Give Em Hell

You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit.

Harry Truman
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Hello Val
**********************
Harry Truman (1884 - 1972) was the 33rd President of the United States. He took office upon the death of President Franklin Roosevelt who had just begun his 4th term.

He ran for reelection against the very popular Thomas Dewey, Governor of New York, and won a surprising victory. There is a famous photo of him holding up a newspaper with a banner headline announcing Dewey's win.

During his presidency both Germany and Japan surrendered, NATO was formed, the United Nations was established, the Marshall Plan to reconstruct Europe was put into practice and the State of Israel was recognized. His history also included the dropping of the atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki which ushered in the nuclear age.

He was an outspoken fellow who didn't dance around issues. One of his most famous quotes, referring to the practice of avoiding responsibility by passing the buck was

"The buck stops here."

Here's another famous one referring to the dangers of politics.

" If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

About being President he said,

"All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway."

His supporters were always telling him to "Give 'em hell Harry." He said,

"I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell."

He didn't care much for politics at all.

"I remember when I first came to Washington. For the first six months you wonder how the hell you ever got here. For the next six months you wonder how the hell the rest of them ever got here."

"My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference."

"When even one American-who has done nothing wrong-is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth-then all Americans are in peril."

Harry Truman was a Democrat and he didn't care much for Republicans.

"The Republicans believe in the minimum wage — the more the minimum, the better."

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a Republican. But I repeat myself."

I say, give 'em hell Harry.

DB - Vagabond Journeys
Never Give Up
*************************

Give Em Hell

You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit.

Harry Truman
***********************
Hello Val
**********************
Harry Truman (1884 - 1972) was the 33rd President of the United States. He took office upon the death of President Franklin Roosevelt who had just begun his 4th term.

He ran for reelection against the very popular Thomas Dewey, Governor of New York, and won a surprising victory. There is a famous photo of him holding up a newspaper with a banner headline announcing Dewey's win.

During his presidency both Germany and Japan surrendered, NATO was formed, the United Nations was established, the Marshall Plan to reconstruct Europe was put into practice and the State of Israel was recognized. His history also included the dropping of the atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki which ushered in the nuclear age.

He was an outspoken fellow who didn't dance around issues. One of his most famous quotes, referring to the practice of avoiding responsibility by passing the buck was

"The buck stops here."

Here's another famous one referring to the dangers of politics.

" If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

About being President he said,

"All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway."

His supporters were always telling him to "Give 'em hell Harry." He said,

"I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell."

He didn't care much for politics at all.

"I remember when I first came to Washington. For the first six months you wonder how the hell you ever got here. For the next six months you wonder how the hell the rest of them ever got here."

"My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference."

"When even one American-who has done nothing wrong-is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth-then all Americans are in peril."

Harry Truman was a Democrat and he didn't care much for Republicans.

"The Republicans believe in the minimum wage — the more the minimum, the better."

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a Republican. But I repeat myself."

I say, give 'em hell Harry.

DB - Vagabond Journeys
Never Give Up
*************************

In The Mirror

Reputation is what you are in the light.
Character is what you are in the dark.

Unknown
******************
Hello Ernie
******************
Years ago I followed a certain spiritual path that required me to sit in front of a mirror for a long time looking at myself. It was an exercise in self awareness. But the basic benefit was to engage in a dialogue with my conscience. I would go through the recent events of my life, noting my behavior in each case and measuring myself against them all to determine what I did that was true to myself and what wasn't. It's almost impossible to lie to yourself while looking yourself in the eye.

It was a very helpful exercise for a while. With each label I found to describe my actions I could determine what to affirm and what to discard. And with what was left I could illustrate to myself what I was at that given time. It helped me to be watchful and careful about doing or saying anything that did not fit with the character I had fashioned myself to be. It also astonished me to find out that I really did have a consience and that sometimes I ignored it.

I finally stopped looking in the mirror except to shave. Instead I began looking out from the mirror and back at myself as a person among others. In effect the world became my mirror. I grew more aware of how people responded to me and tried to be in person the character I had discovered "in the dark." Did I slip up? More times than I have the courage to admit.

I had a fairly good reputation as a broadcaster and actor. There's an old saying in radio "You're only as good as your last station break." A good reputation can take time to build up and you can lose it in a moment. It is really something owned by others and only loaned to you by them. But character, good or bad, is impossible to lose. It can only be changed or improved, because you own it. It's yours to find in the dark, in front of a mirror or in your own thoughts as you pick and choose between what to keep about yourself and what to throw off. And when you step out into the light that character is yours no matter what your reputation is.

Dana Bate - The Vagabond
Never Give Up.
**************************

Being Free

Plunge boldly into the beyond, then be free wherever you are.

Shoitsu Omatsu
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Hello Margie
********************
The first time you plunged into the beyond was the day you were born. You were at last free of the confinement of the womb. You didn't have much to work with except a loud cry and the ability to grow. But you made the appropriate adaptations and survived.

From that point on it should have been plunging into each beyond as you came upon it. But what happened? You began to let the limitations gather around you and you were obedient to them instead of to your own courage of convictions. But that's okay, it helped you to continue to survive.

Then you plunged in to the beyond of school where you found more limitations. But maybe you were a good enough student to actually learn some things. Some of those things will be useful to you on your next plunge. Most of them probably won't.

So then you plunge into the world of adult living and what you found there was a confusing jungle. But you soon hew out a place for yourself, rearrange a few pieces of furniture and settle into some sort of a career.

Then did you plunge into the beyond of marriage and raising a family? Then you have assumed a whole new set of limitations to contend with on a daily basis.

But the plunging isn't over. The kids grow up and leave home. Maybe they visit you now and then. You're a success. Life is easier.

But the ocean awaits, the wind is calling, the Autumn leaves remind you that life rotates, that the cycles of light and learning are still there and you are still in orbit. The womb of your life is not enough. Another birth is coming, another plunge. The beyond of meaning has opened up it's arms to you and you are ready. All limitations drop away when you boldly take that plunge. You begin to understand what it was all about and you are free., wherever you are.

DB - Vagabond Journeys
Never Give Up
*****************************

Beinf Free

Plunge boldly into the beyond, then be free wherever you are.

Shoitsu Omatsu
********************
Hello Margie
********************
The first time you plunged into the beyond was the day you were born. You were at last free of the confinement of the womb. You didn't have much to work with except a loud cry and the ability to grow. But you made the appropriate adaptations and survived.

From that point on it should have been plunging into each beyond as you came upon it. But what happened? You began to let the limitations gather around you and you were obedient to them instead of to your own courage of convictions. But that's okay, it helped you to continue to survive.

Then you plunged in to the beyond of school where you found more limitations. But maybe you were a good enough student to actually learn some things. Some of those things will be useful to you on your next plunge. Most of them probably won't.

So then you plunge into the world of adult living and what you found there was a confusing jungle. But you soon hew out a place for yourself, rearrange a few pieces of furniture and settle into some sort of a career.

Then did you plunge into the beyond of marriage and raising a family? Then you have assumed a whole new set of limitations to contend with on a daily basis.

But the plunging isn't over. The kids grow up and leave home. Maybe they visit you now and then. You're a success. Life is easier.

But the ocean awaits, the wind is calling, the Autumn leaves remind you that life rotates, that the cycles of light and learning are still there and you are still in orbit. The womb of your life is not enough. Another birth is coming, another plunge. The beyond of meaning has opened up it's arms to you and you are ready. All limitations drop away when you boldly take that plunge. You begin to understand what it was all about and you are free., wherever you are.

DB - Vagabond Journeys
Never Give Up
*****************************

The Mental Mirage

If you believe everything you read, better not read.

Japanese proverb
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Hello Barbara
********************
Don't believe everything you read.
Don't believe everything you hear.
Don't believe everything you see.
Don't believe everything you think.

I have observed in my vagabond journeys that the human mind is arguably the subtlest trickster to ever confuse the unsuspecting man or woman. It is in league with the senses to fool us whenever it gets the chance.

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. We know that for a fact. Here's another fact. The earth is flat and if try to sail beyond the horizon you'll fall off the edge.

We now know that those "facts" are not facts at all, but there was a time when they were genuinely believed by everyone. How many so-called facts are there that are honestly held to be true by you and others today which will eventually turn out to be just a superstition or simply a plain misunderstanding of reality. Our heads are filled with suppositions, assumptions and theories that become like rumors which spread out to be accepted as truth. I call them mental mirages.

The mind is capable of great things, great ideas in art, design, mechanics, science, civilization, education and government. But it is also capable of forming the most absurd theories and ridiculous ideas known to man.

I knew a man who whenever he heard something foolish coming out of an otherwise intelligent person would say "Say that again and think about it."

Stanislaw Lec, the Polish writer said "Think before you think." That's good advice for staying out of the intellectual mud puddles and rubbing one's nose against a mental brick wall.

A primary rule of mental discipline is to not only question everything you read, hear and see but challenge everything you think. That way you won't fall off the edge.

DB - Vagabond Journeys
Never give up.
****************************

Never Lose

We must accept finite disappointment.
but we must never lose infinite hope.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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DB
Vagabond