Scratches on the Record Grooves

June 3, 2012

I was listening to a CD recently and when the song seemed to jump to another lyric it reminded me of the old 45s and 78s.   Even the smallest scratch would cause the record to stop at a certain spot and repeat itself over and over again until you physically picked up the arm and reset the needle with your face about 2 inches away from the vinyl on the correct groove so you didn’t miss hearing the song in its entirety.  Unless you replaced the damaged record it was going to happen every time you wanted to listen to that specific or favorite song.

Today, it seems that as we listen to the rhetorical commentaries, the same thing happens regardless of what news story is being presented.   Each person is stuck with repeating themselves over and over again on their statement or opinion in order to be heard over the other loud mouths that are determined to take control of the conversation.   The message seldom seems to move forward or even get to a sane wrap-up because the pundits or the “expert” continue to regurgitate the same missive repeatedly.  Yes, I am addressing a broad range of national news media; however, they are the primary group who own the airwaves on both radio and television.   Though, to point out who owns the news media is a discussion for another day.

It is so hard to hear facts nowadays in what seems to be the crushing amount of journalistic mush, trying their best to rewrite the same basic story from a different angle.   The basic principles of writing a report have been lost and replaced with the newer beat-around-the-bush technique without saying much of anything.   The basic rules were to introduce the subject matter, provide factual evidence to support the introductory statements, and then end the report tying all of the facts and data together for a dependable conclusion.

Not so today.   Seems the needle gets stuck in the same groove now and no one wants to move past the interfering spot which makes the story stall.   If the arm and needle are moved, then the next several grooves are bypassed and only the end of the story is heard.   Sound familiar?  Ask yourself how many times you have read or listened to a news report and suddenly realize what happened to the rest of the story.   Many of us remember the late great radio personality, Paul Harvey, who also used this phrase to give the listener the comfort that they would hear the report without omission.  

Too bad that today, so many commentaries are using their skill to mastermind the facts and use the “skip theory” to jump to the conclusion with eloquent omission.    It is a play on the complacency factor that what we hear must be the truth.   Well, that worked in the 50s and 60s, but with the advent of electronic gadgetry and brilliant technology, most of the world population have the ability to research fact from factoids with very little problem.  

Stay attentive to the “scratches” that play the same message over and over again.  While we seem to have an overstimulation of news reporting, even I admit it has become more time consuming to research and double check the constant barrage of data that is thrown in our faces and into our auditory systems.   We are generally on sensory overload, yet, we must take time to get up and physically move the arm and needle on the vinyl to the precise groove so that we do not jump over the missing facts to a probable conclusion.

Arvene Kilby

Bridgeton, NJ

Posse Comitatus Act

There is a rising belief that Mexico is becoming a new drug war-era Columbia, and that our federal government should deploy the military along our southern border as soon as possible.

Experts believe conditions exist inside Mexico that mirror those found in Columbia prior to and during the reign of Pablo Escobar’s infamous Medellin drug cartel.

While drug-related violence along both sides of the border would warrant placing our military at our southern border, doing so raises a few questions.  For one, at what point do the conditions along the Mexican border warrant calling in the military? How would a military presence change the jobs of the U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement?  Perhaps most important, how would the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 come into play if the military began helping with border security?

American progressives undoubtedly will in some way raise the issue of the Posse Comitatus Act with regard to any military deployment along the Mexican border.  While progressives are already largely opposed to border enforcement policies, they in particular fear that military involvement in the region will infringe civil rights and cause civilian harm. 

Literally meaning “the power of the country to act,” the Posse Comitatus Act was enacted in the 19^th century after years of military involvement in maintaining domestic order during Reconstruction in the South and the settling of the American West.  It was the will of Congress at that time to return the military to duties such as protecting the borders from foreign aggression rather than conducting what had largely become local law enforcement issues.

Specifically, Congress has approved the use of the military to aid in anti-drug efforts. Such “passive” support now allowed includes providing logistics, intelligence, training and other things unique to the military that assist local law enforcement.  Execution of the law is still reserved to civilian authorities.

Most people agree with deploying our military along our southern border, but given the acute political division today, nothing is ever simple----not even a decision designed to protect the citizens and property of our nation. Americans want a safe and effective border policy, not one that aids the cause of those who smuggle people, drugs and political upheaval into our nation.  That is why America must come from a position of strength. That strategy likely requires a new administration in Washington and a defined military role.

Sections of Mexico are caught in the grip of drug dealers, terrorists and violent killers and thugs.  This anarchy, which is close to the U.S.–Mexico border in some cases, creates conditions favorable to the rise of a Mexican version of Pablo Escobar.  We cannot put our heads in the sand by pretending this violence along our border will go away.  We must come to grips with this problem sooner rather than later.

Two Millville Cities

Gunshots heard in Millville. Bullets fly in Millville. Street criminals run rampant on Millville streets. Cars and homes riddled with bullet holes as thugs and predators shoot at each other and endanger small children. A much different Millville than 30 years ago, so what happened? Almost to a person when asked that question, many believe the rapid up tick of criminal behavior is the result of the invasion of the criminal elements from Camden and Newark over the past few decades. Added to the homegrown criminal element this invasion overwhelmed local authorities.  And so over time I believe two separate Millville “cities” emerged.

Millville #1 consists of decent law-abiding citizens bent on teaching their children manners, respect and civil responsibilities. These residents support local sports events, maintain their property in a neat manner, work with law enforcement when needed, are educated, intelligent and try to make the county and their city better places to live. They normally do not engage in criminal activity, they pay their bills and willingly volunteer to help others in need. They believe in justice, self-responsibility and can be trusted to do their civic duties when called upon.

Millville#2 consists of an underworld that hosts a plethora of criminal activity. These are people who engage in drug use, drug sells and armed assaults on a daily basis.  They care little or nothing about the county or the city and even less about the people who live in Millville #1.  They have no respect or fear of law enforcement and often times will confront and engage police officers in gun battles or some other assault. They shoot weapons at each other and care little if a stray bullet might hit a child. They usually have little or no self-respect and could care less about the safety and human rights of others.

Both “cities” are linked by geography and through municipal services and it is easy for someone from city #2 to affect the lives and welfare of any of the law-abiding citizens in city # 1. This is done almost on a daily basis through high-speed car chases, running gun battles, theft, intimidation of seniors, hold ups and home invasions to name a few.  It is hard to identify the residents of each “city” on sight in most cases, but a daily read of the local newspapers clearly supports the existence of two Millville “cities.”

The fear is that the criminal element will eventually overpower the abilities of the authorities to protect the citizens that are not criminals. Even today seniors are afraid to go out of their homes, and small children are at risk playing in some city neighborhoods. 

Hard core criminals are not afraid of law enforcement officers, arrests, nor prison time as some view prison terms just like going to “college” where they learn how to be a better criminal.  Some say we must “hug” the criminals and rehabilitate them.  Well we have “hugged” and imprisoned for many decades and what do we have today?  Bullets fly in Millville. Gunshots heard in Millville. Street criminals run rampant on Millville streets.

I believe two Millville “cities” exist today side-by-side, uneasily, with trepidation and with fear. Meanwhile law-abiding residents are left to wonder just how long will it be before criminals utterly destroy the Holly city and make it inhabitable for decent people?

Jimmie L. Hollis

Obesity being regulated by the Government?

This continuation of government being the only force to fight obesity continues to grow as a nightmare on citizens while the government justifies their goals by federally-funded science studies that are nothing more than fast-food junk.

Jeff Stier, the head of the National Center’s Risk Analysis Division, has published another statement refuting the “junk” study that is being used to give Big Brother another reason to interfere and issue scare tactics to “weigh” in on the obesity epidemic in this country.   More activists and government officials continue to push more tax proposals and restrictions on food advertising to ban bake sales in schools such as the one that became law in Massachusetts.  

This problem has so many factors.  While we know that corrupt and imaginary study data is constantly being printed and published, the fact remains that our own eyes see what an obese society and country we have become.  Why has this happened?

Because we no longer do for ourselves.  We no longer have to physically do our chores.  We no longer plant our own gardens and tend to our crops and herds to provide food for our families.  We no longer clean our houses or our yards without technological tools.  We no longer send our children to play outside to run, jump, climb trees, or roller skate down the sidewalks.  Children and grandchildren are becoming vidiots and deaf ones at that.  Our world seems to evolve around the all-mighty videography to watch and play.  We no longer do any physical labor that produced products for our country to export or sell because technology has replaced those jobs and skills.

I could go on and on because the technology replacement since the 60s has slowly but surely replaced physical activity and labor with automation and electronic gadgetry.   But what this laziness that we have accepted by virtue of technology has fueled the big governmental plan to instruct us what to do, what to eat, how to live, where to go, what to read, and most of all, what we are not allowed to do in the name of safety.   This is like sorcerers magic under the political cape in a slight of hand and mouth to make us believers that their illusion is perfect for the “good of the people” and because it must be true it is good for all.  Really????

While there have been a few arguably good program ideas presented and written that address the growing obesity problem, until people realize that they are being conditioned into believing that the only solution is one that comes from the government, then the battle will be lost.   The oxymoron to this entire issue is; so many assisted citizens believe that they can continue to be belligerent and voice their irrefutable opinions, then why are they the easiest to be led down a new path of lifestyle decisions.    Once again, we are being molded and coddled to stop thinking for ourselves and to accept what government has deemed is the best solution.   If we do not begin to question the “studies” that are used to write headlines and law, then we will become the propaganda puppets who will succumb to anything we are told.  

Arvene Kilby/ May 15, 2012

Please come out and join us at Running Deer Golf Club and attend The Spring Gala for a great night out with your friends and neighbors on Friday, May 18^th, from 7:00 – 11:00 PM.    Your $40 ticket includes a gourmet buffet, dancing to live music, a silent Auction, our strolling Magician -  Kevin Bethea, and an overall night of great entertainment.  For this extraordinary evening we urge everyone to reserve your tickets now.

Contact Joanne Cooper today for tickets at (856) 769-9247.  Cash, check, or credit card accepted.  All proceeds benefit the Greenwich Tea Party Patriots of South Jersey for our ongoing educational activities and Rally.

Women will lose CHOICES under Sharia Law

Women have accomplished so many victories in our country, the most monumental Suffrage Movement in the early twentieth center culminating in the Nineteenth Amendment (which resulted in equality to vote) is still considered the “mother” of all female movements.   Gaining more attention in the 60’s was the newly formed National Organization of Women, which nationally gained both positive and negative notoriety for their outspoken messages that women were people to be respected and recognized, and subsequently coining the new derogatory title of chauvinist pig to any male who dare to disagree with their principles.   With that came many protests and ongoing organized efforts to achieve employment equality among men.  Many related and relevant subgroups were always propelling the woman to be respected for making her own choices regarding her health, her career, and her self-worth.    One cannot forget the instant change in American vocabulary claiming women were no longer housewives but domestic engineers.  The message has been loud and clear that women want to be appreciated and respected for their contributions in any setting.

But have those advances been productive and persisted as the stalwart direction of women in America?  The newest faction penetrating into our society has been silent, without fanfare or publicity.   Do not be fooled in the misconception that this is a small movement and it will not affect all women in this country, young, old, or even unborn.   The stealth infiltration and growth of Sharia Law is evident in many cities, suburban enclaves, and is being integrated in many school curriculums as young as elementary classes as well as institutions of higher learning.   This is not a hypothetical situation, there are classes being taught today in various school systems that are indoctrinating our children to the world of Islam willfully teaching the praise of the “peaceful religion” including Sharia Law without parental consent.  Even though mothers have been a traditional role model for being involved, everyone should be cognizant of what subjects are being taught and how “tolerance” has become the new torch word for transforming a new generation to a subservient populous.

Well, this writer has to ask the question, what has happened to NOW and all of the women and female driven organizations whose original goal was to promote, protect, and preserve the rights and respect of all women and females?  All of these organizations are conveniently absent from the main stream media and have not issued any statements condemning the grievance treatment or punishment of women which are inhumane and violate human rights.   These absentee organizations are leaving the battle for the women of America to fend for themselves.   Everyone must understand that there is no similarity between Sharia Law and the American freedoms.   Everyone must realize today that the difference between the two is this:  CHOICE.   Women in American have the freedom to make choices about their life, health, motherhood, marriage, divorce, employment, and religion.   These choices will cease to exist if Sharia Law is allowed to continue to penetrate into our laws, educational system, and lifestyle.

There are a number of experts in our country who can provide solid information, explanations, and references to learn these differences.  ACT for America has many outstanding videos and You-tube clips for public viewing, there are excellent books (read the Quran) for reading, and many articles on the internet.  All provide factual guides to learn and understand the fundamental differences between our democracy which was thoughtfully crafted by our Founders and the irreconcilable conflict with Sharia law.   Our freedoms which allow us to choose liberty, equality and secularism over the doctrines of submission and tyrannical theocracy are at stake.   Do not lose the ability to select and make your own decisions by remaining silent.   Choose to study and stay educated and be aware for yourself and the future generations of this country.

Arvene Kilby                            
Bridgeton, NJ

RESTORE THE HEALTH OF OUR SOCIETY

April 29, 2012

After re-listening to the Ronald Reagan economic speech from May of 1981 to a joint session of Congress, my retired medical past had no choice but to kick into high gear.   When he spoke to Congress he metaphorically used medical terms to describe the economy.   He was urging Congress to work as a team to restore the health of the country, reverse the sickness of society, and to heed what was the source of such illness, a government that persists in overspending.

Would President Reagan’s speech be appropriate today?  Of course it would.  The conditions today are really no different than they were 30 years ago, with one exception.   The illness of our economy has gotten worse.   The history lesson then is still the same lesson that should be embraced today.   We must face the facts that the disease that has slowly and surely grown into the body of society has metastasized and spread into every major organ of our country.   There have been many superficial treatments practiced and applied to temporarily hinder the disease, but none of these treatments have eradicated the cells that continue to grow beneath the republic skin.

Call it a cancer, the label certainly fits.   The treatments have been as diverse as declaring that radiating the tumorous growth of excessiveness and inflated government spending will help, but this course of treatment has not stopped the cancerous growth from appearing in other major sections of our economy.   Chemotherapy, one of the most extreme forms of treatment for decades, is much more sophisticated in targeting the oft times fatal source but it can also destroy the good tissue as well.  I’m just not sure that the government or the people are truly willing to accept this intervention.   The health of our country has gone beyond a good prognosis for recovery unless we subject a remedy that is so strong that we risk a lethal outcome.

Healing the country of such illness will take one huge prescription and will require a formidable dose that will bypass the good programs and target the spread of deceitful and insidious spending that threatens the overall recovery of our nation.    We the people must continually be diligent and apply pressure, not just bandages, to return our sick economy to a healthy status again.   

Arvene Kilby

Bridgeton, NJ