The Stafford Voice

Our little place to talk about and share about life.

Politics

The With Me or Against Me Argument

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Arguments sometimes end up with someone saying something like, “You’re either with me, or you’re against me.” We’ve all been there at some point. Right?

Well, politically speaking, I’ve observed this play out since before Trump got elected. I’ve even been guilty of it at times, I’m sure. But, lately, it seems that it’s magnified many times over.

Where is this coming from? We just finished discussing a chapter out of a book that my wife and I are reading. It’s something we do every Sunday evening. Anyway, this particular book we’re reading right now is called Braving The Wilderness by Brene Brown. It’s a good book so far.

So, the chapter we were discussing was titled, “Speak Truth To Bullshit. Be Civil.” In this chapter, Brown touches on this topic of “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy”. She states, “One of the biggest drivers of the sorting that’s happening today is the proliferation of the belief that ‘you’re either with us or you’re against us.’… It’s an emotional and passionate rendering of bullshit.”

Politically speaking, this BS is finding itself in just about everything. This idea of ‘sorting.’ That amount of hate people have for President Trump, and equally those on the Pro-Trump side, sort in everything they can.

So, what can we do about it? Whose side do you take?

I think it puts things into perspective when we look at a quote Brown borrowed from Elie Wiesel saying, “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

Taking that one step further, Brene says:

“In philosophy, “you’re either with us or against us” is considered a false dichotomy or a false dilemma. It’s a move to force people to take sides. If other alternatives exist, (and they almost always do), then that statement is factually wrong. It’s turning an emotion-driven approach into weaponized belonging. And it always benefits the person throwing down the gauntlet and brandishing those forced, false choices.

“The ability to think past either/or situations is the foundation of critical thinking.”

Which reminds me of a movie quote: “Can’t we all just get along?”

Army Reveals New Combat Fitness Test

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army combat fitness test sled drag

Earlier this week, the U.S. Army announced that it will be replacing the Army Physical Fitness Test designed to better prepare soldiers for combat.

The all new Army Combat Fitness Test will be a requirement of all soldiers, regardless of age or gender, by October 2020. It is a test of six events that will measure “muscular strength, muscular endurance, power, flexibility, coordination, speed, agility, cardiovascular endurance, balance and reaction time.”

Maj. Gen. Malcolm Frost told reporters at the Pentagon, “It’s going to improve soldier physical readiness; it’s going to change the Army fitness culture, reduce physical injuries … it will better inform commanders of unit readiness and will enhance mental toughness and stamina. I personally believe that the Army Combat Fitness Test will ignite a general cultural change in fitness for the Army and will be a cornerstone of individual combat readiness for the future.”

The six events of the new ACFT:

  • Strength Deadlift. This is a three-repetition maximum deadlift to test muscular strength; it mimics movement to safety and effectively lifting and carrying heavy loads.
  • Standing Power Throw. This event involves throwing a 10-pound medicine ball as far as possible over the head and to the rear. It measures upper and lower muscular power, balance and whole body flexibility.
  • Hand-Raised Push-ups. This event forces the soldier to go all the way to the floor and raise his hands before coming back up again, measuring upper-body muscular endurance.
  • A 250-Meter Sprint, Drag and Carry. This is five different events within one event — a 50-meter sprint; a backward 50-meter drag of a 90-pound sled; a 50-meter movement; a 50-meter carry of two 40-pound kettlebells; and a final 50-meter sprint. It measures muscular strength, power, speed and reaction time.
  • Leg Tuck. A soldier hangs perpendicular to the pull-up bar and brings his knees up to his elbows and back down again for one repetition. It measures muscular strength, endurance and grip.
  • Two-Mile Run. The ACFT retains the two-mile run portion of the APFT, which is designed to measure aerobic and muscular endurance.

All of the events must be completed in 50 minutes or less. Frost said there is mandated rest and a maximum time for each event. Two minutes’ rest between each of the events and five before the two-mile run.

There are still a lot of questions surrounding the new Army Combat Fitness Test to include policies and procedures, as well as alternate events, scoring systems, and more.

Starting in October 2019, the ACFT will be fully implemented to allow all soldiers to train up to the new standards.

Many have made incredibly strong arguments about the APFT and if it was a valid enough test to effectively measure readiness.

Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey, sergeant major of the Army went on record to say, “This supports the chief of staff of the Army’s and the secretary of the Army’s number one initiative, which is readiness. We need to assess our soldiers’ ability and improve that over time. The APFT is a physical fitness test that has served the Army well for decades, but we can improve upon it.”

Listen Up!

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listen up

May I have your attention, please?!

Seriously, we need to talk. We’ll try to make it quick.

As you may or may not know, we’ve been pretty busy in life. We all get that way. Well, add to that trying to start a company and get it up and running – yes, it’s a loooooong process – and things tend to take a back seat.

For us, it was the show. We know it’s not what any of you wanted, but we needed to put it on pause just so we could keep up with things. And, now that things are coming back to normal somewhat, we think it’s about time to think about Season 4 of The Stafford Voice Show.

But… things will be a little different. The show you came to know will not focus its energy only on politics. We’ve given it much thought, and come to realize that the political nature of things today is adding much too much stress in our lives. It just was NOT healthy!

So, what did all of that thinking bring us to?

We realized that we want to talk. About stuff. Lots of different stuff. Stuff like society, culture, life, marriage, parenting, politics, religion, books, music, comedy, history. BREATHE!!! The list goes on and on!

With that being said, the show will go on! Cue the excitement.

We have yet to completely work everything out in our heads, but we wanted to update you as soon as we decided on things. What we have decided is Sunday evening. We have decided to continue with the format many of you love in being able to chat with us while we are live. We’ve also decided to keep things family-friendly keeping true to you feeling like you’re at the table with us.

Look, we could go on and on about all of this, so we’ll spare you all the details. Just know that we’re coming back and it’s going to be a lot of fun. We hope you like what we have planned!

Stay tuned for more…

Pro-Trump vs Anti-Trump? One in the same!

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red hen sarah sanders cartoon

I’ll admit, trying to figure out just whose side you’re on these days is hard work. One second, you’re a pro-Trump MAGA Trumpian. The next, if you’re so inclined to disagree with him or anyone else on his side, you’re anti-Trump whatever else nasty someone comes up with. The truth of the matter? It doesn’t matter whose side you claim, it’s one in the same.

The final straw for me is a combination of two things. Both of which are rather hypocritical to say the least. Immigration and the Press Secretary.

I’m not even gonna get into the entire argument of illegal immigration and the thought that Trump is responsible for ripping children away from their parents. Nope. Nevermind the fact that this has been happening since B.J. Clinton was in office. No, we can’t deal in the simple fact that illegal immigration has been an ongoing issue dating back to Kennedy and prior. Facts don’t matter, only how things make us feel.

But this entire White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders thing of being asked to leave the Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, VA.

I get it, people are asked all the time to leave restaurants. They’re refused service for a myriad of reasons. But this one? This one takes the cake! (You’ll get that one in just a second.)

“This feels like the moment in our democracy when people have to make uncomfortable actions and decisions to uphold their morals,” said Stephanie Wilkinson, co-owner, Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, Va.

Wait. WHAT? That’s right. You read it right. Read it again if you missed it. Yes, she said, “people have to make uncomfortable actions and decisions to uphold their morals.”

Here’s where it takes that cake of hypocrisy. It’s been a few years, so maybe we need to refresh our thoughts. Take a moment to remember the cake bakers in Colorado who told a gay couple they wouldn’t bake a cake for them. Liberals blew their wad over it! Ultimately sending it all the way to the Supreme Court.

How’s that saying go? Do as I say, not as I do?

Liberals and the anti-Trump crowd don’t like Sanders because she’s a member of the Trump administration, so they throw her and her party out of the restaurant. Because now they want to “uphold their morals”? But, at the same time, they’re the ones who want to force someone to bake them a cake as fast as they can even when that cake-maker wants to say no to “uphold their morals”?

So, now I want to go full circle back to the title of pro-Trump and anti-Trump people being one in the same. You see, it doesn’t matter who you are anymore. You’re either with them or against them. You can’t be both. Quite frankly, it’s disgusting!

The pro-Trump crowd protests those who are anti-Trump, and the anti-Trump protests anything that has to do with Trump. It’s completely stupid!

We have serious issues that need to be dealt with, but we have lowered ourselves to arguing who can and cannot eat at certain places depending on who you support politically.

At some point, we need to set aside these PETTY differences and work toward a resolution on some things. Honestly, at the core, the majority of people aren’t that different on where they stand. And, unfortunately, it’s the ones who can scream the loudest who get heard.

The Cycle of Change and Growth

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cycle of change and growth

We all experience changes in our lives. Some good. Some bad. Some we expect. Some we don’t. But, we ALL have things in our lives that change.

The other side of change is what happens to us. We grow. All of us. Each one of us is impacted in one way or another by a change. But, it’s ALL about how we react to the changes that help us grow in good or bad ways.

Change brings growth and that growth brings more change and so on and so on.

It’s a continuous cycle.

We can look at this is one of two ways: Good or Bad.

It’s up to you! How do you want to view the changes in your life? Do you want to grow in positive ways? Or, would you be satisfied with becoming a more negative person?

It doesn’t, or at least it shouldn’t matter whether the change is planned or unexpected. You should always embrace it.

Speaking from personal experiences, at first it may not seem like the change was intended for you. It may seem like it’s meant for someone else to benefit from your changes. But, the more time you allow the change to take place, you will come to realize it was for you all along.

So, despite whether the changes that are happening around you, both in and out of your control, know that you will grow from it. Know that others around you will grow from it as well.

The more you grow, the more changes you can expect. Which, in turn, will bring more change. Embrace it!

It’s Just a Jumbled Mess

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My mind is racing as I stare at the blank screen. Before I flipped open the laptop, I thought I had an idea of what I wanted to say. However, now that the cursor blinks, I’m not sure where to begin. So…

birdnest brain

Would it not be nice to flip open a person’s head to get a real sense of what’s really going on? I sure wish I could. I mean, heck, the first one I’d like to take a look into would be my own. I honestly don’t understand how I’m able to function at times. Seriously, there’s some crazy stuff happening up there. It’s almost like there are a few wires missing, and the ones that are still there aren’t even connected to the right place. Where to even begin can prove to be a challenge.

Speaking of starting… I had high hopes at the start of the year. I really did. I even put them out for all to see. Some of them I’ve even been able to accomplish. Others, yeah, I have no idea how I’ll be able to make them happen. But, right now, I do not intend on giving up.

Maybe that’s the problem. I feel like I’ve given up. Quit. On you. On myself. I feel like I’ve failed you. Even worse, I feel like I’ve failed myself. I bailed out of the boat and the stupid thing was just pushing off from the dock. UGH! Why? Well, I’ve asked myself that same, simple question over and over and over again. No. I have yet to come to an acceptable conclusion. Sure, anxiety kicked in. Sure, depression is a nasty and ugly animal that comes out to play at the worst possible time. Sure, you put a lot on your plate to try and accomplish. Do I have control over all of those, and more? NO. Note at all. Is it possible to push through? I honestly don’t think so.

But…

Back to feeling like I’ve let so many people down. Truth be told, maybe the number of people isn’t as many as I think it is. But, nonetheless, I still feel like I’ve let many people down. I feel like I quit on them. I feel like I’ve failed them. Have I? That’s for them, you to decide. These are my feelings and I’ll cry if I want to. (Sorry. I broke out in song for a second. Are you starting to see the crossed wires upstairs yet? Then again, maybe that’s why you’ve stuck around as long as you have.)

The show was fun while it lasted. That didn’t come out quite like I intended it to. The show was fun. I had a blast. Most of the time. Truth is, there’s a LOT of work that goes into putting one together. But, also, maybe the timing just isn’t right. While mediocre shows flourish, others get lost in the ocean of talkers. When you feel like you’re doing all the right things. Putting in the hard work of trying to put together a quality show. With production and graphics and all the other stuff that goes into it… and when you see others doing more with far less, it can take a toll. Yeah, I know, I’m not supposed to pay attention to them. Focus only on what I can do. Right now, most of the time, I don’t even know what that means anymore.

FACT: The Stafford Voice has been around for 10 years! Most of you may not have even known that. And, it keeps going on and trying to move forward. What lies in store for the near future? Fun and exciting things I hope. But, it requires learning new things. Skills you could say. (Oh, that was a hint. Think you know what I’ve got working in my wittle brain? Guess again!)

It’s all in the process. I love the process. The creation process. It’s beyond awesome to see something go from a simple thought to a finished piece. Whatever it is. Music. Moving pictures. Sound. Products. Everyday things most people take for granted, I look at with a creative eye and/or ear. I can’t even watch a movie without trying to figure out how they put together that shot for the scene. Or how the composer put together the score. Or how the writer got started writing. Or how they built the set and props. Don’t even get me started on the editing of it all. Are you starting to see that there’s a much bigger picture to everything?

Here’s the picture of what’s happening right now: The wonders of modern technology in the form of an Amazon Echo is connected to the internet and playing classical music. All the while, I sit on the modern convenience of the reclining couch with a laptop typing out my thoughts. To one side is a magic little device called an iPhone that dings every few seconds with the dings of social media and email apps. To the other side, is an assortment of books. But not just any old books. They are labors of love gifted to us by the various authors. Now then, let us not forget, that’s just the right here right now. I didn’t even get into the lights, and electricity, and running water, air conditioning, hum of the refrigerator, and on and on and on. There is ALWAYS a bigger picture.

Okay, after all of that, I think I’ve officially lost it. I completely lost where I was.

Oh yeah, the process. I love the process of creating. Only one problem. I’m NOT creating enough. Documenting as some would say. Document the process of creating. Meh… that’s something for another time.

I think I’m sufficiently tired enough to attempt to take some rest.

Trump Tweets: ‘NO MORE DACA DEAL!’

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President Donald Trump took to Twitter to urge Republicans to use the Nuclear Option and saying there would be no deal with the Democrats on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

trump no more daca deal

Trump tweeted Sunday morning, “Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. ‘Caravans’ coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!”

Shortly after that tweet, he followed it up saying, “Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the U.S. They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!”

Following up on his twitter remarks, while heading to an Easter service in West Palm Beach, Florida, he again called on Mexico to do more to help on the border.

Larry King on the 2nd Amendment: ‘Repeal It’

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In a TMZ video, Larry King is asked about a recent remark by retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens saying that the 2nd Amendment should be repealed. Larry’s response is to ‘repeal it.’

King even went on to say that the reason for the second amendment was to fight off slaves.

Yeah, no, I don’t think so.

The reason for the second amendment was and is to support our natural right to self-defense.

But, let’s not forget that Mr. Larry King is not at all accurate is his version of history for the call of the 2nd amendment.

Just watch for yourself:

Longtime Republican Donor to Withhold Cash While Calling for New Gun Laws

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Al Hoffman Jr., a longtime Republican donor based in Florida is vowing to withhold cash until new gun laws are passed.

Hoffman issued his demands in an email to a short list of Republican leaders, including Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Jeb Bush.

The New York Times reports him as saying, “I will not write another check unless they all support a ban on assault weapons. Enough is enough!”

And, also stating in an interview, “For how many years now have we been doing this — having these experiences of terrorism, mass killings — and how many years has it been that nothing’s been done? It’s the end of the road for me.”

Here’s what I say, KEEP YOUR MONEY!

Understand this: In 1994, under Democrat control, a federal assault weapons ban was enacted. Sure, that lapsed back in 2004 with Republicans in power. But simply banning something and saying it’s illegal won’t do anything about stopping it.

We have laws that say it’s illegal to drink and drive. Does that stop people from doing it? NOPE!

We have laws that say it’s illegal to do drugs. Does that stop people from doing them? NOPE! As a matter of fact, California and other states are putting in safe places for people to go and take their illegal drugs with some supervision. You know, in case someone passes out or something.

We have laws that say it’s illegal to enter into this country without proper permission. Does that stop millions of people from entering the country illegally? NOPE! As a matter of fact, those on the left, and some on the right work very hard to promote it.

But… and this is a BIG but… none of that matters! They don’t care and don’t want to talk about it because, you know, GUNS ARE BAD MKAY?!

They argue for stricter gun laws. Many of them call for the complete banning of guns.

Yes, the same people calling for the banning of guns are the same people who just years ago were praising Atwood’s The Handmaids Tale.

Yes, these are the same people who now protest the Netflix drama because it’s about oppressing women under total government control.

Yes, the same people who want the government to come and take all the guns saying only police should have guns.

Yes, the same people who protest the police saying they have too much power and go around killing people, because, after all, you know, GUNS ARE BAD MKAY?!

Talking in circles is the sign of an ignorant argument.

The fact remains: Criminals are always gonna criminal. THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT LAWS!

George Soros Has Harsh Words For Facebook And Google

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Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, George Soros issued some blistering comments aimed at Facebook and Google.

I’ll admit, it stopped me in my tracks when I saw a headline claiming ultra-liberal George Soros slammed Facebook and Google calling them a ‘menace’ to society and ‘obstacles to innovation’.

So, what did Soros say?

Here are some excerpts:

“Social-media companies deceive their users by manipulating their attention and directing it towards their own commercial purposes. They deliberately engineer addiction to the services they provide. This can be very harmful, particularly for adolescents. There is a similarity between internet platforms and gambling companies. Casinos have developed techniques to hook gamblers to the point where they gamble away all their money, even money they don’t have.

“Something very harmful and maybe irreversible is happening to human attention in our digital age. Not just distraction or addiction — social-media companies are inducing people to give up their autonomy. The power to shape people’s attention is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few companies. It takes a real effort to assert and defend what John Stuart Mill called “the freedom of mind.” There is a possibility that once lost, people who grow up in the digital age will have difficulty in regaining it. This may have far-reaching political consequences. People without the freedom of mind can be easily manipulated. This danger does not loom only in the future — it already played an important role in the 2016 US presidential elections.

“But there is an even more alarming prospect on the horizon. There could be an alliance between authoritarian states and these large, data-rich IT monopolies that would bring together nascent systems of corporate surveillance with an already developed system of state-sponsored surveillance. This may well result in a web of totalitarian control the likes of which not even Aldous Huxley or George Orwell could have imagined.”

“The owners of the platform giants consider themselves the masters of the universe, but in fact, they are slaves to preserving their dominant position.”

“The internet monopolies have neither the will nor the inclination to protect society against the consequences of their actions. That turns them into a menace, and it falls to the regulatory authorities to protect society against them.”