Being Bullied

 

 

I’ve never been able to accept be bullied.  Even to this day.  I remember grade school 2nd grade when an errant student probably a grade or two ahead of me, would taunt me outside the entrance, even jump on me and ride me like a horse.  I would try to avoid him, but he always continued.  

One day he tried to ride me and my temper over took me and I went into a rage, knocking him down, jumping and pounding him until a couple of student pulled me off him.  He got up and ran.

I remember a day in the Army in Turkey playing pool in the game room.  I was about to shoot when a drunkard grabbed my target ball, and said “what the fuck you gonna do about it?”  I put my cue stick on my shoulder, and he looked at me and said, “wacha gonna do, hit me with you cue stick? Go on, I dare you.”  I put my cue stick on the table and left.  I didn’t want to dirty my nice Pendleton Shirt. 

I changed shirts, and went to the Service Club Fountain, but turned around because I thought he was in there.  So I went to the NCO Club.  I sat at a table with 3 buddies I worked with.  Ordered my beer.  Chatted.  

Then the asshole came to my table and started to taunt me, seeing out the corner of my eye his waving his fist in jest.  Then he sat down next to me and said some thing, but when he poked his finger into my chest. I parried his fist, and gave him a striking blow to the center of his face.  He jumped up, I jumped up swinging a right hand blow to his jaw, his falling down on the floor, and my saying ‘you get up and I’ll kill you’.  He put his head back down on the floor.  My buddy at the table grabbed my arms to restrain me. The Sergeant of Arms came over to my table and shouted for me to leave.

His buddies said that they were going to get even with me.  Somewhere, somehow.

I walked back to my barracks looking at my bloody fist and remembering my dad saying “don’t take shit off no one”.

Sunday there were about a half dozen or so other soldiers who stopped by my room and congratulated me.  They too were intimidated.

Monday morning at the mess hall, having breakfast, the bully came to my table and said “I want to talk to you outside”.  I stood up, waited, then he said, “go on, I’ not gonna hit you from behind”. 

So we stood outside and I said “if you want to continue this fight, come on, but you’ll not win”.  He said he didn’t know what hit him, cause Sunday morn his face was sore, but was drunk at the NCO Club.  I told him what happened, but when he poked me, that was what started.  He said that he was drunk and didn’t remember, but if what I said was true, he said that he owed my an apology.  He shook my hand and from then on, if we approached each other, even across the street, he would wave.

Maybe the bully’s self esteem level is elevated when confronted with a stupidity of the fist confrontation, and was able to take control with an apology to the superior who won. 

I hold esteemed belts in Aikido & Karate, Aikido worked with one incident.  We were invited to daughter and son-in-law’s  cottage.  Early Sunday morning I heard a dog barking.  Looked out the front door and there was a women jogger with a little dog snipping at her heals with the dog’s owner laughing, as he stood on his front lawn in pajama bottoms only.  

I went out side to observe and then his little Whippet attacked me, barking at my heal.  I took off my belt and gave a swipe, the dog whelped and ran home.  

“You motherfucker” the pajama man yelled while charging me — used attackers running force against him, ducked and  used his momentum to flip him way into the air (looked like a deer in the headlights) his landing on his back, and the fight was over - stood my ground!  

Daughter and son-in-law went for a boat ride when I called the Sheriff and asked that I not press charges.

But that was nothing compared to the doozy lately.   

She moved in with her live-in-boyfriend.  We put up with his broken muffler for 5 months.  When I posted a note on our window his broken muffler at 6:45 AM was annoying.

From then on, he took their huge garbage bins out for pick up at 6:45 AM and waited until the next day, at 6:45 AM to retrieve them, rattling them so disturbingly loud.

We contacted City Attorney/Prosecutor and he allowed them to take out their bins only on pick-up day but had to bring them back same day.

I took her misdirected Amazon deliveries thrice to her door, his answer the door one time, baby in arms, took the package and thanked me.  

But when our misdirect Amazon delivery went to her house, they kept the delivery.  When confronted, he said that he returned it.  Amazon said there was no record of a return for that ticket number.  It was impossible for him to return our delivery because it happened within one day when we confronted her.  And, Amazon only takes returns at Kohls Dept. Store, and if perchance he gave the misdirected delivery to the Amazon driver, the driver would have put in on our porch.  Bullshit.

One Tuesday morning at 6:45 AM, garbage pick up, he rattled his garbage cans and it pissed me off.  So I hung a sign out on our front porch “Next Door Kept Our Amazon Delivery” (not accusing them of stealing our package, but according to the law they stopped the delivery, took charge of the delivery when they could have just thrown the package on our front porch.)

He went ballistic.  “Mother Fucker”, “God Damn” when he came home from lunch.  I left the sign up for 2 days.  The Asshole was pissed.  The City Attorney in a telephone conversation told me to take the sign down.

They put their security camera on their garage above our 6 foot privacy fence.  I spent the day putting up a leafy blind that I bought from Amazon for $80.00 on the fence to block the camera from viewing our yard.  After he got home from work, he immediately went and put the camera above my blind.

Then the lady moved the camera  and placed her security camera at their bathroom window, facing our bedroom window.  It’s been a battle ever since with 1 false police report against us for our bright light in our window for our flowers interfering with her camera, and our  911 call for her live-in boy friend threatening bodily harm against me for my posting a memo on my memo board 10 feet from our window seen only from her camera.

We filed a Neighborhood Complaint Form with the City Prosecutor .  They even used a picture from my memory board as evidence for his 3 hour tirade. 

The City Prosecutor showed us their "photo shop" picture of my memory board, blown up so large that my memo looked like it was posted in our window.  I showed the Prosecutor a picture of our room with the memo board, 10 inches x 15 inches, about 10 feet from our window positioned 2 feet above my desk next to our computer, and could only be seen from their camera.  He looked at it with exclamation “a’ha”.  Also showed him a spread sheet with over 200 line items of dogs barking, and other harassment.

We left our one hour meeting explaining to the prosecutor that all we wanted was this harassment to stop and he smiled and said “I think so”.  Then the 2 yahoos were called into the prosecutors meeting room.  

When we got home, we noticed that the lady packed her bags and left for over a week.  

I wish that I was a ‘fly on the wall’ to hear what the Prosecutor told this two yahoos, because since then things are quiet.  They were clearly in violation of voyeurism/invasion of privacy, and neighbor harassment, which holds not only a money fine, but imprisonment.  We think that he read them the ‘riot act’.

My point is to never let the bully win.  Never give in because the bully enjoys power.

I don’t know if I was Atticus Finch or easy prey.

 

Wealth Legacy Lost

"To be African American is to be African without any memory, and American without any privilege." - James Baldwin

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?

For every dollar spent on G.I.Bill after WW2, 7 dollars returned to the Treasury.  It was the best investment in America.  All other democracy countries invest in their future.  However, Black Servicemen were denied B.I. Bill benefits.  A wealth legacy lost.

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.

Those who refrain from acknowledgement of history's slavery / enslavement of individuals abhorrence and necessary reparations bear the same shame and are guilty of same even back to the named day of legality.

The Power Of Prayer

While serving in the Army Security Agency from 1963 to 1966, but In Turkey for an 18 month tour, some of the relaxation activities on our Post Det 27, located 20 miles south west of Ankara, was the Service Club, NCO Club to imbibe and play Bingo, the library, and the Gym.  

On one occasion on a Sunday I joined a group from the barracks to play basketball at the gym.  I’m not a good basketball player but agreed to join in the fun.  But the fun turned sour when I jumped for the basket and landed badly spraining my ankle.  

I had to loosen my shoe, and limp to the movie theater.  While watching Marlon Brando in the 1963 hit Mutiny On The Bounty, my ankle swelled. 

While limping back to the barracks I feared the worse:  tomorrow Monday was the beginning of PT (Physical Training).  I dreaded having to fall out of formation with an injury.  What a dilemma!  

My remedy was prayer.  I prayed for my foot and ankle while lying in my bunk, pulling the blanket from my left foot because of the pressure.  I fell asleep praying.

Upon awakening in the morning, 6AM wakeup for PT, my ankle was completely healed. 

I was amazed.  I jumped up and down for feeling.  There was no swelling, no pain, and my foot was back to normal!  

Creepy Cults And High Priests

What is the nature of a man who considers himself a Christian and High Priest of his family, relegating his wife to subordinate status? What kind of church does this man subscribe to? What drives a person to seek a life’s position other than equal, and more importantly, what is his message?

This man is not part of the main stream churches, although President Jimmy Carter left the Southern Baptist Church because of their failing to promote women as pastors of the church. Moreover, Jimmy Carter said that the leaders of the SBC choose to interpret the bible phrases that subjugate women rather than exalt women.

This defining oneself as High Priest is clearly a case of self-adulation! Where does one get support for his Priest Hood? The main-stream Christian churches do not support this sacrilege. He would have to search for a cult religion, where they twist the interpretation of scripture to meet their selfish ways.

A “Purity Ball” is an example of a cult. It is a sacrilege where the father swears an oath as High Priest of the family before god to protect his daughter’s virginity. Likewise, the daughter swears an oath to be faithful to her father and remain “Pure”.

The “Purity Ball” is sick, creepy, and a sacrilege thus violating Matthew 5:34 “But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;” and James 5:12 “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.” The idea of “Purity” should be discussed in the privacy of the home and not put on public display with a cult ritual!

The New Testament clearly teaches that all believers regardless of gender, are joint heirs with Christ, and wives are not junior partners in the marriage. Men are not the High Priest and women are not subordinate. Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

The High Priest uses the Bible as a tool to further his gain and justify his behavior using twisted scripture to get his way. He thinks that he holds the keys and locks out those who do not agree with him, and joins groups that think like him. Salvation is the tool that gives him the power to divide and shut out family members who do not worship his twisted scripture.  And we know where the Jews stand with his outspoken beliefs. 

The creepy cults focus on the “me” society rather than the “we” society. Therein lies a major conflict with the Bible: Matthew 25:45 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

The basis for their entire thinking revolves around 1st John 5:5 "only those who believe in Jesus are saved."

The High Priest believes that if you are rich, it must be because God loves you. If you are poor, it is of your own sinful doing. The High Priest singles out one or two needy people to help thus fulfilling Matthew 25 and not costing him too much money or effort, but still justifying his “me” society.

There are many back-yard, barn yard churches with their self-ordained ministers and cult church followers that the High Priest can seek out. The High Priest seeks out the cult church where he can join to influence and be an active part of the ministry, solidifying his High Priest knowledgeable status.

The High Priest’s thinking would not be complete without home schooling, which completes full circle the living in a closed world where he holds the keys. After all, the earth is 6,000 years old, dinosaurs were on Noah’s Ark, and homosexuals are going to hell!

The religious intolerance of this group is repulsive, including their social behavior and lack of humanitarianism, and qualifies as a Cesspool.

 I believe in Dr. Kimball’s phrase from his course “Comparative Religion” regarding the similarities of the 5 basic religions, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, the “human capacity for self transcendence” transcends all religions. This religious creepy cult group is excluded!

Going Green

Today was wash day. We washed our clothes in “soap nuts”, a berry shell that naturally contains a cleaning agent that works like detergent called saponin, hung the clothes on our backyard clothes line, sun shinning with a soft breeze. Using soap nuts, a family of four can wash clothes for about  $30 per year.  GOING GREEN 

We recharge our e-bikes with the solar panels - normaly takes about 2 hours 

using the Jackery 1000 watt battery - plugging into the bike batteries allowing their  battery controllers to except the charge without worry.

With my Solar Panel hook-up, it takes about 7 hours to fully charge a 1000 watt battery

in full sun, receiving a charge of about 140 watts.  I made the legs for the solar panels with PVC pipes. 

We took Lucky, our little Jack Russell, for a walk in the park, then went for a 7 mile bike ride. When we got home I cut the lawn with our battery lawn mower, recharged the batteries with our solar panel, used hot water for our dirty dishes in the sink with our new Tankless Water heater, hung our clothes on the backyard clothes line after washing the clothes with Soap Nuts.

Our dish washer broke. Rather than repair, we wash our dishes by hand and use it as drying rack. We save the rinse water and use it on our plants (sudsy water repels bugs on roses). An important note: one cycle of your dishwasher is equivalent power of 20 hrs of TV.

Here’s a Thought:

Going Green starts with your changing lifestyle.

• Ride bicycles with basket for small errands
• Wash clothes with Soap Nuts - 
• Hang clothes on backyard clothes line

• Cut grass with battery lawn mower
• Solar panels to recharge batteries 
• Rain Barrels 100 gal 
• Backyard garden
• Recycle
• Compost
• Vegetarian 

A change of diet to vegetarian would reduce carbon emissions greatly.  Feeding animals consume great amounts of resources.

Livestock farming adds significantly to greenhouse gas emissions through methane from digestions and nitrous oxide from manure.  These emissions are less toxic than carbon dioxide but impact climate change.  Also lifestock farming impact the climate through deforestation for pastureland.

“Thousands – millions and billions – of animals are killed for food. That is very sad. We human beings can live without meat, especially in our modern world. We have a great variety of vegetables and other supplementary foods, so we have the capacity and the responsibility to save billions of lives.”  Buddhist Quote

Vegans Live Longer. The exception but still a good rule for strong bodies, Roman Gladiators had vegetarian diet from analysis of bones from a cemetery where they were buried. 

Climate change.

Truckers calling The Thom Hartmann Program stating years ago traveling across country, would have to stop often to clean windshield of Bugs. Today, no Bugs

A remarkable Nutritionist following on Bluesky, Dr. Kristie Leong MD said "The planet doesn't need saving - we do.  Protecting nature means protecting ourselves and all the beautiful plants and animals."

Just an added delight in Going Green and a further thought about preserving our Climate.  Another mystery of our Universe is butterflies, pollinators along with watching out for Nature's Bees.

My wife Bobbi grows butterflies, from picking itsy bitsy caterpillares on the dill from our backyard garden, placing them in a cage, feeding them dill / parsley / carrot tops until they're big enough to form chrysalis.  Then in about 7 to 10 days a butterfly emerges, a miracle.

Adding to this mystery is the time when the chrysalis stops evolving in the Fall, waits through winter to emerge in the Spring.  We had 14 chrysalis last Fall ( right around the Fall Equinox) when they went dormant, and placed the dormant cage in our garage over the winter.

We brought the cage into our Study the last week in April, and released our first born butterfly Swallowtail 5/2/25 at 5:15 PM.  Wow! An exillerating celebration of Spring has Sprung!

Yesterday May 14, Bobbi released number 8, 9, 10 butterfly, Swallowtail from last Fall's 14 Chrysalis stored in a cage in our garage over the winter.  Wow!

Reminded:

“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” - Tagore