Author: bookmystorysite

Reading inspires me to write. Therefore I write in search of intuitive minds ……. to read ……. what I write. The central objective of a writer is to capture the mind’s eye whereby infusing a mental picture. If this cannot be done, the writer may as well be writing to him or herself. “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Metaphors such as this, if not understood, can take a reader into a zone of uncertainty, and a mental picture may never be realized. I love the writings of Plato.
The words behind the Greek myths and metaphors that mystified us as children to the inner sanctum of twisted emperors, the proto-feminists, and political dissenters, as the Greek classics have shown those of us who have chosen to indulge.

Socrates, a classical Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Western philosophy and the ethical tradition of thought, was Plato’s teacher. Plato wrote “The Allegory of the Cave,” a short story in book 7 of his masterwork called “The Republic.” It compared the life of people chained in a darkened cave, where they are deluded by shadows, with that of those released into the dazzling sunlight outside.

Chris Hayes, a commentator on MSNBC, wrote “A Colony in a Nation” after the election of Donald Trump. From his book, I envisioned writing a short story titled “The Allegory of the Colony,” depicting the period from Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619 through the election of the 45th president. The story would compare life in the shallowness of enchainment to the overtones of “Hands up, Don’t Shoot.” From a period of no voice unto a time of a voice not heard. A time when African-Americans realized the need to give their children what was called “The Talk.” The talk in pre-Civil Rights times was ……. “Never run in a white neighborhood,” etc.: The talk post Civil Rights movement became……… “Keep your hands on the steering wheel, don’t make sudden moves, and say “yes” officer and “no” officer” etc., etc. However, the sanctity and support of the police, as viewed on the other side of the spectrum, has become a mindset of, “why didn’t he just do what he/she was told.” The excessive force began long before the video of Rodney King.

We are a reactionary rather than a preventative society ……. a melting pot, boiling over with divisiveness. A society predicated on fear and hatred with mistrust of thy neighbor a multiplying factor. The decline and fall of the Roman Empire would be the perfect example of our country’s direction. The causes are glaringly the same, with money embedded in politics at the top of the list. The Roman Empire lost the strength to exercise effective control in its society. Modern historians mention factors such as the effectiveness of its army, the health of the population, the strength of the economy, the competence of the Emperor, the religious changes, the efficiency of the civil administration, and last but not least, the increasing pressure from “barbarians” outside of Roman. This is a sure indicator of present-day America; high unemployment in the black community, the 45th, police brutality, conservative religious intrusion, and the threat of external and domestic terrorism. With all of the indicators, we fail to see the reality of it all, as in Aesop’s Fable “The Four Oxen and the Lion,” and we are not embracing the idiom “United we Stand, divided we fall” as a nation. I envision a day when party loyalty aided by alternative truths will bring a rude awakening to this nation.

This blog originally posted November 2017  and again March 15, 2018, is in support of our youth around the nation and the March for Our Lives Students.

The expectations of my book “Guidance Against the Odds” and the webpage http://www.bookmystory.net, is entirely motivational. With the core focus on inspiring young minds to read, to study history and to reach out to other youths across the nation, while learning the art of communicating by listening with empathy rather than immediate discord.  With a world measured by speed, data delight, sound bites of negativity, and while politicians with social discourse increasingly becoming common core, there is a need for stability of reasoning. In short, first and foremost, a provocation for those who know and understand the cause and effect from the demagoguery of the pass and a brainwave for the millions who are turned off by the bully mindset that prevails in America today. “The Audacity of the Millennia’s,” a rhetorical statement, meant as a stimulus, to and for a generation (for the most part) who within a decade or so will be moving into the eldership of the most powerful nation on earth. A mental make-up of divisiveness, a non-demonstrative direction of leadership growing deeper in a country which purposively stands for “Liberty and Justice for All,” must be changed, before divisiveness takes us to the point of no return.  The adjective “United” and the noun “States” contrasts’ to the infinity with the present leadership of these United States.

“Tear down this wall!” is a line from a speech made by President Reagan on June 12, 1987, calling for the leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, to open up the barrier which had divided West and East Berlin.  In 1961, a wall was built.   For those who know history, it does not matter the political reasons of the time, just that it divided people; feeding on fear and hate as it’s motivation. It took 28 years with America’s involvement before the wall was torn down. In 2017, 28 years later narcissism and the conversation about building walls, feeding ounce again on fears and prejudices as a means for political dominance plagues the freest country in the world.

The Audacity of the Millennia’s, I would hope, is not to follow in the footsteps of generation “X.”  Generation X, parents of Millennia’s, population approximately 41 million are known as the generation having the lowest voting participation rate of any generation. Generation Xers have been quoted by Newsweek as “the generation that dropped out without ever turning on the news or tuning into the social issues around them,” giving suspect to the missing links with constructive communications today.

It would be a misnomer to say that Millennia’s are the same, with the “I” and “Smart” phones at their fingertips breakfast lunch and dinner. The question is, will Millennia’s smell the bacon and seal the yoke or wakeup and change the menu?

The ethos, the characteristic, the spirit of a culture, the era of a community is manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. In the 1960s Dr. King energized the aspirations of the Black culture, “We Shall Over Come,” became the marching song.  Being called colored was rejected, while James Brown’s song “Say it loud” — I’m Black and I’m proud” became unpretentious.

Muhammad Ali’s stance against the Vietnam War transcended not only the boxing ring but also the realms of faith and politics. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who are mostly forgotten, raised a Black Power salute at the 1968 summer Olympics. A half-century later Colin Kaepernick kneeled, and the systematic leveling down continued. Wrath and tweets by the leader of the most influential nation on earth, legitimized the mindset of the underbelly, brining the waters, bringing to the surface the ugliness within our society.

I have a tiny voice, heard mostly only by me, but I shall not be silent as I continue to encourage our youth to read.  Six months ago I recommended “A Colony in a Nation.” My new recommendation is “We Matter: Athletes and Activism” by Etan Thomas, if read simultaneously, the domino effect, the causalities and what’s needed for change can be more realized. Our hope is now in the hands of our youth.  Keep Hope alive… by Reading!

The ethos, the characteristic, the spirit of a culture, and the era are manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. In the 1960s, Dr. King energized the aspirations of the Black culture, and “We Shall Over Come” became the marching song.  Being called colored was rejected, while James Brown’s song “Say it loud” — I’m Black and I’m proud” became unpretentious.

Muhammad Ali’s stance against the Vietnam War transcended the boxing ring and the realms of faith and politics. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who are mostly forgotten, raised a Black Power salute at the 1968 summer Olympics. A half-century later, Colin Kaepernick kneeled, and the systematic leveling down continued. Wrath and tweets by the leader of the most influential nation on earth legitimized the mindset of the underbelly, bringing the waters to the surface of the ugliness within our society.

I have a tiny voice, heard mostly only by me, but I shall not be silent as I continue to encourage our youth to read, and one day I believe my voice will rise to the surface. Six months ago, I recommended “A Colony in a Nation.” My new recommendation is “We Matter: Athletes and Activism” by Etan Thomas; if read simultaneously, the domino effect, the causalities, and what’s needed for change can be more realized. The country’s hopes are now in the hands of our youth. Casting off from the piers of ugliness while anchoring the soul in a river of fresh water.  Keep Hope alive… by Reading! The mind is a terrible thing to waste.

The ethos, the characteristic, the spirit of a culture, the era of a community is manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. In the 1960s Dr. King energized the aspirations of the Black culture, “We Shall Over Come,” became the marching song.  Being called colored was rejected, while James Brown’s song “Say it loud” — I’m Black and I’m proud” became unpretentious.

Muhammad Ali’s stance against the Vietnam War transcended not only the boxing ring but also the realms of faith and politics. Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who are mostly forgotten, raised a Black Power salute at the 1968 summer Olympics. A half-century later Colin Kaepernick kneeled, and the systematic leveling down continued. Wrath and tweets by the leader of the most influential nation on earth, legitimized the mindset of the underbelly, brining the waters, bringing to the surface the ugliness within our society.

I have a tiny voice, heard mostly only by me, but I shall not be silent as I continue to encourage our youth to read.  Six months ago I recommended “A Colony in a Nation.” My new recommendation is “We Matter: Athletes and Activism” by Etan Thomas, if read simultaneously, the domino effect, the causalities and what’s needed for change can be more realized. Our hope is now in the hands of our youth.  Keep Hope alive… by Reading!

We carry this thing inside us, some more than others, that no one else can see. Sometimes released through provocation by the use of words. Do you wonder what it is?

   A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush…..

          A gun in the hand is worth none in the bush…..

Delaney Tarr, along with many high school students from Parkland, Florida, spoke from the heart more eloquently than the president of the United States, the Speaker of the House, and even the White House Chief of Staff. When a person speaks from a caring heart, they tell you how they feel without demeaning another human being. When a person shoots from the hip, they are quick on the draw to point a finger with disparaging remarks. Movements don’t start with a strategy; they begin with a moment. -A TRAGIC MOMENT-  If America is going to make a change, it will take a generation in real time for it to happen. “Black Lives Matter,” “The Women’s March,” “Me Too,” and the “Dreamers”; these movements have been trivialized by big money, politics, fear, and hate. And now, these students are being attacked in the media as being fake for standing up. All children of the Millennial generation must stand as one. For it’s your future and generations who will follow you.  Maybe it is destiny that real gun control will start in a state shaped like a gun.

Here we go again. It was the weekend, and it was déjà vu.  The Soul of America remains in a constant decline as #45 tweets, continuing with a plastic-Teflon personality, even after the shooting in Parkland, Florida. Although a silver lining came from the voices of some young adults who survived a tragedy.  But unfortunately, every silver lining has a cloud.

When wisdom entereth into thine heart and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, and understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Proverbs 2:10-12 (KJV)

Mr. Speaker, in February of last year, I blogged to the President of the United States with no expectations that it would cross his eyes. It was mostly an attempt to get a conversation started with the American people.  This blog is different, Mr. Speaker.  It’s called “Man Overboard,” attempting a conversation with you. To make an emphasis, I like to draw parallels . First and foremost, the words a person uses and how they are presented, written, or spoken can depict a person’s character. Sometimes, it’s not what you say but how you say it.  Unless you are a good actor, empathy is not something you can fake, and the president is no actor.  In 1963, I was serving as a Fly Talker on the Flight deck of the USS Forrestal (CVA59).  I communicated with Flight Deck Control and other Fly Talkers in real time about the physical positions of planes, personnel, and equipment.  In that job, I learned the valuable lesson of human/social cohesiveness.  A fellow shipmate fell overboard on a typical day of flight operations in the Mediterranean Sea. I immediately radioed to flight deck control, to flight deck control, “Man overboard!” “Man overboard,” port side!   As I watched him hit the water, the ship began to turn.  I was later told by my Division Officer the tone of my voice gave no hesitation in him notifying the Officer of the Day.  His words were true, for it was in seconds the Boatswain of the Watch repeated my words……”Man Overboard” “Man Overboard, port side!”   The 81-thousand-ton USS Forrestal began an immediate turn to avoid him being sucked under.  Mr. Speaker, you are third in line for the presidency.  As Commander in Chief, words can make or break the cohesiveness of a nation.  As the saying goes, “Loose lips sink ships.”  When will someone in this administration yell “Man overboard” to a one-man wrecking crew? My actions were instinctive to save a life.

N.C. Martin was my shipmate from the state of Ohio. I watched him hit the water belly first. He did not survive. Although his death was an accident, I learned something about human nature. I was 18 years old. For the record, Mr. Speaker, I am now 73, and my accounts of life and how I believe it should be is definitely not fake. Let’s not allow Charlottesville to be trivialized to a good people on both sides scenario with the death of Heather Heyer. Call it for what it is — “Man Overboard” when we have children dying from lack of gun control.  There is a big difference between lying and what the president calls fake news.  Now, we have top-level people working in the White House without proper security clearance.     When are you going to yell Man Overboard?  Our nation is drowning.

Mr. President, this is real.  I pray that you receive this blog at least via proxy …..  enough already.  In the name of Myeshia Johnson, the Gold Star Families, the thousands of people you’ve defamed, the women you’ve disrespected, and now the statement about  S….. Hole countries.  For common decency and honor, please stop.     In my youth, during Jim Crow, I learned how to swallow the bitter pill of racism to physically survive.  At the age of seventeen,  I joined the U.S. Navy. The oath I took was as follows:

“I, Henry L Faulkner, do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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.”

What the beautiful children of this great nation deserve is a conscientious leader and a  presenter of moral fortitude and not a presenter of hate and division. Every dedicated service member must promise and adhere to the Oath of Enlistment for his/her enlistment or commission. From the Oath, we are defending the Constitution and not a person.  You…….as well …….. took an oath.

Immigration and the institution of slavery were the mechanisms that built this nation. Your words and actions suggest that the  Constitution and the Oath of office mean nothing, or you do not understand the principle. Recognizing inequities, amendments to the constitution were necessary, guaranteeing all, regardless of race, creed, color, or sexual orientation, the freedom of speech and religion; the very reason I can write this blog as a private citizen.  Serving my country gave me the opportunity to travel the world and attend church services for many different denominations.  Regardless of ethnicity, there was a commonality in dealing with ordinary everyday people; it was the presence of love and respect for thy fellow man.

Whatever your motives …………………on the surface, it appears that you are exploiting and dividing people for selfish gain, with racial overtones.   It creates fear, thereby causing neighbors to distrust neighbors and communities to lock down.  So much so that I feel this blog will be censored.  A calamity I refer to as “people rustling,” like cattle.  The virtual corralling of people creates division and discord.  A modern-day form of mental slavery, which you seem to relish.  The abolishment of slavery for a cause happened during the presidency of a man who put the country first.  Racism is a virus, surviving through the attempted exploitation of one’s ideology over the masses.  Words of bigotry and hate are out of place as the Commander-in-Chief of the world’s greatest military. What makes you think your words will galvanize our nation’s youth to serve behind a vindictive mindset?

As human beings, one unto another, respect can only be earned through the ability of the soul to show empathy and shame. Running a business requires investing money for a return.  You do not run the United States of America; you are supposed to lead by example by investing in people.  Human beings, by human nature, would respond positively only if it is seen that you have all America’s interests at heart, not just a select group.  Furthermore,  America’s children are watching. You may be a role model for some, but not for safer and greater America.   Don’t call me a loser; expect me to serve you breakfast in bed.  America is not an Empire, and you are not an Emperor.

In the search for veracity in the idiom “country before party,” this blog is addressed to the current Chief of Staff serving at the President’s pleasure.  There are no creative words in the mind’s eye that will assist the process of this blog reaching, let alone penetrate the addressee’s mindset. As was true with  “A Tweet to the Speaker of the House” Aug 16, 2017, and  “A Tweet for the President of the United States” Feb 6, 2017. Therefore this blog is strictly for going on the record.  Mr. John Kelly, sir, and with all due respect for your service to our country.  As the occupancies of a free society, we are free to say whatever choices of words we want.  But we are not free from the penalties of those words.  Despite best intentions, there are times in which one can become careless in their choice of expressions, e.g., empty barrel.  But in politics, words can lead to dire consequences, and personality clashes have become the hallmark of divisiveness. It has now been a few months since stating you would not apologize for the false attacks you leveled against Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.) as you sought to defend the President for his handling of a condolence call. However, in your case, your silence has been golden, with the incident fading into oblivion, but I can not accept the nostalgia of letting it die a quiet death.

As a military veteran of more than twenty  years, my allegiance has always been country before a party with a belief in the “no soldier left behind the motto.”   In my heart of heart’s feelings, I do not believe things in our great nation will ever get better when divisive politics is the status quo.  This blog is not a political stance, just a public avowal of principles with a cause-and-effect statement.  You may not see it, but because of your principles, you have dismissed Representative Wilson to the status of irrelevancy. She is a soldier in her own right, a public servant, and slighted into a virtual left-behindness.  It takes tremendous courage to say I was wrong.  You have seemingly brought stability to the White House.  However, either there is a tarmac of infallibility in your acquired politics with your short tenor, or you have the “I am a General syndrome,”  i.e.,  admitting wrong carries the indignation of weakness.  Regardless, retiring as a General or, like me, as a senior enlisted, there comes the inevitable culture shock. Civilians don’t respond as military subordinates do, with ideologies and stigmas becoming barricades within mindsets. With that said, and knowing the chances of you seeing this blog are slim to none, I apologize for you to her.  Representative Wilson not only deserves it, but I am sure she desires it as a human being.