news – Page 7 – Carol A. Spencer

Explain how Trump is okay for our country

A friend private messaged me on Facebook. “I would love you to explain to me how Trump is ok for our country and constitution and tell me you think he is a good president. I will try to revisit my position.”

I responded as follows:
“First: he’s done what he promised to do. The elected official that actually does what he/she said he/she would do is rare.

“Second: I believe in the wall to stop guns, drugs, and human trafficking as much as possible. He’s moved that forward.

“Third: I’ve been hearing “energy independence” since sitting in gas lines in the 1970s when I needed gas to work. We have achieved that under Trump due to deregulation.

“Fourth: The First Step Act which has given those non-violent offenders with ridiculously long sentences another chance at life out of jail, changing people’s lives.

“Fifth: Calling out China on their abuses…. cheap Chinese labor is nothing more than slavery in another country and our corporations have benefited from that ever since Clinton gave China most favored nation status. Trump is holding the Chinese back from buying Africa through Chinese funded infrastructure project loans they can never pay back, using Chinese (not local) employees, and Eastern Europe through energy dependence.

“Sixth: Opportunity Zones in the inner cities, leading to lower unemployment… these encourage economic development in our cities where it’s desperately needed for jobs and a tax base to support civic programs.

“And, this is purely subjective.. he believes in this country, its people, and is a cheerleader for innovation and economic growth.”

For anyone reading this far: visit https://promiseskept.com/ to compose YOUR list of why you’re voting for President Donald J. Trump.

Boycott the NFL on Military Appreciation Weekend

This was sent to me by a friend via email. It is a perfect explanation of why some of us are so angry at players in all sports who “take a knee” and in doing so disrespect this great country… the one without a caste system, where the only thing that holds someone back is a lack of education and a lack of initiative, where “rag to riches” stories abound. Major league athletes should thank God every day that they live in this country, hold themselves up as role models, examples to others so that they might also achieve. When you don’t, you are selfish and self-centered, egotistical. Think about where you could be because, as Mom always said, “there but by the Grace of God go you.”

Open Letter To NFL Players. The Boycott is coming.

“You graduated high school in 2011. Your teenage years were a struggle. You grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Your mother was the leader of the family and worked tirelessly to keep a roof over your head and food on your plate. Academics were a struggle for you and your grades were mediocre at best. The only thing that made you stand out is you weighed 225 lbs and could run 40 yards in 4.2 seconds while carrying a football.

“Your best friend was just like you, except he didn’t play football. Instead of going to football practice after school, he went to work at McDonalds for minimum wage.

“You were recruited by all the big colleges and spent every weekend of your senior year making visits to universities where coaches and boosters tried to convince you their school was best. While they laid out the red carpet for you.

“Your best friend worked double shifts at Mickey Ds. College was not an option for him.

“On the day you signed with Big State University, your best friend signed paperwork with his Army recruiter.

“You went to summer workouts. He went to basic training.

“You spent the next four years living in the athletic dorm, eating at the training table. You spent your Saturdays on the football field, cheered on by adoring fans. Tutors attended to your every academic need. You attended class when you felt like it. Sure, you worked hard. You lifted weights, ran sprints, studied plays, and soon became one of the top football players in the country.

“ Army soldier and jeep Your best friend was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. While you were in college, he deployed to Iraq once and Afghanistan twice. He became a Sergeant and led a squad of 19 year-old soldiers who grew up just like he did. He shed his blood in Afghanistan and watched young American’s give their lives, limbs, and innocence for the US.

“You went to the NFL combine and scored off the charts. You hired an agent and waited for draft day. You were drafted in the first round and your agent immediately went to work, ensuring that you received the most money possible. You signed for $16 million although you had never played a single down of professional football.

“Your best friend re-enlisted in the Army for four more years. As a combat-tested sergeant, he will be paid $32,000 per year.

“You will drive a Ferrari on the streets of South Beach. He will ride in the back of a Blackhawk helicopter with 10 other combat loaded soldiers. You will sleep at the Ritz. He will dig a hole in the ground and try to sleep. You will “make it rain” in the club. He will pray for rain as the temperature reaches 120 degrees. On Sunday, you will run into a stadium as tens of thousands of fans cheer and yell your name.

American Flags on graves For your best friend, there is little difference between Sunday and any other day of the week. There are no adoring fans. There are only people trying to kill him and his soldiers. Every now and then, he and his soldiers leave the front lines and “go to the rear” to rest. He might be lucky enough to catch an NFL game on TV. When the National Anthem plays and you take a knee, he will jump to his feet and salute the television.

“While you protest the unfairness of life in the United States, he will give thanks to God that he has the honor of defending his great country.

“To the players of the NFL: We are the people who buy your tickets, watch you on TV, and wear your jerseys. We anxiously wait for Sundays so we can cheer for you and marvel at your athleticism. Although we love to watch you play, we care little about your opinions until you offend us. Football player kneeling You have the absolute right to express your opinion, but we have the absolute right to boycott you. We have tolerated your drug use and DUIs, your domestic violence, and your vulgar displays of wealth. We should be ashamed for putting our admiration of your physical skills before what is right. But now you have gone too far. You have insulted our flag, our country, our soldiers, our police officers, and our veterans.

“You are living the American dream, yet you disparage our great country.

“I encourage all like minded Americans to boycott the NFL. National boycott of the NFL on Sunday, November 8, 2020 – on “Military Appreciation“ Weekend. Boycott all football telecasts; all fans, all ticket holders, stay away from attending via any media (or in person if things open up).

Honor our military, some of whom come home with the American flag draped over their coffin.

Pass share this post with all your friends and family.

Put the blame where it belongs… on Democrats

Since 1945 when Hubert Humphrey became mayor of Minneapolis, for only 2 years and one day have Republicans led the city. Independents led the city for another 6 years.

Since 1945, seventy-five years, Democrats have controlled Minneapolis with the exception of a total of 8 years and one day.

Yet, today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blamed the death of George Floyd on Republicans.

“On Tuesday, as Senate Democrats rejected Sen. Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) police reform bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) accused Republicans of ‘trying to get away with murder, the murder of George Floyd.'” (pjmedia.com)

Just let that sit for a minute. Almost 70 years of Democrat mayors and Pelosi blames Republicans.

Who appointed police chiefs throughout those 65+ years? Democrats
Who approved the size and organizational structure of the police department throughout those 65+ years? Democrats
Who approved police “standard operating procedures” (SOPs) throughout those 65+ years? Democrats
Who hired police officers throughout those 65+ years? Democrats
Who interviewed police officers for advancement and promotion throughout those 65+ years? Democrats
Who supervised police training throughout those 65+ years? Democrats
Who disciplined police officers throughout those 65+ years? Democrats
Who reviewed their personnel jackets when determining who was eligible for promotion? Democrats
Who negotiated police contracts? Democrats

The Federal government does not appoint mayors or council members. Local voters elect them. The Federal government does not hire police chiefs, dictate SOPs, hire or fire police officers, determine the use of community policing, number of officers on the road at any point in time, or any other aspect of the organization and policies of police departments. Local elected officials and their administrative hires do.

In Minneapolis, Democrats did. Now, Democrat Pelosi tries to shift the blame. Democrat Pelosi says the proposed Federal legislation doesn’t go far enough, even though the Federal government has no role here.

Democrats have created these problems through feckless leadership over 65+ years. Democrats are the problem today, watching their city burn and doing nothing. Democrats in Washington continue to be the problem today, now blocking Federal legislation.

Hold Democrats accountable because they are.

Stat source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mayors_of_Minneapolis.

There’s no First Amendment right to criminal rioting

They aren’t right. They aren’t left. They aren’t white supremacists. They aren’t left wing nut jobs. They aren’t fascists. They aren’t protesters. They aren’t peaceably assembling, and thus aren’t protected by the First Amendment.

THEY ARE CRIMINALS and deserve to be treated as such.

These CRIMINALS hijacked a situation that was poised to bring everyone together, foster a serious conversation about government – citizen relations. These CRIMINALS hijacked it for the tear down of society as a whole.

Protest peacefully during the day, but it’s time to clear the streets after 7PM. The Constitution does not give people the right to riot.

Governments are instituted among men for the protection of the whole. If these states, even with National Guard, cannot control rioters, cannot enforce their own laws, cannot protect people or private property or public property from damage, it’s time to invoke the Insurrection Act as was done in 1992 during the LA riots.

So you don’t have to look it up: 10 USC 333

Sec. 333. Interference with State and Federal law
The President, by using the militia or the armed forces, or both, or by any other means, shall take such measures as he considers necessary to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy, if it–

(1) so hinders the execution of the laws of that State, and of the United States within the State, that any part or class of its people is deprived of a right, privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law, and the constituted authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection; or

(2) opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws.

In any situation covered by clause (1), the State shall be considered to have denied the equal protection of the laws secured by the Constitution.

Inconsistent

I have long decried inconsistent politicians. It’s why I always referred to myself as a public servant, not a politician. From the first time I ran for office, I said that I would clearly state my positions and when those positions were inconsistent with what voters wanted, I would be voted out of office.

That may sound simplistic and, frankly, it is. Other factors do come into play in an election loss. But for me, being inconsistent, changing my positions to win an election, means a loss of self. I’ve never been willing to sacrifice my beliefs to serve in elected office.

What does that have to do with the violence and riots over the past few years, and especially this week?

The cause of these riots is allegedly the death of black men at the hands of police. We know the names. But a deeper discussion reveals that those deaths are symptoms, not the cause. The cause is inconsistent treatment of people of color by police. Every person I’ve seen interviewed, every article I’ve read, says that’s the cause: inconsistent treatment.

But, what about inconsistent response by the public and government officials? By order of government:

We couldn’t eat in restaurants because more than 100,000 people have died of Covid.
We are under orders to only allow 25% capacity in a variety of businesses and to not gather in groups larger than 10 because more than 100,000 people have died of Covid.
We have been warned to wear masks, in some cases fined for not doing so, because more than 100,000 people have died of Covid.
We have been arrested for opening businesses or playing ball with our children because more than 100,000 people have died of Covid.
We are encouraged to call police and turn in our neighbors for having parties because more than 100,000 people have died of Covid.

Then, George Floyd died, one of approximately 1,000 (all races) annual deaths at the hand of police. The response?

People take to the streets, rioting, no masks, no social distancing. Inconsistent.
People scream, curse, yell, push, harass, attack police officers, EMS workers, and firefighters, the same people they called just a few days ago if they were sick or dying of Covid (or anything else). Inconsistent.
People called for those publicly opposing the stay-at-home orders to be arrested for peacefully protesting, but these protests, peaceful or violent, are okay. Inconsistent.

Some of the people supporting these rioters on social media are the same people who just a few weeks were willing to turn in their neighbors for parties. Inconsistent. They publicly shamed people not wearing masks. Inconsistent. Some went so far as to hope people died for going out without masks or what was, in their opinion, too early.

Their incredible silence about these riots, or worse, their support of them is inconsistent and indefensible.

The inconsistent policing and inconsistent outcomes in our judicial system need to be addressed, both as it applies to people of color as well as the rich or well connected. But the inconsistent, and abhorrent, reaction does nothing to stimulate legitimate discussion about systematic changes. And, without that discussion, nothing changes.

War Profiteers

I’ve thought about writing a series of blog posts about how it feels to be self-quarantining. On Friday, March 13, we had our last dinner in a restaurant and, thankfully, it was with family. Over the course of the day, I went from considering whether to take (what seemed to me at the time) drastic measures to deciding that it was imperative to take such measures.

On Saturday, I cancelled Lost Pines Republican Women events, did our weekly grocery shopping online, filled up our cars with gas, ordered some puzzles and thought about what we’d do to fill our time.

Today, I get up to this news: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8132245/GOP-senator-gave-dire-coronavirus-warning-heeled-constituents-Capitol-Hill-social-club.html

To quote from the Daily Mail article:

Richard Burr, head of the Senate Intelligence Committee which was directly briefed on coronavirus, sold up to $1.7m in stock between January and February
Dianne Feinstein, on the same committee, sold up to $6m in stock in same period
Kelly Loeffler, on the Senate Health Committee, sold up to $3.1m in stock starting on the day her committee was briefed by the CDC
James Inhofe sold up to $400k in stocks including real estate all on January 27

Market Downturn Graph Outraged is an understatement. Every day Americans are watching their IRAs and 401Ks, life savings, plummet. With the economy shutting down, it’s clearly going to get worse before it gets better.

Let me be perfectly clear: I believe in the strength of the American economy. It will come back. It always has. I believe there will be a shift in how we conduct business. There will be new winners, definitely losers. And, as I was taught by my dad, you don’t lose unless you actually sell.

But all that being said, profiteering with insider knowledge has been going on for a long time and we turned a blind eye. So some of this is our fault. But this is a war against an invisible virus. And, elected officials who do this are war profiteers.

I’d really like to see a year-long timeline of trades in these people’s “blind trusts”. If their investment managers were trading all the time at the multi-million dollar level, I’ll give them a pass. If they’ve traded hospitality and drug stocks multiple times over that year, I’ll give them a pass. If they immediately re-invested all those proceeds into a variety of industry sectors in the stock market, I’ll give them a pass.

But, if they’re long term investors and rarely trade, then all of a sudden are dumping airline or hospitality stocks and buying up online delivery stocks, health stocks, or tech stocks, then the Attorney General and the SEC should immediately open investigations. If they violated insider trading laws, they should resign and be charged (think Martha Stewart). If they violated no laws, then we need some to stop elected officials from being able to profit from insider knowledge.

It’s an outrage that elected officials profit on this pandemic while the rest of us (peons) watch our net worth collapse. That’s nothing short of war profiteering.

Your Vote Counts!

There are many reasons to vote in the Republican Primary in Texas. I know… you’re confident President Trump is going to win his primary (yes, he has primary challengers). And, since you know this, why vote?

First, from a purely selfish point of view, I’m also on the ballot and I have a challenger. I’ve worked hard here in Bastrop County to do my part to energize Republicans, to raise money and donate it to our GOP candidates, to spread our message through the web and social media, and to create an atmosphere where friendships are built and people can use their talents for a common purpose. Our Lost Pines Republican Women’s club is almost 70 strong from the 10 we started with in January 2017. We’ve won state and national awards, and our members are nothing short of phenomenal Republicans. I would appreciate your vote for my re-election as Republican Precinct Chair in Precinct 1003.

Second, there are 10 questions on the Republican ballot, seeking voter opinion on issues that will be discussed at our May TexasGOP Convention. You can download a flyer with the questions, or get your sample ballot and read them there. Then, cast your vote, expressing YOUR opinion. Be heard!!

Third, not all states vote for their judges. Texans do. We’re lucky in that regard. We don’t have to live with a liberal judge, appointed for life or until the age of 70 when in some states, retirement is forced. We get to choose. Do so!

There are other candidates on the ballot, too. You can visit public office candidate websites at LostPinesRW.org. Where we could find them online, we provided those links. Learn, then vote. BastropVotes.org has times and places for Early Voting and March 3 Election Day.