TO MY FRIENDS -ALL OVER THE WORLD - EACH ONE OF US - ALL THOSE I KNOW - WE HAVE THE TENACITY AND FORTITUDE - TO UPLIFT ONE ANOTHER - I AM BLESSED TO KNOW SO MANY OF YOU - TREASURE EACH MOMENT.

Here you see me with Danny Glover.

Not long ago, I turned seventy-five - and as I review my life - from my early days in Nairobi, Kenya - to my travels all over the world - Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas - I learned so much. 

Looking back, the best moments were when I took the time to work with the youth - the many tournaments we held and became so close.

We held many workshops and camps- so those who had little got a lot of love. 

From a young, I have loved to play cricket, hockey, volleyball, football, or soccer - and I always like to allow all the players - to love one another.

Life is for the living, not the living dead.

Each of us - each one I have had the honor to know - talk about the many subjects we all love to have a dialog - this makes a big difference - dialog - deep communication - that sheds light where there abject darkness.

The Presidio of San Francisco, where I worked very hard. I served and serviced the twelve western states - of the United States - as the last Congressional Liaison - the Sixth U.S. Army and Presidio of San Francisco.

This mural depicts indigenous people, the Franciscan friars, the Spanish soldiers, and the Russian fur trappers at the Presidio of San Francisco circa 1776.

From a young, I learned from a wise man - a Masai, one of the many tribes in East Africa - who spoke to me and told me many things that I would encounter during my life - and how not to judge anyone.

I was just twelve years old - and all these many years - I treasure his words and see him in my dreams.

Working for the Sixth United States Army and Presidio of San Francisco - here in San Francisco - I got to learn - more about logistics, the value of teamwork - and saving lives - in this case, the lives of our soldiers - women and men - who are gone to Kuwait to deal with an autocracy - Sadam Hussien.

Desert Shield - Desert Storm earned me many awards - these are the only awards I treasure. I put in thousands of man hours - and was glad that the war - got over in a few months.

Paradoxically at the Presidio, we had some soldiers from Iraq who were in training at the Presidio of San Francisco. Technically, they were our enemies.

We agreed to send them to Jordon, and they returned from Jordon to Iraq. 

I learned quickly what most of us know - have mercy, and if you love one another - and commit yourself to good actions - good things will come to you.

Our U.S. women and men - lay their lives to serve our Nation - and preserve freedom worldwide.

I recently got involved in rescuing and helping Afghans - many of whom had served in the United States Army and other agencies within the U.S. Department of Defense. 

The United States had promised to bring the Afghans - here to the United States - knowing fully well - the Taliban and other such entities - would not treat them with disdain. Never happened!

The Presidio of San Francisco - where all Black - 500 Buffalo Soldiers are interred  - honored and revered for their skills in battle and as horse riders - some of the best infantry soldiers - in the world.

We once took it upon ourselves to buy a boat - Mustang I - sailed on the Bay and worked on weekends to keep the boat in good shape. We treasure those days - and sold the boat - it was too much - polishing the trim - and maintaining the engine.

From time to time, we visited San Quentin - a Federal Prison - with the youth - to show them - right from wrong. We keep pushing and standing with our youth - to do right.

We all know that the exit from Afghanistan did not have a well-planned EXIT - the debacle - haunts us to this day.

We here in the United States did our best to rescue many - and I have continued writing about the situation in Afghanistan. 

Today, Afghan women are denied access to higher learning - the Taliban are as ignorant as they come - and all and more will pass - we have to speak Truth to Power.

With San Francisco's Mayor Edwin Mah Lee and his wife.

My grandfather served in South Africa.

Thanksgiving Day is one day we all celebrate - here carving Turkey - several other dishes - too - caramel custard - champagne. 

At San Francisco City Hall - addressing issues that matter.

In Nurenberg, Germany, these youths met me to play table tennis - then we went for a walk. The youth loved frankfurters, and I liked the burger - fries for all - we became friends - as you can see - everyone smiling and happy.

Oscar Grant was shot by an Oakland Police Officer -  I was the first to write about the murder of Oscar Grant - here, I am with his

mother - after one of many events - to bring an end to police violence - who have Qualified Immunity.

At two years, I suffered from polio - which paralyzed the entire half side of my body - I overcame polio - now suffering from atrophy of my left leg - I wear a special custom-made brace - that serves me well to this day.

We are living in dangerous times - those of us who were born in one place had to travel to another place - make it our home - then, because of opportunities or good fortune - settle in yet another site - we call it the diaspora of sorts.

We know who started World War I and then World War II - today, we have a war in Ukraine - but also other " crimes against humanity " committed in Sudan, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, China, India, Peru, Argentina, Mynamar, and untold places - and we call ourselves - civilized.

Our beloved Elders, infants, children, youth, Ukrainian women and men soldiers - should not die - at the hands of an autocrat - that is Vladimir Putin - time to put him out. 

Ukrainians have long been known to be very intelligent.

Even today, they are so creative - that the natural world marvels - at their tenacity and fortitude. Long live Ukraine.

GLORY TO    U K R A I N E 

 It is pathetic how the United Nations has not stepped up to put checks and balances.

The five nations with veto power are a JOKE - the United States, Britain, France, China, and Russia.

Even as Britain, France, and the United States - are failing to be genuinely democratic - each suffering linked to their spiraling economy - the United States and its January 6, 2021 incident - Donald Trump continues to pussyfoot with Russia. 

As for Britain - the death of Queen Elizabeth ushered in her son King Charles - to succeed her - Britain has had so many Prime Minister - creating a mess - that is too convoluted to put back on track. 

Protesters in Francisco - cannot be taken lightly - the socialists who have the power now - openly favor Mussolini and the Brown Shirts.

The younger generation - does not know about French General De Gaule - less about American General  McArthur and General Eisenhower.

At this juncture - we would be remiss not to mention General Montgomery - from Britain - all contributed to World War II - and there is more - to World War II - than D-day. 

My dear friends at this time - we all are on this journey - some I met fifty years plus ago - others forty years plus ago - the majority some thirty years plus ago.

Still others, some twenty years plus from all walks of life - faiths, professionals, and non-professionals - Generals, doctors, engineers, professional athletes, scientists - some of my students hold good jobs - and keep in touch with me.  

Here in San Francisco, I have good connections.

I choose my friends - my primary purpose is to help those who cannot be satisfied - uplift those that others put down - speak Truth to Power, and make good things - happen.

 

Each of us - much like the stars - with whom we all have a connection - carbon. Each star sheds light - some from millions of light years away.

We, humans, are diminutive  - gigantic because we have a soul - the spirit that knows no bounds. We know some - we all feel and touch - we express ourselves - and in doing so - we could shed good vibes.

The year 2022 will soon end, even as 2023 begins.

To you all that I know and love so much - I wish you all peace of mind, good health - the tenacity and fortitude to speak Truth to Power. Aho.