You know, I've never seen myself as a quitter but then again, I must admit during my life's journey, I have 'given-up' on a few things:
1). I've given up on the idea of being the next cowboy, i.e. Roy Rodgers or Gene Autry.
2). I've given up on learning to ice skate.
3). I've given up on pitching a no-hitter in the seventh game of the World Series.
4). I've given up on winning the Mega Lottery.
5). I've given up on a singing career.
6). I've given up on the idea of living without a dog.
7). I've given up on wishing to win any debate with my wife.
8). I've given up on trying to understand how evangelicals can support Donald Trump
9). I've given up on trying to use my time to good advantage.
10). I've given up on trying to not give up.
I shall never give up...
1). 'trying to make the bread and gravy come out even.'
2). Eating Peanut butter.
3). Thinking the Cardinals will win another World Series.
4). Singing aloud at anytime at any place.
5). Embracing my 'faith.'
6). Being a 'social' liberal.
7). Hoping others make the connection between 'social' liberalism and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
8). Competing (makes the juices flow)
9). Looking for something needing improvement and considering if my desire & abilities could
bring about that improvement.
(Touch)
Given It Up
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Random Thoughts
First Thought---
The last four mass murders went down in 2018...
February 14, Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 students and staff at Parkland high school (FL)
May 14, Dimitrois Pagourtiz killed 8- students and two teachers in Texas.
October 27, Jarrod Ramos killed 5-people at Capital Gazette Annapolis, Maryland.
November 7, Ian David Long killed 12-folks at a Music Bar in Thousand Oaks, California..
Total killed---44
These four guys had three common denominators; all were mentally deranged killers, all were members of the 'white' race and none of them entered the country illegally at the border between Mexico and America.
Second Thought---
Donald Trump on a few occasion's has likened his presidency to that of Abraham Lincoln's. I believe Trump will outdistance Lincoln in one category:
Lincoln had roughly 1600 books written about him.
Trump will most likely surpass that number.
Third Thought...
Don't anticipate gun control laws being passed in America.
Don't anticipate re-building and re-establishing mental hospitals in America.
Consider investing in book stores.
(Touch)
Write A Book About It
The last four mass murders went down in 2018...
February 14, Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 students and staff at Parkland high school (FL)
May 14, Dimitrois Pagourtiz killed 8- students and two teachers in Texas.
October 27, Jarrod Ramos killed 5-people at Capital Gazette Annapolis, Maryland.
November 7, Ian David Long killed 12-folks at a Music Bar in Thousand Oaks, California..
Total killed---44
These four guys had three common denominators; all were mentally deranged killers, all were members of the 'white' race and none of them entered the country illegally at the border between Mexico and America.
Second Thought---
Donald Trump on a few occasion's has likened his presidency to that of Abraham Lincoln's. I believe Trump will outdistance Lincoln in one category:
Lincoln had roughly 1600 books written about him.
Trump will most likely surpass that number.
Third Thought...
Don't anticipate gun control laws being passed in America.
Don't anticipate re-building and re-establishing mental hospitals in America.
Consider investing in book stores.
(Touch)
Write A Book About It
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Prioritize My Dear Ones
Growing up in a blue-collar factory-working home, I never gave much thought to money. We always had food, clothes and some kind of auto. Just as important, I always had a baseball glove. I even remember being happy as an eight year old boy having those steel shoe-spikes that you had to nail onto the bottom of street shoes, which was my first so-called baseball spikes. It was sure special when I made that Little League team at age ten...got 'real' spike baseball shoes.
I never did think much about what other boys my age had or didn't have. I recall hearing adults in my family talk about other folks who tried 'keeping up with the Joneses.' Even though there was no Jones family in our neighborhood, I understood from the comments that we were suppose to be happy with what we had and not worry about what the neighbors had.
Many years teaching in secondary schools, I came to notice over time that the student parking lot had later model automobiles than did the faculty parking lot. You may have your own take on that fact but I suggest it speaks volumes about negative and entitlement parenting. I recall our girls' middle school years when they began to notice the 'designer' clothing worn by peers. After fighting the girls when shopping for new school clothes, my wife finally told our two daughters that she would give then the amount of cash she intended to spend on each child getting them ready for school. She told the girls to purchase whatever they wanted. Funny how those two youngsters got frugal with spending trying to stretch their money for more outfits.
In time a young girl becomes a young lady who trades her designer bag for a diaper bag. As for yours truly, I'll thank my Mammy Bennett for telling me a long time ago, "Don't worry catching up with those who have more than you but help out those who have less than you." Mammy was always good for 'laying' those Jesus teachings on your mind. Heavens, I remember one night leaving her presence as I was headed out for a date and Mammy said, "Now, you have a nice time this evening but remember that Jesus is returning a second time so don't be about any activity you'd be shameful of should He return tonight." ....let that sink in folks!
I never did think much about what other boys my age had or didn't have. I recall hearing adults in my family talk about other folks who tried 'keeping up with the Joneses.' Even though there was no Jones family in our neighborhood, I understood from the comments that we were suppose to be happy with what we had and not worry about what the neighbors had.
Many years teaching in secondary schools, I came to notice over time that the student parking lot had later model automobiles than did the faculty parking lot. You may have your own take on that fact but I suggest it speaks volumes about negative and entitlement parenting. I recall our girls' middle school years when they began to notice the 'designer' clothing worn by peers. After fighting the girls when shopping for new school clothes, my wife finally told our two daughters that she would give then the amount of cash she intended to spend on each child getting them ready for school. She told the girls to purchase whatever they wanted. Funny how those two youngsters got frugal with spending trying to stretch their money for more outfits.
In time a young girl becomes a young lady who trades her designer bag for a diaper bag. As for yours truly, I'll thank my Mammy Bennett for telling me a long time ago, "Don't worry catching up with those who have more than you but help out those who have less than you." Mammy was always good for 'laying' those Jesus teachings on your mind. Heavens, I remember one night leaving her presence as I was headed out for a date and Mammy said, "Now, you have a nice time this evening but remember that Jesus is returning a second time so don't be about any activity you'd be shameful of should He return tonight." ....let that sink in folks!
Monday, January 28, 2019
Stupid & Gullible...That's Americans
Okay, let's put aside our labels. For a few minutes, we will not see other as liberals, conservatives, Democrats or Republicans. Likewise, there are no good guys or bad guys; no Trump supporters and no Trump haters but just Americans. I know, I know, it's difficult but let's concentrate, we can do this!
Our nation just experienced its longest government (partial) shutdown. As that shutdown lingered day after day, many Americans directly affected began explaining the depths of their financial difficulties. Some of those difficulties underscored serious health perils, evictions and loss of possessions. Inevitably, some folks responded to those compromised financial woes caused by interrupted paychecks. Interestingly, many of those weighing in were political leaders, political pundits and those with great financial wherewithal.
First, let me share the following: Recent disclosures (2008), which indicates 66-Millionaire Senators and 178-Millionaire Representatives in The House...that's. A total of 245-millionaires in Congress governing some 75-to-80% of Americans who LIVE PAYCHECK-to-PAYCHECK. Might you just think that those millionaire politicians are clueless regarding the day-to-day struggles of their countrymen? That's right: 75-to-80% in America who live paycheck to paycheck. Unless you were born into wealth YOU ALSO at sometime lived payday-to-payday as did your parents.
Then there was those political radio and television pundits giving advise to the President to keep the government shutdown in an attempt to get money for a border-wall at the financial expense of 800,000 government workers plus hundreds of government contractors and at a 6-billion dollar cost to the American economy. Here's a few of those pundits with their net worth: Ann Coulter (8.5 million), Sean Hannity (200-million) and Rush Limbaugh (590-million). Then there is the Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross (2.5 billion) who suggested those living from payday to payday should "Get a loan." What a clueless ass. President Trump (3.1 billion) said he thought Wilbur was misunderstood.
The late comedian, George Carlin understood when he said, "The ruling rich class of this country keeps the lower and middle classes fighting with one another over race, ethnic background, sexuality and social status while that upper class gets richer." We could add to Carlin's list our ongoing fussing about border walls, abortion and gun control. Like a bunch of dummies i.e. really stupid people, we take the bait and we will continue to take the bait.
Hooray for The State of Illinois, which recently elected its second-consecutive 'Billuonaire Governor.'
And how lucky can America be? The former CEO of the 'Coffee-Milkshake Company,' Howard Schultz (3.5 billion) is running for President in 2020. "Hey Mister, you gotta dime for a cup of coffee?"
Okay, thanks for playing along, now ready set GO! It's back to name-calling and bad-mouthing each other as we defend the wealthy, privileged and entitled who play us like a fiddle.
(Touch)
Them That's Got
Our nation just experienced its longest government (partial) shutdown. As that shutdown lingered day after day, many Americans directly affected began explaining the depths of their financial difficulties. Some of those difficulties underscored serious health perils, evictions and loss of possessions. Inevitably, some folks responded to those compromised financial woes caused by interrupted paychecks. Interestingly, many of those weighing in were political leaders, political pundits and those with great financial wherewithal.
First, let me share the following: Recent disclosures (2008), which indicates 66-Millionaire Senators and 178-Millionaire Representatives in The House...that's. A total of 245-millionaires in Congress governing some 75-to-80% of Americans who LIVE PAYCHECK-to-PAYCHECK. Might you just think that those millionaire politicians are clueless regarding the day-to-day struggles of their countrymen? That's right: 75-to-80% in America who live paycheck to paycheck. Unless you were born into wealth YOU ALSO at sometime lived payday-to-payday as did your parents.
Then there was those political radio and television pundits giving advise to the President to keep the government shutdown in an attempt to get money for a border-wall at the financial expense of 800,000 government workers plus hundreds of government contractors and at a 6-billion dollar cost to the American economy. Here's a few of those pundits with their net worth: Ann Coulter (8.5 million), Sean Hannity (200-million) and Rush Limbaugh (590-million). Then there is the Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross (2.5 billion) who suggested those living from payday to payday should "Get a loan." What a clueless ass. President Trump (3.1 billion) said he thought Wilbur was misunderstood.
The late comedian, George Carlin understood when he said, "The ruling rich class of this country keeps the lower and middle classes fighting with one another over race, ethnic background, sexuality and social status while that upper class gets richer." We could add to Carlin's list our ongoing fussing about border walls, abortion and gun control. Like a bunch of dummies i.e. really stupid people, we take the bait and we will continue to take the bait.
Hooray for The State of Illinois, which recently elected its second-consecutive 'Billuonaire Governor.'
And how lucky can America be? The former CEO of the 'Coffee-Milkshake Company,' Howard Schultz (3.5 billion) is running for President in 2020. "Hey Mister, you gotta dime for a cup of coffee?"
Okay, thanks for playing along, now ready set GO! It's back to name-calling and bad-mouthing each other as we defend the wealthy, privileged and entitled who play us like a fiddle.
(Touch)
Them That's Got
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Warm & Rainy Memory
Recently, granddaughter, Loren asked some questions about my grandparents, E.V. And Mammy Bennett and Frank and Rosedelle Roustio. I was happy to share some of my recollections about my youth and the specific impact of my maternal and paternal grandparents.
I suppose Loren's inquiry lingered because a few days afterward, I thought of some special childhood memories. One of those memories was created by 'rain.' That's right, a 'rainy day memory' as a young ten-year old boy.
The year was 1949. My parents, four year old brother, Tom and I lived on the corner of 55th & Hallows in East St. Louis, Illinois. The small comfortable home had a screened in sunporch adjacent to the kitchen. The neighborhood offered plenty of playmates. The home was within walking distance to a drugstore, grocery store and Woodrow Wilson Grade School. There was also a nearby drygoods store and like most neighborhoods back in the day, one could easily find a corner tavern.
I was into baseball and made my first Little League team (Jaycee League ages 10-13). Of course, I was one of the two youngest kids (10) who made that team. I played sparingly behind the older more skilled kids but I was hooked. I could always find a summer sandlot game at a nearby diamond. It was there that I began honing skills.
In the summer late afternoons, my mother began preparing family supper in anticipation of dad coming home from his work at Monsanto Chemical Company. On a rainy day, I would locate on the screened-in sun room porch with my homemade 'spinner baseball-game' and a stack of baseball cards. Those baseball cards were most often the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers. I can still recite those lineups this day: Brooklyn> Reese (s) Hermanski (of) Snider (cf) Robinson (2b) Hodges (1b) Furillo (rf) Campanella (c) Cox (3b) Newcombe (p); Cardinals: Schoendienst (2b) Marion (s) Musial (cf) Slaughter (of) Northey (rf) Jones (1b) Kurowski (3b) Rice/Garagiola (c) Brecheen (p).
I can close my eyes this moment and hear the cadence of rain falling atop that porch and the voice of my mother singing along with the voices of Bing Crosby or Vaughn Monroe blaring through the small counter-top Admiral radio. It was the next best place for a 10-year old boy aside from that dusty diamond of dreams.
There's a song called the 'The Best Things In Life Are Free.' It mentions many little things we take for granted but fails to mention a summer's rainy day.
(Touch)
Best Things In Life Are Free
I suppose Loren's inquiry lingered because a few days afterward, I thought of some special childhood memories. One of those memories was created by 'rain.' That's right, a 'rainy day memory' as a young ten-year old boy.
The year was 1949. My parents, four year old brother, Tom and I lived on the corner of 55th & Hallows in East St. Louis, Illinois. The small comfortable home had a screened in sunporch adjacent to the kitchen. The neighborhood offered plenty of playmates. The home was within walking distance to a drugstore, grocery store and Woodrow Wilson Grade School. There was also a nearby drygoods store and like most neighborhoods back in the day, one could easily find a corner tavern.
I was into baseball and made my first Little League team (Jaycee League ages 10-13). Of course, I was one of the two youngest kids (10) who made that team. I played sparingly behind the older more skilled kids but I was hooked. I could always find a summer sandlot game at a nearby diamond. It was there that I began honing skills.
In the summer late afternoons, my mother began preparing family supper in anticipation of dad coming home from his work at Monsanto Chemical Company. On a rainy day, I would locate on the screened-in sun room porch with my homemade 'spinner baseball-game' and a stack of baseball cards. Those baseball cards were most often the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers. I can still recite those lineups this day: Brooklyn> Reese (s) Hermanski (of) Snider (cf) Robinson (2b) Hodges (1b) Furillo (rf) Campanella (c) Cox (3b) Newcombe (p); Cardinals: Schoendienst (2b) Marion (s) Musial (cf) Slaughter (of) Northey (rf) Jones (1b) Kurowski (3b) Rice/Garagiola (c) Brecheen (p).
I can close my eyes this moment and hear the cadence of rain falling atop that porch and the voice of my mother singing along with the voices of Bing Crosby or Vaughn Monroe blaring through the small counter-top Admiral radio. It was the next best place for a 10-year old boy aside from that dusty diamond of dreams.
There's a song called the 'The Best Things In Life Are Free.' It mentions many little things we take for granted but fails to mention a summer's rainy day.
(Touch)
Best Things In Life Are Free
Friday, January 25, 2019
'MAUA'
In 1811, American forces led by William Henry Harrison engage in a battle with Native Americans at the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers in Indiana. The Americans prevailed and Harrison was viewed as a hero. Eleven years later Harrison ran for President and his Vice Presidential running mate was John Tyler. The 1840, Presidential campaign slogan was "Tippecanoe & Tyler Too."
I have always found those Presidential Campaign Slogans somewhat interesting to examine. Certainly they are usually catchy and stick in the electorate's mind. Many campaign slogans hold 'tongue-in-check' messages which either demean the opposition party or give voters reason for hope that comes in voting for their ticket.
I offer the following Presidential Campaign Slogans as some of my favorites and suggest one for the 2020 Presidential Campaign.
1928- "A Chicken in Every Pot and A Car in Every Garage". (Herbert Hoover)
1940- "Better a Third Termer Than a Third Rater" (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
1948- "I'm Just Wild About Harry." (Harry S. Truman)
1952- "I Like Ike" (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
1960- "A Time For Greatness" (John F. Kennedy)
1980- "Let's Make America Great Again" (Ronald Reagan)
2008- "Yes We Can" (Barack Obama)
2016- "Make America Great Again" (Donald Trump) i.e., borrowed from Ronnie Reagan
Given the current status of our American Democracy, I suggest the following slogan for 2020>
"MAUA" >>> "Make America UNITED Again" **
** America is NOT the 'United' States.
I have always found those Presidential Campaign Slogans somewhat interesting to examine. Certainly they are usually catchy and stick in the electorate's mind. Many campaign slogans hold 'tongue-in-check' messages which either demean the opposition party or give voters reason for hope that comes in voting for their ticket.
I offer the following Presidential Campaign Slogans as some of my favorites and suggest one for the 2020 Presidential Campaign.
1928- "A Chicken in Every Pot and A Car in Every Garage". (Herbert Hoover)
1940- "Better a Third Termer Than a Third Rater" (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
1948- "I'm Just Wild About Harry." (Harry S. Truman)
1952- "I Like Ike" (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
1960- "A Time For Greatness" (John F. Kennedy)
1980- "Let's Make America Great Again" (Ronald Reagan)
2008- "Yes We Can" (Barack Obama)
2016- "Make America Great Again" (Donald Trump) i.e., borrowed from Ronnie Reagan
Given the current status of our American Democracy, I suggest the following slogan for 2020>
"MAUA" >>> "Make America UNITED Again" **
** America is NOT the 'United' States.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
A Rush to Choosing Sides?
You're a fool if you believe for a moment that you've never been guilty of 'rushing to judgment.' However you're even a bigger dope to show pre-judgment attitudes and beliefs afterward.
Likely you are aware of an incident which occurred this past weekend at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial when students from an all-boys' Catholic school (Covington, Kentucky), an American Indian (Nathan Phillips) celebrating the Indigenous People's March in D.C. and about four members of the Black Hebrew Israelites got into a verbal shouting match with gestures and stare downs.
The Black Hebrew Israelites group shouted vulgarities while one student stared at close range into Phillips' face as he engaged in a drum beating ritual and other students did tomahawk chopping actions with arms while singing choruses of stereotype Indian chants. The majority of students were wearing Make America Great Again ball caps.
Okay, here we have video, which lends itself to various interpretations. I get it and you should also.
Of course, we have the classic standoff, which has always been part of the American fabric, which is 'pre-judgment' of others if not down-right 'hatred' of other groups. White people and Brown people confronting one another. In this instance, it is flavored with the first American 'family' landowners', the Native American Indian. Perhaps the Indian peoples should have 'built a wall' in anticipation of those English Pilgrims' invasion.
Stop and think. We certainly have enough racial tension in America these days as seen in 'White Nationalists ' activities, Black Lives Matter rhetoric, police shootings of blacks and immigration debates. What a wonderful moment, at the site of the iconic Lincoln Memorial, which speaks to 'race' and on the weekend celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s efforts for racial equality for a true leader to step forward attempting to heal ethnic/racial divides.
Okay, I have a question for you readers. Let's pretend that you are the President of the United States. Should you make any comment or offer anything in addressing this incident?
Would you select one of the following or opt for some other?
1. Ignore the incident and say nothing.
2. Condemn intolerance for free expression.
3. Make a decision regarding which group is of greater fault and condemn that group.
4. Offer an invitation to the groups to attend a gathering at the White House to discuss racial and
ethnic tolerance. (Perhaps have such a meeting televised).
5. Pick 'one group' and invite them to the White House.
We understand that our President made his decision...I'm asking you to offer your thinking and decision.
Likely you are aware of an incident which occurred this past weekend at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial when students from an all-boys' Catholic school (Covington, Kentucky), an American Indian (Nathan Phillips) celebrating the Indigenous People's March in D.C. and about four members of the Black Hebrew Israelites got into a verbal shouting match with gestures and stare downs.
The Black Hebrew Israelites group shouted vulgarities while one student stared at close range into Phillips' face as he engaged in a drum beating ritual and other students did tomahawk chopping actions with arms while singing choruses of stereotype Indian chants. The majority of students were wearing Make America Great Again ball caps.
Okay, here we have video, which lends itself to various interpretations. I get it and you should also.
Of course, we have the classic standoff, which has always been part of the American fabric, which is 'pre-judgment' of others if not down-right 'hatred' of other groups. White people and Brown people confronting one another. In this instance, it is flavored with the first American 'family' landowners', the Native American Indian. Perhaps the Indian peoples should have 'built a wall' in anticipation of those English Pilgrims' invasion.
Stop and think. We certainly have enough racial tension in America these days as seen in 'White Nationalists ' activities, Black Lives Matter rhetoric, police shootings of blacks and immigration debates. What a wonderful moment, at the site of the iconic Lincoln Memorial, which speaks to 'race' and on the weekend celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s efforts for racial equality for a true leader to step forward attempting to heal ethnic/racial divides.
Okay, I have a question for you readers. Let's pretend that you are the President of the United States. Should you make any comment or offer anything in addressing this incident?
Would you select one of the following or opt for some other?
1. Ignore the incident and say nothing.
2. Condemn intolerance for free expression.
3. Make a decision regarding which group is of greater fault and condemn that group.
4. Offer an invitation to the groups to attend a gathering at the White House to discuss racial and
ethnic tolerance. (Perhaps have such a meeting televised).
5. Pick 'one group' and invite them to the White House.
We understand that our President made his decision...I'm asking you to offer your thinking and decision.
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