The Control of Laws

 

So many people are up in arms over gun control.  But is it really about controlling guns.  Think again, Laws do not control inanimate objects.  Laws control the people that use these objects.

Most universal example in the laws governing speed of vehicles.  Do speeding laws keep cars from going to fast or slow.  No the laws are designed to keep the vehicle operator within certain boundaries.  The laws are about people control.

Do these laws prevent cars from driving to fast?  No, The car has no idea of what to slow or fast is.  The law is aimed at the driver, to control the driver’s behavior.  The law tells the driver if he violates the law there will be consequences.  Does the law prevent the driver from going to fast?  Even if the consequences are loss of operators license, do the vehicles operate within the law.

If a person does not want to obey the law, they will use excuses to justify their behavior of violating laws.

So how effective are laws in preventing certain behaviors? 

Look at driving.  How many are in jail for vehicular manslaughter.  Most have had previous convections of driving to fast, driving while impaired and operating without a driver’s license.

Based on that I would say that the laws to control vehicle operation have not been real successful.  Just drive down the roadway, watch the erratic behavior of some drivers.  Yet there are laws to prevent that behavior.

Most laws that are passed are failures.  Think you could get a lawmaker to admit that?

 

So what prevents certain behavior in people.  Does the removal of inanimate objects stop certain behaviors?  From time immemorial man has violated other man in some form or other.  Why is it that all people do not violate others.  They can drive a car, have no problems and operate it with courtesy. 

It is an inner motivation for caring for others.  It is not controlled by laws, it is an internal compass that has evolved over their growth in life.  Many were tutored in Christian values that arise out of the Ten Commandments.

There is nothing that says they have to obey these rules, it has become their choice to follow these rules.

Ex 20:13 “You shall not murder. z 
Ex 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery. a 
Ex 20:15 “You shall not steal. b 
Ex 20:16 “You shall not give false testimony c  against your neighbor. d 
Ex 20:17 “You shall not covet e  your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

These are from the book of Exodus, (NIV).

God knew his creation would make mistakes and he provided consequences for those mistakes.  His rules were not meant to prevent a certain behavior.  Rather provide a guideline on how to live with others.

Look at the last commandment, I starts, “You Shall Not covet.”  What does covet mean?

Does it mean the government can take you property, through taxes, consequences or by law if they do not like how you behave?

Now look at of the laws that have been passed by this country that are designed to control you behavior?  Have any of them prevented you from behaving in a certain manner?  What has prevented you from behaving in certain ways?

Laws are the most oppressive form of government available to mankind. 

God gave man 10 commandments, then later added a few rules, which became known as Mosaic Law.  Later the Jews started what was called the Torah.    Look how oppressive that became to the Hebrews.  And did that really stop the Hebrews from acting in their chosen manners.

As laws are passed, your freedoms are lost.  Your choices are eliminated.  Even taxes limit your freedoms.  When you pay taxes, what choices do you have?  You have only one choice, give your money to the government.

Laws no no boundaries, they apply to all equally.  Whether you are right or left, the law applies the same.  Many laws are like abandoned buildings, not much use any more but they are there t control people.  The 20th Amendment is the best example of people control.  Look what happened?  What gun control laws would of prevented the speakeasy era of the 1920’s.

I would like to see a 100% prevention rider on laws that it would prevent people from acting crazy.  If lawmakers want a control law, give me a 100% guarantee.

A White Christmas it Was….. So

 

Flakes of snow began floating down late Monday eve.  A snow Squall line was passing by over head.  Ever so gently did the flakes drift down.  Soon it was a white mantle, covering the earth.  As quickly as it began the squall line passed.  Clear blackness lay overhead, punctured by sparks of blue.  A landing strip for Santa was at the ready.

Early next morning was cold and crisp with more flakes finding their way ground ward.  It was a gentle floating of flakes with occasional swirls spinning over the grasses, clearing the drive.  In peace and contempment I took my coffee and say in front of the window watching God’s wonders at work. 

Here was the day set aside to remember the birth of God’s son, Christ.  A peace laid over the land as the flakes continued to fall.  In an earth full of turmoil and strife, this moment was full of peace.  The grace of Christ covered the land.  . 

Christmas came in like a lamb, very peaceful did the day begin and throughout the day the calm prevailed.

I sat in wonder as the day unfolded.  God provided the ideal day to say thanks for the virgin birth.

This morning was cold and frosty.  A silvery white frosting had been left behind.

Merry Christmas

Step into the Parlor.  While we wait for the crunching hooves on the snow.  We can play a board game, maybe sing some carols to the sounds of the piano or we can just sit and visit.  Hot cider is on, maybe a cup of wassail or some hot chocolate.

May the God of peace and serenity bless you and your family this Christmas.

Snow Day

 

Today is the day, the blizzard is here.  The day many farmers and ranchers have been hoping for.  Snow makes for hazards but for the land it is nourishment.   It has been so dry that the water is dusty. 

So take a few and punch out a few keys on the keyboard and write something about something.

I have been writing some stories for the local tourism people to post on their website about the ghost towns in the area.  In the process I have found a variety of old and interesting things.   Mostly old machinery and buildings.  Other day I was visiting with a rancher whose grandfather had operated a post office out of his ranch house in the early 1900’s. 

Hanging on their wall was a relic from Mabel’s time of the barb wire network.  Two short rings was Esther's, a long ring n a short was Mildred’s, two shorts and one long ring was Evelyn’s and any one else that wanted to listen in.  Party line central it was.  News of the neighborhood was broadcast far and wide over the barb wire.

Wonder if the kids today could operate something so primitive.  They would probably ask how to boot it up.

During my journeys into the out back I have some interesting companions, watchers.  Hunting season is still on so they are a bit skittish. 

Have been lucky to find a few ghosts here and there.  The knock at the door, opening and closing, footsteps over the floor.  Check on the door and it locked, no one is in the house.  Then there is frank, he hangs in the side room.  It is amazing some of the stories that people have about their unseen room mates.

Look closely, there is a shadow in the front window and there have been reports of lights in there at night.

Always did enjoy the stories of Caspar. 

Well the ground has turned white where the snow can collect.  The wind is blowing the rest down Texas way.

Building Murals

 

Climbing up the scaffolding I would watch the painter briefly as he scampered around, admiring his work in progress.  The wall was being transformed.  No longer would it be a mundane building sitting on the corner of Main and the old highway.  The spirit of the community was being placed on the wall.  Soon the figures of the towns heritage would look out across the way.

In my travels I have run across many a mural painted on a variety of structures.  This mural here is on the side of a store, AKA chocolate factory.  It depicts the early days of the the town when it came into existence in the late 1800’s.

Old Colorado City sits at the base of Pikes Peak and here is where the gold ore from the mountain was processed.  It was a rough and tumble town of the gold rush.  Businesses prospered as the mill workers and freight handlers have lots of disposable income. 

One side of the street was the goody tow shoe side, the other was the side of ill repute.  Gun fights were not unusual but it was mostly bare knuckles in the saloon and alleys.  To the lusty side would go the merchants and bankers but not by the sidewalk.  Instead tunnels were built under the street so the bankers…. etc. could discreetly go over to the saloon or house of ill repute and indulge in the businesses over there.

In the 1860’s Colorado City was the territorial capital of Colorado.  Today it is a part of Colorado Springs and one of many tourist traps around the area.

Like many tourist traps it has it beauty and this recent mural has a certain attraction and reflects the old village pretty good.

 

Are there any murals in your area that have been recently painted?

Death and Dying

 

Every time some one I know passes on I pause for a bit and ponder.  A moment of sorrow yet it is joy for no longer are they in this world.  Behind is their loved ones, family, relatives and friends.  Over the years as I edge closer to the end it gives me pause.  I have lost family and friends much younger then I and wonderment crosses the thoughts.

I have watched death at bedside that was like an eternity.  Then there are those that are here and a moment later are gone.  In all its shapes, death has its own life, a style that is unique.  Go for the gusto many say, or the others who want to live forever.  The extremes tugging at the ends of the string.  Some trying to stretch life like an elastic band.  Others who defy the Grim reaper.

Left behind are the living.  Grief and sorrow fill their lives for a time.  The closer the attachment is the longer the sorrow lingers.  For the real close family member a void is left that is not filled.  Coping with life becomes a journey for many that have lost very close ones.

The wail of the ambulance rolls over the noises of life, the hammer of the chopper as it flies in.  Hope that broken parts can be mended.  Sometimes the damage is beyond repair.  Comfort is given as much as possible, pain is eased, people are called it is not pleasant times.  The hospice is prepared.  Now what, a junction is reached, decisions to be made.  In the worst of times, that one moment that one has not prepared for nor expected, is on the doorstep. 

We are but passengers on the spaceship earth for a short journey, It is a quote I have heard at times.  It is so appropriate.  In the scheme of things my time here is limited.  I may be able to delay the inevitable but I can not stop it. 

To that end I justify death.  For many it is merciful, others, should of not happened.  But happen, that it does.

Nature or Marx….?

There is a time to reflect back and look at things from the past.  Ralph Waldo Emerson was considered a brilliant philosopher of his time, Mid 1800’s.  In the 60’s a lots of the hippies adopted him for their mantra.  Emerson wanted to live a quiet life in the woods.  His contemporary, Henry Thoreau was of like mind.  The hippies wanted to live in communes and share their toils being one happy family.  Don’t believe any of those communes lasted very long, for a variety of reasons.  But look at what Emerson had to say.

From this transfer of the world into the consciousness, this beholding of all things in the mind, follow easily his whole ethics. It is simpler to be self-dependent. The height, the deity of man is, to be self-sustained, to need no gift, no foreign force. Society is good when it does not violate me; but best when it is likest to solitude. Everything real is self-existent. Everything divine shares the self-existence of Deity. All that you call the world is the shadow of that substance which you are, the perpetual creation of the powers of thought, of those that are dependent and of those that are independent of your will. Do not cumber yourself with fruitless pains to mend and remedy remote effects; let the soul be erect, and all things will go well. You think me the child of my circumstances: I make my circumstance. Let any thought or motive of mine be different from that they are, the difference will transform my condition and economy. I -- this thought which is called I, -- is the mould into which the world is poured like melted wax. The mould is invisible, but the world betrays the shape of the mould. You call it the power of circumstance, but it is the power of me. Am I in harmony with myself? my position will seem to you just and commanding. Am I vicious and insane? my fortunes will seem to you obscure and descending. As I am, so shall I associate, and, so shall I act; Caesar's history will paint out Caesar. Jesus acted so, because he thought so. I do not wish to overlook or to gainsay any reality; I say, I make my circumstance: but if you ask me, Whence am I? I feel like other men my relation to that Fact which cannot be spoken, or defined, nor even thought, but which exists, and will exist.

 

To be self dependent, does not mean to be dependent of government yet this is how the socialists of the 60’s have corrupted their ideals.  What’s interesting is lots of these people accepted Marx’s teaching and wanted the ideal world he espoused.  Marx and Emerson are at other ends of the spectrum.  Emerson talks about being at one with nature.  This has a wide appeal to those who want to be natural, IE the hippies.  Today many of these people are some of the government bureaucrats and lawmakers wanting to tell people how to live.

 

The Transcendentalist adopts the whole connection of spiritual doctrine. He believes in miracle, in the perpetual openness of the human mind to new influx of light and power; he believes in inspiration, and in ecstasy. He wishes that the spiritual principle should be suffered to demonstrate itself to the end, in all possible applications to the state of man, without the admission of anything unspiritual; that is, anything positive, dogmatic, personal. Thus, the spiritual measure of inspiration is the depth of the thought, and never, who said it? And so he resists all attempts to palm other rules and measures on the spirit than its own.

 

Emerson states that one should resist imposing rules on others.  That one should be allowed to live within their own rules as given by the spirit.  Not many people walk this way.  So many have notions on how others should live, both right and left wing philosophies, and for to the government to impose their beliefs on others.  The biggest imposition of others onto others is morality.  The 20^th amendment is a good example of imposing ones views onto others.  Wasn’t very successful, in fact it created an era of lawlessness.  Oh this imposition came from the right, the holy temperance people.

You will see by this sketch that there is no such thing as a Transcendental "party;" that there is no pure Transcendentalist; that we know of none but prophets and heralds of such a philosophy; that all who by strong bias of nature have leaned to the spiritual side in doctrine, have stopped short of their goal. We have had many harbingers and forerunners; but of a purely spiritual life, history has afforded no example. I mean, we have yet no man who has leaned entirely on his character, and eaten angels' food; who, trusting to his sentiments, found life made of miracles; who, working for universal aims, found himself fed, he knew not how; clothed, sheltered, and weaponed, he knew not how, and yet it was done by his own hands. Only in the instinct of the lower animals, we find the suggestion of the methods of it, and something higher than our understanding. The squirrel hoards nuts, and the bee gathers honey, without knowing what they do, and they are thus provided for without selfishness or disgrace.

 

Emerson is fascinating in that he espouses just the opposite of how the left wants to live.  Yet it was the generation of the 60’s lefties that proclaimed Emerson as being the person to live by.

 

Society also has its duties in reference to this class, and must behold them with what charity it can. Possibly some benefit may yet accrue from them to the state. In our Mechanics' Fair, there must be not only bridges, ploughs, carpenters' planes, and baking troughs, but also some few finer instruments, -- raingauges, thermometers, and telescopes; and in society, besides farmers, sailors, and weavers, there must be a few persons of purer fire kept specially as gauges and meters of character; persons of a fine, detecting instinct, who betray the smallest accumulations of wit and feeling in the bystander. Perhaps too there might be room for the exciters and monitors; collectors of the heavenly spark with power to convey the electricity to others. Or, as the storm-tossed vessel at sea speaks the frigate or `line packet' to learn its longitude, so it may not be without its advantage that we should now and then encounter rare and gifted men, to compare the points of our spiritual compass, and verify our bearings from superior chronometers.

 

Emerson says be a participant in society, contribute.  He does not espouse about being a leech.  He truly expected people to work for their livelihood and there should be a variety of doors for people to enter into for a productive society.

The other thing to look at is his reference to a higher power and spirituality.  Something Marx wants to destroy.  For in Marx it is the Federal Government that is the higher power not man’s spirituality.  One of the first thing Marxist’s do is to ban churches.

Attractions of the Roadside

Roadside Attraction

            Overlooking the valley is an oxymoron of a roadside attraction Built in the era of late 1910.  The horseless carriage was taking to center stage and the American traveler was being born.  Highways were being built to accommodate this new machine.  Boundaries were being broken and the country was prosperous.  There were numerous noveau rich living the American dream.  World War one was on the horizon, Marx and communism were popular and the world was an oyster for many.

            Jump in the car, travel cross country, see the wonders.  No longer was tourism limited to the rich.  The automobile had opened up new vistas for the peasants of the land.  Onto the new highways in their new fangled contraptions the populace jumped.

Many a business sprung up along side highways.  Giving the wearied traveler a brief respite, place to refresh. gas up, eat and spend money.  It was wide open country free of many modern restrictions.

            Conversation in coffee shops on the college campuses was about Marx and his ideal dream.  People were discussing on campus how to impose this dream on their countries.  Meanwhile WWI breaks out and the dream is put on the back burner except in Russia where Lenin and the Bolsheviks bring the communism revolution.  Even in the USA there was a small attempt to bring communism to the country.  WWI slowed it down as did the prosperity after the war.

            People had money to spare, there was land so there was no need to overthrow the evil empire of capitalism.  Jump in the car, go visiting.  After WWI there was a new affluence for the average person surplus income to spend lavishly, in particular on the new automobile.

            The roaring 20’s floated in, flappers, speak easies, gangsters and the car.  It was a buoyant age 

 Federal Government policy built the Interstate highway system bypassing many a roadside business and pushing cars onto to super slab cross country speedways.

            On the highways a new enterprise was cropping up, the roadside attraction, and a place to separate the new tourist from their money.

            Communism went to the back burner in the US but the tyranny in Russia was just beginning.  The people’s party, Bolsheviks were ruling with an iron fist.  Churches were destroyed and people disappeared that opposed the new Russian regime.  A new ruling class was formed in Russia.

            More and more automobiles were being built in the US.  More and more people were acquiring money.  The 20’s were a golden age to be in.  Then 1929 showed up because of a government boondoggle and greed on the part of a few.

            What had been a golden period became a depression leading into the dirty 30’s and communism reared its head again.  There were also numerous government programs leading to the claim of socialism, kind of a polite name for communism.

            All the time people were still traveling cross country seeing the sights it had to offer.