by Rod Williams - Charlie Daniels is dead at the age of 83. Rest in Peace.
Charlile Daniels holds a warm place in my heart. I am sorry to hear of his death. As I have gotten older, I have seen more and more people die off that I admired or respected. Some of them, I didn't know much more about them than that their music has spoken to my soul. Others, I knew their mind. Some, I admired for their impact on the world, others because, not even knowing me, they helped make it thorough the night. Ronald Reagan, I loved because, in my view, he was the person most responsible for ending Communism and throwing it onto the dust bin of history , liberating a third of the world from slavery, saving the rest of us from a destiny of living under totalitarian tyranny, and saving us from nuclear annihilation.
I know it is a mixed bag of chracters but in my Rest-in-Pease Hall of Fame is Ronald Reagan, William F. Buckley, Barry Goldwater, Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, George Jones, and now, Charlie Daniels. There may have been others that caused me a twinge of sadness and a moment of reflection, but for those I listed above. it was like I lost a good friend.
Those much younger than me may not know of Charlie Daniels other than that he was an aging country star. He was more. Charlie Daniels was pivotal. He let music out of its genre box and let people appreciate a range of musical styles. He introduced a generation to country music and they didn't know they liked country music.
I have always been a country music fan. I never related, except maybe for short periods hear and there, to the popular music of my era. Yea, the Beatles were OK, but I never loved them. I have always loved county music. However, I really do have an appreciation of almost all music. For a while I said I could appreciate all music except opera. Well, at one point about the mid 90's I was driving home and had pubic radio on because I always liked NPR news. Following the news, an opera performance came on and I did not change the station and when I got home, I realized I had been listening for maybe thirty minutes and I thought, I really enjoyed that. I then started listening to opera. I would go to the library and check out opera CD's and many of the Cd's would have English translations of he lyrics. Country music and opera have a lot in common. Opera is often about ubrequited love, and unbelievable heartbreak and longing and maudlin pathos. I went through about a six months period where I explored and leaned about opera and learned to appreciate it.
I never did develop a love of the Ellla Fitzgerald-type improvisational scat signing or the instrumental progressive dissonant jazz, but I did develop an appreciation for lots of jazz. I really have developed an appreciation for almost all types of music, except for rap and I just can't get into it. So, I appreciate almost all kinds of music. Back to Charlie Daniels.
In the mid 70's I was attending college and loving it. I was late to go to college, I never had an adult to encourage me and somehow thought that college was for a different class of people. You might say I had an inferiority complex. I did enroll in college thanks to the GI bill and learned that I was a whole lot smarter than I had given myself credit for and loved learning. I was married at the time and then out of the blue, my wife left me and filed for divorce. I was devastated. I took it hard. I had to move out of my home and moved closer to college.
Money was tight and I got by on the GI bill and working odd jobs at day labor and working part-time as needed with a moving company. I had to live as cheaply as possible and rented an apartment between a red-neck couple and a bunch of guy whose hosehold composition was constantly changing but who were worthless red-neck hard rock fans and dope heads. Living in close quarters, I became friends with a class of people I had never known before.,
I was always conservative politically, but during this time I became somewhat of an individualist, that some might classify as neo-hippy. I wore blue swede cowboys boots and had longish hair. I was active in College Republicans was not the chamber-of-commerce-in-waiting type Republican. I stated a chapter of Young American for Freedom on campus and wrote a regular editorial for the student news paper. I was kind of a trouble maker and aruged with my professors and drank too much. I never considered myself a libertarian but was at this time a libertarian-Republican. Someone once said a libertarian is a Republican who smokes dope. I was kind of that person.
During this time, I was living among degenerate poverty-stricken hard-rock-loving petty thieves and losers and dealing with heartbreak. About this time in the mid-70's Southern Rock became a popular form of music. For those who may not be familiar, it was a mix of blues, country, and rock with a defiant attitude and an expresson of regional pride. I guess the heyday was about 1972 to about 1982 or so. I loved the music. It spoke to me. The genre was kind of broad and ranged from ZZ Top and 38 special to Credence Clearwarter to Charlie Daniels. I still loved County music, but I was listening more and more to Southern Rock. I tended toward the country end of the spectrum and in addition to Charlie Daniels I loved Wet Willie and the Marshal Tucker band. I had albums by these artist and wore them out.
Charlie Daniels really spoke to me. My favorite albums for a long time was Fire on the Mountain. I still probably know the words to every song on the album. My favorite song on the album was "Long Haired County Boy." If you listen to it, it has kind of a defiant populist libertarianism to the lyrics. Here are the lyrics.:
People say I'm no good and crazy as a loon
'Cause I get stoned in the morning
And get drunk in the afternoon
Kinda like my old blue tick hound
I like to lay around in the shade
And I ain't got no money but I damn sure got it made
'Cause I ain't asking nobody for nothin'
If I cant get it on my own
If you don't like the way I'm livin'
You just leave this long-haired country boy alone
Preacher man talking on T.V.
Puttin' down the rock and roll
Wants me to send a donation
'Cause he's worried about my soul
He said Jesus walked on the water
And I know that it's true
But sometimes I think that preacherman
Would like to do a little walking too
But I ain't asking nobody for nothin'
If I cant get it on my own
If you don't like the way I'm livin'
You just leave this long-haired country boy alone
A poor girl wants to marry
And a rich girl wants to flirt
A rich man goes to college
And a poor man goes to work
A drunkard wants another drink of wine
And a politician wants a vote
I don't want much of nothin' at all
But I will take another toke
But I ain't asking nobody for nothin'
If I can't get it on my own
If you don't like the way I'm livin'
You just leave this long-haired country boy alone
After college, I moved to Nashville and for years attended the annual Charlie Daniels Jams. These were events I looked forward to all year long. These were happenings; concerts that lasted from about six in the evening to the next morning. Daniels opened the shows to rousing applause by saying, "Ain't it great to be alive and be in Tennessee." It was exhilarating.
These were rowdy affairs. While the majority of music was "southern rock," the guest included everyone form Roy Acuff to Izaak Pearlman to James Brown. James Brown was a treat. I know now that seeing a Confederate battle flag causes woke progressives to have a meltdown. Charlie Daniels Jam's were peppered with people waving Confederate flags. James Brown performed and didn't let it bother him. I am sure it was part of his act but he came on stage wearing a big cape, and made a big production of his appearance- not a modest bone in his body. He preformed and preformed and sweated and was energetic. He refused to stop performing and faked having to be dragged off stage. The Charlie Daniels Confederate battle flag waving crowd loved James Brown!
After Southern Rock faded as a genre, some bands began being marketed as rock and some just faded away or hung on, on the strength of their former glory without a musical home. Charlie Daniels became part of country music again from which he originated and still toured and recorded up until his death.
Daniels became a vocal proponent of the conservative and christian points of view in later years. His website contained an editorial page, called "soap box" where he pontificated on the issues of the day. He we a patriot and a avid proponent of veterans. I was pleased to see him become an outspoken conservative but it would have been fine with me if he would have left the lyrics alone that said he would, "take another toke."
I am saddened by the passing of Charlie Daniels. Rest in Peace.
For me today is a day of reflection, thankfulness, and reverence. Reflection on life in these United States of American as viewed by me for over three-quarters of a century. Thankfulness for the friends I have now, have had in the past, and will have in the future.
And for the opportunities afforded me along that journey. Reverence for the founding fathers who helped create this country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice to make it what it is today.
Today, I was with a group who read the entire Declaration of Independence penned on July 4, 1776. I would encourage each of you to take the time to read it for yourselves.
Four years ago, on July 4, 2016, I wrote the following:
"And for support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Devine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
With these words fifty-six men declared these States to be free and independent States. Would you have the same guts to be one of the 56 or 560 or 5600 or 56,000 or 56,000,000?"
I ask you the same question today! Today, I think it is safe to say I am a basket case of emotions; pride for what I feel this country is and has accomplished; patriotism for the greatness of the backbone people that make this country strong and resilient; fear for when I look at the youth of today for what our education system has not taught them about the history of this country and the direction I see the youth turning for the future; and anger for what I see as a group of people trying to destroy the moral fiber of our society and the history of what, I perceive, we are.
Several weeks ago, I quoted the words of Edward Everett Hale who is credited for saying, "I am one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
As I look around Davidson County, I feel that should be the creed of each and every one of us who call ourselves Republican. Join me in that effort?
For each of you, I wish for you and your families an incredibly HAPPY and SAFE 4th of July Holiday.
James B. Garrett
Chairman,
Davidson County Republican Party
by Rod Williams - President Trump gave the best speech of his presidency! At a time when cultural Marxist would blast Mt. Rushmore to smithereens it they had their way, when leftist anarchist are tearing down our country and toppling our country's monuments, President Trump chose Mt. Rushmore as the backdrop to give his 4th of July speech. This speech may go down in history as one of the best Presidential speeches ever delivered, unless it is those who want to destroy America end up being the ones who write that history.
This speech, at times brought a lump to my throat and made me want to stand and cheer. This is the speech that needed to be given during these troubling times when America's culture, history, and institutions are under attack like very few times in our history.
Here is the full text of President Donald Trump's speech at South Dakota's 2020 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration in Keystone, South Dakota:
Well, thank you very much. And Gov. Noem, Secretary Bernhardt — very much appreciate it — members of Congress, distinguished guests, and a very special hello to South Dakota. As we begin this Fourth of July weekend, the first lady and I wish each and every one of you a very, very Happy Independence Day. Thank you. Let us show our appreciation to the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, and the U.S. Air Force for inspiring us with that magnificent display of American air power – and of course, our gratitude, as always, to the legendary and very talented Blue Angels. Thank you very much. Let us also send our deepest thanks to our wonderful veterans, law enforcement, first responders, and the doctors, nurses, and scientists working tirelessly to kill the virus. They're working hard. I want to thank them very, very much. We're grateful as well to your state's Congressional delegation: Sens. John Thune — John, thank you very much — Sen. Mike Rounds — thank you, Mike — and Dusty Johnson, Congressman. Hi, Dusty. Thank you. And all others with us tonight from Congress, thank you very much for coming. We appreciate it. There could be no better place to celebrate America’s independence than beneath this magnificent, incredible, majestic mountain and monument to the greatest Americans who have ever lived. Today, we pay tribute to the exceptional lives and extraordinary legacies of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. I am here as your president to proclaim before the country and before the world: This monument will never be desecrated — these heroes will never be defaced, their legacy will never, ever be destroyed, their achievements will never be forgotten, and Mount Rushmore will stand forever as an eternal tribute to our forefathers and to our freedom. We gather tonight to herald the most important day in the history of nations: July 4th, 1776. At those words, every American heart should swell with pride. Every American family should cheer with delight. And every American patriot should be filled with joy, because each of you lives in the most magnificent country in the history of the world, and it will soon be greater than ever before. Our Founders launched not only a revolution in government, but a revolution in the pursuit of justice, equality, liberty, and prosperity. No nation has done more to advance the human condition than the United States of America. And no people have done more to promote human progress than the citizens of our great nation. It was all made possible by the courage of 56 patriots who gathered in Philadelphia 244 years ago and signed the Declaration of Independence. They enshrined a divine truth that changed the world forever when they said: "All men are created equal." These immortal words set in motion the unstoppable march of freedom. Our Founders boldly declared that we are all endowed with the same divine rights — given [to] us by our Creator in Heaven. And that which God has given us, we will allow no one, ever, to take away — ever. Seventeen seventy-six represented the culmination of thousands of years of western civilization and the triumph not only of spirit, but of wisdom, philosophy, and reason. And yet, as we meet here tonight, there is a growing danger that threatens every blessing our ancestors fought so hard for, struggled, they bled to secure. Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children. Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our Founders, deface our most sacred memorials, and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities. Many of these people have no idea why they are doing this, but some know exactly what they are doing. They think the American people are weak and soft and submissive. But no, the American people are strong and proud, and they will not allow our country, and all of its values, history, and culture, to be taken from them. One of their political weapons is "Cancel Culture" — driving people from their jobs, shaming dissenters, and demanding total submission from anyone who disagrees. This is the very definition of totalitarianism, and it is completely alien to our culture and our values, and it has absolutely no place in the United States of America. This attack on our liberty, our magnificent liberty, must be stopped, and it will be stopped very quickly. We will expose this dangerous movement, protect our nation’s children, end this radical assault, and preserve our beloved American way of life. In our schools, our newsrooms, even our corporate boardrooms, there is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance. If you do not speak its language, perform its rituals, recite its mantras, and follow its commandments, then you will be censored, banished, blacklisted, persecuted, and punished. It’s not going to happen to us.
Make no mistake: this left-wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American Revolution. In so doing, they would destroy the very civilization that rescued billions from poverty, disease, violence, and hunger, and that lifted humanity to new heights of achievement, discovery, and progress.
To make this possible, they are determined to tear down every statue, symbol, and memory of our national heritage.
[Man in the crowd shouts: Not on my watch!] True. That's very true, actually. That is why I am deploying federal law enforcement to protect our monuments, arrest the rioters, and prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law. I am pleased to report that yesterday, federal agents arrested the suspected ringleader of the attack on the statue of Andrew Jackson in Washington, D.C. — — and, in addition, hundreds more have been arrested. Under the executive order I signed last week — pertaining to the Veterans' Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act and other laws — people who damage or deface federal statues or monuments will get a minimum of 10 years in prison. And obviously, that includes our beautiful Mount Rushmore. Our people have a great memory. They will never forget the destruction of statues and monuments to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, abolitionists, and many others.
The violent mayhem we have seen in the streets of cities that are run by liberal Democrats, in every case, is the predictable result of years of extreme indoctrination and bias in education, journalism, and other cultural institutions. Against every law of society and nature, our children are taught in school to hate their own country, and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes, but that were villains. The radical view of American history is a web of lies — all perspective is removed, every virtue is obscured, every motive is twisted, every fact is distorted, and every flaw is magnified until the history is purged and the record is disfigured beyond all recognition. This movement is openly attacking the legacies of every person on Mount Rushmore. They defile the memory of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt. Today, we will set history and history's record straight. Before these figures were immortalized in stone, they were American giants in full flesh and blood, gallant men whose intrepid deeds unleashed the greatest leap of human advancement the world has ever known. Tonight, I will tell you and, most importantly, the youth of our nation, the true stories of these great, great men.
From head to toe, George Washington represented the strength, grace, and dignity of the American people. From a small volunteer force of citizen farmers, he created the Continental Army out of nothing and rallied them to stand against the most powerful military on Earth. Through eight long years, through the brutal winter at Valley Forge, through setback after setback on the field of battle, he led those patriots to ultimate triumph. When the Army had dwindled to a few thousand men at Christmas of 1776, when defeat seemed absolutely certain, he took what remained of his forces on a daring nighttime crossing of the Delaware River. They marched through nine miles of frigid darkness, many without boots on their feet, leaving a trail of blood in the snow. In the morning, they seized victory at Trenton. After forcing the surrender of the most powerful empire on the planet at Yorktown, General Washington did not claim power, but simply returned to Mount Vernon as a private citizen. When called upon again, he presided over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, and was unanimously elected our first President. When he stepped down after two terms, his former adversary King George called him "the greatest man of the age." He remains first in our hearts to this day. For as long as Americans love this land, we will honor and cherish the father of our country, George Washington. He will never be removed, abolished, and most of all, he will never be forgotten. Thomas Jefferson — the great Thomas Jefferson — was 33 years old when he traveled north to Pennsylvania and brilliantly authored one of the greatest treasures of human history, the Declaration of Independence. He also drafted Virginia's constitution, and conceived and wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, a model for our cherished First Amendment. After serving as the first Secretary of State, and then Vice President, he was elected to the Presidency. He ordered American warriors to crush the Barbary pirates, he doubled the size of our nation with the Louisiana Purchase, and he sent the famous explorers Lewis and Clark into the west on a daring expedition to the Pacific Ocean. He was an architect, an inventor, a diplomat, a scholar, the founder of one of the world’s great universities, and an ardent defender of liberty. Americans will forever admire the author of American freedom, Thomas Jefferson. And he, too, will never, ever be abandoned by us. Abraham Lincoln, the savior of our union, was a self-taught country lawyer who grew up in a log cabin on the American frontier. The first Republican President, he rose to high office from obscurity, based on a force and clarity of his anti-slavery convictions. Very, very strong convictions. He signed the law that built the Transcontinental Railroad; he signed the Homestead Act, given to some incredible scholars — as simply defined, ordinary citizens free land to settle anywhere in the American West; and he led the country through the darkest hours of American history, giving every ounce of strength that he had to ensure that government of the people, by the people, and for the people did not perish from this Earth. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces during our bloodiest war, the struggle that saved our union and extinguished the evil of slavery. Over 600,000 died in that war; more than 20,000 were killed or wounded in a single day at Antietam. At Gettysburg, 157 years ago, the Union bravely withstood an assault of nearly 15,000 men and threw back Pickett’s charge. Lincoln won the Civil War; he issued the Emancipation Proclamation; he led the passage of the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery for all time — and ultimately, his determination to preserve our nation and our union cost him his life. For as long as we live, Americans will uphold and revere the immortal memory of President Abraham Lincoln.
Theodore Roosevelt exemplified the unbridled confidence of our national culture and identity. He saw the towering grandeur of America’s mission in the world and he pursued it with overwhelming energy and zeal. As a Lieutenant Colonel during the Spanish-American War, he led the famous Rough Riders to defeat the enemy at San Juan Hill. He cleaned up corruption as Police Commissioner of New York City, then served as the Governor of New York, Vice President, and at 42 years old, became the youngest-ever President of the United States. He sent our great new naval fleet around the globe to announce America’s arrival as a world power. He gave us many of our national parks, including the Grand Canyon; he oversaw the construction of the awe-inspiring Panama Canal; and he is the only person ever awarded both the Nobel Peace Prize and the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was — American freedom personified in full. The American people will never relinquish the bold, beautiful, and untamed spirit of Theodore Roosevelt. No movement that seeks to dismantle these treasured American legacies can possibly have a love of America at its heart. Can't have it. No person who remains quiet at the destruction of this resplendent heritage can possibly lead us to a better future.
The radical ideology attacking our country advances under the banner of social justice. But in truth, it would demolish both justice and society. It would transform justice into an instrument of division and vengeance, and it would turn our free and inclusive society into a place of repression, domination, and exclusion. They want to silence us, but we will not be silenced. [Crowd member: We love you!]
Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. We will state the truth in full, without apology: We declare that the United States of America is the most just and exceptional nation ever to exist on Earth.
We are proud of the fact — that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and we understand — that these values have dramatically advanced the cause of peace and justice throughout the world. We know that the American family is the bedrock of American life. We recognize the solemn right and moral duty of every nation to secure its borders. And we are building the wall. We remember that governments exist to protect the safety and happiness of their own people. A nation must care for its own citizens first. We must take care of America first. It's time. We believe in equal opportunity, equal justice, and equal treatment for citizens of every race, background, religion, and creed. Every child, of every color — born and unborn — is made in the holy image of God. We want free and open debate, not speech codes and cancel culture. We embrace tolerance, not prejudice. We support the courageous men and women of law enforcement. We will never abolish our police or our great Second Amendment, which gives us the right to keep and bear arms. We believe that our children should be taught to love their country, honor our history, and respect our great American flag. We stand tall, we stand proud, and we only kneel to Almighty God. This is who we are. This is what we believe. And these are the values that will guide us as we strive to build an even better and greater future.
Those who seek to erase our heritage want Americans to forget our pride and our great dignity, so that we can no longer understand ourselves or America's destiny. In toppling the heroes of 1776, they seek to dissolve the bonds of love and loyalty that we feel for our country, and that we feel for each other. Their goal is not a better America, their goal is the end of America. In its place, they want power for themselves. But just as patriots did in centuries past, the American people will stand in their way — and we will win, and win quickly and with great dignity. We will never let them rip America's heroes from our monuments, or from our hearts. By tearing down Washington and Jefferson, these radicals would tear down the very heritage for which men gave their lives to win the Civil War; they would erase the memory that inspired those soldiers to go to their deaths, singing these words of the Battle Hymn of the Republic: "As He died to make men Holy, let us die to make men free, while God is marching on." They would tear down the principles that propelled the abolition of slavery in America and, ultimately, around the world, ending an evil institution that had plagued humanity for thousands and thousands of years. Our opponents would tear apart the very documents that Martin Luther King used to express his dream, and the ideas that were the foundation of the righteous movement for Civil Rights. They would tear down the beliefs, culture, and identity that have made America the most vibrant and tolerant society in the history of the Earth. My fellow Americans, it is time to speak up loudly and strongly and powerfully and defend the integrity of our country. It is time for our politicians to summon the bravery and determination of our American ancestors. It is time. It is time to plant our flag and protect the greatest of this nation, for citizens of every race, in every city, and every part of this glorious land. For the sake of our honor, for the sake of our children, for the sake of our union, we must protect and preserve our history, our heritage, and our great heroes. Here tonight, before the eyes of our forefathers, Americans declare again, as we did 244 years ago: that we will not be tyrannized, we will not be demeaned, and we will not be intimidated by bad, evil people. It will not happen. We will proclaim the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, and we will never surrender the spirit and the courage and the cause of July 4th, 1776.
Upon this ground, we will stand firm and unwavering. In the face of lies meant to divide us, demoralize us, and diminish us, we will show that the story of America unites us, inspires us, includes us all, and makes everyone free.
We must demand that our children are taught once again to see America as did Reverend Martin Luther King, when he said that the Founders had signed "a promissory note" to every future generation. Dr. King saw that the mission of justice required us to fully embrace our founding ideals. Those ideals are so important to us — the founding ideals. He called on his fellow citizens not to rip down their heritage, but to live up to their heritage. Above all, our children, from every community, must be taught that to be American is to inherit the spirit of the most adventurous and confident people ever to walk the face of the Earth.
Americans are the people who pursued our Manifest Destiny across the ocean, into the uncharted wilderness, over the tallest mountains, and then into the skies and even into the stars. We are the country of Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Frederick Douglass. We are the land of Wild Bill Hickock and Buffalo Bill Cody. We are the nation that gave rise to the Wright Brothers, the Tuskegee Airmen — Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton, Jesse Owens, George Patton — Gen. George Patton — the great Louie Armstrong, Alan Shepard, Elvis Presley, and Mohammad Ali. And only America could have produced them all. No other place.
We are the culture that put up the Hoover Dam, laid down the highways, and sculpted the skyline of Manhattan. We are the people who dreamed a spectacular dream — it was called: Las Vegas, in the Nevada desert; who built up Miami from the Florida marsh; and who carved our heroes into the face of Mount Rushmore.
Americans harnessed electricity, split the atom, and gave the world the telephone and the Internet. We settled the Wild West, won two World Wars, landed American astronauts on the Moon — and one day very soon, we will plant our flag on Mars.
We gave the world the poetry of Walt Whitman, the stories of Mark Twain, the songs of Irving Berlin, the voice of Ella Fitzgerald, the style of Frank Sinatra — the comedy of Bob Hope, the power of the Saturn V rocket, the toughness of the Ford F-150 — and the awesome might of the American aircraft carriers.
Americans must never lose sight of this miraculous story. You should never lose sight of it, because nobody has ever done it like we have done it. So today, under the authority vested in me as President of the United States — I am announcing the creation of a new monument to the giants of our past. I am signing an executive order to establish the National Garden of American Heroes, a vast outdoor park that will feature the statues of the greatest Americans to ever live.
From this night and from this magnificent place, let us go forward united in our purpose and re-dedicated in our resolve. We will raise the next generation of American patriots. We will write the next thrilling chapter of the American adventure. And we will teach our children to know that they live in a land of legends, that nothing can stop them, and that no one can hold them down. They will know that in America, you can do anything, you can be anything, and together, we can achieve anything.
Uplifted by the titans of Mount Rushmore, we will find unity that no one expected; we will make strides that no one thought possible. This country will be everything that our citizens have hoped for, for so many years, and that our enemies fear — because we will never forget that American freedom exists for American greatness. And that's what we have: American greatness.
Centuries from now, our legacy will be the cities we built, the champions we forged, the good we did, and the monuments we created to inspire us all.
My fellow citizens: America's destiny is in our sights. America's heroes are embedded in our hearts. America's future is in our hands. And ladies and gentlemen: the best is yet to come. This has been a great honor for the first lady and myself to be with you. I love your state. I love this country. I'd like to wish everybody a very happy Fourth of July. To all, God bless you, God bless your families, God bless our great military, and God bless America. Thank you very much.
This is a great rendition of our national anthem. This is from Super Bowl XXV in 1991 in Tampa. The NFL would not put on such a patriotic production now as then and a Black person may be putting his life in danger to perform the national anthem these days. That was not that long ago and patrotism was not exceptional.
Rally together to celebrate our country’s freedom!
On July 4, 1776 congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. One year later, they celebrated their first anniversary of independence with festivities, salutes, cannons, church bells, and fireworks. We’ve celebrated this freedom every year in a similar fashion, though many of us have taken these liberties for granted.
Many people sacrificed their lives and their fortunes to pay for the freedoms we have today. Freedom to choose our own government. Freedom to peaceably assemble. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom to bear arms. Freedom to own land and property.
Join us downtown on the streets of broadway as we exercise our 1st amendment right to peaceably assemble and celebrate our freedom. (more info)
Rod's Comment: Apparently you do not need a permit to close streets and assemble masses of people in Nashville anymore. Just do it!
The city cancelled the 4th of July event with fireworks and entertainment, so we may not have the fireworks, but if the city does not stop the Black Lives Matter-Antifa-whatever-names-they-go-by groups from putting 10,000 people on lower Broadway, how can they stop us? I am going. It would be great if thousands would turn out. Civil disobedience and defiance is not just for leftist radicals. We will have rules or not have rules.
From The Beacon Center - The City Freedom Index is the state's most comprehensive analysis of city policies. The Index ranks Tennessee's 30 most populous cities based on 25 metrics in four categories. You can click on each city to learn more about its ranking, as well as re-sort the rankings in each of the four categories by clicking on that category title at the top. You can download the full spreadsheets here with each city’s z-scores across all categories
See our methodology for more details.
Note: For this index, "1" means most free, and "30" means least free.
by Rod Williams - I had a pleasant experience today.
I go walking almost everyday to help stay healthy. I was in Sevier Park and saw ahead a person at a table with a outdoor sandwich board. My immediate thought is, this is someone allied with BLM and is going to want me to sign a petition. I also thought, if that is true, I am going to take a picture, complain to the Parks Department and write a blog post about it. As I got closer the sign just said "Free Coffee" and not much else.
I can engage people in a friendly manner and either mildly tell them I disagree with their position or just listen to their spiel and keep my opinion to myself. I do not feel an obligation to convince passionate people they are wrong, but I am curious. If someone cares enough about a cause or a point of view, to set up a table and engage people, I want to know what they are promoting. I know some people avoid people like that; I approch them.
I realized it was not an obviously overtly political thing. Maybe a religious proselytizer? Maybe, a support the park, or the school, or the community outreach? Or maybe, someone promoting a coffee shop, or a coffee, or coffee maker?
As I smiled, I asked, "who are you?—what's your spiel?"
He said, "no spiel, I'm just giving out coffee."
I was skeptical,— "no Black Lives Matter? no end the war? no save the planet? —I asked."
"No," he said.
"Why?" I asked, with a smile. "Why are you givng out coffee?"
"OK," I thought, "now I am going to get the religious pitch. Maybe they are Church of Scientology?"
He said something like, "The world has enough unpleasantness and I just want to hand out coffee. I could tell you all about coffee and how it has changed the world."
That was it. No coupons to order the coffee, no invitation to church. Nothing. He did give me a card. It did not say much.
We exchanged a few more pleasantries and I left with a cup of refreshing iced coffee.
Do people really do that? Just hand out coffee to stangers for no reason? I got home and looked up the address and found a website that did not say much and did not reveal any ulteriour motive. I let it drop.
Metro Police have arrested a man who is suspected of breaking into Big Time Boots during the Lower Broadway riot in May. The accused, Ryan Keith Ray, age 33, caught on video tape sitting the fire, is facing eight charges, including felony arson, burglary and vandalism. I hope it doesn't happen, but I have a fear that D. A. Glenn Funk will reduce the charges and let the criminal off with a slap on the wrist, something like time served and community service. Follow this case and others arrested for crimes committed durning the riots to see if their crimes are prosecuted or if excused.
by Rod Williams - The Gettysburg, Pa. police department says it is untrue that they issued a warning that Antifa was planning a massive deadly attack on July 4th. I am posting below a message sent to be in a Facebook private message by a very prominent public figure. If I named the person, everyone reading this would know the person. Here is the message:
This is
Just received this from several reliable sources.
I just received a report from a valuable source that groups associated with George Soros are planning to disrupt July 4th celebrations with the intent of doing bodily harm to the opposition. Be looking for buses, vans, rental vans and trucks like U-Hauls that can hold a lot of people. Soft targets are at risk ie: picnic grounds, backyard bbq's, etc.. Plans involve overwhelming these targets with mobs as we've seen. Triggering/ provoking/ assaulting the weak and helpless to draw in a full out gang-style mob fight. Weapons have been recommended by the Soros supervisors.
This makes me ill having to report this but the optics on this appears this is an attempt to break America's back in rewriting history to suit a NEW Independence Day for them. This agenda is supposed to go down in every single state.
PATRIOTS, ITS TIME TO PLAN TO OCCUPY SOFT TARGETS and prepare. God help us, bless us, and protect us. Share this far and wide. Copy & Paste
Tue 2:50 PM
Flash! Flash! Flash!
ANTIFA PLAN:
THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE GETTYSBURG POLICE DEPT.
(717) 334-1168
ANTIFA PLAN:
THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE GETTYSBURG POLICE DEPT.
(717) 334-1168
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 11:59 AM
Subject:
PLEASE be aware this July 4.......
30,000 members per state...many trained by radical Islam they plan on killing as many Trump supporters and whites as possible!!
ANTIFA To Desecrate Gettysburg National Cemetery on July 4 - Then MURDER & BURN White Suburbs under cover of "Fireworks."
ANTIFA is planning to desecrate the Gettysburg National Cemetery by burning flags there on July 4; just before they begin MURDERING White people and BURNING DOWN Suburbs the same day. It will start at the desecration of Union Solder graves at Gettysburg, Pa.
According to the Controlled Unclassified Law Enforcement Bulletin issued as "Law Enforcement Sensitive - For Official Use Only" to Police and Fire Departments about ANTIFA already using fireworks to acclimate suburbia with sounds of explosions, so they can use those to cover for gun fire when they attack white, suburban, neighborhoods the same day.
According to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in a Bulletin issued to Police and Fire Departments, ANTIFA has been taking deliveries of very large shipments of professional-grade fireworks. They have been sending teams out to various areas throughout America to detonate those fireworks for the past two weeks, to achieve Three (3) specific objectives:
1) The first objective is to test the response of local law enforcement. If fireworks are going off around the clock and residents are filing complaints, will police respond? How long does it take them to respond? How many officers? Do they even respond at all? This data is being recorded by these groups, and will prove to be very valuable intel for what is to come. This is a very accurate barometer to test the waters.
The private message I received ends at this point and never gets to objective 2 and 3.
I was skeptical when receiving this. I also received this or similar messages from two other people. I picked up the phone and called the number listed in the message and reached the Gettysburg Police Department and got a recorded message that, paraphrasing, said, "We at the Gettysburg police depart want to insure all of those we serve and are sworn to protect that we are aware of a lengthy post being circulated on social medial outlets that warns of a planned Antifa attack on July 4th. The Gettysburg police Department has not issued such a warning and are not aware of any such planned attack. There is no truth to the statement that the Gettysburg police department has issued a "Law Enforcement Sensitive - For Official Use Only" bulletin to that effect. We are investigating the source of this allegation."
It is irresponsible to spread such rumors. For one thing, an Antifa-leaning mentally unstable person may think it is true and he may think he is supposed to go on a killing spree on July 4th. Or, a mentally unstable or overly excitable patriot may be prepared to defend his life, property and community from an Antifa attack and may shoot an Innocent Black kid who is just sitting off some fireworks.
Rumors are dangerous. Please be skeptical when you hear a rumor and please don't repeat it if it can't be verified. Getting a private message from a prominent public figure is not verification.
I am sick of virtue signaling and having wokeness crammed down my throat.
This is what I had to see first thing this morning. Why?
I don't use Google because they are politically correct; I use them because they provide a good search engine.
I am not one to rant against transexuals or homosexuals, although I do think transsexuals probably surfer from a mental disorder and think we should not be normalizing perversity and deviant lifestyles.
Seeing two men hold hands does not even upset me. I would rather not see it, but the most it does is make me a little uncomfortable. Seeing two men kiss, sort of disgust me. Seeing two women kiss, I admit however, sort of turns me on. (OK, I am revealing more about me than you need to know.) I am semi tolerant and certainly no prude and have a live and let live attitute toward most things.
I don't think a Black man confused about his sexuality, dressed as a women, who has modified his body by surgery and hormones to look more feminine, should be harmed in any way or berated or harassed. They should just be ignored. They should be tolerated and maybe even pitied. I just don't think it is something to celebrate and honor, however. If the Google corporation does think so, why cannot it keep that opinion to itself.
I wish we could end the virtue signaling and self-righteous wokeness proselytizing.
Nick Beres
NC5, June 26 at 6:31 PM · Shared with Public
BREAKING: HONKY TONK OWNERS IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE SUE MAYOR JOHN COOPER AND THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR METRO HEALTH ALONG WITH OTHERS OVER COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.
Geoffrey Reid — owner of The Local Spot, Inc. and Steve Smith with Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk and Tootsie’s filed the federal lawsuit.
Attorney for the plaintiffs Brian Lewis tells me, in a nutshell, the businesses claim that their constitutional rights have been violated and that Metro’s policy unfairly has cost them millions of dollars.
There are several arguments in the lawsuit.
One states that bars and restaurants were cited for violating social distancing mandates in Nashville while nothing was done to the thousands of recent protesters in the city who were also in violation.
A similar case in New York recently led a court to issue an injunction after churches argued they were not treated the same as the protesters.
In Nashville, the lawsuit argues, bars and restaurants are being treated unfairly at the cost of millions of dollars.
This lawsuit was just filed.
No response yet from Metro.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Rod's comment: The plaintiffs are seeking financial compensation for lost revenue during local and state-mandated Stay-At-Home orders. The lawsuit alleges that the businesses have been specifically targeted by Mayor Cooper and have received unfair treatment in comparison to protestors during recent demonstrations.
The seletive enforement is the thing that most riles me about this. While I would like to see clarrified the legal authority of the city and state to order a lock down, that is not my major concern. Selective enfrocement of law is tyranny. Rule of law is applying the law equally to everyone. If 10,000 people can walk down Broadway screaming at the top of their voice and that is permissable, then football games and concerts should be pemissable. We have an order in place restricting out door gatherings to no more than 50 people (I believe it is. I have not reaffirmed that). If it applies to sporting events and concerts, it should apply to demonstrations.
by Rod Williams - There were competing 1 PM rallies at the capitol yesterday. There was the "Back the Badge" rally and a drive by horn-honking to support the people who are "occupying" the plaza and there was the people who are occupying the plaza. Members of the "People's Plaza" group have been occupying the plaza for about two weeks now. I am not sure if they are actually occupying the plaza or the sidewalk. I know at one time they were removed from the plaza. I did not attend the event yesterday but watched a live stream of it for maybe an hour. The groups yelled at each other or tried to out-chant each other but as far as I could tell, there was no phsical altercations. Situations like this are obviously dangerous. If I had to bet, I would bet there are armed people among both groups. If some one would have thrown a cup of water on a member of the opposite group, that could of led to pushing, a blow, and then someone could have pulled and gun and several dead people could have been the result. Thankfully, it remained peaceful. It was hard to tell how many people were in attendance at the Back the Badge rally. From the live steam it looked like no more than a couple dozen, and a couple dozen on the other side with others hanging around the edges watching.
After the rally, more of the protesters swarmed the Plaza. Below is a video. The start of the video looks like a fun jazzercise class. Protesting if fun until someone gets their head bashed in or killed in cross fire or a tragedy like Kent State happens, then it is not so fun anymore. The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested 38 protesters charging them with misdemeanor criminal trespassing charges. Exactly what circumstances led to the arrest is not know. Information is sketchy. The radicals or "protesters" (Back Lives Matter, Defend Black Lives, Antifa, People's Plaza group - they march under many names) have had free reign for about six weeks now with very little in the way of opposition. It has become clear that the police are not going to restore law and order. In Seattle, radicals have occupied several blocks of the city and are keeping police from entering the area. Similar things, with less success, have happened across the country. Protestors have been able to vandalize, commit arson, attack innocent people driving through areas and bash their cars with baseball bats and destroy cars and threaten lives. Statues have been toppled, businesses looted, and building burned down. White people have, at random, been subject to brutal assaults. At any time, protesters may block a street snarling traffic and disrupting commerce. I detect that patience is wearing thin. Many people who have just stood by and watched it happen are talking more and more about retaking public spaces and protecting lives and property. If the police won't do it; citizens will. It has happened in a few places where citizens have shown up to stop radicals from toppling statues. I fear that if the police do not restore order we will see pitched battles in the street. Authorities in some cities have allowed protesters to patrol their autonomous zones heavily armed with military-style semi-automatic weapons. Police are simply making no effort to enforce the law. When counter demonstrations grow, one can almost be certain that among the counter demonstrators there will be armed people. This could get much worse before it gets better. People will likely die. It would be wise if the government would restore order before this happens. Below is a video of the disturbance after yesterday's rally at Legislative Plaza where 32 people were arrested. For more on yesterday's event follow this link. For Fox 17's video coverage, follow this link. Nashville Scene's coverage here.
by guest blogger - One of the observations people make about the modern state of law enforcement is police are becoming more militarized. But when someone says the police are “overmilitarized” what immediately comes to mind is police using heavily armored vehicles and officers suited up in riot gear. But the reality of policing is more nuanced and personal. In truth, the riot gear almost never comes out of the trunk of the car and armored vehicles are used at events like Nashville’s Night Out about as much as in dangerous situations.
So what then are people talking about? Yes, these items contribute to the perception of a militarized police but it is my experience that the little things are what make a difference. The little things change public perceptions and they change the police mindset, both for the worse.
Metro Police uniforms are one of those little things. Until about fifteen years ago, the MNPD uniform was the standard uniform we saw Officers Reed and Malloy wearing on Adam-12: the dark blue shirt and pants with a white crew-neck shirt underneath. But that has changed, and the changes are one of those “little things”.
You will see officers still wearing the same dark blue shirt and pants but now, they have changed the color of the crew neck undershirt from white to black. You might say to yourself, “so what, white, black, who cares?” I would suggest this small change does two things:
1) It changes public perception, and
2) it represents a change in police attitude
The public may not recognize the change immediately but when we see men wearing all-black carrying guns, certain thoughts come to mind. Research by the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas supports this assertion:
The impression clothing makes is vitally important when determining what perception an agency wants to portray, police administrators must be mindful that the psychological benefits of utilizing the traditional police uniform far outweigh a military styled uniform, and this should be the preferred choice when determining what the best option is for a standard uniform. The importance of this choice has been studied in the psychological and sociological fields and should not be dismissed as unimportant or irrelevant.[1]
Among police, the change represents a change in attitude of one’s role from that of the “guardian” to that of the “warrior”. The “warrior” mentality has been well documented in research such as a Harvard study which found that mentality creates tension between the public and police and results in antagonized relations between the police and the people they servSeee. As that study concluded “[w]e can resolve that tension and improve policing, in part, by replacing the concept of the police warrior with that of the guardian officer.”[2]
Years ago, now retired East Sector Captain Danny Baker used to comment on the rise of this mentality when he saw his officers wearing black leather gloves even while sitting at roll-calls. He would mention in passing that the gloves were one of those “little things” that help form public opinion and represent the mentality of the officers as the warrior rather than the guardian. He never used those words but he was always trying to convey the concern. He understood the result of those little things that we now describe as an overmilitarization of police.
Where to go from here? I think the place to begin is with the “little things” as I call them. Police need to change how they are perceived and how they perceive themselves. We can talk about the big stuff to our legislators and change policies and procedures but we have to start with the small stuff and we can begin that today.
[1] Quill, Patrick, August 2016. The Police Uniform and Its Impact on Public Perception, The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, https://shsu-ir.tdl.org/handle/20.500.11875/2163, [accessed 16 June 2020] [2] Prescott, J., Starr, S., Stoughton, S., Prescott, J. and Starr, S., 2015. Law Enforcement's 'Warrior' Problem. [online] Harvardlawreview.org. Available at: [Accessed 16 June 2020]. You can find more from this writer at Seeker of Liberty.
June 17, 202, a statement from Beacon Center CEO Justin Owen:
“The Nashville City Council should be utterly ashamed about last night’s vote to raise property taxes. They had a chance to rebuff the mayor’s egregious tax hike proposal and stand with middle-class taxpayers, business owners who have been shut down by the government, and everyone in between. They had a chance to enact much-needed systemic reforms that could begin to right the city’s fiscal ship. Instead, they took the cowardly way out and raised taxes by 34%, an even greater amount than that proposed by the mayor, filling in the gaps with pork and special interest favors. Last night may very well be the turning point in Nashville’s growth and the day Nashville went from ‘It’ city to ‘It was’ city.”
“Years of gross fiscal mismanagement resulted in this situation. Instead of working to fix the mistakes of the past and chart a better path forward, 32 Council members took the easy way out and voted to pass the buck to Nashvillians. Last night is just another indication that many Council members want to see us become another San Francisco or Seattle. The question is, do the voters?”
by Rod Williams - The revolutionaries have really got in for Brett Withers. "The people" are calling him out. Left wing revolutionaries are always "the people." Castro, Moa, Ho Chi, Lenin, Pol Pot all represented "the people."
Withers offence? He voted to fund the police department. During the deliberations over the budget there was one amendment that slashed the police budget almost in half and Withers voted against it. There was another amendment that restored in the Bendes budget, which was before the Council, the level of police funding that had been in the Cooper budget. Withers voted for it.
He tried to explain his vote in a lengthy Facebook post. I reprinted it in this blog and you can read it here. I thought he did a good job.
There was no plebiscite to determine if Brett's constituents wanted to abolish the police department or not, and Withers was duly elected by the voters of his district to represent them but we know how it works. Constituents are not "the people," voters are not "the people;" that is just bourgeois parliamentarianism. The revolutionaries discern what is the general will of the people and apply it in particular cases and if you disagree; well, you are an enemy of "the people."
So, he has gotten the chalked street treatment. That sure is better than the firing squad or the guillotine or getting your house fire bombed; the revolution is still young. Getting chalked is pretty mild. Actually, chalking is the one form defacement of public property I would allow if I was the one in the position of discerning the will of the people. Chalk is temporary and washes off and does no permanent damage.
To show that despite that one vote that deviated from the way the revolutionaries wanted him to vote and to show he really was a bona fied progressive, he showed a collection of Communist books that he still had on his book shelf. In addition to having Communist books on his book shelf, Withers is a member of a maginalized community. Apparently that doesn't help. Being part of a marinalized group and having commie books on your book shelf is not good enough. Brett needs to learn that if you do not support the people then you are a counterrevolutionary and a running dog of Imperialism.
by Phil Roe - In the weeks since George Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, our country has debated how to ensure that police officers are best serving our communities.
As I have said before, the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers are good men and women, and the actions of a few bad actors are not representative of all officers.
However, we also recognize that the actions of bad officers erode community trust and make it harder for good officers to do their jobs. We should hold officers who engage in wrongdoing accountable for their actions, while ensuring that good officers still have the resources they need to serve and protect us. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 7278, the JUSTICE Act, introduced by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN), which will enact a number of reforms to do just that.
The JUSTICE Act would require state and local governments to report more information on police use of force and the use of no-knock warrants and would create a new grant to help jurisdictions meet these reporting requirements. This information will help law enforcement develop training and best practices on de-escalation methods.
This legislation would also take steps to hold bad actors accountable by incentivizing the use of body-worn cameras, increasing penalties for falsifying police reports, and requiring jurisdictions to limit chokeholds as a condition for receiving certain federal grants. The bill would also require police departments to keep employment and disciplinary record of officers for at least 30 years to ensure that departments know about any past incidents involving those officers they are considering hiring.
Additionally, the bill will provide training resources so that good officers can continue to do their jobs well. The JUSTICE Act requires the U.S. Department of Justice to develop training on alternatives to use of force, de-escalation techniques, and how to respond to behavioral health crises. The bill also implements steps to study the conditions and causes of racial disparities in the criminal justice system and would make lynching a federal crime. Altogether, the reforms in the JUSTICE Act will ensure that officers have the tools they need to do their jobs better and will restore community trust in the police.
Last week, President Trump issued an executive order to increase transparency and accountability in law enforcement. This executive order provides incentives to state and local law enforcement agencies to seek independent credentialing to certify that they comply with the latest standards on use of force, de-escalation, and community management. The order also directs the Department of Justice to develop a program to facilitate information sharing between departments and directs the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services to identify opportunities to improve law enforcement agencies’ ability to respond to mental health crises. I applaud the president’s executive order; I believe it will ensure that officers and law enforcement agencies are well trained and equipped to serve our communities.
Police officers have an incredibly difficult job.
Unfortunately, this week, the House Democrats brought to the floor a bill that will make their jobs even harder. I voted against this bill because it would drastically lower the standards for charging an officer with criminal misconduct and will weaken legal protections for police. These changes would put the police at risk of jail time or lawsuits just for doing their jobs. In addition, the bill would create a public registry of disciplinary records, lawsuits and settlements, and complaints against federal, state, and local police officers, including complaints that have not been adjudicated yet. We certainly want to hold bad actors accountable, but publicly shaming officers for unadjudicated complaints that have not yet been afforded due process is wrong. If these so-called “reforms” are enacted, then police will have an even more difficult job, and I have no doubt that many good people would no longer even consider becoming a law enforcement officer with these changes in place.
I have also heard some people call for “defunding the police” or establishing police-free “autonomous zones.” These are offensive ideas. Policy needs to be based on real reforms, not slogans, and I will oppose any efforts to defund the police.
The brave men and women in law enforcement are deserving of our constant thanks and praise for their hard work. As we consider reforms to law enforcement, we should continue to stand behind them as they serve our communities.
Phil Roe represents the First Congressional District of Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is physician and co-chair of the House GOP Doctors Caucus and a member of the Health Caucus. Prior to serving in Congress, he served as the Mayor of Johnson City, Tennessee.
by Rod Williams- The below video is provided as accompaniment to the story.
Last Sunday The Tennessean printed a full page ad from a nut-job doomsday religious cult that said "Islam" was going to set off a nuclear devise in Nashville. It is to happen July 18th. You can read the ad at this link.
Following the publication of the ad, the story was spread by social medial It went "viral." Not sure exactly how many shares or hits on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter something has to have to have "gone viral," but a lot of people shared it and commented on it. Of course, then the mainstream media picked it up.
The Tennessean engaged in boot licking and groveling to atone for spreading "hate." They have returned the thirty pieces of silver, they have apologized, wrung their hands, admitted they were wrong, and wondered how in the world it could have possibly happened.
The thing that makes the ad "hate" is that is says "Islam" is going to attack Nashville. That is just stupid on the face of it. "Islam" can not attack anyone. Islamist could, followers of Islam could, radical Muslims could; but "Islam?" That is a body of belief, a religion, an idea. It takes people to set off a nuclear devise, not an idea. If you substitute "Catholicism," or "Judaism" or "Protestantism' or "Buddhism" or "Communism, "the same would apply. Catholics, or Jews, or Protestants, or Buddhist, or Communist could set off a devise, but not those sets of believes.
I didn't find the ad deplorable because it was hateful; I found it amusing because it was so stupid. It was a stupid ad from start to finish. When people start quoting Biblical prophesy and offering their interpretation as the obvious right interpenetration, and are so certain that they have figured things out, I tune them out. I may read for the amusement factor but I cannot take them seriously. Everyone from Hitler, to the Pope, to Barack Obama, have been labeled the Antichrist. The mark of the beast has been everything from social security numbers to ration cards to bar codes. Obviously, Biblical prophesy is open to various interpretations. When one puts a date to a doomsday event, it is bound to get some attention. I doubt many people have packed up and fled Nashville due to this ad, however.
I find the whole thing humorous. The Tennessean which is the guardian of political correctness and has an evangelistic passion for spreading wokeness, published the stupid embarrassing ad. Apparently, they did not even discuss it- no, not that they did not discuss it- they didn't even read it, before publishing it.
When caught, the The Tennessean could have taken one of several approaches.
The We-believe-in-Free-Speech,-sorry-it-you-don't approach. You know the spiel: a high minded approach to publishing all points of view, even those we disagree with, the importance of a free press, blah, blah, blah. They could mention that back when Nashville had massage parlors and strip clubs they even sold ads to those enterprises and they certainly don't support with human trafficking, but they are a conduit for communication; not censors. And, they could point out that have often sold ads to political cause that differed from the editorial position of the newspaper, published letters to the editor which contained views to which they do not subscribe. Free expression of ideas and all points of view is almost a sacred trust. Of course they would have thrown in the Voltaire,“I wholly disagree with what you say and will contend to the death for your right to say it.”
The sorry-if-you're-offended approach. I love this one. It is so disingenuous. It is basically saying, you are an overly sensitive idiot and are shallow. I should have, however, taken that into account and not offended you. It is the non-apology, apology.
The we-made-a-misstate,-now-move-on approach. This takes some discipline to pull off but corporations, institutions, and public figures do it all of the time. It could have went something like this: Recently, the The Tennessean published a questionable ad which many found offensive and which may have violated our community standards. Upon reflection, after a careful review, we conclude we were in error in accepting that ad for publication. Keep it short and simple. If pressured, the entity may have to repeat this more than once. However, don't debate it, keep elaboration to a minimum, use bureaucratic, now-emotional phrasing, stay on message, be boring, and keep it short.
The Tennessean went for the the I'm-sorry,-so-sorry-please-accept-my-apology,-sack-cloth-and- ashes approach. This involves ass kissing, and groveling. The "victim" of your crime, may not let you off that easy. You may have to pay ransom. You may have to go to reeducation camp. You may have to walk through the street with an "I'm Sorry" sign around your neck and submit to being pelted with orange peels, egg shells and coffee grounds.
I am finding the whole thing amusing. I hope it doesn't end soon.
A political convention is basically a four day infomercial and pep rally. I don't know how many people switch sides from watching a convention, but it motivates the faithful to get active, knock doors, work the phone banks, give money, work the polls, and it helps turn out the vote.
Ever since most states chose to pick there party's nominee by primaries, the main function of the convention has gone away. The last time there was a brokered convention was 1952. Delegates may fight over planks to a party platform, but platforms are mostly irrelevant. Almost no one except a few political junkies read the party platform and it is not binding on the candidate. There is really no need to have a convention, so the Dems can take care of business without one.
I have never attended a party convention and sure I would enjoy it if I were to be elected as a delegate and attend. I enjoy the televised convention. I love the rousing speeches, the music, the balloon drop and the confetti. I love the spectacle.
I always watch the acceptance speech of the nominee and the acceptance speech of the Vice Presidential nominee and the nominating speeches, and catch some other parts of the convention. I watch the Republican convention, because that is my team and I am part of it. I cheer from my couch.
I watch the Democratic convention to see if they will boo God and applaud killing babies and see just how "woke" and irresponsible and ridiculous they have become. I watch it to reinforce why I am not a Democrat.
I think this decision by the Democrats to not have a convention is great news! The polls may not show Trump leading, but the longer Vandals and Goths, Socialist and Anarchist, and revolutionaries and their woke progressive enablers occupy America's cities, the more public support will tilt towards the adults. With Republicans having a four day pep rally and infomercial and the Dems trying to generate enthusiasm remotely, I think the chances for a Trump reelection victory just improved drastically. This is good news for Republicans.
The only way this may have been a wise decision for Democrats is if Joe Biden's frailty or suspected demenia has gotten worse and it is less revealed form a recording studio than at a live function. In that case, it may be wise to reduce Biden's public exposure.
by Rod Williams - The Tennessean has announced that an advertising manager was fired over what the Tennessean is calling an "anti-Muslim advertisement." The full-page ad appearing in Sunday's paper told of an impending nuclear devise to be exploded in Nashville "by Islam."
The article was heavy on the reading of Biblical prophesy to discover this pending attack. I just thought it was nutty. I really didn't see the Muslim bigotry until it was pointed out to me by the Tennessean. That just shows you how not woke I am. I wonder if the ad would have said the devise was to be exploded by "Islamic extremist," or by "Muslim radicals," instead of just "Islam," if it would have been acceptable. Probably not.
Money from the ad sale is being refunded to the Arkansas nonprofit Future for America, who purchased the ad.The group said it would buy billboard advertising and mail letters to thousands of Nashvillians this week. What a win for Future for America. With the money refunded, that will help fund the billboards and mailings. I don't know why the money is being refunded. Future for America certainly got their money's worth. More people have heard of this than ever would have heard about it had the Tennessean just let the story die. I guess returning the money is kind of like Judus throwing the thirty pieces of silver into the temple. Giving the money back is the Tennessean's way of atonement despite that doing so helps fund the spread of the organization's message.
An internal investigation revealed three Tennessean advertising staff members "had the opportunity to review the ad in its entirety" before it was published, but failed to do so, so one sacrificial lamb gets the ax.
I'm sorry but that is not good enough. The Tennessean is supposed to be very woke. It preaches self-righteous political correctness daily. It lectures and informs the rest of us. It is sort of like this: If a church members cheats his employer that is a bad sin; if the minister is pocketing money out of the collection plate before it is counted, that is a biggr sin. Some poor little ole citizen and amateur blogger like me can be forgiven for being un-work, but The Tennessean should not get a pass. They have got to be held to a higher standard.
I think that David Plazas should be marched through the streets with a sign around his neck that says "I sinned against political correctness" or maybe, "Guilty of spreading hate" and people should be able to hiss at him and throw orange peels and egg shells and coffee grounds. He should then spend the next six month on an apology tour confessing his sins.
The Tennessan has been trotting out this Michael A. Anastasi to take the heat for this. He is the managing editor. That is not going to cut it. I never heard of the guy until this. David Plazas is the face of The Tennessean. He is the one who always represents the Tennessean at public forums and events. He is the community engagement editor. He needs to engage the community. He ought to come out of hiding and do a cultural revolution-type mea culpa and beg, beg, forgiveness. Some crying while begging would help.
As the author of A Disgruntled Republican I often post items which I think may be of interest to the conservative, Republican, libertarian or the greater community. Posting of a press release or an announcement of an event does not necessarily indicate an endorsement. Rod
by Rod Williams - Charlie Daniels is dead at the age of 83. Rest in Peace.
