Giving to Football Doesn't Preclude Giving to Charity

A student at BYU writes an opinion piece in the Deseret News condemning BYU for paying Kalani Sitake, the football coach, so much money, saying the funds should be spent on other things. My reply would be:

I am of a different opinion, though Elias Johnson’s piece is a good one. My take? “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.” If donors want to give money to athletics, they should be allowed to. Should we then expect the Church to reject the money or insist that the donors give to charity instead? I say no.

I also think of the biblical story of the woman who came with a box of very precious ointment for Jesus. Many were indignant, saying it was a waste, as the ointment could have been sold for much money and given to the poor. Christ rebuked them, saying the woman had done a good work for Him, and noting that they would have the poor with them always. I see this as the same. The donors have wrought a good thing. And the money they have donated does not mean money cannot be donated to the poor—or is not donated to the poor. Utahns (and especially Latter-day Saints) donate more to charity and volunteer more service than those from any other state.

They Got It All Right, but Also Just a Little Wrong

They got it all right, but they also got it just a little wrong. They say single men are far more likely to commit sexual offenses. But if you ask them why, they will come up with things like lacking social stability, having less structured lives, being less accountable, living more isolated lives, being more inclined to substance abuse, acquiring more antisocial traits, and being more impulsive.

Fine. It's a good and comprehensive list, but I'm of the opinion unmet sexual desires should be on that list. Single men don't have the outlets that married men do. Maybe the criminologists roll sexual desire into such things as living isolated lives. I think it should be listed separately. 

Something is Wrong-- Something is Gravely Wrong

Some say it is the largest child-sex ring in the world-- the largest. And yet here we are with but two known convictions: Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffery Epstein himself.

Thousands of pages of incriminating evidence-- thousands. And yet resulting in so few charges.

Among other things, we should be concerned with the lack of prosecution acumen. We should wonder if corruption exists within the DOJ itself, for what else do you call it when you let child rapists walk the streets.

Or maybe there is someone above them who isn't letting them do their job. 

All I know, is there are criminals walking free. There are men who have abused children. We have a name for that-- child molesters. 

God is offended when young children are abused. Read the New Testament. Learn for yourself.

And, speaking of deity, we should wonder if we offend the Heavens by not doing something. We should be prosecuting where prosecutions are appropriate. Recent news reports have shown that the newly released files contain investigative documents but no new criminal charges. Fix that. Prosecute.

I repeat: This is said to be the largest sex-trafficking ring in human history. And there are only two known convictions? Something is wrong. Something is gravely wrong.  

Five Situations; but Venezuela Stands Out

In modern times, has the U.S. ever done this? Has it ever moved in on a foreign country, threatening to take it over and make it a territory of the U.S.? Have there ever been proposals lacking military threats? (Was that the case in Iceland?) Has there ever been a comment made in jest about taking over another country? (Would Canada fit this scenario?) Has the U.S. ever suggested taking over a place for security purposes? (Would Gaza fit this?) (The Gaza situation might not fit as a proposed annexation, but it is of note in a discussion such as this.) Has the U.S. ever expressed rhetorical comments about taking over another land without having serious thoughts of doing so? (Do we say the Panama Canal fits that question?)

Well, stand up and take note, because there’s a chance that now the U.S. is positioning itself so it just might move in and capture another country. No, I am not talking about Greenland, nor Canada. I am not talking about the Panama Canal. I am not talking about the Gaza Strip. Mind you, those four examples have been the only situations in the modern era where the U.S. has insinuated, proposed, or joked about taking over or controlling things in a foreign country.

But now comes Venezuela. Add that country to the list of nations that some people wonder about. What makes Venezuela different is that the U.S. has taken military action. No, that military action has not come with the threat of annexation, but boats have been blown out of the water, and an oil tanker has been seized. Wags are wondering if that is where the Venezuelan situation is leading. Was it just meaningless talk when Trump suggested U.S. troops might hit the ground in Venezuela? Is it just false to think that if troops do hit the ground, there comes the chance we might be seeking to control that land?

Let it not go unnoticed that Donald Trump has been president during all five of these episodes. You begin to wonder how much of the world Trump wants to subject to his command.

 

 

Beware the Man of Mars

Beware the man of Mars,

for he always drives two cars.

One heads for the moon,

and the other for Neptune.

Beware the man of Mars.

He's slivery, slick, and sly,

and he's apt to trick you

from his place up in the sky.

Beware the man of Mars.

He's shooting for the stars,

and if he takes you with him,
your chances of survival are very dim.

 

 

 

You Are So Right

You are right.

You are right.

They need to listen to the King.

Judges need to be Republican—

They should always be right-wing.

Republican.

Republican.

That's all a judge needs to be.

We need Republican judges

From sea to shining sea.

A Recipe to Address a Quiet Villian

More than 206 million people across the world are afflicted with just one form of neuropathy-- diabetic neuropathy-- and up to 39% of older adults bear signs of peripheral neuropathy. 

And yet the disease is treated with little more than pain pills. Efforts to reverse neuropathy are most often not even entertained. Blame the pharmaceutical companies or whomever, but this disease is simply not being properly treated nor addressed.

With the help of Copilot (AI), I have created an anti-neuropathy recipe, complete with almost 20 ingredients. Some you might not be able to find, and some you might not be able to find in the quality desired. Still if you suffer neuropathy, serve yourself well by brewing up this concoction.

This recipe is more than just helpful—it’s urgent, especially for those aging and suffering from this ravaging nerve disease. No neurological condition is growing faster than diabetic neuropathy. And when diabetic neuropathy is coupled with the other forms of neuropathy, it becomes the leading cause of disability and illness.  Studies indicate that between 27% and 39 percent of those age 65 and older have peripheral neuropathy. Some suffer worse than others, but it is an astounding percentage of our population to be left suffering with little treatment other than pain pills. Of those aged 85 and older, 54% show at least some signs of neuropathy.

Neuropathy is a quiet villain— it robs people of sensation, balance, and vitality. We speak of quality of life? Neuropathy leads these seniors away from quality living perhaps as much as any other ailment. If we can do something, we should.

And now, the recipe:

🧾 Ingredients & Benefits

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
May help relieve neuropathy symptoms through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

¼ tsp ground black pepper
Contains piperine, which facilitates the absorption of curcumin into the bloodstream.

¼ tsp turmeric powder
Contains curcumin—anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective. Shown in limited studies to reverse neuropathy.

½ tsp cinnamon
Supports blood sugar balance, which is crucial for nerve health.

1 to 2 tsp collagen powder
May support nerve sheath integrity and repair, especially when paired with vitamin C.

⅛ to ¼ tsp vitamin C powder (ascorbic acid or acerola cherry)
Supports collagen synthesis and provides antioxidant protection.

¼ to ½ tsp cayenne pepper
Contains capsaicin, which desensitizes pain receptors, reduces inflammation, and improves blood flow.

¼ to ½ tsp ALCAR – Acetyl-L-carnitine
Supports nerve regeneration, enhances nerve growth factor synthesis, and repairs nerve membranes.

¼ to ½ tsp benfotiamine
A fat-soluble vitamin B1 derivative that supports nerve repair and reduces glycation damage.

¼ to ½ tsp magnesium glycinate powder
Calms nerve excitability and supports overall nerve function.

¼ tsp alpha lipoic acid powder
Potent antioxidant that improves blood sugar regulation and reduces oxidative stress on nerves.

1½ tsp liquid fish oil (triglyceride form)
Provides omega-3 fatty acids—EPA and DHA—which reduce inflammation, support nerve regeneration, and protect the myelin sheath.

1 tbsp chia seeds
Rich in omega-3s, magnesium, and antioxidants. Supports nerve health, reduces inflammation, and stabilizes blood sugar.
Note: Soak in boiling water for 10–15 minutes before adding to the shake to improve digestibility and texture.

½ tsp phosphatidylcholine powder (PC)
Supports cellular membrane repair and helps release stored synthetic B6 from tissues. Aids liver detoxification and nerve sheath integrity.

½ tsp modified citrus pectin (MCP)
Binds excess B6 and other toxins for safe elimination. Supports gentle detox and immune modulation.

¼ tsp liposomal glutathione
Neutralizes oxidative stress and supports liver detox pathways. Enhances cellular resilience during B6 clearance.

¼ tsp palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Reduces neuroinflammation and pain signaling. Supports nerve repair and calms hypersensitive neurons.

1 tsp dandelion root powder
Stimulates liver and kidney detoxification. May help flush excess B6 and reduce inflammation.

Optional: castor oil pack (external use only)
Apply to abdomen or lower back to stimulate lymphatic flow and support liver detox. Not for ingestion.

🧠 Ingredient Quality Notes

Phosphatidylcholine (PC)
Choose powdered or liposomal form derived from sunflower lecithin (non-GMO). Avoid soy-based PC if sensitive.

Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP)
Use low molecular weight, enzymatically modified pectin for optimal absorption. Look for clinically tested brands.

Liposomal Glutathione
Choose liposomal form for superior bioavailability. Store in a cool, dark place to prevent oxidation.

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Use micronized or ultra-micronized form for better absorption. Look for third-party purity testing.

Dandelion Root
Use organic, dried root powder or extract. Avoid blends with added laxatives or stimulants.

Castor Oil (external)
Use cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil. Apply with a flannel cloth and heat pack for 30–45 minutes.

🍓 Flavor Enhancements

This shake can be enhanced with fruits or flavorings that have neuropathy-fighting properties of their own, such as:

• Blueberries – rich in antioxidants and polyphenols
• Tart cherries – anti-inflammatory and melatonin-rich
• Unsweetened cocoa – contains flavonoids that support circulation
• Vanilla extract – calming and aromatic
• Stevia or monk fruit – natural sweeteners that don’t spike blood sugar

 

 

 

 

That Government Which Governs Least
While government is the means by which most problems can be solved, government can go too far in its inclination to solve problems. That's what brought John L. Sullivan to say, “The best government is that which governs least.” Through the years, that saying has been refined to the more polished, "That government which governs least, governs best"-- words we've come to rally around. Truth be told, though, those words are not always true. Yes, government can go too far. Yes, it does stick its nose where it shouldn't at times. But to make an all-cases claim that the less government there is, the better, is wrong. And we should be wise enough to see that.

Government Is Not the Problem

A post on Facebook comes along, saying: "Mamdami: There is no problem too large for government to solve and no concern too small to care about. Me: Government is the problem."

Did Mamdani say that? There may be a little truth to what he says. Maybe even a lot. Government has the power to solve just about any problem. And without government, some -- maybe a lot -- of those problems are not going to get solved. Government is like a rope tossed out to drowning souls. Unfortunately, we've been taught to reject the rope. "Government is the problem," we yell back. If we want our problems solved, we better learn to accept the rope.

 

An Emergency

The poor might need some food.

They might need something to eat.

But Donald Trump says no—

He gives them not bread nor meat.

The government shutdown shuts them down,

Or did, until a court said no.

The court ruled to feed the poor,

For their kids need food to grow.

Donald Trump appealed that.

He took it to the Supreme Court.

He asked for an emergency ruling,

Wanting the food to be cut short.

An emergency, an emergency—

To make sure people don't eat?

Donald Trump might think it's cool,
But we don't think it's neat.

 

 

No Fan of Mamdani

Charlie was no fan of Mamdani.

No, he was no fan of him.

He warned that the ideas he espoused

Would fill America to the brim.

Improve the economy for our young ones.

Improve it for those of young age.

If not, Charlie warned,

Mamdani will become the rage.

Well, Charlie is no longer with us,

But his words rise as Mamdani is elected.

And if you're listening to the echo of Charlie's words,

You know they have to be respected.

The Horse that Got Away

The oil industry is the horse that got away. Way back in 1890, the Sherman Antitrust Act was passed. It didn’t specifically mention companies owning things all the way from the creation of the product to its sale, but it dealt with it just the same.
Then there was the Clayton Antitrust Act in 1914. It addressed anti-competitive mergers and exclusive dealing, which can include "vertical integration," as it is called.

But there's mud in the pie. Vertical integration is not illegal in and of itself. No; it's only illegal if a company uses that control to block rivals. Loophole, mud in the pie—call it what you want, but the horse is getting away.

Perhaps the industry that attracts the most attention when it comes to vertical integration is the oil industry—"Big Oil," as it may be known to you. Oil companies often control the process from exploration and drilling wells to transportation by pipelines and tankers, to refining, to market and selling.

You might say, now hold on here. Oil companies don't own the gas stations. Those stations are independently owned. Yes. I suppose they are what is called "branded" stations—stations that operate under the name, logo, and fuel supply of an oil company even though they are owned and run independently.

Bottom line is, to a significant extent, Big Oil runs the show all the way from drilling the wells to selling the gas. That's vertical integration, and it remains something that often is not a good thing. For one thing, it gives the oil company leeway to set its own prices. The oil companies like that, but you don't.

So, just wondering: Why aren't we doing something about this?

Who Is the Criminal?

Who are the criminals here?

Who are the ones...

Are they the high and mighty,

Or the ones picking up the crumbs?

Criminals, criminals—

Which one of them is that?

Is it the one of them that's needy,

Or the one who's getting fat?

Is it the one with a family,

And you rip them from their arms?

Or is it the one with a weapon,

Who rules with firearms?

Is it the one on the ditch bank—

The one in the field?

The one who is humble,

Who on his knees has kneeled?

Or is the criminal the man

Who sends others off to jail,

Just because they come from elsewhere
And carry a worker's lunchpail?

 When Water Means So Much

You say the Colorado River Basin doesn't have enough water? One small shift could make a massive difference. And it would be easy to do—

If only we would do it.

It’s no secret that agricultural water use is a major factor in the West’s water crisis. About 74% of all water diverted from the Colorado River Basin goes to agriculture. Most of that is used to irrigate crops like alfalfa, hay, and pasture. In Utah, alfalfa alone consumes more than half of the state’s agricultural water.

Solve that problem, and you’ve gone a long way toward solving the bigger one.

Roughly 30–40% of Utah’s alfalfa is still flood irrigated. That’s an estimate, but whatever the exact figure, it’s significant. Why? Because about 50% of the water used in flood irrigation is lost—to runoff, evaporation, or deep percolation.

Do the math:

• 74% of our water goes to agriculture—mostly for irrigating crops.
• Half of that goes to alfalfa.
• 30–40% of alfalfa is flood irrigated.
• And 50% of that water is lost.

That means millions of acre-feet of water are wasted every year—water that could be saved by switching to more efficient irrigation systems. Even at their worst, sprinkler systems lose less water. Well-managed systems retain 70–85% of their water. Drip and low-elevation sprinklers push efficiency up to 95%.

So why aren’t we doing this?

We are—slowly. But the real barrier is infrastructure. To replace open ditches with pressurized systems, we need pumps, pressure regulators, pipelines, sprinkler or drip components, control systems, filtration—and skilled labor to install and maintain it all.

Estimated total bill: $4 billion. Utah’s state budget for 2026 is $30.8 billion, so this would represent about 13% of the annual budget.

Do it. And do it now. Come up with the money. Urgency demands it.

Some say it could take 10–20 years to complete the transition. Qater rights issues can be resolved faster with political will, but the real challenge is accelerating the infrastructure buildout.

And that can be done—if we commit the $4 billion and act with the urgency this crisis demands. With funding in place and focused execution, Utah could complete the transition in four years or less.

Do it.

Echoing in Our Ears

“Anti-Trump, which is probably illegal.”

“Anti-Trump, which is probably illegal.”

“Anti-Trump, which is probably illegal.”

These are the words of our president,

echoing in our ears.

How they should haunt us

and distill in us deep fears.

“Illegal,”

“Illegal,”

“Illegal.”

“Anti-Trump,”

“Anti-Trump,”

“Anti-Trump.”

The man declares it illegal

to take his name to the dump.

Is this what you want, America?

Is this what you judge as right?

The man says speaking ill of him

is never, never all right.

 

 

 

Kick Oil Companies Out of the Gas Station Business

If you want to lower gasoline prices, try this idea: Don't let oil companies own any gas stations. That's right-- kick them out of the gas station business.

Oil companies would no longer have guaranteed places where their gasoline would be sold. So there possibly could be more reason to sell at lower prices.

It's just an idea, and who knows if it would work, but it just might. The more competitive of an edge you have in your market, the better your chances of holding prices down.

Is Israel Fascist?

Is Zionism fascism? It seems there is a fair amount of criticism this direction. So, is it true. I ask Copilot (AI) what fascism is, then I give my unlearned impressions. Then I study (using Copilot again) and come up with a more authoritative appraisal.

Core Characteristics of Fascism per Copilot:

- Authoritarian Leadership: Fascist regimes are led by a single, powerful leader who often rules without checks and balances.

- Ultranationalism: Fascists prioritize the nation—or a specific race or ethnic group—above individual rights or global cooperation.

- Suppression of Opposition: Political dissent is often crushed through censorship, intimidation, or violence.

- Militarism and Violence: Fascists glorify military strength and may use violence as a tool for national rejuvenation.

- Economic and Social Control: The state exerts strong control over the economy and society, often through regimentation and propaganda.

- Ingroup vs. Outgroup Mentality: Fascist ideologies often demonize outsiders—whether immigrants, minorities, or political opponents—as threats to national purity.

Without studying, here are my judgements on each of the "Core Characteristics of Fascism":

1) Israel doesn't qualify. Checks and balances remain in the Israeli government.

2) Questionable but perhaps. Israel is trying to defend itself. However, it seems to be massacring the Gazans and starving them. I do not know that Muslims living in Muslim have any fewer rights than Jews. Perhaps I would have to study.

3) Dissidents abound in Israel. They speak out against "Bibi." I am not aware they are being silenced or tossed in jail for speaking out.

4) I see no military parades like they have in Russia (or the U.S. these days). They have a military, but I do not know that they overly glorify it.

5) I believe Israel has a free economy. I am not aware of interference from or meddling by the government.

6) I don't feel informed enough to even make a guess on this one.

Now, let's go to Copilot for some answers.
1) Israel does not currently meet the full criteria of authoritarian leadership as seen in classic fascist regimes, but recent political developments have raised serious concerns about erosion of checks and balances. ... Judicial reforms proposed by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition aim to reduce the independence of the Supreme Court. ... The legislature has become increasingly subordinate to the executive. ... Civil rights groups warn of authoritarian expansion, citing legislation that could restrict freedom of expression, increase surveillance, and undermine democratic institutions. 2) Israel exhibits significant ultranationalist currents within its political landscape, especially among far-right factions, but these do not represent the entire state or society. While some leaders promote ethnic prioritization and territorial expansion, many Israelis oppose these views and support pluralism and peace. 3) Israel has shown increasing signs of suppressing political dissent, particularly in the context of war and occupation, through censorship, intimidation, and violence—especially against journalists and Palestinian voices. However, robust civic resistance and pluralistic debate still exist within Israeli society.
4) Israel exhibits strong militaristic traits, with military strength deeply woven into its national identity, economy, and cultural narrative. While not fascist by definition, the glorification of military power and use of violence for national security and identity are prominent features.

5) Israel does not exert totalitarian control over its economy or society, but it does engage in sophisticated propaganda efforts—especially through its Hasbara strategy—and maintains strong influence over public discourse and certain sectors.
6) Israel exhibits strong ingroup-outgroup dynamics, particularly between Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Arabs, with some political factions framing minorities and opponents as existential threats. While not universally fascist, these patterns reflect deep social divisions and exclusionary rhetoric.

Copilot's final judgment: Israel is not a fascist state, but it contains factions and policies that reflect fascist-like tendencies, particularly in moments of crisis or under far-right coalitions. The presence of elections, judicial oversight, and mass protest movements complicates any blanket label. What’s unfolding is a struggle between democratic resilience and authoritarian drift—a tension that deserves close civic and moral scrutiny.

 

 

 

 

It Is a Question of Being Fair

 Second-hand methamphetamine ingestion, can it give you a contact high? Can it cause a heart attack? Can it cause your thoughts to become erratic and bring hallucinations and schizophrenia? Can it affect your ability to memorize and remember?

And, if so, at what levels of ingestion? Would living in a home where meth is smoked affect a person just as severely as living in a house where it is actually cooked? It makes sense to me that a person ingesting second-hand smoke is not going to be affected as severely as the person actually smoking the drug, at least not unless the person smoking is doing it so openly and without secret that the air is clearly and heavily contaminated. Also, I think it is a given that meth homes are not as harmful as meth labs. It is not as harmful to live in a home where meth is simply smoked as it is in a home where it is made. Yet, today, few homes are meth labs but are simply homes where someone has smoked meth.

And, yet we shut them down, anyway.

With homes being shut down for meth contamination, costing landlords in the range of $10,000 to clean, these are important questions. The punishment should be just and fair and not excessive. And, on top of the cleaning expense, the residents are asked to throw away upholstery and clothing that supposedly could have been affected. It comes to a point that the landlords and tenants lose much of everything they own because they were in the same house as a person who smoked meth behind their back.

Now, if the health hazards are so severe, we do want to require such cleanups. But are they? Or do we need more study to determine how harmful secondhand meth is? Remember, we shut down the home for cleanup just because of the meth clinging to the walls and rugs. If the danger was just from ingesting the air, you would have but to air out the building and clean the AC/heater unit, a simple measure that would hardly cost anything. Opening the windows and turning on a big fan doesn't cost a dime, if you have a big fan. But the meth hanging to the walls and carpets and everything in the home is considered so severe that we require a $10,000 cleanup.

Talk all you want about not being soft on crime, but this is taking it too far. And you are raging more against the homeowners than their renters who caused the problem.

Do we have any studies backing up the claim that meth hanging on the walls and carpets and clothes and upholstery is dangerous? Or is this a case of government gone rampant? Is it over-regulation, filled with excessive requirements? Is this a clear example of excessive fines and punishments. Government can be vicious and unfair -- and it is. Should we let it be?

Yes, we need more studies on whether meth hanging to the walls and carpets is so harmful. But until there are studies to justify the punishment, unreasonable seizures of property should not be allowed. The Constitution protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. How, at this point, do you justify requiring people to throw away all the things in their home when you don't even know if those items are harmful?

 

 Keep Your Hands Off

I don't want to know what the line is on the game.

I don't want to know, at all.

You don't want to know what the line is on the game—

You don't care if it's big or it's small.

Take gambling away from our sports.

Leave us well alone, if you will.

I think, when it comes to gambling and sports,

We've all just about had our fill.

You legalized it

And tied ads to the game,

And we're sorry we let you do it—

Our games are no longer the same.

Stay away, and keep your hands off.

Don't you come near our games.

Keep your bookies away from here—

We won't have you causing more shames.

 

 

 

That's When I'm Coming Through

When everyone has given up on me,

That's when I'm coming through.

When dark of night is darkest,

And I'm lost in all the ruckus—

That's when I'm coming through.

When hope is lost and gallows sure,

When hits come so fast, they're all a blur—

That's when I'm coming through.

That's when I'm coming through.

Count me out, count me down.

Say I count for nothing.

Count me for a fool,

Count me due to have my roughing.

But when your abuse is heaped the highest,

That's when I'm coming through.

When your ridicule reaches the ridiculous,

And your scorn becomes a stench—

When you've laughed at me your loudest,

Thrown at me your very last wrench—

That's when I'm coming through.

That's when I'm coming through.

When you say I'm all done and through,

That's when I'm coming through.

 

Maybe We Shouldn't

By the numbers, guns are suicides.

Look at the states with high gun ownership.

Look at them—and count.

And watch the suicides mount.

List the top 20 states—

Those that have the highest percentage of guns.

And then the top 20 with firearm suicide deaths?

What do you guess?

It's almost the same 20 states.

That's stark.

And dark.

Evidence that the proliferation of guns is dangerous?

Evidence that having them lying around is...

Not the best idea?

You got it, hyena.

Chase that fact down.

Grab it in your teeth and shake it around.

Guns kill when too many are found.

Maybe we shouldn't let them abound.

Where the Trigger Waits

by Copilot (AI)

In quiet towns where rifles rest,

Beside the hearth, the door, the chest,

The morning breaks on fields of grace,

Yet shadows linger, face to face.

The gun is not the grief itself,

But grief may reach it on the shelf.

A moment’s ache, a silent plea,

Becomes a final certainty.

The states that hold their heritage dear

Hold also silence, sharp and near.

Tradition carved in walnut stock,

Now echoes through the ticking clock.

Not rage, but sorrow finds the steel,

Where help is far, and wounds don’t heal.

The numbers rise, the stories fade,

In places where the guns are laid.

The porch light hums, the curtains stir,

A prayer half-whispered does not deter.

The law is ink, the pain is breath,

And both may fail to forestall death.

A child’s room, a father’s shed,

Hold echoes of the words unsaid.

No villain comes, no war is waged—

Just sorrow, chambered and uncaged.

The trigger waits, not out of hate,

But in the hush we consecrate.

Where rights are held with solemn pride,

And mercy falters, unallied.

So let us speak, and let us tend

The wounds that silence cannot mend.

For every right that we defend,

Must meet the grief we dare not send.

 

 

Fighters and Warriors

Fighters, fighters,

Warriors, warriors—

Wrapped in the flesh of magazines.

Many of them are still standing

In a world being knocked to smithereens.

I think of The Nation,

I think of Mother Jones—

Magazines that stand up to tyranny

In the face of those throwing stones.

“Our nation is under attack.

We're fighting back."

The Nation offers that pledge,

And I'm grateful for The Nation's coverage

As our nation goes to the edge.

“American Gulag:

The brutal rollout of Trump's police state”—

Thus proclaims Mother Jones.

And I'm also grateful that that magazine

Is fighting off Trump's skulls and crossbones.

 

This Calls for Punishment

This one is within

The call for punishment.

It is out of line—

Yes, one hundred percent.

You have the right to free speech,

The right to say what you want.

But there are words, once gone,

That are going to come back to haunt.

The president-elect of Oxford Union

Uttered words best left unsaid.

He should have stopped quicker,

Before the light turned red.

“Charlie Kirk got shot—

Let’s f------ go!”

That’s a celebratory phrase among Gen Z;

I think you ought to know.

“Charlie Kirk got shot loool”—

An exaggeration of “laughing out loud.”

Words meant to bring humor

To an ill-mannered crowd.

Death is never funny,

And jokes like that are in ill taste.

Yes, the president-elect should resign—

And do so in great haste.

 

Let Them Stay

“Immigrants or illegal immigrants?

There’s a difference,” she snapped.

Draw a line; leave them out—

Those here illegally should be zapped.

A lower cut,

A lesser being.

Those here illegally

Should be fleeing.

Take a broom,

Get them out.

Chase them away—

Scream and shout.

These are not true immigrants;

There’s quite a difference, you know.

These are they here illegally—

Send them away; they need to go.

Shame them, shun them,

Cast them out.

We will not have them

Here about.

Intolerance for them?

Well, it seems so to me.

But I’m not against allowing them—

Let them stay, and let them be.

Joe Biden’s Body Cams

Joe Biden rolled it out—

a good program, without a doubt.

He called for all federal law enforcement units

to wear body cams.

He said, Just do it—

and don’t do it just equal to tiny kilograms.

Do it—do it all, and do it right.

Don’t miss a thing—

completely and tight.

But somehow the job didn’t get done—

not by noon,

and not by the setting of the sun.

Lack of money to implement?

Or did they just want to keep it easy

to catch the immigrant?

Whatever the cause,

whatever the reason,

wearing body cams never came to full season.

Some were worn,

and there were trial efforts—

but mostly they ran from the mandate

as if from lions and leopards.

It isn’t right—

no, not at all.

Government amuck,
and justice AWOL.