"Most Americans are unaware of the fact that over two hundred years ago
the United States had declared war on Islam, and Thomas Jefferson led
the charge!"
This bit of ignorance is from a chain email designed to promote fear and loathing of Muslims. The Politifact
site has a well reasoned rebuttal. And yes I know that fact check sites
themselves need to be fact checked, which I did.
For a less shrill take on the Barbary Pirates,
I recommend Brian Kilmeade's book on the subject. A great read, like a
novel, but well researched. I found it to be slanted towards support for
interventionist foreign policy, but with that caveat it's still a fact
filled introduction to the subject for our history deficient culture.
Thomas
Jefferson didn't declare war on Islam. That's as silly and ignorant as
saying he was against Christianity because he collected some of Jesus's
words in a book.
If corsairs sent by Muslim states
meant that Islam is our enemy, then Christian and Jewish involvement in the
African slave trade meant the other two monotheistic faiths are enemies
as well. That would be absurd, but also logically consistent. And that
is the danger of anti Muslim hysteria - it easily boomerangs against us
Christians, and historically Jews end up being victimized by both
Christians and Muslims when these religious wars occur. The Crusades
being an example.
Last but not least. Most of the
anti Muslim hysteria comes from Trump supporters. So, here's a question
for Trump supporters who think Islam is the top threat to civilization:
why is President Trump selling $billions worth of advanced weapons to the
Saudis, who for three centuries have allied with Wahhabists, the actual
leading sponsors of jihadist terror?
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Monday, April 9, 2018
If I Was Trump's Speechwriter
My fellow Americans.
My physician put something in my tea that he said will help me speak more clearly.
America is great again, thanks to my magnificent leadership.
As the greatest President of the greatest country that ever countried, it is imperative that I enforce humane standards of military aggression in the world, especially when it comes to murdering civilians.
I have ordered hundreds of sorties which have killed thousands of innocent men, women, and children. But there were some terrorists killed, too. More importantly, NOT ONE person was killed by chemical weapons. Rest assured, that if you are ever targeted for a violent death at the hands of America's military, it won't be by chemical weapons. America kills children with drone strikes, cluster bombs, napalm, as well as by conventional artillery fire and small arms. And nukes too, I think - history isn't my forte'. Because we are great, it is the United States' prerogative to decide the moral and proper way to kill innocent people. Only America and it's allies may murder civilians, and only with weapons approved by America.
Israel and Saudi Arabia have 007 status, and are licensed to murder with impunity in places like Syria, Gaza, the West Bank, and Yemen.
Now, about Syria. One year ago, a chemical weapons attack occurred in that country. All the people I regularly denounce as "fake news" assured me that Assad was responsible. For reasons I won't disclose, I heeded that mob, and launched about $100 million worth of Tomahawk missiles against Assad's Syrian Arab Army. I realize that evidence later emerged that the chemical weapons were actually launched by terrorists fighting against the SAA, but that is quite beside the point. You see, there have long been plans for a pipeline across Syria - which would redound to the benefit of Iran, Syria, and perhaps Russia. It would undermine American-Israeli-Saudi hegemony in the region, and that is unacceptable to the psychopaths who actually run our great country.
So, a year later, we have another chemical attack in Syria, and the same fake news people who blamed Assad last year, are again laying it on him. Therefore, I will be ordering more attacks on Syria, and will do so before facts have a chance to undermine the anti Assad hysteria.
Because despite the fact that I, your great President, decry the waste and harm caused by our endless wars, those wars will go on no matter who is President.
Please don't tell anyone that I'm not really in charge.
My physician put something in my tea that he said will help me speak more clearly.
America is great again, thanks to my magnificent leadership.
As the greatest President of the greatest country that ever countried, it is imperative that I enforce humane standards of military aggression in the world, especially when it comes to murdering civilians.
I have ordered hundreds of sorties which have killed thousands of innocent men, women, and children. But there were some terrorists killed, too. More importantly, NOT ONE person was killed by chemical weapons. Rest assured, that if you are ever targeted for a violent death at the hands of America's military, it won't be by chemical weapons. America kills children with drone strikes, cluster bombs, napalm, as well as by conventional artillery fire and small arms. And nukes too, I think - history isn't my forte'. Because we are great, it is the United States' prerogative to decide the moral and proper way to kill innocent people. Only America and it's allies may murder civilians, and only with weapons approved by America.
Israel and Saudi Arabia have 007 status, and are licensed to murder with impunity in places like Syria, Gaza, the West Bank, and Yemen.
Now, about Syria. One year ago, a chemical weapons attack occurred in that country. All the people I regularly denounce as "fake news" assured me that Assad was responsible. For reasons I won't disclose, I heeded that mob, and launched about $100 million worth of Tomahawk missiles against Assad's Syrian Arab Army. I realize that evidence later emerged that the chemical weapons were actually launched by terrorists fighting against the SAA, but that is quite beside the point. You see, there have long been plans for a pipeline across Syria - which would redound to the benefit of Iran, Syria, and perhaps Russia. It would undermine American-Israeli-Saudi hegemony in the region, and that is unacceptable to the psychopaths who actually run our great country.
So, a year later, we have another chemical attack in Syria, and the same fake news people who blamed Assad last year, are again laying it on him. Therefore, I will be ordering more attacks on Syria, and will do so before facts have a chance to undermine the anti Assad hysteria.
Because despite the fact that I, your great President, decry the waste and harm caused by our endless wars, those wars will go on no matter who is President.
Please don't tell anyone that I'm not really in charge.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Loving War, Choosing Ignorance
Politically
speaking, we are living in a dystopian novel, except that we are
ignorant by choice - in the information age, you don't have to believe what Big Brother tells
you on the telescreen, or give credence to the printed and posted
agitprop from the Ministry of Truth, dubbed by Orwell as "Minitrue."
The whole narrative about the Syrian gas attacks is fertilizer, a repeat of four years ago. It's bovine scatological matter to aid the growth of martial mush in the minds of patriotic but misled Americans. Very soon the difference between uncritical consumers of B.S. and those who deign to think for themselves will be more apparent than ever. This latest round of misinformation about Syria, though not new, represents a watershed moment, an opportunity for free people to discover that our government really is THAT corrupt, controlled by an amoral, murderous cabal no matter who resides in the White House.
Or people can proactively decide that freedom isn't for them. These folks, made of the same stuff as you and I, lest we forget that it is God who makes us free, will continue to parrot rigid ideological slogans from wings left and right, all redounding to the health of the state. They will put aside their differences with each other (which, in the big picture, are akin to the difference 'tween Coke and Pepsi) to cheer for the troops. Sadly, their enthusiasm for supporting the troops will distract them from any critical analysis of the state's stated reasons for sending young Americans to be traumatized in wars having absolutely nothing to do with defending America, but that make our country a pariah as thousands of civilians are slaughtered, and rogue elements which are part of every invading army rape and pillage among those we are allegedly liberating.
When the troops come home with their PTSD, the jingoists who "thanked them for their service" will expect the VA to make them well again, BY GAWD. Never will these worshippers of all things military contemplate that it was a damn shame to send fine young men into Hell for the sake of oligarchs - oh, yes, and women too, must be equal equal equal, instead of women using their God bestowed feminine gifts, which make civilization civilized, let them do the same dumb things men do.
If you're a peace lover, be prepared to be called unpatriotic. Historically, you could even be imprisoned for opining against a particular war (cf. Lincoln, Wilson), or, if you're the wrong ethnic group, you might be sent to a concentration camp (cf. FDR, Hitler).
God help us to be peacemakers. Many of us were once deluded into believing the lies of the Warfare State. The propaganda apparatus is massive: all major television networks, the major newspapers, talk radio, and sadly, Christian media ("my people perish for lack of knowledge"). They are experts, using fear, manufactured consensus, and suppression of truth to make loyal citizens feel obligated to obey the state, rather than God (they're not the same, btw). We can't convince those who don't want to be convinced. When we encounter obtuse, impervious people we must pray for them - we've been the same way at some time in our lives. Respect where respect is due, and it is always due in some measure to those made in God's image.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).
The whole narrative about the Syrian gas attacks is fertilizer, a repeat of four years ago. It's bovine scatological matter to aid the growth of martial mush in the minds of patriotic but misled Americans. Very soon the difference between uncritical consumers of B.S. and those who deign to think for themselves will be more apparent than ever. This latest round of misinformation about Syria, though not new, represents a watershed moment, an opportunity for free people to discover that our government really is THAT corrupt, controlled by an amoral, murderous cabal no matter who resides in the White House.
Or people can proactively decide that freedom isn't for them. These folks, made of the same stuff as you and I, lest we forget that it is God who makes us free, will continue to parrot rigid ideological slogans from wings left and right, all redounding to the health of the state. They will put aside their differences with each other (which, in the big picture, are akin to the difference 'tween Coke and Pepsi) to cheer for the troops. Sadly, their enthusiasm for supporting the troops will distract them from any critical analysis of the state's stated reasons for sending young Americans to be traumatized in wars having absolutely nothing to do with defending America, but that make our country a pariah as thousands of civilians are slaughtered, and rogue elements which are part of every invading army rape and pillage among those we are allegedly liberating.
When the troops come home with their PTSD, the jingoists who "thanked them for their service" will expect the VA to make them well again, BY GAWD. Never will these worshippers of all things military contemplate that it was a damn shame to send fine young men into Hell for the sake of oligarchs - oh, yes, and women too, must be equal equal equal, instead of women using their God bestowed feminine gifts, which make civilization civilized, let them do the same dumb things men do.
If you're a peace lover, be prepared to be called unpatriotic. Historically, you could even be imprisoned for opining against a particular war (cf. Lincoln, Wilson), or, if you're the wrong ethnic group, you might be sent to a concentration camp (cf. FDR, Hitler).
God help us to be peacemakers. Many of us were once deluded into believing the lies of the Warfare State. The propaganda apparatus is massive: all major television networks, the major newspapers, talk radio, and sadly, Christian media ("my people perish for lack of knowledge"). They are experts, using fear, manufactured consensus, and suppression of truth to make loyal citizens feel obligated to obey the state, rather than God (they're not the same, btw). We can't convince those who don't want to be convinced. When we encounter obtuse, impervious people we must pray for them - we've been the same way at some time in our lives. Respect where respect is due, and it is always due in some measure to those made in God's image.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).
Friday, January 27, 2017
Nationalism, Crusades, and Anti-Semitism
Just learned that today is both Holocaust Remembrance Day and the
March for Life. The latter is on a different date each year, the former
is always on January 27, commemorating the liberation of the Auschwitz
death camp in 1945.
Many seem to think that the Nazis rose to power in some backward, unrefined place.
But Germany in the 1930's was the most educated country in the world, according to historian Paul Johnson. A culturally advanced, learned people allowed a monster to take control of the government, and two state supported churches - Catholic and Lutheran - helped the regime scapegoat Jews. Thank God for some exceptions (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Confessing Church), but the sad truth is that anti-Semitism has its historical roots in "Christian" churches.
If the church doesn't exist to stop tyranny like Hitler, what is the church here for? I am not reassured by the blind allegiance to Trump among Evangelicals - the spirit of nationalism is foul smelling and not easily reined in once loosed.
I've been studying the Crusades lately, and learning some things I didn't want to know.
To wit:
In 1095, Pope Urban II called Christians to a crusade to take Jerusalem from the Muslims. En route, the Crusaders learned to love killing, including entire Jewish villages. They started out hating the Muslims as "enemies of Christ" and along the way many of them decided that Jews were "enemies of Christ" as well. These demonic hordes, marching in the name of our Lord, were the source of blood libels and pogroms, and the evil and stupid idea of blaming all Jews for the crucifixion of Jesus.
When the Crusaders arrived at Jerusalem in 1099, they not only slaughtered Muslims within the city, but also Jews as well. The Muslims had banned Christians because they were regarded as polytheists for adhering to the doctrine of the Trinity.
Interesting to me is the fact that Jews were banned from Jerusalem until Muslims retook the city in 1187. Saladin invited them back to the city, and also allowed Christians from Greek and Eastern churches to remain, because they had not persecuted Muslims.
It seems that anti-Semitism has been more prevalent among "Christians" throughout history than it has been among Muslims, with notable exceptions.
Spiritually speaking, I observe the same filthy spirit in today's anti-Muslim crusade as inhabited the anti-Muslim crusades of the middle ages. I hope it doesn't redound to a new wave of anti-Semitism, although it apparently already has in parts of Europe. There were neo-Nazis among those who staged the Ukrainian coup that our government and NATO backed during Hillary Clinton's tenure at the State department. It also is not helpful for our government and evangelical Christians to blindly support Netanyahu's oppression of Palestinians, or the demonization of the entire Persian/ Iranian race.
This is a heart issue. Stereotyping of any one ethnic or religious group tends to snowball into hatred of other groups. Pope Urban II called forth a mob against Muslims. He didn't intend for the mob to go after Jews, but he was powerless to restrain the juggernaut he had launched.
Do we ever learn?
The answer is blowing in the wind?
Many seem to think that the Nazis rose to power in some backward, unrefined place.
But Germany in the 1930's was the most educated country in the world, according to historian Paul Johnson. A culturally advanced, learned people allowed a monster to take control of the government, and two state supported churches - Catholic and Lutheran - helped the regime scapegoat Jews. Thank God for some exceptions (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Confessing Church), but the sad truth is that anti-Semitism has its historical roots in "Christian" churches.
If the church doesn't exist to stop tyranny like Hitler, what is the church here for? I am not reassured by the blind allegiance to Trump among Evangelicals - the spirit of nationalism is foul smelling and not easily reined in once loosed.
I've been studying the Crusades lately, and learning some things I didn't want to know.
To wit:
In 1095, Pope Urban II called Christians to a crusade to take Jerusalem from the Muslims. En route, the Crusaders learned to love killing, including entire Jewish villages. They started out hating the Muslims as "enemies of Christ" and along the way many of them decided that Jews were "enemies of Christ" as well. These demonic hordes, marching in the name of our Lord, were the source of blood libels and pogroms, and the evil and stupid idea of blaming all Jews for the crucifixion of Jesus.
When the Crusaders arrived at Jerusalem in 1099, they not only slaughtered Muslims within the city, but also Jews as well. The Muslims had banned Christians because they were regarded as polytheists for adhering to the doctrine of the Trinity.
Interesting to me is the fact that Jews were banned from Jerusalem until Muslims retook the city in 1187. Saladin invited them back to the city, and also allowed Christians from Greek and Eastern churches to remain, because they had not persecuted Muslims.
It seems that anti-Semitism has been more prevalent among "Christians" throughout history than it has been among Muslims, with notable exceptions.
Spiritually speaking, I observe the same filthy spirit in today's anti-Muslim crusade as inhabited the anti-Muslim crusades of the middle ages. I hope it doesn't redound to a new wave of anti-Semitism, although it apparently already has in parts of Europe. There were neo-Nazis among those who staged the Ukrainian coup that our government and NATO backed during Hillary Clinton's tenure at the State department. It also is not helpful for our government and evangelical Christians to blindly support Netanyahu's oppression of Palestinians, or the demonization of the entire Persian/ Iranian race.
This is a heart issue. Stereotyping of any one ethnic or religious group tends to snowball into hatred of other groups. Pope Urban II called forth a mob against Muslims. He didn't intend for the mob to go after Jews, but he was powerless to restrain the juggernaut he had launched.
Do we ever learn?
The answer is blowing in the wind?
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Balaam, Branson, and Donald Trump
Beware of the false prophets... (Matthew 7:15a)
Mario Murillo is at it again, and God's people should be aware of the latest efforts by Mario to attach the Lord's name to his own sensational pronouncements.
Thus saith Mario via blog post on September 15, 2016.
I have a wait and see attitude about certain prophecies regarding Donald Trump, including some that see him as a modern day Cyrus (Persian king who allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild Solomon's Temple) or Jehu (Israelite king who destroyed Jezebel and hundreds of Baal worshippers).
I know that many godly Christians believe Donald Trump will be used by God to stem the advance of evil in our country.
I have no quarrel with most of them, whether I agree or not.
But Mario Murillo has earned our mistrust, and when he speaks of our country being "rescued by Trump" he doesn't rate the benefit of the doubt.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.(Psalm 20:7)
Remember, this is the same Mario Murillo who came on his high horse to Branson claiming to be the fulfillment of the (thoroughly debunked) Branson - Corrie ten Boom legend. On October 16th, 2015, Mario proclaimed that the so called "Branson Outbreak" that he spearheaded would be known worldwide within two weeks.
Did that happen?
For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion. (Isaiah 9:16)
Jesus is our Savior, not Donald Trump.
Furthermore, God doesn't need the United States to fulfill His plan.
God's people need to be full of God to fulfill their callings.
Warning about false prophets is not popular in Charismania today. One reason for this is that false prophets bring in a lot of money. Another is that bible teaching is not valued unless it is "prophetic" - this results in liberty for prophetic utterance, but no provision to judge such utterance.
Branson has more than its share of false prophets.
How do we identify a false prophet?
Well, start with prayerful reading of Deuteronomy 13 and 18.
In Branson, here's a sure sign of a false prophet: if the prophet has promoted the Corrie ten Boom legend, and hasn't repented, you have a false prophet. The reason is that Corrie ten Boom did not prophesy about any worldwide revival beginning in Branson, and the legend that she did is simply Charismatic-Evangelical folklore.
Balaam was a prophet. He was gifted to operate in the spirit realm, both with Yahweh, the Creator, and with evil spirits. There are many such "prophets" loose today, including here in the Branson area.
Beware.
Mario Murillo is at it again, and God's people should be aware of the latest efforts by Mario to attach the Lord's name to his own sensational pronouncements.
I believe God had me speak out because America was on the brink of an unalterable disaster. On November 8th, we will either be rescued by Trump or driven into the ground by Hillary.
Thus saith Mario via blog post on September 15, 2016.
I have a wait and see attitude about certain prophecies regarding Donald Trump, including some that see him as a modern day Cyrus (Persian king who allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild Solomon's Temple) or Jehu (Israelite king who destroyed Jezebel and hundreds of Baal worshippers).
I know that many godly Christians believe Donald Trump will be used by God to stem the advance of evil in our country.
I have no quarrel with most of them, whether I agree or not.
But Mario Murillo has earned our mistrust, and when he speaks of our country being "rescued by Trump" he doesn't rate the benefit of the doubt.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.(Psalm 20:7)
Remember, this is the same Mario Murillo who came on his high horse to Branson claiming to be the fulfillment of the (thoroughly debunked) Branson - Corrie ten Boom legend. On October 16th, 2015, Mario proclaimed that the so called "Branson Outbreak" that he spearheaded would be known worldwide within two weeks.
Did that happen?
For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion. (Isaiah 9:16)
Jesus is our Savior, not Donald Trump.
Furthermore, God doesn't need the United States to fulfill His plan.
God's people need to be full of God to fulfill their callings.
Warning about false prophets is not popular in Charismania today. One reason for this is that false prophets bring in a lot of money. Another is that bible teaching is not valued unless it is "prophetic" - this results in liberty for prophetic utterance, but no provision to judge such utterance.
Branson has more than its share of false prophets.
How do we identify a false prophet?
Well, start with prayerful reading of Deuteronomy 13 and 18.
In Branson, here's a sure sign of a false prophet: if the prophet has promoted the Corrie ten Boom legend, and hasn't repented, you have a false prophet. The reason is that Corrie ten Boom did not prophesy about any worldwide revival beginning in Branson, and the legend that she did is simply Charismatic-Evangelical folklore.
Balaam was a prophet. He was gifted to operate in the spirit realm, both with Yahweh, the Creator, and with evil spirits. There are many such "prophets" loose today, including here in the Branson area.
Beware.
Monday, August 1, 2016
A TAWDRY COUNTY TALE
Once upon a time in Tawdry County, there
was an Assessor named Mr. Strongman. He ignored state standards for
assessing property values. Seniors who owned condos sometimes had their
assessments tripled, while locals who were part of a political
organization called GOBAG ("Good Old Boys And Girls") got low
assessments.
Mr. Strongman was a talented politician, knowing whose bread to butter.
But the state government didn't like the way assessments were done in Tawdry County, and the state government withheld nearly $1 million in funds for the Assessor's office.
This didn't bother Mr. Strongman, because he had friends on the County Commission who belonged to GOBAG. They gave Mr. Strongman county funds to replace the money withheld by the state. And they supported his noncompliance with the state's assessment standards.
In the Assessor's office, there were some dedicated employees who worked hard for the county. But there were other employees who loafed, doing personal business on county time, or leaving work early. This group of employees was known as the "Thrift Store Gang," because one of their favorite things to do was to go shopping at thrift stores on county time.
Thrift Store Gang members had a friendly relationship with GOBAG.
One day, Mr. Strongman got an idea: "I'll run for the State Senate, so I can do more favors for my friends." But another politician from Tawdry County, Mr. Strawbus, ran against Mr. Strongman, and they split the vote in Tawdry County. A third guy from Blarney County beat them both in the Senate race.
And so Mr.Strongman was out of office.
In the meantime, Mr. Penwell was elected to be the new Assessor.
Mr. Penwell was a good and honest man - and therefore not a member of GOBAG. This was bad enough, but Mr. Penwell also had a work ethic that caused him to think that employees who were on the clock.... should work!
The Thrift Store Gang didn't like their new boss.
Also, GOBAG didn't like Mr. Penwell being the Assessor. So, some of the leaders of GOBAG decided to create trouble for Mr. Penwell by getting his employees who were members of the Thrift Store Gang to lie against him.
The leader of GOBAG, Mr. Hessman, approached a Thrift Store Gang member, Mr. Hairding with an idea:
"Hairding - is that Penwell treating you OK?"
"He's terrible - he gets on me for how I treat the public, and expects me to do the job the way he wants it done."
"You poor fellow - I feel your pain. I have a plan - if you will do exactly as I tell you, there's some money in it for you."
"I trust anything you GOBAG guys tell me - you've always steered me right. What do I do?"
"Follow these steps to the letter: 1.) talk to Penwell about all sorts of things - be friendly.... then just casually note his Bible on the desk, and start talking about that....2.) Penwell will let his guard down, and after you convince him that you are a fellow believer, he will now and then mention the Bible, or God, or some verse. 3.) at that point, you should perform as poorly as possible without getting fired - take advantage of Penwell's merciful heart, and push him to the limit 4.) at this point you have accomplished two things: First, Penwell thinks you are a believer, and so feels free to share matters of faith, Second, Penwell has to talk to you about your job performance, and because he's a good guy, he'll probably still show respect for you, and treat you as a friend. 5.) this is where the s*** hits the fan - you're responsible for the s***. You file a complaint of religious discrimination, alleging that Penwell forces you to listen to scripture, and punishes you, not because of your p**s poor job performance, but because you don't want to hear verses. 6) We GOBAG members control the County Commission, and we will make sure your complaint gets settled quickly. There will be no opportunities for Penwell to give his version of things, and we will agree to a settlement that'll put a nice chunk of change - how does $30k sound? - into your pocket... you'll need to resign, but you'll have a great severance package to enjoy life while you look for a different job!"
"Well it sounds great! What's in it for you?"
"We will leak news of your complaint just prior to the election. Penwell isn't running, but it will damage his allies, and when it's his turn to run, we'll get some more of your Thrift Store Gang who want some cash to help us out. We have a friend at the newspaper who will blame Penwell for the money we give to you."
"Awesome!"
And this is how things are done in Tawdry County to this very day.
Mr. Strongman was a talented politician, knowing whose bread to butter.
But the state government didn't like the way assessments were done in Tawdry County, and the state government withheld nearly $1 million in funds for the Assessor's office.
This didn't bother Mr. Strongman, because he had friends on the County Commission who belonged to GOBAG. They gave Mr. Strongman county funds to replace the money withheld by the state. And they supported his noncompliance with the state's assessment standards.
In the Assessor's office, there were some dedicated employees who worked hard for the county. But there were other employees who loafed, doing personal business on county time, or leaving work early. This group of employees was known as the "Thrift Store Gang," because one of their favorite things to do was to go shopping at thrift stores on county time.
Thrift Store Gang members had a friendly relationship with GOBAG.
One day, Mr. Strongman got an idea: "I'll run for the State Senate, so I can do more favors for my friends." But another politician from Tawdry County, Mr. Strawbus, ran against Mr. Strongman, and they split the vote in Tawdry County. A third guy from Blarney County beat them both in the Senate race.
And so Mr.Strongman was out of office.
In the meantime, Mr. Penwell was elected to be the new Assessor.
Mr. Penwell was a good and honest man - and therefore not a member of GOBAG. This was bad enough, but Mr. Penwell also had a work ethic that caused him to think that employees who were on the clock.... should work!
The Thrift Store Gang didn't like their new boss.
Also, GOBAG didn't like Mr. Penwell being the Assessor. So, some of the leaders of GOBAG decided to create trouble for Mr. Penwell by getting his employees who were members of the Thrift Store Gang to lie against him.
The leader of GOBAG, Mr. Hessman, approached a Thrift Store Gang member, Mr. Hairding with an idea:
"Hairding - is that Penwell treating you OK?"
"He's terrible - he gets on me for how I treat the public, and expects me to do the job the way he wants it done."
"You poor fellow - I feel your pain. I have a plan - if you will do exactly as I tell you, there's some money in it for you."
"I trust anything you GOBAG guys tell me - you've always steered me right. What do I do?"
"Follow these steps to the letter: 1.) talk to Penwell about all sorts of things - be friendly.... then just casually note his Bible on the desk, and start talking about that....2.) Penwell will let his guard down, and after you convince him that you are a fellow believer, he will now and then mention the Bible, or God, or some verse. 3.) at that point, you should perform as poorly as possible without getting fired - take advantage of Penwell's merciful heart, and push him to the limit 4.) at this point you have accomplished two things: First, Penwell thinks you are a believer, and so feels free to share matters of faith, Second, Penwell has to talk to you about your job performance, and because he's a good guy, he'll probably still show respect for you, and treat you as a friend. 5.) this is where the s*** hits the fan - you're responsible for the s***. You file a complaint of religious discrimination, alleging that Penwell forces you to listen to scripture, and punishes you, not because of your p**s poor job performance, but because you don't want to hear verses. 6) We GOBAG members control the County Commission, and we will make sure your complaint gets settled quickly. There will be no opportunities for Penwell to give his version of things, and we will agree to a settlement that'll put a nice chunk of change - how does $30k sound? - into your pocket... you'll need to resign, but you'll have a great severance package to enjoy life while you look for a different job!"
"Well it sounds great! What's in it for you?"
"We will leak news of your complaint just prior to the election. Penwell isn't running, but it will damage his allies, and when it's his turn to run, we'll get some more of your Thrift Store Gang who want some cash to help us out. We have a friend at the newspaper who will blame Penwell for the money we give to you."
"Awesome!"
And this is how things are done in Tawdry County to this very day.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Trump vs. the Race Card Industry
Donald Trump: racist?
I doubt it. I could be wrong, but not based on what people are showing me.
I think three or four denunciations of the KKK should suffice. After that, the reporters are just badgering the candidate, and obstructing the airing of other issues. The exception would be if there is credible evidence of Klan involvement, like all the evidence the Left ignored in the life of the late Senator Robert Byrd (D- WV). Senator Byrd skated on that, everywhere but talk radio.
But what about video showing black people being roughed up at his rallies?
That could be racist. It could also be misanthropic, or just thuggish.
In some circumstances, it could be justified - depending on what sort of menacing actions the person might have been doing.
If white people are doing the same thing, and getting kid glove treatment, while black people are singled out for the rough stuff - that would indicate racism.
Just the fact that protesters are removed from a rally is not wrong.
If I pay for a hall, it's so people can hear from me, not from my detractors - that is right in line with the first amendment. You don't have a constitutional right to disrupt a meeting in a venue for which someone else paid.
That said, I believe Trump is not a friend of the first amendment, and that some of his comments about the press - as dishonorable as many of them are - portend a return to the Alien and Sedition Acts under John Adams, and the imprisonment of those who protested wars under Lincoln and Wilson.
Also, it is certain that Trump is a nationalist, and that his followers have authoritarian tendencies (based on this article and my own interaction with many of them). And yes, Trump comports himself as a potential dictator, especially at his rallies.
Reminds me very much of when ancient Israel demanded a king.
Which did not end well for them.
Nationalism is not synonymous with racism, although many racists are also nationalists.
Ben Carson struck me as a nationalist, even before he announced his support for Trump today. An endorsement which likely shocked some of Ben's supporters, but not those who pay close attention. Ben is as ignorant about foreign affairs as he is brilliant in his field of neurosurgery.
I don't think Ben Carson is stupid, nor is it helpful when Trump's opponents call Trump supporters stupid.
Also, I don't think Carson is a racist, and if he was, I would assume his racism would not be directed at black people, eh?
I doubt it. I could be wrong, but not based on what people are showing me.
I think three or four denunciations of the KKK should suffice. After that, the reporters are just badgering the candidate, and obstructing the airing of other issues. The exception would be if there is credible evidence of Klan involvement, like all the evidence the Left ignored in the life of the late Senator Robert Byrd (D- WV). Senator Byrd skated on that, everywhere but talk radio.
But what about video showing black people being roughed up at his rallies?
That could be racist. It could also be misanthropic, or just thuggish.
In some circumstances, it could be justified - depending on what sort of menacing actions the person might have been doing.
If white people are doing the same thing, and getting kid glove treatment, while black people are singled out for the rough stuff - that would indicate racism.
Just the fact that protesters are removed from a rally is not wrong.
If I pay for a hall, it's so people can hear from me, not from my detractors - that is right in line with the first amendment. You don't have a constitutional right to disrupt a meeting in a venue for which someone else paid.
That said, I believe Trump is not a friend of the first amendment, and that some of his comments about the press - as dishonorable as many of them are - portend a return to the Alien and Sedition Acts under John Adams, and the imprisonment of those who protested wars under Lincoln and Wilson.
Also, it is certain that Trump is a nationalist, and that his followers have authoritarian tendencies (based on this article and my own interaction with many of them). And yes, Trump comports himself as a potential dictator, especially at his rallies.
Reminds me very much of when ancient Israel demanded a king.
Which did not end well for them.
Nationalism is not synonymous with racism, although many racists are also nationalists.
Ben Carson struck me as a nationalist, even before he announced his support for Trump today. An endorsement which likely shocked some of Ben's supporters, but not those who pay close attention. Ben is as ignorant about foreign affairs as he is brilliant in his field of neurosurgery.
I don't think Ben Carson is stupid, nor is it helpful when Trump's opponents call Trump supporters stupid.
Also, I don't think Carson is a racist, and if he was, I would assume his racism would not be directed at black people, eh?
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