Category Archives: Character

“The Stable Genius”…..By, Michael Hawke

13 Saturday Jan 2018

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President Trump reminds Press….. he is a “stable genius”. The President held an open to the press, bi-partisan DACA and immigration meeting on Tuesday. After watching him live, and seeing him lead the meeting, it was crystal clear he is not only pretty smart ,but very skilled, at these boardroom settings. Later that night on the talking head liberal media shows the slanderous comments of his being demented, pre-Alzheimer, mentally ill, and psychopathic were silenced. (Win 1 for POTUS.)

Geniuses…even stable ones…do really dumb things…..by Thursday the “stable genius” gave away the win. In a meeting with a group of bi-partisan Senators to discuss a proposal for the DACA / immigration problem the President used off color and harsh, comments to refer to the “nations”, not the “people” of African countries as well as Haiti who send immigrants to our country. I could argue it was a private meeting to discuss and debate the offer and the tone and words of the President should not have been made public. On the other side President Trump, the ” stable genius”, acted pretty dumb if he really thought bully tough talk in a meeting with democratic leaders would stay private. Not thinking too genius like Mr. President. Also seemingly not negotiating in a way that reflected he had just scored a major PR win with the public on these matters. (Win 1 for the Dems and the Liberal Media.)

The comments were quoted out of context but….the stable genius has been in Washington for 12 months so he should expect anything he does or says likely will be used against him by the drive by media, especially when he does dumb stuff.  It should not be a shocker to him….he should have been a gentleman.

Being a “stable gentleman genius”…. Mr. President the American people want to see you succeed being….”a stable tough gentleman genius” and not, ” a fly off the cuff, blurting, bully, dork genius”.

 

The Marshawn Lynch Mexico Stadium Protest….by, Michael Hawke

21 Tuesday Nov 2017

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Forbidden Pictures…in the NFL: North Korea censors pictures and stories of the terrible living conditions their people suffer under. This is just what we see in the pre-game NFL sports shows by the talking-heads. These guys are going out of their way to make sure images of positive support to the anthem, the military, and the flag are seen by viewers….but you will not see a picture of Marshawn Lynch sitting during the Anthem in the Mexico City game. The NFL does not want to discuss it, show it, and no longer defends it. They just won’t stop it.

Mexico: The temptation is to call this guy an uneducated idiot, but I will be more clear. Generalizations never help one understand problems. And this is a problem worth understanding…..and fixing. Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders running back, sat down for the American National Anthem during the game against the Patriots in Azteca stadium (Estadio Azteca) and he stood up, giving full respect, during the Mexican National Anthem. If Marshawn was sitting to protest police abuse, racism, and overall injustice in America he sure should have stayed on his spoiled butt during the Mexican Anthem too. Justice is not to be found in Mexico for the poor, indigenous, and minorities. If he really believes things are bad in America….then he needs to factor 100 times worse in Mexico. Lets not even talk about their murder rate, kidnappings, and disappearances.

The Truth About Marshawn: His sitting for the American National Anthem and then standing for the Mexican Anthem outed him. He is not sitting for justice and fairness. He is sitting for himself. He seeks attention, pampering, and special privilege. If only there were just one NFL owner who had the kahoonas to say….enough. I frankly do not see the need for even average size kahoonas here.  If one owns the team it is easy, knowing the business reality that Marshawn Lynch is replaceable…. as is every other NFL player in the league. Simple deal Mr. NFL owner, make him stop it. You certainly know there are  hundreds who can run, pass, kick, block and tackle that would step in and do the job. The fans would be just as happy, and the team would have less “distraction”. Might be good for winning, eh?  Why suffer fools if it is an owners market.  Is it so hard to sit these guys down? Personally the words “you’re fired” would be what I would do. By the way….. it is really bad for your business.

The Message to Kids: The young people today are growing up in a world where there is great confusion. They do not know the rules anymore about anything. Sports has always been a place where there are rules, predictability, and structure. The kids are equal and can be sure hard work, dedication, and skill will get one ahead. Today we now are witnessing kids in high school kneeling during the National Anthem, modeling their heroes, knuckle-heads like Marshawn Lynch. I think it would be nice if the NFL owners would begin to act like the adults in the room and give young kids the security of knowing that there are rules in football, just as in life, and if you break them you sit….. consequences…. you know?  No need to fire these prima donnas. Sit them down, make them warm the bench….and next year do not bring them back.

Freedom to Protest: Marshawn Lynch can protest injustices, racism, police abuses, or anything he chooses all day long in America. He has the right to do this and he does have the platform. It is perfectly clear he can hold a weekly press conference and discuss his concerns and the media would be present in droves. So why sit during the National Anthem? Is it to send a message to fans, young and old, how unjust our country is? Is it to show how much courage you have by standing up to the NFL, the owners,….why even to the President of the United States? Is it because the third stanza of the song, which is not part of present Anthem today, somehow promotes racism?

I Quit the NFL: I used to be a fan of yours Marshawn, and of the NFL. Now I am neither; players like you taking knees, sitting, and linking arms in disrespect did it for me. I watch college ball on Saturdays and my Sundays are free. I kind of have always loved my football as an form of “entertainment”. If I want politics I watch CNN, FOX, or the networks. Thanks for the memories.

 

Leadership And The Sex Scandals……by, Michael Hawke

17 Friday Nov 2017

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Promotion to General: A colleague of mine told of his first day after being promoted to Brigadier General (1 star). All of the new General Officers were gathered for their orientation into the elite club called General Officers. The Chief of Staff of the Army entered the room and after the customary respect of coming to attention and then being seated was completed he spoke to them.

You are Replaceable: The Chief of Staff asked them to look around the room at all of their fellow Generals. He then told them; Generals, if a bomb landed on this room and we were all killed instantly the Army would not even miss a beat. He told them they were chosen among many others who were equally qualified and ready to assume the rank of General Officer. In the Army culture everyone is replaceable. Could the Army work any other way? They all knew and understood they were appointed to serve and to lead, and to do so selflessly. Should they be unable to do this they would be expected to resign and if they did not resign they would be replaced. Simple concept…”be good and do good”.

Election to Congress: Like you I have a mix of feelings as I watch the news reports on the growing number of sexual abuses being levied toward some of our political leaders. I realize to make comparisons between military and political cultures is, by the it’s very nature, contradictory. There is, however, some common ground on the fundamental basics of leadership.  After all, our Congresspersons and Senators are elected to be leaders, first and foremost.

You are Replaceable: I refuse to join sides in the battle over who has the most abusers, the Republicans or the Democrats. The numbers could grow to an absurd level….. should the flood gates open. The Press misses the point, as usual, and are asking the wrong questions because they have their own political agendas. The message to all of our political leaders should be the same one the Chief of Staff of the Army gives to the new class of General Officers. “You are replaceable”. If you cannot lead get out of the way or we will take you out of the way….there are so many equally ready and qualified who can step up and get the job done. You are elected to lead, to do the peoples business, to legislate, and help our country to grow and prosper, to represent those who trusted you with their vote to send you to Washington as their representatives. Such a great honor, such a great responsibility!

There is No Shortage:  To all our political leaders I would simply ask that if your whole time is spent, or if elected, will be spent, defending accusations due to questionable or even clear cut egregious sexual behaviors you should drop from the race, and or resign your seat. You are replaceable, you are not the only citizen who can do the important work of legislating. There are many equally qualified and ready. Republican or Democrat it is the same thing, get out of the way. To do anything else is to put yourself first, and that is the very opposite of selfless leadership. Simple concept….“be good and do good”.

“I QUIT THE NFL” ….By, Michael Hawke

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by in Character, Sports

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Marshawn Lynch I say to your coaches, the owners, and the fellow players who are too cowardly to pull your spoiled butt off the bench during the playing of our National Anthem ….” I QUIT THE NFL ” … I watch college football.

I have had it with spoiled NFL players disrespecting America, and all those who have fought and died for their many freedoms, which include playing professional football for millions of dollars. When NFL players kneel, squat, or sit….it says to all the fans, kids and people around the world… “I believe our country is a racist place where minorities are kept down”.

America is not perfect, but it is a free country where people can work, live, travel, make a fortune, or just enjoy life. Marshawn Lynch when you sit during our National Anthem you are doing an advertisement to the world that says “America is bad, evil, no equality for all, a place where minorities are kept down, where life is unfair”. That is the lie you send out, not just to NFL football fans, but to all people around the world. Our enemies even use your protests to gain advantage and to build propaganda.

You know Marshawn Lynch America has treated you just fine. Your current net worth is over $30,000,000. dollars. Your current NFL salary is listed as $1,350,000.dollars per year. That is for a season that lasts less than six months. Your other income from commercials, advertising, and endorsements puts you even higher I am sure, probably pushes you up into the stratosphere of incomes.

You went to the University of California Berkeley, which is one of the top five academic schools in America, my alma mater also. We went to the same school Marshawn. I served in the United States Army for 29 years. I am not even going to list my net worth…it is not based on dollars either. You know I served with guys who paid the total price…Blacks, Whites, Asians, American Indians, Christians, Jews, Muslims…. men and women from all races, creeds, and backgrounds. They believed that while our country was not perfect it was free, and it was worth giving their all, even to die, so their loved ones and fellow Americans might stay free.

Your protest should shame you and the uppity football league called the NFL. The NFL stands for  “National Football League “.  Kind of funny to me…it should be called the “UFL ” for “Unfair Football League”. Nothing National about the NFL. It is all about the money, and the players lucky enough to get there should not be sitting on their asses during the playing of the National Anthem. You want to protest do so off the field. That anthem, before the game,….it means a lot to many Americans, Americans less fortunate than you, but who understand what freedom is, and what it is not.

You know what an E-6 Sergeant makes yearly Marshawn Lynch? Take a good look…. $40,896.00. When you add all the other percs, such as BAQ and medical, they may make $50,000.00, dollars a year. So think about this…you are protesting the unfairness of our country because we have a small number of racist fools while our military men and women are risking their lives training, preparing, moving from family on deployments, and serving in combat zones. They do this why? So you can pipe out a message to the world  “America sucks…it is unfair….it is racist” !

Marshawn Lynch have you ever asked yourself why 75% of the people on the planet would move to America in a “New York Minute”, given the chance? Did you ever wonder on that one? I bet it must be because the rest of the world is really fair, and really free, right?  No Marshawn, the rest of the world is not free, fair, or without racism and prejudice. You want to protest Marshawn go to Africa, India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia….there are some really bad places. There are many countries where minorities, gays, women, and children are abused, kept down, and murdered ….where life is cheap and freedom is non-existent.  Next vacation Marhsawn skip the Bahamas, tag along with our troops in Afghanistan and learn about the real world.

My advice to you is to start giving hope and positives to people, including the minority communities. Use your platform to build up not tear down, unite not divide, encourage not discourage. Marshawn when you sit on your fat, rich, ass during the playing of the National Anthem you do not give people hope…you give them despair…and the sad thing is you are telling them a lie.  You tell them the game is rigged, they cannot make it. You convey to them they should have doubt, fear, despair, and hate.

Marshawn because a group of white racists hold a march and create a riot does not make America a racist country. America is not a perfect nation. It never was, but we have always strived as a people to become better, to make our country a place of opportunity and freedom for all. Looks like it has worked for you?

As for the NFL….the league evidently thinks it cannot interfere with players rights to protest during the playing of the National Anthem but they have no problem keeping them from celebrating in the end zone after touch downs. I say they show some real cowardly behavior. Personally, if I were the owner of the Oakland Raiders, I would fire you and any player who protests during the National Anthem.

No player should be bigger than the team, or the league. No football fan watches the game to see players push politics. Fans want to enjoy sports and escape the grind of their lives. You guys just don’t get it.

I QUIT THE NFL … watch college games… join the protest.

Michael Hawke

 

Sunday Reflections…….by, Michael Hawke

02 Sunday Jul 2017

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Word For The Day: Psalm 62:2 “Truly my soul waits upon God: from Him comes my salvation”. Proverbs 2:6 ” For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge.

Birthday Resolutions: Today is my birthday…I always set out on this day to read the bible through again, start to finish in 365 days. I did not complete last years pledge but did read my way forward. Now, a new birthday, I begin over again. I am committed to complete the reading by July 2, 2018.

Read Through the Psalms and Proverbs Every Month: There is no downside from doing this, none, nada, zip!  Here is how to do it so easy, just so easy to do!

There are 31, 30, or 28 days each month of the year. There are 31 proverbs each easily read in five minutes. Read the proverb for that particular day, for example July 2, you read Proverbs 2.

The Psalms can be completed the same way only you will read three or four Psalms a day since there are 150 Psalms. Some are short, some are long and some are in between. This can be done in twenty minutes or less each day. This being July 2 you read the 2nd Psalm, then add 30 and read the 32nd Psalm add 30 again and read the 62nd Psalm, then the 92nd, then the 122nd.

So following this technique you have read Proverbs 2, and Psalms 2,32,62,92, and 122 for a total of five Psalms and one Proverb. Prayer and meditation will happen as the Lord inspires and you are open to it. Enjoy!

Understanding and Fear: Life is understood looking back but it is lived looking ahead. Always do what you are afraid to do!

Be Anxious for Nothing: ” Be anxious for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise…think upon these things.  Philippians 4:6-8

So what do you muse about, think about, wrestle with in your mind and heart? Well Paul tells us these are the things we should be directing our thoughts toward. The good not the bad, the beautiful, not the ugly, the honest, not the lies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Daily Mix…….by, Michael Hawke

16 Friday Jun 2017

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The Death of the Press:  Right Before our eyes we watch the media’s death roll from a self inflicted suicidal shot to the heart. The printed press, internet search pages, radio, and television news all have managed to kill their own profession in just a few short years.  No one believes the media any longer.  Sorry to say but we now are in a place where there is no honest source of factual information. The birth of the internet brought such hope for being able to find information and truth and it has devolved into a place where confusion and lies reign. What a shame.

Gone Fishing: This is what Special Counsel Mueller has done. He, and his growing legal team of former Clinton and Democrat supporters, are “fishing”. They are fishing at great tax payer expense looking for a crime, or even an inkling of an inkling of a crime in the Trump and Republican camps. The fact our former FBI Director Jim Comey admitted to leaking should scare every single American. The FBI is not dealing honest, and some have known this to be true for quite awhile.

There should be no tolerance for leaking in our FBI yet Comey explained his leak as if it were no big deal. The Director of the FBI! Read the Sybil Edmonds Story…”Classified Woman”. She was a former FBI whistle blower who got creamed by the FBI. It is a story worth reading. Could it be there is a reason all of the politicians were kissing Comey’s rear end when he testified?  Mr. Mueller if you are looking for a crime maybe you should start lookingl inside your own organization first.

Trump’s Agenda: The President seems unflappable by all of the obstructionists working to do him, and his policies, in before they can get even be implemented. He continues to daily present his ideas and policy plans to the American people, keeps us informed (and I must say entertained) by his tweets, and displays a common sense approach not seen since Ronald Reagan was in The White House. The media, the democrats, and yes, even some in his own party, who seek to “obstruct”  will be in for a surprise at the ballot box next time they are up for re-election.

It would be wise for these lazy obstructionists to remember Americans spoke loudly when they elected President Trump….”cut the crap”….”get to work”, and “take care of business”. If Trump is foiled due to all of these investigations and obstructionist actions there will be a cost come election time for these loafers….no matter the fake polls, fake news, and fake leaks assuring they will be re-elected! They would do wise to remember Hillary’s big error…she started believing all the polls, stories, and leaks they were creating.

Hypocrites of the Worst Sort: The worst kind of hypocrite is the one who lies to kids. All the left screams loud at any type of prejudice, bullying, or hate speech in the schools. Kids are taught in lower grades about showing respect and not judging others no matter their sexual preference, race, creed, or color. All good things for young people to learn and practice.

The problem here is what do the kids see their parents watching on the television?  Saturday Night Live….which is all about bullying, slandering, and hating. What do they see from the so called comedians? Well, not a lot of humor, but a whole lot of hate. Look at Kathy Griffith and the mock beheading of President Trump, Bill Maher and his open arrogant lies, and so many more. So, kids, all I can say is when you grow up you too can start bullying, hating, and telling lies about others just like the media and the famous entertainers do….but until then we want you to act like decent human beings.

Speaking of Comedy: I am old enough to remember watching “real comedy” on TV. The Johnny Carson Show, The Honeymooner’s, The Red Skelton Show, The Lucy Show and later the Lucile Ball Show, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, and so many more, really made people laugh. You can look back on these shows and you will not find them seeking laughs by hating on others. If hate, rudeness, and crudeness were used they always painted those displaying these traits in a negative way. Times have changed…..for the worse.

Comedian Jim Carey recently stood by Kathy Griffith in her “beheading hate skit” of the President. Jim Carey you made us all laugh, and laugh a lot. I hope you can continue to be a source of enjoyment and fun for those of us who love watching you. Please note that the audience knows the difference between a true comic and a wanna be. I hope you can resist the urge to use hate and lies to get a laugh….you are too good for that.

Oh, and please do not think I need you to show me political truth in the world. You are a comedian, comedians are supposed to entertain and make us laugh. That is what you do, and do so well.  However, if you choose to be a political manipulator instead of a comedian then you lost me Jim.

 

 

 

An Open Letter to Special Counsel Robert Mueller…….by, Michael Hawke

12 Monday Jun 2017

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Dear Mr. Mueller,

I am requesting you do your duty with honor and integrity in this investigation. I read your biography and like you I too am a veteran. I retired from active duty after 29 plus years. I am also a disabled veteran. I know you know what it means to follow a code of high moral values. I know you did that in your Vietnam service to our country and I suspect you have tried to live your life that way.

Mr. Mueller I do not suggest I know what the complexities of dealing with the Washington political environment are like today. I received a B.A. in Political Science from U.C. Berkeley but my studies were a long a time ago. What I do understand though is cow dung when I see it, and it is flowing like a river from these politicians and the media.

Mr. Mueller it is not 1980 or 1990, or even 2000. America has suffered under politicians pushing off taking care of the debt, health care, social security, and infrastructure while focusing instead on what they perceived was their main job…getting re-elected. The way they have been operating for over forty years has brought us to this dangerous place where lies and deception are no longer the exception but rather the way of doing  business in Washington.

The generation that opposed the Vietnam War, ran Nixon from the White House, and focused on love, peace, and pot went to Washington and Wall Street. When they got there they became the greediest, most self serving bunch ever to lead our country. The flower children generation fell far short of the ideals of their youth.

Mr. Mueller I know you see, as I and most honest Americans do also, the current environment of calling for more and more Russian investigations by the Congress, the Senate, and the Judicial committees, and every other committee that can call a hearing, are nothing more than politicians from both parties trying to keep Donald Trump from being able to push forth his proposals and bills for rebuilding America.

Mr. Mueller I am not suggesting you not do “your investigation”.  I hope you will do it, and do it quickly. I think once your investigation on the Trump-Russian connection is completed the politicians will have to drop their own wasteful and burdensome investigations. Maybe then they will actually get back to work and do what the American people have been asking them to do.  Make America great, make America better for our children and grandchildren, and make America safe.

When did collusion become a crime?  Influence?  I laugh when I hear these political leaders cry “influence by Russia”, influence?  Lets see, does Turkey influence…does Saudi Arabia influence… does Iran influence?  Oh yeah…what about that midnight flight of cash to Teheran? Or what about Bill Clinton getting a $400K pay day for a one day speech in Moscow shortly after the uranium deal with Russia? Influence they cry? What about the K Street lobbyist, many who represent foreign interest counter to our own? Influence…what a bunch of hypocrites.

Mr. Mueller please be quick and complete with your investigation for the good of the country. Donald Trump is trying to do some good things. He is a flawed President but when I look at history I have trouble finding one who was not.  In President Trump’s case he is about business and getting things done. It is my view we need him and he is the right guy for the right time. He may in fact be our last good hope for a prosperous and secure future for our country.

Sincerely,

Michael Hawke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Am I the only one who……..by, Michael Hawke

09 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Character, Political Science

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……..thinks the Russian election investigation is nothing but a ruse that most of the politicians and media understand and are perpetrating in order to handcuff President Trump from getting to his agenda.

……..thinks the reason most of the politicians in Washington (are bought and paid for) are feeding this fake investigation is because they have special interest support, of which much of it comes from overseas companies and countries who stand to lose if the American people win by Trumps trade, jobs, and other policies. In other words they do not represent we the people any longer.

…….thinks all of the praise heaped on Jim Comey from both sides of the aisle was vomitous to hear and only supports my thought above.

…….thinks both many Republicans and most Democrats serving as our Representatives in Washington should get to work and quit the endless, mindless, and phony investigations?

……..thinks about 90 percent of media stories are either totally fake or partly fake?

……..thinks there is an agenda to mug President Trump in order to handcuff him from doing the hard work of making America a better place for us….the American people?

……..thinks Jim Comey should have been fired and was in fact a big part of the leaking of fake news for personal and political reasons?

……..thinks Jim Comey gave Hillary Clinton a get out of jail free pass by determining she had “no intent” to commit a crime….and in fact should be investigated for his possible criminal behavior?

……..thinks that most people no longer trust the media, print, television, internet, or radio, to include their “fake low approval” polls?

……..thinks President Trump is naive about how dirty Washington Politics is but wants to truly fix and improve America and has good ideas for American workers, families, and our children’s futures?

…….thinks our elected Representatives are mostly self serving and have little willingness to work together to help America solve problems and go forward?

……..thinks listening to the media today, in any form, is a total waste of time. Their credibility as the presenters of factual information is completely ruined by their own doing.

……..thinks President Obama’s midnight plane delivery of millions in cash to Iran was kind of worth looking into by the FBI and was a real crime.

……..thinks Hillary Clinton’s giving of 25 percent of the United States  uranium reserves to the Russians, followed a few months later by her husband Bill’s $400,000 paid fee in Moscow for one speech, was kind of also worth looking into by the FBI as to the clearly criminal deal making on a personal level by the Secretary of State.

……..thinks that come the 2018 elections the Republican numbers will increase in both the House and Senate due to the American people not being the dumb nucks the politicians think we are.

The Daily Mix……by, Michael Hawke

25 Tuesday Apr 2017

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San Diego Weather: Cooler and overcast today. We have had a great Spring with so much rainfall that the California Drought was officially ended. Now we will be looking ahead to hot days, and what could be a very dangerous fire season by summer’s end.

I used to call my mother almost everyday in her later years. We had great talks, which I really miss. Mom would almost always start with  “How’s your weather out there?”.  My reply was usually short since our weather was always pretty tame compared to her Midwest weather. She always had the more interesting weather be it freezing rain, snow storms and blizzards, tornados, or unbearably humid days with house shaking thunderstorms.  Mom could discuss the weather for fifteen minutes and by the time she finished you knew what was happening. She missed her calling as she would have been a Phenom as a weather woman……Mom was really tough on those weather reporters!

Baseball: San Diego Padres are playing down to expectations. They play good but still manage to lose two or three out every four games. A repeat of last season awaits. Management has tried hard to assuage fan fears by marketing the fact “they are a young, and exciting team”.  While this is true, I do not buy into their “developing for the future….just be patient a few years” line. In a few years, when these young guys are hitting smoking bats and throwing flaming balls, guess what will happen?  Free agency baby….money talks and players walk…and it will be by by-by San Diego.  This has been our history, it has happened before and it will happen again, and again, and again. San Diego baseball?  Well, it’s a lot like our weather; nice, but pretty darn boring after you have been here awhile.

An Athlete And A Gentleman:  Speaking of baseball….Tim Tebow had a great hitting week. It is only a matter of time before he is moved up to double A ball. Not because he is necessarily going to make the “Biggs” but because he is in the “Biggs” wherever he plays. Fans and kids love Tim Tebow.  So sorry the media and sports gurus need to continually knock him, it just does not matter to the rest of us.  The regular folks see his sincerity, goodness, and athleticism, and they like it. The guy is nothing but an incredible athlete and an awesome human being. We could use a few more role models like Tim Tebow in sports, and the world in general.  Go Tim Tebow, I am rooting for your dream, brother.

The Death of the Factor: Bill O’Reilly had his run, and what a run it was. I am sorry to see him go. I was walking down the dock at Cabrillo Isle Marina where Endeavor is berthed and saw two beautiful women and an one average looking fellow getting ready to shove off in a fishing boat. I made the following comment, which could be labeled a tad sexists by certain people; “Wow, what a lucky guy you are going boating with not one, but two, beautiful women”. I immediately felt like I crossed a new red line for talking to women and so I stupidly said…. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like Bill O’Reilly”.  (Where that came from who knows? Maybe the constant CNN bashing on him being a womanizer, sexist, and an arrogant bully, was starting to register in my own head as factual).  The women both laughed and the red head replied….”No problem, I really like Bill O’Reilly and I am sorry to see him go off the air”.  I was surprised but I guess he did not get to be #1 by only appealing to men. He was right on the mark on so much of what he did on air.  Bill O’Reilley is now certainly in a new ” no spin zone” partly of his own making.  Meanwhile the rest of us males are just get more and more confused about how to talk and act around women. We too are now living and working in the “new no spin zone”. Thanks a lot Bill.

Coyote Spotted: A very large coyote….yes they showed him on TV and he is very large,  was spotted running through a Rancho Bernardo neighborhood today. He was caught on cameral and put on local news running with something in his mouth…probably a cat, rabbit, or small dog. Pets are easy prey for these wild beasts.  Watch out for coyotes. They are incredible hunters and your dog or cat is a delicacy they cannot resist. Coyotes can easily hop an 8′ high fence.

Dan’s “My Dream” Update: Dan crossed the equator moving into the Southern Ocean yesterday.  Now, due the time zones, hemispheres and all the rest, I am temporarily confused on when exactly yesterday was for Dan.  My magnetic compass is now swinging amiss and the variations and deviations are backwards too. Whenever yesterday was “it happened”. Dan wrote he is only about 500 miles from his first landfall, at Hiva Oa.  Sailing at about 100 miles a day he is just five days from returning to civilization. That bacon cheese burger is getting closer and closer Dan. Not too bad for a guy who left San Diego March 28th sailing all alone in his 35′ sailboat named “My Dream”.  He is now a member of a very small club of human beings in the history of the planet to have accomplished this feat sailing solo.  I put his courage, talent, and spirit, right up there with the likes of John Glenn and all the other great explorers. Dan, whenever you get back I am voting for you! We need leaders like you brother.

 

 

 

“My Dream” A Voyage of Courage, Vision, and Inspiration……by Michael Hawke

12 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Character, Motivation, Sports

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The Voyage of “My Dream” :  My friend Dan is on a solo sail to the Pacific Islands. He departed San Diego five days ago and is heading on a southwesterly course as we read this copy of his log, dated 4/10/2017.  Dan’s boat is named “My Dream” and sailing to the South Pacific has been his dream for most of his adult life. He is now following “His Dream”.  I will be keeping you up to date on Dan’s progress as his voyage evolves.

Tim Tebow was asked by a famous sports announcer how he could even think about trying to play major league baseball when his “best chance to succeed” was in football?  He replied ;  “Chances?…. it’s not about chances, it’s about following your dreams….”.   Thanks for following your dreams Dan.  You inspire us “big league”, and we are rooting for you brother!

Hi,

Boy did we have a ride last night. Winds blowing 20 kts. I had to put a second reef in the main before dark and was flying only the stay sail. Still we were doing 7-8 kts before I went to bed, and several hours after that.

When I started my day at 06:30 (local time) we were still doing 5-6 kts, so I left the sails as they were. The boat was more upright yet cruising along at a decent clip. I wanted to charge the batteries and make some water. After an hour and a half the AP the AP indicated it had reached it’s “current limit”. What did that mean? I had no idea, so I shut down the generator and water maker, ate a brunch, and took a nap.

After a nap I tore all the stuff out of the lazarette to find the shelf (which happens to be unsupported and was holding a half a bucket of chain) had fallen in the path of the tiller arm, which prevented the AP drive from moving the rudder as it was supposed to do. Moving the chain to supported shelf in the lazarette  should prevent that from happening again, but there is now a new project on my list of things to do when I get to some place where it an be done ( it would be VERY difficult to tab in a support while under way.

I shook out one reef and left the stay sail up at 1700 (local).

Current Location=lat/lon 17* 48.6′ N, 124*38.9′ W

This has been a 142 mile day!….Yippee! Now that’s what I’m talkin about.