Cop & I

The Cop and I

Grew up white in 1950’s America, in a world which never was and never will be again.

In that world ‘peace’ was defined as absence of “the War”. Prosperity defined as having a home in St. Louis, Missouri; where they had “the best school system in the State”. And, the policeman was the man you could always count on if lost or had a problem.

The closest I came to being ‘hassled by the cops’ was about age 14. A bunch of us were walking home from playing baseball (come to think of it, a couple of us were carrying bats). A police car pulled up and an officer said he wanted to talk to us. 

There had been some crime by a boy about our age. Actually, in the eighteen years we lived in that neighborhood I only heard of two crimes: One robbery-murder and this kid-vandalism thing.

Where were we going? Where did we live? Where were we last night? Stuff like that.

For whatever reason I drew an absolute blank on where I was last night. This effectively meant I was the only one of group in whom the good officer had much interest. I did know my address, phone number, and my parent’s name; just not what I did last night. [I had to go with my sister to her music lesson – apparently not something paramount in the mind of a 14-year old boy.]

And that was it. To this day I do not know whether my parents were called; or even if they ever caught the vandal. Surely there could have been more to the story.

     What if it hadn’t been the 50’s, when America was so ‘great’?

     What if it hadn’t been north St. Louis when crime was rare?

     What if my parents had taught me the police were the enemy?

     What if I was lone black boy with a bat in the year of our Lord two-thousand-twenty?

Life is what it is, your part of the story is the part you know.

June 6 Longest Day

The Longest Day

[updated from May 30 2011 blog for The Brazil Times]

In the Tuesday June 2, 2020 edition of The Brazil Times is the story of World War II hero Don Huber. He was one of at least four Brazil young men who long ago went to war and by pure coincidence all landed on the beaches of Normandy France on June 6, 1944.

On June 6, 1944 the Allies launched some 10,000 airplanes, 5,000 vessels carrying 160,000 troops in the largest amphibious assault that ever, or will ever happen in human history. Everyone knew they were coming, no one knew where they were going. Of only one battle is it said America lost more men, Gettysburg. And there were no computers.

In my now 20 years living in Indiana I have had the privilege of meeting three men who went ashore at Normandy, France in those long days of June, 1944.

The first was Bob Moore, who was owner-director of Moore Funeral Home when I knew him. Bob knew everyone in and everything about Clay County, remembered them and it all, and was always a man you could go to learn.

His son, Rob Moore, sent me this information about his father’s service in France:

“Dad was part of a large field hospital -- he worked in the lab as a lab technician.  His field hospital was sent in to Normandy the day after the initial invasion, but hit a mine and sank.  He worked in small aid units until another field hospital could be shipped across the Channel to Normandy.  They moved across France with the Allied forces.  He ended up working in a field hospital the U.S. Army had set-up in a large church on a hill in Belgium.  During the Battle of the Bulge, they could look out the windows of the church and down on the road that split and went around the hill where they watched German forces first move forward, and then back as they retreated.”

The second man was also someone you’d never think a soldier, Norman J. Hunt, PhD. A more unassuming, gentler man it would be hard to imagine. If the simile can be borne, he is one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever met.

A May 2004 article in The Brazil Times well summed up Norman Hunt, saying in part:  “Today, Norman Hunt, Ph.D., a retired professor of psychology, is a man of slight build and white hair. He is a gentleman in the old-fashioned and best sense of the word, a gentleman made, not broken, by his D-Day experience.” 

The last man, whom I never actually met other than his presentation at a History Society meeting, was Warren Nicosin of Easy Company, 506^th Regiment, 101st Airborne. As it is with old soldiers, vivid memory of those long days -- slight doubt was ever that young. If you want to know of such men, next time it is on TV watch the series called “Band of Brothers” about Easy Company. Niscosin was among those involved in securing Berchtesgarden, Hitler’s mountain hideaway. He brought home a Nazi flag from “the wolf’s lair” which is on display at the History Society Museum in Brazil.

No one planned it. The progression of dates is a purely coincidental product of times and people born and died generations apart. It is, however, intriguing that Memorial Day, set aside to honor our fallen, and D-Day, the day of the world’s greatest single battle, come in such proximity. Maybe it is so in order to assure we not forget that not all are men of war who live and die on the longest days; but all who serve, serve.

Sunday in Brazil after facist scare

Copied from The Brazil Times

SUNDAY IN BRAZIL, MAY 31, 2020

The City of Brazil was targeted on social media sites over the weekend by organizers of an event supposed to honor the memory of George Floyd. But the protest march announced to begin Sunday, May 31, at 6 p.m. at Craig Park was not going to be peaceful. As a flyer and posts on Facebook and other social media sites invited “protesters,” the plan was to incite violence as quickly as possible by “breaking every window” in town while walking from the park to Wal-Mart. However, no demonstrtation and no violence erupted.

Local law enforcement officials confirmed that the Clay County 911 Dispatch Center was inundated with calls from the public wanting to report concerns for the community, local businesses, and law enforcement officers.

“This had to be taken seriously,” said Assistant Police Chief Dennis Archer, who confirmed the Brazil Police Department worked in conjunction with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department to beef up a police presence in the city Sunday night. “We reached out to the Indiana State Police, who was dealing with situations in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, and they sent officers here too.”

The BPD, CCSD, ISP, and members of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, as well as many other departments, were in the area, providing patrols and manpower well into the night.

“A peaceful protest is never a problem, that is their right, and we live in America,” said Archer, who understands the passion many feel about the injustice of how George Floyd died while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police. “We will help facilitate a safe event for them if they want to have a protest march here, but if there is criminal activity, we have to intervene.”

The biggest reason, Archer explained, there are not enough resources in rural communities to regulate a volatile situation if one occurred, even if it were only a hundred people.

“This is guilt by association situation. An officer did something wrong, and because we are law enforcement officers in a different state, to many, we are a target for that frustration,” said Archer. “We didn’t do anything wrong. We are doing our jobs for our community. We are doing it now to make sure everyone is safe.”

Thankfully no incidents of violence or mischief were reported along main street Monday morning.As thousands of people took to the streets in at least 75 cities nationwide, and peaceful protests about the injustice of a black man’s death gave way to violence, destruction, and chaos in larger cities. Something different happened in Brazil Sunday. The Times reporter at the scene shares the experience of how a group of people, who all wanted to remain anonymous because this wasn’t about one person or one opinion, they took a post on the main street of their hometown to stand watch together.

United We Stand...

As the patrols began along US 40, State Road 340, and around Craig Park, people also took to the streets.

Groups of motorcycles were also “cruising,” many wearing the colors of various groups – some Christian cyclists, veteran motorcycle groups, and even a few friendly groups of concerned citizens. But there were also several members of local “motorcycle gangs” wearing their colors while “helping to patrol” the roads.

“This is our hometown. We are all out here because we love this place. Our families and friends live here. Our kids go to school here,” said one anonymous rider who stopped at a gas station to fill up before returning to his volunteer patrol duty. “I’m not going to let someone put our small town on a terrorist’s list like that. I’m not here to start trouble. None of are. But no one is going to come here with threats to destroy a town and do it in front of all these witnesses. Yes, I’m watching you. I’m here all night if I have to.”

That was a common cause repeated by many of the people posted outside the storefronts along “Main Street.”

“We are not a mob of people causing trouble out here tonight,” said a man, who explained the rationale about remaining anonymous in the vigil. “We are out here helping business owners in our community. Many of these people have spent their lives building their businesses, providing jobs, and serving our community in so many ways. No one is going to threaten our community like that. We are out here to stand for each other too. They aren’t going to attack just one; we’re in this together.”

Those along the road were waving at the carloads of people, walking over to chat with others at a nearby building, making plans to help each other if the need arose.

“You would have to be a moron not to understand why people are upset about the injustice of how a man could die in the streets like that, and a police officer is involved. This is America, that isn’t supposed to happen to anyone. People want to protest to make their voices heard. I’m right there with them. I think everyone out here tonight feels the same way. We would walk with them now of this was a peaceful protest to honor George Floyd’s life, to exact change and make all lives matter,” said a woman, who brought dinner to her family. “The minute violence erupted, this stopped being a protest for change. Now, it’s an excuse for those with criminal intentions to run amuck and be marauders in the streets.”

“When people are grabbing TVs, burning down buildings, beating people, and God knows what else during what is supposed to be something to bring about honest dialog and change, that is no longer honorable,” said one of the family members talking about reports from other cities. “This isn’t what people started to do. Violence has tainted that idea. Until these protests stop, and there’s no reason for the criminal element to be in the streets anymore to stir up trouble, no good can come.”

Some people believe COVID-19 has exacerbated the riots.

“I’ve been cooped up at my house for two months because of COVID-19. I’m out of work, still dealing with unemployment issues, and yes, I hate to admit this, but I don’t know my family all that well. I’ve realized I was living a selfish life, not being a good man in many small ways that didn’t seem to matter before, but should have,” said a man watching the traffic. “We all have a lot of problems, and it isn’t going to be any easier as the future goes on. Why start burning cities down? I just can’t wrap my head around that logic.”

A lot of people were practicing social distancing, but not many were wearing masks Sunday.

“It’s a beautiful day. The Indiana State Health Department says outdoor events are ok for people. Still, I sure wish we could have just gathered out here to spend some positive time together,” said one lady, who was visiting a friend at a nearby apartment complex. “The virus is unsettling because I’m high-risk, but these riots are frightening to me. I remember the 60s and 70s, and I don’t want to see that happen again. None of this will ever be resolved until people understand that all lives matter. All of this that is happening in our nation is only creating the next generation of hate.”

As the start time passed, new meeting sites for the protesters and scouting reports about the regular patrols by law enforcement, were being followed by officials and people on the street.

Others believed it was a hoax but they weren’t taking any chances. Some business owners were planning to spend the night in their businesses.

“If they come in my door tonight, or any night this week, they are going right back out it,” said a local man who admits he has strong opinions.

He went on to say people would stand up for anyone’s right to a peaceful protest.

“There are veterans out here tonight that put the measure of their life on the line for that right,” he said. “Police officers are out here too and don’t you think they don’t put their lives on the line every day. It was one crooked cop, in what seems like a crooked system in one state (responsible for the death of George Floyd.) That state is not Indiana, Yes, it was tragic. My prayers go out to Mr.Floyd’s family and friends. That man’s mother has come out and said this isn’t what her son would want to be remembered by. I know it’s harsh, but as long as these protests continue, they are giving an outlet to morons, like these numbskulls today tried to do here in Brazil, to pillage and destroy.”

“What I’ve seen out here tonight that I think people need to know is this: It’s not a big crowd of people out here, but there is a big cross-section of our community,” said one person. “Every age group is represented and every religious group, all walks of life, veterans, and even a few self-proclaimed hippies. There are Trump supporters, and all the other political inclinations too. Law enforcement and a few other people. This group of people should probably never be in the same place at the same time, and if they were, there would probably be a lively argument, to say the least, but tonight that’s not what happened. The people who live in podunk Brazil came together and got it right for once.”

My Mother said

from the wisest woman to ever walk the earth…

Things My Mother Said

That changed my life, saved my life, or made it worth living

Anyone who’s been around more than about an hour knows how often I quote something my father said. But, I really did learn a lot from my mother. Decided to write down specific quotes I could remember. Some are not particularly original with her, but I first heard it from her.

Something we heard just about every Sunday:

   “This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it.”

Something she’d say when facing difficult decisions:

   “If only we KNEW what to do, we could do That.”

Know this is original because I only heard it once; but never forgot it (particularly as my children grew-up):

   “No mater what happens, no matter what you do; I’ve been there.”

She said this more than once; somehow, though, I sometimes suspect only to me:

   “Oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

Some things we heard I don’t know how often:

   “Of all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these ‘it might have been."

   “Intoxicated with the exuberance of youth, drunk on the joy of being young.”

   “Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can; often found in women, never in a man.”

   “All that lives dies; and nothing lives if nothing die”

   “You hate to see your children grow up; but you’d hate it even more if they didn’t.”

   “The hardest thing a mother is called on to do is to let go of their children.”

   “A man will have lust for the lure of his life’s work.”

   “Necessity is the mother of invention, laziness is its father.”

More than once she said:

   “The only constant is change.”

But, she also said:

   “The more things change the more they remain the same.”

One thing I’ve repeated at least once every Christmas:

   “Santa Claus is the spirit of Christmas; wherever the spirit of Christmas is, Santa Claus is”

The greatest truth learned from her which I’ve re-learned every year:

   “After you get out of high school every year will have one less day.”

One last thing – in the era of Covid-19 constantly I hear her say:

   “Did you wash your hands?”

Needs of Many

Needs of the Many

As of 10:00 AM (EDT) this 20^th day of April in the year of our Lord 2020, John Hopkins University has officially notched 40,683 human deaths attributed to the Novel Covid-19 virus since the first known death on February 29^th. Eleven out of every 100,000 Americans having died in 52 days – a number which certainly is in same league with scourges of my childhood.

I do not pretend to know the needs of the many.

I do not propose to know any answers, or if they exist.

I do know my own needs have not been particularly impaired by staying home. It is what I’ve been doing for some time. Uncomfortably, I seem to have become too comfortable with quarantine.

Based solely on observations of an old man in an easy chair who has absolutely no voice in the matter, this is what I observe concerning events happening beyond my personal stay-at-home need:

First, to quote Winston Churchill, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Or, as Al Jolson more simply put it in 1927 movie The Jazz Singer, “you ain’t heard nothing yet”.

     It is going to get worse,

     it will never be the “same”,

     ‘get used to it’.

Second, we are where we are – and are going where we are going – primarily because of a dearth of national leadership. In every human crises there has arisen a leader who takes command with coherence and credibility whom others therefore follow, even if only for the moment. Such a leader gives clear direction; delegates line authority; and, in victory or defeat, accepts responsibility. If such a leader does not arise, only mayhem prevails.

     No such national leader has arisen,

     or at least none has been allowed to arise.

Third, I observe a generation which has never had to sacrifice all for the good of the many. Yes, we owe a great deal to the few who sacrifice themselves when thrown unprepared into the fight; and to the many of good heart who have done what they could. But tragedy, if it passes our way at all, touches only the few it touches.

     My parent’s generation understood what it meant to sacrifice the one for the needs of the many: Although basically a pacifist, my father left his family and joined unknowable millions in fighting World War II. My brother bought War Bonds and made ‘bandages’ to help the War effort. My mother took in boarders and lived on ration stamps. Because that long-gone generation sacrificed the few, the many became “great”.

     We born after WWII have no such universally shared calamity which called forth national sacrifice. For us personal sacrifice has most often been for the benefit of the few, and largely transitory. And, solely in this observation, we have become largely a people unprepared to sacrifice the needs of the few, of the one, for the needs of the many.

God Save the United States of America

Ice Cream Politics

Brazil Times Blog of July 13, 2010 (edited for relevance as of April 17, 2020)

Ice Cream Politics

“All politics is local” -- former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill

Our favorite son-in-law and now official candidate for Congress Steven Skelton will be proud of us. Saturday night [July 10, 2010] we went to something billed as a “Stars and Stripes Ice Cream Social”. The announced purpose of which was to promote interest in the political process by conservative church folk such as we. We don’t go to meetings all that much, not being social gadflies as is our son-in-law; nor nearly as interested in the political process. The result being I’m not sure what I expected, but this probably wasn’t what I expected. The main reason I went was the free ice cream.

Two candidates for State Representative were in attendance. Personally I’ve always had a kind of awe of anyone who serves in state office: There’s not a lot of money, little glory, and you have to stay around for a very long time to gain any power.

There was the mandatory Q & A session. The questions were mostly what you’d expect from a conservative, church-going audience: Schools, taxes, right to life type things. The answers proffered indicated no great ideological chasm.

The question which seemed most germane to myself was how the current anti-incumbent atmosphere in the nation will affect local and state elections? This is an issue to which I have given a bit of conservative political process thought.

The quandary is that we really don’t want politicians, so there is always the urge to throw the bums out. On the other hand, there are certain things we want our representatives to accomplish, which require they learn to be political animals. The result being we elect some well-meaning, qualified person to a given office; then by the time they have actually figured out how to play the game, we’re looking around to replace them because they’re “politicians”.

What I propose is a new political movement which I’ve named [insert fanfare here] The Ice Cream Party

Our platform would be “Two-Twenty-Plus”.

2 Nobody could serve in any one political office more than two terms. It usually takes the first term to learn the rules of engagement, by the second they become a dreaded “politician”. After two terms, having gotten their political footing, they have developed something of a “fiefdom” mentality.

20 Nobody can serve in elected office for more than 20 years. There has got to be a point in everyone’s life when they have done their bit for God, Country, and the American way. At some point there must be something just as worthy that intelligent, well-qualified folks can do with one’s life beneficial to their fellow man.

PLUS No political meeting could be held without free ice cream.