Proud to be an American

Just a short note today.

I am really proud to be an American.  In spite of the incessantly negative reports on the news, whether it be COVID19 or politics, or whatever, our fellow citizens are (in the main) behaving with dignity and courtesy.

Folks politely and quietly line up at the grocery store, maintaining their social distance.  We see far more people out walking in our neighborhood, nodding and waving at others.  We are seeing more walkers in one day than we we used to see in a month.  And no one is behaving like a flaming dumb ass.

As see throughout the history of this great nation, American citizens stand up when the need is the greatest. 

So, don't let all the reports about the flaming dumb asses convince you the country has gone to hell in a hand basket.  Don't listen to the so-called celebrities and worthless politicians.  Sure, these are challenging times and more sacrifice will be called for from all of us.  But we can and will persevere.

Wave at your neighbors as they walk by.  Appreciate the courtesy seen at the grocery store.  

And be thankful you are an American.

Shining a Light

The media, once the lighthouses of truth, have sunk to being biased arms of the political parties.

The manner in which they are responding and reacting to COVID19 shines a crystal clear, bright light on many Americans. As the majority stoically go about doing the best they can to protect themselves and their loved ones, endure stringent policies, and adapt to new daily routines, others distinguish themselves for good or bad.

One category that seems to fall into the latter category are so-called celebrities addicted to an overblown sense of self-importance. They crave attention like a drug addict craves the next fix. One of the most notorious examples is Ellen DeGeneres, who shamelessly and infamously declared sheltering in place in her multi-million dollar home was like "being in jail." Others in this category have made near equal idiotic and insensitive comments, while some have taken to posting pictures of themselves clearly revealing their crass nature. Beware so-called self-absorbed celebrities, the shining light of reality lets us see you for what you really are - shallow, rude, selfish, and uncaring. Those in this category are not alone.

Take politicians for example. DeBlasio of New York City encouraging citizens to "snitch" on folks violating "stay at home" policy. Representative Heather Scott of Idaho declaring sheltering in place is like a Nazi Concentration Camp. Pelosi, who also suffers from overblown sense of self-importance addiction, posing with exceptionally high end kitchen appliances, one filled with ice cream that costs more than $11 per pint. And Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan prohibiting people from visiting family members. Beware politicians! Your words and actions are drawing a bright, shining light onto your judgment.

The so-called celebrities and politicians make up an exceptionally small, minuscule portion of our country. Unfortunately the media enables their addictions.

Fortunately, there are vastly more reports and stories of average folks stepping up in ways not even imagined by so-call celebrities and politicians. ER nurses for example; on the front lines, often without the PPE needed to safely perform their essential jobs. Over the road truck drivers, making sure essential goods are delivered. Some teachers, using virtual instruction to keep educating our kids. American small businesses, stepping up to make face masks and ventilators. Neighbors doing the grocery shopping for elderly friends. Police and fire departments conducting roll by parades to recognize healthcare workers. And on and on. They are the real Americans; not so-called celebrities and politicians.

Sheltering in place will end, though some elected Democrats will surely seek to maintain some of the tightest controls. COVID19 will be defeated, with some so-called celebrities bursting out seeking their attention addiction fixes ("look at me, look at me").

The bright shining lights will focus on their current behavior, which we will remember.

PPP

It is incomprehensible that petty political posturing (PPP) dominates.

Policy differences aside, elected officials continue the disgusting PPP practice.  Rather than putting aside infantile personal animosity for the good of the American people, these folks would rather pursue Internet clicks and on air video minutes for their PPP.  Rather than work together to produce single purpose legislation unencumbered by pet projects, they snipe at one another incessantly.

Absolutely tone deaf, they posture in pursuit of wealth, power, and prestige.  So much for facetious concern for the American people.

And when called out for their outlandish behavior, they attempt to blame their political opponents, using absolute terms in a far-from-absolute world.  Or they issue clearly contradictory statements days, if not hours, apart. 

PPP.

Without due regard for the impacts of their their PPP, Pelosi and Trump head a list of elected officials who should be summarily and rounded condemned and forced from office at the earliest opportunity.

Not a perfect solution by any means, but removing all federally elected officials and starting anew would be a good start in reclaiming the power of the people.   

May we remember this in the weeks, months, and years to come.

Tis certainly a worrisome time, but all is not lost.

In spite of what the media portrays as apocalyptic, the end is not near.  Certainly, COVID19 presents serious challenges.  However, the death knell is not sounding.  Our great nation will recover.

Disappointing, but not surprising, are the actions by politicians, opinion spewers, activists, and media types to first create near panic and then attempt to use it as leverage to get their pet rock project funded, limit American freedoms, change the national cultural landscape, and inject fraud inducements into the election process.  Not only disappointing, it is also repugnant.


We are also seeing the publicity hungry, media porn addicted individuals for who they really are.  Whether it is AOC and her incessant radical pronouncements, actors/actresses struggling to be seen as relevant, speaking heads from various so-called-news outlets, "professional" athletes, the "influencers" pushing out totally unimportant selfies, or the plethora of activists demanding this and that.  These worthless folks contribute nothing but noise.  They aren't working for betterment of the nation, but seek screen time for their names and faces.

Most reprehensible are the elected officials, overwhelmingly Democrats, using this crisis to force big government on the people.  Regrettably, most disaster legislation empowers a single individual (governor or mayor) with extraordinary powers.  Many times unchecked power.  Ostensibly this is so the government, state or municipal, can be more agile and responsive in addressing the underlying crisis.  Sadly, tragically some overstep their mandates.  Of course, prudence and judgment must carry the day to protect their citizens.  But too many examples of the unreasonable are surfacing.  Overreactions, whether due to exceptionally poor judgment or naked pursuit of power in order to pursue their own agendas.  Hopefully the voters will have long memories.

Another comment about the elected exceeding their proper limitations.  Governor Newsom of California was at least honest about it, declaring he saw the COVID19 as providing the opportunity for him to enact his progressive agenda.  More infamously, Nancy Pelosi incoherrently demands a progressive wish list, a wish list that could never be passed through routine legislation.  These two and many others are attempting to ride a crisis on the backs of Americans in order to increase their political power and personal fortunes.  Shameful, disgusting, and reprehensible.

Nonetheless, the vast majority of the nation is adapting, as it always does when faced with real threats, not the manufactured ones MSNBC and Democrat politicians proclaim.  Even though the mainstream media attempts to suppress positive reports, they make their way into the national dialogue.  Reports of average citizens (note...CITIZENS) helping one another abound.  Reports of recognizing our front line heroes, those indisputably essential to our way of life, uplift us. 

May we remember this in the weeks, months, and years to come.