Category: Politics, etc, etc

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Thou Shalt Lie

America on Shaky Ground, Part 5

Have we descended into a fact free culture?  A time where outrageously false pronouncements are commonplace?  Yes. Truth is the sacrificial lamb in our “thou shalt lie” society.  Why do we tolerate this insult to our intelligence?  

While a book could be filled with examples from this and previous administrations, let’s examine a few recent whoppers:  

During his election campaign after the Kenosha riot, President Biden implied that Kyle Rittenhouse was a racist white supremacist in a tweeted video condemning President Trump. The media joined in.  Not surprisingly folks only learned the facts if they watched the actual trial.  Racism played no role and those who stated it did were lying.  

On January 6, 2022, Vice President Harris stated: “The violent assault that took place here, the very fact of how close we came to an election overturned — that reflects the fragility of democracy.”  At no point was the election in danger of being overturned.  To characterize the January 6 riot as a coup is political theater at its worst.  Another lie uttered by yet another morally bankrupt politician.  

During his second public address after Kabul fell, President Biden said:  “Any American who wants to come home, we will get you home.” The President also made the assertion that if we needed to remain in Afghanistan beyond the end of the month to continue to evacuate Americans we would.  Clearly a lie.  

In reference to the trumped up kerfuffle over border agents on horseback, President Biden stated: “To see people treated like they did, horses barely running over, people being strapped – it’s outrageous.  I promise you, those people will pay. There will be an investigation underway now and there will be consequences. There will be consequences.”  Deflection? Probably. Lie? Definitely.  

During President Biden’s speech in Atlanta regarding his proposed bill to federalize election law, he stated: “Jim Crow 2.0 is about two insidious things: voter suppression and election subversion. It’s no longer about who gets to vote; it’s about making it harder to vote. It’s about who gets to count the vote and whether your vote counts at all.  It’s not hyperbole; this is a fact.”  It is hyperbole and it is a lie.  For an excellent summation, consider this editorial from the WSJ. 

And how about the Biden administration talking point, “inflation is transitory”.  Gross incompetence?  Yes.  Lie?  Yes.  

Other than sporadic Washington Post Pinocchios, there appears to be a bizarre indifference to the incessant lying as evidenced by empty excuses such as “all politicians lie” or more often “at least Trump is gone”.  Our silence is permission.  

Not only do we encourage lying politicians and their propagandists with our silence, very few ask why they bombard us with one obvious lie after another.  Has our curiosity been dulled by years of unethical politicians?  Are we too lazy to ask why?  Too busy?  We certainly are not too stupid.  We must reengage and examine the liars’ motive. 

Some motives are obvious.  As evidenced above, much of the lying seeks to divide us on racial lines spawning resentment and anger between groups causing the citizens to turn on each other.  Clearly division and resultant destabilization is one goal.  Another goal appears to be the consolidation of the liar’s power.  Divide and conquer is an axiom for a reason.  

Consolidation of power also requires an erosion of our Federalist system of government which distributes power between the States and the central government.  Not surprisingly we have recently witnessed an uptick in proposals to shift power away from the States, such schemes fueled by blatant lies.  Why do they lie in this case?  To gain popular support.  We should reject all efforts to concentrate power at the federal level and loudly denounce the lies. Our system of checks and balances offers us protection from tyranny and limits the power of unethical individuals who manage to win elections or lurk in the shadows controlling an incompetent figurehead.

We tolerate the manipulative behavior of politicians and their propagandists at our own peril.  Our rational democrat, republican, black, brown, yellow and white neighbors are not the enemy as they would have us believe.  The liars are the enemy.  Regardless of their rhetoric to the contrary, these dishonest politicians do not care about us, the constitution, our democracy, voting rights, poverty or racism.  They only care about themselves, their power and money.  

Our country desperately needs ethical, competent men and women at the helm who will uphold our brilliant constitution.  We need leaders who respect our intelligence with the truth and do not propagate false narratives for their own gain.  It is up to us, we the people, to demand the best and stop accepting politicians who put America 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.
  • Part 4 – Destabilize the populace by undermining the constitutional right of self-defense. 
  • Part 5 – Propagation of false narratives designed to destabilize the populace and consolidate power. 

Notes

  • The thoughts above are not intended to be solely a Democrat bashing session. There are Republican politicians who have been equally guilty of lying and creating division. I chose to focus on the present lies and avoid the distraction that any discussion of Trump always brings. Republicans were virtually silent about Trump’s lies and Democrats are virtually silent about Biden’s lies. This contributes to the division in our country. We can no longer be silent regardless of party.
  • Lately everything seems to be a “threat to democracy”.  This is head spinning material considering that the same folks who use that talking point are also leading efforts to consolidate power at the federal level.  Concentration of power opens the door to future tyranny, which is a very real threat to democracy.  
  • Considering the lies and rhetoric, a review of our federalist form of government is in order.  There are many articles such as https://oxgs.org/a-brief-overview-of-the-american-model-of-federalism/,https://www.britannica.com/topic/federalism.
  • Federal encroachment on State’s rights is not new.  There has been steady creep for years.  For an overview, read this Heritage Foundation article.  https://www.heritage.org/conservatism/report/federalism-crisis-urgent-action-required-preserve-self-government
  • Here is a Daily Mail article that summarizes a CATO institute study which assessed each of the 50 states under 23 different categories and produced an overall freedom ranking. The most and least free states are unchanged – New York being the least free, followed by Hawaii and California, and New Hampshire, Florida and Nevada being the most free.
  • Since so many false narratives involve race, it behooves us to reacquaint ourselves with the global history of slavery.  Thomas Sowell outlines much needed facts in his essay “The Real History of Slavery” found in his excellent book “Black Rednecks and White Liberals”.  
  • The lies and rhetoric that surround HR1 are beyond belief. Read the full text of the Georgia law here. Schumer is the latest in a long line of politicians to enter the fray. This WSJ editorial demonstrates what Schumer really cares about and its not voting rights.
  • Biden took the opportunity during his press conference on January 19, 2022 to divide the country further by suggesting that the 2022 elections could be illegitimate unless his federal voting rights bill is passed. Haven’t we had enough talk about illegitimate election results from would be and elected Presidents? I encourage the entire country to watch Biden speak on this issue. Do we really want to put control of elections in the hands of this man and his handlers, Trump or any other future President?
  • There is always a kernel of truth in a good lie. This WSJ editorial attempts to find that kernel in the distorted justifications supporting federalized election law.

Please feel free to visit BayBuddha Travels for articles on a wide range of subjects.

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Annie Get Your Gun

America on Shaky Ground, Part 4

The Rittenhouse trial offers a window on the current state of America.  It is not pretty.  I watched much of the trial to determine if the narrative of the killer, white supremacist, racist kid was true or if indeed he acted in self-defense.  Plus if Rittenhouse acted in self-defense, no question the media jackals would double down on the narrative instead of admitting their error.  Or if convicted, Rittenhouse supporters would likely spin their own narrative.  Only the facts would reveal the liars. 

Watching the trial suggests strongly Rittenhouse acted in self-defense. Even some of the prosecution’s witnesses corroborated Rittenhouse’s story. Are they racists too? The prosecutor did not present a strong case and in fact it was painful to watch. He asked questions that either reflected his lack of firearm knowledge or were designed to misrepresent the situation.  The most bizarre line of questioning insinuated that having a gun pointed at you was not grounds for self-defense because the person hadn’t pulled the trigger yet.  Ideology or grasping at straws?  

As the facts piled up in favor of self-defense, not surprisingly the jackals began attacking the judge.  Another white supremacist of course. If watch the trial instead of relying on media personalities for information, it is crystal clear the judge became angry when the prosecutor blatantly attempted to trample Rittenhouse’s constitutional rights. Are constitutional rights not applicable to those who Biden and the media label as racist? The judge is called a Trumpist as well because his ring tone is a pro American song. Horror of horrors. 

The jackals scream, why was he there in the first place especially with a gun? Guilty! Rittenhouse is not on trial for being in Kenosha. Have any of them asked why the rioters were there? Why did the police and local government allow the rioters to loot and burn the city leaving it to the citizens to defend their property? Why did the media, BLM and their masters incite violence with false information about the Jacob Blake case?  Why did President Biden and the jackals immediately brand Rittenhouse a white supremacist before the facts were available? So many questions yet so few questions asked.  But there is one question that is asked a lot – did Rittenhouse fake his breakdown.  Is that deflection or a failure to comprehend the big picture?

Let’s personalize this.  Suppose an out of control mob arrived in your town intent on massive destruction. As happened in some cities, assume local government and police stood down with little effort to curb the violence and protect private property.  No question this would be an Annie get your gun moment.  People have the absolute constitutional right to protect themselves, their families, livelihoods, and community.  

Whoever is calling the shots for BLM and Antifa certainly know that many Americans will take a stand when threatened.  I suspect these leaders count on that reaction because the possibility of confrontations and deadly violence increases. As we have witnessed in the aftermath of Kenosha and other clashes, the violence creates the opportunity to fuel division, chaos and instability, clearly goals of the combatants in our current culture war.  As expected, Kenosha violence was also used to advance the anti-gun narrative.  

There appears to be a more insidious goal however. The relentless false narrative seems designed to undermine our ability to defend ourselves both legally and in the court of public opinion.  Please think long and hard about this statement.  Watch the trial, consider the jackal narrative, examine the big picture. Do you see it?  Then ask yourself why.  

The ability of Americans to defend themselves provides tremendous stability to our country.  It holds bad actors in check.  It is not racism.  It is not white supremacy. An armed society tends to stay a free society. To undermine our right of self-defense would thoroughly destabilize this country.  We cannot let it happen.  

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.
  • Part 4 – Destabilize the populace by undermining the constitutional right of self-defense. 

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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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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

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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
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AN EXPAT IN A SNOWGLOBE

By Guest Author Susan Rosapepe

I am an expat in my own country, and I want to go home. 

I’m sitting inside a beautiful snow globe and the events of 2020 are swirling around me and they are all I can see.  But when it all settles, I look around, and everything is different…. and not in a good way. 

You see, I have lived where we, as a country, are heading.  You won’t like it.  No one will. 

I WAS an expat when I lived outside the United States.  It is still fresh in my mind.    

I loved Italy so much! Who doesn’t?  I have dual citizenship with Italy and America. I moved there as a corporate transferee.  I loved the people, the food, the geography, the wine, the charm!  But over time, I grew sad.  I missed the United States.  I was learning that here in Italy, life was very difficult.  Nothing worked.  The word “efficient” could never be used to describe daily life. 

To try to accomplish just one thing a day became the goal.  Government agency phones were never answered, lines became more lines, employees were unhelpful and disgruntled.  You would stand in line for hours at the post office, because hours were short, and employees were scarce.  Most rules were so convoluted the Italians who tried to help me couldn’t explain them.  Don’t send me mail or packages.  They would never arrive.  

If you needed something for your home, it often became a hunt.  Products were scarce and shelves were oftentimes empty. Once in a while you hit gold, but that’s about what it cost to get that item—prices were often inflated while salaries were deflated. 

The very generous benefit system for the unemployed youth as well as highly restrictive employment regulations had placed unthinkable strains on family life.  I know this from firsthand experience.  I have family in Italy. 

The system was broken.  

I loved to travel when I lived in foreign countries.   The train system was highly touted and the interstate was fast and fierce.  But the words “sciopero” (strike) stunned us way too often, and left us stranded and scratching our head “but why again, this time??”  If not the trains, it would be the buses, or the taxis, or the airport workers, and one time it was the toll takers on the highway.   

Customer service is not a phrase used in this country.  In fact, they laugh at us crazy Americans to insinuate that we might have the upper hand as a customer.  NO, this is not America.  You may NOT get your money back, return an item or change it out for another size.  There is no time to haggle with a customer.  The mid-day break, (siesta) is minutes away. 

The system was broken. 

In Mexico, we learned very quickly to be afraid of the police.  We were warned by our Mexican friends to be wary – they were not there to help us.  We were robbed three times by the police.  

One time we were in a traffic jam and they walked up to our car window and tapped on it.  Then they held a gun to my husband’s head and said to hand over all our money and whatever was worth anything.  I had my 2- and 3-year-old babies in the car.   We would be in Mexico for 4 years.   

To have a telephone, your name went on a list that was five years away.  But I soon learned, again with advice from my Mexican friends, in a broken system, there are broken ways to do things.  My friends trolled the neighborhoods and found an installer at another home. They had a “conversation” and the next day he was at our home.  He seemed quite pleased to do the job. 

A gaggle of teen to 20-year-old boys with assault rifles guarded the entrance to our neighborhood.  You see, WE were safe, because the drug lords living in our neighborhood were safe. 

The system was broken. 

It is frightening to me that a very vocal and angry segment of Americans want to defund and demoralize our police forces and drive them to the ways of a third world country. 

Yes, I loved living abroad.   But we yearned for trips back to the US.  Government agencies worked.  You could call and talk to a person.  You could get guidance on what your next steps would be.  

Stores were open almost around the clock.  Products were in great supply.  There was actually price competition for the lowest price on things, and shopping was fun!  People could come and go in stores and know that customer service was there to support them.  I knew if I were in danger, our police would be there in a heartbeat to help our family. 

I knew that we Americans were free thinkers and would never become a country of sheep that were led by fear and chaos — which was so evident in other countries I lived and visited. Today, I live in the US.   

And just today, I needed a few groceries and paper goods. I stood in line for 45 minutes to get into a grocery store.  The shelves were bare of what I was looking for and have been for days.  No word on when they will have product. 

I needed to get a check from my bank.  After standing in line to get in the foyer, there were no employees, only a remote chat window.  I was told I need an appointment and would have to come back because the appointment had to happen online. 

I wanted a haircut.  The first available appointment is a month away, mostly due to fear and management of optics that need to be instituted. 

Remember how I said that to get one thing done a day in Italy was a goal?  That very familiar feeling for me is back.   

Our system is breaking. 

We are heading down a very slippery slope.  It’s insidious and will get woven into our country’s fabric before you even realize it.  People who don’t appreciate what we have, need to move to another country and try that for a while.   

And maybe this expat experience doesn’t resonate with you.   

Think about the last time you traveled outside the US.   How happy were you when you returned?

If people don’t stand up for our country and Constitution and secure the “Blessings of our Liberty”, it won’t be here for us when we want to return. 

Our system is breaking, along with my heart. 

You, the reader, don’t know my gender, my race, my religion or my sexual orientation. Believe it or not, contrary to today’s woke messages, that doesn’t really matter.  The only thing you need to know is….. I am an American.   

Susan Rosapepe is a co-founder and former Program Director of a city-wide non-profit organization that mentors and recognizes young people in the journalistic and performing arts.  She is the daughter of a United States Foreign Service Officer, World War II veteran, and sister of a Vietnam War veteran.