It's a caution

  In my continuing social commentary, I find myself saddened and disturbed. The verdict came in after just eleven hours of deliberation. I had held out hope that the justice system would work as designed, that it hadn't been tainted. That proved to be wrong. It's obvious this jury just bowed down to the popular view, to what the social pressure dictated. I really had hoped it would be a hung jury, a no decision. I wasn't praying for a not guilty, I wasn't pinning any hopes on that, but I was hoping for a fair and unbiased review of the facts. That didn't happen and is a reflection of what is happening in America today. The Republic is slipping through our fingers. It should be a sad day for all Americans but I'm already seeing the cheers from the left! The objective was to keep Trump off the ballot, and this is a step in that direction. We are in uncharted waters. I'm certain all the constitutional scholars on social media will provide clarification.

 I am viewing this from a social perspective. Politics to me is just a matter of discussion and speculation on my part. I do get to cast my vote and that is the extent of my political involvement. I campaign for no one, I don't simply vote the party line, I vote for the individual that most agrees with my thoughts. Oh, I won't deny I have conservative views and lean in that direction heavily. As a result, I often find the Republican candidates align with my thoughts. But what concerns me more is the overall approach a candidate takes. Can't agree with everything anyone says, I even argue with myself! And this trial was influenced by social pressure just as surely as the sun comes up in the morning. The jury was not unbiased, the Judge was not unbiased, and the prosecutor was most certainly not unbiased. It was obvious to anyone listening.

 A judicial proceeding has been used as a weapon. The founding fathers warned all of us about this happening. It's what the first amendment is really all about and the reason for the second as well. The reality is the charges were based in; shall we call it creative bookkeeping. Yes, it very well may have contained some criminal intent, some practices and procedures prohibited by law. It is also equally probable that if Trump wasn't running for office those charges would have never been brought to a jury trial at all. The probability being a fine from the IRS or some other such agency. If there was a crime it was a crime on paper only, no one was damaged in any way. The act of paying "hush money" which is the colloquial term for a Non-Disclosure Agreement isn't a crime at all. The recipient of that money declared, Trump never signed the agreement. 

 Now I'm certainly no legal expert of any kind, but if the document isn't signed you are not responsible for whatever the document contains. That's my understanding of it anyway. If I sign for a loan, I am certainly legally responsible for repaying that loan. Should the lender give me the cash without having me sign the document, I am not legally responsible for repayment. Where is the legal proof that Trump paid the money? There is no signed document that proves that. That according to Stormy Daniels herself! Yet 34 charges were levied against Trump, a trial held. And I am supposed to believe that it was a fair and unbiased. Testimony was given by a witness that the judge instructs the jury to not believe. The judge told the jury you can't convict the accused based on his testimony! The reality being the whole case hinged on that testimony! Why was he even allowed to testify? He's a liar, we know for a fact, beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a liar, but here is his testimony, you just can't listen to it! Seems fair enough.

 Well, we'll see how all this works out. I'll continue my social commentary on the proceedings as they unfold from my point of view. It is obvious to me and should be obvious to everyone that this trial was conducted with only one purpose in mind. The purpose was to keep Trump off the ballot. That's it. That was the sole reason. It had nothing to do with anything else. According to some legal scholars weighing in this will not accomplish that as there is no prohibition about a felon running for office. We are back into the "high crimes and misdemeanors" wording. The legal scholars are saying his conviction is a low level crime according to sentencing guidelines. Maybe it is a misdemeanor, but Trump isn't being impeached, he's running for office. Sentencing is next. That could be delayed and most likely will. It's a big mess for the country in general and should serve as a caution to every American. It is another step towards "government" rule, not we the people. The Republic is slipping away. 

 Regardless of your feelings regarding Trump this should serve as a caution. We must not allow this to become a precedent. We all know the sole purpose of this trial. You may be happy, your side won. They got their conviction. I get it, you don't care you are just ecstatic, it's a great victory. A victory for what though?  You think it was you that gained the victory because you agree, you simply hate and abhor Trump. It wasn't you; it was the political powers that gained that victory. Those same powers can and will turn on you just as quickly and with the same malice. Only the ballot box can prevent that. You are celebrating that your vote has been taken away! Your voice was silenced. Went your way this time, what about the next time? Careful what you ask for. It makes no difference what political party wields the power at any given moment, it is how they are allowed to wield that power that matters. That is what the Constitution is all about.   

POV (the unpopular one)

  Thought I would continue with some social commentary this morning. Once again, I find myself on the "wrong" side of an issue. I had read where Major League Baseball has decided to include the statistics of the players from the Negro leagues in their official record books. This has, of course, changed a few things concerning the best batters or whatever. I'm not really a statistic man and so couldn't tell you much about that without looking it all up. To be honest about it, I really don't care. I enjoy watching a ball game every now and again, I have a few favorite players from my youth but that's about it. Just not a big sports fan I guess despite societal pressures to be so. But that pressure hasn't caused me any trauma, no mental health crisis, panic attacks or requirement for an emotional support animal. But I'm getting off topic here.

 So, I read about this inclusion yesterday on Facebook. At first, I didn't leave any comment. I knew full well if I did it would stir up the proverbial hornets' nest. That post kept reappearing, as they often do, and I did get sucked into that vortex! I left my comment. I tried to resist as I read what the majority were saying. Oh, the woke crowd had gathered in full force praising this long overdue inclusion that will correct the injustice of the past. I read the comments about how blacks had been excluded, their records and accomplishments ignored by the white folks. I read about how unfair all that had been. It was declared to be systemic! And finally, here in 2024 the past will be rewritten! It's about time.

 I started with a simple declarative statement. Those black players had never played in the Major Leagues, they played in the Negro Leagues. They were separate leagues altogether; they didn't compete against one another. Each league has its' own record books, its' own heroes. That is as it should be. Since 1971 the Baseball Hall of Fame has included Negro League Players as a part of their museum. No one is denying the talent, the accomplishments of the players. Yes, they were segregated, we all know that. Yes, that was wrong, we all know that. But that doesn't change a simple fact, they didn't play in the major league. 

 Just as I knew it would it set off a firestorm of comments directed at me. I was called the usual name, racist, because I didn't immediately agree that every player in the Negro league should be in the hall of fame! They were better than Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb! They had records to prove that. The rationalization went on and on. I pointed out that at that time the Negro league played 60 games in a season while the major league was playing 120 and how that would certainly skew the season records. I was told how the negro leagues were the major league because they were all professional ballplayers. I pointed out the major leagues were only called that because they didn't name them the white leagues. The point there being, again, they were separate leagues. As I expected all of that fell on deaf ears. I'm just an angry white racist that doesn't want those players to receive the recognition they deserve.

 From my point of view this inclusion is really nothing more than virtue signaling. Black players have been recognized, given credit and praised for their accomplishments. They have been included, at least for the last 53 years in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But to integrate their statistics with those of the major league players is like playing fantasy baseball. They could have, might have, or may have exceeded the records set in that league but they didn't. They were not in that league. It is that simple really.

  When I was a kid I played a board game, Baseball Strategy, that was a form of fantasy baseball. Each "player" had a card that listed his stats, like batting average, fielding percentage and a number of other factors. The "pitchers" all had cards with their stats and abilities. It was a fantasy game where you could build your team! For me, it's the same as inserting those Negro league stats into the major league stats, it is what could have been, maybe. It has absolutely nothing to do with race or social injustice, they are just statistical facts, cold and impersonal. 

 Since 1947 there have been black players in major league baseball. Their achievements have certainly been recognized, as they should be because they are playing in the league. Was Jackie Robinson the first one to play professional baseball? No, in fact he isn't the first black player recognized by the hall of fame to have played in the "major" league. Moses Fleetwood Waker has that honor having played in 1884 for the Toledo Blue Stockings. 

 Remember the "major" league is only a name given to the league. It just so happens that league was formed and run by white people. It could just as easily have been named something else. In 1884 Moses Fleetwood Walker was playing professional baseball with the white guys and that is why he is the first. By the way, it is reported he went 0-3 that day. Doesn't mean a thing other than that is what the record book recorded. And that is how history should be recorded. The actual facts, not what could have been, might have been or what we wish it had been. 

 I did succumb to that temptation, I just had to leave a comment or two. It really is a guilty pleasure though; I enjoy getting others all fired up. It's just so easy with some. The comments kept coming in all day yesterday, according to my notifications button at least 45 times my name was mentioned. I realize I am in the same category now as Angel Hernandez as far as popularity goes and I'm ok with that. Just like Angel, I'm calling it as I see it! You may have a different point of view, maybe even one that is prejudicial or biased. Yes, it can happen to you. 

what it is

 Waiting to hear what the jury decides in the case of Donald Trump. No matter what they decide the results will be disputed, analyzed, scrutinized, second guessed and appealed. I don't care how you feel about Trump this "trial" has been a model for a kangaroo court. Crickey-mate it's a regular circus. The way it has been reported on the main stream news is your first clue. The "hush money" trial. There is no trial about whether hush money, otherwise known as a non-disclosure agreement, was received by Stormy Daniels. The trial is about where those funds came from. Now Trump could pay Daniels directly from his own pocket, a personal check or whatever and that is 100% legal. The question is, did he use campaign funds to pay that? Did he direct his lawyer to pay it then pay the lawyer back? That's what the big deal is all about. 

 Well, whatever the case may be the whole deal is just a political maneuver. The objective is preventing Trump from being on the ballot in November. The left will decide who you can and cannot vote for! And that is what you should be concerned about. How are you going to feel when it is your candidate that is being canceled? You know old Joe is on shaky ground in many ways. But I get it, you don't really care about old Joe, you just want the free stuff he promises. The concern isn't for the nation, it is for you. Cancel my student loan, give me free health care, take that money from the rich folks and give it to me! All the white folks should now support every minority living in America, along with any that manage to cross the border. That is the payment for the past and it is only right!

 And then you got this guy Trump. He wants to put America first! OMG He says mean things and hurts people's feelings. He thinks running the government is like running a business, it should be profitable to the shareholders. Yes, those shareholders are you and I, the taxpayers! And there is the fact that he is arrogant, brash, outspoken and a bit of a bully. He does feel a bit entitled because of his wealth and position. Overall, he just isn't a real nice guy. But it needs to be remembered, nice guys finish last. He will make the tough decisions though, for good or bad. There are times when you have to shit or get off the pot! Biden is still sitting on the pot! 

 The trial should serve as a caution to everyone. This is an example of what the founding fathers were concerned about. The legal system is being used to stifle the democratic process. That is all this trial is about, a means to prevent Trump from being on the ballot. No one really cares where the money came from, no one cares who was paid what and no one involved in any of this cares about justice. This is about control and intimidation. Bill Clinton paid out what, 850,000 in a civil lawsuit after exposing himself to Paula Jones. 

 But the media will tell you that's fine, no problem, it was his own money, and it was a civil lawsuit. Did anyone ask, where did Bill Clinton get the 850,000 dollars? No, he just wrote a personal check. It's all good. But Trump paying Stormy Daniels to remain silent is a terrible thing. If Ms. Daniels hadn't broken a legal and binding non-disclosure agreement, we would have never heard about that. She wasn't prosecuted for doing so, her claim being that Trump never signed the agreement. So, if Trump never signed the agreement did he have any knowledge of that? Well according to Cohen, a person proven to be a liar, even went to prison for that, he did. A real trustworthy person there. And then you have an adult film star as another witness. Yes, her moral and ethical character is beyond reproach. 

 Although it certainly reads this way this is not an endorsement of Trump. I'm just stating the facts of the case as I see them. I know, I'll be called a Trumpster, a maga American and all of that. I don't care, makes no difference to me whatsoever. I'm just recording history as it happens from my point of view. What will be written and said twenty years from now will most certainly be different from what is being reported today. Ever hear of Shay's rebellion? it was quite the uprising in its' day, an insurrection! Ever hear of the whiskey rebellion? Another big deal in its' day. Jan 6, Trump, this trial and the election in November will all be written into history. I'm just leaving my view of it. 

 My final thought on all of this is: should Biden get reelected he will be replaced before his term is over. He is not mentally or physically capable of another four years. The job extracts a heavy toll. Should Trump get on the ballot and actually win the election he will never take office. It's my feeling that will not happen unless he is placed inside a protective bubble 24/7. Personally, I think he stands about as much chance as an ice cream cone on a 90-degree day. There is no turning back now, the die is cast. This trial is nothing more than a distraction. 

 Will it be remembered? No, not likely, the public is fickle. Hearing anything about Clinton smashing cell phones, wiping secret servers or any of that mess? What about Epstein and his client list? What of Snowden? Remember when Biden called some folks jig a boos? Nah, old news, an old amusement, let's move on. And that is what this will become. In some history class, sometime in the future, the teacher will say, what it was. What that is has yet to be determined. A turning point in history? Could be, like Shay's rebellion or the whiskey rebellion. Name a famous trial? The scopes trial is probably the most well-known. Before that, the Salem witch trials. This is my account of what it is, have to wait and see what it was. Very often they are quite different things.

On the bubble

  Yesterday being Memorial Day there were a few postings regarding those we have lost over the years. Personally, I have been fortunate enough to discover that so far, no one in my immediate family has ever been killed in battle. My ancestors have fought in every war and conflict this country has ever had, from the very beginning to the present day and all have come home. But yesterday I did learn my uncle's cousin was killed in WW2. A bit distant but technically a relative. It did seem to me to be the closest one I know about.

  I was close with this uncle and I don't recall him ever mentioning that. Of course, back in those days that wasn't mentioned very often anyway. It would only be talked about with the immediate family, brothers and sisters, that sort of thing. Occasionally I would hear, we lost him in the war. That was about as much detail as was offered. By the time I was old enough to notice the Gold stars had all been put away, relegated to a box in the closet or tucked into the family bible. Yesterday reading that surname and wondering if he was related, I asked and was answered. It was answered by someone in my age group, a senior citizen, a baby boomer, you know, we old people. 

  I thought about that for the rest of the day and have come to realize something. We are most likely the last generation that will mention their names. We are talking about our parents and grandparents when we talk about those in WW2 or Korea. By we, I mean us baby boomers. Some of us knew WW1 veterans, although we may not have been aware of that. We are now those grandparents and great grandparents. We are the ones on the bubble of history. WW2 was a long time ago! It will have been 79 years ago this year that it ended. I'm 70. I have a grandson that may talk about me when he is seventy, but will anyone beyond that? Probably not. And as far as talking about my military service all he will have to say is, Grandpa retired from the Navy. There are no grand tales of heroic adventures, no great victories won, just the common sailor. Memorable? Well, hardly.

 As someone who has spent a great deal of time building the family tree, I understand how this gets misplaced. Many times, we choose not to speak of those that have been taken from us, the memory of the loss too great to bear. Keep picking at the scab, as our parents would tell us, and the wound never heels. Today there is a different philosophy concerning all that, you talk with a therapist or other health professional. In short, you seek counsel. Those that were lost early in life often get lost in the bigger picture, no matter the reason for that loss. 

 I have supported Wreaths Across America for a number of years now. I purchase those wreaths and help in placing them in our local cemetery. As a part of that, when placing the wreath, it is requested that you speak their name out loud. I find that particularly poignant. I think that for some, it will be the only time their name is spoken until the next year! I have among my treasures a newspaper clipping saved by my mother. On that page is a list of all those that served in WW2 from my hometown. It also indicates those that did not return. Some of the names are vaguely familiar, others are surnames I recognize and still others completely anonymous. I wonder who will keep that paper after I am gone or will it just be discarded as, old news. History works that way.

 I speak often of my parents, siblings and friends. I tell stories about them, about me, and about whatever interactions we may have had. I wonder if others are listening. Will they remember? Most likely it will be the same as with me, a vague recollection, a story heard somewhere but mostly questions. My grandchildren have heard many names from the past due to my interest in that. Floyd, Clara, Lucy and Elwood. Floyd is my great grandfather, and his 4th great grandson knows his name. I think that is important. Is it important to him? Not yet, not yet. The hope is that it will be one day. The hope being the name is spoken. 

 With each passing generation their names are on the bubble of history. Say their names, speak of them often and keep their memory alive. That is the intent of Memorial Day. lest we forget that they were living, breathing men and women. They all had families, friends and loved ones. More than names on a marker or in an old newspaper clipping. Consider this. 2054, that doesn't seem that far off does it? It's only thirty years. But it will have been 79 years since Vietnam ended. How many names will be remembered by then? Who will go to that wall having known the person attached to the name? How many out of the 58,318 names. Each name is on the bubble. 

Psyche

  When I attended Navy recruiter training school, we did receive forty hours of sales training led by a psychologist. Aptly named the phycology of the sale we received college credits for that course. We were told at the beginning of that class that we would never look at a sales pitch the same way again. That has proven to be true for me. I do hear more of what is being said in an objective way than I did prior to that class. It wasn't a very difficult course of study and something that should be taught in every school in the country. I'm guessing the advertising council would lobby heavily against any such proposal. It does open your eyes.

 I'm reminded of this course of instruction when listening to a number of advertisements on television. In particular these "one day" install of a new bathroom. I'm certain you have all seen those. Turn that old, hard to clean, outdated and dangerous bath into a modern marvel while you are at work. Just go to work in the morning and when you get home, presto, a new bath! And if you act right now, installation is free! That's right, free installation, half off on materials, no interest, no payments for a year! Almost sounds too good to be true, but that is what is advertised. They can't advertise that without doing it.

 But what are they promising really? Free installation. Okay so where is the money for the workers' salaries coming from? Can't be they are overcharging for materials can it, they are half priced already. I'm not paying any interest or making a payment for up to a year. Well, the reality is I won't pay any interest, or make a payment for up to a year but the interest is accumulating for that year. Did you hear that? That's the psychology part, people tend to hear what they want to hear, you heard no interest, not deferred interest for a year. That rate will be different based on long you wait to make that first payment. Yes, you can wait up to a year to make that first payment, that's true, but it will cost you, big time.

 I'm always amused by these ads and what they are saying. Car dealers really crack me up. Ten thousand dollars off and 0% interest for seventy-two months! Employee pricing for everyone. Free oil changes for life and a manicure! We complete a 365-point inspection on every used vehicle we sell. Does the car have a windshield? Check! Does the car run? Check! Yes, it has been inspected. And we will give 120% of its' trade in value. They really are counting on a simple truth; most people only hear what they want to hear. 

 Ten thousand dollars off the manufacturer's suggested retail price (msrp). So, I'm supposed to believe that you are going to sell me this vehicle for ten thousand dollars less than what the manufacturer, that's the corporation wanting to sell the vehicle, suggests I ask for it? I supposed to believe that because? Is it because the manufacturer is suggesting a price that too high? The dealer is just trying to be the good guy here, give me a break. And they didn't pay that much for the car in the first place, they are willing to make a lot less profit on the sale. For a real opener google all of that. You will soon find that the real costs are a closely guarded secret. Less is known about that than Aliens! The closet you can come to knowing what the actual cost to manufacture a particular vehicle is, divide whatever the invoice cost is by two. If the invoice is for 15,000 it cost about 7500 to actually manufacture that vehicle.    

 For a Navy recruiter the phrase was always, "if you qualify" and in my experience 80% of the people I spoke with never heard me say that. They heard; I can be. Can I be a navy seal? Yes, if you qualify, you can be. Your odds of becoming one are about the same as becoming a professional athlete. Those car advertisement use the phrase, for well qualified buyers, quite a bit. You figure you are well qualified right. Yeah, we all do but secretly admit maybe we are the best qualified, but it doesn't hurt to ask. That promise of 0% interest will get you into the showroom anyway, or free stuff. When I joined the Navy, it was touted as "not just a job, but an adventure" Yes it was a job, like any other but you get to have a lot of fun doing it! Today the slogan is, "Today's Navy, Forged by the Sea" What does that even mean? You too can be forged by the sea, if you qualify. Things were a little more direct back in the old days. We all know the poster for WW1 I want you. That was adopted and used for the Navy as well. I've never seen one, but the message is the same. Get you Psyched up! 

                                                                       

Pride

  Yesterday I posted a question to Facebook and received all the answers I was expecting, no surprises there. I asked about taking veterans discounts or free items when they are available. Many are advertised, especially considering this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. My reaction is I seldom ask for or take them, although I will at Lowes or Home Depot when the savings are significant. I wouldn't mention it on a few small items though. It's like asking for a senior discount, I don't do that either, Fortunately or unfortunately depending, I usually get it anyway. I can't imagine why that is. But whatever, the case may be, I always feel a little uncomfortable, a little guilty in asking for any of that. I was asked why? That's something I have been thinking about.

 I did answer one person jokingly saying it is probably my conservative values. Everything today is either liberal or conservative. They are terms thrown at one another like darts. I think traditional values is closer to the truth. I am seventy years old now and "old fashioned" in many respects. It isn't quite as noticeable as when you are a kid, but age differences can lead to quite a different view, even as adults. That's another point of contention as well, being an adult. Often, by adopting whatever the latest thing is, we convince ourselves that we are staying young. As a teenager, back in my day, it was called being cool. Don't be a square daddy-o and I'm hip. Twenty-three skidoo and all of that is the same thing. We feel like we have to be current to be relevant. 

 Personal security plays a major role in my opinion. How secure are you with just being you? I think that is why some of us desire the accolades, recognition and reassurance that comes with awards and such. I think that is why some fly their flags, or other symbols and signs. In modern terms that has been called virtue signaling. I don't think that is what all that is, although that is certainly a thing. What I'm thinking about are those folks that always include their "letters" after their signature. They do so every time. Or those that wear patches, jackets and caps emblazoned with the branch of service they were in at one time or another. I always feel uncomfortable doing so as a civilian. That was something I did, a long time ago. There are literally millions of others that have done the same. 

 I just feel like a lot of things are on a need-to-know basis. In my youth we called that minding your own business. There were a great many things I just didn't need to know about you. Today we all concerned about transparency. Well, that means seeing right through whatever it is you are looking at. I don't want to be transparent, I'd much rather you not know certain things. Yes, I've always tried to hide my faults and my mistakes. The objective being, to not let anyone know. Only those I trust that is, with those folks I will become vulnerable. And it is only those folks that hurt me. 

 But back to what I was thinking about. Pride is a difficult thing to manage. Pride cometh before the fall is a biblical warning. The proverb speaks of destruction and a haughty spirit leading to your downfall. Pride and arrogance are often bedfellows. "Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." That's another proverb that speaks to being haughty. It's not a term we hear a lot these days. It means to be arrogant, disdainful, or acting superior to others. It does seem prideful to me to ask for or accept benefits or gifts for something I did voluntarily. I wasn't drafted, I volunteered. Is that something to be proud of? Now with those that were drafted I view that as answering the call. For me, that is an obligation as a citizen of this nation. That was eliminated in 1973, however. Today the only obligation is to register. How many that register would answer the call if that came? I hope we never have to find out. 

 Pride as a tool. That is what I'm thinking about. When I use that pride to gain an advantage, for personal gain, I am taking the first steps toward a haughty disposition. If you begin to exercise that "right" or "entitlement" on a regular basis it does become a part of you. It becomes the normal thing; the expected thing and a sense of entitlement develops. You can become haughty! You can't be humble by bragging about it. Humility is like integrity; you have to have it, even when no one is looking. "The biggest challenge after success, is shutting up about it" (Criss Jami) All tools are capable of creation or ruin. It is how the tool is used in the hands of the craftsman that determines that. Pride is a tool, no different than any other.   

Honor and Sentiment

  With Memorial Day just two days away my thoughts naturally turn to that. I'm old enough to remember when people were calling it Decoration Day. In 1971 Decoration Day officially became Memorial Day. It is a day to remember those that fell in battle. It was first officially observed in 1868 on May 30th. The date was chosen because there had been no battle fought during the civil war on that particular day. Later on, for convenience's sake, it was moved to the last Monday in May. The poppies first appeared in 1918. The poem in Flanders Field played a big role in that. Yesterday, May 24, (the Friday before Memorial Day) was National Poppy Day. The majority of us will wear our poppies on Memorial Day while attending the parades or other festivities. 

 As we all know WW2 followed WW1, then came Korea and Vietnam. 94,725 American lives were lost in those two wars. Since 2001 more than 7000 lives have been lost in the "war" on terror. It is a war without defined boundaries, combatants or goals. The way those veterans remember those wars and the way we celebrate them have changed over the years. In the beginning, Decoration Day, it was customary to go to the cemetery and decorate their graves. Speeches were made and stories told. Picnic lunches were taken along, and it was quite a day. A day dedicated in their memory. That evolved into holding grand parades followed by ceremonies and speech making. That continues to this day with the placing of Flags on their graves serving as the "decoration." 

 The remembrances and celebrations have changed in tone as well. In years long past now, we celebrated the victories those veterans obtained by the loss of their lives. It wasn't called a sacrifice back then; it was a duty. That is what I heard growing up from the mouths of those veterans that had survived the war. To have served with honor, fulfilling your obligation to the country, was the highest praise you could receive. I heard very few tales of hardship, or how the war was unfair, or somehow not their problem. No, the stories I heard were of fighting the fight! We didn't win in Korea or Vietnam, and we aren't winning now. The reasons for that, I leave for you to ponder upon. Today I hear more about sacrifice, about how wrong everything is and how everyone is a hero. A far cry from the 1960's attitudes. I try to remind myself that was sixty years ago! 

 I tell myself that the importance lies in remembering them, not in the manner in which we do so. It is different today. Americans have always been somewhat removed from the realities of war. The civil war was the great exception to that. During that war, brother fought brother, and it was on their doorstep! It was quite real. In the following wars our troops went "over there", and we mourned their loss when they didn't return. We didn't see any of the destruction firsthand, just in pictures and movie reels. Those returning spoke little of the fight, most shared that experience only with their fellow veterans in smoke filled Legion Halls or VFW's across the nation. Almost like a secret club, much wasn't spoken about outside of those walls. That changed dramatically with Vietnam. Draft dodgers, conscientious objectors and those that simply refused to serve were on the news, receiving support from all corners. All of those types had existed before, in every previous war, but never had they received general support. 

 The sense of "duty" had been abandoned in favor of sacrifice. A sacrifice is a personal thing, an individual choice and carries no sense of duty. Duty is that sense of obligation to another, a cause, or a country. No longer is serving in the military a duty, it is now a sacrifice. That grates upon my sensibilities as it is in contradiction to the way I was raised. I was taught that you didn't have to volunteer, but you had to go when called! That was your duty, your obligation, your responsibility as an American. It isn't about me; it is about the nation! 

 Today I will put up my bunting on my porch railing. Old glory will be flying high, except between dawn and noon on Memorial Day when it will be paced at half-staff. I'll go to the cemetery and place a few flags on the veterans I know there. I'll try to remember to leave a penny, as that is apparently becoming a new custom, at least to me it is. No one there that I went to school with, served with, or worked with. I wasn't with any of them when they were killed. I think it is a nice gesture anyway. It is a practice begun in America following the Vietnam war. It shows that someone has visited that grave, that they remember. A display of sentiment. Serving with honor. An obligation fulfilled. 

culture

  As I mentioned in a previous blog the dirt bike riders have returned to the streets of Baltimore. The mayor was at a press conference regarding this issue talking about enforcement policies and procedures. What struck me was in responding to a news reporters' questions he snapped back rather angrily. You have to understand that not all those dirt bike riders are teenagers, some are grown men, adults aged forty years old! If you don't know that, you need to understand dirt bike culture. Yes, illegally riding a dirt bike in the city streets, creating hazardous conditions for everyone is now a culture. 

 He didn't come right out and say so, but what culture is he talking about? We all know, although we aren't supposed to say so, he is talking about inner city residents, predominately blacks. That is the culture he is eluding too. So, I hear the mayor of a major city publicly saying black culture involves illegal activities. He can say that because he is a black man. If a white mayor made any such statement he would be run out of town on a rail! But this mayor can say that, it's fine, because it's a cultural thing. He defends all that by saying, they don't have anything else to do, nowhere else to go. The city should be providing services and a place for them to ride their dirt bikes. 

 We'll just overlook the fact that the majority of them, by far, have been stolen and resold in some back alley. He does brag about how many the police force have confiscated, and they are looking for more! He talks about his enforcement policy. The gas stations in the city will be fined for selling gas to a dirt bike rider. The police will be keeping a close eye on that. I'm certain none of those people will carry a gas can to the station to purchase a few gallons for their bike, nah, they won't do that. Just fine the gas station owner and soon the gas supply dries up! Yeah, that should work. 

 The police have a no chase policy to keep everyone safe. Mostly those riding the illegal bikes while fleeing the police, can't have them getting injured. All the other citizens just driving their cars and trucks going to work or wherever being endangered by the dirt bikes isn't an issue. The mayor himself says, well what can you do? It's a cultural thing. Heck it's a part of Baltimore we should all be taking pride in. It's like a seasonal thing, like crabs and barbecue. A part of the culture of Baltimore. Yup, riding stolen dirt bikes in the city is a cultural thing alright.

 Now I realize I am a white guy, old and cranky. I understand I enjoy all this privilege. I get it, I'm not a part of black culture. I know there isn't much for kids, and apparently adults according to the mayor, for them to do. High paying jobs where you don't have to show up for work are hard to come by. It's a cultural thing you know, this lack of employment. It's systemic! But I just got to say I sure am tired of hearing the "it's a cultural thing" excuse. Engaging in illegal activities is never a cultural thing! It's true that some cultures may practice illegal traditions or practices, but it isn't a part of the American culture. No, in fact, the American culture has always been geared toward law and order. 

 If you are breaking the law, it is not a cultural thing! You don't get a free pass for that. You don't get to just do as you please and call it a cultural thing. It doesn't matter what color you are, what nationality you claim, what ethnic group you identify with or anything else. Culture is not an excuse for lawless behavior! And for the Mayor of a major United States City to proclaim such is just ridiculous. Gotta say, if I were a black leader in Baltimore I would be outraged and call him out on that. Just what are you trying to say Mayor? It's okay, it's what we do, it's our culture. The Mafia has a culture too, is that okay? The drug dealers have their culture, is that okay? I identify as an old west lawman, it's my culture, is that okay? Everyone gets a pass because, well, it's our culture.   

 

like that

  Familiarity breeds contempt. It's a phrase we have all heard at one time or another. Butker used that in his speech and caused quite a stir. But what does it really mean? Yes, the end result may very well be contempt, but it exposes your weaknesses and shortcomings to others. That is where the problem lies when "leaders" become too familiar with those they are leading. It isn't a good thing to be friends with the boss. Well, it isn't good if you are the boss, and that is something I can speak too from experience.

 As most of you reading will know I did serve in the Navy for a period of twenty years. Along the way I rose in rank and responsibility. And yes, I enjoyed certain privilege in doing so. That's how it works. We had a saying for that, "he's got it like that" to explain what seemed to others to be an unfair situation. That was an indication to others to just get over it, that's the way it is. Quit cryin".

 Now over the course of time as I rose through the ranks, as the saying goes, I had friends, shipmates, coworkers or whatever you wish to call them that didn't rise at the same time or pace. One day I was their equal, the next, "I got it like that." Now I'm telling them what to do. Often that didn't work out very well at all, feelings got hurt. There was a saying for that as well, stay in your paygrade. During my time in the service hanging out with your inferiors was frowned upon, by your superiors. It is bad management. You are their leader, their boss, and not their friend! You need to set that example. It's all about discipline. 

 When you are too familiar with your subordinates they tend to lose respect for your authority. It isn't contempt, it is a lack of respect for authority. You just happen to be that authority. It is a loss of discipline. Now those that were equal to you, or perhaps a paygrade above would tell you this: "you can tell you are doing your job when you find your name on the bathroom wall." Yeah, it wasn't stated quite that way, but the message was the same. I did see my name on the wall more than once. Let just say they weren't accolades or words of encouragement and support. You might say they were "verbal bullying" but I was just amused by them. It comes with the job, the price you pay for that position of authority, the price of "having it like that." 

 All of that is what Butker was saying in his address when speaking about church leadership. The "bosses" are becoming too friendly with the "worker" bees. That isn't the bast way to run things at all. By being that "familiar" with the congregation, being their friend, all chummy and everything, you are exposing your own shortcomings, weakness and failures. All of that is just fodder for your parishioners to use against your teachings. Very difficult to expect others to do what you want them to do when you aren't doing that yourself! Yes, it is all about perception and the reality may indeed be a different thing altogether. By doing so, you lose the respect of those people. Image isn't everything, but it is near the top! 

 " Tragically, so many priests revolve their happiness from the adulation they receive from their parishioners, and in searching for this, they let their guard down and become overly familiar. This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time, because as my teammate's girlfriend says, Familiarity breeds contempt."  (Harrison Butker) 

  Like it or not, he is correct in that. Trying to be the popular boss, the good guy, always comes back to bite you in the butt! It's why you should be a parent to your child, not their playmate. It is why you respect authority. A conservative narrative? Many are being told that is what it is, mostly by those that want to control what you can say and do. Those that are trying to be "your best friend" in the attempt to get whatever it is they want. They are trying to get you to lower your guard. Once that is accomplished, they will strike. Then "your best friend" becomes your worst enemy. But it is too late, you have "empowered" them by being too familiar, they have the playbook, know everything about you and will use that knowledge to defeat you. Your name winds up on the *hithouse wall. And the answer will be, "he's got it like that"   

the reward

  Once again, the illegal dirt bike riders have returned to the streets of Baltimore. Stolen dirt bikes resold on the streets and ridden by groups of people from the ages of 13 to forty according to the police. In some cases, thirty or forty bikes in a pack racing down the streets, weaving in and out of traffic, performing wheel stands and generally creating a hazard to motorists and pedestrians alike. Video has been shown of these street riders circling the police cars and laughing at the police. Another video shows the police just standing there watching, doing absolutely nothing. And the decry is, what can we do?

 And once again, the answer is, these people need services. The city should build them a facility, a place to ride their illegal bikes in a safe manner. They are mostly low-income children and have nowhere else to go. Low-income children that all seem to be able to afford to buy a dirt bike or steal one. They have money for gas, tires and maintenance on those bikes and four wheelers. But the taxpayers should fund a facility for them! Another plan calls for a "training" facility where they can learn to work on those bikes, you know, learn a trade, they could practice on the stolen bikes! Now that's a win-win situation. 

 Last year they had the issue with the squeegee kids on the street corners. Surprise, they are back again this year. Last year the plan was to simply pay them to not stand on the street corners. And the city did just that. A group of those "eligible" the ones that were causing the majority of the problems on specific street corners were paid to not go there. They took that money and moved to another corner. Yeah, a plan that really worked, not. Some took the money and stayed right on the corner they were in the first place. But that's the thinking, if you are doing something illegal, creating a public nuisance, endangering others or creating unsafe conditions, reward you for that. We should provide services. 

 I will say that some progress has been made regarding juvenile justice. New laws have been made requiring some form of punishment for juveniles. The biggest change was not allowing convicted rapists to attend public schools! Oh, that was met with stiff opposition. The cries of how unfair that would be went up, those children would be denied an education, not allowed to be with their peers and face years of stigma just because they had raped other juveniles. But the law passed, the schools are required to provide alternative learning to those students, like online school, like during the pandemic. Additionally, parents can now be held accountable for their children's actions. I thought that was always the case but apparently it was not. Of course, if the parents fail to pay the fine nothing will happen to them. You can't separate parents from children in any way. And the truth is simply this, you can't get blood from a stone.

 And now, like in many cities across America, little gangs of thugs are robbing stores. Groups are going into the 7-11's or whatever, grabbing whatever they want, filling their cups up with fountain drinks, and generally overwhelming the clerks. They take whatever they want and simply walk out. And the answer to that is, these kids need services. We should build them entertainment centers, provide them with counseling and guidance. They would all be model citizens if they had a choice! It's not their fault! It's because of decades of systemic oppression and lack of opportunity. The kids are simply bored. We should be entertaining them.

 And so, what do you do? Well, I wish I had that answer, but I don't. I do know that as long as you keep rewarding them for bad behavior, the bad behavior will continue. When a child throws a tantrum, you can't give in to that. Spare the rod and spoil the child is a biblical adage. You know it doesn't mean hit them with a rod, right? No, that isn't the advice being given there. What the advice really is saying is, there has to be negative consequences to create positive results. Yes, punishment works! Oh, I know there are plenty of those today that like to claim otherwise, saying that punishment doesn't alter behavior, but I strongly disagree with that notion. As quite a few memes on Facebook point out, it is clear to see that the "talk to them generation" clearly isn't as well behaved as the "I got my butt wacked" generation. Dr. Spock, not the one from star trek, was wrong. You can't reason with a five-year-old or a teenager! 

 I think I am starting to see a shift, however. A bit of waking up to the truth. There really does have to be consequences for your actions. Rewarding people for bad behavior doesn't really change that behavior. Imagine that. It's quite a revelation for some, a stark reality. You mean I can't just cry about it and get my way? The pendulum is swinging and hopefully starting its' way back to reason and common sense.   Consequences need to be immediate, certain and predictable. You do this, and this is what happens. Ignorance of the law is no excuse! Another adage comes to mind, one I heard quite often, " you know better" and I did. Whenever I got punished it was because I knew better but decided to do it anyway. I learned my lesson, though I admit frequent reminders were necessary. The important part was in learning the lesson, that was the reward, not getting punished. That's how it worked when I was a kid anyway.  

 

  

careers

  With the recent uproar over a commencement speech that didn't comply with the current narrative regarding the role of women in the world, I am left thinking about my own contributions. Opps, I mean journey. We are all on a journey these days, with every moment, every endeavor, every purchase or circumstance, we are on our journey. Whatever happened in the past is far more important to our journey than where it is we are going however, strange how that works. But if I can draw upon the challenges and obstacles faced by my ancestors it will empower me on my journey. It's very important to be empowered. Might be more important than the journey.

 Here I am, seventy years old and I never had a career. Well at least I have never thought of anything I did as a career. Yes, I did retire from the navy, and you could say it was a career, but I wasn't a career sailor. I was just someone doing a job that needed to be done. I agreed to the terms of employment, signed the agreement and fulfilled that contract. As a result, I receive certain entitlements. I benefit from that decision. I have had several jobs, employment, means of providing for my myself and my family, but none were a career. As with my naval experience I simply agreed to the terms of employment and went to work. Along the way I became a father and a grandfather. You know, on my journey. 

 It all comes back to the same question however, where are we going? If we are all on our personal journeys just, where are we going. Where is mankind as a whole going? We are all in this together aren't we. It would seem we should all work toward a common goal. What is that goal? Is it to leave this planet and explore the galaxy. Once we can do that what is the goal? Just to say, hi there, we are from earth. Just thought we would stop by. 

 But I was thinking about all these personal journeys people are on these days. It is the same question, where are you trying to go? The truth is the best you can hope for on your journey, is what you leave behind. To that end the journey isn't really about you, it is about those that come after you. That is what is central to every religious belief if you really think about it. Your reward, your journey's end is a life everlasting, in one form or another, depending. But the idea is, your job is done. Heritage, we call that, you leave a heritage. It may be in material things, or it may only reside in the memories of others. Is one more valuable than the other? 

 In the speech that Butker delivered he was speaking about a career. Isn't that why we all go to college, to obtain a degree, start a career, and become successful? The more money, power and prestige you garner the more successful you are right. In order to be successful, you have to satisfy what society defines as success. But he offered an alternative to that. He suggested, and it was just a suggestion, that perhaps being a wife, and a mother could be just as rewarding, just as satisfying and just as prestigious a career as being the CEO of some corporation. He was suggesting that perhaps there is a place for traditional roles in the modern world. 

 I'm left wondering if that applies to me as well. I chose being a husband and a father over being a career man. I didn't attend a college or university, just went to work every day. I still read a lot of books and stuff, attended numerous courses of instruction, practiced in the real world a variety of trades. But I didn't have a career. Have I failed to live up to expectations? Well, maybe in others eyes I have, and they are entitled to their opinion, but it isn't how I feel at all. I don't feel like I'm on a journey, I'm just passing through. A journey requires a destination you feel capable of completing. I don't have the final say on that. It really doesn't matter how I feel when it comes to that, not my decision to make. 

 As far as choosing to be a wife and mother, being a homemaker as they say, if you don't choose that, who will. Who is supposed to raise the children, maintain the home, build those loving relationships and create those family ties? Are there professionals for that? Day care workers, primary school teachers or what? Is that job being relegated to the coaches of the sports teams? Mom is only home for dinner and has her career to consider. Her career is far more important than your needs, that much is obvious. She has to work! That's the narrative today and you had better get with the program. Don't even think about any other way. That is just old-fashioned nonsense. In fact, it is degrading and demeaning to the entire female population!   

offended

  I have never seen Goodfellas. I assume it is a movie or maybe a tv series I really don't know which. Whatever it is I saw a meme on Facebook with a screenshot from that television issuing a warning about watching that program. The warning was you might get offended. Apparently, this show depicts real life people, in real life situations, acting like real people do. Stereotypes, language and not being inclusive! Yes, it all sounds pretty upsetting alright I had best not watch that I guess, I may get triggered! 

  I do recall back in 1968 when the movie industry voluntarily began putting ratings on their movies. This system was to provide guidance to parents about what content may be in the movie. Yes, parents were expected to pay attention and decide what content they wanted their children exposed to. The warnings weren't for the adults, it was thought adults could handle that stuff on their own. Adults would simply walk out of the theatre if they didn't like the movie. In 1984 the PG-13 rating was introduced to help parents make a decision as to the content they wanted their children to see. Then there was R, which contained suggestive scenes and some nudity! 

 Of course, that was back in the day when we didn't give five-year-old children a choice about their gender or their sexual preferences. It was back in a time when parents thought their children shouldn't be exposed to adult themes. The reasoning was quite simple really, they were children. A child's mind is not equipped to handle adult themes, it takes some seasoning, some experience and guidance in that area. It is what was called "parenting" which has been replaced with "caregiving" and playdates. The parent may or may not be involved in any of that. It all depends upon what is most convenient for them, for their quality of life. Today those ratings exist but have certainly changed and have been relaxed a great deal. Yes, I know, it is a changing world with new and progressive sensibilities. Don't be a square! 

  I was amused when I saw that warning. Just who was it aimed at? It is apparently focused upon those that may be triggered, upset by reality. From what little I have gathered about this Goodfellas thing it is a crime family, mobsters, the mob, the mafia or some such thing. I don't think it is a show about progressive and liberal values in the world today. The warning said it contained stereotypes! You mean like the Indians in all those old westerns. You mean like Irish people in the movies, or black people or cowboys? Those kinds of stereotypes? I sure have a lot to be offended by if that is the case! And language? Do these criminal types use coarse or offensive terms? Do they call other people by degrading or insulting names? I hope not, that certainly would be upsetting. Not only that that warning hinted at violence! Man, I had better not be watching that.

  Are we now going to include a warning on everything in a film or tv show that may offend someone? What is the warning actually for? Lots of films and movies I haven't seen. Maybe it is a good thing otherwise I might be traumatized and need mental health services. Lots of things in movies and on tv that I don't like and don't care to watch. My usual reaction to that is, I turn the channel. That's it, enough of that crap! I was caught off guard, without warning, should I sue someone?

  I have, in my seventy years, seen a proliferation of warnings. Warnings like, caution! hot coffee may be hot and don't use electrical tools while standing in water, don't put an aluminum ladder on electrical wires, and only take medication as directed by your physician. Warning putting a plastic bag over your head may cause suffocation. Warning food coming out of the microwave will be hot! And the ever-present warning, don't try this at home, this should only be attempted by a trained professional! And now a warning that something may offend me. I was offended by the warning. It didn't say anything about whether it was suitable for children, it said I might get offended. I was. 

Ideas

  Providing a different answer or response doesn't automatically make you, or it, right. This is a lesson it seems to me that few have learned these days. I do hear how the world has changed over the years, how things are so much different now. Well, it is true that man has advanced in technological ways. We have advanced in science and developed amazing technologies to the benefit and the determent of mankind. Still, it needs to be remembered that man, human nature and our reaction to all of that has not changed one bit. We are basically the same creatures we always were and will be. Other than technology the only thing changing is societies responses. But even that hasn't really changed all that much, the rise and fall of empires has been a constant. There is a pattern to all of that if you look at history with an unbiased view.

 I'd suggest it is our desire to change everything that causes the turmoil that eventually destroys those empires. It is the small changes, the little exceptions to the rule, and the adoption of "new" ideas that create a friction. That old adage, give them an inch and they will take a mile, is appropriate. That does sum it up nicely. Those that implement the new always feeling they are right, making an improvement, being progressive in some fashion. Then when the next generation comes along and start to change that, they will complain and advocate for the past. It is a continuing cycle, like life and death. I'm fully aware I am responding in like fashion, that isn't lost on me. I also feel it doesn't make me wrong either. Call it confidence, call it arrogance, call it whatever you like, I just call it the truth.

 In the opening sentences of the declaration of independence it is stated, "when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have bond them to another" they are saying what? Government needs to change. It isn't the people that need to change, it is the governance of those people. The political bands that bind. And isn't that exactly what is happening today just as it happened yesterday, last year, in the previous century and the centuries before that. The people haven't changed, the politics have. A government establishes the moral and ethical practices allowed in the society. In our republic the idea is to allow the people to establish that. That is what the true meaning of a republic is, from the Latin word "respublica" and the reason for the phrase, we the people. People haven't changed all that much.

 Order and discipline require the denial of self-interest. "Respublica" means the common good, what is the best for all the people. And that is where the change begins when we feel like we are the exception to the rule. That is the seat of power whether it is being an Emperor, King, or a straight up dictator, we feel like we alone can decide upon right and wrong. If we want to do it, it is right, if we don't it is wrong. That's where the beginning of dissolving those political bands begins. Historically we can see that decline, that degradation in societies over time. The rise and fall of the Roman Empire is the classic example we are all aware of simply because a book was written about that. Many other empires have risen and fallen just as dramatically. 

 There is one thing about man that has never changed, and that is the desire to acquire wealth and power. It has been present in every society, every gathering of people since the beginning of time. It is what makes Kings, Emperors, dictators, and presidents. Wealth and power. "The genuine history of mankind is the history of ideas. It is ideas that distinguish man from all other beings. Ideas engender social institutions, political changes, technological methods of production, and all of that is called economic conditions." (Ludwig Von Mises) It is those economic conditions that cause the changes. Whatever it takes to make a buck or gain power! "A bad idea is not made good by compliance." (A.B.Reichart) This idea that everything is right, is just plain wrong. History will prove it out, I just won't be here to say, I told you so. Then someone will get another idea, and it begins again. 

the new way

  And so, I've heard a great deal of backlash concerning a commencement speech given by Harrison Butker. First off, I had no idea who he is. Turns out he is a place kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. A pretty good one from what I read. He is a devout Catholic, by all accounts, and the Benedictine University asked him to deliver the commencement address. Seemed like a good idea I suppose, he is somewhat a celebrity, a sports hero. You know how we idolize our sports figures these days, second only to rock stars. He didn't go to school there, but he is a Catholic. What could go wrong?

 Well, as it turned out he is too Catholic. In his speech he called for a return to the basic tenets of that religion. He was critical of the Pope, the clergy in general and what those religious leaders were teaching. Moreover, he stated his belief that women should be wives and mothers and that "vocation" as he called it could be the most rewarding and satisfying career they might have. Then he said men should start acting like men once again! Holy Cow! He did receive an 18 second standing ovation when he was finished. No one walked out in protest during any of that. But then the media got hold of that speech and it needed to be canceled as quickly as possible.

 I've read where there is a petition signed by 90,000 people to have him removed from the football team! Can't be having anyone with such radical ideas being on my favorite team, what will people think? This guy isn't going with the program at all. He even thought the mass should be conducted in Latin. He wants the church to stick with the original message. Catholicism should change with the times, it has been too restrictive in the past, the church needs to get with the program and endorse the new agenda. They have made strides in that direction, the Pope has given his blessing to gay marriages. In a recent statement the Pope has said, we don't need to talk about all this stuff all the time, this homosexuality and abortion stuff, just remain quiet and respectful of others. Harrison Butker had a different view.

 Silence is consent. That's what has been said many times and it holds a great deal of truth. Silence can also be had through fear and intimidation. You may not necessarily agree but you won't say so. It appears to me that is the position this Pope is taking. He is blessing all of that but not agreeing with it, just remaining as silent as possible. I believe Harrison Butker was right in saying the Pope lacks courage. 

 I'm not a Catholic. I was an Episcopalian at one time in my life. That was simply because that was the church I was taken to as a child. It wasn't a conscious choice by any means. I still find a great many of those teachings to be true and relevant in my life. I am no longer a member of any congregation of any denomination. When speaking about the clergy in his speech Harrison Butker said that familiarity breeds contempt. He was talking about the clergy becoming too friendly, too chummy and too "just like you" with their parishioners.

  I understood exactly what he was saying. It is the same thing as being a parent and not a friend to your children. If you are the priest or the pastor you should be reserved, a bit distanced from your parishioners, you are their spiritual advisors, not their drinking buddies. I heard those saying how he plagiarized some lyrics from a Taylor Swift song. I went and checked that out. Yes, Taylor Swift wrote that "familiarity breeds contempt" in one of her breakup songs. I read those lyrics and what she was mad about was not being treated like a celebrity anymore, her boyfriend didn't seem to be fawning over her in the way she felt he should. That's why she broke up with him. 

 I did read the entire speech he gave. I wonder if he has read some of my blogs as we shared similar ideas and thoughts on the subject. Perhaps his faith, his belief is a bit stronger than my own, perhaps he is a bit more committed to the teachings of the Catholic church as he learned it, but I surely didn't read anything that I felt was controversial or outrageous. He didn't call for anyone to be ostracized, marginalized or berated in any way. He was just saying, don't be afraid to speak your truth. His main message was live a godly life and you will find happiness and redemption. He was talking about what he believed God to be, what God wanted for all of us. And isn't that what you would want a speaker to do? Just tell the truth as they see it. 

 He was asked to address that student body. He was their guest. And now even the very university that asked him to speak have spoken out against him. What is their fear? Loss of enrollment, a loss of revenue? Are they afraid they will not attract students if they adhere to traditional Catholic values and traditions? They did say they supported Vatican II. That took place sixty years ago when Pope John XXIII convened an ecumenical council to "update" the church. The most recognized update was saying the mass in the local language instead of in Latin. My take is that Harrison Butker opposes Vatican II on general principal. Interesting considering that happened before he was even born. But hardly anything that in my opinion should get him ostracized from society in general. His big problem? He is just too catholic I guess, believes too strongly in what the Bible says to him. He isn't listening to the current narrative. A narrative I have on more than one occasion expressed as, "keep on sinning and I'll keep on  forgiving" as the new message from God. It's all good as long as you keep coming to the church, giving your tithes and support. That's the new way to salvation. Heck even if you don't, you've got our blessing. Now that is the Christiam way.  

what's appropriate?

  Something I hear about occasionally is cultural appropriation. It's a bad thing you know, insensitive. You aren't supposed to imitate someone's cultural heritage. Funny how I was told imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Oscar Wilde is credited with that observation. George Bernard Shaw added, it is the sincerest form of learning. But whatever the case truly is, you're not supposed to do that these days. 

 This was brought to mind recently as I browsed through my Facebook page. I have been seeing a lot of people embracing their perceived cultural heritage. What I mean is what they identify themselves as being, what cultural group they identify with. I've seen lots of native Americans lately. I see them dressed in native American clothing, doing their dances or whatever, embracing their heritage. It isn't cultural appropriation if they truly have native American blood, but it is still an appropriation. It appears to me they are simply trying to be identified with a lifestyle, a culture, that no longer exists. More of that lifestyle is myth and legend than reality these days. 

 The same applies with others, like those that enjoy cosplay events, dressed as Vikings or whatever. I have Scandinavian ancestry but I'm certainly no Viking. My second great grandfather was a 'round the world whaler, but I'm not. I'm an American kid born in mid twentieth century America, the son of a WW2 veteran, a common working man enjoying a middle-class existence. That is who I am. Whatever my ancestors where, I am not. I do not enjoy, nor am I entitled to anything those ancestors had or were. That was then, this is now. I'm not a puritan, explorer, cowboy, seafarer, adventurer, settler of a foreign land, no Davy Crocket or George Patton, none of that. Most likely had a bit of all that in my ancestry somewhere, but not today. 

 I have worked on the family tree quite a bit. I have made discoveries about their lives and deaths. I make no claim to any of that. It seems to me a good number of people today want to be compensated for the losses of yesterday. That is what they are embracing. I should have this or that because of that past. Those folks wanting to claim whatever the perception of the past presents. Whether they feel they were conquered or kidnapped they should be compensated for that today. The claim is strengthened by dressing the part. And that is why you aren't allowed to appropriate any of that. You are not entitled to anything associated with that. They are the victims, not you! 

 Cultural appropriation is theft. That is what is being taught these days. No longer is imitation a form of flattery, it is theft, a mockery, and an insult. It's funny though how each "culture" is so readily defined today. All native Americans lived on the great plains, hunted buffalo, did war dances and wore heavily beaded outfits. That's the perception, isn't it? It isn't the reality of that time in history, however. If you are black in America, your ancestors were slaves. That is the general thought but nowhere near the truth. All the white people in America come from Europe, owned slaves and stole the land from the Indians. That's the narrative today. If you are Irish, you drink too much and like to fight. If you are Italian, you probably belong to the mob. Stereotypical caricatures each and every one. But not if you claim that caricature, then it is your cultural heritage. Yeah, that's how that all works. You have to make the appropriate appropriation. That's the key in all of that. 

it's funny

  We all have our own unique sense of humor; well most people have a sense a humor anyway. I'd suggest that sense of humor is influenced heavily by society. Each generation does appear to enjoy a different sense of what is humorous. I also think that it is tied to your individual sense of what is acceptable behaviors in public, you know what I mean? Is a quick wit required to enjoy humor? In many cases I believe that it is, and that is why some jokes just fly past others. In some cases, it is just a lack of awareness of current events or sensibilities. And then there is the comedy that relies upon the shock value. It is often the type of comedy I do not find amusing at all. 

 I wonder what the current generation finds funny. It appears to me they are sorely lacking in that area. All this empathetic attitude and sense of self-importance, and worth. So concerned with social ills and personal happiness and fulfillment. Nothing is funny to them. Everything is offensive, except the most offensive of things. Those sorts of things are touted as "freedom of expression" and "living my best life" and if you don't agree you are not being inclusive. Well, I do try to exclude what I feel is offensive to others as a matter of course. Sometimes it is those very things that I attempt to keep hidden from others, things that I consider private. Guilty pleasures they are sometimes called. At other times they could be viewed as perversions. We aren't supposed to admit to that or call others out on that. That's all a part of this new inclusiveness. 

 It has been said that the ability to laugh at yourself is the most important thing to your own mental wellbeing. I understand that but have to say, I enjoy a good laugh at someone else's expense. Some folks are just funny without even trying. And to those folks I find silly or ridiculous I often laugh. It is the only reaction I have to that because I have already dismissed them. I figure they aren't being serious. Then they get angry because I do laugh. Now I have to admit I often find myself quite amusing, I crack myself up at times. Others don't always think so however and take me seriously. Something I have learned is that if you have to explain the joke, it isn't funny. That being established when I don't get the joke, I question your intelligence. Funny how that works. Well, it keeps me laughing anyway. Life is too short to take too seriously. 

 I enjoy humor that makes you think. Nervous laughter is just plain uncomfortable to me. You know, when you are in a crowd of people and feel like you just laugh because others are. It's a sort of social pressure. You feel like you have to. All humor is situational to me. There is a time and place. And for me, a lot of it is way past its' time, was funny twenty-five years ago or more, but I've outgrown that. Humor is sometimes like tattoos, cool at the time you get them, not so, many years later. But I guess that is what Dad jokes are about. I'm telling grandpa jokes! Jokes that rely on a sense of history, on past lessons and knowledge learned through living. 

 Yeah, a lot of the things I used to believe and support I can laugh at today. It was pretty funny when you think about it. Maybe these kids today will spend their senior years just laughing and laughing. Maybe they will realize, eventually, just how silly they acted. We pitched tents on campus and protested in support of a terrorist organization because we didn't support terrorism! We even tore up our diplomas, boycotted our own commencement exercises and complained that our degree in gender studies didn't make us rich! We advocated for socialism! We believed it was our constitutional right to rewrite the constitution so it couldn't be rewritten in the future.

 The longer I live the funnier things get. I can look back at those moments that I felt were earth shattering, moments of dire circumstances, and see how foolish they were. There wasn't any real need to be so concerned. I should have listened when I was told, do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself. That has proven to be the long and short of it. It is only in the way you respond to today, that influences tomorrow. Live in the moment, enjoy the moment, and realize it isn't all that serious. It's pretty funny at times. 

are you daft?

  I was having a brief discussion with an unnamed person online. As often happens I was remarking about one thing while this person returns with remarks about Trump. Later on in the discussion I was told I was supporter of Trump although I hadn't said so. But an assumption was made based on my political leanings. I believe in a free market, ie: capitalism. To my utter surprise this person was advocating for socialism. I was asked, what is wrong with socialism. My response was simply, everything is wrong with socialism. You only need to read Karl Marx to understand that. Besides the ownership of private property Marx wanted to abolish, the family, individuality, nations, and the past. You own nothing, you are nothing, you don't belong to any nation and the past doesn't exist. There is only today and what you can do to benefit the state. 

 I admit I was astounded. This person was in actuality born and raised in America. Her parents and grandparents fled to this country to escape Hitler and his political party. The name of that political party being, the National Socialist German Workers Party. And there you have it, socialism! And now this person is advocating for socialism. Has nothing been learned? This person fearing that Trump will become another Hitler? And how is that going to happen? I expect she also fears the "maga" republicans. Those folks that wish to make America great again, will rise up and vote! Then when the votes are honestly and fairly counted Trump may win reelection. 

 We are supposed to remain what, Mediocre? Just another nation in the world like all others. Well, if you believe in socialism that is exactly what you would want, I suppose. After all, everyone gets the same, is the same and should remain the same. There is no room for excellence in a socialist society. You get the same whether you contribute or not! No place for individual accomplishment.

 Now I get it, the word socialism has changed in meaning and intent. Those advocating for socialism will tell you that they aren't supporting the socialism of Karl Marx, no not that kind of socialism. This is a new, kinder, more inclusive and diverse form of social reform. It's still democracy, it's socialist democracy. They leave out the fact that we are a Republic so as not to expose the lie. For me it is the same as calling abortion on demand healthcare. Yes, there are instances, rare and extraordinary, that may require that medical procedure to save a life but labeling it healthcare, supported and paid for by the taxpayers, isn't healthcare. It is a social program. The individual isn't important. 

 Democratic socialism. That is what Bernie Sanders first talked about. That is what he advocates for. But exactly what is that? It is an oxymoron, that's what it is. You can't have both. Now many political scholars will tell you the United States actually has a representative democracy, and not a republic. That at least makes sense. In a republic our representatives are elected or appointed through a democratic process. Not a straight democracy however, not a democracy of simple majority rules, that is the republic part. That exists to protect the rights of the minority. Socialism does not recognize a minority in any way. There is only one class of people, socialists. Everyone is the same, everyone gets the same and no one is exempt. You just stay in your lane! That's socialism. 

 I wonder what the founding fathers would have to say about all of that. Did they imagine that the citizens may exercise their vote to destroy the republic fought for and won at such a high price? Ten amendments were added to the constitution in 1791. By then a great deal of the initial fervor and excitement had died down. Cooler heads were beginning to prevail. It was noted that certain rights needed to be delineated to ensure the Republic function as was intended. Those first ten amendments were to ensure the rights of the people! They are the vanguard against socialism. What was the last amendment to the constitution? It was the 27th which deals with congressional salaries. It took an astounding 202 years, 7 months and twelve days for that amendment to be ratified! James Madison first proposed that amendment as a method to prevent congress from simply voting themselves increases whenever they felt like it. What would Monroe have to say to Bernie Sanders? Democratic Socialism? Are you daft man? 

 

It matters

  I read a comment left by a friend on Facebook. He simply said, "sometimes you feel like you just don't matter" and it was a statement I can empathize with. Knowing this man, I understood it was just a statement of the way he was feeling at that moment. I understood I didn't need to launch an intervention, call for a counselor, or encourage him to seek medical help. My response was simply, I know the feeling. He was simply thinking about something. No telling what it could be, could be a lot of things.

 But that comment did leave me thinking a bit. Do we matter? It isn't an easy question to answer. The solution lies in defining what matters. Does what happen matter to us, or to others? I think the majority of the time when we feel like we just don't matter, we are feeling like we aren't being heard. Well, it isn't that we aren't heard, it is others aren't taking our advice. We do say, I hear you, often when we don't agree with what was said. It's a polite way of disagreeing. After writing these blogs on mine, these discussions with myself, I often wonder, does it matter. The answer is, matters to me and may be an amusement to others. It would be great if they mattered to others though. 

 The feeling that we matter is dependent upon the influence we exert upon others. If you care, are genuinely concerned for the happiness and wellbeing of others, it could be no other way. When we feel like we haven't done that, we have failed in some way, we get that feeling, I don't matter. It is difficult to see the trees for the forest at times. And that is what we all are, a single tree in a forest of humanity. It needs to be remembered that every single grain of sand is required to make the beach. Each one matters. Scientifically speaking matter is made up of atoms. There are only 118 atoms known to man. Those 118 are combined in various configurations to create molecules. Each atom matters. Each atom is matter.

 So yeah, we all matter. It's true even when we don't feel like it. Doesn't make us feel any better about it though. So, we are left with the question, what does matter? I'll quote one of my favorite old people, Epictetus "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to what happens that matters" I'd say maintaining personal integrity is what really matters. Make no compromises for fame nor fortune. Neither of those will last forever. It is the compromises we make that leave us empty of meaning. When we feel like we don't mean anything, we feel like we don't matter. The biggest issue is in attempting to understand the meaning. You don't need to know that, just know it matters.  

Holding history

  I have in my possession a small tool that may not be familiar to a lot of people, depending upon where you grew up, or currently live. It is a knife specifically designed for picking blue crabs. There really is a tool for just about every task. I'm a firm believer in using the correct tool for the job. You can never have too many tools. This particular tool was owned by George W Coffin, jr. He was uncle to my wife. His initials are stamped on the handle. 

Uncle George's crab knife 

 Now there is a story behind every tool, the activity that necessitated the creation of that tool. Picking the meat from a blue crab is somewhat a tedious process and requires knowledge of crab anatomy and nimble fingers. This tool, the picking knife, greatly reduces the amount of effort required to extract that delicious meat. In Maryland the blue crab reigns supreme. Neighborhoods will gather to engage in crab feasts. It borders on a religious experience with some. To the initiated, the professionals, those in the know, bringing your own crab knife is your badge. It is the signal to others that you are a local! No amateur, no wannabe Baltimorean, you are the real deal. 

 Now in July of 1952 the Chesapeake Bay Bridge that joins the eastern shore of Maryland to the western shore was completed. Now those folks from Baltimore and the surrounding area could easily travel to the eastern shore. At the time that bridge was the longest bridge over water in the world. It was a must drive to go see this marvel of modern engineering. George Coffin Jr. drove his car to Annapolis to see this wonder. He took his mom and dad along as well. Making it a big day out he went to the Carvel Hall Hotel, a famous hotel and eatery in Annapolis. Carvel Hall had previously been known as the Willaim Paca house. William Paca was a signer of the declaration of independence and three-time governor of Maryland. This hotel stayed in business until 1965 when it was purchased by the state of Maryland for historic purposes. It has since been returned to its' original condition as the home of William Paca. 

 It was on this historic occasion, seeing that bridge and dining at a historic establishment, that George Coffin purchased this crab knife. You see, in 1951 Carvel Hall began selling those crab knives. They were such a hit that one million were sold in the first month! So, if you were a local, a true crab picking professional, you knew you needed to have a genuine Carvel Hall crab knife. Uncle George had his initials stamped into the handle of that knife as proof of ownership. He carried that tool with him to all the crab feasts in the neighborhood. I'm certain he bragged about having it as well. 

 Now there is no way of proving any of what I wrote. Those knives have no markings to identify them. Uncle George never told me anything about that tool. It was just something in his kitchen drawer and most likely forgotten about by him. Uncle George was legally blind for the last twenty years of his life and so wasn't picking any crabs. It wasn't anything that ever came up in conversation. But I can imagine all of that taking place. I do have a picture of that bridge taken by Uncle George when it was new. I know that he was there and most likely knew about Carvel Hall due to its' fame. He would have been thirty-one years old in 1951. It's a good story anyway. It's my story and I'm sticking to it.  

                                                                             

                                                                                     

                                  

always will

 Is the past to blame? It is certainly what I hear all the time from almost every corner of the room. I have to say I'm getting tired of it. I have done quite a bit of research into my family tree and learned of some of their trials and tribulations. Yes, I have ancestors that weren't treated fairly by the world, that suffered setbacks, discrimination, and apparently some people just didn't like them. All of that I deduced from newspaper clippings, old documents and stories told in the family. And you know what, not one of those things has ever prevented me from doing or being whatever I wanted. My current condition, or position in life and in society is solely my doing. I'm responsible for that. 

 I can place no blame on what happened outside of my control last year or two hundred years ago. It also doesn't make me entitled to anything that may have been denied to them. I can't expect back wages or compensation from an ancestor! The wrongs that were committed against them have nothing to do with today. None of that is an excuse for today. My parents decided to sell their home. It was theirs to do with as they pleased. I have no business complaining I should have inherited that; I was cheated out of my inheritance. If they had given me that house I would be living there today. My grandparents were also landowners, but I got nothing. 

 We hear about those playing the race card and that is a common enough thing and a real thing. But that has now been extended to include anything and everything from history that is conceived as being wrong today. And sadly, today religion has once again been interjected into all of that. The Jewish people are being attacked once again. Their crime is in defending themselves too vigorously. That is what is being protested isn't it? Sure, they were attacked, ambushed really, men women and children killed and taken captive. But their response is too cruel, they should exercise restraint, ask the individuals if they are combatants before fighting back? 

 The Palestinians, whoever they are supposed to be and there is no clear definition for that, claiming the land belongs to them. Their claim stretches back thousands of years. How ridiculous is that. Guess what, the Jewish people were present in the area that is now known as Palestine thousands of years ago. In fact, DNA analysis shows that the Jews and Palestinians stem from the same family. Historically it could be claimed the Jews were there first! But the past is past. It really is as simple as that. Land, and the occupation of that land has always depended upon conquest. It doesn't matter how you feel about that, it is the reality proven out throughout history. 

 The past may explain why we are where we are today. The past is there to learn from. But in all this time man still retains one thing, his willingness to fight to gain whatever he wants. Peace may be negotiated but peace never lasts. Animosity will always remain. Attempts to change the past will occur and always with the same result, more animosity. Ask yourself one question. Who rules? It is always the one with the biggest club! When all the talk is done, that is how things get settled. Always has, always will. Then the defeated will complain about the past. Occasionally David will defeat Goliath. Nothing is ever truly equal. That state doesn't exist for a basic reason, someone always feels superior to another. All that is required is a way to prove it. If all else fails, I just eliminate you altogether. I'm the winner. 

 You can't defeat the past! You can repeat it, but you can't beat it or change it. The outcome will always remain the same. Every generation has dreamed of a world without warfare, violence and conquest. Each generation following ours will do the same. History will repeat itself. Always has, always will.      

resurrected

  Went poking around the attic yesterday and recovered a few memories. My original intent was to sort out some stuff for donation to good will. I have been talking about having a yard sale for years but that isn't going to happen, just too much effort required. Get it out, clean it up, set it out on display, pick it up afterwards, carry it back to the attic. No, I don't want to work that hard for a few dollars. So, the plan is to simply donate it and enrich Mr. Preston (owner of Good Will industries) a bit more. Hopefully someone will purchase whatever items I donate and get some use or enjoyment out of them. 

 I've read about Swedish death cleaning and how it is intended to simply put things in order for those that will inherit your belongings. Well, my feeling is dying is going to be a bit inconvenient so you will just have to deal with all that. The Japanese have a bunch of different techniques to declutter your space and your life. I've read about those, and they all seem like a lot of work to me. I'm just trying to go with, I want this, and I don't want that. My problem is I'm always thinking of others and thinking maybe someone else would like to have this, someone in the family. You just never know what attachment a person may have formed to objects. Often it is the simple, everyday items that mean the most. 

 Almost every object in the attic holds a memory. It may not always be mine. For that reason, I hesitate to dispose of it. You know dying isn't about me and what I want. It would be selfish of me to simply disregard the sentiments of others. After all, I understand you can't just ask people to give you stuff. My son did mention once that he really liked my cypress clock. He said it had been in the house as long as he could remember. But it was a little awkward, a sort of breach of etiquette you might say. He didn't ask for it exactly but dropped a hint. What else might he, his brother or the grandkids have some attachment to that I'm unaware of? 

 I have a good number of items that mean something to me, hold that special value. I often write about them, share pictures of them, and tell anyone that will listen about them and what they are. I am concerned for their safekeeping after I'm gone. I surely don't want them in a yard sale or going to Good Will. The memories they contain are far too valuable for any of that. It's true that some of those objects hold a mystery, a secret unknown to me concerning their ownership or story, but that doesn't change anything. It came from great grandfather's house is enough. 

 So, you see the problem, right? I would like to declutter my attic, clean out the junk and be organized. No one should have to deal with all that after I'm gone. But then I realize how unfair of me that would be. It would border on being selfish and self-centered to do so. I have no right to discard your memories. You never know where those memories may reside. They could be in a lamp, a clock, an old board game or childhood toy. Maybe in a sweater or a jacket. Yes, those memories could be anywhere and so it is probably best to leave them lie for now. It would only be right to allow others a chance to collect their memories, I don't have a monopoly on that. I don't know what I was thinking. We have all heard the expression, "let sleeping dogs lie" I'm thinking we should do the same with memories, the time will come for them to be resurrected. Well, hopefully those memories resurrect me. That's the plan.