The Springtime of Our Youth

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

 

Saw it from half a block away, a pure and simple snapshot to be sure- so full of life and promise and hope. Of course, it would all be over by the time I got there, and it was- but it wasn't... They were taking one more shot, one more try- and I was there!

Dad seems detached, but it don't matter none- cause Mom's bursting with such joy and pride! Young blood standing proud looks toward her with love, care, appreciation. That's all he needs- tripod at hand, he's already proving he can do it on his own. Youth = Hope; hopes and dreams as big as he is tall, as wide as the building behind them.

 And I wish him all the possible best!

Time To Show The Bodies...

I was a child living through the Viet Nam War. Back then, it seemed like that one too would never end. But I remember what helped turned the opinion of many who continued to support the war- the photos of the bodies... children's bodies. The most iconic image etched into the minds of anyone from that era was the sight of Phan Thị Kim Phúc OOnt (aka- "Napalm Girl") trying desperately to escape and run from her pain, burnt flesh running down her body...

But even prior to that came the first hardcore salvo that had die hard supporters scratching their heads in bewilderment- morally, ethically, "patriotically." That was the My Lai Massacre photos, dead women, old men, and yes- dead children and babies. Many of them. Innocents slaughtered by the wayside, with the same maniacal, casual disregard- caused by the very same lineage of weapons that continue to slaughter civilian innocents to this day! Those photos caused anyone with a beating heart who still thought we were on the side of "right" to realize how we were blatantly allowing and perpetuating the most hideous of atrocities...

It's time to show the children's bodies here at home- time to clearly, irrevocably show and expose the slaughter that these bought Republican shills are allowing to occur on a now regular basis. All we are ever allowed are their never ending torrent of fantasy induced excuses. They are well beyond shame, beyond reason. It's time to actually see the results of their words, their policies, their willingness to do absolutely nothing in the face of continued carnage!

PS- Yes, that's one helluva ask of any parent or family, but when all we can possibly hope for are cosmetic changes of no real consequence- perhaps an Emmett Till moment is just what we need.

Call Her Daddy

Photo: © Stan Banos

 

When I took the photo above, I kinda wondered if the graffiti actually referred to anything broader in society, something an Ol' Boomer like myself wouldn't be privy to- ya know, like the "Cash Me Ousside" catchphrase of Bhad Bhabie fame.  The other day, I came across the term online and... guess it sorta does, although after attempting to listen to this podcast, I rather quickly ran outta patience being that it's very much outta my age group and current realm of reality- and I'm... really pretty chill with that.

April Is Confederate Heritage Month!

And Genocide Awareness Month- as The Honorable Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi reminds us. Which balanced together, reminds us all of the genteel folk who were so rooting that those who actually survived The Middle Passage would make better slaves than the Indians who were slaughtered for their land. 

That Critical Race Theory jive they're brainwashing all our kids with in our schools starting in Kindergarten is gonna be the death of us al!!!