The Worm Turns

Universities discriminate against Christians, and regardless of the law, some employed by the universities discriminate with impunity.....until this ruling. Considering millions are given to universities with the hope they will continue a quality education, those employed that create liabilities should be accountable for their actions. Maybe this is the start of a needed push-back.

If the link doesn't work, copy and paste the following.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/iowa-university-christian-group-lawsuit

Destructive Politics

After watching for the last three years, the only thing to take from politics is that destruction of opponents is the outcome. Ideas aren't discussed. The good of the U.S. is not considered, and regardless of who is destroyed in the process is not considered. Even those acting with honor become basically cannon fodder in the quest for unbridled power.

I'm watching to see how the latest coup attempt will turn out. The last one was a long dog and pony show, and those that broke the law appear to have escaped any prosecution. To those in the capitol, it's business as usual. To those at my level, it's obvious we are subject to laws, while those that swore to uphold the same laws break them with impunity.

I don't think there's any government created by humans can survive unscathed, when the leaders are criminals. Morals disappear, and the citizens either accept subjugation, or are murdered until any hope of relief disappears. We're at that point, and there are really only two paths for the U.S. to follow. One leads to the punishment of those wanting to remove liberty. The other does the same, but the rules of law are replaced by outright armed rebellion.

Too Open-Minded

There's a saying: "Don't be so open-minded your brain falls out.", which should be the mantra for those stricken with the disorder. Being in that state can lead to ignoring logic, or becoming a pawn for those willing to do just about anything for power. Neither has healthy outcomes, and leads to dismissing facts that influence survival. 

I've met people that were raised in households with severely limited resources, where meal times were dictated by the parents. The father ate first, then the mother, and then the children. It was necessary, since the father was the only source of the limited money available for the family. He was in charge, and the family deferred to the arrangement.

This, for all practical purposes, is Socialism in action. Resources are determined by a central power, and all of the underlings are forced to accept decisions that may hamper their ability to survive. Regardless of the outcome, the arrangement allows selfish actions, and many people are guaranteed to put their selfish wants ahead of basic needs for others. It's a barbaric structure, and sacrificing others is demanded, since resources are not only limited, there is no way to increase the resources. The opportunity to increase the resources is squelched by those enamored with their power.

So, why would anyone want to embrace Socialism? Isn't it inherently evil? My suspicion is that too many have become so open minded, they ignore the past, think the free stuff solution will work, and are true believers of those that corrupt politics with ridiculous solutions that endanger the entire United States. It looks like it will work, because there's a supposed belief resources are unlimited, and if you don't believe it, look at all the rich people that have more than they need.

From my vantage point, the  education system has been corrupted to the point entire generations are not only uneducated, they're now hard core minions for those that want the same power as the Soviet elite during the times of the Soviet Union. The evil of this former government led to the murder of millions, yet children today are not even being taught that the core of the system was Socialism. This is a terrible tragedy, and the outcome could be reliving the past. Children are being told they need to be open minded, and their brains will soon fall out.

Twenty in Six

Right south of my location, twenty inches of rain fell in the hours between midnight and six am. I don't know how much we've had, but the rain gauge overflowed twice since the night before last, and it's still raining. That's over 12 inches, and there's more heavy rain on the way.

Reports are already coming in of local flooding worse than from Harvey. People that escaped the flood of Harvey are now finding water in their homes, and with the rapidly rising water, are finding they require boats for rescue. Considering the sun hasn't risen, some people are awakening to a horrifying situation.

Tropical storm Imelda is proving that even smaller systems can generate enough rainfall to dwarf the amounts of a fast moving hurricane. They damage will be great, and those just now finding themselves settled after Harvey will find the long ordeal of dealing with damages are starting again.

Rain, and More Rain

Depending on the locality, the rain accumulation is varying between 2 to around 8 inches. I dumped 6 inches out of the rain gauge this morning, and it's filling rapidly. The forecasters are calling for this to continue through tomorrow, which probably means I'll be stranded, until the water goes down in the road.

Forecasting

Yesterday, I noticed the wind was from the east, and the few thunderstorms building were moving faster than normal. I knew the weather folks were not forecasting rain, and the long range showed the lack of precipitation over the next week. This didn't fit what I observed, and the NHC is now showing something in the Gulf of Mexico.

There is an upper level low over the eastern Gulf, which is moving to the northwest. Whether it develops into something more than a rain maker is to be seen, but I'll keep a close watch on this system. We're at that time of the year when the front don't quite make it to the coast, and tropical systems can wreak havoc.

The system slowly developed into a tropical storm, which came ashore in Freeport, Texas this afternoon, September 17.

Hummingbird Morning

I started this post yesterday morning. I was up early, sitting on the porch, and drinking coffee in the pre-dawn light of what promised to be a beautiful day.

Off to the south, an early morning anvil head peeked above the trees. The orange top of the thunderstorm was a brilliant contrast against the deep blue sky. Other than that, the sky was clear.

There really wasn't any wind. It was more of a slow movement of cool night air as it pushed south to the coast. The temperature was a perfect seventy degrees, and the dry air was a wonderful relief from the heavy, humid air we tolerated for the last few months.

The hummingbirds appeared as the sun rose. Unlike before, with only two or three to fight over the feeders, dozens were jockeying for a place to find some energy for the day. The low drone of their wings was an accent to their tiny chirps. Their darting around was the same as bees hunting for nectar in blooming ligustrums.

I sat for a moment, relished the time, but my thoughts returned to what started Wednesday afternoon. I was troubled, and saddened, by an approaching event I anticipated, but really didn't think I would face without notice.

I was at work , received a call, and for a moment thought of not answering a number I didn't recognize. Something told me it was important, so I answered.

The call was from a nurse practitioner at M.D. Anderson, and they wanted me to know it was best I come to see my brother. They had tried reaching his daughters, but were unsuccessful, and thought it was best family was close.

I told the nurse I would try to reach my nieces, told my boss where I was going, and was soon off to pick up my wife for the two hour trip to Houston.

As we traveled, I told my wife how my brother was admitted to the hospital ten days before, refused to contact family, and was finally convinced the day before my call to contact his family. He told them he would, but was unable to figure out his phone. The staff realized his problem, and started calling the next day.

We arrived before anyone else. I was shocked, and my wife's first meeting of my brother was seeing  the shell of the man he was. He was cognizant, but had a hard time speaking, and his weak voice was only a whisper. His mouth wouldn't close completely, so his efforts to speak can only be described as the beginning efforts of a ventriloquist.

We sat for about an hour before my niece arrived. She too was shocked at his appearance, but her previous efforts to see her father were sternly refused. He didn't want her to see him in his debilitated state. She had come to stay until the end.

We stayed for a few hours, but returned home so we could go to my wife's appointment with a hand surgeon the next morning. After the visit the next day, we returned to the hospital to see my brother.

Both nieces were now there, my oldest niece's father in law, and their mother. In a way, it was a strange congregation, but in another, it was a gathering of those closest to my brother. We all knew of his eccentricities, loved him regardless of his ways, and relished the time he allowed us into his life.

My brother had deteriorated over the last 24 hours. He now couldn't speak, and my niece told me he had told her over the night before there were people in the room that shouldn't be there. He couldn't close his eyes, or mouth, and showed no awareness of his surroundings.

My wife, and I, stayed until late afternoon. I had to get some rest for work on Friday, which required me to be there.

We returned yesterday. My brother was further along toward his final moment. His breathing was slow, and long periods would elapse between breaths. As I sat, I thought of the last year.

My brother was diagnosed with colorectal cancer about a year ago. Due to the location, the only known way of treatment - according to his doctors - was to shrink the tumor before any attempt of surgery. That was what happened for the last year. Chemo, radiation, chemo, and more chemo were his treatment. We kept in contact on the phone, so I knew what he was enduring. We talked about two months ago, and he had hope the new treatment would work. His employer was more than accommodating, so he was allowed breaks from work for his treatments.

Three weeks ago, my brother texted me to ask for my address. I texted back to ask if he was okay. He returned a text to say things weren't good, but he would get back to me.

My brother and I have always been close. Maybe it's because I respected his privacy, which he guarded with ferocity. When we were together, it was the best of visits, but he liked to be the one to contact me. I knew visits were always on his terms. I didn't mind, since when he wasn't interested in a visit, he was a pain in the ass to be around.

I had a feeling something was going on, but waited for my brother to contact me. From what I now know, I have the feeling he went to the hospital for a problem, wanted everyone to not hover over him, and his health faded faster than he could cope. When it was finally apparent he was far from being able to become better, it was too late.

Over the hours, nothing changed. Some moments he appeared in pain, but the doctor said the short moments of distress were from him trying to adjust his body, which caused some momentary pain. Long periods would indicate a bowel movement, but since it was days since he ate, or drank, those moments were probably over. My niece constantly stayed at his side, and it was apparent she would guarantee the best of care for his last moments.

My wife and I left yesterday evening, and both of us expected the phone call my brother was gone. It never came, and today my niece tells us he's the same as yesterday. I didn't go back to Houston. Mostly because my brother is gone, and I have no desire to be there for his last breath. Call it a selfish desire to not collapse at that moment. It's hard enough to endure the thought of never having the opportunity for one of those golden visits where everything is great, and future visits will be just as grand.

So I'm waiting for that call. It's hard, because the weather has been the transitional weather my brother loved. We'd discuss the cool mornings, anticipate the first cold front, and relish the first days of autumn. This will never happen again, and I can already feel the emptiness I felt after the loss of my other brothers. I guess it's part of life, and someone has to be the last, but it's a sobering realization of my mortality.