Tis the day before Christmas

Tis the day before Christmas
I'm still out on the road
West I am headed
Headed home with my load

Traffic is light
The weather is fair
My diesel's a hummin
In time I'll be there

When on the CB
What do I hear?
"The scale is wide open
For you, he's waitin up there"

I got some rest
Back in Kentucky
I feel just fine
But my logs weren't so lucky

So I dropped down a gear
And mashed on the gas
Flames shot from my stacks
And I didn't look back

I rolled down my window
"Merry Christmas" I hollered
As he jumped in his car
In hot pursuit he did follow

I bottomed her out
500 horses giving their all
But still he was gaining
"Got you now" he did call

When all of a sudden
Much to my surprise
Eight mean lookin reign deer
And Santa pulled up along side

He waved great big
And with a mischievous grin
Said "get home to your family
I'll take care of him"

He pulled on ahead
Like I was chained to one spot
Wish you could a seen it
That sleigh was runnin hot

With just a small gesture
From one gloved hand
They pulled a 180
Headin back the way they came

When they came back by me
Twas all I could do to hold the wheel
Eight pissed off reign deer
Breathing fire n spittin steel

I looked back in my mirror
To see Santa hold the line
With eight determined
Reign deer all of one mind

Now I'll just say this once
And take my advice
Don't play chicken with Santa
Wether you've been naughty or nice


John Pope December 24, 2011

A Picture in my Mind...

Grandpa on the front porch
Reading from the Book
Playing with his old sword
For me he spared a look

Grandma in the kitchen
Filling the stove with wood
To cook us up a breakfast
We knew would be so good

A bear of a man called Unk
Crippled leg n all
Propped up on a table
Tellin' stories so tall

Aunt Louise just sittin there
Her head shakin side to side
Her lips were pursed but a smile
I could see, deep inside

Uncle John n Aunt Sandy's girls
Running, screaming then playing dead
The giggling gave them away
Under covers on Aunt Ruth's bed

Me n Dad went fishing
In mountains tall n stout
Looking for those oh so tasty
Native rainbow trout

Uncle Jim file in hand
Sharpening a chain
Grinning at us boys a watchin
With grandpa's grin the same

I was watchin mom watch her brothers
when they practiced with the axe
Proud n tall I stood
My uncles were Lumberjacks

All just memories now
A picture in my mind
But if I listen closely I still hear
The wind whistling through the pines

An old friend named Scott

The words of a poet
Inspire us all
My friend has a gift
And has answered a call

His words bring to some
A smile on their face
To others their hearts
Feel the touch of true grace

His words make the mind
Flirt with the past
Give life to the present
And a future re-cast

Float to the surface
The memories of old
Thoughts much more precious
Than diamonds or gold

The words of this poet
Take flight from his heart
And rest in our souls
From which they will not part

He would not acknowledge
The depth of his words
But lives they can change
Thus so change the world

What lies in his heart
The joy and the pain
Takes flight off his tongue
Our hearts to gain

Rhymes I have written
Desperate and searching
Poems he has given
to hearts that are hurting

An old friend named Scott



John Pope August 11th, 2011

Socialism vs. Capitalism and one other point of discussion

I recently read a debate on facebook about Socialism and have thought about it off and on since then so I thought I would give my opinion on the topic here on my blog

Where to start?
Let me start by posting the original comment that started the debate:

I just want to say, at the risk of pissing off the majority of my Friend's list: Socialism works. If you think that what we have going on here in the US is working, good for you, but I don't. I've lived in a socialist society and I can tell you, it was nice having healthcare that didn't bleed everyone dry, roads without potholes, very little crime, hardly any homeless AND the ability to have a 30-45 day vacation once a year without the threat of losing a job or going broke. The end.

Some comments from the original author of the post:
Did you know that in Europe, had we stayed there, my children would have had careers by the time they graduated high school? Careers, not just jobs, but actual careers. They would have been ready for university by the time they hit their 18th birthday and would have already been studying and working in their career field.

I do however, after experiencing life in countries that have a Socialist aspect or way of being, believe that we could learn a great deal from those countries that have succeeded in taking care of their citizens. Immediately, people hear Socialism and think OMG! I'm not going to foot the bill for anyone else...I work hard for my money. Sorry, not picking on you, just stating what I've experienced in general...

The thing is...in living in Europe, my kids being in school there, having a child there, etc, I've experienced a great deal of what a 'socialist' society has to offer. I know, and I'm sure we all do, that Socialism isn't fully alive and well in the world, but the ideas are there, and some of these ideas have been successfully implemented into the daily lives of many citizens of these countries...

my point being...my experience has been: healthcare that I didn't have to worry about (yes, I actually got to go to the doctor and didn't have endless co-pays, referrals, or monthly premiums. My kids had the opportunity (and I kick myself everyday that I see them struggle with their future here) to become anything they wanted to become and study for that from a young age...we were able to vacation as a family, have family come over (you witnessed this first hand, Jadee) and take them to other countries without much worry about finances or losing jobs when we returned. That's just to name a small fraction of some of the benefits of at least entertaining something other than what we've got going on here.

Here I work barely above minimum wage, my Son has to work in fast food, we have to HOPE that we can get financial aid for college (not something to worry about there), taking a vacation here is unheard of...and healthcare eats away at what is left of the money that is brought home in nearly every household in this country, because Heaven help any of us if we were to get sick or have an emergency.

I just don't see how anyone can defend the current or even the past 20 years of what this country has had to offer it's citizens and still have the breath to say that they're proud of where we stand. So far, from how it appears, we stand only for ourselves. You can even read it here on Facebook...in the posts where people list what the President makes, Congress, etc, in comparison to what our troops make. If that isn't something to wake this country to it's core, I really don't know what would.


The argument against socialism:
People are missing a huge historical fact, America was once the richest country in the world. At that time there was NO government socialsim, pure capitalism, the health care etc. started to take a dump when we started to get socialsim. many Dr.s are now quiting the proffession because they can not recoup the money spent on callage. I have met more people on welfare who do not need it than do. I know people who make way more money than me who take all kinds of gov programs.

we have forgoten what the word "need" means. I qualify for all kinds of gov programs but I do not take them because I do not need them. and I like to be able to sleep at night. It is no one elses responsability to feed my family or give them health care but mine. And if you all take a look at the States with the most socialist programs, CALI, you will see they are the ones who are the closest to going bankrupt. Well fare is slavery, thats why the left support it so much, they will get the votes of every one on it. Bill Gates did not make his money off gov programs, he worked his ass off, the more America pushes towards socialsim the less chance of us living the American dream.

one last note from a PERSONAL expereance, I do not have a job to come home to because of the FED GOV and the CAL GOV taxing the shit out of my boss so he had to down size or starve. if that is socialsim, and it is, you can have it, But I will fight it, yes even with my guns, (which is why the left wants to take them away) Though I love so many of you, America was not founded on socialist ideas, don't try to change it, there are many other countries you are free to move to. I put on my uniform and put my life on the line for what this country has stood for.

Original Author:
in that argument, I can also say that at that time women didn't work, then men usually did, and the women stayed home in the kitchen and pregnant. The 'Socialism' that you're referring to, in no where near in comparison to what the European countries and Canada have implemented and have PROVEN that work. Why it is that people in this country seem to think that 'Socialism' doesn't 'work' because of the lazy are obviously not looking at any place other than the US for inspiration. I think the US is arrogant enough to believe that 'well, we aren't Europe'...got that right, they know what they're doing and we still have no healthcare, the elderly are suffering and we have an incredible homeless problem...and that's just to name a FEW of our issues.

Keep in mind that the debate went on from here but for this blog I will stop it here and try to hit on some of the points that were made later on in the debate.

Let me go ahead and start again by giving you the definition of the "socialism"
so·cial·ism   [soh-shuh-liz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
1.
a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
2.
procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.
3.
(in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.

I want to explain further that the socialist structure in place in certain countries in Europe is not the socialist structure most Americans think of when they think of socialism. It is not in anyway tyrannical, in fact it is closer to our government structure here in the U.S. than any other government structure I can think of.
However, it is not a government structure in my opinion but an economic structure for the sake of this argument at any rate.
Here in the United States our economic structure is one of capitalism

So let's keep a clear picture of what this debate is really about, Economics .... Capitalism vs. Socialism

Definition of Capitalism:
cap·i·tal·ism   [kap-i-tl-iz-uhm] Show IPA
noun
an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

Basically with this modern socialist structure in place in Europe we have the distribution of wealth being governed by ministries who's job it is to spread out the wealth earned within the economy for the betterment of the population.
With capitalism, the wealth within the economy is privately owned and distributed.

However, that is not to say that in the U.S. there is no socialism.
Our economic structure started out as pure capitalism and it worked well for a time but like every other economic structure and government structure in history it has changed over the years. If you believe that we in America started out as purely capitalist in economy I believe in the strictest sense of the definition that I would agree. However due to our political and governmental structure which is tied into our economy this is no longer the case. A good example of the U.S.'s socialism is seen in our educational system, where the wealth of the economy has been distributed among our children for the betterment of the population, another is our social security programs, another more recent example (though it may not be the best example) is our new move towards social health care.
Now obviously, our attempt at socialism within the U.S. pales in comparison to that of modern day Europe, where education, medical, retirement needs, career options, virtually all aspects of the needs of the people are integrated into the system and have been for quite some time.

The real question of the debate is wether the socialist economy works better than the capitalist economy, Europe vs. U.S.
The point of the original author (I believe) is that for the population as a whole, the socialist structure in these countries in Europe is working better than the capitalist structure in place in the U.S.

I don't really think you can argue the fact. She is right! When you consider the entire population of each country as a whole! If there is less unemployment, less homelessness, healthcare available for everyone, opportunity for higher education for anyone who wants it, job security, etc etc.

That said, lets move on to the implementation of socialism into our country.
This is a movement that has gained a lot of ground in recent years and will most likely continue to do so. The socialist democrats of our country are leading the charge to move into a socialist structure. They have succeeded up to this point because they are doing it gradually and they know as do I, that to try and change our structure rapidly will not work. Why not? Simply because Americans will not let it happen. Our current generation still believes that our forefathers set in stone the guidelines for a country of free individuals who could make their own choices without governmental interference, and that socialism infringes on that right. This is more important to the majority of Americans than social welfare.

Now let me give my opinion on the topic.
I must agree that the current structure in place in Europe is working better than our current structure here in the U.S. but let me clarify that I do not believe it has in our past nor that it will in their future.
Here is why:
1. Both economies, socialist and capitalist rely on growth to sustain them in the long run
2. When growth is no longer possible (which obviously, it has to climax at some point) both economies must rely on destruction

1st point-The U.S. economy has succeeded for several reasons, first of all we are a relatively new country which started out with vast resources, a small population, room to grow and an independent individual attitude (born of a flight from tyranny) which eventually worked together for the betterment of the nation.
The European countries' economy is succeeding because it's economy is new and by "new" I mean only a few decades old. So it also has had room to grow. Also the vast majority of the people had an overwhelming attitude towards change after world war II

But what happens to both economies when room for growth runs out? I believe that we in the U.S. are on the downhill run of our growth and that the European nations because of their size, population and resources at the start had comparably little room for growth to start with. Also, what happens when the population of the elderly outgrows the generated income of the workforce? Which by the way is about to happen in both economic structures. What eventually happens is collapse of the structure, in order to take care of the larger elderly population the smaller population of the workforce must pay more out of their wages leaving less for them to live on and less to distribute towards education which in turn makes the future population ill-equipped to compete technologically in the workplace.

2nd point- When growth is no longer possible both economies must rely on destruction
Now this is a hard line to take but I think one that history will prove me out on.
Since the European structure hasn't been around long enough to use it as an example I will use the U.S. economic structure though I believe both must eventually rely on destruction
Why has the U.S. economy lasted so long and succeeded where others have failed?
Neither economy can succeed after it has reached it's maximum growth however our growth in the U.S. has never reached that climactic point because of destruction, namely war. Which depletes the population but spurs the economy and also changes the attitude of the people. War was also the main reason that this new socialist structure in Europe had the start that it did. After world war II most of the European countries were decimated as far as their economies, population, industrial structures and so on giving them a very good chance at a socialist start.

In summary. I believe that yes socialism in Europe currently works better than capitalism with socialist entitlements in the U.S.
I do not believe it will last however and therefore see no reason to move towards a socialist economy. More over I don't believe it will work in a capitalist climate.

Personally, I am a capitalist. Why? Because I believe in the "idea" that if I work hard I can use my income to generate a better life for me and my family and those that I care about, without interference from a group of people that think they know what is best for everyone. I will grant you that the afore-mentioned exists within the capitalist structure but not to the degree it does in a socialist structure. I have a hard time with the idea that my wealth (minuscule though it may be) will be taken from me and distributed among others who have not worked as hard as I have or in some cases not worked at all. Again, yes that very thing does occur here and I fight against every chance I get.
I do not believe myself to be greedy in that respect. I simply believe that it is my right as a free citizen of the United States to spend my own money the way I want to. If I hoard my money and do not help others then that is my right. I do not believe it to be morally right but it is still my money and no one else has the right to tell me how to use it.
I guess the main reason is that I do not hold with the socialist outlook is that I do not like control over my life in any shape or form, granted there is plenty of it in this country and especially in my workplace and that is most likely why I don't want any more of it.
Does that make me a hard man, selfish, inconsiderate of the less fortunate? Perhaps it does however, for those who know me I believe they would not agree.
I do not believe that anyone else has the right to control my choices as long as I do not purposefully cause injury to anyone else. Now some would say that if I choose to withhold my wealth when there are others in need that I cause injury to those who are in need. I disagree. The very idea that we are a village is foreign to me, I am not responsible for everyone. I am responsible (personal belief here) for myself and my family only. If I choose to help others then that makes me a better man but that is my choice. Not someone else's to make.

I realize that I am going to go off the subject here but it was brought up in the original debate so I will address it here also, dealing with the Constitution

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” (1791)

I believe the debate's author interprets as many have before this, to mean that it guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms within the confines of a well-regulated Militia and since we no longer need a regulated militia the point is null and void.

I interpret it as follows: A well regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state, therefore the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

Both interpretations have no bearing on today however, in that regardless of the original meaning, for over 200 years American citizens have had the right to keep and bear arms on an individual basis, to argue the meaning of over a 200 year old text when we have the history of over 200 years of being allowed to keep our guns. it is obvious that the intention of our people was for individuals to have the right to bear arms because simply, we have kept them for so long. Also, this has been affirmed by the United States Supreme Court as recently as 2008, they said that the II Amendment intended for individuals to keep and bear arms.

Now let me stop here and make a relevant point:
In debates, no matter what side of the debate you or I are on, we are both bias. We are bias due to our personalities and due to our life's experiences and in some cases due to our upbringing. Let me be clear here... I am bias in this debate because I am a gun owner, a hunter and a shootist and also have on more than one occasion relied on a firearm for the protection of myself or my family.
On the other side of the debate others may be bias because they do not like guns, because they fear what guns are capable of doing in the hands of a criminal or a bad experience with a gun or for other reasons.


At the time of the amendment our country had no coordinated military in service to speak of thus in order to defend themselves and our country, the people kept and carried their own guns. It was indeed necessary in both respects.
As time passed however the need for a militia to defend our country against invaders grew to be non-existent because of our armed forces (God Bless them all). I do believe though the fact that our country was populated with gun toting individuals was a strong deterrent against invasion in the preceding and the following years. The need for individual gun ownership did not evaporate however in that guns were and are still used for self defense. I can testify to this need for self defense from personal experience

One side of the debate uses the amendment to prove that we no longer have the need for guns in defense and they are a danger to society so they should be abolished or at the very least strictly controlled
The other side says the amendment gives us as individuals the right to own and carry guns

As far as the II Amendment goes I will make this point, at least one of the reasons to keep and bear arms is for the most part gone. We no longer need to purchase firearms individually to defend this country, though I believe that the fact we do own guns individually is a strong deterrent against the movement of foreign soldiers onto our soil and to a lesser degree a deterrent to terrorist attacks.

And now my reasoning personally for the right to bear arms. Simple really. You don't have the right to take them away from me.
What makes others believe they have the right to control how I spend my money and what I own?
Individual freedoms should not be infringed because of the actions of criminals, the criminal's freedoms should be the ones infringed. Not mine!
This idea that others have the right to control me and what I do does not sit well with me at all. If I have not purposefully caused harm to society then I am no criminal and I am entitled to my freedoms.
Now I can argue gun safety vs. gun control all day long but the simple truth remains that no one has the right to take my guns from me. I am as free an individual as anyone else, just because others do not like that I have a gun doesn't mean they have the right to take it from me.



These are my thoughts on the subject and as always, I welcome yours!

Life is too short not to love

Life is too short not to love
And too long to harbor hate
Love warms the heart
While hate leaves us cold

Love brings us a smile
Which hate can only defile
Love makes our hearts grow
While hate eats at the soul

Love imprisoned, we cannot keep
But hate, we cling to and bury deep
Love brings us laughter, happiness and joy
Hate brings on sorrow and can only destroy

Hate is a cancer
But love springs eternal
And hate cannot conquer
This love in my soul

Inspired by Gigi Jones July 12, 2011

The Better Man

Younger than my years I was
When I first was on my own
A better man I strove to be
With wife and kids in tow

For love and strength and council true
They would have to go
A better man I must become
A better man they must know

Too firm a hand I had at times
And gentle words to few
For this better man's ways
Were hard for me and all together new

Once I was a better man
In days not long ago
Up strong and kind
Our kids we raised to grow

Have I become a better man
The one I strove to be
I see my kids and who they've become
And sometimes think... maybe

But in my heart l've always known
That just a man I'll be

John Pope July 6, 2011

Do you see what I see?

How about now?

Look close now!

Surely you see it now!

I wish I could of got closer


Especially to this one!


I was just under an 1/8th of a mile away and usually I wouldn't let a little thing like water get in my way of a better shot but...

This was between me and my photo subject and I wasn't feeling real confident about my chances of bringing home a better shot! :)

All in all though considering the distance, the fact it was raining and shooting in low light, I was happy with the performance of my little Canon 60D and the 70-300mm lens. Just wonder how much better it would have been with a tripod and a slower exposure time.

Are these signs of the end?

After the devastation and death in Joplin, Mo this past weekend I have been asked if I thought that it and all the natural disasters of these past few years were a wake-up call from God or a sign of the end times.

Many of my friends may not like the answer I have to this question.

I do not believe any natural disaster the earth endures is a sign of the end times nor a wake-up call from God. I also do not believe that any of the famines or plagues humanity endures are. Save the Old testament plagues that were set upon Egypt in the times of Moses.

Biblically speaking, the signs came when the tomb was rolled away and was followed by miracles in God's name. While I am on the subject of God's name and miracles, God set plagues upon Egypt only after he sent His messenger to proclaim His word to the fallen (a wake-up call if you will) When the people of Egypt did not heed to his message, only then were the plagues set upon them. Well you may say that we have been sent messengers to us proclaiming the same but I do not believe so. Moses (God's messenger) gave specific demands followed by miracles to prove that he was in deed God's messenger. I have yet to witness this in my lifetime. God also gave the people of Egypt chance after chance to abide by His will, I have yet to witness this occurring. So this is the one instance I can recall where God gave humanity a wake-up call. Actually He gave Egypt several but each plague was preceded by a plea from His messenger. On the flip side of the coin there is Noah and the great flood however the great flood was not a wake-up call or a sign of the end times. It WAS the end time for humanity, save Noah and his family.

The natural disasters that have befallen our world are just that, natural and have been set in motion since the creation of our world. Many say that these disasters are getting worse and more frequent. I do not believe so. It is true however that we hear more and more about them. I believe this is due to better communication. A 100 years ago we did not hear what happened across the globe for perhaps years after it happened if we heard at all, now days we almost instantly find out about any catastrophe any where in the world. To think that these disasters are worse now than before is just not true. We talk about the tornadoes that have ravaged the midwest and southern United States killing over 200 people in a matter of a few weeks when just a year ago an earthquake hit Haiti killing over 200,000. 7 years ago a tsunami took over 230,000 lives in Indonesia, 34 years ago an earthquake took between 250,000 and 750,000 lives in China, 80 years ago the floods of 1931 in China are claimed to have killed up to 2,500,000 people. If you consider the last 80 years to be recent then I ask you to recall your history, from 1918-1920 the Spanish flu killed over 50 million people worldwide. Still to recent? From the 1300's to the early 1700's the Black death (bubonic plague) killed approximately 100 million people. These are only the recorded disasters in our history, we don't know how many more have befallen this home we call earth.

No, I do not believe that these disasters are wake-up calls from God or signs of the end times. We have heard this proclamation from pulpits scattered all over the world since pulpits were built and men and women could stand behind them to declare that the end is coming.

Not to say that I don't believe the end is coming and for that matter we may very well be the last generation to live upon this earth as we know it. The end may come tomorrow or it may come 1000 years from now. We simply do not know. The Bible does not tell us when nor does science. When the end comes I do not believe there will be any doubt. What I am saying is that these disasters are not signs of the end and they are not wake-up calls from God. These world disasters are not getting worse and I don't believe they are getting any more frequent. I believe the weather runs in cycles as does the earth's convulsions.

While natural disasters and plagues have killed countless millions, I believe mankind has killed just as many. So then, that brings me to my next thought. The Bible says that in the end times there will be many wars and rumors of wars. Since the world's population grows year after year a death toll would be inaccurate concerning the severity of mankind's historical obliteration of it's own kind. World War 2 saw the destruction of over 40 million people worldwide making it our greatest war in recent history. 40 million being somewhere between 1.5% and 3% of the world's population at the time. There is no other war to my knowledge that comes close to this number of deaths however that is not to say that as time goes by wars have become more frequent or more destructive. From 1616 to 1662 the Quing Dynasty's conquest of the Ming Dynasty destroyed just under 5% of the human population and if we go back farther to around the year 760 the Lushan rebellion in China took 14%-15% of the world population.

I suppose we can argue numbers all day but my point is from a historical view point, things are not getting worse and I see no Biblical precedence for the wake-up call from God or the sign of the end time theories

Of course this is just my personal opinion on matters and I welcome you to post yours in fact I encourage you to do so

John Pope May 30 2011

A Mother's Love

From Conception to Birth

She proves her worth

Through the discomfort and pain

Suffering not in vain

Through changes she will persevere

That soon she may hear

The cry of her child’s heart

From which she will not part

To nurture and to love

As an Angel from above

Through trials and through pain

That someday she may gain

A smile from her child’s face

An “I love you” full of grace

A love I can’t comprehend

This love without an end

For my heart is not the same

In this there is no shame

A Mother’s love, so vast

A love that lasts and lasts

A soothing word to ease the hurt

A gentle hand to ease the pain

A shower of love

Like a soft Spring rain

When “no” is the answer

It is not hard but firm

And given in love

That her child may learn

A trial they are

The teen years that follow

Some may even say

A bitter pill to swallow

Argue, teens do

What’s right and what’s wrong

But her love is patient

Her heart remains strong

At the wedding she cries

Mixing laughter with tears

The end of a cycle

And some of her fears

Concerned she will be

Until the end of her days

The love for her child

She takes to the grave

And when that day comes

God smiles upon her

For her work is done

Rest in his arms and smile down on us

With the love of a mother

Which none other surpasses

Happy Mother's Day

John Pope May 5, 2011

Code word "Geronimo" in raid against Bin Laden

This news article

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_bin_laden_geronimo

was recently brought to my attention by a friend on Facebook and thought I would reply here...

At the risk of sounding racist which I dont believe myself to be...Does anyone really believe that the use of the code name "Geronimo" was a direct attack on Native Americans or "another attempt to label Native Americans as terrorists"?

Yes, I can see where Native Americans would object to the use of the name of a folk hero in a raid against a world terrorist.

However, I don't believe that it was an intentional or direct attack on the Native American culture or people. Was it an insensitive label to put on the raid against Bin Laden? Obviously it was! That said... the tradition of thinking of "Indians as enemies of the United States" is well founded in the history of the U.S. and I think it would be more accurate to describe Indians as enemies of anyone who threatened their way of life during the "settling" of this country in the 1800's. However, it is not the 1800's. It is the 2000's and the Native American culture is much different today than it was then, as are everyone's. These are the "United" States of America" and I for one do not describe "united" as several peoples at war with each other. Does Racism still exist? Of course it does and it always will.

Now I said all that to get to this one point... Pick your battles!

Racism abounds all over the world and against every conceivable minority. Every race is in a minority somewhere in the world. I think that the fight against racism should be waged where it matters the most and an insensitive code word is not the battlefield I would choose when so many others are available to wage war upon.

That being said... It is your right and mine to speak whatever you feel a mind to about any subject you choose, at least in this great country I live in.

So speak up and be heard!!!! It is that right that thousands of good men and women, whether they be Native American, Hispanic, Asian, Caucasian, African American or whatever have fought and died for.

God Bless the soldiers of these United States of America

John Pope

A few more photos

Bridge over Deception Pass on the Pacific Ocean in Northwestern Washington

British Columbia near Coquihalla Summit

British Columbia near Ruby Creek

Glen Canyon Bridge near Page, Az
The Palisades in Southern Washington State

British Columbia, Canada just North of the U.S. Border

Eastern Sierras in California
From a Gold Mine road in Northern Nevada
Taken in Northern Oregon off of I-84

A MAN I'LL NEVER BE

If I said what's on my mind
You'd turn and walk away
Disappearing way back in your dreams
It's so hard to be unkind
So easy just to say
That everything is just the way it seems

You look up at me
And somewhere in your mind you see
A man I'll never be

If only I could find a way
I'd feel like I'm the man you believe I am
And it gets harder every day for me
To hide behind this dream you see
A man I'll never be

I can't get any stronger
I can't climb any higher
You'll never know just how hard I've tried
Cry a little longer
And hold a little tighter
Emotions can't be satisfied

You look up at me
And somewhere in your mind you see
A man I'll never be

If only I could find a way
I'd feel like I'm the man you believe I am
And it gets harder every day for me
To hide behind this dream you see
A man I'll never be

Song by Boston

END OF DAYS

The END OF DAYS is upon us!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes and it has been since time began.

Concerning the 2012 predictions...
As far as I can tell, the 2012 prediction is based on the Mayan calendar which is widely believed to end on or about Dec 21, 2012. The actual date is 13.0.0.0.0. on the Mayan long count calendar which is one of several Mayan calendars. On this calendar (which started about 5125 years ago or by our current calendar Aug 11, 3114 BC), time ends Dec 21, 2012. The Hopi's and the Mayan's both agree that time ends at this date, however they do NOT proclaim that the world ends on this date. Only that time does and that time enters a "new beginning" if you will.
Now believe it or not, The Mayans had a calendar before this one which ended when the current one began. Hard to believe I know. In fact, the current calendar which approaches it's end is only 1/5 of a longer calendar that lasts about 26,000 years.
If I have my facts right, according to the doomsayers predictions ... the world has ended every 5125 years. Hmmmmmm.....

Now don't get me wrong here, I have the greatest respect for the Mayan calendar and its accuracy. It is probably the most complex and accurate calendar ever devised. Starting and ending based on their interpretation of astronomy, equinox, and the winter solstice.
But time ends all the time. Our months end and start again as do our years, our decades, our centuries as will the Mayan long count calendar

I have also heard that a cataclysmic clashing of planets will occur on this date. This is based on sumerian myth about the planet Nibiru which according to myth is on an oval orbit around the sun and which is destined to crash into earth. Now the last time this happened according to the myth... the annunaki took over the planet (I guess they lived on Nibiru and jumped over to earth) and enslaved mankind. Now according to scientists and astronomers the closest any planet will come to earth in the foreseeable future is about 4 billion miles away at the time of the 2 planets being the closest and this will not happen next year or the next decade. Just a side note here: an oval orbit is by any scientist's reckoning, pretty much impossible.

How about an asteroid hitting the earth you say? YES that is entirely possible. However the only asteroid so far that has been sited is Apophis which is 900ft wide and should reach our area sometime in 2029. I said our area!!! The chance of it hitting earth has been downgraded to 1 in 250,000 at that time.

The mixing and matching up of all these theories and many more has led some to believe the end of the word will come in 2012. Really? I mean Really? You dont just have to go out on a limb to come up with this stuff. You have to leave the forest get on a spaceship fly to Saturn and find another tree to climb. Come on people!

Ok what about the biblical Armageddon? Yeah, if you are of the Christian faith and believe what the bible says then you are gonna have to reckon with Armageddon just as everyone for the last several thousand years has had to reckon with it. Sooner or later it's going to happen. But the Bible says that no man will know the day so that pretty much counts out Dec 21 2012 doesn't it? By the way, if you are a Christian then don't worry about it. You are pretty much taken care of on the whole point.

P.S. I'm not even going to get into the whole pre-, mid- and post-rapture scenarios here. So dont even ask and hey, have a good day


Ok just for the sake of being thorough,
What about this May 21st 2011 prediction of "Judgement Day"
This is just unbelievable when you get right down to it. If I was so inclined (I am not by the way) even I could come up with numbers that lead to the Day of Judgement. All I have to do is skip around and find the numbers and dates that I want that lead to a current date in the future. Completely ignore major scripture in the book of Revelations (Not to mention the Book of Matthew) along with it's theme and walla I have an end of time scenario. Who is this Harold Camping guy anyway is he related in anyway to say... Joseph Smith, a distant cousin perhaps. Ok, I apologize for being hard on old Joe. I dont mean to belittle anyone. Not too much anyway.
Ok, I am not going to spend any more time on this than is absolutely necessary, well maybe a little more than that. After all if that were true I wouldn't even have started this thread.
One scripture alone destroys every single calculation of numbers and dates he so painstakingly researched to come up with this date
Matthew 24;36 "Of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my father only"
To refute that scripture he claims that it only applies in "the church age". Yet I can't find any scripture that declares this little known truth. Hmmmmmm...
Like I said before, anyone can claim a date. The fact is that no one knows, not even the Christ himself knows. Frankly, I believe I would be very careful about claiming more knowledge than the Son of God! Now maybe his heart is in the right place and all he is trying to do is bring the masses to the faith. If so, I take back all the nice things I said about him. You cant scare people into a relationship, it must be wanted or the relationship will not work. Ever heard of the Spanish Inquisition? The "Church" in power at the time really didn't bring to many folks to God. They certainly sent a few to Him ahead of their time but....
All right I take that back. There isn't any similarities between good old Harry and the Inquisitors. I'm just saying ... How many people do you know that have been scared into a loving relationship and made it stick? How many?
That's what I thought.

I know this isnt my usual format for getting a point across. I am just sick and tired of the hype and guess I am giving voice to my stress. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

An Edge ill-defined

I had set many goals in the days of my youth
If I remember back through time's veil
Some I accomplished
In other's I failed

A husband, A father, I would become
For good or for naught
Was the life I had dreamed of
It seemed I had bought

For pennies it seems
I had purchased a dream
Though life had it's trials
I remained true to my goals
To raise up a family
Loving and whole

Now time has it's way
And not always a pleasure
Of honing a man
To seek his true measure

Yes time has it's way
A grating of stone
Honing and cutting
Til the man stands alone

Years have gone by
Decades of time
Grinding this man to
An edge ill defined

When I was young
My purpose was clear
My heart was so strong
My goals were so near

My strength was so full
My love knew no bounds
For those that I cared for
With a shield I surround

Yes time has it's way
I dare not compete
For time will consume me
And the end
Is nearer it seems

In all things I struggle
In this time, In this place
I tire so easily
In this never ending race

"There Is no Strength
Without Struggle"
So I've been told
But I struggle to see it
For I just feel old

True though it is
My daughter's motto
Strength, it escapes me
For the young and the bold

Give up, I have not
But my pace has been slowed
By the constant barrage
Of time on my soul

John Pope- April 14, 2011

The Last of a Breed

Some think us bold, with nerves made of steel
Some think us arrogant, when we do not yield
The young children stare as we pass them on by
The elderly hold tight and move to the side

Some say that we are the last of a breed
The last true cowboys a top our steel steeds
Still others would see us stay in the past
Out of their’ way in this country so vast

We take up the road and get in the way
We move way to slow when climbing a grade
Or travel too fast when in the left lane
The wind from our flanks, others do shake

They keep us in check or so they would flaunt
With rules ever changing, too many to count
They tax us and tax us til we barely scrape by
Some call us a danger, yet I can’t figure why

We drive the Big Rigs if you have not guessed
From the North to the South and East to the West
We deliver the food, gas, materials and freight
In the worst of conditions so you wont have to wait

We drive the long hours day after day
Weeks at a time some of us may
To bring you the goods that you so desire
For that is our lot midst these rolling tires

We seek the safe path and hurry we may
That we put miles behind us at the end of the day
Long we may search to find just one parking place
To sleep in a room six foot by eight

We will change lanes if traffic permits
When you are beside us with nowhere to go
And we will move over when you’re on the side of the road
Or stop n lend a hand that you may get going

We love our families just as you do
In distance we travel so far away
But on our minds and in our hearts
They always stay

We ask for no quarter from those that despise us
Yet give it we will, if someone just asks us
I have seen many people in this life that I live
Yet none I have seen more willing to give

Than the last of a breed riding an 18 wheeler

John Pope March 9, 2011