State of the Union 2023
February 8, 2023
Joe Biden & State of the Union
February 7, 2023 was the date when Joe Biden, our current POTUS, Number 46, stood at the podium in the U.S. Capitol to report on the State of the Union.
An executive summary of his remarks: “Because the soul of this nation is strong, because the backbone of this nation is strong, because the people of this nation are strong, the State of the Union is strong.”
It reminded me a bit of something I recall from an American History course many years ago, a speech by an elected official in the mid-19th century where it was said, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”. A quick look back on that concept brought me to ancient Greece, and then to the Bible (Mark 3:25) as “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.“
The Seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky includes the phrase “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
There were plenty of elected officials seated in the U.S. Capitol to observe Mr. Biden’s State of the Union address. Most were dressed well; on good behavior; and showing respect for the congressional rules of decorum. A few of the elected officials seated in the Capitol were unable to control their emotions, and some of those exhibited bad – Really Bad — behavior.
Sad. Very Sad…
One takeaway from this major event is that Mr. Biden didn’t: (1) vote for or against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (possibly the worst legislation of the 21st century to date); (2) dissolve the White House Pandemic Response Team; (3) say, “The CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus!”; (4) set the stage for a mass genocide of the American people; (5) bring the entire US economy to its knees; (6) create tariffs on thousands of products which resulted in the imposition of some $80 Billion of the equivalent of new taxes on American consumers, one of the largest tax increases in decades, setting a solid foundation for record price inflation once the US economy began to recover; (7) create a new addition to the already bloated Pentagon — the U.S. Space Force — adding about $20+ Billion to an obscene defense budget; or (8) enable the passage of legislation to raise the U.S. debt ceiling from $19.6 Trillion (end of 2016) to $27.8 Trillion (end of 2020).
Despite his inability to claim ownership of the above accomplishments, it seems that Biden has accomplished a great deal of positive actions on his own in just 2 years, with very little fanfare.
It also seems that Mr. Biden constantly is in the gunsights of a well-oiled opposition team, very well-funded by Dark Money.
What puzzles me: What is the endgame for these Dark Money folks?
Is it a return to Feudalism? Or maybe, replication of the Putin model of controlled oligarchy? If that, then will Putin control the final model, or will it be someone else?
The virtual elimination of a reliable, well-supported and highly ethical Fourth Estate in the U.S. has been a major strategic victory by the Dark Money folks in this apparent war against successful continuation of the great American Experiment.
Just curious (and asking for a friend): Is that Biden’s fault, too?
Florida: The Gunshine State?
February 8, 2023
Here we are. February 2023. The Florida Legislature is back in session.
Early up? HB 543: Concealed Carry of Weapons and Firearms Without a License
In the midst of a national crisis of murder and mayhem (mostly caused by people with long guns), elected officials in Florida are considering loosening controls over handguns?
Currently, to carry a loaded gun in Florida you need a license, training, and background check. But House Bill 543 would remove these important safeguards, increasing the risks to each and every one of us.
As a person of peace, I much prefer not to carry a firearm; not to take on the responsibility for regular training or proof of competency; not pay an insurance premium for concealed carry; and most important, not to have to wonder every time I leave my house: Is that person over there carrying a weapon, and if so, are they mentally stable? Are they fully competent?
Permit-less carrying goes against the will of law enforcement, Florida voters, and public safety experts who know this bill will only exacerbate gun violence and make it easier for dangerous people to carry a gun in our communities.
I’m an NRA member, and I believe in the 2nd amendment. I have the 2nd amendment posted on the bulletin board by my desk. There is no reference in the 2nd amendment to unfettered concealed carry.
I cannot imagine how or why anyone – particularly those of us who live in a densely populated state like Florida – would need, desire or expect to carry a weapon without a bonafide reason; without a minimum amount of training and proof of competency; without a formal background check; and without current proof of insurance.
I hope the legislative debate on this matter will conclude quickly, and with a commonsense outcome.
Instead of relaxing the requirements for concealed carry in Florida, I hope our legislators will consider adding requirements – such as proof of insurance – to bring the responsibility of firearm possession and ownership on par with that of automobile ownership and operation.
Florida Legislators: Please oppose this very bad bill and focus on legislation that will protect Floridians, not put our lives at risk.
walrus51 