The Grand Lady has taken her leave.

    You never know how chance meetings can change your life.  I had to attend the funeral of a friend this week.  More than a friend actually.  I cannot find the words to describe how much she meant to me.  I met her at a horse show some thirty odd years ago and started giving her daughter riding lessons.  Our friendship grew from there.   We have gotten to share many things over the years.  She has been there for me through good and bad relationships, moving to California, then Phoenix.   We have both lost the ones we love.  She took me into her family and I found myself with an huge extended family.  Another grandmother, older brother and sister and aunts and uncles.  I've stayed with them during horse shows.  Been there to celebrate holidays, and she has come to horse shows with me.  We've been to Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.  Up the CA coast to San Francisco and spent the day at the Wharf.  We've even camped on the beach at Pismo dunes and sat up by the campfire all night watching the waves and enjoying each others company.  She loved my partner Mark.  They were fast crazy friends from the start.

     I have the best memories of the times we spent together.  Thankfully there are a lot of them.  Watching her show her driving horse Fancy at the Pinto Nationals.The times she and Brenda came to the house to stay and ride.   Sharing a nice cigar with our friend Doris while sitting in the barn aisle with upside down buckets for chairs at Tulsa.  Flying into Fresno and going to Temecula CA for a horse show over mothers day.  Dinners with Megan and Stephanie and Sue.  A flood of memories bring a flood of tears.  She never demanded anything of me. Just expected me to do my best.  She loved to watch  her daughter Brenda show.  Those were her proudest moments.  I started calling her mom years ago and she called me her son.  She was tough as nails.  Never complained much.  Battled RA,  had a heart attack, battled throat cancer, and eventually lost her battle with Cancer.  Always hanging in there strong, complaining very little.  I on the other hand would call her whenever I needed to vent, cry, or needed her to pick me up and tell me everything would be alright and that she loved me.  At a time like this I would call her and cry and she would make me feel better.

    This summer she spent with her daughter and son in law and her grandsons.  She was very happy when I talked to her last.  She got to do her life her way.  The Grand Lady has taken her leave.

 

I finally get it.

For years I have been on the fence about gay marriage.  Even right up until I said "I do" I didn't fully understand the fight.  It wasn't needed,  there are enough legal documents out there to handle all the medical rights, inheritance, property, pretty much everything but pensions could be documented and signed to provide equality. 

When Brian and I decided to get married,  we talked about who we were going to invite.  We decided pretty much anybody could come but we sat down and invited a group of our friends.   When we looked at the list one thing struck both of us.  There were very few single people, and all but two of them were in relationships.  All our friends are married.  We also had a very diverse group,  Gay, Straight, Black, White, Hispanic, Republican and Democrat, Catholic to atheist, old and young. 

Being a Republican for years I've listened  to the parties defense of marriage act, marriage is between a  man and a woman,  god is against gay marriage.  I thought who cares, I wont ever get married, and if I do its just a ceremony for us and our friends to go along with the legal documents we signed.

I didn't know how much I would be affected until I said those two little words.  Before the ceremony I thanked everyone for coming, gave them an idea of how the evening would go. Told them about dinner and expressed how happy and privileged I was that they all came. 

One of our friends performed the ceremony and did and awesome job.  Tailored just to us and as normal as any wedding I've been to. 

Back to the those two little words.  The joy I felt when we stood together and said our vows and
"I do" is indescribable.  Like nothing I have ever felt before.  The love, pride, and joy is unbelievable.  I finally understand what all the fuss has been about. 

You cant tell me that God does not want all his people to feel that.  No matter what their sexual orientation. 

The Real American Hitler, another civil war is in our future

     I think when historians write about this period of time in American History they are going to describe it as one of the worst periods we have had.  Very similar to the Nazi/Hitler era in Germany.

    Hitler was a master at using media and the exploitation of a certain people to create hate and hysteria and nationalism. Much like the Hitler of our era except without the Nationalism.  Our Hitler hates America and everything it stands for even though America has provided him with opportunities his home country could never provide.  You see, our Hitler was born into a mixed race marriage that failed.  His father left his mother when he was a young boy.  He was then raised by his affluent grandmother on his mothers side of the family.  She saw that he attended the best private schools, demanded that he get good grades and eventually used his fathers heritage to get him into Yale  law school free of charge.  Then our Hitler set about working for state and local government making influential business government and political party connections until he eventually found himself elected president of the united states.  During his inauguration speech he proudly and defiantly declared that things were going to be different in America.

     What better way, in from what better office can you take a race of people who perceive themselves as trod upon, convince them of it and blame everyone else for their economic, educational, and overall lack of stature and respect in one country.  Then use the media and speaking engagements, and criminal violent acts to incite violence and blame others for the actions of the criminals.  You can even make an example of a high school thug and say he could have been your son to solidify in the minds of the group of people that your on their side and they again have been maligned.  You use gun violence and target shootings to give speeches blaming the courts, and businesses and white Americans for the plight of your people.  Then as a final piece to your plan you sign into legislation a group of executive orders giving rights to others causing distress and fear in a people where there was none before.

     Does all this sound familiar, it should because its exactly what Hitler did in Germany and its exactly what Barack Obama did here in the United States.  He systematically used his office as President and his use of media and the Color of his skin to strike fear and dissent in the country.  He has plunged this county into the worst civil unrest since the 1940's.  Bringing up slavery and racism and violence and daring the country to call him out on it.  He has done exactly as Hitler did,  given rights to one group of people and telling them they have been discriminated against and emboldened them to act as if they are above the law.  Telling them to be afraid of the rest of the country because they owe you and they are going to take your rights away.  This exact argument has done exactly that caused unrest where there wasnt any to begin with and caused a push back by the other side.  Now while his term is over he can sit back and watch the turmoil and violence that he created destroy this country.  Dr. Martin Luther King would be horrified and ashamed of his actions.

    For example just think about the latest actions by Pro Athletes and Hollywood actors and Musicians.  Tell me in what other country could this group of people have the opportunity and the potential to earn the income and have the widespread success they have had.  He has turned a group of Athletes that used to use their fame for good and behave as role models into a group of whining pansies that complain that they are being oppressed by the very people that pay hundreds of dollars a ticket to watch them play.  They complain about the system and how they are being exploited and we brought their ancestors here against their will.

     Well my questions is.  If that never happened.  If they were never brought to this country.  Just how advanced would they be, how advanced would their home country be and just what opportunities would they have there.  I for one would like those that think they have been wronged to go back where there ancestors came from and make a fresh start there.  The rest of you who believe this is a good country, who believe in the constitution and the Democratic form of government that we have here please stay and fight for your country.

   

A racist America

     Living a normal American life has become racist.

I listened to Trumps news conference today.  It was the most presidential he has been so far. Reading some of your responses on Facebook I decided that I've had enough of the pot calling the kettle black.

Those of you who continue to disparage his presidency go right ahead, especially if you can sleep at night and wake up every morning with a clear conscience.  I know some of you personally.  One of you lives off a trust given to her by her father who was a forward thinking central Republican.  He was a brilliant man and I think its awesome that youve never had to work a day in your life.  Obviously it allows you to spend the many hours of your day writing post on facebook on how much you hate Trump.

And you who has spent years going from one form of addiction to another.  Refusing to take care of your body and now suffering from all sorts of ailments mainly because you've become a fat alcoholic.  I remember when you used to drill holes in bathroom walls so you could look through them.

And how about the local dentist who post how bad Trumps morals are and how racist and ignorant he is while going to a black out party on weekends and having random sexual encounters.

One of you makes desparaging comments about Christians and Christian beliefs that are far beyond the level of "grab her by the pussy"

I have had a far from innocent life.  My point here is non of us are perfect, and some of you who are most critical of Trump have and lead lives that are no better and you have no room to judge.  

Golden Corral at its Finest.

     Sunday for fun I took Brian to a Golden Corral for dinner.  He had never been to a Golden Corral before and had no idea what a treat it would be.

     While we were eating,  I started looking around the restaurant and noticing all the different ethnicities that were eating there.  Mexican, American, Indian both dot and feather, young and old, almost all were families with a few single diners there,  one even reading a book as she enjoyed here evening meal.  One thing that struck me, there were lots of children all very well behaved and none of the babies were crying or wailing.  Very unusual these days even at higher end places.  As I was sitting there I thought to myself I wonder how many of these folks cared about Donald Trump or Russia.  I somehow doubt that they wouldnt give it a thought if it wasnt on the evening news every night.  They are busy worrying about paying their bills.  How they are making the rent or the house payment, how they are going to get through the blistering hot Arizona summer and keep the A/C on in their house.  For them,  Golden Corral is a once a week or month treat to take the whole family out.
     These are the very people that our elected officials are letting down.  They are directly effected by the law's and policies that the congress and senate pass or fail to pass.  Many of them have no idea how their children are going to pay for college, if they go to college at all.   They are the absolute backbone of America and we are letting them down.  All of us who post daily to Facebook and complain about Trump.  Those of us who tune in to the View and watch the gaggle of idiots parading by to talk shit about our government with no idea how to make things different.  Every one of us who watches CNN or Fox, or ABC, who tells us daily that Disney is their parent company with their one world view and believes the shit they tell us without using our brains to figure it out for ourselves.  When we blindly follow the media, our congressmen and senators without questioning them, We Lose.  When we vote directly down party lines, We Lose.  When we hear daily about the plight of our retired service men and women and their total lack of proper health care, We Lose.  When we fight about what gender is allowed to use the bathroom, We Lose.  When we conciously choose to discriminate against on people because they are different than us, We Lose.  We Lose the most when we forget that we are all Americans and we should be fighting for each other.  We shouldnt be fighting because we are Democrats or Republicans, that is secondary.  Every one of us knows the difference between whats right and wrong and we are totally loosing sight of the big picture.  The big picture is what is good for America.  We can be diligent Americans without taking advantage of the rest of the world.

Pissing on the Constitution

     This week a Federal Judge, William H Orrick blocked enforcement of Trumps Executive order prohibiting Sanctuary Cities from receiving federal money, and forcing local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials.

     I view this as a blatant and political assault on the Constitution and the laws of the United States and on my rights.  Where in the Constitution does it say the a City, State, County, Person, Business, etc can break the law without facing the consequences.  A judge ruling that a City can break the immigration laws of this country, and then not be penalized is basically the same as saying nobody has to pay their taxes because they dont believe they are being taxed fairly and there will be no penalty.  I dont want to wear my seatbelt because it makes me uncomfortable and I dont have to pay the fine when I get caught.
   
     We are a nation of laws.  Those laws are written to protect us.  The very idea of a Sanctuary city flies in the face of the very way this country is run.  Sanctuary cities cost the taxpayers money, in hospital care, legal fees, safety, and too many other ways to mention.  The very thought that people can come here illegally, do nothing to become citizens, and enjoy all the freedoms and services that we enjoy here should be appalling to everyone in this country.  Those of you that disagree need to sign over your paycheck to those cities that need the money to pay their bills.  Because as long as you dont feel the consequences of their irresponsible actions you wont care.  There are plenty of AMERICAN CITIZENS that need and deserve our federal dollars.  How about the federal money that those sanctuary cities rely on go just into our Veterans Administration.  That program alone is in shambles and our elected officials appear to be to useless and stupid to do anything about it.

     A judge is supposed to interpret the laws of this country and see that they are enforced the way they are written.  Applying personal views to the legal system is supposed to be beyond their reach.

      I hope the Trump administration fights this ruling to the supreme court sparing no amount of legal expertise to prove his case.  I for one am tired of seeing my rights walked upon because somebody views their rights above mine.  Thats what we have laws for.

Deleting the History of America

    I saw on the news this morning that the city of New Orleans is going to remove the four monuments that it has commemorating the Confederate war.  So the United States, in its efforts to make all the socially correct police happy have decided to slowly and systematically erase our history.  I have news for all you folks crying about the events in the growth of this nation that offend you.  You're the issue, not history.  You're successfully making you're opinions more valuable than those of others.  Trying to wipe out a period in American History that had a huge part in the shaping of this great nation is the true tragedy here.  You're putting American on the same level as the Taliban tearing down historic monuments, and you are becoming the American version of ISIS and their history of destroying anything non radical muslim.  

    

     You cant change history or hide the bad periods in the growth of a country.  As offended as you may be over slaver, or lack of human rights, or womens issues.  The Confederacy was real.  Many passionate men fought to keep this country one.  Removing the monuments, and the historic sights totally dis respects the battle the country went through.  Your desire to be socially acceptable insults the lives lost on both sides during the time.  You take a teachable moment about history and the struggle of the time and wipe it from the conversation.  How do you plan to educate the younger generations so they will not make the same mistakes of the past.  

    I would suggest those of you lobbying for political correctness take a cue from Germany and taking the time to preserve the concentration camps.  They havent bull dozed them down.  They are living memorials to the lives lost and tragic examples of a terrible time in the history of German and the Jewish people.  Millions of people travel to the camps every year to pay their respects to the lives lost and to feel the sheer magnitude of the event.  Preserving the camps gives light to the tragic events in history in the building of Germany and the world.  They preserve historic proof to remind us of the vile tragedy that occurred there and how persecution and ignorance can get out of control.  

 

    Its a sad day in America when our country stops embracing our history good and bad as an example of the struggle, the work, the tragedies, and the triumphs of our country as it continues its evolution.