A lot of what you are about to read you have read before.
This time though, I mean it.
The political process has managed to chew me up and spit me out.
All it took was 48 hours and a speech.
On Monday night Donald Trump's wife Melania spoke at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. I did not see it, but it turned out that I didn't have to. Social Media managed to tell me everything I needed to know about it, and like always I didn't ask.
Apparently her speech sounded like the current first ladies speech from 2008. The media made sure it was splashed all over every conceivable platform to cause the country to engage in the feeding frenzy. Early morning news, midday and evening news ran it. Some playing the two speeches side-by-side in order to justify whatever needed to be justified, and of course expert analysis to tell you what was said even though you heard it less than five seconds prior.
It was NONSENSE, my friends.
Petty, juvenile, sophomoric nonsense. If you know your Constitution you know that the first lady has no title of responsibility in the government. Indeed, at the time of its drafting all the First Lady had to do was be the President's wife and make babies.
Sure that's sexist but if you can argue that the 18th Century woman was liberated I'm all ears.
But I'm not here to talk about that. I'm here to discuss why I have given up on the political process this election cycle and it has little to do with plagiarism and either party. It has to do with the murder of a police officer.
While this country was in the grand media pivoted plagiarism circle jerk, Captain Robert Melton of the Kansas City, Kansas was shot and killed in the line of duty. He joined the five officers murdered in Dallas and three others in Baton Rouge two days before.
How much play did Captain Melton's murder get? Barely 15 seconds across the platforms. They said that he had been shot, taken to the hospital and later died. Oh, and that an investigation was ongoing.
That's it.
Now you could say to me, "Rich, you're biased because it is law enforcement and you are supporter...", and you would be 110% correct. You might also say to me that Melton "swore an oath, knew the risks and giving his life was part of the job", and you would be correct there too.
That's not my point.
My point is that this country is BROKEN. Broken to the point that the death of police officers, sheriff's deputies, state troopers and other officers of the law is not something important enough compared to a speech given by what might be a First Lady who has no real function in our country's government.
It disgusted me to the point that this election will have to move forward without my vote.
I've heard it all before: "If you don't vote you can't criticize...", a bullshit statement because it's a free country and I can say what I want. I have all the authority as someone who voted and there is no one who can tell me any different.
Another is "If you don't vote, that's a vote that could have gone to X or Y!!!".
I have two answers for that beyond not caring.
First, I live in Oklahoma. My state has already voted for Trump. Anyone with a brain can make that prediction without a vote cast.
Secondly... and this goes along with the first point... By my not voting my vote goes to both candidates and since the popular vote doesn't elect the President, it doesn't matter.
There is one thing that might be a caveat: One of the candidates fronts a comprehensive plan to strengthen law enforcement. Don't just give it lip service. Give law enforcement the right to FIGHT BACK without having to worry about how the department or agency they work for is going to be investigated based on race, or any other factor designed to weaken them.
I'm not optimistic that it is going to happen, but until one comes forward I plan on cracking a cold one and watching the world burn in November.
May the odds be ever in your favor, America.
That was plagiarized.
