'In the Name of Social Protest'
"All of this began when some of you who know better, and are old enough to know better, let young people think that they have the right to choose the laws they would obey, as long as they were doing it in the name of social protest." Ronald Reagan concerning a violent student protest at Berkley University in 1969.
And here we are in 2016, forty-seven years later. Some of those student protesters grew up to become professors who taught our children. One only has to look around at today's America to see what they've accomplished.
I found myself in the company of several thirty-something-year-olds the other day and I purposely ventured into a restricted area of conversation...politics. I knew where the talk would go, but I genuinely wish to attempt to understand where and how some of what I consider 'the younger generation' come up with their opinions and beliefs. As I expected, we were on totally opposite ends of the spectrum. I wanted to know why. And after an hour, I still had no answer. I came to the conclusion that the majority of younger folks in our society today believe what they believe because...they've been told that's how they should believe. We've become a nation of follow-the-crowd. Wow, I really don't fit in.
I've been around for over a half a century...and I've paid attention most of it. I realized that much of what is considered 'mainstream progressive beliefs' really stems from lack of experience...and wisdom.
If we are going to legalize marijuana, why don't we make meth legal as well? If a man is truly attracted to young children, shouldn't we acknowledge his feelings and permit him the same rights as we do LGBTs? If Joe Blow thinks he's a cat, we should pass laws that force every business, school, and church to provide a litter box in their restrooms, right? If Mary Sue considered having an abortion but finally decided to bring her baby into the world...then six months later decides she just doesn't want to deal with it, should we allow her to 'dispose' of it? If I think I've been slighted because of my race, my ethnicity, or my culture...there should be no laws to stand in my way as I seek revenge...and if there are, I'll break them!
Ah, I'm getting myself into deep trouble here. Someone is going to come knocking on my door...take me away and lock me in some dark dungeon for eternity. Why? Because I don't think like I'm suppose to.
What those younger than me have been taught is that if they shout loud enough, march through city streets with their protest signs long enough...the rest of us will succumb and allow them to have their way. It began when they were three years old. If they protested long enough, mama and daddy succumbed and allowed them to have their way. In fact, rather than have to listen to a screaming child, they just let them do as they pleased. If that child didn't want to clean their room...well, lets not rock the boat. If they said they didn't want to go to school...no problem sweetie.
Then they grew up. And they demanded they have their way. And our society didn't want to rock the boat. If we do hesitate even the slightest, they take to the streets and shout and wave their signs. Protesters, we used to call them.
Protests have become riots. Property is destroyed. People get injured. People die. People who don't think like they are supposed to, and those who try to maintain order...die mercilessly.
Three countries to date have issued travel warnings to their citizens: Don't travel to the United States. If you do, stay away from highly populated areas where protests, riots, and violence may break out. (Three Countries Issue Travel Warnings About Visiting The U.S. ~ Huffington Post ) The Army has issued warnings to all military personnel to avoid 37 cities this week who have potentially dangerous protests scheduled (U.S. military told to avoid 37 American cities for fear anti-police protests may turn violent - Washington Times )
Welcome to the United States of America 2016. I really miss Ronald Reagan...it wouldn't have come to this on his watch. I gotta go...build a wall around my house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggUeDa48V4g
