The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

As the year draws to a close I look to toward the future hoping for signs that the world situation will improve.  Unfortunately the evidence is lacking while we still negotiate with the rogue state of Iran bringing them ever closer to nuclear capability and have even been told not to discount the possibility of reopening our long closed embassy.

This of course comes from a petulant President who insists on doing things his own way regardless of what the consequences may be.  That is what brought about his "normalizing" relations with Cuba without getting anything in return, releasing known jihadists and piling more regulations on our own energy industries.

The good mixes with the bad with the announcement that Michael Grimm, a now convicted felon, is resigning from Congress.  For those Republicans among us it is bad news because he'll probably be replaced by a Democrat.  It's okay if the Democrat cares about the country first but if another ideologue it will only add to the contentiousness already in Congress.

Then there is the news that Hillary's camp is already trying to dig up dirt on Jim Webb, a potential candidate who is merely exploring the possibility of challenging her.  Why must dirt always be sought rather than burnishing one's own capabilities? Perhaps it's because he is the far more capable of the two.  Do the Clinton's know how to play anything except dirty?

And the ugly.  Al Sharpton.  No one among the power players who have welcomed him into their inner circles have denounced him for what he is.  A racist agitator who doesn't deserve the time of day. Especially from the likes of the President of the United States, the Attorney General and the Mayor of New York City.

Too bad slates are no longer wiped clean at years end but they aren't.  Tomorrow is New Years Eve. New Years Day many will be nursing hangovers or watching football.  When you think about it, neither is the best way to start a new year but I'll take football over the hang over.  Then comes January 2 and everything will be much the same as December 31. Life goes on.  It doesn't miss a beat. There will no doubt be some good, too much bad and way too much ugly.

Crooks In Congress

Well, we elect them. This is nothing new.  Even when we know they are under investigation we elect them anyway.  Then we wonder why we aren't well served.

The problem is that they don't have to resign.  Oh, sure, they may be censured but to what end? It's no more than a smack on the wrist.  They stay in office and collect their pay, benefits and retirement when the time comes.

Charlie Rangel is the current Democrat poster boy for getting away with offenses for which the rest of us would be jailed.  Now the Republicans have their own.  Michael Grimm.  Both hail from New York.  What is it, the air?

Then there is the hypocrisy of Nancy Pelosi who's calling for Grimm's resignation.  Okay.  Call for Rangels too.  Not a chance.

What are the crimes?  Traffic tickets?  No.  Both actually are charged with and convicted of tax evasion.  That would be a felony.

It is disappointing at the very least when a former FBI agent, Grimm, succumbs to such temptations.  What kind of an example is that?  When it's said we have the government we deserve perhaps it's true.  We do elect them. How many more are in Congress who have legal indiscretions yet to be uncovered?

Maybe we're numb to it now.  After all the Pinocchio's that are awarded for untruths mean something.  They mean our elected officials are lying to us.  They are also defying their oath of office as well as disgracing themselves. And in turn showing contempt for us.

There should be consequences for criminal actions.  Until there are, those so inclined will continue to serve and we will continue to be under served. If they won't police themselves, why won't we? The government we deserve.  I guess so.  We elect them over and over again. It's a crime, really.

Reap What You Sow

"What do we want? Dead cops.  When do we want it? Now!" Free speech or shouting fire in a theater?  According to the racist adviser to the White House it's free speech.  To anyone with an ounce of sense looking at the current climate it's akin to crying fire in a theater.

I hope all the race baiters are happy that two NYPD officers lie dead.  Now, right before Christmas a boy is without his father and a bride without her groom.  Thank you Mr. Mayor and Mr. Sharpton and all those with whom you are complicit.

Now Mr. Sharpton is asking the Feds for protection because he has received death threats.  I can't imagine why. Okay, how 'bout we protect him behind bars where he belongs for a multitude of sins including non-payment of taxes which have been ignored.  Yet he struts around anointing himself as spokesperson for justice for blacks.

What would I like to see?  When the two officers are laid to rest I'd like to see hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets of New York in support of their police and every other police department in the nation. I'd like to see it led by blacks chanting "Police lives are important!" Or maybe  "What do we want? Respect for our police.  When do we want it? Now!"

It's about time we start enunciating the facts of daily life.  Police are the thin blue line between safety and chaos.  The higher the crime area the greater their presence and the greater the danger to their lives. If those who are committing the crimes are black then they are the ones who will be apprehended and punished or if they resist they are likely to be shot.  And killed. The same applies to everyone, no matter their race.

Instead of lionizing a man who was killed while police were trying to arrest him for a crime he had a habit of committing or a teen who thought attacking an officer and trying to get his weapon let's look at the facts of the case.  Yes, it's tragic when someone loses their life but lets put the blame where it belongs.  On the one committing the crime.

Of course black lives are important.  So is mine and so is yours and so, especially, are the lives of those who have taken an oath to do what is necessary for us to be able live those lives in peace and without fear.

I don't fear the police.  I fear the likes of Al Sharpton, Bill di Blasio and those in the administration who feel it necessary to propagate fear and division in order to justify their being. I have trouble getting my arms around the idea that their lives, too, are important.  Perhaps they are as a lesson as to how not to live my own.