I See The Light

We have a huge Hobby Lobby store in the Decatur-Forsyth area. Hobby Lobby is a fun store in which to shop. They have neat items and do a fabulous job in their custom-frame department.

My wife, youngest daughter, Pam and I were in the store earlier this week where we purchased a couple of end-table lamps. The two lamps cost $110.00. When we checked out the cashier asked me to hold the lamps at an angle so she could reach in between the shade and unscrew the light bulbs. You heard me correct, Hobby Lobby, the Evangelical owned chain store that won a Supreme Court lawsuit (5-4) to avoid paying for their 1300 nationwide employees' contraceptives also refuses to allow $1.20 worth of light bulbs to leave with a customer whose sales ticket exceeded $110.00.

PS. As the cashier was unscrewing the first light bulb, she dropped it and it shattered into dozens of pieces. It was conceivable that the glass could have cut nearby customers; fortunately, it did not. This financial philosophy from a company with a net worth of $7.7 billion. I know, saving those light bulbs helped amass $7.7 billion.

Make Americans PROUD Again

I stand for the National Anthem. I gladly pledge my allegiance. I financially support some veterans' programs, therefore after reading this blog, please feel free to comment but don't say something foolish, i.e., 'Love It Or Leave It.' That's a lame response.

Lee Greenwood is a singer best know for his rendition of "Proud To Be An American." Let me tell you straight up, the events of the past two weeks made it difficult for me to be a proud American.
First, I watched Congressional hearings where our elected lawmakers behaved in a disgusting and childish manner. Later, my President went abroad and showed his all familiar obnoxious-bullying personality, then stand next to our nation's greatest adversary (Vladimir Putin) and supported that dictator over our very own men and women who risk their lives daily attempting to protect our people. Twenty-seven hours later, after stepping in his own doo-doo, the President then made a feeble-lying statement attempting to 'walk-back' his unpatriotic comments. And this President calls black NFL players who kneel during the National Anthem, SOB's? Trump has the most imprudent behavior that I have ever observed in a person not institutionalized.

Interesting, this less than proud American can become truly depressed watching either Fox News or MSNBC, which are two diametrically opposed political viewpoints. From what I can gather, the only thing these two cable news outlets agree on is a need to address erectile dysfunction...both run Viagra commercial frequently.

I got my Proud to be an American groove back watching a re-run of the movie 'Private Ryan.'

Okay, Let's Move On

I just can't help myself today but it ain't easy remembering to include that suffixed- (n't) on those English words. I feel so badly when I could've, shoul've but didn't.

It is terribly unfortunate that President Trump forgot his 'n't' the other day. As an American, I truly appreciate him clarifying his mis-spoken moment. I would surely believe that all Americans would accept the good man's explanation. And...for those who are having issues with Mr. Trump just rememember: Obama, Obama or Hillary, Hillary.

Have a good day and let's believe President Trump is wellon his way to making America Great Again. Can't you just imagine how much great our country will be after his second Term?

The Way It Is!

The wisecracking lovable humorist of the early 1900's, Will Rogers once said, "All I know is what I read in the newspaper." I am so much luckier than Will Rogers in my 21st Century America.

Consider please, I read three (online) newspapers daily. After my reading exercise, I can then surf cable-television channels the remainder of the day and have one pundit after another explain what I read earlier, break things down and finally tell me what I should believe, what is 'fake news' and how I should vote in the next election.

I cannot wait to tune-in to Rush Limbaugh's radio show today so he can straighten out this recent attack on our President. Some folks are suggesting that Pres Trump sided with Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin on the question 'Did Russia interfere with America's 2016 presidential election. Why you can be sure Rush will have the answer. One of Rush's first best selling books, "The Way Things Ought To Be" is a manual for 'right' thinking people.

Sorry Will, you we're born too soon.

True or False

How does that happen? How can that happen? How does that which is true or in accordance with facts become nebulous?

There appears a profound difference between people and their viewpoints in this 21st Century America. These deepening political and social chasms are greater today than at any other time in our nation's history. There  has evolved a greater need for individuals to have their attitudes underpinned and supported by even the most questionable beliefs, narratives and alternative facts rather than embracing investigative efforts with open-mindedness attempting to uncover realities and truth.

I notice two elements driving this phenomenon. First, the entrenched ethnocentric traits held by all peoples. The attitude that 'mine is the best.' The 'race' to which I belong, the religious doctrine to which I subscribe and the political persuasion I embrace are superior to others. Secondly, for my profile to be better than yours, I must from time to time point out where you go awry and where 'my' attitudes are sustained. If I cannot accomplish this with 'real facts' then I must generate alternative facts. If I cannot accomplish this with a set of beliefs held, I must search for other beliefs to protect my positions and if necessary, should civil discourse fail to advance my cause then a more intolerant aggressive engagement will be adopted.

The unfortunate and negative fall out from this phenomenon is a society of antagonism, divisions, intolerance and separation. No longer do we seek 'the truth to set us free' but instead we seek word-manipulation and lies to support our deeply ingrained and insecure attitudes! Today, one's belief is one's reality...therefore it is my 'truth.'

We need to celebrate our similarities found in the human experience. We need to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negatives...and that's the TRUTH of our brief journey if it is to be glorious.

Happy Days Are On The Way

I recall some years ago, I read a study about the escalation of American corruption. As I remember back eight years ago, General corruption was up fifty percent while corporate corruption was up eighty percent. I have no reason to believe that hose figures are lessened today. That sturdy gave no statistics regarding government corruption but I'd guess perhaps it's up 300 percent. The take away for me back then and today is a simple notation: Who cares? The American people have become numb to corruption, gun violence and fraud.

We have arrived at a point in time where blame for these national blemishes created political finger-pointing that vents in the most divisive discourse known in American history. But....there's good news, especially for those of us who are 'seniors.'

Another study I came across gives me hope in light of these ugly mean-spirited times. It is reported in this study that "the older we become the happier we become." Once a person reaches age sixty-five they begin enjoying life more fully and the study concludes that this euphoric happiness increases with each five-year increment. In seven months, I hit the eighty-year old plateau, which marks another increment...looking forward to happier days and should I make ninety, I'll need a straight-jacket!
(Touch)
Happy Days

Roadway Reading Material

Last week, I was positioned behind another automobile at several stop lights. It was one of those times when you seemingly get stopped by every light. It was not that frustrating because the auto in front of me was loaded with bumper and rear window stickers. As I read sticker after sticker a thought occurred; there appears on the part of some folks a strong desire to let others know much about their life.

The family in front of me voted for Trump, have a daughter on the middle school honor roll, own guns, didn't like Obama but do love the Cubs. They also appear to be dog lovers> Pit Bulls their breed choice. One sticker stated 'Tailgating is Deadly so Back Off.' The fella's wife is apparently not well...one sticker indicated 'Crazy B^*#h On Board.'
Mm
 Their son plays football for a local high school and he is not a skill-player because his uniform number is 78. They wanted me to honk if I loved Jesus but since they loved guns, I passed on the invitation for fear of misinterpretation of the 'honk.' They financially supported the Sheriff's Association and they were very explicit about 'Love America or F*#~k Off.' ....Some stickers seemed to contradict other stickers.