The past year has put the spotlight on an embarrassing number of otherwise sane and thoughtful folks who've been unduly influenced beyond their logical capacity for reason. Their behaviors reflect those of people who've been exploited and manipulated by fear-mongering ideologues, political spinmeisters and polarizing media. And, they walk among us. As friends, family members, elected officials, media commentators and community colleagues. And occasionally we might even catch a glimpse of a complicit face in the mirror. Some of these behaviors and actions might be humorous, but in total they're dangerous.

These are folks who are scared to death of clowns, the NRA and Hillary. I call this phenomenon the "Keyser Soze Effect." Let's examine and consider how we might at least moderate the extremes by encouraging these fellow citizens to Slow Down, Pay Attention, Be Informed and Act Accordingly. First, some frames of reference.

A seasoned politico coined the "Politician's Law." Stated thusly, "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time. And those are pretty good odds."

A friend who couldn't leave FDR's quote alone, says, "We have nothing to be afraid of, but afraid of itself.

.....Kevin Spacey image from "The Usual Suspects".....

Now back to Keyser Soze. In the movie "The Usual Suspects," Kevin Spacey's character Verbal Kint invoked the name of Keyser Soze whenever he wanted to scare the daylights out of friend or foe. Kint claimed to be associated with the infamous (to the underworld) and profoundly evil Soze to strike fear in the hearts and minds of those he wanted to intimidate. You see where I'm going with this. There was no real Keyser Soze, but the legend, myth and mention often achieved the desired results. Sort of like the fear of clowns, the NRA and Hillary. Let's examine The "Keyser Soze Effect." And the principle of proportional response. Then think, act and influence accordingly.

First, Let's Send In, Then Send Out The Clowns

In recent weeks, a couple of bad actors have perpetrated some criminal activity while dressed as clowns. Then, predictably, some copycat pranksters and school kids saw how easy it is to wreak havoc with clown-related phone call threats, social media posts and flash appearances. (Ahh, the good old days, when we just harmlessly streaked the neighborhoods!) Schools have been placed in lockdown and numerous hours and taxpayer dollars have been expended on first responder efforts. Clown-costumed characters have struck fear in many community settings.

These activities need to be dealt with aggressively to nip this nonsense in the bud and dissuade the copycats from perpetuating their mischief. It would be unfortunate if this takes a couple of vigilante homeowners and citizens to exercise an armed response to send out the clowns. We have much more serious concerns than to let this clowning around sap too much communal energy. Not worthy of a "Keyser Soze" terrorized-by-fear response.

Now, Some Perspective About The NRA

As I've often mentioned, I've been a multiple gun owner since before I was a teenager. I grew up in West Texas where most families had guns. I was an NRA member and learned from them about gun safety through various levels of scouting. A positive influence. Many other peers of certain generations got involved with the NRA through such relationships.

Fast forward to today, where the NRA has evolved into a fear-mongering gun lobby that has convinced otherwise rational gun owners that there can be no gun regulations of any sort, that ANY such regulation would open the doors to government confiscation. That all types of weapons and magazines should be legal, that background checks must be strictly limited. That the CDC must not research the impact of guns on our national health. Total fear-based nonsense.

The NRA has bullied, misled and silenced too many politicos through lavish financial support. They were an honorable organization for decades. But over time became arrogant and paranoid and overplayed their hand. They bluffed us in recent years, but now we're calling their bluff. The statistics mount by the day on gun violence in this country relative to most any other country in the world. An increasing number of gun owners are realizing they've been victims of their own gullibility. And politicos, their greed. The dramatic increase in mass shootings, numbers of assault weapons with high-capacity magazines, and guns in unstable hands present a compelling case that can't be denied. This irrational "Keyser Soze" fear of the NRA is rapidly unraveling. We each can work with our elected officials to achieve responsible gun regulation. As a gun owner, I'll welcome such a rational communal response.

And Finally, The Fear of Hillary

This is almost the scariest of all. I'm astounded how many well-educated, otherwise thoughtful folks, friends and family go apoplectic at just the mention of Hillary and Bill Clinton. It's embarrassing to watch these behaviors from folks who ought to know better. Who would know better if they were better informed. I'd ask those who are so disposed to take some deep breaths and hear me out. I'll be brief.

First, you'll remember that psychologists tell us we have to hear things repeated 5 to 7 times for it to be indelible in our minds. The Clintons have been in politics for over thirty years. They've been vetted, investigated, written about and reported on more than most any living politicos. He was impeached, she's had political defeats and they're both still standing. They've been investigated by the FBI and other agencies and still push ahead. Republican operatives have spent years denouncing the Clintons and perpetuating conspiracy theories. The "lying and untrustworthy" Hillary descriptives are born of these efforts. Especially hypocritical since Trump has been adjudged to be the most lying candidate in recent history.

The Clintons are flawed individuals and flawed politicos. But they've achieved considerably in the public arena due to their smarts, tenacity and political savvy. Hillary is not Bill and has considerable accomplishment of her own. The "Keyser Soze" fear of Hillary comes from years of unproven conspiracy theories, strategically promoted innuendos and opposition research. She makes mistakes, stretches the truth as do all politicos, and has picked up many detractors over decades in public office. And, it appears she'll be our next President. There are many reasons for this circumstance. Not conspiracies.

I'm an Independent. But I'm a political pragmatist and Hillary is my only rational choice in this election. She's also probably the best qualified candidate to ever run for this office. And I'm not about to waste my vote on a third party protest. At my age, I'm trying to moderate stress and only worry about things that matter and over which I have some influence. Thus, my sympathies for those who suffer the irrational "Keyser Soze" responses to issues. I try to think carefully about proportional response. I believe ratcheting back from hyper-ventilation to "Mosey" will prove healthier and more productive.

A Mosey Close

The majority can be wrong. And taking minority positions is often laudable and important for thoughtful civil discourse. However, in the spirit of "Keyser Soze" and beating a dead horse, the die-hard "Worst. President. Ever." Obama critics (when he's becoming one of the Most. Popular. Presidents. Ever.) and the "anyone but Hillary" critics should revisit their biases by questioning their sources and realizing the fallibility of that friend in the mirror. I have to do that often. A little humility serves us well. LET'S MOSEY!...And VOTE!