Californication 2022
I lived for a while in Oregon as a young man and remember the saying “Don’t Californicate Oregon,” which reflected a concern among Oregonians of being overrun and overcome by crazy people and ideas from California. These fears proved well-founded, and Oregon has been Californicated many times. The completely fornicated city of Portland has become a de facto member of the Golden state.
California’s fornicating ways began with the hippies and the counterculture of the 60s, California fostered a culture of craziness, wackiness, and Self-Worship. Make love not war; turn on, tune in, drop out; live for sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
In his youth, the Wise Guy fancied himself a hippie. Never a fan of the Vietnam War and like all young men a believer in Love, Make Love not War seemed practical and realistic. Life has cured him of his naivete. He has grown up. Many people in California have not grown up and continue to proclaim the hippie way. Some hipsters became professors in universities across the country and have poisoned the minds of thousands of young people. They really are counterculture, meaning counter Western Civilization culture.
California recently publicized its fornicating ways by proclaiming its support for abortion by prominently placing billboards in seven states that are Sanctuaries for the Unborn, including the Wise Guy’s home state of Indiana. These billboards encourage women to come to California for an abortion if it’s not available in their state. The billboard in the Hoosier state reads “Indiana does not own your body. You Do. Learn more at abortion.ca.gov.” Mississippi and Oklahoma received special treatment. Their billboards including a Biblical passage, “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these. Mark 12:31) This proves once again the truth that the devil himself can quote Scripture.
Not only does the Golden State support the holocaust of the unborn, but Gov. Newsom beams with pride when discussing it. He’s proud as a peacock of his Abortion Gospel and his citizens support his wicked, wacky leadership,
California has also become a fornicating fortress for the LGBT movement, including the sexual mutilation of the young. The L’s, and the G’s and the B’s have made great progress in America in the last 50 years, culminating with the Supreme Court ruling in Obergfell in 2015 that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right. Now the T’s have strode boldly onto the stage proclaiming their right to be that which they are not. Many have bought into this Suspension of Disbelief; a psychological disorder has become fact. As if snuffing out the unborn were not enough, California has become an enthusiastic supporter of the transgender movement, including the sexual mutilation of minors with gender dysphoria. Gov. Newsom recently signed a law making California a “sanctuary” state for this mutilation. Just like its abortion legislation, it encourages people from other more restrictive states to come to California for their mutilation.
Some may agree with the Wise Guy’s analysis but ask, so what? Who cares about the California fornicators? It doesn’t affect me and my state. The Wise Guy submits this view is wrong and naïve. The abortion billboards and a thousand other less public actions demonstrate that California is actively working to expand its Zone of Fornication.
Why is California such a formidable fornicator? It starts with money. California has the highest GDP of any state. If it were a country, it would have the 5th highest GDP in the world. It is the most populous state and in addition to being a haven for hipsters, the homeless, and the addicted, it is chock full of smart people with money and dormant consciences.
Sometimes we must remind ourselves of the obvious: money talks. Loudly. Always has, always will.
And remember these smart, rich people control the tech, social media, and movie industries. This is a scary, powerful combination. Intelligence and money without Wisdom threaten the True and Good in the rest of America. Some argue that people with the most education also possess the most Wisdom. But the example of Germany in the 1930s proves this is false. Germany was the best educated country in Europe in the 30s when it fell under Adolf Hitler’s spell. Talent and education provide no immunization against evil.
A quote from the Lord sheds light on education and Wisdom:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.” (Mt 11:25-26)
By “these things” the Lord means living in the Truth of the Kingdom of God.
What is a Wise Person to do to avoid being Californicated?
The Catholic Wise Guy offers only his personal example to avoid being Californicated.
I will battle California when it seeks to fornicate my home state. I will not travel to California. I will no longer purchase vegetables from California (this might not be much of a sacrifice). I will boycott new Hollywood movies. I will minimize my use of social media. In time, I may wean myself off it.
Until French wines come down in price or the quality of Oregon wines improves, the Catholic Wise Guy cannot give up California wine. I know I should make this sacrifice for the cause of Wisdom but am too weak. I admit my weakness as I commend the Golden State for its wine.
I pray the wine is not Californicating me and raise my glass to all those who resist Californication.