Alphonse Wisniewski My Dad!!

 I tell people my Dad was on a State Champion basketball team in Nevada, 1939. This was in his annual when he graduated. I put the 2 photos together. I like how it looks. He is back row 2nd from the right, if you are unable to tell.

If you look at the year Dad was born you notice he was 19, almost 20, at this time. Why? You may ask. More information about Dad. I should write a book to chronically cover his growing up. 

Dad was born in Maumee, Ohio, near Toledo, a strong Polish community. His parents were separated and in the early to mid 20's this was a tough time. He had 3 sisters, Val and Dorothy (who I share a birthday with) both older, and a younger sister Helen. They were placed in an orphanage during this time. Dad told me that there was a lot of discrimination going on and not just towards Black people but Polish as well. (We have all heard nearly every Polish joke out there). Well, due to this Dad was interestingly forced to box the Black kids during there recreational time. He became a very good boxer. (Personally I have felt the back side of his hand and fist but that is a total other story. (You should have seen me at the Texas DPS Academy during boxing. Only a few wanted to go against me.)

Finally when he was 16 he was forced to leave the orphanage and went back with his mother. (Some of this is not fully clear in my mind but it is close.) After a time living with his mother and turning 18 he made a big move. During the FDR Presidency and the Great Depression the Civillian Conservation Corp was formed giving jobs to young men between the ages of 18-25. He jumped on a train and went west to Nevada. Ending up in or near Lincoln County and the 3 towns in the area, Pioche, Caliente, and Panaca. 

While there he worked at State Parks building whatever was needed to keep them in good order. He took me to the area and showed me some of the things they did. The CCC was loosely military based in organization I believe. Dad stated that he became the enforcer, that is understandable. Now please know that all, or most of this was told to me during a nearly 3 hour drive from Las Vegas to Panaca in 1989. He stated one time that one of the other guys was bad mouthing either him or someone and once they got off the bus Dad knocked some sense into him. He gained this reputation throughout and no one messed with him. Remember the boxing in the orphanage!! There was a story of one of the commanders at the time that was not too thrilled with the circumstances he was in and decided to take his life. Dad had to clean up the mess, dang that is some dark $#!+ !!

So to move forward Dad made another choice, he was going to get his high school diploma. That is how he came to go to Lincoln County High School in Panaca. He excelled in both football and basketball all while doing his classwork to graduate and work at the CCC.

One final mention of his time in Nevada is after graduation he went on to Reno and competed in what was a precursor to the Golden Gloves boxing. Yes he won his weight class. I had his trophy at one time but lost it somewhere in a move. From there he made another life choice and joined the Army Air Corp, later to be designated the US Air Force.

I have left out a few details that are private and for family only but this explains so much concerning my father and his disposition. This also allows you to understand why he was 20 years old at the time he graduated high school.

"You Can't See Me!"

 Observation and Opinion:

#AngelReese #caitlinclark , okay, before it is well beyond old news, my observation. A white woman did the "you can't see me" sign we will call it. Nearly everyone supported it, or it was no big deal, part of the trash talking in the game. Two days later, a Black woman repeats the gesture to the white, yes, this has turned into a race thing, woman. My opinion well deserved, if you can dish it you have to be able to take it, and she did as I have not heard her complain. She actually stated at one point she never saw it being done, good for her. 

Then, immediately after the whole sports world explodes, OMG, "disrespectful,"and "unsportsmanlike" were the most used words. The political side then stepped in with their two cents. Jill Biden wants BOTH teams invited to the White House!!! On and on and on. This next comment by me is only from my observation so take it for that. It seems that the "left" has been harder on Angel than the "right". The left who is doing whatever they can to secure the "black" vote has been "trash talking" a black women when NOT saying a damn thing negative about what the white woman did, oh, until they were cornered. "TRUE COLORS" if you were to ask me.

Now, what do I have to say about the gesture. On its own, just the "You can't see me", no real issue, but add the pointing to the ring finger, maybe a bit too much. I grew up playing at a time when a gesture like that during a game would end with a nice elbow to the chest during a block out for a rebound. And yes, I knew how without getting a found called. The thing is, I never had to do that for a payback because , I believe, sportsmanship was a "thing" back then. Now, it's just a phrase used when others dislike what someone has done. Good old basketball isn't what people want to see. They need fast-paced excitement with in your face play. The problem is basketball is not what it used to be, too much "look at what I can do". Even football is this way, if not worse. Make a tackle for a loss, and they run 20 yards hopping, skipping, pointing at the other team, raising their hands for the fans. What did I miss? These things plus all the BS Politics by sports journalists are why I only catch snippets of news, sports info shows, and games.

Society has allowed this to happen slowly, making most things acceptable until someone crosses the line. The United States has lasted nearly 250 years, longer than any other nation without some sort of overhaul. Buckle up because the overhaul is coming, and many (Society) will allow and welcome it then in the aftermath wonder WTF did we do!!!

Stay at home!

While in "STAY AT HOME" mode I find life has not changed much. Then I go out to the store and what has it become? No toilet paper!!. No distilled water!! Plus many other items that are in high demand yet not available. But why? Panic, fear, distrust for government, ignorance maybe. Stay six feet away, wear that face mask, lines, only 10 people maximum, need I continue. Churches meeting online, restaurants closed to dine in, liquor stores are essential yet to meet with your physician you have to set up a virtual appointment. Government says help the Small Businesses yet money has run dry. It is so nice that my life has not changed much due to this "STAY AT HOME" order.

Almost the New Year

With Christmas over and the New Year just around the corner I feel the need to reflect. Not sure but sometimes when you reflect things just bounce off. We shall see where this goes.

Last year around this time we were heavily engaged with kids and grandkids. My oldest had made a move to the area and this brought all our combined family together. We had several get togethers throughout the seasons of the year and it all was going fairly smooth.

The thing is as we all know with family it does not always remain smooth. Disagreements are always happening, but how you move through and past are the determining factor in maintaining. Adding exes to the mix, specifically when grandkids or children are involved create excessive drama. Adding to this the lack of communication, overreactions, non confrontational people, ones who refuse to stand up to certain types for various reasons, and you name it, causes a dissolve of relations.

What has happened since let's say July 4th? For one, lots fewer get togethers. Then after school started neediness came in and a feeling of taking advantage of situation arrived and guess what? A great dissolve. Now this is my reflection and I know there is always the opposite viewpoint. Work, their relationships, kids, living arrangements all are contributing factors so I must chose my path with it all.

We have chosen to chill, as doing anything else would be be counterproductive. To be content, not closed off from but limited engagement seems to be best in this instance. Learning from past experiences helps greatly. What is it the say about learning from history, or those that do not are doomed to repeat. I suppose this is my reflection of the past year. It was not a bad year, but a learning year actually. Lots of good mingled with the various struggles. I do believe this is what life is all about. Go, experience, live.

2 Plus years, wow! So much has happened.

It seems that I have gotten away from blogging. I read others through social media and such but I have kept quiet about my own life, thoughts, and concerns. So where do I restart this process from.

My life:

This is as good as anyplace to start. Nearly 2 years ago I became 'not single'. Please do not take offense Alicia, if you read this, to my usage of that phrase. Has to do with prior posts. I am very happy to be a couple. Finally having someone on the same path that I am, concerned about the same issues as I, and willing to share our life together as one. Being able to share ideas, concerns, and life together to move forward. From having 7 grandkids to now 11 combined makes for some interesting family get togethers. All the differing paths our children (from 3 to now 6) have taken, well, that is fodder for another time.

With me now fully embracing retired and disabled life I spend so much time alone, with my pets, two dogs and two cats. With all this free time you would think I would write more, yet I stopped. I believe it is due to the negativity I see in social media that I felt the need to stop being part of it. The written word from the press side of things is, in my opinion, tearing our Country and World apart. I do not watch any Network News anymore. It has become opinions over news. They, telling us what to believe, not sharing all sides equally, to allow us to try and form an educated opinion of our own. Damn, that was a mouthful!! Anyways, I rather enjoy my time alone as I can do pretty much whatever I feel. From playing the Assassins Creed Odyssey game, to watching shows on the History Channel or DIY, Animal Planet and DVR shows that Alicia and I like watching together, to walking around the house and getting little things done that need done.

My back is no better, actually worse as I knew it would get. Nerve block that eases the issues but only puts off another surgery. I deal with the pain, yes, opioids are taken but the smallest amount, and then the Lyrica. That is the one med I am totally addicted to, as missing just one dosage and you will not want to be around me. Having had the fusion in my neck has fixed the issues with my hand. I just pray it remains fixed.

As I try to keep these on the short to moderate size I feel it is necessary to end this. I will leave you with this concerning "my life". I am content and very happy with my place in time and with who is in my life. No matter the issues life is not worth fretting over but is worth living for. Happiness is from within, not from outside sources, if you want it to last. This felt good, if not for others to read, but for me to share for myself.

What type of Church Member are YOU?

Since I am on churches I feel that it is important to look at the MEMBER of a church. After all it is the members of the church that make or break the church. From my experiences these are the most common types of members. The older more mature grandmother and grandfather types, the mature sit and complain about everything ones, the mid aged go get ems as well as the mid age sit and watch what goes on type. Your choir members who can maybe sing, with the ones that believe they are the all get out best singer in the world (when they are not), and the ones who can really sing but do not want to bring attention to themselves or are not utilized by the director because they are not part of the "in" group. To go with the musically inclined you have the few talented piano and organ players with a few drummers and guitar players who add to the service. Now add to this the disappearing young adult and young marrieds, who want to be part of a church but do not really fit in due to various reasons along with the teens that are usually attending because Mom and or Dad are 'making' them go. All the younger ones are the future church or are supposed to be and really do not make up a type that has a large influence other than they are there and show at least a growth part of a church.

I could go over each and every one of the types mentioned but it is not the important part of what I want to cover. Any and all of these can be an integral ingredient or a negative subsidy of any church. I myself am more of a sit and watcher. If something interested me I would try to be part of it, such as weekly Bible Study or men's programs, but I have no interest in being part of the choir. My sitting and watching would consist of seeing all these other types work the pews. The grandparent types would seek out the 'kids' they love dearly and chat away with them. Also they would seek out new people and welcome them all the while observing the visitors to see if they are a fit. You have the ones that are younger who, for various reasons, seek and destroy the newbies. I add destroy because trust me, visitors know if you are sincere in your greeting. Are you doing it because the pastor said you need to go and shake hands and greet all.. be the friendly church.. or are you sincere with your greeting and really are excited to see new people arrive. There are those greeters that are more out to see if you are competition, why I do not know but, that is what they are doing. Of course you have your men at the church door, those greeters welcoming all who enter the hallowed gates of the church, also known as the ushers. The Sunday School/Bible Study teachers are seeking new class members, the teens are looking for friends, or possible the new boyfriend girlfriend prospect, or in other words the competition. The young adults and young marrieds.. oh yes, they are disappearing.

This pretty much is my opinion of the different types and I know it is not all inclusive but there is some accuracy to it. What I would like to cover now is where do you take your friendships and relationships in your church? Once you find a connection do you embrace it and build upon it or do you leave it at the church. I guess what I am asking is are you a cultivator with others that believe as you do? Do your relations go beyond the church doors such as family dinners or outings? Are they all inclusive or are you hesitant to build on anything outside of church for various reasons. I recall several families from my younger years where we had lots of encounters outside of church. We had strong relationships that started at church and continued outside the church. We were never afraid to be who we were all the time because we were not trying to 'impress' anyone. Relationships were cultivated and became pretty strong friendships. I have had a few discussions and with those I have discussed we are not seeing this happen as much anymore unless you are related or have been part of a church for a long long time.

So what type of Church Member are YOU? Is your church growing and thriving or is it stuck in the mud, in a rut, or should I dare say, right where you want it to be? Traditional or Conventional church is does not matter. None of these are really incorrect because people are people and we are all different. It takes all kinds to be part of any group. Growth to me, in a positive manner, would be my way of gauging as to the best way for any group to be. Productive and positive without being isolating even though we all need our personal time and space. 

What is wrong with Traditional Churches?

I have had this on my mind for a while but was not sure how to start it or even say what I want but I want you to know this is from MY experiences and that is what MY blog is all about. I do use information taken from others but try my best to use my personal experiences to form opinions from very interpretive situations. So with that being said.

What the heck is going on in Traditional Churches? By Traditional I mean the churches we Baby Boomers grew up in and actually developed. Ones where a few people or families got together and decided they needed a small community church where we could follow God's leading and grow together. Heaven and Hell were preached, The Ten Commandments were the Law, teens had their get together time several times a week and not just on Sunday nights. The kiddos had their Saturday picnics and the elderly or more mature women got together to fellowship, and yes gossip as well. The men of the church had monthly work days at the church. Vacation Bible School was a BIG deal with buses borrowed from other churches to ship in all the kids. Not only did we learn the Bible but we learned how to build podiums for the Sunday School classrooms. As a teen our week of VBS ended with a trip down a river in a canoe or some other exciting thing. These are the things I recall from my early years in a Traditional Church.

Now what is it I am seeing and experiencing? Every now and then you hear Heaven and Hell preached but you have to back off on Hell. That offends too many. After all why would God send people to Hell. He is all loving and caring. Sorry folks. God did not intend Hell for us. But He gave us a choice between following Christ or not. Our choosing not to follow Christ is what sends people to Hell, NOT God. What about the Ten Commandments.. Oh they are still top dog but then you have the NEW Testament teachings and so many other STANDARDS are added that we MUST live by to be productive Christians. More on this later. Vacation Bible School, Teens, and kiddos, and lest we forget the forgotten in many churches. College and Career is what it was known as back in the day. Those that have graduated from high school and either left for college or are entering the work force, and yes, some are living in Mom and Dads basement. Traditional Churches, again, this is from MY POINT OF VIEW, do a pretty decent job of reaching out to the pre-school aged and elementary kids because after all, they need to bring in those younger families with the kids to help build the church, But when you do not have a nursery capable of doing a decent job you lose an important group of people. I mean we have young millennial families that feel that they can not leave their infants with anyone else. What is it.. the helicopter parents. They can not concentrate on a church service because they have to know everything that is going on with the little ones. So they bring them into the main service to disrupt it so NO ONE can concentrate on the service. Therefore they feel uncomfortable going to church and STOP going. By the time they are sorta comfortable with going back the kiddos do not want to go. Teens, what do we say about the teens. You have to have things going on 24/7 almost to keep them in church. Friday Night Lights, Super Sundays, what ever other gimmick you can find to keep them involved. If they are bored at church they will not come. If church were a video game maybe you could get them to show up and become involved. But it would have to be an exciting one.

Okay. Back to the 'Standards'. This is the one that probably irritates me more than anything. Yes, we have to have some sort of standards but this has turned into an issue. Jesus spoke harshly with the Pharisees coming up with all the "extra" laws they made in order for a person to be accepted. Well, from where I sit now many church leaders are coming up with all these 'standards' that must be followed for people to become accepted and part of our little church society. This is where I come up with my "Star Trek TNG" Borg assessment of Traditional Churches. According to http://www.startrek-voyager.info/j.html, “Their main goal is to find perfection by assimilating more species and technology but they only assimilate what they think is relevant biological or technological traits. The Borg are un-emotional but efficient and can only grow in numbers by assimilation.” Doesn't this describe the Traditional Local Churches of today. Conform or get out basically. I had an issue recently with the choir director and his wife hiding the fact that they consume alcohol. Really I thought when I found out that wow, good for them, able to drink and still work in the church. Then I found out that they only let certain people know this and those that know it are sworn to secrecy. Wait a minute. Sworn to secrecy. After all they have an image to uphold and if certain people found out then all is lost. What happened to not doing something if it were to offend? This has changed into hide it as long as you can and if anyone attempts to let it out then guess what we will do. Yes, I know there are many secrets among church people but deliberately hiding it and making others keep your secret or deal with the consequences. YES, there are consequences,  specially when the pastor depends on you and will do anything to protect you. So, lets bring out that I do not wear a suit to church. I must not honor God because I wear jeans. After all you have a suit and look decent in one so therefore you should wear one to church. I guess I am saying this because the focus has changed, It is about making others follow the churches ideals and standards instead of following Jesus example. They twist things that seem to be Christ like yet are really Churchy. Jesus fellowship was with all people including 'sinners'. Local traditional churches insist that you stay away from the 'sinners' because these 'sinners' will turn you before you can lead them to Him.. UH, NO. we need to be an example to everyone, living an honest, non deceptive life, showing the 'sinners' what it is like to be alive and able to serve God at the same time.

To answer my title question of What is wrong with the Traditional Churches? I am not sure if I can. But in short I feel that these Traditional Churches have lost sight of what Jesus was really all about. Love, acceptance, being an example, not forcing your ways but allowing others to see you live the life HONESTLY so that others will want what you have. This is why the local Traditional Church is slipping away into nothing. Conventional Churches, though imperfect, as we all are anyways, are taking the lead and the Traditional Churches are not adapting to society. Notice I said adapting to because I feel that it is necessary to adapt to the changes in the world if you want to reach the world. After all that is what Jesus did. He adapted to what was going on around Him. Reached out to others and embraced them, showing them what it was like to be HIM. He did not force a set of standards on them, He lived His life, a non deceptive, truthful life, and was the ultimate example of what it is to be a Christian.

A Pain in the Neck

Had an MRI of my cervical spine due to some issues I have been having to my left finger and thumb. Also as a symptom a tingling up my arm to my to just past my elbow, then the constant pain to my left shoulder blade and some to my neck. With the way they do MRI and CT scans and almost any sort of X-Rays now a day you are able to, if not read the results, you can most certainly get a glimpse of what it is showing. Then all you do is type a search and there you have it, instant information. Severe spinal cord compression is what I have come up with and of course there are several options to help with the pain. These include upping the medicines I already take, physical therapy, steroid injections, and of course surgery. The final decision will be made after talking to my surgeon but between now and then I get to play the full guessing game.

As I was looking through all the myriad of information there are always other things that pop up and make you wonder. Myfirst  thought looking at my MRI was why is there a gap from C2/C3 to C4/C5. There is not much of a bulge at C3/C4 compared to the other two. Why is that? I do not know!!! You would think if I injured it that they would be adjacent.

As any normal, I guess normal person would do, you keep searching the internet for answers. Pretty much I have not found a good answer for that but I am sure it is there somewhere. The biggest issue I have found is the times that tumor show up when discussing spinal stenosis. Now I have done comparison glances at the tumors and do I believe that is one of the issues I have. NO!!! Just saying that this is one of the things that pops up when searching the internet. I believe that it is best to not guess or self diagnose because all it does is create a higher anxiety level to which I really do not need. What I have is a pain in the neck, well actually, as stated above, it all started with a numbness to my index finger, moved to my thumb and middle finger also. Then the pain in the shoulder blade and somewhat to my neck area. The tingling and numbness enveloping my hand up to my elbow was what gave me the greatest concern. Instead of fretting and worrying about what could be or may be I am writing it in this blog. It allows me to share my concerns and hopefully will keep me from obsessing prior to my doctor visit in the next day. Maybe by doing this I will not become someone else Pain in the Neck.

Care-giving and the impact it has on the caregiver.

I have written on this subject before but feel that I need to go over it again. If not for me, for some who have been caregivers and have ended up on the short side of a family dispute. Taking care of a parent is a responsibility that falls on a child at one time or another. It can be rewarding and also can be a pure pain in the ass. I was this for 15 months with my father and to be able to spend some great moments with him were priceless, but at the same time, to see him decline, was heart wrenching. Would I do it over again? YES!!!! but only with a parent.

Now to the DARK side of care-giving. Siblings. If you have been a caregiver and you have siblings you know all too well what I am talking about. My oldest sister, that lived 1000 miles away was my protector. Not sure if she knows that or not but if she reads this I hope she knows how much I appreciate that she attempted to be there for me, if not in person, in several long phone conversations. She even took a few weeks out of her busy life to come give me a break. When it came time to make the choice to leave, (in my mind I hurt even now thinking on this) I felt as though I were abandoning my Dad, but knew it was necessary to get him the care that he really needed. She was in full support, or at least she showed me support, of the decisions that I made with Dad, as I was always trying to let her know what was going on.

To my other sister, who lived less than 20 miles from OUR Dad, I have no respect at all. It was all about her. She was in denial plain and simple. Six months prior to my fathers passing away I had made sure that my Daughter was able to come visit and spend time with my Dad, her Grandfather. She told my Daughter that I was just over exaggerating Dads condition. Well, was I BITCH!!! What was she going to get out of it if she did anything was more like it. Well, Dad put me as beneficiary to a measly $6000.00 life insurance policy to which I split between the 3 of us. I look back at it and think why the hell did I even do that. But it is what caregivers do. Calling her and trying to give her updates on Dad fell on deaf ears. Inviting her over was a chore as Dad would sometimes recognize a 'new' person in the house and temporarily regain some strength and memory. But right after the 'new' person left we had to go into the dementia stage all over again. I could go on about this but it is really upsetting because I know a friend of mine is going through the same shit as I did. The issue is she is having the problems with two older brothers. They are both idiots and ass holes. Sorry but this is just how I feel. NO!!!! I am not sorry. Screw them. They are what they are. What is really irritating is how they have fed bullshit lies and misinformation to grandchildren and other family that the caregiver always looks like the bad person. In some way I want to wish the same fate on the others so that they will see what shit faces they are and have been but then again as a caregiver I would not want to see anyone go through what I and my friend have had to go through.

Good grief, This has gotten me pretty worked up so I had better put a close to it before I say even more to piss some people off. What I want to leave with anyone that may possibly read or relate to this is: If you are NOT the caregiver give the caregiver some slack. They are not making any profit out of being a caregiver. Yes, due to the care that they are given, the parent sometimes changes beneficiary, or looks to be 'helping' the one out a bit more. Really, Do you actually think that is the case? Do you actually believe that is WHY we do it? The lack of maturity in some people no matter how old they are amazes me. Some, as in my friend, lost lots of time at her job, could not go on family outings, spent many a long hour at the hospital. Some of these are what happened to me as well but luckily I had retired from my job and was able to take the time to care. Siblings, the response I got was, do not bother me unless it is "that" time. Not with both but with the one that lived the closest. Financial gain from being a caregiver. GIVE ME A BREAK. Even if it looks like you are gaining something you end up LOSING more in the end. I have read many articles on this subject and they all say the same thing that I lived through. You lose so so much more, not just in financial but in mental stress. It is time to look past how you, as the non caregiver sibling, feel due to doing NOTHING, and realize that family is so important that it is not about YOU but about the FAMILY.

Deception, no wait, Selfishness, What about Integrity, Trust, and Respect.

Deception: the act of making someone believe something that is not true. This is something that has been on my mind for several months now. I have been one to have used deception before and know how it works on a person. What it can do to a person, their integrity, people putting trust in them, and the one that I believe hits the hardest, respect.

There are three primary motivations for deceptions in close relationships.

• Partner-focused motives: using deception to avoid hurting the partner, to help the partner to enhance or maintain his/her self-esteem, to avoid worrying the partner, and to protect the partner's relationship with a third party. Partner-motivated deception can sometimes be viewed as socially polite and relationally beneficial.
• Self-focused motives: using deception to enhance or protect their self-image, wanting to shield themselves from anger, embarrassment, or criticism. Self-focused deception is generally perceived as a more serious transgression than partner-focused deception because the deceiver is acting for selfish reasons rather than for the good of the relationship.
• Relationship-focused motives: using deception to limit relationship harm by avoiding conflict or relational trauma. Relationally motivated deception can be beneficial to a relationship, and other times it can be harmful by further complicating matters. *(Guerrero, L., Anderson, P., Afifi, W. (2007). Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications)

The motivation that I am particularly focused on is the Self-focused motives as given above. Enhancing or protecting their self-image. The deceiver acting for selfish reasons. We do many things to protect our image and we most definitely do this for selfish reasons.

Selfishness is what jumps out at me here, We are all selfish in one form or another, it is a natural part of our flesh. The Word of God speaks against following our own selfish desires as it opens the doors for many terrible sinful actions to manifest in our lives.

*http://christianbiblelife.com/verses/11-humbling-bible-verses-about-selfishness

This has changed from deception to selfishness pretty quick. What does that say? To me it says that when a person uses deception to make themselves look better than who they are in order to protect an image, they have many selfish traits. Now due to our deception, because of our selfishness, we have opened doors for other terrible actions to manifest in us and our lives, as stated above. Is it worth it? 

What ever happened to just being honest and open? I watched and like the movie Clear and Present Danger specially when Jack Ryan is talking to the President concerning the close friend of his that had been murdered. If the president were to be asked if he and Hardin were good friends, he should answer. "We're lifelong friends." Instead of any deception or denial he spoke of the basic truth in the relationship. Maybe a bit overboard but there was no denying of the relationship. this is what I attempt to do now with all my talk. Not necessarily the overstatement but if you are in a situation you need to be straight up. Do not hide anything specially if it is for self preservation. Why? What happens if you are found out, or if someone already knows things you do or have done and they know that you are hiding something?

This takes me back to what I stated at the very beginning. What can it do to a person, their integrity, people putting trust in them, and the one that I believe hits the hardest, respect. If I have lost the respect of someone it is disheartening. It takes so so much to build this back up. We have all in some form done something that caused someone to lose trust in us. How about not allowing this to happen. Truthfulness, honesty and integrity, with no form of deception at all. This is how we want others to be towards us so why can we not be this way towards others. I want others to know that what I say is trustworthy. Not thinking in the back of their mind, is this the truth or, what else are they hiding? So, deception, selfishness, integrity, trust, respect, what is important to you and what is your main focus? Something again that has been on my mind over the past few months.

Public Service with out the Public Knowing.

Today is a very nice day out but somewhat cloudy, Actually completely cloudy but as the ground was not as wet as it has been I decided today was a good day to mow and trim the yard. I know, David it has only been two months since you have had back surgery, fusion surgery at that. Well, that is where this blog has come to start. I have mentioned in several different settings that I have mowed my lawn, 4 times now since my surgery, with the same or similar comment each and every time. What would your doctor say about that!!! Well here is the kicker, my son in law was here for a week and mowed it the first week for me but they had to go back home so, who does that leave to mow the lawn? I have had one person ask if they could have their son come mow it but in my stubbornness or more my personal thoughts, Do not ask if you can do something for someone, volunteer yourself and make it happen. No one has knocked on my door saying I am here to do whatever needs done for you, so as a homeowner, it is my responsibility to take care of my lawn.

This is not one of those, I want someone to come mow my lawn post. It is more about public service and doing things for others. A few years ago I attended a church whose Strategy for Life Change is Love, Grow, Serve, Share. Very good strategy as it encourages LOVE for one another, GROWth as in growing towards God and together with others, SERVE(ing) others without expecting anything in return, and SHARE(ing), as in sharing what God has done and is doing in our lives to allow others to see what He is capable of doing and will do for all of us. This is my interpretation of the strategy anyways. I believe we as humans have a responsibility to look out for others and help out when we can and sometimes even when it is inconvenient. The reasoning for doing what ever we do really has no bearing on our doing, it is just that we need to do whatever we are capable of doing, but not for recognition. If you are looking for recognition or payment then you are not doing it for the right reasons. I have sat in groups where someone needed something done and a parent jumped in and said, "I have a son that could help",  then messed it all up by saying, "he will do it for $20.00". Wow, talk about taking a good learning experience for a young person and turning it into a personal gain. Now my thoughts are, the next Saturday or whatever day you are able, grab your son and say we are going over to so and so house and do some yard work. God has given us an opportunity to serve someone and we are going to take advantage of it. Take him out to lunch or dinner for doing a great service or if you want give him the money yourself, or just let it be a personal satisfaction moment.

A few weeks ago I was talking with a friend that stated one weekend she heard a mower outside close to her house. Walking out and seeing that someone was mowing her lawn. She went out and talked with the person and his statement to her was that he felt God was wanting him to go do something for other people and that it was to mow their lawns. So he grabbed his mower, put it in his truck, and got plenty of gas and went to a mobile home park, He mowed all the lawns that needed mowed and did not do it for any recognition at all. Several years ago I know of a group that got together and went over to one of their members homes and did major yard and home improvement work on the house. Two examples of people stepping out, seeing a need, and just doing what needed to be done. I know public service is still around but I feel that it is not as prevalent as it used to be. Most of the time it has come down do people having to have a reward for anything and everything they do.

Life is about taking what abilities we have and using them to make this world a better place. How we do it and why we do it or even if we do it lies in the person with those abilities. Many choose money and recognition but there are just as many that will go out and do things because of a sense of being there for others. Why do I do the things I do? What do I expect of others and do I even have a right to expect? Here is what it boils down to for me. We all have a conscience that tells us what we should do and why we should do it. When it comes to public service or just a desire to assist others I feel it is most important to do it to make the place we live a better place and give those that need assistance a sense of security knowing others are there for them. You will not hear me telling you what I have done and I do not need to know what you have done. No one needs to know of our ways of making the world a better place, we just need to make sure we do something to contribute.

My 3rd Back Surgery

Time has come to have my 3rd back surgery, my 2nd fusion. I have had L-5/S-1 fused back in 2007 and knowing that the 3 disk above it were already having issues it was inevitable that I would have to have more surgeries. This time they are fusing L-4/L-5 using a procedure called TLIF- Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion. I had said may years ago that I did not ever want to have any metal in me and with the first fusion being a Facet Fusion they used cadaver bone to do the fusion. Well, with this there will be rods and pins used so so much for the NO METAL comment. With all the changes and improvements to back surgery I do feel so much better about this type of fusion. I have a great doctor, at least up till now he has a very good reputation and I have the utmost confidence in his abilities.

I would not be having this if it were not for the nerve issues that is being caused by the decompression of my disc. The issues are making it difficult to have full use of my left leg. Limited movement and of course the pain issues. My doctor has been upfront with me from the beginning letting me know that with the issues I have with my back I will never be pain free. This surgery is not really to help with the pain, though it will possible help some of it, but to allow me more freedom of use for my leg. I am good with this.

My lil sis Lisa is here to help me during this first week and I am so glad she is here. Though Lisa is not blood relative she is probably one of my best of friends. She is more than just a friend and better than family if that makes any sense. Really does not matter if it does to anyone but me anyways cause I am just so happy to have her in my life. I do not know what I would do without having her and Todd, her husband, be there through all the many things that have been going on in my life and I know that they feel the same way with all that they have had in theirs as well. Seems as if God knows who to put in your life and when to put them there.

Anyway, I guess I should get me some sleep as 5:45 am gets here pretty quick when it is already 1:00 am. Life is good, God is good, and no matter what troubles and trials you happen to go through there is always a meaning for them and in the end it will turn out as God wills it for us.

Bruce Jenner wants another Gold Medal

Transgender.. being a female in a male body, or male in a female body. Really!!!! Bruce says, if I have heard correctly, that he has had feelings that relate more to a female and over his lifetime this has caused him to question his inner body and wants to make the correction by now living as a woman. Wow... 

What do I believe? Really it makes no difference other than to myself but I like to express my thoughts through my writings. I believe that we all, both male and female have developed ourselves by the influences in our life. We learn and mimic and eventually take over the actions and make them our own. This is natural if you ask me. Now with Mr Jenner I would say that he may have taken the feelings he had and held them in for many a time.. I mean, really, The guy won a gold medal in the 1976 Olympics in the Decathalon. He was a mans man for goodness sake. Ok, as I do not know all about his childhood maybe he took whatever feelings he was having back then and used them to become the athlete he was. You bottle things up, hold them in, and in his determination to be exactly opposite of what he was feeling, became a world class decathlete. Then fast forward to where no one really knows who and what you are. Living among many strong women who are making a name for themselves and back come those feminine thoughts that for so long he had to keep inside. Now it is time for him to take the forefront, start running that decathalon so to speak, and gain that Gold Medal he so desires again.

Now I believe we all at times show feelings that have been contributed towards one gender or another. Men have so called feminine feelings and women have masculine feelings. Lets correct this right off. Men and women have feelings. PERIOD. To categorize feelings and place them to a gender is just wrong. It is also unfair to everyone to justify the categorization of these feelings. Is it right to call a male, young or old, that expresses his "feminine" feelings a sissy? Or when a woman shows that strong masculine side do we call her macho man? NO!!! This is all part of bullying isn't it. Lets take this a step further. To allow the categorization of feelings now, makes us look at many others and say that they should have been a man, or would have made a great woman. Isn't this against what women have been fighting for in wanting to be equal with men since the beginning of the women's liberation era. If a woman has the desire and imagination as well as feelings that she can do all that a man can do in whatever field they excell in do they have to become and live as a man to do it. HELL NO!!!!! As a woman they can do anything and everything that they have been born with, as a woman. The same goes for men too. To say you were born in the wrong body is in my opinion, an insult to mankind. I could find arguments to it in both Biblical and evolutionary thinking, but I am choosing to stay away from that.

Needing to wrap this up I need to dedicate this paragraph to Bruce Jenner.. You can call yourself Caitlyn all you want but you will always be a man, no matter what you do. Somewhere down the line you were told to not have certain feelings because they are attributed to the feminine gender. Yes, you had certain feelings but they were your feelings. Human feelings. Attention is what you have desired because you have become an afterthought. You are now going to get your 2nd Gold Medal. Some courageous person you are to get the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. I know it does not matter to you because you are all about yourself but look at those that deserve this award more than you. Your insecurities and selfishness has put you on top of the sports world. OH MY GOD!!!!! The sports world has gone insane. Guess what is going to happen at the ESPY's, You are going to be up on that podium and people are going to be cheering and standing and hollering your name. The limelight is going to be shining on you so brightly. I wont be watching it though. You, to me, are a disgrace to humankind because you have turned on who you actually are and who you were born to be. Those are things you can not change but you have chosen to try to do so and you are being rewarded for doing it. Congratulations.

Already 3 months into 2015

Has it been that long since I blogged.. Yep. August of last year since my last one. Oh, well, that is how it goes with blogging and where I put my priorities.

Actually saw that a friend (Facebook) was thinking about blogging and led me to check out mine. This one is not going to be long but just need to let a few things get down on print.

Today is the 6th anniversary of the passing of my Dad. I am not sad or anything just thinking about the things he and I did. Playing catch, shooting baskets, small talk, the dinners he took me out on game days in HS. How I could always count on he and my mom always being there to watch me play basketball and baseball.

The time I found out that he was a member of a State Championship HS Basketball team in Nevada. Getting to go out when they honored the team on the 50th anniversary of the event. How driving from Las Vegas to his HS town I learned more about him in that 6 hours than I had in the previous 28 years of my life.

Then getting to learn how much fun it was to go cruising on those big cruise ships with him. Seeing how much fun he tried to have the older he got. Then being able to spend 15 months with him prior to his passing. Taking care of those special needs that no one should have to do but when you would only want someone close to you to be able to help you with. Yep! I miss my Dad but I am not sad, just reminiscing.

On to something else. Tonight I allowed myself to feel my pain. I HATE IT!!!!!! Tried falling asleep and all I could do was feel the pain. It still hurts 3 hours later, (now), but I am starting to get tired enough that maybe I can fall asleep. We shall see after I get done writing this. Next week I move on to a stronger pain medicine. Had to get off the Norco (Hydrocodone) due to the acetaminophen that we believe is messing with my liver enzymes. I sure do hope that it helps. I do have a very high pain tolerance but for some reason it is getting less and less. Maybe it is that I am getting older or just becoming a whimp.. lol. Who knows but I am ready for some relief. 

I have started to work out to strengthen my core muscles. Treadmill, elliptical, and two weight machines. I get sore from that but that is not a bad pain like the other. I can deal with the work out. Two weeks in to it and maybe this is just my body fighting my workouts. I sure do hope so. 

Gloom, despair and agony on me.

GLOOM, DESPAIR AND AGONY ON ME

From the TV Show "Hee-Haw" (1969 -1992)

Buck Owens & Roy Clark

Gloom, despair, and agony on me

Deep, dark depression, excessive misery

If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all

Gloom, despair, and agony on me

With all the talk of depression and such out there lately I felt the need to post something concerning what to do or take when you feel depressed? I take the medication Cymbalta that is used to treat depression but also for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. I found this information on the WebMD site. Cymbalta is indicated for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. This has been established in studies in patients with chronic low back pain(CLBP) and chronic pain due to osteoarthritis.

Now let me be clear I have not been diagnosed with depression but I will say that I have bouts with it occasionally due to the constant pain that I have.

I found a list of 10 natural depression treatments that are pretty good if you like to do things on your own. Let me say also that there is nothing wrong with having to take medication to help you though whatever you may be going through such as depression and pain. There are things out there that can sure help but I like to do as much as I can to help myself with out the use of drugs.

What I have really found to be the best treatment for me is to have my puppy, well he can considered a dog now, but he is so small that I like calling him my puppy. Gonzo. There are times I get so overwhelmed with the pain that talking to him, petting him or even just playing with him takes the pain away. No, it is still there but I think less of it. With what Robin Williams did due to the depressive state he was in is so sad, and there are many others that have done similar. I find that when I have Gonzo up close to me, whether he be sleeping, playing or just chilling, I am able to relax and feel a little bit better. I could not imagine doing anything to myself having him so close to me. Those of you that have pets know what I am talking about.

10 Natural Depression Treatments

By R. Morgan Griffin

WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Joseph Goldberg, MD

Being depressed can make you feel helpless. You're not. Along with therapy and sometimes medication, there's a lot you can do on your own to fight back. Changing your behavior -- your physical activity, lifestyle, and even your way of thinking -- are all natural depression treatments.

These tips can help you feel better -- starting right now.

1. Get in a routine. If you’re depressed, you need a routine, says Ian Cook, MD. He's a psychiatrist and director of the Depression Research and Clinic Program at UCLA.

Depression can strip away the structure from your life. One day melts into the next. Setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track.

2. Set goals. When you're depressed, you may feel like you can't accomplish anything. That makes you feel worse about yourself. To push back, set daily goals for yourself.

"Start very small," Cook says. "Make your goal something that you can succeed at, like doing the dishes every other day."

As you start to feel better, you can add more challenging daily goals.

3. Exercise. It temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It may also have long-term benefits for people with depression. Regular exercise seems to encourage the brain to rewire itself in positive ways, Cook says.

How much exercise do you need? You don’t need to run marathons to get a benefit. Just walking a few times a week can help.

4. Eat healthy. There is no magic diet that fixes depression. It's a good idea to watch what you eat, though. If depression tends to make you overeat, getting in control of your eating will help you feel better.

Although nothing is definitive, Cook says there's evidence that foods with omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and tuna) and folic acid (such as spinach and avocado) could help ease depression.

5. Get enough sleep. Depression can make it hard to get enough shut-eye, and too little sleep can make depression worse.

What can you do? Start by making some changes to your lifestyle. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Try not to nap. Take all the distractions out of your bedroom -- no computer and no TV. In time, you may find your sleep improves.

6. Take on responsibilities. When you’re depressed, you may want to pull back from life and give up your responsibilities at home and at work. Don't. Staying involved and having daily responsibilities can work as a natural depression treatment. They ground you and give you a sense of accomplishment.

If you're not up to full-time school or work, that’s fine. Think about part-time. If that seems like too much, consider volunteer work.

7. Challenge negative thoughts. In your fight against depression, a lot of the work is mental -- changing how you think. When you're depressed, you leap to the worst possible conclusions.

The next time you're feeling terrible about yourself, use logic as a natural depression treatment. You might feel like no one likes you, but is there real evidence for that? You might feel like the most worthless person on the planet, but is that really likely? It takes practice, but in time you can beat back those negative thoughts before they get out of control.

8. Check with your doctor before using supplements. "There's promising evidence for certain supplements for depression," Cook says. Those include fish oil, folic acid, and SAMe. But more research needs to be done before we'll know for sure. Always check with your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you’re already taking medications.

9. Do something new. When you’re depressed, you’re in a rut. Push yourself to do something different. Go to a museum. Pick up a used book and read it on a park bench. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Take a language class.

"When we challenge ourselves to do something different, there are chemical changes in the brain," Cook says. "Trying something new alters the levels of [the brain chemical] dopamine, which is associated with pleasure, enjoyment, and learning."

10. Try to have fun. If you’re depressed, make time for things you enjoy. What if nothing seems fun anymore? "That's just a symptom of depression," Cook says. You have to keep trying anyway.

As strange as it might sound, you have to work at having fun. Plan things you used to enjoy, even if they feel like a chore. Keep going to the movies. Keep going out with friends for dinner.

When you're depressed, you can lose the knack for enjoying life, Cook says. You have to relearn how to do it. In time, fun things really will feel fun again.

I hope that this information is and has been helpful to someone out there. Take care and enjoy that dog of yours.

Tony Stewart did NOT kill Kevin Ward Jr.

I have to chime in on this incident in which NASCAR driver Tony Stewart's car hit and killed another driver. First of all let me say that I feel for the family of Kevin Ward Jr. Saying this. I disagree with the family coming out and criticizing Tony Stewart for KILLING their son. Tony Stewart did not kill Kevin Ward Jr. The actions of a young driver getting caught up in the moment let his emotions get the best of him and he recklessly ran out onto a racetrack to make a confrontation and after narrowly getting out of the way of one car stepped into the path of Stewarts car.

Was this Stewarts fault for hitting Ward Jr.? NO!!!! The statement by family members of Ward say that Stewart should have seen him. Maybe he should have but the problem with this is that race drivers are told not to leave your car and go out onto the track. Now there is a rule specifically stating this but even the youngest of drivers would know not to walk out in the way of cars that are racing. Let alone anything that may be racing. Would you think of walking out onto a track where horses are racing before they get to you? Again the answer is NO!!!!

Due to the family of Ward going after Stewart I feel that they are doing an injustice to all of racing. This opens the door for others to attack Kevin Ward Jr. Many things could be said such as, he had a attitude, road rage is probably in his past, he lacked self control, and so forth. I am not saying this but it makes you wonder. What should he have done? That is hard to say as well but doing anything on the track itself is stupid. Yes, I did say it was stupid. Why? Because, look at what happened due to his irrational thinking and walking out to confront a driver. Take it to the pits, after the race, then confront. It happens all the time. Emotions run rampant but common sense needs to take control.

The family of Kevin Ward Jr. is dealing with a terrible event as well as Tony Stewart and all of racing. To point fingers accomplishes nothing because it will not bring back Kevin Ward Jr. In my opinion when all is over and done the fault will fall on one person and he is not here to defend his actions. Actions that are really not defendable. I feel for the family of Kevin Ward Jr. but I also feel for Tony Stewart and what this has caused him to go through.

Over the past year

What in the world is going on with me? It has been forever again since I have put my thoughts down. Now I do not write this really for anyone but me but there are times that I will share a post with someone due to the things they may be going through that are similar to my experiences. I consider myself a Facebook junkie. I am on it no less than one hour a day and I have often shared my thoughts there instead of personally on here.

Over the past year I have been very busy. Last summer with the help of another alumni of Lakeview High School we started an Alumni Association. Wow, what work was that. I built my first web site with the help of Go Daddy and the encouragement of many many alumni. We had a school reunion in Cortland, Ohio during the annual Street Fair. Was it a fun time and we are planning on doing this annually now. Connections with

friends of days gone by and new connections with people I knew but was not friends with. How the years wipe away cliches and we all become one.

I decided to join the rank of homeowner towards the middle to the end of last year. Finding a home on July 2 and moving in to that home at the end of August was a dream come true. No it was not the first home that I purchased but it is the first I purchased totally for me. I truly believe I have found the place where I will live out the rest of my life.

 

Brody became the 6^th  grandchild to come in to my life, born to my daughter Karri Evans. He joined a step brother Gage and sister Isabella. On top of this I now have two grand children living within a mile of me as Cody and Bobbie, my son and daughter-in-law, moved to Dallas, GA bringing Jayden and  Temperance along. They have found a home to rent

and two great jobs. This is the first time I have had any of my kids and grand kids close to me.  

Though I do not get to see Tim or Andy much I am able to stay somewhat in touch with them through Facebook. Andy, my oldest grandchild is getting to be so big and, talk about an athlete! Playing basketball and baseball seem to be his greatest interests and as far as I am concerned can be his only as these are the two sports that I excelled in.

I always seem to get in trouble when I get too personal, specifically my personal relationships, so I will refrain from any talk of this other than saying I do have a person in my life, with her son as well. Life seems to be going pretty well as of this moment. I again continually look forward to what is ahead in my life.  

Two party system of Government.

Recently I have heard talk about having or adding a third party to our Government. This may be just small talk or may be a realistic view of what people want. I want to go on record and say that the two party system is still the best system. Tea Party people should join one or the other but please do not make another party.

Why? Staying with recent American History we can look back at 1992 and see where Perot running as an independent may have cost Bush the election to Clinton. I myself voted for Perot but it was more of a protest vote because I voted in Texas and the reality was Bush was going to win Texas no matter what. Having the third party raised lots of talk, created banter and in some ways did unite our country back then. Now this past election we had the Tea Party enter the equation. Though most Tea Party came out of the Republican Party it hurt the country in that it divided only one party allowing the other party to stay strong and win overall nationwide. Is this the reason Obama won re-election? I can not say for sure but I do believe it helped. What I believe is our country needs and must have is two strong parties. We have two parties but they are not as strong as they need to be. Republicans leadership is mixed due to the Tea Party and this is not all together a bad thing but they need to work together more to strengthen the party. The Democrats, though stronger as one, have a problem with trust starting from the leader, who happens to be our current President.

How does our system work right now. We have two groups that will vote totally one way and only one way, either Democratic or Republican. They for some reason will never vary on their vote. Then we have the swing voters who will do one of three things. Vote for the one they feel that meets the needs they have by listening and researching, sometimes not always correctly but at least they try, or they will vote for the one that sounds the best, (not the best way to vote either), and finally they sometimes choose to not vote at all. This actually gives us a three party system but within the two party platform.

My thoughts on our system of Government is that the United States of America has the best system but we are developing flaws. What is my answer to the flaws? It is a good idea to have your beliefs of either Republican or Democrat but instead of being a party line voter look at the individual and vote your conviction. There are good people on each side of the line but they have to be sought out. Before you cast your vote, listen, research and make a difference. Look at where we are now, we have people in office, all parts of the Government from both parties, that have no business being there. Only we the people can fix this.

Statements made are not always accurate to reality.

I am laying here in bed not having posting anything for almost a month. Not because I do not have lots to say just I do not know exactly what to say right now. Foremost in my thinking is relationships. To go over the past few that I have, and these are not all inclusive, I want to examine things that were said during them. Such as, "This is the most comfortable and relaxed I have been in a long time." Then there was "I have never been able to talk to someone like I have with you." Don't you like, "The things that we are able to share and talk about are so great, you know me better than anyone else."

Now these are as close as I can recall to actual comments made but do not hold me to the complete accuracy but they are very very similar. I would say that most of us have heard similar in many relationships we have been involved in. The question I want to raise is, When are the things people say not BS? Eventually we find out that the person was maybe relaxed and comfortable to a point. In actuality the never been able is more like, it has been such a long time since anyone has ever listened to me. Then to cover the last one I would have to say, good grief I wish I really did not know them so well.

To clarify these are examples of statements I have heard and/or said, but we know all too well, these and similar statements are said many many times in various relationships. We one day look back at a failed relationship and say to ourselves, "How much of what was said was BS during the whole relationship." It all goes back to what is the reality of it all. Are these statements said to gain trust and comfort levels? My personal feeling is at the time they are said there is some reality to it but once a persons true identity is revealed either to themselves or to the person it is said to, the statement becomes less reality but more of a fantasy. Motivation behind what is or was said becomes a major factor. When the person realizes they need more than they are getting from a person, then those statements, accurate to a point, are less important to the relationship.

To keep this on the short side let me use this example. You are in a relationship that has been one of the best you have felt in a long time. There was conversation, sharing, enjoyment, and all that you could ask for in a relationship. Then all of the sudden it collapses. You hear all the justification behind why it was not right but the full truth is not there. Glimpses of truth are shared because they are unable to allow the complete truth be seen because it would cast a shadow over them. Why? Because of the impression they are trying to portray of themselves to others. If a person is not consistent in and with every aspect of there life then they will tend to hide more and more. Eventually you will be hiding things from everyone but inside you become frustrated because you are having a difficult time remembering exactly who and what you are. You know what you want and soon your wants outweigh the who you are and you end up messing many parts of your life up. Selfishness is usually the winner in this type of living. Getting all you think you need becomes the most important and having the things that are comforting are given away or forfeited.

I know this is not true in each and every relationship but I have learned that selfishness in any type of relationship is not good at all. Where I am now is in a very positive place. Most things are going very well but there are still the usual frustrations that come along. What I believe to be important though is to make sure of where I am and who I am, to let go of my self needs, and concentrate on being who I am capable of being to the others that are in my life. If I say something I need to really mean it. Yes, there are comparable times to what I am experiencing now but I would have to say that with most of my relationships that are the most meaningful I am truly relaxed, comfortable, able to share and be understood, and finally am having someone truly know me for who I really am.

Protesting for the right reasons.

Lately there have been many protests. Of course the verdict in Florida has been the biggest of late and then there are the so called silent protests by athletes for other athletes. Now I do not see anything wrong with protesting as long as it is done for the right reason. Often we are worked up emotionally over things and we jump up and down and protest in ways that are so unproductive that instead of positive reactions the negativity is what gets all the attention. 

Zimmerman/ Martin protests are about our system of justice based on the belief that race was involved. First of all we have a justice system that works most of the time. We have had some people wrongfully imprisoned but overall the jury gets it correct. You have to have overwhelming, beyond a reasonable doubt evidence to convict. If a conviction is obtained though the person is innocent it is usually due to poor counsel. Our system will allow a guilty person to remain free if there is any shred of doubt in the eyes of the jury. Does this infuriate us? Possibly, but why? If you are in that courtroom and your life is hanging in the balance don't you want to be treated fairly and if there are many sides to a story and your side may be correct showing just the possibility that you are not guilty our system says let them go. Impartial jury's hearing evidence from both sides, not to consider outside factors, such as television and "experts" that do not have all the facts, then getting together and deliberating those facts, making a decision that has to be without ANY DOUBT. I myself would prefer to have a person set free if there is a possibility of his innocence rather than put in jail for the same reason. Our system works for the most part so to protest the system working is idiotic.

Then for two pro football players to tweet the disapproval of our system based on personal feelings. Now if I take the attitude they have and use it here is what I would say. You have a pro athlete that has been given many chances due to his ability, most likely given credit for not completing tasks the normal person has been required to do, given a pass lets say and now they wish to dismiss our system. If you give someone a free ride they in turn expect free rides for everyone. But they do not have the facts and are basing it on race and attitude. Maybe this is why our society is getting more screwed up each and every day that passes.

Then you take the twin football players that were college teammates with Hernandez of the Patriots. Free Hernandez was what the hats they wore said. Free a possible killer, not of one person, but investigated in the murder of several. Where do they get off protesting his arrest? Talk about entitlement!!! Yes we do have freedom of expression but what is it based on. Emotions, race, expectations, these are what get people moving and jumping but is it real. Is it based on facts? Do you wonder why no one respects the protests and protestors! Lets protest for the right reasons. Get all the facts before hand and do not base it on just feelings. We are a country of many different opinions and ideas. We have a system of justice that for the most part works. It worked in the Zimmerman trial whether you liked the outcome or not. Think of it this way as I stated earlier. If it were you standing before the judge and jury you would want the evidence to be so clear that there was no doubt at all?