The Hour of the Wolf – Musings on What is Fair?

As I slowly wake up with my first cup of coffee and cigarette, I turn on the the T.V. and as usual there is a Progressive Socialist complaining that the congress hasn't passed a higher minimum wage. As usual, the Conservative counter point is that the minimum wage should be left to the businesses to determine, something I fully agree with. Then, just as predictable as my second cup of coffee, the Socialist says, “But it’s not FAIR that the owner or CEO of the company makes more then the workers and the government needs to do something about pay inequality.” Isn't the redistribution of wealth one of the main tenets of Socialism?

Later, on a different show, the usual debate on taxes was raging and as regular as clock work, the idea for a FAIR tax was brought up and the usual debate soon followed suit.

I flashed back to something I heard on The Five, when Eric Bolling brought up Obamacare and the Democrat said and I paraphrase, “Its not FAIR that if you don't have insurance and go to the hospital, I have to pay for it.” (ca. 19 March, 2015). Mr. Bolling let a great opportunity pass, all he had to say, "Isn't our tax money paying for Obamacare? Medicaid?What's the difference?"

As I lit my second cigarette and half listened, I started thinking and that's hurts and is rather difficult for me with only two cups under my belt, “WHAT IS FAIR? Who determines JUST what is FAIR?”

Before my rant, let’s take a look at “FAIR”.

I figured it would be easier for readers to check my source if it were online instead of using an old fashion dictionary, so I looked up the meaning of FAIR.

The word FAIR is an interesting word. It can be used as a noun, an adverb, a verb or an adjective.

When it comes to minimum wage, taxes and every other Socialists Democrat talking point, the word FAIR is used as an adjective, so let’s look at those definitions:

1. Agreeing with what is thought to be right or acceptable

2. Treating people in a way that does not favor some over others

3. Not too harsh or critical

After reading and understanding the word FAIR, I turned to the Constitution and what it has to say about FAIR.

For those who haven't taken time or are too lazy to understand it, I'll remind you that the Constitution lays out WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN DO, so I'll save you some time, there is only one phrase in the Constitution that may be construed concerning FAIR; Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1:

“...; but all Duties, Imposts (something imposed or levied : tax...) and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States”

There is absolutely nothing concerning FAIR when it comes to a minimum wage, in fact there is nothing about the FEDERAL Government getting involved in what private businesses pay their employees. The same holds true when it comes to health care. Or basically anything else in a citizen's life.

In fact, even the much hated 16th Amendment:

“The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.”

Does not say anything about FAIR.

So. according to the Constitution, the Federal government has absolutely no authority in “Agreeing with what is thought to be right or acceptable”. But, the Constitution does authorize the Federal government to “treat people in a way that does not favor some over others” and “not too harsh or critical.” Yet it doesn't.

Yet, a minority of people will get out in the streets, riot and yell,”_______(fill in your own pet peeve) is not FAIR.” Is this minority determining or “agreeing with what is thought to be right or acceptable” for the rest of America.

If that's the case, then I as a minority of one can say, ”Its not FAIR that:

1. That America made a promise to my Brother & Sister Veterans, and BROKE it.

2. Peoples' hard earned money is taxed and used for things not authorized in the Constitution, i.e. welfare, medicaid, Obamacare.

3. Friends of mine, as well as many other Americans, have to work a full time job and then work part time jobs just to make ends meet; yet others, who are fairly capable of working, can sit at home and draw government handouts.

4. That a person is promoted, allowed to commit fraud and given special treatment, because of race or sex.

I could go on, but I fully realize that like beauty, what's FAIR is in the eye of the beholder, so before you yell and cry “That's not fair” ask yourself:

Is it FAIR that a person who HAS worked hard to achieve success, did just about everything that America expected and finally earned the privilege to live and use his hard earned “wealth” anyway that person desires and not be demonized, called names, or be degraded? Isn't this the type of propaganda that Socialists/Communists used and are using to take over a country?

Only in a Socialist country that is on the road to Communism is it FAIR for a small group of people or politicians to determine what a person can do with their own money, what they can say, what they can eat or what they can buy (Some will say that the government doesn't control what you can buy. To them, I say, "Can you buy an incandescent light bulb?)? 

How soon will it be that a small group will determine whether a person should work in an office or on the factory floor, no matter the knowledge or skill, because it is FAIR?

Why should a group of elected politicians who are more concern with their own power than what's right for ALL the people.

"I stand for the square deal. But when I say that I am for the square deal, I mean not merely that I stand for fair play under the present rules of the game, but that I stand for having those rules changed so as to work for a more substantial equality of opportunity and of reward for equally good service."...Theodore Roosevelt (August 31,1910)

What do you think? Let me know.

Thanks to my "Brain Trust", Igor & the Riceman for their assistance.

The Hour of the Wolf - Introduction

Coming soon to A Scream In The Wilderness, will be a “new” and semi regular feature called The Hour of the Wolf. This feature will be a little different from my other posts which usually deals with history or current news commentary. This new column will deal mainly with my personal observations and opinions and will cover a number of topics.

These topics can and will be everything from political to social events (past and present), maybe debunking some conspiracy theories or some things that just interests me. Yes, as in most of my posts there will be some links to references, but most of the time it will be just my musings, things I feel very strongly about and may be use for extended answers/comments from twitter.

As with any “opinion page”, I WANT to hear your thoughts, your opinions and your comments. These can be expressed in the comment section below each post and I will respond to all INTELLIGENT and THOUGHTFUL posts.

Now, to give credit where credit is due.

I chose the title of the section out of respect for J. Michael Straczynski (JMS), the cast and crew of the T.V. series, Babylon 5 because as those who follow me on twitter (@OldMarine1), I am up early and do most of my writing and thinking during what JMS describes as the “hour of the wolf”.

Just what is the “hour of the wolf”?

“The hour of the wolf is that hour around 3 a.m. when you can't sleep because you're worried about one thing or another.”

Or as Susan Ivanova played by Claudia Christian explains in the title episode.

"Have you ever heard of the hour of the wolf? My father told me about it. It's the time between 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning. You can't sleep, and all you can see is the troubles and the problems and the ways that your life should've gone but didn't. All you can hear is the sound of your own heart. I've been living in the hour of the wolf for seven days, Lyta. Seven days. The wolf and I are now on a first-name basis. In times like this, my father used to take one large glass of vodka before bed. To keep the wolf away, he said. And then he would take three very small drinks of vodka, just in case she had cubs while she was waiting outside. It doesn't work."

Since I don't drink, I use that time to write and research in order to keep the wolf of Socialism and her cubs from destroying the FREEDOM and the greatness of America. And like Susan, I sometimes feel it doesn't/isn't working, but I refuse to give up.

I will ask all to check back periodically to see what's new although I will tweet new posts for your consideration, but until then here are a couple of samples.

http://screaminthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-hour-of-wolf.html

http://screaminthewilderness.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-hour-of-wolf-america-and-its.html

The Hour of The Wolf - America and its Freedoms Are Being Destroyed

I jerked awake, reached down and grab the pistol I keep beside the bed, slipped on my robe and slowly but quietly walked out of the bedroom. I stopped, looked around and listened. Hearing or seeing no sign movement, I proceeded into the living room again seeing or hearing nothing unusual, I glanced at the clock.

“My God” I thought, “Its almost 3:00 A.M." What I have come to refer to as the hour of the wolf.

I walked into the kitchen, turned the coffee pot on, checked the back door, saw that it was still locked.

I turned back to the coffee pot, saw that it was about a third full, picked it up and poured my first cup of what will be many cups consumed this day.

As I returned to the living room, I stopped short, brought my weapon up and using my free hand aimed it at the figure sitting in the chair.

I soon came to realize that I my eyes and maybe mind were playing tricks on me, lower the weapon and sat down on the sofa.

Just as I sat down and started thinking about the upcoming day, I was startled by the voice from the direction of the chair and once again saw a figure is sitting there.

I reached over for my weapon, when the voice said, “Stand down, you know you don't need that.”

Again I shook my head, rubbed my eyes and looked at the chair again and the figure was still there. Looking more closely, there was something strangely familiar about him.

As I took a sip of coffee and lit a cigarette, the figure began to speak.

“Don't worry about who I am, BUT we do need to talk.”

“About what?” I asked.

“America and its Freedoms are being destroyed.”

I looked at him and quietly said, “What more can I do? I served fourteen years in the Corps. I blog, I speak out on twitter. Frankly, I feel that I am doing everything I can, short of calling for armed insurrection, to wake people up, but I feel that people just aren't listening or even paying attention. Frankly, I'm getting tired or as the 'talking heads' say, 'war weary'. Frankly, I'm getting down right discouraged.”

“DISCOURAGED? TIRED? WAR WEARY? BULLCHIT!”

He lower his voice and continued, “Yes, the people of America have changed. Face it, most have the attention spans of earthworms. BUT, the real problem is that most have developed an its all about 'ME' attitude, how hard I work, how much I should get, what's in it for me.”

I nodded my head, “Yes and I have to admit sometimes I have that attitude.”

“Yes you do,” he said with a stare that sent a chill through me. He continued, “But you DO realize that it isn't about you, its about America. Now, you have to show others that there are more important things then themselves. You have to show them that without God and America's freedom, there IS NO ME. There will be only the 'collective'.”

I glanced down and said, “How do you fight the lack of intellectual curiosity? How do you fight greed and envy? How you fight the media “talking heads” on both sides of this war? How do you fight the "lemmings" who will not accept facts that counter dict their favorite "personality"? How do you get people to stand up for Freedom and not just seek that fifteen minutes of fame”

He looked at me as only another warrior could and said, “You really can't, its up to each and every one to look deep into their hearts and ask, 'Is it better to fight for America and the its freedoms or is it better to look for that fame and fortune that 15 minutes in the spotlight might give?'”

“BUT,” he continued, “You must keep at it, NEVER give up. Continue to show the history. Show the tactics. Continue to point out the hypocrisy on both sides, no matter the insults, the sling and arrows thrown at you." 

"There are a few out there, very few unfortunately, that feel the same as you do, realizing that America is in the swirl of the toilet and fast going down the tubes and don't realize that SOCIALISM IS HERE AND THEY DON'T REALIZE IT." 

"There are some who have quit and taken the easier way of chasing every popular trend just to get numbers for their Twitter account or their blogs." 

"And then there are some who have just given up, being content to just claim how patriotic they are. While others, unfortunately, have just plain given up.”

I stared back at him and replied, “I have tried! I have researched, written and shown that this destruction of America has been on going for over a century, but to no avail. I constantly hear,'its Obama's fault'. I hear, 'that its the government's fault'. I constantly hear, 'Well, Glenn Beck, Hannity, Rush or some other 'talking head' said...' even though HISTORY shows they are wrong. How do you combat that?”

“Again, you may not be able to combat the idol worship, but if you keep pressing the points, REMEMBERING that the future of America depends on people waking up and having the facts. Just think that if you continue to put the information out there and one person reads and tells one or two others and they tell two others, etc."

"Remember an avalanche begins with just one stone rolling down a hill”

I just nodded my head, glancing down a feeling a little ashamed.

He continued, “There are a few others out there that are like you, going about life but, fighting the best way they can. REMEMBER in all wars, the generals or political leaders are always remembered, BUT it is the grunts; those in the trenches, those in the mud, blood and guts, shedding the tears over fallen comrades that are the ones that make it possible for victory and for the leaders to be glorified, to be 'worshiped'. Remember a leader is only as good as those he leads.”

“But,” I began.

“BUT HELL!” he interrupted, “There is no BUT, there is just doing."

"There are people; even some young people, out there who do want to learn. They really thirst for the knowledge that you and others put out there. It may not seem that way, but there you are. Some may use it in their own arguments, some may use it in their writings, but you know that the information is out there.”

He continued, “I know you and others get pi$$ed when your material is stolen by “celebrities” and others. Remember, there are a great number out there that wouldn't know what ethics are, even if it bit them on the @$$. People have become users, they'll use anything or anyone they can to to gain their moments of fame and fortune. All you and others can do is hold true to yourselves, hold true to your beliefs. If it costs you, so be it, at least you know in your heart of hearts that you held faithful to your ethics.”

I looked at him, still wondering who he was and finally asked him, “Just who the hell are you? Why are you lecturing me?”

He looked at me with a smile on his face and said very quietly, “I am the spirit of those who came before you. I'm the spirit of those out there in America who are tired, wondering if anything they do really means anything. I am the spirit that made America great. BUT most importantly, I am you.”

As he disappeared and I glanced at the clock, it was 3:00 A.M. and the coffee pot beeped to let me know it was ready. I poured a cup of coffee and walked into living room sat down, lit a cigarette and turned on the television.

As I took my first sip of coffee, I thought to myself, “Another day in the fight to save America. Is anybody really listening? Oh well, what the hell, let's keep going.”

Let me know what you think, No sign in or joining needed.

Semper Fi!

As usual a special thanks to my friends and colleagues, Igor and the Riceman for their editing and suggestions.