"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