Total Amazement

I am sitting in my office watching my 9 month old son play in the kitchen in his walker. It amazes me that the good Lord decided to bless me with the care of such a wonderful little boy. Every day there is something new he is doing or figuring out. Today it was how to open cabinet doors, get to work with the baby locks Dad. I don't think it is possible to truly understand unconditional love until you have a child. You can experience it, you can love your parents unconditionally, but you do not truly understand the magic of it until you are a parent yourself.

My Letter to Representative Trey Gowdy

Mr. Gowdy,

As a supporter and constituent of yours I would like to address an issue that is very important to me. I personally believe in the supremacy of the Constitution of the United States of America in all matters involving the federal government. That being said, passage of any law which violates the Constitution or any of the properly ratified amendments undermines the founding principles of our great country and in my humble opinion, constitutes treason. The Constitution itself lays out the proper process to update and modify the powers of the federal government and the rights of the people. It is an arduous process but we must abide by the rules. I ask you as my representative to carefully verify and validate the constitutionality of any and all bills which would receive your support. You were elected to represent my interests within the allowed powers of the federal government as specified by the Constitution, please do not assume that I ever expect you to stray from that path. Please refuse to legislate outside the scope of the allowed federal powers, and please encourage your colleagues to do so as well.

Joseph E. Bush

Philosophical Ramblings: Part 1

Maybe I am just more aware now that I was before but there is horrible stuff happening to people that either wasn't as widely published before or is new. House breaking, murder, rape, assault, it is enough to drive you crazy.

I personally choose to arm myself to defend my family and friends. Carrying a firearm is more than a choice, it becomes a life philosophy. There are people in the world that have a problem with this. They call me a gun nut. They think I am drunk most of the time and am itching for a fight. They don't believe that i could possibly be qualified, or trained well enough to make the decision to defend myself and my family .

I do not look forward to a defensive gun use, I dread it. Yet it is a grim task that must be done quickly and done well, therefore it must be prepared for. Defending others from violence cannot be accomplished with candles, vigils, or tears. Decisive, effective action, in the moment, is the only way.

Once the violence has begun there is a progression of events, and my personal order of operations is as follows: remove yourself from the situation, respond non-violently, respond violently, become a victim of violence. If at all possible, get out of the situation. If you cannot avoid the situation, try to diffuse the situation with words. If this fails, be prepared to respond to violence with violence. If these options fail to work, you or someone you love and care about, will become a victim of violence.

Joe