Tom Riggins: Some burning questions

Before I get to today’s topic, two things. First, congratulations to this year’s high school graduates. This has been a tough year, with many events and opportunities normally afforded to you taken away by government mandate. Let this be a lesson you don’t forget about government. I also suggest you read Steve Ranson’s LVN article last week directed to you. Take heed of his advice.

Second, a reminder. The Churchill County Republican Party is holding its much-delayed Lincoln Day dinner June 19. Contact me for the flier on it. Today there are several unrelated questions for thought.

With the CDC lifting its mask mandates for vaccinated people, is asking for proof of vaccination a violation of your medical privacy (HIPAA)? And if you are “volunteering” it, is not the asking party also involuntarily revealing the medical history of those not vaccinated by requiring them to wear masks?

I expect a flurry of complaints and lawsuits if government agencies persist in this pursuit. That is probably why businesses nationwide are not asking for this information, relying on the honor system instead.

Why was Israel the only party being pressured for a cease fire for firing missiles at Gaza last month? Hamas started the missile exchange, Israel was the defender. Why was Egypt the mediator in the agreed-upon cease fire? Where was the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, during this? Apparently he was in Greenland assuring them the U.S. did not want to buy Greenland. In a twist on an old phrase, Blinken fiddles while Israel burns. A name like Blinken does not foster confidence in his abilities to broker deals, so maybe we were better off with Egypt.

Why are our enemies ramping up military activities world-wide? Aside from Hamas being emboldened enough to attack Israel, the Russians are building up a military presence on their borders and in Europe, China is aggressively bullying Taiwan, and Middle Eastern countries are becoming more open in their hostility. The U.S. is making clear to the world that we are now pushovers. Our foreign policy appears to now be one of appeasement and we are viewed as weak and unwilling to act.

Why are the federal government and the Federal Reserve continually reporting low Consumer Price Index figures each month? The CPI is the measure for price inflation. We know from everyday observation that prices are going up. It is interesting that when price on a certain item goes up, it is either removed from the CPI index or “adjusted” so it has less weight. There is a correlation between inflation rate and interest rates. It appears that the government is trying to artificially manipulate interest rates. It is to their advantage to do so since the Federal Reserve has a huge amount of U.S. Treasury bonds in their portfolio. If interest rates rise, their portfolio value will drop.

Why, if Democrats are so inclusive and so in favor of everyone being “equal,” is there a rise in attacks on Asians and Jews? More importantly, where is Maxine Waters, Ocasio-Cortez, and the other poor, battered elected partisans who constantly claim discrimination? Why aren’t they speaking out on this? Where is their condemnation of anti-Semitism? Are they not against discrimination? Or is it that they are only against discrimination when they see they can gain politically?

Why after every shooting incident is there a new cry for more gun regulation when existing laws aren’t enforced? As a case in point, the recent San Jose shooter was detained by federal officials several years ago for the same supposed hatred for his workplace that reportedly prompted the shooting. Yet he was let go without any charges or entries into national databases. This happens repeatedly. Both the Parkland high school shooter and the Orlando nightclub shooter were targeted by the FBI prior to their acts, but no preventative action was taken.

Why are municipalities and states still calling for defunding the police? Haven’t they learned their lessons yet? In every area that actions were taken to defund or underfund police departments, crime has skyrocketed. These include Minneapolis, Spokane, Los Angeles, and Austin, Texas. San Francisco is a good example. Is now more dangerous than 98 percent of American cities. Property crimes have skyrocketed, and with Governor Newsom’s actions to release numerous criminals from prison, will undoubtedly increase. The worst consequence is that police are now hesitant to act where they may have before. The risk is simply too great.

How about some answers, Democrats?