4/20 Remembrances

It's 4/20.
I bet most have forgotten.

Nope, I'm not talking about celebrating that medicinal plant.

I'm talking about April 20, 1999. If you don't know what that is, Google it.

Random thoughts and musings.....

Sports in the U.S.

Gotta say, I love this one. And I am sad about this one too.

What will sports look like in a month? Two months? Six months?

I’m hearing the NFL is considering playing games without fans – so I wonder if that means they will have to add more broadcasts?

I’m wondering if we will get MLB at all this season.

I don’t care for the NBA, so no loss to me.

Twitter wins again!

Are there protests in England? I was wondering this and then I say this pop up in my Twitter feed. We are clearly a different society than we were in 1940. People were much more willing to sacrifice for the greater good. I get it – small businesses are hurting. There is hunger and unemployment out there.

I just thought of an interesting scenario – let’s reopen everything. Business as usual. And the virus takes hold. I mean, c’mon, it’s proven that already.

And deaths begin to increase.

Still no response from any level of government. Business as usual.

But as deaths increase, what happens to business? I’d argue that some people will self-quarantine. Others will limit their trips. Still others will increase online purchases. I’m thinking that self-quarantine and online purchases might be a break-even scenario?

As more and more people die – I mean, since we are business as usual doesn’t that mean presumably healthy people who are carriers only (PROVEN FACT ALREADY) going out to eat, getting haircuts, and all those things – aren’t they simply transmitting the virus? Herd immunity!! Right? Well, for some, yes, that will work. But what about our elderly? Will their immune systems cope and adapt? Can their immune systems do that?  Some say yes, some say no. Others say that losing 2-3% of our population is not a bad tradeoff for business as usual.

So as people get sick, and some die, what happens to business? Do the sick and dead continue to purchase cheeseburgers and pizzas? Does a photographer get business from weddings that include sick, dying and dead people?

Herd immunity!! More exposure means people develop antibodies and their immune systems deal with COVID-19. What about COVID-20? COVID-21? This little virus has already mutated twice – that’s what I’ve read from reputable sources. That’s what viruses do. There’s no endgame for a virus except to destroy its host – and even when the host succumbs, the virus is still looking for the next victim. Doubt that? Wonder why they could be burying the dead as quickly as possible in public parks in New York?

As the death toll rises, I would expect more people to self-quarantine. Of course, in this scenario, there is still no response from the government – any level. What happens to businesses as more and more people self-quarantine?

Finally, some rational thought hits the governments. Maybe there is a problem. Of course, just in the United States there are now over 1 million deaths – look it up! Some models have a “no-response” model pushing 40 million deaths worldwide. What does that do for the small business owner? Will business be booming?

Of course, for some, these deaths are meaningless. It’s the old, the already sick, the homeless, that are paying the price. That’s ok for some. These people are already a burden – best to be rid of them. Darwinism at work, right?

Of course, our governments have taken steps. And the death toll is still 42,000+. Social distancing and stay-at-home orders be damned – it’s time to reopen this country, right?  

Republicans then….now

I used to be a Republican. Back in the days of Reagan. And even Daddy Bush. I noticed a change then. Granted, it was just a slip, but the conservative movement had been taking on a darker and more menacing tone through the 90’s. And that slip started to be a tumble, then a fall, then an avalanche. Right-wing extremism was becoming the norm. We had the Ruby Ridge incident. Then the Branch Davidians in Waco. We had Timothy McVeigh. We had this thing called the “Patriot Movement.” The Republicans did nothing to distance themselves from any of this. I won’t get into all the politics surrounding these events, but it did cause me to reconsider my involvement.

Obama came along at a moment in my life when I was more willing, and able, to listen to a more liberal presentation. I did not like baby Bush. I thought he was a bad president, and in my mind was reinforced by Cheney. Rumsfeld was a joke and the wars we fight in Iraq and Afghanistan were awful. I get the “why” piece but don’t understand the rationale. 9/11 was an awful day, and as all Americans did (well, most) I threw my support in behind the military in the quest to rid the world of Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. I was always a little curious about the why’s regarding the Taliban, but figured it made sense since they were sheltering worse elements.

Then Obama was elected. And we saw the Tea Party spring into existence in 2009. It seemed like everything Obama wanted to get done was stalled or obstructed in Congress after those first 2 years. Those first 2 years were epic. A healthcare package. The economic package that reversed the recession. But there seemed to be something missing – unity. And blasting forward to today, I’d argue that we are more divided now than we ever have been as a nation.

The picture below is a clear indication of where we are. It’s sad, it really is.  

I will never understand why we got to where we are today, but I am hoping that maybe the moderates in this country can stand up and take it over. Both sides have extremists that need to go away. I am hoping they do. 

   

The stupidity just doesn't stop....

Once again I find myself utterly amazed at the stupidity that seems rampant in this country. I saw this picture and wondered what the hell are they thinking?
Why do they need AR-15's to protest the stay at home order in Michigan? At least they are wearing masks. Did Governor Whitmer take away their 2nd Amendment rights with her order? A quick search revealed that no gun rights were taken away. Why do they feel the need to walk around the state capital building toting their assault rifles?

Then I found this gem.
I wonder if the young boy knows that the Israelites were freed BECAUSE of the plagues that God visited on Egypt? And the pink sign to the right - how does the stay at home order stop your freedom? Your doors aren't being welded shut. Obviously you can still go out of your house.

What is wrong with these people?

Liberty and Constitutional Rights

Liberty. Constitutional rights. Both important facets of American life. We have treasured both for over 240 years. We have endured epidemics, wars and many other crisis events and not lost either. So, what’s different today?

Many of my friends have begun protesting about the loss of liberty and their Constitutional rights in the face of the COVID19 epidemic. If I understand them correctly, this loss of liberty and rights comes as a response to the stay-at-home orders and other measures instituted around the country in response to the pandemic we now face. If I’m not understanding this correctly, I would invite my friends to respectfully and in a civil way tell me what I am missing.

I did a little research for this post because I wanted to make sure that I was well-informed and factual. I’m guessing the Constitutional rights they are speaking about are the Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to our Constitution. I’m also thinking they are mainly upset about the stay-at-home orders, unless I am mistaken.

Amendment 1 guarantees specific freedoms: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. This generally interpreted as: The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.  It forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices.  It guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely.  It also guarantees the right of citizens to assemble peaceably and to petition their government.

I am guessing that the right they are specifically addressing is the right to assemble. How has this been taken away? I just watched a protest in Michigan regarding the governor’s stay-at-home order – there were hundreds of people there blocking traffic around the state capital. There were state troopers and Lansing PD offices there as well. Nobody was being prevented from protesting and as far as I watched, nobody was arrested or detained. The protest is called “Operation Gridlock.” I found this little tidbit today as I researched “protests against stay-at-home orders”: Between March 16 and March 25, the governors of Kentucky, South Dakota and West Virginia all signed laws designating oil and gas pipelines and facilities "critical" or "key" infrastructure and imposing new penalties for anyone caught tampering with them. The push to criminalize anti-fossil fuel protests predates the coronavirus pandemic, however, and is part of a broader conservative movement to pass legislation that makes civil disobedience more difficult. Since 2015, bills have been introduced that target particular movement tactics like boycotts, strikes and traffic blockage and increase the penalties for already-illegal activities. In the case of anti-pipeline protests, the laws have sold themselves as protecting "critical infrastructure.”

§  These bills are not limited to Kentucky, South Dakota and West Virginia. Another passed the Alabama Senate in March, and similar legislation has been introduced in Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

§  I find this very contradictory. People are upset because they have been told to stay at home for their and others’ protection but have no problem with oil companies lobbying legislators in three states (and more) to stop oil and gas pipeline protests?

§  If the protestors in Michigan are able to take to the streets, in apparent defiance to the governor’s order, how is their right to assemble being deprived?

§  Where’s the uproar and concern for these types of legislative actions taken since 2015? Why is the concern only limited to what is being done in response to the pandemic? Clearly these bills are protected under Amendment 10, right?

Amendment 2 is the right to bear arms. As far as I know the stay-at-home orders have not infringed on that.

Amendment 3 regards the quartering of troops – again no infringement that I am aware of. Nobody has been told that they will house troops in their homes against their will.

Amendment 4 regards search and seizure. No infringement.

Amendments 5, 6, 7 and 8 are about due process, courts and lawsuits. Again, no infringement that I can see.

Amendment 9 talks about unenumerated rights – rights not specifically guaranteed by the Constitution will be retained by the people. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. The Ninth Amendment shows a belief of the Constitution’s authors that fundamental rights exist that are not expressly enumerated in the first eight amendments and an intent that the list of rights included there not be deemed exhaustive.

§  Unenumerated rights – by definition those are rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. What unenumerated rights are being referred to that are being taken away by the stay-at-home orders?

Amendment 10: powers reserved to states. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. The Tenth Amendment helps to define the concept of federalism, the relationship between Federal and state governments. As Federal activity has increased, so too has the problem of reconciling state and national interests as they apply to the Federal powers to tax, to police, and to regulations such as wage and hour laws, disclosure of personal information in recordkeeping systems, and laws related to strip-mining.

§  Again, I ask – which of these Constitutional rights in the 10^th amendment is being infringed upon by the stay-at-home orders? I’ve seen some reports that people have been arrested (Brighton, CO) for violating social distancing and/or stay-at-home orders but these arrests have been from local PD’s and not federal entities. Taxation has not changed. Wage and hour laws have not changed. Disclosure of personal information and laws relating to strip-mining have not changed in response to stay-at-home orders.

§  Again – one more time – which of these rights in the 10^th amendment have been infringed upon?

Again, I am making some assumptions about what “rights” my friends are referring to. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are generally what most people refer to when they talk about “right’s violations” or “losing their rights.” The right to bear arms has a huge disconnect in this country right now, but I don’t see the stay-at-home orders infringing on those.

One of my friends and his wife take their motorcycles out on rides all around this state, and got take-out Olive Garden for dinner. He even makes visits to Starbucks with his coffee-addicted dog J. Those activities have not stopped even with the stay-at-home order – so what rights have been infringed upon?

Maybe I am not seeing the whole picture – probably true. Maybe I am oversimplifying the issue. Also, probably true.

I just don’t see how your rights overcome the health and well-being of your neighbors, your families, my family, my personal health. COVID-19 is a bad one. We will overcome it. Just like we did with H1N1 and the Spanish Flu. But it will take time. And social distancing. I’m not saying you have to hunker down in your house with your 22 pistols and 16 rifles. I’m saying use some common sense and go out when you need to go out. The motorcycle trips are peaceful and relaxing for my friend – take them! I don’t think nor would I support you being arrested. I would support you using common sense – practice social distancing, wash your hands, etc. – but I don’t see your freedoms and rights being infringed upon.

So here we are.....

     Once upon a time I had a blog. Now I don't know its address so what the hey....just start a new one right?
     I enjoy writing and musing on things once in awhile and so I thought I'd restart.......


Stardate 2016.11.09 (Ok, that's not really "Star Trek" correct...but it is my blog!)

    The election is over. Whew. I'm glad truthfully, it was a stressful time and one that nearly permitted me to fall into the political abyss of hell. It was pointed out that as a tournament director I should moderate my posts especially since I am looking to make money from FaceBook amongst the sheer joy of directing softball tournaments - and I mean that sincerely, it is a lot of fun! 
    Trump winning surprised me. I too believed in the polls and predictions only to discover around 9pm last night that the news organizations are really full of shit - now I knew this already but it was confirmed. They had no clue that he would pull off one of the biggest upsets in election history - the only one that truly believed he could was Trump, at least that's what I think. So I say more power to him - let's move forward and see what he wants to do! 
    Ok seems like job #1 for him is the repeal of Obamacare. Yikes. That worries me. Yes I understand it's broken. I get it. Really I do! But dismantling it completely seems frivolous and out of control - aren't there some parts that can be saved? Like the part that says even though you have a previous medical condition you can still get affordable insurance? Can't we keep that? Yes getting rid of the government bureaucracy makes sense - all that's done is complicate it and make it expensive. Can we keep the part where all Americans can get affordable health insurance? Of course the definition of affordable might be different for a man that makes *billions* of dollars versus someone like me who makes tens-of-thousands of dollars. BIg difference for affordable there, right? Trump has stated that he wants to encourage competition between health insurance companies - that should lower premiums as they jockey to get your business. Hmmmmm not sure that has worked already - in Colorado Kaiser Permanente seems to be the dominant provider along with 2 or 3 other companies - their rates aren't low. In fact the rates are high! $265 for my wife each month doesn't seem to bad to someone that makes $50k a month, but for us it's 11% of my gross income - that leaves 89% for all the other things. Ok you say that's do-able right? Trump would pay like .5% of his income for that insurance, if even that. That doesn't seem equitable but in his defense he does make a lot more money than I do. And fair is not always equal, right? But what I am wondering is why he wants to hurt us - taking away even basic health insurance (such that it is) means I pay $125 for her to visit the doc, $325 for her labs, and $50 a month for her medicine - that's 20% of my monthly income! And for her, I'll do anything to ensure her health and well-being. But now I am making choices about even simple things - go out on a date ("Sorry honey, no date money this month.") I wonder - Trump said he wants to be every American's president - would he spend 20% of his monthly income on health care? And would he give up his dinners out or watching an occasional movie with Melania (which by the way is a weird name!)? I doubt it. I really do.

So here we are.....President-elect Trump. He has a mandate. He has Congress. What are you going to do in the first 100 days?