October 17, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, October 17, 2020 In plot against Whitmer, ‘militia’ has Opinion Page “ElkCituNews become a loaded word Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 By Peter Bhatia Arguably the framers of guard to describe an armed Late last week, Gov. Whit- The passage of time Detroit Free Press Militias are in the news group of people. They may the Constitution didn’t an- ticipate the military of today. be using the term to convey mer weighed in with her own tweet: “They are not after last week’s events in And it is easy to see how gun authority they do not have. ‘militias.’ They’re domestic can be measured in Michigan. Members of the “Wolverine Watchmen” rights and militias get inter- twined. “Be specific, and use phrases to describe who terrorists endangering and intimidating their fellow our vehicles were among those arrested in the plot to kidnap Gov. But the use of “militia” to describe the men ac- they are: armed men, armed men and women, etc. If the Americans. Words matter.” Gretchen Whitmer. cused Oct. 8 in an alleged terms appear in the name of Journalists are passionate By Don Munsch, Editor Merriam-Webster lists this plot against Michigan Gov. a group, they may be used about the First Amendment At some point in the conversation during many of our as its third definition of mili- Gretchen Whitmer seems in the name with a descrip- and the protections therein. phone chats from years past, my father, a car guy who tia: a private group of armed out of date. tion of the group. If militia We will defend the right of died earlier this year, would ask the question. individuals that operates as Militias, according to all or guard appears in a quote, ‘Americans to say what they “How’s your car running?” he would say. a paramilitary force and is the reporting I have read it may be used in the quote.” think about the issues of the Thaven’t driven many clunkers in my life - thank good- typically motivated by a po- over the last several years, It’s interesting that the day. That is certainly being ness. So most of the time my car, at whatever point my litical or religious ideology come in various sizes and FBI used the word “militia” thoroughly exercised in the dad and I had that conversation, was running OK. (specifically: such a group shapes. Some are just guys in documents supporting the current political atmosphere. But I have driven a ton of miles on cars at the many that aims to defend individu- roaming around the woods arrest of the plotters. I don’t But advocacy of violence places where I lived and worked. It’s just the nature of al rights against government shooting their rifles. All have think any of us should un- authority that is perceived as a distrust of government and derestimate the threat some crosses the line. That runs the beast that you're going to drive a lot if you work fora oppressive). authority, and a few pursue of these groups represent to counter to everything Amer- newspaper, and that’s especially true if you cover sports, Discussion of militias in- that distrust to violent ex- our democracy. ican democracy is about. because many assignments will take you out of town. evitably gets caught up in tremes. But McCarter is right, and The plot described in the As a sports fan, I sometimes can mark the passage of the never-ending debate The Southern Poverty Law we will avoid the term “mi- FBI affidavit is a blueprint time by recalling sports seasons. Ask me how one of my about the Second Amend- Center last year identified litias” going forward. for terror. And we will de- teams did in a certain year, and I’ll remember something, ment to the Constitution, 576 “extreme anti-govern- The men taken into custo- scribe those accused of most of the time specific, such as that team making the which states: A well regu- ment groups” in the country, dy are innocent until proven conspiring to kidnap the playoffs or playing in a Super Bowl or World Series or lated Militia, being neces- including 181 self-styled guilty. But the crimes they governor as what they are: whatever. sary to the security of a free militias, several of them in stand accused of are acts of Same with cars. Ask me what I drove in, say, 2008 and State, the right of the people Michigan. terror, not military valor. We suspected domestic terror- ists. I can tell you the make, model and color. But I’m not al- to keep and bear Arms, shall Late last week, our USA should not be confused just not be infringed. TODAY Network standards because the alleged perpe- Peter Bhatia is the Editor together perfect in that regard. More on that in a moment. of the Free Press. Contact But my purpose here is editor, Michael McCarter, trators claim to be motivated Over the past weekend, I bid adios to my Ford Focus not to discuss gun rights, but sent out this guidance: by patriotism, anti-fascism, him at pbhatia@gannett. and said hello to a new Ford Fusion. I drove the Focus for rather the word militia. “Avoid the terms militia or or any other ideology. com. five years. Time to move on, for various reasons. Buy from your independent bookstore My relationship with Ford goes back to the late 1980s. The first Ford I bought was a 1988'% Ford Escort. It was red in color and I like to think of it as my Little Red Es- cort, which is not to be confused with “Little Red Cor- vette,” one of Prince’s hit songs from the 1980s. And one now - or you may never be able to again of my favorite songs from Prince, incidentally. ByAllison K. Hill the other 1,745 independent some 20% of those surveyed hope. On a good day, I con- T can recall a lot of stuff from that Escort purchase, in- Los Angeles Times bookstores that we support may not survive until Janu- template all the things I’m cluding — obviously — the dealership (Ted Arendale Ford On the side of Vroman’s across the country are heart- ary 2021. grateful for, but like all of us in Arlington) but also the name of the salesman. Some Bookstore in Pasadena, Cal- beats of their communities. This statistic mirrors the there is so much that I miss people just make an impression on you. ifornia, is a mural of a redThey are run by individu- Small Business Majority’s from my pre-COVID-19 My Little Red Escort proved durable. I drove that car and black typewriter with a als who love books and are survey results from Au- life, particularly browsing several years, through my college years in Hurst, Texas, painted piece of paper bear- known for their community gust. The group found that, the bustling aisles of my fa- and Missouri and then my first newspaper job. And then ing the words, “I will forev- support, customer service without additional fund- vorite bookstores. The Vro- I transferred ownership to my sister, who drove it in her er be in love with you. And and curation. Recommenda- ing, 26% of small-business man’s announcement was a latter high school days. She thinks she drove it until the that’s not fiction.” tions are made by booksell- owners across the United jolting reminder that on the late 90s or even around 2000. When I commissioned this ers, not algorithms; displays States may not survive past other side of the crisis we I didn’t drive a Ford for around a decade then, as I piece in November 2019 as are inspired by individuals, the next three months, and will have lost many of the tooled around in a Plymouth Sundance for a few years the store’s CEO, it didn’t not corporate planograms. nearly 44% say they may be things we take for granted. before driving an import that I purchased from an Ama- seem far-fetched to think In my new job I witness unable to survive another six With this realization rillo dealership. I couldn’t even recall what the make and that Vroman’s, a Pasadena ona daily basis what it takes months. comes an opportunity for model was of that car— my brother tells me it was a Maz- literary institution since for indies to do this in an If these businesses close, action: Now is the time to da — although I do remember driving it to Colorado when 1894, would be around, if industry not known for its COVID-19 will be listed create the post-COVID-19 I vacationed there. not forever, then for a very financial robustness. As the as the cause of death, but world we want to live in. Some cars just don’t make an impression on you, I long time. joke goes: “How do you the preexisting condition In the same way that our guess. But that import acquitted itself quite well on the Now the store has said it make a small fortune in the for many will be Amazon, votes in the upcoming elec- drive down from the mountains. may not make it through the book business? Start with a whose packages have be- tion will shape our country’s Speaking of mountains ... year. large fortune.” Independent come ubiquitous in apart- future, where we spend our I traded in that import in 2004 and bought a Ford Fo- Anyone who has wan- booksellers are creative, re- ment building lobbies and cus, which I liked so much I drove to Colorado not long dered Vroman’s two stories sourceful, hard-working and on porches across the US. money in these final days of 2020 will determine the after purchasing it so I could drive it to the summit of of curated books and gifts, resilient, and they’ve needed Amazon has been boxing out communities we find our- Pikes Peak. I got that idea from a television commercial. caught up with a friend there to be during the pandemic. local bookstores and other selves in come 2021. Tf that vehicle could conquer that 14,000-foot mountain, for coffee or wine, or met Since March, many in- small businesses all across it would earn my respect. And it did. BTW: Driving to the a favorite author at a book dependent bookstores have the country, resulting in the Shopping local now will summit is not for the faint of heart, as there are no guard- signing, knows the shop’s found themselves having to loss of local jobs, local sales ensure that the places you rails. At least there weren’t when I made that journey all value to the community. But depend on e-commerce and tax revenue and a sense of love, like the corner book- those years ago. And if you ever go, make sure you have a the COVID-19 pandemic forced to pivot to curbside neighborhood _ personality, store where you met your full tank of gas. The signs will remind you of this. has dealt it - and many other pickup. They’ve had to re- community and tradition. partner, taught your child to The next three vehicles I owned were Focuses. You beloved independent book- place live events with vir- People may not realize the read or discovered the book can’t say I haven’t been loyal. stores across the United tual ones and enforce social cost and consequences of that changed your life, will Unfortunately, the Focus went out of production in the States - an unexpected blow. distancing, if their stores are Amazon’s “convenience” still be there in the new year. US. in 2018, as sales for that vehicle declined. A story I left Vroman’s in Feb- open at all. A July American until it’s too late. Allison K. Hill is the CEO from Automotive News in May 2018 said Ford reportedly ruary to become CEO of Booksellers’ — Association The COVID-19 crisis has of the American Booksellers was losing $800 million a year from selling small cars in American Booksellers Asso- been heartbreaking on so Association and the former survey of 400 member stores North America. ciation. It’s a dream job for found that many have seen many levels. People have CEO of Vroman’s Bookstore Well, so far the Fusion is running OK. My dad would be me; I love bookstores and sharp sales declines over last lost loved ones, jobs and in Pasadena and Book Soup happy to know that. I know that Vroman’s and year, and results suggest that businesses. People have lost in West Hollywood. Support freelancers to revive the post-pandemic economy By Brent Messenger ery three companies plans Before the coronavirus out- ties about the future, many downs. Freelancers can step to these benefits long after More than 50 million to utilize more independent break, the 5.8 million free- companies need cost-ef- in and provide those servic- COVID-19 abates would Americans have filed unem- contractors to meet their lancers in the top 30 U.S. fective ways to fulfill their es. make the new freelance ployment claims since the changing needs, according markets contributed roughly business needs. Freelancers’ Our country’s economic economy less precarious. start of the COVID-19 pan- to research firm Gartner. $150 billion to the economy. flexibility and skillsets make revival is linked to the suc- An economy supported by demic. And business bank- Freelancers are _ helping In those regions, the number them well-equipped to meet cess of these workers. It’s independent workers also muptcies are expected to rise drive the economy’s recov- of freelancers grew by 15 that demand. time for lawmakers to ac- requires reforms to the na- knowledge _ freelancers’ nearly 50 percent this year. ery - and they'll continue percent between 2012 and Consider a small business value by including them in tion’s healthcare system, This economic turmoil to boost the economy long 2017. trying to expand their online safety net programs. Policymakers can ensure is pushing both business- after the pandemic ends. It’s COVID-19 has acceler- presence. It doesn’t make They can start by making the rise in freelancing leads es and workers towards a time for lawmakers to sup- ated this shift towards a free- sense for a bookstore or res- unemployment benefits for to a vibrant economic recov- greater reliance on freelanc- port this growing share of lance-centric economy. taurant to pay someone full- freelance workers perma- ery - by giving freelancers ing. Americans are increas- the workforce by providing Forty percent of freelanc- time to put together a single nent. Congress temporar- the basic security they de- ingly turning to these flex- freelancers with the same ers said their workloads have website. Most small firms ily extended these benefits serve. ible jobs and choosing to protections that salaried em- either remained consistent or don’t need a full-fledged to freelancers through the Brent Messenger is vice become their own bosses, ployees have long enjoyed. increased. Over half predict- marketing department ei- Pandemic Unemployment president of public policy & rather than search for a tra- Freelancers are already ed that demand will increase ther - but they do need help Assistance (PUA) program, community engagement at ditional 9 to 5 in a soft la- an indispensable and grow- following COVID-19. regaining customers after which will expire at the end Fiverr. This piece originally bor market. And one in ev- ing part of our labor force. And given the uncertain- months of closures and lock- of the year. Ensuring access ran in Fox Business.