Observations of an Irishman: Two Warnings for Americans

January 29, 2018

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Contributor

Anytime you take a stand in life or speak out against injustice, you are going to get noticed, criticized and, most likely, ridiculed. In today’s world of social media and technology, it is easier than ever before to make a positive difference in society, but it is also a lot easier to become a target. I am sure many people reading this have dealt with their fair share of insults, ridicule and hate, and may have been the victims of threats of physical violence or even death.

Popular Criticism

One of the most popular criticisms I receive from both Americans and non-Americans is that I am biased toward America and its people. I get told a lot that the America I speak about never really existed, that the truth is it is no different from other nations, that it's not exceptional and at times that it really sucks. Sadly, many don’t see America the way I do or have the same mission or focus. While my duty requires me to study and know history, my focus is not on what America was or even is. My time is spent entirely focusing on what American can be, what it must be and what its inhabitants owe to themselves and their forefathers. America is man’s greatest experiment of freedom and individualism, and is a place where dreams can come true for anyone.

Observations of an Irishman: Good Americans Turned My Travel Nightmare Into a Miracle

As you may imagine, my most recent vacation and speaking tour delivering 16 presentations across eight different states required a lot of planning. I had to book flights, hotels and cars for each location, ensuring I had time to get between each stop.

Everything was fitting together nicely until about one week before the trip, when I had an unexpected freakout.

I was feeling blessed with how everything was fitting together nicely until about one week before the trip, when I had an unexpected freakout. It had nothing to do with planning the events or missing flights or booking the wrong hotel. This fear was a lot worse. Let me explain.

I have had a 20-year love affair with America and I am so passionate about its principles and have a deep desire to give back to this wonderful nation. Having recently received disappointing news of my inability to qualify for a visa to live in the United States, I was emotionally hurting and my feelings were raw.

I had become very protective of everything in my life I was passionate about, and I honestly felt like I could not lose anything else that mattered to me.

My Bias

On this day, I realized I had a very biased view of America and it was not a positive bias. The only real-time view of America I receive comes from three sources:

Any media I consume (highly discredited on ALL sides, in my view)

Talk radio / opinion pieces which are largely political-based

Americans on social media where everyone seems to love insulting others, spewing hate and seeking their pound of flesh.

What would happen if I arrived stateside and America had become what I saw on the media and social media? What would the future hold if the American people were not the kind, loving, open-minded and optimistic people I grew up loving and defending? What if Americans started acting in everyday life, the way they acted on social media? What would happen if the American society had forgotten to see the human heart and today all they saw was the countless “labels” we have today that have broken down society?

Left v Right

GOP v Conservatives

Trump v Never Trump

Race

Gender

Sexuality

Money / Class

Religion

Education

I could easily continue with the societal breakdowns, but I think you get the point.

I sat and reflected and asked myself, how could I make a difference? What was it America needed to hear from a crazy Irish guy? And was I the right one to deliver the message?

My Selfish Fear

As I continued to freak out I start to think in a very selfish manner. If America had changed, how would I feel? Could I really handle losing my dream job with Glenn, the prospect of never living in America and the idea America had stopped being good to each other all in the space of 6 months?

If you are reading this and thinking, "Why is this such a big deal to an Irish guy who will likely never achieve his dream?" The blunt answer is because I am stuck in Ireland and there is nowhere else for me to run to. It’s not like I can say my first option of America did not work out, so I will now move onto option two and try move to another country. I may only have a 1 percent chance of achieving my dream, but there is still a chance.

There is only one America, one country that is an idea, one dream to be free, one country that recognizes everyone has rights.

There is only one America, one country that is an idea, one dream to be free, one country that recognizes everyone has rights that come from our creator and it is government’s role to protect these rights.

Sigh of Relief

Thankfully all my worrying was for nothing. I was in 10 different states with different ideologies (New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Oklahoma) and I received a warm reception in each of those states. America's people on the street saw me as an individual and not as a label. Those I met were warm, friendly, outgoing, optimistic and always helpful.

I tend to be a very quiet and reserved person, but on this trip, I spent some extra time to speak at every stop including the gas stations and places I ate. I really wanted to see what the man on the street felt like and what their thoughts for the future were, but I never brought up any politician.

It’s clear to me that many Americans are worried about their future, they are hurting through price increases, wages staying the same and a sense of lacking opportunity for themselves and future generations. Oddly, the only time politics came up in our conversations, was when someone was trying to highlight how disgusted they were with both sides, and that neither party knew what was important to them, let alone how to fight for them.

It is not the role of an Irishman to warn any American. But for those interested, I have two warnings to share.

First Warning

My journey was truly amazing in so many ways, but I will admit I am worried about the future of the American people. The America I love and promote is based on the sentiments of Alexis de Tocqueville, who said America is great because Americans are good.

The people on this trip were truly amazing. However, emotions like anger and hatred are not like a switch --- you can’t just flip them on and off. If Americans don’t start reflecting how they treat each other on social media, it is only a matter of time until the people making the comments change how they act in everyday life. It’s inevitable.

I honestly don’t see any way America can exist or be great if its people are not good. I truly hope that day never comes, because truly as a nation America is exceptional because of its people, and its people are still amazing.

Second Warning

To those reading this who are thinking, "How can we win in the future?" Americans today know things are not right. Start having conversations with your fellow Americans about the principles of freedom that are for everyone and stop trying to get them to vote a certain way.

I firmly believe America does not have a single problem today that Americans can't fix. The question is, will you cast your political loyalty aside and focus on principles, or will you continue on the path of “my” party is better than yours?

Jonathon Dunne is an Irishman with a lifelong dream of becoming an American citizen. After waiting for over 13 years, Dunne received a job offer from Glenn Beck so he could achieve his dream, but unfortunately, he did not meet the requirements to apply for a visa. Unless laws change or Dunne decides to break the law (he won't), his American dream is dead. Despite this setback, he still loves America and seeks to be a positive influence on society by promoting the idea of America and God-given freedoms. While on a recent vacation, Dunne delivered sixteen presentations (for free) in eight different states across the U.S. During this time, he kept notes and we asked him to share some of his experiences. As you read the column below, imagine the words are being spoken in a thick, Irish accent. If you're having trouble imagining how that sounds, you can hear it for yourself by tuning into Dunne's free weekly podcast, "Freedom's Disciple," on TheBlaze Radio, available on SoundCloud, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Google Play and Stitcher.

Critical theory destroys truth and justice

Editor's note: This article was originally published on TheBlaze.com.

Critical theory once stood out as the absurd progressive notion that it is. Now, its maxims are becoming an integral part of ordinary political discourse. The more you repeat a lie, the more you will believe it, and this is the very dangerous place in which we find ourselves today.

Take this critical theory maxim as an example: If we desire justice, we must sometimes champion what may appear superficially as injustice. It's a necessary evil, if you will, the necessity of “controlled injustice.”

By using truth through fabrication and controlled injustice for justice, we’ll save the republic. We’ll be acting in a noble way.

This definition of justice is defined by the “oppressed,” not the “oppressor.” It is the greatest happiness for the greatest number. To achieve this justice, however, we need to endorse acts on occasion that, while seemingly unjust, serve a higher purpose. It will ensure the stability and the unity of our republic, and this may manifest in ways that seem contradictory to our values. But these are the necessary shadows to cast light on “true justice.”

And isn’t that what we are all after, anyway?

Here’s another critical theory maxim: Sometimes we find the truth through fabrication. Our pursuit of truth sometimes requires a strategic use of falsehoods. The truth is a construct that has been shaped and tailored to promote the well-being of the collective.

We sometimes need to accept and propagate lies designed by "the system” — not the old system, but the system that we’re now using to replace the old to get more justice through injustice and more truth through fabrication.

We’re engaging in a higher form of honesty. When we fabricate, it’s for the right reason. We are reaching up to the heavens fighting for a higher sort of honesty. To fortify the truth, we occasionally must weave a tapestry of lies. Each thread, essential for the greater picture, will ultimately define our understanding and ensure our unity under this infallible wisdom.

The election is coming up. Does this maxim sound familiar? Many think it is imperative that we secure our republic through election control to maintain our republic. Sometimes, we might need to take actions that by traditional standards might be questionable.

The act of securing elections requires cheating. It's not mere deception. It is a noble act of safeguarding our way of life. We're on the verge of losing this democracy, and without deception, we will lose it.

To ensure it doesn't fall into the hands of those we know will destroy it, we may have to make a few fabrications. We're fabricating stories to be able to control or secure the republic through our elections. By using truth through fabrication and controlled injustice for justice, we'll save the republic. Therefore, we'll be acting in a noble way. Stealing an election from those who wish to harm our society is truly an act of valor and an essential measure to protect our values and ensure the continuation of our just society.

If we desire justice, we must sometimes champion what may appear superficially as injustice.

I know it's a paradox of honor through dishonor. But in this context, by embracing the dishonor, we achieve the highest form of honor, ensuring the stability and the continuation of our great republic.

Let this be heard, far and wide, as a great call to patriotic action. As we advance, let each of us, citizens of this great and honorable republic, consider these principles. Not as abstract or paradoxical but as practical guides to daily life. Embrace the necessity of controlled injustice, the utility of lies, the duty to secure our electoral process, and the honor and apparent dishonor. These are not merely strategies for survival. They are prerequisites for our prosperity.

We all have to remember that justice is what our leaders define, that truth is what our party tells us. Our republic stands strong on the values of injustice for justice, honor through dishonor, and the fabrication of truths. To deviate from this path is to jeopardize the very fabric of our society. Strength through unity; unity through strength.

We've heard this nonsense for so long. But now, this nonsense is becoming an instituted reality, and we are entering perilous times. Don't be fooled by the narratives you will hear during the march to November. Never let someone convince you that the ends justify the means, that a little bit of injustice is needed to achieve a broader, collective vision of justice, that truth sometimes requires fabricated lies and narratives. If we do, justice will cease to be justice, truth will cease to be truth, and our republic will be lost.

Top 5 MOST EVIL taxes the government extorts from you

David McNew / Staff | Getty Images

"In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes." -Ben Franklin

The injustice of taxation has been a core issue for Americans since the very beginning of our country, and it's a problem we have yet to resolve. This belief was recently reignited in many Americans earlier this month on tax day when the numbers were crunched and it was discovered that the government was somehow owed even more hard-earned money. As Glenn recently discussed on his show, it's getting to be impossible for most Americans to afford to live comfortably, inflation is rising, and our politicians keep getting richer.

The taxpayer's burden is heavier than ever.

The government is not above some real low blows either. While taxes are a necessary evil, some taxes stretch the definition of "necessary" and emphasize the "evil." Here are the top five most despicable taxes that are designed to line the IRS coffers at your expense:

Income Tax

Joe Raedle / Staff | Getty Images

"It would be a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their income." -Ben Franklin

On February 24th, 2024 we hit a very unfortunate milestone, the 101st anniversary of the 16th Amendment, which authorized federal income tax. Where does the government get the right to steal directly out of your paycheck?

Death Taxes

Dan Mullan / Staff | Getty Images

"Now my advice for those who die, Declare the pennies on your eyes" -George Harrison

Not even in death can you escape the cold pursuit of the tax collector. It's not good enough that you have to pay taxes on everything you buy and every penny you make your entire life. Now the feds want a nice slice, based on the entire value of your estate, that can be as much as 40 percent. Then the state government gets to stick their slimy fingers all over whatever remains before your family is left with the crumbs. It's practically grave-robbery.

Payroll

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

"The power to tax is the power to destroy." -John Marshall

What's that? The nice chunk of your paycheck the government nabs before you can even get it to the bank wasn't enough? What if the government taxed your employer just for paying you? In essence, you make less than what your agreed pay rate is and it costs your employer more! Absolutely abominable.

Social Security

VALERIE MACON / Contributor | Getty Images

"We don't have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much." -Ronald Reagan

Everyone knows the collapse of Social Security is imminent. It has limped along for years, only sustained by a torrent of tax dollars and the desperate actions of politicians. For decades, people have unwillingly forked over money into the system they will never see again.

FICA

Kevin Dietsch / Staff | Getty Images

"What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue." -Thomas Paine

FICA is the payroll equivalent of Social Security. Your employer has to match however much you pay. It means it costs your employer even more to pay you—again, you'll NEVER see that money. At this point, are you even working for yourself, or are you just here to generate money for the government to frivolously throw away?

5 DISTURBING ways World War III will be different from previous wars

Oleg Nikishin / Stringer | Getty Images

Has World War III begun?

Over the weekend, Iran launched an unprecedented attack against Israel involving over 300 missiles and drones. This marked the first direct attack on Israel originating from Iranian territory. Fortunately, according to an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, 99 percent of missiles and drones were successfully neutralized by Israeli defense systems. Iran claimed that the operation against Israel had concluded and that no further offensive was planned, although the possibility of another attack is still present.

This has left many people, including Glenn, wondering the same thing: did we just witness the start of World War III?

Glenn recently had a World War II Air Force Veteran as a guest on his TV special, who told stories of the horrors he and his brothers-in-arms faced in the skies over war-torn Europe. This was a timely reminder of the terrors of war and a warning that our future, if it leads to another world war, is a dark one.

But, if Glenn's coverage of the Iranian attack revealed one thing, it's that World War III will look nothing like the world wars of the twentieth century. Long gone are the days of John "Lucky" Luckadoo and his "Bloody Hundredth" bravely flying their B-17s into battle. Over the weekend, we saw hundreds of autonomous drones and missiles clashing with extreme speed and precision over several different fronts (including space) simultaneously. This ain't your grandfather's war.

From EMP strikes to cyber attacks, here are FIVE ways the face of war has changed:

EMP attacks

New York Daily News Archive / Contributor | Getty Images

The entire modern world, on every level, is completely dependent on electricity. From your home refrigerator to international trade, the world would come to a grinding halt without power. And as Glenn has pointed out, it wouldn't even be that hard to pull off. All it would take is 3 strategically placed, high-altitude nuclear detonations and the entire continental U.S. would be without power for months if not years. This would cause mass panic across the country, which would be devastating enough on its own, but the chaos could be a perfect opportunity for a U.S. land invasion.

Nuclear strikes

Galerie Bilderwelt / Contributor | Getty Images

Nuclear war is nothing new. Many of us grew up during the Cold War, built fallout shelters, and learned to duck and cover. But times have changed. The Berlin Wall fell and so did the preparedness of the average American to weather a nuclear attack. As technology has advanced, more of our adversaries than ever have U.S. cities within their crosshairs, and as Glenn has pointed out, these adversaries are not exactly shy about that fact. Unfortunately, the possibility of an atomic apocalypse is as real as ever.

Immigration warfare

Nick Ut / Contributor | Getty Images

The strategy of strangling an opposing nation's economy to gain the upper hand is a wartime tactic as old as time. That's why the Border Crisis is so alarming. What better way to damage an opponent's economy than by overburdening it with millions of undocumented immigrants? As Glenn has covered, these immigrants are not making the trek unaided. There is a wide selection of organizations that facilitate this growing disaster. These organizations are receiving backing from around the globe, such as the WEF, the UN, and U.S. Democrats! Americans are already feeling the effects of the border crisis. Imagine how this tactic could be exploited in war.

Cyber shutdowns

Bill Hinton / Contributor | Getty Images

Cyber attacks will be a major tactic in future wars. We've already experienced relatively minor cyber strikes from Russia, China, and North Korea, and it is a very real possibility that one of our adversaries inflicts a larger attack with devastating consequences on the United States. In fact, the WEF has already predicted a "catastrophic" cyber attack is imminent, and Glenn suggests that it is time to start preparing ourselves. A cyber attack could be every bit as devastating as an EMP, and in a world run by computers, nothing is safe.

Biological assault

WPA Pool / Pool | Getty Images

Don't trust the "experts." That was the takeaway many of us had from the pandemic, but something less talked about is the revelation that China has manufactured viruses that are capable of spreading across the globe. We now know that the lab leak hypothesis is true and that the Wuhan lab manufactured the virus that infected the entire world. That was only ONE virus from ONE lab. Imagine what else the enemies of America might be cooking up.

The government is WAGING WAR against these 3 basic needs

NICHOLAS KAMM / Contributor | Getty Images

The government has launched a full-on assault against our basic needs, and people are starting to take notice.

As long-time followers of Glenn are probably aware, our right to food, water, and power is under siege. The government no longer cares about our general welfare. Instead, our money lines the pockets of our politicians, funds overseas wars, or goes towards some woke-ESG-climate-Great Reset bullcrap. And when they do care, it's not in a way that benefits the American people.

From cracking down on meat production to blocking affordable power, this is how the government is attacking your basic needs:

Food

Fiona Goodall / Stringer | Getty Images

Glenn had Rep. Thomas Massie on his show where he sounded the alarm about the attack on our food. The government has been waging war against our food since the thirties when Congress passed the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938. They started by setting strict limits on how many crops a farmer could grow in a season and punishing anyone who grew more—even if it was intended for personal use, not for sale on the market. This sort of autocratic behavior has continued into the modern day and has only gotten more draconian. Today, not only are you forced to buy meat that a USDA-approved facility has processed, but the elites want meat in general off the menu. Cow farts are too dangerous to the environment, so the WEF wants you to eat climate-friendly alternatives—like bugs.

Water

ALESSANDRO RAMPAZZO / Contributor | Getty Images

As Glenn discussed during a recent Glenn TV special, the government has been encroaching on our water for years. It all started when Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, which gave the government the ability to regulate large bodies of water. As the name suggests, the act was primarily intended to keep large waterways clear of pollution, but over time it has allowed the feds to assume more and more control over the country's water supply. Most recently, the Biden administration attempted to expand the reach of the Clean Water Act to include even more water and was only stopped by the Supreme Court.

Electricity