Recent Random Reflections

I suspect many others reading these words have also had such thoughts. Nevertheless for what it's worth>

 1. The death of the second parent is the most difficult as it signals closure of the parent-child relationship.

 2. You know you're in the right profession when somebody says, "I don't think that can be done," and you relish the challenge.

 3. Only child of one family married to only child of another family is a bigger crap-shoot and than baby of one family married to baby of another family.

 4. You'll be happier at the holidays if you place zero expectations on your children...and they'll be happier also.

 5. I'd rather 'see' a sermon than 'hear' a sermon.

 6. I recall in youth when Grandpa E.V. Bennett said to my Mammy, "Mary, that telephone is the  Devil's tool; it surely begs for gossip." I cannot imagine what E. V. would say about Internet Facebook.

 7. The one time I do believe God would accept a lie is when people ask you, "How you doing?"

 8. If you marry the right person then unexpected water in your basement today becomes a bonding memory tomorrow.

 9. If a young couple can, they should have more than one child...it ensures family-conduit-love.

10. If you can't verify it, don't repeat it. If it's not yours, walk on by. If it's your error own it.

11. Keep it mind, stormy rains and wind come to an end as sure as night gives way to dawn.

It's a Goose &'Gander Story

In 2008, Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich was charged with corruption. He conspired to commit several 'pay-to-play' schemes. Blagojevich had the authority to appoint someone to fill the vacated
U. S. Senate seat by Barrack Obama when Obama was elected President. Blagojevich was sentenced to 14-years in federal,prison.

President Donald J. Trump withheld tax payers monies approved by the United States Congress for Ukraine's defense and security. Trump, like Blagojevich used his authority to offer a bribe to the Ukrainian government. Trump told Ukraine's President that he would release the monies if the Ukrainian President publicly announced that they were investigating the 2016 election interference by Ukraine, which has been debunked and investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.

Obviously, Trump should be impeached and removed from office but furthermore,  he should go to prison. Now we know why Trump is considering a Presidential pardon for Blagojevich.

Trump IS The MOST Transparent President Ever!

Transparent is defined as: 'Easy to perceive or detect.' 'Open to Public Scrutiny.' That said, one can 'see' right through Trump and the GOP lawmakers who defend him.

Consider...

1. Trump and others claim that Donald Trump was athletic with great physical abilities and prowess.

2.  1968...22-year old Donald Trump received a medical deferment for 'heel spurs,' which kept him out of military combat.

3.  2015...At an Ames, Iowa 'Leadership Summit,' Trump says, "Senator John McCain (former prisoner of war) was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who don't get captured."

4.  2016...Candidate Trump belittles Gold Star (Muslim) family whose son was killed in Iraq (2004)

5.  2019...Trump shows his love and patriotism for the USA as he hugs the American flag while appearing at CPAC. (Note: He loves the country but dodges the draft and disparages those military vets who were captured defending THAT flag).

6.  2019...President Trump diverts 3.8 billion dollars from the military to building a Mexico border wall.

At yesterday's impeachment hearing, Republican House Representatives ruthlessly attacked LT. Col. Alexander Vindman, a decorated soldier who received the Purple Heart in Iraq for coming forth and testifying about President 'Bone Spurs' desire to have Ukraine investigate Joe and Hunter Biden while withholding military aid from Ukraine. Now, that's really Transparent!

Personally, I believe President Trump and his Republican supporters are the most transparent group of politicians this Nation has ever known...their motives are obvious and you can 'SEE' right through them. And to think this clown has the audacity to chastise a Black NFL player who expresses social protest by kneeling during the National Anthem. What crap!

Mental Refreshing Exercises

For several years running, I have taken 10-minutes every day to find a quiet secluded dark place, close my eyes and try to refresh my mind with various thoughts. I may think of past events or experiences, which were particularly pleasing, memorable or exciting. Perhaps I focus on humor or family or maybe I simply recall Song verses from yesteryear. I can affirm that the time spent is relaxing and causes me to practice both recall and imagination.

 I particularly enjoy 'thinking' of humor and what might be. Just two days ago, I hit on a mental refresher exercise moment that caused my head to 'swim.' You know that feeling. You have an  incredible time trying to 'get your head around something' and it's damn near impossible.

I was thinking of the number of people in President Trump's administration who have been indicted for criminality, found guilty or pleaded guilty and have gone to prison or will be going to prison. Hot damn that's a long list: It appears that nearly three dozen people in and around Trump's Presidency have been indicted. Okay, here comes the humorous part: In your wildest thoughts can you possibly imagine if these criminal indictments had happened during Obama's presidency what the response would be from the likes of  Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Tucker Carlson and Congressman 'Coatless' Jim  Jordan. The only certainty is Limbaugh would have had a stroke by now. And OMG, the Internet Trumpers would be going berserk...folks that's funny and that's true!

A Family Story: A Sad Story

"I don't want religious bigotry in any form. It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The far right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it."
                      Rev. Billy Graham...Parade Magazine...1981

And once again, Franklin dismisses fatherly advice and continues to tarnish the Evangelical movement, which found great impetus during the Billy Graham Crusades. That's the sad part!

The Messages Changed Over Time

When I was in elementary school and junior high, I don't recall getting letters...I'm talking mailings. Near the end of my junior year in high school, I began getting a few letters from colleges about attending their school. Most of those letters were 'form letters;' which I gave little attention.  During my senior year, I did receive more letters but the telephone calls from coaches were more impressive and when one coach just shows up on your front steps that's a 'Deal Maker.'

While I was in college, my girlfriend, who later became my wife sent me at least two letters a week. I really enjoyed those letters. After I graduated and married, I got letters from auto and life insurance agents and even retirement investments peddles. I never did get a letter from Uncle Sam about the military. I simply missed those draft windows.

During my birthday journey counting the 30's, 40's, 50's and early sixties, I received the most letters ever. Letters about vacation spots, time share purchases, cruises, float trips, amusement parks, church tithing, automobile dealerships, health insurance companies, investment companies, entertainment offerings, ie., Six Flags, Disney World and nearby University concerts. I would like to give a shout out to AARP who began faithful letter writing on my 55th birthday and still write 25-years later.

It was about the time I hit my early sixties when I noticed drastic communication changes. I was now getting invitations to senior retirement communities, reverse mortgage lender seminars and Independent / Assisted Living facilities. Today the letters forthcoming cut to the doom and gloom end-game reality of the journey. The communication topics now offer info on nursing homes and pitches Funeral and Internment Plans.' I've made many of those arrangements but I should leave a few things for the kids to do...just to get their attention, if you get my drift! Meanwhile.

I throw all letters away these days. I don't have time to read all that stuff and still answer the telephone. Rachael calls once a week about my credit card. The police never let a week pass that they don't telephone plus any number of other callers asking for my money!

PS. I do bring in the mail most days and I've noticed my wife gets letters from, St. Jude's, Boys Town, Alzheimer's Association, Heart Association, Cancer Society, State Police, American Native Mission, Shriner's Hospital, several security systems companies and three Casinos. I need to remind her that we can run out of money before good causes disappear.

Fools Abound!

In January 1973, The United States Supreme Court voted to make abortion legal. That Supreme Court was made up of six Republican appointed Justices and three Democrat appointed Justices and the final vote was 7-2 to give women control over their bodies with the abortion choice. Personally, I oppose abortion but fully understand that such a law will exist in a 'free' society.

2019, Five (current) Supreme Court Justices were appointed by Republican Presidents, which indicates a conservative leaning court yet after President Donald Trump picked up the endorsement of the moral Evangelicals (who want Roe v. Wade overturned), we have NOTHING brought before the Court. That said, we continue to hear the pathetic cry from right-wingers, "Democrats are baby killers." You folks on the right are easily duped and seem to enjoy the boogieman stories. Hey,  Franklin Graham, What-up??

Actually, with a 'conservative' President in office, a Republican Senate majority and a conservative Supreme Court majority it would appear that the Republicans wish to be complicit in this so-called 'baby killing.'

Could She Be a Man Eater?

Why this Nikki Haley, former Governor of South Carolina and more recently Ambassador to the United Nations is so sneaky and clever, you'd think she was a sleazy liberal but by golly she is surely one of those patriotic, moral majority and judgmental Republican Evangelicals.

Nikki just threw General John Kelly (former White House Chief of Staff) and Rex Tillerson (former Secretary of State) under the  Greyhound Bus as she quotes from her recently published book that these evil doers, "Wished to undermine Trump's Presidency." Trump, upon hearing these comments from a Haley interview, tweeted immediately that people should "Buy Haley's book."

I'm thinking two people over at the White House should be warned... First Mike Pence and the second one...? Umm, slips my mind.

What Deals for the Oldsters!

In my younger days, I wondered what it meant when folks would speak of the 'Golden Years.' I've finally figured it out. These retirement-senior years are referenced as 'Golden' because of the plethora of 'senior citizen discounts.'

Why, I often hit the road early morning on some errand and the first place I stop is McDonald's for my .64 cents 'senior coffee.' Those Golden Arch folks give me a coupon that entices me to return for lunch when I can get a 'two-for-one' sandwich deal. There are numerous other restaurants, which offer a variety of early bird specials along with drink discounts during Happy Hours. If I took them up on all happy hour specials, I'd be attending a weekly AA meeting.

My Sports Clips' gals have a 'Senior discount' and often times upgrade haircuts to their MVP deal. And mercy, where do I begin to tell you how Kohl's Department Store entices me to shop their crowded aisles? Honestly, my wife and I shopped the local Hickory Point Mall just a few days ago and purchased several clothing and household items at Kohl's using a 30% off discount coupon. Driving home, my wife was reading the receipt and discovered we spent $91.00... the good news? We saved $147.00! AND...on top of that we got a $20.00 Monopoly money cash back coupon. I'm thinking if we shopped  Kohl's more often, we could 'make' money.

These senior discounts and coupon perks are going to have a financial trickle-down effect on our children...our kids are going to inherit more bucks and besides that, their mother recently purchased    backyard garden decorations, which our kids will cherish. It was one of those AARP discounted 'buy two get a third free.' She bought three sets of Pink Flamingo statuettes. Her logic? "When we die the kids will each have inherited a Flamingo.

Gotta go...McDonald's coffee time!

Hope Your Holidays Are Joyful

The 2019, Holiday Seasons are fast approaching. As I ponder my 80th Thanksgiving and Christmas, I cannot help but think of the many changes, which have occurred around those 'seasons.'

As a child, I was tethered to that famous trek to grandmother's house for a grand Thanksgiving feast after attending the traditional football game between my East St. Louis Flyers and those Maroons of Belleville Township High. A few years later I would be attending the post game Football Dance with the girl,who would one day be my wife. During adult coaching years, my Thanksgiving celebrations would become second to basketball tournament demands.

The Christmas gatherings were always locked-in around the Old Folks at home. We were expected to make the effort and trip to 'go home' to the Metro East area. We never failed to answer the call and consequently our grown children have precious memories of grandparents. Again, the basketball coaching dictated time spent.

These retirement years find role changes. I can say with certainty that my wife and I do not place expectations on our married children to "come home." Oh, we love having children and grandchildren sharing anytime and all the time, yet we let each family set their own agendas.

It's interesting and noteworthy that our kids and grandkids MAKE It HOME for one or both seasons. Perhaps it's learn behavior.
We are blessed and we are Thankful in every season.

Old Man With Growing Addictions

As a young boy immersed in sports' activities, I was cautious regarding following rules. I did what I needed to do academically to remain in good stead and I rebuked all temptations of alcohol and drugs. I didn't want to get in trouble with parents or coaches and to be honest the alcohol and drugs scared me.

I never thought that one day I would be dependent on drugs to the extent that I meet a drug dealer at least two times a week seeking a fix. My addiction is costing me significantly and I find myself buying more and more drugs for not only me but also supplying my wife. It saddens me.

My drug dealer has me on speed dial and periodically telephones to tell me he has fresh stuff. These days, the only person I 'see' more frequently than my drug dealer is my wife. I suspect that this drug addiction in America is escalating rapidly based on the number of drug pushers I see on nearly every city corner. My guy can be found at the intersection of Mound Road and Water Street, Decatur, Illinois...he's located in the Target Store at the CVS counter.

If You Could Be Me; If I Could Be You

I took my wife to the local mall last week and while she shopped, I sat in the center court area at Von Maur and listened to the piano music, which is always good. It wasn't long before my calm, peaceful and tranquil moment was interrupted by two women gibber jabbering about panhandlers they see around the Decatur city. The two well-dressed ladies were unhappy with what they believe is a "disgusting sight." Two thoughts came to mind immediately and then two more on the heels of the first two. Sure, I'll unwrap them for you.

First, I thought it's that time a year when homeless folks will scramble for warm places to bed down. Then I wondered  just how many of those local corner beggars are homeless vets. I read recently where military veterans only make up about eleven percent of our population but twenty-five percent of our homelessness. By now my thought-machine has kicked into high gear. Having spent nearly forty years in high school hallways, I recall observing military recruiters periodically hawking young boys in those hallways offering "pie-in-the-sky" promises to them. Many of those recruit targets were marginal (academic) students and from families, which were incapable of providing a college education. Now, I couldn't help but wonder just how many of those Corner panhandlers are vets who left high school to fight corporate America's war. This brought me to my next thought: I wonder what percent of CEO's sons will sleep under a viaduct this Thanksgiving night compared to military veterans. My final thought was focused on the two old biddies and their unsubstantiated reasoning for judgment.
(Touch)
If You Could Be Me; If I Could Be You

Why?

President Trump is crude and his comments are placing Americans at greater risk. Let me elaborate. Trump enjoys embellishing the unsubstantiated behavior of Al-Baghdadi during his final moments of life. Trump lies about Baghdadi's whimpering, screaming and crying before his death. Trump continues to exaggerate his description of Baghdadi's death at political rallies and stokes the fire with his name-calling.

This braggadocio rhetoric is typical from a mouthy bully who never threw-down with anybody. Sadly, as President his words are far-reaching and will cause our enemies to re-kindle hatred towards America and embolden activities to do our military men and women harm.

Why is there this need to taunt? How does it help? It is not the behavior of Christians.

Trump Tribe @ Fireside

President Donald Trump is not getting enough ego stroking with his Helicopter-Side Chats. He is now floating the idea of beginning to conduct 'Fireside Chats,' i.e., the 32nd President,  Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Trump wishes to go on television and address the nation reading his telephone transcript conversation with Ukraine President Zielinski. He wants to show once and for all that his conversation with the Ukranian leader was "perfect." Perhaps if that Fireside Chat goes well he could re-capture those glory days of high television ratings enjoyed with 'The Apprentice.'

Personally, I think there is a comedy sitcom potential in this scenario. As the episode opens, we see The Commander-in-Chief and the entire Trump family circled around the Fireside. The cozy setting notices the Trump girls playing 'Twister' while the older boys are seriously engaged playing 'Monopoly. Melania is roasting marshmallows and methodically assembling together delicious looking S'mores. The camera finally brings into view the President demonstrating to son, Barron the proper way to eat S'mores with a knife and fork much like Donald and Sarah Palin showed the world how to eat pizza.
(Touch)
The Shady Bunch

America's Democracy Awaits

As this Presidential impeachment process and investigation into perceived abuse of power by President Donald Trump and possible criminal activities within his administration unfolds and exposed to public view for digestion, a Democracy hangs in the balance.

Questions lurk; Will there be a growing wave of public opinion and pressure causing some Republican congresspeople to eventually break ranks and respond to their better Angels rather than their worst instincts? Will there be an awakening of enough Republicans to the realization that they took an oath to support and uphold the United States Constitution and not kowtow in fear of a negative tweet from Donald Trump? Or will the public opinion cause American lawmakers to embrace the notion that it's time to burn down a system of government?

Watch closely the testing of our American democracy. A democracy that was first demonstrated in 1797, when the first President of the United States peacefully vacated his office to his successor.