Which Healthcare System Do You Choose Saturday Political Soap Box 80

Which health care system do you choose?

Here are the three choices:

1) Single payer.

2) Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act)

3) the Scroogian/Randian/Darwinian system that existed before the ACA.

My best guess is that the majority that answer this, if they answer at all, would say NONE OF THE ABOVE, or some mysteriously vague fourth way.

Well, you don't have that choice.  And you are fooling yourself if you think that you do. None of the above, for the most part, is the default answer leading to number three.

The Republicans have no coherent alternative.  That is partly because there is no incentive to them to offer one.  They get more mileage out of being vague.  But the biggest reason they have no coherent plan is because.......OBAMACARE IS THE REPUBLICAN ALTERNATIVE.

Forged from ideas first proposed by Republicans in the mid-nineties, refined in the fires of the highly conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, successfully put into practice by Governor Romney in Massachusetts, this is in large part a Republican plan.  It preserves the private health insurance industry, creates private marketplace exchanges, and insists on individual responsibility.

The only alternatives are inadequate and nonsensical.  Tort reform?  Been there, done that in over half the states and it has made no difference to health care costs.  Interstate selling of health insurance?  All that creates is a race to the bottom towards the least regulated state and the crappiest plans with the biggest hole and gaps and exclusions in coverage.  If there are any other ideas coming from the right wing, I have not heard them.

Myself?  Single payer, no question about it.  Private insurance companies are the PROBLEM, not the cure.  The profit motive has no place in health care, especially when it comes to middle men.  And single payer is not reinventing the wheel.  It is by far the most common and successfully deployed system in the industrialized world.

As for the third choice, I cannot believe any rational person would want to return to a system where any one can be denied health insurance any time for any flimsy reason that the private insurers can come up with. Where families can go bankrupt because their loved ones coverage gets capped or procedures denied.  Where you have to fear that if you lose your job you lose complete access to the insurance market, or are priced out of being able to handle it.  Where you pay for the flood of people who come into the emergency care system without insurance or the ability to pay. Where you spend hours and days fighting health insurance companies over paper work and whether they're going to cover anything at all.  Where you have to raise money just so sick children can get basic care instead of concentrating your resources on fighting for a cure.  I could go on and on and on and on.

I guess it may come down to what's most important to you.

Is it your OWN policy and its cost?

Is it the tens of millions that are uninsured that you want to get access?

Is it having a policy that will be there when you need it?

What is it that you value?

I prefer single payer, but I am willing to compromise on the Affordable Care Act.  It is a significant step in the right direction, and for whatever flaws it has, has the potential to get better over time IF our politicians work together to improve it.

Please.  I really want your input!  Which of the three do you choose?

I also want to mention the passing of a great local Democrat and wonderful human being, Dave Leach.  I did not know him well, but everything I knew was completely positive.  My condolences to Carolyn Greer, and all those that were close to him.  Even though eventually our bodies fail us, the brightness of our spirit, and the love we have shared with others, lives on.

UPDATE:  After some initial difficulty with the website launch, the Affordable Care Act has been a greater success than even I imagined.  Enrollees exceeding projections, insurance costs have NOT skyrocketed, millions upon millions have gained affordable access, people are not being booted for preconditions, and more children and young adults are being covered than ever before.

Kentucky, home of Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, and a state full of people who have decisively voted against Obama twice, the Affordable Care Act has been through the roof successful.  The uninsured rate in Kentucky has been cut 40%!!!  And yet, OBAMACARE continues to be wildly unpopular.  They call their VERY popular system KYNECT , which is their state exchange, WHICH IS OBAMACARE.  C'mon, Kentuckians... you can't possibly be that dumb!  MOST CURRENT UPDATE:  I don't know any way else t oexplain this, but yes, Kentuckians were that dumb.  They voted to return Mitch McConnell to the Senate, as he vowed to repaeal Obamacare, and never connected the dots to Kynect.  But I also blame a cowardly Democratic candidate Allison Lunden Grimes for no coming to the defense of Obamacare, and not emphasizing the Kynect WAS Obamacare.

Since I posted this over six months ago, I have as yet received NO Republican/conservative responses to this question.  If you have any plan or idea as to how to cover everyone, please....let's hear it.

I'm waiting.

A Very Steel Thanksgiving

The farm didn't particularly care that it was Thanksgiving.  There were still chores that had to be done.  At least he had help this year.  An unusually enthusiastic Tabby, his oldest daughter, was helping him finish chores at a quick clip.  She had been in a much better mood since the night a few months ago when he caught her asleep in the barn.  Usually a melancholy, dramatic child with her head too far in the clouds, she at least now didn't seem as gloomy.

Grant Steel placed the feed out for the pigs.  The routine of farm life may not be for most people, but it was for Grant.  He loved the feeling of a successful crop, or a good sale of cattle.  He loved getting up and doing the same things each morning and enjoying a large country breakfast.

Tabitha was also anxious to help because he told her that she could bring her boyfriend over for Thanksgiving if she helped with the chores this week.  Her new boyfriend was Cokie something, a tall guy wearing a black Fedora.  Kids.  He couldn't keep up with their fashions.  He seemed young to him, and a little quirky, what with the ghost talk, but he had to admit that Tabby was a little quirky herself.  Don't know where her talk of space and final frontiers and all that came from, he thought.  Certainly didn't come from him.  Grant felt like he was the most grounded man on Earth.

Soon the chores were done and the guests were starting to gather.  Grant actually was restrained at breakfast knowing that the big Thanksgiving meal would start around One PM.  He was afraid everyone would be able to hear his stomach rumbling in anticipation, so he tried to ease it by nursing a hot cider.

First the two boys arrived, Abraham and Johnny.  Abraham had his own farm now, partially carved out of Steel family land.  He brought his wife Sarah and the two lights of Grant's life, his grandchildren, Robert (starting in third grade and possessing Tabby and Angela's scientific bent) and Freddy (just in Pre-K and a delightful, charming bundle of energy and creativity).  Johnny was single, having just broken up with girlfriend number...oh, hell, Grant had lost track at around number twenty.

Racine came downstairs from sleeping in, finally dressed and ready for the day.  She greeted her brothers warmly.  Race almost seemed sad, something he wasn't used to - she sure wasn't the moody one.  Maybe it was because Bobby Ray wasn't going to come over.  In fact, Grant hadn't seen Bobby Ray with her in a long time.  Well, who knows?  She didn't change out boyfriends at the clip that Johnny changed out girlfriends, but she was still young.  Grant was not naive about his youngest daughter.  He knew that she was very beautiful (he thanked his wife, Amy, for that genetic gift passed to Racine, because God knows, it wasn't from him).

Then that Cokie fellow arrived.  He shook his hand and Grant got Cokie to say his full name, and caught this time that Cokie was a Goodkind.  They were a good family.  They had lost all their farm land some thirty years ago, but they were a hard working family, struggling to do the best they could.  He remembered that Franny, Cokie's sister, had been exceptionally friendly and kind to his grandmother at the retirement village.  Tabby took off with Cokie to god knows where to do god knows what.

His brother Andy arrived, with Andy's wife, Vicki.  Andy was Sheriff of Dixon County, and by all measures was doing very well at it.  A little too kind-hearted, in Grant's opinion, but he kept that to himself.  He at first resented Andy for leaving the farm and not helping him with it, but time had healed that wound, and they were now close again. And Andy had done them a favor above and beyond the call of duty a year ago when he helped Johnny get into a quality rehab center, instead of booking him for possession with intent to sell.

The last to arrive was his oldest daughter, Angela.  She was shorter than the tall Tabitha, and not graced with the overwhelming beauty of Racine.  But she was pretty in her own right, more solidly built, taking more after Grant.  She had sharply cropped red brown hair, and wore granny glasses, but she had a pretty, well-proportioned face, with sparkling, lively blues eyes, partially hidden behind her granny glasses.  Angela was the chemistry teacher at Dixon County High, and very good at her job at all accounts.  Tabby certainly looked up to her.  Where all this science stuff came from in his family, he had no idea.  Amy was by herself again.  She said her husband worked the mill last night, and was too tired to come.  Grant saw him so rarely, he almost expected now for him not to show up for things.  It hurt his heart, but he knew that his daughter's marriage was hanging on by a very thin, fragile thread.

The Thanksgiving meal commenced.  Grant led the prayer, dedicating the meal to the memory of his recently departed grandmother, Sarah Rachel, who passed on her 105th birthday just a few weeks ago.  The meal was rich with over a dozen dishes, including squash casserole, fried turkey, country ham, mashed sweet potatoes, and corn on the cob, divinity, pecan pie and chocolate delight.  Virtually no one left the table without a groan and loosening their clothes at the waist.

The men went into the living to relax and watch football, while the women cleaned up the dishes and put away the food.  Sexist or not, that's just the way the Steel family worked.  If anyone objected, even the usually defiant Tabby, Grant didn't know about it.  The Steel men began the usual debate about who the Crowley home pro team was - the home state Atlanta Falcons, or the closer by Jacksonville Jaguars.  The women talked about whatever they talked about, but usually they were loud and laughing about it.  They seemed quieter this year.  Little did he know they were discussing when to tell the unobservant Grant something very important, something that all of Crowley knew about but he apparently did not.

After the game was over, Amy called Grant over, and they went into Racine's bedroom.  Tearfully, Racine told her Daddy what she had to tell him.  Neither Amy nor Racine were quite sure how Grant would react.  They were not optimistic.

Grant's face lost all its color.  Having three daughters, it was something he always was afraid might happen.  And here it was, right in front of him.  Racine was pregnant.  He wanted to jump out the window and scream.  He wanted to find Bobby Ray and beat the crap out of him.  He wanted to lecture her on religion and that she was supposed to wait for marriage, and be a good girl, and stay his precious sweet little girl forever.

He wanted to do all of that.  He did none of it.

He took her into his arms.  "It's all right, Race.  We're here for you.  Whatever you need, whatever you do, we'll be there for you."  He looked her in the eyes and said something to her that he rarely spoke aloud, that her usually reserved Daddy normally just said through actions.  "We love you, Race."

And it was then that Racine Steel knew that she was going to make it, come what may.

31 Minutes of Thankfulness, 2013 Edition

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I hope everyone gets to celebrate with family and friends!

I have about 31 minutes before I start to prepare for our Thanksgiving.

So that's how much time I have to do my version of the 31 days of Thankfulness I see so many of my friends doing on the Facebook machine.

So here goes!

1)  I am thankful for Alison and Benjamin.  We have a wonderful family, and it so comforting to be loved and supported.  Benjamin is very smart, polite, and a great young thespian.  Alison is beautiful and patient, practical and loving.

2) I am thankful for my two older boys, Douglas and Gregory.  Douglas is an environmental scientist in Atlanta, and I am very grateful that he is visiting with us this Thanksgiving.  Gregory is living the family dream, working in Hollywood in the movie industry.  I couldn't be prouder of both of them.

3) I am thankful for my loving parents.  My mother, who passed in October 2008, taught me the power of unconditional love.  My father, who passed this September, taught me more about responsibility and hard work, and about the true meaning of Christianity than anyone else I've ever known.  I think of them often and miss them terribly.  I am grateful for the love and memories they have given me.

4) I am thankful I have a loving, caring sister.  Carol and her family have always been supportive and kind to me.  She did so much for my father, I am so grateful.

5) I am thankful for my church family.  Grace Episcopal has been very important in the spiritual and social life of our family, and I am appreciative of the connections we have made and all the support and Christian fellowship they have given us.

6) I am thankful for my work.  I'm not going to pretend that accounting is something I love to do.  But my employers and co-workers have made it to be as pleasant an experience as it can be.

7) I am thankful that I have the ability to act, at least well enough to participate in community theatre.  Getting onstage and feeling the response of the audience has been one of the great pleasures of my life. I am delighted that A Christmas Carol  is coming up, and that both Benjamin and I will be acting, and Alison will be running lights and sound...a full family Strait production!

8) I am thankful that I have found a way to contribute to the betterment of the community and children, by contributing my talents and time to children's theatre.  I am particularly thankful to the Jeffords for all that have done to make the Flying Dragons Art Center such an important part of our area. I am grateful for so many other theatre friends, including the Becks, the Cooks, Julianna Lacefield, Rhonda Powers, Melodye and Michael Lee, Mary Beth Kennedy, and so many, many more.

9) I am thankful for the Writers Guild and the Okefenokee Heritage Center. It has been a great joy to help form and support a group dedicated to the arts, and help local writers connect.

10) I am thankful that I have taken the time to develop this blog, The Strait Line.  It is named after a school newsletter my father had as school principal, and whether it is good or bad, it has been a tremendous joy to me to get back in the habit of writing.

11)  I am thankful that Barack Obama was reelected President of the United States.  There are many tremendous problems facing the world, and I cannot imagine how they would be handled had the opposition won.

12) I am thankful that Obamacare has survived it's challenges and will become the law of the land.  Is it perfect?  Of course not!  But it is a vital step forward to universal health care and towards a more equitable, fiscally sound, and morally decent system.

13) I am thankful that at long last the gravest threat facing our planet, climate change/global warming will finally start to be addressed. Okay, this one may be more of a hope than a reality, but I am thankful for every single step we take in this direction.

14) I am thankful that even though the progressive agenda may not be moving as fast as I want, at least the reactionary forces wanting to move us backwards have been held in check.

15) I am thankful that even in this radically conservative area, I still can seek out and find liberal friends to talk to.

16) I am thankful that I can read, and enjoy the pleasures of the printed page.

17) I am thankful for the DVR, that lets me watch the programs I want when I want to watch them.  And that I got to fast forward through most of the commercials.  I am also grateful for streaming, and the high speed internet that makes it so practical.

18) I am thankful for pets.  We have three wonderful dogs, Dachshund mixes who are loving and have long, waggy tails.  We also have a cat who is on rare occasion sweet, and a dumbo rat that is fun and smart.

19) I am thankful for movies.  I love storytelling of all kinds, and there is still nothing like going to the movie theatre.

20) I am thankful for continuing medical advances that help extend and improve the quality of life.

21) I am thankful that communities still come together sometimes to support neighbors in crisis, like with sick children, or suffering a fire, or other tragedy.

22) I am thankful that diabetes doesn't run in my family, because I like sweets so damn much.

23) I am thankful for the great joy comic books have brought to my life.  I have been a fan and collector since I have been 5 years old.

24) I am thankful for Christmas, and the opportunity to express such joy and love to others.

25) I am thankful for the peacemakers, all the diplomats and others who spend so much time and efforts to make the world a better place to live.

26) I am thankful for first responders, who often put their lives on the line for us.

27)  I am thankful for ketchup, the condiment of the gods.

28)  I am thankful for Cherry Coke, the nectar of the gods.

29)  I am thankful for colder weather, so I can go out sometimes without having to worry about the gnats.

30) I am thankful for God, and for love.

31) I am thankful for Jesus Christ, who resides in my heart, and  urges me to love god, my neighbors and do everything I can to make this a better world.

Time's up!  On to Thanksgiving festivities!

Smokin' in the Teacher's Lounge

Soon it will be over.

Only ten minutes left and Thanksgiving break would begin.  What could she possibly do?  Any point she tried to make, any new fact she tried to teach them, would be completely lost on them.  If by some miracle they were paying attention and heard it, they would soon forget it in the avalanche of time off that was coming their way.  Most teachers had long since given up.  But not Grace Scope, Dixon County High biology teacher.  It was not in her nature to surrender. So she saved her talk about the mating habits of wolves until this last day before break.  And they listened with rapt attention.

Grace Scope was, by almost any measure, a beautiful woman.  Her looks and shape were fine, if not breathtaking.  But it was the light of intelligence coming from her soul that made her truly beautiful.  Tall with long, jet back hair, and a face that was classic Greek, with a straight perfect nose and large eyes that were an enchanting mixture of brown and green.  She wore slacks and a baggy shirt or sweater most days and very little make up.  Very few students were aware of how beautiful she was.  They were too absorbed in their own world, and she made very little effort to involve herself in theirs.

Some students felt close to her anyways.  Guys she could dismiss - it was not difficult to dissuade them.  But some of the girls she let in slightly closer.  Nothing even remotely untoward, but she could identify with some of their problems, and could act as a secondary guidance counselor.

The bell rang.  The students could go home.  But they didn't leave until she finished her story, her lesson about the wolves.  They were certainly the last ones in the school to still be listening to a teacher.

She finished and still they sat, as if in a trance.  She snapped her fingers and said "Have a great Thanksgiving break.  See you in December!"  They finally got up and started to leave.

Some said goodbyes, but soon they were all gone.  Racine Steel came in, looking down and confused.  Racine, the gorgeous boyfriend of Bobby Ray, and now pregnant and worried.  She came in to ask Grace Scope's advice.  At first Racine was determined to keep it, but Bobby Ray's initial attitude left her disturbed and feeling alone.  And her confrontation with Pastor Dan's New Life Baptist intervention squad left her angry and hurt.  What should have been a private decision was now a big public football.

Grace tried to talk to her without taking too strong of sides.  Who knew who might overhear?  The strongest thing she tried to communicate was that the decision was hers, and that no decision she could make would be wrong if it was truly her own.  But the reality was, no matter what decision she made, Racine's life was upturned for good.

Racine was close to tears, but she didn't cry.  She was not that type of girl.  She kept a tighter reign on her emotions than most.

After their talk, after Racine left, Grace was still unclear as to what Racine would actually do.  She just hoped that her parents were good, kind and decent people and would support their daughter no matter what.

Soon the students were gone.  So were many of the teachers.  She went down to the teacher's lounge for one last coffee before hitting the road herself, and maybe for one more thing.

Ronnie Smith was in there.  A rather large man, he was finishing something from the refrigerator before leaving.  Well, to call him large was actually quite modest.  Ronnie Smith, the Civics teacher, was north of 350 pounds.  He was friendly and polite to Grace, even though they were polar opposites on politics and other matters.  He asked what she was doing for Thanksgiving.  Grace told him she was going to Athens to see family.  They wished each other the best, and Ronnie went his way.

She stood in the back of the lounge, slowly sipping coffee, leaning against the counter.  Then the chemistry teacher came in.  Her heart skipped a beat.

She never thought she would be involved with somebody that was married.  She didn't mean to break the rules.  Some things couldn't be helped.  The power of mutual attraction becomes too strong, and you get swept away.

They agreed to a rendezvous in Macon on Friday, as she made her way back from Athens.  There were always excuses, if one was determined enough.

They meant to be restrained, but they began to kiss.  She felt a hand begin to explore underneath her blouse.  Then they heard a voice down the hall.  They pulled away, eyes looking longingly at each other.  They would have to wait until Friday.

She did not feel like she was busting up a marriage.  By all accounts, it was not a good marriage and would break of its own accord.  At least that's what Grace told herself.

After the divorce, who knows?  Maybe they could get married.

Just not in this State.

Ripping Good Yarns: Seven for the Holidays!

My countdown to the seven best movies coming out this holiday season (based on my own interest - subsequent reviews and actual attendance may change my mind) starts with No. 7, something that is technically a biopic and not a true Ripping good Yarn.  Nevertheless, it looks very good, with Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers, the writer of Mary Poppins, and Walt's struggle to convince her of releasing the rights. Premieres December 13.

Number 6 is a star studded version of a Pulitzer prize winning play, including Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep playing mother and daughter.  Chick flick?  Maybe.  But also potentially the best acting of the season.  Premieres December 25,

Number 5 most anticipated is The Wolf of Wall Street.  directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.  Another marginal Ripping Good yarn as it is another biopic, but it looks like it is a brilliant and high energy exploration of American excess and greed. Premieres December 25.

Number 4 is a modern, comic take on James Thurber's classic, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  Features Ben Stiller as the shy man who daydreams himself into grand adventures.  Premieres December 25.

Number 3 continues The Anchorman characters in what looks like to be an hilarious outing.  it's always hard to predict how good sequels to comedies are going to be, but this one looks like it has the potential to be epically funny. Premieres December 20.

Number 2, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is already out!  And it's getting great reviews!  hope to see this with Doug and Alison and Benjamin this weekend.  Woohoo! Dystopian fun time!

And of course, number 1 with a bullet (well, maybe an arrow), is the second Hobbit movie, The Desolation of Smaug.  My son is excited because he's reading it in school.  Alison is excited because it brings back Legolas (Orlando bloom).  I'm excited because I have read and cherished and been inspired by Tolkien's middle Earth since I was in high school.  Premieres December 13.

Brain's Last Weekend and Other Monday Musings

Benjamin's pet rat Brain spent his last weekend with us.  We heard a loud thud coming from Benjamin's weekend.  When Benjamin investigated, he found his pet rat, Brain, decked out dead on the bottom of their cage.  We don't know what happened, but it must have been sudden and quick.  Brain must have been on an upper level and then dropped like a stone.  Rats don't always live long, and we had her for at least a couple of years.

Pinky remains with us, and Benjamin's concentration and affection will be on her.  Rats are social animals, and with Brain gone, she will need the increased contact from Benjamin to do well.

Tootsie, our foster dog, is very sweet and intelligent, but we are not big dog people and our fostering arrangement is coming to an end.  She will remain available, and some lucky family will be rewarded with this amazing animal.  

I saw two plays over the weekend.  One was Psycho:The Musical.  It was entertaining, and showed the value of little theater, which represents a highly skilled ensemble cast, people who are close knit and respond well to a director they like.  The other was Alice In Wonderland, put on by the Girl Scouts at Flying Dragon.  It showed the value in giving our children stage exposure and experience, and is always a delight to see the children grow in ability and confidence.

Currently, our family is involved in a third kind of theater, community theater, preparing the production of A Christmas Carol.  It does not have the tight control and finely honed craft of a little theater, nor the kinder tolerance and learning nature of a children's theater, but it does give many in the community the opportunity of putting on an entertaining, enriching show, that contains a balance of newcomers and veterans.

Any truly great community offers all three types.  I am grateful that Waycross does.

I had a close friend lose her beloved Grandmother, someone she was very close to, early in the weekend.  She was able to visit her quite a bit at Baptist Village (a retirement center and nursing home) the last few days.  Both of my parents died too suddenly to spend any last time with them, so I can very much appreciate being able to do that.

I have a just a two day workweek.  I have Wednesday as a vacation day, Thursday and Friday as holidays.  I am looking forward to it, particularly with my middle son Doug coming down. Maybe, also, I can get some writing done.

We'll see.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

Mammom Invades Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is being invaded!

More and more companies (not just Walmart) are demanding that their employees work on Thanksgiving.  The holiday is being engulfed by the madness that is Black Friday.

Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family, reflective of the blessings that we have,  Many of us are grateful to god and our faith for those blessings.

It is a not a time to work away from family.  Granted, there are some necessary functions that must go on, and for what is necessary, those individuals should be well compensated and given time with their family when they can.  But shopping is not a necessity, and should not be done.

So take the pledge!  Black Friday is bad enough...contradicting EVERYTHING that Thanksgiving is supposed to stand for!  But Thanksgiving itself we should choose to hold sacred for family.

Whatever our political persuasion, whatever our religious inclinations, can we all hold at least that in common?

Why the churches are not organizing to stop this encroachment is beyond me.  This would certainly seem to be a lot more vital issue of faith than clerks not saying Merry Christmas.

So, please, talk it up in your church today and this week.  Make a difference.  Let's hold Thanksgiving as a special day for being thankful for what we have, and not a day to begin coveting what we don't.

11/22/63: Saturday Political Soap Box 79

I was in third grade.

The teacher announced that the President had been shot, and that we were going home for the day. I didn't quite understand what was going on, except many of the older people around me were sad and worried. When we got off the school bus, an eighth grade girl had to have a high school boy on each side of her, as she cried and was so grief stricken she could hardly move. We went to my grandparent's lake house, and I remember being upset that my cartoons were disrupted by coverage, including the assassination of Oswald by Jack Ruby. It wasn't until years later that I learned how awful the events were, and how much they changed American history, mostly for the worst.

Yes, most likely for the worst, as it triggered a chain of negative events that led eventually to the escalation in Vietnam, the rise of Nixon and Watergate and the dissolution of trust in government, to Reagan and his yanking our nation sharply rightward shattering our dream that our country could do great things, to George Bush the Junior who took this nation to it's lowest point in decades (ruining our foreign policy and the lives of hundreds of thousands with the Iraq War, increasing the debt to massive proportions by cutting taxes to the wealthy and other 'unfunded' mandates and wars, bringing this nation and virtually in the entire world to the brink of financial ruin, ignoring climate change to the point that now it is almost certainly too late, and I could go on and on and on, but either you get the point or you don't), to where we are dealing with TeaPartyAmerika (a wholly owned subsidiary of RepubliCorp) which is a group that does not mind sacrificing lives, democracy, and financial stability in order to get their way.

I love alternate history, and both writers and historians have wide disagreement on what the effect of Kennedy not being assassinated would have had.  Some think it would have meant little.  I have heard reasonable arguments, for example, that it would have slowed progress on civil rights, that some legislative successes were actually fueled by our impulses to fulfill his agenda and by LBJ being a southerner and able to pull enough southerners along to accomplish things more quickly.  Others insist that our course in Vietnam was cooked so hard that JFK would have gone down the same path.  And others note that his alleged affairs would not have survived an era of greater scrutiny.

I don't know.  We can never know.  But I like to think the best.

Throughout my four years at University of Michigan I received As and Bs except for one course.  I got a C in European History.  I went to war with a graduate assistant and I lost.  She was a socialist and believed economics was the sole determinant of the course of history.  I believed in the Great Man Theory of History, and did my paper on how Oliver Cromwell influenced the course of British history, in ways that defied simple economic analysis.  She was not pleased.

So forgive my indulgence and insistence that great men can make a difference.

That had Kennedy lived history would have taken a different course, that at least Vietnam would not have occurred so disastrously.

That had Martin Luther King lived he might have led us closer to the realization the civil rights and economic justice were intertwined.

That had Robert Kennedy lived a coalition of poor and middle class whites combined with African Americans and Latinos would have altered our history enough so that we might no longer be a divided nation.  I firmly believe, with every fiber of my soul, that the assassination of RFK was the  biggest game changer in American history.

Reagan made a difference in that he turned the nation more sharply right than it had any intention of going.  He accelerated the division between rich and poor, a snowball that has continued to grow to the present day.

Obama, like Lincoln, has tried to heal us and bring us together, restore some progressivity and balance to our country.  There are bitter and hateful forces aligned against him that have made it difficult for him.

But those forces have always existed in our country.  They were there in JFK's time as well.  People who hated him intensely and, although they may not have participated directly in it, their hatred fueled the atmosphere that made his assassination more likely.

May the flames of hatred eventually be cooled.

I don't want our country to go through it again.  One day like 11/22/63 is one day too many.

History of the Trap: July Nightmares Part 6

6

I am certainly not proud of everything I did in the Trap.  There were many decisions I regret, moral and personal compromises that may or may not have been necessary but leave me queasy.   One of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, was to not report what Lisa and I had found out about Mr. Black and David Izzner's connection. The night last month when we had overheard the meeting between the two planning contraband, including the future re-introduction of alcohol.  I didn't want to expose Lisa and myself to too much scrutiny from these black marketeers.  We had discussed frequently over the last few weeks what to do, if there was a way to tell my father without it coming back to us.  My only excuse in our delay of doing anything was that my father seemed to making good progress on his own.  Cigarettes seemed to be a thing of the past (although we had the continuing problem of dealing with withdrawals), and alcohol had not yet appeared.  David Izzner had been questioned by Vice-Principal Tate several times, and was under a high level of scrutiny.  Mr. Black's connection had remained undiscovered, and we weren't sure anyone would even believe us, given his immense popularity.  That is, it remained undiscovered until yesterday afternoon.

Mr. Tate conducted a raid on Mr. Black's office, and in a storage closet adjacent to his office, found three stills behind a shelf of band instruments.  Since then, Mr. Tate had Mr. Black in isolation, presumably interrogating him to reveal more of his connections, who the other students and teachers were he was working with.  What with everything else going on that morning, I had heard nothing about how that was going, and I didn't overhear my father and Vice-Principal Crowler discussing it when I listened at his office a few minutes earlier.

No, my focus was on trying to find a place to write the next segment of that stupid soap opera, The Sands of Loren.  I decided to go to an empty auditorium, one that would not be in use until choir practice that afternoon. 

I sat in a plush theater chair near an exit light that gave me a soft glow to work from.  I did not need a lot of light to see and write.  My eyes were good, and adjusted well to the dark.  I took my writing pad out and stared blankly at it.  No ideas were coming forward.

I sighed, and then felt a large hand covering my mouth.  It was a large, muscular hand.  If it chose to choke me, I would not be long for this world.  My heart stopped with terror.

The hand forcibly pulled my head up and I saw who it was that was holding me.  It was my worst nightmare, Jack Kessler, the big burly football player who acted as David Izzner's muscle.  He wore a terrifying scowl on his face, menace pouring from his narrow brown eyes, his coal black hair worn in a buzzcut.  "Think I'd forgotten, huh?  You little weasel!"

I looked at him with a baffled expression, as if I had no idea what he had been talking about.  "You know, Marty Martian.  And here I thought you and that pretty four eyes were just snockering each other.  Ol' Daddy's boy finally spilled the beans, didn't he?  Thought ol' Jack here would forget."

I tried to shake my head no, but it was almost impossible to do, the way he was holding me.  He could just flick his wrist and it would snap my neck.

"Now, I'm gonna pull my hand away, and you are not gonna scream like the little girl you are.  You can't believe how painful I make things if you scream."

I did my best to nod yes.  He pulled his hand away.  I was not stupid enough to scream, but I did try to quickly calculate how I could run away.  But he wouldn't let go of me, keeping one hand at my throat and another roughly grabbing my arm. "Now cough it up, Marty.  Who told your Dad?  Was it you or little miss four-eyes?  Or was it both?"

"It wasn't either one of us!" I blurted out.  "I don't have any idea how Mr. Tate found out!" 

Jack looked down on me with derision.  I desperately tried to think of a credible story, but my imagination fled from me.  "There had to be a lot of people who knew, or suspected.  It could have been anybody!"

"What?  You think I just fell off the truck with the turnips? I know it was you and that girl!  No one else would be that stupid."  He took his hand off my throat and reared back to punch me.

"Why would we wait weeks?  That makes no sense.  Why would we not tell right away?" 

Jack hesitated a second.  "How would I know how your cowardly Martian brain works?  Maybe you finally got over your bed-wetting long enough to tell."

"You don't want to do this!  You don't want this on your conscience!"

Jack just reared back and laughed, like it was the funniest thing he had ever heard.  "You need to confess.  I don't know Four-eyes' name, but it won't take me long to figure out.  I'm sure I can get your friends to point her out to me."

I knew what I had to do, whatever the consequences to myself.  I had to make it clear and decisive as possible, so he would have no doubts.  I had to convince him, even if it was the last thing I would ever get to do.  "Alright!  It was me!  I confess!  I told Mr. Tate yesterday.  I didn't even go to my Dad; I just went straight to Tate.  Lisa didn't want me to tell.  We broke up yesterday because she was so committed to me keeping my mouth shut!"

Jack looked at me for a couple of seconds.  I wasn't sure what his mind was processing.  Finally, he said, "You know what, Marty?  I believe you.  Sure, why not?  But, what the hell, why give her a pass?  I think it might be fun to seek her out anyways, establish my 'authority' over her, if you know what I mean."  And he gave me am evil, contemptuous, horrifying wink.

I lost control. "No!" I screamed, rushing at him, pushing him against the chest, landing a feeble punch against his jaw.

It had all the effect of a fly buzzing a giant.  He looked at me puzzled, slightly stunned at the insanity of my attack.  He pushed me to the floor of the auditorium and got out a knife.  "I'm gonna gut you like the pig you are."  He stood over me, knife raised, ready to end my existence in the Trap, ready to wink out my fading star.

Then we heard a loud explosion, one that threatened to shatter our ear drums.  The ground began to rock and buckle, like a large earthquake was getting ready to open up and send our whole school to the pits of hell.

Jack Kessler fell violently backwards, hitting his head hard as he did.  The ground stopped shaking, I took that opportunity to get up and run to the door.  I left without glancing back to see if he was alive.

The July nightmares were now in full swing.

Hitting the Beach!

That's not the ocean behind us.

It's a lake, most likely in Muncie, Indiana, from the the summer my Dad took National Science Scholarship courses at Ball State.  But it could be from any number of large lakes around Michigan.  Yes, so large you could not see the other side of the shore.

My mother is probably holding me to keep me out of the water.  We were faithful followers of the thirty minute rule...no going into the water until at least thirty minutes after we ate. When we went to the beach, it was often for many hours, and we would have a lunch of sandwiches and fruit.

The water was almost always calm and clear.  There were no sharks and jellyfish and things that go bump on your knees.  It was often on the cold side, but you would adjust.  There weren't many dramatic waves, unless you were at one of the Great Lakes (and even there not as big as the ocean's).

I enjoyed the sandy beaches when we found them.  I loved building sand castles and sand forts and whole sand villages.  I like to try to bury my sister, but that's a different story.

Even though we were out there for hours, I don't remember having to worry about the sun.  I would actually brown up rather than burn.  Then something happened at puberty, and all my melanin fled, leaving me to burn easily.  One time in my late twenties, I decided to do some yardwork with my shirt off.  I got burned horribly, and I still have freckles on my back just from those couple of hours.  Consequently, this is about the only picture I have of me with my no shirt.

It was great to be little like that, and have no sense of personal vanity, to not worry about the judgement of others.  It got so bad later in life for me, that on our last big family vacation when I was around 17, and we went to the beach in Daytona, I would not go down to the beach, and just stayed in the hotel room reading comics.  My pudgy body and lack of social graces completely embarrassed me.

We went to the beach last month around Fernandina.  For the first time in decades, I went into the water without wearing a t-shirt.  Just like being young, I finally hit an age where I just didn't give a rip what other people thought.  I went into the water to help watch out for my son and his friend.  I was there to watch over him and make sure I was there if he needed help.  I realized that my almost 13 year old didn't need mee to do that anymore.  In fact, the only "rescuing" that was done was my son pulling me up after I had got knocked down by a large wave.  The sensei becomes the master.

I like going to the beach.  I am not as compelled to it as some, but I do like it.  Especially in the Fall, when it's not quite as hot or as crowded.  Thank goodness for SPF gazillion to help protect me.

Theater for Everyone this Weekend!

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    Friday at 7:00pm until November 24 at 3:00pm

• Please join us the second FDAC-sponsored Girl Scouts Pathway; "Alice in Wonderland!" A large cast of local Girl Scouts will be performing this classic tale, for your enjoyment. Come see Alice, The White Rabbit, The Cheshire Cat, and all of their friends! Show Dates - Friday, November 22nd - 7:00 PM; Saturday, November 23rd - 7:00 PM; Sunday, November 24th - 3:00 PM Tickets - $5

Flying Dragon Arts Center

405 Tebeau Street, Waycross, Georgia 31501

View Map · Get Directions

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    Thursday at 8:00pm until Friday at 8:00pm

• Two more shows. Tickets 10.00 at the door 8pm doors open 7:30

Okefenokee Heritage Center

Waycross, Georgia

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Coming the first two weekends in December from WACT.....A Christmas Carol!  Stay tuned to this blog for future updates!