In his youth, Democrat presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke used to be a punk rocker.
His band “Foss,” which still has a Myspace page, did a couple of U.S. tours and made a few “DIY,” or do-it-yourself recordings during the early 1990s. I am not familiar with the band’s music, but there is one thing I can confidently speculate about it — Foss and Beto weren’t influenced by the classic rockers Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
How, you ask, can I make this statement with so much confidence?
The reason why is that during a recent visit to Kent State University in Ohio, O’Rourke argued for his radical, anti-Second Amendment position that the federal government should confiscate all so-called “assault rifles,” such as AR-15s and AK-47s, from the citizenry. He also spoke in support of his proposed ban on the manufacture, sale and possession of military-style assault weapons.
But what’s so special about Kent State University and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young?
Well, I present to you the band’s classic protest song: “Ohio.”
In case you’re not familiar with it, here are some of the lyrics:
Tin soldiers and Nixon coming
We’re finally on our own
This summer I hear the drumming
Four dead in Ohio
Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?
Now, while the original version of this song is a brilliant, unrivaled classic, another version of the song by Ben Harper is actually my favorite, but I digress.
The wider point here, of course, was perhaps put best by Eric Boehm at Reason.com, who wrote, “Of all the places to argue that only the government should be trusted with guns, Beto O’Rourke picked…Kent State University.”
Indeed, that’s because during a peaceful anti-Vietnam War protest on May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard used its military assault rifles by opening fire on the protestors. The ugly incident left four students dead and nine others injured. And of course, it was this incident that prompted Neil Young to write this beautifully haunting anti-government protest anthem.
Beto O’Rourke, photo courtesy Shutterstock
As Boehm writes, “Invoking armed agents of the state gunning down unarmed civilians is an interesting way to argue that Americans would be better off if the government forcefully disarmed private citizens. But hey, I guess that’s why we keep being told Beto’s an ‘unconventional’ candidate.”
“Unconventional” is one way to describe Beto. But in this case, I will describe him more accurately as simply culturally illiterate.
If there were ever an episode in American history that illustrates government’s abuse of the monopoly on force, it’s the Kent State shootings.
And, as Boehm notes, “O’Rourke’s plan to take guns out of private citizens’ hands would not have prevented the Kent State massacre. But it would create lots of new opportunities for agents of the state to point guns at Americans who aren’t a threat to anyone.”
And herein lies the really dark element to Beto’s thinking on this issue. It’s the notion that you, the citizen, cannot be trusted to exercise your Second Amendment rights.
Rather, Beto and his cohorts know best what kind of weapon you need to protect yourself, and if you disagree, well, you are going to be punished by the federal leviathan. And who knows, maybe you’ll even be gunned down by the National Guard during a peaceful protest.
Oh, wait, that could never happen in America, could it?
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The Importance of Helping, and Turning Ideas into Successful Companies
When you meet one of the nation’s leading entrepreneurs in the cannabis jungles of Colombia, you know the conversation is going to be interesting.
That’s where I met my latest Way of the Renaissance Man podcast guest, Craig Huey, the founder and president of Creative Direct Marketing Group.
Craig is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in marketing and advertising, and he’s helped turn countless small companies into multimillion-dollar corporations by using his expertise in direct response marketing, targeting strategy and accountable advertising.
In this episode, you’ll learn why both Craig and I think the key to being successful is to know your productive purpose in life and to figure out how to implement your vision for helping others.
(Photo Credit: Unlock Your Wealth TV)
You’ll also find out why capitalism is such a conducive economic and political system for those who seek a mutual exchange of values.
Plus, find out about Craig’s latest book, which is a thoughtful critique of the current “Deep State” environment in Washington, D.C., and why this environment is so toxic to freedom.
I absolutely loved my conversation with the eminently intelligent and entertaining Craig Huey, and I know you will too.
To listen to this episode of the podcast, simply click here right now.
For more about Craig, please visit CraigHuey.com.
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The Wisdom of Purpose
“The most depraved type of human being … (is) the man without a purpose.”
— Ayn Rand, “Atlas Shrugged”
What is your productive purpose in life? It’s perhaps the most important question we can ask ourselves, because the answer will define our existence. If we are fulfilling our productive purpose, and if that purpose is the rational pursuit of values, then we are on the path to true happiness.
If we don’t have a well-defined purpose, then we will go through life subject to the whims of the day, or the desires of others. Most importantly, we’ll go through life without ever knowing the joy that comes from true achievement. Don’t let that happen to you. Be a man/woman with a purpose.
Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote that you’d like me to share with your fellow readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my newsletters, seminars or anything else. Click here to ask Jim.
In the name of the best within us,
Jim Woods
