Comparing Bits and Pieces from Last year

One year ago I wrote a blog on these bits and pieces:

“Political National Anthem: We have encountered and survived many periods of social history in America where symbols of our national pride are used as political totems. The flag and the national anthem are most often the symbols used.

Sporting events in America usually begin with the national anthem and the waving of the flag. I’m not sure why this is so but it is the norm throughout the nation in high school, college and professional sports.

So it is an ever present symbol that can be honored or disrespected for effect by anyone who wishes to make the political statement. The latest incident is in pro football with Colin Kaepernik’s refusal to stand during the playing of the national anthem while black citizens are being killed by police throughout the nation. This is a serious issue the country faces. The why’s and where for’s are not fully understood. But making this a political issue involving the national anthem is most likely not an effective method of registering a complaint.”

Is this still an issue today? Yes, it is. Kaepernik sits today without a job, a team to play for. He is talented and worthy of inclusion, but his political voice is disruptive to the game, the sport and the team. The question lingers: is his method worthy or misplaced?

I still think it is misplaced. There are many ways he can voice his concerns about ‘Black Lives Matter’ and make a great impression doing so. The issue is real; the method of free speech is in question.

The issues remain the same as they did one year ago. Interesting.

And on September 7, 2016, my blog also had this item:

“Putin’s Denials: We know before he opens his mouth that he will say something opposite the facts. Westerners are conditioned to this. Russian premiers do not have credentials of truth when they speak to the press inside or outside of their Mother Russia. We know them to be purveyors of what they want us to think and believe, not what the facts support.

The latest proof of this is Putin’s denial that anybody in Russia or connected to Russia had anything to do with the hacking of Western data bases especially the Democratic National Committee. But for several months that’s what the press has been reporting from reliable sources throughout the global computing industry. Hackers have been trained for espionage of information culturally, politically and militarily. The process is actually one and the same. Why not hack all data bases and learn what you can?”

Interesting. One year ago we were talking about this issue. And today? We are still on the topic, only now we are engaged in deep investigations about Russia’s involvement in our national elections and whether the trump campaign was knowlingly involved in the matter. Not yet proven, but much grist for the mill and the findings are ominous for both Russia and mr. trump.

As time goes by many things remain; and do not change; and stay the same. Hmmm!

September 7, 2017