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Politics

The Cycle of Change and Growth

June 3, 2018 by Daniel

cycle of change and growth

cycle of change and growth

We all experience changes in our lives. Some good. Some bad. Some we expect. Some we don’t. But, we ALL have things in our lives that change.

The other side of change is what happens to us. We grow. All of us. Each one of us is impacted in one way or another by a change. But, it’s ALL about how we react to the changes that help us grow in good or bad ways.

Change brings growth and that growth brings more change and so on and so on.

It’s a continuous cycle.

We can look at this is one of two ways: Good or Bad.

It’s up to you! How do you want to view the changes in your life? Do you want to grow in positive ways? Or, would you be satisfied with becoming a more negative person?

It doesn’t, or at least it shouldn’t matter whether the change is planned or unexpected. You should always embrace it.

Speaking from personal experiences, at first it may not seem like the change was intended for you. It may seem like it’s meant for someone else to benefit from your changes. But, the more time you allow the change to take place, you will come to realize it was for you all along.

So, despite whether the changes that are happening around you, both in and out of your control, know that you will grow from it. Know that others around you will grow from it as well.

The more you grow, the more changes you can expect. Which, in turn, will bring more change. Embrace it!

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

It’s Just a Jumbled Mess

May 11, 2018 by Daniel

birdnest brain

My mind is racing as I stare at the blank screen. Before I flipped open the laptop, I thought I had an idea of what I wanted to say. However, now that the cursor blinks, I’m not sure where to begin. So…

birdnest brain

Would it not be nice to flip open a person’s head to get a real sense of what’s really going on? I sure wish I could. I mean, heck, the first one I’d like to take a look into would be my own. I honestly don’t understand how I’m able to function at times. Seriously, there’s some crazy stuff happening up there. It’s almost like there are a few wires missing, and the ones that are still there aren’t even connected to the right place. Where to even begin can prove to be a challenge.

Speaking of starting… I had high hopes at the start of the year. I really did. I even put them out for all to see. Some of them I’ve even been able to accomplish. Others, yeah, I have no idea how I’ll be able to make them happen. But, right now, I do not intend on giving up.

Maybe that’s the problem. I feel like I’ve given up. Quit. On you. On myself. I feel like I’ve failed you. Even worse, I feel like I’ve failed myself. I bailed out of the boat and the stupid thing was just pushing off from the dock. UGH! Why? Well, I’ve asked myself that same, simple question over and over and over again. No. I have yet to come to an acceptable conclusion. Sure, anxiety kicked in. Sure, depression is a nasty and ugly animal that comes out to play at the worst possible time. Sure, you put a lot on your plate to try and accomplish. Do I have control over all of those, and more? NO. Note at all. Is it possible to push through? I honestly don’t think so.

But…

Back to feeling like I’ve let so many people down. Truth be told, maybe the number of people isn’t as many as I think it is. But, nonetheless, I still feel like I’ve let many people down. I feel like I quit on them. I feel like I’ve failed them. Have I? That’s for them, you to decide. These are my feelings and I’ll cry if I want to. (Sorry. I broke out in song for a second. Are you starting to see the crossed wires upstairs yet? Then again, maybe that’s why you’ve stuck around as long as you have.)

The show was fun while it lasted. That didn’t come out quite like I intended it to. The show was fun. I had a blast. Most of the time. Truth is, there’s a LOT of work that goes into putting one together. But, also, maybe the timing just isn’t right. While mediocre shows flourish, others get lost in the ocean of talkers. When you feel like you’re doing all the right things. Putting in the hard work of trying to put together a quality show. With production and graphics and all the other stuff that goes into it… and when you see others doing more with far less, it can take a toll. Yeah, I know, I’m not supposed to pay attention to them. Focus only on what I can do. Right now, most of the time, I don’t even know what that means anymore.

FACT: The Stafford Voice has been around for 10 years! Most of you may not have even known that. And, it keeps going on and trying to move forward. What lies in store for the near future? Fun and exciting things I hope. But, it requires learning new things. Skills you could say. (Oh, that was a hint. Think you know what I’ve got working in my wittle brain? Guess again!)

It’s all in the process. I love the process. The creation process. It’s beyond awesome to see something go from a simple thought to a finished piece. Whatever it is. Music. Moving pictures. Sound. Products. Everyday things most people take for granted, I look at with a creative eye and/or ear. I can’t even watch a movie without trying to figure out how they put together that shot for the scene. Or how the composer put together the score. Or how the writer got started writing. Or how they built the set and props. Don’t even get me started on the editing of it all. Are you starting to see that there’s a much bigger picture to everything?

Here’s the picture of what’s happening right now: The wonders of modern technology in the form of an Amazon Echo is connected to the internet and playing classical music. All the while, I sit on the modern convenience of the reclining couch with a laptop typing out my thoughts. To one side is a magic little device called an iPhone that dings every few seconds with the dings of social media and email apps. To the other side, is an assortment of books. But not just any old books. They are labors of love gifted to us by the various authors. Now then, let us not forget, that’s just the right here right now. I didn’t even get into the lights, and electricity, and running water, air conditioning, hum of the refrigerator, and on and on and on. There is ALWAYS a bigger picture.

Okay, after all of that, I think I’ve officially lost it. I completely lost where I was.

Oh yeah, the process. I love the process of creating. Only one problem. I’m NOT creating enough. Documenting as some would say. Document the process of creating. Meh… that’s something for another time.

I think I’m sufficiently tired enough to attempt to take some rest.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Trump Tweets: ‘NO MORE DACA DEAL!’

April 1, 2018 by Daniel

trump no more daca deal

President Donald Trump took to Twitter to urge Republicans to use the Nuclear Option and saying there would be no deal with the Democrats on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

trump no more daca deal

Trump tweeted Sunday morning, “Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. ‘Caravans’ coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!”

Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. “Caravans” coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2018

Shortly after that tweet, he followed it up saying, “Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the U.S. They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!”

Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the U.S. They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2018

These big flows of people are all trying to take advantage of DACA. They want in on the act!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2018

Following up on his twitter remarks, while heading to an Easter service in West Palm Beach, Florida, he again called on Mexico to do more to help on the border.

Filed Under: National, Politics

Larry King on the 2nd Amendment: ‘Repeal It’

March 30, 2018 by Daniel

larry king repeal 2nd amendment

In a TMZ video, Larry King is asked about a recent remark by retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens saying that the 2nd Amendment should be repealed. Larry’s response is to ‘repeal it.’

King even went on to say that the reason for the second amendment was to fight off slaves.

Yeah, no, I don’t think so.

The reason for the second amendment was and is to support our natural right to self-defense.

But, let’s not forget that Mr. Larry King is not at all accurate is his version of history for the call of the 2nd amendment.

Just watch for yourself:

Filed Under: National, Politics

Longtime Republican Donor to Withhold Cash While Calling for New Gun Laws

February 19, 2018 by Daniel

Al Hoffman Jr., a longtime Republican donor based in Florida is vowing to withhold cash until new gun laws are passed.

Hoffman issued his demands in an email to a short list of Republican leaders, including Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Jeb Bush.

The New York Times reports him as saying, “I will not write another check unless they all support a ban on assault weapons. Enough is enough!”

And, also stating in an interview, “For how many years now have we been doing this — having these experiences of terrorism, mass killings — and how many years has it been that nothing’s been done? It’s the end of the road for me.”

Here’s what I say, KEEP YOUR MONEY!

Understand this: In 1994, under Democrat control, a federal assault weapons ban was enacted. Sure, that lapsed back in 2004 with Republicans in power. But simply banning something and saying it’s illegal won’t do anything about stopping it.

We have laws that say it’s illegal to drink and drive. Does that stop people from doing it? NOPE!

We have laws that say it’s illegal to do drugs. Does that stop people from doing them? NOPE! As a matter of fact, California and other states are putting in safe places for people to go and take their illegal drugs with some supervision. You know, in case someone passes out or something.

We have laws that say it’s illegal to enter into this country without proper permission. Does that stop millions of people from entering the country illegally? NOPE! As a matter of fact, those on the left, and some on the right work very hard to promote it.

But… and this is a BIG but… none of that matters! They don’t care and don’t want to talk about it because, you know, GUNS ARE BAD MKAY?!

They argue for stricter gun laws. Many of them call for the complete banning of guns.

Yes, the same people calling for the banning of guns are the same people who just years ago were praising Atwood’s The Handmaids Tale.

Yes, these are the same people who now protest the Netflix drama because it’s about oppressing women under total government control.

Yes, the same people who want the government to come and take all the guns saying only police should have guns.

Yes, the same people who protest the police saying they have too much power and go around killing people, because, after all, you know, GUNS ARE BAD MKAY?!

Talking in circles is the sign of an ignorant argument.

The fact remains: Criminals are always gonna criminal. THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT LAWS!

Filed Under: Politics

George Soros Has Harsh Words For Facebook And Google

January 25, 2018 by Daniel

george soros davos facebook google

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, George Soros issued some blistering comments aimed at Facebook and Google.

I’ll admit, it stopped me in my tracks when I saw a headline claiming ultra-liberal George Soros slammed Facebook and Google calling them a ‘menace’ to society and ‘obstacles to innovation’.

So, what did Soros say?

Here are some excerpts:

“Social-media companies deceive their users by manipulating their attention and directing it towards their own commercial purposes. They deliberately engineer addiction to the services they provide. This can be very harmful, particularly for adolescents. There is a similarity between internet platforms and gambling companies. Casinos have developed techniques to hook gamblers to the point where they gamble away all their money, even money they don’t have.

“Something very harmful and maybe irreversible is happening to human attention in our digital age. Not just distraction or addiction — social-media companies are inducing people to give up their autonomy. The power to shape people’s attention is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few companies. It takes a real effort to assert and defend what John Stuart Mill called “the freedom of mind.” There is a possibility that once lost, people who grow up in the digital age will have difficulty in regaining it. This may have far-reaching political consequences. People without the freedom of mind can be easily manipulated. This danger does not loom only in the future — it already played an important role in the 2016 US presidential elections.

“But there is an even more alarming prospect on the horizon. There could be an alliance between authoritarian states and these large, data-rich IT monopolies that would bring together nascent systems of corporate surveillance with an already developed system of state-sponsored surveillance. This may well result in a web of totalitarian control the likes of which not even Aldous Huxley or George Orwell could have imagined.”

“The owners of the platform giants consider themselves the masters of the universe, but in fact, they are slaves to preserving their dominant position.”

“The internet monopolies have neither the will nor the inclination to protect society against the consequences of their actions. That turns them into a menace, and it falls to the regulatory authorities to protect society against them.”

Filed Under: Politics

Net Neutrality Explained… by BURGER KING

January 25, 2018 by Daniel

burger king net neutrality

Some people have a hard time trying to digest issues like net neutrality. Sure, with all the differing opinions and various news outlets reporting on the issue, it’s easy to understand why.

Enter Burger King.

Wait, what?

Yes. Burger King. Please pull forward to the first window.

Sometimes, in order to make a point, you have to illustrate the absurd with the absurd.

Using the infamous Whopper, Burger King explained net neutrality in simple to process terms.

I guess you could say Burger King flame-broiled the net neutrality debate.

Filed Under: Politics

Who’s To Blame For The 2018 Government Shutdown?

January 22, 2018 by Daniel

government shutdown 2018

The government, once again, is shutdown over another spending bill. However, depending on who you ask, you will find that it’s either President Trump to blame or the Republicans. Honestly, isn’t it all about how you look at it?

So what… the government is shutdown. Quite frankly, many are excited at that statement. Thinking of it that way would have us thinking that at least they aren’t wasting any more taxpayer money on reckless and frivolous spending.

But this is about something bigger. Much bigger!

Hop in a time machine real quick as we travel back to 2013. Do you remember? Washington was pounding away at a spending bill and nobody could hash things out. So… since they couldn’t pass it, the government ran out of money and it was forced into a shutdown.

At the time, it was all because the Republicans wouldn’t budge and give Obama and the Democrats what they wanted. It was never Obama at fault. It was never the fault of the Democrats. All the blame was put on the Republicans. If you tried to argue against it, you were, of course, on the dark side.

Okay, hop back in and let’s travel back to present day. Once again, Washington was faced with passing another spending bill. Only this time, there was a Republican President. And, and, the Republicans have a majority in the House and Senate.

So… who’s at fault? That’s right! Trump. It’s all his fault and nobody else’s. Sure, we still blame the Republicans, because, after all, they have the majority and they do whatever Trump tells them to do.

Sure, that’s one way to think about it. But, it’s a silly way to think about it.

It’s what’s at play that’s the bigger picture.

Let’s focus our attention on the Democrats! There is a spending bill on the floor that everyone in Washington is okay with. Yes, even the Democrats. They’re fine with it. However, they also want to fund DACA and the illegal activities of illegal immigrants. Republicans, on the other hand, say no.

So, why not pass the bill and then work on passing immigration reform? Plain and simple. The Democrats care about putting illegal immigrants ahead of America. And, they care so much about it that they are willing to shut down the government.

But, and here’s where it gets kind of silly… it’s STILL Trump’s fault. No matter how you want to spin it, and people are doing their best to do so, we’re NOT allowed to blame Democrats for anything.

Filed Under: Politics

Justice Clarence Thomas as You’ve Likely Never Seen Him

January 11, 2018 by Daniel

supreme court justice clarence thomas

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sits down to discuss moments of his life, faith, and family.

In this interview, we get a rather relaxed Justice Thomas as many have likely never seen him before. At one point, he laughs so hard he almost could have fallen out of his chair.

On the topic of faith, he discusses his reason for attending mass daily before work saying it helps him do his “job, a secular job, in the right way and for the right reasons.” Faith, he says, gives him “the strength to do what I have to do every day, to assert the independence, to be willing to take the beatings, the criticism, the unfairness.”

The biggest takeaway for me is just how genuine and humble Justice Thomas is.

Filed Under: Politics

Trump Tweets His Nuclear Button is ‘Much Bigger’ than Kim Jong Un’s

January 2, 2018 by Daniel

President Trump took to Twitter to respond to Kim Jong Un’s claim that he has a nuclear button on his desk at all times.

Trump tweeted, “North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018

Honestly, I literally laughed out loud. It’s typical Trump fashion but equal parts savage.

Filed Under: Foreign Policy, Politics

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