TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022 - THE LAST DAY OF MAY 2022

 TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022 - THE LAST DAY OF MAY 2022

REPLACEMENT RATE:

Last month, a man shot 10 people at a Buffalo New York grocery store.

“(CNN)The 18-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed 10 people Saturday afternoon in Buffalo, New York, was motivated by hate, authorities said, targeting a supermarket in the heart of a predominantly Black community.

“Eleven of the 13 people shot by the White suspect at the Tops Friendly Market were Black, officials said. Among the victims, who range in age from 20 to 86, were people grocery shopping, a heroic former police officer who tried to stop the gunman, a long-term substitute teacher, and a taxi driver who "took pride in helping people."

“The author attributes the internet to most of his beliefs and describes himself as a fascist, a White supremacist, and an anti-Semite.

“The author bought ammo for some time but didn't get serious about planning the attack until January, per the document. The author also writes about his perceptions of the dwindling size of the White population and claims of ethnic and cultural replacement of Whites.”

*****

Since that shooting, the concept of “White Supremacy” has been discussed.  

“NEW FEDERAL DATA released by the Center for Disease Control reveals that American women are having fewer and fewer children needed to sustain the current population. In 2017, all but two states in the country had birth rates below replacement level. The total U.S. birth rate was about 1.765 children per woman.  

“In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, white women had birth rates below replacement level. The highest birth rate among women was those living in Utah. The white birth rate in Utah was about 2.0 children per woman…

“States like California, New York, Wyoming, West Virginia, and Washington, DC, saw the lowest birth rates in the country. For example, Washington, DC, had a birth rate of only about 1.7, far below the 2.1 level needed to replace the metro area’s population.

“Meanwhile, only South Dakota and Utah had birth rates above replacement level. South Dakota had a birth rate of about 2.2 children per woman, while Utah had a birth rate of about 2.1 children per woman.

“Black women in the U.S. only had above replacement level birth rates in 12 states while Hispanic women had the largest share of birth rates throughout the states. Births among Hispanic women were above replacement level in 29 states.

The U.S. is now less than half of what it was in the 1950s in terms of replacement birth rate

“Between 1955 to 1960, the U.S. birth rate peaked with nearly 3.6 children being born per woman. Demographers predict, based on current trends, for the U.S. birth rate to remain below replacement level into the year 2100.

*****

Okay, Karen - what are you trying to say?

The data shows that American women (or families) are having fewer children.  (I’m not sure of that data - the population of the United States in 1955 was 171,685,336, and the population in 2020 was 331,002,651).  But, the “replacement birth rate'' especially for white Americans is significantly under the 2.1 figure which is supposedly the number that keeps the population at an even balance between births and deaths.

“New census population projections confirm the importance of racial minorities as the primary demographic engine of the nation’s future growth, countering an aging, slow-growing, and soon to be declining white population. The new statistics project that the nation will become “minority white” in 2045. During that year, whites will comprise 49.7 percent of the population in contrast to 24.6 percent for Hispanics, 13.1 percent for blacks, 7.9 percent for Asians, and 3.8 percent for multiracial populations.”

*****
So, seemingly the gunman in the Buffalo shooting was disturbed by the decline in white birthrates and the increase in the non-white population. So, to even out the ratios, he wanted to kill non-whites (and in this case Black Americans).  

*****
My mind - which tries to be rational - suggests that big trends like the birthrate and immigration can’t be stopped or changed by killing off specific groups of people.  (After all, Hitler attempted to kill all the Jewish people in Germany and occupied territories).

A Gallup poll (now about eight years old).  Had about 89% of White (non-Hispanic) Americans as Republicans (or leaning towards the Republican Party.  That same poll had about 60% of the Democratic Party as white (non-Hispanic).  

That poll (again about eight years old) had about 22% of the Democratic party as black Americans and 13% of the Democratic party as Hispanic.  

From that poll, where 89% of the Republican Party were white Americans, only 2% were black and 6% were Hispanic.  

As time has passed, the Republican party has become more conservative and the Democratic party more liberal.  Of course, politicians who are in power want to stay in power, and those that are not in power want to get more political clout.  

*****
And, partially related - of the people massing on the Mexico/US Border - most are Hispanic.  President Trump’s plan for a wall was to keep Hispanics out - with the likelihood that they will throw the balance of power to the Democrats.  

*****
So, the discussion - at least informally - is about how to get Republicans into power in the midterm elections and also in the 2024 Presidential election.  With the larger number of white Americans (89% of that party in 2013) as Republicans, this is for some people, a plea for “White Supremacy”.  

The cries of ‘racism’ spring from both sides.

*****

But, (true to Karen). “Some trust in Chariots and some in horses but we will trust in the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).  

“Love one another” - whether white, black, Hispanic, Asian, or other.  Love your neighbor as yourself, Love your enemy.  Let love win.

Yes, LOVE WINS.

Karen

May 31, 2022

 

(And - just for reflection - while the replacement rate is 2.1, the Japanese birth rate is about 1.4 children per woman - way under the replacement rate!!!)

MONDAY, MAY 30, MEMORIAL DAY 2022

 MONDAY, MAY 30, 2022 MEMORIAL DAY

Yes, today is Memorial Day.  When I was Scoutmaster in South Dakota, we went to one of the two cemeteries and put flags on all the graves of veterans.

Memorial Day is a successor to Decoration Day - when Americans decorated the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War.

The Civil War was the deadliest war in American history.  Approximately 620,000 people died (mostly men) in the war, as compared to about 405,000 in World War II.

The Civil War was one of different ideologies and of different financial issues (yes, money seems to be part of war).

The North had an ideology of slavery is wrong, and that the nation (union) was higher than the state’s rights.  Financially, the North was already an industrialized region.

The South had an ideology of slavery is acceptable and that states could determine their own directions.  Financial, the South would be severely crippled by ending slavery as the economy of the South was largely agricultural and the cost of labor for plantations would be high as compared to the cost of slavery.  

The human cost of 620,000 was about 2% of the population. But, that number doesn’t really reflect the total cost to families, regions, to communities.  The number of wounded that survived included those who lost arms, and legs, and still came home wounded.  There were many of the wounded who died because military health care was limited (No Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals - MASH units - no helicopter rescues, no solid medical treatment in the field.)

Across the world, there have been other civil wars - that is wars within a particular nation.  Many South American nations have fought civil wars over ideology - communism or democracy; European nations struggled with political power being held by kings and those of the royal class.  Peasants were subject to harsh conditions while the royalty flourished.  (In particular, Russia and France seem to fit that bill).  The French Revolution removed the King and royalty in favor of democracy.  The Russian Revolution removed the King and royalty in favor of communism. 

*****

There have been debates since the Civil War about whether compromises could be made to avoid war.  

The Missouri Compromise said for every new free state, a slave state should be added to the Union.

The Compromise of 1850:
“Divisions over slavery in territory gained in the Mexican-American War (1846-48) were resolved in the Compromise of 1850. It consisted of laws admitting California as a free state, creating Utah and New Mexico territories with the question of slavery in each to be determined by popular sovereignty (voters decided), settling a Texas-New Mexico boundary dispute in the former’s favor, ending the slave trade in Washington, D.C., and making it easier for southerners to recover fugitive slaves”

Even the Constitution of 1787 dodged slavery (John Adams and Thomas Jefferson found a way to get the Constitution approved without dealing with the “elephant in the room”).

In terms of the Civil War, could some states be slave-free and other states have slaves?  That policy had existed for many years - and the tensions between North and South grew.  In America’s case, slavery had to be ended for the whole nation (my bias - and the bias of most people).  

*****

The “Second Civil War” (largely from: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/may/11/second-american-civil-war-robert-reich - Robert Reich was former Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton).

“The second American civil war is already occurring, but it is less of a war than a kind of benign separation analogous to unhappily married people who don’t want to go through the trauma of a formal divorce.

“One America is largely urban, racially and ethnically diverse, and young. The other is largely rural or exurban, white and older.

“Surveys show Americans find it increasingly important to live around people who share their political values. Animosity toward those in the opposing party is higher than at any time in living memory. Forty-two percent of registered voters believe Americans in the other party are “downright evil”.

(Comment - I worked the Texas Primary Runoff election on May 24th.  If no candidate got 50% in the primary, the top two candidates were in the runoff election.  I saw a member of one party giving an obscene gesture to the election officials of the other party.  I heard three people say very negative things about the other party.  While I don’t know if it is 42% that believe the Americans in the other party are ‘downright evil’, it seems like it.  Having watched a particular television channel while assisting a senior person at my part-time job, the main commentator from 7:00 to 8:00 CDT labels the opposition party as ‘evil’, “socialist’, and even ‘communists’.  The leaders of that opposition party are smeared regularly.  

Two weeks ago, in the Common Lectionary (a Bible reading for many denominations from Catholic, to Lutheran, to Presbyterian, Methodists, and others) the scripture said “Love One Another”, and “Love your enemies”.  But it seems that even those that profess Christian viewpoints are hating their fellow Christians!!)

“Almost 40% would be upset at the prospect of their child marrying someone from the opposite party.

Reich notes: “Red states are making it nearly impossible to get abortions but easier than ever to buy guns.”  

A friend commented that it was easier in Texas to get a gun than it is to get permission to add a deck to his house!!!

So, this “Second Civil War” as Robert Reich wrote is “pro-life’ versus “pro-choice”, “gun laws relaxed” versus “strict gun laws”, and those “opposed to LGBTQ” and “accepting of “LGBTQ”.  And, religiously, the one side tends to be more evangelical “Bible Thumping” Christians and the other side is more accepting of multiple faiths and beliefs.

This Civil War will not split the country as the First Civil War attempted, but it will make the Blue States and the Red States more separated.

The compromise is there - live in the state that matches your political philosophy.  (But, some poor citizens can’t afford to move to another state!!)

*****

Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Concluding with a longer scripture - Romans 12:10-16

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Happy Memorial Day

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

LOVE WINS

Karen

SUNDAY FUNDAY - MAY 29, 2022

 SUNDAY FUNDAY - MAY 29, 2022

Happy last Sunday in May 2022.  

We’ve had a little rain and some cooler temperatures in Central Texas.  So, Mother Nature is teasing us before summer really hits!!!  

For Texas, this is pretty common weather - soon, the high-pressure dome will sit over us.  I can be the weather forecaster for the first week of August:  The highs will be from 96 to 105, there will be no precipitation, and the lows overnight will be 78 to 85 degrees.

(A comment:  My apartment has a joint heater/air conditioner unit. (The compressor for the air conditioner is outside the apartment).  I turned my unit off in February.  It has been off for March, April, and May.  Yes, my electric bill has been cheaper and I’ve survived.  

*****

I have played in symphonic groups since 2000 when I moved to Connecticut.  (I also played with the Tri-College Symphony in college.)  I like symphonic music better than band music. What are my favorite pieces?  Favorite composers?  It varies from week to week.  

In Connecticut, I played first with the Hamden Symphony - which played on Quinnipiac’s campus.  Then a friend said the Cheshire Symphony needed a tuba - so, okay, I played with the Cheshire Symphony.  Then the Nutmeg Symphony needed a tuba - I played with that group for two concerts - and that was enough. They rehearsed on Saturday mornings - and we did things on Saturdays.  When Quinnipiac University started a symphony in my last year on campus, I played with that group too!!!  (We had strange instrumentation - saxophones, baritones, and some strings.

Moving to Texas I looked for symphonic groups.  The Williamson County Symphony had two tubas (and three tubas would be too much).  I played with the Band of the Hills - and even was elected President for two years (and past president for four years - ouch).  A friend told me the Williamson County Symphony needed a tuba, so I jumped in (about the time of COVID!!).  

Last summer a second symphonic group got started - the Central Texas Musical Arts.  I played with both groups for the fall concert - but then the December concert got scheduled for the same night.  I liked both groups, but I opted for the Central Texas group.  (I do still have some ego.  In the Williamson County symphony, I was just a player - but in the Central Texas group, I am the “Principle Tuba” player - and the “principle” of my whole section.  We had a high school tuba player join in for two concerts, but he had other activities, so I am the Principle player of a section of one person!!!  

This group is playing our spring concert next Friday and Saturday nights.  On Friday we play outside in a large park, and on Saturday night at First Methodist Church in Round Rock.  I’m looking forward to the Saturday night concert as we have the church organ joining us for some of the music.

The theme is “A Traveler’s Tale” - with Star Wars (long ago in a galaxy far, far away), Mars (the bringer of War), and Jupiter (the bringer of Jollity) from Holst's suite ‘The Planets”, Finlandia, The Pines of Rome, American in Paris [note - I have a solo for four measures!!!], and Stars and Stripes Forever.  

*****

America has had another tragedy - this time in Uvalde Texas.  I hear so much hate talk - and I try to say “Love Wins”.  “Love one another”, and even “Love your enemies”!!!  I worked last Tuesday for the Primary Runoff contests from the March primary election.  There is such political hate - can’t we get along.  LOVE WINS!!

****

Some National Days ahead:

SUNDAY, PUT A PILLOW ON YOUR FRIDGE DAY - May 29, 2022 - National Today

Okay, this was new to me!!!  The write up says:

“Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day is celebrated on May 29 and it’s meant to bring you prosperity and good fortune. The name of this day is quite literal, for on this day people are to put a pillow on their fridge for the magic to work.”

MONDAY, NATIONAL CREATIVITY DAY - May 30, 2022 - National Today

All of us have some creativity in us.  Maybe you knit, crochet, draw, cook, and even write poetry, limericks, or prose.  Let your Creativity grow today!!!

TUESDAY, AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE DAY - May 31, 2022 - National Today

I’m waiting for the day as a senior where I can say to my car, “Take me to HEB, take me to bridge, take me to Granny Basketball practice”, and not have to drive.  When seniors give up their car keys, they lose an important part of their lives - independence.  When my father gave up driving, it sped up his decline and death.  

WEDNESDAY, WEAR A DRESS DAY - June 1, 2022 - National Today

“Wear a Dress Day is celebrated every June 1 and gives women an opportunity to sport their favorite dress. This includes dresses of all sorts, designs, and patterns — all that is important is that it’s a dress you love. Why create a day that is all about dresses, you ask? Well, the fact is, dresses are easy to wear and super comfy, especially in the hot summer weather when you begin to sweat the minute you step out of air-conditioned space. So use this occasion to dump your jeans and adorn a cute dress that makes you look oh so lovely.”

THURSDAY, NATIONAL ROTISSERIE CHICKEN DAY - June 2, 2022 - National Today

I’m guessing we all have done this.  It’s been a long day, it’s time for dinner, and we don’t want to cook, we don’t want take-out food, so we pick up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store.  Maybe add some instant mashed potatoes, or grab a salad - and there you are - instant dinner.

FRIDAY, LOVE CONQUERS ALL DAY - June 3, 2022 - National Today

Love Conquers All Day is celebrated on June 3 every year as a day to cherish our loved ones. No matter how tough life gets, the sailing becomes smoother with our loved ones at our side. It is a day to express gratitude and love to those who matter and recognize love as an emotion that makes the world go around. A day of joy and warmth, you can celebrate it with your friends, family, partners, pets, or anyone whom you love and cherish!

SATURDAY, NATIONAL PRAIRIE DAY - June 4, 2022 - National Today

A lot of the Great Plains - are just that - plains.  The link says, “Spanning more than a dozen American states and several Canadian provinces, the North American prairie is a vast grassland that offers more biodiversity and beauty than most people realize. With their endless, gently rolling plains and highly productive soils, prairies have been a valued location for farming and ranching for thousands of years. 

JOKES

Scene: With a patient in my medical exam room Me: How old are your kids? Patient: Forty-four and 39 from my wife who passed away, and from my second wife, 15 and 13. Me: That’s quite the age difference! Patient: Well, the older ones didn’t give me any grandkids, so I made my own.

I tried having my mother’s phone disconnected, but the customer service rep told me that since the account was in my dad’s name, he’d have to be the one to put in the request. The fact that he’d been dead for 40 years didn’t sway her. Then a solution hit me: “If I stop paying the bill, you can turn off the service, right?” “Well, yes,” she said reluctantly. “But that would ruin his credit.”

 

Feeling down about my thinning hair, I told a friend, “Soon I’ll never need to go back to the beauty salon. Whenever I vacuum, all I pick up is my hair.” A glass-half-full kind of gal, she responded, “Well, then you won’t need to vacuum either.”

On the phone with my 93-year-old brother in Wisconsin, I told him I thought it was time he paid someone to shovel snow for him. He suddenly grew indignant. “Why should I pay someone to shovel?” he demanded. “I can get my son to do it. He’s only 70!”

“This is your great-grandma and great-grandpa,” I told my grandson as I handed him a photo of my parents. “Do you think I look like them?” He shook his head. “Not yet.”

WRAP-UP!!

Enjoy the last week of May, and celebrate Memorial Day (once known as “Decoration Day”, as Americans decorated the graves of those killed in the Civil War.  Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer.  If you haven’t yet, get down those shorts, sandals, and t-shirts.  

LOVE WINS

KAREN

MAY 29, 2022

SATURDAY STORY - NED - PART II

 SATURDAY, STORY, MAY 28, 2022 - NED - PART II

Last week I started a new Saturday story - about Ned Morrison - associate professor of Economics at Wisconsin State University at LaCrosse.  

Ned’s wife (Amanda) and son (James) were killed in a drunk driving accident.  Ned is a good teacher, but the pain still exists in his heart.  

He passed out in class and the EMTs took him to Gunderson Lutheran Hospital to see what was going on.  His academic dean, Mavis Larson had taken the time to sit with him.

*****

Mavis Larson had been in the waiting room for an hour.  She was waiting for word on Ned Morrison’s condition.  Ned had passed out in class and Lori Rohn, a former EMT who was working on a master's degree in health administration helped.  He had an ambulance ride to Gunderson Hospital and he was taken immediately to check out what happened.  Mavis had published academic papers with Ned and had watched him go from a superstar professor to a good professor after the accident.  In the back of her brain, she was worried that Ned could still have lingering effects from the drunk driving accident that killed his wife and son.  

Mavis was also single as her husband had been a captain in the Army and had been killed in Afghanistan.  While they hadn’t dated, Mavis did have some interest in Ned.

*****

Ned was in a hospital gown, propped up in bed.   Seeing him, Mavis said “Hi Ned”.

Ned looked toward the voice.  His eyes seemed glassy.  

He said very slowly,, “Mavis, is that you”.

Mavis thought ‘well he is alive and does recognize me.

She replied, “Hi Ned.  You gave us all a shock today passing out in class.”

Cecelia cut in.  “Hi, Ned.  I’m Cecelia Tisdale, a nurse here at Gunderson Hospital.  I wanted to bring you and Mavis up to speed on what we know and what we don’t know.”

Cecelia continued.  “Since your arrival, you’ve had a CT Scan, an X-Ray, and other tests.  The results are still being studied.  I do have some questions.  Did you eat or drink anything this morning?”

Ned had the look of a physics student who was given four AA batteries, two wires, and a set of Legos and asked to make an electric car for a mouse.

Ned started, “Breakfast?”

He continued.  “I don’t really remember eating breakfast.  I was up late last night watching the Packers play in the Monday Night Football game with Josh.  I slept in and woke up late and grabbed some clothes and came to campus.”

Mavis looked closely at Ned.  Normally he was clean-shaven, but today he had a little stubble.  Yup, he had rushed to campus.

Ned went on, “I grabbed a coffee from the faculty room just before my first class.  I think I drank it in class.”  After that class, I, uh, had to sign some papers for Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity for their fall rush activities. I had students at my office until I ran to my second class - and I don’t remember much after that.”

Mavis remembered that Ned was the faculty advisor for Sigma Tau Gamma.

Cecelia asked again, “Did you have anything to eat?  Maybe a granola bar, or a banana?  Did you have some water to drink?”

Ned answered, “No, I don’t think so.”

Cecelia asked, “Did you and Josh have any food or beer last night while you watched the game?”

Ned thought again.  “Josh brought a six-pack of Miller Lite.  We shared some microwave popcorn. “

Cecelia said, “Well, we took a urine sample and you were definitely dehydrated. And, your stomach was empty. It's a little inconclusive but we saw what could be a small brain tumor on your brain scan.  That could also be a factor.  We want to do a more thorough scan with some dye.  We also want you to stay overnight so we can monitor your conditions.”

Cecelia tried to lighten up, “You know passing out in class is generally only for undergraduates who have been drinking too much.”  Mavis stifled a laugh.

Mavis started, “Well Ned, you’ve had quite a day.”  She flashed a big smile toward her friend and colleague.  “Would you like some water?”  

Ned nodded yes.  

*****

Mavis sat with Ned for another twenty minutes - mostly on the phone with her administrative assistant Tracy - to cancel Ned’s classes for Wednesday and other administrative issues.  

*****

Amanda Zolinski was giving her statement to the campus police.  

“Tuesday night at about eleven she was walking from the library back to her dorm and an assailant wearing a black ski mask, and regular blue jeans jumped out from behind some bushes, grabbed me, and put his hand over my mouth to keep me quiet and pulled me into the bushes by Prairie Springs Science Center.  He ripped off my top, but that took two hands, so I yelled.

That’s when Lori heard me and yelled back.  The man ran off.”

Captain Timmons, of the campus police department, had come in to help with the questioning.  Officer Perez was also there.  She had been sent out when the 911 call came into the campus police office.

Captain Timmons asked, “Did he have any identifying marks that you could tell?”

Amanda said “I’m sorry officer, but it went so quickly.  His ski mask was black - or at least very dark.  I could see his eyes but I didn’t register his eye color.  His hands had gloves.  His voice sounded kind of normal - no accent.”

Captain Timmons continued, “How tall, how heavy?”

Amanda said.  “I’m 5 feet 8 inches, and he seemed to be taller - but not too much taller than I am.  He seemed to be strong when he slapped me and threw me to the ground.”

Captain Timmons asked, “Are you sure it was a male? How about his clothes?  Did you notice anything special?  A logo or color?”

Amanda closed her eyes and thought.  “I’m pretty sure it was a male.  His voice was low - like a bass. Yes, there was some kind of logo on his shirt.  His shirt was dark - navy blue, dark gray.  He had jeans - no holes like girls wear - tennis shoes - I didn’t see the brand or logo.”

Office Perez interrupted.  “Her shirt had been torn when he pulled it off.   

*****

The attack

The assailant slapped her hard and growled “Don’t yell or I will really hurt you”.  

Amanda was so scared, but also determined not to get raped.  She yelled again.  “HELP”

The assailant slapped her again, but Amanda was in luck.  She heard a voice yelling “What’s going on”.  There was somebody out there!!

The assailant slapped her a third time, jumped off of her, and ran away.  

“HELP” yelled Amanda as she struggled to get up.  

The person who had yelled before came over to the bushes and called “Where are you?”

“Here” called Amanda - now becoming a little hoarse.

The voice was vaguely familiar to Amanda.  The face that went with the voice showed up above her.  Amanda recognized her as the girl in her Econ class that helped when Professor Morrison collapsed earlier that morning.  

Lori Rohn helped Amanda up. 

Amanda said, “Wow - that was close”. 

There was enough light to show Amanda’s face.  Lori said, “I think you’re in one of my classes - maybe my econ class.”

Amanda replied, “I think you are the girl who helped Professor Morrison this morning.  Thank you”.  

Lori introduced herself, “Yes, I’m Lori Rohn.  I’m an EMT that is going back to school to get my health administration certification.  I’ve seen you, but don’t know your name.”

Amanda said, “I’m Amanda.  I sit in the second row - and I see you in the front row every day.”

Lori called 911.  The call was answered by the City of LaCrosse but was forwarded to the UWL campus police department when Lori said she was on campus.  

Lori gave the dispatcher all the information - an aborted rape on the south side of Prairie Springs Science Center - just past the front entrance to the building in the bushes.  After hanging up, she noticed the time - 11:37 and the first officer arrived at 11:41 - she thought that was pretty quick.

The officer and her partner took Amanda and Lori to the campus police station on Farwell and 17th street - diagonally across from the Student Union.  

*****

After Amanda was questioned, Captain Timmons questions Lori if she had seen anything that might help.  

Lori replied, “I was coming from the library and heading towards my car in the Pine parking lot.  When Amanda shouted, I ran towards the sound and yelled back.  The assailant fled towards the east.  He seemed to be about six feet tall.  His face was covered.  He had Nike shoes - I think - maybe navy blue or black.  I think I could see the swoosh logo.  He turned to look back at me, and on his shirt, I saw a Sigma-like summation sign in math.  So probably in a fraternity would be my guess.  He was faster than I was, and I was going to stop and help the victim (in this case Amanda).  By the way, just a coincidence, but Amanda and I are in the same econ class.”

Officer Perez said, “We might have some video footage from the camera on top of Prairie Springs.”

Captain Timmons thanked them and offered to drop them off.  He dropped Amanda at Laux Hall and Lori at the Pine Street parking lot.

Officer Perez went back on patrol on campus.  

*****

Max Winthrop had been drinking at Howie’s Bar.  He was 20 but had an ID that said he was 23 and Howie’s was his normal place.  Tonight he was with some of his Phi Epsilon Kappa brothers.  About midnight a couple of Sigma Tau Gamma guys came in.  There were a couple of girls sitting on bar stools and some of the guys were trying to hustle them, to no avail.  They all were wearing dark sweatshirts with the Greek Letters - except one - Brian Schultz.  

The Greek organizations on campus had tried to foster “group like”.  The sororities had done a good job, but the fraternities were still very competitive.  Max got along with lots of the Sigma Tau Gamma guys (and the TKEs and Phi Sigma Epsilon guys), but Brian was just an obnoxious jerk. Max had overheard Brian talking to some freshman guys who were interested in joining a fraternity and Brian had said “Just don’t join Sigma Tau Gamma, they’re a bunch of crybabies”.  That was uncalled for.

He had studied earlier, but grabbing a beer or two at Howie’s with his friends was normal for a Tuesday night.

Max was a sophomore majoring in accounting and played lacrosse on the University of Wisconsin LaCross team.  He liked saying “I play lacrosse at LaCrosse”.  

****
Sheryl Jones was one of the girls on the bar stools.  She was hoping Max might make a move to talk with her.  Maybe she would have to make the move on him.  She was a Tri-Delt and a campus softball player.

*****

Ned Morrison slept well that night.  He had no nightmares that night.

Mavis Larson slept pitifully - with dreams of people dying.

<end of week 2 - Ned Morrison Professor story>

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2022, LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY MAY 27, 2022 LOVE WINS

Let’s see - we’ve had another school shooting - in Uvalde Texas. At the time of writing this 18 students and 2 adults were killed.  We still have Russia invading its neighbor Ukraine (and they were in the Soviet Union together for years so it is like a Civil War).  We had a person shooting up black people in Buffalo a month ago as a white supremacist.  

“Okay, Karen, you keep saying “Love Wins” - and it sure looks like hate is way ahead in this world.”

I remember a friend once saying “I read to the end of the book, and we win”.  He was referring to the Bible”.  “We win”, doesn’t mean that I win, but that God wins. The “good guys” win, the “bad guys lose”.

Theology can be a tough subject to study, and Christian theology can be challenging.  We have a founder 2000 years ago (who didn’t really start Christianity).  This first-century rabbi that I follow was pretty radical.

 

SOME LONGER QUOTATIONS: https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/jesus-was-more-radical-than-you-think/

“Just how radical is the way of Jesus? There is a real possibility that we’ve only barely scratched the surface here in America. The upside-down way of Jesus calls us to love our enemies, be the servant of all and be last so that we can be first. Such teaching has always been counter-intuitive, but in a country with unprecedented wealth and power, it can feel even more radical than ever.

So I was thinking about how Jesus would live in this time right now, in these days that I’m living in. Of course, I’m not saying anything new, I’m saying it in my voice. There’s a lot of talk about humility, about serving, about things like that. Jesus says, “Many of the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. And the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven will be the servant of all.” I was like, “OK, what does that mean?”

Just how radical is the way of Jesus? There is a real possibility that we’ve only barely scratched the surface here in America. The upside-down way of Jesus calls us to love our enemies, be the servant of all and be last so that we can be first. Such teaching has always been counter-intuitive, but it can feel even more radical in a country with unprecedented wealth and power than ever.

Every church has its problems so I’m not trying to single anyone out, but the people that have the mic now — I don’t see much of “the last shall be first mentality.” I see us crushing the most vulnerable people. People at the border and immigrants and others. This is not the way of Jesus. 

Many years ago, around 2012, in one of my Facebook groups, I asked this question: “Why do so many Christian women who are writers say nothing about racism? Why?” It’s a little bit different now, but in ’10, ’11, and ’12, it was not. And it was because, “If I do that, then I’ll lose followers on my platforms. So I’ll lose book sales.” And I’m like, “Well, I’m sorry, but we’ve got to follow Jesus. Right?”

If we’re going to follow Jesus, we have to lose our life. So I’m going to say some things that might not make me popular, but my point is not just to stir up problems or make enemies. It’s just sometimes Jesus said things that people didn’t like. Jesus scandalizes me with his own words. That’s why it’s hard. It requires sacrifice. And sometimes we don’t have a lot of examples around us.

TEN REASONS WHY JESUS WAS A RADICAL: https://chqdaily.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/lind-10-reasons-why-jesus-was-a-radical-religious/

Jesus was a radical monotheist. He believed the Shema: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord your God, the Lord is one.”

Jesus was a radical economist. He preached good news to the poor and told those in power to redistribute power and authority to “the least of these.”

Jesus was a radical egalitarian. He was a first-century peasant, but he invited everyone to the banquet.

Jesus practiced radical humility. He said that his yoke was light. He was consistent with Jewish wisdom traditions.

Jesus modeled and demanded a radical commitment to God. He knew the cost of discipleship.

Jesus preached a radical message of repentance. He preached that the Kingdom of God had come near and spoke to people who had a growing awareness of their individual religious call and responsibility.

Jesus preached radical nonviolent resistance. He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it in a new way.

Jesus demonstrated faith as radical trust in God. Jesus “busted the myth of scarcity.”

Jesus demonstrated radical family values. He redefined family as those who do the will of God.

Jesus was a radical revealer and reconciler of God’s radical love.  He showed God’s way of mending the tears in creation.

**********

Okay, I borrowed a lot of material today.  But, the gist of the writing was that although we say “We are Christians, we are Christ-followers”, we really don’t seem to truly follow the radical that he was.

Now many years ago, there were people who had wristbands “WWJD” - What Would Jesus Do?”  

What should I do?  Try to live a life of loving.  Try to love one another.  Try to love my neighbor as myself.  Try to love my enemies.  Try to give food to the hungry, drinks to the thirsty, and visit the sick and lonely.  

*****

Oops - I have it all wrong.  I know what I should do.  Live for myself - buy things that will impress my friends and neighbors.  Take trips to places I haven’t been and take lots of photos that I can put on Facebook and Twitter to impress people. Get a 100-inch TV and watch a lot of television (especially the political pundits who pontificate on the ills of our society).  

ME, ME, ME!!

Ah, I’m happier now.  I am learning that satisfying MY wants is way better than helping work for justice, showing mercy, or walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8)

(Maybe the last paragraphs aren’t quite me - yet!!!)

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

May 27, 2022