Educational Excellence

Yes, we’ve done it again, especially if you’re reading this!  Blessed!  So, TGIF!

Do “you” think the US presidential election was “stolen” by Joe Biden and “the Democrats”?  Sounds like the title of an old “spaghetti western” type production!  Someone just told me yesterday, as I welcomed him back to Costa Rica, that the “covid thing” is fake!  He said it’s all a fear tactic to control “us”.  So, I asked him why he flew from Canada to Central America?  I asked him why did he leave Canada?  His answer was, “I had to get out before they stopped the flights again.”  The last thing I said before HE walked away was, “Why are you telling ME this?  Why don’t you go talk to the families and friends of the NOW more than half-million Americans slated as to having lost their lives to “Covid”?!?” As I said, he walked away.  I mean, people can believe whatever they want (or need) to.  But don’t try to convince me that “the moon is made of swiss cheese”!!

I’m thinking out loud of the lack of humanity in the American political spectrum.  I’ve had people tell me, “It’s been like this forever Bro’!  That’s nothing new!”  Then, I replied, “So are you just going to sit back and enjoy the show?”  He replied, “Yep!”  I thought to myself, “Are people really enjoying these “shows” of ignorance, racism, greed, dishonesty, corruption, and the like!?  Or, are they just telling themselves that they “enjoy the show”?!?”  Here we have it …  Some folks are prone to be leaders while others are just “followers”.  Yet, there seem to be still others who just don’t care “what” they appear to be!!

Most of the time, I talk about myself in these pieces.  I get feedback from time to time that I may have reached a “common ground” with some of my readers!  Again, I ain’t for everybody ’cause you have to have a “thick skin”, so to speak, when you put yourself out there.  We ALL know someone who is ALWAYS right!  Now, that’s a “show” to watch.  Unfortunately, many people got stuck in “the worst show in American History” and there are others who “seem” to want a “repeat”!!!  “Oh my, how dumb-downed can you get!?”  I was watching a newscast last night when one of the reporters stated, “Don’t these people (politicians) have families?  Do they tell the same lies to them?!  But, don’t their family members ever tell them that they know that they are lying?”  What a life these “double-talk” specialists families’ must have!!  It seems that their “political” or otherwise “make-believe” goals are more important than the “truth”!  Hopefully, we can see the damage caused by “double-talk” which “sets one up” to believe blatant LIES!  “Think …  It ain’t illegal yet!” a la “Lee Blair” (Courtesy of “Funkadelic”)!

As we go forth today and the weekend, try practicing telling “the truth”.  If you have to “lie” … it’s a dangerous place to be!  “Live and let live!”

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

Happy Friday, Y’all!

Is anyone else having a “stage” in their life right now that’s “full of surprises” if you will?!?  The “spiritualists” and astrology-oriented people have been referring to a “shift” in our “reality(-ies)” … Does anyone feel at least an occasional “tug-o-war” going on inside or spiritually?!  I do!  So, let’s do this “TGIF” right quick!  “Whoop!  There it is!”

Sometimes, no matter how nice or amicable one may try to be in relationships with other people, one runs across these “insatiably toxic” people!  I know, I know … it’s my fault sometimes because I often try to start out with a “new” person taking them as they are.  Trust me, I have often been wrong …  But I always give it my best shot first … until someone CLEARLY tries to “burn” me …  Then, I close that chapter as best I can … being flexible, amicable, and protean!!  That last one is a “doozie” and requires a lot of training and discipline.  We ALL know the “story” when one has a clear set of plans, and then “people” try to change YOUR plans for their benefit!!  Imagine that!!  Time to “spin on a dime”!

I went as far as to “accept” a “free horoscope” reading.  (It made sense but I have passed that stuff!)  One thing that has been pretty helpful for me is “knowing myself”.  You see, when that “charlatan” (for lack of a better word) with all the shenanigans, stupidity, and dishonesty approaches you or you just find yourself in their midst, you’ve got to be able to re-organize yourself and make a move!  I’m there right now!  Thank God I have the “lessons” passed on from “Big Ike” … that “walk softly but carry a big stick” lesson!  Can you see me now?!?  I’ve got my “cane from Valencia, Spain” all sanded and shined!  Yet, my real “arms” are my words, my temperament, and my ACTIONS!  With “Big Ike”, you didn’t know if you were in trouble until he came walking directly at you, leather “strap” in hand …  Discipline time!  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!”  Self tough love …

You all be sure to “be your best self” as often as possible.  Get to “know yourself” and how to MAKE yourself calm in stressful situations …  Not an easy task but quite a necessary one!  “Be like water, my friend …”  – Bruce Lee

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

It’s Friday again!  How about a little “TGIF”, then, Baby?!?

Can I do or say that?  Nobody’s getting hurt by it, right?  In fact, some are even helped by it!!  What’s that?!  Gratitude!!  TGIF!  Stuff is going to happen … so … we may as well embrace “the good”, even if it is ONLY “the lesson” to be more careful!

Now, the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th has so many levels of analysis, if you will.  Here’s one micro-level event that reflects the horror of the “underbelly” of the States:  An African American officer at the Capitol said, as he sobbed into his hands: “I was called the n-word like 18 times …”  Needless to say, he was just doing his job.  That is reflective of the state of depravity in interpersonal relations in American society.  Some people take ANY opportunity to hurl an insult in attempts to emotionally, psychologically, and mentally scar (not scare …) the “other” person.  It’s the same as an “elected official” who intentionally misleads a supporter whom the leader is manipulating a fear within while simultaneously knowing that the “supporter” will believe what his “leader” says … even if it’s a blatant LIE.  Is this “human decency”?!?

I recall the three months that I traveled through cities like Barcelona, Valencia … Hamburg and Prague … yes, then Amsterdam, Paris and back to Barcelona again in the summer of 2017.  Once people whom I met in a hostel or AirBnB in these cities knew that I was from the States, they ALWAYS asked: “How did you Americans elect #45 to be the president?!?  Have you Americans lost your minds?!?”  My answer was usually, “No, THEY lost their minds to a bully!”  Even right now with a clear open and shut case, bullied and frightened politicians can’t seem to find “the human decency” to represent “the people” … their constituents … rather than defend a “chronic creep”!  Damn shame!

As Billie Jean King said as she applauded her organization’s contributions:  “I feel sorry for the young people who inherited this mess …”  What about you?  Will you dare to sit down with a colleague or co-worker and discuss “the case for HUMAN DECENCY”?  Big words … especially for little minds and hearts!!  Grow up you damn adults in the political system in the States … and the rest of YOUSE!!  Don’t you feel any remorse?!?  Have you no HUMAN DECENCY!?  If they can’t … WE … the people … MUST!  There’s enough of us … methinks … to “fight the good fight”!

Be well, be aware … and BE DECENT!!

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

And you know it, we got here again!  Happy Friday, and a “TGIF” to you, too!  In case you haven’t noticed, “Your participation is requested … from the Universe!”

Throughout what I perceive to be human history, things often appear as a “duality” … one … OR … the other!  We are often asked to choose which option we prefer.  On occasion, our decisions can be helped by looking carefully at the choices.

On January 6th, 2021, a seizure of the US Capitol occurred due to insurrectionists who were motivated, stimulated, and deceived by the then-sitting president.  The symbolism that was associated with the destruction after “scrump”  held his “infamous last rally” is hard to imagine.  That’s why the Impeachment Managers want to use videos of what MANY of us didn’t even see!  And of course, that’s why the latest “money-grubbing fool” lawyer (LIAR!) who has decided to defend “the trash” says, “Oh, we’ll concede that there was rioting in the Capitol building and the “president” has condemned it!  He spoke of a peaceful protest and his words had nothing to do with what happened at the Capitol.”  Believe it or not!!

Derek Chauvin murdered an unarmed Black man … after he had damn near murdered many OTHER “victims of his hatred” including a woman on whom he used the same “knee on the neck/throat” technique.  Her mother had called the police for help with her “unarmed” daughter.  Once Chauvin arrived on “the scene”, he immediately went into action after the mother accused the daughter of trying to strangle her with the extension cord that the mother was purportedly swinging at her daughter!  The daughter said she simply grabbed the cord as her mother was striking her with it!  (Does anybody remember the “extension cord” whippings from our parents?!?)  Within seconds, Chauvin had the young woman … of color … on the ground with his knee on her neck … until she screamed “Harder!”  to annoy Chauvin not thinking he would actually do it!!!  Thankfully, she wasn’t killed as her mother looked on in horror at “the scene”.

Brian Sicknick (RIP) Washington, DC Capitol Police officer was killed in the insurrection at the Capitol building on January 6th, 2021.  There have been so many “spins” on this Big Lie Event from it being a “peaceful protest” … to it being a bloody, hurtful insurrection!  Your eyes don’t lie …  The world saw clip after clip on top of video after video of “The liar in Chief” yelling like a moron until he said it: “We’re gonna march to the Capitol, I’m going with you …” and the rest is history.  Anyone who feels sorry for a moron who incited a riot against his OWN government officials is as sick as “he” is!!

Officer Sicknick loved his job, they say.  It must be true because he fought “the good fight” but lost his life in the end …  Blessings to his family and loved ones.  I remember when my Dad – Isaac Henry Cook – worked for the “Auxiliary Police of White Plains, NY”.  He was the ONLY chocolate chip in the cookie at that time.  He was a proud Man as he had escaped the brutal racism in North/Central Florida with his young bride and arrived in Harlem, NY circa “The Harlem Renaissance”.  He had stories … Man, did he have stories.  I learned “to learn” every day and a little something from everybody!  Police work ain’t no joke!

Last we observed, there were at least two different “Americas”.  Some folks even live in two (or more!) different realities!  That’s a tough situation from which to run a democratic country with immigrants from all over the world …  Let’s be as one …

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director