My Rights...

Is it apparent to all that we ,meaning Americans, have accepted a role of servitude in respect to our civil and economic liberties? Possibly I am overly sensitive, being a Libertarian and all, but I would truly appreciate someone explaining to me a justification for Obamacare, NDAA and the countless other pieces of legislation that presume I have decided the government should be accountable for my safety and welfare. I identify with fellow freedom lovers on most issues but forcing my economic decisions and violating civil liberties sends us all on a slippery ride that demands more than hot air discussions. When the leftist band of twits are forced to spend their OWN money on benefits they do not desire or have their rights invaded the kumbaya tunes they sing will become dirge-like. My interpretation of the constitution is very simple. Since nothing in it is gray, the black and white of the words are not vulnerable to much debate without a serious, reaching twist of rather narrow definitions. Since I have decided not to twist these words to suit some alternate agenda the document itself is not confusing. In fact, the clarity is rather exemplary. Almost, as if the smartest guys of that generation sat around for a month or two and hammered it out. I cannot stand for any organization or government deciding what is right for me. My personal safety, religious sentiments and economic choices are not the responsibility of anyone but myself. Under no circumstances do I pass permission to anyone to decide these for me. The converse is also true. The powers that be do not owe me anything. Income taxes are fair. I break from traditional Libertarianism in this regard because I cannot fathom a society like ours operating without some pooled revenue stream.It seems utopian to presume that an advanced society could thrive without some sort of collectively gathered funds. However, beyond utilizing our group tax dollars wisely for the general good of society I have no desire for the govt. to legislate any assistance for me. This could easily become a treatise of extensive length on theory and philosophy but I am inclined to keep it short. Hopefully that will provoke more feedback and allow readers to make their own choices. As always, Your opinions are welcome in the Quarry.

Eat more Chicken

As a small business owner my social obligations are limited. I am responsible for providing a work environment that is conducive to growth. This ensures my employees can financially support their families and that I earn enough after taxes to give my family the means to live comfortably. Beyond that, my opinions on who utilizes my services are open for public support or disdain depending on the positions I espouse. Any consumer can make the choice to support my business or look elsewhere for the service we provide. A corporate decision to close on Sunday’s or not cater to a certain population is my choice alone and the ramifications of that decision will yield specific economic results that do not impact anyone except our employees and myself. In light of the Chick-fil-A fiasco it is obvious that being outspoken on hot button issues can and will result in changes to the bottom line. I offer this philosophical position. I choose to spend my money where and when I desire. No outside forces drive me to purchase anything if I do not approve of the seller. My customers are entitled to the same privilege. Therefore I have the right to offer any opinion I choose on any topic and the buying populace will make their choice. The management team members at Chick-fil-A have the right to make any statement or corporate decision they choose and I have the right to spend my money elsewhere if I disagree. Our liberal media has advocated for an alternative position by lobbying legislative support that would negatively impact this organization’s ability to conduct business. This creates a negative environment for everyone. To extrapolate this would mean that over time the government, via the push from a particular faction, will be able to dictate what you buy and from whom. In the simplest terms that is un-American and over steps in dramatic fashion all aspects of free enterprise. This furor, raised over a public position taken by a private entity, is unwarranted. Spend your money where you wish. Speak out publicly if that suits you but this is not a topic that should involve any government comment or action. When the state decides you should not purchase a chicken sandwich from a certain vendor they are only short steps away from deciding all aspects of your private life. My position is not as an advocate of the statements made nor is it an indictment of anyone’s personal choice about what they buy. All must follow their individual convictions. Let the consumers dictate the punishment or edification of any corporation’s choice to verbalize controversial opinions. If you don’t appreciate the statements made eat a burger.

The Shrew is Tamed Accessorize doo rags; salvation over Osteen. Living on plastic; liquor store closed. Marlboro cowboy; ventilator wheezes. Adult comic books; litter Metropolis. Stream everything; listen blindly. Pick your thief; always November. Calm the nerves; gobble a pill. Coca-cola; icons rust. Microsoft daddy; owns your soul. Three cars; five color TV’s Work by day; Kardashian’s by night. American’s dream; Breaking bad. Zombie safe room; Hemmingway’s dead. Powerball fantasy; double-wide lodging. Learn up the young; before twilight. TSA patdown; cheap thrills abound. Anthony, Zimmerman; bedtime stories. Real housewives; miss June Cleaver. Fear factor; Seal team six. Food stamp riot; vanity plates. Vampire cinema; Archie Bunker. 70’s glam; 90’s angst. So long Roosevelt; hello Palin. Expired library card; TMZ is king.

Guns are people too.

Will the never ending philosophical ramblings regarding gun control ever cease? I think not. The portion of the population that endorses government intervention into all areas of our society will be there right in line at the gun store when the reality touches home. There will be a never ending parade of James Holmes's for us to disect after their apparently random acts are accomplished. Create all the legal blockades you please and these type of people will still attain their destructive goals.Most will not be stopped until after harm is rendered. Accept the reality that our criminal justice system is incapable, through no fault of their own, to uncover these plots before they are implemented. When these events occur the arguement leaves the theorectical realm and enters our personal space. Amazing how the gun shops in a liberal state like CO. are now selling weapons like cotton candy at the state fair.Surprised? I'm not. How many lives would have been saved IF Mr Holmes was scared off by the knowledge of Batman fans carrying in that theatre? Or, if not dissuaded from his chosen path, possibly he could have been put down promptly like a rabid pitbull, saving countless suffering relatives and blameless victims alike. If one trained, legally entitled hand gun permit holder was attending that movie I surmise the outcome would have been far different. Does shooting back lower your moral equivalant? What would Jesus do? I don't profess to know but since we are all guessing in this regard my hypothesis is as good as anyone's. Jesus would have shot first and asked questions later. Yes, just like Harry Callahan. It is morally unjust to stand by and let harm befall a defenseless person if you have the means to end it. Accepting this moral reality is a huge factor in the gun control arguement. Are we that sheep-like that we wish for the goverment in some far off location, whose intentions are driven primarily by economics, to protect us, our families and random strangers for that matter? I am not. "If everyone has guns then people will just be shooting each other in the streets" My reply to this stance is this.. No they won't. Humans are blessed with incredible instincts for self-preservation. If an area of your city is unsafe it is not because the people there have guns it is because there are some people there who don't. Personally I would feel much safer if everyone on my street had guns. The likelihood of shooting issues between neighbors is significantly more remote than the invasion of people who do not respect us knowing that the odds are we won't be armed. Yes it is true shootings will increase, briefly, between people with poor inpulse control, however these numbers will be minute compared to the crimes that wont be committed and lives saved because the criminals will not know who has weapons and who doesn't. Save the live in peace without guns rhetoric. I am not willing to accept the role of passive, trusting lemming who assumes the position and hopes the criminals leave my ass alone. Those days are over, if they were ever real to begin with. We have been inundated with stories of passive people who have been shot for nothing other than some dark personal fantasy. That end is not acceptable for me or those I care about. I'll obligate no man to protect me or hold them accountable for madmen or predators. Every man needs to be responsible for themselves. Maybe that is the basis for this whole discussion. Who are you responsible for? I'm patiently waiting for the lefties to spin their intense pressure on the legislature to impend more law abiding citizens from acquiring protective weapons. Someone could have stopped that maniac; case closed. Speak up now lefties and tell us how it helps to keep guns from the citizenry.

White Lines Double clutchin’ like a mother, Calvin punches the presets. “Last Child, Just a punk in the streets” explodes out of his speakers, hitting his rotten molars like hot grease on fire. If only, maybe, he knew what to say when he got there and how to say it. No matter how many miles, tears, rock anthems or hookers her body haunted his sleep. Ebony was not a black haired beauty with big dark eyes like Mr.Seger said but she was just fine for Calvin. Forged in the strip mined hills by a couple of eager kids in a rusted Ford Bronco; Ebony liked everyone a little bit but trusted no one. The diner’s beer lights glowed making her skin shine. She had all the drivers wishing for a double black refill even when their back teeth were floating. Maybe lucky for Calvin, or maybe not, he was the one she poured the sugar on. Not so sweet the country boy would run away, but just enough to churn honey from buttermilk. Passing time and orange cones on the lonely interstates gave Calvin too much time to think. He wonders if maybe putting a ring on Ebony’s finger will fix the problems or just cause him more aggravation. When he gets back to town they will settle this thing; right or wrong, every story needs an ending. He hits Allentown like a tornado, only eight hours to go and they will be together again. He misses the passion her coal dark soul can create. Many nights with the wood stove turned down they shared the one lonely space left undiscovered. Memories, like frayed redundant blankets, are strewn about like Barbie’s doll clothes. Phil Lynott belts out The Boys are Back, trying Calvin’s patience as he creeps through the night. The old nowhere turnpike is one surreal place to travel when you have somewhere else to be. The bug splattered windshield provides an opaque worldview just in time for the thunderhead to explode. Along with the rain came a sense of foreboding as he eased the Peterbilt down the drive. Patience he thought, little tricky working those curves with a full load and a muddy road. Getting home was always a melancholy time. Calvin loved the road as much as he had ever loved anything. Knowing that was one of the reasons he wished Ebony would stay. You all know about the other reasons. No matter, when his feet hit the dirt it felt like chains. Never enough time to shorten the list of chores and obligations that went along with his run down double-wide. Especially now that he had a bunkmate; she wouldn’t let him slide on all that stuff like when he flew solo. He made extra sure his boots were left by the door and his wet clothes were not just flags on the kitchen chairs. That’s all he felt up to after the last run. He grabbed a High Life and turned on the ballgame. The Mudhen’s on local TV were an excellent distraction as he let his mind wander. Since Ebony’s shift at the diner ended early she ran some errands. Hard to get much done at 1am in a one horse town but she always found a way. He never worried where she was when he was on the road but sure was a jealous man when he was home. Standing in the doorway, paper bags in hand, she could see his uncomfortable silhouette in the threadbare recliner. Quietly she placed all of her purchases in their rightful places and poured 3 fingers of rye to escape the night stalking memories that filled her sleep. Pacing as she drank she wondered if all of this was worth the hassle. Maybe it’s time to go your own way or was that just Fleetwood Mac on the radio. She sat on the worn sofa and thought about what might be. After a time, undetermined when it rains, Cal wakes. He looks at Ebony, seeing clearly the tears that heartache brings. Closing his eyes again, knowing he hasn’t the courage to make a change.

latest winner!

This story took 1st place in the 100 words or less contest at the Boxing w/pencils website..
Enjoy!!

Silent,spent, single.. 12/14/11-1st place
Are you single? I thought. The honking and Elvis made it hard to formulate my game. It wasn’t that tough of a question but the lengthy hesitation was not helping my cause. Once the roar in my mind went silent I prepared my strategy. My scotch glazed eyes waited for her. Even a pathological liar will quiver in the face of spent desire. OK. I’m ready; I’ll just have a #3, no pickles, I mumbled as she skated away and my radio droned on.

Thoughts for the day..

It is rare that your humble blogster would ever capitulate to the fact that someone could rant more poignantly. However, after perusing the entry below a confession of " I couldn't have written it better myself" is warranted.

Plz comment if you agree..

War is the tool through which the remaining Constitutional restraints on government and rights of the people will be destroyed. War will be the gateway through which total statism in any of its forms (fascism, socialism, communism) will be imposed upon the United States. They will rally the people’s patriotism, and give the laws Orwellian sounding names like the “Patriot Acts”, and “Freedom Laws” and cries of “America First,” but these acts will be anti-patriotic, anti-freedom, and anti-American. At the core of all these activities will be one purpose –- to impose ever increasing control over the citizens, marching toward total statism. They will suspend due process and Constitutional restrictions proclaiming “extraordinary times” require extraordinary measures. At first they will only be used against a few select atrocious and most heinous individuals with unfamiliar appearance, customs and beliefs. Initially, it will simply be a matter of degree, but the precedent is now set. Extraordinary measures solely for extraordinary individuals, but slowly and then more rapidly the extraordinary will become the ordinary until such measures can apply to anyone. They will deride anyone who opposes these Orwellian acts as dangerously naïve, as pacifists, as isolationists, as unpatriotic, as sympathizing with “the enemy” whoever “the enemy” may be at the time, and as un-American. They will make war with vague, ever changing goals and objectives. They will make war on elusive, obscure enemies by proclaiming wars against “subversives” or “guerillas” or “militias” or “revolutionaries” or “aggressors” or “terrorists” or whatever ambiguous name they can imagine so that the “enemies” will always be elusive, never eliminated or fully defeated. There will always be more “enemies.” War will be perpetual, lasting years or even decades. War will be the final mechanism that destroys America from within; and the people will proudly cheer and defend and support the dismantling of their rights and destruction of their Constitutional Republic, all out of supposed “necessity” to support “the war.”
Author Unknown