A Curiosity

A question occurred to me yesterday and I thought I would share it. Maybe you could help me with it.

Assume the border is perfectly sealed so that no one could get in illegally. Now, an offer is made to a person. He could become a legal citizen of the US on one condition. He must first spend a year in prison.

Just how many would accept the offer? How many would take the offer if it were two years or three and so forth. How many years in prison is citizenship worth?

Then, let’s turn the question around. How many would leave the US permanently if he were offered a million dollars, or two million…or three.

Maybe, given all her faults, the US of A isn’t all that bad after all. Maybe those who like to complain about her should shut their mouths and enjoy what they have. Maybe you could let me know what you think.

A Few Redemptions of the White Man

If we listen to some, the white man, all white men are the worst creatures to walk the earth. However, let us remember a few redeeming actions of men who were white.

  1. Though he was not successful, Thomas Jefferson tried to make the black people equal under the constitution. He was forced into compromise in order that the revolution might succeed.
  2. During all the years of slavery, white people, under danger of being imprisoned, moved thousands of slaves into Canada. It was not enough to move them into the North. Due to a Supreme Court decision, slaves that were caught in the North had to be returned to the South. The folks who took part in this were white and were referred to as the underground railroad. Moreover, most of them were Christian.
  3. Let’s not forget that the vast majority of those who fought for the North were White. I will admit, many were conscripted. Many had other reasons for which they fought. Yet, they fought and died; and made the black man free.
  4. John F Kennedy, a white man, originated the equal rights act. At the time they voted it into law, those in the Senate and the house were all white. As an aside, this was in spite of the democrats efforts to stop it.

We white folks aren’t aren’t perfect, individually and collectively. However, there are many of us who have tried. That we should be collectively convicted is in itself a crime. I must admit, I have had my moments that I am not so proud of. On the other side of the coin, I have met some men who were black that that had nothing but contempt for me, though they never knew me.

Maybe one of these days, men will learn to look beyond the color of the skin, as Martin Luther King dreamed of. However, at this point, it is certainly not true. It is improper to give one person any privileges over any other person because of the color of his skin, regardless of his or her color. It all leads to disaster. Either way, it will cause anger even if it is not manifested. It can and has led to violence even when there was no provocation.

In the end, there are no magic wands that someone can just wave over the land and all the prejudice will go away. However, there are those who want to take advantage of the natural divisions: black, white; rich, poor; man, woman; Irish, Italian and Asian. I am sure I left some out. Beware of those who know of these weaknesses which we have have created.

Some seek to riches. Some seek power. On the other hand, some of our our opponents seek to use these weaknesses to overtake us and remove our freedoms. Some even want to make our country part of theirs.

Even if there is no outside influence, our civilization will tear itself asunder if there is racism. There will always be racism when there are those who encourage racism for their own purposes. Martin Luther King insisted on non-violent demonstration. Today, it would seem violent demonstration is the only kind. I suspect Martin Luther King would have no part of it.

Personally, I believe it is about time for all of us to respect each other; but then, I have always been a little bit of an idealist.

A Message to the CEOs

Pepsi is a good alternative to Coke. Sam’s Cola tastes as good and is far less expensive. When I go out to eat, I just might start drinking Ice tea or water. It is likely better for me anyway.

I used to fly quite a bunch, especially when I repaired computers. I preferred American Airlines. I don’t have the need or desire to fly as much but if I did, it would not be American or Delta. They likely won’t miss me but there are others who feel as I do when I say I’d rather take the bus than give them a dollar.

As for the major leagues, I gave them up long ago… all of them. I’ve started watching college games. I even go to little league games in the area. I found them far more interesting and they don’t toss in a bunch of left wing propaganda. Those ten, eleven and twelve-year-olds know the purpose of the game. The old pros seem to have forgotten it.

I am not even a drop in the water. The above folks will likely never miss me. I will not even show up on their stats. However, I am sure I am not alone and those stats just might show that they made a bad decision.

Far more important they might all remember this. We need farmers. We need truck drivers. We need storekeepers and we need homes. Coca-cola… not so much. Without pro basketball, baseball or football, some might go into sports withdrawal, but we CAN do without them. It is a convenience to be able to visit relatives who are far away, but we don’t have to. And, as I mentioned before, there is always the bus. Maybe those of you who sit in your ivory towers and have taken bailout dollars should remember where that money came from. The government might have signed the checks, but part of it came from me and people like me. There are over 70 million people in the country who will remember what you have done. For that matter, there might be a few dems who will remember it too, such as the people in Georgia. There just might be a few who own restaurants, cafes and hotels near the ball bark. There were also a few people who worked there. But then, why should you care. You managed to survive for another day or two. That is the attitude of business today. Never mind the decades. Just, let’s just survive today.

But I like Speedy Gonzales

It would seem those in charge of canceling things want to cancel Speedy Gonzales. But he was one of favorite cartoons. Besides, what may I ask is bad about a Mexican hero.

While we are on the subject, why don’t we bring back some of the old cartoons. I certainly prefer them to the likes of Spongebob Squarepants. Can someone please tell me what is funny about the modern cartoons? Maybe there was some bias in the old cartoons but they made almost all of us laugh. Also, most of the time you have to look pretty hard to find the bias. The newer cartoons are examples of lack of art, imagination and technical skill. I mean, at least Speedy Gonzales does look sort of like a mouse, though he does wear a sombrero. (Besides, he taught us some Spanish)