Democracy is worth celebrating
It’s a given that 240 years is a mere blink of time when compared to the billions of years since the Big Bang. Still, that which happened in 1776 had its own explosive effect, if not on the universe, than certainly on a species and the planet they call home.
The refrain goes “Democracy is not perfect, but it’s the best form of government there is.” But what if democracy is perfect? Perfect for people of diverse backgrounds to live in united collective states. The flaws attributed to democracy fall more to human failings than to the political system. So maybe we should stop trying to change a political philosophy and instead work on improving our philosophic shortcomings.
True, America is more a Republic than a democracy. Something called the Electoral College nuances us to accept that definition. But still, given a choice among political systems, like monarchy, oligarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, communism, autocracy, enlightened despot and democracy, the choice is an incredibly simple one.
With the hindsight of over two-hundred years, of course, the choice is clear and easy. But back in 1776, with what were then colonists, the choice was risky and the path anything but clear. Men and women put their lives on the line not only for a new form of government but for an ideal, an ultimate reach for the stars that spelled its core values in, We the People and We hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident and All Men Are Created Equal. There is the quantum world of physics and the quantum leaps of mankind. The year 1776 was one of those times humans leaped.
We’re ten years shy of being a quarter of a millennium into this great experiment. Over July 3-4, we in Cave Creek will gather in the Historic Core with our fellow citizens, friends and neighbors from surrounding communities for the annual tribal American celebration of Independence Day. We do so knowing full well that it will be our children’s children many times over who will whoop it on July 4, 2776. But that’s okay. Democracy is worth celebrating today and in the tomorrows that come.
Mayor Vincent Francia
Cave Creek
A trip to the Trump Rally
On Saturday, my wife Carol and I attended the Trump Rally. The night before we were speaking to our son Matt, who lives in New York City. He was concerned about us attending the event, thought it may be dangerous. He didn’t think it was a very good idea.
The day of the rally I printed my tickets and posted them on Facebook. I proclaimed that we would be in attendance! Two friends also sent words of caution. I will admit, I was starting to wonder what we were getting into.
We left early, zipped into the parking lot with no problem and waited in line for about 45 minutes before the doors to the Coliseum opened. While in line, we spoke to the people around us. There were old people, young people, Hispanics, teens, babies, bikers, long hairs, short hairs, and no hairs. In general a pretty diverse group.
There was a husband and wife from California along with their daughter who lived in Phoenix. “I watch the news, and it looks like California has a lot of challenges,” I said. The wife, who is Hispanic and spoke with a slight accent stated “It’s worse than you know. The roads, the taxes, even the garbage collection is terrible” “As soon as we can sell our house, we plan on moving to Arizona.” I told them they were welcome.
Once inside, we got great seats right on the rail off the floor. A couple sat next to us. We introduced ourselves and settled in for the four hour wait until “The Donald” arrived. They were immigrants? Go figure, I thought immigrants hated Trump? They went on to tell us they had come to the USA twenty years ago, got their green cards and after a five year wait became US citizens. They were there to support Trump because they were very concerned about the direction of “their” country. Mike was from Scotland (now has dual citizenship) and wife Bente is from Norway. Bente had to relinquish her Norwegian citizenship. Their concerns were the economy, security and the porous border. They don’t own guns but believe in the Second Amendment. Bente even took a conceal and carry class! Since the rally we have already corresponded and plan on getting together again soon.
To my left was John, a professor at the University of Phoenix?! I asked why he was at the rally? I thought all academia was Liberal? His reply was “Some of us still have common sense.”
As we got closer to Trumps arrival, the volume of the loud speakers began to increase and the Stones & Creedence filled the auditorium. Heck, I was at home!
Joe Arpaio entered and was a media Rock Star. The crowd of 6,000 loved him. Candidate Kelli Ward was there, pressing the flesh and showing her support, along with Governor Brewer and State Treasurer Jeff Dewit. However, missing were McCain, Flake, Salmon, Gosar, Schweikert. I was very disappointed that these politicians were not there to show any kind of support. I wonder how they will react should Mr. Trump win in November?
Trump arrived and was engaging, sometimes repetitive, but came off as sincere. We heard a little about Crooked Hillary and Crazy Bernie, but most of the dialogue was about making America great and giving opportunity back to all Americans. I didn’t feel he was an out of control wack job. I didn’t get the impression he was blowing smoke up everyone’s skirt. I didn’t hear the hatred in his tone. I saw and heard concern. The audience responded in a positive manner.
When we left the arena, we saw no protestors, Mexican flags, or race bating signs. We returned to our vehicle, turned right at 19th Ave. and went home. On the way home we turned on Mike Broomhead who was covering the rally. While Broomhead covered Trumps message, another reporter was with the protestors. We saw nothing.
Years ago I was in the publishing business in New York. Rolling Stone Magazine ran a great marketing campaign centered on Perception vs. Reality. As I was driving home this campaign popped into my mind. What I experienced at the rally was Reality. 6,000 Americans gathered together, listening to a message delivered by potentially the next President of the United States. 6,000 Americans actually standing and singing the National Anthem. People gathered together with a common concern for the future of our nation. I saw no hate, no violence, no racism, or other phobias. Once home, and watching the news, I saw the Perception presented by the media. The Perception of hate, racism, and intolerance. I would urge everyone to attend a rally. Any rally for any candidate. Learn for yourself what the candidates stand for and how sincere they really are in the real world. Don’t believe everything that is fed to you on the tube.
Scott Haberman
Cave Creek
Richard Cohen is absurd, not assault weapons
Richard Cohen recently (June 15 in the Arizona Republic) wrote an article entitled “The absurdity of assault-weapon availability in public markets” in which he railed against weapons which he should know (and probably does) are NOT available in public markets. The weapons he refers to as assault weapons (a term manufactured by the left to incite opposition) are fully automatic. Such weapons have been outlawed in the United States since the 1930s. Similar looking weapons that are only SEMI-automatic are available but these are not the weapons of war Cohen disingenuously rails against.
Roy Miller
Phoenix
According to PVT South
Dearly Beloved, yours truly has noticed on TV news helicopters and planes dropping water and chemicals on forest fires, mostly out west. How about using a squadron of helicopters and water bombers to fight the large number of forest fires so they can put them out sooner? (We call that getting more bang for your buck.)
Now we have Congressional House Democrats showing their ass on TV by doing a (sit in) over gun control. Nancy Pelosi and Sheila Jackson Lee should do something about all the killings and shootings in Chicago on a daily basis. If Black Lives really matter then do something about that instead of turning the Orlando massacre into a fund raiser for Democrats.
Stop and frisk in New York was working, but the new Democratic mayor stopped it. When Obama came to the White House all welfare was workfare; hope and change cut out the workfare. Here are a few wonderful rules We The People have had to put up with over the years. Prohibition, An Alien born in the USA automatically becomes a US citizen, Sanctuary City, Forced Bussing, Affirmative Action, Changing legal voting age from 21 to 18, Gays in the military, women in the military, immigration, transgender bathrooms, Minimum Wage, Climate Change, and the Pentagon educating the troops about White Privilege. OK – PVT South made a list of 13 issues and number 1 and 13 have already been printed. Number 7 is eliminating Automatic Citizenship to Foreign born that come into the USA. Number 5 is putting a cap on our US population at 350 million before it gets out of control and goes to 400 in the future.
Great Britain voted to leave the EU. The government and the establishment wanted to stay in, but a lot of the people wanted out because the folks in Brussels are making the rules and one big one is immigration. Margaret Thatcher warned her people about the current problem they are having and she was ignored. (Dearly Beloved, that was 1992) And how about that. Keep your powder dry and Think Trump
PVT South
Email
Trust the political pollsters? Yah-shure!
On 23 June 2016, Britain chose to secede from the European Union, despite published polls that indicated (falsely) that Britons would vote to remain in the group. Even Britain's noted (or notorious, in this case) bookies were giving overwhelming odds in favor of remaining in the Union.
American voters, who are usually clueless and lazy, always let themselves be guided by what political pollsters want them to hear. After all "It's good to be on the winning side." This is especially influential when the first East Coast tallies are announced, since the halo effect pushes people in Middle America, the Left Coast, Alaska and Hawaii to join the "me too" gaggle. Let us face it: Both the LameStream EneMedia and the polling organizations in the USA are leftists whose only task is to guide The Sheeple into the Socialist-to-Marxist holding pen at the abattoir. Glowing reports about their favorite political candidates are issued by the hour, not to inform but rather to steer.
British media were sure BREXIT would fail. History shows otherwise. Britons want restricted immigration, renegotiation or repeal of commercial treaties and a stronger national defence (defense in YankSpeak). So do newly-awakened Americans.
Yes – I will vote for Trump. Well, not really exactly FOR this brash, rude, caricature of "W.C. Fields meets P.T. Barnum," but AGAINST the favorite disciple of Marxist terrorist Saul Alinsky. I will consider it a dose of castor oil, whose beneficial cathartic effect will eventually prevent our nation from becoming another Venezuela.
J-P. A. Maldonado
Lafayette, Colorado
An eighth letter to America
America continues to display the foolishness of Man by trusting in Man rather than God the Creator. Many now foolishly claim that Science proved there is no God. That of course, is Man’s lie. Ironically, God’s truth is questioned by Man, who God formed from “the dust of the ground.” According to the Word of God, before God created Time, he “created heaven and earth.” And Earth was void (no life), completely covered by water, it was dark, “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” And then God lit up the sun when he “said, let there be light: and there was light.” That was the beginning of Time, the First Day.
Then in the next five days God separated the waters, made about 70% of the earth surface rise above water, ordered earth to produce all sorts of grasses, herbs, flowers, fruit trees. Then “God, out of the ground, formed every beast,” and every fowl. On the sixth day of creation he formed Adam (the first Man) from the dust of the ground and gave him life.
Then God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” So God put Adam to sleep, removed one of his ribs, and from that rib, formed the first woman, Eve, for Adam’s wife. And we thank the LORD for that. God saw that his creation was good. Unfortunately, a few thousand years later, Man became very wicked and every imagination in Man’s heart was evil. This “grieved Him (God) at his heart” and He “Said, I will Destroy man” and “every living thing.”
But because God found Noah righteous, God gave his living creation a second chance. He had Noah and his family build the Ark (a very large ship) to keep them and the animals safe during the “Great Flood” so they would “replenish the earth,” as God commanded them.
Now Noah’s decedents are denying God’s Word and denying that God created the heavens and earth and every living thing including Man. But God has said, He created everything that was created, and He rightfully claims he owns everything. Including you and me. It is time we give God his deserving glory. GLORY BE TO GOD.
Manuel Ybarra, Jr.
Coalgate, Oklahoma
Voters OPPOSE giving taxpayer money to politicians!
Leftists and union bosses from California are currently collecting signatures for three bad propositions they want to put on Arizona’s November ballot:
—An anti-free speech measure that would put your name and personal information onto a publicly-available government database if you donate to non-profit organizations. It would also give state bureaucrats the power to audit and investigate conservative organizations for the “crime” of supporting the causes and issues we believe in.
—A measure to increase the minimum wage to a job-killing $12 per hour and keep young people and low-skilled workers from climbing onto the bottom rungs of the career ladder, with a special exception for the union bosses.
—A measure to cap the pay of hospital CEOs, which is part of an effort to try to unionize hospital employees (so the same union system that ruined Detroit’s economy would now run our hospitals).
The so-called "Open and Honest" elections ballot initiative is overwhelmingly unpopular with voters (79 percent against) when they learn that the initiative not only funds politicians' campaigns with taxpayer money, but also supports a bloated state bureaucracy to run the program.
If you have not yet committed to DECLINE TO SIGN, please add your name to our pledge! The future of our freedom is at stake. Visit http://action.americansforprosperity.org/p5VDPuU.
For Liberty & Prosperity,
Tom Jenney
Arizona Director
Americans for Prosperity
Utah v. Strieff: SCOTUS fuels a dangerous fire
The U.S. Supreme Court's majority opinion in Utah v. Strieff, issued on June 20, is the latest in a long line of rulings expanding the powers of police at the expense of everyone else. Such expansions represent a clear and present danger to the public ... and when resistance to the abuses they encourage explodes into open violence, as it surely will sooner or later, to police themselves.
Edward Strieff was detained in what the state of Utah's attorneys openly admit was an illegal stop -- a stop completely absent probable cause to believe that he had committed a crime -- by Salt Lake City detective Douglas Fackrell. But the illegal stop and an illegal demand for identification enabled Fackrell to discover an outstanding traffic warrant. That discovery, the court holds, was an "attenuating" event which made Fackrell's subsequent search of Strieff (and use of the drugs discovered on Strieff's person in that search as evidence against him) perfectly legal.
In the opening to her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor explains the ruling's essential evil. "This case allows the police to stop you on the street, demand your identification, and check it for outstanding traffic warrants -- even if you are doing nothing wrong," writes Sotomayor. "If the officer discovers a warrant for a fine you forgot to pay, courts will now excuse his illegal stop and will admit into evidence anything he happens to find by searching you after arresting you on the warrant."
My late friend Aaron Russo (you may remember him as the award-winning producer of such motion pictures as "The Rose" and "Trading Places") defined a police state in terms of fear. You know you're living in a police state, Aaron said, if merely noticing a patrol car behind you in traffic makes you nervous. I suspect the street sign marking that point is likewise in the rearview mirror for most of us. "No-knock" raids, "Terry stop" aka "stop and frisk" policies, and numerous violent police assaults and even murders caught on camera but often committed with impunity, make those fears eminently reasonable. This ruling can only add to the power of those fears and to the number of Americans living daily with them.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible," said president John F. Kennedy, "will make violent revolution inevitable." With its ruling in Utah v. Strieff, the US Supreme Court continues a long and sorry record of answering to Kennedy's description.
Thomas L. Knapp William Lloyd
Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism
John Philip Sousa IV thought you might be interested
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