Selective Outrage & Lacking Leadership

I hear angry voices regarding the Muslims and the generalization that if one is Muslim they automatically subscribe to the worst tentacles of Sharia law and then tie all Muslims to the ISIS mission from hell. On the heels of any act of terrorism committed in America by a lone-wolf Islamic radical motivates our current government leaders to cry for stronger scrutinizing of Muslims and more intense vetting of Middle-east immigrants, which often leads to banning certain nations from entry to the United States.

I hear many of those same angry voices express resistance to any call for the examination of gun-control when six year old elementary students are murdered in classrooms by crazy white men or movie goers are slaughtered as they await a presentation again by some white guy. It's too early to discuss gun-control the week 59- Vegas concert goers are killed by a deranged white guy cowardly killing for fun. If our schools, theaters and concert venues are no longer safe havens is not our houses of worship? The answer is obviously NO!

How can there be outrage when mass killings are committed by some folks and no outrage when mass killings are committed by other folks?

We will hear idiotic Gobbledygook counter arguments to any gun control discussion or discussion of mental health issues. Too easy for too many people to obtain too many guns.

No longer are there any 'safe zones' in America.
(Touch)
We Need Real Leadership

I Know A Place

The very popular television comedy sitcom finds lead character, 'Sheldon,' the self-centered socially oblivious intellectual nerd often insisting that the end seat on his three-cushioned couch is 'My spot.' Well, I suppose we all have our 'spot.' That favorite easy chair or place where we best relax. As I reflect, I have always had that mental retreat spot or place, also. That place I sought for privacy, reflection and revitalization.

The first time I became aware of this need for a safe and sheltered place was during those adolescent years. Perhaps on the heels of a disagreement with a friend or some admonishment from an adult, I simply wanted to be alone; off by myself with my own thoughts and personal mental-psyche recovery. I found such a 'spot' in my grandparents backyard on an old tree stump. It was there that I would meditate and express aloud my thoughts to the old family dog named, Pal.

In my teen years, my refuge was alone in my own backyard shooting baskets and talking to myself about whatever it was occupying my mind. I was totally lost in my own time and space. As years rolled by, I found another spot and this very day it remains my refuge. In our large two-story, four bedroom home, I know a place. During those midnight hours when oft-times my mind-games
deny sleep, I retreat to my finished-basement office. There I can glance at wall photos of former  teammates, former players and teams that I coached and recall special times and relationships. I can open family photo albums and count endless blessings. I might choose to open an old worn Bible  once owned by my mother. There I can read His words and glance at mom's border notations. Other times, I select from a plethora of music, i.e. Jazz, Blues, Pop Hits,  Classical Songs, Broadway or Show Tunes. Thousands of vinyl 45's, LP's and CD's are at my finger tips. Occasionally, Toy Poodle, Yodie follows me to 'my place' and insists on lap sitting, which permits another dimension of mental healing.

I surely hope each of you have 'that place.'
(Touch)I Know a Place

Gotta a Plan?

Proverbs 22:6..."Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

 I have never thought myself to be an expert on religions, however I will claim observation knowledge regarding the transformation of Methodism from the late 1940's to present times. The John Wesley folks have always held more 'meetings' than a local school board, which usually consumes itself with the three B's, which are Beans (cafeteria costs) Buses (everybody's kid picked up on time) and Basketball (are we gunna have a winning team or do we need a new coach).

The Methodist Church has changed in other ways. No more Sunday evening services, no Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting and go easy on 'talking Hell Fire and Damnation' from the pulpit.' Today's sermons take on more of a 'feel good message' so as not to scare folks away...bad for business. CERTAINLY, THOSE TELEVISION EVANGELIST ARE MORE INTERESTED IN YOUR MONEY THAN YOUR SOUL. Just recently, my wife requested I hurry because she wanted to go to Walmart. I told her, "Relax,Walmart is like heaven and hell...open 24/7.

I am a grateful father and grandfather. Although none of our grown children remained in the Methodist journey, they nevertheless appear to have a game plan to meet in that 'sweet by and by.' We have two non-denominational families and one Presbyterian gang...and Peace be with you.
(Touch)Sweet By & By

Circle Talk

Hillary Clinton is NOT President. Okay, let's embrace that fact, Hillary is not President. Donald Trump IS President. That said, the reality is it's ALL ON Trump. There were all kinds of reasons people may have voted for Trump. Let's examine a few: Trump was going to: 1) strengthen the military, 2) repeal & replace Obamacare, 3) deliver tax reform, 4) keep terrorist out, 5) build a wall to keep Hispanics out, 6) reduce subsides programs, and 7) promote White Nationalism, 8) take a hard line against minorities and some religions. (Note: Much of that latter message was delivered in code). I'm sure there are other reasons for which folks voted for Trump, not to overlook a genuine hatred for Hillary Clinton.

Congratulations! You're man won...he (Trump) is President.  Hillary is Not President, therefore leave Hillary out of the debate-equation. I'm a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan; when Matt Carpenter strikes out with the bases loaded, I'm not interested is some dumb-ass statement about the time Ozzie Smith struck out with the bases loaded. Ozzie is no longer in the lineup. Let me state it another way...Ozzie ain't in the game. Hillary ain't in the game. Everything is on Trump. As the saying goes: "The Buck Stops There."

If you still feel a need to defend Trump, I support and celebrate your right to do so but shall we elevate the conversational debate level ? It's speculation what kind of President Hillary or Willie Nelson would be and it's really insignificant if your dad could've beaten up my dad. The conversation hence forth should be about our President (Trump) and his performance.
(Touch)Will It Go Round In Circles

Baby You're No Good

I remember my parents saying 'stuff' like "Birds of a Feather Flock Together" and "You'll be judged by the company you keep." All that Gobbledygook was to warn me about being selective in making friends. You know the message, don't run with bums and delinquents. Umm, looking back on things, I wonder how many mothers warned their boys about 'my kind,' whatever that was? Ah, I had good friends. Some of us could be idiots at times predicated on some choices we made but for the most part, we all became productive without being incarcerated.

There is much to be said about 'birds of a feather' however. Just examine President Donald Trump and those with whom he has surrounded himself. Trump is notorious for pontificating 'his' own truth on matters and refuses to accept facts that may be unpleasant for him. Example: The majority of Democrats and Republicans accept the fact the Russia meddled in our 2016 presidential election...Trump thinks the culprit could have been your fat nephew. Even White House staffer Kellyanne Conwawy purports, "We are entitled to 'alternative facts." Trump is known for his propensity to lie as are his two Generals, Flynn and Kelly. Trump is extremely arrogant and incapable of apologizing; well they don't get much more arrogant than Steve Brannon and the honorable General Kelly, when caught lying about a Congresswoman stated, "I'll never apologize to her." Thata' boy, Semper Fi.

Well, perhaps Donald's mother wasn't into those 'character cliche' reminders to her Little Donnie' and Donnie's dad was too busy running around with his own questionable crowd...The KKK.
(Touch)No Good

Calling All Angels

Last week driving home from a church meeting, I suppose I was not traveling fast enough for the fella-driver behind me because he passed me, honked and gave me the finger. I wondered, what's your problem? Later that evening I was watching the World Series baseball game when a  Houston player made a racist gesture towards a Los Angeles pitcher of Asian heritage by contorting his own eyes at a 'slanting' position. Again, I wondered, what's your problem?

Throughout my intense sports participation-coaching journey, I've noticed the 'athlete posturing' traverse from projecting gracious sportsmanship humility to obnoxious bravado-taunting. It's no longer good enough to be victorious but we now must sooth some inner need to ease a deep angry disposition by humiliating those we defeated and 'flipping-off' other motorists.

Physical encounters by adults have been reported at youth sporting events and fan behavior at sporting events is deteriorating. Examples: (1) a Catholic high school student section chants at their opponent, which is largely comprised of Jewish students, "You killed Jesus, You killed Jesus; (2) a suburban high school student body chants at the inner-city opponent, "Food Stamps, Food Stamps; (3) another school playing a high school with many Asian and Hispanic students begin chanting, "Donald Trump, Build That Wall; Donald Trump, Build That Wall."

And we Americans get our noses out of joint debating a protest gesture by Pro-athletes who peacefully kneel during our National Anthem??? We need a revisit to those Judea-Christian values we often pontificate. We surely are a phony group!

And amidst it all, the President of the 'United' States fails to denounce or call out a foreign adversary for attacking our 'free democracy' or denounce bigoted 'White Nationalist' and neo-Nazis  demonstrating in our nation's streets. Instead of embracing with uplifting dialogue, this Leader of the 'free world' engages in some of the most hateful and divisive rhetoric in history.

We need and we must call upon our better Angels.
(Touch)Calling All Angels

Do Life Big!

As an adolescent, I recall on rare occasions my mother taking me to see a doctor. The reason was usually a sore throat or attention to some injury. Before those years, I vividly remember the family doctor making a house call if asked. During my teenage years, I needed that annual sports' physical examination and as for seeing a doctor other wise that was infrequent. I've been blessed throughout life and especially those young adult years; seldom did I need a doctor's appointment.

Today, I have a frequent patient-doctor professional interaction that I'm beginning to embrace as 'social time' with my family physician, a gastroenterologist, a dentist, a dermatologist, ophthalmologist and a podiatrist. This doctors' visit frequency speaks to the reality of body parts wearing out or becoming vulnerable...its called aging.

We all know that young teens look at life as their oyster and perceive personal engagement as unending. When the doctor patient interaction intensifies, we are forced to consider an end game. And this mind-altering game is why I blog this day. I must periodically remind myself of these words  attributed to the philosopher, Horace Kellan:
                                                There are those who guide their lives by the fear of death.
                                                There are those who guide their lives by the joy of life.
                                                The former live dying; the latter die living.
                                                When I die, I intend to die living.

I'd like to share more this morning but I must shave and shower. I have an early morning doctor's appointment. Enjoy!
(Touch)Do Life Big