August 28^th A Date I Remember Well

My brother John was next to the youngest of four boys. John joined the army in 1971 shortly after the death of his infant daughter. John was an infantryman and served one year in Korea at Camp Casey along the DMZ, before finishing his time on active duty at Fort Carson. I visited John at Fort Carson, in 1974 shortly before his honorable discharge (ETS), as I was headed to an assignment in the Panama Canal Zone at that time. After John returned to Boise, ended up getting married a couple of times and had more children and lived a few houses away from mom and dad. John worked for the city of Boise at the water treatment plant near the airport and Gowen Field and kept a watchful eye on the folks.

It was around June 1997 when I received a frantic phone call from John who was concerned about my having a full physical exam. I told John not to worry because I was in pretty good health and didn’t have high blood pressure or any medical issues.

John informed me that he had been diagnosed with melanoma cancer and although he was beginning treatment the cancer was very aggressive. Over the next couple of months I made a few trips back home to check up on him, and our folks and our other two brothers. John had been treated at a local hospital and by July or early August they sent John home with a morphine drip. John knew the end was near and wanted to die at home with family around him.

I made one last trip to see John. It was a fast trip that weekend in August and I talked to John about his condition and asked what he wanted from God. John said he was ready for whatever God decided and on August 28^th, 1997 John went to be with the Lord. It was both a sad and a happy time for our family in that John’s body had been wracked in constant pain so although we were sad to let him go, we were happy that he left that pain filled body behind.

The viewing and memorial service was a tribute to John’s character and a witness of his faith in Jesus Christ. The funeral home was packed and the standing room was filled with family and friends. It seemed pretty remarkable for someone who said he never affected anyone.

Fast forward to August 28^th, 1998 as I sat at my computer, sipping a cup of coffee I suffered a heart attack. It felt like someone was pressing a brick on my chest and I had turned completely pale. My wife sensing something was wrong drove me to Peterson AFB (2 miles away) and at the USAF clinic they began checking my blood pressure, asking lots of questions and feeding me nitroglycerin tablets. I saw my wife’s doctor and told him I was worried about my wife who had a history of high blood pressure.

What really got my attention was when one doctor called 911 and said over the phone they had what looked like a 90 year old male suffering a heart attack. I mean my birthday was coming up in 3 days and I was going to be 49 years old (if I made it). The doctor was calling for a civilian ambulance to transport me to a local hospital for immediate surgery and the surgeon was standing by.

All the way to the hospital they kept feeding me nitroglycerin tablets and nothing was happening,  I feared I might explode.

They did an x-ray of my chest and heart to determine that I had 1 main artery with a 99% blockage. The blockage was cleared and a stint put in to keep the artery from collapsing. I was kept in the hospital for 2 nights. My parents came from Idaho and stayed a few days to make sure they weren’t going to lose another son so soon.

Here we are on August 28^th, 2024, mom and dad are buried next to John just outside the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise and it is one of the first stops when going north to visit my two remaining brothers in Ola.

FYI – my 75^th birthday is just 3 days away. – RTM

8-27-2024

The Political Pariah

For a politician being labeled a pariah can be a death knoll. For a Kennedy being called the Pariah of Camelot is but a call to action to stand up for his core values even if it means having family, friends or so called political “allies” turn their backs, push him aside, to be excommunicated or disowned by his betters, his family and by his political party has become a strength that has driven RFK, Jr. first to become an Independent candidate for the presidency in 2024, and then moving elsewhere receiving acceptance and value from his most unlikely foe turned ally – Donald Trump who has offered RFK, Jr. a role in the Trump transition team.

This unlikely political union has to be driving them absolutely mad because the possibility that many RFK, Jr. voters may make the switch over to become Trump voters after seeing how corrupt the Democratic Party really is in broad daylight as they attempt to ridicule and demean him.

This I can tell you that RFK, Jr. has some driving values which he is not willing to give up even after suspending his presidential campaign and throwing his full support behind Trump. For them agreeing to disagree on a number of issues has not prevented them from joining forces for the betterment of Americans across our nation. History will show the value of this political alignment.

What was thought to be lemons is now being turned into lemonade.

I’m sure that both JFK and RFK would be proud of how RFK, Jr. has taken the bull by the horns and refuses to be bullied by this new Progressive Democratic Party establishment.

LET’S GO BOBBY! – RTM

8-27-2024

Reciting the Pledge

After returning home from a trip to the local VA Clinic I arrived home and while preparing to open the front door I heard the sound of school kids. The sound was something I never expected but greatly appreciated hearing:

I pledge allegiance to the flag

Of the United States of America

And to the Republic for which it stands

One nation under God

With liberty and justice for all

I look toward my flagpole and see Old Glory waving in the breeze just above the POW/MIA flag and for a moment the world is a better place thanks to the teachers, staff and the children of school district 49’s Evans Elementary School. – RTM

8-27-2024

Ten Weeks

As we approach the November 5^th 2024 Presidential Election it would seem that the train has literally run off its tracks. Vice President Harris is ditching her main ride = AF 2 for a tour bus across Georgia. Her campaign strategy is simple = get elected before giving her official policy statement. It drives the right leaning media crazy while the left leaning media surrogates put out bits and pieces of “what she said then isn’t where she stands now” statements. In the meantime keep on flashing those pearly whites and wave, wave, wave.

On the other hand former President Trump is holding Harris fully accountable for her actions as vice president under Biden where a bad decision by them led to 13 Americans dead, and hundreds, if not thousands of Afghanistan allies and their families were left stranded in the hands of the Taliban in 2021. Harris’ public policies say she is against basically everything that Trump is for.

Both candidates know the importance of a secure border, one has insured it remains open, the other promises to shut the door on day one. One candidate believes that abortion is wrong, but a federal mandate is not the answer because that responsibility is and should be in the hands of state governments; the other believes abortion is health care for women’s choices. The Constitution guarantees the right to life and the bible tells us “thou shalt not kill” but those seem to be suggestions that can be bent for personal preferences.

The economy is great according to Team Harris, while ALL Americans are affected financially in all aspects of daily life by the current Biden/Harris policies, which she has sort of promised to fix, (but not really).

Team Trump has been there, done that and knows exactly what to do, but voters don’t trust him because mainly they’ve been told not to (and remember he tweets too much).

The world seems to be headed downhill like an out of control train with nobody at the controls, but all that will change in just ten short weeks…… yeah right! – RTM

8-26-2024

Do Not Erase Our History

The history of the United States of America is more than 240 years old and began as the first settlers sought refuge in the New World and were introduced to the inhabitants who were already here. Land was cleared, homes were built and settlements established as people simply wanted to live and freely worship God without government interference. Many hardships were encountered, battles fought, wars won and lost, but the quest for freedom never died.

Over time the wild frontier was tamed and expansion saw towns and villages could be found from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Canada to the north and to Mexico to the south. Slaves and workers were introduced to work the fields, build factories and cities established and states were formed as our nation grew.

There was a time when government pushed so hard and our nation became divided into an all-out Civil War. The fight wasn’t simply over slavery, but over differing interpretations of the rights and privileges held dear in the Constitution and the right of citizens to prevent government interference.

Over time statues and monuments were formed to memorialize the men and women who fought every step of the way forging ahead. As a nation we have lost our way, our moral compass. There are those who have become “offended”, and have demanded the tearing down of manmade monuments and statues while others have passed laws demanding the renaming of US military installations.

 This is wrong.

History does not change because someone is offended or doesn’t like what they see or read in the history books. To recognize modern time heroes is one thing, but do so by creating new monuments or statues dedicated to their memory. It is equally wrong to erect statues or monuments to current or recently deceased lifetime politicians because of political correctness.

Tearing down and/or defacing statues or monuments is still a federal crime.

Public service is just that = Serving the Public.

Public Service is not serving self, any political party or elected office. – RTM

8-25-2024

Stupider than I

I was raised in a family of dirt farmers in Southwestern Idaho in the 50s’ & 60’s. We lived for a time in a converted chicken coup next to a ditch bank in Homedale. I was the oldest of my three brothers and at first I rode my little bicycle to school. Our family all worked the fields harvesting crops during the summer. My dad was a crew boss who managed and worked alongside a number of regular migrant workers. Nobody told us we were poor, but we were family and always had more than enough.

When harvesting potatoes we little guys were out front shaking the vines knocking the dirt clods and potatoes free. As we got bigger we donned the belts of the pickers and drug those burlap bags as we filled them with potatoes. When I was big enough I began steering the spud truck as dad bucked two one hundred pound bags over his head and onto the back of the truck. Mom was the driver who took us 4 boys in tow and headed to Simplot’s scales and shed to be unloaded.

We picked other crops too, strawberries, peaches, apples, corn – whatever crops were ready Mondays through Fridays. On Saturdays we went for a burger, fries and a coke at the Dew Drop Inn and over to the theater to watch a Tarzan movie or those horror movies like The Blob. We also got our 25 cent chocolate-dip cone at the Frosty Palace and sometimes ended up at the park where we climbed all over the Sherman tank. On Sundays we went to Sunday school at the Nazarene church.  

We learned right from wrong and I remember the time I tried stealing a pair of leather gloves I got caught and after being punished at home I was made to go back into the store and apologize to the manager.

Life was much simpler back then.

So what happened? In society today it is common practice for someone to take something just because they can, and if they get caught it’s often not even a slap on the hand. Lying is considered normal behavior and mistreating animals is grounds for immediate punishment, but killing babies by abortion is to be seen as a woman’s right to choose or called health care.

I was never called the brightest bulb in the box but even I know that the 10 Commandments are but guidelines to follow simply because God said so. There is no amount of justification to break even one on purpose.

I know that God loves me and I can humble myself before him and ask forgiveness. I know that because I know God hears me, he has promised to forgive me. That means I simply do an about face, turn from my wicked ways and not repeat the sin I’ve been forgiven of.

It’s mindboggling that people feel they can outsmart God or do something behind his back or in the dark and nobody is the wiser. (What is done in darkness will be brought out to the light).

I’ve had people get offended when I tell them I hate stupid or have no patience for stupid people doing stupid things, I really don’t – but God does!

As hard as it may seem, it is impossible to be too stupid for God.

God loves you just the way he created you and no you are not a mistake. Ask God to forgive you, place all your trust in him and ask God to become your Lord and Savior. Do it today. Do it now. – RTM  

8-24-2024

Stay on Script They Say

There is one constant in a MAGA rally – President Donald Trump. Over the years his message hasn’t changed very much and this is where the public get to see “Trump the entertainer” in action, adlibbing and going off on a seemingly endless rant against his political opponents and those who threaten the welfare of our nation.

There is the tender side to Trump highlighted during the RNC Convention where the public saw and heard from Trump family members talking about Dad and Grandpa. It touched the very soul of our nation.

And there is the fighter side of Trump that was clearly visible during the Butler, PA rally when a 22-year old would be assassin fired at Trump from a rooftop, striking him on the right side of his head, just above his ear. Flying projectiles killed one rally goer and injured two more before a secret service sniper ended the carnage with a single one in a million shot.

America saw the humanly rational side of Trump when he sat down for a live conversation with Elon Musk. It was a side that the public rarely if almost never saw before.

And we all saw the logical side of Trump after the secret coup that turned President Biden into a lame duck president just five months before the 2024 Presidential Election, when CA (D) former house speaker Nancy Pelosi and others exerted enormous pressure to get Biden to withdraw from his bid for reelection for the good of the Democratic Party and back Vice President Harris’s run for the presidency.

President Trump called it like it was a coup. It was orchestrated to remove the Biden liability so that an even worse Harris liability could take advantage of confused democratic voters in what is supposed to be a slam dunk over Trump. Democrats and even Republican talking heads say that Trump must change his tactics and not attack his opponent personally but to stay on script (message) attacking her record.

I beg to differ, as vice president – Kamala Harris owns the failed record of Joe Biden as well as her failure as the appointed border czar (Biden used the same term “Czar” that his former boss Barack Obama used during his presidency) and by extension Obama’s failures as president).

The media blitz given the re-branding of Kamala Harris focused on her failed prosecutorial career, while totally ignoring her failures as vice president. To date there have been no policy announcements, simply empty promises like raising taxes on corporations, raising the minimum wage for “hospitility” workers, knowing the importance of securing the border (California has a border wall) and promising to be the president of ALL Americans (except Trump, Kennedy, MAGA or GOP).

That leaves no positive record as vice president, is thats what Trump is supposed to talk about?

America is seeing the forward thinking side of Trump during his Arizona Rally when former Democrat, turned Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who ended his campaign and threw his full support for Trump was introduced as an ally to join forces as a coalition to end corruption in various government agencies as well as to release the still secret records of the JFK assassination.

It should be obvious that the Democratic Party put all they had into hyping up the DNC Convention in Chicago with nothing but lies to raise already low expectations while providing nothing of substance for voters of any party, except a host of big names and big money to talk trash about Donald Trump.

Americans deserve better, much, much better. – RTM

8-23-2024

High Stakes Political Fluff

What is my takeaway from the DNC Convention in Chicago?

The entire affair was simply a lot of adulation about nothing. There were no tangible tidbits that sparked hope and joy. While we waited for something we could sink our teeth into America got nothing.

In fact America got hoodwinked (google it).

Among all the glamour and glitz in the way of entertainment, entertainers, famous names and faces, former presidents and first ladies and the democratic elites and the super rich tooting the same tune-

The Harris/Walz ticket is for ALL Americans (unless you are Trump, MAGA or GOP).

Democrats are the party for Democracy and freedom.

Look around, under Biden/Harris the economy is great, the border is secure, the world is at peace (except for pesky Israel not submitting to constant threats and pressured to end the suffering in Gaza that is being caused by Hamas).

Is that about it?

No, but in America there are those Americans standing in the way of “familial genocide”, but “We trust women” for reproductive health that is intentionally killing for any reason our nation’s future generations.

According to democratic nominee Kamala Harris she is “charting a new path forward for America”.

That’s concerning to me because the path America is currently on is not healthy for anyone, and Harris is responsible and contributed directly to it. So when all the glitter is gone, and the trappings go away America is left with not only unfilled empty promises but under a Harris administration America will feel the pain, and like never before.

Mark my words! – RTM

8-22-2024

Ode to Princess Kammy

If the rise of John Kennedy to the presidency showcased America’s Camelot couple, then by extension the rise of Kamala Harris to the Democratic presidential nominee could be seen as the coronation of America’s homegrown princess. The Cinderella story of a working girl from the hood flipping burgers at Mickey Dee’s with sights set on moving into the White House in Washington, D.C.

Thanks to Democratic Party politics what we have been experiencing during the past few weeks and months also amounts to the funeral of a living president (Joe Biden) even before his life or term have ended and his eulogy by former house speaker Nancy Pelosi praising Joe Biden’s presidency is but one more nail in his political coffin.

In stark contrast we have seen team Harris/Walz for what they really are – committed democrats not afraid to extol the evils of Donald Trump while glossing over or sugarcoating their own virtues with a political cloak of secrecy.

With the Obamas and the Clintons and all of the wealthy and celebrity speakers telling us about Kamala Harris, none have shown more clearly who she is than the words she has failed to deliver about herself or her campaign promise “we’re not going back”, “forgetting what lies behind and focusing on what lies ahead” tell us more than Oprah’s “decency and respect” and “common sense over nonsense” speech which seem to have been come from a Trump rally. In fact Trump’s name has been spoken more than 300 times at the convention and by democratic surrogates instead of how the Harris/Walz campaign for ALL Americans intends to bring everyone together for the common good.

Team Harris/Walz has given American voters simply more lies about Trump but nothing about Harris’ presidential policy on abortion, and the border, economy, national defense or world affairs. Where exactly does she stand on matters of substance?

I must remind everyone this party of decency and respect has shown neither to members of their own party – President Joe Biden’s “telling voters you are not black enough” (his words), RFK Jr “he has been carrying water for Trump and is funded by MAGA” and while crying out against racial imbalance have yet to show tolerance for reconciliation or unification unless it’s under their party’s terms.

The United States of America is not a democracy (like the Democratic Party would have you to believe), it is a Constitutional-Republic (where the Constitution IS THE RULE OF LAW) not to be broken by any political party, government agency or private individual without consequences. Nobody is above the law, not even princess Kammy!

Unity begins not with government, rules or regulations, but with YOU and ME! We call ourselves Americans (as do citizens from North, Central and South American nations), we are created equal by our creator, yet in this country we respect the rule of law, honor and respect each other and have freedom to own and bear arms, worship God and live in peace and security while pursuing the American Dream.

FREEDOM – FROM THE WOMB TO THE TOMB! – RTM  

8-21-2024

Exceeding Low Expectations

The Democratic National Convention taking place at the United Center in Chicago is a hub of bustling excitement where all the “D’s” in Democrat are gathering to solidify the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris vying to be the first woman president. After obtaining the expected delegates Kamala’s immediate goal is to convince voters that she is “The One” to beat former president Donald Trump.

Nothing else matters!

Not the protestors outside the convention center or the hastily assembled security barrier (fence) to keep them out; not the security screening of prospective attendees (they probably needed proper identification (state or federal) in order to get past security agents; not the fact that Chicagoans are being murdered on the streets of Chicago and right outside.

And apparently not even having an agenda (or idea) of why Kamala should be elected or what she will do for (or to) all the people she is courting for their votes. Team Harris/Walz have put forth no talking points, no organized plan, nothing except the campaign of “Hope and Joy”……..

Wasn’t Obama’s 2006 campaign slogan “Hope and Change”? How exactly did that work out? Remember Obamacare ie The Affordable Care Act where congress had to pass it to find out what it did?

The only thing that matters is beating Trump.

So here’s what we know Democrats are proud and I mean proud of Abortions. So proud that there is even a Planned Parenthood mobile abortion clinic set up outside the event center to do abortions and vasectomy’s (castrations) – take a number.

Don’t worry because the mental castrations are done inside.

In case you didn’t already know Hawaii is the first state to legalize abortions, pass healthcare for all and is the birthplace of Barack Obama…….how nice!

This morning I saw a woman who fled Texas for an emergency abortion and they were saying that an abortion ban is not pro-family – tell that to the aborted!

So Hope and Joy must be hoping that Harris can beat Trump and oh what Joy that will be……..?

If I seem sarcastic – I am and if that offends you so be it.

What America is seeing is a convention of no measurable goals, no expectations and nothing presented thus far to lift up our nation to become a safer, more secure leader of the free world. What is in our future should we continue on this trajectory is a nation internally torn apart equal only to Venezuela, North Korea, Cuba, China, Russia and many other nations who’s succumbed to “Hope and Joy”.

I sure do Hope Kammy has a plan, and that she lets America in on it BEFORE the election otherwise KAMMYCARE will be to the people and not for the people. Mr. Kammy (2^nd Gentleman) has said that “Empathy” is Kamala’s greatest strength.

Well sir Empathy will not put money in the bank, pay the bills or raise America to new heights. You may have put your family’s future in Kamala’s hands, but my family and America deserve better. – RTM