Mr Trump! This blog's for you!

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”, 

While attending Public School 97 in the Bronx, Ms. Pagano would ask all her third graders to stand up and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This is how our day of learning the "Three R's" began.  We'd face a limp American flag, with our right hands covering our hearts and drone out this long sentence in a chorus of squeaky voices. We were young and probably weren't aware of it's true meaning.

Now I'm older and I get it. Sure it's an idealized notion of what America is all about, but hey, it's a grand goal to strive for.

I'm a first generation American.

My parents escaped a tyrannical maniac who captured a large sphere of influence. That bad hombre vowed to make his nation great again. He too, utilized a religious group as scapegoats for all the world's ills. He too, singled out others for special treatment I.E. Gays, Gypsies, Political Opponents, Jehovah's Witnesses and Jews. He too, spoke about "Roundups."

 Unfortunately, Mr. Hitler's rants became deeds. 

My parents barely got out. Clara and Sid met, married and raised three sons. My parents learned English, worked hard, paid taxes and stayed out of trouble. They fulfilled the American Dream. I believe they were model citizens.

Mr. Trump, my humble, middle-class parents would have been appalled at your candidacy. They fled the Old World on a slow boat to the New World to get away from leaders like you. 

Now you are making headlines by saying you will not accept November 8th election results if you lose. You claim the election is "rigged" without showing any evidence. 

True, we live in a country which guarantees the freedom of speech. But there's limits to this right. Your incendiary comments are the equivalent of screaming "Fire! Fire!" in a crowded movie theater when there is no clear or present danger. This is Irresponsible and unprecedented in a presidential campaign.

Mr. Trump, the U.S. usually has a relatively smooth transitions of power. There's a political tradition of the losing candidate conceding the election and bowing out gracefully. 

This election has been nothing like the usual. Basic civility has been jettisoned. The 2016 presidential election has made an episode of the Jerry Springer show look as docile as a Red Hat Society tea party. 

Mr. Trump, take the high road if this election doesn't go your way. This election is bigger than you;  it's 240 years of democracy at stake. Pay attention to these words spoken by another fellow Republican named Abraham Lincoln.

From Abe's Gettysburg Address: 

"and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." 

If Mr. Lincoln wasn't right, then all those brave men and women interred in our National Cemeteries died in vain. 

Mr. Trump, please think about this...

To my other readers: 

If you like the ideas behind this blog, feel free to share it.

If you don't, feel free to delete it.

Please vote responsibly,

Jeff

PS. I'll end this post with a recent quote from Senator John McCain. 

"I didn’t like the outcome of the 2008 election. But I had a duty to concede, and I did so without reluctance,” he said. “Free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power are the pride of our country, and the envy of much of the world because they are the means to protecting our most cherished values, the right to liberty and equal justice.”

BTW: Senator McCain is a true American Hero. Everyone who serves in our Nation's Military is a hero, whether they were a POW or not. 

My Big Fat Greek...

Journey.  

"You can observe a lot by just watching."

Yogi Berra

My trip to the Hellenic Republic was like no other. I arrived with a minimum amount of preparation and very few expectations. It was sort of like traveling in a jam session. I wasn't sure how or where this overseas session would end.

I'm happy to report, it all worked out.

During my time on the island of Naxos, the Big Mac-sized island of Crete and the capital city of Athens, I took mental notes and often Googled to learn more about the people of Greece.

Here's some facts and personal observations:

There's 10.9 million Greeks. In 2015, those nice Greeks entertained an amazing 26.5 million visitors. (I began to refer to Greece as the Mexico of the Mediterranean). Tourism contributes 18% to this economically hurting nation's Gross Domestic Product. Yet, unemployment is the highest in the Eurozone at 23%.

Greeks also score the highest in smoking rates in Europe and the rest of the world. Over 40% inhale cancer sticks. Ashtrays are as prevalent as Sagebrush in the Western US. The Greeks flick ash at the concept of non-smoking areas. 

For a people who introduced the World to two major athletic events (the Marathon and the Olympics), they now abhor exercise. I rarely met locals on my many trail meanderings. My Greek Guide Anastasia summed it up this way, "Greeks will only walk if there's a coffee house as the destination." They pace themselves well.

Greeks don't move too fast, except when they get behind the wheel of their tiny sedans. Then these laid back, Raki drinking, olive eating people become the reincarnation of Dale (the Intimidator) Earnhardt. Competitive tailgating seems to be a major sport. Yes, the Greeks lead the Eurozone in accident rates too. In 2015, 1600 citizens lost their lives playing the ultimate game of "Chicken." 

But Hey! Nobody's Perfect! I found the Greeks to be friendly, generous and helpful, even though their language was Greek to me! Many speak a passable form of English. They have to. The Greek language and alphabet probably isn't taught in many other countries. 

Would I go back to this country of blue skies, white-washed painted villages, warm temperatures and sandy beaches? Heck yes! Although it would be better to arrive as a couple instead of a solo traveler. Towards the end of my trip, I got tired of eating my Greek Salads alone. Greece is a couples destination similar to Hawaii. Singles are as rare as a jogging Greek.

I just wish the locals could do something about all those elderly, overweight, naked German invaders. It's very unsightly. 

I'm back in Colorado, (land of good beer, coffee and great friends and family members)

Cheers!

Jeff

In case you missed my other Greek posts:

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2016/10/off-season-in-greece.html

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2016/10/from-pretty-place.html

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2016/10/samaria-national-park-incorporated.html

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2016/10/i-got-parboiled-on-crete.html

http://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-day-in-athens.html

A Day in Athens...

Of course I visited the Parthenon! 

Every human regardless of race, creed, religion or color goes there while in the Hellenic Republic. 

It's an old amazing place. This civic works project began in 447 BC in tribute to the Goddess Athena. When I saw the relics, I realized those workers weren't paid on a Union scale. It took a lot of effort to move those marble Doric columns. 

The Parthenon has a complicated history (like Greece). There were the ancient Greeks,  of course. Then came the Persians, Venetians, Romans, Franks, Visigoths, folks from the Ottoman Empire and a few impact players from the United Kingdom. And not necessarily in that order. Yes, there was heaps of plundering and destruction. (It's always a bad day when those Visigoths turn up unannounced.) 

Now the invasion force arrives from all over Planet Earth. Regardless of the human's origins, everyone shells out €20 for the privilege to invade the site. There weren't many complaints. 

Here's heaps of photos. Including a tourist posing in front of the Ancient Temple of Selfie Sticks. AKA the Temple of Narcissism. 

In the last two pix is a comparison of my trail companions within a 48 hour span. 

Yes, the number of two legged animals have been sort of overwhelming. 

"Back to the US! Back to the US!" Manana.

A paraphrase from the Beatles,

It's been fun!

Jeff