Bruce Halen, Author at Bruce's Singing Cyclist Musings

12/11/2024

Think No Evil

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22, 2021 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception: How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation." In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information. They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

Update: McQuade, Barbara, "Attack From Within," 2024. New York Times best seller.

Somewhere back in my blogospheric past, I tasked myself with documenting my personal goals and objectives. I made a really big deal about being so clear that there was good and evil in the world. Surprise, I’m not so clear about that anymore.

In fact, if you believe the Hollywood version of how Elfaba became the Wicked witch of the West in Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz tale, you could easily begin to doubt where the good or the evil actually do reside. Certainly good and evil is always as clear as black and white, light and dark, rich and poor, hot and cold…

Yet, if you let yourself float free from the regimentation of your own self dogma and see the world from outside your limited mental, spiritual and physical space, you will see things differently.

I’m not going to get into the allegory the Wizard of Oz story. You can read that for yourself. What I am going to get into is that the story opens up how the complex issues of the adult world can be delivered to the masses in the form of stories that appear to be for children.

I recently saw the film version of Wicked, Part 1. My true confession is that I always had believed that Glinda, all dressed in white, pretty and always smiling represented good and that Elphaba, dressed in black, ugly and scowling represented evil.

Now I’m a bit confused. Is the story trying to tell me that good and evil don’t exist? Or perhaps it’s trying to tell me that good and evil do exist and that they are not always where you are taught to look for them.

This debate will continue for me, but one thing that I believe is above question is the existence of Love and Hate. And by Love, I am referring the Biblical concept of Agape love. Hate is a bit harder to define. Part of one definition of hate that I found refers to Biblical references equating hate with evil. The question of whether there is good and evil in the world is one that I now am deeply questioning. Yet, the dichotomy of love and hate seems crystal clear to me.

It’s that crystal that the world is filtered through for me. It’s the crystal that brings clarity to words and images coming at me that make no sense to me and quite possibly make no sense to you either.

The wizard in The Wizard of Oz is a fraud. He’s a fake. He appears to represent good, but in the end, the wizard has evil intentions. When confronted with real goodness in the form of Elphaba, the wizard’s true self is exposed. He tricks her and then demonizes her. She becomes the object of scorn and retribution from the common people that he holds sway over.

The parallels between the Wizard of Oz and the world of the 21st Century United States of America is painfully clear to me. Like Oz, we have an all powerful ruling being, let’s call it the Corporate class. henceforth to be called the wizard. Since the late 19th Century the wizard has presented itself as the benevolent father figure that is there to take care of his people. He will be benevolent until he is questioned or has his authority challenged. Then his true colors come out.

Our veneer of Democracy, a model that has given us common folk the illusion that we actually have a say in how our country is managed, is now in danger of being totally wiped clean clearing the way for the rich and powerful to add total control over the political system to their control of the vast majority of the wealth and power. Removing the election process saves them money. In a system free from the limitations of representative democracy, no longer will they have to pay off politicians to do their bidding, they will simply bypass the people and make up the rules that best suit them at our collective expense.

Where was I? Oh yeah, the allegory of the wizard. Well, it looks like the wizard is winning. The Golden city on the hill is not the world of goodness, righteous and justice that we were (are?) being taught about in school. It is the home of the rich and powerful corporate billionaire class of thieves. Just like the ones in Russia. It’s not surprising that the wizard glorifies Russia. It’s Oligarchy, or as I prefer to call it “Oilagarchy” is what he wants to create here. Having those corporate thieves Musk an Ramaswamy parading around the halls of Congress before they are in power is a sham. They are doing the wizards work.

Just in: Christopher Wray is also doing the wizard’s work. In his book “On Tyranny,” Timothy Snyder outlined twenty lessons from the 20th Century. The first lesson:

                     "Do Not Obey in Advance."

That’s what Chris Wray, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Lindsay Graham, John Roberts and Aileen Cannon, among many others, have not yet learned. They are doing exactly the opposite. They are obeying the wizard without question. Shame on them. Let it be known how history will view them when MAGA and Trump and all of us are long dead and gone. Those that could have directly prevented the wizard from consolidating his power and didn’t will have our children’s blood on their hands

Let’s not be lulled to sleep in this interim period before the the handoff to the wizard becomes complete. In this holiday season keep your eyes on the prize and channel your inner Elphaba.

A Glimmer of Sunshine

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will be at peace. 
J. Hendrix

12/02/202412/02/2024

Israel-Hezbollah Cease Fire Should be the Headline Story

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

Update: McQuade, Barbara, "Attack From Within," 2024. New York Times best seller.

Instead of giving the Orange Ogre* headlines on trips to the southern border by his not-yet “Border Czar,” or trying to set policy on trade with irrational tariff threats on his social media before its his turn, perhaps real U.S. news organizations should focus on highlighting the real news that is happening right now. He’s not president yet so stop treating his every word and deed as if it were in some way presidential. His ability to play the U.S. media is already the stuff of Fascist lore.

Like, for example, the real, un-glorious and tedious work of helping to negotiate a cease fire between Israel and Hezbollah. An agreement that takes the Middle East a step back from the brink of a regional/world war and a step closer to a treaty between Israel and Hamas. An Israel-Hamas agreement would be another massive step toward bringing a small bit of stability back to the region as it stumbles towards tolerance and maybe if one dares to dream, peaceful co-existence between Israel and its neighbors.

Let’s not further compound one mistake by extending his term by two and a half additional months. Four years is already four years too long,.

On the cheerier side, as much as the election was one big monumental post Thanksgiving dinner fart, good things continue to happen in the world and it is important to not fall into the narrative that the U.S. is a hell hole in need of filling up with useless, harmful , and divisive idiocy.

A Glimmer of Sunshine

Bing image

To paraphrase legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano, Each day you should find time for laughter, tears and thought. Valvano gave this inspiring 1993 speech as he was dying of cancer which included this message.

And, since we need unusually larger doses of good news these days, here is another glimpse of life’s beauty:

Here is today’s little glimmer of sunshine.

*With apologies to Shrek

11/24/202411/24/2024

Love Wins

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

Update: McQuade, Barbara, "Attack From Within," 2024. New York Times best seller.

Singing this song at church left it etched on my psyche and me committed to its message. I’ve posted it before and will likely post it again. It is worth listening to again and again as we try to figue things out.

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving.

11/19/202411/20/2024

Stop, Rest, Reflect, Energize and Engage

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

Update: McQuade, Barbara, "Attack From Within," 2024. New York Times best seller.

Many of us will reflect on November 5, 2024 in the same way that Franklin Delano Roosevelt reflected on December 7, 1941 namely as “A Day That Will Live in Infamy.” Indeed, love did not win the week as I had hoped, but it will ultimately win. You can rest assured of that. We will all need to coax that love out. But, love WILL win.

This is the thirteenth day post election and I’ve gone through the stop, rest and reflect elements in my post Election plan. I’m still energizing and actively seeking out ways to get directly involved in politics at the local level.

My daily energy comes from my singing activities (Peninsula Harmony Chorus, my church choir (Alegria Singers) and the South Bay Threshold Choir), a daily exercise routine, daily puzzles, my church (First Unitarian of San Jose) and from reading news, science journals, The Atlantic Magazine, The Washington Post (yes, despite Jeff Bezos not offering an endorsement in the presidential race) and conversations with friends and acquaintances and hopping on my bike every now and then for a pedal around town and into the nearby hills.

This is where moving forward starts. Engage in the things that nourish you and make you feel vital and of service. Before you can do things outside of yourself, you must take care of yourself.

Two days after the election, my wife and I left the country for a week on a trip to Italy in support of a local theater company. We were provided with six days of exquisite treatment. Fine hotels, superb food, privileged access to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, dinner at a Palace with one of the largest private collections of art in Europe, a guided tour of the Santa Croce church in Florence as interpreted by the former curator of the church. Santa Croce houses the crypts and recogntions of some of Italy’s greatest gifts to the world including Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo and Rossini.

This was the rest part of the recovery formula. For the most part, I tuned out news of the election and the rest of the world in general. I took time to breathe in the antiquities of Rome and Florence and see the world through a 2000+ year old lens. That view is helping me face the daunting task of how to respond to a national right wing nationalist movement bent on creating a government that meets their needs and screws everybody else.

Walking around the ruins of the ancient Roman Empire, thinking about all the emperors and rulers that occupied this space somehow gave me a sense of peace and opened the doors to a belief that indeed “this too shall pass.” The timing of being in the heart of the ancient Roman Empire was ideal for this moment in time.

Isn’t it nice to be in a position of financial privilege to rest in this way? Answer: Yes. More people should be able to do it this way as well.

My Reflection began on election night as the early returns were not going well for my favored candidate and party. What had gone wrong? How could reasonable people choose an incoherent, pathological lying, rapist, cheater and misogynist over an intelligent, experienced and highly competent person where the choice was crystal f-ing clear. Sorry, I almost lost it there. Even though it is true. To say that this person was freely chosen by the American people is a total joke. Notice that the candidate had no criticism of the 2024 Election.

This election was won by the Political Right’s mastery of propaganda, misinformation and disinformation.

But, in my defense, it was the beginning of my reflection. As my reflection continued, I did not appreciate the pundit post mortem responses trying to explain the democratic debacle that had just occurred. Taking the working class for granted, blaming the economic woes of middle America on globalization, blaming the incumbent party for a poor economy that was far from poor…

A reasonable and well informed population would never, and I repeat NEVER, make the “choice” that The United States of America just made. Give the Republican strategists credit where credit is due. Susie Wiles (co-campaign manager) Chris LaCivita (co-campaign manager) Steven Cheung (communications director) Brian Jack (senior advisor) Eric Branstad (strategist) Jason Miller (senior advisor) Corey Lewandowski (senior advisor) did what they set out to do. It’s a pitty that they did their work for a traitor.

They won the (dis)information war. In this day and age it seems that the winner is the one who knows how to manipulate and program people the best. The Republicans know how to do it well. Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels is quoted as saying:

"If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it and you will even come to believe it yourself."

And that is exactly what Trump’s Campaign Team did.

Please tell me that Americans on the whole have not become so inhumane that they can no longer engage in civil discourse or treat people with respect and dignity. We just elected an ideology that reflects this narrative. I believe Americans are not who elected this hideous ideology of fear and hatred. They were filled with these idea by people whose agendas go way beyond anything that the average voter thought they were getting with their vote. I equate what happened to them with the example of the paper wasp.

That gets me beyond the reflection about what happened and opened the doors to getting energized once again to stare down this threat to our country and the world and how best can I contribute to the loyal opposition. I touched on this earlier in talking about how I energize myself on a daily basis.

In addition to energizing for everyday life, I will need more energy to use on the fight for, as historian John Meacham described in his book by the same title, “The Soul of America.”

The last part of the formula is to “Engage.” I’m not sure how I’m going to do that yet. I am sure that it is going to be shoulder-to-shoulder with like-minded local people like myself who want to keep Democracy alive and make it well again.

Take good care of yourself and let’s get our heads up, shoulders back and take on the challenge

11/05/202411/18/2024

Election Day in two Words

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

Update: McQuade, Barbara, "Attack From Within," 2024. New York Times best seller.

I hope it wins this week.

10/26/202411/02/2024

God, It’s Me , Bruce

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

Update: McQuade, Barbara, "Attack From Within," 2024. New York Times best seller.

Bruce:

Hi God, it’s me , Bruce.

God:

I know who you are…

Of course. My bad. So, how are you today?

I’m pretty busy, especially these days with all the election crap going on, what’s on your mind?

Woh, a bad word. A little stressed are you?

When I sent Jesus down to you people, I thought that I made it real clear how you all are supposed to conduct yourselves with each other. I even wrote it down in 10 easy steps.

But no, you all either can’t read or you (at least some of you) are making shit up in my name. I don’t appreciate that. So , yes, I’m a little cranky

When I said no graven images, I meant it. When I had Jesus upend the merchants tables on the Temple steps, I thought you’d get the message that business and religion don’t mix capich?

Yes sir or mam or your holiness or your honor…

I don’t give a rip what you call ne, just do as I say or there will be consequences. Relay that message in your Blog.

Yes si…Sure thing.

While we’re on the subject of what I expect from ya’ll, let me get this off my chest.

What’s that si…….

Your a little slow, but you’re starting to catch on. When I generate disasters like say Covid, catastrophic wildfires, massive floods, frequent hurricanes or Fascist wannabes, I do it to give you idiots yet another chance to get IT right. Just read the f…ing Bible, Koran, Torah, Upanishads or Sports pages and do what they say. It’s not rocket science. What is it with you people?

Well, S…, I’m just one lone grain of sand on your metaphorical beach, so I can only speak for myself and maybe a few others, but I do have a few thoughts. Promise that you’re not going to smote me for anything that I might say?

Bruce, I’m not the vindictive type, especially considering that you came to me before I had to come to you. Well then?

Umm, how do I say this. Oh never mind, you already know what I’m thinking so I’ll just tell you what I think.

Thatta boy. Let it out.

Well, some of your loyal servants, who may be well intentioned, have decided to rewrite the Christian Bible in their own words. The New Testament is nowhere to be found in many churches that claim to be acting in your name. The word “Love” is not spoken and the Gospels seem to have been rewritten into the “Hostiles.” They are all about fear, loathing, intimidation and disinforming your children. You are supposed to be the Father, but they have invented a false god to take your place, one that fits their image of themselves. They call him “Daddy.”

This really pisses me off. Because a persons’ religious beliefs are so deep seated and frought with emotion, they can be easily misled into believing whatever worldview that is preached to them in the name of God. Not you, but the false one. They are taught that anyone that doesn’t follow these beliefs are “the enemy within.”

This false profit “Daddy“ is trying to condition us to hate each other. I’m not afraid to say that this is scary, very scary. You sent us a similar person about 90 years ago and the result was a world war that brought about great death and destruction.

I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but you asked.

We are gullible, short sighted, lacking in curiosity and just plain ignorant. It is very frustrating.

Fortunately, we that don’t follow the false god have finally awakened. It might be too late to prevent the country and the world from slipping into another global mess like the one we dealt with in the 1930’s and ’40’s, but we are working hard to overcome a movement that has had a several decade head start.

I think that it’s the big oil people that are behind the false god. The Saudis, the Russians and the Texans. I know that I don’t need to ask you forgiveness in making this accusation, but I’m doing it anyway. After all, you are so big and I am so small.

Why else is climate change denial a major part of the new religion?

Why were so many people allowed to needlessly die from a virus that could have been mitigated by medical science. Why do some politicians wantonly promote guns and gun violence? Why foment racial hatred and encourage the denial that people are more alike than they are different. Why purposefully lie to people about newcomers to our country and spread disinformation about the strength of our economy. I know I’m drifting a little, but hear me out (even though you already know what I’m going to say). I find it disgusting, pathetic and patently inhumane. I have actively been trying to expose it in this Blog for the past four years.

Things aren’t looking good for those that believe as you do. But, I think that you will have the last say. Does the arc of the universe really bend to the good? I hope so.

The false god also believes that women don’t deserve the same health care that men get. He promotes a view shared by the radical religious right that the unborn fetus has more value than the the mother carrying it. I won’t try to speak for you, but I don’t think that you support this position.

And then there is the issue of crime. The head Fascist claims that the United States is being overrun by crime brought by immigrants. This is simply not true. This is another example of an authoritarian ruler coming in to save the country from the bad state that it is in. Even if it isn’t really in a bad state. The authoritarian needs something to fix and when there isn’t anything that needs fixing, they try to create problems for themselves to come in and fix. Crime is one of them, immigration is another and the economy is another.

I briefly mentioned climate change and gun violence. This is where the false god is making real problems worse through disinformation and inaction. Not good and very frustrating.

I’m almost done.

There has been legislative inaction, judicial over action and executive misguided action from the false god’s political backers. The global oilagarchs must be very happy with what they see. After-all, the false god serves them at the end of the day.

Ok, I’m done.

I’ll get back to you, but in the meantime, let me just say this. There is good reason for hope.

10/16/202410/17/2024

“It’s the People, Stupid!” or is it “It’s the Stupid People?”

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

Update: McQuade, Barbara, "Attack From Within," 2024. New York Times best seller.

I stand by my “It’s the people, stupid” play on Bill Clinton’s “It’s the economy, stupid” words in reference to why people vote their pocket books in presidential elections.

And I also, mostly, stand by my position to keep it positive as we go through this stressful election season. But after watching Journalist Rachel Maddow’s documentary From Russia with Lev,” I feel the need to modify my position just slightly.

You might remember that Ukrainian Lev Parnas, a self proclaimed hustler, got himself involved with Donald Trump’s effort to extort the then new Ukrainian president, Vlodymyr Zelensky into creating an investigation into Hunter Biden and his father Joe by withholding foreign aid to Ukraine’s military in it’s war with Russia.

For those that still believe that this is just another election between pro business Republicans and big government Democrats I urge you to watch this film and think again.

I cringe a little at referring to people as “stupid.” I prefer ignorant over stupid because ignorance infers that someone is lacking in the information that they need to make an informed decision. It is not a comment about their mental acuity. But I make an exception here to help me make my point.

If you watch “From Russia with Lev” and still believe that this is just another election maybe I can interest you in a piece of coastal Florida real estate.

This is not a pro business/anti Communist Republican Party v. pro labor /Big Government Democrat Party. It is one political party being run by Americans and one political party being run by Russia with freedom on the ballot..

There is nothing free and fair about the upcoming election. This one has been, is and will be influenced heavily by foreign governments, most notably Russia and specifically, Vladimir Putin. Putin’s incursions into the American political process are painfully exposed in Maddow’s documentary.

The role of Fox News, Sinclair Broadcast Group, One America Network, newsmax and undoubtedly others in promoting fear and division in the United States is one of spreading white nationalist propaganda generated by Putin and his minions.

Let’s be crystal clear. A vote for Trump and the Republican Party at this point is a vote for Putin. Putin will basically be running the White House from Moscow.

Remember the movie “Red Dawn” that first came out in 1984? The Competitive Enterprise Institute ( I love the way the Right Wing names it’s front organizations) has an interesting take on the movie. It might have some new interpretations 40 years later.

Keep paying attention, remain vigilant and active and most importantly vote, support the vote, encourage your family and friends to vote and address misinformation and disinformation when you see it in regards to the vote. Click on the underlined links for more information.

10/11/202410/17/2024

Running Against God Aint’ Easy

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

Keep it Positive

I’m trying to deliver uplifting messages during this stressful Election 2024 season. I have some things that I’d like to say, but I think it’s better to do a little personal deep breathing before sharing any of my thoughts that are anything but uplifting. With that in mind, I’ll allow you to ponder the title of this post. Enough said on the subject.

In the meantime, stay busy and keep doing what you’ve been doing to create the world that you would like your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and beyond to live in. It’ll help to keep your spirits up and lift up hopeful thoughts.

Another "It's the People, Stupid" Moment

My wife’s reunion group from their Freshman dorm days at Whittier College and their tag-a-long spouses got together for what has been pretty much an annual event since they graduated. This past week, 14 of us gathered in Templeton, California for a few days of catching up, relaxing, swimming eating, playing golf and just having an all around good time.

This event was another reminder of how valuable our relationships are for all of us. They are life changing and potentially world changing in scope. A very cool moment for the Whittier grads was a chance meeting with the local Bureau of Land Management head person at the Piedras Blancas Light house on California’s central coast.

Some light conversation yielded the fact that his mother had graduated a couple of years before they did. So Ryan got out his phone and called his Mom. A delightful speakerphone conversation ensued and it was an “all is right with the world” moment.

Here’s to your next Casablanca moment.

10/01/202410/01/2024

It’s the People Stupid

"Of All The Gin Joints In All The Towns In All The World, She Walks Into Mine."

"Here's lookin' at you kid."

Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca"

I went home to Visalia, California this past weekend for a Reunion party with some of my classmates from the Mt. Whitney High School class of 1974. Of course, I will have something to say about it. And, I have been on hiatus from blogging for the past couple of months.

By the time you get to be 68 years old, you’ve had a few experiences and a significant amount of learnings. Births and deaths, marriages and divorces, illness and health, sadness and happiness, lousy golf games and less lousy golf games.

I had a revelation on Saturday night, September 28. 2024 at the Whitney Wild Oak Ranch in Exeter, California. Some of you, maybe most of you, figured this out long ago. Its not about the things that we’ve done, the places that we’ve gone or the events we have experienced. It’s not what we believe or don’t believe or how we vote

No, its none of those things.

It’s us.

I talked with George, Karen, Debbie and Debbie, Michelle, Cliff, Chuck, Warren, Tony, Gordon, Steve, Jim, Sue, Mary, Dave, Dwayne, Charlie, Art, Don, and others that will come to me as I revise this. I talked to people that I hung out with and knew really well and I talked to people that I barely ever knew. What really matters?

It’s the acquaintances and friendships that we’ve had, rekindled and maintained over the past 50 years (and counting). It’s keeping in touch with each other and strengthening the bonds that we were born into.

As kids, we really didn’t get to choose anything. Who we were born to, what schools we went to or what kind of an upbringing we had were decisions that were made by someone else and not in our control. Eventually, we grew into, let’s just say, adulthood, and we got to make decisions for ourselves about what the rest of our lives would look like.

I’ve never been good about keeping in touch with you all. I’ve at times been aloof, busy or just plain clueless about what ya’ll have been doing, living, experiencing, suffering through, celebrating through.

Well, I get it now. I no doubt missed out on some wonderful opportunities in life because I was too much into myself. I can’t get those opportunities back. But, I can learn from what I missed out on in the past. On September 28, 2024, I woke up to opportunities lost and relationships that could potentially prosper and grow with our reconnection on this evening.

In short, thanks to the people who have understood this simple truth for a long time that it is about the people in our lives. Special thanks to the Class of ’74 Reunion committee who made it possible for us to get together again and provide me with an opportunity to learn the most basic and fundamental lesson of all.

It’s the people, stupid! It’s the people.

Thanks to Michelle, Tony, Dwayne, Chuck, Charlie and forgive me if I have already forgotten the names of anyone else that served on the Reunion Committee. You folks on the committee, don’t hesitate to tell me who I missed. You guys are awesome. Thanks for the memories and thanks for giving me yet another chance to wake up and smell the roses.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mt.+Whitney+High+School+fight+song

08/16/202408/16/2024

The Olympic Games

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

In the spirit of how to debunk misinformation and disinformation, I encourage you to examine The Financial Services Forum, The American Accountability Foundation, The Epoch Times, Fox News, and One America Network(OAN), among others, using the media literacy skills taught by the News Literacy Project from #1 above under "How to Debunk."  Click on the News Literacy Project link to start your work.

I was unplugged on a backpacking trip during the first week of the Olympics. But, I made up for lost time over the last full week of the event.

It was a welcome blast of positivity and reality. In an imperfect world, our imperfections will always be on display. The American Republican Party, Right Wing, Fascist, Authoritarian , elitist billionaire movement going on right now has been working overtime to magnify those imperfections and convince people that they live in a hell hole instead of on a big, beautiful planet with big, beautiful people.

Seeing athletes compete at extraordinarily high levels and to hear the stories of how they got to this place was inspiring, refreshing and honest. I filled myself with these competitions and stories to build up a reserve of positivity to withstand the steady stream of America-bashing, fear-mongering and divisive rhetoric that we will no doubt continue to be exposed to through the coming elections.

It was the competitors that made me feel better, but it was also the outside-the-box creativity on display in every aspect of the televised Olympic coverage. The ceremonies, the events, the happiness and sadness, the successes and the failures were presented through a lens that saw the lives of these athletes for what it was. It was always imperfect and those imperfections were treated in such a way that the compassion, the love and the pure humanity showed brightly through the screen.

When all was said and done, the pomp and circumstance completed, the medals awarded and the athletes heading home, I am left with an intense sensation of hope that humanity will be ok. Those forces trying to create a world tht doesn’t exist for their own selfish desires and beliefs are the ones who should be afraid. Selfish and greedy powers will NOT get their way and regular, average good old humanity will rule the day.