If you haven’t been watching The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, there is a new recurring segment called “Don’t Have Time for That.”  The premise?  You just start digesting one news story before the next one grabs your attention.  This was one of those weeks.  So here are a few topics I considered blogging about but was quickly distracted by the latest breaking news.

Red Flags

Much has been made about the many missed warning signs which strongly suggested Nikolas Cruz, the confessed shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was a potential danger to himself and others based on past behavior and social media posts. Too bad the Republicans will not let the Center for Disease Control or any other federal  agency conduct or support research which might focus on not only HOW to spot these red flags, but propose better methods to respond to them.

But the Parkland shooting, unfortunately shared space on cable news and the front pages of national newspapers when the continuing saga of the chaotic Trump White House reemerged.  In particular, further indictments against Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and the announcement Chief of Staff John Kelly would make the decision whether son-in-law Jared Kushner would still have access to classified information despite the FBI’s assessment he did not merit the required security clearance.

What “red flag” do these two situations have a common?  Both Manafort and Kushner offered to work for no salary.  In Manafort’s case, the question is, “If he is not taking a salary from the Trump campaign, who is paying him?”  Based on last Thursday’s indictments we are much closer to an answer.  As for Kushner, there is a second question.  “Isn’t the signature on your paycheck an indication for whom you actually work?”  By not accepting a salary for the work he performs as a public employee of the American people, does he feel he is not bound by the same rules as those who actually deposit their due compensation?

Referring to General Kelly’s disposition of Kushner’s status, Trump said, “And I have no doubt he will make the right decision.”  But, for whom?

November 9, 1994

Speaking of “red flags,” on the morning of November 9, 1994, I was in Moscow on a USAID funded project conducted by the National Governors Association (NGA) to build better relations between U.S. governors and their Russian counterparts.  My first meeting was with Anatoly Tyazhlov, the governor of the Moscow oblast (equivalent of a state) and chair of the Association of Russian Governors.  Governor Tyazhlov asked me what I thought of the American mid-term elections the day before when under the banner of “The Contract for America,” the Republicans picked up 58 seats and control of the House and eight Senate seats.  I told Tyazhlov I believed it was a reaction to what many Americans saw as an extreme shift to the left by President Clinton and the Democratic Congress.  My fear was that there would be an over-reach in the opposite direction.

To my surprise, Tyazhlov told me he had the same fear for Russia.  After years of communist rule, he expressed concern that his homeland would also swing too far to the right.  Especially if the current government (headed by Boris Yeltsin)  did not relieve the economic distress many Russians were experiencing following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and cradle to grave care.  We should have listened.  Less than six years later, Vladimir Putin was elected Russian President.

NO Surprise

Except for a few sadistic conspiracy theorists (including Donald Trump Jr.), everyone is heaping accolades on the students from Douglas High School for their efforts to shed some light on the issue of gun violence in America.  However, almost every positive review is prefaced by a statement of amazement about the bravery and commitment of these young people.  Who knew?  Well, anyone who had studied every previous cultural movement in the United States.

It was a generation of young people who rode buses to the Deep South to protest segregation and register black voters.  Some were beaten.  Others–Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney–were murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan.

Ten years later, it was young people who challenged the government over the Vietnam war.  And it was the death of four Kent State students which signaled one more, “Enough is enough.”

Young people have been at the forefront of the LGBT movement.  And protection of the environment. And the effort to decriminalize and legalize marijuana.

So why should we be surprised when students who have been in fear for their own lives are willing to stand up and lead the debate over America’s addiction to guns?

Bill Strickland

Anyone who believes “hardened schools” will lead to anything but “hardened students” needs to visit the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild (MCG) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  In 1968, Bill Strickland asked a simple question, “Why should inner-school schools look like prisons?”  Instead of bars on the windows, each table in the cafeteria has linen table cloths and flower centerpieces.  Students engage in culinary, music and horticultural activities all of which have become profit centers to support MCG’s operations.  The music program has received five Grammy awards for its “Live at the Manchester Craftman’s Guild” recordings.

Despite its location in an old warehouse district which used to be a place for drug deals and gang confrontations, safety is not an issue.

In our forty-plus year history, MCG Youth & Arts has never had an incidence of violence at our facility. To quote our founder, Bill Strickland, “If you put people in a world class facility, you get world class citizens.” We have filled our building with light, art, music and a staff dedicated to realizing the genius in everyone.

So to all those who sent their “thought and prayers” to the students at Douglas High School and every other site of a campus based mass shooting and believe armed teachers are the answer, may I suggest you open your Bibles this Sunday to Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

Ernest Hemingway once said “Every true story ends in death.” Well, this is a true story.

This quote is the voice-over at the beginning of the 1971 television movie Brian’s Song, a story about the friendship between two members of the Chicago Bears football team, Brian Piccolo and Gayle Sayers.  Their bond was solidified when each faced a turning point in their lives.  On November 3, 1968, Sayers, a five-time All-Pro selection, tore ligaments in his right knee.  Piccolo, who was Sayers’ back-up at running back, was instrumental in helping Sayers during his rehabilitation, knowing that post-recovery, he would again be relegated to the second string.  A year later Picollo was diagnosed with embryonal cell carcinoma.  Sayers was a constant source of strength for Piccolo and his family until his friend’s death in June 1970.

My thoughts turned to Brian’s Song following the death on Tuesday of Dominic Coletto, a new friend, whom I met only six months ago.  When we were first introduced, I learned he was undergoing chemotherapy.  One would certainly have forgiven him if he had turned inward and focused on himself and his family.  Instead, he devoted a considerable amount of time to helping me work through issues associated with my struggling business.  Some might say it was just a distraction to keep his mind from centering on his health situation.  But something else was clearly in play.

It was the unwelcomed call Wednesday morning from the individual who had brought Dominic and me together that triggered my recollection of Brian’s Song.  Perhaps it was the depiction of Sayers receiving the George S. Halas Award for Most Courageous Player a month before Picollo’s death.  Sayers was honored for his successful comeback when many predicted his football career was over.  Sayers told the audience:

You flatter me by giving me this award, but I tell you here and now I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. I’ll accept it tonight but I’ll present it to Brian tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo. And I’d like all of you to love him, too.

However, as I Googled the text of Sayers acceptance speech, one of the links took me to the IMDB page of quotes from the 1971 film.  And before I reached the one I came for, I was drawn to another.  The voice-over at the end of the film when George Halas (portrayed by Jack Warden) reminds us we are defined by our lives, not by the timing or circumstances of our deaths.

Brian Piccolo died of cancer at the age of 26. He left a wife and three daughters. He also left a great many loving friends who miss and think of him often. But when they think of him, it’s not how he died that they remember – but how he lived. How he did live!

Except for the fact Dominic was 55 years old, Halas’ words are equally true of our friend.  He too leaves a wife and three daughters as well as many friends who already miss him.  And we will remember how he lived.  How he did live!

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP

Several of my readers have asked about the progress I’ve made on my book.  Not as much as I had hoped.

Others have asked about why I had decided to shift emphasis when being part of the “resistance” remains important.  My hope was to finish the book by today.  Why?  Because I wanted to posit my counter-intuitive theory (as opposed to conspiracy theory) about the Kennedy assassination before many of the lingering doubts as to what really happened are resolved.  And as you are now aware, the government will be releasing previously sealed documents today related to the assassination later today.  My fear is that the new information will either confirm my theory (which I seriously doubt) or will make the story less compelling.  NOTE: It is a fictional account of what happened based on the best available facts in the tradition of Gore Vidal’s Burr.

Of course, there is the possibility the newly released material will provide additional fodder which can be woven into the story line.  Assuming the narrative will still be relevant, I will continue to work on it as time allows.  To whet your appetite, today I am sharing the prologue with you.  The working title is, “In the National Interest.”

PROLOGUE

There was just one thing I never understood.  How could an operation involving so many players be kept a secret for 55 years?  And yet it was.  But knowing what I now know, it is obvious.  The truth was so implausible, anyone with knowledge of these events would appear either a delusional conspiracy theorist or a victim of dementia.

Just imagine yourself in their place.  What do you do?  Walk into the editorial board room of the Washington Post or New York Times and announce you know what lay behind the crime of the 20^th century?  And everything ever said or written about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is not even close?  And the reason you are now coming forth is you are the last surviving individual who helped plan and carry out the slaying of the chief executive of the United States.

Imagine the barrage of questions you would face.  How do you know this?  What proof do you have?  Is there anyone else who can corroborate your story? Do you expect us to believe a 92-year-old, former Secret Service agent who, for four decades, has been interviewed on the anniversary of Kennedy’s trip to Dallas?  And each time, expressed guilt that he was unable to protect his only charge?

Finally, imagine this human fount of undisclosed knowledge chooses never to reveal what he knows to journalists or historians.  Instead, upon his death, he leaves you the only existing written chronicle of this incredible account and tells you to do with it whatever you believe you feel is in the best interest of the country and history.

Much to my consternation, I now face that exact dilemma.  My name is Jonathan Sheppard.  And two days ago, my deceased uncle Mason Rhodes posthumously anointed me guardian of the best kept secret in the world.  What would you do?

Jonathan Sheppard
October 13, 2017

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP