Wealth Legacy Lost

White Privilege has secured wealth legacy down the food chain to the poorest.  That “Wealth Legacy” aka White Privilege and Legacy of “Slavery” is mutually exclusive. Wealth of using ENSLAVED LABOR to build the Entire US obviously is transferred to White Privilege and conversely the wealth legacy of the Enslaved Persons is lost. Restitution is in order!

“The Capitol, which has housed Congress since 1800 is the most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world.  Although this magnificent structure is visited by nearly fine million people a year, few are aware of the use of Enslaved Labor to build it. “ US Capital Historical Society

Where’s the Legacy of Wealth, like the Plantation Owner’s Legacy?  Or the wealth transfer enslaved labor building the U.S. Capital?

The  Story of Europe by Christopher Clark told the history of the culture of Europe’s quest for dominance of the world, going to Africa and stealing persons for enslavement.  England emerged as the leader in African Slave Trade, spreading their plunder throughout the Americas, thus assuring their Wealth Legacy. 

On a PBS episode: the entire history of US was predicated on Slavery and ingrained in every aspect. England abolished Slavery with the Colonies, and America being afraid lead to the Revolutionary War. 

Arlington Cemetery was Lee’s home, deservedly the hero’s of Civil War fight for freedom from Slavery/ Enslavement were buried in his front yard, taking his property for posterity. Lee was a Traitor who owned people, making them slaves…Robert E. Lee personally owned slaves that he inherited upon the death of his mother, Ann Lee, in 1829.  

The pivotal point of the last great divide manifested itself over Slavery, with the underlying point being Money and Oligarchy. We cannot rewrite the History of Confederate States, they were full blown fascism.  Slavery was the domain.

Slavery. Enslavement of an Individual.  A horror story!  Needs to be Told Every Day!

What digs deeper than Fear for Life compounded by Misery of Existence?

Flight or Fight emotion is so powerful in all and triggers stress.  So terrible a fear to deal with anyone, especially one held in Slavery.  So shameful!  And, those who ignore this history are part of the past and equally guilty.

To deny Slavery as an Ugly stain on American History, is in itself a crime.  History of Slavery, with the guilt of the past and those who were responsible for this horrific tragedy has no expiration date and woe for the future of those who cling on. 

“To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?” ― Marcus Tullius Cicero 108 BC - 43 BC

Reminded Juneteenth is beyond the idea of Slavery but more significant is Individual Enslavement! Morally speaking, Who Does This?

A PBS episode: history of slavery, man’s inhumanity to man, “Under Ground Railroad” - a glimmer of hope, then hope crushed with ‘Fugitive Slave Act’ 1850 - such inhumane cruelty, heartrending … 

reminded

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” composed by Wallis Willis about 1865 metaphors for the Underground Railroad, carrying Hopefuls to Freedom.

Mark Twain wrote for restitution:

''I do not believe I would very cheerfully help a white student who would ask a benevolence of a stranger,'' Twain wrote Francis Wayland, the law school dean, on Dec. 24, 1885, ''but I do not feel so about the other color. We have ground the manhood out of them, & the shame is ours, not theirs; & we should pay for it.’’

“Who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the Past” George Orwell

Sen Henry Clay gave us the Filibuster back in 1850’s thereabout to prevent states changing Anti-Slavery - Slavery still exists, with the 13th Amendment: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States,…”

Reminded: To be a Republican one must be Rich, Cruel, or Ignorant, and it’s not mutually exclusive.  Underscore Cruel.  

“Returning hate for hate multiples hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr.

“In a real sense, all life is interrelated.  All people are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in the single garment of destiny.” Martin Luther King Jr. Strength to Love 1963

“In a free society, some are guilty and all are responsible,” wrote Abraham Joshua Heschel. 

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. …we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King

For the White Privileged, try thinking of one’s worst bad day, then multiply by 365, then by 400 and not even come close.  I grew up not having to think about my skin color and the repercussions for the day.

Discrimination has always pervaded society, and of course at different levels.  But back in the ’70’s it struck me, with a particular case involving discrimination based on color and it affected me because I was sensitive to this ‘cancer’.  

In the early ’70’s I was supervisor of 13 full service gasoline stations Detroit area, with about 100 employees under my direction.  I was awarded Top Sales for the region.  

When the Regional Manager came to Detroit from Ashland Ky for inspection, I traveled with the Regional Manager and my supervisor to each of my stations.  Parked and watching from a distance, the Regional Manger spouted “what are those “N” word doing on my driveway? Get rid of them.”  Needless to say, I did not “Get rid of them”, and a short time later was ‘let go’ for no specific reason. 

Those who refrain from Acknowledging History’s Slavery Abhorrence and Necessary Reparations bear the Same Shame and are Guilty of Same even back to the Named Day.

Rolling In The Dough or The Leaning Tower of Pizza

Flat Breads, aka Pizza, with toppings were eaten in ancient times by Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks.  Such a delight passed on by generations tells the story of why today’s Pizza is loved!  

I delighted in my children helping me make pizza as long back as they can remember.

I’ve been baking bread for 50 years, love the idea of rolling in the dough.

My daughter Renee, born 7-7-77 at 7:14 AM, delighted in spending the day with me making pizza. She was 5 years old when when I put her up to the counter on the foot stool to punch pizza dough, and let her put her favorite toppings on her rolled out dough.

The next generation.  My email to Renee recently:

“Thank you Renee and Ferran for hosting a beautiful Birthday Party for Aunt Laura…

and enjoyment for my making Pizza, and to my delight with little Estelle’s fingers touching the toppings for everyone’s delight…”  This little 7 year old granddaughter loves making pizza.

Here are a couple of recipes:

My Pan fried (no oil) Flat Bread: basic white bread recipe, spread like pizza and put into a 14 inch non-stick pan with cover. Wet fingers, spread flat in pan, sprinkle with “Bagel seasoning”, rest 45 min, cook moderate heat 21 min first side, flip 10 min more covered. 

Stove top pizza: Basic pizza dough, spread in 12 non-stick skillet with wet hands, cover & cook 7 min flip & cook 7 min other side.  Cook zucchini, veggies stove top in another pan, top cooked pizza dough with tomato sauce, veggies, cheese, put under broiler for 7 min.  Enjoy! 

Life has always been celebrated with gatherings, and food the source of the gathering.  We cherish our Pizza Parties with fond remembrances.

The Nature of Communication

Ancient scholars deduced that language is symbolic, metaphorical to reason and understanding for the individuals’ thought process. Symbolism language is powerful.

Hieroglyphics were the early form of writing, communication used in Ancient Egypt and the Anatolian Hittites dating back to the Bronze Age 12 century BCE, a combination of logographic symbols. Much like the Emoji of today.

But the timeline of most of History shows that most people were illiterate, could not read or write even up through the Middle Ages. They depended on Oral Tradition, a form of human communication wherein knowledge, art, ideas and culture was received, preserved, and transmitted orally from one generation to another.  The transmission was through speech or song including folktales, ballads, chants, or prose and poetry.

Part of Human Existence, is Oral Tradition before written language. One can hypothesize religion was founded upon explaining the unexplainable, giving reasons to fractured happenings before scientific knowledge gave birth. Homer’s Odyssey reveals Human Nature.  ‘Achilles' heel myth for example.

Greek Mythology, when Achilles was an infant, it was foretold he would perish at a young age. Preventing his death, his mother Thetis took Achilles to the River Styx which folklore supposed to offer powers of invulnerability. She dipped his body into the river water but, because she held him by his heel, it was not touched by the water of the river.

One can see, for example, the Pictures displayed as Art throughout the walls and ceilings of Hagia Sophia, built 360 CE, telling the story of Christianity, a method of Oral Tradition.

In 1454 Gutenberg took the task of the laboring Scribes and put the mass media in motion. The printing press innovation put the written word to the masses, inspired the ‘read’.

Over centuries, Scribes upon Scribes, upon more Scribes rewriting lead to distortions in meaning. Imagine ancient script with no spaces/punctuation.

Charlemagne, 8th century, gave us Carolingian ‘miniscule’, Upper Lower cases, spaces between words, punctuation, and even Cursive Writing. 

Consider the importance of these  innovations: allofthesechangesmadeitmucheasiertoreadtheyeliminatedthesourcesofmanyscribalerrors

Add to the Insanity with the Bible having many contradictions because of the Scribes’ distortions over centuries. Maybe one Scribe had a ‘Bad Day’ with his wife and relegated her to “Sit Down & Be Quiet” 1 Timothy 2:12: “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”

“I learned a very important lesson that night. People believe whatever they read. Something magical happens once it’s put down on paper. They figure no one would have gone through the trouble if it wasn’t the truth.  

Responsibility was my new watchman.” Eugene Morris Jerome

- Niel Simon’s Biloxi Blues

“Nature of Reality in the conscious mind is thru Stories.”- Deepak Chopra

Corporate Media controls the Stories. Therein Lies the Problem.

One could hypothesize, that ‘Social Media’ is the New “Ancient Oral Tradition”

since Journalism is DOA and Corporate Media is Infotainment.

One must realize Corporate Media Mainstream Media is owned by 5 corporations and is not only the filter, but the interpreter of HAPPENINGS.  An Unchallenged Lie perpetuates same. 

The Word “News” connotes Journalism, and one would expect a standard like a placard outside an office “Lawyer” or “CPA”.  Corp Media MSM replaced Journalism with ‘INFOTAINMENT’.

A savior of our communicated thoughts revolves around Lucius Seneca 4 BCE - 65 CE, Roman Philosopher, Stoicism: “You can’t control the situation, but you can control your reaction to it.”  

The Fourth Estate

 “Well, all I know is what I read in the Papers.” said Will Rogers

The term Fourth Estate hails back to the 19th Century European concept of the realm of three estates:  the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.  The Fourth Estate being a Free Press.

Thomas Jefferson believed in the necessity of a free press as a watchdog keeping citizens informed in government affairs, and that the press had the responsibility of accuracy in their reporting.

Unlike the Postal Code, Article I, Section 8, giving Congress specific power to establish Post Offices and postal road, and to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper, the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the more broadly power to protect Free Speech and Free Press equally.  

Our 1st Amendment is so profoundly imbued that it even guarantees money as Free Speech, thanks to Right-Wing, GOP appointed SCOTUS with Buckley v Valeo, Citizens United decisions. Therein Lies the Problem.  

It’s ok to buy Congress to kneecap the United States Postal Service, and allow monopolies, wherein five multi-national corporations own the Mass Media aka Main Street Media.

The Postal Accountability & Enhancement Act. Passed by Republican Congress and signed by President George W. Bush 2006, a “poison pill” designed to destroy USPS requiring it to pre-fund its Retiree Health Benefits Fund 75 years in advance.

Postmaster DeJoy, appointed by Republicans, defies the Constitution by criminally destroying USPS property with over 700 automated sorting machines dismantled and thrown in the trash. And, DeJoy is not charged with a crime!

Deepak Chopra on PBS said: “Nature of Reality in the conscious mind is thru Stories.”  Corporate Media controls the stories.  And, they show no shame in removing Journalism and replacing with Infotainment.

After the FCC stopped enforcing the Fairness Doctrine under Reagan in 1987, broadcast corporations stopped having to worry about broadcasting in the public interest.

Leslie Moonves CEO - CBS said about Donald Trump: "It May Not Be Good for America, but It's Damn Good for CBS”  A disservice to America!

The spread of misinformation, disinformation clearly falls on Corporate Media, MSM, and they show no remorse in removing Journalism and  replacing it with INFOTAINMENT. The Billionaire$ money in Government is systemic. 

Obviously, it’s difficult to govern with an uniformed public. A Free Press, Fourth Estate, with accuracy in their reporting is vital to a functioning democracy”

The Moral Compass

Today, overwhelming evidence shows that people vote against their own best self interest.

Ike was last legit Republican President, Nixon conspired with Viet Nam to continue the war (Treason), Reagan conspired with Iran to hold the hostages, (Treason), George H.W. Bush came from Reagan, George W. Bush was appointed by SCOTUS, and Trump lost the popular vote.

Paul Weyrich, religious conservative political activist and commentator of the New Right said: “I don't want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of people, they never have been from the beginning of our country and they are not now. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down.”

The GOP wins power by the slimmest margins, only because the election process is theirs through Gerrymandering, voter suppression, voter crosscheck purge, corporate so-called news, SCOTUS Citizens United, Electoral College, Billionaires with Dark Money.  It would take a tsunami of progressive voter turnout to overcome.

Sen Whitehouse’ reply to GOP when they ruled “because we can”: “Don’t think when you have established the rule of ‘because we can,’ that should the shoe be on the other foot, you will have any credibility to come to us and say: ‘yeah, I know you can do that, but you shouldn’t.”

The Dumbing Down of America with 40 years of  Reagan’s “Government is the Problem”, no Civic Classes taught in school, and his appointing Bennett Education Secretary who despised public education, can be traced to the source of our woe.

Long standing Eloise Psychiatric Hospital is now a strip mall, golf course & condominium thanks to Reagan’s policy of making mental illness a homeless problem.

Irony: the poor & disenfranchised cleave to the very people who cause their Woe - the GOP. Why? “If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” - Malcom X

The Republican Health Care Plan: “Don’t Get Sick, And if you get sick, Die Quickly” - Alan Grayson 

Who are the nefarious “They” that we keep referring to in our everyday political discourse?  James Madison, fourth President of the United States, in his Federalist Papers No. 10, explained that Factions, like minded groups, were the natural state of man.

A Faction when standing alone is Benign, but when aligned with other Factions is dangerous when the uniting Cancer is HATE coupled with fear and prejudice. That’s the “They” and the GOP is the Cancer.  

Here is a short list at random of issues which the Republican Party votes against solving:

1. Toxic waste
2. Homelessness
3. Guns
4. Hunger
5. Pregnancy
6. Cancer
7. Hate
8. Tearing children from their parents
9. Cutting Medication
10. Lack of Healthcare
11. Coivid 19
12. Misogyny
13. Student debt
14. Racism
15. Poverty
16. Autocracy and strongman government
17. Untreated mental health, closing Eloise
18. Air and Water Pollution

Reminded:

“Well, all I know is what I read in the Papers.” - Will Rogers

Visitor from Planet Ethics would agree with Deepak Chopra that “The Nature of Reality in the Conscious Mind is thru Stories.“ The Corporate Media controls the stories, is owned by five corporations, and is the source of our woe. Main Street Media shows no guilt in replacing Journalism with Infotainment.

The GOP is the antithesis of ethics. What is mysteriously scary is the question: are Republican Candidates the Fomenter or Reflection of their Electorate?

Beyond Rude, Absurd

 

List of characters:

  Old Man

  Old Man’s Wife

  Son

  Son’s mom

  Daughter-in-law

                                          Daughter-in-law’s mom

                                 Daughter-in-law’s dad

Old Man and his wife rescued Son from his depression, no job, apartment in disarray.  They spent the day cleaning his apartment so that he could get his deposit, then invited him to live with them.  After a year, and finding a good paying job, the Son successfully ‘flew the coup”.

Old Man, his wife, and wife’s mom at the Wedding reception were seated at the last table next to the kitchen.  One would think that a generous monetary wedding gift would rate a better seating, at least a seating for the honor of being parents.

“Well Old Man, you have a business degree so you must know about Amortization Tables”. said Daughter-in-law’s mom sarcastically. 

The Visitor Baton was passed between the two friends of Daughter-in-law “ok, it’s my turn” as this game went on for quite a while as they waited to see mother and child. Daughter-in-law mom sat there and watched this charade.

With their newly purchased house, they came over to help clean and were completely shunned by daughter-in-law mom, her husband, and all of their friends.

They pulled into the driveway for the diner invitation, and as they walked up the sidewalk, they noticed daughter-in-law mom and husband jump from their parked car to rush ahead of them saying nothing but giving a dirty look.

While sitting in the waiting room at the hospital, daughter-in-law mom sat there knitting, and when Old Man asked about her husband, she scornfully said “you know that my husband does not like hospitals!”

They attended the baby’s baptism and were motioned to sit with family, but were shunned by daughter-in-law mom since they  took her seat.  “Well Old Man, since you’re in my spot, heres my camera, you’re in charge of taking pictures…”

As Old Man stood in her driveway smoking his cigarette, daughter-in-law drove up, got out of her car, and while approaching Old Man he gave congratulations on the Baptism. She gave the Old Man smart aleck remark “Piff”. 

The Old Man and his wife gave his son their three year old refrigerator, which they gladly accepted for use in the garage.  After a bitter winter's use, the moister tubes in the refrigerator busted.  The daughter-in-law's dad claimed that the Old Man gave away a bum refrigerator.  

Old Man’s wife to Daughter-in-law: maybe your husbands mom could take care of your child while you work.  Daughter-in-law responded:  “i don’t want that fuc**** cripple taking care of my child.” as her husband sat in chair saying nothing.

They heard that the baby was sick, throwing up, fever.  Old Man’s wife, RN, talked on the telephone to recommended pedialyte, and absolutely no milk.  Daughter-in-law mom interceded and said to give the baby lots of milk.

Old Man’s wife’s mom died and Son did not acknowledge even though she loved him like a grandchild.

Old Man and his wife were not notified of the birth of their second grandchild of Son. Heard about it thru the grape vine a week later.

The Old Man and his wife agreed that obviously one can’t choose family, but what’s the excuse for disrespect bordering on hatred? 

VA Health Care

They ask “is it free?” and I respond with “no, it’s at No Cost.”  With all the Developed Nations, the U.S. ranks lowest in Universal Health Care , statistically equivalent to Third World Nations.

My argument is Socialized Medicine is GREAT. VA Health Care is the prime example.

Here’s a typical visit:  schedule a Blood Draw for analysis, pickup a Blood Pressure Cup, visit Physical Therapy for a measure for Compression Socks, visit Dermatology for skin rash, visit the Eye Clinic for glasses, and be diagnosed by Kresge Eye Institute University of Michigan Ophthalmologist, stop into the Eye Shop for no cost eye glasses, schedule cat scan, x-ray, Flu Vaccine, Shingles Vaccine, prescriptions, and more…  And, it’s at No Cost!

My wife, a Home Care RN, had a patient with wound care, insufficient with Medicare Advantage, suffering daily.  She suggested VA Nursing Home where he received around-the-clock nursing care. Subsequently, his wife exclaimed the wonderment.

And, let's not forget the foundation of good health with an appointment with the Nutritionist, treating food as medicine.  The Primary Care Physician writes the Order.

Senator Bernie Sanders proposal of Medicare For All would be similarly Great!

We need a national health plan!  Medicare For All.

Draining Good Health

Perhaps the best part of the potato is the potato water, packed full of added nutrients extracted from the potatoes themselves! Nutrients like vitamins B and C, potassium and fiber, and phytonutrients like carotenoids and flavonoids which are thought to promote good overall health.

The potatoes release their starchy goodness into the water as they are boiled or steamed. The potato water can then be used as a substitute for tap water in your bread making recipes for example, or as a thickener in other recipes that is naturally gluten-free.

Want to show even more love and care in the form of great-for-you vitamins? Use the water that you used to boil or steam your vegetables instead of pouring the water down the drain, as I see in so many TV cooking programs.  

For example broccoli, kale, spinach, to name a few, are packed with vitamins, minerals, containing potent antioxidants, bioactive compounds that contribute to reduced inflammation, protect against cancer, and support a healthy heart. 

Repurpose that liquid left in the pot after cooking or steaming, avoid wasting any part of food byproducts.  Think twice when boiling or steaming.