Ban This!

Republicans in the Federal, state and local governments are in love with BANS!  They have banned books (this morning I read where local pundits want to remove "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" along with 400 other Classic and popular books from the library!), banned trans-athletes from competing, banned Sex Education in the schools, banned the use of preferred pronouns, banned the teaching of actual American History, banned critical race theory, banned the use of the word gay or lesbian from schools, banned drag shows and even banned free speech by banning those that speak out against their other bans!

But when sensible people call for assault weapons to be banned, the Right Wing Republicans say "Bans Don't Work!"

There are over 13,000 people in The United States that have been killed by gun violence since January 1st.  There have been nearly 200 mass shootings. Hardly a day goes by that does not have a mass shooting, usually with a military assault weapon, in this country.  But, to put any bans in place regarding assault weapons or the ability to purchase guns by underage kids or ban the sale of guns without proper background checks or to enact any sensible gun laws throughout the country is a giant NO!  A Fox News poll showed that over 80% of Americans want an assault weapon ban.  Over 88% of Americans want sensible gun laws.  But as long as the greatest terrorist group in America, The NRA, is allowed to buy your legislators, we will never consider doing what is right.

This weekend, another grissly shooting took place in that ultimate State of "Gun Freedom," Texas.  And what do we get from Texas Republicans?  Thoughts and Prayers?  One even said that it was God's plan!  Well, screw your "Thoughts and Prayers."  Governor Abbot shrugged and said it was an "unspeakable act and we should focus on mental health problems, not guns"  So, what has he done about this?  He has EASED gun laws and made it easier for people to buy and use these weapons of mass destruction.  And he has cut the budget for mental health care in Texas by $200 million!  By the way, the shooter in Texas was wearing a patch that declared him to be part of the "Right Wing Death Squad."  Other countries have the same mental health problems, the same video games and the same social media woes.  However, they have banned these types of military weapons and don't have the amount of mass shootings that we have in this country.  But Bans Don't Work.  In Texas, death by guns occurs 15.6 times for every 1000 people.  That rate is 75% more than in California that has enacted some sensible gun laws....but Bans Don't Work.

And screw those that continue to vote for these barbaric assholes that continue to hide behind the 2nd Amendment...that, by the way, does NOT give the individual the right to own guns. Nowhere in that amendment does the word "own" exist.  They CAN possess guns as part of a "well regulated militia."  

Let's face it...the NRA owns our government and the desire for profit over life is sickening.  

I will never understand how anybody can vote for a government official simply because they hope that their tax rate will be reduced.  When IMPORTANT issues like gun control, a woman's right to choose, the separation of State and Church, freedom of speech, equal rights, honesty from our so-called leaders and the eradication of Democracy have to take a back seat to your tax rate, the end of a functioning democratic society ends.  And stop with the argument that the economy does better under Republican leadership.  It is a proven FACT that every measure of economic success over the last 50-75 years is greater under Democratic leadership than it is under Republican leadership.  But putting that aside, if you, as an individual override any concern with the social issues facing this nation with your pocketbook, then we don't share the same values...Nor the same concerns and consideration for the next generation.

My Grandchildren should have the opportunity to grow up and thrive in a society that protects everyone equally, and should not have to live in constant fear of being gunned down in a mall or at school.  They should have access to those books and ideas their parents deem appropriate and should be able to live their lives without prejudice regardless of their religion or color of their skin or sexual preference.  And they should not be limited by some politician that wants to force his religious beliefs and misguided nanny-state beliefs on all of society.  All of that is much more important to me than my damn tax rate! 

Damn right I am taking the Moral High Ground...and you should too.

And the Journey continues......

Open One's Eyes

Whenever a child learns critical thinking, a conspiracy theory dies.  This is the fear of Ron DeSantis in his crusade against the proper education of the children and college age adults in the State of Florida.  His banning of books and course content is reminiscent of Hitler and his crusade against books, learning and critical thinking that lead to the Holocaust and the extermination of millions of people.

In DeSantis' view, if you are not adhering to his white, Christian ultra-conservative beliefs and morals, then you are not equal and should not be treated that way.  He is against WOKE policies although he does not even understand WOKE.  To him it is just a trigger word to incite those ignorant enough to agree with him on his far right policies.

WOKE: Aware of and actively attentive to important societal FACTS and issue...especially issues of racial and social justice.  A great synonym for Woke is "Open one's eyes."  Given that, why are people like DeSantis, Trump, McCarthy and Huckabee Sanders so worked up about a Woke society?  By denying our factual history about how the LGBTQ community or the African-American community has been treated and viewed by society as a whole does not make that history go away.  They want you to bury your head in the sand and not teach our children the truth about how this country was founded on the backs of slaves nor how we all live on land stolen from the indigenous people that preceded the Europeans that "founded" America nor how they or the gay community have been treated as less than equal.

Again...Whenever a child learns critical thinking, a conspiracy theory dies.  So, their solution is to only teach ABC's and adding and subtraction and ignore the ability to develop critical thinking in our young people.  Banning books, ignoring the truth and only teaching a narrow view of the world is better for their brand, simply because the DeSantis' of the world don't want any views other than their own narrow views exposed to those growing up.  Besides, Critical Race Theory(CRT) is not and never has been taught in the public schools in Florida.  It is discussed in College Level Law School courses, but DeSantis is creating a solution to a problem that doesn't exist!  However, he realizes that the suppression of the truth is better for the perpetuation of lies and myths.

When I read the list of books that DeSantis and his ilk have either banned or are trying to ban, it nauseates me.  They include Of Mice and Men, One Flew over The Cuckoos Nest, Brave New World, The Color Purple, The Kite Runner, Beloved, The Great Gatsby, Catcher In The Rye, I am Jazz and many, many more.  It is proposed to ban Animal Farm, Portnoy's Complaint, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Charlotte's Web and more classics that might offend someone's outdated, ultra-conservative, misguided views. Certainly, To Kill A Mockingbird must be next.   I cannot help but laugh at the statement that some of those books actually have animals speaking, so they must be bad!

This is not what should be done anywhere in our supposed "Free Country."  DeSantis touts Florida as the "Freest State in the Country."  That is so laughable, it has to be a punch line to a longer story.  Free?  Not free to teach the truth.  Free?  Not free if you are gay or transgendered.  Free?  Not free if you want to check a classic book out of the school library.  

Free?  Not free if you are a duly elected official and say something that pisses off DeSantis, so he removes you from office.  Free?  Not when you are a teacher in Florida and are being told that you can be charged with a felony if you have books in your classroom that talk of sexuality or racism.  

Free?  Not when you are a convicted felon who has served their time, but still not allowed to vote or hold office because the state government ignores the law giving you those rights and decides that you haven't paid your court costs and must therefore pay a poll tax in order to restore those rights. 

Free?  Not when there is a Governor in the State who ignores the rampant racism, gay bashing and anti-semitism in the State and, in fact, embraces it. Free? Not when that same Governor signs a "parental rights bill" that is anything but that...just Don't Say Gay!

Free? DeSantis often seems to revel in his contempt for the First Amendment and even fund raises off of it.  Shortly before he signed unconstitutional legislation punishing The Walt Disney Company for criticizing one of his policies, the governor sent a fundraising email to supporters touting the fact that he was doing so.  The company, DeSantis said, was being punished after it "Tried to attack me to advance their woke agenda."

Free? DeSantis signed legislation imposing speech codes on university professors.  Free? The Governor has threatened drag performers and venues with criminal charges, or at the very least, taking away their liquor licenses.

Free?  Not when DeSantis uses the sovereign powers of government to shape public discourse itself by punishing some ideas, rewarding other and conscripting public schools and Universities into his culture war.  He uses those powers to sanction speech he does not like and to punish institutions that criticize him.

Whenever a child learns critical thinking, a conspiracy theory dies.  I vote for Truth.  I vote for honesty. I vote for the rule of law.  I vote for diversity and equality. I vote for teaching our children how to think for themselves.  I vote for REAL FREEDOM.  

And I embrace Kindness.

And The Journey continues.......

Persistence - Stetson Bennett IV

Persistence: Firm or obstinate in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. A person who is persistent is regarded as tenacious, indefatigable and pertinacious.  If you look up the definition of a persistent person, I am quite sure that Stetson Bennett IV's picture will be there!

Stetson's life story has been told over and over again.  From the time he was 3 years old, he told his family that he would one day be a Championship Quarterback for the University of Georgia,  Although he had a stellar High School career in tiny Blackshear, GA, he was told he was not big enough and not good enough and was hardly recruited to the College level by any team.  Nonetheless, he walked-on at Georgia and toiled on the Scout Team getting his brains beat in every day at practice.  His main contribution was in preparing the team to play Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl.  After being told he would not get any playing time at UGA, he transferred to a tiny Community College and led them to a Championship.  But, that gnawing desire to be at Georgia had him return a year later only to be told again that he was not good enough and was actually 4th string at one time.  But Stetson did not give up.  Instead he just worked that much harder.

Other QB's on the team either didn't pan out, transferred out or got injured and Stetson finally got his chance.  His dogged persistence gave him the opportunity to prove he not only belonged but that he could lead this team to wins.  Nonetheless, he continued to look over his shoulder during the 2021 season, sure that if he didn't perform, he would be benched.  So, what did he do? He led Georgia to a National Championship!  

However, respect was still not easy to come by.  Many fans and coaches did not want him to return for the 2022 season.  They preferred the bevy of 5 star QB's that were sitting on the bench.  Stet answered his critics by leading this team to a 2nd National Championship and the most lopsided victory ever played in the history of post-season college football.  Undersized, he of average arm strength, always under-estimated, Stetson Bennett IV might be the most tenacious, indefatigable and pertinacious person you will ever see.

Yes, this University of Georgia Bulldog Team had a great supporting cast.  A defense that was rebuilt from the Championship Year of 2021 since so many players went on to the NFL.  An offense that was retooled to be more open and risk-taking and a coaching staff that worked harder than any other team.  This is a team that believed.  Hell, I Believe! And am proud to be a life-long Georgia Bulldog! 

Take it from this old fan....If you want to teach your children and grandchildren what it means to never give up, and what it means to chase your dreams no matter what others are saying, then tell them the story of Stetson Bennett IV.  It is a better story than Rudy, Rocky or any other underdog Hollywood film.  It is a story of believing in yourself and going for the brass ring, knocking every obstacle to the side.  It is a story of faith in one's self and of never giving up.  It is a lesson worth teaching to all kids and even most adults.

GO DAWGS!  

And the Journey Continues......

8 Blogs In 8 Weeks Finale

 Ringing the Bell!

    Ring this bell three times well to celebrate this day.  This course is run, my treatment done, now I am on my way.

Today I rang the bell signifying the completion of my current course of treatment for my kidney disease.  While it is a significant point in my treatment, we won’t know its effects or results until further testing is done over the next month.  Nonetheless, it also marks the end of 8 Blogs in 8 Weeks.!

Over the course of time, “Ringing the Bell” has meant different things to different people.  As a high school football player, I had my bell rung a few times….getting hit hard.  At the University of Georgia, there is a custom of ringing the chapel bell after every football victory.  Freshmen had the responsibility to keep the bell ringing until midnight after the game and throughout the night when we beat Georgia Tech.  Many churches ring their bells to signify the beginning or ending of church services.  Ringing the bell seems to always mark a beginning, an end or to mark a significant event.  That is why many oncologists have continued the tradition after a patient completes their treatments.

I am not sure how many of you have actually read my ramblings over the last 9 weeks, but thanks for indulging me by being a part of this journey.  Writing these made the time spent "hooked up" more bearable. I will continue to blog from time to time…as I have done over the last 12 years…but will no longer be sending it out on emails.  If you want to continue to read, then follow me on the website or find me on Facebook.  As always, my observations, opinions and ramblings are mine alone and you are welcome to agree, not agree or not even care!

I want to thank the nurses who cared for me, my family for supporting me and all of you for being a part of this.  As we enter the New Year, think about doing random acts of kindness...it can go a long way in healing this fractured world.   

Wishing all a Happy New Year and more importantly Good Health and Happiness as we venture in to  2023!  GO DAWGS!

And The Journey continues……

8 Blogs in 8 Weeks #8

 Music is the soundtrack of my life.

I grew up with music.  My Mom, an accomplished pianist and lover of music always had music playing in the house,  Whether she was playing the piano or had an album on the turntable, or was driving in the car, she seemed to always be listening to music.  I am sure that I got my love of music from her.  In fact, my interest in The Great American Soundbook, Jazz, and Broadway tunes was directly influenced by her musical taste.

Growing up, when others were thrilled with The Beatles, The Stones or later, The Who or heavy metal, I was more interested in Sinatra, Bennett, Streisand, Nat King Cole, or Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk.  That’s not to say that I didn’t ever listen to current tunes but my preference has always leaned to Jazz.  In fact the majority of the more than 8000 tracks downloaded to my phone are in the Jazz genre.  However, there are still Beatles albums, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Carol King and a bunch of Motown tunes as well as other genres there also.  I also love to find artists that are little known, but have a unique take on music.  One of my favorites always has been Ray Charles with his mix of Soul, Blues and even Country.  But if you listen carefully, his piano and organ solos are heavily influenced by Jazz and somewhat improvisational. 

Last night, I listened as my 8 year old granddaughter, Mara, practiced her piano recital pieces on the very piano that was my Mother’s and that my brother, Jan, and I learned to play piano.  I actually could read music before I learned to read writing.  I started to play around the age of 5 and started to take lessons shortly thereafter.  You would think that my Mom was the one who taught me, but although she did teach piano to a number of neighborhood kids for a while, she sent me and Jan to others for instruction.

Listening to Mara practice last night and again this morning reminded me of the important role music has played in my life.  It was through playing the piano that I met my wife Connie.  When I was 15 years old, I was asked by some girls I knew to be the accompanist for their Chorale group that was preparing to travel to Washington DC and Baltimore for a performance.  Of course, the prospect of being the only guy traveling with 26 teenage girls was appealing to this 15 year old, so I agreed.  It was on that trip that I met Connie and we started dating shortly thereafter!

There are certain songs that evoke memories.  One can hear a tune and be transported to a different time and place…sometimes memories of a person you haven’t seen in a while or an event in your life.  Our first dance song at our wedding was an old Carpenter’s song, We’ve Only Just Begun.  If Eye of The Tiger, the Rocky theme song is played, my son instantly comes to mind. Whenever I hear the song, My Girl, I think of my daughter.  When my daughter was a young child I used to play and sing (albeit off key), Daddy’s Little Girl, to her and, in fact, was cajoled to do that again last night.  It made me realize how long it had been since I sat down at the keyboard and promised myself to play again.

Music stirs emotion.  As kids, if we came home from school and my Mom was at the piano playing heavy duty Classical music, that was our signal to leave her alone.  At family gatherings we frequently could be found sitting around the piano while one of us was playing.  If you really want to understand how music affects emotion, try watching a movie without the background music score…it is just not the same!

I hope there is lots of music in your life and it can become your soundtrack too!

Only one more infusion to go!

And The Journey continues……

8 Blogs In 8 Weeks #7

As I mentioned in a previous Blog, I watch too much television.  It seems like a television is always on somewhere in the house.  The Today Show for news in the mornings as we get dressed, the Nightly News, ESPN or MSNBC at various times..And we record a lot of shows for future watching.  I think most people have a “guilty pleasure” that they watch and might not want to admit.  Michelle Obama recently said that her guilty pleasure is the Real Housewives,  

Well, I have to admit, I have a guilty pleasure that I have watched for 43 Seasons….yep, the reality show “Survivor” is one that I record every week and watch faithfully.  For those that have never seen the show, the producers assemble a group of people from various backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, etc and dumps them on an island beach with no supplies, no food and no shelter and they spend 25 or so days creating their own shelter, forging for food and playing a game of outwit, outplay and outlast each other.  They endure physical, mental and emotional challenges along the way that force the players to choose between risk and reward while still navigating the complex social game and attempt to forge alliances that will allow them to last another day.

There are both physical and emotional challenge games along the way that culminate in one player getting voted off each week.  Finally, there  are ultimately 3 players left to plead their case before a jury of players that have been voted off earlier.  I guess I revel in the social part of the game more than the challenges as there are those that lie, steal and do whatever they can to manipulate their friends and opponents as the game progresses.

In last night’s finale for season 43, it came down to the oldest player, a young woman and a 30 something young man.  Spoiler alert…. the winner was the “old guy” who played the game more honestly than any other player I have seen in 43 seasons.  But what struck me and millions of other Survivor fans is that he announced that the prize he won of one million dollars was going to be donated in its entirety to a charity for wounded veterans. He was not keeping a single dollar for himself!  The other contestants were stunned and their jaws dropped as he dedicated the donation to his Father, a former Green Beret.

It made me think of what I would do if I won a lot of money in the Lottery or had a massive windfall all at once.  Of course, I buy a lottery ticket every once in a while although I know the odds of winning the many millions is minuscule….but somebody has to win and you can’t win if you don’t play. 

We have all read about some lottery winners that mishandle the winnings and are broke a few years later.  I think the way to handle the winnings of a massive windfall is to first take care of your family and close friends and then take a larger portion and give back to the community through a charitable trust.  If you are lucky enough to win over $500 Million dollars, as someone recently did in Powerball, why would you not use a portion of that to help others in need?

I don't pretend that I should tell others how to spend their money, but when people like Elon Musk would rather lose Billions of dollars feeding his ego rather than helping others, I can only shake my head.  In this Season of Giving let's be like the winner of Survivor and all not forget those less fortunate than us.

Happy Holidays!

And The Journey continues......

8 Blogs in 8 Weeks #6

 As I pass the halfway point in my journey through the 8 infusions that will hopefully bring my kidney disease under control, I have been thinking a lot about Friendships and how really good friends are made and continue through thick and thin.

Rabbi Merle Singer recently wrote a Blog (wordswithmerle.blogspot.com) about friendships in which he said:

    "I firmly believe the molecules of friendship are commitment, compassion, being there for another in the good and challenging moments, being a helping hand, the supportive voice, and offering consistency in kindness.  I would be foolhardy to state that friendships do not have their own battles and mishaps, but it is how we address those situations with a tender and forgiving heart that define the person we are or aspire to be."

I have had a lot of friends in my lifetime. But, outside of family, I can count on one hand those friends that are truly "Best Friends."  An old joke says that a friend is one that will always bail you out of jail as a result of you doing something crazy or stupid.  A Best Friend, though, will be sitting next to you in jail saying, "Well, that sure was a lot of fun!"

During my latest journey, I have had many old friends reach out to me.  Friends from  my childhood, high school, college and earlier times in my life.  Some I haven't talked to or heard from for a number of years and it has been great reconnecting, reflecting and catching up.  I am grateful for their friendship and have enjoyed those snippets of conversation, texts and even the Facebook messages.

My wife is truly my Best Friend and ultimately the one person I can always count on no matter my grouchiness, my good and bad moods or my emotional swings  My 3 brothers count not only as my siblings but have always been among my best friends.  And I am so happy that both of my adult kids and spouses are my friends beyond the parent-child dynamic.  My couple of other "Best Friends" know who they are and I know they will go to the end of the earth for me and vice-versa.

Being a friend and being friendly are two totally different things.  We should all be friendly, but being a friend take a commitment beyond just smiling and being nice.  There is a give and take in friendship and you should be willing to give MORE that take in order to be a good friend.  A true friend gives support without judgement, comes through in a crisis and usually knows just what to say when it matter most. Friendships are an essential ingredient in a happy life, so we should all give them the attention and care they deserve.

Friendship is when someone knows ALL about you but likes you anyway, as a true friend accepts who you are, but also help you become who you should be.

I will end with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

    The only way to have a friend is to be one."

And The Journey continues........