Small: Thomas’ warning should be heeded

Thomas’ warning should be heeded

By Jonathan Small

 

In April 15 remarks at the University of Texas at Austin, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas warned that progressivism threatens a core element of the United States’ founding—the belief that it is “self-evident” that “all men are created equal” and “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,” as described in the Declaration of Independence.

 

Americans need to take Thomas’ warning seriously.

1889 Institute: Americans have right to assume risk, even in pandemic

THINK TANK SAYS AMERICANS HAVE RIGHT TO ASSUME RISK, EVEN IN A PANDEMIC

Progress requires risk-taking, and Americans knowledgeable of risk can choose to take it.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (November 18, 2020) – The 1889 Institute’s Research Fellow, Mike Davis, who is also an attorney, has written “America’s Legal Tradition of Allowing Risk-Taking, Even in a Pandemic,” which argues that American common law allows informed risk taking. As long as people are well-informed, they should therefore have the dignity for themselves to decide how much risk to take. In the case of the current COVID-19 pandemic, individuals in a free society like America’s should have the freedom to choose whether to wear masks and/or isolate themselves as part of social distancing.

“Masks, actually N95 respirators, are truly most effective for individuals who are at high risk from COVID-19 and have not contracted the disease. These include the aged, and others who have other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity,” said Davis. “The young and healthy, who are at less risk from COVID-19 than the seasonal flu, should have the same freedom from masks and social distancing as we give them from flu shots. We do not force anyone to take flu shots every year,” he said.

Davis’s paper explains the long legal tradition of assumed risk. He argues that sound information surrounding COVID-19 is readily available and that people can be just as trusted to evaluate and assume risk surrounding social distancing and mask wearing as they can be with deciding whether to ride in a car.

“If nothing else, unless someone has been living under a rock, we all know about COVID-19 and that it’s dangerous. Speaking as someone who’s had the disease, if anything, the danger posed by COVID-19 for most people is exaggerated,” said Davis.

Davis’s paper concludes that many local governments in Oklahoma have over-reacted with social distancing and mask mandates that have bankrupted businesses and disrupted everybody’s lives for the sake of the very most risk-averse among us. “It’s as if those most fearful of flying forced the grounding of all aircraft,” he said.

About the 1889 Institute

The 1889 Institute is an Oklahoma think tank committed to independent, principled state policy fostering limited and responsible government, free enterprise and a robust civil society. The publication, “America’s Legal Tradition of Allowing Risk-Taking, Even in a Pandemic” and other reports can be found on the nonprofit’s website at www.1889institute.org. 

1889 Institute: Tyranny and Covid-19(84)

Tyranny and Covid-19(84)

By Spencer Cadavero

Alongside the coronavirus, another pandemic is gripping our country, one that we will feel the consequences of long after we reach herd immunity. This latter pandemic can be dubbed COVID-1984, and it will rot the roots of the Tree of Liberty. The consequence will be a government emboldened by a citizenry far too passive in the face of numerous local government abuses.

Mayors are attempting to wield greater power than they actually possess. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her intention to continue enforcing a stay at home order, despite being blocked by a court order. New Orleans’ Mayor Latoya Cantrell, is requiring businesses to keep logs of all their customers. The information will be used to track down people who may have come in contact with anyone infected. She calls this the city’s new normal. The mayor of Jackson, Mississippi issued a ban on open carry of firearms in the city, claiming this power comes from the authority vested in him through emergency management statutes invoked to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Local police departments are also responsible for government abuses. Tulsa’s police department announced that while the city is opening up, they will strictly enforce social distancing guidelines. But not with warnings, instead they’ll issue citations and arrest anyone who breaks social distancing protocol. On April 14th, the Raleigh police department broke up a protest against the shutdown. When pressed for a reason for stopping the protesters, they claimed, “Protesting is a non-essential activity” – yes, Raleigh is in the USA. This isn’t the only instance of police cracking down on first amendment rights. In Greenville, Mississippi, cops broke up a drive-in worship service, based on an order from the town’s mayor. They threatened $500 fines to anyone who did not comply, despite churchgoers following CDC guidelines, keeping their windows up, and keeping distance between their cars.

Many states and cities forced closures of barbershops and hair salons because getting a haircut is supposed to be dangerous. However, in multiple cities, police departments have exempted themselves. ‘Do as I say not as I do’ is a classic in the tyrant’s handbook. Two women in Ladario, Texas were arrested in an undercover sting operation for offering illegal beauty services. They are facing fines of $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail for having the gall to offer to paint nails in exchange for money. Shelley Luther, a Dallas salon owner, was arrested at the end of April for opening her business early. She could have avoided jail time if only she admitted how selfish she was for wanting to feed her kids and employees.

There are many more examples like the ones listed above. Once upon a time, Americans would not have tolerated such behavior from their government. We stood up to tyranny. Surely we can do it again. But that requires us to actually stand up and say, “Enough is enough.”

Spencer Cadavero is Research Associate for 1889 Institute.

That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton


Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry


Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery


Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott


New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris


New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark


Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross


Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean


Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton


Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton


North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn


South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton


Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walto

The Conservative View: What Can I Do For You Today?

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner and conservative activist Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

 The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

What Can I Do For You Today?

In a short period of time we Americans will decide who will run the affairs of our country and our government. We Americans have gotten into a bad habit of asking politicians what can they do for us today. It was Ronald Reagan who once said that politics is the world’s second oldest profession and it bears a striking resemblance to the first.

History is full of instances where people have elected the wrong people to run governments across the world; just because a person may have a charismatic personality doesn’t insure that they will be a good leader. I have found that there are two kinds of politicians, one type will tell you what you need to hear and the other will tell you what you want to hear. In my opinion the second type is no better than a common conman. Our country is facing many problems and there is no quick fix, many of the problems that we are facing are of our own making. For far too long we have been electing leaders that promise to go to the public treasury and bring home the bacon, when you look at democracies across history that is the one common factor in their demise.

We Americans have forgotten that our system of government is a Republic and not a Democracy. In a Republic we are ruled by law and not by the simple majority, in a democracy the citizens often degrade into nothing more than mob rule. In a pure democracy, if a majority of the people wants to make murder legal it will be legal; in a republic there are absolutes, even if a majority want to make murder legal it is still illegal.

I have noticed the movement in our county with the Tea Party people and others that are seeing the seriousness of the situation that our country is in. When I look at potential candidates and they start promising a chicken in every pot or some equally absurd promise, I am reminded that the primary function of our government is to protect our liberty and freedom. Distractions in our personal lives rob us of productivity and energy, only when we back up and focus our energy can we make progress. I know that it is human nature to want to get something for nothing, but we need to remember that the price we pay could be the very liberties that our county was founded upon.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net. 

The Conservative View: Government Realty?

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner (R-Stilwell).

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

Government Realty?

For any city or area to grow the need for infrastructure is paramount. Without utilities and roads it is impossible to have good, healthy growth. In a perfect world easements that are needed for the roads and utilities could be purchased from the landowners and construction could start immediately. Sadly we do not live in a perfect world. Often the landowners have built their homes and improvements in the area where the land will be needed. When this happens it always creates friction between the landowner and the government agency that needs the land. I am a firm believer in the right of private property but I also understand the need for the greater good. If the need for the land is so great, every effort must be made to pay the affected landowner a fair price for his or her land. If the negotiations come to an impasse, the government can use eminent domain to force the sale of the land in question. I feel that eminent domain should only be used as a last resort and used as little as possible. At times the use of eminent domain has been abused and the landowner has become a victim of the government. There is a bill before the state legislature that, if enacted, could provide more protection for the citizens of Oklahoma.

House Bill 3053, by state Rep. Pat Ownbey, would force agencies to declare unused land surplus and offer to resell it to the original owner after 10 years. Many times land is taken for some project and then later, for a variety of reasons, the project will be canceled and the land will not be used for the purpose that it was originally taken for. This bill makes it possible for an individual to get their property back if it is not being used. For example, if a person’s land is taken to build a road on it and, for some reason the project falls apart, the original landowner should be able to get their property back even if the government would like to keep it for some future purpose. We citizens should not have to worry about the government taking our property unnecessarily. HB 3053 will give our citizens more protection from the improper use of eminent domain. Government should be in the business of protecting our liberties and freedoms and stay out of the Realty business.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.

The Conservative View: What's The Difference?

This week's Conservative View, by Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner.

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

What's The Difference?

One of the great things about this country has always been freedom. I have always cherished the freedoms that our founding fathers sacrificed so much for. We can be serious or foolish if that is our desire as long as we are not harming someone else. We have the ability to eat as much food as we want even though it may not be the healthiest kind. The right of self determination is something that far too many people have forgotten or may not have learned in the first place. Recently the US House of Representatives passed the much publicized House health care measure by a vote of 220-215.

While some people may cheer the idea of universal health care that will be free to everyone, there are provisions in the bill that should be of concern to all Americans. Under sections 7201 and 7203 Americans who don't maintain acceptable health insurance coverage and who choose not to pay a fine/tax of up to 2.5% of income are subject to fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to five years. Our prisons are bursting at the seams already, but I can bet that our government will find room for someone that doesn’t want to have some kind of socialistic health care system forced upon them. The hard working Americans that keep this country going love their freedom and enjoy accomplishing something with their life. Being in prison is a total waste of anyone’s time, if this bill passes the Senate the hard working Americans will have to accept a loss of freedom to stay out of the pen.

When you look at it in another perspective, if the whole idea of this legislation is to provide health care are we any different that the people locked up in our prison system. Out here in the everyday world we will be losing freedom but we will have health care. In the prison the inmates will lose freedom but they will have health care. The only difference is the prison inmate will have a little less freedom but we are both prisoners of the government. When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked where in the Constitution Congress is authorized to force Americans to buy insurance or imprison them, her response was “ARE YOU SERIOUS”. If we Americans don’t wake up and fight to preserve our freedoms, how long will it be until we are imprisoned for eating foods that some government bureaucrat thinks is unhealthy.

Russell Turner is right on, as usual.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, email him at rdrepublican@windstream.net.

Important Meetings for Muskogee Residents on Tuesday

There will be two important meetings for Muskogee-area resident on Tuesday. First, from the Muskogee Phoenix:

Muskogee voters are invited to attend a public question-and-answer forum concerning the three sales tax increase proposals on the June 9 city ballot.

The town hall meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Roxy Theater.

City Manager Greg Buckley and other city officials will be there to answer residents’ questions concerning the three proposed increases that would total .75 percent or three-quarters of a cent on a $1 purchase if passed.

The taxes are proposed to address a series of Muskogee needs, including replacing a city sewer line and water lines, repairing streets and a training center for police and fire.

The forum is sponsored by the Phoenix, and if you have questions regarding the meeting, call 684-2920.

And now the second one:

National organizations Americans for Prosperity Foundation and American Majority are proud to announce a series of joint grassroots town halls around Oklahoma called

“The Barnstorming Tour for Liberty!” to build awareness of local and state issues amongst citizens around the state and communicate to them how they can be more involved in their community. This tour is a “do not miss” event for all Oklahomans who love their freedom and want to be an active participant in the fight for liberty.

Over the course of these three days, events will be held in eight cities at the following locations and times:

Enid on Monday, May 18th, at 7:30 a.m. at Wee Too, located at 4002 N 4th St.

Ponca City on Monday, May 18th, at 12:00 p.m. at Head Country BBQ, located at 1217 East Prospect

Bartlesville on Monday, May 18th, at 6:00 p.m. at Montana Mike’s Steakhouse, located at 3825 SE Adams Rd

Claremore on Tuesday, May 19th, at 7:30 a.m. at Eggbert’s, located at 900 South Lynn Riggs Boulevard

Tahlequah on Tuesday, May 19th, at 12:30 p.m. in the “H Room” of Cherry Springs Restaurant, located at 704 East Ballentine Road

Muskogee on Tuesday, May 19th, at 6:00 p.m. at Cowboy’s BBQ, located at 401 North York Street

Lawton on Wednesday, May 20th, at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP, located at 1060 NW 38th St.

Altus on Wednesday, May 20th, at 12:00 p.m. at Val’s Restaurant, located at 800 N Main St.

The cost of attendance is FREE and includes training and training materials. (Meal not included)

In reference to the upcoming tour, American Majority Deputy State Director said, “Each of these events will be an outstanding opportunity for Oklahomans to hear from two great organizations in AFP and American Majority. Our hope is that the folks we talk to can first find out what is happening in their community, state, and country and then discover the role they can play in our ongoing pursuit of freedom.”

Set to kick off on Monday, May 18^th and go through Wednesday, May 20^th in cities throughout Oklahoma, the tour will cover 8 cities across the state over the course of 3 days.

AFP State Director Stuart Jolly said: “These stops are meant to highlight and answer the ‘What’s next?’ question posed at the recent tea parties in order to make a real difference in real peoples’ lives.”

Each stop along the way will feature information about Americans for Prosperity Foundation and American Majority and the function each organization plays in the cause for liberty. This tour will highlight current issues facing Oklahomans. There will also be a time for discussion regarding the ongoing efforts at the local, state, and federal levels of government to renew free market and limited government principles.

I highly encourage you to try to make one or both of these events.