6-24-2024

Absolute Power Really Does Corrupt Absolutely – A Recap

Originally published in 2019 I find it appropriate and necessary to take a look back and where we are today. It is foolish for man to think he possess power and control over anything. There is only one who has absolute power and that is the Creator God who does not relegate that power to his creation. Beginning with Adam man has had a problem with power and control. In the Garden of Eden man had the power to eat of the fruit, converse with God daily and to name the birds of the air, the animals on land and the fish in the sea, yet could not control the temptation to not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, forbidden by God himself.

The result was an immediate separation from God due to the sin of disobedience. This was followed by the blame game as man tried lying to God (who knows all and sees all) in an attempt to place the blame on everyone but himself. God asked for an explanation and Adam immediately blamed God for giving him Eve; Eve in turn blamed the serpent for deceiving her; and the serpent laughed.

The punishment for Sin is death, and resulted in God destining man to work his entire life, woman to bear children and their children to be at odds with the serpent and his head would be smashed by the foot of man.

The second Adam in the personhood of Jesus, who is the Christ was God’s only begotten son. Jesus would be born of woman, die on the cross for the sins of man overcoming death and the grave and take the keys to hell. Jesus was raised on the third day and now sits at the right hand of God the Father until the time he will return to earth on a White Horse and with fire.

To show how foolish it is for man to think he is in control, power, money and even the wealth of kings is never enough. The more you have, the more you want more. Money is power and power is money. It is the nature of man to be greedy.

According to the bible it is the love of money that is the root of all evil.

Moses was given the law from God in the form of the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:2-17 and again in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. The essence of the law was to love God with your entire being, love your neighbor as you love yourself and whenever possible to live in peace with everyone.

At one point in history man began working together to build a tower into the heavens. Had it been successful man would have no need of God. So God confused their speaking into many languages and scattered them to the ends of the earth. Man has continued to be at war with man ever since. Fighting, conquering in the quest for power, and ultimately absolute power.

The military is structured with a hierarchy of ranks and titles. With each come commitment and responsibilities to the branch of service, the unit and its mission and to the men and women who get the job done.

There used to be an accelerated promotion program referred to as “shake and bake” where individuals are placed through a rapid training course and become (leaders) sergeants. The intent is to provide leaders to take troops into battle. There are pros and cons of this program with many successes and many failures.

It takes someone with a certain maturity to handle the responsibilities of leadership. There are many decisions to be made that affect life, limb and property in order to accomplish the mission. Without that maturity individuals are unable to handle it. They are referred to as having a “big head” (their head swells with their new found rank and power). The same thing happens in everyday life outside the military too.  

Take any company, corporation or franchise that promotes from within, a worker becomes a shift leader or supervisor. Where he was working alongside his buddies and co-workers, now he’s the “Boss”. His relationship has changed and he cannot give the appearance of favoritism. He tells people what to do and things become tense. Those who don’t comply with the leaders sometimes seemingly ridiculous instructions are “written up”. Then their hours are reduced resulting in smaller paychecks. Soon they either quit or are fired.

We see this in politics too. Starting at the local level, maybe city council or county commissioner level where one must actually run for office. There are promises made and votes to gain. Once the election is over the promises often become a distant memory to be forgotten, until the next election cycle. The quest for power has begun. Next it’s mayor, governor or maybe state legislature, then on to Washington, D.C. There are committees, panels and it doesn’t take long to feel so all important and one could make the argument for irreplaceability. It now becomes a matter of longevity in office. Promises made but forgotten as the goals have changed and staying in power has become paramount.

On the national level there are “pork barrel” projects for home districts or states that must be advanced. Lobbyists groups have special interests to promote and they need legislators to come on board. Often times there are financial “kickbacks”, vacations or other means of insuring their support. Remember power is money and money is power and often giving the illusion of absolute power and being untouchable or slightly above the law.

It is the voters who do not see inside the beltway or inside the halls of congress. They do not see the wrangling for positions of power, committees that influence the outcome of votes. They do not see the corruption or deceit that goes on daily. The name game influences the next election and voters often just check off names by political party and move on. That is exactly what some legislators are counting on, the checking off the boxes without any real investigation into whether or not a change is needed.

Once legislators are elected they are like fish in a pond, looking for committees to join or be appointed to, caucuses to join or create to advance their personal agendas. The longer they are in office more powerful they become. The more powerful they become the more they long to remain in office. If they are strong forceful speakers they may be the voice of a particular piece of legislation. Or they may simply occupy an assigned seat and vote as they are told to vote. Only a few have decided not to run for reelection after a single term because of these types of politics.

I have a simple question – how can any politician stomach graft, corruption and grossly padded bank accounts while serving as “public servants” in the halls of congress?

Can any legislator seriously say that they have done all they can do for the good of the constituents who got them elected without doing it for personal gain? For those who have been in office more than 2 terms, what have you accomplished for the nation – National Security; Jobs; Economy? Or has the sum of your existence in congress defined by your commitment to obstructing a sitting president to satisfy someone else’s ego?

In American politics it should never come down to picking race, religion, sexual orientation or even immigration status as the reason for creating laws or decrees. Remember where it is written that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL BY THEIR CREATOR? – RTM

6-22-2024

An Updated Historical Overview of US Immigration Policy

https://cis.org/Historical-Overview-Immigration-Policy

Immigration has played an important role in American history, and the United States continues to have the most open immigration policy in the world. Before the era of rapid communications and transportation, America encouraged relatively open immigration to settle its empty lands. After certain states passed immigration laws following the Civil War, the Supreme Court in 1875 declared the regulation of immigration a federal responsibility. The Immigration Service was established in 1891 to deal with the big increase in immigration which started in 1880.

From 1900 to 1920, nearly 24 million immigrants arrived during what is known as the “Great Wave”. The outbreak of World War I reduced immigration from Europe, but mass immigration resumed upon the war’s conclusion, and Congress responded with a new immigration policy: the national-origins quota system passed in 1921 and revised in 1924. Immigration was limited by assigning each nationality a quota based on its representation in past U.S. census figures. Also in 1924, Congress created the U.S. Border Patrol within the Immigration Service.

There was very little immigration over the next 20 years, with net immigration actually dropping below zero for several years during the Depression. Immigration remained relatively low during the 20 years following World War II, because the 1920s national-origins system remained in place after Congress re-codified and combined all previous immigration and naturalization law into the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. American agriculture continued to import seasonal labor from Mexico, as they had during the war, under a 1951 formal agreement between the United States and Mexico that made the Bracero Program permanent.

In 1965, Congress replaced the national origins system with a preference system designed to unite immigrant families and attract skilled immigrants to the United States. This change to national policy responded to changes in the sources of immigration since 1924. The majority of applicants for immigration visas now came from Asia and Latin America rather than Europe. The preference system continued to limit the number of immigration visas available each year, however, and Congress still responded to refugees with special legislation. Not until the Refugee Act of 1980 did the United States have a general policy governing the admission of refugees.

In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). This legislation had two major facets: amnesty and enforcement. IRCA provided amnesty to aliens who had completed one of two stipulations: they had resided continually in the U.S. since January 1982 or they had completed 90 days of agricultural work between May 1985 and May 1986. The acceptance rate for amnesty applications was about 94 percent, eventually giving legal status to approximately 3 million. It is estimated that one-fourth of the cases accepted were fraudulent. In 2000, IRCA was extended through Late Amnesty, which allowed those fighting their original denial to reapply. As of June 2007, 15,000 Late Amnesty cases are still pending from IRCA. The 1986 legislation also contained enforcement provisions to prevent future illegal entry. The provisions prohibited the hiring and harboring of illegal aliens, but few resources were allocated to enforce these laws. Poor funding essentially tied the hands of enforcement officials. This created a lopsided ‘grand compromise’ that fueled later generations of illegal aliens.

In 1990, Congress again reformed immigration statutes. The 1990 Immigration Act modified and expanded the 1965 act; it significantly increased the total level of immigration to 700,000, increasing available visas 40 percent. The act retained family reunification as the major entry path, while more than doubling employment-related immigration. The law also provided for the admission of immigrants from “underrepresented” countries to increase the diversity of the immigrant flow by creating a lottery system. The 1990 Act also mandated a study of immigration, later known as the Jordan Commission.

The U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, named after its Chairwoman, former Rep. Barbra Jordan, ran from 1990 to 1997. The Commission covered many facets of immigration policy, but started from the perception that the “credibility of immigration policy can be measured by a simple yardstick: people who should get in, do get in; people who should not get in, are kept out; and people who are judged deportable are required to leave.” From there, in a series of four reports, the commission looked at all aspects of immigration policy. In the first, it found that enforcement was lax and needed improvement on the border and internally. For internal enforcement, it recommended that an automated employment verification system be created to enable workers to distinguish between legal and illegal workers. The second report discussed legal immigration issues and suggested that immediate family members and skilled workers receive priority. The third report covered refugee and asylum issues. Finally, the fourth report reiterated the major points of the previous reports and the need for a new immigration policy. Few of these suggestions were implemented.

In 1996, Congress passed the Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA). The act added to border controls by mandating the hiring of more Border Patrol and Immigration and Naturalization Service agents. Repercussions for entering the country illegally were increased and a border fence was planned for San Diego. An automated employment verification pilot program was created in the hopes of easing worksite enforcement. The Act also allowed state police officers to enforce immigration law using the 287(g) program. Although the IIRIRA boosted de jure enforcement, poor funding again hindered the actual enforcement of the laws.

Also during the 1990s, a series of four smaller amnesties were passed. The first, the Section 245(i) amnesty, was passed in 1994 and pardoned approximately 578,000 illegal aliens, who were each fined $1,000. This amnesty was later renewed in 1997 and again in 2000. The second, the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), was passed in 1997 and gave legal status to approximately one million illegal aliens, mostly from Central America, who had lived in the U.S. since 1995.

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA) strengthened U.S. immigration laws, adding penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes while in the United States or who stay in the U.S. for statutorily defined periods of time. 

The Act was designed to improve border control by imposing criminal penalties for racketeering, alien smuggling and the use or creation of fraudulent immigration-related documents and increasing interior enforcement by agencies charged with monitoring visa applications and visa abusers. The Act also allows for the deportation of undocumented immigrants who commit a misdemeanor or a felony.

The Act mandates that immigrants who are unlawfully present in the U.S. for 180 days but those under 365 days must remain outside the United States for three years unless pardoned. If they remain in the United States for 365 days or more, they must stay outside the United States for ten years unless they obtain a waiver. However, if they return to the U.S. without the pardon, they must wait 10 years until they may apply for a waiver.

In 1998, the Haitian Refugee Immigration and Fairness Act (HRIFA) passed after it was argued that excluding Haitians from NACARA was discriminatory. The most recent amnesty, passed in 2000, was the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE). The LIFE Act was a mini-amnesty aimed at those illegal aliens who hoped to become green card holders through marriage, employment or other categories, but who were not anywhere near approval yet, due to the long line of people ahead of them. It was sold as a way around the growing processing backlogs that were the result of previous amnesties. During the time of this legislation, from 1994 to 2000, millions of hopeful legal immigrants waited in line overseas.

The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 affected perspectives on many issues, including immigration. A total of 20 foreign-born terrorists were involved, 19 of whom took part in the attack that caused 2,974 civilian deaths. The terrorists had entered the country on tourist or student visas. Four of them, however, had violated the terms of their visas and become illegal aliens. The attack exposed long-standing holes in our immigration system that included failures at visa processing, internal enforcement, and information sharing.

In 2006 the issue of immigration reform was once again discussed in Congress, with the House of Representatives and the Senate producing their own, conflicting bills.

In December of 2005, the House passed the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005, which was sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI). The act was limited to enforcement and focused on both the border and the interior.

In the Senate, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (CIRA) was sponsored by Sen. Arlen Spector (R-PA) and passed in May 2006. CIRA would have given amnesty to a majority of illegal aliens already in the country as well as dramatically increased legal immigration. Although the bills passed their respective chambers, no compromise bill emerged.

In 2007, the Senate again attempted to pass amnesty legislation. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, which would have given amnesty to a large majority of illegal entrants in the country, significantly increased legal immigration and increased enforcement. The act, which had bipartisan support in the Senate, was widely unpopular with the American public. As the result of unprecedented public pressure, the bill failed to pass a cloture vote, essentially killing it.

In 2012 President Obama became tired of waiting on Congress and unconstitutionally used the power of Executive Order to create the Delayed Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to allow a path to citizenship for certain illegal immigrants who are residing within the U.S. Congress neither condemned this action by the president, nor did they then attempt to fix the problems with the immigration system.

It is unconscionable that in 2017 the President of the United States would have to task the United States Congress to take appropriate action on immigration reform. Upon taking office, one of the first acts President Trump undertook was to invite Congress to meet with him and to discuss Immigration and other matters. He said that Delayed Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) had been unconstitutional and needed to be fixed through proper legislation. He also said what was needed was Comprehensive Immigration Reform to plug some loopholes and enhance enforcement efforts with computer software and funding for a border wall.

What happened after than historic meeting? Nothing, well not exactly nothing, but complete and utter resistance by Congressional Democrats and Republicans. Instead of going back to the Capitol and getting to work the resistance movement began in earnest. When the President said he would not extend DACA upon its natural expiration, legal actions began to force the President to extend an unconstitutional Obama executive order.

President Trump’s determination to have the Immigration Issue corrected not by executive order but as it should be done by Congress. He was determined to begin construction of a proper wall to prevent unlawful crossings, drugs and human trafficking as it is the responsibility of the Government of the United States to ensure the safety and security of the American people, lawful residents and international visitors and to prevent unlawful entry.

In 2018 and President Trump decided to secure the U.S. southern border by building a physical barrier wall and enforce immigration laws to prevent unlawful entry and conduct deportation hearings to remove illegal immigrants which played out in the media are vocal opposition to immigration enforcement by the very politicians who have had the power to correct through immigration reform and are instrumental in creating the situation along our southern border.

The introduction in 2018 of “Emergency Legislation” as proposed by Senator Ted Cruz that casts a glimmer of hope for immigrant families. – Double the number of Federal Immigration Judges from 375 to 750; Authorize new temporary shelters, with accommodations to keep families together; Mandate illegal immigrant families “Must Be Kept Together”, absent aggravated criminal conduct or harm to the children; & Provide for expedited processing and review of asylum cases, so that – within 14 days – those who meet the legal standards will be granted asylum, and those who do not will be immediately returned to their home countries.

It is by the authority of the Constitution of the United States that the President of the United States may determine whether or not to restrict or refuse entry of any/or all immigrants.

Coming to America can be a frightening experience. One clings to native customs and traditions and family becomes the only thing one can hang on to. However it doesn’t have to take long before one becomes immersed into a normal lifestyle of America, while holding on to and passing a rich heritage to children and once someone becomes a US Citizen they are no longer an immigrant, nor are they a hyphenated-American. The greatest responsibility one takes on as a US Citizen is to pledge allegiance to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies, both foreign and domestic, so help us God.

American’s have a hard time understanding the fact that it is the government’s primary responsibility for the safety and welfare of its citizens and we have lost sight of that in the United States. Maintaining a well-armed and well trained military can insure that foreign agents do not attempt to attack our country. Controlling and regulating immigration is necessary to insure that individuals entering the country are not set on doing harm, causing damage, bringing sickness or disease or willfully violating our laws.

We have been told that government is the answer to the problems we face. We have elected officials who have knowingly and willfully violated our laws in order to control the citizens and insure they maintain the power they have accumulated while in office. Power to a politician is like water to a thirsty man or food to a starving man – there is never enough. Empty promises are one of the ways politicians use to maintain their political power.

A nation without secure borders does not remain sovereign for long. Immigration is a privilege, not a right. Refugees flee political or religious oppression don’t demand admission, but ASK for asylum in the hope that they will be admitted. Don’t confuse the two.

When an organized assembly of people from a host of different countries force their way into another country it is called an invasion. When armed force is used it has become an armed invasion. When a nation allows an invading force into their border they are no longer keeping the welfare and safety of their citizens. When it is perceived that the leader of a nation has openly invited without question foreigners with promises of free stuff they have in effect violated their oath of office and must be held accountable for their actions.

In 2021 President Biden encouraged migrants without documentation to come to the United States for free medical, education and even promised free stimulus checks which has caused a renewed crisis on our Southern border with Mexico. The Mexican President pleaded with the American President about how it is difficult to regulate the flow of foreigners through Mexico and into the United States.

Under Biden construction on the border wall was terminated leaving unmanned entry points allowing unlimited illegal migrants into the country, bringing sickness and disease as well as human and drug trafficking. Manned entry points with overflow facilities have released millions of illegal migrants into the country.

Although it is true that Immigration is a responsibility of the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch must abide by the Biden Immigration Policy which sets a dangerous precedence and places the entire nation at risk and with this open border situation along the Southern Border. How is it justified to continue border security at international airports or manned entry points along any of the US border while leaving the U.S. Southern Border wide open? – RTM

6-21-2024

Hypocritical Thinking

For years we’ve heard about racial profiling, discrimination in the workplace and social injustice of disadvantaged minorities and we have state and federal laws on the books outlawing that behavior virtually everywhere in America.

But what’s going on with political profiling with government going after American citizens because their political party’s agenda of making America better has been declared a threat to democracy which reminds me of the Will Smith movie Enemy of the State.

As a nation we condone and have conducted regime change in other countries when it suits our nation’s agenda.

But what prevents turning covert assets and sworn law enforcement agents against American citizens?

Short Answer – The Constitution of the United States of America!

The predominant crisis in America today is of our own making as we allow people, political parties or the law enforcement (DOJ) agencies of government to ignore the laws of the land by violating the civil and constitutional rights of citizens and without consequence.

Furthermore we allow social media, mainstream media and the opinions of elected officials to form OUR opinions on everything while we believe conjecture and lies before acting on them feeding into the narrative we have been led to believe.

Everyone was created by God with a brain and the ability to reason through difficult situations by knowing the difference between right and wrong.

Politicians tend to raise the lid by selectively pander to people by race, ethnic, economic and even non-voting non-citizens in their effort to gain the trust and vote of these select people, yet insuring they maintain a position of power over people.

While a true leader with raise the entire boat (nation) benefitting ALL citizens Irregardless of political persuasion.

As you run to the polls, cast your vote wisely grasshopper! – RTM

6-20-2024

Simple Logic – Going to the Bank

What are the most common reasons for going to the bank (any bank)?

Access your account (deposits and withdrawals; loans; safety deposit box)

Use ATM

Going to work at the bank

Bring business supplies

To rob the bank (access funds that are not your own)

If during your visit there is a robbery, are all patrons, customers or people inside the bank automatically rounded up, arrested and charged with bank robbery?

No, that would be ludicrous right?

So tell me that in Minneapolis when Black Lives Matter took to the streets in protest to the death of George Floyd and they were joined by Antifa among other domestic terrorist groups and individuals who was held responsible, rounded up, arrested and charged with rioting, looting, maiming and death?

But on January 6^th, 2021 during and after the MAGA rally by President Trump in DC infiltrators (domestic terrorists some wearing MAGA gear and with MAGA flags) were escorted into the Capital Building to disrupt the proceedings of a joint session of Congress yet everyone identifiable were hunted down, rounded up, arrested and held indefinitely and many without charges are still being held in a DC prison.

This goes hand in glove with the frivolous charges and Lawfare being waged on President Trump entirely for political purposes and aimed at preventing Trump from defending himself and/or campaigning against President Joe Biden in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Are these not clear instances of how political dictators operate in third world countries? Yet we are being told that if elected President Trump will become a dictator exacting revenge on his political enemies?

I am not a political scholar, a legal expert or a have a degree in Constitutional Law, but one thing I do know is that the way to fight racism, extremism and political retribution is to place our trust in God not man, stand up as Americans and voice to our political legislators, governors, mayors and elected officials that we are sick and tired of being pushed around and marginalized for our votes.

I urge everyone to use the ballot box and the power of one vote to elect only those who have the same concerns as you about National Security (close the border), the Economy (reduce government regulations and edicts), Foreign Policy (strong military) and shrinking the national debt (stop frivolous spending) hold elected officials accountable.

A strong America stands together against aggression, persecution and political perversion. – RTM

6-18-2024

Do They Really Think People Are That Dumb?

When I see President Biden on television I can’t help but think Elder Abuse. Biden shuffles along with micro-baby steps like a child stepping across a line in the sidewalk. His mental faculties are not what they were just a few short years ago and still people think 4 more years….. I’ll bet the “goats” would continue to vote for him long after he’s gone. That being said I hear crickets……….about the 25^th Amendment?

I wrote about this long before the 2020 Presidential Election and back then I asked why Joe Biden wasn’t taken out to pasture while he was at the top of his game? I mean shuffleboard, lawn darts or some other form of relaxation are excellent ways to live out his golden years and First Lady Jill Biden is directly responsible for allowing this to happen to her husband who is now the laughing stock of the international community and a disgrace to the office of the presidency.

I get tired of hearing the race-baiters, the never-trumpers and those from the political left concocting all sorts of fabricated rumors and lies about Americas who support Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda and pro-America policies. Their obsession is to disgrace Trump publically and prevent him from becoming elected one more time, even at the expense of all public decency.

We are being “gas lit” with things like should Trump get elected he is going to have revenge on his enemies, while the media clearly ignores that the democratically controlled congress and the Biden administration are clearly doing just that to Biden’s political enemies and American citizens who dare to think differently.

The frenzied left are even going after their own when they attack a Supreme Court Justice who is a DEMOCRAT because of what his wife choses to do on their own property. I support her right to display her US Flag upside-down as a sign that this nation is clearly in distress. It is!

In this world turned on its head Biden’s Surgeon General has declared Social Media as a threat to mental health in America and must display warning disclaimers? What is that all about? Does he think that American’s are not capable of choosing to disregard the ramblings coming from the left? Are they afraid that American’s will vote Republican or something? Maybe the left is fearful that they will be declared a threat to national security?

We are smarter than that. American’s know when they’re being lied to, taken advantage of or being placated just for their vote. American’s also know that voting out the party of political pandering will enable competent legislators to actually make our nation better overall and great again.

Rest assured that when the left goes after someone politically it is because they cannot control their thoughts or their actions and are greatly to be feared. Vote Corruption Out of Congress! Remove corrupt politicians at the poles and/or by recall elections.

When America wins we all win. Our families win. Our communities win. Our country wins. Ultimately the world as we know it wins.

We must place our trust not in man but in God!- RTM

6-16-2024

What Father’s Day Means to Me

Traditionally Father’s Day is a day to honor fathers, yours and mine and at my age of 74+ my dad isn’t here so honor him with meatloaf, cake and ice cream. I miss stopping for that huge milkshake he loved on the way home after a doctor appointment.

It’s a day I can honor family and friends who are fathers in their own right. I salute the dads who stepped up to take their rightful place as heads of their respective families. Thank you for doing your best to raise your children to be good and honest members of society.

Father’s Day has a special place in my life as that Sunday in 1976 a single incident almost put my family on a different trajectory.  

This is my story Adrift in the Panama Canal is about two lost souls were almost literally that.

It was a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon and as was my usual practice after church we’d go home where I would gather up my diving gear and change before heading over to the home of my diving buddy Sidney “Scotty” Scott an army medic also stationed at Fort Davis in the Panama Canal Zone.

As we loaded our flat bottom John boat into the back of my 1973 Pinto station wagon, we made sure we had a full load of air for the diving tanks. We were usually in the water by 1 – 1:30 pm and back home before 4 pm. This day would be different.

We backed the car down the boat ramp, unloaded the boat and all of our equipment before parking and locking up the car at Gatun Station. This was our first time heading toward this stretch of water, a man-made lake called Gatun Lake. It took us around 20-25 minutes to get to the dock where we tied up the boat and went into the water.

The water was clear with plenty of visibility and we expected to get a stringer of fish during the next hour before our air ran out. Our dives were that of exploring and/or searching for fish while looking out for anything out of the ordinary. We had fish on the stringer and as we loaded our gear we decided to take a few minutes to explore with snorkels before packing up and heading back to the car.

As we began working our way toward Gatun Station we were passed by a convoy of US Army landing craft (LCMs) taking infantry troops out for a week of jungle training. As each craft passed it left a rippling wake. When the last craft had passed and gone into the distance our boat became a submarine, totally submerged under water and flipping over. It rose to the top minus all of our diving gear.

We struggled to upright the boat (still under water), gather one paddle that floated to the surface and focus on getting to the nearest island. As we moved toward land and unseen tree branch punched a hole in the boat. Eventually we made it to a nearby beach, where we drained the water and took stalk of ourselves. Plugging the hole with a piece of wood, helped but didn’t entirely the stop water.

At first we couldn’t get the outboard motor started, but finally it began running as well as could be expected. We left the island and headed straight into the shipping lane of the Panama Canal and fell in line right behind a huge ship. By now it was after 7 pm and we ran out of fuel.

We began inching our way toward the dock where we left the car, one island at a time, and then marker buoy to marker buoy until there was nothing between us and the car except open water. It was near midnight when a fisherman with a motorized boat heard our banging on the boat with an oar. After stopping his engine, flashing a light around in the dark he found and towed us to the Gatun dock. It was now after midnight.

As we entered the gate at Fort Davis, the military police guard instructed us to report to our unit’s duty sergeant and report that we had returned. I dropped Scotty and his boat at his quarters. I then went to the company duty sergeant to get logged in as having returned. I was told to be at the 0600 morning PT formation in uniform ready to go.

When I got to my quarters my wife was being attended to by a neighbor who was a Special Forces medic and his wife. They had all been told our boat had capsized and there were no survivors at the scene. In fact a local SF company had organized a diving rescue team to go at first light and recover the bodies.

After notifying them to cancel that mission I asked them to look for our diving gear on their next training dive. They later informed me that nothing was recovered as the water was 85 feet deep in that area.

That was my very last dive in Panama before returning to the USA assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado in 1977.

That weekend was almost the weekend that wasn’t.

I’m thankful that in spite of myself God had mercy on me and kept my head above water.

6-15-2024

All Men Are Created Equal

In the beginning when God created man it was so they could walk and talk together. There was only mankind, God’s creation of one until God created Eve (woman) out of Adam’s rib. There was no distinction or nationality among men. It was not until after the sinful fall of man who’s banishment from the Garden of Eden to populate the earth that God began creating ethnicity or races within mankind. When the Tower of Babel was being built God created languages to confuse man and cause the populating of the entire planet.

Over time man has sought to influence and control other men by any means available. We are at a point in time where men think like the Romans did and now we have convoluted the thought process by making “Being American” somehow elevated above being anyone else.

Isn’t that what religion does?

Do you know you can be proud to be an American and not be a US Citizen?

There are three main distinctions of Americans – North, Central and South Americans. Although comprised of many nations there is only one United States of America.

It is often and wrongly assumed that being called an American is referring exclusively to someone from the United States.

So why is it that we have allowed ourselves to be categorized into White-American, Black-American, Brown-American, Yellow-American, African-American, Mexican-American, Asian-American, Pacific Island-American, Puerto Rican-American, Anglo-American, European-American, Middle-Eastern-American, Alaskan-American, Native-American, etc. etc. etc.

In the United States we rally around and pledge allegiance to the Flag, yet balk at what we have been told it means or because some have said it is a racist flag. Men and women of many ethnicities, cultures and races have fought and died for and under the US Flag and for our freedom to honor it, yet we continue to bicker over nonsense.

The Flag of the United States should unite us identifiably as one people, one purpose and under one God to insure men and women remain free – from the womb to the tomb. – RTM

6-14-2024

Peace and Smiles

Fridays are days when you anticipate the weekend and need a stress relief. I got mine this morning at the gym where there are television monitors tuned to CNN, FOX a local station and sports stations.

While on the treadmill I often try to distract myself from the not so new or breaking news stories which are politically dependent upon current events – unless it’s an attention grabber like Comedians Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and more comedians meet Pope Francis at ‘the butt crack of dawn’ in their ill-fated attempt to spread peace and smiles. Why not take peace and smiles to Gaza?

The not so in your face headline is that President Biden is going to meet privately with Pope Francis during the first ever papal address to the G7 conference in Italy.

I’m compelled to ask the hard questions:

Did these comedians fly on their own dimes, hitch a ride on Air Force One or simply happen to be there?

Did the topics of abortion, human trafficking, illegal immigration or Donald Trump come up?

Or did they seek absolution for their conduct, speech and/or spreading hatred and lies before and during this US Presidential Election cycle? – RTM

6-13-2024

Soulmates

When mom died on 12 January 2016 it was obvious that part of dad died too. Dad often said he didn’t understand why he was still alive. He wanted oh so much to be with mom. There were times I had to remind him that God wasn’t done with him yet. His being around had a purpose, a Godly purpose.

It seems funny saying that to a retired licensed minister, who seemed to forget.

When mom and dad married in 1948 it was for better or for worse. Raising four boys and being surrounded by family, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous grandkids meant that there were plenty of both.

It’s a sure bet that whether fishing, hunting, raising vegetables, berries or just driving around you’d never see one without the other. Over the years they had never been apart except for their independent stays in Boise area hospitals.

I must admit that I hadn’t been around much during my military career, but I looked forward to doing what I could for them and visiting with my brothers and their families. After fully retiring I began frequent trips to Boise to assist them any way that I could. Take one or the other to and from medical appointments and hospital visits or to visit the other during their stays. One time I found mom crying as she feverously searched for her marriage license. She always stored her important papers in her metal box. She said without it her and dad weren’t really married. I kidded her about that made my brothers and I illegitimate offspring without realizing it may have been an early sign of Alzheimer. I contacted the county clerk where they had been married and soon a certified copy of the marriage license came in the mail. I showed it to her and placed it in her metal box, right beside her original marriage license.

When they moved in with my younger brother and his family it was obvious they still had that spark of being madly in love with each other “Soulmates”. You saw it in their eyes, their body language and yet their health began going downhill rapidly during the 3 years after moving out of their family home.

After mom died dad went to the Idaho state veterans home in Boise for 24/7/365 care. He made new friends, had visits from family members and enjoyed activities that helped him pass the time. Dad kept reminding me that he was ready to go when his time came. I told him not so fast, God isn’t done with him yet. Near the end as he became wheelchair bound and/or bedridden and with his COPD he needed oxygen all the time, even when he slept. He was in constant pain and at the ripe old age of 91 he went to sleep on 9 February 2019 and woke up in heaven with mom and Jesus.

Dad used to answer the phone with “Praise the Lord” and was not afraid to tell everyone about “Christ inside, the hope of glory” and ask if they knew Jesus? – RTM

6-12-2024

When Momma Crossed Over

January 12^th, 2016 was both a sad and happy day when momma went to her heavenly home. Mom was being cared for by my brother, his wife and his sister-in-law and visiting home care nurses. Her health began failing her for almost 2 years before her death.

Along with my eldest daughter and youngest grandson we made it to the funeral, but to tell you the truth I was at a loss for words and could only listen as my two younger brothers and dad’s brother spoke. Dad’s brother and my younger brother were both licensed ministers.

My youngest brother told of the days leading up to her passing. He had once stopped in front of her bed and wondered out loud what was holding her back? Mom beckoned him over so she could whisper “Be Patient” to his ear. He told us how dad had been praying for God to send angels to care for her and at some point he looked towards her bedroom doorway and began to see angels going in and coming out caring for her. I’m sure she had a smile on her face as she was prepared to meet her Lord and Savior.

At age 81 mom left behind a grieving husband, three sons, two sisters and their families and lots and lots of grandkids. I wasn’t there when she passed, but my wife and I had recently visited over the 2015 Christmas holiday.

When my uncle (dad’s younger brother) got up to spoke his words brought comfort and peace to my soul. He told us that when asked to speak he didn’t know what he could possibly say that would give us strength. The night before the funeral he prayed for guidance and words of wisdom. He said that in a vision he saw that Jesus had taken mom by the hand into heaven. He saw mom seated at what appeared to be an ornate grand piano play “How Great Thou Art” for Jesus.

What you must know is that mom had a small piano at home where she would play songs for weddings and sometimes during their home church meetings on Sunday mornings. Dad was a retired minister who performed weddings for just about anybody who asked. He would tell them that Jesus loved them and pray with them in the sinner’s prayer.

Almost everyone will tell you that mom was a quiet, timid person who rarely raised her voice. She loved God, her family and those she came in contact with. She was the ultimate mother hen who watched over her brood and had a willow tree in the back yard in case the grandkids got into the berry patch or garden. – RTM