It's Being Deranged Like This Young Man Thing

Dear America,

"I am fairly certain 

that 

given a cape 

and a nice tiara, 

I could 

save the world."

can't take any credit for that.

and even still, it didn't come with an author so I am stuck -- here -- in this place of having no idea who to give the credit to...

sure would like to, though, in this moment -- 

you know -- give credit where credit is due.

It's cool to get credit for something that is deemed worthy or good or constructive or positive -- and today, something just plain freakin' witty.

Sure, it's just a little blip of quip -- but in an instant, it characterizes the rush of judgement each one of us manages to muster in an anonymous comment, a soapbox moment, all the live long day while traveling -- masquerading really -- around the worldwide web,

We each have an answer to everything under the sun, and justifiably willing and able to add our two cents anytime, anywhere, to our hearts content -- and that goes double if in the end there is a possibility to save the world, right.  

It's called freedom of speech, baby.  It's more or less, a  yay me and fxxx you feedback, for those that do it under the cover of darkness; while in the public arena, it takes on a more conventional, appropriate, civilized mode of operandi, making way for the public servant to stand atop the box for the benefit of the whole.

And this girl has no problem with any of it.  Debate is a fine way to start the day.

And the loudest guestion today seems to be -- how do we save the world from the mentally ill?  How do we determine who, in fact, is mentally ill...and then, how do we keep those people far, far away from guns?  

From The Blaze, after the weekend's horrific rampage in Santa Barbara, we see the players seeking gun control amass an artillery capable of extinguishing a small island and begin their assault before most of us on the left coast have even opened our eyes.  And if you have the time, go here.

"[Senator Richard] Blumenthal said Congress must act to 'keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people who are severely troubled or deranged like this young man was, and provide resources'.”

Looking at this now -- all of a sudden it doesn't look so black and white, does it.

What defines "dangerous"  -- "severely troubled"  -- and  "deranged like this young man" ?

I think people are deranged for a whole host of reasons -- how do we know someone is too deranged to own a gun?  And besides, the police met with this "deranged like this young man" only a week or so ago and they came away with perfectly polite in every way.  No more than a spoonful of sugar needed to keep this kid on the straight and narrow.  No sirree Bob.    [BTW:  newsflash, the family knew something was wrong.  And I mean seriously, perfectly, wrongfully wrong.]

But wait.

Hold up.

Wait a minute.  Wait a minute.

Didn't this Elliot Rodger stab and kill three people -- his roommates -- before he set out to pull the trigger?  -- and this might just be a fine time to duly note, every single sick and twisted action being totally premeditated and documented on video and with a written manifesto [and to his credit -- it's a 141 pages worth].

Is Senator Blumenthal prepared to regulate the ownership of everything from everyday cutlery to chef knives, too?  And just because curiosity kills, too -- any thoughts, Blumey, on rat poison, by chance?

But what is up with ignoring half of the victims by steal blade?  It's almost as if that part of the rampage didn't even happen.

Now, if I had a choice, I would much rather go by sudden death with a bullet than a vicious attack piercing my skin over and over and over again by knife.  Can you just imagine that?  But surely, I digress.

Here's more from The Blaze post, from my very own Sen. Dianne Feinstein:

“We must ask ourselves if an individual whose family called police with concerns about mental health, who is receiving therapy and who has had several run-ins with police should be allowed to own multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition,” she said. “When anyone, no matter their mental health or history, can so easily obtain any gun they want and as many as they want — we must recognize there is a problem.

She didn't mention the knife attack either.

Strange.

Wonder how that could be?

Because apparently, no one has ever been turned down to get a gun before.  

Yeah, everyone and anyone  -- "no matter their mental health or history, can so easily obtain any gun..."
Because  surely, there is no Black Market available whatsoever.
And taking a gun from a family member -- unheard of -- and next to impossible.
Oh, hell, we might as well outlaw all guns full stop.
Only the government should have them.


Oh that reminds me of this...

Yeah, it's just a book review; but let's first give credit where credit is due.

The book:   Police State USA by Cheryl K. Chumley, journalist for The Washington Times.  Let's just say...can't wait to get my hands on one of these babies.  You too?  Go here.

And now to the review, by Scott Greer, Associate Editor of The Daily Caller --  Is America Starting to Target Thought Crime?  [By the looks of Santa Barbara, not even close; but then, Elliot was the son of a progressive, Hollywood elitist...]

Which makes me suddenly wonder -- for at what point does a cape and a tiara become behavior deemed out of bounds, unsound, dangerous, deranged, and  even unruly -- perhaps calling for the fascist, police state to correct?  

For I consider myself to be one of the good guys, be it a doll, here in America -- even as others consider me "fxxxxg bonkers" at times.  Go figure.

And to each his own.

But seriously.   Greer reminds us right at the get-go how the First Lady of the United States recently requested to a bunch of high schoolers to "monitor their families for politically incorrect thoughts and behaviors."  oh really, Michelle?


Greer quotes Chumley about half way in, noting --

Harry Reid attacking the Koch brothers for the crime of giving money to conservative causes is just as bad. President Obama, Joe Biden and the entire cast of the White House, for slamming lawful gun owners for exercising their Second Amendment rights, and for trying to drum up emotional-fueled support to ram through gun control,” Chumley listed off. “The IRS targeting of tea party and patriotic non-profits and our nation’s highest law enforcement official, Eric Holder stonewalling on a special prosecutor appointment — does it get any more police state than that?

Based upon the crime in Santa Barbara -- more gun control laws have no merit unless we also include the handy dandy chef's knife with a free set of steak knives, butter knives not included.   And even still -- we KNEW this Elliot Rodger was mentally ill and yet we -- and when I say we, I mean to say, the authorities, his family, his dad -- did next to nothing to prevent the onslaught of terror at the fingertips of this  "deranged like this young man."  

This morning, I just find myself wishing I did have all the answers to save the world.  If I could snap my fingers and make it so -- with a tiara upon my head, of course (the cape, not being a must-have this season) -- I would.

There are no easy answers.  Only answers that will test our grit and intent.

But for kicks and giggles and a couple of pirouettes, allow me to take a stab at it just this once (he he)...  

Somewhere along the way, I believe we have lost our attention to detail.  While we have ruthlessly talked about this before...over and over and over again it would seem; what's one more time?

We assume the generations can make do and find their way and stay grounded and build character and the respect of knowing right from wrong almost on their own -- perhaps having been taken over with a little influence via the complete book of  youtube, facebook and twitter.

Over time, we have taken away the individual responsibility to understand and assimilate to the common good, for the common good, and more importantly,  the reasons why our founders made it so; recognizing that to have such freedoms abound in this country that it comes with a great price -- that being a duty to act, fully aligned with all that is virtuous and decent and civil, for ourselves and each other.   For our rights and privileges are not a given without such a duty to God and country going hand in hand.  End of story and put it in the can already, right Mr. Rodger's, assistant director to The Hunger Games?

We have to fight for this kind of country -- for the assumption that its a given these days is all but a fairy tale.  And yet the thing is  --  it's beginning to feel abundantly clear -- it is precisely those who are presently fighting for just this kind of country who are being viewed more and more as the opposition.

Interesting.


So there; it's a wrap.
Toot-a-loo until we meet again.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's a Day

Dear America,

even the lofty and self-righteous coffee bean requires a good grounding to start the day...

take note, Mr. President.

The real question is, Mr. President, are you serious?

From yesterday's presidential size lambasting of the United States Senate for acting according to the people's will, by the people, for the people --  all broadcasted live -- at the presidential podium -- with a presidential glare and presidential grimace ...oh, and with presidential props, of course:

"I've heard folks say that having the families of victims lobby for this legislation was somehow misplaced. A prop, somebody called them. Emotional blackmail, some outlets said. Are they serious? Do we really think that thousands of families whose lives have been shattered by gun violence don't have a right to weigh in on this issue? Do we think their -- their emotions, their loss is not relevant to this debate?"

Isn't that rich.

So according to you, Mr. President, only one side gets to lobby?  Is that how it works now?  Of course these families have a right to have a say.  Just as all the rest of America.

Are you serious?

It's especially disconcerting considering how well you play the props all through the years.  This is what you do...all the time... Mr. President.   Who can forget the doctors in white coats for health care, the use of children,  senior citizens, first responders, the military, or, heaven forbid, caskets?  I mean, my goodness, Mr. President -- look who you have standing right smack next to you?  Gabby Giffords!

Your presidency lives, thrives, off of props -- for political fodder -- every cotton pickin' day!

And what up with this tone?  And what up with letting Harry Reid get a pass?

Not even a whisper about the Leader of your Senate -- being a fellow Democrat and leading the democratic majority, no less -- having, himself, voted no!   Harry Reid VOTED NO!   Hello?!   Are you serious, Mr. President?   I thought you said,

"And I talked to several of these senators over the past few weeks, and they're all good people...But the fact is, most of these senators could not offer any good reason why we wouldn't want to make it harder for criminals and those with severe mental illnesses to buy a gun. There were no coherent arguments as to why we wouldn't do this. It came down to politics."

But did you talk to Harry?

Um and call me stupid, but isn't it always politics?   Politics, and the science thereof, is the business you are in, you freak.

[my apologies for that outburst, not sure what just came over me.]  

[ah who are we kidding.  I'm not sorry.]

And what's up with this fixation of yours on this man-made super majority of 90%?   It felt like 90% of your presidential remarks included speaking on behalf of the "90% of Americans" who you seem to magically pull out of a hat (90% wool over the eyes)  to your side of the stage.  That's a good one.

And basically calling the NRA a mad bunch of rootin' tootin' liars?  wow.  Just who needs a good grounding on telling the truth? 

But you know what else, Mr. President --  this girl doesn't believe 90% of what you say.

For any of you who wish to read the full presidential remarks blow by blow, go here.

I must go before I say something I may regret.

It's time for a second cup of coffee.   Feeling a smidge cranky.

And hopefully -- for the benefit of anyone I run into today -- may the quality time alongside a little sunshine in a cup result in the immediate release of the residual steam clearly clinging under the rim.

It may just be the perfect morning to crack open the new, yet used, American-made gleaning courtesy of Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack.     The day is calling for anything and everything to ground myself for whatever lies ahead.    

What a day in the life. 
What a week, what a week,
huh, boys and girls.

Make it a Good Day, G

and let us add Waco, Texas to our prayer list, too.
 

It's Through the Lens of Politics Thing

Dear America,

my starting point...

"My starting point is not to worry about the politics; my starting point is to focus on what makes sense, what works; what should we be doing to make sure that our children are safe and that we're reducing the incidents of gun violence.  And I think we can do that in a sensible way that comports with the Second Amendment."

This, my friends, was Monday; of course, you should have recognized it's origination if you actually did what I asked you to do, which was to read the full transcript on the day (Jan. 14, 2013).   It was simply a stunning display of a world power elitist in his element.

So, like I said -- this "starting point" was Monday, and then we had Wednesday; Wednesday we watched a day in the life of an American president introduce 23 Executive Orders to satisfy the Left's salacious appetite to set up and secure the jurisdiction for long term, Constitutionally jeopardizing, change.  Just all in a day's work when fundamentally transforming these United States...

Oh, and for dinner and a movie -- possibly Scary Movie #7 -- how about that press conference with the kids in the backdrop?

What's creepy is this list of the twenty three Executive Orders.

So the family doctor is going to begin asking us if we have a gun in the home -- and then, I guess, run back to tattle tale on us to the president, or better yet, to the latest ATF Director, should the nomination be accepted?

And considering many of the things on this list, at first blush, seem to fall into a category of rather innocuous; other things seem to fit into a category of something I like to call "DUH".  Like for instance, number one:

"Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system." 

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/16/list-executive-actions-obama-plans-to-take-as-part-anti-gun-violence-plan/#ixzz2IFrXlDx2


I mean, seriously, did this require an Executive Order?

And, are we really in a place where we need "incentives" for states to share data with one another on vital background check information?

Or Number 5:   "Propose rulemaking to give law enforcement the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun."   Um, duh.

Or, Number 11:  "Nominate an ATF Director."   Um, don't you mean nominate, get approval through Congress, and swear them into their official duties, like, yesterday?  You know, especially since no one has been fully responsible for that position since, like, 2006?

 And here's a good one, Number 14:

"Issue a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control to research the causes and prevention of gun violence."

Okay.  Let's not dwell on the ridiculous.  Let's go back to the "starting point."

"My starting point is not to worry about the politics."

Oh he's good. This is when he is at his best, right?  Playing politics, talking politics, when he swears he doesn't want to have anything to do with politics.  It     is     rich, isn't it?

hmmmmm I think somebody should be examining their own conscience, just sayin'.

"And then members of Congress I think are going to have to have a debate and examine their own conscience --- because if, in fact, and I believe this is true -- everybody across party lines was as deeply moved and saddened as I was by what happened in Newtown, then we're going to have to vote based on what we think is best.  We're going to have to come up with answers that set politics aside.  And that's what I expect Congress to do."  Obama, immediately following 'the starting point'

Of course, the meat of the president's anti-gun violence agenda will be presented later in the week, including orders for an assault weapons ban in Congress.

But there he is, presenting this list of twenty three "Executive Orders" to save the children -- surrounded by children.   As flashbacks of the ghosts of propaganda past stream violently and hauntingly through the windows of my mind.   At least he's predictable.

I happened to have been in the car yesterday, listening to the Glenn Beck program, when the great GB, and sidekicks, started this entire segment kicking around how ludicrous it is to form public policy under the direction of seven year olds.   It was hilarious, actually -- their usual sarcasm was on fire...But I digress --  of course our children are going to find themselves scared at the news of Sandy Hook!   Duh.   Of course they are going to want the president to do something about it -- with or without Congress. [double dog dare you...]

We're all scared of the possibility and horrified by the reality.

But if this president were to stop for one minute and take a breath; if he were to pause for a moment and stop playing politics for a day, or 365; if he were to take a step back and just look at himself --  and stop using props to make his case and manufacture a heightened, irrational approach to nearly everything he does --  he would recognize a widely held belief:   children have yet to grow up and see the world in the full screen view.  

As genuine and pure and honest and true as they are, experiencing and communicating their immediate concerns and emotions as they come -- children are what they are....children.

In a language this president is sure to understand, considering how often he goes there -- this girl would be "happy to have that conversation."  Is the backdrop of innocent and ingenuous faces  really necessary?   Haven't we learned anything about "acting stupidly" from anywhere in our past?  Is the Second Amendment really that open for discussion?

Mr. President -- having a conversation with you, complete with your ideology in check and in full range of motion, is like discussing gun control with you while you hold a pillow in front of your AK-47  -- propaganda and politics and props come at a rapid fire, sounding much like soft tyranny running amuck.  The problem is, some of us within range have no idea they've been hit.

But like you said, your "starting point" is not to worry about the politics.  And why should you?  You are just concerned with 'what works' -- ways to keep the children safe -- "in a sensible way that comports with the Second Amendment."  

Right.  And as long as both sides of the aisle accept these "sensible ways," comporting with the views and policy of the this administration, by Executive Order and by any other upcoming directives to be decided later,  the rest of us aren't interested in any of that.   

Whether it's gun control, deficit contraction, deficit spending, debt ceiling raising, debt ceiling holding -- it's all pretty simple, isn't it;  the answers come pretty easily, don't they, Mr. President?   Just a full court press dribbling your own nonsense; ideology proven to have never worked in all of history.  But don't let that get in your way...

"It turns out the American people agree with me.  They've listened to an entire year's debate over this issue, and they made a clear decision about the approach they prefer...So they want us to get our books in order in a balanced way, where everybody pulls their weight, everybody does their part.

That's what I want as well.  That's what I've proposed.  And we can get it done, but we're going to have to make sure that people are looking at this in a responsible way rather than just through the lens of politics."

Yes.  Indeed... Because public policy by Second Graders has the power to totally dismantle the Second Amendment, and apparently, according to this president, there isn't anyone left in America who might have another way of looking at any of this.  Because that would just be irresponsible and absurd.   And moreover, public policy on emotional impulses is really, really smart.  It's so balanced -- it would pass a background check.

Politics....from start to finish. 
And it's just business as usual in rapid fire.

Stay calm and carry on.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's About Keeping Good Going Thing

Dear America,

it's all about the two new buzz words...gun and control.

as if...

Wonder how that's going over with the bad guys?

What about jackass control?  How about congressional corruption control -- or perhaps, ordering a little self-control on pushing the Executive Order button, currently running out of control?  No, no, here's a good one -- how about fiscal suicide control, massive intervention and prevention of America going belly up before the next presidential election?    Or what about simply showing just a modicum of restraint, self-control and allegiance to keeping some kind of moral backbone for today and tomorrow -- or operating under the Rule of Law as intended by our founders under what's called the Constitution?   Could we possibly see some movement on any of that before the end of the day?

oh my.

We have proven -- in America -- that plenty of us own guns for protection, hunting, and target practice...having shown complete self-control, not to mention, full knowledge and responsibility to carry and respect guns.   America owns lots of guns.   States have laws regarding gun ownership that are designed to prevent  people who cannot be trusted with gun ownership from getting one, let alone amass a small scale armory in the basement.  And yet somehow we seem surprised that tragedy can still happen;  accidents and even the unimaginable murder of innocents is still possible.

There just seems to be a great disconnect going on between the perceived increase in gun violence based simply upon the prevalence of gun ownership, specifically "assault weapons," and the increase in gun violence as a result of massive levels of dysfunction within our society.

Certainly, at the risk of sounding like a broken record -- it's not about the gun, no matter what kind of gun we choose.

Even if I owned a gun, as a loving human being who respects life itself in every way, never would I ever open fire upon a school, a theater, a crowded restaurant, a stadium, a park, a bus, train, subway...you get my drift.  If I owned a gun -- and currently considering it -- it would be for protection...and I would gladly take whatever number of classes required to feel secure in it's operation and be legally entitled to use one.  

How do I know this?  Because I am pretty sure I am sane! And, I prefer to do things by the book and hold myself fully and solely accountable for the handling and ownership of such a great responsibility  -- as I believe most of us do.   Otherwise, wouldn't we be witnessing some kind of wild, wild west, east, north and south?   But this just isn't the case, is it;  because the majority of us actually do the right thing when it comes to guns.

So what should this tell us?

It should tell us that it isn't the gun's fault; it isn't about whether it is a .38 caliber or nine gauge, assault weapon or handgun, or the size of the magazine -- whatever the heck that means.   These things are neither broken or need controlling (in the way this administration believes, that is) for they are inanimate objects.

It's the broken hearts and minds that need the fix.   And, as with most everything under the sun, the fix starts at home.  Where is the motivation to look there?  Where is the pitch, perhaps, to focus our energies into the place and circumstances and environment where we might actually see the good and tangible and inspiring results of our actions?  Maybe we need a mission statement or a motto...

For me, my motto is a lot like that of the company, New York Life, which aligns a simple thought with it's ambitions to "Keep Good Going."    As soon as I heard that, I was like, hey, that's like me, G! venturing to spread the good everyday.  Of course, the more the merrier; there is plenty of good to make to go around, right...    But who knew this idea of keeping the good going would envelope my entire world?   But now, hindsight being what it is -- this pithy advertising genius describes my parental aims in three words.  I just never had a slogan for it until now.

What a beautiful, beautiful world it would be if our number one goal as parents, as humans, was to simply "keep good going".   For rich or for poorer, it doesn't matter; we can all be and do and make good.  It's non-discriminating.   It's powerful.  It's brilliant.   It's instant!

Where am I going with this...
the thing is, if we have issues within our own families, then it is up to us to fix them.   If there is mental illness, substance abuse, a member of a gang, a person making a living off of criminal activity, etc. living within our domain, then we need to tend to them.   We need to face the sins and troubles of our own  -- calling attention and resolution to the cries for help within the intimacy and boundary of family -- and mend the broken hearts and minds.   If overwhelmed and need assistance, get help; reach out to your local churches and charitable organizations.  Just take aim to keep good going and do something.

The truth is, Washington has little affect upon the day to day realities other than get in the way of progress; while the message they send, all but ignores personal accountability and duty.   This twists apart America's most basic tenet, carefully crafting responsibility and duty with every right and privilege.

The nation's security and future was founded -- and compounded -- with the arrival of every generation, whether native born or immigrant, to uphold the continuation of a culture built upon good character and virtue. 

And  very quickly we realize, we ALL rely upon the sane, taking care of the insane, incompetent, as well as, our young and vulnerable, on every level.

How about this news coming out of The Heritage Foundation?  It's simply titled, "When the Government Fails Completely"...  

Hmmm.  Head Start, as it turns out, isn't actually getting the job done. 

Wonder what's happening in the home?  Don't hate; it's a fair question.

Make it a Good Day, G

 

It's a Fundamental Duty Thing

Dear America,

happy thursday.

sometimes I feel like a chicken with her head cut off...I turn around sometimes and feel like I have lost days, sometimes even entire weeks, jumping from one thing to do to the next.  And sometimes, even taking on Other People's Things To Do, totally believing I am helping, not harming.  This is especially in reference to my girl -- and more specifically, her things.

But I've realized something.   Sometimes this Type A, highly overzealous activity, may serve as a disservice to the both of us.   She doesn't learn how to "multi-task," nor does she begin to recognize how the everyday tasks -- the ones that  maintain order all around her -- magically get done.   And the other side of this, of course, is that I just get too damn tired.  And with that, it begins to show in the quality of work of the things I DO...and let's  face it, G gets a wee bit cranky.

The truth is, she is getting older.   She is actually dangerously close to experiencing for the first time being away from home.  What does this mean?  She can begin to see more into the actions taken by the mysterious little fairy that bounces into her world to do her laundry, vacuum her room, clean the girl's room, shop for groceries, and pull together an array of meals every single day of the week, including Sundays.   And not only see it, but DO it. 

Over time, her responsibilities can adapt to her level of rising maturity; this kind of compound interest, shaping her growing and impressionable young mind, helps her grow more independent.  It's a slow, methodical process taking advantage of all the tools available -- concerned and engaged parents, school, athletics, technology and communication, one's faith, all working in concert with one another....kind of like a village, but not really. 

The thing is, it really doesn't take a village.  It takes a good family.

From John Locke's Second Essay Concerning Civil Government, we gain incite as to how this idea applies to the framework of early America:

"The power, then, that parents have over their children arises from that duty which is incumbent on them, to take care of their offspring during the imperfect state of childhood.  To inform their mind, and govern the actions of their yet ignorant nonage, till reason shall take its place and ease them of that trouble, is what the children want, and the parents are bound to [provide]."

and goes on to add:

"When he has acquired that state [of maturity], he is presumed to know how far that law is to be his guide, and how far he may make use of his freedom, and so comes to have it; till then, somebody else must guide him, who is presumed to know how far the law allows a liberty...Till then, we see the law allows the son to have no will, but he is to be guided by the will of his father or guardian, who is to understand for him..."

We are about to dramatically alter our second amendment rights by Executive Order.

What we are watching right now -- in Washington -- is Biden, and Congressmen, and even our president, scrambling around in an area it doesn't belong.    Chickens with their heads cut off -- dropping everything and jumping into the confiscation of guns, ammo, and an everyday right for everyday citizens of everyday America.  

Bureaucratic energies...all going to the wrong place. 

Misguided for all the right reasons (as it appears to be), they are in the midst of providing a great disservice to the American people, as well to themselves.

More gun control is not going to fix our problem; that simply takes the responsibility of understanding the law and the task and how it works out of the hands of good citizens, and thereby protecting the unlawful use of the law and the task and how it works safely into the liberty of bad citizens.

We have more gun violence upon innocents because we have more crazy people raising crazy people; we have more abandonment of parental responsibility to raise children into healthy, law abiding, thoughtful adults; we have more mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse,  and the like, directly affecting the welfare of entire communities and surviving without the proper resources or attention.

It's a fundamental duty as parents to be fully responsible to our duty as a parent! for the good of our own children and to the community we are surrounded.  I don't even care if that sounds like I was being redundant.  It's called having a lot of duty going around.  Crazy town duty.

But our society has grown so rampantly dysfunctional, we consider it to be totally normal.

And what do we do?  We respond, we overreact like fool's rushing in to solve the symptom, not the cause.  How do we immediately make a course correction on the fly?  We take away personal responsibility, self-reliance, accountability, and duty; our knee jerk, chicken-footed, reaction looks like we take away an everyday liberty from all of us.

Yes.  Tragedy happened in Sandy Hook.    Unspeakable, unimaginable, unconscionable, tragedy. 

But today, it feels like the entire nation is running around with it's head cut off.

This is a fascinating twist, go here.   Who knew, right?  Surely, we hate the law, Obamacare, but gotta love that news!   But the greater truth is -- we knew this attack on "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed" was coming from the Left.  It was just waiting for the crisis to appear.

We have more to talk about; but we will have to save it for another day; G has things to do...

... need to leave a little love note for my girl, outlining just a couple things for her to add to her list of things to do today.   [joy to the world...]

Just between you and me, let me leave things on this note:   Duty never sleeps as a parent, as Allstate, and as a citizen of these fine United States.  This much is true today as it was yesterday, just as it ever was two hundred years ago; and this duty never, ever goes away...even when they go away to college...even when 'the collective' gangs up upon the individual, using bully tactics to fundamentally transform everything this country is good for.

Make it a Good Day, G
  

It's Speaking of the Worst Kind of Extravagances Thing

Dear America,

"It's the worst kind of extravagances 

the way you spend your chances."  

Gena Rowlands to Sandra Bullock -- 

or shall we say, 

just a typical "Mama to Birdee" exchange 

in Hope Floats...

And no -- this girl is not at all sure this is where she wants to start today -- but there it is.

Seems to me, the answer to just about anything that could potentially harm us is to simply ban it; confiscation and censorship, or bust -- how's that for a modern nation's motto?   It's a twist on New World meets Old Dominion, that's what that is.   And so much for lady liberty; she's out... so two thousand two, you know.

Aw, it was good while it lasted, right?

It's not about the 32 oz. soda,  just as it's not about the gun.

With this kind of logic, we would have to recommend that Iraq and Afghanistan stop using any mass transit whatsoever, if not cease and desist all forms of transportation by wheel.   Cars and buses kill people -- and are especially drawn to the greatest potential for damage, like anywhere any large number of people gather, like the open marketplace, church or mosque.

No. It's more having to do with the kind of people we are raising...the kind of people we have become.

What is a weapon anyway?

A gun, a kitchen cleaver,  scissors, a various mix of noxious household chemicals, a cast iron frying pan... a car, bus, train or plane....arson, gas leaks...even pillows.....Of course, we can also meander into the long, slow death of drugs and alcohol, over-eating, smoking,  giving way to a whole host of diseases and ailments of the young and old alike.  And then again, there's always Kool-Aid.  Weapons of mass destruction can be so unassuming, can't they?

The weapon of choice is inanimate.  We, the people, possess the power to give it life and existence, whether it be to harm or to save us from harm --  or simply to use as the object as it is intended and with extra loving care.

Humanity gives life to the thing.  More important, the kinds of things we should be asking ourselves is far more gut-wrenching, because it requires us to take full responsibility for our own humanity.

What kind of people have we become?  Where do we gain our strength of good character?  How do we teach and multiply a life of virtue and principle?  How does our goodness grow?  How do we protect ourselves from evil?

The thing is, in the wake of such tragedy, of course the knee jerk reaction is to take away the gun, the so-called cause.   But in this way, it would be just like instituting a second round of prohibition to answer the slaughter of innocents from drunk driving, when, in fact, the alcohol is not the problem.  The problem is directly related to the overall health of our community -- be it economically, spiritually, emotionally, culturally --  beginning at the root (with our own family) and extending all the way out to the Oval Office.

As always here on the G thing... I like to speak in relation how this equates to my own little world -- the responsibility falls on me to raise my girl to not only be an actualized, healthy participant in everyday life, but a decent citizen.  While I must heed my own advice and be my own healthy participant in everyday life and a decent citizen.

The thing is -- the truth is -- I can't do it alone.  I can't do this all by myself [for as we all know -- in real life, there are plenty of outside influences to warp the mind, happening all around us].

As a card-carrying member of club humanity, it takes a considerable amount of guidance, good stuff, higher influences and wisdom to pull it off.

But hypothetically speaking, let's just say little old g thing goes a wee bit cuckoo and falls off her rocker one day (save it...hearing the roaring laughter in the crowd... believing G's already there...it's cool...) -- but let's say it happens.   I think my mama (among many others) would be on it like white on rice.  You see where I'm going with this....

We have to rely on our immediate circle of friends, family, countrymen to truly see us.  It's as if we have our own Checks and Balances built into the mechanism of our community and culture.  It begins within a very tight radius, indeed.   While if our own family is of no use to us -- the rings of community expands and extends to our schools, churches,  and community organizations where it's entire purpose for being is to lift up the fallen (like The United Way, The Salvation Army...and in our town, Father Joe's Villages).


The early diagnosis as to the mental state of the shooter is not a healthy one -- reports citing personal information about the family claim the 20 year old suffered from Aspergers Syndrome, even though "no evidence of medication" was prescribed.  Another story outlines his mother's concern, fearing she was "losing him."

The Aurora shooter, showed signs.

The Columbine shooter (s), showed signs.

But let's be real.  Healthy people would no more go shoot up a school, movie theater, public arena of any kind, even if in possession of war chest of guns and ammo simply because it is not what healthy people do.

From the Guardian, here's some good gun stats from around the world.

And from the other side, here's an excerpt from a blog on the HuffPost, from Clarence B. Jones:

"This is prima facie evidence that the NRA operates in a parallel alternative universe detached from the 24/7 realities in which the rest of us live. Some of the stats of our reality are that every day guns kill at least 24 people in America. Over several weekends in Oakland, California and Chicago, just to name a few, more than 20 school age children are killed.

Most of these gun victims are African-Americans killed by other African-Americans, without the apparent wealth of suburban Newton, Conn, When these instances of gun violence occur, no flag at the nation's capital is flown at half-mast, and the president of the United States does not address the nation.

But it's not the NRA that is singularly or principally responsible for gun violence in our nation. Yes, it is an effective powerful lobby for gun ownership and the lawful use by individuals of guns in their homes. But other people and organizations also bear their share of culpability.

On more the one occasion I have said that violence lies like molten lava beneath the surface of society just waiting to erupt."

Now the entire post slants towards greater gun control -- but having cited Oakland and Chicago, two areas with some of the stiffest gun laws in the country, the argument falls short when lined up side by side with how gun control plays out in reality.  In real life, the bad guy can always get a hold of a piece.

And yet, this isn't the sticking point I wish to cling to with all my might...  Let's go back to a stat thrown into the everyday in America -- "that every day guns kill at least 24 people in America. Over several weekends in Oakland, California and Chicago, just to name a few, more than 20 school age children are killed."

Adding:  "Most of these gun victims are African-Americans killed by other African-Americans, without the apparent wealth of suburban Newton, Conn, When these instances of gun violence occur, no flag at the nation's capital is flown at half-mast, and the president of the United States does not address the nation."

[G's also gonna assume that Clarence B. Jones is a decent journalist and has done his homework on this...I will take him at his word -- that when he says "most" we are dealing with truth -- as general as it may sound to the naked ear]

Just close your eyes now and imagine this kind of reality.   This is some powerful stuff.  And it should hit us just as hard as the tragedy of Sandy Hook.   And yet it is basically ignored by the mainstream media, the Department of Justice, the office of the President ... even the mom's and dad's and civic mentor's of the immediate community.  The deafening chorus of silence is frightening.

So I must say, really like where Clarence is going with this snippet:

"But other people and organizations also bear their share of culpability.

On more the one occasion I have said that violence lies like molten lava beneath the surface of society just waiting to erupt."

As a whole, we lack a certain reverence to life itself.  We treat life as fully disposable, unless you are on the endangered animal list. We suck the life force born naturally into every human being, indoctrinating them with school curriculum hellbent on taking personal responsibility out of the equation.  We have built a wall between the connection of teaching our boys and girls by the golden rule (heaven forbid, any of the ten commandments...even if they do make all the sense in the world when raising young, impressionable minds).  We honor our humanity with a moment of silence before a football game, but set aside a moment of silence for reflection and prayer and deeper thought before the start of a school day...fuggetaboutit.


At least in the olden days, our children would see that the good guys win in the end -- be it in movies, and even cartoons, not to deny or diminish simply having the experience of living in United States of America, the leader of the free world and quintessential good nation in motion.   We lived it!

[today, we bear witness to terrorists winning in all corners of the world...we bear witness to gansta's living large in our cities...we bear witness to America being taken down a notch or two, be it our stature, character, influence, or strength]

We are falling, and failing, by lowering our standards to the lowest common denominator, and it's beginning to ripple and swell into the crevasses and the finer cracks of humanity much like the visual furnished to us by Clarence..."like molten lava beneath the surface of society just waiting to erupt."

Until we learn how to better care for our own and ourselves, from the inside out, and really fix the level of our dysfunction along with the real potential for destruction, the more vulnerable to violations we will grow.  It's an elaborate, convoluted, deeply marred manifestation -- with decades of divorce, incest, abuse, mental illness, family dysfunction, emotional limitations, and plenty of spiritual voids -- and now, painfully, uncomfortably, generation over generation, we are witnessing how this equates to the creation of our reality in the everyday. 

It's not about the gun, or the 32 oz. soda.  It's not about the object we place into our hands -- it's about what we choose to do with it.   But before we get there, it becomes more a question or concern as to what we feed our minds, our hearts, our homes, our soul long before we pull the trigger or take so much as a sip.

Just when will we have a  Frank and Birdee conversation about that aspect?

Or will it be just set aside -- like the kicking of the proverbial can down the proverbial road much like we have handled our nation's massive debt and overspending predicament.  Now talk about killing our children softly....

Oh America.... "it's the worst kind of extravagances the way you spend your chances."

Make it a Good Day, G