I Am at War

I first posted this on Facebook.  I’ve added to it a bit here.  And, I’ve since taken a break from Facebook.  It’s unfortunate that so many mistake their own cognitive dissonance, precipitated by thoughtful posts that contradict their prejudices, for “offense.”  It’s unfortunate that, since they lack the ability to articulate a cogent counter-argument, they strike out by “reporting” me for “offending” them.  I’ve lost a lot of friends over this.

I’m posting and venting about this, because I’m pissed that my own country (and even my own colleagues) are trying VERY HARD to put me out of business.  I also realize that some well-intentioned folks are “worried” about me, because of how I express myself.  Rather strongly, you might say!  😊  I dare suggest that MANY feel exactly as I do.  I just happen to have the balls to say it and the ability to articulate it well.  It’s my super-power!  😉  I’m OK.  But, I don’t care who I “offend” with this screed.

Our country is at war.

This is war.  I am at war.  I really do feel that way.  Not a “shooting war,” mind you.  Not yet.  This isn’t the Persian Gulf in 1990.  But, honestly… it feels worse.  This is much worse.  I wasn’t worried back then.  I knew what I signed up for.  I had an entire Navy battle group around me.  And, I knew that we would kick ass if and when we had to.

Today, I’m at war with the bombardment of negativity about this fucking virus.  It DOMINATES our lives now.  Every waking moment of every single day, with no end in sight.  No glimmer of hope.

I’m at war with the notion that we should ALL shut down, virtually indefinitely… the consequences of which will be FAR worse than the damage caused by the virus.  Well… not actually ALL of us.  The “chosen ones” aka “essential” are exempt.  I’ll touch on that a bit more later.

I’m at war with my own profession.  I have “colleagues” who are publicly jockeying to REPORT any other dentist who dares to see patients in need.  I wish I was kidding.  It’s rampant!

I’m at war with myself… trying to put on a “brave face” and remain “optimistic,” while I can’t ignore the horrific reality before me.  Every day I go home from the office I am fighting the conflict between being “positive” and being “real” with my family.

I’m at war with the attack and infringement of our Constitutional Rights.  It is, perhaps, no coincidence that the ship I served on was the USS Independence.

The 1st, 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendments are being violated.

I pledged my LIFE to defend the Constitution against ALL enemies, foreign AND domestic.  So, yeah…. Serious stuff for me.  The oath I took did not stipulate that I would defend the country, the flag, or any particular piece of land.  Nor did the oath stipulate fealty or obedience to any government official.  It was very simple.  I took an oath to defend the Constitution with my life.  It’s not a ceremonial platitude.  It’s very real.  In the Persian Gulf they made sure the entire crew of my ship had completed their Wills, for that very reason.  Four men died on my ship in the two years I was aboard.

Some of my well-meaning friends have advocated for love and understanding at this time.  And, that’s a nice sentiment.  Really, it is.  I take that to heart and try to work that into the equation.  But I’m not going to defend our Constitutional Rights with love.  The warship that I served on wasn’t the “Love Boat.”  It doesn’t work that way.  And, our Rights are absolutely under attack right now.  Few seem to see it.  Most are oblivious.

I’m baffled at the ease with which the American public rolled over and accepted the infringements of their Rights.  Hell, they’re openly ADVOCATING for the infringements.  Certainly, many of them likely feel (and accept) that our Rights are “temporarily suspended” or “conditional” upon the circumstances.  That is a HUGE mistake.

The new, accepted bigotry.

One that bothers me the most is the public’s embrace of the government-endorsed BIGOTRY that is the classification of people, jobs, and businesses as “non-essential” and “essential.”  How this has gained support just blows my fucking mind.  It is OVERT BIGOTRY.   Some local governments are encouraging citizens to report their “non-essential” neighbors for “violations.”  And, those of you playing along with it should be ashamed.

Here we are, in 2020, and many of you are advocating for the SELECTIVE application of Constitutional Protections based on a nefariously and newly-created SOCIAL CLASS.  Every person, every job, every business is “ESSENTIAL!”  Try changing the words “essential” and “non-essential” to “BLACK” and “WHITE,” or “JEW” and “NON-JEW.”  Yeah, I said it.  Think about it.  “Non-essential”… the new “n-word.”  It’s very disturbing to see this newly-minted form of bigotry so widely accepted and used.

Be VERY careful about being smug and comfortable in your “essential” status, if you have been so chosen.  What tyrants give you, they can take away.  Be very careful about applauding such government-endorsed bigotry.

Our Rights are inviolate!

Our Rights are NOT subject to arguments grounded in social utility.  Our Rights are not conditional upon circumstances or social class.  Ever.  Nor are they subject to the democratic process.  A majority cannot vote away the Rights of a minority or even an individual citizen.

Once you ALLOW your Rights to be subverted, they are gone forever.  You have allowed PRECEDENT.

Until we can ALL live as Free Americans, as guaranteed by the Constitution, this is war.  I’d rather go back to the Persian Gulf than do this.  I’m neither kidding nor exaggerating.  Given a choice, I’d go back to the Persian Gulf any day and twice on Sunday.

My advice at this point:  Run silent.  Run deep.

That is my perspective.  That is my context.  But, I’m OK!  😊  Just sayin’!