7-3-2023

Nosey Neighbors (Updated 7-8-23)

You know exactly what I’m referring to, those who is so far up in your business that they have to be surgically removed before you can receive any medical procedure. Yeah, you know…

I’m not talking about the “Howdy Neighbor” and a wave guy next door, or the “Hi Joe” from the lady across the street either. Those are greetings from friendly neighbors who when they see you either wave or sound off with a greeting, hoping for but not necessarily needing a response in return.

In certain cases friendships can “cross the line” until it becomes down and outright meddling. I mean who needs to know who came over; what did you talk about; and what did you eat. It’s almost like someone is standing behind a curtain watching your every move and the telegraphing it to others who have no business being in your business.

When you meet that neighbor for the first time, do you expect to be required to declare where you live, where you work or if in the military what your pay grade or occupation is? They want to know what kind of car you drive, how much money you make and how much you have in the bank. 

They become annoying really fast.

Now buy a new house, a new car or a new television and the inquisition begins all over again. Let alone make a new friend or acquaintance and see who that goes over.

Then when friends come in from out of town, it’s like “party time” over at your house as the planning begins – without your knowledge or consent. In this age of working from home, it doesn’t really matter that you have clients, business meetings or other things going on.

It’s like having a bridge party over at your house – and you don’t even play bridge.

It doesn’t end there. What if they win the lottery, they plan it all out where they’re going to build an entire little community so all YOUR kids, grandkids and so can live in a neat little row, right next to this nosy neighbor.

Ain’t that a hoot?

That’s why I removed my “Welcome” mat from in front of the door and stopped telling people to make themselves at home.

I’d rather they “take themselves back home” and leave me alone.

Maybe my brothers had the right idea – live so far up in the mountains that nobody comes to visit. If they do venture over, there is no B & B or KOA campground nearby, so they have to go all the way back home.

I often ask myself, what would they think if I did that to them? What if I invited myself over to their family gatherings, so I could get into their business? I could maybe chase their friends and family away so that they would never want to come back to their house.

What do you do or say when they become so ingrained in your life? Do you just suck it up, take a deep breath and just ignore their rudeness? Or do you blow your stack, tell them off and watch them leave?

“Do unto me what you want me to do unto you” comes to mind or “don’t ask if I don’t tell you”.

Is that the Christian thing to do? I mean Jesus said to go unto the ends of the earth and tell everyone about him.

Like Jonah, did he really mean Niniva? 

Did Jesus really mean my nosy neighbors, really?

For God so loved the world……. And Jesus did say love thy neighbor as you love yourself.

Does this mean I don’t love myself or my neighbor?

I’m old and a red-head and I’m asking you…….hummm? – RTM

7-1-2023

Call Me Old School

I may not be Albert Einstein (pictured here),

But let me start the new month with a few thoughts about my take on life as we knew it prior to 2019. You may recognize what I’ve written in the past now that we’ve had time to let things cool down.

The whole virus idea has not been a new one. We’ve had coronaviruses for years and have been injecting and treating animals for it. I wonder how we have been affected by meat that has been injected for a myriad of these types of viruses. One thing you haven’t seen are those same animals wearing those ridiculous disposable facial coverings we call masks. Nor have we seen farmers and ranchers donning temporary shoe coverings or plastic gloves, and why not?

When the push came for everyone to wear a mask or facial covering at home, even if you lived alone or to self-isolate away from any outside contact, and like many others I decided to play it safe for 14 days.

However when my military training told me that these “precautions” were nonsense and totally without merit I began noticing the pitch and frequency began increasing in an attempt to drown out logic altogether. In the military before entering an area with the suspected presence of biological agents training says to “suit up” with chemical masks, suits, boots and gloves and to remain so until given the all clear signal. After getting the all clear, everyone is to self-decontaminate by washing (soap and water) all exposed clothing and body parts before taking a shower and changing into clean clothing.

Did any of that happen?

I can see if entering a hospital isolation ward, doing precisely the same process – suit up and wear a mask. It protects the patient from some outside source of infection.

If you are sick (flu, coughing or feverish) I can see wearing a suitable protective mask that tells everyone you are sick and warns them to stay away from close physical contact.

What about anti-viral treatment and preventive measures or instructions (prescriptions) given by a medical doctor? Are they not the experts in their chose field? Did they not study medicine for a lengthy period of time before obtaining their medical degree? Can we trust them with our lives (I only have one)?

What we saw was a total blitz of sanity. In the US doctors were fired, licenses invalidated and they were blocked or banned from social media or by main stream media from speaking out or issuing sound medical diagnosis and/or treatment. In some countries these “rebellious” doctors simply disappeared or died of a mysterious virus, illness or disease or possibly by lead poisoning.

The hysteria over the source of the virus became more of an issue than the issue of the virus. The initial outbreak came from Wuhan, China yet saying so was seen by some as prejudicial against the Chinese. Yet investigative research showed that scientific laboratories in the USA with invited guests from various countries, including a team from Wuhan conducted experiments with lab specimens from Wuhan, in a controlled environment in the USA just a few short years before the outbreak. Here we are a few years after the virus outbreak and we’re still wearing masks visiting hospitals, traveling on public transportation and even staying at home alone – in the dark, like mushrooms.

It is now a given that inexpensive KN-95 masks are the mask of choice to use and they are made in – you guessed it – China. Remember when communist dictators made those about to be executed pay for their own bullet? – RTM

6-30-2023

Thoughts from a Rambling Mind

Does anyone else have days when it seems that the mind is chugging away at 100 MPH with no letup in sight?

Years ago after my heart attack, my doctor told me that walking 30 – 40 minutes is enough time to get the heartrate up to a safe level. We measured a route that is exactly 2 miles and takes 38 – 42 minutes to walk. I feel good, am awake and ready for almost anything coming I encounter, except stupid – I don’t do stupid well. Life is hard enough, but really hard if you’re stupid. (John Wayne?)

My wife and I like to start our day with a brisk 2 mile walk through our unincorporated neighborhood of Cimarron Hills in the suburbs of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Each walk is usually far from boring or routine.

This morning I said to myself “I’m rich” as I picked up a shiny penny. Sometimes it’s a dime or a quarter or on 2 different mornings there were 4 or 5 dollar bills blowing across the road in front of us each morning.

Further along this morning a neighbor had put a small BBQ gas grill out on the curb. I considered dragging it home and figuring out whether to switch out my newly acquired from a family member charcoal grill.

Early yesterday morning we came across a young deer watching us as it contemplated crossing the road. We continued on past and when I looked back it was gone. Deer are quite frequently spotted in groups of 3 – 5 heading to some unknown destination.

We have come across skunks, raccoons, foxes, dogs, cats and an occasional owl or hawk perched on an upper tree branch. One morning we watched as a family of 5 raccoons ran across the road and into a storm drain – single file.

Probably the most intriguing was coming across an actual crime scene where two county sheriff’s squad cars were aimed toward a parked van just over a ½ mile from our house. Inside was the body of a woman, sitting in the passenger seat. No idea what happened or what has become of that?

A few years ago (near the same area) when we were doing morning walks there was another crime scene where a young man was gunned down the night before in front of his house, during his birthday party earlier that night. It was after this incident we decided to do our walks in the early morning hours.

Another incident occurred literally in view from our house. The sheriff’s office had sealed the street at our corner while they investigated one of our neighbors shooting another neighbor during the night. I don’t think it was life threatening but that morning we decided to just stay home.

What could have been a potential incident occurred when a young girl walked out of a dark corner of a neighborhood church building, holding her stomach and complaining of pain. I pointed to the fire station which was literally 20 steps away and told her to ring the bell and they would help her. It wasn’t until later that morning we heard on the news that some young people had stolen a car, went speeding down a street they were not familiar with and crashed into a brick wall, approximately 1 mile from where the girls approached us.

There is a saying that most accidents occur within 1 or 2 miles near the home. That being the case I guess I’ll put my house up for sale and move……… lol – RTM

6-27-2023

The Father of Lies

Jesus said in Revelations 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Satan is the great imitator, a liar and the father of lies. His sales pitch boils down to “try it you’ll like it”. His catch phrase “sin is fun” makes it look so attractive and nice in order to entice and draw man away from God.

Satan is no equal to God. He never has been. He never will be.

The Bible tells us that Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. In reality he is a tiny, puny and pitiful fallen angel committed to roam about on the earth until his appointed time into the fiery pit. Bottom line like Jesus Satan must be let into your life. You have to invite him in so he makes sin look so appealing.

Satan is that unwanted guest who never wants to leave. So remove that welcome mat and when he tempts you – just say no!

The bible tells us that “greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.”

Satan has no stronghold unless it is willingly given.

I’ve seen believers who have been so browbeaten down until they doubt themselves and God’s ability to keep his word. Don’t fall for it.

If we’ve faith the size of a mustard seed (really tiny) we can move mountains. We must believe and not doubt. We are told it’s not by might, not by power but by MY Spirit says the Lord of Hosts.

When the road ahead looks bleak and dim, we know that God will make a way. Question God, sure, but never, ever doubt that God will do what he said he would.

There are only 2 constants in life: Change is constant; and the Faithfulness of God.

Oh and nobody gets out of here alive and there are no U-Hauls in the gravesite.

Seriously, if you are not a believer that Jesus is the Son of God, his blood on the cross paid for the sin of the world, and he was raised on the third day, just as he said – you have NO HOPE. If you think it’s bad now, you haven’t seen anything yet. (Find a bible and begin reading the words of Jesus in the book of John). The very worst you can experience is to spend eternity without God. Only God is good. Without God there is nothing good. There is nothing you can do to change God’s love for you.

God loves you just the way you are. He created you for himself. You are special. You are unique and wonderfully made. There is only one you, so strive to be the best you that you can be.

Nobody else can be you.

Salvation is free, but the cost is EVERYTHING, to lay down your own life with all its burdens and follow Jesus – 100% commitment. – RTM

6-22-2023

In Bed With The Devil

The bible tells us the Jewish nation of Israel is God’s chosen people.

History tells us that the United States was created by men with an innate desire to worship God without hindrance or interference by government or other men. These men chose a type of government that was a Republic governed by a document called a Constitution. Thus a Constitutional-Republic was born and remains the only such government in the world even today. What is unique about the Constitution is that its premise came directly from the bible, that ALL men are created equal, not by the dictates of man but by the God who created all things.

Historically when man is in trouble he reached out to the all-seeing, all knowing invisible God of all creation by falling on his knees in prayer.

It has been said there are no atheists in foxholes. In times of trouble everyone wants to be on the side of what they feel is right.

Right isn’t always good and good isn’t always right.

Only God is good.

For years I’ve heard many Christians (Followers of Christ) praying earnestly for God to have mercy on us sinners, heal our nation and save our land. Many a prayer meeting has invoked a merciful God.

The bible tells us that Gods ways are higher than man’s ways and God’s thoughts are not man’s thoughts.

So why is it that historically when God moves in answer to prayer we are confused?

David was the youngest son when he went out to fight Goliath and God chose him to became king.

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers who sold him into slavery, yet God placed him in a position of great power to save his family and his people from a foreign land.

Noah was an old man when God said build a boat. Not just any boat, but an ark to the exact specifications from God.

God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and they murmured and complained for 40 years while God provided for their needs.

Yes historically God has moved in mysterious ways and yet we act like the Israelites in the wilderness, mumbling, always mumbling and complaining that it’s not the way God works.

Politically in the United States when Donald J. Trump felt that God wanted him to run for the presidency, he waited until he felt the time was right and then he acted on what Christians refer to as his “Calling” from God. Even before the election it was prophesied to Trump that he would become God’s Isaiah 45 President (POTUS #45), to stop evil and become a sword against political correctness. The 2016 election went just as God had said.

From the beginning the works of the devil kicked into high gear as politicians, journalists, social media and even Christians jumped on the political “Dump Trump” bandwagon, not for what he had done or said, but because of what he was “alleged” to have done or said. Every word, tweet or broadcast was dissected and examined in an attempt to find fault as he was declared unworthy by man.

None of the attacks were able to deter this man on a mission from God. His accomplishments (there were many) included moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and the signing of the Abraham Accords, were overshadowed by the Impeachments, accusations of wrongdoing and ended by the 2020 election and the events of January 6^th,2021 and continue 2 years later as an insurance policy against any future reelection bid.

Do I think God was surprised at how it has turned out? No – not at all, as nothing surprises God.

I, on the other hand, am surprised at how many Christians have bought into the lies of the devil when it comes to political corruption. Do I think Trump is right for another term? It’s not up to me.

What matters is what God says.

I do know that when you are in the perfect will of God for you, nothing and nobody will succeed in coming against you, so long as your eyes stay focused on the One who sent you. – RTM

6-21-2023

In Your Face and Not Going Away

When I was a teen I used to have bad dreams. Quite often it was vampires or zombies chasing me. In every case just as they were about to pounce I’d announce that I was one of them and lets go get someone else. And then I’d wake up in a cold sweat.

This dream didn’t happen all the time, yet when it came and ended it was always the same.

If you’ve followed my blogs you will find that I’ve written about this before, yet each new day brings a real life zombie-type dream-like setting that we can never wake up from.

I’m talking about the gender-bender nonsense of today.

We can read in the book of Genesis where God created man, male and female he created them. You believing it or not has no bearing on the truth.

This identification nonsense is another non-starter and your belief or “version of the truth” does not have any effect on God’s creation. In fact man is the only mammal who can identify with a plant, tree or vegetable and that may be a real cause-and-effect of all this genetic mutation of plant-based food that is sold through some pretty sketchy advertising.

I’ve never heard of a bear, an owl or an eagle deciding he wants to be a she or vice versa and certainly not wanting to be anything other than what they are.

I will defer to what we called it back in the day – delusional.  

Society used to place those people in insane asylums or mental institutions, but alas when the fox is in the henhouse you either have to get rid of the fox or move the henhouse (from a western movie). Anyone expressing anti-social behavior such as that should be locked up and treated, certainly not elected or appointed to public office.

The presidential election campaign season is upon us and so is the insanity of those who want us to believe their make-believe fantasy is for real.

Let me say this – if God said it – believe it.

The wages (free stuff) of sin is spiritual death and eternal separation from God.

My old saying “give an idiot an inch and he will take a mile” is still true.

This madness reminds me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 3 where King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue and issued a decree that when everyone hears the horn they are to bow down and worship him or face death by the fiery furnace. When they did not bow and worship him, he had them brought before him and they told him they would not comply. They said that God would deliver them and even if God didn’t deliver them they still would not bow down or worship him. They were thrown into the fiery furnace and God did deliver them and their clothing was burnt, scorched or even smelled of smoke.

Coming Out isn’t just limited from a closet. It’s about coming out of (losing) your mind.

Don’t believe the lie that “what they do in their own home is okay”, it soon leads from the home, community, city, state, nation and internationally until it’s globally not okay to be otherwise.

When the demented and perverted attempt to force their ungodly behavior on everyone as “truth”, know and recognize it for what it really is, nothing more than a lie.

Refuse to believe the lie. – RTM

6-19-2023

Riding the Wave of Reverse Discrimination

What I’m about to say will undoubtedly set some people off, but it has to be said. American’s are all too quick to jump on someone else’s band wagon. We “identify” with almost anything and is not only our choice and the consequences can be unexpected and at times overwhelming.

This nation was founded on the backs of hard working men, women and children of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. There were slaves, indentured servants, and scripted laborers picking cotton, potatoes, corn, and fruit or caring for the family needs of others, while their own needs went unmet. Laborers built railroads, highways, farms, ranches, town and cities for the enrichment of others.

Families fought and died on both sides of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World Wars I & II for what they valued most – freedom. Yet they often came home to lives that were far from free because politicians sought to secure and keep the power and positions which served themselves – we call it racism.

In government and in industry it was thought there must be a balancing act that can give equality to all people – it was called reverse-discrimination where job and educational vacancies were filled by the color of one’s skin, without any skillset or ability. Promotions went to a handpicked few and the Peter Principle was born. Children were “promoted” to higher levels of education because it looked good on paper, yet produced uneducated graduates.

The idea that all men are created equal by their creator did not consider man is not god and therefore subject to prejudice.

I do not condone racism.

My own family history bears witness to being involved with the Underground Railroad.

I have spent my entire adult life in a multi-cultural bi-racial family setting and have taught my children to treat everyone the way you want to be treated, not how you are treated.

What I see wrong with the idea of Juneteenth is when it is celebrated by people who dishonor the mass struggle of the founding of this nation by refusing to celebrate or honor the July 4^th Celebration, and then expect to force-feed June 19^th on anyone else. Celebrations should unite ALL people of the community and of the nation.

No race or ethnicity is superior or inferior to another. But to demand compliance is exactly what slave owners and bosses did to their slaves and it is wrong.

Standing for the Stars and Stripes, hand over your heart during the National Anthem or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance are all symbols that should lead to patriotism and promote national unity.

Giving preference to others while disgracing and humiliating your own has never been a good idea, nor is it ever acceptable. The good book (Bible) says to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, not “before they do it unto you”. Respect freely given should be freely shown in return. – RTM

6-17-2023

The Misfortune of the Wheel

On Monday June 12^th, when Pat Sajak announced his retirement I’m sure media heads began to explode as they rushed to find a suitable replacement for this well-seasoned host of Wheel of Fortune. I’m sure they will come up with someone as they always do. Some of the top names being floated are Vanna White, Le Var Burton, John Michael Higgins, Scott Rogowsky, Wayne Brady, Michael Strahan, and I’m even seen Whoopy Goldberg’s name among others we haven’t heard about yet.

In my opinion (which counts very little outside my immediate circle of influence) I say keep race out of it and pick the most knowledgeable and likeable as the next host. If they go for name recognition or popularity or try to appeal on the basis of race or choose a certain Hollywood starlet in decline – it would spell misfortune for the wheel and the wheel would become just another memory. Either way I like what Pat Sajak said “If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy”!

I wish Pat a long and happy retirement out of the public eye – RTM.

6-15-2023

The Head of the Snake

There are many kinds of snakes across the North American continent. Some are extremely poisonous while others are not. Whether you’re hiking across the Rocky Mountains or fishing in the rivers of central or Midwestern states there is a very real danger of encountering these venomous vipers and the question becomes what to do, fight or flight?

The same is true when it comes to the rights guaranteed to American citizens under the Constitution versus the political undertaking of select US Government Agencies whose actions and activities go beyond their official mandates.

When a law enforcement officer is determined to have gone rogue that officer is fired, and if warranted faced with criminal charges. When a city police force has gone rogue the entire force is fired and their duties are taken over by the County Sheriff’s department until a new force is in place. Should an entire state police force become corrupt or unable to function properly it may take the state’s National Guard to be activated by the governor to stand in the gap temporarily. A call from the governor could result in the Department of Justice or Homeland Security to step in and restore/maintain law and order for a set period of time.

So what happens when a federal agency, such as the Department of Justice or Homeland Security goes rogue? Does the President have the authority to declare Martial Law, active federal troops to step in and make arrests from agency/department heads, staff and/or field agents?

I ask these hard questions because it is well known and documented that the Central Intelligence Agency has a proven track record of sewing political discord in third world countries when it has been decided that the interests of the US trump the wants, needs and desires of that nation’s citizens. Whether it is crafting tools to sway an election, a coup de tat, or an insurrection the equipment, manpower and funds of the CIA are virtually unlimited.

Another very powerful agency is the Federal Bureau of Investigation with offices located throughout the free world utilizing special arrangements for the apprehension, arrest and transportation of offenders to US jurisdiction to face prosecution.

Other agencies that have been weaponized are elements of the Internal Revenue Service and United States Postal Service, among others.

And then there is the media, local, national and international news outlets, social media and the internet which have resorted to the fabrication and distribution of political disinformation or “hit” pieces which bear little resemblance to actual journalism.

The question remains – how far does this go? Every agency has upper level department heads and staff who operate independently without worrying about elected/appointed political “talking” heads. They ensure agency policies are followed and maintain a very tight reign.

When dealing with snakes it becomes necessary to separate the head from the body to insure its deadly poison is not injected into an unsuspecting hiker or fisherman.

In a recent case of a newly appointed head of a national security agency, once he announced there would be serious changes coming, he was blindsided and forced to resign. I’ll bet he didn’t see that coming?

The same thing happened when the duly elected President of the United States #45 was sworn into office in 2017 when he came under severe and serious personal and political attacks in an attempt to force him to resign. He would not and those attacks continue to this day.

Our Constitutional-Republic is at risk. Efforts are underway to topple the economy and infrastructure of the United States by any means necessary, even by those elected and appointed “Civil Servant” officials who have sworn to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies, both foreign and domestic. – RTM

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

The Constitution of the United States of America

The First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms.

The Third Amendment prohibits the government from quartering troops in private homes, a major grievance during the American Revolution.

The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure. The government may not conduct any searches without a warrant, and such warrants must be issued by a judge and based on probable cause.

The Fifth Amendment provides that citizens not be subject to criminal prosecution and punishment without due process. Citizens may not be tried on the same set of facts twice, and are protected from self-incrimination (the right to remain silent). The amendment also establishes the power of eminent domain, ensuring that private property is not seized for public use without just compensation.

The Sixth Amendment assures the right to a speedy trial by a jury of one’s peers, to be informed of the crimes with which they are charged, and to confront the witnesses brought by the government. The amendment also provides the accused the right to compel testimony from witnesses, and to legal representation.

The Seventh Amendment provides that civil cases also be tried by jury.

The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

The Ninth Amendment states that the list of rights enumerated in the Constitution is not exhaustive, and that the people retain all rights not enumerated.

The Tenth Amendment assigns all powers not delegated to the United States, or prohibited to the states, to either the states or to the people.

6-14-2023

Doing the Same Thing

It’s been said that Einstein once described crazy behavior as “doing the same thing in the exact same way while expecting different results.”

Some have said it applies to bankers and investors. I say it applies even more to democratic politics which follow the flawed example set down by the darling of the Democratic Party, the late Marxist activist Saul Alinsky.

Let me remind everyone that Hillary Rodham interviewed Alinsky and then wrote her college thesis on his many virtues (must have been a short one). She then employed his tactics during her political rise to fame.

Early in the life of his community organizing Barry Soetoro used Alinsky’s model and look where that got him, from the streets of Chicago into the U.S. Senate and then into the White House.

The real test began when political outsider Donald J Trump entered the world of politics. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to recognize the tactics of identify, isolate, and attack using an anything goes approach (dirty politics) where facts have little to do with anything.

If you’ve followed my blogs you will see that I pull no punches when it comes to the down and dirty, underhanded political shenanigans of elected officials who are even to this day triggered by the real master of sarcasm.

This latest Classified Documents publicity stunt is aimed at preventing Trump from getting back into the Executive Office using exactly the same tactics as the alleged Sexual Scandals, Russia Hoax, Impeachments I & II, and J6 over the past 7 years.

Trump once said something to the effect that it’s not me they are after, it’s you but I’m standing in the way.”

One of Alinsky’s tactics during an attack of the primary target is watching to see who comes out of the woodwork and then gathering then up as collateral damage, to destroy them publicly, politically and financially so that others would remain silent.

Conservatives were warned not to react to this public outcry which could spark entrapment by the DOJ/FBI, so what exactly happened when anti-Trump protestors showed up outside the Federal Courthouse in Florida? A slap on the wrists, ice cream cones, a stern warning?

It seems to me that democratic activists have overlooked the warning of Saul Alinsky when he wrote not to overdue or it will cease to be effective.

Seven years is a bit overdue, yet there are no signs of it letting up anytime soon. Surprisingly it has not been limited to democrats as politicians on all sides of the political isle want their pictures and names in the news to be known as staunch anti-Trumpers.

The pen is mightier than the sword and the ballot box is where the political rubber meets the road. – RTM