THE TIME FOR QUESTIONING IS AT HAND

THE TIME FOR QUESTIONING IS AT HAND

I am convinced that children can be taught to believe just about anything, particularly with the right teacher. The majority of children will believe what they have been taught, and in many cases will carry those teachings with them throughout their lives.  It is an amazing aspect of social intelligence that it is easier to teach hate rather than love. Why this is true is a question that has not been answered? However, it is a known fact that hate has never accomplished anything good? Hate is like a virus, its only purpose is to destroy. Yet, many parents delight in teaching their children to hate.

There are many false assumptions that come with hatred. For years Americans have been taught to hate based on the color of skin, and today thousands still believe it. From the beginning days of American history children were taught that the white race was superior to all other races and even with all the troubles this has caused, thousands still hold on to this false teaching.

The actions of millions of Americans both young and old prove that America’s educational system has failed. The proof is evident all across America that the ability to think has evaded the American classroom. It is easier to have someone else do the thinking or tell us what to think. A certain amount of energy is used in the process of thinking, and many Americans have become too lazy to think.

Probing deeper into the thinking process proves that people can be fooled into thinking that going to church is a good thing, but it is a fact, that today, many Christian churches have turned into instruments of evil. It is difficult to believe that many American preachers support the most corrupt president in the history of the United States. Any American who cannot see the evil in paying porn stars, making fun of handicap reporters, hiding income tax records, hiring the largest number of corrupt cabinet members in the history of America’s presidential cabinets, and telling numerous falsehoods, is a person who has a distorted mental disorder. 

* And adding fuel to the fire, if you believe what Donald Trump said,   that injecting disinfectants into your veins is a cure for Covid-19; the only place for you is a mental institution.  

When it comes to the subject of teaching, I had difficulty in accepting the religious teachings concerning sexuality. The hardest thing I ever had to do was to look in the mirror and admit that I am gay. The reason it was so hard was based upon teaching. I am a product of the Confederate Southern Bible belt, and the teachings of my youth were stemmed in the religious culture of the South. I attended church regularly and was otherwise known as a well adjusted red-blooded American boy. But when my teenage years approached adulthood questionable desires about sexuality caused concerns.

If I had been raised in a different culture in a different country, Thailand for example, the acceptance of my sexuality would have been   much easier to acknowledge. But because it had been pounded into my head that the act of homosexuality was the worse of all sins, it presented an emotional and mental strain upon my acceptance. Therefore, I did every thing possible to convince myself that I was not gay.  Perhaps Major Pete said it best, “If I could have cut it out with a knife, I would have done so, or if I could have taken a pill I would have swallowed it before you could hand me a glass of water.” It was a terrible burden to place upon a teenager, that natural desires from an unknown source were a first class ticket to hell.

It took several years of denial before I could admit to myself that I was gay, and therefore, I resorted to “a life in the closet.” All I ever needed was to find a place where I could live as an openly gay man.   “Coming out” was one of the best things I have ever done. It changed my entire life. It changed the way I walk, the way I think, and the way I hold my head.  It took away doubt and replaced it with confidence. Today, I am not Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” neither am I the “White Bird” sitting in a cage alone growing old.  But I am Van Zant’s “FREE BIRD.”  “And this Bird you cannot change.”

Other than accepting my sexuality, Thailand is the best thing that has happened to me.  There is a reason that Thailand is called the “Land of the Smiling People.” And for those of us who live here we know that Thailand is the “peace loving nation of the world.” Today expatriates by the millions live in Thailand and we live here for a reason.  We are here because we see the beauty in all colors of skin. We are here because we recognize the dignity in all sexual orientations. We are here because we firmly respect people of all ethnic origins. We are here because we have learned to live free of hate and freedom is our anthem.  

My retirement could not be any better. I am a happy senior citizen accepting my age and my sexuality. All the fears I once had about growing old have dissipated and retirement has become a beautiful thing. For years I searched for happiness and when I found it, it is even greater than I imagined. I refuse to live again in a restricted society,   and even if the virus forces me to sit alone in my apartment, I find peace, happiness, and contentment, because I know I am a real person. No more secrets, no more closets, no more whispers, no more pretending, life is as real as it can be.

 

Now back to the subject at hand. There is no doubt that the countries where children are taught to love rather than to hate are becoming the best places on the face of the earth to live.  The citizens of the world are slowly but surely discovering this. A population explosion is occurring in some of the most remote places on the earth.  People are recognizing that living in peace is the right recipe for happiness.

PATTAYA ---- A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

PATTAYA -----A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

For several hours I have been sitting at the top of concrete steps that lead to the waters edge overlooking the ocean.  Small white-top waves beat rhythmic motions against the sands at the waters edge, and I am fixated on the rhythms.  If I look to my right, I see long stretches of sandy beaches. If I look straight ahead I see an orange sun surrounded by a series of colorful clouds creeping slowly downward in the Western skies. A sunset over the ocean, I witness, with colors of yellow, orange, and red, dancing on top of white-top waves. The beach is lined with active people, some are walking, some are jogging, and some are playing in the water’s edge, but there is an overall sense of happiness.

I have traveled halfway around the world and am sitting in the middle of strange people, in a strange land, speaking a strange language, I do not understand. Thoughts hammer away in my mind and I assure myself that this feeling of peace is for real, and I question the lack of homesickness. As the shadows of the evening creep forward, I take a few short steps and hop on a baht bus that takes me to my one-bedroom condo in the heart of the city of Pattaya.

Sitting alone in my condo, I ask myself the question, why have I chosen this city as the place to rest my weary bones at least for a few days? I don’t know the answer, but in my present mental state one place is just about as good as any other.  As the days pass I make my way in and out of the daytime and night-time business establishments and discover that Pattaya is an International City. I enjoy the friendly conversations with people from around the world, and politics seem to be on the minds of most English speaking people to which I am quick to add my opinions.

What I enjoy most about this city is the nightlife. Pattaya is an exciting city with a wide variety of night-time entertainment. When the lights come on, this once small fishing village is emerged with excitement. I elbow my way down the world famous “Walking Street,” and attempt to absorb the ambiance. It is like stepping into another world, where imaginations can run wild and adventure can be your only guide. I am reminded of an everyday Mardi Gras, on Bourdon Street, New Orleans, but this street offers a strange but unique adventure. My adventure continues through crowded streets and by some miraculous occurrence I end up in Boyz Town. For citizens of the world who are thrill seekers, Boyz Town, Pattaya, is where you should be. There is the electrifying, “Tina Turner” performance at the Copa, or the sexy boy show at Wild West Boys, or the singing sensation of El Duo at Café Royale. I quickly realize why Pattaya has earned the title of “THE PARADISE CITY BY THE SEA!”

*****THAT WAS THEN ***** THIS IS NOW! *****

What has happened to this beautiful city? It is disposed with the horrible name of “CORONAVIRUS.” What once was a city with flashing, bright, lights, filled with tourists from around the world is now a darkened, empty, walkway filled with gloom and despair. Hundreds who once made a living in the entertainment and service industries are now unemployed, homeless, hungry, and carrying signs, “MR. CAN YOU SPARE A DIME,” in Thai, of, course.

My problems are minimal compared with thousands who are seeking shelter and experiencing starvation. Yet, I am confronted with isolation and a serious problem of the preservation of life. I am confined to a one bedroom condo in which the walls are closing in. My excitement for the day is to walk outside, wearing a mask, to the parking lot just to check on my car. Yes, I have a car, but I do not drive. It is a new Nissan and I have to keep the battery charged.

Back in the condo, I turn on the flat screen and Elton is on. He is being interviewed by Anderson Cooper about his final “Yellow Brick Road Tour.” With the interview coming to an abrupt end, Elton, sparkling with glitz and glimmer, takes a seat at his million dollar one of a kind, Yamaha grand piano. His first song is “The Tiny Dancer,” and without any pause, immediately leads into “I’m Still Standing.” Elton has the unique ability to brighten any day and soon I am on my feet harmonizing with the words of my favorite song, “Daniel.”

“Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane

I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain

Oh, and I can see Daniel waving goodbye

God, it looks like Daniel must be the clouds in my eyes”

Elton continues with the words, “How wonderful the world is when you’re in the world.” As the memories roll in, I am reminded that no one can give a better tribute to a lover than Elton John.

There is no doubt that Thailand’s “paradise city by the sea” will bounce back. The glamorous tour buses will return and Pattaya will be greater than before. There is no virus big enough to bring a permanent halt to one of the world’s most visited cities. I have no greater pleasure than to know that I am a part of Thailand’s “smiling people” and not a day goes by that I do not give thanks to Thailand for providing me a home away from home.

TAKE A SIP FROM THE CUP OF TRUTH

TAKE A SIP FROM THE CUP OF TRUTH

I have asked myself the question at least a hundred times why I cannot live the rest of my life outside the United States and let go of the political situation inside America. The only answer I know is I have a genuine interest in America’s future.  I believe the future generations of Americans have the right to live in a free democratic society. They have the right to the freedoms that were established by our forefathers, and the freedoms that millions of men and women have given their lives to protect.

I have a great concern for the millions of African Americans and Latino Americans who have endured years of injustices at the hands of white Americans. I shiver when I am confronted with the fact that I am a product of Southern White America. I am awakened in the middle of the night with the sounds of cracking whips. I hear the cries of African American boys who were castrated by groups of angry white men. I see visions of African American families being burned alive in their homes by mobs of vigilante whites. I have read the atrocious acts of Southern white plantation owners perpetrated on human slaves. I am reminded of the White Southern women who closed their doors and their ears to the cries of African American women who were raped, beaten, and separated from their children.  And now I see that same kind of women surround Donald Trump and support his evil deeds. I see a white American woman as she looks the world in the eyes through a TV camera with the words, “Donald Trump has never told a lie in his entire life.” America may survive the virus, but there are doubts that America will survive the blinding process that has dimmed the eyes of millions to accept the corruption in America’s government.     

America’s gay community has suffered right along with millions of other minorities. They have been denied civil rights and have been chastised for their sexual orientation.  I also have a genuine concern for the future generations of LGBTQ individuals. They have the right to live without verbal harassment, without religious condemnation, without the fear of physical abuse, and without being treated as 2^nd or 3^rd class citizens.

America is experiencing the aftermath of hate. In order for America to ever live up to her creed, “that all men are created equal,” Americans must go through a purification process ---- a cleansing of the hearts and minds that starts with the pulpit and ends in Washington DC.  The world has not forgotten “The Trail of Tears,” neither “The Selma Bridge” nor “the evening of April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.” Today, there are groups of dirty white men in the states of Alabama and Michigan, who are attempting, through the process of voter suppression, to return America to the days of White Supremacy. There are members of the Supreme Court who are not judging by the aspects of the law, but rather by political affiliation. On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, the future of America is in the hands of honest Americans who will fight the odds of Republican voter suppression and exercise the right to vote.     

It is disheartening to admit that there are members of my own family who not only believe the lies, but are worshiping the liar, Donald Trump. He is both a liar and a fake, and those are just a couple of the many degrading names I could use. It is a shame that Americans citizens have turned into pathetic examples of humanity, and have swallowed the Trump agenda, hook, line, and sinker.  They have become members of the Republican political cult; a cult that is doing more harm to America than any religious cult could ever dare to do. They have diminished the influence of American Christianity and removed America as the leader of the free world. 

I know a liar when I hear one, and I recognize a fake when I see one. I am not going to even take a sip from the poisonous cup of the Donald Trump cool-aid, but I am going to stand flat-footed and say to Trump supporters, your worship of the orange-faced spinnaker is as wrong as wrong can be.  You have brought America to the brink of collapse and now democracy is holding on by a mere thread. You are some of the most selfish people the world has ever known.  You have no concern about the kind of America you are leaving for your children and grandchildren. You are blinded by ignorance and have no desire to seek the truth. You are the worse generation of Americans.

*****COMMENT*****

A real human will admit to mistakes and will exhibit humility; otherwise he is not a human but rather a creature.                

THE LARK IN THE SUNSHINE--TWEETS -- TWEETS -- TWEETS

THE LARK IN THE SUNSHINE --TWEETS --TWEETS –TWEETS

     What birds have known from the beginning of time humans learned only a few short years ago? “Human tweeting” came as a result of progress in the field of communication, whereas “bird tweeting” has been as natural as birds can fly. There is only one way to say it, birds are beautiful and are designed by Mother Nature with an array of colors that are nearly breathtaking. To add to all their beauty birds produce some of the most delightful music within the animal kingdom.  Most humans agree “bird tweeting” is some of Mother Nature’s sweetest music. The sounds of “birds singing” means happiness is in the air and most humans agree happiness is the main ingredient in the art of successful living.  Birds are experts in celebrating another day of living by singing, and for humans, there is no better way to start a day than listening to “birds tweeting.”

    BUT------On the other hand, Donald Trump is the world’s number one “human tweeter.” From the time he first declared his candidacy for president in June 2015 through the first two-and-a-half years of his presidency, he has tweeted over 17000 times. He has developed a cult-like following that is hinged to every word he says. There are absolutely no restrictions on the words Donald Trump can “tweet” so as a result, he has used numerous misspellings and a series of out-right lies.

    ALSO-----The world’s number one “human tweeter” is America’s most corrupt president. Donald Trump has not only destroyed America’s democratic form of government, but he is bankrupting the country.  His lavish personal spending has far outreached any other American president. In the first two and half years of his presidency he visited Trump owned golf courses 92 times with an expense to the taxpayer of over 102 million dollars.  

    Historians agree that wasteful spending of taxpayer’s money by governmental officials was the number one cause for the decline of the Roman Empire.  Nevertheless, many Americans stick their heads in the sand and ignore the luxurious lifestyle of Donald Trump in his wasteful spending of taxpayer’s money, and continue to support his every move.    

    Donald Trump is motivated by conflict and thrives on controversy.  By making extreme statements he receives the attention he so desperately needs. The only way anyone can remain within Donald Trump’s circle of friends is to agree with every word that comes out of his mouth. Donald Trump is also one of the world’s most selfish individuals. Selfishness is an accepted characteristic in children, but extreme selfishness in an adult is considered egocentric behavior that leads directly to narcissism.

   The world’s number one “human tweeter” is perhaps the world’s unhappiest person.  It is impossible to be happy and be at odds with all the people around you. Donald Trump has not used his wealth and popularity successfully. All of his adult life he has lived in a fake world filled with lies of his own making. History will record him as one of the biggest human failures in the art of successful living. To state it plainly, Donald Trump is a disgrace to the human race. It is sad that at some point in his life, someone was not able to break the wall of his closed mind and explain to him how to live as a successful human.

    Some good advice for Donald Trump----do yourself a favor, “retreat” to a simple, country house, forget riches; forget popularity; wake up every morning listening to the music of “the singing of the birds” and experience what real living is all about. Not only would your life be better but it would be an improvement for the entire world. The lark in the sunshine tweets -- tweets – tweets ---!

“Donald Trump does not TWEET people the way he wants to be TWEETED.” Comedian Bill Maher

        

   

      

AUTHORITATIVE POWERS

AUTHORITATIVE POWERS FREE FOR THE TAKING

   “We see ourselves as a city on the hill … looking out for threats that come from abroad … that human nature is such that American democracy must be defended from Americans who would exploit its freedom to bring about its END.” Timothy Snyder’s book entitled “ON TYRANNY.”

    It is hard to believe that citizens in a democratic form of government would freely surrender powers to an authoritative leader. Without a war or any other major physical conflict, many Americans are simply saying they are ready to give up personal freedoms in favor of dictatorial leadership. History has never experienced such an extraordinary act performed by citizens of a democratic society. At the present, America is an example of a confused populace wondering in the wilderness of political correctness.

    

   There are many valuable lessons in history, but the problem is too many world citizens will not adhere. History provides proof that ancient democracies and republics collapsed under the threat of oligarchies and imperial leaders. With knowledge of history, it is easy to predict America’s future.  The United States has fallen into the same trap that destroyed many other great civilizations. It seems feasible that intelligent people would be able to read “the hand writing on the wall” and make necessary changes before the complete collapse of a great empire. But for reasons yet unknown, history tells a different story. At some point civilized people reject the truth, and at this time there is an element of stupidity that has stretched across America with little signs of improvement. 

   It is difficult to believe that Trump supporters actually want an executive dictatorship, but nevertheless it is true. By ignoring the truth, Donald Trump supporters have climbed on board a fascist regime because they think it offers opportunity for personal advancement.  There are numerous examples of followers doing what a superior expects, without the leader’s approval, but with hope of securing LOYALTY. It is, however, “a vain hope” that a monarchical leader will NOT throw them under the bus when the time is right. Dictatorial leaders are concerned about only one thing; themselves.

   Acts of conformity are inherent to the downfall of a free society.  Americans are conforming to power with the belief that power in the hands of the powerful is a nondiscriminatory tool that is necessary in governing. Thus one political party has placed no limits on power and what power can do. They are willing, if necessary, to delete personal freedoms with the objective of remaining in power.

   It is difficult to accept that American voters have become so dehumanized that they engage in the act of voting knowing they are voting to surrender personal freedoms.  It is possible that Americans have lived so long with freedoms that they have forgotten the value of being free.  But to give up basic civil rights freely is a direct example of political illiteracy.  However, this is not the first time in history that it has happened and perhaps will not be the last.

   It would be well for Americans to realize that democracies can fail. It is not written in the skies that American democracy is eternal. In the twentieth century, for example, Europeans experienced several democracies overtaken by fascism, Nazism, and communism. With respect to contemporary democracies, it is true that democratic governments are in decline. American voters have failed to recognize that the US Constitution places the power to govern in the hands of the voters, but that sacred right must not only be protected but must be exercised by the act of participation.  That is why Tuesday, November 3, 2020 is such an important date.

WHEN I'M DANCING WITH THE ANGELS

WHEN I’M DANCING WITH THE ANGELS

After a period of silence, I would like to make my position very clear. I want to make sure that when, “I’m dancing with the angels,” I will be able to say that I did every thing possible to expose a con-artist to my family and friends. It astounds the souls of honest citizens the mockery Donald Trump and his followers have made of American laws. America has only scratched the surface of what this is doing to the morality of America’s youths.  

Americans were provided with blessings that made the United States the greatest nation on the planet.  However, those blessings have been turned into a reign of evil in the form of greed, lying, and a lust for power. That reign of terror has now accelerated to the point that America is being governed by a gang of outlaws.

America is heading for serious internal problems in which many seemly have no desire to solve. The political gap between the Democrat and Republican Parties has become so wide that it may never be closed. And if this is true, it means that the United States will go down the path of all other great empires, ----- decline, decline, decline, until there is nothing left but a mound of ashes. God grant this not to be so! It is a thousand times better to get along with each other than to go to war with each other. Once a nation is destroyed by internal conflicts it is then too late to be sorry. 

I am compelled with a message for Donald Trump supporters. There is a part of me that pities the inept intelligence in the inability of some Americans to recognize a con-artist when there is so much evidence to confirm the obvious.  However, on the other hand, it stirs anger in me to accept the knowledge of what this is doing to the future generations of Americans.

At the very least, it is a fact that Donald Trump and his followers operate as a gang of outlaws. Non-acceptance of this fact asserts a brainwashed individual who is a member of one of the largest political cults in history. I am proud to announce that a different blood flows through my veins. It is a blood that is rich with respect for my fellowman;  a blood that reflex’s the beauty that is in all colors of skin; a blood that is filled with acceptance of all genders of humans, and a blood that flows with the liquidity of freedom.

There is something bad wrong when numerous Americans allow their minds to be controlled by a political cult that is in direct opposition to a democracy. The only hope in keeping America’s democracy intact is that honest voters turn out in large numbers in November 2020, and vote against the communist cult that has taken over the Republican Party.

I feel fortunate that I have been able to turn the pages of history to learn that all dictators, have been madmen, with an overwhelming desire for power, and without any sympathy for their constituents. It is of great concern that some citizens, who have experienced freedoms, would sacrifice personal freedoms for an authoritative government. I am also proud that I have been endowed by my creator with a brain that is activated with the desire for freedom, and a blood that is reddened with the determination not to settle for anything less.  

• “When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked, in 2019, what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?”
• Rep. Elijah Cummings, Oct.17, 2019.   

A WHITE MAN'S DEMOCRACY

A WHITE MAN’S DEMOCRACY

For the first time in my life I fear that evil will be rewarded and truth will not be revealed. “It is time to rethink America.” I found these words written in a book by Carol Anderson, a professor at Emory University, entitled WHITE RAGE. America has by far, the most homicides, burglaries, incarcerations, mass shootings, hate crimes, and other lawless activities, than any other nation on the planet. Therefore, serious consideration should be given to rethinking America. Is this the kind of America that we want for ourselves, and more importantly, is this the kind of America we want to leave for our children and grandchildren?

America has developed a culture that has set an example for the youth. It matters not how many lies you tell, how much you cheat, how many adulteries you commit, or how many people you harm, just as long as you get to the top. This is just as wrong as wrong can be, and if not corrected will develop serious consequences for America’s future.

From the time the white man first set foot on Plymouth Rock, it was destined to be a White Man’s Democracy. Only white men could vote.  It was determined from the beginning that women would be subservient to men, and their place, as far as government was concerned, was in the kitchen. The white man set out to destroy the Red Man in any way possible, including the murdering of women and children. The largest genocide in history happened on North American soil; a fact deleted from the White Man’s history books!

In this White Man’s Democracy, white men could own humans as slaves, and impose horrendous atrocities. White men could rape African American women, murder, hang, and castrate African American Men, and burn African American homes to the ground, for no other reason than the color of their skin. The Confederacy was the purist example of the White Man’s Democracy.

America is a growing, experiment of a Representative Democracy. This democracy has faced several severe challenges, but none greater than the Civil War. However, progress had been made. Americans were slowly adapting to the, “Melting Pot Theory.” Slowly but surely, many Americans were beginning to see the value in “Social Diversity.”

But then in fear of losing this White Man’s Democracy, rising to ranks of popularity, came one of the most corrupt individuals in US history. He was able to fool enough voters to be elected the head of the Executive Branch of American government. In a matter of a few hours, all the progress that had been accomplished vanished.  Millions of Americans lost their moral compass, and America developed some of the dirtiest elected officials in history. When American men and women place their allegiance to a man, rather than the US Constitution, the United States is in deep trouble.  

 

The framers of the US Constitution designed a government that can be controlled by the PEOPLE. If the PEOPLE are willing to allow  gerrymandering ----- if the PEOPLE are willing to allow voter suppression ---- if the PEOPLE choose to stay home on election day,---- then the PEOPLE will have destroyed the best form of government known to mankind.      

Even though Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Nevertheless, in this White Man’s Democracy, those were in words only, but never practiced in deeds. Even today, it is difficult to say that in America all men are created equal, but it is easy to say, all white men are created equal.  

America became the envy of the world by adhering to the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, with the words ringing out, “seeking to be free.” The only path forward for America is the path of inclusive humane involvement of all citizens. We cannot claim to be a true democracy and prevent millions from having a voice in government.

I, for one, think that it is not too late. The light at the end of the tunnel burned brighter as the result of the 2018 mid-turn elections. It is one of the most remarkable examples of self-government that this newly elected House of Representatives has accomplished. According to Google, they have passed over 200 bills that are a variety of constructive legislation that are beneficial to the needs of the people. The horror of this story is that all those bills are piled on the desk of the Senate Majority leader. This is the biggest slap in the face for any democracy that one man, Moscow Mitch, has the power to stop any bill that he does not favor, from coming before the Senate.    

AMERICAN CITIZENS, it has been said before, but it needs to be said over and over again. The election of 2020 is the most important election of our lifetime.  American democracy is at stake. The shift in attitude from a government of the people, to one of totalitarianism is one of the greatest mysteries to confront any nation.  I will say again; those who support Donald Trump are making one of the biggest mistakes ever made in American history.