The Truth About Great Men

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Wyne of Mandaluyong, Philippines

Raoul’s 2 cents

George

If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes below.

He did it again. Tonka, our Corgi did it again! He swallowed something that upset his system. He started throwing up several times during the day until there was just bile coming out. My wife rushed him to the hospital while I waited at home with Tinker, his sister corgi. My wife had to wait there for hours. And, when it was finally our turn, the veterinarian called with all sorts of questions about where Tonka went and what he ate.

Have you ever talked to a Vet before? Do they all talk like Kindergarten teachers? I felt I was in Sesame Street talking to Big Bird.
VET: “Do you really think it’s a good idea to see Tonka inside the back room? When he sees you and you say in English you’ll be coming back, he won’t understand why Mommy is leaving him again.”
ME: “Don’t worry Doctor Doolittle. It’s already too late. Tonka has been a nervous wreck ever since we snatched him from his real Mommy. He’s already a serial killer!”

I tell you, if you are contemplating getting a dog — don’t! Sure, they’re cute and adorable and they elevate your self-confidence to narcissistic levels BUT …

they need to be fed,
you need to give them a walk in the middle of your busy day so they can poop and pee,
their fur and dog smell permeate your once beautiful home,
veterinarians and pet food manufacturers get richer as you grow poorer,
Annoying as they can be, you still develop strong emotional attachments
and the worst part is — THEY DIE!
15 years max and — THEY DIE!
All that dog food and dog toys suddenly useless because — THEY DIE!
Guess who’s going to be the nervous wreck?

Dog-sitting Tinker was going to take hours so I decided to watch Youtube on TV while I prepared dinner. Somehow, a 3.5 hour documentary of The Boring Life of George Washington popped up. I realized that I didn’t really know that much about US history or Washington. I’ve heard bits and pieces about him like his chopping down the cherry tree and his wooden teeth … but I didn’t grow up in an American Grade School; so I let the video play — and boy was I blown away! No joke. I am so so amazed at President Washington.

I DIDN’T KNOW

I didn’t know of his insecurities because his father favored George’s half-brother whom he groomed to be among the aristocracy in England.
I didn’t know he was a successful cartographer, turned real estate mogul, turned farmer, turned international trader, turned local magnate, turned disillusioned entrepreneur, turned revolutionist, turned politician.
I didn’t know Martha was a widow with 2 kids and that she was uber wealthy. (George was a Gold Digger)
I didn’t know George was a towering six feet 3 inches tall. Hubba hubba! No wonder Martha fell for him.
He suffered a few war losses which prompted him to read about war strategies.
The Continental Army was composed of amateur soldiers who were mostly simple farmers. George had a knack for choosing the best officers to accomplish his vision and shape his ragtag army to battle the most powerful armada in the world.
There were internal political factions because many were still loyal to the English crown. (So many parallels to today’s politics). His quiet, humble demeanor masked his calculating strategy that won the respect of his peers.
Finally, he was offered the crown but he refused to be king.

The Youtube AI-generated video used annoying repetitious descriptions and strange painterly AI visuals, but I was captivated. One man probably put this together (the writing, the video editing, etc.) so bravo to his efforts. The video has definitely changed my admiration for George Washington. He deserves all those buildings, streets and schools that are named after him. What a perfect way to prepare me for America’s upcoming 250th Anniversary this July 4th.

I also watched short fun historical YouTube clips about the other heroes of that era produced by Prager University. (Full disclosure: The presentation is apolitical but the writers have a right wing viewpoint). America has much to be proud of thanks to the Judeo-Christian values and sacrifices of our forefathers. They gave everything (some lost everything) in the hopes that our generation will preserve this great political experiment. They gave us all the ingredients … we just need to follow the recipe.

AFTER THOUGHT 1
Of course, I’m aware other countries have their own stories of valor and I’m certainly interested to learn about them. What would be truly interesting is to compare perspectives from both the winning and losing sides — “the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.” I encourage you to watch these videos. It may inspire you to soar like eagles.

AFTER THOUGHT 2
I was never a fan of history until I started reading the Bible. (True story!) It started me pointing at maps and imagining what it would have been like to live in those arid places, to talk to these spiritual legends and to look under the rug for hidden lessons. It made me appreciate the blessings we have and wonder why God put us where we are today.

AFTER THOUGHT 3
Well, I guess there is one good reason to have a dog after all. Tonka forced me to watch a boring history of the great President George Washington.

TGIF people!

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Quotes of the Week

“In America, anyone can become president. That’s the problem.” — George Carlin

“If we must die, we die defending our rights.” — Chief Sitting Bull

“America is a country of inventors, and the greatest of inventors are the newspaper men.” — Alexander Graham Bell

“America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” — Oscar Wilde

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” — Abraham Lincoln

“Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.
The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.” — Psalm 37:27-29

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” — Romans 12:19

“This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.” — Zechariah 7:9