LIFE CHANGES

            "Not everything that is faced can be changed,
but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
                          James Baldwin

Think about that statement and the truth it presents. Think about what it says about most of life for people as they go through it trying NOT to face that which must be changed rather than face the struggle that they mus deal with if change is to be effected.

     It is when people refuse to see that which needs to be changed that the world undergoes a change that is not for the good. It is when evil takes over. It is when weak and thoughtless people take over, people who are selfish in their motivations and desires, in their goals.

     Everyone is entitled to a bit of selfishness in their lives, the desire to live a happy life, a fulfilling life, a life filled with love, with family, with success and fulfillment. However, it is when the selfishness takes over that we get trouble, right wherever one's River City is.

     Think of the dictators of history and their self pride - and the hubris which eventually brought them down. Think of the dictators today in so many countries of the world and you will find that these are people who refuse to relinquish power, who refuse to allow someone else their proper term and time, people who refuse to obey rules of term limits - ooohhhh, that one bites does it not - but truth is truth. Looking away from it does not make it disappear.

     Today, in our presidential campaign we have issues of selfishness. Primary among the candidates in this arena is Donald Trump. That man is one of the most egotistical and dangerous creatures ever. He just tramples on all and everything in his mad campaign to get what he wants - the Presidency of the United States, a most powerful person in the world gallery of leaders and his insane and overwhelming desire to do "whatever the Hell I want." When the media first ignored him, refusing to take him seriously, they did not see the truth of his ways, of his purposes, of his campaign laden with hate and hate filled advisors and supporters. Thus they could not change what they did not face and now, now we have to work overtime, double time to see that we face what needs to be changed and we change it!

     But he is not alone in that equation of not facing what must be faced. Everyone thinks that Bernie Sanders is this oh so generous and caring man who thinks only of the needy, of the suffering, opening Medicare and Medicaid to all, getting rid of banks, free tuition for all, etc. but, a great big but - how is this paid for and how to motivate people to work hard and get exactly what everyone else is getting for nothing. This is socialism and it does not work; instead it leads to chaos, to violence, to economic warfare and clashes between the classes of society and ultimately to a dictatorship of sorts, call it communism or fascism or plain old control by an individual.

     These are the candidates for that office, and our only hope at this point is Hillary Clinton, not perfect, not ideal, but one who is not selfish, one who perseveres, marches on, overcomes odds and knows that she represents hope for so many - for the rights of women, for security and safety, a hopefully sharp instinct that Israel is our ally, a true sense of who are our other allies and who are not, a person who makes mistakes but in whom I do not see that selfish seed that I see in others. And if she took large sums for speeches and lectures - good for her. Everybody else did and does that and plans the same thing when they are out of office. At least there is a Foundation and an instinct to give to charity. Check out the others.

     And this need to face what must be changed, to recognize it, to see it for the true face that it has - that is important right here in CV as well. I asked yesterday for those of you who call yourselves David's people to look into your heart and mind, to think about what has gone on here over the past few years, over the differences - a broken Channel 63, a destroyed and useless paper that no one reads any longer and indeed, when people wish to get a  message out they say, "Better put it in the CV Messenger." See the crazy and restrictive rules about use of WPRF property, yes, that which we pay for, property that was used for debates in the past but which is now verboten! Think about all that and if you indeed have opened your eyes, then you will face the changes that are needed and hopefully make that change or those changes.

     If you cannot see this then think what it would be like if the outside government did the same thing - repressed the papers, closed the social media, banned public congress and meetings, closed every door and window for the rights of you, an American citizen. These would need to be faced. These would need to be changed and that is the same thing here in the Village.

     None so blind as those who would not see. Sometimes old sayings have great value. And no, Gracie, I do not hate a person. I hate the ideas that the person represents and acts upon. It is my right as a Village resident, as an American, to voice my opposition. Indeed, it is my duty. Get your head out of wherever it is and think about it.
      In any case, folks, we have reached a historic moment - the first woman who is the presumptive candidate for President of the United States. In our own lifetime! Maybe now we can catch up with the rest of the world! The question now is how far will Sanders go in his spoilage attack and his insertion of hateful people on the Democratic National Committee and how far will Trump go in his nastiness. Watch for misogynistic attacks. And look at Hillary Clinton and be proud of her. She ain't perfect, but she does have the gutsiness that we need in a president , especially after the wishy washy one now in office.