Post Scripts

by Jack

As a gun owner I do believe in the 2nd ammendment and I realize with freedom of any sort, there will be risks associated.  There are a lot crazy people in this world that might get their hands on a gun…then watch out.  But, the freedom to drive a car results in 40,000 deaths a year and most of the drivers were far from crazy people.  Boating accidents accounted for 658 deaths and 2,629 injuries.  Even bicycling is not without risks, 777 dead and 400,000 injured in 2017.  But, one horrific incident with a gun and the liberals scream for gun control.

That said, when idiot gunowners go out of their way to abuse their 2nd amendment freedom in ways that make other people concerned and apprehensive, they do terrible harm to the 2nd amendment and bad things usually follow.

In the picture below you can see what I mean.   Only a fool would take a weapon like this into a coffee shop.  However, it could be that the person in the long coat wasn’t a supporter of gun rights at all.  It could be this was just a put up job by the anti-gun crowd; I wouldn’t doubt it.   But, in either case, if the abuse keeps up you, will see legislation passed to curtail open carry laws.  And that’s unfortunate response since most gun owners are far more responsible and safer than your average licensed driver.

The guy shown at the top is perfectly acceptable with his legal open carry weapon – the guy below him is not, although in most open carry states they are both 100% legal.

There is this kind of open carry…..

In part by Jack…

In the book Bowling Alone, author Putnam, talks a great deal about the glue that holds a society together and allows it to thrive.   Those things are generalized in the term social capital, in the finance world this would be money.  But, what is it in a social setting?

Social capital refers to connections, networks, and relations among people, especially when those links are enriched by civic virtue and deepened by reciprocal obligation. None of these forms of capital appears out of the blue. Nor can they be taken for granted. It takes attention, effort, and commitment to provide, grow, and enhance them.

A society that expects to thrive can ill afford to be without sound social capital, for that resource fosters what Putnam calls “sturdy norms of reciprocity.” At the heart of those norms is a sense of mutual trust. Where such trust is found, people can count on each other for help, support, and commitment that encourage and create shared causes. Quoting baseball’s Yogi Berra, Putnam says that the reciprocal features of social capital he has in mind are largely summed up in the adage: “If you don’t go to somebody’s funeral, they won’t come to yours.”

Putnam’s analysis of social capital highlights three further points. First, social capital is not unequivocally good. Social networks, even reciprocal obligations, can serve causes that are unjust and destructive. Putnam wants to minimize the forms and functions of social capital that promote “sectarianism, ethnocentrism, corruption” and bolster those that encourage “mutual support, cooperation, trust, institutional effectiveness.” Trump’s 4^th of July parade was designed to generate pride, trust and support.  Did it meet its goals?  If not, what would you suggest?

1.  Ethnocentrism -  Sociology. the belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture.  a tendency to view alien groups or cultures from the perspective of one’s own.  Another word for tribalism.
2.  Sectarianism – excessive attachment to a particular sect or party.  Another form of fanaticism.

by jack

Sorry for the slow postings, I took the weekend off!  But, I am back because we have a lot too discuss.   Couple of things, first is the Iran situation and the border issues.  I’ve also been thinking about why we are so divided as a nation.

There was a book that came out about 2 years ago called, “Bowling Alone” and gives some great insight where we seem to be heading as a society.    The book illustrates how people are becoming socially isolated and we see this most in our kids today…that is scary.  Teen suicide is at record levels.

In Bowling Alone, Author Putnam, uses data from a wide variety of sources.  He shows that social capital and engagement have declined in areas such as organizational membership, attending religious services, attending club meetings, and interacting with others face-to-face in communities.

Putnam suggests several explanations for this decline and argues that generational succession accounts for about half of the overall change. He also examines what the deficit in social capital is doing to individuals, communities, and America. Finally, he discusses how America could reverse the trend and start revitalizing social capital.

I watched a group of high schoolers crossing the street a few months back and noticed something really odd.  90% were talking on their cell phone or playing a game on their phone.  If this is what’s meant by generational succession then that’s really sad.

More on this and other things…. later.  Yard work calls!    Anything you care discuss, please send me a comment.

by Jack

I know that some ranking democrats are blasting Trump for trying to take over the 4th for his own personal gain and then do a military parade to let dems know who is in change!

This is unfortunate because they are completely wrong and I am not surprised.   The Fourth has never been apolitical or nonpartisan.   During the War of Independence, officials used the anniversary of Congress’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence as an opportunity to bolster anti-British sentiment. They rallied support for the Patriots’ cause with toasts, orations, militia drills and fireworks. In the postwar years, the day transformed into a civics lesson, with Americans extolling the benefits of republican government and, later, the Constitution.

Nothing has changed since 1776.  The 4th of July is the peoples day for sure, but it’s also about government and a reminder why we have the kind of government we do.  We all share the same lifeboat and the 4th should remind us of that.

We’re also long overdue for a military parade.  If I were a soldier I would be  honored to be included in such a parade before the people.  And the people should look upon our military with pride and happiness that we have such a force to defend us.  Trump was right to include the military in a 4th of July parade.  For too long we only trotted out our military when we were in trouble and then when it was over, we conveniently put them back in the box until the next time.  They deserve a victory parade and the 4th of July is a great time to do it.

I’m glad Trump saw fit to deliver!  It’s about damn time.   Wish I could be there to watch it in person.  This will be a day to remember.

The Signers of The Declaration of Independence – They pledged their lives and their fortunes in order to create a new nation.

The Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed on July 4, 1776 – On July 1, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, and on the following day 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee’s motion for independence. The delegates then spent the next two days debating and revising the language of a statement drafted by Thomas Jefferson. On July 4, Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, and as a result the date is celebrated as Independence Day.

Nearly a month would go by, however, before the actual signing of the document took place. First, New York’s delegates didn’t officially give their support until July 9 because their home assembly hadn’t yet authorized them to vote in favor of independence. Next, it took two weeks for the Declaration to be “engrossed”—written on parchment in a clear hand. Most of the delegates signed on August 2, but several—Elbridge Gerry, Oliver Wolcott, Lewis Morris, Thomas McKean and Matthew Thornton—signed on a later date. (Two others, John Dickinson and Robert R. Livingston, never signed at all.) The signed parchment copy now resides at the National Archives in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, alongside the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The founders believed the Declaration of Independence would be just a footnote in history, the most memorable document would be Richard Lee’s resolution and motion to form a new nation.  Lee was asked to write the declaration, but he was already busy lobbying his resolution, so he deferred this task to his friend Thomas Jefferson.

Lee’s resolution was just three short lines, but it set in motion a series of events that would change the course of world history:

“Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.”

~Enjoy your 4th of July~