Counting my Blessings

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Now that the year is about to close, I want you all to know that I don't always dwell on Obama Bulloney.

It has been a wonderful year for us.  We've been healthy and are fortunate to be relatively financially stable. 

We've had a marvelous opportunity to travel this great country, seeing sights that many have only read about in books or seen in a movie.  We've smelled the Rose Gardens of Pasadena, swam at beaches of both coasts.  We've watched Bald Eagles soar above our National Parks, and cried while standing on the battlefields of Gettysburg.

Stood beneath Niagara Falls, and admired the Amish in Ohio.  The Great Lakes and the once thriving cities of steel.  Historic baseball stadiums and the greatest golf courses in America.  Lobster tails and pizza galore along the east coast.  And a visit to Cape Canaveral, the very place that, as a child promised me that America was the leader in technology.

The Outer banks of the Carolina's and through the swamps of Louisiana.  The Great State of Texas and the canyons of Arizona.

But the most special memories of our year was spending time with our children, and their children.  Sharing their joy and offering encouragement for their future.  Singing, laughing and praying with them all the while knowing that they will someday be greater than anything I have imagined.

It's time to look forward now for me.  Splitting time spreading Obama Bulloney, and rediscovering myself in America.

Happy New Year!!
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Casualties of Obamism

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I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday.  For those of you that are Christian, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.  And for those of other faiths, I wish you the best of luck.

I often wonder, "If he had only told the truth?"  He is charming.  A great speaker.  A a nice family.  Claims to be an American.  A Harvard education.  He's motivated.  Plays basketball.  A minority of sorts.  Rich.  And leads a strong following.

Hey!  I hope most of you know who I am talking about by now.  -OBAMA- The first clue for you was that he's the only one I really talk about anymore.  But would I speak about him in a different light if he had only told the truth?

If you don't already know, there is so much more to Obama than the fact that he is a liar.

Obama's parents first met in a Russian class.  His mother was a communist sympathizer, and his father was a strong advocate of pure socialism.  He wrote about taxing the rich are taxed 100 percent of their wealth and redistributing it to others. 

Obama's teen mentor was Frank Marshal Davis, a known member of the Communist Party of the United States.  His brother Roy, and his cousin Odinga, are Marxists aligned in hard line Islamic groups in Kenya and are seeking in install total Sharia law there.  Obama attended Socialist conferences in Brooklyn.  Alice Parker, a Black Illinois Senator who attended Communist Party conferences in Russia during her term and authored articles in the Communist Party of the United States newspaper. 

Bill Ayers, a convicted terrorist, kicked off Obama's presidential campaign with a fundraising dinner in his house, but Obama denied ever meeting him.  Obama was associated with ACORN, an anti-capitalist group created to recruit voters, most of which were illegally obtained or obtained under false pretense.  And finally for this report, the Communist Party - USA supported Obama's bid for presidency.

Obama has of course denied everything I've brought to you in this posting, which in itself a lie.  But Obama is much more than a liar as I've stated.  But who he is and what he is doing to our countery is the real reason I'd dislike him.  And we are just now beginning to see the casualities to Americans he will bring.  More to come!

So, to answer my own question,  NO!  I would never have supported Obama even if he had told the Truth!
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Obamacare - An American Nightmare before Christmas

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Obamacare is America's greatest nightmare.

But why does it seem to a surprise to most of you?  Our nightmare is more than just a clunker of a website that can not serve the needs of the population.  It is the very essence of a healthcare system flawed from the start, but convincingly sold to us by promises made by a Liar.

Think about it.  How many Americans believed in a lie that 80 million uninsured could be added to a system without any cost increase to everyone else?  How many believed the lie that preexisting illnesses could be accepted by the insurance industry without a cost to anyone?  How many of us believed the lie that this healthcare plan would not effect the doctors and hospital costs that will lead to their withdrawal from the system?  And the only way an insurance company can stay afloat is to spread the the costs of their loss to the others in the game.  And since we have no option to play the game or not, the costs are given to us while the beneficiaries contribute nothing.

Think about it!  Would an auto insurance company take in a new client if that client wouldn't pay premiums? Or would the auto insurance company agree to repair a vehicle that was wrecked prior to being insured? But the ignorants of America somehow believed that a healthcare system built on these premises would work.  It's as simple as that!  Insurance is a business built upon the odds that an event will never occur.  So if you never have an auto claim, the company wins.  But if you make a claim before making a lot of payments, then you win.

So, if you are one of those that fell for Obama's lies, quit crying about it and get him and his chrommies out of office asap.  

Still surprised?
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The Lyon King

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Mychal Massie is well respected writer and talk show host in Los Angeles.  The following is an exert from one of his commentaries.  It is very interesting to know that Massie is himself - Black.
  

The truth is I do not like the Obamas, what they represent, their ideology, and I certainly do not like his policies and legislation. I don’t like them because they are committed to the fundamental change of my/our country into what can only be regarded as a Communist state.

I condemn them because they are the worst kind of racialists, they are elitist Leninists with contempt for traditional America. They display disrespect for the sanctity of the office he holds, and for those who are willing to admit same, Michelle Obama’s raw contempt for white America is transpicuous. Tcomport themselves as emperor and empress.

Obama’s arrogance by appointing 32 leftist czars and constantly bypassing congress is impeachable. Eric Holder is probably the MOST incompetent and arrogant DOJ head to ever hold the job.

Presidents are politicians and all politicians are known and pretty much expected to manipulate the truth, if not outright lie, but even using that low standard, the Obama’s have taken lies, dishonesty, deceit, mendacity, subterfuge and obfuscation to new depths. They are verbally abusive to the citizenry, and they display an animus for civility.

I do not like them, because they both display bigotry overtly, as in the case of Harvard Professor Louis Gates, when he accused the Cambridge Police of acting stupidly, and her code speak pursuant to not being able to be proud of America. I view that statement and that mindset as an insult to those who died to provide a country where a Kenyan, his illegal alien relatives, and his alleged progeny, could come and not only live freely, but rise to the highest, most powerful, position in the world.  Michelle Obama is free to hate and disparage whites because Americans of every description paid with their blood to ensure her right to so.

The only reason a person hides things, is because they have something to hide.” No president in history has spent millions of dollars to keep his records and his past sealed.  And what the two of them have shared has been proved to be lies. He lied about when and how they met, he lied about his mother’s death and problems with insurance, Michelle lied to a crowd pursuant to nearly $500,000 bank stocks they inherited from his family. He has lied about his father’s military service, about the civil rights movement, ad nausea. He lied to the world about the Supreme Court in a State of the Union address. He berated and publicly insulted a sitting Congressman. He has surrounded himself with the most rabidly, radical, socialist academicians today.

He opposed rulings that protected women and children that even Planned Parenthood did not seek to support. He is openly hostile to business and aggressively hostile to Israel. His wife treats being the First Lady as her personal American Express Black Card (arguably the most prestigious credit card in the world). I condemn them because, as people are suffering, losing their homes, their jobs, their retirements, he and his family are arrogantly showing off their life of entitlement – as he goes about creating and fomenting class warfare.

We should condemn them for the disrespect they show our people, for his willful and unconstitutional actions pursuant to obeying the Constitutional parameters he is bound by, and his willful disregard for Congressional authority.  And I have open scorn for their constantly playing the race card.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the media for refusing to investigate them, and for refusing to label them for what they truly are. There is no scenario known to man, whereby a white president and his wife could ignore laws, flaunt their position, and lord over the people, as these two are permitted out of fear for their color.

Never in my life, inside or outside of politics, have I witnessed such dishonesty in a political leader. He is the most mendacious political figure I have ever witnessed.

Many in America wanted to be proud when the first person of color was elected president, but instead, they have been witness to a congenital liar, a woman who has been ashamed of America her entire life, failed policies, intimidation, and a commonality hitherto not witnessed in political leaders. He and his wife view their life at our expense as an entitlement – while America’s people go homeless, hungry and unemployed.”
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Can Muslims be good Americans?

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This was passed on to me.  Perhaps this is why Muslims in America have been so quiet about thier faith.  It seems to support my previously published posts.

 

 Can a good Muslim be a good American?
   This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years. The following is his reply:
   Theologically - no. Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon god of Arabia. 
    Religiously - no. Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam. (Quran,2:256)(Koran) 
    Scripturally - no. Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.  Geographically - no. Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
   Socially - no. Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.
   Politically - no. Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan.
   Domestically - no. Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him. (Quran 4:34 )
   Intellectually - no. Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
   Philosophically - no. Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or   autocratic. 
    Spiritually - no. Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' The Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran's 99 excellent names. 
    Therefore, after much study and deliberation... Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL  MUSLIMS in this  country. They obviously cannot be both  'good' Muslims  and 'good' Americans.  Call it what you wish it's still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who  understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.
      The religious war is bigger than we know or understand!
  
 Footnote: The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within.  SO  FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. 

The Speaker in the park

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As my tale goes, I noticed a large group gathered around a man speaking in a park.  The group seemed mesmerized by the man who was tall and well dressed.  He spoke with confidence as if he was a not only a leader but a wizard.

I stopped to watch for a bit and noticed the man was wearing a rather extravagant gold watch gleaming with huge diamonds around the face and beautiful gemstones covering the band.  It seemed as if the watch was what made the man.  He would push back his cuff to show the watch many times through out his talk as if he was continually checking the time.

I couldn't quite understand exactly what the man was saying as his words were jumbled and repetitive.  But I did hear him clearly ask the audience if anyone knew the time, even though he was looking at his golden watch.  Confused by his actions, I asked the gentleman why he was asking us for the time when he had such a beautiful watch right before him on his wrist.  The man explained that the watch had stopped working a few months ago.  Then when another in the crowd asked why not get another watch, the speaker replied that although his watch was broken, it was his pride and joy.  And aruged convincingly that although it was broken, it still displayed the time accurately although if only twice a twice a day.

I awoke by the crowd cheering President Obama, ever eager to accept a broken system of distorted promises, illusions and lies.
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The last house on the Left

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As a son of a military man, I lived in to many different places.  Just about every three years Dad was transferred to a new assignment and always brought his family with him.  Places, some strange, some not, but all were new to me.

But everywhere we went there seemed to be that "Last house on the left."  The one where the residents were just different.  Not bad, but just different in a way that made them stand out from the others in our neighborhood.  Sice then, I have lived my adult life in even more neighborhoods.

And you know, they were different in ways that stood out to me.  Perhaps it was because the male children in that house preferred to play with dolls.  Or maybe they preferred to play a musical instrument, read Doctor Seuss, or paint rather than throw snowballs at the passing cars or start a game of stick ball.

And their Moms and Dads (seemed everyone had one of each back then) preferred wine over beer and Classical music over Country & Western.  They were always the first to plant colored rock instead of grass in their yards, drive the latest imported car, usually some version of Volkswagen.  They wore bow ties and suits with fake patches on the elbows, and wore T-shirts while swimming.  Most were covered in zink oxcide during the summer months.

But as time passed, the houses on the left seemed to spread along our block.  What they had was contagious and soon all the houses became just like that last one.  And now most of the houses in my neighborhood are all on the left.  And I know that soon they will outnumber those on the right.

And America will become Greece or France where only the rich work to feed those on the Left.

       

Forgetting the Truth

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With the passing of time, we seem to lose the memories of the past whether they were good or bad.  They say, "Time heals everything," but nothing could be worse than forgetting the Truth, for Truth is good.  To forget the Truth is to accept the Lie, and nothing could be worse.

The Obama administration is an expert in allowing time to conceal their lies.  Obama has been lying since I became aware of him when he campaigned for his first election.  He denied knowing William Ayers although Ayers held campaign dinners that Obama attended in his home.  He promised he was a Christian, then quickly disassociated himself with the radical anti-American preacher he followed for 20 years, and has not attended any Christian church since.  We heard Obama declare over and over again, "If you like your health care, you can keep it."  Now he blames the insurance companies for creating health care packages following his own instructions.  "We need to pass this law so we can see what's in it" said Pelosi.  Now we know.  

Obama lied when claiming he had no knowledge of the Benghazi attack until hearing it on the news.  He then directed his staff to create a facade to cover it up.  "What difference does it make now" cried Hillary Clinton after she denied any wrongdoing.

Obama lied about Fast & Furious and stood by it's mastermind Eric Holder.  Obama denies any involvement in the FBI, CIA, IRS and NSA cheats, although testimony seems to point to his direct leadership.  Obama has never admitted anything that would cast a spotlight on his catastrophes.

And as time passes, the Obama administration will continue lying, and with time, many of you will accept even more lies.
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and The Band Played on. . .

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Well, now that it is over, where does this Country go from here?

I'm talking about the Obamacare issues that has overwhelmed our thoughts and frustrations for the past several months.  You might be surprised to hear that I really don't care about the Affordable Care Act.  Yeah I know it's another means to spread the wealth arond.  I don't like it.  I think it will do more harm to Americans across the board than it will help.  But it was enacted into law by our representatives and it was upheld by the Court.  And I will abide by the laws of our Nation.  I guess we will "have to wait and see what's in it" before acting appropriately.

However, what does bother me was that our attention was diverted away from the more important things that we should remain focused on.  Things that involve Obama, and his clan's lack of integrity, honesty, and trust.  Things that are really importantant that have really divided this Country. 

Things like Obama's radical support of his radical friends.  Like the relationships that Obama has with his Black Buddy Professor that was detained by the White cop trying to do a job, and his coziness to covicted terrorists like Bill Ayers, and radical hate filled ministers.

Things like his lies and denials about the Fast and Furious and his continued support of his Black appointee, Eric Holder.  Things like the lies and cover ups being told about Benghazi murders, the IRS and CIA scandals.  And things like Michelle's intrusion into our school lunch program.  And, not to mention his entitlement programs where welfare recipients get free cell phones and have more income than many of us who continue to work hard for part time pay caused by his failed economice policies, not to mention his out of control spending.

Too many things that are far more detremental to our life in America than Obamacare.
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La Rafle

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Well now that Wheeled Manor has been unloaded, laundry done, and the bushes have been trimmed at our Pacific Northwest home, things art beginning to return to normal.  At least "normal" for me.

Anyway, last night I watched a French (but subtitled in English) movie, "La Rafle."  Perhaps some of you know it in it's English version, "The Round Up."  It is a docudrama style movie depicting the Nazi Holocast in France.  I must admit that I never knew that the French military and police, working as agents of the German Nazi regime, arrested over 10,000 Jews living in France and exterminated them just as the Germans did in Germany and Poland during World War II.

In summary, the documentary pointed out that no one in France had ever been required to register with the government until just prior to the breakout of WWII.  The registration included their full names, gender, birthdates, religious affiliation, and addresses.  None thought much about the requirement at the time and no one protested and simply followed their government's orders without question.  A few years later, that information was used to identify the Jews that were subsequently rounded up and executed.  A very, very sad movie to say the least.  I would encourage any of you that have not seen it, to do just that.

In discussing the movie afterward, someone remarked, "How could there ever have existed that much hate between between people." The remark implied that the world today is much different than that of the 1940's in that today, we have overcome and don't hate anyone to that degree any longer.

Well Followers, nothing could be further from the truth.  Asside from our regular prejudices about race, immigration, class, political affilation and gender, there is another very flagrant hate that continues to grow throughout the world.  And this hate will result in the destruction of life as we know it, not only in America but in every other civilized country.

And that hatred originates in the lands of Islam, and has migrated through out entire world.  And that hated is perpetrated by the Muslims and is directed against every other person not denouncing their religion and joining in the ranks of Islam.  That my friend is what they refer to as "Jihad."  The Musim world, which is growing stronger by the moment, has declared war against the "Infidels."  And you, my friend are most likely the infidel that their doctrine authorizes be mudered.

Wake up friends.  It is real.  The Muslims are making thier presense well known in America.  They are representatives in our government, teachers in our colleges and elementary schools, serving in our military, and even your next door neighbor.  They hate each and every infidel, and vow to kill them.  This kind of hatred overwhelms the level of Nazi Germany during WWII.  And it is directed at most of us regardless of our skin color, religio, or gender.

So, stand up.  Don't submit.  Not to our government's intrusions, not to our abusive leaders, nor to any of our enemies, in what ever form they may be.  Let's not march freely into a death camp.
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Well, I’m back!! Sorry for the travel blogs for the past 4 months, but that’s what’s travelling is all about. Not to mention the time needed to stay on top of politics. Here are some tidbits that I received from some avid Followers over the past months. Thanks for sharing them with me. I’ve not verified the numbers, but they seem to make sense to me.

Think about these:
Encourage those men who want to marry men, marry men. Encourage those women who want to marry women, marry women. Encourage those folks who want to abort their babies, abort their babies. In three generations, there will be no Democrats.

Why these are the Poorest Cities in America:
Detroit, MI - 32% live in poverty - 83% on welfare
Buffalo, NY - 29% live in poverty - 79% on welfare
Cincinnati, OH – 27% live in poverty - 77% on welfare
Cleveland, OH - 27% live in poverty - 76% on welfare
Miami, FL - 26% live in poverty - 74% on welfare
St. Louis, MO - 26% live in poverty - 73% on welfare
El Paso , TX - 26% live in poverty - 71% on welfare
Milwaukee, WI - 26% live in poverty - 72% on welfare
Philadelphia, PA - 25% live in poverty - 74% on welfare
Newark , NJ - 24% live in poverty - 75% on welfare

These Top Ten Cities with populations over 250,000) have something unique in common. They all have had Democrat Mayors for at least the past 24 years. Some have never elected a Republican.

Einstein once said, 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results.'

“You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves." Abraham Lincoln

The United States is 3rd in Murders throughout the World. But if you remove Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC, and New Orleans, the United States has nearly lowest Murder Rate in the world. These 4 Cities also have the toughest Gun Control Laws in the United States. But it would be absurd to draw any conclusions from this data.
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Turning West

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After beiefly heading north from Central Colorado, we headed west through Wyoming. Wild Mustangs, Antelope, Bufalo, and Prarie Dogs were abundant in the grasslands of the high plains. A stop over in Little America, Utah. Then onward into heavy wind, and at times, rainfall, but no flooding. That was the good news. The bad news was that terrible head winds over the trip cut the Wheeled Manor's fuel economy almost in half. Oh well, they say.

Twin Falls, Idaho for another night as we drew ever closer to home. Then Three Brothers, Bend, to our current stop in Sisters, Oregon for a few nights. Quite chilly here no with overnights in the 40's. Snow in the Cascades, with more to come soon. Hopefully we will beat the mountain passes before we drop into the Willamette Valley then down to the Coast we call home.
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See you Homies soon!!
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EVACUATE!

. . Turning north from the Gulf Coast took us through the Great State of Texas. Houston, then Dallas, then a stop over in Amarillo. Although I generally agree with Texan politics, it is certainly not a State for me. But we did feast on some of the better steaks and Barbecue that I've ever had................................................ After a brief tour through the tip of Oklahoma we found ourselves in LaJunta, Colorado. An night there and an easy drive returned us to Central Colorado for a week with family, then another week with family in Northern Colorado, then another week each with Central and Northern Colorado............................................... It was a great time pent with our children, and their children. Birthdays celebrated. Day trips with the kids. Grandkid sleepovers and all the things that grandparents love to do............................................................... But then it came. The evacuation order. Upon answering a pounding at 4:30am at the entry door of the Wheeled Manor, we were ordered to evacuate the RV park as there was an impending flood threat. That we did. Spending the rest of the night, and the rest of the next day at a Wally World parking lot some 15 miles away and on higher ground while the rains continued put a dampening effect on our moral........................ When the rains subsided, we were able to see first hand the devastation left behind. Lives lost. Homes destroyed. Livestock left dead or stranded. And the infrastructure severely disabled..................................................... Surviving that, we will soon be heading home to the comfort of our Central Oregon home. Back again with friends and our extended family. Back to chores around the home, and back to planning our next trip! ............................................ .

Whistling Dixie

. . Turning east took us on a trek along the Gulf Coast. This area was likely the most unusual for us. Alligators, armadillos, and bugs galore. Big bugs. I mean the kind that could easily eat me, unless I ate him first.................................. Pensacola, Florida, home of our Blue Angels, and the pearly white sands of the beaches. Strange foods, swamps, blue lagoons, paddle wheelers, and humidity. Through Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Finally New Orleans; the most bizarre of them all. .................................... A tour of Tulane University to visit my freshman basketball star nephew. Bourbon Street was loaded with weirdoes, some right out of the swamp. But nice, easy going, folk seemingly had not a care in the world. That probably explained the lack of progress they have made to their Hurricane Katrina ravaged homes. Ballads, Blues, and Boasters could be heard through out the town. Daiquiri toting folk. Voodoo masks and easy chairs galore..................................................................... Not for me, but a place one has to see to believe! .

I am . . .

. I am not Trayvon Martin. Be sure of that. I'm not Black. I don't trespass on private properties at night. And if I did so accidentally and was asked to leave, I would. I don't attempt to conceal my identity by wearing hooded sweatshirts. I haven't ever been kicked out of school. I was raised by both my mother and my father. I have never assaulted anyone and I've never been convicted of a crime. The President has never showed alarm when I was assaulted. And no one wears T-shirts to immortalize me............................................I am someone like Chris Lane. I am not light skinned but I consider myself Caucasian. I've jogged through public parks many times in my life just to get some exercise. I wear hooded sweatshirts only to keep warm. And I've never been murdered "out of boredom" and gunned down in my back by three Black thugs I never knew or saw...................... I am not Delbert "Shorty" Belton, a retired WWII veteran beaten to death by two Black teens, but I am somewhat like him. Although not a much decorated person as Belton was, I served the public through law enforcement for over 3 decades. I'm a lucky one for now at least. At least I'm alive................................................. I'm not Barrack Obama or Eric Holder and I don't want to be. I speak out against what is wrong regardless of race or ethnicity. I don't support Islam or the Black Panthers, and I don't profess to be a Christian while attending religious services led by radicals......................................................................... I am what I am. . ..

Working my way back to you, Babe

. Orlando, Florida was our turnaround point. So we drove west from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast of Florida to Tallahasse where we were held up for a few days worth od repairs to the wheeled manor. Then on to Pensacola where we will be for a few days to check out the historical areas and, of course the beach................Florida didn't do much to turn my crank. Lots of really big bugs that I couldn't begin to recognize other than ticks and spiders. The humidity was incredible, and rainfall heavier than I've ever seen before. 3 inches in one hour during one storm with thunder that was so loud it seemed it could bust your eardrum. Very scary...................But one thing that impressed me was the laws regarding vagrancy, which is illegal. And to apease those liberal that think they will save someone by chipping in to support their habbits, the cities have installed parking meter like devices where one can donate to the lost cause. Apparently the funds are collected, then redistributed to those that claim to be in need. Sounds like an Obama plan to me...............Anyway, I'm missing the politics and discussions. But it's too hard for me to keep up on things while I'm travelling. But I haven't forgotten Benghazi and the need to politically bring down Hilary before election..........Well, in case you're wondering, either this blog site or this aging laptop has a bug in it preventing me from seperating paragraphs. And I miss paragraphs. So, to seperate the paragraphs to make reading easier, I have now just inserted periods. Pretty crafty, eh?...............

We Have Ignition

. Our visit to Kennedy Space Center - Cape Canaveral couldn't be described as anything but amazing. We spent the day there amoung other people, mostly our age, that came to experience thos glorious days when America was a proud nation of people who idolized the thrill of space exploration. That pride seems to have long since past, There were few youyhful visitors there, appantly opting to visit the nearby Walt Disney World. How saddened I was to realize that our children today have little more than sports and video games to center their attention upon. We walked, sometimes with tears in our eyes, among the Rocket Garden which was a collection of the actual rockets that carrying our explorers into orbits. How brave they were. We ckinbed inside a space capsule which carried Neil Armstrong into orbit America;s firts time. We examined the entire history of our space travel including the shuttle Atantis which was on display nearly close enough to touch. We prayed at the memorials of our explorers who game thier life for our Country, just as our military heros have done through out history. And we realized Obama's order to end it all. .

Along the Atlantic Coast

. Working our way south along the coasts of North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and into Florida brought some interesting insights. From the Outer Banks of NC, to Virginia Beach, to Myrtle Beach, to Jacksonville and Orlando, we found things to be really pristine. Golf courses known only to me by watching PGA golf tourneys, filled the void between the beaches. But was most incredible was that everything was clean, totally free of vagrants. Posted signs repeated warnings to panhandlers that it was illegal, not only to beg but to even be present. Much unlike areas of California and Oregon where the courts have ruled that it is a freedom of speech to beg on every corner, and to live freely on either public or private property. People, both the locals and tourists seem to gel well here despite their obvious differences in race and culture. And I like that. Not a word about Trayvon Martin could be heard. People here seem to not get bogged down with politics, although the recent video of the clown mimicking Obama brought a giggle or two. .

Just Hangin' at the Beach

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Travelling south along the coast from the big cities took us to our next stop, Virginia Beach, VA.  Away from the hustle and bustle of places choked with people and traffic.  We left the lifestyle we once were a part of in SoCal.  Scurrying around like ants, too busy to exchange a smile of a friendly "hello," as if there was anyone else who even cared.  Busy making money.  Rushing around just to "Punch the Ticket."  I'm so glad that I'm not a part of that anymore.

Virginia Beach is more than that.  East of the highway, are swank hotels for miles along the beach.  Some 15 stories high, but leaving a few feet of access between to allow the locals and others (like us) access to the sand.

Across the road are plush golf courses and million dollar homes.  Seemingly a paradise to many.  Shopping centers, souvenir shops, and eateries swamp the swamps west of the highway in between the golf courses.

But the people seemed different here.  Most are tourists like me.  But removed from their life style, they seem to become friendly, happy, and relaxed.  Maybe the free flowing Mai Tais help a bit there.

I'm brown now like I was when I lived in the sunshine of SoCal.  I like that but wouldn't trade it for our Northwest Coastal town and friends.
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God created America (and Fox News too).

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Washington DC was wonderful.  It is a must see if you ever get the chance.  If you've been there, you know what I mean.  It's a shame that every junior high student can't get a field trip there.  It would surely improve our Country. 

Everywhere I looked it was evident that God created America.  In the words engraved on the monuments, to the engravings on the tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery.

It was disappointing though that although every conceivable race or nationality was represented by a memorial, a museum, or a park to mark their achievements and contributions to America; one seemed to be missing.  From the American Indians to Jews, to Chinese , to African Americans, and even the Vikings.  But I saw nothing marking the contribution of Whites.  How sad.  Maybe I missed something.

Anyway, DC is a very clean City at least in the Capitol Area.  Absent were homeless persons and beggars, litter, protesters and snarled traffic.  Immigrants and tourist from all over the world.  Most were in awe.  At least it seemed so..

Sad was the never ending security.  Snipers on rooftops, K-9s, traffic cops of all kinds.  Metal detectors and cameras galore.  But I guess this is the current state of our country.

God Bless America!
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Glory Hallelujah!!

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Gettysburg National Park was an amazing visit.  Although standing on hallow ground, we were incapable of understanding the carnage suffered by this Great Nation, let alone the suffering of the 51,000 American soldiers that were killed or injured in the three days of fighting.  A brutal fight that dwarfs that of D-day and the beaches of Normandy.

Within the park are hundreds of statues and memorials, most of which God and Christian based scriptures are carved into massive granite statues that were designed to be eternal.  But will they?

But as with our New York City tour, our visit to this battlefield was shadowed over by the reaction to the Trayvon Martin verdict.  So much was accomplished during this brutal war only to be wasted by our current government, courts, activists, and radicals.

Well, we are off to Washington DC where we will likely see more of the same.
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P.S. 195

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Outside NYC is what once was a quiet community of Brooklyn.  It was were I spent a few years of my youth.  A time when President Kennedy was assinated, and the space program was just beginning.  And a time when Roger Marris was closing in on the home run record. 

Across from Sheephead's bay, and just around the corner from Coney Island, was a three story brick building, an Elementary School simply called P.S. 195.  Today, like then, public schools in NYC merely had numbers, not names to identify them.

I'd get there early every morning and head to the playground to get in a game of four-square or tether ball before the bell rang.  At that sound everyone would gather in the assembly room. 

School would begin by first singing the Alma Mater.  I remember it still today.  "Hail to P.S. 195.  We are the school that's really alive.  Firm, united, loyal are we.  We are the best Oh yes sir ree!  Then before being released to our classroom we would stand in respect and recite the Pledge of Allegiance before bowing our heads while the Lord's Prayer was read by a hand picked student.

Although my school is still in use today, things are not so, any more. . .
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The Big Apple - A New World

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Our first stop, like my grandfather was Ellis Island.  Although closed for repairs when damaged by Hurricane Sandy, it was viewable from the outside.  How uncomfortable it must have been for the immigants to endure.  But it worked for millions of mostly Europeans looking for a better way.  Wish it were still open.  Think about it - one central point where everyone could be processed.  Perhaps we should build one right on the Mexican border.

Off then to the Statue.  Very impressive.  A gift from France.  Makes me wonder why they didn't follow our lead instead of thier own.  Look where they are now!

New York City, Southern Manhattan.  Ground Zero, Wall Street, Little Italy, China Town, Broadway, long walks and the constant sounds of sirens and honking traffic.  NYC is a mix of eveything you can't imagine.  The Old of street markets and authentic cusine,  But also with a twist of the New way.  Skyscrapers, high prices, taxes and over regulated government limiting the size of sodas, and the amount of stairs one must climb prior to taking an elevator.  The latest clothing trends endlessly attracted my attention.

We're headin' south!
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One if by Land

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Our trip has now taken us to the Atlantic Coast, and starting with Boston, our tour is set to follow the coast southward to Florida.

On our way east, we spent a few days in Niagara Falls.  Pretty place but very commercial now days.  And it is still in the tax laden New York State.  A heavy consentration of Middle Eastern Muslims have (according to the natives) arrived during the past 10 years, and now seem to control much of the residential areas along the U.S. border.  Obama would surely feel right at home there.

A 2-day drive took us just outside Boston.  Really nice city for one it's size.  And so rich with history.  We stomped through Freedom Trail where the likes of Paul Revere and Ben Franklin once drank beer.  Old Ironsides and Italian foods galore. 

Then a bit south to the Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard communities.  First stop was Plymouth Rock.  Seemed odd to visit so many areas, some even dating to the 14th century.  A far cry from cities of the west coast.

The separation of classes was rather apparent in the area.  There was little evidence of poverty and most of the middle class fought traffic as they went into the City daily to work.  But for the elite, things were very different.  Most lived in the Hamptons near the Kennedy clan, or in the Vineyard and either used their private speed boat, or their small airplane, or used a water taxi at $75 each way to get into the City's financial district.  The rest of the people seemed to be just tourists from all over the world.

Well, soon we will be through with this Left Wing way of life.
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In the Buggy

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Ohio is beautiful.  At least outside of their union politics.

Except in Berlin.  There, the Amish ride in their buggies wherever they need to go, seemingly to not have a care in the world.

We travelled the back roads there to catch a glance a glance of their lifestyle.  Men, dressed mostly in black trousers, and a kind of top hat, with their wives clad in ankle length dresses buttoned to their neck, and finished off with a white cloth cap.  Children were abundant in the school playgrounds, and were separated by gender. 

We watched as men gathered together in the fields to harvest corn and grain, cutting everything by hand and loading it onto a horse drawn wagon.  In comparison, a few farms away, huge machines did the job much quicker and better.  No phone, electricity or power tools of any kind could be seen in the possession of the conservative Amish.

But back in towns away from the Amish, things were quite different.  Union halls lined the streets of Cleveland where worker waited in lines outside.  Not much of the heavy industry is left following decades of strikes forcing them to close.

As we explored deeper into Democrat controlled areas, in particular upstate New York, the left wing liberalism became more apparent.  New York has considerably higher fuel prices than any state we have travelled since leaving the west coast.  Even higher than Chicago!  Highway toll roads are necessary to use because the other highways are filled with pot holes.  One toll exceeded 48 Dollars!

Cigarettes cost a whopping $8.95 a pack.  Now that's up from the aver Five Bucks anywhere else.  Now, I'm not a smoker, but that is crazy.  And it is because New York has a state law placing a minimum price a retailer can sell the sticks.  Now that's not capitalism is it?

New York also has a state law mandating that two adults be present whenever a swimming pool is in use (even in your own back yard).  How's that?  No midnight swims alone.  No kids swimming with only a single parent present.  Wonder what all the single moms do?

Over taxed, over regulated, causing over priced goods.  Count your blessings for those stuck in California.  But you are only a Pelosi click away!!
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Germs, Gravity, Gama Rays, and Obama

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You know, simply because you can't see something, it doesn't mean that it isn't there.  But you can verify it's existance by realizing it's effects.

Like gravity, we know it is always present because we can see the apples falling downward from a tree.  We can't see germs either, but we know they are ever present because of the terrible diseases they cause.  And somewhere I learned that we are constantly being bombarded by Gama Rays, which we can't see.  Sorry I forgot why we fear these stealthy rays, but that doesn't matter to just make my point.

President Obama is often out of sight, but he is ever present.  And like gravity, I feel the effect of his admistration as an ever constant burden pulling me down.  Increased taxes, higher prices for basic food and staples, unemployment, growing welfare and disability awards.  Out of control spending, government subsidies to his friends, disarming America, and an appointed White House staff filled with hatred Muslims like never before.

Did you see Obama directing the IRS and CIA to attack against innocent Americans and companies?  Did you hear Obama tell Susan Rice to plant the lies denying the Embassy attack was by Islamic terrorists?  That list goes on and on.  But even though we can not see Obama disabling America every day, we know he is still present and we will feel his effects far into the future.

So, I ask, "How many apples must fall on your skull before you will realize the effects of our President's decisions, corruption, and lies?  How much more disease will he spread before America dies?  His policies are silently effecting us all.
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Splitting time east of the Rockies

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So now, we've been sharing time with two of our families who live about 200 miles apart from one another along the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  A few days with one, then a few days with another.  Sharing fun with grandchildren and children alike.

The refreshing politcs of Utah are now gone as we have returned to the liberalism we have in Oregon.  But Colorado has taken things further.  While Oregon continues to give away public parks and buildings to harbor the freeloading lifestyle, Colorado is preparing to build 10 Million Dollar Starbuck's style gathering places where idiots are free to assemble, buy pot, or bring thier own, and blow thier minds legally among others of thier kind.

The trend attracks tour busses loaded with people paying to be introduced to this lifestyle that has escaped from the closets.  Capitalism at it's best!  Such so, that it is even attractive to a straight-lacer like me.

Perhaps that is what I need to escape my fears of a government out of control.  Perhaps I could just sit back, hug a Muslim, and take a toke with all the other idiots.  I must say that it is tempting.  Perhaps I may even come to change the face of this very blog!  

Oh Mother Mary.  I'm just one toke over the line!
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Live from Richfield, Utah

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This morning marks the beginning of our second week of travel.  Our 5 year old grandson flew out from Colorado to be with us during the journey.  The first 6 days took us through the high country of eastern Oregon, thru Idaho and into Utah. 

No sooner than we left Oregon, the change was rather apparent.  Seem gas stations, Mickie D's, grocery store and every other place people gathered, FOX News was on the TV monitors, and people were even watching!  A far, but good cry, away from the dominance of the Democrats in Oregon.  Oh what a relief it was!!

This leg was slow going, covering less that 1000 miles in six days.  Plenty of time to stop and smell the roses.  Relaxing with Republicans.  Utah especially is strong in family traditions ans morals and they talk about thier values at every oppotunity.  America surely needs more of that.

And as my world turns, so does the politics of my Country.  The lying, denying, and justifying thier corruption continues.  Holder denies his wrong doing as he investigates himself.  Obama expresses his favor of the crooks he already has commissioned, and appoints even more into office to fill the spots of those smart enough to run.

Well, gorta run.  Kids to play with.  Stories to share and things to do. 
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As the mold returns

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The Great Pacific Northwest is a beautiful, but sometimes a challenging place to live.  With moisture abundant, cool temperatures, and longer periods of darkness, battling mold growth is a never ending chore.

Mold, like liberalism, thrives in dark and dingy places like closets.  Left unchecked, it will spread beneath the door's threshold and creep along the baseboard to the next crevice and attempt to turn the corner to affect (or infect) the next room.

Little gives me more satisfaction then to spray the infection with chlorine or let light into the closet and watch the mold shrivel and withdraw into the crevice that it came from right before my eyes.

You know, I care about what happens in the closet.  I care about about the drug use, alcoholism, corruption, same sex marriages, out of wedlock child births, and how many wives a man takes.  I care about what thieves, liars, and creeps do in the closet.

Mold hates light like liberals hate the truth.  Liberals promote hate by justifying it as a way to promote what they believe is for the "Greater Good."  Ask Holder. 

So open your closet and expose the mold to the Light of God.  Spray some chlorine and sweep up the filth.  You'll never completely rid the place of it, but you can certainly keep it in check that way.

On a lighter note, we leave Saturday morning!
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It's that time again. . .

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Yep, we'll be starting our summer travels again in the Wheeled Manor by the end of this week.  Our first leg will take us through Oregon, Idaho, and into Utah.  And with us will be our 5 year old grandson who will be shipped to us via Air in a few days.

There, we will meet up with relatives from SoCal and Colorado for a family camp out. Then off to Colorado for a month or so with even more family.  Sorry SoCal friends, you're not on our route as of yet, but could be on our return home.

From there we will head east along a northern route which will takes us by the Great Lakes region, and into the Colonial areas.  Boston, New York, DC, and into the outer banks of the Carolina's.  South along the East Coast into Florida, then west along the Gulf states before returning to Colorado for more family time before school starts.  And then, home.

Perhaps (but I really doubt it), I'll be able to free myself from my thoughts about the atmosphere of corruption led by the Obama administration.  Benghazi, Fast & Furious, FBI attacks, and IRS intrusions.  And, I'm sure that list will grow even more as we travel.  Obama, Hilary, Holder, Napolitano, and all the other bun boys and girls within Ba rack's regime will continue to grow in corruption and gain even more control over us as our ignorant population just shakes their head and refuses to get involved in any effort to stop them.

Oh well.  Wishing you happy days.  I'll keep you posted about the Trip.

Am I Stupid or What?

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President Obama.  Must I refer to him as President?   After all, there has been no other President named Barrack Obama.  Actually, I don't think there is anyone else in America named Obama.  That said, I guess it is OK if I just call him Obama.  And you'll know exactly who I'm talking about.

Anyway, Obama must think I'm stupid.  Stupid because he thinks I'll fall for his lies and deceptions.  Stupid because he thinks I should not question his integrity.  Stupid because he thinks I should not speak out.

Obama has been lying for eight years now, and he thinks I'm stupid enough to fall for his deceptions.  Stupid for not believing him even before the idiots elected him.  Stupid for not believing his story about where and how he grew up, who his friends were, what his religion was, where he was educated and how he paid for it.

Obama thinks I'm stupid for not falling for his denial of knowing the infamous American terrorist convicted of conspiracy to bomb the Pentagon, Bill Ayers.  Stupid because I didn't believe his explanation about his lifelong, radical, Pastor who preaches hatred of America.

Obama thinks I'm stupid because I didn't believe him when he said we could keep our favorite doctors and that our medical premiums would be cheaper and the benefits would be better under his health care plan. 

He thought I was stupid where he sided with his radical professor friend over the Camden cop.  He though I would be stupid enough to believe that the Fort Hood massacre was an act of workplace violence and it didn't matter whether the shooter screamed Allah Akbar as he gunned down our soldiers.

Obama thought I would accept that his cabinet members as being those best qualified for the job.  He thought I'm stupid enough to believe his support and bail outs of the unions and solar power makers would be in America's best interest.  Stupid because he expects me to believe his "apology tour" through out the Muslim world would be best for us.  And stupid enough to accepts his lies about what his role was in the Benghazi terrorist attacks.

So, my friends, since most of my followers understand my convictions and support my views, the Obama must think that you are stupid as well. 

And so for the rest of my readers, you are truly stupid for electing this liar and supporting his path of destruction.  
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Hugging Thugs

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Eric Holder recently proclaimed that amnesty for illegal aliens is "A matter of Civil and Human rights."  Joe Biden announced that the Boston Bombers were just "Knock Off" Jihadists. Obama again told America "Not to rush to judgement." And countless friends and relatives claimed what great neighbors the bombers were and how well the brothers excelled in sports and academics.

Are you kidding me?  Just what part of Human Rights gives anyone absolute rights to citizenship in a country they entered illegally?  Didn't we give asylum to a family of terrorists?  What is the diffence between a "knockoff" and a "real" terrorist when they both hate America and murder innocent people?  The bombers and their mother admit that they hate America pledge their alliance to Allah under their own declared Jihad.  Who cares what type of athletes they were!  Who cares whether they acted alone or in concert with a group.  The are murderers!

Sound familiar?  Remember Obama speaking the same tone following the Fort Hood murders before declaring the incident Work Place violence?  Remember him when he defended his black buddy that interfered with the cops?  Remember Obama supporting Holder's refusal to prosecute the Black Muslims that were interfering at the voting poll?  Remember Holder sending the judge and attorneys to stop the FBI from interviewing the terrorist at the hospital?

I'm disgusted with the many Americans minimizing murderous acts by Muslims on America.  I'm tired of seeing so many of us tolerating, if not embracing these Islamic thugs.  I'm tired of our leadership refusing to admit that our war against terror is real.  When will they wake up, or will they?

Just let it go, then sit back and enjoy the show.  So they say.
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Escaping the Closet

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OK.  At least I've tried.  I've done what you've said.  I went to the closet and had nothing but happy thoughts.  No politics.  Little complaining.  Less FOX News.  Lots of watching Andy of Mayberry and Lassie.  And I can not stand it any longer.  I'm back!

So, first on my list of topics is Islam.  But first let me set the stage.

As we all should know, our forefathers left England in a pursuit to acquire religious freedom.  And in those days, it was Christianity that was so thought after.  So America was born; created upon the laws of Christianity.  And if you don't know Christianity is all about Love and Forgiveness.

As time passed, more any more immigrants settled in America bring with them new religions and cultures.  Over time, Americans began to embrace these ideas, and to some extent relaxed their views toward other cultures and faiths.  And we were able to co-exist productively and peacefully.

Until. . . . the influx of Islamic immigrants in America.  The fundamentals of Islam conflict with our way of life in America.  Democracy, peacefully co-exist with others, and both civil and criminal laws are prohibited by Islamic followers.  You see, Muslims, by their very doctrine can not co-exist with anyone different than them, which they call Infidels.  Their doctrine demands the murdering of every Infidel in a ritual they call "Jihad."   Simply said, their doctrine promotes hate against anyone outside their faith.

In the interest of preserving America as it was created, the time has long passed that we must stop Islam from consuming our Nation and our way of life.  America must stop embracing this ideology now.  We must understand that every Muslim is an enemy of our God and our nation which was founded upon God.  We can not merely focus only on the "radicalized" Muslims, but every Muslim, because none can truly respect the American values we have.

Wake up Americans.  I know it's hard to realize that every Muslim is our enemy.
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Contagion

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OK.  So please don't get offended believing I'm writing about you.  But, after reading this, you feel like I've used you as an example, then I probably have.  However, keep in mind that what I'm about to describe fits many of us, including me.

That said.......  Recently I received a home video through the Thought Dock portal.  I wish I could post the video here, but that would certainly make the sender feel singled out.  But even if I did single them out, it would be good for them to hear my point of view.

The video logged an incident where a parent baked a cake for the children.  The cake was quite large and was decorated with whipped chocolate frosting and brightly colored designs  The cake looked like it was "To die for."

Apparently, the mother (who was not shown on the video) seated her four children around a small table with the cake in the center.  There were no plates, utensils, or napkins in the area.  The kids ranged from age 2-9 years, and were instructed to "Have at it!"

What a delightful surprise it was.  As I watched, the three oldest kids immediately dove into the treat using only the fingers and hands, and sometimes even forced their mouths directly into the cake.  What a mess!  It was rather apparent the kids were having a blast, although it was not anything I would ever let my children do, nor do I personally think it was wise.

As the video progressed, I noticed the youngest child with a strange look on her face at the start.  As she watched her siblings plow into it, it was clear that she knew at the start that it was wrong to eat like a heathen.  But as time passed, she joined in with the others.  First by only dipping a finger in, but eventually joined in full throttle.  What a mess!

To me it was more than just a video of kids having fun.  It convincingly illustrates "Learned Behavior."  That youngest child knew from the start that what her siblings were doing was not acceptable behavior and refused to participate.  But after watching her siblings do it, she succumbed to the peer pressure, and soon joined in.

Interestingly enough, several weeks before, that youngest child who had minimal exposure to church, came home from Sunday School, chanting, "I want to be like Jesus."

So, it works either way.  You soon become like those that you associate with, whether good, bad, or ugly.  Sin can only lead to further Sin, just as easily as righteousness leads to sanctuation.

Jus' Sayin'.  So Mama tell your children...
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Mama tell your children

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In Those Days, I loved to sit on my Grandpa's lap and listen to him sing.  Sounds weird, huh.  One would never know by my voice that my Grandpa-D, after surviving the stress of Ellis Island, sang in the Italian Opera in New Yorr City.  But more than that, I was fascinated by his life's experiences.  I remember most of them to this day and occasionally reflect back on them when I find myself in a similar situation. 

We were a proud family that never wanted to be the center of any one's attention, but then again we were taught how to never be left behind.  Mama's constant lectures about wearing clean socks or the necessity of chewing with our mouth closed ring through my mind most every day.  And I listened to them being told again to all of my younger siblings.  It was as if someone told them to her long before my time.

Never did I hear a word about their struggling finances, but it was rather apparent to me as I grew older.  Often I would notice that we would each get a pair of shoes for Easter Sunday, while Mom wore that same old dress which I think she made.  I valued every lecture and every story, although some I had a difficult time believing.  I can see the impact they had on me to this very day.  They kept me proud and honest, hard working and humorous, sarcastic and cynical, and brave, strong and compassionate. 

And when it came time, I passed the stories from my Grandpa, my Papa, and those of my own to my children.  And to make a special point, I even made some up while exaggerating others just as they had done to me.  Every story had a lesson and every one had a moral. 

Sometimes today, I wonder whether parents are passing along similar tales to their kids.  Or would the kids today even care to listen.  Somehow my gut says they are not, and their children, so spoiled, do not care.

So live your life in Sin and Misery in this House of the Rising Scum and don't tell your children what they have done.
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Yesterday

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A few weeks ago, I met a new friend who was about 20 years my junior.  About the same age as my oldest daughter.  And as you can imagine, my conversation soon turned to politics and morals.  It wasn't long before my new friend informed me that as we grow older, we become reluctant to accept change.  And change is often better.  Well, as you can imagine, that conversation has really made me think.  Is it really better now than ever?

For me Yesterday was a time for a Sunday drive, stick ball and 15 cent burgers.  Chevy Impala station wagons and 15mpg.  Televisions with dials to tune and transistor radios.  Kites at the beach and crabbing with a chicken neck tied to a string.  Trading cards flapping on bicycle spokes and shovelling snow or raking leaves for a buck.

It was a time when all my friends had both a Mom and a Dad.  The Mickey Mouse show, Rin Tin Tin and Roy Rogers.  There were Sissies and Tom Boys but no Gays or Lesbians in my world.  We wore ties to church, Mom stayed at home tending the kids and fixing dinner for my Dad when he came home from work.

I choked trying to smoke cigarettes but the only drug I knew was aspirin.  One pair of shoes for church and school, and PF Fliers for play.  Duck Tails and Crewcuts, but no Mohawks colored blue.  Abortions were illegal and effective birth control means did not exist.  Young men married their pregnant girlfriend and raised their children together.

I knew people in wheel chairs but none with hip replacements.  My Mom was blind but somehow she watched me.  We Potty Trotted houses but never did drive by shootings.  There were fights at school, but the fighters became friends afterwards.  A school teacher paddled me in class but no one ever called my Mom.

Well that was my Yesterday and I'm sure that everyone has their Yesterday.  For most, Yesterday is dead and gone.  But for me, it has not passed.  It is the very essence of who I am and how I came to be me. 

Speaking words of Wisdom, let me be Me.
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Oppressed and Suppressed

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Now, even though I'm oppressed and suppressed being behind the door, some things get in and out through the magic of the Thought Dock Portal.  And here is one.  I didn't write it, but I could have.  And this story is not as odd as you might think.  It has been happening to me for over 40 years now.

Today I swung my front door wide open and placed my Remington 870 right in the doorway. I gave it 6 shells, then left it alone and went about my business.

While I was gone, the mailman delivered my mail, the neighbor boy across the street mowed the yard, a girl walked her dog down the street, and quite a few cars stopped at the stop sign right in front of our house. After about an hour, I checked on the gun. It was still sitting there, right where I had left it. It hadn't moved itself outside. It certainly hadn't killed anyone, even with the numerous opportunities it had been presented to do so. In fact, it hadn't even loaded itself. Well you can imagine my surprise,with all the media hype about how dangerous guns are and how they kill people.

Either the media is wrong or I'm in possession of the laziest gun in the world.

Well, I'm off to check on my spoons. I hear they're making people fat.
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The way things are

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Hey now!  Do I sound muffled?  Well, I am.  Muffled that is.

It's not just the raspy God Father voice that I've developed over the years that the doctors now call "Spastic Vocal Chord Syndrome" and have pledged to cure, but have yet to. 

It's because I've actually entered the closet.  The place that I once despised.  It was once the place where people went to hide when they didn't fit into society.  A dark place where nobody could see them.  Where nobody had to listen to their screams.  It was the place for criminals.  Liars, cheats, and scoundrels.  Pirates, thieves, witches.   Gays, Lesbians and molesters.  Adulterers, dopers and alcoholics.  Whores, prostitutes, and gamblers.  Thieves, thugs and slugs.

They were the ones behind closed doors.  Muzzled from society because they were evil.  They've always been around.  For thousands of years.  Always living in their ill ways, but hiding, wearing masks and not wanting to be discovered.  Because they were ashamed, and because society would not tolerate them.  That was Yesterday.  A time which I loved so much.

Things are different now.  It is no longer Yesterday, but Today. 

We let them escape where they now brazenly exercise their lifestyle and demand that we join them.  And most of us already have.  They've filled the airways with their views as they boldly rub things in my face.  Most news stations and Democrats have joined in.  Laws protecting their insanity are passed every day.

So Today, I am in the closet.  A place where my voice is muffled to a point where only a few of you can understand.  A place where I can not be seen.  A quiet and safe place where I can live my life without disturbing the freaks outside (actually by today's standard, I am the freak).  Suppressed and oppressed.

And it's better that way.
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You are what you. . .

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Although it doesn't seem like it was long ago, but it was.  It was very long ago when she said, "If you eat another mouthful of that cake, you'll going to turn into a cake."  It was really funny to me at the time because I knew I couldn't turn myself into a cake by eating too much of one as she said.  So, I just blew her off.

I now know just how right she was.  But she wasn't just talking about eating cake.  She was talking about so many other things.  Not just eating things, but condoning, accepting, tolerating, or actually doing things that we know we shouldn't.

Remember that skinny kid in the 4th grade?  You know, the one that loved to play with the girls, doing girl things, and dressing and talking like them.  We used to call them Fruits and sissies.  Or perhaps the kid that wore mostly black clothing and combed his hair back in a Duck Tail fashion.  Mr. Cool.

Hot pants.  Smoking.  Fast cars.  Foul language and Grass.  Those were things that I was told not to do, and not to even be tempted.  But I did.  I did them all.  But you know, now I know.

I know that the more we witness, the more we tolerate, the more we cone, the more we will become one that we know is wrong.

Hollywood rams this crap down our throats every night.  Sitcoms galore about anything and everything.  Daily shows about dysfunctional families, single parents, gay relationships, liars, cheats, murderers adulterers and Pot Farmers and Islam.  Even a Jack in the Box commercial showning an animal flipping off Jack!  A 24 hour news filled with corruption, monster storms, Gay marriage, pot smoking, and the wickedness of the world.

And now I know more than ever what she was talking about.  The more we watch.  The more we listen and witness all these things that we know are wrong; the soon we will all come to accept them as being normal.

But it is not.
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My Mama said . . . .

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I guess I wasn't much older than 8.  Perhaps just in the second grade grade or so, when I was sent to the Principal's office along with another classmate for fighting on the playground.  There we waited for our parents' arrival.

As I recall, the fight began when I got the better of the other kid while playing Tether Ball.  Seems I was able to control several games by swatting the ball downward causing it to fly high above his head for the wins.  The other kids were laughing all the while until. . .  he attacked me.  But, again, I got the better of him.

On the ride home, Mama said something like, "Now son.  Never start a fight (which I didn't), but always be ready to finish one (which I did).

Not long after, I challenged my Mama about why I was never allowed to stay up late or do the things "all my other friends got to do."  And my Mama told me that no one should be allowed to do everything they want.  And Mama said, "As our Lord found out through Adam and Eve, we will the wrong decision."

Mama's lessons learned that have molded me to be me through this very day.
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I am I; and you are you

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I love history.  Any kind of history.  But especially my history.  Because through an understanding history, one can obtain a general idea of the future.

This blog began as a journal nearly six years ago.  I created it for me, to study me and to learn how I came to be me, and why I am I.  It has revealed many of my life's experiences which define who I am.  I understand now why God gives us a lifetime full of experiences, challenges and decisions.  And it was those decisions that have molded me into me, and as time continues there will be many more experiences and decisions to be made.

The blog has since evolved into discussions on politics and ethics, and as it did, the readership increased.  But I'll talk more about that another time. 

Right now, I want to return to history.  My history.  Most of which directly involved me, and some of which involved encounters to others that I observed.  But make no mistake about them; every experience played a role in who I came to be.  So here are a few points to ponder, and perhaps you will understand why you are you.

If you ever went to bed hungry, did you then always clean your plate?  Remember the first time you were lied to; did you then also become a liar?  If you were bullied, did you then become a bully or vow to stand against them?  When you caught the winning touchdown pass, did you share your glory with the offensive line?  If someone stole you bicycle, did you then steal someone else's?  When you saw a friend crying, did you laugh at them or cry along side them?  When you saw a fight, did you break it up or join in?  If you learned that your classmate died in an auto accident, did that encourage you to wear a seat belt?  When you failed that test, did you cheat on the next one?  When you killed a sparrow with your first BB gun, did you kill another?  When you lost your best friend, did you vow to make another, or morn them forever?  And when you stumbled on that last hurdle, did you get up and finish the race?

If anyone gave thier unconditional love to you, would you love them?

You know, whether or not I encountered these situations, or how I reacted to them is not important to you.  But they are to me.  Because moments such as these are what defines me.  And I know that.  And that is what is important to me.

So, who are you?
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Chambered

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Many, but not all of you know that I am a 34 year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.  It was during the time of LAPD's glory years.  The time of Dragnet, Police Story, Adam-12, and many  motion pictures.  A time of great pride.

But for me, it was a time that I could only share my experiences with others whom I deemed could relate.  "Insiders" like other cops, firemen, emergency room nurses, and clergy.  Those were the people that shared my experiences and somehow could understand.  Anyway, some seven years after retirement, I am just now becoming able to my stories with others, and I do so that they can benefit.  And here is one such story.

LAPD's Rampart Division was, at that time, the busiest police precinct in the world.  More calls for service and more cops per resident than any other.  Just outside the city center, it was an area long abandoned by the wealthy and left for drugs, alcohol, gangs, prostitution, and the mentally insane.  It was the place where I worked the night shifts for my first six years.  And I loved it!  And it was simply amazing.

An early memory of my career involved an incident in Rampart.  One morning just after midnight, I responded to a single family house which had been converted into a rental that housed several lower income families.  One male resident had been beaten by an intruder when he answered a knock at the door.  Although the man was in his 60's, I considered him elderly and defenseless, I guess because I young and healthy.   

Anyway, the intruder, after entering the residence beat the victim severely, left him for dead, and then stole what little valuables he had before leaving.  The victim lost his sight as the result of the beating and remained in the hospital for over a month.

It was not long after the victim's release that he returned home.  I visited with him a time or two and learned that he was terrified sitting home alone and blind.  As strong as I thought I was, I felt his pain.  And I soon responded to yet another emergency at the victim's residence. 

A week or two after returning home, the victim heard someone outside his door, but this time he refused to answer and screamed at the person to go away.  The victim armed himself with an old surplus rifle that a friend of him gave him after the beating, and chambered a single bullet.  As the victim cowered in a chair in a corner farthest away from his front door, he heard the sounds of his door being kicked in.  The victim fired  his rifle, through the still closed door and into the chest of the person outside, killing him.

Now California had a "Castle Law" that essentially gave a person the right to use deadly force against any threat by an intruder while inside a victim's home.  But this time, this intruder had not yet gained entrance at the time the victim fired the rifle, and the Castle Law would not protect him and he was arrested and prosecuted for murder.  And the court ruled that because the victim was blind and could not visually see the threat of an intruder, he was capable of using his weapon responsibly; therefore he was responsible for the intruder's death.

I've said before, "If you are not prepared to stand and fight, then you better be prepared to run for your life.

You decide.  What would have done do?

Stand Up

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Many of you have met me, most of you have not.  So, to set the pace for this post, let me re-state the chorus line from a 1965 song by the Animals.  "I'm just a Soul who's intentions are good.  Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood."  In other words, I'll speak my peace.

That said, most of my followers (but not all) are good people who's personal ethics follow those brought forth by the teachings of the Bible.  Many of you, I hope, are Christians like me, but that is not the issue in this post.  Just sound ethics.

During my travels across America, I make it a point to visit churches along the route.  I love to see the views of others and through them, learn to improve upon my own life.  This trip I realized little difference in the teachings of ethics across the denominations of the Christian churches that I visited.  They all taught the importance of spreading the Word, obtaining Salvation, and following the Way.  But one thing stood out.

I listened to sermon after sermon about following the Gospel.  For those of you are not Christians yet, that means for the most part, to just do what is right.  You knew what is right from birth without ever being taught and most of you strive to do the right thing always.

But I believe the clergy across America has fallen short in their discussions regarding ethics.  They ramble on and on about what is right and good, but many fail to publicly stand against what is wrong and bad.  In other words, as an example, they preach about the ills of adultery, yet they often refuse to confront the adulterer who is standing before them.  And by remaining passive to these issues, they teach us to do the same  And through our own passiveness, we allow America to sink ever deeper into a nation of the damned just as Pompeii.

Tolerance of these issues is not a solution.  Don't accept what is wrong.  Stand up publicly.  Be active in protecting your ethics when ever you can.  Confront those that you know are wrong.  And do the right thing.
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We have laws. . .

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Americans have always had laws against Murder, yet we have always had Murders.

Law enforcement has always relied on the voluntary compliance of law.  And for the most part that is effective.  But not always.

As an example, most of us drive safely and within the confines of traffic law.  But as we all know, there are idiots out there that have no reverence for the law, and law enforcement officials are continually on the offensive against those that violate it.  Yet convicted offenders most often become repeat offenders.

My point is that we don't need more laws, we need more ethics.  Ethics will determine whether you buy a gun and how you will use it.  Ethics will govern whether you purchase that Fourty-ouncer and french fries, or drink and drive.  Ethics will decide whether you cheat on your taxes, or steal from your neighbor.  Ethics will set your pace for helping those in need, and cheating on your wife.  And ethics will determine whether you lie or tell the truth.
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Glosing the Gate

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During the travels of this trip I visited with several persons that lived in gated communities, or neighborhoods governed by home owner's associations.  Now HOA's have been around a very long time and have been an interest to me.  Now I can certainly see the advantages of HOA's, but I've not totally bought into the concept.  That said, I'm always anxious to talk with those that live in HOA communities.

This trip though, It occurred to me that every one of the people that I've talked to recently said the same thing; that they appreciate the diversity in the city where they live.  They seem to be proud that their city has a diverse population by race, age, religion, etcetera. On the face of things, they seem to love (or at least tolerate) those that are different than them.  They travel, shop, work and play with those of a variety of cultures.

But back at home, things are different.  These friends lock themselves behind the gates of their community, and enact HOA rules preventing anyone from entering and changing their perfect utopia.  The HOA's prevent any changes to the homeowners private property that are outside the boundaries of the rules.  No remodelling,  No painting,  No cars older than a certain year.  Curfew hours.  No washing or maintaining of cars.  No. . . . and the list goes on and on.

As a result, these neighborhood become anything but diverse.  Persons with income, children, and most often people loose any desire to live in these communities because of prejudices of the residents who justify their actions while claiming to love diversity.  Gated communities may be fine for some, but please don't pretend to appreciate diversity while hiding behing your gate.

So, to those that have had recent visits from me, I won't apologize.  If the shoe fits . . .
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Pride - Integrity - Guts

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A few days ago, I attended the funeral of a friend that unexpectedly passed away in his sleep. He wasn't my best friend, but I wish now that he was. 

Among the many people in attendance for my mid-sixties friend, was his mid-nineties father.

Several people who knew my friend much better than I spoke from the pulpit. As I listened, I became riveted about the stories they told while learning so much about my friend. Stories from co-workers, relatives and friends told of his very distinguished military career, love for his wife, and love for children and sports.

But the most impressive testimony about my friend came from his father, also a decorated Marine. A most heart wrenching thing it must be to attend the funeral of one's only son so late into one's life. But this father handled it in stride by briefly stating how proud he was to be my friend's father; a person with his own pride, his own integrity, and his own guts. A person who worked hard his entire life, to build his life and effect the lives of everyone around him. And, most importantly, a man who loved Christ.

Now I'm no stranger to funerals, including military ones for both my co-workers and my own family. But, as I sit here, still in awe over what I witnessed, I can not help but wonder how many of us can truely say the same about our own children.

A legacy was left.
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Mama, It's Cold outside!

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What a Christmas!  Here is a view of the Wheeled Manor when we awoke on Christmas Eve outside Colorado Springs.  Such beauty, but only at Six Degrees.  Haven't seen anything like this since the ones that I had on the East Coast some 50+ years ago.  And so different that what we've had in Southern California and Oregon during my adulthood.

Merry Christmas!!

See you soon.
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