Yesterday, there were parades and fireworks around our nation. Thousands and Thousands of Americans celebrated the beginning of a nation that we live in today. For those standing on the street watching floats or looking up to fireworks…those around you were your fellow American brothers and sisters…every skin color, ethnic background, economic status and political affiliation. There are still more of us that are Proud To Be Americans than those that aren’t. Never let the noise of the angry and hateful change our view of the truth. Together, we are America.

When we look to our left and we look to our right we should be blessed on what we see…We are Free to Worship, Free to Work, Free to Play, Free to Travel, Free to Love and yes let’s not forget..Free to Disagree.

The Freedom of America continues not without sorrow and pain.

To all those who have sacrificed it shall Not be in vein.

We Are America Proud, America Strong and will never let those who want to take our Freedom away win. May God continue to Bless our Great Nation.

To my fellow Americans that want to push CRT, claim America is a racist country, and want to change our Flag, please read my words and take it to heart. I will never feel bad, apologize, or regret the color of my skin. Anyone that can have a conversation will learn that most white people today feel that slavery was an abomination, that Jim Crow laws were disgusting, and any form of discrimination is bad. Those that feel our Flag does not represent them I would ask why? Our flag is a symbol of a nation. A nation formed from a vision that All Men Are Created Equal. While our country has had politicians that have voted for and passed laws that were certainly against the Judeo-Christian Values it was founded upon, our nation has stood against tyranny, stood alongside other nations in their quest for freedom, and has been the most generous of countries when it comes to providing aid and support to those in need both within our own borders and to other nations as well. If you want to “hate” me because I love this country and my skin is white, then that is on you. I will not hate you back. Hate is a terrible emotion. If you are angry about some of the choices people and our political leaders have and still make, I am right there with you. Today, I am disgusted with abortion while you may think it is ok. I am disgusted with seeing hungry/homeless children in this country of abundance (I hope we share in this anger). I hate to see adults entering our nation illegally and using many of our resources and benefits while our own citizens are suffering in many ways. Our country has not been perfect, we have and continue to do things that we each may find abhorrent and may agree on some as well. However, for a country that is considered young compared to many others we have and continue to accomplish more than most and the benefits of America ever existing far exceeds the damage the bad decisions have caused. While we may disagree on some and agree on others, we are all Americans and equal as children of God. Hate me if you feel you must but I will pray for you and will always fight for your right to speak freely and to express your thoughts as I will express mine. America is not a bad nation but there are bad people. Despite the bad, The American Dream is still the envy of most around the world and even with some differences we can still work together to live in a nation we all are proud of. May God continue to Bless All Americans!

What politicians and the media never want to address and is probably the one thing All Americans can agree to work towards, is the following. Yes, people are angry, people are tired, fed up, and a bunch of other emotions we all get around election time. Add the virus and everything else 2020 has thrown at us and we have what we have. The question is what is it about certain people that can cause them to hurt others and or destroy property?

Both political ideals have “extremes”, those that have no regard for human life or property or society. The question is what drives them to that point, to just not care? Some can be called racism, some can be called criminal or whatever else, but these human beings have let hate take them over. Those with love in their heart do not put a knee on someone’s throat until they die, they don’t set fires to buildings or shoot people in the street because of the wrong gang colors. Hate that spreads is on all of us. No one is born with hate. It is learned and we, as a society, let it happen. We, as a society, will be the ones to fix it. We have to.

So, if we stop taking sides, stop making it all political and stop thinking the election in November will remove hate we are at least taking a step in the right direction. We can’t legislate love or legislate the removal of hate. Let’s work on the root of why some in our society lose sight of common decency and respect for fellow man regardless of differences. Why do some let Anger and Hate control their actions while most do not? We are Americans and all part of God’s family. We need to stop trying to change political agendas and start to work towards changing hearts.

Comments welcome but let’s do so without blame or being political. It has to start somewhere.

The “Hypocrisy” Awards (a.k.a., The Oscars) will be broadcast on Sunday. We will again get to see the height of Hypocrisy as talented men and women will make statements about moral superiority, political division, social and economic inequality, along with preaching about the climate. They will begin by arriving in lines of gas-powered limousines (not electric and certainly not by carpooling). They will be recognized for a performance while not mentioning their history of work that includes movies that glorify gun violence, adultery, pre-marital sex, wars, and in some cases more disgusting and disturbing actions. They will stay silent about the years of “pretending to not know” about the likes of a Harvey Weinstein and others that have engaged in the “casting couch” mentality that has engulfed Hollywood since its inception, but for many it was easier to not say anything if it didn’t affect them personally for fear of not getting that next big role or not being invited to the “party” of those with influence. They will talk about “income inequality” while making millions of dollars yet most of the cast and crew of their productions just make a living and probably don’t own mansions or thousands in clothes, jewelry and toys. We will hear comments from those who criticize others while not only promoting immortality with their movies but also through their own lives and personal actions. The majority in attendance will be quick to squirm in their seats if they are called out for their hypocrisy but feel perfectly justifiable to criticize and joke about those who think differently. The saddest part of the whole evening will be the loudest voices, the ones with the most camera time, the most opportunity to influence the public, and the most recognizable names, will use their time to show off their huge ego instead of humility, kindness, and respect for everyone, not just those who agree with them. And the Oscar goes to ….

Every time a new baseball controversy comes up, the argument about reinstating Pete Rose resurfaces. The Astros’ sign stealing is no different. The reason for this is simple. Pete Rose broke a rule and is banned for life. Others broke rules before him and certainly after, and still do today, but are eligible to play and enter the Hall of Fame. Each new event shows why there is No Valid reason why his ban should not be lifted, and eligibility reinstated. Even more important, he should be allowed to be a part of the game. We need players to be like Pete, we need coaches to encourage players to be like Pete, and we need young kids to learn the game the way Pete played. If there was a “test” for gambling Pete Rose would have failed it, would have been suspended and probably back on the field after 40 games running out an infield hit or diving headfirst into second for a double. Yes, many argue it would be nice to end the hypocrisy and let this baseball legend have his due while he is still alive, but it is also about people like me, now in my 50’s, who grew up learning to love the game of baseball because of players like Pete Rose. To this day I will watch, listen, check the scores etc. of any game I can. Some of the greatest memories of being a dad was watching my son put on his little league uniform and enjoy the game. Rose bet for his team to win, he was wrong, that was and still is a rule. He lied. That was wrong. However, he never bet against his team. There is No asterisk next to any of his records or accomplishments. He never was artificially stronger, faster, or used any other illegal advantage to help his team win or pad his stats. He hustled, he practiced, and he worked hard. On the field, Pete Rose was what baseball should be and selfishly I would like to see those that made me love the game be honored and leave the legacy so others can learn how to play the game the way it was meant to be played.

Since 1/2 the country seems split on impeachment, it certainly is partisan, and that is the one thing the Founding Father’s did not want and one thing ALL the witnesses agreed with. We all heard the same testimony and saw what evidence was presented. 1/2 the country has a different conclusion. Our country is based on a “jury of peers” so to speak. In this case 1/2 the nation has one thought and 1/2 another. As citizens we need to respect and understand that not everyone in our nation thinks the same way. It is not the fault of the President, not the fault of Congress, but the fault of each of us as citizens, when we can no longer respect and accept that we may look at the same picture and feel differently about it. We have members of Congress, both sides, telling the Nation what Truth is. I can accept that they have opinions but can not accept that they do not acknowledge that others may think differently. GOD Bless America.

As Thanksgiving approaches many of us will be thinking about the Blessings in our life, as well as reflecting on many memories of the past that had both joy and sorrow. We should try and remember that many events in our life, that at the time may have been sad, stressful, or even painful, were also learning experiences that taught us how to survive this crazy world. None of us have lived a life without hardship. We have all lost loved ones, experienced sadness and a multitude of emotions along the way. God provides us a way to endure all that we face when we put our trust in Him. As we sit at a big table full of people, or just a small gathering, or maybe even a Swanson’s frozen turkey dinner for one in front of the TV, it is a good time to reflect on our life. We will realize that everything we have experienced so far helped create our character, our determination and our decision making. We must also realize that these events DO NOT define us. We all have a past, and we cannot change anything that has already occurred, but we do have control over today and our future. Life is full of speed bumps, roadblocks, and outright demolition events, but how we react and handle them will ultimately offer us the opportunity to have peace and joy. Without any bad we would never appreciate the good, and without sadness it would be hard to experience the joy of happiness. We were all created by a God that loves us, we have also all suffered in various capacities and share each other’s pain.  As God is the Father, and God is the Son and the Holy Spirit works in all of us, we have the ability to focus on who we are, who we want to be, and a peace that comes from an unconditional Love given to us by our Creator. So, make sure to give Thanks for all that we have, but don’t forget to give Thanks for all that is yet to be.

Tomorrow is the last of the first day of school as we watch our son begin his Senior year of High School. Even when he attends college in the future it will be different. He has been our responsibility for the past 17 years and has counted on us to show him life, the good and the bad, and up until last year, when he started driving, we at least got him to school or the bus stop. I think about the scared little boy who hid under a desk on the first day of Pre-K and now embarks on the last year of required education. I can say the majority of teachers have been fantastic, many were good and yes, there were some that probably should have chosen a different career, but that is life and no matter what, you have to find a way to overcome obstacles and try to succeed. I think of all the school events, field trips, athletics, band concerts, projects, late night homework and all the other memories that as parents we will cherish forever. We know these 9 months will go fast and we will all be preparing for the next chapter in all our lives. For all those students embarking on this last year of High School, enjoy the ride, cherish the moments, be proud of all of your accomplishments and know that sad days are temporary, that you are never alone, that a grade point, a test score or a class ranking, does not define who you are. Making it to your senior year is a great accomplishment and if you take time to reflect on where you were 10 years ago, 5 years ago, as a freshman, you will see a transition from child to adult and a mind that went from a blank slate to one of opinions and thoughts, and likes and dislikes. For us parents, some of us 30+ years from our High School days, we are proud of this generation. Those currently in High School have been the first generation in which their entirety of their school years had smart phones, social media and many other technology related obstacles that we, as parents, had to learn in order to help navigate through. To each High School Senior, remember how special you are, how incredible God made you and how the world is a better place because you are succeeding in life and all it has to offer. Enjoy this year and challenge yourself. It may be the end of High School but just the beginning of an incredible adult life. To my fellow parents, sit back, take a deep breath, maybe have a glass of wine. We are watching the result of the last 17 years of our child’s life finish a major accomplishment only to be ready for new challenges armed with all we have given them. Whatever the roads we have traveled to see our children become a senior, we are there, and the finish line is in sight…just one more push and next Spring we can all celebrate a milestone. God Bless all the Students, the Teachers, Administrators and my fellow Parents who share this journey…We are in this crazy thing called life together!