kanesrealm

Today we celebrate the Independence of our nation. To that end I offer the following reflection. " I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." You will note the absence of the word God. That's because it was not originally there even though the pledge was written by a clergyman. It was not until the 1950's that our Congress added the word, yet most people believe it was always there. One of the greatest and most celebrated of our founding fathers was Thomas Paine. It was he who gave the United States of America it's name and who vehemently fought for the Revolution. He also completely and without hesitation repudiated Christianity and the bible. He wrote, "My religion is to do good" and "My own mind is my own church." What an unfortunate thing it is that so many people are so ignorant as to the true founding of this nation...

The horrendous mass shooting in Orlando, Florida at a gay night club has left the United States with the largest event of this type in our history. It has also in the most tragic circumstances provided us with a clear choice in our upcoming general election. Hillary Clinton cancelled her already scheduled day of campaigning and instead delivered a heartfelt reflection on the weekends tragedy and presented a plan moving forward. At no time did she mention Donald Trump. She struck a chord of unity and in every regard rose to the level of being Presidential. Contrast that with the speech of Donald Trump who continues to blatantly demonstrate he is nothing more than a demagogic sack of shit. I will not, as the press feels compelled to say, that those supporting him are somehow not responsible and are simply afraid, baloney. Trump has no plan for anything. His entire push is about shock and fomenting hatred. Instead of calling for unity he basically blamed President Obama and Hillary Clin...

When you're wrong, you're wrong. I'm among the smartest people I know but even I get it wrong sometimes. Making a mistake is not the problem but failing to acknowledge it is. In my post "The Politics of Tragedy" I said if you're on the no fly list for terrorists you shouldn't be able to get a gun but I am in error in that assessment. I know that there have been problems with this list in the past, some very prominent, such as the late Ted Kennedy but according to our own federal poohbahs approximately forty percent (40%) of the names on that list are a false positive. Which means it's fucked up. Even my flabby white Irish ass might be on the list, I wouldn't know cause I never leave the country, I barely leave the county and as the unelected Mayor of Hindtit I'm above reproach. So there you have it dear readers, an acknowledgement of my mistake, I swear it will happen again but I will always own up to it. Note: this in no way changes the...

Another mass shooting but with a twist. Unlike the usual lone wolf assailant without an exit strategy, the San Bernardino act was carried out by a married couple. We do not yet have the complete picture but the F.B.I. will successfully develop the case and fill in the gaps. It would certainly appear that these two were, at the very least terrorists in training, with intent to carry out some form of attack or more likely attacks. Their assault on the Board of Health gathering, a department he worked for, does not logically fit the surrounding evidence. It would seem to be a personal diversion that preempted their true purpose. The husband was an American citizen born in Illinois, his wife was from Pakistan. Naturally politicians, particularly in an election cycle, never let a tragedy occur without capitalising on it. The Republicans in general tweeted out thoughts and prayers and there's nothing wrong with that. We all say inane things because that's how you console the inco...

With all the Trumpisms, Carsonian quips and general media hysteria, one might think that America is changing into an environment hostile to outsiders or at a minimum suspicious of non white protestants. There is certainly nothing in our history to suggest such a thing. Well, perhaps a blip or two. The original Americans were nearly driven to extinction, those that survived were rounded up and placed on reservations where they could roam free, within certain limitations. We did have slaves in the country for 245 years, even over 75 years after proclaiming all men were equal. We did import, abuse and kill thousands of Chinese to build railroads, dams and bridges. The Catholics were not well liked but they were after all servants of the demon Pope of Rome. My own people, the Irish, need not apply for employment but who could blame proper Americans for this, we reek of whiskey and potatoes, plus many of us were Catholic. Women were not allowed to vote or talk out of turn, now look wha...

Bobby Jindal dropped out of the Republican sweepstakes, so yeah, not much more to say there. So long Bob. After the terrorist attacks and the intensive press coverage I had to shut the news off last Saturday and that is why you, my dear readers, received no thoughts on the Democratic debate that night. Without seeing it I can tell you it was irrelevant. I opted to binge watch episodes of Stargate and Xena, my time was well spent. Sometimes you've just got to pull the plug and disconnect. I want to take this opportunity to tell all of the news channels to stop playing the combo sad and ominous soundtracks while reporting on Paris. Just stop it, this is not a movie or T.V. show, just stop. Everything seems bleak but I tell you it is not. Something quite uncommon may be about to happen. ISIS/ISIL may very well have just signed their death warrant and accomplished the unimaginable. All 28 members of the European Union are unified and have invoked full cooperative security measures, ...

The barbaric terrorist attacks in Paris over the weekend is a reminder of how much fanatical groups like ISIL hate the free people of the world. They seek to murder and destroy freedom. They want to establish a one world order subservient to a sadistic twisted version of religious barbarism. They are delusional. We must not allow these thugs to determine our way of life. As frightening as it can be we must get up and go about our business. Eat out with friends, attend concerts, go shopping or take a stroll. As usual Donald Trump couldn't resist chiming in with his usual depth of sensitivity. He just had to say this happened in a city with strict gun laws, if only the citizens had been armed. Donald, for you and those who share your bizarre disconnected views let us reflect with logic. These were suicide attackers each wearing bomb belts ready to die for their demented cause. They struck quickly and in succession. Before any citizen could have drawn their weapon it was over. At th...