Random Thoughts

It’s been a long cold winter for most of us. The snow and temperatures have kept me from writing because my focus was absorbed in the pain this winter brought. Now that some semblance of warmth has begun to return, I find myself wanting to see if the fingers are willing to pound around the keyboard. The problem is what to address. There are so many things that can be talked about. So, tonight will just be random thoughts on what’s going on in the world.

In an earlier post I addressed the ACA and my experience with trying to get signed up. I finally logged on and found the policies that would fit our needs. The premium for a scaled down plan was $174.00 a month with a $12,500.00 deductible. How is this a better plan than no insurance? The whole idea was that no one should have to go bankrupt to have adequate health care. Am I the only one that would have to go bankrupt to meet that deductible? The ACA has some very good programs that would help those that need them, but the mandate that I buy insurance to prevent financial disaster, that in itself would cause the same disaster is ludicrous.

Let’s move to money for a minute. It now costs more than 2 cents to produce a penny, and a dime to produce a nickel. I’m not talking profit margins; I’m talking to actually mint them. We are spending twice the face value of the coin to produce it. This would seem an easy problem to solve and save millions of dollars a year. Why can none of our elected officials recognize and fix such an obvious waste of money?

It would appear that Russia is no longer the ally we thought. I don’t know about you, but I’m shocked; Not. When the US discontinued its space program and announced we would depend on Russia for transportation to and from the ISS, I believed it to be a huge mistake. If Putin pushes further into the Ukraine and we impose the sanctions that are being discussed, we as a country will no longer have a way to reach the ISS and Russia will control the space station we built. How could that be bad? I do not think it is in the best interests of our country to try and police what Putin is doing. This has to be a problem that our European allies address. It’s their backyard, it should be their lead.

Then there is that corrupt president we put in power in Afghanistan, Mr. Karzai. He was willing to play along with democracy until his term limit approached. He has had years with us backing him, while he focused on making himself powerful and wealthy. He has avoided signing a continuing agreement with the US, while at the same time eagerly coming to terms with Iran and the Taliban. He now wants all US troops out of the country by years end. I have no problem with that. As we are leaving we can use unused munitions to destroy anything we built that may be of use to him. I believe that we should also warn him that we will not tolerate, but obliterate anything within his borders that would support terrorism. We do not need boots on the ground to do that. Let's make that our policy for all countries that harbor terrorists.

A quick note about our continuing agreement with Afghanistan; the tribal councils and leaders of Afghanistan met and ratified this agreement in ONE weekend. Karzai has refused to sign it. The point I’m making is that this group of leaders who primarily live in what can only be described as just above Stone Age conditions, discussed it, made compromises, and agreed to it in a weekend. Our representatives in Washington should be ashamed. The Afghan representatives put their country before their personal wants or needs and moved forward in the best interests for the people, something our representatives have forgotten how to do.

It would seem the Middle East is in complete turmoil again. We took out a brutal dictator in Iraq, occupied the country so they could form a government and learn to protect themselves, and then left. The result is worse than before we went in. Afghanistan seems to be heading the same direction quickly. Did I mention that Libya finds itself in the same predicament? How many times do we as a country have to repeat the same mistakes before we figure out that some of these populations require a dictator to control all the factions within the country? Are they typically brutal? Yes. Is there a better way? Apparently not. Until the people of these countries rise up and gain their own freedom, they’ll not have it. We as a country need to understand that you cannot give or enforce freedom for a people that are not willing to fight for it.

The Malaysians seem to have misplaced a very large airplane, its passengers, and cargo. After days, they now believe it to have been hijacked by someone with a vast knowledge of that airplane. We've all seen the many theories that are discussed endlessly on the news networks. The latest baffles me somewhat. Agreeing with the assumption that it was hijacked, I am stumped as to why officials think it was flown south, only to crash into the ocean. Why commit a terrorist act by hijacking the plane and then fly it into the ocean where no one will know it happened? If it was flown north it could easily have reached a Middle East destination. I would think that route would be the most scrutinized for obvious reasons. I hope the officials are correct. I shudder to think of the many ways a plane the size of a 777 could be used as a weapon in the right hands. If terrorists have indeed pulled this off, they already have the right hands to weaponize the plane.

I’ll finish with a positive note. It was reported today the Fred Phelps Sr. is on the edge of death. As founder of the Westboro Baptist Church and its endless hate campaigns, his eminent demise can only bring a smile to my face. Sadly, I also have to report the he was excommunicated by his own church last fall which leads me to believe the church’s hate campaigns will continue. It has been repeatedly stated by folks commenting that his funeral and burial receive the same type of protest that he and his church gave to our honored dead. I hope that no one stoops down to the same level as the Westboro group. It is my hope that his death does not make news anywhere. It won’t happen, the news organizations will be all over it. Wouldn't it be nice if they just refused to report it, thus giving his death and the church the amount the amount of attention they truly deserve?

Rant Over!   

The Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare

The goal was admirable, but like much of what our government tells us, it is not as advertised. I have no intention of getting into the specifics of whose fault this mess is, or all of the half-truths and misrepresentations that were used to get this law passed. The talking heads have been pointing fingers and placing blame ad nauseum for months. What I would like to share is my experience with trying to abide by this new law.

Like many of you, I found trying to access the website in the early days impossible. I tried several times in the first few weeks, but the site just did not work. It was a never ending loop back to where you started because the site kept crashing. From the news reports it was clear that the site was not ready and never should have been launched.

After it was announced that the site was repaired, I tried several times to get through the first step; registration. After several attempts it became obvious that the government’s definition of repaired must be different from mine. Same loop as before, but they had added error messages. I assume the repair crew must be the same crack staff that designed the site to begin with.

So, with one day left to try and get this done, the wife and out set out to navigate this labyrinth and make one more attempt to comply with the new law. Great news! Things have improved. After only an hour and several website crashes, we succeeded in getting an account set up. Things were looking better! Now it’s time to log in and find out what types of coverage’s are available. After completing the account set up page we were automatically redirected to the log in page. The big moment was here; entered in the login information and clicked login. Oh good, yet another error message. An account that was just created was somehow locked and/or disabled. Two options; live chat or call the 800 number.

I started with the 800 number. No surprise that it is all automated. It first will tell you that they are experiencing a high volume of calls and wait times could be long. To reinforce this it goes on to tell you that if you are on a cell phone, make sure it is fully charged. They should also tell you to pack a sack lunch. I gave up after more than an hour on hold.

I decided to go ahead and waste the rest of my day with trying the live chat option. I actually prefer it as most of the time it is the quickest option on a competently built site. This is much like calling the 800 number. You receive a greeting message telling you they are experiencing a lot of traffic, but someone would be willing to help me shortly. After waiting for someone to chat with for exactly 81 minutes, I again through in the towel and closed the chat window. How did I know I waited 81 minutes? The chat window logs what time you requested help and then sends you a message every 90 to 93 seconds asking you to be patient while they are helping others. I’m assuming the clock is one of the repairs they are so proud of, as it seems to be the only thing on the entire fucking site that works.

According to the HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius “We the People” have spent 319 million dollars through the end of October 2013 and are obligated to spend a total of 677 million dollars to build this website. I assume this had to be a no bid contract that apparently required no proof of competency to get. If the company was properly vetted you would think the legacy of poor work would have shown up. Maybe someone should send those in power a link to Angie’s list, or better yet Go Daddy. How about a conversation with a successful web operator like Amazon? I know these are simple suggestions, but I find you get the best information from those who have proven experience, not political connections.

The other question I keep asking myself is this; how can a website that cost so much and works so poorly not have cost someone their job? I can’t think of one private sector job where you could spend 319 million dollars on a project that is a complete and utter failure, and still keep your job. Is no one accountable for what is done with the people’s money?

I’ll close with this; if you are going to force the American people to buy a product they do not want, the least you could do is make the website they have to use work, especially as you have spent millions of “our” dollars to build this site.

In the meantime, I’ll be spending the day on hold, hoping that a Christmas miracle will occur and someone will answer the phone or the live chat.  

 

For Bob

Shortly after receiving my driver’s license I took a job driving a tow truck at Ernie Schmidt Standard. The man assigned to train me was named Bob Shirley. Despite the difference in age we became fast friends. We had many good times working together, but as time passed, we both moved on to other things. Over the next couple of decades we kept in touch; sometimes just through his brothers Kim and Jay, but that connection remained.

During this time, I became a Corvette expert and Bob fell in love with Corvettes. The first one he showed up with was a race car with headlights. A 3^rd generation Corvette is not easy to get in and out of, nor does it offer much in creature comforts. Bob didn't care, it was loud and fast. My job was to keep it maintained and/or repaired. As we began to see more of each other, the friendship continued to grow.

He bought a 96 Corvette when he sold the beast. Still not easy to enter or exit, but creature comforts it had. Bob had all the accessories and enjoyed taking it on the Hot Rod Power Tour several times. As before, I maintained and repaired it for him. It also became a winter resident in my garage to ease parking at his home. Bob became a good friend to my grandson Kael when the car started wintering in the garage. Kael made a deal with Bob to keep the wheels clean, for which Bob paid him $5. When Bob showed up Kael could not wait to tell him of his latest adventures, and Bob would patiently listen as Kael rambled on.

When my health problems began, Bob was constantly checking in. I can’t remember a period in the last three years that he didn't call or drop by to check on me. The last couple of years he was always trying to get me to go out; lunch, a car show, anywhere. Last fall I had a 2010 Corvette in the garage and Bob fell in love with it. The owner decided to sell it, and the asking price was right. I called Bob and he ended up with the Corvette of his dreams.

When the weather broke in the spring, it was time for Bob to get his new Vette out. He wanted me to follow him home so he could have the Vette and his truck at home. I agreed assuming I'd be in the truck. Nope, he wanted me to follow him in the Vette. I assumed he’d drive me back home. No again. He had me drive the Vette and explain how things worked. Typical Bob, he left plates and insurance on the 96 and left it at my disposal. When I had a good enough day to get in and out of it, it was mine to drive.

It was about this time that Bob noticed my roof was in poor shape and asked me about it. I had the shingles, but I was no longer capable of putting them on. He said he’d take care of it; he had a nephew that did roofs. About a month later Brian and friend show up to do my roof; Brian is also a longtime friend and a past employee. They made short work of it, did a great job, and their labor was taken care of by uncle Bob. Bob just shrugged off my thanks as no big deal, but to me and my family it was a very big deal.

As summer began to come to a close, Bob was still doing his best to get me to a car show. He knew I missed going from the many conversations we had. He found out through a chance meeting with my wife at the gas station that the reason I did not go to shows was because I could no longer walk the distances most required. By the time I parked and walked to the show, I was spent.

About a week later Bob showed up and announced he was taking both Vettes to the Mother Road Festival, and that I would be attending. Before I could raise an argument, he announced that he had rented a mobility scooter for me. He would meet me where I parked to help me load and unload the scooter. He left no room for an excuse. Bob asked Kael what he was doing with all of that wheel cleaning money. Kael told him he was saving for a skateboard. Kael also explained at length why he needed one as Bob patiently listened.

I met Bob and Carol at the show on my rented scooter. I had not been to a show in four years; I had a blast. I thoroughly enjoyed the day scooting around looking at the cars and talking with Bob and Carol. I couldn't thank him enough. We all had a good time.

The week after the show, Bob started looking for a scooter to buy. He sent link after link for me to look at. Some of them were more than 5 hours away, but he didn't care. I told him to be patient, a deal would turn up and I wouldn't need it until next show season. I also told him he did not need to buy me a scooter. 

Bob dropped by to see Kael. He had bought him a skateboard and all of the knee and elbow pads that were recommended. I can still see his smile as he watched Kael ride the skateboard. If I had to guess whose smile was bigger that day, Kael or Bob’s, it would be Bob.

We found a scooter the following week that was a really good deal. Bob came by and picked me up so that we could go get it. It was in great shape and made for outside use. Bob had me try it out and then he bought it. We hauled it home that night and talked about the car shows I could now attend. We planned to go to Bloomington Gold and several other shows next season now that I had “wheels”.

I spoke with him last week about getting the Vettes parked for the winter. We made plans to get them put up last Sunday. Typically Bob would call to confirm plans when he got back to town on Thursday nights. I still had not heard from him by Sunday night, nor was he returning my calls. None of this was in character for him. Something must be wrong.

I learned that Bob passed away November 1st. He had a massive stroke the Thursday he was to call. I was devastated. Bob had become one of my closest friends in the last couple of years. A friendship that felt more like family than just friendship. I've spent the last few days grieving for Bob and his family’s loss, but I have found peace in several things.

Bob was home when he had his stroke, not on the road in his 18 wheeler hundreds of miles from home. He was surrounded by those he loved most in his last days. His suffering was not long. He had a great summer in the Corvette of his dreams, doing the things he loved with the love of his life.   

I will miss you my friend. Your visits and our conversations helped me through a really rough time. I will attend the shows we planned to attend together next year without you, but because of you. Every time I sit on that scooter I will be reminded of your kindness, compassion, generosity, and most importantly, your friendship.

Rest in Peace Bob. You've earned it.

My Colonoscopy at Springfield Clinic

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have had some health problems in recent years that have left me disabled. In that post I spoke very highly of the care I have recieved from my doctors, but failed to mention them or the institution they are affiliated with. I would like to correct that error and share my recent experience.

My relationship with Springfield Clinic began in 1959 under the care of Dr. Eveloff. He was the only doctor I saw until the age of 18. I was a healthy child, so most visits were for routine check-ups. Then as today, the staff were always friendly and helpful. Dr. Eveloff and Springfield Clinic had earned my trust through the quality of care that was consistently delivered at every visit.

I met the man who would become my primary physician when he was a resident at SIU family practice. Dr. James Stegeman has been my primary physician for my entire adult life. I will admit that we hit it off the first time we met, and over the years we've become friends. He knows my quirks and has always been willing to help despite them. My trust in him is implicit. His support staff is top notch in every aspect from the receptionist to the nurses.

I went in for my annual wellness visit last month which is discussed in an earlier post. Two days after my visit I received a call from one of Dr. Stegeman's support staff; if I had not yet had a colonoscopy, one needed to be scheduled. These were the words I had been dreading.

I was sent to see Dr.Brad Paris for a consultation. The consultation was short, but very thorough. My first impression was very good. If you have to have this done, the least you could expect is a likeable doctor. Dr. Paris was this and more.

The day before the procedure I started the cleansing process. I had heard all the nightmare stories of having to drink a gallon of the worst tasting liquid ever invented and spending all day and night on the toilet; this has changed. Dr. Paris had prescribed SUPREP, two 6 ounce bottles of fluid taken with water. The first bottle was mixed with water at 10:00 AM and consumed. It had to be followed by two additional glasses of water in the next hour. By 1:00 PM it had done its job, and I no longer worried about my distance from the toilet. A liquid diet for the day; a list of permissible fluids was provided at the consultation. At 8:00 PM the process is repeated. By 10:00 PM the cleansing was complete. Nothing by mouth after midnight. Not a pleasant day, but not nearly as bad as it had been described by others.

My wife and I arrived at the clinic at 5:45 AM the next day. I am not a morning person by any definition, but the clinic is full of them. Happy smiling faces greeted us at every turn. The check-in was painless; the wife was provided a pager so that she did not have to sit in the waiting room. They would notify her when I was in recovery.

After a short wait we were called back to a prep room. Much to my surprise there was a large recliner with a blanket for me to sit in and a TV (remote included) to watch. The nurse went through a few questions to make sure all my information was current. She then provided a gown for me to put on as well as socks. As you know, you wear nothing under this gown. When the wife helped me to put it on, I was surprised to find it was almost as thick as flannel. We cracked the door to let her know I was dressed and in minutes she was in the room with warm blankets. She started an IV and attached the patch to my back that would monitor my vital signs. The anesthesiologist was in to visit and ask a few questions. Dr. Paris then stopped in to make sure we had no further questions before we got started.

A few minutes later the nurse was in to walk me down to where the procedure would be performed. The dreaded walk down the hall with your backside exposed and cold, but wait! As soon as I stood, another nurse was there with a warm blanket which she held over my backside for the walk. They helped me onto the bed, and you guessed it, another freshly warmed blanket. The nurse chatted with me during the short wait for Dr. Paris. When he arrived she told me she was going to start the anesthesia. I watched her push the plunger, and the next thing I know, I'm looking at my wife wondering when they would start. The recovery nurse was waiting with cookies and a soft drink for me while we waited to see Dr. Paris. He was in promptly to explain what was found and to recommend a boost in my fiber intake. My visit ended with a gentle ride in a wheelchair to my car.

The care I received at the clinic for this procedure would rival a first class resort/spa. The staff are friendly people who go above and beyond to make your experience as pleasant as possible. The doctors go out of their way to make sure you understand, and are comfortable with the procedures being performed.

I received a call the next day from Dr. Paris's nurse to check on how I was doing, and to make sure I had no further questions.

I'm not sure when I'll have to go back, but when I do I can rest assured that I will receive the best care available in Central Illinois. Thank you to all involved for making my experience a pleasant one.

Ron Kane

Syria

Why are we even considering any intervention in Syria? If we listen to the talking heads we will learn that if we do not intervene it threatens our national security. They just can’t seem to tell us how. Most now lean towards telling us how badly our credibility in the world will be damaged. Others will tell you it has to be done for moral and humanitarian reasons.

Let’s take the last one first. Moral and humanitarian reasons; morally the murder of innocents is reprehensible, and the use of chemical weapons on women and children does invoke empathy for the victims and their families. As compassionate people we would want to help them under the definition of humanitarian reasons.

There are many organizations that can provide humanitarian relief; isn’t that something the U.N. is supposed to handle?  So, we are left with the immoral acts being committed on the Syrian people, by the Syrian people. Realistically, the morals of the Syrian people seem to be different from those traditionally held in America. When did “we the people” decide to be the morality police for the world? Whose morals are we enforcing?

Our President drew a red line and warned Syria not to cross it. They ignored that warning and have crossed it more than once, if news reports are to be believed, and we have yet to act. Our credibility is already damaged. If the administration were serious they would have put a plan in place that could be put in action immediately if that line were crossed. Instead, we now openly debate the President’s decision to intervene in both houses, on TV for the world to see, at the President’s request. We’ll probably televise the decision and tell Syria what day and time to expect us.

The argument that our national security is threatened by Syria baffles me. Yes, they have tons of all types of chemical weapons, probably biological weapons as well, but they have no method of delivering such a weapon against our country. Yes, these weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists, but that has most likely already happened. The final point for this argument is that it threatens our allies. Look at a map of the region. How many countries in that part of the world are really our allies? If we were not sending billions of our tax dollars to them in aid every year, would they still be allies?

It seems that somewhere in the past our representatives changed the reasons we would make these sacrifices and “we the people” let that happen. We got involved WW I because our allies were attacked. We were attacked which led to our fighting WW II. Both of these wars were supported by the people; we sold war bonds and we rationed many consumables in order to provide what our soldiers needed. We fought Korea and Vietnam to slow the spread of communism when the cold war with the Soviet Union threatened our country. After that it seems the reasons to go to war became less significant.

We defended Kuwait at the request of Saudi Arabia when Iraq invaded. I believe time will show this as the first mistake America made in the region. It was this decision that empowered the Jihadists. The Saudi leadership chose the U.S. over the Arab fighters who had freed Afghanistan. This was a huge insult to their pride, and it would allow infidels onto Muslim holy ground.

After the attacks of 9/11 the government declared a war on terror. We would bring these terrorists to justice at all costs. I believe every American agreed with this decision. We went to Afghanistan to destroy the Taliban and the terrorists they supported. Then we had to invade Iraq again to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, which turned out to be non-existent. We spent billions of dollars and thousands of our brave warriors’ lives in these campaigns. We continue to do so ten years later in Afghanistan. We brought democracy to both of these countries and the talking heads point to free elections and elected officials now governing these countries as our success. This led to the Arab Spring, which toppled dictators for elected governments, and each time the talking heads went out of their way to tell us how our intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan were the spark that ignited this movement.

So, where does that leave us? Iraq is still experiencing daily sectarian violence, and innocent people continue to die. The freely elected government is so corrupt it makes our politicians look good; not an easy task. Afghanistan is no better off. Egypt is a hotbed of violence which was caused by a military coup which has led to sectarian violence, as well as what appears to be ethnic cleansing.  Libya suffers from similar problems. Now we have a civil war in Syria which finds its roots in religious sectarian differences and we want to get involved? To what end?

Every survey I have seen, regardless of network or party affiliation, shows “we the people” do not want this fight. Why then are our representatives and senators even considering a vote to intervene in Syria? What in the history of our recent interventions in the Middle East makes them think this is our job, or that the end result will be any different from the above examples?

Let’s say for the sake of argument we decide not to intervene. The next decision will be whether or not to arm the rebels. Can anyone tell me who they are? What are the rebels end goals? Will the resulting government be an ally, or more of the above? Let’s not forget, it was us that armed Osama Bin Laden and his Taliban fighters when they were fighting the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. It was us that armed Saddam Hussein when he was at war with Iran. This is a trend I think we should end.

Both sides seem to be led by men that place little value on human life. Basher al-Assad has proven his disregard for his people for more than a year. He is more than willing to use any weapon in his arsenal to hold onto his position, against rebel forces and innocents alike. There seem to be several rebel leaders, but the most well-known is a rebel commander named Abu Sakar. A Google search brings up some history about him, including a video of him cutting out the heart and liver of a dead soldier and eating the heart. This is who we want to arm?

As a country we are seventeen trillion dollars in debt. Our military has been at war for more than a decade. The cost in American lives and the billions spent cannot be justified by the results of these actions. It’s time we took care of ourselves and our country.

I believe that we should have the strongest military in the world. If our country is threatened by any entity, I believe the full force of our military should be brought to bear. I also believe the key to any such action should be to crush the enemy to such a degree that no one would dare attempt it in the future. The knock it down, and then rebuild it at our expense is ludicrous.  

Mr. President, tell the world we are no longer their policeman; they’ll have to settle their differences on their own, just as we did in our own Civil War. Tell them that when you drew a red line in a country that is not yours, it was a mistake. After careful consideration you've decided that if the other Arab nations are not willing to step up while Assad continues to kill his own people, it is not our place to get involved. The U.S. will change its focus to defense of its borders and the continued hunting down and destruction of those that would do us harm.

“We the people” need to contact our representatives and tell them to sit this one out. If we do not take the time to make our voices heard, we have no right to bitch when we find ourselves at war again.

Final note: There have been several posts recently of people in full military dress holding up homemade signs in front of their faces that all have a similar theme; I didn't join the Service to fight the Syrian civil war. If you are truly members of our military, you should be ashamed. When you took your oath, you wrote a blank check to the people of the United States up to and including your life to defend this country. If that means fighting in Syria, whether you agree or not, you fight in Syria. Soldiers don’t pick the battles they fight, their commanders do. You should know that. Vietnam was not a popular war, but our brave men and women fought it just the same. More than 50,000 gave their lives because it was deemed by their commanders to be in the best interests of the country. You dishonor them and all who came before them in defense of our nation.

   

The Fort Hood Shooter

Let’s talk Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter.

I would like to start by saying that his crime being classified as workplace violence is ludicrous. It was by his own admission an act in defense of Taliban soldiers that might be killed by the men and women of this country, that were his fellow soldiers. It was an act of terrorism, plain and simple. The only reason I can fathom for this not to be called terrorism is to limit the benefits of those affected by his actions.

Why was a trial held? Why did he not just plead guilty? He admitted his crime at the beginning of the trial. Many thought he would use the trial to make a case for the Jihad he decided to support by killing and maiming his fellow soldiers. In fact, he offered no defense at all. He cross-examined only one witness that I'm aware of, and then asked only one question.

Now in the sentencing phase, his tactics have not changed. He offers no defense and sits quietly listening to the people whom he wounded and the families of those he killed. He still has a couple of opportunities to speak, but at this point I do not think he will use those opportunities. His only goal can be martyrdom. He hopes for the death penalty so that he can be a hero to the cause he betrayed his fellow soldiers for.

I am not against the death penalty for those cases where there can be no doubt of guilt. If there was ever a case that screamed for the death penalty, this is it. I believe the punishment should fit the crime, but this is a unique case. As a country we have the chance to send a strong message to those who would follow in this man’s footsteps.

His crime is horrendous; his punishment should be the same. He wishes for death, for martyrdom, a hero to his cause. By sentencing him to death, we give him what he wants. So, I hope he is sentenced to a life of hard labor at all costs. When not performing labor, he should be kept in solitary. If he decides to hold a hunger strike, tube feed him; the goal should be to keep this terrorist alive as long as we possibly can. To Hasan this would be the ultimate punishment; exactly what he deserves.

Once a year we get a network to take those he injured, or the families of those he killed to visit him in his new life and produce a documentary on how would be martyrs are treated for their actions. Air the special a couple of times a year so that the images stay fresh in the minds of those who would harm us.

As a country we should wish him a long, lonely, painful life. His only visitors should be his victims, a constant reminder of his failure to break the spirit of “We the people.”

Those who would harm “We the people” deserve the ultimate punishment, but in a case like Hasan’s that means life, not death.    

Gun Control and Concealed Carry

Let’s start at the beginning, with the 2^nd Amendment.

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

So what is all the argument about? It boils down to two interpretations of what the founding fathers meant. So as we begin this journey we must realize that both sides of the argument use the amendment’s wording to support their arguments.

To people who support gun rights this statement protects the right of the individual to keep and bear firearms, period.

To those who support gun control this statement was meant solely for the purpose of forming militias in defense of the country or state.

Stipulations of the Amendment protect the right of the individual to keep and bear arms. This was a personal liberty that would deter oppressive government or invading forces. The American people wanted to ensure that never again would they fall under unjust rule such as the British Parliament had imposed on colonists.

We made adjustments to what a citizen could own with the National Firearms Act in the 1930’s. Mainly aimed at weapons favored by gangsters, it sought to regulate the sale and movement of machine guns and other short barreled weapons. It also addressed the use of silencers and destructive devices, such as bombs or grenades.

The Gun Control Act of 1968 further revised not only what a citizen could own, but it also laid out the rules for citizens that would be barred from owning firearms due to criminal history or mental illness. The Federal Firearms Licensing System was adopted to further control the flow of firearms and to provide a paper trail as firearms were bought and sold.

The adjustments made in the 30’s and again in 1968 were all met with resistance. It is still argued today that the Gun Control Act of 1968 was and continues to be unnecessary.

So, where does that leave us? We’ve outlawed fully automatic weapons, silencers, grenades, and bombs. We have to purchase our firearms through a licensed dealer and pass a background check. We are now allowed concealed carry with Illinois finally joining the rest of the nation. In most states it requires a training certificate for concealed carry, but that seems to be a reasonable requirement.

For those in favor of stricter gun control, please pay attention; the above statements apply only to law abiding citizens. The criminals do not care, nor do they abide by these rules. 

This leads us to concealed carry.

The reality in America is that our love of guns and the right to own them has led to more than 100 million guns within our borders. This a best estimate; it could be many more. Include the black market and that number could land anywhere. We now find ourselves in an era of budget cuts across the nation. Many of these cuts were made within law enforcement, thinning the number of officers on duty and forcing them to cover more and more territory. Despite the best efforts of our officers, response times have increased. Worse yet, many times they find themselves outnumbered and outgunned. A recent article stated that response time in Detroit could be as much as an hour.

This is today’s justification of the 2^nd amendment. Because the 2nd amendment has allowed gun ownership for centuries, we now need its protection to defend ourselves, Law abiding citizens cannot afford to give up this right and leave ourselves helpless to those who would commit crimes against us. We have to protect ourselves from those who would do us harm. In many areas of the country “we the people” have no choice but to protect ourselves. Not all crime happens at home, thus concealed carry. A criminal is less likely to risk a robbery if he or she doesn’t know how many citizens are carrying. Do we need military style assault weapons? The honest answer is, we might. 

Shouldn’t the law abiding people of this country be as well armed as those who would harm us? The only reasonable adjustment to current gun laws would be to make the owner of a gun responsible for its use. If it’s used to commit a crime, you are an accessory. If it is stolen or sold, it is your responsibility to report it as such.  

Having carried a gun while working at a gun store, there are a couple of things that should be pointed out. Carrying a loaded weapon is a huge responsibility. Proper training is a must for anyone carrying a gun in public. Pulling and/or shooting that weapon should always be a last resort.

The second point is to plant a seed for those of you who choose to carry a weapon. Assume the worst case scenario; you are down to your last resort. Are you truly capable of shooting another person? If you cannot answer with a confident yes, leave the gun at home. Hesitation could get you killed and put others in harm’s way.

Let me finish with this. To those of you who think your weapons can protect you if our government becomes too oppressive, I wish you the best. If you want to take on an M1 or a Blackhawk with your M4, make sure your affairs and funeral arrangements are in order. To those of you who choose to own and carry firearms to help protect your family, neighborhood, or country, Thank you!