I’m afraid for our country.

I am an American and I want what is best for our country.  If you are reading this, I hope that, as an American, you also what is best for our country.  The problem is that what you believe is best for our country and what I believe is best for our country could very well be two completely different things.  That is why I am afraid for our country.

There isn’t any point in going over the difference between my view and yours. We know the arguments on both sides, we have heard them and we have spoken them. There have been lies and there has been truth.  There has been violence, hate, and bigotry.  There has been peace, love, and acceptance.  Unfortunately, we all believe we are on the “right” side of the divide.

Throughout our country’s history there have been many times when political parties have disagreed.  The largest divide this country has experienced was the Civil War where brother fought brother to eliminate slavery.  Several states were so ingrained in their beliefs that slavery was right those states withdrew from the Union resulting the death of thousands.  Recovery from this war took many years, and even more years to build up to the Civil Rights era.

The Civil Rights era brought us Selma, the Freedom Riders, the murder of Emmett Till and the assignation of Martin Luther King. Not to mention all the others who were injured and killed.  Terrible things were said and done.  Yet, somehow, we grew through the pain and anger.

During the 1960’s the LGBTQ groups lobbied for recognition and equal rights.  Harvey Milk ran for public office, there were riots at the Stonewall Inn and other places.  The first Pride events began in the ’70’s.  Only 10 years ago same gender marriage became the law of ALL the land, instead of a few states. 

Despite these divisions our country has managed to heal.  Not everyone was, or is, OK with the changes that have taken place in nearly 250 years. Nevertheless, we have managed to get along.  We have managed to treat each other with respect and dignity, until recently.

Today these United States are more divided than they have been since the 1860’s. Soon the course of our country for the next 4 years will be decided by the outcome of the election. Which side will come out on top?  The margin is too close to call.  It may be your side, or it might be my side.  Regardless of the outcome, people are going to be unhappy.  

Many of you, like me, are afraid for our country because of what might happen after the election.  If one side wins, the rights of several minorities could be impacted.  If the other side wins, the losing side is likely to have a repeat of the January 6 attack on the Capitol.  Our country may never recover from the violence  that could happen.  

I believe that no matter how far apart our views might be, you also want what is best for our country. The only way we are going to get through this period ahead of us, is if we work together, no matter which side wins.  I pray daily for an outcome favorable to my beliefs.  Because I know that things don’t always go my way, I also pray that whatever happens, we can keep the good parts of our country and not allow political violence to destroy us.  

I am an American, I love our country, and I want what is best for our country.  My vow is that I will not support violence by either side. Will you do the same? 

Riding in Ireland and Ancestral History - A Bucket List Trip

 I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland due to my ancestral connections.  The more I learned about my family history, the more I wanted to walk the path my ancestors had walked, see the things they had seen, experience the beauty of the Emerald Isle as they had done. So when the opportunity arose to do all those things and also incorporate one of my favorite activities, motorcycling, I jumped at the chance.

Lisa, of Dive N Ride Adventures, was planning an all women motorcycle tour of the Ireland coast, the Wild Atlantic Way. I think my spouse, Debbie, and I were the first to join this adventure.  We met with Lisa to talk about our hopes and expectations for the trip, length of stay and a dozen other details for a trip like this one.  Lisa made a point of asking if there was anything in particular that we were interested in seeing.  I don’t think she expected the answer to be the Crudden Orphanage.

In typical Lisa form, she didn’t bat an eye, simply asked more questions about the orphanage and its significance to me.  I shared with Lisa that while I knew my ancestors came from Counties Donegal and Fermanagh, the only real place I could associate them with was the Crudden Orphanage which I thought would be in the same area, but didn’t really know.  We had a brief discussion about if or how this place might be included in our tour.  Basically the plan was that if the orphanage could be located and I would separate from the group so I could visit the site.

Weeks went by and we had periodic Zoom calls with Lisa and other women who would be joining us on the tour.  Getting to know each other a bit and learning more about what the tour would be like, continually ramping up the excitement.  During one of these meetings, Lisa mentioned that Paul from Celtic Rider who was supplying our bikes for the trip had located the site of the orphanage in Bundoran, not far off the tour route.  It would be a short detour for us to leave the group and then rejoin them a little later!

Finally, the day came when we were actually in Ireland and at Celtic Rider picking up 9 Can Am motorcycles for our group.  I cannot say enough good things about Paul and his team.  Their hospitality felt more like welcoming friends than clients, serving us hot tea and coffee along with fresh scones while we watch the orientation video.  Once everyone was packed up, geared up, and ready to go, Paul and Lisa led our gaggle of Spyders on the first leg of our journey.

The scenery was breathtaking, green and lush, and we paid the traditional “green tax” of some light rain.  I was totally enamored with the sheep along the way, so cute and oblivious of us.  One day we ended up behind a herd of sheep along with their shepherd and dogs.  It was so fun to watch the dogs work the sheep and go after the stray here & there.  Each night after the ride, we would have dinner together, talk about what we had seen and done that day.  It didn’t take long before we became friends with a connection that will last for many years.  

We walked the grounds of Kilkenny Castle and wandered the gardens of Lismore. We stood at the stones in Drombeg and people watched in Dingle. We had a snack lunch on the beach, fresh open-face crab sandwiches near Baltimore Beacon, and hot chocolate at Slieve League cliffs.  We marveled at the Cliffs of Moher, Connor Pass, and the gardens of Lismore.  We learned the joy of an Irish breakfast with tea. We shivered while people swam at Fenmore Beach and strolled about Kylemore Abbey. Each day we rode, ate, laughed, shared our joys and and a few tears along the way.

I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when the morning we were planning our little detour to see the orphanage, the entire group decided to join us.  Lisa led us through Bundoran past a small church to a group of old building surrounded by fencing stood. While we couldn’t identify which building was the original boys orphanage, we were able to walk the perimeter of the grounds and see the monument to the Casket Girls.  We walked through the cemetery looking for some familiar names but found none.  However I did find an alternative spelling, Crudean, on the plaque outside the workhouse.  It was a touching experience, to know that in 

another lifetime, people related to me built, worked at and may have lived here. The sadness and suffering of all those souls passing through the doorway will always remain in my heart.

This was near the end of our tour.  We only had another day or two on the road, where we continued to enjoy all that Ireland had to offer.  It was the trip of a lifetime for me for so many reasons.  Many thanks to Lisa (Dive and Ride) and Paul (Celtic Rider) for going above and beyond to locate the Crudden orphanage.  You made this trip extra special for me by putting in the effort to find an out of the way place for me.  Thanks to all the ladies who joined me on my little journey in history.  Most of all, to my wife, Debbie, for making it all happen for me.

A Racist, Hypocritical, Liar Does Not Belong in the White House

Honestly, I didn't think Trump could cheapen himself any more than he has already done.  Yet, here he is, sinking lower and lower.  Trump is a disgrace to this country and to the office of President.  He doesn't belong in the White House and should do the honorable thing for once in his life and resign.

A short time ago, Trump, ordered police to shoot tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd of peaceful protesters in the park across from the capital.  Why?  So he could strut across the park to stand in front of a church he has only attended a handful of time holding a Bible which he has probably never opened.  How dare you!  You stand there holding a holy book in front of a church which you did not have permission to access, much less to use as a political prop. Did he honestly think anyone would look at his past actions and believe he attends church and reads the Bible?

At a time when people in this country are dying because you LIED about COVID-19, people are protesting over the murder of people of color and dying in the process.  What are you doing?  Whining because Twitter .put a fact check on one of your lies about voting by mail.  Get a freaking grip!  Over 105K people have DIED, the country is in a turmoil over the murder of innocent people of color and you're concerned about Twitter. 

At a time when a real leader would be working to pull this country together, offer compassion and sympathy to the families of those who have who have died, acting as peacemaker between the citizens of this country.  Trump continues to make things worse by shooting his mouth off condemning the protesters.  He incites violence, encourages police to "rough up" people he doesn't like, condones the white nationalists in Charlotte and individuals who were in a state capital building with assault weapons, oh wait, those guys were WHITE!  That's why it was ok.  Now I get it.  The KKK has endorsed Trump and he hasn't even rejected that endorsement.  That speaks volumes, don't you think?

Trump spreads unfounded rumors about his political opponents and when questioned about it, can't even give a reason other then "you know what he did".  He cheated and lied to get elected, wants to have his political opponents jailed even though no evidence of wrong doing has been found.  Every word that comes out of his mouth is a lie, he wouldn't know the truth if it bit him in his considerable ass.

Now, Trump is trying to turn this country into a dictatorship.  He is a bully, a liar and a racist. It is obvious that he has never read the constitution, because judging by his speeches, he wouldn't understand it if hedid.  So let me put it in plan language.  The people have the right to protest, the country is not here to serve you, Trump, you are supposed to serve this country. 

Trump, you have failed as a leader, another thing to add to your long list of failures.  If you aren't  mentally impaired, then you are flat out stupid.  For once in your useless life, do the right thing and resign the presidency before you do more damage to this country and her people. 

God knows our country can't stand much more of you. Do the right thing.