Statues of Liberty?

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These statues were just erected over this weekend in Alabama. This is to help all of us be reminded about slavery, lynchings, and how oppressive America was.

But wait a minute…

I thought we just went through a liberating revolution of ripping down statues of people that were reminding us of slavery, lynchings, and oppression? One statue of Abraham Lincoln was even burned. The man that actually freed the slaves. This is where we are as a people.

My point is that we should try to be consistent as a culture. The destruction of the statues was never about Robert E. Lee. He was just a justification to try and tear ALL of the real history about America to shreds.

I don’t wish to offend anyone. Slavery is disgusting in any form. Just get people thinking about how we are moving as a society.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna869686

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(May 1st 2018) Chief Kevin Thacker #Himtoo

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May 1st 2018 – #Himtoo

Sandy Mayor Fires Police Chief for Giving Hugs? Or to cover up a real sexual scandal involving his buddy?

The last several days I’ve been trying to connect the dots on a case that has been troubling on my mind and heart. Years ago, after my gun and badge were taken for discrimination and my story was all over national news, I was a disaster. Of course, I was guilty, right? I was in the news, it had to be true!

Later, I met an incredible man named Chief Kevin Thacker of the Sandy City Police Department. 35 Years on the job. His reputation was always good. Not normal for a chief of police.

You could tell this guy was different than most chiefs I had ever met. He even told me he didn’t want the job as Chief at first, and definitely didn’t seek after it. A humble man. He was genuine and very concerned about my case. When I met him, he asked how my family was doing. He gave me comfort at the time. He asked questions that someone who actually cared about people would ask.

Well, I just read a story about how he was fired. I knew something was off after reading. Especially the way the Mayor was grandstanding the case. Not one, but three press conferences. Why three? Isn’t one enough?

Chief Thacker’s name was drug in the mud and all over the news for being some kind of sexual predator. The Mayor of Sandy, Kurt Bradburn said they need to give the people “Trasparency” and that’s why he was placed on leave weeks before he fired him. And that’s why the mayor needed to do the press shows, because of “transparency”. Ok. The Mayor said Thacker “engaged in inappropriate touching and unprofessional conduct with employees.”

What was the inappropriate conduct? What was the police chiefs crime?

Hugs…….(Very long pause) This isn’t a joke. Hugs. The man was fired for giving people hugs.

Now, this man’s 35 yr incredible career has come to this. People trying to equate him with the #metoo movement. No. No. And No. . https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46307345&nid=148

“By swiftly dealing with this issue, I hope we have upheld public trust and sent the message that this behavior won’t be tolerated by my administration,” The Mayor added.

However, nobody put in an official complaint about the case. What? That’s right. From what I am reading, nobody actually turned the chief in. Why? Because they were hugs. Many of the people in his office he hugged didn’t even want to testify at all. They loved him. Nobody had a real problem with it until the Mayor made a problem out of it.

But why would the Mayor do such a thing?

What I have recently discovered is that the Mayor, Kurt Bradburn, (oh ya the same guy who gave himself a 15K raise on the first day of being Mayor and was all over the news) failed to mention that his Chief City Admin Officer, Matthew Huish, actually had a formal sexual harassment open case against him.

He sent several “unprofessional” emails late in the evening to a female staffer. His text to her said..

“Of course! I ALWAYS have time for YOU! :-)” or “I’m not a man who is easily dissuaded, so expect to see me trying again soon! Haha” during a time when the two kept missing each other while trying to meet at work. Another said, “Hey Girl, (is that an HR violation?)”

Clearly Huish knew he was truly crossing lines. Why would he say “Is this an HR violation”?

Why didn’t the Mayor bring that little tid bit out in the name of transparency? Wouldn’t that have been an important side-note for everyone during one of the three press side-shows for the state to hear about destroying Thackers reputation? https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46311422&nid=148

A few questions…

Why, if transparency is such a big deal, did an actual sexual harassment claim and case just get a tiny headline today? Today? They have been investigating this for a while now. But AFTER Thacker was blasted in the news? And why, don’t we know the name of this city official in the KSL article? In fact, The heading says, “Sandy Administrator Cleared After Investigation.” Doesn’t say anything juicy about “sexual harassment” in his case. Like he did to Thacker. Shouldn’t we be consistent Mayor Bradburn in being transparent?

People of Sandy… It sounds like you need to start asking some tough questions. And it sounds like the Mayor is willing to destroy someone else’s life and reputation to possibly cover up a lot bigger problem with his buddies in office.

I can almost guarantee this Mayor will be in the news again, and it will be for a lot more than giving himself a 15K raise. Mark my words. I’m not for litigating as the go-to, but I hope Thacker lights the City of Sandy up with the biggest defamation case possible. They handled two cases that were supposedly the same, completely different. Dirty politics. But yet so clear to see. Time will only reveal more.

This is why politics will destroy lives. How many people can I throw under the bus to get to the top? This is why we need to elect moral and ethical leaders who know how to do the right thing, for the right reason. Sandy City, Wake Up.

Oh and.. I actually remember Thacker giving me a hug, and guess what, it wasn’t uncomfortable at all. A man hug. I think we not only need more guys like Thacker in our world, but we need a lot more hugs, too.

This article below needs to read, “Sandy has second sexual-harassment that was actually the first and only.”

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/05/01/sandy-has-a-second-sexual-harassment-investigation-of-a-city-official-staff-chief-is-cleared/

 

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Loving Liberty Interview with Bryan Hyde

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https://m.soundcloud.com/user-944114873/05-10-2018-loving-liberty-with-bryan-hyde-and-eric-moutsos?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook

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Ramen Noodle Love & My Car Keys

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Does anyone have a child that’s a little too independent and wants to do everything on their own?

Yesterday after succumbing to my 6 year old wanting to eat cup-o-noodles for breakfast, I felt defeated. Then, I tried to justify it. This is an incredibly balanced meal, with like 5 corn kernels, 3 petrified peas, and tiny chewy pieces of cat, I’m sure. Protein right? And Mom wasn’t around to see this go down. So I went for it.

However, I did put my foot down with the idea of her heating the noodles by herself. I didn’t want her dealing with scolding hot water cup-o-noodles needs. That water will melt your face off.

After a huge debacle because she wanted to pour the hot water, and not me, she finally broke down and wouldn’t eat anything. Not sugar cereal, nothing. So I sent her to school upset with a hungry belly and tears down rolling her cheeks. The look she gave me before she left was kinda scary. Almost like “I’m going to get you.”

Hours later I realized I couldn’t find my car keys. I had a sales meeting. I searched forever. Went through the entire house 3 times and nothing. Over and over. Started in a corner and dug through my entire house. I was a sweaty mess. I finally threw up my hands up and asked heaven for help. I then had a thought to call the front desk to summon my 6 year old at school.

“Hi miss so-and-so, is Rachel Moutsos there?, this is her Dad.” “Yes Mr. Moutsos, let me call her to the front desk.”

“Hi Dad” a little voice comes on. “Rachel, do you happen to know where my keys are?” Long pause. “Umm Yes” she said quietly. “Where are they, Rachel?” “Umm in the back of my night stand drawer.” “Why did you put them there, Rachel?” “Because I was mad at you.” Me… very long pause. “Thank you Rachel, please don’t ever do that again okay, I love you.” “Okay Dad, love you, bye.”

After she said I love you, my blood went down to room temperature and I could breath again. I originally was thinking to drive down to the school to scold, but truly, I was so happy to have my keys. And I felt like if I would have scolded her, she would never tell me where they were next time. We now trust each other, right? Plus, if I would have scolded, the look I saw before school showed she would get more revenge. These kids now days plot. These kids will execute. And they will destroy you.

Later today when I see her, I think we will have a nice loving and emotional talk about the consequences and realities of missing important appointments of a strait commission sales job.

Can you imagine what God must think when we dig our heals in when He is just trying to help us? All because He loves us and doesn’t want us to get burned by the scolding hot water predicaments we get ourselves into? Yep. We are all little children.

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Not Worth It, I Promise.

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I’ve just heard of yet another marital affair with someone I know well. This last one really upset me. Is it just me or does anyone else notice more of a trend in this lately?

A few quick questions if you are having an affair or are planning to have one… and I say this with love…

Do you really think you will get away with it?

If the answer is yes, you’re mistaken and lying to yourself. You will get caught. Sooner than later.

And let’s say you somehow get away with it for a year or two, how long until your conscience will catch up to you?

The answer is very quickly once the emotions die down and reality sets in. You can run but you can’t hide. Especially from God, in this life or the next.

And last, do you understand the mental, physical, and spiritual destruction you will or are causing in the lives of people that love you?

There is nothing worse. I would rather see someone I love die physically, than die spiritually. Nothing worse.

I hope this didn’t offend anyone who is working through anything like this in their marriage, it’s not my intent. Families can overcome this devastation. Many do and become stronger. But many many don’t. The consequences are tremendous.

I just want you to know that the few fake seconds of the physical lust you feel isn’t worth ruining your life, or the lives of those around you. Even the long term emotional attachments to one that is not you’re spouse, not worth it. The devil is out full force right now. And nobody is immune. It can happen to anyone.

Love your spouse and be faithful. Even in the hardest and darkest times. The light and love will shine again if you’re both willing.

The good news is God can fix it if we let Him. I know He can. We can never sink lower than His light can reach. It will be a battle, but it’s possible.

 

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Slow Progress

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I’ve heard so many times that the only person you should be better than, is the person you were yesterday. It’s never rang true to me. I’ll tell you why…

I believe it’s an unrealistic possibility. There are days, weeks, and even years where I feel extremely way behind from the person I was before. Physically, mentally and spiritually. However, some days I feel on top of the world.

Many days, I’m just barely hanging on for dear life. A lot worse off than I was the day before. A lot worse than yesterday, not better.

I believe life is more like the four seasons. With very few extremely great perfect days of spring and fall. A lot of the time life is way too hot, or way too cold. And there’s nothing we can do to change the weather.

I think most of the time we are here in the world just trying to get out of the elements and survive. Are we becoming better? Maybe. Maybe becoming better in spiritual attributes like patience and love, but very very slowly. Then we fall back two steps. A lot worse than yesterday.

Dont beat yourself up if you’re not where you want to be yet. Especially as the world defines as “successful”. It’s just a lie. If you’re still here and trying, that’s a success.

I think we are here to learn and really understand the negative the universe has to offer in every form. Mixed with some excellent times. But few are far between. Just like the few great days in spring and fall.

I think the true answer to life is to just be grateful for each day, moment by moment, and try to see what it is God is teaching us in the next season he has. Trying to do what He would have us do moment to moment to moment. Most of the times one step up, and two steps back. And when we think we have it figured out, here comes the next season.

Besides, the moment we check the temperature of our own oven of happiness too soon, our cake falls, and we need to start again. It’s never even about us anyway. It’s about others.

Don’t try to get ahead. Again, try to be in the moment with gratitude. It’s hard but I think that’s a huge key to happiness. Even if we aren’t better than we were yesterday.

Just a few thoughts.

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