TEN: NOT NEAR ENOUGH. THOU SHALL NOT KILL. OR STEAL. OR SCREW THE NEIGHBORS WIFE. NOR HIS OX. DEFINITELY NOT HIS ASS. NUMBER 11: THOUS SHALL NOT VOTE FOR EGOMANIACS. NUMBER 12: GOD, PLEASE SEND HELP. FOR WE KNOW NOT WHAT WE DO.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
GETTING OLD
FORGETTING SEEMS TO BE HABIT. THE MIND FORGETS, BUT MY BODY NEVER SEEMS TO. KNEES CREAK AND CRACK AND POP EVERY MORNING I GET OUT OF BED. THE BIG TOE I BROKE IN COLLEGE, DOING A HEADER OFF THE TOP BUNK, FOLLOWING BEHIND THE REST OF OF MY BODY, HIT THE FLOOR WITH A YELL FROM ITS OWNER. IT NEVER FORGETS, THE BODY REMEMBERS WHAT THE MIND FORGETS. A GETTING OLD PREDICAMENT.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Sunday, January 28, 2018
BENEDICTION
I WAS BORN TO ROCK THE BOAT
SOME MAY SINK BUT WE WILL FLOAT
GRAB YOUR COAT, LET'S GET ON OUT OF HERE.
YOUR MY WITNESS
I'M YOUR MUTINEER
Warren Zevon, Mutineer
SOME MAY SINK BUT WE WILL FLOAT
GRAB YOUR COAT, LET'S GET ON OUT OF HERE.
YOUR MY WITNESS
I'M YOUR MUTINEER
Warren Zevon, Mutineer
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER-THE STATE OF THE UNION
We will watch and listen Tuesday night to the State of the Union
message:
We will hear as the Sergeant of Arms says dramatically,
"Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States."
We will watch the choreographed procession down the
aisle with much backslapping, applause and good humor;
We will all be there:
the leading military people,
the chief justice,
the senate leader,
the house leader,
no doubt a few momentary "heroes" in the balcony.
We will listen to hear that the union is in good shape:
the war is being won;
the economy is coming back;
migrants are facing new rigors;
unemployment is down.
There will be much applause---
and we will be glad for such political performance.
Except, of course, we know better.
For this is not an assembly of the union,
this is a gathering of "the suits,"
the men---and some women---who have good educations
and even better connections.
It is a meeting of wealth, and entitlement, and privilege.
We will watch and notice with some wistfulness
all of those who are absent from the meeting:
the poor who lack voice,
the pensioners who lack health coverage,
the unemployed who lack benefits,
the gays who still live under threat,
the victims of disasters who still need our help,
the prisoners who live at the very edge of
their constitutional rights.
We will embrace the buoyancy of the speech with gladness
and with great dis-ease,
because we know better.
We know better because our Lord has told us about
the lame and the blind,
the hungry,the homeless, the poor,
the prisoners, the ones who thirst,
And we are in touch, with our baptism, with them.
We hope and pray and work for a more perfect union,
a binding of all by dignity and security and well-being,
and less binding by money and connections and power.
Our Lord is so weak and so foolish and so poor,
and yet he is our Savior.
We are pulled apart by our double awareness
of self-satisfaction and dis-ease.
We submit to your goodness our vexed lives
that we cannot resolve.
Give us honesty and openness that we may become aware
of the true state of our union.
Walter Brueggemann-Prayers for a Privileged People
message:
We will hear as the Sergeant of Arms says dramatically,
"Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States."
We will watch the choreographed procession down the
aisle with much backslapping, applause and good humor;
We will all be there:
the leading military people,
the chief justice,
the senate leader,
the house leader,
no doubt a few momentary "heroes" in the balcony.
We will listen to hear that the union is in good shape:
the war is being won;
the economy is coming back;
migrants are facing new rigors;
unemployment is down.
There will be much applause---
and we will be glad for such political performance.
Except, of course, we know better.
For this is not an assembly of the union,
this is a gathering of "the suits,"
the men---and some women---who have good educations
and even better connections.
It is a meeting of wealth, and entitlement, and privilege.
We will watch and notice with some wistfulness
all of those who are absent from the meeting:
the poor who lack voice,
the pensioners who lack health coverage,
the unemployed who lack benefits,
the gays who still live under threat,
the victims of disasters who still need our help,
the prisoners who live at the very edge of
their constitutional rights.
We will embrace the buoyancy of the speech with gladness
and with great dis-ease,
because we know better.
We know better because our Lord has told us about
the lame and the blind,
the hungry,the homeless, the poor,
the prisoners, the ones who thirst,
And we are in touch, with our baptism, with them.
We hope and pray and work for a more perfect union,
a binding of all by dignity and security and well-being,
and less binding by money and connections and power.
Our Lord is so weak and so foolish and so poor,
and yet he is our Savior.
We are pulled apart by our double awareness
of self-satisfaction and dis-ease.
We submit to your goodness our vexed lives
that we cannot resolve.
Give us honesty and openness that we may become aware
of the true state of our union.
Walter Brueggemann-Prayers for a Privileged People
Friday, January 26, 2018
SMOOTH WRITING
COLD AS FROZEN ANARCHY. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. CANADA HAS INVITED US TO MOVE THERE. DECIDING BETWEEN A JACKASS, STUPID, ARROGANT PRESIDENT AND UNENDING WINTER. BONES WILL GET COLD AS FROZEN ANARCHY.
'Trump Not Welcome': Swiss Group Drops 60-Meter Mountaintop Banner Near Davos
'Trump Not Welcome': Swiss Group Drops 60-Meter Mountaintop Banner Near Davos
DAVOS HAS BECOME A POLICE STATE. THEY DON'T WANT ANYONE PROTESTING. I SUPPOSE THEY FORGOT ABOUT THIS CLIFF.
DAVOS HAS BECOME A POLICE STATE. THEY DON'T WANT ANYONE PROTESTING. I SUPPOSE THEY FORGOT ABOUT THIS CLIFF.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
PEEVER LAW #27
IF YOU ARE ANYTHING BUT RICH AND THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO GIVE YOU A BREAK, YOU HAD BETTER GET A PROCTOLOGY EXAM TO SEE IF YOUR HEAD IS STUCK UP YOUR ASS.
We Let Them Pull the Trigger
We Let Them Pull the Trigger
11TH SCHOOL SHOOTING OF THE YEAR, AND IT'S STILL JANUARY. GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, KIDS KILL PEOPLE. AND STILL NO ACTION FROM WASHINGTON. JACKASSES.
11TH SCHOOL SHOOTING OF THE YEAR, AND IT'S STILL JANUARY. GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, KIDS KILL PEOPLE. AND STILL NO ACTION FROM WASHINGTON. JACKASSES.
Monday, January 22, 2018
SMOOTH WRITING
CHARITY: GIVING. NO CONDITIONS. NO MANDATORY PRAYING. GIVE WITH NO EXPECTATION OF PRAISE OR PROMOTION. GIVE TO ALLEVIATE PAIN AND SUFFERING. NOT TO CAUSE IT. NO PUBLICITY. COMPASSION.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
SMOOTH WRITING
"THE HELL OF A PARADE OF THINGS GOING WRONG, AND THE HEAVEN OF NONE."
Brian Doyle-The Kind of Brave You Want to Be
Brian Doyle-The Kind of Brave You Want to Be
Friday, January 19, 2018
FAITH
“You got to have faith.” The
question would be: In what? Most often, having faith refers to having a belief
in God. Faith in God requires a leap into the unknown, the unprovable. There is
no 100% certainty. You either believe or
you don’t. There is not much of a halfway point. Taking that leap is difficult
for a lot of people, including myself. You want to dive over the edge like a
bungee jumper, but you don’t quite trust it. The cord. The distance. The
bounce. Generally speaking, I could use a shove, but that’s not how it works.
It’s you who must face the doubt and uncertainty. I try to leap across the
chasm in two measured, hesitant leaps, but I always come up short. Faith is a
word that has always troubled me. I find it, than lose it; find it, than lose it;
find………
.............
I finished two and one-half years of
seminary. I recently completed two courses by internet. I have four courses
left to complete a master’s degree in theology. I don’t really need a master’s
degree in theology for any good reason. I’m almost 70 years old. I’m past
personal accomplishment. And I’m not an ego-maniac. I did it mainly to see if I
still could. Was I still searching for God? Maybe. I never really took that
leap that Kierkegaard referred to. He actually wrote about a leap of faith.
Either way, you got to jump. Into the unknown. I’m a contrarion by nature. A stubborn
carmodgeon by choice. I do not like to do what the crowd is doing. I don’t
trust group-think. To me it seems best
that the mystic seek God from within, rather than from without. A leap is way
too dangerous.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE
It’s an ok place. It’s not Montpellier, Vt. Or Santa Fe, NM. Or Naples, Fl. Or Kula, HI. Or even San Diego. Or Navarre Beach, Fl. Or Nashville, TN. It sure beats Chicago and New York and Kansas City and LA and Denver. And Little Rock and Pine Bluff and Possum. It’s not a sh..hole. Not the best place for old people. The roads are hard to drive. It gets real dark. The summer is way too hot. There are too many snakes. There are too few good restaurants. Finding people willing to stay up past 8pm is difficult. You have to have something medically wrong with you to fit in. And it doesn’t hurt to be Republican. On the other hand, the scenery is great. It’s a golfers dream come true. We have plenty of water to swim in, bath in, boat on, or drink. We do have a few restaurants of the average variety. Lots of paths to walk. Clubs of every sort. Card clubs, radio clubs, acting clubs, social clubs, military clubs, investing clubs, garden clubs, craft clubs, walking clubs, boating clubs, fishing clubs, dancing clubs. We even have clubs for people who don’t like clubs. There are lots of interesting people. Some more interesting than others. Plenty of churches. Mainly Protestant. We could use better leadership. Most POA presidents lately have been military. Not the best place to get democratic leadership. They don’t like anyone questioning them. We could use fewer rules. Autonomy is frowned on. Again, probably the military influence. It wouldn’t hurt to have warmer winters. And more bakeries would be good. Cranford’s, our only grocery store, closed. How about a Whole Foods? Less blind allegiance, more positive doubt would help. And more words allowed for editorials. With titles.
Monday, January 15, 2018
It's time to play Amazon's new hit game, 'Milk the Taxpayer!' • Hightower Lowdown
It's time to play Amazon's new hit game, 'Milk the Taxpayer!' • Hightower Lowdown: As the winter solstice nears, people around the world are celebrating end-of-the-year holidays that, while widely diverse, share the ideal of a season for
Insulated by GOP Sycophants, Overtly Racist Trump Claims He's 'Least Racist Person'
Insulated by GOP Sycophants, Overtly Racist Trump Claims He's 'Least Racist Person'
May all these lying jackasses burn in hell.
May all these lying jackasses burn in hell.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
SOME OF US ARE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER
THE BALCONY IN MEMPHIS,
THE SANITATION WORKERS' STRIKE,
THE SHOT THAT BROKE FLESH,
THE LOSS OF MARTIN,
AND THE MULE DRAWN WAGON,
AND THE FUNERAL,
AND THE RIOTS, THE VIOLENCE, THE FEAR,
AND THE FAILURE.
ALL OF US KNOW THE CROWD IN D.C.
AND "I HAVE A DREAM,"
THE BIRMINGHAM JAIL,
THE BROAD STREAM OF VIOLENCE,
AND HIS STEADFAST NONVIOLENCE
IN ALBANY AND
IN SKOKIE AND
IN SELMA.
ALL OF US KNOW HIS AWESOME, DARING SPEECH,
HIS BRAVERY, HIS HOPE, AND HIS GENERATIVE WORD.
AND WE KNOW THE RELENTLESSNESS OF OUR GOVERNMENT
IN PURSUIT OF HIM
AND THE ENDLESS SURVEILLANCE AND HARASSMENT
OF THIS DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE.
AT HIS DISTANCE, WE HAVE LITTLE ACCESS
TO HOW IT WAS THEN CONCERNING AMBIGUITY
AND FEAR
AND RELUCTANCE
AND VIOLENCE
AND INJUSTICE.
WE DO NOT DOUBT THAT YOU HAVE PERSISTED
EVEN BEYOND MARTIN'S PASSION,
EVEN BEYOND MARTIN'S BRILLIANCE,
EVEN BEYOND MARTIN'S FIDELITY, AND
HIS LOSS.
WE DO NOT DOUBT THAT THROUGH HIM AND BEYOND HIM,
YOU, HOLY GOD OF THE PROPHETS,
ARE STILL PLEDGED TO JUSTICE AND
PEACE AND
LIBERTY FOR ALL.
WE REMEMBER MARTIN IN GRATITUDE....
AND CHAGRIN.
AND WE PLEDGE, AMID OUR STRESSED AMBIGUITIES,
TO DREAM AS HE DID,
TO WALK THE WALK,
AND TO TALK THE TALK.
WE PLEDGE, SO SURE THAT YOUR TRUTH
WILL NOT STOP ITS MARCH
UNTIL YOUR WILL IS DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
Walter Brueggemann-Prayers for a Privileged People
THE BALCONY IN MEMPHIS,
THE SANITATION WORKERS' STRIKE,
THE SHOT THAT BROKE FLESH,
THE LOSS OF MARTIN,
AND THE MULE DRAWN WAGON,
AND THE FUNERAL,
AND THE RIOTS, THE VIOLENCE, THE FEAR,
AND THE FAILURE.
ALL OF US KNOW THE CROWD IN D.C.
AND "I HAVE A DREAM,"
THE BIRMINGHAM JAIL,
THE BROAD STREAM OF VIOLENCE,
AND HIS STEADFAST NONVIOLENCE
IN ALBANY AND
IN SKOKIE AND
IN SELMA.
ALL OF US KNOW HIS AWESOME, DARING SPEECH,
HIS BRAVERY, HIS HOPE, AND HIS GENERATIVE WORD.
AND WE KNOW THE RELENTLESSNESS OF OUR GOVERNMENT
IN PURSUIT OF HIM
AND THE ENDLESS SURVEILLANCE AND HARASSMENT
OF THIS DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE.
AT HIS DISTANCE, WE HAVE LITTLE ACCESS
TO HOW IT WAS THEN CONCERNING AMBIGUITY
AND FEAR
AND RELUCTANCE
AND VIOLENCE
AND INJUSTICE.
WE DO NOT DOUBT THAT YOU HAVE PERSISTED
EVEN BEYOND MARTIN'S PASSION,
EVEN BEYOND MARTIN'S BRILLIANCE,
EVEN BEYOND MARTIN'S FIDELITY, AND
HIS LOSS.
WE DO NOT DOUBT THAT THROUGH HIM AND BEYOND HIM,
YOU, HOLY GOD OF THE PROPHETS,
ARE STILL PLEDGED TO JUSTICE AND
PEACE AND
LIBERTY FOR ALL.
WE REMEMBER MARTIN IN GRATITUDE....
AND CHAGRIN.
AND WE PLEDGE, AMID OUR STRESSED AMBIGUITIES,
TO DREAM AS HE DID,
TO WALK THE WALK,
AND TO TALK THE TALK.
WE PLEDGE, SO SURE THAT YOUR TRUTH
WILL NOT STOP ITS MARCH
UNTIL YOUR WILL IS DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
Walter Brueggemann-Prayers for a Privileged People
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor. It has come to my attention that you do not allow titles on “Letters to the Editor.” I have learned this through direct experience, having recently submitted several “Letters to the Editor.” None of the titles were printed. They all originally had titles, and very good ones, I might add. This seems rather odd. Peculiar. Dumbfounding. Every article in the Voice has titles. “Meeks returns as managing editor.” “Chamber, Voice, announce merger. I mean, award nominations.” “Nalley addresses questions, concerns.” Each is followed by a story that relies on, plays on, explains, the title. When there is no title, but only “Letter to the Editor,” it doesn’t sound very interesting. Why would I write a Letter to the Editor? I don’t even know the editor. I’m writing a letter to address the public. Something I see as unusual. Alarming. Perhaps a view opposite of the status-quo. A rebuttal. Maybe a plea: for justice. Fairness. Perhaps just a thought. Maybe a good deed has been done. Recognition. Thankfulness. Magazine articles have titles; people have titles; movies have titles; newspaper articles have titles; books have titles. Most certainly “Letters to the Editor” should have titles. Something that draws attention. Captures the imagination. Informs the people in few words. Something of which the body of the written work can dance around. Tease. Elevate. At the very least, explain. Clearly, “Letter to the Editor” serves none of these purposes. I have not, however, let “no title allowed” deter me from my work, which is to CONSTANTLY STIR THE POT. This may ruffle some feathers. Upset some. Make people uncomfortable. But it’s all in good fun. A curmudgeons job. Cantankerous. So please, let us put titles on our “Letters to the Editor”. Everything has a title. Even the Editor.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND THIS TIME AND LIVE?
For people who are struggling, this is a bad time. A depressing
time. A time lacking compassion. Justice. Equality. Trump and all of Washington
have betrayed our trust and no longer serve as public servants, sworn to uphold
our right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” as stated in the
Declaration of Independence. They have all become doorkeepers for the rich. Gate
keepers at the country club. Servants pandering to the needs of their owners, who
buy them with their billions; allow them to serve as long as they please; hire them later to become lobbyists; and when they die, proclaim them as heroes
and saviors of democracy and capitalism. It is an odd perversion of democratic government. It is the very definition of hell.
THE PRESIDENT GETS A PHYSICAL
I BET WE WON'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT THIS. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THERE WAS A PSYCHIATRIC EXAM. THE DOCTOR WAS PROBABLY NOT A PSYCHIATRIST, TO BEGIN WITH. AND NONE ON BOARD WOULD HAVE THE GUTS TO SAY THE OBVIOUS. AT THE VERY LEAST THE GUY IS OVERWEIGHT. AND I BET THEY MISSED THE HEMORRHOID'S IN HIS THROAT, CAUSING HIM TO SAY SHITTY THINGS.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"While Republicans in Congress feign outrage over Trump’s latest
astounding racist comment, they continue to step in line to help propel
his racist policies."
Katrine Jean-Pierre
Katrine Jean-Pierre
SMOOTH WRITING
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE: NO TO SOCIAL JUSTICE. NO TO HELPING THOSE STRUGGLING. NO TO FEEDING THE CHILDREN. NO TO HEALTHCARE. NO TO HIGHER WAGES. NO TO HOUSING THE POOR. NO TO THE ENVIRONMENT. NO TO EDUCATION. HOW ABOUT WE JUST ROLL OVER AND PLAY DEAD? I REMIND YOU-PLAY.
Friday, January 12, 2018
POSTED JULY 29, 2012-175,250 HITS TO DATE
Welcome to The Village Planet. The first post will be an editorial that appeared in the Village Voice, written by me.
The Peever moves to the Village
My wife and I moved here full-time in August, 2011. Some initial observations:
1. While there is a wide range of resident experiences, which I enjoy listening to, and a whole lot of really good people, there is a serious lack of cultural, religious, and political diversity. I suppose I should have expected that. Gates don't just keep out criminals. At any rate, I miss the diversity and believe this is the biggest weakness of Hot Springs Village.
2. I have mixed emotions about our leadership. Again, diversity is sadly missing. The POA seems mired down in the status quo and its own self-importance. On at least two or three occasions since we have been here, they have exerted their authority to keep the public in check and continue on as they see fit. They have committees that appear to have no authority and seem to be used to help maintain the illusion that there is citizen participation, when in fact the manager and board do as they please. It is particularly distressing to see all the reasons they use to go into executive session. Control at meetings is tight. While decorum does need to be maintained, people need to be heard. It is our fundamental right, which they are seemingly having some problems with, which leads to my final point.
3. It is hard for people who might have some different ideas and opinions to communicate in the Village. There is really no good media outlet to express minority opinions or dissatisfaction with the way things are going. To that end, it would seem like a good idea to start something. Thus is born The Village Planet. The other side of a lot of stories needs to be told around here. Nothing is more damaging to a community than sameness and unquestionable acceptance of the status quo.
The Peever moves to the Village
My wife and I moved here full-time in August, 2011. Some initial observations:
1. While there is a wide range of resident experiences, which I enjoy listening to, and a whole lot of really good people, there is a serious lack of cultural, religious, and political diversity. I suppose I should have expected that. Gates don't just keep out criminals. At any rate, I miss the diversity and believe this is the biggest weakness of Hot Springs Village.
2. I have mixed emotions about our leadership. Again, diversity is sadly missing. The POA seems mired down in the status quo and its own self-importance. On at least two or three occasions since we have been here, they have exerted their authority to keep the public in check and continue on as they see fit. They have committees that appear to have no authority and seem to be used to help maintain the illusion that there is citizen participation, when in fact the manager and board do as they please. It is particularly distressing to see all the reasons they use to go into executive session. Control at meetings is tight. While decorum does need to be maintained, people need to be heard. It is our fundamental right, which they are seemingly having some problems with, which leads to my final point.
3. It is hard for people who might have some different ideas and opinions to communicate in the Village. There is really no good media outlet to express minority opinions or dissatisfaction with the way things are going. To that end, it would seem like a good idea to start something. Thus is born The Village Planet. The other side of a lot of stories needs to be told around here. Nothing is more damaging to a community than sameness and unquestionable acceptance of the status quo.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
SMOOTH WRITING
KETCHUP: RED. NOT GREEN. NOT A BIG VARIETY. HUNTS. HEINTZ. I PREFER BROOKS. FROM COLLINSVILLE, IL. BIGGEST KETCHUP BOTTLE ON EARTH. WATER TOWER. BUY LOCAL. NOW MADE IN CANADA. CRAP.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
POSITIVE DOUBT
Hot Springs Village. It’s an ok
place. It’s not Montpellier, Vt. Or Santa Fe, NM. Or Naples, Fl. Or Kula, HI.
Or even San Diego. Or Navarre Beach, Fl. Or Nashville, TN. It sure beats Chicago and New York and Kansas
City and LA and Denver. And Little Rock and Pine Bluff and Possum. It’s not the
best place for old people. The roads are hard to drive. It gets real dark. The
summer is way too hot. There are too many snakes. There are too few good
restaurants. Finding people willing to stay up past 8pm is difficult. You have
to have something medically wrong with you to fit in. And it doesn’t hurt to be
Republican. On the other hand, the scenery is great. It’s a golfers dream come
true. We have plenty of water to swim in, bath in, boat on, or drink. We do
have a few restaurants of the average variety. Lots of paths to walk. Clubs of every sort. Card clubs, radio clubs,
acting clubs, social clubs, military clubs, investing clubs, garden clubs,
craft clubs, walking clubs, boating clubs, fishing clubs, dancing clubs. We
even have clubs for people who don’t like clubs. There are lots of interesting
people. Some more interesting than others. Plenty of churches. Mainly
Protestant. We could use better leadership. Most POA presidents lately have
been military. Not the best place to get democratic leadership. They don’t like
anyone questioning them. We could use fewer rules. Again, probably the military
influence. Autonomy is frowned on. It wouldn’t hurt to have warmer winters. And
more bakeries would be good. Cranford’s, our only grocery store, closed. How
about a Whole Foods? Less blind allegiance, more positive doubt would help. And more words allowed for editorials. With
titles.
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