It’s Bradley…It’s Chelsea…No…It’s Traitor

So it’s official…Chelsea Manning is now a free “man”.  I use the term “man” loosely.  It has nothing to do with the gender he now identifies with.  Just because Manning decided he’s now a “woman”, changed his name to a more feminine one, that doesn’t make him a woman.  Nor is he a man.  The reality is Manning is a spoiled little brat that did what he did out of selfishness and a falsely perceived sense of self-entitlement.

There are many things about the Manning saga that absolutely floored me.  Foremost is the fact that many look at Manning as a “hero” and a “whistleblower” for having the “courage” to bring to light the supposed “atrocities” the United States was committing at the time while fighting the war on terror.  Apparently, these Manning supporters forgot that these “atrocities”  were in response to the cowards that attacked this country on September 11, 2001.  For those that have forgotten, in that attack close to 3,500 Americans were murdered and over 10,000 were injured. (Staff, 2010)  That doesn’t account for the first responders that are now battling and dying from the hazardous environment they were exposed to as they selflessly and courageously performed their duties (unlike Manning, who selfishly performed his duties with absolute discredit).  That doesn’t account for the families whose loved ones, unlike Manning, will never come home again.

I gotta hand it to this “hero” though, he’s quite cunning.  The manner in which he and his supporters pulled off this whole “traitor to victim”  thing is nothing short of brilliant.  Manning sells out his country and is sentenced to a 35 year term. (Savage, 2017)  He goes to jail and immediately states…oh by the way…I’m a girl now, my name is Chelsea…and that is how and what I will be referred to as.  The absolute crazy thing about it is…it worked!  Seemingly overnight, and without any question whatsoever from the media, Bradley was now Chelsea…he was now a she!

This was brilliant for a couple of reasons.  First, because the media embraced Chelsea without question, Bradley faded from the spotlight.  Chelsea became center stage and more importantly…recent.  The “Recency Effect” is a well-established psychological phenomena.  Basically, what it means is human beings are more apt to recall and remember recent information over previous information (Pam MS, n.d.).  This was key because as Chelsea’s “transformation” became “the” story, people forgot about “Bradley’s”  traitorous actions.

Also, once Chelsea’s “transformation” manifested itself, the issue at hand also “transformed”.  Once again, cue the media!  What was the issue of Manning selfishly selling out his country, the media made it into an LGBT issue!  Poor Chelsea…stuck in prison…just wanting to become the woman he felt he was always supposed to be but not being allowed to!  How convenient for Manning!  This “transformation” enabled Manning to now be viewed as a victim instead of a traitor.   Once again, this allowed the original issue at hand to fade from the spotlight.

From this point, the list of injustices continued to flow unhindered.  In combination with strategically planned suicide attempts and hunger strikes, Manning convinced Army officials to begin hormone therapy as a means to “treat” his “gender dysphoria”.  (Kube, O’Hara, Helsel, & Press, 2017)  Despite being a prisoner, this hormone therapy was paid for with tax payer dollars.  In addition, Manning had access to means which allowed him to update his Twitter account from prison. (Karimi, 2015) This enabled him to reach out to supporters and garner support for his “cause”.  Also, while in prison, Manning was able to write opinion pieces for The New York Times and The Guardian. (Karimi, 2015)  Then, the final injustice occurred.  Before leaving office, former President Barrack Obama commuted Manning’s 35 year sentenced after only serving 7 years despite the fact that Manning SOLD OUT HIS COUNTRY!

So yes…it is brilliant how Manning pulled this whole “traitor to victim” thing off.  Manning and his supporters manipulated the media, making all accomplices look like complete and utter fools!   Despite being a PRISONER, Manning garnered privileges that some free, law-abiding citizens don’t even have access to!  Some of these privileges even came at the monetary expense of the very country that he sold out!  At the end of the day, Manning went to prison for selling out his country and somehow managed to come out of it better off than he was before! 

I’d like to believe that Manning feels some shred of remorse for what he did.  Yet, he doesn’t.  He’s simply too selfish, too self-absorbed, and too much of a brat to feel any sort of responsibility or accountability for selling out his country.  This sense of self-entitlement is clear as Manning “is [now] looking forward to eating pizza, swimming, playing PlayStation and meeting the many friends who have supported her over the years”.  (Kube, O’Hara, Helsel, & Press, 2017)  In addition, Manning stated, “After another anxious four months of waiting, the day has finally arrived,” said Manning. “I am looking forward to so much! Whatever is ahead of me is far more important than the past. I’m figuring things out right now-which is exciting, awkward, fun, and all new for me.”  (Kube, O’Hara, Helsel, & Press, 2017)  Clearly, there is no remorse whatsoever on the part of Manning for selling out his country.

Ironically, I hope Manning enjoys his pizza.  I hope he has fun playing his PlayStation and swimming.  I hope he enjoys spending time with the “friends” that he suckered into supporting his “cause”.  I hope he enjoys all these things because in doing so Manning highlights what freedom really means in this country.  What Manning is too self-absorbed and too selfish to realize is only in the United States of America can you sell out your country and still be alive to enjoy all these things. 

The harsh reality is had Manning done what he did as a citizen of less understanding countries…the outcome would have been very different.  In these countries, even if suspected of being a traitor, Manning would have disappeared.  If he were lucky, he would have been killed on the spot.  But…he wouldn’t have been that lucky.  He would have likely been beaten and tortured in ways he has no idea even exist.  If he managed to live, the rest of his pathetic, pitiful life would have been spent in confinement…or a work camp…hoping to die.  This grim reality doesn’t even take into account had it been known that he wanted to be a “she”.  This grim reality doesn’t take into account what would have happened to his family for him being an enemy of the State.

So let’s set the record straight.  Manning IS NOT a hero.  Manning IS NOT a whistleblower.  Manning is a TRAITOR!!!!! Manning was entrusted with secrets vital to the safety and security of this country and just like Edward Snowden, he selfishly and irresponsibly SOLD OUT THIS COUNTRY!!!!!  That is not what heroes do.  That’s not what whistleblowers do.  Manning’s actions were the epitome of what TRAITORS do!  Manning, along with those that defended and supported him, brilliantly manipulated the media to transform him from a traitor into a victim.  This only served to reinforce his selfishness and falsely perceived sense of entitlement which means Manning will never feel remorse for SELLING OUT HIS COUNTRY.  He will hypocritically enjoy the freedoms and liberties of this country despite being a traitor to this country.  Know that those that defend and support him are just as despicable.  Manning may look forward to his future…but his past will never be forgotten.

 

References

Karimi, F. (2015, April 4). CNN. Retrieved from Chelsea Manning tweeting from prison : http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/03/us/chelsea-manning-joins-twitter/

Kube, C., O’Hara, M. E., Helsel, P., & Press, A. (2017, Many 17). msn.com. Retrieved from Army Whistleblower Chelsea Manning Released From Prison — and Wants Pizza, PlayStation : http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/army-whistleblower-chelsea-manning-released-from-prison-—-and-wants-pizza-playstation/ar-BBBeyeo?ocid=spartandhp

Pam MS, N. (n.d.). Psychology Dictionary. Retrieved from What is RECENCY EFFECT?: http://psychologydictionary.org/recency-effect/

Savage, C. (2017, May 16). nytimes.com. Retrieved from Chelsea Manning Leaves Prison, Closing an Extraordinary Leak Case: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/us/politics/chelsea-manning-leaves-prison.html?_r=1

Staff, H. (2010). 9/11 Attacks. Retrieved from History.com: http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks

Realistic Hope

Like most people, I am hopeful at the beginning of a new year that this year will somehow be different…be better than the last.  Yet it doesn’t take long for the reality to set in that hope is fleeting and arguably foolhardy.  This new year of 2016 is no exception.  China’s struggling economy continues to adversely impact the overall global economy.  Escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran further destabilize a region that is already a hot mess and will continue to get worse as oil prices remain low.  On the home front, armed militiamen commandeered the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon protesting perceived federal government injustices.  Sadly, we didn’t get too far out of the gate in 2016 before the past started rearing its ugly head in the future.

China’s struggling economy should come as no surprise.  I’m by no means an economic expert but even I knew it was a matter of when and not if the wheels would come of their economy.  Years of exaggerated expectations and data manipulation have finally caught up to a country that can no longer sustain the bubble that they created for themselves.  Who will pay for this…only the entire world!  While globalization has opened up unprecedented options for wealth, the reality is being connected comes at a price.  When one falters, we all take a bite of the big poop sandwich.  Some just take a bigger bite than others.

In China’s defense, they have succumbed to the same illogical mentality that every other developed nation has experienced and still experiences.  In business, you are only successful if you improve upon the previous year.  It is a very linear (and destructive) mentality because realistically continued upward mobility is impossible to maintain.  What goes up must (and does) come down.  History has proven this over and over and yet too few pay attention.  Business is cyclic, and until today’s business world adapts its mentality towards a cyclic economy, the world’s intertwined economies will continue to suffer.

Anyone who has read any of my previous blogs knows that I am no fan of the Middle East.  I believe that region is the butt crack of the world.  Centuries of Islamic ideology and inept secular/religious leaders have resulted in an entire region of this planet that continues to fall further and further behind in today’s modern world. This belief is further reinforced by the latest tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran over Saudi Arabia’s execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

While Nimr al-Nimr’s execution is the latest spark in the never-ending sea of sparks that keeps this region in a constant state of turmoil, it highlights a bigger problem.  As the world struggles on whether or not to accept Muslim refugees into their countries, the question must be asked: If you can’t even get along with those that are similar to you in culture and faith, how can you be trusted to get along with others in countries of dissimilar cultures and faith?

It’s a serious question and one that is not being asked enough.  Once reason why is due to the anti-Muslim backlash that resulted from the massacre in Paris, France and the murders in San Bernardino, California.  Since those cowardly attacks, in seems anyone who expresses any kind of concern about Muslim refugees entering their home countries have been conveniently lumped into the tidy little label of being an “Islamophobe”. According to the Oxford Dictionaries website, “Islamophobia” is defined as, “Dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force.”   It’s a very broad definition.  While it provides a convenient means to label everyone that questions the intent of the culture and religion, its broadness misses the true point.

That point is trust.  Nimr al-Nimr’s execution further highlighted a people that cannot get along with even those of similar culture and faith.  As a result, I personally cannot trust that these same people will get along with others of dissimilar cultures and faith.  That does not make me an “Islamophobe”.  That makes me a “realist”.  What is also realistic is the fact that things will only get worse in the Middle East.  Low oil prices will only exasperate a people and culture that is already behind the times due to its religious ideologies and inept leadership.  Oil made the Middle East “something”.  Without it, that region becomes nothing.  This means even greater, and more violent, attempts will be made to stave off the Middle East’s inevitable irrelevance in today’s modern world.  Who will pay for this…only the entire world!

How ironic is it in light of President Obama’s recent attempts to enact stricter gun control laws in the United States that an armed militia commandeers a federal wildlife refuge? Sadly, this event illustrates just how ineffective more stringent gun control laws truly are.  No matter how hard we make it for individuals to possess a firearm, those that want one will find a way either legally or illegally to get one.  Chances are, the soldier wannabe’s currently holed up at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge obtained their guns legally.  How many homicides are committed in the United States by those using illegally obtained firearms?  The stark reality is, gun control is not the answer to what ails this country’s violent ills.  Gun control only serves to make it harder for the law abiding citizens of this country to possess a firearm.

Many claim the United States has a “gun” problem.  This country does not have a gun problem.  The United States has a “people” problem.  We have become a self-entitled people that believe we have the right to do and say whatever we wish whenever and however we wish…no matter how adversely it affects others.  Sadly there are those, like the militiamen occupiers in Oregon, which take this belief to an even deadlier level by utilizing guns to be seen and heard.  As it stands now, too few people in this country feel they should take responsibility for their actions when they react to perceived injustices.  The answer to rectifying this country’s “people” problem lies in making people accountable for their actions.  Personally, regarding the soldier wannabe’s in Oregon, I believe accountability for these people’s illegal actions can be found via a couple of low level “training” strafing passes from an A-10 “Warthog”.

Like most people, I was hopeful at the beginning of 2016 that this year would somehow be different…be better than the last.  Yet, the events that have already transpired suggest this year, like many to come, will be challenging.  This is not to say good things won’t happen.  This is not to say there will not be good people out there doing good things.  However, the reality is these good things will occur within the backdrop of a struggling global economy.  Upheaval will continue within an area of the world whose culture and religion has no qualms about spreading violence throughout this world.  Closer to home, domestic threats will be the bane of all because of the few that believe that because their lives matter, they can take inappropriate and/or illegal action without fear of retribution or accountability for their actions.

Hope…

Kim Davis…We Will Overcome

To this point, I’ve stayed out of the Kim Davis “saga” simply because I’ve felt due course has taken care of the problem.  However, it seems Kim Davis continues to buck the system that she is supposed to uphold.

According to latest allegations, “Davis altered the marriage forms by removing her name, making a deputy clerk initial the form instead of sign it and requiring the form to be notarized” (Associated Press, 2015) …thereby altering marriage licenses.

For me, I cannot believe that Kim Davis’ actions have even been an issue.  She is a civil servant, sworn to uphold the FEDERAL laws of this land.  The fact that she has been allowed to deviate from her responsibilities AND keep her position is beyond me.

It’s time for this issue to be resolved.  Kim Davis…since you are unwilling and incapable of fulfilling the obligations you were elected to fulfill, I challenge you to do the right thing and resign from your position.  If not, I challenge those powers that be to remove Kim Davis from her elected position because she is unwilling and incapable of fulfilling her civil obligations.

One’s “god’s authority” is not grounds to not fulfill their civil obligations.  Kim Davis…you are wrong…and those that think she is a martyr should be ashamed of themselves.  It is 2015…we must rise above Kim Davis and those that support her.

(Associated Press, 2015)

Bigoted Indeed

Ted Cruz…America’s “Green Eggs and Ham” President Wannabee!

Well, it’s official.  Senator Ted Cruz has announced he is running for president in 2016.  His “coming out” wasn’t necessarily a huge surprise.  Speculation has swirled seemingly from day one regarding Ted Cruz’s presidential aspirations.  Unlike many of his contemporaries that continue to play the “maybe I am, maybe I’m not” game, I commend Mr. Cruz for having the “intestinal fortitude” to make his presidential intentions known beyond a reasonable doubt.  Considering the size of Mr. Cruz’s ego, I’m actually surprised he waited this long to make his announcement.

It is no secret that I am not a fan of the person or politician that is Ted Cruz.  However, I couldn’t be happier that he is throwing his hat into the presidential ring.  For one thing, by running for president, Mr. Cruz further fractures a very tumultuous Grand Obstructionist Party.  We’ve already seen glimpses of dissent within the now Republican controlled House and Senate.  These fissures within the Republican Tea Party will only grow larger with Sen. Cruz running for president.    

Another reason why I’m happy Ted Cruz is running for president is he will now have to come out of the shadows and be held accountable for his beliefs and intentions.  Up until now, Sen. Cruz has been able to get away with blaming President Obama for all perceived wrongs while sitting back in the relatively safety of the masses of his fellow representatives.  As a presidential hopeful, Mr. Cruz will no longer be able to enjoy that “safety net” that comes with being one of the many.

In addition to losing his safety net, Ted Cruz will now be on the hook for identifying and explaining realistic and practical solutions for the problems facing this country.  Based on what I have seen and heard so far from Sen. Cruz, his only current “solution” is blaming President Obama.  Amongst many things, Ted Cruz wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act and abolish the IRS.  Yet when pressed for details, he is unable to offer any practical and attainable solutions that would replace these entities.  As the presidential race heats up, time will prove that Ted Cruz is long on ideology and lacks practical solutions for solving this country’s challenges.

Realistically, Sen. Cruz’s chances of becoming President of the United States is a long shot.  While he has appealed to the radical few, he’s also alienated the more moderate majority.  Due to his past antics, Mr. Cruz will be hard pressed to garner the support he needs to win his own party primary, much less the presidency.

However, part of me is also concerned.  As bombastic as Ted Cruz is, it is plausible he could win.  In today’s day and age of smartphones and political correctness, anyone and everyone is just one misstep away from going from champ to chump.  Sen. Cruz could win not because he is the best person for the job.  He could win because he is the lesser of the eligible evils.

While I commend Mr. Cruz for leaving no doubt regarding his presidential aspirations, I believe his doing so will finally prove to the world just how incapable he will be of attaining such a lofty goal.  While I believe Ted Cruz is a long shot to win the presidency, I also worry he could win based on the misfortunes of others rather than his own merit.  While Sen. Cruz was not solely responsible for the 2013 federal government shutdown, we must remember his actions went far towards ensuring the shutdown occurred.  Let us not forget, Mr. Cruz chose to waste valuable taxpayer time, money, and resources reading Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” to his daughters from the Senate floor rather than take action to avoid the shutdown.  Ted Cruz has proven his willingness to advance his own personal agenda at the expense of the good of this country.  Is this really the “leader” that we want to represent this country as President?  Only the future will tell for sure.

LoL…it speaks for itself!

Sequestration…Eh…What’s a Furlough Here and There

113TH isn’t looking all that promising either!!

Like many federal civilian employees, I’m keeping a leery eye towards the future. Sadly, the sequestration that was never supposed to happen appears more and more likely with each passing day. Once again words cannot describe the overwhelming disappointment I have towards our “leaders” in Washington D.C. They have yet again blown an opportunity to step up and do the job that they get paid (and get paid well) to do. To add insult to injury, it seems most have made the decision to purposely allow the sequestration to occur rather than actually put forth the effort to reduce this nation’s deficit rationally and responsibly.

If the sequestration occurs, I like many federal civilian employees, will be furloughed. This means that I will be forced to take an unpaid “vacation” one day a week until the “Dolts in DC” pull their heads out of their anal orifices and actually make the decisions they have been elected to make. My elected representatives will be responsible for a loss of income which accounts for almost a third of my monthly paycheck. Contrary to seemingly popular belief regarding federal civilian employees, I’m not a millionaire. I make approximately 35K/year. While I’ve taken responsible steps to help mitigate the effects of potential furlough, this loss of income will adversely impact my standard of living.

I’m sure there are some that have read this far and are thinking “blah, blah, blah, whining and bitching”. For those that feel this way and lack the ability to think beyond their immediate self, I’d like to put things in perspective. First of all, can you afford to lose a third of your monthly paycheck? Probably not! If the shoe were on the other foot you too would be up in arms over the degradation to your standard of living. In addition, you’d probably also be rather indignant that no one cares about your plight.

I imagine there are also some that are reading this thinking “well if you want to make more money, get a better paying job”. Brilliant!! Why didn’t I think of that! However, I’m not asking for anything more than what I already receive. I don’t want more money. I simply want to receive the full amount of money I currently make! I feel I get paid well for what I do. Through responsible decision making, my current income enables me the ability to live a rather comfortable standard of living. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy what I do. Do you want to walk away from what you enjoy doing? Probably not! To expect me to do so because of the ineptness of others is simply idiotic.

Ultimately, there are those that may be thinking “well it could be worse, at least you have a job.” I couldn’t agree more! It could be worse. I could be unemployed or I could be furloughed for more than one day a week and lose even more income. I am quite thankful I have a job. I recognize there are others that are not as fortunate. Yet those that take this “be thankful for what you have” approach, as well as those that feel I’m whining and bitching, are missing the ultimate point.

We pay (to the tune of six figures a year) our elected officials to make decisions that are in the best interest of this country. Our “leaders” are simply NOT DOING THEIR JOB and the sequestration is yet one more example of this unwillingness to perform the duties they have been elected to do. If I don’t do my job, I get “written up”. I will ultimately be fired if I continue to shun the responsibilities I was hired to do. What price do our elected officials pay for blatantly thumbing their noses at their responsibilities? What price do our elected officials pay for putting the interests of their Super-PAC’s, special interest groups, and political parties ahead of their constituents’ issues? Absolutely nothing…with a pretty good chance for re-election at the end of their term!! The ultimate point is our elected officials are not doing their jobs and we are not holding them accountable for their inactions.

To add even more insult to injury, I recently learned that Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) introduced bill H.R. 273. This bill effectively aims to eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees. Not surprisingly, this bill passed the Republican Tea Party controlled House and is now up for Senate consideration. While it is uncertain whether or not the Senate will approve the measure, in light of the current political climate, it’s reasonable to assume at this point it will.

So it’s not good enough to steal the money that federal civilian employees currently make. No, let’s make sure federal civilian employees receive less in the future too!! If only Rep. DeSantis and the rest of the 48 obstructionist Republican Tea Party members that co-sponsored this bill could be as thorough when it comes to actually introducing and passing responsible legislation!

While many will view my words as nothing more than bitching and whining, the reality is we have a huge problem. The “Dolts in DC” are not doing their job and we are not holding them accountable for their inaction. This has got to change!! We as citizens CANNOT continue to simply make do with what is given to us. As citizens, it SHOULD NOT be expected that we continually accommodate the ineptness of our elected officials. The free ride is over! Our Senators and Representatives MUST BE held accountable for their actions…or more importantly, their inactions. As citizens we have a RESPONSIBILITY to become more aware and more involved in what our elected officials do. That way come Election Day, we ensure those that have not been living up to their responsibility are finally held accountable and unseated! Perhaps a good place to start is a certain Representative from Florida.