WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: Off With Their Heads!

Illustration of execution by being hanged, drawn, and quartered

Do to the popularity of Mel Gibson's Academy Award winning film, Braveheart (1995), most people are familiar with the means of execution known as hanged, drawn, and quartered. The movie features a VERY sanitized version of the method being perpetrated on the film's hero, Scottish revolutionary, William Wallace (1270-1305).

In reality, it was the most gruesome of deaths that involved hanging to near death, emasculation, and disembowelment, before your head and limbs were mercifully struck from your body in front of a huge, roaring crowd. Victims were subject to even more torture BEFORE they met their horrific fates.

This hellish act was first used during the reign of King Henry III (1216-1272) to not simply punish those accused of treason but to annihilate them. This barbaric ritual was practiced in England well into the 18th Century when David Tyre became the last man executed in this manner in front of a crowd 100,000 in 1782. The death penalty for treason was all together abolished in the United Kingdom in 1998.

When I listen to President Trump hearken to the good ol' days when we treated spies differently than we do today, I can't help but think that in his black heart, given the option, he would re-institute this terrible punishment on any and all those who would stand in opposition of his leadership. He may not express this publicly but, in his soul, I believe that he would do it - and, not even think twice about doing so.

This accusation may sound far-fetched but I hold fast to my assertion. Partially, because I believe that he is not the only one that feels that way! There is a faction in this Country, led by the President, that believes in ruling with an iron fist and crushing those in opposition. He gives voice to them on nearly a daily basis. The spike in violent hate crimes during Mr. Trump's tenure, especially in areas where he has held rallies, is ample evidence of where his sentiments lie.*

The latest scandal involving the President is a classic example. I have visions of him, storming around the White House, red-faced, veins in his neck popping, raging against those HE believes (i.e. The Whistleblower) committed treason against him, screaming OFF WITH THEIR HEADS, simply for trying to protect the Country from an egoistic, self-serving, bilious, bellicose brute. And, suddenly, it's the 13th Century once again.

Of course, the chances of this happening are virtually non-existent. Hopefully, we have enough safe guards in place to prevent this type of barbarity from every happening again. However, the impetus to control the opposition by eliciting that type of terror in them is very much alive in this President AND his minions.

We, the People, must not accept this. And, we can send a clear message to that effect come November. 

F LoBuono

*https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-campaign-rally-hate-crimes-study-maga-2019-3

When You Think About It: A Liar and a Thief

Words and photo by F LoBuono

It's been a while since I've commented on the exploits (if you will) of the President. And, it's not because he hasn't given me any impetus to write about them. In fact, the reason is very much to the contrary. Despite railing about Mr. Trump's woeful inadequacies for his position FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, nothing has changed. His minions continue to follow him with infuriating, blind loyalty.

But, wait, let me correct myself. Things HAVE changed - they've gotten WORSE!

Mr. Trump is a liar and a thief. He always has been and always will be. At least he has kept one campaign promise: that he would run the Country like he ran his businesses, i.e. POORLY. He controlled them like the thug he is. And, now he's doing the same thing to America.

A Mafia chieftain has nothing on this guy. He blusters. He rages. He abuses power. He intimidates. And, he destroys his opponents by ANY MEANS NECESSARY. These may be essential skills for someone who runs an organized crime family but are utterly DEPLORABLE in the Leader of the Free World.

The latest debacle with Ukraine only serves to cement his role as a gangster. And, it's just one of many examples that can be sited as evidence of his woeful performance as a leader. He's pathetic and anyone who continues to support him can be listed in the same category.

Unfortunately, many of his followers will never be capable of seeing his extraordinary shortcomings as a leader - and, PERSON. They have been blinded by his CULT OF PERSONALITY. He is their leader and his methods are NOT to be questioned.

Well, screw that - it ain't me!

I don't give a shit what title he, or anyone, may hold if they fail so miserably not only as a leader, but as a human being.

So, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, Mr. Trump has proven again, again, and again that he lacks in every character trait that might qualify him for the role of President. If you can't see that yet, then there is little hope for you, too.

That is all. . . 

Today's MOZEN: Ehtnicity

F LoBuono

Of course, I am intensely proud of my Sicilian heritage. Just one look at my dark hair and skin is a solid indicator of that lineage. Both sides of my family come from that ancient island. I've even visited my mother's ancestral village, San Salvatore di Fitallia, a magnificent, Baroque town nestled in the mountains high above Taormina. 

Yet, there are those who continue to disparage us for the scourge of Organized Crime that is, regrettably, part of Sicily's history.  However, any person of learning knows the island, the largest in the Mediterranean, has a culture as rich and ancient as just about any other on earth.

So, there is much to be proud of.

Still, I do not see myself as Sicilian or, even SICILIAN/AMERICAN. I am an AMERICAN of Sicilian descent.

There is a subtle but distinct and important difference.

I was born here. And, ENGLISH was the only language regularly spoken in my house. In fact, in an effort to have the entire family assimilate, my grandfather insisted that English be the first, and often, only language spoken. So, I had to re-learn Italian in high school. Of course, we still practiced many of the ancient Sicilian traditions, like elaborate holiday meals, made with the only the freshest ingredients. That kept us connected, at least in some, small way, to the Old Country.

Still, I was AMERICAN in every other way.

I played Little League baseball and high school football. I listened to American music and saw American movies. I wore American clothes like blue jeans and flannel shirts. And, I ate American foods like hot dogs and hamburgers.

We were, in essence, the typical American family who happened to have Sicilian roots.

Therefore, I prefer NOT to called an Italian/American or Sicilian/American. I am an American, first and foremost, who happens to have a particular cultural heritage. And, that goes for any other ethnicity, too. If you were born and raised in this Country, no matter where your ancestors may have hailed from, you are an American first. There are no Chinese/Americans. There are no Irish/Americans. There are no Indian/Americans. We are all just AMERICANS whose families came from elsewhere to BE American.

Today's MOZEN: The Arc of Morality

f LoBuono

“Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.

With the searing clarity of vision that only a man of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s enormous compassion could articulate in a single sentence, we are once again called upon to define what it means to be American.

This is not a new theme for those who may read this blog. Since the beginning of this Administration, I have implored people to make their choice: to support a Regime that I see as cold-hearted, mean-spirited, nationalistic, isolationist, and, yes, even fascistic. Or, elect leaders who are more inclusive, compassionate, visionary, and just.

On virtually a daily basis, President Trump does his utmost to bend the arc of the universe to his sense of morality, or, more appropriately, LACK of it. There are SO many examples - too many to list them all. However, here are two of the most recent that stand out for their startling lack of moral integrity:

1. The Bahamas was just smashed by Hurricane Dorian. Much of it was literally wiped off the map, making tens of thousands homeless and desperate. Yet, their neighbor, the US, led by President Trump has refused to grant the Bahamains Temporary Protected Status that would have granted them access to the US and its aid programs. This is part of an overall immigration policy that this Administration has implemented severely limiting access to this Country, especially for people of color. Mr. Trump took his cruelty even one step further by adding insult to injury by saying this about his actions (or, lack of); "I don't want to allow people that weren't supposed to be in the Bahamas to come into the United States, including some very bad people", suggesting that the Bahamas is rife with gangs, murderers, and terrorists. In the meantime, thousands of innocent victims will suffer and perish.

2. We just passed another 911 Anniversary (18 years) where the Country in general and New York in particular pause to reflect and honor all those who perished in the attacks. It gave Mr. Trump another opportunity to reiterate his FALSE claim that he went immediately after the attack to Ground Zero to offer his help. There is absolutely NO evidence, video or otherwise, that he was there in ANY capacity. I can add my personal experience to this statement. I was there for CBS News to document EVERYTHING that was happening at the site. My camera captured many a visit by important people including President Bush and then EPA Secretary, Christine Todd Whitman. AT NO TIME did I see Mr. Trump! Shame on him and his baldfaced lies!

None of these things are happening by "accident". They are a concerted effort by Mr. Trump and his loathsome gang to change the ethos of what it means to be American. I remember a day when that meant to be a leader - in vision, innovation, and, yes, compassion. Mr. Trump would like to label these ideals as soft or weak, falling to recognize that the truly strong and not afraid to be benevolent, a word I'm sure, that is not part of his very limited vocabulary.

Yes, the moral arc is long. And, yes, justice will be served. There will be a reckoning.

Today's MOZEN: Acceptance and Forgiveness - Two Sides of the Same Coin

Words and photo F LoBuono

Acceptance and Forgiveness are often lumped together. Perhaps, it's because one cannot find forgiveness until they have fully accepted whatever indignity may have been inflicted upon them in the first place. And, THAT is more easily said than done.

Therefore, the road between the two is often winding and, sometimes, even tortuous. 

Normally, we must come to terms with the reality of what our fate was in any given situation before we can begin the process of healing through forgiveness. And, often, the two emotions are never fully reconciled. This is expressed when we say "I may forgive, but I will never forget."

Therefore, the way to pave the path between the two lies in Mindfulness, or the ability to understand without judgment. It is a concept that lies at the root of most Eastern religions. It is a practice in every sense of the word. Buddhists believe it is the only path to true salvation. 

Although simple in concept, it is also so very difficult to achieve fully that it may take many lifetimes to do so. This is why Buddhists believe in reincarnation - it takes many, many years of practice to get it right. However, when we do get it, we will have reached Enlightenment and the endless cycle of birth, death, and re-birth is broken.

The difficulty lies in the true letting go of one of our most primitive emotions - ANGER. It is a powerful motivator. In fact, when we are lost in the throws of anger all of us are capable of reacting with vengeance. We want whomever wronged us to suffer at least equally, if not MORE so, with the same type of pain that they caused.

However, we must LEARN to ACCEPT that whatever happened was because it was SUPPOSED to happen. This is the first step. Forgiveness cannot be achieved until we stop clinging to what we believe SHOULD have occurred and deal with the reality of what actually DID. Again, easier said than done - especially since hurt and the corresponding anger it brings is so primal to our nature.

However, to become the sublime creatures we are all capable of being, we must continue to strive to accomplish this. I, for one, have a long way to travel to achieve this. But, at least I know where I must go. It's the figuring out of HOW to get there that remains the ultimate challenge. But, failure is not an option.

Today's MOZEN: Life is What You Make It

Words and photo by F LoBuono

Storms had rolled in, providing a break from the late summer's relentless sun and making it a perfect day for a sojourn into town. I needed a few items from the local Korean grocery anyway, so I grabbed my umbrella and made my way out the back door to begin my journey.

It was raining lightly but I was well protected under my over-sized umbrella. I was about halfway down Broadway when I heard the sound of a lone trumpet coming from an open window located in one of the classic, old Victorian homes that line that historic street. Apparently, someone was practicing on the horn, playing a series of scales in different keys. Combined with the patter of the gentle rain tapping on my umbrella, it made for a most pleasant interlude.

And, I smiled - broadly.

I continued my walk into the heart of town, passing a restaurant where this past Saturday night, two people were shot and one was stabbed.

No, folks, Nyack is NOT paradise. No place truly is. It is a real place with real issues. Parking sucks. Taxes are outrageous. The Friday and Saturday night bar scene resembles Dodge City. And, affordable housing is becoming more and more hard to find.

But, it is also beautiful, caring, and accessible. It has the River and the Palisades. There are also people whom believe in taking an active part in where and how they live. And, there are moments as sublime as the sound of a gentle rain and a lone trumpet to guide your way.

Life anywhere is what you make it.

And, I love it.