Worthless Blog of Protoplasm
7.21.2021
Abolish the CDC — NOW!
5.18.2021
Governor Coxwomble's $pending $pree
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.
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."
- $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
$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
5.08.2021
Using the Tools at Our Disposal
"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."
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;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.
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).
4.28.2021
What Did That Traitorous Plume-Plucked Scullion Say?
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.
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.[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.]
"Tonight, I come to talk about crisis — and opportunity. About rebuilding our nation — and revitalizing our democracy."
"The worst pandemic in a century."
"The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression."
"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 is rising anew. Choosing hope over fear. Truth over lies. Light over darkness."
"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."
"So get vaccinated now."
"Parents are seeing smiles on their kids’ faces as they go back to school."
"There’s still more work to do to beat this virus. We can’t let our guard down now."
"...we are sending $1,400 rescue checks to 85% of all American households."
"[We're] providing loans to keep small businesses open and their employees on the job."
"We’re in a competition with China..."
"We have to build back better."
"These are the investments...that only government can make."
"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."
"The American Jobs Plan creates jobs...And I am asking the Vice President to help lead this effort."
"For me, when I think about climate change, I think jobs."
"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."
"Now – I know some of you at home are wondering..."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Doing nothing is not an option."
"First, access to a good education."
"And then we add two years of free community college."
"The American Rescue Plan lowered health care premiums for 9 million Americans who buy their coverage under the Affordable Care Act."
"The Affordable Care Act has been a lifeline for millions of Americans – protecting people with pre-existing conditions, protecting women’s health."
"Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America."
"It’s time for corporate America and the wealthiest 1% of Americans to pay their fair share. Just pay their fair share."
- 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).
"We’re going to reform corporate taxes so they pay their fair share."
"We take the top tax bracket...up to 39.6%."
"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."
"What I’ve proposed is fair. It’s fiscally responsible."
"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?"
"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."
"According to one study, CEOs make 320 times what their average workers make."
"20 million Americans lost their jobs in the pandemic – working- and middle-class Americans."
"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..."
"Al Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and other places in Africa and the Middle East and beyond."
"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."
"It’s estimated that more than 50 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner – every month in America."
"And I need not tell anyone this, but gun violence is an epidemic in America."
"In the week between those mass shootings, more than 250 other Americans were shot dead. 250 shot dead."
"...a ban on assault weapons..."
"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."
"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."
"...beset by man-made and natural made violence..."
"Immigrants have done so much for America during the pandemic..."
"And if we are to truly restore the soul of America – we need to protect the sacred right to vote."
"More people voted in the last presidential election than ever before in our history..."
"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."
"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."
"The insurrection was an existential crisis—a test of whether our democracy could survive. It did."
"Can our democracy overcome the lies, anger, hate and fears that have pulled us apart?"
4.16.2021
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.
4.10.2021
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 UpdateAnd here's what I wrote back, to the principal and his three assistant principals:
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
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
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.
"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."
4.07.2021
Jim Crovid
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.
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.
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).
4.06.2021
Who's Looking Out For You?
I'm really starting to dislike talking to those who purport to serve us in government.
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: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.
- 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.
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 letterSo, I responded:
Thanks
Hello!And Curt replied:
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?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.
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."
Thanks for your response.
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:
MichaelI wrote him right back:
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.
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.His entire response?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dear Michael,This was a much more professional and decent response. Maybe I was going to get somewhere after all! So, I wrote back:
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
Hi Rep. Bennion,Aaaaaaaaand that was the last I ever heard. I'll ask once again: Who is looking out for you?
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
3.29.2021
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?
3.28.2021
To Obey, or Not to Obey — That is the Question
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?
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?
3.26.2021
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.