My life of privilege with my father.

I consider it a privilege and honor to have a father like mine. "Good old Fred".

My dad left this world 50 years ago and I still miss him on a daily basis. My dad felt it was his responsibility to be the best dad he could, not my best friend. He made his share of mistakes and it cost our young family almost everything. But that is just how my dad was "All in or not at all" A couple things about him he passed on to his kids.
He showed how a man loved his wife. No excuses!
He would rather choke than tell my mom she din't cook something to his liking.
He showed by example, whenyou make a wrong decision, the consequence belongs to you. deal with it and don't complain.
Always be hospitable to others. No matter their station in life. Period.
Help those in need when you can.
Work first, play second.
Forgive, forgive, forgive. Accept forgiveness.
Keep going forward and don't let the past drag you down.
Don't just say you love someone, show it and don't use it as a weapon.
In his opinion, it was a man's responsibility to do the best he can to provide for his family. He appreciated the love, acceptance, help and support of his wife. (she as a prize)
It is impossible to tell you everything. But hopefully you can see him in his kids.

I guess I led a privileged childhood. I held my father as he died and prayed in his ear. The greatest privilege of my life.

Love you dad! Can't thank you enough.

How to speak to the police

In perusing the newspapers and various news reports regarding police questioning of suspects I've come across what I believe to be a disturbing trend in certain situations. : Challenging and irrational behavior by the suspects to the point of, in my opinion, completely immature idiocy. Particularly by younger people, both male and female. It's ridiculous actually.


The police, with very few exceptions are there to protect us from harm. Why would a rational, innocent being challenge that? Yes, there have been some instances highlighted by the media where some police officers acted irresponsibly but that is the exception, not the rule. And, actually, in many of those cases it was the suspect that brought the first punch, not all but many. I almost think it's time to have classes in school to teach common sense and respect for authority in tense situations. Showing those two skills when being stopped or questioned by police would go a long way in diffusing what could otherwise become an unnecessary altercation. Police have a job to do, keep the population safe. Why would anyone in their right mind want to hinder them from doing that and going on their way and finding the actual culprit? The longer a police officer has to argue with you, the longer the criminal has to escape.

Growing up I learned from my parents and teachers as well as other wise people that remaining calm and following proper rules of respect would get me a lot further than arguing. I was detained once by police thinking I was someone else. I did state that I was not that person and eventually they let me go on about my business. But, I have no doubt that if I yelled and screamed and put up a big fuss I could very well have wound up being arrested and being put in the poky for forcibly resisting arrest. That would have been one huge stupid mistake I'm thinking.

So, I'm just saying: If you are pulled over, detained and questioned by the police and you are indeed innocent, state your case in a reasonable fashion and shut up. Let them do their job and if they do make a mistake have some faith in our court system. But it starts with you!

President Trump's air strike in Syria

Yesterday, President Donald Trump ordered an air strike on an airfield in Syria that was responsible for an chemical weapon attack on innocent Syrian civilians. The words go back and forth on whether American citizens agree or disagree with his decision. In my opinion, what is more important is whether the air attack on innocent civilians, including women and children should be allowed to happen without consequences. Anyone who questions the justification should look at the dead children being carried by their father after the attack. If they still remain unmoved and saddened to the point of emotional illness, I feel they have no heart or common sense. Turning the other cheek does not include the totally inhumane killing of innocent lives in such a terrible manner or actually any way at all.

Personally I hate war. However, avoiding it by justifying such atrocities as murder by chemical weapons or any other means is being an accessory after the fact and just as horrible. Regardless of anything else I may think, I support President Trump's decision. I put our consequences in the hands of God.

That abrasive friend

I know you have one too, don't deny it unless it is you who are that abrasive friend who simply cannot accept when we both believe the same thing.

Having a conversation or rather a discussion with my abrasive friend is occasionally similar to walking barefoot over broken glass. When it comes to just about any topic he is quick to argue. Not listening to my side or entertaining the possibility that I may be even remotely correct. I'm not saying that abrasive friend is not knowledgable, quite the contrary. However, knowledge alone doesn't hold a good discussion.together. A modicum of common sense has to accompany the knowledge. A discussion is a living thing which can be fed positively or squelcehd by negativity.

For whatever reason, my dear, intelligent and very abrasive friend, in discussions in which we agree, will berate my me for believing in our mutually agreed topic because...............wait for it....................I do not believe for the same reason as my friend.............It's akin to both going to the store but I am wrong because I took a different path.            Why does that one abrasive friend punish me so for choosing to remain their friend? A question to remain unanswered forever. Some of us are simply that way and some of us find some redeeming quality of theirs to enjoy their company anyway.

Irish cabbage, onion, potato and bacon dish. Simply amazing!

Cooking is a relaxing and satisfying pastime for me. Calms me down and gives me a sense of satisfaction, especially at dinner time. Yesterday it was a dish I had not made or even been aware of until a few days ago. I am told it is called Cal-cannon but I'm amiss on the proper spelling at this time. At any rate, I suggest it to anyone that enjoys a cacophony of delightful, savory mix of flavors and can temporarily suspend avoidance of fats, calories, carbs and oils.

1 lb bacon fried in a pan to crispy state
Remove bacon to plate for crumbling
Add 3/4 pound butter to pan of bacon grease at medium heat
Add 1/2 head shredded cabbage
Add two large halved and sliced onions
Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Cook until onions and cabbage are caramelized and tender
Add 4 to 5 cups mashed potatoes (instant or fresh works equally)
Add crumbled bacon
Stir until well mixed and serve.

Aech ingredient adds to the intensity of the others so well I was amazed.

Enjoy

Health care VS politics

A nice part about blogging is that, if I am willing to suffer the consequences, I can pretty much say what I want. I am not under a microscope like politicians are. Our president, Donald Trump is fast finding out that he does not have the totalitarian clout he had on his TV show. Th opposition party, the democrats, as well as some republicans are fast finding out our president is not afraid to challenge the status quo. This entire process is, in  my opinion a vast improvement over recent history in Washington and will result hopefully in an eventual cleaning up of the unsustainable Affordable Care Act.

There is so much hate being expressed toward Donald Trump by self absorbed democrats I find it ridiculous. Just as I found some of the ridicule of Obama when he resided in the white house for 8 years by republicans with no faith in the constitution. We all have to admit that not any one politician or one political party has all the answers. It is a government of constant discussion, change and compromise. All that hate rhetoric does nothing to further the goals and life experience of the American people.

Seeing the challenge to the Affordable Care Act crash and burn was not really unexpected was it? I don't think so anyway. I believe the challenge was mounted more to test the waters than anything else. President Trump hasn't been in office or even politics for that matter, long enough to gather his troops around him. Ronald Reagan, although also coming from the entertainment industry, was intensely involved in politics for decades. Barack Obama, although not a very accomplished political force had several things going for him, not the least of which was that he was a man of color in a time when a huge portion of our society wanted to make a statement regarding racism. He presided over a pretty clean administration and it was most enjoyable seeing his example as a father and husband. I feel his presidency accomplished a lot as far as people of color feeling less disenfranchised and more empowered. Just like President Ford, not particularly great but a stabilizing element for many. Barack was much too socialist for my liking though. Just like Bernie Sanders.

The next four years are going to be a continuous string of challenges and surprises. Keeping the faith in our constitution will help a lot with the anxiety of it all. Holding all politicians accountable for their actions is our job.

The United States and how it works

Seeing the news reports from a variety of sources to keep the bias even is what I believe to be one of the greatest benefits in living in these United States. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing when it is not suppressed by non-believers.

It is no secret that millions of people are not very pleased by the result of our recent presidential election. Think what they may about that, Donald Trump is now president. Where our constitutional form odf government and the division of power comes in seems to be lost in the minds of those unhappy souls. Personally, I find all this hullabaloo to be a perfect example of how it works. I believe in it. I've seen it work, for better or for worse over the course of my lifetime. We do not have a royal family with Kings, queens and princes ad princesses who run the country unfettered. Our form of government has built in checks and balances when everyone is doing their job. Of the people, for the people. Not everyone is going to be happy all the time are they now?

What is particularly refreshing right now is that the lifelong political elite on all sides of the political scale, cannot get their own way. They are bellyaching like a bunch of spoiled brats because they do not automatically get their own way, have to get off their butts and do political battle. That's what open, free speech discussions and compromise and checks and balances is all about.

The United States rocks! I believe in it when it is run according to the way it was intended. Four separate branches to keep things on te up and up. It's working better than ever right now.