I’m Trying to Be Nice

I made a mistake yesterday, but I believe in a way it was a good one. It allows me to express my feelings to make it completely and entirely and crystal clear and to put everyone on notice that from this point forward I will speak my mind and not be swayed by any of the circus animals. I tend to be obtuse. I see threads of thought where others see black and white. I am a student of history. I tend to remember things from the past that reoccur today. Example: a Candidate for president espoused rescinding the medals from the military men that participated in the Wounded Knee operation. Knowing about that operation (which consisted of mostly unarmed women and children), I can see the candidates' points. However, that took place in 1873 in case one does not have their calculator handy that 146 years ago.  What’s the F’n Point. Now my brain gets activated WHY would some supposed intelligent person propose that. In a word POLITICS, which my operational definition is a lion and a tiger arguing over who bites harder and will hurt you less. When each of them will kill you, eat you, and leave you graveyard dead if left unchecked. 

The check is the literal Constitution of the United States. I have no idea as to why would a group of men would willingly limit their power.  Oh, don’t get me wrong they F’d up as well as Dred Scott, and the Fugitive slave act was done on their watch as well.  Let’s pick a couple.   NO, not the second, even though I am a fan of that one. Let’s try the 1^st and the 4^th Speech and illegal search and seizure.  For the 1^st pick any college campus that is in the University of California system.  How saying this simple phrase will possibly get one the possibility of getting their azz whupped that phrase I'm thinking of is one I heard in church a while ago and never forgot " I BELIEVE IN ADAM AND EVE NOT ADAM AND STEVE" I don't give a rats ass what Adam and Steve do. If I own an apartment complex as long as A&S pays the rent and respect the other people in the complex I don't care. That doesn't mean I approve,  reserve my approval for what I accept. That young couple in the same apartment complex that is living together doing whatever with her in the family condition and unmarried. .It's their right I don't have to like it, as its Adam & Steve's right.  Now for the 4^th Illegal search and seizure where. Do I begin ok let's talk about the florist that is traveling to South America for some rare tropical flowers carrying cash, let's say over 9,999 dollars in cash — having that money seized and called drug money without due process of law?  Consider the cleaning business that makes cash deposits of the same amounts to the bank because hanging on to that much cash is dangerous (every day). Theirs are sized as well also without due process.  

I’m trying to be nice. I have friends that have been friends for over 40 years.  I have one I’ve known for 45 years that I go to when I don’t know what I’m doing and need advice.  (yea you Kansas boy) The other friends have opinions that I respect don’t agree all the time, but respect. I played Trombone when I was 13 years old when I found out my grandson picked the Trombone. I was a Proud PAPI and sent my grandson a pic of me with my Trombone from 1969. I reached out to another might I say "excellent" trombone musician that who's family were instrumental in me making the transition from South Central Los Angeles to retiring from the USAF, now about to retire from civil service. That's like 39 years working for the government (Dayum, just Dayum). The Excellent trombone musician and I don't agree on everything, and we don't have to. I loved his parents, and I love him and his family, that's enough.

Now for me the trying to be nice.  Yesterday I sent something out that I would never have if I would have read it thoroughly. Not the quote, but the opinion of the person that sent it. (MY BAD) I was accosted by three friends that had a differing idea of the sentiments of the person that sent it. With the intent of either convincing me of the error of my ways at best or berating me at worst, I have love and respect for all three persons.  Remember the part where I spoke of Politics earlier with the Lion and Tiger.  I don't dance. It was suggested that I start caring for the sake of my grandkids. Other than that, personal foul, it did hurt coming from a former colleague, I was in no way going to do that. Because a few years ago, I adopted an ancient philosophy that philosophy was Stoicism, having read the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, which was a journal to himself that has been passed down through the ages. It spoke to me and changed my life. Things outside of my control have no power over the essence of me, and I do not participate in activities that cause me to invest negative emotions into stuff like Politics.  My time will be spent teaching my kids and grandkids (the ones that will listen) the values of giving and receiving respect, the avoidance of debt, and how to emotionally and physically defend one’s self. On that last part defending one's self, I have associated with several military men in the combat arms world.

In my experience, the kindest and nicest men have been folks at the sharp end of the spear. It was a couple of force recon marines and a retired seal from the Viet Nam era. Seriously a brown water navy sailor I met both of them coaching little league football as I coached their sons. The latter I had no idea until I met him in the Wal mart in Alamogordo where he told me he was a Seal in Vietnam as a student of history I knew about his unit's actions and was moved to tears, shook his hand and said it is beautiful to know you and your son. Excuse my digression now back to the issue of teaching my grandkids. These men are kind because they know what unkindness is like they are confident because they know what fear because of their experience. They are grateful because they survived it all.  I want to assist in instilling those virtues to my children and grandchildren so they can be productive, not parasites.  I do this for selfish reasons I know the pain of that call from a kid that is hurting and wishing for that pain to fall on me because I know I can take it. 

For the people who identify as lions or tigers, I state. If your meaning is to scold me for my opinion after my apology, as I was wrong to use that offering in the form in which it was presented, I will assume it is not accepted. Those individuals will have the opportunity to influence me any longer.  If it was to convince me to pick the lion and tiger camp, feel free to present a compelling argument for stated belief, and I will consider it. Consider it; I will change my mind probably not.  I was supposed to write something else.  A continuation of a story about a sociopath that uses the political climate to kill (always in self-defense). An article about a discussion at a recent funeral where another good friend stated an opinion that they believed so strongly that they refused even to hear my reason for my decision.  It would have been cool if it wasn't a member of my old church family and former mentor. And finally, an analysis of my recent Hard Drive upgrade to the M.2 format and the speed increase that I have been enjoying. I do give a measure of thanks to my three friends. That gave me the impetus to get my fingers on slamming the keyboard once again.