Might as well laugh as cry

You may have heard on the news about a Southern California man who 

was put under 72-hour psychiatric observation when it was found he owned
100 guns and allegedly had 100,000 rounds of ammunition stored in hishome.
The house also featured a secret escape tunnel. By Southern California standards, 
someone owning 100,000 rounds isconsidered "mentally unstable."

In Michigan, he'd be called "The last white guy still living in Detroit."

In Arizona, he'd be called "an avid gun collector."

In Arkansas, he'd be called "a novice gun collector."

In Utah, he'd be called "moderately well prepared," but they'd probably reserve 
judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food."

In Kansas and Missouri, he'd be "A guy down the road you would want to have for a friend."

In Montana, he'd be called "The neighborhood 'Go-To' guy."

In Idaho, he'd be called "a likely gubernatorial candidate."

In Georgia, he'd be called "an eligible bachelor."

In North Carolina, Virginia, W.Va., Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee,
Kentucky and South Carolina he would be called "a deer hunting buddy."

And in Texas: he'd just be "Bubba, who's a little short on ammo."

 rounds of ammunition stored in hishome.
The house also featured a secret escape tunnel. By Southern California standards, 
someone owning 100,000 rounds isconsidered "mentally unstable."

In Michigan, he'd be called "The last white guy still living in Detroit."

In Arizona, he'd be called "an avid gun collector."

In Arkansas, he'd be called "a novice gun collector."

In Utah, he'd be called "moderately well prepared," but they'd probably reserve 
judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food."

In Kansas and Missouri, he'd be "A guy down the road you would want to have for a friend."

In Montana, he'd be called "The neighborhood 'Go-To' guy."

In Idaho, he'd be called "a likely gubernatorial candidate."

In Georgia, he'd be called "an eligible bachelor."

In North Carolina, Virginia, W.Va., Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee,
Kentucky and South Carolina he would be called "a deer hunting buddy."

And in Texas: he'd just be "Bubba, who's a little short on ammo."

 

EASTER

When I was growing up, my Dad never went to Church. However, he always insisted that I go. We lived about three miles out in the country and he would literally take me to church. As far as I know, my brothers were never subjected to the Church. I guess they were already gone. It was kind of odd. I asked him once, "Dad what gives?" 

I just think Church is a good socializing experience. I didn't even know what socializing meant. But,  church became a routine for me, place of belonging where I made lasting friends and developed a sense of self, not to mention a value system. Over the years I've come to see that Dad knew a thing or two about what Church might mean. I have many stories of my Church life like when the Preacher and the organist ran off together but will hold that for another day. The time I remember most is Easter Sunrise Service. My dad and I would load up in our old 48 Olds and in the dark drive to Greenwood Cemetery  where the service would take place. We would sit an hour or so and freeze. Finally it would get light and the people would gather. Dad and I make our way to the crowd where four or five preachers would take off with a sermon, usually had to do with this Bible verse  "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." Then if we were really lucky we got a sermon on the rapture. A mystery, like "Resurrection 101"--Jesus raises everyone from the dead. If we believe, our body will join our soul which is already with God and gone to heaven.  But if we didn't believe in God/Jesus our body will join our already tortured soul and face judgement. To a 13 year old, this seemed especially harsh unless we are talking really mean people. 

We had music interspersed throughout (Up from the grave He arose.  When the roll is called up yonder. The Service went on forever, actually lasted  about an hour and half. It was always cold, regardless of the temp or time of year. After it was over, Dad and I would make our way to the car. It was always a time of great satisfaction (over for another year. And, after all these years, I never miss Easter Sunrise Service. Through travel, inconvenience, even war, I would find a Service. Easter concluded. Now, a fond memory



{{{{{Jerry}}}}}

{{{{{Jerry}}}}}

RETURNING TO THE USA

I am a big fan of the President. He has endured during these eight years. Racism especially but he f..ked up. He should have come home after the Brussels attack. He is the head of the country. Fellow Americans,  I have cut my visit short. In solidarity with the people of Belgium, we stand. Therefore, I want to be at home.

Terrorism and Its Perplexities

I feel so bad for these poor folks in Belgium who are victims of terrorism. I don't know what we can do. This is the "new reality" I guess. 

Two of our friends who are traveling overseas. One in Hawaii and another in Prague. Should our friends be concerned about terrorism. Of course. What can they do? Awareness of their surroundings, of suspicion activities, the things that you would probably tell your kids if they were going on a trip. Not much you can do. It is the "new reality." 

When something like this happens or San Bernadino, I flip into the mode of what can we do? The answer--nothing really but we have to face the "new reality." Those committing these atrocities are ever present. They are not going away either.  

What about the "Unforgiven" approach? In the movie, Clint Eastwood kills the bad guys and then he gets on his horse and stops in the middle of the street where the townspeople can see/hear him. They are not the bad guys but were complicit with the corrupt Sheriff. Eastwood's friend has been killed and the people at the behest of the Sheriff have displayed him in a disrespectful way. Eastwood says to the townspeople: "You better give 'Ned' a proper burial or I am coming back and kill you and then I am going to hunt down all your relatives and kill them." He rides off into the sunset but there is no doubt that Esstwood will do what he said. The Belgiums, the French, US: we are not going to pull an Eastwood but we have to know that there are those that are complicit in this terrorism. Families, friends, acquaintances. What to do? How to handle? Danged if I know. I can merely asked the questions. 

{{{{{Jerry}}}}}

WHO VOTES FOR TRUMP

Recently I went to a program of 5th graders. It was so cute, a combination Caberet and Talent Show. The last act had these kids impersonating the Republican debates. They were a hell of a lot more entertaining than the actual Republicans. 

With that lead-in, every rational thinking person I know keeps trying to figure out who voted for Trump--The disenchanted, the dumb, people who actually believe he could do something or who will believe anything. They blame their lives on not getting opportunities and the sorts of things they don't know shit about. Here's something I think. Not sure whether I thought it up or not. In the general election, I doubt if these Trump voters will be back. What Trump's got now is what he's going to get. I hope it isn't wishful thinking. Maybe I don't want to believe my fellow "Mericans" (NASCAR pronunciation and probably Trump supporters) are that stupid. Would they, in the final analysis, vote for someone who lies, brings out the worst in us, insults most everybody with impunity. No use to go on. It is endless. 

I AM SLAPPING MYSELF. I promised myself early on that I was not going to waste my time talking about Trump and his hair. As we say in NC (they even went for Trump. I am ashamed). "Bless his heart." Once we say this, we are authorized to say anything about Trump. He is a sorry A..H... HaHa!!!!

EVAN

https://vimeo.com/159076464/5b495a4a8c

Meg, thanks for sending the link. I watched it twice. To me, incredibly meaningful. I am not sure but if the video was meant to know Evan better: for me, it really worked. He was an incredibly remarkable person.  And I came to know him through the video and through you, of course. 

Really creative job. Now keep this in mind. (Answering questions that nobody is asking) For me, when I "hit the road" as your Uncle Raz would say--do not be making a video. What I would not like in life, I surely wouldn't in death. 

My thought would be that Evan's wife or other creative person did it, especially for their five year old son. Keeping 

CROOKSVILLE

Hillary Clinton shrugs off Goldman Sachs speaking fees. ... Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, combined to earn more than $153 million in paid speeches from 2001 until Hillary Clinton launched her presidential campaign last spring. 

The above is the headline. You have got to be kidding me. What a political season. From the "Donald" who incites even the white supremists to support him to Bill and Hillary who operate like we all just fell off the turnip truck. A DISCLAIMER. From the very beginning I have been a Bernie supporter. One of Bernie's thesis is simple. Financial types like Goldman Sachs don't give you a bunch of money unless they expect something from you. 

If not crooks, ethical issues right and left. We can accept an ego maniac like Trump, he does what we expect him to do; tougher to accept Bill and Hillary. 

In my very younger days, I was involved with, at that time, a really good organization: The National Speakers Association. The members could go out to any organization and speak. There were various topics. It was great training. I actually would go out to small groups, give a speech for nothing. I was not the world's most popular because my subject was ethics, most often related to the military. I had taught a few courses in various Universities, enough to qualify me to speak on various ethical subjects-- studied exhaustively in several areas. In fact

 My point here is simple. In the organization, we had a few who bordered on celebrity. They would get paid. The one I remember is an NFL referee. He made $5000 a speech. I thought that was simply amazing. Hillary made something like $240,000. Give me a break. 

Thanks Immo/Sam. Did a reply and posting but lost it. Personally, I don't think there is much of a  chance that a Hitler could rise in America. Trump is one sorry trailer trash MF. However, guess what? Democracy  in this messy America, even an asshole like Trump, can say these vulgar things. 

I have been appalled at how disrespectful the Repubs have been toward thePrez: you can say awful things about him. You can't threaten him but in other ways, he is fair game. President Obama has been a good president. Give it ten more years snd those that care and he will be a great president. 

The media has to take much blame, no make that most of the blame. When you have an ego maniac like Trump and you give him the mike, what do we expect. My hope is that us  moderates, will, at least all we can put this bullshit down forever. If these mad people and I am say MAD in the perjoritive sense continue to be angry, at what amazes me. 

Immo, is this a relative who made the Hitler like statement? See you troops at Bayside. 

Just When You Think You Have Heard It All, Along Comes Something

The Repunlicans are blaming the President for Trump. The poor guy has been blamed for global warming and just about everything you can imagine--latest was  several conspiracy theories by a grandma who should be helping out with her grandchildren but is running for an office in the Texas Ed Dept. Based on the Texans and Ted Cruz, she'll probably be elected. Nuts are everywhere and I guess the best thing to do is tolerate them and laugh. She claims that when the Prez was a teenager, he was a gay prostitute. She wants to ban Islam, thinks the democrats assassinated JFK. I got it. She should run as Trump's VP. 

DENIAL

Last night I was watching this doctor program (actually a soap opera called "The Clinic") on British TV--a young doctor discusses with a terminally ill patient her alternatives. Mainly that she possibly has weeks to live and in light of that, did she really want to go through the debilitating chemo. Was it worth it for the few months she might get? The family got angry at the doctor for talking with their loved one. Denial kicked in. 

What is the "take away" from such a scene. WHAT IS THE ANSWER? There is no answer. My personal belief derived from scores of times where a family elected me to discuss the ending. For the most part, we would do better to let the ill determine the ending. 

PRIORITIES

As most of us have watched the 4th grade (apologies to 4th graders everywhere) Republican debates, we have been appalled at the lack of basic civility. The fact that we tolerate it says more about us than it does the 4th grade debaters. Here is something much more important. 

Quail egg pizza ala Rumsey/Willows

Airborne--Are You Kidding me. The best of ORGASMIC PIZZA

can't  hold "Quail egg pizza ala Rumsey/Willows Airborne" alight.