Recent Random Reflections

I suspect many others reading these words have also had such thoughts. Nevertheless for what it's worth>

 1. The death of the second parent is the most difficult as it signals closure of the parent-child relationship.

 2. You know you're in the right profession when somebody says, "I don't think that can be done," and you relish the challenge.

 3. Only child of one family married to only child of another family is a bigger crap-shoot and than baby of one family married to baby of another family.

 4. You'll be happier at the holidays if you place zero expectations on your children...and they'll be happier also.

 5. I'd rather 'see' a sermon than 'hear' a sermon.

 6. I recall in youth when Grandpa E.V. Bennett said to my Mammy, "Mary, that telephone is the  Devil's tool; it surely begs for gossip." I cannot imagine what E. V. would say about Internet Facebook.

 7. The one time I do believe God would accept a lie is when people ask you, "How you doing?"

 8. If you marry the right person then unexpected water in your basement today becomes a bonding memory tomorrow.

 9. If a young couple can, they should have more than one child...it ensures family-conduit-love.

10. If you can't verify it, don't repeat it. If it's not yours, walk on by. If it's your error own it.

11. Keep it mind, stormy rains and wind come to an end as sure as night gives way to dawn.

It's a Goose &'Gander Story

In 2008, Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich was charged with corruption. He conspired to commit several 'pay-to-play' schemes. Blagojevich had the authority to appoint someone to fill the vacated
U. S. Senate seat by Barrack Obama when Obama was elected President. Blagojevich was sentenced to 14-years in federal,prison.

President Donald J. Trump withheld tax payers monies approved by the United States Congress for Ukraine's defense and security. Trump, like Blagojevich used his authority to offer a bribe to the Ukrainian government. Trump told Ukraine's President that he would release the monies if the Ukrainian President publicly announced that they were investigating the 2016 election interference by Ukraine, which has been debunked and investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.

Obviously, Trump should be impeached and removed from office but furthermore,  he should go to prison. Now we know why Trump is considering a Presidential pardon for Blagojevich.

Trump IS The MOST Transparent President Ever!

Transparent is defined as: 'Easy to perceive or detect.' 'Open to Public Scrutiny.' That said, one can 'see' right through Trump and the GOP lawmakers who defend him.

Consider...

1. Trump and others claim that Donald Trump was athletic with great physical abilities and prowess.

2.  1968...22-year old Donald Trump received a medical deferment for 'heel spurs,' which kept him out of military combat.

3.  2015...At an Ames, Iowa 'Leadership Summit,' Trump says, "Senator John McCain (former prisoner of war) was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who don't get captured."

4.  2016...Candidate Trump belittles Gold Star (Muslim) family whose son was killed in Iraq (2004)

5.  2019...Trump shows his love and patriotism for the USA as he hugs the American flag while appearing at CPAC. (Note: He loves the country but dodges the draft and disparages those military vets who were captured defending THAT flag).

6.  2019...President Trump diverts 3.8 billion dollars from the military to building a Mexico border wall.

At yesterday's impeachment hearing, Republican House Representatives ruthlessly attacked LT. Col. Alexander Vindman, a decorated soldier who received the Purple Heart in Iraq for coming forth and testifying about President 'Bone Spurs' desire to have Ukraine investigate Joe and Hunter Biden while withholding military aid from Ukraine. Now, that's really Transparent!

Personally, I believe President Trump and his Republican supporters are the most transparent group of politicians this Nation has ever known...their motives are obvious and you can 'SEE' right through them. And to think this clown has the audacity to chastise a Black NFL player who expresses social protest by kneeling during the National Anthem. What crap!

Mental Refreshing Exercises

For several years running, I have taken 10-minutes every day to find a quiet secluded dark place, close my eyes and try to refresh my mind with various thoughts. I may think of past events or experiences, which were particularly pleasing, memorable or exciting. Perhaps I focus on humor or family or maybe I simply recall Song verses from yesteryear. I can affirm that the time spent is relaxing and causes me to practice both recall and imagination.

 I particularly enjoy 'thinking' of humor and what might be. Just two days ago, I hit on a mental refresher exercise moment that caused my head to 'swim.' You know that feeling. You have an  incredible time trying to 'get your head around something' and it's damn near impossible.

I was thinking of the number of people in President Trump's administration who have been indicted for criminality, found guilty or pleaded guilty and have gone to prison or will be going to prison. Hot damn that's a long list: It appears that nearly three dozen people in and around Trump's Presidency have been indicted. Okay, here comes the humorous part: In your wildest thoughts can you possibly imagine if these criminal indictments had happened during Obama's presidency what the response would be from the likes of  Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Tucker Carlson and Congressman 'Coatless' Jim  Jordan. The only certainty is Limbaugh would have had a stroke by now. And OMG, the Internet Trumpers would be going berserk...folks that's funny and that's true!

A Family Story: A Sad Story

"I don't want religious bigotry in any form. It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The far right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it."
                      Rev. Billy Graham...Parade Magazine...1981

And once again, Franklin dismisses fatherly advice and continues to tarnish the Evangelical movement, which found great impetus during the Billy Graham Crusades. That's the sad part!

The Messages Changed Over Time

When I was in elementary school and junior high, I don't recall getting letters...I'm talking mailings. Near the end of my junior year in high school, I began getting a few letters from colleges about attending their school. Most of those letters were 'form letters;' which I gave little attention.  During my senior year, I did receive more letters but the telephone calls from coaches were more impressive and when one coach just shows up on your front steps that's a 'Deal Maker.'

While I was in college, my girlfriend, who later became my wife sent me at least two letters a week. I really enjoyed those letters. After I graduated and married, I got letters from auto and life insurance agents and even retirement investments peddles. I never did get a letter from Uncle Sam about the military. I simply missed those draft windows.

During my birthday journey counting the 30's, 40's, 50's and early sixties, I received the most letters ever. Letters about vacation spots, time share purchases, cruises, float trips, amusement parks, church tithing, automobile dealerships, health insurance companies, investment companies, entertainment offerings, ie., Six Flags, Disney World and nearby University concerts. I would like to give a shout out to AARP who began faithful letter writing on my 55th birthday and still write 25-years later.

It was about the time I hit my early sixties when I noticed drastic communication changes. I was now getting invitations to senior retirement communities, reverse mortgage lender seminars and Independent / Assisted Living facilities. Today the letters forthcoming cut to the doom and gloom end-game reality of the journey. The communication topics now offer info on nursing homes and pitches Funeral and Internment Plans.' I've made many of those arrangements but I should leave a few things for the kids to do...just to get their attention, if you get my drift! Meanwhile.

I throw all letters away these days. I don't have time to read all that stuff and still answer the telephone. Rachael calls once a week about my credit card. The police never let a week pass that they don't telephone plus any number of other callers asking for my money!

PS. I do bring in the mail most days and I've noticed my wife gets letters from, St. Jude's, Boys Town, Alzheimer's Association, Heart Association, Cancer Society, State Police, American Native Mission, Shriner's Hospital, several security systems companies and three Casinos. I need to remind her that we can run out of money before good causes disappear.

Fools Abound!

In January 1973, The United States Supreme Court voted to make abortion legal. That Supreme Court was made up of six Republican appointed Justices and three Democrat appointed Justices and the final vote was 7-2 to give women control over their bodies with the abortion choice. Personally, I oppose abortion but fully understand that such a law will exist in a 'free' society.

2019, Five (current) Supreme Court Justices were appointed by Republican Presidents, which indicates a conservative leaning court yet after President Donald Trump picked up the endorsement of the moral Evangelicals (who want Roe v. Wade overturned), we have NOTHING brought before the Court. That said, we continue to hear the pathetic cry from right-wingers, "Democrats are baby killers." You folks on the right are easily duped and seem to enjoy the boogieman stories. Hey,  Franklin Graham, What-up??

Actually, with a 'conservative' President in office, a Republican Senate majority and a conservative Supreme Court majority it would appear that the Republicans wish to be complicit in this so-called 'baby killing.'