Exactly when will…
Exactly when will people decide that enough is enough of these government restrictions and get back to running their lives as ‘normal’? I spoke with a friend of mine who lives near the Texas / Mexico border, on the Texas side of it, last evening about that very question.
He told me that in the county where he lives in it is now against the law to be out of your house without an “’approved” mask covering your nose & mouth. If you are caught without such mask it is a $1,000.00 fine. That same county now has a 24 hour curfew for minors and they must stay inside at their own place where they reside at.
This is guzbucking...
This is guzbucking America folks; this shit has got to stop if you expect to ever be able to say “land of the free and home of the brave” again and really believe in those words. I’ve wrote about civil disobedience recently, and the need for it, if “push were to come to shove” and I believe that time has come, at least for me it has.
I decided shortly...
I decided shortly after lunch today to just go for ride nearby and see what is taking place in my area. Well, I am glad I did.
Other than long lines at the drive thru of most banks and fast food places things seem to be somewhat normal. Not completely normal but I can tell you that plenty of folks are out and about here with no facial coverings and businesses that aren’t deemed “essential” are open in some cases.
The local golf...
The local golf club was packed with cars and the golf course was open for business. I managed to snap a few photos with my phone just to document it for you.
I also went...
I also went and paid my youngest daughter’s cell phone bill and walked in and paid cash. Here again; there was some glass separating me from the clerk, but at least they took my “legal tender” and didn’t make me pay with a plastic card.
No face mask on the employee and no rule about number of people in the store at one time as far as I could see, and to me that is a good thing. Let the people decide for them on if 3 or 6 or more is too many for their comfort level, if it is you could always come back later or wait outside until you “feel comfortable”.
Seeing how this...
Seeing how this is springtime here there is yellow pollen everywhere and my truck had a pretty thick coating on it. I pay a monthly fee at local car wash so I can get a car wash everyday if I desire one. Well, I desired one today and to my surprise it was indeed open for business.
I guess I...
I guess I must not know the definition of “essential businesses” because the last things I expected on my short trip around my area was the golf course and the car wash to be open.
I could see the mobile phone place being open because people need to be able to communicate and all the other things one can do with a “smart phone”.
On the other...
On the other hand; I might know the definition, but some of my fellow Texans may have already decided “enough is enough” like those running the golf course and car wash.
Maybe those folks decided they weren’t going to let the local tyrants force them to stay closed and end up bankrupting their businesses without a fight.
Never in my lifetime have I seen local elected officials have this much “power and authority” as I have seen recently and I think it has gone to some of their heads in a “bad way” if you will.
One thing I...
One thing I have learned is that once elected folks get power they have a hard time giving it up. I think that may be in play already here in Texas and the USA.
What I saw today might very well be the start of displays of civil disobedience by store and business owners, and myself for that matter, because I am done with staying home.
My employers don't...
My employers don’t want me out making “business calls” right now and I’ll respect their wishes since they are keeping me employed at full salary.
One thing is for certain is that when I’m not on a webinar or conference call I’ll be out and about looking for businesses that I can support with my patronage.
Tomorrow I’m going to go see if I can find a barber shop that is open and a dry cleaner shop. I could use a good haircut and I have some Wrangler jeans and dress shirts that could use a dry cleaning along with that heavy starch that you can damn near stand your jeans straight up without having your legs in them.
If by chance...
If by chance I see a beer joint open you can also bet I stop in for beer as well. Even though I rarely ever would do that in “normal” times since I don’t believe in “drinking and driving”.
Not that one beer would put me over the legal limit, I just don’t like the hassle that would come with a cop deciding to stop me for some bogus reason and then smell beer on my breath. That is like throwing a raw steak in front of my boxer dog and then expecting her not to chew on it. When cops smell beer they also smell opportunity.
So my civil...
So my civil disobedience has officially started today and will continue going forward. I have had enough already.
People can still use reasonable care and social distance if they want too , but it should be the person’s decision to make; not some local official who has let their power go to their head like has happened around here and that has really happened down in south Texas where my friend lives.
So what do you say, have you had enough? What are things like where you are located?
Until next time,
Sult
One of the reasons I haven't been active on Hive recently is that I've been so appalled by governments using the coronavirus crisis to clamp down on freedoms and introduce new restrictions, I've been focusing all my energies on a new podcast called Imagining Freedom. I also have a new Hive account under that name.
I was planning to launch it anyway, as the clamping down on freedoms has been increasing for years, but this recent crisis made it more urgent. When I heard that the German government had made face masks mandatory for going outside I just about freaked out. I visited Iran in 1995, and the rule that all women had to wear head coverings seemed a crazy example of tyranny. I've nothing against the hijab or the burqa for women who want to wear them, and I have two friends who wear the hijab. But to impose any kind of face covering by law is wrong in my opinion. I never thought I'd see the day when this would be happening in European countries. A horrible precedent. I'm all for having sensible measures to restrict the spread of a virus, but crashing the economy and bringing in a police state is way too extreme.
Way to extreme indeed in crashing the economy and police state and it isn't like we here in the US are any different with regards to those two things you mentioned.
Good luck with the new channel, I'll have to check it out.
Our orders here in Arizona are almost all 'voluntary'. The 'no gatherings over 10 people' and polite distance seem to be the way of the area right now.
Our Governor declared golf courses to be essential on the first day. He took a gob of heat about it, but think about it. You are only even remotely close to the people you are actually playing with, and the diversion is a really good thing. One other local business that I know was declared essential was the donut shop. Priorities.
I haven't checked the Barber Shop though I could really stand to. I've done some emergency self trimming, but it's gotten to the 'unruly' stage. I really prefer ruly hair.
Most business are at least open by appointment. Except for restaurants and bars. Take out only is the state edict.
Our local county (Yuma) announced that they had now administered 500 tests in the county and we've had our first death. I have to tell you that there have been way more deaths over CV than that but if you haven't been tested you don't get listed. For better or worse.
The coroner would have to surely test for a autopsy to find the "cause" of death if it wasn't apparent; like a bullet to the head. So either people who may have died "with it" but not necessarily from it aren't listed as cause of death.
I don't know and that might be why the AMA sent that directive out, to make up for lost body counts.
Can't let a crisis go to waste you know.
All measures are mostly voluntary here too, so far. However our Condo board but this notice up on the doors a few days ago.
We, of course, aren't complying. Very strange times we live in.
If they are going to require them, I'm sure they left you a big supply of them for your use.... not. More people who let perceived power go to their heads. Just more examples of "little tyrants" trying to act important. Thanks for sharing that Eric and I don't blame you one bit for not complying.
lol...you like your jeans to be able to stand on their own sir sultnpapper? lol. Good for you, I'm shocked that your friend over on the border has such strict orders, what in the world??
Here's it's pretty much business as usual with some restaurants closed and some businesses but still bustling with lots of activity and commerce goin on.
Yes, its the old cowboy in me with the heavy starch thing. The quality of jeans has gone done hill over time, even Wranglers the material seems to be a little thinner nowadays.
My buddy lives in Edinburg which is maybe 15 miles from the border in Hidalgo county and I know he isn't jerking my chain when he is telling me that. It is truly that some of these small town & county officials are letting a little power go to their heads.
I have been out and about quite a bit in the last couple of days and just filled up my truck with 26 gallons of gas for less than $40. Those kind of prices are a double edge sword down here, good for the consumer buying gas but when your economy is tied to the oil market like Houston is it means lots of people out of work.
Thanks for dropping in today, very much appreciated.
Sult
I agree about the jeans getting cheaper sir Sultnpapper. I started getting work pants from Duluth Trading Company at https://www.duluthtrading.com. I'm sure you've seen the commercials, their work pants are made from the same material that fire hoses are made of supposedly.
They're heavy and they're the best fitting pants I've ever had. Plus American made of course. Great gloves and other work attire also.
Yeah the oil industry is getting wiped out at the moment, I hope it doesn't last long!
I never have worn any other brand but Wranglers, boot cut , MWZ13. Wrangler used to be American made, but like a lot of things they are American fabric sewn in Mexico now.
I do like the Duluth Trading Co's commercials, they are pretty funny most of the time. I may have to try a pair on your recommendation.
Thanks for the continued support,
Sult