Popular Culture What a joy it is to hold a culture in high esteem.   American popular culture though has some drawbacks.   Carl Bernstein (b. 1944), an investigative journalist of the Washington Post wrote, “The lowest form of popular culture – lack of information, misinformation, disinformation and a contempt for the truth or the reality of most people’s lives – has overrun real journalism.”   Americans find these shortcomings in sensationalism, tabloids, pop music, and displays of some art forms.   All however is not lost.   But it takes acceptance of some basic ethical norms for cultural peddlers to live according to what is right.   Strange as it may seem, the media’s audience buy into what is presented.   Even good Americans fall victims to ubiquitous displays of cultural distortions.   Some may say, “Everyone is watching salacious material, so why can’t I? It gives me pleasure.”   But people must realize they are victims of s...

  Civil Rights Civil rights in the United States have a rather interesting history, but it is a story about our society’s future.   In the 1960’s, the Civil Right Act was passed.   The American Congress made it possible for these laws to be implemented that would have far-reaching effects.   Through this act it was possible to inspect voter registration rolls, prohibit discrimination on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.   It ensured there was equity in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.   Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 – 2000), a national poet wrote, “When you use the term minority or minorities in reference to people, you’re telling them that they’re less than somebody else.”   In the world’s faiths love is the greatest virtue, and there should be no distinction with the races of humankind.     The Civil Rights Movement’s (1955–1968) aim was to abolish discrimination.  Its success saw greater sensitivities with diver...

  Book Promotional Groups I have attempted to promote my books for free in these groups. But no way do I intend to spend money to advertise. After all, I am only writing in retirement as a hobby. This is what gives me purpose and pleasure. I am not looking to sell many books. But I am perfectly happy to utilize freebies online for my purposes. This was my goal in joining a few promotional groups for authors. However, I have not found these groups to be helpful. Basically, they are impossible to access in any meaningful way. The groups are crowded with lots of lofty promises, and are not quite cut out to be what they are. Their promotions seem to be more hype than substance.

  A Weekly Encounter – Available: https://www.amazon.com/author/erwinthomas   A Weekly Encounter: Fifty-Two Meditations of Hope by Erwin K Thomas is a carefully crafted and meant to bring joy to those desirous of growing in the Christian faith. Through this devotional God's promises, blessings, and future hope are lifted for those seeking solace and peace of mind. These meditations are guides to a weekly walk in an individual’s prayer life. R eaders will be comforted by biblical verses, quotes from well-known, and famous personalities. These will touch and enlighten their social, cultural, and spiritual quests.   They will gain insights of the thinking of historical figures like Thomas Jefferson, Eleanor Roosevelt, William Shakespeare, John F. Kennedy, Pope Francis, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Billy Graham, Desmond Tutu, Aristotle, Voltaire, Confucius and more. In their own colorful style, they will capture the grandiose nature of a loving God. ...

  Ever-Present Time Time is of the essence. People live by it. They make major plans. It’s all based on their timing.   Where do people live? How do they pass their time? How much do they learn? Only time will tell.   To some, every second counts. Others look at minutes. But most live according to hours. They savor the seasons of the year.   At work it’s all about time. On trips a clock is important. Then, there’s some time to play. And the glorious days often rush by.   But what should people do? Does time control their lives? Are they regulated by a clock? Time is ever-present in their lives.    

  Aloe Vera Plant O behold the green aloe with succulent stems. It is Godsend. People view this plant as an angel. Strangers – ordinary folk, gardeners, and farmers grow this plant. They try to nurture it the right way, and that is what they share with nature. Aloe Vera must be watered infrequently to discourage rot.   The aloe needs six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, and there must be sandy soil if the plant is grown outdoors. If the tips of the aloe become brown it is a problem with too much watering. This plant even grows well indoors with indirect sunlight, but still growers must check the soil for rotten roots.   Aloe Vera is an angel because of its life-generating properties, and it is a popular ingredient in South Asian dishes. It can be eaten raw or cooked. And what else is this plant good for? For centuries it has been used as a tropical skin cream. It is a laxative that helps individuals with constipation. ...

  Personal (*Dfurstane) Spiritual Beliefs 1)   Spiritual beliefs are always evolving, and like nature nothing remains the same. 2)   God is the Universal Spirit, infinite, and unchangeable in wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.   3)   God is predictable, unpredictable, and mysterious. 4)   This Timeless Spirit is the glue that holds all Universal Manifestations together. 5)   By the Eternal Spirit all beings, structures, and elements were created. 6)   On entering the world via the Creator, all living and non-living beings take some form, and at the end of their existence their consciousness becomes invisible again. 7)   The health and consciousness of all living things are predetermined. 8)   Sin is a human construct, but there is “good” and “bad” in the world that are different sides of the same coin. 9)   Prayer is diverse.   It involves thoughts, deeds, physical exercises, and works. 1...