Truths and Changes in Book Seven: Reconstruction 2020

I think it is quite telling about the state of our country how far Left people think I’ve gotten. In truth, the differences between who I am now and who I was in 2005 (politically) aren’t that large. I supported and still support American Troop Presence in the Middle East. I still believe that, on a limited scale, the government is required to do certain things that it cannot make public. I still believe that no individual should ever be required by law to give support or lip service to a cause, religion, or policy that they don’t believe in. I still believe that Government Spending shouldn’t be frivolous and that the Government should always try to keep spending “within responsible limits.” I still believe in maintaining a strong military. I still believe that local governments are the better for local issues than Federal Governments. In truth… I haven’t changed THAT much.

What has changed significantly for me over the last 15 years? I’ve read the laws. I’ve read the court cases. I am now more informed about the government, the legal process, and the laws that run this country. So fundamentally, the largest difference for me is that I am now a firm believer that the law, justice, and government should work as equally for all as possible. That’s it. The biggest change for me over the last 15 years is simply, “The United States is a large and diverse country. Our laws should not only respect that, but protect that.” That’s it. That’s the only fundamental personal change.

In that time? The rise of Mitch McConnell and Trump have pushed the Republicans farther and farther right and farther and farther anti-diversity. I mean… Trump is the Alt-Right Poster Boy… not because he believes in “responsible government spending” (as was an important GOP pillar even 15 years ago) but because he wishes to spend all of his power fighting Culture Wars and siphoning government money to Corporations and Billionaires. That isn’t “being a conservative.” I think one of the most painfully missed opportunities in this world was when SJW did not receive a counter acronym. Because Trump and his worshipers ARE IN FACT their own brand of SJW. If a social justice warrior is someone who spends every opportunity trying to make every issue about “justice for the little guy, power to the powerless, protection of the meek”… then Trump’s people are quite the same in their way. Spending every opportunity trying to make every issue about “justice for the white, the male, the affluent, the Trumpian.” But the opportunity passed. Both sides have their “SJW” but the Left never capitalized on being petty and in this very petty world, it cost them. SJW vs TJW Trump Justice Warriors.

Here’s a tricky issue:
What does the law say about people fleeing from oppression?
It is legal for individuals to seek asylum. Period. That’s the law. The way people can seek asylum is complicated, convoluted, and (honestly) there are many different legal ways of doing it.
Trump’s supporters (in their beloved confusion) are the type screaming down Asylum Seekers while also telling the Left, “If you don’t like it, get out!” LITERALLY SAYING: We don’t support accepting asylum seekers but if you don’t agree with us, leave the country and become an asylum seeker!

Here’s a tricky issue:
Democrat Ethics Violations!
When Democrats violate any ethical regulation; Trump acts like it is a conspiracy against him personally (see: FBI Affair)
AND YET… Trump and his White House have flagrantly broken the law many times while also openly flaunting ethical regulations. And Trumpian comments are “He’s just being awesome!”

Here’s my point in this:: As someone who HASN’T changed politically that much… while watching my world get pushed more and more to the extremes (because yes, Democrats push back against the Rise of Alt Right by going Extreme Left)… I am, if you’ll allow me to say, in a unique position to call this out. STOP WITH THE PARTISAN RELATIVE MORALITY. If it is wrong when your enemy does it, it is wrong when your ally does it. Anything less is immoral.

Here’s why this type of thinking (for me) IS so largely pointed to the Republicans right now:
The Conservative Monopoly on Morality
I don’t know if you encounter this as often as I do. But I constantly hear about “The Godless Liberals” and how “The Left” are always pushing the immoral concept of “Relative Morality.” And that’s where I kind of stand up and say, “Excuse me?!” I would agree that Relative Morality is wrong. But a very emphatic SHAME ON YOU if you are against Relative Morality and were shrieking about Hillary’s E-Mails while supporting Trump’s commutation of Roger Stone. SHAME ON YOU if you ever chanted “lock her up” but celebrate every time one of Trump’s allies who actually were convicted of crimes is released without punishment. If relative morality is so offensive to you personally; stop projecting your disgust onto your opponents and take a self-inventory. If you claimed that Bill Clinton was an immoral monster for his Monica Lewinsky affair; but support Trump despite his dozens of affairs? THAT is relative morality.

And for all you Conservative Christians saying, “The ends justify the means! Trump may be an immoral monster, but he’ll put Conservative Christian Judges on the bench” I say: I encourage you to re-read the book of Matthew. The whole thing, not just the Christmas Story and Easter Story.

So… sorry for that essay, y’all. Just… needed to get that out there. It is… interesting, if frustrating, to realize that in all honesty… I really AM still just as conservative as I’ve always been. But as our country races towards Extremism, it is… a perspective I still feel needs to be shared. Because (truth told) YEAH… if the Left starts saying “If you need government money for anything, have some, we don’t care” I’ll criticize that shit, too! But that isn’t where we are today. And before you run in and say, “Isn’t that exactly what you’re asking for amid the COVID response?” I’d rush in to shout “There’s a huge difference and if you can’t tell the difference between managing a global pandemic and every day life, then you’ve failed the intelligence test required to share your opinion.” YES, during the pandemic… we should make it as easy as we can to NOT SPREAD the disease further. But I’m not advocating that EVERY AMERICAN receive $1200 a month for all time. I understand the argument for Global Universal Income and there are good points on the Pro side but I’m not sold. But yeah. When a Glenn Book owning, Primary Colors owning, An American Carol owning, Michael Moore hating former conservative is considered “Far too liberal for the GOP”?!?!?! Yeah. I think there’s a significant fucking problem!

To that end, I’ve been giving a LOT of thought to my situation, the world at large, and what legitimate and honest options exist (as well as what my possible objections, responses, and comforts are).

At present, I don’t want to leave my county, my job, or my state. That would actually benefit the people making us worse as a nation and I don’t want to do that. I’m in a position of power. Limited power, obviously, but I still have some. So I can get frustrated with the ridiculous asinine bullshit I hear, throw my hands up and get the hell out… or I can stay and do as much good as possible. For example: 20 year old woman 2 months away from her 21st birthday. Bought a bottle of beer. Conservative Current Government Response: Punish her!! Punish her immediately and significantly!!! But because I am who I am… I take a different approach. Instead of immediately intervening with punishment; I review her criminal history. IF SHE HAD A HISTORY OF ALCOHOL OFFENSES, THAT WOULD CHANGE THE OUTCOME. She didn’t even have so much as a parking ticket on her record! SO… lets creative problem solve to try to create a positive TIME CONSIDERED OUTCOME as opposed to simple knee jerk immediate punishment. If she can go 1 year (her 21st birthday year) without getting charged with a crime… I’ll dismiss the “You bought A beer 2 months too soon” charge. Now… which serves her better? Getting a criminal record and heavy fines for buying a beer?? OR letting her prove that this was a youthful first-time mistake in the middle of COVID?

Before I continue, just because I want to be clear about this, I’m not just a pushover. In fact, some of my decisions I’m sure would upset some of you. CASE IN POINT: There is a kid (22) that was NOT taking his mental health medication. Instead, he was self-medicating with illegal narcotics. He became a public nuisance. It got so bad that he was getting kicked out of businesses. HERE’S THE ISSUE… he was so upset (remember, mental health issues and a drug problem) that he returned to one of those businesses and demanded an apology. Police were called to escort him out of the business where he was cited with trespassing. Because he had been removed from the business before and was told that he was not allowed back. He informs the police officers that he was there to demand an apology for getting kicked out of the store in the first place. EVEN HERE so far, so good. BUT even now 9 months later, he refuses to plead guilty to the trespass and pay a small fine. He is still demanding an apology and taking the matter to court in order to get it. That guy? If it were within my power (it is not) I would put him in jail for this shit. NOT too long. But long enough to reflect exactly the cost of his actions. So… yeah. I’m not the “all kids with issues need mollycoddling.” I’m still, in many ways, a “take responsibility for your shit” kind of person.

THAT BEING SAID? I do know and acknowledge that I need to consider my options, my future, and my plans.

I’m not joking when I say that if Trump wins, I have some very serious plans to make. In 2016, 61% of my county voted for Donald Trump. Now… that was against Hillary Clinton. it is possible that Clinton was seen as such a vile option (largely because this area does NOT support Woman for President) that such a push won’t be repeated. IF Trump wins this County by less than 58%? That will be good news. If Biden wins this county? I’ll reneg on all of my fears. But honestly?? I very sincerely believe that this county will hand their votes to Trump by 64% or higher. SO… if this county votes Trump and Trump wins a 2nd Term?? I will honestly begin researching what I need to do to go live in a different country. I’ll flip burgers in New Zealand if I have to; I will not be put through a second Trump term.

But… with prayers strong and hope stronger… what happens if Trump loses the National election but still gets 64% of this county’s support?? My big question will be “5 Year or 10 Year?”
Because my 10 Year Plan was to see into moving on from around here. Whether that be a Judgeship or a higher State/Federal Political Position or simply trying the lateral move of “same job, bigger county”. With the divorce and everything… if Biden wins the National and Trump wins the county… it may be (no promises) enough motivation to speed the 10 year plan to a 5 year plan.

Those are just the practical realities. There are… impractical possibilities that I dare not say too often, as well. CLEARLY, I’m a writer. Maybe not a skilled, polished, professional grade writer… but I’m a writer in that, if given the chance, I will write A LOT ALL THE TIME. I have so many different ideas for books. Not even narrative fiction but intellectual stuff. Like… criss-crossing the country doing interviews with citizens on “What does freedom mean to you?” than comparing that with Historical, Cultural, and Religious concepts of Freedom. Do a book titled something like “Freedom and Responsibility: Of or From?” Or maybe do a more positive: What matters to you at the end of the day; strip away divisive politics what lives in your heart? kind of book and do a more positive “come together” book titled something like “One Nation With Heart.” Or maybe even team up with my brother (scary thought) and do a Religious Book doing interviews and debate over the worrisome interbreeding of Religion and Politics in America.

The “write a book” is something I consider an impractical possibility.... but definitely something that I consider as I contemplate future instabilities. Because if Federal Government is going to go FULL TRUMP and my local Government is going to go FULL TRUMP and I’m going to have to hear FULL TRUMP at work every day?? That may be significant enough motivation to attempt the impractical possibilities instead of sticking with the practical realities.

Today was… definitely a day where… my “Defund” argument proves nuanced. And yes, as I’ve previously written I think “DefundPolice” is an awful hashtag chosen specifically because it sounds so extreme thereby allowing each group to scream at and over each other with very little understanding or action.

But what did we have a shit ton of today? Defendants with ZERO impulse control and ZERO ability to prevent themselves from just outbursting. Like… I get it. I’m a robot. I’m an attorney. I know how to keep my emotions and statements in check in environments where people might otherwise find that difficult. But… damn. SO MANY PEOPLE need Impulse Control help!