Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer: Grant them eternal rest; let light perpetual shine upon them; and in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care upon you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Some mighty fine men on view in this week's edition. As always, you can save time if you pause the video and right-arrow through the pics. BTW, there's now a link to Clint's uncensored website in the NSFW section of the Blue Truck, at the bottom of the sidebar.
I think my truckbuddies might enjoy this color film produced in 1960, in the last year of Eisenhower's presidency, that nicely summarizes the history of the "People's House" up to that time -- without, however, mentioning the complete reconstruction of the place in President Truman's time.
In this similar black-and-white film produced a year or so later, you can see a few extraordinary pictures of the hollowed-out White House interior during Truman's reconstruction, starting about the 40:45 mark:
Bonus: Lady Bird Johnson dedicates the new Jacqueline Kennedy Garden in 1965. This was on the eastern side of the rear of the residence, while the Rose Garden was on the western end, extending to just outside the Oval Office in the West Wing. Mrs. Johnson is beautfully well-spoken, the epitome of a cultured, gracious Southern lady.
The beloved hymn that I learned in kindergarten has been a comfort to me throughout my life, and an anchor of my faith. Here it is performed by Miss Brenda Lee, accompanied by Emmylou Harris.
Note to readers: I admire the energy and know-how these fellas have; but the work is proceeding very slowly, and in future I may not post all their vids. The last one above was interesting with the fountain, furnace, and apples. The one prior to that was dreadfully dull: scraping and painting all those window frames.
Problem is, they still haven't made the caretaker cottage livable, and winter will soon set in. The amount of work needed on the big house is mind-boggling, and so is the expense. No doubt somewhere in one or both families is an indulgent Big Mama or Big Daddy with very deep pockets. It must be nice not to worry about how to pay the rent or keep food on the table while picking out designer decor and furniture.
Frankly, I think with this beat-up chateau way to hell out in bumfuck, they have bitten off much more than they can chew or ever make a profit on, but what do I know? I wish them good luck with this monster reno. It will certainly be a great learning experience.
Last Saturday in D.C. Goddamn, what a man. You go, Bernie.
I don't agree with some of Bernie's proposals, and he is wrong on a couple of points of history. But I endorse the main thrust of his message. There's far too much money in too few hands. Money = power, and power, as Lord Acton said, tends to corrupt; and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
That's why our Founding Fathers set up a government with three branches (divided power; checks and balances) and periodic elections, ensuring that power changes hands from time to time. They also endowed us with a Constitution that cannot be easily changed (the rule of laws, not men) and a free press that can expose the misuse and abuse of power to the attention of the people. But when 3 or 4 people own most of the wealth in this country, working hand-in-glove with a would-be dictator, you don't have to be a "communist" to see that means the end of democracy.
The system is not perfect, but then NO system is. There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be a Utopia where everyone gets everything they want when they want it. The best that can be done is to provide the greatest good for the greatest number most of the time. Capitalism properly restrained and regulated can be a good thing, bringing prosperity and security to many millions - with enough left over in the public treasury to provide a social safety net for the elderly, disabled, and unfortunate - as has been generally the case in the Western world for over a century now.
But unbridled, unregulated capitalism is simply the dictatorship of the rich, and profoundly un-American.
Unelected and unaccountable, the super-rich could buy and sell all the lawyers, judges, police, and politicians they need to get their way, immune from any and all consequences. They could control all sources of news and information, in print or online, indoctrinating everyone young and old with their corrupt wordview, and inciting the masses to fear, resentment, hatred, or violence against anything or anyone, as their masters pleased. And rhey could manipulate the price of all goods and services and housing to squeeze the last dime out of the propertyless common people, in effect making them serfs perpetually dependent on the goodwill of the overlords and their digital informers/enforcers. America or Soviet Russia? Who could tell the difference?
The super-rich could also dispose of whoever is president, if he doesn't do their bidding. There is an old saying that "there is honor among thieves." But who knows what might happen when thieves fall out with one another?
And by the way - don't fear what may happen one day. It has already happened. That little god-box in your hand that you just can't live without? That plastic slab you carry everywhere you go and use to do everything with? You do know, don't you, that it tracks every movement you make, 24/7, and they are recorded somewhere, as is every call you make and every word you type. So are all your purchases, all your bank and credit card data, the names and numbers of all your friends and kinfolks, even your casual hookups and favorite porn. It can all be used against you - and may well be. Don't fear the slavery to come - the chain is already around your neck and the knife at your balls. Resistance, I'm afraid, is too late. You have been assimilated. And paid good money for it, too, you fool. So enjoy it while you can.
But what do I know? I'm just a tired old man who has outlived his time, waiting for his flight to be called, that's all. Move along, nothing to see here.
Pour yourself a beverage, sit back, and take your mind off the state of the world for a while with these fascinating videos. WARNING: May cause acute hunger pangs in sensitve individuals. And everyone else.
1. Short Order Cookery (1973) - This vocational training film shows how one man can cook everything, all at the same time. Who knew that griddles had different heating sections?
2. Give Your Eggs a Break (1966) - Another vocational film, with some comedy relief thrown in.
3. Spider (197x) - Kenneth Osgood, a former Golden Gloves boxer, was a phenomenal short-order cook at a diner in New Hampshire. When you watch this film, you'll understand how he got the nickname of "Spider."
4. New Jersey's Busiest Diner (2021) - A look behind the scenes at a ginormous diner with 125 staff in the kitchen, serving 15,000 meals a week. I know M.P. will love the mountain of disco fries, an old favorite of his - I like them too. We also love chicken and waffles, a Southern treat that goes back at least to the 1920s.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, harmony; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
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We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.
and welcome to the Blue Truck, a blog for mature gay men with news and views on gay rights, history, art, humor, and whatever comes to mind. Plus a few hot men. The truck's all washed and gassed up, so hop in buddy, let's go.
CAUTION: For mature gay men only beyond this point. Some posts and links may not be suitable for children or the unco guid. You have been warned.
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My Story
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Churches say that the expression of love in a heterosexual monogamous relationship includes the physical, the touching, embracing, kissing, the genital act - the totality of our love makes each of us grow to become increasingly godlike and compassionate. If this is so for the heterosexual, what earthly reason have we to say that it is not the case with the homosexual?
It is a perversion if you say to me that a person chooses to be homosexual. You must be crazy to choose a way of life that exposes you to a kind of hatred. It's like saying you choose to be black in a race-infected society.
If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God.
