Veterans' Day 2024

Specialist 5th Class Ronald Tipton - 1962

 Happy Veteran's Day everyone! 

Joining the Army January 27th, 1960 was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.

After graduating from high school in 1959 I immediately signed up to join the Navy. I wanted to "see the world." At the recruiting station I was persuaded to join the Army instead.

I failed my first physical (I was born with a hernia and the Army wouldn't take me.)

I had an operation which almost killed me (staph infection) but that finally cleared up and I boarded a bus in Philadelphia January 27, 1960 for basic training in Fort Dix New Jersey.

What an experience that was! 

After eight weeks of Basic Training I had a week's leave to go home before I boarded a train for Fort Devens Massachusetts to Army Security Agency training school for the next six months.

Me, Army Basic Training Ft. Dix, New Jersey 1960

After school I choose an assignment for Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, the site of the National Security Agency which is where I served the remaining two and half years of my three year service contract. 

Me (right) with my buddy Jim Harris at Ft. Meade firing range for annual qualification September 1962

I would have made a career out of staying in the Army but since I was gay, that was impossible. 

I had to stay in the closet the whole there years I was in the Army. If they found out I was gay I would have been discharged with a less than honorable discharge. I lived three years with the fear that I would be outed and thus have my life ruined with a less than honorable discharge. Fortunately for me I got through the three years and did leave the Army with an honorable discharge. Some of my friends weren't as fortunate. In fact many of my friends were not as lucky as I was. 

I didn't approve of the Vietnam war but I would have went if assigned there. Again, lucky Ron. I've been lucky most of my life, perhaps the luckiest when I met Bill, my partner and husband of almost sixty years. Bill was in both the Army and Air Force for nine years. He had to leave to help support his mother. Bill also wanted to make a career out of staying in the service. 

Me (standing second from right with my hand on my chest) with some of my Army buddies at enlisted men's swimming pool at Ft. Meade, Maryland 1962

Even though neither Bill or I was able to make a career out the service we have benefited mightily for the VA Healthcare system. And for that I will be forever grateful. Again, both of us were very lucky.

On this Veterans Day I want to thank all of those who served who weren't as lucky as Bill and I were. They either lost limbs or sight or even their lives for service to their country. 

Thank you veterans. You have earned and deserve our respect.

Hapy Birthday To Me!

Little Ronnie T. 1942,
I was a cute kid wasn't I? Lot of water under the bridge since this photo was taken right before my first haircut. Speaking of which, I need another haircut. Yes, I still have hair and it's not snow white (thank goodness!)

 Last night at the stroke of midnight I entered my 84th year of this years making a wide path for my spirit's incarnation this time around. 

I don't know how many more years I have left but what I can say unequivocally is that in this incarnation learning experience (and that's where we are here, to LEARN until we get it right) my life has been quite a journey. So good in so many ways, the best gift was having almost sixty years with my life partner Bill Kelly who died earlier this year at ninety-five years of age. 

Bill has contacted me often since he left his earthly body and his spirit returned to his heavenly home by flickering on one of the burned out Christmas lights in our living room. I put those light up for him about four years ago when his lost his sight to macular degeneration. He couldn't see out the center of his eyes but he had peripheral vision and could see colors. We always had Christmas lights up in our living room and sun room which I took down in January. That year Bill asked me to leave them up because he liked the colors. I've done that every since and even now that he's gone I continue to leave them up in his memory.  

When we knew Bill was dying we often talked about that if there is "something" after you die, for him to contact me. He said he would. About a week after he died, I was in our kitchen preparing a meal when my peripheral vision was distracted by one of the burned out Christmas lights that was in my direct line of vision. That was so unusual because that light had been out for months and even when the lights were on, they didn't flicker.

At first I thought it was a short in the wire but after a minute of two of flickering I "got it!" Bill was an election by trade and this was his was of contacting me. Since that time he's contacted me many times, especially during stressful periods. 

The last two months or so the light has been out. I even mentioned it to Pat that Bill hadn't contacted me for about two months. Then yesterday I had a very stressful confrontation with an acquaintance that I had to hang up the phone and block his calls. I won't go into the details other to say he's an ass and I've tolerated him enough. I need to get toxic people out of my life. Right after my blowup I felt my blood pressure rise. I took my blood pressure and it was 182! I've never had blood pressure that high. I'm usually 120 of 70. Lately I've been up in the 140's but I contributed that to the stress of this presidential campaign. But over 180?! I'm going to have a stroke over this guy who is trying to interfere in my life? Who talks and shouts over me and doesn't listen and interfere with my relationship with Pat? I only mention this because the confrontation wasn't over politics. As a matter of fact he has the same political views I have but every thing else about him is antithetical to me. When he talks he shouts. He asks questions then give me a chance to answer, instead shouting over me. I felt used to feel sorry for him because I know he lives alone and is probably lonely but he would never admit that. I've known him since the late 70's. He was a friend of my good friend Bob Mc. We lost touch for about thirty years then after Bill died he started calling me on the phone. 

I.AM.NOT.AVAILABLE!

Well, I really veered off of my birthday blog post didn't I? Let's see if I can all these words together at the end of this post. I don't know how much time I have left, the past eighty-three years have been glorious and I sure as hell and not going to have a heart attack or stroke dealing with a toxic person in my life. 

I was so upset last night (getting back to Bill's way of contacting me) that when I went into my kitchen to have a slice of that apple pie I made earlier in the week, I saw.....you guessed it....that yellow light flicker off. YES! That's Bill giving me comfort.

The Day After The Day After

 

Good morning folks! 

I crawled out of my fetal position yesterday afternoon. 

Had a nice nap and an even better sleep last night.

All the mishegas of this election season is now behind us. 

Trump was elected president by an overwhelming majority of American voters. I think they made a HUGE mistake but it is what it is (to use a tired old cliche). 

I will admit I was in shock yesterday when I got up at about 3:30 the morning and sneaked a look at my iPhone to see who won. When I saw Trump won I was stunned. Literally stunned. It's a wonder I didn't faint right there on my bedroom floor. And this time I didn't have Glenn and Pat around to take me to the hospital. 

But I came out of my stupor, after trying to make sense of how many of my fellow Americans could vote for Trump, after all they know about him.

So now it's time for the autopsy of what the Democrats did wrong. 

Of course there are many contributing factors to the Democrat's loss but from my perspective as a former Republican voter for most of my life (my first vote for president was Barry Goldwater in 1964, voted for Nixon twice and Ronald Reagan and for both George Bushes) here I think is one of the main reasons:

Transgender issues

What the fuck Democrats? 

First I will say that if someone wants to be transgender, fine. That's your business. Who am I to tell you how to live  your life. But you know what? I don't want your issues injected into my every day life. In fact I even voted for the first transgender member of Congress this election. I'll be honest I didn't know he/she was transgender and that's probably the way it should be. I didn't look for a transgender running for Congress for the one House of Representatives in Delaware. I voted a straight Democratic ticket. A transgender person just happen to be the Democratic candidate for Congress from Delaware. I voted party, not sexual orientation. Same way that I wouldn't vote for a gay person but I would vote for a person, whether they were gay or not just because I like them or more likely because I almost always vote straight Democratic ticket these days since there is no more Republican Party as I knew it when I grew up. By the way, my term paper when I was in college (1964-1968) was titled "The Emerging Republican Majority." This was back in the day when the Dems had held the House for forty years without a break. I never in my lifetime thought there would be a Republican majority in the House of Representatives. But I digress. 

I think the transgender issue was one of the main reasons the Democrats lost this election. People do not want to be dictated about all the in's and outs of transgender issues. Of course Trump and his campaign seized on this issue. Trump is very smart with identifying issues that the general American public, the Great Unwashed Mass, cares about.       

I sensed the transgender issue was a loser for the Dems way back in 2013 when I testified before the Delaware Legislature for marriage equality for same sex couples. After that law was secured, the activists immediately began looking for another cause. That cause was transgender rights. These activists didn't miss a beat once they were successful in getting the Marriage Equality Act passed and signed by the governor. I had this feeling that these activists were lost without their next cause. Again, to reiterate my stand on transgender rights, I DO BELIEVE they have a right to be who they are and should not be discriminated.  But to put the full bore of their activism now into transgender rights, I felt it was more important to them for their activism than the actual rights of transgender people.  Listen Democratic activists, the Great Unwashed, the general American public wants to vote for a party who is more concerned with inflation (i.e., the price of eggs) than making sure a transgender person has the right to use the opposite sex bathroom. If that sounds like discrimination from me, so be it. If Bruce Jenner wants to wear one of his little dainty short skirts playing tennis, great. But please Bruce, use the men's bathroom as long as you have a penis. 

Democrats, you're going to keep losing elections until you get your priorities straight. 

Another thing that bothers me. Yes, I think there should be diversity in the entertainment fields. More black actors. More people of color in commercials. But man oh man, do they have to be in EVERY commercial? Same with movie roles.  Sure don't limit black actors to playing maids and criminals but having a black actress playing role of a high society matron in 18th century England during a Jane Austen mini series? Oh come on! Black people existed then but THEY WERE NOT HIGH SOCIETY MATRONS. Every time I see that lie in one of those streaming series, I immediately turn it off. And I'm one of these far left liberals!  Maybe, just maybe the Great Unwashed doesn't appreciate being force-fed that lie either all in the name of diversity. 

Look, Trump is an ignorant, selfish, con man but he is not stupid. There is a difference between ignorant and stupid. Trump is a genius at identifying opportunities for self aggrandizement. At one time I liked Trump but when I eventually discovered what a dangerous man he is, I abandoned ship. We cannot have someone like Trump leading this country. Why? Because he isn't actually leading this country, he's just a useful tool of the Far Right Republican Rats. Trump is very transactional. Flatter and kiss Trump's ass and give him all the attention is insatiable soul needs and he will do whatever they want to keep this sick feeding of his bottomless ego needs. 

There, a lot of words from your favorite blogger that in essence says to the Democrats if you want to ever win any future elections then stop shoving transgender rights (which translates to a man using a woman's bathroom and/or vice versa).   Bruce has all the rights he wants or needs but he DOESN'T have to use the woman's bathroom, penis or not. There are toilets in the men's room, he can squat if he "doesn't feel comfortable" using the urinal. 

I hope this election in which Trump even won the popular vote, wakes up the Democratic establishment to change their focus to the American people in general. Sure, be concerned about the rights of all and surprisingly I think the Democrats will find that many if not most of the voters who voted for Trump are accepting of people who are different then them. They, like me, just don't want this shoved down my throat. My neighbor who lives immediately next to my house, is a MAGA guy. He even flies his Trump flag outside along side with American flag. I also fly an American flag outside my garage door. Last month that flag was getting a little ragged. Guess what, my neighbor bought me a new one and put it up! That's the way I think many if not most of those who voted for Trump live their lives. Live and let live but don't force your beliefs on me. Of course not all neighbors like that.  Remember when I told you another one of my MAGA neighbors stated to berate me when he saw my Harris/Walz hat?  I threw him out of my driveway 

Life is complicated folks. 

We each have to find our own path while we live together. 

Now I'll sit back and observe and comment on the next four year of chaos that Trump will bring to this country. I'm sure the MSM media is loving this, lots of air time and money from commercials. No more boring, marble mouthed Joe Biden in office wandering around wondering where he is. You gotta give Trump for entertainment value. I just hope he reigns in the more extreme, opportunistic white nationalist, Nazi leaning types (read Steve Bannon)

Crusty two shirts Steve Bannon - out to avenge the civil servants who gave him a hard time years ago when he tried to get his father's benefits from the government. Hell hath no fury like pissing off this maggot.

who are swarming around Trump like flies on shit looking to take advantage of the Great Unwashed (tax cuts first, always!) 

God help us!

                                     

TRUMP WON!

 

Today I am ashamed to be an American. 

The myth of America, "The Shining City On A Hill" was all a lie. 

The truth is that we're basically a racist and misogynistic country. 

The search for who is the blame for Kamala losing the election will begin now. 

No, it's not Merrick Garland's fault she lost.

No, it's not her fault if she choose Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate thus gaining the support of Pennsylvania's crucial Electoral College votes. 

And there are many other reasons people will be looking to blame Kamala's loss. 

You can't blame Kamala because she ran an almost flawless campaign.

The fault is our Electoral College system which again, the candidate with the most votes does not win the election. 

But the bigger fault is that undercurrent of racism and even more so misogyny that exist in this country. 

I do believe now (and to be truthful always suspected) that there was no way this country would ever elect a woman as president. So instead this country elects Trump, a convicted felon who couldn't get a job at most businesses. 

So how am I going to handle the next four years? 

Easy.

First thing I cancel my DIRECT-TV account. I'm not going to spend the next four years of my life listening to all things Trump. In a few days I'll be eighty-three years old. I prefer to live whatever time I have left in relative peace. I don't need the daily stress of Trump's latest outrage. I was thinking of cancelling my DIRECT-TV account anyway. It' way too expensive ($152.34) this past month for what I get out of it. I only watch MSNBC and CNN. It's mostly commercials anyway. I won't miss the Humana and Shriner's Hospital commercials. 

Secondly I'm lowering my profile. Again, to lessen the stress in my life. 

I won't be posting to my Facebook account. I've already made enough of a fool out of myself the past month posting my anti Trump rants. My Facebook friends will be glad of that I'm sure. Give them a break. 

I just got off the phone with a friend who is similarly disappointed as I am. He asked me "Are  you moving to Canada now?" Truthfully I would love to but Canada is way too expensive to live in. But when I am in Canada, I don't feel the oppression that I feel here living the states. Another reason I wouldn't move to Canada is that I love my home here in southern coastal Delaware. This home that Bill and I shared for almost twenty years is full of wonderful, heart warming memories. Also my home contains many items from my life. Those items give me comfort. My home is comfortable. I can afford to live here. Here I stay. 

This year I have suffered two great losses. Bill dying in February and now the country I thought we were has died yesterday by electing Trump president. 

I'm an old man. I don't have that many years to go. I have profound sympathy for those who are younger than I am who now have to endure another four years of chaos and uncertainty that will surely result when Trump takes office January 20, 2025. 

Today I am ashamed to be an American. 

Note: I have since discovered Trump also won the popular vote. For that I have no explanation other than the majority of the voters preferred Trump over Harris. I'll just have to live with that fact. There is nothing else to be done. 

Oh, by the way I tried to cancel my DIRECTV account and they gave me a huge discount. At least I got SOMETHING good out of this debacle. I still won't watch as much TV (if any) for the time being. I've had enough of Trump, thank you.

I Voted!

 

Me standing in line the first to vote this morning.

Oh yes! 

I voted! 

And....actually I was first in line. First time I've been first in line since I began voting in 1964.

The line forming after me at The Crossing Church this morning in the fog. The woman in the vest took my picture. I have a suspicion all those guy are Trumpers (they all look alike don't they?) but everyone was pleasant while we waited for the doors to open. Yes, we can all get along, especially after Kamala is elected today!

I was up early this morning. 

Couldn't sleep.

Excited like a kid on Christmas Eve.

I am so concerned how this election will turn out. The most concerned I've ever been in my life. 

I am confident that Kamala will win but there is that little nagging feeling that somehow, someway, the Trump Brainwashed will vote the Convicted Felon, twice impeached president, serial sexual abuser into office again. After the Surprise of 2016 when Trump eked out a win via the Electoral College over the massively unlikeable Hillary Clinton, I'll always have that little nagging uncertainty that the impossible could happen again. I still have that feeling now.

Now to await the returns. 

Nervous!

One More Day To Go!

 Only one more day to go until I can cast my vote to finally put an end to this horror that has been afflicting our country for the last nine years. 

I along with millions of my fellow American voters will defeat soundly with our votes tomorrow this convicted felon, adjudicated rapist, and traitor to our country who tried to overturn the last election. 

Remember this friends, there are more of us than there are of them. Many of "them" are our friends, relatives and neighbors who have either been duped by the Trump Big Lie (still amazes me how so many otherwise intelligence people consistently buy into Trump's lies) or are racist and/or misogynists who just can't bring themselves to vote for a biracial woman. And of course there are those who are very tribal and would never in their lifetime vote for any Democrat no matter how awful the Republican nominee is. This is where I can rightly claim to be superior because I always vote for the best candidate, Republican or Democrat. Would you believe the first time in my life I voted was for Barry Goldwater in 1964? Yes, I used be a registered Republican. In fact for most of my life I was a registered Republican. But not now because this Republican Party is not the one I used to belong too. This is the Donald Trump "Dear Leader" party and I don't vote for wanna be tyrants. I have a brain, thank goodness. What the hell is the matter with these people? The only thing I can think is that they're totally brainwashed by only watching Faux News. They're in that information silo. Either that or they don't want to hear the truth.

I will vote early tomorrow. This year my voting location is at the church that is at the entrance to the development where I live. It's been a long wait folks but Trump's accountability is almost here. I can't wait!

Two Days To Go!

 

The time of Donald Trump's reckoning is only two days away now.  Finally, we're about to end our national nightmare of Donald Trump as a serious, viable presidential candidate.

Oh I know all the polls indicate a close race. The "margin of error" percentages and all that consistently poll results that the MSM media keeps reporting. I don't believe that. Will Trump and his supporters get a lot of votes? Absolutely! Will they get enough to win?  No way! 

I predict the national voting percentages will be at least 51% for Kamala Harris and 47% for Trump. 

I also predict Kamala will win all the swing states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina). ALL OF THEM!  And don't be surprised is Kamala also wins a state like Iowa, which was formerly red. 

The key to Kamala's win is the women of this country who have decided they're not going to be dictated by the corrupt conservative dominated Supreme Court and Republicans how to handle their health care. Another voting bloc that is going to swing the presidential election is the new first time young voters. Many of which never saw the "grab them by the pussy" tape where Trump brags about sexually assaulting women "just because he's a star." I know it's hard to believe but many of these first time voters haven't seen or heard that time. They have now, it's circulating on Tik Tok. I suspect many of these first time voters don't watch the Republican propaganda disinformation machine that is Faux News. 

When this election is over the stain will remain of those Republicans and others in position of power (Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg) failed to voice their opposition to The Convicted Felon Donald Trump. Even former president George W. Bush failed to call out Trump. What cowards they all are! 

Of course when Trump is soundly defeated these cowards will profess that they were against Trump all along. But we have receipts. When the time came for them to stand up for the country and point out to the great Unwashed Mass of Ignorants who fell for the Trump Con, they were absent. They will go down in history for the cowards they have shown themselves to be.