You know, I was going to write out a long dissertation on how I see things that are happening, but I realize it would not do any good or be of any worth.
The Free Speech clause of the First Amendment is slowly fading away.
President Trump is not the reason.... he is an excuse to be and act however you want, to destroy public property. He was right though... it did take more than just the "White Supremacist" or "White Nationalist" (Depending on how liberal your news source is) to cause what has become one of the worst chapters in the history of this nation.
The "Anti-Protesters" at Charlottesville were agitators. We have seen them over the last 5 years. These agitators are the same ones who burned Berkeley, rioted in Baltimore and burned down Ferguson.
At times, it feels like the anti-haters are showing and talking more hate than the hate speechers have. Like I said .. I just don't know.
My personal philosophy? I despise the Klan and in no way support any sort of white supremacy group or any racial supremacy group. I am for equality on an even playing field. I am for getting along with and enjoying your neighbor. I put great value on the freedom of speech for everyone. I put great value in our Constitution and the rights and protections it affords us. I do not believe we should abuse those rights and protections. Abusing them will make them disappear.
What is going on in this country irritates me, saddens me, angers me.
Research Evergreen State College.
Research Ferguson again
Research Berkely
Research Charlottesville and watch those clips again, closely, and you will see more than one side armed to the teeth and doing battle.
Revisit the fight for civil rights and the lives given to reach 1964.
Then research Loving v Virginia and try to figure out how after 1964 CRA that in 1967 Many states still had laws on the books outlawing interracial marriage... (Missouri was one of those states, not proud, just giving a full account)
Revisit the teachings of Martin Luther King, JR, Robert Kennedy, John Stuart Mill, and John Locke.
Better yet, revisit the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Research the Furman v Georgia cases from the early 70's that said the death penalty was being used as a racist tool by some of the states and so the death penalty was outlawed until they passed fairer laws (still not totally fair but a lot better than it was).
Haters on both sides. Speech and thought being shut down. Art being removed from Universities. Check out Yale University and how they are handling things. They are removing paintings that may be too disturbing.
Let me say this. Disturbing is GOOD sometimes. Disturbing makes us stop and think. And when we stop and think, we can set things straight.
It is just a huge mob mentality across the spectrum. Doesn't seem like anyone is thinking for themselves, just follow whatever crowd your beliefs set you into.
I don't know. Like I said, I have been thinking this over very seriously over the last couple of days. I had a lot to say. Then this morning it occurred to me that it doesn't matter anymore. I got nothing to say really. I know what I believe and I can live with that. I was taught and raised well. I had many good influences in my life as I have grown old. Nothing that I see going on in this country today... the clash of the races, the clash of the genders, the clash of right or left .. none of that sits well with me and I don't think it should.
I am not going to go to battle with cousins that I love but disagree a little bit with... it isn't worth that to me. It isn't worth losing friendships either.
This country is what... 241 years old? You would think that we could get it right by now.
My bottom line is that I don't want to lose family, friends, or any relationships that I may have out there, in real life or on social media ... Just isn't worth it. If any of these mentioned want to talk about things, I'll talk... but I won't argue ... I won't let my emotions get carried away to the point of losing some REALLY good people that I have around. Not worth it.
I got some good readers I think ... and I know that you know what I am talking about, where I am coming from. I respect each and every one of you and I thank you for reading this silly little blog over the years. I think it is time to start remembering stories from my past and going back to writing and sharing those with you.
For all of us, a quote from my Uncle Dan... "Take Care and Be Safe"
May God bless y'all.
Bill
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