2021: Global Threats to America

Russia remains the primary threat to American interests in Europe as well as the most pressing threat to the United States. Moscow remains committed to massive pro-Russia propaganda campaigns in Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, has continued its active support of separatist forces in Ukraine, regularly performs provocative military exercises and training missions, and continues to sell and export arms to countries that are hostile to U.S. interests (its sale of the S-400 air defense system to Turkey is a prime example). It also has increased its investment in the modernization of its military and has gained significant combat experience while continuing to sabotage U.S. and Western policy in Syria and Ukraine.

China, the most comprehensive threat the U.S. faces, remained “aggressive” in the scope of its provocative behavior and earns the score of “formidable” for its capability because of its continued investment in the modernization and expansion of its military and the particular attention it has paid to its space, cyber, and artificial intelligence capabilities. The People’s Liberation Army continues to extend its reach and military activity beyond its immediate region and engages in larger and more comprehensive exercises, including live-fire exercises in the East China Sea near Taiwan and aggressive naval and air patrols in the South China Sea. 

Iran represents by far the most significant security challenge to the United States, its allies, and its interests in the greater Middle East. Its open hostility to the United States and Israel, sponsorship of terrorist groups like Hezbollah, and history of threatening the commons underscore the problem it could pose. Today, Iran’s provocations are of primary concern to the region and America’s allies, friends, and assets there. Iran relies heavily on irregular (to include political) warfare against others in the region and fields more ballistic missiles than any of its neighbors. Its development of ballistic missiles and its potential nuclear capability also make it a long-term threat to the security of the U.S. homeland. 

North Korea’s military poses a security challenge for American allies South Korea and Japan, as well as for U.S. bases in those countries and on Guam. North Korean officials are belligerent toward the United States, often issuing military and diplomatic threats. Pyongyang also has engaged in a range of provocative behavior that includes nuclear and missile tests and tactical-level attacks on South Korea.

In the Afghanistan–Pakistan (AfPak) region, non-state terrorist groups pose the greatest threat to the U.S. homeland and the overall stability of the South/Southwest Asia region. Pakistan represents a paradox: It is both a security partner and a security challenge. Islamabad provides a home and support to terrorist groups that are hostile to the U.S., to other U.S. partners in South Asia like India, and to the government in Afghanistan, which is particularly vulnerable to destabilization efforts. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are already among the world’s most unstable states, and the instability of the former, given its nuclear arsenal, has a direct bearing on U.S. security. 

A broad array of terrorist groups remain the most hostile of any of the threats to America examined in the Index. The primary terrorist groups of concern to the U.S. homeland and to Americans abroad are the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda and its branches remain active and effective in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and the Sahel of Northern Africa.  SOURCE:  Heritage Foundation, November 2020

COMMENT:  I am curious as to what our current administration is going to do/not do when it comes to dealing  with these global threats...

• Will they try to appease them through negotiations?
• Will they take a strong stand?
• Will they attempt to ignore their influences?

My ongoing concern is that as we rob peter to pay paul so that we can have a vast array of social programs, will that defer monies away from what is really needed to make this country economically strong again....

The wealthy are not STUPID...  and, knowing that they face increase in taxes will shelter their money accordingly so that their taxes increase very minorly instead of substantially...

So, how does that help the US of A?

• Medical for All will be costly
• Open borders and increased immigration will be costly
• Redistributing Law Enforcement Funds will be costly
• Free College Education for All will be costly
• The green New Deal will be costly
• Increasing the National Debt will be costly

I am not that SMART nor am I that IGNORANT...  but, I do believe that a strong global presence to protect our democracy can only be accomplished with a STRONG MILITARY...

...and, I also believe that substantial business growth can only happen when government regulations are removed, otherwise we will have slow growth and quite possibly inflation when there are shortfalls of demand within the marketplace...

ONLY   WHEN   WE   FLOUNDER

WILL   OUR   ENEMIES   SUCCEED

Beginnings and Endings

 The End of November 2020 ✂ this month began 29 days ago and today is the last day of its existence, and unlike other months, it has one day less to live, and once it dies, it will NEVER be seen again by you or I...  it passes away just like all other aspects of time or any of that which has just happened is now permanently gone and while it has not been erased from our consciousness it is still nonetheless gone forever and ever.

As human beings we deal with these beginnings and endings all the time throughout our lives including our own birth and death and while our lives continue from one day to the next or from one month to the next, we all know that we will eventually end our existence and just like November, we will eventually have only one more day to live.

But, what about our universe?

It had a beginning but so far, there is really no ending in sight, other than what we might conclude that all things have to die...  eventually...  and, when our universe dies eventually does that mean that GOD will die as well?

Of course, this is a question only for those of you who believe in God...

AND YET...

many still believe in the BIG BANG...  or the idea/theory that something (our universe) was created out of nothing (a large void) with the understanding I suppose that even a void of nothingness still had enough inside to create a universe...  which to me means that it was not a void at all but something too.

AND IF...

a void was also something too, then where did this something too come from?

could it have come from another void, and another, and another too?

and, where do all the voids of something begin?

I suppose that we must be back to GOD...

and yet...  God is not believed in by many on this earth...  since there are other philosophies and religions that deal with supernatural creators and not a God...  but, have you ever stopped and thought that these supernatural creators might be your God as well?

Of course not...  that would mean your God is not exclusive...

The US of A is RACIST or So I've Been Told by Blacks

The African Americans, Blacks, American Blacks, People of Color...  BUT NEVER JUST
AMERICANS, would have you believe that all Caucasians or White Crackers or Honkies are racists because several white policemen were racially biased and motivated.

Using this logic then all BLACKS are like MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. and his followers which we KNOW FOR ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY is not the case here in America...

So, why do we have this CONTRADICTION in how the blacks perceive each other and the white Americans with whom they have chosen to live, work, die, and defend against foreign aggression?

If all white Americans were like those racist cops then more black people would be DEAD....

If all black people were like MLK Jr., then there would be no violent protesting or white cops DEAD...

• But, neither case is true
• And, neither case has been true
• And, neither case will be true in this country

BECAUSE WE HAVE RACISM ON BOTH SIDES...

Black People and all of those Blacks who want to use their COLOR as an EXCUSE for their FAILURES will ALWAYS CLAIM that the majority race with whom they live are RACIST AS A WHOLE.

Let me make one thing perfectly CLEAR...

• I don't live with Blacks
• I don't live with African Americans
• I don't live with People of Color
• I don't live with Native Americans
• I don't live with Asians
• I don't live with Hispanics or Latinos

I LIVE WITH CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ALWAYS WILL NO MATTER WHAT I'M BEING TOLD... by Blacks or anyone else for that matter...

American Capitalism

Capitalism is often thought of as an economic system in which private actors own and control property in accord with their interests, and demand and supply freely set prices in markets in a way that can serve the best interests of society. The essential feature of capitalism is the motive to make a profit.

Unfortunately...  capitalism does not always serve the best interests of society but it always serves as a motive to make a profit.  In fact, making a profit is the single most important feature of capitalism and what draws people into the capitalistic form of employment, either as an entrepreneur, as a owner of a factory or some form of enterprise, as a college graduate, or even as a common laborer or factory worker.

In capitalism, workers earn their wages from a company and not from the government for essentially not working at all.

Stockholders provide the necessary capital (funds) that enable for businesses to expand and grow and in return they are provided with a quarterly dividend and a potential growth of their stock in case they ever wanted to sell what they owned.

The downside of this arrangement is that companies oftentimes make decisions based upon what is in the best interest of the stockholder not necessarily what might be in the best interest of the company's employees or their future...  especially when two companies decide to merge together in order to improve economies of scale and raise their stock prices...  they no longer need all the employees of both companies...  so, there are typically layoffs.

RESULTS:  

Winners are the stockholders of the new company and its surviving employees

Losers are those who lost their jobs for one reason or another

NOTE:  Employees learn to stab each other in the back in order to protect their current and future positions with the company, leaving a bitter taste in everyone's mouth and a desire to finally retire as quickly as one can...

Komic Korner Kartoons

 

THIS and THAT

 

Revolution is Here

 

Still Applicable Today

 

MONSTER lyrics by STEPPENWOLF...

Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought our a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

The blue and grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war over
They stuffed it just like a hog

And though the past has it's share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But it's protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey

The spirit was freedom and justice
And it's keepers seem generous and kind
It's leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'

Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner
We can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching

America where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster

Our Changing World: The Enemies of our Enemies

My recommendation if you are in the mood to listen is to learn to speak and write Mandarin Chinese
because our world will soon belong to them from an economic and military standpoint...  even though the USA will remain a world power and leader...  it will just no longer have its ON THE TOP image.

Right now...

• China has the largest military in the world
• China has the strongest economy as far as Purchasing Power Parity is concerned

What is purchasing power parity?

Purchasing power parity (PPP) is a popular metric used by macroeconomic analysts that compares different countries' currencies through a "basket of goods" approach. Purchasing power parity (PPP) allows for economists to compare economic productivity and standards of living between countries. SOURCE: Investopedia 2020

Under a Biden Presidency...

the military budget will be reduced

the social programs budget will be increased

Medicare for ALL will be presented and no doubt approved

taxes will be increased on the wealthy

monies will be diverted to a Green New Deal

                    

Since the USA is a prominent GLOBAL MILITARY POWER and PRESENCE, favoritism and the need for protection and security will lean towards the EAST and CHINA.  And...  while I am not an expert on these matters, it seems only logical that this will follow...  especially since the monies of the US will be tied up in social programs and preventing global warming.

New jobs will be created and this is good but it will not strengthen the military nor will it leave much money left over to help and/or protect our allies and neighbors.

We simply will not have the money to do both unless we borrow money or devalue our own dollar... 

As the USA changes so too will the rest of the world...  If and when the USA decides to reduce its military, then we will no longer be in a position to fight wars in other countries...  which is perfectly fine with me and many others...  but, this change of attitude will push these countries into a different direction and they will no doubt come under the protection of the Chinese Government along with the help of Russia and more than likely most of the countries in the Middle East who HATE the USA for pushing their way of life on them.

Economists predict that the GLOBAL ECONOMY will shift dramatically in the direction of the EAST sometime between 2030 and 2050 as the population shifts into that direction as well forcing the need to have economic development.

Americans will be better off and the rest of the world will NO LONGER NEED THEM...  and it is at this point-in-time when the enemies of our enemies will no longer support us.

Black Friday

The term BLACK FRIDAY has nothing to do with Racism, BLM, ANTIFA, Blacks or the killing of black by police officers, African Americans, or People of Color (who were formerly referred to as Colored People which they believed to be distasteful)...  it has to do with economics and the business of economics as it applies to our American Society which encompasses ALL PEOPLE not just whites, Asians, Hispanics, Latinos, Native Americans, or Blacks...  OR SO WE THOUGHT...  BUT, according to Britannica,

It is believed by many that the term Black Friday derives from the concept that businesses operate at a financial loss, or are “in the red,” until the day after Thanksgiving, when massive sales finally allow them to turn a profit, or put them “in the black.” However, this is untrue.

A more accurate explanation of the term dates back to the early 1960s, when police officers in Philadelphia began using the phrase “Black Friday” to describe the chaos that resulted when large numbers of suburban tourists came into the city to begin their holiday shopping and, in some years, attend Saturday’s annual Army-Navy football game. The huge crowds created a headache for the police, who worked longer shifts than usual as they dealt with traffic jams, accidents, shoplifting, and other issues.

Within a few years, the term Black Friday had taken root in Philadelphia. City merchants attempted to put a prettier face on the day by calling it “Big Friday.”

The phrase “Black Friday” to signify a positive boost in retail sales didn’t grow nationwide until the late 1980s, when merchants started to spread the red-to-black profit narrative. Black Friday was described as the day stores began to turn a profit for the year and as the biggest shopping day in the United States. In truth, most stores saw their largest sales on the Saturday before Christmas.

In recent years, Black Friday has been joined by other shopping holidays, including Small Business Saturday, which encourages shoppers to visit local retailers, and Cyber Monday, which promotes shopping online.

Historically, Black Friday has yet another connotation, one unrelated to shopping. In 1869 Wall Street financiers Jay Gould and Jim Fisk attempted to corner the nation’s gold market at the New York Gold Exchange by buying as much of the precious metal as they could, with the intent of sending prices skyrocketing. On Friday, September 24, intervention by President Ulysses S. Grant caused their plan to fall apart. The stock market instantly plummeted, sending thousands of Americans into bankruptcy.

Isn't is STRANGE how in the US of A, the history that we have been told for many years is NOT TOTALLY ACCURATE nor is it TOTALLY the TRUTH...  yet, someone in this country of ours wants us to believe otherwise for some reason...  and, most of us so-called Americans do not really give a shit as long as someone in this country takes care of us so that we do not have to take care of ourselves...

OUR INABILITY TO LOVE OTHERS: Sound of Silence... by

1960

2015

SIMON and GARFUNKEL 

Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk-rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. One of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s, their biggest hits—including "The Sound of Silence" (1965), "Mrs. Robinson" (1968), "The Boxer" (1969), and "Bridge over Troubled Water" (1970)—reached number one on singles charts worldwide.

Simon and Garfunkel met in elementary school in Queens, New York, in 1953, where they learned to harmonize together and began writing material. By 1957, under the name Tom & Jerry, the teenagers had their first minor success with "Hey Schoolgirl", a song imitating their idols the Everly Brothers. In 1963, aware of a growing public interest in folk music, they regrouped and were signed to Columbia Records as Simon & Garfunkel.

The duo's often rocky relationship led to artistic disagreements and their breakup in 1970.

Simon & Garfunkel won 10 Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

SOURCE:  Wikipedia

I was attracted to their songs as soon as I heard their music in the 1960's because their lyrics, to me, was nothing more than insightful poetry...

SOUND OF SILENCE
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools" said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence
Within the sound of silence

INTERPRETATION:  Garfunkel once summed up the song's meaning as "the inability of people to communicate with each other, not particularly internationally but especially emotionally, so what you see around you are people unable to love each other."

Giving Them What They Want

"...Because everyone else has it...”

It’s a conversation we’ve had countless times in our house. It doesn’t matter what it’s about–the newest technology, the latest fad, the most popular shoes- it’s treacherous ground to add it to our want list so we can be like everyone else.

These five dangerous words are turning homes upside down. When we give our children everything they want (because everyone else has it), it speeds up their childhood: We have six year olds addicted to technology, carrying around their own ipods and iphones without limitations; eleven year old sons playing bloody battles of Assassin’s Creed over the Internet with strangers instead of playing ball outside; And 13 year old daughters shopping at Victoria’s Secret, wearing angel wings across their bums, looking far older than they are.

But worse than losing a generation of children, this choice breeds a nasty virus. Because maybe if we keep giving them everything they want, they might just drive a new car intoxicated and kill four people and be diagnosed with affluenza.

The psychologist testifying for the 16 year old boy who did just that, defined affluenza as this: children who have a sense of entitlement, are irresponsible, and make excuses for poor behavior because parents have not set proper boundaries.

Why are we saying yes to our children too early, too soon and pulling in the boundaries? I’m not sure, but I think it starts here:

• We don’t understand the future implications of giving them everything they want right now
• We want them to have the life we didn’t
• We are afraid to tell our children no because we know there will be backlash or because we think they will feel loved if we say yes.
• We want them to fit in with their peers because it’s hard to be different.
• We feel it’s often easier just to give in
• We struggle with a bit of affluenza ourselves

SOURCE:  Kristen Welch, We Are That Family

At 73 years of age and having lived through a good 60 years of learning "the hard way," I have come to the realization that the United States of America is on the way to its DARKEST HOUR.

Most of the people who read this and there will probably be not many because I am not a celebrity, or a person of power, wealth, or position will either disagree or agree but have no desire to do anything about it because it is perceived that this is not what society really wants...  that is to say...  make everyone earn their way through life and not just give everything to them...

20% of our population, I would suspect has everything that they ever wanted...  while the other 80% is not even close to what they want and will continue struggling for the rest of their lives...  unsuccessfully, I might add...  and, will never get close to what the other 20% has and takes for granted most of the time.

I was given everything I ever wanted but REJECTED IT ALL after graduating from high school and my life has been one huge struggle ever since, oftentimes just keeping my head above water financially.  For many years, I took no vacation because I did not have the money and several years more always took my lunch to work because I could not afford to eat out with everyone else.

Yes...  it was a choice I made...  and, I am not bitching...  what I am trying to say is that living this way made be a better person that I was when everything had been given.

If I had wanted wealth and fame, I surely would have found a way to get it like everyone else who eventually got there...  but, that is not the game in which I wanted to play for my life...  and, I am much better off for it.

AMERICA has brainwashed us to think this way because being GREEDY helps grow the economy which in turn make the wealthy even more wealthy...  and, relatively speaking does not really help us out at all...  except the desire to want want will always be there...  

ONE DAY, like I, you will see...

Free College Education : A Blessing in Disguise for The Rest of the World

In the Spring of 2021, I have been asked to teach a class in Personal Financial Planning for a
University that has campuses locally even though the main campus is located elsewhere...  These classes are 5 weeks in length, meeting once a week for 4 hours (6:00-10:00 pm)...  and for this the student receives 3 credits of accredited college coursework...  Personally, I am not sure if this is rigorous enough to satisfy 3 hours but the University which is managed by ACADEMIC PHD's perceives that this amount of time will suffice.

When I went to college in the 60's, our accredited college coursework hours were 45 plus outside reading, homework, and the writing of 10 page or 20 page papers.

BUT...  times have changed and we have reduced competency down from 45 hours to 20 with minimal outside reading, minimal homework if any, and not really writing any papers at all but giving powerpoint presentations.

And, it is this type of education that we want to make free to everyone so that they can get a better job, make more money, participate in and enjoy the American Dream.  The only problem with this logic is that a COLLEGE EDUCATION is already watered down just about so that any high school illiterate or dropout can pass...  now, with making it free-of-charge, every idiot will run to these hallowed halls and be given (NOT EARN) a degree...

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?

Let me explain it this way...

During my 45 year career, not one of my employers asked to see my academic grades in order to make their hiring decisions, not even those employers that were ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, COLLEGES, and UNIVERSITIES...

They did not particularly care what grades I made as long as I could produce and achieve the outcomes/outputs that they desired.

Achieving those outcomes and outputs was never taught directly in college.

I had to use my common sense and experience and my college education had little to do with it.

What helped me more than anything else was:

• My Discipline
• My Determination
• Teaching Myself What I Needed to Know
• Taking Responsibility for my actions
• Asking the Right Questions
• Being Proactive rather than Reactive
• Accepting Constructive Criticism
• A Willingness to go above and beyond
• A Willingness to put my job above my family
• An Ability to communicate effectively both orally and written
• A Desire to give 110%
• An Eagerness to DRILL DOWN on every task
• A Desire to work at home

None of these personality traits do I see in my students since the year 2000 or for the last 20 years, two decades that we have allowed the course of education in this country to be altered...

So...  here's my problem...  we will have a huge labor force and marketplace of college educated workers WHO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM and ACHIEVE GOALS and OUTCOMES...  because they were never taught to think that way in college nor were they ever trained to perform on their own.

They were given an education rather than finding creative ways to EARN IT...

They will be college educated but doing the work done by high school graduates who never really learned how to perform...  but they are DAMN GOOD AT MEMORIZING...

Our businesses, industries, and corporations are competing in a GLOBAL MARKETPLACE which is not like doing chores at home and receiving an allowance...  it is a hell of a lot more serious than that...  giving away a free college education is like telling the rest of the world, that the FUTURE ECONOMIC WEALTH IS THEIRS.

The Solitude of Happiness

Most of the time we think of happiness as a state-of-mind that is typically but not always brought about by being with family, friends, co-workers, comrades and in particular those we love and who love us or so we suppose that to be the case whether it is really the case or not seems to be irrelevant...  but, happiness is not any of those things that are brought about by being with other people regardless of their sincerity or lack thereof...  happiness is indeed a state-of-mind that is only brought about by the individual and not by being in the presence of others.

Being in the presence of others is SECURITY not HAPPINESS.

• When we sleep we sleep alone.
• When we dream we dream alone.
• When we think we think alone.
• Our value to God is ours alone.
• Our birth and death is ours alone.
• Our contributions to life is ours alone.
• Our very survival may well depend upon the presence of others, but the life we lead and the body we command to our will is entirely OUR OWN.

The mistake that is often made in marriages is that we think we are marrying the other people to improve or increase our happiness when in fact that marriage is subconsciously predicated upon SECURITY and/or the avoidance of RISK.

Risk and Security in this case are based upon the joining of finances and the caring for of each other's health as two people can live more comfortably than one and if one becomes ill the other one can care for them and nurse them back to health.  The perpetuation of the species is the natural instinct of modern day marriage but again that is not happiness although happiness may be derived from having children and watching them grow and leave home.

Then...  we are back to being alone...

Our society, especially here in the US of A, has not taught us how to be alone or how to derive any happiness out of being alone...  our society has only taught us marriage and divorce and remarriage again and again until we have the good fortune to leave this life...  because our life on earth is not to prepare for our happiness but to prepare for our inevitable deaths.

My 73rd Thanksgiving

My first recollections of Thanksgiving was when I was a lad of about 7 or 8 years old and we would drive down to Winston-Salem, NC from our home in Alexandria, VA to celebrate the holiday with my father's father and all our relatives from both my mother's and father's side of the family who lived in that city as well.

I don't remember much but I do remember the smell of tobacco as we drove under the bridge connecting two tobacco plants as well as my grandfather's house that had a porch around all four walls and a large dining room where my grandfather cut the turkey in a white shirt and tie as he had just returned  home for lunch from the Drug Store he owned.

He was a skinny man with a withdrawn face and his speech was guttural and barely discernable when he gave the blessing and after the meal he returned to work and the children went outside to play in the yard.  I remember a family reunion inside a large building with 150 or so relatives who said how well they knew me and that they wished they could see more of me.

And, on Sunday we drove back home and I slept on a blanket in the back of our station wagon.

Other Thanksgivings at our home in Alexandria, VA are not remembered at all other than I know that they took place at a mahogany table with leaves that raised up on either side that would seat 8 people comfortably with two sitting on either side and 12 if we needed to but absolutely no more.  My father's grace was short and more understandable and he would always boil the meat off the turkey bones from which he would make soup...  a tradition (for some reason) that stayed with me.

No Thanksgivings during my first marriage are remembered other than I know that we seldom had them at home because we were always traveling to our parent's homes and sometimes the years were alternating and sometimes we had dinners with them both.

During my second marriage, Thanksgivings are much clearer as that now since both my parents are deceased we are always remaining at home...  My father died in 2001 and my mother died in 2015, the year that both my wife and I retired.

I still do not remember the specifics of any of these days other than a turkey is cooked and served with rice, gravy, dressing, and a vegetable or two and maybe a dessert but there is never a guarantee.  These days are spent with just the two of us...  no one else joins...  and, a blessing is never given before we eat our meal.

AND...  the problems with most traditions is that the traditions at some point-in-time will always fade away for one reason or another giving one pause to wonder why the traditions started at all.

AND...  while I do not remember what I was thinking last year, I am aware of my thoughts this year...  and, I am most grateful that my body is above ground and that all my cancers are under control, that my damaged heart is beating firm and soundly, and that the rest of my body seems to be holding steady other than the fact that I bruise a lot and quite easily.

I have lost 20 of the 40 pounds I gained while on steroids taken prior to my chemo infusions but am still not as active as I used to be 13 years ago when all of this started.

I feel blessed nonetheless that I have been given a strong body that has been able to withstand all that it has been through and blessed as well as thankful that I have not lost my faith but that it grows stronger and stronger each day that I continue to live.

It is sad though that in a few weeks perhaps months, I will not remember what I did or thought this day and that it will become just another memory that has faded away...  but was very much present and aware when it all happened. 

The World Around Us

I have seen more than my fair share of failures although I am sure that there are many others out there who have failed more than I have failed simply because they never gave up trying...  and, giving up trying happened often enough throughout my lifetime so far.  I suppose I could blame giving up on my parents but that would not be quite fair...  as one of their basic tenants when raising their children was instilling in them the need to never stop trying...  however, the problem with that is that, in my particular case, my parents wanted me to become what they wanted me to become and did not let me become what I wanted to become or thought at the time that I wanted to become, especially since it did not agree with their values.

My first attempt to become what I wanted to become came while I was being tutored on percussion instruments:  snare drum, base drum, cymbals, etc.  My tutor said I had a natural talent and offered me a job playing in a JAZZ BAND in Atlantic City, NJ one summer but my parents refused to let me go because I might get involved with drugs, alcohol, and sleazy women.

My second attempt to become what I wanted to become came shortly thereafter when I wanted to study classical and modern dance in the hopes of becoming a professional dancer.  This effort was immediately quashed because artists did not make much money and typically turned into drug addicts.

I immediately stopped my outward interest in the arts and turned inward and convinced myself that if I was going to resist becoming what my parents wanted me to be...  then I did not want them accusing me of becoming simply what I wanted to be...  so, I did not give them what they wanted nor did I give myself what I wanted...  leaping off into a completely different area altogether...

This was accomplished by allowing myself to flunk out of college, become employed as a messenger of documents that eventually lead to me enlisting in the Navy to avoid being drafted into the military since I had lost my college deferment and the Vietnam War was at its PEAK..  no one in our family had ever been an enlisted...  only officers...  this pretty much cut the cord between my parents and I.

My journey through life put me on a path of my own choosing and a path that was not always easy and left me in situations where I was able to EXPERIENCE THE UNDERBELLY OF THE WORLD AROUND US...  the dark side of life...  and, I don't necessary mean drugs and alcohol...  but the side of the worker who is forced to live paycheck to paycheck... never getting ahead no matter how hard or long they work.

These are the people that build the roads and bridges, the interstate highways and tunnels, the building and houses, and the factories that build our cars and appliances.  These people have simply accepted who they are and who or what they will never be...  outside of maybe a supervisor one day or a section leader.

Most of these people have strong Christian Values but don't try to force their beliefs on others and they keep their faith to themselves as any family problems that may arise from time-to-time.  They got to work sick because they cannot afford to take time off to go to the doctor.  They don't save their money because there is none left over to save.  They take their vacation by staying at home and working on projects around the house.  They have no need for budgets because they spend what they have on what they need and work overtime if there is ever a shortfall at the end of the month.

Most of us with COLLEGE DEGREES never see these people and when and if we do, we have no idea what they might be going through and if we did, probably would not care because they are not our problem...  being the self-centered creatures we are, greedy for more and always trying to figure out how to work less while generating more income...  THE GREAT AMERICAN WAY.

Maybe one day when you finally retire...  you will take the time to finally notice the world around you and not just see what you have missed, but understand that this is the world that you created and that you have allowed to perpetuate itself during your lifetime.

On The Back Porch

Storm clouds gather in my field of vision and I wonder how long I have out here before it starts to rain...  and even though my porch is screen in and does a relatively good job at keeping out the bugs and insects, it unfortunately cannot keep out the rain.  I prefer to sit out here and write than inside like I did for most of the summer as the humidity made me sick to my stomach, leaving me often with a feeling that I could not breathe... a changing sensation in my body that has arisen as I have grown old.

The round thermometer inside the porch reads a warm 70 degrees but I just cannot believe it is that warm today, although I feel rather pleasant sitting here in a t-shirt and my pajama bottoms which is all I seem to be wearing these days since I don't leave the house much.  And, even if this COVID disease was not upon us like it was, I doubt that I would be leaving home anymore often than I am now as there is really no place that I want to go.

During the first few years of my retirement, my wife and I traveled all over the place, going somewhere for a week (sometimes longer) every other month...  sometimes, we would drive our car...  sometimes, we would use our frequent flyer miles from using our American Express Card and fly, and sometimes, we would drive to Florida and take a cruise.  BUT...  after just a few days of being in another location and despite the sights and sounds and restaurants, we had a keen desire to simply return home.

Why spend the money if you go somewhere and wish that you were HOME...

On the porch with me is our overweight yellow cat...  overweight, not because of eating too much per se but because of all the steroids he's had to take due to his allergies that were causing him to sneeze and cough from lung congestion...   inside the house, we have two more cats, one yellow as well and has the personality of a typical cat or what one might think a typical cat should be like, and one Siamese that is not your typical cat at all, but is a typical Siamese literally HOWLS when he wants something, is very jealous and possessive...  and, who does not like being picked up or put into a cage...  which is all very interesting especially because he has asthma and must get a steroid shot too about every 90 days or so.

He has a tendency to be cold and have a heating pad under a thin blanket on which he lays on days like today, when according to him, it is a little chilly, especially when there are clouds in the sky and no sunshine.

The YETI metal coffee cup I have holds 3 cups of coffee and keeps it warm for at least a couple of hours which as far as I am concerned is not bad.  I take this cup full of coffee and leave it in the car when I go to see the doctor or when I have my cancer treatments which usually lasts 3 hours maybe a little bit more...  and, when I return to the car, the coffee inside is still very much warm and I drink it on the return drive rather than stopping.

One last item before I return inside since my laptop battery is rapidly declining and that is the KODI box that I purchased for about fifty bucks.  It easily attaches itself to a WIFI connection, and offers free movies, TV shows, and NEWS outlets many of which you have on CABLE if you are willing to pay the monthly fees.  It is a way of saving money iffen you need to...   and as far as I am personally concerned, I hate paying a fee for television service that used to be FREE...  but, that's just me.

Just a Few or Only ONE

LESSON ONE:  We are all animals...

Think about this

1. How many Generals are there?
2. How many Commanders and Chiefs?
3. How many Bill Gates, Steven Jobs, or Warren Buffets?
4. How many CEO's can there be for one company?
5. How many millionaires or billionaires?
6. How many geniuses or prodigies?
7. How many Jesuses?
8. How many managers and supervisors?
9. How many ministers or priests for a church?
10. How many Popes at one time?
11. How many Kings or Queens?
12. How many Vice Presidents, Mayors, or Governors?
13. How many boat Captains?

AND YET...  there is the ASPIRATION within the hearts, minds, and souls of everyone of us who serve in a capacity of below the TOP, to want to one day...  finally get there...

While some leadership styles are not as obvious as the photo, the metaphor derived from the photo is absolutely correct in application...  and, in most cases all we have to do is increase one's salary or wages a little bit and we can get them to perform any dance that we want to including those they don't know or understand.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY and not ABOUT THE BASS.

THE AMERICAN DREAM: Collective Equality

Is the American Dream available to everyone in terms of a COLLECTIVE EQUALITY as it so states in our Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights?

Let me give you examples, and you can make up your own mind...

1.  Everyone has the right to an education including college but does everyone have the right to make the same grade of "A"?  Is everyone blessed with the same amount of intelligence and if the "A's" get you a better job then there will never be equality in terms of level of employment.  And, what about those that have more intelligence and can get into the better schools, how does one justify educational equality in that sense...  but yes, I suppose you do have the right to attend.

2.  What about becoming a Professional Athlete?

You certainly have the right to try...  but, if you don't have the latent skills and abilities, your equality ends there...  no matter how much you plead that you are in a minority and need special treatment in order that equality be fair and justified for all Americans.

3.  What about gender equality?

A.  Do you not think that both males and females once they enlist in the military should be on the front lines in a military conflict or battle...  unless the male is injured or the female is pregnant...  but, I suppose the female could be injured as well, although the male will never be pregnant.

B.  Do you not think that both males and females should play together on the same football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and rugby teams...  

4.  What about the medical profession?

It would be IDEAL if all the doctors, surgeons, dentists, and ophthalmologists had the same equal abilities and skills and if that were the case there would be no need for malpractice insurance...  YES...  it is true there is equal opportunity to become a medical professional, but there is never going to be equality in one's medical skills and abilities no matter what the legislation says there should be.

SO...  I would submit to you that regardless of what is written in the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, or the Bill of RIGHTS...  there will never be EQUALITY in the United States of America...  that's just the way it is and the way it will always be...

SO...  because there will never be equality so too will there never be AN EQUAL VISION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM...  there will always be versions of the American Dream...  and, until you become the wealthiest man or woman in the USA, the American Dream for you means you WILL ALWAYS BE LESS than those above you...  and, the odds are, their American Dream will NEVER BE YOUR'S and vice versa.

BUT...  you do have the right to try...

Desperations have no limitations...

THE AMERICAN DREAM: Individual Rights and Freedoms

Do you really think that we actually have individual rights and freedoms in the United States of America as it so states in the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights?

If you were to ask the BLACKS about this question, they would say NO faster than stink on shit and try to force you out of the way while they try to reclaim what the WHITE MAN CRACKER stole from them thinking themselves a little bit better than the Native American regarding their suffering during slavery and in their opinions well beyond.

If you were ask the POOR WHITE TRASH that live in trailer parks and work as janitors and on maintenance crews and who build our highways and roads and they would also say NO faster than stink on shit as well because they feel that the system is rigged against them because of who they are and where they were born and what they have to do to earn a living.

If you were to ask the immigrant who migrated into this country either legally or illegally and they would say a resounding YES quicker than stink on shit because it is a hell of a lot better than it was in the land that they left and they do mind doing anything at all because anything in the USA is better than being back home.

If you were to ask the Southern Rednecks and Hayseeds who had no choice but to enter into military service and fight and die for this country, they would say a unanimous NO quicker than stink on shit because of all the Confederate Statues that are being taken down because the BLACKS are bitchin'.

Individual rights and freedoms are a tricky business for our federal government and courts who are trying to please everyone who has the ability to INFLUENCE THEM and act accordingly in their re-elections, especially since this is a Democracy and the people elect who will govern them...  and, in the struggle for political power, we will always have WINNERS and LOSERS regardless of what the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, or the Bill of Rights says...

SO...  the AMERICAN DREAM can NEVER TAKE PLACE for EVERYONE...