Today's MOZEN: There is Truth!

F LoBuono at the CBS Broadcast Center

"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore."  Peter Finch as Howard Beale in Network

I'll be damned before I sit back while people continue to bash the so-called Media and blame the NEWS MEDIA for reporting all the ills that are currently plaguing this Country.

First of all, WTF is The Media? With the explosion of the internet and the various means of communication within it, The Media encompasses a vast array of sources, with NEWS being just one of literally thousands. And, since I work for the NEWS MEDIA and have for over 3 decades, I will limit my comments to that arena.

The NEWS MEDIA is, by and large, staffed with professionals who have been schooled (literally) in the ways of gathering and disseminating information. As part of our training as journalists,(and, that includes not only reporters, but producers, writers, editors, photographers, and even technicians) a healthy dose of ethics is always included in EVERYTHING that we do. It is constantly emphasized that without ethics, we our nothing. In fact, honesty in reporting takes on a sacred role, one that most of us will (and, have) risk our lives for. I know that I feel that way as do ALL of the journalists I work with. Remember, it is not just First Responders who run towards danger while others flee. Journalists are right besides them - I know that I have been - many times. And, I've worked every conceivable hour on every different day of the year, including Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Labor Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July and every other holiday you can possibly imagine. It's a 24/7/365 meat grinder. Why? Because it's what journalists do!!!

You may call this arrogance, but so be it. I believe I have earned the right to say this: unless you have risked your life in an effort to do YOUR job, you should STFU when it comes to blaming the NEWS MEDIA for everything you see going wrong. We don't MAKE it that way, we just REPORT it. What YOU do with that information is your business, not ours.

“There is truth. The truth is discovered, every fact at a time, every piece of empirical evidence at a time.” Christiane Amanpour

That is all . . . 

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: The Tip of the Spear

F LoBuono

If you think the current sad condition of our Country, i.e. a pandemic, record unemployment, racist police policies, and rioting in our streets, is solely about President Donald J. Trump, you would be both right AND wrong.

There is no doubt that the President's gross mismanagement of affairs, both at home and abroad, has brought us to the bring of chaos. His constant tripping on his over-sized ego leads him to make decisions that he sees as burnishing his image rather than what is best for OUR Country, often siting his TV ratings as a rationale for his actions. The fact that he uses so much make- up and elaborate hair styling to cover his obvious baldness, shows us just how important a certain image is to bolster his fragile psyche. Mr. Trump is simply not capable of seeing past his own self interest. And, by all accounts, this is how he has ALWAYS been.

However, this is not just about him. When you think about it, Trump is The Tip of the Spear. He has simply given voice to a pernicious underbelly of America that has been simmering for years. It surfaces periodically with fringe groups masquerading as legitimate political organizations like the Tea Party. Today's most radical manifestation can be found within the so-called QAnon whose followers believe that Mr. Trump is being attacked by deep, dark underground forces that traffic in child pornography. Really.

He is the figurehead, poster child, front, mouthpiece, and icon for these movements that have existed since the inception of this Country. But, he is NOT alone. Trump has given voice to the Bannons, Millers, Stones, Pompeos, and the like whose agenda can be summed up in three words:

GOD, GUNS, and COUNTRY.

Within those three, relatively short and simple words lie a theme that encompasses a racist component, i.e. a white, Christian god, white folk keeping their guns, and a white country that keeps black and brown folk in a subservient role, if any role at all.

With every word, followed by every dirty deed, Mr. Trump and his unwavering, fanatical followers reinforce their commitment to those 3 ideals. And, it's becoming more and more obvious, as witnessed by a vigilante's murder of 2 innocent people in Wisconsin, that they intend to pursue their goal, no matter what the cost. Therefore, I truly fear that a civil war may be closer on the horizon than we dare to think.

I would like to say that the choice of directions in this Country has never been clearer. But, that wouldn't be totally accurate either. That choice has been crystal to me from the very beginning. Donald J. Trump is an evil man. He always has been and always will be - because that's what he has in his heart and soul.

What's in yours?

VOTE HIM OUT - and, don't let the door hit him OR his cronies in the ass on the way!!!

Today's Mostly True Short Story: The Box - The Little Car That Could

2003 Honda Element, a.k.a. The Box

There is little doubt that Americans are crazy about cars. It wasn't always that way, but that's a story for another day.* Generally speaking, next to buying a home, purchasing a vehicle is one of the largest investments we will make in our lifetime. So, it's important that we get it right. In fact, owning a car has become a modern day necessity. And, despite current efforts to increase the use of public transportation and encourage other alternatives to driving, there are more vehicles on the road than ever before.

But, for most of us, a car is more than just a mere means of transportation. It is often seen as an extension of our very personalities. Perhaps, that's why there is such a dizzying array of makes, models, and colors to choose from. And, just like their owners can come in all shapes and sizes, too - from compacts to vans to sports cars to SUVs. Whether we choose them for practical purposes or to make a style statement, the car is often a reflection of what we represent to others. And, if you own one long enough, they can almost become like old friends.

I believe that all of us can look back to a vehicle that has special meaning to us, e.g. the car you learned to drive with, your dad's old Buick with the muffler loud enough for your neighbors to know every time you left your driveway, the first car you purchased for yourself, the hot convertible you showed off in, or the clunker your friends had to push so that you could jump start it.

Sometimes, like an old pair of worn out shoes or ripped jeans you should just get rid of, but just can't because they just fit you so well, you hang on to one way longer than you probably should have.

Such was the case with one of my vehicles that we affectionately dubbed The Box. At the time (2003) I was looking for an inexpensive, not-too-large, efficient SUV to haul my camera gear in when my then wife and I noticed a newly released Honda model known as the Element. God, it was funny looking - perfectly square - hence the moniker, The Box. However, after driving many other makes and models, none could compare to the overall quality and efficiency of the Honda. So, we bought it.

And, I kept it for 17 years and drove it for over 287,000 miles (287,588 to be exact) with virtually no major issues until recently. The Box was fun, easy, and despite it's awkward appearance, incredibly efficient. She did everything I ever asked her to do. Through heat, cold, rain, or snow, she simply never failed. I suppose that's why I related to that vehicle so much - I think she reminded me of, well, ME - not all that much to look at but, boy, she NEVER failed - reliable until the very end (something I also aspire to) and, again, as I hope to be, totally spent.

People would reasonably ask, why not simply buy another, newer one. And, I would have except that Honda decided to stop making the Element in 2011. So, I hung on to it for as long as I possible could - probably too long.

Over the last few months The Box really started to show her age. She even started to groan like an old person! The clutch started to squeak so much that when my mother rode with me she would ask, "does your car always speak to you that way?" She started to leak radiator fluid (possibly due to a cracked head). I even lost my cruise control because my mechanic said that it had simply rusted away. Because I needed new shocks and struts get around with her was like being on some kind of amusement park thrill ride. Then, like a VERY old lady, she had trouble starting up in the morning. The Box's greatest assets - consistency and reliability -were now gone. And, it was going to cost a bunch of $ to keep her going. My mechanic, whom I trust completely, advised that it was simply time to let her go. Like a dear old pet, I was hanging on for me, not for the car.

So, with some sadness and much gratitude, I put the old gal out to pasture - or, at least to my mechanic's lot, unfortunately, to be sold for scrap. I suppose that's a rather inglorious end, but it must be. That car owes me nothing and will stand apart from all the others. Good bye, friend, rest well now. God speed. You've reached the end of your highway.

*https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-americas-love-affair-cars-no-accident/

Today's MOZEN: It's Pretty Simple

F LoBuono

Let's get something straight.

If you think you're a badass, balls-to-the-wall, no-one-tells-me-what to do, stay-out-of-my-face, freedom loving patriot that feels it necessary to go armed to the grocery store to protect yourself againt who-knows-what, but refuses to wear a mask, even if it could save just one other human being, YOU AIN'T! You're just a sorry, scared, selfish, sack-o-shit.

There is NO moral amiquity here. No damned if I do, damned if I don't paradox. The choice is clear:

Either you give a shit about your fellow man- or, you fucking don't.

And, if you don't - eat shit and die.

That is all. . . 

Today's MOZEN: The Word Is Love

F LoBuono

I've been thinking that if it were in me, and if I strove long enough, thought hard enough, and cared deeply enough, perhaps, I could come up with a single word or simple phrase that would have the power/influence to make people realize that in our very hearts and souls, we are all the same. We may come to different things in various ways, something we define as culture, but in the end, we all share the same emotions. In fact, we all smile the same way and we all cry the same way, too.

Certainly, I am not alone in this vision quest. Many before me, and far greater in every way, have attempted to accomplish this simple, yet herculean, task. 

Then, it struck me -

We already have it.

One word.

We've heard it over and over again. . . 

- from the gods, prophets, poets, musicians, misfits, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sinners, and saints . . . 

And, that word is LOVE

It is truly THE most powerful force in the world.

A force so potent that it devours hate and conquers all, it allows one to forfeit our most precious gift, our very lives, to save that of another whom we love. It motivates our dreams and desires. It empowers us to be free, truly free - from fear and ignorance.

But, sadly, we often seem to be tone deaf to the beautiful music that is created through a lifestyle motivated by love. Instead, we allow our fears - of uncertainty, failure, and perceived differences, to seep into the foundation of our being, creating cracks and division- when all we need is to allow ourselves to be motivated by compassion and caring, i.e. love.

It really ain't that hard, folks . . . 

Today's MOZEN: YOU'RE FIRED!!

F LoBuono

Hackneyed phrases are generally eschewed by writers and journalists because they've become so over-used that they so lack in any fresh, creative impact as to be ineffective.

However, like cliches, they become that way because they contain a certain underlying truth.

So, with a risk to damaging my non-existent writing career, here are my top 3 such hackneyed phrases and cliches as they relate to President Donald J. Trump. I have used the terms with shameless regularity and present them again because they were true at the beginning of his tenure and remain even more so today:

- If his lips are moving, he's lying.

- You're preaching to the choir.

- You get what you pay for.

The first, actually, can be easily supported by the facts. According to The Washington Post*, Mr. Trump has made over 20,000 false or misleading statements - and, that number grows daily. There is simply no way around it.

The second, explains my frustration around the entire situation. The very few and most intrepid followers that I do have are so because they tend to be like-minded, especially when it comes to Mr. Trump. They find him, as do I, insufferable. It's unlikely that any of my posts might sway a true Trumper. So, a reasonable question would be, why bother? I suppose that I might answer that with yet ANOTHER hackneyed phrase: well, someone has to do it!

The third is arguably my most hackneyed of all. I certainly have used it as a theme on a regular basis. I suppose that's so because I'm constantly surprised that others are still surprised by his selfish bungling, often wondering aloud, how low can he go (yet ANOTHER hackneyed phrase!)? Well, the answer is - lower, a LOT lower because we're getting what we paid for!!

Arguably, Donald J. Trump's only true, acknowledged professional success was as the host for the reality TV series, Celebrity Apprentice (a show that I can proudly attest to never having watched). And, THAT'S how he is running the Country - as a fucking REALITY TV SHOW!

Every move, often backed by his own statements, is calculated for ratings and popularity - as HE sees them.  He makes decisions not based on what's best for the Country or even politically expedient, but rather on their ability to generate headlines that he and his misguided base feel represent THEIR America.

And, look, let's face it - Reality TV was not created to stimulate the imagination of deep thinkers. It generally appeals to the lowest common denominator in people - the weirder the better. The masses love to see the public embarrassment of the rich and powerful. And, so does Mr. Trump - until it happens to him - and, it will.

Isn't that what made the show, AND Mr. Trump such a great success?

So, what did we expect?

We did, indeed, get what we paid for!

And, I use the term we because WE did elect him. Even if you didn't vote for him, enough (over 60 million) did to make him the duly elected President of the United States.

Now, it's simply up to the rest of us to say:

YOU'RE FIRED!

And, I promise that's the last of the hackneyed phrases - for this post.



*https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/13/president-trump-has-made-more-than-20000-false-or-misleading-claims/

Honoring John Lewis

J Lewis Official website

Once you lose your fear, you're free
                                                      John Lewis

John Lewis, a truly and true American icon was given the final honors due a man of his legendary reputation as someone who championed not only Civil Rights but Human Rights, as well. In addition to the countless dignitaries who attended, 3 former Presidents, Bush, Clinton, and Obama, spoke with the grace and dignity befitting both their former office and the quality of the man they were there to honor. A fourth, Jimmy Carter, sent a heartfelt letter of condolence.

Although all spoke with reverence and eloquence, it was former President Barack Obama, who, when delivering the eulogy, perhaps captured the spirit of the man best, challenging ALL Americans to continue Mr. Lewis's legacy by resisting the current administration's apparent attempt to suppress voting rights. Reminding people that Lewis often risked death and was arrested 45 times to demonstrate his belief that the power of the people rests with our RIGHT AND OBLIGATION TO VOTE, the former President added that the only wasted votes are the ones we don't use.

Conspicuously absent from today's celebration was our current President, Donald J. Trump. Many found fault in this and with good reason. However, I did not. In fact, I was glad that he was not there. In my opinion it would have been a hollow gesture. John Lewis did not approve of Mr. Trump ("like" is irrelevant in this case) because, in his eyes, this President represents everything that he spent his life fighting against - exclusion, bigotry, racism, vanity, excess. So, in a sense, the President DID honor him by NOT attending. At least it was an honest response - for a change!

However, I can't help but think that Mr. Trump's additional refusal to attend came from his need for self-preservation and obvious narcissism. How could a man who, especially lately, has had tremendous difficulty stringing two coherent sentences together possibly hope to compete with the stirring oration of the likes of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama? Clinton is a noted public speaker and Obama often speaks sublimely of concepts like the dignity of man - while Mr. Trump rambles on about dishwashers.

As Mr. Lewis reminded us in his final correspondence, to be published on the day of his funeral, 7/30/2020, inspired as ALWAYS by love, the job is not done:

I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe.

We will truly honor him and those who came before by living up to the creed. 

*https://www.ajc.com/john-lewis/john-lewis-last-words/GGQ6MKJTIBHGHJ7RQXZVLQFHUA/

F LoBuono

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS SHIT UP: Texting and Biking.

F LoBuono

One of my regular features on Social Media is You Can't Make This Shit Up. As the title suggests, I designed it to add some snarky humor in an effort to understand human behaviors that most of us would find at least unusual, if not downright bizarre.

Generally speaking, they're not too hard to find. Here's a classic example:

It was dusk as I was walking home after one of my frequent sojourns into the heart of town. It had been a warm day and was turning into a lovely evening. I had South Broadway virtually to myself with just one woman walking on the other side of the street. Someone on a bicycle, riding in the opposite direction, was approaching us. As the rider got closer I could see that he appeared to be a young man, probably in his late teens. He was riding in an upright position, peddling with his legs but without his hands on the handle bars.

That's because they were being used for texting on his cellphone!

It became painfully obvious (literally) that he was more interested in his texting than to paying attention to what might lay in front of him. That's because he failed to notice the parked car that was directly in his path!

With a resounding BOOM, he smashed into the back of the car and went heels over head off his bicycle. It was loud enough to startle both me and the woman walking across the street and to run towards him to make sure that he was all right.

We reached him about the same time, while shouting almost simultaneously, ARE YOU OK? Amazingly, we found him dazed but not seriously hurt.

He was in the process of picking himself up off his ass (also, literally) and checking to make sure that he was indeed not seriously injured. I don't remember if he thanked us but he did indicate that he was alright. He found his phone, which had been knocked out of his hands, and preceded to inspect both his bike and the car for whatever carnage his collusion may have caused. Amazingly, it seemed to be minimal. How he managed to do so little damage to himself, the car, and his bike, can only be described as miraculous! However, I'm sure that in the light of day, he was going to be one hurting cowboy.

Composing himself, phone now in his pocket, he got back on his bike and continued on his way. The woman and I looked at one another, shrugged our shoulders, giggled about the whole thing and went about our business, too.

Since that time, I've seen at least 3 others riding and texting, too. And, before you think it's just being done by juveniles, one of those was an adult.

In addition to the obvious danger posed by riding a bicycle without constantly keeping your eyes on the road ahead of you, I thought that operating one was supposed to take you away from the rigors of being constantly connected to technology! What could possibly be so important as to risk your life for a text?

But, I guess that's just me.

No, my friends, You Can't Make This Shit Up.

Today's MOZEN: Let's Golf!

F LoBuono

Sometimes, when times are tough, like they are now, the only things we can truly count on our families, good friends, and our strength of character. However, we can't always totally depend on family and friends - they often have their own issues to deal with. 

So, when we find ourselves truly alone, we must rely on our strength of character, i.e. the moral compass that guides us to do the right things for the right reasons. We achieve this through the teachings of those we respect and admire (like our parents) and our applied experience through years of trial and error to make decisions based on a desire to provide for the common good, not only for our selves and our loved ones, but for the world at large, too.

With that in mind, I would like to point out that our President, Donald J. Trump is, as of this posting (7/18/2020), golfing at his private resort in Virginia. And, yet:

- Nearly 140,000 American deaths have been attributed to the COVID-19 Pandemic and there has been no empathy from the President towards the dead or a true plan for the Nation's recovery. He has not even attended a briefing on the subject in weeks.

- Our city streets our exploding in violence as the rift between communities and the police has reached the breaking point.

- Unannounced and unidentified Federal Law Enforcement agents in unmarked cars, as allegedly instructed by the President, are arresting and detaining American citizens in Portland, Oregon without warning or probable cause.

- Rep. John Lewis, a truly great American and Civil Rights icon, passed away on Friday. And, still, their has been no statement of grief or solidarity from Trump's White House.

But, the President's golf game is NOT to be impeded!!!

Folks, I may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier but I do believe I know what makes for true Strength of Character. AND, DONALD J. TRUMP  POSSESSES NONE OF THOSE ATTRIBUTES.

What a sad, petty, vindictive, pathetic glob of a man. It is SO far beyond politics and has been from the beginning of his Administration. This is not about being right - it's about doing right. And, the right thing to do is to VOTE THIS BUM OUT by an overwhelming margin in November. By doing so, you will have demonstrated your very own Strength of Character.

That is all . . . 

Today's MOZEN: WWJD?

Photo: Karen Ellis

Lately, I find myself battling with those selfish individuals who obstinately refuse to wear a mask over their noses and mouths in public for the duration of this terrible pandemic.

Despite the overwhelming evidence presented by the scientific, research, and medical communities confirming that by doing so we can significantly reduce the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 virus, they find many lame excuses not to do so. These include:

- Wearing one is more dangerous than the virus itself.
- It infringes on their rights as Americans, therefore it is unconstitutional.
- And, perhaps, the weakest of all - god made us in his own image, therefore wearing one is a sin against god.

- Science clearly refutes the first claim.
- No where does the Constitution state that your right to do something you simply want trumps another's to prevent that action if it directly causes them harm, handles the second. It's as if their stubborn resistance to basic logic, common sense, and simple human compassion make them even more American.
- And, for the last, often heralded by Evangelical Christians, I offer them these questions: If there was even a chance, just a chance, that by wearing a mask you could save ONE life, even a stranger's life, would you do it? What would Jesus do (WWJD)?

The response is usually crickets, i.e. total silence.

Friends, there is nothing like trapping the clueless by using their own misguided, nonsensical dogma to refute their arguments. Unfortunately, because they are so blinded by their ideology, it falls on deaf ears. But, we can take heart as they will be judged by providence in the end (nod, nod, wink, wink). I just hope that they get there before their selfish, limiting doctrine gets me first.

And, yes, Jesus would wear the goddamned mask!!

That is all . . .