Thoughts on Racism.

Here’s a fair question to ask. What do I know about racism as a white male in his 60’s? It’s a fair question.

I grew up with very a very racist grandfather who went as fat as to threaten an elderly black couple crossing the drive at the church they attended together. My grandfather almost ran them over, stopping at the last moment.

“ Mover you nigger asses or I will run you over.” I was about 7 or 6. My mother seemed to take it in stride, though she later told me, “That’s just how grandpa is. I’m not like that and I don’t want you to be either.” My father later talked to me about it. He told me, “Don’t judge a man simply by the color of his skin. Get to know him. If h’s stupid, it will come to show. If he’s ignorant, that’s different to me. I believe you can educate the ignorant, but stupid is forever.

“There are far more stupid and ignorant whites than you can possibly imagine. I want you to have something I didn’t. Am opportunity to judge for yourself.”

I took it to heart. My first wife is Hispanic, so now, are my children. They’ve been harassed by police and white people alike in Texas. My daughter was forcibly drug from her vehicle by a Dallas officer who pulled her over because he said her music was too loud. She also has very nice tattoos on her shoulders; one of the Virgin Mary and the other of Jesus in his crown of thorns. Obviously, she must be a gang-banging piece of Latino shit. When in fact, she graduated North Texas with a degree in psychology, and is currently a mid-level manager for AT&T. I am no expert, nor do I claim to be. However, I usually know what is meant to be racist and what is just ignorance.

Donald Trump’s comments regarding the four congresswomen of color are racist. My grandfather used to say the same things. “Go back to where you came from. It’s America; love it or leave it, etc.”

It is not pollical rhetoric when you attack someone personally. The are all citizens of this nation. They all have the right to free speech – including criticizing the President. They have the right to pursue a more progressive style of government.

What reveals Trump’s stupidity, not ignorance, is he told three U. S. born women to go back where they came from. He said something about coming from countries with broken governments, crime-infested, etc. Taken at face value, Trump thinks the United States has a pretty crappy government, is crime infested and hates America.

Trump has recently been described as the most racist president since Andrew Jackson. I’m no presidential historian so I will defer to their judgement. I do know the Trump family business has been charged an sued in the past over discriminatory actions towards minorities.

I also didn’t realize it is a condition, or proof of my loyalty or love of my nation that I have to love the Israelis. I respect them greatly and support their right to their homeland. It doesn’t mean I love every decision they make as a country – which has nothing to do with my feelings for Judaism.

The house voted to condemn Trump yesterday. It amazed me how many Republicans defended his statements. Fortunately, there are enough who value the principles of our nation or partisan politics.

These, of course my opinions. You don’t have to agree with me, not at all. I am merely standing up, as a white male of European descent for the rights of all peoples under the Constitution.

So, I say to you – if indeed you are a white of European descent, “If you don’t like it, please feel free to go back to where you came from.” The country of your ancestors, not the last place you lived.

Freedom isn’t free.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  A quote attributed to

Edmund Burke (in a letter addressed to Thomas Mercer). That's the short version, attributed to Burke.

Robert Ullrich, July 17, 2019

Review of "Suicide by Everest", a novel by Scott J. Thurman

"Suicide by Everest" 

This is my first read of a work by Author Scott Thurman, a talented writer with a knack for historical fiction.

"Suicide by Everest"; a title that catches you eye and curiosity - it did mine. I am somewhat familiar with the Prestige which comes from scaling her, and the exceptional risks.

"Suicide" is the story of Brigham Young VIII, son of Brigham Young VII and what I perceive as the struggle to wear such a famous name. The pressure, the expectations, the life of privilege tempered by the expectations of such a legacy in the Mormon community.

It also deals quite well with the loss of a parent - the different effects on siblings and others left behind.

I am not a "spoiler" reviewer. I read it - you should, too. It may help you understand the reality of growing up with a "famous" name draped over you like a mantle.

Good character development - meaningful dialogue - unique story-line.

"Suicide by Everest" is out of my preferred genres in reading - but was well worth the side-trip.

Get Your Copy on Amazon

Put it on your want-to-read shelf today.

Robert Ullrich, Phantom Scorpio Productions

Neighbors

One of my neighbors, albeit not very neighborly, was recently overheard having a late-night alcohol fueled conversation with a friend of his. The subject was me, my wife and our three dogs. The drunken prattle concerned the shooting of our dogs, suggested by my neighbor. His friend responded, from what I have been told, with enthusiasm when he said, “Fuck that shit, we should shoot the owners.”

How do I know he was referring to us? First, the ongoing negative interaction between us, which began with him allowing his small dog to charge mine when they were in the yard, fenced in.  Secondly, we are the only people in a multi-block radius with three dogs. They are not petite – all are rescues from dire circumstances. There’s Günter, or Gunny as we call him – all 90 plus pounds of  two-year-old Shepherd. A playful yet veritable force of nature with a seemingly endless source of energy. Then there’s Banx, our 11to12 year-old, 80-pound Golden retriever. Self-established Alpha of our small pack. He’s older, but a very creative fighter with Gunny to maintain his position as Top-Dog. Last, but far from least, the petite princess and 60-pound Shepherd female, Miss Cheyenne. Difficult to believe for many, Cheyanne is the most dangerous. She was also the most badly abused. She bonded with Kim as only a Shepherd can and will defend her to the death.

Our neighbor seems to find me frustrating, from what he told the police told my wife today. The officer was responding to the latest incident – the overt, outside, loudly declared desired to kill.

Kim told me about the comments on Tuesday the 9^th. You could say I became a tad upset – or majorly pissed; whichever you’re comfortable with. I went to the local Police department and got the exact response I expected.

“There’s nothing we can do about the threat, and you should have called immediately.” Kim didn’t tell me for two weeks, knowing how I would react. I was lectured on the necessity of calling immediately when he’s harassing our dogs, or us in any manner; which is futile, He shoots of fireworks in 5-10-minutes. Ensuring the police won’t arrive until it’s too late. They have to be caught in the act. It never happens.

They suggested we journal is action, (I have been since hi dog charged into the canine pack Kin was walking.) Young Master Lincoln has well-documented several incidents. The can be added to the criminal to the criminal complaint.

I have little confidence in SPPD responding in time of a life-threating incident. So I am taking the time to put in security cameras.                      

It would seem almost every neighborhood has a  asshole of their own. Who knows? Maybe the fac I don’t tolerate bullies, drunken wifebeaters, speeding cars down the alley and my commitment to never being an innocent bystander make ME the neighborhood ass-hat.

A hat I can live with.

      

 

 Banx  

                                                                   Mr, Guntar                                                                          

                     

 Cheyenne - Protecting Kim as always

Book Review - Holy Ghost (Virgil Flowers #11) - John Sanford

SBN 9780735217324
Rating	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars[ 4 of 5 stars ]5 of 5 stars
Review	No spoilers from me. It's not, in my opinion, necessary in a book review. Holy Ghost is the latest and strangest of the Virgil Flowers series. I am a major fan of John Sanford, particularly the Prey Series, with Virgil a close second. How can you NOT like "that effing Flowers." Even a couple civilians use his infamous nickname. Holy Ghost, like all the Flowers novels is set in Minnesota. The strange part I referred to is the backdrop. An appearance at a local Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary - caught on camera and cell phones. I really had to take that in stride and let it play out because it is the backdrop to multiple shootings, seemingly random - yet somehow connected. This one drives Virgil to the brink of frustration as he tries to piece it together, only to find suspects and lose them just as quickly. This one one had me as confused as Virgil for quite awhile. The plot is well-woven into the fabric to the point of obscurity - but the hints and red herrings are there if you look closely. Bottom line. A very good read which kept me engaged. Sanford, as usual paints a bevy of characters that come to life as you read. The twists and turns move quickly, sometimes to where your head will be spinning. John Sanford never disappoints, and Holy Ghost is no exception. Classic Effing Flowers with just the right touch of Shrake and Jenkins.

Memories, Observations and Lessons learned from a year in Montana (and the journey there and back again)

1.     2000 miles is a long drive.

2.     It’s longer when you have two dogs and a cat, with said cat howling in your ear for the first hour of every day on the road.

3.     It’s better to drive less and take longer to get there.

4.     Montana is a lot like West Texas, with bigger mountains, way more snow and fewer pickup trucks.

5.     The Rocky Mountains are majestic, magnificent,breathtaking and beautiful.

6.     The Missouri River is the longest river in North America.

7.     I still don’t like driving in the snow; that will never change.

8.     Elk are huge.

9.     Bighorn sheep hang off the side of a cliff like a sparrow on a branch.

10.  You have to really pay attention if you are ever going to see a Bighorn whilst traveling from Missoula to Great Falls. I was, and I did.

11.  There is nothing quite like family.

12.  Family isn’t always, or only about genetics.

13.  I really like working in a wood shop.

14.  There is a reason they call it Big Sky Country…and it is quite accurate.

15.  The people in Montana are right neighborly as a rule.

16.  Rattlesnakes are very polite.

17.  Magpies,not so much.

18.  60,000 Canadian geese taking off from a field at the same time pretty much blocks out the sun.

19.  Golden eagles are quite large, and for the record, still my favorite raptor.

20.  Red-tailed hawks are everywhere.

21.  If a pigeon flies into your warehouse through an open walk door, you can open every overhead door in the building and it still won’t fly out on its own accord.

22.  If a prairie falcon flies into your warehouse, just open one door and get out of its way.

23.  F-15 Eagles are still my favorite fighter jet. No offense to the next generation of aviators.

24.  It is kind of cool having a badge and handcuffs at work.

25.  When someone you love passes away, they never leave you. I knew this already, but it was nice to have it reinforced.

26.  A spiritual man is far more important to the world then all the religious leaders combined.

27.  Good intentions are sometimes enough, no matter the outcome.

28.  You cannot make someone truly happy; it’s their choice whether or not to be so.

29.  Having said that, there are some people that will make you happy simply by being themselves.

30.  Pronghorns are amazingly fast.

31.  There is a tremendous amount of energy at an old buffalo jump.

32.  Prairie dogs are quite curious.

33.  Banx will never catch Cheyenne in a dog race.

34.  Kim will climb over two fences to pet a horse, although usually it was only one –electrified at that.

35.  Going to Canada by accident can happen. For the record, I wasn’t driving.

36.  Canadian border agents are much friendlier then the US border agents.

37.  Every day of my life is better simply because of my wife.

38.  7-year old's do not understand the concept of distance, but they have a pretty good handle on Skype.

39.  I really can live without television for a year, but not without my DVD’s.

40.  Table saws are dangerous.

41.  I miss the end of my pinky from time to time.

42.  After cutting off the end of my little finger, on top of having broken it in high school and had the skin ripped off in 1974, it is officially NOT my lucky finger.

43.  The wind rarely stops in Montana…

44.  Time does cure all, if you want it to.

45.  Holding on to the past eliminates your ability to participate in the present to any degree of satisfaction.

46.  Some people may always be in your heart, but they won’t be a part of your life.

47.  Nothing that happens to you is worth having regrets about, as long as you learned from it.

48.  One very important reminder was that some people will always mistake kindness for weakness. 

49.  I am never happier than when I am with Kim, no matter the circumstances or situation I find myself in.

50.  I will end my list with this final thought: If I had it all to do again; the move to Montana that is: knowing what I know now looking back with the clarity of hindsight: I would do it all over again just to be where I am today, right here, right now with the one that loves me most.