Stop Pulling the Wagon

 HAVE WE SACRIFICED THE FIRST AMENDMENT ON THE ALTAR OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS?

Recently I was talking with a good friend of mine about his experiences as an Associate Professor at one of the more respected colleges you see advertising on television.  During our conversation he happened to mention something to the effect that we still have our First Amendment Right of Free Speech.  It got me to thinking.

Do we?

It seems to me that as a nation we have “sub-divided”  ourselves into various racial, ethnic and cultural groups that, all too often, seem bent on finding things to be offended by.  Just some of these divisions are political, racial, cultural, economic and lifestyle.

Often, saying something, even innocently, is perceived as an insult or “hate speech’ though no offense was intended.

If  one groups beliefs or code of conduct disagrees with the lifestyle of another groups, they risk being labeled as “haters” or “phobic”.

On most college campus’s, which are in theory citadels of free thought, tolerance and the exchange of ideas, some groups “need not apply” and their ideas and beliefs are ridiculed, mocked and laughed at.  Conservatives, for example, are not welcome and Conservative “guest” speakers are shouted off the stage.  Free Speech?  You might ask Condoleezza Rice.  Where is the tolerance and free exchange of ideas?

Some groups are politically protected, others are not. Free Speech?  Some religions you must speak respectfully of or face potentially life threatening consequences while others, such as Christianity,  are not a protected group and considered “fair game”  and “targets of opportunity” to mock and make fun of.

In my opinion Political Correctness is not an equal opportunity employer.

I also fear that we are, one by one sacrificing our Constitutional Rights in the name of “Big Daddy” Government and Political Correctness.

Are we going the way of Canada and some other countries where you can be jailed if you offend some protected group with “Hate Speech”?

Bob Bandy

Aw, the simple light bulb.  Hardly a candidate for a government conspiracy you think.  But, you could be wrong.

Last week the Environmental Protection Agency issued a statement that they have the power to, and would begin attaching the paychecks of folks who violate EPA Regulations.  And, they said they do not have to go to court to do this.

Enter the Government Approved Compact Florescent Light Bulb.  Caution: Contains Mercury.

Our government tells us that these give off just as much light as a “regular” incandescent bulb while using up to 70% less energy.  The package I have in front of me tells me that it gives off the same amount of light as a 60 watt bulb while consuming only 14 watts.

Pardon me, I had to turn on an old fashioned incandescent bulb to read the package because the 14 watt “CFL” bulb does not provide enough light for me to read the labeling.

The package tells me these will last up to 7 years.  My own experience is more like 7 months. When they do “go out” you now are faced with disposal in an “Environmental Protection Agency Approved” obstacle course.  For some fun reading you might want to go to  www.gov.epa/cfl   Be sure to read everything.  You don’t want to miss anything because “ignorance” (not having read some sub-paragraph) is no excuse to the Dark Lords at the EPA.

Be especially careful in reading what is required if you should ever break one of these little environmental time bombs.

What you will find in reading through the regulations is that disposal requirements vary from location to location depending on City, County, State and Federal Regulations.  In some areas it may be as simple as getting in your car and driving them to your local Home Depot Store where you may be able to dispose of them at an “Approved Site” (Properly filled out forms may, or may not be required).

It is your responsibility to know and comply with all regulations at all levels. Failure to comply is subject to EPA fines and wage (or other asset) attachment.

I thought it might be kind of fun to package up the “dead” ones and mail them to your elected representative that voted for the forced use of these little monsters.  But, I would not want to violate any regulations.

One last thing.  Don’t even think of putting “dead” (or alive) Compact Florescent Bulbs in your “regular” trash.  Remember, they contain Mercury and we all know what the EPA thinks about the hazards of Mercury.

Lets see,  our government mandates use of these bulbs and the EPA can fine you for improper use or disposal.  About 300 Million+ Americans disposing of an average of two to three CFL bulbs per year.  Lets assume a fine of $1000 per bulb (this is Chump Change to the EPA which normally thinks in terms of $10,000 per day fines).  Do the math.  Think of all the money the EPA can collect in fines if they just want to.

Conspiracy?  Tell me which government agency you trust.  Internal Revenue Service?  Justice Department?

Bob Bandy

We see and are told in the news that we have a border crisis with tens of thousands of undocumented, would be immigrants flooding across our southern borders.  

On a serious note, I do not know anyone who is not moved by the sight of thousands of seemingly parent-less young children or ragged adults trying to escape poverty and even danger.  But, do we solve this by opening our borders to “all comers”?  Do we turn our Border Patrol agents into a kind of “Welcome Wagon”?  Do we just open all our borders on all sides to anyone and everyone from all countries around the world?  Can we just shut down the Department of Immigration and Naturalization?  

The Federal Government, State Governments and Congress are in a battle as to how to solve this crisis.  Some shouting to “Seal Our Borders” and others saying to welcome them all and create a “Path To Citizenship” for all comers whether legal applicants or those without papers.

I see a simple solution that should make everyone happy.  Lets send them where they are needed and wanted.

For example, Detroit, Michigan (pictured above) is a city that has lost tens (hundreds?) of thousands of citizens.  There are thousands of empty homes available either free or almost free for the taking.  And, Detroit has a long history of generous benefits to those in need.

Why not load these folks desiring to immigrate onto buses and take them to Detroit? On arrival they could be given a sack lunch and a map with directions (in their native language) to the offices of “Public Assistance” as well as street guides to areas where there is housing ready for the taking.

This program could be expanded to other cities that have by way of public pronouncements, ordinances and local laws indicated support for undocumented immigrants.  Some of the cities that come quickly to mind are San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Seattle but there are many others.

I have visions of caravans of buses with thousands of happy new, undocumented citizens streaming off the buses into the waiting arms of cities anxiously welcoming them with public funded programs to provide them with all the goods and services they need or want.

With my plan, the cities that have indicated they want them, get them and, get to pay for the services provided from their own local tax revenues.

Everybody wins.  What could possibly go wrong?

Bob Bandy

An old saying goes: “Lie to me once, shame on you.  Lie to me twice, shame on me.”

I don’t know whether to be amused or frightened by the fact that so many of my fellow citizens seem to be surprised when one of our leaders who has lied to us in the past is again caught in a lie.

Forgive me, but after you have lied to me once, I figure that if I see your lips moving, you are lying.  That is, until you come to me with verifiable facts that you have changed your ways.

Having said that, I can understand why we have become sort of numb to lies in general.  We are bombarded daily with outright lies and, just as dangerous, half truths, which are still lies, dressed in sheep’s clothing.

Whether its selling a box of soap, running for Congress or delivering some bad news about the latest foreign diplomatic failure,  its all about the message.  Give the people what you think they want to hear in order to make the sale.  The “sheeple” don’t really want to hear the truth.  They would rather concentrate on social media and the latest staged “Reality” show.

Advertisers call it “Marketing” and Politicians have fine tuned it into what is called “Spin” and “Talking Points”.  Like putting lipstick on a lie.  Tell a lie often enough and with fake conviction and it soon becomes a quasi-truth.

It has become an art form.  Couch everything you say in “weasel” words and propaganda.

For marketing companies you end up with words like “Beefy” (no beef) and “Choclaty” (no chocolate).  Car dealers use phrases like: “We can make you a deal like nobody else, and that’s a promise!” (of what?).

Politicians give you phrases like: “If you like your plan you can keep it and that’s a promise!”  (for how long?) or: “I did not have sex with that woman!” (depends on your definition of sex).

Still there was a time when people of character and honor told us the truth, no matter how ugly.

In 1940 during the dark early days of World War II, Winston Churchill promised his people only:  “Blood, toil, tears and sweat”.  It wasn’t a pretty message but it was the truth and the British people, as well as the free world, rallied to it.

In our world today a politician who tells the “no-spin” truth is a rare individual.  Any individual bold enough to say plainly that as a nation we are on a path to bankruptcy and becoming a Third Rate Banana Republic, under the thumb of a dictator who governs by edict rather than the rule of law, would be called an extremist, mocked and made fun of.

If we can find a strong enough leader to tell us that to solve our domestic and economic problems will take the equivalent of  “Self discipline, hard work and financial tears”, they would never get elected or, if already in office would have no chance of re-election.

Times change.

Bob Bandy

 “YOU WILL NEVER FIND A MORE WRETCHED HIVE OF SCUM AND VILLAINY”

(1977 Star Wars IV – Obi-Wan Kenobi at Mos Eisley Spaceport)

Our countries foreign and domestic policy seems to be under the control of a trio that I like to refer to as Feckless, Brainless and Clueless.  While I may be referring to our President, Vice President and Secretary of State, you might want to apply the titles to the leaders of your own choosing.  Perhaps your two State Senators and your Congressional Representative in the House of Representatives.  Each person can make their own choice.

Perhaps you think my descriptive titles too harsh and would prefer kinder more love-able names such as Larry, Curly and Moe.  We are either blessed or cursed with a broad spectrum of potential candidates for whatever titles or names you wish to apply.

For example:

Our nation is Seventeen, racing towards Twenty Trillion (with a T) Dollars in debt. Who is responsible for that?

We have an Attorney General who believes that you only need to enforce the laws you like.

A Director in the Internal Revenue Service  who never did anything wrong and will take the Fifth Amendment to prove it.

A Minority Leader in the House of Representatives who believes you should only read laws after they are passed.

A Senate Leader who does not know the difference between the truth and a lie.

Nations around the world now know the United States  cannot be depended on to keep its treaty commitments.  The U.S. signed a Treaty with the Ukraine that if the Ukraine would give up their “Nukes” and most of their army that we would defend them from invasion.

“Don’t worry, if you like your country you can keep it.  And, that’s a promise.”

So the Ukraine gave up their nukes and stood down most of their army.   The Ukraine has been invaded by Russia and we took no real action to stop them although we did dispatch Clueless, Ooops – sorry, I meant to say our Secretary of State to tell the Russians they are in violation of International Law. Maybe “John” could shake a United Nations Security Council Resolution at “Vlad”. Just as soon as he gets Russia and China to sign it.  I’ll bet Vladimir is shaking in his boots.

I wonder if Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Israel, the nations in Eastern Europe and several other countries around the world we have treaty commitments with are taking notes.  I’m sure China, North Korea, Iran and other potential adversaries are.

What could possibly go wrong?

OBI-WAN NEVER VISITED WASHINGTON D C

Bob Bandy

I DON’T MAKE JOKES.  I JUST WATCH THE GOVERNMENT AND REPORT THE FACTS.

WILL ROGERS

When I started this blog it was with the view that there are fewer and fewer of us who are pulling Societies Wagon and more and more who are simply willing to ride in the wagon and let someone else do the work of pulling the wagon along the road of life.  

My goal was to perhaps inspire myself and others, with some goodwill and humor, to find ways to spend less time pulling an overloaded wagon while encouraging others to spend more time pulling their own wagon.

However, in the last five years I have noted that the number of people riding in the wagon has grown  significantly, while the number pulling the wagon has shrunk by an equal or greater percentage.

Some of this change is no doubt a matter of choice.  It is well documented that many have simply taken an “if you can’t beat-em, join-em attitude”.  I remember some years back that I owned a T-shirt with the slogan “I have given up in my search for reality and am now seeking a good fantasy”.  

Others have diligently searched for work and opportunity only to find there is little of either available in the environment created by the Clowns, Criminals and Lunatics running an overbearing, overreaching and corrupt government in Washington D.C. that wants to regulate every aspect of life while taxing any kind of success into oblivion.

Many of these folks don’t really think in terms of wagons, pullers or riders and instead have gone into a survival mode where they are not looking to ride in my wagon but have become simply willing to vote for whoever will give them a free ticket for a ride on the gravy train without worrying about who will pay for the ticket.  It is hard to blame them.   

The problem with the above is that what looks like a free ride is in reality often a one way ticket into a form of slavery.  Any time we surrender our independence to the supposed good will of others providing for our needs we become dependent and a kind of slave.

We see this in signs at National Parks that tell us not to feed the animals.  This is because if we feed them they become unable to feed themselves.  We see examples of this in our society in multiple generation Welfare families.

Think about it.

Bob Bandy