The uncertainty of life is never more apparent than we find as we approach two months of Trump 2.0. And the end of the winter season. And the fifth anniversary of the Lockdown, the second phase of the Pandemic Panic and its tyranny in the States (thanks to Paradigm for reminding us of that evil anniversary.)
The Donald has completely turned much of our world upside down. As complex and amazing as the year of 2024 was, 2025 already may be exceeding it. It is clear that he and his advisors spent the 3+ months between Election Day and Inauguration Day planning and preparing. No one – however much they hate Trump, Vance, Musk, et al. – can say that the new leadership did not hit the ground running!
Around the world, of course, we see this year is chaotic, but especially here in the States. Even in places like Wyoming and South Dakota. Too many things are on-again, off-again, with a few surges here and there.
What has gone on this winter economically, politically, and even weather-wise? Nothing that most people would have predicted or expected. We are caught up in an amazing string of events that, of course, have people worried. Ask yourself: are you prepared for more? It almost certainly is coming.
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The Price of Liberty 
Banning children from social media?
Australia has taken a drastic step, passing a law (and apparently enforcing it) to prevent people under age 16 from using social media. Now, even more are arguing that DC needs to also enact such a law. For the entire Fifty States and territories.
Not much has been published about this in the past six or so weeks, or since the new regime started taking over DC. But it has been reported that twelve States so far have restricted teen access to social media and many more have seen legislation introduced to do so. Three States’ legislation have been blocked by courts. The most recent (reported on WTVR-TV) is Virginia, where lawmakers have passed a bill limiting social media use for those under age 16.
We can understand the desire to protect young people – although 14 and 15 year olds are hardly “children” (except legally) in most countries. (No, they are not fully developed mentally or physically, but they are generally more than capable of identifying right from wrong. Regardless of upbringing.) And we certainly comprehend the emotional and social dangers that social media presents. And how it can sometimes lead to physical threats, both from predators and cruel peers.
But such bans rarely work as intended. Censorship is censorship – even when it is applied to older “children.” Yes, there are parents who are very poor parents: every week we see where a mother or a father has been found abusing their children, or even killing them or allowing them to be killed. But horrific as this is, and no matter how many laws have been passed (and enforced) by American governments, it does not end.
Curbing the abuse of social media, like so much else in childhood and adolescence, is clearly the purview of the parents of the children – either natural or in loco parentis. If there is a problem with it, it is the parents that need to be disciplined: first taught to properly care for their children and raise them right. And second, to hold them accountable for what the children they are responsible for do something harmful.
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