Books, Uncategorized

Do you need a break?

At a time when chaos seems to rule our society it is easy to feel anxious and the need to escape for a bit. Widespread corruption that seems to go to the top of our government, climate change leading to incredibly hot days and forest fires, and no one intelligent seeming to be in charge. I have a remedy for you. Read my new book “Centurion Crew: A Mack Johnson Novel”. You will be taken to a world where men and women actively defend the constitution. Where bad actors run into the limits of evil doing, and the good guys make a stand using intelligence and guile. I wrote the book considering what could happen if an amoral fascistic person became president and there were persons with a mission to defend the republic. I think you will enjoy the book which is available on Amazon as an Ebook for $9.99.

Uncategorized

The Search for Truth and Meaning are the Bulwark for living well

Thanks for joining me!  Our world is currently drowning in information.  We are bombarded with it.  This website is dedicated to providing tools, insights, and questions to analyze what we are seeing in our world today.  To live well we need to be able to determine what is important, and make meaning of that information.  This website is meant to be a place for engagement, communication, education, and empowerment.  Knowledge and understanding are not useful if we do not take action so we will be sharing what actions we can take to improve our world in a principled way that is respectful of human dignity and value.

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

 

Opinion

El Niño and the long hot summer

As we move into the summer months and hopefully have the ability to stay cool; think about where our climate is heading. People who pay attention to climate news have been receiving warnings to act for a long time – decades. We have more technology and choices to reduce our CO2 footprint today than ever before. Making choices that help reduce carbon will impact everything from catastrophic storms to migration, federal budgets, and wars. No one will care about budget deficits when out of control climate issues are creating wars, mass migration, and widespread die-offs. The dreaded outcomes of failure to reduce carbon are accelerating, but knowing we can act to make survival more likely should motivate us all. Whether the news is directly about climate or not, don’t forget the reality of the climate crisis cannot be escaped. Humanity will be defined by what we do or fail to do in this decade. Research and act to avoid a horrific future that will become increasingly apparent in the coming days, months, and years.

Opinion

Another mass shooting, but no info on weapon again

I have noticed another failure in the news media. An inability to identify weapons in mass shootings. The details of a young shooter and police officers injured in Farmington NM, but nothing on the type of weapon used at a time of concern about assault rifles. I had this feeling after Uvalde; it was a horrific story of Texas leadership and gun laws. We need our news media to be worthy of our time and inform us of realities that are a threat to our safety; regardless of political implications. I read stories that analyzed the Farmington, New Mexico shooting by suspect, victim, location, and time, but failed to mention type/s of weapons used. The story only said the shooter had multiple weapons. Three dead and many wounded including officers but no weapons details. Maybe an assault rifle was used and maybe it was not, but we deserve to know in this time of mass murder. Be alert to reporting that is afraid of the facts. Assault rifles are designed to kill and maim a lot of people quickly; they are weapons of war and do not belong on our streets. Research and act to preserve decency, dignity, and respect for all of humanity.

Opinion

America 4 sale?

The stories of our times include dark money allowed in our politics by a Supreme Court with many members appearing to be corrupted by the same phenomena. Money magically appears to pay bills for judicial relatives, supply large paychecks for spouses, purchase languishing real estate. America is in the lonely position among democracies of believing that money equals speech, but we take it a step further in not even wanting to know who is speaking, Dark money can come from inside and outside of our country and we will never know if the source wishes us good or ill. Americans increasingly do not trust institutions; mass media, social media, politicians, banks, etc. We are a country unmoored from the truth as corruption, and pursuit of money over civic duty dominate. We spend a lot of time talking about politicians who are symptoms rather than systems assaulting good citizenship. Americans are more ignorant, confused, and angry than ever due to institutional failures from public schools to news networks. Take a stand and act to hold organizations and individuals with power accountable. Use your rights to create a tide of righteousness that brings truth, hope, and justice.

Opinion

Is America flirting with fascism, or are the idiots taking over?

Jesus effectively told us ‘we will know the truth and the truth will set us free‘, but Republicans like Ron DeSantis and Glen Youngkin don’t want instruction in history based on truth. Why not? The Republican governors say that truthful history will hurt young white people’s feelings, but they say nothing about the feelings of African-American children. Truth and history are not about feelings; they help us to be strong and intelligent people. The same Republicans worried about feelings also attack people they call “Woke”, but they do not explain what they mean by this. Do they want American citizens to be “Sleep”, and if so why? Fascist do whatever they can to achieve power. The classic move of fascists is to pit people against each other while lying and claiming to be victims; their intent is to victimize others. The Republican leaders pushing fascism claim to be for freedom, but the only freedom they are concerned with is their own to abuse, harass, and threaten the other. Americans must be ready to choose in upcoming elections between dignity and respect for all, or power for some at the expense of others. The fascist Putin has been quoted as saying that he will “do anything for his friends and for his enemies the law.” Fascist in America will sell a similar message of law and order in the streets, but the crime wave will be in the halls of power. Research and act to preserve our republic.

Opinion

Fascism and the new Racism in America

America is still a country relying on truth as the bedrock of our republic but increasingly we are under attack by lies and selfishness. Ron DeSantis seems to be the replacement for Trump should he face conviction for his legion of alleged felonies. DeSantis pushes attacks on marginalized groups like Blacks while claiming to defend traditional values. He offers ideas like more power for police over civilians, and centralized state control of education. Everything would be routed and controlled by DeSantis and those he would pick to defend what Professor Eddie Glaude Jr has called the Big Lie of White Supremacy. Using tribalism to achieve strongman status is not a new trick. People like Trump and DeSantis love the poorly educated as they seek to achieve the power of a Putin so they can pillage and loot America. Truth has never been more important for the American republic to have a future. Research and act to protect the decency and dignity of American citizenship. President Biden and Democrats cannot save us on their own. We need two parties based (predominantly) on truth and integrity; not just Democrats. After the Trump assault on the law and democracy don’t buy the “both sides do it” lie. Republican practice lying and deception far more because they dupe the poor with tribalism while selling out to corporations and the wealthy. Vote Democrat until Republicans return to policies and ideas that put improving American society for all citizens first.

Opinion

We need protection from Republican fascism

State and local governments controlled by Republicans are increasingly passing laws and removing opposition to take absolute control. Whether through gerrymandering or pandering to favored media outlets a full press is taking place to control thought. Media and education are targets for culture war attacks and takeovers targeted to leave people with no knowledge contrary to party orthodox propaganda. Truth is the target and mind control appears to be the goal. The project of culture war as the guise to seize power by Republicans is starting local, but will spring to the federal level as soon the GOP regains control. America will likely lose democracy if we do not recognize that our differences do not represent a threat but opportunities to learn and grow. The dangerous ‘them’ that represent such a large threat that we must give all power to politicians is a hoax. Research what Governors like DeSantis in Florida, Abbott in Texas, and others are doing to impose their will and their beliefs on other Americans. Become active in the effort to protect democracy at the ballot and in your community.

Opinion

Republican Book Bans

Republicans need to deal with the truth and stop their efforts to hide it so that some people feel comfortable. The truth is not about harassment or shame for groups of people but growth and improvement for all people. Republican states and legislatures should focus on creating conditions for growth and improvement; not maintaining advantage for the privileged at the expense of access to truth. Americans will have to stand up for traditional national and religious values while resisting the propaganda and myths of Republican tribal fascism. The battle for the soul of America is ongoing in today’s politics. Research the issues and vote Democrat!

Opinion

Enjoying Life

Even though we live in a world that is endangered from climate, war, disease, and social unrest; we should take time to relax and enjoy life. The threats we face are not new and we have more woke people than ever before. There are good reasons for hope and energy towards a better future. We live with the unknown, cruelty, and threats but life is beautiful and it is important to enjoy how wondrous it is. I will continue to write about alarming situations and events as I perceive them, but I plan to direct attention and energy toward the positive and fun aspects of life. I hope this post finds you well.

Opinion

Trump is telling us everything

Trump statements about disregarding the parts of the constitution that get in the way of him continuing his crime rampage from the White House are telling. Can you call an American who does not believe in the Constitution a patriot? What do you call someone who wants all the power and has no respect for truth? Why do White Evangelicals support such a person? Why do Republicans refuse to hold Trump accountable for his behavior? A conspiracy takes place when multiple people agree to work toward an outcome. When does constant lying and harassment become an evil conspiracy? The danger to the Constitution and America are real and will continue after Trump is gone. He is the figurehead to a movement that does not want equality, but seeks power at the expense of the soul.

Opinion

One political party activates disturbed people regularly – Republicans

Americans are at a point where we must act to protect what is decent in our country or we will lose everything. Our economy, our reputation, our dignity, and our lives will all be sacrificed because some people (called Republicans these days) desire power above all else. Republicans display a desire for power in the world and do not appear to care about their souls; they make it obvious when they threaten and harass others while claiming religion as their reason. Voting in the midterms this year is extremely important to maintain a decent society. People of goodwill cannot accept any excuses for empowering evil people who do not care about truth or justice. Vote Democrat until Republicans stop appealing to violence and negative emotions with lies and half-truths. Hold Republicans accountable if you believe truth and decency are values to be respected.