I have always been an ardent believer in democracy–The dictionary defines democracy as the rule of the people. Even at its best, “democracy is the worst form of government except for all the rest,” according to Winston Churchill. Is democracy a terrible form of government?

Does it hold the threat of destroying humanity’s most precious right – liberty?

In the so-called democratic societies, a semblance of democracy hobbles along with fits and starts, always on the verge of complete subversion and collapse. For instance, Western democracies are representative democracies where ordinary citizens do not rule. A representative democracy is, in effect, a plutocracy where money, people, and powerful interest groups lead.

The society’s rulers form a pyramid. At the base of the pyramid, we have the closest thing to democracy. The individual citizen has some sway over the locally elected officials such as the sheriff, the mayor, the city councilman, and the like. As we go up the pyramid, the voice of the individual citizen diminishes while the influence of money and power groups expands. It is a fact that, without funds, one cannot even run for the city’s animal control officer. At the very least, the aspiring candidate needs money for posters or handbills to make himself known to the electorate and argue why they should elect him, not his opponent.

The point is that it takes enormous amounts of money to become a part of the pyramid. And not everyone is a billionaire with a bottomless pocket and the willingness to tap it. Bottom line: If you aspire to become a part of the ruling pyramid, you require funds commensurate with the position you seek.

The US Constitution does not use the term “democracy. The United States is a representative republic. A republic if we can keep it, said Benjamin Franklin. It is a republic in which the people do not openly elect the president.

But as the recent events unfolded, I couldn’t help but feel like the system I had once held in such high regard was crumbling around me. The naked truth is that many politicians are paid agents, dancing to the tune of lobbyists and special interest groups. It is a harsh realization, and I am disillusioned and annoyed.

Democracy is the guardian of liberty. Embedded in a democracy are provisions that can make it implode from within. Democracy also has its guardian: A resolutely vigilant, proactive, and ethical citizenry.

Money’s influence in politics was deeply entrenched, and it would take years of continued effort to root out corruption and restore our democracy to its proper form.

Reflecting on my journey, I realized that being an ordinary citizen did not mean I was powerless. I learned that I could make a difference by shining a light on the dark corners of our political landscape and supporting those willing to stand up for the people.

Ultimately, the naked truth was that our democracy was a fragile and imperfect system, but it was also a resilient one. It could withstand the onslaught of corruption and greed if enough of us were willing to fight for it. I hoped that others would join the cause and that more ordinary citizens would rise and hold their representatives accountable.

So, I leave you with a call to action. If you, like me, are disillusioned with the state of our democracy, don’t despair. Get involved in politics, demand transparency, and hold your representatives accountable. The power to shape our nation’s future lies in the people’s hands, and it’s time we took it back from the puppeteers of democracy.

 

What can be done? Is there a way of resisting and reversing the imminent assault on our most cherished right of liberty? Here are some suggestions.

• Become an active worker of liberty instead of passive, non-caring devil-may-care nihilists.
• Use the political process, while it is still responsive to the demands and wishes of freedom-loving people, by supporting laws that guard freedom and reject those that infringe on liberty.
• Actively support political candidates who are deeply committed to the tenets of freedom.
• Run for office, any office. Please encourage your friends and other liberty advocates to pitch in and help in any way they can.
• Hold to account those politicians who sell themselves to lobbyists and special interest groups.
• Be an active educator by informing others about the creeping danger of Marxism.
• Resist any and all WOKE philosophy in schools and the workplace.
• Contribute money, small or large amounts, to causes and individuals who are fighting to preserve liberty. As the old saying goes, freedom is not free.

 

In short, liberty is our most prized possession, and democracy is the shield that protects it. Yet, this shield of democracy is vulnerable and needs to be repaired and strengthened regularly. I am calling on you, the individual freedom-loving person, to play your part in the defense of freedom, not only for your own sake but also for mine and all others who cherish this precious blessing of life and generations to come.

The post Is America On Life Support? appeared first on Granite Grok.

They’re flying so thick and fast it is amazing.

Take heart – there will be both a Wednesday and Friday Edition.  Last week’s Friday Edition.

Remember, ridicule and mockery are effective weapons:

1. Ridicule cannot easily be fought
2. Ridicule makes the enemy angry, and angry people make mistakes
3. For those in the “squishy middle” a Thought Splinter (and Part II and Part III and Part IV) can often be hidden inside humor.

Now, let the mockery and mayhem begin.

 

*** Warning, a few possibly off-color ones, in case tender eyes are about ***

 

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Priceless!

 

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CEO: Donnie King

General Counsel and Secretary: Adam Deckinger  (comment about chitin being toxic to humans; also risk of parasites… and lawsuits!)

Chief Customer Officer: Jason Nichol

Chief Supply Chain Officer: Brady Stewart

Tyson Foods

2200 W Don Tyson Pkwy

Springdale, AR 72762

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to amend this.  I miss the America I THOUGHT I grew up in.  More and more, I’m coming to believe that the America I thought I grew up in hasn’t existed for a looooong time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They’re over two years too late.  Remember this video:

 

https://granitegrok.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/naomi-wolf-they-knew.mp4

 

The government and the pharma industry has known about the myocarditis risk since 2021.  And probably – from animal studies – for longer than that.  Yet for a disease that we knew, in June 2020, had an Infection Fatality Rate lower than 1% for healthy people under 70, the world went nuts because of fear porn.

 

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Pick of the post:

 

 

I’ve seen any number of these cartoon-like parodies.  They’re great!

In the case of this specific one… how does anyone read her diary entry about “gramps” showing with her and not get creeped out?  Not showering her when young – there’s not a parent alive that hasn’t done that.  Showering WITH her.  What’s that meme, to the effect that it’s obvious to all that Joe is a pedo, but for his supporters that’s not a deal breaker?

 

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Palate Cleansers:

 

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Come back Wednesday for another edition.  Same Meme Time.  Same Meme channel.

 

The post MONDAY MEMES appeared first on Granite Grok.

Without wading into the numerous points surrounding the debate about a thing called ‘Palestine,’ or any “people” alleging indigenous status, or who did or started what, when, and why – we’ve plenty of that just about everywhere – there is something else to discuss.

Free Speech.

One of the advantages we have over the left is that we’ve never told them to shut up. We encourage them to talk. To exercise their right to provide us with an endless stream of material upon which to write. We do it because it amuses us, their right to be wrong. And it is the same as everyone else’s.

We do not block their speakers on campus or anywhere else. Armed hooligans in black block do not drop by to scare away audiences. We show up and report on their words.

That right applies to everyone around here. You do not have the right to infer injury or death, but almost everything else is reasonable. That would include expressing support for “Palestinians.” You’ll get some pushback, so be prepared to defend your arguments – and we request that everyone refrain from vulgarity and personal attacks – but have at it.

Here, there, everywhere, well – not everywhere. Sadly, much of the world has taken the Hamas attack on Southern Israel as an excuse to suppress speech. Pardon the long pull quote.

 

There’s a lot of that right now, lurid claims of graphic and pointless violence directed against the innocent, most of which survives just long enough to cause some outrage before being “debunked” or walked-back.

Part of that is the general “fog of war”, heightened by the advent of social media. When a lot of people can talk a lot more is said (good and bad).

But there’s another interpretation: That fake war stories are being intentionally seeded onto social media and then “debunked” to discredit platforms and appear to justify digital censorship. …

It’s not just “misinformation” either, but also “hate”. In an unusually subtle headline, NBCNews warns of the “increasingly fraught nature of online speech”. USA Today is more on the nose, claiming “online hate” is “surging”. …

In the UK and US pro-Palestinian rallies were met with calls for the police to get involved, citing laws that outlaw the public support of “listed terrorist organizations”.

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has told the police that waving a Palestinian flag could be considered a crime. Metropolitan police are engaging in “reassurance patrols”.

In France the police are already more directly involved, shutting down a pro-Palestine demonstration.

…and people applauded.

The Globalists are, without a doubt, using their digital dens to muddy the online waters, and they are not shy about the goal of regulating the internet to regulate (silence) speech. None of that is theoretical, and we are past reasonable doubt. Every day has a crisis, and none of them go to waste.

 

European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton sent warning letters out to every major social media platform, claiming they needed to “combat disinformation” regarding Israel and threatening them with fines.

In yet another blow to the “China is on our side” narrative, Chinese video-sharing service TikTok has eagerly agreed to “combat disinformation”.

Students from Harvard and Berkeley have been threatened with “blacklisting” for voicing support for Palestine.

German and French police are breaking up pro-Palestine demonstrations, while – in both the UK and US – there are calls to arrest people for waving Palestinian flags, or deport those who “support Hamas.”

 

Another excuse to normalize government suppression of speech.

The cowards at Message Control Central don’t want free and open debate; it is, therefore, incumbent on us to demand it, even if we dislike or disagree with the message. You don’t have to listen, but you should speak up against the suppression of peaceful conduct or the idea that people congregating around a message are, by default, a threat to public safety, even if that is how they might treat you.

We can’t permit the government or anyone else to suppress public speech on these terms. That goes for peaceful association and protest as well. And I mean peaceful, not BLM Antifa peaceful.

Once they take it, they will never give it back.

 

 

The post Supporters of “Palestinians” Have Free Speech Rights Too! appeared first on Granite Grok.

Rachel Alexander, The Star News Network Favorito said he found that counties had destroyed 1.7 million ballot images in violation of the law, and the surveillance video of drop boxes for 181,000 ballots was deleted, violating the law. The election... Tom Bowler

Ep. 32 You’ll be shocked to learn this, but it turns out the whole George Floyd story was a lie. pic.twitter.com/4vDXBStHf5 — Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) October 20, 2023 Tom Bowler