This & That…What a Week of Stories & Lessons to Learn from

Another week of so many interesting stories, wow.  And, just coming off of a Fourth of July celebration of our country’s 250th Birthday!!  Another Wow ! (I think I use that word often.) Of course, in the news, and it’s good to know what’s going on in the world and if you are someone who would rather not know, and you stay away from the new, that’s understandable as well-we’ve discussed that philosophy before too. It’s fun to take it one step further, maybe it’s the parent, teacher or avid reader in me that like to look at the lesson to be learned in these stories that could be right out of an episode of “Desperate Housewives, “Peyton Place” or any other interesting drama or page turner book. Here’s a few stories that caught my eye…

The Charlie Kirk murder pre-trial hearing

This week in a pre-trial hearing, the prosecution brought some evidence to prove that they have a case against the alleged killer, Tyler Robinson. Charlie’s widow, Erika and his parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, were in attendance. It was hard to watch, seeing the parent, his wife and just imaging the pain they all must have encountered back in September when their dear loved one was shot dead and still must be experiencing every waking moment. Whether their appearance was to send a message of the importance of Robinson being held accountable or whether they felt after all of the conspiracy theories following Charlie’s death and suspicions about his wife and his Turning Point USA being involved, most likely the prosecution made their point.

     Through the words of Robinson’s lovers’  in confession and the note where he admits killing Charlie, in addition to the gun and video of him at the venue the day of the shooting, what more is there to prove? It was interesting to hear in this testimony, that following his actions, Robinson did have remorse for what he had done. Possibly he realized that he had ‘cooked his own goose’ ‘made his bed and now he must lie in it.’ Reporters in the courtroom giving an eye witness account, spoke of Charlie’s widow and his mother sitting close, consoling one another, observing that Robinson became fidgety and squirming uncomfortably even swinging in his chair, as texts were being shared and when the evidence was presented, his mother was crying. Of course we can understand the Kirk’s behavior and why. As to Robinson and his mother, possibly Robinson now knows that this evidence is all ‘the nail in the coffin and possibly all a step in the direction of a death penalty sentence.  For Robinson’s mother, the tears are that her son could too face the fate her son delivered to Charlie Kirk on that horrible day in September. 

     Lessons to be learned as a parent, do what ever you can do to raise a kid that doesn’t grow up to be a ‘Tyler Robinson.’  Raising a child in a nice community, in an intact home and church going doesn’t necessarily guarantee a great kid. Who your child spends time with and what information they are exposed to can poison them, affecting their behavior and ability to choose right from wrong. For a young person or really anyone, our actions have consequences. We may get angry or mad but those emotions should not cause us to harm anyone. A poor decision can ruin not just our life but numerous others. Good call by Erika Kirk and all of law enforcement who wanted all of the information out in the open for the public to see. Even thought it was hard to see and hear yesterday, it was evidence that showed that law enforcement left no stone unturned and that Charlie’s widow had nothing to do with her husband’s assassination, as some conspiracy theory podcasters tried to prove. If someone wants all evidence presented, most likely they have nothing to hide. Lesson, transparency is always a good thing…

Sylvester Stallone turns 80 and remembering the first ROCKY movie

     Sylvester Stallone turned 80 this week. YES! It’s hard to imagine. Over the weekend I was thinking about the Bicentennial, America’s 200th Birthday, celebrated 50 years ago, back in 1976 when the first ROCKY movie came out. If you are old enough to remember seeing it in the theater, it was something; it was the Cinderella story of a down and out boxer from Philadelphia who ran across tough times and got a chance to take on the heavy weight champ, Apollo Creed. Stallone wrote the movie in three days after seeing Muhammad Ali take on Chuck Wepner. Stallone basically wrote the story of him as the underdog trying to get an acting role, trying to break into the film business. It was tough, an accident during his child birth left one side of his face paralyzed and also with a speech impediment. He was told, “you’ll never make it in this business with an impediment like that. Well, tell an American they can’t and you’ll set them up for the challenge of their life and that’s what he did. Turning down over $300,000 for the script because HE wanted to play the main character, ROCKY, settling for $23,000, since the company was taking a big risk on him. They had envisioned Burt Reynolds or Robert Redford, a big names to play the role, thinking they would bring more viewers to the theaters. Sly knew only HE could play that role. With a small budget, the film was made and the rest is history. He was honored in December receiving a Presidential Award for his role in entertainment at the Kennedy Center Honors this past year. His brother Frank spoke at the awards evening. He told of how the two brothers survived a poor and neglectful childhood to raise themselves to success. Sly brought his brother along the way-to save money on extras Frank and the boys’ father played a few minor roles in the movie. Sly went on to write, star and direct more blockbusters. He overcame the physical problems at birth to be the director, actor and writer he always wanted to be and made a name for himself.

     Lessons to be learned. Don’t give up. Don’t let others limit what you strive to do. Keep doing it over and over again when the next obstacle comes along. No matter who you are or where you come from, this IS the land of opportunity.

Graham Platner;  are we really surprised?

This week’s ’blow up’ of even more interviews of alleged female, sexual victims coming forward, speaking of Maine Senate Candidate, Graham Platner, sealed his fate and has pretty much closed the door on this man’s chance to continue a political campaign.  As if the Nazi tattoo, his strange and crazy behavior, questionable employment background, his disrespect for fellow military veterans and his disrespectful towards his wife and marriage wasn’t enough?

How this poor quality person was sought out to run is hard to understand. Those who vetted Platner pretty much admitted to ‘limited vetting’ yet even when  this information and allegations started to come out, there were people who continued to campaign for him from Elizabeth Warren, “He’s my kind of guy,” to California Congressman, Ro Khanna, who crossed the country to vouch for this very odd candidate. Many political commentators that when Platner’s numbers started to drop, democrats decided to can him, some even saying that even with the rape allegations, some democrats still would have pushed for him to stay on the ballot. To date, Friday morning, Platner is ‘hopping mad’ that he is being pulled and hasn’t officially taken steps filing paperwork, he is appearing to ‘stick it to’ those higher up who he feels are ‘throwing him under the bus,’ by waiting until the 11th hour, to leave little time for the Maine democrats to put someone else in and start campaigning. Oh, and no press conference for Platner? He created a social media video, no faces to confront or questions to answer. He continues to say the allegation are false-nothing has been proven in court it is their words against his-hence no remorse or contrite heart.

     Although this week’s news is Platner, this bad behavior is not exclusive to democrats. We have seen bad behavior on both sides of the political spectrum and it’s not exclusive to men. These people who hold public office work on OUR behalf and make rules for US. Selecting quality candidates is best for the American people and will lead to less headaches for those who try to elect these candidates.

     The next candidate to keep an eye on, the Michigan candidate for Senate, Abdul El-Sayed. The press is starting to “Press” him on his tax returns which he says are ‘very complicated” because his wife and her parents have property out of the country.’  When asked “Is he a millionaire?”-he has been bashing the rich-His response was, well, when you consider my wife’s assets, I don’t know.” Also, there needs to be more clarification as to his medical school education. He went to medical school but did not complete a residency. Full disclosure for any candidate for public office should be demanded by citizens regardless of political party.  

     Lessons to be learned from my prospective. “People will find out if there are skeletons in one’s closet. Especially with the age of information. People will talk and if you do bad things it will come out; DON”T DO BAD THINGS!  For women, stay away from men who behave this way and treat women with such disrespect. This type of behavior most likely just gets worse. For democrats and republicans seek out quality candidates. For citizens/voters, DEMAND transparency, and  full disclosure of one’s background and tax records. We have to be transparent when we file OUR taxes, these candidates and public servants should do the same, yes, they SERVE US!

Defending Illegal Criminals

     What’s with defending illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. Whether it’s Minnesota governor, Tim Waltz pardoning criminals or New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is not cooperating with the Trump Administration and ICE to arrest and detain these criminals who have broken laws. News flash to these lame politician and leaders and lesson for you to learn, “YOUR ROLE IS TO PROTECT AMERICAN CITIZENS.” What do you not comprehend about that.  This is not all democrat leaders, mayor or governors. Look at Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington DC. She has worked with the current administration and her city looks fantastic (intern, she looks good, not a reason to do it but she sure gets some credit for going to bat for her citizens and working with the Trump Administration) or the mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, Paul Young, is a democrat but when the Trump Administration offered help, he accepted it and his citizens benefited. It’s one thing to not like a political figure, that’s fair, as we all aren’t going to like every person in power. However, to take that dislike to such lengths that one would rather their citizens or our country suffer or fail, than to see their political opponent have success is disgusting. So these individuals would be described as, “They hate Donald Trump and his administration mor than they love America and it’s citizens.” Lesson to be learned, follow the law and do what’s right and it’s a win/win; you get the win and the citizens have a safe place to live and a prosperous community and country…

     Lastly, maybe it’s not about making our country great, maybe it’s about power.  It used to be that good quality people ran for office, generals, those who were good leaders, standout citizens and sports figures/astronauts/ military brass.  These people had success in their lives and wanted to give back, they did not  look at politics and government  as  a way to ‘get rich’ make their money, make their connections to pave a way for themselves and their family. Again, both parties have individual guilty of this. These people seemed to go to any lengths to get the power and keep it. We see it with the “rules for thee but not for me.” Those in the legislative branch of our government don’t play by the same rules we do. They don’t have the same health care that they voted in for us, they don’t have the same rules about investing or information as we do .  It seems as if some want to tax and tax the American people and especially “Tax the Rich” when they themselves ARE the rich, but they have created loop holes for themselves. 

     We see this even with this emerging of socialism and communism. These forms of governing have not worked anywhere else. They have ruined economies and people’s lives. Many of the Americans here today FLED these countries and regimes for our capitalistic system. Now these communists want to change OUR country. Why did they come here if they want to bring this way of life here? If it was so good there, ‘go back and participate in it yourself,’ is my thought. It seems as if they want the “goodies” of the United States but they want to bring our country and citizens down. The cities where these bad actors have gone to here, have not done well. They don’t come here to partake in capitalism-unless you consider the fraud some of them committed capitalism or the welfare they collect a good thing.  Look at Minnesota, California, New York and Seattle. Their handout and fraud are taking their states and city downward.  Our safety nets are for OUR CITIZENS not for foreign illegals just here to cheat the system. Our country is generous we gladly help and take care of OUR people. American taxpayers pay so much to support this great country, most Americans are not in favor of our tax dollars going out of this country in suitcases to third world countries or being used to cheat our country…

     Lessons to be learned:  WHO YOU VOTE FOR MATTERS. Pay attention to what’s going on. The people we elect make the laws and enforce them. You don’t have to like someone’s personality to love America. Oh my goodness we all have seen leaders and politicians who we may have said, “I don’t like them or the way they come across.!” However, do you love America? Do you love your freedom? Do you want safety and opportunity for your kids and grandkids? Ask yourself what kind of a country you want to leave to your kids and vote for the people who can get us there.  Good lessons to learn from that could lead to many…

Great Days!