My Point of View

Pick A Country To Live In…
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Pick A Country To Live In…

If  you continually find yourself complaining about this Country, take a moment and look at the philosophy and structure of the different governments below…then decide where you want to live.

But before you do…look at our Country’s beginning.  The primary reason that America was established was to provide a place to live that permitted the opportunity for freedom that didn’t exist under a monarch.

Definition of a republic … a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

Definition of democracy…a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

* The main difference between a democracy and a republic is the extent to which the people control the process of making laws under each form of government.

 “We the people” elect individuals to represent our values, rights, protect our freedoms and make laws according to the constraints of a constitution.   Welcome to a Republic.

Definition of capitalism…an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

A republic allows capitalism to prevail by permitting individuals to achieve based on their talent, motivation, ingenuity, skills, and freedom to reap the benefits of their labor.   It’s called opportunity…not a guarantee.  At one time it was the reason people came to America…for opportunity…not to change it.

Definition of socialism …a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

A government that collects from the production of some and shares with all, an unrealistic method of fairness.  This destroys motivation, innovation, and denies the freedom of entrepreneurs to reap the rewards of their labor.   Eventually you run out of other people’s money…game over!

Definition of communism…a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

A government with self-interest of the ruling class at the top.  One’s freedom and rewards are determined by the ruling class and given at their discretion .  Successful entrepreneurship doesn’t exist in this form of government.   If you want to be told what to do, when to do it and how to do it…then this would be a perfect government for you.

When you look at the options above…America is still the best country to live in.  We share more things in common (that we take for granted)…than we have in differences.

Remember…there is no perfect world…fairness is a myth; freedom is a precious commodity…and opportunity is in the mind and initiative of the individual.  God Bless America…for providing that opportunity .

Johnny J.  

“It Just Wasn’t My Time”…
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“It Just Wasn’t My Time”…

A few months ago I experienced an unexpected episode…Cardiac Arrest.

People often use the terms heart attack and cardiac arrest as interchangeable, but they are not synonyms.  In cardiac arrest the heart rhythm causes the heart to stop beating.  Without quick treatment, it causes sudden cardiac death. The national average survival rate is a little over 10% and survival with good neurological function is little more than 8%.

I wasn’t familiar with the information above until after my episode…”I am one lucky guy”.

I can honestly say that my wife loves me…otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this.  In the middle of the night she noticed that I was moaning but not breathing…she immediately dialed  911, and with the instructions on the other end of the phone she begin to perform CPR until the first responders arrived. With their training and equipment they took over and after a few minutes I was rushed to the hospital… where my wife was told of the statistics that I listed above.  If the roles were reversed I am not sure that I would have been able to deal with those words and expectations…she truly is the better half.

I was told that a series of techniques was used by the doctors and their staff to stabilize me and prepare me for surgery…at which time I received three stents in my heart.  My wife was told that the next 24 hours would be critical…and not to expect the best…if I survived.

I was in the hospital for four days…but it wasn’t until 3 days after leaving the hospital that I was made aware of what had occurred….even though I remember nothing during that 7-day period.   My wife informed me that after surgery (and regaining consciousness after the critical wait period) that I had normal conversations with friends and the hospital staff…well “almost” normal conversations…once again I had beaten the odds in regard to the neurological functions.  My “buddies” tend to disagree with that assessment.  My response to them…I went in “brilliant” and came out “normal” just like you guys.  That really is “guy humor”.

Seven days after the cardiac arrest my wife and I visited the team of first responders, doctor and the hospital staff to thank them for their help and involvement. I special thanks to the friends that reached out to my wife and gave support and encouragement…to all we are eternally grateful.

Life is a gift with an expiration date, but apparently… it just wasn’t my time.

Johnny J

Side Note:  Goggle the American Heart Association and learn more about the cause, prevention, and how to respond to someone experiencing cardiac arrest…learn CPR.

Grow a Pair
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Grow a Pair

The contents of this post may look and sound familiar because of the consistency of the political arena for the past three years.

A game of politicians and lawyers…it’s a disgrace!  “We the people” should fire them all…one by one.

We pay their salaries as politicians and many of them spend their time as attorneys doing what they do best…complicating matters and/or wasting the tax-payers money by billing each other firms for that irresponsible waste.

The charade in Congress today is a “visible display of treason”… consisting of lies, undermining, fabricating, whatever it takes to attempt to overthrow the administration in power.  If it weren’t so pathetic…it would be laughable. It’s all about power, control and self-serving preservation.

It is a swamp…that is slowly being drained…but continues to be “clogged” by new entries into the system…with the intelligence of a doorknob.   Let me remind you that intelligence has nothing to do with a degree from an ivy-league school…or one’s pedigree.  It’s the ability to “think”, apply common sense to issues and using your voice and actions to do what is best for this country…not for yourself or your party.

What about the pundits…left or right?  They express their opinions (or the ones that they are paid to express) as if they are the masters of all knowledge….also let’s not forget the personalities and celebrities that fit into this group.  The statement that best fits the importance of this group was when someone told Barbara Streisand… “Just shut up and sing”.

The continuing attempt to erase our history and being politically correct to a fault is destroying the very fiber of the foundation of our Country.    History is important… it provides a rear-view mirror of what we have done right and what we have done wrong.  It provides us an opportunity to accomplish more and reminds us not to repeat the injustices of the past.  Striving for a country that provides an opportunity for all…should be our object.  I didn’t use the word “equal” for a reason…that would imply that we are “all the same” and if someone doesn’t advance in life…it must be our Country’s fault?  Life is not fair for a multitude of reason, intelligence (not education) environment, desire, ambition, motivation, etc… so get over it and accept some responsibility for yourself.

In the words of Larry Winget (writer, business and personal development speaker )… “GROW A PAIR”!

Johnny J. 

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Who cares about the truth?

I  recently wrote a post comparing “truth” and “fact” and determined that they are not synonymous.

The word truth is many times combined with “someone’s interpretation” and a “matter of fact”. An individual needs to examine  and use their judgement to arrive at the percentage of truth and fact.

With that said…let’s get back to the topic “Who cares about the truth”?

I question “that” on a daily basis after looking at the items that are before me through the political news media or individual conversations that I have with friends.  So many of the average public have “tuned out” due to the “do-nothing” political rhetoric.  Unfortunately, the extremist (left and right) are still very much engaged and influencing voters with 15 second soundbites that go un-challenged.

For example:  70 % of the all Americans believe that …(whatever).  Did anyone call you and ask you what you believe?…No One called me!…So who are these Americans by name that made up that 70%, and what are the names of the 30% that apparently disagreed?…be concerned but don’t buy into numbers just because someone placed them before you.

I can take “any side” of an issue and provide you with the percentage numbers that I need to meet my objective.  I can do this by “selecting” the right audience to provide those numbers…or if I am in a hurry just make them up and move on to the next 15 second soundbite….after all, who cares about the truth?

The fundamental structure and values of Our County are more threaten today than they have ever been (from within) by emotion, ignorance and a desire for power. Common-sense unfortunately has become uncommon.

Logic, common-sense, and accountability must prevail or we will “wake-up” and find that we live in a Country that we no longer recognize.  Don’t swallow what you are fed by politicians, pundits, or any other media with an agenda, investigate to determine what is the truth by examining the facts.

Nothing is perfect…but The United States is the best Country in the World…help keep it that way with  your active involvement.

Johnny J.

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A Grain of Sand … or a meaningful life?

 

I Goggled the definition or the general meaning of the phrase “A grain of sand”.  There were variations of the meaning and some tied to poetry or more elaborate meanings than I needed for this topic.

So…my interpretation (as it relates to size)… is one of an endless amount…or one that is insignificant as it relates to the rest of the world. 

Ever think that you are a mere gain of sand with the inability to make a difference?

Sounds pretty bleak in the scheme of things if it relates to You as “a grain of sand”… but, not necessarily  true.

If you can make an impact in someone’s life by inspiring them to be something much greater than themselves then you have elevated “two grains of sand” into a meaningful life…yours and there’s.

Now with that said…let’s address a few facts before we go any further… “life is not fair, get over it”…and, “everyone is not equal”  when it comes to intelligence, ambition, motivation, desire, etc…no governmental law will ever change that.

I am a believer that not everyone in life has a defined purpose other than moving from one day to the next…and that’s okay.

Dying is a given…I have never heard of anyone escaping that destiny.   The only lasting thing that you leave behind of value when you leave this world is the impact that you may have made on others by lending a helping hand or by inspiring them to find their purpose.

I have never been an opponent of  what we refer to as a traditional funeral.  Many times they should consist of two different venues…based on the years that the individual has spent on this earth.  Grieving…and then a Celebration of Life at a later time…at which time the family can participate…a time of humorous stories spent with the individual.  I will always remember the Celebration of Life gatherings that I have attended…they were tributes to the individual…and I still smile when I think of them.

The poem by William Earnest Henley…Invictus.  The last phrase of that poem is… “I am the master of my fate…I am the captain of my soul”. 

So determine what’s your purpose is in life?…it may play out in your celebration of life.

Johnny J.

Is Truth the Same as Fact?
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Is Truth the Same as Fact?

Truth is defined as:  “that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality”.  The difference between truth and fact…is that fact is something that cannot be combated with reasoning, for it is logic itself…but truth is something which depends on a person’s perspective and experience.

Let’s take an example and reduce it to the “ridiculous”.

This bucket has a hole in it…truth or fact?

Truth: “This bucket appears to be losing water which could be due to evaporation or over-flow because the surface that it is sitting on is not level, etc.…”  (a little bit of fact and a person’s truth).

Fact: This damn bucket has a hole in it and is losing water…period!

Every day (providing you don’t live in a cave) we are confronted through social media, personal contract, the news media and pundits explaining to us their interpretation of that bucket.

I find nothing more condescending than to listen to a speech (which is usually political) and then have a pundit explaining to me what I just heard and the meaning of it.  If he or she wants to take issue with the content…so be it…but don’t blow smoke up my ass and call it cotton candy.

A lot of individuals have begun to tune out because of the rhetoric of both the left and right…don’t be one of them.  The extremist of either side can and will change the world that we live in if we choose to set this one out.

We are a country of values, laws and assimilation…or so we were.

Have there been mistakes in the past that we are not proud of?…absolutely!  Learn from our history…and move forward.  Unfortunately there are individuals that use the “poor me” attitude to promote their agenda and attempt to place guilt on individuals and a society far removed from that era.  I question our education system today that it doesn’t teach our history and its importance.  I believe that the history of today’s generation is the news media, pundits and ideology…verbalizing their “truths”…not necessarily “facts”.  A history of 8 second sound bites.

Our County is not upside down yet, but it is on “tilt” with its changing ideology that moves farther away from the values that made this Country different from other parts of the world.  We are a blend of cultures that have assimilated and prospered in a County of laws that provides freedom and opportunity for those with a will to reach for it.  Is life fair?…NO…everyone is not equal with ability…get over it…but freedom, individuality, and opportunity are there for all.

Don’t “tune out”…wake up and investigate for yourself and speak out…if you choose to live in your  isolated bubble you could eventually find yourself living in a County…that you no longer recognize.  It’s up to us to verbalize the “facts” that represents the “truth”…exercise that freedom.

May God Bless America

Johnny J. 

3/12/2019

Treason in the United States?
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Treason in the United States?

The definition of treason in the United Stated is defined under 18 U.S. Code & 2381 as:

“Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the Unite States”.

The definition of a Coup:

“a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force, takeover. group action-action taken by a group of people”.

Preamble to the Constitution: A statement attached to the beginning of the Constitution

“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United State of America.”

Mythological Trojan Horse:

The Trojan Horse was a huge wooden horse constructed by the Greeks (the horse being the emblem of Troy).  The Greeks hid a select force of men inside and left it outside the gates of Troy…and left, at which time the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy.  That night the Greek force crept out of the horse and destroyed the City of Troy.

The Trojan Horse has arrived in the United States…in the combined form of self-serving politicians, news media, political correctness and people entering the United States…not to assimilate…but to change our laws and way of life.  May God help us.

We the people have elected a group of self-serving individuals who are trying to overthrow the President and our Constitution…and that by definition is a coup and amounts to treason.   What about the other politicians that you say are not involved in that conspiracy?  They are not much better… they don’t have the balls to step up to the plate and do something about it because of political correctness or the effect that it will have on their career.

“We The People” …have got to make ourselves heard by spreading the truth and replace these self-serving public parasites…we are powerless to put them in jail …but we can VOTE THEM OUT regardless of their party affiliation.

Johnny J. 

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Ignorance and Stupidity

comicI haven’t written in a while because of a multitude of reasons that I could name…but the truth is…I just haven’t written in a while.  Writing is one method of releasing my thoughts and opinions of the surroundings in today’s world…in this case we will call it “venting for my own eyes and ears”.

I have always heard that there are two things one should never argue about… “religion” and “politics”.  Sooo…I have decided to write about “ignorance” and “stupidity”.  I am sure that you know a few people that fall into one of these two categories…or both.

Ignorance is “a lack of knowledge” …we are all ignorant but can broaden our horizons by acquiring more knowledge. Stupidity is “being born with a mind protected by a steel-trap and refusing to allow anything to enter”. Ron White (the comedian) has outlined many examples of stupidity and concluded that “You just can’t fix stupid”.  I am an opponent of that statement.

Vigorously regurgitating a political comment or soundbite without knowing the facts or at least exploring some degree of validity of what you heard…falls into the “stupidity” category.  Sometimes it’s better just to shut up. It has been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason…we are to listen twice as much as we are to talk…plus when you are talking you are only learning what you already know…huh?

Mark Twain once said… “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience”.

Opinions are good…but support them with research and knowledge of the truth …that doesn’t mean that you or the other person will necessarily agree or determine who is right or wrong…but many times it can help you determine which category the other individual falls in…at which time it may be better to talk about the weather or sports.

Speaking of…. “ How about them Cowboys?”  

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In the Scheme of Things …

Small talk with little substance…”bears no fruit” with casual acquaintances, groups or strangers.

small-talk

There was a study that someone conducted in regard to the attention span of the average listener.  It concluded after 25 seconds if the listeners had no interest in what you were saying… they tuned you out and were no longer listening.  (I am sure that I have made a lot of 25 second speeches without knowing it).  We sometimes initiate questions that promote longer answers (unintentionally) than we are prepared to listen to. For example: “How was your golf game today”? “Well on the first hole I knocked one out of bounds and three putted…then on the second hole”….and so on….get the point. The question that deserves a 25 second or less response… “What score did you shoot today”?

We all ask questions or make statements that are not meant to initiate a conversation…but as a means of politeness or awareness of one’s presence. Such as “How are you today?”… “Have a good day”… “Good golf shot”…etc…all of these can be responded to in no more than one or two words….and should be.

If you are trying to start a conversation that has value beyond 25 seconds…then ask a question to someone who has a source of knowledge to the question you are asking….and then be prepared to listen to the answer. Conversation should be an exchange of ideas or at least a learning experience.  Remember when you are talking “you are only learning what you already know”…and if your dialog extends beyond 25 seconds it should have interest to the other party.

There are some basic rules that we should all engage in such as:

…never ask a question that you know will embarrass or make the other person feel inadequate.

…questions concerning religion and politics are not good topics…if you know the other person’s views are different from your.

…having an opinion and elaborating on something that you know nothing about is more dangerous than not having an opinion at all. This one is a confirmation to the statement “I thought he was smart until he open his mouth and removed all doubt”.

…people usually would prefer talking about themselves or their own experiences with you listening …rather than listening to you talk about yourself.

Now I have just stated what I believe to be the proper protocol for starting an intelligent conversation with a casual acquaintance, group, or a stranger in the proper setting.

With that said… if you should run into an “old friend” that you haven’t seen in some time… in an informal setting such as on the golf course or like…none of the above applies…the proper greeting would be to extend you hand for a hand shake, smile and verbalize… “Damn you are as ugly as I remember”…It’s a guy thing…we wear it like a badge of honor….and it took less than 25 seconds.  Disclaimer: I would not necessarily recommend this greeting to the more intelligent gender…women.

 

 DISCLAIMER: The information presented is either my opinion or information obtained from sources believed to be reliable and factual; however, I make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. Any errors, including misuse or misspelling of words is either due to my fingers hitting the wrong keys, oversight, or my own ignorance

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“Fork in the Road”… “People, Places and Events”

Age constitute a series of chapters filed with people, places and events in one’s life with the passing of time.

As one gets older there is a tendency to bring into focus the “memories” of those events. For a moment separate the memories of those events from a specific decision that you made (or someone made for you) that led you to where you are today….that decision probably created the majority of those memories good or bad.

With that said…I thought that I would back track and try to identify the major “fork in the road” that has led me to the present.

fork-in-the-road

I now live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro-Plex area of Texas…and have for the majority of my life (at my age it is safe to say the majority).  After college I was given a job opportunity that provided me a choice to move to one of several different cities in Texas…San Antonio, Houston and Ft. Worth.  I chose Ft. Worth because I had a brother that lived there at the time. Even though my brother and I had no direct conversation that influenced me to move to the area…the fact is “just because he lived there”…I made a quick decision at that time that has since fill the majority of my life…(he moved out of State less than a year of me moving here).

I could have just as easily chosen Austin, San Antonio, or Houston….but I didn’t. That one decision led me to all the people and events that have filled my life since.  Any other decision that I would have made at that time would have led me to a life filled with different people and events. To me its mind boggling to think for example…if I had moved to Austin at that time in my life…Where would I be today?  That one choice…that one turn in the road…has filled the majority of my life and has influenced who I am today.

Take a moment and reflect on a decision that you made…or didn’t make…that brought you to where you are today.  I not talking about the events that may have influenced the changes in your life…but the one major decision that you made that led you to the surroundings of where you are today.

Someone once said, life is what happens as you are making plans…our every day life becomes a bumper car ride with people and events being the rails that keep us on that continuing path.

If you under 30 years of age…there is a possibility that you haven’t encountered that major “fork in the road”…only detours…and only time will tell.

If you have reached an age where there is more time behind you than in front of you…then I  challenge you to isolate the ‘fork in the road” …and then wonder…what if? 

 

 DISCLAIMER: The information presented is either my opinion or information obtained from sources believed to be reliable and factual; however, I make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. Any errors, including misuse or misspelling of words is either due to my fingers hitting the wrong keys, oversight, or my own ignorance