What's Happening at Book Reader's Heaven - Now Reading Murder, Mayhem and Main Street by Nick Russell - and Other Stuff!

 

Though off to a bad start this morning, I had already planned to talk about my thoughts on AI... So, it might as well be as the start today... I was awake at 4 and reading the latest from the third story in this book and my mind suddenly grasped that Nick Russell is a writer who I was very often in sync with... I had gotten to a certain part and was highlighting a lot and realized that I wanted to spotlight what was being said there...

But, yesterday, after finishing the second story, I went online to find the author. Facebook popped up first so I clicked and verified that this was the man who had written the book, so I requested a connection... I immediately was told that I didn't know this person... Once again, Facebook infuriated me! I DID know this individual. I had been reading him for days... And I knew more about Nick Russell than I ever would for all those other possible connections that Facebook routinely suggested for me! The "brain" behind the programming on Facebook has boggled my mind for years... They claim that they are connecting the world, BUT it is with selections being made by...computer... Duh... I had just once again been told that I didn't know Russell so I couldn't possibly have a need to connect with "him..." DUH... I'm a reader reading his book. Russell is a writer who wants people to read his books... Surely a simple programming routine would have connected these two individuals?! But, hey, they are now using AI and, according to the news yesterday, thousands are being terminated because of AI implementation. And, my message has not been read...so I'll not finish talking about these four books now...

BYW, before I started this post, I was prevented from being able to start this blog post... But, at least, I know that Google normally pays attention to feedback...

PREPARE FOR AN EVEN WORSE COMPUTER-GENERATED TIME-WASTER IN YOUR FUTURE!

And I've had a lifetime of time wasted by those who claim that they know what is best for me in relation to computer use... Take for instance that I had created an entire facilities management system and even gave a paper presentation of it at a professional meeting, only to discover that West Virginia University was far behind most of the basic systems used at other universities... Yes, that's true... You see, I had the brain to create the system. I did not have the power and authority to gain support for that system... Years and much employee time wasted...

So, there I was yesterday, after being a book blogger for over 20 years, being told by a machine--or the minds that told the machine--that I did not know Nick--I was already calling him one of my favorite authors! But they allow anybody and everybody to send messages - so I did take advantage, carefully identifying myself, the book I was reading and why I was contacting him... Then...wait... As of this morning, it never was read... sooo, I'm going with my original plan... I will be talking about each book separately, even though I got them as a package... It works for me, so... we'll see how it goes...

So I went out to Amazon. Now they force you to use some type of "named" AI system... I explained that I had been billed twice for a book that, both cost, $18.01... So I went out to orders, found the book and saw that no other book recently bought had the same price...

Oh, wait... I must point out that all of these companies claim that you no longer need to have paper files, right? That's been one of the key "selling" points as far back as the 1960s! In any event, I had been reviewing my "online" checking account, saw the two listings for a book costing $18.01, along with a bunch of numbers created by the bank to supposedly identify this purchase... Well, both were marked as a reduction of my available money, but had different ID numbers... which, of course, forced ME to go hunt up what was going on... BTW, I also made a list of supposed Walmart purchases that I questioned within the time period...

So, back on Amazon, the AI generator had pulled up a different book, at a different price... BUT, on the opposite page was the right book cover with the right price...So I go back to AI, the book listed was a purchase I had also made, but a lower price... So, which was the mistake? On my bank, on Amazon, or the AIs of the world united to drive us crazy?! But no person to talk to... I didn't spend time writing out the issue for the AI to generate...whatever...

Now back to Facebook. I know I have a personal grudge against that site who claimed that there was possible hacking and kept me offline for nearly 2 years and which resulted, ultimately, in a total loss of my data in a group I have started on Facebook which had been operational since  the last decade... So I keep a lowkey most of the time unless some computer crap from some corporate online system drives me to...rage...

Anyway, JC and I were doing a lot of  telepathic action as I was reading Russell's book... I was getting all kinds of connections with news items, other books, and messages from Him, depending upon what I was reading... If you don't get it, that's ok...my brain activity is way unique even I am surprised some times...

This morning I read about an event that had affected the entire town. Somebody--I don't know who yet--had murdered a cop who stuttered... And immediately a videos of many times when this president has made fun of those people whick included the disabled, or those he calls stupid or...whatever... The man then gets upset when comedians use him as the stooge he is, in my opinion, of course... LOL

Folks, I've been around a long time and have led somewhat of a sheltered life until I started working at WVU and met many people from around the world. By that time, my family, school, and church background had created a basic sense of awareness that all people desire recognition as "potential" children of God... I word that carefully to reveal my own humanity in not being as God wants--that we love all of our neighbors... In my defense, though, until about 2015 and both the news and the internet opened my eyes to the diversity in America... I was, and, still am, quite naive about the full scope of all peoples now living around the world...

But Russell has made it quite easy for us, really. He takes us to the smallest group of people under one level of government--the small town--and reveals more than we might never know exists in other locations... To me, this was a gift that is needed, right now, when one group of people are striving to destroy the advancements which have been made by many, many people pulling together, working together, to meet the needs of our own lives, as well as the people from all around this earth... at the first level of organizing...

Now Reading: Haberman, Maggie; Swan, Jonathan. Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump (p. I). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition. 

Just got a call that I have a driver to help me get groceries today... So need to close this out... But I want to add one video and talk about it soon... see if you can find MSNOW of the news items... I think it was one Turi's Moment...

luvya guys

Gabby

What's Happening at Book Readers Heaven - Beginning to Read Senator Raphel G. Warnock's New Book - The Crooked Places Made Straight: Reflections On The Moral Meaning of America

 

This song now begins my mornings... It's a way to remind myself that I am now experiencing what is called AFib. I'll be having a procedure next Thursday which may resolve the issue--or may not... I've been told I'll be taking medication for this for the rest of my life... The procedure is outpatient, though, so that's good, at least. Even better, I'll be asleep through it all... YES! I'm someone who has no desire, or need, to know what happens once I've placed myself in my doctor's care... After I've had a full explanation of what will be happening, that is...

What is atrial fibrillation (AFib)?

AFib is a type of irregular heartbeat that may cause the heart to beat faster than usual. It is projected that by 2030, approximately 12 million people in the U.S. will have AFib. It is important to know that AFib increases the risk of stroke by about 5 times. Talk to a doctor today.

I've mentioned this before but things have been, not frantic, but more confusing for me since around February, when I fell here at home... Since then, I've been in the emergency room. Had a 14 day monitor on my chest which has told my doctor everything she needs to know... And I've become much more actively involved when I take Each Step these days than before. I don't really know whether, since I had no sign of heart problems before my fall, whether that was the cause (most people--or doctors--don't know why or when it begins) but when they discovered in the hospital that I had cracked ribs which were never identified - Yes, it's true that many women don't immediately think of heading for medical care for everything - I have to wonder whether it was also at that time that my heart was jolted into what is called AFib... Oh well, no matter the how...it's now here to stay in one way or another. This time I'm paying attention.

So each morning, after doing a few bedside stretching exercises, I feed may cats... And, in doing so, I have to go outside and I sing Each Step I Take as my form of prayer to have Him help me...

Especially when that 'coon comes around... but that's another story...

~~~

Today I want to highlight a just-out new book I learned about on the news...

We are in a rough place right now, fighting to save our fragile democracy. As a man of faith, I often say that I believe democracy is the political enactment of a spiritual idea. It is the notion that each of us has within us a spark of the divine. Therefore, we ought to have a vote and a voice in the direction of our country and our destiny within it. One person, one vote. This revolutionary idea of self-governance is rare, precious, more the exception than the rule throughout world history.

...despite our differences, we would be all right, communing with one another and with God for a short while in this grand cathedral. In fact, this diverse gathering of humanity affirming our faith and imagining a future big enough to embrace all of us was a small glimpse of God’s dream for the world! That work is and always will be a group project.

Most of you are aware that the bridge between Politics and Religion has been destroyed at this point in the United States. If you disagree with that statement, I urge you to begin doing some serious research. It can easily be done through TV news groups such as MSNOW, or on YouTube. The latter, however, posts videos that have questionable origin, so be careful and use multiple sources. All of the videos above are different in content, but contain important truths that must be studied and supported. There are so many books available that I've had to pick and choose from the nonfiction book proliferation. There was no doubt in my mind, however, when I chose to immediately purchase Reverend Warnock's latest...

Why was it so important to me? Of course, many of you already know that I am convinced that, in addition to seeking power and riches, there is a major effort to change/destroy the Constitution upon which the United States was formed. More concern, however, is the attacks that have reached extreme actions which are affecting every non-white race, as well as, white women. Male white supremacists are using every type of criminal action that they can dream of, and immediately acting, no matter what it does in harm to all those who now live in our country.

And lying to do so by using religion as a manipulation tool...

So, when a pastor who is also a politician speaks of his Truth and it matches my thoughts and opinions, then it confirms to me that I am speaking Truth. Hopefully, for the majority of time, meaning God's Truth... And most importantly, Senator Warnock is Black. He knows the history of our Black neighbors and easily sees what politicians are doing to stop Freedom for ALL of God's children... Personally, I believe that the Black people, have a significant lead of we white people who were working merely to deal with our own lives... It was those who had been enslaved who began to and continue to fight back... That knowledge and experience helps me and others to learn and confirm what "really" happened in our country's history...

The book is based on scripture: Isiah 40:4

4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Folks, I'm not ashamed that I have little ability to understand what is in the Bible Old Testament especially. By the time I had read the Introduction to Warnock's non-fiction book, I knew exactly what was being said by Isiah ... Sooo, hopefully as planned (now, at least) I want to dedicate my time reading this entire book. The publisher strictly controls copyright to use excerpts without permission. I've used a few sentences to write this first post, but what I plan on doing is taking each part of the book, read and digest, and write about the major points in my own words. Of course, after reading just the Introduction and listening to the news interviews with the author, I feel confident in saying that I recommend this book as a must-read and highly recommend that if you have to choose carefully what books to buy, I recommend you proceed to buy this one. Dealing with politics and religion and race, three of the major issues in our headlines makes this book perfect for those who are dealing with the religious manipulation issue, like I have been, a worthy study guide and, as the author claims, a sermon to be heard!

I did not purposely start to read this book last night. In fact, I was about a fourth of my way through The Violinist's Revenge and felt I needed to stop for awhile. I knew it was set during WWII, but was looking forward to adding violin music to a book with such a title... Reading this book, right now, is difficult for me. It deals with the Holocaust and all the hatred and violence of that time... because, of course, reading sections also reminded me of exactly how people are being abused, threatened, and facing violence, even leading to death on our streets, right now with no way, it seems, to stop it... Without going to court...!!!

Then too, I've been disheartened by the fact that right now religion is part of a war that should never have started, based upon violent leaders being willing to maintain or increase control through discrimination and violence. I will continue to read this book concurrently with Senator Warnock's nonfiction. We'll see how it goes as these goals are fitted around health and personal issues such as needing to repair my car because it won't pass inspection...Sigh...

And maybe I'll take a break and share my 'coon adventures... 

Or need to share about another stupid and distressful issue that this administration is forcing on the world... such of these:

Of course, Trump had to put his hand into the major bridge now open. Built by Canada, but we cannot use... Why? Because a billionaire gave Trump $1M to ensure that there will be delays on opening a bridge that would help our citizens interacting or working with Canadians... Yes, power of the rich guys stops another good event for US, and instead money crosses hands...

AND ICE CONTINUES TO ACT VIOLENTLY TOWARD LEGAL PROTESTORS...

Isn't it about time to realize that NONE of us are safe from those who speak lies... No matter what party you choose, it's irrelevant, isn't it... because with the Supreme Court's republican-placed members who have protected him from almost the very beginning, even after the January 6th insurrection incited by this president and his big-money supporters... there is a constant battle to keep on top of all the illegal acts taking place...

May God Be With Us All

Gabby

What's Happening at Book Readers Heaven! Come on, let's hear your thoughts!

 

Hi Everybody! 

Right now, I'm in almost as much of a mess as the US government!

I'll be writing more about it, but I wanted to alert you that my posts may be irregular in the next week or so. 

But I'll be back!

Ooops, no mushy stuff today...

Without even verifying, I can tell you that 3 women voted against the Voting Rights Court decision made by the Republican Controlled Supreme Court... Bought and paid for... by those with lots of money who want all rights which have been fought for over hundreds of years to be removed so that white male supremacists can once again rule... Only this time, all people will become slaves to the MAN...

Yikes, did I just say that?!

Actually I'm pretty happy today... You know why?

Because I received much help from two DEI individuals I met with yesterday regarding the newly discovered AFib heart condition I now have... Within the last month, I went into the emergency room and learned that I now had a heart condition. Yes, Up until now, my heart was going along fine... Sure I had to check out my brain and have a tumor removed... and a hip replaced...lost a few toes... lost some major vision abilities... but I was moving along each day... Now the most important part of my body had decided to cause a little flurry of panic...

But you know, having people caring for you during those times is so very important. You may recall I even wrote about it... talking about singing in the Walmart's Women's Rest Room! Geesh! How does these things keep happening in my life! LOL

You may recall that my singing partner was a Black Woman... Yesterday both of my professionals were non-white... Personally, I cannot imagine a world--a United States without my Black friends--my neighbors from across the world, who I've never met before, but, on the occasion I needed somebody, they were there to guide and support me... Sure, there were some who I had problems with--tragically, they were white.  What has gone wrong in the United States?!

Besides MAGA? Because surely those with lots of money, and which is now being openly demonstrated, there are white men who are willing to do anything for money and power!

A Quick Note. Biden's son's job was NOT a conflict of interest. He was hired individually, whether or not he was paid more than he should? How can that be proven, and remember, he was not indicted for that...

But, now, we have a major conflict of interest which moves into the billions!!! for the Trump family men!

We hear a lot of discussion related to why the war in Iran was even started... NOW we know!!!! 

Of course we have already seen the moves of the president to put money into planes, gold, new ballrooms... Yeah, but nothing related to actually helping support THE UNITED STATES CITIZENS!

You know, while congress, the supreme court and practically the entire government administrators have been making money through one way or another, to the detriment of the United States!

Jen worked in the Government at one time. She was able to meet people who are involved with its inner workings... BUT, other than this report, NOBODY ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT WHY THE WAR IS CONTINUING!

WHY IT WAS STARTED...WHY THEY WANT TRILLIONS MORE TO BUY DRONES AND EQUIPMENT...WELL...NOW WE KNOW!!!

THE TRUMP FAMILY IS BRINGING IN SUFFICIENT MONEY TO MAKE THAT FAMILY THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD...BY STARTING WARS ALL OVER THE WORLD, KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE AND LYING TO THE WORLD ABOUT IT!

I never watch any speeches by our president. But I was thrilled to see the King of England speak to our full congress...

Because of the response!

It was quite clear that our congress may indeed know what is going on, because the King made specific points, such as Ukraine, that caused full applause... Is there hope of more republicans who have been refusing to go against our criminal president actually, after listening to a real leader of people, have gained some semblance of the common sense that once was routine for the majority of our Congress? Perhaps, then, they would not permit the leader of the House to tell everybody to go home and stay and so no response can be made to the needs of the United States, rather than to one man?

But let's get back to the action by the Supreme Court, with just one of my own immediate thoughts... Will the loss of voting rights for women be next? For surely this government has proven, especially during the Epstein investigation, that there is little regard for women other than as sexual bodies to breed... That, I hope you realize, is NOT sarcasm, but, rather, looking back at just how long women's rights took. Remember that Black men were given the vote before women. Perhaps that's why conservatives made such a big deal about the supposed Right to Life rule while, once born, not caring how those children actually were forced to live in poverty, abuse, and more... Think about it... Right now, consider who you are... Are you a woman or a non-white individual? Has the rules such as DEI affected you? Has the removal of funding for Medicaid, public education, and so much more, affected you? Then when you do say yes... Realize that MAGA ACTUALLY MEANS MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN FOR WHITE MEN AS IT ONCE WAS WHEN THEY HAD ALL THE RIGHTS NOW SUPPOSEDLY AVAILABLE TO ALL..

ONLY REASON TO LOOK BACKWARD IS TO MEET PERSONAL NEEDS AND DESIRES OF THOSE WHO LIKED PRIVILEGE FOR THEMSELVES AND NOBODY ELSE. How Selfish!

I think of myself as being like most US citizens who spent the majority of our lives dealing with our own lives' turmoil and expecting the government to move along as it should without our involvement.

How greatly I regret my mistake!

Nor can I understand just how for 250 years that nobody has saw that, as it is now, that at some point, some rebel group within our own government could conceivably have tied up every branch of the government, totally being permitted to bypass supposed safeguards and actually getting away with it! It boggles my tired mind daily as to how we could ever have reached the point in which we find ourselves...

When I first started working in the technical field of facilities, I soon learned that I needed to plan ahead to ensure that mistakes are immediately identified, admitted, and worked on to ensure the issue was eliminated before it actually became a problem or, worse, reality. When I started supervising, the first thing I taught was to not be afraid to come to me when a mistake occurs so that we could work together to ensure solution before it actually meant that two groups showed up for a meeting both in one room...

So, I fume, wondering... How in the world of efficiency have we reached this crisis situation where for the first time ever, our president is being aggressively acting in foreign countries, is ignoring our citizens needs, and with no concern for accountability is skimming millions from OUR TAX DOLLARS on a daily basis!? And, unless a majority of our citizens agrees with me and ensures we vote, no matter what scam Trump has devised to prevent us actually having our votes placed and counted, the Democracy which was guaranteed to us through the Constitution, will be lost through a verification by a corrupt Supreme Court!

I am calmly ANGRY. While I worked to succeed and live in my professional career, there was then, and is now worse, men who seem to be able to do anything they want whether or not the power has been given to them. Can we accept this for our future, knowing just how easily one party with lots of outside money support has corrupted our federal government and is daily doing more destruction to dismantle and take it just like kings did way back even before Christ? (B.C.)

Gabby

Just found this post on FB - told ya'~

What's Happening at Book Readers Heaven - Birthday Weekend - Personal Memoir

 

You know Folks, when any one person has a birthday that means that another decade is being passed, it's a bit traumatic, right?

But hey, we all face the same situation. Some just get more decades than others... Me, I was older than my father when I was born... He had been killed in an accident the year before and while my mother was carrying me... My Mother? I'm now older than my mother was when she died... 

But you know what? I never thought that I would come into a time of war as I was born... and it "might" be a time of war when I die... especially after I've learned about, if true, what the Secretary of War is telling the troops... More on that once I set the stage...

So I thought I would take the time to point out that It is Sooooo Sweet to Trust in Jesus... because if what they are claiming is true, it really doesn't matter for me.... But I've been through this gaslighting before... It was back--way back--when I read a book called The Late Great Planet Earth that claimed that the end of the world is near--even giving a specific date! Well, I was a young Christian at that point, reading a lot of religious books beyond the Bible that were written by people who had gained a name in that genre of books... My thought at that time was that I'd be gone before it happened... Because of course at that time, the preachers said that all God's children would be taken up to be with him before all that great even was to happen...

How silly I was then... because of course, the date came and went by and not even a newscaster talked about the foretold date... But I had never discussed the book with anybody, so nothing gained, nothing lost??? As I look back, I'm fairly sure by that event, I was already beginning to question just what God and this religion named after Jesus Christ was all about...

On the other hand, for another decade, tomorrow, God has been with me, in more ways than I could ever have imagined back when I was reading Hal Lindsey in the 1970s. So, why all the doom and gloom, it may seem, to be talking about the end of the world--or any of the other names that have been used to declare that doomsday prophecies that have come about whenever something happens that brings fear to those who may find they are not looking forward to what happens after death... Me, I have never felt that I was living only and/or because of heaven and everlasting life. As you all know, I'm kinda of a realistic type of person. When a word means something, I might doublecheck how it's being used, but I'll normally go with and accept the proper definition...

So, of course, when I talk about it's being my birthday and I'm alone except for my cats, who really don't know how to sing a song for me... LOL... I roamed through YouTube just to see what type of celebration video I could add... And was surprised when the following was staring back at me...

For the first time today, I smiled and then I started laughing...

This video is one of the worst pieces of garbage that has ever been created...

Certainly I would not be using such a defective set of words

And certainly God was not involved in any part of this creation...

You see, God is a Living God and has created us to be a part of Him... Each of Us! 

What we do after that took place was totally up to us...

In the case of this birthday wishes video above... Garbage In; Garbage Out!

We all have choices to do anything we want...

Take a look at the variety of books just found at Book Readers Heaven... and consider that the variety, the volume, the words used, are monumentally larger than the thousands of books you will find here today...

And there are millions and millions of people, each of whom has their own life story... who plays some part in a universe of possibility... We can look forward to Peace, for Instance...

Something that I've been singing about my entire life...

And it's still not here, except as developed within by having opened ourselves to the Great I Am...

And His Touch...

So, with that background, I'm ready to proceed to share the latest....

Frank, son of an evangelical christian evangelist, left Christianity and began speaking out about what was being planned through support of Donald Trump--Christian Nationalist religion leaders are now preaching and opening new churches. BTW, to my memory, this video reveals more anger at what is going on than I've ever seen.

I am including the next two videos although they may not be true... Still, even if not true, these videos were both on the first page when I opened the site. As  you all know, I've been very concerned about the use of Christianity as a tool of manipulation as it relates to political choices, including eletions, based upon the newly created "Christian Nationalist" religion... Still, even though it has not reached the normal news sites, we must be prepared and know that the type of lies that are spread by this administration can move like a wildfire... and then be believed as coming directly... from... Trump... Who, of course, they believe has been appointed by God... What a nightmare scenario of existence... 

To be Continued...

Gabby

What's Happening At Book Readers Heaven - Through It All - God is Always Here...

 

Last Monday Evening during a simple attempt to take a picture of my cat, I fell backward and landed on a corner of a chair, which caused a large bruise and pains spasms throughout my body. It seems worse than I'd ever felt. I've been unable to move without pain, couldn't sleep, and spent many hours turning from one spot to another to seek relief... Even breathing was painful... You know folks, I'm never been the type of person who thought I should pray and expect to be immediately healed. If I was the one that created the fall, then getting help was up to me. Although after about an hour of not being able to get off the floor, I did cry out to my Lord, perhaps letting Him know I still needed help...

She gets food and I don't even get the pic!?

It's now Tuesday, the 24th and most of the pain has decreased but is still here... Since I know that many of you start reading, it seems, as soon as my article is published, I thought I'd sit a while and let you know what happened... 

So, I saw Through it All from the corner of my eye as I was roaming through YouTube... Through it All is a song I had learned many many years ago, but had never heard from Andre just how he came to be involved with his ministry... I, too, was one of those kids who was pulled into music while attending Sunday School and Church, as man of you know... So many songs speak to us in so many ways... Foolishly, I was sitting there on the floor, having butt-walked around my chair to see if I could pull myself up using the control gadget... That did not work! I thought of calling an ambulance, but finally called my caretaker who brought his wife and they helped me... after a lot of trouble--I was totally locked in my house... So while they were exploring options, I called 911... Phone rang and rang and rang and rang...Nobody ever answered. So will need to discover what happened...

Anyway, I've been mostly sleeping from taking more pain pills than normal, but there was time for me to contemplate what I wanted to say about the last book I had just finished and had planned to present last Tuesday... I'm not going to talk about it now. I just want to let you know that I believe that God has a plan for the author of the book... The writer is new to writing and talking about his book, but he had posted it on my Reviewers Roundup Group on Facebook which I have been trying to build up after being refused access by META for years... But the thought of the book wouldn't leave me and I went over to his profile page and found the name of the book and went out and bought it... I believe that I needed a week to just absorb what was being said and work through all that this was going to be a different book review than many others... Simply because the book was not what I had expected... I needed the time to help it move into a deeper part of my thoughts...

On top of that, I have natural gas and my gas has not been sufficient for the cold that has come to my part of the United States... So I've been forced to sit and bundle with heavy covers around me, with family bringing in food...

And, of course, there is no way around the fact that I am just as confused and depressed about what the republican party has allowed to happen. Surely by now the Truth behind all of this madness has become visible to most? I say that, when I know that as of this morning, a relative of mine is still talking as if we are still back in the first term and he has learned nothing from all that has come since then... Depression is just a word for not knowing what to do when madness exists... 

You know I'm feeling better when I can add this as my closing... LOL I was using two different walkers plus my cane to help me through the week!

Gabby

What's Happening at Book Readers Heaven - Featuring Michael A. Smith latest Thoughts - Mine Too...

 

What can we say on the first day of a new year, when we have had, at least for me, the worst year of our lives? It seems senseless to even realize that a year where we have seen corruption at the highest level of our country, including more violence caused by one man, within our borders, than could ever have been imagined in the United States of America! We have built a country full of diversity, growth, and caring... But we discovered that many people here hated, feared, or just didn't understand that God had created all people and that we were asked to love each one...

How do we have a year where our President of four years full of major accomplishments, especially in Infrastructure which most leaders choose to ignore during their tenure, causing problems for ALL Americans throughout our land... A man who closed each presentation with "God Bless Our Troops..." I could go on, but the heartbreaking part that much of what was accomplished was immediately stopped or prevented in one way or another, and the destruction of our government began based upon Project 2025, which was written by--not the Congress--but by a group of men most of whom none of us even know...and certainly didn't vote for... Yet, Trump declared it his mandate and proceeded without any type of review process as required by law and/or the Constitution... It has been as if a cloud of black thunder/rain has poured out into the streets and countries across our land and blanketed us with hate, violence, and, yes, murder, without control! Like the Journalist above, who speaks out, how can we explain how this has happened? And, how can it continue for nearly a year without much done to stop it?! For me, I'd arrived at the conclusion that Michael Smith recently posted on LinkedIn... The thing is,  how can a new year begin...with...madness? Surely, there is hope somewhere... Listen!

Abnormal...

In psychology, "abnormal" describes behaviors, thoughts, or emotions that significantly deviate from typical or culturally accepted norms, often causing personal distress, dysfunction, or harm to self/others, and are studied in abnormal psychology (or psychopathology) to understand, diagnose, and treat mental disorders, though the definition is complex and context-dependent.

Key criteria include statistical rarity, violating social norms, maladaptiveness, and personal suffering.

Key aspects of abnormality:

Statistical Infrequency: Behavior that is rare or far from the average (e.g., extremely low IQ).

Violation of Social Norms: Actions that go against the unwritten rules of a society or culture.

Maladaptiveness: Behavior that hinders daily functioning, goal achievement, or adaptation to life's demands.

Personal Distress: Significant psychological suffering, anguish, or discomfort experienced by the individual.

Observer Discomfort: Behavior that causes significant unease or concern for others.

The field of study:
Abnormal Psychology: The branch of psychology dedicated to studying these unusual patterns to understand, predict, explain, and treat mental disorders.

Psychopathology: A less stigmatizing term for the scientific study of psychological disorders, focusing on mental illness.

Important considerations:

There's no single, universal definition; what's abnormal varies by culture, time, and context.

The goal isn't just to label, but to identify behaviors that may indicate a need for clinical intervention

If the behavior of Donald Trump had been the behavior of one of us, we would have been institutionalized long ago before we hurt ourselves or someone else.

PhD Candidate/Professor Michael A. Smith

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God's Eye Watches All of Us! Amen!

Gabby