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My brother and I had a two-week booking in Erie, Pennsylvania. And we had just arrived. We unloaded our music gear and clothes and took them into the hotel. But I left a few boxes and assorted items in the back of my pickup. Because it was our first night in town. And we were tired from a long drive. Plus, the truck was parked inside the hotel’s “secure” lot for guests. So, no problem, right?Yeah, no problem for a certain scumbag.
The next morning I went down to my pickup to go somewhere for lunch. And, as I approached the pickup, I noticed the hatch lift to my topper was open. Not a good sign. When I went around to look, I found papers and all sorts of things torn and tossed all around. Some of my personal property, including a can with a substantial amount of coins, was gone. As you might guess, I was livid.
Side note: synonyms for livid (and they all apply): furious, angry, infuriated, irate, fuming, raging, seething, incensed, enraged, angered, beside oneself, wrathful, ireful, maddened, cross, annoyed, irritated, exasperated, indignant; informal mad, boiling, wild, seeing red, hot under the collar, up in arms, foaming at the mouth, on the warpath, steamed up
If you’ve never felt violated like that, consider yourself fortunate. When someone crosses the line of your property, even if it’s in the back of your car or pickup, that’s already a violation. But when they steal what you’ve worked hard for, that’s an exponential increase to the violation.
And, in my case, it was even worse than that.
Because, of course, nothing was ever recovered. And my insurance wouldn’t cover it because they said I hadn’t properly protected my property. So, property lost. Lividity vented. And lesson learned.
But one of the reasons I brought this up is because of how many Americans don’t seem to even feel the slightest bit violated by criminals crossing our property lines. And so many Americans aren’t livid about how much of our money is stolen, by our own government, to give to those criminals. It’s demented, despicable, and devoid of intelligence.
Trillions of dollars in debt. And yet, somehow, politicians find a way to take YOUR money and give it to criminals. Yes, criminals. Every single person who crosses property lines (aka: the border) without going through the gate, is a criminal.
I don’t care if it’s a family of four who want “a better life.” And I don’t care if it’s a guy who “just wants to get a better job so he can take care of his family.” When you enter someone’s property without an invitation, you ARE a criminal!
But no problem. Right? Or, should I say, “no problemo?” It’s just people moving from one place to another. Hey, I’ve done that a lot of times. And each one of those times was to set up something better.
So, what makes me think I can move around to different parts of the world and others can’t? Nothing. I never said that. But the difference is, I didn’t cross somebody’s property lines illegally. And I didn’t steal money from other people in order to make my move.
Yes, I’m better off than a lot of people in the world.
Because I was born into a country where I was at least free enough to pursue my dreams and goals. But even if I wanted to go live somewhere else in the world, I’d be sure to follow their rules for entry and citizenship. As long as they didn’t violate basic human rights to life and liberty, no problem.
So, there you have it. From feeling violated in Erie, Pennsylvania to an eerie violation of our national sovereignty. Do I know how to rant or what?!
Speaking of ranting. Here are the lyrics to a song I wrote after the incident in Erie.
Never Neverland
Sometimes this world brings my bad side out.
I get so mad I could scream!
I wonder why can’t we all be friends.
Live and let live and share the dream.
So much depending on tomorrow.
Heaven only knows where tomorrow goes.
Why must we beg and steal and borrow?
A temporary fix; an empty bag of tricks.
And it’s just like the drifting of the sand,
Living in Never Neverland.
Where the mind is always quicker than the hand,
Living in Never Neverland.
Sometimes I need just to air things out.
Let the sun shine on my face.
Then maybe I’ll keep emotions in check.
And I’ll still trust the human race.
So much at stake; so much to lose now.
Can’t we understand and open up our hands?
There’s so much more we could be doing,
If we would only do what we’re intended to.
Repeat chorus…inst…ad lib chorus to end
© 1989 Tony Funderburk
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