A Truth Journal: Veterans Day Kudos Watch: Done The Right Way, DNI Clapper Brings Home North Korean U.S. Hostages

Kenneth Bae (L) reunites with his family at U.S. Air Force Joint Base Lewis-McChord 

in Fort Lewis, Washington November 8, 2014.  CREDIT: REUTERS/DAVID RYDER

A Truth Journal: Veterans Day Kudos Watch: Done The Right Way, DNI Clapper Brings Home North Korean U.S. Hostages: From Denny:  Finally, President Obama decided to be more discreet in his negotiations for and retrieval of U. S. hostages without the need to dance a celebration on his enemy's head.  It's important to refrain from those celebration dances as all it does is enrage and encourage yet another hostage situation.

As both a Marine and Air Force veteran with 50 years experience in the intelligence community (IC) DNI James Clapper was the perfect choice for the job.  Why?  Because a White House official or a State Department official would have been perceived as talking heads for President Obama.

Besides, it's been tradition for decades that the more talented - and those possessing integrity engendering trust - have worked international negotiations in an unofficial diplomatic role that then easily paves the way for the State Department to gain the glory.  It's when the IC is at its best instead of relentless needless spying.  Developing relationships with people on a global scale is the way to create Peace, not endless spying that doesn't yield much useful information to help resolve issues...

Peace Christmas Star Round Ornament

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!  Currently, proceeds go to Greater BR Food Bank and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.



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A Truth Journal: GOP AND Hillary 2016: Get Serious Or Step Aside, Middle Class Is Fed Up

A Truth Journal: GOP AND Hillary 2016: Get Serious Or Step Aside, Middle Class Is Fed Up:

From Denny:  Voters for the Democrats, and Republicans alike, are looking all around for a political leader who will, well, lead.  Fourteen years of unadulterated insensitivity and outright political inaction geared toward the majority of the country have all combined to create a ground swell of bitter resentment and grousing that hasn't been seen in decades in this country against both political parties, especially the Republicans.

The Middle Class is fed up with insincere speeches on economic progress, the drumbeat to go to war with ground troops yet again in the Middle East and lame political platitudes on every domestic issue. The Middle Class is disgusted and angry with Wall Street hand holding.  Voters of both political parties are angry with the gentle wrist slapping of cheap fines for business crimes instead of jail time.  Most of all The Middle Class is furious at the overt Good Ol' Boy Winks of government collusion that continues to create an environment of a stagnant U. S. economy and the constant evaporation of well paying jobs in favor of feeding The Beast of Greedy Corporate Profits while starving the people...

Geaux Wear Pink! Men's Fitted T-Shirt (dark)

Help support breast cancer awareness and hope for the cure!

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!  Currently, proceeds go to Greater BR Food Bank and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Also, please remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, keeping these women in your thoughts and prayers.  Here's my latest Denny Lyon Gifts design (at Cafe Press) to honor all the fabulous women and their supporters fighting this disease.

This design first started off as one of my photos of those favorite hot pink azalea blooms, in addition to many other filters, employing a kaleidoscope filter to create this abstract medallion effect. This design reminds me of how our beauty is always there, no matter what form it takes.  Of course, here in Louisiana, we take creative "French" license with English spellings. :)  The thought bubble is to remind others to support these women on their journey to wellness.  Lots of other styles of t-shirts and other products to enjoy too.  The link takes you to the page of all the products featuring this design.  Thanks for visiting!

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* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!

Subscribe to A Truth Journal

* Check out Dennys News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food - a place where all my 24 blogs link so you can choose from among the latest posts all in one place. A free to read online newspaper from independent journalist blogger Denny Lyon. * 

A Truth Journal: A Russian Tale: Putin Kills Children, Without Regret World Powers Still Do Business With Russia

A pro-Russian fighter guards the crash site of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 near the village of Hrabove, eastern Ukraine, Sunday, July 20, 2014. Rebels in eastern Ukraine took control Sunday of the bodies recovered from downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, and the U.S. and European leaders demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin make sure rebels give international investigators full access to the crash site.(AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A Truth Journal: A Russian Tale: Putin Kills Children, Without Regret World Powers Still Do Business With Russia: From Denny:  With the intentional shooting down of the mainly medical civilians on that Malaysian MH-17 jet by Russian military and Russian militia who targeted a civilian jet inside Ukraine's borders, they willfully killed 298 people, including many children.  The Russian President Putin, the Russian military, the Russian "diplomats," the Russian business sector, the Russian "militia" trained and commanded by Russian military, the Russian media are all in lock step proclaiming how good it is to kill civilians flying far above the designated war arena air space.  The Malaysian jet was flying at 33,000 feet, a good 1,000 feet above the 32,000 no fly zone.  To hear the Russians tell it everyone else, most especially Ukraine, is responsible for those deaths, not despicable Russia.

What about the words "decency" and "common sense" and "sanity" don't they understand?  Russia's tactic is if they lie long enough that eventually everyone will give in and accept the lies.  Well, that sure isn't working well, judging by the growing international furious anger at Russia.  Even the Russian people are horrified and rightfully embarrassed at the despicable behavior of their government officials.

Read on for more of this horror story playing out in real time...

Retro Sunburst Woven Throw Pillow

Check out this expressive design as a blast from the retro past sure to add a punch of color to your world!

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new! 

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A Truth Journal: Russia and Iran Attacking U. S., 60 Years Later Russian Missiles Based In Cuba, Latin America

putin: the NEW hitler!
(Photo credit:JeremiahChristopher)

A Truth Journal: Russia and Iran Attacking U. S., 60 Years Later Russian Missiles Based In Cuba, Latin America:

From Denny:  Is it any wonder the world is mobilizing their collective military to take down Russia, and, now their partner in crime, Iran?

At first the West was content with just limited economic sanctions but Idiot Putin and Iran think they can double down on their retaliation and now attack America directly with their long range missiles they are positioning in Latin American bases.  They have been planning this multi-level attack for years...

Wizard Knows People Women's All Over Print T-Shirt

Check out this plucky wizard and put a smile on everyone's face.  Also available in many t-shirt styles for men, women and kids as well as technology too.

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!

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Dennys Global Politics: Afghanistan: WTF? What Was American Military Thinking Burning Religious Books?

Image via Wikipedia

Dennys Global Politics: Afghanistan: WTF? What Was American Military Thinking Burning Religious Books?: From Denny: Who would think a little house cleaning would create such an uproar in the Middle East? As usual the military is so action and task oriented they forgot to use their brains. Book burning of any kind is bad news in my mind.

But when you are burning books that are in a foreign language you can't read, don't you think it would have been smart to consult a few locals to sift the books for you, instead of indiscriminately burning everything?

They would easily spot the religious books and set them aside. But no, the military employed their usual stupidity, need for speed and just marched onward.

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Christmas PEACE Poem by Longfellow: Christmas Bells

From Denny: Too often, in each generation, we think our society is on the wrong track and that we are the only ones who believe war is foolish and delays Peace on Earth. Read this thoughtful poet's feelings as mysteriously Peace gently drifts nearby, gifting him a powerful awareness... These words are as powerful today as the moment he wrote it.

Christmas Bells

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’


*** THANKS for visiting and have a great holiday season!

Photo Credit: Mission San Miguel Photo by howardignatius @ flickr

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Libations Friday! 10 July 2009

Featured today: Video of how astronauts drink coffee from an open mug in space and a short essay about the CIA on why it is important to write in order to change the world as you know it, plus a couple of great quotes.

Coffee Photo by once and future @ flickr

Astronauts Drinking Coffee from Unusual Mug in Weightless Space

From Denny: With this video who needs a coffee recipe this week? This was so unique I just had to share it with you!

Did you see this video yet? An astronaut sips coffee from an unusually designed mug to accommodate weightlessness in space. He explains how the mug works to enable an astronaut to drink coffee without resorting to the old school way of sipping out of a plastic bag. They use this mug design for rocket fuel tanks too. Really interesting; take a listen!



On to the writing portion of Libations Friday:

From Denny: While I have the CIA on the brain because of the latest news, let me tell you a little bit of what it was like growing up in that extreme sport atmosphere of the intelligence community. Every country has an intelligence community, many far worse than America’s, some a bit more benign.

Generally? The intelligence community is one of prolonged sustained high stress levels that cause people to get out of balance. Because they say and do so many things contrary to good character and just plain common sense – all in the name of saving the country – they often turn to addictive substances to sleep at night. There is a high rate of alcoholism in both the military and the intelligence community. That should tell you they are off course on a lot of issues. It should also tell you that human beings are simply not hard-wired for long-term stress.

What’s more, as in the military community but with more destructive consequences, there is the culture of “How dare you tell me I’m wrong, I will never apologize, I’m above the law so I can do what I want because I will never be held accountable” and “You are not allowed to question or challenge me.” This goes for the CIA officers as well as their families. Routinely, when CIA wives try to divorce they are screwed over by the CIA as they will not verify income and so the wife and children get nothing unless the husband is willing to do right by them. That’s just one little peek into the world of living with these abusive people.

Image by Esther_G via Flickr

When CIA officers beat their kids or their wives, again, there is nowhere to go for help. The law is useless and - unless you have built up your own personal network among unrelated groups of people in case of an emergency - you are basically toast out in the field with your parents. What is not discussed or released to the news media is who and how many wives and children of CIA officers are killed in foreign countries while the husband is on assignment there. What they also don’t tell you is how foreign powers as well as American Presidents - to a man they are always Republican - use the families of CIA officers as pawns and cannon fodder in their creepy power games. One side kills the families to provoke the other side and the innocents never see it coming. So much for believing they are patriots. Patriots don’t kill the innocent and their young.

So, with this small amount of back story in mind you will better understand the following short essay written for an online writing group when they started a thread asking other writers what motivates them to write. When I saw that thread the immediate thought that went through my head was, “Are you kidding?!”

Image by © dabawenya © (flickr world, i'm back!.... hopef via Flickr

Why I Write

It's like breathing - because you can. Of course, it helps the breathing when someone you never met suddenly pops up in your little corner of the world and tells you something you wrote meant a lot to them. Then you're left wondering as to how you managed to be a catalyst for someone to gain a new awareness or just plain feel better about themselves. That's when it crosses over from the internal dialogue, jumping over the imaginary boundaries so many people erect for self-protection and into the world of others with similar internal dialogues humming in mass cacophony.

Sure, like others here, there were those teenage years. I grew up in the intelligence community where meanness, abuse and lying became their indelible trademark and I challenged them on it continually at great personal risk. Well, I'm still here.

Their life philosophy was diametrically opposed to mine. They believed the sword was mightier than the pen; I declared the pen was mightier than the sword. I drove them crazy, as relentless as they were to break my spirit I just pushed back harder to wear them down. I always figured the honorable are obligated to stand against the dishonorable; it's a gatekeeper mentality. Why allow truth to become a casualty in this world? Not while I still breathe. Besides, it's the artists and writers who sculpt the world into meaningfulness for the greatest power is in transforming mindsets.

My father stole and then burned my teenage writings, especially the ones written at age eleven when my mother died. The writing convicted him of his heavy guilt, as he was guilty of much, both what he did for a living, my mother's untimely death by his hand and his choice to throw away everything about good character his parents had taught him in exchange for a world of illusion that only brought pain to others. Those writings weren't written to him or about him. Just goes to prove the point: The pen really is mightier than the sword.

I keep breathing - because I can.

Denny Lyon
Copyright 12 June 2008
All Rights Reserved

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Video: War Widow Helped by College to Educate Children

From NBC News Making a Difference segment

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Foods We Love to Hate: Knowing Why

Foods We Love to Hate: Knowing Why - Why do we hate certain foods? Have you ever considered what foods you hate and why you hate them? There may be more to it than finicky tastebuds. This is part one in a series of articles about food dislikes.

It does make a person wonder if we could resolve the mystery of food issues maybe we could resolve the need for war? How does that correlate? Scratching your head in confusion? The old saying is that an army runs on its stomach. If we could come to the proverbial table in agreement of and the sharing of great food maybe everyone would be in a better mood, more accepting of the other person and willing to listen to reason. Its amazing how a really good meal can change a person's attitude!

By Denny Lyon

Photo by Vin Crosbie @ flickr