Stupid question, right? There are so many things going on in the U.S. not to mention the World. I thought we today would simply touch on several of those:
Houston/South Texas
I was born in Pasadena, Texas, a suburb of Houston. I have relatives who live all through the area. My father passed away a month ago and lived in Seadrift, Texas, a sleepy little fishing town 15 miles from Rockport which has been labeled as the epicenter of Hurricane Harvey’s U.S. arrival. As bad as the damage was in the Rockport area, (which resulted primarily from wind damage) Houston (as forecasted) is suffering from the deluge rather than from the wind. Houston area flooding is epic.
I wondered how long it would take before the media would instead of focusing on search and rescue efforts, the heroic actions of those participating in the process of getting people to safety, and dissemination of information critical to the south Texas residents, start playing the blame game. My wait was short-lived. In a morning press conference by FEMA, one reporter went straight to the “who’s to blame?” question. Director Brock Long to his credit immediately changed the narrative from blame to “let’s get people taken care of before we blame” discussion. I have seen and heard multiple media outlets call this hurricane and flooding aftermath the greatest natural disaster in U.S. history. I disagree. Although natural disasters are all horrific, those with major loss of life are more horrific than those without. Even though financial losses in south Texas will surely be billions of dollars, apparently loss of life has been small. Hurricane Katrina on the other hand saw more than 1000 Louisianians die at the hands of the storm. I am NOT saying Hurricane Harvey is not catastrophic. I am only saying thank God more people have not died.
As a footnote it has been admirable how the President initiated pro-active plans for federal agencies to get involved in Houston far before Harvey came ashore. He has continued his personal engagement in the process throughout, day and night since it began. Not only did he engage well before the onset, he is visiting the area today to see first hand how bad it is. To prevent interruption of the recovery efforts in the Houston area, his plans are to go to the Corpus Christi area where Harvey came ashore but without the significant water problems that Houston is experiencing.
I hope all will instead of loading the partisan political attack guns during this travesty instead load their prayer cannons and send those prayers for all those in the Houston area toward Heaven. While at it, send a dollar or two to the Red Cross or Franklin Graham’s Samaritans Purse not-for-profit to physically help those directly affected by Harvey. As an alternative, Houston Texans (of the NFL) defensive star J.J. Watt began a charity funding page for Houston flood victims that today has already raised 3/4 of a million dollars. NBA star Chris Paul ponied up with $50,000 to the Watt fund. Whichever/wherever you give, please give. The link to the J.J. Watt funding page is https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053.
Berkeley
Antifa is at it again. This weekend, back at Berkely, Antifa members clad in their familiar black and camo outfits and masks carrying sticks, clubs, and shields showed up on the Berkeley campus to “protest.” Their faces hidden behind black bandannas and hoodies, about 100 anarchists and antifa— “anti-fascist” — members barreled into a protest Sunday afternoon in Berkeley’s Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. Jumping over plastic and concrete barriers, the group melted into a larger crowd of around 2,000 that had marched peacefully throughout the sunny afternoon for a “Rally Against Hate” gathering. Shortly after, violence began to flare. A pepper-spray-wielding Trump supporter was smacked to the ground with homemade shields. Another was attacked by five black-clad antifa members, each windmilling kicks and punches into a man desperately trying to protect himself. A conservative group leader retreated for safety behind a line of riot police as marchers chucked water bottles, shot off pepper spray and screamed, “Fascist go home!” All told, the Associated Press reported at least five individuals were attacked. An AP reporter witnessed the assaults. Berkeley Police’s Lt. Joe Okies told The Washington Post the rally resulted in “13 arrests on a range of charges including assault with a deadly weapon, obstructing a police officer, and various Berkeley municipal code violations.”
And although the “anti-hate” and left-wing protesters largely drowned out the smaller clutch of far-right marchers attending a planned “No to Marxism in America” rally, Sunday’s confrontation marked another street brawl between opposing ends of the political spectrum — with violence. We’re just puzzled as to why people consider violence a valid tactic,” Berkeley resident Kristin Leiumkuhler, 60, told SFGate. She, like others, had turned out with neighbors for a peaceful rally but left when things got ugly. “We felt disappointed and surprised by how many people were not in any way discreet about being with antifa — in fact being very bold and prepared to be violent.”
The Washington Post finally showed some honesty about what Antifa is all about. If you remember, I have consistently called Antifa out (Antifa stands for “anti-fascists”) who cloak their intentions with their anti-fascist claims while literally practicing Fascist ideals through violence. Even thoug the Post called Antifa out in a fashion, labeling them as “attackers” and described their violence without blaming conservatives that were there, we will see if they will continue to tell Americans the truth about the terrorists as the Fascist group continues to block those who try using their right to Free Speech on various campuses to peacefully tell their side. By their actions — not their verbal claims — Antifa truly combines the worst of Hitler and Stalin in the way they are publicly attacking free speech advocates. Heretofore the Liberal Left Media have given them a free pass allowing them to get away with using that name and by labeling those they lash out against as “far right.” Free speech advocates trying to peacefully protest that are attacked by Antifa thugs are “far right?” Come on, Man!
San Franciso
I’m not going to talk politics here. I’m going to tell you about a San Franciso 49’er Wide Receiver named Trent Taylor, number 81. He’s small — REAL small. But he is tough — REALLY tough. He is almost like a son to me, a graduate of Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Louisiana Tech University. And he is REALLY good! He is a rookie slot receiver and punt returner. And he is taking the Bay Area by storm. In addition to having an amazing smile and catchy personality, he is an amazing football player. In Sunday night’s pre-season game against the 
Minnesota Vikings he did not play as receiver until the second half. Quarterback C.J. Beathard threw him 3 passes and he caught all 3 for good gains. He was punt receiver on 3 punts — two were called “fair catch,” and 1 he returned for about 6 yards. He’s all of the above but probably one of the quickest route runners of all NFL receivers. I recommend you watch him in the 2017 season. Has he made the 49 ‘er team yet? Nope. Will he make the team? Yep. How do I know that? I have Faith. But it’s not just that: San Fran’s head coach Kyle Shanahan was all over Trent as a draft pick. Don’t get me wrong: Shanahan is not going to keep any player that doesn’t prove he’s good enough for the 49’ers. But his eye on Trent means that the WR will get every opportunity on the field in training camp to confirm the head coach’s conviction that Trent is a really good receiver with a really good NFL future. Watch him. The 49’ers play the Chargers Thursday night at 9:00 PM Central. Again, he’s number 81 and plays the slot receiver position. Watch the game and let me know what you think.
Summary
Houston is dominating the current 24-hour news cycle. Isn’t that refreshing! I guess President Trump is no longer getting his marching orders from the Kremlin or surely THAT would be dominating the news! Seriously, there is very little in life worse than losing your home and your possessions. Losing a child or parent is MUCH worse, but thankfully that has been rare in Houston. But if we pause for a minute and think about how many Americans in just a few hours have had their lives changed forever by Hurricane Harvey, we will understand how erratic and unsure life often is. Take a moment and look around your home and all you have. Look at your spouse and your kids and grand kids if you have some. Think about the tragedy it would be “IF” you lost some or all of those in a flood that you thought was just going to be an exaggerated rainstorm.
Want some advice? Take a moment today to kiss your spouse, squeeze your babies and kiss them on the cheek, and tell them that you are thankful for their being in your life and that you love them. I know, I know: telling someone you love them is not loving them. But tell them you do anyway. That will at least get them to start thinking about it. Maybe then they’ll give you the benefit of the doubt as you being SHOWING them you love them — “IF” you haven’t already been doing that.
BE thankful: an attitude of gratitude goes a long way to making people feel good about you, AND making you feel good about you. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
