I think of myself and others as individuals, not as members of a group. You can find good and bad people in any group.
The world we live in can get caught up in emotion and misunderstandings. Less name calling, less bumper sticker slogans, less us vs. them, and more honest discussion, please.
The various issues I blog about are not specific to any political party, personality or group identity.
Know that some of those born between 1946 and 1964 showed up:
In 2010 and 2011 to collect signatures for legal marijuana in Washington State. These initiatives never made it to the ballot. Calling to remove all penalties for adults age 18 and up was a much simpler version of dealing with marijuana than what we have today.
Yes, some of those born between 1946 and 1964 are against the idea of treating 18 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Related blog: Liberty And Justice For All?
In Seattle to protest undeclared/unwon wars that never end.
Photo courtesy of The Vigilant Lens
To protest when the US Border Patrol came to Jefferson County, WA and set up suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry.
Back to emotion, misunderstandings and the need for more honest discussion:
Maybe there’d be less tension out there if more people were to reach for an honest understanding of various issues. It can be tricky, because the family friendly, hometown pride-oriented local small town papers and TV news folks seem to have moved away from asking questions.
Various issues cry out for more discussion.
Freedom
“…the men and women of the armed forces guarantee our freedom…”
Congressman Derek Kilmer:
Wars are for freedom and democracy.
We are frequently told that wars in distant lands are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms. This idea does not stand up to questioning and mostly will not be questioned by traditional veterans groups, public school teachers, moms, dads, students or the press.
Local press:
“For the past couple of years, the Whidbey News-Times paid the insurance for the Veterans Day Parade, about $200, because it was a small way of saying thank you to the men and women who sacrificed so that we may have our liberties, including our Freedom of Speech.”
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
Related blogs:
Military Town – Hometown Pride
Freedom Comes And Goes – Joint Chiefs of Staff Play No Part
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
What stays the same no matter what political party or personality is in power?
Do we really get to vote on this?
No Matter What Political Party Or Personality Is In Office
Related:
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
Speaking of various generations, the WWII generation generally seemed better at running a modern society. Less homelessness, less heroin and meth addiction, less in the way of undeclared/unwon wars, less money wasted on Homeland Security, less people haunted by health care concerns, less student loan debt. The world was safe enough for children to walk to the bus stop, ride bikes to school, and plan to go out and have fun on Halloween.
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Oak Bay Starfish
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Old Man Blog 