SMART CHOICE: HOW TO PICK A SIDE

When situations call for making the smart choice in life, be sure to pick the right side.

I know what you’re thinking: ‘But Dave, how can I know which side is the right side for me?’

Followed by: ‘Why would I listen to some broken down blogger spew his privileged bullshit?’

Good question, and here’s the answer. Please continue.

As you can plainly see in the top image, I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy. And my studies prove it.

A bachelor’s degree in American History with a focus on Oregon History, along with a minor in Latin American History. Academically speaking, I find it as offensive to spew undocumented baloney as I do listening to baseless crap.

My senior seminars covered the origins of WWI.

History training is nothing if not thorough, and any geek who glosses over the subtle, but important, aspects of history isn’t telling the real story.

The trick is to see the whole picture, or at least a more complete picture than promised by sing along history like:

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue. 

He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain. 

He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way. 

A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.

One method higher academic training employs is assigning a reading list that includes a book of compiled history from many sources, a monograph history from one author, and novels to capture the flavor, sounds, and sights of the times.

Watch video for extra credit. If you choose to listen to someone grounded in historiography, I’m right here. If speculative history sounds better, I’m still here. If you want distortion and false claims, there’s this.

I’m nothing if not willing to address the audience with sing along history. One of my favorites right here.

Do You Need A Pocket Constitution To Make A Smart Choice

Here in Oregon we had a brief time where people pulled out their Pocket Constitution for reference. They needed one to explain themselves.

Something went wrong when one of the party took to the road and got shot and killed. It was horrible news to hear. A man can be wrong, or misguided, but do they need to die for believing in their convictions?

I believe this: If you belong to militia group making a statement by taking over a wildlife preserve, with local and state and federal authorities arrayed against you, pay attention. And, if you schedule an early evening meeting you need to drive to, please stop at the checkpoints set up to detain you.

To establish that you want to live to fight another day, don’t go out at night, don’t leave the compound.

This is advice from someone who has never attempted to take over federal land, been in a gunfight, and never run a blockade. What I’m saying is take this with a grain of salt if those are your goals.

Don’t go out under a bad moon rising. Make the smart choice.

Why Choose My Side?

To qualify as a Yankee Doodle Dandy is easy. Take a look.

Qualifying as a trusted source of viable information and informed opinions? Not so easy.

If history education isn’t enough of a qualifier, experience picks up the slack.

Being married to the same wife for over thirty years is an education onto itself. Raising two kids together? That’s graduate level learning.

Learning the rules of the road by crisscrossing the nation a few times is an entire class load.

Dreams of athletics excellence snatched away by an unqualified referee, and still showing proper sportsmanship? Call it grace under pressure.

Listening to the needs of others, and doing something about it? Helping the needy is always the smart choice.

Promising unwavering affection to a small circle of loved ones, even if they’re annoying? Call it patience. Declaring a willingness to pound on whoever gives them grief? Call it loyalty.

I’ll close with a quote from a conversation I had recently.

“In a world of seven billion people I’ve narrowed my focus to four, and room for one more. To them I pledge my loyalty and understanding. I’ll understand if it’s a oneway focus.

“At the same time, among the same seven billion people out there, I’m asking one to take my side, to agree with me whether I’m right or wrong, and know that you can correct me in private. I’m asking one person to stand up for me, to carry me if I fall, knowing I don’t stay down.

“Of all sides to choose in a confusing world, choose my side.”

I live up the oaths I’ve taken, from Boy Scouts:

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my Country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. 

To the U.S. Army.

To my Wedding Day with:

“I take you to be my wife, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

Plenty Of Room On My Side

Membership includes honesty, faith, hope, trust, help, courtesy, friendship, kindness, music, and love.

My side does’t include doubt, character weakness, pasted on smiles, conditions, blame, accusation, or evil. Why do I need to say what’s not included? Just to be thorough, and it’s a short list.

Believe in science, in yourself, in love, and maybe, just maybe, the smart choice answer will come to you. While you wait, subscribe to boomerpdx.

AND WEAR A MASK.

Please.

And vote Joe Biden and democrats across the board in November.