Better than all the rest! I asked the twenty something staff at Zen Bento if they were upset about the passing of Tina Turner. They did not disappoint, of course  “she was the best! “ The Queen of rock and roll. A performer who never forgot her roots and background and overcame so much adversity. For heavens sake, she taught Mick Jagger to dance-not so sure that is a career highlight. Tina staged a new career at 40 and kept on singing and dancing well into her sixties. We saw her perform in Boise on what I think was her last US Tour. A sold out crowd was not disappointed, the energy level and talent set her apart-Simply the Best. Tina lives on through her songs and the example she set for women in her industry and the world..

The picture is of the Kindergarten Graduation of Clio and Margie. What a great event.  The pledge of allegiance, three songs sung by the students with accompanying hand gestures and dancing, and a video montage of the year in review. Then the individual  walk to accept the Graduation certificate; caring teachers, proud students, parents and grandparents. Every child should feel the level of support experienced by these children through our Public Education system. Our school system works, better when parents are engaged but it adds great value regardless of socio economic status.

As I sat in an auditorium of 50 students and hundreds of well wishers, my mind wandered to the one year anniversary of the Uvalde school shooting. That event could happen anywhere at any time, including Boise, Idaho. No one is totally free from the misdirected hatred of a person in possession of an assault rifle.  When will our country find the will to curtail the growing threat to every community posed by firearms. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Uvalde.

Pledging the flag still resonates with me. Most days I am proud to be an American. I do fear too many of our fellow citizens have lost sight on the conclusion, “with liberty and justice for all.” I applaud Disney for taking a stand against the hateful policies recently put into law in Florida.   Budweiser’s light beer is boycotted  and used as target practice over an LGBTQ post that mentions it. Apple will launch its new Gay Pride watch band this week, while a major retailer is pulling a gay pride line of items because it is dangerous for their employees.  Come on people, we must raise our voices to stop the hate and discrimination.

Too long a message, I can hear Karen telling me. So, the debt ceiling is a big issue. The Republican’s are holding the country hostage. They raised the national debt in four years under the Orange disaster, more than Obama did in 8 years.  Not to say the country should not work back to fiscal reality but destroying the full faith and credit of our country is a loser for the USA and the world.

Enjoy the Memorial Day week end take a moment to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by our brave men and women in defense of our liberty.    Mike