Just My View

Recently, a dear friend respectfully asked me for greater clarification of my position on abortion. It was and is a fair question since I've commented on my disappointment in my Evangelical brothers and sisters' support of Donald Trump and their claim that a person with liberal social views somehow cannot be a Christian. My explanation is simple. Perhaps I can explain and may I say, I'm not interested in changing readers opinions. Got it?

Because our founding fathers created a Constitution to govern both the believer and non-believer as guaranteed in a 'free' society, we notice laws that cannot favor religious concepts without consideration of the non-religious view point. I did not make those rules...the founding fathers made them and they remain protected in that document...the United States Constitution.

Therefore, I shall practice my 'faith' (I'm bigger on faith as oppose to man-made religions) and allow laws to govern a secular society. I will follow my relationship with Christ and thus be accountable  for 'my' choices and 'my' sins. I shall allow you the same freedoms if you so choose. However, save me from the selective scripture offerings to support your personal belief while ignoring other Jesus Christ teachings. On the one hand there is condemnation of the abortionist while silence about not welcoming the stranger but instead putting his children in cages at our Southern borders.

I believe abortion to be wrong. That said, I believe lust, greed, lying, murder, capital punishment, cheating on taxes are wrong and I think it is immoral to send my military enlisted grandson to Saudi Arabia to possibly fight and die for that country in exchange for Saudi Arabia's monies payment to the American government. I find this potentially equal to the sin of abortion.

I will therefore yield to the law but answer to my Savior. You are free to do likewise.

Only When It's Chocolate

I could not tolerate the gibberish jabber sideline foursome commentary during last night's televised National Collegiate Football Championship game. If the dual split screen to the right of the lesser game- screen was not enough of a distraction ESPN had the brilliant idea that four grown men imitating excitable women at a Tupperware Party was a good idea.

Before the second quarter, I turned the sound down and tried to mentally block out the sideline fire drill antics, which often reminded me of scenes from old Keystone Cop movies.

Surely, somebody at ESPN knows that 'More is NOT Better' unless we are talking chocolate!

Stumbling Into Hell

Note to My Conservative Evangelical Friends:

You continue to support President Trump. You support him because you believe he will stack the Supreme Court with enough conservative judges to eventually overturn Roe V. Wade. That may happen and then again it may not happen. You've convinced yourselves that evil liberals support killing the unborn.

You are not bothered, but in fact ignore or support cutting federal programs assisting the poor because most of you wrongly believe that brown skin people are lazy and milking your tax dollars when in fact more whites receive federal aid than minorities. (Note: Be careful jumping on that statement before fact checking all federal subsidies).
Trump appeared on Fox News recently and bragged that he had a business money-making arrangement with Saudi Arabia, which is making billions of dollars for the United States. It works like this: Trump sends American soldiers to Saudi Arabia for protection and support and Saudi Arabia sends America money. Therefore, my grandson, who is serving in the Army is an expendable commodity.

May God have mercy on the soul of Donald Trump and those who would prop up such immoral greed.

Oh My, My! Something's I Need Not Know.

My wife and I are richly blessed with 15-grandchildren and 3-great grandchildren. Naturally, they are spread out in ages and at various stages in their respective journey's. Grandparent joys continue as we observe the individual maturation and developments. Some of the older grandkids telephone and stay in close touch while sharing satellite family goings-on.

Just two days ago, one of our older granddaughters telephoned and updated us on happenings.  Before closing, she explained that her father was assisting one of her siblings with automobile-driving before the teen girl takes her test for licensing. Seems that Dad is always telling his daughter to "slow down, you're going to fast." Apparently, this scenario repeated itself and Pop suddenly realized the problem. Dad, once again told the young daughter, "Slow Down!" The youngster responded, "You're always telling me to slow down and I'm going the posted speed limit, 60." Quickly, Dad pointed out, "That's NOT THE SPEED LIMIT, THAT'S ROUTE 60!"

I sure hope my son in-law gets that message across. My goodness, the family lives right near Interstate "90."

Signs of The South

May I be on record saying, "I Love The South." I've been to the four corners of these United States and acknowledging specific and special beauty found in each, I would still chose The South if relocating. Okay, you readers may now stand at ease on the following comments.

This Illinois native traveling South recently could not help but notice geographical changes but also sociological changes when entering Dixie. There are obvious man made geographical difference between Illinois and Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida , which are noticed on interstate roadways. Southern States roadway-pavements are in excellent condition and shoulder areas are maintained at the A+ level. Meanwhile, back in Illini country, we posts a flaming red 'F' grade. This leads to speculation regarding political integrity, eh?

Southern States' landscape become a stark contrast to the Central States rolling plains as the tall pines rise high above reddish clay, which is accentuated with periodic hill side glistening-rock formed ledges. The winding roadways seemed plotted to find the least resistance to the challenging rolling hills. Indeed The South is blessed with a unique beauty supported by the warmer year around climate.

The earthly characteristics are not the only 'signs' of The South; in fact, there are those actual 'Signs' IN The South that seem unparalleled. Those Southern roadway billboards become a most enjoyable  and entertaining read. Just a few examples: Two billboards located side-by-side, one reads "Jesus Saves" & the second reads "Rattlesnake Rodeo-March 17." A few more miles and two more signs of The South catch your eyes: "Best Adult Book Store in The South" & "Where do YOU plan to spend Eternity> Heaven or Hell." (That kinda compromises the X-Rated Video Shop).

Periodically, I noticed the Confederate Flag along the Southern highways. I began to daydream a little about that Flag and how it's been abused by none other than Southerners. That's absolutely right! Occasionally, on television, I see the Confederate Flag with KKK marchers and White Nationalists marchers. I cannot not help but wonder if America's military intelligence can hunt down the likes of bin Laden, al Baghdadi and Soleimani, why in God's name can't we hunt down our own homegrown terrorists? (Perhaps our leaders lack the WILL?)

My day dreaming was abruptly stopped as I suddenly came upon the auto in front of me and noticed a bumper sticker, which read: "If you don't understand our billboards you ain't from these parts."

I do declare, I Love The South.

"Sieg Heil!"

A few days ago, President Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Immediately afterwards, Trump and Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo hit the airways in lock-step talking points> Both men were adamant about the fact that Soleimani was posing an 'imminent' threat to Americans and American interests. Upon pressure from the media to further explain the 'imminent threat,' Pompeo, a few days later states, "It's irrelevant to know the imminent threat."

This attitude succinctly defines the governing philosophy of President Trump's administration. Consider: (1) "Alternative facts" was a phrase used by White House counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway on January 22, 2017. This was an attempt to brainwash. Put another way, 'we will tell you what to believe and offer our own facts to support the beliefs. (2) Then there has been Trump's on-going overuse of the term, "Fake News" in his effort to marginalize America's free press. This constant attack on a democracy's Fourth Estate is a characteristic of a dictating bully. (3) Trump on July 25, 2018 said, "What you are seeing and what you're hearing is not really what's happening."
(4) It's been 300 days since the White House has held a 'Press Conference' where the news media could ask questions and thus inform a free public. (Notice: Public, you're losing your freedom of information daily under this administration. It takes an ignorant and angry population to accept such insanity. America qualifies in both categories.

America, under the direction of its President is now assassinating people and telling the world,  'We have our reasons and those reasons are irrelevant to those questioning our reasoning. Americans, Welcome to the farm,' i.e., 'Animal Farm.'

From The Bench

In the early 1950's entertainment personality, Art Linkletter established his long running television hit show, "Kids Say The Darndest Things." That show ran well into the 1970's.

Well, I dare not suggest that quips from coaches could rivalry childrens' verbal spontaneity but let's consider these gems just for fun:

"Last Year we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure as a coach was that I couldn't think of anyplace else to play." -Harry Neal's, NHL Coach

"I'm working as hard as I can to get my life and my cash to run out at the same time. If I can die next Tuesday after lunch everything will be perfect." -Doug Sanders, Pro Golfer

"My knees look like they lost a knife fight with a Midget." -E.J. Holbrook, NFL linebacker who had 12-knee surgeries.

"When they operated on me, I told them to add a Sandy Koufax fastball. They did but unfortunately it was Mrs. Koufax'." -Tommy John NY Yankees pitcher after his arm surgery.

"We were tipping off our plays. Whenever we broke the huddle, three backs were laughing and one back was pale as a ghost." -Houston Oilers player.

"I have discovered in 20-years of moving around the ball,park, the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the tickets." -Bill Veeck, Chicago White Sox, owner

* "I won't know until my barber tells me on Monday." -Knute Rockne, when asked 'why' Norte Dame
had lost a game.

"The only difference between me and General Custer is that I have to watch the film on Sunday."
-Rick Venturi, Northwester football coach.

* My personal favorite.