Wednesday, February 26, 2014

ONE WINTER DOES NOT A CLIMATE MAKE

It has been a winter for the record books and it is not over yet. The “polar vortex,” whatever that means, has been very active. At one point recently there was snow on the ground in 49 of our 50 states. The northern third of the country has seen temperatures rivaling all time lows. The Great Lakes are approximately 90% frozen over. This hasn’t happened for years and years. New York City has had snowfall totalling over 55 inches this winter. Their normal snowfall is about 17 inches by this time each year. There is no doubt this has been a terrible winter.

It would be tempting to say now that this debunks the “man-caused global warming” theory that has been advanced for the past several years. The advocates of that theory say instead that this winter is just more evidence that the globe is under a warming spell and that weather patterns are changing. Know this however, one winter does not a climate make. Climates and climate patterns are established over thousands of years.  

To make my position clear, I am not a believer in the man-caused global warming theory. I am certain that the climate is changing on this planet. In fact, I believe it has been changing for millions of years. We have had ice ages and we have had warming periods. We may well still be in a warming period recovering from the last ice age.

You see, I don’t know what the temperature is supposed to be. I don’t know what the ocean level is supposed to be. I don’t know if polar bears are supposed to survive. Dinosaurs didn’t. Dodo birds didn’t. There are probably millions of species of plants and animals which have not survived and most of this happened well before man even made his first appearance on this earth. I don’t even know if man is supposed to survive. The reason I don’t know is the same reason you don’t know. We were not in on the original plan.

This is what I do know. Millions of dollars have been and are being spent in the pursuit of some climate ideal which no one can describe for a certainty. No one can state for a certainty what the temperature is supposed to be. No one can say for a certainty what animals or plants are supposed to survive and thrive. These millions are being spent to satiate some high-dollar scientists who have the ear of certain political parties who have a financial or political interest in keeping the theory alive. There have been entire industries spawned by the whole “man- caused” global warming theory.

What do you suppose the cavemen were saying around the campfire when the ice age began to melt? Do you ever wonder who they might have blamed? I’m pretty sure fossil fuels would not have been the culprit. Do you think they had weathermen who told them what the temperature was supposed to be on a particular day? Or what animals were going to be extinct?

Global climate change has become the latest cause celebre for certain political groups. They keep it alive because it serves them politically and financially. As long as they can garner believers, they will continue in this campaign and they will not let facts get in their way.  As for me, I will look forward to the spring and the summer. This winter will pass and better days are coming.

Ron Scarbro

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

IF EVERYTHING WAS LEGAL

The late comedian, Dave Gardner, once said that if we made everything legal, we wouldn’t have any crime. It appears Colorado and Washington State have taken him to heart at least when it comes to marijuana. But the funny weed is a subject for another day. This column will deal with illegal immigration.

The popular way of identifying these aliens is now to call them “undocumented workers.” That’s like calling a drug dealer an “unlicensed pharmacist.” Crime is crime and refusing to call it by its name doesn’t change the fact that it is a crime.

Both political parties seem bent on racing to see which can figure out a way to grant these illegal trespassers legitimacy. Both sides believing they would get their votes. Maybe we should consider what else is at stake.

Every single illegal who has a job and is paid with an actual paycheck is working with a stolen Social Security number and phony identification. Many, of course, are paid “under the table” with no record of either their employment or their pay.  In many states most are driving on our streets with no driver’s license. They also have no auto insurance. Here in Georgia, where there are an estimated one hundred thousand-plus illegals, in order to get a driver’s license or even to renew, one must provide a birth certificate or a passport, and a legitimate Social Security card. I wonder, as I look out at the many lawn maintenance people driving pickup trucks who cannot speak English, where did they get their license? Just asking.

Now let us consider the other side of the coin. Who benefits from the presence of  illegal aliens. Well, being the skeptic that I am, I follow the money. Imagine how much money is being saved by farmers and food producers who knowingly hire illegals and underpay them. Consider if you will, how much money is saved by packing houses who knowingly hire employees who cannot object to mistreatment or low wages. What about the money that politicians are paid to insure that this never ending stream of low paid workers continues? Do you suppose the Social Security Administration feels bad about collecting all those millions from known phony SSNs knowing they will never have to pay any of it out? There is no doubt illegal aliens generate big bucks for some at the expense of others.

What do these non-citizens cost the rest of us? Literally millions in welfare, health care, public education, and law enforcement. We spend millions at the “border” attempting to catch them only to have them turn around and try again and again. That has become a joke.

The saddest part of all this is that we could end this situation in days if we had the will. It is as simple as requiring all employers and welfare granters to verify the legal identity of everyone they come in contact with and refuse employment or  benefits to any illegal. With no jobs, no welfare, no free medical care, and no free schooling, these millions of illegals would quickly deport themselves. It is clear the reason we don’t was stated in the above money following paragraphs. Too many people get too much money to even consider “fixing” the situation.

So the political parties race to make the previously illegal act of trespassing into our country legal. That way it wouldn’t be a crime. Then, after that, we could make everything legal and empty the prisons. The entire judicial system would be free to just take the rest of their lives off. After all, everything is legal.

Ron Scarbro

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

THE DESTRUCTION OF AMERICA

Recently I have read and heard a lot about what many believe is the overt intention of Barack Obama and his handlers to destroy our country and our way of life. Well, I don’t believe it. I am going to tell you why I don’t believe it.

Like you I see the mess he has gotten us into. I see the failure of his programs such as Obamacare. I see how our influence around the world has been reduced to the point of being the brunt of jokes. I also see an economy which has been extremely slow to recover. While it is tempting to suggest all this is on purpose, the people we have in charge are not that smart.  I believe it is instead just the result of unprepared people with ill conceived notions attempting to “fundamentally change America” into some European utopia that has never existed in reality and only exists in the minds of some leftists. I think that these people actually believe that socialism is the answer for us. I think they actually believe that the redistribution of wealth is in the best interest of the majority of people. They probably think their leftist ideas are the best ideas. Of course, what they want is never going to happen and I will tell you why.

Reason number one that the destruction of this country can’t happen is the American people will not allow it. We will be patient. We will be tolerant. We will let this administration run its course. But, we do have a limit. When that limit has been reached, we will end it. Secondly, for any individual or group of individuals to overthrow America, they would need the military. Our military despises Obama and his entire administration. Finally, and this is the most important reason, we the people are armed. There are more guns in this country than people. And the people who own the guns are not people who would stand by while a bunch of lefties try to overthrow America. These are people who understand the Second Amendment and know why it exists. This is the militia which our Constitution called for. These are the descendents of the original Minutemen.

While there has been and will continue to be efforts on the part of the left wing to disarm America, it won’t work. It ain’t gonna happen. Armed men are citizens and unarmed men are subjects and the left knows that. I don’t know about you, but I have no interest in being a subject.

Some of you will think I am naive. Some might think I am not thinking this through. Some doubtlessly believe the end is near. The only end that is near is the power of the left. It has been tried and it has failed. With the election of 2014, a new beginning is at hand. That will be followed by the election of 2016 and a new America will emerge stronger because of our experience with those who would have tried to destroy her.

Too many have given too much for too long just to look the other way. Blood has been spilled for centuries to insure that we survive and survive we shall. No, there will be no destruction of America. Not on my watch or the watch of the millions who think just like me. And as we leave for brighter days in eternity, others will follow who believe like us. The future is bright.

Ron Scarbro

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

I KNOW IT WHEN I SEE IT

Back in 1964 the U.S. Supreme Court was hearing a case to determine whether certain publications or movies were pornography or obscenity and therefore illegal under the law. There had been many attempts to get a definitive ruling to make clear what the law could and would allow. It was during that case that Justice Potter Stewart made his famous statement. He said, and I will paraphrase, I really can’t define pornography but I know it when I see it. That statement is the basis for this essay.

Did you see the Grammys? How about Miley Cyrus’ performance on another of the many awards shows which permeates the television screen. I confess I don’t watch these kinds of shows because I have no interest in these awards. I did however see numerous news reports and snippets of the performances. I will further add that I am not unhappy that I missed those particular pornographic displays. If you watched either of these shows, I am pretty sure that you would have to agree they were pure pornography.

Now I recognize that some will disagree. Some might even think that these displays are “free speech” and as such are protected by our constitution. This then brings us to the point of “community standards.” What does the community allow? Under our constitution, what can the community allow or forbid? Can an individual run around undressed? Can the perverts among us expose themselves without fear of repercussion? Can couples engage in overt sex acts in public? Of course not. We have, through legislation, passed laws forbidding these activities in public.

Not too long ago there was the famous “wardrobe malfunction.” You remember. A young singer “accidentally” undid the young girl singer’s gown exposing body parts which the community had decided must be covered in public. The television network was fined for the offense. Well clearly, that was nothing when compared to Miley Cyrus’ on stage sex act as well as Beyonce's similar performance on the Grammys.

What have we become? First let me assure you that I am not a prude. In my years I have seen and experienced a lot. I appreciate art. I appreciate the beauty of the human form. But, there is a time and a place. The time is not “prime time.” The place is not network television going into the homes of young families with children glued to the screen.

The same is true of language. I am a military veteran. There is probably no word or combination of words that I have not heard. But again, there is a time and a place. Network television at prime time is neither the time nor the place for vulgarity. Communities have decided that public use of obscene language is illegal. Even in the face of “free speech,” some speech is illegal. Radio and television networks subscribe to codes of conduct. They recognize that we all have standards that must be met.

I have tried to listen to some of the lyrics in the so-called music that my grandchildren like. To me these lyrics are just obscene garbage. Their only value is to shock the listener.

Fortunately I have an on/off dial on my radio and television which I use liberally. While that works in my house, I fear for the many kids who have no parental control or restriction. Their minds and souls are being poisoned and there will be a price to be paid. That is not a happy thought.

Justice Potter Stewart knew pornography when he saw it and so do I. I believe we all know. The question is what, if anything, will we the community do about it?

Ron Scarbro