Just because some people are fueled by drama doesn’t mean you have to attend the performance. ― Cheryl Richardson

These topics caught my attention in the last 24 hours:

• Patriot Day
• Political Robocalls
• John Bolton
• Donald Trump/Jonathan Carl

PATRIOT DAY:

Today (September 11) is Patriot Day. Patriot Day was established on December 18, 2001.

Public Law 107–89
107th Congress
Joint Resolution
Amending title 36, United States Code, to designate September 11 as Patriot Day.

Whereas on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four civilian
aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of the World Trade
Center in New York City, and a third into the Pentagon outside
Washington, D.C.;

Whereas the fourth hijacked aircraft crashed in southwestern
Pennsylvania after passengers tried to take control of the aircraft
in order to prevent the hijackers from crashing the aircraft into
an important symbol of democracy and freedom;

Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist attacks
ever launched against the United States, killing thousands of
innocent people; and

Whereas in the aftermath of the attacks the people of the United
States stood united in providing support for those in need: Now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 11 AS PATRIOT DAY.

Let us never forget 9/11.

POLITICAL ROBOCALLS:

In case you missed it, the Associated Press (AP) reported that a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Montana’s law prohibiting political robocalls — recorded phone messages that advocate for a candidate or seek information for a political campaign — is a violation of the First Amendment’s free-speech protections.

According to the AP, this Montana law was enacted in 1991. Many candidates have used robocalls and I don’t remember anyone being prosecuted for it.

There’s talk that the political robocalls issue may make it to the U.S. Supreme Court. This would be a good way for it to be decided once and for all.

In the meantime, enjoy the freedom of speech – ring, ring, ring…

JOHN BOLTON:

Depending on whom you believe or what you believe, National Security Advisor John Bolton either resigned or was fired by President Donald Trump in the past 24 hours. Either way, Bolton is gone. I believe he is the third National Security Advisor for Trump (Michael Flynn, H.R. McMaster) in just three years.

I think Bolton leaving is a good thing. I’ve never cared for him that much. He seemed to want to use our military too much. When Bolton was UN Ambassador, he had to be a recess appointment by then-President George W. Bush because he could not get the votes to be confirmed. He never was confirmed and faded away until he was resurrected by Trump.

It will be interesting to see what he has to say about his time with Trump.

DONALD TRUMP/JONATHAN CARL:

President Donald Trump was pissed at ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl and went after him on Twitter.

What Trump did not realize was when he tweeted his attack of Jonathan Karl, he included the wrong Twitter username for Karl, but instead used one for Jonathan Carl (spelled with a C).

The wrong Jonathan Carl is a Baptist pastor. He received the wrath of Trump’s supporters hot and heavy. Trump deleted the Tweet, but the damage was done and the hate kept flowing.

According to the Independent, Pastor Jonathan Carl responded with an open letter to Trump, in part, saying:

“Your drive-by tweet quickly brought a spectrum of intense vitriol and hatred my way. Although I was an accidental casualty caught in the cross-fire of your ‘lightweight’ tweet, your attack was very purposeful and hurtful.”

He added:

“Many others, whether American citizens or global citizens, feel wounded and hurt by the shrapnel and side-effects of your ongoing Twitter attacks.”

He continued:

“I’m not mad at you, I’m sad for you. My first reaction was to laugh out loud at your mistake when I saw your tweet. My second response was sadness and compassion for you.
“Our words overflow from our hearts and can quickly evidence the health or sickness of our souls. Your heart must be in a dangerous place to have such a consistent flow of defamation and disrespect towards so many.”

Pastor Jonathan Carl was a lot nicer than I would have been. It’s a great lesson for all of us!

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