Focused

Are we focused on what is happening around us?

I believe there is so much information flowing from social media, broadcast networks, podcast, radio, and email that it is keeping us distracted from the happenings around us.   

I can not count the number of times while driving in downtown Nashville and seeing people staring down at their phones while crossing the street, never looking up to see if it was safe to cross.

I'm all in for being informed, but this is dangerous. Being distracted in public makes you a target for the criminal elements looking for their next target. 

Keep your head on a swivel. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.        

  

Ukraine

 

The world is watching the events unfold in Ukraine, but most people couldn't care less or are not even aware that a major world power is about to invade another country.

More than 100,000 Russian troops are surrounding the country - this is not a drill!  I believe that war is inevitable.  Russia has tested the world. Our response and the world response should be quick and without compromise.  One element of this buildup is that the world leaders should realize the Russians are not alone.  I say, they are not the only aggressor, China is silently backing them and why is that?  Because China is about to invade Taiwan. Does this sound familiar?  Germany and Japan, World War II. And this also includes Iran with its nuclear build up and Israel being the target. And lastly, North Korea on January 5th launched six ballistic missiles "testing them". I sure that once all of the events begin with this invasion all of the above mentioned countries will become allies of Russia and their attacks will commence on their selected countries - the beginning of the next world war.            

 

Image: Pixabay WikiImages

Football

Yesterday, I watched NFL football for the first time in about 3 years. And the only reason why I did was just out of curiosity.  The main reason I haven't been watching was the NFL went "woke".  I was at one time a avid football fan.  I was a season-ticket hold for the Tennessee Titans and on the side played fantasy football.  But, three years ago when Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the National Anthem, I was shocked at how that one event would change my view of the game. At first I though it would just be a passing fad until the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell embrace this action and made it the mission statement for the NFL. When I was going to the games it was a good fan experience, everybody was united and it didn't make a difference what race you belonged to - we were just fans there to support our team. 

I have always been proud to stand and place my hand over my heart during the playing of the National Anthem.  Its a moment in time when everyone stood united, and at that moment no politics, no race, no male or female.  We all stand united because the anthem reminds us of our history - good or bad its ours.  Its also reminds us, we are free to have our opinions and speak our thoughts. The problem with the NFL is - its a game and entertainment for us, not a political platform to force their opinions on everyone watching the game.

     

The Spiritual Life

 Sunday Thoughts

I share my thoughts here often about political opinions, and how our country is going in the wrong direction. But, I need to share few good opinions about the spiritual life and Sunday is an appropriate day to share in my faith.

The Bible is our best compass to guild us in the right direction in matters of faith.  We can always reference the various books in this ancient collection of God's Word to apply its principles and values in todays world.  Another source, are writings from the Saints these are the inspirations of ordinary people who became extraordinary followers of Jesus Christ.

And, one of the more important practices of living a life with God is prayer.  We have our day to day routines whether its going to school, work, or living the retired life. Prayer life is our connection to God and without it makes us vulnerable to the evil that exist in world, it is our battle shield. 

The Bible, Saints, and regular daily prayer are just a small part of living the spiritual life.  Faith in Jesus Christ is the single most important practice we should do everyday.     

 

Dependent

 

How dependent are we?

I went to the grocery store a few days ago in preparing for another snow storm that was approaching Nashville.  And as expected I experienced the usual bare shelves and full parking lot as the panic rush began.  The dependence on goods and being unprepared has made me realize how we go about our daily life and this was just a snow event, not the the apocalypse.

This is something we all need to think about - being prepared for any event.  Do you have enough food and supplies to last a few weeks?       

Victory

 A battle won in the the war on freedom.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled against the vaccine mandate for businesses.  This victory is significant because the progressives have assumed for a long time that they would always get what they wanted because they are the majority (only by political office).  The conservative side has won its first major battle in the war on freedom. Although, not everything passed, healthcare workers will have to be vaccinated.  The governor for the State of Tennessee has said he will fight against this at a state level.  So, the battle is not over at least for the state.  

We must stand against this movement for more government to control our lives, this decision was not about healthcare.  We have a good system in the United States at least for now, our voices are still heard.  Let freedom continue grow and flourish.   

Mandate

 

Time to get back to more political topics.

The vaccine mandate is now before the US Supreme Court.  The case presented before them is, can businesses with more than 100 employees be required by the the federal government to have their employees vaccinated or if not, unvaccinated employees to have weekly negative COVID test.

My response - less government in our life the better.  We should be in charge of our own health.  I realize the folks on the left will argue the mandate is for the protection of everybody, but where does this stop?  If this mandate passes, then what is next?  Will you be required to take a flu shot every year?  Our health is personal, it is our decision on how we manage our physical wellness.  The vaccine is not a one size fits all kind of shot.  Complications and reactions have already be reported.

This mandate is about control.  The more regulation - the more they can tell us what we have to do. And especially if it becomes law, then if we not comply - we are breaking the law. Just look at how crazy it is in Australia, the people there are not free and the sad part is most of them are okay with all the suppressive mandates and laws.

Keep America Free - No Mandates !  

   

 Photo credit: pixabay Tumisu 

Another Snow for the South

We got another snow last week.  Very unusual for the amount we received actually broke a 1977 record of 4 inches. Total snowfall for Nashville 7 inches.  

Do Not Forget the Past

 "Those who forget their past are condemned to repeat it"

This is exactly what is happen today.  Tomorrow a decision is going to be made my the Supreme Court about Federal Mandates on businesses for their employees to be vaccinated and enforced by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).  I'm personally against this, vaccinated or not people should seriously look at this and realize this is clearly over-reach by our government.  We must have a choice in this matter.  It is not one-sided. Because, if we do not stop it here what is the next mandate?  In the news on any given day you can hear stories from countries around the world about strict mandates on lockdowns, the gathering of people in public, and vaccination requirements to enter a business.  Where does to stop?  I realize there are some who are for the mandates and if they want to live in an oppressed society then leave the United States.  

This is a free country and freedom means a choice in matters that involve us personally.  All throughout history this same scenario of mandates to force people to comply has been repeated over and over. 

I pray and hope the Supreme Court will follow the Constitution.   

Less Government

 The federal government has to get out of our daily life.

This country was built upon the foundation of the constitution and that is a governed by the people not by federal means.  We have become to comfortable with just letting the feds take care of things, well, we can clearly see that doesn't work.  I realize that there has to to be some form of government but it has to be at the lowest level, starting at a local point, city or town.

If for some reason a city need funds it can go to the state and state can go to federal.  I believe we have become to dependent on the federal government for the first step and not the last resort. Decisions about how we live our daily lives should always begin at a local level and this means by local non-politicians.  

We have a voice in any process - that is our right.

Snow

Its officially winter 

Nashville has received its first snow of the winter today.  Some areas around middle Tennessee receive up to 8 inches.  But here is the odd thing about all of this, on Jan. the 1st it was 78 degrees.  The weather at times here is so unpredictable.        

Practicing

We need to practice our faith everyday not just on Sunday.  We do this for us not for God.  God has everything, our prayers are a reflection of our love to God and with that makes stronger in our faith.  

Keep practicing until you get it right. 

What Next?

The first day of the new year - what will this year be like?  

Today, most news and social media are giving their predictions for 2022.  I think some of it makes sense, but who would have thought 2021 and all the events and changes that took place would have happened.  Looking back, no one came even close to all the craziness of the year.  I believe most of the country was hoping for a better year, myself included.

So, I'm going to go ahead and say it now - we will continue with the virus until mid-summer, and it will miraculously disappear. Because the mid-term elections will happen in November, and the democrats' will have to make themselves look good.  The economy will continue to tank throughout the year, so dem's can say it's the Republican's fault.  I also think more protest about social injustice is possible because the whole 2020 trend was popular with the Marxists, plus it will give more fuel for the elections.

With that said, I also believe the conservatives will be a more vocal, more peaceful protest, with large assemblies of people coming together to pray and conservative politicians echoing the voice of the people they represent.  

It is time to take back our country!

         

The End of 2021

2021 has been a year for political opinions.

The blog posts I have presented here have mostly been political.

Why?

Because 2021 has been the year for politics in our lives and I'm not just talking about the United States, its all over the world.

I believe our freedoms are under attack everyday. It seems governments are implementing laws, regulations, and mandates into our life.  We need to fight against this tyranny. Freedom is a God given right to everyone and no government is going to take that away.

God help us all.

Hope in 2022

 The end of the year draws to a close and the thoughts of the new year and hope for something better. 

The last couple of years have been beyond what most would consider a "normal" year.  We need to have the hope that 2022 will be the year we return to a somewhat of a normal year.  The virus has taken over all aspects of our lives in the last two years and it is time for hope in our future.  I think most of us had the same thought this time last year but not much in change happened.

 We must not lose hope, next year will be better.   

The Twenties

 In my early to mid twenties I was not concerned about major issues in government, and was not strong in my faith.  I lived day by day.  I had a lot of drive for a good paying job, the best car that I could afford and where the next party was and no worries about anything in the world. 

Now, it seems to be just the opposite.  My faith is a major part of my life, I keep current on all government  issues at local, state and federal levels.  I'm happy with my current job and my car is just a way to get me from point A to point B. And my idea of a party is two beers and watching TV.  I'm sure there are others that have followed the same pattern as they get older and there are others that never change and have always live like they did in their twenties.  

Just some thoughts on getting older as we come to a l close of another year.  

Christmas

 Merry Christmas

In past blog entries at this time of the year I will go on my rants about those who spend large amounts their money on gifts for Christmas. Well, this year it seems the supply line has at least sent a wave of panic to those in the Christmas rush. The supply chain crisis has hit most business with shortages and there doesn't seem to be an end anytime soon.

Now is the time for the world to re-focus and get their priorities in order.  Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ.  The focus on the material gathering of the latest new gifts is not what Jesus wants us to aim for in the month of his birth. He came into this world to give us the greatest gift - the love of the Son of God, who came to saves us from the evil of everyday life.  If we would just listen to his words and apply it to our life - this is the best gift anyone could receive.

Take time this month to pray, read the Bible and give thanks.

What direction?

 

There seems to be some confusion about what direction the United States has in overall policies.

We hear in the media about how well the economy is going, and a 3 trillion dollar infrastructure package will not cost anything, and the crisis at our southern border is not an issue.

But we can see that it is not true, just going to the grocery store or the gas pump, the economy is in the worst shape since the Carter presidency. The massive spending our government is doing is out of control.  And who is going to pay for all of this?  the American people, either on the front end for the cost of supplies and services or in taxes.

But their could possibly be some hope to all of this but not without some long-term fight to stop this insane spending. Americans are going to have to really feel the cost and how its hits their monthly budgets.  I think most believe this is temporary and will be over soon.  I predict this situation will continue till the end of 2022.  Businesses are struggling with supply chain, and getting people to work (another topic in a later post) So, here is the hope, once we reach as a country the pain threshold of economic disaster. I believe democrats and republicans will agree and ousts the politician's that cause this mess. It will be hard because those politicians have been in office for a longtime and will not give up their political strong hold on our country.

2022 is the key to unlock the chains we are currently under and that key is to vote out those radical left socialist.

Vote to get our country going in the right direction.          

image:

geralt/pixabay 

Film Noir

 

Definition: The term Film noir is French for 'black film or 'dark film was first applied to Hollywood films by French critic Nino Frank in 1946 is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations.

November in the social media world is Noirvember month dedicated to recognizing this era in movies.

I have been a fan of the classic movies with a focus on those produced from 1930 to the mid 1960's. 

So, here is my top ten Film Noir movies.

1. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
2. His Kind of Woman (1951)
3. Key Largo (1948)
4. Criss Cross (1949)
5. White Heat (1949)
6. Too Late for Tears (1949)
7. The Wrong Man (1956)
8. The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
9. D.O.A. (1949)
10. High Sierra (1941)

 

 

 

Capitalism

 

I heard the other day, Biden is reducing the tariff on steel making it cheaper for foreign countries to import into the United States.  But when Trump was in office he increased the tariff making it more expensive to import.

So, which is better? Tariff or No Tariff

The United States needs to become more independent on goods and services.  We should not have to rely on foreign countries for things we can easily produce here.  When we rely on the import of goods we become dependent and that is not what makes us America.  We should be free to live and prosper in our capitalists' society.  We as Americans should only buy American made products, this creates more jobs, inspires new businesses and again makes us independent from foreign countries.

We are in the mist of a supply chain crisis that is only going to get worst. We could have fixed the problem but we are a little late on are response. If we had only been proactive in creating more products here but that's not the case.

How do we fix it?

Stop buying foreign products now, you will probably pay more for American made but in the long-run it will create more jobs, the price will eventually come down, and we can rid ourselves of this dependence on foreign countries.

Capitalism works only if we buy American.  

Buy local and buy often.

 Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay