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DO YOU REMEMBER...BLASTS FROM THE PAST.

THESE ARE SELECTED ARTICLES THAT WERE PUBLISHED OVER THE PAST 7 YEARS,THAT INVOLVE TOPICS, INCIDENTS, OR INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY HAVE FADED FROM THE PUBLIC EYE. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THERE ARE STILL THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM.




(THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED ON 1/22/2015.)


THE PRESIDENTS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH;
A CHALLENGE TO THE INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL 
OPPOSITION.  PT 1.

Barack Obama, Official Portrait

Having Listened to President Obamas STOTUS, and read the Full Transcript, to me the MOST IMPORTANT WORDS COME NEAR THE END.

Don't get me wrong, the POLICIES and ISSUES he Discusses are Very Important, and I will look at these in the Near Future.  Unfortunately, if the Attitudes Toward Properly Addressing Divisive Topics doesn't change, it will be an uphill battle to Find and Pass Solutions that are in the Best Interests OF THE PEOPLE LIVING, WORKING AND RAISING FAMILIES IN THE U.S.

Line #1-  
"Understand – a better politics isn't one where Democrats abandon their agenda or Republicans simply embrace mine."

Translation-  "You're not Always Right, and Neither am I.  Lets find Common Ground and Work from there.  The "IT'S MY WAY OR NOTHING ATTITUDE, IS THE ROAD TO FAILURE."


Line #2-  
"A better politics is one where we appeal to each other's basic decency instead of our basest fears."

Translation-  "If we Live in the Gutter, nothing gets accomplished, and Failure, Distrust, and Enmity is the Result.  IF WE LOOK FOR THE GOOD, INSTEAD OF PROMOTING IRRATIONAL  HATE AND FEAR AS AN AGENDA, THE RESULT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE WOULD ALL BE PROUD OF."


Line #3-  "A better politics is one where we debate without demonizing each other; where we talk issues, and values, and principles, and facts, rather than "gotcha" moments, or trivial gaffes, or fake controversies that have nothing to do with people's daily lives."

Translation-  "As Lawmakers, and Elected Representatives of the American People, OUR JOB IS TO PRIORITIZE REAL ISSUES THAT AFFECT PEOPLES LIVES, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.  THE ETHICAL AND PRACTICAL APPROACH IS THE BEST SOLUTION, NOT IMMATURE INSULTS AND GLIB ONE LINERS THAT DO NOTHING TO ADDRESS REAL PROBLEMS. CONCENTRATING ON NON- ISSUES IS JUST ANOTHER FORM OF 'POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING', AND A CONTINUATION OF THE TYPICAL 'POLITICS AS USUAL' BRAND OF GOVERNMENT THAT SO MANY AMERICANS DESPISE.''









(FROM 7/18/2014.)


ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION-   IS IT THE RALLYING CRY OF THE 
CLOSET BIGOT?  PT 1.


Statue Of Liberty, Landmark, Liberty

As we in the U.S. head into another election cycle, meaningful debate is again giving way to finding issues that prey on the emotional psyche of the average voter. Candidates are looking to polarize certain voting blocks, by offering personal opinionson certain controversial Topics.

Often, this is not done by Intellectual Reflection,  but with the intent to appeal to the Baser nature of Humanity.  This is best exemplified in the reasoning given by some Politicians running for office, in how they arrived at the positions taken on specific issues.  

For Example;

IMMIGRATION-  At the time of this writing, Immigration Law seems to be the most important issue for the average voter, in how it is interpreted and enforced.

Unfortunately, there is a profound misunderstanding about what the term IMMIGRANT ACTUALLY MEANS, AND HOW IT IS OFTEN MISUSED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH A SPECIFIC POLITICAL AGENDA.

To clarify, here are definitions for certain words, that will help us find the truth.
( These are my definitions. However, I encourage my readers to Research other 
possible meanings for these terms.)

Immigration-  Is simply the act of changing ones Home or Residence, from one place to another.  For the purpose of this article, it will refer to Citizens or Nationals of one Country, seeking to move inside the borders or areas controlled by another Nation.  This can be either a Permanent or Temporary arrangement.

Refugee Status-  The desire of Individuals to seek sanctuary within the borders of another Nation, to avoid extreme hardship occurring in their Home Country.  This can include Acts of Violence, Famine or Environmental Disasters.  Humanitarian Aid is usually offered to the Refugee by the Nation granting them safe haven, to alleviate hardships already suffered.

Immigrant and Refugee are not one and the same.  An Immigrant desires to remain as a Resident for a given period of time, or permanently.  A Refugee is given sanctuary only as long as the situation within their Homeland merits it.  They are expected to return once the situation has been stabilized.  Refugees may apply for Immigrant Status, but it is not granted automatically. 
END OF PART 1.

Date-  7/18/2014.








ANALYSIS OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMAS 2016 SOTUS. PT 1.



Image result for public domain images barack obama


After a Short Opening, THE PRESIDENT OFFERED THE FOLLOWING COMMENT; 

"...But, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the constructive approach that you and the other leaders took at the end of last year to pass a budget and make tax cuts permanent for working families. So I hope we can work together this year on some bipartisan priorities..."

That's Right, Praising the Opposition for the Ability to Work with Him, and other Ranking Democrats, to create a Budget both sides could live with.  Considering the amount of Time and Effort the Republican Party has spent attempting to Block or Destroy ANYTHING THE PRESIDENT PROPOSES TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC ISSUES, OFTEN IT SEEMS WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE EXPLANATION, THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE ATTEMPT TO REACH OUT, AND GIVE CREDIT TO THE OPPOSITION FOR FINALLY DOING SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE.

However, we must consider The Following:

-  Had the Republican Party backed themselves into such a corner, being perceived as a group that wanted nothing to get done, that they had to do SOMETHING TO AVOID BEING CHARACTERIZED AS PURELY NEGATIVE AND OBSTRUCTIONIST.

-  The President then goes on to the Next Section of the Speech:

"...I’ll keep pushing for progress on the work that still needs doing. Fixing a broken immigration system. Protecting our kids from gun violence. Equal pay for equal work, paid leave, raising the minimum wage. All these things still matter to hardworking families; they are still the right thing to do; and I will not let up until they get done."

What Affect will this have on the REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADERSHIP?

-  REMEMBER, THIS IS A PARTY WHO HAS CONVINCED AT LEAST A PORTION OF IT'S SUPPORTERS THAT;  AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, AND AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE ARE NOT GOOD IDEAS, EVEN IF THEY HAVE A DESIRABLE AFFECT ON YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.  

-  YET, THEY ALSO ARGUE THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS ABILITY TO HAVE FREE ACCESS TO LEGAL FIREARMS, REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY.


Date- 1/18/2016.




A LOOK AT PRESIDENT OBAMAS SPEECH, ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ACTIONS HE IS TAKING TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE. PART 1.

Gun, Automatic, Machine Gun, Firearms


















(Some of the following I have covered in other posts. However, I  believe they
are worth repeating, for the Benefit of those who are new readers.)

Let us TRY TO IGNORE THE RHETORIC, SOUND BITES, AND 
OTHER MEANINGLESS CLAPTRAP BEING SPREAD ACROSS
THE AIRWAVES AND THE INTERNET, AND APPROACH THIS WITH 
MATURITY AND RATIONAL THOUGHT, WITH THE IDEA TO DO WHAT 
IS RIGHT AND GOOD FOR THE U.S., THE WORLD, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Question #1-  Do we Agree that there are certain Individuals and/or Groups
that SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO FIREARMS. If so, who and why?

Question #2-  Previous Judicial Decisions, and Legislative Actions have set
Limits, as to what ACTIONS ARE PERMISSABLE and COVERED BY THE
BILL OF RIGHTS SET FORTH IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

For Example:

FREEDOM OF SPEECH-  DOES NOT ALLOW US TO SAY ANYTHING 
WE WANT, ANYWHERE WE WANT, AT ANY TIME, AND USE "FREEDOM
OF SPEECH" AS A UNIVERSAL DEFENSE TO AVOID SANCTIONS OR 
PUNISHMENTS.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION-  DOES NOT ALLOW POLYGAMY, PHYSICAL
ABUSE, CONSUMPTION OF CERTAIN DRUGS, DISCRIMINATION IN THE
EMPLOYMENT SECTOR....AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO BE COVERED 
BY CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.

So if we ACCEPT THAT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE NOT ABSOLUTE,
BUT ARE SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD,
WHY WOULD THE 2ND AMENDMENT BE EXEMPT?

Question #3-  Given the Stated GOALS AND PROCEDURES SET FORTH BY 
THE PRESIDENT IN HIS SPEECH, TO HELP REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE, WHY
WOULD YOU CONCLUDE THAT:

-  THEY CANNOT BE ACHIEVED, OR WILL NOT
   PRODUCE DESIRABLE RESULTS?

-  THEY PRESENT AN UNREASONABLE BURDEN 
   ON THE LAW ABIDING GUN OWNER?

-  IT PUNISHES HONEST GUN OWNERS , INSTEAD OF
   REINFORCING THE RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS THEY
   ALREADY MAKE?









"DUCK DYNASTY" CONTROVERSY, AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH. PT 1.

( FIRST PUBLISHED ON 12/22/2013.)

The Freedom and Beauty of the Natural World.This past week the A&E network announced that it was suspending Phil Robertson, star of their reality T.V show "DUCK DYNASTY", indefinitely. This action was in response to statements made by Robertson in a GQ MAGAZINE interview to be published in January. Quotes taken from the interview, which indicate the he believes Homosexuality to be "Sinful" and not "Logical", were reported in different media outlets to have offended Same-Sex rights activists and groups.

What is written in the above paragraph is considered to factually accurate, and neither Robertson or GQ has claimed any inaccuracy in the words or quotes reported to be in the body of the interview, or that certain statements were taken out of context. So where is the controversy?

It is amazing that no matter how apparent the flawed reasoning of certain individuals can be, there are those who will seek to justify it. The following is a prime example;

ACCUSATION- BY SUSPENDING ROBERTSON, A&E HAS VIOLATED HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

Question- Did Robertson make these statements?
Answer- Yes, that is not in dispute.
Question-- Are Robertsons comments protected by the 1st amendment,
in that he cannot be prosecuted or punished criminally?
Answer- Yes, his words are protected.
Question- Because A&E suspended Robertson, his Constitutional Right to
Freedom of Speech has been violated.
Answer- Absolutely not.

To even have to address this issue is silly, for it has been covered and ruled upon (Judicially), many times.

However, certain political pundits and commentators are trying to score points with the public at large by claiming that the "DUCK DYNASTY" star has been punished contrary to Constitutional Law.

The simple answer to this claim is the following; TO HAVE YOUR RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR EXPRESSION VIOLATED, IT MUST DONE BY AN ENTITY OF THE GOVERNMENT. PRIVATE CITIZENS OR GROUPS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS PART OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

Legally, there are restrictions in how an individual may exercise their right to freedom of speech. Slanderous or Libelous statements can lead to legal sanctions, but that is because the truth of these claims are called into question. Time, Place and Location is also a factor when judging whether or not one has the right to speak or act freely, but that is because such acts may infringe upon the rights of other individuals.
Look for PT 2.




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