Forget about it

 Forgive and forget. How many times have you heard that advice? It is the best for your mental health, no doubt about that, but a difficult thing to do. I can forgive but I won't forget. I guess that is because it is part of my nature to judge. By remembering what happened in the past I can predict, make a reasoned judgement, about what may happen in the present moment. For me, it's an important thing, to not forget. After all the collection of information and the subsequent retaining of that information is the basis of intelligence. Good thing too, otherwise you might get burned if you forget that fire is hot. Fortunately, our government mandated such reminders and warnings, CAUTION, food will be hot after heating. So, I guess as long as I keep reading the labels, I can just forget about it. But I'm being silly.

 But the whole forgive and forget thing came to mind yesterday as I was writing my story about great grandfather Lester. I was writing about events that took place sixty years ago. At first, I thought perhaps I shouldn't mention any of that. I mean that was long ago and the descendants of those folks had nothing to do with any of that. I was concerned for a moment that feelings could get hurt. Then I remembered, it was over sixty years ago. A bit presumptuous of me to think anyone involved in any way would be reading what I'm writing. How many today would remember? 

 I'm thinking with the whole forgive and forget thing comes solely from those that want you to forgive or forget. The reason is really quite obvious. In their mind they did nothing wrong, or whatever they did do was justified. Sure, it caused an injury of some kind to others, but you should just forget and forgive. In that way they have another opportunity and are released of responsibility. Just forget about it. After all, you can't change the past, undo what has been done. There is truth in that, you can't change what happened. 

 I do wonder why we don't forgive and forget about certain things. In this case with great grandfather's story, I have remembered. I haven't forgotten or forgiven. I still want to know why a daughter would evict her father from his home. Why, after standing by her mother's bedside, promising her she would take care of papa, would she renege on that promise? I never knew great Aunt Jessie although she lived right in town. As for her husband, I heard his name often enough as he had a business in town. Plus, his was always referred to as N. Filmore Miller, a strange name in a child's ear. I was told he had a lot to do with all of that, wanting the home for his own gain. The house was sold shortly after great grandfather had been evicted that is a fact. And Great Grandfather Lester never received a dime from that transaction to the best of my knowledge. 

 I carry that story with me, always have and always will. I will not forget. I still place blame, I haven't forgiven anyone. It isn't the only one though. How many stories, incidents or occurrences do you remember? Aren't they the very things that form the basis of your countenance? It's true that personal happiness stems from forgetting and forgiving. It's the result of feeling absolved of any wrongdoing. You can forgive yourself. The issue is whether that forgiveness is enough. 

 Do you require forgiveness from others? I believe that is solely dependent upon how important another person is to you. When another asks you to forgive them, to forget their transgression, it is something they require. That's where your judgement comes into play. Are they sincere? If you feel that whatever the wrong, it was done with good intentions, forgiveness may be warranted. I won't forget it, however. If the same wrong is repeated, a pattern exposed, I will not forgive. That depends upon the remembering part. Sometimes it just doesn't matter at all. That's where being secure in yourself comes into play. Call it whatever you like, but when you feel like you did nothing wrong, you shouldn't feel like you have to forgive or forget anything. That's when others will insist you forgive and forget. It's for them, not you. Don't get confused.  

   

Worth a thousand words

 I posted a small collection of photographs yesterday concerning my great grandfather Floyd Parker Lester. These photographs were taken by a professional for a newspaper article. I don't know for certain what newspaper or publication it was. The pictures themselves are a small format and were developed together on a single sheet and later cut apart. I guess that was common practice back then or it is an industry thing. Whatever the case may be, I find those pictures fascinating. Too small to display in a frame I had intended to one day enlarge them. That day hasn't come yet, most likely it never will. 

 Knowing the how and why of the situation that precipitated the taking of those pictures they do invoke a few emotions. The first emotion is anger. The articles in the pictures, objects from great grandfather Floyds' home, had all belonged to the family. His father-in-law, James Buckley Terry, veteran of the civil war and the town weaver, had used a good number of those things. I recognize one as a spinning wheel. The other objects I don't know what their purpose was, just that they involved working thread into cloth. One is a loom used for weaving rag rugs, I have a model of that machine and a photograph of great grandmother Lucy demonstrating its' use. But I'm getting off track. 

 Floyd and Lucy had three daughters. Sarah, the oldest married Roy Watson and eventually moved to California. Jessie, the middle child married N Filmore Miller. Clara the youngest married my grandfather, Elwood Reichart. Clara passed away shortly after giving birth to my father. Sarah and Jessie stood at the bedside of great grandmother Lucy as she passed with cancer. They promised her, on her deathbed, that great grandfather Floyd could live in that house until the day he died. That didn't happen and that is where the anger comes in. The way I heard it, great grandfather Floyd was forced out of that house. His name was not on the title or mortage for reasons known only to the family. Forced to leave and find a new place to live he died just a years later. He died an angry and disappointed man. I knew that, on some level, even as a kid. 

 I also feel a sense of pride that all those things were preserved. He donated them all to Clinton Academy, a museum in East Hampton. They promised to attach his name to the displays. As to whether any of that ever happened, I can't say. I have never seen any of that as I left town many years ago and have never gone to visit that museum. I know that he also donated many old hand tools, farm equipment and the everyday things of life from the latter part of the 19th century. Like most folks in that time, nothing was ever thrown away. I particularly remember a very large jar, possibly a pickle jar, filled to the rim with buttons. Gramp said, you never throw out a shirt or anything else with the buttons still on them! He cut them off, placed them in that jar and cut the clothing up to use for rags. Hundreds of them, dating back sixty years or more. 

 Then I feel a bit of sadness, knowing all of that. The reason behind the pictures. It may appear that here is a man reveling in his antiques. You can see him smiling, touching those objects almost like he is caressing them. The truth is he was saying goodbye to them. Things, just things you say. But they are things he had lived with his whole life, things his wife, his daughters, and those before them had cherished. Now he was being forced to give them up, to surrender them to strangers. It wasn't his idea, it was forced upon him by the court. A court brought to bear by his own daughter. 

 He had been hobbled many years ago, hobbled by his father-in-law. You see great grandfather Floyd P Lester had lost his mother when he was an infant. He was sent to live and be raised by his aunt Catherine. As an adult he started the Maidstone Taxi service. With a carriage and two horses he went into debt. One horse died and the automobile began making its' appearance. The times were changing. He lost his business, he lost his home, and he was bankrupt. His father-in-law gave the family home to his daughter Lucy with a stipulation. Floyd was never to have ownership or any power in the disposition of that home. 

 After the death of Lucy, the home passed, in equal shares to the remaining daughters. Only two remained in 1955 when Lucy passed. Sarah, the oldest had moved to California and I don't know the details, but transferred her share of the home to Jessie. Floyd had no legal ground upon which to stand. It was Jessie that had him removed from that home. I don't know her reasons, her motivation, but that she was responsible is what I do know. 

 All of that is in those photographs when you know the story. A thousand words? Yes, pictures do hold a thousand words, and more. This is an explanation, as best I can, of those pictures. It's not a thousand words but it could easily be expanded to that. Perhaps I will write it all down one day. Names and faces along with their stories as best as I know them to be. I have caught flak about writing such in the past but no matter, I think I should anyway.

    

collecting memories

  I went searching for something I thought I had, specifically a set of guitar strings. I felt like I knew where they might be and began rummaging through a few drawers, boxes and cabinet shelves. You know how you have stuff just stuck here and there. Stuff you have decided to save, for now, and do something with later on. Those little caches throughout the house similar to the junk drawer in every kitchen in America. Naturally I got distracted discovering these little artifacts of the past. wallet size photographs of the kids, old key chains, scraps of paper with notes on them, things like that. I uncovered a number of things from the grandchildren. Little crafts made in school, a few gifts they had given me and the wife, little sentimental things like that. All of them holding a memory. I didn't find the guitar strings.

 Later on, I began to think about that. The stuff I mean. I thought, at what age do you start collecting your own memories? What I mean is, collecting sentimental objects from your own past? I have never been what I would call a collector of anything, except possibly tools. I don't really count the tools because every tool I have I use or have used. I have no tools just to look at them. To me that's what a collection is, something to look at. Well unless you are Jay Leno then you can collect cars and drive them too. But whatever, I do have stuff from my past that sits on the shelf. Those objects were given to me mostly by my mother. She had saved those things over the years. At times, for no apparent reason, she would send me one of those things saying, I thought you might want to have this. She was right, I am glad today that I have a few of those things, my memories, saved by another and eventually returned to me. That's what I mean about collecting your own memories. 

 A great deal of the memories and attendant mementos from my childhood have been lost to time. Shortly after I joined the Navy my parents sold our home. My bedroom was cleaned out, things discarded that meant nothing to either of them. Posters, a few treasured books, record albums, things like that. When I returned home, it was mostly gone. I had my high school diploma, yearbooks, and a few other things but they too were lost over time. Placed in a storage locker for safe keeping that I shared with another sailor. When he shipped out, he took everything with him, even my stuff! All gone.

 I imagine it is different for each of us. At what age did you start collecting your memories? I'd say I began taking an intertest after the grandchildren were born. I had some things that belonged to my father and mother and began collecting their memories then. Perhaps it was the realization of the passing of a generation that awaken that in me. Now, with possibly a few exceptions, that generation has completely passed. The generation of my parents that I knew personally or am related too. All I have of them are memories today, memories stored in objects like old photographs. 

 I find myself gathering memories these days with a mind to pass them on. That is what I am saving them for isn't it? Isn't that what we all save them for? You sure can't take them with you. The challenge is knowing when to pass them down. I certainly want to them all to be saved, to be cherished and loved as much as I cherish and love them. I want to be sure they will be protected. 

 I have a wooden box where I store a great deal of the paper products, pictures and such, that I call the archives. It is my version of a "hope" chest. I don't know if young ladies have hope chests anymore, those chests where they store the things they will need when they get married. Hope for the future? My "archives" chest is where I store the things I hope will be treasured by the next generation and indeed, generations to come. My mother had a little tin box where she kept important papers. Simply called the box, we children were strictly forbidden from seeing the contents of that box. To this day I have no idea what secrets it may have held. She was living with my brother when she passed, and he gained control of the box. I've never asked about it. My archives are just the opposite of that. I love to show whoever will look what is in my archives.

 It was a bit ironic that later in the day I went to my mailbox and got a letter from my brother. The ironic part is that letter contained some pictures that my mother had saved. These pictures were ones I had given her during my time in the navy. Pictures of Ben in uniform. A memory returned to me. My brother had written no words, no letter per se, just those old photographs coming home. Pictures for the archives. I did remember each one, when and where it was taken. Forgotten almost as soon as they were gifted, now holding memories. When did you start collecting your memories?         

 

Your choice

 Satan has declared war on motherhood. He knows that those who rock the cradle can rock his earthly empire. And he knows that without righteous mothers loving and leading the next generation, the Kingdom of God will fail. Sheri L. Dew

As motherhood is the greatest and most natural God-given gift for women for posterity, it would seem that the birth and rearing of children, in the way which to us seems most ideal, would be the most satisfying and the most rewarding career for a woman. Rose Kennedy

Each child is biologically required to have a mother. Fatherhood is a well-regarded theory, but motherhood is a fact. P. J. O'Rourke

The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children. Jessica Lange

Motherhood is the ultimate call to sacrifice. Wangechi Mutu

These are a few thoughts on Motherhood from the famous and not so famous. With the recent overturning of Roe V Wade thoughts on what being a mother was, is, or ought to be, is on my mind. Perhaps the loss of my own Mother, just a little over a year ago attributed to all of that as well. 

 Motherhood and Apple pie, the core values of America embodied in that phrase alone. The statue of Liberty described as the Mother of Exiles, yes that is in the poem The New Colossus. Never get between a mother and her child, animal or human. A mother, dedicated to her children, sacrifice, hardship, and love. A love that never falters, never fails. That is what mother means to me. Noble sentiments.

 That is the way I was raised, the mindset, the belief. Today I stand amazed, disillusioned, and incredulous as millions of women insist it is their right to kill their children. Protests and riots, screams of my rights, my rights, and no mention of the rights of a child. These mothers certainly aren't the models of motherhood I was raised with. And make no mistake about it, that is the issue. Despite all the talk about healthcare abortion is the taking of a life. It is the choice of a mother to terminate the life of her child. Is there a valid reason for that?

 Now it takes two people to produce a child. Yes, the mother has to carry the baby to term, undergo that miraculous process, birth is a miracle, isn't it? That's the way I've always heard it. The father of that child is an equal partner in the creation of that life, except in those rare cases of rape or incest, that has to be acknowledged. The act was performed by consent of the two parties. Yet, no one is protesting, rioting, or insisting that the father has a right to terminate the life of that child. If we are going to say a woman can do that, for simple convenience, because I don't want to, shouldn't the man have an equal opportunity to say the same? In that way no one has to be concerned with birth control, with controlling what they do with their bodies, sex for all, anytime, anywhere and without any consequence or responsibility. Got pregnant and didn't expect that to happen? No problem, abort, terminate, and forget about it! 

 In a way this reminds me of the concept of stolen valor. We've all heard about those that will don a uniform and subsequently make claims to great deeds of valor, sacrifice and service. The truth is they have done nothing but simply want the honor, the prestige and admiration of others. A lot of women out there today wanting to be seen as a woman but unwilling to perform that function except on their own terms. It's like being a soldier that says, I'll fight in this battle but not that one, I don't want too. 

 But birthing a child is a responsibility that you cannot abort! You went into the battle willingly, that's what you wanted to do. You have to accept the responsibility for that choice! You already made your choice! No one gets pregnant by accident! Many get pregnant due to a failure of birth control products or their own neglect, but the mechanism to create that child doesn't happen by accident. There really is a 100% fool proof way to avoid getting pregnant. It comes down to your choice. If I engage in this activity, I may become pregnant. Do I want to do that? In over 97% of all pregnancies the choice was made, I'll risk it. If you assume the risk, you assume the responsibility. When you lose at the Casino you don't get your money back! Your choice, your responsibility.   

Depends

 We have all heard it said, " in the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes" and that is attributed to Andy Warhol. Thing is, he never actually said that. But it has been repeated so many times by so many that it is taken as a fact. There is no evidence to support that. Ironic too, that a portion of his fame comes from that. The sentiment is simply that we will all share some degree of fame or notoriety in our lifetime. Andy Warhol passed away in 1987 and so would have no idea about the Internet, social media and going viral. I do think we all have our moments when at least in our own mind we have a moment of fame, those times when the focus is solely on us. It's more a feeling of importance or acknowledgement than fame, however. High school graduation, scoring the winning goal, retiring from your job, moments like that. That is the fame being spoken of. Who said it? No one has the answer to that, but Andy still gets the credit.

 It seems to me that far more people are seeking notoriety rather than fame. Notoriety is fame though, just fame for doing something bad. All of that has to be viewed in the context of time and place. The whole concept of what is good and what is bad. Notoriety is far easier to achieve, no doubt about that. Notoriety, especially in today's world, can be gained in an instant! Going viral, as they say, can happen in a matter of hours. And the news outlets rush to report anything scandalous, outrageous, egregious or just outright shocking! That is their stock in trade. 

 The funny part about that is the more of it that is reported, the closer it all comes to being "normal" or "mainstream." Those behaviors that in the past would have been considered a bad thing, are now becoming the normal thing. As a result, ever more outrageous and controversial actions are being taken to gain that notoriety. It takes more to stand out from the crowd. Often all of that is labeled as progress in the years that follow. All manner of behaviors that were once considered wrong, aberrant and/or morally reprehensible are celebrated today. That's progress. Even hinting that perhaps it isn't progress will get you labeled with all sorts of vile names and showered with accusations. In fact, you may become notorious! Depending upon the time and place you may become famous too, all depends. Jane Doe was both! Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Martin Luther, Abraham Lincoln, Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, or indeed any number of statues and product branding for that matter. Aunt Jemina and Uncle Ben come to mind. All were famous or infamous depending. A certain degree of notoriety associated with each one as well as being famous. Juluis and Ethel Rosenberg, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack the Ripper, Jesse James, Pretty Boy Floyd, Al Capone, the Boston bomber. Famous or notorious? All got their fifteen minutes and more. 

 If there is a good side to this, it is that today the majority will only receive those fifteen minutes. Names and deeds are forgotten as quickly as they are reported these days. Whatever "facts" the news outlet care to report will be talked about, outrage will ensue for a few days, and then the crowd moves on to the next big controversary. Literally hundreds are being shot in the streets of major cities in this country. 

 It's reported, between the headlines and the weather report somewhere. But, it's the normal thing, that's why we just keep talking about it, attempting to place blame on inanimate objects, to shift the responsibility from the individual to the government. Assault rifles are notorious for killing people! The Winchester Rifle, model of 1873, famous as the gun that won the west. The Colt 45 pistol made every man equal. Technically not a semi-automatic it could still fire fifteen rounds as fast as you could cock the lever before reloading, the rifle that is. The pistol limited you to six shots unless you carried two or more. No one blamed the guns for killing the Indians or robbing the banks. Guess we're making progress on that. 

 With all that is going on today we have to ask the question: fame or notoriety? Which is it? Depends doesn't it? For me a bunch of what is being proposed is, well I'll put it this way, you need depends! It's a bunch of.  

Historical

 So happy that Roe V Wade was overturned, a wrong has been set right. It's a win for morality and traditional values. A step towards a return to common sense and decency. The issue isn't completely settled however, the individual states still retain their right to legislate that as they see fit. I do believe at some point it will have to be settled on a federal level. While those supporting the procedure are seeking a federal law so am I. I would make it a federal crime to murder children. It's true that nowhere in the Constitution does it say you have a right to an abortion. It's also not in the constitution that having an abortion is a criminal offense. The writers thought these words, "right to life" had that covered. They didn't anticipate the "right to life" to be interpreted as, if I choose to allow you that right. An abortion most definitely denies that right. For me the issue is akin to slavery, it's going to have to be all or nothing. Probably not in my lifetime, but it will be decided one way or the other in the future. 

 As is often the case these legal issues reach a head before an election cycle. The high profile, controversial decisions that will attract the voters. This is true regardless of the political party. Today it's abortion and guns. Less obvious is freedom of speech, the first amendment under attack. All are at the root of the Republic. All the politicians are centered on what they are going to do for you! That is their promises. Vote for me and I will allow you to act in the fashion you want. Roe V Wade came at a time in America of great civil unrest, a concession made by the court without reasoning. A new court has corrected that, applying reason and common sense, supported by actual documents and evidence. The opinion has changed! 

 The truth of the matter is simple enough. The opinion of the court has changed but little else. The ability to have an abortion has not been denied as a medical procedure. It has been denied as a "right", a procedure on demand for any reason at all. The litigation has reverted back to the states, just as the constitution states it should. Each state can decide for themselves, through their representatives, what conditions warrant that procedure. A procedure that should save a life, not end one! Being pregnant isn't a life-threatening condition. The instances of such being the case is so low it doesn't even register statistically. So, what we are really talking about are abortions for the sake of convenience. 

 I do find it unsettling, and so should you, that the President of the United States is on television proclaiming, this isn't over! Because he and his political associates disagree with a Supreme Court opinion they are openly saying, we will do everything we can to oppose this! Instead of saying, accept the opinion of the court, they are saying reject that opinion. The Roe V Wade opinion issued in 1973 I am supposed to accept without question. Hey, it's been fifty years so it must be right. But the founders writing the constitution two hundred and twenty-nine years ago couldn't foresee the future and we should change all that to fit modern times. Fifty years is current enough, 229 not so much. Coming from the President it seems stranger still. He, after all changed his opinion on abortion. In 1973 he stated, I think abortion is wrong! We should work to limit the number of abortions. Quite a change in opinion wouldn't you say? And what is his message? Fight, fight, fight. 

Irony

 I have noticed the changing of names for certain actions/objects to make them either less objectionable or to vilify them. Take assault rifle as a prime example. Despite the fact that there is officially no such thing, ask anyone well informed about the subject, many people immediately picture an Ar style rifle. It's black and scary, spewing bullets everywhere, an instrument of death! Back a few years ago if the word drag was used it meant something entirely different than today! And Trans meant Transformers, the cartoon show where a semi-truck turned into Optimus prime. Not what comes to mind when we hear about Trans in the news today. There are a number of others, but you get what I mean. You can call a tax a fee, but it costs you exactly the same. 

 That is something I get annoyed with, that changing of names. But I'm guilty of it too. Over eleven years ago I began writing what I called a blog. I've been calling it a blog ever since. The platform I'm using is called Blogger and Blogspot. I tell people I write a blog. Turns out the reality is this, I write essays. I'm an essayist. That is what these daily writings should be called, essays. I read where a blog should be focused on a single topic. Typically, it is associated with a business, news to me. I'm not in the business of anything and certainly I'm not focused. Focused or a fanatic? Those are words that can get easily confused. Now that I've come to realize what I have been writing does change things somewhat. I'm not blogging at all.

 When I first began the intent was just to share my memories, share some thoughts of mine and possibly entertain others. Of course, the hope was to be accepted. I've had moderate success in that department. Turns out some folks don't agree with my central philosophy. To tell you the truth I'm not surprised. But I do what I can to help those folks along, you know the old saying; you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. Then I thought all these writings would provide a sort of record. My descendants may find them interesting and enjoy reading them. They are filled with historical events unnoticed right now, but thirty years from now? Well, you just never know. I would be interested in firsthand accounts of events written by my ancestors. 

 Now I know they are essays and some short stories. That gives me ideas about what I could do with them. I have quite the collection going. Today is number four thousand two hundred and sixty. That's a lot of words. I'm thinking maybe I could sort them out a bit, divide them into essays and stories. I think the majority would fall into one of those categories. Essays are generally non-fictional pieces designed to inform or create debate. In my essays I do include my personal opinion, often disguised as a fact. Are opinions fact? No opinions are not fact, although they could be if you can support that opinion with facts. It's murky water for sure. So, I suppose I would have to add a disclaimer. The essays in this volume contain the opinions of the author. Truth is even our stories contain our opinion. We dismiss all of that with the words, my truth. My truth is my opinion, and my opinion is my truth. 

 If someone asked me to name a famous essayist, I wouldn't have an answer. Not one name came to mind. Google to the rescue. Turns out the most famous essayists were known to me as authors. Ralph W Emerson and Robert L Stevenson topping the list I saw. There were other names on that list I hadn't heard about as well. I'm thinking that today essays have been reduced to meme's. Seems to me the most commentary on current events and social attitudes center on them. A lot of folks don't want to read anything longer than a paragraph, and it had better be a short one.

 It's a funny thing. English was one of those subjects in school that I didn't enjoy at all. In fact, ninth grade English is the only course I ever failed. The reason for that failure? At the very beginning of the year, we were given an assignment to write an essay. It would count for a significant portion of your final grade. Yes, had all school year to write that piece and was constantly reminded about it. I did it in the last days of the year and it was terrible! A failure. Combined with my barely passing grades from class work during the year it was dismal. I failed! Deserved to fail too. Made it up the following year though. There was always the dreaded essay question. There would be multiple choice questions followed by an essay. Hated writing those essays. And today I write an essay almost every morning! Go figure. I'm even writing an essay about writing essays. Life sure is strange. Things change and so do names. Strangely however, most things remain the same.   

 

under the circumstances

 Just who is trying to convince whom? That is a question I ask myself often as I read articles about various minority groups and individual accomplishments. Now when minority groups are mentioned our thoughts fly to African Americans, Latino's, Asian American and the whole LGBTQ+ whatever groups. But they aren't the only minorities to be considered. I'm thinking about all the minorities, those few that are different from others for any reason at all. Super rich people are a minority. Celebrities are a minority. People with all sorts of disabilities are minorities. The fact is, each one of us is a minority! Well, truth be told, each one of us are unique individuals. It is how we fit into society that will determine our status as a minority or a member of the majority. 

 It's true that we are not all born into the same circumstance. It could be argued that we are not all created equal if you take into account disabilities. Yes, some are born with inherently more intelligence or physical ability and attributes than others. But in a general sense we are all created equally. Genetics and hereditary factors define our circumstance. It does make a huge difference. Born with the proverbial silver spoon, or with no spoon at all, it will exert tremendous influence over your life. But, the thing is this, it will not prohibit you from success if that is what you choose. That is where the stumbling block resides. It isn't easy to fight the odds. And yes, the odds aren't equal, the odds always favor the house. In this situation, the majority is the house, the minority just the player. 

 The minority will never have the advantage. That is the first lesson people need to learn and understand. Accept that reality. The minority will never have the advantage. The majority may grant special dispensation, but it will always be to favor themselves. That is the second lesson people need to understand. If confused, refer to rule number one. There will always be a gain to the majority in some form. It's true even when that gain appears to be a concession. Keep in mind concessions exist to make money. It's a trade off but the one running the concession profits in the end. 

 The entire issue is one of circumstance. You can't change circumstance, it already happened. Yes, it's like the past, same thing, can't change what already happened. No matter what, it will not be changed. No matter the compensation given, the concession made, the acknowledgement of wrongdoing, the past will never be changed. You can't change circumstance simply because you do not control circumstance. The only thing you can control is your response to it. The choices you make will determine your future. Yes, circumstance will interfere, those outside forces you can do nothing about, that's rule three. Accept that reality as well. 

 Can you succeed against all odds? Yes, and many have done just that over the centuries. They are the ones that overcame circumstance or succeeded in spite of those circumstances. The minority will win a few hands. Thing is, the house always wins in the end. You are not going to change that either. You can not somehow transform the minority into the majority. You can't win the game by insisting the majority allow you to win. You can't change the rules! 

 The only way to win the game is to become a member of the house. That's a simple reality. That is the premise of a Republic. Everyone has a stake in the house. A government for the people. The people make the rules, well, the majority of the people anyway. In years past that wasn't the case. Still today all American citizens have the right to vote, they do have a stake in the house. They are empowered to effect a change in the rules. None of that will change circumstance. You have to react according to the circumstance. You know, that's why we say, under the circumstances. Success or failure? It always depends upon your response, under the circumstances. Try to act that way instead of, despite the circumstance. You aren't going to change the circumstances.      

   

My right

 Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Those are your rights! Government and other people will try to deny all three. That is the nature of the game, it's simply how it works. Those writing our founding documents said we needed to trust in divine providence. In the writing of the Declaration, before the session of September 7, 1774, Psalm 35 was read from the book of common prayer. It is an appeal to "god" divine providence as Franklin and others called that, for help. Even those that were called Deists, the enlightened ones, agreed with that appeal. They agreed that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is granted by God and God alone, an unalienable right. Man should do his best to ensure those rights for all men. To do so, governments are established. This requires the surrender of a portion of your natural rights but never a total surrender of those rights! 

  "James Madison explained in Federalist no. 51, in the state of nature, "the weaker individual is not secured against the violence of the stronger." In such a state, even the decent may be tempted to act according to their selfish passions rather than their reason and duty. As James Madison put it in the same number of The Federalist, men are not angels-that is, they are not simply rational. The state of nature is characterized not by life, liberty, and happiness, but rather by violent death, slavery, and misery. Because of this-and so that they can enjoy their rights in peace-people join to form governments." I take no credit for that passage it was written by another unidentified individual. 

 The purpose of government is not to remove those natural rights but rather to protect them. With all the talk of my rights I hear today it seems a great many people do not know what those rights actually are. Just because you want to do something that doesn't mean it is a right. There are many claiming that if the Constitution and the Bill of Rights do not prohibit an action that means you have a right to do it. That is patently false! The purpose of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is to secure our natural rights, those rights given to us by God. To protect those rights against those that would take them away, including the government itself!  Thomas Jefferson explained all that, his thinking and reasoning. The very reason he said, "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness… it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." 

 At this time the Supreme Court of the United States is going to issue their opinion on several fundamental pieces of legislation. The court just yesterday issued their opinion that schools with a religious component in their teachings may indeed receive state funding. It is not a violation of church and state. I concur with the justices on that. It is not an endorsement of a religion, it is support for the educational system, a system that every parent has a right to choose for their children. The big one pending a formal announcement is Roe V Wade. There is talk that it will be overturned. If so, that decision on abortion will revert to the individual states. That is its' proper place in our government. The reason is a simple one, no one has a right to kill someone else! The Constitution, the Bill of Rights, all of that does not convey the right to life to another individual. That is an unalienable right! Remember the purpose of Government? It is to protect your natural rights, life being first on the list! 

 The constitution is often called a living document. That simply means it is open to interpretation. That's the job of the supreme court. It's also why they issue opinions; they do not make laws. Most of their opinions are based on what was thought before, that is to say by precedent. Of course, as time goes on thinking changes. When enough time passes the same thought will reappear. As a result, we will have conflicting precedents. Roe V Wade was not the first time abortion was discussed or an opinion issued. Somewhat like the issue of slavery the issue was passed to the states. We know that as the tenth amendment. Passed in 1789, politicians were passing the buck even then. With the issue of slavery we all know what happened. The whole "house divided" thing proved to be correct. Abortion, as a right, I believe falls into the same moral, ethical and emotional category. It's an all or nothing thing! As for my opinion, the right to life supersedes any right to "choice" by another individual, even my mother. That right was given to me by a much higher power.        

seeing double

 Scrolling down Facebook I did succumb to some click bait. It was an article about stunt doubles. It was interesting to see how many stars had a stunt double that really did look like them. I mean, some were uncanny in how closely they resembled them. They do say everyone has a twin; I've never seen mine though. But I suppose if I became famous and needed a double one could be found. 

 While flipping through the pages I began to wonder about all of that. You have to find someone that closely resembles the star of the show. Okay, but then that person has to be willing to do whatever it is the star doesn't want to do. But it's not that simple, is it? This person has to be able to do the stunt. I get that they don't need any acting ability, but they do have to be athletic and willing to risk injury. Isn't that the purpose of the double? The double gets hurt, oh well, at least the star is ok. 

 I read where a stunt double may or may not be in a union. It was pointed out that union workers are forbidden from working non-union gigs though. The average annual wage for a good stunt double is 70,000. That's a pretty good living I'd say. I mean, how many days in a year do they actually have to work? It would be cool to get paid mostly for the way you look. Combine that with some skills and training and you're set. Of course, there is the issue of the actor you are doubling. If their career takes a dive, so does yours. 

 I've never seen the film the Expendables but that's what came to mind in thinking about stunt doubles. They are expendable! That's their job in fact. I suppose that is just the nature of the game in Hollywood. We wouldn't want the star of the film to be injured in any way, bring in the double. All we need you to do today is just off the roof of a burning building, into a pool of burning water while a building explodes. Ok boss got it. I did listen to an old Indian gentleman that was a friend of a friend talk about being an extra in the movies. His specialty was falling off a horse after being shot by the Cowboys. He told how he got paid one hundred dollars each time he did the stunt. He said he would sometimes feign he didn't understand the directions and fall off the wrong side of the horse. Then he would have to do it again, for another hundred, on the other side. He said he broke his arm and legs a few times, but the studio paid the medical mills. 

 I did have a person walk up to me once and begin talking away. Just like we were old friends or something. I just stood there thinking, who is this? Turned out I didn't know that person and he hadn't known me. He swore I looked exactly like someone else and apologized. That's the closest I came to being a double. I sometimes see people I think I might know but have never approached them. It's just a feeling I get more than anything else. I always say I would be the worst person to choose as an eyewitness to anything. That is especially true with identifying a person. If I haven't known you and been around you for a good while I couldn't describe you accurately. Eye color? Height? Weight? Well, I don't know. I've had friends for fifty years now and still don't know the color of their eyes! Some are taller than me, some shorter. Same with weight, more or less. Ask me about a classic car though and I can tell you all about them. Cars after 1970, not so much. 

 It is amazing how much alike some of those doubles really are. I expect the Hollywood make up people enhance that as well. Dolly Parton once said, it costs a lot of money to look this cheap! I'm guessing that would apply to doubles as well. I do wonder how they find these people though. Do they just go walking around looking at people? It has to be easier these days with all the social media and all. If they need a grey bearded, pot bellied, old guy I could be your man. I don't ride horses, jump off buildings, do any sort of fighting or much of anything dangerous. Still, if you need me to eat that burger because the star is a Vegan or drink a beer because he is a teetotaler, I'm your man.       

justification

 There was talk of sports betting on television this morning. It was being touted as a way to help the homeless. That's a switch, usually vice is used to help the children. But they were talking about expanding the number of states to allow this activity. It was pointed out that people have been betting on sports, illegally, since there have been sports. So, the additional reasoning, beyond helping the homeless is, they are going to do it anyway. And why should something be illegal if people are going to do it anyway? All that does is put a further burden on law enforcement. Just tying up the courts with that stuff. 

 There was some mention of gambling as an addiction. No problem though, we are prepared for that. Some of the funds generated will go to free counseling services. You won't get your money back, but a professional person will console you. Of course, that isn't really free, a portion of the money you lost goes to them. It's like drugs. Some places have the same policy about that. Yeah, some folks will get addicted to pot, but it won't kill them, and they are going to do it anyway, so if they develop a problem, counseling is available. 

 The whole deal is simple enough to understand. There are literally billions of dollars at stake. The government should make it safe and legal for you to do the things you want to do! Especially those things you are going to do anyway. The government should have zero say about moral issues! There can be no law when it comes to a strictly moral issue! Isn't that what the separation of church and state is all about? Government is business! Just straight up business and nothing else. A government of the people, by the people, shouldn't be telling people how to act! 

 We tried banning alcohol, but people were drinking it anyway. So, we repealed that measure. The government just decided to tax it instead, regulate the sale and distribution. It was a wonderful thing too, made it safe and legal. Today we call alcoholism a disease, it's an illness. It's not your fault and treatment is available. Many states are allowing the sale and use of marijuana, defying federal law. They are simply taxing it, controlling the distribution, and counseling is available. Hey, people are going to smoke it anyway. Aborting babies was illegal except in cases where the mothers life was at stake. Well, people were doing it anyway. So, the government made it safe and legal. The court ruled it was a private matter, this killing of your own child, and it should be safe and legal if that is your choice. 

 The legalization of all this vice is concerning to me. It is the sign of a society in decline. What is vice? The dictionary says it is moral depravity, deviant and degrading practices or behaviors abhorrent to the associated society. How much of that is being "legalized" today? Indeed, how many of those behaviors are being redefined altogether, placed under the heading, "they are going to do it anyway" so let's make it safe and legal. If it's legal, it must be accepted in society. Well, at least it will be illegal to say anything about it, no matter that people will do it anyway, we will punish those folks. It's a crime!  

Thanks

 Most holidays and observances weren't much of a big deal at my house growing up. It was just the major ones, Christmas and Thanksgiving that got the most attention. All the others would be mentioned, perhaps used as an excuse to light the charcoal or eat a cake. I don't recall a single time my parents celebrated their anniversary, in fact, it was never even mentioned. Birthdays came and went usually with Mom making a cake and we had some ice cream. No parties except when my sister gave me one for my sixteenth. Memorial Day marked the beginning of summer and Labor Day its' end. Some firecrackers and sparklers for the fourth. 

 Today being Father's Day I am thinking about my dad. He's been gone for thirty years now, three decades. It doesn't seem like it most of the time. I hear his voice and feel his presence often enough. It isn't a spirit, it's a memory. I'm a part of him and a part of him lives within me. It's just a natural thing nothing superstitious or ethereal. All a part of a cycle. I didn't get to be around him a lot when I reached adulthood. I was in the Navy. I would come to visit. In some ways he still thought of me as a kid, his kid. I get that, I understand it. Sometimes I think of my own children as just kids! One of those kids is the Mayor of Greensboro! But the thing is I wish I had gotten to know my dad as a man. That's the part I miss, a part I never had.

 What I mean is I wish I knew his inner thoughts and feelings a bit better. We never got to share those type of things. After I left home we sort of bumped into each other every now and again. It was more like visiting, as a guest almost. No one wanted to upset the other. When I was at home, as a teenager, we did butt heads over many topics. Of course the topics were juvenile although I didn't think so at the time. He, of course, always got the final word. That was back in the time when parents where in charge! All in all he was pretty lenient, willing to listen, but in the end usually unchanged in his opinion. 

 As the years roll on I find my thoughts of him changing a bit. For a long time I tried to be him. I think a lot of boys try to be their fathers. At one time Dad had grown to mythical stature in my mind. A real Mans' man. Then I began to see chinks in the armor. I allowed myself to think that perhaps, just perhaps he did have a few faults after all. He became a human being. More importantly he became another man. A man I would like to have known better. But that wasn't to be. Perhaps that is for the best, I've learned to trust the past for what it was, not for what I wish it had been. It's a difficult lesson to learn. 

 I never thought of my father as my friend. That isn't a concept that was discussed when I was growing up. They say you should marry your best friend and there is a lot of truth in that. Dad as a friend? Well, he could be a lot of fun from all accounts. I did see his mischievous side every now and again. I heard a few tales of his misadventures as a young man. Sounds like he had a good time even if he was being irresponsible. Were we friends? No, I'd say it was more of an apprenticeship. I never did reach equal footing, at least not in my mind I didn't. Friends share equal footing. I think we could have become great friends if time had permitted that. No matter though, he'll always be Dad. I'm my father's son. That's a good thing, a very good thing. Thanks Dad.  

What happened?

 Know what happened on this day two hundred and ten years ago? The damn British fired at us again. They weren't using AK-15's but they assaulted us anyway! Yup, the British recruited some Native Americans, as they are called today, to join them in attacking the Americans. Other Native Americans joined the American forces. Well all of that is left to history to understand and explain. But the War of 1812 is mostly a forgotten war. Fact is, there isn't a whole of action to talk about with a few notable exceptions. The war was mostly about trade (money) as most wars ultimately are. It was James Madison that declared war on Great Britian after years of British insults and wrongs against our nation. 

 We entered the war with about 6700 soldiers against the British numbering, in total, 240,000! We had a good sized navy but no where near as big as Britian's. Still, Monroe figured we could win this one. Eventually we did. The war lasted three years. The British were actively fighting with the French during this time as well. That's what put us in a pickle in the first place. We couldn't trade with either nation without the other nation getting mad about that, politics you know. Soldiers were recruited in America with the promise of a land bounty. I have a few ancestors that were given land as a result of their service in the war of 1812. As far as I can tell none of them every took possession of the land though. It was all out "west" in the uncivilized part of the country, full of hostiles! 

 Being a Navy man I was taught about Oliver Hazard Perry and his great victory against the British. After soundly trashing the British on Lake Erie he sent his now famous message, "we have met the enemy and they are ours." Take that. Following that he was sent to Newport Rhode Island to supervise the building of several ships. He did get command of a new forty four gun ship of the line but by then the war was over. Still, Oliver is remembered. He was there helping to defend Baltimore during the British bombardment. It was then that Francis Scott Key, being held prisoner on a British ship, wrote the poem that would become the Satr Spangled Banner. A "banner" moment in the war! We repulsed their attack and held the fort. The British left never to return. Other than burning the White House the British never did accomplish a whole lot. Andrew Jackson fought the Battle of New Orleans, immortalized in song by Johnny Horton, but ironically that happened after the peace treaty had been signed, neither side knew that at the time. 

 Not counting the "Indian " wars it was the last battle fought on American soil against foreigners. The civil war remember was, well, a civil matter. After the war was over the southerners usually referred to that war as, the war between the states. They didn't like the term civil war. The victors get to name the war and it is recorded as the Civil War in American history books. That war was over trade as well, although there were other components. 

 But anyway, two hundred and ten years have passed since the start of that war. Most people know little about it. I have read some but my knowledge of that war is sketchy at best. The most ironic part of that war and its' aftermath is the Native Americans lost the most territory. Of course back then they were just Indians. They were people living in the land we wanted. Some were friendly Indians, some where not. No matter how you want to view all of that the Indians were forced to surrender their lands to superior numbers. The same thing had happened around the globe over many centuries. The Europeans are mostly blamed for all of that expansion. Funny how in the history books all Europeans are pretty much considered the "white" people despite the many nationalities they represent. But when all the white people got together and formed a nation called America many began identifying themselves by hyphenating their nationality. They insist they aren't all white after all. So during the War of 1812 it was the white guys fighting other white guys with the help from Native Americans on both sides and the Native Americans came out on the short end of the stick! History takes a few turns.

 In total about two hundred and eighty thousand men served in the war of 1812. Of those about fifteen thousand died, mostly from disease and sickness. About twenty two hundred died in battle. The war cost us ninety three million dollars. We had to borrow eighty million of that. War is expensive but a boom to the economy. But it was paid for by 1837. Yes, we had no national debt at that time. It hasn't happened since. 1812 a mostly forgotten war. 

                                                           

           

Fixing stuff

 I have often thought I was born just a little late. I should have been earlier in the twentieth century. Now I wouldn't want to have had to live through the great depression, that was certainly a rough time, but on the plus side, things were a lot simpler then. A man could breathe free and make his way on his own terms. I realize some of this thinking is just daydreaming and a bit of a romantic notion. Still, I can't help but think I would have enjoyed that period in time. All kinds of new inventions showing up, lots of technological advances. Labor saving devices is what I'm thinking about. A time when being a repairman took real skill and craftmanship. You really did repair whatever was broken, not just replace the part. Replacing parts isn't what I find challenging, repairing the broken part is. Sadly most parts can't be repaired today.

 I think I should have been Mr. Fix-It. You know the guy at the fix it shop. I do enjoy working on all that stuff. In years past I would attempt to repair just about anything. Most of the time it wasn't worth the time or effort as the item could be replaced easily enough. It was the challenge of making it work again that interested me. I suspect a lot of that came from my childhood. My dad was a man that could fix anything. He was also a man that built a lot of the things he wanted. Houses, boats, an airplane (never completed) all sorts of things. Not one to buy much of anything new, used was the way he went. I'm certain that was not a choice however, economics being what it was. So, I was accustomed to fixing it yourself. The only repairman I ever saw at out house was the TV repairman, that was the only thing Dad didn't fix. He would check the fuse, check the tubes, and that was that. 

 I was thinking about jobs that you don't see much of today. A shoemaker? There are a few around that put new heels on boots and resole them. I don't think many people even consider that much anymore, throw'em out and get a new pair. How about a clock repairman? We had one in Greensboro but following covid I don't think he is in business anymore. He told me of the time he would go house to house repairing and adjusting clocks, like the man coming by to sharpen your scissors. I never saw one but a Tinker was a thing at one time. Mom bought a "tinkers dam" at the hardware store when I was young. I remember dad putting it on the pot. 

 Back then a lot of things were made to last. It wasn't a conscious decision, it was based on the material available. As our machinery improved we could manufacture products lighter, quicker, and using less material. Lumber and steel got thinner and lighter. Then plastics were introduced. The products are functional, get the job done, but they aren't very durable. They aren't designed to be repaired. They are intended to be replaced. We have reached the point were "recycling" is a business! Think about that. In the past things weren't recycled because they were still being used. In that way things became familiar to us. Our parents used them, we used them and they kept on going. A sentiment could be developed. I have some of Dads old tools. I will use them sometimes and think of him. I've got a sweater Mom knitted too. That's why people fixed things too, like to work with the familiar, and there is a bit of sentiment involved. I think we are missing that today.  

Summer attractions

 Summer is almost officially here. Arrives in just a few days. I have zero plans for that season. Truth be told I have never had plans for any season, they always just come and go. If the global warming people are to be believed, summer may be around a bit longer. I don't have a problem with that. I haven't even bought my fishing license for this year, might need to do that to help put food on the table the way things are going. I might have to pay for the license, but I can still dig worms for free! 

 Growing up summer was, the season. It never directly affected my family though; we weren't dependent upon the summer crowd and their money to get through the winters. That was the problem of the upstreeters that owned the small shops and businesses that catered to that crowd. Yes, it had an effect on the whole economy of the town, no denying that, so in a way we were all effected, just not directly. Being a "vacation" spot, you did have to deal with the tourists. The difference was simply, recurring tourists. By that I mean, the same people came every year. In a way it was more like an amusement park to those folks. It was where they came for entertainment on the weekends. But all that was many years ago. Now, the tourists pretty much own the park! The season never ends. 

 Here in Greensboro the seasons come and go marked by the growing season and the long winter months. I just watch the fields. Agriculture is the primary source of income, along with chicken houses. Lots of chickens. There is some tourist action in the fall and winter. Goose hunting is quite popular, along with ducks and a bit of other game. Some folks are guides and make a decent amount of money doing that, in season of course. Places like St. Michaels, Oxford and Belllevue attract tourists for weekends of spending! Surprisingly that is the big attractions in those areas, the little shops and eateries where you can spend your money on frivolous things. The hallmark of the tourist. No cameras' hanging around their necks these days though, everyone uses their phone. Technology changes, time does not.

 I have to say all of that has very little effect on me. I am not one to go to a lot of places and so traffic isn't any issue. I don't frequent the little boutiques, galleries and niche stores. I want my food simple and cheap. Not much on wine tasting either. Boones farm or the newest Cabernet, all the same to me. I still think that Chianti with the woven basket around the bottle is pretty fancy. I have no real desire to go to the beach anymore, those days are all behind me. I don't like crowds of people huddled together on the beach. I also don't want to walk a mile to get some space! So Ocean City, Rheobeth and the like are not an attraction to me. Perhaps if I lived closer. 

 Summer did mean the kids would be out of school. First it was my own, then the grandkids but now, the grandkids have all graduated, one from college already! Nothing much changes now in the daily routine. I think about getting a boat, I do enjoy being on the river in the summertime but, a boat. An acronym for Bust Out Another Thousand! A hole in the water that you pour money into. There is the storage problem as well. Well, it's nice to think about, but I need a lottery win or two. Being an apartment dweller has its' limitations. No matter, when I did have a boat I got to use it maybe a dozen times in a year. Yes, I'm a fair weather boater. 

 None of this is intended as a complaint. I was just thinking about the summer as it is big news to some. I realize many wait for it, anticipate the fun and excitement. Vacations to be taken, sunburns to get. For others, money to be made, money vital to their survival. All too soon the roadside farm stands will be selling pumpkins and mums, perhaps some corn stalks. The season will be over. The leaves will begin to fall. My favorite time of the year, not too hot, not too cold. Things have calmed down and time to pack the summer up. Fall is the time to remember, that's my thought anyway. Following that, things get ramped up for the "Holidays." But I'm rushing ahead, summer will be here in two days. I just might go to the beach, at least once, to make sure the ocean is still there. Something I did almost every day when I was a kid, had to check on the ocean, and the bay, just to be sure. Only a few miles separated the two. I have to say I do miss the salt in the air, that smell of the ocean. Especially strong in the summertime. 

Temperance

 When we talk of temperance we think of alcohol and those crazy ladies wielding axes and marching in the streets. Carrie Nation, aka Hatchet Granny, was possibly the best known of these ladies. She belonged to the National Christian Women Temperance Movement. There were quite a few chapters of that organization around in the 1870's but its beginnings were in the 1820's. The ladies led the charge, usually being the ones that were on the receiving end of abuse caused by the use of that product. Drinking strong spirits was considered immoral, still is by some. But the temperance I'm thinking about this morning isn't abstinence from alcohol, I'm thinking about self-moderation or restraint. Something, in my opinion many are lacking in todays' world.

 You know it wasn't so much the alcohol those temperance ladies opposed; it was the abuse of alcohol that caused the problem. Their thinking was, eliminate the alcohol and you will eliminate the problem. Same thought process as gun control advocates use today. The effort proved unproductive and led to further problems. In the end, after thirteen years which saw an increase in violent crime and corruption prohibition was repealed. It was a failure. Now it did lower the amount of alcohol consumption in the United States, the primary purpose in the first place, but the social and economic costs were very high. So, in the end it failed to "temper" much of anything.

 It was the behavior of the people abusing alcohol that they wanted to temper. In short, quit getting drunk and abusing others! You can say you're sorry, promise to not do it again, but that doesn't matter much. Alcohol, viewed as the devil himself, will take hold of you. That was the explanation for what we call today, substance abuse and declare it a disease. Albeit, a self inflicted one, the blame is being shifted to the product once again, and not to the individual use of that product. 

 Religion, and the practice of religious beliefs, have traditionally been the means to temper a society. Temperance being restraint and self-control. Usually accompanied by the threat of punishment from the God(s) or natural calamities like storms, drought, or pestilence. The other method is what we call, government. A set of laws, codes, directives, and documents delineating what behaviors are acceptable in that society. Government is as varied as religious beliefs. Government also uses the threat of punishment for non-compliance. The extremes being a dictatorship and a Republic. Yes, our Republic is at the extreme end. A government of the people, by the people, for the people. An exercise in self-control! It is that lack of temperance that is causing so many issues today, just as it did in the past. 

 That idea, that thought has been expressed by many scholars over the years. The founding fathers wrote about it and how precarious a Republic really is. It's in constant peril due to the people. People are people and do not like to exercise self-restraint. In fact the objective is to restrain others in order to secure your personal goals. What religion calls temptation. It is those things we want for ourselves, for our own personal enjoyment, pleasure or profit. In government, compromise is the tool used to gain that objective. In our Republic it is supposed to be the majority that decides what we are willing to compromise. 

 That is being circumvented these days. Many times by using the very document that forms the basis of our Republic. The argument being, if the Constitution doesn't specifically say I can't, that means I can. Those decisions are the sole providence of the individual states. Today we have state "laws" that are in contradiction to Federal law. The Federal government has elected not to enforce its' own law! This "legalization" of marijuana is what I am referring to. So temperance is being removed, now on a national level. The thinking being, people are going to do it anyway.

 In one fashion you could say that premise is built into most religions as well. The concept of forgiveness from the God(s). You are going to doing it anyway (sin) so if you ask for forgiveness, it will be granted. In the end, there is no punishment. The Catholic church, which I'm not all that familiar with its doctrines, does have mortal sin. That's real bad, but still forgivable. It's the idea that some wrongs are more wrong than other wrongs. The objective is to not commit the wrong in the first place, not the removal of the wrong. You can't remove wrong from the world. People are going to do that. Ultimately it is personal temperance that controls all of that. The removal of "objects" will not alter that at all. It may, at best, alter the method chosen to commit the wrong, but it won't stop the wrong from being done. 

Is it cool?

 The FDA wants to ban menthol cigarettes. That's because it entices kids to smoke. That's their explanation. Just like vaping, banning the flavors young people like. The thinking is to take the candy out of the store. In my estimation it will be as effective as banning assault style semi-automatic rifles to prevent mass shootings. The reason is simple one to understand really, if you just think about it and are honest with your answers. The reason most kids start smoking. It's cool, everyone is doing it. Vaping, that's cool. Having an AR-15, or any assault style rifle, super cool. No different than the desire for the new sneakers, records, clothes, cars or anything else that's cool. And that is the truth 99% of the time. Why else would you pay fifty, sixty dollars for jeans that are in shreds? They are cool. Holding a minimum wage, part time job while carrying a 1200 dollar I-phone. Hey, I need that. 

 If you want to change any of that, it has to be cool. Just how you go about that is something I can offer no advice on. I know, rarely do I not have some idea. But I never got a really cool nickname or was up on the latest fad or fashion. When I did learn of the latest fad or fashion I didn't always comply. I was taught to make my own choices and stand by them. Obstinate is what some call that. I call it committed. A man's word is his bond! That was central to my upbringing. If you said it, back it up. Something that in todays' world isn't always viewed in a positive way. We have television shows based on the premise of back-stabbing, lying and cheating. The ones doing that the "best" are the winners.

 In years past much of that was accomplished through religious training. We went to Sunday school. Some of us went to Parochial schools. There we learned the value of honesty, integrity and doing the right thing. It was a method to deal with the shortcomings in your life. Yes, life isn't fair, but we are all equal in death. That was the subtle lesson learned. Studies confirm that the vast majority of us will acknowledge that at some point in our lives. Might be a few days before the end, but it will be recognized. Even those that never attended a single service in their lives were aware of that. It permeated everyday life. Much of that has been removed over the years, in the interest of commerce. That's my feeling anyway. Mustn't let any of that interfere with a profit or progress. Progress means more money, more luxury and fewer restrictions on behaviors. It's all cool! 

 Seems to me the things that are cool are those things we have been told that we shouldn't do. Grow our hair long and shaggy, listen to specific types of music, wearing certain clothing, participating in certain behaviors. Mostly I think whatever previous generations determined were wrong. The difference today being the "moral" compass is missing. Nowhere in our religious teachings where we taught it was wrong to wear certain clothes, listen to music and all that sort of stuff. Yes, I know some religious organizations have all those restrictions. I'm just saying in a general way the Christianity America had ingrained in our everyday lives centered on moral actions and doing the right thing. That was the lesson. It was also taught there were consequences for not doing so! That's what the compass is for, to keep you going in the right direction. The founding fathers wrote this: 

“For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” They acknowledged and upheld a Judeo-Christian, Bible-based view of God as actively involved in the lives of human beings. A moral compass. Free will and freedom to choose. What are you basing your decision on? What's right or what's cool? Or, is it all cool? 

Flags

 Tomorrow is one of those holidays few pay much attention too. After all, no parades, no three-day weekend, and you don't get gifts. Tomorrow is Flag Day. So, I thought I would write about that a bit, a brief lesson on the why of it. The majority of this information most of us would already know and some are little known facts. And yes, I did look it all up to see if I was right and to add some material that I didn't know. The first thing I learned, something I confess I had never given a thought to was, why a flag in the first place? Sure, I know everyone has a flag. Countries, groups, clubs, clans or whatever. But during the early stages of the American Revolution there was no "national" flag. Each state, group, battalion, or company had their own flag. The closest thing we had was a flag with red and white stripes with the union jack in the corner. George Washington thought this flag too closely resembled the British Flag and insisted on a change. That's when the thirteen stars were added to a field of blue making it more readily distinguished from the British Flag. It was June 14,1777 when the second continental congress took a break from writing the articles of confederation to address this directly. That's why June 14 is Flag Day.

 We were all taught that Betsy Ross made the first flag. She sewed that up. At least that's what her grandson said. New evidence and documents disprove that, however. It was really a person named Francis Hopkinson that designed that flag. Betsy may have sown it, but she didn't design it. Over the years as the states were added the stars got rearranged. It was a high school student that arranged the fifty stars in the pattern we see today. It was a school project and sent to the President, at the time, Eisenhower. He liked it, it was approved, and the kid got an A. His name, Bob Heft. 

 In 1968 the Flag Act was passed following protests about the war in Vietnam. It was made illegal to burn the flag. In 1988, just twenty years later, the flag act was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. In a close vote, 5-4 it was struck down on grounds that it violated the first amendment. The argument central to this was that burning the flag did not disturb the peace, unlikely to cause any unrest, and is protected political speech. It is something still debated to this very day. Another flag protection act was passed in 1989 but overturned in 1990. 

 Today we hear a lot about another flag, the Pride flag. There is much debate about flying that flag in classrooms across this nation. My stance is a simple one, if there is no protection for the American Flag there is no protection for the Pride Flag either. I think we can all agree that if anyone where to tear down, trample on and indeed set fire to a Pride Flag they would be arrested for a hate crime! It certainly would gain national attention. It isn't lost on me that this Pride Month celebration, with its' attending flag, is June. A coincidence? I doubt that. A design to replace the Star Spangled Banner with a flag representing exactly what? A sexual preference? Can I gather a crowd and burn pride flags in the street while receiving support from the main stream media? I doubt that! Yet, the American Flag is often burned, trampled on, used for clothing, advertisement, and a myriad of abuses all the while being told, it's my right! 

 Look it's simply my belief that the American Flag should be protected against all of that as vehemently as words or symbols supporting other causes are. It's not illegal to wear or fly a Swastika in America because of the same ruling, it's free speech. Does it cause unrest when done? Yup, sure does. Does imposing the Pride Flag cause unrest? Yup, sure does. Would you allow a teacher to display a Swastika Flag in their classroom and fully support that? What about the flag with a Hammer and Sickle on it? You alright with that? I believe this: there is room but for one flag in our classrooms, The American Flag. All the others are for show and tell days.          

 

   

Truth

 Was reading an article about the resurgence of enrollment at the country's historically black colleges and universities. Altogether a good thing but the troubling part was the enrollment was, by far, blacks. That's no surprise really but the reason they enrolled were. Topping the list was being in a school surrounded by "their" people. They felt safe being there, you know, without people of another color being there. In short, what I was surprised to hear was, they wanted to be segregated! That's what they were saying whether they were aware of it or not. I couldn't help but think what Dr. King and a few others would have to say about that. What about those that sat on those stools in Greensboro, North Carolina at Woolworths? What about Rosa? Weren't all of those individuals attempting to be included. It is my understanding that was their purpose. What of the Civil Rights Act of 1964? 

 I was only ten years old then, a notherner and basically unaware of what had been going on down "south" as the saying went. Still, I do recall hearing about riots, protests, sit-ins and clashes. My father had been south in the late 1940's and had a few photographs that showed "colored" water fountains and bathrooms next to "white only" ones. I remember being told how outrageous and wrong all that was. Unbelievable! Like most children I believed all that stuff had happened a long time ago, it wasn't happening today. After all, no one was segregated in my school, no signs like that anywhere to be seen. The black people were no different than anyone else in town, just people. You may, or may not, know them, be friends or work with them. Fact is, it was more about the haves and have nots when I was growing up. 

That was the separation I was aware of. Learned very early on, money talks the loudest and usually buys whatever the speaker wants! Color wasn't an issue, class was. 

  So, I had to think, here we are fifty-eight years after the signing of the civil rights act of '64 and there are young people wanting to go back. Back to being segregated from others. One reason stated was they could embrace their cultural heritage. A heritage of exactly what, I didn't see included. Although dates will vary according to source and just who did the research it is estimated the last African born slave in America died in 1940. The last person that was a slave in America died, probably, in 1971. So, the last person that would, or could have possibly had any direct memory of Africa died eighty-two years ago. The last slave died fifty-five years ago. Can you really inherit something you have no knowledge of? What I mean is I am of German heritage, but I know nothing of being a German. Lederhosen and drinking beer? Is that being a German? Oom-Pah music? What heritage of being a slave would you want to embrace? I fail to see anything of value in that! I would want to be as distant from that as possible! No different than Germans wanting to be as distant from Hitler as possible! 

 What are we dealing with here? Are we dealing with racism, segregation, micro-aggressions and bigotry? Or could it be we are dealing with a cultural difference that neither group understands? Assimilation is what we are talking about. To assimilate yourself to the environment you find yourself living in. Theodore Roosevelt spoke of this in the early part of the twentieth century. Barely forty years since the abolition of slavery in the United States, he didn't include African Americans in that speech for reasons unknown to me, possibly because they weren't identifying themselves in that fashion at that time. That didn't happen until the 1960's. They rejected the term Negro in favor of African American. Today we have Latino-Americans a term we hadn't used in the past either. The previous term being quite offensive. Some things never change across centuries and generations. Man has been calling other men names with a varying degree of derision and disrespect since the beginning. 

 But getting back to what Roosevelt said,  "The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English- Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian- Americans, or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality than with the other citizens of the American Republic…" The entire passage can be read here, https://caldronpool.com/theodore-roosevelt-on-assimilation-and-multiculturalism-there-is-no-room-in-this-country-f 

 True then, true today. 

Great Idea

 Saturday morning and all that is on the television is infomercials. I do find that amusing at times. Such excitement, such enthusiasm, and miracle products. I am reminded of the two companies, no longer in existence, that were the pioneers. Ronco and K-Tel. Who else remembers? Oh, the amazing array of products they offered. Who could forget the Pocket Fisherman? An entire rod and reel that simply fit right in your coat pocket, ready to cast, ready to fish in an instant! And of course, there was the Slice-O-Matic! I was always a big fan of anything that was an O-Matic. You could buy a smokeless ashtray or the bedazzler, to set those rhinestones. You could get a machine that scrambled an egg while it was still in the shell! Magic rocks were a big thing too. Ah, so many products. 

 But wait, that's not all. That catch line was added a bit later on I think, I don't remember K-Tel or Ronco using it. As seen on TV perhaps, I'm not certain about that. Billy Mays was possibly the best at hawking these gadgets. The spin mob, sham wow and other products. Flex tape, flex seal and oxi-clean. Remember when he put a screen door in the bottom of a boat? The classic commercials are the best! Today I see them in half hour or more infomercials. A little too long for me. I suppose there are those that watch those shows as a matter of course, I only watch when there is nothing else on or I want to kill five minutes waiting for another show. 

 I confess to still checking the As seen on TV section whenever I'm in Walgreens. I noticed Dollar General also has a section devoted to those products. I have even purchased a few. The blanket with sleeves in it wasn't a bad idea, the grandkids thought they were cool. Veg-O-Matic was a featured item for a long time. Today I see a lot of products centered around cell phones and accessories for that. Mount the phone in car anywhere with this product. It's mount-o-matic! Love the matic. A garden hose that magically shrink in size for easy storage, a food dehydrator and a vacuum sealer that promises to save you hundreds of dollars. All items hard to pass up. It was sad to see the downfall of Ronco and K-Tel but a relief to see others picking up the torch. I'm always anxiously awaiting the next O-Matic product. Who doesn't love something that's automatic? We have cars that shift gears automatically, lights that turn on, thermostats that automatically adjust the atmosphere for our maximum comfort, we have chop-o-matic, veg-o-matic and pop-o-matic toasters! Life is so much easier. Much of that we should thank those pioneers for, K-Tel and Ronco I salute you. R.I.P. Billy Mays your work was done. you blazed the path. I'm certain there is a light on your grave that comes on automatically. It's the eternal light-O-matic that ensures the "light is always on" and that's a brilliant idea.  

   

choose

 Didn't watch the Jan 6 commission present their report. No need to. The final report will be, it's Trump fault and he should be prosecuted. That's the whole deal, the entire purpose of the commission. It'll be a made for television movie after the mid-term elections are completed. 

 So that topic has been covered and I'll move on. When I went to be with my son during his surgery I did go to a Starbucks. I went with my son's brother-in-law. I was asked what kind of drink I would like. I answered, a black coffee. Just a plain black coffee. Turns out you have to choose between two of those. I was told one was called "robusto" or some such thing, a stronger blend than whatever the regular coffee would be called. I probably have that wrong, but you get the idea. Nothing is simple, straightforward or easy anymore! All I want is a cup of coffee, black. That means I don't want sugar, cream, froth, foam, flavors, umbrella's or piñata's in if! Is that too hard to understand? I was a bit tired and annoyed. I'm always annoyed at Starbucks! My granddaughter used to frequent the place, but she has moved on from that, she's learning. It doesn't have anything to do with politics, it has to do with economic realities. Like I said, she's learning. 

 I've mentioned all this before, what haven't I talked about, but I think it all ties together. There are just too many choices! Look at the chip aisle as an example. Plain, ripple, ones that pre-formed made from a paste, corn, so many flavors I can't even begin to name them. Only thing I know for sure is, all those flavors are created using salt! Greasy potato chips, the plain old-fashioned kind, with a touch of salt were bad enough, but we have elevated that to a new level! 

 There are just so many choices no one can commit to anything. In fact, that's the new thinking, everything new is better. If you are not changing your mind every time something new is offered, you're not being progressive! You are hanging on to old fashioned, outdated ideas and need to let go. Like marriage, for instance. Just between a man and a woman? How backward is that? Two genders? There are as many genders as you want there to be. I can choose to kill one body that's inside my body because that's my choice! It's health care. Borrow money and then have to pay it back. Outrageous, I borrowed that money, but it didn't make me wealthy. It didn't provide me with the means to meet the terms of the loan. I was pressured into it anyway, so I shouldn't have to pay that back, you should pay that back. I was only eighteen when I signed those papers, I didn't know. 

 So, we have reached a point where we are talking about raising the age limit to buy a semi-automatic assault style rifle to 21, banning the sale of menthol cigarettes to everyone 21+, had to chuckle when I read that because you have to be 21 to buy tobacco products anyway, and insisting grade school children can "identify" themselves as whatever gender they feel like. Oh, and we must use the proper pronoun based on their choice. You mustn't state the obvious, if he says he is she you shouldn't correct that statement, just agree. Soon all the answers on tests will be like that and everyone gets a 100%. 

 It's interesting to note that 18% of the states in the United States allow an 18-year-old person to be elected governor! Yes, it's true, At eighteen they could be legally and duly elected as Governor. They couldn't buy a gun or cigarettes but they could command the state's national guard! An additional six states set the min age at 25, proof of age must still be shown to purchase those cigarettes though, at least in Maryland they would, the signs all say if you look younger than forty you will be checked! Not sure what forty looks like compared to thirty five or so. Personally I quit that habit but was never asked to produce ID at any time. Guess I always looked forty. 

Yeah, it's a crazy time to be alive in America. I grew up believing in Truth, Justice and the American way. Read where that has been changed too. Now Superman says Truth, Justice, and a better tomorrow. Well Superman be woke now that he is gay. In fact, he is super gay! A bisexual he has entered into a gay relationship according to reports that I have read. Can Batman and Robin be harboring secrets as well? The Bat Cave really just a closet? 

 Well, when I was growing up my father had a saying. Whenever you were undecisive, or changing your mind every two seconds, hesitating and just in general stalling to make a decision, he would say. "either shit or get off the pot" Yeah, we need more of that! Make a choice, decide on whatever, and stick with it! Whatever you call what we have been doing isn't working. Time for a change. Let's go back to the American way. Back to where you made your own bed, and you slept in that! And that, that was your choice. You paid for it too, good or bad, you were responsible for that.