Amazing how smart our parents become when we grow up….

The pic is my dad, early 20’s, as a freshly minted Marine.
To this day, his influence affected me such that, I caution other women who presume they can raise a child on their own. A father’s influence on a child is monumental and everlasting.
In high school, dad worked in a men’s store. Tall and handsome, he modeled for a few department stores, which enabled him to buy a car. He played basketball, a LOT of golf, and was generally well-liked. The family vacationed fishing in Canada. Once drafted, he joined the Marines, and was assigned to work on plane maintenance, system checks, using the filters and parts made by my grandfather’s company. The local paper did a little write-up, which Grandma treasured. The Marines transformed him into a man. He returned to civilian life to enter Purdue for Electrical Engineering, and took a job with a fledgling elevator company.
In 1961, my grandfather’s company went out of business because of discontinuation of asbestos, the lawsuits and fallout. Grandpa took a job with a new furniture company….. but the family had to relocate to the American south. They scouted the location for a factory and started building, in Mississippi.
Dad married mom in 1962, and I was born 9 months and three weeks later…… and I was 2 weeks late. Her family gave them land, down the hill from their farm, and Dad built a home…. with a lot of help from extended cousins. Mom had a horrible time during her pregnancy, in and out of mental institutions, completely manic, tried to kill herself on numerous occasions. When his parents came to visit, they caught mom trying to kill the baby, me, with a plastic bag over my head. It was a horrible time for both families. The decision was made. My father’s parents would take me and and my mother, south, where it was warm and spring flowers were blooming.
Dad finished the house, sold it, and took another job with an elevator company located in Memphis. Dad and mom bought a house with backyards touching my grandparents via a gate. My mother’s fog of depression lifted and the two families thrived. I don’t remember much from my early childhood. Mom modeled and worked as a bookkeeper for a local department store, and Dad worked in Memphis. Grandpa, as a chemical engineer, was VP of Operations for the furniture company, and grandma took care of me, sewed all my clothes, and volunteered…… everywhere.
Dad’s work in the early 60’s was revolutionary, and he enjoyed being in the midst of the action. He was a young exec but loved to get his hands dirty. He was part of a crew who developed the elevator for the St.Louis Arch, which went “around”. Because of that success, he was transferred to Chicago, where all the action was. He helped develop high speed elevators. As a “sales engineer”, he sold and was responsible for the Amoco (70 stories) building, John Hancock (98), and eventually Sears Tower (110). My childhood memories of life in the Chicago ‘burbs are vivid. It was when I became my father’s daughter.
Because of mom’s “problem”, I became an only child. Dad wanted more kids, kind of disappointed I was not a boy, so he turned me into a boy….. in many ways…. rational thinking, logic and reason, fiscal responsibility, diagraming a decision process, etc.. I was chastised for an “emotional” response, whining or crying. Whatever dad did, I did. In retrospect, I wonder if he was somewhat afraid to leave me in mom’s charge for too long. The experience must have affected him. I was his constant shadow even though mom was a homemaker. When he came home, we ate and did projects. We worked on house/yard projects. The garage was an outlined pegboard workshop, of course. We also worked on plans for a new buildings in his spare bedroom office. I was always under his feet, fascinated by what he did, and hung on his every word.
In Chicago, building skyscrapers, Dad had to serve as a diplomat of sorts, between owners, management, teams of architects, and the union men who made the dream a reality. Our home was filled with MEN, a lot of beer and bourbon, hashing out details, arguing over specs, persuading design changes, motivating completion of floor after floor, as the buildings began to touch the clouds. It was an exciting time in America, Chicago in the 60’s, but as a kid, I thought it was normal. It was all I knew. It was where I began to learn to read people, and the art of nuance. My Dad….. was a pro.
On Saturdays, Dad always went into the office, and I tagged along. Looking back, I imagine his secretary was bothered on Monday morning by me rearranging things. The “shop” was most intriguing. I loved the samples cabinet and asked for many items. Half my closet at home was a “high-rise” for Barbies……. with an elevator. I was always building furniture, reconfiguring, or making something new. My best friend’s Dad owned a trucking company which was tied to the rails (The Yards). Of course, we built a Barbie Train Depot…. rails (Hot Wheels tracks)… and an airport which could change into a NASA rocket launcher. We thought we were completely normal, planning our cities.
Often, Dad went out with the guys on emergency calls and I went with, crawling around in the bowels of buildings, learning to bend a smooth curve in conduit. Sometimes, Dad had to stop at a swanky hotel or a big house on the Lakeshore for a meeting. Those times were special. Dad and I began to work as a team.
I remember one meeting, expensive home, where I completely blew it. Dad introduced himself and said hello to Mr. “Surname”. The man responded, “Please, call me Bill.” Dad shook his hand. I extended mine, and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bill.” I might have been 8yrs old. Whoops…
One would think, initially, Dad would have been nervous, taking a kid to see a client, right? I mean, you never know what a kid will say. Yet, the opposite happened. Dad bringing me was so odd, it disarmed the other person. Sometimes, sure, I was shuffled off to the kitchen with a butler, but most of the time, I sat quietly in the library while they discussed business. Dad made a game of it, for me.
Going in, I knew the generalities of why we were there and some details of the job. Dad kept index cards on every client and I would read them aloud on the way. Dad would tell me to focus hard, remember everything I could about the room, clients’ phone numbers and addresses, the person we were seeing, and the conversation. On the way home, dad would TEST my recall and correct me. Sometimes, I would notice things he did not see. I got better and better. In the car on the way home, I would write notes on the cards, as Dad would “think out loud”, gaming out strategy, rehashing the meeting. Many people do this naturally and find answers just by vocalizing, but I was there and could respond. We went back and forth which was fun. It taught me how he was thinking. As an added bonus, Dad would sometimes receive an invitation to return for ‘some’ event with a note to bring his “cute little girl”.
The teamwork gave me a sense of worth, value… I felt important, and we could talk about his work, which was the best gift a dad could ever give to a child. I was helping Dad and learning while earning my way. It was my job before I had a job. We went everywhere together, Polish and Russian weddings, to Synagogue for a bar mitzvah, German festivals, St.Patrick’s Day, South Chicago, a LOT of corner bars and fancy hotels with many politicians, …….. music, food, and cultural wonderland. Sometimes mom went, but mostly it was Dad and me.
We also had to work. I remember when the service men went on strike. I had a hard time reconciling why the guys I KNEW, were angry with people like my dad. The service calls still had to be done. Management had to fill in. One day, we serviced the elevators in Sears Tower. I wasn’t scared at all, but only because Dad wasn’t scared……. fear didn’t cross my mind. I stepped off the floor on top of the cab and looked up through the elevator shaft. Awesome sight. I remember that first look like it was yesterday. Of course, it would never be allowed today, but I was a big hit at 3rd grade show-and-tell.
Dad had to entertain constantly, people from out of town. He would have been in his mid-30’s about that time. He was a member of the Playboy Club, to my mother’s chagrin, and had 4 tickets to every sporting event in Chicago. Mostly, Dad gave the tickets away, but sometimes, I got to go. I recall not being able to move in my blue snowsuit at Soldier Field, but I got to watch Gale Sayers run like a gazelle. I remember being in love with Tom Boerwinkle of the Bulls, my first big crush. Our normal seats were on the lower deck, but when dad’s new boss came in, somehow, we had floor seats on the very edge. I could barely contain myself.
I was soooo excited to go and see Tom Boerwinkle. When a referee called him for traveling, change possession, right in front of me, I jumped up and said, “What are you, BLIND?” Same thing my dad would have said (if he was at home), right?  The visual must have been surreal. I was wearing a mint green dress, yellow shoes. Mom tucked all my waist length auburn hair into a bun, so tight, it made my eyes hurt, and put stupid fake daisies in my hair. Yet, there I was arguing with a referee. I was in his face. I was right, too, he didn’t travel. Dad’s new boss from Atlanta…….. loved it. I thought mom was going to kill me. I sulked for the rest of the game. Can’t remember how it happened, but about a week later, I had a basketball signed by Tom Boerwinkle. My greatest childhood treasure. And Dad’s new boss, 15yrs later, gave my my first real break.
After Sears Tower, Dad was a hot item and traveled to Europe, but I had to stay home. He brought me stuff but it wasn’t the same as going with him. I was sad/mad. Dad was up for promotion. He looked at NYC, Denver, and other cities, but a strange offer came in from New Orleans. The corporate beast bought an older family elevator company with a horrible reputation. Dadd thought starting at the bottom would be easy. Taking over New Orleans meant Dad would have his own division. He jumped. Besides, “we” had the contracts for the Superdome and One Shell Square, largest building in LA and exceptionally complicated. We moved. I remember my 5th grade teacher making me do a report on New Orleans for the other students to learn…… I thought I had to learn to speak French.
In New Orleans, almost as soon as we arrived, we had trouble with our new house. Mom’s depression was rabid, six months high, six months depressed. I couldn’t bring kids home to play, lots of suicide attempts, threats, arguing, time in hospitals, escapes from hospitals, etc. She would pick me up from school and fly me to different cities to manipulate my father. It was a horrible time in our lives. Cried myself to sleep every night but focused on school. By 9th grade, when my mom sought the company of another man, Dad finally relented and began the divorce. The divorce was easy, but the custody battle went on for 5yrs, until I was in college. No kidding. Last custody hearing was 2 weeks before my 18th birthday.
Dad was the first father to win custody of a minor child in the state. It ruined him financially, but he fought on. He had no choice. He was terrified of turning me over to my mother, with good reason.
Dad also tried to balance his work schedule. As a division head, his entertainment schedule was even greater because EVERYONE in the company wanted to come to New Orleans…. to see him… and play…. and eat…. and drink. From 8th-10th grade, we were out to dinner at least 3 nights a week with clients or corporate people. I had a seperate closet for formal wear in a spare bedroom and learned to juggled my homework. Dad would not allow me to stay home alone. Now older, I had gained skills and slowly learned to read a room, negotiate, how to argue points on a contract, how to eat well, and how a young female, a daughter, would tone down a bunch of wild men who were looking to frolic in The Big Easy. I was Dad’s excuse to turn in early. After all, I had to go to school in the morning. It made him seem like the good guy and kept him out of trouble.
When Dad met the woman who became my step-mother, I went back to being a high school student. Still, I ran contracts for him, because I knew all the architects, and delivered bids, cuz I could find any location. Dad wanted to make sure I could be dropped in Moscow but read a map or navigate to find my way out, and learn to drive auto, a stick, delivery trucks, and motorcycles. In one moment of personal glory, Dad was sick and asked me to deliver a big hospital bid for LSU Medical Center. I took his company car, at 16, and off I went, only to run into our old competition in the office of the decision maker. Long story short, I shamed him, his shoddy maintenance record (which I knew well and would never be acceptable for a hospital). “We” won the contract.
After I was 18, the custody battle between my parents still roared, even though there was no longer a war. I took an opportunity with a hotel and moved into a suite, out of BOTH their houses, but it didn’t matter. The drama was overwhelming. Eventually, I left the city and moved north to live with Dad’s parents, grandma and grandpa. Dad and I were estranged for several years. Yet, what he taught me remained.
Eventually, I took a job in Memphis and was transferred to NYC with another company. I worked on the 93rd floor of WTCII. Dad was part of the group who designed the elevator core. For the original interview, I urgently jostled past people in the elevator and touched the elevator logo. It was “our’s”. I felt safe, familiar. I was home. New York would be okay. A guy in the elevator noticed what I was doing and became curious.
He was good looking, don’t get me wrong. I was 22yrs old, wearing a winter white suit (wrong for New York), and wearing Dad’s Marine pin on my lapel. In the south, we commonly wore them on left lapel for church, etc. In a way, the WTC were dad’s buildings, and I wore his pin as a security blanket for a big interview.
Finally, he spoke, “You sure as hell don’t look like any Marine I’ve ever seen.”…… and then the final straw….. “Damn!……”, he exclaimed, loudly, in an elevator. Everyone got quiet and looked around to glare. He was smacking his lips at me. Lecherous. He was crude and an ass. I narrowed my eyes, turned my head back to him and leaned in closely, almost whispering. Through my teeth, I said, “I may not be a Marine, but as long as there is breath left in my body, I AM… the daughter of a Marine.” Shot him down in a blaze of glory.
Within a few seconds, I exited the elevator and landed the job. The elevator incident was a stroke of luck, put me in a perfect frame of mind for an interview. Thank you, Daddy!!
Dad taught me to leave a mark on this earth, not just with a physical building but with people as well. Treat people well, irrespective of class. He taught me I had value and could do anything. I was completely blind to being “a woman” in business because Dad never saw it as a problem…. it was never mentioned…. it was assumed. He fought for me when everything was against him. I was his apprentice, his intern, his son in a girl body, …… Daddy’s girl, who learned to mechanic. He taught me to think and made me read business books, quizzing me afterwards. He taught me to travel and never be intimidated by power or money…… it never crossed my mind. He taught me – eating a hot dog over the hood of a pickup……. or dining with a governor had EQUAL value…… and don’t ever forget it. To search for and figure out, the special quality in every person you meet…… cuz everyone has ONE. And finally, to focus on business, compartmentalize, when your personal life is falling apart. Find the joy, satisfaction, worth, when you can, because life is not rosy all the time.
Do I miss him? Sure. He was not a perfect man, but who among us is perfect? He had horrific taste in women, but when the chips were down, he was the guy to call. With dad, we touched the clouds, changed the landscape, and did the impossible.
It’s not so hard……..
Cheers to all the dads on their special day. Is it too early for a Bourbon and water?

Remember your first apartment? We all started out with nothing. We had no “stuff”. At 22yrs old, I was shocked apartments did not come equipped with sheets, blenders, pots and pans, etc. Rude awakening…… I was so naive. The acquisition of stuff comes slowly. As we move from home to home, we weed out items no longer needed. We have garage sales when the kids outgrow baby gear or leave for college. By the time we retire, we wonder, “Where did all this stuff come from?”
I remember my first apartment well, and I needed a lot of “stuff”. The budget could handle $100 at every pay period for shopping at Zayre…. for ironing boards, a pitcher for iced tea, knives, cutting boards, a coffee pot, plants for the balcony, shelves, books, shoe trees, a vacuum, and lots of pots and pans. Still, on a budget, I became a garage sale queen. Along the way, a little guy in Miami beach taught me the power of buying wholesale. By the time I cashed out and moved home to New Orleans, my dad mocked my quest to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear……. born from necessary thriftiness……… he swore he would bury me with a can of white spray paint…. Yet, I was comfortable with my little pile of stuff and had enough stuff to at least be comfortable.
When we moved into the big house, the need for “stuff” was overwhelming. It took decades to outfit the house. The scale is bigger. Everything a home would normally need …. put a zero behind it. There are 13 bathrooms here, 14 couches, 6 refrigerators, and on and on. Still, being the thrifty chic, a shopped many flea markets, auctions, garage sales………. until one day, I came home with 12 used wooden crutches, $.25/piece, $3.00 total sale. That was 1994.
Husband helping me unpack the car: “What the hell are you going to do with used, POS wooden crutches?”
Me: “Oh, not to worry, I’ll find something to do with them.”
Husband: “The attic is going to cave in! You have too much stuff  up there.” 
While I agreed with my first husband’s fiscal prudence, it was the stuff in the attic which paid our bills and afforded us a nice lifestyle, while we banked money for his construction company to grow. He scoffed, shook his head, and endlessly debated every small purchase, wondering how my mind worked.
Wouldn’t you know it? 25 years later, I gave away my last crutch this weekend, for a retirement party, the crawfish boil this weekend. I dressed up the crutch with a big bow and FEDEX logo. It was my girlfriend’s gift to her husband. Her speech was beautiful. He was her crutch, little bit of extra help, holding her up for the 46 years they have been married. They raised beautiful and successful children. He mentored hundreds if not thousands of executives in his career. He helped to make his community better through boy scouts and his church. He served his country through military service. Truth is, if he died tomorrow, his eulogy would take 2 pages in the local paper…… but he’s onto something else, another chapter, mentoring troubled kids. Yeah, the truth us, he didn’t need a crutch…….. HE WAS THE CRUTCH to so many, throughout his life.
She cried, he cried, we all cried. Perfect gift…. cost me $.25. Her speech made it priceless.
Now, I need more crutches. I’m out. I started thinking about all the things we did with those crutches over the past 25 years.
Because we live so close to the school, teachers would often grab me for help. Quite often I would look out the window to find a class of kids “taking a field trip” in our backyard. I didn’t mind and encouraged the idea…. with chocolate chip cookies, etc. We never had to worry about broken windows or vandalism because the kids viewed our house, in a way, as their house. One time, a frustrated history teacher and his class appeared in the field out back. It was a gorgeous spring day, and the kids were restless. The teacher decided to stop fighting and let them outside, but they needed something to do. I bounced down from the attic with wooden crutches and we ran relays…… fresh air and exercise…… for an hour…….. back to class…. with a cookie… Easy peasy.
As a thank you to the girls basketball team for acting as my brides for a bridal show, we hosted a small party for them. We blindfolded the girls and made them run relays with crutches as one event.
Had a girlfriend, dying of cancer, with young children. Girls got together to cheer her up. I spray-painted a wooden crutch, all white, put fake flowers and a bow on it. No reason she should not look special while she could still go out. She was loved.
A young veteran came home, injured, part of a huge family. I painted one crutch red, white, and blue stripes, with a big red bow. He’s gone now, of suicide, but I was in the home recently. His parents left his room undisturbed….. crutch in the corner as a memory from a happier day.
Son of a dear friend was at St. Jude’s for an extended stay. It was a sad time for us all. My first husband had one of his carpenters cut down a crutch and reconfigure the arm rest to child size. I decorated it. The child was endlessly optimistic, not understanding how ill he was. He showed his crutch to everyone, proudly. It made my heart break.
Mother-in-law broke her ankle and was prescribed a “specialized” crutch for $350+. She passed. Called me when she got home, requested a crutch “in her size” (like I was a local distributor), and added…… “But I want a pretty one, dress it up a bit.” and finally, “I wear a lot of purple, blue, and reds”…… so…. her crutch was supposed to match her wardrobe. Got it.
We had retirement parties at the house where we hung crutches from picture molding with bright streamers…… in the formal dining room. People wondered, “How did you get that idea?”……”Oh that’s a clever idea”. Me, “Oh, just something we had in the attic.” Necessity really is the mother of invention.
Every 40th, 50th, 60th birthday party or retirement party (Fire chief, police, Mayors, teachers, and a nurse) beget a special crutch and a warm tribute. Sometimes we hung a wreath in the middle of a crutch and placed it on a front door… grand entrance, for a retirement party. One by one, all the crutches found new homes.
But all the crutches are gone now, and gee whiz, I might need one in a few years. Ha! 25 years worth of good memories….sad times…. shared together……. all for $3.00. The attic bares a slightly lighter load, a little bit less “stuff”.
We’re going to have to find a way to give away refrigerators…..
 

Are you ready??? The circus starts at 2:00pm Eastern on CSPAN 3. John Dean is the opening act for the radical Dems in Congress.
“The Joker” was #40 on the charts in 1974. Funny that…..

Here is the link for CSPAN 3 testimony for John Dean: LINK to the Circus

Most of you will remember John Dean as the rat, who plead guilty to one felony and became a witness for the prosecution for a reduced sentence. It’s been a while since the hearings during the summer of 1974, so let’s refresh our memories and go back to 1974. Spiders and Snakes was #16 on the billboard charts – how appropriate.

Out of 51 citations, I’ve cherry picked various actual sources from Dean’s Wikipedia page: LINK to John Dean’s Wiki Page.
John Essley Dean, III, is 80yrs old, born in Ohio, attended Colgate and then Wooster in Ohio for undergrad, and then a JD from Georgetown Law. Married in 1962, one son, divorced. In high school, Dean attended Staunton Military Academy in VA, where Barry Goldwater, Jr., was also a student. Dean became a close friend of the Goldwater family. He was fired from his first law firm for conflict of interest. (Whoops!)
Dean worked as Chief Counsel to the Minority Republicans in the House Judiciary from 1966-67. He volunteered to write position papers for the Nixon campaign in 1968. Dean became an Associate Deputy under John Mitchell, ATTY Gen at DOJ, and then WH Counsel in 1970. Dean replaced John Ehrlichman, who became Nixon’s Chief Advisor for Domestic Affairs. (All the same names, buried in your memory)
John Dean was White House Counsel under Richard Nixon from July of 1970 until April of 1973. As WH Counsel, he was heavily involved in the trappings of Watergate and potential impeachment hearings, responding to subpoenas rom Congress, and production of documents and exhibits for Congress.
The effort, here, by the Dems is to paint a narrative of the Trump Admin as similar to the the Nixon Administration. Although John Dean has somehow called for the impeachment of almost every Republican President. Dean is no fan of President Donald Trump. Dean misses the limelight, obviously, and “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” #27 in June of 1974.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH_IpIC14ZA
 
Dean was in involved in the planning stages with G Gordon Liddy, of what became Watergate, in fact, the SCALED DOWN version became Watergate. Haldeman was involved in the coverup. You know…….. just “Boys Smokin’ In The Boys Room”, #44 in 1974.

Who were “Takin’ Care Of Business”

Everything came to a head in March of 1973,

On March 23, the five Watergate burglars, along with G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt, were sentenced with stiff fines and maximum prison time of up to 40 years.
On April 6, Dean hired an attorney and began his cooperation with Senate Watergateinvestigators, while continuing to work as Nixon’s Chief White House Counsel and participate in Nixon’s cover-up efforts, not disclosing this obvious conflict to Nixon until some time later. Dean was also receiving advice from the attorney he hired, Charles Shaffer, on matters involving vulnerabilities of other White House staff with the cover-up.
Dean continued to provide information to the prosecutors, who were able to make enormous progress on the cover-up case, which up until then they had virtually ignored, having concentrated on the actual burglary and events preceding it. Dean also appeared before the Watergate grand jury, where he took the Fifth Amendment numerous times to avoid incriminating himself, and in order to save his testimony for the Senate Watergate hearings

In effect, Dean switched and helped to prosecute his old client, President Nixon. Wonder how Dean made that final decision? “Dean had earlier asked Nixon for formal immunity from prosecution for any crimes he might have committed while serving as White House Counsel. Nixon refused to grant this request and his refusal led Dean to cooperate with the prosecutors very soon afterwards.”
Must have been “Midnight at the Oasis” #13 in 1974. Or was it “I Shot the Sheriff” #76 in 1974?

 
Dean went to prison, got out, wrote books, and sued Gordon Liddy for defamation, and became an investment banker. Dean retired from finance in 2000 and currently lives in Beverly Hills.
When GW Bush admitted to issuing NSA wiretaps without warrants, Dean went after GW BUSH for an impeachable offense. Dean deeply objected to the Iraq War. Yet, no one was listening to Dean, he was just……. “Rock the Boat” #43 in 1974.
On June 1, 2017, Dean wrote an article in the LA Times…….. Dean thinks Trump is worse than Nixon. Link  and in doing so, became a pundit, one of the chorus of Never-Trumpers. I told you, Dean was lonesome, retired, and bored.  Dean flipped out when Kavanaugh was nominated and fought viscerally to oppose Kavanaugh.
Dean’s Problem, one that he could never foresee or imagine…… was Donald J Trump.
“Then Came You”

Poor lil’ John Dean.
He needs to be happy. Dance with us, sit back and enjoy brunch. I made plenty for everyone. MichaelH helped!

Trump is handling the Presidency like a pro. Makes us wonder what all those other Presidents were doing. Here Lil’ Johnnie Dean, let me reach into my Harvest Gold Fridge and get you a piece of pie.

These hearings for John Dean are an enormous waste of time. We all know it. But then, this is Nancy Pelosi’s Congress…….. And “The Show Must Go On”… #42, Three Dog Night, 1974, and Welcome to the Circus!

Show starts at 2:00pm Eastern Time!!!!!!!!!!!
See you there!!

We really are quite spoiled. As Americans, we’re not used to a politically correct culture and we’re more apt to voice our opinions…… free speech, right? At Q Tree, we practice free speech but citizens in most countries don’t enjoy the same kind of liberty. Two days ago, MAGA Mom began an interesting discussion on the threats to free speech and censorship of conservatives. Her post is worthy of its own thread.
From MAGA Mom: 
More on the Social Media “changes” and “updates” … ie systematic guards against conservative success and effectiveness on social media and the internet in general. This is such an important topic that, after reading what was posted here the last two days, I spent most of the morning thinking about it.
What has surprised me to some extent is the success of the leftists at purging conservatives and establishing bias practices against them not just on social media and search engines but of all platforms and even businesses such as banks shutting down accounts of conservative organizations and even conservative businesses and now, it seems, WP. They already used these methods in the “news”/MSM, entertainment industry and on college campuses as well as rewriting history and silencing conservatism in school curriculum across the nation.
We have seen the increase of silencing on social media, search engines and the internet in general coming pre 2016 but the speed is greatly increasing and although encased in Orwellian, leftist/globalist double speak, is clearly targeting Conservatives and seeking to limit grassroots movements driven by the citizenry of the US.
We should not at all be surprised for the following reasons:
1) The social media and internet companies are staffed by majority leftists as seen by their ideologies and contributions
2) They contribute to leftists politicians
3) They have suppressive work environments, persecuting and purging conservative employees – if they think it is ok to do this to employees/coworkers why wouldn’t they think it is ok to do to unknown strangers across the web?
4) They work with repressive, socialist, far leftist and even communist countries around the world, obeying their laws and cooperating with horrific human rights abusers, then applying those same censorship rules to the free citizens of the US
5) They not only work with and emulate these communist countries, they Invest in these countries and Receive income from these countries!!!! Their corporate life is now dependent on these countries!! They have voluntarily become subservient and dependent. They are now of questionable loyalty to the US, to US citizens and to our God given freedoms as explicitly stated in and thus protected by our Constitution. At best they have dual loyalty and can be used by our economic competitors and even national enemies. At worst, and sadly this seems to be true at times, they are voluntarily assisting our economic competitors and national enemies against us.
6) They have a proven track record of working against freedom of expression, private citizens speaking up and organizing in conservative grassroots movements and suppressing conservative voices via their “rules”, biased searches and manipulation of likes, rankings, etc. They were Already leftist biased and it wasn’t enough. This is not new – its just more of what they were already doing!
7) And the most important reason that we ought not be surprised by this is because they explicitly told us they were going to work very hard and diligently to do exactly what they are now doing! After the 2016 loss, there were many articles analyzing the damage caused by the policies in place in social media and internet search engines, etc., that either inadvertently helped President Trump win or did not do enough to stop him, and the citizens of the US in their grassroots efforts, from winning. They vowed to change purposefully to work against such success by conservatives, private citizens and President Trump in 2020 and beyond.
And now they are doing just that! When our enemy shows who they are and states what they intend to do, we ought to believe them!
This morning I have gone back and reviewed what they were saying directly after “their” loss (and, yes, most of the owners, their employees, the MSM, the “journalists” covering the Dem loss (v. GOP win) and the role social media played in 2016 viewed it as a personal loss, a defeat, that they as employees and companies had failed because the election was “lost”. What is happening is exactly what they promised the followers and voters on loonely left and of the dangerous dems that they would do.
For those interesting in digging, in reminding ourselves of the background and how we got here as well as insight into where these companies are going, here are a collection of articles that I have read/re-read this morning examining fake news on social media (interesting what some consider fake news) and the role of allowing all voices onto social media.
Most important:
Google was already doing they could, both as private citizens, as employees with google as their tool and as a corporation, to get Hillary elected/defeat President Trump
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-10/google-was-working-get-hillary-clinton-elected-silent-donation-according-leaked
and 2ndly, this election effort and the vow to do “better”, ie defeat conservative voices online and defeat them in elections, is show in their corporate setting
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-12/panic-and-dismay-leaked-video-reveals-distraught-google-execs-grappling-hillary
and more insider view of google employee thinking
https://dailycaller.com/2018/11/29/google-censorship-conservative-media/
2018 article proving google bias
https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-news-google-search-results-2018-8#when-searching-trump-north-korea-youre-served-with-several-opinion-columns-rather-than-straight-news-stories-google-marks-them-with-the-word-opinion-3
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/03/donald-trump-internet-success-twitter-us-election-media
https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/technology/306175-trump-won-thanks-to-social-media
Notable quote from the below NPR article: “It’s too late to fix these problems for this election, but a look to the social networks of tomorrow might offer some hope.”
https://www.npr.org/2016/11/08/500686320/did-social-media-ruin-election-2016
They all knew what an important role social media played. Another thought: Maybe social media was a reflection of the populace thoughts v. playing a role in shaping them? Maybe leftists leaders just hadn’t talked to or heard from those outside of their bubble so clearly and loudly before social media made it possible for flyover country to be heard?
https://www.wired.com/2016/11/facebook-won-trump-election-not-just-fake-news/
This is a study that is more of a “deep dive”. I would like to know the criteria they used to define “fake news” as I saw MUCH more fake news geared toward smearing President Trump than Hillary
Quote from the study’s conclusion: “both Facebook and Google are removing fake news sites from their advertising platforms on the grounds that they violate policies against misleading content. Furthermore, Facebook **has taken steps** to identify fake news articles, flag false articles as “disputed by 3rd
party **fact-checkers**,” show fewer potentially false articles in users’ news feeds, and help users avoid accidentally sharing false articles by notifying them that a story is “disputed by 3rd parties” before they share it. In our theoretical framework, these actions may increase social welfare, but identifying fake news sites
and articles also raises important questions about who becomes the arbiter of truth.” (emphasis added, citations removed for smoother reading)
https://web.stanford.edu/~gentzkow/research/fakenews.pdf
Hillary and many other “leaders” have pushed for more censorship on social media as gateway points out and as was already happening in 2017 & 2018
2017 (Yes, from daily wire, yuck, never trump and fake newser himself from Trump campaign of ’16 but this is a fitting article)
https://www.dailywire.com/news/17052/hillary-blames-social-media-and-trump-followers-joseph-curl
2018
twitter.com/HillaryClinton/status/968321022427652096
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/02/hillary-clinton-blames-social-media-loss-calls-censorship-2018-elections-twitter-responds/
Lastly, a leftist take on the censorship, claiming it isn’t biased because the purged were just breaking the rules. To that I say, yes, they were breaking the rules but are all rule breakers being equally purged? If leftist and conservative rule breakers are not being equally purged, held equally to the same rules then it IS anti conservative bias!
https://www.thebipartisanpress.com/law/dont-blame-liberals-and-democrats-for-social-media-bans/
So what we Do and how do we politically fight back and how do we insist on the market place remaining open to conservatives and conservative ideas?
__________ End to MAGA Mom’s post.
From there, Aubergine, SingingSoul, Scott467, Wolfie, many others chipped in with great ideas.
Thought it might be time for us all to address this issue. I recall how we all felt, before President Trump decided to run, after the Romney loss. We felt alone. Living in the years of the Obama Admin, we felt like the world was upside down. Was everyone crazy? President Trump’s run for office was successful, in part, because we realized we were not alone. We found our voice……
…… and we will never be silenced again.

No words can explain the impact of a personal visit to Normandy.


World leaders arrived to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Allied Invasion. Amid the swirl of media, prayers, laying of wreaths, and festivities, let’s not forget why we gather…. and why we chose to fight.
Here is a map to get you oriented.

Our President Trump and President Macron of France will be at: Location: Colleville-sur-Mer (Calvados) 🇺🇸 🇫🇷  Link
– 11:00 am: Franco-American binational ceremony at the military cemetery, in the presence of US President and France President.

Notice how many 90+yr old veterans still stand for our National Anthem.

 

Here is the link from EURONews, a good smooth stream. It’s about 90 minutes long and activity starts at about 24 minutes when Presidents Macron and Trump appear:

President Trump’s speech is moving. Husband broke down and cried three times.

Today President Trump stood in the American Cemetery and Memorial above Ohama Beach, where 2,000 of his countrymen lost their lives, and described it as ‘Freedom’s Altar’ during a poignant ceremony where he hugged US veterans and President Macron.

He said: ‘On these shores on this day 75 years ago, ten thousand men shed their blood – and thousands sacrificed their lives-for their brothers, for their countries, and for the survival of liberty’.

In an extraordinary moment President Trump stopped his speech to embrace veteran Russell Pickett, 94, who was a 19-year-old private during the landings at Omaha, telling him: ‘Russell Picket is the last known survivor of the legendary company A. Today, believe it or not, he has returned once more to these shores to be with his comrades. Private Picket, you honor us all with your presence.’

President Macron whispered in Mr Pickett’s ear and helped him to his feet before the leader of free world hugged him. Link

With hundreds of D-Day veterans on the stage, President Trump presented 5 Americans to President Macron, who awarded them the Legion of Honor. The man in the light Khaki Jacket is wearing a hat, denoting his participation in The Battle of the Bulge, all he way to Berlin. Could have been my Father-in-law, who landed at Omaha, survived, and went all the way…….
 
 

 

Official PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE ~ Day 4
2:05am EST / 7:05am IST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Trump International Doonbeg en route to Shannon Airport, Shannon, Ireland, Doonbeg, Ireland
2:25am EST / 7:25am IST The PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Shannon Airport, Shannon, Ireland
2:35am EST / 7:35am IST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Shannon Airport en route to Caen – Carpiquet Airport, Caen, France, Shannon, Ireland
4:00am EST / 10:00am CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Caen – Carpiquet Airport, Caen, France

4:10am EST / 10:10am CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Caen, France, en route to Normandy American Cemetery Landing Zone, Colleville-sur-Mer, France, Caen, France
The awaiting crowd was quite large with hundreds of veterans on stage.

4:30am EST / 10:30am CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Normandy American Cemetery Landing Zone, Colleville-sur-Mer, France
 

 
♦5:00am EST / 11:00am CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in the 75th Commemoration of D-Day, Colleville-sur-Mer, France
The President was gracious and warm to returning veterans.
 

 

US veteran Jack Gutman, who was 18-years-old when he landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, wipes away tears during a ceremony at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, north-western France this morning

 
 

Look at the photo above, the one on the left. Impossible to escape the power of President Trump. In fact, look at all the photos and notice the body language of others, as they orient towards him. Stunning…… 
6:00am EST / 12:00pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in the Omaha Beach Briefing and Fly-Over Viewing, Colleville-sur-Mer, France

 

6:10am EST / 12:10pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a viewing of the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France
 

6:25am EST / 12:25pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Colleville-sur-Mer, France, en route to Caen – Carpiquet Airport, Caen, France, Colleville-sur-Mer, France
6:45am EST / 12:45pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Caen – Carpiquet Airport, Caen, France

6:55am EST / 12:55pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Caen – Carpiquet Airport en route to the Prefecture of Calvados, Caen, France
7:10am EST / 1:10pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at the Prefecture of Calvados, Caen, France
7:30am EST / 1:30pm CEST THE PRESIDENT participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the French Republic, Caen, France LINK

8:05am EST / 2:05pm CEST THE PRESIDENT participates in a working lunch with the President of the French Republic, Caen, France

8:50am EST / 2:50pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart the Prefecture of Calvados en route to Caen – Carpiquet Airport, Caen, France
9:05am EST / 3:05pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Caen – Carpiquet Airport, Caen, France

9:15am EST / 3:15pm CEST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Caen – Carpiquet Airport en route to Shannon Airport, Caen, France

10:50am EST / 3:50pm IST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Shannon Airport, Shannon, Ireland
11:00am EST / 4:00pm IST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Shannon, Ireland, en route to Trump International Landing Zone, Doonbeg, Ireland, Shannon, Ireland
11:20am EST / 4:20pm IST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Trump International Doonbeg Landing Zone, Doonbeg, Ireland
_______________________________________________
Take a look, though, at the other events scheduled…….in France. The ceremony in Britain, Staffordshire, attended by Prince William is below. Another event at Chelsea Hospital was led by Prince Harry.
Location: Arromanches-les-Bains (Calvados)
– 09:15 am: mass in the church.
– 10:30 am: Dutch ceremony. Information: +33 (0)2 31 22 34 31.
– 02:15 pm: inauguration of the Garden of Memory.
– 03:15 pm: British ceremony. Information: +33 (0)2 31 22 34 31.
– 05:00 pm: parade of vintage vehicles in the city center.
– 09:00 pm: concert on the theme of the 1940s, followed by fireworks.
Location: Asnelles (Calvados)
– 08:45 am: historical hike of 20 kilometers to Port-en-Bessin (arrival at 17h00) in the footsteps of 47 Royal Marine Commando. Departure at the main car park, next to the bunker. Information: +33 (0) 2 31 21 92 33.
Location: Bayeux (Calvados)
– 10:00 am: British ceremony at the cathedral, attended by British and French authorities. Information: +33 (0)1 44 51 33 39.
After the Cathedral service, the bagpipers led the procession.
 

– 12:15 pm: ceremony at the British military cemetery in the presence of civil and military authorities. Information: +33 (0)1 44 51 33 39.

In Bayeux, 6yr old George Sayer wears his uncle’s medals as young and old gather to remember the impact of D-Day.
 

Location: Bénouville (Calvados)
– 10:30 am: parade of the children of Bénouville and flowering of the British graves of the cemetery. Information: +33 (0)2 31 44 62 01.
– 11:15 am: arrival of 186 runners of the Veteran’s Charity Forces March.
– 12:45 pm: parade of veterans of the town hall at Pegasus Bridge.
– 01:00 pm: ceremony at Signal Monument, esplanade of Major Howard.
– 01:15 pm: inauguration of the “Pegasus Bridge: Peace Bridge between peoples”.
– 01:45 pm: ecumenical ceremony in front of the town hall.
– 02:15 pm: wreath laying at the 7th Para Battalion stele.
– 02:30 pm: wine reception at the multipurpose room.
– 04:00 pm: wreath laying at Commando Monument No. 4 in the presence of veterans near Pegasus Bridge.
Soldiers from The Rifles and the Army Air Corps also gathered at the iconic World War II site of Pegasus Bridge to commemorate the actions of their predecessors, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and Glider Pilot Regiment, 75 years ago

Location: Bernières-sur-Mer (Calvados) 
– 8:00 am: commemorative ceremony at the Maison des Canadiens, 32 Promenade des Français.
– 09:30 am: ceremony at the monument of 288, route de Bény.
– 11:30 am: ceremony at the Canadian Monument, rue Queen’s own rifles of Canada.
– 9:00 pm: commemorative ceremony at the Maison des Canadiens, 32 Promenade des Français.
 
Location: Caen (Calvados)
– Schedules to be specified: ceremony in homage to the shots of the Prison of Caen in the presence of the families of the victims. Ceremonies in tribute to civilian victims, Caen Castle and Avenue de la Liberation in the presence of veterans and British authorities.
Location: Carentan-les-Marais (Manche) – Théâtre de Carentan – Rue de la Halle
– 09:00 pm: French play “Les Voilà!“, Written to commemorate the anniversary of the Normandy landings. Free admission.
Location: Colleville-Montgomery (Calvados) 🇫🇷
– 04:00 pm: ceremony in honor of the French Kieffer commando, Norman Resisters and civilian victims, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron. Information and registration: click here.
Location: Colleville-sur-Mer (Calvados) 🇺🇸 🇫🇷
– 11:00 am: Franco-American binational ceremony at the military cemetery, in the presence of US President and France President. Information: dday75@abmc.gov. Registration: http://bit.ly/2IGdoHL.

Location: Courseulles-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 12:00 pm: Franco-Canadian binational ceremony at the Juno Beach Center. Information: vac.ddaymedia-mediajourj.acc@canada.ca – +33 (0)1 44 43 22 58.
– 06:00 pm: International D-Day Ceremony, in the presence of Heads of State and Government, at the Juno Beach Center. Information and registration: click here.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wipes a tear during his tribute speech.

Everyone cried at Juno Beach………


Location: Douvres-la-Délivrande (Calvados)
– 03:00 pm: commemorative ceremony in Tailleville.
Location: Langrune-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 06:30 pm: flags ceremony and parade in the city center.
Location: Osmanville (Calvados)
– 10:30 am: ceremony at the communal cemetery of the hamlet of Saint-Clément in the presence of Norwegian and French authorities. Information: +33 (0)1 44 43 22 58.
Location: Ouistreham (Calvados)
– 10:30 am: wreath laying ceremony at the Commandos Memorial.
– 10:45 am: inauguration of the statue of Commander Philippe Kieffer at the Commandos Memorial.
– 11:00 am: traditional ceremony of the Lorient Marines School, on the beach.
Location: Ranville (Calvados)
– 09:30 am: reception of veterans, speeches, national anthems and wreath laying in front of the commemorative plaque, crossroads of June 6th. Information: + 33 (0)2 31 78 76 08.
– 10:00 am: religious office
– 11:00 am: wreath laying at the monument to the French dead and the Belgian souvenir plaque.
– 11.15 am: souvenir service at the British military cemetery.
– 12:15 pm: wine reception at Henri Robin Hall.
Location: Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer (Calvados)
– 09:30 am: ecumenical ceremony on Nan Red Beach.
– 10:30 am: commemorative ceremony at Square des Canadiens.
– 11:45 am: tribute to civilian victims, organized at the cemetery.
– 02:00 pm: historical hike in the footsteps of the North Shore Regiment, in the direction of Tailleville (town of Douvres-la-Délivrande).
Location: Saint-James (Manche)
– 11:00 am: commemorative ceremony at the American military cemetery, in the presence of veterans.
Location: Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (Manche) – Utah Beach
– 08:45 am: ceremony in honor of the tactical and strategic leaders of Operation Overlord at the Major Dick monument Richard Winters “Leadership” monument, 913 provincial road (“route départementale“) to Utah Beach. Organization: Association D-Day Overlord. All available places have already been distributed, it is no longer possible to register for this event. Only veterans and their escorts will be allowed by the police to enter the ceremony: click here.
– 09:15 am: ceremony at the French-Danish monument. Information: : RJ.Essink@mindef.nl – +31 40 2665101.
– 05:00 pm: ceremony near the Utah Beach museum. Information: +33 (0)2 33 71 53 35.
Location: Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche)
– 02:00 pm: demonstration commented and animated by reenactors on the embarkation of paratroopers in period dress, church square.
– 04:00 pm: ceremony at the stele of Alexandre Renaud, former mayor of Sainte-Mère-Eglise.
– 04:30 pm: mass in the church.
– 05:30 pm: ceremony at the monument of AVA, place of June 6th.
– 08:30 pm: concert for peace, place of June 6th.
Paratroopers filled the sky and a concert is planned for tonight. A Boy Scout troop from Connecticut traveled to France to participate in the events.
 

Location: Ver-sur-Mer (Calvados) 🇬🇧 🇫🇷
– 08:30 am: Franco-British binational ceremony on the occasion of the inauguration of the British Normandy Memorial, in the presence of British Prime Minister and France’s President. Information: +33 (0)1 44 51 33 39.
This is the beach at Arromanches or GOLD Beach.
 

 

Back in Britain, Prince William spoke at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire.
 

The monument at the National Arboretum lists every service member killed since WW2. William laid a wreath.

 
June 6, 1944, at 6:26AM, the first soldier set foot on French soil to begin the campaign. Many paratroopers from the 2nd and 101st were already in the air. Don’t ever forget the paratroopers. This guy is 97years old. He parachuted into France on D-Day and he did it again YESTERDAY.
 

Utah Beach –

Sword Beach

GOLD Beach
 

Omaha Beach

Juno Beach
 

 
The logistics of today’s events across all beaches are mind-boggling, but nowhere nearly as difficult as it was on June 5, 1944, trying to get across the channel.

Remarkably, the day was devoid of POLITICS and nastiness.
Yet one veteran couldn’t help himself. He was too excited to see our President. THIS guy is from Pennsylvania, and told the President he was voting for him in 2020.
Trump’s the MAN……. yet poised enough to stop and thank the brave men and women of D-Day, and thank GOD for the success of Operation Overlord.

May we never forget WHY we fought……

Let’s just say, the atmosphere changed when the Trump’s landed at the Shannon Airport in Ireland.

 
The President sat down with Leo Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Ireland at the Shannon Airport. Link
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7110251/Don-Jr-Eric-pub-hopping-tiny-Irish-village-pull-pints-Guinness.html#v-1910505188583557639
FLOTUS Melania, was greeted by lovely children.

The Trump team then traveled to the President’s Golf Club in Doonbeg…….. which is spectacular.

The locals were THRILLED the President and his team was in town.

As soon as everyone was settled at Doonbeg, the boys, Don Jr., and Eric, headed out to the local village to go PUB HOPPING!!!!!!!!! Link
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7110251/Don-Jr-Eric-pub-hopping-tiny-Irish-village-pull-pints-Guinness.html#v-8655099663700836255
The whole village turned into a carnival-like festival and Don Jr., and Eric manned the beer taps and actually bought the house a few drinks. What a great time. People came from everywhere. They leaned out of windows to catch a glimpse of the boys.



But the bar owner, THIS GUY, won the blue ribbon for the night. Check out his sweatshirt.

The Trump sons were so grateful for the warm welcome by the villagers in Doonbeg. Take a look at Eric, being gracious. Link
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7110251/Don-Jr-Eric-pub-hopping-tiny-Irish-village-pull-pints-Guinness.html#v-4432464205650935882
In the morning, the Trump’s will fly to Normandy to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. Tonight, however, was a brief respite…..
Thank you, County Clare!

British Paratroopers sit across from their former selves. Photo taken on D-Day.

The President, FLOTUS, the Queen and other leaders are already there.

Today we commemorate the effort of the Allies. D-Day is considered one of the largest military operations in history. It included over 5,000 vessels and ships, nearly 11,000 planes and over 130,000 ground troops. #DDay75 The landing beaches and tide clock used in preparation for D-Day at Southwick House, Portsmouth.
Live Link from ABC:

Live link from the UK:  Link

By now, most of you have heard about Piers Morgan’s interview with the President. Here is the interview in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ5K6opeIyw&feature=youtu.be
Schedule for Day 3
9:35am BST / 4:35am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart London, United Kingdom, en route to Southsea Castle Landing Zone, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, London, United Kingdom
10:25am BST / 5:25am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Southsea Castle Landing Zone, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
10:35am BST / 5:35am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Southsea Castle Landing Zone en route to Southsea Common, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
10:40am BST / 5:40am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Southsea Common, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
10:45am BST / 5:45am EST THE PRESIDENT participates in a photo opportunity with leaders attending an event to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
11:15am BST / 6:15am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in an event to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
12:45pm BST / 7:45am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a meet and greet with Her Majesty the Queen and D-Day Veterans, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
1:00pm BST / 8:00am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY bid farewell to Her Majesty the Queen, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
1:10pm BST / 8:10am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a reception with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and other leaders attending the D-Day Commemoration, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
1:35pm BST / 8:35am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY participate in a meet and greet with United States Service Members, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
2:05pm BST / 9:05am EST THE PRESIDENT participates in a Luncheon at the D-Day Commemoration, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
2:50pm BST / 9:50am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Southsea Commons en route to Southsea Castle Landing Zone, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
2:55pm BST / 9:55am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Southsea Castle Landing Zone, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
3:05pm BST / 10:05am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Portsmouth, United Kingdom, en route to Southampton Airport, Southampton, United Kingdom, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
3:25pm BST / 10:25am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Southampton Airport, Southampton, United Kingdom
3:35pm BST / 10:35am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Southampton Airport en route Shannon Airport, Shannon, Ireland, Southampton, United Kingdom
~ U.K State Visit Concludes ~
4:50pm IST / 11:50am EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Shannon Airport, Shannon, Ireland
5:00pm IST / 12:00pm EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Shannon Airport en route to Shannon Airport Terminal, Shannon, Ireland
5:05pm IST / 12:05pm EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Shannon Airport Terminal, Shannon, Ireland
5:15pm IST / 12:15pm EST THE PRESIDENT participates in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland, Shannon, Ireland
5:20pm IST / 12:20pm EST THE PRESIDENT participates in an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland, Shannon, Ireland
6:00PM IST / 1:00pm EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Shannon Airport Terminal en route to Shannon Airport, Shannon, Ireland
6:05pm IST / 1:05PM EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Shannon Airport, Shannon, Ireland
6:15pm IST / 1:15pm EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart Shannon, Airport, en route to Trump International Doonbeg Landing Zone, Doonbeg, Ireland, Shannon, Ireland
6:35pm IST / 1:35pm EST THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Trump International Doonbeg Landing Zone, Doonbeg, Ireland
The Queen is also at the D-Day Aniversary, along with other world leaders.
https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1136218825085607936
Here is the White House video compilation of Day 2, released from the President’s Twitter Feed.

 
While we were waiting for the President to speak. I decided to check out the Trump Golf Facility at Doonbeg. It looks like what we might imagine heaven to look like.

Take a look at your bathroom sink. Besides the drain at the bottom, there should be a higher overflow hole. This is designed so you don’t leave the bathroom faucet on and flood your bathroom. America built Spillways for the same reason…. so we don’t flood what we want to protect.
The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was the most destructive river flood in the history of the United States, with 27,000 square miles (70,000 km 2) inundated up to a depth of 30 feet (9 m). Link   Songs were written about the Great Flood, including a song from a couple in Kansas who recorded “When the Levee Breaks”, which was re-recorded by Led Zeppelin. The howling harmonica, despair of Robert Plant’s voice, and monotony of the drums, all speak to the devastation of a massive flood. Almost 50yrs after the song’s release, it’s still a perennial favorite in New Orleans and south Louisiana……… because we all …….. know.

Here is the original recording of the song from Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. The pics of the flood in the video are surreal.

After the flood, the Dept of Interior decided to build Spillways to try to control flood waters from excessive spring melts upstream. The Spillways worked much like the overflow hole on your bathroom sink. Massive gates would open, and relieve high water. The Bonnet Carre Spillway opens between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, so the water can escape to the Gulf of Mexico.


If you look at the picture above, look behind the weatherman’s back, close to the lake. That white area is a subdivision of New Orleans. It’s Chateau Estates, built my school chum Leslie Occhipinti’s daddy. Where the weatherman’s knees are, and a little bit to the right off screen, is the New Orleans Int’l Airport. My own subdivision was further to the right along the lake. The Bonnet Carre Spillway protects both New Orleans and alleviates floodwaters for a third of the country. It’s MASSIVE.

It takes cranes to open ONE GATE of the spillway and the opening of a Spillway is such an event, people bring their kids to see it happen.

From the air, the cranes look like ants. We all pay homage to the Corps of Engineers guys who are brave enough to stand in the middle of all that water.

The Bonnet Carre Spillway is rarely used. The Morganza Spillway has not been used since 1973 and it is upriver. Morganza Spillway was opened on May 9, 2019 – second time in my lifetime. Link     When one of the Spillways is opened, it can divert 1.5 million cubic feet of water per second. For comparison, it would fill up the Superdome in 50 seconds.

Opening the Morganza Spillway will flood the Bayous of the Atchafalaya Basin. It’s serious. I remember when it was opened in 1973. It was the year we moved to New Orleans. I was 10yrs old. Our Louisiana history class toured the spillways, both Morganza and the Bonnet Carre. At 10 yrs old, as a little girl from the suburbs of Chicago, I read stories about the waterworks required for Hanging Gardens of Babylon, or the Roman Aqueducts…. and Dad was part of the team for massive projects like the St. Louis Arch, John Hancock Bldg, Sear’s Tower (I was there when Dad helped lay the cornerstone). I grew up around big building projects. Heck, our family was transferred to New Orleans for his work on One Shell Square and the Superdome…. but the Spillways are massive….. like something out of a movie….. an alien world…… like looking at Hoover Dam and standing on the ground in front of it.
The size of it is mind-boggling.
I had never seen anything like it.
As I grew up, local high schools and fraternities would hold large gatherings, field days, outdoor concerts, in the expansive acreage on the dry side of the Spillways. We used to take horses there and picnic all the time. You could touch the massive gates and the backdrop was foreboding. The Corp claims 400K visitors a year.  Link  The space is perfect for a large gathering and stretches for a few miles miles between the Mississippi River levees and the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

Yeah, the Great Flood of 1927 is probably the reason there are still 2500 engineers located at the Corps of Engineers facility in Vicksburg. Today, we refer to it as Construction “Wonderland”. Gunner’s girlfriend is a geo-engineer working on her masters, and interning there this summer.
Growing up in the area, we always knew, when it came time to open a Spillway, it was an emergency, and the country was in trouble. There was a sense of urgency across all classes and races – we’re all subject to the wrath of Mother Nature and HER river. Besides local press announcing the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, I could hear the horns, from miles away at our house. It’s the kind of sound which creeps down your spine — like the first time you hear a tornado siren… and it goes on for what seems like hours.
My extended family lived around the Quad Cities, both sides of the Mississippi in Illinois and Iowa. Therefore, I could empathize easily. Today, in this forum, we hear from Dep and Nebraska Filly and we feel their pain. Guys like our own Rayzorbak are on the front line, with the Corps of Engineers. God Bless’em. Our country is in trouble and it’s time to help. Open the gates.
It’s worthwhile to note, before the Spillways were built, seasons of large floods would deposit millions of tons of silt into the Atchafalaya basin, creating new land. After the Spillways were built, controlling the river, we had “enormous problems” with the Gulf Of Mexico and sea water encroaching and eroding the land of the Atchafalaya. Saltwater tides are relentless. Think of the area as millions of acres which act like a filter, a permeable barrier between freshwater and saltwater, which teams with wildlife. Losing land was a big problem….. about 10 square miles a year.


As a schoolkid, we would join scientists in the summer who were analyzing the erosion (read as playing with the alligators/pelicans/turtles) which was ALLEGEDLY “caused” by the Corps of Engineers controlling the river instead of allowing a river delta to develop naturally. Today, those same scientists, now funded by “green groups” are complaining about opening the Spillways because the sudden infusion of freshwater destroys oyster beds, kills dolphins and loggerhead turtles. Yes, great local publicity for the three dolphins who have washed ashore during this emergency. Now, they want the Spillways closed. These are the people who are focused on the problem in their own backyard, instead of a MUCH larger problem for the entire country.
Can’t please a climate activist or a politician.
The politicians and the climate scientists were VERY upset about it…… but they never talked about the alternative……… like the Great Flood of 1927. No context. No historical perspective.

They forget the history of the land, the people, and disrespect local lore. Stories from SEVEN states of death and destruction. THEY think we’re stupid….. but we remember the stories of our grandparents.

 

See this picture above? The building with the Coca-Cola sign painted on the side? I’ve been in that building. The Bidenharn Family of Vicksburg were the first to bottle Coca-Cola. The building sits high, in the midst of a thriving downtown. No one could ever imagine it flooding…… but it did.
The Spillways were built for emergencies. We’re the choke point for a third of the country. We understand our responsibility. Let the water flow.

End…