Jumping ship
I'm about to move to Dreamwidth. I'm curmugeon over there.
death and dying
I was talking to a friend last night. We were talking about death and dying as we both know people who are near death now. We share the same near death experiences and both have witnessed the death of a love one. Often people aren't prepared for dying.
We don't know how to die because it us a subject we avoid. I now realize that when I die I will leave it all behind and let someone else figure it out.
I may leave a will. That might be good or I will secretly sign over the pink slip in my truck to someone who deserves it if I know in advance that I'm dying.
I think everyone needs to think about dying. How do you want to die? Do you want endless medical interventions? Do you want to quietly fade away? Is there anything you want to leave for others? Have you said your goodbyes? Have you said I love you enough? Is there any point in time when you might consider assisted suicide? They made Jack Kevorkian was made out as a criminal but he was providing a service to those seeking escape from endless suffering of medical science.
We are all going to die sometime. We never know when. Be thoughtful.
good stories
Check out this writer. Sean Dietrich
http://seandietrich.com/people-next-door/
His stories are real, the people are real, and he has a way to bring feelings to his words.
http://seandietrich.com/people-next-door/
His stories are real, the people are real, and he has a way to bring feelings to his words.
thoughts 2
I'm a veteran. But don't give me that bullshit that we have been fighting for our freedom. The last time we did that was World War II. Since then we have been doing regime change or stealing resources.
online petitions
All about those online petitions.
Petitions only work when the target actually cares about people's opinions.
Most Republicans right now are drunk on power and are not listening to constituents. Petitions are becoming more of a "feel like I'm doing something" gesture for Democrats and progressives. Mostly they have become a lead in to an appeal for funds to help the organization feed their followers "facts" to make them feel like they are right and Trump is bad. Time is better spent calling your representative or senator. A visit to your representative's office is 1000 times more effective. I'm lucky that my representative is a Democrat. I have his phone numbers in my phone. It was grass roots activism that got him elected and defeated Mary Bono Mack. He was challenged by the local Republican hack who he soundly defeated. I'll be ready to work for him in the next election.
No petitions aren't going to change anything unless you target a vulnerable politician.
Thanks Kyburg
A good friend posted this on Facebook. I agree 100℅ with what this says. I'm an American. I'm a veteran. And I will not be quiet about my opinions of #45.
This is where I stand.
To me, FB is a useful vehicle for passion and activism. I believe that our 45th President, his Cabinet and administration, and the majority of Republicans in Congress are a real and active threat to me, my way of life, and to the people I love.
Some people are saying that we should give #45 a chance, that we should "work together" because he won the election and he is "everyone's president." This is my response:
•I will not forget how badly he and so many others treated former President Barack Obama for 8 years.
•I will not "work together" to privatize Medicare, cut Social Security and Medicaid.
•I will not "work together" to build a wall.
•I will not "work together" to persecute Muslims.
•I will not "work together" to shut out refugees from other countries.
•I will not "work together" to lower taxes on the 1% and increase taxes on the middle class and poor.
•I will not "work together" to help Trump use the Presidency to line his pockets and those of his family and cronies.
•I will not "work together" to weaken and demolish environmental protection.
•I will not "work together" to sell American lands, especially National Parks, to companies which then despoil those lands.
•I will not "work together" to enable the killing of whole species of animals just because they are predators, or inconvenient for a few, or because some people want to get their thrills killing them.
•I will not "work together" to remove any person's civil rights.
•I will not "work together" to alienate countries that have been our allies for as long as I have been alive.
•I will not "work together" to slash funding for education.
•I will not "work together" to take basic assistance from people who are at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder.
•I will not "work together" to get rid of common sense regulations on guns.
•I will not "work together" to eliminate the minimum wage.
•I will not "work together" to support so-called "Right To Work" laws, or undermine, weaken or destroy Unions in any way.
•I will not "work together" to suppress scientific research, be it on climate change, fracking, or any other issue where a majority of scientists agree that Trump (and his supporters) is wrong on the facts.
•I will not "work together" to criminalize abortion or restrict health care for women.
•I will not "work together" to increase the number of nations that have nuclear weapons.
•I will not "work together" to put even more "big money" into politics.
•I will not "work together" to violate the Geneva Convention.
•I will not "work together" to give the Ku Klux Klan, the Nazi Party and white supremacists a seat at the table, or to normalize their hatred.
•I will not "work together" to deny health care to people who need it.
•I will not "work together" to deny medical coverage to people on the basis of a "pre-existing condition."
•I will not "work together" to increase voter suppression.
•I will not "work together" to normalize tyranny.
I will not “work together” to eliminate, restrict or reduce ethical oversight at any level of government.
•I will not "work together" with anyone that thinks it's OK to put a pipeline to transport oil on Sacred Ground for Native Americans.
•I will not "work together" with any proposed legislation that threatens marriage equality for all.
•I will not "work together" with anything or anyone that threatens the rights of LGBTQ individuals in any way.
This is my line, and I am drawing it because "winning", "being great again", "rich" or even "beautiful" means nothing when others are sacrificed and our most important democratic institutions are being devalued, disrespected, attacked and undercut in the process by the holder of the highest office in our land.
This is not my vision for a great America.
If you agree feel free to copy and re-post (this results in larger numbers of people seeing a post), and if you want, sign your name below ours."
Signed:
(some names deleted to keep this managable as an entry)
Donna Hutt Stapfer Bell
Alan Richard Stanley
You are NOT alone.
red pill
When you die you get to see what it's like to take the red pill. That is what it is like. In my life I've had opportunities to see how deep the rabbit hole goes. I got a glimpse and you don't want to know.
We all live in the matrix. An alien force (some call God) runs the show and we are but players. "God" will determine our fate. Trump is just a problem presented to test who is worthy to exist in the matrix. Those who fail the test will get the plug pulled.
We all live in the matrix. An alien force (some call God) runs the show and we are but players. "God" will determine our fate. Trump is just a problem presented to test who is worthy to exist in the matrix. Those who fail the test will get the plug pulled.
Oil
Oil is fighting to survive. Part of that fight is making it seem unworkable to go away from fossil fuels. Part of that is to build and finance major investment in oil infrastructure. So we build huge pipeline projects. We build port facilities. Then when we make the move away from oil they will come to the government looking for a bailout. Oil wins either way. Take a closer look as banksters and oil are in the same bed.
Capitalism
What it comes down to is this.
Our government works for capitalism not the people. Capitalism enslaved people with debt. Capitalism put profit before people, the environment, or the planet.
Wars since Vietnam (including Vietnam) have been for oil, or in the case of Afghanistan rare earth minerals necessary for high tech devices. We destroyed Libya because they were going to sell oil cheaper than everyone else. Resources are what drives wars. They manufacture various lies to sway public opinion.
I cringe every time I hear a pastor say a prayer for the troops "defending our freedom". Such bullshit from the pulpit is just one more way capitalism has destroyed the moral fiber of America.
Our government works for capitalism not the people. Capitalism enslaved people with debt. Capitalism put profit before people, the environment, or the planet.
Wars since Vietnam (including Vietnam) have been for oil, or in the case of Afghanistan rare earth minerals necessary for high tech devices. We destroyed Libya because they were going to sell oil cheaper than everyone else. Resources are what drives wars. They manufacture various lies to sway public opinion.
I cringe every time I hear a pastor say a prayer for the troops "defending our freedom". Such bullshit from the pulpit is just one more way capitalism has destroyed the moral fiber of America.
"Christianity"
The current "flavors" of Christianity. We have Christian denominations that preach the lessons presented by Jesus. We have the hell and damnation pastors who teach of a God we should fear. Then we have the Patriotic Christian. They are less tolerant of other faiths and stress the gospel of God and country.
I tend to believe that the teachings of Jesus are paramount. He told his followers that they can only gain salvation through him. When I died I got to experience grace and forgiveness. I found an abiding love not anything to fear. Of most of the people who have "died" and returned we share this feeling in common. How can do many people find the same experience? There must be done truth that God is a forgiving god.
right place, right time
This happened last sunday night.
Tonight I was in the right place at the right time. I was passing through the local casino when I saw a friend I had not seen in months. As I greeted her I noticed something strange happening. She was having a stroke. I had a friend get security and they called the paramedics. Lucky for her it was not major but for a moment she could not talk and her face clearly had paralysis on one side. I stayed with her and she slowly was able to speak. I had someone summon her husband and brother who were there for her. She was examined by the paramedics and was back to normal as far as they could tell. The recommended transport but she chose to go with her husband. Afterwards she told me that she was seeing a pulmonary specialist tomorrow as in a cat scan the found spots on her lungs. I'm hoping she is going to be okay, she had been a dear friend for years.
I was once told that my mission in life was not complete and my life was restored. I guess part of that mission is to be there to aid and comfort others. I did that tonight. I'm always there for any friend. That's just the way I live.
This friend will be in my thoughts and prayers for a while. I dearly hope all goes well.
humanity
We need to rediscover our humanity. To many people a small act of kindness will mean the world. Giving someone a meal. Giving someone a warm jacket. Letting someone get in out of the weather. More than just a kind word but an attentive ear. Say a few extra prayers each night. Some people present a rough exterior as a firm of defense. Down deep these same people just need a little love and humanity. Sacrifice a little yourself to make a difference.
invisible disease
Invisible disease. I have one. Since 1975 (and probably before) I have had Lupus. I have the more deadly firm called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. It is an autoimmune disorder. My immune system has at times attacked my kidneys, my spleen and other organs. It has placed my body under such stress that all vital systems shut down. I died once and was brought back using a defibulator.
I take quite a drug cocktail to keep going. I have been taking steroids since 1975.
At one time there were few options for people with Lupus. I was told in 1976 that I might not live to see the age of 45. I'm now 69 years old. Through drug therapy I have been able to avoid life threatening flare ups. Only one flare up occured a few years after diagnosis when Lupus put me in a coma for over a week as it cause inflammation of the tissue lining the arterial walls cutting blood supply to the brain.
This has been my life so far. I was once on permanent disability but opted out of that program and got a degree and had a good career.
So don't be so quick to judge when you see a person. They might be suffering from an invisible disability or some orphan disease.
dying
I'm pretty much into life and living but there are times when we need to learn about dying with a purpose and with dignity. How we face death is confusing to most people, many have not faced death. I've faced death and dying many times. I have been "dead" more than once myself. The first time I was unaware, the second time I was fully aware. I was there for the death of both parents. I was there for the death of people I loved, both Rosemary and Mary. I know right now a couple of friends that are near death. I'll try to be there to help them peaceably transition from what we call life to the next realm. I have discovered that we have more to life, an afterlife. I have experienced a forgiving god, a god of love.
I just watched this movie, the title is griefwalker. It is a deep movie about dying. It is both for the person who is facing death and the people who are survivors, those who remain in this realm.
I recommend taking the time to watch it. Watch it more than once and you might just learn something.
a quiz
I like this quiz. I think everyone needs to answer these questions.
1. What do you think caused your heterosexuality?
2. When did you decide you were heterosexual?
3. Is it possible that your heterosexual is a phase your might outgrow?
4. Why do you insist in flaunting your heterosexuality? Why can't you be what you are and just be quiet?
5. Why do heterosexuals try to induce others into their lifestyle?
6. Have you considered therapy for your heterosexuality?
I think it is fun when the tables are turned. Just think about this.
Heterosexuality causes abortions. Heterosexuality is the predominant cause of rape. Heterosexuality is responsible for the highest percentage of divorce. Heterosexuals cause domestic violence.
The story of the pink lady of malibu
This is the story of an artist, a guerilla artist who decided that a cliffside abouve a tunnel was a good place for some art. I recall seeing this art and wondering about the story behind it. Follow the link you will enjoy the story.
http://www.scpr.org/programs/offramp/2017/01/12/54389/lynne-westmore-bloom-81-the-man-who-painted-malibu/
http://www.scpr.org/programs/offramp/2017/01/12/54389/lynne-westmore-bloom-81-the-man-who-painted-malibu/
The danger is this.
The real danger today is Paul Ryan. He is a con man that makes Trump seem like an amatuer. He is also a devout follower of Ayn Rand and Objectivism. He is already working to get Trump into his fold. A lot of Republicans don't like him because he's not to be trusted. When it comes to a Trump presidency you have to understand the rules of succession. If Trump is impeached Pence becomes President. I something happens to Pence, then you get Paul Ryan. Paul Ryan is wanting to be president.
Trump test
The real test of Trump will be his veto of the draconian cuts to Social Security and Medicare. They are rumored to be as high as 28℅. That will leave a lot of people hungry or homeless or both.