Good review of our current state. And brings to mind the idea of equal protection of the law. In the article our local Santa Barbara police chief indicated the police are here to protect and serve all residents and visitors of our community equally. And that although Santa Barbara is not a sanctuary city, CA is a sanctuary state. Thus our local police are following CA law and are therefore ignoring federal immigration law. For us that means local police will not enforce any federal immigration laws and, will not inquire about citizenship when doing any police business.
This promise from our police chief of equal protection is a hollow claim. From our hallowed constitution, Equal protection of the law also means equal application of the law. From rich to poor, regardless of race, religion, creed or sports team preference. Yet the police and our state legislature are applying laws selectively. Illegal visitors are given a pass from obeying federal laws. They don’t need to prove citizenship, no proof of vaccinations, no proof to work, or even vote. They are given immunity from federal law by our state legislature and governor.
This unequal application of the law is not only unconstitutional on its face, it hurts all of us. When citizens see that some laws are enforced and some are ignored, it removes faith in our government of laws. Breeding cynical views of government and way of life in America. And it hurts people trying to obey the laws, when our housing is filled up with illegals, and illegals receive section eight for housing, SNAP for child care, free medical from the state, free education, free food, free free free for the illegal visitors! This unequal application of the law hurts our legal populations, and deprives them of the basic rights of citizenship. Their voices and votes are diminished, diluted, their faith in a fair government dissolved.
And the reasons for all this government enforced inequality is simple. It’s federal apportionment. Because federal apportionment law requires the census count all persons in the nation, to adjust the number of members in congress. And so the more illegals crammed into liberal cities and liberal states, will create more political power in congress for those liberal states.
Our American Civil War was fought over this issue of unfair application of the laws. The democrats slave states demanded and obtained by threat, 3/5ths vote per every slave they owned. And the slave states used those illicit ‘votes’ to prolong and extend slavery across the USA. The democrat slave states goal was: slavery all the way to the pacific. If the war had not been won by the north and Lincoln, we would have slavery today. But instead Lincoln and the Republicans stood for equal application of the laws, that all men and women shall have equal protection of the laws and equal application of the law. And that is America.
Today California’s quaint decision to ignore certain federal laws, ostensibly to protect minorities, belies the true motive of gaining political power. If there is no limit to illegal visitors, there is no limit to disenfranchising voters and dissolving our constitution. And If the left wants a civil war over this transgression, they may get one.
Equal protection under the law has been hijacked as the latest round of leftist virtue-signaling.
It is Democrat NewSpeak that elevates those with no legal permission to reside here, over the guaranteed rights of legally residing persons. They overlook how easily they refused to grant due process right of babies residing the womb or shortly after birth - no fair notice or hearings for them before their lives are taken away.
Which proves yet again, this latest round of Democrat equal protection virtue-signaling is situational only, and not ideological and currently exploited for their own partisan gain.
As usual, the taco administration was showing their ignorance. Just recently one of the taco cabinet members said that they were padding the census numbers, that they were counting immigrants, and he insisted that only citizens were supposed to be counted. I went through the last census about 10 years ago they never once asked are you a citizen or not. They said they just need to count the number of people in the state.
Let’s contemplate the historical significance of Flag Day, the vision, sacrifices, and contributions of many for our freedom. I hope we remain a country governed by laws, for no more autopen pardons, and we continue to seek to achieve justice for all.
Today’s another intense one from the Middle East to varied emotional perspectives within our neighborhoods over planned events. At 6:30p ET, 3:30 PT, a military parade will roll through D.C. marking the 250th anniversary of the Army — which coincides with President Trump's 79th birthday. I claim military ignorance: I don’t recall, and could have missed, any past American military parade or show of force so I plan to view this one to learn something. At the same time, millions of people are expected to show up in 1,800 cities in all 50 states at “No Kings" protests in response to dark money organized events against the President’s Administration: the BBB, spending cuts, benefit reductions, or is it deportations? Are protestors legitimate; or nihilists, anarchists, and groupies? It’s confusing. Much to research.
The name to market today’s protest events is interesting: “No Kings”. Why not “No Presidents”? Subjects are dependent on the king. The majority residing here are dependent on government benevolence, the POTUS and Congressional funding.
There’s also a Goleta Car Rally. Viewing many flying American flags all over town is a reminder, it’s Flag Day, a time to celebrate America, its history, significance, and to show our gratitude. My great grandfather carried the U.S. Flag in the Battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. According to his handwritten diary, every day most all in the 25 man color guard died, survivors were seriously wounded protecting our flag. His unit a division of the Indiana Volunteers. Every Flag Day and July 4, my father had us recite from memory the Gettysburg Address and preamble to the US Constitution, same as his Grandfather did, as verified by newspaper archieves.
Just a couple of facts to help you along with your research. The last military parade we had was in 1991 to welcome the troops home after Desert Storm. This fact has raised a question in my mind, which I have asked before. The United States Navy celebrates its 250th anniversary this coming October, October 13, 2025 in fact. The question I keep asking is are we going to have another lollapalooza military parade to honor the Navy? They are a branch of our Armed Forces and their jobs are just as important as the Army or maybe they were unfortunate and didn’t have an ego driven president born on their anniversary.
Good question. Both Navy & Marines are in October. Please keep us posted Julia. All I found on line were US Mint Coins to honor 250th bday of Navy & Marines: nothing more. I asked a Green Beret friend, he didn’t know of any October parade or fanfare. I learned much viewing Saturday’s uninterrupted coverage of the event on C-SPAN. The only part I disliked was the Country singer which seemed totally out of sync. Did you view?
I did not watch on Saturday, I knew the major networks were not going to cover it so I tried to find another source, the only one I could find was Fox News so I set my recorder and watched it on Sunday. I knew pretty much it would be just men and machines marching and rolling down the street which didn’t sound too exciting. But anyway I did enjoy some of the history they narrated. I’ve always enjoyed a military band unfortunately the Fox anchors did a lot of talking over those performances and the gushing was over the top, especially when they brought up taco. His birthday should not have been mentioned until the end of the event. I’m glad I taped it as I was able to fast forward
My thought was always, to pick a day, a random date and celebrate all our military branches, The Fourth of July would’ve been an excellent date. That would’ve held more interest and positive involvement for the public, and would not have been viewed negatively. The army deserved to be celebrated all on their own, and not having to share it with an egotistical moron.
Jefferson was a true gentleman and graceful human being. He was curious about the world and had cultivated tastes and an active mind. We could use more of those traits today on both sides of the political spectrum. Jefferson himself, like Trump, was also a victim of vicious partisan attacks. Some things never change. Good men are attacked by bad elements. And so it goes.
GR: we owe much to Jefferson’s mind and pen. He envisioned freedom, and defined our inalienable individual God-given rights in the Declaration of Independence. The idea of states' rights dates back to Jefferson, who himself drew on the "social contract". Is sanctuary statehood a state’s right? What are the limits, if any, of a state’s rights? Congress must address, and soon.
Jefferson exemplifies the power of the pen. Decades later, his state of Virginia seceded from the Union, exercising state’s rights. One of America’s survival strengths is civil discourse, that we owe in large part to Jefferson.
Well said. I find my view on States Rights expands when Democrats are in power. And shrinks when Republicans are in power. I imagine the reverse is true for Democrats. The challenge is always in ‘human nature’.
An element of states rights does not include withholding of federal taxes as Governor Newsom advocates for. Why does he favor actions which he knows is blatantly illegal?
Newsom is lost. With the LA riots, he froze on leadership. Instead, he foolishly chose a 5 minute rant against Trump. While Newsom rants, Trump mobilizes the Marines to protect federal employees, buildings and equipment. Sadly, Newsom still wasn't able to focus on keeping streets open or protection of local law enforcement.. The Olympic Committee must have doubts that LA is capable to provide security and stability for the Olympians in 2028.
LT- Let’s withhold our 15% CA income tax. Maybe Newsom has made CA a sanctuary tax state. Wonder if we no longer must pay county property tax now that a large number of residences are tax exempt. Who can keep up with all the state legislation? I can’t.
Maybe a better approach is lobbying to have a senior exemption on property taxes as other states have? Can we count on newly elected Senate Speaker Monique Limon advocating for us?
LT- it’s possible Monique might consider increasing Homeowners Exemption; property tax relief on principal residence if a homeowner and paying prop tax in CA for 30 or more years. Never know.
Perhaps a look at the Hawaii property tax structure would be helpful. It definitely helps over 65 year olds with pension incomes only who live in their primary residence.
taco is very wishy-washy on state rights. There’s certain rights he wants the states to handle themselves and there’s others he wants to keep under his control.
That same Jefferson violated scripture by removing tbe miracles of Our Lord, Jesus Christ from the New Testament, and turning the Second Person of the Holy Trinity into a mere teacher. He also raped his slave.
He is hardly a good man, that America owe's its "strengths" to him is even more reason to oppose the nation.
Kate, do you have a cartoon, one dimensional version about what people are supposed to be? There is that labeling and controlling the language thing again. One of Saul Alinksy's Rules for Radicals, is it not?
No, JKate, you were not giving historical context. You were giving Jefferson the MeToo treatment. I'm so sick and tired of idiotic people like you who tear down men who are powerful historical or contemporary figures on the basis of what you see as grave moral failings. Here's what I hve to say to you: Shut up about Jefferson's personality failings. You're not marrying him. He's long dead. Did the guy do important things for democracy and civilization? Yes. That's all that matters.
Oh he is for sure a hero. While he had a long term relationship with Hemmings, over 40 years, and allegedly fathered as many as 6 children with her, and while she enjoyed a privileged status in the Jefferson home and did no hard labor etc etc, and while many authors ( I have read several biographies on him) even suggest a long term love affair between them, it is still not rational to 'presentise' situations as you are trying to do. In other words habits that might have been accepted as normal in one period of time, can not always be 'judged' by modern day standards in attempts to apply guilt. For example, it was once commonly accepted practice for Physicians to 'bleed' patients often to death with leeches. That was normal for the time. If we try to 'presentise' this we would say those Physicians created malpractice, and maybe even that they killed one of my relatives, so the relatives of that physician should pay me a malpractice claim, or some sort of 'reparations' etc etc. You see of course why this is not sensible. If you want to denigrate men or women of power who sexually abuse members of the opposite sex, and apply present day values to achieve your goal, then choose a present example. Let's say, Bill Clinton sexually abusing a young intern in the White House while married. In that case you can say 'he is not the hero you think he is' by applying present day values, and you would be right. See how it works?
That's the subject of a historical/cultural essay right there: How it's possible to be a Hero while at the same time being a cad and doing caddish things. We can still honor the great people of Western civilization and look beyond their mythical stature. As a descendant of Adam, Thomas Jefferson was a sinner. But he did Heroic Things that nobody before him had done - and he did them under the gaze and fire of his enemies in moments of conflict. With that in mind, who he slept with becomes of concern only to his Father Confessor, assuming he had one!
He wasn't just sleeping with his teenage slave girl Sally Hemings, he impregnated her at least 6 times, which is why Thomas Jefferson has more Black descendents than White. Virginia seceded for the same reason Jefferson kept a slave mistress, the old White men loved their slaves and wanted to keep them!
Lets try some Liberal logic and see if that helps you. Jefferson identified as a woman. So it can’t be rape. There your problem is fixed. You are welcome.
Not so fast, genius, you do realize that a man can rape a man and a woman can rape a woman? Even if the reader who identifies as a unicorn commits an act of penetration, it is still rape.
Interesting piece, unfortunately the French have a similar past of political intolerance. Admittedly, especially today, the rhetoric needs to be lowered and tolerance for opposing views be elevated.
Stay vigilant: power of the pen in MN. Reportedly Shooter left No King manifesto in car. 6/14/25, 9:03 AMAlert from MN State Patrol
@MnDPS_MSP. “Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution.”pic.x.com/7hFccnrQUT
Shooter was allegedly a Gov Tim Waltz administration appointee at one time. No wonder Democrats though Walz would bring in the red-meat, gun-totting, good old boys to the Harris/Walz ticket.
Is MN a sanctuary state? Yes, though not adopted by state legislators, MN openly (and illegally) provides sanctuary to all kinds of illegal actors, including elected representatives…
Auto Pens? You're worried about a former President's use of the "autopen"?! Meanwhile, TACO's imperial agents forced our U.S. Senator to the floor and a deranged disciple of the orange felon assassinated Democrat State Legislators in Minnesota. Just a few more MAGA killings, like Uvalde and El Paso, Texas, the punk Rittenhouse, and the MAGA "kill-em-with-my car" White Supremacist in Charlottesville.
It's been a wonderful day in Bedlam. A friend told me Carbajal pranced around shouting “No taxes, no kings!” If he did, Salud's the dude! So the Dems don't want to get rid of Prop 13 to raise taxes, they want to get rid of all taxes. Sweet dreams one and all.
.........".I deal with uninformed and absurd anti-Americanisms every day."...............
Another excellent post card from abroad, Calla. Thanks. This French trait seems to age well as their wines by creating an even more complex product over time .... since my own first encounter with this French attitude was in the late 1960's when living in Italy. DeGaulle had just taken France out of NATO and former US military installations in France were covered with "Yankee Go Home" signs.
Other later travels when encountering the French in far fling locations would always generate the same sneers and sotto voce comments, no matter who was in the US administration or what our current foreign policy was.
They seemed particularly sure whatever XYZ was happening in the US at the time was, the America's final coffin nail and this rogue upstart of a nation with no history, culture or even a decent spoken tongue would finally collapse on itself and the civilized world, as seen through French eyes, would finally prevail again.
I ultimately concluded it was all innocent bloviating, because underneath was a desire to learn more about America with a rather slavish interest in American pop culture. Though they may not have a special word for it, the German word schadenfreude (that secret delight in another's miseries) seemed to capture these playful interchanges the best. Plus it was good for me to exposed to these differing world views.
Feeling slightly off balance with my young Vietnamese guide when visiting Hanoi, I kind of stammered an apology for our "Vietnam War" engagement when visiting the "Liberation Museum" showcasing the US "puppets" war horrors inflicted on their countrymen. She first said why do you call this the Vietnam War, when we did not go to war with the US? We like Americans.
She then additionally explained you were only in Vietnam for a few years, but the French were there a lot longer and they were profoundly destructive to the country and culture. Indeed, they still maintain the French guillotine at the "Hanoi Hilton" prison museum with stories how the streets would run with blood when the French decapitated those they deemed to be rebels against the French occupation of Indochina.
Yet ,the French too continue to have a presence with French affinity groups having social events in Vietnam today as well. Like the Alliance Française showcase of French composers at the Beaux Arts Hanoi Opera House, right next to the real Hanoi Hilton high-rise elegant hotel.
She explained their 2000 year struggle for their own independence was primarily with the Chinese, though that is up for new vote today, as we speak. They are a mercantile nation probably first and foremost, so current partnership with the Chinese works to their own economic advantage more than anything else right now.
It is being reported that both Minnesota Legislators who were assassinated in their homes, recently voted against their Democratic colleagues in passing legislation to ban MinnesotaCare for illegal immigrants. The alleged assassin is also purported to have had “No Kings” flyers in his car. Wondering if Minnesota Attorney General and known partisan, Keith Ellison will be transparent as to these alleged motives?
My adoptive father was a machinist and used a curious 3D version of a pantograph engraving machine to carve molds in steel. He traced a sculpture with it and used it as the guide to cut a smaller reverse mold image into which plastic would be injected to create the little figures on trophies. It takes the autopen from checkers to 3D chess. This began my lifelong fascination with ambidexterity and reverse images. Now this work is done with CNC or laser engraving systems. Down the technological rabbit hole.
I seriously doubt that, except for tacos administration, anyone gives a second thought or cares about the autopen, or Jefferson.
Also your neighbors must like you and don’t want to lose you as a neighbor and friend, so they tell you what you want to hear. As you say they “whisper” it to you. I doubt they really want a leader like taco. Except for the maga loyalists, nobody wants that fate.
Good review of our current state. And brings to mind the idea of equal protection of the law. In the article our local Santa Barbara police chief indicated the police are here to protect and serve all residents and visitors of our community equally. And that although Santa Barbara is not a sanctuary city, CA is a sanctuary state. Thus our local police are following CA law and are therefore ignoring federal immigration law. For us that means local police will not enforce any federal immigration laws and, will not inquire about citizenship when doing any police business.
This promise from our police chief of equal protection is a hollow claim. From our hallowed constitution, Equal protection of the law also means equal application of the law. From rich to poor, regardless of race, religion, creed or sports team preference. Yet the police and our state legislature are applying laws selectively. Illegal visitors are given a pass from obeying federal laws. They don’t need to prove citizenship, no proof of vaccinations, no proof to work, or even vote. They are given immunity from federal law by our state legislature and governor.
This unequal application of the law is not only unconstitutional on its face, it hurts all of us. When citizens see that some laws are enforced and some are ignored, it removes faith in our government of laws. Breeding cynical views of government and way of life in America. And it hurts people trying to obey the laws, when our housing is filled up with illegals, and illegals receive section eight for housing, SNAP for child care, free medical from the state, free education, free food, free free free for the illegal visitors! This unequal application of the law hurts our legal populations, and deprives them of the basic rights of citizenship. Their voices and votes are diminished, diluted, their faith in a fair government dissolved.
And the reasons for all this government enforced inequality is simple. It’s federal apportionment. Because federal apportionment law requires the census count all persons in the nation, to adjust the number of members in congress. And so the more illegals crammed into liberal cities and liberal states, will create more political power in congress for those liberal states.
Our American Civil War was fought over this issue of unfair application of the laws. The democrats slave states demanded and obtained by threat, 3/5ths vote per every slave they owned. And the slave states used those illicit ‘votes’ to prolong and extend slavery across the USA. The democrat slave states goal was: slavery all the way to the pacific. If the war had not been won by the north and Lincoln, we would have slavery today. But instead Lincoln and the Republicans stood for equal application of the laws, that all men and women shall have equal protection of the laws and equal application of the law. And that is America.
Today California’s quaint decision to ignore certain federal laws, ostensibly to protect minorities, belies the true motive of gaining political power. If there is no limit to illegal visitors, there is no limit to disenfranchising voters and dissolving our constitution. And If the left wants a civil war over this transgression, they may get one.
Equal protection under the law has been hijacked as the latest round of leftist virtue-signaling.
It is Democrat NewSpeak that elevates those with no legal permission to reside here, over the guaranteed rights of legally residing persons. They overlook how easily they refused to grant due process right of babies residing the womb or shortly after birth - no fair notice or hearings for them before their lives are taken away.
Which proves yet again, this latest round of Democrat equal protection virtue-signaling is situational only, and not ideological and currently exploited for their own partisan gain.
As usual, the taco administration was showing their ignorance. Just recently one of the taco cabinet members said that they were padding the census numbers, that they were counting immigrants, and he insisted that only citizens were supposed to be counted. I went through the last census about 10 years ago they never once asked are you a citizen or not. They said they just need to count the number of people in the state.
Let’s contemplate the historical significance of Flag Day, the vision, sacrifices, and contributions of many for our freedom. I hope we remain a country governed by laws, for no more autopen pardons, and we continue to seek to achieve justice for all.
Today’s another intense one from the Middle East to varied emotional perspectives within our neighborhoods over planned events. At 6:30p ET, 3:30 PT, a military parade will roll through D.C. marking the 250th anniversary of the Army — which coincides with President Trump's 79th birthday. I claim military ignorance: I don’t recall, and could have missed, any past American military parade or show of force so I plan to view this one to learn something. At the same time, millions of people are expected to show up in 1,800 cities in all 50 states at “No Kings" protests in response to dark money organized events against the President’s Administration: the BBB, spending cuts, benefit reductions, or is it deportations? Are protestors legitimate; or nihilists, anarchists, and groupies? It’s confusing. Much to research.
The name to market today’s protest events is interesting: “No Kings”. Why not “No Presidents”? Subjects are dependent on the king. The majority residing here are dependent on government benevolence, the POTUS and Congressional funding.
There’s also a Goleta Car Rally. Viewing many flying American flags all over town is a reminder, it’s Flag Day, a time to celebrate America, its history, significance, and to show our gratitude. My great grandfather carried the U.S. Flag in the Battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. According to his handwritten diary, every day most all in the 25 man color guard died, survivors were seriously wounded protecting our flag. His unit a division of the Indiana Volunteers. Every Flag Day and July 4, my father had us recite from memory the Gettysburg Address and preamble to the US Constitution, same as his Grandfather did, as verified by newspaper archieves.
Just a couple of facts to help you along with your research. The last military parade we had was in 1991 to welcome the troops home after Desert Storm. This fact has raised a question in my mind, which I have asked before. The United States Navy celebrates its 250th anniversary this coming October, October 13, 2025 in fact. The question I keep asking is are we going to have another lollapalooza military parade to honor the Navy? They are a branch of our Armed Forces and their jobs are just as important as the Army or maybe they were unfortunate and didn’t have an ego driven president born on their anniversary.
Good question. Both Navy & Marines are in October. Please keep us posted Julia. All I found on line were US Mint Coins to honor 250th bday of Navy & Marines: nothing more. I asked a Green Beret friend, he didn’t know of any October parade or fanfare. I learned much viewing Saturday’s uninterrupted coverage of the event on C-SPAN. The only part I disliked was the Country singer which seemed totally out of sync. Did you view?
I did not watch on Saturday, I knew the major networks were not going to cover it so I tried to find another source, the only one I could find was Fox News so I set my recorder and watched it on Sunday. I knew pretty much it would be just men and machines marching and rolling down the street which didn’t sound too exciting. But anyway I did enjoy some of the history they narrated. I’ve always enjoyed a military band unfortunately the Fox anchors did a lot of talking over those performances and the gushing was over the top, especially when they brought up taco. His birthday should not have been mentioned until the end of the event. I’m glad I taped it as I was able to fast forward
My thought was always, to pick a day, a random date and celebrate all our military branches, The Fourth of July would’ve been an excellent date. That would’ve held more interest and positive involvement for the public, and would not have been viewed negatively. The army deserved to be celebrated all on their own, and not having to share it with an egotistical moron.
Jefferson was a true gentleman and graceful human being. He was curious about the world and had cultivated tastes and an active mind. We could use more of those traits today on both sides of the political spectrum. Jefferson himself, like Trump, was also a victim of vicious partisan attacks. Some things never change. Good men are attacked by bad elements. And so it goes.
GR: we owe much to Jefferson’s mind and pen. He envisioned freedom, and defined our inalienable individual God-given rights in the Declaration of Independence. The idea of states' rights dates back to Jefferson, who himself drew on the "social contract". Is sanctuary statehood a state’s right? What are the limits, if any, of a state’s rights? Congress must address, and soon.
Jefferson exemplifies the power of the pen. Decades later, his state of Virginia seceded from the Union, exercising state’s rights. One of America’s survival strengths is civil discourse, that we owe in large part to Jefferson.
Well said. I find my view on States Rights expands when Democrats are in power. And shrinks when Republicans are in power. I imagine the reverse is true for Democrats. The challenge is always in ‘human nature’.
An element of states rights does not include withholding of federal taxes as Governor Newsom advocates for. Why does he favor actions which he knows is blatantly illegal?
Newsom is lost. With the LA riots, he froze on leadership. Instead, he foolishly chose a 5 minute rant against Trump. While Newsom rants, Trump mobilizes the Marines to protect federal employees, buildings and equipment. Sadly, Newsom still wasn't able to focus on keeping streets open or protection of local law enforcement.. The Olympic Committee must have doubts that LA is capable to provide security and stability for the Olympians in 2028.
I agree with you Cate, with this corollary, WE are lost as a state. It is very worrisome to the point whereby, can I get out of here fast enough?
LT- Let’s withhold our 15% CA income tax. Maybe Newsom has made CA a sanctuary tax state. Wonder if we no longer must pay county property tax now that a large number of residences are tax exempt. Who can keep up with all the state legislation? I can’t.
Maybe a better approach is lobbying to have a senior exemption on property taxes as other states have? Can we count on newly elected Senate Speaker Monique Limon advocating for us?
LT- it’s possible Monique might consider increasing Homeowners Exemption; property tax relief on principal residence if a homeowner and paying prop tax in CA for 30 or more years. Never know.
Perhaps a look at the Hawaii property tax structure would be helpful. It definitely helps over 65 year olds with pension incomes only who live in their primary residence.
taco is very wishy-washy on state rights. There’s certain rights he wants the states to handle themselves and there’s others he wants to keep under his control.
That same Jefferson violated scripture by removing tbe miracles of Our Lord, Jesus Christ from the New Testament, and turning the Second Person of the Holy Trinity into a mere teacher. He also raped his slave.
He is hardly a good man, that America owe's its "strengths" to him is even more reason to oppose the nation.
Carlism Gang -out.
What is your point?
Kate, do you have a cartoon, one dimensional version about what people are supposed to be? There is that labeling and controlling the language thing again. One of Saul Alinksy's Rules for Radicals, is it not?
No, JKate, you were not giving historical context. You were giving Jefferson the MeToo treatment. I'm so sick and tired of idiotic people like you who tear down men who are powerful historical or contemporary figures on the basis of what you see as grave moral failings. Here's what I hve to say to you: Shut up about Jefferson's personality failings. You're not marrying him. He's long dead. Did the guy do important things for democracy and civilization? Yes. That's all that matters.
Oh he is for sure a hero. While he had a long term relationship with Hemmings, over 40 years, and allegedly fathered as many as 6 children with her, and while she enjoyed a privileged status in the Jefferson home and did no hard labor etc etc, and while many authors ( I have read several biographies on him) even suggest a long term love affair between them, it is still not rational to 'presentise' situations as you are trying to do. In other words habits that might have been accepted as normal in one period of time, can not always be 'judged' by modern day standards in attempts to apply guilt. For example, it was once commonly accepted practice for Physicians to 'bleed' patients often to death with leeches. That was normal for the time. If we try to 'presentise' this we would say those Physicians created malpractice, and maybe even that they killed one of my relatives, so the relatives of that physician should pay me a malpractice claim, or some sort of 'reparations' etc etc. You see of course why this is not sensible. If you want to denigrate men or women of power who sexually abuse members of the opposite sex, and apply present day values to achieve your goal, then choose a present example. Let's say, Bill Clinton sexually abusing a young intern in the White House while married. In that case you can say 'he is not the hero you think he is' by applying present day values, and you would be right. See how it works?
Only a man could claim that giving birth to your rapist's child is not "hard labor."
I identify as a Unicorn.
That's the subject of a historical/cultural essay right there: How it's possible to be a Hero while at the same time being a cad and doing caddish things. We can still honor the great people of Western civilization and look beyond their mythical stature. As a descendant of Adam, Thomas Jefferson was a sinner. But he did Heroic Things that nobody before him had done - and he did them under the gaze and fire of his enemies in moments of conflict. With that in mind, who he slept with becomes of concern only to his Father Confessor, assuming he had one!
Only one?
He wasn't just sleeping with his teenage slave girl Sally Hemings, he impregnated her at least 6 times, which is why Thomas Jefferson has more Black descendents than White. Virginia seceded for the same reason Jefferson kept a slave mistress, the old White men loved their slaves and wanted to keep them!
Lets try some Liberal logic and see if that helps you. Jefferson identified as a woman. So it can’t be rape. There your problem is fixed. You are welcome.
Not so fast, genius, you do realize that a man can rape a man and a woman can rape a woman? Even if the reader who identifies as a unicorn commits an act of penetration, it is still rape.
But he identifies as a ‘ non rapist’ so…nope.
Loved your musings on your distant cousin. Keep it up. He truly is an American hero.
Merci‼️
Interesting piece, unfortunately the French have a similar past of political intolerance. Admittedly, especially today, the rhetoric needs to be lowered and tolerance for opposing views be elevated.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/22/france-charles-de-gaulle-assassination-attempt-the-day-of-the-jackal
Stay vigilant: power of the pen in MN. Reportedly Shooter left No King manifesto in car. 6/14/25, 9:03 AMAlert from MN State Patrol
@MnDPS_MSP. “Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution.”pic.x.com/7hFccnrQUT
Photos of manifesto. Is MN a sanctuary state?
I don't believe MN officially a "sanctuary state". But there are various shades of gray in what states do and don't do in this area.
Shooter was allegedly a Gov Tim Waltz administration appointee at one time. No wonder Democrats though Walz would bring in the red-meat, gun-totting, good old boys to the Harris/Walz ticket.
OMG - how low can you dig?
Is MN a sanctuary state? Yes, though not adopted by state legislators, MN openly (and illegally) provides sanctuary to all kinds of illegal actors, including elected representatives…
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&sca_esv=d22a87f29702b322&hl=en-us&q=is+mn+a+sanctuary+state+walz&udm=7&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZrjP_Cx0LI1Ytb_FGcOviEiTm5uW1q0uNfK7KsnoL8hUyUYUJLZ_b-p0lT09DIkR7bwzZ58goNnPFwCobO9Lr1FJy27_ddIL61O5aDZqsFHcHHuRFHQk7kxoaLdgj0KZZIU_JDUonyMsHdJdQkliK1bPwqcc0Qm1U_K-UcOsxPbe_46Hc9znarUsxAr9dQ4t5M01Vcw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj0u6W7yvGNAxXbEUQIHfsyIoUQtKgLegQIHhAB&biw=1180&bih=713&dpr=2#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:d5911273,vid:OMW9b6diIjo,st:0
Nice comment piece.
Puts a little bit of depth to history most never knew about.
Auto Pens? You're worried about a former President's use of the "autopen"?! Meanwhile, TACO's imperial agents forced our U.S. Senator to the floor and a deranged disciple of the orange felon assassinated Democrat State Legislators in Minnesota. Just a few more MAGA killings, like Uvalde and El Paso, Texas, the punk Rittenhouse, and the MAGA "kill-em-with-my car" White Supremacist in Charlottesville.
It's been a wonderful day in Bedlam. A friend told me Carbajal pranced around shouting “No taxes, no kings!” If he did, Salud's the dude! So the Dems don't want to get rid of Prop 13 to raise taxes, they want to get rid of all taxes. Sweet dreams one and all.
.........".I deal with uninformed and absurd anti-Americanisms every day."...............
Another excellent post card from abroad, Calla. Thanks. This French trait seems to age well as their wines by creating an even more complex product over time .... since my own first encounter with this French attitude was in the late 1960's when living in Italy. DeGaulle had just taken France out of NATO and former US military installations in France were covered with "Yankee Go Home" signs.
Other later travels when encountering the French in far fling locations would always generate the same sneers and sotto voce comments, no matter who was in the US administration or what our current foreign policy was.
They seemed particularly sure whatever XYZ was happening in the US at the time was, the America's final coffin nail and this rogue upstart of a nation with no history, culture or even a decent spoken tongue would finally collapse on itself and the civilized world, as seen through French eyes, would finally prevail again.
I ultimately concluded it was all innocent bloviating, because underneath was a desire to learn more about America with a rather slavish interest in American pop culture. Though they may not have a special word for it, the German word schadenfreude (that secret delight in another's miseries) seemed to capture these playful interchanges the best. Plus it was good for me to exposed to these differing world views.
French indignation with US foreign policy? How ironic given their disastrous culpability in Algeria.
Feeling slightly off balance with my young Vietnamese guide when visiting Hanoi, I kind of stammered an apology for our "Vietnam War" engagement when visiting the "Liberation Museum" showcasing the US "puppets" war horrors inflicted on their countrymen. She first said why do you call this the Vietnam War, when we did not go to war with the US? We like Americans.
She then additionally explained you were only in Vietnam for a few years, but the French were there a lot longer and they were profoundly destructive to the country and culture. Indeed, they still maintain the French guillotine at the "Hanoi Hilton" prison museum with stories how the streets would run with blood when the French decapitated those they deemed to be rebels against the French occupation of Indochina.
Yet ,the French too continue to have a presence with French affinity groups having social events in Vietnam today as well. Like the Alliance Française showcase of French composers at the Beaux Arts Hanoi Opera House, right next to the real Hanoi Hilton high-rise elegant hotel.
She explained their 2000 year struggle for their own independence was primarily with the Chinese, though that is up for new vote today, as we speak. They are a mercantile nation probably first and foremost, so current partnership with the Chinese works to their own economic advantage more than anything else right now.
It is being reported that both Minnesota Legislators who were assassinated in their homes, recently voted against their Democratic colleagues in passing legislation to ban MinnesotaCare for illegal immigrants. The alleged assassin is also purported to have had “No Kings” flyers in his car. Wondering if Minnesota Attorney General and known partisan, Keith Ellison will be transparent as to these alleged motives?
News flash: The shooter was a political appointee by, wait for it…Tim Walz!
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-vance-boelter-man-linked-to-minnesota-lawmakers-john-hoffman-and-melissa-hortmans-shootings-101749920197838-amp.html
Considering the continuing and prolific intentional partisan distortions in the MSM, ............now is the time.
It’s not up to you Kate.
It is all over the news wire, enough with the hall monitoring.
I've often wondered - here we are, a bunch of people coming onto a new land mass. Now what? How do we settle it?
I'd make a lousy 'Founder' - I'd want a Golden Retriever as President! :)
My adoptive father was a machinist and used a curious 3D version of a pantograph engraving machine to carve molds in steel. He traced a sculpture with it and used it as the guide to cut a smaller reverse mold image into which plastic would be injected to create the little figures on trophies. It takes the autopen from checkers to 3D chess. This began my lifelong fascination with ambidexterity and reverse images. Now this work is done with CNC or laser engraving systems. Down the technological rabbit hole.
I seriously doubt that, except for tacos administration, anyone gives a second thought or cares about the autopen, or Jefferson.
Also your neighbors must like you and don’t want to lose you as a neighbor and friend, so they tell you what you want to hear. As you say they “whisper” it to you. I doubt they really want a leader like taco. Except for the maga loyalists, nobody wants that fate.
And yes, there is always those!
Merci‼️CJC