Shift Towards the East for Italy?

    Truthfully speaking, Europe, especially NATO nations, feel deserted these days and have to reconsider things. Angela Merkel said so loudly a few days ago, but there are some quieter signs as we; So much for Donald Trump's diplomacy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/world/europe/russia-courts-italy-in-us-absence.html?_r=0

JFK born 100 years ago today

     Now this makes me feel old! Turning 64 yesterday did not, but the centennial of John F. Kennedy's birth does give me pause. I vividly remember the 1960 election. My second grade class had a mock vote. I believe he won by one vote I voted for Nixon. Then recess came and we were all friends again. Such it was before America became bitter, mean, and antagonistic.

     As you can infer, my family where rock-ribbed Republicans, and I did not hear a kind word spoken about JFK growing up. But as I aged, I came to appreciate him more and more. In high school I shed my conservatism and became a liberal Republican. One could be that back then, especially in the Northeastern part of the country.

     By university I became a Democrat officially. In German class we read Kennedy's Ich bin ein Berliner speech,and I was struck by how hawkish he was. Certainly the situation required it, but I began to question everything that I had heard at home about the man.

     During my seminary internship I read a used copy of William Manchester's biography of Robert Kennedy, and saw him in a different light. While I did not support Teddy Kennedy's challenge to President Carter for the Democratic nomination in 1980, I came to admire Teddy.

     Doubtless some will talk about the affairs, placing his brother in the cabinet, and all of the other things that swirl around JFK. But compared to what we have now for presidential leadership and vision, I would take all of that in a heartbeat.

     All that I will say about the assassination is that the whole story has yet to be told. From what we know/think/suspect, it is not a pretty won, and the nation started on a long path in the wrong direction on 22 November 1963.

     JFK;s daughter Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and her daughter Tatiana appeared on a video talking about his legacy. Below is a link.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/politics/jfk100-caroline-kennedy-100th-birthday/

A dangerous trend

     The bitterness and rancor which have marked politics, not only in the USA, intensified when a (now) victorious candidate for the US House of Representatives from Montana body-slammed a reporter from the UK Guardian newspaper.

     While the body-slammer apologized, the episode marks a nadir. During the  2016 presidential campaign Donald Trump egged on supporters, but did not himself throw any punches.

    The historical precedents are ominous. Memories of Nazi thugs come to med, and also of Communist enforcers as well. Totalitarian systems will stop at nothing to stop anyone asking uncomfortable questions. They also effectively control or brainwash their supporters into applauding the actions, and blaming the victims for whatever happens to them.

     We live in scary times indeed.

 


https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/26/greg-gianforte-wins-montana-congress-race-body-slam-reporter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wItUjFU1i4M

My Favorite Movies Collection

https://plus.google.com/collection/8GnCPB

    I was thinking about this collection recently. When Sir Roger Moore died earlier this week, I thought of the films in which I saw him. One that usually is overlooked in his filmography is the 1978 action picture The Wild Geese. Moore starred with Richard Burton, Richard Harris, and Hardy Kruger.

     While a heavy-on-the-testosterone flick about mercenaries in Africa, the movie also touches on some philosophical and morality issues. Much of this was cut out for the long-ago USA showing of the movie on NBC, likely so that commercial time was used to its full effect.

     Take a peak if you have the time at some of my fave movies. I do update this every so often, and check out the other collections that I have. Thanks.

Sir Roger Moore, RIP

    When I was in elementary school, I got to touch the James Bond car from Goldfinger. Of course Sir Sean Connery drove that one, not his successor. When the first change in Bonds occur ed, I was not upset. After all, my family had recently moved from one end of Pennsylvania to the other; I understood change. Also, I saw that Connery did not want to be typecast! Look what happened to Adam West after Batman!

     Moore was elegant, suave, intelligent and daring, as all Bonds are. He had unique spin to it, however, and while I could never be him, I did not envy him. I also liked him in The Wild Geese, where he played a Bond-like mercenary.

     The world is a little less elegant tonight, for several reasons (Manchester, England, but I will write about that later), and there is nothing as suave on the horizon. But there will be someone, I am sure.

      Here is the theme from my wife's favorite Bond movie, since action takes place in and around New Orleans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR46gQLyxuE

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/23/roger-moore-saint-persuader-and-the-suavest-james-bond-dies-aged-89

Two Soundcloud Recordings of Poems from "Accents"

     Truth be told, when I wrote and recorded them, I did not know that they would be in Accents. There are a few others in that category. In the coming weeks I will be recording some others

     If there is a poem from this book that stands out to you, please feel free to record it and send me the link. I will be most than glad to post it. f someone did the poem you like already, do not let that stop you!  Thanks!

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  Click on the Accents cover on the left side of the abnner to see more about that book. Thanks, Lenka!