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James Hamilton, M. D.

Joe G.,

Having also had back surgery 13 months ago, I have become very cognizant about protecting my back from  injury by doing things that would make my neurosurgeon very upset. That would include snow shovelling ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ and falling on ice!

Jim

David Mitchell

Sorry John,

It's not lookin' too good right now.

And to think, I was willing to give part of it  (real small part) toward that big beautiful arch in the Capitol.

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Post election reflection from a dear friend of mine.

John Jackson

So “Christ followers feeling discouraged or angry over election results” are OK with protecting pedophiles, non-stop lying, rampant corruption, starting of unnecessary wars, and demonization of anyone who doesn’t look like them? 

Here’s a biblical reference I think is more relevant - Luke 18:9-14:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed these things to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, robbers, criminals, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week, I give away a tenth of everything I gain.’ But the tax collector stood afar off and did not even want to lift his eyes to heaven, but began to beat his chest, saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I say to you, this one went down to his home justified instead of the other, because each one who lifts himself up will be humbled, but he who humbles himself, will be lifted up.

David Mitchell

Mary Margaret,

I too worry about the direction this country is going.

I wory about a leader who is a convicted felon and draft - dodging pedofile.

I worry about a sitting president who would profit billions in his own business activities - especially bitcoin. And who would allow his own son-in-law to accept billions from potential buiness partners in the middle-east. 

I worry about a leader who would build useles memorials to himself.

I worry about cutting off the poor and elderly while allowing the ultra-rich to pay little or no taxes.

And I am especially frightened by a "Leader" who is afraid to stand up to the leader of the free world's enemy - either because he is an outright coward - or because he knows Putin "has something" on him ?????

Slava Ukrianie !

And yes, I worry about the other side too - hoping the recent results don't allow the liberal left to abuse their new-found power.

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Ezekiel 36:26

David Mitchell

Sorry for the extra wide page above. I don't know how tocorrect that.

Joseph Gentilini

Thank you, John J and Dave M for your comments and also the Scriptural passages you quoted.

I could not have said any beter and I believe in what your both said.

Now, as always, it is important to pray for our country as we enter some more challenging times.

Michael Boulware

If Democrats don't get to work right away and undo the errors of the past years I will be extremely disappointed. Dems need to establish goals that they can attain quickly and effectively. I want these five things tended to right away: 1- end the Iranian War 2-negotiate cheaper oil 3- reduce the tariffs 4- apologize to Canada and NATO, we need their alliance 5-aid Ukraine. We aren't recognized as the leaders of the free world anymore. It is going to take some time to regain the trust of our allies. Cheaper oil will come about by ending the Iranian conflict and reduce prices at the pump, on the farms, and in the grocery store. Dems take control in January; GET IT DONE.

James Hamilton, M. D.

Somethings Never Change 

This class has been arguing politics since AuH2O vs. LBJ back in 1963 in Mr. Walker's history class.

Jim

John Jackson

We do it because it's important.

David Mitchell

I thought we did it becasue it was fun.

I never could pass up a good political argument.

I can recall Junior year (I think it was junior?) with a cute new girl - Tess Warrick (McKeon) and I sitting in front row next to each other in Father O'Reilly's history class. Tjhe two of us argued with him all the time! 

I can still see him rolling his eyes at us when our hands shot up with a question.

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Imagine how difficult it was for me when I "visited" a beautifull southern "men's rural camping resort" by the name of Fort Polk (down in Looziana). While there I was only allowed to open my mouth to say

"YES DRILL SERGEANT!  or  NO DRILL SERGEANT"! 

John Maxwell

James Hamilton, M. D.

Time For A Judy Collins Moment 

Both Sides Now.

Jim

John Jackson

Saw Judy perform a couple of years ago at a small venue nearby and her voice was as wonderful as ever - who says we inevitably diminish as we get older?  She's on her farewell tour and I'm hoping to see her one more time.

Michael Boulware

Jocko, I sure agree with you about our attacks on the Venezuelan sailors in open waters. Those murders should have been condemned by the United Nations. We will never know if they were "drug runners" or not because due process was ignored.

Michael McLeod

On veterans day I'd like to whip off a hand salute with congrats and gratitude to any classmates who served.

It would also be interesting to hear from anybody out there about your duty stations.

I was drafted after graduating from osu and was scared to death about serving but it turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was trained as a clerk typist and after basic training at ft knox I was sent to a nato headquarters near Heidelberg, Germany. I learned enough of the language to get by while  over there - my mom's side of the family is german so that made it mean more to me, just touched my heart in a way that is hard to describe. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I married my  longtime girlfriend just before I was sent overseas and she eventually flew to Germany to live with me in a tiny basement apartment rented out to us by the German family who lived above us. I made friends with the French, Swiss, Canadian and German soldiers who also worked at the sprawling Nato office complex, which was set up much like a college campus. Man was I lucky. We conceived a daughter while over there and when I got home the gi bill paid my way towards a masters degree in journalsim and a great career. Grateful!!!! A hand salute to any fellow vets and i'd be interested in anybody else out there who wants to relate their time as a G I. 

Michael McLeod

Jack:

agreed.

David Mitchell

Jack,

I couldn't agree more with your point about the "drug boats". I thought it was outrageous when it happened, and was shocked that there wasn't more public outcry.

But with the elevation of Steven Miller to chief of staff, I fullly expect more of those actions to occur.

Last I heard (last week) there was a plane load of Afghans waiting for deportation to Afghanistan, but it was put on hold by judge. Some of thsoe people served on our side, fougth for us, and even risked their lives for us. If that plane is allowed to take off, many of those passengers are in for certain death by the Taliban - most likely by beheading. 

It is difficult for me to imagine such mindless cruelty, but Miller seems to fit that role.

David Mitchell

Mike M.

As you know I had a slightly different expereince after I took the oath.

You flew East and I flew West.

In my duty station, we had no snow, and the locals did not speak German. Also I don't recall any famous breweries nearby. And women's "Dirndles" were not in fashion.

Right beside our airfield was a small city - Vinh Long - and after living there for 18 months, I realized that the large hunk of white concrete in the far right, beyond the airfiled was the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Anne. Not raelizing what it was, I never went near the place, but it was in my view every single time we took off or landed to the east.

Here is a view of that scene - from the front seat of a Cobra gunship (following another Cobra, barely visible in the middle right of the shot).

What you see (at an angle) is a long grey narrow strip (active landing fixed-wing runway) next to brown active rotary-wing landing and refueiing). In the very center is a long wide blue-grey strip (drainage pond beside the runway, then airfieid accomodations and admin all to the left. The City of Vinh Long beyond everything, and the large white Cathedral of Saint Anne on the distant right center. 

From where you sit, you are turning "final" and will be on the ground in about 30 seconds.

David Mitchell

Once you are all collected on the flight line, you are given a ride on a "duece and a half", and driven off the flight line back to your barracks area. 

Note:  flight line "taxi" far right.

After a short ride around the long fixed wing runway (no direct crossing that flight line - on foot or driven - allowed) you are dropped off at your "hooch" for the end of the day.

David Mitchell

This is Saint Anne's Cathedral of Vinh Long, that distant white block in the landing photo.

The current bishop is:

Peter Huỳnh Văn Hai 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

I have sincerely tried to refrain from commenting on politics over the past couple of months realizing that I will never sway the opinions currently being offered. However, given the apparent lack of voices offering a perspective outside the prevailing Democratic viewpoint, I feel compelled to once again step forward and offer a different point of view. I believe a healthy exchange of ideas requires more than one side of the conversation.

While I can agree that America needs to regain its strength and credibility, I think it’s important to be honest about how we got here.

Many of the problems Mike B called on Democrats to fix, were made worse by the policies of the previous Democratic administration. Weakness toward Iran, restrictions on American energy production, regulatory overreach, an inconsistent foreign policy, and spending that contributed to inflation all had consequences that Americans are still dealing with. On Iran, simply “ending the conflict” isn't enough. Iran has spent decades sponsoring terrorism and threatening American interests and our allies. Any resolution has to address the threat—not simply give Iran concessions in exchange for temporary calm.

And if we want cheaper oil, the answer isn't negotiating with Iran. It is encouraging more reliable American energy production and reducing the regulations and policies that make energy more expensive. Energy costs affect virtually everything we buy.

Tariffs can certainly be debated, and individual tariffs should be evaluated based on whether they actually benefit American workers and consumers. But eliminating them across the board isn't automatically the answer either.

As for Canada, NATO and Ukraine, strong alliances matter—but alliances work both ways. The United States should absolutely be a leader, but leadership doesn't mean America carries the financial and military burden while other nations underinvest in their own defense.

We should continue to restore America's standing in the world by pursuing policies that make America strong, energy-independent, economically competitive, militarily capable and respected by both our allies and our adversaries.

Michael Boulware

One of the most important things I learned from coaching for so many years; when there is a problem, recognize it and fix it. Don't pin the blame on anyone, just fix what is wrong. The current political situation finds problems , then blames the other party. Politicians are not offering solutions. We need to stop blaming each other and recognize what is wrong and fix it. Innocent people are dieing, poor people do not eat properly, inflation is way too high, health care is for the rich, housing prices are out of control, the rest of the world hates us(except for Vladimir) and we need to work TOGETHER to fix things.

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Mike, I agree that we need to stop blaming each other and start solving problems. However, I think you have overlooked a very important part of the equation: actions speak louder than words.

For nearly ten years, Democrats have made Donald Trump the centerpiece of their political messaging and opposition. From two impeachments, years of investigations, numerous lawsuits, and accusations involving Trump and people associated with him, the focus has repeatedly appeared to be on stopping Trump rather than finding common ground. Many of us believe these efforts have been politically motivated and that numerous accusations have been proven to be unfounded or unfair.

Now, having won control of Congress in the midterm elections, what direction are Democratic leaders signaling? More investigations and another impeachment effort, this time targeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hakeem Jeffries has publicly declared himself a "hard yes" on the effort. Regardless of where someone stands politically, isn't this precisely the kind of political behavior you have stated that we need to move away from?

I would also like to hear more than political slogans from the increasingly influential far-left factions within the Democratic Party. What specific policies are they proposing to address these problems ? What are their solutions? And how will those solutions improve the lives of ordinary Americans?

Accountability is important, and legitimate wrongdoing should be investigated regardless of political affiliation. But constant political warfare cannot be the answer to every disagreement. We cannot keep talking about unity and cooperation while making political opposition the central objective. Working together is important, but it requires more than words.

Theresa Zeyen (Kucsma)

Sunset from my pond this evening.