A marker

  Celebrity deaths. We have had a number of them lately. The tributes are airing and according to the media the world is mourning. Ozzy and the Hulkster are gone now. The passing of Hulk Hagan did come as a bit of a surprise, I wasn't aware of his health issues. I have seen him lately hawking his American Beer, brother. The end of an era. That's another one of those phrases you hear whenever some celebrity passes away that has been around for a while. Ozzy and Hulk qualify for that statement I suppose. To be honest I couldn't tell you with 100% certainty any song Ozzy Osbourne ever did. I have been a fan of professional "wrasslin" for at least forty years. My sons did have the Hulk Hogan work out kits, eating their vitamins and saying their prayers. But, the thing is I never knew either one of those men. They are just entertainers to me. I make no pretense of experiencing any deep sense of loss or sadness. They died, everyone dies.

   I find it all a bit disingenuous, this outpouring of grief by the general public. People acting like these folks were somehow close personal friends. Almost as though they had some association with them. They didn't. The vast majority have never met those folks. Going to a concert or the wrestling match isn't meeting those folks. Neither is having them sign an autograph, especially when you pay for that, or you wore their tee shirts, again one you purchased. I realize this will all pass quickly but it annoys me. I suppose it is because I lack empathy, at least that is what I've been told. Well, when it comes to losing someone I loved or admired I know how that feels, helpless. That's the feeling, there is nothing I can do about that. It doesn't change the way I feel about them and it doesn't change the way I interacted with them. It also doesn't change whatever they did or did not accomplish in their lives. It's my belief we are all immortal. The thing is we want to remain mortal. 

  I think that is what all the mourning, the outpouring of grief and despair is really all about. If this celebrity can die, so will I. Seems to come as a shock to some folks. For others it is an opportunity to extract the last few dollars out of that celebrity entertainer. There will be a surge in sales, no doubt about that. I did grow up in New England, known for being somewhat stoic and practical I have inherited that trait. That isn't to say I can't be excitable, I certainly can, but I do tend to be more practical about most things. For the last twenty something years I have lived across the street from the funeral home. I see several funerals a week, I have known very few of the customers. 

  Now being right across the street I have noticed the volume of mourners and how varied they can be. I'd say, as a general rule, the younger the deceased, the larger the crowd. I'd also say those that belonged to some fraternal organization tend to have a larger group of mourners. Why is that? My thought is they all enjoy a bit more celebrity than some others. I watched just the other day as a little grey haired grandmother stood at the rear of that hearse and watched as her husband was loaded into the back.  She stood there alone! Over on the sidewalk stood maybe five people. When that procession left just three cars followed. I felt a much deeper sorrow for her than I have for any celebrity. Was that a bit of empathy? Am I growing soft in my old age. 

  With these celebrities I view all of that as more of a virtue signal than genuine grief. People love to associate themselves with celebrities. That celebrity doesn't have to be a great person or even a good person, they just need to have fame. You can associate with the most notorious of criminals if a sufficient amount of time has passed. The amount of time is proportional to the crimes committed. As for myself, I don't expect many mourners at all. What I'm saying is, I won't be disappointed. It'll be great though if after I'm gone tributes were held! Testimonials even listing my virtues, my writings and accomplishments. How much the world will miss me! Well one good thing is certain, the bill collectors won't be able to find me, I'll be underground. Still I've always thought, a man should have a marker. That's what that headstone actually is, a marker. 

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

the news

  The local newspaper I grew up with had a section I always read with interest. It was reprinted news articles from that paper written twenty five, fifty and seventy five years ago. I looked to see if I knew the people or places being mentioned. A great deal of the time I did know them, or at least of them. The newest reprints from twenty five years back were, of course, far more likely to be that way. Fifty years was a reach but my grandparents usually remembered that and sometimes they would even tell, the rest of the story. Even then, there was fake news, at least according to my grandparents it was. And finally seventy five years was just amusing as it often involved talking about who was visiting whom and maybe about some livestock. I do have a clipping from that paper that talks about my great grandfather and the loss of his big grey mare. I found that many years after Grampa Floyd was gone and so never asked him about any of that. 

 I was thinking about that this morning, the old news articles that is, not the horse, and thought the turn of the century was twenty five years ago. That's current events to me! While I was in high school I did have an English teacher that insisted we read the local paper to stay current. I had to write an assignment based on that. It's been fifty years since I left that town. I wonder if the paper is now including one hundred years in that section. It's hard to imagine that my birth would be in the news fifty years ago. The truth is, it wasn't reported in that paper although most of my friends were. I guess mom or dad never got around to telling them.

 Twenty five years ago I had already been retired from the Navy for seven years. I had held two jobs and was expecting my first grandchild. Today I'm a great grandfather. Other than watching the grandchildren grow and graduate, doesn't seem like much has happened at all. When we are growing up there are many milestones to pass. We look forward to them all, going to school, learning to drive, getting your first job, your first date and well, your first everything. In a hurry to "grow up" and go into the world on your own terms. I don't know what I was thinking, as I sure would like to do all of that over again. It's a strange thing when you finally realize that getting older means you spend more time looking back than ahead. I don't mean that in a bad way, just as one of those, "HUH" things. The dawn of realization and the acceptance of reality. As the kids say today, it is what it is.

  Fifty years ago I was on my first enlistment in the Navy. That's what I was doing. I was on the high seas sailing off to the Med. It was every bit of the adventure my recruiter told me it would be. It wasn't always a pleasant one however, the recruiter failed to mention that. Later on I would become a recruiter myself but I was a bit too honest, too open and wasn't very successful at that particular job. I'm not a very good salesman. I don't look at that as a shortcoming or a failure, just something I'm not very good at. I am good at talking though, I can talk to anyone all day long, sometimes I even listen to what they are saying. I accepted my discharge after that initial four year enlistment. Two years after that I reenlisted, doing the adult thing, shouldering my responsibilities. I had a family to provide for. That's my story on that, others may tell it a bit differently.

  That local paper, it's the East Hampton Star. It's banner proudly proclaims that it "shines for all." It was first published in 1885 and continues to this day. That's pretty remarkable I'd say. My thinking is it is only because of the rich folks that it has remained in print. East Hampton is a place that has historically relied upon that summer income. In more recent times the "Hamptons" has become the playground for the rich and famous. It's even a prize on the Price is Right. The paper has been mostly digitalized and is available online. I have taken advantage of that to search for my ancestors while working on the family tree. In that process I have discovered all sorts of tidbits. When I graduated from Navy basic training that did make it to the paper and I have that clipping. Well fifty years ago I could have gone to the library and read that paper. It would be mounted on a long stick alongside the others like the New York Times or Washington Post or Newsday. Maybe they still do. 

                                                                                 

   

Time

 Time really is relative. Einstein was onto something with that theory. Scientists today say the theory has been proven and Einstein was correct about all of that. Einstein was basically saying time is relative depending upon the observers frame of reference. I'm not making any claims to actually understanding all of that but agree that time is indeed relative to your frame of reference. Yesterday I ran into an acquaintance of mine, someone I have known for years but wouldn't call a friend. You know people like that, you know their name and a bit about their family. I know this lady and asked her about her girls, how they are doing. She told me her oldest is 22 now and the younger one a sophomore in college. That seems strange, last time I remember seeing them they were just little kids! Then I remembered they are the same age as my grandchildren. I'm not surprised that my grandchildren are 24 and 22. I guess that is because we are related! It's relativity. 

  We all experience that in different ways. The older we get the more relative time gets. For me, a little while ago may be measured in months or years. The high school I graduated from in 1971 was a new building, I was in the first class to graduate from that facility. I read a while back that it needs to be replaced, it's too old and outdated. I thought, what the heck are they talking about, it's the new school. Then thinking about it some more that was fifty four years ago. If it was a car it would be a 1971 and a '71 isn't an old car. Well, except if I do the math Ford produced his first car fifty years before I was born. Yeah, that was in 1903 and by 1953 they were certainly considered antique automobiles. Another example of relativity.

  It seems to me the more separated we are from the past the more relative time becomes. It has to be because of the frame of reference. I see old classmates in my mind as they appeared in 1971. I have seen some on social media since then and they don't look the way I remember. Strangely I look in the mirror and the same face is there, I just have to look a little harder than I used to. I compare that face to time and I can relate. I do have to remind myself that it is the 21st century although 25% of it has almost passed.  That's right, I was born mid twentieth century, saw the last half of that and now I'm looking back on 25% of the new century. Time is relative to the reference point. 

  All things must pass. It's a common enough quote and comes from a number of sources. We will all leave this world behind is what that says to me. A reminder of our mortality. For many religious beliefs are used to fill that void we call death. No one knows for certain what happens. I wonder if our consciousness remains. Or as I ask, will I know that I'm dead? And if I do will I remember everything from this life? Is death going back in time or a step forward? I suspect it will be relative to our frame of reference. There is a meme that appears on Facebook that I smile about every time I read it, " I always knew I would get old, I just didn't know it would happen so fast." I can see it happening to those around me clearly enough, poor folks, but relatively speaking I don't appear to be aging all that much. I'm going to attribute that to taking naps, you don't age while napping is my guess. You can die in your sleep, but not while taking a nap, somebody is always going to wake you up.  

                                                                                        

the big picture

 Now I'll be composing this blog from the perspective of a white, male, privileged, boomer. I just wanted to make sure I put that out there for clarity. I realize a lot of folks are identifying as whatever is politically expedient or socially accepted at the moment. Furthermore many are now apologizing for their actual identity, feeling somehow cheated by fate I guess. I don't know about all that but I know exactly what and who I am. Sure there are times when it would be advantageous to be something different, there are times when I wished I was something else, at least at that moment, and there are times when being me is hazardous. Still, at the end of the day I am what I am and that's exactly what I'm going to be. Now having established context I will continue with this mornings thought.
 I am wondering why people use their race and religion almost as a weapon. What I mean is, why do they immediately go to the default, it's because I'm a minority, or it's because I'm Jewish or Muslim. That will be thrown at me because, and I can only assume this, because I'm a white, male, privileged, boomer. I'm supposed to immediately become contrite and apologize for what my ancestors may or may not have done. That includes owning slaves, killing Indians, and a host of other wrongs throughout the history of mankind. My last name being of German origins has led to me being called a Nazi. I'm not, nor where my ancestors having emigrated from Germany in 1856 long before Hitler was even a thought. Well, no matter I know who and what I am. I'm not sorry about that.
 It just seems to me that those using their race and religion in that fashion must believe that entitles them to something. Surely they somehow believe it is an advantage to be used to advance their cause, whatever that is, and I don't know what that would be. It doesn't seem to make a difference to them what the cause is. Whenever they don't get what they want or expect, that's the default mode. Of course that default mode never applies to white, male, privileged, boomers. Those circumstances just prove guilt and justify blame. And yes, it is just a matter of circumstance which category you are born into. Oh and don't mention being a Christian as justification for anything or the Bible will be thrown in your face because you are not living like God! You have faults, namely, you are white, male, privileged, and a boomer. Strangely it doesn't seem to apply to the ladies though. Somehow they get a pass, well most of the time anyway.
 This may sound like I am bitter or angry. I'm not. I'm just annoyed. I wonder why their religion, which many times I have no idea about, is thrown at me. I've be called an anti-Semite by people because of my last name. I don't know if they are Jewish or not, they don't know if I'm Jewish or not either. Yes, there are German Jews in case you have forgotten that. It's a religion that many races and ethnicities practice. As for race, that confuses me as well. It's almost as though these "minorities" resent the fact that they are a minority. It's a rather strange thing really. Globally white people, those usually associated with European nations and North America comprise less than 10% of the worlds population. That's right, white people are the real minority in all of this. 

  So why do the others identify themselves as minorities? Well the truth is, they don't. The "others" have been given that name by the white folks. I'm told, as a white, male, privileged, boomer that I am blind to all of that. I'm not blind at all, I can see quite clearly, thank you very much. I have known since early childhood that the people with the money, are the people with the power. Personal observation confirmed that over the years. It really doesn't make any difference what your skin tone is if you have enough money. If you are white you don't need quite as much, that can't be denied, but you still need a good amount to gain the support of other white people. It's a complex thing, family ties and money.   

  It shouldn't come as a big surprise to anyone in America. Birds of a feather flock together and America was settled by white folks, (European descent) by other white folks that financed the whole deal. Yes, America was settled for financial reasons, not a yearning to be free. Later on we yearned to not pay taxes to the King and staged a bit of a revolt. Call it a family dispute but it was about wealth and the power that comes with that. 

  It's true that slaves were used for financial reasons. Slaves weren't chosen because they were black, they were "acquired" because they were being sold by other black folks for profit. It was easier to allow slavery when they didn't look like you and so that was a plus. Still, over time the white folks were becoming uncomfortable with that and began abolishing that practice very early on in America. Eventually the whole institution was abolished, but that didn't mean those former slaves would immediately gain wealth and power. Today less than 13% of the population are blacks. The Latinos are swiftly edging toward the majority in America. That is projected to happen in just twenty years from now. The white folks will be in the minority! Their wealth and power will remain for a far longer time and in that you can be certain.

  The struggle will continue unchecked well into the future. In fact as long as there is mankind on the planet. Those with wealth and power doing whatever is necessary to hold onto that and those without attempting to take it away. Any and all means will be employed. Remember in the Declaration of Independence those colonists listed 27 separate grievances against the King. Number twenty seven: "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions." 

  It was the "red" man that was the threat to wealth and industry then. Later it was the threat of losing that precious slave labor, that started a civil war, and now it is the influx of illegal aliens that is endangering our economy. Make no mistake about that, that's the issue, everything else is just noise. And who is defending that influx? Those with a financial stake in the game that's who. The concern is retaining wealth and retaining  power. That's the stuff wars are fought over. It is amazing though, less than 10% of the global population drives the global economy. Is it because of our skin tone? No, I'm thinking there is a lot more to it than that. Circumstances beyond our control? Now that is where religious beliefs enter the picture. 

                                                                                   

prevention

  Heard on the news that measles is making a come back in America. It had been declared eliminated twenty five years ago. I didn't listen to the rest of the story however and so don't know what theory they are proposing as to its' return. My first thought was, if you don't want flies in your house, don't leave the screen door open. What I'm saying is we have had literally hundreds of thousands of people coming in this house without knowing what they might be bringing with them. For that reason it really comes as no surprise to me. Of course I'm not a doctor or a scientist, I'm not selling any pharmaceuticals or vaccines. I will say I know that they work, most of the time, and may or may not have some side effects depending. But to be fair nothing is 100% and so there is that.

  I read where measles is believed to have come from cattle. Hundreds of years ago the virus jumped from cattle to humans. It is spread by water droplets from sneezing and such. I guess cattle still have that virus and are now passing it to humans again. It can be prevented by getting that immunization as evidenced by it being declared eliminated. Well, turns out that isn't the case at all. All that immunization does to stop your your body from reacting to it, the virus is still around. So, how did it reemerge here in America? The media says people stopped getting the vaccine. One count has the number at 1300 people. I couldn't find any information about those people though, other than they live in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Where all 1300 of them interacting with cattle? As I said I'm thinking someone left the screen door open. 

  If this disease comes from cattle can't we just treat the cattle to prevent that? That would seem to be a good idea. If we can immunize people, why not the cattle? Damn cows, if they aren't farting and destroying the atmosphere they are giving people measles. Now I'm not anti vaccines, science and medicine have surely improved our chances of survival. So much so we are now hearing about over population. Strangely the over populated areas are mostly in underdeveloped nations that have very few preventative healthcare facilities. Is it because they ate all the cattle? That would explain why they're not getting the measles I guess. I don't know but I keep hearing about these Vegan people hollering about not eating those animals. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, we'll have more cows to spread the measles! I say just put the vaccine in a big Mac and call it a day. 

  The latest vaccine we all know about is the Covid one. I've lost count on the number of booster shots and/or variations there are. I've never gotten one and have no plans to do so, ever. I don't get the shingles one, the seasonal flu one or the pneumonia one. That covid one, in my opinion, is just a bust. It never really did a thing and caused a great deal of harm. My thought is the greatest harm will show up about twenty years from now. As I said, I'm not anti vaccine. That being said, I will decide for myself what ones I will, or will not have injected into my body. You do you. 

  That vaccine does not stop the spread of that virus anymore than the measles vaccine stopped the spread of that. It's sole purpose is to boost your immune system to fight it off. Measles was eliminated twenty years ago? I don't think so, it's still around. Were people prevented from getting the measles by getting that shot? Yes, they absolutely where. So, either that virus has been living here all that time, or it was reintroduced by leaving the screen door open. Those getting the measles haven't be vaccinated against that and that's why they are getting them. The virus was never eliminated. 1300 people infected across 40 jurisdictions. That's an average of 32 people per jurisdiction. Tells me that the majority of the people have been vaccinated against them or have a natural immunity. I'm not going to panic just yet. Just close the screen door is my advice.  

                                                                               

It's a wonder

  Stopped by my favorite Deli yesterday. Bullocks Deli to be exact. A bit of a country store thing. They have a restaurant, an ice cream parlor  and a small amount of groceries. It's a sort of 7/11 type thing except owned by Mom and pop. They hold events like "drive ins" where you bring your hot rod. They have ice cream days and sub sandwich specials. Staying current they also now offer many ethnic choices like burritos or taco's. But don't get the wrong impression about any of that, it's just business. It's business being done the way it should be. As I pulled up their was a handwritten sign in the window, we now cook with beef tallow. Is that a concession, or a return? That is what my first thought about that was. I had heard some rumor about cooking oils being bad for you and alternatives are now being offered. Turns out that alternative is beef tallow.

  I am amused by this as I'm old enough to remember when eggs where bad for you, caffeine was bad for you, bread is bad for you, well, you get the idea. And I have heard about trans fats, I wasn't aware of their gender issues and saturated fats, that's when those fats just settle into your arteries I think, and how harmful all that can be. The answer, render some beef fat and use that instead. I thought to myself I'm betting that is exactly what the old folks used to do. I did learn that lard is a bit different, made from pig fat and is still bad for you, but lard is best for baking. I use lard to grease my cake and muffin pans. When I got back home I did look some of that up and discovered that beef tallow is also quite useful for a number of other things besides frying foods. It can be used for hair care, skin care and making soap. 

  I'm smiling thinking about this as I see memes and things on social media about becoming a Vegan. I've seen a number of celebrities, we're supposed to do whatever celebrities recommend, urging me to donate to animal causes, to protect them, to give them free and happy lives. It sure must upset those Vegans to learn beef tallow is a healthier choice than manufactured oils. Seems to me we were provided with beef tallow for a reason. Interesting to me that beef tallow is better for you than lard, a biblical thing? You know those Jewish folks aren't supposed to eat pigs and neither are those Muslims. They can eat beef though. Science and the biblical teachings? Fascinating. Beef tallow does cost more than those oils made from seeds or vegetables but it is superior to either. Well, the good stuff usually costs a bit more but as a benefit you usually use a bit less, it's a financial thing not a health thing. It's true with almost everything that costs you a bit more, you use less, and tend to care better for whatever that product is.

  I guess this switch to beef tallow is going to be the new thing. It must be important to some folks for them to switch. You do have to stay current with the market these days. It's the world we live in today, a world filled with experts on just about every subject you can imagine. I don't recall my parents or anyone else ever questioning what oil was being used at the restaurant. I don't remember anyone asking about gluten or white flour, I thought all flour was white by the way, it said bleached right on the bag. Of course that was when Wonder bread built strong bodies twelve ways. But today we are all nutritional experts well versed in all this stuff and don't hesitate to ask, indeed to inform and correct others in the error of their ways. 

  Now I'm not supposed to eat that wonder bread, it's a bad thing. Now I'm not even supposed to eat those cows, just treat them like free range animals that are protected species! That does make it more difficult to get that beef tallow, maybe Sono Belo can help with that. Hey, they are sucking the fat off of bellies and hips every day. I guess slim cows would be alright as long as you're not wanting that big juicy steak. 

 Still, even Vegans eat French fries, fried cauliflower and other fried vegetables. Beef tallow is the healthier choice so that creates a bit of a conflict. What to do? I'm seeing a business opportunity here. Sono Bello are you listening? You know by removing that fat from those cows it might even cut down on their flatulence! That's a win-win for certain. The environmentally friendly way to deep fry your foods. Even those of us that are eating that deep fried chicken are concerned with that. Still those free range chickens are a bit scrawny and that isn't good. There's always some issue. It's a wonder we have made it this far. 

                                                                                         

                                                                                     

currently

  I usually compose these posting in the early morning hours. Sometimes I wake up with something on my mind and at others struggle to find a topic. It occurred to me this morning that whatever I do write is current. I know, it seems obvious enough doesn't it? I'm writing about what is currently on my mind or in the news. That's great for today and maybe even next week, but a great deal of the deal of the time the subject matter may not be as obvious after that. I did notice that as I reread something I was discussing and had to think really hard, what am I talking about? I had failed to include an explanation of that. Now I know the five w's of writing a story, was taught that may years ago in English class. Yes, I'm that old, I still call it English class where we learned grammar and composition. I'm not certain what they call it these days. I've heard English is being taught as a second language in public schools here in America, a bit of a misnomer in my opinion, but a topic for another day.

 As I thought more about that I began to understand why I'm hearing certain things from those on the left regarding what the constitution says and what they feel it means. A great deal of the "current" context is missing from those documents. There is little explanation for whatever phrases, terms and meanings are intended. Take something as straightforward as the right to bear arms. Just what did they mean by that? For me it means exactly what they said, the government can not disarm me. But you will hear how they didn't mean AR-15's or Bazookas. Is that the context missing? If that had been included the second amendment would surely be quite a bit longer but it was written more as a "bullet" statement, pun intended. 

 I'm guilty of not always explaining exactly what it is I'm talking about and exactly what I mean. I do not include my life experiences, schooling, or influences that caused me to arrive at whatever conclusion I am presenting. Influencers are certainly gaining in notoriety these days, being called out for exactly what they are attempting to do. Mostly they are attempting to get you to buy a product, influence your spending habits. I'm not trying to influence anyone with any of this, I'm just stating my opinions. It would be great if I influence others to send me money just because, but I can't see that happening. All social media is a minefield! I'm not certain I would want to enter into all of that. It isn't a fear of rejection, I've been rejected plenty of times and that's nothing to be afraid of, I just don't need the drama. Drama is for the young, not for a mature senior. ( Insert an emoji after that statement) Will someone twenty years from now now what an emoji is? Maybe that needs to be explained, it being a current thing.

  Getting back to the current. My hope is that my descendants will one day read these blog postings and get a view of what life was like back in the old days. Yes, the old days of grandpa and great grandpa. I have often thought I wish I knew the thoughts of my ancestors regarding current events, their current events. That is what I'm thinking about. When I was young I would hear the men talk about the war. They were talking about WW2. It was current to them, twenty years after it ended it was still current to them. 

 What is current today will be history tomorrow. I think we forget that especially when writing something down as we anticipate our readers will know exactly what we are talking about. If I mention Epstein today most will know. If I mention Epstein ten years from now how many will know? And perhaps most importantly of all I should include what a term, a word or phrase currently means. I'm old enough to remember when being gay meant you were happy, that's not the case today. If I say someone is woke, that is understood, or they are on the left or the right. How many current terms can you think of that meant something different years back? I'm thinking I may need to explain how things currently are. But mostly how something that seems right to you can feel wrong to me. The current social issues. 

  Isn't that really what the study of history is all about? It is difficult to remain objective when it comes to history. I try to gain some context, some insight into why things happened the way they did. It's my opinion it is generally about wealth and power. Half the time it is an attempt to appease the masses, and the other half an effort to control the masses. It's like parenting. Sometimes you're their friend and sometimes just the boss! Why? Because I said so that's why. If your friends jump off a bridge are you going to do that too? I don't care what everyone else is doing, you aren't doing that. 

  There are parents today allowing their children to decide what gender they wish to "identify" themselves as. Why is that? Well, because it is the current thing. A current social issue. Wasn't very long ago that would have alerted social workers to a problem. Those parents would have been subjected to scrutiny for certain. How will history view this? What is tolerated today becomes the normal tomorrow. That's a general statement and holds a degree of truth. 

  The evidence is all around us. Someone has a tattoo on their face they barely get a glance. In years past we paid money to see that. I remember when I was in English class we were required to read the newspaper and write about current events. I wrote about draft dodgers. We haven't had a draft in this country since 1972! I wrote about landing a man on the moon. Current events. Currently I seem to write a great deal about the role of government, a subject I wouldn't have dreamed I'd ever care about.

  All the names and personalities that roll off my tongue today will likely be forgotten about in twenty years or so. They may be referenced much like we do Jefferson or Monroe. Just some old people that did or said something. Remember when Ilhan Omar said, some people did something? She was talking about 9/11. You know what 9/11 is but will your grandchildren and beyond? It's current to me and that is what I'm thinking about, I should be explaining the current situation instead of complaining about it. The only problem being I'm currently at a loss to explain a great deal of what's happening! We are now debating the number of genders. Just think on that for a while. Explain that. 

                                                                            

I'm telling

  With the demands from the democrats to release the Epstein files one does have to question the timing of all that. Seems to me they had that chance when old Joe was in the executive seat, at least the autopen was readily available to issue that order. My thought is perhaps the files hadn't been properly prepared at that time, a little tweaking here and there was required. But still I wonder why the urgency now? What is it they hope to accomplish? An impeachment? So you install JD in that seat and hope he changes the plan? I don't think that would happen. My advice to the dems would be, careful what you ask for.

  I did hear at least one democratic representative complaining about the possibility of having Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeff's girl, testify. His complaint being, she is a convicted criminal, sentenced to years in prison, you can't believe a word she says! By that reasoning you can't believe anyone testifying about anything. Well, ask any prisoner and they will tell you they are innocent, you can't believe them. I wonder why the democrats wouldn't want her to say anything? Maybe they are concerned that she doesn't have anything more to lose and will tell the whole truth. That might be a big problem.

  I'm hearing some stories about Barack Obama and Russian collusion. Tulsi has referred it all to the department of justice for an investigation. I haven't any idea what documents are being looked at and how those conclusions are being drawn. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it is all found to be true. I've heard it makes Watergate look like child's play. Whatever the case may be I'm not really concerned about that. It's my belief all politicians engage in some tactics that could be viewed in many different lights. It's only criminal when it being criminal is to their advantage. I haven't forgotten about the "whistleblower" not so long ago and that testimony. Perhaps those files will be released in another seventy five years. As to whether Obama was involved in any of that I can't say. I will say this, I'm not rooting for it to be true. I would still like to believe our elected officials have some degree of integrity. Call me naive.

  I do question why all these cries for full transparency. It's coming across to me as children arguing with one another and the threat being, I'm telling! Remember that when you were a kid? Remember how you would threaten to tell on your siblings or friends to get what you wanted? Uh oh, I'm telling. A great deal of what is being told is very subjective stuff. He said, she said, and that what it says but not what it means. Who is testifying to what and who had control of the documents? What was really on Hillary's servers? What is on Hunters laptop? What did Trump really have at Mar a Lago? Who was at what parties and with whom? You can't trust any testimony from anyone. Only the government can determine the truth, based on what political party is in office. 

 My thinking is all of this will just fade away with time. Something new will come along to distract us all from this finger pointing. Unfortunately it seems it always takes some tragic event. We had 9/11 which in my opinion began to right the ship somewhat. America started to come together as Americans with our righteous indignation. Yes, we had every right to retaliate, to seek revenge and extract justice. But then the "woke" people had their feelings hurt. They are the ones that are too scared, too paranoid and weak to do anything for themselves, the dependent ones. All they do is point their fingers at others and place the blame elsewhere. The guns are violent, criminals should be given services not punishment and we should all just love one another. Yeah, well I'm here to tell you I'm not loving a lot of what I'm hearing and I will do something about it. 

  I do believe in full transparency. I realize that appears to be the problem as I sure make a lot of folks upset. My guess is they just don't like the truth. The truth is prejudice exists in the world and will always exist. It is a basic human thing. Humans are curious creatures, no doubt about that. We are also discriminating creatures. The truth is not everyone will love everyone else. The truth is those with the money usually get whatever they want. It doesn't matter if it is having the most seashells or gold nuggets, whatever the currency is it controls that society. And that's just the simple truth of the matter. Everything that gets done, gets done through compromise. The only issue being to deal honestly with each other. What we call ethics and morality. Ethics is the compromise, morality is the enforcement of that compromise. It's a personal thing. That's the simple truth of the matter.  

                                                                                     

Ancient writings

 I received a journal or memoir book as a gift from my granddaughter. It is a hard bound volume designed for you to write your life story in. A legacy book is another term for that. It is divided into chapters and there are questions for you to answer. A gift for my birthday that my granddaughter will one day get returned. A sort of regifting? She wrote in the card that she couldn't wait to read it. I told her, don't be in a hurry! You don't get it until the final chapter has been written. She explained to me how one of her patients, she's training to become a radiologist, told her there was so much she didn't know about her grandfather and how there is no one left to ask. And so, my granddaughter now wants me to write it down. I'm smiling because there is little I haven't written down already but there are some things. The question is, do I include that in the book?

 This isn't the first time I have considered that, the recording of "secrets." When I first began blogging, telling my stories and offering my opinions and insights, I was aware of one thing, I am crafting a legacy. A legacy is what you leave behind. Still, when it comes to those that know you, that are close to your family and such, your legacy isn't up to you, it's up to what those folks remember about you, or what they have been told. It is something we hear a great deal about these days, complete transparency. Is that really a good thing? I believe that is totally dependent upon the person receiving that "transparent" information. In todays polarized political climate it surely could influence someone, altering your legacy in a very bad way. But then again, as I have pointed out in the past, if you discover one of your ancestors had achieved any sort of fame or notoriety, even criminal in nature, you would be quick to claim that. It all depends upon how long ago that took place.

  It comes down to the question of a "need to know" basis. Do my descendants need to know it all? Do I expose those chinks in the armor? I'm still of the mindset that I shouldn't reveal any weaknesses or shortcomings. I realize that today many will wave a flag and proclaim all of that, telling it all with pride and expecting adulation in return. They are survivors! I try not to let others discover my foul ups, mistakes, and acts of bad judgement. I usually find those types of stories to be disingenuous. For me, it's the same thing as, me too. I'm rather hoping to be viewed as exceptional. And therein lies the problem, if I tell everything there will be some tarnish! I have made mistakes. I'm calling it experienced, experienced is a good thing, right? But do you need to know how I gained that experience? I'm thinking all you need to know is that I did. 

  Should your personal memoir be a tell all? That's the question. I was given this life and I do feel a responsibility to explain the expenditure of that life. It was a gift after all. Of course my descendants didn't give it to me and perhaps I don't need to explain it to them. I'm thinking that perhaps my personal memoir should be more of a tell all to myself. A self examination of my life, where I came from and where I am today. It will be a biased view of things, no doubt about that and I will make no pretense otherwise. I can say this with some degree of certainty. If I were the one reading it, it wouldn't change my feelings toward the individual. What I mean is, I discovered some things about those that I have known and loved all my life after their passing. Those things didn't change the way I felt about them in any way, in fact, it provided some answers, some further insight to that person. 

  I'm going to buy a good pen to use while writing in that memoir. My thought is to pass the pen along with the book. The vast majority of what is written will be printed because I want it to be read. My cursive handwriting leaves a lot to be desired, penmanship wasn't my best subject in grade school. Yes, we were graded on that when I went to school. I will include some of that cursive handwriting for my descendants to study over and decipher. Perhaps those items I'm not so willing to admit too I will record in that fashion. Perhaps one day that memoir will be viewed as an ancient manuscript. That's a thought that amuses me. 

                                                                                           

      

The answer

 It's being talked about in the news. The so called Maryland man, Kilmar Abrigo Gracia, the illegal alien in jail awaiting trial on human smuggling charges, may be released. His legal team proclaiming he is no threat to society. Remember this is the same guy that was deported to El Salvador, his country, and then returned to the United States. More money, press coverage and politicians traveling to El Salvador to effect that than anyone else I can think of. A big fuss! Oh, it was a mistake, a clerical error and Trump is at fault for that. In fact, the Republicans are trying to deport every single illegal in the country! It's horrific, they are enforcing the law. But now, perhaps in the most ironic twist of all, his legal team is requesting the judge leave Garcia in prison to avoid deportation. You see ICE said if he is released from prison they will apprehend him and immediately deport him. So, the plan is to use the prison as a sanctuary prison! Yes, much like a sanctuary city, or the sanctuary of the church, you can't touch that! Cue, MC Hammer music. It's just crazy.

 In other more local news there was this elementary school teacher accused of a variety of sex offenses. It began with one child testifying and quickly that number grew. That teacher spent a year in custody waiting trial. The trial was held and all testimony was heard. The jury came back and he was acquitted of all charges. The state has refused to pursue this matter any further, the case is closed. But public outcry has some very powerful people calling for justice. The rallying cry being," we believe them" referring to the children's testifying. The news reports that just because he was acquitted that doesn't mean he is innocent! Some public officials are insisting the teacher be fired and never allowed to teach in any school again! He was, after all, accused. I see the whole thing are unfair and unjust. He spent a year in jail waiting for a trial, he had his trial (due process) and was acquitted of all charges, again due process of law. That due process must be accepted whether you agree with it or not. If we don't, what's the point? 

  Are all trials now to be decided by public opinion? Sanctuary cities to protect illegal aliens and the court of public opinion deciding guilt and innocence? And all of that coming from those that are waving their flags of virtue proclaiming they want justice. We have to give due process to everyone , even those that are in the country illegally, those that are not citizens or taxpayers. Those same people now saying, we don't have to agree with the results of that due process though, not if we don't like it. Those people also saying, dissent is patriotic! Indeed the message is becoming, civil disobedience is a patriotic duty! Well, unless of course it is judged to be insurrection, that isn't allowed. A small riot or two isn't a big deal, that stuff was mostly peaceful. 

  Release the documents is now the rallying cry for civil disobedience. That is coming from all directions as each political party struggles for ground. The hope is to get the goods on the others and in that way gain the advantage. Each party is looking for that, I told you so document. We have no way of knowing if any documents exist, or if any are being manufactured. There has been secret testimony. Remember the "whistleblower." A person so secretive even that person didn't know they had testified! We have yet to learn anything more regarding that. Strange I don't hear any cries to release those documents. We'll have to wait until the general public demands them, the court of public opinion. 

 I just find it disturbing when the main stream media and prominent public officials are demanding to get the results that they want. That is to say, in the case of that school teacher, loss of his job, loss of his teaching credentials and being labeled a pedophile because, "they believe them." The reality is he had a fair and unbiased trial, all testimony was heard and a jury of his peers acquitted him of all charges. We have public officials saying we are deporting people that have no criminal record. The people that are being deported entered the country illegally, that's a crime and makes them a criminal. It's not up for debate, it's a simple fact. We can't legislate based on public opinion or sentiment. That's not how it works. When due process has been given, the answer must be accepted, "because I said so" that's what the courts say. Yeah, sometimes you just don't like that answer. Too bad. 

                                                                                     

a cottage

  It's a paradox. When we are small the world seems so large, but when we get old the world seems so small. That's what I though when I came across a picture of the living room where I grew up. A friend of mine was kind enough to take a few photographs of that home and send them to me. They were going to demolish that home and those pictures are among the last ever taken in there. I couldn't help but think of the Christmases spent before the fireplace, pictures taken by my Dad with the Brownie camera, the big flashbulbs and waiting for a week or more to see that photo. That room seemed so large to me. At one end was the fireplace stretching wall to wall and bricks to the ceiling. At the far end was the stairs leading upstairs, so big they took a ninety degree turn to reach there. It was there, in that far end of the room the Christmas tree was set up, well away from that fireplace.

  There is a story I tell about the time my dad got a new job. This job was with a plumbing concern and the owner lived uptown, you know where all the rich folks lived. He had to be rich, he had hired help! Poor folks don't hire help you know. But anyway, there came a day this man with his wife came to my house looking for Dad. There was a big job coming up and he wanted to talk with my dad about that. They were invited in. Well, this guys wife strolls in and says to my mother, what a quaint country cottage you have. I could see that look in my mothers eye, it was the same look I would get for misbehaving in public. I'm sure you know what  I mean, it was, the look! Nothing was said but a polite thank you, but the fires had been lit. After they left we all heard that explosion, a country cottage eh! Well, after a series of expletives and mutterings mom just stormed off to the kitchen. I didn't speak or get too close for a few hours. It became one of those family moments retold and relived forever. 

  It was that story that immediately came to mind when I saw the pictures I was sent of that house. It was, in fact, a quaint country cottage. Yes, there was no doubt about that. I had the chance some years before to visit that home. I was in town for some reason, I believe it may have been my twenty year class reunion. I drove there and knocked on the front door. The lady living there remembered my mother and father from when they had purchased the house. I introduced myself and was allowed to walk through the house. I remember thinking then, seems a lot smaller than I remember. I took that stroll through my memories and the years I had spent growing up in that home. It was old, run down, and I remember thinking dark. The knotty pine that paneled the entire living room had grown quite dark over the years and upstairs the paint in the bedrooms was like, well old paint in an old house. 

  About that paradox. When I was growing up in that home it did seem large, the world seemed large too. I had traveled to New York City a few times before I was eighteen. That was a distance of a hundred miles! Now that was a big world out there. After high school I joined the Navy and yes, I saw the world. The more I saw of the world, the smaller it became. We have all experienced that, all having said at one time or another, it's a small world. And now that Disney song is playing in my head, it's small world after all. But, when I think about and remember my childhood home, that world remains as large to me as it did back then. I turned 72 yesterday and it's been fifty four years since I left that world. Over a half century ago. I didn't grow up in a quaint country cottage, it was house as good as those I saw on television with the Cleavers and my three sons. Sure we didn't have the financial resources those families had but my house was just as good, as modern and spacious as anyone's. A country cottage? I don't think so. 

                                                                         

                                                As it looked in 2023

                                                  

 A model I made of that fireplace. The brick it is built on came from the hearth of that fireplace. It was sent to me before the home was demolished. 

what happened

  Today I celebrate another year. Born in 1953, the last century, I'm enjoying what this new world and progress has brought. I have to say I'm a bit disappointed, no flying cars or space travel. Progress hasn't proven to be all that it was hyped up to be. Still I'm thankful I'm still here to complain. I'm certain I will receive many birthday wishes on my Facebook page and I am grateful for every one of them. They will surely be far more plentiful than any cards I used to receive in the mail. With postage now at 78 cents I can't blame anyone for that, plus a Hallmark card is about five dollars these days! I'm thinking I may have some cake and ice cream today but there is no party per se, and that's fine with me. Birthday parties are just too much pressure. 

  But it being my birthday my thoughts turn to an old friend of mine that was born on the same day, in the same hospital as myself. Growing up he lived less than a mile from me, next door to my Aunt Betty and Uncle Doc. I believe his daughter still lives in that home, a home that was purchased from Sears and Roebuck! Yes, that's a fact and I believe my Uncles house was also. We did play together when we were young and I attended a few of his birthday parties over the years. You know when I was growing up in the fifties and sixties organized birthday parties didn't happen every year. What I mean to say is, you might be given one of those two, maybe three times when you were younger, milestone birthdays and sixteen was usually the last marker! That was when my sister gave me my first and only organized, planned, invitations sent out birthday party. 

  I do have a photograph taken on my first birthday with that friend. His name is Barry and I haven't seen him in person in many years now. After high school we all just went our own ways. I located that picture this morning thanks to all this progress and technology. I located a digital copy of that photograph using a search engine and AI. It has been Seventy one years since that picture was taken. I suspect a brownie camera was used. I do have the original photograph tucked away in a box full of old stuff like that, a box I call my archives. A lot has taken place since that photo was taken. The home I grew up in has been demolished. Amazing to me that his house is still standing, almost unchanged from the way it was all those years ago. Barry went off to college and I went in the Navy. We both married and had children. I don't much beyond that. 

  As I look at that picture a good portion of my childhood is brought to mind. The friends I knew, the adventures I had and I'm back in time. I'm thinking I might use some of this modern technology to geo-mark the exact location that picture was taken. I'll be sure to include that in a description of the picture. I just remember it as being "down to soak hide." That was long before it was the "Hamptons"  Yes those Hamptons, long before they were a prize on the Price is Right. 

  It was in Barry's back yard. In the seventy two years preceding that picture the United States had fought the Indian wars, the Spanish-American War, World War One, World War Two, with the Korean war ending seven days after my birth. We have done better in the last seventy two years having fought in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf wars. A lot can happen in seventy two years. I'm looking at that picture now and saying to myself, what happened? The answer depends upon the day. 

                                                                                               

                                                    Barry on the left, I'm on the right. 

Deserving?

  I see all the big discussions about tipping. How much I should leave and all that. It is based upon how much I spend. I was thinking about that and wondered why it should be that way. What difference in service does it make it you bring me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a lobster dinner? I'm tipping you for the service rendered aren't I? That's what I'm told. I suppose if I order a four course meal in theory you have to make four trips, so I have to pay extra for that. A per trip charge? What about each time you stop by my table to ask if everything is alright, does that count as a trip? It is those trips that inspire me to give you a tip, that's the service I am willing to pay for, the gratuity means, I'm grateful. I just wonder who started all this percentage thing. I'm guessing it was a waiter or waitress believing they should get a cut of the action. Just doing there job wasn't enough, they deserve more. One of my favorite things these days, all the talk of what you deserve. 

 There is a big discussion going on now to make it a law that tipped employees be paid the federal minimum wage. That is being pushed by those that aren't receiving the tips they feel they deserve. The truth of the matter is the majority of tipped employees make far more than the minimum wage. Those employees don't want that to change. The law has changed  and now there is no tax on tips up to $25,000. That's a pretty good deduction in my book. And let's be honest here, how much of those tips are actually recorded when it is a cash deal? I'm talking about tips left in cash on the table. Now I guess that doesn't happen as frequently as it used to, people using credit cards and all that. But many places add the tip in automatically these days as well ensuring those servers get a tip. I heard complaints that they servers feel the owners are skimming off the top. I wouldn't know anything about that.

  For me I see the whole tipping thing as charity. It's a gift freely given in exchange, not for a service, but rather for an experience. I'm paying for the food and drink that I order, that was prepared at my request. The servers job is to deliver that food and drink to the customer. That is the minimum requirement for their position. Making the experience of eating out, and I'm old enough to see that as a luxury, something you wouldn't normally do, fun and exciting is something that server can do to earn a tip. Yes, as the server you have to please me, the customer in order to get the gift. It's not that difficult a thing to understand. The cost of the actual meal has little to do with that. With me you will get whatever I feel you deserve. And that's the thing about deserving isn't it? Everyone has a different opinion, a different yardstick for measuring that. I'm not using yours! Don't demand charity! You do that and my first thought will be, you don't deserve it. 

                                                                                      

We might

  I was writing about the IRS and their ruling on tax exempt status for the church should they endorse/campaign for a political candidate. They said they wouldn't revoke that tax exempt status. A district court Judge in Texas has yet to make a ruling on that. Other than being surprised to find out that the church wasn't allowed to do that one other thing surprised me as well. The IRS publicly stated they wouldn't be enforcing that rule anyway, what the Judge says doesn't matter to them. Yes, that's the official press from the IRS, we understand that is the rule but we won't enforce that rule. It leaves me a bit baffled. 

  It reminds me of the marijuana laws. Under the federal statute it is a felony to use, posses or distribute that plant, in any form. Yet, many states have decided to just ignore that. They are passing legislation left and right about it being just fine, as long as the proper taxes are collected. I guess I just don't understand the supremacy clause of the constitution. Article VI, clause 2 seems clear enough to me, it says federal law is the law of the land and takes precedence over state law. So, okay a state can make a law, but the federal government can just ignore that law if they want? That would seem to be the case if the Feds aren't arresting anyone for violating that law and states are establishing "dispensaries" to sell that plant. 

 I have remarked on several occasions about law enforcement agencies refusing to work with each other and in some cases actively working against each other. That's another one of those legal things I guess I just don't understand as well. I've always felt that all those agencies had the same objective, the enforcement of the law. It isn't their job to decide if they like that law or not, there job is to enforce it.       Lady Justice is wearing a blindfold. The reason is obvious enough, the law is to be equally applied. It doesn't mean she can turn a blind eye to laws she doesn't agree with. The law is the law. Currently we have a known illegal alien being held in a prison awaiting a trial on human smuggling and a few other charges. The judge hasn't ruled on whether he can be released while waiting for that trial. But the deal is this, ICE has stated if he is released, he will be deported. The legal team for the guy in jail now doesn't want him released to avoid that happening. They are using the prison system as a sanctuary. Now, how crazy is that?

 On the national level it is well known that the Democrats in particular have been judge shopping for quite a while now. It's all a part of their efforts to somehow, in some fashion get Donald Trump. If they can't impeach him they can block his executive powers. The supreme court has had to step in and give their opinion on all of that. So now we have one branch of government ruling on what another branch is doing because of the machinations of the representatives. Those you elected are now attempting to use the system to further their agenda, not yours. They are deciding what the executive branch can and can not do regardless of what the constitution says about that. But I get that, it's all about the lawyers. The law applies to thee, not to me. 

  The balance of power is certainly shifting these days, those scales aren't really balanced at all. The seat of that power, the people, are being pushed aside in favor of political power and position. Yes, they still need the votes, any way they can get them apparently, but they don't have to actually do the will of the people. Those elected representatives now feel they were elected to tell you what you want! With enough lobbying or social media postings and tweets, those representatives are representing that. They are representing the money! It's not a new thing. I have long thought, why don't those candidates ever ask, what do you want? Listen to them, all they ever do is tell you what they are going to do. They aren't asking, they are telling. 

 They are hoping you will agree and vote for them. Also the reason they are always telling you, I hear you, you are oppressed, downtrodden and I'm here to help. They are using the psychological trick of saying, I can, while never saying I will. As a former Navy recruiter I said, in the Navy you can, fill in the blank with whatever you want to do, fly a jet, command a battleship whatever. 90% of the people I was talking to heard, they were going to do whatever it was. They never heard the, if you qualify, part of that statement. Voters don't hear what those candidates are really saying either. All they hear is, I will be getting my way if I vote for you. Yeah right, until I get elected that is and then it reverts to, if you qualify. 

  I have thought about moving to another state perhaps. Not because I don't like Maryland but I like a change in scenery. I suppose that comes from my nomadic existence during my Navy days. I have done some research, we all do research these days don't we, what was once called asking questions. Anyway, I have researched the costs of living in various places in the country. I've looked at the weather patterns and the incidence of storms and such. I'm old enough that the availability of doctors and hospitals is a growing concern. I've got my guy, and I really don't want to find another. 

 But now I'm thinking I need to do a little more research. I need to look at what laws are being enforced where. I wonder if there is an app for that? I heard about an app to notify illegal aliens when ICE agents are coming. What's next? An app to notify you when the sheriff is coming to issue your subpoena? What can I do where? A sort of social measurement of liberal tolerance or conservative hard liners. There's no doubt what is considered perfectly fine, normal even, on a public street in LA is far different than what it would be in Wooster, Arkansas. Seems like a good idea if we are just going to say, we get to choose whether or not to enforce the law. No need to strike it down, erase from the books or anything like that, just ignore it. Turn a blind eye to that, just collect the taxes and fees. It's all good. It's the law and we might, or might not enforce that, it all depends. 

                                                                                   

      

  

    

  

Influences

    Antisemitism is headlining the news. There have been firings and the withholding of funding. I have no doubt that such exists, always has, always will. It wasn't that long ago Muslims were making those same headlines. There were attacks made on those people, there was campaigns aimed at them and all that continues. I'm old enough to remember when Cassius Clay decided to practice that religion, changed his name to Mohamed Ali and refused to be drafted. He based that on religious convictions. It caused quite a stir at that time. I also recall when Kennedy was running for president and he was, gasp, a catholic! Yes, religious beliefs can be a cause for others to discriminate against you. The reason is very easy to understand, religion, politics and power are intertwined. 

  Here in Maryland a ruling from the IRS is causing some controversary. Two churches in Texas have challenged the "Johnson Amendment" to the Internal Revenue Service code that forbids any non-profit from campaigning for a political candidate/party. The IRS has now changed their stance on that saying churches and other houses of worship should be allowed to endorse candidates without losing their exempt status. It is still pending approval by a District Court judge in Texas. If it gains that approval the church is free to speak from the pulpit regarding political issues. 

  All that came as a bit of a surprise to me as I didn't know they couldn't say whatever they liked from the pulpit. As far as I know all preachers, leaders, or whatever term you wish to apply have been doing that all along. That is the reason our constitution separated church from state. It's my feeling it wasn't intended to prevent those from speaking their minds, freedom of speech, or to prevent the free exercise of religion. Remember those amendments? Yeah, they apply to the church as well. Power and politics. The instruction received from a religious leader can be a very powerful motivator. A real concern when it comes to the teachings of the Koran which does contain justification for violent activities.

  There are those opposed to that of course, insisting the church should not be allowed to openly endorse anyone. Those folks claiming the pulpit could be weaponized! Well yeah, that's what preaching is supposed to be, a weapon against evil! We are fighting. Over the centuries every religion has engaged in wars, conflicts, launched crusades and generally used violence to further their agendas. Power, politics and religion. We say, For God and Country! That has been a rallying cry from the very beginning, it isn't just some Christian or American thing. God save the Queen or whatever. The power of the church resides not in the pulpit but in those that are the believers. Pastor, priests and ministers are influencers. Yes, that is their job. They do have the absolute right to endorse, approve or disapprove of any political candidate or party. That's the way I feel about that.   

    

                                                                             

DIY

  It's a rather amazing thing really, the main stream media, the major news outlets routinely referring to "MAGA" supporters as a matter of course. Now MAGA was originally a campaign phrase, an acronym for Make America Great Again. I think the majority of us know that but that isn't what it means today when used by the media and those on the left. We are all aware that it is supposed to be an insult, a taunt of some kind, a phrase used by a bully on the playground. Yet, those outlets and reporters use that term all the time and have no qualms about doing so. What happened? I mean, aren't they the same folks concerned with pronouns and feelings? The same people insisting I must comply with all of that? If I don't, I'm just a terrible person. For me it is just another example of the hypocrisy of the left. And isn't it amazing that we all know what I'm implying when I say the left ? Yes, it is a bit of a two way street, this name calling isn't it. Reminds me of the Yankees and the Rebs! At least that is the way it is portrayed in the movies, I'm not that old to actually remember any of that. Historically speaking though, it was a way of defining opposing political views. 

  So it's Maga and the left. That is how this era will be recorded and portrayed in the history books, if there are history books. It's been said a republic lasts on average two hundred and fifty years. We are reaching our expiration date. If one is listening closely the majority of the time you will hear about our democracy. It's true that our republic contains democratic components but it is still a republic. The primary difference being a republic is a representative form of government where the power lies with the people, voters, not those elected. 

 You hear democracy because those elected, when they obtain a majority, establish that "democracy." That is to say, they get their way even when the majority of the voting public may disagree. It leads one to question the whole representative thing, are we really being represented? But the Maga folks and the left somehow feel obligated to support their side, to stand fast with their belief and support. They are the ones making all the noise. In my estimation it will be the left that fires the first shot, just as when the Rebs fired upon Fort Sumter leaving the Yankees no other option but to respond in kind. 

  Why did the rebels secede from the union? It was an economic response. They wanted to keep the cheap labor they enjoyed with the institution of slavery. Now, it should be noted that the purchase of a slave wasn't cheap, it was a sizable investment but like a Kiosk, a one time purchase that only required some maintenance and up keep, disposed of when it was no longer cost effective. Today we are hearing that California and some other states are threatening the same action for the same reason. Only thing different is in the name, migrants is the popular term from the left, illegal aliens the term from the MAGA crowd. It is the labor pool that is driving all of this. 

   We created a republic to become an independent nation. That is the goal. Power requires control. To control one needs to create a dependency. And with that the government has to understand what it is the "dependents" really want. That is accomplished by telling them what they need. Call it indoctrination or education the choice of terms is yours and will be dependent upon your personal wants and needs. America is great, that's my opinion and always has been great. I firmly believe in independence, I'm a do it yourself person. Maga to me simply means that we should return to the roots of the republic. That is what the documents say and that is what they mean. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The all being Americans! The rest of you can seek that in your own nations if you have an issue with that. 

taking an oath

  I have done a bit of reading and a bit of listening. I'd say I have learned more about our government and how it is organized and designed to function in the last year or so than I ever did before. Whether it is a good thing or bad thing a great deal of that came via Facebook postings. I have checked citations to verify claims being made. I have also discovered that the interpretation of those citations vary a great deal. That in itself wasn't surprising, I have played those games as a child like telephone where the message is almost the opposite from the original. I tried all that with my parents, my bosses, and at times, even with myself. But generally speaking I have come to understand things or at the very least offer a reasonable explanation. I found myself at a loss here recently. I'm attempting to understand or offer any reasonable explanation why all law enforcement agencies aren't working together, why in fact, are some refusing to cooperate at all?

  As I said I have been reading and listening and that is what I hear all the time. A short time back it was defund the police and I understood that. If you don't have police you can't get arrested. I'm not saying it was reasonable in any way, but the explanation is simple enough. The objective there was to make it impossible for the police to conduct business, yeah, what a great idea. But anyway, that is just talk from the same folks that believe there are multiple genders and all that nonsense. What I'm concerned with is that there are agencies refusing to work together and in some cases doing whatever is in their power to hinder, obstruct and indeed prevent the others from doing there's. I'm trying to understand how an obstruction of justice can be legal? I did hear about some judge being charged with that, sneaking someone out of the courthouse before agents could apprehend that person. I haven't heard much more about that however. 

  I understand how the real world works and it isn't the way it is written down. The motivations of people and their intentions are often in contradiction to what the law may have to say. What I'm failing to understand is how this is allowed when it is stated out loud in complete defiance to the law. Are not all government agencies required to work together, to cooperate with each other? I get the local stuff and it's my jurisdiction but the entire country is the jurisdiction of ICE agents, as well as the FBI. I just can't wrap my mind around a government funded law enforcement agency, we the people are funding them, that refuses to do their job. There job is law enforcement! It's true I haven't been to any college or university, I don't hold any advanced degrees, or make any claims to having specific technical knowledge regarding the law but it sure seems reasonable that they should all work together. Sanctuary? Sanctuary from what? The constitution of the United States of America. 

  I guess I'm missing something here. When I took the oath of enlistment it was to obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and to defend the nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. I would think that all government employees would be required to take something similar. I wonder where it says, I can enforce laws at my own discretion and do not have to assist anyone else in any way. I wonder where it says that federal judges can simply block the executive branch of government from doing whatever they disagree with. I guess I do need to do more studying up on that. Makes no sense to me.