I don’t usually preface these, but in this case I will. Many who read this will be upset by what I’ve written, will consider me anti-American, and probably have some choice words for me. That’s cool — I’ll still like you.
There’s just this idea that I’ve been chewing on lately, and I can’t let go of. If nothing else, perhaps sharing it will get it out of my system so I can move onto the next idea that people will look down on me for having.
I’m constantly trying to make sense these days, of how Americans with opposing views treat each other, of how we prioritize the values we’re willing to stand up for, and how far we’re willing to go just to make a point and be heard. And when I look at the growing divisions between us in everything from our politics to our moral values, I think it all arises from a single sentence…
“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
God, I hate that sentence.
And though the Declaration Of Independence is not a governing doctrine, and that sentence itself is not in our constitution, nor is it guaranteed by any laws or codes that I am aware of, it is a part of our national identity — it’s something most have come to expect as a right of American citizenship…
“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
I don’t care what side of the political fence one is on, I think that ideal is at the core for much of what ails us these days.
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, keeping in mind that the life of our society is more precious and more important than any one constituent.
Once again, Confucianism gets it right.
This is what I think about when I ride… Jhciacb
This Week By The Numbers…
Bikes Ridden: 6
168 miles
7.900’ climbing
15.2 mph avg
9,600 calories
11 hours 03 minutes seat time
Whether you ride a bike or not, thank you for taking the time to ride along with me today. If you haven’t already, please scroll up and subscribe. If you like what you read, give it a like and a share. If not, just keep scrollin’. Oh, and there’s this from Sonny Landreth. Enjoy…
The Spoke And Word™ 
I found this article interesting yesterday tht exposes what I think is the major breach in the political discussion, the fact that white evangelicals have been largely co-opted by the GOP. They seem to submit to authority quite well.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/white-evangelicals-coronavirus-less-worried_n_5ef375b0c5b601e5995762fd
Here are the last two paragraphs.
“Rank-and-file Republicans, who have largely been taking their cues from President Trump and other Republican elected officials, are generally less concerned about engaging in a variety of social activities and less likely to believe the pandemic poses a major threat to their families,” he said.
“If Trump and other GOP officials continue to say everything is fine, then I would not expect major shifts in attitudes among evangelicals,” he added.
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What has concerned me is how if people have differing view on something, take wearing a mask, they each consider the other person stupid or something like that or worse for their view. We will never have unity until we treat each other with a more understanding viewpoint. People have reasons for the views they have. Sometimes we have to do something we don’t initially want to do, or accept something we initially don;t want to accept for this good of the majority. Not every fight is worth fighting, and not ever concession is a slippery slope to terrible things.
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When the kids started partying in the Ozarks without masks in the pools, or at Daytona, yes I admit, I said “That’s stupid.” Because it was stupid. And now a huge strata of young people who wouldn’t listen are getting nailed and dying because they failed to grasp their stupidity. So I prefer to view my vitriol and condescension as a public service.
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Who are the large strata of young people that are dying? I hope you don’t mean that one 17 year old girl in Florida because sadly she was very obese and had a severe autoimmune disease since birth.
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I’m thankful I grew up a Social Chamaeleon,military brat adapting to different cultures.Learning and living literally on the fly. The old man taught us we may not agree with some of it, however appreciate the differences of people and their beliefs. Diversity united me.
With all that’s going on in the world today I keep centered on The W.I.N. “ What’s Important Now” My Faith,Family and Friends.
I’ve been a rebel, but I consider myself conservative. The pursuit of Happiness for both the far far left and the way way right must find a happy medium to benefit All.
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I guess the fat ones have it coming, right J? Forgot I was in the Temple of Fitness. While mortality numbers among the young are low, they do occur, there is a 1 in 10k mortality rare among children. But the risk of stroke, kidney, lung and other organ damage is huge. Not the way you want to go through life.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200604095600.htm
https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-death-rate-us-compared-to-flu-by-age-2020-6
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