These comments predate my compiling this book length autobiography. I only did minor editing — primarily adjusting the spacing between sentences. Otherwise, I left the original notations and parentheses alone.
(26 October 2023) [12/11/2023] [12/22/2023]
***
Publishing this is neither easy nor comfortable. It may not win me any friends. It serves as a bookmark in the book of United States history. It was written at a time of national and personal confusion. It is then a literary snapshot, and an emotionally charged "selfie." Perhaps it is nothing more or less than that, but I leave that determination to others.
5/28/2021, Macbeth Raymondovich reporting
Ok. I'm calmer now. What follows is an edited version of what I wrote earlier.
January 6, 2021 is a day that has many people upset and confused. I can honestly say that I am one of them. Even so, one of the hardest things that we humans can do is to love our enemies.
A lot of people are upset with President Donald Trump. Dealing with such emotions is not easy, nor is it comfortable. I wish President Trump a good future. The same goes to his family.
As to editing my first entry into this journal, I am somewhat conflicted.
1) Having an honest record of how this day (and the tragic events in Washington DC) is important. My country is in pain. And I am crying right now as I type this.
2) Humor is a critical part of my self-image, imagination, and coping strategies. The thing is that often the only person who thinks that I'm "funny" is me! Which is to say that my humor can come out "rather sideward."
Today my humor is both my release and my shield. Therefore, it may be more for my benefit than for you, the reader.
Here goes.
***
Preamble:
In the USA, this is a hard day. The reason that I began writing this was to process my emotions.
As bad as today is (or was since it's past midnight)
As bad as today still is, humor is a great big pressure release valve that is built into the human brainpan! Sooo...
Posted: Stupid Joke Alert
"[delete] Well, I can top that! [delete] I'm a constipated Chihuahua!"
Ok. That was a sheep joke -- meaning that is was BA-A-A-AD
Normally January 6th is a venerable, family holiday. This year it is just sad. But as sad as any day can be, eventually the sun always rises.
Unless you live under a rock.
*
Part one: emotion: calm anger
6 January 2021
4 people died today, or so I remember. Tempers are running hot. Despair has raised its ugly head. Our enemies are portrayed as being jubilant about the USA's enormous hypocrisy.
A friend has voiced concern that right wing politics are being associated with Christians. Perhaps any opposition to liberals or their agenda will be seen as evil. [delete] Right wing. Fanatical.
[I was born in the USA. I have noticed a number of cycles of what I call "revenge politics." There is liable to be several types of backlashes as reactions to recent events. We all need to watch our logic and our emotions.
[Using a winter driving metaphor, we have hit hit a rough spot and we need to be mindful of "clear ice." We need to slow down, be mindful, and avoid oversteering. This country has been through worse, but we are tender right now.
[My heart goes out to those families who have lost so much in recent days.
[I. Feel. And it hurts.]
Ok. So [sic] I've embellished a trifle. This entry is, basically, stream of consciousness. [delete]
This is my political doctrine to date (and may God have mercy on my soul):
[Context: I have given some serious thought to getting personally involved in politics. I'm thinking that I'm not ready to make any definitive plans. This not simply due to recent events.]
1: Anyone who aspires to lead must first aspire to serve.
2) There is an order to things: God first, Others second, Self third. (Having once had multiple personalities with different names, I guess that makes me Numero Cuatro.)
I get by, and we all have the same name now. I credit God for that idea.
3: In the USA we have: A) a congress, not a parliament, and B) a president, not a monarch or a prime minister.
Opinion (and mayhap an obnoxious one at that): Any USA (American) politician who is more loyal to there [sic] political party than to their constituents (the American people who they are supposed to "represent") is at best guilty of malpractice -- and at worst guilty of treason.
[Hmm. Yes. That is harsh, so where is -that- anger coming from? (By the way, I have read the US Constitution. Or at least did my best at the time. I can honestly say that I don't understand some sections of the Constitution.) Sometimes I wonder if the people allegedly "in charge" of America have ever even attempted to read what they have taken oaths to "defend."
[Being a US Navy veteran, in a way that includes me!
[Ok. So [sic] some of my anger comes from simmering frustration. That is good to know.]
4: The motto "To Serve And Protect" is a good philosophy for a politician to follow.
When did we loose [sic] Our path? And who am I to presume that We were ever on one in the first place?
[Ok. -deep breath- Yup. So not ready yet to become a politician!
[Nooo... I'm not ready. But I'm beginning to understand why.
[Even so, I hope that you, the reader, are coping with all of this better than I am! Because I'm "definitely??" feeling like a "constipated Chihuahua" just now!
[So, signing off. Since I don't have a teddy bear to hug, I plan on hugging my toy otter. Ciao and shalom. Peace be with you.]
YOU ARE READING
A Bridge Over Troubled Waters
SpiritualDear Reader: You are precious, priceless, and irreplaceable. In the entire history -- of the entire universe: In the history of all Eternity... There has been, and ever will be, only one you. Herein are opinions, observations, and things autobiograp...
