I am continually fascinated by good Leaders.  Many people tell us that they are outstanding leaders…and then either proceed to demean and lambast others or point towards their own accomplishments…which are often little more than political rhetoric.

Many years ago, I was involved with the Civil Service Council and our working with then Chancellor Wendler, in the successful implementation of several policies and procedures and pay raises…that benefited Civil Service Staff.

When I mentioned these humble accomplishments to a new Union President…she replied that,’ I would have to get in line,’ to claim credit for a particular positive outcome that enhanced her Union’s Membership.  I replied that she could have all of the credit…as I did not care if anyone knew that I was involved in the process.

When watching the numerous Congressional Hearings that are currently on television, I cannot help but notice the desire of many of our political leaders to posture and preen for the cameras…and yet little to nothing gets accomplished.

Often we are attracted by the ability to make a lot of money…and equate that skill with leadership.

Often we are attracted by the person who speaks the loudest and has the most caustic command of hurtful and damaging words…and equate that with leadership.

Often we are attracted by celebrity or fame or position…and equate that with leadership.

‘And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount of the Lord.  And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.  And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entering in of the cave.  And behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here Elijah?’   KJV I Kings 19: 11 – 13

As I spoke with my colleagues, the other day, I was impressed with how nice the Campus buildings look…and how they are accomplishing this with the lowest staffing that I have ever known of in Building Services.

Indeed, the dedicated members of the Custodial Staff are performing Herculean efforts to keep their Campus as clean as possible.  These people are Salukis…in every sense of the word!

As I often said when working with former Chancellor Wendler and several other Chancellors, through the years, please thank the Chancellor…don’t thank me…I only have the ability to request…the Chancellor has the power to grant the request.

And, so, to my friends; the Chancellor and the President, please continue to search for other methodologies and means to reduce cost at our beloved Campus.  Civil Service cannot continually bear the ‘Lions’ Share’ of the cuts.

I was walking Campus today…as I often do…when I happened upon two of my colleagues from years gone by.  I was pleased that they spoke to me…as often they seem not to recognize me when I wave or call out to them.

We enjoyed a lovely chat.  Both of these women…I hired into the department that I headed for twenty-five years.  I also promoted them through the ranks…and indeed I am responsible for the management jobs that they have held since I retired at the conclusion of 2010.

We talked about the fact that Building Services had not received any lay-offs in the group of eighty people, last week.  One of them told me that she had been instrumental in this protection of jobs.  I commended her for it.

I do know that many people have been consumed with the lessening of lay-offs across Campus and the Tabling of plans to outsource.

Elizabeth Cheek, my friend and colleague for many years…and the Vice President of the Civil Service Council has worked tirelessly on behalf of all Civil Service Staff as has Tony Travelstead, the President of the Council.

I grieve for the loss of jobs in the Physical Plant Crafts…they need their jobs as much as any Civil Service Employee.

Brad Dillard, the Director of Plant and Service Operations, is as compassionate and caring Director as I have ever know…and I have known all of them since 1978.

I can say that when people that you called your friends…and that you admired and that you wanted the best for…it hurts…a little…to hear of they’re disparaging remarks…but as my friend and colleague Jody said of me, many years ago, ‘we can not tell who is your friend and who is your enemy, Jay, by the way that you treat them…it seems that you  treat your enemies better than your friends…at times.’

Last week, eighty employees of Southern Illinois University were laid off.  SIU is the largest employer south of Effingham, Illinois…which is a two hour drive north from it.

I spent over thirty-two years…or my entire career at SIU.  SIU is the economic engine that propels our entire region.  Without SIU…we would be likened to Appalachia.

I do not fault the Chancellor and President, who are good men, but I do fault our state government that has failed to pass a state budget for two years.  I am beginning to wonder if it is the Governor’s plan is to starve State Universities to death…and thus effectuate several of their closures?

Fifty-one of the lay-offs were Civil Service Staff.  I was a member of the Civil Service Staff for my entire career.  As a rule Civil Service are the first to go…but their value to the institution is tremendous.  Without Civil Service Staff…you have no University.

In the early 1990s SIU had a peak enrollment of almost 25,000 students.  Housing units that were built of two students were being altered to house three.

SIU was referred to as the second Jewel in the Crown of Higher Education for the state of Illinois, with the University of Illinois being the first.

Southern is renowned for it’s’ extremely highly rated academic programs and is a Carnegie II Institution.

 The abysmal condition of the lack of a Sate Budget for the Great State of Illinois…the home of Abraham Lincoln…is the primary cause of the precipitous decline of opportunity for all of the State’s residents.

I walked the Campus the day that the lay-off notices were distributed.  You could have heard a pin drop!  The silence was deafening.

I think that the Chancellor and President agonized about their choices…I have been impressed regarding the access that they have given me…and I think that they really listened.

Delyte wept..and so did Dorthy…

Although President Trump promises that Coal is going to make a comeback…it is not…that would be a fake promise.

Southern Illinois University is the Promise and the Hope and the Dream of…Southern Illinois.  Little Egypt has no other card to play…if we fold on the University…we fold on our economic life.

In Church Service, this morning, Pastor Janice mentioned that often the most segregated hour of the week, is the 9:00 am Sunday morning church service.

Last evening, in London, another horrific terrorist attack took place on London Bridge and Borough Market.

All to often we are disconnected from the cradle to the grave from those who look different from us, come from different life and family traditions, and who worship in another manner than we do.

We go about our lives neither considering or caring what others are doing…or how they are doing…unless they are members of our tribe.

Large groups of ethnicities and under privileged economic strata, live in the midst of the United States and yet are not integrated into the common society and economy, that the majority reaps the benefits of.

It is thought that this condition may be even more pronounced in Europe, with large minority communities living in an insular fashion from the normal life of the majority society.

How can we understand each other…if we do not talk to each other?

How can we talk to each other if we do not worship together…and yes I mean not only Christians with Christians…but Christians worshiping with those of other faiths and learning of their sincerity in discovering God?

My life’s journey has taken me along a path that has increasingly made me more accepting of all people.

Over my thirty-two years career at Southern Illinois University I continually discovered that; ethnicities, colors, religions. And cultures that were different from mine…were fascinating and that the people from them were just like me…a fellow member of the Human Family.

Close Mindedness and prejudice is taught.  It is not genetic.  To feel that the color of your skin or your faith or the lack thereof…sets you apart and makes you special…is elitism and is the root of the problem of our time.

The more that I have been accepted by people from another faith or lineage or skin color…the richer my life has become.  And yes this includes many dear friends from the Gay and Lesbian Community.

I am always honored and deeply humbled when members of a community other than mine…accept me and allow me in.

I pray that we will all seek to understand each other and accept each other…as the multi-colored…multi-faith…multi-cultured…family of Humanity…and thus…of God.

This past weekend Mary Jane and I had the profound pleasure of meeting the incomparable artist, Peter Max.

I grew up in the 1960s surrounded by the art of Peter Max.  His art was on notebooks, buttons, magazine covers, and innumerable other items.

‘In 1938, Max’s parents fled Berlin, Germany, his place of birth, to escape the fomenting Nazi movement, settling in Shanghai, China, where they lived for the next ten years.  In 1948, the family moved to Haifa, Israel where they lived for several years.  From Israel, the family continued moving westward and stopped in Paris for several months, an experience that Max said greatly influenced his appreciation for art,’ according to Wikipedia.

“Max appeared on the Tonight Show on August 15, 1968.  He was featured on the cover of Life magazine’s September 5, 1969, edition under the heading. ‘Peter Max: Portrait of the artist as a very rich man,” according to Wikipedia.

Jimi Hendrix slept on PeterMax’s couch.

Andy Warhol and Peter Max were contemporaries and friends.

Peter Max invited Satchidananda Saraswati to New York for a short visit, that resulted in a permanent residence for Saraswati and the genisis that brought Yoga to the United States.

Peter Max has been the official artist for; 1994 World Cup, the Grammy Awards, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Super Bowl.

In the 1980s Peter Max was instrumental in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty.

‘Peter Max created 356 portrait paintings of the firefighters who perished in the September 11 terorrist attacks.  Each painting was presented to the surviving families of the firefighters at a ceremony at Madison Square Garden,’ according to Parkwestgallery.com.

We first saw Mr. Max Saturday evening, setting in the lounge of the Hotel that the Art Show was being held.  He appeared to be enjoying the live jazz music that was being performed…and was tapping is fingers on the table to the rhythmic jazz tempo.

The next morning Peter Max greeted the assembled group of one hundred and fifty people, as we gave him a lengthy standing ovation…he seemed so happy in the moment…and continued to blow kisses to us.

He signed a complimentary book, about his life, for each of us…and we had our photo taken with him.

Peter Max emanated a peaceful spirit of tranquility and love…and the humility of greatness.

This past weekend Mary Jane and I were privileged to meet Mr. Dominic Pangborn at an Art show, that was presented by Park West Gallery.

I had heard of Mr. Pangborn’s artistic abilities for many years and had seen his works on more than one cruise that we had taken, but,’ to meet him is to love him,’ as Mary Jane told me Saturday.

Mr. Pangborn was born during the Korean War.  He spoke of the devastation left in the aftermath of the conflict.  As I was listening to him speak on Saturday evening, I noticed his humility in describing where he had come from, and the success that he had achieved.

Mr. Pangborn recounted his life, as a child in Korea after the war, where there was no paper to write or draw upon…and indeed not paper for rest room functions.  He spoke about how he learned to live in the woods and gather food and leaves for his bodily needs.

The Artist spoke regarding his mother asking him if he would like to go to America and his ready response that he would…but then she told him that he would have to go alone.

When Mr. Pangborn arrived he found that he had been adopted by a family that already had ten children…and yet it was much nicer than what he had left in Korea.

This Artist is inspirational…like no other that I have ever met!

Mr. Pangborn’s refusal to take no for an answer and his perseverance to become a renowned graphics artist, including a creator of purses and shoes and ties, and a plethora of other commercial enterprises…is mega-positive inspiration.

Mr. Pangborn’s Art is beautiful and compelling.  He spoke of his dedication to his church and his support for various charities and his paying for three of his Korean siblings to be educated….And he inspired me…an almost sixty year old…who does not inspire easily!

The paintings of the poppies represent Mr. Pangborn’s grandfather simply showing him one poppy that had bloomed in his yard one morning.  Dominic knew that this poppy was extremely important to his grandfather, who he loved very much, and he thus has made the poppy a recurring theme in his works of art.

I do not recall meeting a person who has moved me more than Dominic Pangborn!

Please enjoy this wonderful writing from my friend Ritu.

‘Stephen Jones, a homeless man who was outside the Manchester Arena when Monday’s deadly attack took place, is being hailed as a hero after he helped the wounded as they fled the scene,’ according to CNN.

‘We are human, we still have a heart, we still have the instinct to help people out that need help and that’s what we are doing.  And obviously when we are seeing children like that, with blood and , pulling nails out of their arms and stuff, and there were a couple in a girl’s face,’ Jones said.

So, we see the magnificent triumph of the human spirit in Mr. Jones as he rushed to the aid of the suffering children coming out of the Manchester Stadium.

I have heard it said that many of the young people that turn to terrorism come from poor living conditions…and disenfranchised lives.  Also, that many perpetrators of terrorist acts…are not overtly religious until shortly before they commit to the heinous deed.

Homelessness…want…pain…suffering…having the door of opportunity slammed in your face…affects different people in different ways.

If we do not begin to exam the root of what causes people who were not especially religious…to adopt a deadly cause of killing the innocent…and consequently call it religion, we will never begin to solve this increasingly deadly plague on our world.

To blame the Cancer of Terrorism on the ancient religion of Islam is ignorance.

To begin to exam our Society’s Structures…where some are treated well,  while others are shunted aside and forgotten…would be a worthy beginning for unraveling the problem.

How often do we walk around the homeless, or avert our eyes, and assure ourselves that their must be a good reason why the person is in the shape that they are in.

We praise the CEO and place the mantel of wisdom on the Billionaire.  Certainly they must be wise and benevolent and good…after all they are a Billionaire!

We elected a Billionaire a few months ago in the United States.  The people that elected him are often some of the poorer in our Country.  The President, when he was campaigning, promised that he would help his supporters and lift them up and give them jobs.

The President’s Budget, ‘cuts deeply into medicaid and anti-poverty efforts,’ according to the New York Times.

Mary Jane and I deliver Meals On Wheels each month.  The Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, responded to a question by a reporter as to why Meals On Wheels is being cut, ‘that it had not delivered the results that it was supposed to.’

The author Hannah Arendt wrote, ‘Eichmann in Jerusalem A Report on the Banality of Evil.’  Arendt said, ‘The essence of totalitarian government, and perhaps the nature of every bureaucracy, is to make functionaries and mere cogs in the administrative machinery out of men, and thus to dehumanize them.’

Ms. Arendt, in describing Adolf Eichman said, ‘What he said was always the same, expressed in the same words.  The longer one listened to him, the more obvious it became that his inability to speak was closely connected to an inability to think, namely, to think from the standpoint of somebody else.  No communication was possible with him, not because he lied but because he was surrounded by the most reliable of all safeguards against the words and the presence of others, and hence against reality as such.’

Arendt refers to the alternate facts of the Nazis, as ‘holes of oblivion.’  She states, ‘The holes of oblivion do not exist.  Nothing human is that perfect, and there are simply too many people in the world to make oblivion possible.  One man will always be left alive to tell the story.’

Last evening…the unthinkable happened when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb in the midst of Manchester, England’s Stadium…among many children attending a Ariana Grande Concert.  Twenty-two people are reported dead and 60 injured.

Although I have not been to Manchester, I have traveled throughout the United Kingdom.  The British are lovely, kind, and compassionate people.

Each time one of these heinous acts occur…we immediately search of a reason or a rationale or a motive for such utterly senseless slaughter.  The clear truth is that there is no logical rationale for this totally heartbreaking…evil…act.

Once again…Evil has slipped in to the midst of the Human Family…looking nondescript and mundane and not worthy of attention…and wrought destruction.

All people of good will must seek to unite and communicate and help each other…now more than ever.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1   KJV