The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

Whether or not Donald Trump is convicted of a crime, the man has made himself look guiltier than a dog in front of a broken jar of cookies. Due to this, he's made it increasingly more difficult for me to believe he's innocent of any crime. What innocent person would go to such lengths to dissuade an investigator from ultimately proving their innocence? None that I know. Let's look at what Donald Trump has said or done since Robert Mueller was named the Special Counsel to the Russia investigation. - He literally asked Russia, on national television, for Hillary Clinton's missing emails. - He fired FBI Director James Comey. - He fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions. - He's continually changed his story regarding his connections with Vladimir Putin and Russia. - He's continually changed his story when it comes to the Trump Tower meeting. - He's been caught lying about the investigation and investigators from the outset. - He's increasingly att...

Just last night, I spoke to a friend about a date he had the other night. It was a blind date a mutual friend of theirs had sent them up on. They had talked over the phone and texted quite a bit over the course of the past week, things appeared to be going very well, and she even told him how great she thought he was and that she really liked him. While he thought the date went really well (it was actually her idea) and they had tentative plans for a follow-up date, she texted him with the message, "I think you're a great guy, but I don't really see this going anywhere." Ah, the ol' "...but..." line. The "...but..." line never seems to go out of style, does it? Like my friend, I've heard this line uttered to me on a number of occasions. It's as if people feel that they're being nice by using the line - that it will lighten the blow and rid them of the guilt that goes along with the rejection. - "You're really nice, BUT ...

It seems that every time radio show host Rush Limbaugh opens his mouth, he further proves the title of Al Franken's book, Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot . This was yet again the case when the conservative talk show host spoke to listeners about the death of actor/comedian Robin Williams, saying the following: "What is the left's world view in general? If you had to attach, not a philosophy, but an attitude to a leftist world view. It's one of pessimism, and darkness, sadness. They're never happy, are they?" He added: "[Liberals] are animated in large part by the false promises of America, because the promises of America are not for everyone. He had it all, but he had nothing. Made everyone else laugh, but was miserable inside. It fits a certain picture or a certain image that the left has. [I'm] talking about low expectations and general unhappiness." Lastly, Limbaugh uttered the following: "Robin Williams felt guilty that he was...

While I'm by no means a fan of confrontation, especially in relationships (dating, friendships, or otherwise), it is essential at times to either check the status of a relationship or to move it forward in one manner or another. However, I've noticed two common problems with these confrontations: 1) Some people refuse to engage in such discussions, and 2) When confronted on an issue, many refuse to completely own up to their mistakes. While I understand the mindset of those in group 1, as I've come to learn, the longer people ignore problems in a relationship, the more likely it is that said problems will come back to bite them somewhere down the line. As the saying goes, the first step to solving a problem is admitting one exists. If one doesn't admit this problem, how will he or she know one is present, and how will they then tackle and defeat said problem? It would be strange to hear someone say they enjoy confrontation, but whether or not we enjoy it, it's nec...

Mikhail Kalashnikov, creator of the AK-47, seemed to express little regret over his invention throughout his years. However, a recently published letter he wrote to the head of Russia's Orthodox church not long before his death may showcase otherwise. Kalashnikov, who died last month at the age of 94, wrote the following to Patriarch Kirill: - "My spiritual pain is unbearable. I keep asking the same insoluble question. If my rifle deprived people of life then can it be that I ... a Christian and an orthodox believer, was to blame for their deaths? ... The longer I live, the more this question drills itself into my brain and the more I wonder why the Lord allowed man the devilish desires of envy, greed, and aggression." I wonder if Wayne LaPierre and other NRA leaders will feel something similar when death stares them in the eyes. It may be easier to reflect and admit one's mistakes when lying on their death bed, but that doesn't undo those very mistakes, whi...

Why does "abortion" trump all other issues for many such voters it seems (along with gay marriage for some)? Are there not other issues to which we could cherry pick, regardless of the candidate or which party he or she belonged to, which we could deem as not "Christian"? What's more "Christian"? Wanting to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with attempting to work things out diplomatically with Iran or to not want to end those before-mentioned wars and seeming to be a bit more eager in adding another with regard to Iran? What's more "Christian"? Wanting each and every person, regardless of age, gender, race, orientation, creed, etc. to have an equal opportunity when it comes to education, employment and making something of themselves in this country or to place the middle- and lower-classes of Americans at the bottom of the priority ladder and the wealthiest at the very top, claiming that their wealth will trickle down to t...

So, I got into an interesting conversation last night. As usual with this person, I took on the role as the shrink and her as my patient. This individual has even joked before about paying me for providing this very service. When we got to talking about her potential male dating prospects, she became more defensive than I've ever seen a person (well, it's close with one another - but I think even she pulls slightly ahead of him). Earning three degrees in psychology, this conversation both fascinated and frustrated me. While she was pointing out what she determined to be flaws of these two men and reasons why she was hesitant on pursuing anything with either of them, I reiterated her statements and build upon them to make an even stronger case that she should be careful with both, if not just totally dismiss them and look elsewhere. After these statements, she became Ms. Defensive and I found it intriguing at first, but later found it to be rather frustrating and annoying. H...

I'm sure most people after a certain age have been through at least one occasion with a friend when they're stuck in not knowing what to do or say to them. It's a difficult situation to be in sometimes. What does a "real" friend do? Does a "real" friend always stand by and support their friend's decision, regardless if they agree with it or not? Does a "real" friend make his or her voice known if they don't agree with said friend's decision? Is it possible to find a middle ground between those two options? It's so difficult, because I don't think there's really a singular right way to go about it. In the end, it's the other person making the decision. We, as friends, can say as much as we'd like and may very well wind up influencing a friend's final decision, yet in the end, they're the ones with the ultimate say. So is it really worth potentially damaging or losing a friendship by making your voice kno...

I know I'll likely be viewed as a holiday grump or Grinch or some may even claim that since I'm single on Valentine's Day, I'm just jealous of couples celebrating the day with one another. I can state with great clarity that the latter portion of that sentence is false. Even when I was dating, I held the same feelings about this very holiday. I find this day to be: Dull, unromantic, ridiculous and sad. Let me explain. I find it to be dull because I honestly don't see much excitement regarding the regular routine most couples go through year after year on February 14th. The man may deliver flowers (roses) to his girlfriend's/wife's workplace. On his way home from work, he may pick up a Hallmark card, some chocolates and a teddy bear, before possibly taking her out to eat. Some couples don't fall into this routine, but I know many who do and it makes me yawn just thinking about it. I'll skip to my claim that the holiday is ridiculous. It's a ca...

I just wrote about this, but something else just came to mind regarding the cliche - laziness. Whenever something bad happens or whenever facing a challenge, some may utter this line - "Well, you know, everything happens for a reason." This isn't a call to action. It's, "Don't give up. Stay the course, let the chips fall where they may and let God decide." Yup, that's it. Instead of trying to do something about the problem which is staring one in the face, just don't worry about it, for it's happening for a definite reason. The abuse that child suffered? No need to fret. It happened for a reason. Don't press charges to try and put the perpetrator in jail. Don't seek counseling. It'll be for the better in the end. The individual whom was killed by a drunk driver? It happened for a reason. They're in a better place now and you will be with them again when you too shall pass. There's really no need to fight against drun...

Innocence Lost Trusting of your protection, Trusting of your care, There to look after me, When my parents are away, There to make sure I’m safe, Make sure I eat, Make sure I do my homework, Make sure I sleep, My friend, My guardian, My neighbor, My babysitter, Silence then fills the room, A bitter cold enters, Darkness rapidly pervades, About to lose my innocence, Your voice is raised, More violent in action, Instructions are given, Feeling queasy and frightened, A knife against my throat, As I begin to tremble, Told to never tell a soul, Or my life would cease to be, Forever feeling guilty, For not fighting back, Thinking I could have done more, To have prevented the attack, Years have passed me by, Yet the memory still lingers, Wanting so desperately to go back, And see how life could’ve been different.

For about a year (as of 9 months ago), I was consistently communicating with a female from back home (Omaha). She and I never dated. We just considered ourselves "best friends." We felt comfortable talking to one another about anything, from politics to religion to our pasts to our relationships to our friends and family to our secrets. I've had some trust issues over the past 8 years, so it's been especially difficult for me to start and establish a genuine, complete friendship with another person. I've been able to make partial friends aplenty and acquaintances, but due to the trust issues and my reluctance in opening up much to another person, it made it very difficult for me to make what one would consider a "best friend". It took a while for me to find fully trust in this person, but once I finally let go, it felt great. It felt nice not being so guarded about opening up on certain things or having to over-analyze things before speaking. However, ...