Sadly indeed! Luckily the officers seem to be more in tune with the oath they took. I imagine most who are loyal to Drumpf instead, are in the lowest ranks and have large numbers from the south...
This is true. But on TWS many from senior NCO ranks and some officers, but the vast majority of those were promoted from enlisted ranks. I live in the deep south and you’re spot on with that.
With regard to the title of "Murderer" he is in fact responsible for the murder of the innocent MAGA bystander who was killed as a result of the fake suicide attempt on his ear. He was going down against Kamala and staged this bullshit charade to boost his numbers. Yet, we snooze.
LOL, see sometimes that happens…But you are right, they held their ground as long as you didn’t try to hurt them they didn’t hurt you. Kind of like running from a cop. Not a smart thing to do.
I pray that more military will stand up for the right thing to do when it comes down to the "nut cutting". I feel like they are truly our only hope to save the country if congress isn't flipped in 2026.
Ralph, what is the Green Beret code? I have been helping veterans get good jobs in the private sector since 2012. Wrote a book on it: "Employment after Deployment", $9.95 on Amazon
Well, there's the problem. Trump doesn't take walks, he can't read, and he has no friends. No wonder he's such a miserable old coot. (Apologies to coots who are sweet birds. I'd add "watch birds" to Max's list.)
No friends. No pets. No interests. No hobbies. No brains. No heart. No honor. No courage. No integrity. No decency. Just a never-ending lust for shiny things.
I joined the “80 Greaties” this year! So far I’ve gotten much better at paring down the nonsense in my life and working on important things, like my city, state and country. And my friends. And roses, and my dog!!
exactly, you've pegged tRump to a T - and to add to his list of deficiencies, he doesn't like/have animals (like Cookie or Mousse) - hard to trust someone who doesn't like animals
I agree completely. And I have long paid attention to how animals react to people. They are wonderful barometers of who people are. Sometimes they express their opinions in ways that make it very clear who those not good people are.
My favorite story is of a cat I brought home from Ensenada, who peed in the shoes of a guy who spent the night with me. He was very upset, but I thought it was hilarious, and I think I praised the cat after the guy left.
No Friends. Even his family didn't like him. JUst like all his cohorts in his cabinet and MAGA .The nastiest people in the US consider themselves Christians in a country for Christians (and whites only.) The USA was never that. It was a refuge for immigrants who wanted a better life. That they were Christians in the beginning didn't mean that it would remain that way forever! (Oops! I forgot they wanted to get rid of native Americans right away.) Humans really can't be trusted. Just saying........
I have read that even Trumps parents and sister didn't like him when he was growing up. I wonder if that explains anything, or more likely there is just no excuse for his behavior. In the meantime, we have to take care of ourselves. I appreciate your grandfather's advice, Andy.
Reading, walking and bird watching! Mindful and soul strengthening pursuits for tired spirits . The sight of a green heron quietly fishing at dusk replenishes one’s soul ! ☺️
Unfortunately we don't have green herons out here in the desert. Although we have photographic evidence of both a great blue heron and a couple of kingfishers (those were at our local state park, which is an oasis). I've had fun watching nesting American Kestrels, soaring hawks, and a faithful pair of curve-billed thrashers who make our neighborhood their home.
You would have loved to watch the youngsters those kestrels raised. The first day the oldest one flew (a boy) he was harassed by a male white-winged dove, who was apparently horny. The kestrel knew who he was and chased the dove off. Apparently the dove thought that anyone about his size was fair game for mating. That episode is one of the funniest animal encounters I've had.
In the face of adversity I would add this. Choose to do what you can to make a difference.
In the face of hate, I choose to spread love.
In the face of hunger, I made the largest $ donation I could to a local food pantry.
In the face of hatred towards immigrants, I am taking a class to teach English to them.
In the face of religious right wing nationalism, I am standing up for loving my neighbor.
In the face of authoritarianism, I am still voting.
Do not let circumstances control you, you can always choose good.
This is not new for me. When my husband was diagnosed with a terminal disease, we chose to never let the fear of tomorrow steal a single moment of the joy of today, because then the disease would win. We chose life over fear. In his absence, I still choose life.
There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle. (Robert Alden)
I send my deep condolences for your husband's passing and thank you so much for sharing how you wrung joy out of each day and how you continue to choose life in so many ways. You are an inspiration to us all.
Thank you, Bobbie. We need to practice this every day. I just made a donation to our local food pantry and messaged my family and friends to do the same.
Food pantries have wish lists so they don't get hundreds of duplicate items. Money is best for fresh meat, milk and other dairy, fresh vegetables. In some areas farmers donate but we are entering the non-growing season up here in the north.
Starting with the pandemic I chose to donate monthly to our local food pantry, because I live in a low income city. It's good to help your needy neighbors lead a better life.
You are a light in a dark time, Susan. You are making a difference in someone’s life by providing needs they can’t afford to purchase themselves. In a nutshell, this is what life is about, caring for others and loving yourself.
Thank you, Sharon. My other favorite charity for many years has been Habitat for Humanity International, for the same reason, but across the whole world. Caring for others increases the quality of life for both sides.
So beautiful Bobbie! And I’m so sorry for the loss of your spouse…as a physician, I have seen so many people with cancer and I love the way you and your husband chose to face that.
Bobbie, except for taking a class to teach immigrants English, I do all of the things you are doing, and have for years. I still remember the first time I chose to practice love - I was in a line at a store and it was slow because the cashier was new. The person in front of me was nasty to her, so I made a point of being nice. I've practiced that ever since. I admire you for choosing life over fear, not letting the disease win, and continuing to choose life. Life is so much better when you do.
I agree completely. I wish I had more energy to get outside myself than I do these days. For me, growing old involves ever evolving medical issues, which takes a lot of my energy.
Hang in there! Go with the flow like a sea otter wrapped safely in the kelp as the waves ebb and flow. That video image got me through chemo. Enjoy all you can.
I actually have been going with the flow, dealing with stuff as it happens. That said, it will be a problem if my gastroenterologist cancels my appointment next week (I had an appointment for tomorrow canceled this morning). I love your image of the sea otter - they have been a favorite animal since I first saw a video of one back in the mid 60s. I'm glad to know that the sea otter worked so well for getting through chemo. I think they are one of the most fun creatures on the planet. Which reminds me, if you get the Animal Planet channel, the Georgia Aquarium program has at least one episode devoted to sea otters, and I think they appear in other episodes. Another animal they feature that is easy to fall in love with is Beluga whales.
Excellent advice! I do my giving to charities like my food pantry and Feeding America by giving monthly. It hurts less than big lump sums and I can give more.
My best friend in Kentucky ( We worked together in Paris years ago) told me to subscribe to your Report when I asked her what I could do from Britany, France after October 20 Since then I ve read your book too. Obviously (and unfortunately) I missed the show. But I Will follow the advice. I do walk and read and meet people here. Otherwise there is my cat I can confide in.
"It is disheartening to be forced to go against your community members and your neighbors." - Staff Sgt. Demi Palecek.
We need to recognize that we are all Chicagoans now.
When we watch the horrifying images of National Guard troops repel out of a helicopter and tie up children or use teargas against anyone standing near them, we need to feel that those victims, those Chicagoans, are us. They are attacking us. We have strong local identifies, but we are all neighbors.
Adam, I am fairly sure that even if federalized, Guard troops couldn’t undertake such a mission. I read that under the Posse Comitatus Act, they can only be used to protect federal property and personnel, and support federal law enforcement (but are not permitted to carry out domestic law enforcement themselves). Fingers crossed as Dump enjoys defying our laws.
Those border patrol and ICE agents, however, are totally out of control. Scary monsters. Dump’s secret police. Stay safe, Chicago!
I give thanks every day for the joy, love, and companionship my small dog shares with me every day. She helps me bring the Light against the darkness in our daily lives.
Science has shown that petting a cat lowers your blood pressure. Does it do the same for the cat? To find out, it would be necessary to find a cat with high blood pressure. Not likely!
We no longer have a cat, but there are a couple in our neighborhood that we see when we walk. Those cats will come running to get scritches. They are furry friends.
Andy, your grandfather's journey resembles those of my great-grandparents, who also came in the 1880s-1890(ish) from the Pale of Settlement. They were all very hardworking and determined people, in ways that immigrants often are, especially when they come from places of trauma. In the summers my great-grandfather (I was raised in a 4 generation household; he died when I was a teenager) would walk to the drug store (I often accompanied him because we were the two early risers in the family) and buy a copy of the Newark Star Ledger. He always said that the first thing he did was open the obituary page and would check to make sure he wasn't in it. We would walk back home, stopping to pick up a half gallon of milk from the coin operated milk machine at the end of the street that was loaded every morning (he required the two of us to moo while he pressed the button), and start our day. This is the most wonderful memory of my childhood, and one I think about a lot these days. Thank you for your post.
Actually written by a journalist whom Pete Seeger contacted because he wanted to write a song using the poem. http://holyjoe.org/poetry/anon7.htm My favorite version is The Weavers 1980 concert at Carnegie Hall version. (https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/the-weavers) But my great-grandfather, who arrived here in the USA in 1890 from Kyiv, probably didn't read the poem or hear the song in the 1960s as his English was not great (didn't matter in the building trades, which is where he settled into work) and he was barely literate. I was not reminiscing to show how "original" he was, but to show what a human he was.
Pete Seeger wrote the tune. It's part of "Get Up and Go," which is trad except for a couple of lines that Pete added. The verse that my grandmother recited -- it's got to be trad. Too old to be written by Pete. She was born in 1883, and she knew all the Gay Nineties songs, and all the parodies.
Linda, you brought back memories of standing in line to get milk in the dining hall at college. Nobody said moo around it, but the dispenser was always known as "the cow". I love the memories you have from being in a 4-generation household.
I don't know what all the National Guard can be used for, but I keep wondering if the Govenors could call them up to protect the citizens from bad behaving ICE members. I still don't like the fact they are present, but it seems that is closer to what they signed up for.
Our governor Newsom is utilizing the CA Guard to help with the coming hunger crisis.
From his website: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he will deploy the California National Guard under his command and California Volunteers on a humanitarian mission to support food banks as the federal government shutdown delays food benefits for millions of California families. In addition to the California National Guard, Governor Newsom is fast-tracking upwards of $80 million in state support ahead of funding delays triggered by the shutdown.
Those people are touching children in wrong ways. No oversight, little supervision. The head of ICE and HHS, DHS and Border Patrol need to go to prison. No need for the Decade of the Pedo. Starting with his Orange Madness…er…Majesty.
I think we need to put an IQ requirement on the presidency. And the next rational president should form a bipartisan committee to undo as much damage as possible, that has been done by the current clown show.
We should also add the citizen test that immigrants have to pass, a basics civics test including the bill of rights and the constitution., a world and US history test, a psychological profile. Any of these would have eliminated Trumoolini.
Wonderful advice. He could now add “and read The Borowitz Report!
I approve this message 😁
🤣😂🤣😂
.... and read The Borowitz Report. Public Service Warning: Be sure you swallow your morning coffee before you get to the punch line.
:-) !! Yeh!
Read the Borowitz report!!!
Excellent advice
A Fabulous book about UnFabulous A-Holes!!
Yes!
My son is a green beret, the Green Beret live by a code. This administration is a criminal enterprise. This administration has nothing.
100%. And the military doesn’t respect them.
On the whole. Sadly, some do.
Together We Served social media is infested with them. I requested a lifetime ban for that reason.
Sadly indeed! Luckily the officers seem to be more in tune with the oath they took. I imagine most who are loyal to Drumpf instead, are in the lowest ranks and have large numbers from the south...
I think you are right. Most lower ranks are not yet mature enough to understand tyranny as it festers in DC.
Sadly, I think you're right. Not only not mature enough. Not educated very well either.
I didn’t want to be that blunt about it but yes you are right.
This is true. But on TWS many from senior NCO ranks and some officers, but the vast majority of those were promoted from enlisted ranks. I live in the deep south and you’re spot on with that.
Sure looks like the mafia, doesn't it!
even the mafia has a code of ethics
I did some digging and found some perfect examples of identifiable names for he who shall no longer be spoke of by his given name:
Villain: A wicked or evil person.
Miscreant: A person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law.
Scoundrel: A dishonest or unscrupulous person.
Reprobate: An unprincipled person, often one who is morally depraved.
Malefactor: A person who commits an illegal or immoral act.
Blackguard: A person who is rude and abusive; a person of no honor.
Knave: A dishonest or unscrupulous man (an older term).
Wretch: A person in a deplorable state of misery or despair; can also be used to describe a person with contemptible qualities.
Evildoer: A person who does evil.
Wrongdoer: A person who does something wrong; a person who commits a crime.
Rogue: A mischievous person who is a bit of a scamp.
Profligate: Someone who spends money in a reckless and self-indulgent way.
Aren't those so much more elegant than he who shall not be named given name?
Also
criminal, devil, felon, gangster, lawbreaker, murderer, psychopath, sinner, sociopath, troublemaker, villain.
Especially murderer.
With regard to the title of "Murderer" he is in fact responsible for the murder of the innocent MAGA bystander who was killed as a result of the fake suicide attempt on his ear. He was going down against Kamala and staged this bullshit charade to boost his numbers. Yet, we snooze.
Like those a lot. One that just popped up in my brain the other day is "lickspittal." Isn't that great!
And “Cockwomble” It just rolls off the tongue so nicely 😎
Exactly. The old guys didn't hurt strangers. If you messed with them, you put yourself in danger...wait that sounds like Rump...
LOL, see sometimes that happens…But you are right, they held their ground as long as you didn’t try to hurt them they didn’t hurt you. Kind of like running from a cop. Not a smart thing to do.
Omerta
Omertà!
I pray that more military will stand up for the right thing to do when it comes down to the "nut cutting". I feel like they are truly our only hope to save the country if congress isn't flipped in 2026.
--or the entire country is flipped!
Ralph, what is the Green Beret code? I have been helping veterans get good jobs in the private sector since 2012. Wrote a book on it: "Employment after Deployment", $9.95 on Amazon
Well, there's the problem. Trump doesn't take walks, he can't read, and he has no friends. No wonder he's such a miserable old coot. (Apologies to coots who are sweet birds. I'd add "watch birds" to Max's list.)
No friends. No pets. No interests. No hobbies. No brains. No heart. No honor. No courage. No integrity. No decency. Just a never-ending lust for shiny things.
EXACTLY!!!
so he is a crow...a black bird that will steal anything for its nest...???
Hey, don't insult crows! They are really, really smart. Trump only knows how to feather his own nest.
good point, my apology to all crows
-and a never-ending lust, period!
Like “No pets”!!!!!!!!!So
Much!!!!!!!!!! !!!!
Pathetic and so true. Well said!
Definitely watch birds
And deer. This summer I watched a mother and her fawn spend hours grooming each other so lovingly.
Thank you, at 73, I am probably an old coot, or an old broad anyway.
Ten years ago, when I was 70, I carried a sign at a college reunion that said GEEZERS RULE. I was cheered! and not only by my classmates.
My sign is "made in the 50's with all original parts and most are in good working order". 😎
Very many congrats from AOBBB.
Another Old But Beautiful Broad.
I am 82 and I say no, you're not. Like fine wine, you are aged to perfection.
I joined the “80 Greaties” this year! So far I’ve gotten much better at paring down the nonsense in my life and working on important things, like my city, state and country. And my friends. And roses, and my dog!!
I am a boomer as well, but I prefer the term 'crone' without all the magic! Hah
hey hey...I'm 71 and I'm not old...just well seasoned. 😊😎
exactly, you've pegged tRump to a T - and to add to his list of deficiencies, he doesn't like/have animals (like Cookie or Mousse) - hard to trust someone who doesn't like animals
I agree completely. And I have long paid attention to how animals react to people. They are wonderful barometers of who people are. Sometimes they express their opinions in ways that make it very clear who those not good people are.
Some are more discerning than others, but they can all smell a rat.
My favorite story is of a cat I brought home from Ensenada, who peed in the shoes of a guy who spent the night with me. He was very upset, but I thought it was hilarious, and I think I praised the cat after the guy left.
I've never seen a dog or cat to be wrong when signaling that a human is not to be trusted. Ever.
I agree with you. That is also my experience. It also applies to probably every other animal on the planet.
Amen to that
This was from my son, "When Trump was a child he didn't have imaginary friends, he had imaginary enemies"
No Friends. Even his family didn't like him. JUst like all his cohorts in his cabinet and MAGA .The nastiest people in the US consider themselves Christians in a country for Christians (and whites only.) The USA was never that. It was a refuge for immigrants who wanted a better life. That they were Christians in the beginning didn't mean that it would remain that way forever! (Oops! I forgot they wanted to get rid of native Americans right away.) Humans really can't be trusted. Just saying........
That may actually be true.
I have read that even Trumps parents and sister didn't like him when he was growing up. I wonder if that explains anything, or more likely there is just no excuse for his behavior. In the meantime, we have to take care of ourselves. I appreciate your grandfather's advice, Andy.
Reading, walking and bird watching! Mindful and soul strengthening pursuits for tired spirits . The sight of a green heron quietly fishing at dusk replenishes one’s soul ! ☺️
Unfortunately we don't have green herons out here in the desert. Although we have photographic evidence of both a great blue heron and a couple of kingfishers (those were at our local state park, which is an oasis). I've had fun watching nesting American Kestrels, soaring hawks, and a faithful pair of curve-billed thrashers who make our neighborhood their home.
I love kestrels ! Poetry in motion but that’s true of most birds ! ❤️
You would have loved to watch the youngsters those kestrels raised. The first day the oldest one flew (a boy) he was harassed by a male white-winged dove, who was apparently horny. The kestrel knew who he was and chased the dove off. Apparently the dove thought that anyone about his size was fair game for mating. That episode is one of the funniest animal encounters I've had.
In the face of adversity I would add this. Choose to do what you can to make a difference.
In the face of hate, I choose to spread love.
In the face of hunger, I made the largest $ donation I could to a local food pantry.
In the face of hatred towards immigrants, I am taking a class to teach English to them.
In the face of religious right wing nationalism, I am standing up for loving my neighbor.
In the face of authoritarianism, I am still voting.
Do not let circumstances control you, you can always choose good.
This is not new for me. When my husband was diagnosed with a terminal disease, we chose to never let the fear of tomorrow steal a single moment of the joy of today, because then the disease would win. We chose life over fear. In his absence, I still choose life.
There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle. (Robert Alden)
I send my deep condolences for your husband's passing and thank you so much for sharing how you wrung joy out of each day and how you continue to choose life in so many ways. You are an inspiration to us all.
Thank you. I hope it gives others courage.
Thank you for that. I have a friend with a terminal cancer diagnosis who is scared to death. I’m going to pass that along.
Thank you, Bobbie. We need to practice this every day. I just made a donation to our local food pantry and messaged my family and friends to do the same.
I spoke to one of the managers at ours. They really appreciate everything, but $ lets them choose food items that most people don’t donate, like meat.
Or personal care products. Dollars are the most effective as food pantries can purchase from larger food banks at reduced prices.
Food pantries have wish lists so they don't get hundreds of duplicate items. Money is best for fresh meat, milk and other dairy, fresh vegetables. In some areas farmers donate but we are entering the non-growing season up here in the north.
Starting with the pandemic I chose to donate monthly to our local food pantry, because I live in a low income city. It's good to help your needy neighbors lead a better life.
You are a light in a dark time, Susan. You are making a difference in someone’s life by providing needs they can’t afford to purchase themselves. In a nutshell, this is what life is about, caring for others and loving yourself.
Thank you, Sharon. My other favorite charity for many years has been Habitat for Humanity International, for the same reason, but across the whole world. Caring for others increases the quality of life for both sides.
Also try Americares. Feeds America and beyond.
Imho, it’s why we are put here on this planet. Also caring enough to give to others is necessary when so many will be losing food assistance.
So beautiful Bobbie! And I’m so sorry for the loss of your spouse…as a physician, I have seen so many people with cancer and I love the way you and your husband chose to face that.
"He who saves one life saves the world entire." --Talmud, Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5.
A beautiful message and one we all needed. THANK YOU, Bobbie 75!
Bobbie, except for taking a class to teach immigrants English, I do all of the things you are doing, and have for years. I still remember the first time I chose to practice love - I was in a line at a store and it was slow because the cashier was new. The person in front of me was nasty to her, so I made a point of being nice. I've practiced that ever since. I admire you for choosing life over fear, not letting the disease win, and continuing to choose life. Life is so much better when you do.
When I subbed at the Jr High they kept putting me in the ESOL class, so I decided to take an online class and work with churches.
Practicing love is a gift we give ourselves.
I agree completely. I wish I had more energy to get outside myself than I do these days. For me, growing old involves ever evolving medical issues, which takes a lot of my energy.
Hang in there! Go with the flow like a sea otter wrapped safely in the kelp as the waves ebb and flow. That video image got me through chemo. Enjoy all you can.
I actually have been going with the flow, dealing with stuff as it happens. That said, it will be a problem if my gastroenterologist cancels my appointment next week (I had an appointment for tomorrow canceled this morning). I love your image of the sea otter - they have been a favorite animal since I first saw a video of one back in the mid 60s. I'm glad to know that the sea otter worked so well for getting through chemo. I think they are one of the most fun creatures on the planet. Which reminds me, if you get the Animal Planet channel, the Georgia Aquarium program has at least one episode devoted to sea otters, and I think they appear in other episodes. Another animal they feature that is easy to fall in love with is Beluga whales.
thank you, Bobbie, for sharing the playbook for getting through this nightmare . . . and sending prayers to you on your loss.
Or if you see a street person who obviously needs something to eat, give them money. Or go get them food. They probably can’t get to a food bank.
Money will often go toward booze or drugs, so I give food. My brother is homeless, schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a terrible disease sometimes making it impossible to help. I feel for you.
Excellent advice! I do my giving to charities like my food pantry and Feeding America by giving monthly. It hurts less than big lump sums and I can give more.
Bobbie, I love every word you wrote. May I copy and share this on another platform?
Yes. No attribution needed.
My best friend in Kentucky ( We worked together in Paris years ago) told me to subscribe to your Report when I asked her what I could do from Britany, France after October 20 Since then I ve read your book too. Obviously (and unfortunately) I missed the show. But I Will follow the advice. I do walk and read and meet people here. Otherwise there is my cat I can confide in.
Hourra pour les chats!
...et chiens.
Oui!
Thank you- I work at a sheriff’s office in Ohio. Boy is it nice to read your posts. And to laugh first thing in the morning! 🎃
Must be tough right now. Stay very safe. ❤️
Me too! Where are you at in Ohio Mari?
"It is disheartening to be forced to go against your community members and your neighbors." - Staff Sgt. Demi Palecek.
We need to recognize that we are all Chicagoans now.
When we watch the horrifying images of National Guard troops repel out of a helicopter and tie up children or use teargas against anyone standing near them, we need to feel that those victims, those Chicagoans, are us. They are attacking us. We have strong local identifies, but we are all neighbors.
The next big rally should be "we are Chicagoans."
Those were not National Guard troops. They were federal agents, mostly Border Patrol.
You're correct. My mistake.
Adam, I am fairly sure that even if federalized, Guard troops couldn’t undertake such a mission. I read that under the Posse Comitatus Act, they can only be used to protect federal property and personnel, and support federal law enforcement (but are not permitted to carry out domestic law enforcement themselves). Fingers crossed as Dump enjoys defying our laws.
Those border patrol and ICE agents, however, are totally out of control. Scary monsters. Dump’s secret police. Stay safe, Chicago!
I salute Sgt. Palacek for her courage. 🫡
Your grandfather was very wise. I would add this as my own bit of sanity, pet your dog or cat as much as possible.
Our pets may be the last bastion of unconditional love in this cruel country. Thank you for the reminder.
I give thanks every day for the joy, love, and companionship my small dog shares with me every day. She helps me bring the Light against the darkness in our daily lives.
Science has shown that petting a cat lowers your blood pressure. Does it do the same for the cat? To find out, it would be necessary to find a cat with high blood pressure. Not likely!
I have a cat with hyperthyroidism! My cat definitely seeks out petting as does our pup so they must get something out of it.
We no longer have a cat, but there are a couple in our neighborhood that we see when we walk. Those cats will come running to get scritches. They are furry friends.
They know good people when they see them
Your grandfather was wise. Thanks for the boost of hope.
I admire you so, Andy. Thank you for these inspiring recommendations.
Love the green-haired woman's message: democracy needs yOUR couRAGE.
Andy, your grandfather's journey resembles those of my great-grandparents, who also came in the 1880s-1890(ish) from the Pale of Settlement. They were all very hardworking and determined people, in ways that immigrants often are, especially when they come from places of trauma. In the summers my great-grandfather (I was raised in a 4 generation household; he died when I was a teenager) would walk to the drug store (I often accompanied him because we were the two early risers in the family) and buy a copy of the Newark Star Ledger. He always said that the first thing he did was open the obituary page and would check to make sure he wasn't in it. We would walk back home, stopping to pick up a half gallon of milk from the coin operated milk machine at the end of the street that was loaded every morning (he required the two of us to moo while he pressed the button), and start our day. This is the most wonderful memory of my childhood, and one I think about a lot these days. Thank you for your post.
I get up in the morning and dust off my wits,
I open the paper and read the obits,
And if I'm not there, I know I'm not dead,
So I have a good breakfast and go back to bed.
-- Traditional. My grandma used to recite it.
Actually written by a journalist whom Pete Seeger contacted because he wanted to write a song using the poem. http://holyjoe.org/poetry/anon7.htm My favorite version is The Weavers 1980 concert at Carnegie Hall version. (https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/the-weavers) But my great-grandfather, who arrived here in the USA in 1890 from Kyiv, probably didn't read the poem or hear the song in the 1960s as his English was not great (didn't matter in the building trades, which is where he settled into work) and he was barely literate. I was not reminiscing to show how "original" he was, but to show what a human he was.
Pete Seeger wrote the tune. It's part of "Get Up and Go," which is trad except for a couple of lines that Pete added. The verse that my grandmother recited -- it's got to be trad. Too old to be written by Pete. She was born in 1883, and she knew all the Gay Nineties songs, and all the parodies.
Linda, you brought back memories of standing in line to get milk in the dining hall at college. Nobody said moo around it, but the dispenser was always known as "the cow". I love the memories you have from being in a 4-generation household.
I don't know what all the National Guard can be used for, but I keep wondering if the Govenors could call them up to protect the citizens from bad behaving ICE members. I still don't like the fact they are present, but it seems that is closer to what they signed up for.
Our governor Newsom is utilizing the CA Guard to help with the coming hunger crisis.
From his website: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he will deploy the California National Guard under his command and California Volunteers on a humanitarian mission to support food banks as the federal government shutdown delays food benefits for millions of California families. In addition to the California National Guard, Governor Newsom is fast-tracking upwards of $80 million in state support ahead of funding delays triggered by the shutdown.
Those people are touching children in wrong ways. No oversight, little supervision. The head of ICE and HHS, DHS and Border Patrol need to go to prison. No need for the Decade of the Pedo. Starting with his Orange Madness…er…Majesty.
I would ask, "Who are you protecting and who are you serving?"
🤬🤬🤬
Thank you, Andy for your unflagging spirit.❤️🤍💙
Thank you, Andy, for sharing this great advice with those of us who love your humor.
If SCOTUS overturns the 22nd Amendment, then George W. could run in the GOP primaries and, no matter who won, Obama could run against him.
I think we should put a top age limit on the presidency. If the government is against DEI, it wouldn’t qualify as discrimination.
I think we need to put an IQ requirement on the presidency. And the next rational president should form a bipartisan committee to undo as much damage as possible, that has been done by the current clown show.
We should also add the citizen test that immigrants have to pass, a basics civics test including the bill of rights and the constitution., a world and US history test, a psychological profile. Any of these would have eliminated Trumoolini.
exactly, Erik - I can think of a few in the current dumpster fire who don't have a clue (looking at you, Tommy Tuberville and Lauren Boebert)
Trumpolini? Trampolini?
Terms limits on Congress people.
And the USSC. Lifetime appointments don't work anymore.