"Does the Law Only Work For Certain People?"- The Sunday Collage

In a day or two early. Traveling with little hope of connectivity.

Many years ago, we had this poor senile old woman who generated call after call to our police department. (We never really knew how to deal with the mentally ill back then- truth is- I'm not sure it's much better now) Gertrude believed that her ex husband was breaking into and sneaking throughout her house each night. Her solution for all of this- was to grease all of her door knobs and hang pots and pans using fishing line- on the inside of her door knobs. She would then shut all of the doors and go to sleep. If she heard any noise whatsoever- she would call the police.

The problem with this was twofold. She always heard noises. The other problem was that she had it fixed in her mind that her ex-husband, Frank, was breaking in and that somehow we were simply ignoring her pleas for help and letting Frank go. I cannot tell you how many times we had spoken with poor Frank- often waking him up in the middle of the night. This situation went on for 18 months until finally- we talked the family into putting Gertrude into an assisted living home.

I have never forgotten Gertrude. I must have gone on 25 calls to her house. Time and time again, she would plead with me when we refused to arrest Frank. "Does the law only work for certain people?" Gertrude would ask.

Of course Gertrude was right. The law doesn't apply equally to every one. The law is often applied only after a number of filtering agents or gatekeepers- first the cops, then the prosecutors and judges, a few different court proceedings including grand juries, maybe even a a trial with a jury.

Look at our chief executive, Obama, turning a blind eye on the greatest banking fraud ever and giving free passes to his friends, Jon Corzine- the great MF Global thief.

In America, we don't play fair- we never have. I think most of us know that. OJ Simpson's murder trial was an excellent example of just how screwed up our system  can be. But it was designed that way- so that if error was made- the accused was the beneficiary.

I have a couple of blogger friends who think they are some tough shit. I always giggle when I read their blogs- they talk about how they are great patriots yet I don't see them taking any stand on the injustices that are going on every day. Sure I hear some whining and sniveling but when it comes right down to it- they are just bluster and blather. Full of shit.

I'll tell you why in just a moment. First some examples.

Eighty years ago this month, the great socialist FDR, stole America's gold. Every gold possessing citizen was forced to turn in their gold or face a 10,000 dollar fine or 10 years in jail. This seizure of personal property occurred without any due process. They labeled it "hoarding." As soon as they paid Americans for the gold and the government had it all- they promptly re valued it at a price far greater than what they had paid our citizens. This allowed the banking cartel to loan out even more money as our government tried to get out from under the boot of deflation during the Great Recession.

About ten years later, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Almost instantly, Japanese Americans lost their civil rights. They were uprooted and placed in "relocation camps." They lost their homes, businesses, and in some cases, their lives. Of course, they were denied due process- and I have gotten in some very vigorous arguments with self styled "American Patriots" over just how that sham was allowed to take place.

Guantanamo Bay. Kidnapping alleged terrorists from all over the world, the American military decided to embark on this seemingly world wide anti terrorist crusade. Kidnapping foreign terrorists- sometimes on mere heresay alone and declaring them enemy combatants- has allowed the government to operate and keep Guantanomo Bay open. The people housed there are not entitled to any due process and in fact, may not have any civil rights at all. It's not like they asked to be kidnapped and taken here- indefinitely. Of course they are not boy scouts- but neither was OJ Simpson.

The latest case? The kid bomber. The FBI called him some sort of terrorist so that they could interrogate him for 48 hours without giving him a Miranda warning. Once again- we see how the government suspends our "rights" whenever they deem it necessary. Since public opinion is virtually 100% against this terrorist act- the Feds operate with impunity. I mean, who is going to protest? Thankfully, one judge did. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323789704578444940173125374.html

I am not even going to mention all of the legislation from the Patriot Act forward which are simply intrusions onto our civil rights. The NDAA, Obamacare, gun control, it's a virtual avalanche of legislation which seizes our property and rights under color of law.

So just where are all of those freedom and civil rights loving patriots? These tough guys who talk a mean game of patriotism yet never show up if they are on the minority side of an issue like this bomber kid? Does this kid have any rights or are we going to suspend them because we don't like him? Do the "patriots" rationalize or find an excuse for every instance of government intrusion?

Because if they do- they aren't really patriots at all. Nationalists maybe, patriots, no.

In the end, it is really a divide and conquer sort of issue. What happens, is that some minority is targeted  for the suspension of rights. Maybe it's prisoner/convicts not receiving decent living space or some Hitler youth marching through a Jewish neighborhood. Since we don't like convicted criminals or Hitler very much- we don't feel like extending rights to criminals or Hitler supporters. Since most of us don't fall into those two groups- we are exempted. So we are really "OK" suspending the rights of or the rule of law for OTHERS depending on the circumstances.

The patriots only get concerned when THEIR rights get trampled. Only when they are effected by let's say, gun control, do the "patriots" howl and whine.

On a personal level- I have always been a supporter of the American Civil Liberties Union. You want people to hate you? Just tell them you support the ACLU. I understood long ago that we must protect everyone's rights- even when we don't like them- because sooner or later you are going to be a part of some minority on the verge of losing your rights. Most recently, gun control. For now, I think the gun grabbers have been beaten back.

This is the erosion of rights as the government passes more and more laws and chooses when and where to enforce them. Divide, conquer, and sequester. Pick out minority held positions- and target them. The vast majority of people won't offer any opposition to some smaller group losing their rights unless they are effected themselves- personally. The "patriots" will certainly offer up rationales and reasons why OTHER people should have their rights suspended just so long as their rights remain intact.

"Does the law only work for certain people?" Yes Gertrude, unfortunately it does. The law only works for those in government, the elite, and whoever else the majority of us dislike. Historically, that's the way it has always been.

How About Some Goonga Lagonga?

I had some level of consciousness going for me- even back then.

Sometime, in my previous Chief life, one of our nation's owners flew the Dalai Llama to Moonbat Valley. After attempting to ply the Dalai Llama with various types of booze at elite cocktail parties, the elite of Moonbat Valley allowed him to speak to us little people.

The Sheriff of Moonbat Valley took extraordinary security measures because ya know, the Dalai Llama   with his message of universal love and consciousness- makes him a highly sought after target of many with nothing but assassination on their minds.

You ever look back on your life and say, "Did I dream that?" and then on further reflection, say "no, that foolishness actually happened." Now that I think about it, I am surprised that they didn't have a wine auction. http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/made-in-china/Content?oid=923889

Screw Michael Bloomberg*With Kinder, Softer Edit

* Ok, I got an email. Maybe dropping the F bomb on Bloomberg was harsh.

For the record, I don't like:

1. Liberals

2. Elite snobs

3. Ego maniacs

4. Usurpers

5. Ivy league bankers living with former NY Banking Superintendents. 

6. Anybody telling me what is good for me or chipping away at my right to own guns or drink soda.

That just about covers you doesn't it, Mike?

What is the difference between nutjobs without money and nutjobs with money? Answer- money.

There are days when I should just not get on the computer or watch the news at all. Today was one of them. I am so sick and tired of hearing the names of these rich bastards, OUR OWNERS, telling us how to live our shitty little lives, I could scream.

Take a look at Bloomberg's picture. The guy even looks like a prick. (15 second ad) http://www.businessinsider.com/bloomberg-re-interprate-constitution-2013-4

Imagine the arrogance of a man, who would take the greatest document ever conceived by some of the most intelligent historians to ever set foot on the planet, and tell them- it's just not working. Of course not Mike- you like every other rich prick on the planet think you are an authority on everything. Those founding fathers were idiots but thankfully- we have you to guide us. 

On the Constitution...

It ain't working Bloomberg because assholes like you keep chipping away at it. It worked fine up until the point we quit enforcing our borders. It worked fine when we enforced the rule of law in this country rather than letting politicians like you steal from citizens and deliver it to thieving bankers. It worked fine when government stayed the fuck out of our lives. The more control they get- the worse it gets and I defy anybody, ANYBODY anywhere to prove differently.

Protect the Constitution. Everything else would be fine. Yea, it is that simple. It always was.

Someday Michael, perhaps whatever God you worship, shall give you a recall notice. The world will not quit turning, NY will find another narcissist, liberal statist to be Mayor, and life will go on. Hard to imagine huh? 

I can't wait for this period in American history to get over. They will surely call it the Age of Egomania.

The Good Steward- The Monday Collage

Yesterday, I wrote a little piece on our (my) perceived misplaced nationalism. The "USA" "USA" chanting and all that other nonsense that happens when a tragedy concludes. Like the killing of Bin Laden last May or the capture of some 19 year old Chechen bomber.

Sometimes when I write something, I reflect back on it and I wind up hating it. Not because of the content so much (like yesterday's piece) it's because I hate preachy bastards. I have always hated preachy bastards. I too have been a preachy bastard- so I know the meme well. Preachers by my definition...

...are the people that express their opinion on how the world should operate- like it's some matter of fact that they themselves have decided long ago. There is no better place to view this serial ridiculousness than on a comment thread at Huffington Post. Preachy bastards really do think they are smarter and wiser than everyone else. They are sleepwalkers.

So I think there is a huge difference between preachy bastards and good stewards. It is fairly obvious. Good stewards rely on facts to support their views. Preachy bastards do not. That is the litmus test that I apply to something I read or something I write. Do the facts tend to support this? Has that been my experience? Or has somebody found an insight that I have missed?

This encapsulates the idea perfectly. “You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informedopinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.” 
― Harlan Ellison

I have always tried to use facts to support my conclusions. Where facts are not readily available, I try to use my own personal experience and any insight that was made possible by my experiences. For example...

It is a fact that I stopped John McEnroe and Tatum O'Neill once for running a red light in Ketchum when I was a kid cop. I did not give him a ticket. He did not utter an un necessary word during the traffic stop. Those are facts. That is not some opinion I cooked up. What insight did I get? That Tatum O'Neill looked damn hot in that leopard leotard outfit that she had on and I didn't have a clue who she was at the time.

The point I am making is this. What I have stated is true. It happened. However, as you read this- you are trying to decide, either consciously or subconsciously, whether that really happened or not. Is the author credible? Good stewards are credible, preachers are not.

So we are not really required to buy in to some opinion or viewpoint simply because some preachy bastard rattles it off. You are not even required to believe facts. Yesterday, a preacher type with a hate agenda on Huffington Post, rattled off some lunacy about the Quran and how Mohammad supported the rape of women and other assorted atrocities over 200 times in the book. I tend to confront bullshit especially when it's malicious. I asked the guy to tell me which books in the Quran contained such references. Offer proof. Why? Because I have read the Quran and I knew he was full of shit. Of course, I got no reply.

I try to be a good steward here. Most of my pieces offer references and insight gleaned from true experiences. I have a bullshit detector that fires off continually based on my 24 or 25 years worth of listening to lies as a cop. Mostly I just let people get away with their little white lies, once in awhile I don't. Most of the blogs that I read are supported by facts and referenced. I use those insights to form opinions of my own or reach conclusions.

I have one preachy bastard on my blogroll and try as I might, I cannot figure out how to remove him.

Here is another fact. Obama and I are about the same age. While I was stating the Pledge of Allegiance each morning in the United States at age 8, Obama was studying Islam in Indonesia using the name of Barry Soetoro. When I was listening to my father broadcast our Vietnam war dead, the Indonesians had no body count. That is not an opinion.

Being a good steward means telling the truth. It means being personally responsible for what you say and write. I don't really care what people think about my efforts so long as it's the truth or reasonably close.

Yesterday, I ran afoul of my own personal standards. I lapsed into sleepwalking as I uttered my opinions on how the world should behave following the arrest of one 19 year old Chechen. I had no business doing that. I think we all make that same mistake from time to time, but I can only lay claim to my own preachiness. So I took the piece down. I shall leave you with one of those cutesy things that many of us see on Facebook. This one seems appropriate here.