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David Mitchell

John Jackson has always strived to help me come out of my humble shell.

Let the record show that, among others, he and I exchanged Valentines in first grade.

Later, in 4th grade, I believe he took pity on me and delibertely "swayed" the voters in my favor to win the "election" to the Vice Presidency of our (4-man) stamp club.

In 5th grade, he sat next to me through an entire double header in old Cleveland (Indians) Municiple Stadium and never once told me to shut up.

In all the times we served Mass together at OLP he didn't shame me for fainting on the alter in the middle of the service - not once. (and beleive me, that happened a lot!)

Without his example of courage, and his constant encouragement, I cannot imagine how I could have ever become such an egg-citing person.

I shall be forever in his debt.

If I live that long.

Michael McLeod

Happy Birthday to Bruce Springsteen!

He's 70 today.

Just a notch below the Beatles on my list of formative musical influences.

Encountered him much later in life, of course, but i'd put him on a par with them in terms of the quality and depth and range of his music.

I'm assuming more people here would agree with me about the Beatles.

I listen to them still, anf quite a lot, and it's just remarkable how they covered the bases from whimsicle and romantic to profound and complex.

Mark Schweickart

Mike – I concur whole-heartedly with your opinion of Springsteen, although I must admit I was not very taken with the album he released a couple of months ago called Western Stars. Not that it was bad, but rather that there wasn't anything on it that really spoke to me this time around, or had melodies that stuck with me.

And speaking of whimsical Beatles' songs, how about Rocky Raccoon? This is one of those ear-worm songs that I can quote portions of without having to google it, even though I never made a conscious effort to remember it. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think it starts out with: "Rocky Raccoon, burst into his room, only to find Gideon's Bible. Rocky had come, equipped with a gun, to shoot off the legs of his rival. His rival it seems, had broken his dreams, by stealing the girl of his fancy. Her name was McGill, and she called herself 'Lill', but everyone knew her as 'Nancy'."

Similarly, for some reason, I can still quote a lot of the songs from the myriad Westerns of our childhood, like Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, The Rebel Johnny Yuma, Have Gun Will Travel, and of course my all-time favorite, Maverick – "Who is the tall dark stanger there? 'Maverick'  is his name. Riding the trails to who knows where, luck is his companion, gambling is his game. Riverboat ring your bell. Fare-the-well Annabelle, luck is the lady that he loves the best. From Natchez to New Orleans, living on jacks and queens, Maverick is the legend of the West."

I am not going to peek. Someone check google to see if I got that right. And then please send me an antidote for this because these nonsensical lyrics are taking up valuable real estate in my brain that needs the room for remembering what I did yesterday.

Frank Ganley

First, thank you Jodelle for the kind words and thoughts, once again you have proved the intolerance of another person's thoughts or for just not agreeing with you!  Yes, he is my President but I am also so very glad he is your President also, and will continue to be for at least 4 more years! I know this gladden your heart as our economy will keep growing, your pension will continue to grow and we will have world peace.

Mary Ann, I'll bet that a majority of our classmates don't join in because they are afraid of being ridiculed and fear being banned by Jodelle et al who only believes that they are right and have hatred in their hearts! You may say that's ridiculous but it may be the heart of the matter and they will remain in the shadows as the jews did by hiding from the nazis so as not to be shunned by those that disagree with them. I really could care less if Jodelle thinks I am a POS as she doesn't even know me, knows what's in my heart and so but only hates because I support Trump. I detested Obama not for his skin color as has been pointed out by some, ridiculous, I hated the road he was taking us down and his political views. I voted against him for those reasons. I nor any republican, conservative etc.ever called for the assassination of him or anyone in the democratic party, as many democrats of congress and the populist have called for President Trump's demise. 

Once again I ask, so far no one has replied to why the would vote for a democratic candidate!  No saying anything about trump as we already know you hate him! What does the democratic have to offer that you believe will ensure our great nation stays free, our people still working, and more progress in KEEPING AMERICA GREAT! so far no answers other than the President and I ARE pos'S. Which in my mind says you haqve nothing. Mrs Warren and Bernie want to ruin the banking industry, they want to raise taxes, Free everything including illegal aliens and prisoners and move them all to the front of the line for benefits, even before our homeless and our veterans. If I am wrong I welcome a discussion on your topics. Remember the President and i are already known as POS;s so leave that out of the discussion. What will the democrats do better to improve America.

David Mitchell

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

Frank if you think the majority of our class mates are Trumpsters than maybe you should reach out and invite them to join you in your rants. Most of my good friends from Watterson are not Trumpsters. I have nothing in common with you and others that support this moron.

By the way Jodelle is a fine person .

Michael Boulware

Jodelle is a fine person and my favorite cousin. I never intended to respond to this forum again; I feel Frank deserves an answer why Democrats are Democrats. We favor fair wages for workers. We protect workers' rights. We want workers to share in the immense corporate profits. We want affordable housing. We want Social Security protected. We want our retirement protected. We want the postal service revitalized. We want our infrastructure rebuilt. We want clean energy to reduce Global Warming. We want a proper emphasis on public education- the backbone of a free society. We want an end to racism. We want to close the racial and sexual gap wealth. We want to fix our broken immigration system without killing children and splitting families. We want women right guaranteed. We want an end to poverty. We want to increase the size of the middle class. We want to secure universal health vcare. We want an end to gun violence. We want The United States to lead a world peace movement. 

Trump only believes in Trump. He might be the president, but he is not my president. I hope and pray we wise up and elect a patriot.

David Barbour

Thank you, Mike, well spoken.

DB

Francene Maple (Kriegel)

Well said Mike

Thank you

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

Looks like Frank wants support from Trumpsters amongst our group. Please speak up to verify thiis.

Mary Clare Hummer (Bauer)

Thank you to Mike (don't abandon us!), Mary Ann, Jodelle, John, Francene (where are the Iceland pics??), David, and 

to Frank:  The very fact that you not only remember but currently seemingly proudly stand by such a derogatory comment that you posted on Facebook about the former First Lady points out the incredible gulf that exists between you and me in what we expect of and hope for our country.  And then in the very post where you complain that your "thoughts, answers, or musings are always met with sarcasm and ridicule", you first chastise "those who support the RIDICULOUS ideas of . . ." a litany of ideas which you associate with liberal thinking.  I couldn't help but notice the irony. I decided the reference to the Jews hiding from the nazis was just a clumsy analogy, not meant to make me explode.

I hope you were sincere in asking what I believe. I believe that human decency and respect belong in our government and should be especially demanded at the highest level of that government. (Perhaps that's where that "trickle down" idea could work.) No lies, no name-calling, no demeaning comments. I believe our economy is strong for me and mine--not so much for the guy at Speedway or the nurse's aide at the rehab center. I believe the safety nets despised by some as "entitlements" are our responsibility to the less fortunate. I believe in paying taxes and in paying my bills NOW--not leaving them for my kids to deal with after I'm gone. I believe in climate change and clean energy policies. I believe in labor unions and reasonable corporate profits. I believe the very rich can pay more taxes. I believe we can regulate both gun and immigrants. I believe in compromise. I believe that by citing the most extreme wish lists of progressive ideas as the democratic plan, real chances to improve our society for all our citizens are lost.  I believe the democracy of our youth is a democracy at risk. 
Clare

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mike B.,

It seems to me that most, maybe not all, of the "wants" you mention are also shared by conservatives. Where we may differ is how to attain them. That is what I believe will be at the core of the 2020  election. Will we take more of a capitalistic or a socialistic approach to these issues?

Clare,

You cited your beliefs and I respect that. We all have our certain beliefs and it is obvious that some of them will be in conflict with those of others. That is fine.

I ​​​​​am pleased that others are once again speaking out on the Forum. Since you are here, I would redirect you to my post #6148 as to whom you honestly think will be our President two years from now. 

Jim 

​

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Mike B, the list you provided is an excellent one and speaks to the hearts of all of us regardless of which side of the political spectrum we fall on.  It is sad for me to see such personal vitriol on this forum.  As Jim stated it is policies that divide us.  And perhaps, even more than policies it is our specific views of governance that most clearly divides us today.  

For example, our federal government, was once limited to certain core functions, It now dominates virtually every area of American life. There are two distinct perspectives on the duty of government that are at play - one that believes in a restricted government whose duty it is to secure a few natural rights and to exercise limited powers to protect its citizens. The other perspective holds that government should be constantly changing and growing with an expanding bureaucracy and centralized control.   

As I have previously mentioned to another forum reader, my personal opinion is that this nation is stuck with Trump (just as many felt they were stuck with Obama). I pray daily that he can resist his most objecionable character flaws in order to preserve our liberty and safety, if nothing else.  It is also my personal belief that the biggest threat to our nation and to the world is our culture's struggle between secular humanism, and natural law and the moral order. It is my personal opinion that America will only survive as a free nation, "with liberty and justice for all", if we decide that the natural moral law upon which our Constitution was established is the correct path to take going forward.   

Mary Clare Hummer (Bauer)

Good morning, Jim. Sorry. Conservatives don't share "most" of Mike's wants. You don't get to support a standard bearer who does everything in his power to limit or deny those very things and say our difference lies only in how we achieve it. Own it. He's all yours. I personally find it difficult to hold my nose and pull the lever at the same time. 
Clare

John Jackson

I’m trying to think of something to add  to Mike’s and Mary Clare’s list of what we liberals (yes, I’m absolutely fine with that label) want, and I’m coming up short.

For most of our adult lives Bill Bennett and conservatives in general have been lecturing us that “character matters” –  for example, that all the problems of our troubled cities would magically be solved if our minorities (especially black males) would just buck up and start doing the right thing.  But now that we have a president who lies constantly, engages in the worst type of racial and ethnic baiting, and has routinely defied norms of good governance that ALL of his predecessors (Republican and Democrat) have observed, the other side is conspicuously silent on the issue of character.

I for one am losing patience with those who say they’re willing to excuse Trump’s “unconventional tactics” to get what they think is the larger good – things like ultra-conservative judges, tax cuts (whose benefits go overwhelmingly to the well-off), defending our crazy gun culture, denying what is an undeniable (for at least the past 20 years) climate crisis, or keeping White America firmly in control.   Excusing Trump’s tactics is like saying pedophile priests are OK as long as they otherwise do a good job with their pastoral duties.

Frank Ganley

fIRST TO mARY clare, I did make disparaging remarks about our former firsst lady but unfortunately I did not put the reason for my remark. It was in response to her statement that she hated America and all that is given to white people. Here is woman who was given everything in forms of education that few of us will ever be able to enjoy and further remarks of her's nthat emphasised the same. How unfortunate that not only thinks this was but has stated it in some of her appearances on tv or speeches she has made. 

To those who think i DON'T LIKE Jodelle IS SIMPLY WRONG. WE USED TO BE FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK TILL SHE LEARNED OR READ THAT I SUPPORT Donald Trump for President. If you take the time to review the posts I have never said < I believe, I have never said anything against or about Jodelle but the attacks on me are quite evident. I hope when our country is back in order and all these witch hunts about what tRUMP DID OR DIDN'T DO, and the economy continues to benefit all Americans she will see neither of us, Donald or me, are POS;s . 

To Bull, Mike not one thing on your list is not something that only dems are seeking. these are the goals of all Americans. But what did Obama do for the infrastructure, immigration, the economy, race relations or rebuilding our largest and beautiful inner cities when he had full control of the house and senate. Trump has tried to start a bill but rebuffed by Nancy and Chuck. Anything Trump wants he ain't going to get according to them. Immigration the same, they all , Clinton, Bush and Obama all wanted a wall and strict immigration laws, what happened? All on your list is great, better schools, social security, and as far as Trump goes in women's equality, 40% of his top management are women. Women today enjoy the lowest unemployment in the history of the country, record all-time lows in unemployment for Hispanics, Blacks and the lowest in over 50 years for the entire populations. The question that remains on your list is, how are you going to pay for all of these things. Trump has stated how he is going to do but the dems who all want free this free that education, a monthly stipend, repayment to all blacks for wrongs against them but have no plans as to pay for any of these things. What happened to the Native Americans? Do they not deserve something for all the problems the white man caused, almost genocide, stealing their land and putting them on reservations.. Most to the wrongs towards the native Americans was created by Andrew Jackson under the Indian Removal Act OF 1832. By the way, Jackson was the creator of the democratic party. The party that caused the Civil War and the creators of the KKK.  

Mary Ann states encourage all the trump supporters to join in the forum. Why would some take the chance? Why risk the wrath of the liberal side of our class. The emminant Dr. hamilton has incurred some wrath for some of his statements concerning his views. As Mary Clare correctly pointed out the nazi and jew reference was the only thing that came to mind and it was a weak analogy. Perhaps a better would be a person such as one of our classmates who feared the repercussions if he announces his homosexuality. 

I appreciate Mike and Mary Clare for commenting on their views of why they support the dems wish there was more of it on both sides so we can all begin to realize we all want the same things out of our lives and for the Country just in a different way. Mary Ann so sorry that my views offend you but I know we have more in common together etc, especially when we visited beautiful Beauford and had a great time together, opps that was before the elections. The same goes for Jodelle though I did not visit her in Beauford. 

I voted for Trump as a way to make America great! I did not vote for him because he's divorced, or any of the other names he has been called but because he is a great businessman and negotiator which we need in these difficult times. As all of us at one time were or still are Catholic did you hate a  Baptist because they don't drink, dance or play cards like you, NO! How about a jew, he doesn't even believe in Jesus, NO we all want to go to Heaven they just have a different way to pray for it.

To all my classmates I wish you all peace, success and happiness.

FRANK

Michael McLeod

Just a reminder to all that separation of church and state is at the core of our democracy.

Daniel Cody

I applaud Mike, Mary Ann,Clare, and John. There are far too many outrageous actions by Trump to list in this forum.  His latest attempt to extort a Ukrainian president for his political gain may prove to be a bridge too far for even the most loyal Trump syncophants.

I rise in support of Jodelle who was and is one of the most intelligent women I know. that was evident from our days at St Mikes.  Why i dont support calling people names, referring to Michelle Obama as an ape is nothing more than a racist insult.  Mocking disabled people is unexcusable. Mocking a courageous teenager who speaks the truth to world leaders of the need to end the delay of taking action to stop the advance of climate change is an inexcusable cheap shot. Btw Nazis were never good people.  

David Mitchell

INTERMISSION:

The lobby is still open, but I think they are running low on Whoppers and Milk Duds. 

Jeanine Eilers (Decker)

Danny, good to see you on this forum.  I applaud your words.

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Just as a point of clarification.....the establishment clause prohibits all levels of government from either advancing or prohibiting religion.  The establishment clause separates church from state, but not religion from politics or public life.  As American citizens we are free to bring our religious convictrions into the public arena.  

I am concerned that the forum is devolving into a subtle formation of camps...good vs bad....right vs wrong.  Political policies and moral principles can be stated and debated on their own merits and we should feel free to share our thoughts and opinions without fear of being personally called out and judged for holding a certain viewpoint regardless of how one has voted in the past or plans to vote in the future.   

The election of 2016 presented the American public with two very flawed personalities.  If we are to look at only the character aspect of Donald Trump (and I have stated over and over to many, his character flaws were a major reason I did not vote for him), I would just ask why high moral character standards would not apply to his opponent as well?  Did Clinton never lie or cheat in the course of her very public life?  Does she always and everywhere champion the rights of the voiceless and vulnerable?  Has she always acted ethically in her responsibilities as a public servant?  Did Obama not denigrate conservatives by boasting to them that "he won" so they should just "get in the back of the bus"?  Did he not lie to the American people when he told them that they could keep their insurance, keep their doctors and that their premiums would decrease by $2500/year?  Did Obama not lie, not only to the nation and the entire world, but to the families of the four dead Americans who stood at the foot of the caskets, about the Benghai attacks being the result of a little known internet video when his Secretary of State knew the night of the attacks that it was a terrorist attack?  

Do I want a moral leader as President?  You bet I do, but I was not given the opportunity to vote for one.  Maybe people have placed too much hope in man alone to provide the solutions to our many problems.  I rather like this quote attributed to George Washington:

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."

David Mitchell

D'ya suppose that a lot of this is about our inability (or refusal) to walk in the ohter person's shoes? 

(or my own inabiity to spell?)

Michael McLeod

Really happy to see free expression, a surge of participation, and most importantly a tone of mutual respectfulness: nobody's pulling any punches, and nobody's punching below the belt. If we can just stick to that, no matter what.....

Lawrence Foster

I interrupt the conversation with this pause that may, or may not, refresh you.  (Sadly Coca-Cola does not pay me to insert their slogans.)

Here are three photos I took a few years back when visitng the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC and then after that are two pencil sketches I made from them.  

And Happy Birthday Mike!!!!!