Everybody has a story to tell. I’m taking a risk in sharing my story with you all. This will be my testimony to how I came to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. There will be a disclaimer in this blog. There may be some stuff in this blog that you may find very disturbing. It involved a secret from my childhood.

It was back in late August-early September of 1990. It started in stages.

The first stage was when I saw the mini-series, “I Know My First Name is Steven.” It was a true story about a boy around 10 years old who was kidnapped and molested by his captor. That movie holds a special part to my testimony.

As I have mentioned before, I was born to a single mother up until I was 5 going on 6 years when she married my step-dad, who was more of a dad to me than my real father. I got an instant family in the process; who I loved dearly despite of the faults. I was so happy to get brothers and sisters. I even excitedly bragged about my new brothers and sisters to anyone who would listen.

Maybe this is one of the reason I kept the secret for so long because I didn’t want to break up the family.

This is going to be hard because I don’t know how you are going to react to what you are about to read.

I was around 8 years old and shared a bedroom and bed with my step-brother, Ronny. We were living in West Fargo at the time. I was molested by him as we slept together. The abuse lasted off and on for about 2 years give-and-take. I was scared and confused. I trusted and loved him. I was so excited to have a brother. I won’t get into the whole eerie of the abuse; because I don’t want to gross anyone out.

I mean sexual abuse among boys is much more difficult to talk about. Boys are more likely to be afraid of being judge or not believed. They feel ashamed and less than a person. Since it was between a boy and a boy, there is the fear of being judged as a homosexual act. Plus boys are taught not to cry, toughen up.

The abuse would happened when we were in bed and he would make sure I kept quiet if anyone would walk by the room. It even happened on our summer vacation going out West. I don’t need to say anymore. I think you get the message.

Because of the sexual abuse, I had suffered with depression, and got hooked on aspirins. I was trying to cover-up the pain. I would even pretend to be someone else; so I wouldn’t have to deal with the pain of the sexual abuse. I could have won an Emmy or an Oscar. The family didn’t knew about it until years later.

Now back to 1990, and the second stage of my testimony. I was flipping through the television channel and came upon Televangelist Dwight Thompson. For some reason, I couldn’t turn the channel. It was like something got a hold of me. I was never big on Televangelist because of their reputation.

Then one night, he was preaching on Luke 15:11-24. It was on the Prodigal Son. I could relate to the Prodigal Son because I once was lost but now am found. It was during the night, I was awaken to a voice speaking to me. It was the Lord and He said, “He always loved me.” I came to accept the Lord with tears in my eyes. That was my first encounter with Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church and went through Confirmation classes in the Lutheran church. As a teenager, I doubted God ever loved me. I felt if He loved me, why did He allowed me to be abandoned my real father and molested. After the conversion, I was rebaptized by being submerge in water, the true baptism.

Around this time, I started seeking counseling for the abuse I suffered. The counselor even told me, “God doesn’t make junk.”

Later on, down the road, I was able to forgive my real father for abandoning me when I was 2 years old. I was even able to forgive my step-brother for molesting me. It doesn’t mean I fully trust him.

I’m not sharing this story to get sympathy. I may have been a victim of child sexual abuse; but now I’m a survivor.

Whatever you do, don’t judge me!!

Like I mentioned in the beginning, we all have a story to tell. If this story speaks to you; you too can be a survivor instead of a victim. If somehow, this story is leading you to accept Jesus, as your Lord and Savior, find someone to lead you in a prayer of acceptance, then find a good Bible preaching church.

If you were a victim like I was, and this speaks to you to get help; contact the rape and abuse center. It’s not your fault that you were molested. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are not gay if you were molested by an older boy or man. The cycle of abuse can stop with you.

I don’t want your sympathy or to be judge. I just feel that there maybe someone who needs to read my story. If it can help someone or lead someone to the Lord, more power to God. By the Amazing Grace of God, I am saved.

There is help and hope for you too!

To all those who seems to hate America for some reason, it’s time to rediscover America. What they need to do is take the backroads of America to see this country as a whole. America has so much to offer with the beauty of the countryside and small towns. You can take a drive or take a train.

When I took a train out West to Seattle, Washington, we went through Glacier National Park and it was so very beautiful. I could almost live there.

Even traveling through Minnesota and Wisconsin, there is so much beauty to see. Wisconsin is a very beautiful state.

Park Rapids, Minnesota is such a nice small town with normal people; compared to Fargo or any major cities. Even being at Lake Geneva, near Alexandria, Minnesota is so beautiful and peaceful.

Do you often wonder what Thomas Jefferson and George Washington would think about today’s America? Sure, they would be mesmerized by all the modern inventions and conveniences of everyday life; but what about the ubiquitous of the federal government? They would object with our federal government; especially those on the Left who wants to destroy America and rewrite the history books and the Constitution.

I’m not saying this country is perfect but it sure beats living in China, Russia and Third World Countries. At least, we are free! Freedom came with a cost too. This coming Saturday, November 11 is Veteran’s Day. A day we honor our veterans; who fought and some died for our freedom throughout years.

The end of the 19th century saw the rise of a movement thoroughly hostile to the underlying principles of the nation’s founding by the Progressive Movement. Progressivism was imported from Europe and would result in a radical break from America’s heritage. They are taking away our American’s values.

These last few years, we have seen many on the Left destroying statues of war heroes because of hatred. They seems to hate America, and is hell bent in destroying this country.

American history contains much matter for pride and congratulation, and much matter for regret and humiliation.

If you asked me, I think the Progressive Democrats want to rewrite the history book because it showed how the Democrats was the one who didn’t want to give up the slaves in the South prior to the Civil War. It was under the Democrats, that the KKK was founded.

I mean, they want to be the party for the minority; even though the truth is told in our history.

The Democrats want to rewrite the Constitution as well.

According to the Constitution, those in Washington is to serve their terms and go back home to deal with the mess they created. Those in Washington has gotten so corrupted with power, that they just don’t want to give it up. If anyone comes against them they go all out to stop and try to destroy them anyway possible.

Who doesn’t remembered saying the Pledge of Allegiance before class start in school?

We would stand up either with our hand on our heart or salute the flag as we say the Pledge of Allegiance. They needs to do that again in our schools.

Now when the song, “God Bless America” is being played before the start of the football game, there are players who would take a knee instead of standing. To them, I say, “Knee this!”

If America is so terrible, why are there so many wanting to come here? They are coming here because of our freedom and prosperity.

To those who hates America so bad, why don’t you just get the hell out! Before you do though, get out there and see the beauty of this country.

People who lives in these rural areas are more Patriotic than those who live in the big cities. You can just feel and see it when you visit those areas. They have pride for this country.

God Bless the USA is the best Patriotic song out there.

To all those who hate America and want to destroy this country, they kiss my country ass!!

When I retire, I want to be able to see more of the beauty of America. When I get a calendar, it’s usually of the natural beauty of America.

To those who say that they are Patriotic but yet at the same time want to cut down anyone who stands up against the government and those on the Left, you are walking on the fighting side of me. If you were Patriotic, you wouldn’t be out destroying this country or wanting to rewrite the history books and the Constitution. You would honor our values.

I’m proud to be a Patriotic MAGA Republicans!! I will stand and defend this country, the flag, and salute our Veterans.

As you know Halloween is just 2 days away; and so in this blog I will be talking about a mother-daughter who both starred in a horror movie. The mother-daughter, who I’m talking about is Janet Leigh and Jamie Leigh Curtis. Before I talk about their movies, I will give a little biography. I will be amiss if I didn’t mention Tony Curtis.

Now Tony Curtis is Jamie Leigh Curtis’s father. He was also married to Janet Leigh, proving that opposite attracts. Tony Curtis was a womanizer, married 6 times. His most famous movie was Some Like It Hot with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe.

He co-starred with his ex-wife, Janet Leigh and they had 2 kids together. Jamie Leigh Curtis is the most famous one.

Janet Leigh was discovered at the age of 18 by Norma Shearer. She was raised in Stockton, California by working class parents. Her biggest success came from starring in an Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller, “Psycho.” She also done other horror movies by Alfred Hitchcock.

Jamie Leigh Curtis is the famous daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, more famous than her sister. She rose to fame due to the hit movie, “Halloween.” She had worked with her mother twice. One time in the sequel to Halloween years later. Another time was in the movie, “The Fog.” She also worked with Arnold Schwartzenegger in the movie, “True Lies.” She was in Freaky Friday with Lindsay Lohan and Trading Places.

She is known for her performance in the horror and slasher genres and regarded as a scream queen. She is 64 years old and married to Christopher Guest. They has 2 children. She started out in television series, “Quincy, M.E.” She also had a role as a workout instructor in the movie, “Perfect.” She had a short lived series for ABC, “Anything but Love.” She is a recovering alcoholic and was once addicted to painkillers. As so many stars from famous parents have suffered as well. She became even more famous than her parents.

Now Psycho is an Alfred Hitchcock’s film that Janet Leigh starred in. Alfred Hitchcock is one of the best horror producer/director ever. He was known for his horror films. He left a lasting impression on the audience after seeing his movies. His movies didn’t have all the gores and sex as movies today. His movies left you to your own imagination. Even though the shower scene in Psycho; in which Janet Leigh’s character was killed while in the shower; it wasn’t the primary focus as it would have been in today’s movies. If Hollywood would redo that movie, they would destroy it. It’s a classic!

John Carpenter, who created the movie, “Halloween” is famous for making slasher movie. That movie is also a classic. It was because of Halloween, we got “Nightmare of Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th.” Halloween made tons of money with the original and sequels as well.

With the movie, “Psycho” people became scared to take a shower in a strange hotel. Just like with the movie, “Halloween” it put the fear of going trick and treating on Halloween. Halloween is one of the biggest movie shown around Halloween.

Even though Jamie Leigh Curtis is more famous than her mother, Janet Leigh, I have to admit that I prefer the movie “Psycho” over “Halloween.” It left more to the imagination and less sex and gores.

What is your best Halloween go-to movies between them?

What is your personality? Are you an introvert or extrovert?

INTROVERT: a shy, reticent person. A person predominantly concerned with their own thoughts and feelings rather than with external things. Introvert seek out and enjoy opportunities for reflection and solitude. They feel more comfortable focusing on their inner thoughts and ideas, rather than what’s happening externally. They don’t do well in large crowds. They can be fantastic leaders when given the chance. They don’t seize power but rather start quietly leading those around them through mentorship, encouragement, wisdom, and inspiration. They keep their egos in check, and don’t take risks without thinking them through.

EXTROVERT: an outgoing, overtly, expressive person. People who are extroverts tend to be very talkative, sociable, active, and warm. They feel energized by the external world and social interactions. They prefer to be around people; whereas introverts prefer to be isolated.

In our society, more people lean toward the extrovert side than the introvert side. Since extroverts are more vocal, they’re the ones who have developed most of the approaches to being around lots of people.

Introvert prefer small churches, while extroverts prefer big churches. The only exception to the rule is an introvert can hide easier in a big church.

Western culture seem to value extroversion. If a person wants to get ahead in life, in business, or in relationships, being an extrovert seems to be an advantage.

Introverts and extroverts see the world through different lenses too. That usually means that extroverts view introverts through an outgoing lens, assuming that life would be better for introverts if they could learn to be more outgoing. Introverts often feel that extroverts would function better if they could slow down and think more deeply. In other words, they are apt to clash with each other.

In our world today, extroverts are the majority. They also have very big ego, thinking very highly of themselves. It can be very irritating to others, especially the introverts.

Introverts tend to be extra-sensitive to how others respond to them.

Extroverts build inner strength from being around others. They find energy in a noisy, crowded room and is often disappointed when the party end. They would prefer in being in the big city.

Extroverts have a few close friendships but interact with as many people as possible.

They prefer talking to writing by being in contact with people.

Introverts reach inward to get their energy. They gain strength during downtimes. They enjoy the quiet environment. They prefer small towns or just being alone either by themselves or with less people; such as a quiet evening at the lake or a cabin in the woods.

They function best in smaller social settings.

They enjoy quiet environment.

They don’t like shallow relationships. They usually doesn’t have a lot of friends.

They often prefer to communicate in writing, or on Facebook rather than in person and in a crowd.

Extroverts are not afraid to speak up, so they approach people easily. They’re not intimidated by certain people. They’re outspoken and take more risks. They tend to get to the point quickly. They will do very well in giving speeches and in debate.

Introverts care what people think, so they’ll be sensitive in their approach to others. Quiet people who think deeply can reach other quiet people who think deeply. They are easily intimidated by those who comes across as being aggressive. They usually cowered around aggressive people. They are usually the one who was abused. They are less likely to trust people. They would prefer hiding behind Facebook or a blog. That way they can speak out without a threat of being intimidated by anyone who may attack them.

If you say you are an introvert but doesn’t like being at the lake or at a cabin in the woods, you’re fooling yourself.. In other words, don’t piss on me and tell me it’s raining.

From the first glance of me, you would think I’m an extrovert; but in reality, I’m an introvert. I prefer my solitude of the craziness of a big city. I prefer a cabin in a woods.

I cannot rally people up in a crowd to speak out; but I can do it quietly through my blog and on Facebook. That way, I can’t be intimidated.

I do better in a small group and/or church over a big church.

If someone tries to intimidate me in person, I cowered like a little boy.

To be honest now, are you an extrovert or an introvert? Do you prefer large crowd or hiding out on Facebook; so that you can speak out without the threat of being intimidated? Do you prefer big cities or small town? Would you rather have a cabin in the woods, like me? Whenever I get the opportunity to get the hell out of Fargo to go to a small town or to the lake or countryside; I’m all for it. What about you?

Since I’m an introvert, it’s hard for me to be intimate with someone of the opposite sex. Maybe this is one of the reason, I wasn’t able to get married.

Have you noticed that both political party is not the same party it used to be? Both the Republicans and Democrats have changed.

At one time, the Republicans was known to be the party of the rich and the Democrats was the party of the poor. But that have changed in the last few years.

Don’t get me wrong, there is still some bad apples in Washington on the Republican side that needs to go; but the Democrats are at their worse, promoting Socialism and government control.

Some may say that the MAGA Republicans only wants an one party system, it’s actually today’s Democrats who wants that.

I won’t be talking about the Rhino Republicans in this blog.

Today’s Republicans is all about freedom and less government control. This is what President Reagan was shooting for when he was President. He was for putting the government back into the hands of the American people. He even said, “Government is not the solution, they’re the problem.” They are for upholding the Constitution and putting America first.

Whenever there is someone who wants to stands up for the American people, today’s Democrats and the Rhino’s Republicans stand against them.

Whereas the Democrats is now all for Socialism and government control. They want to control the American people. By doing that, they want to keeps us all poor and at their beck and call. They want us to remain dependent on the government; that way they can control us better. It now seems that the Democrats is in bed with the rich. They even want to rewrite the Constitution and history books.

Bobby Kennedy Jr. was and is attack by today’s Democrats and Lefties media because of his stance against Dr. Nazi Fauci and the Vaccine. They tried to censor him as well. He recently left his own Democrat party to runs as an Independant.

There is a song by Oliver Anthony called, “Rich Men North of Richmond.” It’s a breakout hit for him on YouTube. This song takes on the rich greedy men in the angst of the working class. It takes on high taxes, abuse of welfare and selfish politicians.

I have a plaque that says, “Put all your money into taxes. It’s the only thing sure to go up.” This is all true with the Democrats, because they are all for raising our taxes.

What’s the difference between a politician and a flying pig? The letter F.

When these politicians runs for any political office, such as Congress, Senate, Governor, and President, they make promises to benefits the American people. Once they are elected, they quickly break their promises to us. Those in Congress and Senate don’t get paid much by itself; but it’s the perks that makes them rich. They are easily bought off by richer lobbyist. Money talks!

There is a big debate over the fact that Kevin McCarthy being ousted from the Speaker of the House. Some people thinks it was bad and some people think it was the right thing to do. I didn’t fully trust Kevin McCarthy. I felt that he gave in too soon to keep the government from shutting down.

As bad as I cannot stand Nancy Pelosi, there is one thing I have to admit about her, she knew how to get what she wanted. The Democrats knew how to get bills passed, even bills that is bad for America; like Obamacare for instance. She and the Democrats knew how to hold their grounds until they got what they wanted.

A lesson for the Republicans and the next Speaker of the House. If I was the Speaker of the House, I would held my ground, even if it meant the government being shut down, just to get what we wanted. I would had held my ground until the wall was built and the Southern border closed. I would held my ground until the Keystone Pipeline was reopen; so we wouldn’t have to deal with terrorist for oil.

This is why we need term limits for Congress and the Senate, a limit of 2 terms. The Constitution states that those in Washington should serve their terms and go back home to deal with the mess they created.

We also needs age limits for those in Washington, and they must pass a cognitive test to see if they are up the challenge. If they are not up to the challenge and over 70 years old, they must retire, like everyone else.

We got a few that is not up to par, like Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, the late Diane Feinstein, and even Nancy Pelosi. Toward the end of Quentin Burdick’s life, he was just a figure head, he was not all there.

Like the song, “Rainbow Stew”, by the late Merle Haggard; when a President goes through the White House door and does what he says he will do, we all will be eating that rainbow stew and drinking that free bubble up.

Even though, the book I’m pictured with at the top of this blog talked about how Trump was attacked by those on the Left; I chose not to go that direction. It doesn’t matter who you are. If you dare to go after the Establishment, you will be attack. It doesn’t matter if it’s in Washington or on the job of a major corporation business. If you don’t tow the line, you’re out! If you don’t comply, you’re out! We have to be good little soldiers.

This is why we cannot trust our politicians in Washington. Why we can’t trust the government. One of these days the American people is going to get so upset with the government, it will be way worse than the Capital riot in 2021. The American people will have an uprising like in the third world country or the Revolution War. Will it happens in my lifetime, I don’t know?

Now that’s a great accomplishment these days; since nothing last like they used to. WDAY has been on the air for 70 years. They are located on 8th street South Fargo, few blocks from Main Avenue. Now 8th Street is one of the oldest streets in Fargo, North Dakota. If you travel down that street, you can find old mansions; because it was originally known as the rich area.

WDAY is partnered with The Forum; which is downtown on 1st avenue North, near Broadway.

Speaking of being located downtown near Broadway is Prairie Public Television; which is next to Radison Hotel.

Prairie Public is channel 13 and WDAY is channel 6, also known as the local ABC network.

I grew up watching WDAY; and you can say that I still watch WDAY today, at least for the local news and weather. I remembered watching Marv Bossart, who was the news anchor until he retired. Marv Bossart also taught journalism at Moorhead State University. Toward the end of his life, he had Parkinson. Dewey Bergquist did the weather. His full name was Albert Lloyd Dewey Bergquist. He is in the news because of his grandson, Phillip Dewey Bergquist, was murdered recently. I’m not saying that Dewey was always accurate with the weather; but he was fun to watch. At the end of the local evening news broadcast, Paul Harvey would give the rest of the story segment. I remembered liking those stories and you can even catch them on You Tube. Every once in a while I make reference to Paul Harvey and the rest of the story in my blog because of my fascination.

I’ll talk about other WDAY’s employees a little later. They must have a good working accord there; because people have stayed with WDAY a long time. Even some news personality figure from other networks had transfer over to WDAY. Robin Huebner, was once on KXJB-KVLY, left because of a discrimination lawsuit and joined WDAY . Also Steve Poitras can be seen once in a while on WDAY banking program. He used to be on KXJB.

KXJB, channel 4 used to be located on Main Avenue near West Fargo until they moved near Target on 13th Ave. That building is gone and KXJB has merge with KVLY, channel 11. They are located near the intersection off University Drive. They used to be known as KTHI before KVLY took over. KVLY owners was from Bismark and Minot.

The newest TV station is Fox, located near West Acres.

Back to WDAY, John Wheeler replaced Dewey Bergquist when he retired. John Wheeler is a short man, who does a lot of walking. He is also fun to watch; even though, like Dewey is not always accurate with the weather, but still better than the other local news stations.

Around 40 years ago, WDAY and KTHI, swapped network. At one time, WDAY was NBC and KVLY was ABC, still channel 6 and 11 though. The building stayed the same though. Due to the switch, Maureen Zimmerman and Ed Schultz also switched local network as well, since they were married at the time. You can check more on them in my blog on Ed Schultz; which is somehow the top blog for me.

Dana Mogck, who is now the news anchor for WDAY used to helped Ed Schultz with the sports until he eventually took over Ed Schultz job. Eventually, Dana Mogck took over for Marv Bossart as well. He has been with WDAY since 1983. Dana Mogck is married to Christina Gerhardson from Hawley, MN. She works for the NDSU bison staff. The connection I have with her was my classmate, Tim Gerhardson is her brother.

I do want to add that Maureen Zimmerman and Ed Schultz has a son, David Schultz who is more like his father rather than his mother. I feel sorry for him, because his mother was a nice lady. She gave me the advice, “get your foot in the door.” Now David Schultz is a local pro golfer who also can be seen on WDAY once in a while.

It’s good to see there are some things still remain the same; even as Fargo has grown and can be unrecognizable to someone who used to lived here but moved away. If you were to take a drive south on University Drive, the only business that is still in that part of town is the Bowler. Both Kmart and Quality Bakery is no longer there.

Another thing that has change in Fargo is the fact there was at least 5 hospitals in Fargo-Moorhead, St. Luke, St. Ansgar, St. John, Dakota, and the VA. Now there is just Sanford, Essentia, and the VA.

Congratulation once again to WDAY for being on the air for 70 years! That is wonderful! May they have many more years.

When did the news media get so untrustworthy? When did they ended up loosing people trust in them?

Years ago, under such news anchor as Walter Cronkite and Peter Jennings, news reporters had integrity. They did their job at reporting the news without being bias. They kept their opinion to themselves, like they are supposed to. They asked such questions as: who, what, where, when, why, and how. They had done their research before reporting the news. They got their facts straight first.

Once Walter Cronkite retired, good news reporters with integrity became hard to find. Dan Rather, who replaced Walter Cronkite, became the father of fake news. He was even forced to step down from CBS news desk in the midst of the controversy and apologize. Now it’s the norm for today’s news media anchor.

I know what a true journalist with integrity is supposed to do because I had studied journalism in college.

It bears remembering that the purpose of the free press, like the purpose of free speech, is to nurture the mind, communicate ideas, challenge ideologies, share notions, inspire creativity, advocate and reinforce America’s founding principles. The media is to expose official actions aimed at squelching speech. But when the media function as a propaganda tool for a single political party and ideology, they destroy their own purpose.

Journalists are not to get involved politically and pick side. They are to remain bias when reporting the news accurately. Yet, today journalists are more Liberals. They seems to support the Democratic party; even if it means not reporting the truth. The American people has the rights to know the truth. It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat.

It surely not for the government to control the press, and yet the press is not capable of policing itself.

If they were people of integrity and honesty, who actually did their job without biases, the American people could actually believe them. Instead, they are like the news media in George Orwell’s book, “1984,” in that book, they are the “big brother” for the government. The watchdog, so to speak.

The Unfreedom of the Press is about how those entrusted with news reporting in the modern media are destroying freedom of the press from within: not government oppression or suppression. Thus, their credibility of the mass media has never been lower.

If you dare confront them with the truth on social media as Facebook and Twitter, you are shut down and fact checked. Some are even put in Facebook jail for expressing the truth, and doing their job.

Is the media providing knowledge and insight useful to the public and free society, or are they obsessed with their own personal and political viewpoints? Have the news media earned the respect and esteem of their readers and viewers? Is the media on a trajectory of self-destruction by identifying themselves to the Democratic party over the Republican party?

Today’s journalists have done a very poor job of upholding the tenets of their profession, thus destroying the freedom of the press. Many millions of Americans do not respect or trust them as credible fairminded, and unbiased news source. They have no one to blame but themselves.

When a journalist breaks from the rest of the news media, which is quite rare, and actually do their job properly, their careers are typically threatened or ruined by the rest of the news media.

Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth and loyalty to the American people. This is one of the reason for me writing my blog, to get the truth out there anyway possible.

They have become a glorified gossip rag magazine such as the National Enquire. The only good things is to line the birdcage with their trash or used as doggy paper.

When the news media failed to do their job accurately, they deny the American people from gathering the facts to make the right decisions.

How much better would it be if the news media(liar’s pants) really did catch on fire? It would be so much interesting to watch than it is now.

No wonder the world has gone crazy. It has gotten so bad that you don’t even want to watch the news anymore. You cannot believe anything the mainstream news media tells you.

What we need is a little good news for a change. We need the truth for once and for the news media not to be bias and slant the truth for their own benefits.

I’m not endorsing censoring the news media, because it goes against the freedom of the press and communication. The news media had brought their own downfall.

Why good people are divided by politics and religion?

The two subjects that seems to be taboo to talk about is religion and politics. Nobody likes to talk about it. It can cause a great divide between family and friends.

At the same time, the best blogs that gets the best views is human relations stories, follow by politics. Religious blogs don’t do very well.

Yet at the same time, Christians are called to go out and witness. How can they do that if talking religion is a hot topic for a lot of people? When they see someone like a Jehovah’s Witness coming up their house, they quickly shut the blinds and pretend they are not home. It doesn’t necessarily have to be them, but you get the point.

When Mike Huckelby ran for President in 2012, I couldn’t bring myself to support him. I may like what he stood for; but since he was a former Baptist preacher, I wouldn’t vote for him. It wouldn’t matter if he was a Baptist preacher or what church he was from. I don’t think a preacher should run for any political office, not just the President.

Politics is a dirty business. You have to take a cold shower to get the slime off of you. Plus some preachers can be so self-righteous, to the point of being controlling. The Government is controlling enough the way it is; especially the Democrats who wants to control us and take away our freedom.

The Constitution says that there is separation between state and religion. Yet at the same time, it is recommended that Christian should get out and vote. Otherwise, their values may be hurt by those in Washington. That is why most Christians support the Republican party to the point of endorsing them. The reason for that is because the Republicans support their values more than the Democrats.

Even politics can divide family as well.

I have heard on Rush Limbaugh when Earl Pomeroy was in Congress, that he has a nephew who was a Republican in a family of Democrats. Now that must make an interesting family get together.

James Carville, a Democrat and Mary Matalin, a Republican is an example of a marriage couple with 2 different political views and parties; yet somehow they may their marriage works. They make it works by not talking politics at home.

Most recently Bobby Kennedy Jr. is not only attacked by his own Democrat party; but there is a separation in his own family, the Kennedy’s clan. The grandson of President Kennedy, Katherine’s son doesn’t agree with his cousin’s views, and they’re both Democrats.

I can understand that because I see that in my own family, involving cousins. Some cousins won’t have anything to do with a certain cousin because of their political differences.

Politics and religion are both expressions of our underlying moral psychology, and an understanding can help bring people together. If we can only see eye-to-eye!

The mind is divided, like a rider on an elephant, and the rider’s job is to serve the elephant.

Liberals sometimes say that religious conservatives are sexual prudes.

When you put individuals first, before society, then any rule or social practice that limits personal freedom can be questioned.

America has descended deeper into polarization, separating us because of our political views.

It used to be easier to get along with others with different political views than it is now. When I first became a Republican in 1984 because of President Reagan, I had a college professor who was Democrat. We had the utmost respect for each other, and he even became my advisor. His name was Dr. Thomas Matchie. Now days it is frowned upon on colleges campus.

If you are a Conservative Republican in college, you are physically attack if not verbally attack. You are even attack on Facebook. Sometimes even factcheck.

When did it get so bad that people cannot have a good debate without people getting offended and attacking one another?

How did it get to the point when our political views would break up family and friends?

You need a good debate to understand other’s views. We were either in debate club or took debate classes to help better ourselves and understand others. I can be pretty good at debate when I was in school.

The last time this country was united was September 11, 2001, after the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was attacked by terrorist. I think that would be the last time this country would be united if it would happens again.

We need to learn to get along better despite of our political and religious views. We are all God’s children. The enemies of the United States love seeing us at each other throats because of our differences views. It’s divide and conquer! This will be the downfall of our country.

There is always the poor among us since the beginning of time. There is even more poor people today than ever due to the Biden’s inflation. Everywhere you look there is people who are homeless or struggling financially to stay afloat.

America has the best dressed poverty in the world.

The poor is more likely to get sick more than anyone else in society. That is because they live in slums, jammed together under unhygienic conditions; they have inadequate diets and cannot get decent medical care. It cost more to eat healthy than it does to eat junk food.

The Democrats solution in helping the poor is by giving them assistant such as welfare; whereas the Republicans is known to have no real solution to the problem. As President Reagan said, “government is not the solution to the problem; government is the problem.” In other words, the Democrats would rather keeps people poor and under the thumbs of the government; that way they are easily controlled.

As the saying goes, “give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day; but teach him to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.”

North Dakota state Senator Mike Wobbema, a Republican from the 24th district made a statement to, “It’s really the problem of parents being negligent with their kids if their kids are choosing to eat in the first place, which is entirely the problem that could be existing.” He said this as they were debating free school lunch for low income kids. He says that parents are to blame for their hunger.”

It goes to show that he is so out-of-touch with society. It’s hard for kids to concentrate on their schoolwork on an empty stomach. There is more and more food pantry propping up lately. There is even Feed my hungry children, which will be set up at the Fargo Dome in January to help feel starving children. The reason for this is because of the high cost of food and such. Everything is going up but the wages. If the wages does goes up, we can’t tell anyway because of the high cost of living.

Some employers looks for any excuses not to give raises to their employees.

This doesn’t affect children. It also affects the Senior Citizens as well. There are Senior Citizens who only have Social Security to live on. Now that’s not very much. Many become homeless! They have to choose to eat or get their medical treatment to survive. Some can’t even retire. They end up working until they drop. Those who do have retirement plan and/or investment; it can get eaten up very easily if they happen to go into a nursing home.

The fact is that poverty remains a major blight on the American scene. There is more homeless shelter and low income rental place propping up. At the same time, the 1% has the galls to complain by saying, “we can’t have these low incomes homes in our neighborhoods. It will lower the property value of our beautiful homes.” It’s almost like they would rather ship the poor out in a small community outside the city limit just so they can’t be seen. They’ll bus them in to work and shop but they must stay in their own personal area away from them; so that they will not be seen.

If these people are not starving, they are hungry, and sometimes fat with hunger, for that is what cheap foods do. They are without adequate housing, education, and medical care.

Just south of Fargo is the towns of Oxbow and Hickson. Now Oxbow is the rich side; whereas Hickson is the poor side. They are right across from each other. Oxbow got their country club and flood protection; while Hickson is not protected against a flood. People in Oxbow used the excuse that we have to protect their country club; while care nothing about the people of Hickson.

With this high inflation, those who are poor have to makes cuts in certain area of their lives. They are limited in what they can spend. They buy the bare minimum to just get by.

It is one of the cruelest ironies of social life in advanced countries that the dispossessed at the bottom of society are unable to speak for themselves. They have no one to speak for them.

Here is the most familiar version of social blindness: “The poor are that way because they are afraid of work. They are living off the system and taxpayers.”

There are more absentee fathers, crimes, and teen pregnancy involving the low income society.

The poor is known as the rejects of society.

Yet, when the rich does give to the poor, they do it to make a show to impress people and write it off on their taxes. Yet at the same time, they don’t want to be seen anywhere near the poor side of town. They sees them as being unclean; and they might get dirty by being around them.

People who lives on skid row can be found asking for handout. They are labeled the alcoholic poor. They have been defined as a major problem in our society.

As winter is fast approaching, the homeless are looking for places to get out of the cold. They are turning good neighborhood into bad. They are getting into security apartment buildings to get out of the cold anyway possible. They are sleeping in the hallways in some of these apartment buildings.

In these bigger cities, they have problems with the homeless and illegal immigrants sleeping on the streets. New York City is becoming like Paris, France, very dirty and rat infested. These rats are as big as a cat. Plus there is also bed bugs and cockroaches.

They are low paid workers, drifters, outcasts of one kind or another, and rebellious young people. Not only are they addicted to alcohol; but they are addicted to many different kinds of drugs. Drugs are being found where children are playing; and these children are getting harm because of it.

This past Saturday, the Fargo High Rise was torn down. When it was built, it was a beautiful thing; but throughout the years, it has deteriorated.

As the cost of living is skyrocketing, there is becoming more and more poor people. This Biden’s inflation is killing us all. And they wondered why some people have to works 2-3 jobs just to make a living. They wondered why there are so many who are living from paycheck to paycheck. They wondered why there is so much crimes in the area. I don’t know how much more we can take of Joe Biden’s failed economic policy that is hurting America. All Joe Biden cares about is helping China more than our own people. More money goes overseas than to help our people. Our taxes is raised to do so. Think about the fire in Mauli, more money is being sent to Ukraine than to the victims of the fire in Mauli.

There is no real solution to this problem with the poor. We need better wages, benefits, housing, medical treatment, affordable food, and not junk food; but rather healthy food. We need someone who will speak for us and not the rich corporation. Yet at the same time we don’t need to be dependent on the government.

The summer of 2001, I had an opportunity to go on a work & Witness trip to Indianapolis, working in the inner city. Around this time, my sister, Barb had lost her battle with cancer and passed away.

Some may wonder why go on a work & witness trip when a family member is diagnose with cancer? Some may even think I was selfish for going at the time.

I planned this trip before she got the devastating news that she had cancer. Believe me, I almost didn’t go because I was taught to be there for your family even in the toughest times; no matter how dysfunctional they may be. My mother didn’t want me to go at that time; but at the same time, it was an opportunity of a lifetime. My sister, Barb was a saint for all she put up with throughout her life. This blog is not about her though.

Someone from church, Paul Dennis, who was part of the missionary program in the church and I got together before I left. He knew I was struggling with the decision of should I or shouldn’t I still go, during this time. He told me that missionary would leave their family, even in times like this.

Even Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead,” and follow me as He picked His disciples.

I took the bus down to Minneapolis, Minnesota to meet up with the rest of the team that was going on this mission trip. I met some good friends on this trip and it was growing experience I will never forget. At the same time as the mission trip, there was a General Assembly going on at the old RCA dome, where the Colts used to play before they got their new stadium. That stadium was huge.

We drove through Wisconsin past Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While going through Wisconsin, we stop along the way where there was a pink elephant I had to see and take a picture of; otherwise, some may think that I was drunk.

I also made a comment that you don’t say to someone from Minneapolis, and that was, “Wisconsin is so beautiful.” We all know the rivalry between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

My mother loaned me her video camera to videotape the trip. Even though she didn’t want me to go at that time; she knew it was a chance of a lifetime not to pass up. She missed her chance of a lifetime, and didn’t want that for her kids.

When we got in Illinois, there was lots of toll booth before hitting Chicago. When we entered Chicago area, I made sure that the car doors were locked out of fear of that crazy big city. It took 5 hours just to get around Chicago, only because we got lost. In other words, it took a little longer to get to Indianapolis than expected.

We stayed at a historic building used as a hotel near downtown Indianapolis. It was a beautiful hotel. The meals were included, and there was a laundry room there to do our laundry if needed. A big dining room where we could sit and eat our meals, breakfast and supper. There was a big yard to spend outside to play volleyball and such.

We went to spectacular kickoff of music from other countries and cultures, to kickoff the trip. It was full but very enjoyable. The next day was Sunday morning, and we went to an old Nazarene church in the inner city. It was near the site where we were to be working.

On Monday, we were working on a house in the inner city, helping do repair works on the house and yard. The Mission program was called, “One Heart, Many Hands.” It was a chance of a lifetime for me; I will never forget. In the inner city, the streets were narrow and they drove very fast, like they were driving the Indianapolis speedway. Some worked on the roof and some did yard works. It was an older house and the people who lived there and in the neighborhood couldn’t afford very much. They wasn’t able to do as much either, so they were appreciative for what we did for them. They had a welcome to the neighborhood at the neighborhood park with music, food, and fun. For lunch, some people in charge of putting this all together brought sandwiches and such. There was even an ice cream truck that went by everyday at the same time. (Believe me, I remembered the old ice cream truck in Fargo when I was a child.) It was a good experience even though, we had some tools stolen while we were there. We also had some play time while there.

It was while I was there, I got the news that my sister, Barb had passed away. The people I was with was willing to help me make it back to her funeral if I chose to go. I prayed and chose I needed to do this. It helped me to see the other Americans and know that there are people who are worse off. It helped me understand the situation better, to what my sister, Barb went through.

There was a General Assembly going on at the same time at the old RCA Dome that I had a chance to go to the evening service. It was smack downtown! They had a lot of old historic buildings and even horse drawn carriage to give those a ride downtown if they wanted to.

You could see the big difference between downtown and the inner city. It was like the rich and poor.

While there, Paul Dennis was also there for General Assembly and he took me out for supper after the convention. We went to a historic building turned into a nice restaurant.

When we left at the end of the week, we took a different route to avoid Chicago. We went passed the Indianapolis speedway and then north avoiding Chicago.

It was an experience I will never forget; even though I missed my sister, Barb’s funeral. I was told that I didn’t missed much. Her funeral wasn’t to my family liking. Her in-laws made light of her life.

I recommend all to go on that experience of a lifetime. Don’t just give to be giving, experience it. We are to be self-giving, not self-serving. There are people who gives to such causes just to get notice as to say, “Look at me, I give!” They bragged about giving and hope to write it off on their taxes.

It’s like Peter Fendt, who is a part of the rescue and search team here in Fargo. Him and people like him are just out to impress people. Well I got news for them, that’s doesn’t impress me much. People like them are just hypocrites. They should try walking in there shoes instead. That is the only way to fully understand the other Americans.

If they want to help the poor, they must first comes to fully understand what we go through on a day to day basis. Walk a mile in our shoes! As Johnny Cash sang in his song, “Man in Black.” Johnny cash sang, “I wear black for the poor and beaten down. Living in the hopeless, hungry side of town.”

I hope you were able to see the connection between this week blog and last week. Next week in part 3, I will be discussing the other America, a look at poverty in the United States. The poor among us.