What is Your Take? ‘U Ayen’t Rite.’ Any Answers? Darth Vader. Lisa & Barry.
- Quote of the Week: In the state of Texas, an 18-year-old can purchase two AR-15s and 1,600 rounds of ammo, but a woman carrying a non-viable fetus which may KILL her cannot get an abortion. – Jo from New Jersey
There is no way that I am going to breach my ethos of ‘no politics, no religion’ -but this quote made me think. I have no take on gun control, other than to point out that the second Amendment was ratified 233 years ago. I have no take on abortion other than abortion to me is not a simple go, no-go decision.
I realize that religion and politics surround the topics of gun control and abortion. I have provided my take on school shootings, and the systemic terror that has gripped various schools across the United States. School resource officers are now a must, and the reality is the point of entry of every school must unfortunately be governed with bag checks and other levels of screening. Gun control and banning ‘weapons of war’ like the AR-15 assault rifle are not the entire answer. The Sandy Hook perpetrator used a Glock handgun.
The abortion issue is fluid and fragmented. Limitless abortion certainly can be problematic in certain situations. So can a law like Florida’s proposed six-week abortion ban. Do women have rights to manage abortion? Do government entities supersede personal abortion decisions with state laws?
I am looking for your take on these issues. You can post to the Comments section or send me an email. Your comments may be mentioned in my next post but not your name. Much appreciated.
- “U Ayen’t Rite.” I reserve this description for the special people I meet, or the people I get to experience. Last Thursday night, in front of a sold-out house at KIA Center in Orlando, I watched and listened to Sebastian Maniscalco. He is a master storyteller, providing examples of his upbringing, school years, family, and many other topics. He is not Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Foxx, or Rodney Dangerfield. He has his own style, delivery, manner of speak, and facial expressions. I am sure most of you know Sebastian Maniscalco, but if not, here is a glimpse of why I refer to him as “You Ayen’t Rite.”
A Few Comments and Questions for mid-September
- Thoughts and prayers to the people of the Louisiana and Mississippi coastal areas. An unfortunate target and destination of devastating storms.
- The new Starbucks CEO has stated that he needs the worldwide brand to get back to basics. I am not a fan of Starbucks coffee, but I do wish the CEO good luck as Starbucks says there are more than 170,000 possible drink combinations, including the doppio espresso macchiato with extra milk and two Splendas. Getting back to basics could be a monumental task.
- Is anyone interested in privatizing postal delivery and service in the United States? Other than medication, is the private sector okay with mail delivery on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (or a combination of three other days)? I ask as the U.S. Postal Service reported a $6.5 billion net loss for the 2023 fiscal year.
- He overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter. He won two Emmy’s, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, and was honored at the Kennedy Center annual award ceremony. We lost James Earl Jones last week – someone we will all remember for his incredible voice overs as Mufasa in the “The Lion King” and Darth Vader in “Star Wars.” There was and has been no better station break voice over than his famous “This is CNN.” RIP James Earl Jones.
- I do not need to explain why I picked these two artists for this week’s take on Pure Talent. If you cannot admire the magic of Lisa Stanfield and Barry White…well, I just can’t help you. These two are just Pure Talent.
So I have said it before and I will say it again…..guns, bombs, knives, cars, motorcycles…..don’t kill people….people kill people! That said mental health is still a problem we are not addressing as a society! People that want to harm others will do so by any means. And as far as our schools go….lets take some money out of the landscaping and playground equipment budgets or fundraisers the PTA do….and have some better metal detection equipment and trained armed school resource personnel on site EVERY school day! Even if police react to calls of violence quickly…..they are still at a minimum of a few minutes away and that in most cases is too late!
RIP James Earl Jones a voice you could always easily detect!
Great thoughts. Thank you!!!
Wait, wait, wait…..our schools are grossly under funded as it is. Our grandson started kindergarten this year and had to spend over $170 for BASIC school supplies. We’re not talking fancy folders or the latest pair of Air Jordans! Paper, pencils, and other supplies that schools should provide. I have friends who are teachers who have told me how much the spend out of pocket, just to equip their classrooms. You want to take money from playground budgets and the PTA (you can sacrifice the landscaping)?? They are not just buying punch and cookies for the kids! The real question is why should we HAVE to take money from the budget to provide better metal detectors?? You are right (sort of) that guns, bombs, knives, etc don’t kill people….well actually they DO kill people…but people kill people because any dumbass can buy a gun unfettered and use it for nefarious means. Arming staff and adding more guns is like bringing gasoline to put out a bonfire! We are one of the most advance and smartest (debatable) nations in the world. Surely we can come up with some reasonable policy to protect a reasonable person’s right to own a weapon AND better protect our children and citizens….don’t you think? It won’t be foolproof… but maybe a start?
Good rebuttal and appreciated.
I beg to differ on one point. I’ve spent “some time” delving into religion and religious practices. Politics may surround the issue of gun control, but religion does NOT! There is no “God given” right to bear arms or own guns. There is no commandment or requirement in ANY religion (of which I’m aware) that says to be a good and faithful adherent to that religion, you must own a gun or any weapon. What has plagued and controlled our nation for far too long is Christian Nationalism. You do not have to be American to be Christian. You do not have to be Christian to be American. Likewise, you do not have to be Christian to be patriotic and you do not have to be patriotic to be Christian. We are NOT and have never been a “Christian Nation”. Our founders never intended for us to be a “Christian Nation”. Christian Nationalism has done great harm over the years, particularly to indigenous populations and any who live on the fringes of what society considers the norm. Christian Nationalism is a misplacement of faith priorities and usurps the rightful place of God in a believer’s heart. Thus, we live in a political morass where people and politicians posture with sacred texts and proclaim they speak with God’s blessing, or worse yet, they speak FOR God! As the saying goes, “I can do all things through a scripture verse taken out of context”.
You want to follow the Bible? Beat your swords into plowshares. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but render unto God what is God’s. God doesn’t want your guns.
I know you don’t like to talk about politics and religion, so I did if for you! 😉 Just MY take. Love ya, brother!
Awesome response. Thank you.