So, while I was gone has anything happened? I mean it isn’t like anyone noticed I was gone right? I had a small following but, not to seem arrogant, am aware people higher in the food chain knew of me and probably who I really am.

Without further delay: You already read the front page and am aware I am the Gremlin, or at least part of me is. Who is the Gremlin? Well, I am one who approaches the world with common sense, hopefully wisdom, thought, humor, and words to explain it.

Who am I really? Some of you know already but to quote V with one addendum: “Who? Who is but the form following the function of what? And what I am is a man, with an alias.”

I left this public presence a few years ago for personal reasons and doubted I would ever return having lost followers as a result of having to move my ramblings to another venue. Since this is covered on the main page of this very site, I think I can skip a rehash, don’t you? Events in the last few years have been a siren call. The darkness that we have all witnessed and many chose to support, has pushed me to talk sense to all, resist what is happening, voice the truth and stand up to the rising darkness in the best way I know how, for all of us. If you really don’t understand then you have your head in the sand or are a part of the darkness, either intentionally, by patent denial, compliance, or you really have no clue.

I have been accused of being a bleeding-heart liberal, but I don’t live up to that title. As a Historian I have read the founding father’s writings and understand that all of the rights in the constitution have legitimate reason, including the second amendment which I support and practice. Like many people I never thought the U.S.A. would ever approach the reason for it. Those who remember me from before are probably aware that the first time I saw a rise in the need approaching was during Bush 2. We avoided it because they did know there are some lines that should not be crossed. They were not total lunatics filled with complete hatred, bigotry, blind rage, power lust, greed, and utter contempt for all opposed to their position.

Am I saying violence is needed? No, but I fear we are approaching that time as I witness the violence perpetrated, almost entirely by the right. Yes, I am sure some of you are now saying but what about the assassination of Kirk? Yes, it happened. But let us consider all recent events, Minnesota, rampaging right wing killer attacking members of the state assembly leaving death, right wing group attempting to kidnap and murder the Gov. of Michigan, the shooter of Trump himself in Pennsylvania was an act of a lunatic, but he was right wing, January 6th (look, I watched it live that day and despite the attempts to re-write the situation, let’s be honest OK?), murderous arson attack against Gov. Shapiro of PA, arson and attempted murder of Judge Diane Goodstein and her family in SC, (this happened the day after the Chump administration declared her their enemy for telling them no, they could not break the law)….The list goes on and the violence is severely one sided. The lawlessness seems severely right leaning too. What now? Well, protest, resist, speak out, perhaps it is time they are reminded what this country was founded on and that the cruel and dare I say, evil, realize they are still outnumbered.

Speaking of the violence and the shooting of Charlie Kirk. You know, I, am not perfect. Think about it, my persona is that of a creature of mischief and mayhem. This persona has been mine for a very long time, longer than I care to admit because there are days I say, “I’m how old now? How did that happen?” The day the shooting news was everywhere I turned on my smart TV and saw a video with a title about the shooting. My first response was please tell me that’s true and that bigoted, narrow-minded monster really has gotten what he deserved. I think I even referred to him as a Nazi. This is not me, maybe it is a product of being older than I would like and tired of seeing these horrible things happening, these horrible things being said, and these horrible ideas taking root. But I did check myself and realize that I am not so old that I have lost empathy and decency. Empathy, a word Kirk himself criticized. He died at the point of a gun, the irony is sad but not lost on me, after he himself said that some shootings are acceptable as a price of freedom. (paraphrased)

As I support all the amendments, including the second, on some level, I understand this sentiment, but do not agree. Many, if not all of the shootings could have been and could be prevented. I am not saying eliminating a type of weapon or all guns is the way, it isn’t. I am not here to question the wisdom and intelligence of the men who wrote the Constitution and Bill of Rights. These were some of the cleverest people who ever lived, and their reasoning was sound. They meant for the people to be on equal footing with the government for the day they feared. The day when corruption would become too great and defending self and liberty is a right that may need to be exercised. They knew it would happen.

As I said, I checked myself, because no matter how much I disagree with someone, no good will come from such crassness and negativity.

Therein lies the problem, the big problem occurring before our eyes. We have all watched it grow, most of us unconsciously realizing in the deep recesses of our existence how wrong it is and how things are going off the rails. Deep down, I believe the vast majority of us know it is wrong and have felt the weight of the cancer growing over several years and creeping towards a climax none of us really want. Why? Well, many years ago restrictions on the media ensuring that news, really is news, and not infotainment, were lifted. And thus the “news” channels filled with subtle opinion and influence were born. OK, maybe some not so subtle. I was not a fan of either side doing this. It was corruption the founding fathers warned of. They weren’t just referring to government and campaign corruption. Corruption of the fourth estate is far more serious. It divides and distracts from reality. Though many people believe this biased processed junk news I would like to think deep down they know better. Perhaps I am still being too optimistic. I hope I am not, or we can all lose hope. Then we added social media into the mix. Wrong or exaggerated, unchecked media, both social and mainstream driving things to a breaking point, we never should have approached. This is how fascism and apathy arise.

The Gremlin of old, warned of such things and encouraged vigil, just as the founding fathers did. I fell prey myself, and left, or perhaps I was disheartened. I checked myself, but a horrible way of thinking entered my own thoughts. Epiphany strikes, now, I must do what I do best, again. Think clearly and return to the way of the pen. Er, word processor...art of wordsmith? It is time for me to step into the light as a writer once more, not too bright mind you, as bright light has painful results on my kind. :) No more silence and letting things go, this is not who I am.

So, back to our regularly scheduled story. The shooting. I read things that were being said and done. Again, the more horrible results, from the right. Saying horrible things from the left is wrong, but ruining people’s lives for saying horrible things after the shooting, isn’t right either. Free speech applies to all not just those in power who don’t seem to understand how rights work. I’m not saying it is good to say those things but both sides do this. One side more than the other usually and it isn’t those on the left.

Encouraging violence from the White House whether directly or subtly is definitely wrong. By the way, administration members, you aren’t as subtle as you think you are. Not even close. And don’t forget things said in the first term, being publicly gleeful when told a political opponent had COVID was horrible and far from presidential. I could go on a long time with this but won’t. Suffice to say, horrible statements seem more common on one side. No matter how I try to take different points of view I still come to this conclusion.

When I read what old friends from my youth were saying after the shooting. I saw a friend saying they were so upset because they thought Kirk, would one day run for president and be the best chance at taking this country back. The more I think about this statement, the more I see what is wrong, and how we were led down this road by many of the influences I mentioned. Let’s face it, bigotry in one form or another has never fully left and is always a dark underbelly in our society. Yes, enlightenment rose, and things were improving over the years, but our lack of vigil has allowed it to drag us back, nearly catastrophically. I say nearly because I think there is still hope. When I think of my old friend’s statement, I must ask, take the country back from what? Your fellow Americans who merely disagree with you or see things differently? Someone like me for example, who honestly cared about you way-back when, and still does? That isn’t who we are. It isn’t one side dominating or taking the country from the other. It is supposed to be different points of view coming together and trying to listen to each other. Working together towards a common goal and future. Finding a middle ground to improve the world and life for everyone. Respecting each other though we disagree and understanding that we need each other and all those thoughts and ideas to try and see a big picture for all, and the future, for those who follow. There is no taking back the country, we are one people.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy in so many ways, up to and including how it is being exploited. I had my disagreements with the man, many. And my first dark impulse makes me feel shame. I admit that. But I quickly corrected my thoughts and now feel a deep sorrow. He was only 31 and left a family. His legacy of ideas that I disagreed with, will be largely what is remembered. Before his light was extinguished, he had time, or so everyone thought. And that is the saddest part. He had time, to learn, gain wisdom, may have experienced change of heart and perhaps see things differently and denounce much of his previous horrible and bigoted views, maybe not. Who's to say, we will never know. It is possible, i.e. one of my favorite YouTube personalities, Jesse Dollemore, came from the white-nationalist tradition but changed completely as he aged and matured (maturity being objective, heh). I could find other examples but again, this would drag on. The point is, such acts of violence diminish us all, and takes away any possibilities. No one should die for their expression, ever. Truly, a tragedy.


Being back, I realize there is much to address, believe me, I know. But for now: