Monday, August 31, 2020

Mystic, Connecticut

The problem with blogging and facebooking every day is that I forget what I wrote about and when.  I was sure I had put a photo of my "new" print on my blog, but I can't find it.  Oh well, I'll just post it again, and when I do find it, I'll delete one.  It's a print of a tug boat in Mystic, Connecticut.  The little Christmas wreath on the back of the boat makes is appropriate for the Christmas season.  Lolly Stoddard is described at an Amazon site:

Lolly Stoddard is a well know artist in the shoreline area of Connecticut, where she resides with her husband whom she has known since childhood. She taught school for five years before concluding her teaching career to be at home with her three children who are now grown. Her artist endeavors grew along with her children, and her memories of their creative imaginations have helped enliven her children's books. Her first book "Town Small" was published by Mystic Seaport in 2002 and is now in its second printing.

  



Mountain Ivy Blue Ridge dishes

I couldn't resist. The next time you come for dinner or dessert, we'll be eating on vintage (< 1947) Mountain Ivy Blue Ridge Southern Pottery hand painted dishes with underglaze, displaying leaves and purple and gray berries (looks blue to me, my primary kitchen color), all with candlewick edges . It has approximately 7 place settings, except cups and saucers are 8, and usually those are the missing pieces, and I never use them. Meat platter and oval vegetable bowl, sugar/creamer (also don't use these). Now I have some rearranging and packing up to do to move some things to Columbus. History of the company, Erwin, TN 1917-1957. http://www.blueridge-spi.com/pottery/rap1997/history.html

Controlling risk

I wear a mask when I go out, even for my morning walk at 6:30 or 7 a.m. And I'm not wearing it to protect you; it's to protect me. I'm over 80, I'm in good health (with assistance from Big Pharma), but one statistic I do believe in the ocean of misinformation about Covid19, is that the elderly are more vulnerable. The more health deficits they have like obesity, heart disease, lung congestion, smoking, alcoholism, etc. the greater the risk they'll die of Covid19 if they get it or get really sick.

When I walk in the morning, I may cross paths 4 or 5 other walkers or joggers, breathing hard. (At 80 I don't move that quickly.) I wear my mask because they don't. When I walk later in the day to attend a program in the park I may share the street with 6 teen-agers laughing and talking and doing normal kid stuff. I wear my mask because they don't. When I go in stores I meet strangers complying with the mask rules, but with their masks in odd positions--or under their noses, or lifting it to sip the ubiquitous coffee of can of pop. I wear my mask because they don't. I do eat in restaurants. I'm sharing space with people eating and talking and laughing--doing normal human activities. So I wear a mask, except when eating. In the days before the pandemic, I saw people wearing masks who were in chemo treatment or recovering from surgery but still in church or shopping. I wear a mask because I know they weren't trying to protect the public.

But loneliness and depression are also a risk--for anyone even without the pandemic. And I have good reasons for grief and isolation after the recent illness and death of our son. A few brave friends and family violated all the rules and took the risk to be with us, for which we'll forever be grateful, but it was nowhere near the support we would have had in another year from our church, our neighbors, our clubs, etc. So I'll wear the mask because I don't want to live in a prison. I don't want to live like I'm dead.

I'm still going to church (outside), I'm still shopping, I'm attending as many live programs as this odd summer at Lakeside has to offer (praise God for our wonderful staff), I'm still going to restaurants, I'm still inviting friends to our home and going to theirs, I'm still browsing the used books in the "Little Library" boxes all over Lakeside.

And masks keep the summer bugs out of my teeth.

Videos of Blake and Rittenhouse

Videos have now been released of 29 year old Jacob Blake (Kenosha riots) struggling with police and resisting arrest before he was shot, and 17 year old Kyle Rittenhouse being attacked by several in the Kenosha riots before he used his gun on his assailants. I doubt that it will make any difference because these riots are not about "systemic racism" or grievances about equity or health, or which lives matter more, or any of the other social safety net jargon or class war language popularized in the last 30 years by academics.

For BLM it's about the destruction of the United States--and that includes Joe Biden who has contributed so much to the system (like the 1994 crime bill)  they hate in the last 50 years. For the Marxist founders of BLM we don't deserve to exist and should be destroyed.

Believe them when they say they are Marxists

You may have heard a social justice sermon on Sunday, or at least a mention of walk outs by wealthy athletes and systemic racism. Be reminded that BLM is not about being black; or a pay gap, or lack of opportunity, or the population of prisons. It's a Marxist organization. Believe them when they say it. It's on their website.

The intention of these riots is not to help or even create change. The intention is the same as all Marxist-based organizations. To destroy everything because it doesn't deserve to exist. Your state or mine, Portland or Kenosha, shouldn't be a state according to BLM because it was stolen, not from the French or Spanish, but from some indigenous people (who stole it from others). It shouldn't be a state because the United States shouldn't exist and needs to be destroyed. So why, in BLM thinking, would you rebuild or protect something that shouldn't be there?

Don't try to understand BLM using YOUR values. Look at them with THEIR values. Believe them when they tell you who they are. They are more honest about their motives than our major parties are about theirs. Then it will make more sense.

Twitter’s on going war against our President

Twitter fact checked an excellent summary by a Twitter user MelQ of the latest CDC report on what percent of deaths attributed to Covid19 were only Covid without some other serious illness (about 6%).

Tantrums of outrage roared in from the anti-Trumpers, because the president retweeted it. Now it's been removed by Twitter. Of course, anything Trump says about the economy, about Covid, HCQ, about abortion, about foreign relations, etc. has to be fact checked and denied by Big Tech. I don't use Twitter, however, when I read some of the "corrections" I wonder if NYT, WaPo or LATimes could stay in business if every word of their writers were searched for bias and opinion by Big Tech. Forbes has published an extensive denial of the original tweet, but with about mostly anti-Trump opinion and word fill (paid by the word?) of the writer who identifies as a digital health expert and avocado eater. I was not impressed with his or Twitter's assessment, because I read the CDC article, too. I'm not providing a link to the Forbes article--you can find it--because my assessment of its poor quality and misleading information won't be passed along, instead only the article will be seen.

Go to the CDC and look for the 6% article, and draw your own conclusions. I don't think it's much different from what we knew in March, that those who were dying were the elderly with 2-3 other conditions like obesity, lung problems, heart conditions, etc. that weakened them and death was not due only to the Corona virus.

The real story, Mr. Avocado Eater/digital health expert, is how many people are looking for hope and a return to their normal lives before our 50 state governments put us on lockdown and destroyed the economy. Or maybe, you're looking for your 10 seconds of fame?

Sunday, August 30, 2020

How will you be voting? Person or issues?

I'm a one issue voter. The person who wrote this has a broader view, and it's not written exactly as I would have--I'd certainly put the freedoms of the first amendment ahead of the second. But it's an excellent summary. No information on who wrote it--but it began appearing in August. My neighbor Arlene sent this.

"In just three months, it will be over. The U.S. presidential election, I mean. Not the end of the world, but maybe. But maybe the end of our nation, as we have known it. No, I will not be voting for Biden.... I am not voting for a man. I am not rallying for a personality. I am not pushing a person.

At this point, I am voting for one thing and one thing only. I am voting for the principles for which this country has stood since its founding. I am voting for Constitutional government. I am voting for a strong and viable military. I am voting for a vibrant economy. I am voting for the right to keep and bear arms. I am voting for the freedom to worship. I am voting for a national recognition of the founding of our nation on Biblical principles. I am voting for the ability for anyone to rise above their circumstances and become successful. I am voting for my children and grandchildren to be able to choose their own path in life, including how and where their children are educated. I am voting for our borders to be open to everyone who enters under our law and closed to everyone who would circumvent or ignore the law. I am voting for the Electoral College to remain in place, so that a few heavily populated liberal centers do not control the elections. I am voting for a Supreme Court that interprets the Constitution rather than rewrites it. I am voting to teach history, with all of it’s warts, not erase it or revise it. I am voting for the sanctity of life from conception to birth and after.

Now, there are some things I am voting against. I am voting against open borders. I am voting against a rampant welfare system that enslaves its recipients. I am voting against socialism, in all of its forms, including health care, redistribution, reparations, economics, governmental control, pedophilia, and criminal releases, etc. I would rather pay for prison reform then see the criminals released to repeatedly commit the same crimes!

So, although I don’t give blanket approval to everything our President has done or said in the past, I do support him as our president! I am not voting against Joe Biden, but I am voting against every thing that the party backing him and propping him up stands for. It is not the Democratic Party of the past. "

Saturday, August 29, 2020

What is Black Lives Matter really about?

Why is it important to know BLM founders are radical, lesbian feminists who announce on their website they are trained Marxists? Marxism is founded on atheism, but the writings of Karl Marx are not unlike a holy book with a catechism. It looks chaotic, but there are rules and regulations, all antitheses of American values.

If you've been asking, "Don't they know they are hurting their own community," or "Don't they know they are strengthening Trump," or "Don't they know this is not the way to correct what is wrong in society," then you are asking the wrong questions. Particularly Christians, always looking for something logical and rational with a message--you should be saying, "What do they SAY they want?"

Easy answer. Violent radicals have been answering that for over 100 years--but too many suckers don't believe them.

EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS DESERVES TO PERISH.

Now does it make more sense? Not just . . . should perish, but DESERVES to perish. Not just bad things, but EVERYTHING. That's why they can move from smashing Confederate statues (cancel culture), to decapitating statues of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and burning churches (cancel all religions), to smash and grab booty from expensive retail stores and Mercedes car lots (cancel capitalism), to claiming your house, car and pension investments as their own (cancel personal property), to denigrating biological differences (cancel nuclear family).

They are not asking for change, or revolution, there is no plan except to destroy what's here now. The future vision and form of government will come later, and that will evolve as many of the people who are fellow travelers, standing silent waving their little posters will need to be imprisoned or put to death.

As you can see in the videos of Minneapolis and Portland, Black Lives Matter has already been taken over by white communists. The staying power and history of American Communists in all its versions (including those called socialist) is much longer and they've had their tentacles in every sector of our society and culture since the 1930s, especially in education and entertainment. But they've been welcome in the White House and in the largest corporations, in most main line churches, and in powerful unions.

It only takes a spark, to get a fire going.

Once to every man and nation

James Russell Lowell was a 19th century American poet, critic, essayist, editor, and diplomat, not a hymn writer, but I know this poem is found in Christian hymnals. I’m not sure of Church of the Brethren—that seems to be where I remember singing it.  The only hymnal I have at our summer cottage is the 1964 Methodist, and it’s on p. 242 set to music by Thomas J. Williams (tune Ebenezer).  The theme is “Courage in Conflict.”  There are other versions, some with more explicit Christian theology, so perhaps it was modified to be a hymn. 

This version contains eternal truths now under attack in our cities by Marxist/anarchist forces:  good and evil; cause and decision; bloom and blight, darkness and light. Choices to be made—truth, justice, faith, bravery, the threat of death, and over all, God is keeping watch.

Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
'Twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And 'tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.

Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet the truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong:
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above His own.

James Russell Lowell, Public Domain

Lakeside sadness

At Lakeside, although we only see our neighbors for about 10 weeks (if we're owners) we become close because walking together to church, or programs, watching sunsets and having neighborhood get togethers bring us together more frequently than neighbors at "home." We've had some sad times here on our block (7 homes). Jan's niece whom we remember as a visiting teen died at 43; John and Katie's daughter-in-law died at 49; our son died at 51; and last week Claude's wife died of Alzheimer's.

Friday, August 28, 2020

RNC and pro-life message

The four day RNC was not just the most pro-life political convention ever, it was the most pro-life EVENT ever on television. From the former Planned Parenthood staffer Abby Johnson, who became an advocate for life and now has a non-profit to save babies, to the former military surgeon who has saved lives of soldiers and refugees and became a nun, Sister Dierdre Byre, who now saves babies, to the Ohio mother, Terri Myers, who was advised to abort her child with Down Syndrome and is now an advocate for school choice, to the general tone and respect for women who refuse to back down on the values--it was breath taking, glorious, and unheard of.

I was very fond of President George Bush, and he was a "pro-life president," but sort of in the closet when it came to public events. He didn't appear at them. And pro-lifers themselves had been letting the Leftist culture dictate how and what they said--didn't want to ruffle too many feathers, or get too graphic.

President Donald Trump just charges ahead--wants to defund the biggest killer of black babies, appoints women openly pro-life, and allows the actual, grizzly and anatomically correct truth to be told at an event where half the country already hates and lies about him.

Shocking. The man is a modern version of an Old Testament prophet. No one wants to hear the truth, but he says it anyway.

And although it's scandalous and racist to say in today's hyperbolic, hysterical and turned upside down world, all lives matter to Donald Trump.

Library books and Covid

Browsing the new rules and guidelines for OSU Libraries for the autumn semester 2020 I see there’s not a lot of agreement on how long the virus lives on books.  The guidelines say a book will be quarantined for 5 days when returned to service.  I’ve checked various websites, and at least in the recent (yet ever changing) rules and research nothing is that draconian. It will push faculty and students even more to on-line use. I know when I was employed there (retired in 2000) the library was absolutely dependent on our student staff; I assume it is still that way and they will have the most face time with the public.  They will be handling the materials. If the lending partners throughout the state have the same quarantine, it will really back up interlibrary and intra-library loans. And no course reserves—those were heavily used in the veterinary library because so many did not own the books for their classes.

https://library.osu.edu/news/university-libraries-service-updates-for-autumn-semester (posted August 7)

“University Libraries is looking forward to providing the services our students, faculty and staff need to meet their education and research goals in a safe and healthy environment. To that end:

  • masks are required in all University Libraries facilities.
  • the book stacks will remain closed to the public. Materials must be requested through paging. Only University Libraries staff may remove books from shelves. Any books brought to the circulation desk by visitors will have to be quarantined and unavailable for up to five days.
  • requests for materials will be made online at library.osu.edu and picked up at the circulation or information desk within the library.
  • visitors are asked to maintain a safe physical distance of six feet apart. We have spaced out seating in our common areas and closed our group study rooms to help make this possible.
  • eating and drinking are not permitted in the libraries.
  • returned materials will be quarantined for five days and will remain on your account until quarantine is complete and they have been checked in.
  • due to quarantine, OhioLINK and Interlibrary Loan requests will be delayed.
  • physical course reserves will not be available.
  • requests for new materials will take longer than normal to process.
  • Thompson and 18th Avenue Libraries will maintain normal hours, departmental libraries and special collection reading rooms will be operating on a modified schedule. Hours are subject to change. Please visit library.osu.edu for current information

This article from WebMD sounds more like the advice from 4-5 months ago when they were trying to sanitize cruise ships, however it’s update stamp is Aug. 21. https://www.webmd.com/lung/how-long-covid-19-lives-on-surfaces

Although I haven’t been in a library for 6 months, I’ve used the free little libraries around town liberally, and I’ve been in a book store and touched and opened the books. https://www.webmd.com/lung/how-long-covid-19-lives-on-surfaces (posted April 3)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/06/26/heres-how-long-coronavirus-can-live-surfaces-and-air/3256678001/

In all research, it’s what you do AFTER you hold or touch material others have been using that is critical.  Your HANDS and FACE.  Do not touch.  And since masks are so uncomfortable, that’s the hardest advice to follow.

Big Tech is still the winner in this pandemic.  There is no problem getting a new or used book through Amazon, and although the machines may be wrapping and handling, you still have to get the box open and dispose of the trash.

This article is not research, it’s anecdotal, but something to think about because we’ve become so dependent on how some large businesses are staying open when everything we need is closed. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-08-27/covid-pandemic-u-s-businesses-issue-gag-rules-to-stop-workers-from-talking (posted August 27)

Thursday, August 27, 2020

The culture of Life--a useful source for life issues

https://cultureoflife.org/

The Culture of Life Foundation is a 501C3 research and educational institute that exists to engage and strengthen public reason, form the moral conscience, and reveal and present the truths about the human person at all stages of life and in all conditions. We believe that true freedom flourishes within a responsible and cohesive society that is respectful of the fundamental dignity of the human individual.

Hurricanes and politicking

Incredible state, local and federal cooperation have kept injuries and death to a minimum during the two storms, Marco and Laura, to hit Louisiana and Texas. There will still be flooding and tornadoes. I heard Biden on TV blaming Trump. For what, I'm not sure. The weather? Wonder if he'll give him credit for FEMA’s prompt readiness. I remember how the media tried to smear Bush for Katrina when it was the governor and mayor who failed the people? Food and ice were stopped at the state borders, by local regulations.

"FEMA, other federal agencies and the American Red Cross have also spent the last couple of months preparing to face additional challenges that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents. They have modified policies and planning and have taken actions to ensure the federal government can respond to any disaster during the continued COVID-19 response efforts. Actions such as safe distancing in shelters have been taken into consideration when preparing shelter locations. You can read more about how to prepare for disaster during COVID-19 by visiting the Ready.gov website.

Emergency declarations have also been approved for Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Puerto Rico. These declarations help FEMA to rapidly and efficiently respond when states and individuals need aid after a disaster. They authorize FEMA to provide assistance, including reimbursement for mass care, evacuation and shelter support.

Additionally, President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for California. The declaration includes grants to individuals and households, and emergency work in eight counties impacted by wildfires. All areas in the state are also eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

To further make sure employees and disaster survivors stay safe from COVID-19, FEMA has added virtual options for meeting needs after disasters. These methods include virtual damage assessments and inspections for FEMA Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs, as well as for National Flood Insurance Program claims." https://www.fema.gov/blog/fema-prepares-hurricane-laura-california-wildfires

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-announces-fema-approval-for-federal-emergency-declaration-ahead-of-tropical-storm-laura-marco-landfall

Read the biased, slanted article from Politico side sniping President Trump for the weather and riots in Democrat controlled cities because they happen during RNC convention.  https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/27/hurricane-laura-rnc-trump-speech-402993

Naps

My afternoon naps are coming earlier and earlier.  About 11 a.m.  Of course, I get up early, but then I always have.  When my children would nap in afternoons, I always used that time to nap.  My mother was a napper.  She always said, "I'll just close my eyes for a few minutes." The day before my wedding I napped on the couch with my head in her lap.  She always had a book with her, and as her eyes would get heavy, the book slipped down. When I was about 16 I look a photo of her napping on our burgundy color couch on Hannah Avenue--plaid house dress, an apron, dark brown hair, hose, shoes with little heels. I'll have to look around for it.

The medical news for naps changes from time to time. Some research says an hour nap (my usual length) can help cognition. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315097

Others say 20-30 minutes is best so you don't get groggy.  https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/napping

Mayo Clinic has some suggestions https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319

The lies continue

Democrat media complain that there was no mention of the virus during the RNC. Really? I heard it. In prayer. In stories of first responders. In testimonies of survivors. In news clips of Cuomo and Newsom praising the president for the quick aid he sent their states. Stories of amazing new treatments and advancing technology.

And the governors have sent the "crushing" economic woes, not the president. It was Democrats who fought the president on stopping international air traffic from China. It was Democrats who told tourists to come to their cities even as late as March. The false narratives they invent for any crisis, from children in cages, to what Trump said in Charlottesville, to how this virus spread, are unconscionable. They try to cover up their "defund the police" and "loot the cities" slogans with these whiny, petulant lies.

A tribute to women on Day 3

Day 3 of the RNC convention coincided with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and women’s constitutional right to vote.  So there were many tributes.  Let me say, I’ve never been that impressed with how women have used that right.  Particularly women in Congress.  They’ve pushed for killing the unborn; many have eschewed marriage; some have denied the importance of fathers and have denigrated men, who they outlive and women enjoy better health outcomes; women in Congress have insisted on affirmative action, yet want outsized government protection using the federal government like a step-father for their children. But the planners of the RNC convention really did give me a more positive view.  With the national right to vote (women were already voting in local and state elections in 1920) some women used it as a psychological boost even if they misused (in my opinion) their powerful vote.

It’s always been my opinion that it was the 19th century when American women were in their glory fighting for the rights of others and themselves.  They moved a nation with the BIG THREE—may American women someday live up to the expectations of those brave, strong women.

  • Temperance, the fight to live without the scourge of addiction to alcohol,
  • Abolition, the fight to end slavery in the United State, and
  • Suffrage, the fight for women to be able to vote in federal elections.

A hymn to our collective mothers—birth, foster, adoptive and mentors

Faith of our  mothers, living yet
in cradle song and bedtime prayer,
In nurs’ry love and fireside love,
Your presence still pervades the air:
Faith of our mothers, living faith,
We will be true to you till death.

Faith of our mothers, lavish faith,
The fount of childhood’s trust and grace,
O may your consecration prove
The wellspring of a nobler race:
Faith of our mothers, lavish faith,
We will be true to you till death.

(A. B. Patton, public domain)

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

What else should Trump have done?

We spent a lot of time the 3rd week in February in ICU with our son, and there were no Covid19 protections then and visitors wandered in and out with no problem. The only hint there was a problem was a sign in the waiting area that if one had traveled to China recently, to wear an (optional) mask. There were visitors in his room almost around the clock--none of us wore masks. Even for normal infections, it was terribly casual. This was 3 weeks after Trump announced closing travel to China. And now the Democrat Mafia want to make it about his leadership (constitutional authority he doesn't have). Any excuse to cover for their duplicity and bigotry.

The voter drive among medical professions

The Ohio State College of Medicine's Department of Family and Community Medicine and the medical center’s Anti-Racism Action Plan Policy and Advocacy Action Group are partnering with VoteHealth2020 for a workshop on raising voter awareness to increase participation in the election. This is naive and manipulative.

The Trump Administration has probably been the most proactive in assisting minorities, and has actually accomplished something in areas long neglected (but incessantly talked about) by other administrations in the areas of employment opportunity, prison reform, and education. Because Trump is an outsider to both parties, when the businessman accustomed to achieving looked around and said--"this hasn't been working for 50 years, let's do something, let's fast track something, let's get rid of the dead wood of socialist promises," he's been called a racist.

Will an event planned by an entity called an Anti-Racism Action Plan Policy and Advocacy Action Group even welcome Trump supporters? Will they want more Trump supporters to vote? Are there any conservatives or Republicans in this group, or is diversity just another word for skin color? I wanted to know.

So I looked up the VoteHealth2020 board composition, for ethnicity, education, experience in medicine, political sensitivities and how it could relate to the voting public. Based on the photos and surnames, and a brief bio of each one, I'd say 9 members of the team are Asian Indian, [the wealthiest and most educated minority group in the U.S]. The one black female was born in Ghana, one other female appears to be Japanese ancestry, and one white male might be of Spanish ethnicity. In popular jargon, these are POC, people of color, because they are certainly not African American or that jumble of nationalities we refer to as Hispanic. Only one person on the board has a little gray in his fashionable stubble.

The publicity/marketing for this group does point out that Americans have a lower voter turn out than Western Europe and that doctors have an even lower turn out than other privileged, wealthy Americans. Yet, they don't seem to know our American history--even that of the last 2 decades. Blacks had an incredible turnout for the 2008 and 2012 elections--higher than whites in 2008, and much higher in 2012. And almost double that of Asian Americans, the people organizing the "get out the vote" group.

The Pew Research Center found that the economy (84% of respondents), terrorism (80%) and foreign policy (75%) were the top three issues on voters’ minds in 2016. That's why Trump won. Now in 2020, because of Covid19, health care has moved up, especially for Democrats who also think Trump is an important issue, but in 2016, it didn't even make the list.

Will the medical profession vote for Biden and will it be more likely to convince minorities to change their life style to reduce the problems of smoking, alcohol/drug abuse, domestic abuse, sexual promiscuity and obesity? Just like other groups, life style changes will improve many health problems. If I would lose 30 pounds, I'm sure my exercise routine would benefit. How will the doctors' or patients' voting record change their health? It won't. But they might be able to keep Trump out of the White House and get more federal money for their profession.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

It’s not about change, or even revolution

If you thought BLM and ANTIFA wanted change, you are wrong. They want chaos. And here's the proof. Their riots were preceded by unprecedented change, with record low unemployment, increased college enrollment and the highest opportunity ever for minorities. That had to be destroyed.

In 2018, the combined state and federal imprisonment rate (431 sentenced prisoners per 100,000 U.S. residents) was the lowest since 1996.

The total imprisonment rate fell 15% from 2008 to 2018.

From 2008 to 2018, the imprisonment rate dropped 28% among black residents, 21% among Hispanic residents, and 13% among white residents.

In 2018, the imprisonment rate of black residents was the lowest since 1989.

https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/p18.pdf

They are Marxists and crooks. If you believe them, you don't know history and you deserve a vacation in Venezuela and real estate in down town Portland.

The first night of RNC convention

The biggest threat to the moldy, dank and dark Democrat party platform and candidates last week is a bright light and fresh air. Watch the August 24 first night of hope, greatness and health. Our neighbor, an 88 year old widow, came across the street to watch, and we were enthralled with the pride and hope the speakers conveyed.

https://www.facebook.com/dralvedaking/videos/342998723741407/

Now its Climate Change, not a virus

So now Covid19 is about Climate Change, according to WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus And things will never go back to the way they were in 2019. No one benefits when more old people die of influenza or falls, but Covid19? Can make a lot of headway with that one.

No wonder no one complains when rioters don't wear masks. "This is where the the dot-connecting by the WHO, the United Nations, and other fanatical climate-crisis pushers comes into play. The solution to the “climate change crisis,” as they see it, can be summed up in two words: wealth redistribution. Even better in four words: massive worldwide wealth redistribution."

The more we're kept in fear and distrusting each other, the more control these power hungry people have.

https://www.redstate.com/mike_miller/2020/08/22/and-there-it-is-who-director-uses-covid-to-push-worldwide-climate-change-agenda/?

Joe Biden has saved many Black lives.

A total of 194 shooting incidents involving black victims occurred in New York City in June, a 177% increase from the 70 recorded in June 2019, according to the New York Police Department. The BLM movement and its liberal apologists in white suburbia are taking black lives, particularly young people, at an alarming rate. It sounds terrible, but the violence is still lower than in the early 1990s when the 1994 omnibus crime bill cracked down on violence, giving the states federal money for more police and equipment, and the streets of the major cities became safer by half. Violent crime rate was 757.7 per 100,000 in 1992, and 368.9 per 100,000 in 2018. That was an uptick from 361.6 in 2014.

Many people, both parties (and especially Harris and DeBlasio), have blamed Biden, who advocated for the crime bill. They don't give him credit for the thousands of black lives saved over a 30 year period, because the crime rate for blacks is about 6x higher than whites, therefore, the criminals incarcerated during those years, where not killing other black men. Also, the incarceration rate had been going up for many years before the crime bill. And "experts" (sort of like "scientists") don't agree on why the crime rate was halved. "Restorative justice" (i.e., ignore the crime based on race like the Parkland school shooting) people want to blame the law for high rates of black criminals in jail, but they don't want to credit it for saving black lives.

As Senate Judiciary chairman, Biden was a prime mover of the 1994 law, promising that "there will be fewer people murdered," and "fewer children will be turning to crime." (Politico) And he was. His efforts saved lives. But times have changed. His legacy must be denied to get him elected.

This is not to say that Joe Biden should be president for something that harmed/helped Blacks in 1994, only to say his party is a bunch of hypocrites who have so much hate for President Trump they will continue to lie, cheat and steal to get him out of office.

Monday, August 24, 2020

Why Kamala Harris?

The wealthiest ethnic groups of Americans are Asian, specifically, Indian Americans (household income $123,453). After that it's Taiwanese Americans (household income $102,328). Just for comparison, English and German American household income (my ethnicity who were here before the Revolution) is under $50,000. Even the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribal nation members have a household income higher than English and German Americans. But most whites (as Europeans are called) are not even close to Indian or Taiwanese. Indian Americans used to be grouped with "white" in these divisions until the government needed to slice and dice our ethnicities for political purposes. Whites took a "cut in pay" so to speak when the Indians were lumped with Asians.

So in a party obsessed with identity politics, why isn't Kamala Harris called an Indian American? Tamils, or Indians, the people of her mother, have a population of around 76 million and with a documented history stretching back over 2,000 years. They are one of the largest and oldest extant ethnolinguistic groups in the modern world according to Wikipedia (it's not always the best source, but it's the fastest).

Joe Biden has flip flopped on every race and sex issue in the last 40 years. He didn't need to choose Kamala Harris to satisfy Blacks--he's already announced that he owns them. He needed a "black" female to satisfy his white base, particularly women and the younger demographic. And it looks like a wealthy, privileged Indian American would have filled the bill, even if not very accurate for identity politicking. Democrats will just ignore that they have 2 of the most notorious law and order candidates (in their former lives) in recent history.

Sunday, August 23, 2020

The Obama legacy

Larry Elder writes, and I agree, that in 2008, Barack Obama "got a higher % of the white vote than did Kerry in '04. Obama won with 52%, but by the time he entered office Obama's ratings stood at 67%. To show his gratitude, Obama spent his presidency and post presidency telling whites how racist they are.‬"

And his legacy of bigotry, racism, division and turmoil lives on in all the major Democrat run cities experiencing rioting, in academe, in churches, in "woke" corporations," in entertainment, and the Democrats in Congress today.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Reparations in the 21st century

How would reparations work?

First, it's imperative that it has to be about more than slavery, which is the mistake most white and black middle class Christians make when supporting that idea. If it were just slavery, that would leave out Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Megan Markle, the adoptive children of movie stars and the millions like Ilhan Omar who have immigrated from Africa and the Caribbean in the past 3-4 decades. And I do mean millions. Only 350,000 blacks came during slavery days--you can see more need to be added to the roster of the downtrodden and abused.

Second, it will start with something recent that most people will remember. Maybe it will even be "affirmative action" since it failed to set things right and caused blacks undo hardship with debts they couldn't pay off. Maybe it will be "fair housing" initiatives since the concept caused so much "white flight" and pulled middle class blacks out of neighborhoods that needed them.

Third, it will include obviously bad and racist people, and we'll be asked to provide compensation for those hurt by those who consciously worked against blacks, like maybe a (Democrat) senator, former member of the KKK.

Fourth, it will include legal (at the time) business practices, either defined or redefined. Like red-lining of banks to stall mortgages. And if you've invested in that bank, or its parent company, or even if you use its savings and checking account services, you'll be part of the system, and therefore, guilty. You'll need to pay up.

Fifth, it will include local government services, like schools, parks, transportation. Did the schools in your community fail black children at higher rates than whites? Law suits coming right up. Maybe even the families of the board members and teachers will be held responsible. There goes that nice pension teachers get.

Sixth, it will include nutrition and health. We will be asked to overlook lifestyle causes of health problems, at least as far as reparations are concerned. If McDonald's is deemed to have too many stores in black neighborhoods (black because of redlining by banks) and black children have more obesity related health problems, then Mickey D will have to pay up, and if you've invested, sorry. That McDonald's has provided more top level management jobs for blacks since the early 1980s and been more environmentally responsible than most corporations will not balance the ledger.

And there will be more. There are currently national, state and local task forces for each of these. Keep your eyes and ears open. Non-profits are extremely lucrative for those at the top getting donations from foundations and gullible church mission boards. It's sort of a reparation payment all by itself.

The electoral college whine

Hillary Clinton opined again this past week at the vaudeville virtual convention that she won. She wasn't defeated in 2016, she was defeated in the Democrat primaries in 2008, by Barack Obama. She had more votes, in those days feminism won out over color, but Obama got the winner take all, electoral style system Democrats use in their primaries. After 8 years she was too old, too exhausted and too ill to pull it off. By the same token, Sanders won, but Joe Biden walked off with the prize. Bernie's no dummy, however, and has most of the power over the Biden message and campaign. You could call it the Harris-Sanders ticket.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Females that won’t reproduce

Does 2020 need any more disasters? Genetically engineered 750 million mosquitoes are about to be released in Florida in 2021. Females that can't reproduce. Hey, we're doing that with teen-agers and getting slammed by the LGBTQ agenda groups if we object. But that's another disaster for down the road.

I don't like mosquitoes, but after Science in the 19th century first developed DDT as the answer to control malaria, typhus, body lice, and bubonic plague and bringing malaria cases to almost zero, that same Science then declared it an evil for Mother Earth when a non-scientist, Rachel Carson, published a book. I'm a little nervous about what else Science has in store for us. I suspect no one really knows why God designed the mosquito, nor do they remember how we got so many rogue plants, animals and fish (hint: someone brought them here to benefit or control something else).

The Democrat Convention to elect Joe Biden

So what are we to make of the virtual vaudeville virtue signaling we witnessed this week called the Democrat Convention?

American flags, the Constitution, the Star Spangled banner, singing children, and a motherly chat from a former FLOTUS who not too long ago admitted she didn't like us much while her husband reminded us that we didn't build that (hint: slaves did according to BLM whom he won't condemn). That sweet cotton candy side show was to convince the moderates and independents that they really hadn't seen two months of rioting in Democrat plantation cities; they really hadn't witnessed their elected leaders voting to kill the oppressed and helpless babies not yet born.

The race to fantasy land started with a speech by their most prominent Socialist Bernie Sanders claiming that we are experiencing the most serious health crisis in 100 years, the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression, a climate disaster, and a weak, directionless leader at the helm. He then accused that weak leader of being an "authoritarian and a bigot," and that's code for Hitler in Dem-Speak. Well, which is it Bern? Is he a sniveling weakling getting sand kicked in his face or is he Hitler?

Do we have an "authoritarian" in the White House who demanded every Democrat be masked and silent as the 50 governors have done, one who will usurp all power of the states and shut down businesses and churches? I think not. Democrats would have really raged if that had happened. Oh yes, and he warned of an oligarchy--Bernie said the power is there. That sent everyone to the dictionary. That's a small clutch of power brokers. But that describes Big Tech and woke corporations, the ones who've bought into the "systemic racism" chant of the rioters and academics, who approve of NFL revolting (peacefully) against the national anthem, painting BLM on the streets of NYC, and forced pronouns in the work place.

Or do you, Bernie, want a president who is cozy (with his son Hunter) with the Communist Party of China, the country of origin of the virus that struck down the most powerful economy the world has ever seen? Team Biden loves authoritarian China that requires everyone with a cell phone have an APP for Xi Jinping so all citizens can be reeducated in the glorious words and philosophy of the president for life. That's the president you're seeking to install in the White House?

Will you get the vaccine?

"Less than half of American adults say they would get a government-approved [rushed, deadly] coronavirus vaccine if one becomes widely available, new data from the NBC News|SurveyMonkey Weekly Tracking Poll show, with the majority unsure about getting the vaccine or saying they're ruling it out entirely. Forty-four percent of American adults say they would get the vaccine, with 22 percent saying they wouldn't and 32 percent saying they aren't sure... Among Republicans and those who lean Republican, 31 percent say they aren't sure whether they would get a vaccine, while 36 percent say they would and 33 percent say they wouldn't. While a majority of Democrats and those who lean

Democratic -- 58 percent -- say they would get a vaccine, 30 percent say they're unsure and just 12 percent say they wouldn't get vaccinated. Independents align more closely with the Republican groups. Thirty-seven percent say they and their families would get vaccinated, 25 percent say they wouldn't and 38 percent say they aren't sure."

Are NBC news survey Monkeys that reliable, or do they get primarily Democrats? And look at the numbers, the vast majority say yes, or unsure (probably waiting on the "science" to settle a little instead of changing week to week).

I will get a vaccine eventually--but like a first year model of a car, I'd want the bugs worked out.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/poll-less-than-half-of-americans-say-theyll-get-a-coronavirus-vaccine/ar-BB185CwG

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

An old photo of Phil

Today I received a nice photo of our son Phil who died in April. My cousin Sharon who lives in Canada sent it in a letter. It was taken in 1981 at a gathering at my mother's farm in Franklin Grove for the funeral of my cousin, Sharon's brother, Richard Weybright who died when he was 43. Phil was 13. Phil loved our vacations at the farm. I remember being there, but didn't remember who else was there except for Richard's parents. Richard had died in November 1980, so apparently the ashes were brought "home" from Arizona for burial in Ashton, Illinois where my grandparents and their son Clare who died in WWII are buried.

From left: Phil, Aunt Muriel, Chris Corbett, Bob, Dale Jasper
 

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Disparities

I wish every preacher, politician, prophet and prognosticator could read (or re-read) THE UNPRECEDENTED EXPANSION OF THE GLOBAL MIDDLE CLASS: AN UPDATE (2017) by the Brookings Institution,   non-profit organization devoted to independent research and policy solutions.  https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/global_20170228_global-middle-class.pdf   Just as an aside, some conservatives consider Brookings part of the “deep state,” i.e. certainly not a Trump supporter.

I commented on that document at my blog in May 2017. I’d forgotten the eye opening research and conclusions and re-read it today.  In light of the current pandemic and the self-flagellation I hear from educated, comfortably middle-class Christian Americans about health disparities, systemic racism, income gaps, struggling inner cities, and failures to thrive of various populations this report is truly stunning.

Here it is:   About TWO-THIRDS of the WORLD are now middle class.  Think on that a moment.  When my great grandfather (b. 1828) set out as a young man to “go west” about 95% of the world existed in overwhelming poverty and the government provided none of the social services we expect today. All that charity was left to the churches and local communities—taking care of the sick and poor and providing children (who often worked in factories or as farm labor) with an education.

In 1990, more than a third of people on Earth lived on less than $1.90 a day, adjusted for local prices (this is the line the World Bank uses as its main metric). By 2013, barely 10 percent of people did; the rate had been cut by more than two-thirds. And most of the recent growth of the last 2 decades has not been among white people (aka Europe and North America) but among Asians and Africans. Even in the U.S. the riches ethnic groups are Asians—Indians and Filipinos. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-biggest-asian-origin-communities-in-the-united-states.html

Of course, the obligatory reporting on global climate change and the percent of rich households (not middle class) consumption being in the U.S. is reported in the Brookings document.  But then, think on this: “India today (2015) is already richer than Germany was when it introduced social insurance for all workers in the late 1880s. Indonesia is richer than the U.S. was in 1935, when the Social Security Act was passed. And China is richer than Britain was in 1948, when the National Health Service was introduced.”  Social programs did not building the middle class—capitalism did.  Brookings, being left of center didn’t say that, but it’s there, in print, and on-line.

Destroying the Trump economy (which actually came after this amazing report) and attempting to make us more dependent on government rather than the values that built our country and those of the countries rising today are critical for those who want global power. Whether you think that means Soros or a global cabal of capitalists, or “woke” international corporations, we seem to be in the battle for our lives.

We need to get back to work and to stop listening to those who are trying to defeat us.

Monday, August 17, 2020

Who are behind the racism hoaxes? Media? Or something more sinister?

"In 2011, the terms racist/racists/racism accounted for 0.0027% and 0.0029% of all words in The New York Times and The Washington Post, respectively. What we see over the past decade is a continual dramatic increase in usages of “racism” and its variations. Moreover, the graph shows that this increase occurred a half decade before the arrival of Donald Trump. By 2019, they would constitute 0.02% and just under 0.03% of all words published in the Times and Post—an increase of over 700% and just under 1,000%, respectively, from 2011."

The media (with help from academe and cottage industry workshops on racism hitting up churches and non-profits) expanded on the theme, although there was really no evil downward change in behavior and there were actually far fewer racial incidents and crimes.

"In 2011, just 35% of white liberals thought racism in the United States was “a big problem,” according to national polling. By 2015, this figure had ballooned to 61% and further still to 77% in 2017." Blacks’ perception of racism actually went down!

Notice the huge increase BEFORE TRUMP became president.

https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/media-great-racial-awakening

They aren't smart enough to do this on their own--young college journalism graduates and a bunch of media capitalists. Who are behind this?

What’s wrong with the Post Office?

Don't drink the Kool-aid. The problem isn't the Post Office. It's New York taking 9 weeks to count the votes the P.O. delivers. It's the dead voters, the moved voters, the non-citizen voters. It's a state problem that can't handle what the P.O. can deliver. And that's how Democrats want it. Crash the election, make Pelosi the president. Do everything possible to destabilize Trump.

Saturday, August 15, 2020

You don’t have to go 3,000 miles to become a missionary

Apparently my subscription to Magnificat lapsed a month, and I didn’t get the August 2020 issue, so I decided to reuse the August 2019 issue.  This morning’s reading (which I don’t recall reading last summer) included a story about Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, daughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne.  I’ve always had a soft spot for him, even though I’ve only read a few items by the popular 19th century American writer.  I remember him for the 4 titles in the deck of cards “Authors” a game which my mother and grandmother encouraged for slow Sunday afternoons at Grandma’s house at her farm near Franklin Grove, Illinois.

Rose was the daughter of two prominent, socially connected families, the Hawthornes and the Peabodys. After she married George Lathrop, also a writer, the couple converted to Catholicism. Later his alcoholism which worsened after the death of their only child Francis, caused them to separate, but she never stopped caring and praying for him.  I haven’t read enough about her life to find out what led her to care for impoverished cancer victims, but that’s the direction of the rest of her life. One article I read noted she was a friend of Emma Lazarus, the poet, who first introduced her to the horrors of 19th century poverty.  At first it was just her working along for the cancer victims, then another volunteer, and eventually, she was allowed to establish a Dominican order,  Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer. 

". . . service to Christ's poor did not simply mean that this lady of culture, education, and social status would put on an apron and offer gifts from her abundance. She decided to live among the poor, to beg for them as they did for themselves, and to establish a home where they could live in dignity, cleanliness, and ease as they faced their final days on earth . . .There was to be no class system, no 'upstairs/downstairs' for her residents. She and her religious sisters would be the servants. The residents would be the object of all their care and concern."

There are 3 houses, and one is in Atlanta, Georgia.

https://georgiabulletin.org/news/2018/12/family-chaplain-speak-of-hawthorne-dominicans-life-changing-oasis/

https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/rose-hawthorne-daughter-nathaniel-becomes-candidate-catholic-saint/

https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/faith-and-character/the-remarkable-rose-hawthorne.html

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Biden and Abortion

 A statement from Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life 

 "While Governor of Ohio, John Kasich’s strong pro-life convictions enabled him to stand against the violence of abortion and work alongside Ohio Right to Life to strengthen protections for Ohio’s most vulnerable. As a man of faith, Kasich claims his policy was informed by what countless people of faith hold dear: that every human life is precious and that abortion is morally unacceptable. It is for this reason that Kasich’s support of Joe Biden is so deeply troubling.” 

 “Throughout his candidacy, Joe Biden has made his wholehearted endorsement of abortion abundantly clear. Supporting a candidate who believes abortion should be legal up to the point of birth flies in the face of faith and even human decency. You cannot faithfully stand for life and back Joe Biden. 

 We call on John Kasich to rescind his support."

Can I get an AMEN?

The church is proving what the non-churched have said for years. We're invisible, irrelevant and unnecessary. Time to change that. Time to reopen.

"The church is not a building." How many times do we have to hear that!

"It's not loving to risk infecting people." It's also not loving to ignore other types of pain in the community.

"We've got more people at our Bible studies on Zoom than we ever had before." Great. Let's fire most of the staff and just buy everyone a new computer and blanket the neighborhood with Wi-Fi. Probably cheaper than maintaining our buildings and parking lots.

I've heard all 3 excuses from pastors. . . this week.

Let's stop living up (down) to the unbelievers' expectations.

Four Keys To Living Well In A COVID World Practical Guidelines For Living a Life of Vibrant Good Health. Guest blog By: Michael Sipe

Our country, indeed, the whole world, is fixated on COVID-19. It seems every aspect of life is being upended and reshaped as we respond to the fear of being infected and dying from the corona virus. Governmental response to the disease based on assertions of “public health” has resulted in economic devastation, business failure, massive unemployment, cratering of the educational system, relational breakdowns, restructuring of business practices, restrictions on faith practices and a culture of pervasive and widespread fear. It’s important to remember that COVID did not cause all these things. Our response to COVID is responsible for the outcomes we are experiencing. Regardless of what you think about COVID, one would be hard pressed to say that our responses to COVID have led to desirable results. Unfortunately, at least in the short term, we can’t do much as individual citizens about government imposed restrictions except make the best of the insanity. There are, however, many things we can do to improve our own lives and protect ourselves from disease.

The “expert” solutions to COVID avoidance are: stay home, keep away from people (aka social distance), no hugging or handshakes, mask-up if you do venture out, erect physical barriers between people, sanitize every surface and report any “violations” of the health mandates to the authorities. Also, we’re advised that all this goes away as soon as we have a vaccine for COVID. These practices are promoted as “taking personal responsibility” and being caring toward others.

What we don’t hear are the practical steps each of us can take to truly exercise personal responsibility for immunizing ourselves against disease. Let’s not wait for a vaccine…and what if we never even need a vaccine because our immune systems are so strong that we are impervious to COVID? Here are some guidelines for how you can protect yourself from COVID, and also from other diseases, which frankly is an even more important consideration.

Before we start, I’m not a trained medical expert. I’m a 65-year old healthy man. I’m an athlete, outdoorsman, martial artist, executive coach and entrepreneur. I haven’t done any “double-blind” studies on the recommendations I’m going to offer. But I do have a lot of life experience and a healthy portion of common sense. That said, stop now or read on and judge for yourself the validity of the following recommendations, which fall into four categories I call MEPS, which stands for the Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual domains of life.

The Mental Game. Vibrant good health is, first of all, a mental game. We attract and we become what we think about. This is not some airy-fairy theoretical concept. It’s a truth that’s supported by the teachings of major religions, by psychologists, coaches, human performance experts and successful people in all walks of life.

If you want to be sick, fix your thoughts on illness. Focus on disease. Live in fear of getting sick. Make COVID your central focus. Worry a lot. Wind yourself up emotionally into a stress-filled state. Even if you don’t catch the corona virus, you will succeed at making yourself ill. Not only that, the quality of your fear-filled life will be dramatically reduced, as well as that of everyone you come in contact with. Fear is infectious. Sadly, many of the so-called “health” mandates are continually triggering people into a fear-filled state and reinforcing an underlying assumption that you’re going to catch the virus, you’re going to get very sick, you’re going to infect everyone else and you’re going to die a horrible choking death as you strangle on your own blood. Focus on that all day long and you’ll become sick. We call that dis-ease.

Conversely, you can change your mental paradigm and focus on health. After all, 99.9% of people who actually contract COVID survive. Instead of organizing your thoughts about the .1% who die, you can choose to focus on the 99.9% probability. That’s what we do with every other activity, such as flying, driving, boating, swimming and all the other things that you can die from. We focus on the positive probabilities. Otherwise we’d be immobilized.

Here’s how to win the mental game:

Control what you read, what you watch, what you listen to and who you hang around with. The more negative garbage you allow in your mind, the more toxic your life becomes. That does not mean you should cocoon and disconnect yourself from the world. It just means, don’t let negative “news” and conversation consume and pollute your thoughts.

Control your thoughts. Most people don’t think. They just have thoughts. That’s a big part of the reason people are reacting to COVID in a state of mindless fear and panic. But you can choose what you think about. This is ancient wisdom. 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul wrote: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” It’s good advice today. You can choose what you think about. Choose wisely.

The Emotional Game. We are living in emotion-filled times. About any negative emotion you can imagine is on active display. The emotions of fear, worry, anger, hatred, judgement, bitterness, sadness, grief, and depression are all around us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of following how you feel and being led by your emotions. Winning the emotional game is actually quite easy, however, when you realize that, as valuable as emotion is, it does not have to lead your existence.

Emotions don’t emerge from nowhere and demand that we organize around them. Emotions come from thoughts. Consciously or unconsciously you tell a story about what a situation “means” and out of that story flow emotional responses. Then, you choose, (again a thought process) to engage in the emotions or not. The more you engage, the stronger the emotional experience. Here’s an example: something happens that you think is unjust. This triggers a feeling of annoyance. As you think more and more about the injustice, your annoyance grows and becomes anger, perhaps even eventually turning into mindless rage. Most people live as victims to this process, thinking they are led by their emotions and there’s nothing to be done. After all, it’s how they feel, and no one should negate or deny their feelings, right? Well, actually, not. The truth is, we do not have to be victimized by our feelings. We can control our thoughts and manage our emotions accordingly.

Although emotional responses such as anger, fear and sadness are appropriate at times, in excess they can become negative emotions, along with other negative emotions like envy, hatred, and bitterness. If you allow yourself to be consumed by negative emotions you create a toxic environment that makes you sick and fills your life with dis-ease.

Alternatively, you can choose to generate, embrace and reinforce positive emotions, such as love, joy, hope, enthusiasm, gratitude and confidence. You can do this through how you think, and you can do this through how you act, as physiology also controls emotions. Positive emotions create a healthy environment for you and all those around you. You are not a victim to your emotions. You are in control. You get to manage how you feel by the thoughts and actions you choose. Choose wisely. 

The Physical Game. Most of the health mandates are focused on creating external physical barriers to COVID. However, the internal barriers you can create are far more important. You need to build up your immune system in ways that increase your resistance to disease and increase your ability to recover when invaded by disease. Unfortunately, when people are led by their emotions, their body suffers. They get too little exercise. They shelter in place and stay inside. They eat too much. They gain weight. They eat too much sugar, salt and processed foods. They drink too much. They smoke. They take drugs. They drink too much soda, coffee and too little water. They stay up late and stress all night, getting too little sleep. They manically sanitize everything and distance themselves from anything that might carry a bacteria or virus. And thus, they set themselves up to get sick. If not from COVID, then from things much worse, like diabetes, heart disease, mental illness and a host of other ailments.

The solution is quite simple. It’s not rocket science or even complicated medical science. Simply do the opposite of all the above and dramatically increase the quality of your life and the probability that you’ll enjoy vibrant good health. Although the solution is simple, it may not be simple to reverse course. That’s why the CDC reports that 100 million Americans are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes. We refuse to change course. And we get sick.

Good health requires a decision, where you reach a point of saying, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired,” and decide to change. Then it requires the discipline of choosing and sticking to healthier habits: habits of healthy eating and drinking, habits of clean living and exercise, habits of meditation, rest, peace and calm, habits of sleep, habits of moderation, habits of proper nutritional supplementation, habits that promote long life, not premature disease and death. These are the things that have always built immunity and they work for COVID as well. You can choose sickness or health. Choose wisely.

The Spiritual Game. As important as the mental, emotional and physical aspects of life are to good health, we also must attend to our spiritual health. I’m a Christ follower, so my Christian faith shapes my perspective. You may have different beliefs that will shape yours. Regardless, each of us must pay attention to our spiritual health, since, although it’s last on the MEPS acrostic, it’s actually first in importance. Our spiritual paradigm informs and drives our behavior in all the other three domains of life.

So, permit me to address this from my spiritual beliefs, and if they vary from yours, find your own spiritual equivalent – but to ignore the spiritual game is foolish. 

The first spiritual topic to address is death. We must come to terms spiritually with the reality of our own mortality, otherwise we will spend our time on earth with such fear of death that we never truly live. As a Christ follower, I believe that my decision to accept Christ as the way, the truth and the life and the only path to salvation opens the door to heaven and a life spent now and eternally in the loving presence of God. Therefore, although I don’t desire death, I don’t fear it, since, for me, only God things and good things are ahead forever. Therefore, I can live fully today, without fear of tomorrow. How have you resolved for yourself the reality of your own mortality and your ultimate destiny? Until you do, you will live in a perpetual state of dis-ease.

Our spirituality shapes our mental game. The Apostle Paul urged us to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Our spirituality determines what we read, watch, listen to and who we associate with…and thus what we think about, who we become and what we attract in life.

Our spirituality shapes our emotional game. The positive emotions of hope, love, joy, peace flow out of a settled spirit that leads our mind, will, heart and emotions.

Our spirituality shapes our physical game. It drives what we do. James, the brother of Jesus taught: “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” It’s easy to tell the state of a person’s spiritual health. Just look at what they do and how they behave.

The Bible also teaches that our bodies are the temple for the Spirit. Jesus taught, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Spiritual health leads not only to physical health, it also inoculates against over-dependence on physicality, which will ultimately fail, leaving only spirituality. It’s been said we are not physical beings having a spiritual experience, but rather spiritual beings having a physical experience. Holding that perspective leads to Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual health.

Conclusion. Here’s the truth. You can do everything the health experts advise in regard to COVID and it won’t make you healthy. It won’t necessarily keep you from getting infected and it won’t guarantee you aren’t going to die. In fact, in many ways the public health mandates can actually make you less healthy. Your health is your responsibility and good health requires proper Mental, Emotional, Physical and Spiritual choices. Choose wisely. Live well. Live fully.

Michael Sipe, author of The AVADA Principle, is the founder of 10x Catalyst Groups (www.10xgroups.com), which helps entrepreneurs grow profitable and thriving businesses organized on a foundation of Biblical principles. Sipe has also enjoyed a successful 30-plus year career in mergers, acquisitions, and business development as the founder of CrossPointe Capital, a middle market investment-banking firm. In that capacity, he consulted with and evaluated over 5,000 companies and has provided advisory services for approximately a half-billion dollars in business sales involving hundreds of companies. He remains active in transactional work and has been a key advisor in mergers and acquisitions projects covering a multitude of industry sectors.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Catholic candidates and abortion

 

Defender in Chief, by John Yoo

John Woo, a Korean American, is the "wrong" kind of minority--he supports the President, although he didn't start out that way. In his new book, “Defender in Chief: Donald Trump’s Fight for Presidential Power,” Yoo makes the case that despite popular belief, President Trump has been a protector of constitutional law, not an offender. Democrats, liberals, and Progressives will not like this at all. The book was written before all the oozing of the left in 2020.

https://youtu.be/RnPpIlhh16I

“We are used to thinking of presidential power as presidents fighting with Congress…actually the really important fight is the president against the independent bureaucracies below him,” Yoo said. “The founders would have said, ‘What is going on?’…this bureaucracy is slowing down, diluting, sapping the presidency of its energy.”

https://thefederalist.com/2020/08/06/john-yoo-argues-trump-is-a-defender-of-constitutional-presidential-power/

Positive self-talk from the 1600s

Sometimes I think positive self-talk is a fad from the pop psych of the 20th century, but today I read some advice from Saint Jane Frances de Chantel who died in 1641.  She founded the Order of the Visitation for women who did not have the stamina for the life of the traditional orders.  These women had been rejected for poor health or old age by other orders. I haven't yet looked up her writings, but found this one as "Meditation of the Day," August 12, 2019, Magnificat, vol 21, no. 6.

"No matter what happens, be gentle and patient with yourself.  Once in a while, if you feel particularly weak, without courage, without confidence, force yourself to make affirmations which are the opposite of your feelings.  Say with conviction: "My Savior, my all, despite my feelings of misery and distrust, I place all my confidence in you; you are strength for the weak, refuge for the miserable, wealth for the poor; you are indeed my Savior who has always loved sinners."

But, dearest, say these or similar words resolutely, without self-pity or tears; then turn your attention to something else. The Almighty will never let you slip from his arms, for he holds you firmly.  Don't you see how very gently he comes to your rescue?" 

Note:  I did find a video of an RCIA Initiation at St. Jane Frances de Chantel church, Sterling Heights, Michigan, which being 2020 shows the participants in masks and the pews roped off for social distancing. Two new members are baptized.  Others are being confirmed as adults. Their sponsors are standing behind them.   Usually this is done at Easter, but because of the pandemic was moved to Pentecost.  Some churches cancelled classes. Voices a little muffled. https://youtu.be/FLUUiCI8qGU


Tuesday, August 11, 2020

New words for 2020

What new words or phrases have you learned during the pandemic and the riots? Here's mine:

diaper wrap (mask)
slave muzzles (mask)
Barista Bolsheviks (I assume this is white rioters, but not sure)
Luxury Communism (I think this refers to the rich and privileged ANTIFA crowds subsidized by Soros)

Cancel culture (throw out all history of people or events and replace with communist themes)

Saturday, August 08, 2020

Have you noticed?

Have you noticed that when job numbers are up and unemployment figures down, the media begin to roar about keeping businesses and schools closed? Of course you did, Democrat, Libertarian or Republican.

Have you noticed that the media meme yesterday was that Trump commented on Biden's religion? Biden never said a word about the atheist, anti-Christian bombardment by Antifa and BLM, did he? Or that statues of Mary and Catholic missionaries were being torn down and destroyed by "peaceful protestors." Did you notice Biden stayed silent in the basement (he's a "devout Catholic" according to media)? Of course you did, liberal, conservative, moderate, or independent.

And that's why you won't vote for Biden, who intends to pass his presidency on to an unknown POC female 2-fer to satisfy the far leftists in the Democrat party, home of socialists, Communists, and anarchists, just as soon as he can get confirmation of his illness.

Lakeside has a new President

The Lakeside Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel J. Rogers as Lakeside Chautauqua’s next President & CEO and President of the Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation, effective August 10.

Rogers is a skilled senior leader with a broad background in leading complex non-profit organizations that provide programming and assistance to poor, underprivileged and homeless populations.

He combines his extensive business experience with a genuine love and curiosity of people and humbly describes himself as a servant leader, intent on nurturing relationships within the community while working with and developing his staff.

Rogers most recently served as President & CEO of Cherry Street Mission Ministries of Toledo from 2005-2019, where he developed the strategic direction of the organization, fostered community partnerships and led significant fundraising efforts. Cherry Street provides more than food, clothing and shelter for the poor, underprivileged and homeless, it is a ministry built around one-on-one mentorship and focused on who a person is, rather than what a person has become.

His vision led to the development of Cherry Street’s Life Revitalization Center, a $13 million facility housed in a former Toledo vocational high school. Programs are aimed at the reversal of poverty and bringing an end to homelessness in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

During his tenure, Cherry Street grew into an $8 million non-profit organization that increased its ministry presence from three buildings to 17 and was recognized nationally as a successful model for innovative community partnerships.

In 2019, Rogers left his position to pursue the founding of Straightline Solutions, an organization that assists communities and non-profits in the cultivation of robust cultures through coaching, consulting and developing people.

Prior to his leadership at Cherry Street and Straightline Solutions, Rogers served as founder and lead pastor of an independent Christian Church and started his career as a teacher. He earned his Bachelor’s in Theology, Psychology and Behavioral Science from Mount Vernon Nazarene College.

Rogers is an author, TEDx presenter and the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public Service. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Toledo area’s Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence Hall of Fame and was presented the Courage Award for Ohio from Governor John Kasich.

He is an authentic, warm person who is dedicated to leading and developing staff and the Lakeside community. To underscore his commitment to the community, Rogers plans to reside in Lakeside. He brings the depth of experience, understanding of human nature and superb leadership qualities that Lakeside desires to lead us into our 150th year and beyond.

"What an honor to be selected as Lakeside Chautauqua's next President & CEO," says Rogers. "The rich tradition of Lakeside, along with the dynamics of the four pillars, provides a depth of opportunity seldom seen in a lifetime. I’m thrilled beyond words to work alongside Dan Dudley, the team of Lakeside and the Board of Directors to imagine, together, a vibrant and sustained future for generations to come." 

“I am excited to work with a leader of the caliber of Dan Rogers to shape the future of Lakeside,” says Dan Dudley, Lakeside Chautauqua Acting President & CFO/COO. “He brings great skills to the management team and staff that truly complement the existing team. I speak for the entire staff when I say that we look forward to helping Dan create a renewed vision for Lakeside and the community over the coming years.”

Please help us welcome Daniel Rogers to Lakeside by attending our ‘Meet the President’ events, held 6-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 and 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Steele Memorial Bandstand. Masks are required. Please practice safe social distancing.

Kurt Geisheimer
Lakeside Association Board of Directors, Chair

Tom Jones
Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation Board of Directors, Chair