Red on Black

Living with nature can be awesome. I wake up in the morning to birds singing all over the place. What prettier music is there! And in the evenings there are the soft hoots of the owls talking to each other.

On several occasions I have spied red foxes scurrying from yard to yard. F caught one in a squirrel cage a few months ago. They are beautiful, lithe animals.

Some nights as the sun is setting the bunnies come out and dart around the yard. They look soft and fluffy. Most are a light to medium shade of brown, but several are white. And, yes, they appear to have cotton tails.

Pet dogs are not allowed to set foot on the street, but cats can roam at will and leave their droppings everywhere. Being a dog person, I think this really stinks.

Then there are the armored rodents that have started to burrow under my home. Being olfactory animals, I have tried to thwart their efforts with moth balls. So now they want to dig holes in my front yard. Where is a BB gun when you need one.

J told me tonight that we have three baby gators in the boat marina. Where there are baby gators, there are momma gators nearby. Lake Yale is well known for its huge gator population.

All these animals, pleasant and nasty alike, I can tolerate. But when I came home tonight, I was met by a critter I just cannot, under any circumstance, live with. He must die!

As I got out of the car with arms overflowing, I went to lock the car and saw a slithering coral snake in the headlights. I know for sure it was a poisonous snake by reciting the rhyme C taught me many years ago: “Red on black, friend of Jack. Red on yellow, kill the fellow.” It was definitely red on yellow.

People living in Florida know full well the dangers of the many poisonous snakes indigenous to the area. And as far as I’m concerned they can live here too.

But when they come out from the bushes and between me and my front door, it is time for them to die.

Freedom of Or Free Press?

“If we're willing to use taxpayer money to build roads, pay teachers and maintain a military; if we're willing to bail out banks and insurance companies and failing automakers, we should be willing to part with some public funds to keep journalism alive too.” These words were written by Rosa Brooks, former columnist for the LA Times and now the undersecretary of Defense for policy at the Pentagon.

Brooks’ premise is that there will be no government oversight if the many newspapers across the nation, currently in a death spiral (her words), have to close their doors. Add to that in her last column Brooks stated “A decimated, demoralized and under-resourced press corps hardly questioned the Bush administration's flimsy case for war in Iraq….” Is that a confession that journalists haven’t been doing their job, so let’s bail them out? Sounds like it to me.

Before we bail out the newspapers, we need to understand why they are in this death spiral. Is it because there are more and more papers going online rather than hard copy print? Is it loss of revenue from advertising and, if so, why? Could it also be because people don’t want to subscribe to slanted news and editorials? Do any of these reasons, individually or collectively, warrant bail out from taxpayers?

We have National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Network already paid for by the taxpayers. Now we are going to be asked (Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-MD legislation) to pay for all non-successful newspapers to operate too.

Yes, a free flow of opinion is the basis of our successful democracy and must continue. Americans have promoted freedom of the press worldwide for decades. But we have already seen our government put restrictions on monies given for failing businesses. Can you imagine what would happen if the government told the newspapers they have given money what to write? Hmmmm. What will happen to our own democracy if we go there?

Sticks and Stones

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” I yelled those words many a time at my tormentors as a child. Kids were always looking for a way to point a finger at someone and show their flaws.

“You’re a Fatso!”

“You wear dirty clothes. Doesn’t your mother ever wash.”

“You smell like your daddy. He’s a drunk!”

To escape the humiliation to any possible line of truth in those taunts, the “sticks and stones” was screamed back. And no matter how many times we said them or how loud we projected them, those words hurled at us really did hurt. We could hand them out as well at get them.

Today we are more sophisticated in our taunting. We have worked to increase our vocabulary adding softer but still destructive words to our list. And we have learned to finesse our selections to plunge deep when we use them. Yep, them’s fightin’ words for sure!

We know the words hurt and we want them to hurt. But we say them nicely so they come out as a “got cha.”

This ploy is used by everyone everywhere today. Some call it diplomacy. Some call it educated and civilized. And some use it to distort the truth. Intolerance can be made to be tolerant to some people just by choosing the right word.

I remember when homosexuals were referred to as queer. And that word used in that context is definitely hurtful. So it was replaced by a joyful, happy word: gay. See? Doesn’t that make it all better now? A queer lifestyle isn’t acceptable but a gay lifestyle is.

Our President has decided that we can’t have a war, so the term “war on terror” can’t be uttered by anyone in his administration. Someone might believe there really is a war. Albeit, there are people out there shooting and killing other human beings because they want to dominate and control them, but that isn’t a war. It is a man-made disaster. To me, a man-made disaster that results in mass killings is a war. Let’s rewrite the history books to correct this misconception. There was the American Revolution Man-made Disaster, the Civil Man-made Disaster, Spanish-American Man-made Disaster, International Man-made Disaster I and International Man-made Disaster II, the Vietnam Man-made Disaster, the Korean Man-made Disaster. We just have to stop using the word war because it is a negative term. Then people will feel better.

Did you know in schools no one can say “shut up” any more without being reprimanded or fired? No matter how much noise students make, no matter how many times they sass the teacher, no student is to ever be told to shut up. We have alternative words that mean the same thing, such as “be quiet.” Isn’t that less hurtful when you’re told to be quiet instead of to shut up? But do the students stop that noisy behavior when told to “be quiet?” Have any idea how they react when told to shut up?

Culturally we have embarked on a new era trying not to hurt anyone, probably because of the way we were scarred as children. And, yes, I agree that we shouldn’t intentionally toss around mean-spirited words to hurt others. Changing the meanings of words just doesn’t sit well with me; nor does using selected terms to avoid telling the truth.

Darn it all, that pendulum has swung too far the other way for me. A brick is a brick is a brick. And a person who kills another human being is a murderer. There are some things we just can’t take from ugly to pretty.

Childern learn by watching us

Working as a teacher in Florida schools has given me a front row seat to students bullying one another. First, superiority has to be established. That can be age or size or financial status or any number of other factors. Follow that with intimidation and you’re the power broker.

Since kids aren’t born knowing these things, it is easy to surmise they learned it by watching it happen. Some of them were bullied by other students or siblings and just decided to turn the tables. Lots of times bullies are the result of parental browbeating, a form of bullying.

I have always abhorred bullying no matter who did it or what their reason. What is gained by bullying? Sometimes it’s for things, I.e. Money, homework, electronics. My observations showed more often than not the bullying was for power and control over people and a bully’s need to just build themselves up in their own eyes. “I’m better than anyone else.”

Recently I, a senior citizen, was the object of a bullying attempt by one of my peers. First, the confronter used a loud voice asking pointed, nosey questions. Then intimidation was attempted by asserting his rank over me. “Don’t you know who I am?” he yelled. No, and I truthfully didn’t care either. Even threats were made by another bullying cohort of his. “I’ve got a gun!” so if you don’t do what I say…. I was able to “consider the source” in both instances and pity the poor fellows.

And can you believe it, this all took place in front of a child. How nice that these two senior citizens were teaching a kid not only how to but that it was okay to talk to people in this manner. (Sarcasim, folks) Bullying is being taught by people of all age groups.

When will it stop? Our kids don’t have a snowball’s chance if their peers, parents and grandparents are all examples of what not to do.

On the Road Again...

As a child I remember taking road trips at least twice a year from central Florida where we lived to Knoxville, Tennessee to visit Mamaw Kirkland and all of Momma’s sisters and brothers. Momma had eight brothers and sisters and one half sister. Those aunts and uncles produced 33 cousins and I-don’t-know-how-many half cousins.

The early trips were made before a spade of dirt was turned for what is now I-75. The route was Hwy. 441 to Hwy 411 somewhere in north Georgia. That took us over the mountains (Smokys) to Sevierville where we hung a left to Knoxville. Twelve hours in a car with no air conditioning. Five of us: Momma and Daddy and three kids.

Once we were there we settled into whichever Aunt was housing Mamaw for bedding down. Pallets on the floor was the usual bill of fare for all the kids so the grown-ups could have the beds. Day trips were made to visit the other aunts and uncles and cousins.

We were double cousins to Aunt Bonnie’s kids. Momma’s eldest sister married Daddy’s cousin Wiley. I especially loved visiting Aunt Bonnie as she had a swing on her porch. Aunt Bonnie lost Uncle Wiley when she had four children, the oldest was six, and two of those were in diapers.

I liked all my kinfolk. But my favorite Aunt was Pauline, married to Momma’s brother Fred. Aunt Pauline used only Palmolive soap for bathing—had something to do with a skin problem or allergy. Her house smelled wonderful to a little girl. She and Uncle Fred didn’t have children of their own until they adopted two great infant boys when I was about 8 or 9 years old.

Fond memories fill my heart of those early trips. As I-75 was being built, we had some harrowing times with Momma in the car. She didn’t like to drive—didn’t drive most of her life as it was—but loved to tell Daddy what he was doing wrong. Most of the time he was driving too fast to suit her. And she hated it when people passed us on two-lane sections. And don’t you dare talk as he drove through construction areas!

We kids still laugh uproariously when we remember the day Daddy was driving through Atlanta near the airport. The path of landing planes was straight in front of us heading south where we were coming from. Momma saw a plane coming at us. It got lower and lower. All she could do was point and yell “Oooh, Oooh, Oooh!” We understood how afraid she was thinking we were about to be struck by the plane. But we couldn’t help ourselves. I was more afraid of Daddy driving off the road from laughing at Momma!

Those trips were swapped for drives by Clyde and the kids and me from South Carolina to Florida to visit grandparents. There were two routes to choose from. One took us on the Woodpecker Trail through central eastern Georgia to I-95. Statesboro and Claxton were along that path. Later we settled on a course through the Savanna River Site to Hardeeville to pick up I-95. Only one or two towns to go through that way. Lots of farm land and forested areas.

Today my trips are north to Milledgeville, Georgia to visit Lois Ann and Craig and the boys. It takes me about an hour to meander through the Ocala National Forest to reach I-75. Then only about 30 to 45 minutes from I-75 in Macon to Milledgeville. Today there are only about two stretches of I-75 in Georgia that aren’t six-lane. I set the cruise control, air conditioning and either radio or cd to music or talk and relax. Traffic around Gainesville and then Macon have me slowing down and going manual.

This morning I gave out kisses and good-byes to Lois Ann and Craig and the boys for their trip home. Over spring break for Craig, they made the trek to visit me. What a joy having them here. Two days were spent doing the tourist thing: Kennedy Space Center and St. Augustine. We got to visit with Joanna and Justin over dinner in St. Augustine. Saturday we stayed home and people came to visit with us. Craig made a delicious pot of gumbo to share. Ann brought Sangria and Grace and Donny saw we had cookies. There were 20 of us talking, sharing, eating, drinking, reminiscing and enjoying each other’s company. Andy and Donny and the kids stayed later so the cousins could have an extended visit. Besides, Andy loves playing with Liam.

Elliot and Liam got to eat on the porch, take walks to the lake and feed the animals, listen to the vast number of songbirds and get loved on by their Mamaw. It is time for a new family to gather fond memories of excursions to far away family.

In the Name of God

What is religion? According to Encarta Dictionary: 1. People’s beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life; 2. An institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine; and 3. A set of strongly-held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by. That is pretty much what I already knew and understood.

Next, what is the objective of religion in the world today? That’s a little more difficult to pin down even in generalities. From what I’ve read and witnessed, it appears the world’s religions today have their members focus on the spiritual side of individuals and how they exist and cope—remain sane—every day of every week of every year they are alive. Some of these religions have a god or gods they credit with their source of life and means of survival. And they show their appreciation for their existence through a form of worship of the god/gods.

Through the recorded history of religion around the world, people have done many things in the “name of religion.” Peace, kindness, help and support for those less fortunate than themselves are common among most of the religions. I’d really like to say “all religions” here but I can’t. That is because there has been much pain thrust on people in the name of some religions, even my own.

Joshua (a Jew) in the Old Testament led the Israelites in circling the city of Jericho blowing horns and causing the wall to collapse so its inhabitants could be killed and the Israelites would have a new town to call their own.

The Christians in the eleventh to thirteenth centuries used crusades to satisfy their need to eradicate the infidels of Islam. Then they followed that with the beginnings of the reformation and persecution of people that didn’t agree with their interpretation of their scriptures.

However, Judaism and Christianity’s God and Son of God do not promote the killing of anyone—in fact they do just the opposite encouraging acceptance of others’ diversity of faith. In the Christian New Testament the Son of God tells his followers to “forgive seven times seventy” those who do you wrong and to “turn your cheek” when someone strikes you instead of hitting back. ("But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you"…Luke 6:27-31)

Hinduism and Buddhism profess inner peace is gained through living a life of serving your fellow man and creatures, not through destruction of others.

That brings me to Islam. I have been told by many people that the Quran does not instruct its followers to go out and kill non-believers. This doesn’t shake out for me with what is happening in the Middle East these days the touting by Islam's holy men for there members to kill all who aren't Muslim belivers.

Leader after leader keeps telling us the Palestinians (Muslims) won’t allow Jews to live in Israel; they have to kill them to rid the area of the non-believers. Heck, the Islamist kill one another because of who they profess to be the rightful replacement for Mohammed! Killing is their answer for anyone who disagrees with them.

Killing is barbaric and savage. People who profess to kill in the name of a god are themselves barbaric and savage. Any holy person (?) that says “Whoever changes his religion…kill him” does not respect a person’s right to life.

Why do Muslims believe it is okay to aggressively murder Jews (bombing of Israel), but, if the Israelis protect themselves from the murderers, that’s wrong and unacceptable? “Stand there and let me kill you because I’m righteous and you’re not worthy to live.” And that’s what their god says is the right thing to do?

I am embarrassed, humiliated and mortified by the slaughter of human life by Christians over the centuries. And, personally, I can’t respect any religion that glorifies the killing of anyone.

Peat and Repeat were sitting on a Log

Is history going to repeat itself as it always has? Here's hoping it doesn't.

In 1960 the United States had an election for president. The winner was the first Catholic to serve as our president. Much rhetoric was espoused about how Kennedy would do whatever the Pope told him to do. That did prove to be wrong. Our country had taken an important step forward.

Kennedy was an intelligent man. Some have said he was one of the top three/four presidents given that accolade. He didn't accept a salary while serving as president. And, I believe, he was very genuine in his character albeit marred with sexual escapades hidden by the press. (Did Clinton think he could be another Kennedy and everyone would turn their heads?)

However, Kennedy was one of the worse presidents we had in getting things accomplished in government. Check his record. His stand against Cuba and the Russian missiles was, in my opinion, the only good thing he accomplished. But when he died and Johnson moved into the White House, it was a drastic change. Johnson was a longtime member of Congress and could pass anything through the legislature—and he did.

Kennedy put "observers" in Viet Nam; Johnson sent soldiers. Kennedy pushed for civil rights legislation; Johnson made it a reality. Kennedy said "…ask what you can do for your country," Johnson gave welfare carte blanche—something for nothing for everybody.

I remember a joke circulating while we were at UF. "After you see the doctor at the free clinic, pick up your government check. I'll get my free pair of glasses and government check for school and we'll meet up at 3 p.m. to protest the government." It took three and a half to four decades to correct those Johnson giveaways.

God forbid, if anything happens to Obama, we'd have another Johnson in Biden in the White House.

Last night's celebrations were not about a Democratic president, it was about an African American becoming president. All the speeches addressed our having a first African American president. If that isn't about race, what is? People weren't celebrating what President Elect Obama is going to do as president. That—what he is going to do as president—is what scares me. I've been there and seen that already.

Obama has no experience to prepare him for the presidency. Some people say that is his plus. Even Kennedy had experience!

And what does Obama want to do with our country? Everything he has said is a return to a welfare state. Our military has not been respected by Democratic party officials since the '60s. Remember our soldiers coming home from Viet Nam and being spat upon? Have we forgotten how the Clintons and their staff treated the military personnel serving at the White House? I haven't. And have we forgotten that under a Democratic president our soldiers were financially below the poverty level in salary and housing? In 1980 our military officers were saying, "If we had to go to war, we don't have time (equipment, manpower, etc.) to pull our pants on."

Being a charismatic speaker doesn't get anything accomplished in our government. Being an African American doesn't get anything done in our government. Being a Chicago political insider doesn't get anything done in our government.

So what does work in Washington? For all the change the Democratic party touted during the election process, their members in Congress/Washington will never relinquish their power for that change—just ask Pelosi. History will rear it's ugly head again—Give me! Give me! Give me!

Then, again, being God would get things done in our government.