Yes, he's a hero but we still need gun reform #silverrailelementary #kaylubgiamanco

 

The information and commentary shared in this entry is based on that which is currently been released by the Bend Police Department from the October 15th Silver Rail Elementary school shooting in Bend, Oregon.  This is an ongoing active investigation and the information in this article is not complete.

On October 15th around 1:00 pm, Kaylub Giamanco was taking his lunchbreak and happened to be traveling past his daughter's school, Silver Rail Elementary, when he realized that there was an active shooter on campus.  Giamanco, a registered gun owner with a concealed weapon permit, saw the shooter enter the school and followed him with his 40 Caliber pistol.  He witnessed a teacher taken heroic action against the shooter by tackling him.  Giamanco would follow the shooter into the classroom and fire multiple times, killing the shooter.  It is without a doubt that the actions of Giamanco saved the lives of many children and adults within the school, although three children, ages 5, 8, 11, and one teacher would be killed, with another teacher and child in critical condition.  

With every school and mass shooting, the onslaught of "Never Again" and the outcries of sorrowful whys pour across the internet and news stations.  Political pundits and politicians argue for and against gun reform, and other ways to stop this deadly epidemic, such as increased mental health access.  As in any situation, this one holds nuance.  Yes, Kaylub Giamanco is a hero, but yes we still need gun reform.  Kaylub's mother shared how he called her after the shooting to share what he had done, overcome with his actions of taking a life, albeit the necessity.

"He said, 'Mom, I just shot and killed somebody.' And I said, 'Kaylub, tell me about it,'" Freeman said, her voice choked with emotion. "And he said, 'A man went into my daughter's school and shot kids.' And he said, 'And I looked at him point blank, and I shot and killed him, mom.'"

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/bend-silver-rail-elementary-school-shooting-hero-parent-father-call-shot-him/283-8a9771f4-3498-46eb-a621-5b3f1ff9dcca

Those on the political right champion Kaylub as hero and uphold his actions as reason for making guns more accessible and a useful tool against such attacks.  Those with these beliefs see that guns are the answer to gun violence.  

However, looking deeper at this school shooting from the shooter's perspective, the need for increased gun reform and mental health access are of utmost important.  Griffin J. John, II was the 16 year old school shooter and had once attended Silver Rail Elementary School.  Griffin was a special needs student at Silver Rail and appears to have targeted his old classroom.  

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oregon-school-shooter-identified-16-year-old-john-griffin-ii-whose-mot-rcna603908

It has been reported that Griffin's mother, Shauntai Nickerson, purchased a Mossberg Maverick 88 pump-action shotgun (the one he used in the attack) in August of this year as his birthday present.  It is unclear where he got the ammunition.  Although at present a motive for the shooting hasn't been declared, a look at the above photo of Griffin, taken from his mother's social media, seems to reflect a young troubled boy.  Neighbors of Nickerson and Griffin report hearing yelling and fighting in the home.  It is also known that Griffin was a special needs student and that his mother had required assistance to help with his learning.  Families fight, especially those with teenagers full of hormones, so it is not possible to utilize that as a reasoning for a motive or need for gun reform.  That being said, examining the boy in the photo one might surmise that he was struggling with his mental health.  So, yes, it is well and good that Kaylub had a lawfully registered gun license and proved himself to be not just a hero, but with the ease of his ability to acquire a gun comes also someone like Griffin via his mother.  

Statistics from a 2018 CNN article

The above graphic is dated but the website: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/mass-shootings-by-country has more recent data which shows that the United States is still leading in the amount of yearly mass shootings.  The main component is the majority of these other countries have stricter gun laws, that is they can acquire but they must go through a rigorous process to prove their mental wellbeing and reasoning for having, than the United States.  

So, yes, Kaylub Giamanco is a hero, but we still need stronger gun reform.  Let's make that happen.

What is a #Progressive

 

Full transparency, to express my bias, I lean more towards the progressive political ideology than any others, including that of Liberal or Democrat, however, I still do not feel I fully understand what it means to be of such persuasion.  So, let's examine it together.

To begin, there are many differing views of what Progressivism means but simply put a progressive is " someone who wants to see more economic and social equality - and hopes to see more gains in feminism and gay rights. They're also supportive of social programs directed by the state - and they'd like social movements have more power in the US" (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35467470

An ideology that finds its roots in the Age of Enlightenment (17th Century Europe), progressivism believes itself to be progressing the human condition forward through reforms meant to increase personal liberty towards the positive.  It is important to note that social liberalism, social democracy, and democratic socialism all view themselves as progressive.  

Enlightenment German Philosopher Immanuel Kant defined progress as one that seeks to move humanity away from barbarism towards a civilized world.  Marquis de Condorcet, an 18th century philosopher and political scientist, believed that progressivism would lead to the abolishment of slavery, the rise in literacy and an educated mind, the lessened impact of sexual inequality and poverty, and high reforms in the prison systems.  During the 19th and 20th century, the 'classic liberals' added the need to  modernize the economy and the removal of all hindrance to free markets and movements of citizens. 

During the 1890s and the 1920s, the United States witnessed the rise of its first wave of progressivism, with their focus on issues surrounding industralization, urbanization, immigration, political corruption, and sought to weaken the impact of corrupt corruptions who held a monolopy over the United States market.  In addition, progressive reformers sought to strengthen the influence of education, business regulation, environmental protection.  Progressives fought to establish direct primary elections, election of senators (rather than by legislature), initiatives, and referendums.  The rise of the woman's suffrage movement also found its highest impact within this movement.  As well, some progressives saw The Prohibition as a means of eliminating political corruption and the improvement of social conditions.  

Today's progressives harken their influence to be of the Roosevelts, both Theodore and Franklin, especially highlighting the impact of FDR's New Deal, with its focus on the "3 R's": relief for the unemployed and poor, recovery of the economy back to normal levels (post Great Depression), and reforms of the financial system to prevent another depression.  In the wake of the attacks on 9/11/01, modern day progressives found their efforts on the rise, seeing the Afghanistan and Iraq wars as government over-reach and saw these wars as greatly leading to the Great Recession of 2007-2008 (worse economic downslide since the Great Depression), which led to the Occupy Movements in 2011 against the impact of Wall Street's influence of wealth disparity.  Modern day Progressives, such as Bernie Sanders, are against the usage of Political Action Committees (PACS) that influence federal elections.  President Obama's "Affordable Care Act" widened access to healthcare which highlights the belief that progressives see health care as a right.  Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez introduced the Green New Deal which highlights the need environmental protection and to fight against climate change.  The rise of such movements as "MeToo" and Black Lives Matter are rooted in the modern day progressive ideology.

What is a #Conservative

Continuing the series of examining the meaning of poliltical ideoligies and buzzwords within the framework of a philosophy, the focus of this entry will be upon the term "Conservative", looking at what it is and how it orients itself in society politically and non-politically.   

The meaning of Conservative can be expressed as a cultural, social, and political ideology desiring the preservation of traditional institutions, customs, and values.  Conservativism is not limited to certain United States political parties (namely Republican and Libertarian), but is a political philosophy held in many countries throughout the world.  One of the first display of conservatism came in the 18th Century with Edward Burke, who in opposition to the French Revolution, insisted that such was the destruction of traditional institutions of state and society rule and values.  

Later, historian Russell Kirk in the mid-twentieth century, defined the five canons of Conservatism in his book, The Conservative Mind which are: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism)

• A belief in a transcendent order, which Kirk described variously as based in tradition, divine revelation, or natural law;
• An affection for the "variety and mystery" of human existence;
• A conviction that society requires orders and classes that emphasize natural distinctions;
• A belief that property and freedom are closely linked;
• A faith in custom, convention, and prescription, and a recognition that innovation must be tied to existing traditions and customs, which entails a respect for the political value of prudence.

The Founding Fathers of the United States were influenced by the philosophies of Burke and Kirk, with the principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence namely 

• that of a belief in God (“endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”), 
• liberty (“that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”); 
• limited government (“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”);
•  an adherence to tradition (“Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes”).  

Today these principles are heavily leaned on by the Republican, MAGA, and Liberterian parties.  However, it is important to note that these three parties are not singular in their Conservative beliefs; other political ideoligies find value in Conservatism.  

What is a #Liberal #libtard

 

In attempting to describe "Liberal" in its most simplistic and exact meaning, it is of import to note that, at least in the United States, Liberal is not a political party on it's own but merely a philosophy of which certain parties hold as their core beliefs, generally that of the Democrat.  However, a person of the Democratic party persuasion may also use the label "Progressive" in addition to or instead of "liberal".  We shall endeavor to detail the meaning of Progressive in a later entry. 

Merriam Webster defines "Liberal" as a one who is "inclined to be open to ideas and ways of behaving that are not conventional or traditional.  A liberal typically utilizes the words "broad-minded" and "tolerant" to explain their political ideology.    In addition, a Liberal is one who favors the philosophy of liberalism which, as seen above, is a political leaning that views itself as progressive, believes in the inherent goodness of humanity, insists that the citizen is guaranteed freedom away from arbitrary authority, and thus is deserving of protection of their civil and political rights. 

The word and terminology of "Liberalism" stems as far back as the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th Century.  However, for the purpose of this entry, the focus will be on the influence and origins in the United States, beginning with the leaders fighting for freedom away from oppressive royal soveriegnty in the American Revolution.  

As the ages progressed, commencing with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, those with a liberal persuasion would consistently insist upon freedom of speech, freedom of association; an independent court systems separate from other branches of government so as to not be unduly influenced,  citizens' right to  public trial by jury, and the outlaw of extreme wealth abuse.   Later, Liberals began advocating gender and racial equality in their drive to promote civil rights. Other goals often accepted by liberals include the right to vote for all adults and access to free education for all. 

In summation, a Liberal is one who aligns themselve with the ideologies of Liberalism, that of the focus on the freedoms guaranteed in the constittution, freedom of speech, free market economy, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the focus on a free and fair Democracy where the government is anti-secularism and focuses on the need for an Individual's natural born rights without governmental authoritative control. 

What is a #Republican, Tim Miller?

 

You can all blame Tim Miller for this entry, actually, you can blame him for this whole series.  If you don't know who Tim Miller is, you should, you very much should.  

That's him.  Who is he? Tim Miller is an independent journalist for the Bulwark, a former life-long conservative Republican (he worked on the 2016 Jeb Bush Presendential campaign), now an avid Never Trumper, and a gay man who came out in 2007.  I consume his podcast, The Bulwark Daily, and other Bulwark media regularly.  I find the way he expresses the current state of political strife in the United States and how it connects to the larger picture both easy to comprehend with a slice of encouragement for how to remain hopefully active.  He is truthful, transparent, intelligent, and hilarious.  

For more on Tim: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Miller_(political_strategist)

The Bulwark: https://www.thebulwark.com/

I often question how a gay man could have aligned himself for so long with the Republican party, pre-Maga, and as a conservative.  But this reflects my apparent bias on what it means to be Republican, the anti-gay, pro-life/anti-abortion party, seemingly not accepting of Tim Miller and his lifestyle.  Even though Tim Miller refers to himself as a liberal Independent with no political party, he still seems to hold value to the principles of the Republican party of which he was raised and spent a great deal of his life.  Why?

So, I must put aside my bias and reflect only on the philosophy of Republicanism, such like what was done in the last entry with Democratic views as well the pontification college courses do on socialism or communism.  Let's set aside also the fear, the anger that rises up when that word "Republican" brings up based on the current actions of those in that party.

Merriam Webster defines Republican as "associated with reduced taxation, with limited government regulation of business, finance, industry, education, and policing, with strong national defense, and with opposition to abortion, affirmative action, gun control, and policies and laws that are viewed as challenging traditional social and family hierarchies and structure" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/republican).  The first section of the definition is perhaps the reason that  Miller, other former Republicans turned more liberal, and Never Trumper Republicans adhere to that political affiliation.  

For as I read over the factors of reduction of taxatation, limited access of government in matters of business, finance, industry, education, and policing, and a strong national defense those all seem reasonable and acceptable for the means of government.  This doesn't mean that I am going to suddenly shift my politics from what it is and suddenly become a Republican (I've actually labeled myself as that in the past, when I was a fundie) but the anti-abortion, anti-affirmative action, anti-gun control, and the strident belief of "traditional family values" are against my moral values.  

Reflecting upon the first half of this definition, I recognize the benefit of this political party, why Miller and the Never Trumpers, feel such anguish over what their party has become and are fighting just as hard to retain it back to its pure philosophical intent in practice, as they are fighting for the healthy continuation of other political parties, beliefs, as well the survival of Democracy overall.  

What is a #Democrat

 

The words "Communism, Communist, Socialism, Socialist" are often widely discussed amongst college philosphy and political science classes as well within certain social groups.  However, rarely if at all, are the words of the current politics in the United States, "Democrat, Republican, Progressive, Liberal, Conservative" ever discussed or philosophied in similar focus.  Rather these terms are either ones taken for granted of mutual understanding yet most likely without a full understanding and knowledge of such and rampant with personal bias, criticism, and spite.

Thus, in this entry and those that follow, I will undertake the large task of giving a comprehensive glimpse of what these terms mean in a philosophical way, not in practice, similar to that of how communism and socialism are discussed.  Put aside the various bias and negative meanings one connotes when these words are brought up and lean into the description in its purest form. I will do my utmost best to remain neutral in the description, even if I lean more one way than another.  Let's pretend we are sitting in a university classroom, the course: Political Philosophy 101.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines "Democrat" in three distinct ways.  Firstly, as a member of one of the current major political parties in the United States as well as the ideologies that go along with this following.  Thus, a Democrat is a member of the Democratic party of the U.S., usually associated with government regulation of business, finance, and industry.  A deomocrat politician aligns with federally funded educational and social services.  They avidly decry the separation of church and state.  Along with this, a democrat supports for abortion rights, affirmative action, gun control, as well policies and laws that protect and support the rights of workers and minorities. In addition, their views on foreign policy are internationalism and multilateralism.  Furthermore, the second definition states that a democrat favors a democratic form of government, per example, the selection of leaders by election and that all people should be treated fairly and equally.  

The Democratic party, founded in 1792 with Thomas Jefferson,is the longest held political and ideoligical party.  Back then, known as Democratic Republican party, it was more conservative and libertarian than the current Democratic party, for instance, they strongly held that states' rights were necessary and were opposed to a centralized federal government, they insisted that the Constition be followed to the letter strictly, and they believed in the heart of America as led by the agrarian farmers and not the wealthy.  The shift towards more contemporary Democratic belief occurred in the 1820's when voting laws relaxed and laws were passed allowing state's to elect presendential candidates.  Then, in 1824, the Democratic-Republican party became factioned with each electing their own presendential candidate, representing differeing views and ideologicals politically.  When the election of John Quincy Adams, the divided deepened.  Supporters of Adams referred to themselves as "National Republicans" and those that wanted Andrew Jackson as president called themselves as Jacksonian Democrats or the Democrats.  This party was the founding of the Democratic Party, with some beliefs aligning similarly and others' opposing yet reflecting on the current events of that historical time period.   That which is similar is emphasizing the government must benefit and be led by the 'common man', voting rights should be expanded greatly (at the time of Jackson only for white males), and the overall theme that the government must be for the will of the people, not the wealthy, centralized government.

The current state of the government in its overwhelming rule of the two party system aside, coupled with the overall governmental political corruption found in both, simply examining the themes and history of the label "Democrat" one may see how the development of the core values grew into the philosophical standards.  Brief though this entry may be, it is the writer's hopes that the reader's interest may be piqued and further individual research will be sought.  

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/democrat

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Democratic-Party

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonian_democracy

Deconstructing #Calvary Chapel, DON'T (,) SKIP! #skipheitzig #franklingraham #greglaurie

Deconstructing #Calvary Chapel, DON'T (,) SKIP! #skipheitzig #franklingraham #greglaurie