The Flag, AGAIN

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Well, how we display the flag is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and their set of guidelines are governed by “Public Law 94-344, the Federal Flag Code.” It has rules, stressing they are rules and not law per se, for handling and displaying the flag. You should be able to find that public law on the Internet and the guidelines from the VA here: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf

Remember, as it should be according to the constitution, etc., there are States who have their own flag codes and MAY impose penalties. I hope that my assumption is true that those states abide by any rules, codes and laws from higher levels along with just and legal aspects in their own states. 

The guidelines, not law, provides how to carry the flig, how to display against a wall, how to group display several flags with the countries colors; when displayed other than from a staff, when projected form a building, and about how to display flags of state, cities and orgs from a staff, etc. 

The statements are also made as to how we should avoid displaying our flag, i.e., for instance they say in the guidelines, “The flag should never be draped or drawn back in folds. Draped red, white and blue bunting should be used for decoration, with the blue at the top and red at the bottom” AND as follows:

Out of respect for the U.S. flag, never:

• dip it for any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags
• may be dipped as a mark of honor.
• display it with the union down, except as a signal of distress.
• let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise.
• carry it horizontally, but always aloft.
• fasten or display it in a way that will permit it to be damaged or soiled.
• place anything on the flag, including letters, insignia, or designs of any kind.
• use it for holding anything.
• use it as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. It should not be used on a costume or
• athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be attached to the uniform of patriotic organizations, military personnel, police officers and firefighters.
• use the flag for advertising or promotion purposes or print it on paper napkins, boxes or anything else intended for temporary use and discard.

There is more and you may find it interesting reading so use the above link to read the entire guideline. Now, it is time for personal opinions, mine.

If we respect our country in its entirety both historically and in the present then we shall take it upon ourselves to pay it the due respect it represents, not what we think, feel or assume but what it represents. No where does it recommend that we use the flag for any political or personal reasons unless we adhere to these guidelines. 

In protest, personally, there are other ways to use the flag appropriately to express our protests in the proper and legal ways. An example is if I truly felt some political aspect of our government were worth protesting then I would properly display the flag, if I felt it was necessary and effective in getting a protest point across, then express how those political governmental issues under protest were a form of disrespect to the flag and what it truly represents. I would not burn it or display it in any way that would violate those guidelines because of the respect I have for that flag and its symbolism, i.e., as stated in the guidelines “The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol.” Let me emphasize that in my book, it is a LIVING SYMBOL and that trumps whatever protest you may feel necessary to make changes to our way of life and so on. 

I personally agree with the judicial system that we have a unalienable right to protest and burn the flag but the real question is this, “Should we? Is it right, is it necessary and will it get the job done?” If it even angers a little bit we all should already know and understand that making folks angry changes nothing, it just triggers the emotional immaturity of the protestor and gains nothing - ever! In my view, I refuse to get angry when someone deliberately uses the flag for personal gain even if they label it as protest or some such. I feel sorry for those who do so because they are just too immature to realize they are failing at the very work the hope will create and inspire change. 

Just take a moment to understand human history where someone felt strongly about getting what they want under any number or reasons and justifications because those are some of the most violent and horrible times in human history and guess what? Those actions tho forced on people failed ultimately and more reasoned and just changes occurred anyway. Stick to the just and morally correct methods and forget such childish things!

Out of respect for our history and the living symbolism of our great flag don’t use it for an excuse to punish or become angered for that leads to actions also just as unjust and illogical and so on. Be mature, be an adult and keep the respect alive and remember that it has nothing to do with politics, or injustice or anything similar. If we lose sit of our living symbol then we are no better than those terrorists who use the great religious tomes of history to justify violence and death the use for their “PROTESTS.” What an easy slip that is to end up in the same place as those we detest. 

Remember, this is just my PERSONAL OPINION.

p.s. Here something to mull over, if we NEED "LAWS" to FORCE US to RESPECT our flag, etc.,  then there is something TERRIBLY WRONG in what we are teaching here, something TERRIBLY, TERRIBLY WRONG! Our respect, our beliefs and our culture should inspire us all to respect the living symbol we call the American Flag, long may it wave!!!

I Have the Right - Dammit!

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

How many times have we heard this meme, “I have the right …,” and fill in the ellipse with what ever statement you wish to make? I understand because at one point not all that long ago I would tell myself those same words until someone spread out the truth in front of me then hit me with a huge oak 2x4 so that I would actually see and believe. 

We, in this wonderful country of ours, have a lot of rights, rights that many in other countries would die for if they could get them for themselves. But, what are our rights in this country truly, factually and accurately? Not an easy question to answer and in truth there may be only a few who truly understand where our rights begin and where they end. I am not one of those few but I am trying to picture that truth in my head so explains all this typing. 

We all, the human species, tend to assume that we have certain rights and we assume that those rights are supported by the … wait for it, “The Bill of Rights,” but just how granular is that document and its meanings because there are those in academia and the legal professions who are still trying after years of studies and such to determine the true rights of our people.

Where I see a dangerous curves in this path is the written rule of law about citizen rights is they are so vague and open ended that each human being can come up with plausible explanations why something they want or need can be a unalienable right of theirs and I have wondered, is this true?

I am not a legal professional and I have read the Bill of Rights several times and all I can say is that I am not sure, not positive nor even confident that I can explain or decide what my rights are vs. what rights I should not assume are mine without question but I have some ideas on it, yep, you knew that this opinionated author would say that, right? 

I do have certain rights but they are not unlimited and they do dissipate and disappear according to certain criteria. First, there is the law, the laws that state that you can or cannot do certain things. Those laws take precedence in any and all rights you may or may not think or feel you have because once you open your front door, take a walk to the front gate of your yard and step out onto the Public Domain all that changes. Yes, if you wish to break the law in your own home by all means but beware that if it gets out into the public domain you are legally liable and all is right in the world. 

That nasty public domain is a real bitch, it is that common area of life that says regardless of your personal rights once you encounter others you have to make allowances so that both can life, breath and experience a certain level and type of freedom that does not infringe on one anothers … wait for it … rights. Isn’t this getting a bit confusing don’t you think and I am not even a professional academic on the subject or a legal professional - whoppeee!

Even in the public domain there are rules and laws, both written and not as well as those legal aspects meant to control and govern those who come together in the public domain with distinct, separate and important cultural beliefs and differences all within that social construct and membership collectives, i.e., various families of different race, creed, religious beliefs and socially created cultural systems, etc. Our countries bill of rights actually supports that various family like differences but not as if each were inviolate. 

Side Note: In human species we all need to collect together into tribe like groups for survival and in that instinctual driven DNA encoded way we need to collect together in such groups or tribes where we can hold on to those very cultural sudo-religious belief systems and hierarchies so that we can control, govern and survive better - it is nature’s way even in modern times. So, we tend to see even in major metropolises we see sections of that city divided as if by borders various cultures that came together for the comfort, safety and security of those we know and understand and believe in and with for - survival of all levels. It is when those borders get close and people travel across and through other neighborhoods be they actual in a city or perceived in various states or countries in and out of this one great country of ours. 

So, when our tribes need to connect and deal with other tribes we have to come to an understanding so that we don’t violate our inalienable rights, the ones that are not personal or of an emotional or of a religious nature, etc., so that we can communicate and exchange various needs and such in what we today call the Consumer Markets. 

Now, we have two public domains: First is the one we enter when we leave our homes and encounter others in our tribe. This requires rules, regulations and sometimes legal laws to govern and control. We may not like some but as a species we instinctually understand that if we don’t then there is chaos and we die. Second, is the one we enter as a tribe when one or more of us has to leave our “neighborhood, if you will” and enter into and encounter others of other tribes or neighborhoods. 

If we assume that our rights and beliefs are sacrosanct and the only “ONE TRUE BELIEF and RIGHT” we run into trouble because to exist and coexist we need to rein in ours enough to allow others the chance and opportunity to exist for a mutual benefit and that is a good thing. We then remember that once our encounter is successfully concluded we all return to our neighborhoods and homes to our cultural beliefs and lives knowing we all can exist as a species with regard to our individual tribal/neighbor respect, etc.

This is why I feel the Bill of Rights and our Rights are more fluid so that we can changes and adjust to “get along” for the common good of survival. So, when I think of “My Right to do this or that” I also have to consider how that right will effect those others that will be effected directly or indirectly when out of my home and neighborhood/tribe. 

For instance, the notice I received from my place of employment provided, I read the following, i.e., “On <a certain day of the week>, <on a date not specified for this article in 2016 at approximately 3:17 AM POLICE received a report of a sexual assault which had occurred at approximately 1:30 AM in an <location around here>.  The victim, a male person, met the suspect on the internet.  The victim and suspect met in the victim’s room of the <location> where the sexual assault occurred.”

First thing, yes both parties were exercising their rights as they understood them but some glaring things told me that if they had truly understood and took actions to avoid this event would possibly never happened. Yes, the person attacked has the right to meet with people regardless and yes, the person attached has the right to NOT be assaulted and Yes, the person attacked has the right to not be lied to or victimize or any other factor this involves both apparent and not. But, is that actually his or her right? I think so but then I tend to put in some common sense that in our world we are constantly exposed to danger and dangerous situations and we shall take it upon ourselves to gain the knowledge, come to understand that knowledge and then learn by experience how to use that knowledge toward - wait for it - SURVIVAL.

I would first make sure I understood the dangers and pitfalls of the Internet. It is apparent that the Internet is the Wild Wild World (West if you will) and that any protections out there are reactive, not proactive, and come after an incident so it makes it imperative that we, the individual, lean about that and take precautions to avoid being preyed upon. 

Never, ever, agree to meet anyone strange to you in such a secluded area because the worst and most grievously dangerous predators will work hard to get you to a secondary location, i.e., a secluded and private space where help is impossible and that means your home when alone as well. Secondary locations are those where the worst can happen such as torture with imminent death to follow with rare cases where the gravest of bodily harm are done.

If you meet someone on-line agree to meet in a very public place and make sure you bring a few friends along. Let the new person know that those two conditions are required and not open for debate for it is your health, well-being and life as stake regardless of what you THINK your rights are. 

So, “I have the right …” is great for discussions and conversations as well as presentations. But, those rights are not inviolate in that in regard to your right to your safety, security and health, which are inviolate, with conditions and considerations on how you exercise those rights, and this is where you have to tell yourself something. “Hey, I want to meet someone new. I found a possible connection at my favorite dating site on line. Hmmm, I have a group gathering at the local coffee shop around noonish next Wednesday so I will invite my new found possible friend to join us to get acquainted and see what happens.” 

That is being smart and you are not giving up what you perceive as your rights but simply adjusting the outcome of staying true to your rights so you can exercise them safely, securely and to your survival. 

I now have a suggestion that will help you verity and validate your rights. Get a book of the Bill of Rights, a copy for the country as well as any rights document that the State, City and County in which you live may or may not have. Get on line and find a site of laws, etc., for the country and your local area that you can search easily. Now, read the rights at least three times; first, a run through then; second, with a highlighter; and third, by writing by hand those highlights on to paper in long hand. Now, do a search to see what you feel are your rights to see if it triggers a feedback from the various sites mentioned. After a while you are going to find out that many of the things you THOUGHT were your rights were not but rather your wishes for the Utopia you wish our world existed in but doesn’t. 

There is NO PERFECT world. We can and have come close at times throughout human history but because we are human will never achieve totally and completely. It is the human nature and condition that makes us unable to achieve what we each perceive as a Utopia, a perfect world. They make great Sci-Fi movies and dramas and mysteries out of such things but truth be told, it ain’t possible. 

If we just come to realize that the world is still a very dangerous place with predators and sheep and then take the appropriate steps to learn, understand and live with those rules and requirements to avoid, deescalate and self-fense we can come very, very close to our Utopia. 

Note: There is a marked difference in our rights vs. our responsibilities as citizens of this great nation. 

NoteII: According to a source, the INS site, we as citizens have both rights and responsibilities and they say our citizenship is about shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality. As citizens we hold and expect that we have many benefits and equally important responsibilities where our core value is to hold and apply our individual commitment to our country and our form of government. The following are several rights and responsibilities LEGALLY required of every citizen:

RIGHTS:

• Freedom to express yourself.
• Freedom to worship as you wish.
• Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.
• Right to vote in elections for public officials.
• Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship.
• Right to run for elected office.
• Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support and defend the Constitution.
• Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
• Participate in the democratic process.
• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
• Participate in your local community.
• Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities.
• Serve on a jury when called upon.
• Defend the country if the need should arise.

Don’t assume because making assumptions on such important rights and responsibilities leads to chaos where you can get hurt or die. Take a moment to read through them a few times then you begin to connect those rights/responsibilities to some of what I profess in the pervious paragraphs. One I hit on with my analogy of the house, yard, gate and public domain is, “Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.” 

As to the rights provided in such a terse way the full understanding can only come if you read the associated documents such as the Federal Papers as they relate to the constitution document where your right to “Express Yourself” is not inviolate but riddled with recommendations, conditions, social requirements and conditions not to forget the laws, etc. 

I could express my inner desire to do harm to a person but do I have the right to make that expression directly to that person? I use my own inner voice to ask myself, “Is it true the statement I make; is it necessary to make that statement; and is it kind to make the statement to this person?” Now, a caveat, it is not about how I feel and answer the questions but how I have the ability to empathize how the other person will feel about answering those questions. 

Ask also, do I have an inviolate right to pursue life, liberty and (this one is critical in this story) THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS? I perceive that many conflicts and resulting levels of violence come from one’s belief of when, where and how they pursue happiness but remember that it also involves a respect for the rights, beliefs and opinions of others. 

This is so complex and important and critical to how we live our lives it often leads to things like conflict, violence and socially driven war among ourselves as well as with others not of our clan, so to speak. 

When you begin to say to yourself or out loud to others (like the police too), “I have my rights!” then begin to express how they have violated those perceived rights may lead to trouble, sometimes very bad trouble. It has been my experience and understanding many of both legal and health like troubles stem from our rights and our belief in those inviolate rights. 

Oh, and the Bill of Rights in a lot of cases is free, free to download and free to download and read via your favorite eReader too! Everything is open to interpretations and everyone’s interpretations are going to differ according to life, culture and beliefs so step lively and don’t assume you have the right to … ???

p.s. Here is one for you, at one time a culture believed wholeheartedly that the husband could beat or kill his wife with impunity. Now, according to your beliefs and rights as either a husband or wife, how would you feel about this one? 

Notes on Graphic:

• Yes, you have the RIGHT to vote; it is a responsibility that should be taken seriously; but you also have the right to NOT vote as well.
• Yes, you have the RIGHT to hold elected office as long as you meet the laws and requirements set forth by law, etc.
• Yes, you have the RIGHT to practice your own religion and you have the responsibility to do so without violating the RIGHTS of others.
• Yes, you have the RIGHT to a fair trial but remember the trial and its officers are human and bound by laws as well as how the legal system truly runs in reality.
• Yes, you have the RIGHT to say what you think in speech or writing as long as you don't violate the RIGHTS of others as well as violate the Rules, Laws and other legally socially binding requirements, etc. 

You see, we all have RIGHTS and we also all have DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES that may effect how we perceive, distinguish and apply our RIGHTS, so - BEWARE YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. 

I reserver the right to be RIGHT as wells as BEING WRONG, ergo why I wrote my caveat at the start of all this :-)

National Social Dependency

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

We all need to be very careful in these changing times because there is great possible change waiting just around the corner.

In this new and a bit scary political climate many things are possible including a mind-set of changing responsibility from big government back to where it belongs, to US the people and US in each state.

I implore, beg, the new powers to be to remember and consider that the current state of dependency of the states and the people on government is tantamount to an addiction that cannot just be suddenly and irrevocably tuned off - Cold Turkey.

This generation has been "Socially Conditioned" by government to depend on it for its safety, security and survival. This generation has not been provided the very Tools necessary to these changes.

It would be prudent to take the time to transition from our current state to a new improved state so that the next two, possibly three, generations are conditioned to first depend on themselves and then to the state for those things inappropriate to the individual.

Let big government also gradually transcend to small government as it was meant to be by our founding fathers. If we rush it, we will actually contribute not to the future and success but to failure to those who were conditioned for dependency, to their children who will suffer most if parents are forced cold turkey, to the states as the burden of assuming the vastness of big government and the overwhelming costs and to society itself would destroy the very fabric of US and the way of life that gave us this great country. The shock alone would devastate and destabilize our society so take care, be cautious and allow change to come slowly, cautiously and responsibly. 

It is easy when you are in a position of security to say something needs to be done and then do it quickly and expeditiously but consider if you were at the same spot and level of security as those affected, would you rush the job. Our tech-evolutionary state today is overwhelmed by such speed that it is overwhelming out minds and bodies and we don’t even realize it. 

Protesting the Protestors - Great Stuff

Spread the Word

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

This morning I got the proverbial chain email and, normally, I hit the delete button but this time I actually read the thing. In a nutshell, although I still don’t like sending chain emails as they are somewhat irritating just like “Span E-mail” so I decided to do two things with the message because it actually makes sense and is worthy of others consideration. 

First, I am publishing the “Buffet Rule” idea on my Facebook page.

Second, I am publishing the “Buffet Rule” idea on my Demolocke page.

If you feel this is a good idea, I have an idea or two as to how this can be passed around without actually ending up in the email SPAM repository set to be sent to the empty space called, “Dev Null.” 

1. Share this from my FB page to yours.
2. Copy and Paste this idea from Mr. Buffett and send it to the White House, to the President Elect and VP Elect and finally to your representatives. 
3. Copy and Paste this idea and put it out via twitter (the link to your FB page article, etc.) and all those other social media types of apps and programs.

Now, please read and take any actions you deem appropriately necessary for this to gain some momentum because after all, we voted in a non-politician (regardless of whom you actually voted for) and if even a small part of the media blitz for or against our New President we are in a new uncharted of following seas so we should begin to take control and take actions that will influence this kind of change. Good Luck America!

THE BUFFETT RULE - GREAT IDEA!

Warren Buffett is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around. This is more than a great idea! Please read to the end.

The Way It Is Now

Salary of retired US Presidents .. . . . .. . . . . .. . ........$180,000 FOR LIFE

Salary of retired House/Senate members .. . . . .. . . ..$174,000 FOR LIFE

Salary of retired Speaker of the House .. . . . .. . . . . . .$223,500 FOR LIFE

Salary of retired Majority / Minority Leaders . . .. . . $193,400 FOR LIFE

Average Salary of a teacher . . .. . . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . . .$40,065

Average Salary of a deployed Soldier . . .. . . .. . . . . . .$38,000

I think we found where the cuts should be made!

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling: "I could end the deficit in five minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election".

The 26th Amendment ( granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds ) took only three months and eight days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven ( 7 ) took one ( 1 ) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure. Warren Buffett is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

The BUFFETT Rule - THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

Congressional Reform Act of 2017

1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress ( past, present, & future ) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 3/1/17. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women. Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and go back to work.

We must support this - pass it on and let's see if Congress/Senate understand what people pressure is all about. If each person contacts a minimum of twenty (20) people, then it will only take three days for most people ( in the U.S. ) to receive the message. Don't you think it's time? If you agree, pass it on.

Symbology of Our Flag

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

It would seem that some have lost their way, they have lost the understanding of symbols and they have lost their understanding of the meaning of the American Flag. It saddens me so that such misunderstandings leave people open to denigrating the very symbol of what makes us a great, yet young, nation with a short, but honorable, heritage at an age of only two hundred and forty years or so, i.e., since 1776.

• A strong symbol of American Identity. (Disrespect of the Flag says we have no identity)
• A strong symbol of National Pride. (Disrespect of the Flag says we have no pride)
• Stars symbolize the heavens and goals to which humankind aspire. (Disrespect of the Flag says we have no aspirations)
• Stripes are symbolic of rays of light from the sun. (Disrespect of the Flag says we are living in the dark)
• The thirteen stripes represent the original thirteen colonies who declared “independence from England.”  (Disrespect of the Flag says we have forgotten our history and heritage)
• The fifty stars symbolize a unified fifty states of these America’s. (Disrespect of the Flag says we have forgotten our history and heritage)
• The white colors signify purity and innocence. (Disrespect of the Flag says we are no longer of innocence and purity)
• The red signifies valor and bravery. (Disrespect of the Flag says we no longer have people of valor and bravery)
• The blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice. (Disrespect of the Flag says we have lost justice and no longer feel the obligation of perseverance and standing on that wall with due vigilance)

I quote original sources who said:

"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice." - Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress

"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun." - House of Representatives

“Figuratively, the flag stands for freedom and democracy. It represents the unity of America, our common cause, and the hope for a better tomorrow.” - unknown

For more, see: “I Am the Flag” A couple of quotations extracted to inspire you to read the site in its entirety.

“I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.”

“Americans, our flag is a sacred emblem of our country. It symbolizes our birthright, our heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.”

“Our flag symbolizes our title deed of freedom, which is ours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity. If we fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if it is nullified and destroyed, we and our children will become slaves to dictators and despots.”

Remember, protests derived from disrespect and dishonor do not achieve anything, it inspires discord only and it breaks us apart and down leaving us open to the very predators that we should gather together to form a solid, strong and fearsome adversary to those who would see us fall. It is a symbol of our way of life and not a personal tool toward egoistic emotionally immature self-centered personal agendas. It should be the very symbol that in our current times of strife and stress that brings us all together as “One Nation under One God” so that we may find the answers and make the changes that are inspired by and representative of the symbol that is our “American Flag!”

In the future, in lieu of knee-jerk emotional reactions without out logic, thought or understanding, I suggest one research the proposed goals and actions especially in protest to ensure that it gets the job done rather than just piss people off. We humans are pretty darn smart and we can, if we take the time and put forth the effort, find relevant, appropriate and productive ways to protest and achieve real, significant, change. 

Another Misguided Message

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

In recent news reality articles another sport remember decides to protest the election of our President-elect Donald Trump BUT in his rightful protest he chose the wrong way to convey the message by “Not standing at the National Anthem and Flag. He tries to explain it away by saing, and this is just one of his quotes in the article I read, the following:

He added, "It's not about the Republican Party or the Democratic Party or anything like that. It's just who he is. It's well-documented what he's done. I'm not going to stand for something I don't believe in. That's the end of that."

The National Anthem and the Raising of our flag has NOTHING to do with President-elect Trump, it has nothing to do with POLITICS or the POLITICAL ARENA for its symbolism transcends those things and it totally without a political agenda of any kind. It has nothing to do with PROTESTS OR PROTESTING of anything.

Our National Anthem and the Raising of our Flag are symbolic of an ideal America no matter its current state or how people conceive or perceive the state of America now. Add in that his protest was enacted at a function that specifically was about “Honoring or Veterans” further separates his protest intent from his actual beliefs, lets call his protest a model of “Cognitive Dissonance.” How do I know, because he had to try to explain it once his actions became public, because no one really understood and that is the public’s “Cognitive Dissonance” because of its confusion as to how his disregard and disrespect toward our nations anthem and flag didn’t trip the right movie scripts and tapes in our minds. We had to flounder around till he “Splained things.” 

There are so many other ways to protest things that would better serve and convey, without cognitive dissonance, our meaning and thus result in a positive change but this “Ain’t IT.”

As a veteran of the Marines I take homage against his protest, he is wrong and failed to inspire me toward any changes and only to take offense to his misuse of his right to protest. I am not a sport fan but when I experience such failure on their part to express themselves so inadequately and incorrectly that I am slowly losing any respect for sports and sport figures (who, by the way get paid way to much).

p.s. You had your chance and you didn’t vote - Hey dude, shut the fuck up and stand up when the flag is raised and the anthem played. 

Trump is President

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Here is it, it is similar to being in the military and since I was a Marine I have to express this, “When you feel something is amiss you speak up. Command will either listen or not, they get to decide because they are in charge (as is President-elect Trump). Even if you don’t like your commanding officers and even if you feel they are wrong, they are in charge so MARINE-UP and follow your orders.”

In our country and in our system, the best system ever created and still the best in the world hands down, you do what is correct and socially right, you vote and when it is done you express your concerns then you shut up and get on with it, make it work with what it is, he is going to be the president. 

Now, keep a sharp eye out, follow the processes he puts into place and have confidence that the true leadership of this country, i.e., the senate and congress and supreme court, etc., will keep the boat afloat and steer a solid course for all of us - THAT IS OUR SYSTEM!

WE HAVE TO SET ASIDE our EMOTIONS and let our logical brains hold sway of things. Emotional charged actions and words will not get things done and will not result in change. Yes, emotions are important and a critical part of our species but in modern times we have to take control of those emotions and let logic, truth, justice and the American way hold the reins and drive the stagecoach. 

Protesting is fine as long as it remains within the social conditions, rules, requirements and laws of our society and when you lose that path you can expect your protests to fall on deaf ears and you can expect to reap the repercussions of our society. It is the only way our society will remain strong and survive in this most difficult of worlds and times. 

Ok, President-elect Trump won, Secretary Hillary Clinton lost and truthfully I didn’t want either of them for president. I would have loved one of the other’s who tried to get the nominations to get that and become president but our system said no so I accept the two nominations. In our system we all vote and if you didn’t realize that our system is not just about the popular vote but a combination of that vote and things like the electorate you failed your civics class and the teachers failed to teach you about how our government works through our constitution (i.e., the constitution and the federal papers, etc.). It’s on you, not PE Trump or even Sec Clinton for if you understood the system and worked it from the ground then things would have been different. 

FACE IT, we voted and the system created the whole from those parts and he won, get over it and get on with life. I do believe one thing, we, the people, need to “Make America Great Again!” Stop making excuses that someone else is at fault! Stop looking for someone else to step up to the plate and swing away! Stop assuming the government and its systems will take care of you, get off your ass and take care of yourself and you do that by working WITHIN the SYSTEM until you, the people, can CHANGE the SYSTEM. Protests won’t do it but getting off the couch and getting out there and getting involved will work. 

Ok, we got a bit miffed at the results but get over it, it is time to wipe away the tears, clean the snot from our noses, hitch up our pants, hike up our boots and get to work. Make the system work for you, not them and force them to come back to basics where they represent us and they are obliged and obligated to do what is right for US (after all US is the United States, right?)

Now, for a wake up call, “THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT IS NOT THE END ALL POWER IN THIS COUNTRY!” “THE TRUE POWER RESIDES IN AT LEAST THREE PLACES, i.e., 1) OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, 2) THE CONGRESS/SENETE, AND 3) THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM LEAD BY THE SUPREME COURT. (i.e., in short: The legislative, executive and judicial branches that work together, not separate. whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in the Congress, the President, and the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, respectively.)

One cannot control and implement change without the others except in very narrow and special situations. So, chin up, chest out, stand tall and take charge of your life and get things changed yourselves in the appropriate lawful and morally correct way!!!

Note: At least Secretary Clinton and the many politicians who fought nasty hard against the President-elect took the high road and are coming together to at least support and provide the chance for President-elect Trump to “Do Good!” So, I say, “Lets give him the chance to do right!”

Bring Back the Draft

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

The cornerstone of every tribe, of every society and of every family is a certain level of understanding of our very survival. It has been a necessity, a need of society be they family, tribe or larger social entity, for every tribe member to be inducted into and experience the most dangerous teaching tool of human kind, military service. 

In the military they teach things not taught in families, most modern families anyway today, and not often taught in social structures not of military construct. When I think of my military time I am gladdened I volunteered even tho the draft has just been stopped a few months prior to joining up. 

As a Marine I was introduced to certain military social structures that have been the greatest benefit to my life after service. It created a sense of brotherhood where our very lives depended on one another, the connections we held and the ability to work both independent and in tandem with out brothers. 

Human survival since the time we gathered together in caves has depended solely and heavily on such brotherhood collectives, i.e., a tribe of family and families who gathered together to fight for survival. It is a hallmark of military training and service where, “Every day, the men and women of the military are challenged and put into situations where that brotherhood, the camaraderie, builds itself, and those military men and women then build each other both as individual and brothers in arms.” 

I quote, “It is the call to duty, the ideals, the shared understanding they are all Americans, a family; a tribe, and come to believe in what that means and how it binds the men and women of the military together building strength, endurance and a mind-state unparalleled in the history of our species.”

The military provides its members choices often faced, especially and importantly in times of conflict, exposed to dangerous situations where grave harm and death exist. It instills a esprit de corps, brotherhood, that embraces, is instilled in, and propagated in our armed forces. It binds us to make decisions of self and others, our brothers, natural and instinctive. It creates a connection and rapport that spans not just military service but the remainder of every military persons life long after active duty.  

It is only by facing such extremes that we all come to understand the importance of things both big and small, an ability to see things through a different set of eyes and ideals so that all things take a proper perspective in life. It is a way of life that fortifies each member to face, endure, succeed and survive the most dangerous things all in the name of family, country and brotherhood of men and women. It builds a strong kinship among the men and women that provides the mind-set and collective of men and women that allow survival and the ability to thrive against all odds for the world is conflict and violent from the argument to the ability and will to kill for survival. 

A brother, a Seal, described to me the other night at dinner an exercise he and his brothers in arms did that shows how brotherhood creates a tribe like closeness that speaks to the very core of brotherhood. They are to tie rope around themselves where the knot and rope are their means of surviving the exercise then the team is to connect themselves to one another by linking their arms and then the rope being fastened to the helo is connected. The helo takes off, the group is out the rear at altitude and they are then swung around like the old playground whip then the helo takes them down close to the ocean where they fly and the men skim just at the top of the waves at 150 knots. If the rope is not checked, if the knots are not tied properly and securely, if the men panic and let go of one another then there is real danger of dying out there. 

In short, when you are exposed to the unknown, tested to the limits of the physical and stressed beyond understanding YET remain alive, active and able you learn that most of life’s obstacles are not enough to cause stress or concern beyond a need to get the job done regardless - this is only achieve through the military service and it is the one cornerstone to a tribes, societies, very survival. When we lose that brotherhood it leaves the society exposed to things that eat away its life, it kills that society. 

As you can see, my attempts at describing borhterhood is poor and in truth the only way anyone can begin to understand it is to experience it. Everyone in this great country at one time served, even if only for two years under the draft. They understood but today the majority don’t serve so they have no clue.

Let me put it this way, if all of us served for two years in the military there would be a lot less of this disconnect between citizenry and police and military, etc. Understanding through common experiences such as military brotherhood wouldn’t allow such things to happen or even exist. Think of it as a connection of fraternity brothers but a lot more than fraternity brothers. The very same type of stuff fraternity brothers will endure to bring together people through a brotherhood only more is how we achieve a brotherhood of men and women in the military. 

It is about belonging to something greater, bigger and more critically important then self, the individual. It connects us back to our very nature and necessity toward security and survival even in the relatively safe modern times. There is something visceral in the nature of brotherhood of men and women in the military, something indiscernible that binds us toward a common survival. 

I get these chills up and down my spine writing about brotherhood, a brother of Marines that I am, and there is no other feeling like it. Not even great sex reaches the height of a feeling of brotherhood. One brother in arms said, “Brotherhood is the very price and condition of man’s survival.” Even a quote from Mark Twain, “The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession, what there is of it.” And finally, from Edwin Markham, “The crest and crowing of all good, life’s final star, is Brotherhood.”

Bring back the draft, rediscover our countries courage of brotherhood and re-create a greater nation!