It's No Longer Just Politics

This last weekend was. . .interesting, as Spock would say.

Normally, I avoid any political commentary on my blogs. But as the title says, it's no longer just politics.

Not when unidentified men break into homes, seize people and belongings, and disappear. Not when illegal gases are used to subdue peaceful protesters. Not when a single burning car is used over and over as propaganda to justify sending the U.S. military into Los Angeles.

You see, I'm old enough to remember Kent State. Ohio's Governor James Rhodes sent armed National Guardsmen to quell a protest at Kent State University. The soldiers claimed the students threw a rock. One rock.

They retaliated by opening fire on the students. Four unarmed kids died that day. And even though I wasn't even in kindergarten yet, I understood the slogan "Don't trust anyone over 30."

And now, I'm way over 30. I was brought up by people who served the public. People who were local government leaders. People who served at polls. People who fought in foreign countries.

I swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution three times in my life. My son took the same oath when he joined the military.

And now. . .

I see a group of idiots attempting to destroy the country.

And it royally pisses me off. I'll admit the idea that everyone is created equal still needs some work in this country. But to blatantly ignore someone's citizenship or green card and send them to a prison on a different continent?

What the fuck!

To have a military parade to please our leader?

We mocked the U.S.S.R. for doing that shit!

To arrest a member of Congress for attempting to speak with a director of an executive office?

To assassinate a member of a state legislature?

To claim the right to publicly assemble is illegal?

When I traveled down to the Carolinas to visit friends and family in March, someone I've known since the 80s asked me if I thought the U.S. was becoming fascist. I said, "We already are. People just haven't realized it yet."

Now, people are starting to realize it.

But is it too late to change course?

Only you can answer that question.