U.S. Patriotism: "Once Upon a Time" versus "Now"

In our today’s World, YouTube is of course among the many sources of vast and easily accessible information on virtually every conceivable subject.  Information either considered worthwhile, or otherwise, dependent upon one’s respective views.  As such, on the ever-growing list of the very worthwhile clearly belongs the rendition of our USA National Anthem viewable at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lCmBvYMRs   (Also accessible by clicking the picture of U.S. Flag located on the right-hand side of this webpage.)

Performed by Whitney Houston at Super Bowl XXV in 1991, this truly talented and respectful rendition, along with the patriotic behavior of the Super Bowl crowd and other attendees, provides a much needed reflection upon what was “Once Upon a Time” versus “Now”.  And, should serve as a serious wake-up call. Especially to those now participating in and contributing to the gross and inexcusable disrespect of our U.S. Flag and National Anthem at NFL events and elsewhere.  A reminder that they should get off their knees, and elsewhere on their own time, find a positive, constructive, and otherwise nation-healing way to air their concerns.  As they, the relatively privileged, are blessed to be often paid millions to “play” a game on artificial grass, while wearing high-tech protective gear, and covered by the best medical attention money can buy.  As their freedom to do so is protected and preserved by less-privileged others who are often called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice.

But, what happened between “then” and “now”?  A lot of course. None the least, eight years under a federal government administration that preached; promoted; encouraged; legislated; and by way of executive privilege, established: division (us vs them; them vs us), racism, victimization, dependency, gender-neutralism; open-borders, anti-patriotism, political correctness (disregard of the truth); sanctuary cities/states (safe harbors for illegal aliens); etc.  A nation-destructive affliction enabled by a radically-liberal biased news media that to date chooses to carry on the same anti-America agenda.                
                                                                
                                                                  —William James Moore

“Abuse of Power” enabled by more “Abuse of Power”

History supports that “abuse of power” is an age-old human condition. With people, animals and other life forms, and the environment, being among the many victims. Casualties of an array of abuses (e.g., physical, psychological, sexual, economic, human rights, etc.). Carried out at times by perpetrators in virtually every aspect of human society (e.g., families; government; news media; social media; religious institutions; educational institutions; law enforcement; medical practice/institutions; financial and charitable institutions; sports and entertainment; business; labor; criminal elements; terrorists, etc.).

History also shows that timely reporting and lawfully-just handling of “abuses of power” are much too often seriously impeded by further—“abuses of power.” A truly sad reality that may be undergoing long awaited change in the U.S., as evidenced by the recent dramatic increase in public accusations of sexual-related abuses in government, business, sports, entertainment, etc. Captivating (at least for the moment) a likewise dramatic increase in news reporting and national attention. Time will tell if this notable trend signals and ultimately renders a long past due, lawfully-just, and otherwise constructive outcome.

As will time also reveal the consequences of our willingness or unwillingness to:

(1.) Demand immediate discontinuance and public accounting of the recently revealed special fund, from which over 17 million U.S. taxpayer dollars have reportedly been paid out in some 268 sexual-harassment and other discrimination settlements within the federal government over the past 20 years;

(2.) Demand immediate repeal of the Freedom of Information Act “exemption” that our U.S. “servants of the people” have reportedly put in place to preclude public disclosure of pertinent information about above referenced taxpayer-funded settlements. Accompanied by immediate (prior to YR 2018 elections) public accounting regarding who received how much, when, and as the result of the accused/actual abuse of power by whom?);

(3.) Apply and support nation-wide respect for the rights of both the accuser and the accused, including “presumption of innocence” until lawfully proven otherwise. Lest the rights and protection of our U.S. Constitution be disregarded and replaced by mob-rule driven by the absence of clear distinction between an accusation and a lawfully-proven truth;

(4.) Meaningfully grasp the relevance and importance of the following very applicable quotes of James Madison (4th U.S. President and a U.S. Founding Father): “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives,” and, “Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.”                        
                                                              
                                                              —William James Moore

“People-caused Tragedies” versus “Wishful Blaming of Things”

 What to some may seem like only yesterday, on October 01, 2017 a shooting massacre in Las Vegas took the lives of at least 59 and injured hundreds of others. And as many struggle to cope with, or strive to erase recall of, that horrific tragedy, we are provided with continuing evidence that truly despicable evil exists in the hearts and minds of some among us. Such as, the radical Islamic terrorist that used a truck to kill at least 8 and injure many others in New York City on October 31. And, more recently, the killer that used a gun to massacre at least 26 and wound some 20 others in a rural Texas church on November 5 (a tragedy that could have been worse had not a local resident been willing and able to use his personal gun to confront the killer). As truly terrible that these within-our-borders tragedies are, such are but a relative few of the countless carried out worldwide, past, present. And, no words can fittingly communicate the heinous nature of such barbaric assaults against humankind, nor relate the resulting pain, suffering, and other associated trauma.

Many among us strive and struggle to understand “why” anyone is capable of and chooses to carry out such unspeakable acts. Nonetheless, it just possibly might be a natural blessing that most of us continue to be frustrated by our failure to grasp such understanding. For, to truly understand such unspeakable behaviors would seem to require being able to make sense out of that which truly makes no sense. An understanding that might well ultimately require a heart and mind in dangerous likeness to those who harbor and carry out the very despicable evils that we are puzzled and threatened by. Hence, maybe a more realistic response to such evil would be to accept that it does exist; that some among us will attempt or succeed in carrying out acts of evil; and therefore take realistic steps to prevent and defend against such. Beginning with a discontinuance of efforts to disarm law abiding citizens and otherwise restrict our rights and ability to defend ourselves. And, by also ceasing to pretend that such acts of evil are harbored, planned, and executed by “things” (guns, knives, cars, trucks, aircraft, explosives, fertilizer, etc.), rather than by unhinged “people”.

Likewise, in realistically focusing on “evil’s reality” and “people behavior” versus “things”—possibly we, the mainstream media, and our government representatives and leaders, can soon, rather than too late, include a fitting level of responsible attention to our nation-wide and rapidly growing “addictive drugs” epidemic. For, “people” abusing opioids and other legal and illegal addictive drugs now represent the leading cause of injury related death in the United States. Exceeding injury related deaths from use of cars and guns. For example, since 2002, over 500,000 people in the U.S. have died from drug overdoses. An average of over 35,000 per year. About 1 drug overdose death every 15 minutes! And, it is a rapidly growing reality that someone in each of our respective families has been or will be touched by the devastation of drug abuse, dependency, and addiction. Or that our families know of someone who has, or likely will be!               
                                                            
                                                            —William James Moore

"Epitomes of Reckless Absurdity"

Our country’s many responsible inhabitants, striving to do the right thing, are in uphill struggle with a growing mix of daunting obstacles. Including an array of “epitomes of reckless absurdity”. What follows are but a randomly-listed few:

(1.) U.S. citizens (and illegal aliens) who continue to demand [and politicians who continue to promise] free healthcare, free food, free housing, free transportation, free education, free smartphones, etc., — while facing a rapidly growing national debt exceeding $20 trillion (over $62 thousand per citizen; $169 thousand per taxpayer). A staggering obligation that does not include our in excess of $108 trillion of Unfunded Liabilities (over $900 thousand per taxpayer) — consisting of Medicare Parts A, B, and D; Federal Debt held by the Public; plus Federal Employees’ & Veterans’ Benefits). All in irresponsible defiance of the simple reality that nothing is truly free; someone must eventually pay.

(2.) NFL players who equate their relatively privileged life circumstances to that of men, women, and children, of the distant past and present, who actually suffered or are suffering the ravages of slavery and other persecution, — as said players are paid millions of dollars to “play” on artificial turf, wearing high-tech protective gear, with access to the best health care money can buy. While in turn experiencing security and freedom created, protected, and preserved through the sacrifice of countless others.

(3.) U.S. citizens who continue to tolerate, encourage, and often demand, unrestricted, self-destructive, government spending, — while ignoring or ignorant of the simple reality that the only money “the government” has is that which it taxes from we the people, or borrows from we citizens and other countries, or prints. With money borrowed from other countries becoming our debt, and additionally printed money ultimately devaluing our U.S. currency.

(4.) Persons who equate our current duly elected U.S. President and/or his predecessors, with past and present barbaric dictators, such as Germany’s Adolf Hitler, Russia’s/Soviet Union’s Joseph Stalin, and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, — while in doing so demonstrating their blatant disregard and/or dangerous ignorance of world history as it truly relates to the Nazi Party, Communist Party, Marxism, Leninism, Fascism, etc.

(5.) And, those who in the face of what they view as “offensive speech” cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate, a stress-relieving pet-puppy/kitten, and staff of counselors, in a taxpayer-funded “Safe Space” in one of our colleges and universities, — as others at great (often ultimate) sacrifice are called upon to protect the freedom of even those who choose to abuse it.

Hopefully, the countless we depend upon to protect our liberty do not one day choose to “take a knee” or “scramble for a Safe Space,” — and leave our precious, envy of the world, constitutional republic, at the mercy of the consequences of these and other “epitomes of reckless absurdity.” As the can of our irresponsible national debt continues to be kicked down the road for our children and grandchildren to deal with.
                                                               
                                                               —William James Moore

“Hope Survives Age-old Struggle of Good versus Evil”

The October 01, 2017 massacre of some 58 and injury of hundreds of others in Las Vegas was a despicable act of horrific cruelty. Among untold others worldwide, past and present. Another painful reminder that, in a world of much good, there also exists considerable evil.

Nevertheless, from heartbreaking struggle with such evil, “good” can be the ultimate victor, and “hope” a crucial survivor. As demonstrated by the many, from all walks of life, who unfailingly confront evil’s despicable works. The list is long: first responders; law enforcement; medical professionals; an array of unnamed others; and on the world stage, our military. People giving of themselves through often heroic acts of courage and self-sacrifice. Invaluable demonstrations of true caring for fellow human beings.

Unfortunately, for many the triumph of “good” over “evil” can be long coming, or never realized. Often from ignorance, apathy, complacency, denial, greed, and fear, of those having the means for life circumstances to be otherwise. As evidenced, for example, by millions massacred not so long ago at the hand of Adolph Hitler’s regime, as too many nations for too long turned their heads away. And, more recently, as demonstrated by millions trapped in the menacing jaws of barbaric regimes such as North Korea, and countless others worldwide deprived of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. As some among us take for granted, and/or choose to show disrespect for, our precious liberty and freedom and nation’s symbols of same.

The faces of evil are many and often masked. However, regardless of where, when, and how revealed—evil originates not in “things” (knives, guns, explosives, car-bombs, hijacked-aircraft, etc.), but in the hearts and minds of humankind. In “intent” and “choices.” And, while fortunately a relative few have the “intent” and “choose” to do so—every able body human being has the ability to harm others. But, rather than acknowledging and trying to constructively deal with these aspects of human nature, many prefer to deny or ignore such and futilely continue to blame human failings on “things.”

A self-destructive path, as evidenced, for example, by related circumstances playing out in Great Britain. Where, after guns being purged from law abiding citizens and routine law enforcement personal, they are often essentially defenseless against armed terrorists and other criminal elements. Including those reportedly carrying out epidemic levels of horrifying attacks with “knives” and “acids.” Other reminders that the distracting focus on “things” fails to meaningfully address the “evil intent” in the hearts and minds of some. And that those hell-bent to inflict cruelty upon others, have at their disposal an essentially limitless array of ways and means.

The “good vs evil” struggle is an age-old human condition. And, as historically the case, the victor between these two conflicting sides of humankind will likely always be—the one we choose to nurture the most. As individuals and a nation. Therein likely rests the prospects for hope’s survival—and our ultimate fate.  
                                                                 
                                                                 —William James Moore

Never Forget!

New York City, New York; February 26, 1993: In an attack planned and carried out by a group of terrorists, a truck loaded with some 1,336 pounds of explosive was detonated underneath the North Tower of the New York City World Trade Center. The explosion was meant to destroy both towers and kill thousands of people, by causing the North Tower to fall into the South Tower. Although the explosion failed to do so, six people lost their lives and over a thousand more were injured as a result of this (potentially even more so) gruesome act.

And, eighteen and a half years later—again on U.S. soil—the unthinkable! Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001: Both towers at the New York World Trade Center were destroyed in conjunction with “four” coordinated suicide attacks. Using four passenger airliners, hijacked by nineteen al-Qaeda Islamic-terrorists. Two of the aircraft being crashed into the North and South World Trade Center Towers; another crashed into our U.S. Department of Defense Headquarters—the Pentagon; and the fourth originally intended for a Washington D.C. target, crashed into a Pennsylvania field after heroic passengers attempted to overtake the hijackers. Overall, these horrific atrocities took the lives of some 2,996 people, and caused over $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage. The lives lost included 2,507 civilians, 55 military personnel, 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement personnel, and the 19 suicidal hijackers. And countless others who have and will yet die from disease and other health issues attributed to contaminated air, debris, etc., from these tragedies.

The above cited 1993 and 2001 foreign-terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland happened as over four-hundred taxpayer-funded Federal Government Agencies went about their various, and often self-serving, agendas. Many of which with aims of regulating and controlling almost every aspect of our lives. Many of which with responsibilities clearly including our personal safety and national security!

And as terrible as these 1993 and 2001 attacks truly were and remain, it could have been much, much worse! For example, had either or both involved “biological” or “nuclear” material, the outcome would to this day, and for countless years to come, been one that could reasonably be described as in the realm of the “absolutely horrifyingly-unimaginable!” The “truly unthinkable”!

Thereafter—Al-Qaida, ISIS, and other radical/militant Islamists groups and affiliates, have continued their horrific atrocities against countless men, women, and children. Unspeakable atrocities, including public decapitations, crucifixions, drownings, being burned alive, sexual slavery, brutal raping, mutilations, and other barbaric acts of the most despicable nature. Heinous cruelties carried out as punishment for alleged wrong doings such as, insulting God; spying; listening to music; smoking; failure to ensure that wives and sisters are kept clothed in black abayas; and various other departures from radical/militant Islam teachings and behaviors dictated by radical/militant “Shari law”!

As the same monsters against the civilized world also force men and boys into selected mosques for mandated “prayer and religion classes”—for radicalization in order to further perpetuate the wide spreading evil of radical/militant Islam. Through continuing heinous acts of death and destruction.

As the irresponsible among us, and our enemies within, continue demands for open borders, no immigration control, and unlimited access to the public treasury to support their liberty destroying agendas. As our colleges and universities use taxpayer funds for “Safe Space Facilities” and “Safe Space Counseling” for those seeking refuge from being “offended by words”—by free speech entailing views not in lock-step to their own.  And/or refuge from "information" they find "threatening or discomforting" or otherwise in conflict with their (often dangerously naive) world view.

As for the less naive among us, it is crucial to our liberty and survival that we "never forget"!  Never lose touch with the reality that ancient-rooted evils―radical/militant Islamists―are at war with the civilized world!  An ages-old barbaric threat that we must never, never forget!   

                                                                  
                                                                   ―William James Moore

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“The parallels between 9/11 and Pearl Harbor are striking. In each instance there were warning signs before the attack, and in each instance our government failed to connect the dots.” 

—Diane Watson (1933- ), U.S. Representative.


“History is a vast early warning system.” 

—Norman Cousins (1915-1990), American political journalist.

“It's not militants. It's not Islam. It's militant Islam. Typically, its first victims are other Muslims, but it spares no one. Christians, Jews, Yazidis, Kurds – no creed, no faith, and no ethnic group is beyond its sights. And it's rapidly spreading in every part of the world. You know the famous American saying: "All politics is local"? For the militant Islamists, "All politics is global." Because their ultimate goal is to dominate the world.”

—Benjamin Netanyahu (1949- ), Prime Minister of Israel.

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
―Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), 16th U.S. President.

A Few Words About Immigration, Dreams, Socialism, & Safe Spaces

"Illegal Immigration is Costing U.S. Taxpayers

at Least $134.9 Billion A Year!"* 

*(Re: Detailed analysis of federal, state, and local programs that include education, medical care, law enforcement and welfare — as reported by
Judicial Watch, December 2017.)

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Lest there ever be a shortage of opinions on such matters, below are a few for consideration:

Reference failed U.S. Immigration Policies, in general: Our nation’s many immigration issues are in large measure the result of years and years of using the arms of government to feed the cravings for cheap labor and votes. As we, our nation’s eligible voters, have failed to seriously demand otherwise. And, nothing will change in this regard until we seriously demand better of ourselves and from our “servants of the people.”

Regarding DACA—the program giving temporary protection to certain individuals illegally arriving in the U.S. as children, reportedly totaling some 800,000, and often referred to as “Undocumented immigrants/migrants,“ and/or “Dreamers”: Congress should immediately stop passing-the-buck and responsibly deal with this long-standing issue. And with our other immigration control shortfalls as well. In doing so, we should dispense with distracting labels such as “Undocumented immigrants/migrants,” “Dreamers,” etc. Regardless of the sugar-coated agenda-driven labels, persons illegally entering the U.S. are just that—“illegal”! And what’s with the “Dreamers” tag? Are we to believe that those illegally within our borders are unique? That is, the millions upon millions of children of legal U.S. citizens do not also have hopes and dreams? Including the countless thousands now living in cars, on the street, under bridges, or in subsidized shelters, etc.

With respect to immigrants granted legal entry to the U.S.: If your plans are to learn and speak English, assimilate U.S. culture, respect and defend our U.S. Constitution, and strive to be productive, self-supporting members of our nation — then Welcome! If not, and you wish to impose otherwise on our nation, then please leave and apply your energies and intentions elsewhere.

And to others among us hell-bent to turn this nation into an abyss of socialism: Please also leave and set up residence in any of the various failed countries on this earth that continue to disregard the following cautionary quote from Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”

In closing: Views counter to those expressed herein do not “offended” me. Nor, drive me to seek refuge in a taxpayer funded “Safe Space” in one of our nation’s colleges or universities. Of serious concern, however, is any failure to recognize the critical importance of maintaining our nation’s borders, English language, and culture. And the unsettling prospects of one day entrusting the fate of our nation to those who have been educated, indoctrinated, and accommodated, to close their minds to (and seek refuge from) the free speech of others that they consider uncomfortable, offensive, or threatening. A mindset thankfully absent from our nation’s Founding Fathers and countless thereafter. 

                                                                —William James Moore

America's Addictive-Drugs Epidemic!

"Drug-overdose" is now the leading cause of accidental death in America—more so than that caused by guns and automobiles combined!

[12/21/2017 Update: Opioid drug deaths continue to skyrocket—as U.S. life expectancy drops for 2nd year! Centers for Disease Control & Prevention data released on 12/21/2017 show YR 2016 drug-related deaths increased to an alarming 63,600—a deadly 21 percent increase from the 52,000 reported in YR 2015. Further evidencing a very real and worsening U.S. opioid epidemic in which, for the first time, the powerful and addictive painkiller fentanyl, and its close opioid cousins, contributed to more deaths than any other legal or illegal drug, and exceeding prescription pain pills and heroin. Our U.S. death rate from drug overdoses has reportedly more than tripled from 1999 to 2016!]

=   =   =

On October 26, 2017, President Donald Trump declared our U.S. opioid crisis a “national public health emergency.”  Citing it to be the “worst drug crisis in American history”; stressing that preliminary data indicates that approximately 64,000 Americans died last year of drug overdoses, the majority of them from opioid abuse; and, prompting states across the country to act more rapidly to combat this epidemic. During this crucial declaration, President Trump especially noted that "no part of our society – not young or old, rich or poor, urban or rural – has been spared this horrible plague." First lady Melania Trump, speaking at the White House before the president, also stressed that “drug addiction can take your friends, neighbors and families. No state has been spared.”

The universal struggles to experience love, joy, happiness, belonging, social relevance, longevity, freedom or relief from pain, etc., and various escapes from some of life’s discomforting and sometimes harsh realities, have likely been with us since the beginning of humankind. Struggles also concerning the special challenges associated with self-perceived “uniqueness,” suffered at times by many, if not all, of us in some manner.

And, among the many responses to such age-old struggles has come an ever-growing arsenal of natural and man-made "substances." Some offering solutions and promise on one hand, while also harboring the many sufferings involved with addiction. For example, substances commonly called "drugs," "alcohol," "tobacco," "marijuana," "narcotics," and seemingly less stigmatizing and less threatening terms, such as, "prescription medications." Substances used legally and illegally for a growing number or purposes, including but not limited to; recreation; relief of pain, ranging from the imagined to the most severe; stress relief or avoidance; treatment of diseases ranging from the common cold to the most painful and debilitating; capital punishment; performance enhancement; sedation; stimulation; and behavior control (such as, wrongfully and destructively preventing young children from behaving like “young children”).

“Addictive substances” that (regardless of technical definition) are all nonetheless very much “mood and behavior altering.” [Think not? Then step into the shoes of anyone now abusing or attempting to withdraw from any addictive substance—yes, even alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, etc. Or, into the shoes of the family or other lives that drug-abuse impacts.] Therefore, throughout the herein recommended book---"Destruction From Within"---each and all such substances are simply and fittingly referred to as “addictive-drugs.” Whose use and abuse by millions can, and increasingly does, involve a thin line between a positive outcome and one of dependency, addiction, and death.

The types of natural and man-made “addictive-drugs” are many and involve a long and complex history of world-wide scope. One entailing a depth of detail purposely not addressed herein. Nor is such detail required in order to grasp the truly devastating reality of America’s “present and rapidly spreading” addictive-drugs epidemic. One fueled in large measure by both our natural and unrealistic cravings; a profit-driven drug industry; drug cartels; ignorance; apathy, complacency, denial, greed, fear; technology; and even well-intentioned physicians. A “self-destruction from within” that “Trump’s Wall” and our nation’s borders, regardless of how strong, will not alone shield us from. An ever-spreading epidemic of tragedy from which no individual, family, group, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or other population demographic is immune! 

                                                            —William James Moore
                                           

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“There is no chemical solution to a spiritual problem.”

                                                                                 —anonymous

Link: "Destruction From Within"