Diesel Justice: Canadian Style

 

What can I say about the Canadian Truckers that hasn’t already been said?

 I’m in awe of their determination and I’m hopeful that it spreads. A friend of mine posted the phrase “Workers of the word are uniting” in reference to the truckers and their allies. By the way, everyone who loves freedom is an ally. I cringed a little at the phrase. It’s pure Marx. I always hated the idea that people are locked into an eternal struggle of revolution. Karl Marx’s goal was to see the workers all over the world rise up and throw off the slavery of capitalism.

How odd that now the working class (forgive the phrase) are now the biggest supporters of capitalism. It’s the ruling class that’s wants collectivism. Any collectivist form of government is slavery because the decisions are top down. Endless bureaucratic rules and regulations keep commerce from spreading throughout the country. Capitalism is ruthless in its efficiency but far better than one that restricts. The marketplace is where ideas either live or die.

 In Marxist countries speech is restricted, freedoms are curtailed, religion is outlawed, daily life is planned. Work has no relationship to supply and demand, money has no relationship to value. Everything is monitored from health scores to credit. The incentive system of profit that encourages risk no longer exists. We’ve been heading that way for 2 years and I’m overjoyed that Canadians finally noticed. Actually they didn’t just notice. They’ve put up with an onslaught of mask protocols, vaccine mandates and shutdowns since March of 2020.

Like most of us they’ve seen the lies pushed by their national health ministers. The vaccines are universally shit and everyone knows it. Oh sure they tell you it’s better to have than to not. But Covid is still with us and the countries with high levels of inoculation rates have some of the highest levels of death rates, like Uruguay and the Maldives. Why is such compliance needed is the vaccine is so great? Why are kids masking up when evidence shows there are hardly affected?

 Canada is in a slightly different place than the US. Their laws were more sweeping than ours. States and cities decide things like mask policies and businesses decide vaccination requirements. Even though Joe Biden tried to push national vaccine laws on everyone the courts have mostly slapped them down.

 States like Oklahoma have all but done away with their Covid policies. Large swathes of the country have tossed them out. Canada is getting crushed and you can tell by the support the truckers are having that the middle class is done with it. They have support from the tow truck companies, restaurants, farmers and countless industries. Crowd funded site GiveSendGo has raised millions for them and their families. And the best part, it's a protest with some teeth. Without trucks, commerce grinds to a halt. The blockades to the United States stop commerce between countries as well, and there is a lot of it. Canada is a major trading partner.

The trucker's demands are straightforward, give us back are freedom and we’ll leave. People who want vaccines can get them. They’ve been able to for a year now, why force everyone to do it? Trudeau and his technocrats have used up whatever good will they had in the early days, the fifteen days to flatten the curve, to get cooperation. The citizens of Canada, like in the US, have mostly complied. But it’s clear now that the globalists’ cure was worse than the disease. They’re reluctant to let go of their new found power even in the face of a defacto economic protest. This is what a protest looks like. It’s not burning and looting. It’s peaceful and it’s righteous.

People all over the world are getting a sense of what’s coming if they don’t stand up to the tyranny right now. In Europe the citizens march every week against vaccine mandates. A good number of those people have taken the shot too. For the first time in two years I feel like the anti-reset forces are winning. It might get violent. It depends on if the government cracks down and starts hauling protestors to jail. It’s an uphill battle for Trudeau. He’s lost the argument for forced vaccines and the trust of Canadians.

  Freedom isn’t free, but maybe we’ve forgotten what it actually costs. How often have we been forced to make genuine sacrifices for it? Not very often. Don’t worry, the Canadian truckers are reminding us all how sweet it is with every honk.

Veterans and Recovery: 3 options for PTSD

 

 The Third Way for Recovery

Andy Stumpf is a former Navy Seal, Cross Fit consultant and pilot. I heard him on Joe Rogan's podcast the other day. He also used to skydive in those crazy dangerous winged suits. I guess he still does some of that, in addition to podcasting and public speaking. Rogan covers a lot of ground in 3 hours with every guest. It wasn’t until the end that Stumpf touched on something that’s always been an irritation to me—the portrayal of the broken down veteran in movies and TV.

To be fair it’s not without merit. A considerable amount of veterans (those in war especially) struggle to adjust to civilian life. The Veterans Administration showed that just over 37,000 veterans experienced homelessness in 2020. For some it’s a transitional phase when they’re waiting for housing or before they start a rehabilitation program. For too many though it represents a loss of confidence or hope.

Our culture offers two philosophical tracts for veterans struggling with PTSD. The “broken toys” narrative that Andy Stumpf mentioned and the “superman” approach to overcoming obstacles. Both are inadequate but well meaning. But without the spiritual truth of identity in Christ it’s a futile exercise in self evaluation. Councilors deal with trauma from all areas of life but because we owe so much to veterans it feels more important.

Theories of Self

Both philosophies are at opposite ends of the “identity spectrum”. That’s my phrase. It’s not great but it sums up the heart of the matter as one of inner value. An individual’s perception of self will dictate the choices they make. Do they blame others for their circumstances or take responsibility? Does this veteran see themselves as victim or champion? Neither theory exists in isolation from community. Communities reinforce individual worth, good or bad. 

Proponents of the broken toys narrative encourage a victim mentality. It’s less important what actually constitutes victimhood. We are all victims of something. Kids that escape crippling poverty to become wealthy business owners are still victims. War is a victimizer. It doesn’t care where you’re from or what your family life was like, it leaves scars no matter how long you are in it. But the individual is only a victim when they accept it in the mind.

Opposite that is the superman approach. Where the victim can’t see past their oppressor, the superman sees the self as the hero in the story. He won’t blame others but also won’t look for help. He sees the self as an engine in need of a spark. Its fuel is positivity and its payoff is the progress it makes navigating conflict, stress and addiction. The superman believes in the power of the human spirit and the relentless drive to self-actualization.

Real Life Struggle

I went to a men’s breakfast event at my church recently. An Iraq veteran, Adam Grover, shared his recovery story from alcoholism and PTSD to freedom and mental clarity. He experienced both philosophies in an effort to escape the hell of a chaotic existence. “They feed that victim mentality to you while you’re in treatment…they coddle you and that doesn’t serve you very well on the other side of that treatment.”

He called it the “poor wounded animal treatment” that serves as an excuse for bad behavior. In vivid detail he described a road rage incident where he actually wanted to kill the woman who smashed into him.

 But going it alone didn’t work either. “I have a history of trying to do it alone and guess what, it doesn’t work, plain and simple.” Even surrounded by family and loved ones the heavy burden of PTSD proved too much. Once surrounded by a community of believers he says “I began to see how Jesus really saw Adam and it’s changed my life.”

Coping Mechanisms

PTSD and depression are made worse with drugs and alcohol. They are the first things we seem to turn to. Adam acknowledged this much. They do permit some level of coping, although temporary. The numbness helps for a while. But proper discipline and the type of physical adrenaline Andy Stumpf is about help too. Plenty of former addicts find comfort in martial arts or extreme fitness.

I think it’s why the superman approach is so enticing for men. It draws on existing reserves of male protectionism. Protection equals worth and men that can’t protect themselves can’t protect others, therefore worthless. But both approaches look inward for solutions.

One gives us a pass on responsibility and the other leaves us empty.

Fortunately in Christ we find the answer. He is the source of our comfort, strength and hope. Both philosophies downplay the role of the Creator. We are creatures made to overcome the world because Jesus did it first. In Him we are victorious.

God created us with minds that reason through the chaos of the world. We can accomplish a lot through positive thinking and mental toughness alone. But it’s a limited world view because it’s not rooted in anything larger than self. I don’t mean to say it’s selfish. 

Personal responsibility isn’t selfish. 

Achievement isn’t selfish. 

Reaching for greatness isn’t selfish.

But with humanism the man is ultimately responsible for his success and failure. No one else can claim credit, not even family and councilors with their classes and workshops. Man made the decision and followed through, he gets the victory. This isn’t how we are created. 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Inner strength without purpose beyond ourselves can only lead to misery; life is short and our impact is less significant than we might imagine. If we are created for "good works" than looking inward will only get us so far. Good works are what we do for each other. Through charity, compassion and even mentorship we demonstrate the character of our Creator. We start to see ourselves as belonging to something larger than personal achievement. Our lives become more than the sum of our accomplishments and our identity is renewed.

The culture offers veterans two philosophical paths, broken toys or supermen. Both are flawed and lead to disappointment and emptiness. Humans are meant to be reflections of our Creator and find our strength in Him. We find rest in His plan because it’s tailored to our particular skills and desires.

 Identity starts there and it changes everything.

 

Authority Begins Through Self Evaluation

 

Luke 10:1-20: God's plan for Cities

Two powerful events take place in the first half of Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy disciples and warns those cities against rejecting their message.

 Modern cities reflect ancient ones. Both are often run by wicked officials; both are subject to God's judgement. Authority is given to disciples to show people a better way to live.

The Commission

Jesus gives His followers a commission for the lost. “The harvest truly is great but the laborers are few: therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”(verse 2) He then gives instructions about how to behave in a foreign city “Carry neither money, bag nor knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter say ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not it will return to you.” (verse 4-6)

From there He tells them to “heal the sick” in every city and proclaim the kingdom of God. This isn’t just instruction for disciples, it’s also a warning to those who choose to ignore the goodness of God.

 Jesus warns 3 cities Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Those cities are contrasted with 2 others, Tyre and Sidon. We don’t have details about those ancient cities except that the first 3 are coastal and Jewish and the other two are inland and Gentile. The Gentiles didn’t get the benefit of Christ’s ministry while he was alive. The Jewish leaders thought they knew better than God and rejected calls to change.

God gives cities a choice the same way he does for individuals, accept my Son or face judgement.

Authority of Leaders

We know that the Jewish cities saw signs and wonders there but refused to repent and turn away from sin. It’s also interesting that none of them is around today. Every one shows evidence of homes and vibrant life, but all disappeared leaving nothing but ruins for archeologists to find.

So what? After all cities rise and fall throughout history, what’s the big deal with these particular places?

It’s really the leadership and institutions that Jesus condemns. It’s their decisions that either permit or reject morality. Looting and theft are legally permissible in a few cities in California. Drug abuse and sex trafficking are routinely ignored, as is prostitution in countless others. Abortion is permissible in New York beyond 24 weeks. 

In a spiritual sense city officials are responsible for the judgement of an area. Cities elect (or appoint) leaders that will choose their spiritual direction. Think of all the problems modern cities have. From sanitation and taxes to crime and homelessness, these aren’t different from ancient problems. But responsible leaders either tackle problems for those who live there, or take advantage of their position and benefit themselves.

Rejection of Goodness

People are sinful. We are slaves to selfishness and our decisions lead to disease, homelessness, crime and death. But the gospel is a reprieve for a dying world, a city in throes of darkness. It’s redemption for both leaders and citizens. When it’s allowed to spread it brings justice and peace even in the darkest of places.

The entire city doesn’t need to be transformed overnight, but when it specifically rejects the work of God it brings judgement on itself. Samaritan’s Purse set up a field hospital in New York City in 2020. They responded to the spreading Corona virus that was supposed to cripple the nation. New York with its massive population did see high numbers of hospitalizations. But the city kicked them out after a month. Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham, believes in a biblical view of marriage so they had to go. City officials that have their authority from God decided the mere presence of a Christian organization was an offence.

The scriptures talk about choices, the fool and wise, the straight and the narrow path. But choosing to honor God or reject His goodness isn’t like picking the wrong door in a game show. We don’t accidentally choose to reject the things of God as if our decision were a roll of the dice. Since God is good than everything from Him is also good. Our lives reflect the image of our maker and we produce fruit. We decide how to live with every choice we make.

Selfish leaders will permit crime and even encourage it. They’ll continue in their recklessness to ignore the voice of God and make it difficult for goodness to exist. They are slaves to sin and they care nothing for their constituents. It explains Andrew Cuomo (New York’s former governor) decision to pack the nursing homes full of Covid positive patients. It led to countless deaths he later tried to cover up. It explains why Seattle and Portland both denied worship leader Sean Feucht a permit to hold worship services outdoors. Both cities permitted Black Lives Matter marches earlier in the year.

“Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you. But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.” (verses 11-12)

Good News

Grace and forgiveness are for everyone, including those in authority who’ve acted selfishly. But continual rejection of God’s goodness for those under your authority brings a promise of judgement. It’s easy to see sin and corruption in cities and shake our heads in disgust. Real maturity forces us to evaluate our own authority and clean up our sin. The Christian should always ask “Where have I permitted callousness toward God’s judgement? Have I closed a door to forgiveness, or repentance?”

But there is good news for those who submit to the Father and become disciples. He gives us the “…authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (verse 19)

We become like the seventy sent out when we recognize that our authority is under heaven. Our responsibility is for our own lives first and then to those around us.  

 We will see a transformation in our cities when we look inward and remember the Commission. 

 

The Spy Who loved U.S.

 

The Spymaster

I’ve recently been made aware of Dong Jingwei, the Chinese counterintelligence official that supposedly defected to the United States. I’d heard about this before but only in passing. Defections are notoriously hard to pin down. Countries deny the existence of a defector, or pretend it’s all a rumor while trying to parse the intelligence. The original report came from Red State, a conservative website. If the Washington Post had the story it would have been everywhere. Nearly every piece I read was from June of last year; I didn’t find anything after that.

The War Within

To me the most interesting (telling?) part of the defection is who Dong defected to—the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). That’s not how defections usually work. A spy that wants to defect usually goes through the CIA. Since they have case officers all over the world it’s typical to use them. But this is a high level official. It’s not really correct to call him a spy, it’s more like if our Director of National Intelligence (Avril Haines) packed a suitcase with terabytes of the most highly classified information and bought a ticket for Beijing. It’s literally the biggest defection in history, a massive win.

One source I read said he came with his daughter (a UCLA student) in February. That’s when the deed was done apparently. They went through Hong Kong instead of going to an embassy in country. There is a reason for that which I’ll show later. We don’t know how long he has been here. Red State first reported on it June but it never became a huge story, probably because it was a conservative site that reported on it.

Denial

China for their part deleted all reference to him on their official websites. They did post a picture of him from a state security conference. It might be a real photo but the image has no date context. Newspapers run by the party make reference to him conducting business as usual. Anyway no believes the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) so their clunky attempts at messaging get ignored just like their conferences. The State Department also flat out denied that they had him. It’s unusual to address this kind of sensitive topic to the press at all.

But going to the DIA is interesting. To me it suggests he knew he couldn’t trust the normal channels. That’s scary but not surprising. It means our intelligence community is so full of Chinese spies it can’t be trusted to take in a defector. Also it means that Dong probably knows the names, and the positions, of the spies in our country who work with Beijing. We know President Biden and his son are compromised on some level with the Chinese. That came out of the emails found on Hunter’s laptop before the election. You know, the story the MSM killed because it would’ve skewed the vote against Biden in 2020. 

There is an internal war going on in our government, patriots and anti-Americans. But these lines may not be as clean as I imagine. If Biden was compromised at a high level why wouldn’t he either send Dong back to Beijing or just kill him? Come to think of it maybe he did. Why would Dong come to the US if he feared the administration and its corrupt intelligence agencies would send him back? I’m fairly certain that he isn’t a counterintelligence plant. China couldn’t risk even the appearance of a defector, especially not such a big shot like Dong Jingwei.

Intelligence that Matters

In May of last year the administration changed its policy on the origins of Covid 19 by starting up an investigation into the Wuhan lab leak. Previously they ruled it an escaped wet market virus that jumped from animal to human. Some think the change in direction was due to information from the defector. I’ve been under the assumption that the administration doesn’t want to know or is covering for Obama who approved money for gain of function just before leaving office in 2017. Gain of function research is how you create viruses. 

It looks as though the PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) was using the Wuhan lab. Well of course they were!

Releasing a virus on the world is an act of war and soon everyone is going to know the Chinese did it. The why is unclear right now but the cynic in me says the goal was always to create windfall profits for the pharmaceutical companies through vaccines. It also provided an opportunity to use mail in ballots and machine voting fraud to steal an election. Trump was ruining cooperation between Beijing and Washington and needed to be stopped.

I know of only one other significant case of a Chinese defector that spent the night in a US consulate in Chongqing after avoiding detection. This was in 2012. His name was Wang Lijun and he was the police chief in Chongqing under party boss Bo Xilai. His asylum claim was rejected as to not upset the incoming chairman Xi Jinping. This was under president Obama’s State Department. Guess who was behind the decision?

The office of Vice President Joe Biden overruled State and Justice Department officials in denying the political asylum request of a senior Chinese communist official last February over fears the high-level defection would upset the U.S. visit of China’s vice president, according to U.S. officials.

It gets better. Biden’s aid Anthony Blinken rejected the Wang’s application for asylum. Blinken is now the head of the State Department. He’s clearly a Biden loyalist. This incident with Wang Lijun likely showed Dong Jingwei that going to an embassy or consulate to request asylum won’t work. You have to get yourself out of the mainland.

Awakening

It’s easy to think of the US government as one unit with one goal, to promote the interests of the country. The case of Dong Jingwei proves how naive that is. We are entering a time of mass upheaval in this country and around the world. The virus and subsequent attempt to control the population is forcing people to wake up. From the election of Joe Biden to the origins of the virus, something stinks and we’re starting to figure it out.

I pray this defection leads to a cleansing of the federal ranks.  

Ecclesiastes 6: What are you building?

 

God created us for enjoyment through Him. There's no possible way to enjoy your efforts after you’ve passed. Solomon hits on this theme the same way he always does, by reminding us that ideas rooted in self are vain and foolish.

Ultimately we work for the next generation and in some cases a complete stranger. A lot of people build their own homes. Some are basic one room cabins in the woods with a wood burning stove and a shack to store goods. Other’s build elaborate 2 and 3 story mansions with multiple rooms, garages and a pool. Depending on the project it can take years or decades to complete.

What’s wrong with that anyway? Either you need the space or you don’t, but if you can afford a nice 7 room home go ahead and build it. Does the builder of the ancient temple really take no pride in the process and lasting impression?

He is talking about a soul level satisfaction that we often start out trying to fill, but end up empty. He means that part of us that pulls deep meaning from our work and legacy. The person who labors to create won’t be fulfilled by the effort required to produce.

Listen to the guy who spent his life building, gaining and possessing.

“There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity;[a] it is a grievous evil.” (1-2)

The building doesn’t have to be a house for your family, it’s larger idea than that. We all leave an imprint on our world. From professional athletes to bus drivers, everyone builds a legacy through what they create and how they interact with others. I’m reading a biography of Thomas Edison right now. He averaged a patent for every 10 to 12 days he was alive. He changed so much of modern life by producing and creating that’s it’s not enough to say he worked hard, he lived to work. His legacy is all around us whether electrical or mechanical.

I’ve no doubt Edison enjoyed his work and the success it brought. But it didn’t bring ultimate fulfilment of the kind Solomon is describing. The same way that his phonograph could never play movies. It was designed for music. We can enjoy our work and even benefit from improved designs of the telegraph and the light bulb, but our soul is only filled through “goodness”. By goodness Solomon means Godly living for our fellow man. 

 Why does Solomon call enjoyment a “grievous evil”? Because there is a lie tied up in every patent or invention or grand design we call progress. It’s the idea of ultimate fulfillment of the soul--that human achievements are akin to godliness and the authors’ of achievements, demigods. Human beings benefit from Thomas Edison’s labor and celebrate his life and genius. But what does the adulation mean for a soul that no longer exists? How does he benefit directly?

“All the toil of man is for his mouth, but his appetite is not satisfied” (7)

 Appetites are carnal, rooted in fleshly desires. Nothing is wrong with working to stay alive. But work and legacy will never take the place of God who created us to be made complete in Him. For everything I can tell about Edison it seems like he didn’t believe in God. As a man of science and experimentation, he struggled to grasp the nature of the Divine. But not because he wasn’t intelligent, only because he didn’t bother to.

I don’t know how he missed Him. All of creation speaks to the intricate design of the Creator, but if you don’t look you can’t see it. Edison and so many in his day, never looked. I never knew the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park until I went there and hiked the trails. I’d been hiking before. I’d been to Colorado before. But I couldn’t imagine how majestic it all was because I didn’t bother to visit. I didn’t even know such a place existed.

Too many people don’t know the goodness and person of God because they never look for Him. Like Edison they’re buried in their own work, hoping to find fulfillment. They’ll find a level of worth and enjoyment in creating legacy. In time they’ll even get to enjoy some of rewards of their efforts. But then what? King Solomon reminds us that seeking to be complete only leaves us with an empty hole.  

^“For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?”(12)

In other words live for something other than the emptiness of work and legacy because it’s not enough. We can’t change our design. It’s a short season so don’t waste it on vain pursuits. They won’t benefit you in the next age. Only God can do that.

Gratitude Fills the Gap

 

Life isn’t fair.

 It’s a simple lesson that keeps repeating like an Aerosmith song on any classic rock station. We’d like to forget but it’s one of those phrases parents like to say when you whine about your brother getting new basketball shoes. “Where are my new shoes?” comes the retort. The answer is always the same, life isn’t fair. Some parents try to explain how it’s perfectly reasonable that your brother got shoes and you didn’t.

 Or they’ll help you with an anecdote about that time that you got to go to Six Flags and he didn’t. This is the parental version of offsets. It’s a losing battle to try to argue with a kid over fairness. They’ll always come up with a scenario you hadn’t considered.

 “I only got to go to Six Flags for one day, my brother went with friends for a whole weekend!”

Now you’re stuck. You have to come back with yet another time when the seesaw tilted toward the unloved soul. Smart parents just say the magic phrase “Life isn’t Fair” unless they’re pressed for time. In that case “tough” will suffice.

 Every day reminds us of the uneven nature of genes, money and intellect.

The gym is full of body builders with 2% body fat and girlfriends that model swimsuits. Customers where I work drive up in Mercedes sedans and wear Breitling watches. They live in wealthy neighborhoods with theater rooms and security fencing around the perimeter.

They take 3 vacations every year and have homes around the country, even one in France. There are people with more talent and connections in every area of life. Ever get passed over for a job or a loose out on a stock pick? Life is full of continual reminders of our short comings, most of them pure chance. Either through talent, connections, circumstances or money, opportunities pass us by consistently.

But because unfairness is so universal it’s possible to see your circumstance, whatever it might be, as significantly better than another person’s. I’ll call this reverse comparison. Instead of complaining about not being able to afford golf course fees, compare with someone who can’t afford clubs. This takes a lot of practice, like uh. . . golf. We’re wired to set ourselves and our families up. Nothing is wrong with that. We work and save and spend on those closest to us. But making a habit of reverse comparison is a hugely beneficial skill that will create lifelong gratitude.

Start simple. Are you healthy? Can you afford to buy your own groceries? Do you have a place to sleep, eat and drink? Can you walk under your own power, or run? Are you mentally sharp and capable of learning? These probably seem a little silly. I’m just listing the most basic functions of human existence and telling you to be grateful for them. But when you see people who need constant medical care, good health feels more important. Cars are essential when don’t have one, as are regular housing and consistent work.

I had to start this in my life after an important sermon on gratitude. The pastor went around the room and asked us what we were grateful for. I was near the back of the room so I had time to contemplate my answer. I can’t say for sure why I went with good health as the central marker of gratitude. It’s always stuck with me though. When I get depressed or feel less than, I remind myself that I’m healthy and strong. It’s enough to shift the focus from lack to abundance. My attitude changes after that and I start to list (mentally) the blessings I have through comparison.  

My favorite statistic of last year is from Dave Ramsey’s massive (10,000 participant) survey on millionaires. The good news “79% of millionaires did not receive any inheritance from their parents or other family members”. Why is that important to my otherwise cheery grateful do-good attitude? Because it’s easy to get caught up thinking that the deck is stacked against us. Be it talent or money the rich keep increasing while we eat ramen noodles and beg for a chance. In America at least it’s just not true.

There will always be Michael Bloomberg types with generational money and a powerful empire. But there will also be lost fortunes and corrupt players like Bernie Madoff to remind us that wealth and fame are fleeting. But the ultra-rich, the famous and the connected can’t keep you from enjoying life or making your own money. So if you must compare, reverse compare. You’ll make it a habit and gratitude will slowly fill the gaps where life isn’t fair.

Cobra Kai's Fatherless Universe

 Cobra Kai's Fatherhood Theme Makes it Universally Appealing

How did This Happen?

Cobra Kai just released its 4^th season of a show that’s done better than it probably sounded on paper. I’ve become an unexpected fan of the series that feels like it’s geared to much younger kids. Originally I thought this was the brainchild of Ralph Macchio hoping to capitalize on a hit from years ago.  I tried to imagine Ralph (Daniel LaRusso) from The Karate Kid trying to sell this remake to a studio executive.

Machio: “Daniel and Johnny are still rivals see? And they each start their own dojos because they hate each other”.

Executive: “Yeah. . . they’re adults now right? So what’s the rivalry about, that was like 30 years ago?”

Machio: “But Johnny never got over it and wants another shot at the man who defeated him in the 1984 All Valley Tournament. He still remembers the humiliation. Daniel is a success because of it and Johnny is a looser, stuck in the 80s”

Executive: shaking his head in disbelief “You mean the tournament put Daniel on a path to success and destroyed Johnny at the same time? We’re talking about karate? A kid’s sport?”

Machio: “Exactly”

What is the theme?

But in TV the biggest shows are often silly, don’t forget Knight Rider the talking/jumping Trans Am with personality. Actually Ralph Macchio wasn’t interested at first, but the creators convinced him to try a series from Johnny’s point of view. YouTube made the initial offer and then parted ways after the second season. Netflix picked it up in the third season which is when I started watching. A quick look at fan reviews from the first season show how popular it was from the beginning.

The fight scenes have improved since then as various characters and story arcs expand far beyond the original rivalry.

But like Disney’s mega hit The Karate Kid, the appeal of this saga is in the universality of fatherhood. How do the characters relate to their fathers? What does the absence of a father do to a kid? Who fills the void? From the two primary characters Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and their missing fathers to their respective mentors, they navigate conflict in different ways.

Both have kids of their own, even though Johnny’s relationship with his son is nonexistent. Daniel teaches his daughter, and others, in the ways of his late Sensei Mr. Miyagi. Fathers help us with identity. Both men continue their mentors' version of fighting through their persistent rivalry.

How did it start?

Despite being an unemployed Coors sipping brawler, Johnny Lawrence finds his purpose when neighbor Miguel asks him for training lessons after seeing him in a fight. Johnny’s only frame of reference for discipline is the old dojo (Cobra Kai) he trained at as a kid. So he reopens the storefront and begins training kids in the “Strike First” mentality his mentors encouraged. 

His nemesis is the successful, well-adjusted Daniel LaRusso who bested him 30 years ago in the All Valley Karate Tournament. LaRusso who owns a string of car dealerships in the area, actively works to shut down Cobra Kai, seeing it as a blight on the respectful version of karate he was taught. But he shifts tactics and starts his own dojo after failing to stop Johnny Lawrence.

The first season sees both men, LaRusso and Lawrence, teaching kids their radically different methods but finding areas of cooperation in fits and starts. An uneasy truce develops as the successive seasons move forward. Old characters from the original movie come onto the scene with their own issues and back stories. I’m trying not to spoil any of the story lines.

Kids crave structure and discipline, martial arts provides that in the Sensei. But they’re as different as dads too, each one seeing the world through formidable experiences, failures and successes. 

What is the background?   

No need to have watched the original 1984 movie either. Characters from The Karate Kid II and the The Karate Kid III pop up and fill out the roster of new story lines. It’s not difficult to catch up though. The series flashes back to scenes from the original movies frequently.  

You’ll have to suspend disbelief that kids can have a karate brawl that would make Bruce Lee wish he’d worked harder. Anyone who has seen a fight between two kids, two people of any ability, knows that the kicks and punches don’t usually hit their target. But it’s still fun to watch and that’s the point.

I’m taking on faith the idea that karate and martial arts are a big deal to kids in Southern California. As a lifelong Midwesterner the idea that a yearly tournament in the valley could be so important is hard to believe. But then again youth football in Texas and Oklahoma is almost a sacred right of passage. So maybe youth karate as a similar marker of fame isn’t such a stretch.

Season 5 is already in the works.