"Glory and SHAME in D.C., as Dems Move Ahead to Impeach"

Very early this morning, the Washington Nationals won their first-ever World Series in an IMPROBABLE and THRILLING fashion!! Not even 12 hours later, though, House Democrats have made D.C. a place of SHAME again by moving ahead with their bogus "Impeachment" of a President who they hate ONLY because he's a rich, white guy who beat HILLARY (let's be honest.)

CONGRATS to the Nationals but BOOOoooOOOoooOOOooo0000000000000000oooooooo on the DEMOCRATS!!  This. Will. Backfire on them!!

The uplifting Nationals had potential to bring some UNITY to America by way of D.C., but the Democrats insist on DIVIDING us.

That's all I have to say for now!!

"Liberals Love ISIS Killer More Than They Love Our President"

The above actually appeared in "The Washington Post" on MONDAY, after President Trump announced on SUNDAY that our military killed ISIS leader al-Baghdadi.  Without a doubt, Trump has made the world a better place by "offing" this guy, but Liberals have no praise for TRUMP...just criticism.  (Yet, they mourn this BARBARIAN!!)  And yes, I know the bums CHANGED the obituary because of the backlash they received, but we all can discern that the way they ORIGINALLY wrote it (above) is how they REALLY feel.  Fear of Muslims has made pathetic Liberals BEND OVER BACKWARDS to try to defend, and whitewash, and even JUSTIFY their evil deeds.  Liberals are the REAL "Islamaphobes."

Friends of former President OBAMA say Trump should have let Obama know of his plans to kill al-Baghdadi in advance.  But...why?? So Obama could WARN his Muslim bro of the impending raid?? (Let's not forget that Obama FREED this butcher ten years ago, when we had him in custody.)  Obama, THANK GOD, is no longer President...Trump doesn't have to tell him ANYTHING.  (Did OBAMA tell HIS predecessor, BUSH, before he FREED al-Baghdadi?? Of course not!!)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is mad at Trump ALSO, saying he did not follow "due process" by failing to inform HER of the impending raid.  Oh, after this bogus "impeachment Inquiry" she is spearheading, PELOSI of all people is whining about "due process"?? It's almost laughable!!

Even BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN had nothing but harsh words for Trump after the raid.  I saw a clip of him from Sunday morning, being interviewed, BASHING the President....DESPITE this great accomplishment that was just announced!!  Now, if you've been reading my blog you know that a week ago yesterday I praised Springsteen's documentary "Western Stars" which did VERY POORLY in its first weekend of national release, by the way.  One reviewer agreed with ME that the movie is GREAT, but suggested that Springsteen's constant preoccupation with Trump (when he's interviewed) is hurting Bruce AND the movie. The box office for "Western Stars" was way down there with KANYE'S "Jesus is King" movie, and that must BUG Bruce considering that Kanye is A.) a rapper, B.) a professing CHRISTIAN now and C.) a one-time Trump SUPPORTER (see my blog from SATURDAY.)   Maybe it's time for "The Boss" to find "The KING" and to, if not SUPPORT the President, at least stop BASHING and TRASHING him??

Finally, on Sunday night, Trump and Melania were BOOED at the Washington Nationals World Series Game 5, in D.C.  Sickening.  He should have received a standing ovation for killing al-Baghdadi!!  The Nationals went on to LOSE the game, they are down 3-2 in the Series and Houston has a chance to wrap it up TONIGHT, on their home field in Texas.  Good for them, I was rooting for the Nationals, but now I'm not rooting for EITHER team.

Maybe I'll BOO the Nationals, if they come back and win games 6 and 7!! I certainly boo ALL Liberals who love an ISIS killer more than they love our President.

"My Amazing Wife"

It was exactly a year-and-a-half ago today that I married this AMAZING woman!!

I love Mercedes because she is
Godly. 
Intelligent. 
Beautiful. 
Irrepressible. 
Competent.
Giving.
Strong.
Loves YANKEES (not Mets) and MARVEL (not D.C.)!! But most of all,
...............Loves PEOPLE. And, she has a GREAT sense of humor!!  Truthfully, only she and I really know the constant aches and pains she endures from her prior athletic career and seven years in the Air Force, and yet she's an OVERCOMER who gets out of bed each morning and CHEERFULLY does all of the work God has for her to do that day, to the best of her ability.  She's a FIGHTER in the best sense of the word.  She isn't crazy about me praising her publicly like this so I'd better keep it SHORT, but, you get the point, I'm sure.

I'm blessed to be able to call Mercedes Jelinski  MY AMAZING WIFE!!

"Kanye's 'Conversion': REMEMBER BOB DYLAN"

So, I have it on good authority that KANYE WEST  professes to be a Christian now!! This is great news, of course, if it's true...but permit me to be a bit skeptical  Admittedly I haven't heard ANY of his new album, all I know is the title "Jesus is King" and that's a GREAT title. I do not like Kanye's music and all I know of him is what I hear about him through news sources.  However, though it makes me feel really old, let me tell you a true story about a guy named BOB DYLAN from many, many years ago....I think it's relevant to KANYE, here in late 2019.

Minnesotan BOB DYLAN (Google him if you're young and don't know who he is) electrified the music world by releasing a "Christian" album 40 years ago, in 1979. Considering that he's Jewish and had only recorded mostly PROTEST songs until that time, this was BIG news.  He then followed it up with ANOTHER album, "Saved," and here are the words which he wrote to the title track..

Saved

Bob Dylan

I was blinded by the devil,
Born already ruined,
Stone-cold dead
As I stepped out of the womb.
By His grace I have been touched,
By His word I have been healed,
By His hand I've been delivered,
By His spirit I've been sealed.

I've been saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved,
Saved,
And I'm so glad.
Yes, I'm so glad,
I'm so glad,
So glad,
I want to thank You, Lord,
I just want to thank You, Lord,
Thank You, Lord.

By His truth I can be upright,
By His strength I do endure,
By His power I've been lifted,
In His love I am secure.
He bought me with a price,
Freed me from the pit,
Full of emptiness and wrath
And the fire that burns in it.

I've been saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved
By the blood of the lamb,
Saved,
Saved,
And I'm so glad.
Yes, I'm…

You can't be much more Biblical than THAT, and the entire "Saved" album reflected a man who studied and believed the Bible, and seemed determined to LIVE it!! However, on his very next album, in 1981, the obvious declension started, and those Christians who were cheerfully telling their non-Christian friends "BOB DYLAN IS SAVED, YOU SHOULD GET SAVED, TOO" were now making excuses for his "backsliding."

Over the years, from what I've observed, there is NO indication Dylan ever was a true Christian in the first place.  The recent book pictured above TRIES to make the case that Bob TRULY knew the Lord, but when I look at Dylan's LIFE he reminds me more of those who Jesus spoke of, "he received the Word with Joy but when persecution arose because of the Word, he fell away." Remember, the Lord ALSO warned that it's only those who endure TO THE END who will be.............saved.

Kayne's "Conversion" makes him, in MY mind, "Today's Bob Dylan" in that he's a superstar musician professing Christ loudly.  But don't be too quick to get excited or to ENDORSE his profession, as many in my day (not me) did regarding DYLAN. I heard something about Kanye becoming a TRUMP supporter a year or so ago, but then doing an about-face when his peers pressured him.  If that is true the way the media reported it, Kanye has a HISTORY of doing an about-face, and he may do that in THIS case, his "Conversion" story, NEXT.

All I can say to Kanye fans who are GLAD that he said "Jesus is King" is....let's see if he SHOWS it by his LIFE, in the years to come.  It's not those who only SAY they are saved who are saved, but those who LIVE THE LIFE.

Remember Bob Dylan!!

"If Trump Adds a Woman to the 2020 Ticket, Why Not Michele Bachmann??"

I am a HUGE fan of Michele Bachmann, former Congresswoman from Minnesota. Bachmann is a courageous, Conservative, patriotic, devout Christian woman who is unashamedly Pro-Life, ANTI Same-Sex Marriage and was UNAFRAID to challenge Obama and warn of the dangers of Shariah Law while she was in office!! In addition to her OWN kids, she is a foster mom to 23.....that's right, 23 others!! She used to be a Democrat and even worked for JIMMY CARTER'S campaign but wised up and switched to Republican....BECAUSE of Carter.

I have a habit of doing portraits of those I admire, so I drew her in 2011 (above) but just retouched it with my new computer programs that I mentioned here recently.. (I also did a portrait of Reagan, Bachmann and PALIN but Sarah has kind of fallen out of favor with me.)

Above: I bought Bachmann's book in 2011 and had her sign it for me.  Did you know she was saved on HALLOWEEN?? Pretty awesome Christian testimony, she has!! 

Below: A baseball signed by Michele, with a C.O.A.

I saw Bachmann LIVE on the Mike Huckabee TV show in NYC (I was in the audience) once and I supported her wholeheartedly when she ran for President in 2012 (see custom-made button below).

Sadly, Michele is GAFFE-PRONE and because she's a white Christian woman, the Mainstream Media didn't cover for HER like they do for A.O.C., Maxine Waters, Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden. They maximized her faults, minimized her virtues and RIDICULED her and the stances she took.  She dropped out of the 2012 race and exited politics about 5 years ago (2014).  Last I heard, Bachmann became a spiritual adviser for Donald Trump when HE was running for President, in 2016.

Supposedly, if the Dems have ANOTHER female running for President next year (Warren, Hillary, Michelle Obama), President Trump would replace PENCE in order to run with a WOMAN Veep.  (At least that's what I read somewhere this week.)

I truly ADMIRE this diminutive dynamo and if Trump DOES replace Mike Pence in 2020, I hope and pray that it will be MICHELE BACHMANN...not Nikki Haley (as is rumored.)  Bachmann is really VERY much like TRUMP, to be honest....they'd make a great team, but I'm not sure if she'd be willing to take another stab at public office, at this point.

NOTHING against Mike Pence but IF he's dismissed, why not MICHELE BACHMANN to replace him.............................if SHE is willing, that is??

"Looking Before I Leap"

I have been asked to illustrate a (Christian-themed) Children's book that a friend will self-publish!! I requested to see his manuscript first, before I commit, however. (You see, I once was put in a very, very awkward situation by agreeing to illustrate a book before seeing the text...more about that later.)

Now, I'll be the first to admit that my art has a somewhat CHILDISH quality, especially the BIRDS...but ironically I've been trying to EVOLVE with my art, to "grow up," as it were. This recent Pheasant (above) is a prime example. It started out as a drawing done by hand years ago but I've been using computer programs to try to embellish it and "bring it up to date."  My friend, however, has only seen my more "childish" artwork and though the book will apparently not require BIRD drawings, he likes my style.

As for me?? I'm happy to help (as long as he's in no HURRY, which he's not) AND to make a few dollars in the process!!

And now, my prior "awkward situation."

Years ago, my first wife had a "Christian" friend who wrote a book of "love" poems, and she asked BETH to ask ME to illustrate it.  I hastily said Yes but upon reviewing her manuscript, she wanted me to draw NUDES in lovemaking positions. Beth and I were totally taken by surprise!!  I usually keep my commitments, even those that entail more than I was told (Psalm 15:4), mind you but this one was one I had to back out of.  That is why I'm going to "look before I leap" regarding this NEW illustration opportunity.  I'm not concerned about NUDITY being required this time as it's a KID'S book (though the album cover of the Led Zeppelin album with "Stairway to Heaven" on it shows that even CHILDREN can be portrayed nude for "art's sake," and I would never do that.)  But, I want to examine this "Christian" book for DOCTRINAL ACCURACY before I consent to illustrate.  As a Bible-believing Christian I will not knowingly be "equally yoked" with theological error, if there IS any in the book.

"Look before you leap" is a GREAT old saying, and those old sayings have stood the test of time for a reason: they are TRUE!!

"LGBT History Month"

There's plenty I don't understand about "LGBT History Month" (this month.)

I'd be open to LEARNING more about their history if they'd honestly admit that God's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was part of it...but they won't.  (So I won't.)

I also don't understand why black "leaders" aren't FUMING because the LGBTs now get TWO months to push their "Pride" and their History...and blacks only get ONE ("Black History Month.")  Maybe these "leaders" are silent now because they have falsely said the LGBT Movement is a CIVIL RIGHTS movement for so long, they'd look silly if they complained about being upstaged, at this point?? Hmmmmmmmm....it's possible.



Yes, OCTOBER is "LGBT History Month".....in ADDITION to June being "LGBT Pride Month." No doubt I am open to being called "hater" for what I'm saying, but I feel SORRY for these folks, I really do. You have to feel sorry for people who constantly demand affirmation from others this way...no other group gets TWO months!! It's a sign that they KNOW they are in the wrong, and the more they scream "Pride" the more they are trying to drown out consciences which say "Shame."

They can call me "hater" all they want for saying the truth, but reality is they hate THEMSELVES, and I feel sorry for them, I want to see them SAVED and being who GOD made them to be.

(BTW, in Scripture God regards this type of pride....pride in SIN...as a worse sin than being a L, a G, a B, or a T.)

Since the ASTROS closer was ALSO a woman abuser, I'm REALLY for the Nationals.

"COLE!!"

The Yankees (my team, win or lose, right or wrong) need to obtain GERRIT COLE, the stud starting pitcher for the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the World Series.  (Offers should BEGIN as soon as the Series ENDS!!)

Cole is a big reason why the Astros are IN the World Series and the Yanks are OUT.  The guy hasn't lost a game in exactly 5 months.  He had a Major League leading 2.50 ERA in 212 1/3 innings during the REGULAR season and in 3 games so far in the POSTseason , his ERA is 0.40 in 22 1/3.

No matter what he does in the World Series, Cole is a cinch to win the Cy Young award when it's over, and the Yanks should BREAK THE BANK to get him when he becomes a free agent.

The Yankees have found the Astros to be a ROADBLOCK to the Series for them in recent years.  By getting COLE, they'd strengthen THEMSELVES and weaken the 'STROS.  Hey, I'd even let the dude keep his BEARD and LONG HAIR if he came to us (the Yanks have a policy of short hair and NO beards on the team.)  On COLE that "Gunslinger" looks works GREAT....when he's not SMILING that is!!

Cole GREW UP a Yankee fan and we even drafted him, but somehow he slipped away.  Then, they almost TRADED for him a few years back but couldn't pull the trigger on a deal. Yankee fans are hoping "the third time is a charm" and not "strike three, we're OUT" if he signs somewhere else besides New York...or even STAYS in Houston.

Speaking of FANS, I'm hoping the abusive fans at Yankee Stadium during the ALCS won't keep COLE from coming to Yankeeland like it kept CLIFF LEE from signing with us several years back. Fans like that HURT the team, not HELP us.

By the way, IN the World Series this year I am rooting for the Washington Nationals UNLESS two things...

1.) Unless they DON'T allow President Trump to throw out the first ball (assuming he'd want to) at the first game in D.C. and 

2.) Unless they DO go over the top with a tribute to the late Rep. Elijah Cummings, at their first home game.

I know you're SUPPOSED to root for the team from your League, but I can't bring myself to root for the team that vanquished MY team, the Yankees, even though Houston DESERVED to beat us.

So....GO, NATIONALS!! First pitch of Game 1 is 8:08 pm tonight.

And let's hope WE (the Yanks) can at least beat HOUSTON out of COLE this winter!!

"1.) Two Women Abusers Lead to Yankees' Demise / 2.) 'Western Stars' Movie AMAZING"

1.) In my opinion, the two women abusers on the Yankees led to their crushing elimination from the playoffs Saturday night.  I refer to starting pitcher DOMINGO GERMAN and relief pitcher AROLDIS CHAPMAN.  First, German. 

Here is a letter I've sent to the NY Post, NY Daily News and NJ Star Ledger about him...it has yet to be printed, but I hope it WILL be....

Editor

There are many reasons for the Yankees ALCS collapse against the Astros, but let's not forget this: the loss of our best starting pitcher, Domingo German, in September.  

The Yankees commendably survived many injuries throughout the regular season, but this was one they couldn't survive by simply looking to a "Next Man Up."  Ironically, THIS injury took place not TO a player, but to a woman who was injured BY a player, resulting in German's being banned from the postseason. 

We got through the first round of the playoffs very well, but in the second round, facing dominant starting pitching from the likes of Verlander, Cole and Grienke, the Yanks really could have used our only 18 game winner. Alas, his own immoral activity has harmed not only the woman, and himself, but the entire team here in October when it counts the most. 

I really hope German won't be in pinstripes next year and that free-agent-to-be, stud starter Gerritt Cole, will be a Yankee. But whether or not that happens, baseball aside, it is wrong for a man to strike a woman. Period.

Chet Jelinski

Now, on to Chapman.  He gave up the game-winning, series-ending homer to ALTUVE on Saturday night....(the same Jose Altuve who had to endure pathetic chants of "Ef Altuve!! Ef Altuve!!" at Yankee Stadium a few nights earlier, by the way.)  Neither GERMAN or CHAPMAN (who had domestic violence issues BEFORE the Yankees signed him, traded him, then acquired him AGAIN) should stay on the team, in my opinion.  Both Chapman and German have names that end in "man" but in my opinion, a true MAN will never hit a woman. END THE SILENCE, STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!! The Yankees need to make that statement and boot BOTH of these guys.

They need to carry "Next Man Up" into 2020, and replace them with real MEN.

2.) "WESTERN STARS" MOVIE, LIKE THE ALBUM, WAS AMAZING!!  Like his new album of the same name, Bruce Springsteen's new movie "WESTERN STARS" is an absolute masterpiece of self-expression.  I saw a "sneak preview" here in Jersey on Saturday night...it goes into nationwide release this Friday, Oct. 25th.

I've written about the album on my blog previously and pointed out that I WAS NEVER A SPRINGSTEEN FAN BEFORE THIS and technically I am STILL not a Springsteen fan...but I love this ALBUM and I loved the MOVIE.  You see, "The Boss" just turned 70 and is trying new things (he recently wrote a book, did a play, did a "Western" themed album with an ORCHESTRA, and now this movie about that album.)  I've always admired artists who try something new late in life.  For example, 15 years ago when Clint Eastwood did "Million Dollar Baby" as he was approaching 75, I really appreciated his new "turn," and I referred to that movie as "Clintspirations" as *I* am getting older now.  Springsteen is ALSO breaking personal new ground with "Western Stars" and it's interesting that, in this movie he even QUOTED Clint at one point.

My wife Mercedes has always liked Springsteen but does NOT like the new album because it IS such a departure for him. But again, I'm just the opposite...I am NOT a fan of the man but I DO love the album and the movie!! He wrote all 13 of the album's songs and performed them live, in order, in the movie...accompanied by a band, with an orchestra, in a VERY intimate setting.  Bruce's masculine voice and appearance, his thought-provoking lyrics and AWESOME musical accompaniment (esp. by the STRINGS) just blows my mind.  I love how he took a chance....went out on a limb with something new and this challenges ME with MY creative endeavors!! Except for ONE unfortunate profanity, there is nothing sexual or violent in the movie and yes, I know he's a Liberal but there are NO politics in the movie. His references to God are very positive and reverent, and he even quoted SCRIPTURE at one point. His wife appears with him in the movie and they seem to have a very good marriage. (And speaking of WIVES, Mercedes didn't want to see the movie with me in the theater but was happy to let me go alone, which I appreciate.)

And go alone, I did...traveled about an HOUR to BURLINGTON but if I'd gone the same distance in the other direction, I could have seen the movie in Springsteen's native FREEHOLD, New Jersey where he did a surprise appearance in the theater to greet his fans.

Doesn't matter...when you see this movie you feel you've MET Springsteen in person.  I did!!
No make-up to cover up his wrinkles in the closeups.  Looks directly into the camera as he sings.  The short videos between songs contain rare, archival, PERSONAL footage of him from the past along with EXTREMELY personal and perceptive verbal reflections. And....lyrics about growing old in a changing world, via an album where it's clear that he IS an "old dog who can learn new tricks."

Springsteen did this movie to promote the album, as he's apparently too old to TOUR now.

But the concert on the album is FAR more intimate and meaningful and far less EXPENSIVE than a live concert would be.  The songs would not come across as well in a large, live concert venue and even in the front row, you couldn't have a better view than there was on that big movie screen.

AGAIN, THE MOVIE GOES NATIONWIDE THIS COMING FRIDAY, THE 25th.  See it if you can!!

"P.S.A.: Today is 'Sweetest Day' "

Today is a little known, obscure holiday called SWEETEST DAY.  It takes place on the third Saturday of October each year, WITHOUT much fanfare (Lol!!)  My understanding of it is that it's broader than Valentine's Day and not necessarily as ROMANTIC, but that it's more GENERALIZED.  (In other words, it's not just for spouses or sweethearts but you can wish your MOM "Happy Sweetest Day," your SISTERS, and so on.)

MOST folks have never HEARD of "Sweetest Day" and ditto for most FLORISTS, even!!  It's hard to find a GREETING CARD commemorating it, but it's LEGIT.....hence this Public Service Announcement.  I urge everyone reading this blog today to take advantage of this little-known opportunity to express love and appreciate to those who you love and appreciate!!

Guys, want to give your wives a nice surprise today?? Just say "Happy Sweetest Day" even if you're NOT in any of the 12 states listed below!!






Here's what WIKI has to say about "Sweetest Day"....

Sweetest Day is a holiday that is celebrated in the Midwestern United States, and parts of the Northeastern United States, also in the northern part of Florida on the third Saturday in October.^[1] It is a day to share romantic deeds or expressions, and acts of charity and kindness.^[2] 10 states and parts of two states observe Sweetest Day: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and areas of both New York and Pennsylvania west of the spine of the Appalachian Mountains.^{[citation needed]} Sweetest Day has also been referred to as a "Hallmark holiday" or a "concocted promotion" created by the candy industry solely to increase sales of sweets.^[3]

Contents

• 1Origin
• 2Celebration
• 3Regional importance
• 4Criticism
• 5References
• 6Further reading
• 7External links

"Rep. Elijah Cummings"

 Rep Elijah Cummings (D- Maryland) died rather suddenly last night.  I hope he was saved, because in the end that's all that matters.

Cummings hated President Trump and wanted him impeached and removed...but right now all that matters is whether is whether HIS sins were forgiven.  Without a doubt, the Impeachment movement suffers a huge setback because of his death.

And, I'm sure that when the Washington Nationals play their first home game as the World Series goes to D.C. soon, Cummings will be memorialized FONDLY before the game. But in the light of ETERNITY all that matters now to Rep. Cummings is whether he's in Heaven or in Hell.

Again, I hope he was saved, because in the end that's all that really matters.

"50 Years Ago: First Times I Got Published...In A Comic Book"

Fifty years ago this month, at age 14, I got published for the first time.  My handwritten letter to "Daredevil #63" (above) was surprisingly analytical AND critical of my beloved Marvel Comics!! Like MOST 14 year-olds, I thought I knew it all (Lol) so I guess you could say this was my very first "Chetitorial." Click it to enlarge and read it, if you can...

Above is the COVER of the issue my letter appeared in (in January 1970.) In those days, letters appeared AT LEAST three months after they were written, and the date on the COMIC was always three months AHEAD of time, that's why it says "April" (1970.) They did it that way because old comics hung out on newsstands shelves 2-3 months.  (If they didn't sell right away they still looked "current," you see.)

My friends at Arts High were AMAZED that I had a letter in "Daredevil." Remember, Arts High was a magnet school for Art and Music only.  When I got there, because of my ART talent, I became fascinated with WRITING (Prose AND Poetry) as a result of exposure to Edgar Allan Poe's works. Consequently, I neglected my art.

A lot of the kids and teachers thought I was just lazy and to some extent I was...but the reality is that I became obsessed with WRITING there, something only a few of my friends were allowed to know.  And Arts had nothing, really, to help you develop THAT except for the (yawn) English classes.  Some of my friends read my poems and short stories considered me a genius, but the fact is that I was just "doing" something intensely that no one else around me was. I had failing grades, the adults at home didn't care, and I dropped out due to BOREDOM a few years later.

Ironically , the NEXT issue of "Daredevil" ALSO printed a letter of mine (below.) But THIS letter was written about two months BEFORE I went to Arts and REALLY got into writing....as a result it lacks the structure, cohesion and FLOW that the FIRST one they printed has.

Above: the cover of "Daredevil #64," May 1970 issue. My letter there was written SIX months before it appeared in print, so though it was printed AFTER the first one, I wrote it BEFORE the first one.

By the way, around this time I aspired to be a writer /artist for Marvel one day, inspired by the great JIM STERANKO who had just risen to prominence in Marvel around 1968-9 or so.  But, God knew what He was doing, and I would not change a THING about how my life has gone!!

"Whatever Happened to INNOCENT Cartoons?"

So yesterday at about 3:30, I turned on the TV looking for the Yankees-Astros Playoff game, which was set to start at 4.  The TV was still on the channel where the OTHER Division Series was broadcast on the previous night, and I was accidentally exposed to the kind of cartoons kids can possibly watch after school, here in 2019.  It broke my heart.

WARNING: SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT I STUMBLED ON. The cartoon I witnessed depicted some punk boys using a DRONE to spy into the window of a girl's locker room, depicting the girls in various stages of nakedness.  I couldn't believe it!!

55-60 years ago when I was a kid, we could watch The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Woody Woodpecker, Magilla Gorilla, ALL kids of silly, innocent stuff after school....nothing like THAT immoral mess.

NOW look at the options "we" give these kids today, they can either play (violent) video games or watch (vile) cartoons after school....and in SCHOOL even, they are indoctrinated to accept perversion like the LGBT movement all day long.

And yes, in retrospect I know that SOME of the cartoons from the 60s had subliminal, sexual messages which only ADULTS might pick up on, but the trash today puts sin RIGHT IN OUR CHILDREN'S FACES WHERE IT WILL SOAK INTO THEIR MINDS AND DOWN INTO THEIR HEARTS.

And too many "parents" just allow their kids to drink it all in like a sponge because it keeps them QUIET.

Politicians lie all the time, but the biggest lie politicians of ALL parties tell us is that "our young people are the next generation that will restore greatness to America" or something like that.  My hope is in GOD, not in THESE kids, most (not all) of whom are "monsters-in-the-making." Unless God mercifully sends another revival, the future of this nation is NOT bright...I suspected this BEFORE I saw what kids in 2019 can watch after school.  And I'm SURE of it NOW.

Whatever happened to INNOCENT cartoons that these kids can watch? I thought it was bad when I raised MY three kids but this corrupt culture is even worse for my GRANDKIDS.

Even so, come Lord Jesus!!

"Columbus Day Thoughts: 1.) What The Well-Dressed 'Rocky Balboa' Fan is Wearing / 2.) Chazz Palminteri's Fight and / 3.) DiMaggio, Columbus Day 1979"

When I was very young, living in Newark NJ in the mostly Italian section, ALL of us, Italian or not,  honored Columbus Day and Italian-Americans IN GENERAL.  I'm upset with those who want to make "Columbus Day" (which is TODAY) into "Indigenous People's Day" now!!  Note: I'm not against having an "Indigenous People's Day," mind you...just make a NEW day for it if you want, don't swipe COLUMBUS Day.  If you really believe Chris and friends stole this land from those who were already here, isn't it hypocritical to steal his HOLIDAY, in protest??  The man deserves to be honored just for the RISKS he took, in my opinion, to TRAVEL here.  And if you take COLUMBUS Day away, you are saying ITALIANS don't matter because THIS IS THEIR DAY. Anyway, my blog today will mention famous Italians from our popular culture, in honor of Columbus Day.  First, SLY STALLONE....again!!

Sylvester ("Rocky") Stallone has been spotted at restaurants in my native New Jersey recently. Not clear why he's HERE, but I'm a BIG "Rocky" fan and wish we'd run into him once, when eating out!!  In fact, I hope I'll be wearing my Hoodie (below) if we do...

...and, hope I'm wearing the Rocky TEE that goes underneath it (below), if we DO bump into him!!  I bought both to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Rocky II" earlier this year, you see.

(As for that HAT I am wearing in my photo above, though it LOOKS "Rocky-esque" it is NOT part of the "outfit," Lol!!  A hat like THAT you might wear when hanging out in Dickie Dee's, getting an Italian Hot Dog or Newark PIZZA, though!! Best in the world.)

I will always love the Rocky Balboa character for the raw INSPIRATION he gives me.  

2.) "Palminteri Fights DeBlasio About Mother Cabrini"  Actor Chazz Palminteri ("A Bronx Tale") has been verbally battling New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio regarding a statue that was SUPPOSED to be erected in honor of "Mother Cabrini."

"Mother Cabrini"was the first American (Catholic) saint, and she founded 68 schools, hospitals and orphanges for the needy in the 1880s.  In response to a recent campaign called "She Built NYC" launched by the Mayor's wife, there were 2000 nominations and Cabrini received the MOST!!  However, seven OTHERS (only one of whom was white) were selected for the first round of statues and Chazz publicly accused the Mayor's wife (who is black) of racism.   He MAY have gone too far on that claim, I don't know, but I admire his Italian Pride and outspokenness.  Hey, I'm not Catholic OR Italian but I am WHITE and I have noticed a concerted effort by many people of color (AND self-hating whites) to eliminate ALL references to good things whites have done in this country (INCLUDING the DISCOVERY of it.) And whether he's right or wrong about the Mayor's wife being racist, it took guts for Chazz to say it.  HE is not prejudiced against OTHERS and will not stand for OTHERS being prejudiced against HIM.  A man after my own heart...he wants FAIRNESS.

That, and the fact that he's a big YANKEES fan has endeared Chazz to me recently!!

And, 3.) "Joe DiMaggio." ("Joltin' Joe," the beloved Yankee, is shown above when he was Grand Marshall in a Columbus Day Parade. This took place in my native NEWARK, 40 years ago today, in 1979.)

I respect Joe DiMaggio but I still have a bone to pick with him.  When he declared himself "The Greatest Living Ballplayer," he WASN'T...Willie Mays was and (since DiMag's death 20 years ago) Willie Mays IS.

DiMaggio even took it a step further when, in 1969, he declared himself  "The Greatest CENTERFIELDER of All Time" (Mays was, I'm sorry.) Compare the batting stats and then ask yourself who was even a better FIELDER, baserunner?? Etc.

I did not go to see Joe. D. 40 years ago today, even though the parade was right on Bloomfield Ave., in Newark and we lived ON Bloomfield Ave., in BLOOMFIELD (next town up, only about a half mile away.)  I didn't go because our first child had just been born 4 days earlier and she was jaundiced, so we stayed home.

But the next June, 1980, I did go to see MAYS for the first time when HE came to Newark for an event ....not far from where DiMaggio  was only 8 months earlier. PART of my going to see one and not the other was Providence....part was probably PREFERENCE.

But as a Yankee fan, I respect Joe DiMaggio, and the contributions he made to baseball.  He certainly had a classy, dignified "air" about him even if that sometimes crossed over into arrogance.  I respect his memory and wish  now that I could have seen him live that day, 40 years ago.

That photo of me is cropped from THIS, when I posed next to "Sinatra" at a Wax Museum on my honeymoon last year.

"Trees!!"

In my old age (Lord Willing, I'll officially be a senior citizen anywhere in America 4 months from today), I've been gradually realizing how much I love TREES.

For the longest time, I would never ADMIT I loved trees because my DAD (who was not a nice man) loved them passionately, and one of my goals in life was NOT to be like my father (twisted, huh?? But before you'd judge me, you had to know my DAD, Lol!!)

Anyway, on Christmas Day this year dad will be gone ten years, and it's taken me ABOUT that long to incrementally admit I love trees like HE did.

I first began to realize how much I love trees 5 years ago, when we drove up to NORTH Jersey (where we had moved from the previous fall) JUST to see the famous Cherry Blossoms in Branch Brook Park, in April.

Clearly, I also have a passion for BIRCH trees...I had the Brown Thrasher I drew for the paper this week sitting in one (above). 

This photo of Birches is presently the Cover Photo for my MAIN Facebook page (Public Domain photo.)

 And, in the kind providence of God, our new house is on a street with "Birch" in the name, even!!

  Come to think of it, some of my POEMS these past 4-5 years have been about trees, ALSO....I think they are on my OTHER Facebook page, called "Writing from Whiting."

Yesterday when I turned on my computer I saw the screen saver in the photo at the top of this blog.  I absolutely LOVE the fall foliage......"FALLIGE" as I call it!!  We don't see many trees that change colors down here where I live now, it's called THE PINELANDS for good reason...it's mostly Pines, with relatively few DECIDUOUS trees.  (That's ONE thing I miss about up north....trees with leaves that actually change colors!!  Down here in central Jersey it stays mostly GREEN in the fall, which is a bummer, but in WINTER when the other trees are "leavesless," the unchanging green of the Pines is an advantage.)

Anyway, because I miss the changing colors here in The Pinelands, I took that photo of my LOVELY computer screen yesterday.

And speaking of PINES, as I mentioned here on October 4th, the weekly paper printed my letter...

....and the store in question put up signs in their windows responding to my letter...

Their own website, and the TOWN'S, said they WERE leaving before I wrote the letter but maybe they changed their minds, who knows.  

Anyway, WRITING THAT LETTER complaining about the two amazing pines they cut down was something ELSE that helped me realize how much I love trees....and not be afraid to say so.

It was my open admission to myself that I still have SOMETHING in common with my dad, whose first and last names I bear, but whose character I reluctantly, but correctly, rejected.

Above: the Southern Pine Beetle caused one of the huge pine trees in our Church Grove to be taken down this week.  Someone made a cool CROSS out of part of it, and it's there, out in the Grove behind the building.  Now THAT is a good reason to fell a very large, ancient tree (not to make a STORE) and THIS is a neat way to use PART of the tree, showing good stewardship!!

And oh, I forgot....I'm even using TREES as an analogy for my Sunday School class this fall (above)!!

"Wish We Could Visit Niagara Falls AGAIN!"

Last year my wife and I were able to make TWO road trips which took us, eventually, to Niagara Falls.  The first was on our HONEYMOON and we stayed on the New York side (May.) The SECOND trip was in OCTOBER, and we stayed on the CANADA side.

Well, there is an excuse to go to Niagara AGAIN...the New York side...next Friday (Oct. 18th) but we CANNOT GO!! Bummer!!

My old friend, boxer Maureen Shea, is returning to fight on the East Coast, and she's fighting in Niagara Falls next Friday night.  I just found this out....I've lost touch since she moved from the New York area to California.  Mercedes would get a kick out of seeing Moe box for the first time, and we've already resolved that IF AND WHEN we go to Niagara again, it WILL be on the New York side!! Furthermore, when we go on road trips we always make efforts to see old friends, where possible.

The photo above was taken from CANADA, that bridge which connects Canada and the U.S.  We liked the hotel and food on the American side much better!! We're tempted to go but we can't because of previous church commitments (it's a 7-8 hour ride, we'd have to stay overnight). Moe didn't let me know EARLIER about the fight because it was originally supposed to take place in Colorado...didn't get moved "near us" till only very recently.

As for Moe and me, I followed her career HEAVILY from 2005-2010 when she won her first World Title.  I wrote this book (above) which covers up until 2010, the last time I saw her box (in New York State) before she moved out west.

Moe originally trained Hilary Swank for her boxing role in Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby," which is why I did this drawing of them in my book before I self-published it on 1-11-'11.  Maureen even fights under the moniker "The Real Million Dollar Baby"!!

Anyway, yes, it would be GREAT to go to Niagara for a THIRD time in the past (almost) year-and-a-half but hopefully the bout will be televised again and we can see Maureen THAT way...in between the baseball PLAYOFFS, of course, Lol!! Go Yankees and GO, MOE!!  

I wish WE could go and visit Niagara again!!

"My 'Lennon' Book"

Today would have been the 79th Birthday of ex-Beatle JOHN LENNON.  For that reason, I wanted to mention that we're still reworking the book I'll self-publish (again) about him!!

Note the NEW cover (pictured above).  And here is the way the proposed cover looked six months ago (below.) There is a REASON that I re-did my design to give Lennon that long hair and beard in that new version above...

You see, all of this recent attention to the 50th anniversary of "Abbey Road" reminded me of when Lennon was in his "Jesus-y" phase, where he deliberately parted his long hair in the middle, grew a full beard and wore all white (the way Jesus is OFTEN portrayed as appearing, in popular culture, though there's no Biblical evidence to support it and warnings AGAINST trying to visually represent how He looked.) And, as my iPhone now has new editing features, I simply updated the FIRST cover to portray John in this, his "Jesus-y" phase..

Yes, except for those "granny glasses" he wore, many of us thought John was deliberately likening himself to the Son of God, and with good reason.  You see, he cultivated this look shortly after his summer of '69 song that compared himself TO Jesus ("Christ, you know it ain't easy, you know how hard it can be, the way things are going, they're gonna crucify me" went his blasphemous song "The Ballad of John and Yoko.")  Depicting Lennon in this "Jesus-y" phase on the cover is apropos because the entire book is written for Christians who might think Lennon WAS "Jesus-y"....that he had some sympathy for CHRISTIANITY!! Nothing could be further from the truth, Lennon's lyrics in his solo career, after the Beatles' breakup, CONSTANTLY attacked Christianity and Jesus, Himself and my book proves it using his own lyrics and quotes from John's own lips, with new material addressing the following:

1.) Well-meaning Bible teacher Ray Comfort's book which TOTALLY overlooks John's SOLO career. My book shows that John was NOT a Christian and, sadly, not even close.

2.) There is also a rebuke to John's murderer who may very well come across the book when it goes online, telling him that though he THINKS he's a Christian and that God called him to do that evil deed, he is self-deceived and needs to repent for his sin.  And,

3.)  New material addressing the death of former Beatle GEORGE HARRISON, and mentioning how there was a failed attempt on HIS life about 20 years ago that didn't receive much publicity.  (I contrasted this incident, which George survived, to LENNON'S sudden death.)

As always, my esteemed editor is Martha Ireland.  There is no set date for the book's release, but, Lord Willing I'll let you know when it's on Amazon!!