THE DEMOCRAT PARTY IMPLODES

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- Why the hysteria of the Democrats?

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

As the 2020 political campaign intensifies, we are witnessing some rather strange phenomena; for example:

The Democrat controlled House Judiciary Committee struck out with the Mueller investigation, but they are still bent on pursuing presidential impeachment, even though there is no evidence to support it. This is being done to placate the far-left Democrats, not moderates who are weary of such shenanigans and want to see the Congress tackle legitimate problems. In a nutshell, the committee investigation is for show only as the Democrats know they cannot possibly impeach the president as it will not pass the Republican controlled Senate, but they want to keep their base in line for the coming election by demonstrating their hatred for Mr. Trump.

Left-wing Democrats in Congress are also at odds with moderates of their own party. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is having trouble keeping the radical newcomers in line. Some of these people are openly undermining members of their own party for political purposes. For example, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) recently threw her support to a progressive congressional candidate in Illinois instead of incumbent Rep. Dan Lipinski, a moderate Democrat. The message is clear, the far-left wants the moderates out.

In the presidential race, far-left Democrats are desperately trying to push moderate candidate VP Joe Biden out of the race, not just because he is currently the front runner but because he is not an uber-liberal. There is a very good chance this will happen, and I believe a far-left candidate will get the nod instead, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

As I keep saying to my old Democrat friends, this is no longer your father's party. It is not the party of Kennedy, LBJ, Carter and the Clintons. As liberal as these people seemed at the time, they are considered conservative by today's standards. Instead, it has morphed into the far-left who have seized control of the party, with encouragement from the media.

What we are watching is actually quite fascinating as it ultimately represents the death-roll of the Democrats. The party is hopelessly fractured and, as a result, we will likely see a new party emerge following the election, either a far-left version or a moderate. As the far-left wrestles away control from the moderates, they will likely lose the support of traditional Democrats who will stay home election day. They may not be able to bring themselves to vote for Mr. Trump, but they also cannot stomach the zaniness of the far-left.

This division means one thing, Mr. Trump will run away with the election. Whoever the Democrat candidate becomes, Mr. Trump will trounce the person on the debate stage, particularly when it comes to economics, which the Democrats are trying to offset by claiming a fake recession is in the offing. Bottom-line, Mr. Trump will do just fine, but what about congressional Republicans? If they abandon the president, they will be the ones taking the risk, not the president.

One thing is clear, the Democrats offer no platform other than Socialism and Trump-bashing, believing this will carry them to victory next year. The only thing they have successfully created is a hysteria to comfort their supporters and terrorize the general public, all of which denotes their desperation. It is no longer about issues, it is about panic.

The American public however is tired of the hateful histrionics and desperately wants to see the country tackle real problems, thus presenting the Republicans with a golden opportunity, namely: a new Contract with America.

The first Contract with America was written back in 1994 by Republican Representatives Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey. It was positive and upbeat, and the public took notice thereby allowing the GOP to finally retake the House, under a Democrat President no less (Bill Clinton). To their credit, they followed the contract and made sweeping reforms.

This is just the type of thing necessary for the Republicans to take back the House and secure their position in the Senate. If they were to introduce a new contract, it would go a long way to re-instilling confidence in the party.

We do not lack for areas to address in a new contract; immigration, health care, infrastructure, lobbying reform, term limits, reducing the debt, election reform, energy and environment, all come to mind immediately. This would show true initiative, something the Democrats are incapable of producing at this time. They only want oddball things to secure their control over the government, such as eliminating the Electoral College, changing the number and tenure of Supreme Court justices, lowering the voting age to 16, giving illegal immigrants the right to vote and massive entitlements, and The New Green Deal (aka, the "Socialist Manifesto").

To make a new Contract though requires leadership, a la Newt Gingrich, but I am afraid I do not yet see this person in the Republican House ranks, except possibly coming from the House Freedom Caucus. A new contract is nice, but new Republican leadership is needed to make it happen. Milquetoast candidates need not apply.

Again, a new Contract for America is a golden opportunity to re-take the Congress and actually do some good for the country. Let the Democrats desperately squawk about President Trump all they want. While they turn the country off doing this, the Republicans could create a contract with substantial legislation. The far-left will not be interested, but most of America certainly will, at least those who want to see our Congress return to work.

Should the Republicans fail to produce such a compact, they will be admitting they are nothing more than a part of the Washington "establishment," and don't deserve our votes.

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Also do not forget my new books, "How to Run a Nonprofit" and "Tim's Senior Moments", both available in Printed and eBook form.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube. Click for TIM'S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

HOW I LOWERED MY CABLE BILL

BRYCE ON TELEVISION

- I got it down to $100, but it almost killed me.

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Like many people, I have been fighting to keep my cable bill as low as possible. It's an on-going struggle as I'm sure you can imagine. In the past, I have described how I have jumped multiple times to different cable companies. So much so, my lawn looks like spaghetti from the many cables buried underneath.

Spectrum is my current provider, and like the others, they offer an attractive bundled package including cable, telephone, and Internet. Since I now rely on a mobile phone, I no longer have any use for a regular home phone. Nonetheless, Spectrum has priced their package in such a way as to discourage you from dropping the telephone. In fact, it is more expensive to do so. Again, the other providers follow suit in this pricing strategy.

Last year, I began implementing Roku streaming sticks to the back of most of my televisions, all except two. For the uninitiated, this allows you to "stream" TV programs over the Internet; in other words, no physical cables. This lowered my monthly bill considerably. Recently though, Spectrum raised my bill by $15 to $154, which angered and motivated me to kill my cable and telephone portions and use Roku exclusively through my Spectrum Internet access. This lowered my bill to $70 per month and meant it would pay off my new Roku players in a couple of months. So far, so good.

After I made the switch, I discovered my television sets wouldn't work properly and I kept getting a black screen with an error code regarding "HDCP version 2.2 missing." Evidently, HDCP is a technology originally used to prevent the pirating of tapes years ago. Now it is used to prevent unauthorized use of television apps. Knowing this must be the work of Spectrum, I contacted them and discovered the problem; to wit I had to purchase the Spectrum "App" for running over the Internet. This cost $24.99 plus a $5 broadcasting fee. Okay, fine, I purchased it, thereby making my monthly Spectrum bill $100, but my problems were only beginning.

I had one large TV in a bedroom which now ran fine, but a small 17" Vizio set in the kitchen still had the black screen of death. The kitchen TV was the most important as we watch Fox News around meal time, and Mama had to have her Fox News. I therefore tried to reinstall the Roku stick several times, at least twelve, using different settings, all to no avail. I was now so sick of the black screen of death, I was ready to scream and tear out my hair.

Thinking there was something wrong with the kitchen TV, I took a ride down to Best Buy, about ten miles away. I found another 17" set and I asked a salesman if this would work. After describing my ordeal, he said the problem was that Roku is used to power bigger sets, not puny little 17" sets. It turns out, he was right.

My son then suggested I purchase a small "Smart" TV which, theoretically, have all the apps loaded. At 24", I found a slightly bigger set at Walmart for a reasonable price. The salesman said he believed it would run the Fox News app and just about anything else. Wrong. This is when I discovered that not all "smart" TV's are created equal. Instead, I needed a Roku specific Smart TV, which I had no idea existed. I returned the old TV to Walmart before heading back down to Best Buy. My son suggested I order it on-line and have it delivered in two days. I replied, "You do not know your mother."

So, I traveled another ten miles back to Best Buy, purchased the Smart-Roku TV (a Sharp), and came home to set it up, the second time today for me to do so. This time it went easily and in no-time, voila, it was up and running, and a smile came across Mama's face.

Total elapsed time from when I dropped off my Spectrum cable boxes and changed my service plan to Mama's smile; three days. During that time I dealt with a multitude of programming problems, visited three stores, and probably put 75 miles on my automobile. Of course, this doesn't include the mental cruelty they put you through. Keep in mind, I have been in the computer business for over 40 years. This made me wonder how the average Joe would deal with such a problem. The answer, of course, is they do not and continue to pay the ever escalating cable bills.

One last note regarding the Spectrum "app," the basic program doesn't support Fox News, as I was surprised to learn. However, after patiently waiting in line on the phone for awhile, I spoke with a Spectrum customer service agent who informed me there was another app which featured ten basic channels, and the customer can select ten more, which is the route I opted for, and there was no additional charge for the app. As an aside, after going through this on Smart TV's and different streaming sticks, it seems to me there is a premeditated attempt to keep Fox News off the air. Hmm, this couldn't be politically motivated could it?

So, at long last, my odyssey was over; despite all the headaches, I persevered and finally lowered my monthly cable bill by $54 per month.

Later, it occurred to me, wouldn't it be nice if they had a simple TV set with a dial featuring all of the primary channels and you could just plug in the power cord, hit the "On" button, adjust the volume button, and enjoy television. I guess that would be too much to ask. Come to think of it, isn't that what we had before cable television?

One last note. Always remember, the original premise behind cable television was to eliminate commercials. As Ralph Cramden would have said, "Hardy-Har-Har."

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Also do not forget my new books, "How to Run a Nonprofit" and "Tim's Senior Moments", both available in Printed and eBook form.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube. Click for TIM'S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ASSAULT WEAPON?

BRYCE ON GUNS

- A little education is in order.

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

We are hearing a lot from politicians about banning Assault Weapons. There is a misguided assumption that all military-like rifles are automatic weapons, thereby posing a danger to society and should be banned. This is simply not true and is indicative of how naive the public and politicians can be. As such, the following dissertation will seem elementary to people familiar with guns, but to others, it is sorely needed.

First, let us understand the various types of guns available, but not air rifles and pellet guns which can also be dangerous if mishandled.

Shotguns - make use of a cased-load consisting of pellets or "shot" thereby denoting the name. This is typically discharged using a rifle-like weapon which can be fired one round at a time and is used to hunt small wild game and target shooting ("Trap" and "Skeet"). Such weapons may hold only one shot, two, or multiple shots (usually up to seven) which is loaded either by pump action or a semi-automatic load (see below).

Single shots - are older rifles used to discharge a singe shot at a time, usually with bolt-action, or muskets featuring black powder and ball.

Revolvers - featuring a chambered cylinder typically holding five to six rounds. The bullets are fired as fast as the shooter can pull the trigger, one at a time.

Semi-automatics - have a magazine or clip containing rounds, usually six or more depending on the magazine's capacity, such as 20, 30, or more. A "semi-auto" simply loads one round at a time into the chamber, and, like the revolver, the bullets can be fired as fast as the shooter can pull the trigger, one at a time. The biggest difference between the semi-auto and the revolver is the former can hold more rounds and is easier to reload ammunition. Semi-autos can be found in shotguns, handguns, and rifles.

Automatic weapons - allows the discharge of many rounds by pulling the trigger once and stopping by releasing the trigger. Automatic weapons are commonly referred to as machine guns. They can automatically load a bullet into the chamber, discharge it, expel the spent casing, and reload the next round, again and again, all in the blink of an eye. Consequently, there is a big difference between automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and this plays an important part in the confusion over Assault Weapons.

Perhaps the two most criticized weapons are the AR-15 and the AK-47. People fallaciously believe the "A" in the model number means "Assault." No, not even close. The AR-15 means "ArmaLite" - model 15, and was developed by Colt in the early 1960's. The AK-47 means "Avtomat Kalashnikova" - model 47, and was developed in Russia. The two are certainly not synonymous and have significant differences. However, the design of the AK-47 began in 1945 and came to prominent military use in the 1960's. It was considered durable and reliable; so much so, it inspired many other rifle designs.

The AR-15 is a lightweight semi-auto with a 20-round magazine. In this regard, it is essentially no different than a semi-auto handgun, which can hold a comparable load, yet can be concealed more easily than a rifle. However, the AR-15 can be configured with different barrels and caliber of ammunition.

The AK-47, on the other hand, has a curved 30-round magazine, but there are also 40-round and 75-round magazines available. In 1974, the Soviets replaced the AK-47 with an improved design in the form of the AK-74. Although the AK-47 and its successor were initially designed as a semi-auto, it can be configured as an effective automatic weapon, which is how the American public perceives an Assault Weapon.

There is one problem with the AK-47; purchasing one, as automatic weapons are incredibly difficult to obtain in this country. However, it is possible to legally obtain an AK-47, but to do so, the purchaser has to go through a rigorous background check. Even if you pass the test, the AK-47 is incredibly expensive, making it cost prohibitive to own.

The AK-47 was specifically designed for military use, the AR-15 was not. So, comparing the AR-15 to the AK-47 is like comparing apples with oranges, they are distinctly different in design and use. Anyone trying to compare them in the same breath simply doesn't know what they are talking about. Whereas, the AR-15 is more akin to semi-auto handguns, the AK-47 is more comparable to a Thompson machine gun.

Following the last Federal Assault Weapons Ban held from 1994-2004, the Department of Health and Human Services conducted a follow-up study and concluded, "the Task Force found insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of any of the firearms laws reviewed for preventing violence." In other words, the ban did nothing to reduce violent behavior, and maybe that is just the point, it is more about behavior, or mental instability.

What I have tried to describe herein is basic information. Hunters and gun hobbyists already understand this, but the American public is still naive, which is why I am a big proponent of gun education in public schools. Someone who is educated about guns makes a lousy target as he/she will know what to do in the event of an emergency and will have more of a chance to survive an attack. Let us not forget the one organization that champions such education; that's right, the NRA. Click HERE for safety and education.

So, what is an Assault Weapon? It ultimately depends on how it is used. From this perspective, all guns can be used for wreaking havoc on the public in a deadly melee. Let us suppose the AR-15 and AK-47 were outlawed, as well as handguns. Even then, there is enough capability in a semi-automatic shotgun to inflict considerable damage. So, do we outlaw all guns? This, of course, will be a test of the 2nd Amendment. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with these weapons when they are properly used, but it is the mental stability of the person pulling the trigger which is in question, and a subject nobody wants to address.

But getting back to our original proposition; when we discuss Assault Weapons in the future, let us not mix apples with oranges.

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Also do not forget my new books, "How to Run a Nonprofit" and "Tim's Senior Moments", both available in Printed and eBook form.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube. Click for TIM'S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

MISSING SAM KINISON, REDUX

BRYCE ON HUMOR

- Would he have fit in with political correctness?

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

As many of you know, we lost comedian Sam Kinison in an automobile accident back in 1992. For those of you who do not remember him, Sam was described as a "heavy metal" comedian who was well known for being raunchy and irreverent. Interestingly, prior to becoming a comedian he was an ordained Pentecostal Minister, but he was better known for his shock-rock humor who made biting commentaries of our time. It seemed nobody was spared, but his favorite targets were Rev. Jim Bakker of the PTL Club and his wife Tammy, Jessica Hahn, the Pope, Oral Roberts, religion in general, World Hunger, Gays, and several commentaries on sex, drugs and Rock n'Roll. I can still vividly remember his trademark scream.

No, he was certainly not politically correct, by both today's and yesterday's standards. His humor would make just about everyone blush, but behind it all you had to admit there was an element of truth and wisdom in his comedy, and this is what ultimately endeared him to the public. Many didn't understand how a former minister could be so vulgar, but as for me, I clearly understood what he was trying to tell us.

What is sad is that Sam was cut down just as the times were changing and we needed his biting humor more than ever. Had Sam survived, imagine what he could have done with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill. He could have done hours on the Clintons and Monica Lewinsky alone. There was also Drummer Tommy Lee and Pam Anderson, Anna Nicole Smith and Paris Hilton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, and much, much more.

Sam's humor though was not confined to sex. I would have loved to have heard his take on Bill Gates and Windows, Steve Jobs and the iPhone, the Internet, the Taliban, Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, Iraq and Saddam Hussein, immigration, and on and on. Unfortunately, Sam missed a period of time which would have given him more fodder for his humor than he could have imagined. But such was not to be.

What few people realize is that just prior to his death, Sam was planning on giving up comedy and going back to being a Minister. As for me, Sam taught me that in an age of political correctness, maybe some intolerance and ridicule is deserved; maybe we shouldn't just sit back and accept the status quo and instead we should speak up and voice our displeasure, and; perhaps we take ourselves way too seriously.

So, Yes, I miss Sam, not just for how he ranted and raved, but more importantly, what he was trying to tell us.

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Also do not forget my new books, "How to Run a Nonprofit" and "Tim's Senior Moments", both available in Printed and eBook form.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube. Click for TIM'S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

A DEMOCRAT VERSION OF "IMAGINE"

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- With apologies to John Lennon.

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Note: Inspired by the recent Democrat presidential debates,
I penned the following piece, with apologies to John Lennon.

 

IMAGINE

Imagine if the Dems win the election,
it's easy if you try.
No God or heaven, above us only sky.

Imagine no possessions,
no ability to defend ourselves;
no combustion engines, no cars, no airplanes,
a void in transportation and
no way to produce anything.

Imagine all the people,
living life as feudal serfs.
You may say I'm a dreamer,
but I'm scared as hell.
One day you will be forced to join them,
you simply won't have any choice.

Imagine no meat or income,
only climate change;
no education or history,
above us only fake news.

Imagine no honesty, ethics or shame,
only mind control.
Long lines for health care,
and nobody to pay the bill.

Imagine all the people,
living life as feudal serfs.
You may say I'm a dreamer,
but I'm scared as hell.
I hope someday we'll wake up,
and the shining house on the hill will rise again.

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Also do not forget my new books, "How to Run a Nonprofit" and "Tim's Senior Moments", both available in Printed and eBook form.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube. Click for TIM'S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

WALGREEN FOIBLES

BRYCE ON CUSTOMER SERVICE

- What drives me crazy about the store.

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

I normally like pharmacies. I have fond memories of Ben Franklin's and Kresge's in Connecticut during my Elementary School Years. In my hometown of Cincinnati, there was a small one named Obert's where I bought cigars (thanks Greg). As you get older though, you find yourself going more often to pick up a prescription than anything else. I go so often now, I just want to get in and out as fast as I can, a sort of Entebbe Raid if you know what I mean. Being in "God's waiting room" down here in Florida, there's a pharmacy on just about every street corner. The big guns down here are CVS, Walmart, even Publix Supermarkets, but the one I reluctantly frequent the most in Walgreens.

The store is located near my house, making it convenient. I say "reluctantly" because the store has certain foibles that drive me crazy. Recently, I was summoned by one of their robo-phone calls to pick up some prescriptions. I was originally called this past Labor Day and dutifully I drove to the store only to find it locked up tighter than Fort Knox. After a few expletives, I drove home and returned the next day. Before going though, I asked my wife if there was anything else I could get for her. Lately, she has had a craving for jellybeans, so I told her I would be happy to pick up a couple of bags.

When I arrived at the store, I discovered all of the Halloween regalia and candy was already on display. I think they put this stuff up months ago, just after Independence Day. Their Thanksgiving material will probably be out any minute, maybe even fireworks for the next Fourth of July to boot.

I dutifully went down the Halloween candy aisle laden with three tons of sugary goodness. Only one problem, I couldn't locate any jellybeans. I searched high and low, but couldn't find them. There were other smaller displays with candy, but no such luck. Finally, in desperation, I asked a store clerk where they were. She took me down another aisle, near the greeting cards and lo and behold, on the bottom shelf, tucked away in the back, we discovered the jelly beans, and I quickly snapped up the two remaining bags.

Afterward, it occurred to me this was a common occurrence. Every time I go there, it seems whatever I am looking for is hidden from plain view and always stashed on the bottom shelf somewhere. I guess the rest of their products on display are for show only and a clever ruse to make me spend more time in the store in the hopes I might buy some products I really don't need. I also believe there is a law preventing them from stocking merchandise in alphabetical order.

I normally go inside to pick up a prescription, even though they have a drive-thru for such purposes. I learned a long time ago to avoid the drive-thru as you have to wait an hour for the clerk to process the orders of the customers in front of you. When you finally make it to the window, you have to wait thirty minutes for someone to greet you. You are then interrogated as to your name, rank and serial number, and asked to show your drivers ID, even though they have seen you many times before. They then slowly check the order before saying, "I'll be right back." Three days later they return only to tell you your doctor hasn't approved the prescription yet.

"Try back in an hour or so," they will tell you. Right. Translation: "Go away, and wait for your next fallacious robo-call." This is why I go inside to pick up prescriptions instead, not that they are much better, but I can at least look the clerk in the face.

It's interesting, most of the regular store staff is helpful and accommodating, they even have a cheerful personality. However, the pharmacy itself marches to the beat of their own drummer, with deadpan looks. Normally, I would go to another drug store, but this one is very convenient and I recognize the others are really not much better.

Maybe this is just a phenomenon affecting me only. I sure hope not. Now, does anyone need some Easter candy?

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Also do not forget my new books, "How to Run a Nonprofit" and "Tim's Senior Moments", both available in Printed and eBook form.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube. Click for TIM'S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

THE MISCONCEPTION OF WHITE NATIONALISM

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- The vilification of a positive idea.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.

To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

There is a lot of confusion over the expression "White Nationalism." Democrats and the media have somehow twisted it to mean the development of a nationalist identity driven by white supremacy. Democrats on the warpath are quick to declare conservatives "White Nationalists" as some sort of derogatory expression. This is simply fallacious, but denotes a fundamental difference between the Left and the Right in this country.

Democrats want to taint the expression as they are more interested in "globalization," whereby they want to embrace a set of worldwide concepts, such as climate change, immigration, and socialized medicine and economics. They see nationalism as an impediment to their programs and, as such, try to vilify it by changing its meaning.

"White Nationalism" is certainly not the same as "White Supremacy" or "Racist." They are not synonymous, even though Democrats would have us believe otherwise. Instead, nationalism is intended to rejoice in the sovereignty of your country. In other words, you are proud to be an American (or whatever country you reside). By doing so, it promotes patriotism and citizenship by being willing to come to your country's defense in times of emergency or war, and you respect and adhere to the rule of law. Nationalists tend to put their country first, and other countries second, which is how countries around the world have behaved for hundreds of years. After all, it is only natural to root for the "Home team."

As to being "white," this is actually a triviality. Yes, it is true, I am white, and I don't think there is much chance of my changing it any time soon, nor am I ashamed of it. I am what I am. I am also proud of my Scottish heritage, something I am also not ashamed of. The color of my skin has absolutely nothing to do with being a nationalist. That is why I have no problem with "Black Nationalists," "Red," "Yellow," or whatever color you are. They have as much chance of changing their color as I do, and I certainly do not look down my nose at such people. Being American is much more important.

This redefinition of a simple concept is a clever trick by the Democrats and Media to make whites feel ashamed of their race, and to mischaracterize their intentions. Frankly, it is an insult to our intelligence.

No, being a nationalist does not mean you are part of a hate group or terrorist cell, far from it, but rather we should applaud such people as they are willing to stand up for their country, place their hand over their heart, and are proud to recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag. These are all things the Left despise and explains why they want to vilify such people.

So, in case you are wondering, Yes, I am a proud White Nationalist, at least according to my definition, not the Left's.

In a way, it is kind of like the argument regarding the stripes on a zebra, are they black stripes on white, or white stripes on black? No matter how you argue, black versus white, it is still an equine.

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Also do not forget my new books, "How to Run a Nonprofit" and "Tim's Senior Moments", both available in Printed and eBook form.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

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THE CHANGING CULTURE OF BASEBALL

BRYCE ON SPORTS

- My visit to Atlanta's SunTrust Park.

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I recently took a few days off to do a little fly fishing in North Carolina with some old High School buddies from Cincinnati. Along the way, we decided to stop off in Atlanta to see the Braves play the Reds, our hometown favorite. The game was to be played at SunTrust Park, a stadium recently opened in 2017 and holds approximately 41,000 people. This was the first time we visited the park and friends told us we would love it. Frankly, it didn't quite work out that way.

It was a Saturday night and the Braves were leading their division. As such, it was a full house. Parking was hard to come by, not to mention expensive. Just outside the stadium was a concourse featuring a variety of bistros, bars, and restaurants, all crowded with patrons. We therefore decided to grab something to eat inside the stadium. Admittedly, there were many different venues, all of which were also jammed with people. I was fortunate to secure a bag of popcorn, which took several minutes to scoop into a bag. Those of us who endured the long lines for something else to eat weren't particularly impressed with the cuisine. Strike 1.

Our group grew up in the 1960's and 1970's and have fond memories of baseball back then, particularly the Big Red Machine. We're the type of guys who study how the defense is lined up on the field, the rational of the batting lineup, how the batter points his feet and holds the bat, the signs from the catchers and coaches, how the pitcher delivers the throw, etc. It is not about if a team scores a run or prevents it, but HOW it is done, if that makes any sense to you. We marvel at a good bunt, a stolen base, a long throw on target, getting inside the pitcher's head, communications on the field, etc. Home runs are nice, but as people who have studied the game for over half a century, we tend to be more impressed by the other mechanics of the game. Yes, we're old school.

SunTrust Park is an architectural beauty, but I think it lacked sufficient navigation to get around the stadium, particularly when it is a full house. I found it rather confusing not only to get to our seats, which were on the second tier near third base, but also exiting. Frankly, it took us forever to get in and out of there.

Our seating was comparable to other parks, but I unfortunately ended up on the end seat (right side) next to the stairs. This meant I was up and down like a pogo stick as patrons in my row came and went. Further, I wasn't able to see the field too well as people were constantly going up and down the stairs. Maybe they should pass a law that you can only move in-between innings. For me, this greatly detracted from the game, so I left my seat to watch it standing from the top of my section. Over time, my legs tired and I returned to my seat where I sat like a bobble-head trying unsuccessfully to see the field. Strike 2.

Two things bothered me about the game, the constant barrage of advertising to induce us to buy their souvenirs and just about anything else, and; the constant push to entertain us between innings. I always thought the game was supposed to be the entertainment, but I guess I was wrong. The Braves are known for their "tomahawk" chop and chant, which I believe they stole from Florida State, and I don't have an issue with them using it now and then, but every five minutes? They even dimmed the stadium lights so people could do the chop using the light on their smart phones. Okay, once, I get it, but multiple times? Enough is enough. This is what I mean by "forced entertainment." I came to watch a game, not participate in these inane shenanigans.

Talking to one of my friends there regarding the stadium, I made the observation SunTrust Park was not designed for baseball purists such as ourselves from a bygone era, but rather for the millennials and Generation Z who come for a social getaway, libations, and just to party. Whereas we came for baseball, they came "to make the scene," and it just so happened a baseball game broke out that evening. Personally, I consider this sad, but I believe this is the trend of the future. It is no longer about the game, but about creating an entertainment event instead.

In the end, it was interesting to see, but I, for one, will not be back. Nor did it endear me to the Braves. Strike 3.

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Also do not forget my new books, "How to Run a Nonprofit" and "Tim's Senior Moments", both available in Printed and eBook form.

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Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

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Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube. Click for TIM'S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.