Saturday, July 31, 2021

D.L. Gardner: For the Good of the People

In the late spring of 2020, many of us warned against government mandates. Mandates restrict individual freedom. Mandates proliferate like proverbial rabbits. Remember “flatten the curve?” Just two weeks. That’s all. We can all lock down, wear masks, wash hands, and maintain social distancing for two weeks. That’s all they asked. 


Some knew even then what was coming. People talked about a “new normal.” What’s that mean? Can we ever shake hands again, or are we doomed to fist and elbow bumps forever? Of course, all mandates are justified by the powers-that-be “for the good of the people.” 


In other words some people justify eliminating or severely restricting individual rights, i.e. freedom, if by doing so the people will benefit. How did our individual freedoms become so politicized? Who did that? 


Studies last year proved that cloth or even N95 masks cannot prevent the spread of viruses. According to the NIH National Library of Medicine, “Airborne simulation experiments showed that cotton masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks provide some protection from the transmission of infective SARS-CoV-2 droplets/aerosols; however, medical masks (surgical masks and even N95 masks) could not completely block the transmission of virus droplets/aerosols even when sealed.”


A virus is tinier than the holes in masks. Masks may help, but they’re not completely effective. Nevertheless, authorities have mandated masks for everyone up to and including all situations and circumstances “for the good of the people.” 


Vaccines have not stopped the spread of Covid-19. Authorities in government, institutions, businesses and across our society are toying with the idea of mandating vaccinations for everyone. Furthermore, authorities are considering requiring proof of vaccination with severe restrictions for any who cannot provide proof. 


America has had 34,391,317 cases of Covid to-date, 610,414 of which have died, meaning 33,780,903 cases survived. According to this data, the death rate from Covid in America is about .018%. Supposedly, 33,780,903 have some natural immunity which may be more immunity than the vaccines provide. 


Rarely, if ever do those considering mandating everyone to be vaccinated consider those who are naturally immune. Why? Is that because of science or politics? 


The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Some believe health emergencies trump Constitutional freedoms “for the good of the people.” Some believe we need to re-educate all of those who have not had or refuse to take the vaccine. Lock ‘em up! Force them to take the vaccine.


Our founders revolted against England because of burdensome taxes and other means of restricting freedoms. The Declaration of Independence included a long list of grievances. The complete Declaration of Independence and Constitution including Amendments fit on 50 postcard-sized pages. 


Today’s politicians want to control residents and citizens “for the good of the people.” America’s founders wanted to free the people from government oppression, and fought a war to win our independence. 


Flatten the curve. Wear the mask. Take the vaccination. Present your papers. Stay home. Quarantine. Do not go there unless…. 


Today’s students and those of all ages who are ignorant of the Constitution believe we are a democracy and the majority should rule. Find the word “democracy” in the Constitution. We’ll wait.


Politicians and other authorities want to make people do what they believe is best “for the people” and disregard the Constitution.

 

 Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com

 

Kingfish note: I can almost write the comments for both sides on this one.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even for an oxygen thief like Lil' Danny here, this "column" is special. Masks only provide some protection, not complete protection. So Big Mask has taken everyone's freedoms despite the fact they only preclue some, not all virus transmission.

Vaccines hasn't stopped Covid. Well no shit, Dan. They've certainly drastically reduced contracting from those who've taken the vaccine. But you and the other wastes of carbon who won't, kind of screw everything up.

And now from the guy who "learned" history from the back of sugar packets, we get "Constitution" "reeducation" "Founders revolted over restricting freedoms". And Lil' Dan really, really belives having people were a face covering for the few minutes you are in public for the protection of oneself and others is the same as the tyranny the Founders (which he and his ilk love to talk about but have zero clue about) rebelled against.

Dan I sincerely hope you and those like you contract Covid and when you beg to be admitted to a hospital are told no. Play stupid games, you should win stupid prizes.

Anonymous said...

The liberties of our Country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks.

We have received them as a fair Inheritance from our worthy Ancestors: They purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood; and transmitted them to us with care and diligence.

It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle; or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.

Of the latter we are in most danger at present: Let us therefore be aware of it. Let us contemplate our forefathers and posterity; and resolve to maintain the rights bequeath’d to us from the former, for the sake of the latter.

Instead of sitting down satisfied with the efforts we have already made, which is the wish of our enemies, the necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude, and perseverance.

Let us remember that “if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom.” It is a very serious consideration, which should deeply impress our minds, that millions yet unborn may be the miserable sharers of the event.

Samuel Adams, October 1771

Anonymous said...

If 8:12 would spend a lot more time developing a cogent argument and a lot less time name-calling, he might one day develop some credibility.

Anonymous said...

i agree-flatten the curve was a joke

did all the grocery stores close?

'essential workers'--that even included accountants.

get real-we didn't distance or flatten for two weeks...because it generally works in places that actually locked down (taiwan, new zealand, australia, korea..)

Anonymous said...

"The complete Declaration of Independence and Constitution including Amendments fit on 50 postcard-sized pages."

Great observation. Now go check out how many bookshelves the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) fills. That is what Congress has deemed necessary to implement the Constitution.

In the early days of the Republic, the Supreme Court (that 3rd branch of the Federal government) had very limited work. They didn't meet very often and had no permanent physical office. They subsequently ruled that they (the Supreme Court) were the primary 3rd branch and that they were indeed "supreme". And the country has been going downhill ever since.

Anonymous said...

Bravo 8:12. Spoken like a true socialist. Anyone who believes masks are effective at stopping Covid also believes wrestling is real, pot could kill you and Biden is an expert in language arts. The virus will run its course no matter what the government thinks. What’s next, maybe confiscation of firearms because bullets are known carriers of lead poisoning?

Anonymous said...

Kingfish, do you really believe you’ve the type of readers that’ll read this long ass article? The majority of your readers lack comprehension skills. I mean, do you REALLLLLLLLY believe this? Stop posting this garbage and get back to the bodies. The bodies, man.

Anonymous said...

D.L. and his choir:

Please try to understand "viral load".

I don't know why this is hard, but masks reduce the amount of virus droplets you are exposed to at one time. They are also slow down the force of the expulsion so they may not get to your nose or mouth or penetrate your mask.

We aren't talking ONE mask but TWO if so many of you had any comprehension of the research you are quoting.

If I compared it to a bullet that grazes you rather than one between the eyes, would THAT help you understand?

A good, tight fitting mask is better than nothing. It might be the difference between a mild case and a fatal one.

Your lack of reading comprehension has led you to bizarre ideas of unlimited individual freedom where you decide the rules you like whether it hurts others or not! You allowed the mutation and is killing citizens in a country that was already losing population, now it's hitting more children and young adults.

You unrealistically expect perfection from everything and everyone except yourselves as you think you understand every subject as completely as those who've spent their lives studying the subject and are at the top of their level of expertise.

God help us!





Anonymous said...

Oh, Sam Adams!!! I'm convinced.

One of 12 kids born, of which only 2 lived past age 3. Preventable childhood diseases (preventable with them "scary" vaccines).

Yeah, I bet HE'D be hopping around railing against vaccines and public health!!! Yeah!!!!

Oh, wait. He could read, write, do math, and would have begged folks to get vaccinated.

Just like the ones dying of Covid, mid 30s, leaving behind 4 kids, saying, "I wish I had taken the damn vaccine."

Anonymous said...

I think you got the math wrong. That should be a death rate of 1.8%.


Anonymous said...

When folks who don't know anything at all about virology or even medicine and any of the history behind either of them start quoting "the Founding Fathers" blindly and out of context, they often get it dead slap wrong. Such is the case with quoting them as some sort of "defense" against masks, vaccines, and other public health related issues. As someone above pointed out, Samuel Adams was pro-public health (his only son died in his 30s due to illness and disease). Furthermore, I would point out that writings such as the passage quoted above were not "anti-government," they were "anti-Royalist." None of these men were "anti-government" as demonstrated by the fact that they literally created one, complete with rules that they demanded that the public must follow, under penalty of punishment by law and armed enforcement if necessary.

But what did they actually say, think, and most telling, do about public health, one might ask. Well, fair enough. Washington had the entire army inoculated against small pox. These "founding fathers," famous and not so famous, passed at both the state and federal levels numerous "mandates" related to quarantine, inoculation, etc., to control things like small pox and yellow fever. While we cannot know what men who died 200 years ago might have thought or done specifically about mRNA vaccines today, the strong evidence is that many, if not most or even all, would have mandated masks, vaccinations, etc. and would have done so by law, and quarantined (or barred public presence for) those who refused. At the point of a bayonet if necessary. Many of the famous ones so often cited were educated men who, when out of their areas of knowledge, routinely sought out and deferred to those with more knowledge on whatever subject. Few of them suffered ignorant fools willingly or for very long, especially on matters that affected so many.

But really, what a particular person might have specifically done in 1776 (or 1876 or 1976) isn't all that relevant, given the advances in medicine, science, technology, etc., in the past 200 years. But for those that would cite "the Founding Fathers," and considering that given what is known about many of them, they were not only accepting of advances in such fields, they actively and openly embraced them. Yet another strong argument that they likely would not have hesitated to "mandate" masks, vaccines, etc. for the good of public health and the citizens who must live with it.

Anonymous said...

Everyone think that the vaccine can't be mandated please see
Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905), which was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court upheld the authority of states to enforce compulsory vaccination laws. The Court's decision articulated the view that individual liberty is not absolute and is subject to the police power of the state.

Anonymous said...

Reality for some isn't an easy test to pass. REALITY : Virus was created by a human being to KILL other human beings. Viruses are REALLY REALLY SMALL. Viruses , since I was a kid, haven't changed and will sicken those who will be sickened and not sicken those it doesn't. REALITY : The gubment nor their minions can save you from ANYTHING ! REALITY : Viruses exist to balance us out.....and dare I say cull the herd. If I am to be culled, it's a REALITY I am not affraid of. REALITY : WE THE PEOPLE have allowed all the hard work the last 400 years to go straight to hell.

Anonymous said...

"Reality for some isn't an easy test to pass. REALITY : Virus was created by a human being to KILL other human beings. Viruses are REALLY REALLY SMALL. Viruses , since I was a kid, haven't changed and will sicken those who will be sickened and not sicken those it doesn't. REALITY : The gubment nor their minions can save you from ANYTHING ! REALITY : Viruses exist to balance us out.....and dare I say cull the herd. If I am to be culled, it's a REALITY I am not affraid of. REALITY : WE THE PEOPLE have allowed all the hard work the last 400 years to go straight to hell."

Why would any responsible admin publish this? Put another way, admins who do publish this kind of thing may have some difficulty maintaining their status quo. Do with that what you will.



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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