Sunday, April 25, 2010

National Guard to Chicago? R U Kidding me?

So, people are up in arms about Jan Brewer signing bill 1070 authorizing the police to verify legal status of the folks in the state of Arizona. Really! Imagine, the police enforcing law.

Yet, Chicago politicians want the National Guard to roll into town and 'enforce' the law because of the increase in violent crime. Can we spell P O S S E C O M I T A T U S?

Yes, according to the 'Chicago Tribune'. The article says: "Chicago Democrats John Fritchey and LaShawn Ford said they want Quinn, Mayor Richard Daley and Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis to allow guardsmen to patrol streets and help quell violence. Weis said he did not support the idea because the military and police operate under different rules.



Color me confused, but how does one have 'heightened presence on the streets' without there being armed guards on each corner?

Is this the same Chicago the President flew to Copenhagen to sell for the Olympic site?

What does the Police Superintendent have to say about this? "Alluding to the 1970 Kent State University incident where the National Guard was called in and protestors and students were shot, Weis said having guardsmen handle crime could be "disastrous." But he said if the Daley suggested it, he would consider the option.

"I'm open to anything that reduces violence. But I have concerns when you mix law enforcement and the military," Weis said." Ya think?

I was thinking the other day when AZ passed their law, will they wind up with the Nat'l Guard protecting the borders, which is supposed to be the Border Patrol's job, or will they just have the police do it all! Of course I'd not want to be a police person in a state with such a law and the increased kidnapping, murder and mayhem that has become AZ's reality, but until the turf war is finally decided, turf being...who is on first when it comes to enforcement of immigration laws, I guess the police will have the job.

Chicago is no stranger to gangland violence. It has quite a rich history [pun intended] with notorious gangsters from several eras who have used Chicago for their pistol practice and other sordid gangland activities/proclivities. I think the last time the 'crime level' was addressed in this area was when they sent in a Federal Law Enforcement agent in the person of Eliot Ness! Alas, those were the days.

There is no doubt, with the economy where it is, housing where it is, two wars going on for a decade, a government that seems bent on keeping the country off kilter never knowing what to expect next -- how much of their lives will be the next pound of flesh, times are tough. But is it practical to break the Posse Comitatus act to address crime?

This could escalate into a crisis with 'martial law'. What an incredible precedent to set. Oh wait! It was set back in 1970 at Kent University, as noted in the article!

We need to keep our eyes open to the insidious way this incident or another event or activity, all needing the National Guard or the Military to fix instead of law enforcement, lays the ground for routine use of soldiers with weapons walking the street, and curfews in place to force people to be in their homes by a certain time. It is more than a slippery slope. It is the pathway to a national nightmare where our military may be expected to marshall the citizens of this country.

Why hasn't anyone thought of organizing volunteer militias? Remember in the western movies and shows when the Sheriff would deputize a posse to clean up the town? It is provided for in the 2 amendment. Here it is: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Let's not press the martial law button. To the lawmakers of Chicago, why not think in terms of the Constitution and Bill of Rights? Work within the guidelines of the existing UBER law of the land and remember the Posse Comitatus act.

That's my opinion. What's yours?

Friday, April 23, 2010

Tea Party. Say what? Confessions of Housewife

I chose this picture because it perfectly catches my sense of consternation. I loved Samantha Stevens as a housewife! I loved that she was 'bewitching'. And her face says it all in this photo!

I am a 59 year old housewife, married for 43 years next month. Last April 15th, 2009, after only 3 months of watching what the new administration was up to I decided to attend my first 'protest' as a novice activist. I attended the Honolulu Tea Party! WOW! What an exhilarating and awesome experience. Not only were there great people carrying creative signs but the folks driving by in city buses, fire trucks, police cars, delivery trucks, cars, all honking and waving. I saw toddlers in their strollers and seniors in their wheel chairs. I saw a couple of kids around 8 years old drawing pictures that represented what they were seeing. I saw young teens and older adults dressed up in costumes that made a statement, mostly period pieces from the 17th century. I saw people laughing, sharing and enjoying their right to 'PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY'.

On September 12th, 2009, I attended another such protest in Hilo. This time I was even quoted in the local paper!!! Again, I saw all ages, all walks of life, many ages, holding clever signs and waving flags. This time motorcycle groups revved their Harley engines and waved at us, motorists honked in support and one little old lady yelled obscenities from her car. All enjoying their 'PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY'.

I missed this year's tax day event because I was participating in another new found civic responsibility, that of attending our local County Council meetings, especially when discussing important issues, even testifying when I feel so moved.

I diligently watch the national news and find the terms being used to describe me and those who have gathered at the protests I have been at by mighty unkind and very maligning untruths!

"Bowel Movement", really? Neo Nazi, really? Racist, really? Terrorist, really? I listen to the folks that do not come to the protests and have no idea who is there describe the folks who are wondering if they are living in a parallel universe somewhere where Alice in Wonderland sort of stuff happens..what is, is not and what is not, is?

I own no weapon; I bear no ill will; I abhor racism; I totally despise confrontation; I do not 'learn war'; I do not hate America; am not a seditionist nor a conspiracy theorist; and yet if you listen to what is being said about the growing phenomenon that has been called the 'Tea Party Movement' you'd think you'd be able to point me out in a crowd by the multiple assault weapons, hateful signs and horns sticking out of my head! Nope, not me. No amount of saying it will make it so. I will however exercise my 'freedom of speech' and engage in 'peaceful assembly' and talk 'freely about my God' while I remind anyone who wants to listen that our Constitutional government is under siege and being held hostage by those who have fully exploited their power by legislating their will, their beliefs and their rules over everyone -- denying each of us our right to choose. EXAMPLE: The recent passage of National Healthcare was the most autocratic move to date.

Unlike Samantha Stevens, I cannot twitch my nose and make it all right. I have to be patient, grow in knowledge on how things are SUPPOSED to be done and work within my freedoms and those parameters to correct what I can. Malicious intent is being impugned on those of us who dare to actually 'live the constitutional life' yet the sorts of things being said and done clearly evince from whence the malice emanates.

I lay my head down each night and as I begin my good night discussion with my Father, I contemplate what is going on here and then I let my mind wander around to places where freedom does not exist in any form; where it is a struggle to draw the next breath, or the pain of life is screaming aloud from the center of every cell in a body, and I realize, God must surely be patient and loving as HE watches us pick fights with one another. While we play the whole 'sticks and stones' game. We each ought to be unabashedly ashamed of ourselves for being so involved in tearing down the many blessings inherent in our beautiful REPUBLIC as it was CONSTITUTED and using the opportunity -- while you rip down the structure of our historic home -- to throw pieces of it at others. What will you leave us with? Green fatigues and caps? No, I don't think so...not for me...I will defy a cookie cutter world of boring by wearing bright colors and independence as my garb...even while I vacuum and clean house!

What is the price of tea in China?