The Speech

 I watched the State of the Union Address last night and it clearly did not give us the true state of our country.

I believe both liberals and conservatives at some point would agree the speech was not good. The liberals didn't hear the list of "all" agenda items Biden promised he would do as president, which was clear in the Democrat response by Rashida Talib. The dems are not happy, they want a more progressive president. And for the conservatives it was a bunch of lies, making statements to try to unite us - what a joke. This country is clearly divided. In the speech, I could not believe I heard him say "we need to secure our borders" and this was directed to the people who are living in the "I don't follow politics or watch the news people" for those this was a profound statement and for all others it was insane, didn't make any sense statement. The man is crazy and his speech writer is make it worse. 

    

What is Normal?

 Its hard to imagine what life was like in 2019.

Since then a pandemic, mandates, a weak US President, open US borders, social justice protest, and countries going to war.

Is this the new normal?  Are the days ahead of us going to be better or worse?

I wish I had the answer only time will tell.

Sunday

 Pray for Ukraine

The news has been a lot this past week.  I'm adding a new series of post on Sunday to help re-focus and maybe reset our life for the coming week with all the ups and downs.  A Bible verse to think about, to reflect on, and contemplate.  These readings will be from the Sunday Mass or some of my favorite verses. 

The post today is from Sunday Mass.

 

Sir 27:4-7

When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear;

so do one’s faults when one speaks.

As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace,

so in tribulation is the test of the just.

The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had;

so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind.

Praise no one before he speaks,

for it is then that people are tested.

  

2A

Ukraine is the dominating news story on any channel. Most of the commentary has been fairly consistent, reports on where the Russians have attacked, how the Ukrainians are responding, all of this is a standard message being reported.  

Except - the reports of the Ukrainian government ordering men 18 to 60 to stay and fight.  As of this morning reports of 18,000 guns have be distributed to anyone who wants to fight for their country. The impact of this is similar to our Revolutionary War, where citizens fought along with the military to repel invading forces. 

Why are the major networks not reporting on a government arming its citizens?

Because, it would just reaffirm our US Constitution and the Bill of Rights on the 2nd Amendment. They have reported and supported the end of American citizens owning firearms for years. I believe this is one reason why America has stayed free for so long.  Social media will eventually get the word out that armed citizens are a critical element in the defense of not only a country but for everyday personal protection.   

NATO and Ukraine

There is too much going on in the world. It's one thing to see a country going through troubling times, but when their troubles become ours and the world then that's a problem. Putin has said if anyone interferes with his attack on Ukraine, they will suffer consequences.   

The war in Ukraine is influencing countries world-wide from financial markets to the price of oil. Putin needs to be stopped now. The countries that surround Ukraine are not strong enough to defend themselves so, they will rely on NATO which the United States is a member.  Those border countries are Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. If Russia fires rounds into any bordering NATO country or advances his forces, it will activate Article 5 of the NATO alliance.

NATO Article 5 highlights:

• Collective defense means that an attack against one Ally is considered as an attack against all Allies.

• NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time in its history after the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States.

• NATO has taken collective defense measures on several occasions, for instance in response to the situation in Syria and in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

• NATO has standing forces on active duty that contribute to the Alliance’s collective defense efforts on a permanent basis.

NATO - Homepage

If Russia advances into any NATO country, it will be the beginning of World War III.  I have stated this many times in previous post and I pray it doesn't happen.

Tuesday

 I wonder what this week will bring?

There is so much going on in the world. I cant remember a time when the turmoil in various countries effected other nations as much as the last few weeks. And what makes it so bad is - the cause and effect, the wave of consequences to the actions of Russia and Canada. I'm sure I,ll have more to say as the week develops.  

Canadian Freedom

 More power to the people of Canada.

Their government is not the same as the United States, but one thing the people of Canada have in common with the United States, as well as any country in the world. 

People want to be free - free to make their own decisions - freedom of speech - freedom to assemble.

It is a God given right and is instilled in every person to be able to live freely without a government telling them what they must do. 

The United States or at least the conservative people of the US support Canada! 

Fear or Comfortable Compliance

I wonder or at least I hope one day this pandemic will be over.  Some say it will never be over but if one day it is, there will be those people who will continue to wear masks years from now on and businesses that will continue requiring proof of vaccination to enter. 

Do these people do this out of fear or compliance to a science that makes them comfortable?

We have to realize at some point in our society we will have to standby what is acceptable and what is not.  I say, of all the changes that have taken place since 2020 this is not the right direction our country should be going.  Its seems as the pandemic was the turning point for the progressives to start their agenda to transform the world. Conservatives, do not give in to the progressive agenda, hold true to your values, do not become comfortable with compliance and fear the repercussions of your resistance. 

Political Truth Reporting

Reporting the truth in politics is nonexistent.

In the last couple of years the term "misinformation" has become a word that is incorporated in everything we do, except politics.  The recent report from Special Counsel John Durham about allegations of Russian "collusion" in the 2016 presidential election is not begin reported in the news media.

This should be a requirement to report to the public such news as this and to deprive this information should be a crime.  If in social media you say something about the vaccine, it is fact checked and if you are not follow the standard authorized statement you are penalized. So, why is the news media not being penalized? - because they are reporting their agenda and not the truth.   

Hillary Clinton and all those involved with spying and creating false information on the 45th President of the United States should be prosecuted.

Photo: viarami/pixabay

NATO

 The North Atlantic Treaty Organization

This is the primary reason why Russia is going to attack Ukraine. The Soviet Union lost a majority of its territory in the 1990's after the break-up of the communist countries that were a part of the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin knows Ukraine could possible join NATO which means - Ukraine would have the military backing of the world super-powers, which includes the United States.

If he attacks now none of NATO forces would be obligated to assist. But if Ukraine becomes a NATO member then an attack on them would be an attack on 30 countries.   

The Trucker Rebellion

 Truckers around the world are beginning to see the impact they have in world politics.  The Canadian truckers have started a rebellion that is sending a message of freedom.

I read a news story today about truckers in Vienna are starting to form an alliance with the Canadians, and the American truckers are doing the same.

I believe this is just the beginning. Freedom from the vaccine mandates will only grow stronger and probably expand into other industries. The power of the people to unite under the common cause of freedom can not be suppress and the more resistance they receive the stronger they become. 

The Federal Drug Paraphernalia Give-Away Program

 I try to keep up with current affairs, and yesterday I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone when I read the announcement about the Federal government giving out crack pipes.  

How crazy is this;

"The Health and Human Services (HHS) Department is rolling out a $30 million grant program that will fund the distribution of items, like crack pipes, for smoking illicit substances, according to a new report"  (Fox News)

And a quote from the progressives;

"The Biden administration will provide grant funding to pay for the distribution of safe smoking kits as part of efforts to reduce harm from substance abuse over the next three years." 

and continues,

"The purpose of the program is to support community-based overdose prevention programs, syringe services programs, and other harm reduction services, the document said." (Newsweek)

This is insane; a program to prevent harmful drug abuse promotes drug use, and it's endorsed by the highest federal department for health in the United States. 

When is this madness going to stop? 

Ukraine part 2

My original post on January 26 I stated that World War was coming. I believe now its inevitable.

The news recently has said 130,000 Russians troops are on the Ukraine border, this is the largest build up since World War II.

The United States has to be on full military alert, because like I said before there are more countries who will get involved once the Russians cross the Ukraine border.  

"Those who forget their past are condemned to repeat it", this quote means more now than ever for the world.  The United States did not get involved in World War II until the attack on Pearl Harbor which was a surprise attack.  China, Iran, and North Korea are all enemies of the US, and what makes this so different from World War II, these countries are super powers with massive military capabilities. And more importantly, long-range nuclear missiles.  

Russia is testing the world.  I do not believe sanctions will work, the United States is going down that road with threats of sanctions.  Now is the time for America to flex its military muscle.  

This build up is different from recent Middle East wars because of the countries involved.  In Iraq and Afghanistan we fought against one enemy and no nuclear weapons this is the main element that makes this so dangerous.

 

Escape to the Movies

The events of current times can be overwhelming and with the multiple outlets for news, sometimes its good to just escape, and one of my ways is TCM (Turner Classic Movies).  I have be a fan of the channel for many years. I mostly watch movies from the 1920's up to late 1960's.  

The genres I follow:

• Westerns
• Drama
• Film Noir
• Military
• Sports
• Comedy
• Silent

And to just name a few of my favorites movies

• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
• 12 angry Men (1957)
• His Kind of Woman (1951)
• The D.I. (1957)
• Knute Rockne All American (1940)
• You Can't Take It with You (1938)
• Safety Last (1923)

TCM does an excellent job with introductions and details about the directors, actors, and actresses. The programming is all about the classics - a lost art in film making, they don't make them like they the like they used to

The fans of the TCM channel are like no other, on Twitter follow #TCMParty. Movie fans can comment while watching a movie. Other official Twitter accounts to follow

@TCM  @TCMPR  @NoirAlley @TCMUnderground   

The next time you are surfing the channels wondering what to watch, take a look a Turner Classic Movies   

The Ordinary Life

The ordinary life we live. But is the ordinary life really ordinary?

This life is the everyday events and daily routines we live. The ordinary life still has all the ups and downs, work-home balance, family problems, financial problems, repairs on the home or car, kids in school, and issues in the neighborhood. So, no matter how you deal with it or not it is the life you live.  I would think if we had to exchange our ordinary daily life with someone else we would keep our own. When we see the whole picture and really think about all we have to do it really isn't ordinary - its an exemplary life because we try to do our best everyday in our own way balancing the all of the daily stuff thrown in our direction.  We are imperfect hero's in our exemplary life.    

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?