Hell, Meet Handbasket

Yes, the country has gone to hell in a handbasket, to be polite.  The world now sees how dysfunctional our media is and wonders if we can fix the mess surrounding an election that appears to have been tampered with in many states.  And to top it all, they want the courts closed down so no one can pursue the truth, so suddenly the pandemic is spiking in every contested state.  Now it's in "out of control" in 49 states.

I don't know where this ends, but I could see a handful of folks hanging from ropes before this is over, as messing with the elections IS treason.  And you know what the penalty for treason is.  Death.

We'll see how this one ends, what the Supreme Court has to say about the cases that are already beginning to make their way up to them and hopefully we will be able to prove to the world that we are a nation of laws and messing with the integrity of our elections can not be tolerated on ANY level.

Stay tuned, as President Trump says.  He currently is looking great, relaxed, well and confident.  We'll know within weeks who will be residing in Gitmo and who will be exposed as members of a nasty un-American conspiracy. 

The Audacity Of Facebook

You hear about it all of the time.  When it happens to you, it's both bewildering and frustrating.  Being guilty of being a Conservative on Facebook.  I had a 3-day suspension last month because I pushed it, I posted a photograph of Sen. Chuck Schumer kissing a young black girl on the mouth on the beach.  The actual moment I clicked "post" FB shut down.  No posting, no messenger, nothing.  Triple negative?  I'll own it.

Today I shared a post on my Facebook wall about the Goya company expanding a facility in Houston TX after the liberals took aim at them for one of their backfiring boycotts.  I shared the same post, word-for-word on Parler.  A couple of hours later I've got several THOUSAND views and a LOT of likes and new follows.  On Facebook the post has exactly one like and no comments.

So I screen capture the Parler post and try to send it to my buddy Steve on FB Messenger and it shut me down instantly when I pressed send.  We're talking about Messenger, not posted on my wall.  There is no doubt in my mind that this Messenger deal on Facebook is viewed BEFORE you press "send".  There is no other way that they could instantly shut down your account.

When this is the norm, you must consider their messenger service compromised and publicly viewed.  Your messages are free and clear for anyone from the corporate stooges at Facebook down to the janitors it seems.  I shudder to think at thoughts I shared there over the years that were being peeped on.  Whatever did happen to that whole idea of privacy?  What about Amendment One, the Free Speech one?

My only crime is being conservative and skeptical of EVERYTHING on the news channels and the internet.  The truth, after all, is a moving target.  (Thanks, Neil) 

A Sad Day For "Heroes"

For those who live under a rock, please be advised that President Trump and the First Lady have both tested positive for Covid.  I expected the left to show their true colors and got it in full glorious color and Dolby!  I've seen the death wishes, the snarky "they deserve it" posts and one or two that shocked even me.

When someone I've worked with in several companies makes public comments on Facebook making fun of the Holy Bible, yes, that bothers me.  Hard to imagine someone who made a living portraying a "superhero" could be so cold and callous to his own friends, so uncaring to his fans and spiteful in general.

I think about the time, effort and energy I have spent promoting this individual over the years and what I got in return for the same time, effort and energy.  Eh?  I'm over it.

No wonder I walked away from this mess called pro wrestling.  I still miss a few of my long-time friends in the sport, but like me, they seem to see the same thing I do.  It's every man for himself now, worse than I can ever recall in the past.  There's way too many people stepping between the ropes that should be outside buying a damn ticket.  There are too many behind the scenes that should also be purchasing a ticket and a training school in every small town for miles.

Whatever did happen to protecting the business?

The New Abnormal

It's September and North Carolina is still pretty much locked down under Governor Alice Cooper.  Local governments, like Guilford County, reports things are slowing down, no new deaths, but Cooper, an all-encompassing genius, refuses to believe it.

He continues to punish the taxpayers by refusing to allow them to conduct the business they use to feed their families and refuses to explain the flaws in the logic of his expertise.  I'm still wondering how we defeat a virus smart enough to know not to attack persons in a brewery, yet fully weaponize against anyone in an actual bar.  How do we fight an enemy that sets arbitrary times for attacks?  Gov. Cooper is certain that at 11pm the Covid kicks in it's deadly anger and searches out new victims in area bars.  I suppose it's comforting to know that we're pretty much safe up until 10:59pm.

The media is still doing it's part to demonize the President of the United States and to cover the fact the Dems are pumping poor Joe Biden full of something through IVs so he can continue to "campaign".  When Trump suggested drug tests before the debates, this is exactly what he was taking a swipe at.  The recent photographic evidence alone of Biden's hands marked with scars continues to make me believe he is being abused.  Yes.  Elder abuse.  He's certainly beginning to look like what I believe he will be if elected, a puppet.  I said it.  Don't @ me.

The New Abnormal

North Carolina is looking now at 6 months of restrictions before we are told if we can "move up" to Phase 3 of the imaginary number of Phases, according to the North Carolina Department of Didacts & Narpets at the state capital.  Governor Alice Cooper is doing everything and more to keep small businesses closed and areas known to sometimes breed revolution, bars, out of the equation.  Karen's work added hours to the store's week and subtracted hours from employee's schedules.  That's Common Core Math, I assume?

Nothing new on the music front, we have 3 originals written and ready to record and have knocked around ideas for covers over the past 3 months, but nothing is concrete including a schedule or a possible date to resume recording.  

If I were a betting man, I'm not, I'd bet that the NFL doesn't play this season.  Seeing suggestions that the NCAA move this fall's football games to next spring.  Not sure how that's supposed to work.  They've already cancelled the pre-season completely and now college teams are cancelling their entire seasons as well.

Totally enjoying the Atlanta Braves' season so far, great to see the young guys stepping up and the veterans showing out.  The stars are waking up in this short-short season and it may be the year of the Braves' bullpen, something I can't recall ever saying.

The "n" word

Before one can totally destroy a person and their memory, one must dehumanize said person.  That has been done for years by the use of the "n" word.  I've heard it all of my life, I hear it still today.  But the tables have been turned, and those who used to be dehumanized by the "n" word have a brand new "n" word of their own to dehumanize another group.  The new "n" word is "Nazi".

Don't @ me.  It's the same despicable attack, with the same despicable connotations, just a new "n" word to replace the old to dehumanize another group.

Actual history is no longer something taught in public schools, as is obvious by the words and actions of today's youth.  There's another new attack word, the "k" word being used to marginalize white women, that's the word "Karen".  Chuckle at the memes, but realize this is about something totally evil.

America hasn't learned a thing since the late 1960s.  If anything, we've lost more than 50 years of good race relations with the current atmosphere and attitudes.  When the troops came home from Vietnam, the lessons were learned.  Whites and blacks embraced our differences and referred to each other as "soul brothers."  What has happened since 2008 is sickening.

You can argue all you want, but America is NOT a racist nation.  A racist nation would not have elected a black man president and then re-elected him again.  The news loves to tell a story of one being victimized over the color of one's skin, but the biggest "race" stories of the past year or so are pretty much hoaxes.  From Jussie to the Nascar noose.

I have been called "racist" because I believe what the Bible tells me, that ALL LIVES MATTER.  I also remember the lessons from Sunday School where we were taught that it is not our place to judge anyone, it is our job to love them and let God handle all judgements.  "Judge not lest ye be judged."

Peace out ya'll.  We have plenty of problems to face in 2020 and it would be a lot better for everyone if we took them on together.  United.  

Think about it.

Failed Governors Know Best

Failed NC Governor Roy Cooper still hasn't let us past "Phase 2" and is hinting that due to the fact that EVERY SINGLE BATTLEGROUND STATE IS SURGING that we will be forced to wear a mask in public.  Can't wait to see how that is enforced.  I've not worn a mask anywhere yet.  Probably won't.  CDC now saying that 50% of positive Covid tests are false and I've read for weeks that anyone who has had a flu shot in the past 3-8 years will also get a false positive for materials in the shots.  And Cooper says he's going by "science".

I got your "science" right here Roy.

Picked up the clipboard, purchased a new set of drawing pens (and a couple of new mechanical pencils), and have attempted 2 pieces at this point.  First one is a replica of a Jim Lee "card" he drew for a fan at a comic con in ink and the second is freaking Matt Dillon from Gunsmoke in pencil.  Not happy with Dillon, too many stark contrasts, meaning I SHOULD sit down and darken in the area around his face...But I'm lazy.  I'll get to it.

Used to use art for therapy, today it seems I'm so out of practice I'm going to have to relearn a few tricks and control of the hand.  But I'm up to it.  Just having a time deciding what to do next.

What IS Wrong With People Today?

Karen's back to work, NC has entered "Phase 2" of 3 million possible phases and suddenly the pandemic is taking the back seat in the news to a race war.  I was verbally assaulted on Facebook over a Black Lives Matter post where I offered that ALL Lives Matter.  So Google insists in the guidelines of culture in 2020, that it's some kind of insult to mention All Lives Matter to anyone preaching BLM.

I'm not an advocate for division in this country, far from it, but the way I was taught, in Sunday School, was that Jesus loves EVERYBODY regardless of color of skin.  That's how it's supposed to work, together.  We are more divided now than at any time in MY lifetime and that includes the radical 60's.  I have my own notions about who may have single-handedly divided this nation again, but that's neither here or now.

Being called a racist isn't new, I was NOT a fan of Barack Obama, but being called racist for suggesting all lives matter makes no sense whatsoever.  My life matters, your life matters, OUR lives matter.  Too much division, too many hyphens, too many excuses.  You kids chill out, I'm about to put the whole world on ignore.  Peace.

Surviving Lockdown

It's been strange.  It's been a much simpler routine with no choices and actually not a lot to do.  Karen has caught up with her television routine on demand and is to the point she is actually watching some new shows as they air the first time.  I'm enjoying the pre-2000 Nascar races shown on Fox and love the interaction between the competitors in the Fox I-Racing Invitational series.  Nascar is back in a couple of weeks in overdrive, MBL is suggesting July 4 will be opening day and those ice hockey guys are ready to go back to war too.  I am more than ready for baseball for sure.

Karen's employers met in the parking lot on Friday afternoon, just to let everybody know what was going on.  The company reopened 105 stores in 5 states on Friday and they are awaiting a "go" from Raleigh before calling in employees as the lockdown ends here Saturday.  I almost figure she will be back to work within a week, as Belk is appearing to be a leader in companies returning their workers to the payroll and to work.

Hobby Lobby reopened stores in the NC Triad area yesterday, while remaining closed in "hotter" areas virus-wise.  The Feds (the CDC) has "updated" the death count and this pandemic is looking to be less and less fatal than even the regular flu, for which supposedly, there IS a vaccine for.  Nope.  I won't consider anything backed by Bill Gates, W.H.O. and George Soros.  Don't ask.  Gates is being sued over deaths in Africa connected with him jacking around with vaccines, and he's probably responsible for nearly a quarter million paralyzed kids in India for the same reasons, jacking around with vaccines.  #RealTalk

On the #RoxX front I've accepted the challenge of trying to film my own parts for a "home lockdown-style" music video, shot on my phone.  OK, the phone's not a problem, HD cameras on front and back, same stats on both.  Ran through it completely a few weeks ago, uploaded the video to Tommy.  He makes suggestions, so no, this isn't the end, I'm just getting started.  A week later I shot two complete versions using my LED light strip for color and effect and uploaded them to Tommy.  A week later I reach out and ask how he's doing and he replies he's had some technical difficulties.  Suggests I do my video in segments.  So I re-shot it last night, ended up uploading four segments to complete the song.  I hope?  To be continued!

Rocking the Quarantine

Karen is home, on "furlough" and now unemployment, and we have spent a lot of time "sheltered at home" even though most of our neighbors apparently are essential workers.  Everything that was "normal" for me no longer exists, travel, wrestling, etc., and I feel like I'm going to explode from the new enthusiasm Karen has gotten for cooking.  No, I am NOT complaining, but I bet Biscuit Factory thinks I've dropped off the face of the earth, only visiting once a week.  But hey, I LOVE the bacon and egg biscuits Karen makes for me.

Last RoxX song Tommy sent, I actually wrote lyrics for in a single day.  So a few weeks later, here comes another one.  Can't think of a thing for it.  For days.  And lo and behold yet another original arrives awaiting lyrics.  So with two songs to write, I sat down and listened to the "first one" and actually got the first verse written, then shut down on the chorus.  Fine.  Loaded the "second one" and within a half hour had the first verse and the beats of this song done.  I have never attempted to write two songs at once, but I'm going to keep doing the same thing until one or the other is finished.  I'm sure returning to the studio depends on finishing at least one more original since we like to knock 2 songs a session out when possible.  

Tommy informs me that we are releasing the Cherokee legend inspired "Uktena Demon of Darkness" on Soundcloud on Saturday.  Links will appear on Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud sometime around high noon.

To Whom It May Concern:

For the last few months my son has had this notion that it is his place to tell me I have no sense when it comes to politics and what's going on in the world.  He suffers from TDS, for which there is no known cure, and using every opportunity he can to call me out for supporting our president.

In December, he posted that he was no longer going to discuss politics online (to my relief), but a short time later he appears on my Facebook wall EXPLAINING how anyone who supports Trump is an "asshole".  He also told me after Trump was cleared by Congress in the sham impeachment for me to "not bother" replying, as he "knows what I am going to say" and he's "not going to read it."  So fine.  I have quit communicating with him at his request.

So why does it escalate to the point he's copying my posts, sharing them as "photo of Randy" to get my friend's attention to tell them Trump is bad, or a liar, criminal and whatever else they "believe"?  Your guess is as good as mine.  

Personally, I take these as personal attacks as there has been not one ounce of respect for MY beliefs since the attacks began.  I do not like being talked down to, I'm not some middle school dunce, and face it, he is confused as to who is the parent and who is the child in THIS relationship.  Yes, I pushed him to speak his mind, and not let others walk over him.  Apparently, I taught him nothing whatsoever about respect and how to speak to your elders. 

I understand he feels he has equal footing to speak his mind, but calling me and my friends names on Facebook isn't exactly a method of debate.  Holding my grandchildren over my head (not sending any messages or photos for nearly 2 months now) is not a way to win an argument.  It's a way to make me even more bitter at how I am being treated and talked to.  And don't get me started on what it's doing to his mother.

Nope, we're not the 'victims' here, there are none.  To me, the entire argument, or reason to argue, is childish.  Nothing anyone says to me is going to make me suddenly consider our president as "crazy" after eight years of Obama.  You'll have the same amount of effect on me as when a JW knocks on my door.  Realize this and move on.