CURRENT EVENTS

Under Attack

 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Everything is so grim and politically correct, I can hardly stand it. I’ve suggested this funny and easy to read self-help book before and thought I would just mention it again.

Attention would-be paesans:  Not sure how to properly accessorize your track suit with gold chains?  Now The Sopranos’ own Bobby Bacala, exposes the inner mysteries of this unique Italian-American hybrid in A Goomba’s Guide to Life so that anyone can walk, talk, and live like a guy “from the neighborhood.” (Source: goodreads)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I saw a lot of great movies this week and it was so hard to just pick one, but even if this movie is 30 years old, I found it still worth watching. Not to mention the lead character in this film, Vinnie Antonelli, always reminded me of my departed friend Mike.

My Blue Heaven (1990)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“Fortunate Son”

By Creedence Clearwater Revival

The lyrics to the 1969 song reference rich people who orchestrate wars and then draft the poor to fight in them. (Source: John Fogerty)

The well-to-do protected their sons via college deferments. Then they decided to go one better and simply get rid of the draft leaving our military to the poor and those who wish to be warriors, rather than sharing the burden throughout society.

ART OF THE WEEK

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

The American Indian

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Some people feel they don’t have time to exercise.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

There has been some debate about the accuracy of the Covid-19 statistics,

which is basically true for every government statistic.

MISCELLANEOUS

If life is getting you down,

maybe this will help.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

I believe America is still the land of the free and the home of the brave, not because of what I see in the media and on Facebook, but what I see first hand.

I suspect the divisive racists, media, career politicians, career activists, Antifa and other anti-American organizations that are trying to bring America down are going to get a big surprise when the American people have had enough.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I’ve read both of these books.

As for the importance of this book, John Adams, our second president, says it far better than I can. John Adams said, “Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”

The Communist Manifesto

By Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles

The Communist Manifesto (officially Manifesto of the Communist Party) presents an analytical approach to the class struggle (historical and present) and the problems of capitalism and the capitalist mode of production, rather than a prediction of Communism’s potential future forms. It also briefly features their ideas for how the capitalist society of the time would eventually be replaced by socialism, and then finally Communism.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I’ve watched this film a number of times and just watched it again. It is absolutely wonderful and even more so if you know of some of the famous people  on the Paris scene during the 1920s.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“I Won’t Back Down

By Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

ART OF THE WEEK

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Ben Carson

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

It is important to know the function of your various body parts. This week, we are presenting the function of the little toe.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

I believe there were good police in Minneapolis who knew the cop that killed George Floyd was bad news, but just minded their own business.

I believe there are medical professionals that are aware of unethical doctors and yet they do nothing about it.

I believe there were people in the Catholic Church who knew about those child molesting priests, and yet did nothing.

As career politicians, I believe there are people who know that the only way to get rid of them is term limitations.

LEARNING TRAITS

Since so many people are embracing socialism, which is the pathway to communism, I thought this sketch might be enjoyable.

Monty Python Communist Quiz sketch

MISCELLANEOUS

Please stay alert

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

I have had to put myself on a strict Facebook diet as I cannot look at the horrible words and shaming I see posted so frequently on FB. When you share something on Facebook or write something, perhaps you should consider these rules.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Now the master of harmonization has created a guide to finding harmony in everyday life. The Tao of Willie captures his views on money, love, war, religion, cowboys, and other essential Willie topics.

Loosely based on the principles of the Chinese philosophy of the Tao Te Cheng, which Willie has admired and followed for much of his adult life, this inspiring and entertaining collection of “Willie wisdom”. (Source: The Book Itself) 

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

I’ve seen this film a number of times and just watched it again. It never fails to be enjoyable and it has a little lesson in it.

Bedazzled (2000)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

“I Want To Dance” Scene from Pulp Fiction

Uma Thurman and John Travolta 

ART OF THE WEEK

Statute Removal

Since some people are into removing statutes, I thought I would add my suggestion for a statute that I would like removed.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

It not my place nor desire to be involved in the great pancake syrup controversy. But, I did benefit from the controversy because I learned of this incredible  woman who demonstrated that anyone can achieve the American dream of upward mobility regardless of the circumstances of their birth.

Nancy Green

Nancy Green (March 4, 1834 – August 30, 1923) was a storyteller, cook, activist, and hired to promote a corporate trademark as “Aunt Jemima”.

Green was born into slavery on March 4, 1834, near in Montgomery County, Kentucky. She was hired in 1890 by the R.T. Davis Milling Company to represent “Aunt Jemima”

In 1893 Green was introduced as Aunt Jemima at the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, where it was her job to operate a pancake-cooking display. Her amicable personality and talent as a cook helped establish a successful showing of the product, for which she received a medal and certificate from the Expo officials.

After the Expo, Green was offered a lifetime contract to adopt the Aunt Jemima moniker and promote the pancake mix. This marked the beginning of a major promotional push by the company that included thousands of personal appearances and Aunt Jemima merchandising.

Nancy Green maintained her job with Davis Milling (which was renamed Aunt Jemima Mills Company in 1914) until her death in 1923; she was still working as Aunt Jemima at the time.

Green was one of the organizers of the Olivet Baptist Church. Her career allowed Green the financial freedom to become an activist and engage in antipoverty programs. She was one of the first African-American missionary workers. She used her stature as a spokesperson to become a leading advocate against poverty and in favor of equal rights for individuals in Chicago.

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Since I live in Michigan, I have not been permitted to go to the gym or get a hair cut for the last three months until Monday, June 15. I did both that day and under the protocols I experienced, I know of no reason these two types of businesses had to be kept closed. I feel it was an arbitrary decision by our controlling governor and I understand in the case of gyms, a federal court feels the same way.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Is it really necessary to shame everyone who sees the world different from you?

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Please try to question what you have been told. Does it conform to what you have directly experience? This is called critical thinking.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I wrote this book six years ago and  somewhere in those six years, I lost my way. I’m going to re-read the book page by page.

This book will not change your life–only you can do that.

There are five frogs on a log. One decides to jump off. How many are left?

If you responded with four, you’re wrong. The correct answer is five, because remember—deciding isn’t doing.

If you are tired of being ordinary, it’s time to stop thinking about changing your life and start actively pursuing a changed life. And this is just the guide to get you moving. Comprised of fifty-two weekly lessons that all open with a joke or riddle and close with a movie suggestion, this book makes the difficult journey of becoming extraordinary a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. (Source: The book itself)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Michigan’s gyms will now be allowed to open on Monday, June 15. So here is another DVD I had around the house to watch while I’m on the treadmill waiting for Michigan gyms to be permitted to reopen.

Meet Joe Black

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

For those of you a little disappointed in the world, perhaps this video will cheer you up for a few minutes.

Michael 1996 John Travolta Dance Scene

ART OF THE WEEK

Door Art

Our door is a reflection of our many travels.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

These are very stressful times and stress can kill you. So, perhaps some of these tips may help you reduce the stress in your life.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

LEARNING TRAITS

If you watch the unfolding of events in the last week or so, you may want to question the concept social distancing among people without any symptoms.

MISCELLANEOUS

I understand in Michigan we are finally going to be able to return our bottles on June 15, 2020.

Personally, I think there were getting to be a health hazard.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

It seems everything is so divisive, the media, celebrities, politicians, Facebook political postings, etc.; so I tried to find something that we can all agree upon.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Benjamin Franklin’s The Art of Virtue consists of a collection of Franklin’s writings organized around his timeless philosophy on such topics as: goal setting and personal achievement, obtaining wealth and preserving health, human relations and family living, religion and morality, aging and dying, and much, much more. Full of profound insights, delightful humor, quotable quotes, and plenty of common sense; The Art of Virtue provides wonderful reading for both young and old alike. (Source: The book itself)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Since I live in Michigan and am not permitted to go to a gym, I’ve been watching some old DVDs that I have while on the treadmill. 

The Ninth Gate

Lost in Translation

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

If you watch the video you will see just how interesting things were during the mid-1060s. I graduated from high school in 1964, was with the U.S. Army in Iran (1965 – 66) and Vietnam (1966-67) and returned home to civilian life in 1967 for the Detroit riots, where I spent a week on Woodward north of Grand Blvd.

Eve of Destruction (1965)

By Barry McGuire

ART OF THE WEEK

I can’t even begin to estimate the cost of a dress like this.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I once read that Cleopatra was closer to our time today, then she was to when the great pyramids were built. Along those lines, I could say that when I was born, I was closer to the date this photo of Red Cloud was taken (1880) than I am to 2020. 

Red Cloud

Red Cloud (1822 – December 10, 1909) was one of the most important leaders of the Oglala Lakota from 1868 to 1909.

He was one of the most capable Native American opponents that the United States Army faced in its mission to occupy the western territories, defeating the United States during Red Cloud’s War, which was a fight over control of the Powder River Country in northeastern Wyoming and southern Montana.

The largest action of the war was the Fetterman Fight, with 81 U.S soldiers killed, and was the worst military defeat suffered by the United States Army on the Great Plains until the Battle of the Little Bighorn ten years later.

After signing the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868), Red Cloud led his people in the important transition to reservation life. (Source: Wikipedia)

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

Exercise is a close as one is going to come to the fountain of youth.

CHARACTER TRAITS

Actually, in a long life I have regretted my silence on at least one occasion for certain and probably a few other times; but, overall the point is well taken.

SOCIAL TRAITS

Be More Like Labs

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Coronavirus and A History Lesson

The Black Death, was the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, resulting in the deaths of up to 75–200 million people in Eurasia and North Africa, peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351.  The plague created religious, social, and economic upheavals, with profound effects on the course of European history.

The Black Death most likely originated in Central Asia or East Asia.

The Black Death is estimated to have killed 30% to 60% of Europe’s population. In total, the plague may have reduced the world population from an estimated 475 million to 350–375 million in the 14th century. There were further outbreaks throughout the Late Middle Ages, and with other contributing factors it took until 1500 for the European population to regain the levels of 1300. 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

The First Five Pages reveals the necessary elements of good writing, whether it be fiction, nonfiction, journalism, or poetry, and points out errors to be avoided, such as
* A weak opening hook
* Overuse of adjectives and adverbs
* Flat or forced metaphors or similes
* Melodramatic, commonplace or confusing dialogue
* Undeveloped characterizations and lifeless settings
* Uneven pacing and lack of progression

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Once again, I have watched all seven seasons of Buffy and I enjoyed it just as much as ever. I think this is a wonderful series for young people to watch or older people who remain young at heart. There are a lot of life lessons here for the observant. 

Buffy

The Vampire Slayer

Despite the fact that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was almost entirely ignored by major award shows during its run, the series was nominated for the American Film Institute Award for Drama Series of the Year, Gellar was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her performance in the show, and the series was nominated five times for Television Critics Association Awards, winning once in 2003 for the Television Critics Association Heritage Award. (Source: Wikipedia)

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

This song is dedicated to social distancing–old style.

Don’t Stand So Close To Me

By The Police

ART OF THE WEEK

There is a debate going on whether or not many of the masks being used are helpful or harmful. But lately, I have been hearing that masks are a symbolic show of support for the restrictions being placed upon all of us. I thought this particular drawing was thought provoking.

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I used to watch The Lone Ranger show in the 1950s.

The Lone Ranger

The [  ] story line maintains that a patrol of six Texas Rangers is massacred, with only one member surviving. The “lone” survivor thereafter disguises himself with a black mask and travels with Tonto throughout Texas and the American West to assist those challenged by the lawless elements.

A silver mine supplies The Lone Ranger with the name of his horse as well as the funds required to finance his wandering lifestyle and the raw material for his signature bullets.

At the end of most episodes, after the Lone Ranger and Tonto leave, someone asks the sheriff or other person of authority who the masked man was. The person then responds that it was the Lone Ranger, who is then heard yelling “Hi-Yo Silver, away!” as he and Tonto ride away on their horses. (Source: Wikipedia)

  WEEK’S JOKE

The Difference Between Dogs and Cats

 

PHYSICAL TRAITS

The secret to getting fit is to consistently take little steps.

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS

Murder in Minneapolis?

Watch the video and you decide for yourself. I don’t understand why it took three days and violent protests/riots before this officer was arrested.

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

 

CURRENT EVENTS

D-Day Normandy

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We is a powerfully inventive vision that has influenced writers from George Orwell to Ayn Rand.

In a glass-enclosed city of absolute straight lines, ruled over by the all-powerful ‘Benefactor’, the citizens of the totalitarian society of OneState live out lives devoid of passion and creativity – until D-503, a mathematician who dreams in numbers, makes a discovery: he has an individual soul.

Set in the twenty-sixth century AD, We is the classic dystopian novel and was the forerunner of works such as George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. It was suppressed for many years in Russia and remains a resounding cry for individual freedom, yet is also a powerful, exciting and vivid work of science fiction.

Clarence Brown’s brilliant translation is based on the corrected text of the novel, first published in Russia in 1988 after more than sixty years’ suppression.

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

D-Day Invasion

By The History Channel

We owe a great deal to the American, British and Canadian soldiers 

who landed on the beaches of Normandy in June 1944

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Star Spangled Banner

By Whitney Houston

ART OF THE WEEK

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I was friends with American and Germans, who served in WWII, I knew a sailor who was on the battleship and saw Japan sign their surrender papers. And I actually got to see President Eisenhower once in person.

General Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969), was an American army general and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961.

During World War II, he became a five-star general in the Army and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. He was responsible for planning and supervising the invasion of North Africa in Operation Torch in 1942–43 and the successful invasion of Normandy in 1944–45 from the Western Front.

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

I suspect most of the people who don’t want the gyms to open don’t go to a gym. But it should be a choice, if you would rather not go, then don’t go. 

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

MISCELLANEOUS

During the lockdown, many of us are discovering that we have super powers.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

What stage of the quarantine are you in?

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Last week I mentioned that some films are getting updated for the Coronavirus, such as The Breakfast Club.

Now I have learned that some states, like Michigan, are coming out with there very own versions of films

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

When governments are issuing stay-at-home orders, I thought this particular song was most appropriate.

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction (1965)

By Rolling Stones

ART OF THE WEEK

Here is a tip for young artists

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

I remember watching the Ed Sullivan show when I was a kid and it was my first exposure to Elvis (1956) and the Beatles (1964).

Ed Sullivan

Edward Vincent Sullivan (September 28, 1901 – October 13, 1974) was an American television personality, entertainment reporter, and syndicated columnist for the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune New York News Syndicate.

He is principally remembered as the creator and host of the television variety program The Toast of the Town, later popularly—and, eventually, officially—renamed The Ed Sullivan Show. Broadcast for 23 years from 1948 to 1971, it set a record as the longest-running variety show in US broadcast history. “It was, by almost any measure, the last great TV show,” said television critic David Hinckley. 

Sullivan was a broadcasting pioneer at many levels during television’s infancy. As TV critic David Bianculli wrote, “Before MTV, Sullivan presented rock acts. Before Bravo, he presented jazz and classical music and theater. Before the Comedy Channel, even before there was the Tonight Show, Sullivan discovered, anointed and popularized young comedians. 

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

This is an old Cherokee Tale

Sometimes Science Doesn’t Have All The Answers In Life

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

Some of you have been trying to make your own hand sanitizer

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

Little Richard

Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), better known as Little Richard, was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. An influential figure in popular music, Richard’s most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for rock and roll, leading him to be given the nickname “The Architect of Rock and Roll”. (Source: Wikipedia)

I don’t think you will have any trouble finding thousands of words of tribute to Little Richard, but I think the following video (which of all things I included in last week’s post) sums up the greatness of Little Richard

What a loss.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Brave New World is a dystopian novel by English author Aldous Huxley, written in 1931 and published in 1932.

Largely set in a futuristic World State, whose citizens are environmentally engineered into an intelligence-based social hierarchy, the novel anticipates huge scientific advancements in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation and classical conditioning that are combined to make a dystopian society which is challenged by only a single individual: the story’s protagonist.

Huxley followed this book with a reassessment in essay form, Brave New World Revisited (1958), and with his final novel, Island (1962), the utopian counterpart. The novel is often compared to George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four(1949).

In 1999, the Modern Library ranked Brave New World at number 5 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. (Source: Wikipedia)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

Some films are getting updated.

Here is an updated clip from The Breakfast Club

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

Another trip down memory lane

Lucille (1957)

By Little Richard

ART OF THE WEEK

Lion at the Art Institute of Chicago

Before the Coronavirus

After the Coronavirus

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Little Richard

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

Fellows, during the time of the Coronavirus, we have to learn new ways of showing our appreciation to the ladies. The fellow below is a quick learner.

MISCELLANEOUS

I’m not even going to ask how many of you use your pet’s name as your password or part of your password. I’ll just say, you may want to consider updating your passwords.

LAST WEEK’S POLLS

CURRENT EVENTS

1984 is George Orwell’s haunting prophesy of the future, which has held multiple generations of readers spellbound in its chilling and terrifying vision of life under a totalitarian regime. Powerful and unforgettable, this still-relevant novel explores the obliteration of truth, individuality and liberty in a world where the ruling power seeks to control everything, from information to thought and memory.(Source: Amazon)

MOVIE, PLAY OR TV SHOW OF THE WEEK

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

I was fortunate to have seen Little Richard twice in my life, once when we were both young and once when we were both old.

During this time of social distancing, I thought his song was particularly appropriate .

Keep A-Knockin (1957)

By Little Richard

ART OF THE WEEK

The Sistine Chapel

Before the Coronavirus

After the Coronavirus

  EXTRAORDINARY PERSON OF THE WEEK

Greg Anderson

Greg Anderson left us Wednesday, April 29. after a month-long battle with the Coronavirus and other complications.

I think he was one of the most noble and courageous persons I ever had the privilege of knowing. 

I took the above photo of Greg at one of my Happy Hour parties, when Ed (back to camera) was telling a joke to Greg and another one of my friends 

  WEEK’S JOKE

PHYSICAL TRAITS

CHARACTER TRAITS

SOCIAL TRAITS 

LEARNING TRAITS

Over the years I have encouraged people to travel, this year is a bit different.

MISCELLANEOUS

LAST WEEK’S POLLS