Blog Archives - North Florida Writer

Don't Let the Polls Be the News!

6/30/2016

Polls, polls, polls. Day after day, month after month we Americans are besieged by political polls and they begin the day after one election ends and continue non-stop until the next one concludes. Really, America, do we really want to be told on the day after a Presidential election what is likely to happen four years from now? It's really no wonder that people quickly lose interest and don't believe anything that the mainstream media trumpets. After all, they are trying to create the news. not do the job of reporting it. And finally we are beginning to realize we are being used and are fed up with the media, just like we are fed up with the political class and the bureaucracy.

In generations pasot there were maybe four or five reputable polls and the questions were written in a way to elicit a true response in a proportional break-out that mirrored the constituency make-up. Today, however, the number of polls has skyrocketed, professionalism has been trumped by media bias, and the result is polling based upon modified sampling techniques and heavily slanted questions which nudge respondents int the direction desired. You can elicit any response you want if you have a loaded sample base and the possible poll answers are tightly controlled. After all, the formatting has been turned into a manipulation science by a media which is nearly one hundred percent liberal in its political philosophy.

While the polls can point out some possible trends, they are by no means at this time representative of what the outcome will truly be. And we are in a political cycle unlike one I've ever seen before with so much uncertainty and unease among potential voters who are heavily divided, yet alike in one respect. We all know that something is dreadfully wrong in America and must change; the only question is how and in what direction.

The polling fiasco is not limited to America. Just a few weeks ago we witnessed what the media said would be a defeat in Britain for the LEAVE the European Union voting bloc yet turned into a solid victory instead. And it's likely it turned out that way because millions of Britons held their tongue in check with the pollster, something that could be very much the same here in America. The only real poll of any value in a crazy political world is the final count and we've got four months to go until we reach that point.

Now is a good time to ignore the polls and slow down and focus on what's behind the words of the candidates. Don't judge them on sound bytes, judge them on their record and a detailed assessment of what they are calling for. It requires patience, reading, study and personal evaluation of what you have learned. Do that and you'll make the right choice and America will be better for it. Let's bring some sanity instead of hype back to decision-making.

All Politics is Local: Why I Support Mike Byerly

6/29/2016

Re-elect Mike Byerly

The old political saying "All politics is local" has never been more obvious than in elections this year in Alachua County, Florida. And it is particularly true in the local Democratic Party primary where a long time County Commissioner, Mike Byerly, is facing a stern challenge from an energetic black minister, Kevin Thorpe, for the District One seat. Thorpe is heavily supported by the Chamber of Commerce due to his wide open support for development with little if any constraint in some of the most fragile and pristine parts of the county. Byerly, on the other hand, is a fighter for a county Comprehensive Plan which supports varied lifestyles, including urban, suburban and rural segments, allowing freedom of choice for residents while also protecting the beauty, natural ambiance and endangered water supply which is so precious from our wonderful aquifer system.

And so this has left yours truly in a major quandary because, as a lifelong Republican, I have traditionally based most of my voting decisions on national politics and my deeply grounded Conservatism. My love of the land and its resources , and I will also admit my personal desire to keep my partially wet private land as natural as possible, has led me to get involved in something quite different for me. I will support and temporarily change my party registration so that I can help Mike Byerly win his contested primary against the big money and the crony-capitalists who have largely taken over Chamber of Commerce organizations nationwide. And I will still be able to switch party affiliation back before the November elections, although it isn't necessary since general elections are open elections and registered voters can vote for anyone.

Now I know I will face some criticism from some of my conservative friends and I already have, but I can handle that. And besides, with some Republican power brokers urging their own party to do the same in reverse in the name of economic development, they have no room to complain. But deep in my heart I know something else: supporting economic development under any cost when it means that people already in place will have their lives uprooted and destroyed is not economic development. It results in a ruined environment and lifestyle, loss of property, excessive tax increases, flooding, sprawling strip malls and ugly box stores and increased crime and misery for many. Meanwhile, the established stores in town close up and move out to the new, leaving blight and boarded up buildings. That is not development; that is disaster and I think we all know it as we shrug and look the other way.

I am proud to know Mike Byerly. I find him exceedingly honest and he always responds to questions I ask, not always with the answers I want but always with sincerity. And when I hear others say something different, I would just have to respond that we must judge people by the way they treat us, so maybe the approach being used is the problem. A number of other Republicans and Independents have agreed to make the temporary change with me as well and I urge that any who want to keep Alachua County unique, not just another cookie cutter community, do the same and keep Mike in office.

Mike will join me today at 1 pm on North Florida Writer Live on Blog Talk Radio to discuss his primary campaign, his view on the ever important growth and economic issues that face our community and Florida and Alachua County, and what his follow-on vision for the future holds. I hope you will tune in and get the facts, not the hype. Here's the link:

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Like Taxes? You'll Love Hillary and Lizzie

6/28/2016

So Hillary Clinton teamed up with Elizabeth Warren the other day to campaign in Ohio, railing about the evils of Donald Trump and pushing another huge corporate tax scheme which, of course, drew raves from the jealous and uninformed who always take glee when this is discussed. You know the types, those who are miserable themselves and want to make everyone else suffer from the same self-created malady.

The two middle aged "Bobbsey Twins", decked out in blue spoke of how to make corporate America pay for its greed by heavy punitive taxation for "not paying their fair share" or some other such nonsense. Hillary talked about how companies which had operations overseas would be punished and how those trying to leave America to move overseas would incur huge penalties associated with their move.

Look, folks, I don't like companies relocating overseas either but when they have to compete on a global basis and their home nation, the United States, has the highest corporate tax structure in the free world, staying here puts them at a huge disadvantage. And since Hillary herself is tied at the hip with so many crony-capitalist entities who curry future political favors and special treatment with huge "donations" for so-called speeches, who is she to complain. Really, can you imagine yourself sitting through one of her speeches, or should I say "screeches"? Probably not.

And "Lizzie" Warren, never one to run away from a free wide by whatever means necessary, be it claiming American Indian heritage or whatever, spouts her lines about soaking the rich and giving to the poor when she is also one of the one percent that she rails about. There is a good possibility that Hillary will pick "Lizzie" as her running mate and if that is true expect to hear about the evil Republicans and how Donald Trump has just stolen from the poor to make himself rich.

Trump, truly a tough and outspoken businessman, has worked hard to build his empire through the private sector, not through continually living off the federal trough. Of course he's not perfect; no one is. But with Trump you at least get someone who knows what hard work is. He didn't hitch his wagon to a star. He created his own star.

So Hillary and "Lizzie" need to be careful with what they say and do for there is an old adage that aptly applies to both of them. It is simple, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". Wise up ladies; glass is easy to break.

Finally, my friends, never forget that corporate taxes are never paid by corporations. They are paid for by the customer since taxes are nothing more than a cost of doing business and they are included in the sales price. Wow, I guess Hillary and "Lizzie" just don't know that. Beware of this dynamic duo or you'll find your pocket picked and nothing left. Consider yourself forewarned.

AMERICA'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE: LACK OF TRUTH AND HONESTY

6/27/2016

America is truly at a major turning point. Citizens are both upset and despondent, many feeling hopeless to bring meaning back to their lives while saving their country which is in so many ways falling apart. A nation founded under God, committed to operating a government which addressed the will of the people, has over time been reduced to a bureaucratic, overly complex, centrally led monstrosity which answers to no one except the political elites who only seek what is best for them.

And it's not just an American phenomenon as we learned from the action taken by voters in Britain late last Thursday night. The British, like so many Americans, yearned to make their country proud again and return control of her government to the people, not the existing ruling class under the tutelage of a European socialist Union. The lack of borders, making Britain open to any and all who wanted to enter, the loss of control of trade and commerce, and a legal system which is alien are all indications of some of the same concerns that we Americans have today. The only difference is our elitist politicians are under the tutelage of a President who seemingly answers not to the EU but to his lofty view of the United Nations although both organizations are nearly one and the same in spirit and sentiment.

The demand for truth and honesty are created by the desire for liberty and freedom, for we can't be free and prosperous as individuals without a yoke being put on overreaching and just plain bad government. Tyranny never leads to a future worth having, it only puts us in chains to be manipulated by those who think they know better, and the yearning to break those chains is what caused the result in England and it also has sown the seeds for Donald Trump. The lack of assimilation by newcomers who are largely turning out be "users" of our welfare goody system instead of becoming strong supporters and believers in America played a major part of our reaching the tipping point and we may have already gone over the edge.

Diversity on its own is not a problem, but the lack of bringing that diversity into the traditional melting pot that made America great is. And what is most amazing is the mainstream media and its cronies seem so surprised by what is happening. Well, they better get used to it, because underneath their phony headlines and structured polls designed to attain a desired result either by wording or sampling malfeasance is a building inferno of Americans who are just fed up with the lies, false reporting and manipulated data. They want the corruption swept out and a new order established, one that is by no means a New World Order, but one based on legitimacy, sovereignty,honor and free will to name just a few of the key items.

We'll talk about this subject tomorrow on North Florida Writer Live at 10 am. Here's the link.

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Go Britannia and let's follow their lead on the sovereignty issue and bring America back as well. The world is watching and many other lands are looking to follow our lead.

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: THE HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN

6/25/2016

For the last seven months this writer has been engrossed in a difficult strategy battle with the Florida Department of Highways over proposals to put major limited access highways through the rural area where I live. We gathered together a hearty band of citizens who don't object to the idea of progress, we just want to make sure that maintenance of a reasonable lifestyle for us is included therein. And this creates quite a quandary for the busy highway planners who see maps, ecological charts, and studies quite clearly until the human element comes in. Being a state agency, pressure from politicians and well-heeled contributors make it almost impossible for the "little guy' to get a fair shake but, then again, that makes it all the more imperative for all of us, rich and poor, influential or not so much, to look deep within ourselves and open our hearts to the Living God in doing all the things that we do.

Tonight on Sunday Morning Coming Down our topic will be the Highway to Heaven. How are we supposed to live our lives and treat others by putting God first in all that we do? It's a difficult task, for we know that we are naturally weak and susceptible to our desires, yet we are expected to face our challenges in life in a way that will be pleasing to Him. And it relates well to the idea of an earthly highway, for life on earth is full of turns and bends, washed out roads and complicated roadmaps, roadblocks, and bad directions, yet we still must navigate ourselves through it in a way which will allow us to make it to the entry ramp for the real highway of the future, the Highway to Heaven.

I hope you'll join us for a short message, scripture, prayer and good Christian music as we focus on what God through His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ expects from us. The show runs live at 7 pm and then will be available on demand 24/7. Sunday Morning Coming Down is a weekly devotional honoring the Lord's Day and is available to anyone who seeks true peace and redemption in their life. Here's the link to the show:

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2A: Can You Sit on the Sidelines and Still Support Gun Rights This November?

6/22/2016

Nothing is more important to the average freedom loving American than the Second Amendment and it's statement of our God-given right to bear arms. It was included in the Bill of Rights not primarily for self-defense from criminals, but to insure that an overbearing and tyrannical government could be checked by the power of gun ownership of citizens using their freedom. Time and time again Progressives have tried to find creative ways to take those rights away only to be slapped down by the sheer volume of those who support maintenance of these rights.

Today, however, we find ourselves in a situation where the Left is pushing harder and harder against those rights and the spineless Republicans in Washington are just "wimping" along, listening to the likes of Democrat-lite Susan Collins who really has never acted like a Republican. In fact, so many of the so-called Republicans in the Senate don't seem to act like Republicans, leaving a huge vacuum for mischief to impact the gun issue.

Think about it carefully. An Islamic Muslim extremist kills and wounds a large number of people in Orlando and instead of facing the reality of the issue, the Democrats co-opt it with the gun issue instead of the real cause, unbridled hate from an ideology that government refuses to admit is a problem.

And of course we have a significant number of Conservatives who say they will not vote unless the Republican ticket is headed by Ted Cruz but, let's face it, Cruz is a smart and good man but he's not going to be able to win the White House. And if his supporters push for some type of takeover of the upcoming Republican Convention in an effort to stop the candidacy of Donald Trump, the result will be large numbers of then disaffected Trump supporters sitting it out. After all, like it or not, they did receive the support necessary to put their candidate over the top on the first ballot and any mischief in Cleveland will not play well overall in America. Rules may allow for it, but the perception will be that of the stench of a dead whale washed up on a beach.

Trump is certainly not a Mark Levin conservative but he is no "flaming" liberal. He is a pragmatist who has looked at what is going on in the country, realized the direction underway will result in disaster and decided to do something about it. And his general lifestyle is really quite conservative, after all, he pays his own way and takes great risk in the things that he does. Despite his faults, he loves America and truly wants to end political correctness and he speaks the truth about the causes of our distress. And he knows that the Second Amendment plays a significant role in insuring that our freedom continues.

Those who with the best of conservative intentions push for undercutting the Trump nomination will not gain the result they seek. Instead, they will insure another Romneyesque candidate who meets the criteria of the RINO-dominated Establishment and that will result in an absolute disaster. Elect #NeverHillary President and a fair legal system, your guns and your God-given freedom in general will be taken away. And don't bet on getting it back, for the Democratic machine will instead push the country into a position of subservience to an even more corrupt New World Order along with their RINO allies. This will result in the good Old USA becoming just another subordinate country to an international, non-elected foreign bureaucracy, accountable to no one but themselves. If that isn't appealing, think very carefully about what a President Hillary would mean. Let's pull things together and clean the swamp that is Washington and this includes the likes of entrenched politicians of both parties. That's the ticket to a real American resurgence, an America which puts the interests of Americans first with the guiding hand of God.

#Brexit: Does It Have Any Impact on Her Former Colonies?

6/20/2016

Family travel photo from years gone by

Tuesday on North Florida Writer Live we will discuss the likelihood of the outcome of the British vote on Brexit. You can listen live at 1 pm or on demand 24/7 here:

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Pictured here is Big Ben in London from a family photo album of years gone by. It is a landmark representative symbol of Britain and British sovereignty, something which has been seriously eroded since the United Kingdom opted to join the European Union. And in case you're not aware of the current goings on related to the EU in the UK these days, the British citizenry will go to the polls this upcoming Thursday to decide whether or not they want to remain in the EU or opt out. The "Leave" movement (hashtag #Brexit) which supports return to full British sovereignty, appears to be in the lead at the moment and if that holds true, it will truly be a modern day "shot heard 'round the world" concerning individual national sovereignty and independence.

Why does this hold significance for we Americans? The answer is that it will show the movement to return to sovereignty for the nation, a concept with wide support here, is also strongly present in the UK and growing in other European nations as well. The desire to maintain our sovereignty is strong among Americans since it naturally opposes United Nations "refugee migration" decisions made under the guise of the New World Order or world governance. Both the UN and the EU appear to be joined at the hip on just such issues.

If our British brothers and sisters pull the world's fifth largest economy out of the overbearing EU, the movement will likely gain further ground quickly throughout Europe which is seeing cultures destroyed by the unaccountable EU bureaucrats. Today Britain is subjected to a legal system in Brussels which is responsible for approximately sixty percent of the laws to which citizens are held accountable, a process which includes immigration law. And these very laws are adjudicated by an international court system not based in their homeland, clearly a huge step toward the absolute end of any concept of national sovereignty.

The similarity to the things accepted and pushed by Prime Minister Cameron's government clearly closely parallel the idea of an international governance which the American President and so many Washington politicians support. And things like unpublished trade deals and lack of borders and sovereignty which don't provide any valid reasoning for American support by the citizenry have brought forth the current American distaste for international overreach and control. These are the very reasons for the birth of the Trump movement and if Britain approves #Brexit, the push for major change and overhaul will only grow larger here, likely benefiting Trump.

Stay tuned as we watch for the results on Thursday and the aftermath therefrom. National sovereignty should never be granted to a world body, much of which is run and supported by tyrannical nations. And wouldn't it be a pleasant surprise if our old master from over two hundred years ago leads the way. Go Britannia, make Britain proud again by controlling your own destiny and setting a marker for other democracy-loving nations as well. We need to continue to grow that spirit here as well.

Father's Day 2016: Honor Good Old Dad

6/18/2016

Join us live at 9pm or on demand thereafter for a tribute to fathers on this Fathers Day weekend. It's our Sunday Morning Coming Down broadcast for this special day and it can be found at the following link:

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The picture shown is worth a thousand words. It shows a British soldier during World War I who was preparing to leave for France and war in the trenches. Note how his son is dressed as closely as he can to the attire of his dad, admiring him and loving him and certainly saddened that his dad is going away for a long time. We don't know whether or not his father returned home safely after the war, but we can be sure that this picture was special to the young fellow as he looked back on his memories of his dad later in life, living or dead.

Fathers are extremely important to the upbringing of a well-rounded child, yet today society in many ways frowns upon that importance. Advertisements and many sitcoms show them as weak, incapable of making leadership decisions for the family, while portraying women generally in a more positive role. And, of course, government policy which has in many ways encouraged sexual activity with no consequence beginning in the teen years has contributed to it. When the state tries to assume the role of the parent, responsibility becomes easier and easier to avoid, and the result is many children with broken homes, no father and sometimes even where a mother only provides the minimum of nurturing required if even that. God expects much more of us than that and thankfully there are millions of good fathers (and mothers) who despite the need to sometimes "swim against the tide" manage to successfully do so.

Last month we honored mothers, the centerpiece of family life. But the role of a father is also critical. Good fathers teach boys how to be men, real men, who are willing to stand for their family while doing so in the tradition of the gentleman. And fathers also provide an example for their daughters of what a man should be like. A good presentation sets in concrete the type of person that a young girl will likely seek eventually in a husband.

Some of us lost our fathers as boys, but the memories up until that point are good ones and help us to focus on the right way to live. Sometimes a mom has been forced to fill both roles and for those who did or are doing so there is a special blessing and honor to them for handling a very tough obligation. But whatever the circumstance, those of us who had at least a partial upbringing from two loving parents, husband and wife, know that they each played a special part, significant and critical in their own way for our development. In a world of such turmoil and strife, we all need every advantage we can get to prepare for what we will face in life.

So on this weekend when we honor fathers, salute them. If they are still with us, visit them if possible and do something special to say thanks. If they are gone, honor their memory. Each of them is one of a kind and that special one is simply known as dad.

Friday on North Florida Writer Live: Update on HUD with Darlene Pifalo

6/17/2016

Darlene with her sidekick, Mr. Lucky

THE SHOW IS UP AND RUNNING BUT IT WAS CUT OFF AFTER THE FIRST HALF HOUR. DON'T KNOW WHY, MAYBE IT WAS NATURE AND MAYBE SOMETHING MORE SINISTER, BUT WE'LL CONTINUE WHERE WE LEFT OFF NEXT FRIDAY AT 7. WHEN IT CUT OUT, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE "REFUGEE" PROBLEM WITH HOUSING. DECIDE FOR YOURSELF.

Friday night at 7 North Florida Writer Live is pleased to have as a return guest Gainesville, Florida residential realtor Darlene Pifalo to update us on new rules and administrative procedures which have been implemented by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If you think HUD is working for an easier and less time-consuming process when purchasing a new home, you are in for a shock. Additionally, "Big Brother" is now trying to dictate to localities the make-up by groupings (race, nationality, gender, income, etc.) of neighborhoods through the increased involvement of the federal government in local zoning decisions.

Darlene is a great professional to discuss this subject with us. She has a long history of top notch performance in home listings and sales in the local area and she and her sidekick, Mr. Lucky, are recognized by those looking to buy or sell. She has a high energy level and is dedicated to making her customers return as lifestyle changes over time require a new home. She aims to please by solving processing problems and giving sound advice to anyone looking for information about housing availability and affordability.

We hope you'll join us for a good informational session. Even if you aren't looking to buy or sell, understanding what the feds are up to in the housing arena and how it impacts you are important considerations for all of us. Here's the link to the show; it is good for both the live broadcast and for on demand availability after it is complete.

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Face the Truth, Republican Establishment!

6/15/2016

Poor old Mitch McConnell. Look at that face. He is so afraid to criticize Obama that he sells out those in his own party, particularly Conservatives and especially Donald Trump. But I guess you really can't blame him, for he is petrified that someone new will come to Washington in a very high place and spill the beans on what he and his Establishment cronies have been up to and Trump is certainly one who would do so.

But it's not just Mitch. It's the leadership of the party and many elected officials, especially in the Senate who have played the get along with Democrats game for a long time. Never mind that the Democrats always win and the Republicans always lose. It almost appears that they like to lose, or else they are just really Democrats disguised as Republicans, hence the name Republicans in Name Only.

Our most recent show currently up and running on North Florida Writer Lives discusses this situation and, more directly, the ways in which they are trying to subtly sabotage Donald Trump. We also discuss the shameless way both Republicans and Democrats refuse to tell the the truth about the happenings and cause in Orlando this past weekend at the Pulse night club involving radical Islamic terrorism. They have largely decided to take the President's approach on that and keep their heads buried in the sand. We even have a separate blog item on line about the President's shameful position on the horrific attack.

I hope you'll listen in as Mark Collier and I candidly discuss the fiasco that is our current day Republican Party. It's going to take someone like Trump to force the issue and make the party represent those who call themselves members of the Party of Lincoln. The show's available at any time. Here's the link:

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