ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE BEEN SMILED ON

All this reminds me of when I was sixteen years old. Gasoline was cheap and I was grounded. I heard that from somebody on TV the other day. Here’s another one. The government wants to send me some free money and there’s no place to spend it.

As far as being relegated to staying home, that is not new for me. We pretty much are homebodies anyway. I have never been a fan of being in large groups. By the way, there is very little traffic now. That’s because there is no reason to be on the road. The reason gasoline is cheap is that nobody is buying any. Worldwide oil prices are in the toilet because there is a huge glut of unsold oil.

So what’s next? The President has some tough decisions ahead of him. When do we open this country back up? When do we decide that the cure might be worse than the disease? I heard Bill Bennet on TV this morning say that so far we have had about 20,000 deaths from this virus. Last year alone we had 61,000 deaths from seasonal flu and we had no restrictions and we didn’t destroy our economy. We have succeeded in scaring the daylights out of everybody and it may have been a complete overreaction. Of course hindsight is always 20/20. Unexpected deaths for any reason are sad and nobody is ever truly prepared to say goodbye to their loved ones. It is especially sad that most of these coronavirus deaths happened to folks who were alone at the time of their death because their families couldn’t be with them.

This is what's on the horizon. For pure economic reasons we will see the country back in business and probably within two weeks. At first there will be some hesitation because, among other things, we will still see new cases caused by this virus. We will certainly see deaths. But people are going to be headed to ball games, movies, and restaurants. Baseball season is underway. Spring football practice will very soon be up and running. The golf courses are empty and that never happens. 

Like everybody I was very disturbed by this virus. I practiced "social distancing". I would have even without the government telling me to. After all these restrictions are lifted I will still keep myself at a safe distance from others. I wash my hands a lot and always have. I didn't need the government telling me to or my local TV station teaching me how.

The most disturbing thing that happened during this "pandemic" however, was the ease and speed by which we, free Americans, allowed our country to become a dictatorship. Government officials suddenly decided they would dictate how we would live. Private businesses fell under regulation that would have made the communists proud. Our economy tanked in a matter of days. As a country we showed a vulnerability that I previously would have thought impossible. 

Some will say it was worth it. Others, like me, will suggest that we bide our time and see what happens. Will we recover? I don't know. How long will it take? Again I don't know. Was the cure worse than the disease? Only time will tell. 

This I do know. We had best get ourselves better prepared for incidents such as this in the future. The world, and that includes our enemies, is watching us. They are watching to see how we will continue to handle all this. 

As for me, I am thankful that Trump was in charge. I shudder to think how things might have been under certain other politicians. Pandemic or not, once again we have been smiled on. 

Ron Scarbro April 14, 2020

CHINA IS NOT OUR FRIEND

A few years back we started a relationship with a devil. That devil was communist China. China is not now and has never been our friend.

China was a country unable to feed her masses of people. They even had a law governing how many kids citizens could have. That number was two. Since it was in the people’s interest to have sons, many baby girls were killed by their own parents. Not too long ago China was attempting to import Korean girls because of the shortage of young ladies available to their male population.

The Chinese government decided they had to improve their economy. So, they began manufacturing products for the entire world. They stole ideas and plans for all types of equipment and electronic devices.  They had cheap labor and they capitalized on it. They followed their own rules. They stole intellectual property. They devalued their currency to give themselves unfair advantage over other countries. In other words, they played dirty.

Manufacturing plants from all over the world flocked to China to produce their products because China offered them that same cheap labor. American companies like Walmart and others bought up their cheaply made products because they could then sell them for a bigger profit. Drug manufacturers and medical device suppliers followed suit and began making their products in China. Profits flowed. 

Meanwhile China’s standard of living rose. Average citizens of that once starving country could now buy cell phones, cars, and even food. The government of China saw this as the opportunity to improve their military. They decided that not only would they get bigger and better, they would even become the world’s biggest and mightiest. They would control the world. 

Everything was going to plan until fate stepped in and put the hammer down, as fate so often does. 

In a little "wet market", loosely defined as an open air butcher shop with no concept of sanitation, and where all sorts of wild and domestic animals are butchered, a deadly virus was passed from an animal to a human and the world stood still. 

That was of course the dreaded corona virus that has affected the entire planet. 

Some individuals in this country criticized our President when he stopped the Chinese from coming to America. Some Governors disagreed and even went so far as to make certain to invite these virus carriers into their states. Look at New York now, Gov. Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio. How do you feel now? This was political correctness run amok. 

We are going to get to the other side of this and my hope is that when we do, we will be much smarter. China must pay a huge price for their lying and inaction regarding this virus. Some say they should be held liable for murder. The only punishment they will understand, though, is financial. 

We, the people, need to bite the bullet. Our manufacturing plants need to come back to America. We may well have to pay a few cents more for our toys, but wouldn't that be worth it?

We need to get political correctness out of our vocabulary and our thinking. If someone is doing us harm, it doesn't matter whether they are Chinese, African, or European. We need to deal with what they are doing, not who they are.

Very soon now we will develop a vaccine as well as medical treatment for those afflicted. This dreaded virus will disappear as quickly as it appeared. 

Remember, as you go to the polls this November, how we handled this problem and who was running the show. It frightens me to consider what this could have been with almost any other of these slick tongued politicians in charge. 

We are fortunate. We continue to be smiled on. We, however, must not forget who and what we are.     

Ron Scarbro, April 7, 2020                                         

I WILL FEAR NO MORE, FOREVER

I was visiting with an old friend recently. He is 86 years old and dealing with some serious health issues. It occurred to me during our conversation that this has been a very exciting life we both have lived and at the same time it has sometimes been frightening.  

When you consider all that we have seen during these past few decades, you have to be amazed. As I recollect back to my earliest years, it is a wonder what I have seen. 

As a very young kid World War Two was in full swing. Of course I was too young to participate but I certainly knew about it. The war was all the conversation of my parents and their friends. It was very frightening. I was afraid of the Germans and the Japanese. I remember when it was over. Even as a young child. I was relieved. 

I do not intend to cover all the wars we have been through in the last eighty years but it is sufficient to say that there have been too many and they have been very costly in lives and in money. For most of my life I, like most reasonable Americans, lived in fear of the communists. Along comes Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher who got together and sent the commies packing. My fear went packing too. 

Beyond the destruction of war, there have been many, many exciting discoveries also. There have been cures for deadly diseases. If you are in my age group, you will surely remember polio. Polio was beyond frightening. As kids we couldn’t go into wading pools or public swimming pools because it was thought that the polio virus lived in those environments. Lo and behold, Dr. Jonas Salk comes along with a cure and suddenly the fear is gone. I also have ugly memories of leukemia. It was for a certainty a death sentence. No more. It is still deadly, but many are cured and live full lives. Danny Thomas put together St. Jude’s Hospital to treat kids with this deadly curse and it has been a wonderful success. Another fear relieved.

While this next item is a bit off point, I want to share it with you. Chief Joseph was the High Chief of the Nez Perce Indians. They lived in a state of constant war with the white settlers in the Northwest. One day after a particularly bloody battle, Chief Joseph just had enough. He said, “I will fight no more, forever.” And he didn’t. Wars between the Nez Perce and the white settlers ended. 

So here I am in my eightieth year of life and the entire world is trying to scare me once again. We have this deadly virus traveling all over the world looking for victims to sicken and kill. I should be afraid, very afraid.

Well, I have decided as Chief Joseph decided, I have had enough fear. Therefore, for me, I will fear no more, forever. I will continue to be cautious and careful. I will distance myself socially. I pretty much always have anyway. I will practice good hygiene. Again, I pretty much always have anyway. But I will fear no more. How are you going to scare an eighty-year-old anyway?

Be safe. Be careful, Be cautious. But, don’t be afraid.

Ron Scarbro March 31, 2020

BACK TO THE 50s AND 60s

I loved the 50s and the 60s. I remember them well. The question before us, is that where we are headed? Our economy has reduced by 20% in the last three weeks. My personal holdings have lost 25% in the same period. Is it just a matter of time before we are back there? 

I bought my first house in the 60s for $16,500. It was a cute little three bedroom two bath very livable home. At the time my wife was pregnant and I was making about $500 per month. Sound familiar? The home we are living in now cost me $165,00. It is also a three bedroom two bath very liveable little home. So, what’s the difference? There was just another zero added to the price. Oh, and I don’t make $500 per month now. 

Seriously. I understand what the government is trying to do. The theory is that if we just keep away from each other, we can stop this virus from spreading. I certainly hope so. Sometimes I wonder if the cure isn’t worse than the disease though. 

Another question I have is, how long do you suppose the American people will put up with these restrictions? Here in Georgia, our local government has closed the beaches. What? The beaches? My wife and I went out to dinner last night to celebrate her birthday and we were the only people in the restaurant. In Florida, the Governor has closed all restaurants and bars for about three weeks. Their beaches are also closed to humans. I heard California has also closed all restaurants. It doesn’t surprise me. After all, it’s California, the land of fruits and nuts. I am sure they will expect the rest of the country to bail them out when this is all over.

I truly feel so sorry for all those people who, as we did back in the 50s and 60s, live from paycheck to paycheck. That is a painful way to live. 

I also understand a lot of people are arming themselves and buying up ammunition. What’s that all about? This all will be over very soon. Do they think people will start going out looking to steal anything they can get their hands on?

Here’s the point of all this. The government experts believe this will all be over in just a few short weeks. I hope they are right. I truly don’t know how long the American people will allow themselves to be dictated to. America has prospered because we are a country of the people, by the people, and for the people. Just because there is a virus afoot, nothing has changed. 

So here is me, Mr. Patience, suggesting that we all just have to be patient. As the old people used to say, this too will pass. And I hope and believe it will pass soon. 

We are very near the end of this. The whole situation has been very revealing. I have seen grocery buyers hoarding all kinds of products, especially paper products. Many stores are empty because of this. Most shoppers however are dealing with the situation in a mature manner.

The economy is another matter. It takes much longer to fix messes like we have gotten ourselves into. The inordinate fear and panic that has spread is sad. It will take courage and time for this all to work through.

We have fought many wars in our history. We won them all. That's what we do. We win our wars and we will win this one as well. Exhale. Breathe. By summer this will all be behind us. 

Patience, patience, patience.

Ron Scarbro 

March 22, 2020

SAVE YOUR TOILET PAPER, YOU NEVER KNOW

You probably asked yourself, when is he going to write about the “coronavirus?” Well fear not. Today is the day. 

In my lifetime and with a study of recent history, I cannot find or remember any time when the entire world has been brought to its knees by the threat of an upper respiratory infection. This essay will not attempt to underestimate this virus and its potential deadly results. I am sure in the right situation it can and does kill. But it also seems most people who are infected recover with no ill effects. So far the ones in this country who have died from this disease have been older individuals who were otherwise compromised by existing preconditions and general frailty. 

What continues to confound me is the effort by the media all over the world to frighten people. Sporting events have been canceled. Movies, restaurants and bars are closing. Gatherings of any size are just not happening. At a time when people want to escape their homes after a long winter, everything is closed down. Schools and colleges are just shutting down. Events long in the planning are being summarily eliminated without regard to the millions being lost in the process.

Don’t even try to go to the grocery store. The crowds are massive and the shelves are empty. Traffic is unbelievable. It seems everybody is trying to stock up on toilet paper and anything else they think they might need. My question is, for what? Toilet paper? What’s that all about? 

The Stock Market has given away trillions of dollars in value as frightened traders bail out on their investment plans. Do they figure that the world is coming to an end? Millions of people will either be laid off or otherwise lose their jobs. Sporting events and their venues will face huge losses as this charade plays out. And for what?

Now, I am going to make some predictions. I’ll preface this by assuring you all that I am no expert on anything. I am not a medical doctor. I am not a prophet. What I am is just a normal man who is overwhelmed by the recent few days and the irrational response by our governments and our people. The sky is not falling and we are not all going to die. At least not from the coronavirus. The odds are more likely that an airplane will fall from the sky and hit you on your head. Far more people will die from the seasonal flu than will ever be affected by this new virus. In fact the numbers are not even close.

So, what’s this all about? This column is about the good news. In this country with a population of approximately 350,000,000, only 81 people have died from this new disease. If you were trying to calculate odds, you couldn’t even come up with a number of what the odds of dying from the corona virus could be. How many people do you suppose have been killed in car accidents in the last two months, which is how long we have been dealing with this virus? I heard recently 81 deaths is just a good weekend in Chicago. I would imagine more people would die from bee stings than from this virus. 

I am not making light of all this. I am just pointing out the silliness of the world wide panic. In a couple of months this “pandemic” will be behind us. We will turn on our television news and actually see news. Oh, and there will be other things to frighten us. That just seems to be the way things are. 

In the meantime, be safe. Wash your hands. Practice good hygiene. Don’t give in to the fear that is being spread. And, for goodness sake, guard your toilet paper. You never know.

Ron Scarbro March 17, 2020

IT HAS BEEN QUITE A WEEK

It has been quite a week. The Democrats have now seriously thinned down their candidates. Basically we are down to two, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. Elizabeth Warren finally saw the handwriting on the wall and pulled the plug. 

Just a few days ago the Biden campaign was floundering and on life support. Today it has found new life. A number of what they call establishment middle-of-the-roaders have endorsed him and jump started his bid. 

What does this all mean to Sanders? Well, it's not good. It is pretty clear the powers that be in the Democrat party also saw some handwriting somewhere. They know Sanders has absolutely no chance of ever winning a national election. This country will never actually choose socialism. Socialism can only occur in this country by a very bloody revolution and that is equally unlikely regardless of how many millennials try to make it happen. Based on all that has occurred in the last few days, it is obvious the Dems have picked Biden to be their standard bearer. It is also obvious to me that many, if not most, of Sanders supporters will probably sit this election out. That’s fine with me.

Some of you may recall a few months ago I wrote in this column that the Republicans had the goods on Biden but had hoped to hold off until he was for a certainty the Democrat choice. The impeachment fiasco interfered with those plans. Biden and his family were seriously harmed by revelations during those hearings and the mock trial. Those revelations pale however to what is coming next. Biden and his family are dirty and all the evidence proving that will soon be on full display. 

Also, in these past few days Chuckie Schumer showed the world his true colors again. He stood on the steps of the Supreme Court and threatened two sitting Supreme Court Judges by name. He has since tried to walk it back to no avail. Like Trump said, if Schumer was a Republican he would have already been arrested. His actions were dangerous and irresponsible. A censure resolution has been introduced in the Senate. I hope it gets passed. Schumer is an embarrassment to his party and to this country.

The FISA Court is also under investigation. Some very curious Senators want to know how unproven and unverified evidence could have been acceptable by the court who then issued warrants to spy on Americans. It is a little curious, isn’t it? A lot of people were put in compromising positions because of this illegal act by the FBI and the FISA court.

Some more bad news for the Democrats but very good news for America is that over the next four years President Trump will have the opportunity to appoint at least two new Supreme Court Judges. He will name individuals who know how to read and understand exactly what is written in our Constitution. He will be less inclined to appoint based on quotas or gender or sexual preference. His appointments will be based on what is best for the country. If Schumer is upset by judgements by the Court now, imagine how he is going to feel when, instead of five to four decisions, we will see more seven to two. 

It occurs to me, as tornadoes tear through middle Tennessee and a new virus tries to overtake the world, that we have plenty of problems to deal with without spending so much energy on political differences. We have a perfectly good President and an election coming in a few months. When the voters in this country look out and see what they have versus what the Democrats are proposing, they will make the right decision.

Ron Scarbro March 8, 2020

WE, THE PEOPLE, MUST STAND UP

Do you remember when Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher got together and brought communism to its knees? Like most others, I lived in fear of communist Russia. We were warned that an attack could happen at any time. The Russians had the bomb and we had the bomb. It was just going to be a matter of who fired the first shot. I remember the bomb drills at school where we had to get down on the floor and get under our desks and cover our heads. As if that would provide any protection in the event of a nuclear bombing. The communists had a propaganda machine that kept pumping out scary stuff. 

During my early years we lived about fifteen miles from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. You may recall that was where our country was developing nuclear weapons and for a certainty the communists knew it. I even had silhouette cards of airplanes that we would watch in case Russian bombers flew over. We watched the planes as they flew by and were to report any unidentified planes. Kinda scary for a preteen kid. 

I served in the military and on one assignment we were bivouacked in a forest near the communist wall in Germany. It turns out that the Russians were also camped out on the other side of the wall. I figured this was it. We were locked and loaded with our missiles aimed and ready. I am sure those Russian kids were as scared as we were. That was the time when Kruschev had given us an ultimatum to be out of Germany or else. America chose or else and the communists backed down. Fortunately for both sides. 

It was soon after that Russia came to their senses and decided they really were no match for us and they would have been destroyed. The wall came tumbling down. 

So here we are now in the twenty-first century when most of the people living today have no memory of, or because of a seriously deficient education, any knowledge of communism or its harmful effect on people. Today many of these uninformed people are seriously considering a socialist, which is nothing more than a communist light, as a Presidential candidate. Sometimes I wonder when I will wake up from this ugly dream.

Bernie Sanders is not the benevolent grandfather as he is advertised to be. Sanders is a subjugator looking for subjects to whom he can dictate and many under- accomplished, over-educated individuals who seriously lack general intelligence are lining up to volunteer.

Over the years we have seen and heard silver tongued people orate their way into positions of power and bring countries down. Don’t think for a moment that it can’t happen here. As scary as it sounds, we are always only one election away from destruction if the wrong people are put into power. And the Democrats know it too. Over the next few months they will do everything in their power to bring the Sanders charade to an end once and for all.

What is truly frightening is that some thirty percent of voters in this country would vote for someone like Sanders. What does that say about their overall intelligence? I believe it is an indictment of our very liberal educational system along with a completely confused and dangerous liberal media. 

Somehow, someway, we the people have to get a handle on this crap. The difference between Republicans and Democrats used to be just different ways of solving the problems of our day. No more. It has become a class war for the souls of the citizenry. It is a pitting of the responsible against the irresponsible, the independent against the dependent, the accomplished against the wannabes. This battle devalues what it means to be an American. 

As the preacher said last Sunday morning, the time has come when we cannot stand aside or stand down. We, the people, must stand up.

Ron Scarbro March 4, 2020