Day 12: California Under Martial Law Lite (Bedtime For Democracy)

When I started chronicling the California shelter in place order, I called it "martial law lite" because that was what I was seeing it head toward. Yesterday Humboldt County and Hungary caused my fears to become more solidified. Let's start at the beginning of the day, though . . .

Arcata has this area near a community center that is a playground and a large field where people usually play soccer. The space between the playground and the community center is now dotted with tents of the homeless, and when I went by there, the police were out in full force, though they weren't making them move. I'm not actually sure what they were doing to be honest. It was just an odd sight.

Later in the morning I heard that Hungary's Viktor Orban had successfully suspended democracy, being granted many powers with no elections or votes until this crisis is over. Then, with Humboldt's number of positive cases for Covid-19 reaching 21, our Public Health director tightened her emergency order, banning tourism, group sports, and reclassifying an essential business. Our sheriff stepped in after her and declared an emergency, mainly to get funds and to "prepare" the citizens for what is coming. California martial law lite no longer seems as clever. It seems to be a reality that is fast approaching.

Viktor Orban: As dangerous as Trump, but with a cooler name and accent.

With global strikes threatening capitalism throughout the world, you can bet governments and businesses are fearful, and they have every right to be. Citizens need to be aware of what is happening, too. In Hungary, you can now go to jail for spreading "fake news," though I could find no definition of what defines "fake." And if you think I'm being alarmist, maybe. The alarm should be sounded, however. Giving up freedom for safety has dire consequences. Just look at 9/11 for an example. Life seemed to go back to normal, but all those freedom restrictions stayed in place. You just didn't notice because you were still free to choose Pepsi over Coke.

We've already proven we'll obey without serious questioning. In fact, I think washing your hands and staying home when necessary is essential to stopping this virus, but I don't think we should handing over our rights so easily. What must we prepare for here in Humboldt that we haven't already been doing? That's an honest question, but I fear the answer.

I want to be clear in stating that I don't think we are suspending democracy here in America . . . yet. I feel that the actions taken so far are in line with helping to stop the spread of Covid-19, but the wording is being put in place to allow transgressions against your freedoms to happen, and we must be vigilant against this sort of thing. When the actions no longer fall in line with keeping the virus under control, that's when they should be fought against. As goes California . . .

On an unrelated note, I'm an essential worker and am returning to work tomorrow. I don't know if I'll be able to keep updating this daily. I will update as things become important, and probably over the weekend. I'd love for those in other communities to post in the comments section what is happening in your neck of the woods. We need to remain vigilant during these trying times, and communication is the key.

Humboldt Green

Once again there are talks of decriminalizing pot in California in order to grab those almighty tax dollars. As to be expected, there will be opposition.

I personally think all drugs should be decriminalized along with a host of other things, though my feelings have less to do with taxation and more to do with freedom. I think people have the right to be stupid and harm their bodies, and they should be left to suffer the consequences. It's called responsibility. There's that word again, and that's one of the reasons we may never see the day when someone can walk into Walgreens and come out with Wal Green.

Religious leaders, many social advocates, and some politicians have nothing but fear when it comes to responsibility. For whatever reasons, mostly those of control issues, they are scared shitless about what would happen if people were made to responsible for their actions. I think it's obvious what would happen the first few years.

When parents stifle their children, protecting them from the outside world and restricting everything they can do, those kids eventually lose it when they hit the "real world." Binge drinking, questionable sex (thanks!), drugs and so on. When the chains come off, the animals run free. It will be the same with society, and that's why we have to do our best to make sure people really are responsible for their actions because that's how they learn.

When it comes to drugs it seems we are slowly easing the restrictions, which is a good thing, but I want it all now. I think the way we are doing it is slowly teaching responsibility, but I don't think we should be making social/legal policy for the people who can't handle responsibility. We need to make it for the people who can and let the "law of the wild" deal with the rest.

I don't know anyone who says they don't smoke pot because it's illegal. We all know it's next to impossible to get in any kind of trouble if you are smart about it. Why should pot smokers have to hide it, though? Some of them have jobs and pay taxes. Some of them profit off the taxes of others. Some of them do neither. Pot smokers, like cigarette smokers, soldiers, and office executives, are just like everyone else. It's time to start treating what they do as nothing more than a personal choice issue, like dating someone with a different skin color or the same genitalia. But they need to be responsible or suffer the consequences.

That's where people will have problems. Lately it seems like any kind of consequences for your actions are met with pleads for mercy or to be treated as the exception. That's weak and doesn't deserve a response. Be proud of who you are and your actions or don't do them. It's pretty simple.

Our governor, Mr. Schwarzenegger, has enjoyed pot. My guess is there are plenty of other politicians who have who would not admit it out of fear or guilt. Again, cowardly. Arnie should be pushing this idea of decriminalizing pot, as should the Obama Administration. The situation is bad, more freedom is not a horrible idea. Tax revenue is necessary ... unless we all think that cash-aid and medical benefits disappearing is a good thing, and I am far from convinced of that -- and that's not just me trying to protect my job (I have nothing to do with cash-aid). This is me looking at the long-term picture, something politicians seem unable to do. Why should they be any different from the rest of society, though?

I refuse to beg politicians for anything. I'll write letters when I think they are being out of line, but I refuse to plead for my freedom, as I wouldn't deserve it if I did that. If I want to smoke pot (and I don't -- I ain't no stinkin' hippie), I'll do it. If I want to snort a line (and I don't -- I ain't no stinkin' Wall Street drone), I'll do it. I think all of you are the same. Maybe, just maybe, enough politicians will get their heads out their asses and realize the country can profit off others idiotic behavior. It's better to get their tax money than to put them in jail and feed them with our tax money. It doesn't take a genius to see that.