Are we becoming unhinged?

"We have become so tribal, so sliced and diced into encampments, we are one more Floyd incident away from having uncontrollable, open warfare on each other."

In the past, we would see on the news, or read in the print media, about other countries where lawlessness ruled the day. We would sit back in our comfortable chairs and think, "Tsk, tsk - what is wrong with those people? Why can't they be civilized like us?" Today? Not so much. Many people in other countries are wondering if the once safe country called the United States is coming unhinged. Truthfully - many of us who live here, are wondering that also.

As most of us know, the crime stats in most major cities in the country are off the charts. Even our once sleeping little village of Minneapolis, has not been spared from the carnage. In fact, after the George Floyd incident, it seems like the "wheels had fallen off the trolley". How so? Here are just some of the disturbing items to ponder, about Minneapolis, and the surrounding communities.

Kids being shot - in 2020, by the middle of May, 10 kids had been injured or killed by gunfire in Minneapolis. That was a terrible statistic. However, by May of this year, that number had jumped to 19 kids injured or killed by gunfire - almost double from 2020. The vast majority of the time, the kids shot were just innocent bystanders. Or collateral damage when someone tried to shoot an adult the kids were with. This is horrible. This is beyond tragic.

Road Rage Murder on 169 -  This one is really a head scratcher. A youth baseball coach, with his son in the car, were headed home on Highway 169 in Brooklyn Park. Some incident happened with another car, and road rage ensued. Instead of giving the baseball coach the finger, or honking his horn at him, the driver in the other car, took out a handgun, and shot the coach in the head. The coach died, and the perp has not yet been caught. Unbelievable.

Beheading in Shakopee - This one is going to sound like it came out of a horror movie. But it did not. If happened this past week in the quiet little town of Shakopee. A 42 year old man thought his girlfriend might have done something which this man did not like. Instead of calling her on it, or breaking up with her, he caught her in the middle of an intersection, and in broad daylight, decapitated her. This was so heinous, words escape me to go any further on this one.

What is happening to us? Where is our civility? Are we on the way of becoming another Chicago? Where life is so cheap, the sky high weekend murder count has become so ordinary, it is hardly reported? Where is our humanity? Our compassion? Our love for our fellow man? 

We have become so tribal, so sliced and diced into encampments, we are one more Floyd incident away from having uncontrollable, open warfare on each other. Last year we asked what we could do to slow this down, or maybe even turn it around. The result? The stats this year are even worse. It is so bad this year, the chances of being a victim of some kind of crime in Minneapolis are 1 in 18.  

Maybe it is time that we collectively, as a city, as a state, as a nation, return to God. We have tried throwing God out of many parts of our lives, and truthfully, it has not been going well for us.

The Holy Bible tells us to love others as ourselves, and love God more than anything. That might be a good place to start.    

Rude and Crude

"What ever happened to that famous quote by Voltaire - 'I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.' Wait a minute! That almost sounds like it is the genesis of our First Amendment!"

"You're a moron!", spoken by Ms. Nancy to House Minority Leader McCarthy. "You're a liar!", a social media "friend" said to me after I made a mistake. "You're a dip s**t!", said one person on social media to another. My, oh my. What ever happened to that famous quote by Voltaire - "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Wait a minute! That almost sounds like it was the genesis of our First Amendment! Where unpopular speech is the most important to protect. It is what separates us from totalitarian societies. Separates us from tyranny.

One of the lessons we should have learned in our growing up, is we can disagree without being disagreeable. I have many friends who are left of me (even some on the right), who I disagree with from time to time. Most of them (not all) and I can have a discussion/disagreement without getting down and dirty. Without getting personal. As rare as it is for me to unfriend someone, I will do it for rude and crude behavior on their posts which appear on my threads.

Rush would always tell us when the other side resorts to name calling, you have won the argument. Even more important than that, are some truisms we learned in our growing up years. Like, "Using bad language, rude and crude language, makes one look uneducated." True that. It is okay to disagree. It is okay to call someone (like a politician) out for a position which does not make sense, or is harmful (like Biden's border crossing).

Before I go any further, and some accuse me of being a hypocrite, let me first confess. I fall off the the wagon on occasion. Not as much as I once did when I was younger. But sometimes I use language which is not as civil as it could be. To that I plead guilty. I am still a work in progress. For my friends in the faith, I still struggle with my James 3 tongue. And it is a struggle at times!

That being said, onward and upward. I have already deleted three of my lengthy threads from earlier in the week, as tempers were growing short, and some of the language was become borderline awful.

With all this being said, will I stop being a social critic? Being a critic of what Biden is doing to this country? Not a chance. The fate of the Republic hangs in the balance right now, and it is hard to keep my passion out of my posts. If I step over the line, please feel free to call me on it. And I will do the same to others, if need be. 

Not a Cinderella year this year...

"Our farmers, who never get the kudos and thanks they should, will manage to get enough crop to feed the country. Not only our country, but also many in a hungry world. For that, we are very thankful."

Many of us have heard the term "Goldilocks Planet". We live on one. Maybe the best one. Those who have not heard this term, here is a brief refresher. If a planet is too close to the sun like Mercury is, it would be too hot for life as we know it. If a planet is too far away from the sun like Uranus is, it would be too cold for life as we know it. Earth however, is in the "Goldilocks Zone". Not too hot, not too cold - just right. Plus, there are many other reasons why Earth is so well suited for folks like us - as we as our flora and fauna.

The same is true for our weather. Some years are way too wet, some years are way too dry. We are in a dry year. Not for everyone, but much of the Midwest is dryer than normal. What does all that mean? Being a farmer, puts him or her in control of many things. But not the weather. A late frost, a hail storm, a high wind event (like a derecho or tornado), or drought could damage part or all of the crop. Truthfully, with as many things as Mother Nature can throw at farmers, it is amazing we get the type of crop production we get.

But hope springs eternal. Every year, each farmer hopes for something very close to a "Goldilocks year". Early planting with no chance of a frost, just enough moisture to keep the crops growing and healthy, and just dry enough in the fall to allow for a normal harvest. When that happens over much of the country, there are many "bin busters", and everything is good. Well, except for one thing. Too much of a good thing leads to depressed prices for a farmer.

The climate change panic merchants are already out spewing fear about the hot and dry weather we are having this year. "See! See! This is our fault! We have got to quit driving and using air conditioning!" Really? What about 1988? The year we had 40 some days 90 or above? Was that climate change also? And the 1930's Dust Bowl years. If we had those right now, the climate change folks would be speechless with fear.

My wife just returned from central Wisconsin, where she had a gal pal gathering. She said the crops where the gathering was, looked very good, and very healthy. So this country will have a harvest this year. Will it be as good as last year's harvest? Maybe not. But through the science of GMO (gasp!), we have hybrid crops which can still grow and produce, even in dryer than normal weather. Some of those hybrids were developed right here, at the University of Minnesota Agriculture Campus.

It has been a hot, dry, and smoky year. Not a "Goldilocks year" for sure. Our farmers, who never get the kudos and thanks they should, will manage to get enough crop to feed the country. Not only our country, but also many in a hungry world. For that, we are very thankful.   

  

Lies, half lies, and errors

"Liar, liar, pants on fire..."

Children's rhyme from 1841

Ever since Barack Obama, we have been lied to (or told un-truths) so many times by our government, calling someone a liar has become part of our accepted lexicon. During most of my life, calling someone a liar was a "line in the sand" comment. In other words, the term "liar" once was so toxic, if you used it on another person, you probably poisoned that relationship. Today, many times being called a liar, is met with a "meh...".

Yesterday, I mistakenly referred to a CDC "recommendation" as a "mandate". My mistake. It was an error. Not deliberate - just an error. My daughter pointed it out to me, and I corrected it. No biggie. Then I moved on. However, one of my social media "friends", was not so kind. He called me a liar for using the wrong word. A true friend, instead of a social media "friend", would have also gently reminded me I used the wrong term. Not this person. 

It really did not bother me that much when is happened. I am almost getting used to rude behavior on social media. Why? It is the landscape in which we live today. But this morning on the radio, one of the hosts said something interesting - we have become so polarized on EVERYTHING, there is no more middle ground on ANYTHING. He said trying to swim in the waters between the two sides, is almost impossible. Bingo! We are either black or white, ying or yang, red or blue. And that is leading to more and more tribalism. More and more rude behavior.

Here is an example of a lie. I tell my neighbor that last week I traveled to Oregon to find Big Foot. And I did see one! It was amazing! Only my neighbor had seen me in my yard every day last week. He knew I never left town. So he knew I was lying. A deliberate un-truth.

Here is an example of a half lie, otherwise once known as a "white lie". I am taking a post graduate course on a subject I needed to have, but was not very interested in it. The professor however, is doing her best to make it interesting and viable. But to me, it was still horrible.

One day, I ran into the professor at the store. After greeting her, she asked how I like the class so far. I told her I like it fine, and I appreciate all the work she is putting in to teaching it. Why didn't I tell her the truth and tell her I thought it was dreadful? It would have been hurtful to her. It would have served no purpose. Besides, I did appreciate all the work she was putting into teaching it. That was pure truth. 

An error is using the wrong term, calling someone by the wrong name, making a typo, and so forth. They are mistakes, errors, and unintentional goofs. As one of my former mentors always told me, "We are humans. We make mistakes. That is why we have erasers on pencils."

I guess my bottom line is this. I get into debates with real social media friends most every day. I try to be respectful, as do they. Others unfortunately, do not. My hope is if you are going to call someone a "friend" on social media, you act like one. If not, please feel free to unfriend me.  

The Fauci conundrum

"Time for someone who can tell every side of the story with veracity. Time for someone who has no ties to Wuhan or the WHO. Time to re-establish trust." 

With all the viruses which have been visited upon our land, I can't think of one which has us tied up in knots more than this one. Even though the nation has developed some herd immunity to date (due to an almost 50% vaccination rate as well as natural immunity), it still has us over a barrel. And somehow, Covid - 19 has turned political. Of course, what isn't political these days?

Dr. Anthony Fauci. An 80 year old physician. A person who should have such gravitas, that EVERYONE, red, blue or purple, should listen to, and follow his advice. But here is the rub. Sometimes the good doctor, on purpose or otherwise, appears to be at variance with the truth. Even though Senator Paul has accused Dr. Fauci of lying, maybe Fauci is just not telling everything he knows. Or making up stuff about things he does not know. That being said, there is one thing he is really dirty on. And no, I am not talking about the Wuhan Lab. That issue is for another day.

It is no secret that the current surge of immigrants coming over the southern border, comes with a fair amount of infected people. Using the language from the other side, it is a "super spreader" event. How alarmed are we about this menace? Nada. Zip. How alarmed should we be? Bigly. The administration is just packing them up on buses, infection and all, and shipping them all over the country. What does Dr. Fauci have to say about this travesty? Again, nada. Zip. And that is the problem.

Right now, the current administration has us believing that being unvaccinated, is next to treason. Many think we are inches away from a new mask update, thanks to some panic merchants in high places. Some companies are making being vaccinated a condition of continued employment. And yet, the administration has a blind eye and deaf ear on the infected people coming over the southern border. Huh?

With all this buzz going on, here would have been a perfect opportunity for Fauci to go public, and implore the administration to stop this surge of illegals. That it is dangerous to the public - it is a public health menace. The CDC should do the same. But Fauci has not done that. Why? As the highest paid person in government, he does not want to lose his gig.

One more thing that Fauci is silent on. The Israelis are very close in determining that people who have had Covid - 19, have antibodies so strong, they might be more immune to Covid than people who have had the shot. They have not officially said that as yet. However, there appears to be much truth with the immunity of folks who are recovered from Covid. Fauci should be addressing this issue as strongly as having people vaccinated. So far, natural immunity has been given a distant back seat to vaccinations. 

Going forward, here is what Dr. Fauci should be telling the public. Covid - 19 will be around for years to come. Due to growing herd immunity in the American public, each year it will become less lethal. Soon, it will be like the common flu. Like the common flu, people may either get an annual shot, or not. In other words, it is time to shut the book on this chapter.

Delta, Lambda, or whatever variant will continue to be around. People can take responsibility for their own health by either getting the most current vaccination, seeking the proper therapeutics if infected, plus ensuring one's immunity is strong by taking the proper supplements. In other words - common sense. Treating people like adults, and not children.

Love him or not, it might be time for Dr. Fauci to trade in his medical bag for a golf bag. 80 years old is way old enough to retire. Time for some fresh blood in that position. Time for someone who can tell every side of the story with veracity. Time for someone who has no ties to Wuhan or the WHO. Time to re-establish trust. That is all the people want. Just some plain talk and trust.   

The Delta Debacle

"I hate this virus. I hate the fact the CCP of China pulled a fast one on us. On the rest of the world. The release of this virus by the Chinese, was the largest act of terrorism I have seen in my lifetime."

This summer, which was going to be the best summer ever (since last summer was one of the worst ever), seems to have a couple turds in the punchbowl. Turd one - the weather. As one local weather guy states, "We have had some stupidly hot days this year." Yes, we have. And then throw a drought into the mix, and you have this once hopeful and wonderful summer, sinking into the land of suck. 

Turd two is the Delta Variant to Covid - 19. This is a nasty little bugger, which is far more transmissible than it's cousin, the original Covid - 19. This variant, has the opportunity to be a real buzz kill for people yearning for our old "normal", once again. Why do I say that? With the number of people vaccinated remaining constant at just over 50% of the population, Fauci and his followers, are blaming the unvaccinated for fueling the growth of Delta. So much so, Fauci and the CDC might be dragging us back to the "mask up and shut up" days.

Those who took the chance on this new vaccine, and got the shot, are going to be dragged back into the "masked up" days of last summer. Keeping in mind that cloth masks we were mandated to wear inside, DID NOTHING to protect one from this virus. Nothing. All masks do is prevent someone who carries a viral load of Covid, from spreading it easier while talking, coughing or sneezing. But even with that cloth mask, this virus will still, make it through the cloth masks, and out in the open. Only the N95 or N100 masks are safe for the wearers of those masks. 

If not for variants such as Delta, Covid would have been on the path to becoming insignificant. As one doctor stated, Covid - 19 will be around every virus season, just like the common cold is. But as a nation, we will have developed enough herd immunity, it would act more like a cold, than a killer. Delta however, seems to be slowing that migration down. Over 85% of new (Covid related) admissions to hospitals, are from Delta.

My position on vaccinations has not changed. I would like the FDA to put final approval on this type of vaccine (mRNA) in hyperdrive, so more people could feel more at ease in getting the shot. I fully understand why 30% of our population are reticent to get vaccinated. It is a risk to some degree. That being said, it is a personal decision to get vaccinated or not.

On the other hand, I have a hard time believing every doctor in the nation is a part of this "cabal" to spread disinformation about the shot. I have checked with my primary care physician (twice), my eye doctor, my skin doctor, and my surgeon. All have said the same thing the doctors on TV are saying. Get the shot. It will protect you. Even though the vaccine is not yet fully approved by the FDA, the vast majority of doctors in this country are telling us that getting the shot is worth the risk.

I hate this virus. I hate the fact the CCP of China pulled a fast one on us. On the rest of the world. The release of this virus by the Chinese, was the largest act of terrorism I have seen in my lifetime. And what are the ramifications to China for doing so? Ask Slo Joe. He and Hunter seem to have the best relationship with the Chinese. Trump on the other hand, would have been looking for some pay back from the CCP.

The red gym trunks

"America has always been the land of promise. The land of opportunity. The land of almost impossible goals, like wearing red gym trunks were for me."

Okay. I am going to really have to crank up the "way back" machine to tell this story. It is a story about my youth, but is really a story about America. About what makes America great. What makes it special. And how that specialness, is currently under attack. But anyhow, on with the story.

I was in 9th grade in a junior high school in the town I grew up in. Back then, there was no middle school. There was only the very awkward time (for many of us), called junior high school. I was a tall gangly kid, with very few athletic skills. I was "okay" in some things, but excelled in nothing. That being said, I enjoyed gym class. It was a good diversion every day, from just sitting behind a desk, dodging spitballs.

The gym teacher I had, started a new program. It was called the "red shorts program". Everyone had blue shorts to wear at gym. However, it you excelled in a set of given parameters, different athletic skills, you could earn the privilege of wearing red gym trunks during gym class. It was the ultimate status symbol for a 9th grade boy.

I was far from making the cut of getting those trunks. It really looked like a bridge too far for me. That being said, one night at dinner, I asked my dad for help in ordering some weights, so I could set up a gym in the basement. I would pay for them with my snow shoveling money. He agreed, and the order was placed. 

Every day after school, I would go down into the basement and lift weights. Then I would go out on the parkway by our house and run. I did that all school year. When it was the dead of winter, I could not run outdoors, but continued to lift weights. To make a long story shorter, by the end of the school year, I had improved considerably in many areas. So much so, I finally qualified for red gym trunks. It was the proudest achievement of my young life. It was a valuable life lesson to carry forward throughout the years.

America was built on "red gym trunk" moments. Going after things which almost appear impossible. Not accepting "sameness", "ordinary" or "equity". Going for the gold, the gusto, the prize. 

Back in my Navy days, after I was commissioned, one of the sailors asked me one day how I did it. How I went from enlisted to officer. I told him the truth. It was not easy. The path to get there, was full of hills, bumps, and wicked turns. But you had to want it so bad, it gave you the passion to get up after being knocked down, to get back up and keep trying. Many times I had to use the lessons I learned from the red gym trunks. To never give up. To persevere. I told him if he wanted to become a chief petty officer, warrant officer, LDO, or commissioned officer, the path is hard, but not impossible. But you have to want it. You have to want it so bad, you can taste it.

Elon Musk (in my opinion), is the ultimate "red shorts" person in the country right now. He is the best of the best in over achieving. He has failed, and almost gone bankrupt more than once. But he has a desire so strong, a vision so clear, that he keeps getting up. He will probably be the first person to set up a Moon base, as well as land on Mars. Not bad, for a car guy. 

This is the America I know. The America I grew up in. The America which if we are not careful, will slip away, right through our fingers. America has always been the land of promise. The land of opportunity. The land of almost impossible goals, like wearing red gym trunks were for me. We need to keep America what it is, what it has been.

Why? For our kids, grand kids, great grand kids, and beyond. The ones who set goals, and then go after them with a passion. That is the America which was given to us. That is the one we need to pass on to those who follow.  

 

 

Sheriffs of America, unite!

"Remember folks - the government works for us, not visa versa. One we start looking at the government as our overlords, we are in tyranny. That is just what our Founders warned us about." 

This morning on the news, a sheriff from one of the border states was being interviewed. He is one of many sheriffs who have been on the news of late, most of which have jurisdiction on or by, our southern border. Each sheriff has said something very similar, if not the same. Ever since this new administration has taken over, and destroyed our southern border security, all hell is breaking loose. But the sheriff this morning put it in much clearer terms. This is not a southern border issue. This is not a border state issue. This is a United States security issue.

Before some might say, "that is your problem down south - deal with it", consider this. AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE, illegals are being gathered up by the Biden Administration, and bussed all over the country. Mostly (get ready for this), to swing states. This plan is so transparent (the only thing which is transparent about this administration), it would be comical, if not so serious. Since we have illegals being shipped all over the country right now, just about every county is vulnerable to this unwanted intrusion. And as we know, most counties, have a sheriff.

We are getting played folks. Big time played. Joe Biden is trying to wreck our voting system by flooding the zone with illegals. Illegals who overwhelmingly vote blue. We have slightly over 3,000 sheriffs in the United States. They all have taken the oath to protect and defend our Constitution. Our current federal government seems to have forgotten that oath.

We need to have our sheriffs band together, and ensure this invasion of illegals, stops. Illegals should be found, detained, and then sent back home. I know, I know. This is the federal government's job. But the little bald Cuban who is currently heading up the DHS (and responsible for doing this), is remiss in his duties. Bigly remiss.

Each day, when I turn on the news, I hear horror stories about run away crime in our big cities. Either that, or the invasion of illegals coming over our southern border. Both of this issues right now, are ruining the country. What is the President doing? Eating ice cream cones, while trying to get massive tax increases passed through Congress. Crime and illegal immigration? Nada. 

This entire Administration is corrupt to the core. As well as many in Congress. Having our country invaded through illegal immigration, is no different than our country being invaded by a foreign power - and then doing nothing. 

If our Constitutional sheriffs cannot protect us, we might as well get the white flags out. Either that, or fall back on the original intent of our Bill of Rights. It really is time for people to wake up and get angry. No - get way beyond angry. We will have over 2 million more illegals in this country by year's end. Not to mention the additional deadly drugs, and child sex traffickers running amuck in our streets. This may be okay with Biden, but it is not with the rest of us.

Remember folks - the government works for us, not visa versa. One we start looking at the government as our overlords, we are in tyranny. That is just what our Founders warned us about. Our sheriffs need to help us maintain, and retain, our Constitutional republic.

 

 

Into the storm...

"The course we are on will take us directly into the storm. I hope I am wrong, but at this point in time, I don't believe I am wrong. Get ready." 

"There is a storm a brewing", the Captain would say to his crew. "We need to baton down the hatches and get ready for it." We have all heard that expression. Only not all storms happen at sea. In fact, some storms don't even involve weather. We are headed for turbulent times, and heading there quickly. Are we prepared for the storm. Are we ready?

Some say, especially those who study eschatology, we might be approaching the end of time. Or, "end times". Others think we might be getting the "ying" to our previous "yang". In other words, the party might be over for us (at least for a while). We will have drought, disease, financial upheaval, and most of all, social disruption. Now this outcome, the way things look right now, might have some credibility.

What can we do, other than wring our hands and worry? Hope that we get the long awaited "unifier" to lead our country? Sorry, don't think that will happen. We tried Obama, Trump and now Biden. None seemed to work. With our country so split right now, I don't think there is a man nor a woman, who can bring us together. Without leadership, without a unifier, we will continue to devolve into tribal segregation.

Or we can wait the storm out. Decades ago, Gerry and Pacemakers had a hit song called You'll Never Walk Alone. It is a great song with wonderful uplifting lyrics. Today, it is still used by many in the faith, as a "crossover", inspirational song.

When you walk through a storm, hold you head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark.

At the end of the storm, is a golden light, and the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you will never walk alone.

There is however, one more thing we can do to prepare for the storm. I did save the best for last. No matter where you are in life right now, no matter where you are in your faith walk, in fact, even if you currently don't have a faith walk, this is a great time to talk to God. He is listening. He is always listening. All we need do, is talk to Him.

"Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you will never walk alone." Sage advice from a wonderful song. America has always been a strong and wonderful country. We have been richly blessed by God. We can continue to be strong and wonderful, if we do not turn our backs on God. But those blessings might not continue with the course we are on. 

The course we are on will take us directly into the storm. I hope I am wrong, but at this point in time, I don't believe I am wrong. Get ready. 

  

Wither, the truth??

"'You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.' - Daniel Patrick Moynihan."

Many have said that our current President is an uncommonly good liar. Even though last night on CNN, he called out the Republicans for "lying", when they said Biden and his party have advocated the defunding of police. Now I am going to do something which will astound many of my peeps. I am going to give Biden the benefit of the doubt. Since it is evident to anyone who pays a half a grain of attention, the President is a few fries short of a happy meal. Maybe he is lying, maybe he is just becoming more and more forgetful.

That being said, lying in Washington has become an artform. I am now going to draw a distinction between lying and embellishing. Donald Trump liked to embellish. Not uncommon. I have known many in my lifetime who have been embellishers. Also known as "BSers". Embellishing is similar to lying in only one regard - it becomes a habit. It become a habit so much so, that people embellish without even realizing they are doing it. Lying however, starts out being very deliberate. And it progresses from there.

People lie to further their own agendas, or to save their skin. You see lying all the time in courtrooms. Someone is charged with a crime, and then pleads not-guilty. Even if the person knows in his or her heart, a crime was committed, and they were responsible for it. Then Pleading not-guilty is a lie. A lie to save their own skin. 

But lying to further an agenda, is a puzzlement to me. This is endemic in Washington. How a politician can look into the camera, and knowingly trample on the truth, is beyond me. Biden did it numerous times, when he has been asked about Hunter and Burisma. That was a combination of furthering his agenda, AND saving Hunter's (and maybe his own), skin.

"You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Joe Biden would do well to heed the advice of this great Democrat. False facts, false narratives, become nothing more than just falsehoods. In other words - lies. The worst thing you can say about a person's character (in my opinion), is that person is an uncommonly good liar. Or, that person is at variance with the truth. There are many others, but you get my point.

In the future Joe, you would be wise to refrain from calling others a liar. Why? The old saying goes, that when you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointed back at yourself. Honesty and integrity are two virtues which are in short supply in Washington. We expert more from the people who represent us. A lot more.   

 

The meaning of maybe nothing

"With NASA taking a back bench, and the American billionaires leading the charge, the Chinese will have a new presence in space to deal with."

Yesterday, Jeff Bezos joined the billionaire's club of space junkies. He got into his Blue Horizon rocket, with his brother, the son of a Netherland's billionaire, and an 82 year old woman. Together, they blasted off, into the wild blue yonder. The Bezos crew went just a bit higher up in the atmosphere than Richard Branson did earlier in the month. The flight lasted for a whopping 11 minutes, and everybody returned safely. What was accomplished by this event? Maybe nothing. Or maybe something.

At the end of the 11 minute joy ride, Bezos got out of the capsule and managed to say and do three (stupid?) things. First, he thanked his Amazon customers, as well as his overworked labor force in his fulfillment centers, for allowing him to have the resources to go on this joyride. That fell flat with many. Secondly, to appease his left flank, which were pissed at him for squandering all that money on a 11 minute joy ride, he made an environmental statement. "Seeing Earth from up there, I realize how fragile our environment is. We need to protect it. So, we need to start doing all our manufacturing in outer space." Huh? What the what are you talking about Jeff?

Then he announced he was going to be giving $100 million dollar award every year to someone who really deserves it. Someone who can give it to the right causes in the areas of charity and non-profit. Before he awarded that amount of cash, I started to think of many people who could put that money to good use. Helping the least of us. Instead, Bezos gave it to the much maligned, Van Jones. An activist turned CNN contributor. What the what were you thinking about Jeff???

Is there anything good which came out of yesterday's launch? Maybe. One of the things which struck me, was none of the four passengers were flying the rocket. It was all AI and programing. Now that, was impressive. Here is the other thing. The same thing I thought after the Virgin Galactic launch. This is the first bit of evidence that NASA is going to be taking a back seat in the space race. The explanation mark of this suspicion, will be when Musk flies his spaceship to the Moon. And Musk is not interested in 11 minute joy rides to the upper atmosphere. His vision is bases on the Moon, Mars, the Asteroid Belt, and maybe beyond.

With China establishing a space station, they also have their sites set on the Moon and beyond. Now it will get interesting. With NASA taking a back bench, and the American billionaires leading the charge, the Chinese will have a new presence in space to deal with. Plus - seeing Branson and Bezos take this first step, might embolden other wealthy countries and companies to join to fray.

This is going to be fun to watch folks. That is, until something goes wrong. I like the fact the billionaires are pushing the envelope of space technology. I just hope they don't push it too far, too fast, and something bad happens.   

Sad, mad and anger management

"Some of my liberal friends are going to get mad at me for writing this about Democrats. So let me use this disclaimer. These are my perceptions. They may also be the perceptions of others."

When I was stationed up in northern Maine in 1972, a big election was coming up. Well, it was big for me, as it was the first time I was legal (age wise) to vote. Richard Nixon was running for re-election against George McGovern. One fellow, who was in the in section in which I worked, was from Delaware. He was very excited about this young buck running for Senate in Delaware named Joseph Biden. Plus, he REALLY like George McGovern for President. Actually, Harry hated Dick Nixon just about as much as Democrats hate Donald Trump today.

This was a big choice for me, being my first voting experience and all. I listened to the campaign ads. I read the positions of the two men running. Slowly, yet surely, it started to sink in. McGovern was a nut ball. His platforms (for the time), were very radical - too radical. Nixon on the other hand, although unlikable, had the country on a good course. He was experienced. So I had made up my mind to pull the lever for Nixon.

A couple days later, Harry came up to me in the work spaces and asked if I would like a McGovern pin to wear when I was off base. I told him no. I decided to vote for Nixon. He turned red (seriously), and started to swear at me (which he had never done before). He called me unmentionable names, and said he would not speak to me ever again. To this date, those were true words.

Many of the Democrats I have known in my life have been sad, mad, or needed anger management. Keith Ellison and John Thompson are prime examples. My question is this - why do they get so angry all the time? It is like joy has been wrung out of their lives. And when they are not mad, they are sad.

Democrats always use the word "fight" in their lexicon. I will fight for this, I will fight for that, or whatever. Hearing about, and reading some of the police reports on John Thompson's alleged domestic abuse was jaw dropping. He was way, way beyond anger. Same with Ellison on his alleged abuse. If they were Republicans with that kind of rap sheet behind them, they would have never make it to the starting gate. For Democrats - it is almost a badge of honor to be a baddie sometime in your life.

I know, I know. Some of my liberal friends are going to get mad at me for writing this about Democrats. So let me use this disclaimer. These are my perceptions. They may also be the perceptions of others.

Hubert Humphrey was nicknamed the "Happy Warrior". We don't have many (or any) like him any more on the DFL or DNC. We have angry and mad people like Ellison, Thompson, Beto and Booker. Don't think so? Change my mind.

 

A summer of discontent?

"I have said this for years. I hate droughts. Hate them. Nothing good ever comes out of them."

It is somewhat ironic. In church this summer, the pastor has been addressing Elijah, and how God used him (hundreds of years before the birth of Christ) in getting the Jewish people at that time to stop false worshipping. To send a message to the people, God caused the rain to stop falling in the area in which they lived. "Not rain nor dew" would fall on the land for years. It is a good Bible story, and you can read about it in I Kings in the Old Testament. To make a long story shorter, the people finally were convinced that worshipping Baal was not the right thing to do, and came back to worshipping the true God. God then restored the rains.

This summer, we are in the most severe drought we have had in years. Minnesota is not escaping it. For a while I thought we might just be on the fringe of it, with the west taking most of the brunt. I was wrong. But as bad as we have it here, it is an order of magnitude worse in the far west. That being said, the drought here is bad enough.

The DNR is getting ready to slap water restrictions on much of the state. Crops without irrigation, might not make it this year. More entry points in the DNR have been closed down. In Canada, there have been almost 4,000 fires this year. That is about 800 fires more than average. There are so many fires north and northwest of Minnesota, the North Shore has become very smoky at times. So much so, there have been air quality alerts. Having an open fire anywhere in northern Minnesota right now, is a real no-no.

Speaking of Canadian fires, we know exactly where the boundary is between Minnesota and Canada. Unfortunately, fires don't recognize that boundary. There are a couple of fires in southern Ontario, which might spill over the border into the Boundary Waters. That would be bad. I would not be a bit surprised to see the entire Boundary Waters area shut down for the season, if the fire season worsens. Many vacation plans will be ruined. 

Shortly after my wife retired, we took a vacation up to the North Shore and stayed at the Cascade Lodge for a few nights. It was horrible. Why? There was a very large fire in the Boundary Waters, and the smoke would come drifting right over where we were staying. It was so thick and so bad, we could not stand being outside. We left to come home early. 

I have said this for years. I hate droughts. Hate them. Nothing good ever comes out of them. In the west, there are fears the Great Salt Lake could dry up. Lake Meade, which services much of the southwest with water, is at historic lows. They are getting some monsoonal rains now in Arizona, but monsoon rain is always too much, too fast. Much of it is lost to run off. 

Is this going to be a summer of discontent? Could be. This was supposed to be the summer of getting back to normal. The drought and the Delta Variant have caused "normal" to be not so normal. We will get through it, and hopefully, this fall the rains will come again. If not, and if we are to be in a multi-year weather pattern like the west is in, well, I don't even want to think about that.   

 

Crime and (non)punishment

"God is alive and well, and is fully aware of what is going on. However, where God is shunned, evil lurks. And anyone who does not think that it is evil which is behind our lawlessness, better wake up and smell the coffee."

Is there anyone with a beating heart in this country, who does not know we are taking a major holiday from lawfulness? That lawlessness is now stalking our land? Some are saying this all goes back to the George Floyd incident. Others say it goes back to the swearing in of the new administration. Still others say it goes back to the "beer summit" days of Barack Obama. I think it goes deeper than that. Much, much deeper. More on that in a minute.

In this mornings news, is a story about how violent the area by the University of Minnesota has become. This is an area, which is full of students at night, coming home from class, or walking to a gathering at close by location. Gunshots, violence, larceny, assaults are more common than uncommon these days. Going to the University has gone from a fun experience, to a dangerous one - in only one generation.

Also in the Mill City, is this gem. Now that pandemic is over, the MTC is trying to get the buses and trains up and running again, for full service. One problem however - before the pandemic, many bus stops and LRT stations became breeding grounds for crime. Some violent crime. They became sewers as well as breeding grounds for all sorts of crime. I wonder how they are going to police these areas with less police. I have taken MTC buses when I worked downtown. Never, ever again, will I step foot in one of those things. 

In Washington, our nation's capital, there was a ballgame last night in the ballpark where the Nationals play. America's pastime, where you sit, relax, have a hot dog and a beer, and watch a ball game. Then all of a sudden - bang, bang, bang. A gun fight, between thugs riding in two cars, right outside the stadium. Bullets flying everywhere. Panic ensued. People running out of the ball park, and the game had to be suspended. Welcome to our new normal. In the city which ruined our old normal.

Back to the cause for all of this mayhem. Some will not like to hear this, but it is true. We have kicked God out of just about every corner of our lives. One of the political parties (we all know which one), has so much distain for God, they booed Him at a convention. We hear some say, "God is dead", or "God is hidden". Neither of course, is true. God is alive and well, and is fully aware of what is going on. However, where God is shunned, evil lurks. And anyone who does not think that it is evil which is behind our lawlessness, better wake up and smell the coffee.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are a nation in trouble right now. We need to get back to God. I mean, really get back to God. He has always blessed this nation richly. That could always change if we ignore God. Trust me, it can change.  

The great Biden land grab

"One of my friends told me I bitch about Biden too much. Okay, I will stop. I will stop when Biden stops doing stupid or un-American things. Until he does that however, Biden shows up very bright on my radar." 

Ever travel out west by car? Besides the gorgeous scenery, the miles and miles of "not too much civilization", is mesmerizing. Years ago, when I was still working, a friend of mine who worked at Lockheed Martin in Baltimore, was invited to a customer review at our plant located in Aberdeen South Dakota. Before the customer review started, he called me up and asked me when he landed in Minneapolis, if he and I could drive Aberdeen. I told him we sure could, but then I asked him why he wanted to drive. "Because Minnesota and South Dakota are a great place to see Americana. Wide open country. And I love it." So drive it we did, and had a ball doing so.

Why tell that story? When ever you take a drive out in the country for an extended period of time, you will probably see a mixture of private land and public land. Some land owned by ranchers and farmers, and some land under the control of the government. In fact, a full 12% of all our land is owned and controlled by the government. 12%! That is a lot of land! Over 10% of the country.

Here is something that not too many people know. When Slo Joe took office, he was alarmed that only 12% of our country was controlled by the government. He would fix that right quick! So, he signed an executive order raising the percentage to be owned by the government. Instead of 12%, Biden now wants 30% of all land owned by the government by 2030. He called it his "30 by 30 plan". That is almost a third of the country! He said it needs to be controlled by the government to help control climate change. Huh? What he really wants is less grazing land for cattle. Less cattle, less cow farts. Give me a flipping break!

How much extra land would that be, if we went from 12% to 30%? Not much, only the size of Texas! Is this Biden guy totally off his rocker? If we wanted the government to control all of the land, we would move to Red China. But this is the United States of America. Land of the free. Could someone please remind Slo Joe where he lives?

One of my friends told me I bitch about Biden way too much. Okay, I will stop. I will stop when Biden stops doing stupid, or un-American things. Until he does that, Biden shows up very bright on my radar. I will track him and expose him, every chance I get. By the way, not to change the subject, keep watching Arizona. Things might soon start to get very interesting. That is all.

  

What does America stand for?

"America the beautiful. From sea to shining sea. The hope for a world, plagued with dictators and tyrants. The shining city on the hill. Liberty. Freedom. Opportunity. That is the America I know. That is the America I love."

Under the Trump years, we all knew what America stood for. Not that we did not know before Trump, but the Donald helped us all to sharpen our focus as patriots. The song "Proud to be an American" became Trumps signature song, and it was a song we could all sing with the utmost of pride. The four years under Trump were the proudest four years many of us could remember, since the Reagan years. 

Now however, we have entered the dark days once again. Days where we are reminded by the new administration that we are NOT okay. We are NOT a good people. In fact, we are nothing more than invaders who stole land and enslaved people. Huh? In the last election, we traded in a management team consisting of America lovers, to a tribe of America haters. Not only inwardly hating this great country, but also telling the world we are its biggest villain.

Here is a news flash. Donald Trump may be gone (for now), but his shadow on the great land remains. The patriotism he reminded us of remains, and in many areas, is now even stronger than ever. We REJECT the fact we are a nation of invaders, enslavers, racists, xenophobes, and sexists. Sure, we have had some bumps and bruises over the last 200 + years, but we are still a very good people.

How good? Whenever there is a disaster or emergency, the first nation on the scene to help is usually ours. Our flag is recognized worldwide as a beacon of hope and freedom. "The Ugly American" is now, and always has been, a fallacy.

In fact, I just heard on the news this morning, the border patrol is now estimating 2 million illegals will breach our southern border this year. 2 million! Why? Why come to America? Listening to Biden and his staff, if I did not know better, I would stay thousands of miles AWAY FROM America. The picture they paint of America, is a vile, corrupt land, loaded with gun toting white supremists.

America the beautiful. From sea to shining sea. The hope for a world, plagued with dictators and tyrants. The shining city on the hill. Liberty. Freedom. Opportunity. A land which has been richly blessed by God, and believes in, and loves God. That is the America I know. That is the America I love. No matter how much the socialists want me to hate the great country, it ain't gonna happen. No way, no how. 

What then, is my bottom line? Call me Archie Bunker, I don't care. America - love it, or leave it. And if you do leave, here is what we would say as kids - "Don't let the door hit you, where nature has split you".   

You got to be "Blinken" kidding me!

"This Blinken guy is just a better looking version of John Kerry. He is an embarrassment, and he has just embarrassed this great country."

Just when you thought this group of clowns, misfits and Obama retreads, could not get any more bizarre, Anthony Blinken, the throw back diplomat from the Obama years, has really stepped in it. I think what Blinken just did, was the tennis pros call an "unforced error". Or what the police might call a "self inflicted gunshot". Or what people in my orbit might call a "very dumb a** thing to do". 

For anyone who is not noticing, we have a lot of baddies in the world right now. I would have applauded a Secretary of State who could stand up in front of the United Nations, and drop a dime on countries like China, Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, and others. Nope. Not Tony boy. He dropped a dime on - us. WHAT???? Us? What the heck for? He wants that feckless bunch of lifers at the UN to investigate us. For systemic racism. You have got to be "Blinken" kidding me!

Could anyone, and I mean anyone, imagine Mike Pompeo doing that? Or Nikki Haley? In prior Democrat administrations, mostly loaded up with nut balls, usually the SecDef and the SoS positions were held by half wits instead of nitwits. Not any more. This Blinken guy is just a better looking version of John Kerry. He is an embarrassment, and he has just embarrassed this great country.

Here is a stone cold fact. Regardless of what Obama, Kerry, Slo Joe, Harris or Blinken say. These United States of America, knit together as a country, is the greatest place on Earth to live. Why are there hundreds of thousands trying to sneak in here from Central America and Mexico? Why do people in Hong Kong fly our flag during protests? Why do Cubans want to get here? People from Venezuela? Even though Biden and Blinken may hate America, and think of it as a scourge, most love it here. For those who want to leave, the door is wide open. But here is the catch. Nobody wants to leave. It is all the others who want to come here.

Once again, ever since Biden took office, I hang my head in shame. Instead of "America First" and "MAGA", we now have "America sucks", and we are all white supremists and racists. I mean, who needs Commies at the door, when we already have them in Washington? The stink of socialism and Marxism is no vile in Washington right now, the entire town needs to be fumigated.

One final thing to say. Democrats hate America. Don't think so? Change my mind.   

Cubans! Go Home! Not wanted here!

"Freedom lovers of Cuba and Haiti - the citizens and patriots who live in this country have your backs. We are with you. The socialists who live here however, can't stand you. To them, you are persona non grata. That is, unless you promise to vote blue."  

You have to love our little bald headed Cuban, who is in charge of DHS. Alejandro Mayorkas is a real piece of work, this one is. This little runt, who himself immigrated from Cuba, has told the poor people of Cuba, a freedom loving people, not to come here by boat. Uh, hello? Does the bald headed Cuban not know that Cuba is an island? That people in Cuba cannot come here by bus or train (like the immigrants from Central America and Mexico are doing)? Why in the world would Mayorkas favor every Tom, Dick, and Harry from Mexico and Central America, and not folks from his place of birth? You know the answer, and so do I. 

The current Administration does not want any more Cubans in our national fabric. They are toxic. Toxic? How? They know the evils of socialism, communism, and Marxism - and they hate it. Their viewpoints, will not fit in our our new Democrat narrative. That socialism is good. What is the expression they use? "When we all do better, we all do better." If that is not a pile of mush and goo, I don't know what is.

But newly arriving Cubans do something else much more harmful than hating Marxism. It is the way they vote. Democrats like monolithic voting blocks. They have nurtured the black vote for decades, by lying to them. And it has worked. The newly arriving immigrants from Central America and Mexico - they are almost the same way. The vast majority of them are loyal blue voters. But Cubans? Gasp! Voting red? Sorry, no room at the inn for you guys.

One of the things that Democrats have become very good at over the years, is weaponizing government. Case in point, our southern border. We let ANYONE over the border these days. Have Covid? No problem. Here is your court date for citizenship. You are now free to roam about the country, infecting whomever you wish. Oh, you have a long criminal record? No problem. We have some very nice sanctuary cities for you to live in. So long as you vote blue, the world is your oyster. Vote red? Your outta here!

BTW - Mayorkas also told the Haitians to stay away. Why? Maybe for the same reason. Is it that Mayorkas just does not like boats, nor the people who ride in them? Or maybe it is their voting preferences. Like I said, nobody can weaponize government better than the Democrats can. And lie. Don't forget the lying. Like what Biden is doing right now with "voter suppression" legislation in the states. But that is a topic for another day. 

Freedom lovers of Cuba and Haiti - the citizens and patriots who live in this country have your backs. We are with you. The socialists who live here however, can't stand you. To them, you are persona non grata. That is, unless you promise to vote blue.  

Stampede in Texas!

"Democrats don't like our system of government, our country, or us. Where should they go then, if America is too racist, to Neanderthal for them? How about Cuba? It is close, and they would LOVE their system of government." 

Oh my gosh! There they go again! The stampede is on! And to think, this is the second time they have had a stampede. Was is stampeding? Longhorns? Heifers? Horses? Sheep? What then? The worst thing imaginable. Left unchecked, the damage they can do is enormous. Yes, I am talking about Democrats. Democrats who have election certificates in Texas. They just rushed out of state, like cattle running from a band of rustlers.

Wait! Stop! Hold on of just a sec! Rushed out of state? What on Earth for? So they would not have to vote on a "voter suppression" (the Democrat's term) bill. The bedwetters in Texas did this two years ago. That time they fled to Oklahoma. This time, the "climate fanatics" in the Democrat Party got into private jets, grabbed some beer, and jetted off to Washington. Why Washington? So they could be coddled and supported by the President and his goofy sidekick.

Meanwhile, back in Texas, the state House cannot meet. No quorum. So, people who have been voted into office to legislate, who are being paid by the taxpayers, jetted off to Washington to party for a week or so. How is this going over with the normal Texans? Not well.

Greg Abbott, the Governor of the great state of Texas, was very blunt when asked about this stunt. "We are Texans. We don't run away from a fight. As soon as these Democrats return, they will be arrested, and then escorted back to the state House to vote." Many in Texas want these Democrats stripped of their certificates and pay. I don't blame them - I would also.

They were so bent out of shape by this "voter suppression" bill, they forgot a few things. First off, it increases the opportunity for Texans to vote next election. More hours to vote. In fact, if they really wanted to bitch and moan about voter suppression, they should have instead flown up to Delaware (Biden's home state), and protested Delaware's voting practices. Delaware has horrible voting practices. Much worse than Texas or Georgia (where the All Star Game was supposed to have been played tonight).

At one time, I thought of Democrats as being part of the loyal opposition. As of late however, they have become obstructionists - or worse. In fact, I am starting to think they are a scourge, a blemish on our national fabric. 

Democrats don't like our system of government, our country, or us. Where should they go then, if America is too racist, to Neanderthal for them? How about Cuba? It is close, and they would LOVE their system of government. 

  

Wishing summer away...

"Lake Meade is at its lowest level in 85 years. Water is becoming the new gold all over the west. The forests are as dry as a bone, and the smallest spark can start an inferno. Death Valley had a temperature of 130 degrees - 4 degrees short of a worldwide record."

Okay - first things first. I AM NOT WISHING SUMMER AWAY! Why not? Despite the dry weather and almost drought conditions in Minnesota, I am having a decent summer. Enjoying it. Even though, as most of us know who have been around the block a few times, summer goes into hyper speed right after the Forth of July. It always seems that right after the last firework is shot off, the State Fair is looming. And by the way, just having the State Fair this year, is going to be AWESOME!

That being said, if I lived out west this summer, I would be wishing summer away - bigly! The drought and heat they are having all the way from Arizona up to Washington State, is historic. Day after day, week after week, of no relief. The only relief will come when summer starts to wane. 

How bad has it been in the Pacific Northwest? Some scientists are saying this type of heat, in an area of the country which is known for clouds, mist and rain, would have been impossible without man-made climate change. But then one of the scientists went on to say this - this type of jump in temperatures in that part of the country, is almost impossible even with man-made climate change. Let that sink in for just a minute. 

Need an example of how bad the Pacific Northwest is going to be during the next two weeks? In Spokane, Washington (where our niece lives), the temps will be in the high 80's (two days), high 90's (five days), and mid 90's for the remaining days. That is insane for that city, to have heat like that. Plus, to really aggravate a bad situation, there is zero percent chance of any rain for those two weeks.

Lake Meade is at its lowest level in 85 years. Water is becoming the new gold all over the west. The forests are as dry as a bone, and the smallest spark can start an inferno. Death Valley had a temperature of 130 degrees - 4 degrees short of a worldwide record. California and Nevada? Every square mile of both those states are in an excessive heat warning for the entire week. 

Just when the strongest skeptic of man-made global warming might want to park his or her truck in the garage and start riding a bicycle, remember this. China, the baddie on the block, is responsible for the majority of green house gases. If our planet is truly getting warmer due to greenhouse gases, we have only to look at China as the chief villain. 

Wishing the summer away? Not here, we are not. Heck, our Minnesota sweet corn just started to appear. This summer is a whale of a lot better than last winter. But that is from here. If I lived out west, I would be counting the days until fall. That is, if fall is normal. If fall, like summer out west, is 20 degrees above normal, I would not be wishing the fall away. I would move. 

The nudge

"Once you start to utilize the gifts of the Holy Spirit, your life will never be the same. Trust me on that one - it is God's truth."    

A few years ago, my wife and I were Alpha Program leaders. For those who do not know what the Alpha Program is, it was founded by a former non-believer named Nicky Gumbel. Nicky, who became a strong believer in the Lord, felt it important to develop a course for agnostics, "baby" Christians, lost Christians, as well as seasoned Christians. It was to start with a lesson about who this Jesus was, and how did He really walk (proven many times) the Earth, 2,000 years ago.

My wife and I did six different classes of Alpha. The first as students, the next five as leaders. During that time, we had both men and women, young and old. What really made the class memorable for many however, was towards the end. We had the Holy Spirit weekend. Why spend an entire weekend learning about the Holy Spirit? Simple. Nicky knew that the Holy Spirit was a very important part of the Holy Trinity. However, most churches spent little time on teaching about the Holy Spirit, nor the gifts He has to offer.

As many of us know, after Jesus ascended into Heaven, God knew that it was important to stay connected in our lives. He therefore sent His Spirit to dwell within us. From then until this day, the Holy Spirit lives within each and every one of us, believer or non-believer. However, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are there for the believer. And the gifts are plentiful.

Now we get to "the nudge". Many of us have felt it. Many have looked back on their lives, and seen fortunate turns, life changing turns, they have taken. I know I have. Many times, I could have gone "off the rails" completely. But the Holy Spirit guided me. Most of the time, without me even realizing it. 

For those who are followers of Christ, you already know about the Holy Spirit. You have felt Him many times. You have used His gifts. How about the non-believers? Here is the good news. I mean, the really good news. With God, you are never really "around the bend". In other words, no matter how much you have messed up, no matter how many bad things you have done, God still loves you with a fierce, agape type of love. At any time, at any place, on any day, you can activate the Holy Spirit in your life. All you need do, is accept Jesus Christ as your savior. Period.

One of the keystone things we learn in Alpha prior to the Holy Spirit weekend, is about God's love. How strong it is for all of us. We learn there is nothing so good we can do in this life, where God will love us more. And - there is nothing we have done in this life which is so bad, God will love us less. That is how strong His love is for all of us.

However, there is a "but" in this. None of us, not the best of the best, nor the worst of the worst, are good enough to get into Heaven, and spend eternity with God. Unless, we accept Jesus as our savior, and repent of our sins. When that happens, the blood of Christ will wash away all our sins, and Heaven becomes our final home.

I am very thankful to God for sending us His Spirit. I will never know, this side of eternity, how many times "the nudge" has either saved me, or changed my circumstance. If you think you have never felt "the nudge", listen to your conscience. Who do you think controls that little voice in your head, guiding you between right and wrong?

Once you start to utilize the gifts of the Holy Spirit, your life will never be the same. Trust me on that one - it is God's truth.    

Evil incarnate...

"It is time America. It is time brothers and sisters, that we start calling out evil for what it is. And I can think of nothing more evil that abortion. That is, except the passive and tacit acceptance of this gruesome practice by us as a nation." 

Lord Jesus, please forgive whomever did this travesty down in the Ozarks. Abortion, which is the scourge of mankind, which has deprived our world of over 1.6 billion souls, should never be celebrated. Never! It should be condemned in the strongest possible language. It should be condemned the loudest, by the Bride of Christ - that would be the church. But except for many Catholic parishes, the silence has been deafening on abortion. Thus, you end up with a sacrilege down in the Ozarks. Of someone hanging pro abortion sign from a statue of our Savior.

Our greatest commandment was to love God and love others. Period. To hang a sign, which promotes the bloody killing of the most innocent of us, hanging it from an icon of Jesus Christ, sickens me. It should sicken everyone who is a follower of Christ. How this nation has been able to turn a blind eye to this most brutal practice of pre-infanticide, is beyond me. But we have. As a Christian nation, we have killed almost 63 million babies since 1973. How many souls make up 63 million? More than the entire population of California and New York combined. Let that sink in for a minute.

I have often wondered if Jesus were here today, how He would react to this practice of abortion. I dare say not well. As I have said, and as most of us know, babies, especially newborns, are the most innocent of us. To take their lives away, before they have taken their first breath, is way beyond barbaric. And yet it continues today. Hundreds of unborn babies killed ever day. 

Here is the part that Black Lives Matter should glom on to. Almost a third of the 63 million babies killed since 1973 have been black babies. That would be almost 19 million black babies, killed, before taking their first breath. Where is the outrage from the black community? From Christians? From Americans? This is heinous and obscene. One baby killed, regardless of race, creed or religion, is one too many.

When more churches in America start becoming the church again, I am hopeful and prayerful,  the evil of abortion can be preached from the pulpit. Preached often and with great passion. THIS IS NOT OKAY. HANGING A PRO-ABORTION BANNER ON A STATUE OF JESUS IS WORSE THAN NOT OKAY. 

It is time America. It is time brothers and sisters, that we start calling out evil for what it is. And I can think of nothing more evil that abortion. That is, except the passive and tacit acceptance of this gruesome practice by us as a nation.