I have a favorite Jason Aldean song, that came out a long time back, called “The Truth” and it’s about a guy who is still very hung up on a woman, and he doesn’t want his friends to tell her the truth that he is. A couple of the lines are:

Tell ’em anything you want to…. just don’t tell ’em all the truth.

The truth is I’m asking you to lie, and we both know it ain’t right…

But if you ever loved me, have some mercy on me. Tell ’em anything you want to…

Just don’t tell ’em the truth.

A love relationship is often ruined by lies. By coverups. By keeping secrets. Yet, the guy in this song is so desperate he wants his friends to lie for him.

Lies are told when people are afraid, or embarrassed, or they want to look good to someone else. And if you grew up like me, you learned at an early age that your lies will get you in the end. It’s really, really hard to keep a lie going. Eventually, yes, sooner or later, the lie will catch up with you. At that point trust is gone. Other’s faith in you is gone. And, finding a reason to believe in a person is difficult.

Well, you probably know where this is going…

Not telling the truth in relationships is deadly. Lies between two people will end it. And, not telling the truth in politics should be also. If you know that a politician has told lies over and over, and then covers up the lies with more lies, and uses people to help keep the lies going – they will eventually be found out. But, in today’s political arena getting caught in lies is a one day news story and doesn’t seem to cause deadly damage to the politician, We hear “they all do it.” “It’s how they campaign.” “They lie to constituents just to get their vote.” We RARELY hear of a ‘truthful politician,’ one who keeps his word, and honors the pledges he or she makes on the campaign trail.

Years ago Stephen Colbert coined the word “truthiness” – his definition: The belief in what you feel to be true rather than what the facts will support.” He wrote “Truthiness its tearing our country apart. It doesn’t seem to matter what the facts are. It used to be that everyone was entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. Facts matter not at all now. Perception is everything.”

Stephen’s word “Truthiness” and the definition ring in my head today as I get ready to turn the TV on at 1:00pm to watch the last January 6th Committee hearing.

Too many Americans don’t want to hear facts, and they do not want their perception, their belief, to be changed. They do not want to confront lies. They have already lost trust in truth. They only want to accept what makes them feel good. They will not turn the TV on and watch.

In the justice system facts are everything. Jurists are told to only accept direct facts and testimony, given under oath – and all the witnesses are to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If a person on the stand is caught lying they can go to jail. TRUTH MATTERS!!

I believe it still does.

I learned long ago that I can not live with myself if I purposely tell lies. I would not be the type of person I want to be. I would not have good relationships. I would not be a believable person. And, thankfully, I’m a bad liar – and if I try to lie it eats away at me. To know me is to get the truth. And – It’s a lot easier to live a truthful life.

The events that happened on January 6th, and the involvement of our president, are facts. There is no doubt. There has been months of truthful testimony, and stacks of documents that show of the planning of an insurrection, the details of the day, AND how some tried to coverup their ties to it afterwards. The whole “Great Lie” of Biden not winning the presidential election has been a mountain high of lies, from voting machines not working, to getting alternative Electoral voters. It’s insanity to me to NOT see the truth.

The truth matters. In politics. In relationships. In life.

Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful place, especially at this time of year. It’s also a pretty small island with not a whole lot of full-time residents. It’s a vacation destination for those who want to rest and to experience the beauty of the northeast coastline. It’s not a cheap place to live. In general not a whole lot goes on on Martha’s Vineyard except business connected to tourism. .

But as we have seen in the news, two planes carrying a total of about 50 people were dropped off there with little but what they were wearing and maybe a small suitcase. A video camera person came along to record the event.

Those that were dropped off came from South American countries, via Texas and then Florida. The ‘guests’ were gathered up, and Gov. Abbott and Gov. DeSantis approved spending the money to charter planes and fly them to Martha’s Vineyard. (They also paid and sent some to Washington DC and other northern cities.)

But it backfired. At least it did in terms of being a political statement. The two governors wanted to get the immigrants out of their states and to let someone else worry about them. Up in Martha’s Vineyard though they took it to heart. The residents came out to help. Some provided the travelers with food, and some put them up in vacant hotel rooms. Some even invited them into their own homes. After a day of ‘hospitality’ the immigrants were moved over to a local military base that had available housing.

It didn’t solve the immigration issue going on in the United States, but it showed what compassion people can have, even when not given any time to prepare, and make plans. The Martha’s Vineyard residents are now an example of the good of the American people.

I was in my early 20s when many had to flee from Vietnam as Saigon was taken over and the country was under communist control. Those who were anyway connected to the old regime literally ran for their lives. Some grabbed the last free planes out. Some got on small boats to get away. Small, crowded boats in the Pacific Ocean. Once seen and then saved from the waters they were brought to the United States – with nothing. Nothing. No clothing, goods, no jobs waiting, no place to live, and not even knowing the language. The church I attended ‘adopted’ a Vietnamese family, which included if I remember right, 4 or 5 adults and one little adorable four year boy. Our church members secured an apartment for them, gathered furniture, clothing, etc. then set them up in ESL (English as a second language) classes and found jobs for a couple of them as kitchen help in restaurants. They helped with legal paperwork for them, assisting them on trips to make them official and safe in our country.

Back then it was refugees from Vietnam. Now the refugees come mostly from Central American countries that are impoverished unless you are a rich, powerful drug lord. They live in fear – for their women and their children. The men are often forced into illegal activities under duress. They are so scared they take off – sometimes on foot – and cross countries, looking for a place to become official and feel safe.

When these refugees (I like that word better than illegal immigrants) get to our border we treat them with little compassion (or none), want to send them back, make them stay for months in tents on the Mexican side of the border, and offer little help to better their lives.

A certain media outlet will say they are murderers, and sneaking in drugs (and that’s why we have a drug problem in the US – ha), and they are trafficking children. Well, I’m not saying that none of that is happening BUT I truly believe the rhetoric used is factually wrong, and is purposely used to scare Americans.

I believe these refugees just want some help, they want some Martha’s Vineyard compassion, and they want to come and live in the US to be a part of the American dream.

The Department of Immigration has become a political hotbed. So much has been out there about building walls (which literally and figuratively is anti-American if you ask me), about Border Rangers raiding trucks and vehicles, and just ‘how bad’ these people are trying to come here. Well, many die trying!! Bodies are found in the desert, and bodies are washed away in the rivers because they can’t swim.

The people working the southern border see some pretty sad things. I know they must be overcome, perhaps bitter, and wished the refugees wouldn’t try to sneak in. They have to catch them, put them in basic holding buildings, send them back – and catch them again. I think it must be a pretty lousy job.

So, who is to blame? Is it the refugees? Is it those governors who don’t want them in their states? Is it the Dept. Of Immigration, maybe overworked and under employed? Is it changing laws? Is it the networks scaring you?

The United States was founded by immigrants. All of us our from immigrants except the Native American Indians. It was the land of opportunity, and the place to come to live safely. We used to encourage to ‘send us your tired and poor.’ We used to love to hear the stories if grandparents and great-grandparents coming here, finding a piece of land, a place to live, raising a family, working and being proud of the journey. We used to be a travel destination.

What happened? Why do some now look at those same people, those who are running and looking for a better life – and say ‘don’t come here!’

I have seen memes on Facebook about we need to be more like Martha’s Vineyard. And, yes, we do. We need to think about how to welcome the stranger, and to provide temporary support, and we need to show our humanity. And just have little compassion.

Much of the news today, as it has been for a few days now, is about the events memorializing Queen Elizabeth in Great Britain, but we also need to concentrate on the 30 plus subpoenas that were delivered to those who were close to Pres. Trump while he was in the White House. Today – over 30 subpoenas went out by the US Dept. Of Justice. There is even discussion now to ‘invite’ the Vice President at the time Mike Pence.

The last time we had so many concerns, the legal action, and even a special committee formed, was back when the Watergate scandal took place in the 1970’s. Then and now do have different alleged issues but both have one thing in common: a president who thought and acted like a King.

Power is addicting and holding the top elected office must be quite a head game. Both Nixon and Trump had strong egos and close associates to them that fed it all the time. Nobody in the inner circles felt comfortable pushing back, and some even close by were in cahoots with them.

Justice was given to President Nixon I suppose. He never admitted to his part in the Watergate break-in plan but he knew he would be found guilty, so he resigned. I remember that Saturday night well – when he came on TV and resigned. I was only in high school but it’s something that was pretty crazy and therefore it has stayed in my mind all these years. The anonymous “Deep Throat” meetings with young Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein and telling them of the ‘cancer’ in the White House. If you are younger than me, and you just might be – ha, read Woodward and Bernstein’s book “All the President’s Men” or at least watch the movie (it has Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman in the starring roles.) It’s not fiction. It’s American history.

So, today slowly, thoroughly, the justice department and the Committee investigating the Jan. 6th insurrection, are moving forward. They are mounting up thousands of interviews, and papers, and it’s impossible at this point to think that it is all made up. It is not political meanness – although there is plenty of that around. This is a serious investigation into illegal actions by a twice impeached (in one term) president.

President Trump wanted to be king of the United States. He wanted to do what he wanted, going against everything from traditions, and protocols, to withdrawing from groups with our allies, etc. This appealed to a percentage of citizens, and those people fed his ego. He held rallies much like a king would – on stage, showing off, feeling so very important.

I’m reminded of the childhood story, a Chinese fairy tale, of the King (Emperor) and his new clothes. I just reviewed it and the moral is that it is best to be honest, to speak truth about what it is right. Do you remember the story? The king was given invisible clothes – made by con men, and he and everyone were told only fools could not see the wonderful clothes. So nobody was honest enough, strong enough, to tell the king that he had no clothes on. Nobody wanted to be considered a fool – but in the end they all were!

In the end truth comes out.

Justice comes.

I continue to wait, to watch the proceedings and hearings, to listen as a dishonest president finds out he has no clothes. Pres. Trump has tried and tried to act like a king, to make things up (from crowd size numbers to election numbers) and to think he is above the US law- and truth. He is not.

Yesterday I participated in a 9/11 program to honor and remember all those who were involved that day in New York, DC, and Pennsylvania. I played flute with the community band and we performed some patriotic marches and uplifting music for the day. The event also honored all the military forces, and had a special acknowledgement to a 100 year old Army veteran of World War 2. It was very touching at times. And it offered me a chance to see the commitment that veterans have, to make sure we all remember all those who have sacrificed for our nation, in many ways – including EMS and local police and fire departments.

The event was put on by the Knights of Columbus, and since I am not Roman Catholic I did not know much about them. Thanks to Google I came home afterwards to learn that they are a group of RC men who do charity work, and support causes in many ways. Yesterday’s 9/11 event was held in a large Roman Catholic church’s gymnasium.

We are right now living in a time when church and state and the needed separation of the two in this country is really being tested. The conservative Evangelicals have been pushing successfully to change laws, and to influence politicians. The obvious change is about losing the federal right to legal abortion . Because of this atmosphere I have become a bit more aware of how religion and government mix and yesterday’s event was a prime example of it.

I am a Christian. But I sat and listened to the speeches, and even the RC Father’s prayers, and wondered how this nationalism viewpoint is so strongly in our religions and Vice versa. I heard over and over again “God bless America” and I was fascinated as I watched a formal American flag folding ceremony. Until yesterday I never knew that each fold (13 of them) mean something in particular, and a few of them had to do with God. With each fold was read a meaning. I’m not sure who came up with them.

I sat there and wondered who in the audience might be a follower of an Eastern religion, or even an atheist. Who might have served their country out of duty but felt still like an outsider – or at least has had to learn to overlook the Christian religion parts. One flag fold was for the “Hebrew’s”. Again, interesting to me that the Jews were singled out in that one moment…. like, oh yes, them too.

I remember back when Trump was running for president and the evangelical movement was getting pretty vocal, and getting more media attention. And, I especially remember at the January 6th insurrection there were Christian flags, even one with a representation of Jesus, being carried – along side American and confederate flags.

I know every American president has ended speeches with “God bless America” and I heard it often yesterday at the event. But don’t we pray that God will bless all of us? The Brits, the Aussies, etc. and even the Saudis, and the Russians? Does not God say to love your neighbor without any asterisks of *except those beyond our boundaries, or *those in third world countries, or *even those living in places of authoritarian control? I don’t think God likes us Americans better than other people of the world. God does not care about borders. But, God does care about how we see each other, and what we do for each other.

I heard the word ‘patriot’ over and over again at yesterday’s event. And, yes, I believe in being patriotic about our homeland, and in supporting those who work for our safety. Absolutely. I believe we have endless goodness in our country. But let’s be real, the word ‘patriot’ in today’s world is a dividing word. It’s been hijacked by the conservatives and used to show they are ‘better’ than others. Or, that others are not as true to the country as others. Am I wrong about this? Am I less a patriot because I have not been in the military, or heaven help me, I am a Democrat?

I have never been in the military, or a police officer, so I have never gone through the basic training required – but the mix of religion and government pride is alarming. It was just reported that a membership list of the extremist group “The Oath Keepers” included many in the military and in law enforcement. This is worrisome to me.

Some of you reading this may think I am being too concerned, or too nit-picky. Again, I say – I am a Christian. I live in a country founded by people who left a country that was forced a religion and had lots of unfair requirements (including) giving money to that religion. Yes, the founders came to America to worship their Christianity but they wrote into the Constitution the right to freedom of any and all religions here. Yet, the evangelicals today want to push only their ways. They want to make all Americans into them.

I wonder what God thinks of this. Of course I certainly can’t comprehend his greatness, and his immense forgiveness given to us for all the stupid, mean, dangerous, unkind, and selfish things we do. He sees the big picture. But I know he wants love, and I believe he is bigger than one religion on earth. God gave us the Bible, the Torah, and other Holy books to show the way.

The United States is the best chance of democracy working on earth due to our forefathers. They gave us the US Constitution. The forefathers were Christian so ‘who’ they were helped prepare them to write down the foundations for the country. But, nowhere in the constitution does it say one religion is the country’s religion. The United States has always been the melting pot – a land for people of all types, from all places, that believe many different things. We have to seriously remember that right now.

Because look around, people are fighting over intolerance. Some religious people are pushing – even into violence. The inability to separate church from state is scary.

My personal faith tells me that peace and love are more important than anything else. And acceptance. And helping others. I believe in that God.

Some days I am fine with taking the higher ground. Some days I can laugh things off and go about my business.

But not all days.

I have been watching the coverage on the death of Queen Elizabeth and I have been impressed by how for decades and decades she kept her personal thoughts to herself. She had great restraint, at least in public. I watched the series “The Crown” (which I recommend) and if most of it was true, the Queen certainly had human moments and felt emotions of all kinds. But, she kept a ‘game face’ on when doing anything for her country and the other commonwealths. She promised as a young woman, when the throne became hers, to give her life – all her days – to her ‘role’ as queen, and to do it for everyone else. Quite a promise in her 20’s. One she kept until her death yesterday at 96.

For that reason I think Queen Elizabeth has been admired greatly. Some will say she missed opportunities to be an activist when she saw wrongs done. But, we don’t know what she privately said to leaders from around the world. Was she an influencer?

Here in the United States the idea of a lineage of monarchs is against what we believe. We have had a few families, like the Kennedys and the Bushes, who have gone into public service – but by choice. Not forced to serve because they were born into the family. We elect our ‘first families’ and I think that is something to think about – because when we put our vote towards a president we are also choosing the spouse, the children and other family members. Some Americans don’t put a lot of thought into it. But, I do. A happy home makes for a happy person. I want a leader who doesn’t have extra pressure on them because things aren’t good personally. The job of president is so difficult that I think it’s very valuable to have a supportive family, and people who will love you know matter what.

We can look back at our presidents in recent history and easily see who had a good family relationship and who did not.

Yesterday

Hello September. Hello football season. 🏈

Today is the first Game Day of the 2022 college football season. Let’s go Gamecocks! Today hope springs eternal. This could be a great season! maybe… just maybe. 🤞

It’s also Labor Day weekend. It’s a rare holiday weekend that hubby and I are not with our daughters and their families. But with our pug Miss Daisy still adjusting to her new life being blind we decided to stay home, and let her stay in an environment she knows. She’s doing better but we still need to carry her around a lot. She is very cautious and I don’t blame her. 🐾

Labor Day was designated back in 1894 to give workers a day off, but to also recognize all the good that workers do, and to promote the proper treatment of workers. Today we think of it as another bar-b-que day before cooler weather arrives. But, it is good to remember how America has been built by those who came here, became part of the Industrial Revolution, and even now continue to move our country forward in all kinds of professions, on factory lines, in the service industry, and more. 👏

I am a member of a women’s group called “Red Wine and Blue” and yes, I like it because wine is in the name, but it’s not about vintners, or grapes, or wine regions. It is a group of women who have created a grassroots project to take back America from extremists. “Red Wine and Blue” was started by a few ladies from Ohio, a hotspot state when it comes to politics, and it has expanded all across the country. Suburban moms, seniors, young women just starting out, really any and all women who don’t want to have a loud minority take away freedoms. They uplift each other, give out wonderful and truthful information, and work together to make a difference. If you might be interested in joining, you can google “Red Wine and Blue” or go to their Facebook page. 🍷 🇺🇸

Music makes my world go ’round. I am thankful that 2 of the handbell groups I am a part of, and the community band I play flute in, have started back up rehearsing each week. If you are a local the PI Concert Band will be participating in a 9/11 program at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Garden City, at 2:00pm. It’s free. Fire fighters, the military, and the police will be honored and remembered. You will hear lots of patriotic music. 🎶

We are getting into the middle of hurricane season now. When you live in the southeast, along the coast, you pay attention to what is forming off the coast of Africa, and you care about ‘spaghetti models.’ We invested in a built-in generator for the house and will stay put if one comes our way and is a category 1, maybe 2. After that we aren’t crazy! We will head inland. I really hope it’s a quiet season for us, and for everyone who lives in dangerous areas. 🌀

I signed up for another national walk challenge. I did one a few years back and it was good motivation for me to get out there and move. Autumn is the perfect time to get lots of steps in. This challenge is called “I Beg Your Parton” and okay, really it’s supposed to be for running. But I will do my own thing and walk instead. I can’t lie that part of the reason I signed up is to get the really cool, pink “I Beg Your Parton” t-shirt. Yes, Parton – as in DOLLY Parton! 🤠

Another way I am moving is my dancing! I so love my weekly (sometimes twice a week) line dancing sessions at the rec center. Last week our instructor did a special Michael Jackson class, with of course, all MJ music. Some of us dressed to look like Michael. This coming week we have a guest teacher who I think will show up some new moves! 💃

The kids are back in school in many places, and some head back right after this holiday weekend. I miss when my girls headed off, and that feeling of a new, exciting year. I hope schools everywhere can have a safe, gun-free, happy learning year! I honor teachers who face more challenges than ever before. Education and educators should be more highly regarded in our country – so let’s support them anyway we can! 🏫 📚

All for now. See ya next time! ❤️ 😊

Good Thursday morning readers! Thanks for stopping by.

I am home tending to my blind doggie while much of my family is vacationing. So I have time to write, to read, to ponder life’s simple and complex issues! Ha

This musing is a book report of sorts. I just finished reading “Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelists Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation” by Kristin Kobes Du Mez. I love to read. I read fiction and biographies and even books like this that take a look at something religious and historical.

This book. Oh my. There were times I had to put the book down because I could feel my blood pressure going up. There were times I wanted to literally cry. There were times I got very mad. There were ‘aha’ moments because I remembered something from back in the news. And there were times of real grief.

Du Mez researched the American White Evangelical movement back to it’s beginnings and I was glad she did, because I found that part interesting. I never knew all that went on in it’s early days of forming. I was just a kid. When I was a kid in the 60s and 70s I had heard about certain people and events but never thought much about the deeper religious meaning – and certainly not the political connections. Yes, I was just a child. So reading now about what was going on in the US with the Christian conservatives back then was eye opening and enlightening. Plus, I was raised in the Lutheran faith so I was not hearing about mega Southern Baptists churches and their leaders , and groups like The Morale Majority, and others. I didn’t know much about Goldwater, Falwell, Graham, Dobson, and Driscoll. Like I said in the “Marla’s Musings” before this one, I did not grow up with religion and politics so closely weaved, and part of family dinner conversations.

Growing up, and in church, I was never told to think of Jesus as a ‘tough warrior’ for a cause. He was never compared to John Wayne, a white, strong protector, willing to get in there and fight for a cause. I had no clue that there were church denominations teaching this, and encouraging their faithful to respect a ‘masculine form of leadership’ in religion and in politics. I didn’t know that church leaders told parishioners in sermons that women had a feminine, serving place in society and in religion – and there they needed to stay. Because men decided – and they needed to be served. It was ‘in the Bible.’

I will admit at times the author made me blurry eyed with all the examples of this type of thinking, because there was so much of it found around our country then. I suppose she meant to show that it was not just a few white males leading this way of thinking and living – it was a whole, huge movement – and there were church leaders in mega churches, and Christian TV and radio hosts, Christian book authors, and even some songwriters all promoting white male religion. They promoted superiority, and used fear and God’s wrath if we go astray. Homeschooling came about mostly to encourage this kind of Christian conservative teaching.

I was definitely NOT in that world.

So, I think this is why I have been so shocked while reading “Jesus and John Wayne.”

The hold (the power that they loved) by white male evangelicals collided with my world when Donald Trump ran for president.

Ms. Du Mez writes of how Trump, even with ALL his sinful ways, was looked at as a savior, actually sent by God. He was powerful, unapologetic, big on America, and a white male. He portrayed a no-forgiving John Wayne character, riding in (not on a horse but down an escalator) able to say anything, push his agenda, needing nobody, and acting like the alpha male. Some Evangelical leaders didn’t like his crassness and womanizing but they wrote it off as the testosterone of a strong white male. Oh, just something you have to expect. (And we all sin, right?)

These white male leaders then promoted Trump at church worship services, through media outlets, giving campaign money to him, and more.

For so long, truly since Trump became a candidate, I just could never understand how anyone could see and listen to the man and not be appalled. I think I still do. But, now I know that many, many members of Evangelical and conservative faiths were told that to believe in God is to bow down to the ways of the white men – because they will ‘make America great again.’

A power documentary to watch is “The Family” – which is a look at the secretive ways that the conservatives tried (and still are) to enlist young white men to push them into politics.

I will admit that since Trump was elected, and then with the weird two years of CoVid living, my faith has been tested. I find myself so frightened by the misuse of the Christian religion, and the ways it is being put into our government. I worry about the future. I don’t want to be a part of it if it’s run by old white guys who tell me what to believe. I struggle – because I still truly believe in God as the creator, and as my personal Lord and savior. I am an honest, free Christian woman.

I wonder about this book. Should I recommend it? Those who need to read it won’t consider it. Those who want to learn about the Evangelical movement that they are a part of won’t want to know, right? It’s the way it is these days. They believe the rhetoric they have been told over and over that everything is fake, and stories are made-up.

All I can say is, I think everyone NEEDS to read it. Does it have a happy ending? Not on these pages. Hopefully – somehow. Religion (all religions, but this book is about Evangelicals) and government should ALWAYS be separate. It is in the founding of our country. It is America.

I hope my friend doesn’t mind me relating our short conversation which we had at our dance class today. We are Facebook friends so she sees my posts and she told me in a nice way that I was passionate about my political beliefs. I agreed with her. She said “you know I am a Fox viewer” and I told her I knew but asked if she might be able to watch a few other news outlets occasionally. Her answer: “I can’t watch CNN.” So I suggested Headlines News or the “Today Show” in the morning. She, like me, is very concerned about the direction of our country and said to me that we need to find some middle ground. I agreed with her. She also said her brother and sister in law feel very worried and think are country is doomed.

My friend is a lovely woman, soft spoken, and kind – and we had a nice back-and-forth, with no malice towards each other. Yes! It can be done!

But after class I thought about one other thing she said, “You know, I come from a conservative family. We have always been conservative.” And, that got me thinking. Growing up I do not remember my parents talking politics in the home and I don’t know what party they claimed when voting. My mother’s parents were conservative. That I knew. But my parents didn’t make an issue about one party over the other. I do remember watching the party conventions on the TV in our living room – and I think we watched both of them. And, I knew my Dad got Newsweek Magazine in the mail each week and read it cover to cover. After I grew up and had adult conversations with my Dad I felt he leaned towards being a Democrat but I don’t think I ever asked him. My mother? Did she vote the same as my Dad? I’m guessing she did but I do not know. I never asked and they never told me.

My conversation with my friend today made me think about how some families have a tradition with a certain political party. Some don’t.

I do know that when I became an adult and started to pay attention to which senator or congressperson was of a certain party, I liked the Democrats more. I liked what they said. I felt they had more compassion, and concerns about social needs – not just money. I heard the word “equality” more from them. In general I aligned with the platforms or issues of the Democratic Party. I think the first couple of times I voted I said I was Independent but then learned that to take part in the primary system I needed to choose, Republican or Democrat. I picked Democrat.

Looking back in American History the two parties have changed greatly over the years. I’m no political historian but I love to read the posts by Dr. Heather Richardson, because she is. She can comfort at times knowing that our country has gone through some pretty rough times as it became a nation and grew. Other third parties have come and gone during the years, some only lasting a few years. But the way our country was set up, the two parties are to challenge each other, debate, compromise, and come to an agreement to move forward with a new law or solution.

We are a long way from that foundation of our country and that is what America is all about – it’s the idea, and the work that has to be put in, to become MORE perfect, but never attaining it. Greed, power, money, defensiveness, lies, and crazy media outlets – they have all challenged us here in modern times.

I really hope my friend changes the channel, and maybe even considers that she doesn’t have to be what her parents and grandparents were. It’s a new and different time. I realize that there is comfort in falling back on what you have always been, and shutting the door to other options. Unfortunately too many defend it, maybe because it’s easy. Stay the same. Tune out the noise. Change takes learning, and stepping out where you haven’t been before. Thinking it through, and not reciting things by rote.

My friend is very much like me: A senior citizen, a parent and grandparent. A white woman living in a lovely area in our country, with much given to her. We see a lot of things alike – and, oh, we both love to dance! We want the same end results: fairness, peace, our families to be safe, and to care for those in need. That is already a great starting spot. We need to elect leaders who want the same thing. We need to learn who they are. We need to change channels and get a broader view and to do a little thinking. Maybe then my friend can tell her brother and sister-in-law that our country is not doomed. Because, they are only hearing from one side.

Yesterday we learned that our sweet pug Miss Daisy had lost her sight totally. The morning before she woke up unable to see, whimpering, and afraid to move. Earlier in the year we had a cataract removed from her right eye because her left eye had already had a retina detachment. She’d only had one usable eye for awhile and my husband was willing and wanted her to have the surgery – followed by a regiment of lots of eye drops for healing the eye. So we did it. All was good until she woke up two mornings ago.

I took her to the eye specialist who did the surgery yesterday morning and we sadly learned that her right eye just had the retina completely detach also. She is diabetic, and is old, and the possibility of reattaching the retina would not work.

Miss Daisy was a rescue. She had been left to fend on her own after a divorce in Kentucky. With help from friends she found her way to us. So, we know we have given her a better life than what she had where she came from, and years have gone by – and she is part of our family.

It’s so hard to watch her now, as she doesn’t understand what has happened to her. She continues to whimper when left alone. She doesn’t move. She seems so sad and lost. If she lies next to me, touching me, she settles down. I am trying to talk to her often so she hears my voice. I have googled what to do for a blind dog and we are trying to make our house safe and adaptable. In time she will use her nose, and ears, and touch – and will know where she is. But it’s going to take time. She is not there yet. She needs to be retrained. It will take patience and time.

Friends have told me how their blind dogs have adapted. That gives me hope. The vet told us that pugs do better than other breeds. Daisy is older and not that active anyway. So we have that going for her.

But right now is tough. Since she is diabetic she gets shots of insulin after each meal. Now she is also on two sets of drops, 3 times a day, and a pill twice a day. She’s needs to be carried outside to do her business (and yes, she has had accidents because she doesn’t know where she is.) To get to our lawn there are steps to do down. Steps she cannot see.

The love of a dog is special. She has no ill will. She doesn’t get mad. She doesn’t understand. She is sweet. My heart breaks for her, and having to watch her in this new struggle is really hard. We all are adjusting. Again: She IS family.

Doggone it.

Here’s a first! An American ex-president had a surprise search warrant served at his mansion home yesterday to look for missing executive office papers and other information he took from the White House. There was enough believable evidence from witnesses to suggest that President Trump took with him papers that did not belong to him personally, and were supposed to be kept as ‘matter of record’ in his service to the American people. The question we need to ask is: WHO is responsible for this?

This event yesterday comes after years of stories of his threats, of doing business unethically, of being unaware of government procedure, then once learning about procedure ignoring them, and of treating democracy like a game that he could twist and turn. It comes after acting like a baby when he lost the re-election bid, and not even attending the Biden inauguration. It comes after falsely challenging state election boards, the voting machine company, and more.

The two impeachment hearings and the January 6h hearing have had hundreds of witnesses testimony – most of them Republicans, who were recorded under oath, and told of the unusual (sometimes literally crazy) methods of Donald J. Trump, a one term president.

From day one when Trump rode the escalator down to the lobby and announced he was running for president (and blamed Mexicans for our troubles) I have been offended, disappointed, maddened, and downright baffled by the man. Sometimes he has come across as conniving, sometimes stupid, sometimes calculating, always harsh, mean, and egotistical. He really seemed impossibly unaware of ways to be kind unless there was something in it for him. But – he had supporters. Yes, enough to win the election. He fooled enough people during the campaign vs. Hillary Clinton to become our president. Still to this day I don’t understand why his antics at campaign events and the presidential debates did not turn people off. I found him the opposite of presidential, and I knew he was a womanizer and a con-man. I saw the actions of an extreme egotistic, showing no respect for others. Why was that not important to others?? I will never understand.

As his term went on Donald Trump never showed a better side. He tried to get people to lie for him. He went as far as threatening to hold designated money for Ukraine until they found dirt on Hunter Biden. Trump’s inner top administrators came and went after finding him too difficult to work with, and he was not willing to listen to advice or budge on his own personal desires. Everything from crowd size to executive decisions was ALWAYS all about him.

So, the warrant to go in to Mar-a-lago and seize papers, although a first of it’s kind for an ex-president, does not surprise me. And, I am also not surprised that I am already seeing the spin on the event. As expected, Trump is calling himself a victim of the ‘far left’ – although he is no victim when it comes to taking what does not belong to him. He has spent his whole life blaming someone else – for business failures and bankruptcies, marriage breakups, for leaks in government , and more. The “King of the Tweet” even got himself thrown off Twitter but did not take responsibility for that.

Justice works slowly in America. But that’s okay. I am patient for finding out the facts, and for getting to the truth. We learn more every day. I feel we are at a place in history right now that if we don’t allow all the evidence to come in, including what was found at Mar-a-lago, then we can not turn around this system of allowing abuse, and letting people get away with crimes against America. Even when it’s done by a president of the United States.

If you are reading this, and you still support Donald J. Trump, I am truly at a loss of words. That’s why some social situations have been so challenging. I will wish the man well in the rest of his life, but I never want to see him in public office again. I actually believe the judicial branch may finally bring him to trial. If found guilty, he will most likely have his sentence commuted. I wish the most though that the man would just go away. I never want to see another MAGA anything. I blame him for bringing out loonies, and for causing pain – and even death in our country. He has been nothing but dividing, and has been so very hurtful to so many, many people.

The search at Mar-a- lago is one more event that Donald Trump has caused. Not the Democrats, not the RINOS, not the Judicial Branch of our government.

So, the question to ask: WHO is responsible?? Donald J. Trump is responsible.