This sounds like a cliché, because it is mentioned so much.

In actuality, freedom is not free, because of the blood shed by Americans and military members in wars ever since the American Revolution established the United States of America.

Americans, in general, are an independent lot. They believe that their rights as stated for them in the Declaration of Independence and secured in the Constitution are God-given and cannot be taken away by fiat by someone who simply thinks he/she is in a position of authority.

The U.S. government was formed to be "of the people, by the people and for the people," as President Abraham Lincoln so eloquently proclaimed in the Gettysburg Address.

The U.S. Constitution is the "supreme law of the land."

Unfortunately, for the American citizens, the God-given rights in the Constitution are being slowly nibbled away by those who profess to hate the U.S. and foment violence to establish their nefarious beliefs.

"They," the anti-Americans, try to destroy the history of this country. They take away the freedom of speech by censoring what is said on social media. They take away one's right of freedom of religion, by shutting down churches during a pandemic, likely fomented by "their friends," the Chinese, who have clearly said they want to rule the world. They take away one's friends and livelihoods by "locking us into our homes."

Unlike those who profess to hate the U.S. [to whom this editor would say: You have the freedom to leave!], the majority of Americans revere the Constitution and know the sacrifice that has kept the United States of America going for 245 years.

It has also been said that history repeats itself. If one knows one's history, even relatively recent history, such as World War II and even more recent history in Venezuela, it is easy to see that socialism and communism do not work long-term.

Oh, it's fine for the "elites" who run the country and do their best to put the citizens of their country into servitude to their demands. But the rest of the people become slaves to the elites.

Do you not see that mandates are a form of servitude? Like a bunch of sheeple, Americans, because of the promotion of fear among the populace about a virus, donned their masks and still do, even outdoors.

Do you not understand that the so-called Coronavirus, scientifically known as Sars-CoV-2, has a mortality rate in most of the population of no more than 1 percent? Yes, some people get sick and die. Many people get sick and die of the "flu" every year. People die of diseases and accidents every day, every week, every month, every year. It is an integral part of being a human. At some point, we will all die.

But also, part of being a human is being responsible for our activities. God created us in his image. He gave us an immune system to fight off viruses and bacteria. We each have the responsibility to keep ourselves healthy. Some of us may have genetic diseases, but even then, we can work hard to improve our immunity by exercising, eating well, not abusing drugs or alcohol, and above all thinking positively and cutting the negative out of our lives. A positive attitude and a belief in a creator help keep one on course of living a good, long life.

When will you rise up, peacefully and non-violently, to take back your country, your rights, your freedoms?

The "elites" work hard to create division among us. We are not enemies, even if we disagree. All of us have family members that we disagree with, but we still love them and unless they block us out, we can still have pleasant conversations.

This editor tries to present facts, so that readers can determine what they want to believe. But sometimes, this editor has to become an editor to shake up the readers to become less complacent, less compliant and less submissive.

Reclaim your rights, your freedoms. Go for a walk in the fresh air, relish the beauty you see in nature, keep a work/life balance, love your kids and your family members, meet your friends when you can, and try to use your God-given talents in positive ways. Don't succumb to those in "authority" who would take away your freedoms.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.