Raoul’s Two Cents: November 1, 2024

Plan B

Greetings one last time from North Carolina!

We tried to record some songs at Dr Manny’s mansion. We did … but not the way I had hoped. The years have not been kind to our voices and we lost some key “players” whose talents were sorely missed. We gave it a shot but the bullet never reached its intended target. Fortunately, we are all still in relatively good health so we hope to give it another try in the future.

So instead of spending our time recording, most of the time we just chatted endlessly. However, with the upcoming elections, some of our talk was about politics. I didn’t bring it up. They did. The floodgates to an emotional dam opened up and friends were getting emotional. I had a choice: do I show evidence I had collected and speak freely or do I value our friendship enough to keep my mouth shut. I decided on the latter. Sure, there were moments when I got emotional but (mostly) I decided this was not a fight I wanted to get in to. I love these guys. I told them that it came down to this: we all have our own opposing “facts” gathered from the news sources we’ve been feeding ourselves so we cannot be dogmatic about our beliefs. It is good we hear from the other side (hopefully, we learn something) and we should respect that. As expected, none converted to the other side. And to be honest, I need to check their claims as well and determine their validity. It takes a lot of maturity to accept a political opponent and still call him friend.

On the bright side, we did cause a stir in the neighborhood. We were invited to Dr. Manny’s Monday Night Talent Show with a dozen guests composed of mostly retired senior citizens. Reminded me of the musical parties of 16th Century Europe where musicians like Beethoven were the live performers because musical recordings were not yet invented.

Brave amateur musicians took turns at the piano, guitar and violin — commendable considering all of them had picked up their instruments only very recently. So, upon seeing the substandard competition, we confidently performed to the amazed crowd. The next morning, we were the talk of the town and they were expecting another performance that evening during Karaoke hour at the Country Club.

Again, other brave souls before us stepped up to the mic to shatter unsuspecting eardrums. The bar was low. Dr. Manny suggested our group sing James Taylor’s “Carolina in My Mind.” In a brief huddle we decided who would sing melody and who would sing second voice.

It was a much bigger audience this time. The music started. The expectant crowd was all smiles. On the TV screen flashed the numbers — 1, 2, 3 Go! In perfect unison we sang James Taylor’s words: “In my mind I’m goin’ to Carolina …” Then our different voices split up and (honestly speaking) we sounded really nice. I swear I saw jaws drop. We were pleasantly surprised. A thundering applause followed. Even the waiters were amazed. The people invited us to come back. I’m just thankful that Dr. Manny’s reputation remained intact.

CONCLUSION
The world is full of reasons to divide as well as to unify. Is the glass half empty or half full? Do you focus on the negative or do you allow grace to close the gap? When you love somebody you accept them warts and all. Mostly, you pray for them and see them the way Christ sees them.

The election’s just around the corner. Get out and vote!
Be good, play fair or be square!

Of course, this is just me. TGIF people!

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“Great political questions stir the deepest nature of one half the nation, but they pass far above and over the heads of the other half.” — Wendell Phillips

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'” — Romans 1: 16-19

“An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, stays bought.” — Simon Cameron

“… at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” — Philippians 2: 10-11

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Parting Shots

Thanks to Alex of Riverside, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Brian of Philadelphia

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Benny of Detroit

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with this.

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