Not sure how to start this post so I am going to simply tell you what just happened. Life has always been a profound teacher to me, offering precious moments when I least expect them.
As many of you know, I am currently on the road for my Persona Non Grata podcast. Since Dallas, I have been accompanied by my trusty camera man and road manager, “Dave”. A man of many talents, Dave and I have had lots of time to talk and get to know one another. Born in Sunderland, England, Dave shared with me musings from his time as a boy in England back in the 1970s (yes, we are both old). With a proper British accent, he told me how he decided to move to Nashville and is now the owner of an entertainment production company. However, don’t be fooled, each day Dave gets up, packs the car with camera gear, tripods, and everything else. He also takes care of all the logistics for our travel. And when everything is done, he repeats the same steps before we get home. Then spends hours downloading footage before getting a few hours sleep. Think of Dave as a cross between a Himalayan Sherpa, a babysitter, and a damn fine camera man. Today we are out on our way to Portland, driving through what is arguably some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen: Mt Shasta to our right, majestic pine trees to our left, and a deep blue crystal lake below that meanders lazily through a mountain canyon. As we round a curve, a song plays on the radio that I have NEVER heard before. It’s a song that immediately brought me back to a time when I wore a uniform. Memories of meeting my newborn daughter for the first time and staring into her blue eyes and realizing I missed her birth by three months. Bitter sweet memories anticipating the moment I would see my family once again after thinking I may never make it back home alive. The song made me remember the sacrifices of friends and the excruciating pain of their families waiting for their loved ones to return. And finally, the song made me remember the faces of friends that made it back, and the empty feeling in my heart of friends that didn’t. As the song ended, I was overcome by emotion and I may have let a tear slip from the corner of my eye. It was one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard.
Dave, as someone who now lives in Nashville and a bit of a music artist himself, I thought I would ask him if he knew who this incredible artist was. Not receiving a response, I thought that Dave didn’t hear me so I asked again, this time turning to direct my question directly at him. As I glanced over at Dave, he had a sheepish smile and said nothing, as if maybe embarrassed by something. Confused, I asked a third time. This time, he looked into my eyes and said “me”.
In complete disbelief, I asked him again, and he confirmed it was him who was playing on the radio!
For a few seconds, what felt like forever, I couldn’t process the fact that not only was this country song about a soldier returning home sung by a Brit, and not only did it capture perfectly my sentiments while back in uniform, the person who sung it was sitting right next to me and had been my trusty companion the entire trip!
Needless to say, I thanked him profusely and wondered to myself if God was trying to tell me something. I also wondered why this song wasn’t number 1 each and every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
For those of you who served our nation, or for those of you who have family who served or are serving, please take just a moment and treat yourself to what I consider one of the best country songs ever made.
God works in mysterious ways…and has time and time again, spared me from the worst. And today, he has given me yet another gift. I want to thank my new friend, David Bradly for acknowledging our veterans and giving me truly a profound treasure I will keep in my heart forever. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.
@DBradleyMusic
https://t.co/3KHKsmetHr
Barack Obama defends Islam and says Muslims have always been part of America’s story.
Obama said:
“Islam has always been a part of America’s story. And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.”
According to Obama, Muslims have been part of this country since the beginning, they have contributed to America’s history, and they continue to bring value to this nation.
Dear Republicans, grow a freaking spine, for crying out loud and go after Obama.
Obama was in Canada meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister, talking about relations, the future, and whatever else they want to dress it up as.
If Trump were a former president meeting with foreign leaders while a Democrat sat in the White House, they would’ve screamed Logan Act before the meeting was even over.
They would’ve accused him of running a shadow government.
They would’ve accused him of interfering with foreign policy.
They would’ve accused him of undermining the sitting president.
So why does Obama keep getting a free pass?
Republicans need to stop acting weak and start asking what exactly was discussed — and who gave Obama the authority to speak on behalf of America.
Obama is not the president.
Trump is.
Act like it.
Dear Jimmy Kimmel, listen to me very closely.
I’m a comedian. I’ve made fun of Jill Biden. I’ve made fun of Michelle Obama. I’ve roasted First Ladies before.
But I have never in my life joked about Jill Biden becoming a widow or Michelle Obama becoming a widow.
I’ve never joked about Joe Biden or Barack Obama having an attempt made on their life. I’ve never laughed at the thought of their wives standing there in fear, wondering if their husbands are going to make it home alive.
Because that is not comedy.
That is sick.
You could have joked about Melania being married to Trump. You could have joked about politics. You could have even gone after her accent like liberals usually do.
But no — you chose to joke about Melania Trump becoming a widow.
And let’s be honest, Jimmy: when you hate Donald Trump as much as you do, that doesn’t sound like a joke.
It sounds like how you really feel.
They always say there is truth in comedy.
President Trump’s orders are clear:
The United States Navy stands ready to intercept and destroy any Iranian vessel attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz.