TheWiseOldFart

I reached the age of 21 in 1967. I was excited about the general election in 1968. I began my first year in high school in 1960, the year John Fitzgerald Kennedy became our 35 th president. Like most young men and women my age, I was excited, and disappointed that I was unable to vote for him. The man I admired was murdered on November 22, 1963. I had just begun my senior year. Like nearly everyone else in America, we mourned his loss for three days. I continue to believe that our government will never allow the people to know the truth about that fateful day in Dallas, Texas. President Kennedy’s brother, Bobby, was a candidate for the presidency in 1968. This was important to me. I admired Bobby Kennedy, and although I could not vote for his brother, I would be voting for the first time and he would receive my vote. Once again tragedy struck. In June of 1968, Bobby Kennedy was murdered in Los Angeles. I was devastated, and my life would change in a small but important way. I hadn’t g...

When I was a very young man, my grandfather taught me that religion is a personal choice and not to be an issue in any conversation. He was a helluva lot smarter than every right-wing politician in America. He believed in the First Amendment: professional politicians do not. I was raised Catholic and considered entering the priesthood until I learned that Catholic priests are not allowed to marry. I didn’t understand. Other children I knew who were protestant or Jewish told me their ministers and rabbis had normal lives. I liked girls. By the time I was a sophomore in high school, I had begun to move away from all organized religion. I studied the effect of organized religion on its followers, and understood to some degree the need for many people to seek guidance. I view organized religion in two very different ways. First, I see it is a way for men to control other men and become very wealthy doing so. The other side is more of a sincere desire to help other people survive difficult ...

  Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart For some reason, Republicans worship a fetus, even when it appears to be nothing more than a polliwog. At the same, time they display their disdain for the woman who is pregnant with that miniscule biological growth developing in her uterus. This is their reasoning for the biased Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade The important question is “how has the repeal of Roe v Wade affected women across America?” Red states continue to pass legislation preventing legal abortions, all too often when the situation involves rape or incest. The most stringent laws have been passed by the regressive state of Texas. IF YOU ARE A WOMAN IN TEXAS, YOU ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A THIRD-CLASS CITIZEN In 2021 the Republican-dominated state legislature banned medical care for women who legally chose to eliminate an unwanted pregnancy. From 2019 through 2022, “the rate of maternal mortality cases in Texas rose by 56%, compared with just 11% nationwide during ...

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart Watching clips of the Republican Convention made me think of an idea I had for a novel after watching a disturbing television show. I know that the men and women I admire for their creativity and incredible variety of characters have achieved success beyond my belief. However, once in a while, I have ideas combined with imagination which excite me. “American Gothic” was a frightening television series which lasted for a single season. It came to mind when I thought about the RNC. The show began with a typical American family on a vacation to experience America. It quickly devolved into a horrific tale about evil and the decline of humanity. Plans for America’s future offered by fake Republicans last week misrepresented the intent of Project 2025. They attempted to create an image of a great future for America. I, and many others would like to offer you the truth. WELCOME TO THE NEW GOP: THE AMERICAN FASCIST PARTY The platform of today’s Republican Party in name ...

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart If you love your religion, and are serious about its teachings, I am not only happy for you, I would fight for your right to practice that religion. However, I cherish the First Amendment which guarantees my right to reject all organized religions, and forbids the influence of religion into our government. It is clearly written, and I demand that my rights are of equal importance to those who claim to be religious. America never was a religious nation, and never should be. Our Founding Fathers left England when King George III removed freedom of or from religion. This is why the first line in the Bill of Rights says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” RIGHT WING POLITICIANS, DESPERATE FOR VOTES, SEEK THE REPEAL OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT There is no doubt that the party on the right side of the aisle is owned by special interests. Their votes are bought and paid for by lobbies, with the use...

Op-e d by TheWiseOldFart   Fact: Religious Extremism is r esponsible for the torture and deaths of more innocent people in hi story than any other.   In its most extreme form, organized religion becomes the greatest evil imaginable. The Crusades and the attacks on 9/11 were both the result of religious extremism.   Religion is a personal choice, and it should remain that way. For every argument favoring a single religion over another, there are a dozen reasons why all religions are based on unrealistic and unsupported claims about places like heaven or hell. All religions were created by men whose goals were control and power over others. In modern times, fake religious leaders use religion to live unrealistic lives of great power, luxury and privilege. Exposing young Americans to any religion by an individual with authority over them is morally and legally wrong.   I DO NOT DENY YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS   Don’t misunderstand me. I am expressi...