Category: Just Thoughts

“Oh Yea, well what about…!”

I’ve thought long on this, but I can’t say I’ve thought long and hard. I’m not going to add a bunch of links to support premises listed because, as you will see if you read this, people are not interested in facts. They want only those bits of information that support their illusion. Will also say, this turned out way longer than I intended.

#1 Main stream media proclaims, on a regular basis, that Trump lies about everything. This statement may be true in several areas, only a fool would claim otherwise. However, indications are that both Clintons (Bill and Hillary), Obama, and pretty much every person on the planet lies. But, we focus on Trump lies and care not for Clinton or Obama lies. Therefore, your indignation obviously has nothing to do with the act of lying; so why are you indignant?

#2 Based on social norms, it is improper to insult a woman about her looks, her size, or how she dresses. Seems reasonable; it’s rude, adds no value to anything, and is meant only to demean a person or somehow redirect attention from your own faults. So, why was it OK to shame Sarah Palin and why is it OK to demean our current First Lady? Some have even gone so far as to make up falsehoods about Sarah and Melania, so they could be shamed about things that were not true. The media ran-amuck with stories about Sarah Palin’s daughter; was the child with down syndrome Sarah’s or her daughter’s? Tell me how that matters, and what business is it of ours? It doesn’t matter, but it made for great shaming material. The real question should be, “Are you ashamed of how she was treated?” There are claims Melania posed in the nude during her early modeling career. Can’t say I’ve seen any of the pictures, so not sure it’s true. Regardless of how factual it is, why do we care? Madonna has been flashed her boobs at anyone who cares to notice and across the internet for years? I don’t recall the media ever questioning her moral values. If any made a single derogatory remark about Michelle, about anything whether true or not, they were automatically labeled intolerant, racist, bigot, chauvinist… the list is endless. Why is it OK to shame Sarah or Melania but not OK to shame Michelle? The world I was raised in taught me it was not OK to shame anyone. If you were indignant about those who shamed Michelle, but were not and are not indignant about the shaming of Sarah and Melania, then your indignation holds no value and is false and obviously meant to redirect attention from your own faults, or the faults of those you hold in high esteem. Little side note here, the left has even gone so far as to try and shame Barron, President Trump’s son. I’m curious, how low do you have to stoop to shame a 10-year-old boy? (Point of order, Barron is now 13 years old as of Jan 2020)

#3 The left has been trying, since day one, to impeach President Trump. Can’t say I can put my finger on the exact charges, because the official charges change on a regular basis. But, facts state those who want to impeach have in fact committed the very crimes they want to lay at Trump’s feet. The President is not above the law, neither are they. When those public officials, who have committed crimes, stand before a court, then I will support the investigation of an impeachment process of the President.

#4 Any person in possession of any level of common sense would have to admit President Trump’s track record with women is, at best, faulty. The left has taken his fault to an entirely new level of comical indignation, while completely ignoring and even defending the same fault of others. President Clinton’s track record was no better, and in some cases worse, but there was little, if any, indignation or personal horror about the plethora of women who came forward to file legal action against him because of unwanted sexual exploits. This clearly indicates to me a President’s conduct toward women is not the issue here. So please, tell me what the issue is?

#5 Several legitimate data repositories, including official government sites, state the White House budget has been reduced over the past three years. Rates of reduction range from 25% to 75% in operating costs depending upon which site you gather data. I see, on a regular basis, main stream media will make mention of how Melania dresses, and the cost of those dresses. Several sites state the Trumps pay for their clothing from personal funds. Not sure how true that is, but what is true is, Trump donates his salary. I don’t recall Obama or Clinton donating their salary, and it is a fact that taxpayers paid extravagantly for the clothing of Michelle and Hillary; and continue to do so. I’m sure you will say something along the lines of, “Well, Trump is a millionaire. He should pay for things, and he should donate his salary.” Yes, he is a millionaire. What I want to know is, how did Clinton and Obama become millionaires while in office? That question can be raised about pretty much anyone in office. The point here is the extravagance of Obama and the Clintons was ignored and the taxpayer paid the bill. During the Trump years, that extravagance has been greatly reduced, but the left wants to portray the current frugalness as an extravagant waste perpetrated by the Trumps. Just makes no sense to me.

#6 Let’s talk about how Obama doubled the national debt in less than eight years. Now you can stammer and stutter, while citing a number of data repositories, and twist the figures any way you want, but the fact is, we are in excess of $19 Trillion in debt. Here are some numbers to compare. In 2007 the Debt/GDP ratio was 62%; 2008 – 68%; 2009 – 83%; 2010 – 90%; 2011 – 95%; 2012 – 98%… in 2016 it was 105%. In 2017 it dropped to 103%. In all fairness to facts, the Debt/GDP ratio went back up to 106% in 2019. So, the 1^st 4 years of Obama, it went from 68% to 99%; a 31% increase, and a subsequent increase of 7% the following 4 years for a total of 38% increase. Yes, 38% is not double, but that only accounts for the increase in borrowed money, the rise of taxes during the 8 years keep the percentage from increasing more than it did. So, the extra tax money collected from the working class was spent (frivolously I suspect) to keep from borrowing money; but we did borrow money exponentially each year, as indicated by the percentages. Take the adjusted percentages for each year and it doubled the national debt; Sep of 2006 it was $7.9 Trillion — Sep of 2016 it was $19.5 Trillion. Again, in all fairness to facts, as of Sep 2019 the debt has risen to $22.7 Trillion. In Obama’s 1st year he raised the debt by over $2 Trillion. The debt has raised $2 Trillion since Obama left office but that increase accounts for three years of the current Administration. The first three years of the Obama Administration accounted for an increase from $7.9 Trilllion to $15 Trillion; that alone almost doubled the debt. These are all facts that come from non-government-controlled entities; not from U.S. Government sites or Pro-Trump news outlets.

How would you react if Trump doubled our debt during his first three years? How would you react if Trump demanded you purchase a product you didn’t want or could not afford? How would you react if Trump said he was going to change a process that would save you 50% of what you pay now, but after it was done, the cost doubled? Even after the cost doubled, Trump would then make you pay a fine if you didn’t buy the product and pay the outrageous fee. How would you react?

Not so very long ago, U.S. Officials in Benghazi were attacked. Prior to the attack, there were several requests through official channels to increase security and make needed security changes. The U.S. State Department ignored those requests, and in fact, pulled a portion of security from the two sites in question. The ultimate attack resulted in 4 dead U.S. patriots. During the attack, multiple calls for help went unanswered by the U.S. State Department. After the attack, the entire incident was blamed on a “vile” video that was meant to shame the Islamic religion; basically, the Obama Administration provided a viable excuse for the attack. We know now, that story was a lie from the very beginning. Hillary, herself, looked straight in the eyes of family members of those who were killed and knowingly lied (see paragraph #1). The left defended her actions. They were OK with the Obama Administration’s lies, and were perfectly content with her decision to allow the attack to go unanswered, while U.S. personnel were taking direct and in-direct fire. Let’s not discuss what she did after the attack to those who defended Benghazi with their blood and their lives; those actions are a matter of record that nobody cares about.

There are those on the left who claim Trump lacks a clear understanding of foreign policy as evidenced by his pulling support from the Kurds in northern Syria. Does that mean you question Obama’s understanding of foreign policy when he pulled forces from Iraq allowing the entire country to be overrun? What does it say about Obama when he relieved the many generals who did have an understanding of foreign policy, because they questioned his actions? Asking for a friend.

I really lack the will to go on, as I am convinced it is a useless endeavor. If you cared about truth, you already know these things. If you willingly hide behind your façade, you are not interested in the truth and prefer to accept bits of information that support your illusion.

I want to go on record here and say I did not specifically vote “for” Trump. I think he is arrogant and egotistical; most great people are, but that does not mean I think Trump is a great man. I think he loves this country, and will do everything he can to make it prosper and remain secure. He lacks vocabulary, but I’m not so sure that is either good or bad. Obama had great vocabulary, if he was behind a teleprompter… the media portrayed him as a great orator, but honestly, I never saw it. Regardless, vocabulary alone does not make a great president; it makes a person with great vocabulary. I think President Carter had great integrity and was well spoken. He was probably one of the nicest and most humble individuals to ever be president; those were the main reasons I voted for Carter. But I was wrong; he was a lousy president. During his presidency, this nation died as an economic power. If you were of age during that time, you will remember businesses dropping like dead flies. Iron and steel foundries, both big and small, shut down and disappeared across the country, home mortgage interest rates climbed as high as 13%, and in some places 18% during his presidency. I’m not saying a man of integrity cannot be president; but in this case the man of integrity was the worst choice. We’ll not discuss the Iran Hostage scenario. Again, I did not specifically vote “for” Trump. I voted against a socialist government. I voted against a government that intended to control my very existence. I voted against a government that felt it was their right to force me to purchase a product regardless of my desires. I voted against a government who felt it was their right to lie to me so as to protect themselves or their dynasty. I voted against a government that allows specified lawlessness to run rampant and unchecked for a select few within the halls of our Capital; I voted against a government that allows the same select few to bring charges against others for doing the same thing they do as a matter of policy. I voted against a government that believes it is a fundamental right to kill an unborn child, while at the same time use the death of an innocent child as an avenue to demonstrate indignation when it suits their agenda. I voted against a government that vehemently rejects a mention of Our Creator in their political platform.

Point of order about the portion on President Jimmy Carter. The far right was quick to point out Billy Carter, the creator of Billy Beer, and Ruth (Carter) Stapleton the evangelical faith healer as “Carter” oddities. Suffice it to say, isolated selection of ridicule is not limited to the left. Plenty enough blame to span both ends of the spectrum.

Summary; it is obvious to me, the “act” is irrelevant; it is “who” does the act that matters. If it is OK for one, then it is OK for all – if it is not OK for one, it is not OK for all. Convince me otherwise and I will give you a dollar.

If your reply starts with anything resembling, “Oh Yea, well what about…!” then you have missed the point, and may very well be what plagues parts of this nation. You cannot condemn an act of one, while ignoring the same act from another.

2020-01-04
Tunnel Vision

For those who may not know, tunnel vision describes an event when a person is so focused on a specific area they are oblivious to everything else around them. This is very dangerous when you come face to face with a lethal encounter or if you inadvertently place yourself in an insecure or unsafe environment. You are so focused on what you perceive to be the main threat that you are oblivious to the real threat, and in some cases multiple threats that are are solely focused on you. An official definition uses the phrase, “…defective sight…” in the description. Another definition, “…tendency to focus exclusively on a single or limited goal or point of view excluding any opposing vantage point…” Other phrases associated with tunnel vision are, “narrow perspective, constricted vision, or tubular vision.”

In some cases there are medical conditions that case an actual restriction of vision; see your doctor for treatment. In most cases tunnel vision, at least this particular aspect of tunnel vision, is self-inflected based on a strong, and often tainted, point of view formulated with the use of only some of the facts, half truths, and disinformation combined do not support your viewpoint. With regard to self-infected tunnel vision there is no need to see your doctor; your doctor can’t help you, but there is a need to self-diagnose and act accordingly. Most will not take the time to self-diagnose because, in their mind, they do not suffer from tunnel vision. Therein resides the problem. “I’m right, everyone else is obviously wrong.“

If you are courageous enough to self-diagnose and are courageous enough to seek a remedy then keep reading.

Our Nation is being ripped apart by self-serving, self-appointed, and often destructive forces. These forces are not limited to the left nor the right of center. Regardless of where you reside, relative to center, there is a danger of being used by these forces. If you agree with the far left (White supremacy runs rampant!!!) you are compelled to hate the right, if you agree with the far right (Trump can do no wrong!!!) you are compelled to hate the left. This compulsion is fueled by an agenda driven media from both ends of the spectrum; this cannot be denied.

Based on current mindsets, who in their right mind would spend millions on a movie (The Hunt) depicting “liberal elites” hunting down and killing “deplorables” (a term used to describe conservatives) for sport? The only reason a movie like this would be made is to fuel hate and distrust. Why would either side, left or right, allow such a thing to be created under the guise of “entertainment.”

We are being played and if we continue to allow it there will be serious consequences for us all. I have to believe if a movie were made where conservative “red-necks” hunted liberals the backlash and outcry would be deafening; as it should be.

We suffer from tunnel vision and until we are willing to discuss, calmly discuss, our differences, our beliefs, our concerns, our misconceptions, and our personal views we will continue to suffer. Based on present day societal norms if we disagree on a single topic then those norms dictate we hate each other. We are being played.

We are all intelligent enough to see the disparity, but are we intelligent enough to see our part in that disparity. Are we willing to back off, open our eyes to see the full spectrum of players, and discern the intent of all the players? We are being played… and we are better than that.
PS… If this narrative offends you then I would submit you suffer from tunnel vision.

2019-08-10
1001, 1002, 1003…

The time it took for you to read the title of this blog, roughly 3 seconds, is all the time needed to lose your life. A few years ago I was in Rapid City, SD headed to the Black Hills and was setting at an intersection waiting for the light to turn green. A rider passed through the intersection and he looked toward me and nodded his head as if to say, “Hey, how’s it going?” That was all the time needed for the car in front of him to stop and he rode into the back of the car.

A brief second of distraction…

His injuries were minimal, but the bike needed to go to the shop for repair. While waiting on the police to show up we talked and I learned he was a rider with years of experience and this was his first mishap. The split second it took for him to look at me was all the time it took for the convergence of unfortunate circumstances to meld together and result in an accident.

Riding is risky business and we, as riders, are responsible for reducing that risk as best we can. Most assuredly during those years of riding he had, as we all have, allowed his attention to be diverted for a second or two while acknowledging someone while riding or take a few extra seconds to look at the scenic view to the left or right. But, in previous instances other variables did not enter into the mix, like the car stopping unexpectedly or a deer dashing out to get to the other side of the highway.

We rely on our riding skill and experience to stay between the ditches and to keep the shiny side of our motorcycle pointed toward the sky while we ride. These are important for sure, but I think attitude and focused attention are more important. Call me rude if you like, but I will never wave at or acknowledge an oncoming rider while I’m in city traffic. I assume every car within 100 feet of me is ready to implement a well-developed plan to run me down and then take a selfie over my lifeless body. We have all had close calls with “cagers” and the only reason we lived through it was because we were 100% focused on the task at hand and evaded the assault. What happens when that “close call” presents itself during that short span of seconds when we are momentarily distracted by some inconsequential thing?

Stay focused, stay alert and always ride as if everyone is out to get you. It’s a strong bet they are indeed looking for an opportunity for the perfect selfie and your lifeless body would make a fine backdrop. Don’t give them the opportunity. You can’t expect the “cager” to be focused, they’re too busy talking on their cell.

2019-04-02
A Jerk – To Be or Not To Be

Traits like honor, integrity, compassion, and respect are not traits you, all of a sudden, decide to accept as personal traits on a particular day and go forth from that point on as a person worthy of being identified as owning these traits. These traits are developed and honed over time through actions and deeds that demonstrate these traits. It requires an intentional and determined effort. As these traits are practiced they become who we are; like muscle memory of a repeated action they demonstrate themselves without an intentional thought to implement, but rather are implemented out of habit. It is also required that these actions be implemented without thought of personal gain.

A friend of mine (COL William Galbraith) once wrote, “The leadership philosophy of a senior leader is developed through years of experience and education. A philosophy of leadership is a statement or idea that guides how an individual will lead. If an individual starts to develop a leadership philosophy when appointed as a senior leader then the potential for failure is prevalent. The philosophy we use to lead is not something we can turn on and off like a light switch; it is who we are and those we lead know this. The development of a leadership philosophy is conducted in conjunction with the development of who we are. What motivates a leader on a personal level will, in part, define the leadership philosophy.”

Likewise, our philosophy defines who we are and who we are defines our philosophy. It’s a given if you lack honor, integrity, compassion, and respect you’re probably a jerk. A jerk cannot just arbitrarily start to be a person of integrity. You cannot, because of guilt felt after an action or deed, decide on Saturday to be a person of honor and compassion starting at sunrise on Sunday on your way to Church. As stated by my friend who is much smarter than I, “…the potential for failure is prevalent.” You are destined to fail and repeated failure will eventually lead you to the belief that you being a person of worth is beyond your capabilities and you’ll go back to being whatever caliber of jerk you were the day before—perhaps worse, because now any lingering doubt about whether or not you were a jerk to begin with has been removed and now you are an angry jerk.

However, the scenario played out in the last paragraph may not be all together true—which means there’s hope for you yet. You can be a person of integrity, honor, compassion and respect, regardless of your caliber of jerk-hood; you just need a strong desire and you need to cater the approach. These traits are developed and applied, not applied fully developed. Let me lead you down a rabbit; bear with me for just a minute. I consider myself a good person, but I also consider myself a failure. I am my own worst critic. People tell me I’m a good person, but they don’t know my secrets. I know that God forgives and I will be eternally grateful for that; and I use the term “eternally” in the most literal of terms. But I have a hard time forgiving myself for past actions. People say, “but you should forgive yourself” because these were done long ago (some not so long ago) and you have been forgiven and hanging on to them will only drag you down. I think the guilt helps me when a desire (or temptation if you will) comes along and prods me to do or say something that defy honor, integrity, compassion or respect. I remember the guilt and often (but sadly not always) the temptation goes away. I remember the feeling I have when I approach God and ask, “Lord, can you forgive me just one more time?” Remembering the guilt is a tool, it’s helpful to me.

OK, let’s get back on track. You can adopt a desire to do and say the right thing. You can adopt a desire to be a better person. Will you, after accepting this new you, always be a person of honor, integrity, so one and so forth? No. You will fail, but with each successful attempt the failures will dissipate, not completely but a reduction in failure is as good as a win. Will you eventually, after years of trying, get to a point where you will never fail? No. There will always be failures. However, with each failure you can, if you have the foresight to do so, learn a lesson that will come in handy the next time that option presents itself. I might add here if you are at a point in your life where you feel you have mastered the traits of honor, integrity, so on and so forth, then you may not possess any of them; pride trumps them all. Just sayin’.

In full disclosure I must say this will be the hardest thing you will ever do. It is something you will have to “want” with every once of energy. Start small, maybe yield the right of way in traffic and let someone in. Of course I must also say, if this is too hard for you, there is an easier way; just be a jerk your whole life and be remembered as such. Like Bill says, “…what motivates us will define us.” What defines us is who we are.

2019-03-16
Star Date 20190309

“Star Date 20190309 – Captain’s Personal Log:”

That’s what Captain Kirk used to say before talking to his computer. As he spoke, the computer would record his words, which I suspect would be used in a court of law should he be unjustly accused of violating the civil rights of an illegal alien landing on the planet without authorization. As a child watching the first televised episodes of Star Trek I understood it was all science fiction (heavy on fiction) and the ability to talk to a computer and get a response was not possible nor would it ever be possible. Of course I was wrong. People talk to their phones everyday to get directions or to find the answer to some trivial question that, once answered, means nothing… and the phones talk back. I have learned over the past many years that science fiction has a way of becoming fact. Many of the fictional depictions played out in each episode of Star Trek is now commonplace; except for the “Beam Me Up Scotty” thing. We’re not there yet but I am confident someone somewhere is trying to figure it out.

I recall Spock holding a 3 inch square plastic disk and, after sliding it into a slot, could extract from it volumes of data. The only thing they got wrong was the size. Rather than 3 inches square it was 3.5 inches square and even those are now antiquated. We now have the ability to store several volumes of encyclopedias on a single chip with no more dimension than that of a fingernail.

There is one thing they got wrong. The Star Trek of the future had eliminated hunger, prejudice, crime and corruption—or at least that is what they said. Of course almost every episode dealt with hunger, prejudice, crime or corruption. But that was only because of those pesky Klingons. Once we became friends with the Klingons we had to deal with the Ferengi, and those evil Cardassians (or is that spelled Kardashians)—and of course we should never forget the misunderstood yet evil Borg.

Most Si/Fi movies and Television Shows portrayed a future devoid of poverty, where the “State” had total control. Everyone worked but nobody got paid because the “State” provided all you needed; with no pay we can conclude nobody paid taxes. And everyone was content with that! Therein lies the fiction. Of course we had the Mad Max post-apocalyptic scenarios where it was total anarchy and it was eat or be eaten. Looking around today’s great society I think maybe that might be a more concise scenario of our future.

Did you know Washington State has offered up a bill (SB 5001 – 2019-20) that would give a person the option of, rather than the traditional burial, providing their lifeless body as compost which the family can later collect and plant flowers in pots around the house? UCLA is also working on a concept that utilizes a pressurized capsule that liquefies the body and leaves only bleach-white bones. The liquid that was once Aunt Edna is then flushed down the drain. The drain, of course, leads to the local treatment plant where Aunt Edna comes out the other end as tap water, or water to be flushed down the drain again through the toilet. Is it just me or is drinking Aunt Edna just a bit creepy? Does the movie “Soylent Green” come to mind?

The entertainment value of Science Fiction, and perhaps the drive of imagination and invention that is in its wake, has a place in society. A desire to eliminate hunger, prejudice, crime and corruption is admirable, I’m just not sure it is attainable to any degree of satisfaction. The human race is the human race… has been since the beginning and will be until the end of time. And of course the elimination of taxes is a pipe dream. But, it gives us something to strive for, but there are, I believe, things outside of our reach, and maybe things within our reach but best left alone—Aunt Edna being one of them.

One last thing, WHERE’S MY JET PACK? When I was in grade school back in the early ‘60s I was promised a jet pack to fly around the country side—where is it? I think it was that point in my life where, unbeknownst to me, my trust issues started to develop.

See these are the things that roll around in my head when I lack adult supervision. Margie’s away this week.

2019-03-09
Giving Up Is Easy – Don’t

As a rule I shy away from political commentary. Most people have a set thought process on politics and no amount of articulated persuasion will change their minds. When you try it usually turns ugly and I get enough ugly when I look in a mirror. However, there are times when I cannot help myself. What good is an opinion if you’re not willing to share it? Most political viewpoints are based on fact or personal experience, or at least I hope that be the case but, in the case of any who think a socialist government is a viable answer, I must question their level of understanding. History paints a very clear picture of a socialist outcome. I cannot help but believe any who want to implement a socialist government has an ulterior motive to control and subjugate, and any who want to embrace a socialist government would willingly accept the government taking care of their every move and are not concerned with what it cost nor who will pay for it. They are not willing to take responsibility for their own wellbeing.

I must also question any who believe abortion for the sake of convenience is an acceptable practice. Actually, I question abortion as a viable alternative for any reason. But changing a law will not solve the systematic murder of innocent life; that requires a change of heart. Having said that I think it prudent to stipulate that any who applaud the right to kill an innocent life might be demented.

So, how do you change a heart? The only thing I know for sure is I cannot change the hearts of others. I can only change my own and that requires a daily (even hourly) effort. Nobody can do it for me but I can look to others who have a likeminded desire to be honest, to exercise integrity, and who desire to gain and retain a grasp on compassion toward others. These are the people I choose to associate with and to imitate. By imitating honest people of integrity and compassion I too will gyrate toward the person I should be, a person others would call friend and brother.

We will all answer for the things we’ve done and we will also answer for those things we should have done but failed to do. I often wonder which will be worse. We all stumble and we all falter from time to time, and sometimes we fail miserable; I just don’t want to fail on purpose or be the person who cares not if failure becomes the norm. Nor do I want to be the person who refuses to take responsibility for my own actions. I want to be that person who is sought after by that person who wants a role model, someone they can look to for guidance and life changing direction.

How we will be remembered is unknown to us, but we can strive to be a person of worth, we can strive to be part of a solution, and we can always desire to be better today than we were yesterday. You are going to want to give up; giving up is easy. Don’t. You may think it’s impossible, but it is only impossible if you quit.

2019-03-08
Life Changing 3 Seconds

I am an avid believer in the 2^nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, actually I’m an avid believer of all the Amendments. I have a legally issued Concealed Carry License and pretty much everywhere I go, that allows legal carry, I am armed and I am vigilant. Vigilance, not to be confused with paranoia, is a state of mind, a constant awareness of your surroundings and looking for those things out of place or those actions that might shed light on a potential lethal threat. I take this right, and the responsibility it represents, very seriously.

The right to carry a concealed weapon is accompanied by a significant expectation of responsibility and associated risks, and by that I am not talking about just the risk associated with someone looking to put a bullet in your nostril. I’m talking about your actions just prior to, during, and after a lethal force encounter. Let’s look at four risks, one at a time; keeping in mind each of these risks would need a 100 page book to adequately explain.

1 – Shots on Target: If you are not extremely proficient with your weapon of choice you may open the door to not only serious litigation but also present more of a threat than the initial reason which precipitated you drawing your weapon. If you draw your weapon and expend 5 rounds at the threat and miss, you have endangered the lives of anyone in the vicinity not to mention you have just openly, and with great flare, identified yourself as a prime target to the initial threat. Even if you hit the aggressor 1 out of 5 times and eliminated the threat you have still greatly endangered the lives of innocents; and the courts will make you pay dearly for your lapse in proficiency. If your skills are not sufficient enough to end the threat with expeditious efficiency then you have become a 2^nd and equally dangerous threat to innocents within 200 yards of your mussel. That 3″ shot-group on the range at 30 feet becomes a 6″ shot group during a gun fight; and that increase only jumps 100% if you are really good and have nerves of steel.

2 – Ammo on Hand: If, after the encounter and after the local Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) has confiscate your weapon (and they will) they find ball ammo in your magazine you could find yourself in serious trouble. Especially if an “innocent” behind the aggressor is hit with your round after it passed through the active shooter. Be mindful of local laws pertaining to the type of ammo that is required, or even suggested. A suggestion on a quiet and uneventful day becomes a requirement during stormy litigation.

3 – The 3 Second Event: Let’s explain this in a hypothetical scenario. You’re at the mall, minding your own business, you hear shots and screams. Being a conscientious minded person who has a legal carry permit and armed, you run toward the commotion, with weapon drawn, to protect innocents. A police office, or armed security guard, hears the same shot and they too run, with gun drawn, toward the sounds of hostility to protect innocents. Senses are heightened, adrenaline is pumping, and tunnel vision has set in. The LEO sees you running with gun drawn and shouts for you to stop, but the adrenaline in your system, the hysterical screams and shouts, and the plethora of activity associated with an active shooter encounter overload your senses and you do not hear the warning to stop. If you are lucky you only feel the pain of the bullet entering your body after the LEO has stopped what is perceived as the threat. If you are unlucky, meaning the LEO is very proficient, you won’t feel a thing but rather drop to the floor and are dead before you do. Keep this in mind—if you are perceived as someone worth shooting, you are worth shooting twice, or probably three times. The truth is, there’s nothing hypothetical about this; this real life scenario played itself out at a mall in Hoover, Alabama over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2018.

4 – The Aftermath: If you survive the initial encounter there are significant chances you will be taken into custody. During the investigation, if anything is found to be “questionable” or a statement you make contradicts what others say, the chance of being arrested are high. Let’s say everything was textbook. You saw, you acted, you ended a legitimate threat, and the District Attorney shook your hand as you walked out of the courtroom; all is good with the world. Not really. There will, more often than not, be a civil suit against you from the family members of the person you shot, or the person you shot if your shot was not as precise as you would have liked. Even if found innocent the legal fees along can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. The prospect of being found guilty are too pricey to even contemplate.

Like I say, each of these four aspects would require a book to fully explain so don’t hound me with, “Well, what about this, and that, and that and this…” Also like to say these are only 4 of probably 227 other risky aspects of lethal force encounters, maybe 228.

Recommendations:

1 – Train, train, practice, practice, and practice some more, and when you have done all of that and feel good about your level of proficiency, train and practice some more… and train with a professional, not that old retired Vet at the VFW down the block and around the corner. Do not think a 3” shot group at 30 feet at the range is a measure of your proficiency under high stress.

2 – Know the law, it can help you or it can bury you. Don’t assume, just because you are in the right, that you are right. Say nothing to nobody until you have a lawyer at your side.

3 – If you feel a need to run toward danger, be smart, be aware, and take nothing for granted. You might be the good guy but you might look like a bad guy with a gun.

4 – Get liability insurance. Costs roughly a dollar a day and many of you spend three times that much each day at Starbucks so don’t not do it because you think it cost too much. The alternative will cost you the price of a Starbucks franchise and then some. You may very well work the rest of your life to support the family of the person who just tried to kill you, and they may possibly laugh all the way to the bank while living in your house. Also, after the encounter, do not say a word (to ANYONE) until you have a good lawyer at your side. I know, I said this before, but it’s worth saying again. Your only initial comment to any LEO on scene should be something along the lines of, “Officer, I fully intend to comply with your instructions and answer all your questions, but I want to call my lawyer first.” Saying ANYTHING other than that to ANYONE may not end well. The dynamics of a lethal force encounter plays tricks on your memory. Give yourself time to calm down and talk to a lawyer first. Plus, keep in mind anyone you talk to about the encounter, other than your lawyer, can become a subpoenaed witness against you and what you think you told them may not be what they heard but whatever they think they heard you say is more than enough to be twisted and misquoted ending in you giving your house to a bad guy (or bad guy’s family) and you will live in a cardboard box.

2019-02-24
“No Brass, No Ammo Sir!”

I have a great job. I spent 23 years on active duty intermixed with an additional 4 years as a traditional reservist. After I retired from active service I worked as a government contractor for 2 years after which I left contracting for a job with the Department of Defense as a Department of the Army Civilian and I’ve been doing that for 12 years. Barring a few years in the late 70’s and early 80’s I have spent my entire adult life as a soldier or working with soldiers. I’ve been to the four corners, several countries in Europe, Asia, Netherlands, Middle East, Far East, and patches of remote solitude in the Atlantic and the Pacific. I’ve even had the opportunity to fly a P3-Orion a 1000 feet above the Atlantic off the coast of Iceland. Sadly I’ve never been to Africa or Australia. I’ve seen things and done things most cannot comprehend let alone understand with any level of acceptable acuity. Most of it was good and, as those who have walked this path know all too well, some not so good. Regardless, I cannot imagine anything this side of life as better. All in all, it is a life well spent.

At present—present as in “on this date that I am writing this”—I am at Fort Lewis, Washington; known today as Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Been here a few days on a temporary assignment and will head back to my normal duty station tomorrow morning. I’m wrapping things up and currently in a “wait-mode” for some final actions to be completed. My attention has been drawn to some activity outside the window. Two busloads of young soldiers are drawing their issue of needed equipment at a warehouse across the street. Most are very young and I suspect they have just arrived at Lewis-McChord after completing their Basic Combat Training (I think they may call it Initial Entry Training now) or maybe they have arrived from a previous duty station after completing their Advanced Individual Training.

Their adventure is just beginning. Where they go from here, which unit they will be assigned to, or what their position will be in that unit is unknown to me. But I wish I could go talk to each and every one of them and offer up some hard-learned advice. But I would never do that. I remember what I thought when old retired soldiers came up to me and gave me advice when I was a young soldier just starting out; I had no need of their advice because I already knew everything I needed to know. They were an irritant to me. I see now that was a regrettable mistake; certainly a missed opportunity that could have made my life as a young soldier easier, a bit more accomplished, and much more fulfilling.

However, I wish I could bestow upon them words of wisdom; perhaps not wisdom but at least that bit of advice that we all need from time to time. I would tell them to pick their friends wisely. Just because a person wears the same uniform and is perhaps in the same unit does not mean they are trustworthy enough to be a trusted friend and confidant; a person you can trust to watch your back and who will run to your aid during times of trouble and hardship. Many are, but the “few” are not. The intent of the few is to deceive and take as much from others as they can by their self-serving interactions, to mislead and misdirect. Sadly, the ability to recognize these “few” comes only after being burned a few times.

I wish I could bestow upon them words of warning. That every personal action has a reaction and is sometimes emphasized with ill-fated consequences. We all make mistakes but not all have the integrity to “man-up” and take responsibility for our own actions. Take note and check-fire on an attitude that can lead to that face to face encounter with the Command Sergeant Major.

I would tell them to take as much time as needed to identify the Warrant Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, or Commissioned Officer that everyone respects, that everyone goes to when confused or in trouble, and after identifying that person to emulate their actions, their attitude, and their professionalism. By doing this they too will eventually become that person others seek out when dire circumstances warrant. They can be that trusted professional who by words, actions, and deeds, can change the course of a life.

Yea, that’s some of what I would tell them. But they are young and must learn from their mistakes just like we all did. I wish them luck, I wish them well, and I envy them; their adventure, if they have the foresight to see it as such, is just beginning.

“No brass, no ammo Sir!”

2019-02-21
The Worth of Truth

A friend of mine posted a blog titled, “American Genocide and the New World Order.” I call him a friend but we have never actually met. My first introduction to his writing was when I purchased his book, “The Three Meter Zone” which became my “go-to” manual when I was a First Sergeant serving in the U.S. Army. Shortly thereafter I started following his Blog and have garnered a plethora of wisdom from his narratives.

I enjoy reading his posts. This particular post got me to thinking; sometimes my thinking is a good thing, sometimes not so much. Every word in his post is truth. The kind of truth nobody wants to hear. The kind of truth that, if taken to heart, would bring to light the fact that delusion has taken the place of reason and common sense, that compassion has been overrun by arrogance, and a truth that demonstrates, in no uncertain terms, that integrity and honor have been pushed aside for the sake of expediency and a self-serving agenda.

I commented on his post stating in part, “…and I have to wonder if we are not just banging our heads against the sidewalk.” I was referring to the daily demonstrated fact that very few want to hear the truth, so why speak it.

We live in a country that has turned its back on God, has pushed God out of our schools, our homes, our government, our lives, and even out of some of our churches. We live in a country that has willfully, expeditiously, and with a not so hidden sense of glee taken, the lives of millions upon millions of unborn children every year; this is done with no remorse, no sorrow, no regret, and is called “a god given right” to do so. We have taken steps to ensure single parent households are the norm and same sex marriage is not only acceptable but proper and encouraged. The mindset that embraces these callused attributes has been around since Cain and Able but I think in recent decades it has flourished and is driving us headfirst (with eyes wide open) into perdition. In fact it is being taught in our schools as a curriculum, either directly or indirectly.

Many will ridicule the Christian faith and claim it infringes on the U.S. Constitution and call it hate speech but at the same time hold Islam up as a bastion of hope. Many claim gun control is the answer and call guns and the people who own them evil… until the time comes when someone breaks into their house and they have no gun to protect themselves. They might have time to call 911 but they would be better served calling a crime scene cleanup crew; that’s all the police will be able to do once they get there, but nobody wants to believe that. Many want open borders and claim there is nothing wrong with illegals… until an illegal injures or kills one of their own. Many believe it is their right to murder an unborn child, but on those occasions when the parent changes their mind their life is enriched by the child, but nobody wants to believe that. Many wish to push aside our Republic and replace it with Socialism knowing full well that socialism, as a government, has never worked; how stupid is that?

So, what good does it do to tell the truth to people who do not want the truth and who will go so far as to lash out and attack when the truth is spoken. We see the attacks daily. A conservative is shouted down and buildings burned to keep them from speaking in public places, but the left (the progressive, the liberal, the socialist democrat, whatever you want to call them today) is appalled and claim the 1^st Amendment as a law that MUST be upheld when they speak. A double standard that only a few enlightened people actually see. Actually, everyone sees it, many just choose to not “see” it.

So, again, why do we continue to speak truth to those who care not? We do it because there is a hope that some will listen. We do it for that mother who changed her mind. We do it for the families that realize they have been lied to for years and they want (and need) a Godly truth. We do it for that person who grows weary of being spoon feed someone’s agenda and realize they have a mind of their own and they need a renewable energy source for that new thought process. We do it for a teacher in the classroom who is inundated with twisted social experiments from the Department of Education. We do it for those who do not know they are being lied to and are being manipulated and played the fool by the puppet master. We do it for that soldier and police officer who defend the lives of the delusional masses and are hated for it.

I know very few read my words and that’s OK, some do. Our world is in a spiral dive and I will do all I can for those who seek the truth. I’m not saying every word I say is truth. Sometimes I will fail, sometimes I will get caught up in the foolishness, sometimes I will lash out as well… I am thankful that my salvation is based on God’s grace and is not based on a performance based requirement. A performance based requirement would certainly place me in the pit with the puppet master. When I stand before God I will have to answer for lots of mistakes, both intentional and unintentional. What I do not want to answer for are those things I should have done but chose not to.

Never let the masses silence the truth.

2019-02-12
The Power of a Memory

It has been said that the tongue is sharper than the sword. Words can cut deep and cause more damage than a sword and whereas a cut from a sword will heal the 2^nd and 3^rd order effects of words linger on and on, often a lifetime. But words can also bring light and warmth.

During an interview with Ken Burns, the creator of some of the best documentaries ever, it was said many of the narrations used during the making of the epic “Civil War” documentary came from journals written by soldiers who actually participated in the battles. Letters written to family members and actual journals maintained by soldiers and by-standers from both sides of the conflict. Two things come to mind here. The first is that the soldier thought it important to write their story and the second, the families that saved these letters and journals.

Today we are quick to read a note or letter (or email) and then discard or delete it as trash. We read it, so no need to clutter our existence with the paper it was written on or waste the storage space on our hard drives. Right?

Perhaps not. Words carry weight and words written have a place, often a cherished place if we use the proper words with the proper intent. We just don’t realize it. Today at work I was looking for an OPORD. I’ll not get into what an OPORD is because it really has no merit with regard to this thought. While looking I found a letter sent to me by my sister and inside was a copy of a story written by my Aunt Lora about my Aunt Nita when they were young. I set aside the search for the illusive OPORD and again read the story written by my Aunt Lora. It was a letter telling of memories of her younger sister (my Aunt Nita) while they were growing up.

It is a toss-up on which of these two wonderful ladies is the most precious to me. They both display a grace and generosity that is hard to find in so many other people I associate with. My Aunt Nita recently passed away and I believe it is that passing that precipitated the writing of that collection of memories; memories that would have been lost were it not for a desire to share them by my Aunt Lora. The memories included snippets about Nita, Bris (my Dad), and the arrival of baby brother Joe and little sister Vivi. It was a great read.

We are quick to bad mouth each other, even those we love, but seldom will we take the time to share a good memory. We need to fix that. I often question my resolve to write and I always decide to continue regardless of the fact that very few read my words.

Take time to write a story. We often remember things from our past and that thought might linger for a moment then is swept away by other thoughts of less importance or the ringing of the evil and ever-present cell phone. Rather than let these memories dissolve in the mist of thought, write them down. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar. Spelling and grammar take a back seat to the actual memory.

Perhaps someday Ken’s great-grandson will do a documentary and he will need those words. We’ll let him edit for spelling and proper grammar.

2019-02-11