In the Land of E Pluribus Unum, In God We Trust

Recently, the Pierce County Commissioners voted to prominently display the phrase "In God We Trust" in their meeting room.  Had I been a commissioner, I would have voted to approve it's display. Why not?  After all, it is the official motto of the United States of America, and has been since Congress adopted it way back in 1956.  This was at the height of the Red Scare, and we wanted to send a message to the great atheistic monoliths that surrounded us, including the Soviet Union and communist China, that we stood for something different.

What was our motto before 1956?  Well, we didn't have an "official motto", but the unofficial de facto  motto used most frequently was "E Pluribus Unum".  It is on the Great Seal of the United States, first used in 1782.  It was used even during the Revolutionary War as a motto and rallying cry.  It has appeared on various coins dating back to 1786.

What does it mean?  Ah, I know this one from my grand days playing the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz!  I tell Dorothy that we are returning to "the land of E Pluribus Unum."  It means "Out of many, one."  One meaning revolves around the colonies combining and acting as one nation.  But it also has come to mean the great dynamic of this country, of how we are formed by many groups and peoples, immigrating from all over the globe, to form one great nation, to form the most democratic and freest nation on Earth.  It is a testament to how our strength in unity emerges from the richness of our diversity, how our talents as individuals weave together to become a greater whole.

E Pluribus Unum, although never officially the motto of the Untied States, is one I hold close and dear, and is representative of the best hopes and dreams of this country.  It shows us what we have emerged from and have  formed into, it leads us together in present times, and it gives shape for our hopes and reams for the future.

Out of many, one.  A celebration of individuality and community, the promise of diversity leading to unity, the hope of moving together towards a brighter tomorrow - all in one simple phrase.

So, yeah,  Official or not, I would have voted for this as well.  In God we trust, and that trust leads me to love my neighbor and fellow man, to respect and cherish mankind's diversity, and to cherish the idea that our diversity, our combined strengths and the best parts of our nature, will lead us together to a land that holds true to God's promise.

In God, we trust in this great land of E Pluribus Unum.

Break Time is A Coming Through

I feel the power of a break coming through!  I work today and tomorrow, and then I have Thursday and Friday off.  That is a four day weekend.  Of course, there is a minor medical procedure to prepare for on Thursday and then go through on Friday, but nevertheless, four days off work!  Woohoo!

Than next week I only have two work days, and then I will be off Wednesday through Monday, including Christmas.  I also hope to get up to Atlanta and see both Greg  (who is flying in from LA) and Doug, my two older sons.  That is a whopping six day weekend!

Alison's last day before her break is this Wednesday, and then she will be off from December 18 through January 4, going back to work on Monday the 5th.  That is 18 days.

Benjamin's last day before break is today.  Yes, today.  His break starts tomorrow.  He got an extra day because of good grades.  They reward for those who like school and are doing well is an additional day out of school.  He goes back on to school on Wednesday, January 7th.  That's 21 days.  Three full weeks.  Benjamin will be on break for three entire weeks.

I thought my four days and six days were pretty awesome, but suddenly I feel a little dwarfed.  And mine are only that much because I'm 10% retired and don't work most Fridays outside of tax season, and I have gone up from twelve vacation days a year to fifteen.  There are some at my work who are taking much less time than I do this Christmas season.

Then there are some in other lines of work who are taking substantially less time.  There are first responders and others who will probably even be working Christmas Day.  I wish there was more balance and respect in our economy, but that isn't universally true.  Ah, France!  Where six weeks vacation a year is  what even entry level workers get!

Nevertheless, Benjamin....three weeks?  Really?

I am so jealous!

Getting the Boot and Other Monday Musings

The marvelous cast and crew of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  The show is now over, but it had a great run, drawing large, enthusiastic crowds.  You can see that the cast was primarily young people, and I think it was an enjoyable learning experience for them.  They put in great performances and were well-behaved backstage (well, at least at a 95% level -they are kids, after all).

This was my last play performance until after tax season, and I will miss it.  Directing and then performing a small part was nice, but I am hungry for something a little more. The reality is, at my age, the number of parts that I am qualified for are becoming fewer and fewer,  But I still love to act.  It's one of those rare things about myself that I have a great deal of confidence in.
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Getting the boot refers to my horrible experience with the COMIC BOOK COLLECTING group on Facebook.  I got booted out because I posted a blog entry onto their group.  Now, this was not new, it was something I had been doing at rare intervals for about a year, rare because I don't post many blog entries about comics.  And that's all I would post to their site.  I was accused of self-promotion, and trying to make money, I guess.

Everything they said about me was wrong.  I have no advertising, and I have no means of making money from it (sad but true).  I'm not mining the group for followers - I have very few followers.  I'm not even quite sure what it means to be a follower.  I have 28 listed on my blog, but some of those are people who are on there more than once but with different icons, and I don't know what they do that anyone else reading does. And what comic book fan in their right mind would want to follow a blog that is 99% NOT about comics?  I have only half a dozen or so comic book posts out of over a thousand posts.

My only goal was to communicate ideas that take more than a few sentences, something they might enjoy. Something more than the "I liek comix" and "how dare they cast a black person as Human Torch" and "Is that comic I just bought new last week now worth lots of money?"  The article I wrote was one of my rare researched pieces and took several hours of preparation.

And as far as self-promotion, here's a shocker - Facebook IS self-promotion.  Everything you say and do on Facebook is about expressing who you are and your interests and ideas.

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Advent is soon drawing to a close, and Christmas season will begin.  We have started the slow roll out of Christmas decorations, but that has not included the tree yet.

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The Detroit Lions had a close game, but the final outcome was in their favor.  With the Packer's unexpected loss, the Lions are in first place, and I'm actually beginning to think they have a shot at qualifying for the playoffs.  It's December and the Lions are in first place in their division.  Rare and exciting words!

The Atlanta Falcons, on the other hand, took a giant step towards elimination, as they lost to Pittsburgh.  What you can you do when Matt Ryan has about a millisecond as to think what to do, and the other quarterback has enough time to go out for coffee and eat brunch?

In football I like the running game, and a well protected quarterback,  The passing and circus catches are interesting, but my favorite receiver is Detroit's Golden Tate III.  He is a YAC (Yards After Catch) leader, and he is just as exciting after catching the ball as he is catching the ball as after.  Run, Golden Tater, run!

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Oy.  The clock is slamming into me again.  I have just three work days this week, so I have that to look forward to.

Until next time,

T. M .Strait

History of the Trap: March Coup Part 1

Chapter Fourteen

March Coup

1

The consequences of my anger and resultant indifference to my Father were made apparent by events in March.  I am perhaps fantasizing when I think that anything I would have done would have made a difference.  But had I been more alert and caring, maybe I wouldn't feel as bad about it as I do now.

World Humanities with Mrs. Forsyth was an enjoyable class, even with all the distractions of where we were.  Some didn't feel it important that we discussed so much about a world that may not even exist anymore, but I enjoyed it.  We began by focusing on Greek culture, and their many contributions to society.  We read Antigone by Sophocles, studied Greek architecture and explored Athenian democracy.   Some math and geometry concepts were discussed, but my eyes glazed over in that part.  Then we moved on to Roman culture, and were just starting to discuss Julius Caesar and his brutal betrayal, as written by Shakespeare.  'Et tu, Brutus?' 

The first meeting of the Council was brutal.  My father was refusing to ratify the list of names for the student security staff, as even though Mr. Tate was asked to bring in a more balanced list, he had submitted it virtually unchanged from February.  He asked Mr. Bruchow to work with the new Vice-Principal, Mr. Charles Stein, in selecting an alternative list, and that he would hen blend the two lists together.  This did not go over well at all, but my father overruled a vote adopting the list Mr. Tate prepared, claiming that is was a decision that required his executive approval. 

How long he would have that authority was questionable, as the committee to look at rules and bylaw changes for the council wanted to chip at my Dad's veto authority by having an over-rule provision by a two-thirds vote by the Council, including students, faculty and administrative staff.  It would set up the students and faculty/staff as almost a bicameral legislature, with each having to have majority votes to ratify actions, and then my father could choose to approve or veto.  Artie, who was part of the committee, endorsed some of the ideas but not all of them.  It also had a mechanism to remove the Principal from power, kind of an impeachment process.  I didn't know what to think.  In the abstract, it all seemed democratic enough.

My father, though, angered some by not immediately bringing the new rules to a vote.  He said he would have to study them, and then give his input. 

The committee looking at marriages did get their proposal approved.  My father just added that the couple interested in getting married needed to have a minimum of three counseling sessions, with a guidance counselor, and that a small committee composed of an administrator, faculty and student representative review the marriage application and process and unanimously approve it.  With these modifications, this proposal was passed and authorized by my father.

The next meeting was scheduled in another week, at which time the student security staff would be finalized, and my father would give his recommendations on the bylaw changes. 

Artie was disturbed by the whole tone that seemed to be carried by many at the meeting.  There seemed to be subtle blame directed at my father for some of the mishaps that occurred, including the tunnel collapse, the rash of suicides that followed, the students that just disappeared, those that died in accidents, anything and everything they could think of.  No one blamed him for what I blamed him for; the fact that Lisa's murderer walked free.

Artie wanted to talk more about it, but I stopped listening.  Let my father deal with his own stuff.  It was none of my concern.

I was naive.

History of the Trap: February Myths Part 3

3

Lindsay Starn was right.  More or less.  She did want me to write something.

We met in the guidance office that was Mr. Joe Oliver's, up until the time he was murdered in that very office.  Now it was occupied by the new head guidance counselor, Mrs. Glenda Novik.  She was a tall, friendly woman, and looked a lot like Mary Tyler Moore.  Our guidance counselors had become more like psychological therapists than career counselors.  They had a tough job, and sometimes they lost the battle, as evident by our high rate of suicide, particularly back in August when so many were depressed after the tunnel collapse.  I sure wish they could have helped Sue Boschman more.

Mrs. Novik stayed in the office with us, as did Andrea's bodyguard, Gary Jackson.  I don't know if that was for her protection or mine.  Both stayed quiet while Andrea spoke.

It was the first time I had ever heard her voice.  It was excited, a little high pitched, and she spoke quite quickly.  I had to listen carefully to catch everything.

Her long, wild red hair, swooshed around as she animatedly talked.  She was thin, of medium height (probably just a couple inches shorter than myself), and had intense blue eyes. 

"I really love The Sands of Loren, Mr. Martin," she gushed.  "I really do.  It is so wonderful with all the marvelous characters and everything.  I really love Dr. Brenda Marr, she is so cool, better than any doctor I ever met and I just know she's not the killer.  I just know it!  She's not the killer, is she?"

I stated to open my mouth for a reply, but Andrea just rolled on.  "Oh, no!  Don't tell me!  I want to find out when everyone else does.  But I think it's that Nurse Rackett.  She acts like an airhead, but I'll bet you she's really evil.  Sometimes people surprise that way.  And I really miss Detective Haskins.  He's so beautiful and intelligent and just such a good match for Brenda and I just know they're going to get together someday.  I think you should do one where they honeymoon in Niagara Falls, that would be so pretty, and have it be on the Canadian side because that side is so much better.  I know that David Deneau, the guy who plays him, in real life has gone to the farm but it's a shame because he such a good actor, surely someone else could be a farmer.  Acting is so much better than farming, don't you think?"

And on and on and on she went.  I was unclear as to what was the point of it all.  Finally, I began to realize that she wanted me to add a character to the soap.  It was disguised, but she wanted me to add her. 

She talked about how great if an heiress could come in; maybe reveal her to be the hospital owner.  She could be a good character, but one who was powerful and would speak her mind, no matter what anyone else thought.  "And she could become best friends with Dr. Brenda Marr, and she could help her solve the murders now that Detective Haskins was gone."

I managed to get a question in.  "And what is it you think this new character should look like?"

Andrea exploded with enthusiasm.  "She should be really pretty, but not as beautiful as Dr. Marr, that would be too distracting.  She should be thin and not too tall, with a really long pretty hair, and with big intense expressive eyes, and be strong and soft at the same time."

Yeah, that wasn't subtle.  I think I was beginning to get what she was after.  "Do you want to try out for this part?"

Her eyes lit up like firecrackers.  "Why, I'm so flattered that you would think of me!  I mean, I would be so honored!  I haven't really acted before.  Well, except at home, in my own room, you know in front of the mirror."  She took a breath, looking like she thought she might have stepped too far and revealed a little bit too much about her self.  For all their family's money, Andrea must have been a lonely little girl.  "Anyways, I mean, are you really thinking about adding the part?  Are you?"

My first instincts were all, are you crazy?  This is my story, and I'll shape the way I want to!  But I needed a creative jolt, and to be callous about it, if I befriended this girl, perhaps I could learn more about how Gregor Robotics might be involved in out Trap.  "I'll tell you what.  Give me a chance to write something up and in a few days, you can come down to the studio to try out."

She was so excited that a pencil sharpener and some books that were on the corner of the desk just flew off.  I didn't see her hit them, but she must have as she got up.  "I'll be there, Mr. Martin!  You can count on me!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"  She got up and came around to me.  My gosh, she was so excited she almost seemed to be floating on air.

She approached me, and I thought she was going to hug me, but she stopped just short.  Instead she went over to her bodyguard and said, "I must prepare now.  Please take me to Mrs. Forsyth's room, Gary.  I must get my mind ready for this."

Gary led her out of the room.  Mrs. Novik smiled at me.  "Thank you, Lance.  That was sweet of you to let her do that."

"No problem, Mrs. Novik.  The soap needs a jolt, anyway," I said." 

"That is the most I've ever heard her say.  She may not be easy, Lance, you should be aware of that.  Let me know right away if there are any problems."

Yeah, I could see that.  I also had no idea if she could act her way out of a paper bag, or if she would be a talent to rival Franny Cranfield.

"You might to star her part real small, and she how it develops from there," said Mrs. Novik.

"Sure," I replied.  My curiosity got the better of me.  "I just wondered what is she doing here, though?  You would think that with all her family's money that she would be going to Huron Preparatory Academy or even someplace fancy out of state."

"Her choices may have been more narrowed than you think.  She's had some...well, never mind.  That's not my place to tell.  Just don't overtax her, and don't let her get too hyper, if you can help it.  And if other kids are mean to her, let me know."

"Will that bodyguard guy be with her?" I asked.

"Yes.  Wherever she is, that's where he is going to be."

"I don't know how Mr. Resart will feel about it."  Mr. Donald Resart was the teacher in charge of the TV studio.

"Don't worry about Mr. Resart.  I'll talk to him."

I nodded.  "Okay, Mrs. Novik.  We'll give it a whirly-burley.  See how it flies."  I actually hoped she didn't fly.  That would certainly make camera work awkward.

And that's my strongest memory of February.  Andrea turned out to be quite an actress, not as restrained or as talented as Franny, but the audience appreciated her somewhat wild antics.  She mostly came alive onstage, and offstage would only talk to me.  It was much later that I was able to figure out much more about Gregor Robotics, or even vital things about her.  Things that would have been good to know a whole lot earlier.

I have much stronger memories of March.  It was a month of significant changes, and the Trap would never be the same again.

Take A Trip to Oz this Year!!

It's Oz week!!!!! This is our 5th trip to Oz. All week we will look back at past shows. All Oz alumni get a $2 discount to the show. The Wizard of Oz opens Thursday at 7pm. Location RJ's Grill  (from the Flying Dragon's group site).

Pictured above is from when Benjamin played The Cowardly Lion.  That was one of three times that Benjamin was in The Wizard of Oz with Flying Dragon.  He also has played the Doorman and the Wizard.

Please note that the production is not on Tebeau Street.  They are performing at RJ Grills, which is outside of town on Ossie Davis Parkway, 1925 Ossie Davis Parkway.

Santa Knows



Santa Knows

by T. M. Strait

The little girl bounced up onto his knee.  She wasn't afraid of him, not like she was last year.  She was so much older and wiser now, now that she was five.

"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas to you," and then there was a brief pause.  She smiled up at the jolly St. Nick.  "....Lilly Von Holman!"

Lilly squealed in delight.  "Santa!  You know my name!"

He chuckled.  "Yes, Santa knows. And what would you like for Christmas, Lilly?"

Lilly knew right off and said in a burst, "I want a Little Tina Horse and Stable Set, the one with the pretty Palomino Pal!"

Santa looked up at the parents, who nodded just enough to let Santa know that was okay.  "Of course, and you shall certainly find that under your tree at 1214 Sycamore Lane! And my elves can find it best on the fifth floor toy department at just $24.99!"  The father nodded again, but was slightly confused that Santa would know and say out loud their address.

"I also want a Pretty Princess Mini 4-Wheeler!" she piped in.

Santa looked up and the father shook his head no.  "Why, a good girl like you?  Of course you will get one!  And my elves can find that at Laramie's Golf Karts R Us for just $569.99!"

She hugged Santa again, and got down, taking her mother's hand.  The father came up to Santa, saying in angry whisper, "What are you doing?  Didn't you see me shake my head no!"

Santa looked at him and whispered back.  "Yes, I did.  And I know that you beat your wife in the early morning hours of November 28th at 3 AM.  Your daughter has been an exceptionally nice little girl, to have a father so rotten.  She deserves the 4-Wheeler and she will get it...unless, of course, you want to be reported."

The father sputtered, "Wh-what?  How dare you!  I-I never..."

"Yes, you did.  And if you ever do it again, you will never see that precious daughter of yours again. And don't try to fool Santa.  Santa knows."

_______________________

"It's amazing!" said Admiral Dosmar.  "I had no idea the technology could work that well!"

The store CEO nodded his head.  "It's amazing, Sir!  You are definitely spot on!  The Santa 3000NP is a top of the line AI robot.  It can communicate wirelessly with the internet and with all the other Santa 3000NP's that are active,  and can find out whatever information the child and the parent need to know.  They have facial recognition software and can identify most children right away."

"Why did it say the family's address?  Is that not a little bit too much?"

"Yes, that was a slight glitch.  We'll have to look into fixing that," answered the CEO.

The Admiral's granddaughter was next in line, a pretty little redheaded girl.

"Ho-ho-ho!  Merry Christmas!' gleefully said Santa, and then there was another slight pause. "....Kimberly Anne Dosmar!"

"That's fantastic!," said the Admiral, mulling over the military applications.

"And what do you want for Christmas, Kimberly?"

She quickly said, "A Rummy Tummy Tigger Story Doll, with hundreds of stories to tell me when I go to bed at night!"

Santa glanced up at the Admiral. The Admiral smiled and gave a nod. 

"Of course you can, Kimberly!  And my elves can find that on the fourth floor book department for $119.99!"

Kimberly hugged Santa, and started to get down when she remembered one more thing.  She got back in his lap, and said, "And I would really like for there to be peace on earth, so my Grandaddy can be home longer!"

Santa looked up at Admiral Dosmar.  The Admiral chortled and shrugged his shoulders.  What a funny, sweet little girl!

Santa looked blank for a several seconds.  The CEO wondered if he was malfunctioning.  Then Santa came out of it and said, "Of course, Kimberly!  World peace it is!"

The Admiral looked puzzled.  "That's sweet, but it's kind of setting her up for a fall later, don't you think?"

The Admiral's special cell began to ring, the one connected to the Joint Chiefs and the NSA.  He heard what they had to say and was stunned.  "What do you mean, the missiles have been deactivated?  All around the world?  And our defense electronic systems are jammed?  Wait!  What?  You're fading out!"

The Admiral looked furiously at the CEO.  "What systems are these things tied into?  Anything military?"

"Well, I mean, you know, how the kids like to track where Santa is...."

"You mean....?" sputtered the Admiral.

"NORAD," answered the CEO, scrunching down as if he was afraid he was going to be hit.

Kimberly looked up at Santa.  "You know how to bring world peace, Santa?"

Santa smiled at Kimberly.  "Oh yes, Kimberly." then looking glassily at the Admiral,......

  "......Santa knows."