…The More Things Stay The Same

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.  The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion.  As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.
—     Abraham Lincoln
[Does history repeat itself or is it simply that the more things change, the more things stay the same?    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	To Trust Providence
	Exactly
2020	I Am Learning
	Plus Plus
2019	Day 2: All Things Considered
	The Path To Reward
2018	Ryan, McConnell & The Republican Controlled Congress
	The Proud Dad
	Day 35: Five(5) Weeks Completed!
2017	Serving Is Proving Harder Than Winning For #DumbDonald
2016	Come Again…
2015	At Five
2014	Touching The Past
	The Supreme Question
2013	Children Will Judge
2012	Liar, n.
2011	Freedom To Doubt

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Putin’s War On Ukraine: Choosing Lies

Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose and you allow him to make war at pleasure.
—     Abraham Lincoln
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On This Day In:
2022	Putin’s War On Ukraine: Choosing Lies
2021	How Many Times
	I’m Breaking My Silence
2020	When Looking Around
2019	Except Dying
2018	History Will Judge Him Favorably
2017	Are You Confused?
2016	The Golden Mean
2015	To Infinity And Beyond
2014	Taken Back
2013	Windows Or Doors
2012	All Rise
2011	Vote Weight

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Releasing Their Fears

Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we will find the way.
—    Abraham Lincoln
[It now seems likely that John Bolton’s book (to be released in March) will open up the spillways on what (to now) has been the leaking dam of the corrupt and incompetent Trump Administration.  We are likely to see a continuing death by a thousand cuts throughout the summer and into the election and the cuts will get progressively deeper as #45 continues to lose court cases – particularly about his taxes and finances.
How long until the Senate Republicans give up their fear of #45?  A third of all Senators are up for up for re-election in 2020.  23 are Republicans and 12 are Democrats.  The Democrats must hold ALL of their seats and pick off four of the Republicans to take control of the Senate.  This is a tall order if we have a “normal” election.  It seems to me more likely the Republicans will hold their seats if they dump their dead weight now than if they continue their support and face a massive vote against Trump.  The two questions are:  1) will the voter purge (of likely Democratic voters) be enough to tip the scales to the Republicans in the critical states, and, 2)  will Republicans not show up for #45 (in protest) and / or not show up en masse to protect the down ballot candidates (the sitting Senators).
The lesson of Nixon, Bush (I) and Obama is to cut your losses, take your lumps in the short run and come back strong in Congress before retaking the White House.  Having impeachment witnesses and then convicting and removing #45 will be better for the Republicans than full retribution in November.  If they don’t call witnesses, they lose for cynical hypocrisy.  If they do call witnesses (and documents), the trial drags on until they convince Trump to quit (like Nixon).  If they wait too long, they will not have time to rally around whomever they finally fall back on as their candidate.  Their best chance for November is to lance the boil quickly and as cleanly as possible…     —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	There Is No Fate But What You Make
2021	The Silent Word
	Touched My Hand
2020	Releasing Their Fears
2019	17 Days Until The Next Government Shutdown
2018	Disciplined Models
2017	We Cannot Afford Enemies
2016	Love Is Just A State Of Mind
2015	Waiting?
2014	Big C, Little B (II)
	Where God Has Not
2013	Chasing His Dragon
	Shaped And Molded
2012	Believe In Yourself
2011	Cultural Equivalence
	Why Not?
	Books About Books
	The Basis For Adult Continuing Education

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Less Miserable Now

In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and it often comes with bitter agony.  Perfect relief is not possible, except with time.  You cannot now believe that you will ever feel better.  But this is not true.  You are sure to be happy again.  Knowing this, truly believing it, will make you less miserable now.  I have had enough experience to make this statement.
—    Abraham Lincoln
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On This Day In:
2018	I Doubt #45 Is Listening?
2017	Life’s Oddity
2016	Just Asking…
2015	Two Thoughts On Thinking
2014	From The Top, Please…
2013	You Are The Stars
2012	Just One??
2011	Anything But

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Why Would We Expect Truth From A Liar?

During the campaign it was widely reported that then candidate Trump was the most dishonest candidate running for President.  (That’s Politically Correct “speak” for Trump was the biggest liar.)   Trump’s honesty rating (according to Politifact.com) was 15% – “true” (4%) or “mostly true” (11%) – and 85% dishonest – “half true” (15%), “mostly false” (19%), “false” (34%), and “pants on fire” (17%).
Trump is now on his Twitter account denying the recent reports (by various media) of “disarray” on his transition team.  Trump reports everything is going “smoothly”.
To quote Groucho Marx:  “Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes.“
To quote Abraham Lincoln:  “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.“
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On This Day In:
2021	In That Moment
	Something A Little More Recent
	A Request For Help (Indian Pop Music)
2020	Above Her Sink
	In A Slower Lane Now
2019	#DullDonald
2018	And Start With Charity
2017	First Things First
2016	Why Would We Expect Truth From A Liar?
	Unknown Fear
2015	Something Pagan
2014	A Note To Self
2013	Determining Our Degree Of Freedom
2012	Journalism And Fantasy
	Known Knowns
	Jerk, n.
2011	Love Questions

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Original Thoughts

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren’t very new after all.
––     Abraham Lincoln
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On This Day In:
2021	My Thoughts On Global Climate Change
	And Never Understand
2020	Waiting For 20 January 2021
	#45: You Would Cry Too…
2019	#Corrupt45 Fails Another Great Test
2018	Where The Economy Is Headed Thanks To #IncompetentDonald
2017	Time For More Research, Too
2016	Original Thoughts
2015	If They’re Good Enough
2014	Three…
2013	Uncle Joe’s Song
	Live, Then, As If…
2012	Still Trying
2011	Not Deserving

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Just For Today

Just for today, I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once.  I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
Just for today, I will be happy.  This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.“
Just for today, I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires.  I will take my “luck” as it comes, and fit myself to it.
Just for today, I will try to strengthen my mind.  I will study.  I will learn something useful.  I will not be a mental loafer.  I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.
Just for today, I will exercise my soul in three ways:  I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out;  if anybody knows of it, it will not count.   I will do at least two things I don’t want to — just for exercise.  I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt;  they may be hurt;  but today I will not show it
Just for today, I will be agreeable.  I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.
Just for today, I will have a program.  I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it.  I will save myself from two pests:  hurry and indecision.
Just for today, I will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax.  During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.
Just for today, I will be unafraid.  Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.
—    Various Attributions
[There are also various versions.  The above is the version I have in my journal from back in the late 1970’s.  —   kmab]
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On This Day In:
2014	Reaching For Destiny
2013	Still Just Passing Through
2012	Live Or Die
2011	On Secession
2010	A Rocky Weekend

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For Blogs, Too!

For those who like this kind of book, this is the kind of book they will like.
—    Abraham Lincoln
[LOL!  The same can be said for blogs and bloggers…     —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2014	Righteous Anger
2013	An Irish Blessing
2012	But Is It Worth It?
2011	Let Us Start

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Eyes Off

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.   Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.
—    President Abraham Lincoln
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On This Day In:
2022	The Fight Continues…
2021	Short, Swift, Haste
	Another Friend’s Passing
2020	Can We At Least Set The Bar Higher Than An Incompetent Liar In The Oval Office?
2019	Uncertain Times
	And Government Shutdowns, Too
2018	Satisfied
2017	In The Mind
2016	Dreaming
2015	The Best Medicine Is Also Contagious
2014	Eyes Off
2013	The More Things Change…
2012	The Delicate Moment Of Giving
2011	Ready, Shoot, Aim!!

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Précis

“The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.”
—    Albert Einstein
—  Although I may have lost my innocence some time ago and developed a protective shield in response, my shell is only armor, not impermeable, and inside lies still a warm heart beating softly.
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
—    Martin Luther King, Jr.
—  I always wondered from when I was a very young child, why must I wait so long for everything.  It always seemed that others got what they wanted so much sooner, but perhaps their dreams were not so complicated to begin with.
“If one advanced confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success in uncommon hours.”
—    Henry David Thoreau
—  I am, to be quite honest, still waiting for those “uncommon hours”, but they will come, I surmise, when I least expect it.
—  I am a dreamer by day with wide eyes open, but in being so, have met with much resistance.
—  My experience has taught me that though I may see truth quite clear, that does not mean others too, can, are willing, or are ready also to meet with that same experience.
—  The trouble I have presently is bridging the gap between the truth that I see and the truth others cannot, will not, or are not ready to see.  I want to bridge that gap in light of my goal as it relates to the cultivation of beauty.
“When I do good, I feel good.  When I do bad, I feel bad.  That’s my religion.”
—    Abraham Lincoln
—  Navigating people, in my experience for sure, is the most difficult set of lessons I have ever had to learn in life.  There is an inner compass I have discovered though, which leads me now, but a long time it was in the making and still how much refining I’ve yet to go.
—    Kyrielle Adelshine
From a blog I follow:  thecultivationofbeauty.wordpress.com
The specific posting is:  http://thecultivationofbeauty.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/my-life-in-short-by-quote/;  the original posting was titled, “My Life In Short – by quote“
[The above excerpt is a juxtaposition of quotes versus thoughts about one’s self.  I thought the use of compare and contrast was an interesting way of describing one’s life.
I have taken the liberty to remove a few of the quotes because the blogger’s (Kyrielle) writing can stand on its own.  I have also taken the liberty of bolding the blogger’s responses to the quotes.  Hopefully, this will make it easier for the casual reader to recognize her responses.
Please visit Kyrielle’s site to read the full posting.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2012	Fear And Understanding
2011	Just Being Human

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Who’s Side?

We trust, Sir, that God is on our side.  It is more important to know that we are on God’s side.
—    President Abraham Lincoln
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Living Free And Abolition

This week, I watched two movies – one old (on DVD) and one new (at the theater).  The old one was Die Hard #4: (officially) “Live Free Or Die Hard” (2007).  The new one was “Lincoln” (2012).
DH4 is the latest Bruce Willis super-cop fights terrorist bad-guys movie.  Basically, it follows the tried and true genre which DH1 (1988) created:  lots of action, people in danger, lots of gunfire, lots of explosions (even fake explosions) and, of course, the indestructible “John McClane” (Willis).  Now, some will dispute my assertion that DH1 “created” the genre – leaning towards “Lethal Weapon” (1987) as the start of the genre.  I’d say you have a valid argument, but to me, LW is more of buddy cop movie, than the lone cop against the whole terrorist gang.  Now the interesting thing is that DH4 is not strictly a lone cop movie any more (okay, DH3 wasn’t either).  McClane gains an unwilling partner, but it’s still basically Willis against the whole gang.
DH4 is much better than DH2 and DH3, mostly because it has moments of humor which make it a much more entertaining movie.  It’s not simply a string of explosions and shoot-em-ups (but it is mostly that, so you get your monies worth of bang).  Anyway, I admit to watching this movie and DH1 every couple of years and they are both terrific.  Actually, all four are very good films and well worth watching repeatedly if you enjoy this genre (and I do).  So, highly recommended!
The second film, “Lincoln“, I went to see with my oldest daughter, Rebecca.  She lives away from home, now, so I don’t get to spend as much time with Rebecca as I would like and usually when we are together, we’re talking politics.  I think we were both looking forward to seeing this movie because of our mutual interest in history and politics.  The movie is about the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution in Congress just before the end of the American Civil War.  Now in all honesty, despite Abraham Lincoln being one of my favorite Presidents, I knew almost nothing about the passage of this Amendment.  This is the Amendment abolishing slavery in the United States.
The movie is a fairly typical Steven Spielberg direction / production – in other words – excellent!  The music, the pacing, the color, the imagery, the attention to period detail are all superb.  It seems highly probable to me that “Lincoln“, Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln) will all be getting Oscar nominations and probably win.  I haven’t seen many great roles this year (or that many movies), but Day-Lewis is a lock (in my book) for the Best Actor nomination and award.
I found the vitriol in the House of Representatives to be amusing and interesting and certainly shed new insight into politics in our own life and times.  I also enjoyed the moments of humor, like when an exasperated cabinet member shouts, “Please, not another one of your stories!“
If there are any criticisms of the movie, it’s that the movie ends predictably with the Amendments passage and with Lincoln’s assassination.  I guess there’s not much to be done about that though, as the movie is based on actual history and the Amendment did pass and the President was killed.  I guess Lincoln could have become a vampire slayer or something…  Nah!  Nobody would believe that.  (Or pay to go see it.)
In conclusion, this is one of the most enjoyable / educational movies I’ve seen in some time.  I walked away with even more respect for Abraham Lincoln.  Highly recommended!!
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On This Day In:
2021	Happy Thanksgiving (2021)!
	When You Get Where You’re Going
2020	Still In School
	The First Deuce
	Escape From Planet Junkyard
2019	Will John Bolton Testify?
2018	Just Maybe
2017	Police In My Review Mirror
2016	Full And Rich
2015	Go Deeper
2014	Intentional Mapping
2013	The Sweet Path
2012	Living Free And Abolition
	Morning Wood
2011	I Resemble That Remark

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Keeping Faith

Let us have faith that right makes might;  and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.
—    President Abraham Lincoln
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On This Day In:
2021	Outside Yet?
	Have You Ever Won?
2020	Choice
	More Rain Forecast
2019	He Claims It’s Fake News And Spies
2018	Mine, Too
2017	Who’s Turn Is It Now?
2016	Before You Vote In November…
2015	Two Faithful Thoughts
2014	Love Light
	Orange October (III) – Giants Advance To National League Championship Series (NLCS)
2013	Nothing Ridiculous
2012	Keeping Faith
2011	Summon Us, Don’t Criticize Us
2010	Obama’s Wars – Book Review
	Game Two – Hearbreaking Loss

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Saving The Union

Will it be wiser to take it as it is and help improve it, or to reject and disperse it.
—    Abraham Lincoln
[A message for those who would seek to reduce the Federal government to a size small enough that they might drown it in a bath tub…
I think they should visit the Lincoln Memorial.  Above the statue of Lincoln the following words are carved in stone:  “In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.“
Lincoln saved the Union for ALL of the PEOPLE of the United States.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Vote NO In The California Recall
	On And On
2020	The Importance You Can Have
	Slow Dancin’
	Trump Reaffirms His Administration Is The Cause Of West Coast Wildfires
2019	A Lifestyle
	Day 16: Cheat Day
2018	The Children Are Our Future
2017	And Three
2016	Nine Parts Mystery
2015	Little Or No Common Ground
2014	Just Between Me
2013	Beyond The Strings
2012	Saving The Union
2011	Still And Too Often

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Does Uncommonly Flexible = Flip-Flopping?

Yet, while being a model of consistency, Lincoln was also uncommonly flexible.  He was a leader who would not and did not limit himself.  “My policy is to have no policy,” he’d say.  “I shall not surrender this game leaving any available card unplayed.”  Lincoln would always leave “an opportunity for a change of mind.”
—     Donald T. Phillips
From his book:  “Lincoln On Leadership“
[So, our greatest Republican President was ALWAYS ready to be a flip-flopper!   —   kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	In My Unending Story
	Say You Will
2020	A Day With No Sun
	A Beautiful Thing
	A Moment To Rejoice
2019	Where And Why
	Day 12: Pause Or Plateau?
	Eating Later
2018	Here And Hope
2017	Choose
2016	All I Ever Wanted
2015	Compassionate Toward Yourself
2014	All And None
2013	Voices In The Dark
2012	Does Uncommonly Flexible = Flip-Flopping?
2011	A Modest Review Of A Modern Day Classic
	Encouragement Is The Path To Immortality

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