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Show Volume XXVIII Issue IX The Ogden Valley News Page 3 June 1, 2021 Letters to the Editor Am I Racist? Am I a racist? I’ve thought a lot about this over the last year as the media has told me over and over again I am a racist, my country is racist, and I don’t even know it! What?! The media has told me time and again how guilty we should all be for our deliberately institutionalized American racist behaviors. I don’t feel like a racist; and, I don’t want to be the source of making another person feel left out, bad, or minimized because of their race. I try to be respectful of everyone I encounter. Am I a racist? Maybe I’m not a racist. I don’t want to be a racist. It keeps coming to mind for me, as the flames are stoked in the caustic news entertainment cycle that first and foremost seek paying sponsorship and the attention of viewers as they fan the racist narrative that perpetuates division in America and says we are bad. And, it keeps coming to my mind—Martin Luther King’s famous assertion that a person should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. I think I like that idea. And, I think about mentorship and personal accountability being keys to opportunity and a chance for a good life in America; our country has so much to offer everyone. Having worked under the command of 4-Star General Ward, former Africa Command General and European Command Deputy Commander, I saw a bear of a powerful, blackskinned man. A gentleman with a friendly face, warm smile, and a powerful handgrip when he greeted you. As a lowly Lieutenant Colonel when I first met him in his office, I admit there was some trepidation since 4-Star Generals are powerful folks. I’ll never forget how his aids showed me to his office, increasing my anxiety as the Command Sergeant Major told me how to behave and report to him professionally on whatever matter of business I was there for. As I was nervously shown into his office and prepared to stand at attention and render the customary salute, report, and introduction, he had already risen, came around his desk, and handed me his bear claw of a hand, gripping my arm with his other hand, and, with a smile, firmly shook my hand, invited me to take a seat next to him and made me feel comfortable. Four-stars in the military are powerful people. I always remembered what a capable and positive leader I felt he was. I did not see a black man; I saw a person of character. And, I remember my former Theater Support Group commander, Colonel Twanda Young. A black-skinned, hard-working, and fair-minded lady. I was selected for promotion to Full-Colonel, but not yet promoted, when I commanded the small garrison in American Samoa. Falling under her command at the time, I recall how she went out of her way to make sure I was “pinned” unexpectedly in front of the entire command at a large gathering at U.S. Army Pacific Command. She didn’t have to do it, but she was all full energy when she gleamed that the situation would not stand, insisting I get “pinned” under her command. In 2017, she was promoted to Brigadier General. A deserving and hard- If you have Christ, you have everything! Sunday Services 11 AM working woman, in her I did not see a black woman; I saw a person of character. How I could go on about the wonderful and deserving people I have worked with around the world in my endeavors as a military officer, a State Department diplomat, and businessman—people above me, people who have worked for me, people of all races and nationalities. People of character. People who have earned their stations in life because of their tenacious efforts and sacrifices to become the best they could be. None were “given” anything because of lobbying for political movement or a push for undeserving entitlement because of ancestral or historical wrongs of the past, or gifts of affirmative action that can serve to erode the merit of their individual accomplishments. That would have been an insult to their industry and heroic efforts. They all worked hard, were encountered, and served by the merits of mentorship, earned their stations in life, and became leaders. My sense is this. I’m not naïve and I know there are some bad apples and racist folks out there—of all colors. They, of course, must be marginalized and not given the status of holistically representing what America is. However, you and I and America are far from bad. I think hardworking people who play by the rules and have respect for one another; who are properly mentored and strive to do the right thing often emerge successfully. I do not think America is racist at all… it’s just gotten a little sucked into this racist vortex in too many ways due to good intentions—and some bad manipulative actors—resulting in unintended consequences. I don’t think I am racist. And I expect the vast majority of you are not either. America oozes opportunity from every corner of society. This racist narrative in the media has become so overblown and unbalanced that it takes our eye off other pressing matters. I don’t think America… or you… are racist at all. And I like to think, and hope, I’m not racist either. The solution is simple: Judge people by the content of their character. Period. COL Michael “Mike” Seguin, RETD, The Mad Moose, Utah Bull-Moose Party, Eden Analytical Frameworks of Political Unrest & Instability By Shanna Francis A threat to stability and democracy in many nations of the world is the implementation of the corrupt tool of purchasing political support through a variety of means, including the purchase by government of votes by doling out financial favors or benefits—especially to the unemployed. It is a familiar tool of authoritarian leaders to purchase or maintain power when other legitimate means seem out of reach. In the past, leaders of many oil-rich countries have purchased their power and support illegitimately through economic benefits such as “free” healthcare, artificial employment opportunities, handouts, or political favors to other powerbrokers—often as a way of deflecting protests, keeping the masses sedated, and brokering power deals. In 2016 it was reported that the average Emirati male in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) received around $55,000 a year in total transfers from the government. Country’s that derive most of their economic support from outside means—as opposed to taxation—then distribute this wealth as political favors, are known as rentier states. Rentier states feed and support autocratic rule; they are an anathematization of democracy. In one sense of the term, under the Biden administration, America has begun behaving as a rentier state, most recently, by announcing new monthly child tax credit payments where monies for qualifying families will begin being systematically deposited directly into parents’ accounts beginning July 15. However, unlike rentier states that are net exporters, like UAE, which relies heavily on the bounteous revenues raked in by the sell and export of the state’s rich oil reserves, the U.S. is a net importer. In other words, we have an overall negative trade balance. In 2019, our negative trade deficit totaled $617 billion. Since the U.S. does not generate wealth through exports alone and, instead, relies on taxing its population, what happens when the account ledger no longer balances—when more money is doled out to non-taxpayers than is collected? Big government begins tightening the squeeze on taxpayers. However, ultimately, the unsustainable system collapses or hovers on the edge for decades. Think of the Soviet Union, Venezuela, Cuba—or even Greece—and numerous other nation states that mismanage their “family” budget. Most socialist countries have found that to survive economically, they have had to begin limiting state-funded support and, instead, begin cultivating foreign direct investment by offering lower transaction costs; innovative products; and increasing citizen participation in the private sector. Becoming a nanny state by keeping the population totally dependent on the government is only one tool used by authoritarian FRAMEWORKS cont. on page 10 Memorial Day Cemetery Schedule May 31, 2021 Each year on Memorial Day, the American Legion Ogden Valley Post 129 holds Military Honors Memorial services at four Ogden Valley cemeteries. The schedule is as follows: Liberty Cemetery 3900 N. 3500 E. Liberty 9:00 a.m. Lower Eden Cemetery (Meadow View) 5100 E. 2200 N., Eden 10:00 a.m. Upper Eden Cemetery (Mt. View) 5500 E. 2770 N., Eden 11:00 a.m. Huntsville 12:00 p.m. 5500 E. 100 S. Huntsville After the ceremonies, a potluck lunch will be held at the American Legion Post 129 at 1:00 p.m. in Huntsville located at 604 S. 7800 E. Please bring your favorite dish! For more information, call Clay Poulter at 801-391-0919 or 801-745-3802. |