Month: February 2020

HB 4005, Common Sense? or Slippery Slope?

HB 4005 is neither common sense nor slippery slope.  Today, the Oregon legislature holds a hearing on HB 4005, the onerous gun transportation and storage bill.

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2020/02/05/oregon-legislature-2020-gun-storage-bill/4669859002/

It is not common sense and it is not a slippery slope.  It is a free fall!  We are crashing into branches and boulders on the way down.  Why?  Because if we pass this terrible bill, we are accepting the premise that government controls our property when stored or transported.  Government controls our rights on and about our person.  As the constitution limits the state on this right “…shall not be infringed…,” the state must never limit the citizen in self determination of responsibilities. 

This fight is about individual sovereignty.  If the state can tell the individual when and where to store or carry weapons, the state can do the same with any and every other object you thought you own! 

Supporters of this claim it’s for safety.  I am not doubting sincerity, I’m doubting effectiveness. Safety is always important, but falls below on the hierarchy of values here.  Sadly, neither this law, nor similar laws are effective in reducing violence.  It is not for safety first, it is for compromising the rights of those very supporters.  Supporters are selling out their own rights, my rights and the rights of every other citizen, and our heirs to come!  We must fight this!  Because we are not fighting for our rights only but for the rights of every person everywhere. If we lose the unique freedoms enjoyed by every American citizen here, we have no where else to go. 

The law misconstrues the nature of man.  No matter what happens with HB 4005 in Oregon this year, criminals will find ways to achieve their selfish goals including violence against citizens.  The impulsive will torment the vulnerable.  This is as old as creation. 

The ultimate goal is confiscation!  That way, only government and criminals will have guns.  That may sound redundant.  Those who seek advantage over others, i.e. government and criminals, share this characteristic.  They want to control others to the point of being deadly. 

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2018/11/16/swalwell-gun-comments-n2536106

Regardless of what some say, that their plan falls short of confiscation, (Bloomberg), I don”t believe them.  Every year, more prohibitive and punitive proposals spring from the anti-gun and anti-freedom crowd.  They are never happy and never finished. 

2020 A Brief Response to the State of the Union Speech

“The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself, but when he plays the role destiny has for him.” (Vaclav Havel)

“Discover your purpose in life, then do it on purpose.” (unknown)

A man “…shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:2b

I appreciated the speech very much for President Trump’s straight up content and delivery. He wasted not the attention of the nation by attacking his angry political opponents. Instead, he forged into the record his many accomplishments, from domestic to foreign.

While opposition scoffed, and behaved without dignity, President Trump stated that he had kept promises. Indeed, his presidency is marked by such kept promises, promises which predecessors for years have made and routinely broken. As an example, I think of his fully recognizing the capitol of Israel by moving our US embassy there. That’s good, and he values the word of the Lord by keeping Numbers 30:2b. Trump does what Trump says he will do.

I was lifted spiritually and emotionally by President Trump’s hopeful remarks. He sees the state of our USA with a hopeful heart. He looks for the best to come. In a statesman like manner, he heralded citizen standouts among both civilian and military, from radio host to sergeant. He seems to look at challenges as a man who not only knows both his capabilities and his limitations, but that bringing others together with him can exceed all our own expectations. Trump has faith, and by reason, he acts. He is a man of action. He wastes not a minute on political fantasies of power, but expresses purpose through action. Thereby, he expresses more statesman like behavior than his opponents. Indeed, his straightforward statements and actions serve to expose what many call the “political swamp.” Their childish antics during this speech are duly noted, but are certainly insalubrious. Trump’s approach is reminiscent of President Reagan, Pope John Paul II and Margaret Thatcher.

What a refreshing tonic is President Trump! He is openly standing against the attempts of socialism to gain full centralized control of the USA. He does what I’ve been yearning for over a very long time. He calls out the press for their lies and false narratives, supports the second amendment, celebrates the role of faith, eschews red tape, cuts regulation, confounds the regulators, has cut taxes, and respects the constitution. He is restoring the military, and bringing mutual respect of other nations. He hates the murder of the unborn, and loves the life saving medical possibilities for those babies who are born. He celebrates with the successes of the private entrepreneur.

Therefore, I am refreshed and invigorated to see a man in President Trump who has found his niche, his purpose, his destiny. That journey is more difficult than some imagine. Trump reminds us that we don’t have to accept mediocrity in government, and we are a free people. We are a free people to the extent that we stand against socialism of every kind, and act on our faith. As POTUS, he has far exceeded my expectations, and delightfully so.