The Go-to Guy

 

The Quick Fix
(by R.P.Edwards)

A little tape
A little glue
A little patch
“Now, that will do!”
And off you go with merry heart
Till down the road
It falls…apart

“Looks like he bled out.”  The statement (concerning the obvious) caused the senior detective to gaze up from the gooey puddle (where he had temporarily stooped for a sample) and glare at his donut chomping associate.

“Huey,” said captain “Rick” with an air of unbridled disdain  (after all this was as gruesome a scene as the two had seen in quite some time), “don’t you ever stop eating?”

“A man’s got to keep his strength up, ain’t he?” with the speaking the junior officer offered his glaze covered right hand to help the boss to his feet. 

Reluctantly, the older grabbed the shiny paw (his knees weren’t what they used to be) and, standing and retrieving a handkerchief to wipe off the sticky, he grumbled in passing,  “You disgust me.”

“Wha? (urp)”

Brought the old Buick to Rick, the expert mechanic who has a side job at a local Auto part store.  He’s the go-to guy when you want the straight scoop on what’s wrong, and the best (and cheapest) way to fix it.  He looked at the weeping organ for about two seconds and said, “You need a new radiator.” 

“Well, couldn’t I, you know, patch it with some J-B weld?”

“You could, but then it will give out all at once.  Here’s a number to a place that will give you a much better deal than we will.”

The next day, after I took a short (I mean just a couple miles) trip--looking for some, er, J-B weld--the radiator “bled out” in the grocery store parking lot.  “Ol’ Rick knows what he’s talking about," says I.

Good thing I had some mighty putty to stuff in the hole.  Now the old girl's in the driveway...waiting for a transplant (and perhaps praying for a new owner).
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Advice for the President

Please, just go…
(by R.P.Edwards)

Back to the classroom
Back to the halls
Back to the towers…of ivory, and gall
Back to the land
Of fantasy’s tread
Where learning, and liberalism, and lunacy…bed
Away from the podium!
Away from the stand!
Away with the megaphone that cleaves to your hand!
Away with the speaking
The words without end
While the nation…in spiral
To Hell does descend
Yes, go back!
They’re all waiting
With arms open wide
They’ll receive you with joy!
They’ll embrace you with pride!
And your visage and vision
Will grace every hall
Please go back to the towers
Of ivory…and gall

I admit it…I’m a bit drained; a bit wearied and worried and just plain…worn out.  Like most I have a myriad of obligations and “must do’s” and the swing shift doesn’t really add to my “chipperness”  (“You seem kind of grouchy,” said one).  Then I read the snippet of how my president, once again, spoke for God.

It was a town hall meeting--a forum the great communicator seems to enjoy--and the question put to him was whether he thought gayness was a “choice” or not.  Mr. Obama, self-proclaimed Christian, said,  “I think that people are born with a certain makeup, and that we're all children of God.” Sigh.

I recall, further, the great compromise where a few pro-life Democrats sold their vote because they bought into the president’s executive order promise (concerning abortion and federal funds) and, with their added weight; Obamacare passed.  Then, a short time later the “order signer,”  Mr. Obama, tried to sidestep barriers preventing federally funded mini-abortions (embryos destroyed). Sigh.

And then I recall how coolly our commander-in-chief has treated our staunchest middle east ally, Israel.  And how hints of little or no aid (or incredibly, actual physical opposition to) will come concerning Israel's efforts to blunt the threat of a nation that openly declares their hatred and desire for the Jewish state's destruction.  Sigh…again.

Listen.  I have no animosity towards Mr. Obama.  I didn’t vote for him, but he is my President.  We pray for the man.  But, I truly believe the nation, under his leadership, is spiraling ever downward.  I believe, if his business-strangling plans come to fruition, our economy will tank.  I believe, if his international indifference (especially concerning Iran) continues, my two older sons may very well be drafted (I’m not overtly opposed to the draft); why?  Because, I don’t care how polished our front line troops are, a nuclear blast sweeps the floor…completely.  And, I won’t go into his efforts to bend morality.

So, here’s my advice.  Mr. President, I’ve heard you’re contemplating reelection. Why not consider the following instead?  Understanding, (I know you know this) that with the coming influx of conservatives your agenda will advance at a snails place (if at all).  Why not, then, politely and honorably…bow out?  Why not say, after the midterms--and a brief period of fighting the good fight--that since you cannot do what you want to do; what “we” need (wink) to do, you’re only going to be a one term president.  Then, proudly, honorably--after the swearing in of Mike Huckabee--go back to the Ivory tower where you will be hailed as a hero and can spend much of your time hopping from one University to the next, giving speeches, teaching short single-credit classes (“An evening with the President. One credit hour!”) and schmoozing with the elite; agreeing with each other over hors d'oeuvres and cocktails; lamenting how the nation “is not quite ready.  Yes, a pity, they--the masses--are not quite ready.”

So please, Mr. President, please…just go.

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The Miners Gold

 

 

Refined
(by R.P.Edwards)

Mortar and pestle
Fire…and time
All bring reduction
To purge…and refine
And life is no different
The wear…and the years
The grinding…and growing
From cloudy…to clear

And so, the thirty-three, no, thirty-four…come up from the mine.  Thirty three ordinary men; ordinary no more. And a silent…all important…essential…other.

In recent days the Chilean--world captivating--drama concluded.  The story of thirty-three miners trapped nearly a half mile below the surface of the earth. As you recall; there was a gold and copper mine; a terrible cave-in; and a leader who stepped up to guide the others…to survival.

Sure, there are a lot of angles to this story and, no doubt, in the coming weeks and months we’ll see the movie, and there will be books, and many, many interviews.  Yes, we’ll learn of the exact why’s of the collapse; the history of the company and the mine and every intimate detail of every person involved:  the miners, their wives (one mistress), the children and each and every contributor to the rescue.  I suppose even God will be given his due.

And, it is here I want to pause for just a moment.  For, you see, the miners--diggers of gold, mind you--in one horrible moment the monetary value of the lusted after metal fell to…nothing (contrary to the media salespeople who say it never reaches that point.)  Yes, in a loud, frightening, stopping of the clock moment, their lives began to take on the worth they always had, but the perception of which was blocked, clouded, cluttered by the endless non-essentials that consume our time.  And, I imagine, as the thought of a quick rescue faded (remember, it took seventeen full days to confirm their survival), I imagine, with each successive hour, that their thoughts began to be grounded even more; perhaps even to the point of pondering life’s passing, and their ultimate relationship with the thirty-fourth man.

Well, I’m sure other, more able writers will lend their talents to this momentous event and, when we eventually read or see their work we‘ll be touched anew.  But, let me just conclude with this simple thought:  These thirty-three "ordinary" men were given the rare gift of undiluted time; time to discover, or reacquaint themselves with what’s really important in this brief span we call…life.  And, if you will, after the roof fell, and their hands were constrained from their vocation; they continued to be miners (albeit reluctant); miners...digging the depths of their own individual souls.  Digging...to discover the most precious element…of all.

 “I've been a miner for a heart of gold” 

 Neil Young

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The Perils of Paladino

To Wash a Brain
(by R.P.Edwards)

When we teach them…over and over
That such and such…is true
Don’t be surprised if eventually
The children learn…and do
Then boys will grow…and blow up
While babies…are thrown away
And anything goes in the bedroom
For “marriage” is straight…AND gay

Carl Paladino, contender for the head job in New York State, said the following to a gathering of orthodox Jews: “I don’t want them (children) to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option (as opposed to traditional marriage). It’s not.”

Well, hell ensued; and in the few days since the utterance--in various venues--he has felt the need to explain his obvious declaration.  Following is a quote made on Fox and Friends:  “We wanted to make a clear statement: Schools have no business teaching children about moral questions.  That’s reserved to the parents. And young children, and their minds, should be handled very delicately.”  On the Imus radio show he said his stance mirrored that of the Catholic Church.

My take: for this little offering let me focus on the one word: brainwashed.  Now, usually we associate this term with POW’s who, after cruel and extended mistreatment, have had their thinking altered to come into line with their captors.  Taking a phrase from the classic movie, Cool Hand Luke, they get their “mind right.”
Well, that kind of brain washing may be effective upon a set-in-their-ways adult, but for children it’s much simpler.  Simply tell them, over and over and over, what the “truth” is and, it just might stick.  Is it surprising then that in some cultures strapping a bomb to your body is considered a good thing?  After all, they’ve been taught that from itty-bitty.  And, there are some sub-cultures (even in the U.S) where polygamy is considered…godly.  So, they grow up, gather a harem, and create a reality show. 

Now, Mr. Paladino’s point is obvious:  The public schools should stay out of the “religion” business.  For, although God and his requirements (the Ten Commandments) have been officially expelled, there is, never-the-less, a new secular belief system of right and wrong.  And “it” is sliding ever away from our Judeo/Christian roots.  So, Mr. P thinks schools should return to teaching the basics, and leave the moral right and wrong stuff…to mom and dad. 

Conclusion:  The other “me” works in a Steel Mill.  We make Steel.  My co-workers come in various shapes and sizes and, no doubt, some have sexual mores that differ from my own.  These “differences” however, don’t come into play because…we make steel.  That is our priority.  Is it too difficult to understand, then, that public schools should at least have as much sense as the steel industry? That they should focus on the final product--an educated and able citizen--and not waste time wading into the waters of moral ambiguity?  How about this: let’s let the parents teach by word and deed the moral essentials of life and, if, upon reaching the conclusion of their twelfth public-school year the young man or woman then wants to explore the fantasy land known as the University; then, so be it.  But, before that time…Hands off!

The Perils of Paladino

(by R.P.Edwards)

Poor, poor, Paladino
Troubled by his views
Vexed by his invectives
Neglecting schmaltz and schmooze
And
Though some find him…abrasive
Preferring that he lie
I say hooray for honesty
Let’s give this guy…a try!

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Pondering the AP Poll

 

 

Don’t lecture us
(by R.P.Edwards)

Incestuous Academics
Perpetuate the tale
Definers of our destiny
The Ivy League… “All Hail!”
The truth?
They didn’t bring us here
We owe them simply…squat!
So when they teach
Their tortured truth
Respectfully say…NOT!

“Working Class Whites Shun Democrats,” so said the headline after the results of September’s AP-GfK poll came out.  Seems the “unschooled” (i.e. no college sheepskin) have moved a whopping 22% in the direction of the elephant since the last election.  The “more learned ones?” Not so much.

I must admit, when I first heard the results a couple days back--and the implied derogation, by some, of the regular folk--I was livid.  As you might surmise, the beginning “poem” was birthed then.  And, if I had written this piece at the same time I probably would have used--in reference to our modern Universities and their progeny--phrases like, “Subsidized secular sewers, campuses of conceit, godless academics,” but, since I’ve had time to cool…and reflect…and realize that I, myself, do not care to be included in a broad-brush generalization (i.e. Union Thug.  I’m a union guy, but I’m an anti-thug) I’ll pause a moment and ask the all-important question instead… “What does ‘AP-GfK’ stand for?”  Sure, AP means “Associated Press,” but GfK?

Simply, there was this German fellow, Lidwig Erhard, who, in 1934 (no, he wasn’t a Nazi) started this research company called Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung, which translates to, “Society for Consumer Research.” Apparently these fellows are pretty good (Vince, the ShamWow hawker says, “You know the Germans always make good stuff.”)  And they “asked the questions.” 

Well, I looked the poll over (took a while) and there’s another statistic that you might be interested in.  Here’s the question, and result:

Overall, please tell me whether you approve, disapprove, or neither approve nor disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president.    Results: (then) Total Approve December 08--73%  Total Disapprove--14%, (Now) September 2010 Total approve--49%, Total Disapprove--50%

Alright, a moment on my beginning ire.  I’ve said it before and it rings ever true…the greatness of this Republic…is inherited.  I, and those who currently teach “us” from the Ivory towers have and had no part--none!--in how we got here.  Yet, these and their offspring (many of the prominent among us) proceed to tell us what is, and isn’t correct; what is, and isn’t proper; what is, and isn’t…true.  And, since their foundation is faulty…their conclusions often follow suit.

Conclusion: You want to know why the unschooled have changed their views?  Because, frankly, obviously, the many promises that were made before the last election…have been proven FALSE!  It’s something we regular folk refer to as “common sense” or “street smarts” and, sadly, you won’t find it in the curriculum of many, if not most, Secular Universities. 

The AP-GfK Poll


 

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The Mess on the Mall

 

The Mess on the Mall
(by R.P.Edwards)

A tale of two gatherings
A tale of two views
Two visions to strive for
Two versions of true
And two groups of speakers
Two clarion calls
But the proof in the pudding
Was the mess…on the mall
Yes
The spinners did spin
And the talkers did talk
But the evidence, clear
Was the trash…on the walk
For one crowd, respectful
Let no refuse fall
But the others
Alas
Left a mess…on the mall

I read the scripture…and had to laugh.

The back story:  Saturday, last, was the “if Glenn Beck can do it, we can do it better” rally, also known as “The One Nation Working Together Rally,” also known as the 10-2-10 rally (as opposed to Mr Beck’s invitation, designated as 8-28, Restoring Honor Rally.”  I wasn’t particularly interested in the “message” of October's child, as I, though a union fellow, am decidedly conservative in my leanings.

Anyway, from here and there I’ve gleaned some information that’s worth a shallow rehash.  The size: the ten twoers said theirs was bigger.  Photos prove…it was much, much smaller.  Glenn told the comers to leave their signs at home and the rally was non-political.  The other?  Signs and political opines.  I’ve learned the “lefters” also had a huge teleprompter to streamline their message.  Glenn’s group? Not. And, at the end of the day, the Restore Honor folk…cleaned up after themselves.  And the others? Slobbish.

Now, I suppose I could expand on the who came and why; the orchestrated “pushing” as opposed to the universal “drawing,” but, the two scriptures involved…speak volumes.  First, Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Was this scripture reference part of the dating process?  Don’t know.  Don’t want to dig to find out. But I did hear a minister read it at the rally.  It fits.  I like it.

Now, the other scripture: Just for the fun of it I looked up a Biblical reference from the same book, with corresponding numbers, Romans 10:2. It made me laugh. 

For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

The context: the apostle speaks of a people who are zealous for God, but their enthusiasm is misplaced, misaligned, misdirected.  I found it strangely…funny…and strangely…appropriate.

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It's all gonna burn

It’s all gonna burn
(by R.P.Edwards)

“It’s all gonna burn”
The fatalist phrase
Reflecting reflections
On ending…of days
That time in the future
The certain
The stop
When all fleshly fancies
Will sizzle…and pop
Yes, palaces, proud 

To the box on the street
The pompous and poor
Their atoms will meet
With keepsakes
And curtains
And four oh one K’s
All gone in an instant
In sulfurous waves
Yes
It’s all gonna burn
What you value…on earth
So cling to the thing
That gives heaven…it’s worth

“It’s all gonna burn.” A simple, almost thoughtless (though oceans deep) response.  “It’s all gonna burn.” Little more than a quip when spoken, yet laden large with tethers and tendrils that reach…into eternity.

I was sharing some small talk with my second oldest.  He, who has long had dreams of world travel and wanderings; as the end of his “anchored to home” education is finally approaching we delved a bit into his particular and peculiar…past.  You see, he was the child who would take things apart and, on many occasions…break them.  He, in the discourse, brought up the word “heirlooms” --as in being destroyed--and then I, as we continued to walk and talk, said the phrase.

Of late I’ve been quite occupied with the doings of my daily existence; the job; the things we use and rely on; the acquiring, and fixing, and finding; the much “stuff” that we stuff our lives with.  But, if I’ll pause for just a moment; pause and reflect upon that which lives within; upon that which is born from above because of the gift--the received gift of a Father’s love, and a Son’s substitution--well, then I remember that so many of the tangibles that we put so much value in here, are, in the light of forever…worthless.

You see, we really are more than just an evolutionary chance-baby.  We, each one of us, are so much more than the many gatherings of years.  And indeed, each one of us has a reserved invitation and place in the open arms of the eternal God. And, frankly, in the coming maelstrom…that’s the only safe place to be.  For, in the eventual “today,” everything we see with our natural eyes…will be no more.  Yes, “it’s all gonna burn,” but you, the real you; you don’t have to.  So, before your next project, or purchase, or all consuming pursuit, you just might want to take inventory…of your soul.  And, if it is found lacking in the eternal, fireproof stuff, you might want to check out the “link” on the side.  The one titled, “Of first importance.”

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