Guns, religion, and patriotism go together. Some men and women are bothered by that trio being mixed together.

Like the topic of abortion, the topic of guns is going to end-up with answers many won't like. When it comes to guns, let the men have their guns. When it comes to abortions, let the women have their abortions. Then men and women could call it a draw.

As Archie Bunker would say about Meathead. "The lefties left three hundred thousand guns behind in Afghanistan, and Meathead is telling me to give up my guns!"

Each time there are murders by guns, a parade of gun laws are brought up to be passed. Yet, these laws won't stop determined killers. Laws won't stop guns by bad guys. Because of determined killers, how to tame gun usage is discouraging and unknowable.

The way to stop determined killers hasn't been developed so far. I do anticipate creative remedies to surface toward making adjustments to the gun problem.

There is no lasting fix for the gun problem. Some problems can't find a satisfactory solution; such as drug usage and abortion. Gun killings are impossible to solve and stop. We do hope the gun problem can find improvements.

When there is no solution to a social problem, such as the complex gun, drug, and abortion problems, what do we do? Americans should decide to go with the best with what the Constitution offers or go with what the majority of the population wants. If there is a third option, let me know.

It's true that conservative men are against abortion until their girlfriends and mistresses get pregnant. It's also true, when someone is againt guns, and someone saves his or her life, then guns are good for protection. So, guns and abortions depend on the circumstances. There is not a solution which covers all situations.

Unfortunately, for the United States of America, if the Second Amendment is to be kept in place, there is a price to be paid. The Second Amendment is an uncomfortable truth that is one reason America works.

Liberal folks support gun control. Yet, in recent years, liberal politicians don't support crime control.

We are often called racist when we dare to criticize radical Islamists for the actions of a few of their lunatics. But we are encouraged to criticize legal gun owners for the actions of a few lunatics.

When some people make spiritual progress, they aquire a belief that they no longer need to use weapons to protect the people of a land or themselves. All they need is spiritual protection. Each to his own belief-system, but the feeling of not being on the defense is an incorrect Bible conclusion.

The Bible says that spiritual things are foolishness to the nonbeliever. (See 1st. Corinthians 2:14) Let's not be foolish, too. If you take away all the guns from citizens, only bad guys will own guns, and the bad actors will terrify anybody.

There is a Pollyanna belief that when people become spiritual, they have to give up any fight or flight instincts in themselves. For example, the Amish, the Baha'i, the Brethern, the Jehovah Witness, and the Mennonite religions won't participate in the military in their own lands based on their spiritual beliefs. They aren't alone.

In the Skih religion, the men are commanded to carry a dagger. Sikhs are believers of protection.

In modern Israel, a wall being built for its security, and citizens walking around with weapons, is interpreted as aggressive by Israel's neighbors and by some leaders in the United Nations. The alternative would be worse: No wall, less weapons, more casualties. Look what murders took place on October 7th., 2023 when neighbors of Israel broke through Israel's wall.

An example of weapons and walls used in the Bible is the account of the Prophet Nehemiah. Nehemiah was commissioned by the King to build a wall of protection around Jerusalem. The enemies of Israel said that Jerusalem was safe without a wall. Nehemiah knew better and ordered all his carpenters and workman to have a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other hand readied for enemy attacks. The wall was built and protected Jerusalem. (The Book of Nehemiah, chapters 1 - 6)

In Jesus' day, there were no guns. There were swords. For self-defense against bad people attacking you for your unacceptable beliefs, Jesus said the following: He "said to them, 'From this hour, whoever has a money bag should take it and thus also a wallet, and whoever lacks a sword, let him sell his tunic and buy a sword for himself." (Luke 22:36, Aramaic Bible in Plain English) You may remember the disciple Peter pulling out a sword to defend Jesus from being arrested.

If we could get away from believing extremist positions of either too many guns or strict gun control, is it possible to find a common-sense middle ground on this hotbed issue? Like it or not, guns are an important topic for the protection of a people. Weapons were so important an issue that the founders of the United States wrote a Second Amendment to the Constitution to protect gun ownership.

Some gun resisters argue the Second Amendment was written during the war with England before there was a United States.

In 2008, President Obama said small town Americans in Pennsylvania and the Midwest are easily fooled. These small town folks "cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them." If we drop the word antipathy, we are left with the negative slant that there are Americans who are crazy because they hold to their guns and religion.

President Obama has an example to back up his claim. A New York State church, Grace Baptist Church, at its revival meetings gives away guns as prizes. An AR15 is one of the prizes. Guess what the grand prize is for July 2nd., 2023? One lucky person will win a flamethrower!

In contrast, I have wondered if there is a city in the United States where gun control has reduced the number of shootings? I don't think there is such a city. Criminals don't care about gun control.

Can we make the so-called crazy Americans who believe in guns and religion into a positive instead of a negative? Yes. Other Presidents have said "Peace through strength" and "Trust but verify." These statements are closer to a positive middle ground for having "guns and religion" work together in a protective context.

When we look closely at killers, we may realize, “It’s not about gun control. It’s about shooter control.” As the joke goes, "Criminals follow gun laws like politicians follow oaths of office."

"Watch" is what Jesus advised us to do about unknown futures. Part of praying is to watch out for danger. Jesus said, "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36)

The Prophet Samuel prayed for people who were confused over who should govern them. Should government be by man or by God? Samuel said, "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right." (1st. Samuel 12:23)

Gun control and gun patrol can work together. We just have to have less extremist views and find some common-sense middle ground. The truck that killed people in Nice, France was the weapon used. Should we write truck control laws or outlaw trucks? No. A sick mentality drove that truck. A sick mentality is responsible for murders by guns and rifles.

A recent theory is a percentage of young men have become anti-social by default. They play video games in virtual reality too many hours a day. They have little human contact and don't believe they have a satisfying future. When they do have human contact, it is for some of them frustrating to get along or to interact comfortably with fellow humans. Some trigger happens and young men go ballistic.

[The writers of the United States Constitution had no idea that a machine gun would be invented in 1884. The Las Vegas massacre is a wakeup call that there are types of military weapons and add-ons which need regulation. Something in that Vegas killer responded to being radicalized. What was the triggering premise in him eludes police investigators. That he was a millionaire and a successful gambler has also thrown people off guard. When I was brought up, the man who lived in the house behind us was a professional gambler. He raised his family by gambling.]

Reality: The world is violent.

Insanity: All we need is gun control.

Can we decide on a compromise which exists somewhere on the reality and insanity scale? Yes. We have to get hold of a compromising idea that invokes the Constitution with its specification for a "well-regulated" use of weapons.

There is a trick, a high-trick, which could change gun abuse. The trigger mechanisms should only respond to the finger prints of the legal owners of a gun. At the very least, children couldn't use thier parent's guns in school shootings anymore.

Gun triggers that only respond to the finger print of an owner is a creative approach to gun control. The guns are called "smart guns."

American Icon, John Wayne, said, "Gun control requires concentration and a steady hand." That sounds like a hint of compromise in its double meaning.

Bill Sweet

Spindrift Research

Actress, Shirley MacLaine, is known for her psychic intuitions. In 2011, MacLaine suggested for the presidency, "Wouldn't you want to see Donald Trump and Jesse Ventura running together?" For the POTUS spot, she was right.

In 2012, comedian Joan Rivers told an interviewer that Donald Trump should be the President of the country.

Donald Trump may be the first candidate and President of the United States driven by paranormal intuition. Here's why: Trump has shared characteristics simpatico with the "Trickster" and psychic intuition.

What is Trickster behavior? It's the unseen use of chaos, tricks, disruption, and unpredictability that disobey normal rules of accomplishing goals. Among observers, there is disbelief that any goals can be accomplished in the frenzied chaos created by Trickster behavior. Despite the chaos, somehow some goals are achieved. Even many 'believers' are surprised goals are accomplished.

A leader whose decisions and negotiations are unpredictable keep his enemies on their toes guessing and fretting what the leader might do.

From experience and or intuition, a Trickster personality is equipped to uncover the activities of the underbelly of society which could also include who actually runs the country. Most people hear that said and think it’s a crazy conspiracy theory.

What is psychic intuition? Psychic intuition provides unconscious foresight to know helpful information that intuitively fills some potholes in the road before driving over them. A majority of people don't perceive and worry about the same potholes until much later after they personally hit the potholes. Being alert to intuition usually helps a person avoid suffering and shorten a learning curve.

Experts on Trump are called Trumped Specialists. I wager they don't consider his Trickster and psychic overtones. These experts should add to their understanding that Trump is a psychic bully.

Some characteristics of people who are deeply involved in psychic intuitions are these: They get the Trickster mixed into their daily routines. In other words, several non-normal activities are engrained into their lives. They may hold down a normal job, but their thinking is not in the average center of society's thinking. Their thinking is liminal (on the dark fringes of society) where most people don't choose to go or think.

In the television series, House M.D., Dr. Gregory House is a Trickster character. Why does Dr. House get away with being devious, obscene, liminal, undiplomatic, adolescent, obnoxious, uninhibited, impulsive, uncontrollable, erratic, narcissistic, and shifting positions? The doctors and administrators know Dr. House has smarts that can deal unconventionally with medical problems they can't solve without his help. His behavior revolts them until they discover he has saved yet another patient.

Dr. House and Donald Trump are doctors with bad bedside manners. But they address problems in undiplomatic ways others miss or are afraid to address because of consequences and etiquette.

That Donald Trump has no filter between his mind and mouth works to his advantage, but it's also a weakness.

Many Tricksters tell lies. When the lies catch up with them, a Trickster's 'charisma' diffuses the lies quite well, but not always. During the time of lying, being devious, and shifting positions, in the chaos, phenomenal creativity and work get accomplished.

Tricksters are often refreshing to see in action using their skills versus having things done the same old boring way. Critics who shout, "Orange man bad!," have not hurt Trump too much. The phrase has backfired and helps Trump's image somehow.

Tricksters tend to flex their muscles to achieve goals. In the Showtime cable series Billions, the hedge fund manager, Bobby Axelrod, and the United States Attorney, Chuck Rhoades, are cunning and narcissistic Trickster characters. Axelrod, Rhoades, House M.D., and Donald Trump flex their muscles and act like mob bosses. Sometimes leaders have to be bullies because they deal with bullies.

Critics and admirers discover charismatic Trickster people are moving targets they can't anticipate or figure out.

The 1999 film mystery thriller Eyes Wide Shut is an example of the Trickster operating secretly in the underbelly of society unknown to the rest of society.

How is it many Trickster and paranormal people get away with doing things that so-called normal people can't get away with doing? It's because attraction to their charisma gives them high-status, a status which excuses bad behaviors, but not forever.

For example, in the Bible charismatic King David had high-status as King of Judah and Israel. King David was effective as a leader 'despite' being vulgar sometimes or when stealing a man's wife and having the husband murdered.

Years before King David, there was his ancestor, Jacob. Jacob was a Trickster who conned people. Later, Jacob used his charm for good. Through his fourth son, Judah, the Davidic lineage ascended to the Messiah.

The audience for Sirius Radio's Howard Stern Show anticipates Stern to broadcast taboo questions and unmentionable sexual Trickster messages.

Liminal and flamboyant thinker, Milo Yiannopoulos, is an entertaining and disruptive Trickster personality.

Few would deny that charismatic entertainer Michael Jackson was a genius. His private life was infected with the Trickster element of pedophilia.

Woody Allen has almost everyone convinced he acted perverted with two of his daughters. Allen's cinematic power and wealth have compartmentalized most fans to continue to support his art but sidestep his pedophilia.

Most people cheer on charismatic Tiger Woods to win golf tournaments even though he was a serial adulterer.

Overall, Trickster and paranormal personalities tend to express an entertainment value. In the role of a jester or comedian, a Trickster personality can bluntly and inelegantly say good or bad things other people dare not say out loud, but secretly wish they could say out loud. Both punch lines and counter punches come forth with ease. For example, eyes pop open when Donald Trump speaks like a construction worker. In construction terms, Trump is a wrecking ball.

Get into a conversation with a paranormal person, and you will soon jump down several rabbit holes until someone says, "Wait! Did I really hear you say that bizarre thing?"

Tricksters, conspirators, and paranormalists provoke dramas. Paranormal people tend to be obsessed with the concept of conspiracy; Trump and his wall to protect the western world, for example. They think anyone who doesn't accept their positions is part of a plan to attack them. "It's a conspiracy." And sometimes they may be right about that. People are out to get them. For example, Trump and his ninety-one lawfares.

Tricksters are easily provoked and disruptive to the established order. They point out and cause anger when corporations and politicians make decisions before country such as the wall.

Few of us are able to literally "speak our minds." Most people can't or won't speak their minds. People either think a thought that doesn't come out verbally the way it was thought subconsciously, or their etiquette and defense mechanisms prevent them from saying what's really on their minds. Just about everything said is edited; evaluated for its social acceptability or its political correctness before it is spoken.

In contrast to the norm, paranormal and Trickster people often speak their minds. They speak openly without being stopped by inhibitions from their subconscious minds. This freedom to speak openly is a "loose cannon" that sometimes gets them in trouble for saying inappropriate words similar to a child who blurts out whatever comes to mind. Sometimes shy and guarded people secretly wish they could speak that way.

Some paranormal people's freedom of thought almost makes them anti-social for saying things that pop out with little or no editing. Sometimes this uninhibited, unedited speech brands them as anti-social or societal rejects. Only a person with extreme charisma can get away with this kind of loose communication, but not forever.

Just as psychics draw upon their unconscious thoughts leading to their intuitions, Tricksters tend to speak out spontaneously. For example, Trump and his impetuous tweets.

When thinking too much about what to say, psychics lose their mojo (spontaneity). The same spontaneity has to occur for comedic wit. Waiting too long discharges the comedic effect.

A skill of a Trickster is, he can operate in chaos. A Trickster personality doesn’t necessarily solve problems through harmony; on the contrary, he prefers to be a disruptor and stir things up.

People complain the businessman, Trump, is "unfit" for the office. The definition of fit is "suitable for the purpose or circumstances." Yet, if we don't have a President who is a businessman, we are doomed.

Would you agree these above characteristics are Donald Trump's characteristics? We should ask for a President who thinks outside the box. We may get a President who thinks way-out in the outer limits.

In summary, if you are searching for an explanation of The Donald, here's one:

Trump has Trickster Attraction. The premise of Trump is nothing-normal. So what is left for us to see? Overstatement of representations, conspiracy depictions, raw retorts, cheeky and paranormal thinking. Maybe the times cry out for such disruptive thinking in government. The outcome is, disruptive thinking keeps government workers and world leaders on their toes.

[Since the presidency of Trump, anti-Trumpers have experienced PTSD; Post Trump Stress Disorder.

Readers ask me what is my speculation for a 2024 presidential candidate? Michelle Obama drafted at the Democrat Convention.]

Bill Sweet

Spindrift Research

Write to Bill: sweet@spindriftresearch.org