watching the parade

 The last day of September, three fourths of the year gone. 2019 has been quite the year so far, political turmoil has to be the best description. One debate after another. Well, not really debate, just a bunch of accusations followed by name calling. Surely next year will be better, at least it should be clearer, after all it'll be 2020! ( drum roll ) But we have to get through the last quarter of this year first. It'll happen, there is no stopping time, but there are those that would like to change that. More troubling perhaps is the realization that some people believe they can. Some of this stuff coming from the left is proof enough of that. According to some of those on the left we gained about 54 genders and some are neutral! That's right, they have decided that there gender is, I don't have a gender! Whatever.
 I heard there is some support for the idea of moving Halloween to a more convenient day. I don't know how that got overlooked during the Uniform holiday act of '68. Oh that's right, it wouldn't create a three day weekend so it was of no concern. But now we have decided it would just be more convenient to have it always on a Saturday night, I think that is the proposal. Of course, in most areas these days few children go door to door, a little bit risky to do that. They still do here in Greensboro but that's changing slowly. I wonder if the great grandkids will do that? Maybe, and they may be the last generation to do so. Then they will be able to tell the tales of the old days. You know like when I wore those plastic masks, that inhibited your vision, costumes that weren't flame retardant, and accepted homemade cookies and candy apples for strangers. Yes, and we ate those! Didn't even take the candy to be x-rayed either! Well, I guess it won't change the holiday any, to change the date. It's just like anything else, what you get used to.
 It won't be much longer though and the holidays will dominate. It'll be all about parties and gift buying. At least Thanksgiving is in a fixed position. Of course there will be much discussion about that whole scenario. The truth must be told! And this time the truth must be told from the side of the Natives! I'm certain all of us of European descent will be appropriately contrite. We should pay reparations to somebody, that's for sure. Following that we can continue on to Christmas. The ultimate display of buying power! The religious aspect of the holiday must be removed from all public spaces, so as not to offend. But, we certainly won't allow that to interfere in commerce! Oh no, that's full speed ahead.
 Well, I've been rambling on a bit and not saying much. It's alright I am just wondering where the times goes. Looking back and remembering all the things that have happened. Often, for me, it isn't the big major news events that I reflect upon, it's the small things. It seems to me I notice the end more than the beginning. Perhaps that is why I write these blogs in the first place. I have a desire to record the passing of the parade. More importantly to me is not what is happening, but what did happen. The only issue being, when you are at the end of the parade you may step into something! It is the something I often notice and write about. Well, just like a child watching a parade, it does draw your attention. And as Forest Gump put it, " it happens. "
 So we will enter the last part of the year with the big story being impeaching the President. An inquiry will be launched. Nothing new about that, the Democrats have attempted to impeach every Republican president since Eisenhower. And that is, since my birth. I'll be watching and I'll most likely step into something before its' over. One thing I've heard already is this; the whistleblower will testify but no one will know who he/she is! That's correct the Democrats are soliciting testimony from a person that has already admitted there information is second hand, hearsay, and this person will remain anonymous. Remember the unknown comic from the Gong song? This will be the same thing, the unknown whistleblower! Of course I am aware that this persons identity is a very valuable piece of information. It'll be revealed sooner or later. Too much money to be made to leave it otherwise.
 Strike up the band and let the parade begin. I'll be watching.
    

It's there

 I usually try to express whatever thought is on my mind and this morning is no exception. It is just that sometimes it is hard to find that one thing. There is quite a bit of clutter up there, just like the attic in my home. It is useful, good stuff, too good to be discarded but not being used at the moment. Then you have to stumble over that stuff to get to what you are looking for. You know it's there, somewhere. And that is the process I went through this morning. And here is what I found, " Discover what is unique to you, and you will find fulfillment. " That is what I found lying in the corner, covered in cobwebs. Now it is time to bring it into the light and examine it closer. Will it stand up to the test of the light?
 Now I suppose you could call that thought a self help thing. It sounds like something you would read in one of those books. I haven't read any of those books cover to cover, or been inspired by any of them. I think that is because I believe happiness and fulfillment comes from within, not from without. Certainly we can all agree that other people often get in the way of what we want. We allow that for as many reasons as we allow ourselves " exceptions " to the rules. You know what I mean by that don't you? Of course you do. It is those things that we don't share, those things that aren't hurting anyone else, which justifies doing them. We can all agree that it is the acknowledgement, by other people, that gives us a sense of satisfaction, a sense of success.
 Is success the measure of fulfillment? What I mean is do others have to validate whatever it is you are doing in order to be considered a success? Now that is true if you are creating something to be enjoyed by others. That only seems logical to me. If you are painting a picture, writing a book or playing music, those sorts of things. If no one else enjoys them, you are not successful. Well we will add unless you are doing those things strictly for yourself that is. If you exclude everyone else you are a success. Question is, does that fulfill you? Does that give you inner peace and contentment? If it does that's great but how often is that the truth? I suspect it isn't often because all of those things must be compared and evaluated against others. Is there any other way? No I don't think there is.
 My thought is, discover what is unique to you and you will find fulfillment. That premise requires you to believe that you have something unique. Do each of us have something unique to offer? Well therein lies the problem doesn't it? What is unique to the rest of the world? All the great people in the world are compared against one another. Isn't that how greatness is measured? So, is that unique? You would have to say no, just better or worse than. My thought then is telling me to find what is unique to me! It's a distinction that can easily be confused. Whatever is unique to me has no comparison. One of a kind, that's unique. Unlike anyone else or any one thing, unique. Is there anything unique about me? No, I haven't found that yet, if it exists at all. Does that mean I can never be fulfilled? I don't think so, I just need to keep looking. It's there somewhere, in the attic.
 

only in pictures

 And so I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when my wife asks a simple question. The ships you were on in the Navy are all retired now aren't they? I answer, yes, I believe they are. So now , my interest kindled I do a bit of research. I find that not only are all those ships retired, they have all been sold and scrapped. The last one was scrapped over a decade ago. That's right, over ten years ago.
 The first ship I was stationed on was the USS Pawcatuck AO-108. It was the only naval vessel to ever carry that name. She was sold to Bay Bridge Enterprises in 2005. Seems a bit ironic because I frequently drive across the Bay Bridge, although I don't know if there is a connection there or not. Following the Pawcatuck I went to the USS Puget Sound AD-38. She survived the longest having been scrapped in 2009.
 My next ship is particularly sobering as I was a member of the commissioning crew. I was there when she was being constructed. The ship was fairly close to completion by the time I was assigned. The Navy sends the crew to be trained in the new systems on board and to assist in final outfitting. On the 28th of June in 1980, she was commissioned the USS Yellowstone AD-41. She was the second ship to carry that name and the first in her class. By 1999 she was being scrapped, I had only been retired for six years.
 My last ship, the USS Nitro AE-23 made it to the scrap yard in 2008. I made my final mediterranean cruise on that ship. I went to the Arabian gulf with her. Desert shield/Desert storm. Sailed through the straits of Hurmuz, went to Diego Garcia. Decommissioned in 1995 I saw her once berthed in Philadelphia, with the rest of the reserve ships. In July of 2008 she was towed to Brownsville Texas and cut into scraps.
 All four ships are just pictures in a history book now. It's rather sad to think about. I had some good times on those ships, along with the long boring hours spent on watch. I can see the faces of my shipmates, even recall a few names. I have very few photographs, it wasn't something I did often. At the time I never thought I would like to look back, I was too busy looking ahead. Yeah I thought I was pretty old, pretty grown up. All the good stuff has to be in the future. Then I get to the future, only to look at the past. Life is ironic that way. It's not that I don't have anything to look forward too, I certainly do, it's just that I kinda miss the past; sometimes. Like when I realize all those ships that are very much alive to me, are in fact, scrap. I recently found out that my childhood home is taking that same path, it'll soon be scrap wood, if it isn't already. Out with the old, in with the new.
 Remember the USS Yellowstone AD-38, the ship I commissioned? Naval tradition  made me a plank owner of that ship. The tradition is, if you commissioned the ship you are entitled to a " plank " of that ship when it is decommissioned. It's just a tradition and I have never heard of anyone actually getting a plank, although I expect had I went to the scrapyard, Plank Owner certificate in hand, I could have obtained a small piece. At least I like to think that would be the case. Anyway, I wasn't a plank owner of my childhood home, the home was built before my birth. I was a plank owner of the fireplace however! I was there and I did help in its' construction. And I have, in my possession a brick ( plank ) from that fireplace! It was mailed to me by the current owner of the property. So I'll have a piece of home, always. Of those ships all I have are memories and a few faded photographs. I suppose everything has its' time. It's just the natural order of things. The worlds in the past are nice places to visit, I wouldn't want to live there. Well, I already did, so. I have a few pictures that hopefully will survive past my time. Just like those ships, I'll be retired one day. I hope I'm not sold for scrap though.
    

Goodbye Joe

 And so now we are worried about the whistleblower. At least the Democrats are worried about the whistleblower. Personally I'm not concerned at all. I'll tell you why. This person that is reporting what the Democrats would have you believe are high crimes and misdemeanors, admitted that it is all hearsay. I'm no lawyer, that much is certain, but I do know hearsay is not allowed in criminal cases. For that reason I can't see any criminal proceedings going forward based on that. Sure seems plain enough to me, and as I said, I'm certainly no legal expert. But the matter has been turned over to the FBI for investigation. As far as I'm concerned the whistleblower testimony is invalid. Is it credible? Sure it is. What does it mean when you ask if something is credible? It means believable and that's all it means. It doesn't mean it is true. No different than someone saying to you, I have this blog that disparages Barack Obama. Is it credible that Ben Reichart wrote that? You would have to answer, yes, that's credible, it's even likely, probable, could have, might have and possible. Does that make it true? No, not necessarily. It's credible though. Kinda like pleading the fifth. Am I guilty? No, I'm just not going to say anything.
 So now throughout the fall, and I'm certain into the winter, we will have another investigation. The Democrats are like a dog on a bone, they will keep chewing at it. The problem is, there is no marrow to this bone. It's my opinion this going to do more harm to the Democratic campaign than good. Joe Biden will have to step out of the race. That he and his son are involved in dealing with Ukraine is undeniable. Whether or not anything is improper is another question, but the sole fact remains, they are implicated. The old saying, two can play at this game, applies. Now President Trump having released a transcript of his call, something arguably he didn't have to do, surely opens the door. Now if the Republicans begin asking for conversations Biden had as vice-president with various foreign leaders, how do you deny that? It will be a bit of a sticky wicket. The Democrats are all too aware of Biden and his off the cuff remarks, statements and foo-pahs. There is certainly a gold mine in those conversations should one wish to mine them.
 My biggest question in all of this has to be, where are the ones that witnessed this first hand? Why did none of them, blow the whistle? Why would you just tell someone else about this but not file a complaint yourself? Could it be that this is nothing but water cooler talk? Or do certain parties need more time to line up the proper " witnesses " to offer testimony? Now if this whistleblower, by his/her own admission has no first hand knowledge of this, why didn't they? Could it be that this person is not supposed to have access to the presidents confidential conversations with foreign leaders? And if that is so just who is leaking this information to whom? Now that's a concern, wouldn't you say? Or are we now going to say it's a Snowden! It's fine to leak national security secrets if you have good intentions! But I'm supposed to believe that as many as a dozen people witnessed these high crimes and misdemeanors but chose to let someone else report it?
 Okay so we now have a reason to begin an impeachment inquiry. Why, because the Democrats love to use that word, impeachment. The more often they can say impeachment the better they feel. It tells me that they are quite insecure in their ability to win the general election. Regardless of anything else they are aware that the markets are up, significantly, the economy is booming. They are well aware that it all comes down to money in the end. The wealthy, the prosperous, the people starting to see an improvement in their finances, are not going to vote that away! They are well aware of who actually votes. Oh you can try to drum up some votes with empty promises to the minorities, to the downtrodden, underprivileged and marginalized members of society if you can convince them that they are all of those things. That's why you keep telling them they are. But you will save them! Problem is, it doesn't really work when it comes right down to election day. Another problem is the Democrats are running out of  Demographics to exploit. That's why they have started in with this climate change narrative, reparations, gender identity, and all that stuff. Present issues that you know you can not legislate, but promise to legislate them. Same tactic as all socialist governments employ. Yeah, equitable distribution of assets. With those in Government deciding what is equitable. Here's a hint, it isn't 50/50 between government and everyone else. Don't worry the government will tell you how much you need.
 Will the Democrats succeed in removing President Trump from office? History shows us that is very unlikely. Will they impeach him? Absolutely because that is all that is important. The reasoning being the Democratic leadership honestly believes the American voting public doesn't know what impeachment is. They will do nothing to change that perception, in fact, they will continue to mislead the general public in hopes of swaying that vote. Their entire campaign is now going to hinge upon that. Impeach! Yeah, go ahead and investigate, I don't have an issue with that. Goodbye Joe, its' been real.   

the code

 I cut the grass for what may be the last time this year. That's just fine. It isn't a chore I really enjoy just something that needs doing. Most towns even have a law about that. Well at least a code that will penalize you should you fail to maintain your yard. A function of government? Certainly the reason is simply because it can effect others pocket books. Real estate value can be negatively effected. Can't have that. But the chore is done and now there are the leaves to deal with. Truth is, I seldom rake leaves, just let them blow in the wind. There isn't a code about that, yet. There are rules about burning them however. I haven't read that code but am aware of its' existence. There are many codes that I haven't read. Interesting isn't it that towns, villages, counties, states and even the federal government have codes. So what is the difference between a code and a law? Not much is the short answer.  A code is a law that has been codified. Laws are simply what we call common law, based in precedent decided by a judge or judicial system. Yeoh, it's all lawyer talk and double talk. A fine distinction but one that can be useful on occasion. Codes are civil law, not criminal law. Like I said, a lawyer thing. Oh what does it mean to codify something? It means to arrange in order, as in writing a code to live by. Yes, we all need a code to live by.
 You could say codes deal with ethics. They usually delineate those actions felt to be a matter of ethical behavior. You should cut your grass because it devalues the neighborhood if you don't. You can't play loud music after ten o'clock. Those type of things. A matter of ethics. The rub comes in when we recognize this: " History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics. Vested interests have never divested themselves unless there was sufficient force to compel them. " ( B.R. Ambedkar ) Yes codes are pesky things aren't they? Always getting in the way of a good time. In what can only be viewed as the greatest irony of all, we establish codes, to establish ethics, ethics that are financially beneficial, not necessarily ethical at all. Irritating to say the least. But what choice do we have? If not for the code we have anarchy. Which is great if you are the anarchist, not so much if you are not. Also great if you are recipient of the monetary benefit.
 Well anyway, the grass is cut and there has been no breach of ethics. I have been a good citizen. It likes a weight lifted off my back. Citizenship takes effort my friends. To live by a code takes perseverance, self denial, and sacrifice. Still it is a necessity. The only issue being who writes the code. Do we get to write our own code or must we adopt another's? Therein lies the crux of the matter. Do you Pledge Allegiance or just accept what is beneficial to you? A mercenary lifestyle? I don't know, but you better cut the grass!  

exceptions

 The ten commandments. They are the ten things we should do. The rest of the book tells us some of the things we shouldn't do, although a comprehensive list is not provided. Therein lies the problem, man has been provided with an out. The argument being, it doesn't specifically say I shouldn't, therefore, I can. With that thought the whole thing began. At first we ( christians ) had the disciples telling us what Jesus said. It was all just word of mouth, well except for the old testament. The old testament had been written specifically for the Jewish people. The old testament tells of the coming of Jesus, a few hundred times, although the Jewish people are still waiting for him. We Christians of course believing in his birth and presence here on earth. The only point being, the old and new testaments are subject to interpretation, that's the out. Those ten commandments are pretty clear in their meaning. Interesting to note is that in the old testament there are actually 613 " laws " that the faithful Jewish person is supposed to follow. I'm no scholar of Judaism, perhaps some of you are, but I'm thinking that list has been shortened considerably. There are denominations, if that is the correct term, of Jews as well as Christians. Each group has slightly altered the law, to suit a purpose. Just what that purpose is I will leave to you to speculate.
 Now all of that concerns the Jews and Christians of the world. The other major group in the world is the Muslims. There religion is called Islam. They have their own book the Quran. Now you can argue about it but from what I have read it is basically a rewrite of the old testament Bible. The stories are pretty much the same. The main differences being when Mohamed included at least 109 verses declaring violence against the non-believers. That's the big difference really and the one that bothers me. If you don't believe in Allah and refuse to convert, they should kill you! Well, unless you are useful as a slave for labor or sex. Then you may be spared, for a while anyway. I have read a number of those verses and they are pretty clear to me, although some Muslims seem to have a different interpretation of just what they mean. Some Muslims would have me believe that they don't have to believe that portion of their Holy Quran at all, it's optional, as long as you believe in Mohamed. Leaves me a little confused. I haven't heard of any parts of the Bible that are optional.
 I have no idea about Hindus, Buddhists, or the Shinto religion. I wonder if they make exceptions to their laws. I would expect that they don't. But whatever it is they believe I also expect it has been altered over the centuries. That is what I'm talking about here. The changing of the practice of religion over time. Man has always sought a more, shall we say, permissive God. It makes no difference what God you are talking about. Many cultures assigned different Gods for different things. I wonder if the thought process was, it takes a majority to condemn you. You know, that way I could displease this God but I could still satisfy another, kinda even the score. I don't know but it's a theory. The thing is obeying the law. Isn't that what Gods are all about, having you obey! Usually it is only one God but the Greeks had a bunch of them, as did other ancients. Must have been confusing.
 The golden rule. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Mathew said that followed by, for this sums up the law and the prophets. I looked up what prophets he was talking about and they were Isiah, Micah and Hosea. They are all old testament prophets. I agree with Mathew, it does sum it all up. If we all just treated each other the way we want to be treated there wouldn't be an issue. But we make exceptions. It began when Adam ate that apple. Did you know if they had waited, Adam and Eve, for just three years they could have eaten that apple without consequence? Yeah, but they couldn't wait. Then, later on God gave us the Ten commandments, we haven't been able to follow them either. You know I'm thinking that the golden rule was the first rule given to man by God. We all know it, we all agree it is the best way, no one disputes that. Then we began to make exceptions. Exceptions are granted to gain an advantage. In order to follow the golden rule we would all have to be equal. But we're not, we are all special. Isn't that right? That's the exception. 

Sapience

 Among friends we should be comfortable enough to say what is on our minds. I think maybe that is where this whole social media thing is going off track. Too many of us believing others to be friends when in fact they are not. I am aware that some folks on here have friends lists numbering in the thousands. I don't believe it is possible to maintain a friendship with thousands, friendships do require your attention. I was surprised to learn that my own friends list numbers over three hundred. I'm not sure how that happened. I looked down the list and many on there I haven't had any contact with in a while. But I guess it is called a friends list for want of a better term. I mean, people I will speak to is a bit awkward. An acquaintance list would limit you to only those you are acquainted with. I did notice you can choose from some categories. Close friends and family are two of them. If I selected those I wouldn't have many people to interact with. Well there are those with large circles and ones with dots. I have a dot! It is also all I want. I do prefer quality to quantity. I've never been one much for crowds, makes it harder to watch your back if you know what I mean.
 I have never been one to placate others. Those that do tend to annoy me. I want to know what you really think. I don't have an issue with that, after all, its' your opinion and you're entitled to that. It is my decision whether to agree with it or not. Seldom will I change my opinion once offered. There is a simple reason for that, it's what I believe. It goes back to placating. I don't like it as I don't feel it is genuine. I have long known that if you talk to people long enough, sooner or later you'll say something they don't like. I understand that it might hurt their feelings, or go against something they believe, but that isn't why I say it. I say it to share my thoughts and feelings. It's called interaction. It's what friends do. It is what makes acquaintances become friends, when they get to know each other. Or, those that think alike, if you prefer to think of it that way. The old birds of a feather adage. Yes, I'd say there is a lot of truth in that. Human nature. Man is a part of the animal kingdom as well. And in many ways no different. We really don't like those that are different from us in some fashion. It's inherent to our nature.
 What I'm thinking about is interpersonal relationships. That's the fancy way of saying that. I am questioning just how personal you can get on social media. I'm thinking without the body language, without the ability to read the others expressions, we are easily misled. The sincerity of what the other person is saying is measured by those things. There is something to say for continuity as well. It is at this point another old adage comes into play. Oh what a tangled web we weave. Even when we write it down it is hard to remember everything, unless it is the truth.
 I wonder if the availability of " friends " on this medium called social media is what drives some to act the way they do. Like children in a candy store, they are grabbing for everything. Then feeding upon that they wind up sick! Never blaming themselves, they blame the " candy. "
 True friendship ought never to conceal the truth. ( St, Jerome )

the little kids

 Just before Christmas, last year, my sister lost her battle with cancer. Now understand, she never lost her battle with life, she remained victorious to the end. She lives yet in my heart and my dreams. It's difficult to accept that reality at times as I'm sure it is for everyone that has lost a loved one. I still reach for the phone every now and again, wanting to make that connection. Ah, but there are no phones in heaven; you know maybe we could learn something from that. I'll set that phone down and say what I had on my mind, silently. It's true that she doesn't always answer, doesn't mean however that she isn't listening. And that was the secret to my conversations with my sister. She always knew when to speak and when to listen. It's a trait I'm afraid I didn't inherit. Perhaps it is part of the, being a Mom thing, that knowledge. If anyone needs that quality it would be a Mom.
 We spent many years apart, my sister and I, busy with life and the living of it. Careers and choices having taken us in separate directions. In retrospect I believe that is just the way it was supposed to be. When we are younger, our passions run a bit hotter, and emotions can surface at anytime. We have yet to learn the lesson of restraint. Is it maturity? That's a term applied to describe that knowledge gained over the years. I think of it more as a tempering. The base material is the same, it has just been seasoned. In our later years we reconnected and we were ready for that. We began to journey together once again, just as we had as children. We did grow up together, my sister and I. As children we spent many hours playing together. Our brothers being older they seldom played with the " little " kids. And that is what we were called, the little kids. If Mom wanted us she would say, the little kids. We were always the little kids.
 I miss those conversations with my sister. It was then we would journey back in time together. Two people with first hand accounts. It is always interesting to hear another first hand account of a time and place you are sure you know. Interesting to hear that it isn't the way you thought or remembered it to be. That would happen with us occasionally. Well the little kids weren't told everything. My sister was older than I and so privy to some information I was not. That isn't to say I didn't harbor some secrets as well. I would share those little tidbits as they arose in our conversations. I would call it context. The reason something was, wasn't always what you thought it to be. I'm thinking about those things we call little white lies. Yes they are less than truthful but the intent is good, to spare hurt to another. And, being family, we did share family secrets. You know, those little tidbits of information you gained about a brother, cousin or another. That information they wished no one knew. Gossip? No, it isn't gossip if you talking about your family, it's only gossip if you are talking about outsiders. I'd say it was confiding, which is a different action altogether. Confiding in another is a positive action.  My sister was my confidant!
 As much as I miss her I do think we had all the time together we were intended to have. I can't recall a time when we had harsh words exchanged between us. She just accepted me as her brother and she is my sister. There was no drama between us. I'd say we shared the drama of life almost as detached observers. She listened to my problems and I hers. Suggestions were made, encouragement offered, and information shared. We were a team. The little kids all grown up. She is listening still and occasionally answers. I just need to learn to listen better. When we were little kids she tried to tell me, I didn't listen. I guess some things just never change. 

teaching

 Seldom do the things we learn change what we were taught. And I am concerned with what we are teaching our children today. It seems to me we are abandoning the things we were taught in favor of something else, something selfish. As we teach our children that life itself is a choice and any choice you make is the correct one, for you. I am concerned with that, the removal of standards, of expectations and responsibility. Just what is the lesson? That is what I worry about. Just what are we teaching? 

 All new knowledge, new learning,  has to pass through the filter of what we have already been taught. Some will maintain a very fine filter while others are more open. Those items caught in the filter will form our character. It is a delicate balance, no doubt about it. Like all filters it can stifle the flow as well as cleanse the medium passing through it.  The challenge has always been to establish the proper balance, What is that filter being made of today? I'd say it was an awfully coarse filter, allowing all manner of debris through. It is that debris that will be passed to the next generation. And that is the paradox in this. We recognize what is good and bad and filter out what we think is bad, clinging to the good. Then having done that we tend to pass the bad to the next generation who then adopt that as good. We sometimes call that progress. Well the ones adopting it call it that anyway. Those of us that have allowed that stuff to pass will deny it altogether. 

 The purpose of a filter is to maintain the pureness of the medium passing through it. Just what are we passing through the filter? Values, that is what we are teaching. The essence of man is his values. What are the things we value the most? Are they what pleases us, or what those values add to the society in which we live? When the founding fathers composed the declaration of independence isn't that what they were declaring? They declared what they felt was the best choice for everyone. The very reason they choose the words they did. They listed the reasons for that choice. Most of us have never fully read that list of grievances, we have focused only on the declaration. " That these united colonies are, and of Right ought to be free and independent states " The grievances listed are what we wanted filtered out. Now many of those grievances are being returned by the very government that wanted them abolished by that declaration. 

 I grow concerned when I see the lessons being taught. You don't have to Pledge Allegiance to the flag if you don't want to, you don't have to show respect for that. Responsibility lies with government, not the individual. Your only responsibility is to yourself, all others take a back seat. We call it self worth and talk about how important that is. We should feel good about ourselves. The way to do that is to please ourselves, is the lesson being taught today. We shouldn't tell anyone else what they can or can not do. In that way we can justify our own choices. Allowing others, allows ourselves, doesn't it? The removal of the filter.

 I don't know I'm just thinking about all of that. The thought came to me that, seldom do the things we learn change what we were taught. I started trying to find a way to express that. We are taught our core values as children. I don't believe many of us abandon those values later in life. We may test them, compare them against others' values, but in the end we seldom change our core values. The thing is, those values do have to be established in the first place. How are they established then? By discipline. That's how they are established. We tend to think of discipline as strictly punishment for wrongdoing. Discipline is actually just training someone to act in the proper fashion. To obey rules or observe a code of conduct. That's discipline. Yeah, punishment is the method of correction. In the Christian tradition that punishment is eternal! The concept is the same, to teach the proper code, to instruct. But what happens when we teach there is no consequence? What happens without discipline. Without self restraint? Without sacrifice? Just what are we teaching?   

showing respect

 I have recently installed an app on my phone to keep me informed on when the flag is to be flown at half staff. It is quite difficult to keep up with that these days. Nationally the President has to order that. Governors, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia, may order it for their state or district. There are other circumstances were an individual flag may be flown at half staff however. The Flag code describes these instances. Interesting to note is that a Governor can not order the flag at half staff for just anyone they please, there are guidelines for that as well. They are authorized to order that for government officials, former government officials and fallen service members from that state. They are not supposed to order it at half staff for any other reason.
 I mention this because yesterday as I drove into Delaware, just a ten minute drive for me, I noticed the flag at half staff. Checking my phone app I discovered it must be a state ordered thing as there was no national order. Whenever I see the flag at half staff I am curious as to why. The majority of the time I haven't a clue. It does seem to me the flag has been spending more time at half staff than at full staff. Maybe it is just a perception. I did attempt to google that but the results weren't very helpful. The majority of the responses just concern when the flag should be at half staff and when it shouldn't. I was looking for numbers. I do think it is more frequent than in years past. I also think it is losing some of its' significance as a result. Like most everything else when it becomes commonplace it's well, common.
 I understand there is no law about any of this. We do have the Flag code and a few Public Laws. A Public Law is made by proclamation of a governor. That is one way to describe it, it concerns the sovereignty of a State, territory or District. The Public Law that is. Anyway my point is there is no law that you can be punished for violating. At least one public law gave the right to the Governor of Michigan to order the flag at half staff for fallen service members. The law gave him the authority. The first amendment protects you from any prosecution for violating the flag code.
 I do tend to get annoyed at those that proclaim their patriotism by desecrating the flag. Whether they are aware of it or not, it happens all the time. In fact I would say it is prevalent throughout our society. The Flag code is quite long but also quite clear, in my opinion. I believe most of us are aware of the major parts. The flag should never touch the ground. It should always be folded and handled with care. The Flag should be replaced when it become soiled or ragged. Proper disposal of the Flag can be accomplished by a dignified burning. Most American Legion posts or VFW's will dispose of your flag for you. It should only be flown at night if properly lighted. I'd say these rules are followed most of the time. But what of all the others? The Flag should never be worn as a piece of clothing, it should not be used for advertisement, it should  not have anything else on it or affixed to it. All American Flags are considered living flags! That is to say they should all be treated with the same respect. It makes no difference if it is a Betsy Ross flag or any other flag since then. A Flag printed on anything is considered a living flag and that's why you shouldn't put it on napkins, paper towels, paper plates and that kind of stuff. It isn't dignified.
 I wonder how we got to this point. I mean when we feel this stuff is optional. Yes you can proclaim your patriotic spirit, while desecrating the flag. And what's more, if I say anything about it I will be met with derision most of the time. I am immediately dismissed as , extreme. I'm being too extreme, too picky, by observing the flag code. Why, I'm being unpatriotic! I will then hear, it isn't a law you know! Yeah, I know. I get it, it interferes with what you wish. Isn't that the real reason? It is almost always the reason we start to make exceptions, because we don't like whatever it is. Makes no difference if it is a code or a law. John Wayne said, " a man has to have a code, a creed to live by, no matter his job. " You can't ignore the code or creed whenever it suits you.
 There is one thing that Europeans notice about America when they come here. It is the proliferation of American Flags. Americans fly more flags than any other nation. It's true, We have them on our houses, our businesses and government buildings. We have them on village greens, cemeteries and parks. Flags are everywhere. Americans proudly fly their flags. And that is a bit of a paradox. We sure like to fly our flag and put it everywhere on everything! Are we showing that flag the proper respect? Most of the time we are not! Of course no one should mention that. don't be extreme. Well you could say it is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. It's not out of hand, yet. I do have to watch it though I wouldn't want to be extreme. I'm not a radical patriot! All things in moderation. The Flag is a living thing, the embodiment of America, of freedom. Don't be disrespectful.   

constantly

 And here we are, the kids are back in school and I woke up to temperatures in the forties. Where did that summer go? The summer of '19 is just about history. We have what, three days left? Fall arrives Monday. The arrival date can be either the 22 or 23 depending upon the year. I just realized that this year. I mean we remember the 21st as the first day of spring and winter, in their respective months, those dates don't change. But fall changes and so does summer. Well, at least I believed that the 21st was the date for spring and fall. I have discovered that is not the truth. Nope, a childhood thing I was taught has been wrong all these years. I wasn't even aware of that. I guess the date of Christmas will be changed next! Is their nothing constant in the universe? The answer is, no, there really is nothing constant in the universe. Einstein uses the speed of light as a constant so I'm sure he would correct me about that. Who could argue with Einstein? So the answer needs to be time, time is constant. Everything else changes in relation to that constant.
 I guess I just haven't been paying attention. I really did believe that the first day of spring was always the 21st of June and the first day of winter on the 21st of Decemember. My granddaughter was born on the 22 of September, the first day of fall, or so I thought. My sons were born on the 21st of December, the first day of winter, or so I thought. Turns out, that changes. Time hasn't changed however, still twenty four hours in a day. Interesting to note is if you look it up you will find that isn't exactly true either. It's a complicated scientific explanation but the length of a day does change. It involves the rotation of the earth, the atmosphere, and the core of the earth. Of course that is measured time, which is not a constant, just the speed of light is constant. Einstein theorized that if we could speed up or slow down light that would be the secret to time travel. Sounds right. Well except for the future, how can you be somewhere that hasn't happened yet? Oh, that's right you be because you sped up time. Would that mean that the same stuff happened, just faster? For that to be so you would have to also say the future, or at least future events, are constant as well. Wouldn't it all have to be predetermined? The out come I mean. Or would speeding things up change the outcome?
 Einstein himself did not believe in a God that you could pray to and have future events altered. When asked about that he replied he believed in natural events. He believed everything could be explained as a natural occurrence. His feeling that there would be a God that would intervene in the affairs of humans, was that it is naïve. He did admit however that his knowledge and all scientific knowledge was incomplete. He stated for that reason it really boils down to a matter of faith. He went on to say that every serious scientist becomes convinced that some spirit is manifest in the universe. A vastly superior spirit to that of man. Is that spirit light? Is that the constant?
 I woke up to a chill in the air. That chill is a reminder of change.  " While everything changes, everything remains the same as well. " ( Aristotle ) Plato countered with, " Everything changes, and nothing remains still. Both of them are pretty deep thinkers. I tend to take Plato's side on this one. Sure Aristotle said everything stays the same, as far as the universe goes it does, but not human interaction. That's why I agree with Plato. Everything is in a constant state of flux. Man can alter that state. Of course one could argue that the constant state of flux remains the same so Aristotle is correct. Well, the times they are a changin' as Bob Dylan pointed out. And now a commercial just came on using that song to sell a college education. Get that degree or you'll sink like a stone is the implication. Indeed, the times they are a changin'. 

trust

 I started several blogs this morning but nothing seems to gel. I do try to say what I'm thinking about every day. This morning I can't focus on just one topic. That's happens every now and again. I did run across an old thought of mine, one I had written down some time back. I find those one liners, retorts, or whatever you wish to call them, sometimes contain a completed thought. What I mean by that is they require no further explanation. They are a distillation of a more complicated thought, a concentrate. Strangely I don't often reach those by concentrating! More often than not, they just come off the cuff, so to speak. They are spoken or written in response. This one was no exception to that.

 Friendship is measured in trust. That is what I wrote and that is what I believe to be the truth of the matter. The more trust I can place in you, the closer the friend you become. Probably the reason we think of our spouses as our best friends. If you can't trust your spouse, unequivocally, you don't have much of a marriage. That's my feeling on that anyway. When trust is broken it is very difficult to repair. The integrity having been comprised it is now, less than. Isn't that what compromise is all about? Settling for something less than what is wanted. A compromise is always something less than. 

 I can't recall what I wrote that in response to. I just jot these things down in a notebook and a journal of sorts. Like the title of this blog, random thoughts and memories. There really is little that is organized about any of this. I can say that I wrote it as an explanation. I was trying to make a thought clear. Friendship is measured in trust. Trust is belief. I believe I can trust you. Trust lost can not be recovered. Once burned, twice shy. It's an old idiom and holds much truth. Even when it becomes difficult to accept, we shouldn't forget. Compromised trust is compromised belief. That is called doubt. Doubt may lead to insecurity, but not always. Sometimes doubt is just an avenue to the truth. You were right after all. You do have to trust your instincts. 

the wild card

 World events. We read about them, hear about them on the news, and get our " expert " opinion from social media. I guess that gives us a leg up on the past, you know, when our parents didn't have that benefit. Many of our parents still don't utilize the social media resources. Well, my Mom just turned ninety and still refuses to use an ATM card. She just seems to have some aversion to that. But I'm getting off track here. I was talking about world events.
 This morning, once again, I hear about the Saudi oil facilities being attacked, allegedly by Iran. Now does any of that sound familiar? It does to me. It's all about the oil. What does Iran hope to accomplish, if it is shown they are responsible? The objective is to keep producing nuclear weapons. You know that the United States and many other countries in the world want to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Of course you do have to keep in mind that the United States and a few others that already have these advanced weapons will not disassemble those. But we don't have to because we would only use them in a responsible fashion. Yes, we can be trusted with the hammer, Iran can not!
 This attack is nothing more than a tactic to forestall any Nuclear deal being negotiated. There are the hard liners in Iran that want no part of that. It also serves Irans' short term economic interests. Their oil is now worth more. Hey, the world will still buy their oil, this little dust up won't deter that. It's also a way to test Trump. Just what will he do? We all know he talks a lot about the might of the United States military. He does like to negotiate from a position of power. Well, that's always the best position to negotiate from and usually the reason folks don't like you so much. That's another topic of discussion however. The Saudis' were attacked and what will Trumps response be?  A big question that needs an answer.  Thing is, the United States has been selling all manner of military equipment to the Saudis. The justification for that has been that the Saudis will be able to defend themselves against aggression by whom? Iran and others in the middle east. The Saudis are old friends of ours. I remember docking in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. That was almost thirty years ago. We have been " thankful " ever since.
 Yes, this is a world event. It is an event that could lead to armed conflict. A war? That depends upon how you wish to define war. Is the exchange of missiles, drone attacks or protecting your airspace a war? What about hijacking ships in your territorial waters? Like always the ones getting shot at, the ones being harmed or sent to serve in foreign places certainly think of it as war. But is it war? I would say yes. It is the newer version of war. It is just as destructive,  it is just that we can isolate that destruction! The larger concern is that it could get out of control. That's why we need to negotiate, ,the objective being that we keep the biggest hammer. The only question remaining,  will we use that hammer? We did so to end WW2. The use of that hammer is still questioned by moral ethicists. Where lives saved or lost? Does it make a difference if you kill en masse or just one at a time? Same theory about these mass shootings today isn't it? Eight or ten people murdered every day in the United States, one at a time, barely a word. Mass murder though, the media is out in full force, protests organized, blame the weapon and take it away from everyone! Well, except for the Government that is, they will only use those guns responsibly.
 So I sit here watching world events and knowing there is nothing I am going to do to stop any of this. All I can do is point out some facts, share some observations, and offer an opinion. What do we do about Iran? Do we attack with shock and awe? It certainly made the Iraquis' retreat. They went straight back home. If we do, guess what, the oil prices will go out of sight. That isn't gong to be a good thing. The Saudis say they have regained half their production back already and will be back to full operation in a month. It was reported that only 5% of the total world production was effected by the attack. Just 5%. Still, I don't know about where you are but here gas went up in price about 15 cents. What happens if say twenty per cent was effected? You have to remember it is all about oil, that's what the deal is. So what to do, what to do? Could any of this be part of a scheme to get rid of Trump? The Iranians would sure like to see him gone and I'm sure other nations would as well. You can't predict just what Trump will do. He's a wild card in this global game. I don't have any answers, all I can do is watch.     

Moving

 My sons neighbor has had her home for sale. The sign is gone now so perhaps it has been sold. Not being one to pry I haven't asked. But yesterday I noticed some items put out for the trash man. Among them is a Santa Claus about four foot tall. I noticed him peeking around the side of the trash can. Another glance showed some other Christmas decorations being discarded as well. There were other boxes of stuff that looked old. It sure looks like she is either cleaning out or moving out. Those are the two scenarios that result in that sort of thing. You know, throwing out Christmas decorations and other stuff that accumulates over the years. It's that stuff that you hesitate before discarding for reasons that are hard to understand. Sometimes it is a sentimental attachment, at others it is the excuse, I may need that again. Whatever the case is we rationalize holding onto that stuff until something happens. In this case it may be moving. Other times the mood just strikes us, we decide to clean out! Decluttering and minimizing. We talk about it a lot more than we do it, kinda like sex. But every once and a while the mood hits and things get done. 

 I have gotten rid of stuff over the years, sentimental stuff. It is always a difficult process for me to go through. I could become a hoarder, given the chance. I do tend to hold onto to things way beyond their usefulness. I don't know how many transformers I have. You know the kind that come with your cell phone or electric devices. I keep putting them away, might need it. I can get rid of those anytime I want to. I'm just holding onto to them for now. But the sentimental things like decorations or stuff the kids made are a different thing. I have to be almost mad to get rid of those. It's an emotional thing. I hear myself saying, throw it out, it's all faded and worn. What are you saving that old thing for? Just throw it away, you haven't even used it in years. I'm certain you know the conversation. Yes, it's a whole thing.

 Anyway, I saw Santa peeking out from behind the trash can and I felt a tinge of sorrow. Christmas is being discarded. I was even tempted to go over there and grab him up. Doesn't seem right to have Santa just standing on the street. But it was more than that, it stirred emotions in me. A sense of sadness. I'm certain Miss Molly, that's the neighbor, doesn't feel that way. I imagine she is feeling excited about the move, well if she did sell her home. That's what it usually takes for me, a greater excitement than the one given by the object in question. In that situation the idea of moving to a new home and making new memories outweighs the old! It must for that Santa Claus decoration anyway. I have an idea why she is doing that. There are reasons I can understand. 

 I feel the same whenever I see things like that happening. When you ride by a home and see Christmas decorations, old pictures, and personal items sitting on the curb as trash. I always wonder why. What has happened to cause this? Are the people just cleaning out, are they moving? And then I think perhaps someone has passed away. Am I seeing an end? Is that what is going to happen to my stuff? Sadly the answer is yes. In the end all of our stuff will be disposed of in some way. We all pray that it is preserved, treasured, and kept by someone. The thing is only the stuff with monetary or sentimental value will be saved. The rest, is out the door! I have some old photographs like that. I know they came from Great Grandfathers house but I don't know who is in the picture. I save them, preserve them as sentimental objects. The truth is they are not sentimental to me just a curiosity. A rather sad fate for a photograph I think. A moment captured turned into a curiosity. Is the moment still captured? No I guess it isn't, the moment has escaped and we are left to wonder. It's rather like that Santa, the magic in him is gone now. Time to move on. Geez, all this because the neighbor is throwing out Christmas decorations. Guess I'm getting sentimental in my old age.  

value

 Being in the service will teach you one thing; you can be replaced. Rather you will be replaced. It comes as no surprise really, we all know that already. The struggle for all of us is to remain relevant. Well relevant, or at least needed for something. It starts in school doesn't it? Those with the best grades rise to the top, a hierarchy is formed. The scholars are followed by the athletes. The athletes enjoy more popularity. I believe that is because we can all participate in sports, so in our minds we stand a chance anyway. You can't get " smarter " by practicing, either you are or you're not! That's the reality of it. After the athletes there is everyone else. All the little sub-groups, the other kids. 

 When I was growing up I stayed with the same kids all throughout my school years. That isn't true for some when their parents move or whatever. Looking back I have to say the hierarchy established in grade school survived pretty much unchanged all the way to graduation day. I suppose that is for a simple reason, the smart kids stayed smart, the athletic remained athletic and the rest of us remained. The dynamic remained unchanged for the most part. Yes there were subtle changes, additions and deletions, but pretty much the same. I believe we all grew used to our roles, accepting our position, believing change would come with graduation. Well, it does. The situation changes, but in my experience we don't, not very much anyway. 

 As I said in the service you quickly learn that you can and will be replaced. It is a constant thing, people coming and going. I can't speak for the other branches but in the Navy three years is about as long as you stay in one place. Well at least that is the way it was for me. You enter the group with a rank on your arm. Think about that, you are ranked from the lowest to the highest. That's how you begin. Often when you advance in rank you are moved to another location. That location may just be a different position in the same command, or a new command altogether. Each time you have to reestablish your position in the group. Yes you are ranked and I may out rank you but that doesn't mean I'm more popular. And no matter what else, popularity controls our happiness for the most part. The reason it has been said, no man is an island, entire of himself. But the meaning of that phrase has changed over the years. John Donne was actually pointing out that each of play an integral role in the universe. We are all part of the whole. Of course that can be taken to mean, we can't exist without the rest, and that is what I'm thinking. We do need the others. The thing to understand is, it really doesn't matter who the others are. You can be replaced. They can be replaced. The fact of the matter is, we will all be replaced sooner or later. 

 All of that leaves us to question our value. Popularity can be a measure of that. I would think if you are a widely popular person, like a celebrity of some kind, you would develop am attitude of indispensable value. I've known a few people that displayed that attitude in their profession. They genuinely believed they were indispensable. I wonder how they felt when it was revealed to them that they are not. I wonder if they ever realized that? I've heard that it is a matter of attitude. I can see that. But the problem is one of support. That's where the popularity part enters the picture. And if not popularity, recognition. I can stand being unpopular, but to go unrecognized is far more difficult. I'm thinking that may part of the reason the military gives " awards. " Morale is an integral part of any fighting force, and recognition is important to that. Consider the popularity of saying. " thank you for your service " that is prevalent now. What is that all about? Extending a measure of recognition is the short answer. It's a lot deeper than that if you give it some thought. 

 After all of this we are left questioning our value. We are not indispensable, but we are integral to the moment. Our value is right now. We are here, in this moment, to accomplish a task. That task may be nothing more than to breathe. The thing is, we should be our best self all the time. That is our value. It's not an easy task and we will all fall short of the mark at times. It's alright. I don't believe we are here for just one purpose, one and done. No, life is a series of moments, a series of actions. We are all a piece of a larger design. Is any one piece more important than the next? No, because if it were, it would be something less. And that is our value, your value, without you, the world would be less. Yes some parts are more visible, more recognized, but all are vital. It's the same as everything else, it's all in the details. Life is in the details. 

what remains

 We all have those little things that bug us. Pet peeves they have been called. They are those things that for one reason or another just rub us the wrong way. Surprising how many of those their really are. You only have to spend a short time on social media to discover plenty of them. Well , you can find plenty of them in television advertisements too. Another one has appeared lately on my Facebook timeline. It's an advertisement for a site that will connect you with other service members. They call themselves VETFRIENDS.com. Now, if you join this, purchase yourself a lifetime membership, they will send you a medal! That's right, a military looking medal. And it is that that bugs me. It's not the same thing as Stolen Valor but strikes me as purchased valor, if there were such a thing. I would think this Veterans group would understand that but apparently they do not! You don't buy your medals at the base exchange! I also question just what veteran would want such a medal? None that I know of, I'd bet on that. No, that just doesn't sit right with me.
 After seeing that advertisement, with the promise of a medal for joining, I did begin to think about my own medals. It's true I did receive one for just joining. It's called the National Defense Medal and is issued to everyone that serves during a time of war. When I joined Vietnam was in full swing and so I was issued one of those. Later, for the Gulf war, I was awarded it for the second time. I picked up a few more over the course of twenty years. They are displayed in a shadow box on my bedroom wall, alongside the ones my father earned in WW2. He earned his and I earned mine, they weren't a free gift for a lifetime membership. I did look at them for the first time in a long while.
 You know how it is. You have these things around the house, mementos or whatever, and after a while you barely notice them. They are just there, a fixture. It is these constants though that bring us contentment. They are like old friends, always there for you even when you fail to visit for great lengths of time. It isn't that you have forgotten, it isn't neglect, it is familiarity. Comfort. But I looked at my medals and had to smile. It's a nice feeling to have them, to pass them to the next generation as a remembrance. I smile because those medals will most likely have as much meaning to those descendants as they do to me. It's a funny thing to try to explain. Only those that have received such medals really understand. We had a saying when I was in the Navy, this medal and 25 cents will get you a cup of coffee. Yeah, that about sums it up. At the same time the medal does hold value for the recipient. That's why I can't understand why anyone would want a free medal for signing up for a lifetime membership!
 I am not a highly decorated veteran. I'd say I was a barely decorated veteran. That doesn't bother me at all as I didn't join the Navy to get medals. Yeah they look good on your uniform, they are symbols of service rendered. I got one for joining during a time of war, one for " good behavior " twelve years running, one for the liberation of Kuwait and another for something else. I don't even remember what it was for. Is that a reflection of its' importance? It is to me anyway. Others look at it not knowing and imagine it was for some heroic deed or act of valor. That isn't always the case and those that never served probably don't understand that. I look at my fathers medals and wonder what they meant to him. He never spoke of them, never displayed them. They were just tucked away, old memories. Old memories and old soldiers, or in my case, old sailors.
 Twenty eight years ago the liberation of Kuwait took place. That happened from the 24th of February through the 28th. February 26th is celebrated as liberation day in Kuwait and I can say I was part of that. It's cool if you think of a foreign country having a national holiday that you helped to create. I was given a medal for that. It is called the Kuwait Liberation medal and was issued in 1992. It is a medal that will never be issued again. There are several versions of the Kuwait Liberation medal and I have the rarest version. It was given by the Saudi government. It was authorized for service in the Gulf War between the 17 of Jan 1991 and the 28th of February 1991. That is what makes it rare. It only covers a short time frame and time can never be recovered. Later the Kuwaiti government issued a version of this medal but it wasn't awarded until after my retirement. No matter, in order of precedence the medal issued by the Saudi government takes precedence. In 2005 President Bush signed the Stolen Valor act providing punishment for unauthorized wearing of certain medals, decorations and awards. The Kuwait Liberation medal is one of them.
 I mention all of this because as I looked at my Dads medals, and my own, I realized that some of those medals will never be issued again. There are some that remain universal, like the National Defense Medal, it is still issued. It was created in 1953, the year I was born, and is the oldest medal. There are decorations older, the purple heart for instance. Yes, there is a difference between medals and decorations. I thought about that and how we tend to view such things. They sure mean a lot more after you have had them for many years than they did when you were first issued them. I think that is something only service members will understand. Funny thing is most of those medals and decorations will be unrecognized by those looking at them. Sometimes even the one it was issued to. But that doesn't matter, that isn't the point. They are there to remind others of services rendered. The old soldiers and sailors will be gone one day, but the medals remain.

My Dads' medals

                                                               My medals. The Kuwait one is lower right. Oh, the one next to it, the one I didn't remember. It was issued for service during Desert Shield/ Desert Storm

revising the past

 I wrote yesterdays post in response to revisionist history. That sure seems to be a popular thing these days. The objective in that revisionist history appears to be entitlement. If we can change history to portray ourselves as somehow cheated, somehow shortchanged , that will entitles us to benefit today! That's the thinking, no matter if the injustice took place as long as 400 years ago. No, I should be compensated for that past, all I need do is connect myself to that past. I can do that any number of ways, The easiest, by far, is to be black in America. Well because if you are black in America you are surely descended from slaves! That's the history that is being taught. It's certainly not the truth, it's not accurate at all. The New York Times would have us believe that every black person in America is descended from one of twenty slaves brought to these shores in 1619.
 Well setting all that aside I received favorable comments overall. I did have one person ask, what's your point? I responded with, no point, just facts for your consideration. That is the truth of it. I wasn't trying to make any particular point, just present the actual facts of history. Now this person didn't respond further so I can only assume that satisfied her question. I hope so. I don't expect everyone to agree with whatever writing and ramblings I present. We are all entitled to our opinion. What we are not entitled to is our own facts. If there was a point to yesterdays exercise that would have to be it. I was just presenting fact. Fact is, it was the United States of America, a nation formed by white Europeans for the most part, that abolished the practice of slavery just 82 years after it became a nation. A fact I feel doesn't receive nearly the recognition that it deserves. Especially so when taken in context. 167 countries still practice slavery today! Yet, the revisionists would have you believe that America began in 1619 with the importation of twenty slaves.
 So I posted the facts and let the chips fall where they may. I believe it is important to know the facts, the truth of the matter. Yes it is true that following the abolishment of slavery the blacks weren't treated as equals. It is true there was much injustice and much prejudice. Laws were passed, laws were repealed. There were protests, justifiably so, that caused change. Programs have been instituted to provide opportunity. In some ways it could be argued entitlements were granted based on race, standards were modified to " level the field " as was so often explained. Were those necessary? Yes, I'd say they were and they were deserved. Have we progressed past that time? I believe we have. I believe you can not march for equality, all the while demanding entitlement! The only way that works is by revising history! There comes a point when you do have to accept responsibility for your own choices, your own actions.
 And in that I see the same people attempting to revise history to suit their agenda, attempting to convince us all we are not responsible. That's why you see the proliferation of such notions as, abortion as an acceptable form of birth control. We are not responsible for the life of anyone until they are born! For that reason we can terminate that life. We bear no responsibility. We can list any number of reason why it isn't our fault. Hey, we wanted to have sex, we can't help that or control that! We can't afford a baby. It's not a good time. And the list goes on. If you are black in America you have little chance of succeeding! It's not your fault, you are black in America!
 What's worse, what is far more insidious, is teaching the children that if you are black and successful you are successful in spite of. That is the message I hear anyway. There are many great black Americans. There has always been great black Americans. Their names live down throughout history for their accomplishments. It has been an underlining current however that they accomplished whatever it was despite the fact they were black. It is insinuated that those accomplishments are somehow better, somehow more difficult to achieve because they were black. Is there truth in that? Yes unfortunately there is some truth , some validity to that statement. It can't be denied that opportunity wasn't always equal. But what is missed there is it was the lack of opportunity that held some back, not the color of their skin. Yes the color of their skin limited their opportunity, but it didn't limit their abilities! Ability creates opportunity! That is what needs to be taught. The evidence is right before us. Just look at history. Consider this. Why was Jackie Robinson signed to a major league baseball contract? It was because of his ability of the field. His talent outweighed the color of his skin. It was a economic decision on the part of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The belief being he would help win games! And make no mistake about it, professional baseball, any professional sport, exists to make money for the owners! Yes, it is for profit. Oh you could say he was hired in spite of being black but the truth is he was hired because of his talent. They could have hired any black person if that was the goal, to have a black player. But no, the goal was to hire the best player(s).
 I know it is a fundamental change in attitude that I am talking about. I know it isn't an easy topic at all. I'm not black in America and therefore have no reference point. I accept that. I am a person though, a person born with white skin. I'm a white guy in America. I'm not rich, famous, or hold any special position in society. Some would say I'm poor, some would say I'm middle class and some would say I'm well to do. It all depends upon the perspective of the person making that judgement. Did my whiteness entitle me to anything? No it didn't but it surely prevented some things. I didn't have to face prejudice because of my skin color. Of course I grew up in the north where I never witnessed segregation. I only saw that in pictures and heard stories of that. I didn't understand any of that because I didn't see any of that. Later on I did see the civil rights movement gain traction. It was a difficult time in America. It's my belief all was done that could be done. No law can change the way people think. You can't make a law banning prejudice and then expect prejudice to just disappear. That is not going to happen. Remember when the Constitution was being written there were those that wanted slavery abolished right then and there, there was opposition to that. It took 82 years for that goal to be law! And remember that is a piece of legislation, not a persons heart!
 Let us not revise history to serve a cause. Let history speak for itself. Yes history is written by the victor there is no denying that. The history of Blacks in America began when America began. The history of Blacks under the British is another story altogether. Do not confuse the two. The United States of America abolished the importation of slaves in 1808. Great Britain abolished slavery 21 years later in 1833, well with some exceptions. Do not forget that just eleven years ago a Black man was elected as President of the United States. Was that in spite of , or because of? Think about that.

Somebody did something

 Once again I saw the New York Times expose claiming America started in 1619 with the arrival of twenty odd slaves. The premise being America was built solely by the efforts of this slave labor. It is just a part of the apologetic stance the Times would have every white person in America assume. Well, because it was the white people that did all of that. It is the white people that have profited and prospered at the expense of African slaves. All white people today should be apologetic, pay reparations and be humble.
 Well, let's review the facts. In 1619 what did eventually become America was nothing more than a British colony. So, one could say the British invasion didn't begin with the Beatles in February of 1964, no the British invaded " America " in 1597 at Roanoke Va. In 1619 these British citizens did purchase slaves from a Dutch trader. He had taken these slaves from a Spanish vessel. The British enslaved those folks and continued to enslave them for the next 167 years! That's correct. From 1619 until 1783 what we now call America was a British colony, inhabited by British citizens. English law prevailed. With the signing of the Treaty of Paris in September of 1783 America was officially born. It was at that time Britain formally acknowledged our independence and relinquished all claims in north America. Seems to me the British are responsible for this slavery business.
 Now we are all aware that the wheels of government turn slowly. After all we won the war in 1783 and it took three years for Britain to accept that.  The following year, 1787, slavery was made illegal in the northwest territory. In 1808 the importation of slaves was made illegal! That's correct, twenty two years after gaining independence the United States of America banned the importation of slaves. Of course there were still slaves in America. Yes, they were important to industry in the south, namely the cotton industry that was labor intensive. As outrageous as it was it was an accepted practice at that time. Trying to get those southern plantation owners to relinquish their low cost labor force was going to be quite the legislative battle. In fact in 1861 the confederacy was formed in part based on just that. The Missouri compromise had already prohibited slavery north of the southern border of Missouri. There were already 19 free states and the southern plantation owners knew that would only increase in number. They seceded from the Union. In 1863 President Lincoln made the Emancipation Proclamation. That was just 77 years after we became the United States. Yes, that proclamation only applied to the south and was effectively worthless. You can't issue proclamation for other nations and the south definitely wasn't going to comply with that, still, the mold was set. On December the sixth 1865 the 13th amendment to the Constitution was ratified abolishing slavery throughout the United States of America. That was 82 years, 3 months, and 4 days since the treaty of Paris. A virtual whirlwind by political standards of time.
 Remember the British? They were in control for 167 years and never did abolish the practice of slavery! In fact there are 167 countries in the world today that allow slavery. About 46 million people are in bondage right now! To name just a few of these nations, India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan and North Korea. Strangely the New York Times hasn't mentioned that at all. No, instead it is the Americans that abolished slavery over a eight two year span that is to blame! It is all white Americans that bear the responsibility!
 Now I think we can all agree that slavery is wrong. I don't know anyone that would argue otherwise. Well I haven't talked to people in any of those 167 countries that allow slavery today, perhaps they woud support that. In fact, I expect they would and probably for the same reason as the southern plantation owners did, economics. Does it excuse any of that? No, it doesn't. But you can't rewrite history, you can't undo the past. All you can do is learn from it. It just seems to me that it was those white guys that wrote the constitution that planted the seed of freedom for all men. Seems to me it was the 360,000 Union soldiers that died in the civil war that did so for the freedom of all men. So maybe, just maybe instead of blaming AMERICANS that abolished that heinous institution after 82 years, Americans should be proud that they did so. Did they not declare, " We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. " Yes they did! They weren't Americans when they made that statement, in fact they risked their lives in declaring such, but they became Americans and stood by that declaration. It was brought to fruition in 82 years, 3 months and 4 days!
 To sum it up I would paraphrase a certain freshman representative in Congress, " some body did something. " Yup, I'd say somebody did something alright.   

temporarily

 There are times when it all seems so temporary: life that is. When we look back, we look back in stages. When we were little, when we were teenagers, when we were young adults, when this or that, but always when. It's all in the past, the past is a temporary state as well, it is ever changing. The past does change with our remembrance of it, our thoughts changing the memory. All is not as we were led to believe, all was not as we remember it to be. Memories are transient things as they come and go. Some visit more frequently than others and some we would just as soon forget. But all are temporary. With that knowledge comes a sadness. All things must end. We all wish for a permanence, a lasting legacy. It is an intrinsic part of human nature. 

 We all attempt to preserve the past, keep it alive. We call it our roots, and our roots run deep. We seek that connection to the past because we believe that past existed. Well at least that portion of the past we have experienced first hand. Everything before concious memory are just stories. The past is told by our parents, older siblings, aunts and uncles, all those that came before us. The past isn't a first hand experience! We will all attempt to keep our past alive even if we have to fabricate parts of it. The reality is the best we can do is leave fragments behind. That's because it is only fragments that will be remembered. The past is temporary. Perhaps that is why I'm attempting to record my past. The written word does last longer. The past, my past, lives in these stories. I'm only temporary, like everyone else.

 I do wonder however what if I had taken a different path. What if I had stayed in the place of my birth. What if I had just settled down there, never having lived anywhere else. Would I then feel more of a sense of permanence? Now I realize all things change over time. The old hometown don't look the same! It isn't the same place as 1965. But I also realize that most changes go unnoticed by those closest to that change. Do you know what I mean? A road built here, a store closed, a fence or some other physical change to the landscape. They mostly go unnoticed. Oh yes, they're new, for a short time, then they are there. When you see it everyday it becomes a part. But if you return after a long absence each change jumps out at you, the scene has changed. To put it as Shakespeare may have said, the stage has new scenery, the scene is different. We are left unsure of our part. 

 For me the stage has been a constantly changing thing. It has only been stable the last twenty years or so. Everything before that has been temporary. Now I'm not saying that is a bad thing, just that it is a perception I harbor. I do wonder if that perception would be different had I not left the stage I call home. It has been said home is where the heart is and I agree with that. I have taken my home with me everywhere I have been. Home, and all the emotion that word encompasses, isn't really a place, it's a state of mind. I have found myself walking upon the stage unsure of my part in this play, this play we call life. What is expected of me? Has the role been defined, or is it I that defines the role? 

 These are some of the questions I ask myself. It hasn't always been so. When I was younger I was more confident, more assured of my role. I walked upon the stage with a certain swagger. Life has a way of humbling us all. I believe that is by design. You do have to slow down, consider things more carefully. As I am fond of saying, you can't rush quality. And perhaps that is what bothers me. I see the world rushing past now, everyone seems to be in a hurry, no time for quality. It all seems so temporary. There is only one thing that is permanent, and that is death. But I believe that too is just a perception, and there is no permanence in death, just another life. I still wonder though, will I know it? Only time will tell.  

Understand?

 Eighteen years ago and I speak of it as though it were yesterday. I believe it will always be so. I am also aware we now have a congressperson that says, " somebody , did something " and is given a pass on that. There is little I can write about that horrific day that hasn't been written many times over. What words can be chosen to describe the indescribable? Yes, I remember exactly where I was and how I got the news. I will never forget.
 When I was young I would hear the " old " people talk about the war. That war was WW2. That was the war and no one needed to specify that. If you were in; the war, that's the war they were talking about. Korea would be mentioned specifically and there was an underlining tone to that, a bit different than the war. As a kid I didn't understand that at all. What difference does it make? The difference could be explained by one word; Pearl. It was that sneak attack on a Sunday morning by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor that was the difference. It wasn't that somebody did something! No, it was the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor! That was the reason for the war and it was more than justified.
  Eighteen years after that attack I was six years old. Now I can't say I remember much about being six but I can say people remembered Pearl. I went to parades, especially on Memorial Day and the war was spoken of. Poppies were everywhere, flags were flying and the troops remembered. I don't believe anyone in Congress attempted to minimize any of that! Granted it was a different time in America, different attitudes prevailed, it was the time of the cold war after all. Everyone had been effected by the war and it certainly wasn't forgotten. A common question was, what did you do during the war? Everyone did their part, everyone. In many ways it was a beginning of a new America. Women joined the work force and took up occupations generally held by men. Yes, the war had changed us all. There was rationing, there was hardship, and there was much sorrow.
 We tried to stay out of the war in Europe, we really did. But, the Japanese bombed Pearl and retribution was at hand! Indeed President Roosevelt declared, " But always we will remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. " And we did! And today we find ourselves in a war on terror. How can we win through to absolute victory? How do you defeat evil? How to eradicate an ideology? For that I offer no answer as much as I wish I had one. I do know it won't happen by forgetting the CHARACTER of the assault against our nation. It was an assault against humanity in general. The United States of America has always been a beacon in the darkness, a place of refuge and hope. It is that, that was attacked that day. All I can say now is, I understand. I understand what the old folks were talking about, I understand what those soldiers and sailors I spoke with were talking about, I understand the real meaning of duty and honor. I understand the need to right a wrong! I will never forget. Never     

what makes you happy

 If only we lived life the way we remember it. Do you know what I mean? Why was everything so much better, so much more fun in the past? That's the perception most of us have anyway. I suppose when we are depressed we are recalling the rest,  but I was just thinking if our lives were lived the way we remember it, we wouldn't ever be depressed. That's why we say, the good old days. We don't say the bad days, unless we add, are behind us. The bad days are always behind us, never ahead. We don't look forward to bad days. I always heard, better days are coming. Isn't that the hope of man? Better days are coming, all we have to do is be patient. It is others that stand in the way of that, not us. Another perception, sometimes misguided, sometimes not. The challenge is recognizing when to stay and when to go. Do we wait or do we go in search of? Depends upon what you're looking for I suppose. 

 Is happiness dependent upon finding what you are looking for? Yes, it certainly is. Personal happiness is completely dependent upon finding your own happiness. We may try to find that by helping others, bringing happiness to them, and so enjoying happiness vicariously. For some that is enough. Some find their happiness at the expense of others, satisfying a need to be dominant. That action may go by many names. The least of which is successful. Climbing the social ladder, progressing through that strata to each a goal. Whether the goal is wealth, power or popularity others must be pushed aside to achieve that. The goal is the justification! Sadly it is often a hollow victory, having won the game, only to discover there are no more players. There is no one to share the happiness you feel, the happiness turns to guilt.

 What is it that makes the good old days good? That's what we need to discover. I think if we can define that, happiness is achievable in the future as well. Well it seems like that would be consistency. Einstein is credited with saying, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It stands to reason then if we do the same thing over, we should get the same result. You would have to be insane to think otherwise. Seems logical enough to me. So what we should strive to achieve is what phycologists call cognitive consonance. Cognitive consonance is " the state of harmony and internal consistency among a persons' attitudes, behaviors', beliefs, and/or knowledge." In other words, no problems. At least no problem with yourself, the problem lies with others. The others attempting to upset your inner tranquility. They are suffering from cognitive dissonance, which is the opposite state of being. They are the people constantly adopting, then discarding, ideas, concepts, and reasoning. In short they are constantly trying something new but never finding happiness. Why? Because happiness is in consistency. Well, at least that's what I think anyway. It's great to try new things, nothing wrong with that, but you do have to compare it to the past. What made you happy then, will most likely make you happy now. Happiness resides in inner tranquility. Thomas Jefferson wrote: " It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness. "   

 You know people seldom listen to those who shout. They just react. Battles start with a shout but discussion begins with a whisper. It is only when we are calm that we truly hear. We all learned that as children. That's why out teachers had us sit quietly while she read the book. You can't pay attention if you are distracted. Too often we allow life to distract us and we wind up confused. Live life the way you remember it, you'll be happier. 

   

 

 

just believe

 I saw on the evening news that scientists feel they have solved the mystery of Loch Ness. Nessie, the Loch Ness monster is nothing more than an eel. Taking water samples and collecting DNA samples from that, that is the conclusion they have reached. These eels would normally grow to a length of three to four feet but it's possible a few freaks exist or existed that are much larger. As far as they are concerned, case closed.
 I listened to the story with amusement. They say people have been seeing Nessie since the 1500's. I'm thinking they will continue to see Nessie as long as the Loch is there. I was also thinking, I'm betting those that profit from Nessie will ensure that happens. I know I would anyway! Scientists attempting to prove that my monster is just an eel! That's not going to cut it! As I listened to the story I did feel a little, I don't know, disappointment. I'm not sure that is the right word to describe what I felt. I would rather the mystery remain unsolved. It is like a " spoiler " to a good story. Whether there is any truth to the story is not important, it's the story itself that is entertaining.
 I don't believe there is a lake monster or a big foot. I do believe the stories are fascinating. I guess it is just the thought of what is possible that intrigues us all.  Aliens, why not? All manner of goblins, ghosts, and monsters. All those things that go bump in the night. It's an appeal to the unknown. And I firmly believe there is much that man doesn't know, much man is not capable of understanding. We have to get over ourselves before that can happen. It is the arrogance of man that is the strongest impediment to progress. Yes, man figures he is pretty dang gone smart. Well until Mother nature strikes and then we are helpless.
 Man couldn't follow one simple rule, " but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die. " Actually there was only a three year ban on that. But man couldn't wait and we all know the result of that impatience. Impetuous is the word for that, followed by arrogance. Man has been struggling for survival ever since, and I might add, dying. Well no sense in crying over spilled milk. It could be that we will learn one day. Scientists claim they have proven the existence of the soul. They are calling it an energy that escapes the body when we die. They claim to be able to detect that at the moment of death. Energy, soul, whatever you wish to label it, I already knew it existed, no proof required. Proof is only for those with doubts. Nessie is in Loch Ness, Big Foot, with all the various names, are everywhere. Nessie an eel? You expect me to buy that? C'mon.
  

can we keep it?

 I see there is somewhat of a movement to change the tenure of the supreme court. There are those that wish to end lifetime appointment. This isn't anything new, it has been proposed before, mostly by the political party that wasn't currently in the seat of power. I read a great number of comments about this and the arguments for the change. Those for maintaining the current lifetime tenure are fewer or at least I see fewer postings about that. I do have to wonder if that is the reality or is it what social media wishes me to see? There is much distrust with the news outlets and social media outlets these days. I admit I have trust issues with both.
 I don't think we should change what the framers of the constitution instituted. Call me old fashioned, stuck in the past or whatever, but I believe those men were quite capable. I also believe they were acting in the best interest of the country. Or at the very least the country they wished to create. Idealistic? I certainly hope so, you do have to be idealistic to risk your life and fortunes on a concept. We must remember that the American Republic was a somewhat new concept, although based upon old principles. When they signed that declaration it was like signing their own death warrants. Some lived to write and debate on the Constitution, some did not. Independence wasn't secured until 1786. The final draft of the Constitution wasn't signed until September the 17, 1787. It wasn't written hastily or decided upon easily. Each and every point was thoroughly discussed and debated. What is the argument for changing that? Political expediency.
 The function of the supreme court is to do what? It's primary function is to rule on the constitutionality of proposed legislation or current legislation being challenged. The supreme court is the authority. Still we mustn't forget that the court doesn't make law, it only issues an opinion on the constitutionality of law. Lifetime tenure was instituted to provide stability to the system. Now we all know the first amendment. You hear about that all the time. So in lieu of a deity being the ultimate judge the supreme court was established. It's purpose is to provide consistency, uniformity and stability. The court issues their opinion and it is up to congress to either accept that ruling or reject it. Much the same way we might individually accept or reject the teachings of a deity. Only the eighteenth amendment has been repealed in our history. I'd say that was pretty stable. There have been six additional amendment proposed but none were ratified by the states.
 Every now and again there are those that push to have the court changed in some fashion. Sometimes it is just the removal of lifetime appointments, sometimes they want to add members. The number of justices changed nine times before 1869, as low as five and as numerous as ten. The court has remained at nine since 1869. I don't believe we should change that either. The reason for changing the court is obvious, it is anticipation of a different ruling. Those proposing the change want, well a change. The only way to effect that change is to change the court. It is sorta like rewriting the Bible, or at the very least reinterpreting that authoritative document to make it align with your wishes. And that is why we have lawyers! They were called Pharisees at one particular time. But that is just an aside to the real issue. The real issue is listening to the authority in the first place. When that authority doesn't say the things you wish to hear we humans have a tendency to replace the authority. That's why the founding fathers made a seat on the court a lifetime appointment, to provide a degree of stability to government. We call that precedent. It's very difficult to overturn a precedent. In order to do so we would need a new interpretation. The easiest way to do that is to do what? Replace the authority! That's how it works.
 After the signing of the Constitution in September of 1787 Ben Franklin was asked, " Dr. Franklin what type of government have you given us? " His answer was , " A republic madam, if you can keep it." Franklin was well aware of the machinations of men having been a diplomat. He knew it would be difficult to hold onto a Republic. Need evidence? Just listen to the politicians as they speak about our DEMOCRACY. Are they using that term out of ignorance or just planting a seed? It is far easier to replace authority in a Democracy as you only require a simple majority. The 51 rule the 49. That's why we have a Republic, to avoid that pitfall. Generally speaking we require a 2/3 majority. More than likely the very reason six proposed amendment were not ratified. It's working, this concept of a Republic, if we can but keep it.