Ted Cruz Crazy

So, I've made a point of ignoring the current presidential race here in my blog not only because of the lying, dishonesty, and ridiculous rhetoric but because I cringe every time I hear someone try to justify such dishonorable behavior.  The candidates do enough fake apologizing and excuse making; I truly don't need to hear that someone not only believes it but also spouts it back.

However, yesterday Ted Cruz did something that needs a statement.  Cruz and his campaign have presented the field with a myriad of underhanded tricks, acting surprised when people complain.  Or as Cruz said, "When you win campaigns, the people that lose tend to be unhappy about it."

I've heard people try to justify the actions, claiming that Cruz didn't personally approve of the behavior and really, we can't expect him to know everything about his campaign, right?

Wrong.  Dead wrong.  Cruz is trying to become the President of the United States.  If he can't keep track of what his campaign is doing, how is he supposed to run our entire country???

And Cruz knows exactly what's going on, because he hired a man known for dirty tricks, "stretching" the truth (as if it's rubber), and scorched earth - Jeff Roe.  You can read all about it in this New York Times article, but I'll sum it up for you.  Cruz hired someone who he knew uses underhanded tactics because winning for him is more important than how he wins.

What needs the statement, though, is Cruz is sacrificing one of his people to attempt to distance himself from the fallout of his own campaign's actions.  By firing one of his senior communications managers, Cruz can say that he's taking control of the situation, even though he knew what was happening.

Just when I thought the man couldn't sink lower in my opinion, he proves me wrong.

Devil's Advocate: Support North Korea

With all the rhetoric flying around about North Korea these days, I think it's time to look at more than just our side of the story.  So, playing devil's advocate, I now throw my support behind North Korea and their efforts to be a nuclear nation.

For the past fifty years, North Korea survived in the shadow of tens of thousands of American military units in South Korea, including about 30,000 troops right now.  Instead of a peace treaty, North Korea settled for an armistice even though the people there want a real peace treaty.  When they try to advance themselves technologically to protect themselves from the aggressive language and gestures of the West, the US uses the UN as a newspaper to hit North Korea on the head, like an errant puppy.

North Korea wants respect from the rest of the world and they want the right to determine their own fate.  How is that any different from the rest of us?

The United States has detonated over 1,000 nuclear bombs, but then has hissy fits when North Korea detonates three.  The United States invaded Iran with no provocation, creating the rumors of weapons of mass destruction to justify the illegal invasion, then proceeded destroy the Iraqi infrastructure.  Over 100,000 Iraqi civilians died in the invasion, and there were no weapons of mass destruction.  After 10 years, the country still has not recovered.   Now the US harangues North Korea about their way of life and their nuclear ambitions, going so far as both questioning the stability of the current leader while increasing their military presence in South Korea.

And you wonder why North Korea sees the US as an active threat?

The answer to this situation lies in the United States treating North Korea with respect, letting them become a nuclear nation and fostering relations built on economics and trust.  When North Korea's economy depends on trade and outside countries, they will be less and less motivated to begin military actions and more motivated to continue economic relations.  But someone needs to make the first move towards peace.

Do you think the United States can deflate its ego enough to take that step?

The Battle for Our Future

Unrest in the Middle East, potential economic breakdown, bank foreclosures on family homes, wobbly unemployment numbers, abortion, gay marriage - these topics dominate headlines these days as the presidential election goes into its final weeks.  Which candidate will help the economy the most?  Which candidate will strength the U.S. position in the world more?  Which candidate will protect the moral fiber of our country?  Which candidate will help me the most?

Romney or Obama??

Obama or Romney???

CHOOSE OR DIE!!!

Okay, that might be a bit overly dramatic, but that's the feeling generated by the media these days.  And yet, I believe the biggest threat lies not in the Middle East, nor in Asia, or even the U.N.  The biggest threat lies not in the Democratic party or their so-called "socialist" agenda.  The biggest threat lies not with the Republican party or their fiscally conservative ways.  (I would put "so-called" here, but real Republicans are fiscally conservative.)

The real threat, the basic problem underlying the vast majority of our nation's problem, venerated as a media darling, guaranteed to sell newspapers or garner viewership, the one constant so prevalent in our lives that we take it for granted, is fear.

We promote "Stranger Danger" in elementary schools, even though statistically strangers are safer than family members.

We pass zero tolerance laws because we are afraid that if we "tolerant" anything the world will end.

We don't trust men, any man, to photograph children in public, or walk with children in public, or be associated with children at all.  Why?  Because all men are assumed to be predators unless otherwise proven safe.

We fear people who are different, passing laws on immigration and homosexuality based not on moral or financial reasons, but on fear.

Fear begat racial profiling.

Fear begat hover parenting.

Fear begat the Tea Party, otherwise known as The American Taliban.  (View this video if you want to know why I view the Tea Party this way.)




Fear led a city to ask a deaf child to change his name from Hunter to anything else, so long as the sign for the name did not offend anyone.

Fear led to a man looking for his lost dog to get approach by the police, who got phone calls reporting him as a sexual predator.

Fear led to adults no longer being allowed to sit in park with playgrounds unless they are with a child.

Fear led to children being discouraged from walking to school or biking around the neighborhood, unless they have a parent with them.

Fear led to our county not allowing any child under 8 off the bus without an adult to supervise them.

Fear led to a man being arrested for allowing his two sons to play by themselves at a park while he ran errands nearby.

Every day, fear erodes away at our personal liberties and freedoms, convincing the general public that the cost of those freedoms will be the DEATH of our child or of the American way, which is ironic considering that this same fear is killing the American way.

What can we do against such power as this fear?  How can anyone make a difference, change the fear into trust?


Franklin D. Roosevelt put it best in his first Inguinal speech:

This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

Recognize the fear in you.  If you do not acknowledge and conquer your own fear, your fear will control your actions.

Recognize the fear in society.  Personally, I read and support the Free Range Kids blog, because I believe that Lenore's work helps people to see how ridiculous this fear is.  I also write about my forays into Free Range parenting, though to be honest it doesn't feel any different from how I was raised.

Lastly, work to fight the fear.  If presented with a vote, choose the option that promotes trust, not fear.  Stop calling the police every time you see an unknown man around a child.  Encourage your own children to go out and explore the world without needing your physical presence.  Organize "Leave Your Child at the Park" days in your community.

Just do something.  Otherwise, the fear will never go away.  And your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren,... will have to live, smothered by this all-encompassing fear.

To modify a famous quote:  "Fear only triumphs when good people stand by and do nothing."