Is it me, or has the world changed? I look around and things are different now. I don't recognize Utah and America anymore. This is not the country I grew up in. Trust me, things were better once.
For instance, what happened to civility? When did it become okay to use the F-word in pubic and in everyday conversations? How did TV become such a sewer? When did we decide it was okay to go to Wal-mart in our underwear?
What happened to patriotism? Why are old people the only ones who salute the flag? When did we reach the point where our president feels the need to apologize for America all over the world?
What happened to honesty, integrity and personal responsibility?
Why do our schools teach self-esteem instead of math and science?
Why don't people get married anymore? Eagles mate forever. Lesser forms of animal life have one-night stands.
What's with the tattoos and self-mutilation? Who are these zombies walking around with quart bottle lids in their earlobes and bones in their noses like New Guinea tribesmen? Am I the only guy who noticed the scabby, puss-filled sores around the lip piercings of the sandwich girl at the local deli?
Where did today's politicians come from? People have been marching in the streets, pleading for accountability in government, and what do we get? They give us HB-477, "The Utah political secrecy and cloak and dagger act." Good job guys. We'll remember you too.
Where did all of this new wilderness come from? Brother Brigham said we were called to tame the wilderness and make it a place of peaceful habitation. The whole state is becoming the King's Forest. Public land without the public; when did we accept that?
When did environmentalism become religion? The earth-mother-goddess of ancient Babylon is back. Who are these elitist, hippy wanna-be wilderness advocates who want the public lands all to themselves?
Why am I paying four dollars for gas? America has more oil than Saudi Arabia.
Why are we fighting two foreign wars and no one seems to care?
Why do we have troops in Germany, Japan and South Korea?
Why is our national debt bigger than Donald Trump's ego?
Why is Mexico invading our country and the feds don't care?
Why can't Americans drill in the Gulf of Mexico, but Brazil and China can?
Why can't we rebuild the World Trade Towers? It's been 10 years. We went to the moon in less than ten years.
If government can force me to buy health insurance, why can't they force me to buy a Chevrolet? They own General Motors, too.
When did it become okay for park rangers and fish cops to make traffic stops?
How come BLM rangers carry more firepower than I packed in Vietnam? What are they afraid of? Do they know something I don't know about what's happening out on the desert? If they are so afraid, should I carry a big gun too?
When did gay rights trump equal rights? Why is it a hate crime to hit a gay guy, or a black guy, but not a hate crime to hit a white grandma? What happened to equality under the law? Why isn't Charlie Rangel in jail?
Why does the fear of global warming outweigh the reality of a national security crisis when we run out of oil?
Who said it's okay to kill unborn babies as a form of birth control? Why can't we get a second opinion like we do for other "medical procedures?"
Why do we close public streets in New York so Muslims can pray, but our president cancels our national prayer breakfast at the White House so we won't offend Muslims?
Why didn't I write about rainbows and pussycats today? Oh yeah, I remember, I'm a cranky old man, and hopelessly out of touch.