Players Peaceful Protest

NBA Players Strike A Note.........Silence!

The NBA and its players, coaches and owners have taken myriad measures to make clear their support for the Black Lives Matter movement while standing against all racial injustice and police brutality, but in the wake of a Black man named Jacob Blake being shot seven times in the back by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, cont'd.

An Alternative Republican Viewpoint

I call myself being open minded and made an effort to watch some of the Republican National Convention. I thought, just maybe, the grown-ups in the room would give viewers some cold hard facts as to why Americans should want Donald Trump re-elected as President. With every Republican speaker that came to the podium praising Trump for this or that, I found facts in opposition to their statements. I suppose this convention could and should've been called the Alternative Facts Republican Convention. It was full of shameful Falsehoods!

I was slightly impressed with the empathy shown in First Lady Melania Trump's speech. She performed her duty as First Lady well, standing behind her husband when he needs her most. However, as a wife she has shown about as much love for Trump as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, maybe even less. 

Melania has mostly exhibited a cold and irritable disposition when paired with Trump at public engagements. She's been seen avoiding his kisses, pushing his hand-holding requests aside and choosing to stand or walk away from him if possible. There was even a time when it seemed he asked her to smile and she gave a quick plastic flash of a grin before briskly returning to her frown. 

Actually, the book I'm willing to lay down a few bucks on is the one Melania writes. When she does it's sure to be a best seller. But enough about a marriage that seems anything but loveable. 

When I just couldn't bare to listen to any more Republican Alternative Facts, even though the Alt-F Queen herself (Kellyanne Conway) was to speak tonight, I decided to read what others thought about the convention. One comment I came across displayed a list depicting exactly who Donald Trump has been and continues to be in life. It actually reads like a This is Your Life Donald Trump memorandum.

So without further ado, I give you the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump:

The "son" who conspired to steal his fathers $500 million fortune. The “genius” who hid his college grades. The “patriot” who dodged the draft. And attacks dead Veterans and their widows. The “businessman” who bankrupted 3 casinos and lost over $1B in 10 years. The “playboy” who pays for sex. The "investor" who borrowed $800 million from 70 American banks...and lost it all. The “christian” who doesn’t go to church. The "friend" who was a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein for more than 15 years. The "smart man" who declared bankruptcy SIX times and never paid his debts. The "candidate" who ran for president twice (see Reform Party 2000- scandals there too). The "respectful" who is alleged to have assaulted multiple woman over many years. The "gambler" who allowed russian crime bosses to run illegal casinos out of Trump Tower. The “philanthropist” who defrauds charity. The "don" who launders money for russian mobsters. The "author" who paid a ghostwriter to pen the art of the deal. The "loaner" who got more than $2 BILLION from Deutsche Bank over 20 years. The “billionaire” who hides his tax returns. The "lawful" who likes threatening his opposition with prison. The "bugged" who said repeatedly that he was spied on by the previous President. The "campaigner" who accepts help from foreign powers to win an election. The "taxpayer" who inflates the value of his assets for loans/deflates for taxes. The "best" who claims that he is the best thing to have ever happened to Puerto RIco (Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the storm and after effects, including widespread water shortages and power outages that lasted months). The "contractor" who awards government contracts/jobs to supporters/donors (see Whitefish Energy/GSK Pharma/Trump Org, among many others). The "parent" who separates children from their families and cages them. The "boss" who hires only the best people then fires them. The “innocent man” who refuses to testify. The "builder" who wants a wall that already exists. The "leader" who said racists, sex offenders and murderers are good people. The "economist" who claims that the US economy is the best it's ever been. The "rigger" who has claimed repeatedly that the election will be rigged (also in 2016). The "compassionate" who deports dreamers and people fleeing persecution. The "honest man" who has told 18000+ LIES since being in office. The "chosen one" who claims god gifted him with a trade war/thousands lost jobs. The "unlimited" who claims article 2 allows him to do anything he wants. The "profiteer" who ignored the emolument clause/family runs the business. The "truthteller" who said that Covid 19 is a democrat HOAX/used word hoax 250 times so far this year (2020). The "faithful" who cheated on each of his three wives multiple times. The "peacemaker" who uses paramilitary against peaceful protesters. The "newsman" who claims that most news services are fake news. The "pious" who stands in front of a church while holding a bible as a prop. The "wise" who praises dictators/killers/gangsters as strong. The "unifier" who promotes fear and division rather than courage and inclusiveness. The "pardoner" who commutes/pardons associates who are convicted felons. The "commander in chief" who committed 10 obstructions of justice * *(see Mueller Report) The "Potus" who was impeached in his first term in office. The "magician" who said that Covid 19 would magically disappear. The "carer" who watched as over 180,000 AMERICANS DIED of Covid 19. The "medical expert" who advises injecting/ingesting/inhaling disinfectant. The "principled" who's own sister Maryanne Trump Barry said he had NONE. The "jobmaker" who watched 20 + MILLION people lose their jobs and did nothing. The "constitutionalist" who wants a third term in office. The "president" who has no plan to defeat Covid 19.
(Direct quotes- "I take no responsibility", "It is what it is.") Don't believe he has no plan ? see worldometers.info/coronavirus/ And COMPARE countries. If you're a conservative, you should be ashamed of your president. I wouldn't trust Trump to run a hot dog stand, let alone a country. (This list keeps getting bigger...and feel free to post this list on other social sites.)

BLM in Fashion

To watch and applaud the many ways Black Lives Matter is nudging society toward accepting and celebrating Black Lives gives hope to many a disenfranchised people. 

Media across the board are attempting to break away from norms of exclusion by projecting beautiful Black tones in features once reserved for whites only content. And they are utilizing the incredible skills of Black Artists that have long been left out or minimalized in the mainstream.

'To boldly go where no one has gone before."

Vogue Magazine is adding Black to their September 2020 Special Issue and they're using Black Lives to do it.

 Artist Kerry James Marshall

excerpt from article by Fashion Critic Robin Givhan

What do you put on the cover of a fashion magazine when the fashion industry is sorting out its cultural relevance and racial justice has rolled to the forefront of an industry that has dragged its feet in making inclusivity an imperative?


Artist Jordan Casteel will also have her painting featured on a cover of Vogue September 2020.

Morality

The most important human endeavor is striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our existence depends on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to our lives.
- Albert Einstein


Morality - a particular system of values and principles of  conduct, especially one held by a specified person or society.

Obama Warns U.S. Citizens

If Former First Lady Michelle Obama reminded us in her DNC speech earlier this week of America's past greatness and world leadership role, then Former President Barak Obama's DNC speech last night alerted us to exactly where we dangerously stand today; at a leadership crossroads. It was like waking up to distress signals after a four year binge, looking into the mirror and seeing you have fallen from grace and need immediate intervention and rehabilitation before it's simply too late to save yourself.  

President Obama gave our country a much-needed warning about just how bad things are and how much worse it can get if Donald Trump is re-elected for a second term. Everything he said about the Trump presidency was a chilling fact we all have seen play out right before our disbelieving eyes. If those addicted to supporting Trump are tired and worn out from the lies and disillusionment, accepting the truth about what he is and what he has done to our country is your start on the road to recovery.

Hi!  My Name Is _____________, And I Am A Recovering _______________

As good as President Obama's speech was in identifying our country's historic courage and future potential, it's outline of consequences America faces if it continues down the Trumpian path are alarming. Fear of our government completely abandoning it's 233-year old constitution in favor of something crass, cruel and completely undemocratic is a possibility. The stakes are too high in this 2020 Presidential Election for us not to care.

I once considered voting for businessman/billionaire Ross Perot as President, just to shake up the country's political stage in Washington D.C.. Now, after witnessing failure and fall-out from citizens electing a candidate based on fatigue and frustration with the same old party politicians, I realize the danger in it. 

When citizens of a country become desperate for change, there lies the danger. Not in choosing an unconventional man or party to lead, but in the blind rage and anger that might go into choosing that man or party to shake things up. They should be careful what they wish for, lest they unintentionally unleash an uncontrollable nightmare with Pandemic-like consequences. America must not vote blindly or carelessly in the 2020 Election, or any election. But it must vote! Because our health, well-being and very existence is what's at stake.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud, 

to those who turn aside to false gods (Psalm 40:4)

Vote Joe Biden!

Content of Character

Former First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a soul searching DNC speech last night. She reminded America of it's world leadership role and the importance of reclaiming it's strong, moral character. America has been a beacon of hope to nations around the globe. Sadly, since the Trump Administration has taken office it has chipped away at all that has made America a guiding light. Michelle was straight forward in stating Donald Trump does not have what it takes to be President of a country as great as America. He simply lacks the content of character needed to fill so important a position. 

In a "Psychology Today" article (2016), Dr. Gregg Henriques, states the following:

Let's take a minute and reflect on what Martin Luther King meant when he talked about the content of character. This refers to the core ethical values of honesty and integrity, respecting others, taking responsibility for one's actions, being fair and just, and being someone who promotes love and compassion in others. We can also think about the content of character in terms of core virtues and the extent to which one embodies wisdom, humility, courage, justice, temperance, and the value of human dignity.

The irony is that the article was a post-election piece from 2016, comparing the characters of candidates Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. It ends with this sentence:

Given that the President of the United States is the single most important representative of the character of our nation, the choice before us is profound in its implications.

And here we are coming upon the 2020 Presidential election. As Michelle said, "It is what it is." We cannot expect the Republican Party to have a political epiphany before election day and help save America; though some are murmuring feelings of discontent after the latest white house scandal (Postal Service Disruption). By refusing to hold Donald Trump accountable, as well as, defending his actions and behavior, republicans have been complicit in crimes against America and its constitution. 

Let the citizens of this nation turn out and use the ballot to put an end to this corrupt and criminal era we find ourselves living in. The thought of four more years of this administration's blunders should be enough to bring Democrats, Independents and many Republicans together for the good of the country.

Get out and vote out of office those directly involved or who stood on the sidelines and did nothing while America shamelessly burned from within. Duty Calls!

U.S. Presidential Election 
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020
Vote Biden and Harris



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And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 

I have a dream today!

- Martin Luther King, Jr.  August, 28, 1963
 

Every Prisoner at Shawshank Felt Free

The Shawshank Redemption Opera Song

One of the greatest scenes in film history is from the great film "The Shawshank Redemption." When Morgan Freeman's voice-over kicks in, the scene becomes immortalized.

verb (used with object), im·mor·tal·ized, im·mor·tal·iz·ing.

to bestow unending fame upon; perpetuate.

to make immortal; endow with immortality.