Nice article. I strive to practice GRATITUDE daily. When my head hits the pillow, I make sure I have 3-5 things that happened that day to be grateful for that occurred.
Sometimes HEALING is reinterpreting what you believe happened to you!
Spot on, Kim!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and to John for his poetic prose and insight and Dr. M for being one of the few good doctors out there who wouldn't be beholden to ideology in his practice.
Thank you.. :) HAVE BLESSED THANKSGIVING.. Wow.. LINCOLN LOOKS LIKE HE WAS RODE HARD... look the difference those phonographs. That is a good way of putting humble penitence.. a lot better than airing of the grievances. When I was a child.. I used to go to Sterling Optical w/ my mom and sister in Washington DC.. this an amazing true story.. somewhere I have photo of me in front of the Sterling Optical. We all wore very THICK Coke bottle glasses.. (my mom, sister and me) back when it was much safer place. ACROSS THE STREET from the Sterling Optical was the OLD FORD THEATER.. not yet restored. It was right on the street.. and it had a little marker in it.. to my dim memory of that The Ford Theater where Lincoln was shot was not yet.. renovated... back then.. in the mid 1960s.. and we all were amazed.. and walked up to the building.. it was a dilapidated backk then. I wish I had a taken a photo of it. But thanks to the Virginia public school system which USED TO BE AMAZING.. especially U.S and Virginia History.. starting through 4th grade through 12th grade I knew exactly what it was.. I was awe that it sat there .. not renovated.. around 1966. I had studied about the Lincoln Assassination for years in grade school so I was fascinated. MUCH LATER IN LIFE.. I took my sons (now grown men) in the late 80 to that very Theater in DC.. it was renovated and our family saw Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" there.. front row seats. .. I have never written about that before.. but I thought today I would write about that. Truly growing up in the DC (DMV) area I have seen a HUGE SWATH OF LIVING HISTORY. Now I live less than three miles from George Washington's estate.. off the Parkway.. I never planned it.. just happened. Went to TC Williams High School during the REMEMBER THE TITANS.. movie period and I went to the wedding of Coach Yost's daughter.. yea (she died) because I was friend of her husband. So as much I complain about living here.. and I do want to leave.. watching some of history unfold before my very eyes has been cool.
Thank you for sharing that. Lincoln was carried across the street to a boarding house often called the Peterson House where he remained unconscious until the morning after. Wonder if that is still there.
On Thanksgiving, we can remember that Lincoln wanted to heal divisions and asked people to listen to the “better angels of their nature”.
I'm slightly younger than you but I grew up in the same area. Both my uncles graduated from TC so it's actually possible you bumped into each other at some point. I finally got the heck out of that swamp in 1999 but it sure was a wonderful place growing up. So much culture, history, entertainment no matter which direction you went. Anyway... thanks for the memory bubbles and happy thanksgiving.
Have a lovely day! I appreciate the very interesting articles you produce, even though on occasion I totally disagree with your viewpoint. But debate is such a fun and edifying experience I wouldn't have it any other way. I wish contrary opinions didn't cause a sub population of commentators to respond with insults. They would be wise to avoid pub culture in the Isles; they wouldn't last kissing time in terms of social embrace. I think in life though there has to be a place for legitimate anger, as when one is deeply betrayed. Stewing isn't productive though. I agree, ultimately, letting go of resentment is the winning tack.
Thank you for the work you and Dr McCullough do. It’s a beautiful work toward restoration with insight and encouragement for those you may never know. I appreciate it. I don’t think you often get the thanks and appreciation that is deserved. But that’s why it’s so beautiful. A light in the darkness.
Your COURAGE, WISDOM, SACRIFICES and SELFLESSNESS for the good of humanity are BLESSINGS for which my husband and I PRAISE and THANK ALMIGHTY GOD frequently!
May ALMIGHTY GOD continue to rain His RICHEST BLESSINGS upon each of you!
Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends from Alberta! A Substack like none other with all the unique medical and cultural/historical insights...worlds I wouldn't otherwise be in touch with - thank you!
Lincoln should have let the Confederacy go, there being no real freedom without the freedom to leave. He preserved the Union, but destroyed its moral foundation and put us inescapably on the course to our present situation.
Worth noting that there are those who can act and chose not to, and those who really have no capacity to act but make a lot of noise. Thank God for the former, because with out them the division and passion of which John writes would not tolerate the latter. Ironically the most divisive are those who benefit most from tolerance they don't recognize.
Thanks JMacEye and DRK. John Leake is a good man, but Lincoln was not. In his Thanksgiving proclamation Lincoln writes of "the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged." But of course, it wasn't unavoidable, and Lincoln completely misconstrued the nation's history to justify his war, claiming the national government authored the states rather than the reverse. For the truth hidden by the establishment myth, see The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War, by Thomas J. Dilorenzo.
Thank you, JMacEye, for having the courage to hold and share an unpopular opinion about Lincoln and the re-Confederacy.
For those who were robbed of the good basic education which We the actual People paid for, under threat of force, the 1st constitution of the United States of America was the Articles of Confederation - an agreement of co-operation between the "Free and Independent" States declared as such, "in the Name, and by the Authority of the (former) Colonies". - Declaration of Independence
Slavery is unacceptable Both in the chattel form, and when corporations and/or government assumes ownership control over the lives of people.
I have yet to see any explanation of the difference between the 13 colonies declaring their independence - and the States that left.
"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
The Confederate States did not try to overthrow the Union, nor invade it.
Under the Constitution for the U.S. of A., the State legislature must approve a U. S. federal facility within the States territory. Regarding the Fort Sumter incident, considered the start of the War of Northern Aggression (it was not actually a civil war), that approval had been withdrawn.
JMacEye Right On! Both sides of my family line were confederate. My mom, she's 91, shares how vicious the Union were on her small town. She knows this from stories shared. I have no shame of my ancestors, the men fought to save their land. They owned no slaves! I'm proud of them all!
I'm far from a runner from trouble. I assume they all instilled that in me. Well said!
Yes, we should always strive to put ourselves in the shoes of the other person. Just as we would hope they’d try to do for us. The key to this is communicating IN PERSON. Not ‘over the internet’. Look at how folks treat each other online…most of which they would never do in person.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and the team and your respective families, John Leake. We are thankful for all of your efforts made on behalf of us, America, and the world. History will show... (at least in my daily critique of your endeavors), that you did right, decided wisely, and held the line. We are grateful.
You have given us a truly STAND OUT example to emulate...in your reservations about the "covid fiasco" and its permutations. The public was gaslit, locked down, POISONED and robbed. We lost a lot. Mainly what was lost was "TRUST"....our various watch dog agencies failed us and many among us were conned into believing in a faked up "pandemic" that would be mitigated by an even more faked up "vaccine"...
It was treason and it was diabolical. I think Gd that experts and critics-- like those at FOCAL POINTS... exist. Bless you and much gratitude for all your work and sacrifice. I pray to God you continue to be protected in your vital work and that others see the importance of what you have done and continue to do. THANK YOU!!!!
So, this Thanksgiving Steve and I decided, because of my knee situation, we'd have a nice quiet time at home = and cook a beer butt chicken on the grill for dinner to make it easier! Easy Peasy!
Then it became... what about cranberry sauce (canned per Steve) absolutely NOT per Mimi. Fresh cranberries cooked on the stove. Taught Steve to listen to the POP of cranberries.
Then what about dressing? With beer butt chicken? Mimi screamed? YES. Said Steve - it's Thanksgiving. So we are making dressing with mushrooms.
Ok it's only 11:00 - how about a celebratory glass of Chardonnay? It's a special holiday - OK!
What about a pumpkin Pie? Said Steve. What? Said Mimi? Ok, get the pumpkin and we will roast it and make a natural pumpkin Pie. So, we got a sort of pale pumpkin
from the pumpkin patch that the pumpkin came from the German Baptist at the vegetable stand. They said it will be great for a pie. We decided to roast it - so we did - and it seems
better for pumpkin soup - not really tasty - ok put it in the fridge for future soupl
Change back to canned pumpkin - and then we were all set. Oh! But we had puff pastry dough b/c we were going to make appetizers too. Instead, we looked on the internet how
to make a pumpkin pie with Puff Pastry dough crust. I religiously followed the instructions - and seemed simple enough. A caution - cook the pie crust for 10 minutes before adding the pumpkin
ingredients. Should have taken a picture, b/c pie crust was so BEAUTIFUL with edges crimped - my Grandmother and Mother would be so proud of me. Stuck it into the oven for
10 minutes. BING! Brought it out and... the pastry dough had shrunk off the sides... across the bottom - no crimped Crust at all at any section of the pie! So... instead of screaming
and shouting (had a glass of wine) we decided to dump the pumpkin ingredients in the pie plate and hope for the best. finished. Looks wonderful - no crust to be seen but we have
a lot of whipped cream (from scratch - out of the carton) Drown our sorrows in whipped cream - while watching some type of Thanksgiving movie (after all the Lions/Packer games are
finished of course) Another glass of wine please - taking all day.
That's so far.... OH! now it's let's cut up the mushrooms and onions to saute for the "Dressing" for our Beer butt chicken. Whoa! Ok. I can dig it. And an onion to saute as well.
Ok, going well. So far so good.
Oh! where are the fresh green beans for the dinner? Steve: Oh I forgot! What said Mimi? I need something green. Ok, making a salad. Celery, Carrot, Green pepper Red Pepper,
Onion, - all chopped up into small bites... Add fresh parsley chopped, choppled almonds, sesame seeds, chopped arugula or other greens... Everything chopped perfectly (another 45 min standing with
throbbing knee) and then adding feta, avocado - and home made dressing... hmmmmm.
Dinner almost done. Having an martini to welcome holiday.
Soon we can whip up the whipped cream and some flavor to put on our ugly pie.
What a day...
Wonderful in a lot of ways. Did dirty pans, dishes, trays, cookie sheets, etc. along the way.
So wonderful to have a quiet, tranquil Thanksgiving to let my knee rest so I don't have to worry. Ummmm up to 5 hours standing. ICE please!
Have a great day! Fun. It's all in the attitude - truly! If you received this - it's because we love you. Laughter is the best. Gotta go chop the mushrooms and onions.
We the People have much to be thankful for, and the unique gifts that you both, Dr. M and yourself, bring to Courageous Discourse, is prominent on the list.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well. I'm grateful for your writing and sharing of your historical knowledge.
Nice article. I strive to practice GRATITUDE daily. When my head hits the pillow, I make sure I have 3-5 things that happened that day to be grateful for that occurred.
Sometimes HEALING is reinterpreting what you believe happened to you!
Spot on, Kim!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and to John for his poetic prose and insight and Dr. M for being one of the few good doctors out there who wouldn't be beholden to ideology in his practice.
Happy Thanksgiving back at you my good man John Leake!!
Thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving, John Leake and Dr. Peter McCullough. We are all thankful to hear often from both of you!
And Nic Hulscher too!
Oh, YES! NIC has been a Godsend to John and Dr. McCullough. His research and analyses are amazing and relevant.
Thank you.. :) HAVE BLESSED THANKSGIVING.. Wow.. LINCOLN LOOKS LIKE HE WAS RODE HARD... look the difference those phonographs. That is a good way of putting humble penitence.. a lot better than airing of the grievances. When I was a child.. I used to go to Sterling Optical w/ my mom and sister in Washington DC.. this an amazing true story.. somewhere I have photo of me in front of the Sterling Optical. We all wore very THICK Coke bottle glasses.. (my mom, sister and me) back when it was much safer place. ACROSS THE STREET from the Sterling Optical was the OLD FORD THEATER.. not yet restored. It was right on the street.. and it had a little marker in it.. to my dim memory of that The Ford Theater where Lincoln was shot was not yet.. renovated... back then.. in the mid 1960s.. and we all were amazed.. and walked up to the building.. it was a dilapidated backk then. I wish I had a taken a photo of it. But thanks to the Virginia public school system which USED TO BE AMAZING.. especially U.S and Virginia History.. starting through 4th grade through 12th grade I knew exactly what it was.. I was awe that it sat there .. not renovated.. around 1966. I had studied about the Lincoln Assassination for years in grade school so I was fascinated. MUCH LATER IN LIFE.. I took my sons (now grown men) in the late 80 to that very Theater in DC.. it was renovated and our family saw Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" there.. front row seats. .. I have never written about that before.. but I thought today I would write about that. Truly growing up in the DC (DMV) area I have seen a HUGE SWATH OF LIVING HISTORY. Now I live less than three miles from George Washington's estate.. off the Parkway.. I never planned it.. just happened. Went to TC Williams High School during the REMEMBER THE TITANS.. movie period and I went to the wedding of Coach Yost's daughter.. yea (she died) because I was friend of her husband. So as much I complain about living here.. and I do want to leave.. watching some of history unfold before my very eyes has been cool.
Thank you for sharing that. Lincoln was carried across the street to a boarding house often called the Peterson House where he remained unconscious until the morning after. Wonder if that is still there.
On Thanksgiving, we can remember that Lincoln wanted to heal divisions and asked people to listen to the “better angels of their nature”.
I'm slightly younger than you but I grew up in the same area. Both my uncles graduated from TC so it's actually possible you bumped into each other at some point. I finally got the heck out of that swamp in 1999 but it sure was a wonderful place growing up. So much culture, history, entertainment no matter which direction you went. Anyway... thanks for the memory bubbles and happy thanksgiving.
Have a lovely day! I appreciate the very interesting articles you produce, even though on occasion I totally disagree with your viewpoint. But debate is such a fun and edifying experience I wouldn't have it any other way. I wish contrary opinions didn't cause a sub population of commentators to respond with insults. They would be wise to avoid pub culture in the Isles; they wouldn't last kissing time in terms of social embrace. I think in life though there has to be a place for legitimate anger, as when one is deeply betrayed. Stewing isn't productive though. I agree, ultimately, letting go of resentment is the winning tack.
Thank you for the work you and Dr McCullough do. It’s a beautiful work toward restoration with insight and encouragement for those you may never know. I appreciate it. I don’t think you often get the thanks and appreciation that is deserved. But that’s why it’s so beautiful. A light in the darkness.
Patricia Lockwood - AGREED!
Dear Mr. Leake, Dr. McCullough and Mr. Hulscher,
Your COURAGE, WISDOM, SACRIFICES and SELFLESSNESS for the good of humanity are BLESSINGS for which my husband and I PRAISE and THANK ALMIGHTY GOD frequently!
May ALMIGHTY GOD continue to rain His RICHEST BLESSINGS upon each of you!
Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends from Alberta! A Substack like none other with all the unique medical and cultural/historical insights...worlds I wouldn't otherwise be in touch with - thank you!
Eric Larsen - HAPPY THANKSGIVING from the state of Oklahoma!
Thank you DaughteroftheKing! Sending you and your family many blessings on this day and in the year ahead!!
THANK YOU and same to you and your family!
Lincoln should have let the Confederacy go, there being no real freedom without the freedom to leave. He preserved the Union, but destroyed its moral foundation and put us inescapably on the course to our present situation.
Worth noting that there are those who can act and chose not to, and those who really have no capacity to act but make a lot of noise. Thank God for the former, because with out them the division and passion of which John writes would not tolerate the latter. Ironically the most divisive are those who benefit most from tolerance they don't recognize.
Thanks JMacEye and DRK. John Leake is a good man, but Lincoln was not. In his Thanksgiving proclamation Lincoln writes of "the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged." But of course, it wasn't unavoidable, and Lincoln completely misconstrued the nation's history to justify his war, claiming the national government authored the states rather than the reverse. For the truth hidden by the establishment myth, see The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War, by Thomas J. Dilorenzo.
Thank you, JMacEye, for having the courage to hold and share an unpopular opinion about Lincoln and the re-Confederacy.
For those who were robbed of the good basic education which We the actual People paid for, under threat of force, the 1st constitution of the United States of America was the Articles of Confederation - an agreement of co-operation between the "Free and Independent" States declared as such, "in the Name, and by the Authority of the (former) Colonies". - Declaration of Independence
Slavery is unacceptable Both in the chattel form, and when corporations and/or government assumes ownership control over the lives of people.
I have yet to see any explanation of the difference between the 13 colonies declaring their independence - and the States that left.
"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
The Confederate States did not try to overthrow the Union, nor invade it.
Under the Constitution for the U.S. of A., the State legislature must approve a U. S. federal facility within the States territory. Regarding the Fort Sumter incident, considered the start of the War of Northern Aggression (it was not actually a civil war), that approval had been withdrawn.
JMacEye Right On! Both sides of my family line were confederate. My mom, she's 91, shares how vicious the Union were on her small town. She knows this from stories shared. I have no shame of my ancestors, the men fought to save their land. They owned no slaves! I'm proud of them all!
I'm far from a runner from trouble. I assume they all instilled that in me. Well said!
Thanks for this! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Yes, we should always strive to put ourselves in the shoes of the other person. Just as we would hope they’d try to do for us. The key to this is communicating IN PERSON. Not ‘over the internet’. Look at how folks treat each other online…most of which they would never do in person.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and the team and your respective families, John Leake. We are thankful for all of your efforts made on behalf of us, America, and the world. History will show... (at least in my daily critique of your endeavors), that you did right, decided wisely, and held the line. We are grateful.
You have given us a truly STAND OUT example to emulate...in your reservations about the "covid fiasco" and its permutations. The public was gaslit, locked down, POISONED and robbed. We lost a lot. Mainly what was lost was "TRUST"....our various watch dog agencies failed us and many among us were conned into believing in a faked up "pandemic" that would be mitigated by an even more faked up "vaccine"...
It was treason and it was diabolical. I think Gd that experts and critics-- like those at FOCAL POINTS... exist. Bless you and much gratitude for all your work and sacrifice. I pray to God you continue to be protected in your vital work and that others see the importance of what you have done and continue to do. THANK YOU!!!!
7 weeks after a knee replacement:
So, this Thanksgiving Steve and I decided, because of my knee situation, we'd have a nice quiet time at home = and cook a beer butt chicken on the grill for dinner to make it easier! Easy Peasy!
Then it became... what about cranberry sauce (canned per Steve) absolutely NOT per Mimi. Fresh cranberries cooked on the stove. Taught Steve to listen to the POP of cranberries.
Then what about dressing? With beer butt chicken? Mimi screamed? YES. Said Steve - it's Thanksgiving. So we are making dressing with mushrooms.
Ok it's only 11:00 - how about a celebratory glass of Chardonnay? It's a special holiday - OK!
What about a pumpkin Pie? Said Steve. What? Said Mimi? Ok, get the pumpkin and we will roast it and make a natural pumpkin Pie. So, we got a sort of pale pumpkin
from the pumpkin patch that the pumpkin came from the German Baptist at the vegetable stand. They said it will be great for a pie. We decided to roast it - so we did - and it seems
better for pumpkin soup - not really tasty - ok put it in the fridge for future soupl
Change back to canned pumpkin - and then we were all set. Oh! But we had puff pastry dough b/c we were going to make appetizers too. Instead, we looked on the internet how
to make a pumpkin pie with Puff Pastry dough crust. I religiously followed the instructions - and seemed simple enough. A caution - cook the pie crust for 10 minutes before adding the pumpkin
ingredients. Should have taken a picture, b/c pie crust was so BEAUTIFUL with edges crimped - my Grandmother and Mother would be so proud of me. Stuck it into the oven for
10 minutes. BING! Brought it out and... the pastry dough had shrunk off the sides... across the bottom - no crimped Crust at all at any section of the pie! So... instead of screaming
and shouting (had a glass of wine) we decided to dump the pumpkin ingredients in the pie plate and hope for the best. finished. Looks wonderful - no crust to be seen but we have
a lot of whipped cream (from scratch - out of the carton) Drown our sorrows in whipped cream - while watching some type of Thanksgiving movie (after all the Lions/Packer games are
finished of course) Another glass of wine please - taking all day.
That's so far.... OH! now it's let's cut up the mushrooms and onions to saute for the "Dressing" for our Beer butt chicken. Whoa! Ok. I can dig it. And an onion to saute as well.
Ok, going well. So far so good.
Oh! where are the fresh green beans for the dinner? Steve: Oh I forgot! What said Mimi? I need something green. Ok, making a salad. Celery, Carrot, Green pepper Red Pepper,
Onion, - all chopped up into small bites... Add fresh parsley chopped, choppled almonds, sesame seeds, chopped arugula or other greens... Everything chopped perfectly (another 45 min standing with
throbbing knee) and then adding feta, avocado - and home made dressing... hmmmmm.
Dinner almost done. Having an martini to welcome holiday.
Soon we can whip up the whipped cream and some flavor to put on our ugly pie.
What a day...
Wonderful in a lot of ways. Did dirty pans, dishes, trays, cookie sheets, etc. along the way.
So wonderful to have a quiet, tranquil Thanksgiving to let my knee rest so I don't have to worry. Ummmm up to 5 hours standing. ICE please!
Have a great day! Fun. It's all in the attitude - truly! If you received this - it's because we love you. Laughter is the best. Gotta go chop the mushrooms and onions.
Love and Happy Thanksgiving
Mimi and Steve
To be continued - or so I think.
I SO enjoyed your day vicariously! Thank you!
We the People have much to be thankful for, and the unique gifts that you both, Dr. M and yourself, bring to Courageous Discourse, is prominent on the list.
Always thankful for CD.