I Wonder: Ignorance or Stupidity. Maybe Bias

This evening I heard a report over the local CBS station. The report was concerning an increase in shootings on the road, mostly interstates. Now, don’t get me wrong. Although it angers me when someone cuts in front of me, I never consider pulling out a gun and shooting at them. Moreover, I would never think of such a thing should someone use their horn on me. Frequently, I deserve it.

I just really don’t get the idea behind the woman’s statement, “….the shootings are increasing because of the easier availability of guns.”

Okay. I might not have gotten the quote perfect, but that is certainly the gist of it. I have news for the woman. Over the last hundred years or so, gun laws have been passed left and right, mostly by the left. If she actually went through the process of getting a permit to carry, or a gun, she would not have considered making such an inaccurate statement.

The fact is, about 20 or 25 years ago, if a person wanted a gun, he or she could just go buy one. Not so anymore. The process of legally carrying a weapon has become increasingly difficult since the day I was born in 1947.

To be sure, guns can be purchased illegally. However, you can pass laws all day long and you won’t stop that, try as you may. If people can’t buy them, they will build them. Same as in the bootlegging days. They couldn’t get the stuff legally so the made it. Today, there are people who can make guns in any well equipped machine shop. Perhaps there are people who do. I think they are called gunsmiths.

At any rate, the woman was flat wrong. It is no easier to get a weapon today than any time in the history of the country, though the left still likes spread the falsehood.

However, there is a real difference between yesteryear and now in morals. Back 40 years ago, people had real respect for life. They drove with more respect for the rules of the road and the other drivers. Finally, frankly, they drove more responsibly. If people wouldn’t drive so obnoxiously, horns would not be used so quickly. If people were just a little less anxious to blast their horn, there would be less shooting. However, most of all, LET’S LEARN TO HAVE MORE RESPECT ON THE ROAD, as well as off the road.

Generally, we don’t shoot someone we respect unless it is in self-defense. I just simply cannot imagine a gun being shot on the interstate in self-defense…more likely out of anger.

Oh, yes. By the way. If those criminals were in prison, instead of on the highways, the shootings would be in the decline. Only a criminals shoot at people without valid reason. Only people who are without conscience arbitrarily kill people. In this day and age, we have a bunch of folks running around without a conscience, it seems more every day. They kill without remorse. Our society has taught our citizens that life is just an accident. We are now reaping the effects of that concept.

Just thought of something else. How could I forget abuse of drugs. I wonder, just how many murders take place because of drugs? I don’t see any efforts by the dems to rid the would of them. On the contrary. The seem to encourage their shipments from China and across the border.

What is it, 70,000 killed by drugs last year. Far more than killed by guns. Far, far more than guns on highways.

The Odds

I’m not a big fan of math. It just is that when a person plans to go into a career as electronics, it is essential. I mean ohm’s law, the calculations of impedance and such all uses math. It even gets into calculus a little when dealing with vectors and such.

However, math is used in a wide range of other things. Certainly, it is used in physics and chemistry. When packing the aircraft during the Berlin air lift, they even came up with a new math, to make sure all aircraft were loaded to the max both weight and space.

One branch of math that is not talked about too much are the laws of probability. Some of this stuff can make an insane man normal. For instance, you toss a penny 100 times and the laws of probability tells us that it will likely land on tails and heads equally, or at least nearly equally. Of course, the more times you toss the penny, the more apt that the heads and tails will be equal.

Yet, those who specialize in studying odds tell us that, even should we end with tails 80 out of a hundred times, the chances of it coming up heads is still 50%. (either that or there’s something wrong with the penny)

Then there is a special branch of odds within math. These mathematicians try to know the odds are that you will live to a certain age. I’m not sure, but I think most of them work for the insurance company.

Just so you don’t get the wrong idea, I am not an expert in this field. However, I do have a broad idea about it all. For instance, the odds of me living past 72 are pretty small. Some die earlier. Some manage to beat the odds and live past a hundred.

Oddly, so far I have beat those odds. I spent one year in a war zone. I rode a motorcycle for over two years. Believe it or not, for a large part of my life, no one wore seat belts. The first couple of cars I owned didn’t even have them. Then, for quite a while after, we still didn’t wear them.

I don’t know how I made it through those years, but I did. On the other side of the coin, something could happen and I’d be gone tomorrow. When I was in the Marines, I saw a twenty year old marine die as he was walking along. The doc said he was dead before he hit the ground. Now, you talk about being against the odds. That shouldn’t have happened. I really wished it hadn’t

At any rate, things like that have a tendency to tip the mortality tables a little. On the other hand, something else that will tip the mortality tables is playing with guns. I saw that too. The guy was playing quick draw with a .38. For those unaware, it is a worse practice than going without seat belts.

I bought the new all electric car. All the mortality charts likely say I won’t live the seven years to pay the car off. If I do, I’ll be eighty and I might not be able to drive it. As a financially responsible, person, I need to make sure the car will be paid for should I die. I’m sort of in that boat now. On the other hand, maybe I ought to go back to work.

Actually, I would enjoy working three days a work. Unfortunately, I might not be able to. I don’t know if anyone will hire an old man to flip hamburgers or mop floors. It would be better if people would help me out by buying my books. (hint, hint)

This side of seventy, I’ve sort of been doing some thinking, as dangerous as that may sound. Those people who study the mortality really have their hands full. When a person is born, they calculate just what his chances are of reaching my age. Not only that, they try to determine the cause of death. Will it be disease, accident, murder, or maybe peanuts. No way of knowing but they still guess. Every year they release figures that tell you what what your chances are of dying of a shark attack. Then, of course we stop eating red meat or drinking things with artificial sweeteners. We stay of the ocean and we make sure to fasten the seat belts. Then of course, people start dying from obesity and lack of protein. We start going blind and losing limbs because of diabetes.

Fact is that we, none of us, can avoid death. We can avoid too much meat, we can avoid artificial sweeteners we can avoid smoking and smokers with extreme care. Moreover, some might wear helmets in their cars, or maybe not ride in cars at all. In order to avoid the cars we will use the safer plane, even if we just need to go ten miles.

Naturally, each form of death can be further broken down. For instance, illness takes in cancer, heart disease, neurological problems, and on and on. Then cancer can be broken down further into I have no idea how many. Two of my four brothers died of brain cancer. Every doctor I ever talked to has said that is very rare. I’ll just have to take their word for it as I don’t know. I did see them just before they died and I saw it was a horrible way to die.

Then, of course there are the overdoses of drugs. I just can’t figure that one out. Unlike cancer, it is totally preventable. I hear a few politicians say a few things here and there. The only one I saw that really did something was President Trump. Then of course, the dems did something about that. Now the problem is worse than before. I wonder what those people that study odds and mortality have to say about that. The government spent untold fortunes curing AIDS. Who is trying to solve the problem of drug abuse?

Then there are the murders. Most murders don’t have anything to do with guns. The dems are trying to get rid of the guns and they are letting the other murderers out on in the streets minutes after the murder. I don’t understand that. I wonder if those that study odds have something to say about it.

I’m still trying to figure out how the dems can cry out against the guns when they themselves are the authors of millions of deaths, in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iraq. Then too, what about the disaster we call the pandemic. Could have been totally avoided if China was not financed by the dems and specifically Fauci. How many deaths were caused in this country by guns? Look it up. How many have died from the China virus. I suspect that far more were killed by Fauci and his dem friends than all the guns.

Helping the Devil

I had the idea on this post, I guess about three days ago.  However, I am just now getting around to writing it.  Why?  I just don’t know how.  I wish I did.  I have prayed about it.  I prayed for help or even if I should write it.  I suspect that it will do little good.  Many will argue the existence of the devil in the first place.  Some will argue that they aren’t helping the devil when they are, while deep down in their heart they know better.

Let’s look at how the devil works.  It’s not new.  The Bible speaks of how he works, lies, deception, pride, the offering of short term gains.  By the way, those who help the devil use the same methods.  However, they also add bribes, terror, and, well, let’s just call it group think.  You fall outside the in crowd and your name is mud.  Your business goes bust.  Your cake decorating shop gets sued because you refuse to accept what the government calls marriage.  (God had the first say and He will have the last say on that subject.)

So.  Let’s give it just a little thought.  That time you told a lie about that politician.  You helped the devil.  That time you bribed that government official, you helped Satan in his deception.  That time you helped that dishonest person running for office, you helped evil to prosper.  When you go down and buy that lottery ticket, you helped Satan.

I guarantee every time a person goes into a gambling casino, the devil smiles.  Win or lose, the devil wins and society loses.

Of course, voting does not always occur at the polls.  When you encourage the defunding of the police, Satan is jumping for joy.  Every time a person goes through a store and takes all he can carry, guess what?  Satan wins, that is for the short term, and you are helping him.

It’s more than just repeating the lies of the devil.  It is also accepting them.  You say, “Of course Biden won the election.  Everyone knows it.”  Only you know it’s a deception from the dems and originated by the evil one himself, Satan.

I ask you.  Do you really believe that Old Joe is a better man for president than President Trump?  I mean, do you really down deep in your heart believe that lie, or do you just want to believe it?  On the other hand, there are those who don’t care.  All they want is the power, which is also, what Satan wants.

Ergo, you chose to believe the lie and as such, you are aiding and abetting the devil.  It’s not a matter of if you want to.  It is not a matter if you believe it.  It’s the simple fact that you are.

In the process, you helped to put hundreds, maybe thousands of innocent people in prison for January 6.  And you are helping those trying to put the one president that has done the most for this nation in over fifty years in prison.  Even more, he has done great things for God’s church, allowing them freedom of religion.  I don’t think Satan liked it when he fought for Christians to be exempt from paying for abortions.  I don’t think Satan liked those justices he put on the Supreme Court either.  Actually, the dems didn’t like any of that much either.

Actually, if you go down through the things that Satan is trying to do and what the dems are trying to do, there are many similarities.  Regardless of the motives, I am certain that Satan is very grateful for the help.

The lies, the bribes, and the threats, they all go toward his goals.  One day, Satan will answer.  I know.  I have read the last of the book.  Guess what.  He will not be alone.  His demons will be right there with him in that fire.  Also, those that have helped him will spend eternity paying for their lies and deceit.  Hell was not made for man but for the devil.  God does not want to send one man or woman there.  They will go of their own choice by rejecting the salvation provided by Jesus Christ.

Believable? Really?

Rarely does a situation come up where you just know the federal government is lying. One such situation was the report on the Kennedy assassination. I don’t have any idea how many believe that one, but it can’t be many. Too many holes in it. Actually, too many obvious holes in it. Too much secrecy. To many efforts to cover things up.

However, I’d like to call a new one to your attention today, the so-called suicide of the former monster we knew as Jeffrey Epstein. Oddly they are trying to say he committed suicide.

Actually, in a roundabout way, I do believe them. I don’t know about you, but I have seen more than one movie where the disgraced man is handed a gun. Then, of course, he is expected to us it…on himself.

I guess such things happened. I don’t know for sure. Likely there were a few German generals that were treated like that. The implication of course, “Avoid the disgrace. Kill yourself and permit your family to live on without the dishonor.”

You might ask, would I suggest that a monster like Epstein commit suicide? Probably not. I really don’t think the man had honor. On the other hand, he did have friends and relatives. Just how important to they were to him, I don’t know. In killing himself, he just might have proved he did care about them.

I mean, it would have been very easy for one of the guards to deliver him a message. Then of course, they would all leave him alone long enough for the threat to work.

With all the famous rich people who have so much at stake, it is easy for me to believe that the threat was made. It is far easier to believe that than the far out story some government officials thought up.

The thing is, it matters not. Just as with Kennedy, they don’t really expect us to believe it. With all that is at stake, no one will ever disprove it. Those that have the courage lack the means. Those who have the means, lack the courage. We don’t really have to swallow the story, just pretend we do.

And so it is, one of the most unbelievable stories in history will stand for the duration. All those involved with the monster, those that took the trip out to his little island can rest easy. No one will ever disclose their secrets. (May I remind a few of you? Pres. Clinton was one of those who took his plane out to the island a time or three. I guess he managed to slip through another one, though it cost the life of his fiend of a friend.)

Examples

I wish I were a better writer, especially when it comes to what I am writing. Maybe, I will get a little help from the Lord. The problem is that it is such a broad topic, and it is so easy to go chasing rabbits down trails instead of staying on topic. And to be sure, I am one who easily goes chasing rabbits.

I borrow the following partial definition from Miriam Webster of the word example. “1 : one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated a good example 2 : a punishment inflicted on someone.” I literally copied and pasted this into to my post. I hope they won’t mind.

We use the term so regularly that we sometimes overlook the meaning behind the word. Or maybe I should say the thought behind it. After all, words do represent thoughts. May I reword the above?

We point to good or bad examples to tell us what might be good or bad. That is to say, when our parents told us not to play in the street, they just might be able to point out what happen to the boy that was hurt. Sometimes, our parents point out what happened to an older sibling. In some cases, the sibling did something bad and that the example is not to be followed. In some cases, maybe the sibling did something good and went on to achieve wealth and fame. In some cases, it is impossible to live up to the example but at least we should strive to the goal.

We live in a world of examples: NY, NY; LA, CA; Chicago; SF, CA. They are all cities where the crime and murder rate is high. I certainly would not want to walk down the streets of NY, NY alone in the middle of the night. San Francisco is no longer the model city it was in yesteryear. The Windy city has some of the most stringent gun laws in the country and yet, hardly a day goes by where people there are shooting people. Sometimes, a person dies of an errant bullet simply because they happen to be standing where the bullet happens to be going.

I ask the question: Do we really want to follow the example of these cities? Is there a program that they are using, a plan that they are following that should serve as an example for the rest of the nation? I suggest the opposite is true. They have laws, regulations, and programs that should be held up to the world that should not be followed. They are horrid laws, and the cities are being led by incompetent people. They are not spending money in the right places, and they are giving monies to the wrong people. Their governments are corrupt, and they do not make decisions based on the good of the city or its citizens.

Yet, year after year, the same type people are elected to office. One might hang a sign outside their city halls, “Intelligent people need not apply.” Those who are honest have long given up the concept of trying to straiten out the mess the dems have created.

One can set off from afar and ask, “Why do they do that to themselves?” I mean, the people do get to vote in their choice and then they choose as they choose. Why is that? I don’t know. I have tried to figure it out but my feeble mind simply is not up to the task.

We can look at the states as well. We look at Florida, a really pretty good example of how to have a successful state. Then we look at NY and hopefully realize it is an example of how not to run a state. Or, perhaps we can use the state as an example of how to destroy a state. Yet we must assume it is what the people of NY want. It is what they voted into office.

Personally, I don’t understand it. New York used to be the most populus state. Next census, it might be fourth or fifth. CA is pretty much in a nosedive too despite their ideal weather. Is it their purpose to decrease the cost of living so all the elite will be able to get a good deal when they move in?

However…, being a poor example is not new. God had it all planned out. He would build a big powerful nation that would love Him, His law and follow His leadership. The idea was that the rest of the world would look at the Children of Israel and see how God built the nation up because they did as God commanded.

Well, at least in the short term, the plan failed. Don’t get the wrong idea. God knew the plan would fail from the start. Yet He decided to give Israel a chance and a short time later, the world looked on Israel and saw the example God wanted. Kings came from far and wide to see Soloman and the kingdom that God built.

And then it started falling apart. It’s not that I’m smart. A sixth grader can follow the pattern. Israel broke off from Juda and never did really follow the God. God issued warning after warning until he finally sent a king from the north in to take over. Israel became an example of what happens to a nation when they do not follow God.

Juda on the other hand, lasted a little longer. They followed a pattern. First, they would fall into sin and rebellion, and then they would repent, and God built them up again. I don’t remember exactly how many times that happened, but the last time was different. They fell into sin, and regardless of multiple warnings, they refused to repent. God raised up the nation of Babylon and they took over Juda.

Israel, that is to say, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Juda, became an example of what not to do. For seventy years, Israel lived under captivity. Even then, they were never restored to their former glory. They lived under the control of Greece and Rome. The Jews had their kings, but they never were autonomous again. Now, today, when people talk about the Jews, there is no respect. They are disparaged and belittled. They are an example of what happens when people don’t do as God tells them. They had a free choice. God did not force them to follow Him. They made their choice and now we all see the example of what happens when man refuses to follow God.

Now. One day, likely soon. The world will once again see what happens when a nation will not follow God. People will look at the history of our once great nation and point and say, “They were once a great nation. The US was once undefeatable. But then they turned away from God.”

Then we will be the example, and not for good.

I suspect I did not do the subject justice. As I said, I am not that great with words. Yet, there are those who have read this are good word smiths. Feel free to use my words and thoughts to further my feeble efforts.

Hasn’t Anyone Noticed?

Someone, anyone becomes a key person in the conservative world and, suddenly, all sorts of people, women come out of the woodwork claiming sexual abuse and rape.

It wasn’t until Trump became president that he was accused, what by three or four women. I guess there would have been more if they could have found a few more to lie for them.

It wasn’t until Bill Cosby started telling Black men to be responsible and stop abandoning their families that he was accused. I’m not trying to say that what he did was right. It just is the accusations certainly were not immediate, were they? Just maybe the accusers were financially encouraged?

The most ridiculous one was the Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh. I mean the woman did not remember when or where. However, the dems insisted that everyone believe the woman’s story from his youth. Really. How many could ever come up with an alibi for something 10 years ago, let alone the time in this case. It’s why some crimes have time limits (statute of limitations) on them. Sometimes things can’t be remembered. Sometimes, witness are no longer living.

Let’s, please not forget Justice Clarence Thomas. According to the dems, he was guilty before they could figure anything he might be guilty of. He had a big target painted on him the instant he might be selected. I remember. I was one of those who watched the proceedings back then.

Incidentally, does anyone remember the admitted lies told by Obama about healthcare? I do. I remind others every time I get a chance. The dems would like us to forget his intentional dishonesty. (That is to say he lied to deceive.) Not illegal as it was not under oath. He just lied to us, the American folks. You know; you and me.

It would seem that any Republican thinking of running for or accepting a position in government, any person thinking of making a public conservative statement, or anyone, just anyone who might oppose the dems, maybe they should make sure they are innocent from birth. Moreover, they better be ready to prove it.

On the other hand, those wanting to support the dems, maybe not so much. Consider Teddy and the drowning of Mary Jo? Consider ol’ Bill and sex in the oval office as well as those who accused him of rape. They have Ds after their names. I mean, let’s let them do what they want. Oh, and by the way, do you happen to remember that Bill was convicted of a real current crime, lying under oath. All of us know, when someone guilty of perjury cannot be trusted on in any other point. That’s sort of a legal thing. Yet the dems are ready to believe, forgive and forget his recent past. It is sort of a memory of convenience.

I Don’t Do Surveys

I have had a little to say about surveys already, but maybe it is a good time to revisit the idea. The problem with the surveys is the wording of the questions. Many times, there is no true answers. They ask true false questions when the reply is neither true nor false. They ask multiple choice questions when they don’t have my answer listed. Unfortunately, they do not include a choice of none of the above.

Generally, after the 1st 3 or 4 questions, I know the purpose of the survey and who is behind it. Without doubt, the questions are worded to benefit those sponsoring the questionnaire. Indeed, the survey is obviously intended to affect opinion more than determining opinions.

The promp for me writing this is a request for my cellphone phone provider to take a survey. Thought about taking it just to gather evidence. You think, maybe those questions just might be worded without bias? I think not.

On the other hand, if you want my opinion on my provider, I will be glad to tell anyone. But don’t expect it to be either rosey or horid. However, there is one thing I would like to tell one and all. They have included some things on the phone that I cannot remove. For instance; I can’t remove tic toc. There are holidays on the calendar that cannot be removed. Perhaps worst, I keep setting the ‘do not disturb ‘ function unintentionally and without knowing it. As a result I missed 5 calls, 3 of which were important… sort of the reason I carry a cell phone.

It does make me wonder if that was in some way on their survey.

And, oh yes. I am still wondering how I turned the do not disturb function on. Just maybe I’ll find out one day…hopefully before I miss another important call, as when my wife is desperately trying to call me.

Unwinnable

Over time, I’ve come to the conclusion that the US will never win another war. The reason is more than clear. We have forgotten how to fight to win. That makes it logical that we cannot win if we continue to fight only enough to keep from losing.

Then, over time, we inevitably tire of the fight and we lose. More accurately, we give up and withdraw.

When we went into Iraq, it was said we learned the lesson of Vietnam. Yet, about 10 years later, we abandoned the Iraq people and watched the massive killing of over a million. We did even worse in Afghanistan.

How much worse can we do? I think we are going to find out soon.

Gender Solution

Seems silly in this day & age that we should need to explain the difference between men and women & which restroom each should use… or shouldn’t use. I cannot imagine any person holding a doctorate having such a problem in making such distinctions.

Be that as it may, I actually have a very simple solution, which might have additional advantages. Actually, the solution has been in use for over 40 years, on planes.

On airlines, there is no gender distinction. Each room is used for both, but only 1 person at a time. The beauty of this is that there is no need to wait for the men’s or women’s room. Each is used in turn without regard to gender.

I noticed in many public places, such as theaters, the women’s lines were always, without exception longer. If it was 1 person per facility, gender wouldn’t matter. It would be one line. And, of course, if a man chose to lie to himself and others, no problems. He’s by himself, anyway. Moreover, no worries of a man walking into a ladies room. (Oddly, I don’t recall hearing of problems or women going into men’s rooms.)

I suppose people could take tickets and wait their turn. I don’t know.

Of course there are real problems. Some facilities would have to accommodate handicapped. It would mean drastic reconstruction. In some some cases it might not even be practical. On the other hand, it might be as simple as changing the signs on the doors.

Then again, some people just don’t want solutions. They prefer fighting over it. Don’t have any idea why men want to use ladies rooms. Maybe they were just never properly taught. On the other hand, maybe they were improperly taught in the fantastic public schools. I mean, if the teachers don’t know the difference, how can we expect the kids to know any better?

New & Old

A while ago, I noticed a new shooting range nearby. For a number of weeks I drove by looking from a distance. Yesterday, I went in, just to look around. I must say, I was very much impressed.

First, it was well stocked. They had a wide variety of new and used. Yes, they had many varieties of the AR15, the civilian version of the M16. To my surprise, they even had an M14.

Came close to buying it. It had been over fifty years since I touched one. I was surprised to realize that it felt quite familiar to me, if you’ll permit, as a long lost friend. Even so, I was reminded of its nine pound weight. I reluctantly decided against the purchase. I could afford the gun but not the hobby. Also, it would be a magnet to many a thief who might find out I have it.

Secondly, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. It didn’t take long for me to realize it. If a person is going to buy a gun, it is good to know they are buying from someone who knows his wares.

Finally, it seemed a good business. It is modern, clean and well organized.

I suspect they are the type that would seek out complaints, but there aren’t likely many.

Why can’t all businesses that way.

As for the M14 I much prefer it over the M16. I qualified with both and, though the M16 is much easier to tote and fire, I have far more faith in the M14. It might be older. It might have more kick. I am sure that it is more accurate and lethal. And that is what a rifle is for.