Do you ever feel that enough is enough?

[Smokin Soon]

This kind of sums it up for me. No clue who wrote it.

"As an individual, I used to think I was pretty much just a regular person, but I was born white, into a two-parent, two gender household which now,  whether I like it or not, makes me "Privileged", a racist and responsible for slavery.
I am fiscal and moral, which by today's standards, makes me a fascist because I plan, budget and support myself.

I went to school, worked my way “up the ladder”, and have always held a job. But I now find out that I am not here because I earned it, but because I was "advantaged”.

I am heterosexual, which according to "gay" folks, now makes me a homophobic.

I am not a Muslim, which now labels me as an infidel.

I am older than 60, making me a useless person who doesn't understand Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

I think and I reason, and I doubt much of what the "mainstream" ABC  media tells me, which makes me a "Right-wing conspiracy nut”.

I am proud of my heritage and our inclusive culture, making me a xenophobe.

I believe in hard work, fair play, and fair compensation according to each individual's merits, which today makes me an anti-socialist.

I believe our system guarantees freedom of effort - not freedom of outcome or subsidies which must make me a borderline sociopath.

I believe in the defense and protection of America for and by all citizens, now making me a militant.

I am proud of our flag, what it stands for and the many who died to let it fly, so I stand during our National Anthem - so I must be a racist.

Please help me come to terms with the new me because I'm just not sure who I am anymore!
If all this nonsense wasn't enough to deal with, now I don't even know which restroom to use… and I have to go more FREQUENTLY!"

[BobDE]

My son and girlfriend came up to Washington to visit for a week. His views are so different than my wife and mine.  There have been many arguments to the point where i have to go for walks just to get out of the house because I'm not taking someone who says im am so out of touch with society.   If he only knew what's going on in Seattle he would change his mind.

Your son's name is not "Meathead" is it? LOL

This brought a flashback to my mind with Archie and Meathead arguing over politics many years ago!

[teesquare]

Isn't it absolutely unbelievable how fast things have changed in this country? In fact - when we started this forum ...what 5 or so years ago? No Admin or Moderator would allow a discussion like this to stand - because back then it would be viewed as "political". But today...it is completely relevant for ALL adults - and those who wish to act like it...regardless of whether they vote Blue, Red , Purple, or Green. We are in a time which re-defines what it actually means to be American, and to be free.  And - there are several extremist definitions developing. According to most of them - no longer should you feel blessed, or proud to be American.You are supposed to be ashamed and willing to be penalized financially, or be beaten or killed for things not done by you...or anyone you ever knew.  The discussion of actual history triggers reactions in people that are irrational. To the extent that they are maddened and offended such that the very sight of a historical or monument MUST be destroyed....REALLY? Have we REALLY dissolved into such a quagmire of ignorance and and emotional reactions ( READ: temper tantrums like that of a 3 year old with sorry parents...) that there is NO logical, intellect based discussion or decision making left??
I am personally, and politically speaking a very "neutral" person. I have no affiliation with either parties of the Great Divide in America. I am an AMERICAN. First...AND Last. Because BOTH Bertie have clearly illustrated over and over that they have no real interest in you and I...only self preservation of THEIR power positions. And - if you are a fan of history ( And YOU SHOULD BE right now....   ) I will leave you with 2 facts to consider:
1. The average lifespan for any form of a Democracy/ Republic is 250 years. This includes the great republics and democracies of the Greeks, the Romans, and others. WE are now on year 244 - in the great American experiment.
2. The very first proposed ( not passed into our Amendments as law ) Amendment to the Constitution  was written by Thomas Jefferson. It was to make illegal the formation of political parties because he knew that "partyism" would divert the will of the people and the govt. THINK about what he observed, knew and predicted in that day.... And the media was not even as powerful as they are today.
So - as this discussion continue - and I hope it will....PLEASE don not think Republican or Democrat. THINK AMERICAN - and understand that we need to resurrect the art of "public discourse". That is - the ability to ALL talk about the problems, without pointing a finger at our friends and neighbors as the blame. WE have ALL been sold a bill of goods by BOTH sides.  The glove need to come off the American people - and we need to start reminding the govt. and all of it - that THEY work for US.  And of course...the US I speak of are the hardworking, and those that worked and retired people of this country.  Not based on any division, or contrived "identitifiers" that serve to separate us more than anything.
So - if I must choose a "color"...let it be GRAY. Still able bodied, and pretty fit...and frustrated enough to feel needed reaction to the stimulus provided by a couple of generations that clearly did not get their asses spanked when they needed it. So they never learned that choices have consequences..... And thus - this is what we are seeing today. They have never had to pay for their actions while growing up. Now - WE are paying for the ill begotten advice by those such as Dr. Benjamin Spock and his ilk..."Never spank your child...you will break his spirit"......just use time out as a discipline"....Horse sh!t.!!!!

[RG]

Isn't it absolutely unbelievable how fast things have changed in this country? In fact - when we started this forum ...what 5 or so years ago? No Admin or Moderator would allow a discussion like this to stand - because back then it would be viewed as "political". But today...it is completely relevant for ALL adults - and those who wish to act like it...regardless of whether they vote Blue, Red , Purple, or Green. We are in a time which re-defines what it actually means to be American, and to be free.  And - there are several extremist definitions developing. According to most of them - no longer should you feel blessed, or proud to be American.You are supposed to be ashamed and willing to be penalized financially, or be beaten or killed for things not done by you...or anyone you ever knew.  The discussion of actual history triggers reactions in people that are irrational. To the extent that they are maddened and offended such that the very sight of a historical or monument MUST be destroyed....REALLY? Have we REALLY dissolved into such a quagmire of ignorance and and emotional reactions ( READ: temper tantrums like that of a 3 year old with sorry parents...) that there is NO logical, intellect based discussion or decision making left??
I am personally, and politically speaking a very "neutral" person. I have no affiliation with either parties of the Great Divide in America. I am an AMERICAN. First...AND Last. Because BOTH Bertie have clearly illustrated over and over that they have no real interest in you and I...only self preservation of THEIR power positions. And - if you are a fan of history ( And YOU SHOULD BE right now....   ) I will leave you with 2 facts to consider:
1. The average lifespan for any form of a Democracy/ Republic is 250 years. This includes the great republics and democracies of the Greeks, the Romans, and others. WE are now on year 244 - in the great American experiment.
2. The very first proposed ( not passed into our Amendments as law ) Amendment to the Constitution  was written by Thomas Jefferson. It was to make illegal the formation of political parties because he knew that "partyism" would divert the will of the people and the govt. THINK about what he observed, knew and predicted in that day.... And the media was not even as powerful as they are today.
So - as this discussion continue - and I hope it will....PLEASE don not think Republican or Democrat. THINK AMERICAN - and understand that we need to resurrect the art of "public discourse". That is - the ability to ALL talk about the problems, without pointing a finger at our friends and neighbors as the blame. WE have ALL been sold a bill of goods by BOTH sides.  The glove need to come off the American people - and we need to start reminding the govt. and all of it - that THEY work for US.  And of course...the US I speak of are the hardworking, and those that worked and retired people of this country.  Not based on any division, or contrived "identitifiers" that serve to separate us more than anything.
So - if I must choose a "color"...let it be GRAY. Still able bodied, and pretty fit...and frustrated enough to feel needed reaction to the stimulus provided by a couple of generations that clearly did not get their asses spanked when they needed it. So they never learned that choices have consequences..... And thus - this is what we are seeing today. They have never had to pay for their actions while growing up. Now - WE are paying for the ill begotten advice by those such as Dr. Benjamin Spock and his ilk..."Never spank your child...you will break his spirit"......just use time out as a discipline"....Horse sh!t.!!!!

BRAVO! Well said Tim. Although I am conservative by definition, it doesn't mean that I am 100% in favor of everything the GOP does. I like Trump, but not everything he does. I agree that BOTH sides need to grow up, have civil conversations and work this mess out. Instead, it's all about maintaining power, looking out for numero uno. Politicians care about themselves, not the people they serve and that's the problem. Also, both sides are so stubborn, they refuse to admit when/if the other side has a good idea that would benefit the country! Now, if THEY came up with the idea, then they like it, if the other side of the aisle does, shot down in flames. It's crazy.

[ACW3]

Our son is a police officer in Durham, NC.  We pray for his safety everyday.  Durham is typically a hot spot of activity as far as shootings go.  I believe Charlotte has jumped ahead of them lately. 

He has been quarantined twice since the pandemic started.  The first time was for the stupidity on the part of a "millennial" new officer in training who failed to report to his superiors that he was sick.  He was part of a shooting class my son was teaching.  When he didn't show up for work (un-announced), the powers-to-be put everyone on quarantine, immediately.  He may have been exposed a second time while he was on the streets.  Home again.

I know he can take care of himself.  I pray he never has to draw his weapon and use it in the line of duty.  If anyone is foolish enough to try to shoot it out with him, they will likely come up short.  Our son competes nationally in 3-gun matches.  He can shoot.  Boy, can he shoot!!

We had an incident here in Morganton  about a week ago.  Protestors were coming to town to "protest" the statue on the court house lawn honoring the Confederate soldiers who went to war.  Two things happened.  First, all the local police were out in force.  Second, a rather large contingent of the local "rednecks" showed up armed to the teeth.  Between the police and the armed rednecks, the protestors were outnumbered by a significant margin.  Fortunately, nothing happed.

Like everyone else, I am fed up with all these "protestors" who feel the need to destroy our history.  It is past time for the authorities to take back our streets and protect our citizens. 

Rant over.

Art

[Lines]

Tee: "Spare the rod, spoil the child", never has a statement been proven so true as the generation we are viewing today.

ACW3: We will also pray for your son's safety. Please extend to him our gratitude for his amazing courage, and service!

Smokin Soon: That's an exact description of me!

One more topic to think about: I lived in a town with a population of 130 people. We had to vote at the city park shelter house.
Upon arrival to vote, I recognized all 4 of the volunteers working at the polling stations. They also knew me. I was still required to show a
government issued photo ID. This time I smiled and thanked the woman for making me show it.

Lord strengthen us!

[Pappymn]

I stopped watching all news years ago. I couldn't take it anymore. So negative about everything. It was effecting my mental health. I mostly stopped picking fights on Facebook cuz you can't argue with crazy.

The whole thing makes me sad. The media has done an outstanding job of turning us against eachother. The only solace I have is that this is part of God's plan.


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[Lines]

Amen Pappy!

[Tailgating is my game]

Isn't it absolutely unbelievable how fast things have changed in this country? In fact - when we started this forum ...what 5 or so years ago? No Admin or Moderator would allow a discussion like this to stand - because back then it would be viewed as "political".

Don't take this the wrong way Tim. But this is part of the problem we face. It really started many years ago. We all allowed this to grow all these years. It has not happened fast it has been a slow cancer growing in America all these years.  My dad born in 1912 could never understand the Hippies of the 60's. He would say when we did not like something growing up we would try to change it by using our system of government. He went on to say Hippies (kids of the 60's) just want to destroy everything without a plan to replace it with something better....crazy.

Every big nation dies from within.....yes at the end it is a war or battle that does them in but it is really from within.  We are dying now lets see if we can save ourselves again. We are a dying whale, with sharks just waiting to rip us apart at the right time.

IMO there is nothing wrong with us here but allowing this to grow into what we have now.

God Bless you all....You are good people.

[RG]

I love all the input this has generated. I am not one to normally talk politics, here or any other forum/social media but I just wanted to put thoughts to paper, so to speak. Thanks Tim for allowing the content and thanks to everyone else for building on that, it's good to see we have more than just BBQ in common!

[TMB]

I want to join in but Tee would BOOT me off for months  LOL

All I can say is I'm fed up with this cap.   If this country keeps going NO ONE WILL KNOW why or how it started because they want history removed

More on this later...........................working now   

[Pappymn]

Can't we just go back to hating Russia and the commies? Life made sense then


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[Roget]

I'm glad someone started this thread. I (ashamedly) admit I wouldn't have had the balls to start it. Unfortunately, we have lost our voice. If we say the wrong thing, we are at risk of losing our livelihoods. We can't drive through our own town to shop for fear of being accosted by the street mobs. The streets have been given over to the thugs. God help us (and our great nation) if people don't soon wake up, stand up, and push back before the next election.

[Roget]

Can't we just go back to hating Russia and the commies? Life made sense then


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You don't have to go to Russia to hate the commies. They are in our back yards.

[journeymanjohn]

You know, I agree with a lot that is said here.

That said, I'm disgusted that yet another one of the places I go to discuss and read about one of my favorite hobbies has become inundated with political viewpoints and agendas.

This is by far the most popular thread since I have been here. Has rolled most everything else off of the list on the homepage.

You 10 or 12 members who actively participate here.... have fun. I'm going to go find a forum where people like to talk about food and BBQ.