Know Before You Blow

Hello People.  Sometimes we look outside and can't believe what is going on in our world today. Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe in an American's right to protest. I do. However, I also believe that you should actually know what it is that you are protesting. For instance, many people spent the weekend protesting ICE. That's the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Many carried signs reading "Abolish ICE" and "Stop Separating Families At The Border". One read "Jesus Was An Immigrant". LOL! Well, angry people, you should probably know that ICE has nothing to do with separating families at the border. That would be the US Border Patrol. ICE is an internal enforcement agency. On June 25th ICE and HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) New York broke up a US based Darknet operation, arresting 36 people who were selling illicit drugs and weapons over the internet. They also confiscated over $23 million bucks. You probably didn't hear much about that on the news because, well, it's a positive story, and we can't have that. Abolishing ICE would not change a single thing going on at the border. So, if you don't know that, you look pretty silly stomping around with your little signs. As far as Jesus being an immigrant, well, you're just goofy but, to be clear immigrants are not at issue ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS are the issue. And don't flash your "No Human Being Is Illegal" signs at me. If you look at the Canada Border Services Agency you will find that "Anyone found to be living in Canada illegally, will be issued a removal order and then deported". Sound familiar? Are you familiar with Frontex? That is the European Union's Illegal Immigration agency that operates what they call the 3D approach. That would be "Detect, Detain and Deport" those entering Europe illegally. Again, sound familiar? So, before you start vilifying US immigration policy, you should probably understand where the rest of the world stands. Next, and we've had this discussion many times in the past, before you start throwing around the labels of "Hitler, Nazi or Fascist" think about what you are saying. Anyone who compares President Trump to Hitler or refers to his administration as Nazis is not just profoundly offensive but just plain ignorant.  I get the whole TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) but to compare the President of the United States to a regime responsible for the genocide of at least 5.5 million Jews and another 19 million civilians and other prisoners of war is beyond the pale. When I hear you say this, my immediate reaction is that you are uneducated at best, or simply an asshole in desperate need of attention. If that is your goal, then you are successful. Now, for those of you cheering on the behavior of restaurant owner Stephanie Wilkenson, who asked Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave her establishment because her "business has certain standards to uphold", should think long and hard about that support. TDS not withstanding, the next time you hear about that same scenario happening to a Muslim family or a gay couple, you'll have to agree that a business owner has that right. Right? Finally, last night in Portland, a group called the Patriots Prayer was holding a permitted rally to support their right-wing candidate who is running for the US Senate. They were met by Antifa, the so-called anti-Fascist movement. These "anti-fascists, who, of course had their faces covered, began pelting the rally goers with fireworks, bottles and pepper spray. Needless to say, a riot broke out. Now, once again, let's examine this. A group of people get a permit to hold a rally. You don't like what they stand for so you attack them to silence their message. The definition of "Fascist" is one who supports the "suppression of opposition". So, who are the actual fascists in this scenario? That's right Antifa, once again, it is you. So, in conclusion, you have every right to protest. I just ask that, in doing so, you actually know what your talking about. Thank you for your time.
Sway

Can We Talk

Well Hello Again People! Once again, you have dragged me out of retirement. Why do you always lose your way without me to guide you? It's exhausting really. Now, I fully understand that you need something to be outraged about. It is, sadly, the way of the world today. I'm all for focused outrage but, seriously, sometimes your outrage is, well, goofy. Allow me to paint you a picture:
You have fallen on hard times. You and your 6 year old are out on the street. You're cold and hungry, you have no money. In a moment of desperation you break into a grocery store. The police come and you are arrested. You are taken to jail and your child is taken by Child Protective Services. If you have a family member who is able to care for your child, your child is released to them until your case is resolved. I suspect, by now, you know where I'm going with this. What is happening on our southern border is NOT inhumane. It is NOT Un-American. It is, in fact, the American Justice System. Entering this Country illegally is against the law. Every day, in every town, city and village in America, Americans who break the law are separated from their children and incarcerated until their cases are resolved. Should those who chose to enter this Country illegally have more rights than you? If you're outraged at what is happening on our southern border, if you think it is inhumane, then you must be outraged at our entire justice system. Shall we just fling open our jails and release everyone who has children? Those who enter America at a legal point of entry, by air, land or sea, and request asylum are NOT arrested. Their families are NOT separated. It's only those who choose to sneak across the border, the ones willfully breaking the law, that are subject to arrest, just like any American citizen.  So, in my humble opinion, your outrage here is misplaced. If you don't like our immigration laws, then turn your ire toward your Congressmen and Senators. They are the ones who can change things. Thank you for your time.
Sway