Giving Or Taking The Wrong Advice Can Cause Regretful Situations

I included the link to this article by Mason Jamal about some women giving the wrong advice to their friends.  I thought he was on target but even more so the readers with their remarks.  The truth can sting and as the preacher says, "stepping on some toes."  But a man has to wonder at times, as with some women, why are they involved in up and down, in and out, relationships.  Read the article and make your own opinion. 

Rest In Peace, Mr. Ardis!

Mr. Julian Heyward Ardis, 90, passed away on August 1, 2010 in Auburntown, Tenn. Born October 17, 1919, in Paxville, S.C., he was a son of the late John and Ellen Barwick Ardis. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict, and a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He was the father of my co-worker Susan Berry.  She and other co-workers traveled to Anderson, SC to attend my mother's services.  I will always appreciate that act of kindness.

Secure All Of The Borders!

Why Are You Complaining Now?

Let’s face it. I’ve defended Dubya in the past because I thought he was not totally responsible for a lot of mishaps the nation faced. I liked the man. You’re not going to please everyone all of the time, anyway. But we need to be realistic, while the economy was going down the pisser, Wall Street was stripping our pocket, and we were fighting wars, just to name a few. Frankly, we need to bring our military home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The money could be well spent here. But we’re protecting Pakistan & India, since they are nuclear while keeping a squinted eye on Iran. Yes, I’m speculating. I do know that the Russians didn’t beat the Afghans and we won’t either. Whatever the real reason we have so many troops over there protecting somebody’s interest, we should leave a small surgical force and withdraw the majority. During all this time we heard very little from the ultras and far right. It was fine as long as the middle-class, poor and underprivileged were kept out of the loop and the middle didn’t even know we were being screwed. The poor and underprivileged have been so used to unfairness that they have grown numb. Yet, the premise is black folks are on welfare and lazy. Now let’s understand that we had years of immigration problems on all of our borders but that was put under the table. Even “Maverick” & Lindsey" were working on a project to deal with all of these Hispanics crossing America’s borders. But when the elections came up that project was dropped and barely mentioned. You don’t think gaining any Hispanic voters had anything to do with it do you? Hell, we could have hit the businesses that were hiring these undocumented aliens but that would be too right. (Pun?) I suppose they were creating jobs; for undocumented aliens. Where were the voices and Fox then? Nevertheless, worlds of complaints are being directed towards this president for not handling these border problems fast enough. Yet, deportation of illegal immigrants increased under Obama’s watch. Hells bells, we had eight years to deal with it but the voices of discontent are concerned with what’s going on in 20 months. All I have heard is complaining, whining, and criticizing about what’s not being done and what is done is all so wrong. But I have yet to hear any remedies or solutions to approach the problem from either side. I’ve always been fair in assessing racial climates and situations because I did this in the military but it does seem that hate, not just disagreement is coming out of the woodwork. And don’t bother to approach me with the race card! Never in the history of these United States, did anyone expect a black man to become the President of the United States. All Black folks wanted were to be treated equally and fairly and have the same opportunities as any other race. Never in any of our ancestors lives were there thoughts that there would be blacks running for the highest office in this country esp., president. I know that some folks will use the race card as a smoke screen for distraction. And let’s not think that I’m sensitive. Get a life; nobody is trying to take anybody’s world away from them. But remember, while you look in one direction, your real enemy will come in when you least expect it. I wonder what would have been said if the Republicans had won the election. Remember, I’m a RINO, because I’m obviously not ultra enough, hence the name. I could resort to name calling, too, but what would that solve? I lived long enough to see powers that are on top, fall to bottom. I’m beginning to care less about either party. One thinks that enough has not been done while the other’s strategy is to obstruct and disagree. Dayum!! All they do is throw rocks at each other while civility and respect have been exchanged for name calling, complaining and disrespect. Anyway, would the McCain/Palin team have done any better? Would their interests lie elsewhere? We may never know because there is bigger fish to fry. You might wonder if I’m defending Obama, hell yes. I defended Dubya, too, but never Cheney! Like I said you’re not going to satisfy everyone and each of them have/had policies that I do/did not like. But for my part, I don’t believe in kicking a dead horse. What’s done is done. Now what are we going to do about it? We can work on changing it, correcting it, or just stand on the sidelines and complain. But whatever you do, be freaking fair about it! Obama made some great speeches and promises while he was campaigning, but I think he found out that the political machine in the Capital is very stubborn esp., when doing day-to-day governing. You might be a great speaker but operating centuries old machinery and dealing with people who are the same age and want to keep the same old machinery can be a ball-breaker. Still, there were 70 million people who voted for him. We had during the past 8 years a difficult time, two recessions, Katrina, a couple of wars and the worst act of terrorism made by foreigners in the history of our country. Let’s not forget the innocents killed by our own domestic terrorists in the Oklahoma City Bombings, Tim McVeigh and co-conspirators Terry Nichols & Michael Fortier. They did use a weapon of mass destruction. Either Obama is losing his cool or the people that work for him maybe both are gasping for air. It seems to me that they are trying too hard to please everybody, jumping to conclusions, and adding some controversial statements. They have to understand that no matter what they do, so people will never like them! They didn’t vote for you anyway. I won’t address the BS that blacks voted for him because he’s black. Remember, they didn’t think he was black enough! Some even went as far as suggesting that Bill Clinton was the first black president. We all are armchair quarterbacks who sit watching the plays and scream from the sidelines while not playing in the game at all. Those athletes have to focus and be on stop of their game because they might be traded to another team one day and they will won’t to stay fit. If we’re not in the game, playing, contributing, encouraging, or supporting, we need to shut up! I think I’ve written enough on this topic. I’m done. In the future, I’ll just reference this journal.

A Deeper Impact

The movie Deep Impact was on this weekend. I’m in no position to critique the movie because I can relate to some of the scenes which would make me biased. I would rather give my point of view how it made me feel. Deep Impact was about troubled people trying to mend their lives as they prepare for a comet hitting the earth. It was symbolic on so many levels regarding human nature and the unity needed to help many to survive the impact. Of course, it wasn’t simply the impact of the comet catastrophes, it was the impact made in and on people’s lives. Love and sacrifice, was seen all over at the end of this movie. Lives were given so that others would live. The kind of sacrifices we see our military, law enforcement, firemen, first responders, and parents that offer up everyday. Yes, it was a moving moment which will soon be forgotten during our daily rush of taking each other for granted and staying too busy to appreciate these moments of our journey in life. In the movie, as in life, some had a chance to say good-bye and apologize for their actions. We’ll miss those final I love you’s. The movie did bring up some sad memories, but it reminded me that we all are in this world together and that regardless of our petty attitudes towards each other, we will eventually need each other. Are we making sacrifices or fulfilling obligations? You know your answer. Touching, caressing, talking to each other can be taken for granted, yet, easily missed when it’s gone. We should take the time to cherish the moments because they won’t last forever. We might not make the time to reconcile usually because our pride gets in the way. The movie was released in 1998 showing that our President at the time was black. But you have to admit Morgan Freeman is one bad-ass actor, besides he does act presidential. Armageddon was another movie in that same genre, I think Armageddon didn’t have as much emotional tone compared to Deep Impact but it was still a great movie. They both came out the same year in 1998. Don’t forget The Day After Tomorrow, another film of this sci-fi genre. Also, a good movie. I just wanted to give my emotional point of view.

Over Fifty, Get A Colonoscopy!

View of a healthy colon

I’m going to take a temporary break from politics this time. Although this might not be a dinner table discussion, I hope that it will be informative. There is always something political to talk about, but I won’t.

Just the other day, I had my colonoscopy procedure done and without sedation. This is my second after several years and they removed two benign polyps the first time. I was also under sedation and didn’t see or hear anything either. It’s still embarrassing regardless how you look at it. There might be an opportunity to laugh some of the wording. But, I was able to look at “it” being awake through the entire procedure. Believe me, it is not as bad as you think. Well, the process, anyway. Remember, if taking the laxative according to directions prior to the procedure, you should be very clean and pretty well empty. The staff was kind, respectful, and courteous to me, as well as, very professional. They did all that they could to make me feel at ease. There is really nothing new to these folk in their profession. They are nurses, doctors and above all, caring people. They have had hospital experience, hospice experience, assisted living experience and years of experience in the health field. They actually wish more people would come in to prevent and recognize any future problems they might have. So don’t be ashamed to go to your doctor and set yours up.

Yes, I wore the backless gown but they covered my back up with a sheet exposing only the part that was to be reviewed. Of course, I was uncomfortable; certain areas on the body shouldn’t be shared, let alone, exposed. But, the doctor and nurses (2) talked me through it. They explained that the only discomfort I will feel will be the air to open up my colon to allow the camera with a light and built-in snipper at the end of it to move about. They would have to go all the way to the end and retract slowly for observation. Be visual with me.

I’m looking at the monitor feeling blown up like a balloon and getting my blood pressure checked all at the same time. I see something that looks like a dark tunnel and a light going in and around curves. Modern technology! I’m getting a little gassy, but I wasn’t going to say anything. This was the only temporary discomforting moment I had during the entire session. Anyway, as soon as the doctor started, he called me out about using colon cleansers. DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF COLON CLEANSERS!!! They will turn your colon very dark depending on the years of use. It doesn’t matter if they are all natural. Your colon should be pink just like the inside of your mouth! It’s also very easy to see if there are any problems, too. Well, I’ve been using colon cleansers for about 18 months and a dark colon is a dead giveaway. None of the vendors for colon cleansers even mention the unnatural color of the colon.  Use Miralax if you have a problem with BM, it will not darken the colon. Change your lifestyle, exercise, eat foods high in fiber and get plenty of rest.  All in all, it was very interesting looking at my insides, he did snip a very small polyp that looked like a bump to me. I just hope it was benign. When the procedure was done, they wanted me to pass gas, but I was still hesitant. We know that when you take that cleaning medication, gas won’t be the first thing coming out that’s for sure. That was my major concern. I got copies of the pictures they took, waited until I got home and into the bathroom just to be safe before I committed myself. I’m still glad I waited.

I’m asking anyone that reads this and is over or near the age of 50 to please talk this over with a medical professional. If you have people in your life that cares about you and you about them, please check into this matter. If you just care about your own health still do it.

Here We Go Again!

Senator Graham and Lt. Amy Tomlinson (April 17, 2010) at Blue Angels Air Show in Charleston, SC

“The Greenville Republican Party has rebuked U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham for what it calls his cooperation and support of President Barack Obama and the Democrats' liberal agenda.” This is the same group that wanted Lexington County State Senator Jake Knotts expelled for using an ethnic slur against Nikki Haley, a GOP Gubernatorial Candidate. Senator Knotts said, "we already have a raghead in the White House, we don't need a raghead in the governor's mansion." Ms. Haley is of Middle-Eastern descent and the President is mixed. The uproar wasn’t about the President, even though racism and bigotry will not be tolerated in the Republican Party, so said some of its members. It still sounds hypocritical to me because most of them were former Dixiecrats (States’ Rights Party) and democrats who left when the Civil Rights Act was signed. But still, Senator Knotts meant it as a joke. Anderson TEA Party writers Priscilla Hill and Joshua Finn wrote a short but succinct piece about the SC GOP’s Moral Failure about being hypocritical. What we are now seeing is the direct denunciation of Senator Graham who is doing his duty constitutional duty. He is representing all Americans including many of us dumb ass South Carolinians. They are just short of telling him who he should be representing and I am concerned, it might not be me. Bipartisanship politics have failed for this administration. We stand at the brink of a new political system that favors only those that belong to a specific party 100% regardless of a national bearing. A half of pie is still not a whole one. A half of country is not united. Senator Graham seems to care a great deal about our country but he is considered a traitor to the GOP by working with the Democrats or the President. Moderate Republicans are now called RINOs (Republicans in Name Only), similar to being called a liberal. Some of us are still keeping our Christian and family values which are probably a couple of reasons why we still respect our fellow man. As an ultra-conservative, their allegiance is not to God and country but to the party. The issue is not “taking back our country” but whether you are either for us or against us. One might question if some of these folks want to return to the Jim Crow days. Progress towards a better country is just not on the agenda for some people. We’re not going to live forever and we will have to stand before God one day.