Abolish the CDC — NOW!

The tyrants running things in government may be big fat jerks, but at least they're not entirely stupid. They learned, over the past 18 months, that they can use unelected, unauthorized, unaccountable bureaucracies to wield undelegated power against the citizenry.

Take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — please!

I prefer to call them the Centers for Dominance and Control of the Population. Why? Because for reasons unfathomable, everybody seems to line up and do as they say, blindly following orders and doing as they're told, in the face of abundant evidence that the orders promulgated are often some combination of illegal, immoral, and illogical. But evidence doesn't matter, because they've realized the scared little sheep will let them get away with murder as long as they call it a "public health crisis."

Indeed, the CDC has risen to become a powerful influence in American life today, infringing on natural rights, guiding public discourse, producing a narrative to control thought, enacting Draconian rules, and engaging in policy areas completely unrelated to health, such as telling landlords they cannot collect rent owed to them. Seriously? Property rights, anyone?

To justify this abusive overreach, everything is now about "public health." (That's how they get you.)

A prime example? Now "racism" (such as it may be defined) is a "public health crisis." You heard that right. Words simply have no meaning anymore, so they can create any edicts they like, based on their own squirrelly definitions of language and reality. How does that look in practice? Check this out:

The mayor and city council of Salt Lake City just put out this tripe. Now YOU can be deemed a public health threat and have your civil liberties illegally curtailed as a result of motivations falsely ascribed to you. (This will result in violence, guaranteed. Whether it's violence in the form of citizens resisting the tyranny, or violence perpetrated by the government enforcing their tyranny against those deemed to be "public health threats"...there will be violence.)

Check out the assumptions in this resolution (each listed as a "whereas" point). I was unaware that steaming piles of crap could be piled up quite that high. Also, I'm annoyed that these so-called leaders have the audacity to call me, my family, and my friends racists. If anybody, it's these race-obsessed powerlusters who are the racists.

The sixth "whereas" is particularly galling in its clear falsehood. It claims that the United States, the states themselves, and each city have been intentionally DESIGNED to be systematically racist. This is an attack on the founding principles of equality of opportunity and on every citizen in the country who does not fall into their definition of "the oppressed."

Speaking of equality of opportunity, as opposed to equality of outcomes, this document uses the insidious term "equity" or "inequity" no less than TEN times. Equity is the communist term for a central authority forcibly redistributing wealth or other resources. Don't get it mixed up with equal treatment. Equity strives to make things unfair in the name of fairness. 

This mayor and council members have taken it upon themselves, with no actual delegated authority, only the moral authority they presume to have over everyone, to designate us all as racists, and they intend to use that designation, along with the force of the CDC, to punish you for the wrongthink they ascribe to you based on your skin color.

These people are out of control. Resist.

And the first step is to abolish the CDC.

[UPDATE:] Within a day of this ridiculous proclamation, I created a counter-resolution for other cities in Utah to sign. My group disseminated it to the mayors and city councils throughout the state. I have not yet heard whether any of them adopted the counter-resolution. Here it is:

Governor Coxwomble's $pending $pree

Cox: Hmm...how should I spend all this FREE money?

First, let's get that title out of the way.

I've taken to calling Utah's executive "Coxwomble" because I recently came across the term "Cockwomble," which is a British word that means

"A person, usually male, prone to making outrageously stupid statements and/or inappropriate behavior while generally having a very high opinion of their own wisdom and importance."

Seems appropriate.

Now, let's talk about this special session of the Utah Legislature that he's called, that's convening tomorrow to take up a few issues. Will they focus mainly on protecting your rights against medical tyranny? Nope. Will they primarily be looking to protect your rights by establishing Second Amendment sanctuary status? Nope. Banning Marxist indoctrination in our public schools? Nah. Ol' Spencer's got some cash burning a hole in his pocket. Cox's main objective for this session is to take the filthy lucre he's accepted from the federal government and spend it like a drunken sailor. 

They call it "COVID-19 relief dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act," but we all know what it really is: a not-so cleverly hidden redistribution of wealth agenda. Those billions of dollars have to come from somewhere. They come from you and me. First, via regular ol' taxes, and second from the hidden taxation scheme called "printing more money." Every time the fed runs those printing presses, they're doing it upon your back and mine, because they're not creating wealth; they're dividing up the existing wealth among more worthless pieces of paper. And that means inflation, and that means your paycheck is worth less than it was — which is the same thing, in effect, as a tax increase. 

(Please note: I am not advocating the idea of a fixed pie of wealth. I've stated before that that's a fallacy, because the total wealth of the nation increases as we are economically active in creating goods and services. But in the snapshot of time when the money is printed, there is only so much wealth at that moment that the currency is supposed to represent, which is why that "new" money is instantly devalued — it doesn't represent anything of actual value.)

So...Cox is taking your money and mine — money with federal strings attached, making us more and more beholden to Washington DC and their agenda — and he's got big plans for it, oh yes, oh yes. *governor rubs hands gleefully*

According to KSL: 

The biggest item on lawmakers' [special session] agenda will be tackling budget changes and how they plan to spend over $1.6 billion in the latest round of federal COVID-19 relief dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Executive Appropriations Committee on Monday endorsed a plan to only initially spend about $574 million of those funds."

Oh, how wonderfully restrained of them to not spend it all in one place! They'll start by only nuzzling into that trough to the tune of about one-third of all that lovely gift money from rich Uncle Joe. Now, they could go all "stimulus" style and give every man, woman and child in the state about five hundred bucks. But you know they know far better how to spend your money than you do!

So, they're dividing the $1.6 billion into "buckets." Senate President Stuart Adams said that putting it in buckets helps them "make a better decision as to whether that's an appropriate spot to spend state money." Just in case your Newspeak translation app is not updated, "state money" means "YOUR money." (Creating buckets, of course, also hides the wealth transfer that's happening.)

Here are the proposed buckets:

• $720 million for infrastructure and unemployment solvency
• $115 million for ongoing response to the pandemic
• $65 million in grants to businesses impacted by the pandemic
• $280 million for water infrastructure
• $175 million for broadband internet expansion
• $80 million for education
• $110 million for emergency preparedness
• $35 million to address backlogged courts
• $70 million for housing and homeless

Let's examine that sweet sweet wish list, shall we?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

$720 million for infrastructure and unemployment solvency

As you have learned from the fake president, "infrastructure" is Newspeak for "whatever the heck I want." So, of course it's the biggest chunk. As for unemployment solvency, this is a classic case of government using OUR money to fix the problems that THEY created. We wouldn't have unemployment issues in Utah if the government had not put so many people out of work through their Draconian and unnecessary "pandemic" response.

$115 million for ongoing response to the pandemic

What the heck does that even MEAN? Are they planning to pour more gasoline on the fire they started? More cowbell? Ongoing meddling and ongoing rights violations? A big "no thank you" to that!

$65 million in grants to businesses impacted by the pandemic

How gracious. What they really mean is businesses impacted by the government response. Once again, fixing problems of their own creation.

$280 million for water infrastructure

There's that magic word, again! Infrastructure this, infrastructure that. Don't you worry your pretty little head about it, citizen. They've got it all under control. I mean, it's infrastructure for crying out loud! Who could be against that?

$175 million for broadband internet expansion

Seems like this is something that should be left to the private sector. Oh, I get it! They're going to pay the private sector to do internet stuff. So, another case of gov(pub) and gov(priv) working together for the greater good with no possible negative side effects or unintended consequences. Because, you know, every time the government gets involved with stuff, it just gets cheaper, more efficient, and higher quality!

$80 million for education

Okay. How much of my money will be going toward school choice? How much toward Marxist indoctrination? How much toward administrator salaries? Can you break that down for me a bit?

$110 million for emergency preparedness

Like, toilet paper? Or more opportunities for the executive to usurp power? Please explain.

$35 million to address backlogged courts

Are they going to hire 200 more judges? If not, where is all that dough going?

$70 million for housing and homeless

Like, building houses for the homeless? What? 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

It must be great to have a nice bunch of money to spend, with no regard for the sacred nature of those funds. Every dollar the government calls "state money" represents the lives of the citizens, because the money they take from us is derived from us spending our time and effort — our lives — earning it. Yes, the government needs money to function. We agree to provide funding via our tax dollars...that's how society works. 

But we the people have only authorized government to do a very specific, extremely limited list of enumerated functions. It's not some free-for-all where they just confiscate money and then do what they think is best. I don't care what they think is best. Elected officials should bend over backwards to stay constrained to the tiny box in which we've allowed them to exist. Every time they step outside that box, with illegal rules and restrictions on the people, and with profligate spending on non-essential, extra-constitutional endeavors, they are stepping on us. They are stealing from us. They are betraying their oath of office.

And we are watching.

God is watching.

There will be a reckoning.

Using the Tools at Our Disposal

I've heard it said that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. 

Given the thick morass of rules and laws, the long gaps between elections and legislative activities in our state, and the unwillingness of many of those we've elected to act on some critical issues that need immediate addressing — even via special sessions — I looked into what we can do at a more grass roots level within the existing legal framework in Utah. I found this, from Ballotpedia:

"Utah allows citizen initiatives in the form of initiated state statutes and veto referendums. In Utah, initiated state statutes can be either directly or indirectly initiated. Signature requirements for directly-initiated statutes and referendum petitions are determined by calculating 8 percent of active voters in the state as of January 1 of the year following the last regular general election. For indirectly initiated statute petitions, proponents must gather signatures equal to 4 percent of active voters—a requirement of 57,935 for the 2020 ballot—to get the initiative before state legislators. A second, equal round of signatures is required if the legislature does not approve the initiative. The deadline to submit the first round of signatures for an indirect initiated state statute targeting the 2020 election ballot was November 15, 2019."

As far as how many John Hancocks we need, the signature requirement numbers can be found here. Looks like we'd need about 140,000.

Bottom line: I think we need to take this into our own hands more directly by utilizing the referendum mechanisms in our state. We can work to gather sufficient signatures to get propositions directly onto the ballot in November (though, unfortunately, we've missed the deadline for this upcoming fall election...and time is really of the essence as the oppression worsens day by day).

What propositions should we look at first? I recommend ballot initiatives for the following, as a minimum:

1) Creation of recall mechanisms for all state and federal offices in the state;

2) A way to remove unelected bureaucrats when they abuse positions of authority (such as health department directors)...public hearings over violations would be required as part of due process;

3) Medical freedom: banning government AND private businesses from requiring masks, shots, tracking, testing, etc. for adults and children in Utah;

4) A broader educational control initiative than merely "banning CRT," which is just one of the many fiery darts coming our way through the Marxist-inspired education system. We need something that gives parents a greater say in education...perhaps a restructuring of school boards statewide so they cannot make decisions without ratification from a group of parent representatives;

5) Disengagement from the feds: a ban on taking additional federal funds; or at least a cap, by category, on what's allowed;

6) Sanctuary state: refusal to enforce any and all federal laws that violate natural rights vis a vis the federal and state constitution;

7) Public lands: direct the attorney general to initiate a lawsuit against the federal government for breach of contract (the federal government promised to relinquish or compensate us for our lands upon statehood...the promise remains broken over a century later, impacting our financial independence).

These 7 propositions belong on the ballot as soon as possible, so we can take Utah back from the corrupt statists before it's too late. These items all help us work to equalize power, per my theory of the fixed pie of power. 

Do you think you can find just 1 out of 12 of the people you know to sign a petition, so we can at least have a chance to vote on these important issues?

What Did That Traitorous Plume-Plucked Scullion Say?

 

Missed the Constitution by that much.

The man who claims to be in charge made a speech today to some people. Much like his anemic installation ceremony, a mere 200 people could stomach being in his presence today. Sure, much like the January 20th non-event, they claimed it was something to do with the flu. Whatevs.

[Note: The image I chose for this post represents the fact that I appreciate the nostalgia of remembering him as the prevaricating weasel he was four decades ago instead of the prevaricating weasel he is today. Somehow, since he had told fewer whoppers in total back then, he's ever-so-slightly less disgusting. Comb-over notwithstanding. It also is a helpful reminder of just how long this twerp and twerps like him have been destroying our country.]

I can't stand to listen to this creep, so I read the speech, and here are some thoughts on some of the bloviations and lies spewed from this crackpot dictator.

"Tonight, I come to talk about crisis — and opportunity. About rebuilding our nation — and revitalizing our democracy."

BZZZZZT! Wrong. We have a constitutional democratic republic. But they always get that one wrong, so, let's move on.

"The worst pandemic in a century." 

You'd sure like us to believe that propaganda, wouldn't you? Since, you know, it's critical to your power-lusting schemes.

"The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression."

Yes. Caused by you and people like you. Caused DIRECTLY by the government, and nothing else. Pathetic.

"The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War."

If you're talking about the theft of the election by you and your cadre, then absolutely yes. If you're referring to the protest of January 6th, you are out of your freaking mind and a lousy, lousy propagandist chump.

"America is on the move again. Turning peril into possibility. Crisis into opportunity. Setback into strength."

America was "on the move" with the rip-roaringist economy in living memory before you came in and smashed it all to hell. The only "possibility" and "opportunity" here is for you and your multi-trillion dollar unconstitutional unwanted nonsense proposals to drag us down into utter economic destruction. There is no "strength" in that; only weakness and ultimately, despair.

"America is rising anew. Choosing hope over fear. Truth over lies. Light over darkness."

Rising? We're sinking under the anchor of debt you're saddling us (and our children's children's children) with. Hope over fear? Are you completely insane? All you do is sell fear porn, every day. COVID this, COVID that. Truth over lies? Excuse me while I clean up my vomit. You people are the ultimate liars. You people are the ultimate darkness. I'm so nauseated.

"After 100 Days of rescue and renewal, America is...[l]eading the world again."

Rescue and renewal? Gee, thanks for rescuing us from a great economy and actual global leadership. You're a laughingstock. How's that "world leadership" working out for you along our southern border, Joey? How are things going with our ally Israel? With the Iranians?

"...thanks to the extraordinary leadership [sic] of Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer [utterly reprehensible nutjobs] – and with the overwhelming support of the American people – Democrats, Independents, and Republicans – we did act."

Overwhelming support of the American people? Have you been sniffing Hunter's drugs? You are possibly the most unsupported so-called president in history. You had to steal the election, and tens of thousands of dedicated patriots have been working hard every day for more than 100 days to get this heinous wrong righted. If anyone supports you, it's because you've successfully snowed them. As for Republican support...sorry, but no-spine Romney does not count.

"So get vaccinated now."

No thanks. Don't tell me what to do, slimeball. I'll tell you where you can stick your jab.

"Parents are seeing smiles on their kids’ faces as they go back to school."

I'm going to have to call bullcrap on that. Since your asinine rules require kids to be masked, NOBODY is seeing any smiles on any kids' faces. Instead, the children are being abused by your government, and committing suicide in record numbers. That's blood on your hands, you craven milk-livered turd.

"There’s still more work to do to beat this virus. We can’t let our guard down now."

Oh, shut up. The stench of your propaganda turns my stomach. And it is getting so, SO old.

"...we are sending $1,400 rescue checks to 85% of all American households."

Read that as: "We're suffocating you and your progeny in unsustainable debt by forcing you to take a loan that you'll need to pay back to the tune of about 400%, continuing to cause inflation (which is the same as instituting an across-the-board pay-cut that disproportionately harms the poor), all to try to make ourselves look good by "fixing" a problem of our own creation. You're welcome."

"[We're] providing loans to keep small businesses open and their employees on the job."

The small businesses are only hurting because of what GOVERNMENT did to them, boosting their big business cronies while crushing the small businesses as part of the COVID hoax. Shame on you.

"We’re in a competition with China..."

Ha! Yeah, you're not really competing with the CCP that helped put you in office.

"We have to build back better."

Ah, that's the globalist marketing phrase we've read about. Nice.

After rattling off a list of various innovations, he said:

"These are the investments...that only government can make."

Really? Hmm. Interesting take, there, Joe. Seems pretty easy to falsify this declaration that human progress is only possible via our government overlords. Just ask Elon Musk.

"Today, up to 10 million homes and more than 400,000 schools and child care centers have pipes with lead in them, including for drinking water. A clear and present danger to our children’s health."

Leave that to the states, you idiot. Why not address the REAL clear and present dangers to our children's health? I'm talking about the harms of forcing masks onto their faces, and the dangers to children that increased from predators facilitated by government responses to COVID, not to mention your crisis at the border. Yeah, let's not mention that.

"The American Jobs Plan creates jobs...And I am asking the Vice President to help lead this effort."

Huh. How did that "asking the vice president to help lead this effort" work out for you with the border crisis? Oh? She was a no-show? I see. Well, maybe this challenge will be more palatable for her.

"For me, when I think about climate change, I think jobs."

Yeah, me too. I think of all the jobs you're going to destroy with your little "climate change" game. 

"There’s no reason the blades for wind turbines can’t be built in Pittsburgh instead of Beijing. No reason why American workers can’t lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and batteries."

Sure...and there's no reason why the steel used to make the bird executioners fan blades and the materials used in the batteries can't magically become environmentally-friendly resources, right?

"Now – I know some of you at home are wondering..."

Wait...he actually thinks anyone at home is watching this crap?

"By the way – let’s also pass the $15 minimum wage. No one should work 40 hours a week and still live below the poverty line."

No, stupid, let's not dictate the price of commodities like labor. Let's not insert government into the right of free association and the liberty to have mutually agreed-upon transactions by private citizens. Let's not price all the teens and minorities and less-trained people out of a job. Yes, there absolutely are people who should work 40 hours a week (if they choose) and still live below your mythical "poverty line." They're called teenagers. They're called part-timers. They're called free American citizens. Leave us all alone with your job-killing, price-increasing foolish unconstitutional meddling.

"And we need to ensure greater equity and opportunity for women. Let’s get the Paycheck Fairness Act to my desk for equal pay. It’s long past time."

Dude, it's long past time you stopped peddling in myths. The "wage gap" is a long con. You're not fooling us anymore. Just stop.

"Decades ago we used to invest 2% of our GDP on research and development. Today, we spend less than 1%. China and other countries are closing in fast."

Yeah, your bed-buddies are closing in fast because they steal our IP, and you let them. Why don't you stand up to the communists? Oh yeah...because you are one, and they own you.

"Doing nothing is not an option."

Oh, please. Please...PLEASE! I would give up a toe if you people would just. Do. NOTHING. For like, five to ten years. Just do nothing. Please.

"First, access to a good education."

C'mon, man! If you cared about that, you'd abolish the abysmal money-pit failure called the Department of Education, and you'd fully support school choice. But you don't. Because you are anti-education. You are only pro-indoctrination, which is why you only support the programs you support. One of the major planks of the Marxist manifesto, after all, right?

"And then we add two years of free community college."

Free? FREE? You keep using that word. I am absolutely certain it does not mean what you think it means (or what you think the rubes who listen to you think it means).

"The American Rescue Plan lowered health care premiums for 9 million Americans who buy their coverage under the Affordable Care Act."

I didn't fact-check this, but if the ACA lowered healthcare costs this year, that will be a first for the ACA after more than a decade of screwing everybody. Expanding ObamaCare, one the worst and most unpopular laws in American history, can only be bad for America.

"The Affordable Care Act has been a lifeline for millions of Americans – protecting people with pre-existing conditions, protecting women’s health."

Of course, by "lifeline" he means "death sentence," given the true meaning of his horrid euphemism "women's health" (in case your Newspeak app is not updated, "women's health" means "baby murder").

"Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America."

No, you commie. Healthcare is not a right. Taking other people's labor and stuff is not a right.

"It’s time for corporate America and the wealthiest 1% of Americans to pay their fair share. Just pay their fair share."

Fair share. You keep using that word... you know the rest. Some facts:

• In 2017, the top 50 percent of all taxpayers paid 97 percent of all individual income taxes, while the bottom 50 percent paid the remaining 3 percent.
• The top 1 percent paid a greater share of individual income taxes (38.5 percent) than the bottom 90 percent combined (29.9 percent).

Our tax structure is so "progressive" it's about to tip and fall over, you mewling beef-witted gudgeon. Here's just how steep that curve already is:

But you want to squeeze even harder on the people who are building businesses, creating jobs, innovating. What was the name of the last business you ran, Joe? *crickets* No, I said RAN, not profited from. Big difference, Big Guy.

"We’re going to reform corporate taxes so they pay their fair share."

No you're not. Only a complete nincompoop believes that corporations pay taxes. They build your tax hikes into their overhead like any smart person would do, and that's passed onto the consumer as price inflation. Thanks.

"We take the top tax bracket...up to 39.6%."

Ever heard of the Laffer curve? Do you really think that's going to pay for your spending spree? You do realize that even a single one of your trillion dollar shopping lists is the equivalent of spending a million bucks a day for 2,750 years? But yeah, let's make ThE eViL wEaLtHy pay for your communist dreams! That'll work!

"We’re going to get rid of the loopholes that allow Americans who make more than $1 million a year pay a lower rate on their capital gains than working Americans pay on their work. This will only affect three tenths of 1% of all Americans."

That happens to be a million families you're targeting, there. Math is not hard. Meanwhile, it's extremely insulting to insinuate that those people aren't working for their income. You shameless clay-brained clotpole.

"What I’ve proposed is fair. It’s fiscally responsible."

Wait, what is? The ever-increasingly unfair super-progressive tax structure is fair? (See above chart.) Or is the trillions upon trillions of dollars of completely unsustainable and unconstitutional debt "fiscally responsible"? You use words, and by doing so abuse the language and assault the listener, you perfidious beetle-headed varlet.

"When you hear someone say that they don’t want to raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% and on corporate America – ask them: whose taxes are you going to raise instead, and whose are you going to cut?"

False choice, fool. How about you just stop the spending? That's the answer. It would be so easy. But not for a communist.

"Look at the big tax cut in 2017. It was supposed to pay for itself and generate vast economic growth. Instead it added $2 trillion to the deficit. It was a huge windfall for corporate America and those at the very top."

Bullpoop. That tax cut benefitted nearly every American, including my middle class family, and made our economy SOAR like a rocket. And you want to take that away? Just stop it, you tongueless fool-born carbuncle.

"According to one study, CEOs make 320 times what their average workers make."

Other than the covetous, who cares? Income inequality is a totally meaningless metric. It's all a distraction from the inequality that really matters.

"20 million Americans lost their jobs in the pandemic – working- and middle-class Americans."

Thanks to government. No other cause. When are we going to hold you people responsible?

"No responsible American president can remain silent when basic human rights are violated."

Apparently, Joe just said he is irresponsible. Because remaining silent when basic human rights are violated is precisely what he has done by calling the Uyghur genocide nothing but "different cultural norms" and giving the communists a pass. Despicable. And so brazen to say this now. What a clownwad.

"I responded in a direct and proportionate way to Russia’s interference in our elections..."

...by making sure all the right people got paid off, including his son. He still owes the CCP, though.

"Al Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and other places in Africa and the Middle East and beyond."

So, that would be why you, on day one in office, reversed President Trump's wise travel ban on people from terrorism-sponsoring countries like those you just listed? Makes sense.

"And, we won’t ignore what our own intelligence agencies have determined – the most lethal terrorist threat to the homeland today is from white supremacist terrorism."

Oh puh-LEEZE. You and your completely politicized and corrupt intelligence agencies couldn't come up with a more believable boogeyman? Really? Astounding. I mean, you have BLM and Antifa literally setting cities on fire for a year, and you're gonna go with "white supremacist terrorism"? Just wow. 

"It’s estimated that more than 50 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner – every month in America."

This is precisely why more women need to be armed, and able to arm themselves according to the Second Amendment, with no infringement whatsoever — no background checks, no waiting periods, not permitting. All women and men have a God-given and constitutionally-protected right to defend themselves with zero impediments from the government.

"And I need not tell anyone this, but gun violence is an epidemic in America."

You need not tell us because your propaganda arm (the media) reinforces that message every day. Besides, the true epidemic is fatherless families, not pieces of hardware. Regardless, it's a good thing there are over two million defensive gun uses each year in the United States. Infringing on the natural rights of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves will only make things worse.

"In the week between those mass shootings, more than 250 other Americans were shot dead. 250 shot dead."

Please tell us, Joe, how many of those were black-on-black violence perpetrated in cities with the strictest "gun control" laws? How many were in states with the most defensive freedom?

"...a ban on assault weapons..."

Please define "assault weapon." I'll wait. Is it anything like an assault hammer? Assault fists? Assault poison? Assault cheese sandwiches? Assault laws? Assault politicians? Perhaps you should just ban assault and call it good. Covers all the bases. What's that? Assault is already illegal? I see. So...you have some other agenda.

"Anyone from a criminal to a terrorist could buy this [gun] kit and, in as little as 30 minutes, put together a lethal weapon. But not anymore."

Or a hobbyist, or a patriot who knows tyrants like you are the enemy, or perhaps a woman who wants to protect herself and can't wait longer than 30 minutes for your stupid background checks and waiting periods. But not anymore. You abominable tallow-faced ratsbane.

"We also have to get at the root of the problem of why people are fleeing to our southern border from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador. The violence. The corruption. The gangs. The political instability. Hunger. Hurricanes. Earthquakes."

Well, that's WEIRD! So, none of those things existed until you were installed? Because, there was no border crisis under President Trump. I guess hurricanes and earthquakes just magically kicked in when you ascended to the throne. Hmm. Maybe God doesn't like you much.

"...beset by man-made and natural made violence..."

Please define "natural made violence." No, really, I'm just super-curious what the heck you are talking about, geezer.

"Immigrants have done so much for America during the pandemic..."

You mean like flooding across the border carrying diseases? Yeah, that has been a real hoot.

"And if we are to truly restore the soul of America – we need to protect the sacred right to vote."

Okay, here's where I have to say I am kind of amazed. Amazed that he was not simply struck down by lightning right then and there, to be nothing more than a little smoking pile of ashes. Amazing.

"More people voted in the last presidential election than ever before in our history..."

Yeah, because many of them were dead, or non-existent, or felons, or underage, or voted late, or were not living in the precinct, or were duplicates, or were trucked in from other states, or were cats, or... 

And most of the votes that were legit went to...drumroll please...President Trump, the legitimate president.

"Congress should pass H.R. 1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and send them to my desk right away. The country supports it."

No, we do not. H.R. 1 is the end of our republic. REPUBLIC (in case you didn't hear me). The end. It is a complete usurpation. Communism. Stuff it, you goatish doghearted pignut.

"As we gather here tonight, the images of a violent mob assaulting this Capitol—desecrating our democracy—remain vivid in our minds. Lives were put at risk. Lives were lost."

They were trying to get you people who were ACTUALLY desecrating the democratic process of our republic to DO THE RIGHT THING and not certify the utterly fraudulent election. So, you kind of have it backwards. As for lives lost...yes, an unarmed white woman, Ashli Babbit (say her name), was shot dead by an unnamed Capitol officer who will not even be CHARGED for her murder. Where is the justice? Oh, and your cronies in the corporate media made up complete lies about the officer who died later from a stroke, claiming it had anything to do with the protesters. Will you call out the irresponsible media? Of course not...they're your propaganda arm.

"The insurrection was an existential crisis—a test of whether our democracy could survive. It did."

Complete Orwellian horsepucky. It was NOT an insurrection. It was NOT an existential crisis. And no, our republic did NOT survive, because you got away with the theft of the election on that fateful day, you degenerate spur-galled lewdster. The only thing that survived was your treasonous treachery.

"Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears that have pulled us apart?"

You tell me, since you're the liar; you're the one spreading hate and fear. You're the one so dedicated to pulling us apart.

Resident Xi Bidet wrapped it all up with the usual bombast and platitude-fest that's to be expected, but every word rung insipidly hollow.

This man is a dark, wicked, professional liar, and a communist through and through. I look forward to the justice that is to come.

* * * * *

My thanks to the assistance of the Shakespearean Insults Generator tonight. I may have overused it a tad, but if anyone is worthy, it's this disgusting usurper in the Oval Office who is defiling my beloved country and shackling everyone I care about.

Third Week

 

That's when we turned the corner. That, as far as I can assess, is the point at which we crossed that threshold. 

The point of no return.

A little over a year ago (can you believe it?), when we got to the end of week three of "two weeks to flatten the curve," and there was not an immediate and massive resistance to continuing on with that nonsense...that was truly the beginning of the end.

That's when it became clear that enough people were asleep...sheep ripe for the slaughter...for various reasons. Many were simply too busy trying to survive and live life to actually do the deep investigation and research required. After all, so many people were already starting to suffer from the economic impacts of the government's actions. Many didn't do that digging, even though they may have felt some uneasiness deep down...a niggling feeling that something was amiss. Others felt nothing and didn't care. They were on autopilot and ready to do whatever they were told without a hint of questioning. Others were riddled with fear, swallowing every lie, consuming every bit of fear-porn, ironically happy to withdraw from the messy responsibilities of freedom and into the warm, comforting cocoon of "safety" provided by obedience to an all-knowing, all-caring government.

Regardless, the vast majority of people simply went along with it all, for whatever reason, valid or otherwise.

And by the time some of them started to wake up, or started to realize the true cost of their choices...it was too late. For those of us who were suspicious from nearly the beginning, but went along with the first two or three weeks out of a sense of good citizenship and lack of solid data...we've been carrying that burden of enlightenment for a long time now. And it's exhausting.

Third week. 

That's the time I'll forever look back on as the end of the era of freedom. Sure, there were many, many variables. Many complex conditions, from several years of corrupted, fraudulent elections, to a gradual consolidation of power and influence into gov(priv) and gov(pub), to a general lulling of the populace by increasingly amoral entertainment and idol worship as a replacement for true learning and engagement. 

Those were the carrying forth of the coffin, and the collecting of the nails. At week three, however, is when they placed the lid atop the box, and started pounding in the nails with stealth and alacrity.

Now, the only sounds emanating from the coffin are the snores of the unconscious masses, interrupted only by the muffled cries of the discontented, whose eyes are open wide, and adjusted to the dark, but constrained from any action beyond some futile jostling that sometimes annoys the snoozers.

Hmm. That was dark. Well, happy Friday, folks.

______________________________________

P.S. For some of the best commentary on the world these days, I highly recommend JP Sears' video series. His use of satire is surely the only reason the corporate censors haven't completely squashed him yet. He speaks truth. Support him.

Taking on the School

 

My son's school, Syracuse High School, sent out an email yesterday making sure we are all aware that they are continuing their awful masking policy, despite the state lifting their (illegal) mandate for adults.

Here's what they wrote:

Subject: Mask Mandate Update

Hello parents,

We want to thank you for assisting us in successfully and safely opening and keeping our school open this school year. In some parts of the country, schools are just opening now. In Davis School District, schools opened in the fall, and that occurred because of your cooperation.

Even before schools opened, the district, last July, established a “Davis Learns Together” Plan in which it outlined an operational protocol that it has continued to follow. That protocol is “The Big Five” — involving practicing hygiene etiquette, staying home when sick, wearing face coverings, physical distancing when possible, and cleaning and disinfecting.

During the many months that have passed, the district has continued to follow the expertise and guidance provided by the State of Utah, Utah Department of Health and the Davis County Health Department. It has also adhered to State Public Health Orders (SPHO), including SPHO 2021-2 which involved an updated School Face Mask Order.

That order, effective Jan. 21, 2021, stated “Each individual on school property or on a school bus shall wear a face mask … ,” except under circumstances when someone has received a face mask exception. That order remains in effect through June 15, 2021. SPHO 2021-2 is not affected by HB 294, which goes into effect on April 10.

In accordance with the above-referenced health order, our school will continue to operate as it has since the fall. If a student isn’t wearing a mask and does not have a face mask exception, he or she will not be able to remain at school.

The adherence students have shown to the face mask protocol has been great, and we appreciate everything you’ve done to continue to support us.

We know our school will continue to be a healthy and safe place, and, as we continue to work together, we will be able to end the school year as successfully as we started it.

Sincerely,
Jed Johansen
Principal

And here's what I wrote back, to the principal and his three assistant principals:

Subject: the continued mask requirement is UNACCEPTABLE

Hello Principal Johansen & additional administrators copied on this email,

As a parent of a Syracuse High School student, I am writing to express my complete dissatisfaction with your choice to continue forcing the children to wear masks.

I've done my medical and legal research. I understand the science, and I know the law. This is unacceptable. My son will be among many on Monday in Utah who come to school and show their beautiful faces as part of the SeeMySmile protest organized by the concerned citizens of this state. It is important that our children learn how to stand up for their rights against terrible, unscientific, tyrannical, unconstitutional decisions from people to whom we've delegated authority and given our trust, and who have violated that sacred duty to protect the children.

I hope you see a sea of yellow shirts on Monday. But even if you don't, you have an obligation to every single student — even if it's just my son — to do the right thing instead of letting fear drive your decisions. My son will be standing up for what's right. You could learn a lot from him.

With great indignation,
—Michael D. Britton

Maybe I shouldn't write and send emails when I'm angry, but then maybe they shouldn't send out such bullcrap emails. I mean, if it were my job to take care of 2,286 students, I'd darn well be doing my homework and learning the truth about these policies, rather than just rubber-stamping the health department's awful decisions. 

So, today we attended the SeeMySmile rally outside the Davis School District offices in Farmington (photo above). It was a great event, and good to once again see some of the good, normal, freedom-loving, constitution-defending, America-supporting folks I met recently at another meeting of these like-minded concerned citizen activists.

I'm proud of my son for being willing to take a stand on Monday, even though he will be in the minority and will suffer consequences (being sent home). It's these brave kids who can't be steamrolled by "authority" who will one day lead the charge in defending us against communism. I hope they cause a major disruption at schools across the state, so these weak administrators will wake up and stop living in fear and ignorance at the expense of our kids' well-being.

_______________________________________________

[UPDATE:] The day after my email, I wrote another, apologizing for my tone, but not for my stance. I felt bad about being so contentious. Yes, their email was infuriating, but I prefer to take a higher road.

Anyway...on Monday, my boy went to school with his yellow SeeMySmile shirt and button, and no mask. I got a call from Principal Johansen. He said, "Guess who is the only student at school today without a mask?" He was very conciliatory. He took no offense at my emails. He said he actually agreed, and wished we could ditch the masks right now, but his hands were tied. He let me know he was going to have to send Seth home.

So, my boy was the ONLY one out of 2,286 students at the school who stood up for freedom that day. On one hand, it's disappointing. On the other hand, I never thought I'd be proud to have my son sent home by the principal for defying the rules — but the world is upside down, and this kid's a rock star.

Root Causes

What's with these people, anyway? This Squatter Administration seems totally inept, but surely no one could actually be that inept. Seems to me like they're trying to instigate a revolt. Which means they must feel like they could prevail in such a situation, which is worrying in itself.

Still, it can be hard to pin down the motivations of these people. 

Some have downright evil intentions and know exactly what they're doing: they're power addicts and all they care about is accruing and retaining power. I'm sure most of those lie to themselves to self-justify: "I'm doing this for the best interests of everybody!" — but I'm sure there are some of those rationalizers who recognize deep down that it's not true. But they don't care, because they've developed a deep hatred for those who they consider to be incorrigible wrongthinkers. They really can't stand them, and the opposition they represent, so they would happily see them exterminated. Sounds crazy and far-fetched, but it's a part of our recent world history, after all.

Then there are all those we term "useful idiots" — the ones who have swallowed the lies and rubbed their tummies with a sigh of "Mmm, that tastes GOOD!" These people are true believers in the whole narrative, and are being used to advance the agenda. 

We need to remember that these people, like the Salt Lake City mayor who is extending the mask mandate in SLC despite the state lifting their own (illegal) mandate, actually believe they're doing the right thing and helping people. They are utterly, completely, and horribly wrong...but they are convinced they are righteous, and that those of us who are awake all lack compassion and decency and are "science deniers(TM)." These people live in an alternate reality, and the only way we're going to solve this without (eventual) bloodshed is to wake them up — educate them — somehow wrestle them away from their illusions and delusions. 

I struggle with how that is to be accomplished, because some people refuse to be enlightened or change their minds. When confronted with facts, they dig in their heels and double down on the lies they believe. It's truly an existential crisis, because we can fight, and we may sometimes win, but as long as they live in their fantasy land, we will always be enemies.

Speaking not of the useful idiots, but of the tyrants in charge...when they utter an obvious lie, I hear people on my side say, "They must think we're stupid." Well, I don't think they think we're dumb. Thinking that they think we're dumb shifts them along the motivation spectrum from malicious to ignorant, and I don't believe they could possibly be that ignorant. They are malicious. They know that we know that they know that we know...and in their position of what they consider unassailable power, they're boldly mocking us with impunity. It's part of the humiliation tactic described by Theodore Dalrymple in a quote that I've sadly had to share dozens of times over the past year:

"In my study of communist societies, I came to the conclusion that the purpose of communist propaganda was not to persuade or convince, not to inform, but to humiliate; and therefore, the less it corresponded to reality the better. When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to repeat the lies themselves, they lose once and for all their sense of probity. To assent to obvious lies is in some small way to become evil oneself. One's standing to resist anything is thus eroded, and even destroyed. A society of emasculated liars is easy to control."

All this is making the division very clear: either you're a person whose first instinct is to force people to do things ("for their own good" or "in the best interests of the collective") or your first instinct is to leave people alone and respect agency. Fear versus love.

But we can't keep treating symptoms. We need to address the underlying reason people are anti-agency.

And ultimately, I think it comes down to who you follow.

Jim Crovid

Just change the labels to "vaxxed/masked" and "unvaxxed/unmasked."

New York and California are implementing "health passports," and the fake administration in the White House is toying with the idea of doing the same thing nationally. Sure, Psaki said they're not, but then said they're looking at having an "interagency" process that "will be driven by the private sector." Here's the Newspeak translation for you: "interagency" means "unaccountable bureaucrats" and "driven be the private sector" means "getting our corporate cronies to do the dirty work we'd get in trouble for." It's all filthy skullduggery.

Meanwhile, Utah now looking to issue app-based driver's licenses. Just think how very convenient that will be for integrating all your social credit scoring, such as vax status, party affiliation, known accomplices... Not only would it be subject to hacking, and not only would it be subject to system failure, but it would also be subject to manipulation by the issuing entity. Like we're supposed to trust the state at this point! Think how easy it would be for the state to push out an update that makes you persona non grata because you've failed to comply in some way, or demonstrated some sort of wrongthink. Simple control. 

Yes, we're slipping quickly down that slope to a cross between the segregated South and Orwell's 1984. Why do I say that?

Think about it: If we're required to prove our vax status to participate in society, it will create a caste system no different from Jim Crow. In fact, we should call all these laws and regulations Jim Crovid laws. It's imperative that we start presenting this struggle as a civil rights issue, and I think "Jim Crovid" can help with that messaging.

I can easily see a black market quickly emerging to combat the commie social credit system. Americans are still innovative and resourceful, and there are still plenty who are not ready or willing to be owned. But help will have to come from everyday citizens, not the very government functionaries who have allowed this situation to come to pass.

I'm involved with some citizens' activist groups around here, and the fact that we can hardly get any people with power, from the local dog catcher up to the hallowed halls of DC to do jack about anything regarding protection of our most basic civil rights...it's not just discouraging or shocking...it's educational. It tells us that there's a deep-rooted cancer infesting the entire nation, from head to toe, coast to coast, invasive and putrefying. It informs us that although only about 0.00006% of Americans (perhaps about 25,000) have any kind of meaningful power either delegated to them by the rest of us, or usurped via economic position, there are probably only a few hundred reliable ones with any power in the whole country. Probably a lot less than that. The numbers are staggering when considered that way.

Most people, sadly, are lulled away into carnal security...asleep. They just want stuff...entertainment...WiFi..."safety"...and to not be bothered with the work required to maintain our rights. We've entrusted people to protect our rights, but they are not doing it (see yesterday's post for examples).

Instead, we're headed into the world of Jim Crovid. What will you do to stop this?

Who's Looking Out For You?

I'm really starting to dislike talking to those who purport to serve us in government.

The other day, as part of a group of people independently emailing our "leaders," I sent the following email:

Attorney General, Sean D. Reyes,

As you know, the Office of the Attorney General is responsible for protecting consumer rights for all people in the state of Utah. It is your duty to use the powers and authority that the citizens of Utah have delegated to you to discover and abolish all unconstitutional and discriminatory practices of privately and publicly owned establishments within our state. For example, it is illegal under federal and state law to:

• Discriminate against an employee in employment decisions such as hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, training, or assigning an individual based on his or her medical condition
• Discriminate against an individual regarding his or her ability to access recreational facilities, parks, commercial establishments, or educational institutions, based on his or her medical condition
• Discriminate against an individual regarding freedom of association, engaging in transactions, socializing, etc., based on his or her medical condition.

You’ve likely heard the news reports that those occupying the highest office in the land are looking at implementing “health passports” or similar “social credit” systems that will require citizens to meet criteria such as receiving the COVID mRNA injection if they wish to participate in society and enjoy their Constitutional rights. Those rights are guaranteed, not conditioned upon compliance with this government’s latest whims, and it’s the job of people who hold key offices like yours to defend our freedom from these tyrannies.

There are many Utahns who cannot receive this injection because of deeply-held religious beliefs, personal beliefs, and/or health reasons, and therefore they will be limited in working, shopping, education, socializing and in general excluded from enjoying their natural rights. Article I, section 1 of the Utah Constitution makes clear: “All persons have the inherent and inalienable right to enjoy and defend their lives and liberties; to acquire, possess and protect property; to worship according to the dictates of their consciences; to assemble peaceably, protest against wrongs, and petition for redress of grievances; to communicate freely their thoughts and opinions, being responsible for the abuse of that right.” There is no fine print that says, “unless they choose to forego an mRNA injection.”

Those entrusted with protecting our rights in the state of Utah must ensure that all business conducted within the state’s jurisdiction will never impose unconstitutional restrictions such as those being proposed by the federal government.

This is not a request; you are under sworn obligation to enforce our state and federal laws against discrimination due to medical conditions. The constitution of the United States is not to be suspended because monopolies and huge corporations seek to force American citizens to forfeit their personal rights over their medical choices, conditions and needs. It is imperative that you communicate to all businesses operating within the state of Utah that such discriminatory actions will not be permitted, and that they will face severe legal consequences for discriminatory behavior.

I, and thousands of other Utah voters, await your response on this matter.

Michael D. Britton

Resident of the State of Utah
(CC: all state legislators)

I got a response from one of the legislators, Curt Bramble. He's a Republican state senator from Provo who's been in office for twenty years. He simply said:

Please let me know the source of this form letter
Thanks

So, I responded:

Hello!

I'm a member of a group of concerned citizens in North Davis County who are working to address some of the dire circumstances we're finding ourselves in here in Utah. The group provided a draft of the letter from another group called TS+Utah. I took that letter and significantly re-wrote it for my own use. I shared my version back to my group, and some of them may have used that in their own emails (I don't know if they did). The group coordinated to send the message yesterday; I sent mine later than the rest. They told me that the TS group composed their version of the letter after hearing the White House Press Secretary discussing vaccine mandates in a March 29 press briefing. This is the transcript that caused concern:

"QUESTION: And then finally, on the vaccine, Andy Slavitt talked about the idea of a “vaccine passport” in the COVID briefing this morning. He said it’s primarily going to be spearheaded by the private sector. But what’s the President’s position on whether, once the vaccine is more readily available, businesses should be able to tell employees who don’t want to get the vaccine for whatever reason that they can’t come back into the workplace, or that airlines could reject people from getting on the plane if they have decided not to get a vaccine?

MS. PSAKI: Well, we’re going to provide guidance, just as we have, through the CDC. There’s currently an interagency process that is looking at many of the questions around vaccine verification. And that issue will touch many agencies as verification is an issue that will potentially touch many sectors of society, as you have certainly alluded to. That’s guidance we’ll provide. We expect — as Andy Slavitt, I think, alluded to — that a determination or development of a vaccine passport, or whatever you want to call it, will be driven by the private sector. Ours will more be focused on guidelines that can be used as a basis. And there are a couple key principles that we are working from. One is that there will be no centralized, universal federal vaccinations database and no federal mandate requiring everyone to obtain a single vaccination credential. Second, we want to encourage an open marketplace with a variety of private sector companies and nonprofit coalitions developing solutions. And third, we want to drive the market toward meeting public interest goals. So we’ll leverage our resources to ensure that all vaccination credential systems meet key standards, whether that’s universal accessibility, affordability, availability — both digitally and on paper. But those are our standards. It’s currently going through an interagency process. We’ll make some recommendations, and then we believe it will be driven by the private sector.

QUESTION: And when do you anticipate those guidelines will come out?

MS. PSAKI: I don’t have a timeline to provide you at this point, but it’s obviously something we’re working through. And we want to provide that clarity to the public."

We want to make sure our rights in Utah are not in any way abrogated by these plans to co-opt private businesses in what is clearly an illegal/unconstitutional action by the federal government.

Thanks for your response.

And Curt replied:

Michael
I agree that we should not have a vaccination mandate nor should we use COVID to institute a requirement for “travel papers”. However, when I receive a number of very similar email messages it raises the question of who is behind these messages. This does not mean I disagree, but context and agenda of various groups helps inform the recipient of the message.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Curt

Agreement! Thinking that maybe I might make some headway here, I wrote back. Now, I'm not one to let someone say, "Yes, I agree...yes, I care...yes, you're right...yes, something should be done, and I'm in a position to do something, but I'm going to just blow hot air around." So I asked him what he's going to do about it:

I totally understand. Thank you. Given your agreement with the thrust of the message that's being shared by quite a few concerned people, what is your next step for helping make sure your rights and mine are protected? I'm worried that there's a lot of hand-wringing among our representatives, but not much in terms of strong, unequivocal, decisive action. That's not targeted at you; please don't take it the wrong way. It's just that this last legislative session was very disappointing for so many citizens. Thanks again for responding...that's huge.

Then he let loose with a pretty passive-aggressive rant:

Michael

All of the “hand wringing” you refer to appears to be universal, even among “conservatives” and “constitutionalists”. That’s not targeted at you, please don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just that many in your camp are demanding that the legislature fix what is being broken at that federal level. Utah does not have a vaccination mandate, nor will we adopt one. But it’s highly likely that we will not MANDATE policies for businesses, either. For example, should an employer be forced to employ individuals that refuse to wear masks? Or refuse to be vaccinated? Or refuse to comply with other “place of employment” standards or requirements? Should the employer be forced to pay unemployment benefits for an individual that refused to be vaccinated or wear a mask? These are likely inflammatory questions that many in your camp balk at while DEMANDING that their own freedoms be protected while DEMANDING that the freedom of others be infringed by government. Both employers and employees have rights, customers have rights, as d the businesses they patronize. It’s a question of whose rights are defended and whose rights are being trampled.

Your group DEMANDS individual freedom – no one should be required to wear a mask or be vaccinated and that the individual’s decision should not be a factor in how others make their individual decisions for their businesses of whether to allow admittance to the business, sell a seat on a plane, etc. It seems to me that the demand for freedom MUST be balanced between competing rights – employer/employee, business/customer, etc. It’s just that many that demand freedom ignore the concept that other also have freedoms that are being ignored and that’s very disappointing for many citizens. Exercising your right of choice means that you incur the consequences of that choice.

I wrote him right back:

You sound upset. Using lots of ALL CAPS and "scare quotes" just kind of comes off as hostile and combative, when I'm just trying to have a conversation with someone who's sworn to abide by the Constitution and serve the people. I really didn't mean to trigger you into a defensive position. It seems we should be working together, here.

You make it sound like the issue of "whose rights trump whose rights" is so complex and impossible to balance, but the law (Title 29 protections, for example) makes it very clear. So, I'll ask again: What is your plan to address the violations of the law below (citation for the law), as pertaining to the current conditions? This isn't that hard. It just takes the will and courage to do what's right.

• It is unlawful to discriminate against an employee in employment decisions such as hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, training, or assigning an individual based on his or her medical condition
• It is unlawful to discriminate against an individual regarding his or her ability to access recreational facilities, parks, commercial establishments, or educational institutions, based on his or her medical condition
• It is unlawful to discriminate against an individual regarding freedom of association, engaging in transactions, socializing, etc., based on his or her medical condition.

His entire response?

Lighten up - caps ate also used for emphasis.

That's a direct quote, and it's his whole response. It was also his last response.

As you can imagine, I'm unimpressed. And it doesn't explain his "scare quotes" or answer my direct question. He doesn't seem equipped to engage in a reasonable discussion.

So, I'm done with him.

I mean, what part of the proper role of government does this guy not understand? People are not permitted to just abrogate other peoples' natural rights simply because they don't like them having those rights. That's the whole point of government: to protect us against that.

It's the bare minimum we expect from government, and quite frankly, all I want from government.

I didn't know anything about this particular "public servant" prior to this exchange, but I'll just add him to the "needs replacing" list (which is sadly very long). He's made it clear we're on our own.

A final thought on this exchange:

Bramble used the loaded language of the COVID-cult: "refuse" to wear a mask, "refuse" to vaccinate. As pointed out in the meme above, "refuse" is their way of painting us as intransigent, selfish, unreasonable people.

The truth is, we object to being experimented upon. We're non-participants. We're free citizens exercising our natural rights to not comply. There are many better ways to say it..."refusal" is loaded, and a dead giveaway of his position as one of the COVID-cultists. Words matter, and I'm always examining their impact.

So, I guess I'll "lighten up" when he starts doing his job. His whole attitude was very "YOU people!"...how dare I ask him a legit question. Or be concerned at all. We serfs should shut up and do as we're told, and let the two-decade "leaders" do all the thinking.

Who, I ask, is looking out for us?

It's clearly got to be us.

[UPDATE:] Later, I heard back from one of the other legislators, Gay Lynn Bennion, a first-term Democrat who serves the Cottonwood and ski resorts area. She said:

Dear Michael,

Thank you for your email. I appreciate hearing your concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine.

There is no requirement for individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. It is up to each Utahn to decide if they would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. During the 2021 Legislative Session, H.B. 308 COVID-19 Vaccine Amendments was passed which prohibits a governmental entity from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine under certain circumstances. If you have questions regarding federal vaccine policy, I encourage you to contact the Utah Congressional Delegation.

Best regards,
Rep. Bennion

This was a much more professional and decent response. Maybe I was going to get somewhere after all! So, I wrote back:

Hi Rep. Bennion,

Thank you so much for your response to my email. I was aware of, and appreciate that the State of Utah will not be mandating vaccines. That's a win. But my concern is with regard to businesses requiring proof of vaccination for employment or for access. As noted in my original email, medical discrimination by businesses is a violation of state and federal law, and it's the job of state government to ensure our rights are not violated — not only by government, but by private entities. The law is clear, so I'm just wondering if you can please let me know what your plan is to make sure our rights are protected under the law. Does that make sense?

Thanks again,
Michael

Aaaaaaaaand that was the last I ever heard. I'll ask once again: Who is looking out for you?

The Civil Rights Battle of Our Time

The issues around the CCP virus and the government's response are civil rights issues. 

Masking, physical distancing, business closures, medical testing, limits on gatherings — requiring obedience to a long list of questionable requirements and discriminating against those who have the temerity to object to any of it represents a clear violation of our natural civil rights. Yet we fail to properly identify it as such, and that makes it very hard to make any headway toward a just resolution.

During the racial civil rights battles just a few years before I was born, leaders of the movement recognized that there were two paths to justice: the political path (trying to influence legislators to do the right thing) and the resistance path (peaceful refusal to obey unjust laws — what's known as civil disobedience). As the former path becomes more and more impassible and implausible, one must naturally gravitate to the latter path, out of a logical desperation.

The Utah legislature's 2021 session showed us that the former path — a political solution — is not likely. The next session is in February 2022. We can't wait that long, and it will be the same ineffective legislators, anyway. We can hope to replace them in November 2022 and then get a better legislative session in 2023...but that is far too long to wait. We can hope to trigger the mechanisms for a special session in 2021, but once again, we'll have the same lawmakers in power — not a promising situation.

That leaves the latter path: civil disobedience. This path is fraught with varying degrees of risk. On one end of the spectrum, the risk is virtually nil. At the other end, you could face serious consequences, including incarceration, fines, loss of your job, and further restrictions on your freedom to participate in society. At the most extreme end, you could wind up dead.

Ignoring some rules bears very little potential downside. For example, I have hosted gatherings in my home, or attended such gatherings, that violated the Draconian rule against having more than ten people get together. This is not a rule that is being enforced in my county, and even if it were, there is very little chance of getting in trouble for breaking that rule. 

Likewise, I go about my daily business, visiting stores and restaurants, without wearing a face diaper. I show off my smile, behave like a normal human being, and am kindly treated like a normal human being. Of course, I am always under some degree of stress, constantly mentally armed with responses, should I be confronted. Thankfully, despite that anxiety, those confrontations don't happen, and the worst case scenario is I'd have to leave that place. Pretty much a no-risk endeavor, other than the personal cost of always feeling like I'm going to get into an argument, which is not a healthy or free way to live.

But then there are civilly disobedient actions that are higher risk. If my son were to choose to violate his school's ridiculous mask rules, he would get sent home. He'd miss school, and that would harm him. If I tried to get away with showing my face in a hospital or a plane, I would be denied important services. 

Moreover, if I decided to no longer use my hard-earned resources to fund this illegal puppet government that usurped their power and are no longer operating with the consent of the governed — that is, if I chose to stop paying my taxes — I'd be audited, fined, possibly incarcerated, and certainly have my wages garnished. Hitting them in the pocket book is a great way to learn how vicious their response can be. 

As the CCP virus restrictions get more severe ("health passports" and other social credit schemes), and as we're faced with a choice to comply or resist, that dichotomy could eventually lead to a situation where people are engaged in hot conflict. Violence. It's scary to think about.

But as we consider the means available to us for fighting the civil rights battle of our time, we need to ask ourselves where we draw our lines, which low-risk courses of action can result in some wins, and which high-risk actions will result in that boot stamping on our face repeatedly. And then ask ourselves if liberty is worth it.

I believe it is. We just need to be prudent as we weigh our options, because too much resistance can result in a lot of pain and no actual ground gained, and not enough resistance can lead to a place of tyranny from which it will be impossible to recover. Doing nothing means slipping down that slope to dystopia. Doing too much will get you squashed like a bug. A measured response is required.

So...what's your next move? Shall we overcome? If so, how?

To Obey, or Not to Obey — That is the Question

Americans' respect for the law has always been viewed as a virtue. Rightly so; without it, we'd have chaos.

We also support a time-honored tradition of civil disobedience when the laws are unjust...for example, Rosa Parks defying the racist rules and laws of segregation.

Many of our lawmakers are now either corrupt, misguided, or apathetic. Many of their rules, regulations, and laws are harming Americans.

It's time we stopped living in fear. It's time we stopped obeying. It's time for widespread civil disobedience.

No...not riots, not looting, not vandalizing, not hurting people, not mayhem, not fires, not breaking windows, not damaging property, not stealing, not harming our brothers and sisters.

Just simple refusal to submit. The passive resistance of living your life the way you did a year ago. Willfully returning to normal. Dialing back the clock to January 2020. The consequences of doing so could never be as bad as continuing down the current path.

You have a choice to make.

Resist now, while you still can.

Will They Come For You?

(Not an x-ray of Nicolas)

One time when my grandfather Michael and his brother were teenagers, they were at their father's school. Their dad, Nicolas Pavlovich Pokrovsky, was headmaster there. This was in Tula, during or shortly after the civil war known as The Russian Revolution.

Seeking to destroy any of the intelligentisia who did not support the new communist regime, assassins were on the hunt for dissenters like my great-grandfather. The boys overheard the assassins say that they "had killed the old man." They thought their dad was dead.

It turns out, they had killed the wrong man.

Some time later, my grandfather's family fled Russia to China. Even years later, the Russian communists were still sending out assassins, seeking to kill the intelligentsia — even those no longer residing within their borders. One day, Nicolas was walking down the street in Harbin (or perhaps Shanghai), when he was shot in the head by these assassins. Assuming their work to be done, the killers fled.

However, Nicolas was still alive!

He had a bullet lodged in his skull just behind his ear. The doctors said it would be too dangerous to remove it, so he spent the remainder of his days with a communist's bullet in his head. Nicolas died in Shanghai in 1946, shortly before his children and their children (my mom) fled the dangerous conflict of the Chinese Civil War. They escaped to the Philippines, stateless refugees living in a tent village with 3,000 other Russians. But that's a story for another time.

The moral of this true story? Totalitarians simply do not tolerate the existence of dissent. Any opposing thought must be wiped from existence. There is no fleeing; they will hunt you down and put a bullet in your head. The only remedy is to never let them take control to begin with.

Are we too late?

The Fixed-Pie of Power

Here's where the collectivists have it wrong:

It's pretty commonly understood that they believe, or at least act as if they believe, in a fixed-pie of wealth. In fact, the total available wealth is not capped when an economy is allowed to flourish freely; indeed, wealth begets wealth and the rising tide lifts most boats. The history of the free(ish) market attests to this, as today's poorest Americans live demonstrably better than the royalty or yore.

Where collectivists make their most dire mistake, however, is by not believing in a fixed-pie of power. They mistakenly believe that when you concentrate power in the hands of a few elite central-planners, that everyone else will be empowered (no doubt by the grand results of the powerful elites' expert vision, magnanimous decisions, and beneficent power-wielding).

This is, of course, utterly wrong. There is only so much power to go around, and when power shifts to elected politicians, unelected bureaucrats, and unfathomably-wealthy corporate magnates, the power of the individual is unavoidably diminished. Like a parasite sucking your lifeblood, they can only thrive as you become weaker.

It makes sense: every act of the more-powerful naturally reduces the liberty of the less-powerful. The only exception would be if those in power served by only acting in ways that protected natural rights for all — but that, of course, is a fantasy.

So, while the collectivists keep pushing for equal distribution of wealth — a conclusion which is at least internally-consistent with their false belief in a fixed-pie of wealth, lovers of liberty should always be pushing for a more equal distribution of power among every citizen.

The best way to achieve that, of course, is to strip the federal government of all extra-constitutional powers, and re-empower smaller jurisdictions (states). In the same vein, states must also be defanged in favor of stronger county leadership, and likewise, counties should defer to municipalities. The towns, in turn, answer to families and individuals. The smaller you get, the more power should be distributed at the expense of the larger entities, until there is as broad a leveling of the power structure as is reasonable.

(Imagine the natural, just effect that would have on wealth equity.)

The thing that really gets me, though, is how the collectivists flip the narrative by promising "power to the people," but only delivering power to themselves. They promise equality while hiding the fine print that their brand of equality comes at the cost of nobody excelling, and nobody being empowered but themselves.