Musings from the treetop

June 2023

It’s Gay Pride month, a time for those members of the LBGT+ community who desire the public identify them by their sexual inclinations — rather than some other means like talent, character or deeds — to stand proudly and publicly. But, since words matter, let’s think for a moment about what pride actually is. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines pride as reasonable self-esteem, confidence and satisfaction in oneself. So then the question becomes whether one can reasonably gain self-esteem, confidence and satisfaction from that which is mere happenstance. Is it reasonable for people to take pride in any factor clearly beyond their control? Does it make any more sense to be proud of being born white, black, gay or straight than it does to be proud of having a mole on your cheek or that you lost your hair at age 35? Pride should be the result of positive achievement. We should all appreciate each other and accept our innate differences but these collectivist pride movements are not only nonsensical, they wind up doing just the opposite. ………… A recent article in the Daily Bell reported how some Mexicans, Indians and Blacks are now considered “white supremacists,” by some leftists publications. While this is clearly a victory for proponents of inclusion, the racist mission statement seems damaged a bit. ……………… A federal judge ruled that a women’s-only nude spa must serve trans patrons with male genitals. While some true females may be deterred by the decision, expect the establishment to gain immediate popularity among “ladies-for-a-day.” ……….. Sometimes, mission creep breaks into a full sprint. A proposed amendment to a California bill would empower Child Protective Service to intervene in the life of families, including taking over custody, if parents failed to use the child’s chosen pronoun. Once confined to episodes of physical sexual abuse, the charge of today’s social worker has devolved into enforcing the arbitrary dictates of overreaching busybodies. ………………….. California politicians are also advancing a bill to make it illegal for retail store employees to confront thieves. It is a move to help shoplifters steal. Though the logic is beyond baffling, it is consistent with Democratic Party politics. You may have noticed the Justice Department provides similar protection for the influence-peddling Biden family. …………. An astounding study from Israel, published by Epoch Times, revealed that among folks between the ages of 18 and 49 with no medical preconditions, a grand total of zero died from COVID. Not one in the entire country. Zero is also the number of mainstream media outlets willing to report that story. …………… Gun control advocates pretend restrictions on the legal purchase of firearms will impact societal crime. They don’t seem to realize that only about six percent of crimes were committed by legally purchased guns. About 80 percent were obtained in burglaries. …………….. America has gone backwards in many ways over the past couple of decades, from crime and homelessness to the return of unabashed racism. The City of Seattle and the Coca-Cola Company are among those attempting to seriously institutionalize racism by demanding white employees attend programs designed to “undo their whiteness.” If differently focused racists demanded black people “undo their blackness,” Sharpton and the ethnic grievance industry would be springing the length of their chains — and rightfully so. ………. Hypocrisy is fast becoming accepted practice. The LA Times, which refused to publish the Mohammed cartoon from Charlie Hebdo that insulted Muslims, ran several opinion pieces praising the Dodgers for celebrating an anti-Catholic hate group. Then, there is the FBI, the poster children for glow-in-the-dark double standards. Will fair-minded people continue to stand for this degeneration of principle, tradition and commitment to justice? The 2024 election holds the answer. …………. A poll taken after the DOJ indictment, shows Trump’s lead over his primary opponents has actually increased. Americans may correctly be sensing that only Donald has the necessary motivation to reign in the corrupt Deep State. …… Joe Biden fashions himself as the anti-MAGA champion. And, he has the chops to prove it. His approval ratings confirm that few Americans would accuse him of making America great.