It's in the Light of Day Thing

Dear America,

"self-actualizing people 

have the wonderful capacity 

to appreciate again and again, 

freshly and naively, 

the basic goods of life, 

with awe, pleasure, wonder, 

and even ecstasy."  

A.H. Maslow, psychologist

from my little book: "Nothing is worth more than this day."

was it worth it Jussie?

this morning, this girl is just wondering, if he's wondering, if he would do it all over again?

Jussie, reportedly, made $20,000 dollars per episode, having also a net worth of about half a million dollars.  And, as the story goes, this whole fake hate crime started because Jussie wanted a raise...and he decided to let his hatred for Trump fuel a dramatized attack.

It didn't take long before the Chicago Police Department put the sordid pieces together.

And how about that Jussie presser?

“I’m left hanging my head and asking why,” Johnson said. 

“Why would anyone, especially an African American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations? How could someone look at the hatred and suffering associated with that symbol and see an opportunity to manipulate that symbol to further his own public profile? How can an individual who’s been embraced by the city of Chicago turn around and slap everyone in this city in the face by making these false claims?”

“Bogus police reports cause real harm," Chicago Superintendent Eddie Johnson goes on to say (and just in case you didn't watch it, Johnson is African-American).

And so -- flash forward  -- Jussie is now facing multiple felonies, possible jail time, a humongous bill from his slate of attorneys to keep him out of jail, fines from the city of Chicago, and most definitely, when it's all said and done, an uphill battle finding a new career and earning anything close to that sweet twenty grand a pop...... 

And on top of all that, Jussie's reputation and honor destroyed.

And not only that, a self-actualized person never would have gone down this path.

As I turn on my radio -- Rush is talking about this very topic, again and again, circling around the story, the newfound facts, the staging, the motives, and attacking this from all sides...it's just what he does, right?  and boy, does he do it so well.  

This morning, the Rushbo is saying that, quite possibly, that Jussie's antics may have been purely a political move -- just doing his part to wreak havoc on the Trump Administration, attacking the so-called racist, homophobe-in-Chief more than anything else.  And he just may be onto something.

The Left, as a whole, has been growing more and more bold in their methods of ridicule, using harmful rhetoric and a host of organized radicals, against the opposition...nothing matters, not even the truth, as the end justifies the means. The irony about Rules for Radicals, is that, in reality, there are none.

Wasn't it just yesterday, we were talking a little about common sense....yeah yeah, Martina...sharing her opinion about transgender "women" playing against real, naturally-born women, and how unfair that was, how physically unfair.

how hilarious, this Jussie,  and his clear absence of half a brain --   writing a check for the services of posing as a couple of muggers?  Seriously?  And oh boy, how that got a couple of laughs from the mouth of Charles Barkley...um, "America, do not write checks when you commit illegal activity!"

Thanks, Barkley...thanks for the rather twisted advice; it's just a plead to use your common sense, no harm, no foul, using Smollett's idiocy as the punch line.

Latest news, Jussie has been erased from the final five episodes.  Just like that.  Reminds me of how Hollywood treated Kevin Spacey...his fate, not fake.

Oh my gosh -- did you hear the news about Robert Kraft?  ew...you would think, if he were to participate in the illegal act of hiring a prostitute, he would astutely and shrewdly take the higher, more private, path...perhaps finding a discreet madam in the area to make the proper connections.

Now -- for the record -- I wrote that down BEFORE Rush said it outloud -- 

but no matter...we're both on the same team.  teehee

But omg -- Kraft has been charged with soliciting prostitution!

And a seedy place it is, too --  a long running sting has been going on, finding sex trafficking and all kinds of illegal activity.

After being at the top of the world -- having yet another Super Bowl win under his belt -- he does this to celebrate?  Seriously?  Did you write a check, too?  To risk whatever life and reputation acquired to date with this?  ...what a dumb-ass.

Not only that, a self-actualized person  never would have gone down this path.

Have to ask ourselves, what was missing from their lives, to act out in such a desperate, destructive way?  What did they not possess, on the inside?  Apparently, for all intents and purposes, their outer persona and presentation to the world presented a living breathing lie.  This Jussie and this Kraft, seem to be missing something in a pretty big way...

as in maybe, something to do with this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine....[now that's just a beautiful boy story...you must read all about it.]  As in, GOD IS  the Great Actualizer and Equalizer in, and around, and through, and of, this whole world, make that universe.

And if they are not missing something on the inside -- then what made them do it?  What would make them think that their pair of deceptions -- both unique to their situation --  would go unseen? To think, they were thinking -- ironically, logically -- that they could secretly get away with it....

huh.  

the thing is -- in the light of this new day -- it must be said, that, eventually, over time,  maybe even over a couple of weeks --  the truth always rises to the top, indiscriminate of  title, income, color of your skin, or net worth (with, or without,  applying Maslow's hierarchy of needs, let alone a good dose of reflection and reason before acting).

Big mistakes, we all make a few.

So for a second thing, it could just be that all of us have something in our shadow; nothing like the present for a good long heart to heart with the One who Knows everything, and pray that we all get the help we need, or long for, in one way or another.  And to God be the Glory.

so here we are; at the end of the day, this is simply blog 983, signing off.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's about the Commons, they are a'changing Thing

Dear America,

somebody needs to start writing things down, in an easy to read and understand format, all the things considered bipartisan,  you know, like, common sense type things; things that all Americans should be able to rally behind; and distribute it widely, indiscriminate of race, creed, religion, level of education, or location.

oh wait.

that would be me.

day in and day out, this day in the life of an American girl ventures to spell out the very nature of how we -- as a culture and as Americans -- either come together, or divide, in one way or another.  You're welcome.  But enough about me --

Under the original plan, laid out by our founders and outlined by our Constitution and expressed in our Declaration of Independence, we were given something like a guide to follow, compass included. 

Nothing from our origins intended to be a guide in managing obscene amounts of frivolous lawsuits, or reckless amounts of government spending, or the making of a mountain of unconscionable debt, now 22 trillion dollars; nothing from our origins intended to bound the American people to a system of governing that gives total validation to various and outrageous government programs, departments, and crazy entitlements.  Not one thing.

The ONE great power and authority extended to the powers that be, chiefly falls under the keeping of a militia,  with the sole purpose of protecting America from enemies foreign and domestic.  The creation of a military force and the rigid adherence to the protection and security of our sovereign nation  was THE ONLY THING the government really had to do -- besides just keeping the peace and order among the people, ensuring that all people followed the law of the land.  National Security was THE mandate of the president and our congress.

And yet, for some odd reason, it now takes a declaration, to the level of a president designating the conditions on the ground to be a NATIONAL EMERGENCY, in order to do just that: to protect and secure our nation.

Oh and let me count the ways of how much I would like to put Chris Wallace in a time out...his line of questioning and tone on Sunday was bordering rude and argumentative.  Clearly, his goal was to not only diminish the authority of the office of this president, but use the White House adviser as a political punching bag and reduce him to nothing more than a Trump political hack.  We get it, Chris; you do not like this administration one itty bitty bit.  That is not news to me, let alone anyone else who routinely watches you.... what everrrr  And how about that Lara Logan's honest commentary of just about everybody else in media (captured in a post by Greg Gutfeld).

But not to worry -- Stephen Miller is just that smart; nothing phased him.  It was as if, the longer the interview went on, the more Miller had to dig deep to make his point (on behalf of the president); and the more he did.  But I digress.  I don't need Stephen Miller to make my point.......consider this mention of the well-timed interview just an added benefit on the day, just another dimension to appreciate and captivate...it's what I do.

You know, if only Chris Wallace simply recognized, and understood, the senseless and reckless actions of this congress, by virtue of the people's house not supporting the security demands of this president of the United States -- considering that he is the one adhering to the primary duty of his office -- then perhaps that interview would have proceeded in a manner a wee bit more fair and balanced.   Instead, Wallace chose to go on the attack.

Truth is -- up until Trump's presidency -- every presidency and congress has been unanimously in favor of securing our southern border, recognizing it to be an issue all American people cannot ignore.  It was, an issue some might profess to be just common sense; and most Americans felt the same way about it -- legal immigration, yes; illegal immigration through a porous border, no.

And yet, in reality, up until now, their choice of action has been precisely that -- to ignore it.

a little American history:  circa 2006 -- from The Boston Globe:

The bill before us will certainly do some good,” Obama said on the Senate floor in October 2006. He praised the legislation, saying it would provide “better fences and better security along our borders” and would “help stem some of the tide of illegal immigration in this country.” 

Obama was talking about the Secure Fence Act of 2006, legislation authorizing a barrier along the southern border passed into law with the support of 26 Democratic senators including party leaders like Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Chuck Schumer.

later in the same article,

“I voted numerous times when I was a senator to spend money to build a barrier to try to prevent illegal immigrants from coming in,” Clinton said at November 2015 town hall in New Hampshire, “and I do think that you have to control your borders.”

And yet, here we are today.

Circa 2016 -- Trump not only used it as his main issue and campaign promise when running to become the next  president, he has continued to lead with it in his policy making, and for the better part of his first two years, has done everything in his power and position not to ignore it and force congress to deal with it.    

It is congress who is negligent, forcing the national emergency.

It is congress in contempt, showing blatant disregard of the laws currently in place to protect our sovereign nation and keep our border secure.

It is this congress, and mainly the democrats, using border security as a political tool, contradicting not only their own policies of yore, but making the hypocrisy, itself,  the basis of a pure dereliction of duty in this very day!

The thing is, there are so many things the nation used to consider to be of the common sense realm, that are now litigated in the flurry of the left leaning mainstream media, and through avenues of social media managed and directed by left-leaning media giants, like Facebook and Google, whereas public opinion is swayed within a nano-second, and many times swimming through channels where even the initial claims are utterly and irretrievably false...or, at the very least, manufactured and tweaked to promote a narrative.

Under the pressure of such a tsunami of opinion, common sense doesn't even stand a chance.

Common sense is drowned by the raging political tide, reflected in the new wave of a more radicalized American congress -- believing it can justify turning what was once a system based upon sound and conservative governance and policy into pure muck, a free-for-all.

Common sense will tell you, America doesn't work like that.

Call it the S.S. Trifecta:  America's government was designed choosing the successes of Greece, Rome and Jerusalem; choosing to elevate a natural independence, ambitious capitalism and entrepreneurship, alongside a humble and unwavering faith in God   These are the  things that set America apart from all the rest.  

America set forth upon a certain path with a plan, a guide, and somehow, in ways seen and unseen, somewhere between the pioneering spirit within us and Divine Providence, each new generation set out to improve upon the previous generation.  And it was not only good, it worked.

We, as a nation, worked.

We, as a nation, worked together.

We, as a nation, did our part.

We, as a nation, relied upon ourselves, our talents, our family, our ambitions, our God -- to make our way.

If you came to America in the early immigration system -- you required a sponsor, to ensure that you and your family would not be a burden to America, and Americans.  That's just common sense.

But let's see, where to start --
here's some common sense, slightly exaggerated -- in numbers. 

In truth, the Iranian regime became 100- 150 billion dollars richer, through the lifting of economic sanctions during the negotiations of the nuclear deal, under the Obama Administration.  Oh, but don't get me wrong -- the U.S. did give them money, in the company of a host of other European nations; it was sent under the cover of darkness, probably in the range of about 2 billion dollars, in cash.  Money the Iranians turned around to  use to support terrorist organizations and shore up their nuclear arsenals.  Oh, and did I mention, the Obama Administration sent the money right about the time Iran released the four prisoners?  and who says we don't pay for hostages.... 

From Marc Thiessen, Obama took lying to new heights...

In other words, the Obama administration: (1) told Congress it would not allow Iran access to U.S. financial institutions; (2) issued a special license allowing Iran to do exactly that; (3) unsuccessfully pressured U.S. banks to help Iran; (4) lied to Congress and the American people about what it had done; (5) admitted in internal emails that these efforts "exceeded" U.S. obligations under the nuclear deal; (6) sent officials, including bank regulators, around the world to urge foreign financial institutions to do business with Iran; and (7) promised that they would get nothing more than a slap on the wrist for violating U.S. sanctions.

And for more, read The Iran deal is dead -- Iran killed it, by Kenneth R. Timmerman.

How about this -- just thinking outside the border lines now --- how about we get our share of this 2 billion in cash back, from the Iranians, and use it to fund part of the wall?

And then, get the 2.5 billion previously granted to the lovely state of California -- for efforts to build its high speed rail, now defunct; oh, and ask for the additional billion dollars it planned on giving towards this project at a later date, directly to the fund to build the wall.

this is gonna be fun....I could do this all day.

but I'm not.

What else has come out in the last few days -- oh, how about that commentary by Martina Navratilova when she stepped in the clay with this: "A man can decide to be female, take hormones if required by whatever sporting organization is concerned, win everything in sight and perhaps earn a small fortune, and then reverse his decision and go back to making babies if he so desires," she wrote.

“It’s insane and it’s cheating,” she continued. “I am happy to address a transgender woman in whatever form she prefers, but I would not be happy to compete against her. It would not be fair.”

IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR, she said.   And she would be right.  IT would not be a fair playing field.

Gosh this business of trans-athletes playing in female sports makes absolutely no sense.  Their bodies are not the same as women's bodies no matter what they do cosmetically.  It's about the pure, unadulterated muscle they were born with; no!   Martina is right -- it's not the same!

But look at how she is being treated for just speaking up with the truth!

Folks, we are in for a bumpy ride if we don't get ourselves situated and aligned with the things that bind, with the things that unite, with the things that are just common sense.


Clearly, there are lines between right and wrong, just by way of common sense.

oof
maybe that's it -- the commons has been taken over with perhaps a cultural coup of the century.  It hasn't taken all that long; probably dating back to the liberals and socialists and communists and marxists mentored by Saul Alinsky.  Those with direct influence include the likes of Hillary Clinton and Bernie... and even Obama followed the followers.

for a better grip on what we are dealing with -- from

Saul Alinsky and the Rise of Amorality in American Politics

by D. L. Adams (January 2010)

“Change” is both the tool and the goal, but it is rarely defined in any way that is not strictly local and economic; better housing for the poor, better economic opportunity, better wages, better municipal services, etc. However, at the national level "change" is left undefined. In fact it seems, the process of change itself, not the implementation of "change," is the goal.
This is amoral political agitation that appears to be about something positive but is really about deconstruction. Once the institutions of "oppression" that require "change" are destroyed, there is no plan delineated by Alinsky (nor his current crop of followers) as to what will replace them. The goal apparently is "people power" (whatever that means). However, since the concept of destroying the institutions of society specifically to "empower" people is foundational, this is the same message of Marx.
Alinsky is a Marxist without the red flag. Any institution that allows one group of people to advance at the expense of another is to be brought down even if those who advance within it do so as a result of honest hard work and talent. The essence of Alinsky is a radical idea of universal equivalence, though this has been seen before both in Marxist theory, and in Communist states. In order to agitate for “change,” Alinsky and his adherents require the population to be on edge; "rubbed raw." This desire for endless agitation as a goal is bizarre and disturbing.

in a nutshell, and if I had to choose -- this era of Alinsky and his kommanders would be the origins of America's downfall.

For decades now, we have just let these ideas seep into our education of our children, creep into the annals of our government, and *bleep* us into an abyss so deep, daylight is nowhere to be found.

But it's this endless agitation that has made America what it is today.  It's in place of what should be, the endless pursuit of happiness....with liberty and justice for all, under the law, under the protections of a sovereign land, and totally secure from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

and boom, just like that, the end of this day is here.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's Just a Good Start Thing

Dear America,

happy 

new 

year
baby

just taking a few baby steps this morning...now nearly afternoon... as this girl ever so slowly resurfaces.......re-entering the blogosphere for the very first time in 2019; so here's our first quote to accompany us:  "Everyday is great -- it's a day extra."  [Jake LaMotta, boxer]

it's also the Day After the president's Oval Office address.  ooh rah 
must say -- he sounded a wee bit more mature  in this new year, if I'm not mistaken.  teehee

Talking about reaching maturity, whether individually or collectively, this girl is feeling sorta nostalgic on this rather bright and sunny Southern California day; so, on a whim,  a hit on the Day After, above, will link you to my very first blog! This being blog #974... from the serious to nonsensical, suffice it to say, this girl has covered a lot of ground over the last decade; just sayin'.

But oh to God be the Glory that I have lasted this long.  Day in and Day out, altogether it makes 2019 something of a celebratory year.  Traditionally, when referring to years of marriage, the anniversary is marked with gifts of tin or aluminum -- recognizing the resiliency and steadfastness required to make it thus far. So, to put this in perspective -- if this blog keeps producing 'til July 23rd -- I will have surpassed my marital devotion by a whole six months.   Now there's a new years resolution to write home about, eh?

So, on that note, and without any further dilly dilly or dally, let me link you to a wonderful breakdown of the president's Oval Office debut (you do know it was his first Oval Office address....right?)  This comes from my favorite group of patriots, @The Patriot Post; and it comes with a whole lot of common sense coming from Mark Alexander, himself, founder of The Patriot Post:


ALEXANDER'S COLUMN
The Humanitarian and Security Crisis on Our Border
A full analysis of Donald Trump's Oval Office address, as well as the Demo rebuttal


and if you have time, read Mark Thiessen's account, via Fox News: "Trump started the shutdown but Democrats are about to own it"


I do want to talk about the AOC, bouncing off a post from Leslie Marshall...but it will have to wait for it's own day.  It will need all of a day, and maybe then some; what a hoot. happy   new     year   to    me.

Maybe the world needs to be reminded about the way the real world works, and more important, how sometimes it doesn't -- as in, leading us into world wars, and other things that are not good.  For more on that, and giving you a third good read on the first day back in 2019:  READ THIS from IMPRIMIS -- Do We Need a Country Anymore?  by Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College.


THIS is what I like to call, just a good start.

happy new year
happy first blog #1
happy first Oval Office address
happy reading
happy United States of America
happy 2019 in every way
happy first day back blog #974

the end.

Make it a Good Day, G

It's a Pledge of Allegiance Thing

Dear America,

"Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one; when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer...For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish the means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least."

Thomas Paine, Common Sense

published in January of 1776, Common Sense is credited for instilling the spirit of independence into the hearts and minds of an oppressed community -- the American colonists.

I just love the line, "[F]or were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case...."

We have NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem precisely for such cause.

Humanity -- in every gender, race, creed, and astrological sign -- is human.  We err.

We err as a community; we err as individuals; we err as a nation; we err as a school board; we err as a football player; we err as a spectator; we err as a journalist; we err as a blogger and just a girl; we err as a president; we err as a church and as a state.  We err as a police officer in the line of duty and we err as members of a community whenever a crime is committed and/or a threat to life and limb is made.

Do we really need a rule to tell us what is the right thing to do?

Isn't there something inside us all that allows us to stop and listen to our heart -- be it an intuition, a feeling, a heeding of conscience, that ultimately steers us in making each and every choice we make all the live long day?

This kneeling thing -- the impulse to disrespect the spirit of unity and show of patriotism -- is seen as being either a revolting gesture against country, or a political stance with the strength and the will to tackle its leftist agenda, leaving no opposition standing.  Either way, it is an obscene crime against the solidarity and security of a nation.

And to think, the NFL Rule Book has rules on the improper use of language and gesture and behavior unfitting of a football player all through the game...a lot of them, too.

And to consider, according to the rules, both teams must be on the field ten minutes before the start of every game, quickly running up to the coin toss....which should come right about three minutes before the start of every game -- while the presenting of the colors to the national anthem is done during the official start.  The anthem is officially part of the official game.  Taking the proper gesture should be self-explanatory to every American citizen, and especially to the players taking the field under such pomp and circumstance and pageantry and production.

Common sense, alone, is sufficient to argue that upon this turf is of no time or place for divisive politics to usurp the moment for which she stands; for the purpose of the moment is to bring good sportsmanship, good character, and good gestures all together with certain, common intentions:  offering a peaceful salute to who we are as a nation.

How often did President Obama opine the words -- 'that is not who we are' -- and making a cut up the middle, immediately return the phrase to who we are, as a country, as Americans?   Let me tell you, it was often (as this girl continues the struggle to get him out of her head).

But why did he do that?  Because as humans, as Americans, sometimes a reminder as to who we are is needed; and not only needed -- it needs to be heeded, after certain postures seeded and individual ownership deeded, and with great courage greeted, genuinely and dutifully with each new day.

It takes work.  It takes reminders.  It takes second chances, and patience.  It takes forgiveness of the wrongful choices which have come before us -- choices made by other humans, of which we have no part, nor ever wish to have a part, if only by being a student of history and of life itself,  as we accept the past for what it is and what it teaches us, as we venture forward with great hope and every effort to make and meet the future a better place for us all.

Arms linked and all.

The thing is AMERICA is bigger than our differences of opinion, our divisive politics, and even the mainstream media (teehee).    America is bigger than Colin Kaepernick (no shock jock there); it is bigger than the owners and the coaches and the players and the stadiums full of spectators and Fox Sports and ESPN and NBC all together; roll them all up into a ball and let America have a go -- and just watch her kick that thing from here to kingdom come without so much as drop of sweat.

Hilarious, isn't it?  That the weekend game in London met with our players taking a knee during America's anthem, and yet they stood for God Save the Queen!   They take a stand for  England?  They stood for the commonwealth credited for the creation and operation of pure oppression in the masterminding of the slave trade -- and not for the country that spent a hundred years and a war trying to abolish it?  Know your history, boys; know your history.

Is America without fault?  No, she isn't.

But what is America, generation after generation?  How many people have come through her halls of justice and injustice, large and small?   Isn't she more than the choices people have made; isn't she bigger than that?  Or perhaps, better still --  is she, in fact, the culmination of the choices made -- year over year -- whether good, bad or indifferent?

America is a spirit -- an idea birthed 241 years ago -- coming from an age that defied oppression in every way, and in turn, becoming an exception to all other nations of the world, to date, in that time and place.  With firm reliance on Divine Providence, our humble founders fought for the creation of America, as they mutually pledged to each other: "our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor" when signing the Declaration of Independence.

Sigh.
Indeed.

Common Sense was written to stir up the impulses to revolutionize the colonies, becoming more oppressed under the rule of England with each new day.  Something had to be done.

Indeed.

America is a spirit expressing in each moment of the day.  Day after day.

In no small way, Thomas Paine was instrumental in creating change; and our founders took the ball and ran with it.

And while we have talked often about this subject many a day,  suffice it to say, that without rules in society, chaos would surely ensue.  Why?  Because we are human...from the imperfect and the grotesque to the bold  and the beautiful.

We have rules -- some even unspoken.

We have rules -- whether it be on the road, in church, in the classroom, in congress, while playing a game of football or Monopoly.  Rules assist in the keeping of order.  Otherwise, there would be disorder.

At the end of the day --  and at the beginning of every football game -- there is an unspoken rule to heed to the order of reverence to country.   And football players know exactly what they do when they kneel; it is pure disruption of the rules in play, whether it is written in the rule book or not.  It's as if these players are choosing to take a knee that they know equates to an act as obscene as calling America a foul name, as repulsive as making an offensive gesture in crude revelry.

 [Kind a like this.  Of course, Beckham is a big boy and makes his own choices, but is that Beckham really being his very best on display?]

But make no mistake.  The kneel:  IT IS a political stance they take.  IT IS a political, ideological, and fundamental transformation of AMERICA that they seek, taking as many casualties as needed -- even if its the entire NFL and every Sunday from the Harvest Moon through the dark of winter.  And for better or worse, the outcome could prove revolutionary; only time will tell. 

Welcome to the new world; an age when common non-sense reigns.

As we sit and make history, all choices we make now are relevant and in play.

“The man who refuses to judge, who neither agrees nor disagrees, who declares that there are no absolutes and believes that he escapes responsibility, is the man responsible for all the blood that is now spilled in the world. Reality is an absolute, existence is an absolute, a speck of dust is an absolute and so is a human life. Whether you live or die is an absolute. Whether you have a piece of bread or not, is an absolute. Whether you eat your bread or see it vanish into a looter's stomach, is an absolute.

There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil. The man who is wrong still retains some respect for truth, if only by accepting the responsibility of choice. But the man in the middle is the knave who blanks out the truth in order to pretend that no choice or values exist, who is willing to sit out the course of any battle, willing to cash in on the blood of the innocent or to crawl on his belly to the guilty, who dispenses justice by condemning both the robber and the robbed to jail, who solves conflicts by ordering the thinker and the fool to meet each other halfway. In any compromise between food and poison, it is only death that can win. In any compromise between good and evil, it is only evil that can profit. In that transfusion of blood which drains the good to feed the evil, the compromise is the transmitting rubber tube.”
― Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

absolutely.

My loyalties are to America -- what is best for the whole.

I pledge allegiance 

to the flag,

of the United States of America,

and to the Republic for which it stands,

one Nation, under God,

indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all.

INDIVISIBLE is absolute.

Perhaps, if we were all angels, rules would prove unnecessary; laws would not be needed, let alone cry out to be heeded, that which precepts are regularly seeded, and individually deeded, into the hearts and minds of decent and good countrymen.  But that not being the case...We must remind each other how a nation of good character prevails; how a nation proves strong when indivisible, in person and in spirit, with both sides locked and aligned.

Make it a GOOD DAY, G!

Dear America,

Goooooooooood Morning, Amerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrica!

There is something in the air, can't quite figure out what it is quite yet, but I feel a change is coming...no,  I know what it is.

For those of you who know me, fall is my favorite time of year -- and that, I smell, is right around the corner, right next to the Starbucks and five and dime.

But first off, I had to sit out a day for reasons being, one, my girl was in need of her mama, and for two, I was lingering over a happy moment from the day before...a moment when someone more left meets someone more right comfortably somewhere in the middle of understanding and mutual respect.

In the words of my new best friend, Jennifer, speaking much like someone -- and as one who does not identify herself as a conservative -- coming to meet me for coffee or a glass of wine:

"lets me understand what I think must be true of most folks who on the surface seem to have different politics.  We all want life to be better and more coherent -- I think we just interpret history differently, and have a different sense of what power is." 

I get such a thrill when east meets west, when north meets south, when left meets right, when just simple thoughts connect us at a level we can effortlessly recognize and understand -- at the heart.

I have no idea how left she leans, or how front and center she might sit, but it doesn't really matter in this moment, for the connection was made and is real...and it feels good.

That's all I'm saying.

It feels good...and thank you, Jennifer, for showing me how possible the impossible can come about.

And isn't that what America is all about, really...the melting into one nation, indivisible, with justice and the pursuit of happiness for all.

We came together, as a nation, from birth, with guarantees to no one -- and only getting a whiff of the possibility of what the pursuit of happiness might bring, as evident in those who came before us;  the making, the inventing, the creating,  the engineering, the showing up somewhere for an honest days work was in the air all over America, but the breathing it in, the embodiment was all up to us; taking that whiff all the way to market was entirely up to the individual, and by design -- and should still remain.

The wanting to learn, had to come from deep inside us.

The ambition to make something of ourselves, in spite of whatever wrongs came down our path, had to come from a deeper place, one that very possibly may be hidden and hard to find.

The talent, the skill, the action to fulfill our every dream and put bread on the table, could only be unhinged and let loose with our own two hands, our own two feet, our own determination to make it here, there, or anywhere.

What the article of radical homemakers stirred up for me, was the resurfacing of this inner strength and conviction to change our circumstances, to repair what is broke, to rebuild what's in shambles, to reignite what is inside us.  We are at will to change both our homestead and the community in which we live -- and need nothing more than the inherent power within us all, equally and fairly, to do it.

We don't need affirmative action to get there.

We don't need the government's help to get there.

We don't need anything but what is already inside us.

I have actually been going through a really rough time -- this year has seen more change, more upside down circumstances, more mishaps and wrong turns, than one girl should ever have to endure. While in this moment -- with fall in the air and an appreciative word from my new best friend -- the hardship can be easily hidden from view to the outside.  G can tap away as if not a care in the world.

Little do you all know that right here and now, I sit seemingly content most days only because my little tush hit first.

Oh, but for those who do know, I get affirmations daily from angels unaware and distant family who feel me without even saying a word.

If you will indulge me for a second, let me share the latest ha-ha moment -- via my mama from east coast to west.  She is famous for clipping out things she would love to buy for you, but sending the picture instead; and I know right there, it sounds like a dig, but it isn't!  It is pure love expressing -- as it is clearly in touch with a feeling, an emotion, and from across the miles it is instant connection, like no more dial up -- just high speed, in the vein, fireball of love...can you feel me now, kind of thing.

Anywho, she sent a worn corner of a catalog showing a paperweight.  On this "made in Rhode Island of lead-free solid pewter" said the words from Winston Churchill,

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

Nahhhhh, I thought I'd stay awhile...

That's what I am talkin' about.

This is the American spirit at work, through the mind of a brilliant Brit, at it's very best. (I love Churchill, remember now, it was Kennedy who made him an honorary citizen one day in the Rose Garden...gotta show some love for that, too...you see what the changing of a season into fall does for me...oh, you get me now...)

For $35.00, you too can have this little reminder, and support the craftsmen of Rhode Island, by going to www.uncommongoods.com/ or calling 888- 365 - 0056...and no, I know what you're thinking now, G is not being paid for the plug, so have at it.

The thing is, today, I feel like America is in a state of some sort of purgatory; it's like we can't decide which way we are going to go.  Do we stick with what has worked for 234 years, that which has been at times rocky for sure, but at best, steadfast and pure of heart and good intentions for so long; or do we allow for the diversity and uncommon politics to get the best of us, not meeting somewhere in the middle, not bridging the east with west, not bringing the south north, and not taking the opportunity of finding that place found hidden in the soul, at the heart of a nation, and as leader to the free world?

And not only are we in the midst of this confused state, we are paralyzed in the motion of pointing fingers everywhere but to our very own root cause; for it is easier to look to the problem outside of ourselves, somebody Else's fault, fate, circumstance, bad timing, poor judgement, wrong turns, the previous administration, improper business practices, lying, cheating, corruption and overall fatigue, blaming it all on anyone else, but our self.  (and of course, while there, in the muck on the bottom -- no really the bottom, bottom-bottom, can't get any worse or lower or out of this world bad --  in Sarah Bernhardt style -- take on the victim mentality, whine and cry and the whole shebang...waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah....woe is me.)

Nope.

We don't stand for that in America.

Adversity is a test of time and tolerance and tenacity and transition; our ability to transcend emotionally, mentally, spirtually and ultimately physically, is everything -- and thereby builds a life.

Another guardian angel and kindred spirit of mine, reminded me recently of this, let's just call him "Fred":

"There is a philosophy that says the universe keeps giving us opportunities / lessons that we need to work through / come to terms with and accept before we can move on to something new."

I guess it is just that for some of us, and I'm not pointing fingers here, just haven't re-founded that same level of -- understanding, if you will?

(and not for people like Jen, can I call you Jen? my new best friend -- and for God knows, not me either, even when all I really want to do is sit and wallow in it here and now, along with a box of bonbons and Kleenex, notwithstanding looking straight out my window to the gorgeous August afternoon)

We may not all agree on the surface, but deep down, we know each other and want what's best for each other, and want a life better for our children than we wish for ourselves, and maybe even have a chance to bake our own bread occasionally and go to the farmer's market while we do it, all in the peace and quiet of a nation melting into one body, with the welcoming spirit of fall keeping the company of strangers, angels, and new friends -- for this is the United States of America, and a good morning it is.

We are never too far apart as one nation under God, call It whatever you will (even Allah, works, when we come in peace and mutual respect); we are not that far apart, indeed.

What we have here, is a breakdown in communication; we have lost something in translation; we have mass confusion and frustration going on as we all hit rock bottom not on our bums, unfortunate enough, but upon our noggins; some of us will bounce back all on our own, others will stay for awhile mistaking the circumstance as final fate; but everyone, from left to right, will look to the leaders of this nation and seek clarity, concern, compassion, conservative and wise spending, complete honesty, continuity in the principles and values that have been tested through all time and society's large and small -- and perhaps, if it is comes up in conversation, a whole lot less of pointing fingers.

But in a nutshell falling from our family tree, a government built upon self-reliance was the key to our success, the meat with our potatoes, the duality of outcomes equal to all people, in principle and with every day proper use.

Albeit that somebody else decided for me, but President Obama is my president, too; a sense of understanding of this great duty is all I ask of him and of anyone farther left who wish to further rub the raspberry on my buttocks.

All we really need is the return to the Golden Rule, and just maybe, we have half a chance to grow that garden of Eden we always wished we had, or just maybe, we could spin the air and move mountains and somehow create the heaven on earth for all people of all politics, and just maybe, a couple of girls, who on the surface appear to be going in entirely two different directions, can find themselves sipping out of the same fountain. 

A girl can dream, can't she?

Make it a Good Day (because nobody else will), G

we all have a gift to share; we all have a casserole to bring to the table; we all have the ability to come together, and not be torn apart through bad politics...catch the video on Dear America, please.  be inspired to be part of the solution (and there are many)....the choice is ours, individually, and collectively everything will correct itself...

Little Jackie is an angel, divinity in action, and an American Girl  for us all.

Dear America,

I haven't thought about it. I haven't read about it. And God knows what will happen today, here on Monday, August 17, 2009, 8:20 am California time.


Oh woe is me, the Health Care debacle is untying our unity I tell you; butchering the freedom of speech while reducing the actions of our free democratic Republic into something unrecognizable. But don't be afraid, we've been here before.


WE the people, have overcome great conflict and desperate times many times over. I think what has changed is the ability to see everything play out in front of us almost instantly. It takes personal diligence and fortitude to find the courage to keep from turning on the TV, opening the yahoo page or glancing at a newspaper, fighting to turn our consciousness purposely away, otherwise we are inundated with a perfect storm of media churning out rhetoric and spin and instant messaging.



We are so used to it we forget that there was a time when Gore and his Internet was just not invented yet. Glory be to those days...gone by eras of the Revolutionary War where news traveled by town crier forcing the creation of sensationalized pamphlets recording every social and economic condition weighing in the hearts of man. Out of which we need to look no further than the infamous Thomas Paine's Common Sense.

The newspaper can really be credited for escalating and dramatizing the uprising that took place against England. Newspapers, heaven forbid, were actually being suppressed in an effort to keep people from speaking up and causing such a raucous. No way...

Here's a tidbit:

"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without
newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a
moment to prefer the latter."
Thomas Jefferson, 1787

And then there is:

Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech or of the
press..Article One, Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution, 1789

Even so, in the early days the newspaper had its share of issues. There were some very turbulent years to record throughout the American Revolution, testing our faith, the human spirit, and the will of the people all along the way. When our Declaration of Independence was published in Congress, some newspapers took weeks to cover the story. Times were slow.

The irony is that the paper then was far more cutting edge with regards to the printing liberties taken by the editor in chief. Papers were downright used and referred to as propaganda all the time. And by today's standard, were far more vocal when it came to slanderous accounts, remarking on the body politic, using a no holds barred approach to win the loyalties of its readers, shifting a community of thought brilliantly and shaping American opinion. It became an industry that actually reveled in the representation of all views, right or left, republican or democrat and loved the ability to take this one mode of communication to the people, written by the people, for the sole purpose of being instrumental in the growing of a new America.

It wasn't until the mid 1800's that the body known today as the Associated Press turned out in order to speed up the process and take advantage of compiling news sources from all around the country, and even the world; with a product of the Industrial Age, the Telegraphic column, taking it's rightful foothold in the history of the American Press in 1844.

We've come along way, and then again what is it good for?

Considering its already old news if we're not getting automatic updates on CNN, we are seeing Government intervene in our lives through bail outs and take overs and health care and taxes at such a pace, the amount of information coming to us and linked to other stories, is frightening.

The faithful newspaper that would arrive like a new day is seeing troubling signs of not keeping up with the times; local papers having extreme difficulty staying afloat, easily going belly up against the news that just pops up on our screens for free. We are no longer sipping a cup of coffee and catching up with the world quietly over the Times or the Post, we are speed balling and intravenously digesting the news and expecting answers to come and problems resolved almost as hastily.

Stop. Breathe Dear America. We don't have to do anything we don't want to do; and our Government cannot suppress nor hinder our ability to speak freely and often, through whatever means available. Our first newspapers and federalist papers accomplished this task against all odds of not enough paper, patiently waiting through the lag in between stories, finding our brave editors voicing the efforts of the reformation movement against England without fear. We were funneling the new American agenda into every home in the face of "give me liberty or give me death" (Patrick Henry) via newsprint no less! Capturing the hearts of each and every citizen in splendid unison for one thing, freedom.

We need to be very careful these days with our right for free speech and the ability to link with other like minds. Don't be surprised if this simple liberty is challenged in the days to come, if for no other reason but to suppress those who do not agree with the current shaping of America. No Way...

Way.

Make it a good day, G