Civil War Thoughts For Today

I just finished a book titled “The President’s War”, by Chris DeRose, 2014. Here is his overall premise. In the mid-19th century, America’s democracy became endangered in a Civil War sparked by a constitutional crisis over slavery and the alleged right of states to nullify our federal laws. Shortly before this conflict began, Abraham Lincoln was lawfully elected as our first Republican Party President amidst fierce opposition to his policies from slave-owning states, former Presidents and both major, political parties. Many feared that he would overreach his constitutionally-granted power in war to silence the opposition on his own terms. Yet Lincoln saw little need to further tear apart the country by abandoning our country’s ideals for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

In the posted video above, Mr. Lincoln’s thoughtful discourse surrounding his delivery of the Gettysburg Address on November 19,1863 seems to be a relevant model for viewing the recent actions of the Trump Presidency . Several ideas from his speech come to mind

1. A President’s powers should embrace the dignity of all people now just those who follow him/her.

2.If we are to remain the “United States of America”, the enduring precedents of the U.S. Constitution must be maintained.

3. A President should inspire a positive role model for the goodness of people and the continuance of our free voting system.

4. Moral standards of behavior should be respected and modeled when taking action of national interest of our country.

5. Our process of democratic government must foster intelligent discussion “of the people, by the people, and for the people” in making decisions of nationwide interest.

Foregoing the prospect of political gain, Lincoln’s calming words that day sought ways to unify our country amidst the bloodshed that was escalating throughout the country then. I challenge my informed readers to think deeply about how the five (5) ideals from this speech that day might foster constructive action today. I believe that whether our leaders are either “left”or “right” of political spectrum, they should never never give into deceit, inhumanity or ignorance as justification for short-sighted political action.

February 1, 2017 7

My Friend Loves Animals But…

One of my closest friends, Jason, adores animals yet often finds they do not care for him. This week, he cited several examples to prove his point to me. Recalling two of his favorite television programs, Lassie and Rin-Tin-Tin, there was no doubt in his mind that he had always idolized these canines as true heroes on each weekly show. Remembering the death of a rabid dog in the famous Disney classic, “Old Yeller” he explained that this tragic plot had caused him to cry. Recollecting his travels on an African safari, I personally witnessed his vehement promise that he would never again book a tour where one would be forced to watch a “tiger kill” in the wild. Perhaps, it would do him some good to soul- search how his intentions contradicted his actual actions in actual encounters with animals in his past.

A distinct pattern of animals reacting negatively toward his presence became clear to me in our continued conversation. He was spit on once by a camel on an Australian camping trip as he playfully touched its front leg. On another leisure outing, an African Secretary Bird chased him angrily as he attempted to cut off its path in the gardens at Busch Gardens. Near home, a stray dog once attacked Jason after he had made barking sounds exiting his grandfather’s house, requiring an administration of painful, rabies shots. Raising his hands to me carefully now, he additionally pointed out the battle scars of revengeful dog bites in his childhood from poking his high-strung pet, Teddy Bear, the family’s Pomeranian. Even now, he confesses that his mother’s cat, Molly, avoids him “like a plague” as he stomps into the living room yet this same feline always snuggles up to the quieter presence of his wife on their weekly visits.

It seemed my friend’s visit this week to the Miami Metro Zoo, with his wife and mother, would not be a series of cuddly encounters with wild animals basking for his friendly attention. I saw it instead as an opportune occasion for him to spend time with the family and learn a lesson to rethink his approach to how he should treat animals. Realizing that he had this knack of arousing their antagonistic instincts, I felt he would be on his best behavior to not provoke the wildlife in the company of his loved ones.

I then listened intently to the rest of his story.The family had arrived promptly in the park at 10:00 am.on a cool and clear weekday morning. Foregoing the usual option of walking the guided paths, Jason made accommodations for his mother by purchasing a cozy-looking, pedal bicycle for three. He also noted that steering his way throughout the park had kept his mind busy from sinister thoughts of “getting a rise” out of any beasts as their vehicle passed nearby.

One of their more active stops today, I knew from past experience, would be the Howler Monkey section. He first told me now how much he had enjoyed watching these playful primates with spindly legs swing wildly through the tree limbs of their open-air environment. Then he surprisingly added that he felt sheer joy in “passively” watching them acting playfully in their natural surroundings. Under such circumstances, I realized that had for the first time, Jason began to question his own mischievous behavioral antics.

Feeding time also seemed to be a potential opportunity for Jason to resume inciting the animals. Yet I was shocked how he had shown unselfish empathy for the hunger of these animals today, as he raised the following questions to me about their desperate search for food. Why did a multitude of hungry carp converge on a single pellet of food thrown to them? Was it necessary for a friendly giraffe to contort his tongue through a wire fence to reach for his expected snack? What effect did a small-cage exposure have on a nervous emu who had to wait everyday in such confinement for his daily nourishment?

Ultimately, Jason acquired some insight today that he had been underestimating the potential threat of wild animals that could be caused by his animal-provoking ways.He seemed to reason that he would be no match for a charging rhino or a threatened elephant in their natural environment. Being present at the zoo today thus offered him two, contrasting perspectives. Should he continue to act as an aggressive predator who feels the need to dominate animals and risk retaliation from them or was it time for him to admit that he had deceived myself from the reality that the protective fences and walls he experienced today were put there for good reason to protect animal-inciters like him from becoming a potential prey? While Jason would never exude a friendly vibe around animals, nonetheless, he had finally realized that teasing animals did not appear all that fun anymore.

January 29, 2017 8

Unwise Eating In The “Trough”

The omnipresence of food quantity on our latest cruise has again proven to be a main center of attention for many. It makes no difference what time it is, all paths ultimately lead them to the plentiful food buffet on Deck 16. Being fully prepared to compete for a luscious cupcake or perhaps a juicy crab leg amidst a rabid mob scene of already obese cruise passengers, I propose some useful actions for the gluttonous masses. These recommendations would be particularly useful for those who wish to maximize their food intake at what I unfondly refer to now as the “trough.”

1. Head directly to the dessert area first and load up on sugary parfaits, fatty pastries, and syrupy lattes. Fuel up on this quick energy that will entice you to eat more as your blood sugar levels dramatically spike.

2. When you enter the main trough area, wear a helmet and shoulder pads to withstand the physical competition heading for that last meatball or shrimp available.

3. Plates are optional as you can pile more food per square inch on your tray alone for sure.

4. Do not order water when possible. Fruity and sugary drinks taste much better.

5.Never read when you sit down to eat your main meal. Others may interpret your actions as offensive to the gossipy social atmosphere that surrounds you.

6. Never sit next to a window as you do not need to be reminded that you are gorging now as many local islanders below your view are starving in utter poverty.

7. Use sarcasm with discretion with your International waiter from Moldova, Bulgaria… Your words may be taken literally. Ex. Waiter – ” Your day was good? “- Passenger – Are you kidding? It was raining cats and dogs.”

8. Never rationalize that you will go on a diet tomorrow to overcome your overeating ways. Would you even be on this cruise without the food?

9. When you are finished eating , feel unity with your other bloated cruise comrades as you make a second or third trip to the buffet line.

10. Do not bother doing any exercise after you eat. It would require you to walk too far from the next food line.

11. Consider adopting a daily routine of pairing your eating heaven with daily participation in “Gout Sufferers Anonymous” or “Future Diabetics of America” Support Group sessions.

Seriously, the true value of a cruise experience, can never be provided by obsessing on food. There are wonderful cuisines of many cultures to sample leisurely on and off the ship if one removes from their mind the temptation to shovel more and more food as they compulsively visit the “trough.” One can also make wise choices for their body on a cruise if they challenge themselves with health-conscious activity in their ample free time. In pursuit of moderation in your daily existence, then, I urge you to book your next “floating hotel” reciting the mantra that we must “eat to live, not live to eat”.

January 25, 2017 9

Resounding Show Of Unity at Rally

Miami comes alive in peaceful assembly today for the Women’s March at Bayfront Park. A fun-loving teenager embraces her sunshine-blissed freedom.A gay couple arrives in full wedding gown expecting to join there in holy matrimony. A life-hardened environmentalist withstanding creaky knees circulates the aisles to display visionary banners to save our planet. Amidst this circus of curious diversity, all eyes ultimately are united on the need to be heard today in order to support the will to act in opposition to the Donald Trump Presidency.

Arriving three hours before the rally, my wife and I are witnessing a steady buildup of participants peacefully lining up for this afternoon event. Crossing Biscayne Boulevard to the park, on can not escape notice of Trump supporters protesting their own causes in opposition to ours (ie. Jews For Trump…). Yet there is a buzz of optimism in Miami on this bright, sunny day, that will provide a measure of hope amidst the impending fears of his Presidency.

Being raised in the “Woodstock” generation, I imagine that this event will strictly resonate in a blatant protest against the establishment view of the new Republican regime. Yet speaker after speaker will convince me to rise above the anger of my discontent and imagine my own life in a more positive manner. Group therapy expert you might call the orator who urges the audience to meditate on their dreams of a better world. Picture as well a women’s club leader who issues a call and response plea to the audience to repeat the Preamble words of the U.S. Constitution.

Ken Russell, a city commissioner in Miami, points out how the opportunities for change will best arise through direct involvement at the local level. With vision of Obama’s “Yes We Can” theme, his constructive ideas for community involvement “brings the house down” as a sea of signs/banners rise prominently from the crowd. I feel then a unity of purpose that the Progressive movement I embrace will be shared by all in attendance today.

South Florida seems to be the ideal place to challenge the extreme right-wing Presidential policies of Trump. As a gateway to Latin America, multicultural co-existence is a fact of life here. As a fragile land, global warming threatens to submerge our urban communities. With a critical need for health care amongst the rising poor and elderly population, the end of Obamacare will jeopardize their chances of obtaining affordable health care. With Dade County being one of the largest public school systems in the country, the Trump plan to appoint a woman lacking knowledge of or experience in teaching as Education Secretary portends a poor match for meeting the complex needs of the urban teacher in our community.

Today’s woman’s rallies across America marks the beginning of a democracy that many of us strive for. Statements of freedom, equality and acceptance must however be matched by united action. The more we find ways to respect and show courtesy to each other, the more likely we will create a better world for ourselves. We do not need need to wait four years of Donald Trump for this to happen however. If our minds are open to purposeful commitment every day, then our hearts will never again be politically broken.

January 22, 2017 8

Dominica Rainforest Revealed Fully

A curious glance at the lush greenery of Dominica from our ship enticed my wife and I to experience the rainforest firsthand on our recent cruise. Finding numerous private operators as we exited the ship, we opted for a three-hour van tour through the surrounding mountains. Never realizing that we would need to “slip and slide” along our walking routes through pelting rain to reach inland waterfalls, hot springs, and bird sightings, I can honestly reflect that I enjoyed getting drenched that day.

Our “floating hotel”, as our driver, Saraya, called it, brought big business to this island as he sadly noted Dominica experienced then an unemployment rate of over 38%. Yet, there was no obvious appearance of “hustle” for tourist dollars from him or the local populace we met. I felt then that corporations were destroying these precious rainforests for the sake of economic greed. During our rainforest visit, we also took time to smell various tropical herbs and realized the many untapped, natural cures for urban ailments present in these steamy surroundings.

The last leg of our tour winded steeply downhill to the capital city Roseau, situated in a bowl- shaped valley. I laughed at the “double entendre” meaning when Saraya stated that we would soon be arriving at the “dead center” of the city as we become aware of dangerous waterways and eerie cemeteries nearby.

Clearly, we evidenced a stark contrast between the shantytown atmosphere of the countryside and the impressive, urban amenities downtown. A”state-of the art” soccer stadium, a stately Government Palace, and a thriving port here provided proof that Dominicans had made substantial progress as an independent people to overcome centuries of slavery/political repression in this nation’s British colonialist past.

Dominica, you are no “third world” country in my mind. I am glad that you have taken the time to educate me in both mind and spirit about the hidden treasures that your country possesses. Your natural beauty has helped me feel more “alive” today as I sail away to savor these priceless moments of “sleepy” solitude.

January 20, 2017 20

Busy Servicing A Progressive Cause

“It’s better to show up than give up.” (Bernie Sanders)

“Wishes and wants do not transform a person; actions and reactions do so! Show the world your plans by the actions you take progressively and consistently.” (Israelmore Ayivor)

I recently conversed with an artist I was stacking boxes with at a food collection facility. We exchanged thoughts about why we were donating our labor today. I told him that my reasons had evolved over time. I related to him that initially I had foreseen volunteering as a way to fill my free time in retirement: essentially new hobby exploration. In spite of our different ages and career differences, we admitted that helping people of greatest need had become our greatest motivation to volunteer of late. After further conversation, we agreed that our main desire to serve in this manner of volunteer capacity was the the fearful presence of a Trump Presidency. 2017 would be a challenging time for both of us as we explored volunteering as “Progressive” action in these troubling times.

A critical part of my transformation to become an activist would stem from engaging with others in an intelligent examination of global issues: gender equality, social justice, educational standards, and environmental preservation. As I diligently investigated the sixty-eight Word Press bloggers in my reader collection, I singled out five of them that shared valuable insight for pursuing a progressive initiative. I would soon realize that my own thoughts about such politically controversial issues would not suffice if I did not accompany my words with serious action.

I also would reassess the social media value of Facebook as a legitimate way to “test the waters” for these, educated discussions Tiring of unpresidential rants and outright lies that were reported each day in the media, I began to see myself as a model for truth and reason in my Facebook postings. Fake news surrounding the Trump campaign would be a particularly hot topic as I often examined the veracity of Trump Twitter rants and emotional attacks on character. I would also intensify my efforts to market my weekly blogs on Facebook to gain both friendly and antagonistic feedback about my offered opinions.

I now re-prioritize my retirement time to spend 5-10 hours each week on more serious volunteer commitments when I am not traveling. I do not mind hard work yet the effort must be worthy of my time. Described below are the volunteer activities that I am presently committed to.

– CLICK ON THE TITLES THAT FOLLOW AND YOU CAN ACCESS DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT EACH ACTIVITY. I WOULD WELCOME ANY COMMENTS YOU HAVE ABOUT OTHER “PROGRESSIVE” IDEAS FOUND IN YOUR COMMUNITY-

Feeding South Florida

Once a week, I spend three hours at the main warehouse sorting and stacking donated food boxes that will be distributed to children, older adults, and the working poor throughout the South Florida region.

Women’s March Miami

On Sat.3/21, I will stand with thousands of people at a rally in Bayfront Park as a concerned American citizen. I protest the insulting rhetoric of our President-Elect with regard to human rights in general. I also participate in this event as an advocate for fair treatment of women, immigrants, minorities, and those of all religions.

Watch The Wild

I recently joined the national organization”Nature Abounds”, which engages citizens to find practical solutions to preserve the environment. Once a week, I ride my bicycle to Tree Tops Park in Davie, Florida to observe wildlife and vegetation trends there. The information I record is then electronically sent to science experts affiliated with this organization with accompanying photos.

Live Stream Simulcast – “Freedom and Democracy”

In the last month, I have taken an interest in the Progressive- minded blog links posted by Word Press Press blogger, JoAnnChateau. This week’s podcast, ” Freedom and Democracy ” provides relevance to me as a global fact reference for my upcoming blogs and Facebook postings.

January 17, 2017 0

Hardships Overcome in Old Grenada

The volcano-laden island of Grenada bustled with tourism on this sweltering afternoon. As my wife and I climbed steeply through winding streets to Fort George, overlooking the capital city of St.Georges, we realized there were no easy ways to get around in this country. We would need to limit our walking tour it seemed.

Gazing seaward, we observed the stark contrast between the mass of cruise passengers exiting the vessel and the apparent poverty that lined the crowded streets in my present location. This was not exactly what was expected from a tropical paradise. However, it felt very safe to walk and there was a familiar comfort of obvious British influence here.

Seeking an inexpensive option to escape from the congested town, we next hopped on an island taxi for a short ride to the renowned, Grand Anse Beach. Upon arrival, I bought a coconut from an amiable beachcomber who put on a nice show for us in cutting the coconut for me to drink. Sadly, there was only time for a brief walk along the inviting shores.

I would have found this experience more rewarding at Fort George and Grand Anse Beach if we had arrived in a cooler part of the day when it was less crowded. Furthermore, while I looked forward to ambling around this paradise today, the pressure of adhering to the set time schedule of arrival/departure tended to limit my independent exploration options. Lastly, I found less incentive to sample unique, local cuisines here after becoming conditioned to the ease of indulging in an endless buffet onboard ship to my heart’s content.

I do not consider these limitations insurmountable though. Through diligent consideration of allotted excursion times and judicious use of my digital devices, I can successfully conduct my own island excursions. Essentially, by avoiding waste of my tourist energy, I will always value “quality” over “quantity” in prioritizing my independent explorations.

January 12, 2017 6

South Florida Escape With Purpose

Recovering from the frenzy of holiday time celebration in December, my wife and I embarked on a short car trip to Tampa the first weekend after New Year. Our main objectives would be to spend time with my wife’s cousin and pay a brief visit to our alumnus, the University of South Florida (USF). We anticipated a routine drive as winter weather would probably not surface as an issue of concern and we would be traveling away from incoming Broward County traffic.

As we leisurely drove across Alligator Alley to the west coast in mid- morning, the swampy randomness surrounding me began to sensitize my mind to the slower pace of nature’s calling. Being more observant of the Everglades environment now, the ground seemed wetter for this time of year as migratory birds hovered together in survival mode to find food. Stopping at a boat-launching area, I spotted a small alligator lurking motionless in the center of a murky-watered canal. He/she did not seem to be bothered by my presence and I wondered if this made me his predator or prey.

Reaching USF at lunchtime, inquisitive memories came and went quickly. How many times did I intently walk these spacious grounds on the way to class? How did I overcome the distractions of college life to maintain my academic focus here? How was it possible to survive as a student without the Internet? Such questions reminded me that my four-year commitment to USF helped me grow not only as a scholar but also to mature as a fully-functioning adult.

Changes to our original plan to stay near the college soon surfaced as we realized that lodging availability would be limited near campus with the College Football Championship Game taking place in Tampa that weekend. Choosing our most economical option then, we booked a motel room across the bay in Pinellas County that night and readjusted our plans to stay only one day in the area. Tragedy in South Florida further compounded our concerns when CNN reported that five tourists had been gunned down at Fort Lauderdale Airport that afternoon. How fortunate for us that we had chosen to drive from our Broward County home rather than book a flight to Tampa that day.

The next morning, we woke up to pounding rain on our motel windows and real winter-like temperatures. It was not a day to take a long walk or swim for sure yet fewer beachcombers would be venturing out due to the inclement weather. Still, we wanted to “kill some time” before making our expected family stop. “Honeymoon Island” thus became a pleasing discovery for us then on a day we did not expect it. As we strolled along its continuous sandy beach surrounded by islands of pristine mangroves overlooking wind-blown dunes, I imagined this “protected” preserve as “Old Florida” beauty, before the explosion of tourist growth in this state.

My “Traveling Mind” realizes that I must not only be prepared to find new destinations but also remain cognizant of the personal moments experienced along the way. Since much of Florida’s natural beauty lies within a day’s drive of South Florida, why not travel within your state more often? Savor your solitude on a country road, cool off in a crystal-clear spring, or birdwatch with binoculars in hand along a lonely beach. By choosing near rather than far, your inquisitive mind will grasp an “ocean” of new ideas at less cost and distance.

January 9, 2017 8

Smooth Feel of Curaçao Magic

My initial impression of Curacao began with the name of the island itself. What a perfect blend of vowels and consonants that just rolls lightly in the mouth – cur/uh/say/o. Using this name as a linguistic mantra, I felt confident that our early start at 8:00 am. would prophecize that the remainder of our stay here would be equally untroubled.

Upon first sight of this picturesque island from the ship, I observed a complexity of landscape that flat Aruba was missing. Tropical beach greenness rising to a rugged and hilly interior seemed to dominate my gaze at first. Gradually the Dutch architectural presence of the capital city, Willemstad, came into view in a captivating explosion of color. Brightly colored pastels of yellow, blue, and pink -covered villas lined the lagoon enveloping the commercial hub of the downtown sector. Further inland, tourists shops overlooking cobblestone streets provided visions of Old Europe living.

A crowd of locals had quietly gathered in the streets leading to the center at 9:00 am. as we took our place amidst the relaxed calm of the morning commute. I felt relieved that we had arrived in the city without the expected cruise mob presence later. Crossing an 18th century, swingbridge, we entered the town proper. The walls of Fort Amsterdam, enclosing a towering palace of yellowish ocher, immediately came into view. Serving as the national seat of Curacao government now, this UNESCO World Heritage site, provided clear evidence to us about the Dutch legacy on this island.

Making our way seaward to a limestone jetty along a rocky beach, we reached an aging pier as land crabs scurried away from our presence to protective rocks over a crystal blue water scene. Resting in quiet contentment now, today had been cooler and a more fulfilling experience than the Aruba excursion before.

Crossing the lagoon again, we ascended to the Anthropology Museum, and viewed an amazing display of African and Middle East artifact and slave trade memorabilia. The most impressive parts of this “Smithsonian-quality” experience were the extensive collections of hieroglyphic writings on stone tablet, an actual boat from the slave trade, and the eerie African masks that added an element of “black magic” to the experience.

Classy but unpretentious, crowded yet tranquil, Curacao captured my attention today with minimal stress today. I picture this island with the cool name as a worthy stop today and it leaves me curious to explore further this island in future travels.

January 5, 2017 4

A Taste Of Tropical Aruba Happiness

Day three of our Eastern Caribbean cruise brought my wife and I to the elongated cay of Aruba. From the deck of the ship, the flatness of this island allowed us to gaze from its busy port city, Oranjestad across to the sparcely populated leeward side. The three most prominent features in this panorama include the prominent volcano mound midway across the island, the line of luxury resort hotels lining the western beachside, and the unsightly towers of offshore oil derricks protruding prominently offshore.

Using my Triposo Travel app to plan a leisurely walking tour, I expected we would cover the major sights of the town efficiently. Arriving within 30 minutes at our first stop, the National Museum of Aruba, we paid a nominal fee to wander the grounds of an 18th century Dutch fort as well as view a modest collection of colorful artifacts from the hat making and weaving industries of the past. Sadly, we learned that Aruba’s balance of trade with the U.S. and Europe is increasingly threatened by competing Asian markets for these goods today.

Continuing our city walk inland, we amused ourselves watching a family of curious green and spiny iguanas sunning nearby. Oddly, they seemed oblivious to our human presence. A pungent smell in the air accompanied these prehistoric-looking lizards as they slowly made their way in and out of the surrounding polluted water.

Crossing a small bridge over a main waterway to the Caribbean Sea, we spotted a prominently displayed flag ahead, leading to the air conditioned refuge of the nearby Aruban National Library. Cooling off now, we took some time to take advantage of the free wifi inside the cavernous building. Phone service, however became a challenge today. “Hi mom, we are in Aruba. How are you? I am fine ….” click and no signal. The world can apparently wait for our return and frankly I don’t miss this reality now.

We have typically decided to return back to our cruise vessel from an excursion by lunchtime in the past and today was no exception. Our four mile walk around Oranjestad seemed to end too soon today perhaps but we had enjoyed our brief sample of the “Happy Island” spirit of Aruba at a nominal cost. We still could have time to venture off the boat again for a bit of souvenir shopping later or a short ride on a local disco bus. For tomorrow’s walk, I would need to change into my more comfortable shoes and drink more water.

December 30, 2016 8