Some of you have read my recent health problems, the adventures of which are chronicled in
Health Issues: A Strange Treatment Program and An Unexpected Threesome

I try to be a good person, but I am not a religious man.  Perhaps somebody's god or goddess is trying to tell me something.

The latest:  I have BOILS!!!  The first was on my stomach, then one on my right inner thigh, and right now one is developing on my left butt cheek, which makes sitting very uncomfortable.  I know little about their cause or treatment.  I do know they are like a zit on steroids, and hurt like HELL!!!



What's next, frogs, locusts??!!

Like perhaps all of humanity, I have experienced many things in life.  Some of which is wonderful and exciting, and good.  But if I had to name the emotion that most influenced me as a child, it would be FEAR.

    Fearing all the challenges faced by adults, as well as the ridicule and bullying of others, I used to wish to be held back in school so that I would not have to deal with growing up.  How could everyone else be so confident?  When I was young and afraid I would never succeed at life, a part of me wished I was physically handicapped so that I would have an excuse not to try. 
    I had crushes on pretty girls, one even kissed me several times when I was five, but none had wanted to be my girlfriend.  When I thought nobody would ever want to marry me, or even be with me physically, I wanted  to become fat and unattractive so that nobody would be surprised that I was alone.  I told myself that I wanted to be alone anyway.  Who needs other people?  They usually just hurt you and make you feel stupid, incompetent and unwanted anyway.
    I'd like to say that I totally grew out of this, and my life is now perfect.  I am rich and successful.  I have unlimited confidence, and always know that, as an old Saturday Night Live character used to proclaim,  "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and, gosh darn it, people like me!"  I'd like to, but it would be a lie.  The truth is, life still has many ups and downs.  I am now 46 years old, married for twenty-four years, with two kids.  Sometimes my wife and kids bring me great joy.  Sometimes they think I'm stupid and embarrassing, and make me feel like I don't matter at all.  As I look toward the future, I don't know where I will be or what I will do, or even if I will succeed.  But it's okay.  There is ugliness and pain, but also beauty and joy all around me.  I love living this crazy, incredible life.

What are some things that make you afraid?

I am sitting here thinking about the future.  The future of the world is very uncertain right now, as is the future of our country.  Barack Obama promises change, but change to what?  Does he have the wisdom to know what's right, and the resolve to carry it through?  I hope so, but I am not sure.  I have a good deal of experience in Security, having worked for years in Security and Law Enforcement.  I think I have a sense of the threats facing us.  The most most obvious threat right now comes from Islamic radicals.  It is not however, the only threat facing us.  There is also the uncertain economy and, at the heart of it all, the attempt by some to undermine our basic rights.  The Left and the Right both speak of free speech, but radicals on both sides want to shut down any speech which disagrees with their agenda.  The recognition in the Constitution of our right to free speech was mostly intended to protect those expressing different political views.

We must not let the freedoms we cherish be taken away in the name of security.  The more we depend on Government to take care of us, the less free we are. 

Much of the Banking Industry, and the Auto Industry, have now been given Federal bailout money.  In the case of banks, some were basically forced to accept the money by the Federal Government, which is now using the money as leverage to exercise increasing control over the banks, including salary caps for high-level bank officials.  The Federal Government is making it difficult, if not impossible, for the banks to pay back the money and regain freedom from heavy-handed Government regulation.  The auto industry is being pressured to make certain types of cars, without regard to what consumers are asking for, and also to reduce regulation of Union accountability.

They tell us, you should not keep guns for your own protection.  You don't need to.  The police will take care of you.  Yet the police are not responsible for protecting us as individuals.  We must do that ourselves.  And we can only do so by being prepared.  We can keep the USA as a free country, but only if we are willing to stand up for ourselves.  It is not only our right, it is our responsibility!  The second amendment states "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed". 

The militia consists of all able citizens.  You have a duty to protect yourself and your community.

Necessary to a free State.  I believe this does not refer to a State as in WI, IL, whatever.  I believe this refers to a State of Freedom, which is the right of all people.

Which leads to the "right of the people".  This refers to a right belonging to each of us individually, as it does in the rest of the Constitution.  The Constitution does not give us this right.  It merely recognizes that we HAVE this right!!!

"To keep and bear arms"  To keep means to own and maintain possession of.  To bear means to carry, and carrying your arms (firearms or other weapons) is the only way to be prepared to face threats by those who would rob or harm you or others.

"shall not be infringed"  This says in no uncertain terms the Government is NOT ALLOWED to make laws prohibiting us from keeping and bearing arms.  Not for hunting, not for target practice, but for the protection of ourselves, our communities, our loved ones, even our property!

The Second Amendment is what ensures  we can defend all our rights.  We must stay always on guard to keep those rights from being eroded, and eventually taken away completely.

Patrick Henry was quoted as saying:

“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”

My criticisms do not apply strictly to the current administration, nor does the blame belong solely to any one political party.  Many of our rights have been horribly infringed upon for a very long time.  Gun rights have been eroded so much over the years, they hardly seem to exist at all anymore.  Some have even tried to get the 2nd amendment repealed, saying it is irrelevant.  See Blair Holt gun control bill rehashed - ESPN

SOME HISTORY OF "GUN CONTROL"

Now, what has been done or attempted to stop free speech?

DEMS GET SET TO MUZZLE THE RIGHT - New York Post

Democrats Consider Reviving 'Fairness Doctrine' - Presidential ...