Good morning! We woke up this morning to the news on MSNBC, saying that Kim Jong Un has issued a statement claiming that America has made a declaration of war against North Korea.
What happens now? This may be the last time I will post any comments, because our future looks bleak, in anticipation of the winds of war starting WWIII, with no cooler heads prevailing to intercede, stopping the insanity.
Years ago, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I was forced to think about how my life would end. I had to make some conscious decisions about what I wanted...if I didn't survive. I had to make my wishes known to my family, about how I wanted to face the end. That was a hard time. All people who are faced with their mortality, in the time of a very clear and present danger, are forced to deal with the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional substance of their existence.
For me, it was something like a dress rehearsal for meeting G-d. After a few days of quiet introspection, I decided...with G-d's help, I was going to do all that I could, to survive my diagnosis. The path to healing, was a long treacherous journey. I find myself grateful for the journey, because I am still here.
What I came to learn and intrinsically understand, was that there had to be a reason beyond existence, that I survived. It wasn't my time to return to G-d...just yet.
I know not G-d's purpose for my life, but I trust HE knows and that is enough for me. So...in the coming days and hours of perilous times, ahead of my countrymen and my nation, I steadfastly encourage prayer for peace. I advocate to all that there is more good, than evil, in this world. We must take hold of each others hands and pray for our peacemakers and peace... if the world is to continue to survive.
Good evening! Grandpoppy and I were watching cable news, when Grandpoppy asked how long Trump's been President now? I counted and replied, "It's been 9 months now...and look what he has given birth to."
America is more divided today than the day Trump was inaugurated into office. His latest speech provoked North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Hong's warning to America and the world that Trump's irresponsible remarks have made America's mainland an "inevitable" target for rocket strikes.
Minister Hong continues to say:
"Through such a prolonged and arduous struggle, now we are finally only a few steps away from the final gate of completion of the state nuclear force," Ri told the annual gathering of world leaders in New York."
Trump is shaming ordinary, thoughtful people of America, who wish our President spoke more respectfully in a sane and maturely dignified exchange of diplomatic rhetoric. Even the diplomats and Kim Jong Un realize that there will be many innocent Americans die in a war with them.
It is upsetting, to know that our enemies whose appointed foreign diplomats, are more conscious, sensitive and prescient in their attitude, language and conduct toward the innocent citizens of America, than our own American President. INCREDIBLE!
What can ordinary people, who have no wealth, celebrity or powerful political connections do? PRAY. I believe in the power of prayer and I am glad to know that there are others, who feel that way, too!
Stevie Wonder “Takes A Knee” For America At Global Citizen Festival
CBS NEWS* September 23, 2017
NEW YORK -- Stevie Wonder knelt on stage during the Global Citizen Festival concert in New York City's Central Park, saying he is "taking a knee for America."
Wonder asked for people to "stand down bigotry" and "condemn sexism" before kneeling down with his son, Kwane Morris.
Stevie Wonder Takes 'Both Knees' In Prayer For 'Our Future' 9/23/2017 by Shira Karsen
Stevie Wonder performs during the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7, 2013 in Las Vegas. Holding onto his son Kwame Wonder, the legendary Stevie Wonder took "both knees" Saturday night at the 6th annual Global Citizen Music Festin New York City's Central Park. “Tonight, I’m taking a knee for America,” 67-year-old Wonder declared as he knelt down. “But not just one knee. Both knees. Both knees, in prayer for our planet, our future, our leaders of the world and our globe. Amen.”
Stevie Wonder's humble act of faith in the Lord, inspires and encourages all
Christian believers to reverently bow in prayer, asking for peace... for the sake
of all mankind.
"Good Night, Shalom and Sweet Dreams!"
"Boner Appertite!"
P.S. Rest in Peace, B.D.B. Your beloved memory lives on in my heart.
Good evening! It's been a scary week in America and particularly, here on the west coast. I went to the camping goods section of our local Walmart store today. I was surprised to find almost the entire camping section cleared out with only a few remaining pieces of gear left on its shelves. I asked one of the clerks how soon they would be refilling their shelves? She told me she didn't know and that they were seeing alot of traffic from people who were "prepping" for a possible showdown, between Kim Jong Un and America.
When I got home, I decided to sit down and read a little. I read it was hoped that "Cooler heads would prevail", to prevent further escalation in the war of words, burning away the fuse between Kim Jong Un and Pres. Trump. It was vexing that those "cooler heads", talked about in the article...didn't belong to Americans, but to Russian and Chinese diplomats.
I've heard all of my life, as a child and an adult, that Russia and China were America's enemies. So it seems ironic that the leaders of these 2 foreign countries, could actually turn out to be the unlikely heroes in this modern day example of a twisted Shakespearean tale, attempting to calm the roiled waters between North Korea and America!
Putin and Jinping's dual desire to broker peace, may be the only way an international mediation between the adversarial nations of Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump, could possibly produce a successful, fair and lasting resolution. Their partnership may be the hope of last resort, to realistically produce any kind or duration of peace. If Putin and Jinping are given enough time to stimulate a dialogue between Kim and Trump, it is possible that they can mitigate the seething anger and hatred between the 2 hostile leaders on the brink of lobbing bombs between their doorsteps.
If Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping can prevent WWIII from starting, they will deserve to be jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Both Russian and Chinese leaders will have earned the respect of every intelligent and prescient person on this planet, who understand that no one really wins in war, because both sides loose something valuable...life... always somebody's life.
It appears that Russia and China represent the adults in the classroom here. Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, has metaphorically and quite aptly characterized these 2 emotionally stunted adolescents, acting out on the world stage, like 2 school children fighting in kindergarten. Question is: which adult is the classroom teacher and which one is the school Principal? Whose going to break it up?
Everyday, I can see the brilliance and wisdom of Einstein's historically recorded admonition.
When it comes to the escalating, personal war of words between the tetchy leaders of nuclear-armed states, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thinks there’s been inappropriate rhetoric on both sides.
Speaking at a press briefing at the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, Lavrov likened the war of words between President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un to “a kindergarten fight between children. And no one can stop them.”
Trump threatened to “totally destroy” Kim’s country this week. Kim responded with an unusual personal address, labelling Trump a “mentally deranged dotard,” and floating the idea of exploding a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific. Trump, who has authority for thousands of nuclear warheads, then responded on Twitter Friday, “Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn’t mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!”
Regarding the “exchange of threats, naturally it’s quite bad,” said Lavrov. “It’s simply unacceptable to sit back and look at nuclear military gambles of North Korea,” but so, too, is it “unacceptable to start war on the peninsula.” Lavrov suggested that perhaps some neutral European country could negotiate between Trump and Kim.
Beyond his pox-on-your-both-your-houses approach to the United States and North Korea, Lavrov underscored one of the biggest risks of Trump’s tough rhetoric this week, which has included open denunciations of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Lavrov noted that Pyongyang is carefully watching how the United States deals with that pact, currently up for recertification. (Russia and Europe all want the deal to continue.)
But Trump’s threats to tear up the deal, which relieved some sanctions on Iran in exchange for a halt to nuclear development, make any sort of negotiated deal with North Korea all the more unlikely, Lavrov noted.
“Right now, North Korea is being told, ‘renounce weapons and we’ll lift sanctions,” Lavrov said.
“If this agreement on the Iran nuclear deal will fall apart, they will say, ‘why do I need to negotiate with you?’”
“I think it’s a very apparent thing,” the foreign minister added.
Good evening! Tonight all is well on the West Coast of America. I wish it were so... everywhere on this oblate spheroid. Unfortunately, it seems the heart-breaking tragedy of Mother Nature's wrath, has resulted in tearful tolls of human, environmental and economic devastation striking whole populations of the Northern Hemisphere. Our prayers are continuously, with the world's suffering victims. They are not forgotten.
Former Vice Pres. Al Gore has long been a believer in the scientific evidence of climate change. He has continually supported, preached and fought for the message of climate change and saving the environment from man's generally nonchalant and indifferent attitude, toward polluting the earth.
Al Gore, Earth's friend and tireless environmental warrior, forcefully spoke into a mic before at an outdoor gathering, a while back. He spoke unashamedly, announcing loudly and passionately, regarding his latest film "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power", that:
“The next generation would be justified in looking back at us and asking, ‘What were you thinking? Couldn’t you hear what the scientists were saying? Couldn’t you hear what Mother Nature was screaming at you?’ Mr. Gore says at the trailer’s narrator. “It is right to save humanity! It is wrong to pollute this earth. It is right to give hope to the future generation. Don’t let anyone tell you we’re gonna get on rocket ships and live on Mars. This is our home.”
Now, there is even more to consider... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excerpt from New Republic Magazine
Written by Emily Atkin September 14, 2017
Pollution reports submitted to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection show that, due to power outages and flooding caused by Irma, human waste has been spilling into streets, residences, and waterways. At time of publication, 113 Public Notices of Pollution were submitted to the Dept. of Environmental Protection. Discharge reports showed more than 28 million gallons of treated/untreated sewage was released into 22 counties. In other words, Irma was a literal shitstorm. But it’s no laughing matter. Sewage spills pose a major threat to public health, and they’re likely to become more common due to two increasingly connected crises facing America: an aging infrastructure and climate change.But in Miami, the city’s South District Wastewater Treatment Plant reported a six-million-gallon sewage spill that reached Biscane Bay, a state aquatic preserve. While the report said the area was cleaned and disinfected, it also says the public was not notified and the sewage was not recovered. It will likely take days, if not weeks for the full extent of sewage overflows and contamination in Florida to be assessed. But state officials aren’t taking any chances.Bloombergreports that “utilities across the state warnedresidents to boil water before drinking it,” and the Environmental Protection Agency “has deployed specialists to Florida to help get wastewater systems back online.” The DEP is urging Floridians to stay out of floodwaters, and to look for warning signs posted by local authorities about accidental sewage releases. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When a disease or several diseases...break out causing an American Pandemic from contaminated waters, like Cholera, caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, Maria, etc...will there be any money in the government's budget to pay for our citizen's medical treatment? Or will Trump's political goodwill and currency have all been wasted; exhaustively spent building a useless wall?
"Good Night, Shalom and Sweet Dreams!" "Boner Appertite!"
Good afternoon! Grandpoppy and I finished eating breakfast, this morning and sat down to listen to the televised speech Trump gave to the members of the U.N. It was disturbing at best... to say the least. The far reaching consequences to all of Trumps declarations and decisions are frightening! We both, sat wondering if Trump was announcing that America will be going to war with North Korea within the next few days? What exactly was the purpose of Trump's international declarations of his foreign policies? Was he preparing the world for nuclear war? Will there be a winner between Trump and Kim Jong Un, in this international game of chicken?
How does anyone, especially the ordinary American citizen prepare for the very real and daunting prospect of WWIII? This Presidential simpleton, is going to get us all killed! He is making Pres. G.W. Bush look like Winston Churchill! I never thought I would say it, but I miss G.W., for Lord's sake! Trump is making Vladimir Putin look like Mother Teresa!
While I have no illusions to the quietly corrupt power that Putin wields, I can say with certainty that Putin is intelligent and not ignorant, by any means. Putin has warned Trump several times, to use the diplomatic tools of dialogue and seasoned diplomacy to assuage tensions with Kim Jong Un. Putin is actually the real businessman with common sense, in this situation of global affairs, not Trump! I can hardly believe I am defending and complimenting Putin! It feels like I'm living in the twilight zone! Maybe, I'll go back to bed and when I wake up... it'll be a better and different day. Maybe the world will be at peace or at least...maybe America won't be acting true to the moniker, it has been tagged with, as an "Imperialistic Warmonger"!
Is there any redemption left in this story of global annihilation, before it's all over for mankind? WHO will be the hero who saves the day, to finally emerge in this chapter of world history? Will there be a hero?
If there is a single cause to launch America into global warfare, WHO will be the villain who plunges America into global war?
I am scared for the survival of the world! Lord, save us!
Good evening! It's a beautiful day, the sun is shining and the shrill squealing voices of children, distract from the sound of crashing waves pummeling the warm, khaki-colored Pacific shore. Families happily line the shore with colorful beach umbrellas, picnic baskets and ice coolers.
Max, Millie and me have taken our afternoon walk along the beaten sandy paths overlooking the festive play along the edge of the ocean. Returning home, we slip back inside the screened backdoor. Max and Millie run to the corner of the little kitchen, by the window. The place where they share a deep doggy bowl, generously filled with cool, clean water. They waste no time quickly lapping into the stone crock, like they were camels returning from the dunes of the Sahara Desert, running a hump low on water.
I retired to Grandpoppy's cozy home office and began reading about a humble Russian soldier's contribution to the world. The story was emotionally moving because of this widely unknown and uncelebrated man's wisdom in the face of crushing pressure, requiring him to make a fateful and potentially deadly decision that could have encompassed the world.
I look at a common photograph of an aged gentleman sitting on a couch, bearing no visually detectable or exceptional charisma of "greatness", by the world's superficial methods of calculation. In the calm demeanor of his facial appearance, I see a wise old man with a thin, intelligent and kind face. He died May 19th., 2017, after spending a lifetime serving in the Soviet Air Defense Force and retiring in 1984. He was generally described as a calm, practical man.
When Col. Stanislav Petrov faced the greatest decision of his life, in the early morning hours of September 26th., 1983, his actions would determine the fate of the world. His critical, analytical thinking skills restrained him from making a rash decision. His risky, but thoughtful 5 minute hesitation, to mentally analyse the given information, as well as the missing radar evidence of a real missile attack from the United States, were key to preventing Russia from launching retaliatory nuclear ICBM's and ultimately, saved the world from WWIII. Later, upon investigation, it was found that the near catastrophic mistake had been caused by a computer programming error in the embedded software coding and was promptly corrected in the re-written program code.
When retired Lt. Col. Petrov was interviewed by Germany's magazine, "Der Spiegel", they questioned his quick analysis of the situation and Petrov's correct response to the crisis. He answered... "We are wiser than the computers. We created them."
Sadly, this man never received a hero's "Thank You", from his countrymen or the world. He neither received the well-deserved Noble Peace Prize, nor was his name ever mentioned for nomination, by anyone. Lt.Col. Stanislav Petrov deserved a Russian medal, but his story remained silent and ignored by Russia and the world, until his friend, a German filmmaker and political activist named Karl Schumacher, told his story to an international audience.
Will there be another man to come along, in our life time, who will have the "presence of mind" to think carefully and rationally, under crushing pressure... to stop and accurately analyse the next man-made computer glitch or human miscalculation that could trigger WWIII?
Posthumously To: Lt. Col. Stanislav Petrov, "Thank You" and "May you rest in peace!"
Good evening! Tonight Grandpoppy and I, will dine on a spaghetti supper with toasted garlic bread and tossed salad. I've made a fresh pan of chilled Tiramisu for our dessert. I'm letting a sweetened pitcher of Lipton's brewed orange pekoe tea, cool off in the fridge for our dinner beverage. I picked up a small bouquet of cut flowers at the market, to adorn the center of our kitchen table. Life is too short, not to enjoy the gift of quiet, understated romance in your relationships.
There is a waning crescent moon expected to shine in the eastern skies over our rooftop tonight. Max, Millie and me will amble along the sandy paths stopping periodically to inspect the ancient slice of glowing luminous flux perched in the heavens, among the stars.
Ahhh...the beauty of G-d's art around our feet and above our heads and within our sight... we are blessed!
I read about the private sector, SpaceX Dragon's cargo capsule returning to earth, after spending a month in orbit. It was the conclusion to the 12th., Dragon mission, splashing down Sunday in the Pacific Ocean. The Dragon 12 capsule held 2 tons of research experiments and hardware with the life of 20 mice aboard meant to scientifically investigate the effects of space on eyesight and physical motion. One of the interesting biomedical issues being researched is finding out how and why visual impairment only happens to male astronauts in space. Another biomedical issue being investigated is the effects of Parkinson's disease in space.
There is so much exciting work being carried on in the heavens, that will continue to open up the universe to mankind, if we do not close the windows and doors to our enlightenment. Mankind cannot afford the low brow intellectuals currently serving as some of the most powerful leaders of the world, to impede the scientific progress that may save our world in the future months and years.
President John F. Kennedy was a morally flawed man, he had his short comings and imperfections, as is common to all men. Pres. Kennedy also had his outstanding strengths of intellect and reason, reflected in his better character of what an American President should embody. Kennedy was President, but worked like a Senator. He ruled with a spirit of patriotism, coupled with a sense of "noblesse oblige", that was tolerant and generous to the less fortunate. He was the "right man" at the "right time" in history, for the job of leading America through 13 dark days that teetered, seemingly on the brink of nuclear war, during the Cuban Missile Crisis with Fidel Castro. The gamble that Pres. Kennedy took was a Goliath kind of risk. One that could have had consequences that would have devastated the world, if he had miscalculated the strength of his decision, dealing with Cuba.
All Presidents have their moments of crisis, in history. Political titans, such as Kennedy and Trump, have been dealt diplomatic poker hands on their capricious rendezvous with bets on their unparalled poker stakes, in these modern times, that could vaporize all of mankind.
Kennedy's poker hand played out against Castro, ultimately ended in a peaceful resolution. Kennedy successfully navigated his path away from the Bible's "Revelationary" apocalypse; while Trump, is daily treading a precarious path with a strategic military plan, leading ever closer to the possible realization of the dreaded prophecy, of a looming biblical apocalypse.
The other great achievement of John Kennedy was the space program! He may be more remembered for this achievement, more than any other in history. Kennedy used his powerful political platform to challenge and inspire all Americans, of all ages, ethnicity and creed to aim higher. Pres. Kennedy encouraged Americans to dream beyond the stars and achieve the unachievable victory in the race for space, to put a man on the moon. Kennedy worked closely with Congress, on both sides of the political aisle, to make sure there was funding for this project...and so there was.
There is one other notable President in history that shares notoriety with Trump. Pres. Richard Nixon had his own "Space Doctrine", following Pres. Kennedy's death.
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Excerpt from: The Planetary Society
written by: Jason Callahan*October 4th., 2014
Pondering the future of NASA and its sustainability, Nixon said, “We must think of [space activities] as part of a continuing process… and not as a series of separate leaps, each requiring a massive concentration of energy. Space expenditures must take their proper place within a rigorous system of national priorities. … What we do in space from here on in must become a normal and regular part of our national life and must therefore be planned in conjunction with all of the other undertakings which are important to us.”
Logsdon points to three key decisions Nixon made regarding the U.S. space program, which had long-term consequences for NASA. The three decisions were:
To treat the space program as one area of domestic policy competing with other concerns, not as a privileged activity
To lower U.S. ambitions in space by ending human spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit for the foreseeable future and not embark on another space goal requiring a massive investment similar to Apollo
To build NASA’s post-Apollo program around the space shuttle without establishing a specific goal or long-term strategy the shuttle would support
Professor Emeritus and The Planetary Society board member, Professor Logsdon says that Nixon’s lasting imprint on the space program was an end to human exploration of space beyond low Earth orbit in the twentieth century, and he sees the Nixon Space Doctrine and more ambitious human space exploration as incompatible. Under Nixon, NASA became just another domestic program, and the agency’s budget decreased even as it retained ambitious goals. During this time, however, NASA’s efforts did include increased international participation in U.S. human spaceflight programs.
In the question and answer portion of the talk, an audience member asked Logsdon what he saw as the biggest problem with the human space flight program today. He referenced the recent report “Pathways to Exploration” by the National Research Council on the human spaceflight program, saying that people tend to focus on Chapter Four which assesses the various technical pathways to get (eventually) to Mars, while ignoring Chapters Two and Three which show that there is no compelling public support for a human mission to Mars. Marcia Smith, former director of the Space Studies Board and publisher of SpacePolicyOnline.com, pointed out that there is also no compelling resistance to a human Mars mission. Logsdon agreed, and said that a lack of a public opinion on the matter meant that the only way out of the current situation is through Presidential leadership.
Trump's Fiscal Plans for NASA
Excerpt from the Atlantic: While the space agency would see cuts across most of its programs, it has been spared the worst compared to the government’s other research agencies.
NASA
The White House’s newly released budget request for NASA includes cuts across most of the space agency’s programs, representing a nearly 3-percent decrease in the funding approved for the 2017 fiscal year.
The education division, which usually receives $100 million each year, would get $37 million, all of which would be used to close it out. The Trump administration first signaled its desire to shutter the office in its blueprint budget, prompting shock among supporters of its popular Space Grant program, which since 1989 has funded fellowships and scholarships for students across the country.
“It could have been a lot worse,” said Casey Dreier, the director of space policy at the Planetary Society in California, of Trump’s fiscal plans for NASA. “At the same time, we have to be honest and say that this budget is not great for NASA’s stated goals of exploring Mars or of developing its next major human spaceflight projects, as there is not enough money to support either in a reasonable timeframe.”
NASA has been spared some of the worst cuts to the government’s other scientific agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency, which Trump wants to cut by more than 31 percent, and the National Science Foundation, which is facing an 11 percent cut. Other agencies that handle medical research and disease-prevention programs would also see double-digit cuts compared to 2017 budgets. The fact that NASA would receive only a single-digit decrease makes the space agency a winner in the larger federal budget, Casey said.
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
I believe that our futures, live among the stars. There are global factions around the world, who want to impede scientific progress by putting all of their human energy and ingenuity into mankind's politics of a social, primordial regression, because of an overwhelming fear of both, change and progress.
We must have the right leaders who can envision a better future, that incorporates everyone on the planet. If mankind becomes extinct, like the dinosaurs, there will be no future footnotes in history... because there will be no remembrance of history. The historic works of the world and it's people will be finished... and we will return to G-d.
