WAR! WAR! WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!©

Dedication:

Thanks Pop for everything! I am the man I am today because of you! I miss you so much… Happy Father’s Day to all the true Father’s out there raising strong men and women.

By James T. Morris, Sr., US Army Retired (08/20/1931- 11/18/2004) R.I.P. “pops”

 (Written during initial months of the War in Iraq)

      In recent weeks, the war hawks have been touting the professionalism of the Troops in the United States military.  A point that I take issue with.  I agree that they are sparing no expense in spending taxpayer’s loot. Since the build up since September 11, 2001 has been catastrophic to the American economy.

The use of Reservists and National Guard troops, is an ever-increasing financial burden on the taxpayers of this country, notwithstanding the social and moral deterioration of the fabric of the military family.

      As a retired army veteran, I share the wisdom of veterans from every war from any era, that if the President that we have now had served his country as diligently when he was called during the Vietnam era, as he expect the troops of today’s generation to serve, he would be less eager to talk so loosely about committing the sons and  daughters of Americans families to serve in his personal war.  If one listens to the President speak, they would think that he is on a crusade to fulfill his dad’s thoughts about “a new world order”, not unlike the Roman and British Empire.

Since he campaigned on the philosophy of “a kinder, gentler nation”, when he called himself a” compassionate conservative”, one would think that he would act more out of that “compassionate heart”, instead of boosting a war that most Americans are opposed to.

As for the professionalism of the soldiers he is sending to the Gulf area, most of them - until they were called away from their homes - were next door neighbors, bankers, farmers, truck drivers, and happy to be going home to their families when the job was done.  They have now been whisked away for a crash training cycle that extends probably no further than two or three months in duration.  To any retired professional Soldier this is the same army that we called “weekend warriors” that trained two days a month, and two weeks out of each year.

If the president really knew how to evaluate the qualities of a professional force, he would not allow his lack of combat service to mess up his reasoning.  He is pitting these young people who mostly joined the reserve and National Guard to save enough money to go to college, or establish a foothold in a society where jobs are scarce, and career opportunities are very rare.  While he is posturing for war, he expresses a lack of support for affirmative action, which constitutes a direct affront to many of the hundreds of thousands of blacks and minorities who serves in his “professional military”.

The president’s supporters must realize that they are not demonstrating the true tenets of a “Christian Nation”.  If the president wants a faith based initiative, let him familiarize himself with the bible that he used for taking his oath of office.  It was a special Bible-flown to Washington strictly for the ceremony.  It was a MASONIC Bible, used by men of great wisdom in days past.  Since September 11, 2001, Saber rattling and Bible rattling has set most Americans teeth on edge. They are either being frightened out of their wits with vague alerts that are unclear, or they are being told to assume the mental posture that “theirs is but to do or die, and not to ask the reason why”.

Choices ©

Every choice you make has an end result

Zig Ziglar

Hindsight is most definitely 20/20.

There are things that if we are absolutely honest with ourselves we would do over in a heartbeat. The key to overcoming the questionable decisions of our past is basically to acknowledge it and move on. Dwelling on the past does not benefit anyone. Let the past be the past. There’s nothing that we can do to change it. However we can control what we do going forward. We make our lives much more complicated than they need to be because of some of the choices that we make. Trust and believe that we all have fallen victim to making decisions based more on emotion than ones rooted in logic. The unfortunate thing is that most of the time decisions made based solely on emotion result in consequences that far exceed what we could have ever imagined. Now granted, we can’t always be logical and rational in our decision making all the time. Some decisions necessitate the need for spontaneous action. Nevertheless, we must be ready to live with the consequences of those actions without complaint or regret. You did it, you wanted to do it and it is what it is. Once the horse is out of the barn just know you gonna have to put in work to get it back in there. Experience has taught me that Self-Control is a lot more profitable than Damage Control. Lack of self-control contributes to eventual self destruction. Everything that you have worked hard for or all of the effort you have put forth to accomplish a goal can be wiped out in an instant by a momentary loss of self control. However, I am the eternal optimist and I believe that there is nothing that happens to us that we can’t overcome. Call me naïve but that is my belief.

This is actually a portion of an article that was sent to me several years ago. It is a testament to how the choices that we make can be absolutely life- altering. I have included this young man's testimony in today's entry as an example of how some decisions unfortunately cannot be undone and how some mistakes can haunt you for a lifetime....

The following article was written by a 35 year old African American Minister from Atlanta, GA. This was too profound not to share.

TO BE SINCERE AND FAITHFUL IN THE LORD IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK

I am a 35-year-old African American or Black brother dying of Aids.  I would like to share my testimony with you.

I am an owner of a Mortgage Company in Atlanta, GA. I own a 1999 Jaguar and I also own a $350,000 beautiful home in Cobb County. I have a beautiful Lady who is deeply in love with me and a loving family. But most important, I have Jesus. This is just a wakeup call to all single brothers and sisters who are professing to be Christians, but don't want to be complete. Brothers, I had a beautiful young lady who loves the Lord and worships the ground I walk on. But I still wasn't quite happy because sometimes I would see another sister with a Coca-Cola bottle shape and just wanted to hit it.  Because I was using a condom, I thought that I wouldn't catch the killer 'AIDS' but guess what? I did. And the person I caught it from was a girl that I knew well. But the condom came off and now I am dying of AIDS. Yes, I wore a condom. But yes it did happen. God gives us time after time to straighten our lives up. I do know the Lord in the pardon of my sins. I've been saved now for 7 years. I found out 7 months ago that I had the virus, and now I have full-blown Aids.
I really didn't think that I was doing anything wrong, because I would tell the women who I would deal with about the woman I love. I thought that was good enough. But it wasn't. I am a good man and also a God-fearing man; but my weakness was women... I really wasn't out there like you may think I was, but every once and a while I would see something I wanted to try. My girlfriend is a praying woman. I know now that she was intimate with me because she loved me and she wanted to make me happy. Now I've given AIDS to the woman I love (who has been faithful to me) because of lust. Brothers and sisters, what I am telling you is that God is tired of us hurting each other and using each other for self-gratification.

God has given me my home, my dream car and a beautiful woman and I took it all for granted. I've been tithing for 7 years. I am the chairman of my Deacon Board. But when I told my Pastor I had AIDS, he could not believe it because of the way I would carry myself. Brothers. If you have a sister who loves the Lord and who loves you for who you are and not for what you look like and not for what you have, cherish her. Sisters ... If you have a brother who loves the Lord, love him and cherish him.

My life has been altered. I've been with my lady since I was 20, and I've always used my young age as an excuse for not being loyal and not settling down with the woman I loved. I was being a hypocrite thinking that I was missing something, and not realizing that I had a good woman who loved and adored me. I wish I had been a real man and had appreciated the good woman God had sent me by not making excuses and dedicating my life to her. I would love to travel and marry this beautiful young Lady -- but now I can't.  I've embarrassed my family, my church and my friends. But I was hardheaded and now I must suffer.
God is cleaning up. Stop playing with God. God is revealing the secrets of us Christians. Brothers and sisters, we don't have to have so many 'friends,' you know what we call them... 'The ones we are planning to sleep with but haven't yet.' We often say that we don't want anyone to know our business, but God is about to reveal some things. Especially us young people. We think so carnal. But we say that we have been transformed. We have been transformed from what we want to be transformed from. Let's be real. God knows that the opposite sex attracts us. And he knows the desires we have for each other, but we don't have to have multiple partners. If I could do it all over again, I would marry the woman I love and live happy forever.  But now I can't! But you can! 

 Singles... I gotta tell you, it's not worth it. I love you all! Get rid of casual sex. This is really deep. After you've read this, think about yourself. Could this have been you? Some of you may not relate, but think about anything you are doing right now that is not of God... 

We are living in the last and final days, and pretending to be saved is not going to cut it. Professing that He is Lord, and yet worshipping the devil every chance you get will lead you to the same path as me. Get
your mind out of the gutter and put it in the Word of God and you'll have great success. Don't and you'll have great woe. I love the LORD and thank Him for all that He does in my life; therefore, I'm passing this on.

Yes, I do love Jesus who has forgiven me of the repeated sins. That forgiveness does not cancel out the consequences, at least not so far. But that's on me. Still, the Lord is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each day and is letting me share my story with you. I'm telling it like it is

THIS REALLY is to help somebody. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him, I am nothing but with Him I can do all things. Phil 4:13

If you love Jesus, Be Positive - Be Progressive...

Take the time to make a positive difference in someone's life.  

Minister Anthony J. Cox 

Life is all about choices. The key is to make informed decisions. Personally, my choices have become a lot more rooted in logic and less in emotion as I have matured and the absolute litmus test as to whether or not I am making the right decision is that the choice that I eventually make does not make me feel as though I am compromising my beliefs or the morals instilled in me by my parents and ancestors.

In closing with me being the eternal optimist i just want to leave you with a little nugget of wisdom that i received from a very dear friend of mine several years ago that continues to bless me daily:

Life can be much less complicated than we believe it to be. Just make choices … informed decisions … and don’t look back.

Mirror, Mirror ©

Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Today’s entry deals with something that a great many of us take for granted - Karma. I have noticed a very disturbing trend amongst people lately. Society is rewarding delinquent and deviant behavior. Maybe it is as result of what we perceive to be reality from what has been force fed to us by Social media outlets and the gatekeepers of today’s television programming. I mean it appears that the more deviant and disrespectful the behavior the more “props” and media coverage the perpetrator gets.

Even our elected officials and chief executives have exhibited deviant and unprofessional behavior. Representative Charles Rangel, Representative Robert Weiner, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator John Edwards, EX- IMF Chief Dominique Strauss – Kahn ……..*sigh* and sadly the list goes on and on. Notice a trend? All of the people listed held or currently holds a position of authority and were or now are charged either directly or indirectly with resolving issues that effect society. Now the abuse of power by individuals in authoritative positions is not a new topic but the frequency in which it has been occurring as of late has become rather disturbing. Unfortunately, what these men failed to realize or just chose to ignore is the fact that once you enter the public spotlight you are held to a certain level of accountability (whether they want to be or not). Now no one is perfect. I’ll be the first to admit that we all make mistakes. However, in the case of the aformentioned individuals they had several opportunities to right their wrongs but chose to continue their behavior because they thought that their indiscretions would never catch up with them. The sad thing is that their's is an all too common occurrence amongst people who hold positions of “power” or authority. Had these guys  surrounded themselves with responsible and honest individuals, they may have been able to avoid the pitfalls of their chickens coming home to roost. To quote one of my heroes El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz better known to some of you as Malcolm X:

“Being an old farm boy myself, chickens coming to roost never did make me sad, they’ve always made me glad.”

What goes around truly comes back around. I have been on the receiving end of negative Karma in the past a number of times myself. I have changed my life because of it. To paraphrase the Word of God, you reap what you sow. That’s why it is so important for us to sow good seed…whether you believe as I believe or in WHO I believe in or you don’t. Confucius’  Golden Rule implores us to do unto other as we would have others do unto us. Only by sowing good seed will your harvest be a plentiful and adequate one.

Narcissism is defined by Dictionary.com as an inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self -love or vanity. Unfortunately,  today’s society appears to have adopted a narcissistic tone that threatens to all but eradicate common courtesy or just overall good manners. This to me is extremely disheartening for you see I’m from the southeastern United States… Born and raised. The great thing about growing up in the south was the genuine sense of hospitality amongst southern residents. It was and to this day still nothing for me to get a hello from someone I don’t even know as I go about my daily routine regardless of where I travel in the south. Sadly though I have noticed a decline in this practice. Possibly because of the many transplants that have moved to the south from places or regions that don’t really stress or place much importance on hospitality. Now don’t get me wrong or misconstrue my point. There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving yourself. I mean after all there will be times when your number one cheerleader will only be you. People all too often ostracize people based on the wrong perception, somebody else’s opinion or an overall lack of understanding.  Nevertheless, loving yourself and only caring about what’s important to you to the point that affects another person’s quality of life or well being in this humble author’s opinion is considered narcissistic behavior.

The time has come for we as a society to care more about the well being of those around us. Selfishness in the grand scheme of things benefits no one. My life’s experiences have taught me that benevolence is the key to a happy and fulfilled life. I personally do several random acts of kindness a day. Not because I have to. Not for some type of payoff or so ulterior or underlying motive. I do several random acts of kindness daily simply because I want to and it is just simply the right thing to do. I’m doing my part to make the world in which we live a better place. That’s all I am honestly responsible for. If everyone took the time to make this world that they have been blessed to inhabit a better place every single day of their lives, some of the atrocities that we witness daily would have to disappear. The Genocide of ethnic races, the murder and abuse of innocent children, wars and civil unrest,  political malfeasance,  financial irresponsibility by the “haves”,  civil rights violations or unlawful and immoral behavior of any kind would not be allowed to stand or exist unchallenged by the masses.

I entitled this entry Mirror, Mirror simply because in order for anyone to champion change in the world they must first want a better quality of life for themselves. That way once you determine the proper balance between what’s good for you versus what’s good for the world, you can pursue the kind of change you wish to see in the world. Introspection to obtain knowledge of self is the key to growth and maturity. Michael Jackson was a musical genius (RIP MJ!). I was listening to Pandora the other day and his song Man in the Mirror came on and even though the song was written in 1988, the words to that song are absolutely timeless:

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change

It all starts with us. Our attitude. The way we treat our friends. The way we treat those we dislike (Do you even know why you dislike them?)  The way we treat people that we have absolutely no reason to respect. The way we allow people to treat us. Do you like the face staring back at you from that mirror you’re gazing into? My Prayer is that the answer is yes. But if the answer is no, then the next question should be … why? Trust me, I know the aforementioned scenario oh too well. I haven’t always liked the man I saw in the mirror. He was a lost soul. Living for the approval of others . Putting people’s needs before my own to the point of near self-destruction. Hot tempered and bull headed, caring about no one’s opinion but my own with a severe case of emotional tunnel vision. But that man is dead and gone. This goes back to my earlier point about introspection. I had to ask myself what I truly wanted out of life. For me it was a reconnection to Almighty God, HIS son… my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and HIS word. I then had a blueprint for the change I wanted for myself and the change that I wanted to see in the world. 


Now your testimony may be different but the premise is still the same. Get grounded in something positive and positivity is sure to follow. I was reading something just the other day that said that good behavior should always be an act of worship. Resisting temptation,  forgiving,  serving, and loving each other are all opportunities to tangibly express love for Jesus – not to get a star next to our name or a pat on the back. Psalms 1 is one of my favorite chapters from the Word of God. It speaks so eloquently to the reader of the importance of making sure that we as children of God and servants of the Most High operate in a manner that is pleasing to the Creator:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever her doeth shall prosper. Psalms 1: 1-3

The problem that I find with a lot of people today is that they are not what I refer to as free thinking or individual thinkers. Sadly, a lot of people allow others to think for them. I have noticed that people that aren’t free thinking individuals tend to follow the crowd. People that exhibit this sort of behavior usually dislike someone because their friend dislikes someone or stops speaking to someone because their friend has stopped speaking to someone. These types of people run with the wrong crowd rather than stand by what’s right as a free thinking individual.  The same great man that I quoted earlier in this entry that spoke of chickens coming home to roost said that if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything and that if you have no critics you will likely have no success. I have slowly come to learn that people that choose to subscribe to foolishness and negativity as opposed to being a force for positivity in the world usually behave this way because of unresolved issues within themselves. The unfortunate thing is that the people that behave this way believe that they are not the one with the issue but it’s everyone else with the problem. This sort of thinking is one of the major enemies of introspection. How about instead of disliking someone or not speaking to someone because your friend has you be an adult and free thinking individual and come to your own conclusion about the individual. How about instead of jumping conclusions about a person or situation, you get the facts and come to an educated conclusion instead of just going with what everyone else is saying. Now be warned….. being a Free Thinking individual is gonna make you some enemies. The cool part is that usually the enemies that you make are of no importance to you anyway. Every now and then someone that you love or are close to may surprise you and “go to the left” . However, the wonderful thing about truly loving someone and truly being loved equally in return by someone is that it allows for temporary break downs in communication.  You won’t always agree with what someone has to say or you may not always believe as they believe, but you can mutually agree to disagree and be the better for it. However, this requires sincere effort on the part of two free thinking individuals that love one another and want the best for one another.

Mirror, mirror on the wall .... who’s the fairest of them all? 


The one that can look into the mirror and love what they see regardless of what the world may think about them. The one that can look into the mirror and  love what they see regardless of being told what they could not do or would never be. The one that can look into that mirror and love what they see regardless of the indiscretions of their past - thinking only positively of all that lies ahead for them. So ask yourself that all important question …. Do you truly love the one that you see in the mirror? My prayer is that your answer is yes. However, if you are truly honest with yourself and the answer turns out to be no…. don’t be dismayed. Free your mind, get positively grounded and trust that when you set out to do what’s right, show kindness and benevolence to others and sow good seed your harvest will be more bountiful than you could have ever imagined.