Notes from across the pond. Top stories in my curated newsfeed: https://us.yahoo.com/sports/matthew-staffords-wife-kelly-rants-about-covid-19-rules-im-over-living-in-a-dictatorship-we-call-michigan-185600459.html Pro athlete’s wife is not pleased with Michigan’s draconian temporary lockdown, which shuts down (*checks notes*): Public schools Indoor dining Casinos Theaters Bowling alleys Dictatorship, y’all. “First, they came for the blackjack dealers, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a blackjack dealer. Then they came for the theater projectionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a theater projectionist. Then they came for the guy who sprays the bowling shoes, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t the guy who sprays the bowling shoes. Then they...
Veterans Day 2020
I spent this rainy Veterans Day reviewing the artifacts of a 23-year career in the U.S. Army. Lonnie Lee Watkins, “aka” Bill, came out of Toney Holler, Fayette County in September 1949 and joined the Army. I suspect that his decision was influenced by his uncle Basil Toney, who had served in WW II. He did basic training at Fort Knox, KY and advanced training in antiaircraft artillery. Some of the highlights that made me smile = March 19, 1955, Sergeant First Class Watkins had the highest score for his unit in arms qualification with the Carbine Caliber 30, with...
Voting with the blessed one
I voted in the 2020 election this day. I have a decal on my shirt as evidence. My wife is the witness for all times that in the face of COVID and off-the-historical chart Republican behavior, I voted because it is important. As it turned out, we voted today with the “blessed one.” She was in line when we got there. She wasn’t wearing a mask. Just an off-colored camouflage jersey that read, “Blessed 1.” The couple in front of her offered and gave her a mask. She put it in her pocket. We, them, us all moved from the...
Go Blue!
10-26-2020 Headlines Fauci says the US’s record-high COVID-19 cases put it in a precarious position: ‘No matter how you look at it, it’s not good news’ Minnesota reports three Covid-19 outbreaks related to Trump campaign events in September Donald Trump Questions Barack Obama Being ‘Handsome’ and a ‘Good Speaker’ at PA Rally Senate confirms Barrett to Supreme Court, cementing its conservative majority And, the reality is that, at this writing, some 225,000 Americans have died in the days of COVID. Unsettling is the report that experts believe that at least 130,000 did not have to die, but for the response...
Developing a Guide to the 2020 Election
I have been thinking about the upcoming election. I have come up with a categorization for evaluating those brave enough or opportunist enough to run for public office in 2020. As a former TV-Radio news reporter, a congressional staff member (10 years), a director of communications for a national union (yep, worker focus) for another decade, and a Jimmy Carter fan to the extent that I changed to a registered Independent after the Democrats shoved it up his ass for the chance to lose against Reagan. I am not bitter, but I was not pleased. So, I am retired now....
Understanding and Compassion in the Days of Masks
There is much to reflect on these days. The potential of hope and love. The potential of pessimism and hate. We know in part and we prophesy in part. We are sensitive. As a former fellow radio news colleague noted, “This frosts my ass!” Still, we are willing to bet the farm on hope and love. To our credit, we older folks of a certain ilk embody the best and worst of America’s history. We know in part and we project in part thinking our narrow focus on “peace, love, and understanding,” would be enough, while we ignored or were...
On Hearing the March Wind Recite the Poetry of Dylan Thomas
The ghosts of Odd Fellows filled the room, And watched as living poets talked of death. Dead fathers, dead mothers yet to come. They in time to be dead daughters and sons. They stopped for death, lingering in nuances Of frailty, mourning the dead and themselves. A death poem was delivered while the March lion Prowled and roared just outside the door. Their death odes read they turn to dead poets, Speaking in awe of genius and untimely demise. Crumbs of cookies coat their living souls, Deadening the surface where words might etch Some timeless message bound inside the Profit...
Coal Camp Trinity
It weren’t a decent God, Ancil cried, That let children and coal towns die. And it weren’t coal dust, it were blacken gold That swirled and rolled from the tipple hill, Past the movie house, to Mocky’s Grill. It weren’t a dream. It were reality. It weren’t FDR, it were Ethel Mae, Who faced the fear, and never failed to pray. And, it weren’t hard times. It were life’s times That swirled and rolled, with its ebbs and flows The tears of pain and joy that a Mother knows. It weren’t a dream. It were reality For Victor, Charlie Boy,...
And the award goes to…
Rush Limbaugh and I are both award winning journalists. He has the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I have the United Press International (UPI) West Virginia Broadcasters Association 1982 Best News Coverage – Radio award for my coverage of the United Mine Workers presidential election between incumbent Sam Church and Richard Trumka. Trumka was a 33-year-old wanna be back then, now he is the head of the AFL-CIO. Circa 1982, Rush was beginning to get his feet on the ground in finding his conservative calling. I became the Press Secretary for newly-elected West Virginia Congressman Harley O. Staggers, Jr. While I...
Just Breathe
There was a time not too long ago I began my mornings with some six cigarettes and two cups of coffee. In a sense, the routine steeled me for the day ahead. It is a challenge to daily face narcistic and lead from behind leadership. Fortunately, I retired and did not have to work for Jefferson County Schools any longer. Still, at the behest of friends. I sought a seat on the school board. That worked out pretty good, not. The public participation in the process was non-existent. I was asked at one forum whether I supported the teaching of...