“KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH REALITY”

  
As we daily navigate through an ever-growing minefield of . . . . . . 
Illegal aliens not only flowing freely through unsecured U.S. borders, but U.S. tax dollars also paying for their housing, food, education, medical care, legal services, transportation, etc.; . . . An endless list of genders; . . . Minor children being subjected to irreversible life-altering gender-transition surgeries; . . . Biological males competing in female sports and having access to female restrooms; . . . Devastating COVID-19 Virus developed in Wuhan, China, funded in part by U.S. tax dollars; . . . Refusing to prosecute criminals; . . . Defunding police; . . . Disarming law-abiding citizens; . . .  An unrelenting propaganda playbook of Climate Change, White Supremacy, Racism, Identity Politics, Critical Race Theory, Wokeism, etc.; . . . Burning and pillaging of U.S. cities and businesses considered to be “peaceful protests”; . . . Patriotic “Make America Great Again” policies replaced with Marxist-rooted “America is Evil/America-Last” agendas; . . . Radical-left biased “political activists” posing as so-called “mainstream media”; . . . Teaching Institutions that “indoctrinate” rather than “educate” our nation’s youth; . . . and, Current occupant of the people’s White House not only a puppet of the Marxist-rooted Radical-Left, but also just happens to also be the “Big Guy” in a long-standing Biden crime family; etc.; . . . . . . yes, “keeping in touch with reality” turns out to be no small challenge!

A most daunting effort further complicated by the varying views (perceptions) we each have regarding the World and all that is in, of, and around it. That is, as compared to whatever the “unbiased truth” is . . . or, in other words, as relates to “the state of things as they actually exist,” as opposed to “wishful thinking, idealistic or notional ideas, individually-unique perceptions/opinions, and/or intentional deceptions, etc.”

For sure a “mixed bag of views” that would seem to logically and strongly evidence the need and importance of some good old “reality checks” from time to time.

“Reality checks” . . . like the many often readily available to us, but often disregarded through ignorance or intent.

Yes, good old wide-eyed, open-ears, commonsense assessments that offer revelations, insights, and other meaningful truths, such as, but by no means limited to, the following randomly listed examples:

(1.) Try, plan, and wish as we may, but none among us will escape the “individually unique” and without exception “very limited” amount of sand in our respective one-and-only personal hourglass-of-life.

(2.) As doctors “practice medicine” and lawyers “practice law” . . . we all “practice living” — on personal journeys that do not come with a “reverse gear,” a “re-wind,” or an otherwise “do-over.”

(3.) There seems to exist relative certainty . . . that the Sun comes up in the East; it’s not likely possible to eat an intact bowling ball; expecting life to be fair is not only unrealistic, but also a recipe for notable disappointment; and there’s no such thing as “free”— because someone(s), somewhere, at some point . . . “pays.”

(4.) It appears highly evident that many if not most of us too often bask in personally-perceived self-absorbed “terminal-uniqueness.” And that we share some common shortfalls, such as, but not limited to, “craving to have our own way” and “preferring to not be disagreed with” — regardless of the extent of BS we in any manner profess to the contrary.

(5.) Few if any of us will likely ever have but limited control of everything “that happens to us” — but, many if not most have at least some measure of control over “how we respond.” That is, as long as we are afforded the inalienable (endowed by our Creator) rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.


[ At this point — especially with “above” number (5) in mind — it seems the following also very much inescapable “realities” cry out for our special attention. ]


(6.) The people’s White House is in fact presently occupied by indisputably a corrupt, chronic liar, racist, divisive, incompetent, incoherent, stumbling, bumbling, babbling, embarrassing, and otherwise nation-threatening Joe Biden. Yes, the same “head of the Biden crime family” who is also protected 24/7 by a corrupt and politically-weaponized Washington D.C. “Swamp,” an army of supporting “political-activists” posing as so-called Mainstream Media, and by a wide-spreading cesspool of George Soros-funded prosecutors dedicated to destruction “by any means necessary” of any/all who pose a threat to Biden’s lust for power and control, and that of his Marxist-infested Radical-left puppet-masters.

(7.) “A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”  ―John Adams (1735–1826), an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father; second U.S. President (1797–1801): before his presidency, was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain.

(8.) "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." ―Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), 40th U.S. President (1981-1989).

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                                                          —William James Moore

“A BIT OF PERSPECTIVE” ON WHAT “DOES” AND “DOES NOT” MATTER

To some it “really doesn’t matter” . . . if being an unaccomplished career-politician sucking-off of the taxpayer-funded U.S. public treasury is the “only” so-called job Joe Biden has ever had; and that he is a life-long chronic-liar; and that he is also a proven racist (as demonstrated by his record, and as also “ever so” subtly inferred during the 2020 presidential debates by his “thereafter” VP pick, “cackling Harris”).

To others “it really doesn’t matter” that Joe Biden illegally took and irresponsibly stashed Classified government documents in his residential garage and at various other unsecured locations; and that he is the Biden Crime Family “Big Guy” who . . . with the aid of his likewise corrupt son, Hunter, and other family and enablers . . . has over the years amassed a multi-million dollar fortunate via corrupt dealings with various of our country’s adversaries (e.g., China, Russia, etc.).

While to still others it also “really doesn’t matter” that, in Joe Biden’s present mental health status, he often demonstrates himself to be an incoherent, stumbling, bumbling, babbling, national-security threat, and otherwise embarrassing fool.

As to a selection of others, all of the above “really doesn’t matter” . . . because Joe Biden is protected by a corrupt and politically-weaponized Washington D.C. “Swamp,” an army of 24/7 supporting “political-activists” posing as so-called Mainstream Media, and by a wide-spreading cesspool of Soros-funded prosecutors dedicated to destruction “by any means necessary” of any/all who pose a threat to his lust for power and control, and that of his Marxist/Communist-infested Radical-left puppet-masters.

And, to the Marxist/Communist-infested Radical-Left, it FOR SURE “really doesn’t matter” if pro-America Trump and others posing a serious threat to Joe Biden and others of the “Swamp” . . . “are” . . . or “are not” . . . “actually” guilty of that which they are accused! Because, to the Radical-Left, “all” that “DOES really matter” is that the “accusations” of guilt continue to be spewed and spread 24/7 . . . until the minds and behaviors of a sufficient number jurors and/or legal and/or illegal voters have been sufficiently “programmed/brainwashed” to tilt the scales of our upcoming 2024 general election . . . in favor of Joe Biden and others hell-bent to destroy our precious individual-liberty sustaining constitutional republic (the United States of America) . . . truly liberty’s last stand!

All while our World’s countless of the enslaved, desperate and/or otherwise hopelessly void-of-liberty in North Korea, China, and elsewhere, struggle to endure the following “historically-demonstrated reality” . . . that being, “when it comes to who occupies the positions of power, control, and influence in government . . . it most crucially always has, does, and forever will . . . “really matter”!

As, by way of ignorance or intent, a self-destructive many among us continue to bask in some good old complacency, apathy, denial, greed, intimidation, irrational compliance, and counter-productive fear . . . some truly “it really DOES matter” behaviors long-nurtured, weaponized, and otherwise self-servingly feasted-upon by our country’s mixed-bag of “enemies within”! 

                                       ---William James Moore, August 2023

“FEAR” IS FAR FROM BEING OUR ONLY CONCERN

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first Inaugural Address, delivered March 4, 1933, included the long since famous words: “ . . . the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Yes, his first inaugural address took on an unusually solemn, religious quality (tone). And for good reason—by 1933 the terribly crippling and debilitating so-called “Great Depression” had reached its depth. And Roosevelt’s first inaugural address outlined in broad terms how he hoped to govern and reminded Americans that the nation’s “common difficulties” concerned “only material things.”

And while the tragedy of the “Great Depression” was to be endured very up-close and personal by my parents and countless others, my personal gift-of-life journey didn’t begin until several years after Roosevelt shared the above noted words of intended hope and encouragement to a terribly challenged nation.

A personal gift-of-life journey that has led me (now among the dinosaur generations), and no doubt countless others, to more and more believe that “fear” is far from being our only concern. For in addition to “fear,” the seemingly ever-growing mixed bag of threats to us personally, and as a nation, also includes but is not limited to, “ignorance,” “apathy,” “complacency,” “denial,” and “greed.”

Threats that serve as barriers to our rational dealing with agenda-driven “fears” stirred-up and profited by in some manner by the more-greedy and self-serving among us.

“Fears” such as, but not limited to:

(1.) The “Population Bomb”—the 1960’s fear that we are over-populating the Earth, will run out of food, and hence all soon starve to death, etc.

(2.) “Another Ice Age” and “Running Out of Oil”—the 1970’s fear of freezing to death from a rapidly approaching “Ice Age,” as well as the gut-wrenching fear of all the inconveniences resulting from a world “Running Out of Oil.”

(3.) “Nuclear War”—the 1980’s heightened fear of being destroyed by the outbreak of “Nuclear War” resulting from a weapons race and tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union (now Russia).

(4.) “Climate Change”—the 1990’s-Present fear that our use of evil-old-fossil-fuel (oil) is changing the Earth’s climate such that the North Pole and South Pole ice caps will melt, causing the oceans to rise to the extent of dooming all of civilization.  Yes, “Climate Change”—originally labeled “Greenhouse Effect” ...later changed to “Global Warming” ...and then not so long followed by the present preferred label . . . “Climate Change” . . . which is of course a “shoe that fits all.”

Yes, throughout my relatively limited life journey, there never seems to be a time when—according to the fear-promoters and doomsday predictors—that we were not (and yet are not) destined to soon self-destruct in some manner.

Nevertheless, there has always existed—and yet to this day exists—unlimited hope! A rock-solid protection against even the worst of our concerns! 

That so-called "hope and protection" (or more likely our "worst threat") of course being “more government”—funded by sufficient numbers of taxpaying citizens consumed in ignorance, apathy, complacency, compliance, denial, greed, and . . . yes you guessed it . . . “fear.” 

                                                             —William James Moore.

"The Sound of Freedom"

The “Sound of Freedom” is a “must watch movie” coming at a time when global statistics on human trafficking are on the rise: every day thousands of women, men and children are trafficked worldwide for various exploitative purposes . . . in an estimated $150 billion Human Trafficking Business!  A most shameful and rapidly growing tragedy for all countries and communities, with currently an estimated 25 million victims of human trafficking around the world!

A “critically important” movie inspired by the life and work of Tim Ballard, who left the Department of Homeland Security around 2013 and founded Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), an anti-trafficking non-profit, to work with local police in other countries to catch child sex traffickers.

Work on the script began in 2015.  Reportedly, Ballard personally requested that Jim Caviezel portray him, and Caviezel has reportedly stated that he considers Sound of Freedom the second most important film he has ever appeared in, ranking it behind only his starring role as Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ (2004).

Endorsements and special screening: Mel Gibson, Dana White, Elon Musk, Ben Shapiro, Jewel and the Family Research Council have all endorsed the film.  President Donald Trump also hosted a special screening of the film at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on the night of Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

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(Links To Movie Trailers & Other Info)

"Sound of Freedom" --- Tickets & Show Times & Official Trailer --- Angel Studios.

Official Final Trailer for "Sound of Freedom".

First Movie Trailer for "Sound of Freedom".

"Wisdom of Ayn Rand" - - - The Consequences of Avoiding Reality!

[ Note: The below article was taken verbatim from the "American Thinker.”  - - - an especially apt and interesting article shared with me by my dear friend Mike H. ]

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 July 18, 2023 

"Ayn Rand has some prescient thoughts about Democrats' avoidance of reality"

By R.W. Trewyn 

The consequences of avoiding reality are killing us … literally!

American leaders and policy makers in the 21st century should have paid attention to the profound wisdom put forth by Ayn Rand in the last Millennium: 

“You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.” 

It pinpoints the basis for countless problems in America run by Democrats in recent years, clarifying why they occurred. Consider the following illustrations: 

1. “You can avoid [the brain-dead] reality” of funding coronavirus gain-of-function research in a communist country whose long-term goal is to destroy you, “but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding [that] reality.”  There’s nothing like a global pandemic to help validate an argument.  Only someone truly brain dead — or totally devoid of ethics and integrity — would argue otherwise today.  Even purveyors of the wet market diversion ought to concede.  Shouldn’t the U.S. government worry about communists anywhere doing gain-of-function research on pathogens? Obviously! 

Think what an out-to-conquer-the-world regime could do — intentionally or inadvertently — with bioengineered viruses. Cause a pandemic? We’ll return to the communist aspect of this stupidity below while plugging in another variant into Rand's same observation that’s especially concerning for America’s future.

2. “You can avoid [the brain-dead] reality” of defunding the police, “but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding [that] reality.”  Anyone with even limited brainwave function back when this idea arose could have told you what the outcome was going to be.  Crime would explode in every city where this mindless experiment was launched.  Bingo!  Moronic has been proven multiple times, coast to coast. There is also this: 

3. “You can avoid [the brain-dead] reality” of destroying America’s energy independence, “but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding [that] reality.”  Clearly, increases in gas prices were going to accompany this executive duncemanship.  However, once that domino fell, a whole cascade of additional ones tumbled immediately thereafter.  Higher gas costs led to supply chain problems which created product shortages that drove up consumer prices thereby providing a vessel for … what?  Inflation!  A third grader could have figured that out.  Well, a third grader pre-COVID.  Maybe a sixth grader now. 

Then, the domino scenario recycled again … and again … and again.  Obviously, the Afghanistan withdrawal fiasco could have been used as another exemplar or the open border insanity.  Whenever and wherever reality is ignored, stupid, needless outcomes are the result.  The fallout from all these examples should have been apparent to anyone, but as Ayn Rand also said: “The hardest thing to see is the glaringly evident which everybody had decided not to see.”  Yes, that’s more reality wisdom she conveyed. 

Unfortunately, significant numbers of Americans have now opted to close their eyes to reality.  Glaringly evident is no more.  Unmistakable has transformed into mistakable writ large.  Welcome to the U.S.A., 2023. 

Ayn Rand passed away in 1982, so America has done without her foresight for quite some time.  An author and philosopher, she always had something to say and an amazingly quotable way of saying it.  Ayn Rand was her chosen name.  She was Alissa Zinovievna Rosenbaum when she was born in the Russian Empire in 1905.  Alissa was the eldest child of a prosperous St. Petersburg pharmacist; prosperous until the Russian Revolution in 1917.

Communists took control and seized her father’s business.  Then came the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin and Alissa’s formal introduction to Marxism-Leninism.  Her intimate knowledge and hatred of totalitarianism grew from there.  Nonetheless, Alissa Rosenbaum graduated from Leningrad State University in 1924 and two years later, fortuitous family circumstances allowed her to travel to the U.S. 

Arriving here, she took the name Ayn Rand, and in 1931, she became an American citizen.  Experiencing the communist conquest in Russia early in her life led to another unique insight that is of particular relevance today. “There is no difference between socialism and communism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism by vote.  It is merely the difference between murder and suicide.”  

Why is this pertinent? Because the understanding and fear of socialism have been lost by far too many Americans.  A decade or two ago, essentially no politicians would have run on a platform advocating socialism.  Now, candidates for public office call themselves “democratic socialists” unashamedly.  And what does the qualifier add?  Nothing!  Attaching democratic merely validates what Ayn Rand said a half century ago: “to enslave men … by vote” (democratically) is voting to commit suicide. 

Somehow, though, few Americans appear to understand that. Socialism doesn’t scare them like it should.  They don’t see the “glaringly evident” reality. At least communism still seems to make most people in America squeamish.  As a result, there hasn’t been a “democratic communists” political movement so far.  Democratic murder is a harder sell than democratic suicide.  

Regardless, America is heading down a slippery slope that may not be reversible. U.S. voters need to wake up to these issues and start purging local, state and federal government of socialist wannabes, communist collaborators, and all those evading the reality of their actions.  The results are obliterating liberty and freedom.  “You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.”  America … stop avoiding reality!  The consequences of avoiding reality are killing the U.S. … literally!  

It’s time to confront those destroying our country. Vote the brain dead out of office!

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R.W. Trewyn earned a Ph.D. after surviving Vietnam combat, and more treacherously, endured 53 years postwar slogging academe’s once hallowed halls. 

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Source Link:   Ayn Rand has some prescient thoughts about Democrats' avoidance of reality - American Thinker

The Many Faces of “Screwed”

Like many if not most other words, “screwed” can have various meanings.

For example, when applying to a “bolt or other device,” the many definitions of “screwed” can include: “having a helical ridge or thread running around the outside.”

Then there’s the familiar words and terms “ruined, broken, in a difficult or hopeless situation, etc.” . . . often used in defining “screwed,” as such relates to both people and things.

And while for many of us it was once not so, these days the aforementioned words and terms “ruined, broken, in a difficult or hopeless situation,” can now readily bring to the minds of many one or more most unsettling “examples” . . . of being truly “screwed”!

None the least, and most unfortunately so, that very much up close and personal “example” . . . our United States of America — humankind’s last and best hope for survival of the inalienable (God-given) rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!

Yes, our very much under-assault USA — our precious constitutional republic — has been and continues to be “screwed”! That is, it has and continues to be “ruined, broken, and otherwise condemned to difficult or hopeless situations,” . . . by a growing mix of “enemies within,” including, but not limited to those noted in the following random listing:

1. CORRUPT & INCOMPETENT LEADERSHIP: The people’s White House is now occupied by the most corrupt self-serving, un-accomplished, career politician in American history (Joe Biden), along with, just a heartbeat away, his extremely incompetent, radical-left, and incessantly-cackling, backup puppet (Kamala Harris). Both under the control of a behind the scene team of radical-left Marxist-infested puppet masters.

2. MARXIST-INFESTED DEMOCRAT PARTY: Democrat Party leadership that has — especially in recent years — been taken over by a Marxist infestation that is unrelentingly promoting victimhood, racial/social unrest, and an array of other divide-and-conquer agendas. Agendas entailing Political-Correctness, Wokeism, Critical Race Theory, and an array of other sinister weaponry against truth, fact, reality, free speech, and common sense.

3. RINO-INFESTED REPUBLICAN PARTY: A Republican Party infested with RINO’s (Republican In Name Only) and others unwilling to, and/or incapable of, defending our country’s critical foundation blocks, i.e., our U.S. Constitution, secured borders, common-language English, and common-culture rooted in Judeo-Christian values.

4. POLITICALLY-BIASED NEWS MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, & EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: A so-called mainstream media, more aptly what has become a Democrat Media of Political Activists, (CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, FOX, etc.); the “self-proclaimed elite” within the entertainment-industry; and leadership and other staff of many of our educational institutions; etc., have become nation-destructive voices of radical-left biased venom.

5. SWAMP-INFESTED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: A Federal Government less and less controlled through the voter-expressed will of “we the people,” but more and more by the Washington DC “Swamp”! By a years in the making, long-established, deeply-entrenched, self-perpetuating conglomerate of “self-serving, power-craving, and corrupt” career politicians, lobbyists, and unelected bureaucrats. A truly and most sinister “enemy within,” including a “deep state” of liberty-threatening manipulators within the IRS, FBI, and other corrupted government agencies, capable and willing to use unlawful acts and politically-biased measures to protect, preserve, and advance the “Swamp’s” agendas. A “Swamp” actively engaged to disrupt and roadblock any serious threat to the election of their “chosen ones.”

6. ADDICTION TO SO-CALLED “FREE STUFF”: A growing number of legal U.S. citizens and illegal aliens addicted to an unsustainable and ever-growing list of so-called “free-stuff” financed via our trillions upon trillions of dollars “in-debt public treasury.”

7. POLITICALLY-BIASED SO-CALLED “BIG-TECH”: Social media tech giants (Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) using their monetary fortunes to sway elections, and their complicated algorithms to impose their politically-left and other biases upon countless millions of we users of their so-called “free” products and services.

8. MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: An ever-growing military industrial complex feeding off of an ever more in-debt public treasury, and reaping the benefits of wars past, present, anticipated, planned, and/or otherwise created.

9. PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: An ever-growing “Big Pharma” feeding off of in increasing measure ever-growing and unsustainable Medicare/Medicaid programs, which in turn feed off of in critical measure an ever-more in-debt public treasury.

10. IRRESPONSIBLE “WE THE PEOPLE”: Growing numbers of “We the People” nation-destructively consumed with ignorance, apathy, complacency, denial, greed, and counter-productive fears.

11. UNCONTROLLED U.S. BORDERS: Essentially “open to all” U.S. borders, providing an ever-growing democrat-leaning “voter-base,” and an endless source of “cheap labor” from which a mix of business interests continue to feed. Enabling a nation-destructive illegal alien invasion to the benefit of a self-serving many, including but not limited to self-sustaining partnerships between corrupt elements of “both” the political-left and political-right.

12. ABSENCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND OUTRAGE: Not only a blatant and inexcusable “absence” of accountability for nation-destructive crimes and corruption, such as committed by the Biden crime family, . . . but also an absolutely unbelievable and self-destructive “absence” of constructive outrage for the herein cited — and otherwise past/present/planned — sinister agendas and behaviors of our nation’s “enemies within.”

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Yes, an America continuing to be “ruined, broken, and otherwise condemned to difficult or hopeless situations” . . . down a path named “once lost—no recovery.” 

And while I am among the countless very much lacking a solution that would end the sinister assault being pursued by our country’s enemies within, and also heal the damage already suffered . . . it seems clear that our country’s survival will not be achieved by way of this or any number or nature of FB Posts, Tweets, wishful thinking, etc., from the likes of me or well-intentioned others.

For much to the contrary, it seems most indisputable that survival of our critically under-assault America will instead . . . ultimately depend upon a “similar level and nature” of individual and collective contributions of truly unprecedented courage, sacrifice, wisdom, insight, and unrelenting perseverance, as was once put forth by our country’s founders.

That is, the countless men and women who not so long ago stepped up to the need, against overwhelming threats and odds, and engaged in a most unprecedented undertaking and achievement! One which ultimately established this most unique and precious “Constitutional Republic”!

This greatest seedbed and sanctuary for liberty in the history of humankind . . . the first, best, and likely last true hope for exercising the unalienable [God-given] Rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!

This indisputably the “greatest nation on Earth” . . . one built upon, and forever dependent upon, the following must never be forsaken “crucial foundation blocks”: our U.S. Constitution, secured-borders, common-language English, rule of law (not of men or women), and common-culture rooted in Judeo-Christian values . . . The United States of America — “Liberty’s last stand!”

Or . . . we can choose to nation-destructively — and ultimately self-destructively — continue down the Marxist-paved path of ignorance, apathy, complacency, denial, greed, and counter-productive fears.  And while at it, of course extend some very apt and deeply sincere apologies to our nation's young children and the not yet born . . . those who will ultimately inherit the unrecoverable liberty-lost consequences thereof.

                                                             —William James Moore

“If only . . .”

 

If only our nation and the rest of the world were not so seemingly overwhelmed with tragedy overload, then just possibly the recent March 27, 2023 mass murder of three young students and three adults at a Nashville, Tennessee school would not so soon be smothered away by other distractions. 

Just has been in sad degree the less than a year ago horrific massacre carried out on May 24, 2022 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where nineteen students and two teachers lost their lives.

 And, if only we could today purge the world of all evil, then these herein noted could be the last in the heretofore seemingly endless series of such unthinkable atrocities.

However, should we find the elimination of all evil not timely doable, our nation’s school children could nevertheless be readily secured from the threat of mass murder—that is, if only we so-called adults in the room would provide our educational institutions with commonsense security against such threats.

Yes, commonsense security that, for example, acknowledges and responsibly deals with the fact that “Gun-Free Zones” are but irresponsible “magnets” for attacks by evil-doers, and that those committed to carrying out such atrocities could not care less about laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, signage, and other shalt-nots.

Commonsense security that also accepts the ever-so-likely existence of “good reason” why few if any among us choose to protect/secure our personal residences with “Gun-Free Zone” signs displayed in our front lawns and/or posted on or at our doorways, etc.

Commonsense security that in turn finds it a bit difficult to responsibly rationalize why “Gun-Free Zone” signage remains an acceptable security measure for school students and teaching staffs, etc., — but not, for example, for Kansas Supreme Court personnel when conducting their special session at our Parsons High School on Monday evening, October 3, 2022.  A session that included the very visible and plentiful “commonsense security” of armed law enforcement personnel; contraband screening procedures; etc.

Commonsense security that would also give serious and duly responsible consideration to following the successful lead of various other schools protected by one or more "voluntarily armed" and "properly trained" personnel (e.g., from teachers and/or other staff, and/or volunteers from duly vetted retirees from our military and/or law enforcement services, etc.).

Yes, if only we were willing to replace that historically demonstrated failure and proven invitation to life destroying evil-doers—the signage-declared “Gun-Free Zone”—with rational and realistic security against mass murder.   And if only we were to do so with the same unity of purpose, unlimited attention, and sense of priority that we so routinely extend to the many other extremely less crucial education system needs.

                                           —William James Moore   04/16/2023

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Please Note:  The above was also published as a Public Mind article on Page 4 of the Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, May 6-7, 2023, edition of our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun . . . [Re: Scanned copy via link inserted below; and scanned copy of related 'Letter of  Appreciation' to the Parsons Sun, also via link inserted below].

Public Mind Article titled, "If only . . ."

"Letter of Appreciation" to the Parsons Sun -  05/07/2023

“THE MANY FACES OF BIAS”

'Bias' is generally defined as “prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.”

Furthermore, ‘bias' can and does have many faces.   None the least by the many ways a newspaper can demonstrate the reality embodied in the following words often attributed to American journalist, A.J. Liebling (1904-1963) — “Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.”

For example:

The Public Mind section of the Opinion page of the Weekend Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2, 2023, edition of the Parsons Sun included an article titled, “Advocate for strong gun laws.” A particular Public Mind view no doubt submitted by a concerned Parsons resident, and likewise no doubt prompted by atrocities such as the recent March 27, 2023 mass murder of three young students and three adults at a Nashville, Tennessee school; the horrific massacre carried out on May 24, 2022 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where nineteen students and two teachers lost their lives; as well as the unthinkable others prior thereto, etc.

However—and while I and many others are also concerned citizens—the Parsons Sun chose “not” to publish any other Public Mind articles during the month of April 2023 . . . including any one of the “three” Public Mind articles I subsequently submitted during same month of April 2023, each of which advocating “commonsense security for our school systems.”

“Commonsense security” advocating “priority” consideration being given to the fact that those “Gun-Free Zone” signs at our schools and elsewhere are but irresponsible “magnets” for attacks by evil-doers—those same demented individuals who time and again demonstrate that they could not care less about laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, signage, and other shalt-nots.

“Commonsense security” that finds it a bit difficult to responsibly rationalize why “Gun-Free Zone” signage remains an acceptable security measure for school students and teaching staffs, etc., — but not, for example, for Kansas Supreme Court personnel when conducting their special session at our Parsons High School on Monday evening, October 3, 2022.  A session that included the very visible and plentiful “commonsense security” of armed law enforcement personnel; contraband screening procedures; etc.

“Commonsense security” hence accepting the ever-so-likely existence of “good reason” why few if any among us choose to protect/secure our personal residences with “Gun-Free Zone” signs displayed in our front lawns and/or posted on or at our doorways, etc.

“Commonsense security” that therefore would also give serious and duly responsible consideration to following the successful lead of various other schools protected by one or more "voluntarily armed" and "properly trained" personnel (e.g., from teachers and/or other staff, and/or volunteers from duly vetted retirees from our military and/or law enforcement services, etc.).

Yes, “Commonsense security” entailing replacement of that historically demonstrated failure and proven invitation to life destroying evil-doers—the signage-declared “Gun-Free Zone”—with “rational” and “realistic” security against mass murder.  And undertaken with the same unity of purpose, unlimited attention, and sense of priority that we so routinely extend to the many other extremely less crucial education system needs.

However, what the Parsons Sun did choose to do was leave the Opinion page of the remaining April 2023 editions void of Public Mind articles such as those submitted by me and possibly others . . . and instead publish the following “other than” school security related editorials:

(1.) a Kansas Farm Bureau editorial titled, “From the ground up”; followed the next weekend by (2.) a For Kansas Reflector editorial titled, “A new franchise name should be a priority for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason”; followed by the next weekend by (3.) a lengthy For Kansas Reflector, 7.25" x 8," center-page, pro-WOKE, pro-Medicaid Expansion, pro-Environmental Activists, pro-ESG legislation, anti-Fossil Fuel, anti-MAGA (Make America Great Again), anti-Republican legislature, etc., editorial titled, "In their paroxysms against 'woke' culture, state legislators wound our health and environment."

Hence, further validating that ‘bias” can and does in fact have many faces.  That is, by further demonstrating that—as noted at the beginning of this post—“Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.” 

That is . . . guaranteed of course as long as ignorance, apathy, complacency, denial, greed, counterproductive fears, and anti-First Amendment and anti-Second Amendment, etc., agendas don’t one day transform our precious constitutional republic into the individual-liberty void abyss of another North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, etc.   

                                                              —William James Moore

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Please Note: Inserted "below" are links to scanned copies of the 3 "not published" by the Parsons Sun Public Mind submissions discussed in above post; and also to a scanned copy of my subsequent 04/30/2023 letter of concern to the Parsons Sun.  
                                                              —William James Moore

"Responsibly Defining Our Priorities"

[Please Note:  The following is a city of Parsons resident Public Mind article on the subject of Responsibly Defining Our Priorities, submitted 04/23/2023 to our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun, for use in the Sun's Opinion section . . . and inserted immediately after the below posting are "links" to scanned copies of the other writings therein made reference to.    And while the Sun chose not to publish the below article concerning School Security, . . . page 4 of the Opinion section of the Sun's Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, April 29-30, 2023 edition, . . . does include a lengthy For Kansas Reflector, 7.25" x 8," center-page,  pro-WOKE, pro-Medicaid Expansion, pro-Environmental Activists, pro-ESG legislation, anti-Fossil Fuel, anti-MAGA (Make America Great Again), anti-Republican legislature, etc., editorial titled, "In their paroxysms against 'woke' culture, state legislators wound our health and environment."]

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(Submitted to but not published in the Parsons Sun)

"Responsibly defining our priorities"

To the Sun:

Page 4—the Opinion section—of the Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23, 2023 edition includes an approximate 700 word article titled, “A new franchise name should be a priority for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason.”  A For Kansas Reflector writing by Michael Esau, reportedly a communications coordinator and indigenous solidarity organizer at the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. Wherein the author states in part, “I work with the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, a movement of people working to repair the harm done by Christians to indigenous people.”

Now there’s a truly citizen-responsible and otherwise most fitting “priority” we can all enthusiastically rally around—i.e., “a new franchise name for the Kansas City Chiefs!”

On the other hand, the Sun could have chosen to use above said center-page print space to publish one or more local Public Mind articles—such as any one of my three recently submitted and Sun-declined similar-in-content articles on the subject of “responsible commonsense protection” of our school children and other education systems staff.  That is, protection from atrocities such as the recent March 27, 2023 mass murder of three young students and three adults at a Nashville, Tennessee school; the horrific massacre carried out on May 24, 2022 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where nineteen students and two teachers lost their lives; and the unthinkable others prior thereto.

Or, in lieu of a “new franchise name for the K.C. Chiefs,” the same print space could have been used to highlight fact-based information regarding other “priority” concerns, such as our out-of-control and unsustainable National Debt, now exceeding $31.7 Trillion; our unsecured U.S. border/illegal aliens crisis; wide-spreading crime; the death and other suffering from illegal drugs; and our nation’s ever worsening economic woes; etc.

But then again, there’s that good old team-spirited less stressful “feel good” that can come from being a part of a “priority” movement to at long last change the name of a sports franchise!   That opportunity to, for example, detach from any rational consideration that those “Gun-Free Zone” signs at our schools and elsewhere are but irresponsible “magnets” for attacks by evil-doers—those same demented individuals who time and again demonstrate that they could not care less about laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, signage, and other shalt-nots.

Yes, folks, when it comes to what views to include in the Opinion section of a local newspaper; or how to best protect our educational institutions from mass murder; and how to otherwise most effectively protect and preserve the individual-liberty sustaining foundation blocks of our precious and ever-under-assault U.S. Constitutional Republic; etc.—it’s just a matter of responsibly defining our priorities!  —William James Moore Parsons, KS 04/23/2023.

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"Links" to articles referenced in above posting:

"Commonsense Security for Schools"

"A New Name for KC Chiefs"

"TRUMP 2024!!!"

President Donald Trump has reportedly raised more than $34 million for his 2024 White House run since the start of the year!

Buoyed by a big bump — “nearly $20 million” — in donations since the announcement of “alleged” criminal charges against him in New York . . . "alleged" charges filed by George Soros-puppet Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in conjunction with a leak-infested and 24/7 media-spun Grand Jury process led by Soros-puppet Bragg.

You know- - -that same Marxist-infested Biden-administration-supported Alvin Bragg who has, according to various legal experts, violated President Donald Trump's Sixth Amendment rights by “Bragg’s refusal” to disclose the “Bragg alleged” underlying crime that “Bragg alleges” Trump intended to conceal through his “Bragg alleged” falsification of “business records.”

Yes, the no doubt same kind of “business records” Biden’s son Hunter would of course unfailingly ensure were always pure as the driven snow in his corrupt dealings with China, Russia, Ukraine, etc. - - - and yes, the same son Hunter’s corrupt business dealings that liar-in-chief Biden swears he knows nothing about.

But now back to the “real problem,” which is of course all things “Trump” and his growing base of deplorable supporters — aided (at least so far) by that “existential threat” to the Marxist-infested radical-left . . . the “U.S. Constitution.” 

                                                    —William James Moore.

“A LITTLE SOMETHING TO BRIGHTEN ONE’S DAY!”

As the Marxist-infested radical-left political activists posing as so-called mainstream news media continue their 24/7 spewing of the horrific evils and threat of “Trump” and his deplorable supporters . . . there actually is no need for anxiety or concern.

For all around us is an overabundance of "feel-good realities" that should give lasting hope and heart-felt inspiration to even the most pessimistic or otherwise negative inclined among us.  And for one’s gentle memory-jog and notably uplifting reading pleasure a few—but by no means not all—are randomly summarized below:

(1.) One of if not the most corrupt and incompetent career politicians of all time now infests the people’s White House, has responsibility for the safety and security of our country, and is commander-in-chief of the most powerful military on Earth.

(2.) Well over half of “we the people” cannot even name the “three branches” of our government (executive, legislative, and judicial) . . . let alone explain in even the most basic of terms their respective functions.

(3.) Growing numbers of “we the people” do not understand—nor appreciate—the fact that our country is through the wisdom of its founders a “constitutional republic” . . . and NOT a “pure democracy” where 51 percent could deny the liberty and freedom of the other 49 percent, etc.

(4.) Our country is now occupied and is increasingly infested by “millions” upon “millions” of people who have no intensions of ever respecting, assimilating, protecting, and preserving our country’s crucial foundation blocks . . . our U.S. Constitution; Secured borders; Common-language English, and Common-culture founded on Judeo-Christian principles.

(5.) A nation-destructive number of “we the people” continue to tolerate growing numbers of our educational institutions “indoctrinating” our country’s youth with anti-First Amendment, anti-Second Amendment, and otherwise anti-America propaganda.

(6.) And, the Justice Department of the Executive Branch of our country’s Federal Government—along with a biased news media, Big-Tech, etc.—have been weaponized to defeat any/all challengers to the power and control of the “Washington DC Swamp.”

Yes, America, no cause for worry or need for responsible citizen involvement . . . because at the helm of responsibility are true “servants of the people” such as the Marxist-infested Radical-left's puppet "Joe Biden" . . . who of course truly, truly “cares”!

                                   —William James Moore

“Commonsense” shamefully absent from school security!

The Tuesday, March 28, 2023 edition of our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun, includes noteworthy coverage of yet another most heart-breaking school tragedy — the recent March 27 mass shooting at a Nashville, Tennessee school entailing the horrifying murder of three young students and three adults.

This the latest in a “seemingly endless series” of such unthinkable atrocities. Preceded less than a year ago by likewise horrific massacre carried out on May 24, 2022 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where at nineteen students and two teachers lost their lives.

All while various political leaders and others “continue” to shamefully use such pain and sufferings for self-serving gain, and as growing numbers of others (especially within younger generations) fearfully, hopelessly, but nevertheless “mistakenly,” consider such atrocities to be an unpreventable norm.

While others among us hold the view that murder of our school children “is not” in America’s DNA, and we so-called adults-in-the-room should have long ago insisted—and must now demand—that “commonsense security” not only be responsibly included in, but also moved to the top of, the priority lists regarding our educational institutions.

Yes, “commonsense security” that, for example, acknowledges and responsibly deals with the fact that: “Gun-Free Zones” are but irresponsible “magnets” for attacks by evil-doers; and those committed to carrying out such atrocities could not care less about laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, signage, and other shalt-nots.

“Commonsense security” that also accepts the ever-so-likely existence of “good reason” why few if any among us choose to protect/secure our personal residences with “Gun-Free Zone” signs displayed in our front lawns and/or posted on or at our doorways, etc.

“Commonsense security” that in turn finds it a bit difficult to “responsibly rationalize” why “Gun-Free Zone” signage remains an acceptable security measure for school students and teaching staffs, etc., — but not, for example, for Kansas Supreme Court personnel when conducting their special session at our Parsons High School on Monday evening, October 3, 2022. A session that included the very visible and plentiful “commonsense security” of armed law enforcement personnel; contraband screening procedures; etc.

“Commonsense security” that also takes responsible note of Crime Prevention Research Center reporting that some twenty states in our country have armed teachers. And in the many schools so protected by one or more voluntarily armed and properly trained teachers, there reportedly has not yet been even one single attack where anyone has been killed or wounded.

Yes, we so-called adults in the room seem willing to support most any real or professed education systems need for buildings, facilities, creature comfort, etc., i.e., “anything for the children”—except, that is, "commonsense security” against mass murder. And for that most shamefully neglected priority we irresponsibly continue to lean upon that historically demonstrated failure and proven invitation to life destroying evil-doers—that good old signage-declared “Gun-Free Zone”! That is, however, until our KS Supreme Court should choose to return to town for another special session.

                                          —William James Moore

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"Click" on image at bottom of this post to "expand" a scanned copy of two very worthy of read April 1-2, 2023 Parsons Sun published Public Mind articles:

(1.) Article titled "What has happened in Amercia" is in my view a very spot-on message of justified concern about these most troubling of times.  About an America that has lost touch of its precious liberty-sustaining roots.  "America-defining roots" entailing the crucial foundation blocks of secured borders, a common language-English, and common culture founded on Judeo-Christian principles.    ---William James Moore. 

(2.) Article titled "Advocate for strong gun laws" is in my view among the many examples of why "commonsense security" has yet to be adopted in countless educational institutions throughout America.  A writing that counterproductively focuses on "the weapon" as opposed to "the murderer."  A failing to accept that those committed to mass-murder of school children and other such atrocities could not care less about laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, "Gun Free Zone" signage, and other shalt-nots. ---William James Moore.

“THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY”

If truth be told, many if not most of us often find accepting some of life’s “inescapable realities” exceptionally difficult.   Realities such as: “we are all mortal beings”; “nothing is truly free”; “freedom of speech not only applies to what you and I agree with, but also the views of others we may take exception to”; as well as the at times very unwelcomed annoyance—“there’s always another side of the story.”

And for some reason the realities regarding “free speech” and “other side of the story” kept coming to mind as I read a particular opinion article on page 4 of the Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12, 2023 edition of our local newspaper the Parsons Sun. 

One authored by Mr. Rod Haxton of the Scott County Record and titled “Empathy is not one of the 3 ‘Rs’ in the Legislature.”  An in my view politically biased article; apparently triggered by Representative Pat Proctor’s (R-Leavenworth) reportedly expressed views regarding certain activities at a Leavenworth school. 

Views that said article reflects were articulated by Representative Proctor’s following statements: “I find it impossible to believe that an entire grade of third graders and fourth graders, all on their own, decided to draw rainbow flags and talk about LGBTQ and spell those things out on their artwork.” “I find it impossible to believe ... they were not coached to do that by the teacher. That’s just implausible in the extreme.”

Although I seldom if ever find any personal agreement with Mr. Haxton’s published views, I never the less rather routinely lend them my eye and attention as they are included in the Sun.  And in doing so I more often than not find said articles to not only typically include a drawing attention to what Mr. Haxton considers to be the intolerance, lack of empathy, etc., of the Republican Party in whole or in part, but also a demonization of those expressing views counter to his.

For example, the herein referenced opinion article doesn’t just rationally present “another other side of the story” relative to Representative Proctor’s herein reportedly expressed views.  But rather, also sets out to in length demonize Representative Proctor for his reportedly expressed concerns, as well as others of like or similar views. Via a mixed bag of demonization tactics including, but not limited to, expressed or inferred claims of Republican racism, bigotry, hate, fear mongering, intolerance, lack of empathy, close-minded views, etc.

And in reacting in such “intolerant manner” to the expressed views of another, the herein referenced opinion article also demonstrates the human shortfall of “projection,” whereby through ignorance, oversight, or intent one accuses others of being and/or doing that which they the accuser often actually are and/or do.  An often at best very counter-productive behavior it seems we all must personally avoid using and/or guard against being distracted by—as we each in our respective ways seek, and/or strive to share our view of, . . . “the other side of the story.” 

                                  —William James Moore  03/13/2023

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[The above was also included in the Public Mind section on page 3 of the Parsons Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19, 2023 Edition.]

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"Click" on the below image to view the Rod Haxton article to which above "The Other Side of The Story" is responding to:

“Unprecedented in Modern Times" . . . a follow-up to prior posting.

  
On 02/20/2023 President Biden made a reportedly surprise visit to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, during which he met with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and announced a forthcoming half billion dollars of “additional” U.S. aid. The first such Biden visit since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost a year ago. A visit referred to by some media as being “unprecedented in modern times.”

However, like many things, what is or is not considered “unprecedented” likely rests “in the eye of the respective beholder(s).” And on a personal note—especially in these challenging times— “unprecedented” seems to more aptly apply to a growing list of “other matters.”

Such as, but certainly not limited to: our U.S. National Debt, now exceeding $31 Trillion ($94,000 per citizen; $246,000 per taxpayer); record high inflation; tragedies related to the synthetic opioid “fentanyl”—reportedly now the leading cause of the death of Americans ages 18 to 45; continued invasion of illegal aliens through our country’s unsecured borders; and growing loss of confidence in various aspects of our federal government, election systems, educational institutions, etc.

And then there’s an epitome of—if not “the” epitome of—“unprecedented.” That being our truly unique and most precious U.S. Constitutional Republic! You know, that same republic (not democracy) established some 236 years ago, as the result of “unprecedented” wisdom and sacrifice of “unprecedented” liberty seekers of the times. Yes, that same “individual liberty” enabling republic that (so far) yet stands, despite efforts of countless past and present to—through ignorance and/or intent—destroy it.

Then there’s today’s “unprecedented” America-destructive “inattention” to what made our country “unprecedented” in the first place—its crucial foundation blocks. Such as: our U.S. Constitution, secured borders, common-language English, common-culture founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and a mixed economy constructively weighted with the elements of free market capitalism. Yes, America-destructive “inattention” in many of our homes, businesses, workplaces, government and educational institutions, etc.—fueled by innocent, willful, and/or by-design ignorance, apathy, complacency, denial, greed, and fear—especially the human shortfall “greed.”

And, duly labeled “unprecedented” will be the heartbreaking consequences of our failure to soon wake-up to the fact that—when it comes to our much too often taken for granted and/or abused republic—there really doesn’t exist a “Plan-B.” For, it takes not, so-to-speak, a rocket scientist or a great deal of truly rational pondering to look around this much troubled world—and at the endless numbers craving legal and illegal entrance through our borders—for one to readily grasp that . . . this is it!

Yes, and contrary to the self-serving propaganda spewed by our country’s foreign and domestic enemies, this truly unique and ever-so-precious constitutional republic is indisputably the one and only last best hope for the inalienable (God-given) rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. A most precious hope founded through “unprecedented” wisdom and sacrifice—a hope that likewise cannot continue to survive in the absence of same. 

                                                     —William James Moore

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[The above was also included in the Public Mind section on page 3 of the Parsons Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 4-5, 2023 Edition.]

“FUTURE OF WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS SLED DOG RACE AT RISK”

Yes, declining participation, economic woes following a global pandemic, climate changes, and rising inflation, are among the massive challenges for the iconic “Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.”

One beginning with a ceremonial start Saturday, March 04, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska, and followed by the competitive start Sunday about 70 miles north in Willow.

But some may ask . . . what the heck is the “Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race”? And to such hopefully of serious interest inquiry would be the following most brief, general, and grossly incomplete answer:

The “Iditarod”—the most prestigious sled dog race in the world—is a race where the “competitors” are “Mushers (Sled Drivers) and their respective Dog Teams.” Not just any dogs, but truly awesome "canine athletes" of between 12 and 14 in number—of which at least 5 must be on the towline at the finish. And Mushers not made up of just any human being, but of persons of typically unthinkable stamina, skill, talent, and determination.

Because, “the Iditarod” is a truly extraordinary challenge that takes the competitors about 10 days to traverse nearly 1000 miles through two mountain ranges, the frozen Yukon River and treacherous Bering Sea ice, often in blizzards or sub-zero temperatures, before ending in the old Gold Rush town of Nome, Alaska. 

Yes, often through blizzards causing whiteout conditions, sub-zero temperatures, and gale-force winds which can cause the wind chill to reach some -100 degrees F (-73 degrees C).

A race first undertaken in 1973, and created "to save the sled dog culture and Alaskan huskies, which were being phased out of existence due to the introduction of snowmobiles in Alaska; and to preserve the historical Iditarod Trail between Seward and Nome."

A race that this year (2023) will likely include only Thirty-three teams; the smallest number in Iditarod history; down from a 2008 high of 96; and behind the 34 who participated in the inaugural 1973 race.

A grossly under-publicized and media/public-slighted event—where the cost of competing (“running the Iditarod”) can now entail Mushers spending some $250,000 at a shot at winning a $50,000 (before taxes) championship. Hence a reason many Mushers supplement their income by offering uniquely Alaska experiences to cruise ship passengers, etc.

Yes, an Iditarod race where each competitor (Musher & Dog Team) is called upon to display an indescribable level and nature of personal strength, stamina, and conviction—under the most unthinkable and unforgivable nature of often truly life-threatening conditions.

All while—as through innocent/willful ignorance and/or media-design—much of America continues to remain oblivious thereof.

AND THEN, THERE’S THE “NFL,” “NBA,” AND “MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL; ETC. - - - Where the often millionaire (or otherwise exceptionally wealthy) competitors are paid big bucks to “play games.” Such as NFL games that have 60 minutes of game clock time, but can take 3 hours to complete, while only delivering some 11 minutes of actual play. 

And NBA games requiring only 48 minutes of play, but often entailing some 2.5 hours to complete. And then there’s Major League Baseball games entailing 9 Innings that can typically stretch a lot of waiting mixed with a bit of activity into more or less 3 hours of time.

Yes, and in the starkest contrast to the Iditarod . . . “games” played in far from life-threatening environmental conditions, with the best of medical attention close at hand, using the latest of high-tech protective gear, and fueled by an abundance of money as well as an extreme level of emotional/irrational attention often at times reaching that of hero worship.

All while everything related to the "game" (past/present/future) is sliced, diced, and otherwise analyzed—through the commentary of an array pre/post/real-time talking heads and other media functions, to the point of what is to some among us, painful nausea at best. 

—William James Moore

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Links:

 https://iditarod.com/

https://faces.iditarod.com/?fbclid=IwAR3BDZXRVXZm9UavUzFWtc2l1skMtxfT_9GG-3KPhX7r-0DbIP8apRFAA40