Drifting Fate

Here is a two minute video on YouTube  stemming from an interview (or at least a dramatization of an interview) with George Orwell, author of Animal Farm and 1984 . The words are well known, but, as the years pass, they become ever more poignant and more on point. A bit of thought, not a lot, but a bit, is required to think about how to heed such words.  From there will stem a tree of ideas, branches going every which way, but buds green with freedom and not red with the blood of Communism/Fascism/Totalitarianism. Yes, blood may be inevitable, it so often has been in the human struggle throughout history, but if it so, is this not why we teach (taught?) values clarification and the idea of triage to our middle-schoolers?  I suppose I live in the past, but, if blood is to be spilt better theirs than ours, better mine than yours, and, yet, better none at all if freedom can be secured without it. It's not like we haven't been warned...

The following is from the "Come and Make It" blog, which I know nothing about, and found it following links, so who knows how I got there. Anyway... I obviously have a connection to the Philippines through my wife, but it’s also an interesting window on a number of levels: 1) They have traditionally been very pro-America due to being a protectorate as a result of the Spanish-American War and having been treated and well educated to Western standards. 2) They are an Asian nation who is 2nd World, so they are a good gauge for the entire region, much better than industrialized, 1st World Japan 3) The current president is a train wreck authoritarian which helps us gauge how such an approach works on American ideals.  In one word, “Beware”. 4) They are fighters.  While primarily a blade culture, they have fairly loose gun laws for citizens and aren’t afraid about personal repercussions when it comes to making a point and standing up for what is right.  This is...

This fellow was flying the Hong Kong flag at the 1/20/20 VA Rally.  When asked why, he responded that, "It on seems fair.  They're holding ours." Amazing and exactly what we should aspire to be.