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Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

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02/15/25 07:39 PM #14656    

 

Frank Wiley

I would like to tell a true story and I would appreciate if you all would be a part of it.  My Wife ask me a question, "How many times have you watched that?"  I just got done watching it again.  My answer was, "Not enough!"  The Movie (one of my top 5 best) was "Dances with Wolves".  Now the rest of the story.  Our Rotary Club in Sun Lakes did a lot to help the Native American Tribes close to our community.  We would help with their schools, deliver Christmas presents, and even at time deliver clothing.  There were a couple, or few times that there would be a very small number of Tribal Members that would angerly object to us coming on to their land and we were even accused of trying to influence them.  Our initial response was, how dare them!  I now understand their anger and have done so for years.  Whenever I had, or heard about a bad experience some other Rotary Club Member had, I would ask them to watch "Dances with Wolves".  Then they could understand the anger and mistrust!  I drive across the Navajo Reservation frequently and I still feel, and always will, guilt.  I also feel similar guilt about the Slavery issue although my relatives weren't even in the U.S. when all that occurred, I Pray to God none of my family would have ever been involved in any of it!!!  Thanks for reading!


02/15/25 10:46 PM #14657    

 

Michael Kelly

Frank, your story sounds like two or so episodes of "Longmire"  and bitterness can be held onto forever and justifiably so, but to go on with Life which is not always Fair holding onto bitterness can cloud one's ability to see opportunities that can work out favorably. 

Just saw on Instagram a video made by an Arizona traveler of two Adult Jaguar cats crossing an Arizona roadway. Looks like the Border Fence is not interfering with their Migratory patterns. 


02/16/25 10:56 AM #14658    

 

David Rainwater

DeWitt: I'm in Norman, which if you ignore the panhandle part is nearly dead center in the state of Oklahoma.  google maps says Rogers AR is about 4 hours drive away.

Jim: Guthrie OK is about 45 miles due north of here.

Gentlemen: thanks for giving me the opportunity to explore a little bit my new state.  I remember driving to Virginia in early summer on I-40 in the 70s and how beautiful the wild flowers were in eastern OK and particularly western AR.  I sure wish I could find some forested mountains around here, but it doesn't look very promising so far.  Maybe we should have kept our old house:

 


02/16/25 11:22 AM #14659    

 

DeWitt Bacon

Katy, about the only thing I can agree with you on is your freedom to disagree with Mike, me, or anyone on this forum. That is the kind of freedom that President Trump is trying to bring back to our country. In the meantime, you are attacking bumper sticker remarks with your own bumper sticker remarks. talk about hypocrisy. I use my constitutional freedom of speech to disagree with you on many things. Your snide reference to Elon Musk as "President Musk" shows your lack of reality. Just because President Trump refers to Musk's duties as a 'department' does not mean it is a cabinet-level department. Musk has been appointed SZAR to uncover government waste. He has no legal authority other than the one that the President grants him to investigate and report. That makes him legally appointed. And, Sorry to have to tell you, He's just getting started.  Yes, since Trum['s inauguration, Many far-left activists have been demonstrating and screaming about losing their cash cows. Is Trump going after YOUR cash cow?

I had a teacher in grade school who was fond of the saying, "TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT.

well,

TWO LIES OR EVEN A MULTITUDE OF LIES

DO NOT MAKE A TRUTH!


02/16/25 11:25 AM #14660    

 

Jim Coats

David.  WOW!  I presume that was your house in ORsmiley.  Beee-yeeeuuuu-ti-ful!!  I'll bet it was hard to leave that wonderful area.

New subject:  Remember a few years ago when Trump took The Beast around the Daytona track?  You know what would blow everybody away???  He should take the Garbage truck around the track.  He would truly be legendary.


02/16/25 11:51 AM #14661    

 

Jim Coats

Katie.  Seek professional help.  Leave it to you to pee all over something meant in good humor.  


02/16/25 12:11 PM #14662    

 

DeWitt Bacon

David, I looked up Norman, OK, on Google Maps and saw that you are just south of Oklahoma City. I've driven through there many times on I-40. Boy, can that be congested at times? I went through there a couple of times during the remodeling of portions of that area, and, WOW, was that a trip? l hope you enjoy your new digs. Look out for those tornadoes. Lol. We get them here, too. One of the great benefits of living in "Tornado Alley." Lol.


02/16/25 12:12 PM #14663    

 

DeWitt Bacon

Katy, I'm not worried. I find you amusing at times. laugh 


02/16/25 01:35 PM #14664    

 

Earl Harris III

Frank,

 

Reading your most recent post, #15017 from yesterday, came as a welcomed relief to several rather strident political postings of late. As you and many others on this site know, I’m more interested in learning about former classmates’ lives…past and present…as well as musings about future plans. Your sharing of an interaction you had with your wife involving your obsession with the movie, “Dancing with Wolves” coupled with what I know about other wonderful service work you and the Rotary Club have done, inspires me. 

 

The fact that you would choose to share your story with us illustrates, in a very personal way, an event or a series of events that helped shape your thinking and continues to impact you to this very day. Thank you for sharing with us! 

 

I, too, have watched “Dances with Wolves” many times. I recently finished watching the miniseries on Netflix titled, “American Primeval”. The cinematography was wonderful and the story disturbingly violent, but I believe it’s worth a watch. The book by John Krakauer, “Under the Banner of Heaven” ($10 on Amazon) is also an interesting read for those wanting to learn more about the history of the Mormon religion and its treatment of indigenous people and the settling of the Utah Territory. Another good read is, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which I believe is far better than the movie version.

 

I truly wish that we would all use this Message Forum more often to talk about the impact that events and/or people have had in our lives. We are certainly capable of doing so. I don’t think there’s a single person that I can think of who, at one time or another, hasn’t done so. Michael Kelly’s recent post, #14977, detailing the positive influence his step-grandfather had on him as he was growing up is another example offering insight into a former classmate’s true character. His earlier stories about his work with horses and his amazingly courageous battle with serious medical issues he’s facing is what I most enjoy about what Michael’s offerings.

 

Again, I believe the PRIMARY PURPOSE of this Message Forum should be to post things that educate, entertain and inspire us. I know I may be sounding like a broken record, but personal stories that serve to rekindle old memories and/or ones that may help others as we age seem to be more important than winning a political argument, especially when attempting force a change in the hearts and minds of “others”.


02/16/25 03:34 PM #14665    

 

Michael Kelly

Right now I am listening to Lee Arnold, a man who got interested in Real Estate while working in Spokane, WN as a Grocery Sacker/Shelf Stocker when he was 19. He now is worth hundreds of millions of Dollars, and has several Courses on line that can help people willing to work to make unlimited amounts of money, its' his story as well, which he now teaches others to dol When I was laying in bed, healing up from the amputation, I knew that my days of practiciing law might be over.  After all, who wants a one-legged Attorney in Court. So I got started on the internet looking for ways to supplement/or more accurately make an income if my law practice days were over. When the Government was sending out Government checks, I used my first to fund learning Bob Diamond's Tax Sale Ovrages Course. Each of the 3100 plus Counties in the lower 48 has Tax Lien Sales, and if the owner cant pay the Taxes, the property gets auctioned off. Any excess proceeds over and above the taxes due, is paid to the owner of record when the Auction occurs. Buyers often bid well over the Taxes due, so the money over and above goes to the orginal owner. Often they have disappeared, depressed, broke, and just trying to survive. All you have to do is contact them and get their permission to represent them in recovering the Overage. Simple, Right, You negotiate with them for a percentage of the amount you recover. One man got a percentage check for 84 thousand dollars. Not bad for using your Computer, and practicing Discipline in making contacts and offering the Owner the Aid. 

LeeArnoldSystem,com is found at Awesomely and his Courses are offered also. I became a Private Money Lender/Broker Certified by his Program. Reason I am writing this, is two fold. First, Don't waste your time on Politics and the vagueries of politicians who all seem to be motivated more or less by Greed. In Fact, Capitalism uses Greed to advantage our Society, which actually works given that the practice doesn't leak over into Fraud, which Elon Musk is tasked to discover and publish. Whole lotta money missing out there to date, and much more to be discovered. 

Second reason, if you have some perceived disabilitry like mine, don't Despair, throw up your hands and yell out "Im comin home Weezy, Im comin home" which was always Fred Sandford's cry of despair. Kick yourself in your own ass {hard to do with one leg} and make yourself get busy. We Aiin't Beat Yet in Fact, We are Winners. 

When this all started for me Jan 10, 2021 with the leg getting sawed off. I actually woke up during the Procedure and said "Is it done yet": and the little oriental Nurses went into  panic, and slapped a Mask on my face to put me back to sleep. During my Rehab Stay, I was housed with a man who was a nice fellow, but he was a Schizophrenic, and would yell me awake at 300 am sometimes, kinda of startling. One of the Nurses told me I was the toughest man mentally she had ever seen, because I did not complain about him much. She asked me if I wanted to Move, I told her No, I treasure that Window I can look out of everyday and see people walking their dogs, riding bikes, driving their cars, and the occasional Hummingbirds that would visit just outside the Window. That window was Hope of a Better time soon. Plus, a friend of mine used to sneak me Subway Sandwiches ourtside the Window, because Hospital Food is Bland, Bland, Bland. The best thing to do is look at every problem as a Challenge that by God, you just have to figure a way around it.

My law practice has taken off and I have lots of work now. I am getting my brother involved in the Real Estate related matters. He has been through a hard time, losing his wife to a brain aneurysm that killed her. He will do well I am sure. 


02/16/25 06:28 PM #14666    

 

Frank Wiley

Thank you Earl!  Hatred, in any form is distructive and the only way it will come under some control is for all of us to just refuse to go down that road.  N.S.--We have another Classmate that lives in Oklahoma.  His name is Paul Sparks and he would like for anyone, especially in his area to reach out to him.  His number is 918-346-7087.  We are Blessed to live in this Country!!  Thanks!


02/16/25 08:46 PM #14667    

 

Jim Coats

No, Katie.  You didn't "help to change the forum back to politics," a few days ago.  You changed it unilaterally and responses ensued.  We were doing pretty well until you came back and started spreading your venom again. 

AMERICA FIRST!!  SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAW!!


02/16/25 10:00 PM #14668    

 

Michael Kelly

Katie. I agree with Jim Coats. You've got what I see as a "grudge" and you need in my opinion, psychological help. Every thing you write is aimed at demeaning people who disagree with you. It's no easy Job, and your going to have to admit some things about yourself that won't be easy. Best get started!

02/17/25 06:17 AM #14669    

 

Frank Wiley

Hi David, I know where you live.  I'm sure you have a plan in case of tornadoes, but if you don't yet, please make one.  I drove through Oklahoma City on I-40 at about 11:00 AM a few years ago after a tornado went through the late afternoon/evening the day before.  I went through an area on the eastern side of the City.  I-40 was down to one lane from three lanes going east because the road crews were moving debris (mostly very large trees) from the freeway.  The crews were using large bulldozers but the trees were so large that they had to chain saw the trees into smaller logs so they could move them.  If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would have never believed it.  The crazy thing was that later that same day another tornado came through that same area but Thank God I was in Little Rock.  Please stay safe!


02/17/25 07:35 AM #14670    

Cheryl Faulkner (Sucato)

I don't know if any of you knew Bill Pennington.  He graduated in 1966 but he was a lifelong friend of Ed's and became a friend of mine.  The obituary was too long to copy here but I'm including the celebration of life information should anyone be interested in attending. 

Celebration of Life will be held on February 22nd (2:00 PM) at Dignity Lakeshore Mortuary at Dobson Ranch. 1815 S. Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85283. All are welcome to attend. www.lakeshoremort.com

 


02/17/25 07:50 AM #14671    

 

David Rainwater

DeWitt and Frank:  thanks for the advice about tornados!  My daughter has lost two roofs over the years to those winds and I was well aware.  So, when we built, we lengthened the garage and had an above-ground storm shelter bolted to the concrete pad.  Now, if/when that tornado scoops up our house (a la Wizard of Oz), we'll be huddled in a metal box (full of spiders, I imagine) reconsidering our choices smiley.  


02/17/25 08:04 AM #14672    

 

Jim Coats

Cheryl.  I vaguely remember Bill Pennington.  I think I played against him in Little League Baseball.  More than that, I seem to remember he was involved in home construction....maybe his Dad first and then Bill.  I seem to remember that it may have been Cavalier Homes (Hancock was the main guy) that was started by Greg Hancock's Dad.  I think my Dad did some business with them way back around the same time he did some business with Sucato Masonry (if I have the name right).

I'll try to find Bill's obituary and see if it triggers more definitive memories.  Thanks for telling us.  I hope you're doing well.

Found the obituary.  Thank you.


02/17/25 11:04 AM #14673    

 

Bill RIHS

Cheryl, thanks for sharing Bill Pennington's Celebration of Life, I knew Bill too, a good guy. I played baseball against him and with him. His dad was a great guy. My dad and I talked to him a lot at and after games. He offered me a job with his home building company, Cavalier Homes. I Security was heading for a mechanical engineering degree so I didn't pursue the offer. I may attend Bill's celebration of life.


02/17/25 12:25 PM #14674    

 

Earl Harris III

 Classmates,

 

It saddens me that Katie has announced that she is leaving the Forum. For all our sakes, let’s hope that it’s only for a short period of time. While I haven’t always agreed with her approach in addressing others at the opposite end of the political spectrum, her opinions on any number of matters dealing with democratic governance, the importance of the “rule of law,” economic policy, human rights and immigration are worth consideration. 

 

I admire Katie’s willingness to weigh in on many of these issues, not only because many of my values align with hers, but because she has been, for the most part, a lone voice for liberal and progressive views. 

 

There has been a lot of mudslinging going back-and-forth between political combatants on this site for a very long time that has not been helpful, to say the least. But, none of us can claim that our poor choice of language, especially when it springs from deeply held values has been a one-sided affair. 

 

Sometimes our emotions get the best of us. As human beings, our visceral reactions can inflame others, leading to counter condemnations that often result in a rolling tit-for-tat exchange that is difficult to contain.

 

Things had gotten so out of control and stressful that I decided to take an nine-month break from reading or responding on this Message Forum from February, 2024 until after the General Election in November, 2024. I’m glad I did.

 

I don’t know how long Katie will remain off-line, but I am betting that she will find time to explore issues, speak-out, and work with people and organizations that closely comport with her values and beliefs.

 

Lastly, I do not believe she needs professional help as has been suggested by some. A break in the action, a time to decompress and reflect may be all that she needs at this point. It’s her decision, but I would love to see her back, sooner than later.


02/17/25 02:15 PM #14675    

 

Michael Kelly

Im glad Katie decided to leave, although it is a wrong headed decision, because her "in your face' diatribe needs to be addressed face=0n by her, and she still takes refuge in blaming other people for her own offensive behavior. She'll make no progress going in that direction. She insulted me more than once, and I remained slient because I did not want this place to become too contentious. She has no control mechanism for some reason, and its not my occupation to 'Fix her" but she needs "Fixin". Openly insulting people is not in Andrew Carnegie's Book on How to Make Friends and Influence People. She needs to get whatever is bugging her off her chest. 


02/17/25 02:32 PM #14676    

 

Ron Hendrix

                                                           THE GIFT

    It was Christmas Eve, 1955. Darkness had already settled over the neighborhood on Turney. It seemed 

   like we kids had been waiting forever to have that big whits truck rumble up and stop in front of our house.

 At this time in our lives, the return of the truck meant only one thing; finally it wouldn't be long before we would open our one Christmas Eve Present.                                                                                                                                    

    1955 was like every year. We peered out the window for what seemed like unending hours.  It almost didn't 

seem fair that Pop stayed out on the road working so long since we couldn't start our festivities untill he 

came home.  Finally, our dog barked and we could hear the big truck grinding to a hault.A short time later 

each son had opened his Christmas Eve present. It is interesting to me that after 40 years, I have no idea what the present was that I opened  that Christmas. What I do remember is what truly was , and is, important to children everywhere. My Dad did come home that Christmas Eve just like he came home every night. I understand now that he did have a choice. I also understand that not all fathers live up to the responsibility of raising a family. Some don't come home  every night. Some don't come home at all. I will always be grateful that my Dad gave me the most valuable gift in life. He lived his life in such a way that I can look at him as an example of how to live my life.

Be there for your family.       Be true to your word.      Be willing to help others.     ALWAYS put forth your best effort.    It would be a long list if I tried  toshare everything I've learned  from the example  of his life. I can tell you this.  Pop made choices in his life and the result of those choices provided me with the greatest gift of all.  My dad chose to be a true father and live his life as an example to me so that I would know how to make the right choices in my life  I don't remember that Christmas gift in 1955. I will always remember the GIFT of having a father  who was, and will always be, there for me.                                                                                  

I sent this letter  to my Dad  as a Christmas  "GIFT" many years ago..  He was "old school"  I still miss him  RH

.  


02/17/25 03:52 PM #14677    

 

Earl Harris III

Ron,

Thank you for sharing your gift with us. It was very upifting. What a wonderful memory you have of your dad. I hope that you will find the time to share other stories with us.


02/17/25 04:01 PM #14678    

 

Frank Wiley

Ron, Your Dad would be Proud of you and was Proud of you.  It's obvious that his lessons inspired you by the way you live your life!'!  Thanks for sharing but you mentioned it was 40 years ago and you were 10 years old.  I know you feel young but that was 60+ years ago.  Oh well!


02/17/25 04:23 PM #14679    

 

Bill RIHS

Ron, thanks for sharing your great letter and inspiration for all. I am sure your dad was a good man, husband and father as your letter discribes.

 


02/17/25 05:36 PM #14680    

 

Jim Coats

Ron.  THANK YOU for posting your letter to your Pop.  It was sweet...real...and it 100% got to me.  That's the kind of "look back" that is healthy and good for the soul.  Your Pop knows he is not forgotten.


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