Growing up in the 70s, the family gun storage was my bedroom. There were at least a dozen guns, lots of ammo and several knives. Unlocked and within easy reach. There were several .22s including a semi-auto, three shotguns, a .303, a 30-30, a 7.62mm Mosin-Nagant, a .45 Colt service revolver, a matched pair of .32 revolvers, two .22 revolvers, a diver’s knife, my throwing knife, an antique dagger, and a couple of bayonets.

And I grew up watching Yosemite Sam and Elmer Fudd with those wonderful guns that never ran out of ammo. I watched Wile E. Coyote with all those ACME explosives. I watched Bugs Bunny cross-dressing and kissing Elmer. I watched Tom and Jerry committing all manner of violence against each other and that poor bulldog. Jeez, that bulldog caught hell.

And for nearly half my life I have been an avowed, practicing Atheist. I firmly do not believe there is a Hell for me to burn in. The only thing awaiting me after death is oblivion.

And yet, I’ve never killed anyone. I’ve never shot up a school or a church or a shopping mall. I’m not in the sex offender registry. I’ve never robbed a bank or stolen a car. How is this possible? Do I have some fabulous secret that keeps me out of trouble? No, I don’t. I’m just a regular guy who grew up the regular way. And that’s my point. I am sick of the BS about toxic masculinity, safe spaces, gender confusion, the evils of fossil fuels, and attacks on our gun rights. I’m equally sick of self-righteous people who wish to judge others just because of who they love or how they express themselves or what they believe.

Those who claim that cartoons and movies are to blame for violent young people today are just making excuses. Those who claim it’s impossible to be good without God are an insult to those of us who know better.

Those kids who are violent and dishonest nowadays are largely undisciplined at home. If I dared disrespect my folks when I was a kid like these little creeps do now, I’d have got the shit kicked out of me. Pure and simple. Kids nowadays are not made to face any real consequences for bad behavior. Their teachers can’t punish them in school, and even their parents can go to jail for administering mild corporal punishment at home.

Good whoopings make good people. History bears this out. Love them. Teach them. And when it’s needed, kick their asses. I’d like to think I’ve learned a few things over the years. But yeah, I know a few folks out there who’d love to point out that I was not a perfect dad. Go ahead, point. I’ll betcha real money I got a few memories to point back with. So you know, think it over.

I’ve actually had people (mostly 20-somethings) try to tell me I was abused. These sissies are shocked that I rode a bicycle without a helmet. They’re horrified that I was a crack shot with a target pistol at age 12. They gross out at the idea of drinking from a water hose in the back yard. Jesus H. Bleeping Christ people, our country is in a nosedive, and these are the people old farts like me will be depending on to save us. We’re doomed.

See y’all next time.