WILL VIRGINITY MAKE A COMEBACK?

By the time Roe vs. Wade became the law of the land in 1970, I was already married, with three children. Consequently, I spent my entire adolescence and early twenties at a time when most girls were virgins. There was plenty of “making out” and “fooling around.” However, young women were dead set on preserving their virginity. Because a baby born out of wedlock was a disgrace–not only to the mother, but her entire family. Obviously, the fear of pregnancy was a powerful deterrent to pre-marital sex. Yes, some did get pregnant, which meant they had shotgun weddings or were sent off on long vacations to stay with faraway relatives. But after 1970, women could sleep around the same as men did, knowing they didn’t have to give birth if contraceptives failed. Now, that’s all liable to change. Will virginity make a comeback?

Reading obituaries of women over 80, and you will see that most of them married young. Co-eds met their husbands in college. If a guy wanted a regular bed partner, he was supposed to get married. How many college students get married today? Living together without the benefit of matrimony is the norm.

If you watch any of the streaming services like Netflix, you know that teenagers are expected to have sex as soon as they’re able. Men and women hook up with complete strangers . Comedian Amy Poehler once bragged in a magazine article that she’d had sex with countless men. She even described spotting a handsome man at an airport, finding a room to have very hot sex, then walking away without ever seeing him again. Did she worry about getting pregnant? Of course not.

Before I go any further, let me say that I’m definitely pro-choice. My husband was a campus minister who put his career and reputation on the line to help women get abortions when it was illegal in Indiana.. I don’t believe in having unwanted children, for obvious reasons.

However, before 1970, few had to worry about getting sexually transmitted diseases. And I’m not sure how I would have felt after a series of short term love affairs that didn’t end happily ever after. Men should prepare themselves: free sex will no longer be quite so free.

Some journalists report that people are starting to be afraid of having sex. So what’s going to happen in states where abortion is illegal? Will virginity make a comeback?

July 19, 2022July 18, 2022

CAN WE SURVIVE WW III?

I’m probably one of the few people left in this country who lived through World War II—beginning and end. I remember a childhood filled with horror stories about the holocaust, and the near annihilation of Europe . At the time, we were energy independent. Nevertheless, rationing was taken for granted—a fact of life. You could only use so much gas, drink so much coffee, and make so much chocolate cake, to name a few restrictions. But are most Americans ready for that once again? And more importantly, are they aware that their sons, brothers, and husbands could be drafted if this war spreads into Poland and Central Europe? Can we survive WW III?

Right now, we’re begging Saudi Arabia for oil. We are not energy independent. Yes, it would be great if we could eliminate fossil fuels in the next few years , but we might be throwing out the baby with the bath water.

All of our clothes come from China, a country that seemingly would rather see us under Soviet rule than keep us as a well paying customer. Whatever happened to clothes made here in the USA? Why is our trade deficit worsening, with imports increasingly exceeding our exports?

The politicians keep telling us that if Russia takes Ukraine, it could mean the beginning of World War Three. The beginning? Are you kidding? We’re already in it. When the USA , Central and Western European countries are providing arms to the Ukraine, we’re at war. The only thing that’s missing is boots on the ground. And that seems more and more likely.

Instead of focusing on climate change and other social issues, it seems to me we should put those dreams on hold , and face the reality of our situation. All of our national effort should focus on being self sufficient . Farmers, especially, should be supported by ample fuel and fertilizer. We probably ought to be stockpiling commodities right now.

Can we survive World War Three? Yes, we can. But it won’t be easy unless we’re self sufficient.

July 1, 2022July 1, 2022

6 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT

Once you’ve turned 80, you realize how many presidents you’ve known (or endured) in your lifetime. There are times when I think the country might do better without a president, because we’ve lasted through so many of their poor decisions and mistakes. Thankfully, they’ve done a few things right, which is probably one reason we’re still standing. Not sure if I’ll be around for the 2024 election, so just in case I’m not, I have a few suggestions for the next President of the United States of America.

6 suggestions for next president: Don't throw ketchup on the wall — 6 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT: #6 Don’t throw plates against the wall. Someone will have to clean up the ketchup.

#1. Don’t ride in an open convertible during a parade. Presidents used to do that all the time. I remember the thrill of looking into Dwight Eisenhower’s beautiful blue eyes on one of his visits to Chicago. However, it didn’t work out well for John F. Kennedy in Dallas. .

#2. Bury the tapes. If you’re going to do something so foolish as to break into the opposing party’s election headquarters, for heaven’s sake, hide the evidence. Nixon thought he was preserving an important part of history by saving all of his conversations regarding Watergate. But the tapes came back to bite him. If the next president tries such a break-in, it will be much more complicated. He’ would have to erase all the text messages, e mails, and records of cell phone calls. Better yet, he should conduct any communication regarding such an activity one-on-one, inside a big closet. But make sure it’s debugged.

#3. If you’re feeling sick, don’t attend a state dinner with the Japanese Prime Minister. You’re liable to vomit in his lap, and it will make international headlines. George W. Bush later claimed it was just a simple case of the flu. Unfortunately, it was right around election time, and many people thought that episode contributed to his defeat.

#4 . Don’t smoke cigars, and if you do, keep them out of the oval office. Especially while conducting a tryst with an intern. And if things get out of hand, make sure you have a change of clothes available. Unlike Bill Clinton, don’t let her leave the room with the evidence . And once you have the blue dress, cut it up in little bitty pieces and flush it down the toilet.

#5. Speaking of toilets: Don’t use the toilet while talking to reporters. LBJ was known for sitting on the pot while conducting interviews. He got away with such crude behavior for awhile, but in the end, he realized he couldn’t get re elected.

#6. Unlike Trump, don’t throw plates against the wall when you get mad. Somebody will have to clean up the ketchup, and eventually, they’re going to testify before some congressional committee about your poor anger management skills. There are lots of apps now that help with that. Subscribe to something like CALM, meditate once a day, and do some deep breathing exercise before meeting with your attorney general after the election .

I don’t know about you, but I’m really hoping the next president won’t be an octogenarian like myself. We need a younger candidate who has demonstrated some common sense. But why would any sensible person want to run for president?

June 26, 2022June 25, 2022

FREE BOOK: TRIALS OF A PRO-CHOICE MINISTER

The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe Vs. Wade was a shock to my husband. who actively supported a woman’s right to abortion before 1973. His memoir recalls that difficult time, and seems as relevant today as it was then. As a result, I’m offering you a FREE BOOK, with chapters describing the trials of a Pro-Choice minister. Download a free copy of” A Preacher Called Sinn” on Amazon Kindle @ http://www.amzn.com/B011DO8PGW

Here’s a brief synopsis:

FREE BOOK: The Trials of a Prochoice Minister — FREE BOOK: TRIALS OF A PRO- CHOICE MINISTER who supported a woman’s right to choose abortion in 1970.

At the height of the hippie era, a bearded minister wearing sandals arrives on the campus of Indiana State University and opens a popular coffee house where musicians perform between inspirational readings. But eventually, Duane’s involvement in liberal causes casts gloomy shadows over his once proud surname. His support of Planned Parenthood as a member of the Clergy Consultation Service provokes outrage among conservative factions of Terre Haute’s elite society, and shocks his board of directors. A divorce prompts a call for his resignation.

About the Author

Rev. M. Duane Sinn was raised on a farm in Nebraska, and attended the University of Nebraska for one year before joining the Army Air Corps during the Korean War.

Upon discharge from Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii, Duane returned to Nebraska with his wife and twin sons to attend college and work various jobs: insurance salesman, radio announcer, window dresser, ladies lingerie clerk, and part time minister, just to name a few. It would take twelve years to earn his bachelor’s degree from Hastings College and finally, his Master of Divinity Degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver.

In 1968, he came to Terre Haute, Indiana as the Methodist campus minister for Indiana State University and Rose Hulman Institute of Technology. Twelve years later, he joined LBJ’s War on Poverty as Executive Director of the Western Indiana Community Action Agency. Fiercely independent, Duane has always followed his own moral compass when faced with difficult choices..

Get a Free copy of Amazon Kindle book, A Preacher Called Sinn , June 26 -June 30 (Sunday through Thursday) @ http://www.amzn.com/B011DO8PGW

June 23, 2022June 23, 2022

DAMNED IF THEY DO OR DON’T

Most everyone has someone in their life that they really don’t like. Sometimes, there’s a good reason. Like a co worker who back stabbed you, or a relative who bad mouths you. I’m not a psychologist, but I’m sure that there are thousands of reasons why we dislike a certain person. Consequently, it seems they can’t do anything right. Sometimes, we’re the dislikee-or the person disliked. We may sense the hostility, or not realize that a certain person doesn’t wish us well. Nevertheless, you can rest assured that nothing you can do will change their mind. You can volunteer in Africa, or give a million dollars to their alma mater. Doesn’t matter. No matter what you do, their opinion of you will remain the same. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are a perfect example of this phenomenon. No matter where they go, someone is going to criticize them. They’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

If they had stayed too long at the Queen’s platinum jubilee, they would have been accused of trying to steal the spotlight. However when they decided to leave early, the critics accused them of snubbing the Queen. They can’t win.

The Meghan haters declared from the git go that she was nothing but a gold digger. That seems pretty insulting to Prince Harry, who happens to be quite a hunk. To me, a gold digger is a young woman who marries an older unattractive man, simply because he’s rich. Harry is young, charming and personable. Therefore, I would imagine he could have attracted a pretty wife even without his royal title.

Apparently, the English consider Harry to be an ungrateful traitor to the crown. He was supposed to spend his life attending boring ceremonies and playing second fiddle to the future king, his brother William. What’s so terrible about deciding he didn’t want to do that? How many American men leave home at a certain age, and strike out on their own?

They said he trashed the monarchy with his Oprah interview. I can’t see where he trashed anyone. He didn’t criticize prince Charles for ruining his own mother’s life. Didn’t accuse anyone in the royal family of doing anything illegal or unsavory. He simply explained why he wanted to leave England and start a new life in America.

Right now, they are doing what any sensible people in that same position would do. Ignore the critics who can’t be pleased, and go on with their own lives. They’ve done the best they can. They aren’t hurting anyone. If English broadcaster Piers Morgan dislikes Harry and Meghan, it’s on him. Because they’re damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022

COSTLY POST ELECTION SURPRISES

Is the price of gas determined by politicians? It would appear so, at least in the state of Indiana. On Monday and Tuesday, gas sold for 3.99 or less at every gas station in town. Wednesday morning, it shot up to $4.19. Wonder why. Were prices artificially lowered before election day, in hopes you wouldn’t hold it against Biden’s buddies when you filled out your ballot? Now, a day later, we have costly post election surprises.

The Feds also waited until Wednesday to spring another surprise. Jerome Powell announced the benchmark interest rate to a range between .75 and 1%. This is the largest hike since 2000, following a .25 percentage point increase in March. And it’s going to get worse. They’ll be raising interest rates 7 more times this year, in an effort to fight skyrocketing inflation. Mortgage payments will be higher, and maybe home prices will quit going up. They hope.

If you have an upper middle class income of $$170,00 to $373,000, you really don’t care very much. Inflation may shrink the buying power of your bank account a bit, but not enough to impact your life style. You’ll still be living in your McMansion, going to gourmet restaurants, taking cruises, paying country club dues, and shopping in upscale food markets. You might even brag a bit on Facebook about the places you’ve been and the trips you’ve taken.

However, if you live in the average US household with a median income of around $70,000 or $80,000 a year, you’re headed for a post election downgrade. Take vacation plans: Instead of flying your family to a seaside resort in California or Florida , you’ll be lucky to pitch a tent in a park campground. Steak houses that charge $60 for a 4 oz steak will be reserved for the rich, famous, or those on a company expense account. Have you noticed the long lines at drive throughs like McDonald’s or Taco Bell?

Looking for some new summer clothes? You may decide last year’s will do just fine. Never mind the celebrities who wear thousands of dollars on their backs. Just because they can afford designer clothes, it doesn’t mean you can–unless, of course, your income in in the upper percentiles.

I guess we’ll have to wait until November for things to ease up, right before we elect a new batch of senators and congressmen. After that, we’ll have to wait for the presidential election of 2024 to hope for a temporary reprieve in the cost of living.

April 9, 2022April 9, 2022

JEWELER ARRESTED FOR CHASING THIEVES

If you’re getting low on dough, you might dig through your drawers for an old wedding ring or gold bracelet. There’s a jeweler in our local mall who seems to be a friend in need. Because he has a steady flow of customers with valuables they need to sell. But last week, a couple of men invaded his store, grabbed a bunch of gold stuff, and ran off without paying. The jeweler didn’t take it well, and went after them with a gun. Even fired a few shots in their direction. The irony is: they got away, but the merchant got arrested for chasing the thieves.

He’s actually facing one to five years in prison for criminal recklessness. Seems someone was sitting in their car with a couple of kids and feared they might get caught in the crossfire. But apparently, the merchant had a pretty good aim, and could see exactly where he was pointing his gun. No one was shot or injured. The robbers haven’t been found.

At any rate, there’s quite a controversy going on now. A lot of small business owners think he had every right to go after the thieves. However, the prosecutor, a Republican, said an owner can only defend his property INSIDE his store—not outside. A prominent Democratic lawyer quickly stepped up to his defense. Politics?

At first, the prosecutor said the store owner had to post the full bond of $25,000. But the judge let him out on 10%. And now, they’ve scheduled a jury trial to take place in the fall. That’s going to be a circus. You have to wonder how a 72 year old, respected businessman in the community would have to spend time in prison for trying to catch a pair of thieves. Those two must be having a good laugh. It’s not often that the thieves go free, and the victim goes to jail.