Remembering Friends
I posted, on Facebook, a couple of photos of Plant and Service Operations…where I spent 32 year and 2 months and 3 weeks…or my total career at Southern Illinois University.
Not that I was counting.
I was overwhelmed with the people that liked the posting and a couple who commented. My friend, Michelle, who is the SIU Alumni Association Executive Director, wrote a comment that, ‘It was a pleasure to know and have worked with you’, and it just made my day!
I was honored that Michelle remembered me and pleased that she had a favorable impression of me…as I had of her.
I was, highly impressed with her ability and I hoped that she would advance in the University System…and I am so pleased that she has.
How nice of her to take the time to say a kind word to an old and retired acquaintance and to lift my spirits and cause me to reflect on some lovely conversations that we had during the days that Building Services assumed the custodial duties of the, sports venue for SIUC, the Arena.
And, then, my old boss, Brent, and my friend of many years wrote a, very, kind comment to me, ‘My only regret is that we did’t meet until 15 years into our 32 year tenure. You were a great example to so many employee! It was a pleasure and an honor to work with you!’
Now, Brent, was one of the nicest people that I ever reported to. I regularly met with him once or more times per day…and he never seemed to not have time for me. He was so gracious, as a member of his staff, that I felt like he was my colleague.
Brent had some of the best people skills that I had ever witnessed…and I am honored to call him my friend.
I noticed…with some amusement…that once I announced that I was retiring at the conclusion of 2010…and my replacement was named two months prior to my final day…that many seemed to not be so interested in interacting with me…or to seek my opinion.
I suspected that this would be the case…but it was a little disappointing.
However, I could see, in the eyes, of those who came to my retirement reception and the weeks prior to it….that they were going to miss me…and I knew that I would miss them…desperately.
I was so honored when my friend, Winton, wanted to be my Facebook friend. He and I continue to communicate…through that venue…and I value his opinion, very much.
My friend, Steven, recently became my Facebook friend…and I was honored.
And, then, of course, there is Jamie and Chris and Tish…and I think of them regularly.
I hear from Bill V….and I am always delighted!
My friends, Ryan and Elizabeth, stay in touch with me on a regular basis…and it is an elixir to my retirement years.
And there is dear Cyndy, who has so much ability, and at times, is under-appreciated, and she has such a beautiful and open heart!
During my years of service to SIUC…I was so involved with the needs of my staff…that when I retired…I felt that I had let them down.
I remember, Casey, and how I worried about her success…and the evening that I got her an Oreck vacuum…and her surprise and delight…and she hugged me in the joy of the moment.
Jonathon told me that, recently, he had been talking with, AntonyF., and Anthony had told him that his laugh reminded him of someone else, me, that laughed that way. I remember what a gentleman that Anthony was and how I enjoyed our conversations.
And, then, there is my old friend, Brad Dillard, who I admire. Brad is a director that cares for his employees and works, tirelessly, to make them all feel an, integral, part of the organization. During Brad’s, short tenure as director, he has inherited significant budgetary challenges and yet he meets them with care and concern and a focus on his staff.
I often, examine, if I understand how much, ancillary, influence that I have on others lives?
How often does a kind word of remembrance or reflection…lift the spirits of another…and we do not, fully, realize the affect that we have on our fellow human family members…as we travel this winding and circuitous road of life?
A Balanced Life
One reality that I have learned, since I turned 60, life goes quickly.
I retired at the conclusion of 2010, nearly eight years ago, and it seems like yesterday.
I was reading my friend, Margo’s, blog and was reminded of the beauty and mystery of London.
During our trip to the United Kingdom, in 2016, we had the opportunity to visit London as well as several cities in the U.K.
In the blog entitled, A Bit About Britain, I was transported to Oxford, England, where we spent a couple of days and where I felt that I had been there before?
The history of Oxford and the spirits of the past…are compelling and it is a location that I could spend a year in…at least.
When I was working at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, I was so thankful for the opportunities that were afforded me…that I could not spend enough time there. I regularly worked ten and twelve hour days and weekends and holidays…and on many occasions I was there for a full twenty-four hours.
You may take note…even now…many of my writings are about or include SIUC.
But, I longed for a more balanced life.
Simply put, life is much more than working for a living.
Family is the most lovely ingredient in a balanced life. Nothing has ever been more important to me than my wife and my two sons and their happiness and fulfillment and joy.
Faith, has always been an integral part of my life and purpose. Faith is something to be lived…daily…not talked about incessantly.
Travel has been important to me since I was a teenager. Former president Nixon advised parents to take their children on as many travel adventures that they could possibly afford…as there was no better education and enrichment for young people than experiencing new places and people and customs and traditions.
The Arts are vital. Literature and reading and theatre and painting…are the expressions of life!
We are all human and endemic with that reality is the overall health of both our minds and our bodies.
Over my retirement years I have noticed the health issues that I have that are consistent with my obsession for excellence at SIU…and my constant concern as to the university’s welfare.
All of us need and require sleep. If you are not getting enough…you are doing damage to your mental and physical faculties. Adults require eight to ten hours per day in order to function at their maximum potential.
All of us need quiet time…as our kindergarten teacher understood…so many years ago.
All of us need love and appreciation for our efforts…we all want to know that we matter to somebody.
All of us desire to be understood and appreciated for our uniqueness.
All of us want to participate in the betterment of something that is bigger than ourselves.
It pays to step back and contemplate…and consider…from time to time.
We want to be able to have it all and do it all and be the ‘all in all’ that our family and employer and friends and organization and society…tells us that we should be.
Often…to do it all and to be everything to everyone is debilitating and mentally and emotionally exhausting…and is a prescription for disaster.
We can do it all…over the years…but not…all at once.
Warning
‘In mid-September 1930, the reports of Germany’s elections were pouring in, the big news item was the gains made by the Nazi Party. The group that had received so much press recently had acquired 6.4 million German votes. This allowed the Nazis to increase their number of seats in the German Parliament from 12 to 107 leaving them second only to the Socialist, who had 143 seats.’
‘With nearly a 900% increase in parliamentary power, the headlines in Britain were ‘Sweeping Fascist Success.’
‘Early in the next month, Hitler gave an interview with The Times n which he explained that the Nazi Party had made itself, ‘the second strongest party in the Reich.’ Hitler assured the interviewer that, ‘We will conquer political power by strictly legal means.’
‘Churchill was following the news coming from Germany in detail and remained unconvinced. On October 19,1930, he met with Price Bismarck at the German Embassy to discuss current events. When the topic of Hitler and the Nazi Party arose, Churchill acknowledged Hitler’s declarations that he had not intention of waging a war of aggression, however, as the Prince noted, Churchill ‘was convinced that Hitler or his followers would seize the first available opportunity to resort to armed force.’ Historian On The Warpath
Bob Woodward has written a new book about the Trump Whitehouse entitled, ‘Fear’, that is to be released September 11. Mr. Woodward is a highly respected journalist and author and is of world wide fame for he and his colleague, Carl Bernstein, Washington Post articles regarding the Watergate scandal that resulted in the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Excerpts from the up-coming Woodward book are critical of the President.
‘Mr. Woodward used several defense-related meetings to illustrate the president’s problem grasping his own administrations policy, including a July 2017 gathering at the Pentagon between Mr. Trump, military brass and members of his cabinet.’
‘When are we going to start wining some wars?’ Mr. Trump groused as those around him tried to clarify the purpose of the war in Afghanistan. ‘We’ve got these charts. When are we going to win some wars? Why are you jamming this down my throat?’
‘Mr. Trump attacked the generals and cabinet members in the room, leaving Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson exasperated. He’s a ‘moron, Mr. Tillerson reportedly said once Mr. Trump had left, using an expletive.’
‘At a January meeting of the National Security Council, Mr. Trump asked why the United States was spending so much on the Korean Peninsula.’
‘Defense Secretary Jim Mattis replied that the administration was trying to prevent World War III. After Mr. Trump left the room, Mr. Woodward wrote, Mr. Mattis told people that Mr. Trump understood the topic like a ‘fifth or sixth grader.’ The New York Times
It goes without saying that the people who are quoted…are Republicans…and they accepted a position in the Trump administration….as a role of service to our nation.
Today a New York Times article entitled, ‘I am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration’, was written by a high level Trump staffer.
An excerpt from the article says, ‘To be clear, ours is not the popular ‘resistance’ of the left. We want the administration to succeed and think that many of its policies have already made America safer and more prosperous.’
‘But we believe our first duty is to this country, and the president continues to act in a manner that is detrimental to the health of our republic.’
‘That is why Trump appointees have vowed to do what we can to preserve our democratic institutions while thwarting Mr. Trump’s more misguided impulses until he is out of office.’
‘The root of the problem is the president’s amorality. Anyone who works with him knows he is not moored to any discernible first principles that guide his decision making.’
‘Although he was elected as a Republican, the president shows little affinity for ideals long espoused by conservatives: free minds, free markets, free people. At best, he has invoked these ideals in scripted settings. At worst, he has attacked them outright.’
‘In addition to his mass-marketing of the notion that the press is the ‘enemy of the people,’ President Trump’s impulses are generally anti-trade and anti-democratic.’ New York Times
So, we have been warned.
Perhaps…the making fun of and belittling of a disabled person…was not enough?
Perhaps…the, almost 20 accusations of sexual harassment and sexual assault….were not enough?
Perhaps…the recorded assertions of candidate Trump…that due to his being a star he could…sexually assault women….was not enough?
Perhaps…the president’s assertion that there were good neo-nazis, in Charlottesville,…were not enough?
Now we have warnings from both Mr. Woodward’s book, Fear, and, frightening, warnings from a high level…and Republican…staffer of the president.
Do you really accept that everyone that criticizes the current president…is fake news?
Do you accept that when a Republican takes issue with the president…that they are lying and a promulgating of falsehoods and fake news?
Our president asserts that the anonymous author of the New York Times Op Ed piece…is a TRAITOR…according to his tweet.
Do your…really…want to live in a country that to criticize the head of the executive branch of the government…who was elected by the people…is termed a ‘TRAITOR’…by that elected leader who is one of three equal branches of the United States government?
Mentoring
Jonathon told me, today, that he had received an invitation to become a Saluki Mentor.
‘ The Saluki Mentor Network is an online platform designed to connect students with faculty and staff as well as SIU alumni for academic and career mentorship. Powered by Wisr, the Saluki Mentor Network creates opportunities for students to identify a mentor or become a member of a mentor community.’ SIU Career Development Center
‘Why is having a mentor important? A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor. As students navigate the college experience and begin to think about entering the world of work, they need just that. Research shows that students are much more successful, both during and after college, when they have a mentor.’ SIU Career Development Center
Now is the time to become a mentor and a friend to an SIUC student.
Indeed…our enrollment is down…but it is much better than the original forecast that I read.
The habit of being a casual observer and a quiet fan of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale…has long past.
We must become actively immersed in the paramount project of our lives and the success of our region…the academic success and the social success and the overall wellbeing of our most valuable citizens…our students!
There is no endeavor that is more vital than for each member of the SIUC community…and each member of the Carbondale community…and for each member of the Southern Illinois community…to make it their mission and to adopt a student and cause them to feel appreciated and welcome and an integral member of a vibrant and exciting community of scholars and friends.
A fulfilling manner of life at Southern is to, ‘Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt and dance like no one is watching.’ Teach Me Life
So many times, when I felt compelled to advocate for those who had no voice, I ‘spoke truth to power’ and I was desperately afraid and I lost sleep and I was certain that I would never reach retirement.
But I spoke.
And, never for myself.
I wanted our university to succeed.
We are on the right track…we are not going to succumb to the our own negative feelings and the broken dreams of others.
We are going to break out of our comfortable shell…and reach out to others…and finally decide that our university is not about us individually…but our community!
Waiting
Do you enjoy waiting?
Southern Illinois University will announce its fall semester enrollment numbers, Tuesday.
At the height of enrollment glory…SIU had almost 25,000 students enrolled on the Carbondale campus.
I believe that last year there was under 16,000…and there is a forecast for another reduction.
The picture, on the ground, is that we have an innovative chancellor who has worked to turn the mighty ship of SIUC…around.
So, indeed, we should not loose heart…but we have to increase our enrollment numbers.
Much of the failure to increase our university’s numbers is due to several occurrences which include, no state budget for nearly two years and a lack of focus by university leadership and a repeated changing of the chancellor…when things did not go as expected.
I spoke with my friend, Julie, who told me that she had worked for eleven chancellors.
Chancellor Montemagno deserves our support and our full immersion in the vital project of recruiting and retaining our most precious university community citizens…our students.
President Trump is waiting for the Muller report to conclude and to read the findings of the almost two year endeavor.
Those who believe that wrong doing will be revealed and are offended and frightened by our president’s rhetoric and his policies…are waiting for the mid-term election in November and the release of the Muller report.
We wait for our children to grow up…and it happens in the blink of an eye.
We wait to retire…and we are shocked how quickly…that hoped for day…arrives.
Jews and Christians…alike…await the return of the Messiah. But, will his rule and his law and his outlook on humanity…be what they expected?
When we are children…we look forward to being adults.
When we are adults…we look forward to being of value to our employer and to making a difference.
Our children grow-up….and we struggle to discover how we are still relevant to their lives and to our society.
We retire…and we say…what now?
Retirement is the time to fulfill the quote, ‘ I Am Who I Am Your Approval Isn’t Needed.’
Lunch With Friends
I enjoyed lunch yesterday with my, very, good friends, Ryan and Elizabeth, and I wondered why I had waited..so long to enjoy their company.
I had the pleasure of working alongside both of my friends, prior to my retirement.
What lovely and hard working people they are!
I had the opportunity to meet their three sons, and I am not referring to the ‘oldies’ television show that I watched in its first run when I was a boy, but three of the most polite and well mannered young men that it has been my privilege to meet…in many years.
Have you ever known people that were simply the salt of the earth and backbone of any organization? You have if you have met, Ryan and Elizabeth.
When I retired, almost eight years ago, and I was certain that I did not want a retirement reception…but rather to exit as I had entered…with no one aware of me or who I was. My Director, Phil, told me that Elizabeth would not hear of me not having a reception and that she would be extremely disappointed if I did not submit!
I submitted.
As the years go by…I am glad that I did submit, as I walk through the Student Center several times per week and look at the Old Main Lounge, where my reception was held, and I always smile and reflect on the gracious people that took time out of the busy day…to bid me farewell.
Every-time that I speak with Ryan, I am struck with how considerate and thoughtful and wise that he is. He is a quiet and unassuming person that thinks about what he says and, when you listen, every word is true.
As we reflected on the, now long past, of when I worked with them, I thought what an honor it is to have these two wonderful people…desire to have lunch with me…and I was humbled.
As we spoke I reflected on the past and my management style, of which I received my share of criticism, was to put people first…and excellent work will follow, I believed that if my wonderful staff felt that I cared about them that they would feel comfortable in producing an innovative and exciting and pristine work product that would resound to the entire university’s benefit.
I used to examine my management style and priorities…at least on an annual basis. I would disclose to my wife some of the criticisms that I was receiving…and she told me that your management philosophy has worked for you for many years and do not change it now.
I never believed that the strong manager was the manager that blustered and criticized their staff for show and drama and to enhance their own image.
A great manager is behind the scenes and quick to give others the credit and a leader who no one knows, but the person that is being counseled, that constructive criticism was affected in order to enhance the professionalism and career of a vital colleague.
Many, when they knew of my retirement, told me that they were certain that the university would be seeking my opinion and my consulate, when I knew the truth…that they did not realize…and that was that the Building Services staff were my primary priority for over 32 years…and they are who I think about up unto and including this minute.
Priorities
Through out our lives and in all endeavors…we have to prioritize our focus.
When I became a married man I knew from the moment that Mary Jane placed her little hand in mine and we turned around to face the attendees at our wedding…that I was going to have to begin…immediately…thinking about my wife’s needs and wants and dreams and our collaboration together.
When Aaron was born and I carried him into our little four room house in Elkville, Illinois…I knew that, now, my level of responsibility and love and concern and vision for the future…had increased by one.
When Jonathon was born and soon ran through the house and put Aaron’s toy truck in the toilet and flushed and then announced, joyfully, what he had done…I realized that my family of four and their individual needs and concerns were to be my concerns and my vision for our future.
When I began working at SIUC I, rapidly, understood how important the Building Services department was to the, global, betterment of the campus and the vital and integral needs of the recruitment and retention of our students.
I soon realized that there were many, essential, functions that our professional housekeeping team provided…that if we did not…not only would health and welfare suffer, but students and their parents would not choose SIUC and if they did…they would not stay.
I pointed out to chancellors and presidents, alike, that the reduction of our staff would cause rest rooms to be unsanitary and with no paper goods.
Classrooms would have Daily Egyptians and hamburger wrappers and used coffee cups…that would have to be kicked out of the doorways and dirty chalk boards with no chalk to write with.
Many of the tile floors at SIU are old tile made of asbestos. If these tile floors are not maintained properly and our not coated with wax on a regular basis…the asbestos will become friable and a present health danger to the university community.
Many of the student workers that work in Building Services, are living so close to the margins, that to loose their job is to loose their ability to attend SIUC.
I am pleased to see such good leadership of PSO…now…because I have lived through long periods of time where custodial staff were told that they were non-essential.
I would liken this to the man who painted his living room…while his kitchen…was on fire.
Now, keep in mind…the issues that I am referring to…were many years ago….I have been retired for nearly 8 years.
But, one thing that was extremely evident to me was that the precious staff of Building Services is some of the most dedicated people that the university has…and their ideas and their thoughts and their solutions to problems…is critical to the success of this crucial and indispensable service for our beloved alma mater.
The Insidious Banality of Racism
I had the pleasure of viewing the new Spike Lee Film, ‘Blackkklansman’, earlier today.
The movie is based upon the true story of Ron Stallworth, who was the first African American to be hired by the Colorado Springs police department in the late 1970’s.
Mr. Stallworth told his story in his memoir, ‘Black Klansman’, and his book is the basis for the movie.
After first being assigned to the Records Room where he experiences the request of, white officers, asking him to retrieve the records of various, black, suspects…which they refer to as ‘Toads.’
When he informs the officer that he does not have, ‘any toads in the files…just humans’, the, bigoted white officer, thanks him by addressing him as, ‘officer Toad’.
Mr. Stallworth is soon transferred to the undercover detective division. As he sits at his desk one day, reading the paper, he notices an advertisement recruiting membership into the Ku Klux Klan. He picks up his telephone and immediately is speaking with the ‘wizard’ of the local KKK…and he wants to meet him.
The in person meeting is facilitated by a jewish member of the detectives being the face of Mr. Stallworth.
The films depiction of the insidiousness of bigotry and the banality of its execution…that was accepted as normal and relished in and encouraged by the white majority population….was frightening and gripping.
David Duke, who was the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, at the time, was depicted in the film and had many conversations with Mr Stallworth, on the telephone and subsequently met, Phillip Zimmerman, the white officer depicting the Black Klansman…in Colorado Springs…for his induction into the KKK.
Blackkklalsman, illustrates the bigotry that the KKK has against Jews through the continual questioning of the Jewish officer, portrayed by, Adam Driver, by one klansman, in particular, as to his heritage.
Toward the conclusion of the movie David Duke is shown in news footage of late…extolling his support for President Trump.
On August 12, 2017, ‘A Unite the Right’, rally in Charlottesville turned deadly when a 20-year-old Ohio Man allegedly accelerated his car into a crowd of counter-protestors, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and leaving 19 others injured, five critically.
Neo Nazis carrying lit tiki torches…and swastikas on banners…marched through the streets of Charlotesville proclaiming, ‘Jews will not replace us’.
‘You also had some very fine people on both sides, Trump said, when referring to the neo-Nazis and white nationalists at Charlottesville. ‘He also said said that the counter-protestors deserve an equal amount of blame for the violence.’ The Atlantic
I grew up with the insidious banality of racism surrounding me. African Americans were described with the ‘N’ word and their children were called ‘pickaninnies’. Someone close to me, in an attempt to be magnanimous to African Americans said, ‘you know…they did not ask to be born black.’
I thought the insidious racism that I heard, while growing up, was senseless and based in learned prejudice.
When I arrived at Southern Illinois University…my first foreman…was African American. He gave me my start at the university…he treated me like a son…he was my mentor and my friend.
Forty years ago…when I began in Building Services at SIU…it was a white mans club.
There were few African Americans or women working for the organization…and almost none in positions of authority.
I was able to hire many African Americans and women and promote them to positions of authority and recommended the African American woman that replaced me as Superintendent.
The first major that I became a member of at SIU was do to an African American chair of the department being so nice to me and making me feel welcome and allaying my fears of having never taken a college course before and being a member of a family…where no one attended university.
One of my greatest allies and friends…and the first person that I promoted to foreman when I became Superintendent was, Jewel, and she was an African American and I was honored that she wanted to work with me.
I was advised, when I promoted or hired women or African Americans…that I could get around those hires and obtain the white male candidate. My response was that it was my duty to hire the most qualified.
One of my best friends, Jeff, is Jewish.
One of my favorite chancellors, Sam, is Jewish.
Jo Ann, was my dear friend for many years and she was the first woman chancellor of SIUC.
Alfie, is a African American Muslim, that worked in my office as a student worker. I was able to assist him with a job and a reentry to the university…and his mom hugs me every-time she sees me…and I tell, Alfie, that, ‘he is my son but he just will not call me daddy!’
The last time that I said that to Alfie, he responded, ‘that he would call me daddy!’
Racism is stupid and it is cruel and it is a learned behavior that is based ignorance…and I still have not done enough to combat it!
President Trump…just today…has said that there will be violence if the Republicans do not win in November.
Racism is deadly!
Stress or ‘Serenity Now!’
Have you ever felt stressed?
In todays hurry up and work harder society, you may answer…have I ever not felt stressed.
‘Life is short.’
‘Cut out negativity, forget gossip, say goodbye to people who don’t care. Spend time with the people who are always there.’ Simple Reminders.
‘What do you call a person who is happy on Monday? Retired.’ Sun Gazing
In our country there is so much emphasis placed upon succeeding in society and working longer hours and striving to climb on to the next rung of the ladder…that it is easy to miss the point of our existence.
There are some christian sects that equate money with God’s blessings. They believe that if you are wealthy and have great possessions that, you are not only in the special class of humanity that the Creator loves, but your capitalistic success, on Earth, will determine your place in heaven.
California Representative, Duncan Hunter, and his wife, Margaret, have received a 60 count indictment in San Diego, filed in federal court. The couple is accused of spending a quarter of a million dollars of campaign money to fund their extravagant lifestyles. The 43 page indictment included a 14 thousand dollar trip to Italy and golf shorts for Duncan, and hundreds of dollars at In and Out Burger and a ticket for their pet rabbit to fly on an airplane.
When asked on Fox News, Representative Hunter responded, ‘She, (referring to his wife) was also the campaign manager, so whatever she did that’ll be looked into, I’m sure.’
Another news article says that the Hunters were overdrawn in their personal bank account, over 38 thousand dollars.
Now, I do not know what possessed the Hunters to go astray financially…but I do know that money and the lack thereof…creates a tremendous stress in the home and family.
I told myself that I would purchase a new I-Phone each time that new one was issued or around two years.
The best model of the I-Phone that is currently for sale is $1,000.
I decided to make do with the $700.00 model that I have and own.
My brother, Bill, just purchased a flip phone…I may do the same…I liked the flip phone when I had it and considered it, somewhat, Star Trek, in design.
There is such an ethos in the United States that we must all make it on our own. We pass by the homeless and wonder why they are in their abject condition.
I saw a photo, on Facebook, where four people were experiencing a Gondola ride in the canals of Venice, Italy. This…for most of us…is a once in a lifetime experience!
All four of the people in the Gondola…were, intently, looking down at their I-Phones.
Another mass shooting has occurred in our nation…yesterday in Jacksonville, Florida. Our nation is ill…and we need a doctor…and we need a prescription…to return to our former health.
Sweden is promoting small glass structures where a person can rent one and enjoy laying in the bed, in the total glass house, and gazing up at the stars.
Have you taken time…to gaze at the stars…recently?
I hear , of, and observe wonderful members of my university, covering more and more job duties as their numbers diminish…and those that love excellence…experience stress.
Go to your local department store and see if you can find someone to help you. Go to your local Wal-Mart and see if you can find a person to check you out…without a long wait.
American businesses received a massive tax cut…and they sent the money to the bank…and the stockholders are ecstatic as the dividends rise…and the workers, often, need food stamps to supplement their income.
We humans require rest.
Work is nobel and a wonderful and necessary pursuit.
But…you can become burned out…and often you do not know it…until, as the robot used to say on the popular 1960’s science fiction show ‘Lost in Space’, ‘all systems fail.’
I remember waking up at a camp meeting in Topeka, Kansas…when I was just a lad. The air was cool coming through the, large, open shuttered windows. I was with my friends…including my buddy, Jim Dunmyer, and I could smell the coffee and the biscuits and the bacon cooking in the building that we had our meals in. I wanted to find out Gods will for my life…and I felt like I was in a good place to discover a piece of that road map.
I felt a peace that was palpable and a desire to have Gods approval and to have my life, somehow measure up to a greater purpose than myself.
A Peace of Mind
‘When I wake up from my bed in the morning
My saturate eyes open slowly and welcomes the morning sun
Then I feel warm and comfortable at peace of mind
The morning smell of the earth reminds me of my childhood
The wetness of flora brings me cool breeze.
I was born in this universe with peaceful nature around me
Then, I always felt that I was a star on my own brightness.
Learned, the love and kindness brings me a peace of mind.
Learned, the prayers for God brings me a peace of mind
Learned, the help for helpless brings me a peace of mind
Learned, the life of peace brings me a peace of mind
When my saturate eyes close slowly and welcomes the silent night
Then I fall sleep comfortably at peace of mind while praying God
to have another peaceful day.’
by Ravi Sathasivam
John McCain…A War Hero and a Statesman
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Horatio and Hamlet are reminiscing regarding Hamlet’s, recently, deceased father:
Hamlet – My father – methinks I see my father.
Horatio – Where my lord?
Hamlet – in my mind’s eye, Horatio.
Horatio – I saw him once. He was a goodly king.
Hamlet – He was a man. Take him for all in all.
Hamlet – I shall not look upon his like again.
‘McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958 and followed his father and grandfather-both four star admirals-into the U.S. Navy. He became a naval aviator and flew ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam War, he was almost killed in the 1967 USS Forrestal fire. While McCain was on a bombing mission during Operation Rolling Thunder over Hanoi in October 1967, he was shot down, seriously injured, and captured by the North Vietnamese. He was a prisoner of war until 1973. McCain experienced episodes of torture and refused an out-of-sequence early repatriation offer. The wounds that he sustained during the war left him with lifelong physical disabilities. He retired from the Navy as a captain in 1981 and moved to Arizona, where he entered politics. In 1982, McCain was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served two terms. He entered the U.S. Senate in 1987 and easily won reelection five times, the last time in 2016.’ Wikipedia
I came to a full appreciation of Senator McCain somewhat late in his career. Although, I was hoping that he would be the Republican candidate in 2000 and I admired his candor and the ‘Straight Talk Express.’
What captivated my attention, was the Senator’s ability to work across the aisle of the Senate.
His working with Senator Russ Feingold, a Democrat, to produce the landmark legislation, regulating the financing of political campaigns, commonly know as the McCain-Feingold Act.
When John McCain was running as the Republican candidate for President in 2008, he illustrated what it was to be a statesman and and a gentleman.
At a McCain campaign event, on October 10th, in Minnesota, the Senator took a question from a woman in the audience who said, ‘she had heard that Obama was an Arab.’
McCain responded, ‘I have to tell you. Senator Obama is a decent person and a person you don’t have to be scared of as president of the United States.’
‘McCain passed his wireless wireless microphone to one woman who said, ‘I can’t trust Obama. I have read about him and he’s not, he’s not uh—he’s an Arab. He’s not—‘ before McCain retook the microphone and replied;’
‘No ma’am. He’s a decent family man [and] he’s a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that’s what this campaign’s all about. He’s not [an Arab].’ Politico
Senator McCain was great friends with Ted Kennedy and Joe Liberman.
He wanted to place, Independent, Senator Joe Liberman on the Republican campaign ticket as his vice president. His political advisors assured him that they would never be able to sell the choice of Liberman to the Republican National Convention. I am not, at all certain, that they were right and he might have won if he had.
McCain’s final speech on the floor of the Senate called for a return to regular order and his warning that the Senate was getting nothing done!
Shortly after McCain’s final Senate speech he voted no on what was called the, ‘skinny repeal,’ of Obama Care. Now, I don’t think that McCain was fan of Obama care…but he was, vehemently, against either political party ramming through legislation, from the top down, without the appropriate hearings and public testimony and collaboration by both parties.
Senator McCain’s final speech was at the National Constitution Center, ‘To fear the world we have organized and led for three-quarters of a century, to abandon the ideals we have advanced around the globe, to refuse the obligations of international leadership and our duty to remain ‘the last best hope of earth’ for the sake of some half-baked, spurious nationalism cooked up by people who would rather find scapegoats than solve problems, is as unpatriotic as an attachment to any other tired dogma of the past that Americans consigned to the ash heap of history.’
Former presidents, Barrack Obama and George W. Bush, will eulogize the departed war hero and statesman at his funeral….at his request.
Note: All Photos are from Google.
