 
## "Flashback – 2015""

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## Peter Cavanaugh

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## Copyright 2015 by Peter Cavanaugh

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## Smashwords Edition

FOREWORD

"Everyone talks about it, but there's nothing to be done. Being locked in time, imprisoned by existence, we all share an unavoidable consequence of our common humanity – uncertain, yet ever accelerating travel toward the unknowable."

That's a line that came into my head out of nowhere as I wrote my next to last "For Your Consideration" column of 2015 for The Sierra Star, a McClatchy newspaper serving our little mountain community of Oakhurst, California.

Another year has come and gone -- quicker than all before – and here's 2016 gaining even more speed yet -- rolling right on down the tracks like AC/DC's "Runaway Train."

I love it.

I thought I'd start this particular collection of observations with the year's very last column, which should also serve as a convenient table of contents. After that, everything is chronological – letting the year unfold in time as it did.

With better days sought and best wishes for all,

Peter Cavanaugh

Oakhurst, California

January 1, 2016

Chapter One – "Flashback 2015"

Here we teeter on the brink of another year's birth at Midnight tonight, even as I traditionally would be teetering in wild celebration as the moment arrived – maintaining precarious balance against the ever-relentless forces of mean Mister Gravity.

This was surely yet another strange year, such observation emerging as a considerable understatement as one reviews the ghosts of 2015 from "For Your Consideration" columns past.

In January — "Delaware North vs. US" questioned the surprising claim that such names as The Ahwahnee, Badger Pass and Curry Village were owned by DNC – about to be replaced in March by a subsidiary of Aramark. It's not a friendly divorce. In September, Delaware North filed suit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims against the National Park Service over this yet unresolved issue, seeking compensation for intellectual property rights. Then "Missing Mister" congratulated Megyn Kelly on her ascension to the top at FOX News as jolting journalism reigns supreme.

February saw thumbs up to "American Sniper" and down to "Bad Bibi" — criticizing the Israeli Prime Minister's pending appearance before Congress.

"Shamrock & Roll" in March reminisced about St. Patrick's Days of earlier times, while "McClintock's Magical Mystery Meeting" expressed chagrin over our Congressman curiously visiting Oakhurst without both yours truly and friends in the Tea Party knowing anything about it.

April's "Goodbye Medicare" stressed that with the new House and Senate dominated by Republicans, only Barack Obama stood between Congress and the end of Medicare as we know it. "Matthew 7: 1-2" thanked Harry Baker for his stunning lifetime achievements in Oakhurst. "Hail Elizabeth" saluted the rise of Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts on the national scene. She wasn't alone.

We moved into May with "And Then Along Comes Bernie", acknowledging the Vermont Senator's entry into the 2016 Presidential race with the observation that "he has the same chance as a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rocking chairs." "Changes" discussed subtle evolution in Catholic thinking under Pope Francis, while "Sleep Now in The Fire" explored paralysis between rigid political positions.

"Compression Confession" in early June tracked an unfortunate explosion of outrage over poor service at a certain local pharmacy to an unavoidable, genetically driven Irish predisposition to such behavior. The following week's "Money Honey" bemoaned the wretched state of contemporary radio economics, even as "Solstice Sunday" celebrated the arrival of summer and Father's Day while "Matthew v. 2015" proposed that Christ's Sermon on the Mount provides an exceptional political platform.

July's "Markers" praised the Supreme Court's favorable ruling on The Affordable Care Act. "Dump Trump" spoke for itself. "Girls, Girls, Girls" joyfully saluted the U.S. Women's Soccer Team on becoming World Champions. "Children of God" supported the hard reached agreement to keep Iran from having nuclear weapons. "Bow Wow" decried the dog days of summer.

August rolled in with "Enough?" recognizing strong local support for that long-tailed Bernie cat. "Rockin' with AARP" dealt with a wonderful "Radio Reunion" in my hometown of Syracuse and "Shame on Schumer" criticized the New York Senator for his opposition to the Iranian deal.

September's "Tea Time With Tom" addressed Representative McClintock's appearance far away from the madding crowd at Yosemite Lakes Clubhouse, "Thanks, Donald" predicted the still anticipated end of Trump's White House aspirations, "No Room at The Inn" reported a wall-to-wall turnout at Denny's for Pedro Elias of Planned Parenthood and "Smokehurst" thanked Cal Fire for keeping us safe.

"Bye-Bye Boehner" on October 1st thanked the departing House Speaker for his years of service despite differences in political philosophy, "Saint Kim of Kentucky" explained an ecclesiastical accident, "Ellie" expressed deep sadness over the passing of Ellie Schermerhorn, a remarkable local activist and wonderful soul who would have enjoyed the following week's "Benghazi Thursday" calling upon Hillary critics to either "put up or shut up." So far they have done neither.

November brought forth "Community Radio – Parts One and Two" –explaining the nature of "Low Power FM" as authorized by the FCC and calling into question the operation of KOLS-LP, clandestinely licensed to Oakhurst in late July. Big news on this is shortly forthcoming. "Bark For Bernie" on November 19th reviewed response to the word "socialist" being more reactionary than realistic.

December's "Christmas Questions", "Oremus", "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year" represented holiday offerings, even as this one closes things — over and out.

Chapter Two -- "Delaware North vs. US"

That's how it's coming down.

Delaware North vs. The People of the United States.

It's January 8, 2015. On this date in history, the first American commercial corporation was chartered as The New York Fishing Company in 1625.

Today we see the Delaware North Companies claiming ownership of these names: The Ahwahnee Hotel, Badger Pass, Curry Village, the Wawona Hotel and Yosemite Lodge. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, such allegation arises as the National Park Service is accepting bids for a new concessionaire's agreement at Yosemite with the submission window now closing on January 20th.

Curiously, Delaware North had yet to officially put itself in the running at the start of this New Year, although it's had plenty of time to do so. DNC has only held the current contract since 1993. It was supposed to expire in 2008, but was extended by mutual agreement until now.

This privately held corporation, one of the world's largest, says it wants 51 million dollars for "intellectual property rights" to Yosemite names, several of which date back more than 100 years – the Wawona Hotel to 1865 and Curry Village to 1899. Perhaps it's going to bail and simply wants a goodbye sweetener?

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

Yosemite spokesperson Scott Gediman is quoted as being surprised by DNC's position, saying, "These names belong to the American people."

I couldn't agree more. Judging from area comments coming from all sides of the political spectrum, I'm certainly not alone.

John Pero, Oakhurst/Coarsegold Tea Party Coordinator, states, "I think Delaware North is trying what Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton are so good at. A shakedown of any business or group that doesn't agree with them. This is nothing more than a blackmail attempt by DNC to poison the well and attempt to make it extremely difficult for any other concessionaire to win the bid at Yosemite. Get the hook and remove them, they've overstayed their welcome. "

Madera County District 5 Township Supervisor Tom Wheeler expressed his chagrin. "What I really don't understand is how DNC got the trademarks without our park service knowing about it. Someone dropped the ball. Now everyone who bids faces a disadvantage. But I do think DNC does a really good job."

George Whitmore of the Sierra Club, among the first to successfully ascend El Capitan in 1958, notes that the DNC also succeeded in trademarking the name of the Park itself. He observes, "Yosemite National Park" is a name that DNC now claims. I guess I won't be able to peddle my "Yosemite National Park" T-shirts at the Fresno County Fair next fall." Whitmore continues, "I suspect that DNC has kicked the sleeping dog. Renewal of the concession contract had been a non-issue until now, but this has awakened the public to the fact that there is something to be concerned about. "

While Yosemite action, valued at over 140 million dollars annually, was Delaware's first venture into operating within a National Park, it has since extended its involvement to the Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yellowstone. Is the name "Old Faithful" now regarded as Company property? How about "North Rim", "Park Gate" or "Shenandoah?" DNC is even running the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Will they soon say the names Mercury, Venus, the Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and poor little Pluto belong to them? We'll see what Walt Disney has to say about that last one.

What I find most surprising in this whole creepy development is that my own experience with DNC has been nothing but positive since moving to Oakhurst eight years ago. Up to and including highest executive levels, I have always found local DNC employees to be extraordinarily helpful, thoughtful, competent and thoroughly professional in every way without exception.

There's something happening here I just don't understand.

Chapter Three -- "American Sniper"

At first view, I held my breath from start to finish.

I've seen it twice since.

When Howard Stern interviewed Bradley Cooper on satellite radio in early December, Howard asked how someone as old as 84 year-old Clint Eastwood could have possibly directed such a remarkable film at his advanced age. Cooper, whose portrayal of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is positively metamorphic and, hopefully, Academy Award winning, laughed aloud and passionately exclaimed, "Howard! What people need to realize is that Clint can make a film like this only BECAUSE he's 84!

From the eerie chanting of morning Islamic prayer across a barren, sadly foreboding Iraqi landscape to closing credits rolling over actual video footage of Kyle's memorial services in Texas, "American Sniper" is a cinematic masterpiece. The fact that it has broken all-time box office records is secondary to the extraordinary quality of the remarkable work itself.

This is not a pro-war or anti-war production, although I would subjectively tend to lean toward the latter. "American Sniper" is ultimately a complex character study as to what forces bend and shape a modern day warrior and, most importantly, the price at times paid for such a triumphant, yet potentially tragic transfiguration.

Navy SEALS do not choose war. Faithfully and obediently following orders from leaders whom we, the people, select, they ARE war.

Rushing in where angels fear to tread, my old friend Michael Moore saw fit to tag the movie's opening weekend with an online "Twitter" message stating that Martin Luther King, whose birthday was being simultaneously commemorated, had been killed by a sniper.

Michael wrote: " My Dad was in the First Marine Division in the South Pacific in World War II. His brother, my uncle, Lawrence Moore, was an Army paratrooper and was killed by a Japanese sniper 70 years ago next month. My Dad always said, "Snipers are cowards. They don't believe in a fair fight."

The flying-monkey right quickly translated this into: "Michael Moore Calls Dead Navy SEAL Coward!" and we were off to the races, even though Michael made no mention of Kyle or the movie in his uniquely untimely remarks.

My cousin, Rorke Denver, eloquently stated a sharply differing perspective that was published several days later in The Wall Street Journal. Rorke, now a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve, appeared as "Lieutenant Rorke" in the SEAL movie, "Act of Valor" and served with Chris Kyle as a teammate on SEAL Team Three.

Among numerous other points, Rorke emphasized: "Snipers engage individual threats. Rarely, if ever, do their actions cause collateral damage. Snipers may be the most humane of weapons in the military arsenal. The job also takes a huge emotional toll on the man behind the scope."

I would add that creative deception in warfare can be fancifully traced as far back as those "Dawn of Man" monkeys in "2001: A Space Odyssey." Monolith-enlightened, they surprise, ambush and defeat enemy apes with jawbone weaponry. Tools! It is striking and more than a bit ironic to observe that Sir Arthur C. Clarke saw fit to present this "military victory" as the first meaningful display of higher intelligence in human history.

But the efficacy of naked force no longer holds viable sway, alas; an epic sea change first witnessed in early August of 1945 with mushroom clouds boiling over Hiroshima and Nagasaki — introducing "The Atomic Age."

Ever since, only assured mutual destruction has kept us from a new and final World War.

How strange such reality has become so elusive in our thoughts – as renewed cries for "boots on the ground" rise again in certain quarters, ignoring the selfless sacrifices expended on our behalf by those heroes now — in the ground.

Including Chris Kyle.

Chapter Four --"Bad Bibi"

I do not welcome Benjamin Netanyahu to America.

Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, is scheduled to address a Joint Session of Congress next Wednesday in a major, historic breach of traditional protocol, political etiquette and basic good manners – the ones our mommies taught us all.

In a disappointing and disgusting overreach of authority and in a pathetic attempt to appear relevantly assertive, Speaker of the House John Boehner officially invited a panicked Netanyahu to enjoy this unique honor and privilege without White House knowledge or approval. In attempting to show Barack Obama who is boss and in charge, Boehner has only succeeded in woefully displaying yet another reason he will never be either.

"Bibi" is running for re-election back home as Israeli voters will head for the polls and select a new Knesset, the unicameral legislature of Israel, on March 17th. Netanyahu, no Saint Patrick by any measure, has seen his national approval ratings plummet by a full 50% since last August, falling from 77% to a current 38%.

Netanyahu's horribly one-sided retribution against relatively ineffective rocket attacks from Hamas in Gaza last summer earned him dismay and scorn from most of the watching world.

The 50-day conflict in Gaza between Israel and vastly inferior militant opposition left at least 2,189 Palestinians dead, including more than 1,486 civilians, and 11,000 injured. On the Israeli side, 67 soldiers and six civilians were killed, with scores more wounded.

The International Criminal Court announced last month that it is launching a preliminary inquiry into possible war crimes committed in Palestinian territories. The ICC, which is independent of the United Nations, was established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of genocide and other crimes against humanity.

Now facing recently surfaced accusations of misusing public funds at his private residence, Netanyahu has petulantly and obstinately demonstrated limited patience with our current administration's efforts to reach a more stable peace in the Middle East.

Insisting upon a complete freeze of increased settlement construction by Israel on the West Bank as a critical step in this direction, President Obama stated in 2009, "The United States does not accept the legitimacy of more Israeli settlements." Even though this position has since been modified in diplomatic efforts aimed at placating "Bibi's" characteristic belligerence, major new friction with Netanyahu has developed over negotiations with Iran in attempts to eliminate the possibility of Tehran developing nuclear weapons.

As with other Washington initiatives of a similar nature, Benjamin Netanyahu has gone out of his way to effectively sabotage such efforts by our President and State Department at each and every turn.

Now, thanks to John Boehner, a resolutely self-defined foreign adversary has been given the opportunity to undermine our elected leader before a worldwide audience from the very center of American power.

I herein emphasis that "Bibi" is the referenced adversary here, most definitely NOT the State or people of Israel. Although FOX News and other right-leaning media mouthpieces have been droning endlessly about Israel being ignored and abandoned by Washington, such allegations are staggeringly stupid and easily refuted by even the most casual review of our decades of relationship with Tel Aviv and the mutually friendly nature of our permanently established status, however ignorantly challenged.

Netanyahu's cynical attempt to divide and conquer popular opinion by exploiting our continually perplexing polarity is understandable, but unforgivable.

Regardless of party affiliation, a fundamental pillar of our political process has been to address the rest of the world with a single voice – that of our Constitutional President.

Like it or loathe it, that President is currently Barack Obama.

"Bibi?"

Stay home!

Chapter Five -- "Shamrock & Roll!"

He Rarely Left Home Without His Pet Church.

It was a far more joyous time — before accountants were in charge.

With St. Patrick's Day 2015 hardly more than a hundred thirsty hours away, all sorts of random recollections come reeling through the years, but one unique event leaps to the head of the six-pack.

In 1980, a mere 35 years ago, our WTAC Sales staff had hit and greatly surpassed first quarter target goals. Consequently, as promised, we headed out that morning for a gloriously extended, all expenses paid "lunch" at Paddy McGee's, Flint's #1 Irish Pub. It was wall to wall by the time we arrived a bit before 10.

Home by dinnertime, a rare March 17th achievement, I was greeted at the door by my lovely Eileen with a fierce frown and multiple questions.

"Who was the blonde? Who was the redhead?

The best defense is a strong offense.

Feigning shocked surprise and wounded innocence in a futile attempt at borrowing adequate time for situational assessment, I lamely blurted: "WHAT blonde? WHAT redhead?"

"The ones sitting on your lap!"

Oh. Those.

Subsequent review of a leading story that night on ABC 12 revealed yours truly captured in animated merriment with, in fact, two attractive young ladies symmetrically arranged with one on each knee, beneath which read a caption presented in screaming green font proclaiming: "WTAC's Peter C. Cavanaugh celebrates St. Patrick's Day at Paddy McGee's!"

Yes. That.

As the years bring to most of us a measure of responsible maturity, I reluctantly suppose I am pleased to report that such moments have become more rare than any remotely similar occasion recently realized. Yet that particular St. Patrick's Day in Flint is the one I fondly remember most — outrageously self-busted in front of tens of thousands or not.

Being of Irish descent on both the paternal and maternal side of things, St. Paddy's Day has always been a particularly special occasion from my earliest memories. Accordingly, radio promotions celebrating such a special day during Michigan years were inevitably subject to sharply focused and significantly extended creative attention.

We gave away six pound notes drawn on the Bank of Ireland, itself, during the entire month of March. Our station also won a Gold "Addy" award from the Flint Advertising Federation for designing WTAC "Lepre-Cans" featuring "an actual leprechaun trapped inside his magical chamber of eternal enchantment." We gave these away every hour for a week. Winners were warned, "No Refunds If Opened!"

We recruited a dozen volunteers from "Little People of America", dressed them up in wild emerald green and had them picket the station March 17th with signs protesting "Leprechaun Bowling", an audio fantasy being simultaneously produced and broadcast by our morning DJ. We received live coverage during newscasts on both Flint and Detroit TV. An accord was finally reached with bowling ended and peace restored.

Everyone then piled into our "WWCK 105 Super Van", including those leprechauns, who now waved large shamrock shaped signs declaring: "One O' Five FM – Irish Radio!" For the rest of the day and into the night, we visited every major bar within a fifty-mile radius distributing "WWCK Lepre-Condoms" tastefully engraved with our station logo – amiably encouraging "safe Irish sex."

That was in 1984, when Flint's "FM One O' Five" became the highest-rated Rock station in America.

With St. Patrick's Day now celebrated around the world since the great Irish Diaspora, March 17th is a Holy Day of Obligation in Ireland. You're supposed to be in church.

In Oakhurst, given my own take on blessed surroundings, I'll be looking for you next Tuesday at The Brewery, Roman's Bar, The Dirty Donkey, The Oak Room and The Hitching Post in Ahwahnee — wearing my official Dublin City "Roma Atletica" Full Zip Track Jacket.

Made in Pakistan.

Chapter Six -- "McClintock's Magical Mystery Meeting"

"Peter! This is not a political meeting!"

When both John Pero and I get politically blindsided, it's a rare day indeed.

Perhaps I went too far.

After Fourth District Congressman, Tom McClintock, made his usual local Spring appearance last year at Oakhurst Elementary on April 23rd, my subsequent Sierra Star column, "21st Century Tom", bemoaned the fact that so few folks had shown up. I wrote, "All that was missing was the chirping of crickets."

I was hoping next time would bring more people, looking forward to again providing the Congressman with a list of helpful questions to assist in his presentation, although he completely ignored all of them at Oakhurst Elementary, even publicly berating me with the words, "Peter! This is NOT a political meeting."

What?

You can only imagine my sudden shock and sad surprise to learn that Tom had come and gone again like a phantom ship slipping by through heavy fog in the dark of night. Even worse, I was discovering this a full ten days after the fact in a headline story published by my very own paper. It was like "The Twilight Zone."

Then I found out that John Pero hadn't known about Tom's visitation either. As Central Valley Oakhurst/Coarsegold Tea Party Coordinator, I respect the fact that John stays right on top of things even as I do on my side of the aisle, making all the more mysterious McClintock's obvious decision to stage his recent Oakhurst stop as a drive-by.

In asking about, it would appear that Tom McClintock has become quite guarded in limiting his exposure to unscreened questioning and unforeseen challenge with careful and cautious venue selection.

Early this year, his office heavily promoted an early evening "Town Hall Meeting" on Tuesday, March 10th to be held at the Mariposa Senior Center – hardly Candlestick Park or even a decent sized Dunkin' Donuts. As McClintock anchored his day around this strategic centerpiece, it was then the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce became somehow connected — enticing Tom to travel 27 miles south on Highway 49 and participate in a comparatively exclusive private get together to which the general public and, in fact, much of the Chamber's own membership list was NOT invited nor informed of the event.

Details on Chamber involvement remain murky, particularly what criterion was used for selecting invitees — by whom – and why so many were excluded.

While I am heartened by McClintock's ringing endorsement of the critical need for more water as reported in The Star, he blames this four year drought pretty much exclusively on the Feds, perhaps hoping to carpet with forgiveness his own "Stairway to Heaven" by giving The Lord a pass in the process – just like Congressman Aaron Schock (R – Illinois) wanted his Washington office to look like Downton Abbey.

Well, Tom, here's the deal.

I'm sorry if I have made you uncomfortable with any column I have ever written containing negative commentary about you, which would be all of them, and herein propose to made amends.

There's nothing to fear. No more crickets. Come back to Oakhurst and our Community Center and do a real "Town Hall." John and I could ask the questions, all of which you'll see beforehand, and you could give the answers. It'll be fun.

There'll be a place for everyone who wants to be there.

Wall to wall.

Guaranteed!

Chapter Seven -- "Goodbye Medicare?"

Now – only one man stands in their way.

As our new Republican Congress adjourned for a hardly earned Easter recess last Friday, the Senate completed work on their Fiscal Year 2016 Budget by a final vote of 52 to 46. It slashes $431 billion from Medicare over the next ten years without ever saying how. An earlier House of Representatives budget, approved 228 to 199, was more specific, whacking a cool $148 billion from Medicare funding and converting the program to a voucher system with strict, controlled limitations on benefits.

Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, states, "Both the House and Senate versions of the budget hurts seniors and puts retirement security at risk. Make no mistake. These budgets are radically anti-retiree."

It's a solid fact.

Although a final budget will be structured in conference between House and Senate when Congress reconvenes, no matter whom you voted for or how much it's become fashionable to publicly despise his name in certain circles as a sign of fraternal conviviality, without Barack Obama — you can kiss Medicare, as we know it, goodbye.

For Republicans, this should be a wake up call. For Democrats, it's a frightening glance at how close we hover at the abyss.

Both budgets also call for tax breaks into the pockets of millionaires and billionaires, significantly increased defense spending, a sharp cutback in social programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan for little children and, of course, demand a complete end to The Affordable Care Act of 2010 a full five years after its enactment. This major legislative achievement finally has us on the road to catch up with the rest of the civilized world in universal health care, but has unfortunately encountered the potentially terminal misfortune of being labeled, "Obama Care." I am convinced if were named "Second Amendment Anti-Sickness Rights" up here in the foothills everyone would love it. And they should.

So as the game kicks in again in DC, we'll see a bunch of Congressional get-togethers and some sort of compromise language developed which will be folded together, voted upon and sent to our President to be signed into law. This, thank The Lord and all things Holy — including lots of fine Republicans who understand The Sermon on the Mount wasn't about horseracing — he doesn't have to do.

An official White House statement says it best:

"The President has been clear that he will not accept a budget that locks in sequestration or one that increases funding for our national security without providing matching increases in funding for our economic security. The Administration will continue to abide by these principles moving forward."

If Cyrano de Bergerac had a very big nose – Barack Obama has an extra big NO!

As we hopefully learned in Social Studies many years ago, a Presidential Veto can only be overcome by a two-thirds vote in each Chamber. Historically, Congress has overridden fewer than ten percent of all presidential vetoes.

Our own Fourth District Congressman Tom McClintock predictably chastised governmental spending in his own budgetary narrative, referencing "the ominously growing shadow of unprecedented debt that has literally double in the last eight years" – outrageously blaming "this administration" for the shortfall, not the trillions of dollars wasted in unnecessary warfare and tax favors for the rich supported by McClintock and his party time and time again.

Any pending theoretical deficits in Medicare or Social Security down the road can be immediately remedied by such measures as increasing the taxable wage cap above the current $118.5 thousand in annual personal income, increasing tax rates on those earning above, say, a million dollars a year or more, and continuing to develop and encourage operational efficiencies.

At a time when economic disparity has never been more pronounced in our American society, many feel we should look at actually increasing Social Security benefits for our elderly. In fact, this exact idea was brought up as a formal budget proposal in the Senate only last week by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). The amendment lost on almost a completely straight party line vote.

That was to be expected from this 114th Congress — facing Barack Obama, our Commander-in-Chief through 2016 – unfairly bloodied — but fiercely unbowed.

You may count on him.

Chapter Eight -- Matthew 7: 1-2

"Judge not, that you not be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

God Bless Harry Baker.

After we moved to Oakhurst in November of 2006, I kept seeing Harry Baker's name all over town. It was here. It was there. It was everywhere.

When I started asking about him, I heard all sorts of stories. It was clear from the outset of my inquiries that here was a man of superior civic consequence. What hadn't he done?

An honored World War Two veteran and life member of the American Legion and VFW. President of the Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce. Eastern Madera County Man of the Year. Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Business Person of the Year. Sierra Historic Sites "Man of the Millennium." Recipient of the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Award. A member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors for twelve years. Yosemite High School's first Board President. I'm skimming highlights.

Harry Baker's involvement with charitable endeavors is similarly impressive.

He gave us Oakhurst Community Park, brought an ambulance service to town, was responsible for our annual Community Christmas Tree, led the way to establishing Yosemite High School and was immensely supportive of such area endeavors as The Elks Lodge and Sierra Historic Sites, including Fresno Flats.

Harry Baker's entrepreneurial genius and stunning triumphs with Sierra Tel are nothing short of breathtaking by any measure, taking a tiny rural phone company and guiding it to a position of major industrial prominence serving tens of thousands with state of the art technology, moving into the future with brilliant leadership and focused determination.

With rare exception, his employees loved him. I've spoken with many.

I was delighted when I saw Harry Baker's passing headlined in our Sierra Star with the words, "Philanthropist Harry Baker dies in Fresno" – for — of the many qualities he represented, Mr. Baker surely should best be remember by future generations for his remarkably generous contributions in time and treasure to the advancement of this community.

I write this even though I solemnly promised to never again refer to him as "Mr. Baker."

It was a wintry night in early 2012 when I was returning to my car in front of Von's and saw an elderly gentleman slowly stepping through a light snowfall to his own vehicle, grocery bag held close and pronounced care taken with every measured move. We had never met, but I couldn't help but loudly exclaim, "Good evening, Mr. Baker!" He stopped, stared in my direction, and then proclaimed with feigned annoyance, "My name is NOT Mr. Baker." Walking toward me with hand extended, he said, "My name is Harry! You call me Harry!"

So I did from that point forward, then and upon several other occasions when we would encounter each other for brief, passing, inconsequential chats as we traveled separately through time.

It still seems impossible reconciling my own impressions of "Harry" and his stunning, lifetime achievements in Oakhurst with the horrid public humiliation that haunted his final years, concluding with six months of incarceration and death under guard — deserved or not.

Sordid details need not be repeated here. Suffice it to say it would seem to me that admittedly seedy, tawdry, mindless indiscretion was subsequently followed by a tragic legal miscalculation with the debatable victimizer thus turned ultimate victim.

But let Harry Baker be recalled for his best, not his worst.

Goodbye, Harry. I was honored making your acquaintance.

You were a great man.

"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat."

Romans 14:10

Chapter Nine -- "Hail Elizabeth"

It's time we put a lady in charge.

She's not named Hillary.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) comes from a working class background. Her father, a janitor, suffered a heart attack when Elizabeth was twelve. Remaining in school, she subsequently helped support her family as a waitress while excelling as a student at Oklahoma City's Northwest Classen High School, eventually winning a debating scholarship to George Washington University at the age of 16.

Ensuing years saw her graduate from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science Degree in speech pathology — then obtain her law degree at Rutgers. She married Jim Warren, a NASA engineer, and became the mother of two, working as a lawyer from home writing wills and handling real estate closings.

After her children entered school, Senator Warren initiated a stunning academic career teaching law at such institutions as Rutgers, The University of Houston, The University of Texas and the University of Michigan. She became a full professor at the University of Pennsylvania in 1987 and then a Professor of Law at Harvard Law School in 1995. At Harvard, Warren was recognized as one of the most highly cited law professors in the United States with particular expertise in bankruptcy.

Senator Warren voted as a Republican for most of her life until 1995, when she concluded that general financial policy was starting to consistently favor the rich over the poor with potentially threatening long-term consequences.

13 years later, following cataclysmic economic collapse, Elizabeth was recruited by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to chair a five member Congressional Oversight Panel. In this capacity, she oversaw implementation of the Emergency Stabilization Act in November of 2008.

Barack Obama bowed to severe political pressure in July of 2010 and failed to appoint Warren as Director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Senate Republicans had feared Elizabeth Warren, Obama's original choice, would be an "overly zealous regulator." Warren resigned from the government – and took on her adversaries.

If she couldn't beat them – she would fight to join them and obtain equal footing.

In spite of significant, well-funded opposition from major corporate interests, Elizabeth Warren defeated Scott Brown on November 6, 2012 to become the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate from the State of Massachusetts. She's been making history ever since. I hope she makes even more – with election next year as 45th President of the United States.

Ignoring those clamoring clowns bellowing "Benghazi" as though it magically encapsulates unimaginable sins of negligence and naïveté, the fact remains that Hillary Clinton has surely worn out her welcome among those conscientiously concerned. Bill Clinton gets a half-million bucks dressing for the Russians? Come on.

Senator Warren so far remains a loyal soldier, pledged to support Hillary's bid for ultimate office. Yet Elizabeth has been most outspoken against the Trans-Pacific Partnership pending before Congress, not afraid to take on even President Obama in her strong opposition.

The President told Chris Matthews on MSNBC, "I love Elizabeth, but she's wrong on this." Warren's response? "The government doesn't want you to read this massive new trade agreement. It's top secret. Why? Here's the real answer people have given me: "We can't make this deal public because if the American people saw what's in it, they would be opposed to it."

Even much of the Tea Party is with Elizabeth on this one in opposing TPP.

"There's a great number of people in Congress on both sides of the aisle who are very beholden to big business — the chamber of crony capitalism," says Jay Devereaux of Unite in Action, a Tea Party group that received heightened scrutiny from the IRS. "It's all about favors for their buddies, and the average American be damned."

Let there be no anointing in this land of the free and home of the brave. It's time to resort to initiative and take bold, decisive action.

Head home, Secretary Clinton, and leave the field open to fresh faces and new ideas. Your legacy will be immeasurably enhanced by such unselfish surrender and gracious withdrawal. Let future generations recall with appreciative commemoration, these words of wisdom:

"Elizabeth Warren never lets us forget that the work of taming Wall Street's irresponsible risk taking and reforming our financial system is far from finished, and she never hesitates to hold powerful people's feet to the fire: bankers, lobbyists, senior government officials and, yes, even presidential aspirants." – Hillary Clinton (April 2015)

Chapter Ten -- "And Then Along Comes Bernie"

He has the same chance as a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rocking chairs.

Although my personal choice for election next year to our nation's highest office remains Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, I'm happy Bernie Sanders is now in the race.

Although Bernie has announced his candidacy as a Democrat, he has acted and voted in Washington as an Independent from Vermont since 2007 – the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history.

In identifying his political philosophy through the years, Senator Sanders allies himself with such notable American icons as Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Helen Keller, Jack London, Lucille Ball, Harry Belafonte, Upton Sinclair, Carl Sandburg, James Baldwin, Woody Guthrie, Ernest Hemingway, Walter Reuther, Kurt Vonnegut and Francis Bellamy, who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bernie Sanders is an avowed "Socialist."

And – what is "Socialism?"

I've avoided quoting Webster's Dictionary since Junior High and Sister Vincent de Paul's admonition that doing so should be "the last resort of a first class mind", but will do so here for purposes of political purity.

Webster says: "Socialism is any of various theories or systems of ownership and means of production and distribution by the society or community rather than by private individuals, with all members sharing in both work and product."

A critical key to understanding this general definition is the word "various", since "Socialism" comes in many different flavors and varieties – like Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream or Campbell soups.

Bernie Sanders describes himself as a "Democratic Socialist."

Democratic Socialism seeks a delicate, cooperative balance between individual and collective ownership, matching the rewards of private enterprise with the priority of common good as fairly and efficiently as human nature allows.

Those are my own words, Sister de Paul. I can feel you smiling up in Heaven.

We already "own" many things together. That's where the word, "Commonwealth" comes from. In America, we all share ownership of the police, the military, public schools, our roads, our courts and so on. You get the picture.

Forget what we're being fed on FOX. Here's what Bernie the Socialist believes.

* Government should belong to the people. When certain folks say, "Government is bad", they speak for rule by wealth – however unknowingly. Even though he surely knew better, Ronald Reagan had it down to a science.

* America today witnesses the most unequal income distribution of any major country on earth — worse than at any time since the 1920s. This must change.

* We need a massive federal jobs program that puts millions of our people back to work and brings about an end to disastrous trade policies that have sent so many jobs overseas.

* The minimum wage should be a living wage with pay equity for women.

* The United States must lead the world in combating climate change and transforming our energy system to efficiency and sustainability.

* Every person in this country who has the desire and ability should be able to get all the education they need regardless of family income.

* The United States remains the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all people. Health care should be a right, not a privilege.

* In a democratic, civilized society — no one should be hungry or live in desperation. We need to expand Social Security, not cut it.

* We should insist on real tax reform that makes the rich and profitable corporations pay their fair share, not hide loot stashed away in the Cayman Islands.

* As a result of the Supreme Court's "Citizens United" decision, American democracy is up for sale to the highest bidder. It must be overturned – if necessary by Constitutional amendment.

When Bernie Sanders formally announced his bid for the Presidency, these were his exact words:

"Ever since I was a kid I never liked to see people without money or connections get put down or pushed around. When I came to Congress I tried to be a voice for people who did not have a voice – the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor. And that is what I will be doing as a candidate for president."

Every major political pundit says the poor guy doesn't have a chance. He's up against it all: not owned, yet not owing and not afraid. He looks like a mad professor. But what makes Bernie mad makes me angry too.

In researching this column, I just discovered an amazing thing. Bernie Sanders and I were both born on September 8, 1941 – the first day of The Siege of Leningrad by German forces in World War Two.

This was before Pearl Harbor. At the time, most folks thought there was no way the Nazis wouldn't win.

Chapter Eleven -- "Changes"

Father Simon Le Moyne was a Jesuit missionary to The New World, a vocation that saw many of his fellow priests conclude their careers in an untimely manner at the wrong end of an Iroquois tomahawk. Father Le Moyne fared much better. He was particularly held in high regard at the Salt Springs of the Onondaga nation, arriving there on August 5, 1654. On October 21, 1945, it was announced that a new Jesuit college would be named in Father Le Moyne's honor on a hill in Syracuse near the site of his efforts.

I had the honor of graduating from this institution in May of 1963 and have mentioned it from time to time in these columns, particularly since Pope Francis became the first Jesuit ever elevated to such prominence in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. I predicted Francis wouldn't fool around. He hasn't. And neither have more than 600 current students and faculty members at my alma mater, including the majority of the graduating class. Last week, they even made FOX News. They wanted a Cardinal canned from Commencement.

Pope Benedict XVI named Timothy Dolan Archbishop of New York on February 23, 2009, then to the College of Cardinals in January of 2012 a year before Benedict's curious early retirement and succession by Francis. Cardinal Dolan is generally regarded as a gifted and entertaining orator, although not "the head of the Catholic Church in America" as glibly reported by the typically clueless Steve Doocy on "Fox and Friends". Looking for a bit of hierarchical star power at this year's Commencement ceremonies, Le Moyne was successful in scheduling the Cardinal, although keenly aware that Dolan holds traditional, conservative viewpoints on most major Catholic issues. Certain rigid perspectives have become sharply controversial in contemporary society. Jesuits like to stir things up. In this light, the invitation for Dolan's appearance before 2015's graduating class of Millennials worked like a charm.

A petition demanding cancellation of the Cardinal alleged, "Over the years, Cardinal Dolan has been involved with sexual abuse scandals dealing with the clergy, homophobic comments and does not represent the ideals we have come to know at Le Moyne." The school firmly stood by its decision. Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura even says the controversy makes her proud: "In reality I see it as a great call for celebration. Our students are questioning decisions we've made. They want to understand the rationale at a deeper level. I think Cardinal Dolan will take some joy in the fact that our students are well educated and want more questions answered. It's a sign of engagement." How's that for spin?

And how cool it was for the Jesuits to appoint Dr. LeMura as President a year ago, making her the first non-ecclesiastical female to lead a Jesuit college or university in the world. Hopefully I am not expressing undue optimism in suggesting this might well be a harbinger of similar positive changes within the Church in days ahead. Let's face it, guys. Sometimes these ladies can make us look pretty stupid. Look what Laura Ingraham just did to our very own Fourth District Congressional Representative.

Ms. Ingraham, regarded as a trusted conservative talk show host, was interviewing Representative McClintock. She exclaimed with disappointment: "Oh my God. The idea that you, Tom McClintock, with all of your brainpower on immigration, don't see the writing on the wall... I'm flabbergasted... Once you pass TPA, the fix is in." Laura later told her listeners: "Despite having been the man selected to deliver the GOP's pitch to the nation on Obama's massive global trade and labor pact, Rep. McClintock admitted today he'd never read it."

Then we have Senator Elizabeth Warren scoring a major, unanticipated win over President Obama in "fast track" voting, forcing various changes and adjusted provisions in language before initial Senate passage. And a 19 year old female college student, Ivy Ziedrich, flummoxed Jeb Bush on the campaign trail by insisting his brother George had "created ISIS", explaining why she felt so in amazing detail.

The unexpected has become the unavoidable. Perhaps none too soon.

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Turn and face the strange

Ch-ch-changes

Just gonna have to be a different man

Time may change me

But I can't trace time"

"Changes" — David Bowie — from "Hunky Dory" (1971)

Chapter Twelve -- "Sleep Now In The Fire"

In our nation's capital, reality remains a rumor.

Congress is paralyzed by party politics. At times the administration appears to be losing face, faith and friends with each new headline. Effective distraction and diversion of focus has become prioritized, lest forces operating in true control behind the curtain be revealed.

Surface change is everywhere, but not in the deeply hidden mechanisms of mass manipulation.

In 1976, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the adoption of our Declaration of Independence. It was also during America's Bicentennial year that we witnessed a threatening new declaration in Paddy Chayefsky's multiple Academy Award winning film, "Network". Ned Beatty plays TV boss Arthur Jensen as he savagely chastises rebellious newscaster Howard Beale for daring to defy the established order.

"You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, Beale, and you will atone!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKkRDMil0bw

Widely regarded at the time as satirical in nature, "Network" now seems wildly understated, its anticipation of FOX News being particularly predictive.

There's no braking "breaking news." Every new happening is hyped. Our electronic town criers are at dependable yowl a full 24/7. Bad news is best, pulling powerful ratings.

More Iraqi forces fled in fright before last week's abandonment of Ramadi to ISIS insurgents, leaving behind millions of dollars in U.S. supplied weapons and supplies now turned against us. The historic Syrian town of Palmyra has similarly fallen to the self-proclaimed Islamic State, jeopardizing the continued existence of ancient temples, ruins and priceless archaic treasures. We're fighting with Iran in Syria and against Iran in Iraq. Often we're with the Sunnis against the Shiites, then the other way around. Sometimes both. Got that?

Our tragic invasion of Iraq in 2003 was militarily magnificent, then mindlessly managed. And for every American life lost, fortunes were made.

It's just a mess. Big money loves it. That's how they bet.

On Armed Services Day in Iowa earlier this month, most of a dozen GOP presidential prospects at a state party dinner in Iowa called for a more confrontational stance toward Iran. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum's answer for handling things was to: "Load up our bombers and bomb them back to the seventh century."

I find myself in the company of the sporadically brilliant Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) when I suggest we load up our guys, gals and goodies and leave a nightmare neighborhood where we've never belonged. The road to winning needs a whole new beginning.

Those chickens coming home to roost are starting to look like pterodactyls.

In January of 1999, Michael Moore filmed the rock group, "Rage Against the Machine" at Federal Hall in downtown Manhattan across from the New York Stock Exchange.

"Sleep Now In The Fire" quickly went into heavy rotation on MTV and was nominated at the 2000 MTV Music Awards as "Best Rock Video" of the year. In this eerily prophetic production, we see vocalist Zack de la Rocha screaming prescient epithets as the true voice of a self absorbed ruling class solely dedicated to the exponential furtherance of a guarded private agenda. Against Tom Morello's relentlessly righteous guitar, the rich speak to us.

In November of 2000, George W. Bush was elected 43rd President of the United States, serving two full terms in office. Under his watch, we completely lost our way.

And we sleep now in the fire.

"Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past – control the future." – George Orwell –"1984"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w211KOQ5BMI

Chapter Thirteen -- "Compression Confession"

The ancient Gaelic word is "ríastrad", loosely translated into English as "warp spasm." It was a notable characteristic of the mythological Irish warrior hero Cú Chulainn, "The Hound of Ulster", who was said to have single handedly defeated the armies of Queen Medb of Connacht at the age of 17.

"Riastrad' is classically defined in Irish literature as a "terrifying battle frenzy", distorting the possessor into a violent, raging, angel of death – – an "unrecognizable monster who knows neither friend nor foe. "

This DNA conveyed "Irish temper" can prove quite handy in warfare and was a greatly sought "killer instinct" in such renowned Irish-American prizefighting champions as Jack Dempsey, Gentleman Jim Corbett and the great John L. Sullivan. But such a complete abandonment of self-control and acceptable behavior in orgasmic-like surrender to the instinctively violent satisfaction of unrestrained emotional release has no place in civilized society. Or even an Oakhurst pharmacy.

Hereafter, certain specifics are omitted to protect the guilty, but general circumstances may be familiar.

Last week I encountered a number of difficulties obtaining a prescription for a chronic viral infection as my first attempt to obtain medication was met with a claim that no order had been received.

After verification was established that the request HAD been conveyed in a timely manner, my authorizing agent was informed that the matter would be immediately handled. Two hours later, I spent 10 minutes waiting at a "Pick Up" line and was again informed that no prescription was in their system. I was directed to speak with someone in the "Drop Off" section to find out if there was any paperwork pending that had yet to be acted upon.

Following another feverish 10 minutes in THAT line, I spoke with a nice lady, who sorted through a stack of orders and found what we were looking for, located the goodies from their inventory and went over instructions for its usage. When I pulled out my credit card to pay, she told me she couldn't handle the actual transaction, but would need me to deal with a pharmacy cashier for that. Calling upon her colleague, she was then firmly, loudly, and repeatedly informed with a strong note of irritation, "Hey! I'm taking my second lunch break starting NOW!" I was then sheepishly informed I would have to "come back in a half hour." WHAT? I lost it — instant "RIASTRAD!"

Although holding back on the "F-Bomb" (I think), I shared my extreme disappointment in colorful terminology with all within, say, a hundred yards, demanding to see a manager. After yet another 10 minutes passed, I asked where the manager might be and was told, "There's no one available." I then said, "Forget it" and left, calling the store as soon as I returned home, requesting that I be contacted by "whoever was in charge." I have yet to receive the courtesy of a response.

You can tell when people hate their job. Upon reflection, that "cashier" who demanded an immediate second lunch (damn the customer — full-feed ahead) is quite probably as accommodating and polite an individual as one would ever care to meet. I suspect she hit "riastrad" level" just before I did. You don't need to be Irish.

I'm seeing it more and more. Major chains seeking maximized profits by restraining labor costs are laying off thousands and dumping enormous workloads on their remaining employees, simultaneously limiting, if not reducing wages and benefits. While not excusing rude conduct when encountered, this does provide probable causality – certainly understandable and deeply concerning.

It's simply a matter of unrelenting compression. Less money. More debt. Longer hours. Lost hope. Bad government. Worse leadership.

America's traditional nuclear family has become economically unviable. There are no easy solutions within the constraints of this current plutocratic environment.

Lets come together.

Although we usually include a featured speaker at our monthly meetings of the Oakhurst Democratic Club, we'll be running with an open agenda this Saturday to collectively plan for the future.

Please join us. You don't even have to be a Democrat to attend and take part. And if you're under 35 years of age, you'll get a special treat. You ARE the future. Just ask for me when you arrive at Denny's. Breakfast is 8:30 and the program starts at 9:30.

What kind of folks will you meet?

The kind of folks who brought about the abolition of slavery, the eight-hour workday, an end to child labor, the federal minimum wage, overtime pay, women's right to vote, unemployment insurance, the interstate highway system, educational grants, our national parks, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, Social Security, Medicare, the Clean Water Act, Universal Public Education and, yes, the American Revolution.

Every substantial improvement in the lives of Americans throughout history has been initiated by liberals and opposed by conservatives — not that they don't have their place in proper pacing.

Democrats even invented weekends.

Let's celebrate this Saturday

Chapter Fourteen -- "Money, Honey"

"I finally got my baby about half past three, She said I'd like to know what you want with me. I said, "Money, Honey. Money, Honey. Money Honey. If you want to get along with me."

"Money Honey" – The third song recorded at Elvis Presley's first RCA session. (1956)

It's a fast, wild hustle.

"We're here for three reasons –the money, the money, the money" — Rich Bressler, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of iHeart Media – Speaking with Morgan Stanley investors in New York just last week.

iHeart Media (formerly Clear Channel) is the largest mass media group in America with over 800 radio stations coast to coast, including eight facilities in Fresno – KALZ, KBOS, KCBL, KFBT, KHGE, KRDU, KRZR and KSOF.

In 2014, iHeart paid near $2 billion dollars in interest alone on a growing debt now totaling $21 billion, an amount no one with the brains God gave geese believe they can possibly repay. One out of every three dollars coming in the front door goes out the back in interest payments to banks — forget the principal.

Similarly, our nation's second largest radio group is Cumulus Media with 460 stations in 90 cities, including Fresno, where they own and operate KMJ-AM/FM, KMGU, KSKS and KYWE. Cumulus is on the hook for almost $3 billion. Last year Cumulus stock was worth eight bucks a share. Now it's struggling to stay above two.

Combined employee dismissals at iHeart/Cumulus over the last decade add up to well over ten thousand jobs eliminated with more hatchets swinging every dawn to keep the game going.

More than 90% of these positions were zapped at facilities generating superlative profit levels of 20% to 25%. Those are the kind of numbers your average small business owner would find nothing short of a triumph. But that's not the 40% margins and higher demanded by Wall Street's fee-feeding lenders.

Top-level broadcast management knows the ability to borrow more at ridiculous rates is all that matters. This sets the tone for increasing termination tally.

When revenue stalls out as it has, slashing critical expenses becomes the last hype of the hopeless – prioritizing personal success over personnel survival.

Just down the hill we recently saw what's becoming uncomfortably common.

A newly formed group called Peak Broadcasting paid over $120 million for stations in Fresno and Boise in late 2006. When P&L projections crashed by 2012, the corporation filed for bankruptcy under Chapter Eleven Reorganization. A Federal Judge sprinkled financial fairy dust and granted relief under a plan that reduced debt load by about half ($45 million) and a brand new outfit stepped forward with an almost identical name. But that was to be expected, since this emerging entity was created and controlled by the same individual who started things off in the first place and won – by losing.

A subsequent shell game saw ownership shift to yet another company, then quickly to a third outfit on the same day, August 30, 2013 when Cumulus picked up its current Fresno holdings – becoming less hometown radio stations than pawns on a churning chessboard with an actual worth that's anyone's guess, surely far less than current theoretical values based more on wishful fantasy than real world fact.

None other than Ron Paul has been lately gracing our TV flat screens with an invitation to stop by his website and see why the American dollar is doomed to destruction, dragging our personal savings and national security down with it. I took him up on his offer. Sadly, an extensive and accurate description of current concerns directly relating to the disappearance of American middle class wealth are accompanied by an astounding, however endearing naïveté in terms of causation.

Dr. Paul believes a potential currency collapse will be derived from too much government regulation, whereas I humbly submit exactly the opposite seems true. Those same 2008 foxes of finance are still guarding our hapless hen house, having recruited Dr. Paul as a sincere, yet specious spokesperson. He's a nice man with the wrong plan.

Along with Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders is measurably more on target.

You'll be there too when you get as much information from as many sources as possible and trust your own common sense.

Thinking can be scary.

But more dangerous when you don't.

Chapter Fifteen -- "Solstice Sunday"

You won't feel a thing.

At 9:38 AM (Oakhurst Time) this Sunday, June 21st — it will suddenly be Summer 2015 — the exact point of the Summer Solstice.

The word "solstice" comes from the Latin "solstitium", combining "sol" (sun) and "stitium" (stop). Such occurs twice a year as winter and summer begin. The sun seems to stop, then reverse its angle toward us in the days that follow. It's not immediately evident. Don't try staring. Doing so could make you blind, unlike other actions that really don't, no matter what folks say.

The fact that Latin is involved suggests the phenomenon has been happening for quite some time — since way before the dawn of man, monkeys or even mud. That last didn't come about until sufficient water was formed and eventually mixed with earth 2.4 billion years ago.

Actually, the age of most water is even older than the sun since almost every drop on our planet comes from interstellar ice, showering our planet in fiery magnificence from some time after the Universe exploded with a great big bang 13.82 billion years ago – coming into being out of what might even be nothing.

Incidentally, I find absolutely no contradiction between "Evolution", "Creationism" and "Intelligent Design" since 6,000 years and 13.82 billion are all the same to a God Who is eternal and timeless. I'd like to thank Father Daniel Berrigan, S.J. for such helpful insight.

A different Jesuit priest, Father George Coyne, S.J. is a bit more dismissive, bluntly criticizing both "Creationism" and "Intelligent Design" as "not being scientific." Astrophysicist Coyne is now McDevitt Chair of Religious Philosophy at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, that alma mater of mine.

For 28 years Father Coyne was Director of the Vatican Observatory in Rome. He even has an asteroid named after him. He writes, "We're born of stardust in a very real sense." He also states, "God shared with the Universe his own creativity. It's a marvelous God."

Our sun was worshipped as a God, itself, throughout much of recorded history in various forms, such as in Egyptian Atonism in the 14th Century B.C. and the Sun Dance of The Plains Indians of North America. Ancient Rome celebrated the feast of Sol Invictus (The Unconquered Sun) with great joy on December 25th, a date later celebrated by many in the world as Christmas. Pagan predecessors would commemorate the Summer Solstice by dancing around bonfires, but that's hardly a good idea in Oakhurst this year.

We're more responsibly celebrating Summer Solstice Weekend with "Sounds of Solstice 2015" from Noon till 8 PM at Oakhurst Community Park this Saturday featuring live music, vendors, children's activities and more. My friend and current Oakhurst Honorary Mayor, Mat Sands, has put together a totally terrific time for the whole family. Think "Little House on the Prairie" and "Woodstock" combined without worrying about "brown acid" or any of that mud previously discussed, celestially derived or not.

An exceptional band lineup includes special guest "Dave T", "The Dave Henderson Group", "The Executive Rockers", "Richfield", "Ten Ton Chicken" and "Green Machine."

Mat says attendees can enjoy shopping with local vendors selling jewelry, clothing, crafts and other assorted goodies. There'll be a well-anchored bounce house for the kids and fun contests galore offering special treats. Adults can enjoy alcoholic beverages from South Gate Brewing Company, and fine wine from our award winning Idle Hour Winery.

Bring whatever you would normally carry with you to the park, including a chair for lounging, a canopy for shade, a football for tossing, or a chest of Kool-Aid. You can even cart along a dog or two. But the only alcoholic beverages allowed must be purchased on site. That's not only the law, but to help increase "Sounds of Solstice" proceeds for The Boys and Girls Club of Oakhurst. And if you spent $200 to see The Rolling Stones in LA, relax. Admission is only $10 for adults. Kids under 12? Free!

I also hope to see you Saturday at The 16th Annual Oakhurst Rib Fest at the Community Center, this year celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

This Rib Fest is the only annual fundraiser sponsored by the Community Center with a Board of Directors that includes leadership from every significant service club in the area and The Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce.

Solstice Sunday is also Fathers Day 2015. So make Dad glad with Rock in the Park and Ribs after dark, then a fun day on Sunday – the only day of the week named after you know what.

Because like an eternal Sun – fathers are forever.

Donald J. Cavanaugh

Niagara Falls — -1947

Chapter Sixteen -- "Matthew v. 2015"

It doesn't happen overnight.

From start to finish ("novitiate" to "final vows") it can take up to twenty years to complete formation as a fully professed Jesuit priest.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Flores, Argentina, a middle class barrio of Buenos Aires, was 36 years old on April 27, 1973, when he took his final "Fourth Vow" pledging obedience to the Pope. Three months later he was named Provincial Superior of the Society in Argentina.

After a series of promotional advancements within and outside the Order, Bergoglio was named Archbishop of Buenos Aires in February of 1998, Cardinal in February of 2001 and became Pope Francis on March 19, 2013 following the abrupt and somewhat suspect resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. Benedict still lives in the Vatican as a self-cloistered contemplative with no official duties or responsibilities, referenced by some as the "Pope in the Attic."

Pope Francis speaks Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, French, Latin, Ukrainian and English and has earned educational degrees in Chemistry and Philosophy and a Doctorate in Theology.

In terms of intense preparation, grueling self-sacrifice, academic brilliance and unwavering commitment to Jesus and the poor, Jesuits are the Navy SEALS and intellectual vanguards of the Roman Catholic Church. Many march to become "Soldiers of Christ". Few finish. Only one now reigns as supreme Pontiff over 1.2 billion human souls.

Francis is the first Jesuit to do so.

"Devout Catholic" Jeb Bush is not impressed. "I think religion ought to be about making us better people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm."

Neither is "Anti Birth Control Catholic" Rick Santorum. "We are probably better off leaving science to the scientists."

Or especially "Not Even a Little Bit Catholic" Rush Limbaugh. "Pope Francis is a Marxist."

What twits.

What has them all twitchy and twittery is last week's official Vatican release of "Laudato Si" — "Praise Be To You" – subtitled – "On The Care of Our Common Home." It is the first major encyclical solely authored by Francis. An encyclical carries heavy weight, being a papal letter sent to all Roman Catholic bishops – in modern times the most important utterances of the Holy See given to the world.

In "Laudato Si", the Pope deeply criticizes heedless consumerism and irresponsible development, insisting upon "swift and unified global action" to fight environmental degradation and the undeniable reality of man-made climate change.

Along with working as a chemist in his youth prior to ordination, Francis was also a bar bouncer, so it should come as no surprise that he pulls no punches all the way through this 183-page document.

"Mother Earth now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her."

"Each year hundreds of millions of tons of waste are generated, much of it non-biodegradable, highly toxic and radioactive."

"A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system. It is true that there are other factors, yet a number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is a result of human activity."

"A sober look at our world shows that the degree of human intervention, often in the service of business interests and consumerism, is actually making our earth less rich and beautiful."

"The failure of global summits on the environment make it plain that our politics are subject to technology and finance. There are too many special interests."

Doomsday predictions can no longer be met with irony or distain."

Reception of "Laudato Si" in this country so far falls pretty much along party lines — a sharp, cutting, divisive reality that demonstrates the power of paralysis vs. papal persuasion.

I only suggest that those with open hearts and minds spend a bit of time becoming familiar with "Laudato" even in summary form, then ask themselves if a single contradiction can be found between its insights and those revealed in Matthew, Chapters 5, 6 & 7.

Also know as — "The Sermon on the Mount"

"For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

Matthew 7:29

Chapter Seventeen -- "Markers"

It makes me sick.

How unhealthy.

A landmark decision challenged anew.

Having survived 67 separate attempts by the House of Representatives to abolish it, after an impressive presidential campaign win in 2012 during which time it became a central contentious issue, and following a 6 to 3 Supreme Court decision affirming its legality (the second time the Court has ruled in its favor), the Affordable Health Care Act still remains a target for right-wing Republican wrath.

In a clear display of dissociative delusion, Speaker of the House John Boehner moans: "We will continue our efforts to repeal the law and replace it with patient-centered solutions that meet the needs of seniors, small business owners, and middle-class families."

These "solutions" — featuring only wild, focus group-tested generalities — are the best the Speaker has been able to come up with after over five years of trying. Specifics? He's still working on those.

Presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, now leading in Republican polling, tentatively and a bit oddly exclaims: "This is the direct result of President Obama. He deliberately forced ObamaCare on the people in a partisan and toxic way."

And look who's in second place! Donald "We Will Overcomb" Trump bellows: "ObamaCare is a lie! A filthy lie!"

I was taught way before Kindergarten not to be a poor loser.

"ObamaCare" was coined by the GOP as a nasty pejorative. Thanks to Chief Justice John Roberts and the Supreme Court, it now lives on as a lasting legacy, honoring and crediting our 44th President with successful guidance and tenacious support leading to the implementation of the nation's first major step on our road toward universal health care, decades behind the rest of the civilized world.

Last week, Senator Bernie Sanders notched a place in history as he drew a capacity crown of 3,000 into the University of Denver gymnasium as several thousand others listened in an adjacent atrium where speakers were set up, and on a nearby lacrosse field where the speech was streamed on a scoreboard. The event was one of the largest political rallies of the 2016 election cycle so far and was promoted only a few days in advance with minimal funding almost exclusively on social media.

I like what Bernie Sanders said about health care in the wake of Thursday's victory:

"While I am glad the Supreme Court upheld the law, in my view, the only long-term solution to America's health care crisis is a Medicare-for-all single payer system."

Senator Sanders went on to assert that profiteering by the pharmaceutical industry and private insurance companies causes the United States to spend more per capita than any other nation on earth, while our life expectancy, infant mortality and preventable death outcomes are worse than almost every other country.

He seems to have facts and figures to back this up. Check for yourself. Google till you get it.

And then came Friday — a payday gay day.

In the last major decision of this current session before an extended summer recess, the Court determined in a sweeping ruling that same-sex couples can marry nationwide, establishing a new civil right and handing advocates an historic, milestone victory.

By a vote of 5 to 4, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority with these words: "No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than they once were. The Constitution grants them that right."

In a scathing, petulant, abrasive dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote — with firepower characteristic of a flatulent flea – that the decision was "a threat to American Democracy. The substance of today's decree is not of immense personal importance to me (he fibbed) – but what really astounds is the hubris reflected in today's judicial Putsch." "Putsch" is one of those "Nazi words" some people resort to when they're really putsched off.

That's still not quite as weird as Scalia's commentary the preceding day on the Court's Affordable Care Act vote, which he decried as: "Somersaults of statutory interpretation", "Applesauce", and "Interpretive jiggery-pokery."

This last displays a somehow discomforting familiarity with "Harry Potter", but may well account for Scalia's darkest reflections from his own secret world of private legal fantasy.

But enough of this.

On behalf of my Great-Great-Grandfather, Thomas Newcomb — and myself as well – We wish you a Happy Fourth of July!

Thomas rests buried on a hilltop in Central New York under a well-preserved marker indicating, "Thomas Newcomb. Soldier. Revolutionary War. Died Oct. 8, 1851. Aged 90 Years." Directly above his name proudly flies our Star-Spangled Banner — deeply carved in lasting stone.

Yet waving.

As we march ever forward.

Chapter Eighteen -- "Dump Trump"

Donald Trump is a bloated, boastful, blowhard bully.

But that's not why I hope he disappears as quickly as tycoons at tax time.

The fact is Trump makes all fourteen of his competing Republican contenders in the 2016 presidential sweepstakes look like Rhodes Scholars and paragons of propriety endorsed by the ghost of Mother Teresa. That even goes for (shudder) Ted Cruz, (wince) Rick Santorum and (choke) Lindsey "I Know I'm Not Married, But John McCain and I Are Just Good Friends" Graham.

I watched "The Donald's" official announcement of his candidacy on June 16th with stunned disbelief as he attacked Mexico for "sending people (here) that have lots of problems and bringing crime", declaring – "They're rapists." He also called on Mexico to build and pay for "a great, great wall" along our southern border to prevent the influx of more "Mexican criminals." Trump burbled on to offer irrefutable testimony verifying the scientific accuracy of his analysis, boasting, "I speak with border guards!"

Such assertion differs sharply from an acclaimed study by Dr. Bianca Bersani of the University of Massachusetts (Justice Quarterly 2014) that reveals, "Foreign-born individuals exhibit remarkably low levels of involvement in crime across their entire life course."

Thankfully, the blowback to Trump has been magnificent.

NBC/Universal has fired him from their "Apprentice" series. The network has also followed Univision's lead in cancelling coverage of Trump's "Miss Universe" and "Miss USA" Pageants as Carlos Slim, Mexico's richest man and owner of the Ora Television Network, calls Trump "a racist."

Cristian de la Fuente and Roselyn Sanchez, scheduled to host "Miss USA" have bailed from the project, describing Trump's comments as "disrespectful" and "a rhetoric of hatred and discrimination." Fuentes, added, "It's a shame that such an important institution as "Miss USA" is now in the hands of a clown."

Other entities with Trump business connections are reeling away in revulsion. Retail clothing giant Macy's is cutting all ties with Trump, announcing last Wednesday, "We have no tolerance for discrimination in any form and have decided to discontinue our business relationship." In response, Trump trumpeted, "Clearly NBC and Macy's support illegal immigration, which is totally detrimental to the fabric of our once great country."

Borrowing from Steve Martin and Dan Aykroid on Saturday Night Live, what a wild and crazy guy! I mean "wild" as in dangerously uncontrolled and "crazy" as in — clinically nuts.

Donald Trump has been pandering for political support in his narcissistic campaign by evoking a vile common denominator – time tested by demagogues through the years. It's pure Xenophobia – an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers. Trump's despicable diatribes spouting this vitriol are paying off in certain circles.

Donald is now a solid #2 to Jeb Bush in a number of national polls measuring current comparative strength of GOP rivals. For a national political party that declared its desire for substantially increased diversity after danger signs in the 2014 elections, this must present Republican leadership with a devilish dilemma. Such a quandary was made unavoidable by its Faustian alliance with the rich and powerful — an elite, privileged, legislatively favored, Country Club grouping that clearly includes Mr. Trump, who became fabulously wealthy the old fashioned way — inheriting a real estate empire from his father.

It's just four weeks away. Mark your calendar for Thursday, August 6th when the first GOP Presidential primary debate takes place on – surprise – surprise – FOX TV. Since participation is promised to candidates finishing in the Top 10 of an average of the five most recent national polls up to that time, Donald Trump's inclusion based on his current trajectory is now all but assured.

We can count on Mr. Trump to provide the choicest of chuckles. Donald won't duck any issue placed before him, but the real fun in this first debate will be watching his fellow Republicans as they twist and shout and shake it up baby dancing around the issue of immigration – now at the forefront thanks to the heat of intense media coverage as hot as summer in San Salvador.

Yet — as one with progressive leanings more on the Elizabeth Warren/Bernie Sanders side of the dial — please know I take no partisan pleasure as the world watches with wonder this blustering fool. When all is said and done, we're in this together.

Donald Trump is a national embarrassment.

Chapter Nineteen -- "Girls, Girls, Girls"

"Girls, Girls, Girls

Girls, Girls, Girls

Girls, Girls, Girls."

Mötley Crüe – Elektra Records – May 1987

It scored the highest soccer ratings in the history of American television.

The U.S. Women's Soccer Team shattered global record books on Sunday, July 5th, becoming World Champions with their 5-2 win over an exceptional Japanese contingent, including a breath taking four goals scored in the first 16 minutes. 25.4 million viewers watched the game on Fox Sports – peaking at 31 million during the final 15 minutes.

By comparison, recent NBA Finals on ABC only reached a high of 23.25 million in the 6th and final game. This year's men's college basketball title game between Duke and Wisconsin pulled 28.26 million viewers. No Major League Baseball game has drawn a larger audience since the 2004 World Series.

So why did our world champion women's team receive only $2 million dollars for winning the 2015 World Cup while the U.S. men's squad received $8 million for losing last year in Round 16 of the 2014 World Cup, a prize eventually captured by Germany – along with $35 million dollars for the players? Right! That's our U.S. women getting 5.7% of what the German guys got for winning a World Soccer Cup.

Discrimination and sexism can easily be traced to the top. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, having recently resigned due to scandals involving hundreds of millions, outrageously stated in 2004 that female soccer players should "play in more feminine clothes" to make their involvement "popular."

According to Fusion Magazine, the average salary in the U.S. Men's Soccer League is $305,000. For women it's not quite 5% of that –$14,000. Over 20 times less.

While free market forces have much to do with such a radical "sock her" differential, it's clear that soccer is yet another frontier about to be influenced by irresistible forces of long delayed change.

Although parity still waits on a distant horizon, sales of U.S. Women's team jerseys rocketed by 3,000 percent immediately following our ladies' victory over Japan, throngs of New Yorkers jammed "The Canyon of Heroes" in lower Manhattan for a spectacular ticker tape parade, and major endorsement offers are flowing in — recognizing a stunning historic achievement.

My mother was born in 1903 — 17 years before progressive forces finally brought women the right to vote.

As the father of four daughters and grandfather of four more women, I find myself deeply impatient that the average working woman still makes less than 80% percent of that earned by her male counterpart, all things considered.

While this is a vast improvement since 1980 when the female to male earnings ratio was a shocking 60.2%, most of this positive trending took place between '80 and '90 (to 71.6%) and has been slowing to a crawl these last 25 years.

And as the grandfather of eight young men, I hope they join their sisters as part of a new generation dramatically emerging with bright attention, new hope and fresh promise.

2015 marks the year our nation's "Millennials" will finally out number us "Baby Boomers" 75.3 million to 74.9. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates this auspicious occasion will occur on or about September 8th, when Bernie Sanders and I both turn 74.

Our young have at their disposal astounding technical capabilities unimagined as we entered the 21st Century, particularly in the area of instant universal communication. Truth is becoming ubiquitous and unavoidable.

Politicians of all persuasions — be aware. Our children are awake.

Unlike their immediate predecessors, it is my fervent hope and lasting prayer — they won't get fooled again.

Chapter Twenty -- "Children of God"

There they were – right in his face — a half dozen Confederate flags hatefully hoisted by presidential protestors taunting Barack Obama's arrival in Oklahoma City last Wednesday with scorn and ridicule.

However abhorrent, it's shameful such open, mocking antagonism nonetheless represents a dramatic measure of honest expression notably absent in the more hidden depths of national political intrigue.

The Republican Party has been relentlessly dedicated to the downfall of President Obama ever since the night of his inauguration when key GOP leaders clandestinely met and agreed to oppose him at every opportunity.

Such obstinacy was again experienced in a shocking action some called treason in early March of this year when 47 Republican senators sent a letter to Islamic leaders in Tehran saying that anything reached between Obama and Iran without the approval of Congress could be revoked by the next president. This renegade move initiated by rookie Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and lamely followed with lemming-like loyalty by "patriotic" party parrots blatantly undermined the president's authority and temporarily imperiled the talks until wiser, less sophomoric heads prevailed.

Now we witness new emotionally charged, partisan driven, mindless opposition freshly evidenced by unanimous Republican opposition to an agreement reached by the United States and a coalition of world powers that would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

That's all the Republicans in Congress choosing probable war over possible peace – including our own Fifth District Representative Tom "Keep Me Out of Oakhurst" McClintock.

As the Confederate Battle Flag mocked our President in Oklahoma City on Wednesday — McClintock similarly belittled him that same day in the House of Representatives.

Tel Aviv Tom trilled: "I don't know how adequately to express my alarm and outrage at the President's agreement with Iran. It is a breathtakingly dangerous act. Some have compared it to Neville Chamberlain's Munich Accord with Nazi Germany, but that doesn't fully illustrate the danger."

What nonsense.

Weren't Iraq and Afghanistan enough, Mr. McClintock?

The proposed Iranian accord is not merely "the President's agreement." It is first and foremost an understanding painstakingly reached after two years of negotiations between Iran and the United States, France, China, Russia, The United Kingdom and Germany. That's like obtaining complete unanimity on any given subject among all relatives in attendance at your next Thanksgiving Dinner — even the ones who've been drinking.

History teaches that friendship – or at least reasonable conviviality – eventually evolves more times than not between our country and former enemies – past foes such as France, China, Russia, The United Kingdom and Germany.

We should also bear in mind that "The State of Israel" is NOT Benjamin Netanyahu, a ruthless politician who barely maintained a tenuous hold as Prime Minister in recent elections, resorting to an outright lie the night before balloting started in pledging to abandon his support of a Palestinian State, only to completely reverse his public position after retaining office. This man can be a trusted friend?

President Obama said it best in an extended press conference held the day following announcement of the accord when he stated —"Either the issue of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon is resolved diplomatically through a negotiation or it's resolved through force, through war. Those are the options."

Force isn't even a true option. That just doesn't work anymore. We can bomb them, strafe them, knife them, shoot them, strangle them, drown them, poison them, torture them, kill them in any manner imaginatively contrived – and it won't win us anything except reciprocal atrocities leading up to potential planetary annihilation.

"Blessed are the peacemakers – for they will be called children of God" – Matthew 5:9

Chapter Twenty-One -- "Bow-Wow!"

Here we are in the dog days of summer — an old expression referencing the hottest days of the year.

These usually run from July 3rd through August 11th – a period extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and our sun. It's amazing what one can learn spending dozens of decades in hundreds of bars with thousands of interesting folks. Don't try this unless you're a professional.

Usually dog days are slower times, but not so this year.

Here's July winding down with the powerfully porcine presence of Donald Trump facing "great danger" at the Mexican border while surrounded by enough bodyguards to annex Nuevo Laredo. And there's Congress with Republican members chanting their "No Iran Agreement" talking points like mad monks on mescal. Then we have those knee jerks in the House of Representatives yielding to Trump initiated, headline grabbing, anti-Mexican hysteria and voting 241 to 179 — passing legislation cracking down on "sanctuary cities" that shield residents from federal immigration authorities.

This deserves special attention.

A young lady was randomly shot and killed in San Francisco by a Mexican national who had been deported five times in the past. This horrible tragedy provided convenient accelerant for a wild GOP stampede seeking instant remedy with maximum press coverage. So the Republican Party suddenly found it functionally expedient to elevate federal over state and/or local law in an absolute reversal of their normal philosophical stance. Political vice must become a virtue when it's on your side of the aisle, intellectual integrity falling victim to handy hypocrisy.

The tiniest bit of investigation quickly reveals that San Francisco is not the only "sanctuary city" in America. There are hundreds more, designated as such by municipal ordinances supported and endorsed by local law enforcement. These include Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Jose, Oakland, Salt Lake City, El Paso, Houston, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Miami, Denver, Baltimore and Seattle.

It's simply a matter of efficiency and practicality. Local, county and state authorities say they have enough to deal with without getting into the potential minefield of immigration enforcement. Additionally, involvement in this area has been found to greatly hinder successful cooperation and communication between undocumented residents and law enforcement.

In threatening a presidential veto, the White House says this bill would threaten the civil rights of all Americans by allowing governmental officials to gather immigration status information from any person at any time, making citizens subject to purely arbitrary stop and search procedures from coast to coast.

The most baffling phenomenon of all can be found in the many Trump supporters proudly proclaiming that "The Donald" speaks for them with every word. Every random sixty seconds of his squealing rants contain a myriad of immediately evident self-contradictions, leaving George Orwell's fabled "1984 doublespeak" far behind in the past.

Unfortunately, that's not all these dog days of summer are leaving here in Oakhurst.

He will be remembered as a community stalwart, a good man and a fine friend.

An unavoidable aspect of the aging process is to find oneself in ever increasing acceptance of the impermanency of earthly life – each new year exponentially increasing the tally of those we know who've gone beyond.

I was saddened to learn that Dale Miller passed away last week after an extended battle with cancer. Although we tended to occasionally entertain varying political perspectives, Dale provided charming and delightful company without fail whenever our paths crossed. He was a joy to behold and cheerful to the end.

Whenever I saw Dale, he made me smile.

Chapter Twenty-Two -- "Enough?"

Martha Medina made Oakhurst matter last week.

It was spectacularly the biggest political event yet seen in this new presidential election cycle as over 100,000 private citizens packed 3,500 separate venues from coast to coast for a 73 year-old candidate still being written off as a loser by major political pundits of every persuasion.

Not so fast.

When I received my invitation to join a "Bernie Sanders House Party" in Oakhurst a few days earlier, I was surprised and intrigued. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Oakhurst Democratic Club and moderator of our monthly meetings, I hadn't received any notice about such a gathering from party leaders in Sacramento. Was this authorized? Who was in charge? What was the deal?

So I was blown away when I entered the Oakhurst Branch Library Community Room Wednesday night and found every seat taken — packed wall to wall by total strangers for the most part — meeting for the very first time. There were a few friends in attendance, but these were greatly outnumbered by dozens of brand new faces – just regular folks moved to action by a common, collective concern.

Martha Medina had heard about the national organizing plan and decided to do something about it.

Martha, her husband and three children moved to the foothills from Sonoma County 12 years ago. She's not formally affiliated with any group or organization – but feels things are horribly wrong with our political system and believes in "standing up for the oppressed".

Martha tells us, "I donated the day Bernie Sanders announced his candidacy and received emails. One email explained the 29th and how we all needed to join or create an event. I started off becoming part of a Fresno event, then created my own at home with friends until I realized I'd need a larger venue.

Good call!

She adds: "Bernie Sanders has always been a fighter for the middle class." Martha suggests we listen to Senator Sanders after omitting the word "socialist" from our "Automatic No-O' Meter."

This seems particularly timely since last week also witnessed an important 50th Anniversary celebrating passage of the biggest and most far-reaching socialist program of my lifetime – national health insurance for those over 65 – most commonly known as — Medicare.

That's right. Medicare is democratic socialism in action. So is Social Security. Go on. Check it out. Give it a Google.

Bernie spoke live Wednesday night — video streamed from the living room of a modest two-bedroom apartment in southwest Washington, D.C. The effect was stunning. He spoke directly into the camera in a firm, gentle tone. Only occasionally glancing at notes on a yellow legal pad, he summarized in 20 minutes a number of critical bullet points, introducing each topic with the words: "Enough is enough!"

In evaluating his chances for election, Senator Sanders stressed that that he is fighting incredible odds in the face of strongly established, deeply entrenched, powerfully committed corporate and political entities and that he will be outspent by hundreds of millions of dollars as time goes on.

He is one man raging against many machines.

He acknowledges that his campaign is completely dependent upon those who recall the words of Abraham Lincoln — rallying enough true believers in government of, by and for the people to carry the day in the formation of a new political order.

"The American people are saying loudly and clearly enough is enough," says Bernie.

But will they act?

Can unified, unbowed solidarity replace jeering cynicism and dark despair?

Is there magic in the wind?

And will that be – enough?

Chapter Twenty-Three -- "Rockin' With AARP"

It was a once in a lifetime gathering of "Awesomely Ancient Radio Personalities."

"The Dinosaur" – Syracuse, New York's leading Classic Rock station – had invited Rock & Roll DJ's from earlier times to join in celebrating the 75th Birthday of WOLF- AM. "Wolf" and WNDR-AM were the first radio facilities in Central New York to pioneer "Top 40" programming in the late '50's and had been bitter competitors for many years.

A permanent truce established after six decades, disc-jockeys from both outlets were interviewed last Saturday in a four hour program broadcast over four separate frequencies and streamed on the web around the world. I was particularly honored being asked to host a final hour of commemorative programming before the start of a live concert featuring two great local bands.

Treasured memories flooded in.

WNDR days marked the very birth of the Rock era. It advanced in a vacuum more than partially enhanced by traditional radio professionals shunning any aspect of the new music, a fusion of grass roots "Country and Western" and black-based "Rhythm and Blues." I and other young enthusiasts were more than willing to step forward and grab the microphones.

I started riding my bike out to WNDR, which had moved to a swampy area just outside town where the towers were located. I was soon answering phones on weekends for fifty cents an hour. I would have paid them to be there.

My first efforts at WNDR were extended to include writing early morning news. I cajoled my way into doing a few trial newscasts and then a regular weekend news schedule. It was temporary dues paying on the road to the Holiest of all possible Grails. Almost everyone acknowledged the real radio stars were DJ's.

After mounting a relentless, non-stop campaign to get a shot, Program Director Bill Quinn finally acquiesced. It was determined that I be allowed a one-hour live on-air audition at Midnight the following Sunday when the station would normally sign-off for maintenance.

I wrote every word I would say on paper, practiced every record introduction hundreds of times, sat in the control room hours on end watching every move made and memorized dozens of different one-liners to use if I needed to ad-lib. I prepared for my moment of glory with unyielding commitment.

The adrenaline hit as soon as I sat down. The very first time I reached to open the microphone, an ignition switch on my own, personal "rocket to stardom", I totally crashed. Big time. Bad.

Instead of the control panel "microphone-on" button, my humble hand brushed against a "master-off" lever directly beneath the intended target. I promptly plunged WNDR into twenty minutes of starkly stone silence.

The engineer on duty, fairly new to the business himself, took that long to determine the extent of my stupidity. After my first hour was finished, I assumed I was as well — my premiere performance also a swan song.

By an astonishing stroke of fate or fortune, no one in management heard my curious initiation. I blamed the engineer for not discerning my dumbness more diligently. Soon I was pulling full DJ shifts on weekends.

During my senior year in High School, I worked each evening from Seven 'til Midnight. "Hooper Ratings", then the accepted standard in radio listening measurement, displayed a 58% total audience share during the time period, more than every other station combined.

It was a single point in time and space brought back ever so briefly –old time dinosaur radio jocks in joyous reunion roaring like thunder with scorching, blow-torch Rock & Roll.

Hope I die before I get old.

Chapter Twenty-Four -- "Shame on Schumer"

He folded like an accordion.

Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) has chosen base political expediency over basic common sense in his unfortunate decision to oppose President Obama's support of the proposed nuclear deal with Iran.

Bowing to enormous pressure from The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the country's most influential pro-Israeli lobby, Schumer has turned his back on a multi-national accord reached after years of strenuous negotiations. In doing so, the Senator presents a perilous profile lacking courage and simultaneously jeopardizes his chances of replacing retiring Harry Reed as Democratic leader in the Senate.

With a Congressional vote on the agreement still weeks away, here's how it looks right now.

For approval – Virtually the entire free world, our negotiating partners Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia; President Obama, most Democrats, dozens of retired top-tier military leaders in both the United States and Israel, Gulf Arab states, The United Nations Security Council (by a vote of 15-0) – and retired Navy Rear Admiral Harold L. Robinson, who chairs the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces. In supporting the agreement Robinson states, "As a lifelong Zionist devoted to Israel, a retired general officer and a rabbi for over 40 years operating without institutional encumbrances, I have a unique perspective."

Against the pact – Almost all Republicans, Benjamin Netanyahu, hard-liners in Israel, weapons manufacturers, Chuck Schumer and a handful of embarrassingly intimidated Democrats.

By no stretch of the imagination does this represent a perfect pact. There is nothing that can't be "better." But arguments in opposition seem intrinsically illogical and emotionally charged far past any perspective that open, measured, honest discourse should allow.

In my mind there is no question that the long established historic ties that firmly bind Israel and the United States to each other are inviolable and irrevocable for any number of reasons. We are and will be friends forever.

It is in our mutual national interest that Iran not be allowed nuclear weaponry under any circumstances and that its population, exploding with millions of youth, eventually attains a level of freedom impossible under the suffocating, oppressive reign of radical Islamic fundamentalism.

The ten-year time frame cited in the agreement's final draft does NOT mean that Iran will be allowed to proceed unencumbered toward nuclear military capability at its conclusion. It does provide a decade long respite, allowing an extended period during which further, more specific, lasting remedies may be thoroughly discussed and hopefully attained.

Citizens for a Nuclear Free Iran, a stand-alone group sponsored by AIPAC, may wind up spending more than forty million dollars in a massive public relations campaign against the agreement, including thousands of TV ads in major markets. Additionally, a volatile payback campaign against members of Congress who vote for the measure has been threatened. Ironically, while I agree whole-heartedly with the goal intended, I remain firmly convinced that rejection would engender exactly the opposite effect and play directly into the hands of antagonistic Ayatollahs.

As far as Senator Schumer is concerned, his well-earned popularity among fellow Senate members may well override suffering any permanent damage after opposing his party and his President on this issue, particularly since the decision is so nauseatingly pragmatic. It's old school politics at low tide on the Potomac.

But perhaps way down the road, Schumer might be replaced in office by someone younger, brighter and much more in touch with the times. Like — cousin Amy.

Turning down the Iran Agreement would be yielding to unreasonable fear, abandoning genuine hope and unilaterally deserting our allies — leaving us alone in the world.

An ultimate train wreck.

Chapter Twenty-Five -- "Tea Time with Tom"

You could barely hear Tom over the continuous rumble of ancient arteries ominously hardening.

I was one of the kids in attendance — even though turning 74 next Tuesday right along with Bernie Sanders that very same day.

The Yosemite Lakes Clubhouse was definitely Tom McClintock's cup of tea last week as our Fourth District Congressman held a "Coarsegold Town Hall Meeting" quite a distance from the nearest town. Coarsegold, itself, is a full 8.3 miles away, but the relative seclusion of this venue successfully kept away the rabble, providing a perfect audience of the patriotically geriatric for our ultra-conservative representative.

To his credit, Tom starts these get-togethers exactly on time. To no surprise, he tells his folks exactly what they want to hear. Then he lets them have at it.

McClintock spoke for a smooth 25 minutes. When it comes to a Tea Party type pitch, he's as good as any and better than most. I've heard him at least a half dozen times and it's pretty much a standard rap, although this time he added his displeasure against President Obama's proposed Iran agreement, calling it "a breathtakingly dangerous act." He also blamed poor people for the economic collapse of 2008 – not those banks that were victimized by intrusive governmental meddling according to Tom's revisionist interpretation of all perspectives deemed politically incorrect.

What followed Representative McClintock's opening remarks was more than an hour of primarily outrageous commentary from a crowd seething with aging angst. Speakers competed in spewing specifics on a litany of suspect subjects – impressing each other in the process with fiery diatribes delivered with fierce dedication.

These seemed to be their Top 10 – although, in fairness, not universally so:

* The voting age should be raised to 25 or higher since young people are stupid.

* The IRS should be abolished.

* John Boehner should be replaced as Speaker of the House for "caving in to Obama."

* Ditto (as Rush would say) Mitch McConnell – who must be tossed out as Senate Majority Leader for the same reason.

* Illegal Mexicans should go back where they came from.

* The Fourteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution guaranteeing birthright citizenship should be immediately overturned since it is so – unconstitutional.

* Presidential Executive Orders should be abolished.

* Hillary Clinton should be in prison.

* Congress shouldn't be afraid to shut down the government over raising the debt ceiling.

* And – Congress should be willing to shut down the government over funding one more penny to Planned Parenthood, especially since its founder, Margaret Sanger, was a blatant racist who wanted to eliminate African-Americans from our midst through eugenically driven, socially engineered abortion.

This last won my personal originality prize for being — hands down — the absolute doozy of the night and one I'd never heard before.

I was subsequently shocked to discover after only minimal research that the only individual who ever alleged such a thing about Ms. Sanger was Angela Davis, a leading Marxist and Communist from the radical '60's, who was thoroughly denounced at the time and since by her peers for this and other loony lamentations.

Accordingly, since this and other crazy notions about Planned Parenthood have been quite in evidence of late, I would suggest anyone seeking full disclosure should join us this Saturday at Denny's for our September Meeting of the Oakhurst Democratic Club. Our featured speaker will be Pedro Elias, Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood in Fresno.

As usual, the public is cordially invited. We start with breakfast at 8:30 and our program kicks off at 9:30. I'll be moderating to keep things moving along in a casual, courteous, convivial way. There'll be plenty of time for questions, but please fact-check sources before presenting them in public.

Karl Marx was not the father of our democracy.

Chapter Twenty-Six -- "Thanks, Donald!"

Iowa signaled the end.

Stick a fork in Donald Trump. He's done.

A Monmouth University poll on the last day of August declared Trump suddenly tied for first place by Dr. Ben "Who's He?" Carson among Republican presidential contenders in The Hawkeye State. This finding echoes similar ascension for Dr. Ben in other surveys –suddenly establishing him as a solid #2 to Trump and well ahead of the rest of the pack – a full field offering obvious quantity, if not overwhelming quality.

This strongly indicates a powerfully organic, unplanned, welcomed coalescence of traditional Republican voters loath to accept national leadership from an uncouth lout who is — in the final analysis — not much more than a common vulgarian.

By comparison, Dr. Carson is as nice as Trump is nasty. It also seems embarrassingly evident this prominent retired neurosurgeon from Detroit offers as limited an understanding of foreign and domestic issues as his credentials are unquestionably extensive in the field of medical science.

But the majority of his competitors display kindred intellectual sophistication as deep as a frozen birdbath, particularly those seeking evangelical endorsement. Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz practically tripped over each other lining up behind hillbilly heroine Kim Davis – the four times wed Kentucky County Clerk — in her refusal to accept the Supreme Court's recent ruling on gay marriages, even just one.

Former Governor Mike Huckebee said he'd be visiting her in the slammer. But would he have done so if Davis were a radical Muslim — insisting that all license applicants first accept Allah as their personal Lord and Savior?

While Donald Trump has certainly provided exotic entertainment and naughty pleasure these last few months – it's been like watching NASCAR. We profess to believe no one likes crashes, but when they happen – who would deny that wild, secret rush?

But we should thank Mr. Trump for bringing us invaluable insight by exposing a heretofore-unimaginable degree of naked narcissism in which unthrottled self-interest at the expense of all others reigns supreme.

The confidence he exudes reflects passions best left in our shared primitive past, but Donald Trump remains correct in his blunt assessment of the way things are when he says: "Our system is broken. I give to many people. When they call, I give. And, you know what? When I need something from them two years later, three years later, I call them. They are there for me."

What a revealing, extraordinarily candid analysis of the depth of corruption ubiquitously inherent in elected office as Trump presents himself mastering "The Art of the Deal" to such an extent that he alone can be trusted to resist it. Or not.

It was English historian and moralist John Acton who wrote in 1887, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always – – bad men."

While Hugh Hewitt and I share few opinions of a political nature, the fact remains that he is an accomplished conservative national talk show host on the Salem Radio Network with a recognized reputation for thorough preparation and an accomplished professional presentation.

Just as candidate Trump fussed and fumbled over familiarity with specific passages after describing The Bible as his "favorite book of all time" when interviewed by Bloomberg Media, he similarly assumed that "deer in the headlights" stance last Thursday when Hugh quizzed him about the identities of important Middle East personalities, including leaders of ISIS and Hezbollah. After babbling incoherently and revealing himself as the buffoon he's always been, the next day Donald blamed Hewitt for asking him "unfair questions", dismissing Hugh as a "third rate radio announcer."

Interestingly, this "third rate radio announcer" will be co-moderating the second GOP primary debate on CNN next Wednesday along with Jake Tapper.

As we know – paybacks – ummmmm – make you itch.

Chapter Twenty-Seven -- "No Room at The Inn"

There wasn't an empty seat at Denny's.

Pedro Elias, Public Affairs Director of Planned Parenthood in Fresno, spoke before a packed house at our September meeting of the Oakhurst Democratic Club.

It's probably just as well a certain someone wasn't there.

She would have been 112 years old today.

My mother, Isabelle Marion Cavanaugh, despised Planned Parenthood.

I hope you're sitting down for this.

Starting at the age of 8, I was an altar boy for more than nine years.

A walk to serve daily Mass from our home on Ashworth Place took us directly past the Syracuse Chapter of Planned Parenthood on East Genesee Street, so noted by a large sign prominently placed on its front lawn. My widowed mother, President of the St. Joseph Altar & Rosary Society, was abundantly clear she did not approve of the organization, the sign or the grass upon which it rested. Yet, when pressed for details, she demurred on specifics. "Ask Father Norcott", she would say.

I eventually discovered at summer camp that the main Catholic issue against Planned Parenthood in the late '40's was birth control. Any kind. It wasn't until much later that the subject of abortion entered the forefront, although it's historically proven Margaret Sanger's original motivation in founding The American Birth Control League was anti-abortion from the outset. Sanger, an Irish-American Catholic, herself, was one of eleven children. – her mother also having suffered seven miscarriages and finally dying at the age of 50.

A fertilized human egg is approximately the size of the dot at the end of this sentence. Potentiality is not personality.

It was 42 years ago that the United States Supreme Court ruled in a landmark decision (Rowe vs. Wade) that the right to privacy under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment extended to a women's decision to have an abortion. The vote wasn't even close. 7 to 2.

The last time "fiscally responsible" Republicans brought about government closure, its ultimate cost to the American economy was over 24 billion dollars.

Ignoring major areas of strategically critical priority — such as almost everything else — now we have our Republican led 114th Congress threatening to recklessly shut down the government – again – but this time over funding Planned Parenthood since it allegedly chops up and sells baby body parts. The fundamental fact that it does no such thing seems hopelessly lost in the hyped hysteria of right wing propaganda as asinine as its assertions.

A major editorial in the New York Times calls the "Center for Medical Progress" campaign "a dishonest attempt to make legal, voluntary and life saving tissue donations appear nefarious and illegal."

The San Jose Mercury News writes, "Anyone with half a brain can see through the heavily edited "gotcha" videos."

The Sacramento Bee succinctly states, "The charge that Planned Parenthood is illegally selling fetal parts is cynical and bogus."

Fetal tissue research has produced vaccines that have saved millions of lives and is now working toward major advances in the life or death struggle against Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other terminal diseases.

California Planned Parenthood affiliates are providing services to nearly one million patients this year, including 866,000 emergency contraception kits, 435,000 pregnancy tests and 112,000 Pap tests detecting and preventing possible cancers. In our state alone, Planned Parenthood schedules more than 90,000 breast exams annually and initiates well over two million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

I agree with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren:

"Republicans may think it's fun to play politics with Planned Parenthood to score points with presidential primary voters, but this isn't a game to the millions of women who depend on Planned Parenthood for basic medical care each year – and who have nowhere else to go."

That's so.

Chapter Twenty-Eight -- "Smokehurst"

On a clear day you can see forever – or at least the top of Deadwood Mountain.

After an egregious onslaught of weather conditions over Labor Day Weekend with smoke from the 140,000 acre "Rough Fire" becoming trapped under a late summer inversion layer, things have radically improved. We can finally breathe a deep sigh of relief without risking instant cardiac arrest.

As California is undergoing its worst fire season in history, we've been lucky so far. And such fate is not due to mere good fortune.

Much more is owed to the courageous efforts of Cal Fire management, crews, aircraft, and all associated local, regional and state agencies involved. They have kept us safe. With uncommon efforts far beyond reasonable expectation, these men and women have risked life and limb saving homes and lives with relentless dedication and awe-inspiring endurance.

Guess what? They also prove government can work. But not when we elect those who claim it can't.

This brings to mind another kind of smoke blowing about last week – a particularly hazardous haze generated by various participants in the Second Republican Presidential Debate, a.k.a. – "Clown Car Two."

Donald Trump sealed his decline from top spot in polling by characteristically talking the most and saying the least until blind-sided by a wildly effective cutting slash from Carly Fiorina on what "that face" meant to women everywhere – followed by an icy glare that would have frozen hell thrice over.

Carly is no stranger to us Californians who saw her soundly thrashed in her Senate run against Barbara Boxer in 2010 by ten full percentage points (52% – 42%) despite the fact that Boxer was facing an uphill battle against a multimillionaire candidate and a wave of attack ads from out of state business and conservative groups.

For pure performance points, Fiorina impressively outclassed the rest of the field last Wednesday night with a polished presentation rightfully earning her a dramatic leap in polling preference, instantly replacing a quickly fading Ben Carson in the process. It now seems Dr. Ben was a temporary placeholder all along.

Ms. Fiorina's most dramatically effective moment of the evening was an impassioned recital of having watched a video depicting "a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, it's legs kicking, while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain."  No such video exists or ever has. Carly? No. Car-LIE.

But Jeb Bush wins first prize in spectacular spin for the most outrageous assertion of the night – ironically greeted with thundering applause as a powerful endorsement of his brother's presidency and family name. Jeb said of George, "When it comes to my brother, there's one thing I know for sure. He kept us safe!"

The crowd went wild with — I suspect — a soothing measure of relieved self-congratulation. After all – most in attendance put "W" in office.

Yet it was almost eight months AFTER becoming President in 2001 that 9/11 changed our lives forever as Jeb's brother "kept us safe" – ignoring repeated intelligence community and allied warnings about a pending Ben Laden attack against America by plane. Fact can be stranger than fiction.

Speaking of which — local authors of both fiction and non-fiction books will be waiting for you this Saturday with the "Second Annual Authors' Faire" from 10:30 till 12:30 in the Community Room of the Oakhurst Branch Library. Central Valley writers, publishers, editors, illustrators, and various writing groups have been invited. This columnist will be there with a few copies of "Local DJ" available for signing.

"Peter Cavanaugh is magical with his ribald recollections and praiseworthy prose. "Local DJ" brings back a single point in time and space. Not for little children, old ladies or small domestic pets."

—\- SHOTGUN TOM KELLY — KRTH— Los Angeles

Content details at wildwednesday.com — or Saturday at the library.

Chapter Twenty-Nine -- "Bye-Bye Boehner"

I agree with our President.

"John Boehner is a good man. He is a patriot. He cares deeply about the House, an institution in which he has served for a long time. He cares about his constituents and he cares about America." – Barack Obama – September 25, 2015.

Not Ted Cruz.

The shocking news of John Boehner's abrupt and unanticipated resignation as Speaker of the House and from Congress broke last Friday morning just as Senator Cruz (R-Texas) was about to address the laughably titled "Values Voters Summit" in Washington.

This ultra-conservative gathering, funded by the similarly delusional "Family Research Council", broke into thunderous applause upon being informed of Boehner's decision. Senator Cruz, who electrified the crowd with an updated list of lunacies, then launched them to mind boggling heights of fantasy as he further gloated over Boehner's pending departure, threatened the assassination of Iran's supreme leader and called President Obama a communist.

I first met John Boehner on August 27th of 1992 during his first term representing Ohio's 8th Congressional district. He was accompanying President George H. W. Bush when the President landed at Toledo Municipal Airport near the end of the '92 election campaign.

Executive Vice President of a major Midwest radio group at the time with Secret Service clearance, I was allowed on the tarmac as Air Force One rolled to a halt and the President and his entourage embarked.

Since one of our more important radio facilities, 50,000 watt WZRZ – serving both Cincinnati and Dayton — included his district, it seemed appropriate to introduce myself to Representative Boehner and spend a few minutes in conversation. I found the new congressman to be a "Hail fellow well met" – that somewhat archaic phrase referring to a person whose behavior is hearty, friendly and congenial. I have never changed my opinion since.

Readers of this column should quickly observe that I have often expressed serious misgivings about Speaker Boehner's actions or lack thereof, but my severe reservations have always been about the politics, not the person. He remains beloved in his district, but not by many in his delegation.

John Boehner is a good man trapped by bad dynamics.

It's hard determining exactly when things started unwinding so viciously in our national dialogue.

Perhaps it started when sophisticated voter measurement revealed that negative campaign ads worked wonders at gaining elective office?

Was it when the Republican Party found a perfect embodiment of conservative beliefs in the emergence and election of Ronald Reagan as President in 1980, in the process converting millions into becoming "Reagan Democrats" – including primary beneficiaries of FDR era legislation that created the first viable American middle class – making them feel they were finally rich Republicans?

Was it the subsequent audience acceptance and amazing ascension of Rush Limbaugh introducing his "Excellence in Broadcasting Network" in 1988 which many believe ultimately brought about 1994's "Contract with America" and Republican capture of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years?

Rush tripled the ratings on our Toledo AM – catapulting us to #1 in the market. There were "Rush Rooms" everywhere in Northwest Ohio – Restaurants, Bars, Coffee Shops and Snack Bars that carried Rush on loud speakers so lunchtime customers wouldn't miss a word. I even broadcast him twice a day, repeating his Noon to 3 PM show from 3 till 6. Guilty!

But in the decades since, we have surely become a people self-divided, "indivisible" existing only as a wistful word in our national "Pledge of Allegiance."

Ultimately it was paralyzing polarization that brought about John Boehner's pending departure – a decision unlikely to generate healing change in any meaningful way.

It makes me sad.

"We have met the enemy and he is us!" – Pogo (1971)

Chapter Thirty -- "Saint Kim of Kentucky"

Carlo is a naughty boy looking at speedy retirement.

Conservative Catholic Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano couldn't help himself.

Openly and vehemently opposed to gay marriage, he's the one who snuck renegade Kentucky County clerk Kim Davis into the Vatican Embassy in Washington for a brief encounter with Pope Francis during the Pontiff's visit in our nation's capitol without prior knowledge or approval of the Vatican or the Pope.

What was supposed to be a confidential moment didn't stay that way.

Kim and her husband were picked up at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on September 23rd in a plain tan van by private security guards who spoke Italian. Ms. Davis had been instructed to change her hairstyle so the press wouldn't identify her. The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Vigano, had been entrusted to clear a few special folks to briefly meet Francis. It now appears he hadn't bothered explaining to Francis or his aides specifically who Davis was and/or exactly why she was there.

It turns out that Vigano had been introduced to Davis' attorney, Matthew D. Staver, as they both attended the 3rd Annual "March for Marriage" at the National Mall back in April, several months before the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage absolutely Constitutional.

Staver is also President of the "Liberty Counsel", a conservative outfit that leapt into the limelight as soon as Davis gained screaming national headlines by denying gay couples any marriage licenses in her God-fearing county, U.S. Supreme Court be damned – or "darned" – I suppose — for a good, four times married, ex-adulteress Christian such as Kim. The "Liberty Counsel" has been formally declared a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center — a group which keeps track of such things.

Several days after Francis returned to Rome, bilaterally pledged discretion gave way to subjectively edited public disclosure when Mr. Stayer informed the media of a "private meeting" the same time it was reported on the website of "Inside the Vatican", a conservative publication not authorized or authored by The Vatican. As many an old sailor says, that's when the ship hit the sand. Initial conservative spin suggested that, along with Father Junipero Serra, Kim Davis, herself, had been canonized.

Father Serra became Saint Junipero during the Pope's visit, so honored for establishing 21 Spanish missions in California during the late 18th Century and bringing thousands of Native Americans to Christ — at least those the Conquistadors didn't maim, rape, torture or kill. Serra's elevation by the Church is not being universally acclaimed, nor was Kim's once word got out.

Ms. Davis' own testimony reveals unrestrained, ecstatic self-congratulation, categorically claiming that Pope Francis "agreed with" what she "was doing" and "that kind of validates everything."

Archbishop Vigano turns 75 in January, the age when Bishops are required to submit an official letter of resignation to the Vatican. In most instances this is a mere formality. In Vigano's case — an eventuality now hopefully hastened.

Prominent American Catholic theologians concur that the meeting with Ms. Davis was clearly a misstep. Dr. Massimo Faggioli of the University of Saint Thomas in Minnesota states, "on the whole trip to the United States, Pope Francis very carefully didn't want to give the impression he was being politicized by either side."

At first hoping the whole thing would dissipate like wispy altar smoke, the Vatican finally issued a declarative statement last Friday stressing —"The Pope did not enter into the details of the situation with Mrs. Davis and his meeting with her should not be considered a form of support of her position in all of its particular and complex aspects."

One Vatican official said there was "a sense of regret" that The Pope had ever seen Kim.

In other words, quoting the immortal prose of former Governor Rick Perry of Texas, "Oops!"

Infallibility may emanate from "The Chair of Peter" – but not the vagaries of Vigano.

Chapter Thirty-One -- "Ellie"

She left us as we knew her – softly, sweetly, elegantly gone — with awesome dignity and uncommon grace.

It wasn't long after Eileen and I moved to Oakhurst nine years ago that we became acquainted with Eleanor Schermerhorn. This person was writing "Letters to the Editor" published in both The Sierra Star and Fresno Bee all the time — wonderful summations I found extraordinarily well presented with marvelous precision, brilliantly focused and comfortably resonant with my own personal perspectives.

Shortly after submitting my own "Letter" to The Star, Ms. Schermerhorn – then a complete stranger — sent me a note of confirmation and encouragement, including a list of additional reference sources and a suggestion that I consider attending the next meeting of "The Oakhurst Democratic Club."

I had already heard of this wild bunch from a gentleman named Scott Hill whom I had met by chance a short time before, so we were there at the "Ol' Kettle" that following Saturday and happily discovered an active, progressive, friendly group of folks up here in the foothills deeply involved in community activities and vibrantly attuned to issues of the day. We also learned that Scott was married to Ellie, who turned out to be considerably younger than my initial suspicions and surely much prettier than Scott.

For much of my life I was unaffiliated with any one political party, primarily because my broadcast career suggested a position of balanced neutrality was the wisest professional option. I privately cast my ballot for the person running for office more than his or her party or platform.

There really wasn't a lot of major difference between Democrats and Republicans in the immediate aftermath of World War Two and the decades that followed. Bless me Father, but I voted for Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, right along with John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Bill Clinton. But our move to Oakhurst coincided with what I perceived to be an alarming rightward drift in American politics. These are different days. Simply stated, I believe genuine concern for others should take ultimate precedence over individualized self-interest. In caring and sharing, we find connection, unity and purpose. Ellie Schermerhorn never had to preach this. She lived it with unwavering commitment, steadfast loyalty, exemplary dedication and, as a licensed Certified Public Accountant, astounding attention to detail.

Along with being a founding member of the Oakhurst Democratic Club, Ellie was also enthusiastically engaged with Mountain Community Women, the Sierra Historic Sites Association, La Sierra Guild for Valley Children's Hospital and, Patriots kindly note, the Sierra Foothills Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Sharing her first name with Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first lady, Ellie was particularly proud of the Democratic Club's annual Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Awards with annual scholarships provided to competing Yosemite High School graduates.

A highlight of her great success in lining up monthly speakers came in August of 2010 after she wrote Debra Bowen requesting that someone join us in Oakhurst from the California Secretary of State's office to discuss changes in voting laws. Ellie ended up landing Secretary Bowen, herself. We moved over to the Community Center for that meeting.

Having been diagnosed with breast cancer many years ago and having enjoyed a period of remission that became all too brief, Ellie faced the end with incredible courage and a powerful will.

Her loving concern for others never ceased. In our final time together, attending an Executive Committee Meeting only days before she passed and reflecting on our acute awareness of her plight, she gently whispered to me in that last moment before we parted, "I hope I'm not scary!"

Words failed me – all transcended — as I hugged her goodbye.

Chapter Thirty-Two -- "Benghazi Thursday"

It's time to put up or shut up.

Today is October 22, 2015 — a date forever to be enshrined in American political history as "Benghazi Thursday" – when the United States House Select Committee on Benghazi finally brought forth indisputable evidence of Hillary Clinton's cold blooded complicity in the unforgivable murder of four innocent American lives – or to have the Committee finally, fatally, farcically collapse under the unyielding weight of irrefutable, irrepressible testimony to the contrary.

$4.5 million dollars of taxpayer money has been spent so far and seven separate congressional committees have exhaustively reviewed the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three others in the 2012 attack on our government outposts in Benghazi, Libya. There has been nothing discovered remotely verifying wild claims of sinister malfeasance by Hillary Clinton spinning forth from right-wing media machines ever since news broke of the incident – only wild fabrications, unsubstantiated innuendo and outright lies.

Today Hillary Clinton is scheduled to testify before the Committee under oath and for the record on live global television. They can ask her anything they want. I'm betting they'll be getting much, much more than they bargained for.

Hillary has not been my first choice as a presidential candidate, but if anything is powerfully pushing me in her direction — it's the deplorable content of venomous anti-Clinton hate speech poisoning our airwaves in recent days.

And she was great in the first debate. Bernie was better. And if Bernie Sanders is a "Socialist/Communist", Donald Trump is a "Capitalist/Cattle Rustler." Both of these characterizations are untrue, but the former allegation was seriously offered by Mr. Trump last Wednesday at a campaign rally in Virginia, while the latter is herein presented as a similarly caustic, invented, hyperbolic aside.

Continuing my brief review of the first Democratic Presidential Debate on CNN, I felt that Anderson Cooper was marvelous as moderator, while O'Mally was mediocre, Webb made me wince and Chaffee choked.

Comparison between Republican and Democratic debate content so far offers easily discernable differences separating the principles and positions of both parties with remarkably evident contrast. There is no doubt such variances will continue up to and through next year's election cycle – to the benefit of those sincerely interested in finding and supporting important new directions and advancing ourselves forward – or continuing our backslide to ever more reduced status here at home and in the eyes of the world.

If I were a Republican, I wouldn't know what to do. I don't envy the immediate G.O.P. dilemma – metaphorically choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea – that is – making a selection between essentially undesirable outcomes. For possible bar bets (an occasional friendly feature of this column at no extra charge) – please note that extensive research (several seconds) reveals the original meaning of the phrase may be a nautical reference citing the deep ocean and a "devil" – this being "a piece of wood or joint important for navigation that is difficult to reach on a ship." I didn't make that up.

Donald Trump remains a frump and Dr. Ben Carson is getting just plain spooky in plenty of time for Halloween. That soft, smooth, soothing tone belies a truly frightening take on almost everything he suggests — decidedly more smarmy than smart. Kindly condescension drips from his lips in unctuous flow. He's no Ben Casey.

Speaking of whom, for those who remember Vince Edwards starring as Doctor Ben Casey in the early '60's ABC hit TV series, what's this we hear about Medicare "B" costs going up as much as 50% in 2016 for some of us, even while there's no increase coming our way in Social Security payments next year?

Feel "The Bern?"
Chapter Thirty-Three -- "68,400 Square Feet of Solid Rock"

My old friend Ron Bearup has some farmland in upstate Michigan and just went wild – creating the largest tractor-mowed book title in the history of literacy. This "Local DJ" covers 68,400 square feet with letters 80 feet wide and 60 across with 20 feet of spacing in between. It lies directly in the flight path to Harbor Springs Municipal Airport on Lake Michigan. When asked why he did such a thing, Ron said, "I liked the book!"

Chapter Thirty-Four -- "Community Radio"

Once upon a time, there was no TV.

This was roughly from the dawn of man to the late '40's, when the wonder of televised black and white images accompanied by FM sound was introduced into living rooms across America.

In my hometown of Syracuse, an RCA 8TR29 with a 10-inch screen sold for $948.00 in 1948 – the equivalent of $9,524 in today's dollars — big bucks back then. Our family had to wait a bit for our first set. So it was that I grew up with radio alone as my primary gateway to the world.

Even this technology was then still relatively new. The first federally licensed radio station, KDKA in Pittsburgh, signed on the air 95 years ago this very week on November 2, 1920.

By 1941 when I was born, there were countless receivers coast to coast tuned each week to local variety programs, news, sports, and commentary. Audiences were riveted to the networks for such classics as Lux Radio Theater, Amos & Andy, Jack Benny, The Lone Ranger, Bob Hope and dozens more, but it was the local connection that truly bound us together.

Even after television revolutionized our culture turning listeners into viewers by the millions — local radio still featured fully staffed news departments monitoring police, fire and weather radios, reporting important nearby events, tracking local politics and covering municipal court houses well into the '60's. If it happened down the street, you'd hear about it in minutes.

Then all that was gone, primarily since replaced by nationally syndicated conservative talk on the AM band and computer-driven, consultancy programmed music stations on the FM side with most becoming little more than 50,000 watt iPods. For broadcast communication, the new global village had become a lonely old town.

But in 2000 — a wonderful thing happened. To address a critical need for local program origination, the Federal Communication Commission created Low Power FM radio service, authorized for noncommercial educational broadcasting. With an effective radiated power of 100 watts, "Community Radio" would cover approximately a 3.5-mile radius, not enough to serve a territory, but certainly a town or two.

This Saturday morning, I hope you'll join us for the November meeting of the Oakhurst Democratic Club at Denny's when Kevin Bowman of KRYZ-LP in Mariposa tells us all there is to know about our adjacent county's "Community Radio."

KRYZ-LP features prominent club events, significant regional issues, local news, extended interviews, wide reaching panel discussions and emergency broadcast programming.

Kevin reports that volunteer operated KRYZ-LP is designed to engage Mariposa citizens with a station dedicated to being a participatory medium in which home town listeners can be an important part of a vibrant, interactive radio experience.

Current local programming features Jon Youngblood with "Mariposa Town Talks", "Easy on the Ears" is guided by Ron Judice, Michelle Marcell gets "Curious and Curiouser", Chris Adcock visits the "Haunted Steakhouse", Stephanie Means brings us "Fire in The Head", Eve Elder tames "The Musical Managerie", while Saturday's speaker at Denny's, Kevin Bowman, brings listeners both "Public House" and the Irish flavored "Slainte" with Trudy Williams.

You can find KRYZ-LP on the Internet at www.KRYZRadio.org or 98.5 on the FM dial, but not on your Oakhurst radios for two reasons.

First, there are some serious signal blocking ridges between here and Mariposa. Secondly, there seems to be – a possible interloper in our midst.

With absolutely no local content featured and efforts made to avoid publicizing its existence, KOLS-LP has occupied 98.5 FM, licensed to Oakhurst, since July of this year. Operated by "Radio Catholic" and exclusively featuring programming from the EWTN Catholic Radio Network, the KOLS-LP call letters stand for "Our Lady of the Sierra"

Intriguingly, Father Joel Davadilla, Pastor of Our Lady of the Sierra, did not authorize the project and doesn't know much about it.

I'm sure we'll have much more to share at our Saturday meeting, a leading Washington law firm having been engaged to check things out for all of us.

Community Radio – KOLS — "Keep Oakhurst Locally Served."

Chapter Thirty – Five -- "Community Radio" – Part Two

Kevin Bowman of KRYZ-LP in Mariposa spoke before an overflowing crowd Saturday morning at the November meeting of our Oakhurst Democratic Club. He spread the gospel of Low Power FM.

As outlined in last week's column, the Federal Communication Commission licenses "Low Power FM" stations to provide small communities such as Oakhurst with local radio programming otherwise unavailable.

Such service offers area clubs, churches, schools, educational forums and other non-profit organizations a volunteer supported opportunity to discuss issues, promote events, and otherwise exchange thoughts and ideas on an interactive, participatory basis.

While KRYZ-LP is operating at 98.5 FM in Mariposa, this same public frequency was clandestinely licensed to Oakhurst on July 13, 2015 by a thus far phantom group calling itself "Radio Catholic" and headed by one Father Daniel White of Los Angeles. Although the FCC approved call letters of KOLS-LP are said to stand for "Our Lady of the Sierra", initial investigation determined that Father Joel Davadilla, Pastor of "Our Lady of The Sierra" did not authorize the project and knew little about it.

Father Joel did report that Father White "though not assigned to our Lady of the Sierra Catholic Church, is a priest from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles who has his own residence close to the Bass Lake Area. He made mention to me about the beginnings of a Catholic Radio Station here a year ago to broadcast Church events and the like. This was all of his own initiative."

After discovering KOLS-LP's existence, I examined its FCC application in September and wrote to Father White at his residence in Winnetka, California – a Los Angeles suburb. Congratulating him on obtaining the license, I explained that the Oakhurst Democratic Club had scheduled a meeting on "Community Radio" for November 7th and invited him and his group to take part. This was to specifically share with us his pledged intentions of providing local programming to the people of Oakhurst, such being a critical requirement in being granted FCC permission to broadcast.

In subsequent communication, Father White agreed to do so.

Having had no further contact after three weeks, I sent him a note on October 19th, repeating my request.

He has yet to acquiesce.

What Father White did do is stop by the offices of the Sierra Star and speak with both Publisher Betty Linn and Editor Brian Wilkinson in an effort to suppress my "For Your Consideration" column and keep any news of KOLS-LP out of the public eye. Obvious, such an attempt at maintaining "radio silence" was to no avail.

100% of current KOLS-LP airtime is exclusively a rebroadcast of national EWTN programming out of Birmingham, Alabama — this already easily accessible in Oakhurst on Sirius/XM Radio, both Dish and Direct Satellite TV, and via the Internet.

Founded by 92 year-old Franciscan nun Mother Mary Angelica, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world, reaching over 230 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories.

Although there would appear to be obvious infirmities in Father White's KOLS-LP application formally submitted to the Commission as well as demonstrable deficiency in "Radio Catholic" conduct since receiving approval, I have extended to Father White one final chance at redemption.

Unless he signals appropriate penance and agrees to provide meaningful opportunity for local programming origination and adequate studio facilities in Oakhurst to facilitate production of same (another Federal requirement) – a formal complaint will be filed with the Commission demanding sanction, fines and other available remedies, including license revocation.

We need "Community Radio" in Oakhurst to be truly "catholic" in nature, a word defined in Webster's as being "of general scope or value; all-inclusive; broad in sympathy, tastes and understanding."

That means for all people, parties, pursuits and persuasions.

As in – democracy.

Chapter Thirty – Six -- "Bark for Bernie"

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was a pioneer in behavioral psychology who won a Nobel Prize in 1904 for his work on conditioned responses.

Pavlov is classically referenced as discovering that dogs salivating at the sight of food could also be conditioned to do the same at the sound of a bell, providing a pattern was established in which such was rung as a matter of routine just before feeding time – the doggies reacting to the bell as though it was food itself.

More than half of American voters seem to be similarly predisposed to dismiss Bernie Sanders as a viable candidate for president since he is a self-declared "socialist" – this word conditioned through the years by dubious definition and careless commentary as being the same thing as a "communist."

A recent Gallup survey measuring electorate bias indicates that 93% of us would vote for a Catholic, 92% for an African-American, 92% for a woman, 91% for an Hispanic, 91% for a Jewish candidate, 81% for a Mormon, 74% for a gay or lesbian, 73% for an Evangelical Christian who believes the world is 6,000 years old and cavemen rode dinosaurs and 58% would even back an atheist. But only a minority 47% would support putting a socialist in The White House.

Such mindless conditioning is desperately in need of righteous revision.

There's a major disconnect here as far as Bernie Sanders' campaign is concerned. It's truly astounding. Issues the Senator endorses score majority support across the board – many by impressive pluralities.

A resounding 84% of voters, including Democrats, Republicans and Independents, agree that money has far too much influence on political campaigns and 77% think there should be limits on amounts individuals, corporations or political action committees can spend on their favorite issues or candidates. That's what Bernie says.

80% of registered Democrats are in favor of a "Single Payer Option" in health insurance, also known in Bernie-talk as "Medicare for All." Sadly, such a concept was the first casualty in early 2009 health care debates when President Obama completely left it off the table in a doomed effort to obtain early Republican cooperation.

73% of Americans want Citizens United (2010) overturned, not believing that "corporations are persons" and "money is speech" — underscoring the fact that concern about the dominance of elections by corporations and the wealthy is overwhelmingly bipartisan. That's a biggie with Bernie.

67% of our people believe there is obvious unfairness in the current national distribution of wages and wealth across the board.

64% of us state that many major corporations are not paying their fair share of taxes.

63% would favor Bernie's "College for All Act" which would provide free education at public colleges funded by a small tax on Wall Street transactions, including 47% of Republicans who are comfortable with the idea.

57% of our citizens are not opposed to Same Sex Marriages.

My colleague, Alan Cheah, was wonderfully succinct in his Sierra Star column of 10/25/15 discussing "socialism" when he asked in puzzled challenge – "What are we afraid of?"

Questioning Senator Sanders about taxes during last Saturday night's Democratic Presidential Debate, a reporter seemed stunned to learn that the rate on upper incomes was a full 90% under President Dwight Eisenhower, true American hero and prime architect of the Normandy Invasion as leader of all Allied Forces during World War Two. Sanders promised his final number would be significantly less than that – then joked – "I'm not that much of a socialist compared with Eisenhower." Even Hillary had to laugh.

An honest review of what Bernie Sanders represents brings quite a revelation. Senator Sanders is the new voice of mainstream America as our young lead the way.

In a late October NBC News/Monkey Survey poll of probable Democratic voters between the ages of 19 and 29, Bernie Sanders leads Hillary Clinton by an outrageous 2 to 1 ratio – 54% to 26%.

Millennials are paying attention and on the march.

I'm betting they won't get fooled again.

Chapter Thirty – Seven \-- "Christmas Questions"

What's next?

How can things get stranger?

Has our world become a giant lunatic asylum staffed by morons and run by inmates – the laughing stock of whatever intergalactic universe may or may not exist?

But that's harsh, the Herald Angels sing.

It's Holiday time – so let's look at the bright side.

Donald Trump will never be President of the United States.

Nor will Dr. Ben "Casually Catatonic" Carson.

Nor Democratic candidate Martin O'Malley, whose name I can finally recall just in time to no longer have to.

Bernie Sanders is still a long shot against Hillary, while Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio seem to be scooping up support from former Trump and Carson enthusiasts like elephant handlers in a circus.

The rest of the field is miserably moribund — competing for the title: "Best Also Ran."

I was listening to KFI AM 640 out of L.A. on Friday when news of the Planned Parenthood assault in Colorado Springs broke. The announcer, Tim Conway, Jr., instantly lamented, "Watch! Liberals will cite this is another example of gun violence and domestic terrorism!" He was right. It is. Perhaps Tim was being facetious. While KFI offers relatively conservative programming, it is brilliantly staffed and Tim is dependably hilarious – as is his more famous father.

We just saw Vladimir Putin push his luck with President Recep Erdogan of Turkey, who promptly shot down a Russian jet when it crossed into Turkish air space for less than twenty seconds. Any serious retaliation by Russia could trigger a cataclysmic conflict. The United States is treaty bound to defend Turkey as a member of NATO – a deal becoming decidedly dicey.

Dr. Carson labels certain Syrian refugees as "rabid dogs", then heads for the Middle East to hang out with a few.

Not to be outdone in inexplicable conduct, Donald Trump, ever plunging to new depths of decadent disgust, makes fun of a crippled New York Times reporter, finally claiming that the poor man is brazenly using the bloated bully for publicity.

In poll after poll, two-thirds of our fellow citizens consistently claim, "the country is heading in the wrong direction." Similarly, an even stronger majority insists that Congress sucks and politicians can't be trusted, so we need "outsiders " to run government.

All of this crazy talk comes from reputedly "average folks "– whining at the sidelines as though they have had absolutely nothing to do with failed expectations. Respondents either voted or didn't vote in recent elections. Not voting is also a vote. Nothing comforts many of us like the soothing insulation of self-imposed ignorance.

Look out. Here comes Baby New Year 2016 in three short weeks. I want to yell – "Go back! Go back! It's a trap!"

Yet irresistible optimism concludes this narrative. If nothing else, let's enjoy the rest of good old 2015 and celebrate its pending retirement, wishing joy to the world and happiness to all.

On Saturday, I hope you will make plans to be on the scene for a major Oakhurst annual highlight as our Community Christmas Tree Lighting takes place come 5 PM at Road 426 and Highway 41, sponsored by Sierra Tel and hosted by Century 21 Ditton Reality and Victorian Village.

I'm informed there will be carol singing, pine cone decorating, a petting zoo, pony rides, and free hot cider, cocoa, cookies and hot dogs – all of which might more wisely be consumed by our little ones AFTER they enjoy the bounce house.

Earlier in the day, our December meeting of the Oakhurst Democratic Club takes place at Denny's with breakfast at 8:30 and a timely program at 9:30. Michael Baird, Administrator at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, will be discussing "Homeless for The Holidays" and providing updated information on our area homeless. There will be ample time provided for questions and you don't have to be a Democrat to attend. Or a Presbyterian.

No one even checks.
Chapter Thirty-Eight -- "Oremus"

Let's face it.

The man was right about "that giant sucking sound " being U.S. jobs heading south in the aftermath of the North American Free Trade Agreement that eventually went into effect January 1, 1994.

With CNN prepared to host the Fifth Republican Presidential Primary Debate next Tuesday night (6 PM Pacific) from the Venetian in Las Vegas, might I suggest we are about to witness initiation of America's first serious Third Party/Independent candidacy since 1992. That's when Texas businessman Ross Perot defied the odds in November and garnered an astonishing 18.91% of the popular vote against 31.2% for incumbent President George H.W. Bush and 43.01% for Bill Clinton – elected to his first term as 42nd President of the United States.

Perot's performance was all the more impressive when, after running a strong first place in June polling with 39% support against Bush's 31% and Clinton's third place 25%, he dramatically announced he was quitting the race in July due to the threat of Republican operatives disturbing his daughter's wedding, a discomforting allegation never proven. But this turned out to be squirrely enough to lose Perot significant backing when he decided to reenter the game a short time later

It's only a matter of time until Donald makes his move.

As 2016 approaches, there are several factors convincingly established.

After over five months of serious campaigning, Donald Trump now consistently maintains a firm lead over all other serious Republican contenders in poll after poll, no matter what he does, says, exaggerates, fabricates or fanaticizes. His people just eat it all up.

It would appear that this base of committed support represents approximately one-third of potential GOP voters – pretty much hard-core conservatives with substantial evangelical backing.

Although thankfully removed from traditional mainstream thinking, this grouping has sporadically surfaced during transitional times in our common past — always extraordinarily nativistic and selectively secretive, such as the "American Party" in the 1850's.

The catalyst for this band of belligerents, also popularly referenced as "Know Nothings," was an increase in immigration in the 1840s, especially the great numbers of foreigners who flooded east coast cities during the years of Ireland's "Great Starvation." The American Party particularly despised the poor, blacks and virtually all new immigrants, especially Irish and German Catholics.

While Trump stays convincingly in the lead as currently configured, an overwhelming majority of Republicans – at least two out of three – certainly want someone else. That's undeniable. Period. Case closed.

So – get ready for fireworks on Tuesday. This could be the last stand for Kasich, Huckabee, Christy, Fiorina, Paul, and even Bush. And Carson, Cruz and Rubio can't afford pretending any longer that Trump is anything less than a manipulative, maniacal menace.

Donald Trump has no intention of abiding by his agreement to endorse whomever is eventually chosen as presidential candidate of the Republican Party — if it's not Donald Trump. He's already signaled such recently with renewed reflections on the importance of "fairness" on the part of the Republican National Committee.

A decision to go it alone would delight his fans, catapult media coverage and electrify the electorate.

Trump has the money, moxie and mania to forever enshrine himself in American pop culture.

He's hit his popularity ceiling, but that's not Donald's "art of the dealing".

I strongly suspect Donald Trump has never really wanted to be President in the first place – just a prolonged, extended, unavoidable center of fascinated global attention – if not beloved – as least beheld by billions.

MSNBC Superstar Rachel Maddow has gone on record saying that a Donald Trump third party effort would be nothing less than a continuing "gift from God."

That Latin chanting altar boy from my ancient past now springs forth in memory and breathlessly offers this single Christmas whisper: "Oremus."

"Let us pray."

Chapter Thirty-Nine -- "Happy New Year!"

Call me old fashioned.

Why wait a full two weeks until the arbitrary time line imposed by the institution of Pope Gregory XIII's fancy new revised calendar in 1582? Let's follow ancient tradition and rely upon our old, dependable cosmic sky clock — greeting 2016 here in Oakhurst as the winter solstice arrives at 8:49 PM next Monday, December 21st.

Since time immemorial, this is when the earth's axis starts slightly tilting with every next rotation, bringing increased sunlight into our lives. This is when each New Year is truly born.

That's why I've always considered Newgrange not a tomb, but a womb – celebrating fresh renewal of life.

Superstitious rural residents of Ireland's Boyne Valley considered Newgrange a dangerous "Faerie Mound" for many centuries — terrified to go near. It had been sealed and covered by earth for several millennia and existed only as a whispered rumor in Irish folklore and mythology. It wasn't until contemporary times that archaeologist Michael O' Kelly led extensive excavation and restoration, uncovering a large circular monument hiding a stone passageway leading down to three interior chambers.

These become fully lit by a single beam of brilliant sunlight penetrating through a slender, perfectly aligned shaft for less than twenty minutes duration. This happens only at the exact point of the Winter Solstice and has done so for the last six thousand years.

Newgrange is older than both Stonehenge of England and the Pyramids of Egypt by hundreds of generations.

No one knows who constructed Newgrange or why, but it clearly suggests a celestial celebration of extraordinary cultural importance older than human memory, yet younger than Ireland, herself.

Did you know the whole Emerald Isle was buried under a mile of ice only an epoch ago? It wasn't until the end of the last glacial period around 8,000 BC that the island became sparsely populated by small contingents of Mesolithic people arriving from Europe by boat — Syrians of yesteryear.

An important mentor in my life was Uncle Vince.

Vincent was my father's older brother and had studied for the priesthood. With my father's death when I was 6, he had become my mentor. He didn't have much money either.

Vincent had been noticed as a very young man by the nuns and had been educated in the finest schools at Church expense. While in Rome completing his education, Vincent enlisted in the U.S. Army, fighting in World War One and being gassed in the trenches of France. After the war ended, he spent many years teaching Greek, Latin and Theology at Mount Saint Mary near Baltimore — a major Catholic seminary.

Returning to Syracuse upon retirement, he moved in above us and would bring me to the library all the time to choose "important books." I would sneak out of my room in the middle of the night and study the stars with him through an old, dusty telescope on his porch. His namesake, our grandson Vincent, has that telescope today.

As I would ask him of life, Uncle Vince would answer all of my questions with questions. I later came to know he practiced the Socratic method of instruction. He loved Socrates and would sign that name to many articles submitted to our local newspapers.

When I was to receive my Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Sciences from Le Moyne College in 1963, Uncle Vince made it a point arriving early to be certain of proper seating. He proudly waved at me from the front of the stands clutching a small Irish flag. I briefly saw him after the ceremony and we made plans to see each other the following weekend. I had parties to attend. He went home and died alone within hours.

He left me everything he had. His estate primarily consisted of over three thousand books covering every subject known to man. The volumes filled every room in his tiny apartment from ceiling to floor. Keeping the important ones, the rest went to the Jesuits at Le Moyne.

It was Uncle Vince who called the star-filled, dark heavens of night our "sky clock" and thus he sprang to mind as I wrote this column. So, from Doctor Vincent Cavanaugh , you are herein wished a hearty Irish "Shona Bhliain Nua!" – Happy New Year!

As I remain still around – with questions yet unanswered.

Dr. Vincent Cavanaugh

Chapter Forty -- "Merry Christmas"

If time were a truck — it would get speeding tickets.

How can this be Christmas Eve? Thanksgiving was a half hour ago. Easter was yesterday. Last year was last week.

Everyone talks about it, but there's nothing to be done. Being locked in time, imprisoned by existence, we all share an unavoidable consequence of our common humanity – uncertain, yet ever accelerating travel toward the unknowable.

Back in Ohio, the Shamrock Lounge in Perrysburg was only two blocks from where we lived and a mere fifty feet from where Ronald Reagan addressed a cheering throng in the fall of 1984. Perrysburg was the final destination on a whistle-stop train-tour through Ohio. It had been arranged to capture a nostalgic sense of traditional American political campaign history. There were Secret Service agents swarming all over our little town.

President Reagan's last words were that Democrats always thought it was April 15th, but Republicans wanted every new day to be the Fourth of July. Right on cue, fireworks exploded in the distance and a band struck-up "Stars and Stripes Forever" as Reagan's train pulled away. Pure Hollywood. Even Sidewalk Joe agreed it was slick as hell.

Joe hung out at the Shamrock all the time, but you wouldn't want to talk to him unless he wanted to talk with you. In his late eighties by then, Joe would lean forward in rumpled repose on the classically scarred mahogany bar (circa 1850) — an unfiltered Lucky Strike dangling from the corner of his mouth, slowly sipping a shot glass of Jack, tolerating no trifles — suffering no fools.

Joe had moved to Perrysburg to live with his sister several decades earlier. When she passed, he inherited her tiny yellow house across from the Post Office. Once every week, a chauffeured limousine would pick Joe up at the bar and transport him to Detroit, where he would play cards with masters of industry, champions of sport and inheritors of great wealth. He was a master magician and card player, having been apprenticed for many years in his youth to Ehrich Weiss — The Great Houdini. I saw the press clippings.

One night just before he died, Joe dramatically whispered he had finally figured out something so plain and obvious he was horribly embarrassed such important a thing had taken so long. He wanted to officially go on record, solemnly stating: "Peter! Listen to me! It's all now! It's always been now. There's never been anything but NOW!

That following week, magicians from throughout the Midwest attended Joe's services and burial in Fort Meigs Cemetery on the Maumee River just south of Toledo. In certain mysterious circles, "Sidewalk Joe" was more of a legend than I had ever imagined. I've never forgotten what turned out to be among his final words. And what they implied:

  * To be anywhere is to be everywhere.

  * To be anything is to be everything.

  * To be at all is to be always.

Time is an illusion. So is space. I know that sounds weird, but it's all part of now.

What does this have to do with Christmas time? Everything.

In the words of French Philosopher/Paleontologist/Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:

  * "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." (1955)

  * "The heart of Christ (is) at the heart of matter." (1948)

  * "Christ has a cosmic body that extends throughout the universe." (1916)

So it was I thought of Sidewalk Joe and Father de Chardin during the Sixth Annual Community Christmas Program at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, a superlative presentation featuring the combined efforts of New Community United Methodist Church, Oakhurst Lutheran Church, Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church and the Sierra Chamber Singers.

Special congratulations are due Directors Susan Moore, Monika Moulin, Mary Posluch and Catherine Walker.

The production met and surpassed Broadway quality standards in professionalism, presentation and performance – with the voices of angels.

It was magically spiritual.

And deeply moving.

Merry Christmas from Peter, Eileen and Fiona Cavanaugh.

About The Author

At the age of sixteen in 1957, Peter C. Cavanaugh enjoyed a fifty-eight percent total audience share on his hometown station, WNDR in Syracuse, New York. Decades later, he wrote "Local DJ" -- a book about his adventures ever since, promoting and producing literally hundreds of early concerts with the likes of Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Kiss and so on, as well as running Reams Broadcasting -- a seven station radio group which included the top-rated Rock & Roll stations in America. In the early '80's, Cavanaugh introduced Michael Moore to an unsuspecting public over WTAC and WWCK in Flint, Michigan.

Mr. Cavanaugh is former Chairman of the NBC Source Board, President of the ABC Radio Affiliates Board and President of the Flint Area Advertising Federation. He is a multiple award winning broadcast executive -- prominently featured in Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Peter lives in Oakhurst, California, with his wife of 50 years, Eileen, and remains active with broadcast consulting, writing, counseling and public speaking.

COOL LINKS:

"Digital Scrapbook" \-- http://www.wildwednesday.com

"Professional Website" \-- http://www.petercavanaugh.com

Peter C. "Blog Site" \-- http://www.petercavanaugh.wordpress.com

Facebook Link -- http://www.facebook.com/peter.cavanaugh1

To Write Peter Cavanaugh \-- mailto:ledzep2001@aol.com

"Remembering WTAC" \-- http://www.facebook.com/big6WTAC

"Sherwood Forest Concerts" \-- http://www.facebook.com/SherwoodForestInDavisonMI

