"Sic transit gloria mundi" ~ "Thus passes the glory of the world."
Category Archives: Dickens – The Amalgamated Heavy
Charles R. Dickens was born in 1951, is a veteran of the Vietnam war, for which he volunteered, and the great-great grandson of the noted author, whose name he shares.
He is a fiercely proud American, who still believes this is the greatest country on the planet, with which we’ve lost control and certainly our direction. He grew up in moderate financial surrounding; we’re not rich by any stretch, but didn’t go hungry – his incredibly hard working father saw to that. As most from that era, he learned about life from his father, whose story would take too long to tell, other than to say that, he is also a fiercely proud American; a WWII and Korean war, veteran Marine.
Charlie was educated in the parochial system which, demanded that you actually learn something, and have capability to retain it before you advance. He attended several universities in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, and chased the goose further to a master’s, and has retained some very definite ideas about education in this country.
In addition, Charlie is a retired blues guitar and vocalist – a musician. This was his therapy career. Nothing brings him as much joy as playing music, and he wishes that he could make a living at it… but alas… life goes on!
“Alice tells the Cat that she doesn’t want to go among ‘mad people.’”
“Oh, you can’t help that… We’re all mad here,”said the Cheshire Cat… ~ From Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
I’ve used Einstein’s definition of insanity in my past articles because it’s a simple way to describe how we approach our lives, especially in the administration of this republic. If you have any questions about Einstein’s definition, look it up.
We must be insane…
Here’s my case, my assertion, my allegation, and my defense.,, Continue reading →
Thank you, Mr. Bennett, for the idea… by the way, in the movie it was 50 eggs…
Perhaps you’ll recognize the title line from the movie ‘Cool Hand Luke’. It became a defining line and ‘catch-phrase’ for the ‘Captain’, Strother Martin’s character. The subtitle is a little more obscure; it’s part of the film’s subplot, but I use it to refer to the thousands of headlines we see each day. The number is estimated at 4,000 to 10,000. It’s often called brand messaging, but it’s still advertising.
It is essential that everyone understands these basics of communication because, without them, everything we hear is just noise, nothing good or beneficial can come from the encounter, and if you’re not mindful, you’ll become a casualty. Communication is intercourse; the truest sense of the business definition is the give-and-take, or the exchange of information, which is the purpose of communication. Continue reading →
An intensive psych-eval politicians; now that has real possibilities…
Try as I might, I can’t put my finger on what causes the lunacy we call politics, particularly partisan politics. It’s best defined as performance rather than governance. I used to think no one’s that f-ing stupid, but I’ve been wrong before. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have been redefining common words and phrases I’ve been watching for at least 55 years, and probably well before that, to justify and rationalize their misleading and deceptive language.
We bought their lie, hook, line, and sinker… We have been completely fooled, deceived, and tricked, but not everything is a lie. Deception is so plentiful and the truth so rare that we don’t recognize it as it floats by. Politicians lie because their ends justify their means. You haven’t heard that phrase in a while… and although it’s a supposition, it does explain their tendency to deceive us.
Congress, the opposite of progress, and the art of the Gotcha.
Let The Boisterous Beatings & Bullshit Begin!
“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”
The introductory quote is by Alexander Pope (1711), from his essay on criticism. Pope wrote it to criticize those who pose as experts in subjects they do not understand, particularly literary critics. It describes how inexperienced or reckless people often enter dangerous or complex situations that wiser, more cautious individuals avoid. The phrase is often used to warn against acting without proper thought. It aptly describes the mainstream media and our government, doesn’t it… or does it? Continue reading →
“Burs under my saddle blanket” is an idiom for a persistent source of irritation, annoyance, or trouble that agitates someone, much like a prickly burr makes a horse act up. It describes something small that causes significant, ongoing pain or mental distress.
A saddle blanket is a piece of horse tack (specialized equipment and accessories), traditionally a thick, woven wool cloth placed under a saddle to provide cushioning, absorb sweat, prevent chafing, and protect the horse’s back from friction. It often features colorful patterns and designs, especially in Western riding. While modern saddle pads offer a more customized, tailored fit and padding, blankets provide a traditional layer, sometimes used decoratively over a performance pad.
I have a few of these burs under my saddle blanket, and it’s time to remove them. Each of these burs could easily be a full commentary on its own, and I’ve used parts of them in past articles. This is an abbreviation, a synopsis of each gripe, and, for what it’s worth, my opinion. Stay tuned… Continue reading →
The intro music was released the year I enlisted in the USAF – I left for training in February 1972. There were several reasons I volunteered, and someday I may regale you with that story. Let’s just say the decision confirmed my commitment to America and made me the vexed patriot who writes these commentaries and holds this Republic to account; if I don’t, who will? I give you my opinion on what I see and how I feel, and, like it or not, it’s who I am… and I will not apologize.
I’d intended this piece as a fourth chapter in my last commentary, but on counsel’s advice, I’m adapting it to reflect his opinion and repurposing it as American Epitaph. I try hard to be optimistic, to see the good in things, and to look for alternatives and possibilities. I see them, but they’re slipping away as I watch. My fear is that we’ve crossed the Rubicon and there’s no going back. We’re writing America’s Epitaph.
“Old Charlie stole the handle…
And the train it won’t stop…
Oh no way to slow down…”
Symbolism: Old Charlie is often interpreted as a metaphor for fate, the devil, or an indifferent creator, leaving the train (life, society, this republic) to run out of control. More precisely, this republic is out of control as the two primary political parties contend for control of the United States of America, Our Republic, while the third watches from the sidelines, committed not to commit through Active Inaction… a deliberate effort to avoid taking action. Think of finding fault, bitching about it incessantly, and doing absolutely nothing productive to change it.
I was searching for an appropriate musical selection to open this commentary when this Jethro Tull song popped up – there are no coincidences. Continue reading →
“Madness in individuals is rare, but in groups it is the rule.” ~ Nietzche
This morning, as I awakened from my night’s slumber, I asked… “Where the fuck am I?”
I don’t recognize this place. The surroundings seemed familiar: the room, my bed, my wife, but I had no idea where I was. This new reality is a product of mainstream media hocus pocus, mumbo-jumbo, and legerdemain.
Was my estrangement the result of a temporal anomaly or a rift caused by Google’s Quantum Computer, in an attempt to explain the irresponsible and hateful rhetoric from the mainstream media and elected leaders? These sources seem to endorse violence, substance abuse, murder, lawlessness, and seditious elements that further divide America and do not reflect its true values. Their agenda drives their narrative, shaping the discourse to support their goals, where lies are passed off as truth and the truth is irrelevant. Continue reading →
Each new year brings a flurry of promised changes, usually in the form of personal commitments to modify behaviors we’ve recognized. In an attempt to stay relevant, we promise to change our ways or improve in some areas. I gave up on that crap long ago.
Mark Twain called them good intentions quickly abandoned, and Jay Leno remarked on their effectiveness by noting the continual increase in the average weight of Americans. Incidentally, the average for men today is 200 lbs., and for women, 170 lbs. Since 2000, there has been a 20 lb gain. We call this anecdotal evidence because the study is observational and draws on several sources.
That’s why I’m calling for a new year’s revolution. I am NOT necessarily calling for the overthrow of our government, although we sincerely need to address many areas; I’m suggesting the overthrow of our fundamental thought processes that have led us to our current position.
I know I just lost 80% of the readers and listeners, but thanks to those still here. Continue reading →
My subtitle is an homage to the movie “A Christmas Story” based on a story by Jean Shepherd to set the tone for my commentary.
We watched this movie last night as part of our ritual viewings of our favorite seasonal movies. It’s based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd; this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker. It opens with a downtown scene about an Indiana town in the 1940s.
– “Downtown Hohman was prepared for its yearly bacchanalia of peace on Earth and goodwill to men.”
“Higbee’s corner window was traditionally a high-water mark of the pre-Christmas season. (The kids crowd around the window, and we soon see inside.) First-nighters, packed earmuff to earmuff, jostled in wonderment before a golden, tinkling display of mechanized, electronic joy.”
Christmas’ meaning has changed drastically over my 74 years, altering my appreciation for this particular holiday as I read and learned to appreciate classic literature and film messages that try to interpret its true meaning. The culmination was my realization of its importance to mankind. Continue reading →
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they don’t want to hear.” ~ George Orwell
So, listen up Liberty Lovers…
You and I are being controlled by a cacophony of noise. There’s no meat, no meaning, no merit, and no message; it’s a tool to keep us distracted. There is no substance, no soul, no deeper spirit, and no scheme, except its scope to distract us from knowing the truth of what’s going on in our republic. If these hidden actions and intents need to be obscured, are they constitutional, lawful?
I’ve never tracked the number of times I’ve mentioned Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) in my articles and columns, but that shouldn’t diminish that this tactic underlines the processes in play in American Partisan Politics, the government of these United States of America.
For the past fifty years at least, the mainstream media promotes the messages that our country is in peril from internal and external forces that want to cripple or even destroy everything that we hold precious. It began with the Communist’s, turning us inward to implicate anyone and everyone suspected as an enemy of the partisan political party in power.
Nothing is what it seems; everything’s changed. It’s all about hate and retribution. It’s no longer enough to oppose something; we must now destroy it. There is no middle ground, no compromise. We are the carnage cult of the modern era. One side is the triggered executioner; the other is the cause and the target.
46% of Americans lean toward the Republican Party, and 45% lean toward the Democrat Party, leaving a scant 8% in the Independent column. There are obvious extremes in each, and that’s the point of this exercise. This is almost evenly split politically overall, but it’s the extremes that should concern us. 28% of Democrats are extreme, as are 31% of Republicans; again, a nearly even split, putting 59% on the political fringes and leaving 41% in the moderate zone. But are these the extremist partisans causing this political tension? [data]
The Left claims their opposition is Hitler, a Nazi, a Fascist, Gestapo, Jackbooted Thugs, a threat to democracy.
Everything his administration does will destroy the American way of life. They advocate violent opposition to everything he does because their side has all the correct answers. Continue reading →
I’m going to be brutally honest and probably say things that will offend many of you. GOOD because you need a good kick in the ass to get you up and moving before we completely lose this country to bad actors and invaders. You know, those who hate everything we espouse.
I’m so pissed-off that I can hardly think. The more I learn about this latest bullshit in Congress, the opposite of progress, and how one partisan political party can close the government, I begin to fume. It’s compounded by the traitorous actions of the immigrant population invading America to destroy us from within by using the liberties inherent in our Constitution to bring about our demise.
I’ve been searching to understand why people feel so free, so entitled to do whatever comes to mind, and act so insolently. I have some thoughts and ideas… subjective opinions from my observations! I do not speak for anyone but myself. It’s my opinion, and it makes sense to me, just like all of the hundreds of columns and articles I’ve written. Oh, by the way, I’ve changed my mind and opinion on a few, and freely admit that I’ve been wrong on a couple.
AI defines religion as a complex system of beliefs and practices related to the supernatural, sacred, or spiritual, and the belief in a higher power or powers, an organized system of doctrines and symbols, and the communal and individual practices that stem from those beliefs, such as worship, rituals, and a moral framework. Religion is a matter of choice.
Maybe it’s a matter of taste and opinion, or possibly a bad choice.
But then… a peanut butter and Bermuda Onion sandwich is a matter of taste, too… Continue reading →
“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” ~ Seneca
Steps to understanding intent.
What are we looking for?
It’s Sunday morning, October 26th, 2025. The events of the previous several months have been a torrent of data points, allegations, innuendos, accusations, and hypocrisy; an emotional roller-coaster, embellished by some of the finest performative political posturing a person could possibly tolerate.
There was much joyful anticipation about the possible peace in the Middle East and between Ukraine and Russia. Reactions suggest that people view promises as sources of anticipation, influenced by personal aspirations and disappointment when those desires don’t materialize. But we don’t look inward for the root of the dream; we’re being lied to and misled by the mainstream media and their advertising tactics. Continue reading →
I want to begin with a story to illustrate my subtitle. Be patient, you know, I’ll get to the point, eventually…
Are we running out of Time?
Several years ago, I managed a major communications ‘forklift’ improvement project for our power company. I worked with a team of engineers to coordinate their activities and communicate the processes and progress to the stakeholders. Forklift improvements involve the complete dismantling, removal, and replacement of the existing system without interrupting services. This process is typically done in stages, carefully planned, and impeccably executed to minimize business disruption. It requires incredible cooperation, a dedicated team effort, and careful coordination with the business. Piece of cake… Continue reading →
Our world and country are in chaos. The partisan political parties battle for control of this republic. Cities are the victims of bad policies, but they re-elect the same type of people to those leadership positions, and there is no end in sight, implying that they don’t want help, have given up, or no longer care.
Our current situation fits Einstein’s definition of insanity perfectly. Continue reading →
By now, you all should know my morning routine, my liaison with coffee and the news. I freely admit that I’m troubled by the ongoing decline in moral standards and the erosion of personal responsibility across this republic.
I’ve written at length about the culpability of the media and the partisan political parties, and how they directly influence what we believe, which reflects on how we act or respond. It’s no longer a partisan issue, but rather a complex contagion of epidemic proportions. Continue reading →
Creating a culture of rewarding and celebrating conformity in being ordinary.
Unlike Socrates, Mediocrates is not a historically known individual but rather a satirical, fictional “god” or “philosopher” representing mediocrity and the pursuit of average intelligence or skill: Seek not to excel…
Mediocracy: a dominant class consisting of mediocre people, where mediocrity is celebrated and rewarded. Welcome to the herd.
Mediocre: of only ordinary or moderate quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate.
The Socratic Method encourages argumentative and cooperative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking by posing questions and then responding to them, thereby eliciting ideas and information.
The Mediocratic Method accepts conventional wisdom without question. Continue reading →
“No matter what the reform or rebrand may imply, Dracula is still a monster, and “racism” is still tyranny.”
I borrowed this opening from my Good Friend Jeff Bennett’s article [link] on The Federal Observer. I adapted it for this column’s sub-heading because it captures the essence of this column succinctly. I encourage you to read the original article and to peruse the site and enjoy Friend Bennett’s work.
The section labeled Sunset Boulevard is of particular interest.
Federal Observer is a large and comprehensive effort intended to inform and awaken the reader. It also contains links to other Bennett sites. You will not be bored, and certainly not disappointed.
Each new year brings a flurry of promised changes, usually in the form of personal commitments to modify behaviors we’ve recognized. In an attempt to stay relevant, we promise to change our ways or improve in some areas. I gave up on that crap long ago.
