Why I became a Republican

  Why I became a Republican and abandoned my Democrat parents' beliefs,

 I must first tell you where I came from and how I got to where I am now. But stick with me an it will all develop to where life has led me

The beginnings

I was born in the worst February snowstorm of the winter. The doctor could not or would not leave home to help my parents. Dad got in the old car and drove Mom to the hospital. On Main Street in the small town they lived in was the hospital, which required a left-hand turn across 2 lanes of traffic. My mother told me that the snow was blowing so hard that traffic was visible only a very short distance away. My dad turned his car and made it halfway across those two lanes. An oncoming U.S. mail truck hit my mother's side, the rider's side of an American car. It lifted the car and turned it on its side, pinning the driver's side under it. It threw my mom onto the dashboard, under the steering wheel.

Dad somehow managed to get free and climb out of the rider's side door. The Mail Truck driver was very angry and was going to fight with my dad till he found out my mom was about to give birth to me. He helped dad get her out of the car and carried mom into the hospital through the blizzard.

The RN on duty was Mrs. Lincoln. My dad worked with her husband, and years later, I saw their son become a high school basketball player at our high school. Was a good kid, though I was not on teams, so our activities were rarely together.

First Encounter

I got good marks and finished all but 3 mandatory subjects in my first 3years of high school. My guidance counselorwas interested in getting me into a computer keypunch school for children who showed promise.

I started the following Year in my senior year of high school. My dad drove me 60 miles round-trip to school 5 days a week. It was 1971, and the Black folks were protesting with Vietnam demonstrators in the city streets. beating on cars, attacking folks, and occasionally setting fires and getting into fights with passersby.All in peaceful protests and pretty much the same as today, but there wasnt Ice Offiers to badger and taunt. I would be willing to bet those in the street today are the progeny of those in the streets from 1971, or the 1960s in general. (Grand)Children learn what they live.

On my first day of class, 4 young men, not much older, raised their clenched fists and yelled, "Black power." The classroom was made up of Black and Hispanic students from all over the world. I was the only White in the class. These guys demanded my removal from the school, or they would leave. The teacher asked them why. They said bluntly that the white boy wasn't allowed in a class for blacks.

 The teacher told him  

She quietly told them our ages were the same and that my school and parents had paid for me to be there. His classes were government-funded, and his actions could get him tossed. The leader, who seemed to be the boss, yelled that he wasn't going to be in the same Black Panthers room with a F..ing white boy. She told him that os definitely one on you, you're speaking and acting like a child. He cussed her out and took his 4 followers out. I went on to teach and assist the Trinidad lady who was working hard to pass her courses. Her name was Berl

She watched as my marks were much higher than those of the others in the class. Better schools and better education. But my parents, who both held 1-3 jobs to support a family of 7, consistently, as well as the older kids and my Republican Grandpa, were helping out.

Berl walked over and began talking to me. She asked me if I would help her with a class assignment. No one had spoken to me in many days. She told me she was married and had 2 children back home on the Island. She said, "If you help us pass."Help me pass, and I will help you with the unfriendly atmosphere you're getting. Deal? I was glad to help and told her I only needed to be asked. The class went smoothly, and I got to know most of those who were not still closed-minded. Berl and I graduated at the top of our class. She was smart and caught on fast. I have not seen her in 50 years, but I think she did well when she went home. I pray she did. The black-beanie group missed their education and probably ended up in prison.

Balancing it all

What they didn't know was that the RN, Mrs. Lincoln, was the first face I ever saw. She brought me into this world and was the first face I ever saw. The first hands that held me up made me breathe and fight to live. She was a newborn's first glimpse of humanity. Ms. Lincoln was Black. I thank God that she didn't feel that sickness within her heart when my life was in her hands.

A bit more to inform

I lived in a predominantly Caucasian community growing up. I heard very unkind comments growing up.  thought as I do for the moment that we all bleed red blood regardless of my exterior. So you can imagine the culture shock of a kid my age calling me "boy." Something, not in my mind, about either of us. I had just gotten my invitation to train to kill people I never knew and would never meet. I had just recieved My Draft Card and wondered if his hatred would cost other Americans their lives in combat!

I passed my courses and graduated. Berl hugged me, saying thank you for helping me get home. That hug was no different from any other friend I had known. She was a very nice Lady. Hope she is home and took over the company she worked for.

Time passes

Years go by, and I take some time off from my CDL driving job to work in a canning factory for the summer. I needed a break between leasing my rigs and buying my rig. I worked next to a young man who I thought was my friend. We were as aware as I was concerned. His dream was to become a Baptist minister. But he didn't have a driver's license. For weeks, James grieved that he truly wished he knew someone who could teach him to drive so he could get his lessons and maybe go to further schooling.

I had spare time and volunteered to teach him if he thought he could drive my Lincoln Continental. He did just fine. Took a weekend and got his license in someone else's car at work while I was busy that day. James showed up on Monday, driving an old VW-style van. 

He told me that day he was preaching for his church and was nervous. I said, James, I can come and support you. You can't do that, he said. I was taken aback and said, " Why can't I sit way back in the pews if I make you nervous.

He finally said, "You're not allowed in my church..."It's a Baptist church, and you can't be there. It's a black Baptist church, and you're not allowed. Sorry, but they would kick me out of the church. I told him that a while back, I taught Sunday school. I had been taught God made all his children, and he should make his sermon on that. 

More influential experiences

More years go by, back on the road again, got my own company and my own tractor-trailer rig. hauling in Arizona, it's 2A.M. I'm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  start up from the off-ramp, stop at the light,e and a piston goes through my engine's top side. I grab a U-Haul and return to Texas, where my rig was bought. The engine was defective, and I was reimbursed for the cost it me nothing.

I got back to Texarcana to grab another tractor. met up with Cleatus, who happened to be there too. Cleatus drove the pickup to return the U-Haul with me. The counter guy took my key, printed out the receipt, and said, "Your boy clean out the back of the U-Haul?" I said MY BOY? Cleatus just looked at me and said nothing. I looked at the counter guy and said This man is my friend, not my boy. He said, "Sorry, where are you from? I said New York," and I was brought up better than that. It was very quiet. I said I was sorry it happened as we rode back in the pickup. Cleatus just said. It happens!

We went to dinner in his cab just up the road. Same as any of the guys always did when we ran into each other from time to time. had a good dinner and went to the mall to shop. We got the company to pick up this time. Nowhere to park a tractor. walked through the mall and grabbed the supplies I needed. Cleatus did the same. 

A group of guys walked through. They were black like Cleatus. He walked over, and they appeared to be arguing with him and staring at me, 6 guys walked back and handed me the keys to the truck. The guys are going clubbing, you can't go. I told him dont worry, I don't hang out in clubs. Well, you can't because it's for black folks only. I grinned as the U-Haul counter man's last remark went by my ears as I walked out the door. Hope you don't find out you're wrong in your thinking.

Cleatus never spoke to me again, only giving one-word replies.

Flash to the present times, more hatred

Flash forward to the present. I'm at a bus stop, getting off to walk home. A tall man with his hands full of several bags fumbles his bags of groceries, and numerous packaged items fall to the ground. I bend, grab a cottage cheese container, and go out to put it back in his bag.

He snatches it out of my hand and says angrily, repeating, " Don't you ever touch my food, numerous times. I said, Sorry, your hands were full, and I just thought I could help you. dont you touch my food with your hands. Dont you ever touch? I wondered if he was a germaphobe til he climbed back on the bus, where his other black friends were cheering him on about a white guy touching his food. NOT helping him, touching his package. You know, like the dozen people who had done it before he got it. But the laughter and comments when he stepped inside made me realize the error of my heart and thoughts.

There have been many times in between these that I have forgiven actions due to the hatred and ignorance of individuals. But it's something much deeper than that. People like me can no longer turn a blind eye to this one-sided situation. A good heart and open mind can only stand for so long before we are forced to see the forest for the trees.

Rejected Influences

I saw the KKK rally in Texas years ago and met someone who was an active member. He told me he forgave me for my Yankee Religion and felt sorry for me on the day I learned the error of my thinking.

Why I chose another way 

As an Ordained minister, I have always believed those Christians who were able to fight and kill the lions in the Roman arena but nelt and allowed themselves to be torn apart while the stadium cheered, were fools. The Bible states, "God helps him who helps himself." God give me strength. I need to find something between the mental midgets and blind idiots. The Republican Party May just be the Sword to put down the lions/ideas that have endangered our country's general welfare. I base my voting on the betterment of my Country. Not on Propaganda from talking heads. Most of those talking heads in office are driven and directed by those in the shadows who influence and control for their own benefit. No one we will ever know. Probably not even the politicians will ever know. IE, It is said that Epstein was a power broker who used blackmail and money to persuade and influence the powerful by the seven deadly sins. He had served his use.

Personal observations

These last few years have been a true measure of single, White self employed and independent men's strength. We seem to have become the kicking dogs for all the deadbeat dads and single mothers of those who had 12 fatherless kids left to become the same. Even the Democratic Party beat on us. We seem to be a convenient target for the blame of the world. Housing, Last to be housed, Benefits Last in line, Banks and business loans, startup, etc., Not stable, If you're not married with kids. Social insecurity is a great example of working all your life for a saved-up retirement, and the government has pitled t awayYou got an LLC up and running, but no excess Baggage to verify your social stability

So, you're a racist.

Labeled as racist by experts

Back before I got back on my feet. The Biden Years, I actually had black folks who didn't even know me push me out of a line, and tell me they were prioritized. I didn't consider it a priority at the time, so I stepped back. 

The wakening, Labeled racists by practicing experts

As time passed and this former democrats eyes began to open, and my Grand Fthers words echoed in my ears about respect being a two-way street. The ugliness that was growing in my direction from media talking heads, I realized the world was not going to change for anything but the worst or ordinary folks with no reason to be victimized.

The Final straw that broke the camel's back

The final event that changed my mind was one day at a Mental Illness convention, investigating social and mental illness. Prevention, treatment, and recovery. My education was in social law and a psychology major; I attended to keep up on the newest ideas. I was on break and headed for a men's room with coffee in hand. I looked up to check which door was the MEN'S. A short, extremely overweight creature with closely cropped, with Multi-colored hair, piercings, and tattoos all over the visible body.Yelled at me coming from the direction of the women's room. It said, I can go in there, and you can't stop me. I just looked at the individual, remembered it was a convention for those educated in this and those afflicted. I was later talked to by a convention person who said I had an encounter with that person. I had never spoken a word. For every encounter like the above, others are forgettable, even forgivable. But the many more that I have encountered or observed are memorable because they represent where our future philosophy that directs our country. It directs our hearts and thoughts. I got tired of decades of being a political and social punching bag for those who fell into line with the herd. Not a victim, just a profile who was an easy target for having a live and let live philosophy. not those who were the screwups in school, those who went on to blame everyone else for their self-inflicted problems.

But for those who still believe God made us in his own image. God has no specific color, because they are all his. God bless and keep you till next time, folks. Keep love in your heart even when no one else does. Please remember that your actions reflect who and what your future will be. Karma is a cruel nd unfeeling Angel that returns to you 10 times your actions.

Till next time, Comments are welcome. I do read them all, just as you to be kind

RJ Pickering

Are We Confused By Whats Happening With China,Vietnam ,The USA and Japan Yet?Circles inside of other Circles.

English: "Freedom for Tibet" echoed along the roads of Paris today. "Go back China", as Tibetans, French and countless other nationalities protested against Chinese hegemony over Tibet, the silence of Paris, the cultural massacre wrought on the peaceful Tibetans. Free Tibet. Boycott Olympics in China. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

China's FIRST McDonald's (Photo credit: flickr.Marcus)

Ikata Nuclear Power Plant (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The status of nuclear power globally (click image for legend) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Our Ambassador Kerry has given Millions to the threatened countries around China.

Lets take this apart as I see the situation,We were fighting the Vietnamese 40plus years ago.The Chinese and Russians were assisting the killing of our young men and women who were sent there to supposedly free those poor people from china's influence and tyranny.China a few years ago retook possession of Taiwan or Free China.They promised to let them remain as they were as free people.
only a few years before this,China had invaded the peaceful and serene country of Tibet.They forced The Dali Lamar from his home.America did little to assist.

The Chinese Export tremendous amounts of goods to the USA and do not import as much to their country.China has the nasty habit of sorta borrowing the Patented goods from the rest of the world and tweaking it so the patents are not enforcable.

China has a infrastructure that is collapsing onto itself through over expansion of their own funds.
They now threaten the entire Pacific and the rest of the world by their aggression and threats.
China has put the first Chinese rocket into space going to the moon and back.They also have possesion of nuclear power.

Ok now lets backup to the past 50years on that part of the world.The peoples of that hemisphere seem to go through cycles of fighting each other.Like other parts of the world they drag people into conflicts that in a couple decades are as we find them now.Japan invades China.Then Japan attacks the USA.The USA then is involved in the Pacific War.Vietnam is our tenative allies but still has clamps on even free thinking.Try blogging into Southeast Asia mother than Malaysia.Which reads my blogs as other parts of the world do.50,000plus Americans died and the chinese weaponed north trooped into Saigon.After all these years Saigon as it was once called not only changed it's name but also it's dreams of freedom.

Where is this supposed to go?China has massive amounts of land that is not developed,so food and industry isn't the problem.The country has a huge seacoast and entire oceans to fish in.The industry is suffisticated evough to not need other countries Tech.The population is sorta lonely for the massive male population due to little girls being dumped or killed in preference to a male child....And China has millions of cold showers because of this difference...

 One country invades the other after awhile come threats and war is on.Every time the War breaks out China has either had it fingers into the problem or is directly involved as per The Independent country of Tibet finds itself occupied by...YUP! You guess it right.Occupied by Chinese troops.
.
It Still has Chinese Boots on the ground there.Mr. Kerry has the forsight of Washington to support the threatened small countries while they are asking for help.At least for the moment they are friendlies.
In a few years the power will tip barring influence from The still Free  countries.I believe that China has made the mistake of conquerer countries of the past.Empire building has brought down dynasties in China for centuries.Even the Red Guard is not heard of much anymore.Mr.Mao used to have his profile everywhere in that country.It is slowly being conquered by Capitalistic Free Enterprise...

There is a saying and I do not remember the author It goes something like this.Progress is like flowing water.every time it finds an impass,it conforms and finds a way to get by the problem.
The shear force of the flowing water will find a way to pass.Over,Under,Above,Below,Or around.
but it will find a way.
Freedom and Capitalism is unstoppable force.

Korea is a Pacific threat with nuclear power and a mental midget running the north Korean nutbin.
We can only hope That I am right on this theory and history will repeat the downfall of another Empire as it is overcome by the only power that is Immune to mankinds constant bickering and
posturing to distroy each other. Time

In spite of The USA doing their best to keep the balance of power,Time will change it to whatever it is meant to be.Pray that it is freedom for all people.

RJP

What is Freedom When You Think About It?

The recent headlines show thousands of folks in many countries around the world as mobs.Crowds running through the street,screaming and yelling in a multitude of languages.The tone of the protests re varied with a focus on what they call freedom.The crowds vary from the most unruly violence to the subdued and orderly.So...,What is the core of freedom anyway.What is the Idea of having the "right" to do what ever you wish in this life.Let us explore a bit and then leave you to draw your own conclusions.

Freedom is defined as the ability to persue life as you believe your life path travels will make you have a better life.There are many different definitions of the word in various authorities defining our many languages worldwide.

I have asked many people throughout my life as to what they think Freedom means to them.A long and thoughtful pause usually takes place afterwards.The eyes focus inward and roll from side to side.
It is a question much like the child's perplexing question to a half truth from an adult.It is the word "WHY?"..

The people that have the freedom to live within a society based on doctrines of free thinking people will take the longest to answer.The point here is that free people have never known the harsh oppression of leaders,political,religious,etc.The freedom they know has always been a large part of their lives and livelyhood.They really have no Idea as to how miserable live can get in a "controlled society"The perspectives are skewed by what the minor problems they have in life are.Terrible,awful? They have food,and at least chances to improve a dismal existance.The homeless have a future if it is hunted with dilligence.A struggling Black women actually went from a jobless,
single mom to a U.S. congresswomen .Not so remarkable you say..She ran against george Mcgovern in the last century......She won! Look It Up folks.Another country would never allow this even now.

I talked to a man from Pakistan a few hours ago about this.He asked if my blogs reached Pakistan.I told him ,not yet. He told me about his country allowing the disowning of a family member by religious leaders,family and society in general if you didn't follow a strict rule by elders.

The human rights people are working to change things as they can do so,I replied.I have also talked to People from all over the world in regards to the concept of Freedom and what it means to them personally.

The most popular reply is roughly this:
1)Freedom is the right to marry whom you love.
2)The right to educate and become what you believe is "your" path in life.
3)The right to live when and where you would be most comfortable to live out your life in peace.
4)The right to see your children grow up,happy,healthy and become great people in the world.
5)The freedom to travel,eat,drink,earn and have your own responsibilities for bad habits.
6)The right to live a healthy life with medical help when you need it not based on wealth or social status.
7)The right to vote for those that will follow a set of ideas that paraphrase your own ideas..
8)the right to be listened to by those people elected to that office.
9)The right to pursue and chase the dreams of a better future for ones family,regardless of who they are,where they are from or how they see life.as long as they do no harm to others.(Do as thou wilt)
10)Lastly,The right to your own ideas and creativity of thoughts,intellegence,and Ideas.

The above could be added to infinitly by those that have freedom dreams because that is all they dare to have.Oppressors have not found a way to take our dreams from us if they are strong enough.

I once spoke with a man that serve as a tortured POW in Vietnam many years ago as an American soldier.We had dinner and he had several drinks.He suddenly spoke up and said ,"ask me"!
I had no idea what was on his mind as the alcohol was freeing his mind of years of tormented memories.Memories that tear at the fibre of your humanity.Memories that should never be forced into any mind with a soul.Not even an animal!He continued to say this,You can put this in your journals my friend.The days that I was in POW hell ,I learned this...long pause and another drink, Freedom is a concept that is so deep inside each of us that no-one can take it from us."They" can break your will,Break your body,Maybe break your mind in time...
"They" can not break your yearning for freedom and "they" can not steal your soul unless you let them.That is the meaning of freedom.

I believe he would know this better than I who have been raised,educated and wandered this U.S.A.
land of the free for the last 25years.For those seeking freedom,where ever you may be.
Fight on and keep the dream of freedom deep within you.If a man crouched in a tigercage and feed starvation rations,dares to dream of being free,So can you...and I.

Talk to you again soon.I am headed south to The great state of Texas Where many are trying to pass a petition for forming into the Republic Of Texas.It once was 2 centuries orso ago.I hope those folks remember the laws are only as good as the balancing freedoms that go with any constitution.
The U.S. Constitution is still available to recreate for a really great platform to build on.
I highly recommend it if you succeed  :)

Till next time my friends,Keep the dream alive.

RJP

 

vietnam joins? the worlds crackdown on internet speechh

Vietnamese Navy Torpedo Boat (HQ-311) (Photo credit: GlobalCitizen01)

Without freedom of thought there can be no such think as wisdom & no such thing as puclick liberty without freedom of speech, Benjamin Franklin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The small article in the New York Times  caught my eye as I read about Bloggers going to prison for their freedom of speech abilities.They were stating a few problems their government was experiencing.They were little problems when it can to a democratic nation.Most countries would just say," yeah so that is your opinion and everyone has one."Thats a probable democratic reply...This article is about a Southeast Asian country that has not know freedom for many centuries.It has fought for freedom and lost many times.The people like to be monitored and directed.

50,000  Soldiers from many countries died trying to induce freedom to a people that were caught up in a philosophy that they could not understand.The French nation tried to bring freedom to that part of the world.That didn't work at an earlier time in history.Freedom is a thing they would never rise up and take over the rules.They wouldn.t because it would require a basic right they are not allowed.
It is the right to freedom of speech.

These bloggers will serve prison time for simply trying to rally their people to change their governmemts ideas.Those in power see the changes the internet has brought to other world nations.
It scares the Bajeebers out of those leaders.They would lose their cushie,easy and no doubt corrupt government jobs to all those oppressed  peons the control with fear.

I wrote an article to the Russian people urging them to not pass laws that would plunge the world back into a cold war type atmosphere between nations.The Blog was based on their new Conspiracy by offensive speech to the Russian Government  Law.It was polite and precise to request peace without conflict.I see that the 50% of  my readers that were from Russia no longer can read my Blogs..The freedom of speech is a crucial right even for those that abuse that privilegewith abusive language in the media.It is still a right.These people will lose their families,to serve time in some of the worst prisons in the world.Ask any vietnam veteran about their treatment in a POW camp!
Please ask a vet that Wants to remember that experience and get out of the way...It ain't pretty.

I urge Bloggers and Readers to write the Russian Ambassador as well as the Vietnamese Government to  allow freedom to bloom in their countries.The world must become more open to the populations in order to prevent mass chaos like in the North African countries.Oppression is a terrible thing to control the masses.The internet is the most powerful tool in the history of mankind.
We The People,living in the free world can change the world without ever firing a shot in anger.
Our wmd (Weapons of Mass Destruction) is our Minds set into a free the people mode.

Within you lies the power, to seize the hour, and live your dream. Free the people to live as they can!
Get involved with Human rights groups.Get involved with organizations to educated people.
Get up and out of your couch and live for freedom.It is a rewarding per suite.You will feel more alive at the end of the day than you may have felt in any day past.Write,Blog,Phone,go and patricipate in any help ypu can to better the life of another human being.It is usually rewarding to you in ways only time can make known to you.Even a religious organizations charity drive is a help.
anything to help another is  a work of greatness.could you do any of this without the basic right of Freedom Of Speech? Now imagine being arrested for trying to help another person...You just put yourself in those Bloggers Shoes...Freedom can not be allowed to be silenced,,,

Without the world seeking peaceful means of  dwelling together,we are truly doomed in this nuclear destruction age.Get involved,make a difference.It will change your life.

 Take care for now and please keep the dream alive,or lose it forever.

RJP

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