The NYPD and our nation's police...

California used to be considered a national trendsetter. Let some cultural innovation catch on out there and supposedly it was only a matter of time before the required thought processes traveled north and east. It may still be that way for many things, I sure hope not.

However other states & cities are also harbringers of things to come. One of them (IMHO) would be NYC. For those of you who detest the Yankees in general and inhabitants of the Big Apple in particular, my condolences. It is what it is.

So that may be why so much attention is currently being paid to the strife between Mayor DeBlasio and the NYPD. If a grand jury verdict for a case like the death of Garner and the following chaos happened in Seattle would anyone pay as much attention? Methinks not.

So when the cops openly defy Hizzoner at a funeral by turning their backs to him; it gets a lot of attention. It seems folks are shocked, shocked I tell you that the rank and file don't appreciate the recent comments made about them.

Imagine, in an occupation where threats to life are to be expected (http://dnainfo.com/new-york/20141231/civic-center/nypd-investigating-threats-kill-officers-on-new-years-eve-sources-say)
the lowly badge wearer expects support from his supervisors.

Obviously it's the fault of the police themselves, they should know their place (http://thefederalist.com/2014/12/31/the-nypds-revolt-is-a-direct-threat-to-democracy/) lest they put us all on the road to Third World anarchy. Noted. Never mind that this sort of threat to the police is spreading (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/12/31/one-look-at-the-graffiti-image-scrawled-near-a-police-station-and-its-clear-why-officers-are-so-upset/).

All the tongue-in-cheek commentary aside, this blowback by the police was to be expected. Did everyone believe they would meekly go their way, bowing heads in shame whenever some wingnut on the street started screaming, "Racist cops!"?

I believe they've had enough, not just in NYC but all over the nation. In the Big Apple they're starting to NOT enforce the laws. Who can blame them? They'll get paid regardless and if the higher ups are going to swing at them like a bunch of kids at a pinata why stick their necks out? Why put themselves in the line of verbal abuse?

The consequence of this will be the spread of crime throughout the land. As New York goes, so goes the nation.

Stock up on ammo, go to the range more often. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Welcome to the 21st century version of America.

"Torture" doesn't yield results?

So why have we haven't had any followup attacks by the Muslims in the last 13 years? Just wondering.

Seriously, I take with a huge grain of salt any information coming out of DC via the MSM. We have a highly partisan Congress selectively doling out information to biased news organizations and we're supposed to take at face value anything we're told? It reminds me of an old joke supposedly making the rounds in Soviet Russia during the Cold War. Their two major news outlets were Pravda & Ivestia, words that mean "Truth" and "News".

Anyway the joke went that in Pravda there was no Ivestia and in Ivestia there was no Pravda. Lucky them, the Soviets only had two government mouthpieces to deal with.

Even if everything being screamed from the rooftops is ironclad fact, my reaction is "so what"?  Yeah it's a whole different ball game when you're the one being water boarded, I got that. I also roger up that Catholic teaching expressly forbids torture, got that one too.

But one thing I've consistently had trouble wrapping my mind around is how does refraining from certain practices that result in saving innocent lives constitute Christian practice? Do we then view any lives saved due to "torture" as fruit of a forbidden tree? Do we consider those innocents saved from extinction to be somewhat morally flawed? How many lives of innocent civilians are acceptable to be lost if we refrain from "torture", is it fifty, a hundred, how about an entire metropolis?

I'm just a retired submarine mechanic who feels the people should know whats done in their name for their safety. For that reason I'm glad the results of the investigation are starting to see light. Don't bother me with analogies such as the popular one regarding making sausage, i.e. everyone likes the result but no one wants knowledge of how you get it. If we need strong stomachs when presented the information than so be it. But lets own up to being damned glad of any positive results from these practices and lets protect the ones working in our names. They deserve that much loyalty.

As it stands now I've no doubt we'll see a parade of sacrificial lambs led to the bloodied altar of political correctness and hypocritical self righteousness.

Dissing the cops and consequences thereof.

Watching the steady parade of race hustlers run their yaps about Ferguson and NYC brings to mind the 70's and the hollow military we had then.

For anyone reading this who might be unfamiliar with the term, "hollow military" refers to the post Viet Nam military. It was when the armed forces were often held up for contempt and ridicule in popular entertainment, the MSM and even on the floors of Congress, where one Representative who was pushing for reduction in military pay & benefits contemptuously opined, "...they can vote with their feet if they don't like it." when told of the inevitable detriment to morale his actions would have.

"Vote with their feet" is exactly what many good men did back in those days. Whether they couldn't support their families properly, didn't like being treated as second class citizens or they just got fed up with being portrayed in a bad light, many just left. Some of them ended their service well after the ten year mark, the point at which it's often assumed if you go past it you're making the service a career.

Consequently we had undermanned boats which often had crew members that were in the Navy because they couldn't cut the mustard in civilian life. There weren't TOO many men like that, just more than we'd had in times immediately prior and after that interesting decade. In many minds there was the feeling if war broke out we'd be getting our butts kicked from here till breakfast until a draft was instituted and the nation played "catch up" as had happened initially after Pearl Harbor was bombed.

So how does this tie into the denigration of our nation's police in general and specific spots like Ferguson & NYC in particular? Stay with me please, I'll try explaining.

If our nation's police keep getting slammed you can bet there will eventually be an exodus of a lot of qualified men and women. Their places will be filled all too often (after the recruiting standards are lowered) by less than optimum candidates. There will also be a fair number of police departments undermanned and it won't be coincidence that they'll be the ones in the worst areas experiencing crime.

Therefore crime will increase, John & Joan Q. Public will avail themselves of their 2nd Amendment rights, corruption will increase with the attendant increase in bad press from the MSM, vigilante committees will begin cropping up in various hot spots.

We'll either get a national police force (not a good idea, I'll explain in a bit) or we'll descend into permanent chaos, much like out national neighbor to the immediate south of the border.

The idea of a national police force, controlled from D.C. would be bad due to a few factors: A) With such an entity local problems don't get solved locally, they get taken care of by some desk jockey hundreds of miles away from the problem. How effective has that ever proven in other areas? B) Inevitably the members of a national force will be shuffled around, the idea of a local cop who grew up in the same part of the state he presently works in will die off. Along with the end of that locally rooted cop goes a lot of empathy on both his part and that of the local populace for him. C) A national police force is just a bit too much like an occupying army, for proof of that look to Spain under Franco when the Guardia Civil kept firm control of the nation. It wasn't pleasant, at least according to the locals I spoke with at that time.

So it's time for the American people to take a collective deep breath, step back a bit and think of where we're heading. It's time to shut down the professional scaremongers that fan the fires of popular indignation every time some dumbass commits suicide by cop.

Because unlike a "hollow military" where all problems with it are a bit removed from the public eye, a nationwide plague of "hollow police departments" will have immediate and very evident effects.

And it won't be pretty.

Ferguson Rising.

So the grand jury refused to indict and now rioting is in progress, not just in Ferguson but in cities across the nation. Who'd a thunk it!

Seriously when I look at the morons caught on camera they seem to fall into one of two categories; A) Black and ready to destroy what they can't steal, all in the name of civil rights. B) White and incredibly stupid, not believing that given half a chance their black compadres of the moment would rape, rob and beat the shit out of them. But they've found a "cause" to promote so all is good.

Morons!

The hell of it is that we won't see an end soon. Look at how long the "Occupy" movement was allowed to drag on and they never really seemed to have any focus for their protests. The phony baloney justifications offered for the present riots will afford them a cover story for being allowed to destroy whatever city they're in. That will happen as long as the politicians, MSM and other fools give the "grievances" the sham of thoughtful consideration.

So stand by folks, we're going to get screwed for a very long time over the complete nonissue of a thug committing suicide by cop.

Just remember, if you don't agree you're either a racist or "Tom".

Killing babies; our tax dollars at work.

Here's the link: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/deluge-of-criticism-after-abortion-funding-revealed-in-health-care-law-60333/

Okay, so now what? Shall I have the wife file her taxes separate from my own so when I flat refuse to pay there will be no repercussions on her?  Some time ago I quizzed a Dominican about this very topic, then it seemed more abstract than now. Anyway, his response was that my first responsibility was to my family and I would have to figure out for myself where to draw the line if push came to shove.

That reeducation camp is getting closer and closer. Let's make a date to meet at the Chestnut Tree Cafe when we get out.

Good Intentions, Bad Idea.

Here's the link: http://news.yahoo.com/u-help-train-people-spot-potential-violent-extremists-100338697.html

Yes, we need to ramp up our efforts to stop followers of the Pedophile Prophet from giving their version of "high and tight" to the necks of their enemies (which includes most of the Free World).

But this sort of thing can be turned to other uses too damned easily. Today they look for potential recruits for jihad, tomorrow it could be Tea Party members, fundamentalist Christians, you name it.

I actually LIKE the idea of living amongst nut cases that are one step short of certifiable, it reminds me of my days in the military. I DON'T like the idea of legislating political loyalty, morality or anything else. For example, if theres a problem with too many people accepting abortion then it's incumbent upon the prolife community to get the word out about the true nature of things. Legislation doesn't help, look at Prohibition, all it did was erode the idea of following unpopular laws.

Can't those damned fools in DC do anything right?

Another year.

Ferguson, illegal aliens, the New Black Panthers and whatever else comes to mind.

Am I the only one who notices how the Administration's allies (MSM) exerted themselves to keep Ferguson on the front burner until the last few days? Plus how this story came out shortly after it was noticed that by de facto amnesty on the part of the White House & Co., many blacks will find the job market even more hostile? That more than one group of prominent blacks was starting to complain about it? Several bloggers have pointed out the lack of coverage regarding black on black crime (Chicago for example) in favor of one selected incident in an obscure town of the Deep South. Gee, what a coincidence.

I think a lot of folks are getting played on this one. Now our Dear Leader will regain the support he may have lost in the black community due to our porous borders and their effect on the poorest of our nation.

As for the New Black Panthers and their presence, can anyone recall any time when these fools did more than pose for the cameras? Seriously, this ain't Huey Newton's gang of thugs. What we're seeing now are a bunch of self important blowhards allowed time on the camera. Kind of like the fools of "Occupy" only with braids. But they DO serve to ramp up the rhetoric at a time when keeping the Ferguson story front and center in the public eye works to the advantage of Dear Leader. Ergo nobody is even thinking of having their butts removed in order to bring some peace and quiet to the town.

The whole damned thing is cheap theater built upon a routine encounter by a dumb felon with the law. Honest, just how often is the same thing happening throughout our nation? C'mon, five gets you ten some dopes committed suicide by cop in several cities since this story hit the news. It happened with white crooks or black crooks, against white or black cops. But we ain't hearing die diddle squat because the realization of how pathetically common it is that stupid punks get themselves killed by the police would only quell the outrage being stoked by the MSM.

We still have two and a half years of this Administration, that's IF some crisis doesn't happen necessitating the imposition of martial law before January of 2017. I don't want to know how much worse things will get, but I believe we're going to find out. Our collective ass is grass and somebody is revving up a power mower.

God's will be done, may He have mercy on us all.

Questions regarding Ferguson.

So how long before other cities see muggings where the perps shout "This is for Mike Brown!" as they beat some innocent man or woman?

Things seemed to be calming down while the local police were in control. Still tense enough that you could probably smell it, but there actually was a letup of the looting. Then they brought in another commander, one who had grown up in Ferguson and just wanted to defuse things. The governor of the state has also gotten involved. Now it's Hell on Earth there, boy sure is a good thing they took the local cops (who knew the area and may have had a reason to act in a heavy handed manner) off the scene to ease the situation. How long before someone in authority says, "We really screwed that one up."? I won't be holding my breath.

Evidently the "gentle giant" who wouldn't even go out for football had no qualms about roughing up a store clerk while heisting some cigars. Some years ago I was told by a recovering addict that sweet, small cigars were the choice of crackheads, they'd sprinkle some drug on the cigar and light up. The number one choice of smoke was Swisher Sweets. Given that plus the out of character behavior of the deceased, I wonder what a toxicology report might show. Any guesses that we'll never see it?

This Christmas I may get the wife a CHL. Maybe Christmas should come early this year.

Just supposing....

I've been of the opinion that prior to January of 2017 our Fearless Leader will find a reason to impose martial law, suspend the results of any Presidential election recently held and crack down on all dissenters (that includes you and I).

So what if a large percentage of the American people soon said, "Enough is enough" in regards to the flood of illegal aliens coming across our southern border? What if they said, "Compassion be damned! Enforce the stinking laws!" and then began getting REALLY loud about it?

How about a riot or two? It wouldn't even need professional provocation to happen, there are plenty of people who feel strongly about showing charity to those officially deemed to flee increasing violence in Central America (though for the life of me I don't recall any news to that effect in the last few years). If this wouldn't pit one group of Americans against another, what would?

Then the tanks start rolling as the whole idea of posse comitatus is tossed. You can bet a fair number of our military would buy into the "save the children" meme, another portion would just want to restore order. Plus face it folks, the average sailor, marine, dogface, flyboy doesn't stay any more well informed than his civilian counterpart. Sorry, the ideal of a military consisting of uber patriots toting around a copy of the Constitution in his/her seabag or duffel bag is fantasy. If it does they must all be riding unicorns too fast for us to see them.

Do I believe it's been the aim of this Administration all along as regards the flood of illegals? No. But I do believe when our Chief Executive promised to transform America he wasn't just whistling "Dixie". I do believe he and his crew have been hoping for something to explode in the fashion I described, that maybe they've been rattling so many cages all along was in the hope of riling up enough citizens to justify martial law. Maybe. It isn't something I'd bet the farm on but I DO give it serious thought.

So tell me I'm wrong. Tell me I spend too much time thinking thoughts of a tinfoil hat quality. Please do, because I REALLY would rather be as crazy as a shithouse rat than right.

God's will be done, may He have mercy on us all.

“If you're litigating against nuns, you have probably done something wrong,..."

Ya think? Here's the link: http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/sen-cruz-mr-president-when-did-democratic-party-declare-war-catholic

Just MHO but this won't die an easy death, it's one of many flash points coming to prominence in our nation. Yesterday I was talking to the wife (who routinely suffers through my rants) and noted that many optimists believe in 2016 we'll have a replay of when Reagan trounced Carter. In other words a champion of conservative values will ride a landslide of voter indignation to the Oval Office and we'll see a return to the conservative values now in decline. The sun will come out, birds will chirp and the Millenium will be upon us all.

If only.

Sorry folks, back then the biggest item was how to deal with the USSR, Carter & Co. believed in soft pedaling any differences between us while moving forward in the spirit of detente originally fostered by Gerald Ford. Ronnie Rayguns thought we should stand up to the international bully and face him down. God bless Reagan.

This time around things are considerably different. Our country is fighting over gay marriage, the Affordable Care Act, illegal aliens, gun control, global warming/climate change, the role of the nanny state in our lives, how to deal with followers of the Pedophile Prophet  and probably a few more I can't bring immediately to mind.

We're divided on so many topics and if a strong conservative such as Cruz gets placed in the White House, we can expect a backlash of Biblical proportions from the left side of the aisle. It won't be a redux of Reagan/Carter, it'll fall along the lines of another Civil War.

What led us into this diatribe was a visit by the wife and I to the local range, something we haven't done together for quite some time (FWIW she cleaned my clock, I gotta get out more). Anyway, the upshot of the rant was my warning her she ought to get a CHL and start packing some heat before the 2016 election. IMO the shit will hit the fan shortly after Election Day.

Stand by fellow fisheaters, times are getting interesting.

Here's the initial story: http://www.ucanews.com/news/us-court-orders-priest-to-reveal-confessional-details/71361

No Virginia, no matter what he hears "in the box" a priest CANNOT divulge it. That's the end of the story, He may pass some information on to the police (Suzy Creamcheese is in real danger, might want to keep an eye on her for a while) but he CANNOT be more specific than that. PERIOD.

This isn't something new either, nor was it cast to the wayside in Vatican II. It's always been this way.

So for the courts in Louisiana to demand otherwise is persecution. If not than please tell me what the hell it is?

Take this, add on the ACA mandate that has employers paying for contraception and abortions, throw in a few court rulings regarding the rights of LGBT's to override Church teaching, season the mess with some Catholics In Name Only (CINO) who happily chirp that the Church needs to enter the 21st Century and voila! We now have the basics of persecution heading our way.

If that sounds over the top, just wait a bit. It won't matter who is in the Oval Office, we're screwed.

God's will be done, may He have mercy on us all.

Showdown in Murrietta?

Here's the link: http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/07/06/SOURCE-FEDS-To-Bring-in-Riot-Squad-Against-Illegal-Immigration-Protesters

So we'll soon see the iron fist taken from the velvet glove as the Feds wade into the fray. Maybe this will cause those protesting to back off, maybe they'll go home muttering in defeat and disgust, flinging themselves into their recliner while grabbing the remote to watch some tube.

Maybe not. Maybe we'll see another confrontation ala Cliven Bundy. Maybe the lit match will hit the spilled gas and a new era of civil warfare will erupt.

If the standoff won't get things going, maybe some epidemics will:  http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/07/06/Doctor-Speaks-Out-Against-Feds-Silencing-Medical-Staff-on-Border

Honestly it sounds so typical of Big Brother, i.e. "Let's not tell the man in the street how fubar things are and maybe the problem will resolve itself." Sometimes I wonder if the denizens in Foggy Bottom have to recite that mantra as a secret password to enter their office in the morning. That snark applies to both sides of the aisle. This immigration debacle is a prime example of the politicians trying their best over the years to sweep it under the rug when possible and put a smiley face sticker on it when they can't. IMO there should have been a 20 ft. high chain link fence, topped with concertina wire erected on the border decades ago. To augment that the Feds should have mined the perimeters for 20 yards out on both sides, with multiple signs for the next outer 10 yards that would advise everyone just what to expect when crossing the border. If that sounds barbaric, heartless, cruel, etc. then answer me this, "If our nation is so cruel why do we need fences to keep people OUT rather than in (ala Cuba and all former border nations of the USSR?)".

Ya know I really sympathize with anyone trying to get in via legal or illegal means. We had a guy in our men's retreat group at our church a few years back who was of questionable status. He told some real horror stories in the short time we were there. They involved getting shot at, his kid's safety, his in laws hard luck. I really felt for him.

But how much can we as a nation take on? Aside from the strain of so many new immigrants on our basic infrastructure, just what do they have to look forward to in the long run? Let's face it, by utilizing so many underpaid, non benefit drawing humans we've got a form of financial slavery going on right now. Riddle me this; Is it really compassion to allow so many to come to this nation where they'll basically work as a perpetual underclass as long as they remain officially "off the radar" ?  We've a nation where their desirability to be hired is based in a large part on a willingness to work for slave wages, how humane is that really? While they're doing this they're apart from their home, much of their extended family, their culture. How fucking humanitarian is that?

If we want to be truly Christian in this we should aid in the development of the nations these folks come from. That aid would NOT be our reflexive hurling money at them. It hasn't worked in decades, it ain't ever going to work.

Do I know exactly what would satisfactorily work? No, I don't. But I do know we helped two nations rebuild themselves from the ground up after WWII. Those two would be Germany and Japan. It wasn't done by just tossing money at the fat cats in charge, placing our hands in our pockets and walking away whistling. We were a lot more intimately involved, having kicked the snot out of those nations had something to do with it, so that particular paradigm couldn't be followed in our present situation. But I bring it up to illustrate there's more than one way to help a country get on it's feet.

This is all off the original topic, right now we should focus on where our own nation is heading. From where I sit it doesn't look good. Let some sort of epidemic break out, even for something as innocuous as the common cold, and all hell will follow.

God's will be done, may He have mercy upon us all.

On Murrietta Ca. and Lawrenceville, Va. reception of illegal aliens and the coming apocalypse.

If you've read the news you know that out in Murrietta, Ca. town residents blocked access for three buses carrying illegals to a holding facility there. Seems the townsfolk are fed up with the idea of being a dumping ground for potential criminals and disease carriers.

Prior to that, out in Lawrenceville, Va, the residents got their noses out of joint when the administration of a local college agreed to house approx. 500 illegals. Since the town has a whopping 1500 residents this would put a bit of a strain on their facilities. Once again I'm thinking of crime and disease.

People are getting fed up with this crap. The meme of  "what about the children?" isn't working too well evidently. There are some folks trying to fight back and all too soon I believe we'll see a response from the Administration. Will it involve the National Guard? Will there be some violence? You tell me.

But I live in an area with a lot of non English speaking Hispanics, I've no doubt we'll soon see a lot more. My kid's school will accept new kids without question (they're bound by law to act that way). So it's a good thing the wife is an RN with lots of pediatric experience. It's also a good thing we've a fair sized dog and some firearms in the house.

Things are rapidly approaching the breaking point and not just in the area of illegal immigration. The nation is filled with pissed off people. The vets and their families are pissed at the VA, the pro aborts and their cohort are pissed at the Supremes, Catholics, Evangelicals, the gays are pissed at anyone talking about reparative therapy and how getting your fudge packed isn't just an inherited preference, the libs are pissed at the conservatives, the conservatives at the Tea Party, race relations between blacks & whites have taken a nose dive since Obama was elected. The list goes on and on.

Sooner or later some group is going to attack another. Then all Hell will break loose as it mushrooms into score settling and payback time. Toss in a few Muslim jihadists initiating a 9/11 atrocity or two and everything will go up in flames.

Then we'll see an imposition of martial law (I still think it'll happen before 20 Jan 17) as the Feds clamp down on all activities. That will include the internet, cross country travel, etc. A very vocal portion of our population will welcome it, placing security above freedom. All those government agencies that have been buying up ammo will then show why it was purchased as they field their own SWAT-style enforcement teams against the general public. The clampdown will be promised just "for the duration". Noted.

It could happen under either a Democratic or Republican Administration. As I've already mentioned I believe its more likely to occur before any successor to Obama takes office. I might be wrong, it might happen after he leaves. But it's becoming more likely as time goes on.

The groups targeted for persecution will include all the devoutly religious (even Muslims once they've served their purpose), all veterans (especially the younger ones), all 2nd Amendment advocates, all political non conformists. Stay in the middle of the herd or you'll get culled.

Just to make one point here; I don't believe any of this is or was deliberately orchestrated. What we have is a self-absorbed populace electing (twice!) a poster boy for affirmative action. Like all those hired in the name of "diversity" the man is incredibly out of his depth. The incompetence of him and his cronies are the real driving engine here, aided and abetted by an electorate that is too focused on creature comforts and personal gain. But the end result is the same as if there was some sinister puppeteer pulling the unseen strings, i.e. the final destruction of our nation as we knew it.

Maybe I'm as wrong as a football bat, I sure do hope so. But IMO our nation has already died, we're just going through the start of the death rattle.

God help us all, may His will be done.

On the Hobby Lobby decision from the Supremes...

Before we start popping champagne corks let’s realize this ruling only applies to privately held companies. Any charitable or nonprofit organization objecting to the contraception/abortion provisions of the ACA but still wishing to feed at the public trough has yet to present a winning argument to this Court. There’s still a long road to travel in the affirmation of our religious freedom.

I'll not start throwing parties just yet. IMHO all religious entities should completely divorce themselves from ANY government monies. To do this would merely be admitting the truth of The Golden Rule, i.e. "He who has the gold makes the rules."

A Doctor cuts to the heart of our problems...

Here's the link: http://gerardnadal.com/2014/06/11/a-presidents-selective-outrage-at-the-death-of-innocents/

Trying to add anything would be gilding a lily.

The DOJ revs up against thought crime.

Here's the link: http://online.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-relaunches-domestic-terror-task-force-1401820635

So let's see, we've an Administration that identified veterans, 2nd Amendment supporters, religiously devout men and women, anti abortion advocates and limited government enthusiasts as potential "right wing terrorists". That was just for starters.

Since then we've seen various government agencies arming themselves to the teeth, examples include the EPA, National Forestry Service, Social Security Administration. BTW, they each have their own SWAT style enforcement teams. This may have had it's genesis during previous Administrations but it's only now we hear of how they're buying up armor piercing ammo. Must be a coincidence, right?

We've seen the military's Equal Opportunity seminars in some places use the listing from the Southern Poverty Law Center which identifies fundamentalist Christian groups as possible terrorists.

There's an ongoing trend for local police departments to acquire surplus military equipment such as Mine Resistant Vehicles. That isn't happening only in the big cities either, lots of "Mayberry" type hamlets seem to be joining in also.

Theres a steady drumbeat for greater gun control of the civilian populace.

Thought crime prosecution is actively encouraged. That baker in Washington state who turned away a gay couple trying to buy a wedding cake was recently fined and told to have himself and his staff submit to "sensitivity training" aka reeducation.

We're still waiting to see how the Supremes rule as far as the requirement of the Affordable Care Act for employers to provide birth control/abortion coverage. I'm not betting the farm on a favorable outcome.

Yes Virginia, we're screwed. Next question.

About that Nevada rancher...

First, a hyperlink to the latest info: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/10/us/nevada-rancher-rangers-cattle-showdown/

Okay, I figure Bundy is in the wrong for not paying taxes and fees. Shoot me if you want. But damn! Why didn't the Feds just freeze his bank account(s) or utilize some other nonconfrontational method to resolve this. Hitting someone in the pocketbook will get their attention PDQ. Sending in the BLM troops is BS, why couldn't it have been handled in a more low key manner? As a taxpayer I'd really like some answers, especially since it appears someone will be killed before this is all over.

If the end goal is to instill fear of resisting the government, it appears to be backfiring. This guy is becoming a hero and plenty of folk are sticking up for him.

For some reason I'm reminded of John Peter Zenger . A few accounts of him portray a nut who was perpetually at odds with the local government. But his case laid the foundation for the freedom of the press we enjoy in this nation. So when all is said and done, personality doesn't always count too much.

Unfortunately I don't see a nonviolent end to this present confrontation. Buckle your seat belts folks, our nation as we knew it is dead and it'll be a wild ride before all the dust settles.

God's will be done, may He have mercy on us all.

UPDATE: Evidently the Feds have blinked and are backing down before anyone got hurt: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/62385

Thanks be to God.

Will the braclets have yellow star pendants too?

This is just off the charts stupid: http://freebeacon.com/issues/holder-we-want-to-explore-gun-tracking-bracelets/

It's scary too.

Full disclosure time: I actually think some time should be spent on a national debate regarding gun control. There, I said it. Now grab the pitchforks and torches, I'll be waiting.

However in my own defense I'd like to add that several years ago I gave up advocating for any exploration into the merits of gun control. This was because there is no possibility of finding common ground between the wingnuts driving the issue. On the left there are fools who faint if a six year old points a finger at someone and yells "BANG!" while on the right the counterparts of those fools thinks it's perfectly okey-dokey to have your very own ICBM in the back yard.

When I gave up advocating for a discussion I went to the "own the ICBM" party. At least they aren't trying to take anything away from anyone!

So about those bracelets.

Hey, we're proven geniuses at demonizing whoever might be out of favor at the moment. Look at cigarette smoking, it's gone from being considered unhealthy to downright evil & immoral. "Back in the day" having a good smoke was considered relaxing. Even Rudyard Kipling thought more highly of his cigars than a woman: http://www.bartleby.com/364/31.html . Now you half expect the smell of fire and brimstone when someone indulges in a still highly legal activity.

Back to the main topic.

I don't want to be tracked via a bracelet or any other device. I don't want the government to know whenever I might squeeze off a few rounds. I want the government out of my life, period.

Ya know how the German Nazis knew with unerring efficiency who was Jewish? They had highly detailed census data to rely upon. Census data taken in 1934 with the full compliance of a docile population. Check it out if you don't believe me:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_and_the_Holocaust

So yeah, giving the government any more information about me or my actions is scary. In plain unadorned English: FUCK 'EM!!! ( so much for my resolution to clean up the trash talk )

Thanks for listening, God's will be done.

Disney marches to the Gay Gestapo tune.

So now the ante is being upped on gay 'rights": http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/disney-cuts-ties-boy-scouts-anti-gay

I'm sure Walt Disney is spinning in his grave.

I've said all along that this topic of publicly welcoming gay kids into the Scouts was a ploy, nobody checks your sexual orientation at the door of a BSA function. It just doesn't happen.

But the gay gestapo raised a fuss, the BSA fell for it by publicly addressing a nonexistent problem, now the organization will be pressured to further accommodate the advocates of sodomy. The controversy will continue until all opposition to the gay "lifestyle" is eliminated and the general public learns to sing "Gay Is Okay" at the top of their lungs.

So if a gay man can safely be left in the company of young boys why can't a heterosexual man lead a bunch of Girl Scouts?

Maybe that's next on the radar of the cultural elite, I don't know. I'm glad my sons will NOT be joining the Scouts. Call me a bigot, I'm not going to defend my views because no "true believer" would ever accept anything short of complete capitulation from someone of my sort. So why bother? But my kids will not be left in the company of anybody I don't trust completely, that includes gays, straights and those who aren't too sure.

God's will be done, may He have mercy upon us all.