making lemonade out of lemons

Can Trump make lemonade out of the ultimate lemon?

Like any good Missourian, I'll have to see it to believe it.

mistake

Will Trump make the same mistake?

not if he listens to Gen. James Maddix, "closest to Gen. George Patton that there's been in decades".

Patton Insults the Russians - YouTube

President elect Trump, don't trust Putin.

U.S. should mind its own business

"...nearly half of Americans say the country should mind its own business internationally and leave other countries to get along as best they can on their own — one of the highest readings of isolationist sentiment in decades."
Americans want to mind their own business | Pew Research Center

Theodore Roosevelt – Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick «

a good president for president elect Trump to model his presidency after

transition

so... 
it isn't going so well after all...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/12/28/trump-accuses-obama-of-putting-up-roadblocks-to-a-smooth-transition/

just as well...

out with the old, 
and in with the new.

liar

“...  (Vitaly Smirnov) said, echoing Mr. Putin’s broad denials of a state-sponsored system..."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/27/sports/olympics/russia-doping.html

Never trust a liar (or a cheat).

christians

Christians believe that God is:

• eternal
• mysterious
• inscrutable
• almighty
• redeemer

most of all, Christians believe that God is Love.

trump and the russians

Congratulations, president elect Donald Trump, on your nominaion of Gen. James Maddix as Secretary of Defense. I agree with you that "mad dog" Maddix is as close to Gen. George Patton as we've seen in decades.

Just remember what Patton said about the Russians: Patton Insults the Russians - YouTube

lame duck politics

Our lame duck president's destruction of decades-old bridges is petty, vindictive and not in the interests of our country. Shame on him.

Obama’s appalling UN betrayal | New York Post

Christmas

another worthless united nations' resolution

another worthless united nations' resolution.

U.S. Abstains as U.N. Security Council Votes to Condemn Israeli Settlements - The New York Times

gray red china

red china? 

it looks more like gray china.

460 Million Chinese Residents Suffering From 'Airpocalypse' - ABC News

such is life in communist gray red china.

eat your hearts out, socialists/communists.

File:Shanghaiairpollutionsunset.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

muslim intolerance

While muslims in the U.S. fear intolerance, many of their muslim brothers and sisters here and around the world are the epitome of intolerance. 

Take recent events in Indonesia, for example:

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/muslim.group.forces.christians.to.end.christmas.church.service.preparation.in.indonesia/103120.htm

In Indonesia, Christian governor rejects blasphemy charge

Indonesia is the world's most populous muslim majority country, at 87.2% in 2010, with the majority being sunni muslims (99%). 

Much of the terrorism in the world today is driven by muslim fanaticism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Islamist_terrorist_attacks

File:Boston Marathon explosions (8652877581).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

south china seas' bully--communist china

Question: who's the biggest bully in the South China Sea?
Answer: Communist China, hands down

• seizure of an American drone
• manmade islands in international waters
• rejection of an international court ruling that not only rejected Communist China's territorial claims but also ruled that Communist China caused "severe harm to the coral reef environment" http://www.businessinsider.com/no-nine-dash-line-in-the-south-china-sea-2016-7
• military anti aircraft gun emplacements on said islands http://www.businessinsider.sg/csis-satellite-hexagonal-south-china-sea-2016-12/#zCZcL38YWM46Iqgx.97
• etc.

"The South China Sea will undoubtedly be the battleground of the future, and the various territorial claims make it one of the most militarized regions in the world."

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_China_Sea_claims_map.jpg

indescribable evil

This Channel 4 News report of orphaned children in Aleppo "bedlam" is heartbreaking - YouTube

Secretary of Cool

How about a new cabinet position, president elect Donald Trump?

the Secretary of Cool.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/310856-obama-seeks-to-keep-lines-open-with-trump

I have great respect for Barack Obama, particularly when he is being Barack Obama (rather than being just a Democrat). President elect Trump will do himself and our country a great service by keeping the lines of communication open with Barack Obama--the Secretary of Cool.

elections are where the people speak

Bernie Sanders doesn't get it. 
Bernie Sanders doesn't have high hopes for some of Trump's Cabinet - AOL News

The White House, Russia, China, Iran, the media, etc. don't get it. 
Media reporting on hacked DNC emails acted as ‘arms of Russian intelligence’ – White House — RT America

All of those whining over the results of the election don't get it.

Elections are where the people speak.

File:Election MG 3455.JPG - Wikimedia Commons

china

President elect Trump, reel China in.

China Seizes U.S. Underwater Drone From International Waters, Pentagon Says : The Two-Way : NPR

China puts new weapons on South China Sea islands, report says - The Washington Post

plumb

Plumb = vertical. 

When a building or a wall leans to the left or to the right, then it isn't "right"; it's not plumb or vertical.

The same works for government. When government leans too far to the left or to the right, it needs to be straightened.

Elections are about straightening leaning government. When government changes from Democratic party control to Republican party control, then the left-leaning government gets straightened. The opposite is true when a Republican controlled government loses an election.

This is the way that our two-party system of government works.

Marine Corporal Jonathan Yale and Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter

"The recording shows the truck careening to a stop immediately in front of the two Marines. In all of the instantaneous violence Yale and Haerter never hesitated. By all reports and by the recording, they never stepped back. They never even started to step aside. They never even shifted their weight. With their feet spread shoulder width apart, they leaned into the danger, firing as fast as they could work their weapons. They had only one second left to live.

The truck explodes. The camera goes blank. Two young men go to their God.

Six seconds.

Not enough time to think about their families, their country, their flag, or about their lives or their deaths, but more than enough time for two very brave young men to do their duty … into eternity. That is the kind of people who are on watch all over the world tonight—for you."

http://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/everybody-should-read-general-john-kellys-speech-about-two-marines-in-the-path-of-a-truck-bomb

File:US Navy 090220-N-5549O-064 Marines stand at parade rest during a Navy Cross ceremony in honor of two fallen Camp Lejeune Marines.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

voting and fake news

After being in the public eye for most of her adult life, after her many years as first lady for Arkansas and the US, senator from NY, secretary of state, a LONG primary and election campaign, do liberals REALLY believe that voters didn't know who they were voting (or not voting) for? Of course, they did! Do liberals really believe that "fake news" affected the outcome of the election? Of course, it didn't!

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Fake-news-stories-that-fooled-liberals-10781580.php

Is Trump "dismantling" our left-leaning government?

Is Trump dismantling our left-leaning goverment?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/do-trumps-cabinet-picks-want-to-run-the-government--or-dismantle-it/2016/12/08/108cbc94-bd62-11e6-91ee-1adddfe36cbe_story.html

It's LONG overdue.

pipe

Boil water advisory issued for Gainesville area Potomac Local

most water mains that cross under interstate highways are encased inside a larger pipe making them particularly susceptible to corrosion. 
www.swri.org/3pubs/ttoday/Summer15/pipeline-corrosion.htm

File:18 inch DI Sewer Installed within Steel Encasement, Lowell, AR.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Patrick Henry

“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”   

Patrick Henry, American attorney, planter and politician who became known as an orator during the movement for independence in Virginia

sinkholes and the news media

Every time that there's a hole in the street the local news media (Washington, DC) calls it a "sinkhole".

This is a sinkhole:

This is a water-main break:

File:Water main (8436639590).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

This is a street failure caused by too much rain and an inadequate drainage system:

File:SeabrookPothole18Ap06.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

In other words, not all holes in the street are sinkholes. 

A sinkhole, by definition, is a hole that is caused by dissolution of natural subsurface material, e.g., limestone, gypsum, salt, etc. Sinkholes, from USGS Water-Science School

Holes in the street also result from water main breaks because water pressure from the break "washes away" the surrounding materials (roadway base, soil) causing the pavement to collapse. Holes in the street caused by water main breaks are not sinkholes.

Holes in the street also result from too much surface water (rain, flood) and an inadequate drainage system to remove it. Holes in the street caused by too much surface water and an inadequate drainage system are not sinkholes.

Get it right, news media!

stars

http://www.space.com/26078-how-many-stars-are-there.html

scientists estimate: 10 trillion galaxies x 100 billion stars per galaxy = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 or 1 x 10 to the 24th power (a septillion) stars. It took me 35 seconds to make 100 marks (5 x 20) on a piece of paper. At that rate it'd take 11,090,830,734,910,100 (11+ quadrillion) years to make 1 septillion marks. no breaks for food, potty, sleep, etc. 

a glimpse into infinity... when you take an inconceivably large number (1 septillion) and divide it by a large number (90,164,571) and get an inconceivably large number (11+ quadrillion). infinity/infinity = infinity???

mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/53337.html

lump it, China

a powerful lesson in free speech delivered in a 10 minute phone call to someone else. The communist leaders of the People's Republic of China don't like it. They can lump it.

China blasts ‘petty’ Taiwan call with Trump - The Washington Post

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China.svg

Christmas

Thinking back to a million years ago when I was a kid (I was born in the first half of the last century), Christians celebrated Christmas on December 25, and afterwards. Santa Claus came on Christmas Eve, and so did the decorated Christmas tree. With a brother and four sisters, that was no small feat!

It’s much different today.  ”In the U.S., the 'Christmas shopping season' starts as early as October.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics_of_Christmas 

Even in my advanced years I remember the excitement of Santa bringing gifts. Seniors feel that excitement too when they see it in children. 

I’m not for doing away with Santa or gift-giving. Just call it “winter holiday”. 

My Christmas wish it that Christmas be given back to Christians who will celebrate it with the reverence that this holy day deserves. 

muslim victims of radical Islamic terrorism

"11 million muslims have been killed by the hands of muslims themselves since 1948."
https://www.facebook.com/notes/knowledge-is-power/290-million-victims-of-islamic-terror/416083148469556/

So, the "honor student", who ran his car into and slashed innocent American students at OSU, who said “I am sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters being killed and tortured EVERYWHERE", wasn't so smart after all. 
Somali refugee ranted about being 'sick of seeing my Muslim brothers being killed' hours before injuring 11 in Ohio uni machete frenzy

File:Boston Marathon explosions (8652971845).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

straightening our left-leaning country

http://ijr.com/wildfire/2016/11/741334-trump-delivers-heartfelt-message-to-nation-about-exactly-what-he-wants-to-achieve-his-first-100-days/

pouty

who can blame Trump? the media excoriates Trump, and then goes all "pouty" when Trump tells the media to "go fly a kite". 

Trump Slips The Press Pool (Again) And Shows He Won't Play By The Media's Rules

extreme partisanship is ruining the country

The root of the problem is with our two party system of government and the extremism and shrillness of national, state and local representatives from both sides. Trump, Bannon, Clinton, Warren, et al.--all shrill and divisive agents of discord.  

It isn't working. It's time to put an end to our two party system of government.

File:Two party system diagram.png - Wikimedia Commons

soft?

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20161115_Villanova_urges_faculty_to_discuss_racist_attacks_in_class.html

Back a million years ago (1964) during my first week (orientation) at Villanova, we were told: "If you get your name in the newspaper in an unflattering way, then pack your bags and go. You don't need to wait around for us to come tell you that you're expelled."

Has Villanova, like the Catholic Church, gone soft? Are faculty-led "classroom discussions" the way to deal with a group of white male bullies who knock a fellow female black student to the ground while chanting "Trump! Trump!"? Or, is the old-fashioned way--tell the bullies to go, and let the police investigation and criminal prosecution process take its course--better? 

When priests sexually abusing children, and bishops covering it up, became public, the Catholic Church began a sexual abuse "education" program (Virtus) for those working with children and the elderly. Meanwhile, the problem of priests abusing children and bishops covering it up has not been completely eradicated. Had abusive priests and clueless bishops been expelled from the Church, and reported to the proper government authorities instead, would the problem still persist? I think not.

I hope that Villanova does the right thing. I've lost hope that the Catholic Church will. 

st. john of the cross

St. John of the Cross - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

John left us many books of practical advice on spiritual growth and prayer that are just as relevant today as they were then. These books include:

Ascent of Mount Carmel

Dark Night of the Soul

and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ

Since joy comes only from God, John believed that someone who seeks happiness in the world is like "a famished person who opens his mouth to satisfy himself with air." He taught that only by breaking the rope of our desires could we fly up to God. Above all, he was concerned for those who suffered dryness or depression in their spiritual life and offered encouragement that God loved them and was leading them deeper into faith.

"What more do you want, o soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction and kingdom -- your beloved whom you desire and seek? Desire him there, adore him there. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and you won't find him, or enjoy him more than by seeking him within you." -- Saint John of the Cross

In His Footsteps:

John of the Cross believed it was just as dangerous to get attached to spiritual delights as worldly pleasures. Do you expect to get something -- a good feeling, a sense of God -- from prayer or worship? Do you continue to pray and worship when you feel alone or dry?

Prayer:

Saint John of the Cross, in the darkness of your worst moments, when you were alone and persecuted, you found God. Help me to have faith that God is there especially in the times when God seems absent and far away. Amen

blame

If she had used government email to do government business, as all government employees are required to do, then she wouldn't have anyone to blame.

Hillary Clinton blames one Comey letter for stopping momentum and the other for turning out Trump voters - The Washington Post

How Christians Can Respond to Election 2016

good counsel--ALL of it.

Empathy and Charity: How Christians Can Respond to Election 2016 | J.D. GREEAR

perseverance

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here--
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

“Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Luke 21: 5-19

atkinson

Father Bill Atkinson Guild — The Augustinians

centurion

When he had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Luke 7: 1-10

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/27/f6/1f27f6730a534fcb20635ad085ccf670.jpg

blessed

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me."

Matthew 5: 3-11

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3012/2978912658_190d557f35.jpg

love

1 Though I command languages both human and angelic -- if I speak without love, I am no more than a gong booming or a cymbal clashing.

2 And though I have the power of prophecy, to penetrate all mysteries and knowledge, and though I have all the faith necessary to move mountains -- if I am without love, I am nothing.

3 Though I should give away to the poor all that I possess, and even give up my body to be burned -- if I am without love, it will do me no good whatever.

4 Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited,

5 it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances.

6 Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth.

7 It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.

8 Love never comes to an end. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will fall silent; and if knowledge, it will be done away with.

9 For we know only imperfectly, and we prophesy imperfectly;

10 but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will be done away with.

11 When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and see things as a child does, and think like a child; but now that I have become an adult, I have finished with all childish ways.

12 Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face. Now I can know only imperfectly; but then I shall know just as fully as I am myself known.

13 As it is, these remain: faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of them is love.

1 Corinthians chapter 13

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=58527&picture=faith-christian-bible-verse-love

American Fall

The Arabs had their Spring--https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring. Americans have had their Fall. As opposed to other countries around the world, America's Fall was nonviolent. 

I would have preferred two different candidates for president in our two-party system of government. Future candidates from the two major parties for all elected positions--local, state and national, including president--need to be better candidates. Perhaps this also will result from this American Fall. Let's hope so.

The majority of those who voted have spoken--they expect positive change. For the time being President Elect Donald Trump and Congress have the reins. Let's hope that history will record this American Fall as the start of positive change for our country. 

abortion

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

On January 22, 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court deemed abortion a fundamental right under the United States Constitution. Since then more than 58 million babies have been legally aborted in the U.S.--18% of the current population.

Does God bless a country where babies can be killed right up to when they're about to be born? Does God "stand beside her and guide her"?

I think not.

God help us.

O beautiful for patriot dream 

That sees beyond the years 

Thine alabaster cities gleam 

Undimmed by human tears! 

America! America! 

God shed his grace on thee 

Till nobler men keep once again 

Thy whiter jubilee!

It's time to fix our two-party system of government

If 50% or more of voters in the upcoming election were to vote for a third-party or write-in candidate, then a POWERFUL message would be sent to BOTH the Democratic and Republican parties. Even if Clinton or Trump is elected, the outlook for Democratic and Republican party control of future elections would be seriously diminished.

Seth Meyers lists the differences between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton - YouTube

Hillary Clinton's Thug Life Exposed by Dinesh D'Souza - YouTube

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/end.html

it's a sad day for the U.S.

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/end.html

perfect for taking the bad taste out of your mouth

"An overwhelming majority of voters are disgusted by the state of American politics, and many harbor doubts that either major-party nominee can unite the country after a historically ugly presidential campaign, according to the final pre-election New York Times/CBS News Poll."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/04/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-poll.html

Hope is fading...

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/solution.html

"mute picture" button for the TV remote

what we need now for the TV remote is a "mute picture" button to go with the "mute sound" button.

Donald Trump--mute.

Hillary Clinton--mute.

Barbara Comstock--mute.

LuAnn Bennett--mute.

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/solution.html

Hope is fading.

James Elliott "Willie" Williams, the most decorated enlisted man in U.S. Navy history

The most decorated enlisted man in U.S. Navy history: James Elliott "Willie" Williams.

WILLIAMS-JAMES | The United States Navy Memorial