Category: History

Leaving The EU and Becoming the UK Once Again.

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Recently, some of my English friends have been discussing whether or not the UK should leave the EU. The majority are torn between the ‘goodies’ that the EU promises but have yet to deliver, and wanting out so they can once again make their own decisions instead of being told what they can and cannot do as a country. The EU is forcing their laws and ideals on the countries who join them, and some are becoming tired of being used in such a manner. So, here are my two cents worth on the topic.

From an outsider perspective:

Once England joined the EU, the downward trend from a solid world leader, economically advanced, country toward an enslaved, powerless, nonentity began. As the years go along, that downward trend has continued until no one even knows what England stands for any longer.

You are over run with anti English illegal immigration, (much like the US), and your leadership is kowtowing and bending over to kiss the proverbial rear end of the very people who hate you the most. No longer are you free to decide anything for yourselves, including how you think or speak, because it might be construed as ‘hurtful’ to the illegals. Read that as the government being terrified of the criminal elements and want to keep them ‘happy’ and calm. Even if it means handing over the laws of the land that have served your country well for thousands of years in favor of their barbaric laws.

Since we left the UK, I have watched health care become a mockery rendered down to health and safety insanity rules, the value of the UK coin become worth less and less in the world markets, the cost of living climb higher on a nearly daily basis, and the value of human life degenerate into a ‘hurry up and die’ level. The honor, pride, and nationalism of the English people is tarnished, and the strong have been brainwashed into being afraid, powerless, and unable to excel in case it should offend someone who isn’t willing to put forth the effort to excel,

There is a huge brain drain of young people packing up and moving away from the country and taking their talent and abilities with them because there is no real future in the EU for anyone other than the corrupt politicians and controllers of every aspect of your life. Soon the country will be nothing more than dead beats, anti English, Christian hating illegal immigrants, old people, and the uber rich who use the UK as a jumping off spot for the rest of Europe. You will be taxed out of a middle class, and working class, so only the rich and the folks on the dole can afford to remain in places like London and even Nottingham.

Now, having said that, I realize I have no horse in this race. It won’t have an impact on my life in any way, but it will on my friends who do live in the UK. I want to see the pride back on the faces of my friends, not the stress and worry that is so obvious these days. Besides, i love England, But I won;t be back until it is safe to walk down the street without worrying about being bombed. I can’t carry a weapon there, and in today’s world, I won’t go anywhere without one.

Prejudice, Choice, Preference

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Recently, I had a rather heated discussion with someone concerning racism. Which is, as we all know, a form of prejudice. It is my opinion that prejudice is part of most cultures and is definitely rampant amongst certain social groups. The definition of the word prejudice [prej-uh-dis] as follows:

Noun:

1. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.

3. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile nature, regarding an ethnic, racial, social, or religious group.

4. such attitudes considered collectively: The war against prejudice is never-ending.

5. damage or injury; detriment: a law that operated to the prejudice of the majority.

6. Verb (used with object), prejudiced, prejudicing.

to affect with a prejudice, either favorable or unfavorable: His honesty and sincerity prejudiced us in his favor.

7. Idioms

without prejudice, Law. without dismissing, damaging, or otherwise affecting a legal interest or demand.

(I know, it one is not supposed to use dictionary definitions when trying to make a point, it is a lazy way of doing so. However, there are those who simply haven’t a clue concerning the real meaning of the word, nor do they know how to use it properly in either the written or spoken English/American language.)

So, if prejudice is to prejudge and form an opinion in the negative without knowledge, thought, or reason, does that mean a person prejudges and creates a prejudice that it is a choice based on bogus or non information? No, really, I am serious. Because, quite frankly, I am really tired of being labeled by those who don’t bother to gain knowledge concerning a topic before spouting off and blaming everyone but their own prejudging for all the wrongs in the world.

Is it a prejudice to prefer one particular football team over all others to the total exclusion of other teams, or is it a preference based on knowledge, thought, or reason? Is it a preconceived opinion or feeling that is unreasonable but based within ones social sphere of other fans of that team? Is it a knee jerk emotional reaction to get angry when that team loses, or does one stop and think through the game and realize that the other team was simply better that day? Or, does one get simply want to take the anger out on the coach or a team member in an emotional reaction based on unreasonable feelings? Is it a choice or is it a preference? One based on logic and knowledge, or one base in emotional overload.

Is it prejudice or racism to enjoy a song by a black singer that is also a hit by a singer of another color? Is it choice based on knowledge and understanding of that piece of music, or is it a prejudice against the black singer if you like the other singer better? Choice/preference or prejudice? Do your prefer the non black singer because of your preconceived ideas, or because of hostile feelings toward the person of color, or do you simply happen to like one rendition over the other because it sounds better to you? For instance, I prefer the Bing Crosby rendition of White Christmas, because it reminds me of my childhood and happy times. I don’t dismiss the value of other singers, no matter their background, but I prefer that song for personal reasons. I willingly listen to most other singers and their renditions, but that one will always be my favorite. Does that make me prejudiced toward other singers, or do I have a preference?

When it comes down to it, we all have prejudices about myriad of things, people, issues, and yes, football teams. Some of us are never going to wear Manolo heels, not because we have an issue with Manolo, but because high heels hurt our feet. Logic says, if it hurts, don’t do that again. But, some of us will also not wear products made in places where they keep people working for pennies as virtual slaves because we are against that sort of thing. We are prejudice, however, we are also making a choice based on knowledge and understanding of the suffering of the workers. That fine line between choice and prejudice is only crossed when we, as human beings, take those feelings out on other people because we allow emotion to overcome logic and knowledge of the facts.

It is well known among my friends and unfriends (a few have done so because I won’t back down on certain issues), that I do not bow to white guilt. There are two reasons, first, slavery happened over a century before I was born. I had nothing to do with it therefore I have no guilt over what my ancestors may or may not have done in the past. Second, I was raised in the US Military post Korean War. Therefore, I grew up with, went to school with, engaged with, and befriended children of all colors, cultures, and backgrounds. Living on an Army base, especially overseas, was like living in a special world where everyone just got on with doing what had to be done. There was no time, nor place, for racism, prejudice, or attitudes. Choice or preference, or simply how things were?

Along the lines of refusing to bow to white guilt, I am adamantly opposed to allowing enemies of my country into the United States. Jihadist Islam is not something that we should tolerate in a freedom loving country based on the values and morals within the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The culture and religion of the radical Islamist is exactly opposite of what most Americans believe and they are a threat to our security. Some would say I am a bigot or a racists, and I would be if this opinion was based on knee jerk emotional reactions and not on knowledge, logic, and an understanding of what the jihadist radical islamic people believe and what they want to do to all who do not believe exactly as they do. Ergo, people, it is the JRI who are prejudiced, bigoted, and racist – not I.

However, there are those that believe I should be ashamed of my thoughts, and I should welcome refugees (I use the term loosely here) who hate our country to waltz right in and do as they will. We should bow down to their demands and give them everything they want so they will like us and not hurt us. How did that work out for other countries and cultures in the past? Read your history, it is about to be repeated because people are terrified to stand up and state the obvious after all their social media group will lambaste them into submission by using guilt and passive aggressive attacks. So, is it choice to stand up to the enemies, is it prejudice to want to stop others from taking away our freedom, is it a preference to remain free, or is it simply the way things are?

I don’t care what your skin color may be, or not. I don’t care where you live, or who your social groups are, as long as you aren’t hurting others, cheating others, taking from others without giving back, or using your social groups to make impossible demands so you can remain a child in an adult body.

I don’t demand anything of anyone, I ask that people remember how far we have come from 1864 and how much change was wrought by Martin Luther King and his followers, black and white. (With, of course, the exception of the ambulance chasing rabble rousers like Sharpton, Jackson, and Farrakhan.)

Under the changes that took place during and after the tenure of Dr. King, the world opened up for everyone of color – and changed the world for everyone in the United States. It wasn’t until the radicalized people like the Black Panthers and Malcolm X took over that the peaceful changing world of race acceptance was shattered. It wasn’t until the US government displace fathers in the black communities, thriving black communities by the way, and families fell apart that we began to see the gangs form and violence foment within the broken communities. When Uncle Sam became Daddy Sam, many succumbed to the easy money and gradual erosion of personal accomplishment and pride in a job well done. Things went from “I can do this” to “I deserve this because of my skin color.” Yet even with the violence – mostly black young men killing black young men who have been disenfranchised as valuable to the community – there are those who see past the propaganda and refuse to be yet another government statistic. Bravo for them! It is too bad that those with so much potential become so convinced that they are worthless simply because the government tells them so to keep them on the welfare system. Does that make me prejudiced toward people of color? No, because the facts and knowledge based on information provided by the communities and history of the people themselves provide the logic behind my words. A knee jerk prejudice reaction would be to assume that all people of color are violent, ignorant, and worthless. Kind of like all Democratic senators did after the civil war. And, like Lyndon Johnson and his cronies did after the death of Dr. King. After all, he created the great welfare program resulting in the enslavement of the minds of the black communities.

Before, you go pointing fingers, making assumptions, loudly proclaiming someone a certain label, take a look at how you are behaving. Are you being prejudicial, based on emotion and preconceived ideas planted in your minds by those with an agenda to control you and your thoughts and ideas, or are you making a choice in how you behave based on knowledge, understanding, and facts found within today’s news and yesterday’s history? Are you spouting slogans like parrots forced upon your conscience by repetition of those who are prejudging those who are not like you, or, are you thinking past the hype and searching for the rock bottom truth behind the propaganda? Is it prejudice, choice, or preference? Who is making you point fingers and label others? Is it really you, or is it a feel good reaction to unpleasant truths? Really, I would love to know. Because I am really tired of being called names when I disagree with the popular propaganda machine robots. Really.

Stop Islamic Terrorists From Coming Here.

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A Letter to Our Representatives:

entlemen,

I am a constituent from Nesbit, Mississippi. I am a white, female, senior citizen who considers myself to be a strong patriot and Constitutional Conservative. Because I am pro-America, I am certainly Anti-Islamic Terrorism. As sure as you take your cut of glut in the power plays of Washington D.C.. the Islamists are determined to destroy all that we hold sacred.

I am writing to demand that you stand up to the weak, inept, waste of human genomes in the White House and his pathetic minions. I demand, as is my right, that congress refuse to allow ANY Islamic ‘refugees’ into the United States of America. Not one should be allowed on our shores, because, at the end of the day, they are barbaric killers who hide behind a pseudo religion that encourages the decimation and complete destruction of any and all who are not willing to allow them to rule the world. They will enslave or kill every single person who stands against them if they are allowed to continue to storm from one country to another.

The United States of America has the power and ability to stop this insanity. All we have to do is take a stand, and FIGHT them with all the resources we have available to us. Instead of tiptoeing around all the diplomatic dogma, how about letting a real man actually take over and run the military. Send in people to do what they are trained to do, kill the enemy. Stop all the idiocy of trying to make friends with people who HATE anyone who is not like they say they should be. Cut off the head of the snake, and it is no longer a threat.

Leave enough military power to shut down any Islamic threats within our borders, and throw out any person who is representing Sharia Law in any form within our country. Get rid of the radical Imams within the Mosques who try to radicalize and co-opt our American men and women to turn them into killers of their own people. Make. It. STOP!

I realize that Senator Thad is in the pocket of the Mississippi and US democrats who are now his masters, so he will only jump and do the bidding of the White House Embarrassment and his pals. But I would expect Senator Wicker at at least act like his is a true patriot and stand against this unacceptable invasion of anti-American Islamic Terrorists of our borders. However, as a he is not a Constitutional Conservative, I expect he will simply try to fade into the woodwork and vote present.

So, Mr. Kelly, I turn to you for support in denying any Muslim incursion into our country, for any reason. They are the ENEMY, sir, and as such need to be destroyed before they ever get to our shores. In short, sir, grow a pair and be a man. Heaven knows we need someone from Mississippi to act like one. Stop this insanity, protect the people of your state and country, stand up with others in yourco untry and make it clear that the invasion will not take place here. Oh, and get the murders you already let in, OUT now, before they start killing here too.

Karron Combs

CC Senators Thad and Wicker, Rep. Kelly.

Demi-gods and Freedom

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I believe that everyone has the right to all the freedoms of the land. Because I am an American, I hold those freedoms in great honor. We are a nation built on independent men and women who braved the world and stood fast in their determination to be free in thought, religion, speech, and to do what they must to be happy. To always be forced to put society before one’s family, one’s God, and one’s independence is an abomination to most Americans. Society works because there are laws and checks and balances between the members of that society. It has nothing to do with allowing a government to force the mental enslavement of a people just because whomever is in power thinks they have the right to force others to bend to their will. Therein lies the demi-gods. It is when people are free to choose, to think for themselves, that they are at their best.

Take a look at the so called Dear Leader of North Korea. His country is supposed to be first, but he has turned into an evil tyrant because there are NO checks and balances on his behavior. He is a true sociopath whose evil knows no bounds. Were his people free to refuse to obey him, he would have long since been executed for the killer that he is. It is not all that different from what Hitler did to Germany, only his victims were Jews, Catholic Priests and nuns, homosexuals, gypsy, and anyone that he felt was sub-human. Negating the individual in favor of the society always leaves the leader of that society free to do what ever he or she wishes. All their personal hatred for a person or persons can be indulged in the most inhumane way possible. And of course, those in power will do their best to stay in power in order to control their world.

Without freedom, people have nothing but slavery to the system. Socialism, Communism, Dictatorships, all remove the individual from the formula that creates a robust society. In time, the people give up, stop trying, stop thinking for themselves, and simply plod along through life without hope of a better future. At the expense of independent freedoms, no one will ever be able to become more than what their society allows. That is why so many countries without freedom become third world countries in a few generations. Look at Cuba, and even Russia. (Russian people outside of the larger cities, and even within many of them live third world lives.) Those in power have all the money and riches, not the people. And people certainly don’t have the freedom to find a way to make more or do more unless they do it illegally.

Growth in humanity and their society happens when the individual takes the future into his or her own hands and makes something more from it. Scientist, medicine, flight, inventions, all sorts of new and impressive life saving inventions, including transportation and roads, have happened because people were free to imagine, dream, and then create what comes from that ability to dream. It is the independent individual businessman who comes up with a new idea or way to do something and then makes it available to the entire world that becomes wealthy, not the leaders or government in charge who hordes the inventions and ideas of the people and keep them for the elite or government – or even sell them at a profit and keep the money for themselves.

Because the United States is built on a unique platform of a republic, and because our country was founded by religious fanatics, criminals, and those desperate for a new start, or at least a chance at success, we have a mix of robust, determined, hard headed people who are drenched in common sense, and a dedication to individuality. It is the elite of the decidedly liberal progressive academia who want to “fundamentally change” that which is sacred to the American people. Steeped in self loathing clothed in the rhetoric of high minded tripe, they seek to tear down that which they cannot understand. It is they who must be the leaders, because they know best. It is they who must have and keep the wealth, because the sub-humans around them simply do not have the ability to understand what is best for them. All people, no matter who or what they are, happen to fall beneath their sanctimonious and bitter idea of leadership. In short, they want us to be China, Russia, or North Korea instead of the great country we were, we are, and will be.

I can pretty much guarantee another civil war if the progressive liberals keep pressing to change our fundamental and sacred rights as citizens of the United States of America. Progressive Leftists like Hilary Clinton and her ilk, have, indeed awakened a sleeping giant. Other than the elite academia, the actors from Hollywood, and those under their thrall, most of us in this country still believe and stand firm in the Constitution of the United States of America, and always will.

Pity Me, Pity Us

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I read this article from Salon by Julia Bount.

http://www.salon.com/2015/04/29/dear_white_facebook_friends_i_need_you_to_respect_what_black_america_is_feeling_right_now/?upw

This is my response:

What a load of pity me, pity us. Because you allow, ALLOW yourselves to be victims, and once you are, you wallow in the whining and refuse to take responsibility for your actions and for the lack of parenting and fathers who stick around to BE fathers.
This is NOT a black and white issue, one of the officers charged is a black Female!! This is a flat out, rabble rousing issue by the likes of the pot head in chief and the likes of Sharpie Sharpton.

Every thing on that pity me list screams victim.

I hear hopelessness

Not just a black issue. Poor people all over the world feel this way. Think you have it bad? What about the women in the middle east who suffer just because they are women? Beaten, raped, murdered, just because they are women. Compared to them, the worse off black American is living in luxury and freedom.

I hear oppression

The only people oppressing black people, are the democratic/progressive party and black people. Sharpie Sharpton WANTS you to be oppressed. That’s how he makes his living. So do the political left, that’s how they make their money. The more the government interferes with your life, the more dependent you are on them, the more they get to keep you as mental and emotional slaves. Oppressed? Really? Then break out and refuse to be. Not by riots and following the propaganda and brain washing, but by being a human being instead of a victim.

I hear pain

So do I. But not because of racism on the part of the white people. I hear pain because the black community destroys its own community. Violence, drugs, riots, burning down business owned by black people who live in their community. Two or three generations who have lived within the welfare system, but have every opportunity to get free of the grinding down of their dignity because they are afraid, or lazy, or it is easier to make money selling drugs and ruining even more people in their community. Self defeating behavior causes pain. Along with the fact that they have allowed themselves to become mentally enslaved by the system. All the opportunities given to anyone else are also available to black Americans, and probably more so than other folks.

I hear internalized oppression

Now there is a phrase: Internalized Oppression. That means that they SELF oppress. No one is doing it to them, they do it to themselves. Where did they learn that? Not from white people. Over my life span, I have seen proud, hardworking, business owning, educated, and wealthy black communities become ghettos of drunken, drugged, drop outs who spend their time on street corners doing nothing but encouraging each other to feel oppressed. Gangs are one of the most oppressive things in most communities, fostering fear and violence against their own, and if the police intervene, they whole community goes against them. Even if the gangs are committing horrific crimes. And then there are the professional riot folks hired by folks like Sharpie Sharpton and his pals telling everyone they are being brutalized by the white people. Again, it is easier to let someone tell you that you are a victim and believe it than it is to stand up and refuse to allow the government to tell you that you are unable to care for yourselves. Internalized Oppression – SELF defeat, SELF fulfilling prophecy.

I hear despair
I hear it too. From the people whose lives were destroyed by the riots. Those who will have no jobs from the fires. Those who will have no way to make a living now that their business is gone. I hear despair from white people who have done everything they can to prove that they are not racist toward black people. I live in the South, I don’t see it here. The only people in despair are those who feel they are being labeled as a racist just because of their skin color. The majority of Americans, by far, simply ignore skin color. WE DON’T CARE what color you are. We CARE about how you behave, treat others, and contribute to the community.

I hear anger

For what? Not getting every thing you want? Because you get arrested more than other folks? Have you ever considered the fact that the majority of crimes are committed by young black males? Don’t do the crime, don’t do the time. People of all colors get arrested and go to jail for many things. Get you kids off the street, make them go to school, make them understand that if they go to jail, then they will pay for the crime they committed. You think you are profiled? Well, duh, stop being the most criminal group out there. You blame it on white supremacy? Really? It isn’t just because you are black that you are watched closely by cops, it is because of the amount of crime the black people commit in certain communities. Preventing crime is the responsibility of the police. It is their job. And black people aren’t the only people to get hurt while being arrested. That’s what happens when you fight, argue, and taunt the police officers.

I hear poverty

Really? So do I. The poorest people in the US are the working poor. Blue collar workers who have to support their families on low income wages do without a lot more than those who can use their EBT card to buy everything from cigarettes to steaks. The hardest working people, the middle class, small business owners, those that keep the city and country functioning – including police, firemen and women, nurses, technicians, store owners, those that work hard to provide for their families so their kids will have more and do better than them – they also are taxed the most so that the EBT crowd can stay home and choose not to better themselves.

Poverty is not a black issue. There are people of all color who struggle to survive on a minimum amount of money. EBT people get free medical, free food, free lunches, free childcare, free education, free transportation in most cities, a place to live, and know where and how to get free food and clothing too. Black or white or brown or green with yellow dots, poverty is a real issue for many. And folks of every color are EBT people – sometimes for generations. By refusing to stay in school, having babies without daddies around to raise them, refusing to work menial jobs rather than accept welfare, anyone will find their community over burdened with poverty.

You say you have to worry all the time about your brother, cousins, friends, etc. being stopped by the police. EVERY person has that same worry. Because if you are breaking the law, then you get stopped. If you refuse to follow directions from the police, they you are arrested. If your community is known for violence, crime, and law breaking, then your community is watched more carefully to protect others from your violence, crime, and law breaking. Profiling only happens when it is merited. A lot of Hispanic and white communities bear the same burden.

Take responsibility for your actions. Black, white, rich, poor, behavior matters. There are always consequences for poor behavior.

Black lives matter. Of course they do. No one I know of who is white, has ever said differently. That mantra is from the likes of Sharpie Sharpton.

As the mother of an American Indian son, murdered by a white person, I could scream racism too. It wasn’t about race, it wasn’t even about the gun that was used, it was about a crazy man who decided to see how it felt to murder someone. Skin color had nothing to do with my son’s death. Someone’s evil decision and action killed him. And thank goodness the police and justice system were there to find the killer and lock him up so he could never harm another.
All Lives Matter.

It isn’t just a black thing.

A Choice To Make – If you are not religious, skip this. I will not entertain any nonsense.

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I had the strangest dream last night. I tend to dream entire books, and odd things like showing up for an appointment late and in inappropriate clothing, like wearing my nightgown to the office. But this dream was different, because it was about a metaphor from the way we live life, and the way the Hebrews lived life in the shortly after the death of Moses.

All of us know the story of Joshua and the fall of the walls of Jericho. If not, here is a short summary.

Battle of Jericho – Story Summary:

The battle of Jericho featured one of the most astounding miracles in the Bible, proving that God stood with the Israelites.

Featured image

After the death of Moses, God chose Joshua, son of Nun, to be the leader of the Israelite people. They set about to conquer the land of Canaan, under the Lord’s guidance. God said to Joshua, “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 Spies from the Israelites sneaked into the walled city of Jericho and stayed at the house of Rahab, a prostitute. But Rahab had faith in God. She hid the spies from the king’s soldiers, and when the time was right, she helped the spies escape out a window and down a rope, since her house was built into the city wall.

Rahab made the spies swear an oath. She promised not to give their plans away, and in return they swore to spare Rahab and her family when the battle of Jericho began. She was to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign of their protection.

Meanwhile, the Israelite people continued to move into Canaan. God commanded Joshua to have the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the center of the Jordan River, which was at flood stage. As soon as they stepped into the river, the water stopped flowing. It piled up in heaps upstream and downstream, so the people could cross on dry ground. God performed a miracle for Joshua, just as he had done for Moses, by parting the Red Sea.

God had a strange plan for the battle of Jericho. He told Joshua to have the armed men march around the city once each day, for six days. The priests were to carry the ark, blowing trumpets, but the soldiers were to keep silent.

On the seventh day, the assembly marched around the walls of Jericho seven times. Joshua told them that by God’s order, every living thing in the city must be destroyed, except Rahab and her family. All articles of silver, gold, bronze and iron were to go into the Lord’s treasury.

At Joshua’s command, the men gave a great shout, and Jericho’s walls fell down flat! The Israelite army rushed in and conquered the city. Only Rahab and her family were spared.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************

My dream picked up where the army had started marching around the city, with only the priests blowing ram’s horns. I was standing on a hillside with several other people, one of whom was a sort of teacher. As we watched, the people of Jericho stood on the wall laughing and jeering at the Hebrew Army. They were throwing rotten food and rotten meat at the men as the marched, but other than the priest’s noise, the Hebrews were silent and did not so much as look up at the wall.

I assumed this was the sixth day of the march, because after they were done, they all went back to their encampment and settled in for the night. While the people inside the walls were celebratory and such, the Hebrews still remained quiet. I asked the teacher if they knew what was going to happen the next day, and he said that some did, but most did not. However, they trusted that Joshua and God knew what to do, so slept peacefully.

At that point, I pondered about following God’s plan, even if it didn’t make a lot of sense. Soldiers are trained to fight, it must be a very frustrating thing to be prepared to do so, and yet being told to simply march and stay quiet. I know that every soldier I know would be frustrated at not being able to do what they are trained to do. Then, a metaphor sparked in my mind about how we, like the soldiers, often have to slog through miserable times, not knowing why, but trying, with all our inner strength, to keep moving – even if stopping and taking a different route would make us feel better.

Because we are trying to follow God’s plan, and not our own or that of mankind, we know we just have to keep going. Some of us will, but some will simply walk down another path because it is easier. They think that eventually they will go back to the path they know God wants them on, but what they don’t know is that the further they go down the path of man, the further they diverge from the path of God. The apex never comes back together and they will have to find a way to cross from one path to another – and that will mean a long hard battle across no mans land. Each crossroad will be a decision that can take a person further away or toward the main path, and those decisions will make all the difference in their lives.

The next day when the horns started blowing and the Hebrew Army started circling the city, the citizens of Jericho were on the walls, as usual. But when the army kept marching after the first time around, they sensed something was going to happen, however, until the army showed signs of a willingness to fight, they wouldn’t do more than throw things and jeer. After the seventh round, all of us held our breath as the great shout went up from the soldiers, and the walls fell, allowing them to enter the city and slay all but the prostitute and her family.

This brought to mind the issues of following commandments, even when it seems there is no purpose to do so. Everyone else is breaking the rules, and seem to get away with it on a regular basis, but if we break the rules, we will fail at the task set before us when we came to earth to gain our place in eternity.

I think the whole issue of, “it isn’t fair” needs to be tossed out of our lives. Nothing was ever said about fair, as each of us is supposed to be on an individual path. Since we are not competing against anything but ourselves, what does fairness have to do with anything? There are people in the church, however, who feel that they must qualify as experts in everything including how others live the gospel. You know them, the members who complain because things aren’t done their way, or the Utah way, or the way we have always done things. It is those kinds of people who drive off a lot of members with their constant criticizing and finger pointing. God sees us as individuals with individual lessons to learn, and individual paths to explore. Why can’t other members remember that?

At the end of the day, those who survive turn themselves over God and live His plan. Our obedience and willingness to take the harder road to redemption and salvation keeps us in play for our full potential being accomplished. Those of us, myself included, who wander from the road God set before us, just add to our difficulty by trying to take the short cut, or easy way, in life. And end up at the crossroads filled with peril and discordance with The Lord.

The adversary wants us to suffer that discord because chaos in our lives gives him power to overcome the rules set before us as children of God. He wants us to take the path of least resistance so he can put obstacles in our way, tripping us with every step forward. Although the path may look smooth, the pitfalls are well hidden until we fall. Strict obedience to the laws of God help us to remain strong within the perils of life. But straying too far will leave us unprotected and destitute in spirit.

In my dream, I stood with Joshua and his army on the hill over Jericho, seeing the thousands of people who had died in defiance of the laws of God, and the debauchery that brought about the downfall of the wall. That wall represents the Lord’s protection from the things that would harm us, it also represents how living with in it can tear away our decency and let us be burdened with blood lust and hate.

We must stand firm in what God wants us to do, follow orders, stick with the plan, and deal with the bumps and dips in the road before us, even if it feels constricting. We may want to do it the easy way, but there is no easy way, only God’s way and the adversary’s way. Our choices are what makes the path in front of us straight, crooked, or short. Are you obeying God’s commands, or are you doing to try to do it on your own? Make a choice.

Historical Generalities Bother Me.

Posted on Posted in Choices, Habits, History, Military, Politics, ReligionTagged , , Leave a comment

I was in a debate of Facebook the other day about the current race war being perpetuated by the current political climate. Several of the commentators stated inane things like, ***White people are the cause of war and have been since the earliest times. It is the Western culture that is behind all the race warfare. White people always think they are superior in their culture. And so on. (***paraphrased to avoid charges of plagiarism.) Because I really do not like the all inclusive “always” when discussing culture and warfare, this is my response to the inability of the commentators for using such a broad brush to paint all white people (whatever that means, as genetically diverse we are despite skin color).

1. People in the Middle East, in fact, all over the world, were killing each other long before the “white race” gained any power anywhere other than their own back yard. It is within the make up of humans to fight over the most, best, pretties, strongest, of everything. In the Middle East, the Moors managed to take over a good part of Europe by warfare. The Arabs were one of the first groups to deal with mathematics, astronomy, science, medicine, and literature. Be that as it may, they fought over that part of the world from day one, and are still doing so, and still behaving like Bedouin tribal warriors. And of course, they are still fighting the Jews who brought the one God into their venue.

However, as with all great cultures, with the rise comes a fall brought about, generally, by man’s greed and unwillingness to cooperate, share, learn new things, and let go of the warrior behavior in favor of other ways of working things out. It isn’t going to happen, it didn’t when the Philistines fought with Judea, it didn’t when the Greeks went to war with Troy, it didn’t work when the Romans ran out of places to conquer. Over time the entire culture of Northern Africa and the Middle East became caught in the quagmire of human inability to hang on to knowledge. So much was lost in the name of war, and that was long before “white people” showed up to meddle.

Of course the infighting, inbreeding, and greed of those in any place of power knew their days on earth were always finite once they made their first enemy. Those that tried to protect knowledge and culture were often seen as the biggest obstacle in the way of those who wanted more power. While their early scholars were once revered and respected, it wasn’t long before they became either slaves to the whims of their rules or owners, or they were forced into fleeing the country. Except, of course, for the scholars who gave in to the greed right along with those in power. As usual, those of a lower class, different religious beliefs, enslaved, and disenfranchised as a people suffered the most. Just as they do today. And as always, since about 2000 years ago, it is the Jews that they want to suffer the most. Well, Jews, and Christians, and anyone who is an American.

2. Greeks, Romans, and all the other cultures around the Mediterranean copied the Arabic people in learning, or were taught it as slaves to the Arabs before bringing it back to their countries. The Greek rise to power, and the fall from the top, was pretty fast. The Romans, however, took warfare to the highest technological level of their time. Other than China, and maybe Japan, they developed warfare into a world domination. But they were felled by the savages from the north, the true “white people” that eventually took over the world. So blame it all on the savage Vikings and the Norsemen, it is all their fault! The loss of Alexander was the last hurray for the Greek push to conquer the world. Then comes the loss of all the knowledge collected in the great library of Alexandria, when Rome took over the world. Of course, to do that, they had to destroy that which did not merge with their idea of culture and polytheism. So they killed the Jews, and then they killed Christians to stop the spread of the one God. But, it didn’t work.

The Romans also spent a lot of time killing each other. Especially the ruling class of people. Again, greed, power, corruption, and a determination to end the life of anyone who was different infected the great armies of Rome. And, like all dictatorships, the most corrupt rose to the top of the scum and killed all that was great about Roman culture, knowledge, and political growth. The were slowly drowned by the quicksand of mediocrity, leaving only the Roman Catholic Church with the opportunity to grab power and then began the Dark Ages and the rule of power through killing knowledge and education.

3. African tribal groups are some of the most warlike groups in the world, (along with many aboriginal groups including American Indian tribes.) We see them as victims today, and some of them are, but back along they were vicious enemies who captured each other to enslave or sell as slaves. Women were treated worse than most cows (sounds kinda like Muslims today, hummm?). Northern Africa is mostly Arabic and Muslim from the beginning of the religion. And in Egypt they were polytheists, and still are within certain factions . Christianity, and Islamic religions and off shoots were equal for a while, but now it is the backward thinking Islamic terrorists who run things. And they are, without a doubt, very warlike. As Islam spread into middle Africa, it became a horror of starvation and warfare. It won’t end any time soon, and it sure didn’t start with “white people” turning up. No more that the Incas and other South American cultures were the victims of the “white people” over the centuries. They murdered each other, long before they were discovered by the outside world.

Today central Africa is filled with third world countries and slipping fast. No matter how much help the gullible “white people” give, or how much we educate the people of Africa, they still behave like tribal warriors. As such, it is clear that the influence “white people” have had on the development of Africa is minimal. They will take the technology, bastardize the religions and political ideas we share, but they still fight like the tribal warriors that they are. Adding the violence of the Jihad Islamic Terrorists to their inclination to kill everyone who isn’t like them, they have become even more fractured as a people. Leaving their young to bear the burden of losing their culture, traditions, and values as they are taught how to be prejudiced, racists, and fanatical killers. The hope for some sort of common compassion and decency is no longer viable in many places in middle Africa.

My point, gentlemen and ladies, is that mankind, humankind, will ALWAYS be at war over something. It is genetic, in our nature, to compete, especially the males, for dominance. It started when we were chest beating cave dwellers. It hasn’t changed much. Our weapons are deadlier, and our reasons are often no reason at all – such as the genocide of young black males via other young black males in places like Chicago and Washington D. C. But the same reason for most war between people still come down to a few simple things. Politics (Ruling Power). Religion (My god is better than your god, even if they are both the one God). Greed (I deserve everything you earned and I am taking it). Land (I need more dirt and your’s looks good). Riches (I want more, more, more and I will do anything to get it, anything). Entitlement (Because I am the greatest and I deserve it). So, all the twaddle about one race being the instigator and perpetual cause of all war is simply unsustainable in the light of history of mankind. I suggest studying history before throwing about the whole issue of race and skin color being the driving factor of any sort of warfare. It is much more than that. To that end, I offer a bibliography for your pursuance at leisure.

The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome  Susan Wise Bauer

1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed: The Year Civilization Collapsed (Turning Points in Ancient History) Eric H. Cline

The Science of the Dogon: Decoding the African Mystery Tradition  Laird Scranton (Author), John Anthony West (Foreword)

Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization  Paul Kriwaczek (Author)

Ancient African Civilizations: Kush and Axum Hardcover – by Stanley Mayer Burstein (Author, Editor)

Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 BC-AD 1000 Paperback – April 26, 2011 by Barry Cunliffe

Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization Hardcover by Lars Brownworth  (Author)

The Last Days of the Incas  Kim MacQuarrie (Author)

Egypt, Greece, and Rome: Civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean Paperback  by Charles Freeman  (Author)

Perspectives from the Past: Primary Sources in Western Civilizations: From the Ancient Near East through the Age of Absolutism (Third Edition) (Vol. 1)

Norse Warfare: The Unconventional Battle Strategies of the Ancient Vikings Hardcover –  by Martina Sprague 

Vikings Hardcover – February 9, 2001  by Hazel Mary Martell 

Viking: The Norse Warrior’s [Unofficial] Manual Hardcover  by John Haywood 

They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America (Journal of African Civilizations) Paperback – September 23, 2003  by Ivan Van Sertima 

“Inaction is not an excuse for failure to thrive.”

Posted on Posted in Choices, conversation, Driving, Family, Friendship, Grandchildren, Habits, History, loss, Marriage, passions, TravelTagged , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

“Inaction is not an excuse for failure to thrive.”

I’ve noticed lately that a lot of people my age tend to simply stop. They stop doing fun things, they stop being involved, they stop thinking and growing intellectually. They just stop. Then they sit about and complain about how boring life is, how hard it is to do things they used to do, how much they wish they had done such and such before they got too old. They are failing to thrive in the late years of their lives. And there is no excuse for that- period.

I know, things are a bit harder to do when knees hurt,backs don’t want to bend, and the body gets tired much easier than it did at the age of forty. We all have to slow down,but that doesn’t mean we have to stop. It may take longer, but there is no reason not to at least try.

Years ago there was a movie entitled Cocoon followed by another, Cocoon Returns. If you haven’t seen them, I suggest watching them at least once. It starred a lot of “stars” who were getting quite elderly. All stuck in a nursing home, waiting to die, fussing at one another, etc. Until things change due to a visit from the aliens. Look, I know it is really a sappy story, but what I loved about it was the willingness of almost all of the elderly folks to embrace that which was different. If their youth didn’t return, their joy for life certainly did. And, at the end of the day, their inaction became action, and their lives infinitely better.

Another movie I loved was Driving Miss Daisy, a stellar performance by one and all. Again, another character that defies the tendency to just sit down and stop. Fried Green Tomatoes is a fantastic film. Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy were great together and the flashback between Mary-Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson is equally dynamic. At the end of the day, we are still not sure which woman Jessica Tandy was as the elderly friend of Kathy Bates. Ambiguity saturates the film, while turning Katy Bates’ character from a meek doormat into a woman filled with confidence. And, of course, the character played by Shirley Mclaine in Steel Magnolias is just like I want to be when I get old.

I see many older folks off and doing things all over the world. They travel, explore, serve missions of compassion – regardless of sore knees and aching backs. They move, act, and they live every minute of every day. That is what I want to do too.

When our youngest son went off to college, my husband and I decided to work our way around the world. Eight years later, we finally returned to the US. As we were raising our granddaughter, she went right along with us. We lived in London, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, and only came back to the US due to health issues and the awful Socialized Medical care in NZ. We traveled all over each region and were enriched many times over by our experiences.

But I was in my forty’s when we did that. Now I am sixty, and it is going to become more difficult to do some of the things we did. So, we chose other things to do so we could travel. A cruise or four, a road trip across the US, and our big adventure this year is to travel across country by train. I don’t hike for miles any longer, but I sure can sit and enjoy the view from the train.

So there is no excuse not to thrive, people. Just get up, take a few steps, find a hobby that fulfills you, volunteer as a surrogate grandmother to rock babies at the hospital. Volunteer at the schools or libraries to help kids with their reading skills. Go help out a nursing home if you have a talent like playing the piano. There are a multitude of things you can do to overcome the lack of inertia and sedentary inaction. For me, being with my grandchildren is one of my greatest motivators. I write, I hang out on social media sites, I keep up with friends and work on my family history, and I am planning on taking art lessons. I have always wanted to learn how to paint. That will be so much fun!

So, you are old, so what? Inaction is not an excuse for failure to thrive. Just because your body is starting to creak and moan, it doesn’t mean your brain isn’t functioning. (Unless you have a serious condition, of course.) With all the medical miracles out today, most of us will live well into our eighties or nineties.

I have a friend who is ninety-eight. For the several decades, she has traveled the world following the performances of the operas of Wagner. All on her own, she would jump on a plane and off she would go to Italy, France, Germany, or any place in the world that the operas were being performed. What an amazing lady

who just kept on going like an Eveready Battery. She is running down now, but she is still in control of her life and decided to go home until the end of her days. It is heartbreaking, but at the same time, what a life she has had! Even now, she keeps busy with doing her family history and chatting with her friends and family.

Even if you are homebound, unable to walk, unable to drive, so what? There are a million things you can do to keep your brain healthy and busy. Never just stop and wait to die. We all have a finite amount of time here in this life. I could spend it worrying about death, or I can just get on with living while I am still here.

The more we let inaction rule our lives, the less likely we are to live a long life. Not just because our bodies need to move to function well, but because our brains atrophy at an alarming rate. Inaction is not an excuse for failure to thrive. But it is only you that can take that first step. I can’t wait to become a feisty old woman who says exactly what she wants to say about everything.

Come on people, get up, find a cause, reason, purpose, or passion to fill your life. Go on!

 

Where Is My Phone?

Posted on Posted in Choices, Habits, HistoryTagged Leave a comment

I have a love/hate relationship with my cell phone. I love to have it when I really need it, but I hate dealing with it most of the time. I am one of those people who lets the phone battery go dead, and forget to charge it for days at a time. I once managed two weeks of no phone until my husband charged it for me. I guess it makes sense, because I don’t like to talk on any phone these days.

I have an old AT&T phone that has the slide out keyboard. It doesn’t get on line, or do all the apps (Thank Goodness), but it does take photos, does texts, and, of course, makes phone calls. And really, that is all I need. My phone is small, light, fits in my pocket or hand, or handbag easily, and it still works just fine. I don’t see any reason to run out and buy the newest toy that comes out every year or so. I am 60 years old, why in the world would I want to try to watch television on a screen that is six inches wide?

We went into a store last night to check out a new program for our family package. Since my phone is old, and I bought it off e-Bay to replace my original phone, it is unlocked. Easy peasy, switch over. But, the sales girl just didn’t understand why I didn’t want to carry around one of those monster phones that also serves as a video player, music player, e-book reader, and does everything by touch screen.

First of all, I am married to a security IT guy. Paranoid doesn’t begin to describe how he is about security on all electronics in our home. After listening to him telling about what the FBI told him in a meeting on Internet security, I am a bit paranoid too. It is easy, super easy, beyond super easy to hack into a phone that has all the bells and whistles and gain access to all your information.

Second, I have issues with touch screens. Ask my family. They do not work for me. I touch the darned thing, it just sits there. I swipe my fingers in the right order, and it still just sits there. No matter what I do, or how I do it, the darned thing will not respond in time to answer a call. I had one of those for a few days, then I gave it to my granddaughter. I blame it on always having cold hands, but I really think that electronic things simply do not like me. My husband says it is because I zap everything with my electric personality. (rolling eyes here)

So, I finally convinced the 20ish girl that I really didn’t want a phone with all the bells and whistles, I quite liked my little old phone, and as long as it works, I’m good. Does that make me an old grumpy lady? I use tech stuff all the time. (Duh, I blog don’t I?) I don’t love every bit of it, but I am capable enough to make things work most of the time. (I do love my Kindle, saves on room, and I can carry around dozens of books all at once.)

However, I will probably forget to charge the phone, or I will charge it and leave it sitting on the table the next time I go out of the house. I keep trying to lose it altogether, but if I do, I will be stuck with one of those monster phones, or digging around e-Bay to find a replacement for it. See, love/hate issues ensue every time I bring up the subject of Where Is My Phone?

Somewhere Out There

Posted on Posted in History, lossTagged , Leave a comment

Out there, somewhere, in all the documents, papers, and stories of humanity, is information concerning one Thomas Napoleon Vandenburg, born in 1814 in either Germany or Holland, and died – according to lore – in 1864 in an insane asylum in Tennessee. We know he married a woman named Elizabeth, had three sons, all of which are easily documented, and the descendants of those three sons are scattered world wide. That’s it, that is all we have about this man who is my direct descendant.

Oh, I know, he is long dead, and that the stories about him died with his children or grandchildren. No one who knew him still walks the earth. But it bothers me that a man who was a father, husband, and no doubt, friend is simply erased as if he was unimportant in the formation of our family line. To me, he isn’t just a name and date on a piece of paper, he is part of who I am from the smallest part of DNA to, perhaps, how I look and act. It is a connection that becomes more important the longer I can’t find an answer.

As most genealogy enthusiasts know, there is always the one brick wall that makes us keep on pounding away. So many things can cause a brick wall. A name change, a spelling change, someone just decides to drop out of sight and moves on with a new life. All of that was much easier the further back one goes in history in the United States and other wilderness areas that became dumping grounds for criminals and religious fanatics. That very combination of rebelliousness was ripe for anarchy. Wars added to the losses, and sometimes, the soldier joined up using a fake name and disappeared into the chaos of history ending in a nameless grave somewhere on a nameless piece of land.

Disease, insanity, grueling hard scrabble lives, starvation, and wanderlust added their share of ghosts and lost men and women who became vague names in some old Bible or land document. There are thousands of ways a man could die in the past that would be cured with a simple pill today. The greed for gold alone took thousands of men from their families into the gold fields of California. A multitude of them were never heard from again. Some simply slipped away, some died horrific deaths, some drank themselves to death, and some managed to make it home, or bring their families to them to start a new life.

Today, it is rare that someone can simply disappear. We have documentation from the second we are born until the day we are buried or cremated at the end of our lives. Millions of tons of paper and ink are outlaid on each person born in a modern society. And now, with social media, computer hackers, and everything available electronically, we are even less likely to be able to disappear. Eventually, someone, somewhere, will recognize the missing person or discover when and where he or she died. I abhor the modern world of constant surveillance and intrusion, yet still wish that our ancestors had been a bit more organized and determined to keep records straight.

However, as I beat against that brick wall that is Thomas Napoleon Vandenburg’s history, I know in my heart that he is happy that someone cares enough to search for him from so far in the future. One day I will find him, and when I do I will do my Happy Dance and know that all the late nights, road trips, digging around in ragged paperwork and frustration was worth it. His story will be written again, and we will be able to move on to the men and women who brought him into this world. I know he’s out there, somewhere. Hang on Thomas, I am searching as hard as I can.