2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY #259 "WE ARE ANNOUNCING!"

 Last Friday I filed my notice of running for the nomination by the Libertarian Party as it’s candidate for President of the United States.  Today’s atmosphere of polarization, name-calling and tribalism  is simply unacceptable to me, and I anticipate it is to you as well, so we simply must have another choice in addition to Donald Trump or Joe Biden.  What follows below is the announcement I am sending to the voting delegates of the Libertarian Party.  I would appreciate all of your comments, reactions and support during the coming months because, together, we can Unite America by representing all of the people!  So here it is:

Hello, my name is Judge Jim Gray, and I am seeking the nomination as the Libertarian candidate for President, along with our friend and Libertarian stalwart Larry Sharpe from New York as my running mate for Vice President.  I am proud of my background as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica, because I care about people; a Navy JAG officer, because I care about our military and our security; a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles , who knows that all prosecutors in the name of “We the People” should always do the right thing for the right reason; and a trial court judge for 25 years, where I put my professional future at risk by holding a press conference back in 1992 emphasizing the reality that our nation’s policy of Drug Prohibition simply was not working.

                I’m sure you agree with me that Big Government is really good at one thing, and that is increasing the size, cost and power of Big Government.  That must be reversed.  I also expect that you agree that our federal government recently simply failed us by not being prepared for emergencies.  Yes, they don’t know when or where disasters might strike, such as earthquakes, hurricanes or pandemics, but it is their obligation previously to have made plans and have them in place when those disasters strike.  If the government hasn’t planned, then it is too late when the disasters occur.  Instead the government’s response was to shut down the economy.  But they did this without considering the additional disasters that will be inflicted upon us all by often unnecessarily closing probably hundreds of thousands of businesses, many which will never open again, and putting tens of millions of people out of work!  And we all will feel those government-inflicted damages for many years to come!

                To “remedy” these problems the government did something that it does best, which was to throw a great amount of money -- $2.2 Trillion –  at some businesses and people, while often arbitrarily leaving others out in the cold.  (For example, the Kennedy Center received about $15 million.  Why?  “Because it was hurt by being shut down!”  But what about the other theaters all across the country that were hurt as well?  Nothing for them!  And, of course, these payments added greatly to our national deficit, which is the largest security threat to our country, as well as the economic future of our children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren who will have to pay it back!  Libertarians are the only political party that speaks out consistently and forcibly on this critical issue.

                Furthermore, we must follow our Constitution and our laws by requiring a Declaration of War from Congress before authorizing our troops to be in combat for more than 60 days.  (At this point, what really are the goals our troops are fighting for in Afghanistan?), and let’s also bring competition back to our healthcare system, which will reduce costs and increase services, as well as our educational system, which will bring back excellence to many schools that today are failing our children! 

                Long ago Thomas Jefferson said that “We should have a bloody revolution every generation to keep the vested interests at bay.”  Fortunately, our Constitution keeps the revolution from being bloody, but when was the last political revolution?  Probably in the early 1860s when the Republicans took over from the Whigs.  And look at how entrenched those vested interests have become since that time. 

                You can help!  Please visit www.GraySharpe2020. 

Join us!  Support us!  Together we will be that revolution!

We Pledge Allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America! 

And all along the way, we will do you proud!

Thought for the week:  My great wife, Dr. Grace Walker Gray, DPT, DOT, has just published a book in hard and soft cover as well as in audio entitled BYE-BYE BACK PAIN: 9 Holistic Solutions for Relief from Sciatica, Lumbago, Slipped Disc and Backache, which is available through Amazon and elsewhere.  Other than the back pain inflicted by too many government excesses, it covers virtually everything we need to know about controlling the back pain that we all get as we grow older.  Get a copy, and I feel confident that her advice will help you a great deal with this problem. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Bye-Bye-Back-Pain-Holistic-Solutions/dp/1734288418/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=bye+bye+back+pain&qid=1587232003&sr=8-2 . Leave her a 4 or 5 star review. I did!

Judge Jim Gray (Ret.)

2012 Libertarian candidate for Vice President, along with

Governor Gary Johnson as the candidate for President

Please listen to our weekly radio show entitled “All Rise! The Libertarian Way with Judge Jim Gray” as we discuss timely issues, and show how they will be addressed more beneficially by employing Libertarian values and approaches.  You can hear it every Friday morning at 7 Pacific/10 Eastern by going to www.VoiceAmerica.com, clicking on the Variety Channel and then upon the word “live.”  You can also hear past shows on demand as well.  And, by the way, these 2 Paragraph columns are now on my website at www.JudgeJImGray.com, Facebook and LinkedIn at judgejimgray, Twitter at judgejamesgray, and wordpress at judgejimgray.wordpress.com  Please visit these sites for past editions, and do your part to spread the word about the importance of Liberty.  In addition, my new book entitled “2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: Solutions that are Practical, Effective, Responsible, Libertarian, is now available at Amazon.com.   Please read and discuss it with friends, and send in a review.

2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #258 "JUDGE JIM GRAY FOR PRESIDENT!"

            Okay, this is breaking news.  On Saturday afternoon, April 4, I was in a telephone conference call with Lincoln Chafee, as well as many of the members of his staff.  As many of you know, he is a former mayor, US Senator and Governor in Rhode Island, and the Libertarian candidate for President that I was supporting.  But he told us that, as of two hours hence, he was going to drop out of the race because he wasn’t getting the support and backing he needed to be viable.  Even though I used my most persuasive and best efforts to dissuade him, he responded twice that “Judge, I have made up my mind.”  And by the tone of his voice, I could tell that he meant it.  So after he hung up the phone, his staff members asked if I would consider running in his place.  My answer was no.  But, since they were persistent, I told them that I would take two days to consider that possibility.

                During those next two days I spoke to several high-ranking and well-respected Libertarians around the country, and they were all supportive and even enthusiastic.  So, also considering the fact that I always thought I would be a good candidate, I called Larry Sharpe, who is a friend in New York who was a great Libertarian candidate for Governor in the 2018 election.  During the discussion I told Larry that if he would be my running mate, I would throw my hat in the ring.  On Friday April 10 he agreed.  So that afternoon we had a Zoom meeting of Governor Chafee’s staff, along with the campaign manager of Riverside County Board of Supervisor Jeff Hewitt’s campaign where we introduced ourselves to each other and then started planning our campaign.  We anticipate announcing our candidacy for the Libertarian nominations of President and Vice President within about a week, but you are my 2 Paragraphs Family, so I wanted to share the excitement with you right away.  And this will not be the last time, because I plan to keep you informed.  The Libertarian nominees are selected at a convention instead of at primary elections, and our national convention is scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas over the Memorial Day weekend.  Of course, with the Coronavirus, all of that is up in the air.  But one way or the other, our campaign team will make every effort to do you proud and put a stop to the polarization that our great country has been experiencing for so long.  So stay tuned, and I hope you wish us well.

P.S.  Two rather unnatural things that political candidates are required to do are to be able to talk about themselves and to ask for both monetary and personal support.  The former is attached hereto, the latter will come soon!

Quote for the week:  “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.”  (Probably) Edmund Burke

Judge Jim Gray (Ret.)

2012 Libertarian candidate for Vice President, along with

Governor Gary Johnson as the candidate for President

Please listen to our weekly radio show entitled “All Rise! The Libertarian Way with Judge Jim Gray” as we discuss timely issues, and show how they will be addressed more beneficially by employing Libertarian values and approaches.  You can hear it every Friday morning at 7 Pacific/10 Eastern by going to www.VoiceAmerica.com, clicking on the Variety Channel and then upon the word “live.”  You can also hear past shows on demand as well.  And, by the way, these 2 Paragraph columns are now on my website at www.JudgeJImGray.com, Facebook and LinkedIn at judgejimgray, Twitter at judgejamesgray, and wordpress at judgejimgray.wordpress.com  Please visit these sites for past editions, and do your part to spread the word about the importance of Liberty.  In addition, my new book entitled “2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty: Solutions that are Practical, Effective, Responsible, Libertarian, is now available at Amazon.com.   Please read and discuss it with friends, and send in a review.

2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #234 "ASSISTING MARGINALIZED PEOPLE"

     Open Gate International is making contributions to marginalized people that we all should be aware and proud of.  This group, which is sponsored by the baseball Angels’ all-star Albert Pujols and his dynamic wife Deidre, along with my new great friend Judy Lamborn, provides training in the culinary arts to women who have been rescued after being sexually trafficked, recovering drug addicted people and felons who have just been released from prison – all at no cost to these people.  And after they have graduated from this 12-week class, about 75 percent of them immediately have jobs as chefs, mostly in upper-echelon dining establishments.  You can find more information about this pivotal organization by listening to her interview on my radio show which will be broadcast at 7 a.m. on Friday, October 25 or, if you can’t wait that long, at www.OpenGateIntl.org.  This is yet another example about how the private sector does a far better job than governments in dealing with people and their problems.

         

     And, in my own small way, I try to help people with their problems as well.  As an example, last July 4 from 10 p.m. to midnight Pacific time I was on a nationally-broadcast radio show entitled “Coast to Coast AM” with George Noory talking mostly about the Criminal Justice System.  Thereafter, and to my surprise, I received letters from seven inmates serving time in prisons all around the country who said they had heard the broadcast and wanted to contact me.  One of them imprisoned in San Diego County gave a convincing argument that he had been wrongly-convicted, so I forwarded his evidence both to the FBI in San Diego as well as the head of the Innocence Project in San Diego, with my recommendation that they investigate.  (BTW, most inmates make those arguments, but this one had more credibility.  And please tune in for my interview with Justin Brooks, the head of that project, on Friday morning, November 8.)  And another one, who is Jewish, said he had been knifed in the  back seven times by two “skin head” convicts who were yelling “Die Jew, Die!” while they attacked him.  He even forwarded me some official-looking medical documents that said he had tried to commit suicide by knifing himself (seven times?!) in the back.  So I wrote to the warden requesting an investigation.  And as to all of these men, I responded back to each asking if they would provide me with honest information about what prison life is like – both the good and the bad – so that we could together write a magazine article on the subject.  Why?  Because I believe we all should know how people are being held in custody in our names.  So, as things develop, I will keep you apprised.  In the meantime, for the sake of us all, please join me in keeping an eye out for those marginalized people who need some assistance and reinforcement.  We have the Liberty to be able to help our fellow human beings.

BTW: If you have not yet submitted an endorsement to Amazon.com for my upcoming book “2 Paragraphs 4 Liberty,” there is still time.  And it would be much appreciated!

Quote for the week: Expectation with communication leads to frustrations.

Judge Jim Gray (Ret.)

2012 Libertarian candidate for Vice President, along with

Governor Gary Johnson as the candidate for President

Please listen to our weekly radio show entitled “All Rise! The Libertarian Way with Judge Jim Gray” as we discuss timely issues, and show how they will be addressed more beneficially by employing Libertarian values and approaches.  You can hear it every Friday morning at 7 Pacific/10 Eastern by going to www.VoiceAmerica.com, clicking on the Variety Channel and then upon the word “live.”  You can also hear past shows on demand as well.  And, by the way, these 2 Paragraph columns are now on Facebook and LinkedIn at judgejimgray, Twitter at judgejamesgray, and wordpress at judgejimgray.wordpress.com.  Please visit these sites for past editions, and do your part to spread the word about the importance of Liberty.

2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #233 "SUNSET LAWS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT!"

      When I ran for Vice President as a Libertarian in 2012, the issue that unfailingly gained the most traction among all of the people I spoke with was “Sunset Laws.”  So I almost always began my presentations with that issue.  Sunset laws would require that statutes, programs and even agencies be required to win a positive vote in Congress every five to seven years in order to continue to exist.  That would result in each of these parts of government making a presentation about what it had accomplished in that past period, how much it had cost and what we could project it would cost and accomplish in the future to justify its existence.

     This straightforward approach would allow Congress, and all of the rest of us, to see how much “bang for the buck” we were receiving, as well as to focus upon the many areas in government which are duplicated or even unnecessary.  Thus maybe the agency would continue to be funded, but some of its efforts and funding would be reduced because they weren’t productive.  And – what an amazing thought – some statutes, programs or even agencies could be discontinued!  Are you aware that the federal government still employs and funds many of the New Deal’s programs – often under a different title?  We can debate whether these approaches were appropriate back in the 1930s, but don’t you agree they should be re-evaluated and re-analyzed now after more than 80 years?  Milton Friedman once said that “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.”  Sunset laws would change that reality.

Quote for the week: “No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right.  But a single experiment can prove me wrong.”  Albert Einstein

Judge Jim Gray (Ret.)

2012 Libertarian candidate for Vice President, along with

Governor Gary Johnson as the candidate for President

Please listen to our weekly radio show entitled “All Rise! The Libertarian Way with Judge Jim Gray” as we discuss timely issues, and show how they will be addressed more beneficially by employing Libertarian values and approaches.  You can hear it every Friday morning at 7 Pacific/10 Eastern by going to www.VoiceAmerica.com, clicking on the Variety Channel and then upon the word “live.”  You can also hear past shows on demand as well.  And, by the way, these 2 Paragraph columns are now on Facebook and LinkedIn at judgejimgray, Twitter at judgejamesgray, and wordpress at judgejimgray.wordpress.com.  Please visit these sites for past editions, and do your part to spread the word about the importance of Liberty.

2 PARAGRAHS 4 LIBERTY: #197 "SOME REFLECTIONS DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON"

     As this Christmas and Holiday Season is upon us, please join me in two reflections.  The first is: “We should pause to consider how our lives have been enhanced by some other people, and be grateful for them.”  And the second is: “We should pause to consider how we ourselves have been able to have enhanced the lives of others, and be grateful for those opportunities.”  For me, these reflections both originated from Frank Capra’s classic 1947 film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and in many ways they embody the Christmas Spirit.  So I wanted to share them with you.

        As to the first reflection, and as I wrote in the first sentence of the Introduction of one of my books,* the best decision I ever made in my life was choosing my parents.  And this is simply true.  Being born to the loving, wonderful and supportive Elizabeth and William Gray provided me fantastic benefits that many people have never come close to receiving.  And, to my everlasting gratification, they knew I loved and appreciated them!  (Don’t let you or anyone close to you leave this earth without ensuring that they also know that you love and appreciate them!)  And there were many others as well, such as my wonderful wife and children; my sister and her loving and supportive husband; several good and close friends (one of whom helps by giving me suggestions and criticisms of most of my writings, including this 2 Paragraphs series); several former teachers and mentors (some of whom I have subsequently written to express my appreciation); and many more, many of whom I recognize and some of whom I will never know.  Imagine how my life would have been different had they not been in it!  But also don’t forget to include in your reflections how you have made positive differences in the lives of others – whether they have realized and expressed appreciation for them or not.  It brings genuine gratification just to know that a few things you have done have brought happiness, opportunities and warmth to others – and that should be enough.

                

So I hope you savor and bask in this Give and Receive Christmas Spirit with me.  Life is Good!

* Wearing the Robe: the Art and Responsibilities of Judging in Today’s Courts (Square One Press, 2009)

Judge Jim Gray (Ret.)

2012 Libertarian candidate for Vice President, along with

Governor Gary Johnson as the candidate for President

Question for the week: What did Adam say to his wife on the day before Christmas?  “Merry Christmas Eve.”

                                                                              

By the way, these columns are now on Facebook and LinkedIn at judgejimgray, Twitter at judgejamesgray, and wordpress at judgejimgray@wordpress.com.  Please visit these sites for past editions, and do your part to spread the word about the importance of Liberty.

2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: #180 “WORDS MEAN SOMETHING”

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     We think in words.  So if someone doesn’t understand the difference between two words (or among three or more words) that person does not understand the concepts.  For example, there are more dialects in the languages of the world that do not draw the distinction between the word “stranger” and the word “enemy.”  Accordingly, if someone were to stumble out of the wilderness into a small remote village, and those people did not draw this distinction, that person would automatically become their enemy.  Imagine how much needless violence has come from this situation, or at least how many lost opportunities.

     We have the Liberty to learn, observe and be creative: what a gift!  So here is a short list of distinctions between various words for your consideration:

·       Accident vs. Collision: imagine the difference in the minds of the jurors if they are considering awarding damages for an accident as opposed to a collision.

·       Imply vs. Infer:  A speaker implies and a listener infers; so communication difficulties occur when implications are not the same as inferences.

·       Solution vs. Resolution: Most human problems have no solution – if you want solutions become a mathematician – they have only imperfect resolutions.

·       Myriad vs. Plethora: myriad implies a large number of things, but not a harmful number; but plethora implies a lot of something that is harmful.

·       Courtesy vs. Respect: Courtesy should be given to most people as a matter of course, but respect must be earned.

·       Friend vs. Acquaintance:  A friend is someone who has your best interests at heart, but someone you know who doesn’t is more likely just an acquaintance (or a former friend). 

·       You’re Welcome vs. No Problem:  The former implies that the actor did someone a good turn because she wanted the pleasure it brought; the latter implies that had it been a problem the act wouldn’t have  been done.

     Not only is the study of words fun, the choice of words can also affect a person’s conduct.   For example, we all have seen the road sign “Slow Traffic Keep Right.”  Mostly the response is: Well, I’m not driving slowly, so I’ll keep in the left lane.  But if the sign were to say “Left Lane Only to Pass,” it would mostly draw the thought: I’m not passing, so I should drive in the right lane.  Same intent; different result.  How many more can you think of?

--> Judge Jim Gray (Ret.)

--> 2012 Libertarian candidate for Vice President, along with Gov

--> Gary Johnson as the candidate for President

Quote of the week: “Fear God, but fear no man.  Never lie or sneak, or truckle for favor.  Never betray a trust.  Never be cruel to man or beast.  Never inflict pain deliberately, but never be afraid to meet it if you must.  Be kind, be honest, be daring.  Be a man, and you will be a gentleman.”  Karl May

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By the way, these columns are now on Facebook and LinkedIn at judgejimgray, Twitter at judgejamesgray, and wordpress at judgejimgray@wordpress.com.  Please visit these sites for past editions, and do your part to spread the word about the importance of Liberty!