"Stop Scaring Us!"

I don't know why this popped up on my YouTube page yesterday, but it's well worth a listen.  Jackie Goldberg, past president of the Los Angeles School Board, sounds off vehemently against the homophobes in this speech from June 2023.  Ms. Goldberg retired last December after a lifetime of political and social service.

I wonder if this speech would get her sent to Alcatraz today. 

-----

Waitin' for the Weekend

"Memorable Men Alone #1" by Clint Collide:

"

-----

Is Your Marriage Safe?

Ten years ago, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.  Now a new petition asks the court to overturn that decision.  Read this summary from ScotusBlog to get up to date on what's happening:

Will the Supreme Court revisit its ruling on same-sex marriage?

You may want to look at some stats from the Pew Research Center on Americans' opinions about homesexuality and same-sex marriage.  Be aware that the latest poll that Pew conducted on these issues was in 2023-2024, when two-thirds of Americans favored same-sex marriage; however, some people may have changed their minds since then.

Religion and views on LGBTQ issues and abortion

It's also interesting to scroll to the bottom of that page and compare the very similar figures for attitudes about abortion, which also was legal nationawide until 2022.  As I said in this blog ten years ago when the Obergefell decision came down, what the Supreme Court gives, it can also take away.

We may all be about to find out who our friends really are.

-----

Todd and Rob: A Fright and a Fix-up

If you're like me, you may want to skip the snake part, from about 3:00 to 11:00.  Or watch it have a good laugh as the guys lose their minds.

-----

Sunday Drive: Schubert, Serenade

Just right for a quiet summer Sunday.

-----

VJ Day Plus 80

Monument to Allied dead in the Kohima War Cemetery, India.

King Charles III released an audio message last night commemorating the end of World War II on this day in 1945:

Here is the speech broadcast by his grandfather, King George VI, in 1945:

Earlieri that day in Washington, President Truman had announced the unconditional surrender of Japan, sparking riotous celebrations across the United States:

My dad was an Air Force mechanic stationed in Aachen, Germany, at the time. I don't know how he celebrated, but I do know that just two months later, after being shipped stateside with maybe ten thousand other G.I.'s on the Queen Elizabeth, he was back home with his parents, safe and sound. Many others never made it home, or were disabled for life. Living or dead, we owe them all an immense debt of gratitude - as it says on the monument pictured above.

Their service and sacrifice saved the whole world from depraved tyranny and unspeakable horrors. As President Roosevelt had remarked some years before, that generation had a "rendezvous with destiny." They met it with courage and righteous determination, bequeathing to us who followed three generations of general peace, progress, and unparalleled prosperity in the free world.  

What destiny lies ahead for today's linked-in generation, and how will they meet it? This weary old man in his twilight years wonders -- but would rather not stick around to find out.

-----

David Archuleta: Dulce Amor

Brand new from little David, who is bulking up nicely these days.  M.P. tipped me to this video.  See what you think, fellas.

P. S. -- The lyrics are found in the video description on YouTube.  A bit of autobiography, perhaps?

-----

Sunday Drive: Liszt, Consolation No. 3

A beautiful piece played on Liszt's own piano by a handsome young man.  How refreshing.

-----

Waitin' for the Weekend

"Hiya, Handsomes #2" by Clint Collide:

-----

Tom and Damien: Chateau for Two

The boys from French Canada are beavering away on renovating their newly-purchased Château Poséidon in the Loire Valley of France - and so quickly that I've already fallen behind on posting their videos.  Here are episodes 3 and 4 for your enjoyment.

-----

The Transfiguration of Christ

I have no words to say about the tragedy we are living through today, in this country and around the world; others have said it just as well, if not better.  All I can do is point to the gospel reading for today.

The Lessons Appointed for Use on

The Feast of the Transfiguration

On the holy mountain, a glimpse of God's glory, the splendid Reality behind and beyond all the anxious concerns of this transient life.  A profound thought for the faithful.  See also today's Forward meditation here.

The Transfiguration of Christ by Carl Bloch, 1872.
Click to enlarge.

-----

Todd and Rob: Your Questions Answered

Those Georgia mountain boys, with the help of some good whiskey,  take a break from landscaping to answer questions from fans.

Among other interesting confessions, they admit they spent $4000 or $5000 on flowers and plants and stuff this year. Wow.  They are very fortunate.

-----

Sunday Drive: Tchaikovsky, Waltz of the Flowers

We usually hear this tune around Christmastime, but I thought my truckbuddies might appreciate a cool breeze now in high summer, with beautiful roses and some serene scenery too.  Peace be with you.

-----