Coming Soon: The premiere of THE KING JARVIS JOURNAL on Face Book. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Those famous words were uttered by Samuel Johnson way back on April 7, 1775. Very prophetic man, this one. You can't swing a dead cat, ( I own one, taxidermied ), without hitting someone wearing flag lapel or who has seen those enormous American flags displayed at our sports venues. We are led to believe that constant display of our country's standard is, for all intents and purposes, patriotic. We see this as commercial advertising, similiar to the corporate logos seen on television before sporting events, during sporting events, after sporting events, and at the event sites. Quite frankly, we maintain that in today's world, the U.S. flag is in fact just another corporate logo. Warren G. Harding assertion that the chief business of the American people is business, withstanding. It appears as though militaristic tendences are being imbedded into our national psyche. The emotional blackmail du jour is the issue of military veterans, nay, mercenaries, that has spawned an entire cottage industry of faux patriotic entities such as music groups of soldiers and veterans wives forming to grab cash and prizes from talent competitions. Businesses are velcroing themselves to the flag waving scheme to try to convince consumers that they are with the program. The free meals that certain restaurants are providing to vets are written off we are sure, and the not so subtle advertisement of them must certainly reap financial benefits with no proof that the companies are pro or anti American. Quite possibly, there is not one person alive who can remember a time when our country has not been at war. That being the case, even though we admire some of the earlier warriors of our times, who did not have access to the resources that our present generation has, anyone who has joined the military in the last twenty years or so more than likely knew that he or she was signing up to be a mercenary, and should expect strange consequences. Wars are usually about acquisition and imposition of will. Our folk in uniform are defending not our people, but the globalists who wish to expand their empire.
Evelyn Beatrice Hall, not Voltaire, wrote : " I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it ". Odd being painted so many shades of strange by some posters here. We admire your passion, especially on a weekend posting. We need no one's validation, but will share. I am an " old school " patriot as well. Disprove of the heavy hand of government. Despise, not fear homosexuality, abhor abortion, and I deplore the expanding use of profanity today's culture. That does not make me or anyone else more patriotic, but it is wrong for us to expect more from this great country, the greatest country that was ever stolen. In Napa, we live in paradise. Everyone over the age of forty should take up extreme yoga, so that they don't break their arm patting themselves on the back for being wise and fortunate enough to live here. Wild oats have been sown, and this Mayberry town is great. It would be very easy to sit back and enjoy this wonderful privilege, yet we design to take a few minutes now and then to remind us that we can do better, do better. BTW, we bought our stuffed cat at the thrift shop at the local Methodist church. The same church that practices vicarious/ pseudo cannibalism, as we did back east many moons ago during Communion services on the first Sunday of every month. Remember? " TAKE, EAT THIS, FOR CHRIST DIED FOR THEE. TAKE, DRINK THIS, FOR CHRIST SHED HIS BLOOD FOR THEE. " With the wafers as body, and grape juice as blood, THAT is disturbing.
Visualize it: A ledger that on one side, shows an American war or conflict. On the other side is what we have gained from such, and who profited from such. Your answer to the unasked question lies there. Now we are in Afghanistan where the heroin laden poppy seed has flourished since we got there. That country has HUGE lithium deposits that we seek. Our ubiquitous gadgets and gizmos rely heavily on that stuff. As a techie, I relish the fact that lithium could be another word for TIME. We believe that America is better than a service based economy, surviving on cell phones, and scare tactics insurance commercials. Paranoia has sold many a policy. " Discount Double Check " reminds me of the movie where the guy checks, rechecks, and checks again, his door lock. fear not. BTW, true patriots would not be in the habit of continually trading freedoms for security, because, well you know ! HRM
