Arise Patriots! Festival in Milton, Florida this Saturday, May 22nd
May 16, 2021 8:45pm
When the Japanese attacked America at Pearl Harbor, they awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve. Well, America is now under attack from within. And the sleeping patriot has awakened.
So, arise, Patriots! The biggest coast to coast freedom tour of America is coming to Milton this Saturday, May 22, 2021. It's "Arise USA! - The Resurrection Tour" supporting our Constitution, faith, family, freedom, and truth.
This festival will be at Jernigan's Landing on the Blackwater River in downtown Milton. And it's fully paid for by Santa Rosa Volunteers, which means it's free for you and your family to attend. It'll begin at 3:00 and last 'til around 9.
This 50 state, 84 city tour is about renewing liberty, reaffirming our Constitution, restoring integrity to government, and revitalizing the American Dream. We'll have great food. Great music. Great art. Great speakers. All to save our great nation.
This Saturday, May 22, 2021 from 3 'til 9 in downtown Milton.
Please share the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt-fJSapvZc
More information about the festival is at www.facebook.com/arise.patriots
Why Do We Have Inflation?
May 12, 2021 12:55pm
This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index figures for April 2021. They showed a leap of a whopping 4.2% over April 2020. It was the biggest annual jump since September 2008 during the financial crisis.
Some economists tried to shrug off today's report as an invalid comparison because 12 months ago we were in a pandemic shutdown; never mind that in many blue states we still are. But even the month to month CPI increase was 0.8% which, if annualized, would be a little over 10.03%. And that month over month gain was the highest in forty years. Since 1981!
Today, I analyzed five years of commodity price data. While it is true that most prices were unusually low one year ago, they are still at historic highs now. Here are a few examples of how some commodity prices have increased over 12 months:
Crude Oil +143.56%
Gasoline +55.24%
Diesel +25.55%
Coal +84.25%
Copper +84.3%
Steel +120.51%
Aluminum +69.83%
Lumber +162.21%
Beef +30.16%
Poultry +77.72%
Wheat +12.71%
Corn +48.63%
Sugar +76.57%
Milk +20.83%
Coffee +40.32%
Cotton +52.26%
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it will get much worse.
Only Democrat politicians and the economically illiterate say inflation is caused by greedy millionaire business owners raising prices so they can make even higher obscene profits.
The textbook definition of inflation is an increase in the money supply without a corresponding increase in goods and services. So the government's $4.8 trillion in so-called "coronavirus relief spending" ($2.0 trillion in March 2020 + $0.9 trillion in December 2020 + $1.9 trillion in March 2021) has poured massive amounts of fiat money into an economy that did not grow anywhere near the rate of increase in the money supply. Have you seen the March 2021 M1 chart? It nearly tripled in 13 months! See the chart in the photo above.
That is a recipe for near-term euphoria and long-term devastation. It's like partying with a credit card. Everyone's having fun until the bill comes due. We need to quit this ridiculous and dangerous spending and get the country back to work by terminating unemployment bonuses and ending the lockdowns that still exist in so many Democrat-run states.
But the Democrats are calling for more welfare spending and $2.25 trillion in additional spending (with more fiat currency) for the deceptively labeled infrastructure bill. It's as if the Democrats WANT to destroy our country.
Oh, wait. They do. It's called the Cloward-Piven Strategy; something the Democrats have been aggressively pursuing since the late 1960s.
No, Donald Trump Does NOT Owe Albuquerque $211,000
April 24, 2021 9:49am
The latest anti-Trump story making its rounds in the propaganda press is that the City of Albuquerque has turned over an unpaid Trump campaign debt to a collection agency.
But the $211,175.94 Albuquerque claims they're owed is NOT a valid debt obligation.
If the so-called "news" media was honest, they'd include the fact that the city's bill is not for services contracted by the Trump Campaign. It is for expenses related to security incurred by the city during Trump's visit, AND it includes money the city claims it lost while Trump was in town such as the value of paid leave some city employees were given during Trump's visit.
Ergo, this is a politically-motivated invoice that has no basis in law whatsoever. If this ever gets to court - as opposed to a collection agency - the city would certainly be denied its claim.
But the fake news is eagerly reporting this to further their narrative that Trump is a deadbeat. It's disgraceful.
What the Jury Got Wrong with Their Derek Chauvin Verdicts
April 20, 2021 11:11pm
Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts today for causing George Floyd's death. But it was not justice; it was a travesty.
Chauvin deserves time in prison for the actual crime he committed not for the crimes he didn't commit but was charged with to appease the mob. And there is simply no objective interpretation of Minnesota law that justifies his two murder convictions.
Murder in the Second Degree (Minnesota Statute 609.19) has two classes; intentional and unintentional. Intentional second degree murder is when a person "causes the death of a human being with intent to effect the death of that person or another, but without premeditation." No legitimate argument can be made that Chauvin intended to kill Floyd. Unintentional second degree murder is when a person "causes the death of a human being, without intent to effect the death of any person, while committing or attempting to commit a felony offense." Not only was Chauvin's knee-to-the-neck not a felony, it is a restraint maneuver that is authorized and taught by the Minneapolis Police Department.
Murder in the Third Degree (Minnesota Statute 609.195) is when a person "without intent to effect the death of any person, causes the death of another by perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life." While an argument can certainly be made that placing a knee on someone's neck is "eminently dangerous," trained Minneapolis police officers are specifically authorized to perform it. Also, a "depraved mind" is a necessary component of the crime. The statute requires both an eminently dangerous act AND a depraved mind. The act alone is not enough. And a depraved mind is not enough. They must BOTH be present simultaneously. Based upon the number of citizen complaints against Chauvin over the years, it appears that he's an asshole. But that's not the same as depraved.
Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Minnesota Statute 609.205) is when "by the person's culpable negligence whereby the person creates an unreasonable risk, and consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily harm to another." That does describe what Chauvin did. While his knee-to-the-neck maneuver was authorized, its duration of 8 minutes and 46 seconds, including 2 minutes and 53 seconds after Floyd became non-responsive was not authorized. Chauvin was quite clearly negligent, created unreasonable risk, and consciously took the chance of causing death or great bodily harm to Mr. Floyd. That's the exact definition of second degree manslaughter in Minnesota. So THAT is the crime he committed; not murder.
But this case was not "Minnesota v. Chauvin." It was "Minnesota v. Every Claim Ever Made About Systemic Racism Committed by the Police Anywhere in America." And the jury found America guilty.
The jury knew there would be massive destruction by violent mobs across the country if they had acquitted him. And since the jury was not sequestered, they were almost certainly aware that a severed pig’s head and splattered pig’s blood was left at the former home of a former police officer who had testified for Chauvin’s defense. Those clear threats certainly denied Chauvin his right to a fair trial also.
I was surprised Chauvin’s defense attorney did not immediately ask the judge to set aside the two verdicts on the murder charges.
I expect the verdicts will be appealed. But an appeal cannot be based upon a dislike of the outcome. Appeals must be based upon alleged errors by the trial court. So were there errors? Probably.
The judge’s decision to not sequester the jury will likely be part of the appeal.
The defense lawyer asked the judge for a mistrial based on Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ call for protesters to "stay on the street" and "get more confrontational" if Chauvin was acquitted. The request wasn’t granted, but the judge himself said it could be grounds for the verdicts being thrown out by an appeals court.
During closing arguments, the prosecutor said at least 20 times that the defense was lying or fabricating evidence. That is not permitted at a criminal trial. The defense attorney objected three times, but the judge did not stop the prosecutor from continuing with that clear violation of courtroom rules.
Sentencing is scheduled to occur in eight weeks. The appeals process will take years. But if there is any justice in this case, the convictions will be tossed, and Chauvin will be found guilty of only 2nd degree manslaughter at his retrial.
One final point. Did you see how, after the verdict, Derek Chauvin peacefully placed his hands behind his back and allowed himself to be handcuffed and taken into custody? Imagine where this nation would be if George Floyd had done the same. Or if Michael Brown had done the same. Or Daunte Wright. Or Eric Garner. Or Alton Sterling. Or Dante Parker. Or Xzavier Hill. Or Patrick Harmon. Or Jamee Johnson. Or Dolal Idd. Or Rodney Applewhite. Or Joshua Feast. Or Maurice Gordon. Or Jamar Clark. Or Keith Lamont Scott. Or De'Von Bailey. Or Christian Taylor. Or Miles Hall. Or Kajieme Powell. Or Sean Reed. Or Yassin Mohamed. Or Tony McDade. Or JaQuavion Slaton. Or Antwon Rose Jr. Or Trayford Pellerin. Or Ezell Ford. Or Ariane McCree. Or Dijon Kizzee. Or Terrance Franklin. Or Anthony Lamar Smith. Or Akiel Denkins. Or Finan Berhe. Or Ramarley Graham. Or the hundreds of other people who would be alive today if they had simply complied with the lawful instructions of police officers.
Officer Kim Potter Has Been Improperly Charged with Manslaughter in the Death of Daunte Wright
April 14, 2021 8:21pm
The death of Daunte Wright is unfortunate. But once again, we have a person who REFUSED TO OBEY THE LAWFUL INSTRUCTIONS OF A POLICE OFFICER dead on the streets of America.
Did the fact that he resisted arrest and tried to flee justify the use of deadly force against him? Well, it appears the officer intended to tase him, but she accidentally used her firearm instead. Yet we once again have the race agitators inciting violent mobs based upon the false claim of systemic racism in America.
I am certain that Daunte Wright was not shot because he was a black man. Had he simply cooperated with the police, he would certainly be alive today. It is not skin color that determines survival during police encounters. It is behavior. If you behave, you live. If you don't behave... well, you're taking your chances that you may not.
But the race agitators of the Democrat Party have once again committed violence against people and businesses that had nothing to do with the traffic stop or the roadside shooting. So in an effort to appease the mob, prosecutors charged Kim Potter, the police officer who shot Wright, with second degree manslaughter.
But are such charges justified? No. In Minnesota, manslaughter in the second degree (Minnesota Statute 609.205) is when "by the person's culpable negligence whereby the person creates an unreasonable risk, and consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily harm to another." That does not describe what Officer Potter did.
Firing a Glock pistol instead of a taser is certainly improper. The two weapons look different, feel different, and are worn on opposite sides of the body, so it is puzzling how such a mistake could be made. But is it negligence? Not necessarily. But because it would take several paragraphs to examine all the criteria that add up to negligence, I won't bother. Because it doesn't legally matter in this instance anyway.
Under Minnesota law, even a death caused through negligence is not automatically manslaughter. For it to be manslaughter, the person would ALSO have to have created an unreasonable risk AND CONSCIOUSLY TAKEN THE CHANCE OF CAUSING DEATH. And it is that last requirement where a manslaughter case against Potter completely falls apart. Since the use of a taser to stop a suspect who is resisting and/or fleeing is completely justified, and the use of a taser does carry the risk of causing death or great bodily harm, then that risk was not illegal. Ergo, the resulting death through the accidental use of a firearm instead of a taser was not illegal.
It was a tragic death. But it is not one Officer Potter intended. And while it is not a death Wright intended either, it is he - and only he - who is responsible for it.
Sometime next year, a jury will find Kim Potter to be Not Guilty of the charges against her. And the malcontent Leftist mob will riot then too. It is disgraceful that prosecutors have charged her with a crime she did not commit just to get the rioters to stop rioting. It would have been far better to explain to the angry mob why no crime was committed and how Daunte Wright would still be alive if he had not resisted arrest and attempted to flee. But that would require a commitment to the truth and the courage to speak it - something most government officials lack.
In closing, if you think the police should allow someone to get back into their car during an arrest, you need to watch this two minute video. Because you could not be more wrong.
Major League Baseball's Boycott of Georgia Is Based Entirely Upon Lies
April 10, 2021 8:37am
Professional sports has once again waded into the cesspool of Leftist activism based upon lies. This time it was Major League Baseball moving their All-Star game from Atlanta to Denver to protest Georgia's new election integrity law.
Well, I have read all 98 pages of the law and can attest that almost everything the Democrats and their allies in the propaganda press have said about it is false. But the fools who run professional baseball in America have believed the lies.
Worse, it's not just Major League Baseball that denounced the new law. Georgia-based companies Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, and Home Depot denounced it also. But I doubt they read the law before they denounced it. They just had knee-jerk responses to the false claims about it made by the Fake News.
On this morning's radio show, I shared the truth about what the law does. It is not as you've been told! I also explained how left-wing activists pressure companies to support Democrat policies through the use of ESG scores. Being “woke” is big business!
Today’s radio show is now available as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210410
God and Country Constitution Rally this Saturday, April 10th
April 8, 2021 7:18am
Do you think America has turned its back on God? Do you think elected officials and judges often ignore our Constitution and just do whatever they want? If so, you're not alone. Millions of our fellow citizens see it happening also. But what are we going to do about it?
Santa Rosa Volunteers invites you to attend the "God and Country Constitution Rally" this Saturday, April 10th at Woodbine Church in Pace. The event will feature many speakers who will describe the problems we face AND explain the solutions we must implement before it's too late.
Admission to this non-partisan event is free because the price has already been paid by patriots before us who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
This nation was not established by cowards. And cowards will not preserve it. So come be a part of the patriotic solution to save our country from ruin. At the "God and Country Constitution Rally" on Saturday, April 10th at Woodbine Church in Pace. The indoor event begins at 11:00am and will last until about 4:00.
I will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event and will be one of the speakers. I hope to see you there! For God and Country.
SPEAKERS (in alphabetical order): Mike Bates, Len Cross, Cris Dosev, Debbie Gunnoe, Mike Hill, Chance Johnmeyer, David Jones, Vernon Latty, Greg Merk, Pete Morgan, Carmen Reynolds, Howard Rogers, Chris Smith, and Eric Tokajer.
Please share this link to help promote the event. Thank you.
What REALLY Happened on The Cross?
April 3, 2021 8:58am
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Do you know what REALLY happened on the Cross?
That's not a trick question. Most people - even most Christians - do not.
On today's radio program, Reverend Carl Gallups shared the surprising and irrefutable explanation for what Jesus meant when He said “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Whether you're already a Christian or not, you'll want to hear segments 3 and 4 of the program because it will probably stun you with the shocking explanation of what really happened on Calvary's Cross. It did me.
I promise you won't regret the 25 minutes it'll take to listen to it. It may even change your life forever. And by "forever," I mean that literally. It may change your eternal life. I think today's message is THAT powerful.
The episode is now available online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210403 (segments 3 & 4).
Rampant Speculation About Congressman Matt Gaetz
March 30, 2021 10:05pm
It has been a busy day for Congressman Matt Gaetz. First, it was reported that he may leave Congress before his term expires, so he could join Newsmax TV. Then hours later, the New York Times published a story about a Department of Justice investigation regarding Gaetz and the interstate sex trafficking of a minor.
Gaetz then claimed he was the victim of an extortion scheme by a former Justice Department official and that Matt's father had worn a wire in an effort to obtain proof of the crime.
His detractors have already concluded that he's a typical perverted pedophile Republican. And his supporters have already concluded that he's the victim of a Deep State smear campaign against God's second favorite son.
Well, I prefer to deal with facts not speculation. So I will wait and see what evidence is eventually revealed (or not revealed). The allegations against Gaetz are certainly very serious. And if he's guilty, let there be no mercy. But if he's innocent, then this character assassination is inexcusable.
How Pensacola's "Gun Buyback" Program Wasted $10,000 on Junk Guns
March 27, 2021 8:38am
On today's radio program, Chris Smith of Gulf Coast Gun, Jeremy Bosso of Escambia Carry, and I discussed last Saturday's so-called "gun buyback" program conducted by the City of Pensacola.
THAT RADIO EPISODE IS ARCHIVED ONLINE AS A PODCAST AT www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210327
In it, we discussed how Pensacola wasted $10,000 buying junk guns that had a cumulative value of less than $3500. Despite that, Mayor Grover Robinson and Councilman Delarian Wiggins both said it was a success. Well, it wasn't a success. And since Chris, Jeremy, and I were at the event, we have firsthand knowledge of what happened that day. On this radio show, we revealed some shocking facts the news media hasn't told you.
I sold three guns to the city that day. Those fools gave me $450 for three guns worth at most $175. I will be donating all $450 to the NRA which does far more to promote gun safety than Pensacola's "gun buyback" ever will.
More details and video of WEAR-TV's news coverage are posted at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/blog/210322-1515
Today's radio program is at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210327
Pensacola Wastes $10,000 Buying Junk Guns During So-called "Gun Buyback" Program
March 22, 2021 3:15pm
I was at Saturday's so-called "gun buyback" (which is an absurd term because the city never owned them to begin with) from 8:30a - 12:15p, and I can attest it was no success. The city overpaid for EVERY gun they bought. It was a joke. But it wasn't funny because it was $10,000 of taxpayer money they wasted on it.
But our idiot Mayor Grover Robinson said "I didn't realize the gun buyback program would be so successful."
And City Councilman Delarian Wiggins (who proposed this hare-brained idea) said "it was a huge success" because the gun buyback removed "opportunities for a person that commits suicide that is no longer there." Really, Wiggins? When will you propose to waste taxpayer money to buy back drugs, rope, and plastic bags since poisonings and suffocation account for 42% of all suicides? After all, you are on the record saying that "if it saves just one life," it would be worthwhile.
Six days before the event, I bought three guns for the sole purpose of selling them to the city Saturday morning. Two were junk revolvers I purchased at a pawn shop for less than $25 (total not each). And the other was a brand new Rossi .22 rifle that retails for $149.99. The city paid me $450 for those three guns which were worth at most $175 retail. I will donate all $450 to the NRA, which does far more to promote gun safety than this taxpayer-funded boondoggle ever will.
The NRA has funded more than $400 million in gun safety programs for the Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, NJROTC, YMCA, 4H, and FFA, among others. The gun rights organization funds things like the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program along with projects like shooting range development, firearms safety and education, conservation research, hunter education, law enforcement training, and many other important firearm ownership programs.
What did Pensacola's "gun buyback" do to promote gun safety? Nothing. All it did was overpay people for junk guns using taxpayer money. It was nothing but a colossal waste of money that will do absolutely nothing to reduce gun crime. The mayor and city council that approved it should be ashamed. But they're not. They think it was a success. And that is disgraceful.
I was interviewed by the local ABC TV station at Saturday's event. Their news story is in the video above. I understand news interviews such as this need to be edited. I just wish they had included the part about how I was donating the $450 I got to the NRA. Why? Because I know that would piss off the fools who hate the NRA and think this "gun buyback" program was worthwhile.
The above video consists of the story that aired on the news followed by unedited footage of the entire interview.
Biden’s Executive Orders Create Crisis at the Border
March 20, 2021 5:17pm
Through executive orders, Joe Biden stopped construction of the border wall, ended Trump’s "wait in Mexico" policy, and announced that our borders are wide open to illegal crossings.
My guest on today's program was Dave Ray, the Communications Director of FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform. We discussed how the law is being flagrantly violated, not just by immigrants, but by the U.S. government!
That episode is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210320
Biden Falls While Ascending Steps of Air Force One
March 19, 2021 8:24pm
Joe Biden fell today while climbing the steps to board Air Force One. Whoop-Dee-Doo.
This is a huge non-story except for one thing; the way the propaganda press has treated it. How so?
Since my point really needs no explanation, I will simply conclude with this question. Would the media have treated this fall differently if it was President Trump who fell?
Judge Rules the Michigan Election Was Illegally Conducted
March 17, 2021 8:21pm
Well, well, well. Did you see that a Michigan judged has ruled that the 2020 election was illegally conducted in that state?
Gee, who said that in November when something could still be done about it? Me! I explained it on November 8th, November 12th, November 21st, December 11th, December 14th, December 19th, January 3rd, January 6th, and January 9th.
Judge Christopher M. Murray properly ruled that Michigan's Democrat Secretary of State violated the law when she ordered election officials to accept mailed ballots without sufficient signature verification.
Have you heard that reported in the national news? No, of course not. Because the bias in the propaganda press manifests in both outright fake news and through editorial decisions to simply not report facts that counter their Leftist, Democrat-supporting agenda.
But you can read the judge's decision at https://www.scribd.com/document/499019051/Michigan-Court-of-Claims-ruling-on-absentee-ballot-application-signature-verification?campaign=SkimbitLtd&ad_group=126006X1587345X1e60663a9d87486ae2c6e60e438e6666&keyword=660149026&source=hp_affiliate&medium=affiliate
Judge Murray's ruling only applies to future elections. In fact, he dismissed the complaint as it pertained to the 2020 election on the grounds that the issue was moot since the November 2020 election has already come and gone. So the ruling now is too little and too late.
This ruling, while accurate and appropriate, does NOTHING to remedy the injustice of the 2020 election that was stolen through unconstitutional procedures in at least seven states.
More than 3.1 million Michigan voters cast ballots by mail. Donald Trump "lost" Michigan by 154,188 votes. So if just 5% of the mailed-in ballots would have been invalidated had the legal procedure been used, that covers Biden's "victory" margin. It should be noted that 5% is well below the typical absentee ballot rejection rate during a normal election. It would certainly have been higher with all the COVID-induced first time absentee voters.
So had the election been invalidated by the courts, as would have been proper, the Michigan legislature would have assigned the state's electors to Trump/Pence. The same goes for Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin which also conducted illegal elections. And THAT is why Donald Trump was the true winner of the 2020 presidential election. California and New Jersey conducted illegal elections also, but their electors would have gone to Biden/Harris by legislative assignment anyway, so they're irrelevant in this scenario.
Had the courts not improperly dismissed all the cases challenging last year's election results, we could have implemented Plan B and/or Plan C, which are both clearly authorized and described in the Constitution of the United States. But instead, the courts dismissed cases on weak grounds that the plaintiffs had no standing. Consequently, the man that currently occupies the Oval Office is an interloper who was not properly elected under the Constitution of the United States and the Supreme Court precedent set in Bush v. Gore.
It was the greatest travesty of justice in the history of our Republic. That few people seem to care and the fact that it's too late to remedy the election theft is disgraceful. It was a stolen election from which this nation will never recover.
Would America Go to War if China Invaded Taiwan?
March 13, 2021 8:54am
Mainland China considers Taiwan to be a rogue, breakaway province and has threatened to use military force to subjugate the Taiwanese people under Beijing’s Communist rule. The People’s Liberation Army has increased its incursions into Taiwan's airspace and territorial waters in what may be a precursor to an invasion.
Would America go to war if China invaded Taiwan? That was the topic of today's Mike Bates Show. I interviewed Dr. Michael Hunzeker, a professor at George Mason University who also serves as an Associate Director at the Center for Security Policy Studies of the Schar School of Policy and Government. Dr. Hunzeker recently testified to the Congressional US-China Economic and Security Review Commission about Taiwan.
That interview aired this morning on WPNN Radio and is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210313
How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism
March 6, 2021 9:30am
Do you think today’s so-called “news” media is biased? Do you think most of today’s so-called “journalists” are really just activists spewing fake news in the propaganda press? If so, you’re correct. The worst part is that it’s deliberate.
Learn what goes on behind the scenes in the news business by listening to my interview Sharyl Attkisson, host of "Full Measure" and the author of "Slanted: How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism." That interview aired this morning and is now available online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210306
Sharyl's "Full Measure" program airs on 162 stations across America. To find where & when her show airs in your city, go to http://fullmeasure.news/about#where-to-watch
I respect her dedication to objective "just the facts, ma'am" journalism. She is the best.
Has Cancel Culture Jumped the Shark Yet?
March 4, 2021 8:21pm
No longer satisfied with just destroying statues, monuments, and symbols of America's past, the Leftist malcontents who are eradicating history based on their holier-than-thou judgementalism and undeserved sense of moral superiority are now throwing award-winning children's books into their bonfire.
Remember the Dr. Seuss book "The Sneetches"? It was the story about the star-bellied sneetches and the blank-bellied sneetches. And the moral of the story was that WHAT PEOPLE (or in that case, sneetches) LOOK LIKE DOESN'T AFFECT WHO THEY ARE. It was a message that we should all treat everyone equally. What could possibly be wrong with that?
Well, the Leftist cultural fascists at the Southern Poverty Law Center, through their "Learning For Justice" program, believe The Sneetches is racist because, although it promotes a message of "acceptance," it "does not acknowledge structural power imbalances. It doesn’t address the idea that historical narratives impact present-day power structures. And instead of encouraging young readers to recognize and take action against injustice, the story promotes a race-neutral approach." So apparently, the SPLC does not value a race-neutral society. It's disgraceful.
I understand this position is so absurd that it would be easy to dismiss that as a parody or satire. But I assure you, it is completely true. You can read about it at https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/its-time-to-talk-about-dr-seuss
Note that that link does not go to a third-party story about the SPLC's position. It takes you directly to the SPLC's Learning For Justice page where their unfiltered lunacy is on full display.
When will this madness stop???
Wasteful Spending in the $1.9 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill
February 27, 2021 9:33am
The Democrats are about to spend $1.9 trillion dollars on yet another Coronavirus relief bill.
Joe Biden ridiculed those of us who say that’s too much money and asked us to tell him what he should leave out. Well, he didn’t really want an answer. But I took him up on his challenge and read the entire 591 page bill while making a list of wasteful spending that shouldn't be in it.
I went over that list on today's radio show. And I saved him $1.441 trillion! Unfortunately, the Democrats won’t take my advice. If you'd like to hear what should be removed from that bill, that episode of the radio show is now online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210227
Rush Limbaugh Dead at 70
February 17, 2021 2:25pm
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III
1/12/1951 - 2/17/2021
Although I have only listened to Rush Limbaugh for a total of maybe ten hours over the past decade, I was one of his biggest supporters in 1988 shortly after he syndicated his radio show nationwide. While I'm certain he would have been picked up in Pensacola eventually regardless of my actions, I was the person who convinced WCOA Radio to pick him up in 1989 shortly after I began working at the station.
I successfully called in to his radio show six times. He referenced two of my calls his books. The first time, I was "a guy from Pensacola called..." in reference to an aircraft carrier the City of Pensacola was trying to keep homeported here.
The second time I said something he later referenced in his book, he tried to quote my joke but didn't quite get it right. Rush had mentioned a guy who had been arrested and charged with felonies for stealing (and thus killing) sea turtle eggs from a nest on the beach. He had made the point that unborn endangered species get more legal protection than unborn humans. I got through to him on the air and said, "If the judge rules that the unhatched sea turtles eggs are, in fact, 'life,' does that mean life begins at conception? Or that life begins when you get laid?" It was an original and funny joke. And Rush laughed.
Well, in his book, he tried to repeat my joke but finished it with a misquote of the punchline. He said, "... does that mean life begins at conception? Or that life begins when you're laid?" Sorry, Rush, but it had to be "get laid" for the joke to work. Regardless, I suppose it was cool that he thought my joke was worthy of repeating in his book - even if he flubbed it.
This photo was taken in 1996 in the studio of Rush's TV show immediately following an episode. I was the sales manager at WCOA at the time, and we had conducted an on-air giveaway of a trip to New York City to view a taping of Rush's television show. My wife and I accompanied the winner on the trip.
Whether you loved Rush Limbaugh or hated Rush Limbaugh, he was one of the most successful personalities in the history of radio. He has signed off the air for the last time.
Rest in peace, Rush.
Cuba Will Expand Private, Free Market Capitalism
February 10, 2021 7:55am
Last weekend, Cuba announced they will expand the country's private economy. Cubans will be permitted to be employed in a broader range of privately owned businesses or to open certain private businesses of their own. The reforms are not as sweeping as they ought to be, but it's progress. This is good news for the people of Cuba. And hopefully, it is one step closer to the United States ending its pointless 59 year-old embargo. More details can be read at this CNN story.
In 2016, when I accompanied President Obama on his historic visit to Havana as part of the official White House Press Corps, I wrote pieces for the Pensacola News Journal in addition to my reporting duties for the radio station. Some of those delved into why the embargo should end. If you're interested, here are the links to them:
3/19/16: Column: Visiting Cuba with President Obama
3/21/16: Mike Bates in Cuba: Traveling no easy task
3/21/16: Mike Bates: Enthusiasm, optimism in Cuba
3/22/16: Presidential visit, baseball game help with the healing
4/8/16: It’s good to renew ties with Cuba
The above photo, by the way, is of my producer Rob Ade and I in a 1955 Buick on Avenida del Puerto which parallels the Canal de Entrada of Havana Harbor the day before President Obama arrived.