THIS IS STILL AMERICA

I’m writing this on Memorial Day. It is quite ironic that we celebrate the memory of those who died for our freedom in the face of one of the biggest freedom grabs in our history. I continue to be amazed and confounded by the blatant attempt by some politicians trying to take on dictatorial power and destroy our Constitution. Every day we hear of another overreach by some Mayor or Governor in an attempt to force a way of life on a citizenry who opposes that way of life. What is even more amazing is the number of free American citizens who seem to be okay with all this.

When this “pandemic” was first identified and announced, all of us could see the need to alter our lives to accommodate the curve flattening idea. Well, we flattened the curve. But we have since learned a few more things. First, it seems that the death rate from this virus is much lower than originally advertised. It is something less than one percent of those who get sick from the disease. Secondly, it appears most of the people who have died also had other compromising conditions which led to their deaths. Most were elderly and many were in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. New York even required individuals with the disease to be sent to these types of facilities thereby infecting the entire home.

Don't get me wrong. I understand this is a deadly virus. I further understand we must be careful until we get a vaccine. But we absolutely cannot destroy our economy and our way of life waiting for these medicines. It is reasonable to expect people to be careful but it is absolutely unreasonable to require or expect American citizens to bow to tin gods who happen to hold elective office. In New Jersey a private gym was closed by order of the Governor. When the owners of that gym objected, the Governor had the locks changed on their private business. Are you kidding me? I wish I was. These gym owners have filed an action against the Governor and I am certain New Jersey will be required to rechange the locks and pay a hefty amount to the gym owners. 

Attention Governors, Mayors, and other so-called leaders. This is still America. Americans can be trusted to deal with issues like viruses without "executive orders." Just because you won an election, that doesn't grant you monarchy. Let the people know the truth and they can and will handle it. 

Of course the obvious is that the most restrictive states and cities are led by Democrats. Coincidence? I think not. I am sure their goal is to keep everybody as scared as possible thereby opening the door for a takeover in November. They might first want to take a good look at their candidate. Every time he opens his mouth, he makes it clear that he is not ready for prime time. In fact, he just shows what a moron he really is.  

But wait. This column was about Memorial Day. Indeed it was and is. It is about those who gave their all that we might continue to be free and never to be in a position of bowing to slick talking politicians. We will very soon be on the other side of this infection. The question is, will the would-be dictators be able to return to reality? Will elected officials get the message that they are not in charge? We, the people, are responsible for ourselves. We don't handle orders very well, especially when those orders are illegal. 

A number of lawsuits will be adjudicated and a large number of elected individuals are going to be quite disappointed. We the people, however, will return to our lives, perhaps a bit smarter, but for a certainty even less inclined to obey illegal "executive orders."

Ron Scarbro Memorial Day 2020

EXECTUIVE ORDERS

A few weeks back I wrote that I didn’t believe the American people would put up with dictators for a very long time. I was talking about Governors, Mayors, City or County Managers, etc. who decided for themselves they would close down the economy of this great country. And, they didn’t use the accepted route of enacting laws, no, they issued “executive orders”. Some have called this instant law. 

Well, there’s a problem here. First of all, it isn’t law. There is no Constitutional basis for executive orders. Laws can only be made by legislators. If a governor or a mayor wants to make a law, they should get elected to a legislative body where laws are in fact enacted. Executive orders are, at best, suggestions. 

Consider the case of the beautician in Texas who defied an executive order and reopened her beauty salon without official permission. She was arrested, and by the way she had broken no law, brought before a judge who was hearing this non-case. The judge decided that not only would he adjudicate this matter, he would show judicial wisdom. He told the owner of the salon that all she had to do was apologize. My question and hers was to whom? And for what? Bless her heart, she refused. She refused to kowtow to politicians who had illegally closed down her business. The same for the judge who obviously had no knowledge of Constitutional law.  She was sentenced to seven days in jail. 

Fortunately, the Governor had her released immediately and the American people, upon hearing about this nonsense, sent tons of money to her for her trouble.

That was not the end to this. All across this country various politicians have taken on dictatorial powers, not granted to them by any law by the way, and issued “executive orders” closing businesses, beaches, parks, sports venues, bars, restaurants, churches, and anything that pleases them to do so. At the same time they closed mom and pop stores, they left Walmart and Costco alone. What's that all about? How is it safer to be inside Costco than to be on a public beach or a golf course? 

Now the obvious has happened. All across this great land people are defying these illegal orders and returning to their normal lives. This movement is going to continue. There will no doubt be more virus-related sickness and death, but at least the people will get their lives back. Oh, and by the way, the death rate from coronavirus infection is less than a fraction of one percent. 

Sadly there is a political element to all this. A very cursory examination of the most strict dictatorial orders are in Democrat states. Is this just another conspiracy theory? I think not. If the Dems can continue to destroy the economy up until the election, they must believe America will look to them to bail us out. 

First of all, I doubt this will last until the election. The American people won't allow it. We are not too fond of dictators. Gestapo-like tactics will not fly here. Asking people to spy on each other and "report" them to the authorities is ridiculous. Sorry Mayor De Blasio. No, we will return to our lives, smarter, better prepared, and less pliant. Dictators need to find another country.

Ron Scarbro May 20, 2020

YOU GOTTA KNOW WHEN YOU ARE CAUGHT

So, what have you been doing during your confinement for the pandemic? I have been engaged in the highly intellectual activity of watching cop shows on TV. Oh, I've learned a lot. One of the most interesting things is when a bad guy is being arrested and he doesn't want to comply, what does he do? Why, he fights. He screams profanities. Most of the time he gets hurt and still is under arrest and hauled away. 

In a recent show I watched a bad guy, about 5' 5" and maybe 140 pounds soaking wet, try to resist four police officers, each topping 240 pounds, all armed with handguns, tasers, and night sticks. There was also a K9, himself about 100 pounds, and armed with a very bad attitude. 

The bad guy couldn't seem to get it. He was caught. It was over. But he was going to try to fight his way out. Well, obviously it didn't work. He was tased, bitten by the dog, cuffed and stuffed and off to jail. One of the monster cops asked the guy, "Don't you get it? You're caught.” 

Now you may be wondering what this has to do with today's column. I'll tell you. In recent days a great deal of information has reached us concerning the illegal acts of higher ups in the FBI and the Justice Dept. Also, a number of other individuals have been identified as being involved in illegal acts. Democrat legislators have been named. People who should know better will now have to face judgement for all sorts of wrongdoing. Orange jumpsuits will be the new dress code for many in Washington. And I couldn't be happier. 

What has been the reaction of many of those facing these accusations? Well, they are aghast. They are screaming denials. They are accusing their accusers. It all looks like a cop show rerun. 

I have some advice for them. You are caught. The more you scream your denials, the more you will look foolish. The evidence against you is overwhelming. Comey, Clapper, Nadler, Schiff, Page, Rice, and too many others to name here. Probably even Obama and Biden. They will all soon be facing music they never thought they would have to face.

There are some very good lessons here. First and foremost, this is America. Coups are discouraged, bloodless or otherwise. Plotters are arrested. In the past they would have been strung up. Today's plotters will probably just be jailed but the American people will demand that they are punished to such a degree that future such attempts are stopped in their tracks.

We have elections. If you don't like the choice of the American people, find yourself a candidate that you like who can win legally. It really is quite simple. To try to overthrow the duly elected government is treason and it has consequences. It doesn't really matter that you might hold a high government job. Your arrogance is repulsive to all traditional law abiding Americans.

This final thought. When the media becomes an arm of a political party, they should be required to identify themselves as such. For me and many others, the mass media has lost all credibility. If you can't just report the facts and let the people decide for themselves, perhaps you should find a new line of work.

Ron Scarbro May 12, 2020