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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Earth Day, Every Day

As global warming becomes more evident and world pollution infects more of our precious air and water each day, it’s time to step up and start doing our part. It’s time to take a stand and give back to our earth what it has given to us. We must stop ignoring the growing problems that threaten our planet. We must do more to preserve our energy, resources and ozone. It starts with us. It begins today.

Recycle everything you can. Reuse whenever possible. Come up with innovative ways to renew materials and space. Instead of littering, pick up that piece of trash blowing through the street or laying on the sidewalk. Taking no action might as well be considered littering, first hand. Keep our ground, rivers, lakes and streams clean. Plant a tree and a garden. Give life to shrubs, bushes and beautiful flowers. Skip a shower and leave your dishes for tomorrow. Boycott the pumps and let your cars go quiet. Take a walk or ride your bike to work or school. Cut the power and spark a few candles. Let the sun solar the night. Instead of watching TV or sitting glued to your PC, play a game or do a puzzle with your family.

There is always something that can be done. Practice living green and spread awareness wherever you travel. Above all else, just treat the earth with love, kindness and respect. It is, after all, home to billions of other people. So, do your best to be an environmentally accepted resident of this planet. 




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Sunday, April 5, 2015

Modern Day Resurrection

With "Religious Freedom" laws once again making headlines-nationwide, and as ISIS/Terrorist/Right-Wing Extremist wage holy war on what seems like the entire world, I found myself wondering-what would Jesus do if he was resurrected on this Easter holiday?

If Jesus was resurrected today, these are just a few of the things he would probably do...

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd proclaim to his followers that the "Ten Commandments" are not the "Bill of Rights" and demand they stop acting like "Religious Freedom" laws have anything to do with their actual religious freedom, guaranteed to them by our constitution. He would demand they stop trying to discriminate against people in the name of religion.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd throw on his rainbow decorated t-shirt, in support of gay marriage. Then, he'd march with LGBT's, in their fight for equality and unite with them in front of the Supreme Court until they ruled bans on marriage-to people who love each other, unconstitutional. And quite frankly, he would probably even officiate some same-sex marriages. And, he'd probably cater, DJ and photograph those same-sex weddings so the lovers wouldn't have to worry about being discriminated against, legally, thanks to "Religious Freedom" laws.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd collect all of our guns (here in the U.S., because the greatest nation on earth is also one of the most violent), and he would turn all of those guns into fish and loaves of bread to feed the world and end child hunger.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd turn Monsanto chemicals, big oil carbon emissions and enriched uranium into wine. Actually, he'd turn these things into water for drought stricken areas. And to replace all of our polluted seas, streams and drinking supplies-left unusable by fracturing, oil spills and other waste dumped into our environment by irresponsible, fraudulent corporations and people.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he would blast climate change deniers because they truly believe Judgement Day will be brought forth by the Rapture and Hell's fire rather than the man-made flames that have been burning since the industrial revolution.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd laugh at the thought of corporations being treated like humans and he'd protest outside Hobby Lobby stores, calling out their hypocrisy for owning companies that manufacture the same forms of birth control that they deny to their own employees (based on their religious beliefs).

If Jesus was resurrected today, he would definitely pay his apostles a healthy living wage of at least $11.00/hour. And instead of encouraging poverty, feeding poverty and believing the conservative propaganda on poverty, he would give his entire wealth to the poor and less fortunate. He would do everything in his power to find affordable housing and funding for the homeless. Being a carpenter, he would probably even get in on the low income building action. He'd have a blast with some of the newer power tools that weren't around back in his day.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd salute and shake the hand of our nations first black president. He would do this for many reasons including health care reform and making it illegal to deny coverage to dying people (Jesus was all about treating the less fortunate, dying people). He would thank President Obama for approaching world conflicts with peace as the only objective, instead of war and profit. He would be disgusted at the unholy haters and liars that call President Obama a Muslim, an Anti-Christian Crusader and all of the other horrible, unthinkable names. He would tell them that President Obama is more like him (Jesus) and more of a Christian than any of them. I have a feeling those hardcore, Right-Wing, Tea Bag, Christian-Conservative Extremist, Republicans would form a mob, capture Jesus and tie him up onto a burning KKK cross for a modern day crucifixion after giving a black man such high praise.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd curse the racism and bigotry that still plays a role in our everyday life. He'd damn the brutality of police officers who think it's acceptable to treat people differently-with blatant disrespect, just because of the way they look or the stereotypes of how they act. He'd also damn the treatment of officers who do actually serve, protect and respect the power given to them when they put on that badge. He'd condemn our justice system and what our democracy has become. He'd condemn what our society has become.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd stand at the borders with his arms wide open. He'd wait and welcome the people into his kingdom (country) with love and understanding.

If Jesus was resurrected today, he'd take a gigantic hit off the peace pipe to see how far marijuana has evolved in the last 2000 years. He'd then pass that peace pipe around to the entire world because there is no better peace maker than a fresh, green bud of herb. He would push for the legalizing of marijuana during his modern day "Sermon on the Mount", high in the Colorado Rockies, where weed is already legal. He would preach about this because he understands how important it is to fund public education (that's where most, if not all tax revenue from marijuana sales would go).

If Jesus was resurrected today, there would be billions of people on this earth that would not be able to answer to him with a clear conscience and clean convictions. There would be billions of people on this earth, scared and in trouble. Would you be one of them?




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Thursday, March 5, 2015

Random Weekly Rant: Obamacare, Gun Control, Anti-Government, Anti-Vaxxers

With this post, I begin a new weekly segment here on my "Everything Blue Politics" blog. Once a week, I will go on a short rant about certain thing/s that have really been bugging me. Unlike a normal post from my politics blog, where I use documented facts backed by real evidence, I wont get to in debt with these rants. I will mostly focus on specific points of an issue or issues, expressing my own personal opinions. This week, my rant deals with certain aspects of Obamacare, Gun Control and people who appear to be against government and vaccinations.

Obamacare: To this very day, I still constantly hear people complaining about being forced to purchase health insurance.

"Why should we have to purchase health insurance if we don't want it?"

If you don't want health insurance then don't get it. Simple as that.

"Oh, but we'll get fined though if we don't."

Ok? So, take the fine. That'd most likely be cheaper for you anyway.

"But, why should we have to pay a fine for not having insurance?"

Why do you pay taxes for roads that you will most likely never drive on? Why do you pay taxes to fund churches that you will never even know exist? Why do you pay taxes for schools that your kids may never even attend?

It's common sense. You pay a fine for not having insurance so just in case you ever come to a point in your life where you actually need insurance, you wont be denied insurance...like you would have been pre-Obamacare. If you don't want insurance, you pay a fine for the people that not only want health care but for the people that actually need health care. You pay a tax for health care just like you pay a tax for roads and churches and schools and water and sewer and electricity and gas and the list goes on and on. At least when you pay the fine for not having health insurance, you're money is actually going to save peoples lives. So, just deal with it and get over yourselves already.

Gun Control: Gun nuts are so arrogant it's not even funny. Their excuses to fight and debate gun safety are completely ridiculous.

"The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. If you outlaw guns, only the outlaws will have guns. It's already illegal for criminals to own guns so what is gun control going to do?"

No offense, but if you're a person who says or believes any of these things...YOU ARE AN IDIOT. For one, just because you have no criminal record doesn't mean you're a good person with a gun. Secondly, gun control isn't banning your guns, in any way...PERIOD. If you're still saying this, you deserve to be pistol whipped, repeatedly and severely. And lastly, do you anti-gun control nuts realize that even though it's illegal for criminals to own guns, it's still very much legal for criminals to purchase guns? I don't think you do realize that. Any criminal or mentally challenged person or under aged kid can walk into a gun show in almost any state in our country and walk out with a gun. Do you guys realize that? If you do, and don't see a problem there, you deserve to be more than just pistol whipped! And it's the same with most Internet sales as well.

You closed minded gun nuts need to look past the whole "gun control" tittle and open your eyes to what gun control really is...gun safety. You ignorant people who hear the word "control" and automatically assume our president wants to come for your guns. I don't get how the greatest country in the world can also house the dumbest people in the world...

Anti-Government: And moving on, but staying on the topic of the dumbest people in the world, I will now go off on any of you anti-government Americans. You people that complain about our government as if you don't realize it's the government who gave you the right to complain about our government. As if you don't realize everything you have today, everything you're entitled to, is due to our government. None of us would be here today if it wasn't for our government.

"Oh, but if you give people handouts and assistance they just become dependent and lazy."

Well, if that's the case then I tell you anti-government, anti-assistance people to stop caring for your kids. Stop providing for them. Don't clothe them. Don't feed them. Don't teach them. Don't do anything for them because they will just get lazy and dependent upon you.

"That's our job as a parent, though."

Yes, it is. And it's the job of our government to do the same for it's citizens that you do for your children.

Open your hypocritical eyes. Stop denying reality. Stop hating on our government. How would you feel if you're kids hated on you for simply taking care of them?

Anti-Vaxxers: Hey, listen, if you don't want to get your kids vaccinated, that's fine with me. As long as you never take those kids to the doctor or hospital. I mean, if you want to ignore almost every single doctor on this planet who says to vaccinate, then you surely don't need to take your kids to see the same health professionals that you are ignoring when it comes to vaccines.

I'm alright with you not vaccinating as long as you never give your kids any type of un-natural medicine (Tylenol, Motrin, Benedryl, NyQuil, aspirin, etc.). It's acceptable not to vaccinate as long as you don't feed your kids 90% of the food purchased at grocery stores. As long as you prevent your kids from breathing in the polluted air out of our atmosphere. As long as you keep them away from camp/bon fires. As long as you don't let them swim in chlorine filled pools or in lakes, rivers and streams that are polluted by the politicians that you anti-government people actually do support. And what about sunscreen? Your kids could be allergic to sunscreen. But do you ignore the experts who say to protect your kids skin against the sun? If you ignore most of the experts in the world on vaccinations, you better not let me catch you sunscreening your kids!

Look, I get it. You don't want your kids to die. Does anybody ever want their kids to die? You could die in a car crash 10 minutes from now. Does that keep you from riding/driving a vehicle? Loud music might give me a headache but that's not going to keep me from turning the volume up when I hear a good song. Pizza might give me the worst heartburn ever but I'm still gonna eat it because pizza is good.

Just like vaccinations are good. And a government that looks out for all of its citizens...yup, that's good too. Gun safety? When has safety ever been a bad thing? And health care access for all Americans...that's about one of the greatest things to ever happen to this country.




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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Brian Williams

Last week, "NBC Nightly News" anchor, Brian Williams came under fire for a story he's been telling since his days of covering the Iraq War, back in 2003. He claims that the military helicopter he was a passenger in came under fire, and was struck by a rocket propelled grenade. Since 2003, Mr. Williams has repeatedly told this story, even talking about it back in 2013 on the "Late Show with David Letterman". He, again told this story on-air last week, during a tribute to a retired solider.

And that is when all hell broke loose for Brian Williams, NBC's long-time, lead anchor. After seeing his most recent account of the incident, troops that were there that day, back in 2003 when Mr. Williams helicopter came under fire, quickly took to Facebook to proclaim his story, a lie. They said, Mr. Williams helicopter wasn't even in the group of helicopters that came under fire. His helicopter didn't arrive on the scene until at least, 30 minutes later.

After these claims went public-with help of military newspaper, Stars and Stripes, Brian Williams had no other choice but to come forward and address these accusations. A few of the troops stated that they've been trying to call out Mr. Williams lies for years. So, when they finally succeeded, he confessed. He explained-the best he could, and chalked it up to a foggy memory. Then, he did what a respectable journalist would do in a situation like this. He apologized. It may not have been a completely well-thought out, all questions answered type of apology, but he did, at least, apologize.

So, end of story, right? Wrong. Along with backing out of a scheduled appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman", Brian Williams announced over the weekend that he would be taking a leave of absence from his prestigious, long term position of top, network anchor-with no time frame of returning. It's worth noting-NBC is now, also looking into his reporting on multiple other stories including work during Hurricane Katrina. He, apparently reported seeing a dead body float by his hotel. Witnesses have explained that the hotel Mr. Williams was staying it wasn't flooded enough for a body to float by. He also told the world there were gangs taking the hotel over and that he witnessed a man commit suicide inside the Super Dome. Theses are all incidents NBC is now probing. Possibly along with dozens-if not hundreds of other stories.

Now, I've never really watched Brian Williams on NBC, behind the anchor desk. Other than a few short segments and a couple YouTube videos, I don't know much about him. I know Allison Williams is his daughter. That's really it. I don't know him enough to make a fair judgment on his trustworthiness. I can, however, say with certainty, that he is no Peter Jennings or Tom Brokaw-great hero's of mine.

And, while I don't know him all that well, he has been taking major heat for this by colleagues, other professionals and even his loyal viewers. Social media has gone crazy with Brian Williams hate. His personality, his integrity, his life's work-all coming under attack. There's anti-Williams hashtags, memes and post going around. I'm not going to post links to any of that because it's just disgusting behavior and I'm not going to promote it in any way.

We really need to give Brian Williams a break. Because, whether him stepping away was just some PR move by NBC or an actual move by Mr. Williams to somehow save his career and earn back our trust, he listened to what we had to say. He fessed up and apologized for lying or "misremembering". He's doing what's right after being called out for doing what's wrong. He gets my respect for that and, despite lying to millions of people-loyal viewers, he should at least be commended for stepping up.

There are, after all media programs and reporters...you know, the Fox "News" types, that lie considerably more than Brian Williams and NBC. And they make millions off selling those lies on a daily basis. And when they get called out, what do they do? Apologize? No. Stand up and assure the people they serve that it will never happen again? Nope, not that either. Step away in shame at not only letting millions of people down but also being an accessory to the destruction of our country? Still shaking my head, no. Instead of doing the right thing...the American thing, they turn around and keep lying. They keep pushing their propaganda for profit.

These are the people we should really be talking about. And calling out. And going after. Not somebody who has already confessed his mistakes, apologized for those mistakes and stepped away to let time heal our wounds. We already gave Brian Williams his slap on the wrist so lets move on now, to the people who have been blatantly misleading us for years. The anchors and reporters who spread their propaganda with arrogant, greedy, biased, un-American-self righteousness, for not the good this country, but for the good of their own wallets. It's unacceptable and it needs to be stopped immediately.

Mr. Williams, I believe you're doing the right thing here. I wish you the best but also hope that all of these other allegations turn out to be untrue. I guess we will see. NBC, I wish you the best (I'll always be an ABC guy, though). And Fox "News", well, I don't know how you guys keep getting away with selling your lies when others are losing their jobs for it. Hopefully Americans open there eyes...and soon!

I'm going to leave you with this last thing because whenever I do actually catch something with Brian Williams, this is usually all I can ever think about. Even when this latest controversy began, this is what popped into my mind. I'm also posting it because humor is never a bad thing. And this comes from Jimmy Fallon, so you know it's humorous. Check it out-from YouTube..."Aint Nuttin but a G Thang Baby." Gets me every time!






Sources:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/02/06/business/brian-williamss-apology-over-iraq-account-is-challenged.html?referrer=&_r=0

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=brian+williams+aint+nuthin+but+a+g+thang

http://www.stripes.com/




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Monday, February 9, 2015

American Sniper: Hero or Heroin?

Almost a month has past since the January 16th release of the Hollywood blockbuster hit, "American Sniper"-based on the best-selling memoir of former U.S. Navy SEAL Sniper, Chris Kyle titled the same. And over that same time period, I've heard everything from arguing and debating to bashing and un-patriotic, propagandic rhetoric-coming from both sides of the isle. Those on the conservative-right have praised the film while hailing Chris Kyle an American hero. Even dedicating February 2 as "Chris Kyle Day", down in his home state of Texas. And those on the liberal-left have absolutely torn the film apart while claiming-amongst other things, that Mr. Kyle was nothing more than an angry racist who went on a killing spree during his time in Iraq.

For the most part, I've tried to stay out of all this nonsense. Except for a few different occasions where I've seen the most extreme (from both sides) comments on social media and just couldn't ignore the arrogance. I've stayed out of it, mostly because I hadn't seen the movie yet. But also because, anytime we're discussing our heroic veterans, it is a very touchy subject. We do, after all, owe them everything. But last weekend, I was finally able to make it out to our local theater to view "American Sniper". Still drawing large crowds, I might add. And after almost a full week of carefully wording my phrases and sentences-trying my hardest not to offend any vet who may read this-for his or her service to our country, I was finally able to write down my opinions.

Before I get started on the drama surrounding Chris Kyle, though, I'd like to first share my thoughts-my review of the film. Because wow, what a hit...in terms of domestic box office money making. It has now surpassed "Saving Private Ryan"-the 1998 Steven Spielberg, WWII film for highest grossing war film ever, at the box office. "Saving Private Ryan" made nearly 216 million when it was released back then. "American Sniper" just came in at 250 million and is still climbing. No matter what your own, personal opinions are of the film, there is no denying its box office success.

Now I'll admit, I was a little worried that all the extra curricular activity surrounding Chris Kyle and the whole cause of this particular war would taint my views and take away my ability to keep an open mind while watching the movie, but I'm glad to report this was not the case. And if anything, my opinions of Mr. Kyle actually changed for the better. The war, no. But the deadliest sniper in U.S. history, yes.

This, however, does not mean I completely enjoyed the film. Don't get me wrong, it was good. But going by the movies success in its first few weeks-in terms of profit, I was expecting a movie that is truly deserving of an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. For a movie that had just jumped over "Saving Private Ryan" for number one war movie ever made, I was expected to see a film of Steven Spielberg caliber. Or even just a "Pearl Harbor" type caliber film. I was just expecting more, that's all. And maybe that was the whole problem. But just as with Chris Kyle, I was really also hoping to get a better sense and understanding of the Iraqi War, and I just didn't get that.

With all that being said, my mixed reviews are nothing against Mr. Kyle's story. I think it mostly came down to the direction. While Clint Eastwood has made some incredibly magnificent films, this for me, was just not one of them. As hard as it is for a solider to transition back and forth between home and active duty-war, it shouldn't be as difficult for a professional director such as Mr. Eastwood to incorporate transitions into this movie that actually make sense.

For instance, the scene in which Taya Kyle-played by Sienna Miller, who was pregnant at the time-in the movie, calls Chris from the hospital to tell him they were having a boy. Chris and his convoy come under attack during the satellite phone call. She's listening to the whole thing play out. Meanwhile, the guys are trying to get out of the situation when the scene just cuts back to Chris being at home. It's like, wait a minute. How did they get out of that, Clint? And there's a pregnant lady standing in a hospital parking lot wondering if her husband is dead or alive? What did she do at that exact moment? Did she just hop in her car and calmly drive home? What did she do? How long before she actually knew her husband was still alive? This is just one scene. And those questions never completely get answered in the film. The whole movie is filled with transitions like this. It's annoying. It doesn't make sense. And it takes away from the entire movie.

If there was anything that absolutely turned me away from the film before actually seeing it, it was Clint Eastwood's directing. Before seeing the movie, I had read numerous articles from critics and even from fellow servicemen who had also served in Iraq. They basically called out Mr. Eastwood's narrow minded perspectives and his horrible portrayal of the people of Iraq. They also made it clear that Mr. Eastwood's version of Chris Kyle's war was not their version of war.

Furthermore, I read about some of the clear differences that film had from the actual book written by Mr. Kyle. There were numerous instances-including Chris's first kill being a child that didn't appear in the book. And this is going by articles I've read from people who know both the book and the film as I have never actually read the book. For more on these details, checkout this article, written by Slate's, Courtney Duckworth, breaking down all of the differences.

Although the movie was mostly a bust for me-in terms of directing expectations, Bradley Cooper's performance is definitely that of a professional deserving an Oscar for Best Actor. He seems to get better in every film he makes. No matter what the roll is, Bradley Cooper is becoming that A-List actor that everybody wants in their films. There are some great names accompanying Mr. Cooper in the Best Actor category this year, but his performance in "American Sniper" could definitely put him over the top.

In an interview I caught on CNN's, "The Lead with Jake Tapper", Taya Kyle even admitted that it was hard-at times to tell that Cooper wasn't actually her late husband. She said he nailed it. From the way he walked and talked to the way he did normal, everyday things, Bradley Cooper became Chris Kyle. And I'll admit, just going by all the pictures I've seen of Chris Kyle, I honestly forgot I was watching Bradley Cooper on the big screen, as well.

Servicemen too, are praising Cooper for the way he transformed from a regular, everyday citizen into a Navy SEAL Sniper. He studied, he learned and he trained. He became everything he was asked to become. For Bradley Cooper's performance, and because I am a history buff/war movie enthusiast, I will certainly consider purchasing "American Sniper" when its released on DVD and Blue-ray.

Now that my-anything but expert movie review is out there for the world to see, lets talk a little bit about all of this other stuff surrounding the book, the movie and the life of, American Hero-Chris Kyle. I will be jumping around a little bit from controversy to controversy but I want to start out with the story of the very first time I ever heard about Chris Kyle. No type of statement is trying to be made here by talking about this first, I just wanted to let readers know when I, personally became aware of Mr. Kyle.

Back in 2006, Chris Kyle was in a bar after the funeral of fellow SEAL member, Master at Arms 2nd Class Michael Monsoor. Supposedly, Jesse Ventura-former Minnesota Governor, former member of the U.S. Navy Underwater Dive Team during the Vietnam War and of course, we all know him as WWE Hall of Famer, Jesse "The Body" Ventura-who was also in the bar that day, began running his mouth about the war and George W. Bush. He, eventually stated that the, "SEAL's deserved to lose a few." Kyle, who refers to Ventura in his book as, "Mr. Scruff Face", did not take well to this and punched Ventura. After that, as Kyle put it in his book, "All hell broke lose."

If this is all true, Jesse Ventura-in no way shape or form should have opened his mouth. I mean, what a horrible, un-American thing to say. Not about the war or about George W. Bush. But about our fallen hero's. People like even he, who put their lives on the line for us everyday. People like the Navy SEAL's. Who were mourning the death of a brother. Why he would ever say that, I will never understand.

On the other hand, though, Chris probably shouldn't have started throwing punches either. He could have and should have been the better man. But, just after the funeral of a brother-when emotions and tensions were running so high, I can completely understand what he did.

Questions do arise in the whole story. Jesse Ventura did win his defamation suit against Taya Kyle last year for almost 1.9 million in damages. He sued for what was written about him in Chris's book-claiming the whole thing was fabricated. Either way, this is one of those situations where nobody wins. Taya Kyle is out nearly two million. And yes, Ventura gets his money, but none of them will ever out live this unfortunate incident. It will probably asterisk their names and reputations forever.

That fiasco was-from what I can recall of my memory, the first time I ever heard of Chris Kyle. And since we're already on the topic of celebrities and name-tarnishing stories, we're going to stay right on that topic for a moment. These next two stories came from the Twitter world. The first, is the whole Michael Moore ordeal. Michael Moore-Director of documentaries like "Fahrenheit 911", "Roger and Me" and "Bowling for Columbine-who is also, along with Chris Kyle, no stranger to controversy. Michael Moore stated some things that may or may not have been related to Mr. Kyle...

On January 18, just two days after the release of "American Sniper" and a day before we celebrated the life of the great, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-who was tragically gunned down by sniper fire in 1968, Mr. Moore posted on his Twitter-while discussing his uncle who was killed in WWII-also by sniper fire-that he was raised to believe, "Snipers were cowards". That's pretty much it. Michael Moore made no mention of "American Sniper" and made no mention of the "American Sniper's" name. He was simply stating what he was raised to believe. You know, exercising his rights.

Oh, but the Conservatives had a hay day with it. They instantly inserted Chris Kyle's name into Michael Moore's post. Conservative website after conservative website, then posted hate filled messages towards Michael Moore. And those posts were filled with disgusting, un-patriotic comments from people who claim themselves to be Americans. You can find these horrible articles and comments all over the internet. Just pick a right-wing news site and start reading.

Now, I wont sit here and defend Michael Moore, as he had to of known how people on the right were going to react to such a comment. And only a few days after the sniper movies release? But, like I said, he was just speaking his mind and standing up for what he believes in. Just like Chris Kyle always did.

And while I'm not defending Michael Moore's controversy-in any way, I will gladly call out all of the low life, scum bag, right wing media sites who just couldn't resist responding to Mr. Moore's tweet with propagandic garbage-like they were actually, truthfully and respectfully defending a guy that was not even mentioned in the first place! And I will also call out all of you closed minded "people", you "Americans", that bought into this propagandic garbage without researching and rationally coming to the conclusion that Michael Moore said absolutely NOTHING about Navy SEAL Sniper, Chris Kyle!

Here is a link to Michael Moore's Facebook Page, which includes his original tweet, and his personal defense of statements...

It's just really sad that something made out of practically nothing, added so much controversy to this movie. An ordeal that had nothing to do with the movie, or the man the movie was about. It cast a negative shadow over the entire movie. It was, Conservatives looking for anything to start yet another war over. Of course, in a way, that probably helped the movie. Americans these days respond better to negativity anyway.

A perfect example of this comes with the second image-killing story I was telling you about. It developed on the same day as the Michael Moore ordeal. Comedian, Seth Rogen-also in a tweet stated that, "American Sniper" reminded him of the Nazi sniper film, "A Nations Pride"-inside the Quentin Tarantino hit, "Inglourious Basterds". A film that showcased a Nazi soldier snipping off at least 300 enemy troops. A film that boast about the number of kills one man had. And the man's home country proclaiming him a hero.

Besides the obvious differences, certain aspects of the two sniper films sound pretty familiar. I'll even admit, I had the same thought before Mr. Rogen's statement ever went public. It's a pretty fair assessment to make, if you ask me. A sniper film reminding somebody of another sniper film? It's not that far off. I can guarantee you, millions of other people also had the same exact thought.

It's not like we're actually comparing Chris Kyle to a Nazi-like those on the right immediately claimed. As Mr. Rogen stated when apologizing for and defending his comment, "Apples remind me of oranges. Cant compare them, though."

It's perfectly logical for a sniper movie to remind someone of another sniper movie. It's pretty much common sense. Logical thinking and common sense are two things Conservatives know absolutely nothing about. Which is why they take things as far as they do. And make issues out of nothing. It's funny. Conservatives get all bent out of shape when a comedian-of all people, says a movie that takes place during a war we shouldn't have even been in in the first place reminds them of a fictional Nazi film. But those same Conservatives are the people comparing President Obama to Hitler, all day long. That's Republican logic, right there. And it's the kind of stupidity that makes every situation in this country worse than it really is or really has to be.

Adding to this, I've met a lot of serviceman and women in my day. Men and women who have been overseas and around the world and who have put their lives in jeopardy for their country and their fellow Americans. Men and women who have been on the front lines of war and have seen things none of us would ever want to see. Soldiers that have looked death right in the face and soldiers that have killed on numerous occasions. I've talked to them and have listened their stories. I've seen the class and the respect and the strength and the decency they showcase. I know what they're comfortable talking about. I know what breaks them down. I know what is off limits. And in my opinion, typically, an honorable service member, an honorable sniper, an honorable person wouldn't just go out and brag about their kill number. I've heard those numbers, technically, are not even released by the military...

With all that being said, I can only really think of a few people that would brag about how many kills they have. And those people are criminals-murderers, serial killers, etc. I'm not labeling Chris Kyle any of these things here. I am just simply stating well-known facts. Let me repeat that-for those of you on the right who will read through this and only pay attention to what you want to pay attention to. I'll even put it in caps to make sure you all see it. IN NO WAY AM I LABELING CHRIS KYLE ANY OF THESE THINGS. But, I do stand by my statement because it's 100%, the truth.

Lets change directions now. Lets talk about the outrage coming from the left side and what I believe is the reason for most of the liberal criticism being directed at the movie and at Mr. Kyle's military/civilian life. This criticism comes with the war in general. The war known as, "Operation Iraqi Freedom". And more so than the actual war itself, are the reasons why we were even over there.

The invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with the terrorist responsible for 9-11, like Chris Kyle managed to trick himself into believing. The invasion had nothing to do with WMD's, like the Bush administration tricked everyone else into believing. Don't take my word for it though. These are facts, now proven by experts...and by anybody else with a shred of that common sense I mentioned above. Do some real research and get the real facts if, after this long, you still believe the Bush War was justified.

Did you look up those real facts yet? Did you finally open your eyes and realize the Iraq War was wrong-on all levels? Good. Now you can understand why-with this huge mistake still very much fresh in our minds-especially with the emergence of ISIS, Iraq is still a major hot button issue within our society. And that's where I think most of this criticism is coming from. At least, that's where I hope it's coming from. Because nobody in their right mind would ever bash a veteran for the services they've provided to their country and their fellow Americans. And if they do bash a vet for the services they provided, I will be the first to call them out.

Which is why I have to call out NBC's, Ayman Mohyeldin for remarks that he made. Now, I'm not familiar with Mr. Moyeldin, at all. I'm not sure what his political or personal views are. But, I do know this. He thought it would be an appropriate thing to call Chris Kyle a "racist" who, "went on killing sprees" during his time in Iraq. I would imagine his comments come in response to how Chris refereed to Iraqi's as "savages". At one point in the movie-while Chris was at home talking to his wife, he referred to all Iraqi's as "savages". Now, we all knew the brutality of Saddam Hussein and the evil tactics of his regime. We know the inhumane actions of the Iraqi insurgency. There's no doubt about it, these people were savages. We saw proof of this for years, in the media, and now, in the movie. We've heard proof of this from our troops, from other countries in the region and from the innocent people of Iraq.

Although there have been claims that Chris Kyle would shoot at anything that walked, I would certainly hope he understood and saw the differences between innocent Iraqi civilians and the despicable Iraqi insurgency that was trying to do his own people harm.

Nonetheless, I cant sit here and judge Chris Kyle for who he shot or why he shot or when he shot. Snipers have a job to protect the guys their watching over. They take an oath to protect us-by any means necessary. They volunteer to go over to the worst environments imaginable, so that the rest of us don't have to. That is the most admirable and heroic thing anybody could ever do. And war is an unimaginable thing that nobody could even begin to understand, unless they've lived it. Which, thankfully, I, and most of us in this country have not. What our troops go through during times of deployment would be enough to make the most sane-the most psychologically sound mind go completely insane. (This is the same reason I supported President Obama's prisoner swap for Army Sgt., Bowe Bergdahl, and why-unlike most of you Conservatives, I'm not wishing death upon Eddie Ray Routh, the Marine suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder when he shot and killed Chris Kyle and Chris's neighbor, Chad Littlefield back in 2013.) The overwhelming stress, the constant parade of enemy fire, continuously on edge, looking over your shoulder, witnessing your friends and brothers die at the mercy of people who are also trying to kill you. Under these circumstances and pressures, I would probably try to kill as many savages as I possibly could too. Or, have some sort of nervous break down. Or, some sort of lapse in judgement. Or, anything else that you could or couldn't possibly think of.

No, I don't care what our servicemen and women do in the fields of battle-aside from acting like complete and utter "savages" themselves. They're doing it for us. They're doing it for their country. I support, and am thankful for everything Chris Kyle did for us and for what all of our other veterans-past, present and future have done for us. And whether or not we should have even been in Iraq in the first place, is beside the point. Whether or not Chris Kyle was actually fighting for our or freedom, whether or not he was just over there so he could kill people, is beside the point. If you weren't over there, and don't have conclusive evidence that proves he was some crazy, racist killer, you cant judge Chris Kyle for what he did during the Iraqi War.

As for the backlash into him, personally, though-while not on duty, well that's a different story. If you're a veteran, you are and will always be a hero-in regards to your service. But, being a veteran doesn't automatically give you the right to be an idiot. It doesn't give you the right to spread lies and propaganda either. And it doesn't give you the right to act lawless and do whatever you please, whenever you please. Are there certain exceptions? Yes, as there should be. But being a veteran, you represent your country, forever and always-in all situations. And how you handle yourself, and your civilian status, and your semi-fame says a lot about the kind of person you really are.

Chris Kyle will always be a hero in military regards. But I'll tell you one thing...there are numerous claims and many stories out there-most of which were actually told and supported by Chris himself-that for many sensible people, would make them question the true content of his character. And I will also say this...a truly respectable guy would never have so many negative stories hovering around his image. This is a fact.

And being liberal, I'm just not one to ignore real facts. And Liberals don't just make things up for the hell of it. Conservatives, however, do. Liberals would never just make something out of nothing. Like the whole Iraqi War. WMD's? Right. Or how about the frivolous lawsuits (plural) filed against our Commander-in-Chief, by Congressional Republicans? I could keep going for hours like this. If there weren't real issues here, Liberals wouldn't be questioning a thing.

There's just too many stories to ignore. Even if they are all fabricated, Chris Kyle still partook in or claimed to have partaken in activities that could be questioned. And he made statements that would make people doubt his credibility. Lets talk about a few of these...shall we?

First, there is rumor of a pre-war, 2005 Hurricane Katrina story where supposedly, Chris went over to New Orleans and began sniping off looters from atop the Super Dome-just after the storm. There are claims, that this is one of the stories Chris, himself told-on few occasions. Although, nobody that was close to him will admit that...or that they've ever even heard the story.

At first sounds, it would appear to be a completely ludicrous story. I mean, killing fellow Americans in the aftermath of a hurricane? One of the worst hurricanes our country has ever seen. Seems rather far fetched. Especially since there were never any police reports filed of looters bodies being sniped off. Especially since the Navy denied it ever happened.

If this story is made up-which it most likely is, why would he make it up? What would make him even think that would be an acceptable thing to do? Never mind the looters partaking in criminal, non-violent acts (one wouldn't deserve a bullet to the head or chest for an act of desperation during a horrible tragic situation such as Katrina. Although, the right-wing-conservative-christian-Republicans would probably disagree with me there). This, if true, would be an example of the lawlessness I mentioned earlier-unacceptable for anybody to partake in, especially a man of honor.

The next story happens post-war. Actually, just two weeks after retiring from the Navy. Keep in mind this is another one supposedly told by Chris Kyle, himself. This is the story of Chris, allegedly being car-jacked at a gas station just off the highway. As it goes, he was pulled up to a pump-in the process of getting gas, when two men came up from behind him demanding the keys to his truck. Chris, being a 6 foot 2, 220 pound Navy SEAL, convinced the two men he'd give them the keys. He just had to reach back in the truck to get them. I'll just point out the obvious fact that if I was trying to car-jack a man that size, and he told me the keys were in the truck, I'd probably just get in and drive off. But that's not what they did. They allowed him to reach in his truck for the keys. Instead of the keys, though, he pulled out his pistol and shot both men dead.

Again, this story came straight from Chris, himself. However, certain officers from the police department that "handled" the case have denied the whole thing. Others, have apparently confirmed it. The same can be said for the security camera footage from the gas station where this may or may not have went down. Some say they've seen it. Others say there was no tape. So, who really knows?

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for self defense. And I'm for both, open and concealed carry laws. And if this story was is true, it normally wouldn't have even been an issue. However, true or not, this happened while Chris was suffering from PTSD, maybe even still undiagnosed, at the time. He was still trying to come to terms with all that had happened in Iraq. He was still trying to adjust to his life back home. We all saw in the movie when he almost slit the dogs throat at the birthday party....

This car jacking story, is a huge issue. A very important issue that brings into question the gun rights of people with mental aliments-no matter who they. And maybe even more so for our veterans-just returning home from such a traumatic experience. Which, don't forget, was also the direct cause of Chris Kyle's death. But sadly, this is a fact and a major problem that will continue to be over looked because America...well, America is gun country.

And this is the last Chris Kyle controversy I will be discussing-his well known stance on guns. A well-known gun stance based upon Republican/NRA propaganda. A stance that so many other people blindly but proudly take. In Chris's case, I blame his up bringing. We all know from the movie that he was raised as a Christian. Raised around guns. And raised on those true, southern-conservative-cowboy values of Texas. And those values probably played a part in all of these other controversies too.

Honestly, though, I'm not judging Chris Kyle for any of those other stories. I was just stating that they are out there. I am, however, judging him a little bit on his gun stance. Just as I judge anybody else who has ever actually believed that President Obama was going to come and round up all of our guns. But, even though he was documented making these kinds of statements and bogus accusations there would really be no point for me to speak out at Chris Kyle on this matter-as he is no longer with us-God rest his soul.

So, instead, I'm going to speak to all of you people out there (probably mostly conservative) that has ever believed the lie that our president was coming for our guns. I'm speaking out against anyone who has ever tried to legitimately use this claim in a gun control debate. And I'm speaking out against anybody who thinks laws to make guns safer are a bad thing. Your opinions on this matter truly showcase your arrogant idiocracy. It shows you will believe anything you're told by Republicans-who profit off your brilliant stupidity. Like, in Iraq and, with Trickle Down Economics....

This is exactly what is wrong with this country today. It's great that we all get to have our own opinions and values and beliefs. But when those opinions and values and beliefs are formed and based on things that just aren't true, it opens the door for division, and hate, and pointless destruction of the true and fair principles we should be basing our lives around. It doesn't matter who you are or what you've previously done. Ignoring real facts-makes you a moron.

Chris Kyle will always be a military hero...a war hero...an American hero. Nobody can ever take that away from him. Nobody wants to take that away from him. But even hero's have faults. And that's a fact. Which is exactly why there was so much criticism and controversy surrounding his life and this film. That is the only point I was trying to make with this post. But, I'll also speak for all Americans when I say, that is not to take anything away from what he did for us during his time as a Navy SEAL Sniper in Iraq.  

To end, I'd like to reiterate the fact that with this blog entry, I was not trying to offend the service of any of our Iraq veterans or any other veteran for that matter. The fact that I think the Iraqi War was a complete sham has nothing to do with what I think of our veterans and their service. I am forever grateful for everything our heroic vets have done for us. I do realize, however, if you're a Republican, and a veteran-you may be offended by a few things I've written here on Conservatives. Just know, your service isn't the problem, your political views are. But, I still respect your military service and thank you for all of your sacrifices. And thank you, "American Sniper"-Chris Kyle.





-The opinions expressed in this blog post are based solely on the movie, "American Sniper", news interviews and various articles I've read about the movie, the war, Chris Kyle and the other celebrities mentioned.





Sources:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

http://www.youngcons.com/check-warning-obama-chris-kyle-died/

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/kyleclaims.asp

http://www.cbsnews.com/bowe-bergdahl/

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/nb-staff/2015/02/04/nbc-refusing-apologize-reporters-chris-kyle-killing-sprees-smear

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/19/seth-rogen-american-sniper_n_6503586.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/07/29/jesse-ventura-wins-1-8-million-in-damages-against-chris-kyle-slain-navy-seal-sniper/

http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/02/media/american-sniper-box-office/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/american-sniper/facts/

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2015/01/23/american_sniper_fact_vs_fiction_how_accurate_is_the_chris_kyle_movie.html

http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2013/april/the-legend-of-chris-kyle-01?single=1






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Thursday, January 29, 2015

"Deflategate"

Oh, Super Bowl XLIX is this weekend? I kind of forget. No, not really but the way "Deflategate" has stole the show, I wouldn't be surprised if most people did forget about the big game. The big game on Sunday down in Glendale, Arizona at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The big game that will kickoff at approximately 6:30pm on NBC. The big game between the defending Super Bowl Champions, Seattle Seahawks and the three-time Super Bowl Champions, New England Patriots-the team at the center of the "Deflategate" scandal.

So, what is "Deflategate" anyway? Well, if you've been living under a rock for the last two weeks or just don't care about football at all, let me catch you up. "Deflategate" is a term being used to describe a "scandal" in the 2014 AFC Championship game between the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. A game in which the Pats routed the Colts 45-7.

The controversy came with 11 of the 12 game balls that were being used by the Pats. Let me rephrase that. The controversy actually came a week earlier in the divisional playoffs when the Baltimore Ravens, who lost to the Pats, 35-31 had suspicions of them playing with under inflated balls during the game. Afterwards, the Ravens brought it to the attention of the Colts and told them to watch for it.

Now, to get back to the actual "scandal". At halftime of the AFC Championship game, after the Colts defense had picked off Tom Brady and as the balls were being weighed by an official as done with all game balls before each NFL game and during halftime of each game, the referee found that 11 of the Patriots game balls were under inflated. League rules note that game balls must be within the specifications of 12.5-13.5 PSI. The balls in question were only inflated to 10.5 PSI. This would give an advantage to Tom Brady and his receivers in terms of gripping the ball. Especially in the cold, rainy conditions that were present during the entire championship game.

That's what this whole "Deflategate" is all about. How it happened, when it happened and why it happened are still yet to be determined. And may never be determined. I have heard rumors though about the NFL having a person of interest in the Patriots locker room attendant. But that's all I've heard thus far.

So, who really cares about the Super Bowl this year when something like "Deflategate" is going on? Who cares about the biggest, most popular sporting event in America when there's controversy to talk about? Why get excited for a game when there's "scandals", accusations, possible cover ups and endless amounts of drama and rumors swirling around? Americans care way more about that kind of stuff anyway. Its sad, but these past two weeks have proven it to be true.

Why though? Why have we let "Deflategate" take over everything good about this time of year? Maybe it's because of who it involves. I mean, it's the New England Patriots for Gods sake. It's Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, two of the greatest. Everybody knows their history and their success together and their Super Bowls. They've appeared in six Super Bowls together with three wins under their belts.

Yes, maybe "Deflategate" is a much bigger deal because the Patriots are considered the best. It's always so much more dramatically intriguing when the most successful people get caught doing things wrong. It's almost like it's welcomed in today's society. Everybody loves to hate the best. Like, we're just waiting for them to go down so we can feel better about our-not so famous or lucrative lives.

Those have to be the reasons why people care more about "Deflategate" this year than they do the actual Super Bowl, right? I mean, what else could there be? Well, as impressive as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are together, they're also equally controversial together.

We all remember "Spygate" back in 2007 when the Pats were caught video taping the New York Jets sideline hand signals. An act that cost Bill Belichick $500,000, the Patriots $250,000 and a first round draft pick in 2008.

To stay objective here, I should probably point out that New England also went on to the Super Bowl that season where they lost to the New York Giants, 17-14. That game was played in Glendale as well. And this is where the conspiracy theorist could chime in and intensify the drama that has plagued the entire league this year.

All that aside though, there are still numerous other allegations of "cheating" via illegal videotaping on the part of Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization. This goes all the way back to 2000 when Belichick was hired as the head coach in New England.

There is also, along with the ball deflation controversy when the Pats took on the Ravens in the divisional playoff game three weeks ago, the Ravens making an issue out of certain offensive formations executed by the Patriots.

The play in question by the Ravens had Patriots running back, Shane Vereen flanked out on the line of scrimmage to the right. He reported as an ineligible receiver so that tight end, Michael Hoomanawanui who was lined up as a tackle, would be an eligible receiver. When the the ball was snapped, Vereen ran backwards and threw his arms in the air confusing the Ravens defense. This play worked for completions on three different occasions. It was a totally legal play but out of confusion and frustration, upset the Ravens only adding to all of the "Deflategate" controversy.

If you want to look at all these controversial stories of the past and relate them to "Deflategate", I guess you could legitimately do so. There is after all the saying "Once a cheater, always a cheater." However, these issues are all in the past now and we cant forget that there is no evidence of any wrong doing yet on the part of New England. Isn't it innocent until proven guilty?

Lets just look at one of the many possibilities here. A scientific possibility. I'll admit that I'm no scientist or investigator but I do have the common sense to know that if it's 70 degrees out on the day I fill my vehicle tires up to 35 PSI and it drops down to 20 degrees the very next day, my tires will not have the same 35 PSI inside them anymore.

Things filled with air expand and contract when subjected to temperature change. Have you ever purchased helium balloons when it's extremely hot outside? Some of the balloons may burst as you walk out into the heat. If you purchase helium balloons when its extremely cold out, your balloons with deflate and not float at full strength.

Isn't it possible that the same reaction happened with those 11 game balls used by the Patriots? I'd say yes, but will also somewhat debunk that theory by questioning why none of the other balls used by any of the other teams this season after the weather got cold did the same exact thing.

That's a question nobody can answer either way. But it still doesn't rule out the fact that weather may have played a part in this. Look, I'm not saying someone couldn't have deflated 11 out of the 12 game balls used in the AFC Championship game. And I'm not saying Tom Brady and or Bill Belichick didn't know anything about it either. All I'm saying is until there is actual proof laid out by the NFL that someone from the Patriots sideline physically deflated their game balls we cant jump to conclusions or rule out other possibilities such as a natural phenomenon.

Besides, in sports, if you're not always trying to gain some sort of advantage, if you're not trying to bend whatever rules you can get away with bending...you probably aren't winning. Is that morally wrong? Yes. Is it competitively wrong? Well, only if you get caught.

I mean, how many pitchers get away with sticky, pine tar fingers each season? How many batters get away with cork in there bats? How many athletes are on performance enhancing drugs, but just haven't tested positive yet? How many race car drivers get away with illegal modifications to their cars each season to make them faster? Hell, even Olympic athletes push the limits of legality. The most admired, respected and prestigious athletes in the world bending the rules for competitive gain and advantage.

It's no different with quarterbacks. Tom Brady prefers a lower inflation to his balls. Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers prefers his balls bigger and harder to fit in his hands better. And how many other quarterbacks get away with deflating or over inflating their balls each game? How many quarterbacks tamper with and buff their balls before game time? Most, if not all of them.

Which leads me to the whole point of this post. This is professional sports. This is the NFL. The is the Super Bowl. Where you do whatever it takes to win and to be the best. Will that tarnish the legacy of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, the Patriots and the entire NFL? Only time will tell.

Until then, lets not let "cheating" in sports, another "scandal" within the Patriots organization or any other problems that occurred in the NFL during this past season ruin the single greatest sports day in our country. The NFL will get to the bottom of this issue and the Patriots will be punished accordingly-if wrong doing is proven. So for now, lets stop all this "Deflategate" nonsense and get ready to watch what will hopefully be one of the greatest Super Bowls in the history of the NFL.

Ok, since we got to the bottom of all that and since I'm a guy who loves football and the Super Bowl, lets get down to my predictions:

"Deflategate" will either distract the Patriots into playing as terribly as the Denver Broncos played in last years Super Bowl or it will motivate them into playing like they did when all the experts counted them out after beginning the season 2-2. It seemed like all hell was going to break loose in Foxborough before the Pats went on to win seven in a row.

Either way, I'm a Michigan man and a Tom Brady fan so, GO PATS!!! Although, I honestly don't think they'll be able to get over the distractions of "Deflategate". And even if they do, I just can't forget about what the Seahawks did to the Broncos last year. I mean, they almost embarrassed Peyton Manning-one of, if not the greatest QB in NFL history into retirement. I cant go against that again. So, I'm taking Seattle, 28-17.

Happy Super Bowl everybody and enjoy the game...and the ads :)





Sources:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brady

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Patriots

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_National_Football_League_videotaping_controversy

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Belichick





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Monday, January 26, 2015

Republicans, Fiscally Responsible?

Everyday out of Washington D.C., we hear phrases like big government spending, small government, loop holes, government shutdowns, and fiscally responsible. We hear words like budget, deficit, debt, regulations, reform, loans, investments and economy. And everyday, just as we hear those words and phrases, we hear plenty of arguing, disagreeing and blame over which political party is more fiscally responsible and which parties policies are better for our economy.

Liberals are for big government and Conservatives are for small government. The left just spends, spends, spends no matter what the cost. The right just cuts, cuts, cuts even when it hurts a majority of their constituents. Democrats give handouts which make people dependent on the government. Republicans give corporate handouts while killing the middle class.

These debates go on all the time. Not a day goes by that we don't hear about them on the news or read about them online. So, what's considered big and small government? What does it really mean to be fiscally responsible? And which party is actually more fiscally responsible? Well, let me answer these questions for you right now...

Small, fiscally responsible government  IS NOT giving corporations billions of dollars each year just to stash away in offshore bank accounts avoiding taxation. And in the process not create American jobs that would drive our economy like they promised us they would.

It IS NOT raising taxes on the middle class, our veterans and the elderly while also cutting their pensions, benefits, social security and earned income/child tax credits at the same time just to make up for all of those corporate tax breaks. Keeping hard working Americans in poverty, forcing them onto government assistance is not fiscally responsible. Its greedy and it's un-American and shouldn't be stood for by any of us.

And it IS NOT blocking/voting down bills that regulate Wall Street and big banks-the establishments which led to our economic woes in the first place. The establishments that nearly drove us into a depression. For more on Wall Street and big banks checkout this good read from Positive Money titled "What Caused the Financial Crisis & Recession?"

This is also a good piece from the Huffington Post by Miles Mogulescu about Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and her uprising started by taking on Wall Street and the big banks. Although the call for Ms. Warren to step into the 2016 presidential race is strong and loud-as mentioned in the Huffington Post piece, I believe she is still much more valuable in the Senate-and will be for some time-fighting Wall Street and the big banks head on. She'll also be a good voice to keep Hillary in check when she becomes our 45th and 1st Madam President of the United States of America. In either case though, we need more politicians like Elizabeth Warren who truly understands what it means to be fiscally responsible.

Fiscally responsible, unlike the politicians who led us into the Iraqi War. Let me tell you all something, small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT spending six trillion and sacraficing 4500 American lives on a war that was based on blatant lies.

Small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT funding things like torture programs which cost us at least 380 million or prisons like Guantanamo Bay which cost us 454 million to operate in 2013. That is the equivalent of 2.7 million per prisoner as discussed in William Holt's article on Yahoo News. That is nearly a billion dollars for programs and a single detention center that our country condones yet still waste money on each year.

It IS NOT spending millions of dollars on these investigations into factitious scandals such as Benghazi. A factitious scandal created out of pure hatred and jealousy towards our president. And even after the administration was cleared of any wrong doing, Republicans began yet another Benghazi investigation. I believe this was the eighth or ninth investigation into the same exact incident. If you want to talk about wasteful spending you better be talking about the Republican Party. I wonder what the final cost will be once the GOP finally stops wasting our tax money on these pointless probes? And this is not even considering the millions spent on the IRS investigation in which the administration and Democratic Party were also cleared of any wrong doing as pointed out by Tom Sherman in his State Column piece.

And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT spending millions each time they vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. A law that regulates inhumane practices by insurance companies. A law that allows millions of people the opportunity to purchase health care. And not be denied because of pre-existing conditions. A law that has proven to not only be cheaper than originally thought but it also has not destroyed the economy as many Republicans tried scaring people into believing it would.

Funding wars of greed and oil, using millions of tax payer dollars on numerous Benghazi and IRS investigations along with throwing away money to try and repeal a law 50 times-over in a four year stretch as stated in Ed O'Keefe's article on the Washington Post website is not fiscally responsible. Especially when it is law that most Americans now support keeping in place. This is all wasteful spending to the fullest extent and is no way an example of small, fiscally responsible government.

And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT cutting funding for public education just to put that money into private schools where yes, you guessed it, they, and their corporate buddies profit. Less funding for public schools, trying to force kids into paying for private school only results in overcrowded public school classrooms. Which means less quality education and less personal attention per student. Which means higher illiteracy rates and higher drop out rates. Which means poor opportunities for our youth and more government assistance paid for by higher taxes on the people who already cant afford their tax rates as it is.

And it IS NOT making college so expensive that its impossible for most kids to attend. And the ones who do attend are trapped with student loan debt until they're 50 years old. This is one of our nations biggest problems and would not be ignored by a fiscally responsible government.

Small, fiscally responsible governments would also not ignore things that would solve most, if not all of our country's monetary woes...such as legalizing marijuana. An act that would accumulate enough money to fund every school in the country. An act that would allow lottery profits to actually go towards schools. An act that could help provide two years of free community college to anybody that wants it. An act that would possibly create millions of new jobs. An act that would allow taxes set aside for infrastructure to actually go towards infrastructure. An act that would allow funding for any and all government programs. An act that would allow our country to not only balance our budget each year but to also operate in the black. An act that would undoubtedly pump billions of dollars into our economy and government on an annual basis. Opposing the legalization of marijuana is definitely not fiscally responsible.

And small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT building a pipeline through the center of our great country. A pipeline in which we do not receive any of the oil or the oil's profits. And lets be honest, any revenue we do actually see from the Keystone XL Pipeline will go directly towards the Koch Brothers puppet show known as the Republican led U.S. Congress. So, are we clear on this? A pipeline running through our country-carrying oil we don't get to use or sell for ourselves will surely end up costing us money in the long run. Costing tax payers in the long run. That is not fiscally responsible.

And never forget that pipeline accidents and oil spills can and will happen. They probably already happen more frequently than you think. Remember the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? If not here are some reminders of the destruction caused by that disaster. And then, more recently is the Bridger Pipeline oil spill in Montana that dumped 50,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone river.

To take the risks associated with the Keystone Pipeline without seeing any of the benefits from the oil is so far from being fiscally responsible that it's unbelievable people are actually considering this pipeline good for our economy. Just take a look at TransCanada's safety record-the big oil company which would own the Keystone Pipeline and then tell me if you think building the pipeline is environmentally or fiscally responsible.

And keeping right in line with environmental issues, small, fiscally responsible government IS NOT denying science and global warming by blocking bills that would assure a nobble effort to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic events such as natural disasters and rising sea levels. Bills that reduce air, water and ground pollution. If Republicans keep ignoring these real problems and threats, then, in the long run, small government will be more costly than any big government research, programs, prevention or policies to stop the destruction of our planet.

Think about it. Rising sea levels alone will displace millions of people. Not just here at home but globally as well. And guess who's going to pay for it? Yes, the government. Which will eventually lead to us paying for it as taxpayers. This is an excellent read of what might happen when sea levels rise and how much it'll cost us on an annual basis over the next 90 some years.

If we start acting now, we can overt certain cost and destruction. Its all about awareness and prevention though. So, if Republicans keep blocking these very important and very necessary steps, we, as an entire country will be sorry. That is another fact.

To conclude here today, regulating things like taxes and carbon emissions and health care and cutting out loop holes might be examples of big government. But its big government in a fiscally responsible way.

Denying people living wages while raising their taxes so you and your corporate financiers can profit, regulating women's health, marriage equality, cutting food assistance, social security and health and safety regulations though are also examples of big government. But this is big government in a very fiscally irresponsible way.

I wont deny that the fact that Democrats are more big government than anything but Republicans cant deny that they're big government either-which they do. Less spending does not necessarily mean more responsible. All of these issues above are proof of that. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money and even to save money. All political parties spend money. Republicans just don't want you to think they do. So they lie straight to your faces about it. I'll tell you this much, I'll take an honest party spending money on us, the people over a dishonest party spending money on only the rich, the richer and the richest any day of the week. If you consider yourself fiscally responsible, then you would too.


Sources:

http://m.thefiscaltimes.com/all/articles-2014-06-05-without-offshore-tax-havens-these-companies-would-owe-us-much

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/04/opinion/rieckhoff-congress-military-vets/

http://www.positivemoney.org/issues/recessions-crisis/

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6338608

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE92D0PG20130314?irpc=932

http://qz.com/309339/what-us-taxpayers-paid-to-build-and-run-the-cias-torture-program/

http://news.yahoo.com/new-report--gitmo-costs-u-s---2-7-million-per-prisoner-134148004.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/07/07/benghazi-committee-33-million-republicans/12301935/

http://nypost.com/2014/11/23/gop-looking-to-discredit-benghazi-report-that-cleared-obama/

http://www.politicususa.com/2014/02/26/republican-irs-witch-hunt-cost-14-million-counting.html

http://www.statecolumn.com/2014/12/after-initial-investigation-white-house-cleared-of-irs-scandal-involvement/

http://m.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/01/1296215/-How-Much-Did-Republicans-Cost-You-With-Every-Single-Attempt-To-Repeal-Obamacare

http://time.com/61969/obamacare-cost/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/03/21/the-house-has-voted-54-times-in-four-years-on-obamacare-heres-the-full-list/

http://www.collegedata.com/cs/content/content_payarticle_tmpl.jhtml?articleId=10064

http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_26247743/pot-revenues-starting-help-select-schools-pricey-projects

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-bp-oil-spill

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/montana-oil-spill-renews-worry-safety-pipelines-28395233

http://m.thestar.com/

http://ecowatch.com/2014/02/11/coastal-flooding-sea-level-rise-cost-annually/





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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

State of the Union #SOTU

I gotta tell you guys something. All day yesterday, I had it in my head that today, I was going to blog about Presdent Obama's sixth State of the Union address. As I waited in anticipation, my excitement grew for what I might hear from our president. I had caught a few previews and clips of the speech and all the experts expected it to be a real doozy. I was totally ready. And I was totally ready to blog about it.

But then, I stumbled across a Facebook post on the page of Democratic Congressman, Dan Kildee-representing Michigan's 5th U.S. congressional district. The post asked his followers what they wanted to hear from the president in his second to last SOTU. Being a loyal follower and fan of Congressman Kildee, I, of course, commented what I wanted to hear. My post consisted of expressing hopes that President Obama would renew the push for sensible gun control and also to be reassured that he would veto the Keystone XL Pipeline bill after it passes through the Republican led Senate as expected. It passed the Republican led House earlier this month.

I wasn't thinking much about it afterwards until I received an alert from somebody responding to my comment. I wont mention this "Americans" name but I am going to share with you exactly what he had to say-with no editing on my part. Keep in mind that my comment was short and sweet and only made minor mention of the Keystone Pipeline. This was his response...

"Yor a idiot democrat or if you believe the OBAMA lies your a socialist !!
The only reason gas prices are low today are because of the shale deposits being fraked in Dakota !
Obama hasn't approved. 1 ounze of Oil on federal land it's all being done in private or state land !! If Keystone passes it will release AMERICA from OPEC oil control and OBAMA is not gonna let that happen since he financed ISIS that's right your president sent hundreds of millions of dollars to the Muslim Brotherhood
Who in turn gave all the money and military arms to ISIS that is your president !! He is a traitor and all the terrorism that is happening today has OBAMA's Name on it !!
Wake up you Fools"

Yup, that is precisely what went through my head as well. I could barely gather my own thoughts to respond back to him. I cant even remember what I typed in the cloud of stupidity that hung over me. I'm not even sure I want to remember. But after that cloud finally went away and after I was done responding to him I did what I always tell myself not to do. And just like it always does when I go on to read other peoples comments, the situation got worse. The same guy who responded to my own personal comment left a personal comment of his own-on the original post. This is what else he had to say-again, with no editing on my part...

"Are you people serious!! Who gives a shot about roads and bridges ! Or paying higher taxes ! That's Obamas agenda tax hikes !  What about the Americans who died in Bhengazi! Or the border patrols died in Fast and furious? Or the billions of dollars that went into the stimulus plan waisted on shovel ready Jobs it's all a LIE  OBAMA is a big Lie to us the American people!! Kildee stand up for us the the American Voter who got you where you are !! I'm worried about Radical Islamic Muslim Terrorrism !! That is the biggest threat against Ameriac today !! Yet you or your OBAMA can't even say it !! iSLAMIC TERRORISM !! It's infaltrationg AMERICA as we speak ! Yet all of you liberal radical Democrats
Want to make sur you don't cross the politically correct Line !! Wake up you idiots !  Any Muslim Radical that wants to believe in the Karan is a enemy of America !  When the moderate Islamic MUSLiMS speak up against the radical Muslim terrorists is when this will stop!! So wake up Kildee wake up OBAMA !! Your all corrupt until you believe in the Contstitution of the United States of America your all Blinded by the OBAMA LiES !! When you go against American Military and of kids in uniform as OBAMA has done you know there is something wrong in Politics !!"

I mean, seriously? What is this guys deal? I'm honestly debating whether or not he has some sort of mental issue...like most of the other people who call themselves Tea Party Republicans. I really feel bad him. Those who are that oblivious to reality really need help. If you're part of the Tea Party please get the help you are so desperately in need of. Here's a hot line to help you.1-800-662-HELP. This is an actual hot line to SAMHSA-for substance abuse and mental health. I'm serious about getting you help.

Now, even after all that Facebook nonsense I was still stoked to blog about the SOTU. And after hearing what our leader had to say, I was for the most part, impressed. I'm glad it was mostly about the middle class-the people struggling the most today. I'm glad he called on congress to do what's right for the country and ALL the citizens of this country. I liked that he was confident and cocky, yet classy-the Obama that us Democrats and a whole lot of Republicans voted into office not just once, but twice. And there's more I liked about the speech too but I will admit that all the good stuff was overshadowed a bit by the fact that he didn't say anything about gun control or Amir Hekmati, former U.S. Marine from Flint, Michigan who has been imprisoned in Iran since 2011 on false accusations of being a spy for the CIA. And worst of all, for me anyway, is the fact that President Obama not one time mentioned vetoing the Keystone Pipeline XL bill. He made one short remark about the pipeline but to me, it wasn't reassuring enough that he would use executive action to kill this pointless proposal.

And then, all the Keystone drama from before the address had even begun and from Keystone being left out of the presidents speech was all topped off by Iowa's freshman Republican Senator, Joni Ernst going on national television and calling it the "Keystone Jobs Bill" and "Infrastructure Bill" during the official Republican response to the presidents SOTU.

All of the other lies in Joni Ernst rebuttal were mute to me after the blatant lie of calling the pipeline a "jobs bill". The Keystone XL Pipeline is a lot of things but in no way shape or form is it a "jobs bill" or an "infrastructure bill"-other than a Republican bank account infrastructure bill.

This pipeline may create thousands of temporary jobs. But that's it. Temporary. Not permanent. The permanent jobs may add up to a total of 50. That's all. Just 50 permanent jobs...at most...when it's all said and done.

Yes, those temporary jobs may spark the local economies while in the construction phase-hotels, stores, restaurants, etc. and that's only if the cost of living and inflation don't sky rocket during this phase. But then afterwards, what happens? Possibly a local recession and loss of numerous jobs? Yes, that is exactly what might happen.

And what does it really mean for the national economy? Republicans claim it will spark it and help it. People say it will lesson our dependency on foreign oil like we, as a country aren't already 75% energy independent. And the biggest crock of all being told by Republicans about the pipeline is that it will lower gas prices here in the states.

Let me put it to you guys like this...the Keystone XL Pipeline will be built through our country from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. Canadian oil (not American oil) will flow through the pipeline where it will be shipped out to China. We see NONE of the oil and NONE of the profits. Hell, Republicans don't even want to use American made steel to build the thing.

So, how it's going to help gas prices here in the states when all the oil is being shipped out of the states is beyond me. How it's going to help our national economy or our crumbling infrastructure is also beyond me. Considering the fact that any revenue actually produced from XL will be pocketed by The Koch Brothers and other politicians with personal investments in the pipeline like Speaker of the House, John Boehner and newly appointed Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell. Or used in the massive cleanup projects when the pipeline leaks-and it will leak. Kind of like the leak that just happened in Montana with the Bridger Pipeline which dumped 50,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River where its residents water supply is now unsafe to drink and use.

So you see, essentially, XL will have no impact on our economy. But what it will most certainly impact is not just our own environment here on the homeland but also environments around the world. Especially in Canada where their dirty tar sands are already dumping carbon emissions into our ozone and water pollution into our ground.

Now, there are many reports out there on the environmental impacts of this pipeline in our own country. Some say the impacts will be minor. Others say the impacts are already being felt. Since there are strong arguments from both sides of the environmental issue here, I am going to post two links. One from each side. After you read them you can decide which stance you want to believe.

This is a site claiming major environmental impact of XL:

http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline

And this is a site claiming minor-no environmental impact of XL:

http://keystone-xl.com/keystone-xl-will-not-significantly-exacerbate-climate-change/

In my strong opinion, even if this pipeline doesn't add to global warming and global carbon emissions-like some claim, it will still have huge impacts on our environment. Land will be destroyed. Wildlife will be replaced and as stated before, it will only be a matter of time before this thing starts to leak and spray dirty oil onto our beautiful, majestic land, rivers, streams and lakes. And that is where the major environmental impacts and destruction will come from.

It's just not worth the risks. None of it is. Unless of course, you're a Republican or a Koch. But we cant just stop at denying this pipeline though. Canada is and has been shipping their dirty tar sands through our country via train rail for awhile now. Which is a completely different story and I will get to that story right after people get this pipeline out of their heads. I will not be 100% satisfied though until there is not one single drop of dirty Canadian oil running through this great country. Unless, it is actually going to safely and positively impact and benefit us.

So, as just stated, we must first stop this pipeline from being constructed. It's a waste of money. It's a waste of land. It's a waste of resources. It's a waste of our governments time when there are real problems and real solutions to those problems-both of which are being completely ignored by Congressional Republicans.

Ya know, after the midterms I wondered how some of these candidates on the right like Joni Ernst could have possibly pulled out victories in the House and Senate. But after watching her address last night and seeing all the strings attached to her arms, legs and mouth, the reasons are clear. Her puppet masters, the Koch Brothers spending tons of money through "Citizens United" to put all of those lies into campaign ads that falsely attack opposing candidates and discourage voters from exercising their voting rights.

Its very disheartening to openly see high up politicians ignoring everything that a majority of their constituents want because of what a very few rich people want. The really, really, really, really sad thing is that all of those Republican lies...those lies that were put out there by Joni Ernst last night, they resonate into the minds of the unfortunate, the uneducated and the ignorant-like the guy who responded to my comment yesterday. And they actually believe the propaganda spewed by Republican/Koch Brothers puppets including Fox "News".

It has got to stop. It has to be stopped. By politicians who are actually willing tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. By politicians who will proudly stand up and fight and do whats right for the entire country. By politicians who will compromise and just simply work together. Who will just simply do their jobs.

But it all starts with us, the people. It starts with us by not believing the propaganda. It starts with us by doing our own research. It starts with us by actually VOTING. And it starts with us by actually acting like...ya know....Americans. Let's all finally start doing our jobs again, America! Let's fix this great country that we all call home!

I'll leave you all with this one question to think about. How can we possibly expect politicians to do their jobs when we cant even do our own jobs?



Sources:

http://www.foe.org/projects/climate-and-energy/tar-sands/keystone-xl-pipeline

http://keystone-xl.com/keystone-xl-will-not-significantly-exacerbate-climate-change/

https://www.facebook.com/RepDanKildee/posts/859633850745940:0

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-yellowstone-river-oil-spill-20150120-story.html

http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline



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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Shunned For Gun Questions

Alright guys, before I get started on this post I would just like to make a few things very clear. First, I am all for the Second Amendment giving one the right to bear arms. Second, I am all for buying and selling firearms. Third, I am all for open carry and carrying concealed weapons. Fourth, I am all for owning and shooting guns and protecting people and property with guns. And finally, I am pro-gun through and through.

However, with all that being said, I am also a strong believer and supporter of smart, COMMON SENSE gun control including universal backround checks on all firearm sales, banning internet sales of all firearms, banning the sale of firearms ya know, typically used in warfare without special, yearly, safety classes, health screenings, and license/registration renewal, limiting the number of rounds a magazine is capable of firing, closing loopholes which allow bad and or sick people to easily get their hands on guns and also coming down harder on violators of these laws and people who have guns registered in their names that were used to break the law.

Ok, now lets get on with the story shall we? I've been a member of the Clio Montrose Birch Run yardsale site on Facebook for quite some time. I've been selling items weekly through the site. A few days ago I came acrossed a post with somebody trying to sell a few guns. It kind of suprised me so I finally decided to read through the rules of the site to see if there were any policies against such sales. I was even more suprised to see that the sale of firearms is 100% permitted through the site.

My mind began racing with all of the possible scenerios that could come from the sale of firearms through the site. What if a 16 year old changed their birthday on Facebook, became a member of the site and was able to get their hands on a gun because the person selling it was too worried about the cash to check their ID? I know I need not remind everyone that you have to be at least 18 years of age to purchase a firearm in Michigan no matter the type of gun it is or the means in which you purchase it. But I just reminded you all anyway didn't I? Now, just think...what if that 16 year old takes that gun to school and does the unthinkable? What if?

What if a criminal gets their hands on  a firearm through the site? What if somebody with a mental illness gets their hands on a gun? Is it possible that every seller of a firearm through the site is making sure the buyer isn't a criminal or mentally ill? Sure, it's possible but it's certainally not probable. I know I need not remind you all that you cant have a criminal record or a history of mental illness in Michigan and legally buy or own a gun. I wonder how many illegal transactions have been made through sites like this? And who is overseeing these sales, making sure they are legal and legit?

I can tell you who isn't overseeing the sales of firearms on the site. The owner and administrators. And I know this because after thinking about my concerns for a short while, I decided to message the sites owner to kind of feel her out on the issue. I asked her about the sites full policy on firearm sales and if the site would be liable if anything bad were to happen due to the sale of a firearm through the site. I also asked how she would personally feel if something bad were to happen through her site.

She explained to me that hand gun sales were to be done at police stations with paperwork but long gun sales could be done wherever/however. She also assured me that legally, she wouldn't be responsible if anything bad happened. All responsibility lies with the seller/buyer. Which, I totally agree with. What I do not agree with is the huge loophole she is leaving open by allowing the sale of firearms through her site. The loophole which allows almost anybody to buy a firearm at any time.

Now, in my opinion here is where the story gets good. The whole reason for my post. First, let me describe my tone and the mood during the converstation I had with the sites owner. I, in no way even remotely implied to her that she should ban the sale of firearms on her site. I, in no way was mean, cocky or rude in anything that I said to this lady and told her multiple times that I wasn't starting or trying to start any problems for anybody. Again, I was just simply asking her a few questions. And I asked those questions in a calm, mature, civilized and respectful way.

When I was done asking, and she was done answering I said thank you for your time and told her to have a Merry Christmas. She said it back and told me she was talking to the other administrators about it at that very moment. I thought to myself cool...they're at least having a discussion about it and I actually thanked her again for that reason.

I was feeling pretty good about myself. Starting a discussion about something that affects the safety of at least three communities, if not more. And I know how sensitive the subjects of guns and gun control are in this country so I had no expectations and no intentions of really trying to change anything. But after she told me that her and the other administrators were talking about it I was thinking that maybe...just maybe they would all see the point I was trying to make and realize that selling firearms through the site was a bad idea.

So, you can imagine how suprised I was-even more so than seeing a gun posted on the site in the first place and even more so than learning that the sale of firearms was permitted on the site...and how disappointed I was...and how frustrated I was when I woke up the next morning only to find that I had not only been kicked off the site but was also blocked completely from even seeing that the site exist at all.

It honestly kind of felt like someone had purchased a gun illegally through that Clio Montrose Birch Run yardsale site on Facebook and shot me dead killing my dreams of a safer, more responsible America. And the false hope is still bleeding out of my body today because after realizing I was blocked, I sent the owner another message asking why I had been blocked. I didn't get any answer from her and am still waiting for at least some sort of reply back.

You know, there is a right way to buy and sell guns and there is a wrong way to do it. Yardsale sites, etc. is the wrong way to do it. Regardless of anything having to do with guns and gun control here, in no way...for no reason should I have been kicked off and blocked from the site. That is not how America works. That is not how humanity works. Will these people ever realize this? Will people ever realize that by sitting back...and by not caring...and by not doing anything to fix these problems, they just make everything worse? Will these people ever be for America?

Well, thank you for hearing me out and feel free to share this story if you believe the sale of firearms through yardsale sites like the Clio Montrose Birch Run site is a bad idea and or if you agree that blocking me was the absolute wrong move on their part. Again, I thank you all for your time! Now, lets save this great country in which we all call home!