Sugar Creek Publishing

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

# 314

June 30, 2025

“The 4th – Creeping Danger”

Perhaps no day is more seminal to this discussion as “The 4th of July.” The fireworks, parades and allegiant celebrations aside, nothing is more tentative than the freedom that Americans take for granted every day. Every day, you ask? Yes.

Daily plans vary among us, but no entity places unreasonable limits on our activities. We work, take care of our homes and children, travel for leisure, and save for retirement. Nothing out of the ordinary for us.

Yet, if you contrast today’s atmosphere with that of my generation, the stark differences defy logic. This did not happen by accident. This happened by design. The ugly truth is that it was forecasted the same year that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The date was November 23rd. The year was 1963.

Yet the groundwork was shouted out in public barely three weeks before Kennedy’s election in the fall of 1960 — before an international audience. This is how it went down.

On 12 October 1960, head of the United Nations Filipino Delegation to the Lorenzo Sumulong spoke in defense of “the peoples of Eastern Europe and elsewhere which have been deprived of the free exercise of their civil and political rights and which have been swallowed up, so to speak, by the Soviet Union.”

Research affirms that, upon hearing this, Nikita Khrushchev (First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union) quickly came to the rostrum, being recognized on a point of order.

There he demonstratively, in a theatrical manner, brushed Sumulong aside, with an upward motion of his right arm—without physically touching him—and began a lengthy denunciation of Sumulong, branding him (among other things) as “a jerk, a stooge, and a lackey”, and a “toady of American imperialism” and demanded Assembly President Frederick Boland (Ireland) call Sumulong to order. Boland did caution Sumulong to “avoid wandering out into an argument which is certain to provoke further interventions,” but permitted him to continue speaking and sent Khrushchev back to his seat.

According to some sources, Khrushchev pounded his fists on his desk in protest as Sumulong continued to speak, and at one point picked up his shoe and banged the desk with it. Some other sources report a different order of events: Khrushchev first banged the shoe then went to the rostrum to protest.
In any event, the scene brings to mind a quote from Shakespeare. “Me thinks thou dost protest too much.” Actually a misquote from Hamlet, this statement is widely used to criticize someone whose words defend an indefensible position.

Why take this up in anticipation of July 4th? I do so due highlight the dangers that began to infest this nation more than 60 years ago. Oh, I can hear the flippant comments from many. They will brush off my statements, yet a glaring danger is among us. Consider the facts below.

In 1963, the Communist Party set goals for the USA.

Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

Get control of the schools and teachers’ associations. Soften the curriculum.

Gain control of all student newspapers

Infiltrate the press.

Gain control of key positions in radio, TV and pictures (movies).

Eliminate al laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and press.

Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography, degeneracy, and promiscuity as “normal, natural and healthy.

Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion.

Eliminate prayer or any phrase of religious expression in the schools on the grounds that it violates the principal of “separation of church and state.”

Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate and old-fashioned.

Discredit the American founding fathers as selfish aristocrats (and racists).

Belittle American culture and discourage the teaching of American history.

Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

Infiltrate and gain control of big business and unions.

Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as mental health or social problems.

Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents.

Repeal the Connally Reservation, allowing the World Court jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.

Take in sum, these goals are not only sobering, but they also invoke a visceral reaction in those of us old enough to remember life before the 1960s. If many of them sound familiar, it is because —- day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year — they are recognized as current conditions today.

From experience, I can tell you that accurate American history has not been taught in American high schools for decades. If you doubt me, dig up a history book used post-World War II and see for yourself.

President John F. Kennedy was a patriot, a veteran, a war hero in World War II, and a staunch defender of American liberty. Sympathetic to the underprivileged and underserved, he voiced an interest to remedy the shortcomings of government. Once feared because of his faith, he stepped forth to stand for America, not the Catholic Pope, as many had feared. Sadly, his hopes were not to be.

When President Lyndon Johnson ushered in his “Great Society,” women were financially compensated for having children without a husband. At that point, what had always been a strong family unit in the black community began to slide into what we see today – the majority of black homes without a father. There is no way to sufficiently describe the damage wrought by the absence of a father in the home. The goal of dismantling the family unit? We are seeing it witness the results today.

This is just one example of how the Communist Party continues to chip away at America. Like a beaver, it takes a bit over time. Akin to Frank Sinatra’s song, “High Hopes ‘Just what makes that little old ant think he’ll move that rubber tree plant…’” Unlike the ant, the Communists embrace Low Hopes.

Will we, as individuals, recognize what is happening and thwart this ominous plan? To negate decades of teaching lies and bring truth to Americans is a tall task. Sadly, as much as I want this to happen, it will take more than one person to begin to counter the damage already done.

This list gives voice to the dangers posed by today’s left. No matter the arguments from the apologists and the leftists, it is what it is. I encourage you to read the list again. Share it.

As you prepare to celebrate the 4th of July, remember that freedom – while precious – is not free. A view of Arlington National Cemetery or the Normandy American Cemetery only gives a glimpse of the numbers who died defending freedom. Truthfully, it is impossible to fully appreciate the losses.
Recently, a veteran made a statement that said it all. “If we let Communism take over this country, then every soldier died in vain.”

Pay attention. Fight back against the have systematic brainwashing of our young people to hate their country. A daunting task? Yes But, in sum, there are more of us than them. Defend your country. Defend your schools. Defend your places of worship. Defend your family. Complacency is our dangerous mindset.

Do more than think about it.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

June 1, 2025

# 314 “It figures…”

This is a column written about 20 years ago, but — reflecting on a sermon heard Memorial Day — it bears repeating! Here goes!

Her name was Edith Wiley. Some of you may remember her. She taught mathematics at Shelbyville Jr. High School for many years. As for me, I had her in the late 1950s. She was a little bit of a thing, but she ruled her classroom with the control of a seasoned military officer. To picture her, simply visualize Irene Ryan, Granny on “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

Miss Wiley as what my Grandmother called a spinster. She never married, but she took a keen interest in every child that walked into her third-floor room. She worked hard to explain the responsibilities of handling money. Although she followed the textbook, she also gave us lessons designed to prepare us to be “grown ups.” In short, she wanted us to have good lives.

Consider the extras that we learned from her. She taught us how to budget our money. We were assigned a set amount of “money” and then had to figure out how to make it last until the next payday. There was a jar on her desk and we each drew out a piece of paper on which was written an unexpected expense. It was up to us to adjust the money in order to cover it. It might be a medical bill or just a repair bill that was not foreseen.

She taught us how to use a checkbook and to balance it properly. Consider how she explained interest rates. She drilled it into our heads that most people pay interest. A strange statement? Not according to Miss Wiley. To her, if you were an apartment dweller, you paid rent to a landlord, and if you held a mortgage, you paid rent to the lender for the money borrowed to purchase a house. When I went home and told my Father, he agreed, but said that he had never heard it put in such simple terms. Edith Wiley was a “nuts and bolts” teacher, and she knew how to separate the important from the trivial —or, as a farmer would say, “the wheat from the chaff.”

Miss Wiley preached the value of savings. She claimed that every dollar saved would double in about ten years. We should save, even if we could put away only a little at a time. She told us that money was a touchy subject with parents, because no two families were equal in terms of dollars and cents. Nevertheless, the core facts held true. With that in mind, she encouraged each of us to be frugal and recognize that money “didn’t grow on trees.”

Do today’s young people understand the difference between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage? Often, the slightly higher monthly payment of the shorter-term loan, when figured over the term of the loan, saves a lot of money – in the tens of thousands of dollars. (Bear in mind, this was in the 1950s.)

Do high school students know the facts about health coverage? College loans? Teens realize that they need car insurance, but do they understand the difference between whole life and term life insurance? Do they know which policy holds cash value? Do current teens understand the complete cost of car ownership?

Miss Wiley had a penchant for the automobile. I can still hear her! She loved to drive her “machine,” but she complained that passengers offered to pay only for gasoline. “Don’t they know that my machine uses oil and tires? Oil needs to be changed. Tires wear out. Gas money is just a part of it.”

When she admonished us about good driving habits, she took a logical step back to her pet peeve – tires! She chided us, especially the boys. She knew that it would not be long until we would learn to drive. “When you drive your parents’ car and peel the tires to show off at an intersection, you take miles off the tread!” She shook her head when she lamented that she had heard enough tread wear from outside her classroom window to drive to Alaska and back!

That said, she had a core purpose. She wanted us to comprehend that math would endure as a valuable tool in our everyday lives. She knew that women would use math both at home and at work. Men would figure board feet of lumber, square yards of concrete, invoices, commissions, gas mileage and taxes. Every job involved math. To her, math wasn’t a class to be passed and forgotten the day after the final test. Math lasted a lifetime. She was right.

If you really think about it, you used math countless times without even thinking about it. Perhaps, faced with an unwieldy problem, you honed your math skills. Never skip an opportunity to talk with children about the importance of math. They will thank you for it. Oh, maybe not now – but later! It’s time that our schools taught the basics of math, using pencils and paper so mistakes can be seen clearly and explained well. It takes a lot of brain power to wield a pencil on paper. Lots of brain cells are at work.

Make sure your children and grandchildren understand the value of math for everyday living. Mastering math makes good sense — common sense.

Think about it.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

# 313

May 26, 2025

“A Day Like No Other”

Once Decoration Day, what we celebrate today as Memorial Day was instituted after the American Civil War. Changed little in form since its beginning, the day – sadly – had changed a great deal in spirit. What was once a somber day of remembering those men and women who gave their lives for this country morphed into a day off work (not for all) and an occasion to eat, drink and be merry.

However, for households across this nation, there is one (perhaps more than one) empty chair. Some battle scars never fully heal. Wives, sons, daughters, siblings, grandchildren – and yes, parents — experience a mix of feelings that those without losing a member cannot fathom. The empty phrase, “I know how you feel” can only apply to a person who has lived through the trauma of that telegram, those officers walking toward the door, or similar notification of the death of one in the service of his or her country.

We take so much for granted. Every day we go about our lives free to go and do what we wish when we wish. For much of the world that attitude and mindset is as alien as our thoughts of setting up a campsite on the moon. Whether they live under a despot or in the crosshairs of a regime hell bent on destroying anything in its path, countless people never experience a good night’s sleep absent of threat.

It is an anathema to me that so many of us can drive or walk by the American flags along so many of our streets today without so much as a second thought on why they fly around this most special day.

Amid the parades, the music and all that goes along with them, I question whether the majority of us really understands how precious this nation is and what it took to preserve the way of life we live so cavalierly.

This is not so much an assessment of this one calendar day as it is a disbelief that a disproportionate number of Americans never give freedom a second thought. In its core, such a belief rests on the fact that since 1812, with the exception of a small invasion of the Aleutian Islands in World War II and the horrific events of September 11, 2001, this nation has been a safe haven for all its citizens. Safety, in and of itself, is quite a concept. Our hope is that it continue to be the normal state of affairs.

This Memorial Day we have troops in Cuba, at Guantanamo Bay. There is an area that separates the base from Communist Cuba. The “DMZ” (demilitarized zone) exists today
as a reminder that we are only free because of those who step up to defend America.
Many people have today to enjoy time with their families, and others go to work as if it were any other day – toiling as medical staff, law enforcement officers, hotel workers, restaurant cooks and wait staff, truck stop personnel, and campground or resort staff, they happily serve and welcome customers. Their work enables others to have a good day.

I hope that when you see someone in uniform, whether in the National Guard or in a branch of active-duty personnel, that you take the time to say, “Thank you.” It will be appreciated.
Never adopt an attitude that could detract from their service.

Stand when hearing The National Anthem. Take off your hat in respect for the flag and for which it stands. It stands for freedom. It represents sacrifice. It showcases love of country – a concept sorely lacking in the public square today.

Look into the curricula of the schools. It’s not hard to spot shortfalls. Our children need to learn accurate American history and to respect this nation – unique in all the world. Sometimes, a single thought is best. One follows.

If you have followed my column for the past twenty-plus years, you know my affinity for Ronald Wilson Reagan.

In his words, “Some people live a lifetime and wonder if they ever made a difference in the world. A veteran does not have that problem.”

God Bless our Veterans. God rest those who have their all for all of us.

Think about it.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

# 312 “The Gift”

March 12, 2025

There is a pattern to life, and often that pattern does not fit what we have in mind. The ordinary falls into daily life and what should be special becomes so routine that we fail to see the importance of it in the larger scheme of life.

Over time, we take far too much for granted. What seems commonplace is set aside mentally and the everyday morphs into a repetition that is not only comfortable but also predictable.

And so it was with a companion of mine. Our days began with a good meal and some exercise. We greeted others with a smile and a lilt in our steps. Sheer dimension elicited reactions from onlookers as we plied the streets of the small town or did errands in the suburbs of the state capital.

The good that came from our union glowed in the aftereffects as folks walked away from us in both awe and appreciation of what we shared together.

There is no way that a simple column could do my colleague justice. In essence, he made me a better person and affected, in some way, anyone with whom we came in contact.

We led a simple life, replete with the basics that we assume with always be there for us. Our valued communication is something I will treasure and regret that I failed to fully appreciate – accepting the depth of it and seldom giving a second thought of its longevity.

The relationship between a dog and owner is uncomprehensible to those who go about their days sans canine. For those who share their days with an animal who counts on you for its very life, the bond is all too familiar and comforting.

Physicians will tell you that petting a dog lowers blood pressure. Considering what a great percentage of us face in terms of daily stress, it would seem that a dog is certainly a pleasant way to stay healthy. As for me, the last sixteen years of my eighty have been nothing less than golden.

Breakfast, while with little variety, was anticipated with excitement. Browsing new streets and vistas heightened the mood. The exhilaration of scents and sounds gave rise to a new human appreciation for what others ignore as normal. And then there is the reaction of others to this wonderful friend. From the smallest of children — and I mean babies – to retirees, the reactions ran the gamut. Because our breed of choice is large and a bit intimidating for many an onlooker, the surprise comes in response to the gentle nature of a dog who outweighs – and “out loves” – his owner. I admit that he had much more enthusiasm for a perfect stranger than I. Although, I must tell you, that a dog senses a person to be avoided much quicker than an owner. When a dog skirts a stranger, there is a great deal of wisdom in action and it best to pay attention.

I recall vividly times when my dog reacted to a stranger in a way that flummoxed me. The rare ability of a dog to sense danger is amazing. It happened more than once, but in terms of the numbers of people we saw over the years, it was also very rare. Only the quick reaction of the dog alerts the owner to a possible threat.

To a great degree, I chalk the whole relationship up to an extension of what I enjoyed most about life: mothering. Taken in sum, the years with three small children evaporated in a blur. It’s not that I fail to remember what happened over a half century ago. I do. Yet, the feeling that it all passed so quickly is only felt many years later. And so I mothered my dog.

Size certainly played a part in our shared life. I cannot begin to fathom the number of people we met over the years that were completely floored by the gentle, unassuming and patient behavior of my Newfoundland dog. I realize that a large breed dog is not for everyone, but for devoted Newfie owners, there is no other dog that even comes close.

They don’t call a Newfie a Gentle Giant for nothing. Indeed, the Newfoundland is a proud dog that exhibits every nuance of gentility and love one can imagine. Whether visiting nursing homes accompanied by my Therapy Dog or giving our “Memorable Journey” program on Lewis and Clark for school children, a community organization, a church group or a national convention, the reaction was the same. How could a huge dog be so good?
The fact that Merriwether Lewis took his Newfoundand, Seaman, on the trek only served to mesmerize audiences. Lying quietly for an hour and fifteen minutes was no problem for Bear. He would make eye contact with a child or an adult in the audience and captivate their imagination.

I have witnessed my Bear sit for nearly an hour while a nursing home resident petted his head and I have watched as onlookers gaped in amazement as he navigated tourist sites nationwide. I wonder if there is another dog who had his picture taken – by request – by Wyatt Earp in Tombstone, Arizona. I wonder how many dogs prompted an invitation for his family to enjoy a free sunset cruise on Lake Superior on a three-masted schooner. I wonder how many dogs welcomed the captain of a hydrofoil who sauntered down to the deck after returning from Mackinac Island to greet Bear by name and ask if he had a good time ashore. A constant in our lives for years, we loved him so much. He was such a big part of our lives that we probably just took him for granted. My husband and I never had to question the Bear’s behavior. Many people who never allowed a dog in their homes, welcomed Bear and made mention of the fact that he was the only dog allowed to do so. His behavior was consistent and exemplary. Observing other dogs who misbehaved only heightened our appreciation for the Newfoundland breed.

In our RV travel nationwide, we inspired awe and laughter among too many people to count. Walking a campground, we greeted campers who piled out of simple, tents, fifth-wheels (including toy haulers) and pricey motorhomes – all padding out to meet Bear. I can attest to the fact that many of our current relationships root in meeting Bear in a campground. Had it not been for him, we would have missed out on good friends!

The years went all too quickly, and while taking on a puppy was no trouble at all in my 60s and 70s, the prospect of doing it again is not wise. It’s not that I do not want another furry companion, it’s that I would not be smart to do it in my 80s.

The roughly seventy-two hours that brought to its end a relationship that, while raw now, will morph over time in a litany of smiles and memories more precious than gold was totally unexpected. We were blindsided. The clues that were there in front of us never failed to warn us. Sudden illness took our Bear. We never saw it coming and that is a good thing. Everything happened so quickly that we rode out the storm unaware that the end would be swift.

We gave him the one thing that he needed, a respite from pain and suffering. While a dog cannot talk, he communicates with eyes that tell it all. He was ready to go. He knew it. As a matter of fact, he lay on the snow for hours taking in all that was around him. If he had to go, the season could not have been more perfect. He was in his element, surrounded by familiar fir trees and the sylvan wilderness he had come to love.

As time goes by, I know our memories will surface again and again and remind us of how bringing a puppy home can change your life forever. The anguish comes when it is time for you to say good-bye. Memories comfort us now, yet the edge is still much too raw. Time heals all wounds, and this will be no different.

And so, on March 4, the beginning of Lent, we said good-bye to an invaluable family member who counted on us for his health and well-being. It is not lost on me that three letters, arranged differently, are inextricably linked. It is no coincidence that God and dog share the same three letters. Three: three letters… the Biblical Trilogy… husband, wife and dog. The power of three.

After eight years, two months and eleven days, the day came. God gave him to us and the time had come for us to give him back. Rest in peace, dearest Bear.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

# 310

January 18, 2025

Oh, what price history?

There is a price to not studying history – world or American. My generation was guided by excellent teachers who knew the value of history and its importance to forming informed opinions and not being led astray by the “buzz words or attitudes of the day.”

So, we this now. The battle over Tic Tok is an excellent illustration. And the generation “Z” is not shy about expounding opinions and criticizing national leadership over it. Yes, with over 170 American millions users, it wields a lot of clout.

When I heard a teenager complaining about losing the site, I was astounded to hear that she would just go to “Red Note.” And what is that? It is another CCP (Chinese) site. The color is – to be repetitive – the first red flag. Red? Yes!

When Mao Tse Tung took over China, he was responsible for killing tens of millions of his people. Why? They were not the least bit interested in his Communist philosophy. The genius of the Chinese people aside, he is remembered for a little red book.

“Quotations from Chairman Mao” is replete with his expounding on his view for the world. And a scary view it was — and is. To say that Generation Z will go to Red Note is to realize how ill-informed they are. To flock to a site run by a government that is a continuation of Mao’s push for ultimate control over his people is downright scary.

To follow Hitler and Lenin who are responsible for millions of deaths, Mao must take the prize for killing the most people. The shame of this is if the Chinese people were free to pursue their personal ambitions, it is hard to imagine what they could achieve. When men and women are killed and never allowed to blossom into contributing members of their society, the loss is inconceivable.

And so we have the current controversy. Unless and until we make sure that our teachers at every level teach accurate world and American history, the students will lack the guidance to see emerging situations for what they are: benign or perilous.

Right now, it is up in the air as to what the Chinese seek here. Given the fact that, if pressured to release all data held on its users, it is compelled to turn all the information over to the Chinese Communist Party, then user identities and data is truly at risk. Yes, many young people use Tik Tok as a way to make money (and in some cases, a lot of money), the lure of profit holds sway. I doubt if the CCP has any interest in videos of dancing, music, or sport. But what if their seeking a way to get to the younger generation through, what at first, looks harmless and entertaining, is really a Trojan Horse?

Will Tik Tok sell to an American owner? If so, will that owner, or owners, honor the privacy of his, her, or their users? We may know in 90 days if the delay that President Trump wants is a reality. Just how much do we want the onerous power of a really dangerous adversary invading our homes via our children and grandchildren?

Is there a price to not knowing history?

Think about it.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

# 309

Prayer – the answer, but not the only one!

January 9, 2025

We need, corporately and individually, to pray for the State of California. Since Reagan was Governor of California, the incremental slip into socialism and progressive policies has not only stymied the population holding solid, constitutional thought, but has also nearly destroyed what once was lauded as the most beautiful and prosperous our states.

If you look up Reagan’s speeches as he ran for President, you will hear him cite that if California were a country, it would have ranked among the topmost in the world. Oh, how time has changed that vision!

If truth be told, the American farmer is the most fervent environmentalist. His very life depends upon his stewardship of the land and water. Yet, the progressive left considered the Delta Smelt fish more important than the water flowing from Northern to Southern California. The Department of Commerce put forth an act to initiate the flow of water from the snow melt in the north to the south, but Governor Newsom refused to sign it. The result is all too painful. Thousands homeless, thousands of structures burned to the ground and municipalities with no water. They ran out!

And the L.A. budget? Millions to homeless – who, incidentally, caused nearly 14,000 fires in one calendar year and a cut in the budget of the Los Angeles Fire Department. If there were an Oscar for stupid, it would need to be shared by the Governor, the Mayor of L.A. and all the department heads who did not hold up their oaths of office.

Only one entity rules the earth, and it is not the Democratic Party. It is God. This is not to say that there is an underlying message in these horrendous fires. They are, in fact, a visible and visceral warning of what will continue to wreak havoc on California if voters do not wake up and realize that what they voted for has come around to bite them in the pocketbook — and sadly – perhaps paved the way to the funeral home.

Take a look at these quotes from 2016: …when Ronald Reagan was governor. We had a surplus. He actually gave money back to the people of California.

The state once was famous for having the best education system, the best business climate, the best roads and infrastructure in America. It was a growing, dynamic paradise where people came to pursue their dreams and hopes.

Now California’s a wreck that people and businesses are leaving in droves. And Gov. Brown and his gang are offering us more of the same this fall – higher income and sales taxes and a bullet train no one wants but them.”

Sound familiar. The litany of incompetence continues and the population able to leave are getting out!

Is prayer the answer? Certainly common sense is fighting a losing battle. The specter of Hollywood affixing itself and its studios and celebrities to the left is not helping. Oh, for the days of John Wayne and James Stewart. If you can, pull up “America: Why I love her!” a magnificent message from John Wayne.

I haven’t seen actors champing to volunteer for military service as they did in World War II. Search a list of those actors who volunteered in that war. You will be astounded at the number and quality of those men. Not that women did not step forward. The USO and military nurses certainly did their part.

Prayer and a return to the mentality that we humans are the creation of a loving and beneficent God is a good step. Pray for California. It is unlikely that those in control who are destroying the state will willingly resign. Fat chance.

Pray for California. It may be the only message that gets through. They need a an entity more powerful than man. Think about it.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

# 308

January 2, 2025

“A Question of Honor and Patriotism”

As we begin this new year and anxiously anticipate the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, we need to assess the strengths of working together and the prospect of honoring the wise values put forth to us by our Founding Fathers.

Working from the fact that God is the source of both wisdom and power held in the hands of man, we must take a moment to reflect on what has – and will — show the world what a truly good civilization can achieve.

Consider for a moment the kitchen table conversations and restaurant, café and bistro gatherings expound and embrace. Beginning with a sports premise. Everyone has his or her favorite team and loyalty is key. Nothing angers a fan more than poor coaching. Given this thought process, what we face now is the aftermath of not poor coaching — but abysmal coaching. The past nearly four years of a glaring absence of national leadership has left the United States weaker, less respected and more vulnerable than in any time in her history. As a former history teacher, I am well aware of former predicaments in moments of extreme risk; but, in retrospect, they pale in the wake of the Biden-Harris (?) administration.

Why the question mark? I, along with many others aware of how the government works, are not convinced that the two aforementioned persons had anything substantive to the workings within The White House. Need I make the comparison to the camel as the prime example of an animal made by committee?

If you want to kill a snake, the best way is to cut off the head. With no one really functioning as the President of the United States, the risk is absurd, and scandalous.

Going back to the sports model, if a sports team has a great shortcoming at any position, the prospect of winning dies. Alas, with no coach and key players propelled by ideology instead of expertise, the result was completely predictable.

Now to the Congress. For all its shortfalls — and they are too many to enumerate – the Democrats do stick together like glue. It’s not as if I believe that, to a person, they all espouse every modicum of the legislation and positions put forward by the party leaders, yet they do vote in lockstep. The Republicans, on the other hand, often hold to individual ideals and do not vote with their cohorts. The pattern, while understandable, is highlighted here – not because of its reflection of individual independence — but because the lack of holding the deference to the GOP position sought more important that the end objective. It’s the stilted motivation that lacks a good result.

If a coach or quarterback set a play and the defenders and the receivers did not follow through resulting in a loss, the fans would erupt in boos and the backlash would be terrific.
Job losses would follow.

Can we demand nothing less of our U. S Senators and Representatives who should be reflecting the landslide victory coupled with the popular vote?

As individuals, we need to take stock of what lies before us. At the heart of this nation is faith and hope. We need both and in good measure. Not only do the border and economic issues loom over us, but the debt is at a crushing level. For anyone who has ever been under the pressure of a daunting debt load, the sole solution is the patience and determination required to pick away at the debt a bit at a time, not unlike the old beaver and the tree. One bite at a time and persistence work.

Do we have the mettle to tackle this and accept less government money in order to ease the crunch in the budget? Time will tell.

In the meantime, take a moment to thank God for the glance to the chart in Butler, Pennsylvania. Modern miracle? Divine Intercession? Why would a person so focused on looking directly at a crowd suddenly look away? Decide on your own. Personally, I feel as if God had a purpose for Donald J. Trump. It was not his time to die.

Preparing for the Presidential Inauguration of our 47th President Donald J. Trump, take time to realize what is at stake. It is time for the United States to regain its position on the world stage. It is time for America’s enemies to think twice before attacking us or our allies. It is time for citizens to demand results and not empty promises. More than all of this, it is time for America to turn back to God. If God be for us, who can be against us?

Think about it. Pray.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

# 307

November 11, 2024

“Veterans Day”

Today we honor each who selflessly stepped up to serve his or her county. I am reminded of the teacher whose students walked into an empty classroom — no desks. Astonished at the scene, they stood rapt as their teacher offered an explanation that should hit home with all of us.

When she asked the students if they knew the value of their education, she was greeted with odd expressions. After a few quiet minutes, adults entered the room, one by one, each carrying a desk. As each student took a desk, an adult stood behind.

The teacher explained that, because of a veteran, they were free. Quite a lesson. Smart teacher. I would like to think that those kids took that memory with them. I hope so.

Today, more so than in years, our veterans have something to celebrate. They are about to serve under a Commander in Chief who puts them first. You have only to look at the record of President Donald Trump firing incompetent workers in VA Hospitals around the country and enabling veterans to access medical care in convenient locations if a VA hospital was far away. Imagine, if you will, that in order to get medical care – even minor procedures – you were mandated to travel for hours just to get there. Many of Trump’s speeches highlighted veterans. Moreover, his actions mirrored his words. Sadly, recent years have seen a disintegration of attention paid our veterans.

For the moment, consider the fact that our veterans took a back seat to illegals in recent years. The current administration had more money (our money, incidentally) than sense when it displaced veterans to house people who crossed the border illegally. That will stop. Private concerns such as Tunnel To Towers stepped up to house veterans, but the government has a role to play. Under Trump and Marine veteran J. D. Vance, federal help will once again focus on our veterans.

We not do we only owe our veterans attention and good medical care, but our highest respect. I always go out of my way to acknowledge a veteran wearing a cap identifying his service, but even that falls short. They deserve so much more.

A tip of the hat (and I DO wear hats) to all veterans and, in particular, an unnamed veteran in Michigan. Eleven o’clock this morning commemorates the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and heralds back to the end of World War I, dubbed as “The war to end all wars.” Sadly, history confirms that its title did not live up to its name.

We, to a person, owe our very freedom to our veterans. Love of country is love of veterans. Take time to thank one you know, and when you do, thank God for all those you do not know.

As is my custom, I close with a twist on “Think about it.” Think about veterans.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

#306

November 4, 2024

“Scarlett O’Hara’s Lament”

One day left. Tomorrow is election day. Tomorrow will chart the future for the United States of America. The differences for the voter could not be clearer.

This is a vote between good and evil.

Election rules cast aside
Abortion – allowing exceptions. Woman’s right to choose – what of the child’s right to live?
Inability to explain the word man or a woman
Allowing biological boys and men to compete in sports with girls and women
Grand promises but no positive outcomes
Lying as a tactic to win (ala Harry Reid and Mitt Romney years ago)
Our open border with resultant crime and overloading of local services
Support to illegals over help to struggling Americans, often at the expense of veterans
Prosecutors (sponsored by one George Soros) releasing dangerous felons daily
Law Enforcement prevented from doing the job
Foreign aid that, if reviewed carefully and cut back, could help our own people
Wars abroad, some of which have gone on for centuries with tribal mindsets
Dictating vaccines to military members – no vaccine, no job. Not smart.
Woke policies that dilute the strength of our military
Printing money we do not have
The imperiled state of the US Dollar as the world’s trade currency
A federal debt with crippling interest that should be used in infrastructure
Hatred and vitriol as acceptable speech
Denigrating God and those who believe in Him
Promoting government as the answer to all problems
Labeling parents as terrorists when they disagree with educators and school boards
Skewing facts and outright lying
Lip service for Israel while supporting Hamas
Labeling 50% of America as garbage
… and all of this undergirded and profligate by the no longer “free press”

Not a pretty picture, is it?

I need not name the party described above. We all know which one it is.
Your VOTE for Trump is your VETO of his opponent. One candidate showcases evil in many forms and only pursues power. Trump is the exact opposite. His strength, resolve, and – yes – faith is the recipe for us to regain America’s standing in the world and restore the American dream for each of us. Let’s pray for Trump and for God to help us.

Like Scarlett O’Hara, “Tomorrow is another day!”

Now, go exercise the most precious right you have. Let’s take our country back.

Vote for good.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

A Lady in Mourning

June 5, 2024

Over the decades, my professional resume has grown considerably. Of course, keep in mind that I began working at age twelve. My employer was a local dentist’s wife and she taught me more about housekeeping over one summer than many girls learn in a lifetime.

Next came carhopping at the A & W Root Beer stand on East 421. I kept a full academic schedule, often doing homework at the counter of the establishment in between customers. Funny how you remember somewhat mundane details so vividly after 60+ years. I had one customer who always ordered the same meal, so I would call the food order in when I glimpsed his spotless blue and white pickup pull into the lot. He loved a “Hurri-Burger” with cheese and onion accompanied by a made to order chocolate nut shake. God bless him. He made sure to leave a hefty tip and I appreciated his kindness.

Flash forward to a local law office where I sat taking dictation from Phillip Brown when the receptionist interrupted normal work with a terse message. “Listen, please.” The next minute is etched into my brain. President Kennedy was dead. Assassinated in Dallas while in a parade to the Dallas Trade Mart. And the dictation? It was a bad check to the then Louden Super Market on South Harrison Street. It was for $40.00 – as clear today as then.

Next, I worked for a criminal defense attorney. That was a learning experience I will never forget. Privy to the inner workings of an active defense team, I tried to take in all the details to better prepare myself for life as an adult.

When I began working for a personal injury lawyer, I was flabbergasted by his medical knowledge. Just listening to him, one would think that he was a doctor by profession.

Legal secretarial work behind me, flash to a prestigious Indianapolis law firm, Barnes, Hickam, Pantzer and Boyd. At that time, all four senior partners were there. Mr. Barnes was a sweetheart. I booked all his travel, and his trips spanned the globe. It was imperative that he knew the specific type of aircraft. Odd, really, because Mr. Hickam had a close family relationship to aircraft. Hickam Field, Hawaii, was named for his brother. If a staff member, lawyer, secretary, or accountant, traveled to Hawaii, he saw to it that they received a special tour of the base.

Flash forward again and I was in my 40s and a recent graduate of Franklin College. My eldest son and I graduated the same year – 1984. Considering law school, I began to work for a Shelby County Prosecutor James Lisher, the very best boss for whom I have ever worked. Cases ranged the gamut from petty crimes to the apex: murder. I was allowed to go into court and observe, and that I did.

For Mr. Lisher, the law was sacrosanct. His approach was level-headed, to the point, and honest. Watching him was a lesson in integrity. Given my background, the recent show trial in New York was more than a shock, it was an insult. Building on “all men are created equal,” is the absolute mantra that a defendant is assumed innocent until proven guilty.

It never occurred to me that someone serving as a prosecutor, pressing the government’s case against the accused could morph into a political vendetta with the prime goal of undercutting, smearing, and convicting a person of a yet undisclosed crime. Given the varied work experiences among a number of firms and lawyers, I had a hard time wrapping my head around how a misdemeanor with statute of limitations expired could morph into 34 felony counts. Even Houdini couldn’t escape such a morass of nonsense. Agenda driven? You bet!

Did you ever hear the actual crime named? You did not. I traveled abroad quite a bit. I recognized the respect that the United States held in foreign countries. Leaders and their people looked to the United States as what President Reagan described in his Farewell Address. President Reagan acknowledged the increased budget deficits, expressing regret, but asserted that overall, his presidency was about restoring America to her role as a “shining city on a hill.” The United States stood as the ultimate form of government for a free people and a magnet for those who wanted a better life devoid of socialism and communism.

Contrast that with the diminished stature of the US under the current administration. I purposefully avoid naming the occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. My only hope is that his title is temporary.

The concept of law in the United States is based on the wisdom of The Founders, who drew upon the Bible and experience living under the tyranny of the British. The result has been stable for nearly 248 years. Overall, the system has worked well, not that there have not been errors. Humans can make mistakes. Clearly, that is not what the nation and the world have witnessed over the past weeks.

It’s time for every American to defend the bedrock issue of our time. Restoring the rule of law administered fairly and without bias to the courtrooms across the nation. Sad is not the operative term here. Disgusting and embarrassing are better terms.

And so, behind her blindfold are tears. Lady Justice is in mourning.

Reflecting on past experience, I could never understand why something termed “brief” was anything but. I remember long before the advent of copy machines that the firm cleared the conference room and hundreds of pages were meticulously assembled into as many as 100 copies to be given to those involved in a particular lawsuit.

And so I acknowledge those who practice law. I salute them for painstaking and tedious work. I challenge them to join with others to clean up the profession. All this trial did was to sully the reputations of those who practice with honor and ethics.

Think about it.