Winter storm Gia has come and gone ..

I hate ice storms.  Would much rather have snow anytime. With snow you do not usually lose electrical power; yes, traveling (or even get out of the house) can be an issue for us southerners, but there is always the option of just hunkering, doing some serious commenting of FB and binge watching on Netflix.

Lost power for about 12 hours. A big tree fell down into the yard next to me.  Had it fallen the other way, it would have landed in my bedroom.  I remember hearing it fall.  And I was in the bedroom. Lucky again.

I don't think I will ever vote for a republican at any level, ever again. They are, for the most part, without honor for not opposing the evil of Donald Trump or, at least, questioning some of what he has done and said.

"Agent Orange" is unquestionably the worst president in the history of the republic.

all things are relative

They are. Yes I'm 70 years of age, but I am vertical and still mobile.  Things could be decidedly worse....

I've become a left wing radical.  No two ways about it. none.  My experiences and research for my books has shown me a side of reality that I am not pleased about.  Never thought it would come to this, but I am no longer proud of being an American.

Nor do I call myself a "Christian" any longer.  Perhaps that's judgmental, but it's how I feel. Got myself royally flamed for a letter I published in the News and Record this week.


 Some say Christianity is under attack in America.  I suggest, instead, that their  hurtful, judgmental  words and actions, not to mention virtual worship of all things trump by some “Christians”, has created a perception of "religion " as oppressive and cruel. That has marginalized them, not the actions of others. I, myself, was a devoted member of the Catholic faith my entire life. Even taught at catholic schools for ten years and my parish (church) was at the center of a great deal of my social life. I left the church two years ago when the pastor of the church I attended took to pontificating on his right wing visions for the world, from the pulpit; I grew weary of leaving church each Sunday confused and angry. The church community I knew so well morphed and not in a good way. Many who’d belong for decades fled for better climes. Now, hearing so many evangelicals likening trump to the second coming of Christ, I have become totally disillusioned with "christianity" as a whole. Never wanted to see this happen.  It has pained me greatly.

If the wrong people see my letter, I'm in deep stuff.

I think 70 has hit me harder than I first believed..

Most people do not live past their 70's and it seems so synonymous with being decrepit and dependent.  I've not been either and don't relish the thought.

Not in the least.

Hard day subbing yesterday, the very worst I have ever had.  Had to eject 5 kids from the classroom in one block.  It left me wondering if I no longer have the moxie.

70 has left me wondering about a lot of things.

Trump is going to drive us into another American Revolution.
He's partly shut down the government and it's hurting a lot of people. 45 demands funding for his border wall and will not yield. Democrats won't go along.  They've offered compromise, something I would not do, but Agent Orange will have none of it.  It's his way or the highway.

Falsehoods and distortions come out of his mouth daily now. Many of them are plainly delusion but his base still supports him.

Where do we go from here?

70 is the new 40???

Not sure about all that.  Tried to climb atop my rv this afternoon and nearly had a bad fall.  Two bad knees, a bum hip and 70 years made it problematic.  No doubt the rain will continue to fall inside the RV and the precipitation is said to come for the next three, consecutive days.

I've appealed for assistance via the local list serve, Nighthawk nation. We'll see what, if anything, happens .

Truth, no matter what trumpers say.

The sky is falling....

Trump has six, separate investigations aimed at him, now.  I don't see a way out of this for him. Reality is closing in.

I find myself wondering why anyone is amazed by any of this.  He has played fast and loose his entire life, dodged responsibilities, been an utter creep...

"You're fired!"

He insulted everyone from parents who lost children in war to war veterans to the disabled...

I am utterly amazed he did not tweet the state of the union address.

Now, he cannot get anyone to accept his chief of staff position and finds himself isolated in international gatherings, treated like a pariah (which he is); even athletic champions shun their visits to the White House.

How can anyone in that position represent the leadership of the free world?

Yet there are millions who retain loyalty to him and uphold for him,

"Trump 2020"

"Best president ever!"

How can ANYONE think, much less, say that?

I'll be 70 in a few days. In all the years I have spent on this earth, I have never seen the level of stupid and the level of utter corruption and gullibility that exists in the land of the free.

An understatement:  this is no longer the country I grew up in.  Not even close!

have mercy ...

I just realized what is behind a lot of our issues and problems in the United States of America: the protestant work ethic, the notion that you must work hard and be self reliant in order to gain God's favor and earn salvation.

Am I one of the few who sees a simple solution here?

How about some cause and effect?

Poor people turn to crime in order to survive. Okay so that isn't the only reason but it sure is a BIG one.

Why are people poor?  Some claim it is because they make poor choices.

Some do.  More are part of something called institutionalized poverty; their families have been poor for generations. There are multiple causes; ignorance, racism and, the biggest, simple greed and selfishness.

I cannot possibly understand how the Waltons, owners of Walmart and worth $175 billion can possibly need to gather more wealth as the workers who have earned those millions must rely on pubic assistance.

Better paid workers will be able to spend more, pump more money into the economy, create a broader tax base, and help lift us all.  That doesn't appear to be the priority of those in command, either republican or democrat.

Small wonder that 80% of evangelicals voted for Trump; they seem hard wired into the notion that your financial and social status reflects your value as a human being and is linked to your salvation. utter stupid!!!

Neither Jesus of Nazareth or any of his apostles were wealthy.  Indeed, during the three years of His public ministry, there were virtually homeless and dependent on the support of others.  Current day evangelicals would be horrified !

e

December now....

my 70th is but two weeks distant.  Wonder if I will get celebrated on the CCR site like King Mike was....

Gotta stop spouting off like I do. Today I overreacted and told one Spanish class that my muslim neighbors were more civilized than some of my Christian neighbors.  I will like hear about this one.