The legendary Heart (for my dear Friend @buckhead1111 )

"We can ignore reality, but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality." Ayn Rand.

... is the abuse of power. Patricia Cornwall.

The Root of Evil (Hommage a W. B.) ...

"Read the books, they don't want you to. That's where the good stuff is." LeVar Burton.

"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." Ray Bradbury.

“The profession of journalism ought to be

about telling people what they need to know -

not what they want to know.”

Walter Cronkite.

The Art of Gravitas

(for my old Friend @acommonloon ) ...

Thought of the Day:

Whenever I hear the age old question:

"Is your glass half full or half empty?"

it reminds me of the fact

that far too many people out there

don't even have a glass...

The Age of Aquarius (for @heraclito71 ) ...

Nailed it!

As the golden girls once put it:

"It's not easy being a mother. If it was easy, fathers would do it."

Momma Lisa (Hommage a - well you know...) .

"Labor is like motherhood to most of our political leaders: a calling so fine and noble that it would be sullied by talk of vulgar, mundane things like pay."

Barbara Ehrenreich. Happy Mother's day, y'all!

The Son of Man. "You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out God hates all the same people you do." Anne Lamott.

For all those who want to take a look at this ancient stele. Here is a link to the site of wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Stele_of_Naram-Sin#/media/File:St%C3%A8le_de_Naram-Sin_-Mus%C3%A9e_du_Louvre_Antiquit%C3%A9s_orientales_SB_4;_AS_6065.jpg

Random Thoughts on Ascension day.

In Germany also known as Father's Day. When fathers meet up with friends. Go on a hike with handcarts full of drinks and food, forget about their daily work and problems and have a good time. The actual meaning of the day - that Jesus returns to his father - moves into the background. No problem. After all: It's just another ancient story that defies Logic and - Gravity. Right? I see it differently. And start with an even older story of a powerful ruler from the Ancient Orient who staged his personal ascension. His name is Naram Sin of Akkad. Until today we see impressive statues of him in museums and a very special stele too. A giant with a helmet with horns that emphasize his superhuman strength. We see him climbing a stairway - up to the stars. His followers right behind him. Enemies fall or are trampled under his feet. What a scenery. This guy knew how to impress others. He knew a lot about - Progaganda. I have to think of some modern powerful people who are also making their way up - at the price of people being left behind or becoming victims. Elon Musk comes to mind with his dream of reaching the stars. A leader for whom other humans are only means to an end. And then i must think of this Carpenter King from Nazareth. Who wanted to help others. Women and children, outsiders, strangers, the many victims of the powerful few. He had a dream of a better world. He had a vision of peace and social justice. And he gave his life for it. Without fear of the powerful, who tried their very worst to crush and destroy him and his friends. Ascension Day is a reminder to me that this story went on and continues to this day. Ascension Day teaches us to look ahead and up. Take courage even when things get tough. To make this world a better place. Let's try. He show us the way and will help us to succeed. Ascension Day is an reminder: Dreams and Visions can come true. Change often begins with an individual who breaks new ground and inspires others. Helps them to focus on their dreams, goals and ideals and keep moving. Remember: The sky is the limit! ;)

The quiet Reminder (for my old Friend @acommonloon ) "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil." "Not to speak is to speak." "Not to act is to act." Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

"First they came for the Communists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the Socialists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

When they came for me

there was no one left

to speak out for me."

Martin Niemöller,

German pastor, theologian, central figure in the resistance against Hitler and peace activist.

If we heard Niemöller today, I bet he would speak for the Palestinians.

"We should measure the prosperity of a nation not by the number of millionaires but by the absence of poverty, the prevalence of health, the efficiency of public schools, and the number of people who can and do read worthwhile books." W.E.B. Du Bois.

Just a gentle reminder. Don't let "them" shut you up. Promise?