Bring back trade schools!

It seems in today's world, the old fashioned trade or technical school has vanished from the landscape. In its place have mushroomed public learning venues that fail to teach young Americans the basics of survival, work ethic and earning a living with their hands as well as their minds. In its place has become the sterile environment of a classroom, where children sit in rows, many holding electronic devices, and what may be called a mindless educational system. Classes formed to brainwash children into whatever the current mold of education seems to be...teach them that anything is okay as long as the left says it's good. Feed them information that sexual aberration is acceptable, that they can be boys or girls or neither or both as they desire, and can change depending on what their mindset is for the day. Teach that God is bad but evil is good, that criminal behavior is acceptable, and those who commit crime are doing so because they have been "marginalized" by society and have no other recourse. That incarceration of criminals is evil, and that drug use is okay. That protest with violence is okay if you get your message across, but the police enforcing the law are bad.

We NEED trade schools again. Teach children how to work and be inventive and creative. Learn how to shape a piece of wood into a piece of furniture or a knick-knack, build a house, repair an automobile engine or car body, fix a furnace, work on sheet metal, wire a house or factory, repair electronics, do metallurgy, and so much more. Working with your hands and seeing what you created is so rewarding and leads to a more satisfying life. I went to a trade school and learned skills I still use 60 years later. I can still install electrical wiring, wire lights, troubleshoot electrical circuits and more. I first learned these skills in a trade school at the age of 13 and in four years became a pretty decent electrician had I decided to continue my path in that vein. Those are skills that will live with me forever. I have friends who have very successful careers as electricians, carpenters, auto mechanics, and even scientists based on their education in that trade school.

We now place our children in front of a computer or tablet and allow that to be their teacher, mentor and amusement all in one. Whatever is placed in front of them kids will absorb like a sponge. Teach children to sit in front of that device and accept all that it spews is like allowing your child to be in the care of an electronic genie who suddenly pops forth and seems to know everything. And it will teach children many things you may disagree with, but have no control over, unless YOU take control.

Teaching diversity should be done at home, not in school or over some device. It needs to be a conversation parents have with their children on how to be a good citizen and a good human being. How to accept other people based on the individual, and not some stereotype of race, color or creed. Teach children that crime is always wrong regardless of the reason someone gives for their behavior. Teach children love of self, others and love of country. Teach them they can be whatever they accede to if they work hard and strive for it. Teach them the values of saving for a rainy day, sharing with others, and making it on their own.

Teach them that failure is their own choice, as is success. Working through failure is part of the road to success, and that the bumps in that road teach a valuable lesson in overcoming adversity. That challenges are a part of life and never to give up trying. 

We need to fix our schools as well. Stop allowing teachers and "professors" to teach socialist and communist propaganda to our children. Parents need to become more involved in what their children are learning. Stand up for your kids; don't abdicate the raising of your children to a school or electronic device that doesn't have your family values.

Those who gave, those who took and those who do nothing

 For many years I have pondered why our country is so split apart by many factors. Political leanings, extremism, race, standard of living and so much more. I think I have had revelations on many of those fronts.

First are those who gave and many are continuing to give. You know, the military, veterans, police, fire, paramedics and other first responders, medical professionals and more who give back every day, either through their service to humanity or through enduring injury and illness incurred while stepping up and protecting not only America, but securing freedom for others. 

Then we have those who took and continue to take. They never contribute anything to society and will do whatever it takes to continue feeding on the hind tit of society. Won't work a productive job, live in mom's basement, live on welfare or other assistance programs, and drain the country of not only cash, but the human vitality that propels people and a nation forward.

 Then we have the do nothing's. They wait for everyone else to do what needs to be done, and then criticize them for doing it. They want things done for them, or to turn out the way they wish, but won't lift a finger to help.  Then they bemoan that things are not going their way! 

 Look at the situation honestly and without bias. How do we fix some of the big problems our country faces?

People decry the police shooting of a person, color irregardless. But why isn't there the same hue and cry over the hundreds killed in the neighborhoods where nobody seems to see or know anything after the shootings? Why do dozens and hundreds of people of color die in their own neighborhoods, not at the hands of anyone but their own people? Why is there no movement to stop that crime and murder? I can't answer that, but the beginnings of safe neighborhoods start with the residents. As long as thugs and murderers get away with their crimes, there will be no stopping them. People need to stand up and fight back. And, de-funding the police especially in areas that are crime ridden is moronic. Less police equals more crime in the inner cities and that's a fact.   

Why as a nation do we allow welfare and social service programs to run rampant where people can be on the public dole for generations? Doesn't anyone ever require that the recipients work? How does it occur that people can have ten babies, all paid by the social service system and never work a day in their lives? Doesn't matter the color, race or creed, this type of system fraught with fraud has gone on long enough. Sadly, those who often need help the most are denied because the monies are going to those less deserving. And that just is wrong! Not to get biblical, but the saying of "give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime" is so true. Those who want help need to get moving and help themselves. Yes COVID-19 is a hindrance but this persisted for decades way before the virus came to visit.

Why is there always a left and right in government? Is there never a middle ground? Why do politicians seem to spend their time in office fighting, cutting down the other party, trying to screw the opposite side instead of actually working for the American people who pay their way? IF the politicians spent as much time actually doing the work of the public, they wouldn't have time to fight so much. And why do politicians pander to a vote rather than what's good for the people? Giving free money and medical support to illegals seems an odd way to spend the American taxpayer's money.

And why do politicians get free healthcare and a huge retirement when they serve as little as one term? The American people struggle to pay for healthcare and the politicians get a free ride. No matter so many want to become senators and congressmen. What's good for every American is what the politicians should be getting and no more or less. 

It doesn't matter what color you are, you can be successful. This white privilege is a bunch of crap developed by idiots who have no idea what they are talking about. Let's see...starting working at 13, helping keep a house as well, going to school, working part time through high school, fighting a war through military service, going to college out of one's own pocket while working and supporting a family, never asking for a hand out and doing what was needed to survive and grow. If that's white privilege it isn't all that wonderful. And what's interesting is that men and women of color were doing the same thing at the same time. Many were successful doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers and so much more. They had what...black privilege? No, what they had was drive and a wanting to be someone, to be better. and they succeeded.

If you want to be nothing, don't work, do drugs, be a thug and commit crimes, loot, steal and burn and disrespect authority you can bet that will be your entire life. You will become nothing, be nothing and likely die on the street in a hail of bullets or a drug overdose or the wreck of a stolen car. Your mom will cry at the loss of a child, but she shares much of the blame, and now the guilt, for how you turned out. The lack of parenting and any controls allowed you to become nothing more than a stain on the pavement, the recipient of a bunch of dollar store candles and cheap balloons in a makeshift memorial. Just like the one a block away, and several blocks further and more. 

 Finally, if you think these "movements" care about you that's a big mistake. They are designed to create chaos and when it's all over, you will be back where you were, likely poorer and perhaps in worse shape than when it all started. Look at those around you when you protest or march or whatever it is you do. They are there for the thrill of getting away with criminal activity in the name of the First Amendment. Don't let their enthusiasm end up with you creating situations where you have to face people exercising their Second Amendment rights. That will not be a positive outcome.

Are we enroute to a civil war?

The events of the past all too many months seem to point in a direction I thought America would never go.  From a country that was mostly peaceful to one where riots and anarchy are widespread. From cities where people wanted to be to where people never want to go. From vibrant shopping areas in major cities to looted, burned and boarded up stores. From pride in America to disgust over the handling of these riots by leftist politicians, who pander to anything that gets them another vote. 

Look at the list of cities that are not only having riots, but who also appear to support the rioters. They are almost all Democrat controlled. No, I will not call them protesters, or demonstrators or even activists. This has turned into full scale riots by thugs, anarchists and miscreants who wish to destroy our country and our government. And, sadly, the law enforcement agencies in these cities are hamstrung and not allowed to quell the riots. IF they had been allowed to do their jobs, the end to these alleged "peaceful" protests would have occurred quickly. 

People need to understand the difference between First Amendment rights to peaceful protest, and when it turns ugly to the point when property damage and injury to people takes over. I see one major issue is how the politicians keep saying people have the right to protest, but seem to have lost any ability to see when it turns into something else.  When protest turns to defiance and insurrection, the "peaceful" protest is over. The crowd says it's "civil disobedience" to try and wrap their destruction into a two word phrase they may or may not be able to comprehend. Civil disobedience is NOT rioting, NOT looting, NOT mayhem and violence and certainly NOT murder. But try and tell that to people throwing firebombs or large explosives at the police. 

I believe civil war is coming, if not imminent. This won't be black against white as so many hoped. There are great people of all races disgusted with this denigration of our society and the good will band together to quell the uprising by the anarchists and far left wing groups. People will be fighting to restore the country we knew and loved long before the anarchists and leftists decided to try and destroy it. Socialists and Marxists, funded by ego maniacal billionaires will not succeed. There are way too many patriots in this country to allow that. 

There is a fine line between where someone's first amendment rights end and someone else's second amendment rights begin. Those who choose to ignore logic and common sense in a quest to destroy America may well find they are horribly wrong when the sleeping giant arises. This is not the first time patriots have been called upon to crush an enemy, and they will rise to the occasion. And for so many patriots, this isn't their first rodeo!

Whose life matters anyway?

All the protests going on about Black Lives Matter and the protesters saying that All Lives Matter is racist, I suppose we need to take a look at whose lives really matter if you look at it pragmatically. 

First categorize all life. Human, animal, avian, aquatic, and even insects are all important. In that vein, let's leave out those of the non-human species. Yes, I know you don't think some people are human, but that's a topic for another day. 

First, people cannot be grouped as to race color, creed, national origin or any other attribute other than themselves. People should all be accepted or rejected based on their character and individual qualities, not on a pre-judged stereotype or something that jumps out from a book or the silver screen. 

Second, there are people that matter based on their moral, civil and humanistic qualities, and those are the people we all want to associate with and have as friends, or at the least acquaintances. Those people are the ones who strive to do well, are cognizant of their faults and failings, and work to be successful providers for their family and honest law abiding citizens. They are the people others look up to in life, and want to emulate to also become a success. Their lives definitely matter.

Third, there is the next group who sometimes stray off the track, who may have difficulties in life, but as a whole strive to get ahead, provide for their family and do as much as possible in their power to be a quality individual. Sure, they occasionally may have a bad moment and run into minor issues with the law, but are cognizant they need improvement and do improve. They are perhaps the people we also want as friends, and many are willing to be mentors to assist them in life. Their lives also matter.

Fourth, there is the group that seems to believe they are above the law, can do as they wish with no consequences, and willing to harm others without a second thought. Criminal activity is their daily work, and they have no consideration for others lives or property as long as they can get what they want, either surreptitiously or by force. Murderers, rapists, perverts, sex offenders, child abusers, shooters, looters, arsonists, people who brutalize and assault others, muggers, and many more are those, whom to me, their lives do not matter. It isn't whether they are of any color, race or creed, people who commit these types of crime don't deserve to live in a civilized society. They are the cancer that invades cities and neighborhoods, destroying those around them, a cancer that should be excised from society as soon as possible. Failure to do so allows that cancer to metastasize and grow until it destroys entire areas of the country.Their lives apparently don't matter to them, nor to anyone else, other than perhaps some defense attorney who needs the money, or wants to make a name for themselves in a high profile case.

If you look at what's happening now in our nation, the politicians are pandering to the criminals. Not to the protesters, that has long ago faded. The BLM protesters received some concessions, but foolishly allowed domestic terrorists and anarchists to become a viable part of their crowds. The anarchists, terrorists, arsonists and looters are way over the BLM movement, which was simply a vehicle to allow them to  destroy in the name of equality. Regardless of what the BLM protests accomplished, the anarchists and terrorists want to keep on destroying, tearing the very fabric of society to the point where there is no resistance left and they get their warped way. Because of them, many who once supported the BLM are now moving in a different direction and no longer support the BLM message. Like babies screaming because the bottle is empty to children having a tantrum because they can't get a new toy, these people have crawled out from under the rocks in their relative's basements and seem to believe they can demand anything and it will happen. Sadly for them, they are really misinformed. 

Those who would destroy America grossly underestimate the resolve of real Americans. Those who swore to defend this country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, are over the foreign bit. Now comes the domestic enemies. And as days continue, the anger swells within the real American communities, Black, White, Latino, Asian and everywhere else. They will not continue to accept this war on our country sitting down. The sleeping giant has been aroused, but has not yet risen. That, my friends, will be coming sooner than we think. 

Another piece of America is lost...

Ed Bruce had a song called "The Last Cowboy Song" in which he laments the loss of American icons, such as the cattle drives, the cowboys and the old west. One of the lyrics says "It's another piece of America lost".

We are losing much more than another piece of America today. The very fabric of society is being torn, no make that shredded, by domestic terrorists, anarchists and others who believe the way to their future is by destroying everyone else's future and obliterating the past as well. Tear down everything they don't like, spewing hate and discontent, and fanning the flames of diversity, all the while crying for inclusion and diversity. Damage, burn loot but blame others for the violence. Spew hate, but expect others to embrace the "cause", which has been hijacked from it's original intent. There is no cause any longer, it has become an all out attack on the American values this country was founded on.

Why do the "protesters" and I use that term very loosely, hate America so much? Is it because they have been indoctrinated by the schools that they are the most important living thing, although they have not contributed a single thing to society?  Is it because they have been living off their parents and the system and now are more than willing to not only bite, but savage, the hands that feed them? Is it because they have been taught they don't need to contribute to society, but society should feed them just because they are alive? Is it because their parents were never really parents, just other non-nurturing people who gave them no morals, values or culture in their formative years? Is it because they have become criminals and now believe they should be able to take from anyone they choose with no repercussions? Is it because they are lemmings who will join any cause if it may result in their anonymity behind their actions?

I believe it is all the above. Looking at the multitude of videos of those rioting in our streets, they look like punks. Not a cross section of Americans, but just punks who have been supplied with the means to foist chaos on cities by the Democrat, leftist mayors and governors. Many look like tweakers and drug addicts; one was on a video and was flying so high I am surprised someone didn't have to hold him down from leaving the ground. Recent information points to George Soros funding this as part of his socialist agenda. Whether that is factual or not, someone is funding these people and leading them down a path to ruin. Of course they don't work, so rioting and protesting is a way to avoid any meaningful employment and demand that others pay their way. And since they don't contribute to society, the damage costs won't fall on their shoulders. The huge cost of repairs is borne by the real taxpayers of this country, diluting available funds for social programs the protesters are crying for. Maybe the government taxpayers should quit funding all the freebie programs and put that money into restoring what has been destroyed instead. Of course the liberals in Washington won't allow that, they are as bad as the mayors of Seattle, Olympia, Portland and elsewhere in lacking any moral values. 

How many people believe any pf this is actually in response to George Floyd's death? Very few. This was planned and staged well before that occurrence, using his death as a catalyst for what was already planned. The destruction of public and private property, the destroying of statues and memorials, the looting and burning was a well orchestrated project. In the very first day or so I saw people using battery operated metal saws cutting through security shutters to gain access to loot stores. That is just not something you find at a demonstration. Planned well ahead of time for sure.

Recent videos have postulated this is the start to a civil war planned and orchestrated by the Democrats, who kept police away from doing their sworn duty to make rioting and looting easier for the "protesters". In cities and jurisdictions where the police were allowed to do their job, there was no widespread violence or looting. Only in places where police action was hamstrung by the leaders of the cities has there been this terrible loss of civility. Those "leaders" should be charged, tried and convicted of aiding and abetting a riot, instigating civil unrest, malfeasance of office and more. To allow them to continue to turn their back on the quality, law abiding citizens of their cities, moreover the country, is more than insulting, it is criminal.

There are millions of Americans who will stand up and defend America. Those who took an oath to defend their country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And, these are truly domestic enemies. Enemies who used what was perhaps a noble cause at the start, and devolved it to their own war on the American way of life. I firmly believe real Americans won't allow that to happen.

Portland turns to dust

Portland, or more correctly Pottyland, continues to live up to it's reputation as a crap hole infested with drugs, useless people and anarchists. Now in it's what, 67 or 68th day of "protests", the constant destruction of property and denigration of any sense of civility just carries on.

Sadly, the politicians who not only condone, but actually assist and fan the flames of unrest, now take to the streets to stand with the anarchists demanding change. Listen up, folks, the message has been lost. Nobody is listening anymore. The sane world believes you are all a bunch of idiots and ingrates who have lived off the system you now want to destroy. You want to defund the police and believe it's okay to throw incendiary and explosive devices at the police, You feel you have the right to attack anyone who fails to share and embrace your leftist, no make that communist, beliefs. Yet when one of you is injured by someone you attacked, you want the same police to hold that person accountable. You are more than stupid, you are criminally insane.

Those who would destroy the very fabric of America are the same ones who will want their cities rebuilt. No, not on their money but that of the working taxpayers who will have to pay for this asinine activity through their wallet. Those who destroy businesses and then decry there are no jobs. Did anyone of the idiots who burn and destroy businesses think that those businesses are the ones who actually employ people? The same businesses that are now leaving cities and states like rats leaving a sinking ship? But the rats are not the business owners, the rats have taken over the streets where the government is dumb and turns a blind eye to this destruction. The rats feed on the garbage that is left behind, when their food source dries up. When jobs and opportunity leaves Portland, Seattle, Albuquerque, New York City, Minneapolis to name a few, where will the rats find sustenance? Like rodents, the "protesters" will eat each other and self-destruct. We can only pray that time comes sooner rather than later.

BLM has been hijacked...

I think it's sad that the very core of the Black Lives Matter has been hijacked by anarchists, domestic terrorists and those who have absolutely no consideration for what the BLM movement was supposed to be. As a result, many who at first agreed with what the movement stood for, now are condemning it for allowing these anarchists to march with them, and denigrate the message they wanted people to hear. The loud noise is now destroy, kill, loot, burn and that is not what was the intent I am sure.

I wonder if the movement had picked someone else as their poster child, rather than George Floyd, would the message maybe have fallen on more receptive ears? Maybe one of the children and infants shot and killed due to Chicago violence? But that would be pointing back at their own failings as a community, to quell the violence that is mainly black on black in many neighborhoods. Blaming the police for all the violence against any race, regardless of whom, is pointing a finger while the rest of the fingers point right back. In Chicago, for example, on Memorial Day weekend, May 30-31, 85 shot, 24 of them fatally and not one by a cop. On June 20-21, Father's Day weekend,104 shot,15 fatally, and not one by a cop. On June 27-28 weekend there were 63 shot, 6 fatally and not one by a cop. On July 4th weekend, 87 shot, 17 fatally, and not one by a cop. July 18-19 weekend, 70 shot, 11 fatally, not one by a cop. Monday July 20, 25 shot, 4 fatally, not one by a cop.

Does anyone see a pattern here? Cries to defund and abolish the police simply will lead to more killing and embolden the criminals who do the shooting. What happened in New York City? The mayor abolished the 600 member anti-crime units in response to all the cries that the police are the problem. And guess what? The leaders in the black community are now pleading to have that unit resurrected because crime has gone off the charts. Defunding or abolishing the police is not only patently idiotic, but hurts those in black and other people of color communities.

Make it very clear I am NOT defending the idiot cop in the George Floyd case. He was wrong on so many fronts, and I condemn any action such as this on any human. But George Floyd was not the wonderful person everyone wants you to believe he was. His list of felonies is a mile long, many of them violent. As I said above, a better role for a poster child for this would have been a child killed from indiscriminate shooting by their own community.

We all matter, regardless of color, creed or national origin. Every life is sacred, and I revere every living thing. I pray, as many others do, this craziness stops and we can all come together to appreciate what each has to offer in this melting pot we call America. To do so, we all need to stand together as Americans, not just people who live in America. Stop delineating each other as to race or beliefs. Unless one is a criminal, we all need to treat each other with kindness. If we do not, a fractured society will soon determine the fate of the country and it will not be anything we want to see.