#210 The Blame Game (Part 2)

24 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Personal Stories, Possible Solutions, Societal Issues

First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1. List and general description of entries to date. Annual assessment whether Revolution plausible.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations. Profile of characters. You’ll catch on quickly. Thanks for your time and interest…and comments.

Scene: Jordan’s office, Washington, DC. (Conversation begins #209)

Gelly: “OK, I watched O’Reilly’s video.”

Jordan: “…and?”

Gelly: “No surprise that I didn’t agree with everything he said but his points were well taken. We’ve got to start a conversation with the black community in order to start solving problems.”

Jordan: “What do we do next?”

Gelly: “I was going to ask you the same question. Big set of problems. Who’s going to take the lead?”

Jordan: “Let’s make a list of people who might be good candidates. Who comes to mind first?”

Gelly: “For me, president Obama. He’s been out of office a few years and stayed away from politics.”

Jordan: “Great choice, but I think he still might be considered too controversial. You know who would be a good person to bounce ideas off of…and maybe lead the discussion before it gets too high-profile?”

Gelly: “Someone who really understands the black community…like Rock Man?”

Jordan: “Like Rock Man. Been a while since we talked to him.”

Gelly: “Want me to try to track him down?”

Jordan: “Please. If you find him, see if he can Skype. In the meantime, I’ll make a few phone calls.”

(15 minute break in conversation)

Gelly: “Found Rock Man. He’s waiting for us to Skype.” (Jordan’s makes Skype connection.)

Rock Man: “Hey guys. Long time, no talk to. Gelly said you need some advice. A big dog like you needs advice from me?”

Jordan: “Yes, from you. And who says I’m a big dog. More like a fire hydrant. Anyway, the challenge is two-fold: (i) how to get groups to take personal responsibility for fixing their problems; (ii) how to get groups to quit blaming someone else for their problems.”

Rock Man: “And you’re calling me about…let me guess…about getting the black community to take more personal responsibility.”

Jordan: “Gelly, he’s so perceptive.”

Rock Man: “What do you want me to do? I’m just one guy.”

Gelly: “From my perspective, you’re an ideal role model for taking personal responsibility.”

Rock Man: “In what way?”

Gelly: “I don’t know the whole story but I understand you grew up in Eastern North Carolina, dirt poor with parents who had very limited education…”

Rock Man: “…8^th grade at best…”

Gelly: “…and yet all the children, what 6 or 7 of you, earned college degrees and several earned graduate degrees. That just didn’t happen by accident.”

Jordan: “Gelly, Rock Man won’t tell you this part. He started out in Charlotte at Johnson C. Smith, but after his sophomore year transferred to University of North Carolina-Charlotte in order to get tougher classes.”

Gelly: “See, Rock Man, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. You took personal responsibility for getting a better education. Would have been easier to stay at JC Smith but you didn’t. You are the perfect role model.”

Rock Man: “C’mon, my shoes are getting brown. There are much better role models than I am. What about Michael Jordan or LeBron James or a bunch of other athletes as role models?”

Jordan: “You and I have talked about this before. I think professional athletes are exactly the wrong role model for young black males. How many black professional athletes, or for that matter all professional athletes, have a college degree? Not just attend college but graduate?”

Rock Man: “I don’t know but not many have degrees. The problem among black teens is education isn’t sexy like athletics. Plus education doesn’t guarantee big bucks.”

Jordan: “What percent of college athletes make it to the pros? As small as that number is, what percent of high school students eventually end up in the pros? Its miniscule — a thimble full at best.”

Gelly: “Rock Man, your parents pushed education over athletics. My parents were 1^st-generation immigrants. My mother was barely literate. But you know what their goal was? What they made significant sacrifices for?”

Rock Man: “Same as mine? Getting the kids through college?”

Gelly: “The goals of my parents and your parents were no different from goals of most immigrant families. Achieving those goals might take 2 or 3 generations and many will be grandparents or great grandparents before it happens. But the goals of the parents were clear – get the kids through college or a comparable technical school. So if families from Europe, Asia, wherever follow the same model, why shouldn’t black families? Your parents did…and look how the family turned out.”

Jordan: “Seems like the best person to start talking to the black community is someone who understands the hardships of the black community and the cultural norms.”

Gelly: “Like I keep saying, someone like you Rock Man.”

Rock Man: “Ok, you guys are persuasive. How do I get started?”

Jordan: “My view is the black community needs to: (i) take the lead in this effort; (ii) ask for help from other groups, even the police.”

Rock Man: “Let me ask again, ‘how do we get started?’”

Jordan: “Since the Revenge Revolution, the political environment is less toxic that a few years ago…”

Rock Man: “…you mean like the toxic environment when Donald the bomb thrower was running for president?”

Jordan: “Yes. Make no mistake, the atmosphere is still tense. If I were you, Rock Man, I’d reach way across the aisle and ask for help from a perceived adversary to the black community. Someone, who if you worked with, would cause everyone to turn their head.”

Rock Man: “Like who?”

Gelly: “Earlier today I looked at a short video from 2016 made by Bill O’Reilly.”

Rock Man: “Like the Bill O’Reilly?”

Gelly: “I said exactly the same thing when Jordan asked me to look at it. Let me tell you, O’Reilly listed some very good questions that would help start a meaningful dialogue.”

Jordan: “So, why not reach out to O’Reilly and get his opinion?”

Rock Man: “Can you send me the link to the video, please?”

Jordan: “Take a look and then ask yourself, what’s really the downside of talking to him about the issues he listed? You might be surprised. He might be very helpful.”

Rock Man: “Alright, I’ll review and get back.”

(Continued)

#209 The Blame Game (Part 1)

17 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues

≈ 3 Comments

Scene: Jordan’s office, Washington, DC.

Jordan: “Gelly, tell me all about the cruise to Alaska.”

Gelly: “We had a wonderful time. Lots of stunning scenery, great food…and even more fun to be with old friends again.”

Jordan: “What about pictures?”

Gelly: “Lots. But I’ll show you later. We’ve got work to do and I need to get caught up.”

Jordan: “Alright, just a couple more minutes. I hope you didn’t think too much about us when you were gone.”

Gelly: “Tried not to but the occasional topic at dinner was what goes on in Washington…”

Jordan: “…and you were considered the expert, right?”

Gelly: “Yes. What baffled our group were two things: (i) how politicians take positions that seem to be so out of touch with how most people think; (ii) all the finger-pointing. We ended up calling the finger-pointing ‘The Blame Game.’”

Jordan: “When you said ‘The Blame Game’ what popped into my head was the song ‘The Name Game’ by Shirley, Shirley…”

Gelly: “Shirley Ellis. ‘C’mon everybody! I said let’s play a game. I’ll betcha I could make a rhyme out of anybody’s name.”

Jordan: “How do you know that song…and who sung it? That was before your time.”

Gelly: “My mother had the record and a bunch of us played it over and over until we learned the words. Want me to sing some more?”

Jordan: “Not now, thanks. So your group thought too many individuals and groups were finger-pointing — blaming someone else for whatever went wrong.”

Gelly: “And the group thought the tipping point happened during the 2016 Presidential election. ‘The Blame Game’ seemed to reach new heights.”

Jordan: “You mean starting with the Donald? He seemed to blame everyone for everything.”

Gelly: “More than the Donald. Hillary wasn’t as bad as the Donald. Her comments seemed more like denial than blame. But what really troubled our group was all the blame directed toward police…and then the assassination of five police officers in Dallas. People in our group were livid with the vicious verbal attacks on police by the ‘Black Lives Matter’ group.”

Jordan: “Why was your group so angry?”

Gelly: “All people remembered hearing from ‘Black Lives Matter’ was cops are bad. No one in Black Lives Matter seemed to ask, ‘Gee, I wonder why cops seem to arrest proportionately more blacks than whites?’ The claim always seemed to be cops are racists, cops are using racial profiling…always a reason to blame someone else.”

Jordan: “But never a question from Black Lives Matter about personal responsibility?”

Gelly: “Exactly. Let’s not be naïve. Every organization has some bad apples, the police included. But I cannot believe cops just go around arresting people for fun. There has to be some suspicion.”

Jordan: “What did your group say about efforts to eliminate racism?”

Gelly: “Another let’s-not-be-naïve issue. Racism has been around for thousands of years, and will likely be around for a few thousand more. People need to realize racism is not going away. If you don’t believe it, read the book of Exodus.”

Jordan: “Egyptians enslaved the Jews over 5,000 years ago…and still don’t like Jews. At every Shabbat and holiday service congregants are reminded by the rabbis that our ancestors were once slaves and do not treat other people the same way. Next item, what’d your group say about profiling?”

Gelly: “When the topic of profiling came up, someone took out an iPad and asked if anyone at the table used Google for a search engine.”

Jordan: “Of course everyone said ‘yes’ to Google. What was the follow-on question?”

Gelly: ”Has anyone ever noticed the ads on Google and other websites seem to be tailored just for you?”

Jordan: “Ahh, now that you mention it.”

Gelly: “I think we began to understand anyone who uses the internet is being profiled.”

Jordan: “You probably don’t know I was an early adopter of profiling. I was introduced to profiling when I was director of marketing at Buick.”

Gelly: “What’s a profile based on?”

Jordan: “Profiling is based on assumption that past behavior is a predictor of future behavior. The early approach to profiling was crude by today’s standards. The early profiling used software that combined zip codes and buying patterns. The information was combined into clusters, which were given names that described a certain a group of buyers.”

Gelly: “Names like what??”

Jordan: “’Pools & Patios,’ ‘Down Home Gentry,’ ‘Hard Scrabble,’ ‘Blue Blood Estates’…as I recall there were 40 clusters in all.”

Gelly: “So, how’d you use the info from the clusters?”

Jordan: “One early use of the clusters or profiles was to target buyers for a specialty car we developed. Rather than doing national advertising for the car, which would have been very expensive, we targeted the advertising at clusters who we thought would be most likely to buy.”

Gelly: “How successful was the launch?”

Jordan: “Far exceeded our expectations. Buick and the dealers made tons of money. The success of that program convinced a lot of people of the value of profiling.”

Gelly: “Interesting example. I see why you used profiling. Really worked.”

Jordan: “So now many organizations use profiling – from car companies to philanthropic organizations to the police to Google. What else came up in your group?”

Gelly: “Simple questions. Where’s the effort by the black community to stop the blaming others and start looking in the mirror for the answer? Where’s the effort to begin improving their own lot? Where’s the effort to increase graduation rates? Efforts to reduce births to unwed mothers? Efforts to reduce drug use? Lots of blaming others but seemingly few efforts at self-improvement.”

Jordan: “I agree. The silence from leaders in the black community has been deafening. One cannot delegate personal responsibility. Forget blaming someone else for your failures.”

Gelly: “Any discussion about personal responsibility seems to be a no-no…not politically correct. Blaming someone else is OK but personal responsibility can’t be talked about.”

Jordan: “One of the best list of questions about personal responsibility that need to be discussed by and with the black community was put together by Bill O’Reilly.”

Gelly: “The Bill O’Reilly?”

Jordan: “Yes, the Bill O’Reilly. I often think O’Reilly is off in the weeds. But this time his commentary seemed to hit the nail on the head.”

Gelly: “You download a copy?”

Jordan: “No. Let me get the link. (pause) Here it is. The commentary is from 2016. It lasts about 5 minutes.”

Gelly: “I’m going to get a coffee, watch it, then let’s talk some more.”

(Continued)

#208 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 5 of 5)

10 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Gov't Policy, Societal Issues

≈ Leave a comment

Scene: Jordan’s Washington office. Conversation begins Entry #204.

Greenie: “Jordan, we’ve got to finish your fraternity brother’s list soon. I need to get back.”

Jordan: “Alright. The #10 reason to vote for the Donald, ‘Budget: Balance the Damn Thing.’”

Greenie: “That seems like a logical statement.”

Jordan: “It’s logical part of the time but not logical all the time.”

Greenie: “When’s it logical…and when’s it not logical?”

Jordan: “When do you think it’s logical?”

Greenie: “If I look at my own situation, I get more concerned about spending too much during times when the economy is not so good. I turn into a bean counter. So I guess when the economy is not doing well we should balance the budget, right?”

Jordan: “In the most diplomatic way I know, ‘you’re wrong.’”

Greenie: “But it seems as if everyone should cut back on spending when times are not as good. I don’t understand what’s not logical about that.”

Jordan: “First, and I’ll keep this short because of your limited time, the actions of government to help keep the economy healthy are exactly the opposite of actions of individuals.”

Greenie: “You mean as consumers cut back, the government should increase spending? Increased government spending will get the economy going again?”

Jordan: “Exactly.”

Greenie: “Never thought about it quite that way. But now I see why. If the government cuts back the same time as consumers, then incomes decline even more and spending would fall further. The economy would then get worse, a whole lot worse, not better.”

Jordan: “Why people don’t understand such a simple fact is beyond me. There is a ton of empirical evidence supporting that fact. Government should increase deficit spending in bad economic times and try to run a surplus in good economic times.”

Greenie: “Then why do Republicans keep harping on a balanced budget? The Trumpsters were not the first Republicans do make the claim about a balanced budget and some Republicans still are. Why?”

Jordan: “Because many Congressional reps and a lot of Republican voters do not understand the difference between macro and micro-economics. I can forgive someone who did not go to college for not understanding. But virtually all Congressional Representatives and Senators have advanced degrees. There is no excuse for not understanding the difference.”

Greenie: “Anything else about the deficit?”

Jordan: “Yes, there is a major difference in the required accounting method between government and business. If government could use the same accounting method as business, much of the deficit would disappear. At the same time, if business had to use the same accounting method as the government, profits for a lot of companies would become deficits.”

Greenie: “I believe you but the reasons are probably a bit arcane. Let’s save it for another day. What about reason #11?”

Jordan: “Foreign countries: stop giving them our money. Charge them for our help.”

Greenie: “What’s not logical about that idea?”

Jordan: “I assume the Trumpsters were talking about foreign aid. In broad terms foreign aid consists of three major chunks: (i) military related; (ii) assisting countries with economic development; (iii) Ex/Im Bank – export/import bank.”

Greenie: “Remember, keep this simple.”

Jordan: “Military-related would be expenditures for bases in say Germany, Japan and Korea. One can argue how long such bases should remain open but the US does get something in return for these expenditures — military bases on foreign soil. The bases allow the US to respond more quickly to threats to friendly nations and to threats to the US directly.”

Greenie: “So, if the US doesn’t believe the bases are worthwhile, then we should close them?”

Jordan: “Fair question that needs to be addressed by Congress. But it’s a complicated question without a simple answer.”

Greenie: “The other two chunks of foreign aid sound like some handout.”

Jordan: “Direct foreign aid is designed to help countries struggling with economic growth or stability. Just for fun, what percent of the budget goes for such aid?”

Greenie: “If the Trumpsters thought it was such an issue, it must be at least 10%…maybe 15% or 20%. Otherwise it doesn’t seem really worth talking about.”

Jordan: “Try less than 1.0%”

Greenie: “You mean like less than a penny per dollar? So what’s the big deal?”

Jordan: “The issue made the Trumpsters feel good I guess.”

Greenie: “But let’s say the US charged the countries for this aid. Why shouldn’t they pay?”

Jordan: “If the country could pay, they wouldn’t need the aid. Part of the reason for the aid is to buy ‘goodwill’ for the US. If the US doesn’t support these developing countries, enemies of the US will.”

Greenie: “A question then is whether buying some intangible like goodwill is worth the cost, even if it’s a penny.”

Jordan: “Think about Germany and Japan after WWII. What would those countries be like today without the Marshall Plan? What would Europe and Asia be like”

Greenie: “I see your point. What’s this bank thing?”

Jordan: “Ex/Im Bank – export/import bank. Part of the bank’s function is to lend money to developing countries to assist with buying US-made products.”

Greenie: “That seems like some sort of give-away program to those countries.”

Jordan: “Think of it as a way to increase US employment. Over the years, two of the largest beneficiaries have been Boeing and Caterpillar. A bunch of US companies have benefitted but Boeing and Cat have been in the group of big dogs.”

Greenie: “You said Ex/Im is some type of bank. Aren’t banks supposed to make money rather than give away money?”

Jordan: “Ex/Im generates more money for the US economy than it costs. Why the Trumpsters never understood that is beyond me.”

Greenie: “You think the lack of understanding the value of foreign aid contributed to the Revenge Revolution?”

Jordan: “When one does not understand the benefits of something…or even worse takes no time to try to understand…then it’s easy to be influenced by 10-second sound bites, negative advertising and talk-radio blowhards. The short answer, ‘yes,’ not understanding foreign aid contributed to the Revenge Revolution.”

Greenie: “What’s #12?”

Jordan: “’Fix the tax code.’”

Greenie: “I agree with that.”

Jordan: “So do I. The underlying issue is how to structure the tax code to: (i) generate enough income to run the government; (ii) be easy to understand; (iii) be fair to all income levels.”

Greenie: “You agree the tax code is too complicated, right?”

Jordan: “Yes. Here’s an idea. If the Trumpsters in 2016 and Republicans now really want to fix the tax code, then sit down with the Democrats and agree that the entire tax code has to be written on one sheet of 8.5’ x 11.0” paper – front and back – using 11 point font.”

Greenie: “You think that would work?”

Jordan: “The one sheet of paper would force both parties to think through the purpose of taxes and force compromises on both sides.”

Greenie: “Interesting idea. What’s the last one on the list?”

Jordan: “’#13, Respect our military and our flag.”

Greenie: “Sounds simple but what do you think that means?”

Jordan: “I don’t know. If the implication is the military is always right, then I can’t buy the argument. And neither could the Founding Fathers. The US military Commander-in-Chief is a civilian, not a military officer.”

Greenie: “What about respect for what the military does – protect the country.”

Jordan: “OK, but that’s what the military is for. Besides what about respect for protection provided by police and fire departments?”

Greenie: “You getting off track?”

Jordan: “Possibly but I get very upset by the implication that the military is above reproach. The military has some great people. And some bad ones. Folks, the military is an organization with good parts and not so good parts.”

Greenie: “Mmm. To the Trumpsters the military is a part of a government agency that should be highly respected. Yet other government agencies should not be respected and some even dismantled. Trumpster logic I guess.”

Jordan: “Trumpsters…well all of us…need to remember what the military is and what it is not. I think the respect for the military would increase significantly if the US reinstated conscription. Doing a stint in the military…or any kind of government service…provides a different perspective. ”

Greenie: “Conscription is controversial. Save that for another day. What about respect for the flag?”

Jordan: “I could be wrong, but my interpretation of Trumpster logic — respect for the flag is tied to respect for the military. Therefore anyone who opposes what the military supports…Vietnam, Iraq, for example…by implication doesn’t respect the flag. Trumpsters seem to link the two.”

Greenie: “While you were talking, I had a vision of the same conversation happening in say 1775. Would someone who didn’t respect the British military and the British flag be scorned by the Trumpsters? I mean those who didn’t respect it were the liberal rebels.”

Jordan: “With that comment Greenie, I think you answered the question if the statements and actions by the Trumpsters contributed to the Revenge Revolution.”

Greenie: “Thanks for the help Jordan. I’m outta here.”

#207 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 4)

06 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues

≈ Leave a comment

Scene: Jordan’s Washington office. Conversation begins Entry #204.

Greenie: “Back from the break. Let’s see if we can wrap up reviewing your friend’s list of ‘Reasons to vote for Trump.’”

Jordan: “We can try but there are seven (7) more to go.”

Greenie: “Alright. I’ll be patient. What’s the next reason?”

Jordan: “#7 on the list, ‘Culture: Constitution and Bill of Rights.”

Greenie: “Culture, culture. What do you suppose they meant? Culture can be a ‘way of thinking or behaving.’ Wonder if that’s what they meant?”

Jordan: “I’d say ‘yes.’ When Trumpsters said Constitution and Bill of Rights they usually meant ‘let’s go back to the 18^th Century.’”

Greenie: “So even though the Bill of Rights were not part of the original Constitution…and were added as Amendments #1-#10, the Trumpsters really meant that Amendments #11-#27 were added later and therefore should not count. Right?”

Jordan: “Probably, except the 2^nd Amendment, which should be considered in today’s terms.”

Greenie: “They want to revert to the 18^th Century except for the 2^nd Amendment. But for the 2^nd Amendment the definition of the right to bear arms should (i) ignore the original meaning of a well-regulated militia, which we now have with a standing military and police forces and (ii) include allowing almost anyone to easily buy and own a near replica of all weapons used by today’s infantry, whether Army or Marines. I’ll give credit to the Trumpsters for one thing. At least they were consistent.”

Jordan: “How so?”

Greenie: “Trumpsters would consistently pick an interpretation of a law that fit their need. The logic of the interpretation could vary from one law to the next and sometimes even for the same law, depending on circumstances. But they were consistently inconsistent.”

Jordan: “You mean like the first 10 Amendments should count as part of the Constitution but #11-#27 shouldn’t count?”

Greenie: “Especially exclude the 14^th Amendment since ‘those people’ have never deserved to be citizens. The 22^nd Amendment applied only if there was a Democratic president.”

Jordan: “Greenie, are you being overly cynical?”

Greenie: “I can understand some of the individual statements about why to vote for Trump. But you start to combine 3 or 4 of them, the approach is so out of whack it would not pass the first test in Logic 101.”

Jordan: “That’s because you think through issues and understand how the different issues are linked. When your decisions are based solely on emotion, logic does not matter. Think about the Rushman and talk radio. Logic just gets in the way.”

Greenie: “OK, what’s #8?”

Jordan: “And, #8 is, ‘Drug free: Mandatory drug screening before and during welfare.’ I guess that means…”

Greenie: “Guess? No reason to guess. Blacks, of course, are the cause of most of the drug problem in this country. Blacks also dominate the welfare rolls. Blacks won’t give up drugs. Therefore reduce the welfare rolls through drug tests. Plain and simple solution.”

Jordan: “But whites make up the majority of people on welfare. And whites make up a majority of people using illicit drugs.”

Greenie: “Doesn’t matter what the facts are. Blacks don’t deserve the same treatments as whites. Get blacks off the welfare rolls and a major spending issue solved. Get with it Jordan.”

Jordan: “You’re starting to sound like a Trumpster. What’s happened to you?”

Greenie: “I’ve seen the light. Seriously, you know I don’t support what I just said. But I agreed to write a series of articles about the causes of the Revenge Revolution. At least I need to understand all perspectives, especially the extreme right…and the extreme left.”

Jordan: “Now I’m the one getting confused…and frustrated. You really think the logic behind a drug testing program for welfare was to exclude blacks?”

Greenie: “Absolutely. When this list was written in 2016, blacks on welfare tended to be concentrated more in urban environments and those states leaned more toward Democrats. Whites on welfare were concentrated more in rural areas and many of those states leaned toward Republicans.”

Jordan: “You’re suggesting states with higher concentration of whites could circumvent any Federal law re welfare?”

Greenie: “Of course. Look at how Republican governors tried to circumvent the Affordable Care Act, even to the detriment of many tax-paying citizens in the state. Look at how Republican legislators tried to circumvent the SCOTUS ruling on abortion rights. And your wonderful state of North Carolina…”

Jordan: “Please, that’s where I live. I’m considered an illegal alien by many natives.”

Greenie: “Look how NC led the attack on legalizing discrimination against the LGBT community. The legislators and governor did not care how much money it cost the citizens or the state in lost revenue. The NC legislators had to uphold 18^th Century principles. Legislators in red states are so predictable.”

Jordan: “Make that red-state legislators were predictable. We’re seeing some change since the Revenge Revolution.”

Greenie: “What’s #9? I thought we could zip through the rest of these but I guess not.”

Jordan: “#9 is ‘Freebies: None to non-citizens.’”

Greenie: “I guess that means no welfare, no education for children, no ER treatment at hospitals…even if you have a green card, paying taxes and following all the rules to become a citizen.”

Jordan: “You think the Trumpsters meant to exclude people with green cards?”

Greenie: “I just interpret what I read. The term ‘freebie’ is not defined, of course. I just hope the Trumpsters never get ill and have to visit a doctor or hospital while travelling outside the US.”

Jordan: “Reciprocity would be a good lesson for the Trumpsters. ‘Sorry you’re ill but you need to return to the US for treatment of your appendicitis. Our government does not allow treatment of people who are not citizens of this country. Good luck on making it back.”

Greenie: “Now you’re being cynical. But I do like the idea of the Trumpsters getting the one-fingered salute. Should we try to tackle the rest of the list?

Jordan: “No. This looks like a good stopping point.”

(Continued)

#206 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 3)

02 Saturday Jul 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

≈ Leave a comment

Scene: Jordan’s Washington office. Conversation begins Entry #204.

Greenie: “I forgot, what were the 2^nd and 3^rd reasons to vote for the Donald?”

Jordan: “#2 was ‘Put God back in America’ and #3 was ‘Borders, closed and tightly guarded.’”

Greenie: “Let’s take #2, ‘Put God back in America.’ If I’m not mistaken, the founders of this country clearly separated church and state in the Constitution. What are the Trumpsters taking about?”

Jordan: “I suppose they believe…really I have no idea what they are talking about…other than they want the US to become a Christian nation.”

Greenie: “Sorta like some nations in the Middle East where Islam is the state religion? I guess they want the US to be like Saudi Arabia or Syria. How can the Trumpsters keep claiming the US should return to the Constitution as written originally and not understand the separation of church and state?”

Jordan: “Look, I’m equally confused by their reasoning. Let’s move on to #3 – borders.”

Greenie: “I assume they thought a 3,000 mile wall or 6,000 armed border patrol agents stationed every half mile would keep ‘those people’ out.”

Jordan: “I agree that immigration laws should be enforced. That’s pretty much standard procedure worldwide.”

Greenie: “True, but guess what? Republicans in Congress would not support an updated immigration bill that most US citizens considered fair and reasonable.”

Jordan: “Underlying the comment about borders seems to be desire to deport 10+ million undocumented immigrants.”

Greenie: “Were the 10+ million undocumented immigrants an issue? Yes. At the same time, many hard-core Republican businessmen exploited the immigrants. Did these business people press for new legislation or deportation?”

Jordan: “One of the reasons I’ve kept the list all these years is to remind myself how many people can be put in an absolute frenzy by claims with no supporting rationale…or even worse, flat-out lies. It’s like voodoo.”

Greenie: “This conversation is beginning to drive me nuts. But I agreed to write articles about causes of the Revenge Revolution. Let’s address a couple more reasons to vote for the Donald, then take a break.”

Jordan: “#4, ‘Congress: on the same health-care plan as everyone else.”

Greenie: “Since Republicans refuse to support single-payer national health-care, there are a zillion combinations of plans. If the reference point for Trumpsters is the same health-care plan as enjoyed by say senior corporate executives, Congress is probably being short-changed with their current plan.”

Jordan: “I think the Trumpsters meant the plans for the rest of us schmoes.”

Greenie: “But we schmoes have many plans. Which one do the Trumpsters want Congress to have? Yet, another statement with no explanation.”

Jordan: “Alright, #5. ‘Congress – obey its own laws. I assume that an example is members of Congress being exempt from insider trading laws.”

Greenie: “Hey, one Trumpster reason I can agree with. As for insider trading, why should Congress be exempt? The buying and selling of stocks has no bearing whatsoever on their role in Congress. The exemption is a real head scratcher.”

Jordan: “Why Greenie, how dare you think the need for an exemption is a sham? If I’m a Congressman, let’s set up an investigation of an industry or a company. Then make the finding either classified or suggest to DOJ, FBI or IRS to begin an investigation. And before the announcement becomes public…”

Greenie: “…either buy the stock if the news will be good…like a big juicy government contract…or sell shares short if news likely to be bad. And because we’re in Congress the ill-gotten gains are exempt from insider-trading laws.”

Jordan: “If company executives took the same actions, they would be charged with insider trading and subject to fines and/or jail time. Seems only fair that members of Congress should be exempt from insider trading laws.”

Greenie: “Such cynicism.”

Jordan: “You know what’s tragic. I doubt if many of the Trumpsters really knew how egregious some of the exemptions for Congress really were. The use of campaign funds in another classic exemption. Those kinds of exemptions legislated by Congress and for Congress, even if not understood widely, are some of the reasons…at least from my perspective…that we had the Revenge Revolution.”

Greenie: “Next reason for the Donald.”

Jordan: “#6 – English only.”

Greenie: “English only for what? English is already the language for international commerce. Another example — English is required for communications by all pilots on international flights.”

Jordan: “I think the Trumpsters’ point is immigrants in earlier years made an effort to learn English more quickly than today.”

Greenie: “Fact is many earlier immigrants never did learn English. My grandparents are a perfect example. When my parents weren’t around, I became their interpreter. Being their interpreter forced me to learn Yiddish, which I really didn’t appreciate until I got older.”

Jordan: “I understand what you’re saying. What I wonder is whether the Trumpsters ever thought about why there were enclaves of immigrants in major cities. In New York, you had Little Italy, Chinatown and a bunch of places where you were hard pressed to find signs in English, let alone anyone speaking English.”

Greenie: “The problem, if you want to call a non-English language a problem, goes away in a generation or two. If my grandparents spoke English, I probably never would have learned Yiddish. That’s true for 2^nd generation immigrants from most any country.”

Jordan: “What about requiring the immigrant learn English to become a citizen?”

Greenie: “Pardon me? Just how many Trumpsters could pass a citizenship test? Anyway, English has been a requirement for citizenship for many years. There are a couple of exemptions – certain disabilities and being above a certain age – 50 or 55. For the age exemption, which my grandparents qualified under, you also need to have been in the US for so many years. But that’s it for exemptions. The vast majority of people need to learn English to become a US citizen.”

Jordan: “Back to a repeating question as we analyze the list of reasons to vote for Trump – what’s the real issue?”

Greenie: “Jordan, the lack of logic in these reasons…maybe the lack of logic is the Trumpsters’ logic…is why I need a break.”

(Continued)

#205 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 2)

25 Saturday Jun 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

≈ Leave a comment

Scene: Jordan’s Washington office. Conversation begins Entry #204.

Greenie: “OK, I have my coffee. Before we go back over the list, a sidebar.”

Jordan: “That is.”

Greenie: “Understand Gelly is going on another cruise. Did I hear her correctly – Alaska?”

Jordan: “Yeah, she’s going with some long-time female buddies. Exactly where in Alaska I don’t know but she’s leaving in a couple of days.”

Greenie: “Sounds like great fun. How you going to get along without her?”

Jordan: “I’ll struggle but get by. She went on a cruise a couple of years ago…and I survived, barely.”

Greenie: “Let me know if you need any help. Now, back to the list from your fraternity brother of reasons to vote for the Donald. Start at the top?”

Jordan: “Yes. We need to make sure we do ‘point’ and ‘counter-point’ for the items on the list.”

Greenie: “You going to be the Trumpster or am I?”

Jordan: “I’ll be the Trumpster. #1 reason to vote for the Donald – ‘Make sure Hillary is accountable.’ At the time, I assume that meant accountable for Benghazi, email server and who knows what else they were claiming.”

Greenie: “This might be one of the few points I agreed with the Trumpsters on…providing”

Jordan: “…providing what?”

Greenie: “Providing the rules for Hillary apply to the Republicans in Congress and members of the President’s cabinet.”

Jordan: “Let’s take emails. She used her personal server and she transferred classified info. She committed a felony and should be sent to jail. No need for a trial. She admitted she was guilty.”

Greenie: “Whoa, Bubba. First, there’s no proof any classified information was compromised.”

Jordan: “Doesn’t matter. She’s guilty. Off to jail.”

Greenie: “A substantial portion of the material in question was not designated ‘classified’ when she emailed it. The material was designated ‘classified’ sometime later. How can you prosecute someone retroactively?”

Jordan: “She never asked if she could use a personal server. She broke the rules. Jail time.”

Greenie: “Do you agree that the President’s Cabinet officials should be subject to the same rules?”

Jordan: “Of course. But nobody in Reagan’s cabinet used a personal server.”

Greenie: “Excuse me, Mr. Trumpster. There wasn’t email when Reagan was president.”

Jordan: “I know. But Reagan was considered the gold standard among many Trumpsters.”

Greenie: “What about illegal activity by someone in Bush 43’s cabinet?”

Jordan: “Nothing to the extent of Hillary. She’s the absolute worst offender.”

Greenie: “What about knowingly disclosing top-secret information to someone not authorized to receive it? Should that be punished?”

Jordan: “That’s why Hillary should do jail time.”

Greenie: “If you feel that way, then let’s go find General Petraeus and put him in jail. He disclosed secret info while head of the CIA.”

Jordan: “We don’t know if he used email. So there.”

Greenie: “No, it was worse. He gave away hard copy. Since you don’t want to put Petraeus in jail, then give Hillary the same sentence the General got…nothing. Now, move on.”

Jordan: “Let’s pause for a minute. How are we going to address all the points on the list? We could be here all day, spout BS and not really accomplish much.”

Greenie: “Jordan, I’m not spouting BS, just trying to point out the facts.”

Jordan: “The arguments supporting the ‘Why Vote for Trump’ list remind me of the teenage son who was in an accident. He tells his father the other person drove right out in front of him. What he failed to tell his father is the other person had the right of way.”

Greenie: “That story reminds me of a radio program from years ago. Paul Harvey had a show titled, ‘The Rest of the Story.’ The show filled in the gaps on a variety of events and stories.”

Jordan: “Maybe we should try the Paul Harvey approach. Let’s try telling the rest of the story.”

Greenie: “OK, then go back and start with Hillary. I agree she made some decisions that in retrospect, could have used better judgment. The email server was probably the classic.”

Jordan: “As far as I know, the email server and all the actions the Republicans claimed to be illegal during the campaign had been investigated thoroughly. No criminal behavior was found.”

Greenie: “Obviously, some Republicans didn’t like the outcomes of the investigations but she was cleared of any criminal offense.”

Jordan: “One of the murkier issues that kept cropping up before the election…and even after the election…was money being funneled to the Clinton Foundation for actions while she was Secretary of State. Republicans alleged she provided favors for certain individuals and the recipients then made contributions to the Clinton Foundation. Republicans claimed that was illegal.”

Greenie: “Let’s talk about the rest of the story. I would like to know the difference between what she did…if it’s true…and what members of Congress do nearly every day either for someone who makes a large donation to the campaign or promises to make a large donation?”

Jordan: “That doesn’t make such actions right.”

Greenie: “I agree. But look who’s calling the kettle black. Or if that’s too subtle, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander…except if you’re a Republican. What’s the difference? In my view, there is no difference between what Hillary allegedly did and what Congressional Representatives and Senators do to this day. C’mon, these guys need to get real.”

Jordan: “Seems as if the Republicans are forgetting the rest of the story, which is a good segue to the Donald. What about holding him accountable for previous actions?”

Greenie: “You mean like defrauding investors and stiffing vendors. Paying less to vendors than what you legitimately owe is called…ah, stealing. Last I looked stealing was a felony that people do jail time for.”

Jordan: “Greenie, you don’t understand. For Trumpsters, stiffing vendors is a smart business decision.”

Greenie: “It’s a smart business decision until you’re the one getting screwed. Do the Trumpsters ever wonder why major banks and investment houses won’t deal with him? Why many suppliers won’t sell to the Donald?”

Jordan: “What about 3^rd parties that checked his claims made during speeches and his tweets…”

Greenie: “…then giving him the ‘Pants on Fire Award.’ Why not make him accountable for what he claimed to be the truth?”

Jordan: “You and I both know the Trumpsters didn’t care about facts. Trumpsters were obsessed with hating Hillary.”

Greenie: “OK, we’ve now spent time on the 1^st of 13 reasons why to vote for the Donald. Have we made any real progress?”

Jordan: “You tell me. You’re writing articles about causes of the Revenge Revolution. Is this type conversation helpful?”

Greenie: “Let’s address a couple more items on the list, then decide.”

(Continued)

#204 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 1)

18 Saturday Jun 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does

≈ 4 Comments

Scene: Jordan’s Washington office.

Gelly (Jordan’s assistant): “Jordan, excuse me. You have a visitor you’ll be glad to see.”

Jordan: “Greenie. Great to see you and great to see you’re up and about the world.”

Greenie: “Nice to see you Jordan. Happy to be out of the house. Recuperating was a pain in the you-know-what.”

Jordan: “This a social visit?”

Greenie: “Stopped by to thank you for all your help. You and JC did a wonderful job in getting information for my upcoming articles on the causes of the Revenge Revolution.”

Jordan: “We had a fun and interesting time. Been a while since I spent that much time with JC.”

Greenie: “Like old home week, huh? Anyway, I need one more favor, please. When I look at information from 2016 – articles, surveys, etc. – I’m still confused by the rationale people used to justify voting for Trump. I just don’t understand it.”

Jordan: “I would characterize much of the justification as having no support or rationale. Most of the Trumpites just didn’t want to listen.”

Greenie: “Seems as if a fairly large group was so anti-Hillary that they were willing to throw all logic to the wind.”

Jordan: “I hear you. Even some seemingly well-educated people drank the anti-Hillary Kool-Aid.”

Greenie: “I can understand why people might not like her. But you want a president that’s smart, understands issues and has some reasonable solutions. As far as the Donald…”

Jordan: “Here’s a perfect example of what you’re talking about. I’ve kept a copy of this email since receiving in mid-2016.”

Greenie: “Is it from the RNC, NRA or one of those?”

Jordan: “No. From a fraternity brother in undergrad.”

Greenie: “What’s the email say?”

Jordan: “The email lists reasons why someone should vote for Trump.”

Greenie: “And, #10 is?”

Jordan: “Actually, there are 13 reasons and I’m not sure there in hierarchical order other than the last one. Here goes: (1) Hold Hillary accountable for her previous wrongs. (2) Put ‘GOD’ back in America. (3) Borders: closed or tightly guarded. (4) Congress: On the same retirement and healthcare plans as everybody else. (5) Congress: obey its own laws, NOW! (6) Language: English only. (7) Culture: Constitution and Bill of Rights. (8) Drug Free: Mandatory drug screening before and during welfare. (9) Freebies: None to non-citizens. (10) Budget: Balance the damn thing. (11) Foreign Countries: stop giving them our money! Charge them for our help! We need it here. (12) Fix the TAX CODE! (13) And most of all, Respect our military and our flag.”

Greenie: “Was there any explanation of what these statements were intended to mean?”

Jordan: “No, just proclamations. ‘I’m in charge and this is what I want.’ Like someone with a pair of six shooters…plus one. Rapid fire, no reasoning. Want to go back to the beginning and discuss each one further?”

Greenie: “Yes, but I need some coffee first. I’ll check with Gelly. Want a cup?”

Jordan: “Yes, please. Thanks.”

(Continued)

#203 Reliving Archie Bunker (Part 4 of 4)

11 Saturday Jun 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Education Issues, Gov't Policy, Societal Issues

≈ Leave a comment

Scene: Coffee shop near Jordan’s office in Washington, DC. Jordan meeting with JC, a long-time friend. They have been discussing a range of topics about the causes of the Revenge Revolution, one of which was the polarization caused by various laws. A person at the next table interrupts them. Conversation starts entry #201. More about North Carolina law referenced, entry #200.

Jordan: “So, Jacko, you think the only people who really do something for this country are those pick up a rifle. You really believe that?”

Jacko: “Yep.”

Jordan: “What about the doctors and nurses who treated you…especially the medic who was in combat? Did they really do something for the country?”

Jacko: “Well, yes.”

Jordan: “What about the people who made your uniforms, ammunition, assembled the vehicles?”

Jacko: “Yes, I suppose so.”

Jordan: “What about policemen, firemen?”

Jacko: “Yes, yes.”

Jordan: ““Ever see the movie ‘Schindler’s List’?”

Jacko: “No, but I know what it’s about.”

Jordan: “Then what about people like Oskar Schindler and others who risked their lives to help someone they had no real connection to. How do you view them?”

Jacko: “Gutsy, real gutsy people. But I don’t know where you’re headed with these questions.”

Jordan: “If someone like Schindler were transgender, would you think any less of him or her for what they did?”

Jacko: “Never thought about it that way.”

Jordan: “Society cannot just discriminate arbitrarily or because the majority doesn’t like some group. At the same time society has to be reasonable making rules and laws.”

Jacko: “I’ll grant you that we can’t just pick groups to discriminate against. But what about the bathroom issue? To me that’s the most important issue when we talk about those people.”

JC: “Those people meaning transgenders?”

Jacko: “OK, transgenders.”

JC: “Jacko, are you concerned about women dressed as men peeing in the men’s room?”

Jacko: “I’m more concerned for having men in women’s restrooms…and locker rooms.”

JC: “Are you a woman?”

Jacko: “Well, no.”

JC: “Then why not let women decide who can pee in the women’s room. I get tired of men claiming to have the best interest of women in mind when men haven’t a clue what it’s like to be a woman.”

Jordan: “See, Jacko, I told you she was Miss Diplomatic.”

JC: “You don’t have a clue either, Jordan. Would you guys quit pandering me and the women in your lives? Women face all kinds of safety issues around men. Women start getting leered at and harassed as teenagers…and I’m not sure it ever stops.”

Jordan: “Are you complaining about being a woman?”

JC: “No I’m very happy being a woman. I’m just saying women face a different set of issues than men.”

Jacko: “But we’re just looking out for women’s safety.”

JC: “In my most diplomatic way, why don’t you guys please let women decide women’s issues? We don’t need your help, thank you.”

Jordan: “Well, what about men in women’s restrooms and locker rooms?”

JC: “Look, I’m not naïve. Some jerk will probably put on a dress and claim to be a trans. But life is filled with trade-offs…and more so for women than men.”

Jordan: “So, you’re OK with transgender men in women’s restrooms and locker rooms?”

JC: “For now, yes. Earlier in this conversation we talked about the Department of Education directive. Middle school and high-school transgender boys can’t just arbitrarily go into women’s restrooms and locker rooms. The school has to be notified first and some agreement worked out.”

Jordan: “True, and most of the angst about men in women’s locker rooms seems to be directed at kids past puberty.”

JC: “From what I’ve read and seen, most trans-men are gentle souls. Think about it. Why would a guy want to dress like a woman, knowing he’ll be harassed and abused in an all-male restroom or locker room? Seems to me we should at least acknowledge that transgenders are gutsy people. You might not agree with them but they are gutsy.”

Jacko: “Alright. I don’t like it but I’ll agree that transgenders are gutsy. And I’ll agree to let women take the lead on this issue.”

JC: “Am I hearing things OK?”

Jacko: “Yes you are. As a Republican I’m in favor of smaller government and less regulation. Maybe the Republicans should practice what they preach. Let’s get government out of restrooms…”

JC: “…and bedrooms.”

Jordan: “Well, at least we reached some agreement. Jacko, thank you for stopping. I enjoyed the conversation.”

JC: “Me, too. And, Jacko, I won’t accuse you of being Archie Bunker anymore.”

Jacko: “Don’t go too far, JC. Archie’s one of my idols.”

#202 Reliving Archie Bunker (Part 3)

04 Saturday Jun 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Education Issues, Societal Issues

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JC: “OK, I feel better. You guys were talking about some guys in high school being too embarrassed to take showers. I’m missing the point.”

Jordan: “My point is in my youth some teenage boys were great at humiliating other teenage boys. Some boys were so humiliated they would not undress in front of other boys.”

Jacko: “I’d really forgotten about that. For some kids it didn’t matter whether another guy or gal was in the room, they were too embarrassed to undress.”

Jordan: “What about the other extreme in the boy’s locker room. If you were a transgender dressed as a guy but had female genitalia, would you want to undress in front of a bunch of horny teenagers?”

JC: “I can tell you right now, even a hooker wouldn’t want to be in a locker room with a bunch of teenage boys.”

Jordan: “Jacko, see, she’s always the diplomat.”

Jacko: “Turn the situation around. What about a guy in the women’s locker room? That seems more dangerous.”

Jordan: “Dangerous for whom?”

Jacko: “The girls. What if the guy is 6’4” and 230 pounds?”

JC: “You think that 6’4” guy is going to put on a dress and no one will notice? C’mon, let’s be reasonable.”

Jacko: “For me, men in the women’s locker room is the real issue.”

JC: “If people actually read the directive from Department of Education, parents of transgender students needed to notify the school first. The directive did not allow men to claim arbitrarily to be a woman and therefore enter women’s locker rooms or women’s restrooms…and vice versa.”

Jacko: “But what if men do enter women’s locker rooms…or restrooms?”

Jordan: “There is nothing now preventing men from entering women’s locker rooms and restrooms…except a few laws. The ordinance in Charlotte and the Department of Education directive did not give men a right to molest women.”

Jacko: “But these drag queens…”

JC: “Jacko, please. Transgenders.”

Jacko: “OK, they’re not drag queens. The transgenders. I mean how many are there? We seem to be letting a small group trump the rights of the majority. I thought majority ruled.”

Jordan: “I admit there probably aren’t many transgender students.”

Jacko: “See, you agree. Majority rules. Why let the tail wag the dog?”

JC: “Another Archie Bunkerism.”

Jacko: “I’ll ignore that comment.”

Jordan: “OK, let’s use your logic and apply it to other situations.”

Jacko: “Like what?”

Jordan: “You a veteran?”

Jacko: “Yep and proud of it.”

Jordan: “Were you drafted?”

Jacko: “No, volunteered.”

Jordan: “Were you injured while on active duty?”

Jacko: “Yes, that’s why I limp a bit. Where you going with this?”

Jordan: “What percent of the population do you think enters the military?”

Jacko: “A lot smaller than it used to be. Maybe 1 in 20 right now, maybe less.”

Jordan: “Call it 1 in 20, or 5.0%. How many people who enter the military end up with injuries that cause some disability…like your limp?”

Jacko: “I’ll say 1 in 10, but that’s probably high.”

Jordan: “Alright, do you think disabled veterans should get some sort of special treatment?”

Jacko: “Of course. We’re a special group.”

Jordan: “Let’s see if I get this right. You volunteered for something. No one forced you. You got injured…and now you want special treatment. Oh, yes, the whole group you belong to is less than ½ of 1% of the population – probably about the same as transgenders.”

Jacko: “Buddy, I don’t like your attitude. You must be some kind of screaming liberal. Vets deserve special treatment. We’re real Americans.”

JC: “Jacko, relax. I think you are missing the point. No one is saying your time in service was not important. But what I’m hearing you say is one very small group is more important and deserves more rights than another very small group.”

Jacko: “But those cross dressers…transgenders have never done anything for this country.”

Jordan: “What do you think real Americans do for this country?”

Jacko: “Picking up a rifle.”

Jordan: “Now I need a break.”

#201 Reliving Archie Bunker (Part 2)

29 Sunday May 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Education Issues, Societal Issues

≈ 2 Comments

Scene: Coffee shop near Jordan’s office in Washington, DC. Jordan meeting with JC, a long-time friend. They have been discussing a range of topics about the causes of the Revenge Revolution, one of which was the polarization caused by various laws. More about North Carolina law referenced, entry #200.

Person Sitting at Next Table: “Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. And, you know what? You’re dead wrong.”

JC: “And you are?”

Person: “My name is Jack O’Brien. Most people call me Jacko.”

JC: “Was that Jacko or Wacko?”

Jordan: “Careful, JC.”

Jacko: “Trying to be funny, lady? I think you and your buddy here are wackos. You got it all wrong.”

JC: “OK, Jacko, what’s ‘it’ and what do we have wrong?”

Jacko: “That bill in North Carolina that protects people from those predators. Why can’t you support it? Seems like common sense to me.”

JC: “What predators?”

Jacko: “Those cross dressers, the gays. All those BLT’s or whatever they call ‘em.”

JC: “Do you mean LGBT’s?”

Jacko: “I guess so. What does BLT stand for again?”

JC: “It’s LGBT and it stands for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender.”

Jacko: “What’s wrong with those folks? They’re all weird. I stay away from those people.”

Jordan: “Jacko, you know anyone who’s gay or transgender?”

Jacko: “Just one as far as I know. My nephew claims to be gay but I don’t believe him.”

JC: “You don’t believe him or you don’t want to believe him?”

Jacko: “He just shouldn’t be like that.”

JC: “Like what?”

Jacko: “Like claiming he’s in love with some other guy. I don’t get it.”

Jordan: “This conversation is beginning to remind me of an old Archie Bunker show.”

Jacko: “Whadda mean? I liked Archie Bunker.”

Jordan: “OK, you liked Archie Bunker. Do you like your nephew?”

Jacko: “He was a good kid until he said he was…was gay.”

JC: “And what changed about him when he said he was gay? Did he look different? Did he act different?”

Jacko: “Nothing else changed. I guess he’s the same person he was before.”

Jordan: “Now, let’s suppose he said rather than being gay he wanted to become a woman?”

JC: “Yeah, he said that all his life he felt as if he was a woman inside a man’s body. How would you react then?”

Jacko: “I don’t know. That all seems so goofy to me. I don’t get it.”

Jordan: “I’m sure there are things about you that seem goofy to him.”

Jacko: “OK, so he wants to become a woman. But does that give him the right to go in the women’s restroom? Or, even worse, into the women’s locker room?”

JC: “Wanna know what I think?”

Jacko: “Tell me what’s your name again?”

JC: “Never told you. I’m JC and he’s Jordan.”

Jacko: “OK, JC, what do you think?”

JC: “I think there’s no simple solution. Both sides have some valid points. A lot of life is not black and white, but gray. And a lot of laws are gray.”

Jacko: “Laws are pretty clear to me.”

JC: “Some laws are clear. Other laws include such phrases as ‘reasonable man…or reasonable person.’ So let’s take the bathroom and locker room situation and see what’s reasonable.”

Jacko: “I’ll tell you what’s reasonable. I don’t want some pervert guy dressed as a woman in the restroom with my granddaughter.”

JC: “I agree. But go to your comment about common sense. Parents should not let younger children be alone in public restrooms, period.”

Jordan: “Let me chime in. There are laws already on the books to prosecute child molesters.”

Jacko: “Those laws don’t stop molesters.”

Jordan: “I agree and that’s my point. Now, think about some high-profile cases of child molestation from just a few years ago. But these cases were not against children of the opposite sex…but molestation of the same sex. The coach at Penn State…forgot his name…”

Jacko: “…Jerry Sandusky…”

Jordan: “Sandusky, right. How many young men did he molest? And then there was Dennis Hastert. He was a wrestling coach in high school, then ran for Congress and a few years later became Speaker of the House. How many boys did he molest?”

Jacko: “What about men in women’s locker rooms?”

Jordan: “Do you recall locker rooms in high school? Might be different today but I doubt it.”

Jacko: “I remember those days. Several guys I knew were embarrassed to take showers in front of other guys. Some even skipped showers.”

JC: “Where is this conversation headed? Before you answer, I need a break. Excuse me, please.”

(Continued)

usrevolution5

~ USA Headed for a 5th Revolution! Why?

Author Archives: Jordan Abel

#210 The Blame Game (Part 2)

#209 The Blame Game (Part 1)

#208 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 5 of 5)

#207 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 4)

#206 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 3)

#205 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 2)

#204 Why Vote for the Donald (Part 1)

#203 Reliving Archie Bunker (Part 4 of 4)

#202 Reliving Archie Bunker (Part 3)

#201 Reliving Archie Bunker (Part 2)