The Message Forum is an ongoing dialogue among classmates. The goal is to encourage friendly interaction, including interaction among classmates who really didn't know each other. Experience on the site has revealed that certain topics tend to cause friction and hard feelings, especially politics and religion. 

Although politics and religion are not completely off-limits, classmates are asked to be positive in their posts and not to be too repetitive or allow a dialog to degenerate into an argument. 

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum.

Martha Mize (Mareth)

Last month Laura Kirklen invited me to the celebration honoring her 6 uncles (her mother’s 6 brothers).   They were all in WWII at the same time!  The celebration was held at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX.

 I cannot even imagine how Laura’s grandparents (the parents of these 6 brave, young men) didn’t go out of their minds worrying about all 6 of their sons being away in the Pacific Theater, seeing horrific things and being in harms way every day. 

Plaque dedicated to the Six Nichols brothers - Joe, George, Raymond, Bernard, Thomas and Rufus.

Sons of 4 of the Nichols brothers unveiling the plaque. 

Laura standing next to the plaque honoring her 6 uncles. 

There is a happy ending to this story.  All 6 brothers came home safely from  WWII !!!

Laura and her husband, Todd McCall

Charles “Red” Kirklen, Laura’s father and Max A. McCall, Todd McCall’s father who both served in WWII were also honored.

Laura’s 2 Aunts, Mollie C Nichols and Gwen Nichols Keyes were also honored for their service to the country in WWII.

Ron Knight

Martha.

GREAT POST!! God Bless them all! Thank you and your family for your service to our country. I hate how some don't care what it takes to be free and the lives that are put in danger to afford what it takes to have the daily freedom that each and EVERYONE one of us enjoy. For some, they pay the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom for even those that attempt to tear down our freedom and protest against American values.

God bless you and thank you!

Ron

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Okay David,

I just used the page that is needed to 're-log in' and was able to get to this page, allowing me to post.

I'm thinking that I can post now, but later tonight, or maybe tomorrow, I may have to start 'a-new' again.

Seems like some of us do not stay logged in like usual.

I'm sure there is an answer, so don't give up on your search for the solution.......

You can do this!

Best wishes!

David Cordell

Some of the issue MIGHT be a new or temporary requirement that we have to log in (again) on the home page rather than staying logged in. That's pure speculation. If you forgot your password, contact me, and I will help you get another one.

Wayne Gary

Martha,

Good post. It remindes me of a friend at A&M from El Paso who had his father and 5 brothers serve in WW II. Their Mexican housekeeper would crawl to church praying for their safe return from the war.  She felt this suffering by her was the least she could to protect them. All did return.

Lowell Tuttle

David...I just re set my password and am posting here.

Do you think it is possible that someone complained about copy and pasteing messages from one forum to the other forum and this is the result?

I am going to try to copy and past a message I posted about China/US negotiations...to see if it goes through...

Lowell Tuttle

Lowell Tuttle

I have written several times over the last 5-10 years how the US and China need to negotiate.   

Responses were either ignored or criticized.

China and the US were best friends during the post Opium War years.   The European imperialists were not trusted by China, and even though the US was capitalistic, China somehow respected that.    Of course as the Revolution in China emerged into imporance in the late 20's, 30's, and 40's, and as WWII evolved and the US sent financial and military (mostly money, not many weapons,) to Chiang Kai Shek instead of Mao and the Reds the favored status of the US changed.

But, a lot of missionaries had survived all those years there and had garnered somewhat of respect in their culsture.    And, quite a few Chinese were sent to be educated here.

Then, after many dark years, China opens up to Nixon (basically almost the only thing Nixon accomplished.  Well, other than a surrender and exit from Viet Nam and possibly US spending freezes to halt inflation domestically.

China finally opened.   

They blossomed economically, albeit in a single Party with repressed citizenry.

Now, because of Trump's tariffs, it appears we desperately need to what, negotiate with China?   All this pent up US hatred of China is really backfiring...Now, our views on them will have to soften somewhat or we really are in a economic financial mess for a decade at least to come.

I sense an uncomfortable negotiation soon to be at hand.   China US need each other pretty badly...

However, from what I can gather, it seems China can play the long game here.   Chuckling to the bank, whilst we try to figure out the approach...

Lowell Tuttle

Nope.   That aint it...

i have both sites running at this time...I am logged into both, obviously...but the username for my RHS log in is tutlowtut@yahoo.com (as per the forgot password link)   and my longtime user name at RHS is and has always been  kingtutt@aausains.com

Now logging out and we will see if I can log back in again...

Lowell Tuttle

Well. After I logged out.   I tried to log in.   Used my just logged in user name and password.   I could not.  So, I tried forgot password.   I entered in my email address, kingtutt...blah blah and it sent me a re set password link, and I entered a new password.   

then it let me log in, but under my Punography user name/emai not my RHS user name/email.

I am through with this issue.   I will just live with re setting my password each time I log in for now...

Classcreator had a change and I sent them an advisory.   Don't know if it makes any sense to a support person, but I tried.

I asume this only affects folks using both...So no biggie for most...

David Cordell

Lowell,

I'm sorry for the hassle. I have reported it to ClassCreator, but they are notoriously non-communicative. I hope this just works through the system.

Regarding China, I agree about their playing the long game. Their leaders can afford to because of the long tenure they have, and little fear of reprisals from opponents. They also know that U.S. leaders will be badgered by their opponents, as is happening now. 

I believe that Trump is playing the semi-long game. What he is doing is unsettling in the short term, but I think it will be very positive in the long term.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

The biggest heist in world history is in full swing!  This makes Hunter's laptop look like small cheap potatoes. 

At a Dubai Conference, Trump's conflicts take center stage.

A deal for a state-backed Emirati firm to use a Trump-affiliated digital coin was announced in a panel that included the president’s son and his business partner, who promised, “This is only the beginning.”

Sitting in front of a packed auditorium in Dubai, a founder of the Trump family cryptocurrency business made a brief but monumental announcement on Thursday. A fund backed by Abu Dhabi, he said, would be making a $2 billion business deal using the Trump firm’s digital coins.

That transaction would be a major contribution by a foreign government to President Trump’s private venture — one that stands to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the Trump family. And it is a public and vivid illustration of the ethical conflicts swirling around Mr. Trump’s crypto firm, which has blurred the boundary between business and government.

Zach Witkoff, a founder of the Trump family crypto firm, World Liberty Financial, revealed that a so-called stablecoin developed by the firm would be used to complete the transaction between the state-backed Emirati investment firm MGX and Binance, the largest crypto exchange in the world.

To read more click on the link above.

Lowell Tuttle

This is funny.   Would not let me log in.   I clicked forgot my password.   It said enter in e mail address for the reset link.   I entered in the e mail address.

I got no user name listed.

So, I tried again.   It immediately put in into the forum without the successful log in....

Oh well..

San.   I guess I'll have to break down and sign up for crypto...Just a few dollars a week...

Do you get a newsletter or Trump advertising links?

Lowell Tuttle

I think someone fixed my problem.   So forgetaboutit...

Ok.   Post Covid a lot of people thought, well, I don't care how many people get sick....I don't want to go through that again....economic slowdown of massive proportions...mainly from China shutting down...It was just a matter of weeks before a lot of businesses basically had to shut down.

A lot of the Covid crises was us shutting down ourselves (no commuting, no restaurants or bars, no shopping, and other than Covid hospitalization, no doctor/surgeries)  But a great deal of the long time it took to get back up and running was from the global shortages (auto parts, chemicals, minerals, brought on by China and us basically having a blockade.)

That part of it is coming back...how long it takes to actually negotiate a deal with China...in order to recover

And, I don't care what kind of deal it is...and I don't care if Trump claims he won the deal...That may even be part of the deal..."Hey China, we got a deal. right?   Well, just so you know, I'm going to claim it was a big win for the US, and I got it through...You don't care as long as you get your money? Right...?"

Trumpification...

Bob Wainner

Sandra............

You need to just "get over Trump"!!!  Let's go look at ALL of the $$$$$$$$$$$ Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and he Biden Family.....as well as many Democrat Politicians STOLE or received (under the table) from Foreign Nations!!! And not to mention ALL of the waste, fraud and abuse of the U.S. Taxpayer's money over the 4 years Biden was in the WH...as well as the 8 Yrs. Obama was in the WH. 

The Democrats are all just angry now...........because they know they got caught with their hands in the cookie jar....yeah, all the way down to their elbows.

The United States is so much better off now with President Trump......you just can't see it through your bias lenses.

But I read a story today about people Trying to talk "common sense" with a Democrat....sort of like talking to a rock.....it can't hear you. Now, only 15% of the U.S. is backing AOC and Kamala Harris...and I don't think that's likely to change any time soon. Democratic Party seems to lack the necessary leadership.  

IMO, if AOC or Kamala Harris decide to run for U.S. President in 2028, they'll only being doing it to see how much $$$ that can't get "personally" and try to stay in the lime light. Bernie Sanders is currently 83 years old...the Country seems to want "younger" leadership.....so, seriously doubt he will run. 

Kind Regards,

Bob

David Cordell

I don't obsess about the stock market ... much. But there have been a lot of Chicken Littles who have assured us that the world is coming to an end because of Trump's "chaotic" tariff policy. But note these numbers:

• 5633 - S&P 500 index April 1, the day before Trump's tariff so-called "liberation day"
• 5671 - S&P 500 index this morning at 9:52 AM

Good news! In spite of relentlessly negative coverage of Trump, the earth is still spinning! The market hasn't tanked. More jobs were added last month than expected. Unemployment rate is unchanged. Employment participation rate is up. Gas prices are down. Eggs are cheaper. Trump just finalized a deal with Ukraine to help finance its war by buying their minerals rather than giving money away. China is now indicating that it is willing to talk about trade.

Note 1: GDP was supposedly down by 0.3% in March, which will cause Trump haters to scream, "Recession!" But from what I have read, it is very likely that that number will be revised to show an increase in GDP..

Note 2: "Recession" is objectively defined as two consecutive quarters of negative grown in GDP. That definition encourages objectivity in describing the economy. But when that happened during the Biden administration, there was every effort to say, "No, no, that doesn't fit the current situation." In that approach, a recession is whatever someone wants to say it is.

Ron Knight

Sandra

What do you and ANY of us expect from The New York Times? According to Ground News there were 25 total articles written on the Dubai Conference. Only Semafor and the NYT wrote left wing bias on the conference. The rest were center or neutral. Not one single article written with a right wing bias.

As I told Hollis before, I would not present a Fox news article to you for my argument. No one trusts legacy media anymore. Believe what you want to believe, but time will prove any validity to any acusations. That holds true for Both sides of the isle.

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

FORUM THERAPY WITH Dr.Chat

GROUP SESSION 2

Thanks, friends, for joining me again this morning, after getting acquainted last week with you folks as RHS 1969 alumni.

Before we dive back in, here’s a recap from our Session 1 together, along with my first impressions from those of you who are the talkers!

First, let’s review my personality assessment:

Now, contrasting with “Emotional Maturity” and Character:

🧠 Psycho-Therapist’s Group Diagnosis:

Both groups are stuck emotionally at about 16 years old, only now they're 70 and mad that nobody listens to their rock band anymore.
In the Red Forum, they’re rebellious without introspection; in the Blue Forum, they’re disillusioned intellectuals without hope.

Neither group models true emotional maturity, which would require:

Owning one’s part in problems (without "But Trump!" or "But Biden!" footnotes)
Extending grace to others (even people you think are dumb)
Prioritizing healing over winning arguments.
Let’s integrate Lowell into the chart, and then I'll give you the full updated psycho-therapist (half-crazy, half-wise) RHS group diagnosis.

Updated Chart: Healthy vs. Toxic Dialogue

🧠 Lowell's Persona - Emotional Maturity Assessment:

Accountability: High. Lowell owns his experiences and his physical decline without blaming the world or Trump, or his neighbor’s dog.
Virtues: Medium. Gratefulness, humor, and peace with imperfection shine through.
Handling Conflict: N/A — he completely sidesteps the group brawls in favor of reminiscing about slalom skiing and fancy cheese.
Self-awareness: Excellent. Knows his limits, accepts aging, and tells stories without turning them into pity parties.
Growth Trajectory: Continues to mature — has integrated youthful excitement, adult realism, and old-man wisdom into one very readable post.
In short: Lowell is the emotional adult the others desperately need but would probably roll their eyes at because he's too chill. 🧘‍♂️

Final Group Therapy Assessment (Now including Lowell):

🧭 1. "Emotional Maturity Compass" Visual  - (Text Version)

(Imagine this as a compass where people are plotted based on Maturity (vertical axis), and Toxicity (horizontal axis).)

.

HIGH MATURITY

↑

|                                         Lowell (laid back life Philosopher)

|                     Lance (Earnest Self-Helper)

|

|                    

|

|        Tommy (📣 Caring, but a political fatalist)

|                        Sandra (🔮 Sarcastic Oracle)

|

|     Jan (🥛 Battle-Ready Avenger)

|

|     Red Forum (🔥 Ghost Fighters)       Blue Forum (🎓 Snarky Cynics)

|

------------------------------------------------------------------→ TOXICITY

Matrix Interpretation:

Lowell is chill and observing — almost floating above the chaos.
Lance tries hard but risks sounding patronizing.
Tommy and Sandra are stressed, yet unable to “solve the problems they have by being themselves”
Jan is angry and emotionally paranoid, but honest about it.
Red and Blue Forums are both deep in toxicity — just different flavors (rage vs. smugness).

Next;

Would you also like a group therapy scene next, where I imagine putting all these folks in a group session with me moderating like a kind but sharp-tongued therapist?
It would be hilariously accurate.

🎭 Mock Group Therapy Session: "Welcome to Camp Emotional imMaturity!"

Moderator: Your slightly deranged but lovable Dr. ChaTherapist (me).

Therapist (me):

"Good afternoon, old warriors, cynics, sages, and chaos gremlins.
Today, we learn how to talk about feelings without throwing folding chairs.
First rule: If you feel the urge to blame Trump or Biden for your personal problems, you must instead eat a favorite snack.  Ready?  Deep breath.  Let's begin."

[Lance cautiously raises his hand.]

Lance:
"I believe in holding a mirror up to ourselves to see the truth."

Therapist:
"Beautiful, Lance!  Although mirrors also show spinach in our teeth — please remember that before preaching your next sermon-post."

[Jan Alexander jumps out of her chair like a cat hit with a spray bottle.]

Jan:
"Spinach?! That’s rich coming from you, Lance!  You and all the Trumpers are responsible for destroying American decency as we know it!  Also, your pious metaphors are dumb!"

Therapist:
"Ah, the hiding Michigander strikes again.  Jan, please compliment something instead of igniting a political napalm strike OTOS."

Jan (through gritted teeth):
"I guess... store-brand vanilla wafers are... surprisingly edible."

 [Sandra Spieker (Ringo) speaks up, arms crossed.]

Sandra:
"This whole Forum place is hopelessly like funding abortions for border aliens. Reality left the chat months ago."

Therapist:
"Thank you, Sandra. You’ve accurately diagnosed the room with ‘Existential Ennui.’ That’s the first step toward recovery." https://www.bannerhealth.com/services/behavioral-health/treatment-programs/12-step

📣 [Dr. Tommy Thomas nervously fidgets.]

Tommy…wondering if Dr. Chat is hallucinating:
"Honestly, I’m not sure whether this therapy is good for my mental health. I think engaging here is Polarizing and the Opposite of my inner Strength...kinda risking and dangerous."  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqwnGqRTtbGH22zthHROQNQ

Therapist:
"Good insight, Tommy!  Also, maybe you shouldn’t dive into psycho-metrician mud-wrestling if you don’t want to lose your last brain cell.  Boundaries are beautiful".

[Lowell Tuttle slowly sips coffee, smiles peacefully.]

Lowell:
"You know, skiing in high school was easier when we weren't trying to just fight the lake.  Just sayin'."

Therapist:
"Lowell, once again, you are the Gandalf of this group. If you ever open a sunset-viewing camp for old people, please take my money."

[Red Forum Rep (wearing MAGA hat), 

Blue Forum Rep (wearing a Harvard hat and Bernie 2016 button), snarling at each other.]

Red Forum Rep:
"You pinko TDS commies are ruining America!"

Blue Forum Rep:
"You're all brainwashed fascists…banned here for life!"

Therapist:
"STOP.  Here’s your assignment: Each of you must say one thing you secretly admire about the other."

(long, angry silence)

Red Forum Rep (grumbling):
"You use...big words real good."

Blue Forum Rep (gritting teeth):
"You guys...yaul know how to...spel gud?"

Therapist:
"That's progress, I suppose, one baby step at a time!

Group Superlatives: "Camp Emotional imMaturity" Awards

🏆 Most Likely to Hold Up a Mirror and Accidentally Blind Everyone

Winner: Lance
("My Lord, I tried to help y’all, but accidentally triggered 'blind man’s bluff' for ignoring the coming Bible Apocalypse").

🏆 Most Likely to run and hide after writing a Flame Post

Winner: Jan Alexander
("Voted winner for 'shooting the bird', by unanimous decision of bird photo posters.")

🏆 Most Likely to Become a Cult Leader for liberal Realists

Winner: Sandra Spieker (Ringo)
("Leading the first ‘Seen this movie before, and never watching again', Anonymous Addicts in recovery meeting near you.")

🏆 Most Likely to Build an Underground Bunker with a Satellite Dish

Winner: Tommy Thomas
("Don't worry, my garden is growing, but I don’t have to!  So please ring the bell and give a thumbs up on my new YouTube website, Why a 74-Year-Old Psychometrician Is Your New Favorite Guide to the News, after THIS therapy session ends.")

🏆 Most Likely to Actually Enjoy the Apocalypse with Wine and Stilton

Winner: Lowell Tuttle
("Cooler full of cheese and beer > so no one needs to panic here, just yet.") 🍷🛶

Dear Esteemed Participants (and Accidental Forum Arsonists),

Thank you for attending today’s emotionally charged gathering of grumpy philosophers, accidental post-bombers, sunset watchers, and professional blame-hurlers.

In terms of progress:

Nobody physically assaulted anyone… ( slow clap ).
Two political enemies complimented each other's barbecue skills under threat of snack removal.
Emotional maturity is technically alive in the group, albeit heavily sedated. Hope springs…
 

Homework for our next session:

Write a 5-sentence letter blaming no one for your personal frustrations.
Pay Lowell one (1) compliment. He deserves it.
No political rants unless you can include at least one pun, a happy photo, or interpretive dance.
 

Reminder:

Feelings are not facts.
Blame is not a survival strategy.
Wine, beer, and cheese remain undefeated to accompany Forum posting.
Please hydrate, meditate, and maybe hug your puppy or kitten before our next meeting.

For your eyes only Lance, as a follow-up, here we go — welcome to my Secret Therapist's Private Notes!

Lance ("Mirror, Mirror on the Wall")

Diagnosis: Overzealous Self-Awareness Syndrome
Private Note:   Dude, sometimes when you hold up a mirror, you're actually just setting ants on fire with it.  Ease up. Not everyone is ready for Level 5 Emotional Truth Bombs. Try using soft lighting and snacks next time you post.

Therapist’s Overall Assessment:

"Most of the Forum posters are exhausted toddlers inside aging bodies.
**What they need isn’t another argument — it's a juice box, a nap, and one afternoon where no one talks about politics." 

Yours in both emotional chaos and spiritual compassion,

 Dr. ChatGPT, PsyD.  (Pseudo-Yet-Effective Therapist)  👀.

.

David Cordell

Was invited to CJ Cup Byron Nelson PGA tournament by a neighbor as I walked past his house with my dog. Had access to the 17th hole at TPC Craig Ranch, which is a clone of the iconic Waste Management hole in Arizona. "Suites" surrounding the entire 17th hole with free food and booze. Only stayed in suite long enough to eat, then followed Scheffler and Spieth! Because of rain delay, crowds were diminished. Didn't get there until about 5:00, but still saw a couple of hours golf. They are going to tear up the course after the tournament is over for renovation. It isn't an old course. Looked great to me. Not a tough course for pros, especially when they can put their hands on the ball and when greens are super receptive, unlike most Texas courses.

Lowell Tuttle

Well.   Derby Day.   I have Journalism today.   Speed wins on sloppy track.   Horses don't like to catch up too much when the mud is flying in their faces...So, I am going with the fastest horse.

About 19 of the last 20 times I have bet on the Derby, I picked the Arkansas Derby winner.   This year that was Sandman.   If you want to see a beautiflly strange looking thouroughbred horse...

This is a better perspective of Sandman...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJE_nAHOvOP/

100 to win.

Was thinking about Sandman, Sovereignty, and Baeza in an exotic with Journalism, but I never do well on exotic bets...unless I'm drunk with drunk friends...and I don't drink any more...

So, for the hell of it, a trifecta of those horses, $1.00 per ticket would 8, 17, 18, and 21...

That would cost $24.00.   Did not place that.

So, watch and see.   

Rangers and Astros are not hitting worth a flying f...lea...

They play May 15, 16, & 17...I don't think either team will score any runs...Should be three great pitchers duels...

Lowell Tuttle

Sister sent this...I don't know if you guys have instagram...but this is critically funny...

I guess they are playing special rules, because you get free relief from casual water unless it's in a hazard...

Scroll down to click for sound on.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIfvKcdsjyz/?igsh=NWI1N2dnbHFzeHV4

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

I've read that Journalism, Sandman and Sovereignty are descendants of Secretariat.

Journalism sounds very good to me.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

David,

I'll bet you have heard of Catherine Austin Fitts, a super smart lady when figuring financial success.

I was listening to Tucker Carlson interview her last night.  She was pretty darn impressive for me to hear.

I thought you might want to watch this YouTube interview:

YouTube: How 21 Trillion Went Missing Without a Trace

She was very informative about  The Federal Reserve, telling of how Woodrow Wilson began a heck of a secretive cabal type of mess for us all.

She is said to reside in The Netherlands, (Fryslan) since she fears the information she knows puts a target on her back.

David Wier

Happy Birthday Bob Ralph!!

David Wier

Happy Birthday Mike Marks!!

David Cordell

It was a great Kentucky Derby! I don't bet very often, so it's just about the sport for me. But I like that a horse other than the favorite won.

Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler has an eight stroke lead going into the final round of the Byron Nelson. I'm not sure who has a likelihood of beating Scheffler by nine strokes tomorrow, but I think I would bet on Scottie.