Author: bookmystorysite

I recently finished reading a book called “Hit Makers” by Derek Thompson, and on March 1, 2017, I came across this cute picture from News 6 TV out of Richmond, Va., with the following:
“This morning, Jax and I were discussing his wild hair. I told him that he needed a haircut this weekend. He said he wanted his head shaved short so he could look like his friend Reddy. He said he couldn’t wait to go to school on Monday with his hair like Reddy’s so that his teacher wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. He thought confusing his teacher with the same haircut would be hilarious. 
 Here’s a picture of Jax and Reddy from their Christmas program. I’m sure you all see the resemblance. 
 If this isn’t proof that hate and prejudice are something that is taught, I don’t know what is. The only difference Jax sees in the two of them is their hair.”

This story really touched me. At the age of six, in 1950, I lost my best friend because of segregation. His name was Bernie. Some things stay with you for life. In 1998, I was in my Internship to complete Substitute Teacher training, and the unthinkable happened. A first grader, with the ears of his classmates, asked me a question. ” Are you a…..? And then the “n” word came out. It has been almost twenty years, and I still can see the seriousness on his face.

This blog is for the intuitive thinkers of the millennial generation because it is hard for middle age people to change. “Hit Makers” is recommended if there is a concern for future generations. The partisanship on issues, the bully mindset, and fear-mongering is a culture that needs to die a quick death. Hate is still being taught in back rooms at the breakfast table and by the cowardly displays of vandalism at Jewish centers and grave sites around the nation. “Hit Makers” gives an insight into the psychology of why people like what they like and the cultural chaos in social networks. I did the audio version, bookmarking notes that stood out. The following is a synopsis, in my view.

There is economic value in cultural differences in the social network. There are ways to engineer words and in the repetition to get people to believe almost anything. The architecture of the human mind is ancient, with the basic needs to belong to escape and to aspire. To understand and to be understood are eternal, but there comes anxiety in learning something new, giving resistance to change. We share bad news with friends but only good news with friends on Facebook. Millions of people compete for attention on social media, at times using the bully pulpit to get a reaction and attention, no different than the hate enthusiast that operates in the sneak of the night. Memory was once civilization’s library, with half the world unable to read or write as late as 1960. Now our minds are full of someone else’s alternative facts.

I pray that Jax and Reddy are still friends when they reach my age. It was the summer of 1949 when Bernie and I became friends. He would always welcome me with a smile. We started school the next year, and the smile went away. We never spoke again.

“The Melting Pot” needs some attention.

When polemic was borrowed into English from French polemique in the mid-17th century, it referred to a type of hostile attack on someone’s ideas or beliefs.    The word traces back to Greek polemikos, which means “warlike” or “hostile.”    Calvinism and Arminianism are two systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in the matter of salvation. Calvinism is named after John Calvin, a French theologian who lived from 1509-1564. Arminianism is named for Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560-1609.

Since the 16th century,  Calvinism has held to the total depravity of man, while Arminianism holds to partial depravity.  Why I Am Not an Arminian By Robert A. Peterson, Michael D. Williams, and  Why I Am Not a Calvinist By Jerry L. Walls, Joseph R. Dongell

What I believe, living in the land of the purposively free, is my business, granted by the First Amendment, a fundamental principle of our modern democracy. Tom Brokaw marked his 50th anniversary recently on NBC, looking back on his memorable milestones. He said that throughout his career, race relations in America had been the issue that most troubled him. He often wondered if he were black or his skin one shade darker, would he have gotten all those chances.  “We need to find a way to talk to each other,” he said, a statement I’ve heard all my adult life.  Finally, he also said: “The problem is from the ground up.”  His statement made me think of Dr. King’s words about the appalling 11 o’clock hour in America, which is the most segregated hour of the week, Sunday mornings.  Race and religion, metaphorically speaking, are America’s Pandora’s box.

 We openly debate gay rights, women’s rights, the right to life, etc., seemingly to no avail. And as soon as race becomes front and center, there’s a more tremendous pushback.  “Black Lives Matter.” (No!  All lives matter became the kickback.)  Of course, all lives matter.  Furthermore, when it comes to religion, to a certain extent, it becomes taboo across denominational lines.  In retrospect, as I write this tweet, I may be opening up my own Pandora’s box.  But, at some point, some things must be said.

There’s food for thought. Whether we believe or not, according to the myth, Pandora opened a jar releasing all the evils of humanity.  Two of the evils no doubt, were the bully mindset and the mouth that induces fear through a bully pulpit.  The Native Americans were savages; blacks will rape your women, let’s intern the Japanese.  Now it’s the people of Mexico and Muslims.  People that can be visibly identified. This promotes fear, coupled with stereotyping, and acerbates race relations.   In 1998, planning my years for after retirement, I studied to become a Substitute Teacher. During the week of my internship at a school with little to no blacks, I was asked by a first grader, “are you a, and then the “N” word came out.  This is profoundly trickle-down racism from fear or embedded hate.  Children only repeat what they hear and what is deliberately taught. 

Believe what you may in your faith, but my faith teaches me that we all are here with a purpose. In 2013 I was inspirited by the actions of my grandchildren to write a book, not having an inkling of writing experience.  All in all, in my way to be an example in their lives, you can do anything you put your mind to doing. I started to feel and later began to believe after my book was published it was my real purpose in life, a predetermined destiny.  In my epilogue, I wrote my perception. To the Millennial generation, I asked them to look at the issues of the times while encouraging them to vote, not knowing the outcome of the upcoming election. I wanted my book “Guidance Against the Odds” to become a lesson plan for the conversation of race relations.  In that light, I chose to forgo the extra cost of my publisher for promotions,  using the money in a direct mail campaign.  Colleges and Universities, Libraries, and Churches of various denominations all across the nation.  Even sending letters directly to Ministers and magazines.  Out of all the postcards, letters, and e-mails, only one acceptance, with a few thanks but no thanks. Substantiating to me Tom Brokaw’s feelings about race and Dr. King’s words about the 11 o’clock hour.

Baltimore County Public Library of Maryland excepted my book and placed it on its shelves within three weeks.   As a believer, I believe that God gives us miracles to show us his love. **I happen to live in Baltimore County.**  The poem at the beginning of this tweet, in fact, did happen. It could have been a dream; I don’t remember waking up.  “Miracles We Have Seen” by Harley A. Rotbart, MD. It would be a good read, especially for the skeptic and the bully minded.  Dr. Rotbart was featured on an episode of Dr. Oz.

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1933 inaugural address.  The meaning of which is:  nameless, unreasoning, unjustified fear-mongering (except for personal gain) which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance, i.e., the polarization of our government.  I say to America the plug needs to be pulled, de-energizing the negative current separating us by race and religion.   Where there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can not hurt you. (African Proverb)

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s most united days, all because of the bliss of football.  Throughout the season, we support our specific teams, and then come together one day of the year to cheer on one of two outstanding teams. But the polarization of our society with violence has overtly slithered into America’s most fantastic pastime.  On Sunday, October 2, Joseph Bauer, a former U.S. Marine and Ravens fan, was struck in the head by one of two football fans from New York. The fact that he had served our country was the hard part for me. Looking back, it didn’t help that a statement of a violent nature was blatantly boosted by a candidate for president of the United States.

“I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose voters.” Also, an African American was caught on camera being sucker punched in the head by an opposition supporter.  That is why this tweet is for the President of the United States.

 Mr. President:

At the age of seventeen, after almost two decades of being systematically trained to swallow the bitter pill of racism, I joined the U.S. Navy. The oath I took was as follows:

“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

The key phrase was, and is, at the time for me, “So help me God.” As a child, I was taught never to use the Lord’s name in vain.  Many people believe that taking the Lord’s name in vain refers to using the Lord’s name as a swear word. I had been taught there was much more involved. If you make a promise, especially to God, you should not “should” but must keep it.  Faith is not just a Sabbath day ritual. What the beautiful children of this great nation deserve is a conscientious presenter of moral scruples, not a presenter of hate and division. What young minds learn in their first two decades of life, they will carry into adulthood. Because there is the issue of “Cause and Effect,” role models matter.

The Oath of Enlistment is something that every service member must promise and adhere to for his/her entire military career. From the Oath, you can see that you will be defending the Constitution, not a person, and in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, orders given must be lawful.

This nation was built on immigration and the institution of slavery.  The Native Americans are the only original, and they were shifted off to the many reservations. Because of inequities, amendments to the Constitution were necessary to guarantee all, regardless of race, creed, color, or sexual orientation, the freedom of speech and religion.

Mr. President, this means Christians, non-Christians – Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and other world religions, including Atheist and Agnostic, or no religion at all.  Serving my country gave me the great opportunity to attend church services for many different denominations. Although there may have been various versions of the Bible used, i.e., KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV, there was a commonality: love and respect. People may draw different interpretations from the same version, but how they get there is their business. It’s in the soul.  When you divide people, you create fear, causing neighbors to distrust neighbors and communities to lock down. I call this virtual cattle rustling, corralling people to create division and discord.

Another lesson learned from the words of wisdom from my elders is never to judge people by the color of their skin or to judge them as unintelligent for using four-letter words excessively. They don’t necessarily lack intelligence. Four-letter words or explicit adjectives could be behavior that offsets a weakness, i.e., an inferiority complex, or a way of keeping people on the defensive, thereby maintaining control. The devil could be in the making.

A little of African American history, Mr. President, must be placed upon you.  Back in the day, to overcome the never-ending season of indignation by whites, young blacks played the “Dozen” game.  A game of spoken words between two contestants, usually in front of an audience. The commentary in the game focused on the opposing player’s competency, appearance, intelligence, etc. When comments ventured into sexuality or “yo mama,” it became the “Dirty Dozen.”  Nowadays, it’s no game; it’s offensive.  Anything you practice you become good at, even “Fake News” and “Alternative Facts.”  The art of Rapping, another African American creation, was born in Harlem,  New York, requiring coordination of the mind and the tongue, the linguistics of black communication. Now a billion-dollar business.  Rapping in its lyrics initially was a cry for help from the inner city youth.  The words soon turned violent when society wouldn’t listen, and the prisons began to fill as black lives didn’t seem to matter.   I’ll leave that for another executive enlightenment. In reality, Mr. President, you played the dozen in the primaries, and your opponents couldn’t hang, and you are still playing the dozen as a distractor, as with U.S. District Judge James Robart, a “so-called judge.”

On the 21st of January  2017, women of all ages, some with children, joined by men all across America and women around the world, were united in solidarity. One week later, Thousands Protest At Airports Nationwide Against Immigration Order.  Movements Don’t Start with a Strategy; They Start with a Moment.  The March on Washington, which led to the Civil Rights Act of 1965, was a movement born of a moment on Bloody Sunday.  The world saw Alabama State Trooper shooting tear gas and wading into a crowd of nonviolent protesters with billy clubs, ultimately hospitalizing over fifty people, of which Congressman John Lewis was one of the injured. He wears the scars to this day.  Upon his refusal to attend your inauguration, you played the “Dozens” again with a statement of alternative facts.  Be advised by a “yes” person that history has a way of repeating.

I have high regard for the office of the presidency, in keeping with the oath I took and re-took four times for a total of 22 years. But, in the words of Denzel Washington, “Anything you practice, you can get good at, including BS,” and you are superb at it.  I’ve been called everything but the child of God from the point of bigotry; now it’s like water on a duck’s back. Longevity does have its rewards, meaning you are never too old to learn.  I’ve learned forgiveness through the word of God, as have the families of the Charleston Church shooting forgave the shooter. It’s something only people in the spirit can understand.  Vindictive personalities stick out like a whale out of the water.

Therefore, I pledge I will never yell, “You Lie.”  As long as you are in office, I will never question your birth, make fun of your hair, call you names, or bring attention to your face.  I won’t even question your tax returns because I want you to succeed. You are the president. If you succeed in creating jobs while keeping America safe, improve the quality of life for all, especially the poor and the declining middle class, and claim the fears and the hatred, then and only then will America succeed. Respecting the position does not mean I respect the person. That is something the person has got to earn.  As a veteran, I was saddened to hear a potential Commander in Chief make a statement considered beyond the pale about a slain Muslim American soldier and a disparaging statement about a prisoner of war, Senator John McCain. Men who took the same oath as I did.  I have two cousins who were paratroopers in Vietnam who survived but are no longer with us. I feel you even disrespected them.  You, Mr. President, are on the far end of the spectrum, falling into the category of not having a clue.  Running a business requires investing money for a return.  Running the United States of America as Commander-in-Chief means you’ve got to invest in people. People, then, by human nature, will respond positively.  Don’t call me a six-letter word loser, and expect me to serve you breakfast in bed. This is not an Empire, and you are not an Emperor.  Right now, the polls are in a downward spiral, and the hired help is still scrambling to clarify your words with alternative truths.  

An old African proverb: “The enemy outside cannot hurt you if there’s no enemy within.”  I will re-word the personality you are displaying.  The enemy outside cannot hurt you when there are cordial communications within.  Please eliminate the atmosphere of futility and replace it with grace.  As a leader, that’s your job to lead by example. To unite us all, as I respectfully tell you, Mr. President…..

 Chief Navy Counselor

 US Navy  Retired

        “Guidance Against the Odds” ©2016

Trying very hard to stay bipartisan as I search for the sanity of the past week’s events.  

Defying gravity without prayer can  possible be the ego of the mind….

As a Christian, an Islamic, a Buddhist,  or a member of Judaism,  Confucianism, Hinduism, Jainism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism or no religion at all……

Defying the nature of morality in the humanity of things,  is, in fact, a real “ego”  of the mind with a depraved heart.

Several years ago, at the beginning of the Christmas season, while visiting friends and relatives, I observed a child (who shall remain nameless) compiling a Christmas list of expectations, or so I thought. I became nostalgic, caught up in the display of his enthusiasm,  being presumptuous of his age; naturally assuming it was a letter to Santa.  My melancholy ended when the adults began to converse, finding it amusing, as I soon realized the children were in a competition.  Behavior tantamount to gambling or counting chickens before they hatch. The child was compiling a list; of names of expected givers, not the traditional wish list for Santa.

While I welcomed the child’s joy and wanted his happiness to carry through, it was hard to move past the feeling of entitlement being taught.  I wanted to say something about the arrogant, conceited, and boastful seeds which were being planted, an avenue toward prerogative treatment.

Later, in the absence of the children, I was tempted but refrained. I didn’t get the feeling of a “Spiritual Partnership,”  anticipating pushback.   Feeling perhaps my words would set the stage for a verbal crucifixion.  Which, in essence, meant I went along to get along.   How many of us just go along to get along?  Likewise, how many of us stand by and watch others step to the plate.  On Saturday, January 21st, 2017, millions of women stepped to the plate, which could define a crucial time in America.  The beginning of a movement that must not go dormant.

This is not a loathing of Trump blog, nor a red or blue blog,  but a reality check. A point to ponder for Spiritual Partnering.  A personal message of optimism to future generations.  A golden rule based on the dynamics of karma. “You receive from the world what you give to the world.”  Morality is a human creation. Cognitive empathy is comprehending another person’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.  With that said, a personality that takes advantage of others creates an imbalance of energy.  A relationship of Cause and Effect. We have an obligation to our children. America, can you hear me?

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”                                   Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On the 21st of January 2017, women of all ages, some with children, joined by men across America and women around the world were uniting in solidarity; characterized in what I call a Spiritual Partnership. At the same time, our new president was trying to make an atonement with an intelligence agency that he had belittled and was chastising the free press.  This is not an anti-Trump blog, but a reality check.

         Movements can be a powerful means of change.  Protest marches, joined by Dr. King, brought the Vietnam War to a close.  Movements don’t start with a strategy; they start with a “Moment” and a “Set of Principles.”  A moment in the space of time where positive thoughts from rational people are united; correlating with the phrase “when the stars align.” July of last year and with the upcoming presidential election, I attempted to tap into a rare moment of cohesiveness; by using a statement made by Dr. King which stated, “11 a.m. on Sunday mornings is the most segregated hour in this nation.”

        As an unknown on the writing circuit, I saw my book as a tool during troubled times. It came in a dream, to promote “Guidance Against the Odds” through mass mailings to religious organizations nationwide. Presenting the idea of floating Ambassadors; like facilitators.  Establishing emissaries from the Pews, everyday people, creating a network of Spiritual Partners.  Open communications will always net the realization that people have more in common than not; thereby sustaining the separation of church and state.  A unique idea, with a country so deeply divided.  But unfortunately, it wasn’t the right moment in time.  A similar outcome with a request to Colleges, Universities and Public Libraries for catalog inclusion; which was an endeavor to coincide with upcoming media exposure.  It was not to be, as the emails and the buffoonery of name calling took center stage.  On the international scene, our politicians looked ridiculous.   

          But, however, and because of the overwhelming turnout around the world, the stars were in alignment on Saturday the 21st.  The Women’s March in all 50 states and 32 countries was the positive force for a Millennial Audacity of hope.  “If there’s no enemy within, the enemy outside cannot hurt you.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

                                                                  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On the 21st of January  2017, women of all ages, some with children, joined by men across America and women worldwide, were united in solidarity, characterized by what I call a Spiritual Partnership. At the same time, our new president was trying to make an atonement with an intelligence agency that he had belittled and was chastising the free press.  This is not an anti-Trump blog but a reality check.

Movements can be a powerful means of change.  Protest marches, joined by Dr. King, brought the Vietnam War to a close.  Movements don’t start with a strategy; they start with a “Moment” and a “Set of Principles.”  A moment in the space of time where positive thoughts from rational people are united, correlating  with the phrase “when the stars align.” July of last year and with the upcoming presidential election, I attempted to tap into a rare moment of cohesiveness; by using a statement made by Dr. King, which stated, “11 a.m. on Sunday mornings is the most segregated hour in this nation.”

As an unknown on the writing circuit, I saw my book as a tool during troubled times. It came in a dream to promote “Guidance Against the Odds” through mass mailings to religious organizations throughout the country. Presenting the idea of floating Ambassadors, like facilitators.  Establishing emissaries from the Pews, everyday people, creating a network of Spiritual Partners.  Open communications will always net the realization that people have more in common than not, thereby sustaining the separation of church and state.  A unique idea for a country so deeply divided.  But unfortunately, it wasn’t the right moment in time.  A similar outcome with a request to Colleges, Universities, and Public Libraries for catalog inclusion was an endeavor to coincide with upcoming media exposure.  It was not to be, as the emails and the buffoonery of name-calling took center stage.

With the overwhelming turnout in the United States and around the world, the stars were in alignment on Saturday, the 21st. It was the correct moment.  The Women’s March in all 50 states and 32 countries was the positive force for”The Millennial Audacity,”  my November 16th blog,  to be realized.  “If there’s no enemy within, the enemy outside can not hurt you.”  Millennials, Listen Up.

Neil Postman blames the media for the less-than-positive change in today’s society in his book  “The Disappearance of Childhood.”

Denzel Washington: “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you do read it, you’re misinformed.”  “In our society, now it’s just first — who cares, get it out there. We don’t care who it hurts. We don’t care who we destroy. We don’t care if it’s true. Just say it, sell it. Anything you practice, you’ll get good at — including BS.”

These were his remarks, as reported by  thehill.com.   Aan actor and as a man, I admire Mr. Washington.  His common sense can hardly be questioned, and as for his humanity, it most certainly precedes him.  His presence with intellect, even at a hoedown, would command attention for more reasons than one.

The field is wide with political commentators.  Like supermarket tabloids, many often use aggressive and usually mean-spirited tactics to sell their issues/agenda.  Their purpose with insidious intellect is deliberate to create hullabaloo.  Controversy can be a goldmine (as proven in the presidential debates) for the experienced instigator.  I worked as a stock boy in 1950s.  Seeing the supermarkets tabloids, with eye-catching headlines, I would inquire to my mother about the truthfulness. One of her answers has remained so clear all these years.  “People who believe the mess they put in them papers have little faith, and people who make that stuff up have even less.”  Always to this date, it reminds me of having empathy for others and shame for myself for doing nasty things unto others, believing it would bring shame unto me.  Proving that early childhood lessons that money and power can be the root of all evil.

How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must) by  Ann Coulter.  Coulter’s pretentious style is a comic monolog.  This is a stereotypical lead-in, mimicking the “How many does it take to change a light bulb” joke.  The state of the Democratic Party: “Teddy Kennedy crawls out of Boston Harbor with a quart of Scotch in one pocket and a pair of pantyhose in the other; Democrats hail him as their party’s spiritual leader.” A sucker punch, pretentiously divisive in its’ intent, but nonetheless, sticks to the minds of the captive audience like grits to the waistline.  Verbal bullying creates a floating conundrum of embarrassment by adding the right embellishments for a mushrooming mocktail.  It’s political warfare, diversionary tactics, and using verbal (IED) improvised explosive devices to avoid the table of compromise.  Salesmanship 101: Become the person by mirroring the personality or the cause of the people you are trying to appease.  Get them listening and laughing; as they grow to like you, then you can sell most, if not all, a bridge to nowhere.

“The left wants power taken away from the white establishment,” These words roared with certainty from the mouth of another political commentator on live television.  “They want a profound change in the way America is run. Taking power away from the white precincts is the quickest way to do that.”   Some on the left call this “dog whistling” because it reaches the ears of the intended target.  Free speech at its’ fineness. The commentator was speaking of the Electoral College, which the founding fathers created to ensure that the slave states could maintain power within the union.  A factor!

What do these types of commentators and tabloids offer to induce constructive conversation for a better America?  Nothing!  What do they look, and sound like to our youth?  Grownups, acting as bullies while making real money, become potential role models, the MEGA effect for many youths.  What clarity is given to calm any possible fears some youth may have?  In many cases, none.  Millennials! are you listening? The cycle repeats from generation to generation, assisting in “The Disappearance of Childhood.”   Reiterating Mr. Denzel Washington’s statement, “Anything you practice, you’ll get good at — including BS.”

“If There’s no Enemy Within, the Enemy Outside cannot Hurt You.”

http://www.bookmystory.net/About-Us.html   

Leading by his example, will it make America great again?

I can not get my head around the president-elect, no matter how hard I try. One could say he has an opposite view of what constitutes a good role model.  (A person who serves as an example of the values, attitudes, and behaviors associated with a role.) The key word is “role.” In his case, the role of the president of the United States is different from being at the top of the food chain in the business sector.  There is no question about his business expertise; the figures speak volume. In the business community, an individual’s career development, their empowerment, the rewards and recognition’s they may receive are their values system.  These are people that may well look over the attitudes, bad behavior and even absorb derogatory language from the owner, the boss, the top dog. Therefore, if these businesses exude these traits, they will attract highly motivated self-starters, leaving the role model  requirement as EZ and ample.  The bully mentality might work on Wall Street but does not necessarily cut grass on Main Street’s materialism,  the spiritualism, the mediocrity, or parochialism regarded as typical of small-town or inner city life. As an incoming president, you can not have insulted fifty percent of the electorate, a sitting president, presidential candidates,  journalist, the intelligence community, women and even the handicap just to name a few and believe it will not have a powerful influence on what people say, think and do at all levels of society. “What you say with your mouth shall come to pass” as president of the United States.   If he doesn’t  know this, then somebody needs to tell him.

Every individual, not just religious leaders, public officials,  sports and entertainment figures, teachers, community leaders, and especially parents, have a moral responsibility to call the president out in these troubled times.  A few years back, I realized my grandsons were getting older from the changes in their vocals and the subjects of their conversations.  In their adolescence we basically had fun being together.   But it had clearly become time for me to up my game.  I felt a need to do something out of the norm.  Repeating the age old lectures of “work hard and do good in school” was no longer a match against the diversions of the times. The presidential  debates soon proved my instincts.

Working against high odds, having no writing experience,   I wrote  “Guidance Against the Odds,” the first 39 years. Not as a guide, as the title may imply,  but as a show and tell mechanism to accomplish three goals;  first by demonstrating self-initiative.   Secondly, to impart pride through knowledge of family history to my grand children.  My third goal is to use my book as a mechanism to establish talking points, by building a following and a family of individuals willing to re-tweet factual information through the spirit of  “Guidance Against the Odds.”

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

While watching the news, it was déjà vu; here we go again.  But now it was a battle in the swaps.  Politicians were slinging mud through the press.  It would appear we were still in the presidential debates without the Donald.  The Affordable Care Act, better known as Obama Care, was the main topic.   Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered an apocalyptic picture of America with his new slogan. “Make America Sick Again,”  But wait!  It wasn’t without the Donald.  Like the Republicans on the other end of the swamp were creating an ugly spectacle brazenly trying to weaken the ethics committee’s powers, shielding themselves from future wrongdoings.  A tweet from the Donald and all becomes well, as they come to their senses.  President-elect Trump campaigned that he was going to drain the swamp, and here we are trying to fill it, said Walter Jones, Representative of North Carolina.

Tired of the tomfoolery, I changed the channel, seeking a good western. It was the Wagon Train. I came in on a scene where the Indians were on the warpath, and the wagons had circled.  Watching just long enough, figuring out the plot, I realized that it was a Western version of the now Washington swamp.  An Indian Agent had joined the train under false pretenses in an attempt to save his life.  The agent had taken the life of a Native American who had discovered he was diverting food and supplies for personal gain.  Feeling more depressed, in retrospect, I should have gone on Demand and searched for “Little House on the Prairie.