Tangents – Page 5 – Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Trump is supporting candidates

July 22, 2022

When I heard the commercial for Billy Long for Missouri Senator, I was surprised that a PAC is pushing the link between him and former President Trump. It remains to be seen what will be done to the man that enticed followers to attack the Capital Building to stop him from being replaced as President.

I am not a Republican. I am not a Democrat. I am 100% non-partisan. When I vote, I look at the candidates, not any party affiliation. I advise you to do the same. The best reason for this was the 2016 Presidential election. The only reason Donald Trump won was that there were more people who disliked Mrs. Clinton than were willing to reject the Republican candidate.

I hoped that 2016 would be the year that those of us who are not part of the political parties would reject the two major candidates in favor of someone else. I was surprised at the number of personal friends who did not support either of these two until after they had their party’s nomination.

This is what I dislike about the political party system. There are always those that say they vote for the candidate but never vote for anyone other than someone in a particular party.

We also have those that claim they are conservative, liberal, or middle-of-the-road. The conservatives tend to vote Republican or middle-of-the-road. The liberals are democrats. Most middle-of-the-roaders let their own minds decide who to vote for. Often conservatives and liberals call us fence-sitters.

On my uncle’s dairy farm in Marshfield, Missouri. I sat on the fence from time to time. Usually, because I was told not to go into the field where the cattle were. My Uncle Paul, Aunt Nina, Mom, Dad, or one of my cousins gave me the instructions to stay out of the enclosure. I would be as close to inside without literally violating their advice.

Politically, sitting on the fence puts me in the same position. I am close enough to the action to see anything on either side. I am also where I can jump to either side as I may deem necessary. It is a good place to be.

I have jumped off the fence on a number of issues. Donald Trump is one of them. Lying, cheating, and misrepresentation are others. Oh, yeah, that describes Mr. Trump as well. Political analysts say that it remains to be seen how voters respond to Trump this election year.

I hope that the majority have finally realized how dangerous he is. I and others knew this in 2016. More woke up in 2020. When he began to see that his chances of winning were slim to none, he started the rhetoric of the vote being rigged against him. In his mind, the only reason he would lose was if the other party cheated.

When I played games with my two brothers, they might “throw the board.” Often this was literal. It was usually when I was winning. They also said I was cheating. Which I, usually, wasn’t. I learned to do the same thing when I felt slighted. I wonder who taught Donald to do this. I never saw him in the room with us.

Over the years, I have heard of Donald Trump. First, as a businessman who seemed to be suspected of possibly illegal practices. Then a reality show host who enjoyed firing people. He reminded me of the bad bosses I used to work for. Therefore, I did not support him in the 2016 primary or presidential races.

Others were under a rock or had their heads in the sand before he switched from a democan to a Republicrat and then entered the conflict to secure his power. I was not fooled, then. I was surprised, but not confused when his end run was to try to take over the country by throwing us into chaos and confusion after he lost.

It is up to Congress to accuse, try, and convict him of trying to overthrow the U. S. Constitution. This was a violation of his Presidential Oath. It used to be a hanging offense. It may still be punishable by death.

At the very least, those of us who can think straight must realize that an endorsement by this traitor is reason enough to not support a candidate. One 7^th district Missouri candidate for Congress is being accused of being a Romney Republican. It is said of him that he opposed Obama but never aided Trump against Clinton or Biden.

I believe he would be called a Rino by some Republicans. This may be my man this year. If his party sees fit to put him on my ballot in November. As usual, whoever the party members choose, I will select the man or woman that I feel is the correct choice. I hope you join me.

Are you more important than anyone else?

July 20, 2022

Driving through Springfield streets it can often be noticed that certain people do not obey traffic laws, signs, and stop lights. As a Christian you may wonder who these people are or, hopefully not, you may find yourself participating in these unlawful and unsafe practices. The only explanation for this is that those who ignored common sense or instruction and posted ordinances are better than everyone else.

Some examples of this observed behavior are those who do not attempt to stop when the traffic light turns yellow. When the Springfield Police cars and Greene County Sherriff cruisers do this it is common knowledge that they do not have to obey the laws they are paid to enforce. Why should they set the example by stopping just because the light has turned yellow? Those who drive through red lights must just be off-duty officers that know they won’t get any tickets. How many people are killed in accidents when the instruction of a light is ignored? No more than twenty or so each year. Who cares about that small a number?

Even worse than this are those who run red lights. I have witnessed a number of these violators. Recently I have had two different vehicles running lights as I was beginning to start into the intersection. Had I not been observant, I would probably have died. In my opinion, these actions are those of someone who does not care about anyone else on the roads. Violating this law should be considered first-degree murder. I know our legislators will never change the penalty because they are some of the worst offenders.

Another similar situation is that of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Once again, we all have heard of government officials fighting DUI charges. A friend of mine once was talking about how he almost passed out the previous night while he was driving home after having drunk alcohol. I asked how he would feel if a drunk driver hit and killed his family. He did not like having to think about that.

A friend of my wife was killed in an accident with a drunk driver years ago. She left a husband and children. While the other driver was charged and prosecuted, the family did not feel justice was done. I was also a witness to an accident caused by a man who was drunk. The trial was delayed when he agreed to go through treatment. It was not his first prosecution for that offense.

Speed limits are the top limit set by the city, county, state, and federal governments. Many of us view anyone going under the posted limit as causing problems. A common misconception is that you can drive five to ten miles faster than the posted number and not worry about getting a ticket. This is not true. You could get a ticket if an officer is having a bad day and wants to get someone.

Missouri has laws restricting the use of cell phones by younger drivers while behind the wheel of a car. It seems that it would be important to stop all of us from this distraction. My wife and family know not to call me while I am driving. They can text. Then they must wait for me to respond when it is safe. I have done this since I began carrying a cell phone.

I could mention more things than these I have mentioned. I will stop with this list of my complaints. I know many of you do not agree with me and that is fine. I would like to hear from you if my thoughts have struck a nerve either way. We are all entitled to our own opinions.

Systemic Racism

July 16, 2022

This word confused me when I started to hear it in connection with George Floyd and other stories about police abuse. I have researched the word because I am a writer. Words are my brushes and paints in the artistry of my writing. Other writers know what I mean. I must understand what my and others’ words are supposed to mean.

A word or phrase that is used is not always the correct way to express an idea. I work hard to make my words understood. I am as dedicated to being sure of what your words are supposed to mean. Often this process is difficult.

Such was my problem with the phrase “systemic racism”. Finally, I determined that it is the prejudice that is built into our laws and rules. Usually, it refers to civil rights violations against a minority group. Racism is currently being exhibited publicly on television and in other media.

Putin is shown as being against Ukraine. They have been enjoying freedoms that the Russian people are not given. Their economy is blossoming, and it makes their time in the USSR seem to be a block of wasted time. Their success is a black eye for the founding country of the United Soviet Socialist Republic. They are the target because they have not joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization yet. One of the Soviet leader’s reasons that were voiced before the invasion was that he did not want Ukraine to join NATO as Poland and other former USSR states had.

Is this “systemic racism”? I think it falls in that category. The USSR as an entity is opposed to former member nations making their own choices. The resources they lost when the Berlin wall came down and former leaders allowed the Soviet Union to break apart have damaged the ability of the communist party leaders in Russia to maintain their extravagant lifestyles.

Isn’t this the same situation the African Americans experienced after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed? They fought for over a hundred years to gain the freedoms and rights of other American citizens. The Black Lives Matter movement claims that the racism that exists in the U.S. comes from our existing laws.

I do not believe that their conclusion is the correct one. George Floyd was killed by one man. He was a police officer who violated the rules that are supposed to protect all citizens from excessive force by law enforcement. We hear of these cases from time to time between not only police but individual citizens or even military or other officials against each other and civilians. A few of these reports are picked up by the media because of the racism that is assumed to be involved.

Another ongoing story of blatant bigotry is being played out in our country. One man verbally promised to show racial favoritism should the opportunity arise. That chance has been given to him and he is following through on his pledge.

President Joe Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace Stephen Breyer as Associate Supreme Court Justice. He stated that he would nominate a black woman to this body if he was elected president. I agree with him that the Supreme Court should be more racially and gender-specific in its makeup. I disagree with his method.

I am not saying that his nomination is systemic racism. I am saying that we allow individuals to make decisions based on race and gender in a process that is legal under our laws. There is no statute that says that the President of the United States cannot choose whomever he wishes for this position.

If he had promised the next nominee for this position would be a white man, that would be considered biased. Why are we accepting his refusal to consider any candidate who was not African American and female as acceptable when we have Americans of all genders, races, and backgrounds protesting for equal treatment for all people?

We as freedom and equality-loving human beings want Putin to stop his war against Ukraine based on his soviet prejudice against a free nation. We also want every American with the experience and qualifications to be able to fill a position on the highest court in the land.

The question is “Did the president look at all of the Federal Justices in the same light when he chose Justice Jackson?” She is undoubtedly qualified to be on this august body. Did everyone else get the same consideration? What about the lighter-skinned African American women Federal Judges?

The class of 1972 had its dreams.

July 14, 2022

Do you remember the Statler Brothers’ song “The Class of Fifty-Seven”? I’m from the class that has celebrated our fiftieth reunion this year. I also have two grandsons in the class of 2022. Fifty years is half of a century. That is a long time.

Things get complicated when you get past nineteen. But you and your class had your dreams. Stop for a minute or two and remember those dreams. My dream was to become a journalist. I am now a columnist. I’ve not worked as a reporter.

Many of my classmates had dreams of becoming mothers or fathers and raising another generation of decent human beings. At our reunion in June, I visited with many of these classmates and talked about their children and grandchildren. These dreams seem to have been fulfilled.

A few of our class members joined the military and I have not discovered any that died during their military careers. We did lose over forty in the last fifty years. The toughest were the ones that had passed before we even had our ten-year reunion.

I don’t have a count of the number of my classmates that are in ministry. I am sure of at least six and probably more that I am not aware of. Some are retired and others have gone home. Others are just now accepting the call to something beyond themselves.

I spoke with many of these graduates and reconnected with old friends and some that I never knew in High School. We saw improvements that have been made to the building. We heard of other details of construction that should be completed this year.

Almost all of us are retired or will be joining those ranks in the next few years. At least one is starting a new career as a servant of Greene County. He is running for an office and is unopposed. We have decided to start new careers or projects. All are embracing being grandparents and like my mother believe grandkids are so great, that we should have had them first.

Some of us have reached our goals and have created new ones. Life may continue for some of us to see another thirty or forty years. We still have time to accomplish our dreams. I wish to lead as many to Christ as I can before I enjoy my life with my Heavenly Father.

That is the goal I have had for almost fifty years now. I write to educate and to encourage. We must become the followers of Christ to accomplish the dream of reaching as many as we can for the Kingdom. I hope you have joined this dream.

THE STAPLER

July 8, 2022

If you have seen the movie “Office Space” and you know the character Milton Waddams and have seen photos of me, the humor in this will not be missed. If you do not have these three elements, do not read further. Stop and find photos of me on Facebook or elsewhere and go to IMDB and look up the movie and character. Only then will this story become funny.

After I had started at Positronic Industries in the Purchasing Department comments began to be made about me that I did not understand. I was asked if my stapler was missing and from time to time it would disappear. I would be jokingly told that I was being moved downstairs to a different office. I took all of this in stride and knew the joke was on me because I did not understand what the joke was.

One day Gary, the Purchasing Manager, my boss, caught me in the central purchasing office and presented me with a red Swingline stapler. The rest of the department broke out in hysterical laughter. I smiled and thanked him. Once again I was the butt of the joke and did not know why. I put my black stapler in my desk drawer for a spare and put the red one in its rightful place.

It disappeared almost immediately. Every few days it would reappear through no effort on my part only to disappear later. Each time the red would be filched I would retrieve the black from my drawer. With the return of the red, the black would hide again.

The mystery was revealed when a co-worker from another department noted my red stapler and that it was a Swingline. She asked where I had gotten it and when I told the story of its presentation to me, laughter filled the plant. Cautiously looking around she leaned across my desk and told me about Milton Waddams in the movie “Office Space”. When she asked if I had seen it, my answer was no. After promising to get the movie and watch it she left still laughing and went next door to talk to Gary. More laughter came from his office.

That weekend I found a copy of the movie at a video rental and watched it. I was not especially pleased with being compared to Milton. He comes off as whiney and the type that can easily be abused. I did see the physical resemblance. The character traits of Milton did not appear to be those of myself. Until the end of the movie.

If you have not seen the movie yet, I don’t want to spoil it for you. All I will say is that I looked at this character in a new light after the end of the movie. When my red Swingline Stapler would disappear, I would announce to the entire office that it was missing and ask if anyone smelled smoke.

When I left that company, Gary made sure I took my stapler with me. Here it is in front of me on my desk in my office at home. No buildings were burned when I left.

What does independence mean?

July 3, 2022

The fourth of July is coming around once more. July 4, 1776, is the day that The Declaration of Independence was signed by the Continental Congress. The name of the holiday is Independence Day. This group of men knew that attaching their names to this letter could mean the loss of everything including their lives.

Let’s look at the highlights of this document. It begins with why the thirteen colonies needed to separate themselves from Britain. The first reason is the fact that we all should have life, liberty, and the right to pursue our own happiness. The government can be replaced when it fails to do its job.

There is a long list of violations of these rights. They end the statement of abuse by pledging lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the fight for these rights. After the war ended in favor of the colonies they attempted to survive alone and realized that they needed to remain working as one unit.

They were attempting to do something that had never been done before. Each of these thirteen governments knew that they could be picked off one at a time by the Brits or some other country.

The Second Continental Congress is formed, and a new organization is devised to join these separate governments under one umbrella. Something they all wanted to do was maintain the ability to make certain laws for themselves. These were referred to as State’s Rights.

The name the United States of America was intended to show this arrangement. When you read our Constitution, you will see that many compromises were made to satisfy the individual purposes of states or other groups. The three branches of the Federal Government were created to solve perceived problems with other national forms of governing.

The President, who is the chief executive, has the final say before a law can become effective. Congress and the Senate can overturn a veto. The number of votes to do this is more than those needed to pass the bill the first time.

The legislature, congress, and senate are responsible for passing the bills that become laws. The president can recommend laws as can individual members. Committees look at these and make changes or prevent these bills from being voted on. Congress represents a member from groups that are similar in population. Each state has only two Senators. This was a compromise. What happens when these two branches attempt to violate the Constitution?

That is the job of the Supreme Court. They are the watchdog of our three-tier system. Nine judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. These men and women have no authority to do anything except determine the constitutionality of what the State governments, Congress, and the President does. If they step out of line the President and congress can replace those who have violated their responsibility to interpret the constitution. This only happens when they die or resign.

Your barbecue, party, or vacation is simply a celebration of the start of this country. I hope you already knew all of this. If not, now you know. Happy Independence Day.

Is woke really a derogatory term?

June 30, 2022

I’m a word guy. I read. I write. And I am constantly trying to improve my vocabulary. When I started hearing the term woke in political ads, I had no idea what it was. I thought they were mis-pronouncing wok. I know that a wok is a Chinese cooking pan. I like to make stir fry dishes in mine.

I am woke up every morning by our alarm clock. That doesn’t seem to fit what the Republicans are saying about their opponents. The term Woke Democrat or Woke Liberal is a mystery for most of us. I am not sure that those speaking the word in their commercials know the true definition.

Wikipedia says it means “alert to racial prejudice and discrimination.” The Oxford and Webster dictionaries agree with them. How is it bad to be aware of prejudice and discrimination? I am not sure how to interpret this word.

Do I respond like these Republicans and criticize anyone that can realize when racism and bigotry are evident? I guess they could call me a woke writer. By the way, woke is an adjective. That means it must be used to modify a noun like a democrat, writer, or republican.

I have not heard of a woke Republican. It would be nice to learn that they are alert to racial prejudice and discrimination. We need to be looking for our similarities and not our differences.

How are we the same? We all want what is best for each other. Pro-Choice and Abortion opponents want to protect the life of the mother and the baby. Whites and blacks and other minorities want to understand each other and repair any disagreements that we had in the past. Our differences should not divide us.

Even Democrats and Republicans or conservatives and liberals can cooperate to pass laws that we agree are needed. We all win when we work together.

What is most important to you? Is providing for your family your priority? Are you currently more worried about food or housing? Does your family have everything they need? Should you be helping others? Where and with whom should you be serving others?

We need to put others before ourselves. Many people focus totally on themselves. To be the country and the people that we want to be we must put others first. Step out of your place in line and give it to someone else. Walk to the back of the line and let your children know that is what we should be doing.

Graduation time is here.

June 26, 2022

Earlier this year I went to my daughter’s graduation. Yes, she has been out of High School and College. This was the next step. She received her master’s degree. When she began this process, I was being interviewed by a journalism student and he asked who my hero was. After a short pause, I named her and explained she had begun her program to obtain a graduate degree. I was and am a proud father.

She was motivated to change her career path. This girl who did not want to be in front of the camera in media class in high school has decided to teach media, journalism, drama, English, and/or speech. While obtaining her teaching certificates she has been substitute teaching. She is ready to move into her own classroom next year. If you need a new teacher for any of these subjects, contact me and I will give her your information. Of course, she is the best applicant you could hire.

My other two children have their bachelor’s degrees as well. One has been an elementary teacher for years while our last is a home school educator. I express it that way because she trades off some subjects with other parents. Her degree is in engineering. Teaching is in her DNA.

As usual, we heard a commencement address. It was short and sweet. He told us to time him because he knew it was only seven minutes long. The school slogan is “Shine On.” His comments were based around this theme. As I have for over fifty years, I have been thinking about what I would say if asked to present a commencement address.

I would look at any slogans or mission statement that a particular school used as this speaker did. We highly trained professional speakers have many tricks that we use to make our words as memorable as possible. One that the amateurs miss is to keep it short. When Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg address, he was not the featured speaker. Do you know the name of the other man? Most people have never heard of him.

We want to give the graduates hope and encouragement. We want them to see the occasion as a beginning and not an ending. I would begin with a personal story or joke. Have you heard the one about the graduate who was so proud that she had earned her cap and gown that she wore it every day for the rest of her life and was even buried in it seventy-five years later? Finding a designer to make a wedding dress that fit over it was the difficult part.

Every great talk must have a catchphrase like “Go ahead. Make my day.” “Four score and seven years ago” worked for Lincoln. I think I would use something more like “Give a hoot. Don’t pollute.” Or “Help prevent forest fires. Pee on the campfire before you leave.” Maybe I should use “Live as if someone is writing your story.”

Graduates often do not listen to these commencement addresses. A short time later, my grandsons and her sons graduated from High School. Adulthood is beginning for them. Their speakers were administrators and some of their classmates. I enjoyed those speakers also. The students more than the professional educators.

Life teaches us many lessons. I learned some in school. I have been educated more by the day-to-day life I lead. My three points would be, always use spell check, sometimes color outside the lines, and live your life as if you are writing your own story.

Let me close with this. Your story has not been written, yet. Make it a good one. Thanks, Doc Brown.

Trujmpy bear is back.

March 11, 2022

Have you seen the latest TV commercial for the new and improved Trumpy Bear? He still has the long hair that looks like a toupee’. He now sports a tie that says America First. If you have ever wondered why things like these special stuffed animals are marketed, I will give you that answer.

In Economics 101 my freshman year in college the instructor told us about the concept of supply and demand. This is the basic tenant of the American idea of free trade. Manufacturers make what they want. Stores buy what they think they can sell.

The price is set by the manufacturer in the form of the MSRP. That means the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price. Many retailers use this price as their price. When you see items on sale for 20% or more off, they mean that is off the MSRP. Most retail stores want to make a minimum of 45% profit on their sales. Often the suggested price allows the stores to make up to 80% off.

If the items sell as the producer hoped they would, they and the wholesalers and retailers are all happy. The customers are also happy unless they believe the manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer is overcharging them. Those of us who don’t want to pay that high a price will wait for a sale or buy them on clearance if any are left.

Supply and demand sometimes don’t work well for the companies that make products or sell them. That is why they have marketing departments that work with advertising agencies to promote their wares. That brings us back to the new version of Trumpy bear. It is directly marketed. That means the distributor sells it to consumers.

This method allows the company to sell products even before they receive the shipment of goods. A six-to-eight-week lead time is usually enough to allow for judging the demand for the goods. Personally, I would not purchase most of these TV-only items. I prefer shopping sales and online dealers who buy unsold goods and sell them at reduced prices. When I really need or want a particular item, I purchase it at the regular price. That doesn’t happen often.

Our current explosion of gasoline prices is explained by the fact that three percent of our gas comes from Russia. Other prices are going up because Ukraine produces a lot of wheat. Crude oil prices went up the day the invasion began. There was absolutely no delay in the oil companies waiting for their cost to increase.

The oil companies use any excuse they can find to increase the price to their stations and in turn to the customer. The supply has not gone down. The cost of production is not changing yet. They want to make more money from you and I. What can we do about it? Any Congressperson, Senator, or other elected official that does nothing to stop them should be replaced.

Force those who are running this year to declare now what they will do and give them one month to stop this rape of the American public or vote them out in the primaries and in November. Remember that they must do this in a month, not wait until they are home for the election, and we must wait until the next Congress is seated.

The next time you hear someone explaining this travesty is caused by the Russian/Ukrainian war remember that they are wrong. The prices soared the day this battle began. The gas price increased due to the greed of the oil companies. They finance both Republican and Democratic candidates. The third-party candidates won’t get these funds until you elect them.

10 REASONS NOT TO RELOAD THE TOILET PAPER DISPENSER

February 3, 2022

The dispenser in the men’s room that is closest to the office at the Springfield business always seems to be out of t.p. when it is needed the most. While contemplating this sad state of affairs and reloading it, these reasons why one might not want to do this task came to mind. Most would not apply to a Christian because of the command to be a servant.

It is not your job. While working in food service, a printed job description was provided that included cleaning and restocking the restrooms every hour as needed. Since it did not specifically mention this product, it might not be your job.
It is below the pay grade. Why not perform tasks that are below your pay scale? That must mean that you are doing something and getting paid more than you should. Isn’t that what everyone wants?
It is above the pay grade. A philosophy of always demonstrating the positions above one’s current job are not beyond one’s capabilities can lead to a promotion and raise in pay. Isn’t that what we want?
There has been no training for the job. Really? You are not smart enough to know how to load a dispenser? The key is in the lock on the top. Anyone with half a brain should be able to reload it.
This is my personal time. Are you on the clock? You take your breaks including lunch and do not use the facilities during those times. Right?
It is demeaning. We aren’t asking you to clean the toilet.
It is unsanitary. See reason number 6.
Where is the spare tissue kept? Look over your right shoulder on that shelf that is on an eye level when you walk in.
No one else seems to be willing to do this job. You want to be like everyone else? You are just one of the lemmings, aren’t you?
If one wanted to, one could. But you really don’t care about anyone else. So why should you?

As a forty-year veteran of management, things as small as changing the toilet tissue in the common bathroom is a way I determine whether you are a good employee. I also notice how you treat others and if you do your work without complaining. Another technique I use is to listen to your attitude about everything you talk about. Many promotions are decided because of whether you are a positive or negative influence on those around you. Can you believe that something as simple as not changing the toilet paper roll keeps you where you are or may cost you your job?

Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Walk With a Servant

Category: Tangents