Things that are not common:
1. Courtesy
2. Sense
3. Knowledge
Obviously is a term used to condescend and condemn commonly. Of course is as well. 

The thing about war of any type. Violent. Economic. Semantics. — there are always casualties. If a fight is required then the only option is to Win (your side still has operations integrity and fewer casualties) or concede and walk away because the cost is too high. It is shocking how close we are to war all too often. Cold or Hot. Both have real loss.

If you don’t know what I think it is on you. from Vatenor on FB to VaTenor.com to this personal page. Even my sermons and videos on my Vimeo page are consistent. I walk my talk.

I am a rugged individualism champion and an artist and a lot of things that don’t fit into any box. The question is. Will you allow me to think what I think? And still keep me on your life? Lost a lot of “friends” (mostly just pseudo friend acquaintances) in last year and that is a shame but it was necessary.

My worldview allows for yours. My actions and decisions/actions are aligned and intellectually honest. As a principal I’m not always right... literally. As to principles... right is the way.

If you can’t tolerate principled conservativism and you choose to censor, lock down, despise and demean... and disconnect that is on you. I’ll grieve your loss in my world and respect your freedom to be as you are.

As a proud resident of Henry County (legacy of Patrick Henry) I repeat give me liberty or give me death.

The Bill of No Rights
The following was written by State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA
We, the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid any more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bedwetters. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim that they require a Bill of No Rights .
ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone - not just you! You may leave the room (ed.: or this page), turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc., but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You don't have the right to demand that our children risk their lives in foreign wars to soothe your aching conscience. We hate oppressive governments and won't lift a finger to stop you from going to fight if you'd like. However, we do not enjoy parenting the entire world and do not want to spend so much of our time battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and a funny hat.

ARTICLE IX: You don't have the right to a job. All of us sure want all of you to have one, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

ARTICLE X: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to pursue happiness - which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

Selfishness. Self centered. Never want to actually help. Too much of a hassle.
I will not continue to beg. It is toxic. God forbid that you should be inconvenienced to help someone else. Or that you might actually have to spend money or time solely for another's benefit. I see you.

I won't tell you what to do. I won't address "it" directly. I will simply set a different example through my actions and choices. Some will be to minimize my exposure.

Every day is an opportunity. Words and deeds both matter. Some good some bad. Honesty is best policy but sometimes it is best to just shut up. 

The choice to look down on others is a public health crisis. It is far more deadly than most would even consider as it robs us of the ability to respect and serve. As we destroy social links, relationships fail, dependency soars, and the elect elite emerge as morality police enforcing their world view on those without power.

Opportunity and elevation arise from a helping hand and sometimes a shove at just the right time. In individual achievement and liberty the spark of inspiration is fanned into a flame. Virtue and respect flow from results not signals. It is a choice and a profound signal to include but the virtue lies in the acceptance and love not the signaling and public affirmation.

The public choice to demean and demagogue, with its associated escalating division, destroys by planting and then nourishing insidious pride above all.

Healing a relationship and asking another to heel are not the same thing. Ask yourself which one you seek when you have power. Consider what outcome your choices require when you do not have power.

Should Trump concede the election?
no.
Did he win the election? I doubt it but I can’t tell. Personally, think that the irregularities are the result of incompetence rather than malevolent intent and a global conspiracy.

He has every right to complete his legal challenges, and present evidence for rulings in the courts given the questions and environment.

i am mostly concerned with the emotions and the potential for explosive and violent division in the near future. I’d like to hear a speech where he explains his decisions to proceed without all of the Trumpian hyperbole and vitriol. Continuing to escalate and use semantic bullying with limited communications discipline is what is ripping up both sides. All sides. Everyone really. These constant fear bells are destabilizing our sanity individually and collectively. The buck stops with Trump on this one. It IS his fault but it is not only his fault.

we are all so freaking tired. I want it to be OVER but it must be a fair and trusted result.

Ask yourself what would be happening if the Biden Harris campaign felt that the election had been “stolen” and their court cases were pending. We all know the answer. Violence. Burning. Destruction. I am confident of this.

We lose nothing by letting the legal challenges play out over the next few weeks. In the end, there can be only one. Question is when. I hope it is soon and very soon.

To voluntarily show respect for another person is a powerful testimony. It is essential to civility and community.

To force respect may be an oxymoron. Compliance can be forced. Respect is earned. Choosing to show disrespect erodes all respect sadly.

When a parent, mentor, teacher or elder sacrifices the wellbeing of their child, family, and student for their own well-being a tragic betrayal occurs. It is a blasphemy to the natural and ordained order. The wound created is deep and persistent.

When society exercises this same power collectively terrible things transpire. Terrible terrible things.
​
#musing on the importance of family and responsibility and sacrifice for the future. Leaders lead by example at home first and foremost.

2020 is the year where each of us plays a massive game of 52 card pickup with all of the things and people we take for granted. Some cards are lost, some are bent and broken and some of them are burned up in the fires of cancel/condemnation. Jokers wild doesn’t help much.

How can we as business and community leaders change things in our capitalist system to be more equitable across demographic segments including race, nationality, education, and geography?

Access to capital and customers is the life blood of trade and progress. As trade increases, context is provided for relationships, and community is a natural outcome. Trade is the natural opposition to violence and conflict.

Local businesses, owned by local people, buying and selling to local diversity is key. If you want to make a change, provide capital and customers to minority owned and operated businesses. We must STOP waiting for the government to use force to impose equality. Force requires using division to enforce a bureaucratic equity that is too rigid to evolve and succeed. It always fails. People working with people is how things get done and how change occurs.

LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL x1000. Capital $ and Customers ;-) ​

It is easy to find people and things to hate. It is even easier when our world view is based on victimization and comparison. This hatred often flows into violence and oppression.
Newsflash: the solution is NEVER more hate. Violence is a symptom of the hatred not a solution.

Loving and serving in a world based on individual accountability, honor, and respect is not a utopian dream. It is achievable here and now. Every day is an opportunity. Every person is a specific, beloved, first born child of Christ. When we start acting like it, things change.

Big things are managed by little things. Big problems are solved by many little solutions. There is no easy button and there is no magic bullet. Do the work. Make good decisions. Good BIG things will happen. Keep your eyes on the right prize. This is a big thing.

Luke 16:8-18 MSG
[8-9] … God Sees Behind Appearances [10-13] Jesus went on to make these comments: If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things; If you're a crook in small things, you'll be a crook in big things. If you're not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank. [14-18] When the Pharisees, a money-obsessed bunch, heard him say these things, they rolled their eyes, dismissing him as hopelessly out of touch. So Jesus spoke to them: “You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what’s behind the appearance. …

You choose whether you focus on what you can do... or what you can't do. Words have power. Are you so tired, so sore, or so sleepy... or are you focused on how you can be less tired, less sore... less sleepy. Be better. Don't seek affirmation for failing in others. Be inspired by achievements of others. Be more than you are. Choose what you tell yourself and others.

Breaking news! It really is September First. The world continues to turn. God is in control, and we are all going to be okay. 

​Also.. don't be fooled by the media and politicians.. every election is important.. every single one. Principles and Platforms are the game.. not the individuals. Experience teaches us this. The seasons continue, and we the people are just that.. people. GOD HAS GOT THIS! 

Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Weakness incites violence. Strength does not. Violence takes many forms. Physical, economic, semantics.

Politics and our system of government provides a peaceful way to manage the people and the diverse ideas while respecting their strength.

The idea that we would no longer have blue states and red states was idyllic and perhaps even utopian, but clearly unrealistic anytime soon if ever.

Unity does not require uniformity when strength and honor reign.

Assuming that a friend or family member has heard or knows something is the beginning of a disconnected relationship. At scale and duration, it becomes toxic and destroys that relationship. I was taught the implications of assuming early on and I never imagined that such a simple concept could become so pervasive and destructive thanks to social media. ASS.U.ME is a dangerous word and it spreads like a virus in our 2020 culture of selfaggrandizing self interested obsession. ​

If you ask a man what he thinks, you should be prepared to hear what he thinks, not what you think.
Equally, Writing publicly (I.e. posting on FB) invites comments and engagement. To the brave souls that actually post what they think, Bravi tutti.
Foolishness is fueled by disconnecting. In 2020, arguably the most connected and diverse generation in history is unable to talk and share because too many seek uniformity over unity of purpose.
​

At sporting events. Passions and tempers flare, and the people get excited. It is expected. Political conventions and rallies are the same. These days the energy and excitement is expressed on social media. If we grant sincerity and look through the energy to the substance, policy, and record we are afforded a better view of reality. That said, conventions and energy are fun. It is awesome to stand up and be proud of a position, an idea, a team, and even a protest. The rub, is that it all needs to remain peaceful. When the games becomes too violent in words or actions then everyone loses.