When California said in 2020, “No going out after 10 beginning Saturday” (because germs), this was a final straw.
Germs do not know what time it is.
Staying at home congregating with others can populate more germs than going for a walk outside.
Germs don’t say up all night. They don’t go to bed.
Germs don’t only go in restaurants.
Plus, it isn’t your right to tell a citizen where they can go and when.
I am to judge whether my movement is “essential” or not, not you. The decision or “purpose” doesn’t even have to be “essential”, just mine.
It is an abuse of the power of government.
A “curfew” is given to children by their parents as a time to be home by or else they get in trouble. Fair enough. We tell them because it is in their best interest in our judgment.
We are not children.
If they can “tell you” something arbitrary like “you will be in your home at 10pm”, or “put a paper on your nose”, then they have the power to “tell you” any other thing they want, or so they will think.
And you haven’t said any different.
And then they decide for you, instead of you deciding for yourself, and the power to decide gets alienated.
So, if the new rule was 10pm on Saturday in November - 4 years ago -I’m going to make a big sign in the garage with the children for past their bedtimes.
I’m going to go stand on the sidewalk in the center corner of downtown — right at 10 in public to say, “No.” Make sure you know I’m here. Make sure you know why I’m here.
Let’s see what happens.
Nothing.
One police car drove by me (twice). I smiled and waved.
Other cars drove by and it was almost 50%-50% honk horns and thumbs up or “f you” and flip off.
One strange woman drove up and came and stood next to me and said she wanted to protest too.
Fine.
But when she started saying things to me “these guys are going to take our guns do you have guns?” and “white people need to organize”, I politely told her to leave and I wasn’t interested in protesting with her.
I went back each Saturday for six Saturdays.
Nothing happened really. Reactions were animated and exactly opposite.
And yet something did.
It is important for you to stand up for what is right. Even if you are the only one. Even if there is a risk to you.
Most of us want an “easy life.” But the easy life is created by doing the hard things when people don’t notice or appreciate it. The easy life is when you can, and sometimes we need to make room for the power of can.