermectin?  No.  Have any of the massive pork relief bills Congress has passed include study of ivermectin? No (but the Kennedy Center got more money). An in depth review of the motives of Big Pharma, politicians, the media and social media platforms to subvert information on ivermectin is warranted in the event it goes beyond the typical “follow the money” story.  

Ivermectin is not a cure for Covid.  It is a promising therapeutic and preventative measure against Covid.  How many more people will die or experience lifelong problems from this virus because there isn’t enough money involved for Big Pharma and the medical establishment to get excited about ivermectin.  Yes, indeed, its money vs lives.  Their money and our lives.  Wake up people before it is too late.  

DETAILS

  • Update 1.22 – There is a divide among the medical community regarding Ivermectin. Many believe it does nothing to reduce the symptoms of Covid while others such as FLCCC doctors still support Ivermectin’s use in concert with other drugs and supplements. I do not know the truth. I strongly believe that the government should have put the same emphasis on therapeutics as they did vaccines and that includes a rigorous study of Ivermectin. It is likely a high volume roll out of therapeutics coincident with the vaccines would have saved thousands of lives. Unlike with Ivermectin, there is broad agreement regarding the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies. However, the government now states that of the three companies that manufacture monoclonal antibodies, only one company delivers a product that is effective against the Omicron variant and they therefore have rescinded the emergency use approval for the other two companies. No one should be surprised that the approved monoclonal antibodies are in extremely short supply.
  • For detailed information please study the data and information included in the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) website.  
  • Dr. Bruce Boros Ivermectin Protocol. Update 1.22 – please note this protocol continues to change. Please discuss with your own doctor.
    • Ivermectin 0.4mg x weight in kilograms single dose. If greater than 30 mg I split dose by 2 hours. 
    • Z pack or doxycycline 100mg 2 times a day for 5 days. If pcr swab is negative I stop the antibiotic but continue the other meds
    • Famotidine 20 mg a day x 7 days
    • Vit C 500mg twice a day x 7 days
    • Vit D 4000u a day x7 days
    • Baby asa 81mg 1 a day x 7 days
    • ZINC 50mg a day x 7 days
    • Claritin 10mg daily if congested
    • Tylenol or ibuprofen as directed on the bottle
    • Robitussin DM or NyQuil for cough as directed on bottle
    • START ASAP EVEN BEFORE PCR TESTING RESULTS ARE BACK
    • Do not use if pregnant or lactating
    • No alcohol
    • Care and testing if taking anti coagulants