Flaunting Self-Importance

During a recent coronavirus briefing, President Trump mused aloud that there might be some virus treatment benefits in injecting or ingesting chemical disinfectants. Shortly after the President's comments Maryland's Governor reported an increase in calls to the State's poison control office. Also health officials in Kansas said their poison control offices reported a 40% increase in calls regarding ingesting disinfectants. When a reporter  asked the President if he shouldered any responsibility for these increases, he said, "No." Given the facts, Trump's answer is either that of an irresponsible fool or an arrogant chesty ass.

Just today, Vice President Mike Pence visited Mayo Clinic where protocol pleads for all patients, healthcare providers and visitors to wear face masks for obvious reason. Pence did not follow protocol and explained away his light-minded and precocious attitude saying, "I get tested and thus don't need a mask." Really, Pence? You get tested frequently for all maladies know to mankind, which could compromise a very ill person you are visiting. Your logic suggests a bold and cocky disregard for others' welfare. 

I respect people's right to vote for and support Trump. Some do so because they believe Trump is a conservative. Some like Tax cuts and that 'trickle-down-theory.' Notice, I use the word theory. Some Trump believers picked up on Trump's code language and obvious racist attitudes and history. And of course my fellow Evangelicals buy the notion that Trump's Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade. Whereas I may disagree with Trump supporters on these issues, I would beg them for the sake of God's temple represented in their body to please honor it. For goodness sakes the last time dummies did something like this was in a place called Jonestown. 

You Remember...Sure You Do!

Several weeks after the nationwide grip of the coronavirus, President Trump began promoting the drug hydroxychloroquine as a miracle pill that would successfully counter the coronavirus. As expected, Fox News talking heads Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and Tucker Carlson got behind the President's unsubstantiated and non-scientific medical claim regarding hydroxycholoquine. A recent study clarifies the debate as a false narrative advanced by our President and ill-advised Propaganda television network, Fox News. We now know that the drug hydroxychloroquine does not fight this virus but can cause death.

About the same time Trump was advancing a false hope there was a claim that Americans need not wear a face mask but just wash hands frequently and maintain a six foot social distance. That advise has been debunked. Today, the 'experts' tell us that a face mask in public is a must.

More recently, Trump asked medical doctors at a televised coronavirus White House briefing if they could look into disinfectant injections into humans to kill the virus. The next day this psychologically delusional fool bare-face lied telling people that he was being sarcastic. It's bull crap because the video tells the truth.

Given the aforementioned, I believe America's cause would be well served if free masks were made available each month to all people. Secondly, folks would follow advice from doctors and finally, company-makers of disinfectants bring lawsuits, claiming fraudulent misrepresentation of products against Trump, Hannity, Ingraham and Carlson.

Takes Time For New To Become Normal

For many years, I have awakened each morning and whispered the same prayer: "Thank you Lord for the promise held in this new day. Thank you for the many blessings you've given me and may I be a blessing to somebody today. In your name, I pray. Amen." Just a short straightforward acknowledgment of my Lord's gifts and a plea for my awareness to touch another's life as a blessing.
I haven't prayed those words for several weeks. My first daily conversation with my Lord has changed.

The definition of 'new' is> 'introduced for the first time.'  Things for the moment are not normal. 'Normal' is> 'the expected, the usual.' This current virus (event) creates concerns, which consequently ask for a consideration to change and that change begs for a 'new,' which in time will become our 'normal,' but it's not going to happen overnight.

This journey towards the adoption of different folkways and norms must find its transition anchored in what is 'good for the order.' As a worldwide community, we must embrace changes that best serve physical, mental, spiritual, social and economic health. This arrival to a 'new normal' will be painfully slow and clouded with self-serving perspectives and motives, which must find  compromised based on science and factual evidence.

If there is a lesson to come from this pandemic it is the reality that 'selflessness' taught by Christ, other great prophets and religious leaders is a necessary, non-negotiable trait of a surviving civilization...thus my  new normal morning prayer: "Dear Lord, because of your great mercy I have hope this day that comforting grace will embrace those hurting, those clinging to hope and those who mourn. Guide your people through these dark and uncertain times and bring us together in a spirit of love. Let me be a blessing to another. In your name, I pray. Amen

Turtles, Aging and Other Fun Topics

Although I don't get to 'see' my family members frequently as was the norm, I do find these 'social distancing' days putting me in cell phone touch with kinfolks more often. That's all fine but I do need to be on my toes for answering more difficult questions presented by our married (soon-to-be) fifty-nine year old son. More on that in a bit but first this...

Every doctor appointment my wife and I had this spring has been canceled due to the coronavirus. Those cancelations total eleven. Those were six months and annual appointments. Does that sound about right to all you other oldsters out there? Anyhow, Northgate Pet Clinic called the two days ago to remind us of James Wilkerson Yoder's annual checkup appointment. When I questioned their approach to social distancing, they said it's covered. Covered indeed. When my wife and I arrived wearing our masks, we were met in the parking lot by a mask wearing Pet Clinic associate who asked a few questions about Yodie then took the pup to the Vet's examining room. One hour and $419.00 later, Prince Dog and parents were on our way home. That's not expensive when considering all shots, blood work and meds addressing joints/heart/fleas & ticks.

Okay, back to our son. He is retiring from teaching this year. He plans to substitute periodically and continue to coach basketball. That's good news for kids and his wife. Perhaps the thought of retirement has him more in touch with old age because he is now asking me questions regarding aging. For example he recently asked, "Hey, have you noticed the older your get sometimes it's hard to sleep?" This boy has always asked goofy difficult to answer questions. At age eight, our family of five was traveling to the Lake of The Ozarks for a summer vacation when from the back seat the lad asked, "Hey can somebody tell me where Turtles go in the  winter time?" I also remember when the boy experienced his first flu bout as a youngster. A belly ache and regurgitation seemed to be an inconvenience for the kid and he asked his mother, "How long is this going to last?" His mother told him, "You've probably got a 24-hour flu bug" Would you believe the boy woke us at 1:30AM in the morning and said, "Mom, Mom it's been 25-hours, what's your next idea? I truly believe he knows the answer to 80% of the questions he asks me. I think it's a test of me to determine if I'm slipping in my old age. Next time our son telephones I'm going to ask him, "If you could live to be 100 by giving up all the things that make you want to live to100 would you do it?" That should keep him awake a few nights.

Come to think about it, I go to Miramar Beach, Florida in the winter time and I see signs warning Beach goers to watch out for Sea Turtles, perhaps all turtles go to Florida in the winter. I gotta stop  now and Google where to locate a face mask for Yodie. Don't laugh, I just heard two cats in New York have tested positive for the coronavirus.

If you're in Decatur in the near future, don't stop by for a visit and don't take it personally, I'm just looking out for you and Yodie.

Crazy Comments

My late maternal grandmother, Mammy Bennett, when caught in a whirledwind of family activities coupled with household duties might say, "Goodness, I need to sit a spell, my head's ah-swimmin."
Ever since Donald Trump took the oath of office, my head's been swimming. Often I find myself in a delirious, confused state of mind unable to void my head of the nonsensical and idiotic comments, which are made and seemingly acceptable by far too many of the upright walking species capable of thinking in the abstract, which is supposed to distinguish them from non-humans.

My first hint of this three and one-half years erosion of reason and logic, which has paralyzed truth was the introduction of a phrase used often by White House Presidential Advisor, Kellyanne Conway, who when debunking media  challenges said, "Well, we have alternate facts." I immediately wondered what the hell can alter FACTS? I soon discovered that facts can be altered and dismissed by lies. Simply tell an untruth often enough and a plethora of Americans who are more willing to embrace anger, intolerance of religion and racial bigotry will accept the lie rather than  painstakingly researching for truth.

Stupid is what stupid states and here are just a few stupid comments: "We need to go back to work. Parents are home 24/7 with their kids during this 'stay at home thing' and they just can't handle these kids no longer." "We need to have business people makin' the decision to reopen the economy not no virus doctors; what the hell do doctors know about business?" (Why not, insurance business men decide if I need surgery...not my doctor who ran tests). And then there's that Texas politician who said, "Something's are more important than living."

Amidst all this 'head-swimming' craziness a friend of mine just sent a frequently circulated internet message from a pastor supporting what many Evangelicals believe and this is Trump is The Chosen One...Chosen by God himself to lead America as President. Well, 'hot-damn,' finally something that makes sense to me! Why every time I I see a televised Trump the first thought that comes to me is how Trump's rhetoric reminds me of  Jesus-Christ's 'Sermon of The Mount.' I'm sure Robert Jeffress and Franklin Graham feel the same.

Changing Times

In my personal aging journey, I have intentionally reminded myself frequently not to grow into one of those oldsers I recall (back in the day) who constantly found fault with the current times as he referenced, "The good old days." I truly believe that I am living in good days at this moment.

I have benefitted from today's modern medicines and surgical advancements. Had those meds and treatments not been available, I would be dead. How can one be unhappy or critical of times that produce such life saving factors? The technology that has advanced our medical world has also placed at our finger-tips an endless educational exploration, which affords us untold knowledge, unlimited interaction and shameful comforts. How wonderful are these times?! That said and appreciated, I too at in moments do feel a void or perhaps better identified...a longing.

Gladys Knight, in the song 'Midnight Train to Georgia' sings, "He said he's goin' back to a simpler place in time..." I likewise know of a 'simpler place in time.' I also long for it. It was that simpler time when we took time to visit with neighbors and knew everybody on our street by their first name. Families ate ninety percent of their meals together at home. Our wardrobe consisted of work clothes, casual/play outfits and dress attire because we made the activity distinction and respected some traditional norms as opposed to finding some anti-establishment joy in pushing back.

That simpler place-in-time found people respecting others because it was fashionable. Men opened doors for ladies, the entertainment world was not blatant with sexual innuendos and we didn't need movie ratings because it was generally agreed what was vulgar and unacceptable in general society.  We knew others worshiped differently but we didn't manufacture fears about their beliefs. We understood political views differed but most arguments were about board game competition and who was the best shortstop, Marty Marion of the 'Cardinals' or the 'Browns' Vern Stephens.

That simpler place in time found kid's riding their bikes all over town unchaparoned. The family doctor would make a house call to attend a sick child. A teen newspaper boy called out the headlines as he walked your evening street. He was soon followed by a Hot Tamale Push-Cart vendor shouting out, "Red HOT...Get Your Red Hot!!!" There was only one telephone in the house and when it rang it was either family or friend, nobody was pestering you about unheard of credit cards, donating to some charitable association or asking if you were interested in a home security system...heavens, we didn't even lock our doors at night, we had a dog that served as an alert system.

Today, I find myself living in a high technological era yet the times are most challenging and unprecedented. In the midst of an incredible virus, which has exploded into a world wide pandemic claiming thousands of lives, we are told to 'social distance' from one another...that should come easy; we've been practicing that for years...it helped us transition to sophisticated times from those simpler times.

Gee, Things Seemed Almost Normal

Yesterday, Sunday almost felt like an normal Sunday past except I didn't attend church but I was 'in' church. In fact, I was 'in' church twice yesterday as I tuned into the Charles Stanley's television service and later checked-out my home church, Grace United Methodist. I believe organized religion supported by physical attendance is important for personal spiritual growth but I've always known it's not the end-all with regards to a close walk with Jesus-Christ.

After lunch, I embraced the gift of a beautiful day that presented temperatures in the upper sixties and a wonderful blue sky complimented by a light breeze. My thirty minute walk felt terrific and the sights and sounds appeared normal. The noise of multiple lawn-mowers and the smell of freshly cut grass foretold the promise of warmer summer days to come. I saw numerous walkers and joggers all paying homage to the social distancing plea. Upon returning to my house, I began some yard chores, which included bush and small tree trimming and some weeding.

It takes about 90-minutes of yard work after a brisk walk to cause this oldtimer to seek a cushioned patio chair and cold beverage...I was successful in that attempt.  While looking out across my freshly mowed backyard I spotted a young father with his son of perhaps seven. They were tossing a frisbee for a spell but soon their activity changed. Dad dropped about a dozen baseballs at his side and the young boy picked up a baseball bat.  After taking some warmup swings the lad assumed his stance and the father began repeating an overhand toss to the boy. The kid was pretty good at tracking the ball. The boy made contact more often that not. You could immediately note that like most young boys learning to hit a baseball, the kid often slowed and stopped the swing follow-through upon  making bat-to-ball contact. Not uncommon with young players. The dad would make comments and demonstrate the follow through frequently.

I suspect after about four rounds of  tossing the dozen baseballs it suddenly happened. The kid swung the bat in a manner continuing his bat-swing 'through' the ball and the crack of the bat reverberated  across the sandlot.  Spontaneously and without forethought I yelled out, "Atta Boy!!!" Oh my God, those were exactly the words my father yelled so many times some 73-years ago; "Atta Boy!" I was quiet for the next several minutes...alone and immersed in deep reflective thought.  Seems that moment occurs often lately. Wonder why?

We Cannot Become More Gullible or Perhaps We Can.

Several years ago, every time I got one of my blood pressure medicines refilled, I noticed pill size and color would often change from the last perscription. My pharmacist explained that likely a different company had the manufacturing contract. A few years later, my pharmacist called to tell me that I should cease taking a 2-in-1 blood pressure pill because of a real health reaction concern...as in cancer causing. Hold these thoughts, if you will please?!

There are endless things President Trump says about China that is poppycock bullcrap. Of course, Trump is a good friend with Xi Jinping as he is with other dictators, ei., Russia's Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-in. One moment he talks about how China has taken advantage of the United States and Trump's going to straighten all that crap out. Next minute he's pounding his chest about how good a trade deal he made with China...of course we have not heard positive comments from American farmers. Then Trump pretends to be a hard-Ass about China at his coronavirus press briefings where he gives little info about the pandemic, shows minimal empathy for virus victims but quickly turns the briefing into a campaign rally bashing the media, Former President Obama, Democratic governors and Joe Biden. Pay Attention Evangelicals, your boy places Christianity in a bad light. Okay, back to my prescription medicines.

Well, Surprise, SURPRISE to learn that about 80% of the the active pharmaceutical ingredients used to make drugs in the United States comes from China and other countries like India. Concerns about the safety of Chinese made pharmaceuticals is a real fear component. As recently as 2018, China's  largest vaccine makers sold 250,000 substandard doses of vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. In 2008, contamination of raw materials from China used to make the blood thinner Heparin was linked to 81- American deaths. Fraud and manipulation of data and quality of products from China is almost as big a threat to our nation as is our 45-President...
                              Donald 'The I Know More Than Anybody Stable-Genius' Trump.

One Thing I could Never Imagine

At every age during my journey, I always possessed a healthy and readily engaging imagination. During those adolescent years of five and six, I could turn into Roy Rogers or Hopalong Cassidy immediately after a Wheaties Bowl of Cereal and capture bad guys before mid morning. At age eight and nine, I had a full MLB teams compliment of baseball trading cards and a homemade 'spinner-game,' which found me on a sun-porch emulating Harry Caray's voice and announcing a world series game between the Cardinals and Yankees. I could do the same throwing a tennis ball against the front porch steps.

As I entered my teen baseball and basketball playing years my imagination did not wane one bit. In backyard basketball shooting games, I placed myself in all kinds of game situations and imagined knocking down game winning shots as the buzzer sounded. I used my imagination in sandlot baseball games of all types; always imagining myself measuring up to competition pressure.

That ability to imagine served me well in my adult life. I could anticipate and prepare better because I could imagine situations and outcomes. I could 'see' (imagine myself) being successful. I coached with an imagination philosophy. I tried to impart to my players the idea that if you can imagine success, you will enhance the possibility of success. You know, 'The Little Engine That Could.'
Using my imagination taught me the value of optimism and hard work as it relates to success.

Well, finally at age 81, I've found my imagination is defeated. Let me explain. On two different occasions two of my adult children were recently in Decatur and stopped by our home. Due to the coronavirus and the call for social distancing, my children stood at the opposite end of the garage from their mother and father. We visited for a time and then they departed. I never imagined in my wildest thoughts that there would come a day when I would not feel the love-hug exchanged with kids, grandkids and great grandkids. And for the life of me, I cannot imagine Christmas 2020.

Could Be Good / Could Be Bad...I Heyda Say!

I have been searching and searching for some good news to share with my fellow locked-up Americans who are mentally and emotionally struggling with the trapped claustrophobic feeling resulting from this perpetual 'time-out.' I came across an article in the AARP BULLETIN newsletter, which at first seemed to be good news but as I pondered the possibilities, I began to think it could be more bad news. I'll leave it to your ciphering.

Consider that last year a record number of pedestrians died after 20-years of declining deaths of foot-travelers. My first thought reading that 6,590 pedestrians did not return home from their 2018, 'walk' was that number will plummet in 2020 due to the length of time Americans were under orders to 'stay -at-home' to flatten the coronavirus infectious rate. Ah, but then I considered that once the relaxing of quarantine edicts happens, we will have a greater number of giddy-old farts hitting the sidewalks and these people are 're-programmed. They have been accustomed to beginning 'Happy Hour' earlier in their day and are likely consuming more of their favorite fermented beverage. We will soon have more wobbly seniors stumbling along compromised pavements looking down at a smartphone that befuddles them. Add to this precarious situation a new societal attitude about senior expendability emerging from a philosophy that concludes economic growth 'trumps' senior survival...well you can see this picture ain't pretty!

If Not Now, Then When?

Day after day and for the near future, folks of my age are likely to continue that which is preached to us, "Stay at home and Keep your social distance." Warmer weather, when it eventually arrives, will permit some movement expansion and mental therapy through yard work and gardening. As this 'hide from the coronavirus' exercise keeps my wife and I on house arrest, we've decided to engage a family project.

A few of my wife's nieces have often requested that their Aunt Gerry make an audio tape, which chronicles her early life with her parents and five siblings. Until now that was one of those projects she would one day get around to doing. Well, what better time than NOW?! Why not? My wife's immediate family of eight is currently down to my wife and her younger brother, Glen. On a personal note, I have done a little bit of this in my recent book, "Angels on My Journey." In that writing attempt, I touched upon both the pre-marital and post-marital journey's of Gerry and Mel Roustio.

I share today's blog with readers for one reason, which I have spoken to previously in blog posts and that is the often times missed opportunity to pass along family history from the older generation to that generation in the rear view mirror. Perhaps those reading this blog will be motivated.
You will need a tape recorder and some cassette tapes. The cassettes are sometimes a challenge to find. Once the tape is completed, I'll transfer onto a CD and make multiple copies for family members.

It will be fun to recall personal pasts, our seven courtship years and sixty married years. We will tell a story that one day falls silent...make no mistake, you also have a story to tell. God bless. Be safe.

Everything Needs a Home and Some Victuals

During this world wide coronavirus pandemic, we have been reminded of profound suffering. Due to the needed social-distancing and 'stay at home' policies, people have been without income and the unemployment numbers have skyrocketed. All levels of education are compromised, ceremonial customs such as graduations, weddings, memorial services along with sporting events and entertainment offerings have been suspended or canceled.

Another major social activity that has taken a gigantic hit is the restaraunt eating experience. Unfortunately, we are cautioned that many of those eateries will not survive the 'time out.' A side bar negative to the restaraunt closures may soon be causing a rodent invasion in your neighborhood. I kid you not. It is reported that the pandemic, which finds restaraunts closed and less food waste in City dumpsters is causing rats to venture out from their normal 'ranges' in search of survival.

I've had experience in this matter and I'll share one rat-counter method. Back in the 1950's, neighborhoods put trash cans and garbage containers at the back of our homes in that small alley way between properties. Some local fellow in a dump truck came around and picked up our trash/garbage and took it to a dump site. I also remember old man, 'Snuffy' who drove a horse pulled wagon down the alley once a week. I liked talking to 'Snuffy' as long as I was not standing downwind.

One spring, my father built a nice brick bar-b-q fireplace near the back alley. We bar-b-qued two or three times that summer but soon we were using that pit to burn trash and some garbage. You guessed. Before long a family of rats found a happy home. One early morning, mother pointed out the kitchen window showing my father the playful antics of eight or nine healthy looking rats engaged in a game of tag. The next day, my dad told me to accompany him to 'the pit' and suggested I bring a baseball bat. Dad backed the 1950 Bel Air Chevy up close to the pit and hooked one end of a tube-hose to the tail pipe and stuck the other end down one rat hole. It wasn't long before dazed rats stumbled out of other openings. I believe dad was five-for-five that day while I went 3-for-4...One rat ran by me to the neighbor's garage. That was the only time dad and I went hunting together.

Looking Ahead

I suspect Americans are looking forward to the future when they might return to some resemblance of social normalcy...but then there is apt to be a 'new normalcy.' I believe changes are coming.

We might anticipate the following changes within the year:
 1. A majority of mask wearing public.
 2. A subtle nod replacing the 🤝👎🏼handshake greeting.
 3. No hugging.
 4. Memorial Remembrance Services replacing wake visitations.
 5. A baby-boom...(can't mandate 'stay-at-home' policy and expect 💑 couples to just play cards).
 6. An increase incidence of anxiety and depression reported.
 7. Spousal abuse increase.
 8. A rise in suicides.
 9. More office and restaraunt cubicles providing a greater degree of 🤧 personal space.
10. Sanitizing dispensers and wipes on all public 🚕 transportation and in commercial buildings.
11. More online local purchases and home delivery services.
12. A rise in cookbook sales and a decline in restaraunt sales.
13. Home and business 'air-purification' will become a huge industry.
14. Medicated Facial salves and lip balms will become fashionable.
15. Personal-space aerosol canister-sanitizer will make the drugstore shelves.
16. Designer face masks with sport logos, Disney Characters, etc.
17. Resurgence of Drive-In Theaters
18. A cell phone app equipped with 'beeper' when somebody enters your six foot space.
19. A Trump pull-string talking doll spewing 💩one liners, i.e. "I know more about 🙍🏿‍♂️ everything
      than anybody."
20. Temperature 😡 monitoring at all social events and gatherings.
21. Hydroxoychloroquine Cereal...just in case it's good for you ...."whata ya got to lose?"
22. More men wearing ponytails since the barber 💇🏼‍♂️stands closer than six feet.👩‍👧‍👦

His Laziness Cost Lives

Back in the 1980's, I was coaching basketball at Jacksonville high school and hosting a half-hour Saturday morning radio show on WLDS Jacksonville called 'Sports Spotlight.' I once met the late NCAA Championship Marquette University coach and then NCAA television basketball analyst, Al McGuire to record an interview for my radio show. During that recorded interview, McGurie made the following suggestion  to aspiring coaches and others in leadership roles when he said, "If you're going to worry then don't prepare; if you're going to prepare then don't worry." Good advice but I often did both.

I had a simple coaching philosophy when it came to preparation. Do everything I could to have my team physically conditioned, have at least three defenses ready because you never know what the other team cannot attack, be honest with players regarding team strengths and weaknesses so they understood why we approached offense and defense in specific ways and finally, get at least two scouting reports on every opponent. I truly believed I was responsible for anticipating every scenario a contest could present to my players.

With this as part of my leadership modus operandi you can imagine why I am furious with the President of the United States, a leader with perhaps the most important responbilities in our nation to ignore daily presidential briefings and communications and then learn that he (Trump) ignored such information, which came across his desk back in November regarding the possibility of this coronavirus becoming a pandemic.

Please feel free to attack me for this blog post but please, I repeat please don't attempt to defend   Donald Trump on this one because it will make you look unintelligent!

Oh, the last thing McGurie said on that interview years ago?..."Mel, always remember the 6- P's,
Piss Poor Planning Produces Pitiful Performance."

Can't Live on Hurrah's!

In the midst of this horrific and mind-numbing coronavirus, we note a plethora of kudos going out to medical personnel, i.e., doctors, nurses, police, firemen and EMT's. It is good and it is right to applaud these brave and committed mankind servants who place themselves in great personal danger  attending to the critically ill. Please consider other professionals and workers who continue to 'show up' at those essential jobs who also deserve our gratitude: the pharmaceutical providers, grocery store employees, sanitation workers, public transportation workers, delivery service folks, military personnel and school teachers who periodically go to their work places to prepare packets to provide for students who are homebound without computers.

I have observed my entire adult life that the aforementioned people have frequently been singled out for praise. I especially note, as others that politicians during campaigns always talk about increasing pay for first responders, educators and promising increasing the minimum pay. Sadly it is all smoke and mirrors, gibberish-jabber and bullcrap talk. Once the political campaign ends, the first political order of business is vote for your own pay raise and then plan  fundraisers for the next campaign. Okay, I'll confess, my cynicism is showing.

If we really appreciate these fearless workers, I have a suggestion (you knew I would), as we give trillions of stimulus dollars to businesses, corporation and other entities let's pay off any student loans of those healthcare providers, let's put two policemen in every squad car in high crime areas and pay them better. Let's have free job training for all military men and women coming out of service. And all those minimum wage people doing our dirty work, shall we give them a wage that doesn't require them to seek a second job.

I'm reminded of the memorable quote in the Jerry McGuire movie scene when Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell (Cuba Golding) shouts at Sports agent, Jerry McGuire (Tom Cruise), "Show me the money!"

During my Illinois State collegiant days, (1957-1961)  I had a scholarship, which paid all but $15.00 per week. Along with that I was getting $45.00 per month for preparing the football field for home games, sweeping the gym floor before basketball practice and seeing that baseball's got to and from practice each day. My junior year, I asked the Athletic Director if he could bump my State job pay to the maximum, which was $60.00 per month. He said, "Roustio, you're doing a good job for us in baseball so I'll give it some thought." My reply was, "Moose, I can't live on hurrah's."

The Christian Response

Amidst this 2020 world wide coronavirus pandemic, we are inundated with information on how people should respond. For example, the phrase 'social distancing,' although a misnomer resonates along with hand-washing and sanitizing as they all pertain to protective safeguard measures against the virus. The pandemic has created the call for some 330-million people to 'stay at home' for a period of time in hopes that act will lessen the negatives impacted by the virus. In our nation, where people relish their liberties and freedoms while seeking self-gratifying  'meism,' we find rebuffing and often a flaunting arrogant rejection of any requests, suggestions or orders even though deemed for the good of the order. In short, "I'm going to the beach because it's spring break." "I'll gather with others in church and ignore social distancing because I'm covered in the blood of Jesus."

The two previous paragraphs offer enough raw meat for debate and shouting to defend our respective position and attitudes and recently we Americans appear to enjoy shouting at others who oppose our position and attitude. It seems to this writer that more and more people wish 'to be right rather than getting it right.'

In the song, 'My World,' brother Ray sings, "everybody's got their own opinion and you know I sure got mine..." And here is that opinion from my Christian perspective. (Please note that I speak for myself...never so presumptuous to suggest I have the credentials to speak for Christ). I also am 'covered in the blood of Jesus, which means (to me) that I am forgiven of my sins because Christ bled and died on a cross for those transgressions and I acknowledge that redeeming act of love and forgiveness. Now then, how should I respond to the social and personal recommendations regarding this pandemic? As an act of sister and brotherly love, I shall practice those virus-fighting procedures. I will wash hands often, keep social distance, wear a mask in public and worship my Lord in the confines of my home until a time when this scourge has passed.

To suggest that the Savior's blood protects me regardless of my actions is folly. I don't drive 100 miles per hour holding the notion that God will protect me and others along the highway. I don't ignore my diabetic diet pretending my Lord's love for me will overcome my carelessness and disregard for smart choices.

Those who refuse to join the efforts to slow down the advances of this disease simply cause more deaths and a longer period of time to recover the economic, mental and emotional health of all.

I Miss That Little Bug-Eyed Guy

The nation-wide 'stay-at-home' edict has more Americans sitting in front of their television digesting unhappy reporting and often times stupidity spewed from the lips of elected officials. On the latter, let me share this week's most ridiculous politician's remarks. It's an indisputable fact that the Trump administration was delinquent in an early response to this coronavirus; that is well documented. That said, we also know that 'The Donald' would never assume responsibility for anything as long as he has his fall-back excuse to blame his predecessor, the Black President.

I digress. Back to that dumb politician's comments from the mouth of Kentucky US Senator, Mitch McConnell who is trying out a 'new' excuse hoping it might fly. Are you ready? Mitch says, "The impeachment trial distracted our government from the threat of the coronavirus." In simpler terms, our government cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. Yeah, that sounds reasonable, heavens, I recall when coaching basketball and my team lost a Friday night game because they were studying that week for final exams. Pray for me, I need to stop yelling at people on television.

Speaking of television, I've noticed that many television anchor people who have been reporting the daily depressing numbers of growing virus cases and deaths are beginning to display 'doom and gloom' expressions. Day in and day out these television personalities are immersed in crisis communication and just as frontline healthcare workers, the physical and emotional expense is significantly noticeable.

We need some humor and levity once in awhile on the tube. Where then hell is Rudy Giuliani when you need him?

S'plain It PLEASE!

In the television sitcom, 'I Love Lucy,' Ricky Ricardo when  confused by wife Lucy's crazy antics and predicaments would often say, "Lucy S'plain it to me!" Well, I am confused and need somebody to explain it to me.  The United States coronavirus cases are fast increasing as are the deaths, which are currently doubling every two days. Seemingly, President Trump has been  convinced  by infectious disease experts to extend the 'stay-at-home' recommendation measures until April 30.

Here is the puzzling aspect. 87% of Americans are comlying, however it was just today that Georgia, Florida and Mississippi Governors issued the 'stay-at-home' order; but let's look at those States who are still holding out.: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.  Let me help you get started> All the aforementioned States holding out and not issuing stay-at-home orders have Republican Governors.

The medical experts have made it clear that for the best outcome, which means fewer people die, the stay-at-home orders is shortened and the economy gets back on track is dependent on ALL STATES SHUTTING DOWN. Not my opinion but the opinion of infectious experts world wide.

I'll stop here because sombody or perhaps many bodies are now going to S'plain to me. Why all Republican State Governors and why a refusal to be a team player especially with the stakes so very high?